Year: 1860

And vet no further than q wanton's bird;


Who let it hop little from her hand,


And with silk thread plucks it back again,
So loving jealous of its liberty


sAND so, Edgar, we must part


part !-and so soon !?


sWe must. I expect my guardian here
every moment


sAnd you do not wish me to see him ?


Rather I do not wish hine to see yow.'


sAh, I understand. But do not let us
part yet, Amy. 1t is not so very late, and
| have much-O, so much to say to you !


The above conversation took place in the
garden of the hotel d. Espague, between
Apabel Galitzen, the ward and cousin Of
Count de Mouer, and Edgar Kaiser, hel
afhanced lover. They had met that evening
after an absence of three months, an age tt
lovers and neither being aware that the
other was in Rome, their meeting had beer
quite unexpected. Annabel was not only
the daughter of the deceased Cozain Galit
zen, Prince of Radetsky, and the heiress Of
vast estate, but was also related on hel
mothers side to the Empress Catharine Of
Russia, whom, however, she had never seen
She was about sixteen years Of age, that in
teresting period of life when girlhood auc
womanhood are unconsciously blending into
each other;-and when for time the steE
grows more timid, the voice softer, the eyes
more melting in their expression, and the
blush more frequently manted the cheek


Her features were small and cast in the
Grecian mould; her limbs slight but grace
full and exquisitely symmetrical. Her com
plexiou was remarkably pure and delicate
her eye dark and fringed with long silkeu
lashes, which gave them dreamy, loving
expression, such as seen in the picture Of
the virgin by some of the old masters, and
which the modern school have ever failed tc
produce Her hair black as the ravens
wing, and glossy and soft as the finest silk,
was bound around her brow by velvet
band, in the centre of whichsparkled a
large diamond, glitteriDg and flashing like
burning coal jewel of inestimable
price, which her father had brought her
from the mountains of Ural, and which the
fairest flower of Russia was well worthy
of possessing. She was attired in the cos,
tune Of peasant, which she had worn that
day in the fete ; and its close fitting bodice,
short sleeves, and gay colors, suited her
her admirably. Altogether she was being
made to love and be loved and was we'll
worthy of the devotion of Edgar Kaiser, a
young soldier of fortune, who from hum
BILE condition of life, was slowly and surely
carving his way to distinction and wealth
and who was now on short leave of ab
sence, which he had improved by visiting
Rome-a city be had long wished to see
above all others.


Yes, l have much to say to you, he
continued, raising the soft hand Of his mis-
tress to his lips. i thought it all over as
I was coming along; but alas your pres
ence has made me forget every thing
How far different, my love, is this pure
and balmy air from ours-these trees ano
shrubs and flowers from those of our owr
country! No other place like Italy to tel
of love, Amy; would that We could re
main here forever


NV heart echoes that wish, Ed gar; bu
it cannot be. Tomorrow, by my guardian
command, / must return to St. Petersburg


SO soon p said the soldier with sigh


sAlas, yes! l have already remained
longer than he intended at first, but was
so desirous of seeing the Carnival from tho
beginning to the end, that he could not re
fuse me-


'And do you return alone, Anny?'


No. My aunt goes with me-


Would it were otherwise said Edga
sadly; then I might accompany YOU
'Twould be useless for me to request hel
permission; ; it would receive but one an
swer-a refusal. Such sour looking
coarse. grained spinster, never saw


You must not speak of her thus sale
Amy gently. you forget that whatever
her faults may be, she is still my relative
and as such should be treated with respect
Besides, reccllect how she was brought VI
herself, Edgar, under the very eye of th'
Empress Catha1ine, who scolds and con
demns ere the fault is committed


True, true. Forgive me my rudeueSs
Amy; it was unintentional But know
| need not ask it. When does the Coun
return? Do you know


He is expecting his recall daily


i hope he will never receive it, said Ed
gar, gloomily. i tell you what it is, An
n.y. he added suddenly, Il am afraid-yes
afraid of this Count De Moner I, a soldie
of the empire, whose breast is covered wit
scarce healed wounds received in the SCI
vice of my country, am afraid of this ma
who carries pen instead of sword, an
whose strength to mine is but that of a
infants. I never see him but what I thin
of veuomous creeping reptile in my path
whose touch is death aud whose breat
taints and poisons the pure air of heaven
Pish !, and he startled back with an expires
sion of deep disgust, at once ludicrous an
startling, and half drew his sword from il
sheath. oh Amy! he continued, 'if h
should return to St. Petersburg and, 8
your guardian, remain with you, | fes
that we shall seldom, if ever, meet again


What makes you think so, Edgar?'


Il don't know. My heart is filed wit
gloom, aud everything looks dark and dre'
ry. Oh, this Count de Moner! would
were any other than your guardian an