Year: 1862

exquisite regularity and pearly whteness.


The features of Alphonzo, on the contrary,
were so delicate and fair, that one not aware of
his Italian birth, would have identified him with
the inhabitants of northern Germany. His wa
Wy auburn hair, and mild blue eye, shaded by
constant smile, formed tout ensemble in striking
contrast with that Of his dark featured brother.
In fact, when in rcpose, and unmoved by any
emotion, it would have been impossible for the
observer to have decided which were the hand
somer, or upon which of the two nature had
more strongly impressed the seal Of nobility.


AS they were the opposite in form and feature,
so as their passions and inclinations began to
develop themselves, their anxious guardians be-
gan to discover how equally diverse were those
minds and hearts, which they were striving to
form alike in the same mould of virtue and love-
Illness


Alphonzo was ever of buoyant, gentle and
forgivng disposition. His ringing laugh and
merry step; shed cheerfulness around. If the
Father Antonio, or the Signor, or the Lady FL
vira found occasion to chde him, lis fair cheek
might flush for moment, it is true, or a tear
suffuse his gentle eye, but it would pass quick
ly as it came, and with the drops of contrition
on his cheeks and words of confession on his
lips, he would throw his arms around the repro
ver's neck, and beg to be forgiven.


The disposition of Leopold was just the re-
verse. Even from his early youth, he was dark
and cruel, and took pleasure in tormenting and
giving pain to some creature; and this character
'.grew with his growth and strengthened with
bis strength" OF cold, sullen temper, he was
scarcely ever moved, but by anger and re-
vengeful spirit. A reproof from his parents
would mantle his eye with fire. and cause his
cheek to burn his proud lip to curl and his teeth
TO set in fierce passion; and at such times his
face would have something so fearful in its ex-
preston, that his gentle mother would tremble.


As he grew older, he became proaf alike, to
Gindfrsss and severity. For whole Gays aIter
some supposed offence, would he remain moody
and morose, wandering from the house, and re-
naming in the forest, which formed part of the
parental domain, by himself, communing with
his own dark thoughts, and nothing but the stern,
decisive command of his father, could induce
him to return until his humor left him.


IF Alphonzo seemed being created to love
and be loved, 30 did his stern brother appear
creature to hate, and be hated.


The young Pauline need not describe. Suf-
flee it for me to say, that her rare beauty was
exceeded only by her lovely and gentle DISPOSE
tion. / will leave the reader to imagine eyes of
black, hazel, or blue; hair JET, blonde, or gold
en-; checks of "rosy blush, or lily white; TO
c,othe her in whatever simitude may be best
pleasing TO himself,


1t is not important that 1 dwell longer upon
the early days of my heroes, save to say, that
as they verged toward manhood, the unhappy
spirit of Leopold acquired more and more the
mastery over him. The anxiety which per-
verse childhood and early youth caused his pa
rents, gradually gave place to habitual and hope


less sorrow, as with the passing years, that once
tranquil home became more frequently the the
alter of passion, until finally its peace was con-
stantly disturbed. The consciousness that his
was not character to be loved, although he
could not but be sensible of the cause, instead
of leading him to strive to master his unhaow-
ed temper, but maddened him, and urged his
malignant heart into the commission of fresh
deeds of wickedpess,


fectionate terms entreat him for his own well
being and happiness, and for the sake OF those
whom nature had bound TO him in such tender
ties, to strive to subdue his ill-natured DISPOSE
ton. Often would his mother, in loving accents,
and with streaming eyes, implore him not to
break her heart; and often would his reverend
tutor spend whole nights before the altar in the
chapel, engaged in prayer to the Immaculate
One, that the heart of his Leopold might be melt
ed and his nature subdued by the sweet influ-
ences Of the dews of heavenly grace. Often
would he by the midest reasoning, for it was
not in the heart of the good old man to- be harsh
or unkind, strive to convince him of the ''error
of his ways" but it was all in vain. The re-
proofs and entreaties Of his father only reused
him to madness, and caused new outbreaks of
his unholy passion. The tears of his mother
might as well have hoped to melt the "ncther
milstone" for if the sight of those tears brought,
perchancc, flush of shame to his cheek, the
consciousness of that shame, and its betrayal,
only produced fresh ebullition Of his ill-nature.
The prayers and mild reasoning of the pious An
tonic were alike unheeded and despised.