Year: 1879

much dilapldated, and, excepting few
rooms inhabited by the late prince, alto
ge.her unfurnished.


Having lost his father and wife in the
course of the preceding year, this new
prince found new charms in the country,
and desirous of giving his son superior
education, he removed to Naples. Con
stantino, the son, was sent to college, and
the prince, being very little known in
Naples, continued to live almost as much
seluded as he had done in Calabria. Up
pom taking possession OF the Pallazzo
Cavalo, he found that the only remains
OF its ancient niagnifcence consisted in a
colossal statue OF bronze horse, which
stood on pedestal in the court. Could
he have sold his horse without woundlng
his pride. he would have jumped at the
opportunity.


One winter evening, when it was nearly
dark, little man, bent double with age,
and with his high peaked hat pulled down
over his face, entered the court and asked
for the prince.


The prince desired he might be admit
ted, and to his surprise the stranger, apol-
ogizing for his intrusion, offered to pur-
chase the bronze horse.


provided good price can be had !"
replied the prince. ~ will take 1000
ducats."


But the little man beat him down to
$500 ducats, and said he would return on
the following morning to remove the
horse and pay the money. Next evening
he called at the gate, sent up TO the prince
bills for the amount, and said that he
would certainly send for the statue. The
prince, well pleased to find that he was
not to meet with a disappointment, sent
receipt for the ducats, but when the por-
ter reached the gate the little man was
gone. The prince was amazed at such
conduct, and much more so when, con-
trary TO his almost extinguished hopes,
the bankers gave him cash for his paper.
When he returned home, longing to see





heard Of him, and from that day what
ever he might be, never more made his
appearance to claim the bronze horse.


Five years afterward, the prince was
one morning awakened in great haste by
the Abbate Selvaggi, and antiquarian
friend Of his.


"Get up, get up, my friend" said he
1--WE must instantly examine your bronze
horse"


They both ran to the statue, and the
Abbate exclaimed, "It is true! they have
taken out its eyesw The Abbate then told
the surprised prince that he had just
been called to the death bed of the con
fessor Of the princes late father, and
had received from the dying man an ex
traordinary confession in writing. The
Prince of San Silvesto had informed the
confessor that he intended, on account of
a VOW he had made, to place two bYil-
liants, of immense size and value, in the
head of the bronze horse as eyes. This





sidered half crazy by every one, who
passed his nights in poring over ancient
lore, and receiving no visitors, unless It
was someone who brought him legends of
antiquity. A short time before his death
the confessor used to meet at his house
little old man Of foreign appearance (who,
as you may guess, was the mysterious
purchaser Of the bronze horse) He got
into favor with the prince, and they used
to be shut up for weeks together over
their books. On the death of the prince,
the confessor was tempted by the stranger
with an offer of ten thousand ducats to let
the other take away the brlllants, and say
no more about it. The priest yielded !;
the strange old man kept his promise,
and at once disappeared, leaving his &C
complice to deep remorse. This was the
confession.


The vexation of the Prince OF San Sill,
vestro was great on receiving the fore
going information from the Abbate, but
he was somewhat Of philosopher, and
speedily became resigned. In the mean
time his son, the young Constantine Flo
rillo, grew up the pride of his father,
who, by economy, had been able to give
him good education. Constantine was
gay, handsome, accomplished, and oe-
loved by oil his companions, who, all
being sons Of the first nobleSSe of Naples.
were much superior to him in fortune
One evening during a very gay carnival,
the young Conte di Lesino called to carry
his friend TO Il ball at the Due de St.
Marguerte's, who was then French
Am bassador.


Prepare to surrender your heart" he
exclaimed, gayly, 81 am going to intro
duce you to the beautiful Cecile de Mon
temar, only do not try to supplant me, as
/ fully intend doing her the honor OF
making her Contessa di Lesino. She is
the only child and heiress Of Monster de
Montemar, strange Frenchman, whose
wea lth is reported to DO immense.


The ball commenced, and the Conte di
Lesino speedily introduced Constantine
to young lady of surprising beauty
NJ. de Montemar, with something like
anger and rudeness, hurried up and placed
his daughter in the sole charge Of the
Conte. The ball had no further charms
for Constantine, nor did Cecile de Monte,
mar appear to relish her change of posi-
tion.


During the carnival, Constantine had
many opportunities of seeing Cecile, and
strong rnutual passion sprung up be-
tween them but the young lady inform
ed him of peculiar personal aversion
expressed for him by her father.