peaceful servitors were attired with a gorgeousness that would have done honor to an Eastern clime. The old Prince of Della Ripa, than whom one more fierce and brave never existed in all Italy, had that morning given his daughter's hand to Giovanni of Visinara; and as she neared the castle that was henceforth to be her home, every point from which a view of the procession could be obtained was seized upon. 66 By my patron saint, but it is a goodly sight!" exclaimed one of a group of maidens, gathered at a window beneath which the bridal cavalcade was prancing. Only look at Master Pietro, the seneschal." "And at the steel points of the halberds, -how they shine in the crimson of the setting sun. "Nay, rather look at these lovely dames that follow-the Lady Adelaide's tire-women. By the sacred relics! if her beauty exceed that of her maidens, it must be rare to look upon. See the gold and purple of their palfreys' horsecloths waving in the air." Hist! hist! it is the Count of Visinara in his emblazoned carriage! How haughtily he sits; but the Visinara is a haughty race. And-yes-see-by his side-oh, how lovely! Signora Montani, look! That face might win a kingdom." Gina Montani, who stood in the corner of the lattice, shielded from view by its massive frame, may possibly have heard, but she answered not. "Say what you will of his pride, he is the handsomest man that ever lived," exclaimed a damsel, enthusiastically. "Look at him as he sits there now-he rides bareheaded, his plumed cap resting on his knee-where will you find such a face and form as that!" "What is she like?" interrupted an old duenna, snappishly, who, standing behind, could not as yet obtain a view of the coveted sight; "we know enough of his looks, let us hear something of hers. But you girls are ever the same: if a troop of sister angels came down from heaven, headed by the Virgin Mother herself, and a graceless cavalier appeared at the other side, you would turn your backs to the angels and your eyes upon him. Is she as handsome as the young Lady Beatrice, the count's sister, who married away a year agone?" Oh, mother, she is not like her. Beatrice of Visinara had a warm countenance, with eyes black as the darkest night, and brilliant as a diamond aigrette." “And are the wife's not black," screamed out the duenna. "They ought to be; her blood is pure Italian." 66 They are blue as heaven's sky, and her face is dazzling to behold from its extreme fairness, and her golden hair droops in curls almost to her waist-it is a band of diamonds, you see, that confines it from the temples. But you can see her now, mother; remember you one half so lovely?" "Dio mio!" uttered the woman, startled at the beautiful vision that now came within her sight; "the Lord of Visinara has not sacrificed his liberty for nothing.' "Mark you her rich white dress, mother, with its corsage of diamonds, and the sleeves looped up to the elbow with lace and jewels? And over it, nearly hiding her fair neck, is a mantle of blue velvet, clasped by a diamond star. And see, she is taking her glove off, and her hand is raised to her cheek-small and delicate it is too, as befitteth her rank and beauty. And-look!-he lays his own upon it as she drops it, but she would draw it from him to replace the glove. Now he bends to speak to her, and she steals a glance at him with her blushing cheeks and her eye full of love. And now he is bowing to the people-hark how they shout, 'Long life to the Lady Adelaide-long life and happiness to the Count and Countess of Visinara!'" "She is very beautiful, Bianca; but-" 66 Ay, what, you are a reader of countenances, madra mia; what see you there?" "That she is proud and self-willed. And woe be to any who may hereafter look upon her handsome husband with an eye of favor, for she loves him." "Can there be a doubt of that?" echoed Bianca; "has she not married him? And look at his attractions: see this goodly lot of cavaliers speeding on to join his banquet; can any there compare with him?" "Chi é stracco di bonaccie, si mariti," answered the lady; "and have you, Bianca, yet to learn that the comeliest mates oftentimes bring any thing but love to the altar?" Bianca made a grimace, as if she doubted. "It will come sure enough, then," she said aloud; "for none could be brought into daily contact with one so attractive and not learn to love him." "And who should this be in a holy habit, following the bridal equipage on his mule? Surely the spiritual director of the Lady Adelaide-the Father Anselmo it must be, that we have heard speak of. A faithful man, but stern, it is told; and so his countenance would betray. Bend your heads in reverend meekness, my children, the holy man is bestowing his blessings.' How savage I should be if I were the Lady Beatrice, not to be able to come to the wedding after all," broke in the giddy Bianca. "She reckoned fully upon it, too, they say. and had caused her dress for the ceremony to be prepared-one to rival the bride's in splendor." "She has enough to do with her newlyborn infant," mumbled the good duenna. "Gayety first, care afterwards; a christening usually follows a wedding. Come, girls, there's nothing more to see." "Nay, mother mine, some of these dames that follow lack not beauty." "Pish!" uttered a fair young girl who had hitherto been silent; "it would be waste of time to look at their faces after the Lady | ladies to bring it to her. It proved to be a Adelaide's." "Who is that going away? The Signora Montani? Why, it has not all passed, signora. She is gone, I declare! What a curious girl she seems, that." "Do you know what they say?" cried little Lisa, Bianca's cousin. "What do they say?" "That her mother is a descendant of those dreadful people over the sea, who have no religion, the heretics." The pious duenna boxed her niece's ears. "You sinful little monkey, to utter such heresy!" she cried, when anger allowed her to speak. "So they do say so!" sobbed the young lady, dancing about with the passion she dared not otherwise vent. "And people do say," she continued, out of bravado, and smarting under the pain, "that they are heretics themselves, or else why do they never come to mass?" "The old Signora Montani is bedridden; how could she get to mass?" laughed Bianca. "Don't answer her, Bianca. If she says such a thing here again-if she insinuates that the Signora Gina, knowing herself to be in such league with the Evil One, would dare to put her head inside a faithful house such as this, I will cause her to do public penance -the wicked little calumniator!" concluded the good duenna, adding a few finishing strokes upon Lisa's ears. III. sealed letter, and was addressed to herselt. The conscious blush of love rose to her cheeks, for she deemed it was some communication or present from her husband. She opened it, and the contents instantly caught her eye, in the soft, pure light which the lamps shed over the apartment: "To the Lady Adelaide, Countess of Visinara, "You fancy yourself the beloved of Giovanni, Count of Visinera, but retire not to your rest this night, lady, in any such vain imagining. The heart of the count has long been given to another, and you know, by your love for him, that such passion can never change its object. Had he met you in earlier life, it might have been otherwise. He marries you, for your lineage is a high one, and she, in the world's eye and in that of his own haughty race, was no fit mate for him." The bridegroom was still at the banquet, for some of his guests drank deeply, when a hasty summons came to him. Quitting the hall, he found, standing outside, two of his bride's attendants. "Sir Count, the Lady Adelaide "Has retired?" he observed, finding they hesitated, yet feeling somewhat surprised at so speedy a summons. "Nay, signor, not retired, but- "We were disrobing the Lady Adelaide, Sir Count, when she saw in the chamber a note addressed to her. And-and-she read it, and fainted, in spite of the essence we poured on her hands and brow." ing fallen, open, on the floor. Our lady is yet insensible, and the Signora Lucrezia desired us to acquaint you, my lord." Without another word he turned from them, and passing through the various corridors, entered the dressing-chamber. The Lady Adelaide was still motionless, but a faint coloring had begun to appear in her face. "What is this, signora?" demanded the count of the chief attendant, Lucrezia. LONG lasted the bridal banquet, and mer- "A note!-fainted!" ejaculated the count. rily it sped. Ere its conclusion, and when "It was an insulting letter, signor; for the hours were drawing towards midnight, Irene, the youngest of the Lady Adelaide's the young Lady Adelaide, attended by her attendants, read the first line or two of it maidens, was conducted to her dressing-aloud, before we could prevent her, it hav chamber, according to the custom of the times and of the country. She sat down in front of a large mirror whilst they disrobed her. They took the circlet of diamonds from her head, the jewels from her neck and arms, and the elegant bridal dress was carefully removed; and there she sat, in a dressing-robe of cambric and lace, while they brushed out and braided her beautiful hair. As they were thus engaged, the lady's eyes ran round and round the costly chamber. The furniture and appurtenances were of the most recherché description. One article in particular attracted her admiration. It was a small, but costly cabinet of malachite marble, exquisitely mounted in silver, and had been a present to the count from a Russian despot. In the inner part was fixed a mirror, encircled by a large frame of silver, and on the projecting slab stood open essence-bottles of pure crystal, in silver frames, emitting various perfumes. As she continued to look at this novelty-the marble called malachite was even more rare and costly in those days than it is in oursshe perceived, lying by the side of the scentbottles, a piece of folded paper, and, wondering what it could be, she desired one of the "It must be owing to this letter, my lord, which was waiting for her on the cabinet," was the lady's reply, holding out the open note. "The Lady Adelaide fainted whilst she was perusing it." "Fold it up," interrupted the count, "and replace it there." Lucrezia did as she was bid. "You may now go," said Giovanni to the attendants, advancing to support his bride. "When the countess has need of you, you shall be summoned." "You have read that letter?" were the first connected words of the Lady Adelaide. "Nay, my love, surely not, without your permission. Will you that I read it?” She motioned in the affirmative. "A guilty, glowing color came over his face as he read. Who could have written it? That it alluded to Gina Montani there was no doubt. Who could have sent it? He felt convinced that she had no act or part in so dishonorable a trick-yet what may not be expected from a jealous woman? Now came his trial. "Was it not enough to make me ill?" demanded Adelaide. He stammered something. He was not yet sufficiently collected to speak connectedly. Giovanni," she exclaimed, passionately, "deceive me not. Tell me what I have to fear: how much of your love is left for me -if any." He tried to soothe her. He told her an enemy must have done this; and he mentioned Gina Montani, though not by name. He said that he had sometimes visited her house, but not to love; and that the letter must allude to this. "You say you did not love her!" she cried, resentment in her tone, as she listened to the tale. He hesitated a single second; but, he reasoned to himself, he ought at all risks to lull her suspicions-it was his duty. So he replied firmly, though the flush of shame rose to his brow, for he deemed a falsehood dishonorable. "In truth I did not. My love is yours, Adelaide." "Why did you visit her?" "I can hardly tell you. I hardly know myself: want of thought-or of occupation, probably." "You surely did not wrong her?" was the next whispered question, as she turned her face from him. "Wrong her! Had you known her, you could not have admitted the possibility of the idea," he answered, resentment in his tone now. "She has been carefully reared, and is as innocent as you are." "Who is she?-what is her name?" "Adelaide, let us rather forget the subject. I have told you I loved her not: and I should not have mentioned this at all, but that I can think of nothing else to which that diabolical letter can have alluded. Believe me, my own wife"-and he drew her to his bosom as he spoke-" that I have not done you so great an injury as to marry where I did not love." "Oh," she exclaimed, wringing her hands, and extricating herself from him, "that this cruel news had not been given me!" "My love, be comforted-be convinced. I tell you it is a false letter." "How can I know it is false?" she lamented-"how can you prove it to me?" "Adelaide, I can but tell you so now: the future and my conduct must prove it." "Giovanni," she continued vehemently, and half sinking on her knees before him, "deceive me not. If there be aught of truth in this accusation, let me depart. I am your wife but in name: a slight ceremony only has passed between us, and we both know how readily, with such influence as ours, the Church at Rome would dissolve that. Suffer me to depart ere I shall be indeed your wife." Adelaide," he replied mournfully, as he held her, "I thought you loved me.' "I do-I do. None, save God, know how passionately. My very life is bound up in yours; but it is because I so love you, that I I could not brook a rival. Let me know the truth at once-even though it be the worst; for should I trust to you now, and find afterwards that I had beeu deceived, it would be most unhappy for both of us. My whole affection would be turned to hate; and not only would my own existence be wretched, but I should render yours so." "You have no rival, Adelaide. You never shall have one." "I mean not a rival in the vulgar acceptation of the term," she replied, a shade of haughtiness mixing with her tone-" but one in your heart-your mind-this I could not bear." "Adelaide, hear me. Some enemy, wishing to do me a foul injury, has thrust himself between us; but, rely on it, they are but false cowards who stab in the dark. I have sought you these many months; I have striven to gain your love; I have now made you mine. Why should I have done this had my affections been another's? Talk not of separation, Adelaide." She burst into a passionate fit of weeping. "Adelaide," he whispered, as he fondly clasped her to his heart, believe that I love you; believe that you have no rival, and that I will give you none. I have made you my wife-the wife of my bosom: you are, and ever shall be, my only love." Sweet words! And the Lady Adelaide suf fered her disturbed mind to yield to them, resolutely thrusting away the dreadful thought that the heart of her attractive husband could ever have been given to another. V. MONTHS elapsed, and the Lady Adelaide was the happiest of the happy, although now and again the remembrance of that anonymous letter would dart before her mind, like a dream. That most rare felicity was, indeed, hers, of passionately idolizing one from whom she need never be separated by night or by day. But how was it with him? Love is almost the only passion which cannot be called forth or turned aside at will, and though the Count di Visinara treated his wife in all respects, and ever would, with the most cautious attention, his heart was still true to Gina Montani. But now the Count had to leave home; business called him forth; and to remain away fifteen days. In those earlier times women could not accompany their lords every where, as they may in these; and when Giovanni rode away from his castle gates, the Lady Adelaide sank in | Ah! now there is an open space, and they solitude upon the arm of one of her costly are more distinct. It should be the count, sofas, all rich with brocaded velvet; and madam, and his followers." though not a tear dimmed her eye, or a line of pain marked her forehead, to tell of suppressed feelings, it seemed to her that her heart was breaking. It was on the morrow, news was brought to the countess that one craved admission to her-a maiden, young and beautiful, the servitor said; and the Lady Adelaide ordered her to be admitted. Young and beautiful indeed, and so she looked, as, with downcast eyes, the visitor was ushered in-you know her, reader, though the Lady Adelaide did not. She began to stammer out an incoherent explanation; that news had reached her of the retirement of one of the Lady Adelaide's attendants, and of her wish to fill the vacant place. "What is your name?" inquired the countess, already taken, as the young are apt to be, with the prepossessing manners and appearance of her visitor. "I think it is, Lucrezia," said the Lady Adelaide, calmly, not suffering her emotion to appear in the presence of her maidens, for that haughty girl brooked not that others should read her deep love for Giovanni. "You may return to your embroidery." Signora, it is Gina Montani." "And in whose household have you resided?" The Count di Visinara rode at a sharp trot towards his home, followed by his retainers; but when he discerned the form of his wife at the window, he quickened the pace to a gallop, after taking off his plumed cap, and waving his hand towards her in the distance. She pressed her heart to still its throbbing, and waited his approach. She heard him rattle over the drawbridge, and was turning to leave the apartment to welcome him home, when he entered, so great haste had he made. Without observing that she was not alone, he advanced, and, throwing his arms round her, drew aside her fair golden curls, and kissed her repeatedly, like many a man possessed of a lovely wife will kiss, though his love may be far away from A deep shade rose to Gina's face. "Ma- her. But she shrank from his embrace, the dam, I am a stranger as yet to servitude. I glowing crimson overspreading her face; and was not reared to expect such. But my mo- then the count turned and saw they were not ther is dead, and I am now alone in the alone. At the extreme end of the apartment, world. I have heard much, too, of the Coun-out of hearing, but within sight, were the tess of Visinara's gentleness and worth, and should wish to serve her." damsels seated over their embroidery. "Gina," murmured one of the girls, still pursuing her work, "what has made you turn so pale? You are as white as Juliette's dress." Some further conversation, a few preliminary arrangements, and Gina Montani was installed at the castle as one of the countess's maids in waiting: a somewhat contradistinctive term, be it understood, to a waitingmaid, these attendants of high-born gentle-gasped Gina. "It is over now. women being then made, in a great degree, their companions. Gina speedily rose in favor. Her manners were elegant and unassuming, and there was a sadness about her which, coupled with her great beauty, rendered her eminently interesting. "Is the Signora Montani ill?" demanded Lucrezia, sharply, for she liked not Gina. "A sudden pain-a spasm in my side,” VI. THE Lady Adelaide stood at the eastern window of the Purple Room-so called from its magnificent hangings-watching eagerly for the appearance of her husband, it being the day and hour of his expected return. So had she stood since the morning. Ah! what pleasure is there in this world like that of watching for a beloved one! At the opposite end of the apartment were her ladies, engaged upon some fancy work, in those times violently in vogue, like that eternal knitting or crotchet-work is in ours. "Come hither, Lucrezia," said the lady, at length. "Discern you yon trees-groups of them scattered about, and through which an occasional glimpse of the highway may be distinguished? Nay, not there; far, far away in the distance. See you aught?" "Nothing but the road, my lady. And yet, now I look attentively, there seems to be a movement, as of a body of horsemen. "Is he not an attractive man?" whispered another of the ladies in Gina's ear. "He?" "The Count di Visinara: you never saw him before. They are well matched for beauty, he and the Lady Adelaide.” "Pray attend to your work, and let this gossiping cease," exclaimed Lucrezia, angrily. Giovanni and his wife remained at the window, with their backs towards the damsels. She suffered her hand to remain in his -they could not see that and conversed with him in a confidential tone. Then she began chattering to him of her new attendant, telling how lovely she was, when a servant entered and announced the mid-day meal. "Now you shall see my favorite," she exclaimed, as he took her hand to conduct her to the banquet-hall. "I will stop as I pass them, to look at their work, and you shall tell me if you do not think her very beautiful." Scarcely, Adelaide, when beside you." "She is about my age," ran on Adelaide, whose spirits were raised to exuberance. But it had never entered the mind of that haughty lady to imagine the possibility of the away with despair. I would see you pass Lord of Visinara, her husband, looking upon sometimes at a distance with your retainers an attendant of hers with an eye of real ad--and that was heaven to me. Then came a miration; or she might not have discussed thought into my mind; I wrestled with it, their personal merits. and would have driven it away-but there "How do you get on with the work, Lu- it was, ever urging me; it may be that my crezia?" demanded the Lady Adelaide, stop-botter angel sent it there; it may be that the ping close to her attendants. Evil One, who is ever tempting us for ill, drove it on." Favorably, madam," answered the signora, rising from her seat. That is a beautiful part that you are engaged upon, Gina. Bring it forward, that we may exhibit our handiwork." Gina Montani, without raising her eyes, and trembling inwardly and outwardly, rose, and advanced with the embroidery. The Signora Lucrezia eyed her, covertly. Is it not a handsome pattern?" exclaimed Adelaide, her thoughts now really occupied with the beauty of the work. "And I was so industrious while you were away, Giovanni. I did a good portion of this myself-I did, indeed; all the shadings of the rosebuds are my doing, and those interlaces of silver." The Lady Adelaide stopped, for, on looking to his face for approbation, she was startled by the frightful pallor which had overspread it. "Oh, Giovanni, you are ill! -my husband, what is it? Giovanni وو "I "It is nothing," interrupted the count, leading her hurriedly from the room. rode hard, and the sun was hot. A cup of wine will restore me." But not less awake to this emotion of the count's than she had been to Gina's, was the Signora Lucrezia, and she came to the conclusion that there was some unaccountable mystery at the bottom of it, which she determined to do all in her power to find out. VII. Days passed. The count had not yet seen Gina alone, though he had sought for the opportunity; but one morning when he entered the Lady Adelaide's embroidery room-so called-Gina sat there alone, sorting silks. He did not observe her at the first moment, and, being in search of his wife, called to her, "Adelaide!" "The Lady Adelaide is not here, signor," was Gina's reply, as she rose from her seat. "Gina," he said, advancing cautiously, and speaking in an under tone, "what in the name of all the saints brought you here-an inmate of my castle-the attendant of the Lady Adelaide ?" "What mean you?" he inquired. "It suggested," she continued in a low voice, “that if but to see you at a distance, and at rare intervals, could almost compensate for my life of misery, what bliss would be mine were I living under the roof of your own castle, liable to see you any hour of the day; hence you find me numbered amongst your wife's waiting-maids. And blame me not, Giovanni," she hastily concluded, seeing him about to interrupt her; "you are the cause of all, for you sought and gained my love; and such love! I think none can have ever known such. And yet I must suppress this love. The fiercest jealousy of the Lady. Adelaide rages in my heart-and yet I must suppress it! Giovanni, you have brought this anguish upon me; so blame me not." "It is a dangerous proceeding, Gina. I was becoming reconciled to our separation; but now-it will be dangerous for both of us." "Ay," she answered, bitterly, "you had all. Friends, revelry, a wife of rare beauty, the chase, the bustle of an immense householdin short, what had you not to aid your mental struggles? I but my home of solitude, and the jealous pictures, self, but ever inflicted, of your happiness with the Lady Adelaide." I still love but you, Gina," he repeated, "but I will be honorable to her, and must show it not." "Do I ask you to show it? or think you I would permit it?" she replied quickly; “no, no; I did not come here to sow discord in your household. Suffer me to live on unnoticed as of these last few days, but, oh! drive me not away from you." "Believe me, Gina, this will never do. I mistrust my own powers of endurance; ay, and of concealment." "You can think of me but as the waitingmaid of your lady," she interrupted, in a tone of bitterness. "In time you will really re gard me as such." "Trust to me to manage all," she reiterated; "but send me not away from you." "There would be another obstacle, Gina," he returned, sinking his voice to a lower tone, 'You shall hear the truth," she gasped, as if fearful even to mention the subjectleaning against the wall for support. "I"how can you live in my household, and not have lived long, these many months, in my conform to the usages of our faith? You dreary home, unseeing you, uncared for, know that yours must never be suspected." knowing only that you were happy with another. Giovanni, can you picture what I endured? My mother died-you may have heard of it and her relations sent for me into their distant country, and would have comforted me; but I remained on alone to be near you. I struggled much with my unhappy passion. My very soul was wearing "Be it so, Gina," he observed, after reflection; "you deserve more sacrifice on my part than this. But all confidence must cease between us: from this time we are to each other as strangers." "Even so," she acquiesced. "Yet if you |