Then she looked over her wardrobe, which, it must be confessed, was but a scanty one; at last she chose a rather handsome black silk dress. To relieve this dark colour, she placed some crimson velvet in her hair, fastened her small lace collar with her best broach, and throwing over her shoulders a white cashmere opera cloak, likewise trimmed with crimson, Judith's parting gift, she left with La Signora for the concert.

alarm, since Judith's marriage had taken place | she was quite satisfied with the effect produced. and the reins of domestic management had been handed over to her. She had been very heedless, constantly forgetting her father's orders respecting some favourite dish, or spoiling it in the preparation, so that at their English home the dinner-hour was one continued scene of terrific explosions of anger on the Captain's part, tears, trembling excuses, and promises of more attention for the future on Beatrice's. Now, all this misery was at last at an end. Il Signor Alberto Ginbeletti was a more gentle, good-natured master than her late one; his mother, La Signora, was kind and obliging, most anxious to meet the wishes and please the tastes of the various inmates. With all this it is not therefore surprising that the exchange from the smoky atmosphere of London to that of the pure air of Italy was not a little exhilirating to Beatrice's youthful spirits.

One bright sunny day, in the beginning of February, when all looked gay and cheerful, giving the promise of an early spring, Beatrice stole away from her daily practising of music and, book in hand, ensconced herself in the recess of her warm bed-room window, basking herself in the pleasant sunshine. Her father had gone to Florence for the day, Il Signor Ginbeletti was ill, so she could fearlessly give herself up to the idle pleasure of watching the many passers-by. Many she saw, about whom she did not care in the least, saw nothing in them at all interesting, but after sitting an hour thus amusing herself, she observed a young officer ride paet, his horse suddenly starting just as he approached the window where Beatrice sat. Their eyes met, and, with this quick exchange of glances, she caught one of evident admiration, from such a pair of beautiful, dark, expressive eyes, as only Italy can produce: he bowed, and continued on his way. Beatrice knew it was wrong, thus to look at, and return the salutation of, a perfect stranger, but still she did it; and, in the secret recess of her youthful heart, there lurked an ardent wish to see the stranger of the bright eyes again.

CHAP. III.

A few days after this occurrence, Beatrice was asked one morning by La Signora Ginbeletti if she would like to accompany her that evening to a concert, having just had two tickets given her she regretted she had not another to offer the Captain. No objection was made, many thanks given, and Beatrice was only too happy to have this amusement, and escape the constant weary long games of backgammon and drafts, that she was always called upon to play with her father, to amuse him on those evenings he spent at home.

Beatrice devoted some time to the arranging her glossy dark hair in the most becoming manner she tried various different ways before

They arrived early, but a short time after the concert had commenced she perceived the handsome officer enter, and she could plainly see he looked much at her. During a short interval, while the performers rested after their labours, Beatrice saw him bow to her chaperon, who returning it, offered him a vacant seat by her side; thus was Beatrice introduced to the young stranger by the name of Antonio Fiengo. He was, she found, a lieutenant in an infantry regiment, the head quarters being at Florence: he was on detachment with his company at Sienna. Delighted was the young girl to become a little acquainted with this good looking Italian. Still, as it is not the custom abroad for a young gentleman to converse with a young unmarried lady, very few words passed between them; but there is in all countries the mute language of the eyes, and, as has been said before, Antonio possessed a pair of most expressive ones, with all the fire, and yet at times all the melting softness so peculiar to the south. After this, Beatrice met Antonio with La Signora twice in coming out of the beautiful cathedral, where they had gone for early mass: he joined them there. Also one day when she was shopping with Bettina (La Signora's active maid), though on this last occasion he only bowed, he yet contrived, unseen by the maid, to slip into her hand a tiny note.

To rush up into her room was the affair of a moment to the young girl: she read it with eager eyes and a beating heart. It was an ardent request that she would meet him the next morning at a tolerable early hour at a public walk in Sienna, at that hour generally deserted; but to conform to Italian customs, of which, as he expressed it, in his own flowery language, as a beautiful English girl she might be totally ignorant, it would be as well if she brought a servant with her. She then remembered having heard that even affianced lovers, with the full consent of their parents, never meet without the presence either of a mother, grandmother, or some discreet female relative, to afford a proper protection to the betrothed. Beatrice felt most agitated at the reading of these few lines, which, the help of a dictionary, and the little Italian she had already learnt, enabled her pretty well to comprehend. The next morning she remembered her father mentioning his intention of going out for the day with some friends, so one grand difficulty was removed; but then arose the question in her mind, ought she to meet a young man, whom she had seen but a few times, with whom she had so slender

most

an acquaintance, and that principally consisting | ever received from any young man, so some of looks of admiration; certainly La Signora slight excuse may be made for her. Had she Ginbeletti had spoken well of him, as they had any kind female friend or relative near her returned the evening of the concert, saying she I make no doubt, although she might not had known him from a child, he was always formally have asked their advice, yet still she amiable, and bore a good character in Sienna. would have possibly related this affair to them, She had likewise known his mother many years and very likely have listened to some kind ago, but still neither Beatrice or her father were word of womanly counsel, and might perhaps really acquainted with him, to the latter he was have been frightened from her now fixed a perfect stranger. It however must be purpose of meeting a young man, of whom she remembered as some palliation of this girl's actually knew so little, and who had probably imprudence, that her mother had died when little else but a fine pair of dark eyes, and a her daughters were still very young. Beatrice good figure to recommend him to a fair lady's had never known a mother's tender care, or notice. The note spoke of trying so to gain her those wise gentle admonitions in riper years, favour, that after a time he might please her that can never be so kindly given, or so well sufficiently to win her as his bride. Indereceived as from a mother. A mother whom pendent of any love-sick, girlish fancies, we have loved from our earliest infancy, we the idea of marriage was most pleasing to must believe her and obey her; other peo- Beatrice, for since their residence in Italy she ple's counsel and advice, however good and had only felt a still more decided repugnance well meant, we too often set at nought. Over than ever to the operatic life carved out for her this little note Beatrice paused long and thought- by her father. Music was no real pleasure to fully. her, she never felt like those persons to whom it is an all-absorbing delight. There are people who can sit entranced over the notes of some beautiful air; who can remain for hours spell-bound, realising in music the charming images of poetry, or composing beautiful variations forgetting time, hunger, everything, over their all-absorbing occupation. Beatrice felt not one iota of this, she learnt her lessons, vocal and instrumental, as a task, and having played her allotted time, was only too pleased to run like a child to her book or fancy work. She found her dislike to her future public life increase daily: one day she had even endeavoured to alter her father's firm determination as regarded her musical career. Bracing up her nerves, she informed him of her great dislike to become a public singer. She was quickly silenced by his angry tones and loud voice: "Well Betty" (so he spoiled her pretty name), "you must be a greater goose than ever I took you for, after all the trouble I have had with you, having but one end in view, having spent lots of good money upon masters to teach you your do-re-me-fas, a pretty round sum first and last I can tell you, and my money was hardly earned too; and now this journey to Italy, all undertaken for your voice, can you for one minute think that I could agree to this sad waste of time and money? No, it is but fair now that I should have some return for what I have spent, I have had much trouble to keep you to your practice, and now you want me to sacrifice everything to your absurd whims, all I have laid out in hope of future gain to be a dead loss to me. uncommon fools girls are! I must have no more such childish nonsense, you will of course do as you are bid, you will find a singer's a very pleasant life, and if ever you have the good luck to become a prima donna, our fortune will be made, your life will then be one great success." Beatrice dared not speak any more upon this subject to her father, she saw that any further endeavours to shake his resolution

With her outward garments removed, her magnificent dark hair escaping from the comb which fastened it falling in luxuriant tresses around her well-formed throat, her dreamy, yet tender upturned look, she would have made a charming study for a painter. At last, after much deliberation, she considered she would, she must agree to this interview. How she wished she had dear Judith by her side! but then not unlikely she would pronounce a most decided negative on wishes. Then came the puzzling question, who could she take with her to this stolen meeting, for maid she had none, and even could Bettina have been spared at that hour, which she well knew she could not be, she would hardly like to intrust her secret to a strange servant, and that servant another's. At length she recollected a little girl of perhaps twelve, who for Italy was rather respectably dressed, upon the whole a genteel looking girl, at the circulating library,* where she sometimes hired a few French volumes, and occasionally an English one, of a light amusing kind: this girl she thought it just possible she might be able to hire for a short time. The breakfast hour was nine, therefore Beatrice fancied she might be able to arrange her intended project, as she was allowed to walk out short distances alone. It was her first love affair, Antonio was her first admirer, this the first note she had

This library, situated in the Piazza Santa Trinita, was formerly an hotel, remarkable for being the scene of the tragic adventure of the maid and the magpie, which forms the plot of "La Gazza Ladra.” In the real tale the lady had her valuable pearl necklace stolen by the magpie flying in at the window, who carried it to her nest at the top of a high column opposite the hotel, where, a long time after the execution of the poor maid, accused and found guilty of the theft, it was discovered in the scales of justice, when illuminating the column at a time of public rejoicing.

What

would be worse than fruitless, and only expose | prudent, he intended to bring her out on the her to angry reproaches, but her own wishes remained the same; therefore in marriage, and in marriage alone could she see any escape from the life in store for her, a life she was sure she should hate.

a

stage at Florence, Milan, or whatever city offered the most likely means of success. She of course mentioned her great repugnance to this plan of her father's, she was quite certain, she added, she should be most miserable to lead such a The interview took place at the appointed life; she also related how she had endeavoured hour. As a great favour for a very small to shake her father's stern resolve, but that it consideration, she was allowed to hire Paulina, had been all in vain. To all this Antonio lent the little girl she had remarked at the library, an attentive ear. Though young he was cautious, for an hour. No sooner had Beatrice reached like his countrymen he was crafty, calculating, the walk named, than she saw Antonio holding and fond of making money. Even into a love a lovely bouquet in his hand, which he affair, did this young man carry out his presented to her, profusely rendering her powers of calculation, and he summed up quietly thousand thanks, uttered in the soft to himself what profit hereafter Beatrice's voice pretty words of his own language, expressing might prove to him; however, he saw now be his deep-felt gratitude for the great honour she must dissimulate, it would be time enough to had so kindly conferred on him by giving him mention his future plans when she became his this meeting. How long this interview would wife. So now, in the sweetest tones, he gave have lasted it is impossible to say, had they not her all the consolation and sympathy she been interrupted by Paulina's telling them she required in the gloomy anticipations she had was sure the hour was nearly spent, and the expressed as to her future musical career. Padrone would be inquiring after her. This of" Carrissima, he would exclaim with the utmost course brought all this pleasant meeting to an abrupt termination. As a matter of precaution, they each walked off in different directions, but before they parted they had agreed to meet when possible. This on Beatrice's side was a very difficult matter to arrange; it was however settled that every morning at about half-past nine, when the movements of her father and the plans of the day would be pretty well known, she was to place a single flower in a nich of the open window of her bedroom, if she believed she could give Antonio a meeting. If impossible, no flower was to appear: she was generally in her room at this hour, breakfast being then finished.

CHAP. IV.

The winters in Italy are mild generally and of short duration. The Browns were favoured by many sunshiny days, at times however interspersed with cold ones; for sometimes a bitter piercing wind prevails, called the Tramontona. When it blows, those who brave it dress warmly, pulling up the collars of their cloaks to protect them from its fury. Occasionally, as the weather permitted, Captain Brown's engagements took him to Florence, where he was sometimes tempted to pass a couple of days, or now and then he went long excursions into the country about Sienna; all these opportunities were embraced by Beatrice. On the mornings her father mentioned his intention of leaving Sienna for one of these various, before spoken of, wanderings from home, where at least he was safe for the day, the flower was regularly put in the window, and the interview between the lovers took place. It was not long before Beatrice confided to Antonio the fixed determination of her father, as her musical education was completed, and competent judges deemed it

that as soon

fervour, in spite of all his secret feelings in favour of the Captain's plan, only altering the person who was thereby to be benefited by it, "carrissima" if you will consent, if I can be so far fortunate as to be able to persuade you to become my cara sposa, never shall you, my little darling, fear being dragged against your own will upon the stage of an opera house. Beatrice carrissima you shall only play for your own pleasure, when so inclined, and to delight my dear mother and myself with your belissima voce;" adding his mother would indeed be in raptures with the charming English Signorina. "How pleased she would be with such a daughter!" Then, as to himself, he vowed with all a lover's rapture to adore her all the days of his life, with a deep and passionate devotion such as could never be felt by any cold Englishman; then, instead of returning to live in the chilly fogs of barbarous London, she should dwell with him in Italy's sunny clime; he would teach her his own melodious language, fit sounds to be uttered by her own pretty rosy mouth; the natural sweet words, he added, would be softened by falling from such lips.

Of course the usual amount of nonsense was spoken by this youthfullpair, on these occasions, that always have been, and probably always will be, spoken in all ages by lovers.

After each interview, Beatrice felt herself becoming still more delighted with Antonio's society. Such a strong hold had he already taken upon her affections, that, hopeless as she knew it would be to ask her father's consent to her marriage, or to mention in any way the affair to him, which she knew would only have the effect of putting him into a violent rage, and his preventing most likely any further intercourse between herself and Antonio-yet hopeless, therefore, as she knew her case to be, she never denied herself the pleasure of a stolen meeting whenever possible; nor did she place the slightest check over her