tantalising answer-"Time would shew." But time passed on and did not shew, and the conclave of Prys had this evening assembled to determine what course should be taken towards a person who had been a week in the village, yet none knew her name. She was certainly lovely, and appeared to be foreign; but whence came she? She arrived late at night, in a travelling carriage, which, after depositing her at the "White Cottage," immediately returned to the nearest post town. Who could she be ? The council were in the act of deliberation when, to their boundless amazement, they perceived the object of their discussion walking deliberately up the avenue to the house, and in a few moments the servant announced "Madame Prevost." At length, then, the name achieved. With exquisite grace and softness she requested a few moments' private conversation with my aunt. With what anxiety did all await the result! At length the interview, which seemed interminable, except to the parties engaged, was at an end. My aunt returned to the room with a countenance beaming with smiles and intelligence. was Blanch Bertie was the god-child of my aunt, but since the age of three years had resided abroad. Within the last twelvemonth she had merged the name of Bertie in the matrimonial one of Prevost. A duel with a brother officer, in which the latter was dangerously wounded, compelled Captain Prevost to make a precipitate retreat from the continent. He arrived in England unaccompanied by his wife, and at her instigation proceeded to Maplefield, as a quiet and unobserved nook; he traced the ci-devant nurse of Blanch, and through her agency took possession of the "White Cottage," and remained its tenant during the many weeks his opponent struggled between life and death. Little did the Prys suspect that the " gentleman with the mustachios" was the husband to the lovely and mysterious girl who next tenanted the White Cottage. Captain Prevost's adversary declared convalescent, he summoned his wife from France, and, in the pure spirit of mischief, persuaded her to take his place at the cottage, for the purpose of teazing the gossips who had so mercilessly assailed him; forbidding her to renew acquaintanceship with my aunt till a week's fruitless surmise had worried herself and others sufficiently to appease him. The week had expired, the Prys were desperate, when Madame Prevost revealed herself, and proved to them that whilst a whole village had been up in arms to discover a secret, it had been faithfully kept by one of its humblest denizens, and a woman, too! for the nurse of Blanch was also the incorruptible laundress. The following Sunday Captain Prevost and his wife appeared at church. They still tenant the "White Cottage." Mrs. Perkins and Mr. Dring continue to follow the bent of their inclinations, acting the precise inverse to the maxim-" Mind your own business," they being over-employed ceaselessly and diligently in minding the business of others. MONASTERY CELLS. BY CHARLES H. HITCHINGS. Night after night-day after day, Mingleth with my midnight groan. From all the world apart, Weeping, I see no dear familiar face Pouring its sunshine on this dreary place, Healing this broken heart; Never a voice, that near my cradle broke The silence brooding o'er my infant sleep; Never the simple song, that, when I woke, Rose, calling back the spirit-slumber deep; Never an old heart-treasure cometh near, Winning by love for waning eyes a tear, Save sometimes in the vacant night, When the wind howleth, and the rain Beateth by fits against the loosened pane, And the storm without, with its rage and din, Seems fuller of God than the heart within, Till I shudder and start in affright. Sometimes then the ghosts of years For the bygone hours of loving. Can this be life that leads to heaven? Of sympathies hath passed away? Oh, dreary walls! in which I'm doom'd to die; Entering hither with a quiet mind, The world, and all its pleasures left behind; With but one only hope, and that of heaven, The world forgotten, hope to be forgiven. Oh! for one thought of pride, To waste in solitude a life away, Shut out for ever from the cheering ray Of human love, by suffering sanctified; And ever growing deeper, day by day; Stronger and deeper by its self-denying, Sorrow and strength alternately replying. Madness must end it all! My mind grows weak and weaker; hour by hour Like Egypt's crystal waters turn'd to blood. from this world of pain. better feelings, and laughs in public at what has How many a youthful heart struggles with its moved it to tears in private! THE VETTURINO. BY H. T. TUCKERMAN. I threw my book aside, and sat down by the window. There was an old fountain in the centre of the square, designed by John of Boulogne. A picturesque heap of rocks half covered with moss formed a bed for old father Neptune, who reclined, like an ocean shepherd, poising his trident and covered with spray. The water gushed, with a cool murmur, from an aperture behind him, and after rising several feet, came tumbling down upon the rough stones, whence it fell into the wide, circular basin. Two or three women, with their stone pitchers balanced on its rim, stood gossipping in the sun. A ragged urchin, mounted on a broken stool, amused himself by plashing the water into the gray, demure face of a very meagre donkey, who received the ablutions with the patient gravity of his race, blinking his large dull eyes, and occasionally shaking off the drops by a slow oscillation of his cranium, such as animals of a nobler kind sometimes use to indicate that they could, if they chose, say something very wise and pertinent. An old man with a head that Guido would have loved to paint, was crouched at a short distance, stirring a kettle of chestnuts, or feeding the blaze beneath it with charcoal; and near him was a pile of cauliflowers, artichokes, and fennel, the merits and cheapness of which a pretty brunette announced, every now and then, in tones that were sweet enough to win an anchorite. She turned, from time to time, to give some tart rejoinder to a knot of swarthy men, arrayed in tattered brown cloaks rather shabbily embroidered, and sugar-loaf hats; whose little carts, loaded with fruit, wood, or hay, were placed in a line, and surrounded by a motley set of loitering soldiers, friars, and mendicants. Some of the former were regaling themselves with little black cigars, and others playing a vociferous game with their fingers. nence. These groups were suddenly disturbed by the arrival of an English travelling carriage, that whirled into the piazza, and drew up at the inn door. The imperiale was occupied by a very blooming maid-servant, and a footman with a fiery red vest, and an air of exceeding impertiOn the back seat reposed the plump figure of a genuine milord. A velvet skull-cap adorned his head, and a light mackintosh was buttoned round his portly body. He leaned in the corner against a large India-rubber pillow inflated so as to resemble a sack of meal. His eyes were stedfastly fixed upon an open volume, which he continued apparently to peruse, even after the steps were let down by the groom, and the obsequious landlord had bowed at least a dozen times, and uttered as many euphonious greetings. He evidently abandoned his position with reluctance, being very loth to exchange the comfortable little epitome of his country which had brought him from Calais. The arrival of this worthy had drawn several new personages about the fountain, and among them I noticed a tall, handsome fellow, that was the beau-ideal of a brigand. His glossy breeches and untanned shoes, the gay jerkin and open collar, a silver medal with the holy virgin in relievo suspended from his neck, ribbon-knots at the knee, and long raven hair curling profusely round his temples-to say nothing of a jetty beard, fierce moustache, and a large keen black eye-brought Fra Diavolo vividly to mind. There was something, however, decidedly amiable in his smile; and his manner of saluting the brunette, as he approached, was remarkably graceful. Upon a nearer view, I discovered that his habiliments were somewhat faded, and by no means in the best repair; but there was that easy, half-indolent, half-spirited look about him, so often witnessed in the lower orders of the south. While I was thus speculating upon the appearance of the new comer, he raised his glance to the window, doffed his hat, and entered the hotel. Presently I heard a tap at the door, and was a little startled to find the object of my curiosity before me. He closed the latch, and advanced into the centre of the room, when the following dialogue ensued : no. 66 Excellenza, I am called Beppo, the vetturiDo you want to go to Venice?" "What do you ask, to take me?" "Twelve scudi, including bed and dinner, signor." "Ah, Beppo, you know eight is the regular price." "It depends, excellenza. Where there are two or three passengers, we take less. You will have the carriage to yourself; and then the inn where we pass the night is very good." "Well, I will accept your terms, provided you will stop at two or three places on the road, without grumbling." دو "Certainly, excellenza; and I shall take you so safely and treat you so well, that I shall deserve a buono mano. If the signor will write the contract, I will sign it." I drew it up accordingly, as follows: "The undersigned hereby agrees to convey Signor to Venice, leaving here tomorrow at daybreak, stopping on the way as he may be directed, and providing a good dinner and bed. He is not to sell his passenger to any other conveyance, but the vehicle is to be at the service of the signor exclusively, until their ar rival at the dogana of Venice, when the undersigned is to receive the sum of twelve scudi.” Beppo listened attentively to the reading of this document, and having affixed his signature, handed me a dollar by way of guarantee for his prompt appearance in the morning, and then with a respectful au revoir, bowed himself out of the room. It is thus that in an impoverished and enslaved country, the most trifling arrangements require forms and pledges. I was in the act of buckling the last strap of my portmanteau, by the gray light of early dawn, when the facetious host of the Golden Eagle called through the keyhole, that it was time to rise. I answered the summons by throwing open the door, and with the peculiar cordiality landlords use towards parting guests, he deposited a small waiter on the table, garnished with a light breakfast, and peering from the crevice of a warm roll appeared the bill. As I was partaking of the meal, and inspecting the account at the same time, Beppo thrust his head in at the door, and satisfying himself that I was alone, drew near, and uttered a good morning," with his most insinuating smile. "We have a beautiful day, excellenza." 66 Yes, it looks promising; but I have no idea of starting for twenty minutes. It wants half an hour of the appointed time." give, and under a personate father of a family, think (if thou pleasest) that thou hast relieved an indigent bachelor. When they come with their counterfeit looks and mumping tones, think them players. You pay your money to see a comedian feign these things, which, concerning these poor people, thou canst not certainly tell whether they are feigned or not." Beppo had played his part admirably. It had been my lot to hear a goodly number of orations and sermons, for our country is, par excellence, the land of speechifying; but the elocution of Beppo was superior, in its way, to any rhetoric I ever listened to. There was an impressive brevity in his sentences. Each word came neatly articulated from his lips. His pauses were capitally timed, and every accent intonated as if by a written scale. The lower classes of Itally have, indeed, their patois; but those whose occupations bring them in frequent contact with the educated, are remarkably apt in catching the most approved colloquial terms. Their natural fluency, when thus refined, needs but a slight impulse to become positive eloquence. It was worth being cheated, too, to see such fine acting. Beppo's invention, if such it was, had fairly earned him the boon; so I consented, and, with a thousand thanks, he shouldered my bag. gage, and we hastened to depart. A neat, lively young man stood by the carriage-door. We exchanged salutations, and took our places; when Beppo cracked his long whip, the landlord wished us a good journey; but one of the horses manifested a determination not to move. His feet seemed rooted to the pavement. In vain the vetturino remonstrated, coaxed, and applied the lash. At length he dismounted, carefully examined the harness, and breathed into the ear of the obstinate animal a long harangue. "Excellenza, the master whom I serve has We still remained stationary. His dark eye been very unfortunate. A month ago his wife now glowed with some deep resolve. He had died. Ah! would you could have known Don- evidently made up his mind to adopt a final na Battina, so amiable and pious. The priest expedient. What this was to be could not who confessed her called her an angel, and her imagine, and watched his movements with cupoor husband sold his best horse to buy masses riosity. He gathered up the reins, took off his for her soul. She left seven children. There hat, and thrice made the sign of the cross; have been few travellers through here lately, then, leaping into his seat with a simple chirrup, and the rains have destroyed half our grain we rattled briskly through the gates of the crops. A rascal who was in partnership with town, while the crowd shouted un miracolo! my master took advantage of his grief, and The vetturino, I discovered, had done my comran off to Venice with half his property. It is panion no more than justice. He was quite necessary to send our advocate there to pro-affable and well-informed. We had a delightsecute the affair, and if you will not allow him a seat in the carriage, my master must have all the expense of a separate conveyance; and the poor man can ill afford it. Permit him to go with you. He is a gentleman, and knows a great deal; you will enjoy his company." "O, no, signor mio; eat your breakfast at your leisure. There is no occasion to hurry. I took the liberty to come up now to ask a favour, a very great favour, excellenza." "What is it?" Beppo tossed back the long dark hair from his brown forehead, drew up his right foot until the toe only rested on the floor, folded his arms, and then in a tone modulated to the most plausible key of entreaty, began: My credulity had been too often abused to render faith in this tale easy; but there was something in the close of the appeal that had a show of reason. The society of an intelligent man was certainly desirable. I recalled, too, some suggestions which I had recently met with on the subject of modern charity: Rake not into the bowels of unwelcome truth, to save a halfpenny. If he be not all that he pretendeth, ful day's ride. As our conversation became more free and sustained, I saw Beppo glance apprehensively through the little window at his back. He soon discovered, by our significant looks, that we had compared notes, and that I was aware that the pretended advocate was as much a stranger in that region as myself. He was to pay somewhat less, and this feat of Jehu diplomacy had succeeded finely. The weather was delicious, and as we glided by vineyards and fine mulberry orchards, and saw the azure blossoms of the flax and the tall-bearded spikes of grain waving in the breeze, I could not find it in my heart to cherish anger towards poor Beppo, who was singing as cheerily as if he never had a lie upon his conscience. It is one of the curses of despotism that it blasts truth not in the political only, but in every minor relation of life. There is much simplicity of character among the Italians. It is often exhibited in the most attractive light; but the repeated invasions of the country have perverted the minds of the people. Their weakness leads them to resort to duplicity-a natural alternative for the feeble. The historian of the siege of │| Florence, at the conclusion of his melancholy chronicle, says that a most perceptible change of national character was the result of the vain sacrifices and constant persecution of the republic-" the men having become beyond measure suspicious and artful, and the women faithless and incredulous." A liberal mind will ever make due allowance for influences like these. in his kindness. Excellenza, I was jealous. The next day I went to her father's cottage, and there was the marquis seated on the grass, and looking at her as she spun. I felt my heart bleed as if pierced with a dagger, and passed on into the orchard. When I thought he had gone, I sought Carlotta. She was alone in the kitchen, weeping bitterly. I could not persuade her to reveal to me the cause of her tears; but I pleaded hard for an immediate marriage. My blood was on fire. I imagined the worst; and thought if the priest had once blessed us, I would take her away from that cursed place. In my passion, I knelt to her, urging my suit by every motive I could think of. All at once, the marquis again stood before us, with a frown on his brow. I am no coward, but from an infant I had reverenced this man. My eyes fell, I passed my hand along the clay-floor, and pretended to be looking for a needle. Carlotta rose and withdrew. The next moment I was on my way to the vineyard. That very night we were all aroused by the church bell. Being awake, I My fellow traveller retired early, leaving me in possession of the vast and lonely hall where we had supped. Beppo came in to bid me good night, and I improved the opportunity to read him a lecture on lying, although Opie's Illus-heard it first, and ran out. There was a lane trations were not at hand to consult. The poor fellow was humble enough; but urged with eloquent pertinacity the argument of necessity. "Ah! excellenza," said he, at last, "if you only knew how many deprivations I have endured, you would pity rather than condemn me." It was just the time for a story. I filled him a glass from a flask of our host's best wine. He twirled his luxuriant moustache, placed his hat on the floor, and leaned his left arm upon the table, leaving the other free to gesticulate. "Now, figlio mio," said I-" the truth?" "Santissima Virgine, signor; do you think I would lie without a motive? Let the saints witness ! bordered by a chestnut grove, that led directly by the little white stone house where she lived. With a kind of presentiment of evil I hurried thither, and almost stumbled across something in the road. It was a human body. I felt the warm blood trickling from the face. I was stupified with dismay. Before I recovered myself, voices sounded at a distance, and in a short time two sportsmen, who had raised the alarm, came to the spot with torches, followed by a crowd of half-dressed people. What was my horror, when the lights drew near, to recognize in that prostrate form the marquis himself! He was quite dead. A deep wound appeared on the head, and a stilletto was buried in his heart. "I was born on the estate of the Marquis There was a cry of terror. Every one looked Giampieri. You must have noticed it coming from the corpse to me. I was instantly susover the mountains, for there is a chapel at the pected. In vain I solemnly declared my innoroadside built hundreds of years ago, and cence, and explained how I came there. My strangers often go there to examine the front, wild looks, the stains on my hand, the fact of which, it is said, was invented by a famous ar- my acknowledged jealousy-these alone were chitect. Have you ever seen the vintage? If thought sufficient. They did not perceive that so, you know it is a gay scene. The first year he had been plundered; but hurried me to that I was old enough to drive home the wine-prison, and the last thing I saw, as we left the car, was famous through the country. The grapes ripened early and had a wonderful flavour. One fine October morning, we were gathering Beppo was silent for several moments. them, when, all of a sudden, I saw the marquis sighed deeply, wiped the perspiration from his coming towards us. He was much beloved by brow, and slowly drained his glass; then exthe peasantry, and he stood for an hour watch-tending his brawny arm upon the table, he ing us at work, and asking us about our families. The prettiest contadina was Carlotta; such dimples as played round her mouth, such a voice, such pleasant ways—ah, you should have seen her. She was my promessa sposa; and as the marquis left us, he appointed the next evening for a festa in our honour. It is the custom in this country thus to publish the banns. We had a dance in the hall of the villa, and our lady gave Carlotto four silver knobs for her hair, and some beautiful ear-rings. She danced like I saw our master devour her movements, and there was something very marked a syren. fatal spot, was Carlotta stretched on the turf, as pale and motionless as her dead master." He turned up the sleeve, and pointed to a deep scar above the wrist. "That, excellenza, was worn by a fetter. Fortunately, our pastor, a man of influence with the bishop, and through him with the pope, did not credit the accusation. He had known me from a child; and exerted himself in my behalf. I was condemned to death by the tribunals, but through his efforts, the sentence was commuted to the galleys for life. For several months I had borne the disgraceful uniform and felt the lash of the guard. The horrible clank of those weary chains yet sounds in my dreams. One day as we were proceeding upon me. anticipated my slightest want; and nursed me with a mother's carefulness. I grew strong rapidly, and a time was assigned for me to leave the hospital. I seized an opportunity to pour forth my gratitude to this pious attendant. I unfolded to her my sad story. She listened attentively and I saw her breast heave convulsively beneath the dark robe. When I ceased, she gently took my hand, and whispered—' Caro Beppo! That voice sent the blood whirling through my veins. She threw back the silken cowl. It was Carlotta! With what rapturous joy I beheld her! It was but momentary. She was absolutely resolved to abide by her vows. I claimed her as my bride. She replied only by drawing a crucifix from her bosom, and holding it before me with tearful eyes, and calmly saying- Questo é il mio sposo.' to work in the usual manner, the sentinel made | The vetturino rose, choked with emotion. He walked to the window, returned to the table and trimmed the lamp; and then became intent upon a coarse engraving of St. Lorenzo that hung over the fire-place. I did not interrupt his reflections. The landlord entered to usher me I looked inquiringly at Beppo. "Excellenza," said he, "after that my life became prose. Its romance was finished. Felicissima notte!" MUSIC. reason, expostulate, plead, threaten, and protest. Ah, excellenza, the wretch had no peace until he confessed. He was a sturdy villain; but who can withstand such increasing persuasion? I really believe he yielded, at last, from a kind of attachment he had conceived for me; for suddenly one evening, as our melancholy procession THE KENNING WALTZES.-By A. J. Rexdrew near the prison, he desired to see the cap-ford.-(Cramer and Co.)-A set of charming tain of the guard, and revealed all. I was set waltzes, by a lady who bids fair to be one at liberty; and hastened to the scene of my former happiness. The good pastor received me kindly, but my old comrades looked distrustful. Carlotta's parents were dead, and she had entered a distant convent. This was all I could learn." Here Beppo raised the lamp above his head, and peered suspiciously about the room. Apparently satisfied with the inspection, he leaned towards me and resumed in a lower key- "I joined the insurgents, and was one of a band surprised by the Austrian troops between here and Ancona. My companions escaped or were taken prisoners; I was left for dead on the field. For a month after my wounds began to heal, I was delirious. It was a beautiful evening-that on which my senses returned. I shall never forget it. The first thing that gave me a consciousness of life was the breeze playing over my face. They had moved my pallet near the open window of the hospital. Very gradually came back my recollection. I looked at my wasted limbs, and felt that many days must have elapsed since the skirmish. A sister of charity came to the bedside, and handed me a cup of broth. Her countenance was veiled, and she deigned no reply to my questions, but by signs enjoined silence. Day and night she of our Patience and resignation are what, in the severest trials, we should earnestly wish to be distinguished for. Do we practise them on trifling occasions? Let any one of us be asked, "Can you bear to be put out of your own way, to accommodate your humour to the disappointments of life, and however your day may be turned and interrupted, cheerfully make the best of it? Can you improve little inconveniences into something tolerable, and even useful?” It may generally be done, if people would but set their minds to it. possessing as any. Does it ever hold throughout? Good nature is a quality that people are as fond of That pain, which we should abhor to inflict on the body of a friend or a dependant, do we never suffer our caprice or humour to inflict on their mind—an infinitely tenderer part. |