Abbot [pp. 687-699]

1840.] JIbbo: or, LL Te Ilermit of e Falls." 691
man fell from his giddy eminence, the returning
waves of commotion again swept over the weak
but once powerful republic of Venice. It was
enough to awaken high hopes in the breast of
some; and though no one thought that the state
would be able to exist alone, yet there was a desire
to make choice of an alliance-and not be disposed
of at the caprice of a tyrant. This was the state
of things when we returned to Venice. Di Como
was soon riding upon the highest waves of the political storm. I was soon enlisted with him. Our
former confidence was unabated. He looked not
on me as a rival, but merely as one who could be
relied on in council, and well calculated to promote
his designs. He had, in conjunction with a few
others, formed a project of uniting Northern Italy
into a Republic-a scheme truly grand, but for
which the people were not yet prepared. A correspondence was secretly carried on with the most powerful families in the neighboring cities; and every
day brought fresh hopes of a successful consummation. The influence which Di Como daily acquired was utterly inconceivable. Had he been
possessed of the experience of age and office, he
could not have been the deposit of higher trust
than he really was; and all his partizans were confirmed in their schemes, and infatuated as they
viewed his surpassing genius. I had already visited my native district, and secured the influence
of the nobles there and the promise of a firm alliance, as soon as the state of things would justify an
open avowal on the part of the republicans. All
things seemed to concur for the success of our enterprise; but the fortunate hour to strike the blow
had not come. But why need I go further in this
narrative t. It is well known that the ball of revolution was exploded, by the oppression of Austria a
few years after, and every hope of success destroyed, together with the dependence of my country and the failure of all the schemes then on foot.
some of these I found my highest enjoyment. For
some time my visits were general; but I was of
such a temperament that this could not continue
long-naturally confiding, T-sought some kindred
heart in whom to trust. Di Como was immersed in
business, and I w anted abosom which could move under other impulses than ambition. I felt even then,
that to have stood in the way of a simple design, would
have been fatal to our communion. By degrees I
lost relish for general society; and I found that every
day as I stepped into my boat, that its prow turned
towards the palace of the Count Gallego, unless I
gave contrary orders. The Count was not himself
a man of captivating manners. He was haughty,
gloomy, and reserved; and it was seldom that he so
far unbent his mood as to enter cheerfully into the
social meetings of his family. The lady Zarzina
was the youngest of his family, and the idol of all.
Gallego himself, if moved at all by any attention,
or if he ever awakened from his morose and gloomy
reveries, it was at the sound of the argelic voice
or winning smile of Zarzina. To this daughter,
he would sometimes turn and unlock the feelings of
his heart. She was indeed captivating. Not long
accustomed to society, she possessed-what is so
seldom found in ladies of our country-simplicity
and freedom from affectation. She'had just entered
into womanhood —she was altogether Italian-her
skin that of a light brunette-her eye jetty,.large
and languishing, except when animated by conversation, or when in sportive jest it peered through
the dark fringe, with that mischievous and playful
gleam, which is so characteristic of her sex in the
same clime. The gracefulness of her., but I
will not attempt further to describe her. Her beautv
was confessed, and many were the praises which
were sung, not only by young nobles but by many a
humbler admirer of female beauty, as he glided
along the waters of the city; and many a boat lagged lazily past the palace of the Count, with the
longing desire that one glimpse might be caught of
the lovely Zarzina. I was an admirer at her feet.
Her image was ever present with me; and although
the spell of her charms had worked almost insensi bly, it was binding as destiny. Had I wished, I
could not have freed me from its thrall; but I did
not wish it-the very chain which riveted me was
sweet. I bad every reason also to believe that I
was not altogether disregarded by her. I almost
feared to cherish the thought; but I thought I was
always received with a smile which was peculiarly
expressive, and which seemed more heartfelt than
those bestowed on other visiters —I thought too, I
could see that when our interviews were inter rupted by the introduction of other individuals, that
a shade.of disappointment colored the smile with
which she endeavored to greet every one.
Di Como had been so enwrapt in his high enlter
My concurrence in these political movements was
truly patriotic; and I would willingly have given
up my life to have advanced the cause, and to have
seen my country once more holding an independent
and dignified rank among the nations of the world.
About this time an event occurred which changed
the color of my life-an event which abated not
my patriotism, but which deprived me of my wonted energy-and destroyed my confidence in man.
I had shared largely in the patriotic and ambitious
designs of Di Como, but I had at the same time
been the subject of other feelings. The only thingo
which had enlisted me in political adventure was
not a selfish aggrandisement of power or wealth:
it was love of country. I had ever had an aversion
to making a conspicuous figure myself, and was
ready rather to impart my thoughts to others, with
regard to any thing which appeared to me to favor
the revolution, than to enlist openly myself. When
not actually engaged in business, I spent much of
1840.]
.Ibbot: or, 11 The Ilermit of the Falls."
691
my time in the socialities of many of the first families into which I had been introduced, and it was in