Isotta Contarini [pp. 128-133]

ISO TTA CONVTARI-VI.
reminded me that the steamboat is ready to start, "Ah, signore, you are an American, I presume,
and that we have not a moment to spare." though you speak Italian like a Tuscan. Being an
As she spoke, Libittina pointed to the boat just American, and a republican, you cannot understand
about to leave the landing at the Molo, crying in what it is to lose your place in history, your proud
the Venetian dialect: position, your great influence, to be humiliated by
"Oh, we are undone, we are undone! They go circumstance, and by the memory of what you have
without us. What shall we do? What shall we been."
do?" in the exaggerated and melodramatic manner "What could humiliate such a glorious creature
characteristic of her race. as yourself? " cried the youth, vehemently, touching
Clifford saw that they were pulling in the plank, her hand, which she immediately withdrew with a
and, unwilling that the women should be left, told mildly-rebuking glance and a deep-drawn sigh.
them to hurry. "Pardon me, signorina, if I have offended. I
"May I aid you? " he asked the Contarini, and meant it not. I-I-so-so-"
extended his arm, which she took, and they hastened "See how blue the water is!" interrupted Isotta.
forward. They had not, indeed, a moment to spare; "And have you noticed how soft the air is? This
for Libittina, who had been unable to keep up with is more like May than November. Is it long since
them, was dragged aboard by two of the crew. you left home?"
"I am very sorry," observed Isotta, as soon as "But a few months; and yet it seems a great
they could draw breath, "to have carried you off, while. I am delighted with Italy. While I have
signore. Your kindness deserved a better return." been here less than three days, my heart is years
"Surely it could not have been better, signorina. older than when I came."
I shall now have the happiness of being with you for "Are not your countrymen apt to be a little sen two or three hours. Bsides, I had thought of going timental? I like it. I like America, too; at least
to Chioggia." I think I should; for I have heard much of it."
He really believed this, though he would have "Have you met many Americans??"
equally believed that he had contemplated visiting "I have never met but one, signore."
Nov a Zembla or the north-pole, had she suggested "And what is your opinion of him?"
the poss ibility of her making such a journey. " Perhaps I can tell better after a while."
"Heaven itself is on the side of love," he said to " Should you like to visit America, signorina?"
himself, as he looked at the bright sky, the smooth " Nothing would give me greater pleasure. Tell
water, and the wvoman he adored. He had never felt me about it. The subject is very interesting to me
so happy as at that moment. His soul was so light -it is to all Italians; for, you know, it was an Ital and joyous that it seemed as if he might fly. His ian, Christopher Columbus, who discovered your
head and feet appeared unsteady. Was he not dream- country."
ing again? Was he really on the same boat, at the Ashley was too polite to correct her, though, had
side of the glorious Contarini, privileged to talk to he.been better acquainted with the people he was
her, to gaze into her face, to hear her speak? He among, he would have found her error a very cornmburned to declare his passion. He might do so, for mon one. The most intelligent Italians imagine
they were not near the other passengers, and Libit- that San Salvador and the coast of Massachusetts are
tina, like the true capperone that she was, kept care- substantially the same thing. He did not need a
fully beyond ear-shot. second invitation to describe America, the larger and
Clifford had fully intended to pour out his heart, best portion of which, to his mind, was included in
knowing he could not have a fairer opportunity. But, his native State. Consequently, he gave a glowing
when hle opened his lips, the words that issued were: account of South Carolina, of his family, his father's
"Have you friends in Chioggi, signorina?" wealth, and his own life, and, when he had finished,
"Oh, no; I go there only for an excursion, since he was confident he had exhausted the republic.
the day is so beautiful. I shall return with the boat. The excursion to Chioggia and back, which ocWe Venetians love to go to Chioggia when the weathl- cupied all day, was delightful to him, and Isotta
er is pleasant. You know wie live for enjoyment." declared it was to her. If she failed to learn that
"I see by the writing in your little book, signo- lie was desperately in love with her, she was the
rina," said the lover, forgetting about Chioggia, "that dullest woman alive, and a wholly exceptional Italyou are Isot.a Contarini-a beautiful name. You ian; for Italian women can feel a disposition toward
a-e related, doubtless, to the illustrious family?" gallantry before gallantry is well aware of itself.
"Yes, signore; but, alas! neither Venice nor the On arriving at the Riva, he asked when he might
Contarinis are what they were. We are no longer see her again, and she answered very femininely that
rich or powerful; but now we have a right to be she could not tell. He begged her to accompany
proud, I suppose, as all have who have suffered mis- him on a gondola-excursion by moonlight the next
fortune." And she cast down her eyes, looking evening, saying that she could take Libittina along,
melancholy and more bewitching than ever. for she had already instructed him in the conven "Beauts is never so fascinatingas whenovertaken tional requirements of the catpieronze. She finally
by adversity," exclaimed Ashley, with fervor. "Cer- consented, but admonished him against coming to
tainly a woman like you never can be unhappy; for the residence of her parents-the Palazzo Contariyou have everything to make life sweet." ni delle Figure, on the Grand Canal-for they wvers
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