Page:Blackwood's Magazine volume 137.djvu/93

1885.] Spaccapietra, a good, gentle, tranquil soul, who goes on her even way, untroubled by such torments of soul as, according to her own showing, rend her schoolfellow. Notwithstanding, or perhaps on this very account, she admires this friend to the point of adoration. When Lucia pours forth her incomprehensible gush, Catarina takes it for pure wisdom, too deep to fathom, for Catarina has no imagination; that is the keynote to her character, and therefore she is struck with it the more in her comrade, in whom it really is nought else but fantasy run riot. An attempt at suicide made by Lucia, who suffers from Weltschmerz, is averted by Catarina's simple heroism. Excited by this event, Lucia divides a lapis-lazuli rosary with her friend, and extorts from her a solemn promise that they will be faithful unto death in friendship, and that, if need be, each will sacrifice her happiness and even life for the other. This promise proves decisive for the destiny of the two girls, though it is not the one who has proposed it who is to feel its weight. Both leave school, and we next find Catarina married to a robust, simple-natured, honest man, Andrea Lieti, leading a tranquil existence, of which a charming glimpse is shown us. The couple are not wildly in love, but quite content; and if Catarina has anything to mar her happiness, it is that Andrea does not like her friend, whose extravagancies are his favourite theme for ridicule. In her simplicity of soul she strives to draw together the two beings she most cares for, and by a ruse leaves them alone one evening. Lucia, who is a coquette to the core, embraces the opportunity of fascinating this Herculean man, whose very healthiness has an attraction to her unwholesomeness. The story of how he, repelled at first, gradually succumbs to her morbid fascinations; how she seduces him, while never dropping her half-mystic religious language and attitude; how she blinds Catarina, who lives only for domestic cares, and seeks to make those around her comfortable; how she deceives her own husband, – this is the upshot of the entire book. She marries very soon after that first evening alone with Andrea – marries a consumptive cousin after philandering for some time with one of her old school professors, who is madly in love with her, and who ruins himself for her sake. Very characteristic is her announcement to Catarina of her approaching marriage.

"I wanted to become a nun; my father would not consent. Then I prayed to God, and one day, like St Paul upon the road to Damascus, a great light dazzled me. I heard the voice of the Lord, who said to me: 'There is close by thee a sacrifice to be made, a work for thee to accomplish. Thy cousin, Alberto Sanna, loves thee; he is consumptive, half dead; marry him, you will be his sister of charity.'"

This mission, Lucia says, tempts her, so she has submitted to the divine command; for is she not the servant of the Lord? and since Alberto loves her, he at least will be happy. The character of this cousin, with his poor thin nature, who clings desperately to life, is excellently portrayed. Like most invalids he is occupied solely with himself and his symptoms; and by nature an egotist, he cares for nothing outside his wife, whom he regards as a part of himself. During a stay made by the couple at the Lietis, where Catarina sacrifices everything to Alberto's health and Lucia's comfort, things work