Page:Francesca Carrara 1.pdf/72

68 fear! I remember hearing, that in the East the clear and azure waters seem to flow before the weary and parched traveller; yet a little further, and on he urges his weary way, but in vain—the fair stream is a delusion. Even thus happiness is the mirage which leads us over the desert of life, ever fated to end in deceit and disappointment. Young, beautiful, and innocent, are you happy, Francesca?"

She turned her face towards him, silently—it was glittering with tears.

"And what is it that we want? Wealth!" continued the youth; "had I possessed but a portion of my house's heritage, I should not be forced to picture to myself Marie but as surrounded by the gay flatterers of a foreign court. And you, Francesca—need you have feared the English noble's denial, could the bride have brought gold instead of a true and loving heart?"

"You are right!" exclaimed the aged Carrara, who had, un-perceived, been a witness to their discourse; "gold is the earthly deity, to whom is intrusted the destinies of humanity. It is power, it is pleasure, it is love; for even affection may be bought by gratitude. What can a king give to his bravest but wealth? How can the lover surround the loved with the lovely but with wealth? Nay,