Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 6.djvu/156

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��THE GRANITE MONTHLY.

��Her"s was a pure and sublime mind, and her beauty, even, showed the re- flection of her character. She had the straight figure and powerful head of the Etruscans.

The richest cavaliers of Florence and Fistoja disputed for her hand ; but her heart soared too high in the para- dise of the Ideal to resign itself to choose a husband from these young men who had never done an heroic act.

The death of the canon left her alone, and her only protector was Monsieur Rospigliosi, who kept a sort of tutorship over her. She returned to her father's palace, an old and massive mansion built like a fortress. The friends of the canon followed her here, together with her suitors, and the marquise Malespini brought there the most aristocratic ladies of Pistoja ; and soon, in spite of herself, Lucrecia became a sort of queen, and held the most popular levees in Tuscany.

CHAPTER 11.

About this time the Italians were be- coming deeply excited. French insti- tutions had sown every where the germs of liberty, which grew silently and rap- idly, and menaced Austria's rule. Com- panies of insurgents were recruited in every town, and Lucrecia, without counting the cost, joined in the enthu- siasm around her, She was not much interested in modern revolutionary ideas, but for the freedom of Italy she would undertake anything. She dream- ed of the century of Dante, and of the glories of the Medicis, and if, to give Italy its ancient splendor, it had been necessary to sacrifice her life, she would have done it without regret, as did Iphi- genia of old.

Among the most ardent patriots of her society were Alexandra Tozinghi, a rich and noble Florentine, and Paolo Palandra, a son of one of the most noted families of Pistoja. Both of them had been deeply in love with her for years, and she knew them to be ready to do any thing to win her hand.

��One evening when her friends, more numerous and more animated than ever, had been speaking of the news from Naples, and of the Austrian pro- jects, she allowed her enthusiasm to break forth.

"Italy is not dead yet !" cried she. "There are still men who feel in their veins the valiant blood of their ances- tors ! Will the aristocracy of Italy be its avenger?"

She could not lower her eyes quickly enough to hide the look of doubt which came into them.

"Why not?" cried two voices at her side almost simultaneously. She raised her head quickly and saw the two young men, just spoken ot, looking at her in a questioning manner.

" Is this true ! " cried she in a vibrat- ing voice. " Can there be near me a liberator of his country !"

The love of Alexandra and Paolo was no secret, and at their exclama- tion every one turned quickly and understood the solemn compact which a look exchanged between these three had just signed. Lucrecia lowered her eyes and trembled. A sinister presenti- ment seized her, but she got up, pale and dignified, and extended a hand to each of them. But she could not overcome her fear. "It is fate," she murmured, as if she had just signed her death warrant.

Paolo and Alexandra were the last to leave. Lucrecia watched them dis- appear in the darkness, but first they bowed low before the Madonna, and threw a parting glance at her. Then she went back into her palace and threw herself wearily upon a chair.

"So, whatever happens, I shall be married !"

The movement begun at Naples spread rapidly. The insurgents gained ground every day. Kings joined the movement and all was enthusiasm, and the cry of freedom was raised every where. But suddenly the Austrian army crossed the Po. Here and there they met and defeated the Italians. The towns were occupied by soldiers, and the heroic youth of Piedmont and

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