Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 6.djvu/187

 LUCRECIA.

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��LUCRECIA.

��FROM THE FRENCH.

��BY F. W. R. (CONTINUED.)

��CHAPTER IV.

��One evening, while taking a walk, she entered the church of Santa Croce. It seemed to her that in the midst of the remains of the great men of her country she would find inspiration, light and peace ; but she became lost in a deep revery, and found only chaos in her mind and heart. Suddenly, on turning around one of the arches, near a basin of holy water, she saw Marcel in an attitude of profound thought. He saw her at the same moment, their eyes met, and they stood as if ia=ci- nated by an apparition. At this time the church was almost empty ; a few stragglers were finishing their prayers, crossing themselves and putting on their sandals upon the lettered marble, where each ray of light shone upon the name of some celebrated man. The candles added their feeble glimmer to the twilight, and the hour was propitious for avowals, questions and imprudent words. Both had them upon their lips. He passionate words of love ; she questions of himself, his object and his aims. They hesitated, and their eyes revealed their hesitation. Lucrecia had a presentiment of dan- ger ; still she did not distrust her strength, having never been tempted ; but in the presence of Marcel's love, she was instinctively afraid. She low- ered her head and moved away a few steps. Marcel did not dare to follow her. Meanwhile he stretched out his hand to offer her the holy water. Lucrecia returned and dipped her fingers. Their hands met, and for a brief moment were clasped ; but by an enegetic movement she drew her's away, and bowing, rapidly left the church.

��That evening she was more agitated than usual, and she decided not to go to the house of Monsieur D. ; but the resolution cost her a strong effort, and the whole evening was spent in think- ing of Capellani.

"What was he doing at Santa Croce? Did he follow me there? No; his astonishment was too real. Was he praying? Was he searching for some inscription? Is he a Christian? Is he a scholar, an antiquary, or an artist ? " She could not get out of this circle of thought.

The next day she dined with the Marquise Malespini, and was surprised at meeting Marcel there. But on no- ticing that the guests were few, she couldnotsuppressafeelingof pleasure. She could now talk to this man freely, and solve the problem without danger. The conversation was animated, lively, and every way charming. A thousand subjects were introduced which were interdicted in larger gatherings. Lu- crecia became very bold. She spoke of Napoleon, and asked of the minis- ter how he had won his cross ?

"They say Napoleon gave it to you himself. Is it true?" added the Mar- quise.

"Yes, madame, at Austerlitz," he replied.

" It is a fine thing, Monsieur, to have won this cross upon the field of bat- tle," replied Lucrecia. "To be notic- ed by such a commander as Napoleon one must be courageous indeed !"

Marcel smiled and shrugged his shoulders as if it had been a small affair for him. "I was eighteen years old then," said he ; "at that age, when one is born in a country without laws ; where each has his own destiny to

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