Volume IV Part 44 (1/2)

The ring was set with a straw-coloured diaed me to keep his secret as we parted I did not feel any sentiant madman, as I only saw in him a man unfortunate by his own fault, whose fate would probably e to blow his brains out

I went to Mo, and found the intended husband of my fair Mariuccia there, but not the lady herself I heard she had sent word to the 'scopatore santissimo' that, as her father had co, she could not coirl has no need of being instructed in diplomacy, nature and her own heart are her teachers, and she never blunders At supper I studied the young man, and found him eminently suitable for Mariuccia; he was handsoent, and whatever he said was spoken frankly and to the point

He told hter, Tecla, that he would have married her if she had possessed means to enable him to open his shop, and that he had reason to thank God for having met Maria, whose confessor had been such a true spiritual father to her I asked hi festivities were to take place, and he told me they were to be at his father's house, on the other side of the Tiber As his father, who kept a garden, was poor, he had furnished hiive him the ten crowns, but hoas I to do it? It would have betrayed arden a pretty one?” I asked

”Not exactly pretty, but very well kept As he owns the land, he has separated a plot which he wants to sell; it would bring in twenty crowns a year, and I should be as happy as a cardinal if I could buy it”

”How much will it cost?”

”It's a heavy price; two hundred crowns”

”Why, that's cheap! Listen to me I have met your future bride at this house, and I have found her all worthy of happiness She deserves an honest young fellow like you for a husband Noould you do supposing I were to arden?”

”I should put it to my wife's dowry”

”Then here are the two hundred crowns I shall give theh I think you are perfectly to be trusted The garden is yours, as part of your wife's dowry”

Moarden the following day, and the young ratitude fell on his knees and kissed irls wept, as I ion in such happy tears Nevertheless, they did not all proceed from the sa man's were the only ones whose source was pure and unalloyed I lifted hie Hehim kindly

I told him that if he wanted to please , and I begged the good scopatore to ask Mariuccia, her father andher for the last ti

At seven o'clock on the Sundayere in each other's arms, with four hours before us After the first burst of e before, in the presence of her confessor and of Mo handed in the notary had put the garden into the settleood father hadthe notary's fees and the wedding expenses

”Everything is for the best, and I am sure I shall be happy My intended adores you, but you did wisely not to accept his invitation, for you would have found everything so poor, and besides tongues e”

”You are quite right, dearest, but what do you intend to do if your husband finds that the door has been opened by someone else, for possibly he expects you to be a maid”

”I expect he will know no more about it than I did the first time you knew me; besides, I do not feel that you have defiled me, and my clean conscience will not allow me to think of the matter; and I am sure that he will not think of it any more than I”

”Yes, but if he does?”

”It would not be delicate on his part, but what should preventthat I don't knohat he ht; that's the best way But have you told your confessor of our ive myself up to you with any criminal intention, I do not think I have offended God”

”You are an angel, and I ad But listen to me; it's possible that you are already with child, or that you ; promise to name the child after me”

”I will do so”

The four hours sped rapidly away After the sixth assault earied though not satiated We parted with tears, and swore to love each other as brother and sister ever after

I went home, bathed, slept an hour, rose, dressed, and dined pleasantly with the fas family for a drive in my landau, and we then went to the theatre, where the castrato who played the prireat attraction He was the favourite pathic of Cardinal Borghese, and supped every evening with his eminence

This castrato had a fine voice, but his chief attraction was his beauty