140
��THE GRANITE MONTHLY.
��was obliged to raise her head. But she suffered a kind of embarrassment, daring neither to raise her eyes nor to open them to receive the deep gaze of this man, whose voice trembled as he spoke. She wished to speak to him but the words would not come. The inspiration which had so easily capti- vated her whole audience, fled before Capellani alone. Meanwhile he re- mained at her side, and continued to talk about music, mingling his observa- tions with delicate compliments and vague phrases in a low voice. Soon there was a silence, for Capellani him- self could find nothing further to say, and still he did not want to leave her.
"I know that you live at Pistoja, madame," said he in order to start the conversation again. "Perhaps you come to Florence to solicit your hus- band's pardon?"
" I do not solicit a pardon, monsieur," cried Lucrecia proudly, finding her energy and her voice.
"You are right, madame. they ought to ask yours." replied the minister, reddening.
" I ask nothing of them, monsieur," she replied in a freezing tone.
Capellani comprehended the mean- ing which she had attached to his words. He lowered his eyes, and then pointing to his button hole, he said :
��" I am not a Frenchman ; beside, who can open an Austrian prison !"
Lucrecia was surprised at this reply. Was she mistaken in his intention? or could he, an able diplomat, change his tactics on seeing that his first attack was not successful.
"They say, monsieur, that you are powerful here and elsewhere," she re- plied with a half mocking smile. " Perhaps you are powerful in France ? "
"Why not, madame?"
Then, after a short silence, he added, " If I were powerful any where, I should wish it to be in a place where I could put my power at your service. Such a wish surely will not displease you." Saying this he turned away, leaving Lucrecia in deep thought.
Each evening she saw this man, whose aim and object, and whose ideas occupied all her thoughts. The mental fever which had seized her at first grew upon her every day, but she resented it with doubt and astonish- ment.
" He is not a great man or he would not have left Napoleon when he was in distress. He is a coward !" Then she looked again at his proud face and noble bearing, and exclaimed, " No ! this man has no fear ! "
[continued next month.]
��THE SPHINX DREAMS.
��AFTER MERSOX-S "REPOSE IN EGYPT.
��I5Y ADELAIDE CIIXEY WALDKON.
Within the folding of my mighty arm The wearied Mary rests her slender limbs; No breath of cloud the vast horizon dim*. And Joseph sleeps secure from all alarm : What though the haughty Herod dream of harm And fill with tears and blood unto their brims The streets of Bethlehem ! Heaven's evening hymns
Rang echoes even through old Egypt's calm. And stirred her stagnant nations with the strong Majestic chorus of the pregnant song ••This day the Christ is born!" Safe on my breast The Saviour sleeps, a little child at rest ; While I in dumb compassion gaze afar And see tin- shameful cross— the Eternal Star.
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