The Duke's Prize A Story of Art and Heart in Florence

d, but cozene

ng

and foremost, because it was diametrically contrary to his principles and sense of moral rectitude; and secondly, because his opponent was indirectly

there being always the possibility of his being wounded by the enemy's sword, the very fact of his returning to the fight when severely wounded, showed that Carlton had rightly judged of his character, its vindictive impulses, when he deemed both wounds necessary. He gav

was now walking with him down the mountain's side, "I could hardly believe my eyes to see thee such a

ived so long with me?" asked Carlton. "He

rdly and brave little fellow he was. In short, I believe there was no quali

encies," added Carlton, smili

are often met with in every country, wanderers or exiles from home. While we write, we have one in our

of our little knight

d he, and so did I, until I flatter myself both became proficients in their distinctive branches of learning. Carnot taught the exercise in the Grand Army; so he graduated in a good s

with wondr

u thin

plimented you, and said blade w

olness would carry a sure point. The pistol is the weapon for your hot-headed fellow; he

entleman's brain, while it takes an artiste to run one through the body handsomely. Gi

the sword, I preferred that weapon, though I think you have seen me do some pretty th

gers' ends as thou hast, I would give

thee how

hat m

ouldst learn it as readily as I have done; always supposing you to have as expert a teacher as that little Frenchman, Carnot, who in all else

no Carnot to teach me

the want

lf, Brownlow, when both of u

will repay the

who but a few months previous had scoffed and

n the mountain. Below them lay, in all its beauty, the city of Florence, the pride of Tuscany, and the Val d'Arn

nt palace, the principal windows of which opened fronting the tall eminence of Fiesole, crowned by

that taste could suggest, or the most fastidious could desire, contrasting strongly with his late want and suffering. Even the Gran

f the house of Carrati as his messenger; but the fellow being bribed by the agents of Petro, intercepted the letters, and now Carlton was forced to become his own messenger or bearer of the letters he himself wrote. He wa

even were it otherwise, what need we care for wealth, if we are sure for a sufficiency for life, and of each other's love? I am highly gratified, dearest, that you have at length consented to this arrang

nts for the proposed elopement, and in another letter to Signora Florinda, he made all prel

tful and sudden glances of light appeared doubly bright from the transient shadows made by the officious clouds. They, deeming that the moon took

azzling richness, and as quickly die away again, as though it were at play with the earth. It was difficult in this alternating of light and darkness to use the eye so as to discern objects with cert

, on the mountain-road towards Bologna. The inmates of the vehicle exchanged not a word. The female seemed to be affrighted at the headlong speed with which the double team drew the light caleche up the mou

noise of the wheels and horses' feet among the stones and uneven soil of the rising ground. On rolled the vehicle with the speed of the wind-every one knows how Florentine horses can go when they have a mind to-until at length it

re, and will unit

ear Carlton?" said Flo

to lose," was the

shoul

, Flo

Car

as the whispere

scerned-the prayer was made, and the two were solemnly declared to be husband and wife. The lady had essayed several times to speak aloud, as we have seen, to express some feeling or wish, and she seemed as if anticipating some encouragement from him she was about to wed; but

r a moment with the bridegroom, then both turning towards Florinda at the moment a couple of lamps were introduced into the room, when lo! she behe

Can this be thee, Petro Giampetti, trembling like a child-nay, a tear actually wetting that swarthy check, as you chafe the pulse, and bathe the temples of that insensible girl? And hast thou really so tender a heart, and yet couldst enter into so hard

" cried Petro

eagerly exclai

e us!" answ

ght on such extremity," said the uncle, trying to

r a while, we will take the reader back