LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 863, 31 March 1877, Page 3

LITERATURE.

KATARINA ORSINI. By the Author op " East Lynne." ( Continued.) There was a reunion this night at the Capella Palace. The Princess di Capella, had been travelling for two years in France and in the north, as the Italians style our land ; and now that he had returned, his mother hoped he would settle down and take unto himself a wife. She was giving a succession of entertainments on a princely scale in his honor; this was the fourth. And yet, she could scarcely afford the cost; for the Capellas, like the Orsinis, were not rich. The Orsinis had been bidden to the first. It had not been the princess's intention to invite them to the rest, but the young prince had insisted. He had been struck, fascinated, with the beauty of Maria,

The proud Piincess di Capella assented petulantly, observing that they did but setve.to crowd her reception rooms; she deemed that she condescended greatly to that inferior branch of the Orsinis.

Conspicious in beauty, in stature, in grace, stood Maria Orsini amidst the gay and courtly throng. The Prince di Capella seemed to think so, for he hovered by her side perpetually. He could not boast of beauty; an undersized man with a weazened insignificant face, and an obstinate head adorned with straight black hair. What mattered that ? The high-born Prince di Capella, for whose favor every mother in the Eternal City was running a race, hoping to call him son in-law, for whose notice nearly every daughter was longing, needed not the additional charm of personal attractions.

On this evening, whilst Maria was treading a measure haud in hand with the prince, Katarina stood on the enclosed terrace amidst the orange trees. One whom she had hoped to see in the gay throng, was not visible. Her heart was beating, lier spirit sinking, when he stole up to her —a tab, fair, handsome man, with an attractive face, a winning countenance, and honest faith shining forth from his large grey eyes. The rush of color to her cheeks, and her start of glad surprise, told a tale. ' Giovanni!' she cried, in a soft, tremulous voice. 'Ts it you !' 'Call me plain John,' he answered in English; his whole face lighted up with a smile, as he touched her gloved hand. ' I thought you had not come,' she said, changing her language to his, which she spoke well.

' I was detained writing letters. Katarina, the plot is thickening,' he gaily added in a jesting tone. 'I shall not be able to stay here much longer; I am wanted at home.' 'But you will return, Giovanni!' she whispered, with hesitation. ' Certainly; and to set up my tent in Italy for good : for a part of the year, that is, If I may be allowed. And I must pnt the question at rest, my Katarina, before starting." Her eyes fell beneath the ardent gaze of his. Side by side they wandered further down the terrace, where the lights were paler, the orange trees thicker ; and there he talked to her of his plans, which looked so full of hope, for love gave to them its own colouring. John St Arno was the younger son of a good family. Originally Italian, the St Arnos had some centuries ago settled in England; the first of them having been created a knight-banneret on the field of battle during the Wars of the Roses. You might see their names now on the list of England's baronets. John, travelling about for pleasure, had seen Katarina at the very first entertainment she went to. He was charmed with the sweet youug girl, so unsophisticated and fresh from her convent life, and obtained an introduction to her mother. Since then, he and Katarina had considerably improved their aoquaintanceship ; the one being as little loth to do it as the other; and a tacit engagement noAV existed between them.

John St Arno had a competence : but the family estates had devolved with the title upon his elder brother—who was the very opposite of good and attractive John, and not over well-conducted : spent his days on racecourses and his nights in gambling houses. Maria, who, with all her coldness, her pride, and her ambition, was attached to her sister, had sounded her mother upon the feasibilities of Katarina's hopes. The countess, liking John St Arno much, opined that the count would make no objection to him, provided he would undertake to have a house in tiome and spend with Katarina a portion of every year there. This piece of hopeful information Katarina, with many blushes, was disclosing now to him under the shade and scent of the orange trees. Impulsive, open, and hearty in all he did, John St Arno hastened to the Countess Orsini on the spur of the moment, and found her on a sofa in one of the more remote of the reception rooms. Taking a seat by her side, he for the first time in his life, spoke to her of his love for Katarina, and of the plans they had ventured to form. The countess did not discourage him; but she impressed upon him the fact that the decision rested entirely with her husband.

' I think the count cannot object to me on the score of descent,' said John to her. 'lt is very ancient; and originally, you know, we came from Italy.' ' Which must account for your speaking our language as we do,' observed the simpleminded countess.

'Not exactly,'answered John, laughing-. • But our family have always deemed it right to keep their original tongue. I am not rich,' he added, |returningjthe question, 'but'— ' But indeed you will be fairly rich,' she interrupted. Katarina has her fortune, you know. Yours and hers united will be very good. If she had none, I am sure the count would object to you ; for your means are not sufficient to keep up the state he will insist upon for his daughters. I must say I should like you for my Bon-in-law, Signor St Arno: but if Katarina had no fortune to add to your own means, you might ask for her in vain.' ' That would be very cruel. Hardly, as it seems to me, just.' ' All the same, you could not be allowed to pretend to her. The count's will is no more to be altered than were the laws of the Medes and Persians. You—you will not seek to turn Katarina from, her faith ?' added the countess, after a pause. 'Certainly not. Rather would I encourage her to be steadfast to it: it is the faith she has been reared in; the faith of her people. Dear lady, our worship may differ in form, but not in aim and end. If each did not lead alike to Heaven, what would become of the numbers that have already died in the one or the other ?' The Princess di Capella came sweeping into the room with a train of followers, and John St Arno quitted the sofa. ' Where did you manage to hide yourself all the evening, Katarina?' asked Maria, when they returned home and were alone. ' I was—a good deal out on the terrace ; the saloons were hot,' answered Katarina, somewhat evasively, arousing herself from deep thought. Now that the realisaiipjj, of her dreams appeared almos.t assured, she trembled with instinctive fear. What if ; her stern father did not approve ? She knew his coldness and his pride. John had whispered to her that he should call to see him on the morrow : Katarina, all in a flutter, had begged him not to come; but to let her mother break it to the count first. 'Maria,'she said timidly, if-—if a suitor appeared for you, should you not consider it

more desirable that mamma—who is so indulgent to us—should speak to papa before he spoke ?'

Maria Orsini opened her haughty blue eyes at the question. ' Why so, Katarina ?' 'That he—that papa might not be surprised or shocked into passionate anger. He is sometimes, you know.' 'Surprised he might be had he previously no idea that the proposal would be made. But how could such a thing startle him ?' 'lt might, if the applicant were not rich and great.'

' Well then, what would it signify to us if papa did go into one of his passions ? Juatly so too, I should say.' ' But, Maria, suppose—suppose it was some one whom you wished papa to receive well, and to say yes to ?' ' I never could or should wish it,' haughtily remarked Maria Orsini. 'A suitor nei* her rich nor great ! You are dreaming, child.' ' They used to say in the convent that your reigniDg sin was ambition ; the good sisters often told you so; and in that you take after the Orsinis. But, if it came about that you really cared for one. you might forget your ambition then.'

' Never could I care for one for whom it was necessary I should sacrifice my ambition; I could not so far forget what is due to myself. I am Maria <»rsini. But, Katarina, why are you saying all this ; your voice betrays a tone of meaning.' ' If I confess why, perhaps you may ridicule me, Maria. Everybody is not the Prince di Capella.' ' Not I, child,' laughed Maria ; ' I never ridicule you. If there be one individual who is dearer to me than all the rest of the world, who is first with me always, it is my little sister.'

' Nay, not first, Maria. Our father and mother must be that.' ' Circumstances alter cases,' said Maria, in worldly wisdom. 'We have been away from them for many years, seeing them only at intervals ; whilst you and I have been together always. But now what is it you wish to tell me 1

'You know a little about it already, Maria. John St Arno '

' Oh,' interposed Maria, slightingly, for who was John St Arno, compared to the high and mighty prinoe whose attentions to her could not now be mistaken. ' I quite forgot all about him, child.'

* I—l think he is coming to ask for me, to-morrow.'

' He! Well, yes, I know you and he have been talking together ; I have caught glimpses of him in the evenings among the crowd ; but I have other things to think of, you see now, child. Coming to ask for you ! John St Arno ! And you indeed wish it, Katarina V

' What is there against him ?' ' Nothing against himself individually, I suppose ; and many a young signorina will envy you your good-looking bridegroom. But lie has nothing but looks, Katarina mia He has not any title to give you. not any ancient marble-pillared palace not much wealth.'

'To both of us these things are as nothing.' ' Well, well, if you are satisfied. There will have to be a dispensation, I suppose, because of his religion; but papa does not care about those things. Or mamma mucb, either.'

' Will papa object, think you, Maria ?' •I think not. Why should he? As mamma observed when I spoke of it to her, your fortune and his will make up a respect able income; and the St Arnos have their lineage, and he is a favourite everywhere. Very fair, if you can bring your mind to it.' 'Which you could not do,' smiled Katarina.

Maria drew up her beautiful head. 'I! An Orsini change her name for a St Arno !' ' I am an Orsini, too, Maria.' ' Yes, child, but you have not the attributes of one. You are not an Orsini by nature, Katarina; neither is mamma. Only —she has fallen in with papa's ways of thought; and, you know, l'abito e una seconda natura.'

Maria threw herself into the romance; and in the morning they talked of it with the countess. She anticipated no objection from the count, though she could never be sure which way his mind would turn. Katarina besought her to break a hint of it to him; and she, ever compliant, proceeded to the count's apartments at the other side of the house. And anxiously enough watched poor Katarina; but when her mother came forth she wore a smiling face. 'He was a little unwilling at first,' she said, 'on the score of Mr St Arno's moderate income; but I ventured to remind him that it would not be very small when yours was added to it; and so, my dear child, it is all right.' ***** The midday heat had not yet came on; and the two young ladies sat under the shade of the trees near the fountain, their favorite seat, dreamily conversing of Katarina's future. Not a shadow of fear rested on the girl's heart now. ' Will he want you to live half your time in England, I wonder, Katarina ?' ' I wonder, will he 1 Perhaps not quite half, Maria. The four hot months, let us say. I will ask him.' 'Hush, child 1 Hark!' The sound of wheels had attracted Maria's attention. Katarina ran up the bank, from whence a corner of the approach could be discerned. She was full of curiosity: visitors rarely troubled them so eariy. Maria laughed. 'lt is your Giovanni,' she said. 'He has lost no time.' ' Nay; this sounds like a grand rumbling state coach; Giovanni would not come in one," dissented Katarina. ' Wait just an instant.' Almost as sha spoke, she came running down again. A grave surprise sat on her face and lips. ' Maria, it is the carriage of the Princess di Capella. What can she want so early ? What can she want here at all ? It is not often that she condescends to visit ns.' A self-satisfied smile parted Maria Orsini's proud lips. She toyed with the spray of orange blossom in the waist of her cool white morning drsss, and glanced towards the saloon. But no princess appeared in it. Very soon, however, a serving man crossed it, and glanced down to where the young ladies sat. 'Jacopo,' cried out Katarina in a half whisper, 'did not the Princess di Capella come here but a minute ago.'' Yes, the princess had come, Jacopo answered. She had asked for the count, not for the Indies Jacopo had conducted her to the count's saloon, and was now looking for his mistress to inform him of the visit.^

' What can it mean that she should ask for papa ?' cried Katarina. ' The princess you look conscious I Oh, Maria !' An idea had suddenly flashed over the young girl, bringing with it a sort of dismay. Maria Orsini made no reply, save by the proud self-conscious smile. • Does she come from the prince ?—as his messenger?' breathlessly asked Katarina. • I think it may be so.' ' Oh Maria, you have known him so short a period of time !' ' Quite long enough,' significantly returned Maria. ' Well—if you think so, and can like him, Tam very glad. But what a position for you !' she added. * Wife of the Prince di Capella ! Second to few in Rome ! I cannot realise it.' ' Why cannot you ? ' ' And I only to be the wife of plain John St Arno ! ' she added, with a merry laugh. 'I would not exchange husbands with you, princess. Dear Maria, do not be angry with me : that slipped out unawares.' ' Angry ! Why should I be ? That will not anger me, child. You marry a handsome man but a nobody. I marry rank and become a prio cess, It is the destiny each would have chosen. (To be continued,')