A day of brilliant sunshine had dawned on the Amongst the magnificent gondolas displayed on wave-washed palaces of beautiful Venice. Though this occasion, was one scarcely less rich in its it was but the early morning hour, the activity of decorations than that of State. Its gilded prow movement and busy preparation which precede glittered in the sunbeams, the heavy curtains of great events, were every where discernible. violet velvet and golden tissue were gracefully

The gondoliers were unfolding and festooning folded and festooned to the slender gilded pillars the gorgeous curtains and draperies of their grace-which supported a canopy of the same rich mateful barges, removing with careful hand every speck rial, wrought with golden stars. In the centre of of lint or dust which marred their rich coloring, or each star blazed a costly gem. clung to their costly folds. The fisherman had cleansed his ruder boat and spread his white sail; but why sat he idly in his holiday suit at her prow? Any other day would have found him far out on the blue sea, but to-day the finny tribe cut the bright waves in safety; the treacherous net hung dry on the walls of the spoiler's hut.

The skill and power of the gondolier attracted as much attention as the richness of the gondola. The slender oars bent beneath his hands as the boat dashed through the water, sending it curling and foaming around the prow. It seemed to be with difficulty that he was kept in his place and prevented from preceding even the Bucentaur.

It was the gondola of Prince Azzo D'Este of Ferrara. Reclining on the soft cushions within, by his side, his beautiful daughter, the youthful princess Leonore, watched with an animated countenance the new and brilliant scene.

Near four centuries before, when the proud and tyrannical Frederick Barbarossa threatened to plant his eagles before the portals of St. Mark, unless his enemy, Pope Alexander III., was given up to his power, the generous Venetians, who had espoused the cause of their spiritual father, sallied Close by the side of this boat was another which forth to meet the invader, conquered his fleet, and seemed to hover about its companion with intense made Otho, his son, prisoner. The grateful Alex-life-like interest. It belonged to Stephano Coander went to greet the victors, and, as soon as the lonna, a young nobleman of Rome. It was not so Doge Sebastiano Ziani landed, presented him with gorgeous as that of Ferrara, but strikingly beautia golden ring saying: ful. It was larger far than the other, yet seemed

"Take this ring, and with it take, on my autho-to float over the bright waters without an effort of rity, the sea as your subject. Every year on the its muscular propeller, so uniform and steady were return of this happy day, you and your successors his motions. Its azure curtains of softest silk shall make known to all posterity that the right of fluttered out on the breeze, showing, now and then, conquest has subjugated the Adriatic to Venice, as the pure alabaster columns which supported the a spouse to her husband." This singular mar- canopy. The young nobleman was the sole repreriage was annually celebrated on the feast of As-sentative of his illustrious house, present on this cension for centuries afterwards.

occasion, and sat alone in the gondola.

To-day was the anniversary of this event; as The Bucentaur reached the church, and the Doge the hour of noon advanced, the hush of anxious ex- with his council and the premier nobles entered; pectation pervaded the busy groups crowded on the they were followed by the illustrious among the bridges and steps of the palaces. The golden strangers, whilst the crowd waited without. HavBucentaur glittering with gems beneath a cloud- ing heard mass, they reentered the galley and less heaven, with its gorgeous drapery and cushions gondolas, and swept out to the Adriatic, leaving the of purple, crimson and cloth of gold, lay gently city and verdure-dotted lagune still and quiet behind rocking at the foot of the marble stairs of the them. On they floated, whilst music and cheering magnificent Gothic palace of the Doge. filled the free balmy air, for one breath of which so The clock of St. Mark's Church struck the hour many pined, locked in the loathsome dungeons of of twelve; a shout rent the air, the heavy doors of that beauteous and proud city. But who rememthe Ducal palace opened, and the Doge, in regal bered that Venice had prisons and bleeding hearts robes, with his train, stood at the head of the stairs. 'in this hour? All such were forgotten, even though

the fearful Ten" were in their midst on the bent lower over his oars. gilded decks of the Bucentaur.

They were in the open sea, all was still, the gondolas and boats formed a line around, a short distance from the state galley. The rich Ducal bonnet was laid aside, and Augustino stood uncovered. The archbishop blessed the ring, and presenting it to him, bade him "remember a ship was his best palace, and charge Venice to respect it, and preserve her title of Queen of the sea!" The princely bridegroom received the ring, and gracefully leaning over the side of the vessel, dropped it into the sea, saying:

The boat following so rapidly and eagerly was black, the usual color of the gondolas of the city, but longer and narrower and smooth and polished as the finest ebony. The hangings and cushions were velvet of the deepest crimson. Within the pavilion sat a cavalier whose features were strikingly handsome, but of dark complexion and sinister countenance. His hair and eyes were very black, and the latter fierce in expression; his finely chiselled lips were now firmly compressed and his high brow contracted. A deep flush burned on his cheek, as he said:

Wilt thou not pass, Franco? By St. Mark, I'll "We wed thee with this ring in token of our true hurl thee into the sea and take the oars myself, if and perpetual sovereignty." yon gondolier reaches the pass before you.”

The boatman answered not, but his brow grew darker than his master's at this threat, and he strained to his oars, till every muscle in his brawny arm stood out. But a few rods lay between the foremost boats and the channel, and Eccelino starting up, seemed about to put his threat into execution, when one of Baptista's oars snapt in twain. The gondola quivered and slackened speed on the instant, and with a triumphant cry Franco shot forward, whilst a curse burst from Baptista's lips. A shade of chagrin passed over Stephano's face at

As the glittering bauble sunk into the blue and dancing waters, a triumphant shout broke the silence. The hitherto immoveable line of boats wavered, and separating darted hither and thither in auxious preparation for the coming sports. There, two gondolas shot off in a race, and others followed in their wake; the quays, too, became scenes of uproarious mirth, whilst the Bucentaur and gondolas of the nobility swept slowly back to the city. On their return, the gondola of Colonna still rode next that of Ferrara. The place was first assigned him according to his rank, but he Eccelino's smile of triumph as the gondola flew now preserved it through preference. Nor was its gondolier's power and skill untaxed to keep this position. Many young cavaliers looked with worshipping eyes on the youthful Princess Leonore, the praises of whose beauty filled every court in Italy, and were struggling to gain the side of her gondola that they might enjoy the sight of her beauty. Colonna had heard full many a time of the loveliness of this daughter of D'Este, the enemy of his house, and listened to her praises with that bitterness of soul which hereditary feuds always engender. He saw her to-day for the first time, and with every glimpse of that radiant and innocent face and every glance of those bright speaking eyes, some evil feeling, some harsh thought fled, till not one remained to guard him from the fatal power of her charms, and he felt his proud heart yielding to passionate love for one he had been taught to hate.

by. But before Franco reached the channel which Prince Azzo's boat had already entered, Baptista recovered from the shock, and seizing another oar darted by, jostling Eccelino's gondola and almost throwing Franco into the foaming waters he left in his wake. Franco threw down his oars with a cry of despair. "Wilt thou let the others pass, miscreant? bend to thy oars!" and with an angry countenance Eccelino sank back on the cushions.

Leonore and the prince had been no inattentive spectators of this scene, and whilst it gratified the pride of both, a different feeling was mingled with it in the breast of each. The calm dignity which blended with the noble and manly beauty of Stephano's face, and the passionate glances he cast on her stirred gentler emotions in the maiden's heart. But though Prince Azzo exulted in this tribute to the charms of his only and idolized child, he seemed They were still in the sea, and the superiority of angry at the proximity, which to him bore the apColonna's boat and gondolier enabled him to keep pearance of presumption, of one he so much hated, precedence of the others. Before they could reach for he had recognized the armorial bearings of the the city, there was a narrow channel between two house of Colonna, embroidered on the curtains of the islands of the lagune, which could be entered but pavilion in which Stephano sat. With the Count by two gondolas at a time, and the contest was Eccelino neither sympathized. His atrocious chanow which should enter with Prince Azzo's. Co-racter made him an object of dislike, which his Jonna's was still some feet ahead of the others. being a Ghibeline did not tend to lesson. In this Looking back he saw a dark gondola, whose prow order the gondolas reached the city, for 'twas vain almost touched the stern of his own. for the others to attempt to pass Stephano's; "Slacken not thy speed, Baptista, or that swarthy they were slowly sailing through the channel whilst boatman behind us will pass." Azzo's and Colonna's boats rapidly entered the

A disdainful glance at the boat pointed out was Rio Palazzo on which were the palaces where the gondolier's only notice of this caution, as he 'they dwelt whilst in Venice. D'Este was a guest

of the Doge, and Colonna of the illustrious and more distant. For their bickerings they cared ancient house of Contarini.

CHAPTER II.

not, so their own ends of aggrandizement and avarice were served.

In these days, literature, the arts and sciences were awaking from their long slumber during the darkness of the middle ages, and this their dawn was like that of Italia's morning, beautiful and glorious with renovated life.

The family of D'Este was one of the noblest in all Italy; the head of the Guelf or church party for centuries, and the protectors, and patrons of literature and science from their earliest rise. It was In Florence, the Medici had nourished the realso the founder of a regal race. The heiress of vival and awakening of those beautiful dreams of the last of the Dukes of Bavaria married a younger the soul, Sculpture, Painting and Poetry. Ferrara son of the house of D'Este. The family name of these dukes was Guelf, and their descendants were the founders of the second line of Guelfs, the ancestors of the house of Brunswick, the sovereigns of England.

had Ariosto and many gifted ones among the stars of her court, and throughout Italy men of Letters and Artists were patronised by the nobles.

In Rome, they were not so often found, as the church was ever jealous of their influence in the enlightening of men's minds, till Pope Leo X. made it a part of his policy to collect the wisdom and genius of the age at his court, and thus render them subservient to the power of the church.

Colonna was also of an illustrious house, and though Guelfs, there was not that intimacy between these two great families, which might be supposed to exist; for Italy was at that time torn by a myriad of petty feuds, intrigues and jealousies; and On account of this peculiar state of things, the the names Guelf and Ghibeline were applied indis- Roman nobles were less the patrons of learning criminately to the opposing factions of every con- than those of any other city. The D'Estes, test, though these seldom related to the struggle of having always been the patrons of such, looked the church or papal party and the German Em- with contempt on these nobles, which they took peror, for sovereignty in the States. These names were once the distinction of these two parties, so long and violently opposed to each other; but, at length, they became arbitrary and Guelfs were Ghibelines, and Ghibelines Guelfs, as inclination or policy dictated.

greater pleasure in evincing, as their rivals, the Colonnas, were among them. But the young Stephano had long been the friend and seeker of learning, and through his influence his father's palace was the resort of all the men of science who visited Rome, and they were many; for the associations which hallowed her crumbling walls were powerful in their attraction to those who communed with the spirits of departed greatness, and many were the high dreams and aspirations that were afterwards triumphantly realized, which the contemplation and recollections of Rome's monuments of the past, and of her master spirits, called forth.

The D'Estes were of the rural nobility of the Lombard, and were one of the few houses that never submitted to any of the numerous cities which held control over the Italian nobility during the 12th, 13th and 14th centuries. But during the latter part of the 15th century, the time of this story, Venice had obtained jurisdiction over their possessions, though they were still rich and powerful, masters of large estates on the south of the Po and lords of the cities of Padua and Ferrara, and hon-joicings of the Venetians on this anniversary of ored by that city which made all her slaves.

The Colonnas were of the nobility of the Imperial City, and a petty jealousy had arisen between them and the house of D'Este, which time had served to strengthen.

Several of the Colonna family had been Cardinals, and one Pope, under the name of Martin V., a bold and wicked man.

Stephano had come with other nobles from all parts of Italy to partake of the festivities and re

their proudest day. A week passed, and many had gone, but Stephano still lingered the festivities continued, and Leonore D' Este was still within Venice. This young princess inherited the love of her house for literature, and had devoted her short life to the pursuit of knowledge. Nor was she content with things revealed. All the wild dreams and magic powers to which so many in that age The house of D' Este had ever befriended and gave credence were invested with something of assisted the Popes in many difficulties, but being interest to her. She was but on the verge of farther from the seat of power than the Colonnas, womanhood-that sweet time when the golden viemoluments did not reward them so frequently as sions of youth still remain in the heart, fresh and they thought merited, and it was galling to see beautiful, but deepened in their vivid colorings by their enemies so often preferred. The policy of their blending with the stronger tints, which, in the Roman Bishops was often much perplexed to after years, envelope the first in shadow. Her reconcile its preferments between these families. exceeding loveliness was heightened by the thoughtThey could not pass over the Colonnas at their fulness which her communings with higher natures very door, and it was easier to pacify and lull to had imparted to the freshness of her youthful and sleep the suspicions of the D' Estes, who were radiant face: her large bright eyes seemed to be

gazing with earnest scrutiny into the unknown | among these is Eccelino Di Romagno, Lord of realms of thought and fancy; and her musings Verona and many cities north of Venice. We were of a nobler and purer life. Her heart trem- have seen him before, on the bridal day, contending bled with all generous and deep emotions, and the with Stephano for the station by Prince Azzo's beautiful language of kindness dwelt ever on her gondola. tongue. The beautiful in nature and art thrilled her spirit with ecstasy. Stephano saw his own heart mirrored on her lovely countenance, whilst she looked into his ardent eyes and met the reflection of her soul. "What recked their souls of strife between their fathers?"

Night had spread her mantle over Venice, but she reigned here a goddess, and with her robe glittering with stars, looked down from her high throne on the sons and daughters of pleasure, that made her solemn hours but chroniclers of revelry and / crime.

But it is with Eccelino and Fabricio we have now to deal. They stood together at the end of the hall by a door which lead to a balcony beyond. A youth and maiden, separating from the crowd, passed them and entered the balcony.

"It is she again!" said Eccelino. "Ha! dost thou know her, Fabricio? she smiled on you with an air of recognition as they passed."

"It is Leonore D' Este, the daughter of Prince Azzo of Ferrara."

"Yes, yes; though I knew not, till within this week, that the cursed Guelf had so rare a jewel in his casket, but where and how didst thou know

her, Fabricio ?"

"I have seen her at many courts, Count, which ring with her praise."

Why beamed the silver crescent on her brow brightest here, where grief and guilt were deepest, darkest ?--To lure by the glory that encompassed her some spirit not yet dead to holier influences "Aye, well they may; such a gem would be from its path of vice; to cheer some child of sor- brighter far with the setting Eccelino Di Romagno row with the brightness that a cruel world denied; could bestow than hiding in the gloomy palace of to wake a thrilling dream, which should find voice the old Prince; thinkest thou not so, Fabricio?" in magic words, within the passionate heart of "There is nought of gloom in Prince Azzo's some child of song; to send her starry beams of palace, and the Princess would make darkness light as messengers of mercy within the prisons' iron bars, where darkness had her home, and bid the life-weary one look up to heaven.

All these breathed beneath her, but few, few, heeded her silent warnings and appeals. St. Mark's place echoed with the tread of thousands: here, the juggler played his tricks-there, the wily Jew was busy over some cunning trade; masquers glided by, and men of every nation here met face to face. But see yon gorgeous crowd,-they throng up the "giant stairs" which lead into the Ducal palace; it blazes with light, and music breathes around. Enter-within those ancient halls the wealth, rank, beauty and talent of Italy are congregated. Pause within this hall, where portraits of this proud city's doges line the walls. Many of these have passed with aching hearts beneath this fretted ceiling rich with gold. See here Foscari; ah! his is a tale to curdle the warm blood; and there Dandolo; and this vacant frame,-where hangs the sable veil with the short but fearful sentence!*

light."

"True, most true; therefore, would I have her in my own home, for gloomy enough am I there at times, and then to win her from Prince Azzo,she is an only daughter I think?"

Yes, an only child."

"And the cavalier with her?"
"Stephano Colonna of Rome."

"Ah! a Guelf; but, if I mistake not, an enemy
the Prince ?"

66

Yes, the families have been enemies for ages." "Tell me, Fabricio, more of this maid." "Well, she is most beautiful""That I can see." "And proud"— "That also."

"By St. Mark, my information is needless." "Nay, what's her disposition, what her weakness, the point, good Fabricio, by which she is most assailable?"

"Ah! softly, my good Count, thou art for intrigue; how knowest thou I will tell thee all thou wishest ?"

"This bag may contain a golden key wherewith to open thy mouth, do what I wish and it shall weigh more."

Pass on to scenes of life and mirth. Here in this princely hall, take thy stand. Here are Ariosto, Dante, Lorenzo Di Medici and Fabricio, not less famed for his magic and the influence he exerted by its means, than were the others for genius and learning. Here also are the rich and power- "Tis well-she is a dreamer, a believer in my ful stained with the deepest dyes of vice. Chief arts,--a worshipper of magic, alchemy and as*This was the place which should have been occupied trology."

by the portrait of Marino Faliero, who was beheaded for
engaging in a conspiracy against the state. On a black
veil, in the frame, was inscribed the sentence,
"Hic est locus Marini Feletro decapitati pro criminibus."

"Ah!-then, Fabricio, I shall have more need of thee; she must be mine."

"The council of Ten would speak with the Count Eccelino," said a low deep-toned voice at his el