happiness of his life, which was firmly interwoven with that of his country, hung upon her

answer.

"Oh! do not look so anxious, dear father; be assured-"

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Nay, but I must have my child happy too; for deeply as I love Florence, I would rather see it a desert than that its prosperity should be purchased by the happiness of my child, by the tears of my darling Elvira."

"Be calm, dear father; do not, I beseech you, contemplate any such misfortune. Now I must reproach you for the cloud on your brow," she said, with a smile; "come, do not let Buondelmonte see you thus; look at me now-see how happy I appear. See, there he comes!"

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Yes, there is the gallant, the noble Rodrigo," said the Count Amidei; "but," continued he, in a low and anxious tone, " methinks his step is not so light as is its wont; some secret sorrow preys upon him also, perhaps some lover's quarrel," thought Amidei, who resolved to watch the demeanor of the young people.

"The Donatis have refused my invitation,"

said Buondelmonte, approaching them with an anxious and disappointed air. "Tis strange, that when all Florence is rejoicing in the blessing of peace, they should continue their rancorous feelings.'

"Yes," said Elvira, with a trembling voice; "and my poor friend Bianca is miserable. Her mother has refused to allow that she should be present at at the ceremony to-morrow, though she was taken from the convent yesterday, where we passed our childhood together. It is a great disappointment to dear Bianca."

""Tis very strange," exclaimed Buondelmonte; "for when the factions were most at variance, Cosmo Donati was always my friend; and now, since the Ghibellines are at peace with us, he has become cold and distant, and tries to avoid me. But I will seek him; I will endeavour to persuade him to attend our marriage feast, and bring his sister. I know the old countess, his mother, is a proud and implacable woman; but still, on this occasion, she certainly ought to relent."

"I hope you will succeed," said Elvira.

"Bianca Donati was always my dearest friend, and I should be miserable if I thought we were to be so no longer :-but where is my father?" continued Elvira, looking anxiously around.

During this conversation the Count Amidei had withdrawn to a little distance, wishing to allow the young people an opportunity to converse at liberty. When, however, Elvira perceived she was alone with her betrothed, for the first time in her life, her manner became absent and confused; she continued, however, to talk on indifferent subjects. But Buondelmonte marked not her embarrassment; he seemed absorbed by some painful feeling, and continued to pace up and down the terrace for a few minutes. At last he said, as if following the train of his own ideas, "I will go instantly, and seek Cosmo Donati."

Buondelmonte hastily approached, and then raised the trembling hand of Elvira to his lips, and was about to bid her a hurried farewell, when his attention was arrested by her unusual paleness, and the agitation of her whole appear

ance.

"What has happened, dearest Elvira?-speak, I beseech you tell me if this marriage is in opposition to your wishes."

"Oh no!" exclaimed the trembling girl. 66 I—I—"

"Be candid, dear lady; let not any considerations for my happiness, or the peace of our country, induce you to sacrifice yourself. We were betrothed before we had seen each other."

And do you regret it?" enquired Elvira, with sudden anxiety.

Buondelmonte started. "Far otherwise!" he exclaimed, taking her hand. "All that I have seen of my Elvira makes me bless the hour when she consented to be mine. In addition to the happiness which this marriage will ensure to my country," exclaimed the young man, while his handsome countenance beamed joy and benevolence, "in addition to this blissful conviction, I have obtained the most lovely and fascinating creature in all Florence for my bride. But you have not answered me," he continued. "I wish to hear from your own

lips, now that we are alone, that this engagement is not repugnant to your feelings-that-" "Oh! no! How can you think SO ?" said Elvira, in a tone of tender reproach.

"Then I am satisfied," exclaimed Buondelmonte, imprinting a kiss on her brow; "I will now proceed to the Donati palace."

Buondelmonte was joined by Count Amidei, who had witnessed from a distance the scene. with much satisfaction, and Elvira was left alone.

It was evening;-the short twilight of that southern clime had faded away; but the sky was clear, and a young crescent moon shone with pure and mild lustre over the sleeping landscape. Soon a dazzling and more vivid light gleamed through the orange and cypress trees, for the Amidei palace was now brilliantly illuminated, and the peaceful repose of the scene without was interrupted by sounds of mirth and music from the festal halls. But the dance and song did not induce Elvira to return to the palace.