A
pavilion, nearly in ruins, was the sole shelter which the proud lord of
Alberoni afforded to the only surviving branches of his family, when
returning to their native city they found their patrimonial estates
confiscated, and themselves dependent upon the niggard bounty of a cold
and selfish relative. Slowly recovering from a severe wound which he had
received in the wars of Lombardy, and disgusted with the ingratitude of
the prince he served, the ill-starred Francesco was at first rejoiced to
obtain any refuge from the storms of a tempestuous world; and the
unceasing efforts of his young and affectionate sister to reconcile him
to a bitter lot were not wholly unavailing. Summer had spread her
richest treasures upon the lap of Nature; and the fairy hands of
Beatrice transformed the bare walls of the dilapidated edifice which
they inhabited into bowers of luxuriant foliage; the most delicious
fruit also, the spontaneous product of the garden, cooled at some
crystal fount and heaped with flowers, tempted her brother's languid
appetite; and, waking the soft notes of her lute, she soothed his
desponding spirit with music's gentlest sound. Fondly trusting that
Francesco might be won to prize the simple enjoyments of which fortune
could not despoil him, and to find his dearest happiness in an approving
conscience, the light hearted girl indulged in delusive hopes of future
felicity. But these expectations were soon damped; as Francesco's health
returned he became restless and melancholy; he saw no prospect of
arriving at distinction by his talents, or by his sword; peace reigned
throughout the Tuscan states, and the jealousy of the government of all
who bore the mark of Ghibelline extraction, forbade the chance of
successful exertion and honourable reward; his days were spent in moody
abstraction, his nights in feverish dreams; his misfortunes, his
accomplishments and his virtues failed to excite affection in the breast
of his kinsman, who, jealous of the youth and personal attractions of
the man apparently destined to be his heir, grew uneasy at the thought
of benefitting a person he had learned to hate; and suddenly resolving
to cut off at once the presumptuous expectations which the luckless
exile might have cherished, exerted the influence procured by his wealth
to form an alliance with the most peerless beauty which the city
boasted.
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