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by the tempting promise of a thousand sequins。 Abellino's prudence
set all their ingenuity at defiance。
But not the less did every one assert that he had recognised
Abellino； sometimes in one disguise； and sometimes in another； as an
old man； a gondolier； a woman； or a monk。 Everybody had seen him
somewhere； but； unluckily； nobody could tell where he was to be seen
again。
CHAPTER IV： THE VIOLET。
I informed my readers； in the beginning of the last chapter； that
Flodoardo was become melancholy； and that Rosabella was indisposed；
but I did not tell them what had occasioned this sudden change。
Flodoardo； who on his first arrival at Venice was all gaiety； and
the life of every society in which he mingled； lost his spirits on
one particular day； and it so happened that it was on the very same
day that Rosabella betrayed the first symptoms of indisposition。
For on this unlucky day did the caprice of accident； or perhaps the
Goddess of Love （who has her caprices too every now and then）；
conduct Rosabella into her uncle's garden； which none but the Doge's
intimate friends were permitted to enter； and where the Doge himself
frequently reposed in solitude and silence during the evening hours
of a sultry day。
Rosabella； lost in thought； wandered listless and unconscious along
the broad and shady alleys of the garden。 Sometimes； in a moment of
vexation； she plucked the unoffending leaves from the hedges and
strewed them upon the ground； sometimes she stopped suddenly； then
rushed forward with impetuosity； then again stood still； and gazed
upon the clear blue heaven。 Sometimes her beautiful bosom was
heaved with quick and irregular motion； and sometimes a half…
suppressed sigh escaped from her lips of coral。
〃He is very handsome！〃 she murmured； and gazed with such eagerness
on vacancy； as though she had there seen something which was hidden
from the sight of common observers。
〃Yet Camilla is in the right；〃 she resumed； after a pause； and she
frowned as had she said that Camilla was in the wrong。
This Camilla was her governess； her friend； her confidante； I may
almost say her mother。 Rosabella had lost her parents early。 Her
mother died when her child could scarcely lisp her name； and her
father； Guiscardo of Corfu； the commander of a Venetian vessel；
eight years before had perished in an engagement with the Turks；
while he was still in the prime of life。 Camilla； one of the
worthiest creatures that ever dignified the name of woman； supplied
to Rosabella the place of mother； had brought her up from infancy；
and was now her best friend； and the person to whose ear she
confided all her little secrets。
While Rosabella was still buried in her own reflections； the
excellent Camilla advanced from a side path； and hastened to join
her pupil。 Rosabella started。
Rosabella。Ah！ dear Camilla； is it you？ What brings you hither？
Camilla。You often call me your guardian angel； and guardian angels
should always be near the object of their care。
Rosabella。Camilla； I have been thinking over your arguments； I
cannot deny that all you have said to me is very true； and very
wise； but still …
Camilla。But still； though your prudence agrees with me； your heart
is of a contrary opinion。
Rosabella。It is； indeed。
Camilla。Nor do I blame your heart for differing from me； my poor
girl。 I have acknowledged to you without disguise that were _I_ at
your time of life； and were such a man as Flodoardo to throw himself
in my way； I could not receive his attentions with indifference。 It
cannot be denied that this young stranger is uncommonly pleasing；
and； indeed； for any woman whose heart is disengaged； an uncommonly
DANGEROUS companion。 There is something very prepossessing in his
appearance； his manners are elegant； and short as has been his abode
in Venice； it is already past doubting that there are many noble and
striking features in his character。 But alas； after all； he is but
a poor nobleman； and it is not very probable that the rich and
powerful Doge of Venice will ever bestow his niece on one who； to
speak plainly； arrived here little better than a beggar。 No； no；
child； believe me； a romantic adventurer is no fit husband for
Rosabella of Corfu。
Rosabella。Dear Camilla； who was talking about husbands？ What I
feel for Flodoardo is merely affection； friendship。
Camilla。Indeed！ Then you would be perfectly satisfied； should
some one of our wealthy ladies bestow her hand on Flodoardo？
Rosabella （hastily）。Oh！ Flodoardo would not ACCEPT her hand；
Camilla； of that I am sure。
Camilla。Child； child； you would willingly deceive yourself。 But
be assured that a girl who loves ever connects； perhaps
unconsciously； the wish for an eternal UNION with the idea of
eternal AFFECTION。 Now this is a wish which you cannot indulge in
regard to Flodoardo without seriously offending your uncle； who；
good man as he is； must still submit to the severe control of
politics and etiquette。
Rosabella。I know all that； Camilla； but can I not make you
comprehend that I am not in love with Flodoardo； and do not mean to
be in love with him； and that love has nothing at all to do in the
business？ I repeat to you； what I feel for him is nothing but
sincere and fervent friendship； and surely Flodoardo deserves that I
should feel that sentiment for him。 Deserves it； said I？ Oh； what
does Flodoardo NOT deserve？
Camilla。Ay； ay； friendship； indeed； and love。 Oh； Rosabella； you
know not how often these deceivers borrow each other's mask to
ensnare the hearts of unsuspecting maidens。 You know not how often
love finds admission； when wrapped in friendship's cloak； into that
bosom； which； had he approached under his own appearance； would have
been closed against him for ever。 In short； my child； reflect how
much you owe to your uncle； reflect how much uneasiness this
inclination would cost him； and sacrifice to duty what at present is
a mere caprice； but which； if encouraged； might make too deep an
impression on your heart to be afterwards removed by your best
efforts。
Rosabella。You say right； Camilla。 I really believe myself that my
prepossession in Flodoardo's favour is merely an accidental fancy；
of which I shall easily get the better。 No； no； I am not in love
with Flodoardoof that you may rest assured。 I even think that I
rather feel an antipathy towards him； since you have shown me the
possibility of his making me prove a cause of uneasiness to my kind；
my excellent uncle。
Camilla （smiling）。Are your sentiments of duty and gratitude so
very strong？
Rosabella。Oh； that they are； Camilla； and so you will say yourself
hereafter。 This disagreeable Flodoardoto give me so much
vexation！ I wish he had never come to Venice。 I declare I do not
like him at all。
Camilla。Nowhat！ Not like Flodoardo？
Rosabella （casting down her eyes）。No