DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.55699#0043
VENICE—THE BALBI PALACE.
23
Such hazard undergone in her cause rendered it im-
possible for Bianca to refuse giving the stranger a ge-
neral invitation to her palazzo, even if she had been pre-
viously indisposed to the measure. It was given, and
the stranger, for the next month, was always at her side.
Her partner in the dance, her companion in the song,
he displayed a perfection in these accomplishments which
few could boast. In a week or two his songs, however,
began to turn always on love ■ his guitar wras never
touched but to some plaintive tune, in which a despairing
knight was the subject, who accused the cruelty of his
lady. Bianca began to repent her encouragement of
him, for, knowing nothing of him save his person and
accomplishments, and being betrothed to another, she
was by no means pleased at such close attention.
One evening as she was seated at a window overlook-
ing the Grand Canal, on which many busy gondolas, in
their black coverings, might be seen gliding past, the
stranger approached on his usual visit. A short con-
versation ensued and, after a few minutes, bending one
knee on the velvet footstool of Bianca, he made a de-
claration of love. The suddenness of the address sur-
prised her : in a hurried manner she stated the many
objections to the match ; her want of knowledge of his
family, his fortune, and his character; the espousals
which at an early age had made her the affianced bride
of the prince Adorno. At the end of her speech the
stranger’s eyes flashed with joy he implored her to
pardon the deception that love alone had caused, and
avowed himself the prince.
That single word overruled every objection. It at
23
Such hazard undergone in her cause rendered it im-
possible for Bianca to refuse giving the stranger a ge-
neral invitation to her palazzo, even if she had been pre-
viously indisposed to the measure. It was given, and
the stranger, for the next month, was always at her side.
Her partner in the dance, her companion in the song,
he displayed a perfection in these accomplishments which
few could boast. In a week or two his songs, however,
began to turn always on love ■ his guitar wras never
touched but to some plaintive tune, in which a despairing
knight was the subject, who accused the cruelty of his
lady. Bianca began to repent her encouragement of
him, for, knowing nothing of him save his person and
accomplishments, and being betrothed to another, she
was by no means pleased at such close attention.
One evening as she was seated at a window overlook-
ing the Grand Canal, on which many busy gondolas, in
their black coverings, might be seen gliding past, the
stranger approached on his usual visit. A short con-
versation ensued and, after a few minutes, bending one
knee on the velvet footstool of Bianca, he made a de-
claration of love. The suddenness of the address sur-
prised her : in a hurried manner she stated the many
objections to the match ; her want of knowledge of his
family, his fortune, and his character; the espousals
which at an early age had made her the affianced bride
of the prince Adorno. At the end of her speech the
stranger’s eyes flashed with joy he implored her to
pardon the deception that love alone had caused, and
avowed himself the prince.
That single word overruled every objection. It at