University of Virginia Library

Commend me to travel as the occasion of love.
The crowded assembly and the fashionable promenade
are alike inimical to that free expression of
thought and natural flow of feeling, through which
alone the points of sympathy are discoverable. It is
true that in these scenes the first impression is often
made which eventuates in attachment; but amid
them the best gifts of intellect, and the finest traints of
sentiment are too frequently veiled by an artificial
manner, or concealed beneath the many external
graces which it is the office of Fashion to call forth.
When, however, we feel ourselves separated for
awhile from the restraints of general society, and
exposed to the free influence of nature and the incitement

of variety, we resume our original, native spirit,
and think, act, and feel with renewed energy
and truth. Few situations, therefore, are more conducive
to the mutual development of character than
that of two companions travelling together through
scenes of interest and beauty. Mingling their admiration
in view of each novel object, suffering the
same inconveniences, exposed to the same dangers
and, for days, dependant upon each other's society
for solace and amusement,—if even a spark of congeniality
exist, such auspicious circumstances will
fan it to a flame. The recorded conversations of
Isabel and the Count have been of a general character.
Yet in the course of these interviews, glances
and tones had been exchanged, which a more imaginative
observer than Frazier could not have failed
to interpret into indications of a regard, somewhat
deeper and more permanent than mere intellectual
sympathy. Still, no direct or positive expression
had been given to the sentiment which had insensibly
usurped the place of friendship. Happy in the daily
interchange of mind which her present circumstances
permitted, Isabel thought of the future only with
reference to her father, while she was unconsciously
cherishing, or rather allowing to flourish in her breast,
another affection calculated to ennoble or embitter
her whole future life. But the Count, whose consciousness
was not dazzled by an anticipation such
as filled the mental vision of his fair companion, had
long since confessed to himself that she had inspired
an interest too earnest to be easily overcome, and too
delightful not to be indulged; and, although he had
determined to postpone until the conclusion of their
pilgrimage, any declaration of his feelings, they were
ere long incidentally elicited. On a warm but delightful
evening, the little party were present at a
conversazioné, at one of the most beautiful villas in
the vicinity of Palermo. Its somewhat elevated
position rendered the view from the balconies extensive
and various, while the neighborhood of the
mountains and sea exposed it to every breeze which
might stir the quiet atmosphere of summer. The
house was situated at some distance from the road,
and behind it a spacious garden was tastefully laid
out. After passing several hours in the crowded
rooms, Isabel gladly accepted the Count's invitation
to repair to the garden, where many of the guests
were promenading. They followed a path shaded
by the embowering branches of the orange trees;
through which the moonlight fell in chequered lines
upon the walk. At its extremity, near a small fountain,
were several marble benches. As they approached,
Isabel ardently expressed her delight at
the picturesque charms of the retreat, and when they
were seated, the Count related the following anecdote.