Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Alvise Sanuto. A Tale Of The Venetian Republic.
of the ambassador , was only seventeen years of age , but possessed of all that graceful and fascinating French gaiety , which is so much more attractive than mere beauty . She met Sanuto for the first time on her presentation to the Doge , remarked the noble expression of his countenance , his dark eyes fixed earnestly upon herandfor the first time in her
, , life , a secret and undefinable feeling stole into her heart . From that day Sanuto was an altered man ; hitherto love had never crossed his path ; he now felt its full force , and recklessly yielded to a passion which he knew must terminate fatally for him . His mind full of the one object , he determined to risk everythingin order to throw himself at the
, feet of Amalia , and declare to her his love . He bribed one of her father ' s servants to aid him ; and as his palace was only separated from that of the French ambassador by a narrow canal , he easily crossed over by means of a plank . It was past midnight when he entered the room of Amalia ; her mind had been haunted by the beautiful countenance she
had remarked at the levee of the Doge , and she had not yet retired to rest . Kneeling before an image of the Virgin , her hands clasped in the attitude of supplication , she was praying for comfort to her troubled spirit . Alvise stood for a moment transfixed and motionless before the beautiful figure ; the terrified irl thought at first some bright spirit from another
g world stood before her . In a moment , however , Alvise advanced to her side , threw himself at her feet , and before she could utter a word poured forth in impassioned eloquence all his love , explained the rash step which for her sake he had taken , and the certain death which would await him if discovered .
" Alas , alas ! " she exclaimed , " what madness has urged you to this ? Away , —begone from this house , which your presence profanes ; and know , rash youth , that were it not that I pity you , and fear the consequence of a discovery , I would soon gather round by my cries those who would avenge this insult . "
Alvise , heart-stricken by her reproaches , answered , " Then let me die ; without thee , Amalia , life has no further charms for me . You first filled the void in this heart : perhaps you , too , will one day love , and will then know how worthless and valueless all else on earth appears . " He moved to depart ; but Amalia detaining him , said , " I seek no punishment for this intrusion ; freely do I pardon you : live , but henceforth forget me and this interview . "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Alvise Sanuto. A Tale Of The Venetian Republic.
of the ambassador , was only seventeen years of age , but possessed of all that graceful and fascinating French gaiety , which is so much more attractive than mere beauty . She met Sanuto for the first time on her presentation to the Doge , remarked the noble expression of his countenance , his dark eyes fixed earnestly upon herandfor the first time in her
, , life , a secret and undefinable feeling stole into her heart . From that day Sanuto was an altered man ; hitherto love had never crossed his path ; he now felt its full force , and recklessly yielded to a passion which he knew must terminate fatally for him . His mind full of the one object , he determined to risk everythingin order to throw himself at the
, feet of Amalia , and declare to her his love . He bribed one of her father ' s servants to aid him ; and as his palace was only separated from that of the French ambassador by a narrow canal , he easily crossed over by means of a plank . It was past midnight when he entered the room of Amalia ; her mind had been haunted by the beautiful countenance she
had remarked at the levee of the Doge , and she had not yet retired to rest . Kneeling before an image of the Virgin , her hands clasped in the attitude of supplication , she was praying for comfort to her troubled spirit . Alvise stood for a moment transfixed and motionless before the beautiful figure ; the terrified irl thought at first some bright spirit from another
g world stood before her . In a moment , however , Alvise advanced to her side , threw himself at her feet , and before she could utter a word poured forth in impassioned eloquence all his love , explained the rash step which for her sake he had taken , and the certain death which would await him if discovered .
" Alas , alas ! " she exclaimed , " what madness has urged you to this ? Away , —begone from this house , which your presence profanes ; and know , rash youth , that were it not that I pity you , and fear the consequence of a discovery , I would soon gather round by my cries those who would avenge this insult . "
Alvise , heart-stricken by her reproaches , answered , " Then let me die ; without thee , Amalia , life has no further charms for me . You first filled the void in this heart : perhaps you , too , will one day love , and will then know how worthless and valueless all else on earth appears . " He moved to depart ; but Amalia detaining him , said , " I seek no punishment for this intrusion ; freely do I pardon you : live , but henceforth forget me and this interview . "