The Continental Monthly, Vol. 1, No. 2, February, 1862: Devoted To Literature And National PolicyVarious
History
The Continental Monthly, Vol. 1, No. 2, February, 1862: Devoted To Literature And National Policy
Various
Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; United States -- Politics and government -- 19th century -- Periodicals
I had long since learned Frank's early history, and, through persons to
whose patronage I had commended him and who had visited his studio at
Florence, was well acquainted with all his proceedings. My charity
towards him was producing ample fruits.
A few months after the duel, Evelyn and I were making a tour in Europe.
At a comparatively early hour on the morning after our arrival in
Florence, we proceeded, without previous announcement, to visit Frank's
studio. Being ushered into an antechamber of the rather luxurious range
of apartments, which, as I was aware, he occupied, in company with
several other bachelors, I merely sent him word that a gentleman and
lady had called to see his works, the servant informing us that he was
at breakfast. Of this our own ears received a sufficient evidence, for,
from an adjacent apartment, we heard not only the rattle of table
service in industrious requisition, but conversation and laughter, which
proved that the bachelors were jolly over their meal. Indeed, their
mutual rallying was not altogether of the most delicate kind, and
several favorite signoritas were allude to with various degrees of
insinuation. In all this, Frank, whose voice I could well distinguish
(its echoes had never left my ear), and which I was satisfied, from
Evelyn's peculiar expression, that she also recognized, bore a prominent
part. Evelyn was astonished. Frank soon appeared, looking the least like
the imaginative and love-vitalized artist possible, and entirely like
the gay young dog I knew he had become. The confused character of
_their_ greetings may be conceived. But of this I professed to be
entirely uncognizant, and, after a hasty visit to the studio, gave Frank
an invitation to dinner on the succeeding day, and we departed.
The money with which I had liberally supplied Frank had induced him to
enter with a youthful zest into the pleasures of life, and his dream of
love for Evelyn had attenuated into a mere memory. He was now a
successful and courted artist. I was possessed of another fact in
reference to him--that he was very much domesticated in an American
family residing in the city, one of whose young lady members was greatly
disposed, much to Frank's satisfaction, to recompense to him whatever
subtractions from his fund of love had previously been wasted on Evelyn.
Access to this family had been secured to Frank on my recommendation,
given before they left America. I conveyed Evelyn to their residence,
and, after also inviting them to our proposed dinner, we returned to our
temporary home.
I was careful not to intrude on Evelyn during the evening, leaving her
alone to struggle with the melancholy which I knew the incidents of the
day must induce.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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