United States or Mexico ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
She loved Flavio Corradini, the scion of a rival and hated house, whose alliance her father, Prince Boccanera, roughly rejected, and whom her elder brother, Ercole, swore to slay should he ever surprise him with her. Nevertheless the young man came to visit her in a boat, and she joined him by the little staircase descending to the river.
There cannot be a more absolute ownership than this of the Alba to the farm they live on and cultivate. So long as there is any distinction at all between meum et tuum, how can its violent seizure be by any possibility defended?" "There will be no violent seizure," said Corradini. "The young man will be offered a good price; even, since you are interested in him, a high price."
"To which of these two societies, then, is Adone Alba, or am I, as his locum tenens, to address ourselves?" "To neither. This commune deals with you." "Why?" Count Corradini took off his glasses, put them on again, shifted the papers and plans in his imposing portfolio. "May I ask again why?" said Don Silverio in the gentlest tones of his beautiful voice.
What! a mere peasant stand in the way of a great enterprise?" "You intend expropriation then?" The voice of Don Silverio was very calm and sweet, but his countenance was stern. Corradini was irritated beyond measure. He did not desire to play that great card so early in the game. "I do not say that," he muttered. "There must be parliamentary sanction for any forced sale. I spoke in general terms.
I am content in the place whereto I have been called, and have no disposition to assist the speculations of foreign companies. I have the honour to bid your Excellency good evening." He bowed low, and backed out of the apartment this time. Count Corradini did not endeavour to detain him. When he got out into the air the strong mountain wind was blowing roughly down the steep and narrow street.
"Were it only military law it had been easy enough to find him guilty," said Senator Giovacchino Gallo to the Syndic of San Beda, and the Count Corradini warmly agreed with his Excellency that for the sake of law, order, and public peace it would be well could the military tribunals be always substituted for the civil; but alas! the monarchy was not yet absolute!
"Disorders, even insurrections, do not greatly alarm authority nowadays; they are easily pressed since the invention of the quick-firing guns. The army is always on the side of order." Don Silverio rose. "Most honourable Corradini! your views and mine are so far asunder that no amount of discussion can assimilate them. Allow me to salute you." "Wait one instant, reverence," said the Syndic.
He had won regatta prizes; and the flags of four discordant colours were painted round him by the artist, who had evidently cared more to commemorate the triumphs of his sitter and to strike a likeness than to secure the tone of his own picture. This champion turned out a fine fellow Corradini with one of the brightest little gondoliers of thirteen for his son.
It was at dawn that same day that Don Silverio returned from his interviews with Count Corradini and Senatore Gallo. When he reached Ruscino the little rector of the village in the woods had already celebrated mass.
He had won regatta prizes; and the flags of four discordant colours were painted round him by the artist, who had evidently cared more to commemorate the triumphs of his sitter and to strike a likeness than to secure the tone of his own picture. This champion turned out a fine fellow Corradini with one of the brightest little gondoliers of thirteen for his son.
Word Of The Day