Dragoni's Daughter.

And leaning back on his couch , the speaker launched into an oft-repeated tale , to Avhich the banditti Avere never Aveary of listening . But follow Ave the fortunes of Carlo Trevorra , the hero of our recital ; and , begging the reader ' s permission , let us relate events that transpired a year anterior to the opening of our story .

CHAPTER II . A midsummer ' s evening bent softly over Venice , Avhen at an open AvindoAv of the Palazzo Dragoni sat Elena , the count ' s only daughter . Her waiting-maid had long since been dismissed ; the little page

Avho brought her flowers and carried her fan and gloves whenever she tripped lightly doAvn the landing-steps to take her dailysail iu her father's velvet-cushioned gondola , had been asleep for a full hour on a p ile of cushions in an ante-chamber ; the

birds in their splendid cages drooped their heads under their folded wings , ancl now Elena sat alone , indulging her OAVU thoughts and inhaling the fragrance of the nightblooming flowers . There were many gondolas abroad upon the Adriatic , and the merry laughter of

their occupants swept along on a light breeze that gently stirred the blossoms of an orange-tree at her windoAv . The apartment was shrouded in dimness ; yet by the lingering twilight its luxurious furnishing could be distinctly noted . The Avails Avere draped Avith blue velvet of the richest

texture , as also were the low couches ranged around . The floor was of the purest Avhite marble , and in the centre the arms of Dragoni were laid in gold . In one corner stood a table spread with a velvet cover , and upon it an ornamental basket

composed of precious stones , and a porcelain vase filled Avith the richest tropical flowers . In a deep niche at the farthest extremity of the apartment Avas heard the low dropping of perfumed Avater , which a small fountain sent forth in various jets aucl sprays into a marble basin beneath .

Though the Count Dragoni ' s only daughter was but sixteen , still she was an Italian of sixteen , and passing beautiful . Her hair , of a rich chestnut hue , Avas braided back from a snoAvy forehead , and fastened at the back of her head with a golden bodkin . A delicate and peach-like bloom mantled her cheek , and her ruby

Dragoni's Daughter.

lips were parted with expectation as she leaned from the casement to listen to the faint sound of muffled oars approaching below . Presently a gondola shot under the balcony , from which sprang a young man attired as a citizenwho rapidly

as-, cended the landing-stairs , and seizing one of the stone balustrades , cleared the balcony at one bound , and stepping through the IOAV Venetian AvindoAv , stood by her side . " Cara mia , dost think me bold V were the first Avoids he uttered to the beautiful

and trembling girl . A glance of tenderness Avas her expressive answer ; then she hastily exclaimed , " Oh , Pietro , your clanger . If discovered , what punishment too great 1 Pietro , I tremble ! " and she glanced around with an air of terror .

" That is my own unselfish Elena I " said her lover fondly . " Woman-like , you see only my danger , Avhile yours is far greater ; for , cara , even your noble birth could not proA * e your shield Avere it known that you stooped co love a low-born citizen . "

" Nay , Pietro , I fear not , " she replied ; and the girl drew nearer him who stood beside her . " i have no thought for rank , for it sits heavily upon me so long as it parts me from your heart . The world's scorn is naught ; it is a sire ' s curse I most

dread ; aucl yet , for your love , Elena Dragoni is willing to brave even that ! " But what need here to repeat words that have always been , ancl will be spoken , so long as lovers are tender , and women are true ? Suffice it that to this pair of

lovers the hours passed sAviftly , hours fraught Avith happiness and bliss ; and the fair moon had nearly dipped her crescent into the eastern wave Avhen the citizen

rose to depart . "Let love and caution be our Avatch-Avords I " murmured Pietro , as Elena cautiously unclosed the Venetian blind for his departure , ancl in another minute his gondola shot swiftly down the flashing waters of the Adriatic . ( To be continued . )

Review.

Review .

Consequences and Ameliorations of Blindness . By Wm . Moon , LL . D . Longmans & Co ., London . WE haA'e perused Avith much pleasure this admirable little book , —fitting corollary