heightened complexion and excited voice, and declare that he could not suffer an affront with equanimity—­that he would rid those present of his “abhorred” society, and would never enter those doors again whilst he drew the breath of life.  We paid little attention to these egregious eccentricities, merely remarking with a smile of amusement, “Poor Rugiero! how ridiculous!  He must be out of his senses;” and about a fortnight later he would make his appearance, penitent, apologetic and studious to remove the ill impression that his strange conduct must have caused.

A third brother, Giuseppe, was added to the group, of whom vacillation was the distinguishing characteristic.  Giuseppe, in the innumerable discussions that arose between Rugiero and Eugenio, would acquiesce with first one and then the other in whatever exaggerated sentiments their enraged frame of mind might prompt them to utter, with the view of keeping on good terms with both; but the only result was that when the flag of truce had been raised, grievances passed over and differences adjusted, he would have the mortification of finding the whole of the blame laid on his shoulders, and himself stigmatized as “a feather-head,” “a meddler” and “a spy.”

As the years rolled on I grew into womanhood, and became the unwitting source of constant ill-feeling between the brothers.  Eugenio was handsome, but I distrusted him; Rugiero was nearly as handsome, but I regarded him as I would have regarded an uncle; Giuseppe was also handsome, but unstable and entirely wanting in force.  Time passed, and the brothers had separated.  Eugenio had married a woman in every way his inferior.  Rugiero had been drawn into a like union that surprised all those who knew his refined tastes and sensitiveness to the social amenities.  Though a man of honor, his circumstances had become embarrassed.  In his emergencies he had recourse to his old friends, whose aid was not withheld, but, a crisis arriving, he was declared bankrupt.  Eugenio, instead of assisting his brother, upbraided with being a disgrace to his own respectability, publicly disowned him, and, with the view of forcing him to abandon the country, spread injurious reports concerning him amongst many of the merchants who would otherwise have been willing to extend a helping hand.

Soon after this Eugenio made a journey to Italy on business.  Here he visited his native place with an equipage designed to astonish the simple peasants and suggest to them the immensity of his wealth.  Never had the village on the outskirts of which dwelt his widowed sister seen such magnificence or experienced such munificence.  His name was on all tongues; ovations were made to him; he was almost a king in their eyes.  His sister, Lucretia Mortera, had borne to her husband a large family, of whom but three survived—­a youth named after his uncle Eugenio, and then being educated for the priesthood; Celestino, a boy of eleven years; and Virginia, a girl of eight.