THE NOVELIST.

ANTONELLI;

_(A Tale, from the German of Goethe.)_


When I was in Italy, Antonelli, an opera-singer, was the favourite of the
Neapolitan public. Her youth, beauty, and talents insured her applause on
the stage; nor was she deficient in any quality that could render her
agreeable to a small circle of friends. She was not indifferent either
to love or praise; but her discretion was such as to enable her to enjoy
both with becoming dignity. Every young man of rank or fortune in Naples,
was eager to be numbered among her suitors; few however, met with a
favourable reception; and though she was, in the choice of her lovers,
directed chiefly by her eyes and her heart, she displayed on all
occasions a firmness, and stability of character, that never failed to
engage even such as were indifferent to her favours. I had frequent
opportunities of seeing her, being on terms of the closest intimacy with
one of her favoured admirers.

Several years were now elapsed, and she had become acquainted with a
number of gentlemen, many of whom had rendered themselves disgusting by
the extreme levity and fickleness of their manners. She had repeatedly
observed young gentlemen, whose professions of constancy and attachment
would persuade their mistress of the impossibility of their ever
deserting her, withhold their protection in those very cases where it
was most needed; or, what is still worse, incited by the temptation of
ridding themselves of a troublesome connexion, she had known them give
advice which has entailed misery and ruin.