"
"Ha, yes," replied the husband, "my old woman's never far out o' the
way, though she does sometimes talk as if she expected to become
extinguished; but for all that, she's equal to two common ones. But I'm
particularly glad you've come home, on a good many 'counts, for if the
place must go into any other hands than an Alboni, I'm not over anxious
to witness the change in the coat of arms."
Mr. Alboni received this compliment as it was intended, and as one
motive in visiting his native land again was to dispose of this estate,
he now directed his attention to the future comfort of this most worthy
couple; for the domestics who had served in the family of Alboni, must
not suffer from want. Accordingly a comfortable cottage, adjoining
these lands, was obtained for their use, and an annual income,
sufficient to supply their wants, settled upon them for life; and so
with the estate of the Albonis, whose last representative of the name
would soon depart, for a memorial of days past, this aged couple hoped
to spend in contentment the residue of their days.
Amid all the splendor and gayety of fashionable life in Italy, the
Sea-flower was never so happy as when seated in the ivy bower, which
looked out upon a little lake, the same which had been her mother's
favorite place of retreat, where she might watch the ever-changing face
of the mellow skies, or roaming through those ancient halls, she might
feast her eyes on the many antique surroundings; but most of all, she
loved to linger in the great reception hall, whose walls were hung with
the portraits of her mother's family, for many past generations.
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