Valperga by Mary Shelley Read Free Book Online

disgusted by the narrow views, the treachery, and
beggarly fraud, that dwell in the hearts, and influence the actions
of our proudest nobles.
    "You must therefore begin your knightly career out of
Italy. The honours that you will obtain from a foreign sovereign,
will ennoble you in the eyes of your countrymen, and will enable
you, when you return, to judge impartially of the state of your
country, and to choose, without being influenced by narrow
party-feeling, the course you will pursue. It is with this view
that I am going to introduce you to an old friend of mine, an
Englishman, who is about to return to his native soil. I knew him
many years ago, when he accompanied Charles of Anjou to Italy. A
long time has elapsed since Sir Ethelbert Atawel returned to
England; but, upon the event of a new king's succession to the
throne, he was chosen, as a person well acquainted with the customs
of the holy court, to be the chief of an embassy to the Pope.
Having discharged his mission, he has crossed the Alps to take a
last farewell of his Italian friends, before he proceeds to assume
a distinguished part in his own country. I shall consign you, my
young friend, to the guidance of this noble gentleman. We have now
been separated for nearly twenty years; but our attachment did not
arise from casual intercourse alone; we esteemed one another, we
bound ourselves one to the other by vows; and, although at this
distance of time, life has much changed its appearance to both of
us, yet I swear I would keep to the letter all that I vowed to him,
and I believe that he will do the same by me.
    "Another motive influences me in sending you to England.
You have a rich relation there named Alderigo, who requested Atawel
to enquire for the various branches of the exiled Antelminelli, and
in particular for your father. It may well appear from the
earnestness of his enquiries, that, if you go to England, you will
find yourself neither friendless nor poor. I am an exile like you,
and like you I am destitute of all resources, and am saved from
embarrassment only by those labours in which I fortunately take a
pride. I know that it would not be agreeable to you to be dependent
on the favour of Atawel; but you are differently circumstanced with
regard to your relation; and I believe him to have both the power
and the will to serve you."
    The gondola entered Canale Grande, and rested at the steps of a
noble palace. Castruccio had no time to comment upon the relation
of Guinigi; but followed him silently through the stately
apartments, hung with silk and tapestry, and paved with marble,
into the banqueting hall, where the owner of the palace sat
surrounded by the aristocracy of Venice. The childish mind of
Castruccio shrunk into itself, when he saw the satined and
gold-laced state of these nobles, and then glanced his eye on the
dignified form of his companion clothed in the mean habiliments of
an Italian peasant: but his shame was turned to pride and
astonishment, when he found this homely- looking man received with
reverence, and embraced with affection, by this lordly assembly.
The most cordial salutes echoed from the ends of the hall, as they
all pressed round to welcome their old friend and counsellor, to
whose wisdom and calm courage many of them owed the most important
obligations. There was a sweetness in the smile of Guinigi, that
elevated him in appearance above other men, a sensibility beaming
in his eye which added grace to his quick and expressive motions,
and a gentleness that tempered the frankness of his manners. He
introduced Castruccio to the nobles. The youth was beautiful to a
wonder, and experienced a flattering reception from the friends of
his protector.
    "I shall remain but a few days in Venice," said
Guinigi to his host; "but I will visit you again before I
retire to my farm; at present you must tell me where I can find
your English visitor, Sir Ethelbert Atawel, for my business is with
him."
    A man now arose, and advanced from a