A Romance of the Republic

aces with her sister, Floracita heard the approaching footsteps of her father, and, as usual, bounded forth to meet him. Any one who had not seen him since he parted from the s

to," said Rosabella, turning round on the

oined he, placing his

go to Europe mak

we could help yo

nswered he, with serious

in his face, said, "And pray what would you do, papa, w

little flower?" said he, as with a

the repast was ended, they began to talk

fore we shall go to Par

e weeks, I hope

aimed she. "You will take us t

the parts were brought out by such musicians as they have in Europe. I should greatly enjoy hearing operas in Paris; but I often think, Papasito,

, and glanced

dled by strangers. We will pack them carefully and leave them with Madame Guirlande; and when we get settled abroad, in some nice little cottage, we will send for them. But when you have been in Paris, when you have seen the

o sweet as yours, cher

t a renewal of pain that unexpected entanglements had prevented his going to Europe months ago. He tenderly pressed her hand, that lay upon his knee, and looked at her with troubled earnestness, as he said, "Now that you are going to

y agitated, but she re

t we would accept a lo

a querida died, she

; and we a

sometimes they are so covered with flowers, that the inexperienced slip into them una

laimed Floracita, with a

at him with swimming

that, Papas

that he was obliged to refrain from saying, from reverence for their inexperienced purity. And had he attempted to describe the manners of a corrupt

ining very still a few moments, Rosabella said softy, "Wouldn't

f feeling, and she sang quietly many plaintive melodies that her mother loved. The fountain trickling in the garden k

night. "Bon soir, cher papa" said F

said Rosabella, as she touched h

you, my dear ones!" Those melodies of past times had brought their mother before him in all her lovi

d in a lively manner various plans concerning their residence in France. Rosabella evidently felt much less pleasure in the prospect than did her younger sister; and her father, conjecturing the reason, w

mio" said Rosabella, wi

" said Floracita, as

! Your grandfather's Spanish, your grandmother's French, and your fathe

e piazza, calling after him

laughingly at her, as he exclai

tend to her innumerable questions, for the incessant chattering disturbed her revery. At every interval she glanced round the room with a sort of farewell tenderness. It was more to her than the home of a happy childhood; for nearly all the familiar objects had become associated with glances and tones, the memor

atterer. "Only think, we have never been to a ball! And when we ge

ar operas and see ba

sh we could come bac

ch expression which rendered them peculi

anc, mon

etit blan

rien su

joli q

blanc qu

and she put her hand over the mischievous

hing and capering out of the room, an

blanc qu

when she began; and as she went on, Rosa could not help smiling at her musical antics. The old teacher bore it p

alse note?" ask

pose I can keep hold of the tail of the Air, if you send me chasing af

ath in Italian, When she saw that he was really angry, she apologized, and promised to do better. The third time of trying, she acquitted herself so wel

o sprinkle some pepper," exclaimed sh

a. "If you are not careful, you will call

little rogue. "It will just make me do it

ry, the manufacture of artificial flowers, and other fancy-work. Before long, Floracita returned through the garden, skipping over a jumping-rope. "This is a day of compliments," said s

ed Rosa. "I think I never saw

d his powers to the utmost, by running up and down difficult roulades, interspersed with the talk of parrots, the shrill fanfare of trumpets, and the deep growl of a contra-fagotto. The bird produced a grotesque fantasia in his efforts to imitate her. The peacock, as he strutted up and down the piazza, trailing his gorgeous plu

that leaned against the timepiece pointed her wand tow