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every atom into life; and that which
was insignificant to common eyes, appeared to him to be invested
with strange attributes and uncommon loveliness.
    Again Guinigi sat, Castruccio beside him, at the door of his
cot, watching the evening work of the labourers, as the wine was
drawn off from the last vat. Arrigo, now a year older, was helping
them: Castruccio said--"Instead of six months I have given you
twelve, and I have not mentioned my future destiny; indeed we have
been employed so pleasantly during the summer, that I almost forgot
it. But I cannot live another year among these hills; you know not
what bitterness I feel at heart, when I hear the clash of arms from
the castle, I, who am wearing away an ignoble youth."
    Guinigi smiled, and replied, "I have reflected for you, and
I have dived into your secret thoughts, although you have not
spoken. To- morrow we will make a journey; and you shall soon be
introduced to a man who will bring you into that life whose promise
of glory is so attractive to you. So bid farewell to these hills;
you will not see them again for many years."
    This hope stole sleep from the eyes of Castruccio that night.
His imagination, which had lately rested on sickles, and wains, and
vines, and the simple philosophy of Guinigi, now again fled to its
wonted track, and entered upon what he conceived to be a more
glorious world. Fleecy clouds hid the full moon, and the world was
invested by a faint light that gradually opened into day.
Castruccio saw the horses led saddled to the door, and he hastened
to join Guinigi. Before he departed he kissed affectionately the
sleeping Arrigo, and said: "I fear those fair eyes will be
dimmed with tears, when he hears that I am not to return. Sweet
boy! I love you as a brother, and hope some future day to shew that
love in something more than words."
    Guinigi smiled at the aspiring spirit of Castruccio; he smiled
to perceive that, still wanting protection, still a boy, his
thoughts always dwelt on the power which he would one day acquire,
and the protection he would then afford to others.
    They rode silently along the well known road that led to Padua:
after resting their horses at this town, they continued their way
to Venice. Who knows not Venice? its streets paved with the eternal
ocean, its beautiful domes and majestic palaces? It is not now as
it was when Castruccio visited it; now the degenerate inhabitants
go "crouching and crab-like through their sapping
streets:" then they were at the height of their glory, just
before the aristocratical government was fixed, and the people were
struggling for what they lost--liberty.
    Guinigi and his young companion were silent during their long
ride. Guinigi was on the eve of seeing the friends of his warlike
youth; and perhaps his memory recalled those scenes. Castruccio
dreamed of futurity; and the uncertainty of his destiny only gave
more scope to his imagination, as he figured the glorious part
which he flattered himself he was about to act on the great
theatre. At length they arrived on the shore of the Laguna, and
entered the gondola which was to convey them to the city. Guinigi
then addressed the youth:--"You trust your fate to me; and I
must explain to you the plan that I have formed concerning you,
that you may judge whether I merit the entire confidence you shew
yourself inclined to repose in me. You know, my dear Castruccio,
that poor Italy is distracted by civil brawls, and how little
honour one who is exiled as you are from his native town, can
acquire, to whatever party he may adhere. His most arduous
exertions may be sacrificed to political intrigue, and assuredly he
will be repaid with ingratitude alone, whatever power he serves. In
addition, a disgraceful political craft now reigns in the palaces
of the Italian princes, which renders them ill schools for a youth,
who, while he may, ought to preserve the innocence and sincerity of
which the world will but too quickly deprive him. You would
inevitably be