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young sculptor, and engaged him to adorn a hall of his palace with bas relievos.

A room was appropriated to Andrea's use, for the prosecution of his work. The Duke and his daughter watched its progress with deep interest. Indeed, Constanza, when her studies were accomplished, daily wandered to the apartment where the young sculptor was employed. That one as sensitive to physical beauty as Andrea, finding it united to rare mental loveliness, should have become enamored of this paragon of maidenhood, was almost a matter of course. But Andrea worshipped in respectful silence, and never had the audacity to suppose that his passion had revealed itself in his looks; never dared to hope that she who inspired it could become conscious of its existence; never was mad enough to dream for a moment that, if divined, it could ever be returned.

The bas relievos completed, the sculptor withdrew, full of gratitude to his noble patron, and bearing with him the image of Constanza, indelibly stamped on his own soul! She was the far-off star that henceforth illumined his horizon, though deemed as unapproachable by him, as constellations are to mortals.

What was his astonishment when Constanza, with her faithful attendant, Bettina, who had watched over the motherless young maiden from her infancy, made their appearance at his atelier! They came again and again; and Constanza, un-