Military life in Italy : sketches - Societa italiana di storia militare

1 54 MILI TAR Y LIFE.
most probable fact, confirmed too by the few gentlemen of
the place, is this : Three years ago, an officerjwho was in
command of the detachment as you now are, a handsome
fellow, who played the guitar like an artist, and sang like an
angel, fell in love with the girl, who was then, as she now is,
the most beautiful one in the town."
" I should think so," interrupted the officer.
"And the girl naturally fell in love with him, partly on account
of his charming voice (they all go mad about music here),
partly because of his prestige
as commander of all
the military
forces on the island, but especially as he was a handsome fellow.
And how desperately she was in love too ! She was one
of those fiery characters here, you understand, who was more
ardent than the lava of volcanoes, full of jealousy, spasms,
furies, and tragedy. Her mother was the only remaining
member of the family, a poor woman who only saw through
her eyes and was ruled by her entirely. You can imagine
what full liberty she enjoyed.
. . . The
towns-people
talked but facts have
; proved the falsity of their suspicions
(most natural in themselves, and to which the girl's
conduct gave rise), so much so, in fact, that all believe and
affirm that there was really nothing out of the way
in it.
. . . It is
very strange certainly ; indeed, rather incredible,
because it is said that the two were together half days at a
time. But you know there are such characters, especially in
these places few to be
; sure, yet they do exist. Bold, independent
girls
who are under their lovers' feet all day long, and
do not seem to have understood any thing about modesty as
;
austere, however, and tenacious of their good names as the
vestal virgins. Though the fact remains that the officer had