18-14.]
The Pirates of Segna.
299
THE PIRATES OF SEGNA.
A TALE OF VENICE AND THE ADRIATIC. IN TWO PARTS.
PART I. CHAPTER I. THE STUDIO.
IT was on a bright afternoon in spring, and very near the close of the sixteenth century, that a handsome youth, of slender form and patrician aspect, was seated and drawing before an easel in the studio of the aged cavaliere Giovanni Contarini the last able and distinguished painter of the long- declining school of Titian. The studio was a spacious and lofty saloon, commanding a cheerful view over the grand canal. Full curtains of crimson damask partially shrouded the lofty windows, intercepting the superabundant light, and diifusing tints resembling the ruddy, soft, and melancholy hues of autumnal foliage ; while these hues were further deep- ened by a richly carved ceiling of ebony, "which, not reflecting but ab- sorbing light, allayed the sunny radi- ance beneath, and imparted a sombre yet brilliant eifect to the pictured walls, and glossy draperies, of the spacious apartment. Above the rich and lofty mantelpiece hung one of the last portraits of himself painted by the venerable Titian, and on the dark paunels around were suspended por- traits of great men and lovely women by the gifted hands of Giorgione, Paul Veronese, Paris Bordone, and Tinto- retto. Regardless, however, of all around him, and almost breathless with eagerness and impatience, the student pursued his object, and with rapid and vigorous strokes had half completed his sketch totally uncon- cious the while that some one had opened the folding-doors, crossed the saloon, and now stood behind his chair.
" But tell me, Antonello mio ! " exclaimed old Contarini, after gazing awhile in mute astonishment at the sketch before him ; tell me, in the name of wonder, what kind of face do you mean to draw around that lean and withered nose and that horribly wrinkled mouth ? "
Antonio, however, was so uncon-
cious of the " world without," that he started not at this sudden interruption of the previous stillness. Regardless, too, of the serious and indeed reprov- ing tone of the old man's voice, he hastily replied without averting his gaze from the canvass. " Hush, maestro! I beseech you. Question " me not, for Heaven's sake ! I cannot spare a word in reply. The original," continued he, after a brief interval of close attention to his object, and drawing as he spoke ; " the original is still firmly fixed in my memory. I see its sharp outlines clear within me, and, as you well know and oft have told me, a feature lost is lost for ever. Alas! alas! those lines and angles around the mouth are already fading into shadow."
After he had thrown out these words, from time to time, like inter- jections, and with Venetian rapidity of utterance, nothing was audible in the saloon, for some minutes but the young artist's sharp and rapid strokes upon the canvass.
" No more of this, Antonio ! " at length exclaimed the old painter with energy, after gazing for some time at the gradual appearance of an old woman's lean and wrinkled features, dried up and yellow as if one of the dead, and yet lighted up by a pair of dark deep-set eyes, which seemed to blaze with supernatural life and lustre. At each touch of the artist, this mummy-like and unearthly visage was brought out into sharper and more disgusting relief, when Conta- rini, no longer able to control his in- dignation, dashed the charcoal from his pupil's hand. " Apage, Satanas ! " he shouted, " thy talent hath a devil in it. I see his very hoof-print in that horrible design."
Startled by this unexpected vio- lence, the young artist turned round, and beheld with amazement the usually benign features of his vene,-*
