"
"You chose a remarkable measure for an article that was to visit so many
different countries, without the formalities of law!"
"We thought to start in the favor of the church, which rarely frowns on
those who respect its privileges. Under the sanction of such authority, I
will lay aside all that remains, certain it will be needed for thy use."
"So rare a manufacture should be costly?"
La belle Barberie spoke hesitatingly, and as she raised her eyes, they met
the dark organs of her companion, fixed on her face, in a manner that
seemed to express a consciousness of the ascendency he was gaining.
Startled, at she knew not what the maiden again added hastily--
"This may be fitter for a court lady, than a girl of the colonies."
"None who have vet worn of it, so well become it;--I lay it here, as a
make-weight in my bargain with the Alderman.--This is satin of Tuscany; a
country where nature exhibits its extremes, and one whose merchants were
princes. Your Florentine was subtle in his fabrics, and happy in his
conceits of forms and colors, for which he stood indebted to the riches of
his own climate. Observe--the hue of this glossy surface is scarcely so
delicate as I have seen the rosy light, at even, playing on the sides of
his Apennines!"
"You have then visited the regions, in whose fabrics you deal?" said
Alida, suffering the articles to fall from her hand, in the stronger
interest she began to feel in their owner.
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