148 EXILE. 



which had once proudly swept the Mediterranean, mastered 

 its islands, and gained triumphs upon half its shores; but 

 which was now employed, chiefly, to fetch corn and wine, or 

 for purposes of pleasure. On the Midsummer morrow the 

 old man and his child were to depart. This was the last Eve 

 of St. John the last eve of any they were to spend in the 

 land of their birth. 



Old Jacopo was sad, as the remembrances, both pleasant and 

 painful, of sixty years, all passed under that humble roof, came 

 back, like a mingled company of departed spirits, and seemed 

 to take possession of every corner every bit of furniture in 

 the cottage, all, with itself, to be left behind. He almost 

 felt as if he were about to part with everything he loved 

 even his darling child though she was to be the companion 

 of his exile. Not only was he sad, but also weary with prepa- 

 rations for departure ; and that he might be all the fresher for 

 the morrow, Bianca persuaded him (after one last look from 

 between the olive trees at the illuminated city, and after they 

 had offered up together their evening orisons), to repair .early 

 to his bed. With one hand clasped in his, she sat beside him, 

 till he fell into a quiet sleep ; then kneeling by the bedside 

 implored the Divine blessing on their morrow's voyage, and 

 the change it was to bring them ; and she prayed, also, that 

 no guilty repinings no vain regrets connected with one 

 left behind, should ever disincline her to the cheerful per- 

 formance of her duties, those especially she owed to him, her 



