The Young Prima Donna (Volume 1) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1840. Excerpt: ... child, subdued and overwhelmed with unavailing grief. In the mean time, her mother was in all the delights of expectation, equipped in her regenerated finery. Signor Gabrielli at last arrived. Rosalie's absence gave them an opportunity of settling their future plans undisturbed, and in the course of a long conversation between this worthy pair, the fate of our heroine was decided. Everything was arranged for Mrs. Elton's immediate marriage with the Italian. To enlighten my readers as to the origin of an event, which may, perhaps, cause them some surprize, it will be necessary to state the reasons which induced Signor Gabrielli thus to encumber himself with this silly, penniless widow. Rosalie's extraordinary talents had made the deepest impression upon his mind; in addition to the many other bad qualities, which he possessed, he was of a most sordid, avaricious turn. In the little girl, he at once discovered a mine of wealth. He had lately accepted an engagement at one of the theatres in Italy. Calculating and cautious in the extreme, he considered that the easiest, and even the cheapest manner of getting her completely into his hands, would be by marrying Mrs. Elton. He was penetrating and shrewd, and gathered sufficient information, from what he saw and heard, to be aware, that by no other means, could he detach Rosalie from the Belmont family, by whom she was so much beloved. He gained from Mademoiselle Kramer, what were the views they had long settled with regard to her future life. He knew how powerful would be their influence--how fastidious probably were their ideas; in short, the only certain, and legitimate mode of possessing a complete dominion over her, would be to entail upon himself the incumbrance of taking a wife, in the person of her mothe...