How pleasantly are not the rocky shores of Malta still reflected on the calm blue surface of the Mediterranean sea, when the golden rays of the evening sun are dancing upon it! Yet alas! This Malta, with its proud steps of granite, its threatening cannons, and its peaceful industry; with its simple flat roofs, and its fantastic balconies; with the blood red oranges, and the sweetest grapes in the world; the aged orphan of the old chevaliers, which languishes in eternal minority under English guardianship; this Malta is no longer what it formerly was. One would be • wronging it to call it the shadow of its bygone splendor, for the shadow resembles the original, if even only in uncertain and faint outlines; but Malta has entirely lost its early forms. Perhaps here and there a single rare feature of its past lustre reminds one that the Malta of the nineteenth century as little resem bles that of the time of Hugo de Payens, as the lords of the woolsack resemble the grand masters of old. A totally different life now prevails there. The dreaded enemy of the Mussulman faith, who enthusiastically brandished the Cross against the Crescent, no longer claims tribute from Turk and Pagan; on the contrary, it has become a great custom-house, while English tollgatherers demand tribute from every sail which is hoisted on the wide navigable waters of the Mediterranean sea. The naked rocks, to which each Paladin brought a handful of earth, became a fruitful island, warmed by Africa's sun, and enlightened by European civiliza * Madame Bosboom Toussaint is considered one of the first female writers of the present age in Holland. Her historical tales are much admired for their truthfulness, the power with which her characters are delineated, and the religious and moral tone which pervades them. She has also written several shorter stories, in which she has adopted the light and graceful style so peculiar to France. This accomplished authoress was born at Alkmaar, at which town they are so proud of her that the magistracy have had her works and portrait placed in the archives of the city along with a flattering tribute to her merits. -TRANS. tion. The poetical abode of the pious knights has become the prosaic seat of extensive commerce; it is at once the blessed spot, where with each breath one inhales renovated health, and whither the aristocracy of England, the bonne société of France, and fashionable travellers from every other nation, resort with pleasure. In short, Malta need not regret that it has kept pace with the times; it has not lost much of its consequence since it exchanged the white banner for the union jack of Great Britain. far carried away by my reflections, which But I have allowed myself to be too are so little suited to my insignificant tale. I had much better have said a few words about the women of this charm ing island, those women so entirely peculiar, in whom the fire of the Arab females is so intimately blended with the captivating, languishing manners of those of Sicily, who, in gracefulness, yield precedence to none of their southAbove all, they recall to the observer that Africa is in the rear, and that there Europe begins. ern sisters. Among these the twin-sisters, Peppa and Magallon, deserved the prize of beauty. Richer and darker hair seldom adorned brows of more delicate transparlike bright cut steel, and between their ency. Their blue-black eyes sparkled lips, whose redness reminded one of fresh pomegranates, glittered teeth as white as the purest pearls of Coromandel. Their features bespoke oriental excitability, tempered by mildness, which, added to the tone of true amiability that pervaded their whole manner, lent a singular charm to their words and movements. Education and practice had made them both familiar with the first to speak the Maltese Arabic, which still European languages, yet they preferred exists among the people, the agreeable sound of which, and the power of its expressions, cause one to forget that it is entirely wanting in literary cultivation. It would be difficult to say which of the twin-sisters was the handsomer, or in what Peppa's beauty differed from Magallon's. In form, face, voice, gait, and movement, they were entirely alike; and this resemblance was much increased by their dress being exactly the same. They wore the Maltese ouella, which was fastened to a little satin hat inter woven with gold thread, thus greatly heightening the shining blackness of their hair. Both wore bodices of cher ry-colored velvet, richly - embroidered, and light blue over-skirts of slight gauzy texture. Their sleeves, of Venetian silver gauze, by no means hid their beautiful rounded arms, with the delicate little hands, which played with fans the same in color and size. Peppa, however, had a bunch of flowers in her hat, without which precaution her own father, the worthy Paolo Paterno, would not have been able to distinguish the first-born from her sister. The same education, the same fate, always being together (they had never yet been separated for longer than an hour or so), could not fail to have effect upon their feelings and actions; and even their nurse declared that she had never met with exterior resemblance joined to such perfect similarity of disposition. They were sisters in every sense of the word. Good Paolo Paterno, who had lost his wife in the bloom of her youth, and could never reconcile himself to a second marriage, found his only comfort in his lovely daughters, who but seldom caused him to regret that they were not sons, to whom he could have bequeathed his name and brigantine. He was owner of a merchantman, which, after performing for several years successful voyages, had made him one of the most wealthy inhabitants of La Valetta. When Peppa and Magallon had attained their fourteenth year, the thoughts of his successor occupied Paolo more and more. He therefore took into his house the son of an only brother, who had fallen under Napoleon, and, although still very young, Matteo was betrothed to Peppa. Another and more brilliant match had offered for Magallon, the nephew and partner of one of the richest merchants in Malta, who was a Greek by birth, a Maltese by necessity, and a merchant with all his heart and soul. The two damsels had not hesitated a 'moment to consent to their union with the gentlemen selected for them, and, without further thought, they calmly looked forward to the coming event, which each day brought nearer. One day Paolo, who was accustomed every year to take some excursion, accompanied by his children, proposed to them that they should go with him once more before their marriages on a trip to Algiers, which place, under the hands of its French conqueror, was undergoing such wonderful reforms. The beautiful twins wished for nothing better, and they soon set out on their voyage. But in the way in which they took leave of their lovers, and in the manner in which they greeted them on their return, there was too striking a difference to escape the notice of the young men. Peppa treated Matteo more coldly and formally than she had ever done before, and Magallon's proud lover had to bear whims and violence of which he had never suspected her capable. The former bore it patiently, as one who was painfully familiar with misfortune and suffering; the Greek, on the contrary, became irritated and suspicious. Notwithstanding that the father saw this change with great sorrow, he could not imagine what could be its cause; he could not understand what had so suddenly transformed his lively, gay daughters into such whimsical, morose girls; why these gentle dear ones were so capricious and cruel to those who had claims upon their love. The honest captain possessed, it is true, plenty of natural common sense for every-day life, but he understood nothing of the fine shades of the female heart, and he was not capable of discovering what lay behind the caprices which he daily encountered; this was beyond his power. The truth was, however, that the twenty days spent by the two damsels, apparently so indifferently and monotonously, within the walls of the house of quarantine, after their return from Africa, had been rich in events and experience, which had suddenly made them much older and more knowing, if not more sensible. For those in good health the house of quarantine at Malta is no gloomy invalid's prison, full of privations and oppressive constraint; the only constraint that one meets with there is that it cannot be quitted at one's pleasure, and that there is no communication with the outer world. But it is a roomy, airy dwelling, with which every one would be pleased if it only bore another name; where every one can choose his own apartment according to his rank and means, and settle himself as he thinks best; where one soon feels at home, just like a frequented cursaal on rainy days. While promenading in the galleries or on the broad terrace, one makes acquaintances, exchanges friendly words, and arranges to meet in future at some place of general resort, as one does at the promenades at watering-places; and as the assemblage is less numerous, and the choice, therefore, more limited, one even sooner becomes intimately acquainted. Thus it happened, when Peppa and Magallon wandered arm-in-arm upon the terrace, enjoying the pure morning air, or watching the last rays of the evening sun, that they were soon remarked by all the young men. By one, however, in particular; he was a Frenchman, the young Count Jules de St. Elme, who, from discontent and aversion of the artificial tone of society, and the vice of the higher circles in Paris, his native place, had escaped from thence to seek among people less cultivated, and under other zones, that purity which he considered lost in his fatherland. But in the East, the poor young man met with the same character under another form, only more distinctly displayed, and in more repulsive traits, for it appeared under coarse expressions and almost brutish roughness. Thus in despair of finding there what he desired, he returned to Europe, still uncertain in which of its countries he should now seek for his ideal; for, notwithstanding he had become acquainted with love in the boudoirs of Paris, where it is called coquetry, and in the pavilions of the East, where it is called sensuality, he still hoped to find the woman who did not only think that he was a count, that he had ten thousand a year, or that he was the lion to conquer whom vanity vied in every drawing-room, or the lively youth with the dark blue eyes and the Grecian profile; no, the woman who had a heart capable of responding to his own, and who would willingly listen to him with out making inward calculations while half yawning at his words of love. Expecting so much as he did, it may be supposed that he had not yet fixed on his future destination, when plenty of time was afforded him to reflect and determine in the house of quarantine. Our charming twins had already been a few days in quarantine when he arrived. After seeing the beautiful sisters once or twice, and having spoken to them a few times, can you blame him that he came to the bitter conclusion that he was in love, not with Magallon, not with Peppa, but with both, and withont being able to say which of them he would choose and which refuse, if he were permitted to take his choice? It was positively not his fault. When they hovered before him, each movement full of grace, when at the same moment the fire of those two pairs of dark eyes met his, and with equal timidity were turned from him; when both the young faces were overspread with a similar blush, and the sweet voices spoke to him with equally natural frankness, then the irresistible charm of both enchantresses captivated him and drew him towards them; then, indeed, one could pity the poor, romantic count, perhaps even laugh at him a little, as he stood caught in the fatal net; but to blame him-that was impossible. And in the sweet sisters too, who until now had been accustomed to live without reflection and without meditation, without remembrance and without hope, feelings and sensations sprang up, which they did not communicate to each other, not because they wished to keep them secret from each other, but because they did not understand them; because they were not accustomed to examine themselves, to investigate their hearts, and account to themselves for their feelings. Perhaps an experienced woman of the world would have drawn many artless confessions from their conversations which they themselves did not discover in them. So far is certain, that both became uneasy as soon as the hour for the usual promenade approached; that whenever the young Frenchman had had a long and friendly chat with them, they thought the house of quarantine the most delightful residence in the world; but had caprice, or some other cause, banished the count to his room, it appeared to them tiresome and unbearable. And it was not to be wondered at ! that the pretty Maltese maidens were -- accomplish his desire, when, one evening that the terrace was more full than usual, he succeeded in the crowd in gaining possession of the arm of one of the two beauties, while the father accompanied the other. Later in the evening he skilfully exchanged the one for the other, and thus was able-a second Don Juan, only with less wicked intentions · to pour out to each many ardent professions of love, of unfading remembrance, and many hopes of meeting again. From that moment the sisters became aware that they really had something to hide, and could keep a secret from each other. It was sad for the count that he could only attain his object the evening before their departure from the house of quarantine; for the poor fellow had still to remain a whole week there a week in uncertainty, with all his unaccomplished wishes! Good Paterno was right glad that their detention was at an end, for he had remarked that the health and gayety of his darlings had suffered much in the Lazaretto; he often found them thoughtful, and their nurse, who had accompanied them, told him that they frequently sat for whole hours together without exchanging a word. And this silence in two young women, two Maltese! Thus when young St. Elme addressed them in French, such as they had never heard; when he spoke to them in the language of gallantry and passion; when, with the warmth and national pride The father thought that they would of a true Frenchman, he told them of soon resume their old habits, but we the wonders of his native town, and have seen that this was not the case, and listened with the interest and attention it even became worse when the fiancées of a refined man of the world to their paid their betrothed their usual homage. description of their little excursions; And when the approaching weddings when he answered their various ques- happened to be mentioned, their annoytions with inexhaustible eloquence, and ance and impatience increased to such a entered into their feelings with a good-height that all around them were pernature which they could not have ex- plexed and grieved. pected from him, a stranger; then, their excitable fancy was worked up into an agitation, an ecstasy, the source of which they could not guess, but whose cause they recognized and loved in Jules. He, meanwhile, seriously sought to understand his own heart, and longed extremely for an opportunity to become more particularly acquainted with each sister; yet how was this possible, since they never separated from each other, and since in their innocence they never perceived the slightest reason for so doing? He already doubted of being able to It only requires one single step from one secret to a thousand. With that one step the entire confidence and unity of soul, which formerly bound the sisters, was broken. Magallon became the confidant of the sensitive Matteo; she listened to his complaints of her sister, and heard them without being angry with the complainant; she even admitted to him that he had a right to be displeased. Peppa listened as calmly to the haughty accusations which Colchontris made to her of the caprices of his Magallon, and she for the first time remarked that her sister was indeed capricious. Thus both characters gained opportunity to develop themselves independently, and to distinguish themselves from each other; the unity of their thoughts was for the first time disturbed, and the almost characterless uniformity which until now had existed between them had disappeared. The unconscious schism which had awoke them from stupefaction saved to each a soul and a heart. Oh, notwithstanding the wonderful resemblance of their features, the quicksighted Frenchman would now only have required a single hour to penetrate the peculiarities of each and to make his choice. Uneasiness, longing, uncertainty, and all the usual and secret torments of love, had made Magallon's disposition severe and harsh. She had become haughty, serious, suspicious, violent, and passionate, but she displayed at the same time a strength and firmness which could only belong to a great and lofty mind. Peppa, on the contrary, was subdued by her silent and secret sufferings; she lived amidst sadness and hidden tears. More gentle and more patient than ever, she seemed to seek, with her melancholy, dreamy eyes, for some support against which she might lean in her feebleness. She had become weak, but her weakness was that of an elastic nature, which is not crushed by sorrow; it was like that of the ivy and the vine, which twine softly and lovingly, but firmly, round the twig which constitutes their support. One evening on which the poor girls had had to endure as many reproaches from their father as from their betrothed, both, with an unanimity which for a long time they had not felt, sought to enjoy the fresh air upon one of the broad balconies of the house, which commanded a splendid view of the sea and the Street San Giovanni. They silently watched the twilight red of evening, which in Malta lasts longer than anywhere else. Their thoughts found vent in different ways; Peppa sometimes sighed, and her eyes were full of tears, while Magallon's firm, fiery glances were fixed on the sea-side, and a proud, gay smile played round her lips. At length she broke the silence, seized Peppa's hand, and said: "You are sad, Peppa, and I know why. You have been cross again to poor Matteo, and now you are suffering from self-reproach." But Peppa shook her head, and gently drew back her hand as she replied: "I might think the same of you, al though you are so gay. You act with undeserved severity towards good Colchontris. He sometimes complains of it to me, for he seeks comfort from me." "He complains to you! Well, Matteo expresses himself discontented with you to me, and his love won't last much longer." The saints grant it may not!" sighed the damsel. "I wish I could only hope the same of Colchontris!" added Magallon. "But why do you say so? Why do you hate Colchontris? He does not deserve it." "He is a Greek, and hates the French, whom I love," added she, haughtily and openly. "But why have you become alienated from Matteo ?" "He, he hates the Emperor of the French," answered she, less frankly and more timidly. "But, Magallon, do you love all the French, or The end of the question died upon her lips. Then Magallon said in a determined manner and with perfect confidence: "Well, since you ask me the question, I will tell you what you must learn one of these days. You remember the French count-he was called St. Elmewhom we met every evening on the promenade." "Remember!" sighed Peppa, as she languidly raised her black eyes. "Well, him I love!" "Poor, poor sister! Alas! he asked me if I could give him my love-and I feel only too well that I really love him." "The base wretch! And he said the same to me, the evening before we left the house of quarantine!" "On the same evening he put tha question to me, and we told each other Adieu!" "But, tell me, what did you answer him? I could not reply one word, for my father came and took my arm." "I was silent, because I did not know what I should answer. Now I should know well, for now I am convinced that |