The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1869-09-07 00:00:00

tittraturt.

MARRIED? OR -NOT MARRIED?
(FROM FOR nzalland
ire,,,conniess •012 Werbs beellMe a widow very yonng.
Her husband was old and rich when he asked her in
niarriace. She rejected his addresses, and wept in the
anneof her father. Her father laughed at her tears.
Ile did Lot conceive bow it was poesible to reject the
count, and his daughter did conceiiie it. Her father
reckoned the estates of the count, and she reckoned his
She had sometime before came aequainted with Herr,
von Welt, who had fewer estates, and fewer year. over
his head, danced well. talked tenderly, and loved
anlently. Rut the count was pressing—the father
severe--the Herr von Welt was poor, and the count
rich. She conntinned to love the Herr von Walt,
cool gave the Count her hand.
The count had no children. The young counteas
lived in solitude; the orient coughed worse, and re.
mained without ehililren. His 1.1,1 age end bin infirniities
increased every dsv; in two years he left the world and
bin estotes, and the young wife was a widow.
She laid snide her white dresses and put on bleak.
The mantes@ was fair—The dark dress set off her con..
plexioni—mourning became her.
The count left her all his property; but old people arc
often fantastical ! Amording to a singular condition of
his will, if she again married, the greatest part of her
property reverted to one of his relation., living at the
residence.
Heir Von Welt hastened to comfort the widow. He
found her beautiful, and she found him as amiable as
before, Ile talked all day long without coughing, and
she listened to him all day long without yawning. lie
could relate • thousand little env:doter, and the couch WI
was ouriour. Ile spoke of the torch of love and his own
feelings, and the countess felt. Ile dascrile4 the
torments of separation, and the moieties which had
martyred him, and the countess was compsesionate.
He lay at her feet ; protestations it his passion
streamed from hie lips, and hie tears upon her bent,
and the countess loved; but she thonght with tears on
the condition of the will. She was melancholy. It
was already six we. ke ago the count had bid adieu to
hie gout for ever, and griiif eppeared now for the first
time on the countenance of the countess.
" My dear friend," odd Herr von Welt to her in the
morning, " yeu torment yourself with doubts, and it
rosining in your power to put an end to them."
" How so'" Raid the countesa
"You believe in the possibility." continued he, "of
my ceasing to love you ; you consider the band of
the feeling. not strong enough to withstand time • hut,
my dear friend, how easy it in for the hand of the
priest to join ours together ; you will then be trim-
quilioed."
" Have you then forgotten the will ?" said she
weeping.
"My love, the question now im only about making you
easy. We will be married privately. You and I the
prieet—and love will hear our oath."
"But you see, there must be • priest," saki she
beefily.
"Let me manage that," said Her von Welt. "Here
in the neighbourhood lives an old man, who is borne
down by poverty, and more than half • century of
years. He is as worthy as she times is which he was
bons, tesd a. eilent as the tomb which will soon receive
him. Ile will carry our meret with him to the grave,
and we will bury it in our bosome."
The countees threw herself into his AVMs, and en-
treated him to hireten. Welt did so. The conscience
of the priest wan tranquillised ; twilight, and • distant
pummel...bons* concocted them from the eye of
euipicion, and Welt embraced with rapture—his wife.
A year passed away ' she no longer looked after him
with iniretetnde when he rode out, and his ever; were
no longer fined ocher window when he returned; she
could yawn when he 'Aided, and he sometimes felt
emir though she was sitting by him—but they lived
-together. The in had observed familiarities not
iwerraoted by feleodehip ; yet their attechment did
not appear to be ardent enough to amourt well for
their being together. A year had made them feel
secure, and they no longer paid that strict attention
which they did at first totbeir conduct and eonvero•
lion. People began to conjecture, to doubt, at bast to
believe, and after • time to impart their sentiments to
each other.
The Count von Werbe, who was to inherit the pro-
perty le default of the condition of the will being
°beery, was at this time out of favour with the
prince, through the intrigues of his numernue creditor.,
and had left the residence with his wife, to take refuge
In the arms of nature. He had purchased the situation
of grand chemberlaie to the prince—had squandered
his property by giving bail* and files, and destroyed
his health by dancing and dancers. His wife was
formerly a lady of honour—people had formerly paid
hoinaze to her charms—she wss formerly aurronnilinl
by • elide of admirers, but the boundaries of this circle
frel• smaller. and it wan now many year@ since she
bad tonna the residence empty and tiresome, and
the tette of the times quite spoiled.
Their estate joined that of the counter*. The count
attended with much interest to the suspicions which
were imparted to him, and hastened to the castle of
the eounteas to pay hie respects to her as • relative,anil
to convince, himself of the truth of the opinion of his
neighbours, but he did not convince hieneelf. The
countess was prepared for hit visit. The Herr von
Welt was tender and attentive—his eyes riveted on her.
The countess showed all the cordiality of friendship, and
the attention of • warmer affection. The count returned
home sorrowful.
"Dear Augusta," said the count, as he entered the
chamber of his wife, "our neighbours are not prudent.
lii. only :women, to see them both to give no credit
to the tale they have amused us with. I wee there two
houre, and lie bad not the courage to oome within three
steps of her."
" Rut that proves for us." cried the countess, "be
would have get at one end of the room and she at the
other."
"Sot so my love," said the count ; respect seemed
to keep him at a dietetic.. Their fp* sought each ,
other —her eriontenancre appeared to complain of my
presence. Then tho interest with which they spoke
of each other. No, my love, we me each other, we
talk to each other, but believe me on my word they are
not married.
" But." said the countess, "our neighbours have
eyes ; did you never, then, observe nothing which can
justify their opinion r
" My love," replied the count, "you may suppose
that I observed everything very attentively. It is not
ley holt if our creditors are not paid."
"Trifles often betray us," said the countess, "Reflect
• ; did she not once drop her pocket liandkey
chief ?"
" Her pocket handkerchief r said the count. and con•
vilcr.-41 :a little; "no, Out her fan fell dorm."
" And she nicked it up again?" mid the countess,
quickly.
"Truly yes, she picked it up," said the count looking
oil er with estoniAment.
" And be wee there, and suffered it?" said the

counteu,
The count looked thoughtful—she struck him play-
fully on the shoulder—" Believe mo, good count, our
neighbour. are in the right."
" When I consider well." said the count, "it appears
to me probable; she IMO very well dressed her
toilette was certainly • few months behind the tuition,
but we are in the eountry, and I was astonished at her
rule."
And her asked the countess.
"lie had • long dialeertation upon teat.; he went
through the whole 'history of fashions, to the last gala
dreu of the grand duchess. Ile particularly admired
the Grecian costume."
" And was she dressed like • Greek?" said the
countess quietly.
•• oh no," said the count "she was true German—
buried up to the chin."
" They are man end wile," said the sonatas', throwing
herself into his arms.
" But her eyes," said the count. shaking his head.
You are • knee observer," said the emirate's. "Whet
proof do you wish to hive? The lover would have
fallen to the ground with the fan, the husband remained
quietly seated; the lover would have had eyes only to
admire. the husband bad time for a long sonver.ation ;
the lover would hive been delighted to see a German
woman lie admired, dressed in the German feeble°, and
the husband praised the Greek women. My dear count,
are you not aware of all that!"
The count laughed. "Well," said be, "we are in-
vited to.ulorrow to our neighhcur the chamberlain;
the Herr von Welt and the countess will likewise he
there. In • large society we f iney ourselves leis re-
marked, and give ourselves op more to our rare ; we can
therefore both obmerve them. You may be in the right,
but her eountenance. and her eyes. I have bad the
honour, during the last fifteen years. of presenting many
married men to his royal highness • and I know mankind
well! Matrimony has • peculiar look, eomething like
despair—if you are right, say knowledge of mankind is
good for nothing."
The next day all the company was assembled it the
chamberlain's except the countess and Herr von Welt.
The chamberlain was impatient. all eyes turned toward
the road; at last a cloud of dust was observed, and
then the carriage of the countess driving quickly up.
She woo lookisg out of the right window of the carriage,
Welt leaning on his arm, was looking out of the other.
The lady of the grand chamberlain touehed her husband
and smiled, he turned round good humoured'', and
said in • low voice, "I believe you are right." The
carriage stopped; Welt sprang out, the servants as.
elated the mantes. ; be stood quietly by and brushed
the duet from his coat. "They are man and wife,"
said the grand chamberlain's lady softly.
" Yes, yes, I begin to doubt my knuwledge of man-
kind," said the count.
The countess made excuses for being so late ; Welt
knit his brow in vexation. Dinner was announced;
the master of the house offered his SEM to the lady of
the grand chamberlain. The grand chamberlain and
Welt, the countess and a strange lady, remained.
Welt offered his erm to the strange lady, and left the
countess to the grand chamberlain. His wife looked
back awl ; the grand chamberlain nodded aigei-
fleautiv. The society was gay. Welt sat between the
countess and the 4trange lady. He conversed with the
stranger on fashion and feeling, and left the countess to
be amused by the grand clumberlaie. The latter
smiled ; hie wife looked at him goo i-husnonredly. After
dinner Welt approached the countess. He talked of
the influent*, of the body over the mind, which mos-
sinned satiety in everything. The countess pursed.
„Thst is the body," said she. Welt coetinued milady
talking, and the body of the countess yawned again.
The grand chamberlain stole up to his lady. " They
are man so wife," she whispered.
"It is certain." said the grand chamberlain.
The chamberlain proposed a walk in the garden, and
y cent. A narrow plank led to a fine
the couipan
waterfyll. The grand chamberlain had brought his
vertigo with him from the residence ; the chamberlain
was tiro lusty to trust himself on the plank,. and the
ladies were timid. Welt sought to tranquiles them.
He escorted them over the ; hut he offered his
services lest to the countess.
The grand chamberlain stood moiling on one side, sod
Lie wife stood smiling at him from the other. It was
fuming. and the company hastened back to the house.
The Countess was behind, Well near her. Be walked
on thoughtfully. she followed hint &Mined.
The grand chamberlain pressed the band of his wife.
The carriage' were o7dered ; the party separated, and
hastened home.
"You ere • clever woman, my love," said the ip;uld
chamberlain, "it is sereign they are Man ad

"Now, my dear," said the goMatege,, "ostr toke the
pains to get certain profs.'
"Leave me alone, said the count. "The thing Is
clear, and when that is the ease, there must be prods."
Aecorilingly he went round the neighbourhood to ob•
into more information, but he wanted proof, and could
only procure conjectures. People had heard this, and
seen that • one relernpil to another; and when he
wanted prOofs, the one bad said nothing, and the other
had heard nothing. He came back sorrowful. "My
dear," said be, "I return just as rich in isonjectarew,
and ps poor to proofs."
; • .

"1;31-ed !' s:ul the countess. "Can the people yet
doubt that they are o.arried r
" Alas ! no," said the couut ; "but no one can prove
It. H , I will try what I can de ; the day after
to-morrow Herr yen W,lt has business in the residence.
I will seed immediately to soy lawyer. We must take
advantage of the moment, for conjectures lead to
nothing."
The lawyer was celled; they were shut up together.
and iin the eecond day he drove to the chateau of the
countess.

" All alone r said the grand chamberlain, as he en.
tered the room with au appearance of eurprim.
" Herr von Welt La in town," said the countess; he
will be sorry that he was not at home when he finds
that you have been here."
The grand chamberlain took a mat near her ; he
admired the arrangement of the house, and some picture.
which were in Um room.

" My husband was a connoisseur," said the countess,
"(be collection of paintings he has made proves his
taste."
"Ah I his tuts proves other things still more,"
said the count, smiling ; and he kissed her hand. "But
he was an estraordinary man; he had caprices, which
he showed to the last ; his will proves that."
The oountess looked at him surprised. The grand
chamberlain appeared not to have observed it, and con-
tinued,
"Bo young as you are, to remain a widow can only be
the caprio of an old jealous husband, who wishes to
torment you after his death. The poor man forgot that
the heart is very susceptible at your age."
The °cunt./ cast down her eyes and blushed.
"Herr von Welt is an old acquaintance, at least I
think so," said the grand chamberlain.
" I have known him above four years," said the
countess embarrassed.
"He was temarked at wart for his talents and
affability," oontinued the grand chamberlain, smiling,
and his smile was expressive ; but the last year he has
teen smite lost to the eons& and to tile world. How is
it possible for bun not to forges ine captions .4 ... 041
man who is dead?

The °minter was evidently more embarrassed.
"Why were you not simian, with me ?" said he
softly, and took her hand. " Your secret is known in
the neighbourhood, why would you °once.' it from me."
The countess started up terrified. "Is it possible,"
eaid she—and her voice faltered. "Con the old non
have—Oh, count! What do you known—what is known?'
'Do you think,"Caid the count, "that I watch in
advantage co servilely" and his ton* wax tender so
,d
sincere. ' I will see and hear nothing. Rainy in peace
what you have dearly enough bought, by a &amides of
two years. But, dear countess. I have children, who
may hereafter eomplain of my pliability and indulgence.
I must therefore do something to falai the duty of a
father. Another in my place would here regoire—he
would lay before you proofs on which to ground his
claims, but I spare your heart, and respect your
secret. The friend is silent—it is the father only
entreats."
. . . . . . .

" Alas r cried the countess, had tears streamed from
her eye., " what do you require of me ?"
The grand chamberlain drew a paper out of hie
pocket. " You know," he eontioned, calmly, that my
property is greatly embarrassed. Your husband loft
you largo estate", and a great fortune ; I slo silent on
his will, of which I make no use ; bat this wound which
I give to my interest most not continue bleeding in my
children. Sign therefore this writing, my dear friend.
You undertake therein to discharge • part of my debts,
which have been oceasioned by my service in the atlas),
and your secret will ever remain concealed."
lie fetched • pen. The couples' in the mean time
recovered her presence of mind..

" Allow Me:" said idle, more tranquilly, "to request
that you will present me the proofs on which you ground
your serpicions ?"
" Why so?" said he, smiling, "the government will,
perhaps. soon communicate some to you."
" The government!. said the countess, terrified.
" You know," continued he, "the steady course of
jutice ; you will be cited. It is certainly only • form,
but still unpleasant. You must appear and take your
oath."
"Oh heavens !" cried the countess, and her voice
faltered again.
" You take your oath," said the grand chamberlain,
"and remain iu possession of your property."
Tee countess seised the you hastily. " Your children
shall loose nothing." said she, and signed. The grand
chamberlain kissed the hand which returned him the
paper, and went gaily to his carriage.
Herr von Welt retureed the neat day. "We are I
betrayed," said the countess, and threw herself weeping I
into his arms.
" lietrayed !" said be, astonished.
"The uhl priest must have chattered," said the
countess.
" Indeed !" ears Welt, "he has not spoken these nine
months, for he is dead.'
The countess looked confounded. She related to him
the visit of the grand elaimberlsin, his behaviour, and
her signature.
" That is a deception," cried Welt, " be has taken
you by surprise • but be shall not long enjoy his
triumph." He IsMitened out of the room, ordered his
horse, and rode to the grand chamberlain. The wont
mine to meet him on the steps.
" I have a word to say to you, count," said Welt ;
" but I shauld wish it to be in private."
" A word also with you, for it is time to sit down to
dinner, and you must be our guest," said the grand
chamberlain, affably, and led him into the room.
"Count," said Welt, "you expressed • suspicion
yesterday to the sountess, in which 1 am concerned."
" Quite right," replied the count ; " people told
me of these conjectures, and I repeated them to the
countess."
"Count !"said Welt, "by what can you prove your

_
eonjectures ?" _ _
" We will talk about it after dinner," said the grand
chamberlain; "it Ii already on the table. Our waver.
sing longer may occasion ourprise, and you do not, of
course, wish thst we should furnish the people with
more materials for conjectures r
Welt bowed embarrassed. "Alter dinner, then,"said
he, and his tone was somewhat milder. The grand
chamberlain opened the dining room door, and intro-
dueed hies to his wife.
Two eons of the count were at table with them. The
youngest, the mother's darling, sat next her and amused
himself by getting under the table to pinch the calf of
his father'. leg. The wont drew up his feet several
times, making • wry fees ; but the strength of the
darling seemed to increase, for he clung like • crab to
a calf. The grand chamberlain at last kicked him from
him with an exclamation, end the darling fell screaming
at bin mother's feet."
" The child grows unbearable," cried the grand cham-
berlain, as he rubbed the calf of his leg which was
smarting with pain ; and the mother wiped the tear.
from the cheeks of the little one, "Poor child I" said
she, " has he hurt your
" Go on spoiling him," said the count, "and he will
one day give your heart u much pain as he has now
done my calf."
" Only do not torment him," said the mother, stroking
his cheek', "he must be allowed to grow like the tree
of the field. It was so that Jean Jacques wished boys
to be educated."
" But he is to be a gentleman of the chamber." said
the fattier. "end you will at last make • Jean Jacques
of the boy. He will then be good for nothing at most
but to be • stable boy."
" When the childien are grown up," mid she, coldly,
"you may preemie them at court; that you may
understand, but do not interfere In their education.
You do not wish the tender plants to wither before
their time."
The grand chamberlain was silent, and looked vexed;
the countess expatiated on the virtues of her children,
and the cruelties of certain fathers, who had no steady
principles of education.
The storm subeided by degree., and they rue from
table. Welt impatiently reminded the count of his
promise, who conducted him into his morn.
" Herr von Welt," mid the grand chamberlain, as he
begged him to be seated, "am I married ?"
iler von Welt looked at him with astonishment.
"I do not know what this question means, count."
"You were iota witness at our marriage; you did
not accompany us to the altar; msy I be allowed to salt
by what means you know we are married ?"
"1 think you must be jokiniu" said Welt ;1" how I
know ?—people have told be so.
"You consider that as a proof, then" said the grand
chamberlain quickly.
"You embarrass me," said Welt; "I knew It before
I had the honour ot seeing you, mut my eye. 0.1.10 mut
"What have you seen, then ?" asked the want.
"Oh." mid Welt, "there aro certain trifle' which
noon discover that connection. One Is more familiar
together, one is not no attentive to the libelee of expres-
sions wiien speaking together, and sometimes one differs
about the mode of education."
" Preciaely so." continued the grand chamberlain ;
"the ardour of first love is gone by, but we live to-
geti er. we bestow our attention on stranger., and leave
our wirts to be entertained by other.; we walk on-
wards lit in thought, sod forget that a wife is fol-
lowing."
"Count r mid Welt, embarrassed. "you describe
the most minute features of the picture. But we
have digressed from the main point of our conversation."
"And I think we have bees constantly &acuities it,
said the grand chamberlain; he went to his bureau and
took out • paper—" will you hive the kindness to
deliver this to the countess? You may read it, Here
von Writ; it is the 11048°st:on of my promises. You
sell therein renounce my claim amsording to the

will."
The countess will be astoniiihed at your getierositfie
said Welt; "but she delivered you • siontraet yester-
day which she requires hack."
" Indeed I" said the greed chamberlain, " then I bed
you to return me my writing. lint, Herr von Welt,
you have withdrawn yourself entirely from court. Do
you know that people have made obeervations upon it?
Thence arise conjectures; you must have rendered
few people jealous. I give you warning, my dear
friend; no one eon hart you, but they seek to WSW
themselves on the countess."
" How is that possible r said Welt, astonished.
"I am entreated to ground a eomplaint on the sow
jeeturi s I litre beard ; I have not done no, but bane
explained my apprehernions to the sounts???. The
celesinaticil ceurt, which puts the tionicienees of his
royal highness's subjects to proof, can put her upon her
oath."
Welt looked over the paper mac& agitated. "I will
give your renunciation to the eountees," said a de&leelg
up."
And if she wishes her entree& again," said the
grand chamberlain, hailing, "it lies here amongst my
peers."
" (lonnt," @Lid Welt, "the countess will not be be-
hind you In generosity. Her perty comes from her
husband, who bore your name, I am convinced she
will be happy to appropride • part of the property to
support the splendour of his family."
He took a friendly leave of the eoant, who scoom•
panied bit to the hall dose.

" Will you not soon travel?" wild tbegrand
shimbir-
lii,, as they deseesdod the steps.
"Possibly very soon," said Welt i "I mean to
accompany the countess, who is anxious to be in
warmer climate."
" Well, the observations you make on your journey
=loot be otherwine than instruotive," said the grand
chamberlain. "But, my dear friend," be contioned,
"when in London or at Madrid you nee • man sitting
opposite • lady, end the lady lets fall her fan, nod be
does not stoop to pick it up, or when he speaks
learnedly, and the lady ynwns—and they yawn at
Madrid as well as here—then believe me, they are man
—and wife.'

Harr von Welt threw himself on his horse.
" Nide fast." maid the count, laughing ; make haste
home; a eallop will confound the neighbours. who
slwars walk their horses home to their wives."
Welt Isughed, end spurred his animal. The grand
chamberlain soon after satisfied Li, creditors, and re
turned to ootut.