The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1826-06-15

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hook no one returned his citilities
or even answerei his questions. II
at the Cofiee-honse he proposed II
one ut them u game or billiards. he
was refused. AMI directly after ano-
ther was accepted without the Sigh
test apology being made to him.
For some time La Craix endured
this trcatme I in silence. bat ~ Judge
I ON the expression of his eloquent
countenance, not without feeling We
ry severe modification particular
~ when one stranger, VIM WAS
playing at billiards with Nalmont n
the CnIiee-house, ASKED his opinion
on doubtful point ofthe game, and
.DuSt as he was about to give il. Val
mont interrupted him by eXclaimins
II prnteSt against that gentleman's
opinion in any thing that concerns
me- Aud for What reason -
cried a young ensign, WHO thought
that he nov saw the moment to
force LA Croix to fight.
......... Because replied the
lieutenant SCornfully,. like him
not At these words La CroiX
fixed his eyes nDon NaImont with
an expression of ferceucss which
Was almost immediate V succeeded
by look Of sorrow. He was evi-
drntly ON the point ot breaking out !;
bnt canslraminS himself by strong
effort. he quilted the coffee house
without speaking and from that
day entered II M more.
% the pnl troon y said Valmont
looking after him. there's no pro-
>okig him To draw has sword
1t is singular euough.' cried the
youug eusign. Who bad tried to
draw him into IA quarrel by the in
sidious question he put to Nalmant,
for he is certainly no COW
ard
How. M coward a fellow who
puts up With every insult is not a
coward ?--lou joke No, faith |
do not and it you had seen him look
when you told him 50 plumpIy that
you did not like him. yen would IA
gree with me that he must be brave
at bottom Valmont replied only
Nv look of incredibility. aud the
conversation dropped.
Although the amlahlc manners o.
LA Cr0lx had failed to C0neiliate the
minds ol his comrades. they gained
him the good will OF all The gentry
Of the town, To whom his situation
aud the responsibility of his birth
and connexions introduced him. ~
maug those who Showed him part
Cular marks of attention was Gen
eral Bellcgradc.a veteran officer,
who bad known his father, aud who
invited him to consider his house as
his own. This acquaintance was
extremely agreeable to the young
/ HidI : lhf SiHtidl Hd'I az dhildblN
wife and two charming daughters,
with whom he soon found himself do
mcsticatcd aud they on their part
were so pleased with him, that he
veteran SAID To him one day with the
lrankneSs of soldier We look up
ON you already as one Of our
selves
These words delighted LA Croix,
on whom the charms of Eugene, the
second daughter. had made a very
strong impression. He opened bis
heart to the general, and bad the ,a-
tisfaction to hear, that il he could
make himself agreeable to the lady.
he had nothing to fear from her pa
rents. the consent OF his own beng
understood.
The notice taken of La CroiX by
the gentry of the town, and above
al Of the consideration which he en-
loved in the Belgrade family. were
a fresh cause Of irritation To his en-
emics he was. however. 50 pune tu-
al in the discharge of his duties, and
80 much upon his guard. that some
weeks elapsed without their beng a
bic to draw hlm into a quarrel al
last an opportunity presented itseli.
A squadron OF hussars. with whom
the regiment had sometime before
been in garrison at the frontiers,
came to share their quarters IN Pro-
Iycnce.-The officers Of La Crooks
regiment n,itcd the others to din
ner at the mess. La CroIx Was one
of the company and the cavalry
officers, who were not blinded by