Northern star, and Warren and Bristol gazette. [volume] (Warren [R.I.]) 1826-1830, 1826-04-22

! Ell.
! Next day. according to the usual Gus.
tom be called upon each Of the officers
They had expected this visit and they
took their measures accordingly. He
had the modification to hear them tell
their servants one after another, in a
tone too evidently meant for his ear.
that they were not at home. They me,
him at the parade with averted or in
solent looks no one returnes his civil
tiles or even answered his questions.
If at the coffee house he proposed to
one Of. them game at billiards, he was
refused, and directly afterwards anoth-
er was accepted with out the slightest
apology being made to him
For some time La Croix endured
this treatment in silence, but to Judge
from tie expression of his eloquent
countenance not without feeling severe
modification particularly when one
day stranger, who was playing at bill
lards with Valmont at the coffee house
asked his opinion on doubtful point OF
the game, and just as he was about to
give it. VaImont interrupted him by ex-
claiming, : protest against that gen
tleman's opinian in any thing that con-
Germs me- And for what reason ! cri-
nd youag ensign, who thought that he
now saw the moment to force LA
Croix to fight. Because, cried :he
lieutenant scornfully, like him not
1t these words La Croix fixed his eyes
upon Valmont with an expression of
fierceness which was almost immedi-
ately succeeded by look of sorrow.
he was evidently on the point Of break
ing out bu, constraning himself by a
strong effort, he quilted the coffee
house without speaking, and from that
day entered it no more.
20 the poltroon aaid Valmont look
lug after him, there is no provoking him
to draw his sword 1t is singular
enough, cried the young ensign, who
had tried to draw him into quarrel
by the insiduous question he put to
valmoht, for he is certainly no cow
ard
sHow no coward! fellow who puts
up with every insult no coward ? You
joke No, faith do not and if you
had seen his look when you told him so
plumply that you did not Ike him, you
would agree with me that he must be
brave at bottom Valmont replied only
by a look Of fincredulty and he conver-
sation dropped.
Although the amiable manners Of La
Croix had failed to conciliate the minds
of his comrades, they gained him the
good will of all the gentry OF the town,
to whom his situation and the respeCta-
bility Of his birth and connections in
troduced hun. Among those who shew-
ed him particular marks Of attention
was General Bellagrade, a veteran Off
Ger who had known his father, and who
invited him to consider his house as his
own. This acquaintance was extreme
ly agreeable to the young man. The
General had en- amiaole wife and two
charming daughters, with whom he
soon found himself domesticated and
they on their part were so pleased with
him, that the veteran said to him one
day with the frankness OF soldier,
we look upon You already as one Of
ourselves.
These words delighted La Croix, on
whom the charms of Eugcnle, the Sec
ond daughter, had made very strong
impression. He opened his heart to
the General, and had the satisfaction to
hear that if he could make himself
agreeable to the lady, he had nothing to
fear from her perents, the conscnt OF
bis own being understood.
The notice taken Of La Croix by the
gentry Of the town, and above all the
conside ration which he enjoyed in the
BelIegrade family, were fresh cause
Of irritation to his enemies. He was,
however, so punctual in the discharge
of his duties, and so much upon his
guard, that some weeks elapsed with
out their being able to draw him into a
quarrel. At last an opportunity pre-
sented itself.
A squadron Of hussars, with whom
the regiment had been sometime be-
fore in garrison at the frontiers, came
to share their qnarters in Provence
The officers Of the regiment to which
La Croix belonged, invited the others
to adinner at the mess. La Crox was
one Of the company; and the cavalry
officers, who were not blinded by pre-
judice, were delighted with his frank
and social manners. The applause giv'
en- to his lively sallies, and the Laughter
which his bon mots excited, provoked