Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1826-08-12

brother. "Sir," said Molten, with looks Of
the utmost cheerfulness, 81 request you to
consider this house, as your own, and from
this day to do me the honour of dining with
me, whenever you have no particular en-
gagements."
Valcour having accepted the invitation,
accompanied him to the drawing room.
There they found his lady, who was only a.
bout twcnty years Of age, and who, to an a
greeable figure, and handsome face, Joined
mild and timid department. She was sur
rounded by three infants, beautiful as cher
ubs. Valcour, charmed with this picture,
contemplated it in silence. That he ex-
pressed no trivial remark on the subject,
heightened him in Moten's esteem.
After dinner, lively conversation was
supported by the two gentlemen who were
mutually pleased with each other Mad
anne Molten, independent of her natural
tlmldlty, was under the necessity of re-
naming silent, as she did not understand
the French language, in which they con-
yersed. 1t was evident that she tenderly
loved her husband. but, at the same time,
her respect for him bordered very closely
on fear, in the opinion Of those who knew
not that her excessive Difference was the
result of the highest veneration, respect,
and gratitude.
Two days after Valcour's arrival, Molten
took him to his country seat, where he was
amazingly struck with the portrait of beau
tiful woman. This, Molten informed him,
was sister whom he had the misfortune to
lose. Valcour sighed, and TUNED away his
head. "Have you any brother!" said Mol
ten. TO this question Valcour replied,
simply, by an almost inarticulate-"No p
going directly to the window, which he has
tily opened. Molten, whose heart Valcour
had now completely gained, instantly chang
ed the conversation. "To-morrow," said
he, "will be my birth day. My wife, ON
this occasion, always gives little entertain
ment at this house, to which l admit none
but my most intimate friends; that is to
say, three persons, who will be here this
evening. Do me the favor to remain with
us till the day after tomorrow. Valcour
consented; and this little society soon as
sembling, they chatted socially for while;
then played at whist; supped; and, about
The next morning, at nine, they re-as-
sembled in the parlour to breakfast Ma
dame Molten appeared with her children;
the little ones presented nosegays to their
father, while he, advancing towards his wife,
regarded her with expressions of sentiment
and tenderness, which Yalcour had never
before noticed in his countenance. But
what more particularly excited Valcour's
attention, was the strange dress in which
Madame appeared. Her beautiful light
hair was elegantly plated, and turned up
over her head, fastened by white ribbon
she had smart violet-coloured velvet spen-
Ger her neck was ornamented with rich
chain of gold, and a superb necklace of
fine pearls but with all this splendid de-
coration, she wore an old Green Petticoat
OF coarse woollen stuff, in which at least
half a dozen holes had been patched witt,
pieces of as many different colors.
In contemplating this singular costume,
Valcour felt the more astonishment as the
rest of the company beheld it without any
sensation of surprise. He had, hitherto,
seen Madame Molten perfectly we'll dress
ed J.; and could not penetrate the motive
which had induced her to disguise herself
by the assumption of such gala Dress
However, not deeming it prudent to haz-
ard any inquiry on that subject, the day
passed away without his receiving the
smallest explanation of such a whimsical
appearance.
(To BE coNTINUED)