Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-01-30

star S the ooaC hman was not with his horses;
while the servants went IN search OF him, we
had to wait some minutes, in freezing nall,
Gan inconvenience very general in PARIS, and
from which even her palaces are not exempt
At last the carriage drove up, Madame de VI
larmont ST, me down at home, and the lovely
Robertne,in bidding me good night, added,
that she could not do without me, and that she
retained me as her escort TO all the balls OF the
next season. "If am alive" answered l, "but
mex, year is long while, for an old man like
me, to look forward to-" Could it be conceiv-
ed that for her it was still longer?
On calling the next day but one, al the house
Of Monsieur de V;larmont, found the whole
family assembled in the chamber Of Robertine,
who was confined 10 her bed BY a violent pain in
her head; her eyes were sparkling, her skin
scorching, and her breathing difficult know
not wha: frigh,ful presen,iment seized me
The air Of security which sat on the faces of
the whole assembly-even on that Of the mo-
Their, who was seated at the head Of the bed,
holding the hand Of her daugh,cr-would have
surprised me, if had not seen that it was pro-
duced by their confidence in young physician,
in Titus wig, curled with the utmost care,
who assured them (admirng himself in the mir
ror while he spoke, and flirting, with the end
Of his finger. The remains OF pinch Of snuff,
which had fallen on the fril Of his shirl,) that
the quickness was entirely owing to febrile
movement induced by the paroxysm Of the eve
ming before. took my leave, feeling less con
fidence in the sounding words Of the doctor,
than in the prudence of the father, and the youth
of the patient.
After quitting this scene, businessscalled me
tor few days into the country. On my return
home, my porter brought me the letters which
had arrived for me during my absence; amongst
these was one Of larger dimensions than the
others; opened it hastily, and, inscribed on a
grey satin paper, bordered with mournful Wig
ne:tes, representing the attributes OF death, !
read the words, ATTEND the funeral Of Rober-
tine threw myself into carriage, and on
arriving at the Hotel de Vilarmont, found the
fatal draperies of death already hung around.
traversed the desei ted apartments; | FASTENED
to the closet OF Monsieur de Vilarmont, which
found him pacing with heightened strides
He saw me, and threw himself into my arms,
without ultering single word The silent
agony Of this struggle between manly fortitude
and overwhelming grief, repulsed oil those es-
tablished consultations of which Indifference is
always prodlgal. "Come," said he, after few
moments silence, 81 have need Of your assist.
ance TO force my wife 10 quit this house -
What frightfui spectacle offered itself 10 my
eyes in this unfortunate mother! Never have
I seen grief under such an agonizing appear
ance. On her knees, at the door OF her daugh-
,er's chamber, which force alone prevented
her from entering. She wep, not; her blood
shot eyes were dry-hxed, and vacant, "Rober-
tine, my child" were the only words which es-
capped her lips. I,,mysef, designedly resound-
ed this loved name in her ear; her tears began
to flow again; her strength failed; she tainted
away; and we took advantage Of this cruel mo-
ment, to carry her through the garden 10 the
carriage, into which her husband accompanied
her, in order 10 conduct her to the hou,e OF her
father I returned into the parlour where all
the friends of the family were assembled in
gloomy silence, preparatory TO The funeral cere,
mony The open windows gave us view Of
the grea, gate Of the hotel, where was the cof-
FIN covered with white siIver-fiinged drapery,
and surrounded by twenty young girls, cloth
in white, with their faces covered with long
wells, but whose sobs and prayers were audible
even 10 our ears. The master OF the ceremo-
MES now came to acqnalnt us that all was rea-
dy. The body had been placed on car, dra-
period like the coffin, on which were mounted
mortuary pail, and who handed to their COM
panlons the strings OF silver with which the
coffin was surrounded. The relations, in
manner buried under, their cloaks Of Grape, fol-
lowed on foot and the numerous friends OF the
family, in mourning coac hes, prolonged the pro-
cession, which was closed by the ser, ants Of
the house, clothed in black Our first stoppage
was at the church of the Mathurins, where the
last offces Of religion were celebrated; after
which We proceeded. in the same order 10 the
ceme,ry of Mon, Martre, where, near the tomb
where sleep The ashes of the Poet Of the Sea-
sons, ST. Lambert, the green turf had been hol-
lowed, to receive the remains OF charming be-
ing, whom heaven appeared TO have shown to
US for few short moments, only 10 leave an E.
,ernal regret FIR her loss.
Robertine had no name 10 transmit 10 poste
rity-her memory belongs exclusively to her
disconsola,s parents. and for that reason they
have been content 10 engra,e on the stone which
conceals her forever from their view, the lines
of Malherbes, which have cited in the COM
mence ment Of this article.
"Born in world, where flowers of fairest hue
First fade away;
Herself rose, she lived, as roses do
But for day."