Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-10-25


l Know you h0'-a"a "0p' -" Old Play.
In Paris there lived widow, who, although
she was no longer young, had every inclination
to be though; so, and possessed oeau'y enough
10 second her pretensions. She had a daughter
about the age of fifteen, whom she thought II
prudent TO keep in retirement, because she
feared, and not without reason, that the girl
budding beauty might deprive her oil some OF
the conouests which she :neditated. AS II al
WAYS happens in such cases, her precautions
turned out to be useless Every sun that rose
diminished her charms in the same proportion
as those OF her daughter increased; ana al
though Madame de Mesnil might have over
looked, or at least pardoned this, yet, when she
found as she did aIterwardsl that her daugh-
tcr's nodesty and elegance OF manners were
so perfect and Irresistible, that they had cap
,iyatea the affections Of the old lady's most
favor, lover-and this too in spite OF all the
rouge and patches that she had employed to
retain him-her anger knew no bounds. ne
chevaler, knowing with whom he had to deal
conducted his proceedings for some time with
SO much linesse, and So completely concealed
his passion for The daughter, that the coqurt
fish mother still continued 10 believe herstl
the sole object Of his afectonatc attentions
| The girl however knew better, * was not SLOW
i'm pcrceiyinp that her charms had made an
impression on the heart of her mothers admi-
rer She was, naturally enough, battered oy
bis attentions; and with that vanity (if 1t de-
serves so harsh namel which belongs TO her
sex. whenever she expected the chevaliers VI
sit she took more pains with her toilet than
before, her hair was better arranged, and her
dress PIT on with TASTE that greatly increas-
ed her natural attra, tons. Her charms soon
became talked Of, and she grew the object OF
universal attention, to her mothers great dis
quiet.
The chevalier who has been mentioned, was
called Pastourd, and seeing the attractions oil
his mistress, he naturally enough feared that
some rival might p esent HIMSELF 10 obvla,e
which he made declaration of his passion to
The person by whom 1t had been inspired
Nichon (for so the young lady was called felt
so much confused and pleased with this her
first conquest, that she d d not observe her
mother, who entered the room at the time.
The anger Of the ma'ron was beyond all con-
troll. In the greatest rage, She asked Pas
tourd if he visited at her house to insult her
daughter Pastourd was little confused, but,
like a man who knew the world, he sought to
divert the old lady's rage
NO, madam, he replied, 'my intentions arc
honorable, and your suspicious do me greatin-
Justice must, however,, confess that | did
wrong in applying to any other than yourself
Oh tnis subject, and forthis mistake | very
humbly and sincerely beg your pardon
The lady's vanity and her affection together
forbade her doubling lh,t her lover still wore
her chains; she put on most amiable smile,
and torgave and forgot the cause that had cx-
cited her suspicious.
Pastourd. who vas so completely engrossed
by his passion that he thought of nothing else,
seeing that the old lady had recovered her
good temper so soon, thought he might bring
her over to his side and said,
Madame, if | were nov to declare the true
sentiments Of my heart, night flatter myself
that you would listen to hem with favorable
ear?'
Speak, said she, with a majestic, but at the
| same time, condescendin, air
y love, madam, continued he, with such In
tensitv, that il is imposs BILE for me any longer
to conceal my fame
DO YOU imagine saiG she, that have not
perceived i,?'
'You astonish me; mad an, answered the che
waller; l thought that my admiration was pro-
found secret until 10 day; because the better 10
conceal it, mad feignedA passion for another
person.
Say 10 more about |, , replied Madam de
Mesnil; you ought 10 haH told me Off at first,
when | should have approved Of II, as do
now
Madam cried the c evalier, passonaely
throwing himself on hisknees, Il will not rise
Till you have promised ne that hand on which
my happiness depends
'Rise, said She, in mos condescending man.
ner-st the same time &lendng 10 him her
nand 10 kiss.
'Ah. madam exc laime the chevaler spring
ing from his knees in transport, show much
do owe YOU! Allow ne 10 ask how long |
must wait before my ha piness shall be COM
pleled9'
'When you will, chevaicr,' said the lady, af-
feeling languishng air
The chevalier c,utleretalis indiscreet thanks,
retired one of the happicsI Of men, and told his
young mistress as he luited her, that her mo-
,her had just consen I'd to their marriage.
Delighted 10 hear THIS, Nichon ran TO her
mother, and kissing kr thanked her very ear
nes,ly Coz the excellen choice she, had made,
adding, that she had ayays thought the cheva-
lier the most elegan, ard agreeable man in the