Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-04-05

riages, servants, and fine clothes, none Of
which were at this time borrowed. Fortune
had so successfully labored for me during
five years that had means of supporting
magnificent style of living.
My old friends scarcely recognized me
you may therefore imagine it was not We
ry difficult task TO escape the penetration Of
my new acquaintance. Without appear
ing to annex the slightest Importance to
the subject, sometimes talked of the cele-
brated trial which had interested the city of
Lyons five years beforehand terminating
my questions by inquiring what had become
Of Aurora and her family-I learned that
her father had lately died and that losses
on one hand, and ostentation on the other,
joined to the sums he had lavished on the
education of his daughter, had left his af-
fairs so embarrassed, that Aurora, at his de-
| cease, found herself almost without resource
| dependent on the benevoence of the Alb
bess of the convent where she had taken
refuge. ! was also informed, that although
whenever Aurora appeared, she was still
the object of general applause, she con-
Quoted herself with so much propriety, that
she was not less respected than admired.
The be.ows-mender, it was observed, had
suffered her to remain tranquil since the
trial, without attempting to reclaim his lost
rights.
did not listen to these recitals without
the most lively emotions. During five years
residence in the capital, young and ambi.
tious, as well as deeply enamored of Au-
rora, the ardor of my efforts to acquire
fortune which might give me the right of
reclaiming her loved, had absorbed my
mind; but my abode al Lyons and the un-
suspected testimony. of all with whom
conversed in favor of my wife awakened
bosom. The image of Aurora her
whom had deceived but whom adored-
again throb5ed in every pulse felt how
worthless was the acquisition Of wealth
which she would refuse to share. | felt
that she was necessary to my existence {;
{ and my child-was | never to fold him in
my arms NEVER to know those parental
transports, which, though had not expert.
enced, my heart told me must be exquisite !!
} could bear these cruel reflections no long
err; determined to behold Aurora and my
/. child.
S One of the engravers by my order, as
s sembled her fathers creditors, and discharg-
e ed all his debts; purchasing for me at the
!. same time certain pieces of furniture, to
S which long habit associated an idea of val
h ue to the mind of Aurora-this was the least
}, difficult part of my enterprise.
: The merchant who had given me SO sat.
g isfactory an account of Aurora, was mar
: generally esteemed. 1t struck me that
d might choose him for a confdant, and ad
l. wise with him what plan should pursue
o | knew that his name alone was sufficien
j. to smooth every obstacle in my path. He
e was in possession Of beautiful pavilion
= on the Rhone. requested an interview
d in the most solitary walks of his grounds
e and having obtained his promise of most in
# violable secrecy-"Yo u have hitherto" sale
e |, "seen in your friend, merchant, who
d still young, owes to his talents and his probi
y ty, an affluent and honorable fortune. |
}! has been my fate to appear in mask t.
the eyes of those whose esteem most val
ID ue. had deceived my mistress let M
e nolonger impose upon my friend. You hav'
l. spoken to me of Aurora in manner tn
y; most favorable; you know the half Of he
Of history; hear the remainder. You see be
D. fore you the unfortunate belows-mcndei
g. chosen by a set of young ways as the nstru
Or ment of their vengeance" AT this unex
fe pected declaration, my friend started bac
mt with surprise. 1t was easy for me to rea,
I'd in his countenance the sensations that ag
err tated his mind. 81 am indebted" continue
e, |, ''to nature for some talents, which hav
r; improved by self.education and study-th
ny generosity of my employers, and fortune
~ have done the rest. am as you know, Q
he bout to leave Lyons, but am firmly decide
re not TO depart without Aurora. You EMO
be the esteem and confidence of the public
IL you will be the mediator of your friend wit
to Aurora, and shall owe my happiness
ms your intervention"
list The banker, when he recovered frol
his establishment, assured me that he had n
RI doubt Of effecting the reconciliation so a
it. IDENTIFY desired. "The Abbess Of the col
I'M vent where Aurora resides" said he, "hol
,e- ors me with certain degree of friendship
no it is not late we are near Lyons; let us o
or, der horses, and we shall soon be able to
ire range with Aurora, herself, the points whic
,r- seemto you at present so embarrassing. =
he | adopted this project with fond avidity.
re. was now no less eager for an interview tht
| had once been anxious to avoid it. bur
he with Impotence to gaze on Aurora and n
nat child!
at The merchant was announced at q
le. convent under his real name; and mys,
ia. as the principal of great commercial hou
wn at Paris. We were admitted. All! what
of picture presented itself TO my view. Aur
md ra, the enchanting Aurora, in all the pri'
ce, of beauty of twenty-three years OF ag
yn. occupied a seat near the venerable Abbes
ce, A lovely child slept on her knees, and seer
ed so entirely to absorb the attention OF
md mother that she scarcely thought OF retur
10 ing the usual salutations. The first
VS.. slant that she threw her eyes on me, +
md marked distinctly, from her involunto
sh- starting, that my presence recalled sor
led disagreeable ideas but introduced by mi
i've whom she well knew, aud who was hone
on. cd with gentcel esteem, and presented
1t the principal Of q commercial house of I
ne. ris, those circumstances, together with
shade of twilight, so completely set all co
&C. lectures at fault, that Aurora was far ire
ans rccoecting her husband in the Stranger
the NV friend opened the conversation 0y sol