The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-01-03
SELECTED TALES.
CHARLOTTE DE MoNTMoRENCI.
A TALE OF THE FRgNcH CHRONICLE.
BY AGNES STRICKLAND.
IConclnded.l


"Nm even the common forms, unmean-
ing thougl, they he, which courtesy re-
quires, observed in this his first, his only
communication 10 me !' thought Made
moiselle de Montmorenc as she crushed the
paper together ia her hand. She turned
her eyes upon the dial that sUrmounted her
tall dressing elass,--it still wanted five mnu-
ties to midnight. Those five minutes. decided
her destiny. Sbetook the silver lamp from the
toilet aud dismissing her damsel, repaired
to the appointed uysting place; then, un-
closing the door with trcmuous hand,
she stood before Conde with cheek so pale,
that when he caught the first glimpse of
her dimly shadowcd reflection ~ the cold
CLASSY surface of the mirrored panel, op-
poste to which he was standing, he abso.
lutely started; so different did she look
from the sparkling animated beauty whom
he had left, scarcely an hour ago, leading
off the dance with Royalty in the gliitering
saloons Of the Louvre. Conde had, in fact,
neiiher anticipated her early return home,
nor the prompt attention she had paid ie
his somewhat uncourteous summons fal
less was he prepared for indications of soft.
ness and sensibility, where he had expected
10 encounter only GOODNESS and pride. lie
advanced a step-one step Only-io meet
her; then paused, and silently awnited her
approach. The glance which Charlotte
veniured to steal as she placed her lamp ON
the marble table at which he stood, reveal
ed to her the air Of stern resolve with which
his lofty brow was compressed; the only
trace Of the passionate emotion that had SO
recently shaken his firm spirit, was slight
redness about his eyes.
Charlotte de Moutmorenci," said he, ad-
dressing her IN low deep voice, Il hold
in my hand The contract of our betrothment.
That contract WAS signed by you with evi-
den, reluctance, and it will cause you no
pain to cancel it," He paused, and fixed
his dark penetrating eyes on her face as II
to demand an answer.
Charlotte tried to speak, but there was y
convulsive rising in her throat that prevent
ed articulation. The glittering carcanei
that encrcled her fair neck appeared 10
oppress her with an iusufferable weight,
and to have suddenly tgbIencd almost to
suffocation, She drew deep inspiration.
and rnising her trembling hands, essayed
to unloosr the clasp, but in vain. IL seem
ed to her that the hysterical emotion that
oppressed her was occasioned by the weight
of this costly ornament, and its rich appeD-
dages, aud that her life depended on her
instant release from their pressure and
after secodd Intellectual attempt To unclasp
the jeweIled circlct, she actually turned an
ilnploring glance for help upon the real
4 ,HanIaI I,v.r
Condos assistance wns promptly accorded I;
either through the intricacy of the spring,
or his inexperience in all matters relating
TO female decorations, or, II might be, that
he was at that moment not less agI,ated
than bis pale and trembling foneee, his at
tempis To unclasp the carcanet were as I'M
successful ms her own. While thus em-
pIuyed, her silken ringleis were unavolda-
bly, mingled with his dark locks; and more
than once his brow came in contact with
her polished cheek, and when, at last, by
an effort of main strength, he succeeded 10
burs,ingihe fastening Of the jewelled collar,
she sunk with convulsIvc sob into the
arms that were Involuntary extended to
receive her. For the first time, Conde held
that form of perfect lov.liness TO his bosom,
and, forgeiful of all the stern resolves that
had, for the last few hours, determined him
TO part with her for ever,-forgciful Of pride,
anger, Jealousy, and reason itself, he COW
cred her cold forehead with passionate
kisses, and impIored her, by every title oi
fond endearmenf, to revive. Those sccih-
ing words, those tender caresscs, recalled
her To sweet but agtatIng consciousness
and when she perceived on whose breast
she was supported, burst OF tears relieved
her full heart. and she sobbed with the
veheunence Of child that cannot cease TO
weep even when the cause Of It's distress has
been removed.
"Speak but one word" cried Conde'
Have ! occasioned this eInotion-tbese
tesrsT
Charlotte could not speak, but her silence
wss eloquent. -.
4 Nay but I mus, be told, IN eIp',c'
terms. iha, you love ms" erred Ccndc