The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-10-28
SELECTED TALES.
From the London Forget.Me-Not for Is4l.
THE LUCKY CHANCE.
BY G. P. R. JAMES, AUTHOR OF DARN
LEY DE LORME.' 'RICHELlEU,' &c.

". BY G. P. R. JAMES, AUTHOR OF DARN
\ LEY DE LORME.' RICHELlEU,' &c.
r. Nor above ve-and twenty miles in a rich
line from Foptainblesu, al least as near as cal
guess. there used to be a vide, open, field
smooth, though rather convex in FORM with
small country house Perched on the top Of il
consisting, as many Of the country houses il
France did in that day, of an aggiomeratiou o
towers, some square and some round, whiof
seemed 10 have been stuck on AS the fancy o
each successive proprietor prompted him.
They were, nevertheless, all the construction o
one man; a certain Seigneur dc Provins, who
towards the end Of the seventeenth century
having spent in various proceedings with which
we shall not here peddle, very nearly the whole
Of his pairnonial fortune. sold the fine chateau
which his ancestors had inhabited Tor many a
century and the broad acres around it for ill.,.
tie better than an old song, and ended by build
ing. with the last notes Of the old song the ed
ifce we have mentioned, in his own peculiar
taste.
The field being, as VIC have sad convex,
was somewhat like the back OF a one bumped
camel: the honse was the hump and a fine
long avenue Of trees, leading down TO gate a,
the end, represented that long ridge Of hair or
brstles which covers and ornaments The spine
Of almost every quadruped. With the exccp-
ton OF these trees, which were principally wal
nut, there was only one other group of green
things near the house. This consisted Of lit
tie plantation Of shrubs and bushes IN the south
western corner of the courtyard, approaching
close to the lower windows of one Of the small
square towers.
Such was the locality in which this story
being one that from its brevity can have no pos
siblo reguIariry-had better begin.
il Was a bright moonlight night in the month
Of May, toward the very end Of the month,
when sweet Spring gives her parting kiss TO
Summer, who on his part runs after her in vain
ill he is tired, and then drops faioting into the
sturdy brown arms OF Autumn. The night was
clear, with numberless stars .pangne the sky,
and the moon shining brght-inconvenientIy
bright, for those who might wish 10 wander
while side by side, with no witness but the eye
Of Heaven and their own hearts accompanying
them.
The lower window in that square tower,
which almost touched the little group Of trees
aud shrubs we have mentioned, was wide open,
and it was but step from the ground. Ort Of
ii there leaned as fair form as the Imagination
of lover or poet could portray. The face, not
less lovely than the form, was bent down, and
IL aHc
hidden on the shoulder Of young gentleman,
round whom the arms were thrown, while his
encrcled her again, and would fan have held
her close to his heart, had not TINT envious wall,
which seems TO have been destined to separate
the lovers, from the time of Pyramus and This
be downwards, ntcrposed partial barrier be-
tween them.
The conversation had been long, but the on
ly words which we shall record were few, and
spoken at the time and IN the attitude that we
have described
"Oh, no, Philip" said the lady, " must
not. cannot, ought not ~
Then are we thus to part for ever, Julia J"
he asked, without hope, without comfort y
Alas. it must be So" she answered; moth
ing, nothing. can prevent it. Yon know
must 20 tomorrow. cannot dsobey."
The young man paused and unused Tor a mo-
ment, and then, with the true hopeful tone OF
a gay Frsnchman, exclaimed We will see,
my beloved, we will see Julia will not hesI-
tate when it may cos, Philip mis- life"
Nay, nay, PHILIP" she said, &" / bcscceh
you-l entreat you. But hark there is a
noise Some enc Is coming" And, though
he held her for moment to take one more
kiss, she struggled I'LL she released herself from
his arms and dared away, while he retreated
among the bushes aud land his hand upon the
low wall Of the court.
After waiting for few minutes, he came
back to spo, within step or two Of the WIN
dow, aud pausing. gszed toward it for nearly
half an hour; but Julie returned not, aud at
length. with heart somewhat heavy, the young
cavalier leaped the wall Of the court, aud under
the shade Of the avenue made his way to the
gate.
On the following day. about halfpas SIX o.
clock in the evening. plain carriage with two
horses, decidedly not Of Arabisn extraction, a
coachmsn in plain dress and an immense
ho~ing Wig. sDd an old laekey, who certainly
bad not fr.queuied eouus Tor many yeas, haV-
ing paused to refresh Tor short time at little
cabaret just upon the skirts Of the forest Of
Fontainblsau. resppeafed At the door, and the
old servant went ia 10 tell MsdemoiscIle de
Pfovins that the carriage Was ready TO convey
her on her journey toward that convent in winch
she was destnei BY her parents to spend the
remainder OF her days.
days French parents. as general rule. we're