The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1841-01-15
THE DIAMOND NECKLACE.
BY MRS. ANN S. STEPHENS.

Ir was the third night after the removal of the
French court to the palace of Versailles. The re-
ceving rooms were thrown open in all the magnifi-
cence of regal splcndor Music breahed low and
sweet from numerous galleries, and illuminated
chandeliers sho Nered light over IL throng of cour-
tiers glittering with orders, and ladies respondent
with ornaments. One, a creature OF surprising
beauty, stole quietly through the brilliant crowd,
exchanging smile with one, a Joa-mOt with anoth-
er, and courteous glance with third almost i'm
perccptibly nearing private door, through which
she gded with the bright smile still playing like
sunlight about her mouth But the instant she was
alone, it passed away. She drew long breath.
as if relieved from acting part, and hurryng down
flight of steps, entered the palace gardens. New
or was there a more splendid scene than here pre-
sented ITSELF Thousands of lamps appeared amid
the deep green foliage Of the orangcry, flashing
over the rich fruit, where it hung like globes Of
FURNISHED gold gathering and throwing off bright
ness. Thousands more gmmered thickly along
the native branches, lighting up the dewy leaves
till every shrub and tree seemed dropping with
fruitage of stars. Here and there an illuminated
branch shot prsmac light athwart the shower
ing drops of fountain, or flung soft brillioncy
over the statutes peopIing the Towering thickets,
or crouching their snowy limbs amid the grass. In
one direction the eye might rest on a hamlet of
rustic cottages nestled into shelterng nook and
half hidden by dimly lighted trecs while, scatter
ed in various directions, light pavilions upreared
themselves, their graceful columns wreathed by
rare exotics, shaking their cups to the night air
and making it almost voluptuous with odor.
The lady of our story hurried through this will
derncss of light and flowers, till she reached one
of the most secluded of these fairy temples. After
looking anxiously about for moment, she opened
tine door and entered small hexagonal room fur
nished in style Of oriental mngnifcence. The
ceiling and miniature dome were of most exquisite
basso relieve, while, in every sesond division, "A
sash, sci with crystalline transparency, opened TO
the ground ,drapcd without by prolusou of breath
ing flowers Suspended from the dome by heavy
chain of linked gold, an alabstcr lamp shed its light
over slllu luDle VI Nhi'c silo"
and almost imperceptibly veined by a soft rose
color.
The lady cast hurried glance about the room,
and then threw herself, with graceful abandonment
on a pile of siken cushions heaped on the carpet
"Thank Heaven, | am aloncr' she exclaimed
throwing a superb arm across the cushion. and
pressing her flushed cheek upon it, regardless that
she had shaken a cluster of Bourbon lilies, formed
of gems, from her temple, and that the ostrich
feather attached TO it lay broken, and like hand
fal of newly -drifted snow-nakcs, on her crimson
couch. "Thank Heaven, am alone!'' she re-
peated, half buryng her face in the swell of her
arm, and closing her eyes as if weary with excite
ment But she was not alone; for scarcely had
she entered the pavilion when a white but mas
culne hand cautiously parted the passion-fowers
allowed TO trail over the sash opposite; and pair
of dark eyes gazed in upon her with passionate
earnestness, as an enthusiastic connosseur might
dwell on a favore painting knowing it 10 be his,
or being certain of the power to obtain it.
She is superb creature" half mutered the
intruder, glancing at her haf-concealed head, and
then at the little siken-clad foot hanging in fine
relief against the crimson cushions, while its fellow
lay buried in the folds of her white satin dress
" and game that loses no charms in the pursuit.
he added leaving the window noiselessly. The
next moment be was kneeng by her side
"Why do you seek solitude, ma belle refine 20
hand under her forehead, and attempting to raise
her head from its beautiful rcsting-placc.