The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-04-08

observed only the pierced flower; and she looked
as if her own heart mad been pierced also
As the arches stood upon the steps of the castle,
Henry looked again upon the company, who were
now dispensing. Among the number he sought one
person. Bnt she was not to be seen.
"Who is that pretty little maiden from whom
took the rose'' said he to nobleman ofhis moth
err, the Queen Johanna.
"She is the daughter of a gardener of the pal
ace," said the nobleman, sand honors the calling
of her father, as well as herself, by her name"
"What then was her name J"
"Floretta, now-when she is older, Flora"
"Floretta!" said Henry, not knowing what he
said He once again looked round, although he
was conscious that there was nothing to see.
Iv.-THE FOUNTAIN OF LA GARENNE,
Henry had often in his lifetime heard the word
lore, and how, unless he had been deaf, could it
have been otherwise at the Court of Paris But
he understood il as little as he understood Arabic
or Chaldaic, of which he had probably heard that
there were such in the world. Meanwhile he learn
ed love more easily than Arabic, and in after yeas
was more experienced therein than was honorable
to his fame The battles and the victories, Iby
which he won the crown of France are not so diff
| iicult to enumerate as his amours and their con-
sequences. Even at the present day they sing o.
the beautiful Gabrielle nEstocs of the fascinating
IIenriee De Balzac ID 'Entragues, of Jacquelne
De Bruil, of Charlotte DIES Essaris and others who
twined roses round the thorny life of Henry the
Great. And yet of all whom hs had ever loved,
none was like Florella of Nerac; none more beau
ulnH No, could not say this and not offend
poets and the other ladies, for every one in this
article of faith has liberty of conscience; no. none
was more lovely, lift enhances the degree of love-
illness, that one is more worthy being beloved by
a true reciprocated affection.
heart was pierced; and as Henry gave to her the
w,he burning glance of her dark brilliant eyes
cast another arrow into his unguarded breast,
Now began the misfortune of these children land
neither of them knew what had happened to them.
Floretta could not, during the whole day, awake
from the dream of the moment when he stood be-
fore her with the arrow, and the night long she
could not sleep. Henry, as soon as he was free
from the castle, ran round the garden and observed
all the flowers with the greatest care, in order to
divine from their beauty whether they had been
planted or watered by Fore,a. We should sup
pose that he had become boianist seeing him
stand with folded arms so thoughtfuy before the
flowers Most chcerfully would he have become
a gardener at the side of Flore,ta. And when lost
in thought, with Blended head and eyes cast down
upon the ground, he wandered through tho broad
paths between the flowers, we nigh, have conjcc-
tured him philosopher seeking after the stone of
wisdom. He was seeking, however, in the shades
of the garden walks the light footprints of the
lovely girl.
lie trembled, when Mt the end Of the extensive
garden, near the fountain of La Garenne he discov-
cred footsteps which mus, have been hers. lie had
scarcely seen Floret:a's feet, much less measured
them; but Henry had the keencst eye and the fin
est powers of calculation; in after years he prov
ed on many battle field, And us he pursued the
trace he came through the bushes to wooden |
bridge across the quiet brook of the Balize. On
the other side Of the brook stood neat little white
cottage lie would gladly have inquired to whom
this house belonged, or who dwelt ihere-ony his
arrow with the rose stood in window, in corner
Of the cottage. lie then started hack as If there
was Il monster ut the window, aud ian back into
The garden with heart beating, although no one
pursued him.
In the evening he again went to the garden. 1t
was already twilight, but he had a keen eye, and
no saw at the fountain of Garenne,a maiden in the |
distance, neither larger or smallert han Florc,,a.-
She drew up bucket Of water, and raising i, to
her head, carried it through the bushes and over
The wooden bridge of the BaIizc to the little cot
lge.
This image haunted him all the evening. There
was ball at the palace the princesses, lords and
ladies' danced. But no lady danced so gracefully
IS, before llenry's fancy, the gardeners daughter
up the mountain path. And when he danced him
self he looked less upon his partner than upon
he door where the spectators stood But he
ooked in vain.
v.-THE GARDENER.
The next day Henry went very ea.ly to the gar
len, and walked with his spade upon his shoulder
% the fountain OF Garenne. For around the (oun
ain it was wild and neglected; probably because
nobody came there except to draw water. The
oun'ain was to far away and adjoining the gard
'er's cottage. This probably was the greatest
attraction to the Prince of Bearn.
lie dug, and dug wide circle in the green turf
lround the iountain--and dug the whole morning
The perspiaion dropped from his f,rehead. And
when he became tired and thirsty, he went to the
prng, which dubbed up as clear us silver, and
frank When his lips were moisteued by the cool
trcams he thought no wine SO delicious. Beyond