Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1843-08-24

him The hcan 81 the knigbfs essnwhcd pcSt
high anh sndignnuc. Haishs hrieh Der lover
laifly ruuqolshed N oern febi she would bsve
leh ,,sp,xi End at,nifaiicn q, b,., m b defeat ;
1us u sse him ~ copafds Ter rcfrr5,Inr thus
tr~,ipanieiy ard dihohotca wiihou, daring to
hazard a single blow, she could 10, endure the
,hsrae. ihe iruominy of such a spectacle Oh
rather. ,roob faihet Nonh she have gszci upon
~. tissdns eore borne frcG the iieil secure IN
a uartiafs doth, ffom The fepfoaeh which NOW
rnua cling 10 his name forever JacqucDe's he
rosus snd hsr afrcsiop siise is,hd her "a this tn
Al Had Wsdcnhom acquainted himself like
se!slcr. or ertn like man, The convent or the
grave would have afforded her so asylum from The
hapi Noairorenet bot while che trOodod over
he AL from honor her resolution was shaken -
she could no, wouad, OF, perehanee, break dot.
,ag paTrufs heart ;oI the sake Of one so worthless,
10 utterly unlescrsing love which should only be
lasished oo the brave and though she would
have gladly buried herself and her sorrows IN a
monastery, duty forbade The indulgence Of her
wishes. and, with detected air, streaming eyes
and lisless steps, she returned 10 her home; lis
tened with mute indifference 10 the addresses OF
Count Bertrand and allowed her father 10 promise
tia, she would meet him ut the altar a, the expif-
alton Of ak days, without offering dssentieni
word
Nothing was heard Of The Burgundor,s and il
n faint spark OF hope was ever rekindled IN JAG
qneline's breast, j, was now entirely quenehed -
VaInly did returning love suggest an excuse for
w~iA~@k.s.a. ees-1.~., ., ..as~,vr point al tho
mcans by which he might retrieve reputation
now sunk below scorn he had refused to meet
Count Bertrand singly in the field. and even # ut
the head of reinforcement be should OF some fu
lure period, triumph over the arms OF France, such
victory could no, eiIsce the indelible stain Of
cowsrdice, the disgrace brnnded upon him in that
fatal retreat before the paltry force brought out by
MonimorencI to oppose him, Jaequelne prepared
Tor her approaching marfiagc--ior the sacrifice of
every chance OF happiness---with n feeling Of mel
ancholy satisfaction. She knew that she was con-
demned TO nc the slave OF tyrannIcal and con
temptuoUs husband to misery which, under any
other circumstances, would have been too bitter
for endurance but now, perfectly reckless of the
destiny that awaited her, she experienced some
consolation The thought tina, the morbid feelings
and blghied affections Of joyless heart would not
destroy the happiness Of one who, in seeking her
reluctant hand only s,rove 10 enrich himself
Could jewels and splendid apparel have reconcil
cd Jacquellue TO her fate she must have been per
iectly content The taste and magnifconce of
Count Bertrand were lavishly displayed in the
bridal paraphernala, and every citizen OF ST.
Omer was employed under his immediate nspec-
ton IN executing some new and brilliant device.
The hour OF midnight was appointed for The celc-
bra,on OF the nuptIals and the spirits of the bride
sank as the time approached; a thousand tender
recollec,ions crowded upon her mind and subdued
The stern determination which had hitherto sup
ported her. As noon advanced she stole away
from her garden cas-, an anxious glance towards
the Burgundian camp. Blu, nothing, save the
long grass and the boughs Of the naked trees, was
stirring IN that quarter the rampant on which
she stood was deserted a postern gate left negli
gently Open and the guard dispersed about the
town, surveying the preparations for the evening
festivities Jacqueine felt strongly tempted to
seize the favorable momcn, for escape, and to fly
from union which, despite all her efforts she re-
garded with horror Where, however, could she
go, aud for whom should she forfeit The treasure
OF an unS,aned namel Alas Wadenheim was
unworthy the sacrifice be had abondoncd her, or,
il still lingering in the vicinity Of ST Omer, was
too indifferent even TO reconnoltre the place, and
10 take advantage Of the carecssness Of the garri-
son to communicate with one so ready 10 listen to
his justification, and to discredit the evidence OF
her senses against the warm and eloquent plead
ings of the man she loved Successfully combat
ing her weakness. the afflicted Jacqueline quilted
the dangerous spot and sought for protection from
her own Tebeilious heart under the paiernal roof.
Evening came, and with it the trademarks and
the women the rich and MASSEY cham, the satin
robe lined with costly furs the broidery of gold
smiths work, aud the sparkling crcld inlaid with
pearl and precious stones, vainly couIted admira
ton from their unhappy wearers aver,ed and tear.
full eyes but rallying her falling energies, she
prepared to accompany the procession to the
church, and, nerviDg her trembling limbs, advanc-
ed towards the altar with an unfaltering step but
there Jacquelines courage and iortnude melted
away she feared that she had been too precipi
tate in breaking those vows SO soemnly pledged
to Waldenheim, and she would have given worlds
TO have recalled the promise she had made to her
father. The nave OF the cathedral was brilliantly
illuminated but the vast edi6ce pres n,ed many
disan, aisles and extensive rccesses involved IN
deep gloom, and, as her eyes wandered restlessly
around, she almos, iancied she could Pr receive the
irowning countenaDce OF the man she bad forsak
en- IN each dark and empty space. Twas only the
vision Of dIs,empered Imagination The light
danced upon waving plumes. gliiering tunics, and
faces beaming with JOY. Pleasure seemed to rule
the hour and Jaequel,ne alone, pale, sad and mo
tonless, offered a contras, To the gay tbropg who
crowded around The steps OF the altar The cere
tnony about 10 commence, the officiating
P's,ss bod sf'yssa h.S ,..Sai, and the bridegroom
anticipating the moment in which he should place
The ring on the finger Of the BRIDE, had stretched
out has hand to clasp tina, Of his trembling com.
panion, when whisper ran through the outer
circle; short pause ensued, but the alarm, II
such were, subsidized all Was profoundly quiet
aud the soiernniiy commenced In anaher instan,
Ont 1f a. l..