Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1843-08-15
The FATE Of Monsieur AchiIlc.

Monsieur Achilc was the richest banker
in Paris. Born and bred Jew. hc had.
when very young, from motives Of interest.
concerned to the Christian faith; he was
now about forty years of age, but looked some
years less. short. stout sallow, with the fca-
lures peculiar to his tribe. black hair. bu5hy
whiskcrs, small piercing eyes, dressed in the
extreme OF fashion. surrounded by every arii-
Gle OF taste and luxury-in all cxtrancous cir
cumstanccs gcnficmm and .bei esprit but
in mind and heart. Il, in face and person, Il
Jew and plcbcan.
One morning, at the early hour Of eleven.
while seated at breakfast. he was startled by
an announcement from his valet. That the
Duchess dc Montiiorc was waiting to see
him in the grand saloon; that she had come
on foot. and unattended, and had only given
her name when she found it impossible to
obtain admission without doing 50.
Monsieur Achilles pale check flushed.
then faded TO a double sallowness, then he
smiled. then almost trcmbcd: nj last he de-
sired his valet TO return TO the Duchess, and
announce his speedy arrival: then. having
carefully revised his toilet and fortified him
self with glass from one Of the bottles of
liquor on the table before him. hc descended
To the grand saloon.
The Duchess was standing with her back
to him, examining picture OF exquisite
beauty. which hu 9 on the opposite side OF
the room he had time TO close the door and
advance half way up the apartment before
she became aware of hi, entrance or turned
To greet him. When She did so. what
Il contrast did She present to him, She. in
her calm and smiling bcau.y--so cold and 50
pround 80 supremacy lovely. III, with his
coarse and ordinary features, his ungainis
figure, his embarrassed manner, The Ouch
css was beautiful woman; perhaps she had
never looked more beautiful than She id at
that moment; her tall form drawn mp 10 IL,
full height, her simple white robe and bon
net, her rich. unadorncd hair her pale lip
trcmbled with a smile. the inclfablc loyclinos,
of which thrilled TO the heart OF thc man be-
fore her, while he WINGED bcnt ath It's deep
contempt.
She spoke first: Monsieur Achilc.
have come to BEG favor of Won: but pray
sit down." lie obcycd her. and they seated
themselves opposite to each other. Il have
come to ask you for money: know how
rich you are. You must know how affairs
stand with US; our revenues barely support
our rank. our expenses are enormous: the
sale of my Jewels will not raise sufficient TO
il must be paid, and paid tomorrow. You.
who know every thing. must know ali this:
and to YOU. rs the richest man in Paris.
come to request the Loan might almost say
the gil of thirty fhousand ipms dor.
Thirty thousand louis, Madam.-you asl,
half what possess
Mot so. Monsieur Achillc: one successful
speculation will restore it to Won. You will
not miss it; to me. it will be lic-morc than
lifc-honor. This with the sale of my dil-
mond>. will bring us barely through
Monsieur Achillc was silent for sometime;
then, with a bitter sheer. said" Try de
Valcns and Bcaufleur-wilI not these supply
your
''You mock mc-you know they cannot.
Oh, Monsieur AchiIc. have mcrcv-hayc
mercy and the Duchess. sinking on her
knees. claspcd her white hands. and laid them
on his feet.
:. You have had little mercy. madam-,ou
have had little mcrcy;'' and then there was
pause. At last" You love your husband.
madam
Better than my life" was the reply.
''Thcn rise, madam; seat yourself. and
listen to me-
mat evening. ABOUT y clock. Monsieur
Achillc. dressed with the utmost elegance.
shrouded in very large cloak. under which
he carried small but very heavy packet
entered his cabriolet. and. desiring his conf
dental valet TO attend him. drove in the d.
rcction of the hotel Monttorc. The drive
was long one; and he. proceeding al a lei
surely pace. had time to reflect upon and pom
der over the events of the day. She whom
he had so lovcd-shc. who had so s,,urncd. so
despi>cd him-thc woman he had once sued
and PRAYED to; whose laugh of dcrision had
rung in his ears 50 long-she. so worShippcd.
so respected, whom calumny had never
reached. who stood in the centre of prolli-
gate court, purcr than fallen sncw-shc to be
hi>, at last-bought. bought with price
she to whom all the mobiles of the land had
sighed in vain. reserved at last for him.
At the corner of the street. in which stood
the Hotel Montiforc. he stopped. and gave
the rcins into the hands of his valet: he told
him that he was going on business TO the
Duke de Montiiiorc; that If the nobleman
was from home. he should wait until he re-
turned; that he expected his cabriolet 10 he
at that same spot in two hours time: and
that, il he was not there to meet it. he wished
his servant to take it home, and he would re-