The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-09-04

Z
"Who will marry nor, ifnot he?"
! looked down, and Coquelin was SILENT
His daughter was approaching us.
"Sir," said she to me timidfy, ''wouid you
not like few flowers? Here are some beau
tfll cnpuchin roses--you will find nothing
like them. They arc still in bud; take them,
Tomorrow they xviii bloom. VIII you not
gather some for yoTsclfp
She pointed with her finger to the rose
bush, without duriug to touch herself the
flowers she offered me.
81 will take them, gladly said /, of you
will present them with your own hind"
Sic flushed. and looked down. and gull-
cred me beautiful bouquet, which / recciv-
cd with thanks and some emotion felt II
sensation Of mingled compassion and respect
in the presence of misiortunes so great. so
hopeless and which seemed to be submitted
to with so much resignation.
Coquclin turned towards me as if he had
something to say to me At length, he ven
turcd to say:
"s;ir, you lave once offered to Lroak(as.
wish Mc. May venture TO invite You to sup
with me"
"With pleasure" said Without hesitation.
We entered the house. The table was
spread at the entrance of n small vCstibulof
lung with ongravings and inferior paintings.
The furniture seemed TO mo very antiquc,un-
matched, and very rich. The table was
spread with massive silver plate; The linen
was magnificent. Coquciiu perceived my
surprise.
81 am rich" said he, every rich, in refer
cncc to my wants and the life | lead. ] ans
glgd to employ my money to eubciIi-h my
little countryhouse-tlc only spot in which !
take any pleasure, and ofwhich my daughter
is so fond. 0uy house in the city is so sad.
On one side the rampant, on the other the
graveyard. We have lived there, from faith
or to son, for hundred and fifty years. We
only can live there. | hold the abode in hor-
ror We have taken refuge here. l have
brought here costly furniture, paintings, and
especially books. ] have good library"
We took our seats at the table. The SER
wants w6ited upon us with their eyes fixed on
me, as If astonshcd to see me there. They
were attentive and civil like servants in the
best families. Couuelin and his daughter
spoke to them with familiar auth ority.-
As for me dared not look at them; horrible
thoughts came into my mind every time one
ot'thesc men extended his hand TO take my
plate; their large bony bands frightened me.
No doubt their young mistress saw through
my repugnance, for she managed things -
us to help me herself When She perceived
that her attention caused me no disp!rasur..,
she was cmboldeneh. The poor girl really
seemed grateful for the difference made he
!
must have been long resigned to the most
trying contempt, to have felt that preference
SO much. At first my presence bad
seemed 10 disturb her; but as soon as she had
recovered from her surprise she had become
quite at her case. She had always lived in
too profound solitude to be iimd. She Iv0s
not accustomed to calculate the effect of her
words or Of the expression of her counten-
ance; she knew neither ceQuetry nor vanity;
Nln nj lao
ness, At the end oftwo hours ave cnnyersed
together as five had known each other all
our lives. ] have often travelled, have lived
long life, but have never met with u We
man, far or near who bore any comparison
with her, she combined so many striking
beauties. Her conversation was that Of one
who had learned 20 speak and think from
her books; she had the lively wit, the curiosI-
ty and the credulity of child with the IDEAS
of a man accustomed to see life from a high
point ofview. Her soul was entirely unaC-
quainted with the narroW and base passions
that are developed by contact with the world.
Her sentiments were noble, elevated and gen
crous. far more so than where there is COLI
tact with the worlds intercourse.
After the supper. Coquelin took light and
showed me his house. II was arranged with
a taste that was very peculiar There were
flowers every where. The chambers re
scmhled hot-beds There were to be seen
there the straugcst internXture of rare aud
common thing. For instance, observed on
Il brick fireplace, bronzed and giided clock,
of an exquisite taste, between two dried Gala
bashcs, used as taper bearers. The vesihule
served both for parIor and eating room; the
library was on one side; | saw number OF
handsome volumes and rare old books. At
the bottom of this little room, l noticed yet
another door, before which was n large cur
tain of nninted cloth which | was about to