Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-06-03


grove Of dark pines and larches with here and there
grassy glade among the ever yerdant branches
which leathered all the hill that swept down TO the
northward Of the castle. to its very walls.
She was very lovely; and the magnifcence Of
her ATTIRE the beautiful attire Of the most splendid
age the world has ever witnessed. If possible, en-
HANGED her loneliness. A graceful hood OF purple
velvet adorned with rich embroidery Of gold, cover.
ed the crown Of her head, and fell down on either
side below her ears, allowing only broad braid OF
superb black hair, almost as massive as the strands
Of cable, TO appear in front beneath il, and behind
low down IN tue nape OF the neck solid plat oil
redundant luxuriance and rare ustre. Her dress
Of purple silk, all wrought in arabesques Of gold,
came high up on her throat, where II was fastened
by a splendid sapphire; but closely was it fitted
10 her form, that the whole contour Of her broad
falling shoulders, the whole modelling Of her ex-
quIsely shaped arms, the smallest outlines OF her
full developed breast, and symmetrical waist, were
revealed to the admlring eye, as clearly as II no
garment had concealed their volupiuous charms
below her waist interrupted by no welt or seam or
girdle, it seemed 10 expand spontaneously and fall
down TO her small feet and shapey ANGLES in rich
mass Of gorgeous draperies. Her features were as
beautiful as they should be TO mate with such a
form pure low forehead, penciled with equal
arches Of fine ebony, large, ustrous, languid eyes,
nose chiseled on Phidias finest models, mouth
fashioned, as il would seem, only for smiles and
hiSoco, u Wdfm tiSu CotipicAiohs hC bht W e''S
sunny soulh--if these make beauty, when combined
with all that fire OF intellect, and lightning Of the
soul which belongs 10 beings only Of the highest
organization--then Blanche OF Neresioh was beau
tifu--ye Gods, how beautiful
But her warm complexion was now wan and
| rale as a Noyember's moonshine; and her large
lustrous eye was yelled and dim. though fearless
and the curl Of her lovely lip was subdued into
sadness Her chm was propped on one hand, the
elbow resting on the stone window SILL with The
other arm down listlessly Yet her fingers grasp
| ed il as tightly as il they would have embedded
themselves in the chasie gold work Of the Celinl.
"Greai God !" she cried-"Great God must II
indeed be; and has il come TO this, that must
break my plighied faith charge my soul with I'M
utierabe fasehood, become myself lifelong lie or
die-die by my own hand, outcast and accursed
But will die, | will die. fifty times, or ere will
become the bride Of so base a thing as that gall
less, souess puppet that man without manhood,
knight without chivalry, noble without nobility
that coward Roche en- Regner But where-Ho.
ly Marie-where, wherefore tarries hel The fall
his gift the feetest wing that cut blue
sky, which bore by letter, and less surely, SO he
said, would the needle find the POLE than the true
hawk seek out and find its lord, though continents
should intervene and stretch their weary length
between us. Alas alas why tarries he. Raoul.
Raou thou wilt come, true soul, but too late oh
TOO lae-in time, alas not 10 win living and
OH Raoul fare thee WELT fare thee well, and the
) God who preserves the and brave, guard thee
! forever and forever Now-ah, foot upon the
stair, call. my name, my father, oh, cruel cruel
lis this TO be fatheri-Tme, time" she added,
"Iwill yet gain time, nor till the fatal hour have
stricken, consummate that dread sacrifice"
And, with these words, she arose, and hurried 10
the door, and opening il hastily. cried out before
5 her father had reached the threshold,
"a little while. dear father, spare me little
T while yet"
at is late now, Blanche !" he replied siernly.--
at lacks scarcely quarter Of an hour Of noon
7 now"
"spare me that quarter of an hour, then,' she
replied beseechngly.
This is mere triHing GIRL" he answered.
This thing it TO be done, must be done, and that
i being the case il were as well done quckly.-Once
done, l know that you never will forget that you are
Neresion, never dishonor your race, or disgrace
1 your name"
e "Never, indeed r. she answered firmly, "Be sure
IT of that, never never p
v "Ihen come--come at once. There Is no hope
Of avoiding this livingstone"
y She knelt down before him.
h "You have said often" she cried, "that you love
,f me. i know that you loved my mother; ] have
obeyed you hitherto in all THINGS ! implore you
{ now 10 grant me this quarter OF an hour-l mplore
it by that love- by that obedience by the soul Of that
mOtner, VINO, hau she Feut uau ho' teeu hei ua"S
. ter 10 this state"
# II may not. SO adjured refuse you. Blu, to wha
!. end this time r.
= ITO pray--to reconcile my soul with my Make
d --before-beiore-o oh my God, father, father !"
d He looked on her coldly; he frowned on her a
/ he turned away, and said sharply,
n Sin quarter Of an hour return, then Se
that find you in different train Of mind"
N "You will find me-" she began; but he close'
n the door, and was gone before she could finish III
n sentence, and she gazed after him with will
,e painful smile, and concluded her speech by the on
te word, "dead |"
IL Then she knet down before little pTiedieu, bu
ried her face in her hands and seemed to pray
though the conyulsiye shudIerng which shook he
IS whole frame told of state of mind which scare
en- allowed The possibility Of rational prayer.
Sc In a few moments she arose, and recovered he
IA dagger, which she had cast aside when she hear
Nv her fathers steps, felt its edge and point with he
gn finger, and then lifted her fine eyes TO Heaven.
&c zone little bow"-she murmured-"one sho
panR, and then--whsti whatT She paused f
en- second, and then added, at matters not-it ma
de tiers not Better any thing, come the worst, tina
&c Adrian--ihan a coward"
nd She raised her hand as il TO strike, but droppt
ow il again, signing II win look out, will look on
he there may yet be hope"
for At the same instant there from beneath Il
he window one short eager note, mot il is GALE
OF a bugle-horn,
Ids She sprang to the window, and there, oh jol
nd Joy close in the shadow Of the wall SO close IN
in unless exactly above him, eye could observe hi
y- upon powerful Andausian horse, sat tall, su
Ups burnt cavalier clad In the half martial costume