The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1849-06-28
NJ S q z Z L a fa z U o S
From the '.World as it Moves"
THE SPANISH LiDY'S HAND.
FROM TIE FRENCH OF HYPoLlTE ErIENNEz, +,
BY c. A. SHERMAN, ESQ.

The grandsone of Louis XIV had just
assembled the throne of Spain. Among
the Young noblemen who accompanied the
prince to Madrid, the Marquis de Vile
blanche was distinguished in an eminent
degree by the courtesy OF his address and
the elegance of his manners. Scarcely
thirty years of age, pupil in the school
of intrigue, then elevated into profession
by the French noblesse, this young hoble-
man had not seen without regret the pru-
derry Of Madame de Maintenon Danish
from court that gallantry which had sig
nalized the commencement of the reign of
the great king.
Il Under these circumstances he could not
aput rejoice at an exile which brought him
tin contact with the gay manners and ro-
,unance of character which fame attributed
30 the Spanish danes.
One evening, after having completed his
duties near the king, and impatient to learn
how far one could presume upon this repu-
ted laxity of morals, he left the palace, ac-
companied by single domestic, and be-
gan ramble through the streets of Mad
rid, in quest of some adventure of gallant
ry. The hour was propiious; for al
though night had NOT fully set in, its fresh
ness already perceptible, was rapidly re-
placing the burning heat of the day. The
windows were all opened, and every one
was Fastening to breathe the pure air of
the Prado. The first researches however
of the young nobleman were fruitless.
Annoyed at result so opposed to his
hopes and wishes, he was on the point of
seeking, in his turn, the public promenade,
and solacing himself by some vulgar in
trigue, when upon entering one of the
winding and deserted streets he suddenly
caught glimpse of hand of exquisite
delicacy, extended through easement,
and languidly reposing on the extreme
edge of the balcony. His footsteps were
instantly arrested by this sight, and his
heart beat violently. Doubtless, that hand,
so small and beautiful, belonged 10 fe-
male, and the apparent lassitude of its po-
sition seemed to indicate that its owner
was at that moment sinking under the
weight of some great suffering, either
physical or moral. But who was the fe-
male, and what unknown sorrow detained
her IN her dwelling at an hour when every
sonora was accustomed to seek the public
promenade!
This apparent mystery and difficulty of
discovery, excited the most lively curios-
ity in the bosom of the young nobleman.
The first impulse, indeed, of the Marquis,
had been to withdraw; but the street was
very narrow in this particular spot, and
he had meanwhile been fortunate enough
to discover part of an arm, which yielded
nothing in fneness or delicacy to the char
ming hand. Nj. de Villeblanche remained
some few moments undecided; after some
vain attempts to satisfy his curiosity, and
seeing no probable conclusion to this in
compatible conclusion to this incomplete
adventure, he determined to retire, when a
whimsical indea suddenly came into his
mind. He instantly made sign to his
valet, who had remained at respectful
distance and upon his approach
Raymond said he, in low voice, 'see
If we are alone
The ready valet ran to the two extremi-
ties of the street. and cast piercing glances
into the deepening gloom, which now be-
gan to envelope the city.
sMonsiegneur, see no one.'
sItis WE'LL
The young Frenchman then unclasped
his sword and handed it 10 his valet.