The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-03-05


tant about seven miles from Paris an
there her niece was in due time confine
of a daughter. OF her husband Estell
heard nothing directly; but just prevou
to leaving Paris, a sum of eight hundre,
francs in gold was left ut Madame Colar
deau's, directed TO her as Madame Duver
nay, accompanied by written intimatioi
that the same sum would be supple,
quarter ly, provided no attempt was mad
to ascertain the name OF the sender w HON
it was stated, discovery might seriousl.
compromise.
Estelle and her aunt-who had by fhi
time ascerlained that Eugene Duvcrna,
bad not, as his abandoned wife at first sus
pected, perished on the volutionary scaf
fold-beheld in this anxious provision 70
their needs, n conclusive proof that tn,
charge of rcpudialing or ignoring III,
marriage brought against him by Philippe
Armand was thoroughly false; and will
spirit fortified by the sweet conscious,
ness OF being still hedged in and sheltered
by the tutelary care of him 10 whom she
had given her heart, Estelle awaited with
patient resignation the coming on of Tic
happy time which Should restore her hus-
band to his family and country.
Many wearing years had passed away
her nun's locks were white with age, and
the little Esteile had grown up into a
graceful. intelligent girl, when note ar.
rived by post at Sans Souci farmhouse
informing Madame, now Countess Duvci.
nay, that her husband, Count Duvernay-
the father, il was stated, had been long
since dead-had accepted the Emperor's
permission 10 return to France; and he
had, in fact arrived and re-taken posses
sion of the Hotel Duvernay The hand.
writing of the note was evidently that oil
the person who transmitted their quarter>
| ly stipend and the writer suggested the
necessity of the Countess Duvernay pre-.
senting herself, accompanied by her aunt,
to her husband on that very evening
Flurried, bewldered, terrified, hoping,
yet dreadng, to verify the announcement
so suddenly made, fsellc. arrayed in her
richest attire. and accompanied by her
daughter and Madame Colardeau, set off
about evening in hired facre towards
Paris.
| Count Duvcrnay was seated in q mag
nificent drawing room the Hotel Duver-
nay laughing and chatting with some mill
tary friends on the subject OF his return, of
the restoration his prororty-which, luck
lily for him, had escaped being national
izcd'-the apparent favor of the Emperor,
and the rich and handsome wife already
selected for him, when the door OF the a.
parment few open, and Madame La
Countess Duvernay was loudly announ-
cod
Comment = exclaimed Ills count, Jump
irg Up, What is the meaning Of this p
1t is Tits Ettellc-dcar Eugene, said
his wife, staggering forwards, and scarcely
able 10 stand aud this is our daughterl' p
The count started back in dsmay ind
confusion. 'You-I-wife! The WON
an must be mad he added, regaining by
powerful effort his self.contiol. who
admitted this person p he stsrnly dcmand-
ell OF the bewildered servants.
Es,eIe stood for an instant as i. uncon-
scious OF, or rather as if unable 10 compre-
hend, The meaning Of his words and then,
as il The full sense of the counts perlidY had
Suddenly struck, ss with dagger, 10 her
hear;, uttered a piercing scream, and
would haze lalen PROSTATE on the floor hut
for The supporting arms ola gentleman who
had followed her Ito the room.
Take her, good mnna,ge,' said the gen.
Ilemaa, addressing Madame Colardeau !
| cannot now sustain even her slight bur
then. Place ner on the sola.'
And who are you?' demanded the count,
lierceIy.
philippe Armand, public notary, a, Your
SERVICE quietly replied the gentlemen, as
he turned aud confronted the enraged no.
/ bleman.
The counts eye quailed before the siea-
dy gaze Of the notary, aud he muttered
something abou! remenberingithat a silly,
Illegal ceremony had in his boyhood passed
between the lady ard himself.
You mistake, Count Duvernay,' coolly
replied Philippe Armand; it was a per
iecly legal marriage, as this copy OF for
NAL declaration made by your esteemed
| father, nnd supported by the evidence OF
/ Madame Colardeau, will amply testify
The rage Of the count, after perusng the
paper presented 10 him, was terrific ; aid d
/ violent alteration, 10 which Eslele, who
( had speedily recovered consciousness, lis.
tened with brea.hess attention, ensued be
tween him and the notary. Tho film by
which she had been so long blinded fell
grsdually from her eyes, and Eugene Du>
vernay and Philippe Armand stood al .aS
plainly revealed in their true colors.
Let US leave this house. she exclaimed
marble, and trembling conyulsvely, speak
ing in firm voice. sComel God bes,
and reward you, Philippe, she added, seiz
ing his hand, and wringing il with passion
ate energy; aud if you can, ply and for
give me-
The gossips of Paris had full employment
for several succeeding days with the nu
merous versions of the sudden discover,
! laT hnvort.at. oh a.,
mouth TO mouth. The count consulted meI
of law, aud 10 his infinite chagrin was in
formed that the marriage could not be i'm
pugned. The affair, favorshly, because
truly represented, reached Ihe ear Of ihI
Empress Josephine, and through her in
fluence Napoleon issued comIAand in ih,
guse af counsel, that The matter should b,
at once equiIably arranged. Estele o
course declined living with husband wht
had endeavored 10 Tepudiate her, aud di
vision OF the eounI's property was made, by
which ailluence was secured to herself anS
a splendid succession 10 her daughter
whose guardianship she was permitted I,
retain. The count served several years il
the French armies, and rose 10 high rank
He was killed al Moniereau; and Esielli
took possession of The Hotel Duyernay
where she long resided with her early wld
owed daughter and aIniable grandchildren
About a fortnight aler the return o
Count Duvefnny 10 Paris, and The conse
quenIlegal confirmation Of his rpaGIagewil i'll
Eslele ST. Ange, Philippe Armand lay up
on his bed dying man. The last riies o
the church had been administered, The
priest had retired, and the tagging pulls,
OF life. rapidly becoming iebblor and mo;,
indistinet, taliering announced that spiri