The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1850-01-16

now year sitlce she has beenwith him ,
and her intelligence, her tender care of
him, excite Cur admiration. Thanks to
her, the blind man is no longer alone
the prescribed one is no longer desti.
tntc. You see, gentlemen, that it is
not without reason tllat we cay this
girl is an angel '2 'eratj
Yes cried I, with i'npctuosity,
'but your Chevalicr dc Colombrcs is a
monster! | am Ii. despair at the thought
Of remaining in the same house with
him, and / will not sec him.
''Do not speak thus, young man.
said an old Captain of my regiment,
Sravely, whose services dated from the
first Instruction in La Vendcc; "civil
wars are terrible, as they harden the
conscience, and then the greatest crimes
appear duties, ipAcxibly takes the high
sounding name Of honor. Let US pray
to God to spare US the grief of seeing
new revolutions, and in order to soften
the memory Of those past, let us pardon
as VIC would be par'loned.'
81 approve this spirit of charity, my
dear Captain" replied I, half convin-
cod; "but to shoot q brothcr!!'
You forget that this brother would
have hung him.
ALLOW, at least, what fino occasion
it was for pardonil,g him.
"a miracle, my friend; think witl,
your part, detcst this man, if it seems
natural to you; pity him, which will be
still better
These words made some impression
uron my mind; yet, when 1 returned
home, a few moments after, was firm.
l.y resolved not to mako the acquain.
taincc Of Chevalicr dc Colombres; and
| established to my ncighbors the cx-
elusive privilege Of the little court.
The recital Of the Spaniard had op.
pressed my imagination, ia such man
ncr that l could form only a gloomy
idea Of that pitiless man. who had no.
hesitatcd to sacrifice his brother in or
der to obey his political feelings. I
imagined him as tall, thin, round shoul.
dcrcd, with a contracted brow, partly
bald, bald, bilious complexion, harsh
voice, fcrocious smile; in Il word, like
the great criminals Of the melodrama,
the only ones Of whom I had at that
time any knowledge. Ny opinion on
this subject was so firmly fixed, that /
was sure Of recognizing the Chcvalier
de Colombrcs whenever / might meet
him. l thought the same with regard
to his companion, of whom the most fas-
cinat!ng portrait.
was aroused from my rcvcrie by
the sound Of steps in the room adioin.
ing my parlor, and almost at the same
moment gentle knock was heard at
my door. | gave the salutation usual
in such cases, and my surprise was
great at seeing two persons enter,
whom | recognized for my neighbors,
although they did not resemble the
creations | had just made.
The Chcvalicr dc Colombrcs was in
reality tail, but his form was all that
can be imagined that was noble and i'm.
posing His brow open, at the same
time calm and sad, was shaded by long
locks of white hair, which gave to his
face touching expression of mildncss
and dignity. His eyes rather veilcd
than extingulshcd, preserved in their
hxedness 4 certain brilliancy which
made you feel that their light was not
entirely gone. His mouth large, but
close set, announced frlnncss, and his
prominent chin, resolution; these two
last traits were the only ones which had
any conformity with the opinion Which
had formed of the ancient governor Of
Tolosa.
lie advanced towards me, conducted
BY a young girl, who had nothing re.
markablc except graceful carriage
and the most intelligent countcnancc
which had ever encountered.
Sir, said the General to me, with a
sweetness that made me start, as had
expected to find it so formidable. i
have taken the liberty Of presenting nv.
self before you without your permission,
because was eager to express nv
gratitude for your kindncsses. and to
say you that | will profit by the rcr.
MISSION you have given, me, with a
.rankncss equal to your offers.
| wasa little embarrassed by this
commencement, which overthrow all
my resolutions, and still more by this
strange contrast they presented to MI
my anticirations. | stau,mcrcd some
polite expression, and / brought fo,.
ward two seats without much cordaility
The young girl seated the General
on one of these, and tcmainod STANDING
by his side. III g
II you wish to retire, Paquita, said
ne, this gentleman will have the good.
ness, perhaps, to conduct me back in a
lew moments, unless Iintrude upon