The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-04-05

were furnished for the company, the
principal ones elevated according to
the rank of the persons who were to
occupy them. A platform, raised and
overhung with canopy, was prepared
at the upper end of the board, for the
lord and lady of the feast, and for the
elder Count of Cilly. The table groan-
ed beneath the abundance Of rich and
rare viands. There were fish and
game of every variety; boars' heads,
with gilded tusks, hares, pheasants, and
smaller birds, ranged in picturesque
array; herons and peacocks, adorned
with their spread trains; with more
delicate Notwithstanding a dis
play meant to delight the eye as we'll
as crafty the taste. Flasks of Venitian
crystal and alabaster, with cups OF
chased gold and silver, exhibiting the
triumphs of eminent schools OF art, and
bordered with precious stones, were
worthy of the rich wines that sparkled
in them. After each service, perfumed
waters for ablution were handed to each
guest
The musical entremets-that then
formed the popular diversion between
the courses of the banquet custom
borrowed from southern countries, and
rarely practised except on State oc-
casions-were over, and the gifts dis
tributed, and the Count led his stately
lady from the hall to the spacious
dancing saloon, where the company
awaited her presence to begin the
dance. But she declined leading a
measure, and signifed wish to retire.
1t seemed as if her withdrawal removed
a restraint from, rather than depressed
the spirits Of the guests. For hours
was the revelry prolonged, with the IN
creasine and more inspiring galety.
till in the exhiIaration of the scene,
court etiquette was well nigh forgotten,
when ii was interrupted by the whls-
per that passed from one to another
1.-The Countess is illm There was
sudden ceasing of the music and mirth-
ful voices, and knights and ladies stood
whispering together in groups, ques-
tioning each other as to the cause OF
this sudden attack, and connecting Ii
with the evident i'll humor of the
Countess during the day. The Count
was absent, but it was not known II he
had been summoned to his wlte's apart
ment before the public announcement
of her illness, or had left the scene OF
festivity on another errand. Ere long,
as intelligence came that the Lady Eli
zabeth seemed growing worse instead
of better, the company gradually dis
persed, and a silence, profound and
ominous, reigned through the hall,
which was still Illuminated Drlllidutiy !,
and filled with the perfume of flowers,
A stiffness as deep prevailed IN the
chamber, furnished with Italian luxury,
in which lay the sick Countess. The
silk pillows on which her head rested,
and the ermine bordered covering
thrown over her, scarcely rivalled the
hue of her blanched cheek; the dark
fringe of her closed eyes rested heavily
upon it, and as she lay motionless, 1t
could hardly be perceived, save by an
occasional convulsion of her features,
that she vet breathed. Close at her
bedside sat Bertha, the faithful nurse,
who had remained with her since her
childhood: and at one end OF the
spacious apartment, table on which
was burning a small silver lamp, two
were standing in consultation, who ap-
peared TO be the physicians in attend
ance. One of them presently beckon-
ed to the nurse, and gave her direc'
tions. to be observed while they re-
tired few moments, should the pa
tient awake from her seeming slum'
Der. They then went into the ante
ROOM which was filled with servltors
while Bertha resumed her watching
She did not perceive that figure
closely wrapped in a mantle, had gllded
through the crowd in the ante-room
had entered the chamber, and was
standing, concealed by the curtains, a
the foot of the bed, gazing lntently up
on the sufferer. Presently movement
revealed the intruder, and starting uE
in alarm, the nurse saw the old wo
man who had before ventured into the
presence of her mistress. In a hur
ried whisper she bade her begone In
stantIy, or she would summon the
guard to expel her. In fear of disturb
ing her lady, she at first essayed he
own strength in endeavoring to force
the unwelcome visitor from the room
but her effort was resisted, and as sht
moved towards the door to call assist
auce, her steps were arrested by tht
voice of the Countess.
New life seemed to have suddenly
inspired the helpless lady; color wa
in her pale cheeks, and her eyes ha(
something of their wonted fire. Sh'
had partly risen in the bed, and stretch
ed out both hands in the energy o
her command
"Let her remain" she said to th'
astonished Bertha. "Let her com'
hither and speak freely, for now cal
bear it. know well-ah yes-l knew
before-what she has to say. Sh,
comes to tell me that nv lord is falls