Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-07-17
VOL. VI.

they eeiecteo houerate-prlced seat anu here
again, the thing being rare to both. they en-
joyed themselves exceedingly. On leaving the
theatre they walked quietly home and parted,
TO think with rapture on the happest day that
either had ever yet spent. ela ra7I- -,tf
The acquaintance so pleasantly made was
continued. Every morning they nodded to
one another from their windows, and about
midday, Constance gave the artist a sitting, -
Several times, too, Charles brought in sketch
es TO show her, and then in the evening, he
wonld get books from a cabinet de lecture, and
read To her. Every day their happiness seem
ed 10 increase. They learned each other s
good qualities. Charles was weli-educale1,
well-read with fund Of anecdotes and rich
stores Of knowledge. Constance knew little,
hut she was an apt scholar. She had quick
Intelligence, noble and generous heart, and
she was pure and innocent as child
| For some weeks the lovers, for such they
now were, went on happier each day than The
last. The portrait made little progress, be-
cause Constance could spare little time, and
because Charles talked more than he painted.
Still il went on. At the end, however, of a
month, Constance remarked that Charles was
paler than usual, that his spirits seemed gone,
he brought no book in the evening, and went
away early to bed. She questioned him, pour
girl, for she was deeply anxious. She feared
he was falling Ill, that he was going TO die,
and them poor orphan girl, what was TO be-
come of her. For Constance loved him dear
ly, as women only love men who are above the
common mass, men of mind and intellect,
though women who can love such men are
more rare and precious than anght else in the
world.
She watched narrowly the painters face,
ard the wild eye and haggard looks made her
see that the sufferings of Charles were more
mental than anything else The mind was
i'll at ease. She offered to go in and work in
his room, while he painted, but he stammered
out some excuse, and declined. 1t was clear
then he had a secret, and woman's curiosity
was at once at work. She questioned him,
she coaXed, she was cross with him, but all in
vain, he returned her vague answers TO all she
said. Cunstance became uneasy; what could
be the matter, He became paler every day,
and came less TO see her. One day she heard
him leave his room and 60 hurredly down
stairs. She ran out 10 speak TO him, 10 ask
when he would come back, but he was gone.
His key was in his door Moved bv an ire
slstlble Influence she entered his room. 1t
was miserable garret, containing nothing
save few paintings, and amattrass on the
floor Not chair, not table, not scrap of
anything in the shape of clothes or food
Constance rushed out of the room, turned the
key, gained her own lodgings, threw herself
on her bed and sobbed aloud. Charles was
starving. A few pawnbroker's tickets lying
on the mantle-piece had than anything
else convinced her of this fact.
The pain and suffering now endured by Con-
stance are not 10 be described. Her feelings
were worked up to an intense pitch of excite
ment.. Far from finding her affection lessened
at the discovery of the students poverty, she
found it much increased. An unearthly inter
| est seemed now attached 10 the name of
Charles. She felt his talents 10 be great, and
in her heart was sure that he would rise to
! competence and fame. But at that moment he
was clearly starving. What was she to do |
| She would have rushed to him, have told him
all, and bid him share her humble meal, use
her little savings, and thus gain time to work ;
but she feared TO wound his pride. He had
hitherto kept his own secret, he therefore wish
ed his sufferings 10 be concealed from her. In
vain she thought Of any project for relieving
his misery, wlthOu, belraylng full knowledge
of ii. The poor girl wept bitterly at her own
want of inventive genius.
Al last, however, an idea flashed across her
mind She caught up some work she had flu
ished the night before, aud putting il in neat
parcel, hurried down stairs, taking with her
also the half finished portrait of herself by
Charles. She gained the street. and made
towards the habllailun of lady for whom she
had been working. Madame Pelssier was a
young widow, rich, courled and happy. With
every luxury and comfort around her, which
wealth could give, she deserved her well-be-
ing, for she made good use of it. Fond of
pleasure, she was even still fonder of giving
pleasure To Others. MANY were the poor fami-
lies which owed TO her, relief from misery and
despair. Madame Pelissler would ALWAYS give
up the most charming days amusement 10 find
out the details of some tale of sorrow which
had been told her; and she felt, when her
morning had been thus pruitably spent that
the afternoon passed more delightfully."- than
usual
Welcome, Constance she said, as the
\ work-grl was ushered into her breakfast room
Il was waiting impauently for you. Ny cou-
sin Pierre is coming 10 take me Tor drive in
the Bois de Boulogne by and BY, aud wan,
to wear that cloak, which no doubs you have
made charminely.
/ hope ii will please you, Madame replied
Constance, taking protfered seat.
What is that you have in that square par
eel, child? and why are you so ont of breath
and so pale?'
1t is whole history said Constance, low
eriug her eyes upon the ground.
Let me have it. You know | am vastly
curious Take this cup of chocolate, and tell
me al once
Constance, taking courage from the emergen-
cy, told, IN as few words as possible, her his
tory. She narrated how she made the ac-
quantance of the painter, and then how, after
rearly months delay, she had found out his
secret. Madame Peissier listened with rap
idly awakened interest
And what would you have me do, child g
said she, when the young girl had told her
story.
Madame, Charles Dupont is very proud =
Relief in money he would not receive, but il
you would only be So good as 10 sit for your
portrait to him, you would add deeply to that
debt of gratitude which Constance already owes
you
with pleasure cried the young widow
But it seems The case is pressing. Give me
his address, and will send round 10 him at
once. But cannot pay him for the portrai,
until it be finished. Has he anything ! can
buy uf HING
He has several little pictures in his room,
replied Constance in tone of deep emotion.
Go home, child, and be satisfied My cou-
SIN shall ride alone to-day. will write round
To your protege at once ~ ta
But, Madame, not a wurd Of me.
Never fear, Constance; know your good
little heart
About an hour later. Charles was cropcbing