Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1852-12-25

y
bre, st is very fine, and there is no wind
i ~ GU don't know what you talking about J!
Open the vasistas II said so: frightful wind,
and icy cold Let the horses be put up. Lisan-
ka, ma petite, will not go out: it was scarcely
worth while TO make yourself smart
i what a life = murmured the demoiselle de
compagnie under her breath.
In truth Lisabeta Ivanovna was most unfortu-
nate person. 1T is bitter says Dante, 'to eat
the bread of stranger but of all the bread eat
en- on sufferance, the worst is that swallowed by
the poor demoiselle de compagnie of old lady
of quality. The countess, however, was not harsh
or ill-disposed, but she had all the caprces of
woman spoiled by the world. She was avarcious,
proud and egotistcal, as those are who have ceas-
ed to play an active part in society. Passively,
however, she mixed.in it, never failing to attend
single ball, where, painted to the eyes, and dress
ed up in the antique fashion, she sat in a corner
and seemed stuck there like a scarecroW. Every
one who entered made her profound bow, and
that ceremony over, thought no more about her.
She received every one at her house, observing
the most rigorous etiquette, but was unable to re-
collect the names Of more than half her guests
Her numerous servants, grown fat and lazy in her
antechambers did almost Just as they pleased;
and everything in the house at rack and man
GER as if death had already taken possession of it.
Lisabeta Ivanovna's life was one continued tor
ment. She made the tea, and was reproached
with the pilfered sugar; she read novels to the
countess, and was made responsible for all the alb
surdltes of the authors; she accompanied the
BILE lady in all her drives, and the faults of the
rough pavement and bad weather were visited up
on her. Her very slender salary was irregularly
paid, and yet she was expected to dress herself in
the height of the fashion. In society her position
was equally painful: every one knew who she was,
and one distinguished her. AT the balls she
danced, but only when a viS-a-UiS was wanted
The ladies called her aside when they wanted to
arrange any part of their dress. Lisabeta was not
devoid of pride, and felt deeply the misfortune of
her position She longed impatiently for some one
} who would break her chains; but the young men
of fashion, prudent in the midst of their iirtations
took care not to commit themselves, though Lisa
betswas ten times prettier and more amiable than
hundreds of the young ladies to whom they paid
their addresses. Often, when the gaiety of the
countesss parties was at its height, she used to
quit the luxury and enauj of the saloons for tie
retirement of her little chamber, which co,bo
tanned for all It's furniture only an old screen,[.
patched carpet, painted wooden bedstead, andeg
few of the commonest necessaries. There sIth
wept at her ease, while mirh and pleasure give
ed below.
+ One morning, about two days after the party llDe
Naroumofs, Lsabeta seated as usual, at
her work near the window when accidentally turn
ing her eyes towards the street. she young
officer of engineers standing quite Still with his
eyes fixed upon her. She cast her eyes down, and
resumed her work attentvely; but, in the course
of few minutes, again mechanically raising them,
she saw the officer still in the same position. Not
being in the habit of paying attention to such de-
monstratlOns, she once more went with her
work. and for two hours she never stirred. Being
then called away to dinner she was obliged to rise
and on doing So perceived that the officer had
never changed his attitude. This seemed very
near the window with a certain feeling of emotion,
but the stranger longer there, and she
ceased to think of him.
Two days afterwards, just as she was following
the countess into her carriage, she again saw him
planted before the door, his face half hidden by
the fur collar of his cloak but his eyes sparkling
visibly. Lisabeta felt afraid, she scarcely knew
: why, and seated herself, trembling, in the carri-
age. When she returned home, she to the
window with beating heart the officer was still
there, fixing upon her earnest and ardent chances.
: She instantly drew back, but burning with curl
osity, and experiencing for the first time in her
: life a sentiment of a strange nature.
e From that time not day passed without the
young officer coming beneath her window A
: kind of mute acquaintance at last sprung up be-
tween them While seated at her work, she felt
that he present, and every time she raised her
It head she looked at him more steadfastly. The
e officer seemed full of gratitude for this innocent
Il favor and with the quick glance of youth she saw
that the colour mounted in his pale cheeks every
r time their eyes met At the end of a week she
: had learned even to smile upon him.
r On the occasion when Tomski asked his grand
e mothers permission to present of his friends
e to her, the poor young girls heart beat strongly
/; but when she learned that Naroumof was in the
it Horse Guards, she deeply repented having com
promised her secret by making it known to one sc
thoughtless as Prince Paul.
e Hermann was the son of German established
a in Russia, who, dying, had left him small CAPT
tai. Firmly resolved to preserve his independence
p he had made resolution not to touch his income
g but to live on his pay, without allowing himsel
the slightest Indulgence He was ambitious bu
reserved, and under calm exterior concealed vic
A lent passions and nordinate longngs; but he was
,e always master of himself, and kept aloof from
the follies of his companions. Thus, though a
heart gamester, he had never touched card
I? because he felt Gas he said to himself) that ht
l. must not sacrifice the necessary to acquire the
perfuous; and yet he passed night after night a
st the play-table, watching the fluctuations of thu
game with an anxiety as feverish as if his Who'll,
I, fate was involved in the result.
The anecdote of the three cards of the CONT
le de ST. German had strongly impressed his imagi
" nation, and he could do nothing but think of it,
- Suppose said he to himself 4 could get the oil
n countess to tell me the three winning cards!
must get myself presented, pay my court to her
Is and win her confidence but in the meantime sh
l. is eighty-seyen years old, and may die this week
i even tomorrow. Besides, can there be any trutl