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

actly as the clock struck eleven, he assembled the
steps, opened the street-door, and entered the yes
thule, which he found lit up. Luckily the por-
ter was not there With a firm and rapid step he
cleared the staircase in the twinklng of an eve, and
reached the te-chamber There he found a
footman asleep on dirty old sofa. Hermann pas
sed by him onstiptoe and crossed the dining room
and drawing room, in which there were no lights;
but the lamp in the ante chamber was a sufficient
guide. AT last he arrived at the bed room, where
golden lamp was burning Before cabinet filed
with the images of saints Gilded chairs and di-
vans OF faded coors, with large, soft cushions,
were symmetrically arranged around the room,
the walls OF which were hung with china silk. Two
portraits were IN the room, painted by Madame
Lebrun. One represented a man of about forty
years of age, stout and rubcund with bright
green coat, and star on his breast the other was
OF handsome young woman, with an acquiline
nose and blue eyes, the powdered hair drawn off
the temples, and with a rose above the ear. In
every corner was shepherds of Dresden china, va
ses Of all shapes, coaks fans, and thousand 9TH
er feminine nicknacks. Hermann did not stay long
to admire them, but passed behind the screen,
which concealed a small iron bedstead and saw
the two doors-that on the right, which opened
into the dark closet; the other, which led to the
corridor. He opened the latter saw the little
staircase which led to the chamber of the poor de-
moiselle de compagnie, gazed wistfully in that d-
recton for moment then shut the door, and en-
tered the empty closet.
The time passed slowly Silence reigned in the
house. till the pendule the chimney piece of the
bedroom struck twelve, and all was quiet before.
Hermann remained standing, leaning against a
stove in which there was fire. He was perfectly
calm. His heart beat with equal pulsations, like
that of man determined to brave all dangers be-
cause he knows them to be inevitable. He heard
one O'Clock strike then two, and shortly after
ward he could distinguish the noise of the wheels
of a carriage Then, in spite of himself he expe-
rienced feeling of emotion. The carriage APP
preached quickly and stopped. Immediately there
was loud noise of servants running up and down
the stairs, voices were heard, the apartments were
lit up, and all at once three old femmes de cham
bre entered the bedroom, followed by walking
mummy who threw herself into a large .fauteuH.
Hermann peeped through a chnk. He Lisa
beta pass close to where he was standing and heard
her quick step she ran up the narrow staircase.
At the bottom of his heart he felt something like
remorse, but passed away, and his heart became
again as hard as stone.
The countess began to undress before glass
| Her waiting maids removed her head dress of ro-
ses and separated her powdered peruke from her
own thin white hair. The pins fell in shower
round her. Her dress of glittering silver lama
was exchanged for peignoir and night-cap, and
mann thought she looked less frightful than be-
| fore.
Like most very old people, the countess was
tormented by wakefulness. After being undress-
ed, her fauteuil was wheeled into recess, and
her women were dismissed. The wax-lights were
extinguished, and the room was only lit by the
golden lamp which burned before the holy images.
The countess, shrivelled and yellow, and with
hanging lips, swayed herself gently from right to
/ laft ri. Tn dull bo
read the absence of all thought, and seeing her
rock herself thus, it might have been supposed
that she did not move by any impulse of the will,
but by kind of secret mechanism.
Suddenly this deathly countenance altered its
expression the lips ceased to tremble; the eyes
became animated. An unknown person stood be-
fore the countess. 1t was Hermann.
BE not afraid, madame said he in low voice,
but carefully accentuating every word. For the
love of God be not afraid l intend you not the
slightest harm. On the contrary, it is a favor
come to ask ofyou,
The old woman gazed at him in silence, as if she
did not understand him. He thought she was
deaf, and putting his lips close to her ear, repeat
ed his words. The countess still preserved 81
ence.
1T is in your power continued Hermann to-
insure the happiness of my whole life, and without
its costing you anything. know that you can tel
me three cards which, - Hermann paused
The countess without doubt knew what he want
ed, perhaps she was seeking for an answer. She
spoke.
1T is all joke-upon my word joke
No, madame replied Hermann in tone o
anger it is not SO. Remember Tchaplitzk
whom you enabled to win - The COUNTIES.
seemed affected for an instant her features ex
pressed strong emotion, but soon resumed theil
dull impassiye aspect.
Can you not said Hermann, point out to me-
three winning cards 2?
The countess remained silent and he continued
why should you preserve this secret 3? Fo
your grandchildren They are rich enough with
| out that they don't know the value of money
/ Of what use would your three cards be to them
S They are spendthrifts and he who does not know
how to keep his patrimony, will die of indigenct
had he all the knowledge Of all the devils at hi
S command. l am on the contrary, a careful man
( ! know the worth of money. Your three card
will not be lost upon me. Come
He stopped, and tremblingly awaited her an
/; swer The countess did not utter a word.
n Hermann threw himself on his kness.
S Madame, he cried, if your heart has eve
e known what it is to love-if you have ever heart
: the cry of new born babe-if ever human sen
e tment stirred your bosom-I beseech you, by thu
love of husband, Of lover, of mother, by al
that is most sacred in our existence do not relec
b my prayer--reveal your secret to me? What j
t it /? Perhaps it is connected with some terribl
S sin--with the loss of your eternal happiness i
Have you not made some fatal compact Thin
t welFofit you are very old, and cannot have lon
: to live! I am ready to take all your sins upo
n myself-to be responsible for them before God