The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-06-10
sick and out of tune, or not betray my indispo

sick and out OF tune, or not betray my lnoispo-
sitioD,o observed Erika
But there are incentives that unfortunately
force us into society observed the Minister s
lady. while Sternhof was silent He was hurt
at being charged with fault, OF which he was
unwilling to be thought in the least guilty lie
was supposed TO have shown by his conduct a
want of good manners This vexed and sur
prised him more than the remembrance of the
ground of his excitement.
gYou. Countess. should blame me the least
on account of coming to the ball, said he, with
some bitterness, for you were the occasion Of
my overrating myself"
q You wish to be polite and yet wrong me,
inasmuch as you indirectly reproach me for
having induced you to something that you
would rather have let alone But feel myself
quite guiltless and believe not particle OF
your being fond of bal pares"
These words were spoken very determinedly,
and left Baler in no uncertainty about the
warmth of her feeling for him. She was incu,
rably unrestrained, and knew how to foil his
homage with an Indifference thstwas revolving
to him. Had she not been the most attractive
heroine of the day, he would have thought her
unworthy of the least further notice for no
lady had ever before SO wounded his vanity.
Erika saw into his condition, and in testing
mood proceeded
1t is an hereditary failing of the men to be-
leye themselves perfect; and if a woman yen-
lures to reprove them, they are impacable
But enough of this, Count Sternhst. 1t was
presumption for me to judge of what am not
competent to comprehend to bring in question
what is not my right We ought generally to
have more forbearance with the conduct of
those around us for how seldom do we know
their motives-we can never see their results. "
"And it is often impossible to disclose the
first said Sternhof, emphatically.
Very true, since they are not clear to our
selves. We should, however, constantly strive
to attain certainty when doubt or dissension
arises in us. knowledge produces decision of
will and act and as soon as we are one with
ourselves, ill-humor cannot obtain advantage
over u.s.
"And yet there are circumstances where the
decision of ones own will is opposed to that of
another, and on that account we cannot be at
ease"
"Then probably we have decided too much
in our own favor, were too partial, have had
the happiness of others too little in view 1t is,
then, just punishment for our egoism. when
conscience gives us no rest Again, Erikas
words, like poisoned arrows, pierced Baler's
vanity, and, without design, heaped reprod on
reproof upon him. She saw the wrinkle Of re-
sentiment about his mouth, and asked Baron
GlOben who had just come in to play game
OF chess with her, in order not to be induced
anew to be candid with the Count Gl0ben
with transport. accepted the invitation, imme-
diately brought the chess-board, began to place
the figures, and the first moves were made
without any thought of apologizing to the
Count
When the Minister'S lady left the saloon
and Baler saw himself personally alone, he be
gan to turn over the leaves of an album thai
lay on little pillared table. BY this means
he came very near TO a side door, which, ON be
ing leaned against enabled him to hear voices
one of which was not Indifferent to him and
now, when he saw himself neglected by Erika
excited the more curiosity. During the brie
time, in which he ventured gently to open thu
door wider, in order to obtain fuller view
into the adjoining room, Baler came to tn,
conclusion to make use OF the most eus.omar.
incentive in love, and fix upon Seraphine a
the apparent rival of Countess Eisheim. Blu
he was surprised at the view he had of her.
At flower table sat Seraphine, as if lost il
thought, her head resting on her hand Sh
was dressed in rose-colored satin her scented
| golden locks fell on both sides of her face on
dazzling white neck surrounded by string Q
| pearls. A similar one was fixed in her hal
| with net of gold ornamented by a rose, tina
seemed to have just bloomed in her locks.
| book lay open before her To make the ilr
sion complete, light gray screen stood in tn
background.
TIE nm r,ox., "A -, h,,f
ly graceful attitude to be painted on canvass
and vet there was second individual engage,
in drawing her portrait. Some steps distan
from Seraphine, a little to one side, sat youn,
man at an easel. with pencil in hand. While h
alternately cast his eyes from the canvass TO il
lovely opposite they rested for moment on it
and he then went on with his work, when Ba
Ter had full leisure to observe the artist
He was young and fair, of fine figure ant
almost feminine features His face would have
appeared dull, If keenly marked brows had not
given it piquant charm The eyes themselve,
were enthusiastic, the nose finely arched, and
complexion pale.
1t often happens, when we first see person
and he opens his mouth TO speak. that we are
taken unawares with his voice. The strongest
most colossal men may have the most slender
voices, and from small, unsightly figure VIC
may meet with laundering bass. Similar
sports of nature are at times offensive, at times
laughable, but mostly annoying But greater
harmony between the organ and bodily form
could not exist, than the artist manifested az
soon as he spoke His voice, though not sweet.
ly musical, had something so plant and melt.
in manner it might he called the translation
of his hidden character.
I'll will have to request one more sitting. hon.
orable lady" said the painter laying down his
brush A slight blush passed over his pale
face as he spoke and even Seraphine redden.
ed AZ if in accordance.
"You will soon be freed from the trouble.
some constraint of costuming and withdrawing
from company"
III think, now, you are not sincere" answered
Seraphinc. "By what have ! shown that thi'
morning hour has been troublesome On the
contrary. it has been very agreeable rest from
the annoying demands Of conventional inter
course, the best opportunity for me to withdraw
and abnegate.a
hope You may not regret having devoted
time to me, which seems to have been recrea
ton to you, while it has called forth the great
est efforts of my art, and that you may be sat
fs6ed with the result of my endeavors"
You shame me. | wish rather 10 express
my thanks suitably to you. But why do
speak Of thanks when the artist finds satisfac
ton in selfconsciousness
your ladyship mistakes; the mind of tn,
artist knows nothing Of satisfaction He is du
ring life striving after an ideal, and even in hi
strife and rcstlessncss, in this dissatisfaction
with himself lies the ground OF his real char
acter. He cannot, dare not rest II he could
there would be an end of his art. his calling
would be a wretched one. He lives only 3,
long as higher grade Of perfection beckon
him onward
4" And yet would suppose that in the art
lists life the most glorious and sublime moment
o. se'i.sat'siactlon would be enjoyed, wher
what fancy had imaged stood before him n