Washington sentinel., 1853-12-07
The Green Imp.

shockiigly; take off those heavy flowers, and
put onthis rose. There-that's better. You
may gdnow; and mind you return in half an
hour topress me-"
The Ady's maid raised the curtain that con-
cealed tie boudoir door, and left her young
mistress.o her reflections.
BLANCHE de Villarcy then re-arranged some
Of her culs before the looking glass; and after
gazing ateltively at her own fair image, a self
satisfied smile illuminated her countenance.
He wll think me pretty tonight" murmur-
ed the march koness, Us she lolled on the sofa
and fell into pleasing day-dreams.
Madame ID Villarcy looked scarcely twenty,
and was so ssautifnl that she was universally
reckoned the very type Of an elegant, high,bred
woman. "a
AT seyentee years Of age, Blanche had been
married to thelMarquis dc Villarcy, whose title,
fortune, and billiant position had dazzled her
youthful fancy On being introduced into the
fashionable wold, her beauty became the theme
Of every tongu, and she was flattered and fol-
lowed by so mhy ,beaux, that wiser head
than hers NIGH almost have been turned by
the fumes of suh never-ceasing incense.
M. de Vilarci loved Blanche to distraction;
but when he sawher give way to coquetry and
light hearted friSlity, he concealed his ardent
affections beneat an outward GOODNESS OF man
ner. Instead, therefore, of the hyperbolical
compliments thatwere showered upon her in
the gay world, Blhche received gentle admon-
itions and good aSice from her husband, who
turned philosophs at fve-and twenty out Of
sheer love for his life. But Blanche, far from
appreciating his nAtives, only thought him cold
and Indifferent AMI listened proudly to his ad-
vice, while she treded ever his attentions with
disdain.
Amongst her tran of admirers, Blanche had
particularly remarked Count Charles de Lyra.
Whenever she entfed room, the counts
eyes were the first tht met hers, and the soft
est compliments wee those uttered by the
counts lips At the pera, in the Bois de Bou-
logne, in all the fahionable haunts, in short,
Charles was sure to , wherever she was to be
found, and he seemefto guess her every wish,
and to obey her overlook.
Blanche was foolialy proud Of having in
spired M de Lyra witlh passion for her charms.
many fair ones would lave thought themselves
80 fortunate to have obtained even passing
smile from him. Sheshought much higher of
her own beauty since ne had captivated the
lion of the day-but it vas not enough to have
tanned him and broagh him to crouch at her
feet; she longed to put oil her rivals to flight,
and to share her sovereign authority with no
other woman in the word Yet Blanche was
not in love with Charles, and only encouraged
him from vanity, without harboring any really
guilty Intentions; bnt with that lax morality,
encouraged and fos,ered by the false notions
prevailing in SO called plite society, she was
acting the part of Shro,gh coquette, without
even adverting to the imFopriety Of her con-
| duct.
"How handsome he looledT' thought she !;
"and how delicately he hintd at his passion
so delcately, indeed, that Icould not have the
heart to blame him. Poo young man. how
deeply he loves mel'
| Just then the marquis atered. Blanche's
cheeks were suffused with bAshes, just rs ifshe
felt he could read her thbugts.
| M. de Villarcy was slimYoung man, with
pale and expressive conntennce. His delicate
features and slight fgurewoul have given him
an effeminate air, had mol his iercing eyes and
black eyebrows, that neatly mt over his nose,
given token of an energetic nd impassioned
| soul.
aWhy, Blanche" said he, what are your
projects for this evening?''
HHaye YOU forgotten, marais," said the
Young wife, coldiy, " that I'll Duchess of
R-'s fancy ball takes place tk EVENING""
"This evening is it 2" asked u marquis.
aThe card of invitation lies d the mantel-
piece said the lady.
/ M. de Villarcy took up the lette'and seemed
to be rejecting.
Saturday, the 10th Of Februars yes, that
| was the very day." said he, musingI ~ am
| sorry it is for to-day" continued he, as shall
not be able to accompany you.'
"Indeed ~ cried the marchioness 'yet you
must perceive, sir, that | cannot go ane to
hall Of this description-it would be ute in
decorous."
al never thought for a moment tit you
could" returned the husband.
"Then what is to be done?"
1Why is not the old Countess de La in
vited to this ,feteg'
| Blanche started at the name of Lyra, oked
half doubtingly at her husband, but hi face
was so calm that she felt completely reored
to her selfpossession.
al do not know anything of Madam de
Lyra's engagements" said she.
al will call upon her." said the marais,
Sand request her to come and fetch you, md
accompany you to the bal"
GAS you please, sir"
"You will find me here when you ONE hons,
Blanche, for | am very tired Nos good by.
IL wish you pleasant evening, only do not
| commit any imprudence."
|
II mean-mind and wrap ytrsei up when
YOU come out, so as not to catA co'u, -,
So saying, M. de villarcy assea ms wlies
hand, and left the room. >.
"They are all alike" sa;the marehioness to
herself in contemptuo,, smile, the moment
h;s haoL n,as turnad. aisbands have neither
nnos no. a.rsi e. has not condescended
- ,,nnh os - nercep the attentions paid me
hy NJ do I,vra norle did not even remark
that E yesterday evehg waltzed with no other
tha;r. ;nd;aaren to most shocking length
+. Snoa !. au;dants does not care for his wife
enough ~ to- to jealous perhaps he loves an
ntberi w, let him please himself" added
P"I Il pha. .,iow struck ten. Mariette came and
4 - e,nishing stroke to her lady's toilet and
Rus :, Shioness drove on to the party.
'n ~ Duchess Of r IS rooms were filed
tumerous and fashionable assembly. The
ZINES were rich and elegant, and their effect
still further heightened by a sprinkling of
,wns and other grotesque characters, that
- al .k,.a, IN tlx.x