Washington sentinel., 1853-12-07

quadrille was formed, and Charles led out
Blanche, whose hand he had claimed.
" 1t is rather presumptuous in me, madam
observed he, +" to aspire to the honor OF being
your partner, as | am well aware all eyes will
be directed towards yourself, and that your
cavalier, were he even paragon, must appear
ridiculous, if measured by the standard OF your
manifold perfections."
"Those who can think yoa ridiculous, sir,
would only prove themselves TO be so, and
their opinion cannot be Of the slightest import
ance to you."
aThen you excuse my hardihood, madam 2"
1You may surmise as much, count" said she.
ooh, thousand thanks for such charming
condescension Never shall i forget it--by
the sweet hope it awakens in my breast T.
4 tsNay, count" said the marchioness, smiling,
/" you are now becoming dreadfully sentimental.
But have care-suppose you were overheard
by one of the fair ladies to whom you have ad-
dressed similar compliments2"
I" Oh, madam u cried Charles, in a voice ap-
parently thrilling with emotion, do you think
that my words are mere set speeches, got up
ready for delivery on favorable occasion
Think better of me, entreat you'll know not
how to utter sentiments / do not feel-impulse
is everything with me, and as to studying love,
and analyzing the means of inspiring or ex-
pressing it, that abhor as thing that robs
passion Of all its poetry"
Blanche was listening still when Charles had
finished speaking. She was comparing his ar
dent expressions to the coldness and indiffer-
ence of her husband. She had encouraged M.
de Lyra in the first instance from vanity, and
this time it was out of pique.
"OhI" cried she, as he led her back to her
place, :" if you feel love so deeply, it must in
deed make you happy"
"What is love when not returned ~ sighed
Charles.
"Who knows 2" murmured Blanche, in an
under voice.
The orchestra had Just struck up one of
Strauss spirit-stirring waltzes, that seemed
capable of rousing the very dead. Charles
drew the marchioness within the magic circle,
and off they set, hand in hand, with his arm en-
circling her slender waist, his beating heart
pressing close to her side, and his eye riveted
on her face. Half fascinated by his ardent
gaze, and slightly hustered by the conversation
that had just been held between them, Blanche
followed her partner mechanically through the
dizzy mazes of the waltz, and visions of whole
legions Of little cupids seemed to be futtering
about her. She, however, soon broke off from
the dance, and returned to her seat beside the
Countess de Lyra.
An ugly green imp, who had sat down in her
place, now vacated the seat and seemed to re-
press sigh as he walked away while Blanche
felt painfully impressed, as his look seemed at
once mournful and contemptuous.
Y AS to Charles, he was proud Of the spoils of
his victory, as he considered it, for he had
drawn off plain ring from Blanche's finger,
which she had not thought of retaining. While
he was giving way To the most delightful an
ticipations, a voice near him said" Look be-
hind the shutter of the third window, and read"
On turning round, Charles was beset by
number of persons who were examining his
costume, while the green imp seemed to be
making faces at him. He, however, made his
way through the crowd to the part of the room
indicated, where, sure enough, he found deli
cate little note. Its contents, written In
trembling hand, ran as follows:
"Black hair, blue eyes, small mouth, and
a tender heart-all these belong to q lady not
more than five and twenty, and might be yours,
ungrateful man! if you sought the owner this
evening at the opera, under black domino,
and wearing white camelia. Hour-two
o'clock in the morning. Place of meeting
beneath the clock"
"But can't leave Blanche just when she is
beginning to thaw," said Charles to himself.
Besides, this may be a mere joke. No!
will not go. Yet, perhaps, when | think of it,
had better just go in and come out again, and
shall be back in time to complete the con-
quest have so happily begun"
The green imp was watching Charless face
from quiet corner, and when he saw him leave
the room he followed him out till he had seen
him get into his carriage, and then returned to
the ball room. He now approached Blanche.
Madam" said he in voice that he purpose
ly disguised "the handsome Highlander who
was waltzing with you just now, and whom |
take to be your brother, has just dropped this
paper / ran after him to return it, but his
carriage had Just driven off before | could join
him.
And without giving the marchioness time to
answer word he disappeared.
Madame de Lyra was playing at whist with
a conjuror, a punchinello, and a lazzarone
Blanche kept crumpling the note in her fingers
and would not believe that Charles could be
gone She, however, looked about for him in
vain.
"This note must be challenge" she thought,
"for no other motive could have induced him
to leave me so abruptly"
And she unfolded it half mechanically. In
another moment her cheeks crimsoned, her eye
kindled, and her heart beat violently.
/ "Ths is infamousl" cried she to herself; cat
Ie very HiOmellJ Wutu uc HIS Decu swearing
he\loves no other than myself And to think
thathe will, perhaps, laugh at my easy creduli-
ty. whh this creaturel Oh, shockingl | will
follow Sim to this fine appointment, and crush
him bensath the weight of my utter contempt"
The marchoness then informed Madame de
Lyra that she was going to leave the ball. 1t
was two O'clock when she reached the opera.
She hired domino, and entered.
AT the sight of the crowds that filed the sa.
loon of the opera, the marchioness was half
tempted to withdraw, but on perceiving a do
mno wearing white camelia on her bosom,
she took courage, and approached her, just as
she was accosted by another domino whom she |
Immediately recognized as Charles.
The amorous pair retired to box on the |
upper tier. Blanche entered the adjoining one,
and through little chnk in the partition, she |
was enabled to hear distinctly all that was being
said
"You see, madam, have obeyed your or
ders," began Charles.
"Not with much alacrity, for | have been
wa ifino for Soma minutes