Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-09-26

Mcllan little btforc sunset He play,d
his part to perfection. lie announced 70
/ the two ladies that NJ. Albert de Kerbri-
ant had arrived at Nantes in a merchant
vessel from the Cape Of Good Hope that
! the fatigues Of the voyage had compelled
him 20 obtain his dismissal sooner than
he had intcndcd and that he had re-
! turn from the Indies simple citizen, in
dependent of military service, and de-
| termined 10 fix his residence according to
the choice of the De Mellan family.
During this interview, Proghere stood
| upon the terrace, ready to spring at
/ three bounds into the fields. if the least
gleam OF miStrust should appear on the
face of the ladies. The prtcaution was
unnecessary. Madame de Mellan was n
kind woman, who hal passed all her life
in a patriarchal family in the New World.
She gave implicit faith TO all that this
pretended servant of her future son-in-
law told her, and in the extremity of her
joy SO tcnderly embraced her daughter.
already much moved at the idea of SO
prccipitate marriage.
The next day, at three in the afternoon,
loud sound of wheels, and the cracking of
the postillion' whip, announced the ar
rival of a post-chaise along the main
avenue to their country scat.
at is NJ. de Kerbriant, my master"
said Proghere; Il recognise his chaise."
A young man clad in black, and Of
most distinguished micn, sprang lightly
from the chaise upon the terrace, and, AZ
if sutfocated by his emotion, he pressed
the hand of Madame de Mclan to his
lips. Cardan was so wonderfully dis
guised that Proghcre was, for the mo-
ment alarmed, for he did not recognise
him.
The fugitive galley slave bowed TO Ma
demoisele Anna, and addressed to her
this set speech, which Inc had been pre-
pairing during his ride Of fourteen leagues:
Il bless the memory of your father,
that generous man, who has chosen me
for his son-in-law; but ] am happy to
say to you, Madcmoiscllc, that after my
voyage round the world, it is YOU, of all
others, whom | would have chosen for
my companion for life to dav"
These words were followed by long
silence, which always followed profound
emotions: but when they had given up
to sad remcmbraIccS a reasonable time
of silent grief, their conversation grad
ually assumed a gay and lively air, eSpe-
cially at mcal-time. He gave accounts
of his voyage, which he had studied out
the evening before on the map of the
world, mingling with his recital all the
nautical tcrmj of the sailor, which he
had found in books upon such subjects.
At the end he assumed a melancholy ac-
cent and attitude, and said:
Il have travelled over five thousand
leagues: | have visited all the different
quarters of the globe; | have seen all
nations, and have ascertaincd, by this
experience, equal TO that of old age,
though given to a young man, that hap
piness, if it exists at all, can only be met
with in the midst of domestic duties, far
from the world, and in retired family
composed of relatives and friends"
Madame &c Nellan pressed the hands
of Cardan, and her pantominc expressed
the gratitude she felt at hearing such
beautiful sentiments from the lips of her
soninlaw.
BY skilfully managed transition, Car
to form resolution that was very impor-
tant for him. He related some pretended
contentious which ne had at Nantes with
some young officers, his former comrades
who had just reproachcd him with what
they called his deSertion. in terms sharp
enough to provoke an affair of honor.
Il do not fear meeting Of this kind"
he added, " every one knows; but it is
always distressing to cross ones sword
with old friends, who view my resignation
so unjustiy. Iprefer TO leave them leisure
to reflect upon their proceedings. When
my commander, who knows me, shall
have returned to port Of France, he can
plead my cause for me better than | can
myself; so / have fully resolved not to
show myself in Toulon, and thus avoid
vexatious meetings that may have deplor-
able consequences. If my mo;hcr-lI-
law consents, we VIII make short
Journey into the interior, either to Italy
or Spain, whichever she may prefer; and
! when we shall have returned TO France,
shall have been already justified by my
comrades from India, and my unjust
friends in Nantes will only have excuses
to offer me.
All this was said i'm a tone so natural
and so simple, that it would have deceived
even the most experienced. The good
and easy Madame de Mellan was so much
alarmed, especially for her daughters
sake, at the idea Of these quarrels of hon
or, that she was the first to propose tie
idea of abandoning the city, where her
son in-iaw had too many acquaintanceS
not to find an enemy and an unjust duel.
Even the country in which she lived in
retirement was no guarantee against her
maternal alarms, as all the neighboling
residences were inhabited by families of
sailors, who exchanged visits during tie
! evenings ofpleaSant weather.
In the preparations for their departure
| that ,,-ere mad. nv Carlan and the worthy