Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-05-17

an angry word to any OF your compan-
ions, who would have believed that few
months Of licentious life would have
transformed you into murderer %
And might not their testimony have
proved that [ was incapable of committing
such barbarous deed 2" faltered Ell
enne.
unhappy boy" returned the other
''when at that fatal ball you uttered that
threat, murder was in your thoughts. But
enough of this; I come here as your spir-
itual guide, prepared to speak comfort to
your soul, if by confession and repentance
of your sins you would seek that mercy
from Heaven, which the justice Of man
dare not show you.'
Their conference was long, and the
troubled countenance of Father Gerard
showed that it had deeply moved him.
There was still painful duty to perform.
Etiennes question anticipated it.
"Father," said he, cam l to die on the
wheel 2"
On reply in the affirmative, the m-
happy youth hid his face in his hands, but
their convulsive trembling showed the ag-
ony within.
"My son." said the priest, s'rcmember
him who died on the cross Did he suf-
! fer less %
"Ah, father, he was without guilt ,
What can give courage to one whose sins
have cost him his life, and brought shame
and sorrow on his parents o.
x N x
We should vainly seek in a modern
drawing room for the elegance and splcn-
dor presented by salon of Paris in the
time of the Regency. The lofty and spa
cious apartments were lighted by innu-
merable tapers, reflected in mirrors dra-
period with the richest produce of the
Indian loom. Thick Persian carpets half
covered the polished floor. Before every
door hung damask curtains, interccptine
the air that might have blown too rough
ly on the delicate forms within. On the
marble chimney-piece, between lustres
with long glittering pendants, stood large
baskets of golden flowers; and in the
middle, the clock Of Sevres porcelain. on
which, in painted medallions, the hours
hand in hand, danced their eternal round,
or swains, with crooks ornamented with
ribbons, piped their amorous strains at
the feet of garlanded shepherdesses. The
.iapanned cabinets were set out with num-
bers Of tiny cups Of that delicate and
transparent china that looks as ifa breath
of air would blow it away. Mandarins,
pagodas, dragons, all the variety of mon
sters in which Chinese imagination revels.
| filled the intervening spaces. The pic
ture was completed by the variety of CO.
lors and costumes. The brilliant scarlet.
distinguishing the officers of the Swiss
guards, rivalled the elegant blue and gold
ofthe cavalry uniform, Or was relieved by
the black velvet and silver facingS of the
momsquetGires. The embroidered coats Ct
the peers, their diamond stars and but
tons, and the blue ribbon displayed across
the rich white satin waistcoat, were
equally contrasted with the more sober
/ dress Of the little Able, with his smooth
check, his short cloak, point lace cravat,
and black silk culofte. These were the
perfumed and powdered butterflies that
futtered around the fair circle, where
waving plumes and and necklaces, spark
! ling with precious stones, were not more
graceful than their wearers, nor brighter
than their eyes.
Such was the scene presented at the
hotel Of the Marquis de Ferriers, where a
numerous and brilliant party was assem-
bled to witness the signing Of the marriage
contract between the daughter of the no.