Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-11-17
THE PEASANT GIRL OF POITOU ;

The PEASANT GIRL OF P0ITOU;
Or, the Countess D'Auray.
When Sir Walter Scott first met lady
to whom he was attached after her eleva
ton by marriage from comparatively
humble to very lofty rank, he felt ex.
tremely anxious to learn whether or moi
she was happy in her new condition.
He knew she had sustained no serious
ills, but he had seen by experience, he
says, that our happiness is much moro
often affected by evils which we create
for ourselves, in spite of the blessings OF
fortune, than by real and severe ills. He
illustrated the remark by reference to the
case OF the gentleman who, in the midst
of all manner of comforts, was rendered
utterly miserable by the daily sight of a
neighbours turkey. We have found a
little story in one of the foreign journals
which so orcibly illustrates the same
MAXIM, that we are tempted to trans
late it.
M. de Manleon, a young French gen.
tleman, left the school at St. Cyr at the
age of twenty-one, with an ensign's COM
mission in his possession. His mother
had obtained for him leave of absence for
three months, and came to Paris to carry
him off for that period to Poitou, anxious
to enjoy his beloved society while she
could. They left the capital together in
post-carriage, and travelled great part
of their journey without any remarka-
bic adventure. At length, little incl
dent occurred which greatly interested
NJ. de Manleon. The travellers reached a
steep hill on their way, and NJ. de Man
leon leaped out to relieve the horse, leav-
ing his mother inside. He had scarcely
walked few PAGES, when he found himself
surrounded by band of village children,
who, as is wont in the rural districts of
France, offered him boquets of flowers.
expecting some little remuneration in re-
turn. But as soon as they noticed the
lady, they flew to the coach side, and
threw their flowers to her. One child
alone remained-a girl of thirteen or so,
whose uncommon beauty arrested forciblv
the notice Of NJ. dc Manleon. She was a
brunette of clear and shining COM
pleXlon, with an admirable form, and
teeth as white as ivory. She stood smil-
ing before the young man, but timidlv
her flowers in her hand, afraid to present
them.
"What is your name, my dear 2" said
the officer. Marie, sir" answered the
girl. NJ. de Manleon spoke no more, but
stood gazing at the child, thinking to
himself that all the portraitures of youth
full beauty which he had ever seen were
outdone by the work of nature before
him. Marie's eyes were cast on the
ground, and she did not observe the
ciosencsS Of his gaze, but others did. A
young village lad, of fifteen or sixteen,
leaped from the wayside, and looked at
the officer with eyes full of anger and
jealousy. NJ de Manleon had little time
to notice this addition to the scene. for
the voice of his mother was heard calling
Oh him to come and proceed. The young
officer hastily took the boquet of Marie,
and having emptied his purse of its whole
contents into her hands, he obeved his
mothers S call, and soon Saw the villagers
no more.
Nj. de Manleon, when he had time to
reflect on the past incident, repented, not
ofhis generosity, but of the way in which
he had exercised it. a small medallion,
containing his own likeness and that of
another dearl y cherished person, had been
in the purse, and had gone with the rest
of the contents. To reclaim it, would
have been difficult; and the young officer
was forced to submit to the less in ST.
lence,
For ten or twelve years, NJ. de Man
leon continued in the army. He at last
left it to enjoy the pleasures of retired,
or at least private life, to which he had
ever been attached. After spending some
time with his mother in the country, he
came to Paris, and there mixed with
moderation in the social enioyments OF
the great world. One evening, a friend
asked him to go to party, and allow
himself to be presented to Madame Pau
ray, wife of Count d'Auray, lady OF
consummate beauty, and whom all Paris
spoke OF as the happieSt ofwomen. There
vas, said NJ. de Manleon's friend, sort
of pleasing mystery about her, too. NJ
d'Auray had suddenly appeared with her
in Paris, and presented her to his rela.
tiyes and friends, without saying aught
of her birth or name to any one. She
was. nevertheless, universally loved and
admired. NJ. de Manleon permitted him
self to be persuaded into visit to the
mansion OF this happy paragon of femal,
loyeliness. When he was presented t.
her, a confused idea struck him that h,
had seen her before, but he could not re
member when or where. The idea mad,
him thoughtful, and he retired to the re
cess Of a window, where he for a tim,
stood alone. 10 g. r-e
A soft and sweet voice at his side mad,
him hastily turn round, ''Have you beer
lately in Potion, sir!" said the Counties,
d'Auray, for she it was who spoke.
''NOt lately, madam" answered NJ. d,