The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-10-27

/ Madame Dalburn is pale and helpless
her daughter, still paler, is motionles'
on her lap. Without uttering word
CASTOR raises her fainting form, carries
her on his arms, and lays her down il
the little inn near the fountain of Sauvc-
nieres. Their jealous efforts revived
her she can hardly stand; a bed is
hastily prepared for her in the carriage
Castor, to prevent any further accident
takes the reigns himself, and the it'll,
caravan proceeds slow y towards Spa.
Though not dangerous, the young
lady's indisposition confined her to hel
room some days. Castor, fall of atten.
ton, went morning and evening to i'll.
quire after her and watch the progress
of her recovery. These daily visits and
the long stays for which they supplied a
pretext, at last made Madame Dalburn
look for his presence as something ncccs
sary to her happiness. She accustomed
herself to look on him as one of the
family, and received him with q kind
and fattering familiarity.
"One day when the patient was better
the doctor allowed short walk. The
young lady went down into the garden,
supported by her mother on one side and
Castor on the other. As they went
along they conversed -
60 Well, SIR said Madame Dalburn,
what news have you for us poor re-
cluses, who know nothing of what passes
in the worldi What are they doing at
the Redoute p
"' Why, madam, what they always
do; they pretend to dance and read the
gazette, but in reality they amuse them
selves by rushing into ruin
&C And yourself, sir ); how does for
tune treat you"
"' Fortune, madam | have no long
er anything to fear or hope from her
caprices.'
How so, pray''
&c | have left off playing, madam
shall play no more, said Castor, with
peculiar emphasis
"' Let US sit down, MOTHER said the
convalescant, feeling a sudden weakness
L want to rest a moment
" They sat down on bench, and soon
returned to the house in profound and
almost solemn silence. Castor did not
break it till he took leave. AS Madame
Dalburn accompanied him to the door,
he took her aside, and said to her, in
low and somewhat faltering voice:
Have the kindness, madam, to grant
me moments interview Tomorrow
morning. | must speak to you without
witnesses
&C l shall expect you,' answered
Madame Dalburn, with an endeavor to
conceal the emotion she felt.
" In fact, was not this request, viewed
in connection with the significant obser-
vation by which CASTOR had terminated
the conversation begun in the garden,
the presage and prelude to a formal and
decisive declaration So he was going
10 declare himself! she had not mistaken!
she saw the realization of the dream she !
had cherished almost without daring to
lvow the fact to herself He loved her
everything conspired to convince her of
{, both his attentions and the frequency
IF his visits, and especially the hcroism
ie had displayed for her. Would man |
'isk his life for woman who inspires
lim with only an ephameral caprice
This thought filled Madame Dalburn's \
oul with delicious intoxication. She
elt herself happy and proud of con-
uest which fattered at once her heart a
nd her vanity. She gloried in an en- \
ire vainly sought by others, and young
than herself. Then, by sudden re- I"
ulsion, the feeling of the inequality of u
heir ages, the idea that Gaston's youth SC
ould survive her own, presented itself
the midst of her joy, like a serpent u
mong flowers. But she soon expelled fc
ne hateful thought, and, full of bloom. Il
,g hopes, she blinded herself to the
'ials Of the future. m
IL was the agitation of a feverish ri
npatieuce, which pursued her even in le
eep, that Madame Dalburn awaited the 2
ngering approach Of the joyful moment di
It break Of day, she would have left A