Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-03-02
GBe starg GeIIer.
From the Saturday Evening Mail.
EUGENE AND LEONCE
The Ball Dress.

Madame de Palmene, left widow while
young, devoted herself to the education of her
only daughter, the object of all her tenderness
and of all her care. At her husbands death
his estate was found to be burdened with heavy
debts; and in order to liquidate them, Madame
de Palmene determined to give up her resi-
dence in Paris, and to retire to her chateau in
Touraine, a few miles from the town Of Loches.
The castle was old and of great extent. The
draw-bridge, the moat, and the towers recalled
the memorable days of chivalry-days whose
departure we should doubtless regret, if the
valor and loyalty of the gallant chevaliers
could have only supplied the place of laws and
police. The interior of the building cores
ponded with the outside. On every side were
traces of the noble simplicity of earlier times !;
there was neither gliding nor marble, nor the
ridiculous profusion of porcelain vases and
little toys which crowd our modern houses ;
but the walls were hung with beautiful tapes
try, representing passages of history. There
were long galleries ornamented with fine pain
tings, land from the windows ofthe grand saloon,
on one side, could be seen superb forest, and
on the other, the smiling banks of the river
Indre, branch of the Loire
1t was in this lovely spot that Eugene, the
daughter cf Madame de Palmere, passed the
opening years Of her youth; it was here that
she acquired a taste for rural pleasures, and
peaceful retired life. During the beautiful
spring and summer days, she took long walks
with her mother, and when wearied with the
heat of the day, would seek in the forest re-
freshing shade. Eugene would gather, in ev-
cry direction, the wild flowers which grew in
profusion around them, and the mother, while
she rested, would explain to her their names
and properties Often into this pleasant re-
treat she would bring her lessons, or would
listen while her mother read some interesting
book; and, as the day declined, they would
leave the shade of the forest to wander along
the banks of the river. AS Eugene grew
older, her occupations became more sedentary,
and necessarily detained her more within
doors; but she rose with the day, often break
tasted in the park, and still found an opportu-
with her mother. She had, for a companion,
a young girl named Louise, the daughter of
her governess Louise was Industrious, warm
hearted and intelligent; only year or two
older than Eugene, she was always present
when she received her lessons, and prolited so
much by them, that her young mistress regar-
ded her, justly, rather friend than de-
pendant.
By the time that Eugene reached her sew
enteenth wear. her character was as formed as
her soul was feeling. She united to the grace
and gaiety natural TO her age, cultivated
mind, an upright heart and unalterable sweet
ness of temper. Her tenderness and gratitude
to her mother were boundless. Every moment
of her life was occupied with her mother, and
seizing upon every expedient TO please her,
there was no employment without It's charm.
Did she learn verses by heart, she would say
Mamma will hear me epeat these verses
with so much pleasure, she will commend my
application. and my memory Did she study
German and Italian w hat will be mammals
surprise to find that, instead of the one page
given me, have translated two = In writing,
drawing, or playing on the harp or piano, she
would make the same reflections. This
picture will hang in my mothers dressing
room; every time she looks at it she will
think of me this piece of music which play
50 imperfectly now, will, when know it well,
charm my mothers ear
This one idea applied TO all her avocations,
gave them an inexpressible zest, smoothed the
most fatiguing difficulties, and changed to
pleasures all her duties.
Eugenie's youth was dawning into woman
hood, when Madame de Palmene determined
to take her daughter to Paris, for one or two
years, to give her advantages in perfecting her
education, which she could not secure in the
country. She left her charming solitude, late
in the autumn, and fixed her residence in a
small house in Paris, where Eugene often re-
called, in right, the enchanting scenes of her
country home.
Madame de Palmene renewed with pleasure
an acquaintance with many persons whom she
had known in former times AMONG these
she distinguished by her presence an old and
valued friend of her husband, Count d Anil
ly, gentleman worthy of her regard by his
virtues and abilities. He was widower,
with an only son, young man about twenty
years of age, now absent in Italy.
Count d'Amilly came every evening to sup
with Madame de Pamene. Punctually at ten
O'Clock Eugene would retire to rest, and as
soon as she had left the room, the Count would
break forth into warm eulogium upon her
attractions. He admired her talents, her
beauty, and the air of mingled frankness and
sweetness which impaired an inexpressible
charm to her every action. At other times he
would speak Of his son, and praise his mind,
his character, and his generous disposition
Madame de Palmene would listen delightediy
to the encomiums upon her daughter, and
heard with an emotion of interest the frequent
mention of Leonce, the Count d'Amilly's son,
and in these conversations time would slip un-
Needed, until they would exelaim in astonish
ment, Can it be three O'Clock = The Count
continued for several months his assiduities.
and one day he said to Madame
:. =. e