The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1854-09-30

markably pretty; and Graft Amarof being
De Gascon's special friend = at cards
thought he would also be Madame De Gas
cons special friend-in other respects, while
amiably striving to ruin and beggar hcr hus-
band She had often supplicated De Gascon
to give up preference whist at least among
Amaroffs set; and he, though vel! off, having
lost more money than was at all agreeable to
have to pay in this intern mean St. Pc
tcrsburs - promised her so much as that,
though he would still play preference he
would be very vigilant to detect any chcatc-
ry.
'One morning, after having made some Wis
its, it was the day Of the last grand masqucr-
adc at the Mobiles Hall, (m1lc dcs nollcsse, }
dc Gascon came home and went to his wife s
usual reccption-room. but found she was not
there. In order to wait for her, he threw
himself on sofa, before which he drew a
screen to shade his eyes; and there he lay
Presently, in comes the maid, introducing a
Madame I.cmidoff, and saving that if she
would have the Kindness to wait moment
Madame De Gascon would come down. Dc
Gascon, heaven knows why, maintained lis
position, without discovering himself; and in
a few moments his wife entered, and was thus
salutcd by Madame Lemi.lotf. (You know
she is an En.li>hwoman, the excellent young
thing; and her name being katherine, she
was addressed as 'Cat' by Madame Lcmilcfl'
who could not make any nearer approach tt
the 'kotc,' they spoke in F'rcnch)
'Ah. Cat, I've brought you such a swee,
Disguise
Thanks replies the Cat; why dis
guisc?'
For the masquerade, Cat. You seem
thouchtful'
Really, ] had not intended to 20 to the
masquerade
DE Gascon was very much pleased to hear
this. You know what the ma>qucradcs of
this place are; and the Emperor was to ap.
pear on the present occasion
I'd wager said Madame Lemidoff. 'you
arc afraid of your husband. Pray, love, dc
YOU ask husbandry's permission about things :
Jes'ing apart. let me hint to You that there
will bc at the masquerade person whose
movements YOU may not bc unintcrcstcd in
Observing
De Gascon, who is very spirited fellow,
was never so near coming out of his accidcn-
tai hidng-hole, as at this moment But he
stayed there, and heard the Russian lady pro-
ccc'l in this way
Don't take fire, dear; don't look indic-
nant. ! merely mean your own husband
Surclv, YOU care to see what he does
We'll, at this point, De Gascon, YOU NAV
be sure, thought the Russian lady very i'll
tercsing friend for mans wife. Still he Law
in his conccalmcnt, and found that the Cat
was protesting that she neither was Jealous,
nor had any reason to be. But after little
debate, madame, our ourcountrywoman, probably
through feeling of curiosity, agreed to 20 to
the masquerade and both ladies' left the room.
chatting about the dresses. De Gascon still
lay on the sofa, ponderiny matters, when his
wife, with her maid Sophy, rc-cntcrcd = the
former in full costume; and the maid said.
That's beautiful, ma am. masquerade is no
better than sum in rithmctic; it is nothing
but figures. But then,' adds Sophy, to be
sure when woman's face is hid, she has
face.
DE GaScOn, here came forward, and, dis
missing the maid, told his wife that he clisap-
proved of her going to this ball, and that he
forbade it. She replied that he was cruel
and, taking out her pocket handkerchief, pu,
it to her eyes. lie begged her to spare him
the rcst-tears, smelling bottles, &c.,-for he
knew it by heart by heart cries sl,e,' YOU
hay'nt got one Whercupon he departed
merely saying, in a very significant manner
that he had now seen her disguise, and shoul,
recognize it.
Just at this moment rct": as Madame Lem
idofl, to whom De Gasran's wife immcdiatel,
complains that dc Gascon had gone of tie
.Jore she could get her cry up The matte
was soon explained, and it was agreed be
tween the two ladies' that Madame dc Gascol
should still 60 to the masquerade, only tha
this precaution should he taken, that SIN
should wear Madame Lemidofl s disguise, an,
Madame Lemidoif should wear hers-the | a
dies exchanging their fancy dresses, to baf1l
husband, and to fathom the deep waters OF
supposed conjugal Obligations.
The two ladies having thus interchange,
their respective disguises, repaired in prop
er time to the Sale dc Noblesse. At the mas
queradc, several very curious adventures hap
pened to DE Gascon. Lie had been hardly
ten minutes in the room when he saw his owl
wife-so he thoug ght-conversing with mai
who was quite stranger to him, wearing ;
tall hat and full uniform Of Russian genera
of hussarS. The men at these masquerade
are not allowed to use any mask or visor, moi
the women to dispense with one. 1t is, more
over, capital offence against the rules AM
customs of the place, not only to attempt t.
remove lady's mask, but even to stoop will
a view Of detecting her features beneath it
Any man guilty OF even the latter OF these