Butte record., 1854-12-16


He made journey into France, and
even set out for Italy; but he had
scarcely arrived at Lyons, when his new
passions compelled him to retrace his
steps On his return, he found letter
from the counsellor complaining of his
neglect
"Come, my dear Tenicrs," he wrote !;
" the very peasants are anxious to see
their old master again and my daugh-
ter Isabelle finds that, even from such a
skiifuli master as you, single lesson in
painting is not enough"
Teniers started Immediately for Perck.
The counsellor pressed him to pass the
remainder of the season at the chateau.
The painter accepted his invitation, aud
boldly installed himself there, hardly
sure that it was more dangerous to fly
from the presence Of Isabelle, than to
see her continually.
1t happened-accidentally, no doubt
that the young lady had for an at.
tendant one of the femmes-de-chambre
of Anne Breughel. This was another
illusion for the painter, who, when he
met her, found himself often about to
ask her whether his wife was abroad in
the garden, or in the walks in the neigh
borhood. The woman-by force of hab.
it NO doubt-dressed her new mistress
exactly like her previous one there was
the same arrangement Of the hair, the
same lace, the identical colors. Teniers,
meeting this living reminiscence some
times upon the stairs, or in the dusky
passages of the old chateau, would i'm
agine himself in dream. More than
once, on kissing the hand of Isabelle de
Fresno, the old time seemed to him to
have come back again. Every day he
discovered some new point of resem-
blance. Last night it was with her hand;
to-day, it is her foot; tomorrow she
will sing, and her voice will be the very
counterpart of Anne Breughel's. Never
was illusion more perfect at all points.
What ails you, my friend :" asked
his host one day, surprised at his absent
and anxious look. "Does not your way
of life please you Z"
"Yes," said Teniers it is nothing
passing recollection-a momentary re-
gret 1t is gone now"
One evening after sunset, he was
again sitting upon the ground beside the
little lake, idly brushing the tall water
grasses with his feet. Isabelle and her
servant passed him in the pleasure-boat.
The light veil of evening falling upon
land and water confirmed the painters
misty reverie he was no longer master
of himself, as in the broad daylight
The head of the skiff grazed lightly on
the bank, and he rushed forward.
"Anne Anne!' he exclaimed, when
they found themselves alone. G. Pardon
me--Isabelle, l meant" continued he,
falling at her feet, in the chivalrous
fashion of the times.
Well," said she, carried away by
his manner, "A9ne Breughel, if you
will" 1t may be easily imagined that
the young Isabelle, perhaps little ro-
mantle, had secretly loved Teniers that
touched by his sorrow for Anne Breugh-
el, she had undertaken the task of con-
soling him, coming by degrees. by means
Of these illusions, to take the place OF
his adored wife.
Three weeks afterwards, Teniers mar
ried the daughter Of the counsellor. He
returned to the chateau, and took again
to his old way of life. Isabelle de Fres-
ne, charmed by the simplicity of his ge'
Mus, and his noble manners, remained
devoted to him till the time of her death.
She knew that her greatest charm fol-
him was, that she reminded him of bis
first wife. Far from complaining. OF
feeling vexed on that account, she took
pains to acquire the habits Of Anne
Breughel, with the generous intention ol
pleasing her husband Teniers, in his
turn, delighted with having found SC
sect a companion, loved her for hel
own and for Anne Breughel's sake.
The painter survived his second wife
and died at the ago Of upwards Of eighty
After her death, he returned to Brussel.
again, and lived in strict retirement, de.
voted to his art. One of his sons,
Franciscan monk at Maines, held hin
In his arms as he breathed his last
Through the zeal of this son he had be
come more than ever attached to tht
Catholic Church For the convent a