Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-03-15
THE ASSASSIN OF TIE PAS DE CALAIS.
A Remarkable Series Of Crime.

a HeEnrHaEIe Series Of Crime.
CONTINUED
About year after the interview detailed
in the last chapter, the young English.
man, FerrerS, saw De Nernelle for til,
second time, in box at the Porte Sam;
Martin theatre, where he found him list
ening TO the gloomy dialogue and watch
ing the terrible taheaur of one of Victor
Hugos cary melodralnas with the deepest
relish. After the first salu.a0on, which
was accompanied with quick start and
the old unpleasant smile, he spoke bnt
little, seeming to he thoroughly engrosse,1
10y the dark, wild business proceeding
on the stage. At the calumlnation of the
catastrophe he appeared hardly TO breathe
and when the curtain FELL long violent
sigh told how great was the nervous
relaxation which the conclusion brought
with it.
" lou admire this species Jf play g
asked Ferrers.
Yes, yes, yes it must he something
of the strongest or care not for it," he
anwered quickly; :. something of the
strongest. where hopes, and fears, and
passions are made to rend the soul On,
Hugo. king of dramatists, magician.
sorcerer, cabalist of hearts and souls,
adoIes thee! A play of this kindIis fine
feast to me; and you-how does ii suit
your taste 2"
Not much, | must Confess" said
ferrers. I" 10 represent the world as q
pandemonium Of saints and devils, is not
holding the mirror up to nature, accord
ing to my English notions"
bah what are nature and the world e.
exclaimed De Vernelle. Beyond green
fields, and trees, and flowers, who knows
anything about nature? BY the world
you mean the men and women who live
In it; and, by this time, what is left Of
nature amongst Them We NAV live
side oy side for years, and talk daily,
attcZ' the way of the world, and in the
end what would you know OF me, what
should L know of you? SaiD&~> and
devils no, nothing of the sorE nothing
out of the way Of everyday hfe. Men
and women, Sir with the masks ard
wells of conventionahty, and the para
phernalla of society and etiquette ex-
changed for dramatic situations and the
undlsguised working of the soul. Hold
ing up the mirror to Nature! WHY it
is Nature herself who is presented to us
here. Out of doors, in the world, one
can never catch glimpse of her, as far
as men and women are concerned. But
-ha, ha 1T is all matter of taste.
By the way, / shall never forget how
frightened you looked when first saw
you-never ="
when % demanded Ferrers, n much
surprise. and not without displeasure.
"Why, when-when you were telling
us the story of your mishap on the Arras
read. Ha, ha, ha, ha we have had
nothing better tonight! There, | grant,
was touch Of Nature" :"
'lf you had felt the dog s fangs in your
throat, you would, perhaps. have con-
sldered that touch of Nature 10
''No doubt. am sorry to laugh, but
L can't help it. Ha, ha am afraid
shall always laugh when think of that. :"
q Wei, well, laughter, how ever unsea-
sonable, hurts no one," exclaimed Fer
rers, as he turned away.
- That's right" said De Vernelle, as
ne seized Ferrer's hand and shook i,
warmly; take it like philosopher, for
| declare L cant help it,
They parted, but Ferrers almost i'm.
mediately stepped back again and in
quired after Madame De Vernelle.
"Ah, je ne sais pas,' exclaimed De
Nernelle, with rough, contcmpulous
shrur. 81 have not seen her for many
months. | thought all the world knew
We were separated, for every one seemed
to be chattering about it..
s. Excuse me; did not know
1eS," continued De Vernelle. with
mocklng seriousness; she is gone back to
her papa, for was not good enough for
her, alas! La, la. she made sad com.
plants about me-that I was cold blood
ed, cold-hearted, cruel, selfish, dissipated
and irregular-by no means the proper
sort OF husband for sanity and en-
thusiastic young lady. You see, what
ever badqualities | possess, / am frank
and ingenious. En- bien, YOU will not
be likely to meet Madame De Vernelle
again, slr-at any rate not in company
with her borreGu of husband"
iiltclNlcW ludue Il COI1SlOerd I'M
preston upou the mind of Ferrers, who
quilted De Vernelle with feeling of dis
like almost amounting to detestation.
Shortly after this, the Englishman re-
turned to his native country, and for six
years lived the life of country gentle
man, surrounded by the old friends and
connections of his family. 1t was Oh the
occasion of his marriage that he visited
Paris for the second time, proposing to
spend there his honeymoon. Passing
through the Rue Monmatre one day,
with his young wife, he happened to step
into jewellers shop, for the purpose of
allowing her to select some articles oil
bJouterie. Whilst looking over an assort- |
ment Of r1ngs, the attention of Ferrers
became suddenly and strongly arrested
by particular one, in which a fine
diamond was very handsomely set. |
" That is my ring % exclaimed he, in a |
low concentrated tone of amazement and
conviction. He took it up and examined
it. The ring Of which he had been