Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-03-07
as she was lovely, and would have will
ing = retnained ne the Counts chateau in

| - "oo tONcfN, ana WOufQ nave VIII
Ing y retnsined ne the Counts chateau in
the Southof France. and have ministered
70 ms afiiictlons. had not he felt that be
was little fulfilling his duty by keepinc
her IN seclusion, and from that cav Court
of the Empire, of which she Would he.
come the brightest gem.
As the Mentalemberts strolled SLOWLY
towards the chateau, a Young soldier. Of
particularly handsome and PROPOSES
sing appearance, Joined them from side
path, and claimed the hand Of the Coun-
tess for waltz. A fiush Of momeutary
pleasure tinted her cheek as willingly
she listened to the inviting strains OF
music that came from the palace, and with
bow to the Count, she quickened her
pace, and in another moment stood in the
dazzling ring of walters.
De Mornay, the Countess partner. WAS
but an ensign in the Guard: although
not looked upon rs attractive by the
most penetrating of his own sex, he still
had that philtre, that inexplicable some
thing which had raised more than usual
interest in him in the opposite sex. He
professed nothing; but seemed to look
everything: his large blue eyes gazing
now steadfastly, now doubfingiy and
imploringiy, were rarely long in effecting
at least more than ordinary degree Of
interest in the breast of her to whom he
addressed their influence An hour Of
converse with him, in which her own
eyes had often met that contemplating
glance, was enough to awaken in the
bosom of the young Countess an interest
alarming to herself and dangerous to her
content as the wife of another.
As his WIFE left him, the Count tbrust
bis hand into his breast with a gesture of
Uncontrolled emotion, and turned aside as
il to seek once more the retired covert he
had left; but his steps were faltering. At
the entrance of the alley he turned again.
and walked rapidly to the chateau.
Waiting Tor an opportunity to pass into
the glddy ring Of dancers, De Mornay
stood with his arm round the waist of the
young Countess. MontaIembert's face
flushed. but he stepped to column which
supported the orchestra, and looked ON
unobserved. Her transparent cheek was
so near the lips Of her partner that his
breath. must warm it. Her hand was
pressed-aye, by the bend of her gloved
wrist. pressed hard upon the shoulder
OF DE Mornay; her bosom throbbed per-
ceptibly in its jeweled vest. She leaned
towards him with a slight sway of her
Symmetrical waist, and away foated the
wie and friend Of the Count in the author
ised commerce Of love. Montalembert's
eye was fired, and his face grew pallid:
he felt wronged, though the world saw
all. There was a pause in the music.
and with the sudden agony ut the thought
of receiving his wife again from the hands
of De Mornay, Montale,nbert fed to the
open air.
An hour elapsed.
g ask heaven for myself il is true,
bat not much for you to give" said a
voice approaching through shadowy
alley of the garden. The Count re-
malned for an instant mute as q statue.
as he heard with the voice the rustling of
female dress and the rafting Of a sabre.
:. But one ringlet sacred to me-" con.
tlnued the voice, in tone almost femj-
line with pleasing earnestness. "Oh,
lelie, there is no wrong in this-spare il
o me that may keep it in remembrance
'f one who was dear to me, and for
whom, though my love was sudden, it
was sincere and true"
There was no reply. save gentle sigh,
md long ere Montalembert had recovered
from his amazement at these daring words,
The sound OF footsteps was heard no more.
The night passed away. In vain the
voung Countess sought her husband in
III directions. He had been seen to quit
he ballroom, but no one could give any fur
her information of him. Zelie hastened
o her home, but nought had been heard
If the Count; neither was she successful
n obtaining any information respecting
ler missing husband, though her servants
md agents We're despatched around the
Shboring country to make the strictest
inquiries.
At the end Of month, she received a
racket with a black seal. 1t was from
The steward of an estate of the Counts in
1 distant province. He informed Zelie
hat the Count had unexprc ctedly arrived
1t the chateau three weeks since-that
le seemed very anxious, and his mind
was evidently much disturbed. Shortly
after, he had been taken ill. and had sud-
lenly died, leaving behind his will, which
ne begged to enclose.
1t was summers noon On the Quai
D DOrsay. The servants Of the princely
hotels were lounging by the heavy gate.
ways OF stone, when an old soldier came
creeping from the Invalides to take his
seat under the carved portico of the Mon
talemberts. He had served under tho
late Count, and the memory of his house
vas dear 10 the old man, therefore, be
made a daily pilgrimage to the Quai, and
sat on the spot till the Countess drove
put.
BY the strange will of the Count, the
young De Mornay was to become her hus-
band and share her fortune, but was COM
pelled to take the name and title of Count
subject to the Imperial ac-
cord. Napoleon had given the rank un-
and as mark of respect to the
asst will of the brave man who had EN-.
bellished the title.
In the quadrangle of the hotel Mon.
,aembert, there were two carriage land
ngs, or two perrans, and the apartments
were separated into two entirely distinct
In one suite the Young
Count chose to live en- gcrcon, and in the
other, the mixed heSpitalilies of the
house were given, and the Countess u.s