Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-06-02


resolve with which his lofty brow was compress
ed the only trace of the passionate emotion
that had SO recently shaken his firm spirit, was
a slight redness about his eyes.
{" Charlotte de Montmorenci' said he adress-
ing her in low deep voice, 81 hold in my
hand the contract of our betrothment. That
contract was signed by you with evident re-
luctance, and it will cost you no pain to cancel
it." He paused, and fixed his dark penetrat-
ing eyes ou her face as if to demand an an
swer
Charlotte tried to speak, but there was q
conYulsive rising in her throat that prevented
articulation. The glittering carcanet that
encircled her fair neck appeared, at that
moment, to oppress her with an insufferable
weight, and to have suddenly frightened almost
to suffocation. She drew deep respiration,
and raising her trembling hands, essayed to
unloose the clasp but in vain. 1t seemed to
her that the hysterical emotion that oppressed
her was occasioned by the weight of this costly
ornament and its rich appendages, and that
| her life depended on her instant release from
their pressure and after second Intellectual
attempt to unclasp the jewelled circlet, she
actually turned an imploring glance for help
upon the real cause Of her distress, heI offended
/
corded but, either through the intricacy of
spring, or his inexperience in all matters relating
to female decorations, or, it might be, that he
was at that moment not less agtated than his
pale and trembling fanoee, his attempts to un-
clasp the carcanct were as unsuccessful as her
own. While thus employed, her silken ringlets
were mingled with his dark locks, and more
| than once his brow came in contact with her
| oboal nd p-ha Ia
of main strength, he succeeded in bursting the
fastening of the jeweled collar, she sunk with
convulsve sob into the arms that were in
voluntarily extended to receive her. For the
first time, Conde held the form of perfect love
Illness to his bosom, and forgetful of all the
stern resolves that had, for the last few honrs
determined to part with her for ever,-forget-
full Of pride, anger, Jealousy, and reason itself.
he covered her cold forehead with passionate
kisses, and implored her, by every title of fond
endearnent, to revive. Those soothing words,
those tender caresses recalled her to q sweet
but agitating consciousness and when she
perceived on whose breast she was supported,
burst Of tears relieved her full heart, and she
sobbed with vehemence of child that cannot
cease to weep even when the cause of its distress
has been removed.
Have / occasoned this emotion-these
tears ?''-
Charlotte could not speak, but her silence
was eloquent
Nay, but must be told, in explicit terms,
that you love me-" cried Conde " it is point
| on which dare not suffer myself to be de-
ceyed"
Mighty fine ~ said the fair Montmorenci
suddenly recovering her vivacity and smiling
through her tears and SO you have the
vanity to expect that am to reverse the order
of things, and play the wooer to you, for your
more perfect satisfaction, after you have in
formed me Of your obliging intention of can
ceiling our contract of betrothment"
Ah Charlotte if you did but know much
have suffered before l could resolve to resign
the happiness of calling you mine :"
Well, if you are resolved, | have no more
to say" rejoined Charlotte, proudly extricating
herself from his arms.
= But have" said Conde, taking her by
both her hands, which he retained in spite of
one or two perverse attempts to withdraw them
Fie this is childish petulence y cried he
pressing them to his lips but, my sweet
Charlotte, the moment is past for triflng on
either side. These coquetries might have cost
us both only too dear" His lips quivered with
strong emotion as he spoke, and the large tears
stole from under the downcast lashes of Made
| moiselle de Montnorenci "We have caused
each other much pain for want of little
candor," pursued he
why, then, did You not tell me that you
loved me ?" whispered Charlotte
Because | dared not resign my heart into
your keep before | was assured that / might
trust you with my honor"
ooh, heavens :" exclaimed Charlotte, be-
comag very pale " and is it possible that you
could doubt 2"
Charlotte, / was to well acquainted with
the kings character to behold the undisguised
manifestations of his passion for my affianced
bride with Indifference The attentions of a
royal lover were hatfering, perceived, to the
vanity of a young and beautiful woman The
complacency with which they were, at times,
received, and my knowledge of the motives
which induced the king to break Your first en-
gagement with Bassompierre, were sufficient to
alarm man of honor said Conde with
darkening brow
'' You are talking in cliigmas, Henri de
Con,le," replied Madcmosellc de Montemo-
renc
If you are ignorant of the fact, that Henri
of France separated you from his handsome
favorite, because he feared that such husband
would be a formidable rival to himself no one
else is for Bassopierre has made the particulars
of his sovereigns conversation with him on
that subject too public for it to remain a |
matter of doubt You look incredulous,
Charlotte, but you shall hear the very words
in which the king made this audacous decla-
ration" am, myself" said he to Bassom-
pierre, madly in love with your beautiful
Montmorenci"
Ha did he, married man, dare to make
such an acknowledgment.
Yes, Charlotte; and, moreover imrrudently
added, " If she loves you shall deteSt you