The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1855-01-17

able, and told divers diverting stories,
which entertained her so much that she
called to Jamin to silence her cat that
was mewing in the next room After
three.quarters Of an hours conversations
which the dcmoiselle dc Gournay declar-
cd was the most pleasant she ever ha1 he
took his leave, overwhelming her with
compliments for her courtesy. while she
was enthusiastic in his praise. In a
happy frame of mind was the ancient
maiden to pursue the thought in which
she had been interrupted. and which had
been frightened away. She returned to
her study, but had scarcely entered it.
when Iyrande, who watched the moment,
glidcd TO her room lie opened the
door Of her sanctuary, and seeing her at
work, said" have entered boldly, but
the illustrious author of L'Om6re ought
not to be treated as q common person
That compliment is we'll turned. aud
| will inscrlbe it in my tablets but,
may | ask, what procured me the honor
of this visit ;"
MadcnIoisellc," said lvrande, 81
came to thank you for the book YOU have
done me the honor to present to men
Monsieur" She replied hare not
sent my book to you, in which I was
wrong. | ought to have done so Here
Jamin, a L'OmJ5e for this gentleman
But permit me to tell you have
one already. To prove it, in such
chapter is this passage-in that chapter
this other passage"
This is exceedingly gratifying to me;
you are an author who reads all the new
books as they appear"
Certainly here arc some of my
own verses which ! am happy to offer in
exchange for your book"
But these verses" said the ancient
demoisclle, "aro by Monsieur Racan
Il am Monsieur Racan himself at
your service"
Monsieur, you are laughing at me
|, madcmoisclle, ! laugh at the
daughter of the great Montaiene. at that
heroine of poetry, of whom Lipsius has
said, ldctmHS guiu IL poy1iura iSta
ri/go and the young IIeinsius A~sa
tfgo coHc"Trc t1riS, Scandn supra
CirOS"
Very well, very wcllr said the de-
mol'ellc de Gourlay, delighted beyond
expression BY this avalanche Of praise
lie who has just gone away. was making
sport OF me, or perhaps it is you but it
is OF no consequence the young will al
ways be at their rrapks with the old,
and either way | am happy to have met
with two gentlemen so elegant and wit
ty." But it was not the intention Of
lvrandc to let his visit pass as Jest and
at the end Of the three quarters of an
hour he departed leaving her fully per-
suaded that. this time. She had lad an
Interview with the yoritabe author Of
BcrSerttS Scarcely was hc out Of
sight. when The real Racan makes his
appearance. The door was open. AS
he was troubled with the asthma. he en-
tered cut Of breath, and at once threw
himself into an arm chair. At the noise
he made, Modcmoiscllc dc Gournay, who
was trying to catch again the thought
that fled before Tho Chcyalicr dc Buell..
returned, and saw coarse, farmcr.lke
looking mau,Who, without saying word,
was ranting and wiping his face
Jamin, she said, come quickly"
Jimin ran TO her.
DID you ever see so ridiculous a
fgurc9" cried Madcmoise!ic dc Gour.
lay, keeping her eyes fixed ON Racan,
and breaking out uto loud laugh.
Madcmoi,ollc," says Racan, who
spoke in Il thick tone, and could not
pronounce Il or G, dans an 9uaH
dhcuIc .je rous dclai youlq"oi je S~is
tcnu,ti, but just let me take breath "
"Then, Monsieur, at the end Of the
quarter of an hour you have asked for,
YOU will at least inform ne what occa-
sion brings you to my house ~
MadcmolSclle," replies Kacan, "to
Thank you for your present"
W hat present =
Your LOmLrc"
My LOm6'e," says Modcmoisello
dc Gournay, who began to comprehend
the language Racan spoke.
Certainly, for your L'Ombre"
Jamin, says Madcmoisellc dc Gour.
nay, undeceive this poor man. l have
sent my book to 10 one but to Mon
sieur dc Malherbc, and he did not de,
serve it, for his unfair criticism on my
writings, and to Monsieur Racam, who
has just left me-"
Who has just left you" cries Racan,
Il am La!an"
You are Latan did not say
Latan-l said Racan
The unlueky poet made indefinite of-
forts to tell his name, which was com.
posed OF five letters, two of which he
could not pronounce, which he so strcna-
ously distorted, that Mademoisclle dc
G0urnay was unsuccessful in hcrattempts
to comprehend it Becoming impatient
DO you know how 10 write ?"
"Do | know how TO write 81 jc sais
ete'le! Give me pen aud you shall
see"
Jamin give the gentleman pen"
Jalnm obeyed--gave pen to the un'
fortunate visiter, who wrote as legibly as
possible, in large hand, Racan.
Racanl" cried Jamin.
Racan Racan !" repeated Madcmoi
soille dc Gournay
| am he" said Racan, enchanted at
being understood, and supposing his re-
eeption would now be different
Look at him, Jamin; is lie no!
pretty fellow to take that namo ?" and
Mademoisello dc Gournay became very
furious The other two" said she,
Sc were at least amiablc and pleasing, but
this fellow is miserable buffoon
-" Madcmoiscl!c, Mademoisolle, you
amaze me pray tell me- what you