Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-10-31
The Life of a Coquette.

The beautiful Baronne B--was a
coquette and widow, and was two proud
of the precious freedom of widowhood to
wish to mar it a second time In the silkeu
bonds of wedlock. So, strengthening her
weak woman's heart with the shield of
universal coquetry, she babe defiance to the
sighs and vows with which she was attack
ed. She laughed at the credulity of her
victims, and despised them that they could
sue so long and so vainly; but in their tn;
umphs she lost the better attributes of the
womau's gifts-her beauty, her youth and
her wit-she trampled them under feet as
worthy offerings to her own pride of soul.
The only recollection our widow kept Of
matrimony was that it had furnished her
with tyrant and fortune. Her husband
had been cold, stern and infexible, but the
fates decreed that she would soon be relea-
sed from him, and she was blooming and
beautiful the cynosure of every gaze
among the men, be it understood. Perhaps
it was not so wholly her own fault thatshe
was such despot. Her bright eyes gave
laws to her crowd of followers. She re-
warded with a smile; she could punish with
single word, exterminate with an epigram,
exile with look. She felt her power,
and used it. Men feared her wit, while
they were led captive by her beauty. Wo-
men hated her but dould not detect flaw
in the show of her character worse than
that she was cold-hearted coquette.-
There was one, however, among her train
of adorers, who had vowed to himself to
win this lady and he threw himself, heart
and soul, at the coquette's feet, sure that
the reality of his own feelings must conquer
the frivolous caprice of her character. He
was all heart and feeling. Loves great
est miracle is to slay coquetry,' said her
unfortunate lower when he left the salons
where his mistress reigned supreme. But
to Madame b. a secret voice murmered in
the tones of rejoicing What happiness
to love no one and to see ones self beloved
by allp
But what misery to the lover to see his
worshipped smiling upon all the same
beaming smile. Hide the jealousy from
the scornful eyes of this coquette sighed
the beating heart. Of all ills which love
brings jealousy is the one for which won en-
has the least sympathy. And so the Count
Stephano hid his misery in fight. Alb
sconce is the tomb Of slight passions; but it
fans the spark of real affection into a
flame He therefore, as it was but natu-
raj that he should, as quickly returned, and
laid his affections once more at her feet
Count Stephano was not to be denied
she had listened too long-she had gone
too far to recede-she could hear him
He continued his persevering addresses
| till one morning she sent him this letter:
| Your love annoys me, dear friend-for
so, in spite of all, / must call you-and
your jealousy frightens me. have, there.
fore, taken refuge in fight, and by the tt me
you receive this, shall be far on my way to
land whittier you dare not follow me-
| My uncle commands an Austrian garrison
in Italy, and mean to join him at Milan.
I hope to meet you again one of these days
| in France, when you shall have learned to
sink the lover in the friend; and when I
hope to find you a reasonable and modest
gentleman, instead of wilful, passionate
Italian lover, who cares not to understand
the caprice of woman's heart
She shall not escape me thus he said
the fcoquette shall learn what it is to deal
with mems hearts. shall follow her.
He was prescribed, his estate confscated,
and a price set upon his head. He there
fore hazarded much in entering Italy again
The Count Stephano had taken an active
part in some revolutionary proceedings in
his native land, and, having rendered him.
self obnoxious to the Austrian government,
escaped with his life and moderate for
tune to France.
The Baronne had been some short time
in Milan, when one day General VS.
chasseur announced French traveller, who
desired to see Madame B. at once.
His name?' said the lady.
He will not give it.
sThen we will not admit him. said the
/ General.
'Oh, let us see him. said the Barenne,
tperhaps it is some friend of mine eho is
in Distress
'As you will,' said the General
And Count Stephano entered the cham.
; Der.
!, If Madame bad uttered the name
which trembled on her lips, the Counts
fate would have been soon decided but
!, for once the coquette's ready wit served her
in good cause.
sAh, my dear cousin cried she, chow
glad I am to see you. No doubt you have
taken me al my WOTu, anu 1od arc cOHe 70
. escort me home. / shall be ready in few
days. Allow me to introduce you to my
t uncle. Dear uncle, this is one Of my hus-
: bands family, whom you have never me,
before.
The old Austrian General held out his
hand to the Count, and bade him corteous
= welcome. Count Stephano could scarcely
: repress smile at his strange position, al.
though he felt that he stood in a perilous
! situation and the lady suffered all the
!, horrors of intense anxiety, now but imper.
o fectly yelled beneath her usual gay and
: careless air. For the first time in her life
our coquette felt that she had to reply be-
fore God and man for tho life which hel
d levity had placed in jeopardy. She passet
:, the night in pacing her chamber, in weep
ing bitter tears, in prayers which rose from
the heart and not the lips.
!, At early dawn next day the General en-
b tered the chamber. She was already dres
# sed she had not laid down during th,
o night, her face was pale, her eyes wer
! IS full Of tears. Her uncle stood a momsn
!, and looked upon her sternly and sadly.
nj Camilla, said he, at length, hay
70 bad news from you. This cousin of your
! is no Frenchman. He is an Italian noble