The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-04-24
WASHINGTON, d. c..
For the National Era
WHAT IT COSTS TO KNOW COUNTESS.
BY MRS. BELL SMITH.
BY MRS. BELL SMITH
PART iii.

BY MRS. BELL SMITH.
PART III
4. FIVE. precisely, our friends appeared at
81 and made two of a company OF thirteen.
n.,v,on had an eye solely to the dinner; Dun
ION bepan to look up the company, as they
tered and took their places. First, came
m bopy Frenchman, decorated, of course;
,.,n an Englishman and wife, both aoomina-
y, ;Ildressed. of course; then French mad
d, lady. very ugly, of course; and then-Dun-
-r..on started, for before him appeared the
issutiful unknown of the opera, accompanied
}, ,be stout gentleman, sporting the frogs and
5..,-s.ion. She swept in, and Dungleson saw
MIRO hut her. The rich dress and diamonds
Ii r;ysn Mace to a handsome but modest
r,bs The Jewels had disappeared, but the
...rross remained, more attractive, if possible,
than ever. DraytOn said the dinner was abom-
III. lint Dungleson had NO idea what he
had been eating. Then came long talks, specu-
lst;ops. and plans FRANCOIS was despatched
e., Information, and returned with the facts,
that the two we're Monsieur and Madame Car
uo, How to make their experimentation
| 10 come nearer his divinity-were troublesome
,,estions. Leave it to chance, said Drayton;
and to chance it was left, simply because Dun
.e,on could think of no process to gain what
vas row the main object of his existence.
Il tell you what, Pussy, pluck up," ex-
damned Drayton. "Don't you see what an
sernal taker that Frenchman is? Now, pitch
n ion the confab at table, and you will know
,hsn Immediately"
The advice was good, but a difficulty lay in
playleson's French, which was not the clear
e,, ia the world Indeed, it could scarcely be
e51siered conversational French, unless Oh
rrdoras phrases, such as ADez UouS Soify"
y A'ai pas Soft" could be considered such.
Eoseyer, when they again met at table, he
made an effort. 1t was not happy in itself,
| bit quite so ia the result. Dungleson said one
| hing the Frenchman replied to another, and
the matter was becoming sadly mixed, when
Madame Carnot, with a sweet smile, came to
he rescue. The ice broken, the way was easy.
Dungleson ventilated great deal of his French,
and after dinner was invited to take part in a
| little rubber of whist. He had this beautiful
creature for a partner. Time few by on downy
wings, aud at midnight they separated, Dun
glesln carrying with him into the land of
creams the sweetest smile and the softest adieu
Ina, ever fell on loving mortal.
This game of whist led to other games of
Ehist. and other games of whist led to greater
. .timacy, which led to a change of location
. om tie conversation room TO Monsieur Car
| lots private parlor, and the whist impercepti-
| ty changed into little games of ecdrte, and
ome losses IN the current coin. What of that?
| DanglesOn was in Paradise. The two friends
secame exceedingly intimate with the stout
'entleman Of the decoration and the fair lady
81 the diamonds. The private drawing room
vas open to them at all hours. They rode to-
fether and walked together, and got up little
conspiracy, by which the moustached gentle
nan was forced to vacate the billiard-room,
and they played billiards together, and more
Of the current coin changed hands. But, Of all
things, the walks were the most delightful.
lhe good Eatured Drayton kept Monsieur Car
not engaged, while Dungleson hirted with the
eautifu Madame. Oh those golden starlit
saiks along the smooth sands, where the waves
o. me sea played soft accompaniment to the
otter nonsense.
What condolences How prettily she told
-r sfleis-yes, her wrongs. She was the I'M
ppy victim 10 the false state Of society in
france. Married TO n man she had never seen
'tl the hour she was led victim to the altar,
nd heard under the church window the report
the pistol that finished the earthly career of
Aphonse, the only man she ever could have
J'ed. But my little sketch would lengthen
ITO novel of three volumes, were | to write
a he fond Percival heard.
She did not love Carnot Could she not love
Dungleson? Visions Of flight. of fights, of
-7oree, OF marriage, of never-ending happi-
-, when the firm of Dungleson, Drayton, &
w. alter cashing all the drafts, should re-
ge'e the two fugitives from everything, into the
Saon OF their somewhat puritanical circle,
efel night and day through the fevered i'm
--latlon # our young friend.
Love made the poor fellow yet more extrava-
alt Tom was despatched TO Paris for the
.'ises and dOg-cart, all of which arrived in
.-s ume, and the young gentlemen grew into
l'f' But this was only the beginning of
ne end. 4 fair English lady was in the habit
= driving herself in little carriage, drawn by
NO beautiful long-tailed ponies. Madame Car
az capped her dimpled hands, like child,
= NE SIGHT, and went into a long history of
~ ume when she drove ust such a pair.
i5'AVai knew of such a turnout, which could
purchased at bargain; the ponies were,
= anything, more beautiful, and the carriage
,,ffl'eF' aud more fairy like. One morning,
t1-@ne Carnot was called to the door, aud
'Ae'e stood the delicate little concern. She
'@' asked to act as cOcher. How her innocent,
We, lace lighted, as she seized the ribands,
5l1 GROVE The lover away During that ride,
'erciVal said much. 1t was difficult to man.
: ne ponies, and Madame Carnot was out of
ss ayuce: She could not reply to the eloquent
carnations which fell from the lips of the al
-oS insane youth. He bad said all, and re-
's',sa no response. There was long silence
Igy drew near the hotel.
H. "hat will you do with your ponies ?" said
D.ia,sieSon, breaking the silence.
ny PONIES exclaimed Madame.
.i teS' Il you will so honor me as to accept
II % i am SO glad; you make me so happy
lueIe vas something so childlike and limo
~. 4 ABOUT THIS manner of receiving the present
90 me most critical could noe object. But
~, sI pause, she seemed to reflect, and said
cannot accept"
WY! demanded the lover.
P, Ay husband, what will he think ?"
.rl ile fertile mind of Percival suggested al
yeIent. He would lose the turnout at 6
aIs Of billiards with the husband; and thai
80 80 10 little game of two ponies and car
n n against diamond ring, Dungleson lost
J,a --e course of true love, we all know, never
i. run smooth. But the course of true love
rapids, rough, quick, and unhappy-and
-'e.ines cataracts-great falls, where, shoot
u w.; S,er terrible precipices sheer down fathoms
/ r -aalAoms, 1t, this slender stream, dissipates
i, qs and spray, never, never to collect again
ssr Io1s oil in golden clouds to the heaven o.
Lpso u'y' thus comes it to an unhappy con
n, and yet gives not memory brighter
10 An ana is not the thing pleasanter than wher
o. - osH!leF-Of-fact stream rolls slowly, quietly
w ulsSannaar in the san nf ,,,atr;nnnnua Nc.