The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1856-03-15
CHAPTER ",

tie OF the city; it penetrated narrow streets,
and thus. in performing its mission, it fourd
the dwelling Of Marat. and, rcepins through
the DIM pane, sent few rays to kiss the
cheek of the sleeping child. Christine.
The reader as doubtless OWNED. already.
that our little friend owed her abduction to
the p. ans OF Alb-,tine and Marat. The lat
ter had. contrary to his custom. Joined the
mob on the previous night. and followed
them to the convent, where he carefully
watched their progress, without seeming to
take part in any of their proceedings. When
the search for the nuns commenced, he was
all eve and ear, and was one of the first to
learn that they had taken refuge in the gar
den. Accordingly, when they began to as
cend the ladder. he stationed himself near
its foot, and watched for his prey with the
utmost eayernrss. The cleaning bracelet
on the wrist Of Christine BETRAYED her, and
the result is known. Assisted by kindred
spirit whom he had previously engaged to 10
his bidding. he bad carried her to his abo,le.
and given her into the hands Of her mother
At first. she had uttered loud cries. and
s,rivrn with all her strength to escape Bu,
the harsh tones and threatening words of her
cartor soon frightened her INTO silence, and
like captive bird. she BETRAYED her terror
only by perfect stiffness. and the strong
quici; beating of her heart But when. a,
the entrance OF tne little court, Marat took
her from the arms of his stout attendant, and
carried her down INTO the dismal room, her
cries broke forth anew
Alhrrtin had IaS>ionatclv desired TO get PCS
session of her child. ever since she learned
some months before, that she was an inmate
Of the convent. She desired it partly from
the warnings of a mother. whiuh had moi
quite left her breast in all her course nf sin
and partly from the feeling OF re>tIesSnes>
which looked to this achievement to restore
some of the enjoyment Of her davs of limo
rence: and she now used her utmost cndea
vOrs to calm and rea>snrp Christine. Bu
she repealed all the Efforts of Albrr,ine tc
nacitv her. and threw herself on the floor
convni>cd with weeping.
Now be quiet, ma petite Thou shall,
live with me-"
No. no. let me 90 to Crsule-I want on
" UrSule. :"
IL am thy ''othcr. little one Look up
and ] will tell thee about IT,"
No, you are not. | have no mother.
have nobody but trsule." sobhed Christine.
And thus she continued to weep and Srieve
till. utterly exhausted. she fell asleep to-
wards morning and Albertine laid her on the
bed. Her Ion. hair was tangled and mat
ted. and clung TO her wet cheeks and tenn
pies, and deep shu,ldcriny sobs at interval:
shook her whole frame as size slept
What wilt thou DO with her, Berthe =
asked Marat, getting mp from his desk, a
which he had worked necessarily since hi
return. without giving himself moment Eo
sleep. or allowing the cries and tears of Chris
tine TO disturb him. "What wilt thou d,
with her, ,Bertie:" he now asked, as he folde,
his manuscript.
She will be quiet enough presently" sh
answered, deprecatingly.
lie went nearer the bed, and look ed at her
"Is she not beautiful 2" exclaimed Alber
tine, with pride, as the two stood gazing ad
mirinslv.
What group was that The hard, bruta
man. and his fallen, wretchcd companion. bot
sof'rncd into momcntarv humanity befor
th-ir innocent, sleeping victim.
AT that moment quick step was heard o.
the crcakinc stair, and Antoine entered tn
room. lie also approached the bed wonder
in.lv. lie had never seen so lovely child
and he looked at Albrrtne as f for an ex
,lanation; but Christine moved unrasilv i
her sleep. and s:ehins heavily, threw out he
arms. The little hand fell again on the RAG
ced cOunterpane, and in a moment or tw,
she opened her eyes, looked around with
troubled, Yerplexed gaze on the room and i,
occupants, and then closed them again, an
turned her face over on the bed, as if sh
hoped she was not quite awake yet, and tha
these figures we're but the remnant of a di.
NAL dream But the voices convinced he
,!.at she was not dreaming.
her :" asked Antoine.
"She is lamb from the fold of St. Ma
rie," answered Marat.
She is very pretty. Wilt thou keep he
here 2"
"Ay, she is mine, answered AIberfin'
proudly. But Christine began to cry sgair
and Antoine spoke to her. She looked uI
for his words were kind, and bis voice vi
very pleasant.
Dost thou live here too 2" she asked.
! mo, but | come here every morning. W
shall be good friends, shall we not ?"
She answered him with half smile. an
a deep, sotbin. sigh. But Antoine was in
hurry. and he took the manuscript from Ma
rat. and went away.
1t was dreary awakening for poor Cbri'
tine As she cav the place more distinct,