Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1856-12-05
Possibly said the marchioness, your

My groom has not been away from
the house these two days, madame, and
is not likely to know anything of what
happened out of doors last night
And your other domestics ?
Are all in Paris
what! only one groom ?
only one groom. madame-as l am
here today and gone tomorrow
Very well, monsieur. Excuse my
questions. l warned yeu they would be
impertinent. The fact is, my servant
saw horse bridled and saddled running
mp the avenue last night, as if he had
thrown some one and run away; and
the affair has made me so uneasy that |
have not been able to think of anything
else ever since.
That anxiety does great honor to
your kind heart, dear madame said the
count. 4 assure you regret very sin
cerely that have not been thrown off
my horse myself--so that | might be
able to answer your inquiries, and have
the honor and the pleasure of your COM
passion.
This was spoken with great gallantry.
and the marchioness could not for bear a
little blush but she moved rcstlessly in
her chair, as if annoyed at the thought
of being baked in the elucidation of a
romantic mystery.
Excuse me, monsieur, for my persis-
tence,' she went on but, as | am in
formed, this horse, saldlcI and bridled,
but without a rider, stopped it's hcadlong
course at your gate, of all places in the
world-and that the gate was opened,
and he was let in. 1t was the fact of
the creature running hither, indeed, that
made me fear some one belonging to the
house had met with the accident
1T must be all a mistake, madame,
said the count. smiling again. Your
servants eyesight must have deceived
him in the gloom of the evening. And
"a black horse, too-did you not say
black horse :
Yes, monsieur-perfectly black
4 have not sueh an animal. l have
only one horse here, in fact, at present,
and he is more white than black
The marchioness flushed it seemed
as if she were doomed to be baffled.
.Well,' said she, rising from her chair,
there is certainly something mysterious
for on one occasion saw this horse run
ming up the avenue myself; and my SER
want has seen it twice. Is it not very re-
markable. monsieur
SO remarkable, that | am altogether
at loss what to say or think about it.
But that you may be satisfied that the
horse in question is not mine, / will
have my Rozinante brought out for your
inspection
Three times, monsieur! is it not
stranger repeated the ma-chioness with
emphasis, looking into the face Of the
count.
Sometimes in our lives we find it i'm
possible to comprehend what we see and
hear said the count with shrug. but
still with the imperturbable smile which
the disappointed marchioness found so
intolerable. However. | am we'll con-
tent to remain in wonder and ignorance,
since the phenomenon has procured me
the honor and pleasure of this visit
'Ah. monsieur, l did not come with a
disposition to joke; and l am still in.
clined to regard these circumstances very
seriously the marchioness said. as she
moved towards the door. 4 shall take
some further steps to clear up the mys-
terry, for one cannot endure the thought
of such things occurring in ones own
neighborhood. and nobody able to make
head or tail of them. Depend upon it,
l will soon know what is the meaning of
it ali. monsieur
'Good-luck to your endeavors my
dear madame and when you have made
the discovery may I ask that you will
honor me with communication for l
also have been very much struck by
what you have told me-
Still, my good sir, you seem to treat
it very lightly
Il regard this mystery of mysteries as
altogether piece of good fortune for
myself
For yourself, monsieur
les, uIdudfIle loE OtucIWlSc WuO
knows how long might have remained
in ignorance of the most charming
neighbor it was ever mans happiness 70
have
'Ah, you are welcome to your badin-
age. monsieur exclaimed the marchion-
ess, moving away towards her carriage
with swifter step, though she could re-
strain neither laugh nor blush.
In the courtyard. on one side of the
gateway. she saw Antoine examining,
with great steadfastness, beautiful
horse, which the groom was leading to
and fro.
There is the only animal l have here
at present. said the count. That, l
suppose, is not the one you have been
alluding to
1t is certainly not the same horse !
saw said the marchioness curtly, for she
was considerably piqued at the though OF
her inquiries being all in vain.
'And you SIR said the count to An
toine-'is this the animal you saw last
night ?
He's exactly the same size, your ex.
cellency, and has exactly the same swing
of the head answered Antoine, looking