Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-08-01
fitrrarp Selections.
FATE OF MONS. ACHILLE.


Monsieur Achille was the richest ban
kar In Paris. Born and bred Jew, he
had when very young, from motives of
interest, conformed to the Christian faith.
He was now about forty years of age,
but looked some years less-short, stout,
sallow, with the features peculiar to his
tribe, black hair, bushy whiskers, small
piercing ayes, dressed in the extreme of
fashion, surrounded by every article of
taste and luxury-in all extraneous cir
cumssances, a gentleman and a bel esprit /;
but IN mind and heart, as in face and per-
son, jew and plebeian.
One morning, at the early hour of
eleven, while seated at breakfast, he was
startled by an announcement from his
valet that the Duchess de Montifore was
waiting to see him in the grand saloon
that she had come on foot, and unattend-
ed, and had only at last given her name
when she found it impossible to obtain
admission without doing so.
Monsieur Achilles pale cheek flushed,
then faded to double sallownesS, then
he smiled, then almost trembled. AT
last, he desired his valet to return to the
Duchessand announce his speedy arrival;
then, having carefully revised his toilet,
and fortified himself with glass from
one Of the bottles of liquor on the table
before him, he descended to the grand
saloon.
The duchess was standing with her
back to him, examining picture of ex-
quisite beauty, which hung on the oppo-
site side of the room. He had time to
close the door and advance half way up
the apartment before she became aware
of his entrance or turned to greet him.
When she did SO, what contrast did she
present to him. She, in her calm and
smiling beauty-so cold and so proud
50 supremely lovely! He with his coarse
and ordinary features; his ungainly fig
ure, his embarrassed manner! The
duchess was a beautiful woman-per-
haps she had never looked more beauti-
full than she did at that moment-her
tall form drawn to its full height, her
simple white robe and bonnet, her rich,
unadorned hair, her pale lip trembled
With q smile, the ineffable loveliness OF
which thrilled to the heart of the man
before her, while he WINGED beneath its
deep contempt.
She spoke first 'NIonsieur Achille
/ have come to beg favor of you-but
pray sit down." Gle obeyed her, and
they seated themselves opposite to each
other.) 81 have come to ask for money
we know how rich you are. You
must know how affairs stand with us
our revenues barely support our rank
our expenses are enormous. The sale
Of all my jewels will not raise sufficient
to pay this debt of honor of my husbands
but it must be paid, and paid to-mor-
row. You, who know everything, must
know all this; and to you, as the richest
man in Paris, ] come to request the loan
Il might almost say, the gitt-of thirty
shoasand louis d'or"
"Thirty thousand louis, madame you
ask half what possess"
"Not so, Monsieur Achille; one sue
cessful speculation will restore it to you
You viii scarcely miss it; to me, it viii
be life-more than life-honor. This
with the sale of my diamonds, will brins
us barely through"
Monsieur AchilIe was silent for som,
time; then, then, with bitter sneer sal,
-"Try De Valens and Beaufeur-wil
not these supply you?"
"You mock me-you know they can
4 not OH Monsieur AchilIe, have mer
cy-have mercy!' and the duchess sink
j ing on her knees, clasped her hands, ant
b laid them on his feet.
Y You have bad little mercy, madam
. you have had little mercy;" and thel
81 there was pause. AT last-''You low
'BS your husband, madam" 'Better thai
y my life" was The reply. "Then rise mad
~ am; seat yourself, and listen to me-"
r