Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-08-07
Gboite M(istflImp,
Poor Monsieur Achille.

Monsieur Achille was the richest banker
in Paris. Born and bred Jew, he had when
very young, from motives of interest con-
formed TO the Christian faith. He was now
about forty years of age, but looked some
wears less-short, stout, sallow, with the
features peculiar to his natisn, black hair,
whiskers, small piercing eyes, dressed in the
extreme of fashion, surrounded by every
article of taste and luxury-in all extra
neous circumstances gentleman and bel
esprit; but in mind and heart, as in face end
person, 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 Montifiore was waiting to see
him in the grand saloon; that she had come
on foot and unattended, and had oFly at last
given her name when she found it impos-
sible to obtain admission without doing So
Monsieur Achilles pale cheek flushed,
then faded to double sallowness; then he
smiled, then he almost trembled. AT last
he desired his valet to return 20 the duchess,
and announce his speedy arrival; then haV-
ing carefully revised his toilet, and fortified
himself with glass from one of the bottles
of LIQUOR on the table before him, he de-
scended to the saloon.
The Duchess was stsnding with her back
to him, examining a picture of exquisite
beauty, which hung on the opposite side of
the room. He had time to close the door
and advance half way up the apartment be-
fore she became aware of his entrance or
turned to greet him. When she did do so,
what contrast did she present to him! She,
in her calm and smiling beauty-so cold and
so proud-so supremely lovely! He with
coarse and ordinary features, his ungainly
figure, his embarrassed, manner! The
Duchess was a beautiful woman-perhaps
she never looked more beautiful than she
did at that moment-her tall form drawn to
its full hight, her simple white robe and
bonnet, her rich, unadorned hair, her pale
lip trembling with a smile, the ineffable
sweetness of which thrilled the heart OF the
man before her, while he WINGED beneath
its deep contempt.
She spoke first "Mt nsleur Achille,
have come to beg favor of you; but pray
sit down." (He obeyed her, and they seatet
themselves opposite to each other.) 81
have come to ask you for money-we kno"
how rich you are. You must know how
affairs stand with us. Our revenues barely
support our rank--our expenses are enor
NOUS. The sale of all my jewels will no
raise sufficient to pay this debt of honor o
nv husband's-but it must be paid, and to
morrow. You, who know everything, mus
know this, and to you, as the richest nal
in Paris, | come TO request the loan-l NIGH
almost say. the gift-of thirty thousand loui
dor"
"THirtv thousand louis! Madame-yc
ask nal. what possess"
"Not so, Monsieur Achille. One success
full speculation will restore it &c. you. Yo
will scarcely miss it; to me, it would be lii
more than life-honor. This, with I'll
sale of my diamonds, will bring US bare
through"
Monsieur Achille was silent for some tin
then with bitter sneer, said:
"Try De Valens and Beaufeur; will n
these supply you!"
"You mock me-you know they canno
All! Monsieur Achille, have mercy--ba'
mercy" and the duchess, sinking on h
knees, clasped her white hands, and la
them on his feet.
"You have had little mercy, madame
you have had little mercy!" and then the
was a pause. "You love your husband m
dame?"
"Better than nv lfe!" was the reply.
"Then rise madame; seat yourself, a
listen to me-"
Thai evening, about nine O'Clock. Mo
sieur Achille, dressed with the utmost e.
gance, shrouded in a large cloak, uDt
which he carried small but heavy pack
entered his cabriolet, and desiring his &C
fdential valet to attend him, drove in t
direction of the Hotel Montifore.
The drive was long one; and he proce'