Delaware Democrat. (Wilmington, Del.) 1857-1858, 1857-08-29

r7sssisS sts-l lstfes. .;ss.t zvf shs ssss.-s {.
Louis XIV, of France, masqueradcs were
in high estimation, and public ones were
often given, at Immense cost, on Court
days and other occasions of rejoicing. TO
these latter persons Of all ranks, who could
afford to purchase the ticket, were admis-
sblc; and accordingly rcnconsres frequent
ly took place at them, anl exhibitions, al
most as curious in the way of disguise as
in the assumption of character
On one occasion, disce of the Duke Of
Nemoure, Madame La Valiere, woman
of high rank and fashion, being accident
ally separated from her party upon very
crowded staircase, was oIprtunely ussi ted
by stranger Of remarkable activity snd
address. Io was masked and c.oaked 10
The teeth, but lie possessed handsome
figure and ecntlemauly bearing; and,
after cxtrieaiing the lady by main strength
from a situation OF considerable difficulty,
lie somewhat surprised her BY addressing
her by name. --.f.
"Ah you know INC, then I" said Mad
ame La Val,iere, starting.
Tho stranger readily asscnted.
"l,ut, perhaps, it is the name onl ~ con.
tinued the Isdy.
That was not ezacily the case; for the
stranger, though he persisted in refusing to
unmask, alluded at once to details which
could scarcely come within the knowledge
even Of an ordinary acquaintance.
-"This is truly astonishing u exclaimed
the lady. "Will you really not tell me to
whom | am SO deeply indebted I"
INSTANTLY, if your ladyship commands
it; though should | have been 80 fortunate
as to be useful to you, graut me the favor
not to ask. But see, Madame, you are al
ready missed your party Is approaching
in search of you"
"At least, SIR" said Madame L. Yalli-
ere, whose curiosity US we'll US gratitude
was now strongly aroused, "pronlise me
that / shall see you tomorrow at my house
to dinner. | have only smallseleei party
of four friends who will dino witlims.
"Tney are relativesl' ~
"You are right-they are so, but / shall
be glad, nevertheless, to introduce yoH.
Win you promise "
~ not only promise, Madame replied
the stranger, turning to beaufet, ''to at
end you with the utmost ploasure, but that
| will present you with glass Of the samt
kind of wine tomorrow at your ogn tablc
as this which now offer, on condition that
you will srink II with me"
The lady instantly accepted, with great
gaity; aud, according to the French Gus
tom, pledged the stranger by touching the
lips OF bis glass with that Of her own =
Her friends now drew near; and the siran.
ger, bowins profoundly was soon lost in
the giddy multitude.
Madame La Valhere slept not wink
that night; the next morning found her in
a state Of the most fevsrish curiosity. Sur
prising that sho was not even able toguess
who be was, nor which Of all her acqu2int
ances it could bo. But toe dinner hour
was approachins--tho servants had orders
to admit any stranger who might present
himself. A few hours more, aud the nys.
terry would be ended.
The dinner hour atleDgth came, tnt rl
stranger had made his appearance. lh,
lady had previously announced 10 hel
friends that She expected visiter who was
unknoNnto them. The enrased chef ii
cRisisc had already iltima;cd that liz
lt,icqtl- sea auc1 aisi , wou'i al b,