Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1859-11-18

phantom pleasures. A slight blush upon
her cheeks a,testei the 6neuess OF the skin
OF the countess, yet the brown circles be-
meath her eyes were more distinctly marked
than usual But nature had suiicien, Gu
erey 10 prO'ent these marks Of exhaustion
irenehing much upon her appearance, and
her eyes bad no, yet los, their brillianey.
"Sir," said she, prcsontins me chair,
pray have tho goodness to wait little F"
" Until tomorrow at noon, madam" an
'vered !, folding up the bill which had
shown to her I have no right to protest
before that hour" Bu, said within my
self PAY Tor thy luxury. pay for the
monopoly which thou cpjoyes,. There are
tribunals. judges. and -ca1olds ior wreiehss
without dread Of Consequences but fJr you
who sleep on Xix aud .rcad On satin, ,hero
l. rcmor'c, AMI the sngui.h which tears the
bear, :" - protest! What are you
thinking OFF," exclaimed she. You
surely would no, have - lis,lo regard Tor
me1" III the king oWed me money, mad
au. and did no, pay mo, | would no, delay,
no, no, an instant"
Z" At this momen, gentle rap was heard
at the door Of the chamber. ~ am not
here :" exclaimed the young countess in an
ilnperious tone. 4" Louisa. wish much 10
so YOU" answered ths voice. =" No; az
tai. moment, NY dear answered ,he, in
tone lees severe, but FAR from sweet. "You
joke, Tor you are speaking to 'omO one"
So saying, gentleman who could Be none
other than tho count. the husband Of the
lady. entered tie room. The COUNTESS look.
Cd at me. understood her. sho was boz
come my slave. "wha, Is your business? ?"
said the count, addressing me. | saw the
vii, ,remhle. The pure whi,sness OF her
neck grew freckled IL laughed without
moving muscle. "Oh. he 10 ono OF my
trndssmsn." said she. The count turned
hi- hack. bu. did no, retire. and drew tho
bill bali out OF my pocket. A, this InsE.
orablc mo,ement, she came to me-, and pre-
sontei diamond. take IT," said she,
" and leave us.''
=" We exchanged the two securities, and
| retired. The diamond was worth IL hun.
dred francs. observed in tho court two
.umptnous squipagcs. Wallets brushing their
liycrie', and other. cleaning boots. -
" There, said |, TO myself. that. what
bring, these people IN mo- But precisely
a, this moment, the grcl, gate was thrown
open, and gave entrance to the elegant til
bury Of the young man who had passed me
the bill Of exchange. :" "Sir." said /. as he
descended, :" hero ar, two hundred francs,
which l bog the favor Of youI IvsIOring to
the countess; and you will also inform her
TIA, ! shall hold at her disposal, FOR eisht
days, tho pledge which she placed with me
thi, morning" he took the two hundred
francs. with q smile of irony, ns II he would
have 'aiI, "Ah, ha!--sho has paid i,!-.o
much tho better"
IL now proceeded 10 the Rue Mon,mar-
,rC, 10 tie house Of Fanny Malvcrt. as.
cenicd y small rude staircase, and on the
fourth door was introduced into an apart
msn, where every thing WAS simple and
clean. did not perceive the least trace Of
dust upon the upprr,endiuS furniture. Fam
ny was q young Partisan girl, VI elegant
and fresh appearance, and a tcwitchins ayr.
with her hair collected IA two hyws upon
her temples, which gave an arch expression
10 her blue eyes, purc as crystal. Sbe was
dressed with grea; simplicity. The sun,
passing through tho blinds, cast q gentle
lish, upon her beautiful features. Pieces
Of linen around her announced TO me her
babi,ual occupation. She offered to me Iho
image of laborious solitude. When pre-.
scnieI her with the bill oi exchange. sad
that ! had not succeeded in finding her at
home in the morning, ami that i, appeared
she went early out. "Oh, am very scl.
dom from home. said .he "but when
one works all night, It !, necessary somc.
times 20 take bath" ! serutinized her,
aud in u moment comprehendOd her history.
She was the daughter Of family formerly
rich, whom misfortune had condemned 10
labor. | cannot describe the air Of virtue
aud modesty joined to q native nobleness.
which remarked to her. All around her
was in unison with her manners. ltap.
peAred 10 me that was in an atmosphere
Of sincerity aud candor, and | brcathud at
my case. lpercelyed simple bed Of paint
cd wood, with crueiGT on tho top Of It. |
was touched. icls d'sposed to leave her
not only the money which was due to me,
bat also the diamond Of the countess (; but
| thought that such a present might DO
faithful to her. and upon further reflection,
retained both. especially Ms the diamond
would readily cell for fifteen hundred francs
to an actress or to newly married lady.
Add then. thought !, she has some admirer
who vould make brsastpn OF my dia.
moni, and would soon dovour tho thousand
francs. As you entered this evening, was
thinking what an excellent wife this Fanny
Malyeri would make. shall no, easily
forget the impression made upon mo by tho
comparison between her pure and solitary
life and the career OF ih, Countess. who has
already made a plaDge towards vice."
"well." he resumed. after pause Of
profound silence, during which | sas in
mute astonishInent. "do you think IL moth
ino thus ta panatrata iN,if. tho uiast saeret