Wabash express. [volume] (Terre-Haute, Vigo Co[unty], Ind.) 1841-186?, 1860-06-20
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The Portrait, or an Authors COurtship
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CHAPTER TX.

~ the admirer cares upon this charm
ng abode. he can imagine nothing more
hat could ada 10 the establishment Of n
place where all the inventive faculties OF
human genius. combined with tho magic
skill Of the human had been exerercised,
and appeared 10 have been exhausted Ia
the perfecting Of It's adornmsnt. Walks
made OF the purest, whitest. smallest OF
pebble stones, their whiteness increased by
the contrast they opposed TO the dark
green Of the grass. noble trees. Towering
shrubs, ornamental vases IN which were
blooming exquisite flowers, are there In the
greatest profasion. There is erected on
the summit Of gentle eminence rising
from the house. n building which serves
the lwo.fold purpose Of green house aud
observatory. IL. 10 Its architecture CORES.
ponds with the house. and Is built upon
the model Of n Greek temple.
The morning after the conversation just
recorded. two gentlemen. stepping from
the portico Of the miniature temple. de.
scended the hill and entered the house.
In the one We recognise M. Villeneau. the
other Is his intimate friend. NJ. Gautier.
II think the prospect from this bay win.
dow IL finer than from any other point Of
observation about the building" remarked
M. Gautier as he walked 10 the par!or, and
seated himself near il.
What exquisite taste you have display
ed in the internal arrangement. and furni.
ture Of this home of yours. villeneau
How suggestive OF America everything
is In this room, continued Gautier, as he
glanced at paintings Of American scenery.
which adored the walls, and noticed that
only works witten by the best American
authors, laid upon the tables.
"Was your long sojourn in that country
so delightful that you wish constantly to
he reminded of it ~
J mot particularly so"
at ia seldom, vilieneau, that a man ha,
an opportunity to crafty two senses at th'
same time. When be has, he should i'm
prove it. Therefore, while l am deriving
exquisite pleasure from seeing all tn,
! beauty with which nature and art has in
vested this lovely place. lst my ear b.
! charmed by the melody which your finger,
can produce from the piano"
villeneau took his seat at the instrument
and after playing an air with that expires
Al nd eul.t 81 IL a
|. please, and which proved that he was mas
e ter of the art. arose, aud said that h
r thought that the most beautiful part Q
/. the Opera Of lie Prophetic"
&. 81 never admired Il before; but you In
: vest everything you say and do. with tn
. Undesirable charm Of your genius, an
what In others would be common. plac,
+. said or performed by you. would appes
I brilliant and interesting. You are an er
}, viable man, Villeneau, | scarcely kno,
o which 10 the most enyisble, the reputatio
>. you have gained. great as that Is, rs a
= author, or the possession Of this delight
}. fnl place"
: "when review my life and think f,
u the years that have devoted 10 study, 9,
9 cluded from tho society and sympathy
Q men, my life seems TO me very unsatisfas
} tory. aud the reputation. which you deer
J. so enviable, consider dearly purchased
o ] think there ara moments when ever
4 man, no matter how eminent lac may ba,
: become for bis scientific Investigations, ,
u his literary attachments. feels that gre
' fame IL but 4 poor recompenso for bayin
= cut himself Oft from the living TO commu 10
? with the dead, ne every man must. In
q great measure. who achieves that kind ,
Y eminence. My home. beaut ful as IL .
= where there Ia everything 10 delight III
y fancy. captivate the taste. aud please III
. eye, will not be happy one a, long rs
! lacks its GROWING grace oman's love
}. eft surprises me to hear you speak thu.
Your friends have always regarded you Q
o woman hater. aud have heard you 81
= that you have never called upon n youn
y lady half dozen times In your life,'
" II will astonish you still more when
tell you that more than ten years ago th
= house was furnished as you now see Il, e,
" pressly for the woman that then espeete
TO marry, aud that had not seen her bu
o twice, and had not spoken to her At all.
q was disappointed and returned home.
have left everything Just a. ! arranged
. then, when expected 10 bring my Amer
Q Ican bride 10 this house. Although I hay
o tried shall never cease to love. II 20
V will go with me- to my study. where moi
y Of my life has since bceL spent In the pei
formanoe Of that labor which has given m
9 wealth, as well as fame. that room whie
= no visitor has exer entered. will sbo,
you her portrait. could never forg,
Edith while that picture hung there, an
have never wished TO forget her. thong
. she wronged me SO cruelty. gaze upo
u that picture" said Villeneau, "a he thre'
J. open the study door aud approached /
i with oil the feelings Of reverentisl adorl
. ton which devout Catholic would loo
e upon painting of the Madonna. Every
thing ! have accomplished in life hs
been done with the view OF gratifying he
u for although years have elapsed since
y last saw her. | feel that she will yet
Z mine"
"Was II To that lady that you dedicate
Evarnolef"
u Yes"
IL saw The original OF that portrait la'
week. aud sent her a copy OF Evaruol
yesterday"
"Have you seen Edith RomaynY wher
4 was she3'
a "ln Paris.
b 81 will start immediately. II there
any possibility of my finding her I viii
not close my eyes 10 sleep till ! see her"
K "You are very polite" said NJ. Gautier
. laughingly. ITO talk Of leaving home Will
| am enjoying the hospitality of your ROOT
: Your proposed visit to the city would re
move You further than you now are fror