The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08

imagine that curiosity is the exclusive priv
lege of the daughters of Eve.
The parted vine leaves allowed him to pre-
ceive a golden surface of a very tempting
character; but his attention was soon divert
ed from this to the corner of a sheet of paper
in which the cheese appeared to have been a
first wrapped. On this corner there is a sig
nature, and it is of Valentine, his wife.
This is a singular accident, he said to him
sell, and, what is more singular, is, that Val
entine has never spoken to me of this Madame
Nogenlet, with whom, however, she is CORES
ponding.
A simple signature cannot satisfy him.
Let us see,. then, in what terms my wife
writes to this lady,
He half turns the cheese, and succeeds in
detaching the paper. 1t is only fragment
containing, on one side, two lines of the third
page of the letter, preceding the signature,
and on the other portion of the address.
Two lines only! Yet these two lines suffice
to draw from him cry of surprise and indig,
nation =
i shall never forget how kind you have been to
me under all circumstances.
MY love is thine forever. VALESrISE.'
On the back is written ITO Monsieur.
The rest of the address is wanting.
NO NATTER he cried, trembling with rage;
The guilty wife must be punished first.
shall find means afterward to reach the ac-
complice.'
The train stops at its destination. Delan-
noy, holding in one hand the basket OF
Madame Nogenlct, and pressing convulsively
in the other the tcll-tale paper, jumps into a
coach, and soon arrives at his dwelling, where
his wife is awaiting him. He had sent on
before Mariette, the servant, to inform her
that the house was ready, and that he should
come himself for her in the course of the
day.
The young wife remarks, with terror, the
strange expression of her husbands counte-
nance.
what has happened, my loveF she ex-
claims.
You will soon know, madame but, in
the first place, answer my questions Do
you know any one at Corbeil:'
The eyes of Dclannoy dartcd such light
ming glances, that Valentine remained mo-
mcnt stupeiied.
Remember he resumed, that | must
know the whole truth, and it will be useless
to attempt to deceive me. When decided
to remove to Corbcil, in preference to any
other place, it was owing to your entrcatics.
There must have been reason for these en-
treaties, and that reason will know. Well,
madame how long must | wait for an an
swcrp
If have hesitated for moment replied
Valentine, with the most perfect calmness,
it is because | was trying to understand the
reason fyour questions and your evident
anger. know no one at Corbeil. | beg
red you to remove there because many per-
sons recommended the climate IS very health
'ul.'
You deny, thenr
Deny what, Your questions are perfect
y enigmatical.'
Il will cnighten you, madame. Here is
| piece of paper which comes from Corbeil.
Delaney unfoldcd the paper and placed it
before Valentine.
DO you recognize this handwritingr
1t is mine
'Yes, your writing, madame. did not
leed your confession to be sure of it. And
-ou pretend to know no one in place where
omc one lives to whom you write Ny love
5 thine forever!"
No one, repeat it; and cannot under
tand-'
Enough, madame. | will hear no more !
There is no possibility of justification. As
ave a horror of scandal, shall cndeavor to /
ontrol my indignation. | wish no violent
Genes or disgraceful lawsuits. l viii show
-rcat indulgence, but it is on two conditions:
5ithin twenty-four hours you will leave my
ouse and return to your family. and you
rill tell me instantly the name of the scoun-
rel to whom this letter is addressed
Sir replied Valentine, with an air of dig
ity, 'you are not in a condition to listen to
le, an,l confess, besides, that am not able
present to justify myself ! cannot deny
y signature, and these lines also were writ
IN by my hand. THERE'S mystery about
which | cannot understand, and to which
am obliged, at present, to yield. Your
rst command shall be obeyed. Tomorrow
viii seek an asylum with my mother; but
" obedience can go no farther. Whatever
ght the law may give you over me, it does
OF authorize you 10 require an inpossibility.'
Delannoy was confounded. He had not
lpected such audacity in woman who had
ways hitherto appeared perfectly gentle,
nd even timid. He shut himself up in his
lamber, and gave full vent to his rage
heath death alone could revenge him up
n the wretch who had ruined his happiness.