The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1860-05-10

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he gave the nephew his benediction and
two hundred pistoles, and sent him of
10 Burgundy, to pay his respects 10
Mile de Roche Noire, whom he was to
:aarsyjn fortnight.
A gloomy journey Of several days
duration brought, him AT length to the
ancient feudat mannor house Of Roche
Noire, siiusled;in the heart Of, forest,
on q lofty rock, from which it derived
is name. He was expected. The
grand door of the mansion was open,
aud an aged servant. met him at tue
lhreshbold, and conducted him TO a large
hall, at the extremity Of which sat AN
old man aud = young girl. The former,
whom he divined ut once to be the
Baron Of Roche Noire, rose at Ills en-,
trance, aud, saluting him in the some
what formal fashion of the day, present.
ed him 10 his daughter Herniine. The
latter had the delicate beauty Of the
flower which has unfoldrd under a
northern sun. She WAS pale, with fair
hair, and eyes Of the deep blue of an
ftslian sky. Her figure was slight but
graceful. her hands exquisi,eIy shaped,
and transparent as alabaster. So much
the yiscoont saw as he bent low before
his betrothed, and in spite Of his pro.
fessed Indifference, he inwartiiy congrat
ulated himself on his good fortune.
The viscount and baron exchangedthe
usual reciprocal compliments and en-.
quiries. Ralph was accustomed to so
ciety, and understood well the art OF
making himself agreeable; the. baron,
spite Of his seventy winters. had no.
forgotten how 10 be courier, and Her.
niue had the simple grace, lhe.dignity,
the modesty without prouderv. of a
young girl of1,igh birth, reIigiouslv ed
nca'ed, but witllont any rigidity. The
conversation soon became animated and
sparkling, while Ralph watched Her.
mine, aud now and then m,irmured 10
himself, T., She is charming ! blessings on
my uncle for finding me = wife at once
so pretty and soricll." f
When supper was s-annonnced, he Of
fered his hand TO the yonng girl, who
accented it will, blush, while the
baron led tile way 10 the dining. Ii
was a lofty apartment, furnished in the
massive style Of Louis XIV, and upon
the walls were suspended ancient ami
ly portraits. As Ralpl,'s eye glanced
over these, il WAS attracted by one
whose freshness formed a striking con-
trast 20 the smoky canvases of tLe de.
funct Bsrons Of Roche Noire. H. repre-,
sented young girl Of dazzling, but
foreign beauty, such as is only found
under The southern skies. A more bril-.
liant daughter Of Spain never danced
the boiero ia The perfutned gardens Of
the Allambrs. The eyes ofRalph were
fixed immoyably upon the canvass; the
first glance had told him that it Sas his
long lost unknown of The fancy ball.
sCome, my dear viscount," said the
baron. "1et us be seated" 'G s-.g ..s.
Ralph started and obeyed, then
turned his eyes from the portrait TO Her.
mine. In contrast with that glowing
beauty she appeared to him utterly in
sipid. He made some remark abou;
the picture. The Baron did not reply,
but a cloud passed over his face, and
Hermine turned pale, and sat silent
with downcast eyes. ....., g.. .... s.,.-
A chill seemed to be thrown over
these three persons, just now talking so
joyously. Brief remarks were made oc
casionaIlv, i'm constrained tone, and
the supper ended almost in silence. AT
its close the viscount made the fatigue
of his journey an excuse for retiring
early. As the servant was conducting
him ,o. .his apartment, they passed again
through the dining hall. II ',t .s.
u" Whose posiait is this n lie asked,
pointing 10 the picture Of the lady, 81
The servant hesita,ed. q r'u
"Spenkl" said the viscouht, imperi.
ousiy. ,E t e..#f@1h
at is the portrait Of Mile Fulmen,"
said the old man, trembling. 81 's..
And who Is she 7" ,'' - .'"
sThe elder sister of Mile Hermine.' q
-" But she is dressed in Spanish cos
tune" '.5. y. - ''
!" Yes, her mother was u Spanish
lady," 80 " '.''. .''
sand FuImen, where is, she now :"
"She is dead" said The old man
sclenJnly. :" She lies At the left Of the
altar in the chapel OF he chateau !"'''
Fatigue had no power that night to