Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1860-07-13

wall, we saw a small closet fitted with
shelves, upon which were ranged numer-
Gus glass phials, some full, and others par
tiall ly emptied oftheir contents. She care
fully selected one of these and holding it
front of the candle as though it had bee
burning ghastly smile passed over hcf
/ lips as she muttcred This will do.--
she cannot escape this" She then closed
the panel, let fall the tapestry, aud con-
vince herself that all was in order
Meanwhile we made our way noisclessly
from the spot, and retroated to my
apartments, where, as threw myself half
wild upon sofa in the aute-room, we
heard her sow and heavy tread descend
the stairs, until it stopped at last at ths
more quiet.
should have told YOU, Monsieur =
pursued the Baronnc, pale with emotion
" That carly that day th3 Comptossc de
Polyere had inlormc her servants that she
should leave Paris early on the following
morning for her chateau; and that the
necessary arrangements had been made.
She quilted the house at the hour she had
appointed ; and, contrary to my anticipa-
tiou., without an effort to sec me before
her departure, but instead Of farewell
visit she had entrusted Pauline with
pressing and aifectonate invitation for me
to follow her, and try the effect of coun-
try dir on my shattered ncrvcs.-Need [
say that at once felt convinced of the
destiny that wis reserved for me should [
become hcr guest From that moment |
| have been alnlost insane with terror
am anxious neither to compromise my
husbands family, nor to sacrifice my own
life; and, we'll aware of the oxtraordina-
ry talents of his Excelency the Minister
of Police, have at length resolved to
cntrcat his assistance as, should DISC
hey the wishes of Madame de Polvere, |
shall be compelled to explain the motives
of such discourtesy, and my fate would
be sealel. In pity them Monsieur. plead
my cause with the duke, for know not
vile e else to look for help"
You may believe, Messcurs," contin.
ued Fouche; how lively an interest |
took in this strange tale, which had sud-
denly carried me back to the days of the
Bainvillicrs and the Nosons. The story
had b en- told with so much simplicity,
and such an utter absence of all attempt
at stage effect, that | was thoroughly con-
yinced of its truth. | consoled the poor
young victim Of an insane vanity and de-
sired her to trust to me for her future
safety; assuring that the Minister would
at cree discover some means of saving
both herself and the honor of the family.
| tn N, in my turn, subjected her wait ng-
maid to cross-examlnation, whel t,tnl
every detail of her narrative in exact ac-
cordance with that of her mistress
next desired her to conduct me to the
room in which the Greek woman died,
where she pointed out to me the hidden
closet. soon discovered the secret of
the sprnr, drove back the PANEL, and
cony need myself of til, nature of the
drugs viii Ii had beer c5ncealed there,
and OF which | instantly took possession.
:" In eigl-and- forty hours, Madame la
faroune;' said. as | made my parting
b, "; ali will be arranged to your per-
ssOn leaving the hotel de Polvere, |
drove to the Tuileries, and solicited an au-
dincnce of the Emperor, to whom | com
municated my mornings adventure
W eli :" was his remark when [ had
brought my narrative to a conclusion;
let the wrct he'd old woman be arrested,
and put upon her trial
"Sirc :" vcnturcd to suggest "s such
course would involve the disgrace Of the
whole family"
Il cannot conscicntiously leave so
monstous a scheme of crime unpunished,'
said Napoleon.
g Most undoubtedly y not : was my re-
ply "nor would for an Instant counsel
Your Majesty to do so but it appears
to ne that we could not have a more fit
ting opportunity for availins ourselves Of
one OF the eXpedients of the hncien re-
gime. Permit me, Sire; To arrest this
modern Brinvilliers ; and let her wear
out the rest of her days III confinement
4" | then explained to the Emperor the
plan which had suggested itself to me on
my way to the palace and he had no
sooner sanctioned It's adoption than | de-
spatchcd a party of my police to seize the
countess in her chatcau which was easily
effected and by noon the next day she
was safely lodged between four
stone walls, under a,i accusation of cor
spiracy. Her husband and her SONS came
to me to imporc my ceinency assuring
me that | had been led into error, as my
prisoner had never i'll her life taken the
slightest interest in politics, or in any
thing beyond the welfare of her family
In reply | simply requested them TO ac-
company me to private room where,
opening an iron chest, tile key of which
| always e'rried about me- displayed to
their astonishcd eyes the deadly COM
pounds that had seized under her roof,
all labelled in the well known wr ting of
their miserable relative. Hcart-wrung
bewldcrcd, they attempted to articulatc
a few mcohcrent acknowledgements for
my consideration in concealing 80 fatal
secret from the world and then took their
leave. Facts are witnesses which moth
mg can contravene.
The countess herself asked no ques-
ton as to the cause of her incnation but
Il month two subsequently, having by
some method o. which am igorant' con-
l