The New York herald., 1861-12-28
LrTERATUnE.


hesitate to diyulge his nnme but the infau,y he
deserves would tarnish an honorcd, an illustyious
namely others creditably sustained Have
the right 10 pronounce this name?--cau conscen-
uously reveal u, when Imay avoid it by remaining
silehu II that name escapes TO the n,yrmidons OF
Justice, why should say it, since il viii aiBct an
innocent family, whom l love and respect with
dshonor and desoiaticn, No, l shall refuse TO
answer your Interrogation, and am certain that
my silence"
!, With these words the marquis turned towards
the apartment OF the viscountess
!, Ohe moment, Monsieur dc Monza," exclaimed
the President. MADAME de Chamarante is not
the only person interested in this matter. You
have read her husbands will, and must recollect
that my consent is not less necessary than hers TO
the marriage of her daughter You know this"
Just Heaven! and what do YOU intend. sirs'
exclaimed the marquis, retreating towards st.
Sevre.
Listen to me-" resumed the President. "What
occurs between US is more serious TO your future
than You may perhaps have imagined. Yon have
looked az thus circumstance only in worldly point
OF view. Appreciate the false decacy, the COM
monplace question OF honor the very dangerous
scruplc that have inspired you with the answer
just made: Believe me, society suffers only be-
cause gentlemen indulge In these cowardly COM
plasanccs They prefer the privilege Of honor to
those OF education and fortune. The caste
spirit STILES every sentiment of Justice. Men do
not perceive that the gangrene they dare not ex-
tjrpatc involves the healthiest members and
threatens the whole body with death.n
on are severe, ~
-" have right 10 be. have broken my heart
have expelled my culprit son. Severity Il tile
source Of all justice and all Kindness Tho duty
have performed IN my own family. let the nobili-
ty-- the new IA well as the old, since they minge
togother-fnlii'i towards each OF its members that
1t may be able to resist the degenerate spirit OF the
times. Nobility viii then be safer, since it will be
more respected in the point Of view Of the real OBJ
legations which rank would impose. cannot,
therefore, approve your resolution; aud, as the
second father Of Beatrix having a large respoDsi.
bility in her future happiness | must intimate to
You the change that resolution would effect in my
mind should you persist in it,
Had M. de 81. Seyre remarked the strange look
OF surprise and compassion with which M, de
Monza regarded him when the former alluded
TO his son, his conversation might perhaps have
taken di1crent turn; but more intent upon
Following his present train OF thought than upon
the effect produced in the features OF his inter-
locutor the president had observed nothing of the
latter. Mopza, now threatened with more sori-
ous obstacle Than he had anticipated to his union,
on the part OF man who could In reality refuse
him the hand OF Beairix, was careful not to delay
the explanation which the last words OF the pres
dent announced.
Speak, sir. cried he: .sspeak!''
Yes, my dear Marquis. j know Beetrix!
waa present at her birth l am acquainted with
her faults as well rs her qualities Whimsical and
mpetuoas, OF naturally tender disposition--bnt
restrained and lazy; with an obstnacy she mistakes
iOr cfafacter, OF mytItfate caTcleSsneSS and COM
plete ignorance OF the duties Of the mistress Of
h0usc--owing to the blind solcitnde OF her mother
TO spare her the least trouble or apnoyance-sir
exaggerate nothing. Yet her youth and beauty
vail ali with charming grace. Beauty aud youth
pass away, howeyer-the fanlts are perma.
nent. Well, notwithstanding these faults,
which are those Of spoiled child, /
have believed and still believe that Bea-
trix may be happy, but it is under one condition.
namely, that she shall inspire her husband with a
deep, ieryent passion-an affection superior to
every other feeling; understand ne well an affec-
ton that shall give guarantee tina. in the heart
she shall find united to firfnncss that Indulgence
she will one day need, and which is bestowed only
by that love which is prepared to sacrifice every
thing! have hoped that such might be the feel
ing you would cherish for her; and with this trust
have consented to your marriage. Have been
mistaken Does there remain anything more pre-.
cious than the Importance you attach 10 this alli-
ance? u such is the case, l, as the guardian of
destiny and responsible for her future, can no
longer perceive in this union the chances Of bappi-
ness that has Induced me to approve it, and there
fore withdraw my consent!''
"A threat.n said M. dc Mouza, growing pale.
mo, it is an uItmatum. You will name the
murderer Of the brokers' daughter; you will sacr-
fee that wretch TO your love, or you will give me
reason to believe that love has not the hold it
should possess on your heart! You do not love
Mademoselle de Chamarante; there is some one
dearcr to you, otherwise, you would have already
spoken!'
II do not love MademoiseIe de Chamaranie.'
said the marquis, his eyes fii!ing with tears.
ALAS, you will comprehend before long that nj 8
silence at this moment is the greatest proof can
give Of that love. But let us say no more. That
which you designate your ultimatum Ia not one!
u i but the delay Of few days, that il all. You
will yet restore me 10 your confidence! You will
esteem me more than everl You will bless me,''
added he giving emphasis 10 that word, s'lor my
conduct at this moment. Until name the culprit,
entreat you, do not seek him. Monsieur dc saint
Seyfe! The most upright disposition, the most ex-
perienced mind may be the dupe OF Illusions. One
very naturally inclines to the belief that man to
whom he has never had any right to address re-
proach may suddenly fall into the vilest peryersity
In rcposing, without hesitation, suspicion on
stainless character, one may not dstrust that he
threatens a life, already committed ----n
''Sir'' exclaimed N. de st. Seyre, in whom
thousand slumberng recollcctons, thousand
vague impressions had just been galvanized IS by
a thunder shock.
'.Well,' calmly responded the marquis Il have
said nothing have not named the culprit. But.
before leaving, again repeat to you do not seek
him. do not seek HINT
After these words the marquis, donninc his
hat. departed quickly, whilst the President de St
Scyre, his eyes fixed, his mind suddenly excited
by terrible apprehension. seized with trembling
hands an arm chair. into which he slowly
dropped.
CHAPTER III.
qgIE MURDERER.
To comprehend the uReasness and apprehension
with which the last words Of the Marquis de Monzs
had inspired the soul of Monsieur de st. Sevre, it
becomes necessary TO explain what position the
old president occupied with regard to his only son,
Ernest dc Saint Sevre, formerly fellow student of
NJ. de Monzs, and associated with him as men,
Der OF the Jockey Cisb.
Bereft early in life, of the care and tenderness
of mothers affection, Ernest had been reared
under the cold and austere control of an old man
whose exterior preserved the traditions Of for
mer age, and who offered none OF that sympathy
which is calculated to attach young man to the
paternal hearth. That irresistible influence Of
womanly kindness and love, with which the bit
tcrest natures impressbe, Ernest had never ex-