, 1862-01-23
Spelling a Husband.


which inspires Il is degraded. We wish to be
proud Of what we love; we weary Of an attach
ment which clogs the heart, and we end by treat
ing as q slave the most interesting being, who
models all her tastes on ours, hatters even our
caprices and sacrifices to us that dignity Of char
acter which equality Of rights alone maintains.
II is generally on the side Of the husband that
this domestic tyranny Is most easily established,
and against which i Is important to forewarn
young women, who, more loving, weaker, and
more timid, allow their share Of respect to be
usurped without perceiving It; and who, for q
tender look, or AatteriDg word, or pressure Of
the hand, abandon that authority which nature
grants them, and which preserves the equilibrium
between the sexes By submitting the strength Of
one to the charms Of the other.
Helen de Merval was the daughter Of Coun
sellor Of State, who died in England on an en-
bassy, which restored peace to France Her
mother, whose worth equalled her tenderness,
had married her to the Baron Dapremont, young
dploma.ist, already known by many important
missions. This marriage, whichat first seemed
one Of convenience alone, soon became the work
Of love Helen inspired the Baron with the deep
est devotion. She Joined to every quality Of the
heart Q rare cultivation and an observing mind,
which one is far from suspecting in SO young q
person. She wrote also with an ease and purity
which showed at once the most profound study
and perfect taste. Helen, directed by her mo-
ther, had preferred useful occupations to those
lighter Accomplishments which are too often aban-
doned when the graver cares Of housekeeping
engage the time Of young women. She saw most
Of her young companions, throwing aside their
Tyres and pencils, become perfect cyphersin their
own houses. It was under the simplest exterior
and the sweetest modesty that she concealed her
real worth; even to such degree that her hus-
he nd loOo fnna tlna uynra If II
Dapremont, on his side, combined all that could
render Mdlle. de Merval happy and proud Of her
choice: a tall person, a noble and expressive
countenance, the tone and manners oi diplo-
matist received in all the courts Of Europe. He
had that penetrating look Of q man accustomed
to read the hearts Of men, and that easy and
persuasive elocution which announces talents Of
peculiar order. However, with all these ad-
vantages, It was remarked that the Baron had .
quickness which he sometimes carried even TO
rudeness; an obstinacy Of opinion, an oyerbear-
ing manner, which, though he concealed i with
address, had made him enemies among bis col
leagues In the corps diplomatique Madame de
Merval, q clear and close observer, had perceived
this defect in the character Of the Baron, not
withstanding the precautions he took to restrain
himself In her presence. She thought il her duty
to warn her daughter against Il, as her happiness
was the end Of all her labors, and the most ar
dent Of an her desires. IL it is happiness"
said she, for young girl to be united 70 we'll
informed man, whose merit eonciliates general
esteem for him, II Is at the same time dangerous
to allow him TO feel his superiority too often; to
yield too blindly to his opinions, or to obey all
his wishes. RecJllect, dear Helen, that the rights
we yield to an exacting husband can never be
recovered. If We do not resist him sometimes,
we must soon become his slave" a..
u no vvill eoonar haNnna mine " ronliad
the young wife, if lido not stop him in bis cares,
in his kind attentions, that be carries almost to
entire submission"
ado not trust to those, my child; the lion ticks
the hand that caresses him, but the least opposi-
ton enrages him, and he soon finds again hls
strength and power" ......,s. .....,...
Helen replied by smile to this terrible com
parison. "How," said she, I" can see q roaring
lion In one who surrounds me constantly with
every mark Of ,enderness and homage; whOseems
to divine from my looks ell that can please me,
and whose tastes and desires are identified with
my ownr
"AIi that my daughter, Is too often only the
effect Of the FIRST moments Of passion, and Is only
the homage which they grant US as the indispen-
sable price for what we ourselves give. repeat
it. my dear Helen, who owns q master, owns
himself q slave.'"
The first months Of this union seemed to con-
vince Helen that she had but little to fear from
that slavery from which Nine. de Merval wished
to preserve her. Each day the Baron invented
something to charm his beloved bride, and prove
to her his love. She alone regulated the house
hold, and ordered the amusements Of the day.
All that she did was well done; all that she said
was charming; all that she wished was executed
instantly. Madame de Meryal herself could not
forbear congratulating her daughter on the per
fS.k ham aha anioead and hooau ff, hAlfava
she had judged her son In law too harshly The
Baron was soon'a after charged BY the minister Of
foreign Affairs with secret and delicate commits
sion at the Court Of Berlin. tie was delighted
to carry with him his young wife, who, on her
part, was charmed 70 accompany her husband,
so that the happiness they had mutually found
In their union would not be interrupted. She
left Madame de Merval not without much grief
and received at parting last advice on tho dan
ger Of spelling husband, and Of lowering her
self in his eyes Before reaching the first post,
Helen had forgot this counsel Of her tender and
ar-sighted mother. After the most pleasant
journey, she was enraptured TO find herself at
Berlin, presented in the circles Of the ambassa.
dors, admitted to those Of the court, where her
noble and winning demeanor and her modest
dignity won for her every heart Her love for
the Baron increased each day. No longer re-
strained by her mother, she lavished on him every
care and tenderness. Removed from Paris, he
had need Of those klndhesscs and attentions 50
grateful to an Official man, whose time Is 50 pre-
cious, and whose mind Is engaged without relax.
alton in the most important labors. Dapremont
naturally exacting was hattered to see himself
anticipated In every wish, and allowed himself 10
10 spoiled by his wife AZ much ag she liked. She
always adjusted his cFavat, peFfumed bis hand
kerehief and aided him In putting on his coat
She rant IN fnr a. IN kneel hefora him 10 de the
stringsof his shoes. She had, In awOrd, assumed
the Offices Of valet, except when, recalling the
advice Of Madame de Merval. she reftGined RON
this couEiaut Attendance, which she had Thought
lessly imposed on herself DapFcmont was Gar
lrnII ,--.I-IIn hnr ~ lhia Lind 81 lnnnnillo.s II