Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-03-17
g5eit< 3f<re'~r<.
WRITTEN FOR TIE SPIRIT OF THE AGE
The Thespian Manuscripts
EDITED ny II. LANSING BURROWS.
NO. i. ~.
THE MYSTERIOUS COMPACT;
Oh
LEDIABLE A PARIS.
LEDIABLE A PARIS.
CHAPTER VII.
EDITED BY II. LANSING BURROWS.


TIL. chateau of the Baroness de Haute-
Vile at Versailles was truly superb edi-
fee. The drawing room fitted up in the
most gorgeous style of modern elegance,
rided and jeweIled until the prismatic hues
of every sunbeam danced in every corner
looked out upon a parterre with luxurious
trees and ornamsnted by fountains and
statuary. 1t was truly an eachaated spot,
where the eye OF beauty might rest forev-
er in ecstatic delight.
Seated on elegant chairs in the drawing
room of this superb chateau, on the after
noon Of the day following the exciting
scenes we have just recorded, were five la
dies of fashion and wealth. Conspicuous
among them was the cold, peerless beauty
Nam sellc de Nantellc. These lades-the
object Of whose coming shall presently be
reyealed-were attired in elegant riding>
dresses and seemed to be awaiting the ap-
proach of some new vister.
Really at length exclaimed Nam 'sele
dc Nantelie, my dear friends, our meeting
here. appears to be the work of enchant
ment-fve of the most fashionable and
exclusive persons in Paris unexpectedly to
stumble upon each other in this sylvan
bower, in obedience to the invitations of
an individual with whom none of US are
acquainted
: 1t is, indeed, very strange returned a
lady of dignifed appearance Madame
Sericourt. | must confess it was the ro-
nance Of the adventure which induced me
to waive ceremony
"A lady, said Nam 'sele de Nantelle
reading from dinnutive note which she
held in her hand, whom Mademorselle de
. Nantelle does not know, =. .....
- But ,whoisvsry anxious to make her
acq6aiffS S1Ss; ansfEsfeG Madarne Seri-
court.
Requests the honor of her.company to
meet a select party of friends ,'-chimed
.apothofo the ladies Madame de Senne>
vile.
AT the chateau Of the Baroness de
HautyilIe at Merajlles, this afternoon at
three o'clock spoke another-Madame
dc Sayigne In hsAtRTp.
80 1t ishopedF IL SIM 0larity of this invi-
ltatioA Swill hotloffend, but be met with po-
lite confidence, finished Madame de Lu-
ceval, charming young widow.
"a romantic circular laughed NAM
sele de Nantelle, and to keep up the mys
:,tery, although we have been here nearly
an hourswe aave not yet been honored
with sight Of ourmy ysterions hostess. Wha
shall weFdo to amuse ourselves till she con
descends to.show herscIfg
Resort to our usual pastime,' answered
Madame SSericosrt-' make war on oul
friends and acqnaintances.'
sWith all my heart Who shall be ou
first victim 2
tYour late intended-Henri Beausoleil!
4Your great fortune ? laughed Madame
dc Sennevillo.
<'Your splendid establishment y echoed
Madame de Savigne. ...
Your amiablc savager y chimed Mad,
aipe de Luceral. ...."
'Of course, now be IS ruined, your mar
risge is oat of the question: enquiret
Madame Sericourt.
Oh! yes was the reply; aud much
rejoice at it, for | never cared about it.
'Oh Of course not, my love- sneeret
Madame Sennevile 'he was everything
that was dissgreeable and insnferabl
vainp
And so awkward and ugly said Mad
anne de Savigne.
'Aud of such low extraction was Mad
ame dc Luceral's remark.
4 wonder, for my part said Madam
Sericourt, how you could ever have mad
up your mind to throw away yourself 0
such wretch
Why, the creature was rich was th
response.
'Ah ! that WAS your only excuse
Il can feel for you, my love- symps
thizcd Madame dc Savigue, Il am, my
self, a victim to the golden calfr
Il am a widow, my dear, for the secon
time interpolated Madame de Luceya
My first marriage was for inclination, m
second for interest. | may, therefore, b
considered authority in these matters. :
Believe my experience. Love is like
Swiss muslin dress-yery pretty and plea
ant for sumper wear but money is like
brocade satin--it wears forever, and ca
be dyed after that
Very. ingeuiopsly explained. But ye
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