Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-03-31
The Thespian Manuscripts
THE MYSTERIOUS COMPACT
LEDIABLE A PARIS.
CHAPTER VIII.
EDITED BY H. LANSING BURROWS.
NO l.

Crequet having performed the behcsts II
his singular employer, returned to the house
Of Count Beausoleil. Entering the dress
ing-room Of his master the first Object bis
eye fell upon was the little Heidelberg
witch, Madeline, the maid of Nam 'sele dc,
Nantelle.
FOh be exclaimed after hearty EN-
brace Madeline, we're to be married, and
have a pig, COW, a cottage and twelve
thousand francs yearY
'Oh dear, you've taken away my
breath, returned Madeline. But where
are they all to come from that's what
puzzles me Have YOU got prize in the
lottery or have you found fortune in
the newspapers by proving yourself some
old fogy's lost heir or have you turned
house breaker, or brigand, or stoekAbroker,
or loose-society, or informer, or coiner, or
anything else that's respectable in the
swindling lne?'
No, no, no! am too well-bred and
exclusive person to patronize any such
vulgar roads to wealth. No, our fortune
comes from a far more respectable source j;
but we must keep our good luck secret
for the present; and, as | shall, in all pro-
liability, want your assistance in forwarding
little business of importance, you must let
your mistress do without you for au hour
or twoP
A=. ss:e7si; z A.e ! ~ i . M
alreadyp
What does it matter? Think Of the
pig, the COW, the cottage, and give bel
warning! There's great event going to
happen in our family, and we are to be two
of the principal performers il. it.
What event Don't look so stupidity
mysterious, but explainp
No, no, Pm sworn to secresy but i
you'll promise, here the Wallets roic
dwinded into whisper, he looked strange
ly about him.
Yes, yes said the eager girl, anything
I won't say wordy go on s.?
Well then, you must know that -
there's masters foot on the stairs; if yo
love me and wish to be married, 90 int
this room, and stay there until you hea
rae call you; then come out and answe
Yes to everything that's asked you. Quick
quick or we shall lose our fortune
Madeline hastened through the door {
little apartment and awaiting the comm
of his master whose slow, unsteady step
were heard upon the staircase.
Now for the scene of my part, au
then the COW, the pig and the other agre,
able trifes ? And he hurried out, on 81
cond thoughts deciding to sec his mast'
just prior to his departure.
Count Beausoleil entered bis dressin
chamber, more pale and haggard than
the fete Of the Princess at Versailles
Throwing bis hat violently upon the tab
which stood in the centre Of the apartment
he sank halffainting into chair and b
ried his head in his arms.
At length | am alone in my despair
he spoke after a long silence. The mi
or fiend, whichever he may be, has fulf
ed his prophecy to the utmost. But fl
hours ago, the world smiled on me al
seemed created for my use; and now,
the will of my tormenter, this marvello
being, whom my reason will not admit
the genius of evil, but whose power ov
my fate is undeniable, am bereft of e1
ry thing that attached me to life fortul
friends, mistress, have all passed away a
wake as from dream to fearful specu
tion on the reality of my compact with
fiend.'
Again he relapsed into meditative
lence which was broken by Crequet v.
entered the apartment with bis hands
of bundles aud packages.
Our times nearly up, sir! he viii
pered.
'Ah what time q
It's very nearly this time, yesterd
sir-our four-and-twenty hours grace '
soon expire!
And you really believe the gentlen
Who called on me last night was the -