Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-05-08
The R Q fuge e.

occurred toWaruS lhe cioso VI '"o 'AS'
century, sometime before | was called to
the bar and do not therefore in strict
ness fall within my own experience as a
barrister. Still, as they came to my
knowledge with much greater complete
ness than if had been only professedly
engaged to assist in the catastrophe of
the drama through which they are evol-
we'd, and, as / conceive, throw a strong
light upon the practical working of our
criminal Jurisprudence, brief page may
not inappropriately record them.
About the time | have indicated, a
Mrs. Rushton, the widow Of a gentleman
of commercial opulence, resided in Up
per Harley street, Cavendish Square
She was a woman OF family and by
her marriage had greatly lowered her
self, in her relatives opinion, by union
with a person who, however wealthy and
otherwise honorable, was so entirely the
architect of his own fortunes-owned all
that be possessed SO Immediately to his
own skill, sagacity and perseverance
that there was an unpleasant rumor
about his widowed mother being indebt-
ed TO her sons success in business for
having passed the last ten years of her
life in ease and competence. Mr.. Rush
ton had left his widow a handsome an
nuity, and to his and her only son a
we'll invested income of upwards of ST.
900 year. Since the death Of her hus.
band, Mrs. Rushton, who inherited
quite her full share of family pride, If
nothing else, had sought by every meth
cd she could devise TO re-enter the char
med circle from which her union with a
city merchant had excluded her. The
most effectual mode Of accomplishing her
purpose was, she knew, TO bring about
marriage between her son and lady
who would not be indisposed to accept
of wealth and wellappointed establish
ment in Mayfair as a set off against birth
and high connection.
Arthur Rushton, at this time between
p and 23 years of age, was mild, reti-
ring, rather shy person, and endowed
with a tenderness Of disposition, of which
the tranquil depths have not yet been
rufled by the faintest breath of passion.
His mother possessed almost unbounded
influence over him and he ever listen
ed with a smile, a languid, half disdain-
ful one, to her eager speculations upon
the numerous eligible matches that
would present themselves the instant the
season and their new establishment in
Mayfair-of which the decoration and
furnishing engaged al her available
time and attention-enabled them to
open the campaign with effect. Arthur
Rushton and myself had been college
companions, and our friendly intimacy
continued for several years afterwards.
AT this period especially we were very
cordial and unreserved in our intercourse
with each other.
London at this time was crowded with
French exiles, escaped from the devour-
ing sword of Robespierre and his help
ers in the work of government by the
guillotine, almost all of whom claimed
TO he members of, or closely connected
with the ancient nobility of France
Among these wan an elderly gentleman
of the name of De Tourville, who, with
his daughter Eugenie, had fer a consid-
cradle time occupied a first floor in
King street, Holborn. Him | never saw
in life, but Mademoiselle de Tourville
was one of the most accomplished, grace
ful, encbantingly interesting persons /
have ever seen or known There was
dangerous fascination in the pensive ten
derness through which her natural gaiety
and archness of manner would at inter-
walls fash, like April sunlight glancing
through the clouds and showers. which,
the first time | saw her, painfully i'm
pressed as much as it charmed me-per-
ceiving, as / quickly did, that with her
the future peace, l could almost have
said life, of Arthur Rushton was almost
irrevocably bound up. The fountains
Of bis heart were for the first time STIR
red TO their inmost depths, and, situated
as he and she were, what but disappoint-
ment, bitterness and anguish could arise
from those troubled waters ? Madem-
oiselle de Tourville, / could perceive,
was fully aware of the impression she
had made upon the sensitive and amia-
BILE Englishman and 1 sometimes dis
covered an expression of pity-of sor-
rowful tenderness, as it were-pass over
her features, as some distineter revela-
tion than usual Of the nature of Arthur
Rushton's emotions flashed upon her.
also heard her express herself several