East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1863-11-11


true sentiments of my heart, might |
flatter myself that you would listen to
them with favorable ear ?"
"Speak," said sho with n majestic,
but, at the same time, condeseending
air.
81 love, madam" continuedhe with
such intensity, that it is impossible
any longer to conceal my flame
'Do you imagine, said she, "that /
have not perceived it?"
"You astonish me madam" answer
ed the chevilier; 81 thought that my
admiration was profound secret un-
til to-day; because; the better to con-
ceal it, l had feigned a passion for an
other person"
Say no more about it." replied
Madame Mensil; "you ought to have
told me of it at first, when / should
have approved of it as / do now"
Madam" cried the chevalier pas
sionately throwing himself on his
knees, II will not rise till you have
promised me the hand on which my
happlneSS depends.
Rise" said she, in a most conde-
scending manner-at the same time
extending to him her hand to kiss.
"Ah, madam !" exclaimed the chev-
alier, springing from his knees in a
transport, chow much do i owo you!
Allow me to ask how long / must wait
before my happiness shall be complet-
ed 2"
"When you will, chevaier" said
the lady, affecting a languishing air.
The chevalier muttering his indis-
Greet thanks, retired one of the hap
piest of men, and told his young mis-
tress, as he quilted her, that her moth
er had just consented to their mar
riage.
Delighted to hear this, Nichou ran
to her mother; and kissing her, she
thanked her very earnestly for the ex-
cellent choice she had made; adding
that she had always thought the chew
alier the most elegant and agreeable
man in the world.
81 am very happy" answered her
mother, "that you have no dislike to
this marriage, and that you approve
of my choice. M. Pastourd is a wor-
thy man; he do will his duty by you,
and you will be perfectly contented
with him. "
Nichou, who put wholly different
construction on these words to that
which her mother intended, blushed,
and was Fastening out of the room,
when her mother called her back to
ask who had told her this.
"The chevalier Pastourd himself"
answered Nichou; ''ho was too happy
at the idea of marrying me to conceal
it long"
Marry you" screamed the moth
tnat ne'asKeu 'Iof your nand In mar
riage? Upon my honor, that 20 =. r..
ty notion for child Of your age Go
nurse your doll, and prepare torocieve
as your father-in-law the husband you
promised yourself
Nichou was overwhelmed at these
words, but thought it best to retire
The next time Pastourd called he was
astonished to find his mistress in very
low spirits, and he fell into the same
humor from mere sympathy. The
widow perceiving it, asked what was
the matter?
81 am alarmed, madam" answered |
he, "to perceive the melancholy of
your daughter, and fear that she does
not approve of our union"
cit matters little whether she be
pleased or displeased," said the moth
er; "am / not the mistress ?'
"That is true" replied the chevalier
"but i would not think of possessing
myself of her hand against her con-
sent"
ssNhot hor hand ~ axolarmad tha
mother; was it her hand that you
asked me TO give you"
ayes, madam, answered the cheva-
her; and L swear that never will ac-
cept any other"
"Then you are like to remain long
unmarried" said the lady with con-
temptuous sneer. "I do not intend
that my daughter shall mary for some
years to come; and L beg that hence
forth, you will discontinue yourvisits."
A thunderbolt could not have more
astonishished poor Pastourd, who
made the best of his way home over
whelmed with grief, and took to his
bed, refusing to see any one. The
valet to whom this order was given
was fellow of great readiness, most
indomitable iinpudcnce, and very much
attached to his master, who, i'll conse-
quence of Combiac's good qualities
and former services, had permitted
him to use great familiarity. Seeing
his master SO much detected, he anx-
iously inquired the cause. The chcv-
alier told him all that had passed.
"Is that all ?" said Combiac, with
the greatest coolnoss. "Don't disturb
yourself L pray. You shall be happy
in less than month; upon the faith
of a valet, who has Il reputation to
lose, l promise that you shall obtain
Nichou's hand, and that with her
mothers consent. The old lady has
never seen me, but i know her char
acter. / will obtain admission into
her house in the character of noble
man; nothing is more easy than to
initiate the manners of fine gentle
man; well enough at least to impose
on an old coquette; and you shall see
how / will bring matters about"
Little persuasion was necessary TO
induce the chevalier to accede to this
proposition. Combiac dressed him
self comfortably to his new character,
hired two footmen of his own particu-
lar acquaintance, dressed them in mag
nificent liveries, and took house in
the same street as the widow, who
vas i'm the habit of nasSjrlp n great