The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1864-11-11

| DeSlucS, IL was J VINO wished It,
and l had the right to do so, re-
joined Dorothy
Her father gave her a severe look.
For this is ST. Leonard's Day. con-
tinued the young girl.
The guests had approached; the
Major saw that he must conceal his
chagrin. Bowing then slightly:
My daughter is right, Madam, said
he, stifiy; she is sovereign mistress
here to day, and it is she alone who
receives you.
Supper was now announced Each
guest took the hand of a lady, and the
Major, who found himself alone with
Madame de Nugcl, was obliged to Of
fer his arm.
But in passing by the music room to
go to the dining room, he saw that his
guests had stopped before large pic
tme which had just been hung up; it
was the portrait which had been so
long buried in Tho closet Who put
that picture therog cried the Major,
his eyes flashing.
I, answered Dorothy, calmly.
And who gave you permission to do
so?
Noone, father; but it is Saint Leon
ards Day
Yes, il is right, said al the guests,
laughing; it is St Leonard's Day
Lohen bit his lips
Fear nothing Monsieur, said Mad
anne de Nugel, in an undertone; that
portrait represents nae young, beauti-
ful and happy. You see that no one
has recognized Inc.
The Major did not answer They
passed to the dining room, and all sat
down to table.
Lof'en was seated near Madame de
Nugel, to whom Dorothy had yielded
her place, and who was to do the hon
ors Of the table. The Major had de-
cided to avoid scandal but not to
conceal his displeasure; indeed, he
even showed it with all the more atiec-
tation, that he felt at heart less irrita-
ted than he would have wished. 1t
was in vain that he tried to remember
that he was the victim OF the OF the
plot arranged between Charlotte and
his daughter; that he called on his
honor to render this plot Intellectual,
that he excited himself to indignation
a certain softness and indulgence was
gaining on him, spite Of himself, it
was the first time he had found him
self too patient and too gentle.
lie determined at least to mark his
displeasure by silence. Madame de
Nugel did not try to interrupt it; but
the Major could not escape her mute
attentions Al his wants were antici-
pated, all his desires satisfied; only his
fayorite dishes and wines were offered
to him, for Charlotte had forgotten
none of his tastes. In a word, for
the first time in fifteen years, he found
near him that watchful and expert
enced eye of the woman who has
shared our life, and whose place can
not be filed by the most aiIectionate
daughter.
The supper over, all the company
passed to the music room, and Loffcn
perceived then that the piano had
been brought down as well as the por-
trait, it was open and near it placed
the music desk Of the Major Doro-
thy herself brought him his violin, re-
Winding him that he had promised to
play this evening. Lohen glanced
toward Madame de Nugel-who APP
preached the piano-and was going
to refuse; but Counsellor Hoffman
challenged him to obey crying that it
was st. Leonard's Day
The piece chosen by Dorothy was
one of the duets which her father, in
days gone by, had often played with
Charlotte. The latter remembered
still the expression which the Major
gave this piece, and the time which he
played it; therefore it was executed
with a wonderful brilliance Those
who most admired the musical talent
Of Loffen, had never heard him play
with a like correctness, charm, and
power. 1t seemed as if the two in
struments understood and answered
each other. When they were silent
all the listeners applauded rapturously
and Counsellor Hoffman ran to the per
formers.
You must certainly have only on
soul in two bodies, said he, TO pu
such harmony into the expression o
one sentiment
Loffen and Madame de Nugel bowed
wifi embarrassment