The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-11-25

| To both he was devoted; but az he saw her
expand into loyliness. both of mind and per-
son, he came to love Cecile, passionately,
deeply. But he concealed his passion as he
would have hidden crime. for he felt it
would he the basest ingratitude, which is o
crime. to seek an alliance which was so inf.
nitely beneath what Cccile had every right
to expect.
But Cecle had not been as blind as her
father to Adrian's feelings, neither was she
so scrupulous as Adrian. for she had made up
her srlsh mind TO marry Adrian, and she
had by her woman tact discovered his love
for her.
On the day Of her explanation with her
father Cecile contrived, on some vain pre-
text-he often undertook commissions for
her-to summon Adrian to her presence.
She had determined to make him declare his
sentiment, for she felt that the time had come
when she would have to combat oil her rela-
tions determined on her marriage, and her
father determined on keeping her to himself.
Adrian was so timid in her presence that
she felt she had to encourage him; so af:er
little insignificant conversation, Cccie
suddenly asked him if he had seen the letter
addressed to her father by Colonel dc Lacy.
81 have"
.Y,u know the answer?o
M. Coulaincourt has told me"
"That would not have him. I don't in
tend to marry at all; | wish people would
leave me alone"
"They are not likely to do that; you
know, NJ lie. Cecile, that wherever you 20,
you excite admiration and love-" IT.
Nonsense do you mean to say then that
every man who secs mo is in love with me?"
Every one who is often in your society"
"Evcry one! Why, Adrian, 70, then, who
have known me all your lie and sees me ev.
cry day, are yon in love with me?"
"Mademolsellc, that is cruel question:"
"Not at all, Adrian, it is an honest ques.
ton, and demands an honest answer. Give
il TO me from your heart, Adrian"
"Thcn, Cecile, from my heart, love
you"
Sand, Adrian. with all my heart, love
you; do not go off into ecstacies of joy /; our
love has great obstacle to aurnount."
"My pover,y-my birth?"
"No, your love: my father will never for
give that"
"what then is to be donc?'
at must be concealed from him, this is
the only way to bring about our marriage.
Trus, all to me and we shall be happy"
Adrian's presence in the counting-house
was never of so little use us ou that day
hs could not bring his mind to contemplate
dull commercial details after all he had heard
that morning. The dream he had never
dared to think would be realized had be-
come reality.
On Cecle the interview OF tho morning
had different effect ; II made her serious aud
thoughtful. After all. Adrian was but
creature of her fathers bounty, and tha'
might he an obstacle, not one that would re-
sist positive desire of here expressed in her
usual positive manner. but ones could not
signify without declaring her love for Adrian
and that would make her father miserable,
and might perhaps utterly prevent the sue
cess of her plans. t''.... q.
"lIe must propose Adrian to me himself"
was the result Of Cecile's reflections.
II so happened that few days after she
had taken it, letter came from her aunt,
urging her brother to establish her niece.
and requesting him to send her on visit OF
three months to her to Paris, al have been
nursing capital match for her for more
than a year." said she. $50 pray send her. 4"
Snow really this is to bad" said NJ. Cou-
laincourt. "your aunt being your mothers
sister iancies she has right over you and
I cannot part with you."
al shall! certainly not CO."
"Then here every one is asking the honor
OF my daughters hand. wonder if the
men think took all this care Of you express
ly for them?" sli r.
"They need not trouble themselves, " said
Cecilc, al will never leave you; bu us you
would not like me after NIL to DO an old
maid, l should like to find husband who
would consent to come and live here and
make my home his" ..l. tsfslfg = /.
"Capital!" .
"for that We must end some one who is
not rich" -,.b r
al am rich enough for both"
"who has no relations"
"Certainly."
"who has great respect for you."
"Of.course."
"And who will understand us both but
where is such being to DO iound'"
"Ah" exclaimed NJ. Coulaincourt, start.
ing up-"I have the very man he has Of.
ton told inc he would lay down his life for
me; he will not dare refuse me this-Adri-
an"
Cccile's heart beat. but she had sufficient
self control to keep down the blush that
thrilled through her veins. as with an air Of
indifference she replied- l1r e.-r fng