East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1864-12-21
Nine. de villele had been sometime

with heart already prepared to listen
to the declaration that she heard
Ernest tell her he loved her.
The world, as well as Nine. do Vel
entin, was left in profound ignorence
of the period at which the change in
their sentiments took place, and, ex-
cepting when an occasional remark
from Needless young men touched up
on the subject, the world refused to
believe that their protegee, who had
submitted to all its exactions, who
maintained appearances SO roverently;
could ever forget the duty she owed
in general, and her own set in partic-
ular.
Ernest Barillon had been absent
from Paris un svvorui ooeasions. IIo
was connected with banking house,
and had established a new branch at
Havre. Each time, however, he had
returned from these visits he had
seemed unchanged, and just as en-
chanted and ever in the society of
Helene and Nine. de Velentin. But
to close observer Helene had grown
silent and melancholy in society, be-
coming frequently lost in fits of alb
straction, whilst Ernest himself ap-
peared on the contrary to be gayer and
more ight-hearted than ever.
This evening at the opera had been
an eventful one to Nine. de Villele,
though apparently not differing in any
particular from the many other even
ings at the opera which had proceeded
it. The first event had been this one:
Scarcely were they seated in their box
before Nine. de Velentin, having taken
a survey of the house loaned over and
said:
Ivok opposite-do you sec tllut
pretty girl there with the heavy golden
hair in the scarlet net, and the high
white muslin dressp'
Yes" replied Helene, Il see her
now; she is very pretty"
"That is the daughter of Ernost's
partner--a young lady from Havre-
she almost outshines our Paris bellies,
does she not?"
Helene looked at her again she
was not of a jealous disposition, yet a
strange, sharp pang shot through her
heart rs she gazed on her. Nine. de
Velentin continued:
"They do say that the firm is anx-
ious to bring about match between
this young girl and Ernest"
Helene did not reply, but, leaning
back, appeared to listen to the opera.
But she was listening for the opening
Of her box door, and through her long
lashes her dark eyes were watching
the young girl oppasito TO her.
Presently her heart beat quickly,
the box door opened and Ernest on
tered, smiling as over with beaming
eyes. In his hand he held bouquet,
consisting only of two rosebuds and a
few violets.
As he smilingly bent down to Nine.
Villele, she held out her hand for the
flowers
"Would you have liked thcm, mad
amp" said he. / sent you bou-
quet this morning. Ah! yes, / see
you have the flowers in your bosom,
Helene" he added, leaning over
"These are Mile Fremont's?"
"Mille Fremont's"
eyes"
Helene leaned back in her seat
without another word.
Not long afterwards she saw Ernest
leaning over Mile Fremont's chair
In the course Of the evening several
of Ernest's friends came in almost
all of them spoke Of the possibility
and the desirauiiity OF such an alli-
ance, Mime. do Velentin rejoicing ovor
the prospect, and appealing to Helene,
who assented without any apparent
sign of emotion.
Happy, indeed, was Helene, when
that evening came to an end when
once again she found herself alone in
her room, without an eye to watch the
various emotions of her heart.
Ct knew it must one day come to
this" said she, as she laid on the sofa
Of her dressing room, the lights put
down low, her eyes closed as though
to utterly exclude the external world.
He has said nothing to me; no one
has spoken Of this marriage as decided
yet; l know it, feel it. Could pre-
vent it?" A vision Of the young girl,
in all her brilliant beauty, flashed be-
fore her. Then she thought of the
years Of intimacy and love, but Helene
was woman Of tho world, snd she
did not bring these in her favor, but
rather as telling against her. Habit
is much," said she, "but vanity and
variety with man of Ernest's age,
are oil powerful. 1t would be pre-
sumptuous of me TO resist; it would
be humiliating TO be left, to be aban-
doned no that will never be. Nine.
dc Villele rose and wrote these lines
to Ernest:
"They say you arc to be married.
is this true? W HELENE"
AS early as etiquette would allow
Ernest came in person to answer this
note. Nine. de Villele sat down in
the deep recess of one Of the windows,
her usual place, where was her en-
broidcry frame, and where she could
be, as it wero, alone, even woro Nine
de Velentin to come in.
Helene" said he, "I received your
letter."
els it truep"
Helene, do you think SO important
an event could DO decided and you not
know it?"
But you have thought of it."
Helene" replied he, Il need not
tell you that 1 love you could / have
married you-but you know the OBJ
stacle that eternally divides u.s."
Il know, / know, go on"
my family desires to SEQ me mar
ried- This marriage with Mile Fre-,