Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1867-07-19
The Lady Of LarOse.

Not many years ago, the gay world Of
Paris was excited by a strange and rO-
mantle affair. Emile Lamont, a young
lady with splendid fortune, and high
ly accomplished IN mind and manners,
announced to the world that she would
bestOw her hand aud fortune upon any
gentleman who pleased her, but that he
must be Williugt in consideration Of her
wealth arae1 QCEleI 'as5u1 tcTTOuE, To put ND
with . face Of unparalleled ugIiness,-
A-5ertain time each day was appointed
to receive the suitofs at Larose, Mad
emoiselle LamOnt's beautiful residence
in the vicinity of Paris.
- Among the first who responded to the
singular announcement was Sir Charles
DashingtOn, a young Englishman of
noble family, who had squandered a
priDcely fortune in the gambling houses
Of the dissipated capital of France. He
eagerly seized upon the opportunity to
mend his broken fortunes, and to estab-
lish himself again in the world of pleas
ure, Dashington was possessed of that
beauty of form and face which attracts
the gaze of artists and wins the love of
women. His self-conceit led him to
suppose that no woman could resist
him; and he thought it only necessary
to present himself before the Lady Of
I4arOse in order to win her hand, and
what he valued more, her fortune
With this object in view, he attired him
self in a magnificent suit of clothes;
hired a carriage, and proceeded in dash
ing style in search Of wealth and wife,
It was a delicious day in June, and
the gardens and grounds, of LarOse pre-
sented scene of ravishing beauty to
the ewes of Sir Charles DaShingtOn, who
looked upon himself as soon to be "mOn-
arch of all he surveyed" After a drive
of a quarter of an hour, through wind
ing roads bOrdered with sweet and bril-
liant flowers, and through shady and
cool groves, the superb villa of LarOse
burst upon his enraptured sight. As he
drove up he was met by a servant in
handsome livery, who conducted him
through an elegant marble gallery into
the spacious reception room.
The matchless splendor Of this apart
ment dazzled the eyes Of Sir Charles
DashingtOn. The floor was composed
| quaint and curious patterns; the walls
1 were beautifully frescOed after the man
ner of Raphael; before the crimson-tint-
/ ed windows hung purple silk curtains,
which trembled in the vibration Of low
melancholy music, whose origin could
not be discovered; tables of pearl and
! agate were placed in different parts Of
| the room, some of them loaded with
/ richly-bOund books, and others having
/ on them gorgeous vases of flowers whose
! OdOr perVaded the whole apartment. In
/ one corner stood a massive cabinet con
busts of celebrated authors, among
whom the Englishman was pleased tC
! see Shakespeare crowned with in1nloT'
/ tegJes.
/ While he was admiring the splendid
saloon, a door glided softly back anC
] Emile was announced. DashiDgtOE
rose and advanced to meet the person
VINO entered. He was prepared to se6
an ugly face, indeed, but when his eyes
fell upon the frightfuI features of thu
lady, he shrunk back with an exclama
/ tiOn of hOrrOc. Her lips were WithereC
and bloOdless her eyes were sunk deeI
in their sockets; her large and mis-
shapen nose was a revolving object; anC
her skin was dry and yellow as al
4 Egyptian mummy.
Without appearing to notice Dashing
| tons emit mDarraSsment, Emile welcomed
him to Larose in a few sWeetly-spOkel
words; and to his surprise, she spoke il
English with a slight but charming ae
aCCent-fOr among many accomplish
ments of this singular creature was
perfect knowledge of the modern Ian
guages. Sir Charles was somewhat re
assured by her kind welcome and win
ming voice; and he succeeded in over
coming, or at least in cOucealing, tn
disgust which the horrible ugliness 0
her face at first Occasioned. After lon
preliminary conversation, he Yenture
to approach the subject which brOUgh
him to Larose.
'fdademOiselle," " he said, with a bow
/ s'if did not know that the Garden c
Eden was in Asia, I should think that
had found it to-day in your deliciou
retreat
''Sir Charles DashiDgton is pleased {
hatter my poor LarCse."
s1dRdemoisselle, it is not f1attery tn
beauty and splendor of your ground
far surpass ali my expectations. 0, ho7
dream-lilze my life would be passed i
this lovely spot With a congeniaI com
paniOn to share its sweets, this plac
would be paradise on earth"
'What do you mean by a congenia
companion ?" Emile asked.
''One who possesses an appreciatin
s love of nature; one who finds q create
= delight in books than in balls; one VIII
{ prefers meditation and study to the friy
3 Olties of modern society"
"You say nothing of beauty-is nc
e that requisite ?" demanded Emile. VIII
g saw the serpent lurking beneath hi
J. floWery language.
P "GiVe me the lasting beauties of th
mind and I care not for the fading beau
= ties Of a pretty face" cried Dashingtor
, Soon after this interview terminated
and Sir Charles rose to depart. Emih