The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-08-21

l lF8M818Ce0 from the french OF Paul F9V0I
ny W...M senlple, Esp, Of the New or
| leans Crescent.
Entered according to Act Of Congress, in til,
year 1866. by J. O. Nixon, in the Office of the Dis
trict Court Of the United States for the Eastern
| District Of Louisiana.
"fee9I (Continued.)
"The agreement was perfect-solemnly
consented to on both sides. One Of these two
men has put the ocean behind him-a poor
barrier! It does not take but two weeks tc
cross the ocean. New York is nearer Paris
than Marseilles formerly was. The Count
Albert will come. There will be the death
Of a man-and if you should soon see disap.
pear from your noble circle some brilliant
cavalier-an accident sudden and mys-
FERROUS death--what shall I know about it +!
You, ladies, will recall the time that you have
lost in listening to me, and you will say
This is the end of the story"
George again took his indolent position,
supported by the marble Of the mantel. A
murmur ran through the boudoir, but the
heard above the others. He spoke freely,
and thus explained to those around him:
s'These deyilish Americans act in this way.
Their duels are like murders Recollect, too,
that this Frenchman of whom Mr.. Leslie
speaks has not even the resource of making
declaration before a magistrate Of our coun-
try, to be protected. He will be obliged to
betray his secret It is with him dishonor
or DEATH" sg
General O'Brien turned round to answer
the marchioness, who asked him
"Do you know Mr.. George Leslie well p
Eyes," answered the general; II travelled
with him on the steamer from Dover to Gala
is Is
ssIs that all 2"
''That is enough. He is charming boy.
He reasons well-and he tells good stories /"
and the old general kissed the tips of her
fingers.
"Ah perfectly, perfectly said the sh-ewd
marchioness.
At this moment servant announced tea
The two windows of the little saloon opened,
and there entered the mild perfume Of some
tropical plants from a greenhouse.
In the movement which took place among
the guests Of the marchioness, George Leslie
approached Helene. eeg
She had remained in an abstract mood since
George had stopped speaking. She had
sought his eyes several times without encoun-
tering them Suddenly she saw him near
her, and she felt an indescribable emotion.
"Mademoiselle, said George. who seem
ed to make an effort to overcome his timidity,
with u.s. in America the customs are very
N,opo I do not
know if it is proper, in Paris, to ask Of a
young person for whom one feels most re-
ligious respect, a private conversation"
Helene could not help smiling, and answer
ed: - ~
"No, sir it is not proper"
"Not if one has something Of Importance
to say ?"
at should be said in the presence Of a
mother, sir"
eff the mother ought not to know"
"Here, SIR" interrupted Helene, tour
mothers must know everything"
"Then, mademoiselle," said George, tit
will be impossible for me to fulfil the COM
mission with which Miss Talbot charged me. /"
"Ellen!" said the young girl, with anima-
ton.
Then she added, very low, and withoutrais-
ing her eyes, (for she heard the voice Of her
mother behind her }
"To-morrow-at the Brazilian embassy
at the ball of the Duchess of Rivas-the
first waltz"
George bowed respectfully, and soon left.
CHAPTER VII--wINrER's NIGHT.
At the moment when George was about to
cross the threshold of the little saloon, he
found himself face to face with the marchion-
ess and the Viscount Henri
Here is Mr.. Leslie now" she said "Ah
we'll, Mr.. Leslie, the general is going to talk
with me about you. Ynu have in him a very
warm friend Certainly, with your intelli-
gence, and the knowledge you have gained by
your travels, you ought to find good employ
ment in Paris" s..
The marchioness left them, and rejoined
the party in the conservatory.
Henri and George were face to face. Hen
ri spoke first:
s'You ought to have waited for me to ap-
preach you" he said, with sort Of hesita-
ton, and as if he spoke with difficulty.
Il have, in fact, done SO" replied George.
Henri extended his hand, which George
promptly took.
"Have you nothing to say to me 7" contin-
ued the yiscount, after silence.
"Nothing," said George. "When I talk I
must be at my ease"
The viscount took him by the hand, and
said:
II understand you. We will leave the
house together.
"No," answered George. II can not leave
with you."
Henri looked at him with surprise and sus-
picion.
'Do you refuse, then to so with me in my
carriage"
Il prefer to walk, this cold weather." re-
piled Leslie. "What is the name. Of the
bridge which is near here, in front of the
old palace of the king2''
'sThc Pont Royal"
George consulted his watch sIn half an
hour" said he, II will be waiting for you
upon the Pont Royal, if you please.
$50 be it." replied the viscount aIn half
an hour