Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1868-12-31

was elninentlE SOOu-iOOklnS tliat HE
clothes were of the newest fashion thai
he attended church regularly, and was
liberal with his money for charitable
purposes and that, finally, he was de
clared by young and old to be the most
delightful company in all Monkshire.
Mr.. Duplessis, in his moth-like eager.
ness to incinerate himself at the shrine
of beauty with riches) combined, had
selected for that purpose the brightest
lamp of all those which lighted up the
Monkshire armament. What his for
tune had been, SO far we have already
seen; and so long as there remained
the slightest prospect that he might
ultimately succeed in his purpose, the
fervency of his devotion would doubt
less remain unimpaired. And in this
he was not, perhaps, altogether selfish ;
for putting aside the fact that Miss
Spencelaugh was the greatest heiress
in the county, Mr., Duplessis was quite
capable of appreciating her goodness
and beauty, and of estimating them at
their full value and, for my own part,
| believe that his affection for Freder-
lea was as deep and sincere as it was in
his nature to feel for any one, or any
thing, except himself and his own in
terests. Should circumstances, howev-
er, 90 utterly against him at Belair, l
think he was quite capable, without too
much of heartache, of turning his
attentions to some other quarter, where
they might, perhaps, be looked upon
with more kindly eyes-say, in the
direction of Miss Cumworth of Cum
worth Manor; or towards the sole
daughter and heiress of old Antony
Tiplady, the great manufacturer Of
Eastringham'
Mr. Duplessis coming after Il time
within sight of Lilac Lodge, while yet
some distance away could see Antoine
standing, napkin in hand, gazing earn
estly up the road. 1t was a sign that
dinner was waiting; so Mr.. Duplessis
shook his horses rein, and cantered up
to the gate. Jock, the groom, was in
attendance. and Antoine proceeded at
oii1S W SSiN uP 'diihN''
Lilac Lodge was small, low, white,
two-storied building, with a broad ve-
randall running round three sides of it,
and with a stable, paddock, and ser
wants entrance ut the back. From the
verandah, lawn Of smoothest turf
swept gently down, interspersed with
hower-beds of various shapes and sizes,
to where II sheltering hedge Of laurel
and holly shut in the little precinct from
the vulgar gaze. The main entrance
was through an iron gate, from which a
sinuous gravel-path ran up to the front
OF the cottage; but there was side
wicket which was more commonly used.
Mr.. Duplessis ate his dinner in soli-
tary state in his pleasant little dining
room, waited upon by the assiduous
Antoine. who rarely allowed any other
servant to approach his master. But
then Antoine was more than Il servant
he was NJ. Henri's 'toster-brother and
humble friend; and another friend
equally stanch, true, and devoted to
his interests. the Canadian would not
have found, had he sought the round
world over. He was the faithful de-
positary of all his masters secrets ; he
reioiced in his successes, and sorrowed
over his misfortunes, with Il sincerity
that had no tinge of seltishness in it,
Though of the same age as his master.
he looked halta-dozen years older. lie
had II round, good-humoured. but some
what sardonic yisage, crowned with II
mop of short. black, stubbly hair,
which stuck out in every direction. and
which had further burst out on his up
per lip in the shape of Il stitl moustache.
His cheeks and chin were blue-black,
from the frequent use of the razor; and
his large fiabby ears were ornamented
with small circlets Of gold. lie was
very supple and active, and moved
about the little house with stealthy,
cat-like pit-pat which was particularly
distasteful to the two English women
servants. and added not little to the
dread with which they habitually re-
garded him; but advancing years We're
bringing corpulence with them, and
Antoine's mind was troubled thereby.
Round his neck he wore Il black ribbon
over broad turn-down collar, and al
ways carried large, old-fashioned sill
yer watch, worn in an Old-fashioned fob.
with an old-fashioned ribbon and seals.
This watch, with its appendages, was
Antoine's fetish Of Respectability-a
word which he held in great veneration.
He talked both English and French in
differently we'll, but the latter better
than the former: and it was i'll the
French language that he and his mas
ter generally conversed when alone.
Finally. the leisure hours of NJ. Anto-
inc were devoted to the manufacture
and consumption of innumerahle cigar
cites of a mild nature, and to the perusal
of French newspapers of ancient date.
As soon rs Mr.. Duplessis had finish
ed his dinner, he lounged out into the
verandah, where Antoine had already
placed an easy-ohair, and Il small table
with wine and cigars. 1t was Il clear,
starlit evening. cool and refreshing AT
ter the hot day,
Sit said Mr.. Duplessis with IL
wave of his hand, AS he proceeded to
light cheroot and Antoine, in obcdi-
ence to his masters wish, seated HIM
self some distance away on the edge of
the yerandah. which went down by two
steps into the garden.
Smoke :" said Mr.. Duplessis ; and
Antoine manufactured and lit a ciaar-
cite. The two smoked in silence for Il