Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1869-11-11
MY UNCLE'S ROMANCE.
From the French of D'Hele. !

From the French of D'Hele.
D'Oryille entered society ridicu-
lously. He liked neither the play, nor
wine, nor race-horses, nor opera-girls.
His education, however; was gained at
Paris, aud his teacher was an able;
but nature cannot be changed.
The natural disposition of D'Orville
was ripened by reading romance. He
there imbibed sentiments so contrary
to the fashions of the day, and he
took so lite care to conceal them, that
his best friends considered him down.
right original.
"What pity!' said one, "the fell
low has wit and good figure, but he
will never make anything"
And he had no desire to make any
thing but his happiness. To succeed
in that there was but one way, to love
and j be loved; but loved as in ro-
nance. An ambitious marriage, or
even a marriage de convenance, ap-
peared to his eyes unbearable slavery.
NJ. Rondon, D'Orville's uncle,
mourned over the caprices of his heir,
and wished by all means, to marry
him with Mad. de Faventine, very
rich young widow of distinguished
family; but D'Orville's repugnance
was insurmountable.
"Spare yourself, my dear uncle"
said he needless care. do not wish
your beautiful widow, and l declare
that even she is the last woman to
whom would give my hand"
"But you have not seen her"
"Nor do I wish to see her. What!
Having seen me in l know not what
public place, this woman decides, ad-
dresses you, and demands me in mar
riage as she would ask for a piece of
stuff at Buffault's. What love! What
delicacy!"
"But if you knew how beautiful she
is, and how lovely!'
"Indeedl" Why not espouse her
yourself then, uncle? l consent to the
marriage"
Eyes, but she would not consent
Unfortunately she prefers twenty-five
to fifty years. If it were not for that,
l tell you, boy, the affair would have
been already arranged, and | should
have the double pleasure Of furnishing
you and of securing my own happi-
ness
"And that of your friends. -
"D'Orville! D'Orville! Respect Ma
dame de Faventine, or we will quarrel
at once"
"As much respect as you please, my
uncle, but no marriage"
The good Rondon bit his lips, twist
ed the tassel of his cane, and muttered
between his teeth words of experience,
of authority, and of exheredation; but
nothing could conquer the obstinacy of
his nephew.
D'Orville's refusal did not come
solely from the romance system he had
adopted. He loved, or at least be be-
lieved he loved, which is the same
thing. He had met at the ball of the
Opera a mask, whose wit had appear
ed to him so delicate, so subtle, SO op
posite to commonplace, SO much in
contrast with the insipid tattle that
reigns in these nocturnal feasts, that
he believed himself the happiest man
in the world in obtaining rendezvous
for the next ball.
The unknown appeared there with
out attendance even, always masked to
the teeth, but always amiable, spirit
ual, interesting.
These conversations were continued
while the carnival lasted, and although
the mask was constantly kept on a bad
sign, according to the knowing ones,
the prettiest foot and the most beauti-
ful hand argued favorably for the rest.
In the midst of this intoxication, Dor
ville's uncle proposed to him the alh-
ance with Madame de Faventine. and
suffered refusal, of which he was far
from divining the true cause.
In the meantime, the season was
passing without D'Orville's being able
to learn the name or the eresidence of his
dear unknown; and to instruct himself,
there remained but the last ball. He
went there precisely at midnight. de-
termined to undertake everything,
prayers, tears, and even espinage. but
the unknown did not appear.
Filled with grief and anger, D'Orville