Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-10-26
name of the old man. I was not mistaken;
it was the Viscount de Born.

seemed to think that I came to claim som,
engagement which she had favored me with
Do not laugh, Ellie. l can assure you thai
had not an unworthy thought connected
with her yet must have found words anG
confidence to tell her all that l had expert
enced, for at the close of the evening she
said to me:
believe you. And why should | not
after all you have said for the day We
CHANGED to meet, [ experienced the same
feelings as yourself, and we have neither oi
US forgotten it? Only, added she, with an
inexpressibly sweet and roguish smile, !
have been more curious than you. | know
who and what you are. | was told all about
you, one day, when you passed us on the
Boulevards. You did not see me, as lean
ed back in the carriage. They told me that
you were the most loyal of men, and, you
see, 1 believed it. -
Poor viscount ~ said the marquis.
''Wait awhile, before you complain, my
friend, said de Sorges. After this inter
view, | returned home, not to see that an
gelic woman, perhaps, for many days. l
could not wait SO long, however | could
not live without her.
Il wrote to her, at length Raph ael, my
valet, who has lived with me many years,
was charged with the delivery of the letter
"a letter ardent, foolish, ridiculous, if you
will, but, at least, sincere When Raphael
returned, | questioned him closely. He an
swered me withthat Alsacian calm less of his,
which you know so well, that he had seen
the Fiscountess de Born, that he had given
her the letter, and that she had given him
no answer, as her husband entered the house
just at that moment. | vainy wished to
learn more. Raphael, ordinarily SO observ-
ing and communicative, was very taciturn
that day, and evidently in bad humor
At length | dismissed him abruptly. He
left the room without his usual obeisance,
as though he had lost all respect for me-
He had been gone about half an hour,
and | was alone in my chamber, rejecting
upon the incidents in this acquaintance
which had begun, without asking myself
how it would end. Twenty resolutions came
up before my mind, but | dismissed them
all. L contenUeu nysen WIN repeating:
What have [ done?' And then in the
midst of this chaos of thoughts-wise or
unreasonable, sad or joyful-an image rose
before me, so beautiful, so gracious, and SO
beloved, that | had no more to say, but
shut my eyes on the future. Suddenly Ra-
phael entered the room, very much aglta-
ted.
- What is the matter?' said L.
" Monsieur, person and he hesita-
ted
"'Speak Who is the person.
I" 'Alas!' said he, leaning toward me,
with reproachful expression, why the
husband.
THE Viscount de Born!' exclaimed,
a little surprised.
"'Yes, monsieur, the viscount,' replied
Raphael, shaking his head. Monsieur, 1t
would have been better to have avoided
this visit
- Silence Admit him !
Raphael moved towards the door, then
bly,, you know more about such affairs than
| do, and, indeed, about everything else,
but hope you do not doubt my sincere at
tachmcnt to yonT
. Il know that you love ME, Raphael,
but l know, also, that for some. time past
YOU have abused your masters attachment
for you by taking entirely too many privi-
leges After
.s'Ah believe, me monsieur, interrupted
Raphael, very much excited, take my ad-
vice but this once. Assure the old man
that YOU were not serious in writing to his
wife. on YOUR word of honor he will surely
believe you
Il arose, coloring with anger. Here
That will do You must be Ounce!
cried, raising my voice. Admit that mar
instantly. or | will seek him myself,
"Raphael raised his eyes and hands Il
heaven, and presently introduced the Wis
count.
81 will confess that I felt rather anxious
as to the result of this interview. L was IL
| at ease, and what to say | had not the leas
idea. The Viscount de Born entered IN.
room with bound, and so precipitatel!
that | inyoluntarily glanced at my sword.
"'Ah? Whewl Excuse me! The Dev
i'll How hot it isl he exclaimed, throwing
himself into an arm chair without belni
asked, and filling it well, | can assure you
Il felt little astonished at this strang
com mencement of an explanation.
g Monsieur de Sorges, said the Viscoun
de Born, my age gives me the privilege 0
speaking to you seated He said thes
words with kind OF dignity that reminde
me of our relative positions.
g i await your orders, NJ. de Born,
replied, standing, and without looking to
wards him.
:" POUNDS Young man, replied tn
old man, merrily, have no orders to CIV
YOU. have only one question to ask yor
Where did you breakfast this morning !?
g Monsieur 7 said l, thinking that | ha
misunderstood him.
Il have the honor of asking you whel
you breakfasted2 2
AT home, Monsieur. But questlo