National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-07-14
WIDOW AND STEWARD.

Monsieur Renaud Dechampe was a bach
elor in every sense Of the word. lie was
thirty-tive, vain, conceited and selfish. He
had not the least excuse for vanity. a, he
could not claim the most distant relation
ship to Apollo.
Now, with all his faults, in character
and personal appearance NJ. henaud De
champs was possessed of something which
every member Of hls club envied him
which the few ladies be had ever known
had striven Il be mi tress of; namely, the
most magnificent chateau in the entire
empire. 1t was indcscribably faultless,
externally. internally, and in its surround
lngS
Twice a week NJ. Dechamps visited
Parls, and thus did he pass his life year in
and year out absorbed in himself, and
peyer imagining there would come day
when he would wish he had done other
wise. Thetlowcrs had just displayed their
colors, and the trees were looking down
upon them with their green,cyod jealousy
in the gardens Of the chateau, when NJ.
Dechamps commenced his morning walk,
which he always took at that season of the
year. He had walked until he was tired,
one morning in the middle ,f Nav, and he
,eated himself by the side Of tiny artiii-
cal lake, SO clear that it reflected every
thing around it, After gazing into it tor
some time NJ. DechampS started as he saw
another figure reflected in the water beside
a, own. He turned quickly, and close
behind him saw, aot a gardener, nor one of
the stray tame animals about his parks,
but young girl, seal cely less fresh-looking
than the surrounding flowers, whose very
paHt but exquisite form was sttired in
habit of green, so bright that it made the
trees look faded She was seated Oh a
pony, which held its bead up erect, dis
daning to avail itself Of the freedom the
loose rein entitled it to; for the rider had
dropped the rein, taken her foot from the
Ntinup, turned herself completely round in
her saddle, and was occupied in >ketchng.
NJ. Dechamps first gazed IN amazement
then coughed, and finally rose, at which
point the la'ly, not bit disconnected or
surprised, raised her head quickly and ex-
claimed:
son please don't move. | am making
sketch Of the chateaux and its surround
ngsn
III mademoiselle will not give me horns
or big ears, | will obiee her by remaining
quiet" replied NJ. Dcchsmps, not knowing
whether he had received a compliment or
not. His vanity led him to suppse he had
that the lady knew him and wished to have
his picture. Still he was a lttle doubtful,
aud with that doubt expressed on his face
he sat down, turning his face, however, and
not his back, to the fair artist
Don't look so uncomfortable, and don't,
heg, scOwl SO, or shall draw you as a
weed among this shrubbery.n
II assure you feel"
frightened, as every one does when
they have their picture taken tor the first
time presume you never sat for your
portrait before. can assure oa you don't
enhance the beauty Of my sketch, but
can easily rub you out" continued the in
tlusiye artist, without raising her eyes TO
NJ lechamps, ard as unconcernedly as
though she were talking to the trees.
When you have done with me will
retire, as have other occupation for my
tIme.n
You surely have holiday to day, or does
Your master set you all task, before he
leaves for Paris ~ gueried the young lady,
putting her pencil to her lips, so red that
one would fancy the penc; would be
stained with blood.
NJ. Dechamps was thunderstruck. his
vanity had received fearful shock, which
sent 1t bounding against bis conceit, the
elect being TO completely ruffie him. lie
forgot his stately bearing, disregarded
what was due to lady, and sprlDging to
hls feet, he said:
BY what right do you intrude here +"
Good gracious, is that in imitation of
your mnterl lf so | will play mistress
ana teach you that respect to lady is eX-
pected IRON the lowest menial."
VI. Dechamps was at loss for words,
out as the lady showed no signs of going,
ne had time to recover himself. He
eianced at the pretty picture before him,
ana 1t he dil not admire il, he certainly
dd not admire himself He had never
s9ologized in his life to any one, but he
V1pintrlved now 10 give utterance to some
'ning intended for an apology.
Don't mention il. | have made YOU
dWare OF your rudeness. ] don't want any
apology. | detest too much humility in a
man There, ] have almost finished for
"a day. Now, tell me who / must thank
,or the pleasure of this peep at the chat
q. am the steward OF NJ. DecLamps. and
II VIII give me pleasure to let you see
uofe OF the chateau" replied VI. Dechampe,
prompted by he did not know what.
Il have, indeed been unparionablv r,ldf
.,a.t oat did not know NJ. Dechampe was civ
DlIed pnouoh m bar> N