Litchfield enquirer., 1871-11-09

6O De HH 0N0tlG HI Our HVc6s ICOu1cSS GItttb I looked forward toitwith vague eexpectan- cy of delight but Arria, instead of sharing my sentiments, regarded it rather as Q necessary evil and then I saw that she had expressed little mirthfuIness lately on any oecasion had seemed to grow taller in person, more quiet in maner, sadder and dreamier in mind. Far from inter- preting aright allthat lay so plainly be- fore my eyes, I looked to Trefetheness for an explanation, and began to watch his de- meanor so closely that I became uncon- scious of the unrest expressed by my own. When I came into the library ofi the night of the ball, Maurice waved me about as if turned on pivot. 'SThere is no fault in that toilet, little mistress" said he. s'With your peaches and snows you are like diminished Alp at stroke of sunrise. It needs only some cascades of jewels, some ice-peaks of sparkling color" And taking something from the table he strung about me in a moment 8 profusion of lu- entpink topazes. But while heso amused himself there was shade on his face, at his eyes Suddenly the whole counte- nance lighted up, as if an actual torch threw it's illumination in his direction, for Arria had entered and stood behind me. She had refused to allow Maurice to purchase for her any airy attire suitable for youth and innocence, and had insisted appearing in her rich dark-violet robe, brocaded with punches of barley, and tas- sells of barley-straw hanging low in her hair,. with the trailing skirt and the square bosom, she seemed like some antiuue beauty just stepped from the shadow of of her frame.
 Madame Ia Marquise," said Maurice, "was nothing but the soft braids untwist- ed and rolled in powder to complete Pom padour. The court is in mourning" And while wondered if Trefetheness would be there we set out As we waited on the stairs with the crowd I heard some one below us exclaim:
 "Ah! then Trefetheness has taken wife at last, I see!'
 (Which Trefetheness ?" asked another.
 (Which? There's but one."
 "Oh yes; there's young cousin of the name"
 "Has Maurice lived to answer to old 1refethenesss"
 'Not he, with that pretty creature for his wife :"
 4 uCEtc uOun0LC0.
 ''It must be recent affair, he is so de. Vote." ~ .l
 Here there was a sudden vacancy, and we slipped beyond hearing I scarcely dared look at them for second, and then l saw Maurice bending speechless and pale over Arria, so that his face touched her hair; but Arria was gazing steadfastly ahead, proudly and bitterly, and as if some pain transpierced and held her like a sword. Maurice is amused, thought, and does not wish her to see it; and Arria IS angry. Just then Maurice erected him. self and nodded abstractedly to some one, and moment afterward Trefetheness had parted the throng and taken me in charge. After we had once or twice ranged the rooms l glanced up at Trefetheness, saw he was very pale, with the keenest watch fitness in his clear eyes. and with firmly set lines abont his mouth, while his glance singled ont one pair and followed them up
 Wouldn't you rather take Arria?'' asked I.
 ''No," said he, smiling down on me, and taking occasion to fasten my glove: "and Maurice wouldn't rather have me"
 Maurice as fond of Aria"
 Trefetheness turned and looked at me searchingly. ''Do you remember Agnes's story?" he asked, brusquely. ssYon ad- init that disgrace came to the Trefetheness then; do you doubt that it could come again ?'' .r
 '"There are only four of us,'' I replied, "amOng whom it would be impossible"
 Nevertheless, it is crashing down upon us like the wheels of some dreadful en- OiT1o o ho onouoraI ooo,oo1,~ I, he spoke aloud. 3G -
 and followed his glance toward Maurice and Arria dancing. There they ioated. not with any mad haste, but in slow grace, circling the room to that low, vide spreading, passionate waltz-tune. Instant ly it flashed upon me-all my blindness and their prOneness-and dragged from Trefetheness's s arm and caught at the chair he placed for me. oa
 T was fool P he exclaimed, in vehe- ment undertone. '1 should not have spo- ken. I had no business to alarm you.'S
 No, murmured, as soon as I could move my shivering lips; ''you were quite right. Perhaps We can yet I thought she cared for you
 'I wish she did r he exclaimed, impet-
 
 I would sacrifice yOa to save themp
 I looked up at his face again, so white and glowing.
 '"This is rather serious for the place. Will you take me to Maurice?'' said.
 It was not long before Maurice sat be- side me, and Aria was whirling round in the arms of Guadalaiara. She was heated and flushed; moreover, she was tired. now. of the remark she excited; but the proud Cuban gave no intimation of releasing her: and still to madder music they whirled, near and away. At first Maurice looked on gravely and ill-pleased; then, gradual ly, different guise enveloped his face-a strange concentration of attention, Q fiery eye, a restless lip; and, when the waltz still continued, he rose and tried the fascina- tion of his gaze It answered; for after 8 momont's duration of this fierce, jealous regard Aria sat beneath him, and Guada- laiara was standing before her. hopeful and happy. We all sauntered out through other rooms shortly, and pausings at the door of one, we found that the songs of the prima donna, who was to have been the nights attraction, were silent from the loss of their proper accompanies. Our hostess was pitiful in her lament to Mau-
 
 with her by his lifted brow, his grave bend, his graceful regret, no one would have suspected him of knowing major from minor. After the hostess passed we found that the beautiful singer sat behind us. Maurice bowed-it seemed he had already some acquaintance with her; she grasp ed his arm, and in moment he sat at the piano and her liquid notes ranp out over hushed and thrilling throne. The accompaniment was no less astounding than the song. The lady dropped her black brows and looked down upon him, well gratifed. T shall count upon you for them all, " she said, with her slightly piquant and foreign accent. Ar ria bent little forward involuntarily, and then drew haughtily back and smiled up on Guadalaiara. Trefetheness stopped over her chair and spoke with her lightly, for he desired above all that she should occasion Maurice no peculiar emotion---to arouse his jealousy in Guadalajara's re- gard was only to increase the danger. But while Trefetheness spoke spray of the