The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-08-03


oors and windows in order to assess the
.xes, which pay yearly out of funds set
part for the purpose by the late Countess.
All! my dear monsieur, her will made
,eat sensation in Vendome"'
He stopped to blow his nose. l respect.
l his loquacity, perceiving at a glance
lat the administration of Madame de Mer-
IT'S estate was the most important event
his life.
"Monsieur," asked, "should l be in
iscreet in inquiring the reason of this
range state of things %
He looked as pleased as man set riding
n his hobby always looks. He was happy
ow. The man who has no hobby does
OF know all the value which can be got
ut of life.
"Monsieur,' said NJ. Regnault, "three
lenths after had been admitted to prac
ce, l was sent for one evening by the
ountess de Merret to her Chateau of Mer-
It. Her maid, good girl, who is now
rvant at this hotel, came to my door
it'll the Countess carriage to fetch me.
must tell you that the Count de Merret
I'd gone to Paris, and died two months
fore my arrival there. He died in
retched state, the victim of excuses OF
cry kind. The day of his departure
adame de Merret had left La Grande
reteche, and had caused it to be disman-
ed. Some people declare that she even
1rned the furniture. Have you been at
erret? No?" he said, supplying my
lswer. "Ah! it is beautiful place.
or the space of about three months, he
,,ntinued, after little toss of the head,
the Count and Countess had lived togeth-
l. there in the strangest manner; they left
+ receiving visitors, and Madame lived on
10 ground floor while monsieur lived on
re first floor. When the Countess was
one she was never seen, except at church.
alter on, at home, in her own chateau, she
fused to see any visitors, whether male
female. A great change passed over
II at the moment when she left La Grande
reteche to 60 to Merret. The dear crea-
{ rel say dear, because this diamond
as her present; apart from this L only
W her once-well, the good lady was
nv i'll; she had doubtless given up all
ouyhts of recovery, for she refused to
Il in any physician. Ny curiosity was
1gularly excited, monsieur, when heard
: at Madame de Merret was in need of my
rvres. 1t was nearly eleven O'Clock
aer I reached the chateau. l went up
g.and staircase. After passing through
me dark, lofty rooms, which were cold
d lamp, l came to the state chamber, in
,icl the Countess was. had some diff.
mls in finding her on the huge bed
,er she was lying, though there was one
ttlose old-fashioned Agrand lamps, which
VS. intended to light her enormous bed,
on. What bedroom it was. 1t was
In, with frieze in the fashion of the
ncint regime, and the hangings were sc
cveed with dust that the very sight OF
ter made me sneeze. But you have
nve been at Merret? Well, monsieur,
tie bed was one of those which were com.
nrin the times of our great-fathers, will
a h,h canopy and curtains of crimson
dmsk. There was small table beside
tie ed, and upon it I saw de lmita
ton'-which, by the way, bought after,
vars for my wife, together with the
Ian. There was also large armchair
fr ne nurse, and two other chairs. Not
a 1t of fire, however. This was all the
frriture. 1t would not have occupied ter
lhe in an inventory. The room was like
ie;nay, more than that, it was fune-real, u
h added, raising his hand in theatrica
miner and making pause.
aAs cam near the bed, l saw Madame
d,Merret. Her face was as yellow as wax
bay and angular. She wore lace CAP
witch allowed her hair to be seen. 1t was
bautiful, but white as flax. She was sit
tig propped up in her bed. Her brow
WIS damp Her fleshless hands were moth
ip more than bones with the skin stretch
G. over them; the veins and sinews wert
rrfectly visible. She must have been a
oe time extremely beautiful; but now
vas seized with feeling l can't describe
It the sight of her. Never did living crea
tire become as thin as she did. 1t was, il
short, fearful sight. Although my pro
essional duties had familiarized mo will
such spectacles, l confess that the families
in tears and the agonies l have witnessed
elsewhere were nothing in comparison tt
this woman in the solitude and silence o
her vast chateau. l did not hear the leas
sound: did not see the movement which
one would have expected her breathing tt
-.ause in the clothes which covered her; ant
: stood quite still, looking at her in kim
, f stupor. At last her great eyes moved
le tried to raise her right hand, but /
Ill upon the bed; and these words pro
Q eded from her mouth like a whisper, TO
= could scarcely be said to have voice
have waited for you with much impa
hce.' The effort to speak brought
: rmentary flush to her cheek. Madame,
logan. She made sign to me to b
! sht. At this moment the old nurse 60
ulnd said in my ear, Don't speak; mad
anis in such state that she cannot bea
, to ar the least noise, and what you wan
to would agitate her, perhaps l sa
dov. A few seconds after, Madame d
Melt mustered all her remaining strengtl
to i've her right arm, and put it, no
witht infinite difficulty, beneath her pill
low. She stopped for moment, and the
she lde last effort to draw back he
hand. She brought out sealed packet
S and, VEN she did so, drops of sweat fe
from n forehead. Il give my will int
t your arge,' she said. 'Ah! my God
ahr lis was all. She caught up cruci
fix wha was upon her bed, pressed
rapidly, her lips, and died. The fixe
> expressh of her eyes makes me shudde
: still, WIN think of it. Icarried the wi
| away wi me; and when it was opened
} saw that e had appointed me her executor
She left her property, with the excer
ton of SOB trifing legacies, to the hos
pital at Andome. But her disposition
| with regal to La Grande Breteche wer