The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1872-03-28

of the doctor to our cure; but the lat
ter an austere and silent man, in
formed no one of the details of the
interview. On Saturday of the same
week, Michel having returned home
early, tried to persuade him that u
visit to DR.. Fauvel would be both
mark Of respect to brother rhysic-
ian, and an act of neighborly kind
ness. He listened to me with u smile,
let me exhaust all my good reasons,
and then, with Il mischievous look
peculiarly his own, said: ~ have
anticipated your desire, my dear. |
have been to Mr.. Fauvels already"
'~Oh Michel tell me all about it.
When did you so? Whom did you
see? The doctor, or his wife? Were
they pleasant people? Did you ask
them to CALI"
"One moment, my dear Valentine.
Let us proceed orderly. | met Mr..
Eauvcl the other day; we exchanged
Il few words, and lie begged me to
walk home with him. | was in a
hurry and remained but u moment.
That's all have to tell YOU"
CHOW is Madame Fauvcl?"
81 did not see her"
"Did you like the doctor? Is he Il
pleasant man? Shall we see him
occasionally"
n nod or two, an assurance that
DR.. Fauvel was agreeable enough,
and would come very soon ~ make
us call, were all that | could get out
Of my husband that evening.
The next day on my way to church
| saw, few steps in front of me, n
woman very simply dressed, who
walked quietly along without look
ing about her. She slackened her
pace on drawing near the church,
aud | heard her ask the sexton
where was DR.. Fauvels seat. After
that the only topic of conversation i'll
II Amcrvilie was Madame Fauvcl.
Those who have lived in the couDtry
any time may easily imagine the sort
Of talk more or less friendly which
followed. Meanwhile | went to spend
IL few days at my parents; on my re-
turn | found the cards Of DIR. and
Madame Fauvel.
On the very next day, and without
waiting for my husband, | proceeded
to the cottage, | stopped, undecided.
At which of the two doors ought to
knock? decided upon that which
bore the door-plate. A servant APP
peared. When l asked the usual
question, he said, ~ will go and see
if Madame is at home"
And to my great surprise he stepped
across, knocked at the other door,
and repeated my inquiry to u pretty
little maid, then Withdrew at once
within the door to which | had sum-
mOned him.
Madame Fauvel appeared only after
Il long interval. Nevertheless it did
not seem to me possible that her toilet
could have occupied so long time,
for she was dressed very plainly. She
received me us cordially as possible,
although her whole manner was full
of Il certain nervous hesitation. She
was very young, and preserved still a
sort of childish face magnificent
blue eyes, clear and trusting, render
cd her ifnot pretty, at least. extremely
attractive. Altogether enchanted, l
prolonged my visit, and only left her
after having emphatically expressed
my hope of seeing her again very
soon. "I shall be charmed" she re-
piled, "to come and see you some
Times, but my husband wishes me to
lead Il very retired life
81 hope your determination is not
taken ON account of DIR. Fauvels
health. My husband tells me he
looks decidedly mwell."
She started inv0luntarily and
changed color suddenly. "unwell, do
you think? Do you think he is sick?
Oh, no. it cannot be"
| fastened to repair my blunder.
"Indeed, madame, you have no occa-
sion to be so alarmed. DIR. Fauvel,
undoubtedly, is naturally pale, and
that probably was noticed by my
husband when he saw him for the
first time, while you, who are with
him all the time, have become accus-
toned to it"
"Yes, yes; that's it of COURSE" she
replied hastily. ;,
She went to the window, pluclled
a few sprigs Of heiotropc and offered
them to me with u smile. ! took
leave of her soon afterwards.
Some weeks passed; Madame Fau-
vel returned my visit, and we saw
each other from time to time. Other
people in the village and suburbs be-
came acquainted with her. All were
received with the same cordiality;
every one was enchanted with Mad
anne Fauvel. But they always came
away without having seen the doctor,
who for his part made some visits,
and rightly passed for an intelligent
man of culture and of remarkable
conversational powers. Several din
ncrs were given in honor OF the new
comers, but in every case Madame
Fuuyei was suddenly indisposed, or
the doctor was obliged to go away
that morning or the night before on
private business; no one ever sue
cecded in receiving them both at tne
somn time. Notwithstanding the
favorable impressions which each
had left, less charitable whlsperihss
began to be heard before long.
| had about this time a long ana
serious illness. When ! was again
permitted to receive callers, Madame
Fauvel was among the first to come.
| was happy to see her again. ohc
had been assiduOus in her attentions
during my sickness, coming every
morning, they told me, to inquire
how | was; while nearly every even
ing a bouquet or basket OF fruit
from the chalet reminded me of the
anectionate solicitudc Of its tenants.
/ thanked her therefore with etfusion.
IL have also to thank the DOCTOR" |
added "from the number OF part
ridges he has sent me, really believe
there is not one left within six leagues
of here. And how good he was, and
how attentive, to run at full speed to
bring my husband that night had
the relapsew
"Really; did he?"
Didn't you know it? Fray tell
him. madame, how grateful am TO
him. / don't know what would have
become of my poor husband withsnt
the friendship Of DR.. Fauvel. ! long