The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-02-02


but without either conceit or presump-
tion in his manner.
All were prepossessed in his favor,
but all were anxious to put to the proof
the indifference of which they had been
told.
Nine. de st. Ange soon found an op.
portunity of referring to it.
81 am sorry for the terrible accident
you and M. de Montmedy witnessed
to day.
"Are you, Madame ?"
Eyes; did it make you shudder?'
"Why should it? / do not know the
woman. All could do was what /
did, to get her out ofthe way of public
curiosity. AS for feeling horror at the
sight Of blood and broken bones, that is
a vulgar emotion; people shrink from
the physical horror who have not one
tear to give to lacorated heart or an
agony Of the mind that is racking the
brain to madness, This | look on as
folly"
"You have extraordinary strength of
mind"
mo, but feel only as my reason
dictates"
"Is not that what the world would
call seltishne5s?"
mo doubt. But selfishness is the
most harmless of all vices"
"Not so, for it Injuries all those whom
otherwise We might succor or CONSOLE"
"If it were pleasure TO console or to
succor l should do so for in so doing it,
should satisfy myself. All, Madame,
we talk great deal about de 'otion and
disinterestedness there is no such
thing; even the strongest passion of our
nature, love, is the most selfish. Love
requires entire possession. Say to a
man Of the most generous nature, your
friend cannot recover from his illness
unless you give him up the woman you
love, and the generous man will let his
| friend die. Say TO woman, your lover
cannot exist unless you give him up to
another woman with whom lie is in
love, and she will answer, l would
rather see him dead than anOther's."
"Then you do not believe in love ?r
81 believe in no emotions; | believe
in insensibility."
"And are you happy ?"
"Perfectly"
Monsieur de St. Floy was 50 agreea
blea companion, accomplished, witty,
and 50 exceedingly good tempered, that
it was impossible ever oget angry with
him. Nevertheless, this very amiabil.
lily and apathy, added to the strange
| principles he had professed, had pro-
duced sort of irritation against him,
aAd O plLt had been formed and wagers
laid IS 10 who should first rouse him
& Il. .!is inseEsih;lity.
Nine. de st. Ange, it was agreed,
should first try tho power he had ack-
nowled9cd to be the greatest, the power
Of love, and for this she used every art
which Parisienuo possesses instinctive-
~, but which, until now, Nine. de ST.
Ange had disdained. She WAS prepar.
cd even to go beyond the bounds of
ccquctry, sccure as she was in the pro-
lection OF all around her.
She succeeded at last in drawing the
Count into what might have been con.
sidered a Irritation. 1t was evening"
they were on the tcrrace-the Count, if
not tender, had at least grown poetical
and gradually Nine. de st. Ange allow
ed her love to be evident, till both sunk
into that silence which is loves elo
quence. Finding it but little beyond
the usual limits, Nine. de st. Ange laid
her head on her lovers shoulder, and
breathed his name in low and loving
accents but there was no answer, for
the ChevaIier d. st. FjOy was fast
asleep.
MY dear friends" exclaimed Nine.
de st. Ange, entering the lighted draw.
ing.room, where all were assembled, 81
haye lost my wager; I leave him now
in your hands-you can try your skill. /"
When, after few minutes, the Count
entered the drawing room apparently
unconscious of the rudeness he had been
guilty of, the gentlemen We're at cards,
and immediately proposed TO the Count
tojoin them.
"If it is agreeable TO you; for myself
it makes no difference"
"What s.akes?"
Exactly what you like"
NJ. Canilac, who was very fond of
showing Off his riches, challenged the
Count to ecdrte.
They played on for some time, at last
Nine. de St. Ange, leaning over his
shoulder, inquired whether he was
losing or winning.
81 really don't know" said de Floy,
with the utmost Indifference.
"The Count wins twelve thousand
francs"
"Really am sorry. Suppose play
double or quits, eh ?"
"As you please"
The banker, OF course, would not give
in; but the sum was considerable, and
the emotion was visible on his features
AS for the Count, he preserved the same
smiling countenance, turning the cards
carelesSly, almost mechanically over
"You have wonw exclaimed the
banker, trying to hide his quivering
lips.
"Then we will talk of something
else" said de Floy, turning from the
card-table.
But suddenly General Simonet came
forward, and taking up the cards, threw
them into the Counts face.
"CaLilac," said the General, "yol
have not lost your money. The Coun
cheats you at cards, for l have beer
watching him, and he has not fairly
won."
, General" exclaimed the Baronne
"are you mad? Count, l beseech you
, keep calm"
MY dear madam, am never any
l thing else, / am only sorry that som,
Q of the cards struck you. SO, General