Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-04-10
Florimond tbereupon disclosed her name,

fortunate state of her affairs, and asked II she
could not shelter her for q few days. Mrs.
Tilsitt had some human kindness about her,
if she was wanting in that quality which is
ranked next to godliness, and she readily
promised to do all in her power for Mrs. IA
venswood, "who had been so kind to her dear
sister," .-.-,.--------.---.--->---
Her ability was very limited. 1t was a
miserable hole; dark, dilapidated, filthy, and
the air impreguated with the nauseous smell
of those "thirteen thousand different kinds Of
odors," which local newspaper reporter has
put on record, as coming by his own personal
experience, from the stagnant waters Of the
pestilential river of this great city.
Wishing to hasten her arrangements as
much as possible, so as to leave this dismal,
unwholesome dwelling, Florimond left Berta
asleep and proceeded to Mrs. sutherland's
Never having been in this part of the city
before, she found some difficulty in making
her way; but after frequent inquiries and
much time lost, finally found herself in sight
of familiar objects and well-known land
marks. Here, at last, was Mrs. Sutherland's,
and just opposite, that elegant mansion which
had so recently been her own. Looking on
it now, from the depths of her darkened pros.
poets, it seemed to her habitation fit for gods
and angels; and her life there-was it not, in
contrast to her present existence, perfect hap.
piness d? Florimond turned from the sight Of
it and groaned and shuddered. She was just
few steps from Mrs. Sutherland's, when the
front door opened and gentleman emerged.
Florimond shrank closer to the wall and held
her thick veil tightly over her face. 1t was
Ralph, but he seemed plunged deep in some
engrossing reverie, and took no notice of her.
Florimond could not help fancying the change
which would fash athwart his melancholy
countenance and distracted gaze, if she would
but raise her veil for moment and give him
but one glance from her lambent eyes, or utter
but his name from her lips. She watched him
furtively as he slowly crossed the street, re-
marking the general air of sadness-so for
eign to his nature-which now pervaded his
whole appearance. "This is my work," she
thought, with remorseful pang, chow differ
ent from what he used to be-always bril-
liant, always gay, knowing neither care nor
exhaustion, enjoying life almost with the hap
py ioyousness of child"
But, all unconscious, Ralph had now passed
out of sight, and turning, Florimond ascended
the marble steps and nervously jerked the
bell.
A strange servant opened the door, from
whom she enquired if Mrs. Sutherland was at
home. The man did not answer her until he
had bestowed thorough inspection on her
dress and tout ensemble. In accordance with
the verdict of his experienced judgment, he
then replied
"She's engaged and cannot be disturbed" )"
and without further observation, quietly shut
the door in her face. Florimond was motion.
less for moment, with mixture of contend.
ing emotions Finally, anger at the imperti-
nence of the man predominating, she rang
again.
"Well, what more do you want ?" be asked,
on reappearing.
Mrs. Ravenswood raised her veil, and with
eyes burning in liquid fire, said with her
grandest air
"Iwish you to inform Mrs. Sutherland, that
Mrs. Ravenswood has called, and wishes to
see her particularly. Do you understand
me"
"I beg-your-pardon, ma'am," said the
man, astonished and overwhelmed by the look
she gave him; twill you walk in?
Florimond entered the well-known apart.
ment, and feeling weary after so unusual a
walk, took possession of the nearest seat. The
servant sought his mistress in the opposite
drawing room and delivered the message. In
reply, Florimond heard distinctly, in Mrs.
Sutherland's familiar tones, "tell her l am en-.
gagged and cannot be annoyed this morning."
The man came back, but Florimond did
not hear a word of his muttered speech. Like
one in dream, she arose, and somehow got
out of the door, which he held open for her.
This was bitter experience for Mrs. Ravens
wood. She had now discovered what vast
difference there is in being rich or poor.
"Poor and friendless p she muttered, "synony-
NOUS words. And I have been kind to that
woman. I once gave her an elegant breast.
pin, the price Of which would keep Berta and
myself from want for three months Now,
that cannot give her any more presents, she
turns me from her door. I would not have
believed it. Oh it was so heartless and in
sulting, and I loved her so My God, this is
hard world"
With bowed head and gloomy soul, con.
sumed with the corrosion of its own bitter
ness-disappointment, modification, anger,
disgust and other emotions impossible to emu.
merate, struggling for mastery-Florimond
walked back to her miserable lodgings.
A weary, sleepless night, spent in anxious
thought for the future, and then the sun arose
upon our heroine but to develope, during its
daily course, new and heavy misfortune
After night passed in the sitting closet,
where Mrs. Tilsitt had put Berta and herself
to sleep, Florimond was more anxious than
ever to remove to more comfortable quarters.
In such place she feared both for her own
and Bertas health. So, at an early hour, on
the morning after her arrival, she engaged a
cartman to go to the depot and fetch her lug
gage. For several hours she patiently awaited
his return, and then not arriving, she threw
on her hat and went herself to the depot to
make inquiries. The luggage, consisting Of