Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1874-01-09

held Adrienne's hand tenderly in his own,
with cold, inquiring glance.
'We have some news to tell you, M.
Desforges," began the lady of the house
""Adrienne is betrothed to NJ lie Marquis
de Beauvoir"
IL congratulate youl' stammered
Desforges. 1t was suddenly dark before
his eyes. He bowed awkwardly, and
staggered out of the room.
"The gentleman's manner was very
strange" observed the marquis.
"Ha, Desforges never does anything
like other people-pOets never do, |
think" replied the mamma, laughing.
The next morning when Mile. de Marn-
eville, accompanied by her old nurse, was
returning from mass, she met Desforges,
who had evidently been waiting for her.
'In what have sinned, mademoiselle, ,"
he began, saluting her coldly, "that you,
on the same day, make me the happiest
and then the most wretched of men? Oh,
you are hardly less cruel and heartless
than the Marquise de Pompadour, whom
you so hate"
81 am not accountable to you for my
actions" replied Adrienne, proudly.
"But you have told me that you loved
me-" returned the unhappy poet.
IL imagined, Tor moment, that | did, |
confess" said Adrienne, with a shrug.
"You were then the only man l knew"
"And nOw?" cried he, in firmer tone.
"NOw love the marquis, my fance,
replied Adrienne, firmly; land he is a
very different sort of suitor from you,
mon p0u0re Desforges. Adieup'
With this she turned and went her way,
while he, bewildered with grief and in
dignation, stood as if transfixed to the
spot, and looked after her till his tears
obscured his vision. For moment he
was undecided what to do; but as he
turned to go his way his eyes fell on the
sign of swOrd-cutter on the opposite side
of the street. He Immediately crossed
over and provided himself with weapon.
zone or the other of us must die" said
he; "either he, the rich marquis, or /, the
poor poet"
The mood he was in brooded no delay
that very evening, therefore, he waited
for his rival in an arched doorway oppO-
site the Marneville residence. When the
marquis appeared, wrapped in white
mantle, and turned to look up at the
lighted windows of his betrothed, Desfor-
ges approached him.
cit is you who would rob me of Mile.
de Marneville," he began, in tone trem-
ulOus with rage. ~ love her, and if you
lead her to the altar you must cross my
dead body. Defend yourself, sir!"
"Ha! are you mady" laughed the mar
quis.
eyes, madly in earnest You must
fight, SIR" replied Desforges.
"Fight-with you? To do that [
should be worse than mad, 1 should be a
fool" returned the marquis.
miserable cOward!' cried DesfOrges.
'You are not worthy of being treated as
an honorable adversary. Take Ihat''
And with all the energy of frenzy he
seized his rival, wound his mantle around
him so that he could not use his arms,
and then beat him with the fiat Of his
sword until the disturbance in the street
brought Mile. de Marneville to the win
dow, where she could see her betrothed
receive his chastising. Instead of ap.
plauding the courageous friend of her
youth, she sWOre vengeance on him for
thus maltreating the marquis, and called
for assistance.
Tired at least of belaboring his rival,
Desforges went his way, leaving the mar
quis to re-enter the house of his mistress
and repair damages.
1t unfortunately chanced that, while
the marquis sought consolation for the
beating he had received in the caresses
of his lady-love, Nine. de Marneville
threatened to use her influence with the
Marquise de POmpadour to secure the ar
rest of Desforges.
"That could doubtless be easily COM
passed." said Beauvoir, "for the Marquise
happens at this moment to be exasperated
| against some anonymous poet on account
OF a satire of which she is the subject,
and that has been in circulation for the
last day or two"
"How?" asked the two ladies in q
breath.
'Richelieu, the gallant duke, who de.
lights in nothing more than in badgering
the Marquise, sent her copy. In her
evaporation she threatens the author
with her direst vengeance, if she can dis
cover him, which she is making every
effort TO do"
'Then he has not yet been discovered ?"
asked Adriennc.
"Not yet"
"And would he be severely punished?'
Nothing could save him from the
Bastile."
Adrienne arose and demanded her
mantle.
| w nCIG are YOU SOluS, Cltliu!
"To the Marquise de Pompadour!"
"To the MarQuise!' echoed the aston
ished Beauvoir.
mot now, child, at this late hour" re.
monstrated the mother.
"Now-this night-before l sleepr'
cried the revengeful Adrienne.
The Marquise de Pompadour, in conse.
quence of the annoyance DesfOrges' satire
had caused her, was ailing, and, conse
quently had retired earlier than usual.
When Mile. de Marneville was shown
into her apartment, the mistress of France
shorn of all pomp, fatigued and pale, but
hardly less beautiful and fascinating in
pallor, raised herself up on her silken
cushions, and fixed those wonderful eyes
on her visitor that had softened many 8
determined diplomat.
''It must be matter of real importance
mademoiselle, that will excuse YOU
Weakening me, for am not at all well TO
night" said the Marquise, in kindly
tone.
"My mission will result, 1 trust, Nine
lie Marquise, in removing the cause O.
your indisposition."
"And that ls-w
"The satire which"
"Not word about that, | beg of you
l would l could not think of it again
Still, cannot deny that it is clever"
"But, madame, would you not be glaG
to discover its author?"
"Glad? know not what would no
give to find him out"
"That you can do through me. I ask
only that you keep the name of your in
formant secret"
"Well, I promise"
. And that his punishment be severe,
added Adrienne.