The Hartford herald., 1875-03-24
LED ASTRAY.
TRANSLATED PROM THE FREScH or
OCTAVE FEUILLET.
" II.
lsT OCTOBER

lsT OCTOBER.
Panl, there is something going on here
chat does not please me. would like to
have your advice; send it as soon as pos
sible.
On Thursday morning, after finishing
my letter, went down to give it to the
messenger, who leaves quite early; then,
as IL only wanted a few minutes of the
breaktast-hour, walked into the drawing-
room, which was still empty. WAS quiet-
ly looking over Review by the fireside,
when the door was suddenly flung open; |
heard the crushing and rustling OF a silk
dress too broad to get easily through an
aperture three feet wide, and | saw the
Little Countess appear; she had spent the
night at the chateau.
Ifyou remember the unfortunate con-
versation in which had become entangled
the previous evening. and which Madame
de Paine had overhead from beginning to
end, you will readily understand that this
lady was the last person in the world
with whom it might prove pleasant to find
myself alone that morning.
i rose and | addressed her deep curt
sey; she replied with nod, which, though
slight, was still more than deserved from
her. The first steps she took in the par
l0r after she had seen me were stamped
with hesitation and sort of wavering: it
was like the action or partridge lightly
hit on the wing and somewhat stunned by
the shot Would she 90 to the piano, to
the window, TO the right or the left, or ops
positef ltwas clear thatshe did not know "
herself; but indecisiOn is not the weak point
of her disposition: she soon made up her
mind, and crossing the immense drawing
room with very firm step. she came in the
direction of the chimney, that is, toward
my immediate domain.
Standing in front of my armchair with
my Review in my hand, was awaiting
the event with an apparent gravity thai
concealed but imperfectly. fear, rath.
er powerful inward anxiety. had indeed
every reason to apprehend an explanation
and scene In every circumstance. o
this kind, the natural feelings of our hear
and the refinement ahich education anC
the habits of society add to them, the alb.
solute freedom OF the attack and the mar.
row limits allowed TO the defence, give Il
women an Overwhelming superiority ovel
any man who is not boor or a lover
In the particular crisis that was threaten,
ing me, the stinging consciousness of my
wrongs, the recollection of the almost in,
sulting form under which my offense haC
manifested itself, united to deprive me o
all thought of resistance; / found mysel
delivered over, bound hand and foot, Il
the frightful wrath of a young and impe
rious woman thirsting for vengeance. NJ,
attitude was, therefore, not very brilliant
Madame de Palme stopped within tive
steps of me, spread her right hand on tn,
marble Of the mantel, and extended to
wards the blazing hearth the bronzed slip
per within which her left foot was hei,
captive. Having accomplished these pre-
liminary dispositions, she turned toward
me, and without addressing me singh
word, she seemed to enjoy my countenance
which, repeat, was not worth much.
resolved to sit down again and resume m
reading but previously. and by way q
transition, ] thought best to say politely
Wouldn't you like to have this Review
madame?"
Thank you, sir, / cannot read"
such was the answer that was prompt
iy shot of at me in brief tone of voice
j made with my head and my hand
courteous gesture, by which seemed /
sympathize gently with the infirmity tina
was thus repealed to me, after which ss
down. feeling more easy. Ihad draw
my adversary's fire. Honor seemed TO m
eatisfed
Nevertheless, after q few moments {