The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1875-03-31

tone Of cold reserve.
"Ah !" she exclaimed, in boarse and
energetic accent, "how can you ask me
that? 1t is too hard you humble me too
much p
She left my arm and returned abruptly
into the parlor. l remained for some
time uncertain as to what course to pur>
sue. / Thought first Of following Madame
de Paine and explaining to her that she
was mistaken-which was true-as to the
interrogative answer which had offended
her. She had applied that answer to
some thought that pervaded her mind
which l did not understand, or at least
which her words had revealed to me much
less clearly than she imagined; but1after
thinking over it, shrank from the new
and formidable explanation which such a
course must inevitably bring about
left the conservatory, and walked into
the garden to escape the hum of the bali
room, which importuned my ears The
night was cold but beautiful. With my
heart still filled with the bitterness of this
scene, i wandered instinctvely beyond
the luminous zone projected around the
chateau through the apertures of the re-
splendent windows walked rapidly to-
wards a double row of spruce trees,
crossed by rustic bridge thrown over
small brook which divided the garden
from the park, and where the shade was
more dense. / had just reached this
sombre spot when hand was laid on my
arm and stopped me; at the same time
short and troubled voice, which could
not mistake, said:
al must sneak to youp
MADAME for mercy's sakel in the
name of heavenl what are you doing2
you will ruin your reputation! Do re-
turn to the housed Come, come, let me
escort you back p
eluded my grasp.
81 want to speak to you. |
have decided 10 do so o mon
Dieu how awkwardly do 60 about it,
don't /? You must believe me more
than ever a miserable creature and yet
there is nothing nit, not thing its the
truth, the pure truth, mon Dieul You
are the first man for whose sake | have
forgotten all that l am now
| forgetting Yes, the first
Never has any other man heard from my
lips single word of tenderness, never /!
and you do not believe mel"
| took both her hands in mine:
IL believe you, 1 swear it ]
swear that / esteem you that
I respect you as beloved daughter \
But listen to me; pray listen! do not
brave openly this pitiless world. Return
to the ballroom I'll join you
there soon, promise you. But in the
name of heaven, do not compromise your
fair fame |" ..
The poor child melted into tears. and
! felt that she was staggering; | support
ed her and helped her TO a seat on bench
close by. remained standing before
her, holding one of her hands. The dark,
ness was intense around us; / gazed into
space, and listened, in state Of vague
stupor, to the clear and regular murmur
of the brook flowing under the spruce
trees, to the convulsive sobs that swelled
the unhappy woman's bosom, and to the
odions sounds of revelry which the or
chestra sent US at intervals from afar. II
was one Of those moments that can never
be forgotten.
She succeeded in mastering her grief al
last, and seemed, after this explosion. tc
recover all her frmness.
Monsieur" she said, rising and with
drawing her hand, have no fears about
, my reputation. The world is accustomed
to my follies. However, l have taker
care that the present, one shall not be no
ticed. Besides, | would not care fit was
You are the only man whose esteem
have ever desired, and, unfortunately, thu
only one also whose contempt have in
Cured. That is most cruel and We
something must tell you that do not de
, serve it.
"Madamel''
Listen to me! and may God convinc
: YOU. This is a solemn hour in my exist
: ence Since the first glance you ever cas-
2 upon me, sir,-on that day when | wen
up to you while you were sketching tn
old church, since that first glance, i be
r longed to you have never loved, shal
Y never love any man but you. Will yo
: take me for your wife? am worthy G
s it \ | swear it to you in the presenc
}, of that Heaven which is looking dow
upon us"
= Dear madame, **# dear child, n
your kindness r. \ your affection NOV
i me to the depths of my soul; in mercy, b
r more calm; let me retain a CLEAN OF rea
It sonl"
"Ah! if your heart speaks, listen to i
e srl 1t is not with reason that j can
Judged Alas feel it! you still doubt M
YOU still doubt my past life n o Hea'
ems! that opinion of the world which hay
e always scorned, how it lis killing me now
e mo, madame, you are mistaken; bl
Is what could offer you in exchange for a
It you wish to sacrifice for my sake f
d the habits, the tastes, the pleasures of you
= whole lifeY
1t "But that life inspires me with horro
y You think that | would regret it? Yo
If think that some day / may again becon
D, the woman have been, the madcap yc
have known \ You think sol Al
: how can help you believing it? And y
| know very well that would never eau
r. you that sorrow, nor any other Ne
erl l have discovered in your eyes a ne
of world did not know-a more dignifie
of more lofty world, of which / never CO..
ceived the idea and outside of whiC
IN / can no longer live Ali you mu
st certainly feel that l am telling you Il
truth"
"Yes, madame, you are telling me Il
er truth, n the truth of the hour n n
es a moment of fever and excitement b
it this new world which appears dimly to v,
a now,-this ideal world in which you d
Ou sire to seek an eternal refuge against me
as transient evils-would never keep all
| seems to promise. Disappointment,
is gret, misery await you within it a
ng do not await YOU alone | know not