The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-06

least was true friend or France and disciple or
Palmerston in all that concerned the maintenance
OF the balance OF power in Europe" 1t would
have been moro correct to state that Lord Claren.
don was q BoDapartist and. mad ne lived, we
fancy his influence would have been useful rather
in dissuading the Emperor from undertaking the
war than in saving France arterward from Its
terrible consequences.
OLA FILE DE LA CoMEDIENNEu AND "L'HERIrAGE
D'ARTHUR." BY Hector Malot. Paris Michel
Levy Brothers.
These two novels form one and are devoted TO
the relation OF how kind-hearted but weak
headed nobleman was harrassed on account OF his
large fortune. Arthur, Marquis de Rudemont, was
the son Of grand seigneur, who, on dying, prayed
him to seek out two distant relatives to whom a
debt OF gratitude was owing. and TO befriend
them. These relatives were one Fabu dc Caque-
but aud his sister Sophie. Their father IL was who
had laid the old Marquis under an obligation to
him; but they themselves were worthless pair,
and when Arthur, piously obeylng his fathers
dying wish, takes them to his chateau and bids
them consider 1t their home, they interpret this
invitation to the letter. Soon plan is formed
between them for inducing Arthur to make q Will
In their favor. Fabu being covetous for his own
sake, sophie for that OF her son. Unfortunately
before their scheme has rlpened, the Marquis re-
ceiyes letter from Emma Lajolais a Partisan ac-
tress, formerly his mistress, who, writing from
her death bed, declares that she has had child
by hin, and Dequeaths him the charge OF bringing
up this little wall, who has now grown up 10 be a
pretty girl OF fourteen. There Is nothing 20 prove
that Denise LaJolals is In reality the Marquis
child, Tor the actress was not renowned for the
constancy OF her affections. Nevertheless, the
Marquis takes her to his estate and engages gov.
erness for her, Here the plot for Arthur's mil
lions begins to thicken. CIemence BeauJonnier.
~
oficer and very pretty, designing woman. She
loses no time In setting her cap at the Marquis,
makes him fall into her tolls, and then
sets herself to outwit for her private advan.
tage the Vaccinations OF the Fabus Caquebuts.
They, on their side, do their best to weaken her
ipnuence with the Marquis but are not successful.
Several years are spent in these struggles OF
roguery; but, meanwhile, an attachment mas
sprung up between LOUIS Caquebut. the son of
Sophie, who Is an honest young barrister. and
Denise LaIolals. Nine. BeauJonnier fearing that
these young people may succeed In becoming the
Marquis heirs Unough they are making no
efforts to this end Denise to be placed In
o convent. and then proceeds to encourage the
Marquis In a course OF intemperance and dsspa-
ton, which rapidly hurries him to his grave.
Arthur is not to be prevailed upon, however, to
make q viii In Clemences favor, and, accordingly,
the latter seeks the alliance OF q priest,
and they two between them bring the
now half insane nobleman to bequeath all
his property to q monastic Institution. The secret
understanding being that this institution shall pay
Clemence 100000 francs OF the legacy. But this
move does not lead TO the results which the willy
governess expected, for when inc Marquisi Is dead,
the monastic establishment declines paying her
SOU We are promised sequel to this narrative,
but the two books before US terminate with the
WI INF
and Dense the goody goody characters or the tale
are MARRIED and, though poor, seem to be happy.
The story IL interesting ons the serious strata
gems TO which cupldty pushes people are anu
slngly told, and the dialogue Il as French and
Ylvacious rs you please.