The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1875-04-07
VIII.
CONCLUDED.

CONCLUDED.
Madame de Paine manifested during
the entire course of our ride feverish ex-
citement which betrayed itself more par
ticularly in reckless feats of horseman-
ship. / heard at intervals her loud
bursts of merriment, that sounded to my
ears like heart-rending walls. Once again
she spoke TO the as she was going by:
81 inspire you with horror, don't ~
she said.
l shook my head and dropped my eyes
without replying.
We returned to the chateau at about
four o'clock. was making my way to
my room when confused tumult Of voices,
shrieks, and hurried steps in the vestibule
chilled my heart | went down again in
all haste. and was informed that Mad
anne de Paine had just been taken with
violent nervous fit She had been carried
into the parlor. / recognized through
1he door the grave and gentle voice Of
Madame de Malouet, to which was min
ged know not what moan, like that of
a sick child. | ran away.
was resolved 10 leave this fatal spot
without further delay. Nothing could
have induced me TO remain a moment
longer. Your lett r, which had been
Landed me on our return, served me as
likely pretexi for my sudden departure
The friendship that binds us is WELL
known here. / said you needed me with
In twenty>four hours. | had taken care,
at all hazards, 10 send three days before
to the nearest town for a carriage and
horses. In few minutes my prepara-
tions were made, ] gave orders TO the
driver to start ahead and wait for me at
the extremity of the avenue while was
taking my leave. Monsieur de Malouet
seemed to have no suspicion of the truth;
the worthy old gentleman appeared quite
moved as he received my thanks. and re-
ally manifested for me a singular affection
out Of all proportion to the brief duration
ofour acquaintance had to be scarcely
less thankful to NJ. de Breuilly regret
s.ow the caricature once gave you as the
portrait Of that noble heart
Madame de Malouet insisted upon ac-
companying me down the avenue few
steps further than her husband. felt
her arm tremble under mine while she
was intrusting me with few trifiing err
rands for Paris, At the moment of part>
ing, and as l was pressing her hand with
effusion, she detained me gently:
"Welll sir" she said in a feeble voice,
"jod did pot bless our wisdom"
"Our hearts are open TO Him, madame
He must have read our sincerity. He
sees how much / am suffering, and
humbly hope he may forgive me-"
"Do not doubt lido not doubt it." she
replied in broken voice; but che? she +
ali poor child
"Have pity on her, madame. Do not
forsake her. Farewell 70
LEFT her hastily, and started, but in
stead OF going direct to town, had myself
driven along the Abbey road as far as the
top OF the hills; / requested the coachman
TO go on alone TO the town, and 10 return
Tor me tomorrow morning early at the
same place. / can not explain 10 you,
my dear friend, the singular and irresist-
ible fancy That took me to spend one last
night in that solitude where ] spent such
quiet and happy days. and so recently,
mon Dieul
Here am, then, back in my cell How
cold, dark and gloomy it seems! The sky
also has gone into mourning. Since my
arrival in this neighborbood, and in spite
of the season, had seen none but sum-
autumnal storm has burst over the VAL
ley; the wind howls among the ruins,
blowing off fragments that fall heavily
upon the ground. A driving rain is pat
tering against my window panes. 1t
seems to me if it were raining tears
Tears my heart is Overlooking with
them-and not a single one will rise to
my eyes. And yet, have prayed, 1 have
long prayed to God-not my friend, to
that intangible God whom we pursue in
vain beyond the stars and the worlds, but
the only God truly kind and hel pful to
suffering humanity-the God of my child.
hood, the God of that poor woman
All! wish to think only now of my ap,
preaching meeting with you, the day after
Tomorrow, dear friend, and perhaps be.
fore this letter
Come, Paul. Ifyou can leave your
mother, come, | beseceh you, come to up
hold me. God hand is upon me!
Twas writing that interrupted lin,
when, in the midst of the confused noises
of the tempest, fancied | heard the
sound of voice, of a human voice, of /;
human groan. rushed to my window
leaned outside to pierce the darkness
and | discovered lying upon the dark anC
drenched soil vague form, somethin.
like white bundle At the same time
more distinct moan rose up TO me.
CLEAN of the terrible truth flashed thro
my brain like a keen blade ! gropel
through the darkness as far as the doc
of the mill; near the threshold, stood
horse bearing a side-saddle ] ran mad
ly around to the other side of the ruins
and within the Enclosure situated brneatl
the window Of my celf, and which still re
tains some traces Of the former cemeter,
of the monks, / found the unhapp,