The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-06-04
ESCI,sTRMoNDE.

The crown is proud
That decks cur brow
The laugh is loud
That gads Il now.
The sounds that fan
ArOund-above
Are laden all
With love-with love
With loye-with love.
Heaven cannot show
Mid all its sheen.
Orbs of such glow.
As here are seen.
And monarch neer
EXulting owned
Queen might compare
With Esclairmoude-
With Eselairm0nde.
From Bacchus' fount,
Deep draughts we drain;
Their spirits mount,
And fire our brain:
But in our heart
Or hearts enthroned.
From all apart.
kcSts Esclarmonde-
Rests Esclairmonde.
"PerfectY exclaimed Ronsard.
Perfect" repeated every voice.
His lato majesty. Charles TX. never impro-
vised strains more delightful continued the
bard
Enough. and too much. - Interrupted Henri.
BE prepared" he whispered. with the signal
and now. messeigncurs. he continued aloud.
'the night wears, the music sounds again. the
new mask of Gree and her nymphs awaits
YOU Nay. mignonnc. he added, ina low i'm
passioned tone. and forcibly detaining Escair-
monde. you must remain with me
Al this hint from the monarch the guests
arose: and each gallant taking dame under
his arm. left the banquet hall. Crichton aud
TOrigni were the last to quit the 70 m a sig
nilicant look passed bctween the Scot and Cbicot
as he fingered for an instant ut the doorway the
meaning of which the latter appeared clearly 10
for, waving his hand. as if in Obe-
torches were suddenly extnguishcd. Page
valet. usher. and butToon disappeared: the
tapestry was swiftly drawn together the valves
were closed, and Henri was left in darkness
with the demoiselc
All this was the work of moment. The king
the signal sooner than he intended
Concluding himself alone with ESclairmonde.
Henri addressed u passionate exclamation to
her at the same time endeavOring to obtain Dos
session of her hand. The demoiselle however
with cry Of terror. cluded his grasp. and fed,
SO far as she was able to determine in the OBJ
scurity in which all was wrapped, toward the
"Ah. ah. fair bird you cannot escape me now"
exclaimed Henri. exultingy. following in pur-
suit.
And as he spoke. with outstretchcd hands he
grasped at something which. in the darkness.
appeared to be the flying figure Of the damsel.
The sudden prostitution of his roval person,
and the subsequent loud jingle Of falling glass.
mixed with the clatter of plate, soon, however
him. of his error; while stihed
laugh, proceeding, rs he concluded, from the
completed his modification.
The king arose. but said nothing, and, Sus-
pending his own respiration, listened Intently
For a moment not a sound was heard. Henri
hen thought he detected IA light step stealing to-
wards the other side Of the room. and directed
ls attention to that quarter. noise. as Of
iTras being raised followed by a faint creak
such as might be produced by a sliding panel.
vas Just audible. "Diable. the secret dOor-caa
she nave discovered it," eIaculated Henri. rush
ng in the. direction of the sound. She may
dude me after all
A light laugh. however. issuing from differ
mt part of the chamber. and which, question
lim that she was still in the room Gliding
IoiseIessly forward. guided by the sound, ere
mother instant be had grasped a small soft
land. which he covered with thousand kisses. |
md which, strange to say, palpaby returned his
PRESSURE.
Henri was in positive raptures. %,
How much one may be deceived exclaimed
makes all the ference in the world. was /
Iuite right to have the torches extinguished. |
lou fair Fsclairmonde who, q few minutes |
go were all coyness and reserve-a very belle /
lame sans merci-are as aniabIe and complais- |
nj as-twhom shall / say)-as the obliging To |
igni !
Il faith fair demoiselle." continued the de- 7
ghted Henri. so charming do find you, that /
am half tempted to become hereto myself /
IN these lips / could embrace ahy faith pro- |
OSed to U.s.
At this moment, hollow voice breathed in the I
cry portals of his ear, these wordS-"Vilain |
Ierodes"-an anagram framed by the Jacobins |
pom his own name Henri de Valois.
The king started and trembed.
1t has already been stated that Henri was big
ted and superstitious to the last degree His /
and now shook so much. that he could scarcely |
etan the fair fingers he held within his grasp. |
DO you speak, demoiselle?" he asked. after /
q instants pause.
No sire replied his companion.
Your voice appears strangely altered" re-