The Morning herald., 1876-09-14

low snail describe TO you the horrible
night which / passed? Fallen at once
from situation the most splendid, in q
miserable village which afforded no kind
Of resource, and in possession only Of q few
louis, while my adored wife, in the morn
ing Of life accustomed to constitute, as well
a. to share the pleasure Of society, had
been led by an internal plot to the cabin
of an old man, respectable indeed, but in q
state Of wretched indigence; and I had been
the chief instrument of her misfortunes,
the accomplice Of the atrocity with which
she had been treated What would
become of her? In what manner could I
act that might least wound her feelings?
Would she think herself sufficiently rich
in my attachpent and tenderness? Oh no!
/ felt all the horrors of her. destiny and
ny own. Yes, Of my ownl Ihad, indeed,
nc reverse OF fortune to undergo; I, who
was born to wretchedness and nurtured in
want Yet my agoniEed heart, a heart but
too susceptible, told me that had sor-
row to Sustain, perhaps the most cruel in
the sad catalogue Of human evils. / had
not merely to bear indifference from that
object in whom I had placed every hope
of happiness--to see that heart alienated
whose tenderness was necessary to my
existence to read coldness in that eye on
whose look my peace depended. I recol-
lected with distraction that it must be my
doom, not merely to support indifference,
but aversion. / was not laerely to become
an object Of contempt but Of horror. ]
was not merely to feel the bitterness Of
being hateful to her l loved, but to know
that I deserved her hatred-to find that the
sharpest of all my sorrows was the piogn-
acy of remorse. Had not I been the
fatal cause Of all she suffered? Had not |
darkened all the fair prospects Of her life,
and overwhelmed her with intolerable
anguish? Had not I, wretched that l was,
planted dagger in her heart? Perhaps
she would find refuge from me in the
grave-perhaps her last breath would curse
me-or if she pitied and forgive me, could
endure her cruel mercy7-would not her
pity and forgiveness be more barbarous
than reproach more terrible than her
curse? .-.. -.
Such were the reflections which absorb
ed my mind, and made so painful the bed
on which had thrown myself to pass the
night. The horror Of my situation was
increased by a continuance Of violent rains,
which laid under water the crossroads
leading to Montelemart, and rendered it
impossible for several days. This circum-
stance prevented me from sending to the
town, as intended, for carriage to con-
vey Aurora to lodging less fitted to
mortify her pride. You will easily
imagine that l sent frequently to inquire
respecting the situation Of my unfortunate
bride, The answers were satisfactory my
attentions were received with gratitude; l
was repeatedly told that the next day !
should be admitted to see her; that she
had made up her mind that she should
display frmness Of character which, in
the cruel circumstances in which she was
placed, would astonish and confound her,
vile enemies. All these things, which
were repeated to me with an affectation Of
secrecy, did not lull me into perfect secu-
rity. That terrible tomorrow aArighted
nv soul; dreaded the fatal interview
more than death! / was meditating how
to elude it under different pretences, when
the door Of my chamber opened and dis.
covered to me my Interesting bride. l
threw myself at her feet, land seizing one OF
her hands bathed it with tears. She look
ed at me in this humiliating posture for
some time in silence, then, raising me up
addressed me with all the dignity Of pride
which nothing could vanquish-"You
have deceived me-" ssid she, lit is on your
future conduct that my forgiveness shall
depend. If any generous sentiment
remains at the bottom of your heart If
YOU are desirous of not making me alto
gether miserable, do not take advantage OF
the authority which you have usurped.
Mademoiselle offers me decent retire.
ment at her uncle's house-I have accept
ed it. because it accords both with my
situation and my duties. You may visit
me there whenever you please. We will
arrange together the means Of extricating
ourselves from this horrible situation, and
Of providing for our future support. Rely
on NV honor for the care Of defending your
own"
Man is a confding creature. A kind word
from the women we love is sufficient TO
soften all the misery she occasions. Not
withstanding the cold disdain Of Aurora, l
gave her credit for her meekness, without
refiectipp that it would have been more
natural for her to load me with reproaches.
During five days my confidence in Aurora 9
forgiveness continually augmented /; and
while / traced out to her the plan OF life
which love suggested to me, l saw her
more than once smile at the picture.
Could I have imagined that, after 60 many
suffsrings, the cruel Aurora had one lin
reserve for me which surpassed all the
(To BE Continued
raa...-a>. .,ad Nsidau thare Will hA An