The Lake County star., 1877-11-29

II
| on which was uurolled the act Of mar
riage. A notary In black was there
"Madamoiselie,n said Olgar, ON arrlv.
Ing ct the table, "this IL the night Of
might of contract and night Of
blood, ~ replied Lucie In Q low voice
1.-TWO treasOns; one balances the other
pity the future, Marquis."
She signed with firm hand. Then
turning toward the young gentlemen
whose ironical glances were constantly
directed toward her, she approached
Count Albert de Mortmere, whose ap.
pearance seemed to her the least hos.
tile. She saw that he alone preserved
q grave deameanOr, that he frowned.
II am going, Monsieur" she said to
him, "the carriage which M. de Morcy
has placed at my disposal Is doubtless
awaiting me below; will you be good
enough to give me your hand as far as
the staircase? ] rely on your cour-
tesy." A = 81
There was something In the tone OF
plicating which could not fail of effect.
Count Albert, fiattered by this unex-
pected confidence, singing him out
from the crowd, hastily presented his
hand, and the two left the salon. The
usual adieux were interchanged-they
would have retained Lucie, but moth
ing could arrest her. She hurried her
steps, for her strength again began to
give way. Everything was now clear
to her; the night of blood had been
only a practical joke; the night of con-
tract was a perfdy. The false Olgar
had publicly avenged, as the Marquis
dc Morcy, his disdainful rejection by
Lucie. rs
Count Albert dc Mortmere was one
of the high nobility of the province.
His fortune and his rank were equal
to those of the Marquis. Mdlle. de
Merinville, supported and protected
by him, descended the grand stair case
of the castle. She stopped In a vesti-
bule, surrounded by chairs, and while
waiting for carriage seated herself for
an instant. Her heart was heavy; her
face was extremely pale. Albert and
Lucie were alone.
"Courage, Mademoiselle," said the
Count in a plying tone, "Even though
am one of those human nullities
which the fashionable world furnish
es, can still be useful to YOU" Again
scribed Mortimere. She put her hand
over her eyes, and great tears escaped
between her fingers.
IAN, Monsieur, you are avenged"
said the unfortunate yoI.g girl; "enjoy
your triumph"
"I! great heaven! You misjudge
me. This plot, this vengeance, Ihave
taken no part in It 1t Is q mean and
orIl onf in ind
"Then," continued the trembling
Lucie, "they all know it up stairs ?" :
"The history of the night Of blood
Yes, MademOiselle, all, except the
ladies'"
"I am dishon0red, lost ~ and the
poor girl,uttered a cry so oheartbreaking
that the compassionate Albert believ.
ed her on the point Of fainting, and
proffered his help.
"In my turn I will avenge you," he
exclaimed, with energy; and while
half sustaining her In his arms, he led
her to the carriage. A few solemn
words were exchanged between them.
The generous Count took q decisive
part.
Lucie and her maid left the castle
alone.
Laughter and pleasantries were sue
ceeding one another without Interrupt
tiOn in the grand salon of the manor,
when all Mt once the door opened.
Albert de Mortmere addressed himself
to the company.
II have a message to transmit to
you all. Be kind enough to listen.
Mdlle. de Merinville, grateful for hav-
ing been invited with her neighbors
to the soiree of the Marquis de Morcy
in her turn invites you all to be pres
ent one month from tonight at the
signing Of her contract Of marriage
with the Count Albert de Mortmere.
Ijoin my request with hers. We will
meet at Sombrecourt. After-the sign
ing of the contract there will be q ball
and comedy-one Of those comedies
which please"
At this unexpected invitation, seri-
Gus, though ironical; impressive,
though brief, all mockery ceased.
Count Albert was the young man
most loved and respected in the coun-
ty. The guests looked at one another
in silence. The Marquis bit his lips.
Mortmere left the room and the castle.