The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-11-25
NUMBER Al.
ADHEMAR DE BELCASTRL.,
BE NOT HASTY In JUDGING.
IContinuod. 4

One evening the Count sent for his daughter
ou making her appearspcs he rose and en-.
braCsd her even more tenderly than usuAl.
I'M ny dear Blanche" said he. 'my beloved
ct last; We must separated"
Blanche tarned very pale; she had hardly
expected her lot 20 be decided 30 soon. She
srticu late word. At Last in o trembling
voice abe beE.u to say, "Does N. de Bsloaatel
still desire-' but could not finish the sen-
tenee.
Her father appeared embarrassed.
Tell me esndidiy, my child" said he your
win my opinion and feelings" replied
bianohs eagerly, have any influence on the
IF it were only possible, my dsuehtsr. to
! make change" said the Connt with q
,sSoshs a1sa @ .y.s 9
sion"
"Be happy, then, dear father" said Blanche,
forcing smile and trying to restrain her
tears.
AZ see no reason, my dear, why he should
not please you. He 10 gentle, sensible INTEL
whioh is very instructive, you have sometimes
appeared to enjoy. What, then, 10 your objec-
toni What do You discover in him 90 dig
RGreeRbieT
''Nothing, father; he 10 very agreeable, but"
Indeed, my child, it gives me q great deal
OF pleasure to hear You say So"
Blanche smiled sadly.
have juss had q conversation with III. dc
Belcostsl. He tells that he has received
letters requiring his presence in Paris very
soon he may be detained there some time,
and perhaps obliged to go fnrther. In fine,
my child, he wishes to hasten the marriaRs,
that he may be able to spend few days at
his own residence before quitting the country, =
should it be necessary to do 30. ImportAnE
Affairs at home also demand his attention"
And it is necessary for bis convenience,
no Doubt" seid Bauche, extremely sRitated,
" to promptly terminate the affair which
brings hiu here; and you, papa, hope that /
Will decide"
- Dear Blanche, you are unjust to n. de
Belcsstel; he has not for one lnsIant forgotten
the respect and delioaoy which is your due.
Bis greatest desire is TO see you happy"
Hsppyi Then let hi leave me with You,
ct lesst until this important business, hat
over it may be, 10 settled r.
That is what be offered to do. my child, but
refused"
"You refusedl o. papa is it possible that
you coold 90 far forget what was duo your
dAughterf'
"CompoSe yourself, my child," said the
Count, taking her hand. II have Deither losS
sight of your happiness nor of the dslicacy due
your sex in this matter. am suro, Blanche,
that M. de Belcastel loves you, though you do
every imaginable way and wore he perfectly
free. you would be the object Of bis choice"
:" HE asking q delay proves it," said Blanche
80 my dear papa have pity on me,
so much notification n
q" Let ne, dear child, DO the judge of this
matter. You have misunderstood N. de Bel
csstel. He proposed q delay only because ho
thought It in accordance with your own de-
slres. Come, be yourself, and let me hope that
my Blanche, who bas always been 80 RmiAble
and reasonable, will show no repugnsnoe in
this sacred promise"
"ARd when 10 it 10 be, father 2" said che
" itb assumed oomposure.
81 promised n. de Belcastel TO give bin
your hand nexS Tuesday, II you were will
ing"
" ss very pale as she uttered these words buG
recovering her composuTe, she ad-
ded.: Yes, father, will be ready"
You will be happy, my dear daughter, DO
not fear" said the Count, still holding her
hand,
Blanche heard no more she bsstsned to
seek her own chamber, where she could give
fuli vent to her grief, and where she remained
the rest OF the day, not even appearing ut din
DER. In vain Elise attempted to offer coDsolA-
Cion. The idea Of her marriage being basteDed
by her own father, aud contrary to AdhemaES
DropoaitioD. was the peculiarly sensitive point
hat she refused to see under any exten1stfDg
Her father paid her several
Yisits, and his anxious tenderness streDgthened
Ter decision Of sacrificing herself for The fol-
lImenE Of his Promise She made an effort to
esoend next morning, thinking that her ex-
rome pallor which resulted from want Of
me did not raise ber eyes TO AdhemaR's face;
mt had she done SO, ehS would have perceived
hat he looked scarcely less uAhaPpy than
eTself.
Wishing to aoeustom herself TO look calrly
pom the inevitable event, Blanche SOD9bt
ion would afford her the best retreat, wholly
.haorhad IN tkougbt ahe aloWly Wended h0P