The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-07-05
4 pHoroaaApH PROM LIFE.

RHOTVOANF1hX n~ 'SouAc - efa-3-~'e5j.s,3
Great excitement was caused on CERTAIN ns
Siay in the usually quiet househoid Oh ~
Borno by q letter from the marrie9 uausn-
srs;.h she informed her parents that sutton
snr her sister Elise would soon appear ut
V;lleAenrs. And she further told them that
th;s AZ. A. de VILLAIN, a Young man OF good
airth and with . comfortable fortune, had
f,eer struck with q photograph in shop
xyinfov-so struck and charmed that ne
felt he must try every means 70 WIN the
original for his wife. This photograph
surned out to be one Of her young sisters
that she had sent TO be copied, and seeing
fhsf fine Young man was Ia earnest sne enad
,,rnmisad 70 write and introduce him as an
p,nexceptionable parti. Nine. Artois wound
I'm bv reminding ner father that Elise was
NO longer girl, and that. in fact, It would
be very foolish not to accept this bit Of gooo
fortune.
IT was therefore agreed, In family com
<.Iaye. the fair Elise consentIng, ana with
Pho due approya! OF the family friend, M.
de Belaudi, that the coming guest should be
rractously received. M. de Beiandi even
insisted on having him In his own house, US
:. he lanybingIy said, in order that he might
the better Judge II this ID. A. de fliianl
was worthy OF the prize he sought.
Among the numerous and various visl-
tors to the beautiful southern city, piHe-
ae,,rs, with its girdie OF mountains ana plue
waves. few could help rcmarking, IN tne
gay crowd on the promenade OF IN tne pup
Tic gardens, girl, almost always accompa-
MED by fayorite dog, whose elegant and
oriet Toilet, as we'll rs her graceful walk
and the picouant expression OF her face,
always made one wish to look again.
II was an attractive face, rather than
decidedly beautiful, generally wearing
a thoughtful look, which, however, YVES
often frightened by smile when
nrettiIy curled her lip. There was quiet
elegance about her, although different from
the fashionable ladies, English, French,
German, or Russian, who rested on Inc
chairs or paced up and down. Generally
might be seen at her side N. de Belandi, a
man past youth, but with vigorous, spare
frame. whose keen, dark eyes seemed to
take notice OF everything, but were often
turned on his fair companion with the Ten
der. familiar interest OF privileged frlend.
NJ. de BelaDdi was rich, and having no par
,icular occupation he made himself use1ui
TO bis friends in general, but to those OF the
Maison Borno in particular. Thither he
brought all the news Of the place to amuse
Az, Rorao, who was too old and infrm to
go out. He could tell Of the last offence
given to the old inhabitants OF Vile.
Geurs by the new French corners, and the
latest reform in town regulations. He
could say what was the prospect OF the
olive and grape crops, etc. He was always
ready 10 escort Mile. Elise to the theatre or
try a new song with her. He was conve-
nient partner ut ball or patient compan-
ion for mornings shopping. Moreover,
n. de Belandis taste was proyerb. All
this made bis visits to the old Maison Pout-
neuf very welcome, and with him seemed
80 come a little wait from the outer world
10 the very retired, sombre street In which
many OF the old Yilie6eurS aristocracy re-
sided, withdrawn from the newer part OF
the town to which visitors resorted. To
look at it from The outside one would not
Imagine the quaint and rich carvings which
adorned the walls or the broad marble steps
and handsome suit Of rooms which be-
Ionged to this house.
In the simple and quiet manner common
TO tie old inhabitants OF the place, the prin-
cipal amusement and luxury being to retire
now and then to the Maison de Champagne,
lived the Bornos with their youngest child,
Two other daughters having married salts
factorily. Nor were the old couple very
eager for her to follow her sisters example,
in spite OF the hints OF their acquaintances,
and N. de Belandi's serious warning, given
every now and then, /" that 1t was really
high time to marry her," "Snch an agree
able, amiable, gentle girl; it was pity, and
very astonishing. All her contemporaries
were married, or about to be- go; and Elise
was nearly twenty-seven !" At this the
old father would look troubled, and, shrug-
ging his shoulders, ask what his friend
would have. Could he do more! Had
there not been two or three eligible propo-
sails? But the girl had refused them all.
Elise was dutiiul and the light OF their old
DAYS; and 1t was surely not their duty TO
force her into matrimony il she evidently
preferred to remain rs she was.
TO this M. de Belandi said nothing, but
looked reloved for bis visits to the Maison
Pontneuf would have been very different
without Elise. But on hearing the letter OF
Mime. Artois, speaking so highly Of the
young man, and even appealing to himself
to use bis influence in favor OF the match,
he threw himself CALAMITY into the spirit OF
the adventure, and took care to be at the
diligence Office to receive and welcome M.
A. de VILLAIN, whose first visit to the Mai
sou Pontneuf was paid in his company, his
SlSN, Sculai ohu iSaA niiAhS51
helping to put every one at ease and TO draw
ont the nervous and somewhat agitated.
When it was over they all agreed that not
a word too much had been said in bis
praise. His manner was all that could be
desired, while 1t was evident that he was
very much in love. On the other hand,
M. de Villani poured out to bis kind
host his contentment and satisfaction.
There was no disappointment. Elise was
better than her picture, and each time he
saw her he found some new perfection.
Truly she was one OF those women who bear
a close inspection, and whose beauty un-
folds gradually; O woman who can brighten
a home as we'll as ballroom.
All the acquaintances and friends Of the
Bornos were eager and proYuse in eonsrat-
u.ations and inquiries. nj. de Belandi told
everyone that it was capital thing; that
there was sure to be gay wedding; and he
joketi Elise and encouraged III. A. de Viii
lani Everybody observed what high spirits
II. de Belandi was in; and yet for all this
he caught himself signing as he thought OF
Elise going away. But he was not selfish
man, and be felt that it was quite time for
his little friend to marry.
After little time, however, NJ. de Be-
Iandi fancied that the young lover returned
from his visits to Maison Pontncuf rather
too quiet and silent in mood, though any
ailusion to the family only made him
warmly declare that the more he saw Of the
lady the more he admired hor.
'ssThen pray hurry on the marriage, my
friend" returned NJ. dc Belandi; 'for it is
very clear that counting does not suit you.
You grow thinner and paler every day."
But NJ. A. de VILLAIN only laughed.
1t was quite gay time ut the old Maison