The daily Cairo bulletin., 1881-06-22
THE FRIENDSHIP OF WOMEN.
An adaptation OF one Of 'Tho Parisan's"
translations.

mat dreamy CTcatuIc "uoioo N"ib"ihS'
Her pride melts in the languor OF the
dance, and her fine eyes assume vague,
liauid expression that makes them re-
semble two half-submerged stars.
felt very much in love with the
charming widow. found myself more
timid in presence of her melancholy
than before the smiles OF other women,
She was woman TO love. Ten years
earlier, in the heyday Of my illusions, l
should have called her an angel.
1t was with beating heart that |
opened, one morning, letter on which
| recognized the monogram of Jacque-
line, and her bold, English handwrit-
ing. Madame d'Alerions invited me TO
spend few days at her country-seat,
Les Bergeries, in the valley of Chev-
reuse. l sent telegram of thanks.
When l arrived at the chateau, the
sounds of music reached my ears. Some
one was playing the "March of Rad.
ozcky" with singular energy. 1t was
not the suave and sweet execution OF
the countess, who seems TO touch the
notes as it werewith the tips Of doves
wings | entered the salon. The love-
ly Jacqueline held out her hand to me
and placed her finger on her lips.
A woman was seated at piano She
did not stop playing. l could hardly
see anything but her admirable form,
her snow-white neck on which were
dancing little bright golden ringlets,
e and her small, dimpled hands, brilliant
with precious stones, flying over the
keys with the rapidity of lightning.
Madame dAlerions, too, was adorable
in a pale-blue dress, very simple, a
flower in her corsage, her hair smoothed
down over her forehead and falling in
heavy roll on her neck. The 'Uche
OF her dress barely revealed the white
ness OF her neck.
The musician consented to close her
piano when dinner was announced.
She turned round. Madame d'Aler-
ions introduced me: "The Princess
Vaninka de Zent."
The princess took my hand. 81 am
very glad to see you," she said; II have
often heard about you"
I'VE are alone" resumed Madame
dAlerions; my other guests have not
yet come"
excused them with all my heart.
This dinner of three was fatally mute
duet and brilliant monologue.
While my lovely friend was bowitch-
ing me with her eyes, the Princess
Vaninka continued taking necessarily.
/ listened to her in spite of myself.
and looked at her involuntarily. Her
conversation was like her face. 1t was
strange, disagreeabe, and delicious-a
small face absolutely foreign: the nose
too large; brown eyes with gold reAec-
tons; an Austrian mouth, with purple
lips and the teeth Of mouse; an auda-
cious gracefulness; mobile physiog-
nomy in which the charm sprang from
contrasts: voluptuousness in her glance
and sarcasm in her smile mixture OF
fairy and of German student. A
strange little woman!
do not know if she had wit, but she
started off at a beadlong pace. Her
conversation Yas piquant, sparkling,
and enveloped in her foreign accent
like jewels in lace. Often the countess
smiled, and several times she blushed.
The little princess did not mince mat
ters in her stories of scandal q Ia mode.
When the time for separation had
come, the princess said to me:
"You ride, do you not?'
Certainly, madame"
"Then we will ride together in the
morning; but, warn you, l get up ear
ly; at eight o'clock, en- route! Good
night, Jacqueline! Sleep well, ma belle
che,1e"
She disappeared. / remained alone
with Madame d'Alerions.
1t was late. We had long chat, a
good deal of music, and exchanged y
few furtive DRESSINGS Of hands. Through
the open door of the grand salon the
light Of the stars entered with the per-
fnme of the park, and mingled with
the dying lights. imprinted burning
kisses upon her hands.
= 81 love you, Jacqueline, whispered
in her ear.
NAY" she answered, 81 fear that
you are tickle" And she rose.
mot SC" I replied endeavoring to
detain her; 'give me some token, that
may preserve il foreyer-some souvenir
of this, my avowal"
She took full-blown rose from her
corsage, and as pressed it to my lips,
she fed from the room.
Ipassed the greater part of the night
at my window kissing that precious
flower, which contained little of the
heart OF Jacqueline. II was hardly
eight o'clock when saw in the court
yard horse already saddled and held
by groom. 1t was the Princess Van
inka's horse. had completely forgot
ten the princess.
! hurried down. The princess did
not seem TO see me. She placed her
little foot on the groom's large hand,
and sprang into the saddle. She wore
a bandits felt hat with long green feath.
ers, that produced the strangest effect
on her blonde head.
"Ah! there you arer' she said to me.
81 am going TO start without you"
Madame, that would be too cruel"
"Bah! you will catch mer'
In the twinkling of an eye she was
out Of sight, followed by her little
groom, l jumped on the back Of my
mare, and iive minutes later caught
up with the green cockade In an ovo,-