The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-02-24

i
stopped to rest and sat down on stiff
backed chair, "shal be perfect by
| Wednesdays"
In his French way, so entirely desti-
| tute of shyness. he had told her all
about the important event which was TO
come off on that Wednesday, had ex-
planned how anxious he was to see hia
! future wife, and how graceful and
cha,7lante she was-she must be "that
angel of denaoiseite." But all this
had taken place mt the first lesson, and
for some reason Monsieur lie Vicomte on
this occasion had said much less of the
forthcoming event.
"Assuredly, monsieur, mademoiselle
shall have no reason to complain. But
you are no doubt consumed with anxiety
to see her?"
"Ah, am l not ?" replied the vi
comte, with u French ejaculation. "But
mademoiselle herself is entirely charm
ing !" and the young man looked very
sincere rs he said this, though he added
no word of emphasis while mademoi-
seIle, who should have been hardened
by long practice against the warmest fiat
terry, seemed unaccountably embar-
raised, and resumed the business of the
hour with wonderful alacrity
If they were not already IN love, they
were rapidly approaching that stage !;
and on this day, as the young French
man stood in the dingy street waiting
for his cab the gloomy faded neighbor-
hood struck him with full sense of il
congruity, it seemed to accord so i'll with
the grace and elegance that still i'm
| ,,N1 81
home, he thought, she would look in
Eaton Square or In the spacious rooms
at the Embassy And unconsciously he
breathed hope that Mademoiselle de
la Penthlere might be like her. Three
more lessons-the calculation came nat
urallv to him-three more lessons, she
had said, would make him perfect.
Wherever he went during the next
three days, to park, dinner or bah, the
Vicomte could not avoid comparing all
the ladies whom he met with his dane
ing mistress and, when the last occasion
actually came on which he was to see
her, his eeys were open to the fact that
he was in lOve-he, q Frenchman, man
of the world, 30 years old, and ready to
range himself, was positively in love !!
So at the last lesson this little scene
brought itself to pass. The pupil had
taken his final turn with his teacher,
and she had pronounced that only prac-
tice was needed to give him the smooth
ness of the perfect watzer.
81 must bid you adieu, then ?" said
he softly, taking her hand instead OF
making the low bow that as a teacher of
department, she could have exacted.
L a
you will not forget the step.
ever forget it q And the Vicomte caught
her in his arms and kissed her.
The result was quite contrary to his
expectations. First, she boxed his ears
eoundly, or rather one of them, and then
burst into tears, which, whether caused
by rage or confusion, were certainly SIM
cere and more effective.
The Vicomte flung himself on his
knees and set himself fervently to pac-
ify her and put things on a proper foot
lug. But mademoiselle was mortally
offended. Never had he known such an
o.fense regarded 50 severely. She was
inconsolable /; and she was silent save
for sobs.
At last she suddenly made for the
door, and Monsieur lie Vicomte, his
future bride, the event of the coming
Wednesday, and the wrath of the fami-
lies forgotten, Ill an ecstasy OF repent
ance implored her to marry him, to be
his wife.
Monsieur" replied she with dignity,
stopping mort, you forget that you
are to marry another!"
"But, Aduenne, my darling, listen |!
/ love ouly you"
And what of your mother aud the
Marquis Gle Ia Penthiere
- am thinking only of you + cried
he In tone OF despair, as the iEdigna-
ton OF these persons occurred to him.
"Nay, Monsieur, 1 will not suffer this
madness. You have insulted me, but L
will not exact such punishment. Hear
me. On one condition / will forgive
you.
Whatever it be, will win your par
DON"
81 take you at your word. You Will,
before you marry-nay, ut your first
meeting with Mile. de la Penthiere-
tell her of your recent misconduct. You
have wronged he" as much as myself"
81 have promised, Mile. Adrienne,
he cried, with n groan. But what OF
you?"
"Of me?" said she proudly, bowling
low. /" L pardon you. Adieu, Monsieur
And, before the young man could again
interpose, she disappeared, the door
closed behind her, and he was left alone
in the unfinished salon.
"Well, / am q fool " he soliloquized,
as he picked his way through Golden
J Square and Beak street. "Pd have
married her, though what madame my
mother would have said don't know,
and, as to Mademoiselle de la Penthiere,
how / shall tell her don't know. But
I've promised, and the Carmignols keep
their word" he added with a groan, as
he remembered how few minutes ear
lier he had offered to break his most
solemn engagement.
Even at the French Embassy, that
stately building which, thanking the
Albert Gate, induces country cousins to
ask what it is, a great ball is heralded
by some slight but perceptible prepare.
tions but these were little apparent as
W.. 4