The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1882-04-19
He was m indulgent sather, and she

lie was nm lndulgent Bather, and she
had been allowed much mora liberty
than French girls generally enjoy be-
fore marriage. Possibly, therefore, she
was not quite so resigned to her fate as
those around her supposed; but she
gave no sign Of discomfort, and perhaps
was waiting to see her future husband
before she decided to oppose her fathers
wishes. More probably she looked on
the union as matter OF course.
Mademoisele de Ii Penthiere bowed
low in answer to the Vicomte's reveren-
tal salutation but, with the modesty
Of young French girl, she shaded her
face from his eyes with her large orient
al fan, so that in the gathering dusk he
could not at once determine what she
was like, save that she was elegant,
graceful and very beautifully dressed.
After few phrases Of cordial court
esy, the Marquis glidcd from the room
"A proceeding not at all in accordance
with strict French etiquelte-and the
two were left together.
Then the Yicomte knew that his time
was come. 1t might be that he would
not see her alone again until their mar
rage; and lie had promised cher" that
she should be told OF his recent strange
rorgetiulness. He drew n deep SIGH
this was worse than cutting-out ex-
petition then he brnced himself up,
and, after requesting permission to tell
her something that was little disa-
grecable, but which he would make rs
short n possible. ho received gracious
acquiescencc, and, plungmg in nedias
res, he told her all in as shamefaced q
way ns a Frenchman could.
"But Monsieur 10 Vicomte, do you--
love-this-woman?" said the aristocrat-
ic beauty, in cold tones, from behind her
ian, when he had told his story and made
some sort of an apology.
"Mademoiselle, | do love her ; but,
when | have known your charming vir-
tues for short time, pOf, they will
drive away her memory What chance
shall /, who am 30 susceptible, have in
your presence?"
But it was evident from the Vicomte's
tone that he had no very sanguine ex-
pectations that such would be the case.
"Well, monsieur, before l answer
your compliment, too have confess
ion to make. also have great friend
in London; she is my fostor-sister, and
is a dancing.mistress, living in Silver
street, near Golden Square. No, do not
interrupt me will hear any reproaches
you have TO utter afterward. My father
is indulgent, and l often visit her at
tended only by my maid. A week ago L
returned Unexpectedly from country
visit, and it CHANGED that while was
/ there my foster-sister was called away to
fulfill n business engagement. | stayed
few minutes in her room practising
some new music, when gentleman
card was brought up to me by the serv-
att, who thought her mistress was still
Mt home. lnnocently curious, / looked
at it and recognized the name as one
very familiar to me. In spirit of mis-
chief | saw the gentleman, made ap'
pointments with him, and, with madem
oiselle's concurrence and in her name
gave him several LESSONS"
"lfon Dicu :" cried the Vicomte,
snatching away the fan which she kept
before her face. "Adrienne, my dar.
ling, am l not happyP"
"And I?' said she. "You have moi
forgotten the step?"
Very lucky it was that Monsieur lie
Marquis did not enter for several mo.
ments, or the lurking distrust which he,
as q diplomatist, felt might have been
considerably strengthened.
A week later the marriage of the vi
comte aud Mademoiselle de la Penthier,
formed the most fashionable item in thu
Morning Post. And as people connet
the description of the dresses and tn,
presents, they expressed their pity TO
tho two victims of French marriage Gus
toms.
But not even yet has anything beel
known to have happened to them out o
the common-not even yet; for thes'
things happened in the most brillian
days of Louis Napoleon.
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