The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-06-18
A Tournament IN the 10th Century.
By MADAME GABRIELLE D 'ARvoR.
Translated for the vTRcINIAN.
CHAPTER ~.

hizei lie little city of Ploagner. Divested
of it fesii.e air it hal resumed the rus
tie ami quite duh appearance habitn.ll to
it; TIE Strangers had dispersed and the
Inhabitants acre hrsying themselves in
their peacefii aectplt,ia.s.
The IL Tllae ftnilv reside! ~ he Is
tate Of The Rosters ten kiloneler from
Plongnsr. Laura bad heen educ Ned in
Paris after ls.gA ing boarding school, lav-
ing no longer Il mother and her father 3
naval elIis,cr. being frequently abroad. she
had ga,se 10 ike with All aunt she had
lost hsf six mont ago. and the brother
of her father, NJ. de Tillac, had invited
her l., come 10 pass tie Summer with him.
iss.ira WAS tsliglael at the thought of
seeing again That old bone where her
har.n childhood had been spent with her
m her and her vcnerated grandfather.
Or one sideof the estate of The Rosters
in il small modern mansion, resided IL
friend of 1.ura's mother, Madame de
Boissy !; her son Franz soine years older
than The young girl had been her child
hood IS companion Laura loved him dear
". as well AS his mother, ard bad shed
many tears at parting fr.m them; since
then, size had seen again neither Madame
de Boissy nor Franz. She knew that her
mother friend Still resided at the man.
sion; her son was in Paris where he was
completing his studies for the doctorate of
law.
Twelve years had passed since Laura
had left the Rosiers:' SO size was return
ing thither stranger. This domain be-
longcd TO her father, but he, constantly
voyaging and not being able to occupy it
himself. had authorized his brother to
make his residence there.
The young girl felt some repugnance at
going to her Hncle's home; she did not
like her cousin and the prospect of living
near him was not pleasant to her.
CASTOR de Tillac who, as we have seen,
made an honorable record in the tourna-
ment at Plougner, was a young man of
twenty.eight years, quite handsome, OF
fine form and regular features ; his large
brown eyes were extremely restless, his
smile was cunning and slightly bantering /;
the ensemble OF his features wanted
neither charm nor grace, but his physiog
nomy did not attract. CASTOR was cox
comb, fully persuaded of his physical adj
vantages and of his high position, he re-
garded with a patlonizing, sometimes with
an impertinent air those whom he consid-
cred his interiors.
He had not beena diligent student and
his education was incomplete. He was
leading now fast life and his patrimony
was already seriously compromised. NJ. de
Tillac had recalled him home; his mother
hoped that the presence of his cousin
might lead him to prefer regulated family
life to his chance one. Laura ossessedquit
pretty fortune which would abundantly
fill up the gaps that CASTOR had made in
his The young man came after some
resistance. He was with his parents a
month and was astonished not to feel en-
nui away from Paris, from his companions
and his pleasures. He sought the society
of Laura; unconSciously anew sentiment
was awaked in him. lie knew his mothers
desire and he now ardently shared it. We
may not say that his affection was free
from all alloy; the fortune Of Il heiress
added much to her charms; but CASTOR
admired and loved his cousin. He was
ready to settle down definitely at the
Boosters = if she would consent to become
his wife.
In spite of the magnificence of SPLEEN
did spring time, the young girl found the
country dull after the exciting pleasures
she had enjoyed at Plougner. Pleasant
recollections charmed her hours of revery;
her imagination recalled captivating
scenes brilliant feats of arms, martial
blasts of trumpets, gorgeous cavalcades,
flowers and crowns; the mysterious knight
receiving from her hand the prize of his
valor.
"IIa they succeeded in finding out who
| the victor in the tournament was 20 asked
M. de Tillac one evening.
No. answered CASTOR peevishly; ''he
must be some boor who didn't dare show
his face openly.
II don't believe that, : said Laura
"Oh, without doubt. the mystery with
which lie has shrouded himself suffices to
fill romantic head like yours with
dreams"
"You are not feeling kindly towards
your yanquisher, CASTOR; nevertheless
you have not too much to envy him: for
worthily the honor of the family
1T don't matter, he was the hero of the
day. 1t was on his head that you placed
the crown that | had hoped to receive
| from your hands,
II could not then have failed to he
queen, said Laura smiling.
sWho could have been if not yourself p
"Your royalty has made many envious, =
spoke up Madame de Tillac. More than
one benevolent friend, am sure. has torn
you to pieces with her fair teeth. y
Jealousy is an homage rendered tc
merit, oadded Castor such homage can
Tall, Laura.
II don't understand how one can feel
such vile sentiments said the young
girl.
1T is because you have nothing to envy
in anyone, my dear cousin"
IF another had been preferred to me
which might vesy well have happened, ]
should not have felt spite because OF he1
her success. The merit of one detracts
nothing from the merits of another"
These are very elevated sentiments,
said NJ. de Tlllac unfortunately, few
people reason thus Since l think of it
has Miss Alice announced the day of hel
arrival ?"
Eyes, my uncle, she is coming day aftel
tomorrow aunt and L are awaiting hel
to organize all sorts of pleasures. She i.
wonderfully gifted in that line. "
! Madame de Tlllac WAS very fond of Soci
ETY.. She was delighted that the presenc'
of her niece permitted her to enliven he
solitude. A true Partisan, she appreciated
the country on the condition of havin:
numerous guests. hunting parties, parties
for amusement and evening parties ac
| oortlinp to the season.