The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-09-26
CHAPTER 1v-EvENING.

The day drew near to its close. The
evening was lovely after the great heat of
the afternoon Twilight, soft and balmy,
with the thousand odors Of the flower
garden ascending from the earth, and the
ruddy glow of the sunset still lingering in
the heavens, tempted us all to wander out
toward the terrace, whence the view OF the
village and the church, lying close beneath
the wall, was considered one of the great
attractions of the place. The terrace was
planted with two long rows of closely cropp-
ed hazel, cut in double arches, such as may
be seen in many an old-fashioned garden
belonging to the royal chateau of France.
PEOPLE are thus enabled to walk up one
alley and return by the other without the
monotony of confinement of the eye to the
same view. Our archway is particularly
fine, and had given its name to the chateau
The thick screen of hazel is not divided In
the middle, and so forms a close, compact
hedge, among which people may walk un-
perceived by the promenaders in the alley
on the other side The outward screen Is
cut into regular archways, through which
the glorious and animated view of the little
river and the wooden bridge, with the
houses and gardens, the church, and the
(Grande Place, are alternately perceptible,
while on the other side the peace and quiet
of the park, the Charmilles, with its rare
old forest trees, its sparkling fountains,
and gray old statues, is seen In charming
and delightful contrast.
But the darkness beneath the covered
archwg @as .aistastefnl to Mdlle. Emile,
and she remained looking over the terrace
toward the village to watch the moon rise
above the village spire. felt myself COM
PEELED to remain with her, as Madame de
Meris, weak and delicate as she claimed to
be. preferred to walk, with the help afford
ed by Cousin Octave's stout arm, in orderto
take another stroll beneath the tunnel. l
myself was too restless to share Mdlle.
Emilies enjoyment of sitting on the low
stone wall of the terrace to lnhale the fresh
evening breeze, and SO walked leisurely to
the end of the archway, musing on the
events of the day, and wondering what was
to follow. My heart was growing cold,
methought-benumbed by the chill which
had gone over it since the morning. L had
lost, as it were, the very power OF refec-
ton. as the twilight, emblem of the gradual
darkening of all my bright hopes, was gath
ering around me. As | turned to retrace
nv steps toward the spot where Mdlle.
Emile still remained seated on the wall,
wrapt in thought, the voice of the creole
lady and that of my cousia Octave met my
ear. The one was striking, from Its creole
peculiarity, soft, yet penetrating; the other
trembling and uncertain. Heaven will for
give me for not having hurried my foot
steps to avoid listening, but the fear of
being overheard by the takers arrested my
return.
"T can bear this no longer. Deception
of this kind suits neither my position nor
the name l bear, and if you will not speak
tonight 1 promise you that Mdlle. de
Bencourt shall hear the whole truth from
me tomorrow.
"But have charged the Able with my
message" replied Octave in a trembling
tone. ale will tell my cousin of our po-
sition, and-and- Ali if you only knew
what the avowal cost me, and he coughed
as though the very remembrance of his
embarrassment were choking him as he
spoke.
'You can judge, then, what longer
silence will cost mel retorted Madame de
Meris sharply. "You promised me that
our engagement should be avowed at once,
and that I should be received as your
afianced wife, and share your cousin
ship with the rich old maid of the Char
miles"
"My dear FIorinda, exclaimed Octave
in tone of the deepest alarm, ''subdue
your voice; you will be heard by
"And what if | amp" exclaimed the lady
abruptly "You should rejoice that what
you please to call your secret should be
known, without the pain you seem to feel
at having to publish it yourself. "
II heard no more. My senses must
have deserted me at that moment, for,
when Mdlle. Emile came running toward
me, exclaiming that the dew was falling SO
fast that she felt quite chilled, [ flung
myself upon her bosom, and kissed her SO
tenderly, and Rugged her so fondly, and
burst into such fit of sobbing, and bragg
cd her with such force toward the chateau
that the poor girl was quite alarmed [
could see by the light of the lamp burning
in the hall that she was deathly pale.
The words she whispered in my ear will
never be forgotten. She had heard the