The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-07-09
A Tournament in the 10th Century.
BY MADAME GABRIELLE D 'ARyoR.
TRANSLATED for the vIRGINIAN.l


CHAPTER VII.
One evening in the month of September
a calash entered the avenue leading to
the mansion Of the Rosters and stopped at
the bottom of the flight of steps. A man,
still Young and distingue looking, with
aaxen beard slightly silvered, alighted
from it. He was tall. somewhat stout and
| his bearing had the ease which character
ICES the sailor. His features expanded in
an expression of happiness Laura ran
towards him.
| My daughter said he. locking her in
his arms
Dear father, what surprise We
were not expecting you so soon -
II have finished my business, and longed
to see you again. You have grown since
my departure and become more beautiful.
am not surprised that they placed a
crown on your head"
'.How did you hear that ~ said Laura,
blushing.
lone hears many things in travelling !;
| am very glad that my daughter carried
off the prize of beauty
The rest of the family came up and some
moments were given to the expressions of
| Joy well shared.
Miss Alice is here said Laura's
father, recognizing the young girl who
stood tlmidly apart. Il am delighted to
see you, my dear child. Are you still the
amiable and joyous Alice Of old days ?"
| Yes spoke up M. de Tillac ''her
gaiety gives animation to all our gather
ings.'
/ ''Do you like the Rosters ?'' asked the
marine officer of her.
Eyes, very much
do you see society have youagreeable
neighbors ?''
Before Laura s illness we passed here
delightful month-pleasure parties, din
ners, balls, Sc. it was a continuous en-
chantment, but we are living now in a
thebaid.'
In fact, Madame de Tillac, making her
niece's health pretext, was receiving
very little; she preferred to isolate her
from assemblies, where her beauty and
fortune made her especially to be sought.
Upon a silly pretext, she had broken rela
tions with Madame de Boissy; Laura only
saw Franz now very rarely and in unex-
pected ways.
BE comforted, Miss Alice, y said Com
mandant de Tillac,' the bright days are
coming again. Ilikemovement if Ineed
solitude embark and set out to cross the
Indian seas but when put foot on terra
firma I wish to amuse myself. =
"You are still the same" said his
brother to him. Scarcely arrived, you
are thinking of pleasures and of fetes
Your daughter ism It like you. =
Laura is too serious, too grave for her
age when have rested will take her to
Paris
The first week of the sojourn Of Mr.. de
Tillac passed in the intimacy of the fam
lily, interrupted only by some neighborly
visits.
One evening, walking alone with his
daughter, the commandant said to her
my dear Laura, desire only one thing
in this world. your happiness have
neglected you, [ confess, pardon me; /
need excitement distractions in order to
forget the sorrows of my life but shall
not depart again without having assured
of your future
MY father, don't wish to marry"
well! that's another affair, " cried the
sailor. bursting into laughter. MY daugh-
ter, my lovely Laura declzed with the head
dress of st. Catherine -
ssWhy not, dear father there are many
as good as who prefer to preserve their
liberty
"Their liberty! Ha Ha! what child
ishness. We are never free in this world
| my child if we don't take one fetter, we
wear another. No, don't agree to that.
I wish to see you in position suitable to
your high qualities, united to a man wor-
| thy of you. / wish on my returns from
my voyages, to find at your fireside little
heads, brown or fair, who smile at me and
caress me. You will make a choice, / rat
| ify it in advance
/ II shall not marry Gaston.n
/ sOh, it is that which touches your
heart. POUNDS; nobody will constrain
you. am of your opinion my nephew
is not the husband | desire for you. Let
| us see, among the young men you know,
! have you no preferences ?"
! Laura shook her head, blushingy.
Sand ya,r childhood friend, Franz de
| Boissy, have seen him again he is
charming young man, thoughtful, intelli-
/ gent, good: you loved him much former
/ ly."
II love him still very much.n
'sYou are overheard to suit what lacks
he to please you?n
Nothing he is perfect, but l don't
wish to marry
Miss Alice,' said the Commandant,
extending his hand to Laura S friend who
was just coming up, ssyou see a father in
despair all my arguments are powerless
to overcome my daughters obstinacy.D
''You repeat to her, / am sure, what
say to her every day.
lis it so, and what say you to her,
| then ?"
| H'she tells me to marry, said Laura,
laughing.
You are right, miss, and am FORUM
ate to have so eloquent an ally in the cam
paign am entering upon. I know, alas
that it is less difficult to run down an enc
my's vessel than to make a woman change
her will
''Oh my father. am not so obstinate.n
we two, sir, shall succeed in making
her surrender.
/ mot without contest. No matter,
since you very kindly offer me your help,
give me an idea ~
Willingly do you promise to follow
it ~
II will obey you rigidlyo
II must have promise from Laura
'What is the question at issue ?''
Already restrictions p said M. de Til
lac. 'sLet us waive Laura's consent.
L -.l,& r 4 4 r