The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1885-07-12
A RIvIERE or DIAMONDS.

She was one Of those pretty aud charming
women on whose visiting cards a somewhat
cruel fate had written "nce bourgco,sc,"
without fortune, opportunities, ways, and
means Of becoming known, appreciated,
loved, wooed, and welded by some wealthy
and distinguished man; and SO she gave her
hand TO a subordinate clerk In the Office OF
the Minister Of Public Instruction. Her
beauty went unadorned for the simple rea-
son that the adjoining Of IL was oft Of the
question. Nevertheless she grieved over
this in the spirit of princess denied her
legitimate right TO luxury and soft living.
In truth women do not belong to any spe-
cial caste or race-grace and charm are their
birthright and family -tree. Their tact, in
stinctive elegance, and supple esprit are
their sole hierarchy, aud make Of the
Of the people rivals TO the qrondcs
danes Of the world.
She suffered endles5ly the poverty
Of her surroundings, the barrenness Of the
walls, the decrepitude Of the chairs, the
hideousness Of their coverings. All this.
which another woman Of her caste would not
even have noticed, tortured and Inundated
her. The sight of the little Breton maid
who was all things In one in this humble
monagc aroused in her bitter regrets and i'm
patient desires. Her fancy pictured silent
ante oh ambers, whose ceilings glowed with
oriental frescoss, lighted by tall caudelabra
Of bronze, with two great foetu,en IN plush,
and powder loll;ng before a blazing fire.
She dreamed Of immense salons, hung by
antique silks, Of costly and curious cabineis
filed with priceless bibelots, of a small but
exquisite bondoir whose perfumed warmth
aud shaded light suggested delightful COM
munion with few chosen and cOngenial
spirits, with those men Of culture and re-
nown whose admiration most'wOmen envy
and desire.
When seated opposite her husband at din
ner, the cloth n by no means spotless one,
and heard him pxclaim: "Ah tho deli
cious stew there is nothing better TO be hal
!" she thought Of the thousand
aud one thugs that go to make up a really
good dinner, of the glitter of rare silver, The
rich tapestries with their figures of ancient
heroes and curious birds In the midst IF n
fairy forest. She saw manifold courses
served on marvellous dishes; heard thu
whispered gallantries while enjoying the
pink delicacy of trout. or rising to higher
delight on the wing of a lark. She possassed
no gowns that could merit the title Of tot.
lettes, no jewels, no nothing.
And all these things she loved, she said
Jien enfendu she meant that Of fashion anil
the world" Pe,at! c'cst mol" She lopgei
supremely for the power to attract, to capt.
vate, to he a little envied, but above all
things TO be Thought extremely fascinating
aud extremely chic. She had friend Of tue
old convent days who had made a wealthy
marriage, but she rarely went to see her
the contrast 70 Der own life was too painful.
After seeing her she would weep for hours
from chagriu, regret, veXation. and despair
One evening her husband came home with
a radiant air, carrying large square en-
velope. ITEMS" he cried. here ia some
thing for you" She rapidly tore the en-
velope and drew ont card on which these
words were printed: "The Minister of Pub
lie Instruction and Madame Georges Bam
pouneau request the pleasure of Monsieur
and Madame Jioisel's company, on Monday
evening, the 18th of January, at their official
residence" u(instead Of being enchanted.
as her husband had expected, she threw the
invitation on the table with n disdainful
"What am to do with thatY"
:" But cherie, thought you would have
been SO delighted. You never go TO auy
thing, and this is au opportunity, a chance
In hundred! had the greatest difficulty
in obtaining this card. Every one is dying
to go it is great favor, for few cards ara
given 10 the employees. You will see all
The swelis Of the official world there.''
With an indignant look at her husband
she exclaimed impstiently:
"And pray what am to wear on such an
occasion
This had not occurred to him; he STAN.
mered out:
sob, the gown You wear to the theatre.
always thought IL 80 pretty, -
He became suddenly silent, wouderstruck
to see that his wife was actually crying.
Two great tears rolled slowly down to the
corners of her mouth. He faltered:
What is il, petite, what is IL p
With n violent effort she suppressed all
further tears, and wiping her cheeks, said
camly:
cit is nothing. But as have no gown of
course | cannot go: give the card to one If
your colleagues whose wife is better equipped
for such occasions than l."
He was disconsolate. Finally lie said
,"Come, Mathilde, how much would a
proper gown cost something pretty yet sim
Pile, that would do for all occasions ~
She reflected for several moments, divided
between a swift calculation of the actual sum
required, and one she hoped would not pro-
woke an Immediate refusal from her economi
cal husband.
At last she said hesitatingly: 81 cannot
say precisely, but fancy might manage
with four hundred francs.''
He changed color ever so slightly, for he
had put aside just this amount for the pur
chase Of a good gun, that he might join q
Monterre the following summer: Sunday
morning sortiss that would prove fatal 10
hundreds of tiny feathered creatures.
Nevertheless, he said: Every we'll. You
shall have the four hundred francs. Only
try to h"y the l0vslisst gown possible"
The day Of the ball crept on, but Madame
I,oisel appeared depressed, restless, anxious.
And yet the gown was finished and pretty
beyond measure.
One evening her husband said TO her /:
" What ia the matter, little one 7 have
not been able TO make you at all these last
few days"
81 will tell you. II is because have no
jewels /; NOT single stone. In spite Of my
gown. | shall look poverty stricken. |
would almost rather not co."
lie answered simply: Swear some
natural flowers. 1t is quite the fashion, in
deed very thic at this season. For ten francs
You have two or three magnificent roses"
But she was not onvinced.
"NO, no! Nothing Is SO humliating AZ
looking dowdy in the midst of we'll dressed
women"
How stupid We are, suddenly exclaimed
her husband Ego to your friend, Madame
Forester, and ask her to lend you some
Jewels. She will not refuse them to such an
old friend"
"True, true"--in tone of delight -" |
should never have thought of this"
The following day she went TO her friend
and confessed to her distress at having no
jewels.
Madame Forester went TO wardrobe,
took from il a large case, opened it, and said
to Mathilde: make your own choice, dear. Z"
II was difficult Que to make between two
beautiful bracelets, a string Of pearls, aud an
exquisitely wrought Venetian cross of
mosaic. Madame Losel tried on each in
turn before mirror, IN fond hesitation as
to which was the most becoming. At last
she said: I" You have no other set 7"
But yes look further. can scarcely
tell what will please you best"
Presently Madame Loisel discovered In a
black satin box q superb riviera Of diamonds
and a sudden wild wish darted through her
mind. With trembling hands she took IL
out and fastened IL around her throat over
the enhancing contrast Of her dark gown,
aud stood entranoed with the brilliant
effect.