The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-11-11
CHAPTER XVII.

CHAPTER XVII.
The marriage was fixed for the early part
Of March. But Angssiqoe remained very
feeble, notwithstanding the joy which
radiate1 from her whole person. She had
wished after the first week of her con-
valescence, to go down to the work room,
persisting in her determination to finish the
panel of embroidery in bas-relief, which
was to be used for the bishops chair.
ut would L." she said, cheerfully, "her
last. best piece If work; and besides, no one
ever leaves" she added, ian order only half
completed"
Then, exhausted by the effort, she was
again forced to keep her chamber. She
lived there, happy and smiling, without re-
gaining the full health of former times, al
ways white and immaterial as the sacred
sacramental oils; going and coming with a
gentle S, ep like that of vision, and after
having occasionally made the exertion of
walking as far as from her table to the
window, finding herself obliged to rest
quietly for hours and give herself up to her
Sweet thoughts At length they deferred
the wedding day, thinking it better to wait
for her complete recovery, which must GER
tainly come if she were well nursed aud
cared for.
Every afternoon Felicien went up TO see
her. Hubert aud Hubertine were there,
and they passed together most delightful
hours, during which they continually made
and remade the same bright projects.
Seated in her great chair, she laughed gaily,
seemed trembling with life aud vivaclty, as
size was the first TO talk of the days which
would be so well filed when together they
could take long journeys; and OF all the I'M
known joys that would come to them after
they had restored the old Chateau d. Hau-
tecnur, Any one, TO have seen her then,
would have considered her saved and re-
gaining her strength in the backward
spring, the air of which, growing warmer
and warmer daily, entered by the open Win
dow. In fact she never fell back into the
deep GRANTEES of her dreams, except when
she was entirely alone and was not afraid of
being seen. III the night voices still appeared
to be near her; then it seemed as if the
earth were calling to her; aud at last the
truth was clearly revealed to her; SO thai
she fully understood that the miracle was
being continued only for the realization OF
her dream. Was she not already dead,
having simply the appearance of living,
thanks to The res 0lte which had been
granted her from divine gracea This idea
soothed her with deep gentieness in her
hours of solitude, and she did not feel a
moments regret at the thought of being
called away from life in the midst of her
happiness, so certain was she of always re-
i,y. The cheerfulness she had hitherto
Shown became simply little more serious ;
she abandoned herself to it quietly, forget
ting her physical weakness as she indulged
IN the pure delights of fancy. 1t was only
when she heard the Huberts open the door.
or when Felicien came to see her, that she
was able TO sit upright, to bring her
thoughts back to her surroundings and t.
appear as if she were regaining her health
hi lN-t h.. t.,lt -
years of happy housekeeping, far away. in
the days to come.
Toward the end of March, Aneelioue
grew very restless and much weaker.
Twice, when by herself, she had long faint
ing fits. One morning she fell at the foot
of her bed, just as Hubert was bringing her
up cup of milk; by a great effort of will
she conquered herself, and. that S might
deceive him, she remained on the floor and
smiled as she Pretended to be looking for a
needle that mad been dropped. The follow
ing day she was gayer than usual. and pro-
posed Fastening the marriage, suggesting
that at all events it should not be put off
any later than the middle of April. All
the others exclaimed at this idea, asking if
it would not be advisable to wait awhile
since she was still SO delicate? There was
no need of being in such a hurry. She
however, seemed feTerishly nervous, and
insisted that the ceremony should take place
immedately-yes, as soon as possible. HUI
bertine, surprised at the request, having q
suspicion as to the true motive of this
eagerness, looked at her earnestly for mo
ment and turned very pale, as she realized
how slight was the cold breath which still
attached her daughter to life. The dear ill.,
valid had already grown calm, in her ten
der need of consoling others and keeping
them under an illusion, although she knew
personally that her case was hopeless. HUI
bert aud Fellcien, in continual alteration
before their idol, had neither seen nor felt
anything unusual
Then Angelique, exerting herself almost
supernaturylly, rose up and was more
charming than ever, as she slowly moved
back and forth with the light step of former
days.
Sne continued to speak of her wish. say
ing if it were granted she would be so
happy and that after the wedding she
woul certainly be cured. Moreover, the
question should be left to monselgneur; he
al ne should decide it. That same evening,
when the bishop was there, she explained
her desire to him, fixing her eyes on his, re-
garding him steadily and beseechingly, and
speaking in her sweet, earnest voice, under
which there was hidden an ardent supplica-
ton, unex pressed in words. Monselgneur
realized it, and understood the truth, and no
appointed a day in the middle Of April for
the ceremony.
Then they lived in great commotion from
the necessary hustle attendant upon the
prepaI atoms for the marriage. Notwith-
standing his official position as guardian,
huDerJ was opllged 10 ask permission, or
rather the consent Of the Director Of Pub
lie Assistance, " no always represeA ted g
family council, Angeliqus not yet being OF
age; and Monsieur Grandsire. the justice of
the peace, was charged with all legal de-
tails, in order to avoid as much as possible
the painful side of the position to the young
girl and to Felicien.
But tho dear child, realizing that some
thing was being kept back, asked one day
to have her little book brought up to her,
wishing TO put it herself into the hands OF
her betrothed. She was now, and would
hencefortn remain, in a state Of such sin
cere humility that she wished him to know
thoroughly from wnat a low position he had
drawn her, t. elevate her to the glory of
his well .honored name and his great for
tune. These we're her parchments, her
titles to nobility; her positi n was explained
by this official document, this eatry en- the
calendar where there was only date fol-
lowad nv n nufnbar She turned over all