The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-10-07

traits of character like those from which he
himself had so cruelty suffered. At last,
from fear that he might take some foolish
step, and fall in love with someone beneath
him in position, he wished to have him here
that he might be married at once"
Very we'll, said Angelique, who did not
yet understand.
''Such marriage had been proposed even
before his arrival, and all preliminaries
were settled yesterday, so that the Able
Cornille formally announced that in the
autumn Felicien would wed Mademoiselle
Claire de Voincourt. You know very well
the Hotel de Voncourt, there, close to the
bishops palace. The family are very inti-
mate with monseigneur. On both sides,
nothing better could be hoped for, either in
the way of name or of fortune. The Able
himself highly approves of the union"
The young girl no longer listened to these
reasons of the fitness of things. Suddenly
an image appeared to come before her eyes
that of Claire. She saw her, as she had
occasionally had a glimpse of her in the al
leys of the park, during the winter, or as
she had seen her on fete days in the cathe-
dral. A tall young lady. brunette, very
handsome, of a much more striking beauty
than her own, and with royal bearing and
appearance. Notwithstanding her naughty
air, she was said to be very good and kind.
lady, who is not only beautiful but very
rich" she murmured.
Then, as if suddenly pierced by a sharp
agony, she exclaimed:
HE uttered falsehood! He did not tell
me this"
She recollected now the momentary hest
tation of Felicien, the rush of blood which
had colored his cheeks when she spoke to
him of their marriage. The shock was SO
great, that she turned deadly pale and her
head fell heavily on her mothers shoulders.
my darling, my dear darling This is
indeed cruel thing; know it well. But
it would have been still worse had you
waited. Take courage, then, and draw at
once the knife from the wound. Repeat to
yourself, whenever the thought of this
young man comes to you, that never would
monseigneur, the terrible Jean XII. whose
intractable pride, it appears. is still recol-
lected by all the world, give his son, the last
of his race, to a little embroiderer, found
under gateway and adopted by poor people
like ourselves"
In her weakness Angelique heard all this
without making any objection. What was
it she felt pass over her facet A cold
breath coming from a distance, from far
above the roofs of the houses, seemed to
freeze her blood. Was it true that her
mother was telling her of this misery of the
world. this. sad reality. in the same way that
parents relate the story of the wolf to I'M
reasonable childrens She would never for
get the shock and the grief of this first ex-
perience of bitter disappointment. Yet,
however, she already excused Felicien. He
had told no falsehood; he simply had been
silent. We're his father to wish him to marry
this young girl, no doubt he wonld refuse to
do SO. But as yet he had not dared to rebel
AS he had not said anything to her of the
matter, perhaps it was because he had not
just made up his mind as to what it was best
for him to do. Before this sudden vanishing
away of her air castles, pale and weak from
the rude touch of the actual life, she still
kept her faith and trusted, in spite of all, in
the future realization of her dreams. Event
uallv the fair promises Of the future would
come to pass, even although now her pride
was crushed and she sank down into state
of humiliation and resignation.
Mother, it is true that / have done
wrong. but will never sin again. |
promise you that will be patient and sub
NIT myself without murmur of revolt to
whatever heaven wishes me to be-"
1t was true grace which spoke within
her. The trial was great, but she was able
to conquer, from the effects of the educa-
ton she had received and the excellent Eek
ample of the home life in which she had
grown up. Why should she doubt the NOR
row, when until this present moment every
one near her had been so generous and so
tender toward hers She prayed that she
might be able to have the wisdom of Cath
crime, the meekness of Elizabeth, the chas-
tity of Agnes; and recomforted by the aid
of the saints, she was sure that they alone
would help her to triumph over every trou-
ble Was it not true that her old friend the
cathedral, the Clos-Marie and the Chew
nf hA H,,Ho
the Huberts themselves, all who loved her,
would defend her, without her being
obliged to do anything, except to be obedi-
ent and goods
"Then, dear child, you promise me that
you will never act contrary to our wishes
and above all against those of monseig-
nehrY'
Eyes, mother. promise"
"You also promise me not to see this
young man again, and no longer to indulge
in the foolish idea of marrying himT
At this question her courage failed her.
She almost felt the spirit OF rebellion rise
again within her, as she thought of the
depth Of her love. But in moment she
bowed her head and was definitely con-
quered.
1T promise to do nothing to bring about a
meeting with him, and to take no steps to-
ward our marriage"
Huhertine, touched to the heart, pressed
the young girl most affectionately in her
arms as she. thanked her for her obedience
Obi what dreadful thing it was, when
wishing to do good to the child she so ten
derby loved, she was forced to make her suf-
fer so intensely. She was exhausted and
rose up hastily, surprised that daylight had
come.
The little cry of the birds had increased in
every direction, although as yet none were
to be seen in flight. In the sky the clouds,
delicate as gauze, seemed to float away in
the limpid blueness Of the atmosphere.
Then Angelique, whose look had mechan-
icaily fallen upon her wild rose bush, at
last noticed it with its puny leaves. She
smiled sadly as she said:
"You were right, mother dear, it will
never be in blossom"
At o'clock in the morning Angelique
was at her work as usual. The days fol-
lowed each other, and every forenoon found
her seated before the chasuble she had left
on the previous evening. Nothing appeared
to be changed outwafdly; she kept strictly
her promise, shut herself up, and made no
attempt whatever to SEQ Felicien. This did
not seem to depress her at all, but she kept
her bright, youthful look, smiling sweetly
at Hubertine when occasionally she saw her
eyes fixed upon her as if astonished. How
ever, in this enforced silence she thought
only OF him; he was always in her mind.
Her hope remained firm, and she was sure
that in spite of all obstacles verything
would come out all right in the end. In
fact, it was this feeling Of certainty that
gave her such an air Of courage. Of naughty
rectitude and of justice.