Sacramento daily record-union., 1889-06-16

oeHtAH expecting MN, lOr, scarcely had he
entered the salon when side door opened,
admitting the lady herself
Surprise and emotion chained him to the
spot, and he lowered his eyes to conceal his
confusion as she advanced toward him
smiling, with outstretched hands.
My friend" said she gently clasping
the hand which he mechanically extended,
you must think me uncharitable to your
sentiments, do you not ?'
He did not reply. In fact, he scarcely
dared TO raise his eyes to her face.
eS, have been unkind, she reiter-
Sted, and you must have suffered on NV
account; but you did not suffer alone"
How SOP demanded NJ. de Blaiuviliers.
finally taking courage to look at her lady
ship. She was more beautiful than ever
contentment lent new and subtle charm
to her face, bringing into play the ever
varying harmonieS of her expressive
countenance. The lovely vision produced
upon the poetic sense of NJ. de Blainviliers
an indetinable mingling of pleasure and
pain.
'Spare me the recital of all the details ::
let it suffice to tell you that | was mis-
taken in myself. | was naughty, vain.
ooquettish-or, rather, l believed with
you that | was. l thought | could not
give you my heart until your merits
talents, and fortune attracted all ewes to-
ward you, What folly We love man
not for his wealth, greatness, or talents ::
not because he is exalted; likewise, we do
not cease to love him because he is poor.
forgotten, and lowly we love him for him
self. Behold me, then, quite converted,
and, above all, most desirouS of making
you forget the cruel past
ut is enough to see you once more,
Madame
mo, that is not enough to cancel my
debt. | have returned with determine
tion which will eface the remembrance of
all my unkindneSS."
"What is that determination ," de-
manded NJ. de Blainvilhers with increas-
ing emotion and embarrassment.
"-Noa ami, my hand is free Do you see
how | intend to expiate my fault? Let us
60 where you wish; let us dwell far from
the world, from its hustle and pomp .
Your tastes shall be mine"
''Eou were right innot doubling the love
| bore Y ou," murmured NJ. de Blaiuvilliers
in an agonized voice. "But | am overcome
with your return, and your kind PROPOSE
ton"
SHOULD have been answered already"
quickly rejoined Lady Cayendish.
"AlaS! that is true, my lady. but it
does not depend upon me-"
81 do not understand" j" said she, in alarm.
"My lady, 1 am deeply grateful-or,
rather, | am very unhappy-for | have
not the right to avail myself of your kind
ness"
"What do you say? This refusal is an
insult
my lady said he beseechingIy.
Enough, Monsieur de Blainvilliers! (!
enough" cried poor Lady Cavendish, and
trembling with shame and emotion, she
hastily left the apartment
"She has gone without listening to my
defense" said the unfortunate man. "What
a singular destiny is mine. But this re-
suit was inevitable. Well, there is moth
ing left to do but take my departure"
He looked sadly around on the familiar
objects, associated with so many happy
moments; his bosom heaved, and covertlv
dashing away tear ne stole away One
page of his past was hermetically sealed.
There still remained his interview with
Madame de Flavigny. His heart, agitated
as 1t was from the conflicting emotions
which he had just experienced, throbbed
painfully as ne entered the coy little par
lor in NarenneS street.
" Here | am again in Paris NJ de Blain-
villiers, drawn hither by my repentance.
| have confession to make Ny letter
told you the motives of my flight |
thought | was obeying my Judgment. |
would have wished you humble, isolated,
and without influence. | should then
have had better guaranty of my happi-
ness. But happiness, for us women, is
never subordinate to material Considera-
tions. My return is the result of a long
struggle, wherein my foolish requirements
have given way to my true sentiments.
My love has vanquished my scruples.
speak without any false modesty," con-
tinued Madame de Flavigny, because |
have been foolish, harsh, and unjust. Nv
frankness is the acknowledgment of my
fault"
NJ. de Blainvilliers, deeply moved by
this pathetic avowal, remained mute and
mOtiOnless. Tears started to his eyes as
he gazed upon the beautiful woman, who
thus COnhded in his love- She was pale
and agitated. Pleasure, anxiety, and re-
pentance were portrayed in her lustrous
eyes. Never had the lines of her classic
features appeared purer or more correct,
nor the tones of her voice SO carressing and
| vibrating.
By great effort, NJ. de Blainvilliers at
length gained sufficient control of his emo
! tion to say:
The remembrance of this kindness,
Madame, will be the last echo of my heart"
"How your voice trembles, Monsieur!
Some trouble turks behind your words ~
= 1t is because the happiness which you
offer me must escape my grasp"
i do not comprehend" replied Mad
dame de Flavigny, gently. "You cannot
doubt my sincerity?"
"Oh! neverp exclaimed he ferventIy.
| "Well, them"
! This happiness comes upon me sud
| denly was not prepared" stammered
NJ. de Blainvilliers, helplessly.
| But still l do not understand" inter
rupted Madame de Flavigny, a vague
alarm filling her breast. "Have | de-
ceived MYSELF"
Do not doubt my gratitude-my love
for you; but l repeat, your unexpected re-
| turn am confused-Oh have pity on
me- Madame ~
For the sake of Heaven, be more ex-
plicit. What is the meaning of your agi-
tation? ?"
"Your offer troubles and fatters me-
Madame, beyond expression; but tell me
if anything can equal my affliction. l
cannot accept"
"Say no more" said Madame de Flavig-
ny, with quiet dignity, rising to further
| signify that their interview was at an end
NJ. de Blainvilliers took his way home
ward with a heavy heart, and seating him
| self at his desk wrote the following:
My LADY: I owe you an explanation of my
| conduct. My heart failed me this morning
| while attempting it, but cannot suffer you to
misapprehend me. l cannot leave in your mind
doubts such as those with which you allowed
me to struggle so long. You were one of the
brightest rays that ever shone upon the illusions
and entertainments of my life. One day you
suddenly withdrew that light and l suffered
You came back to me, for which thank you,
| since you then brought more than cOmpensa.
| tion for the pangs had endured. Unfortunately
| that reparation came to late, and fate did not
permit me TO profit thereby. Six months-the
| fatal six months during which you abandoned
me-have changed my lot. / have bound my
| liberty by an indiSsoluble tie. Henceforth nv
| lady, you can be nothing to me- for l am mar
ried Farewell, then. My gratitude will be as
| lasting it is profound I am entering that
period of life in which happiness is a memory
and that memory will be you.
Having terminated this epistle, NJ. de
| Blainvilliers made a second copy thereof
in which he simply substituted one name