The Sunday morning news., 1891-12-27
AN AMERICAN GIRL.
Story That Carries One Moral For Faint Hearted
Lovers and Another For Parents Who Send
Their Daughters Abroad
r, B L A 1 r.

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strangers"
But was not satisfied. The more
watched them, the more | perceived
lack of Difference to her opinions and re-
spect for her judgment-an irritating
assumption of superior wisdom, as if he
had worn the visible inscription, II will
accept homage, but not suggestions.
Offer incense and be content" Would
the little princess be content? I saw
symptoms of rebellion.
.sDo you think | am little fool, Nine.
Fleming?" she asked with heightened
color and impetuous tone, turning sud-
denly to me while they were conv ersing
apart one evening.
November came, and we were launch
ed on the full tide of Partisan society.
Mr.. Denham had gone to Germany to
complete certain scientific studies, and
he left his fair betrothed with parting
injunction not to dance with any for
eigner. As well shut her up in cell!
Nowhere is there such furore for dane
ing as in Paris. Every family has its
weekly reception, and every card of in
vitation bears in the corner, "On dam
sera." These receptions are the freest
and gayest imaginable. Any person who
has the entree of the house comes when
he feels inclined. Introductions are not
indispensable az with us; any gentleman
may ask lady to dance with him,
whether he has been formally presented
or not, and it would be an affront to de-
cline except for previous engagement.
The company assemble about 10, and
often dance till 8 or in the morning.
In any one house we see nearly the same
people once a week for the whole win
ter, and such frequent companionship
gives feeling of intimacy. 1t is sur
prising how many French men and
French women have some special artis-
tic talent, dramatic or musical, and with
what ready good humor each contributes
to the entertainment of the rest. In
every assembly, with all its sparkle of
youth and gayety, there is a background
of mature age; but though card room
is generally open, it never seems to draw
many from the salons de danse.
In these salons the little princess en-
tered at once upon her royalty. Her
dancing was the poetry of motion. She
sang, and the most brilliant men hung
over her enraptured. ''She was like
Adelina Patti, they said, 'but of more
perfect and delicate type of beauty.
What wonderful eyes, with the long
thick lashes, yelling Oriental depths of
liquid light! How the music trickled
from her fingers and poured from her
small throat like the delicious warble of
nightingale! What loss to art that
her position precluded her from singing
in the opera! Not Malibran or Grisi
ever had triumphs that would equal
i hers" Eminent painters wished to make
a study of her face Authors who had
received the prizes of the Academy for
grave historical works sent her adulatory
verses. May I-firtation-wid you
loavely meess?' asked one of ''the inn
mortal forty" displaying his English.
1t grew rather annoying. l was i'm
portuned with questions, such as: "Win
you receive proposals of marriage for
Miss st. Clair?' 'What is her dowry?'
"Are you intrusted to find a husband
for her abroad?' | was tired of answer
ing, miss ST. Clair will probably marry
in her own country" ''Her parents
would be very reluctant to consent to
any foreign marriage Il cannot tell
what Mr. st. Clair will give his daughter.
1t is not the custom to give dowries with
us, as with you"
One evening we saw at Nine. LIE Forts
reception a young man SO distinguished
! in appearance that he was known as Gle
beau Vergniaud." He was six feet in
height and well made, with abundant
chestnut hair, dark hazel eyes, clearly
cut, regular features and complexion
needlessly fine for man. From that
time he was invariably present, not only
| at Nine. LIE Forts, but wherever we
| went.
! One day Helen said to me, 81 made a
silly speech last evening. l was dancing
with NJ. Vergniaud and we were talking
of that charming Nine. de Launay. |
/ said, Il should think she might be happy,
having an elegant house in Paris, cha
teau in the country, and such hand
some husband so devoted to her. And
he reioined instantly, very low, MY dear
| Miss st. Clair, can | not give you all
this? 1t was not fair to take advantage
OF me in that way"
"What did you say?"
'Oh, laughed it off. did not think
he was in earnest, but he spoke to me
again before he went away"
That afternoon Nine. lie Fort came
into my room with the look of one who
has something important to commune
cate. Il have been wishing to see you,
she said. IN. Vergniaud has taken me
into his confidence. He has formed a
serious attachment to Miss st. Clair, and
wishes to make her his wife. 1t is O
splendid alliance" she continued, warm.
ing with her theme; ''if he had asked
for my daughter would give her to him
blndfold. He belongs to one of our old
families. You should see his house OF
the Avenue de Montaigne. Have you
never seen him driving with his superb
horses in the Bois de Boulogne? He
has an estate with fine old chateau III
Touraine, u family inheritance. Hi;
character and habits are unexceptiona
BILE, too" she added by way of parenthe
sis. 'It is not often that you find al
that in man of 26. So handsome be
sides"
True said 1, f'but you forget Mr.
Denham."
G.On tha coutrarv T ren1anlbar him