Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-02-10
HER TEST OFLOVE.
Translated from the Frenh.

lamp which shed soft radiance
throughout the room. 1t was simply
furnished, but was adorned with pro-
fusion of flowers and plants. Three
persons were in the salon-Mme. de
Balny, Gisele, her daughter, and the
latter's betrothed, Robert de Gillis, who
was soon to be her husband
Gisele, who was in her eighteenth
year, was very beautiful. She was a
natural blonde. Her smile had the
double advantage of showing pretty
teeth and two charming little dimples
in her rosy cheeks. Her eyes were very
handsome, but their glance was some
what imperious. She was dressed in a
robe of soft, white, clinging material,
that set off to advantage her girlish
beauty.
Gisele was an only daughter. She
had been reared by an indulgent moth
er, her father having died during her
infancy. Although Nine. de Balny's
income was barely sufficient to support
herself and her daughter, she managed
to crafty Gisele's every whim, and her
whims were many, for she was a child
of caprice.
Many admirers paid suit to Gisele,
but she smiled on none until Robert de
Gillis threw himself and his fortune at
her feet.
In Robert, Gisele found her supreme
triumph, for by his unselfish devotion
he gave her the greatest satisfaction a
woman can have-to be loved for her
beauty, which was Gisele's only dover.
Robert had every qualification to be
desired in lover. He was twenty-five
years old, handsome, manly and very
wealthy.
While Nine. de Balny was working
at her embroidery and Robert and
Gisele were holding a tender converse
ton, the door of the salon was opened
and George Langle was announced.
Good evening, my dear madame, -
said the new conner, as he entered, bow
ing to the mistress of the house.
"Ah, good evening, my dear Langle, I"
said Nine. de Balny, welcoming the
gnest. This is. indeed, an agreeable
surprise"
When the others DAD welcomed him,
turning to Robert, Langle said:
81 knew that l would find you here,
and that is why l called SO late, wish
ing to have you present to second a
proposition which l desire to make to
these ladies'"
''Ah ! tell us. What is it ~ exclaimed
Gisele
MY mothers cottage at st. Cloud
has just been put in order for the sum-
mer," replied Langle. I'VE are going
to drive there tomorrow morning, and
she desires that you will accompany us.
We shall leave Paris in good season so
as to avoid the heat of the day. Break
fast will await us on our arrival. We
will spend the warm part of the day
swinging in our hammocks and gossip
ing under the elms.
''Wc will dine at Fresco, and then, if
Mile. Gisele approves of the plan, we
will attend the fete of st. Cloud, at
which, among other attractions, will be
the great lion-tamer, the illustrious
Bidel, with his menagerie. That is the
proposition have to offer"
bravo ~ cried Gisele. "Your plan
is charming, charming Is it not, Rob-
ert p she added, turning to her lover
Robert agreed with Gisele that their
adopted with enthusiasm.
Accordingly, the following day found
Nine. de Balny, her daughter, and Rob-
ert at st. Cloud, as the guests of NJ.
Langle and his mother The day was
scent in those delightful ways which
people escaping from the city in the
early summer find for passing the time
in the country.
Gisele, however, was all anticipation
| in regard to the approaching fete, and
especially in regard to the lion tanner,
Bidel, of whose exploits she had heard
a great deal. Immediately after dinner,
therefore, Gisele, Robert and Langle
went to the fete, the elder ladies pre-
ferrsng to remain at the cottage.
They first attended Bidel's perform
ance with his lions, which Gisele watch
ed with the liveliest interest. AS the
performance grew to close Gisele be-
came SO enthusiastic in regard to BIZ
del's bravely that Langle said, Joking
ly, that she ought to marry a lion
tanner.
''Sueh-is my intention, replied Giselc,
for | am sure that Robert will not
deny the first request have ever made
OF him. Will you, Roberto she added,
turning to him.
wish me to enter the lions cage 81
''Yes. Does that surprise your"
"a little, l confess
"You ought to have as much courage
as a vulgar tanner of animals" said
Gisele, who seemed to be put out by
her lovers backwardness in boarding
the lions to please her whim.
But to do what you ask me to do
would by no means be a proof of cour-
age answered Robert. "It would be
a ridiculous act on my part, for l would
be exposing myself for no purpose"
You speak lightly of the prospect of
being devoured," said Langle laughing
Langle wished to laugh Gisele out of
her caprice Gisele, on the other hand,
did not really wish her lover to enter
the lions cage, but she wanted him to
seem ready to do even that for her.
'"Then you refuse?" she asked Robert,
with an air of disdain.
Langle without giving Robert an op-
portunity to reply, said:
Certainly he refuses, for the condi-