Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-06-01

|
SnMssYM 81 am so happy
,NNNfSnK with yourself; but
NIA should / enjoy the
ElILXs}t8Sa same happiness, the
SES{ts, same peace and the
}l5%,VEY&, same contentment
N|#Vhlo,h'' when ] change your
s~ > fireside for another;
I doubt it No, no, haye plenty Of
time yet. / am only eighteen years Of
age. While l am much honored by
the attentions of M, lie Baron de
Merillac, repeat that must refuse
him !"
"My dear child" replied Nine.
Odiot, "you should reflect that one OF
these days you will lose me. have
been suffering for long time, and
very little would suffice to carry me
of. You will then find yourself with
out support, since your dear father is
gone, and husband is tho natural
support of young girl when she has
lost her parents. Baron Merillac is a
very estimeble young man. You will
probably never get such another offer.
He is enormously rich, and he has a
title and is the only son of parents
who will adore and worship you as il
YOU were their own child. 1t would
surely be madness to persist in a re-
iusal that has no basis. The Baron is
handsome cavalier, and his manners
ale of the best. What more can you
wish?"
Then you know him." asked An
toinette, with surprise.
without doubt"
"Yet have never seen him here, u
persisted the girl.
'No, he has never been here, but !
have met him several times at the
house of Nine. de Saverny, where you
would never accompany me, under
the pretext that she displeased you,
and it was Nine. de Saverny who spoke
to me of the Baron as man who
would be suitable for you, from every
point of view"
~ shall like Nine. de Saverny still
less now," exclaimed the girl. "What
business is it of hers? If she is 50
anxious to get NJ. de Merillao married
let her take him herself. She is Il
widow"
"You are foolish, ma homie cherie
NJ. de Merillac is twenty-five years
old and Nine. de Saverny is fifty. She
might be his mother. But you should
net get angry. One would almost
think that you had some other reason
than the one you give so vehementy
for refusing NJ. de Merillac. "
"Some other reason stammered
Antoinette, lowering her eyes, while a
pretty little flush came into her
cheeks.
Nine. Odiot watched her smilingly,
and several minutes passed in silence.
Antoinette took up her sewing
again, and being aware no doubt that
her mothers eyes were fixed upon
her, presently rose and went over to
the piano. Nine. Odiot stopped her
as she went.
"We will settle the matter once for
all, she said, "never to return to it.
The reason you refuse NJ. de Merillac
is because you don't want to marry, is
it not?"
"Mais oui, maman," said Antoi.
nette, in voice that nevertheless
lacked the ring OF sincerity.
$50 that, no matter who else may
come to me to ask your hand / may
tell him no, and send him about his
business?"
ooh! l don't say that-perhaps
later-when I am older-if theft
liked him." stammered the young girl,
much embarrassed.
$50 be it! We will talk of some.
thing else. For instance, my dear
nephew CASTOR has now been with us
for three weeks, and has nearly fin
ished his picture. He has been very
busy making some sketches in the
woods for another one he has in view.
think he is with your uncle at this
moment. Let us go across and zee
him-I mean my brother-he has not
been very we'll OF late"
"OE, no, mother my uncle is quite
we'll again." said Antoinette quickly.
"Ah! you have some news about
him?"
Antoineite bit her lips, Her answer
slipped ont too quickly.
"The gardener told me-" she added
naively. Nine. Odiot pretended moi
to notice her daughters embarrass
ment. a
will you come with me? lam 60
ing at once. As he is your guardian
| ought to let him know at once Of
your decision with regard to NJ. dc
Merillac, for he knew all about him =
ooh! my uncle knew
eyes"
"And ho apprcvel!"
"Yes."
"Then CASTOR knew that it was pro
posed l should marry this Baron?"
perhaps"
"But no had said nothing to mt
about it,"
81 though; you had not seen him.
ooh! yes-that is-oh! no, hsv,
not" replied the girl, turning hel
face away in her confusion over he,
little Abs, with which she was mex
perienced,
"Let us 50. Arc you coming?"
Nine. Oliot turned away to hide
smi,a.
'Is ny presence very necessary? p
the young girl asked, Then she add
ed: 81 think that my uncle ant
yourself will be able to talk more .
your ease II sc Gway; besides m,
uncle will quosiioD ne and | shan
know how 10 answer him.
"That Ia quite simple. You viii
answer him as you answered me!'
| lGIn, ma al inn IN, NJ ,,nI har