The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1897-11-02
A NOVELIST'S BRIDE

er insisted that must marry. Eyery
week she presented new aspirant, but
when, after each interview, she asked
docs this one suit your ] replied,
''No, not this one'
My father urged me also 1t was gen.
orally during our horseback rides in the
country, while we let our horses wall
along the pretty routes, that he under
took my conversion.
II know some one, he said one day
"who loves you, and who this morning
has asked for your hand
Another? Good heavensl"
Eyes, another, but I hope you will
not rebel when you hear the name Of
this one. !"
Tell me, my father, who it is. %
1t is your cousin, Octave Feuillet. y
"What, my cousinl Is it possible that
he loves me. He hardly knows me, liv.
ing SO far away. 1 have perhaps danced
three times with him, and that is all. -
Very well, that is sufficient. He de-
sires you to become his wife, He de-
sires it ardently. Your mother and
would be in despair should you disap-
point him with REFUSAL
My father, let me have a little time
for reflection
"Not too long," answered my ia
Their, "and may God inspire you"
God inspired me that same night tc
think my cousin charming. Again, in
imagination, I saw him at those three
balls where had danced with him and
recalled his handsome figure and bear
ing, his distinguished looking features
and his slightly naughty air.
I remembered the grace with which
he bowed to woman, particularly to
my mother. recalled the words he had
spoken to the music of the orchestra
during the quadrilles-words which did
not resemble in any way the trivial
phrases was accustomed to hear. He
talked as well as he wrote. He had al
ready great reputation among literary
persons, and his novels and poems were
making sensation in the world.
And was it who was destined to be-
come the wife of this poet, of this gen.
tleman? could not believe in such good
fortune. In accepting it felt uneasy.
1t seemed to me impossible not to dis
appoint the accomplished being who
had deigned to choose me. When ]
thought of his worth, felt my own in
feriority. 1 found myself provincial and
ignorant. Nevertheless my father had
said that he loved me-
He loved me in spite of all my de-
ficiencies. 1t remained for me to recon-
pense him by working for self improve
ment. After having devoted my thoughts
exclusively to him 1 turned in imagina-
ton to the existence we would lead.
We should doubtless live in Paris,
this beautiful Paris which 1 had not
seen since the journey with the ladies
Of -. No more visits to the tombs of
St Denis, but presentations to the
friends of my husband and drives in
facres from museums to churches and
from churches to museums.
And then the installation of our
apartment and the purchasing of ele-
giant furniture, which would make it
charming-how beautiful did all these
dreams appear when 1 compared them
with the monotony of the present
The effect of all this was that did
not sleep till morning.
shall never forget that evening when
my cousin came the first time as a
fiance. We awaited him in my mothers
room. My father walked up and down,
giving me his arm. My brothers were
on the staircase ready to fall on the
neck of the visitor.
When / heard the bell ring, which
caused commotion throughout the house,
l was SO agitated, so troubled, so nerv-
GUS over the new role assigned me,
that, losing all thought of propriety,
all desire to please my fiance, ran to-
ward the window and enveloped myself
in the curtains.
There / should have remained in
trenched behind these curtains, a posi-
ton which would have given me conf
dence, had not my father Indignantly
unrolled me and thrown me into the
arms of my cousin, who appeared lit
tie surprised at this welcome.
''It is timidity, said my mother in
low voice, at the same time smooth
ing my ruff1ed hair. "She loves you,
am sure. !"
This undignified reception did not
discourage my fiance. He made me
pretty speeches all the evening and
happy promises, to which / listened
with downcast eyes. The next day came
some charming verses from him, ad-
dressed to my mother, but which had
inspired.
On the 25th of March, 1857, I awak-
ened at an early hour, being unable to
sleep on account of my emotion. 1t was
the day l was to leave the paternal
home and take in the presence Of God
my title as madame
Midnight was the customary hour for
marriages in our part of the country. I
was in hopes of having the day to my
self, but was obliged to busy myself
in all sorts of ways, to try for the last
time my wedding gown, to arrange
flowers, and so forth.
last touches were being added to my
toilet, Victoire, my maid, who had been
occupied in carrying different things to
my new home, returned in consterna-
ton, saying that my cousin was not
well, and that they did not know
whether the wedding could take place
"Oh, mon Dieup' said my mother
And she ran to carry her anxiety into
the bosom of the united family. They
took counsel together, and two relatives
were sent as ambassadors to the fiance
During this time my mother ran from
room to room, calling all the servants,
ringing bells, recommending calmness
and doing her utmost to deprive me and
everybody else of it.
Finally the ambassadors reappeared.
"He is coming. He will be here in a
few moments, they cried, ascending
the stairs. "The indisposition has pass
ed away" And they wiped their fore
heads as they spread the good news.
After an hours waiting the door
opened, and my cousin entered the
room. He was very pale, but very hand
some, and felt proud to belong to him.
81 have been little indisposed," he
said, giving me his hand, 'but / am
quite well now, and love you" This
II love you" came like whisper, and
I felt myself growing pale and flushed
at the same time
The dinner was long and serious. We
were surrounded by aged relatives My