Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-01-02
Continued.

bouroir placed her hand softly on the
shoulder Of Beatrice
MY dear child" said she, you
should not be astonished that my
first movement upon learning that
you were going to leave me was one
of ill-humor, for / regret it, while you
do not. You see, my dear, kiss me-"
Mile. de Sardonne complied with the
request and while clasping her TO her
heart, the Baroness who had high
strung nerves, broke into tears. That
was relief to her.
You know" said she, through her
sobs, how much he earns per year"
81 never asked him that, Madame. .
'"The painters, when they once come
into vogue, earn what they please.
You will be rich, my dear. 1t is always
that"
May l now say to Monsieur FSr
brice, Madame, that you wish to re-
ceive hirn?"
why, yes-at the usual hour Of
our sittings. 1t is, esides, very neces-
sary that he should finish my por
trait. l will await him in half-hour.
Beatrice again presented her fore
head to the Baroness and retired, She
Immediately Tejoined FARCE at the
entrance of the park, where she gave
him a short resume Of the interview
with the Baroness.
you see," said she to him, chat
on the whole it passed very easily,
and that she did not very ably NAL
treat me"
1T was because she felt a strong
Defense" said the painter, laughingly
'But 1 am held in greater respect and
consideration by her; she knows It,
and l fear much that the wrath which
has only broken into a scolding upon
you will not break, will not sound
without pity for me-"
You may, my poor Monsieur, ex-
pect some impertnences. But if you
love me a little you will bear them
patiently, at least so as not to trouble
things, since, after all, they are pro-
crossing very well"
81 promise YOU" said FabriCe, "and
now hope that the trial may be very
severe, since l ought to suffer it for
your sake"
Thank you, Monsieur. You under
stand that | desire to leave here as
soon as possible without a scandal"
Their conversation continued for a
short time. While they paced up and
down with slow steps one of the prin-
cipal avenues Of the park, Beatrice
gave him some information about her
tutor, to whom she proposed to write
during the day, but whose consent
was not in the least doubtful. When
the hour of the sitting arrived, Fa-
brice entered the chateau and found
her at tete-a-tete with the Baroness.
Mime. de Montauron had already
taken her pose upon her armchair iii
the middle of the parlor.
Madame" said the painter to her,
"MademOiselle Beatrice has told Inc
tht you have had the kindness to APP
prove the union which | had the
holiness to be ambitious of. Upon my
behalf, | thank you; the more earnest.
ly that in my favor you deprive your
self of a companionship the value of
which intimacy no one can under.
stand better than l."
Mon Dieu, my dear Monsieur Fa-
brice, what do you wish? That which
makes the happiness of some makes
the unhappiness o fothers. 1t is nat
ural Be seated there. We will speak
of all that while you work, since talk
ing does not disturb you
He owed, seated himself upon his
stool, took his palette and began to
paint.
do you think you shall be able
to finish today, my dear master?'
Il think we shall still have need of
two more sittings, Madame
VERY we'll" sid the Baroness; and
after a silence: well, to return to
your marriage, Monsieur abrice, You
are going to marry a young lady of
whom l en- do nothing but speak web.
Her conduct, since she has been with
me, has been extremely exemplary,
as YOU have been able to Judge for
Yourself. She has a thousand qualities
tht I appreciate 20 the ufllest extent,
but. Notwithstanding all that, if you
had had the honor of consulting me
before Offering her your hand, l
might have been able to dissuade
YOU"
May know why, Madame?'
Mon Dieu! Because upon the day
when YOU shall have married her
these very quaIites-iu part, at least
may become Inconvenience
Though assuredly it is not I who
would reproach her for being proud of
her birth and of having high estima
ton of herself and Of her name. But
even for me, who am very indulgent
I'm that regard, she pushes that merit
to excess. She really has say be
tween us-the pride of ucifer. I ftar
that you will learn it, Monsieur. I do
not intend to say. you understand,
that she will look down upon her hus.
baDd-who is above a sentiment. of
that sort-but an alliance such as She
has contracted is perfectly honorable,
whatever else it may be, yet it is too
much contrary to the traditions, to
the customs of her family and Of our
society for NIademoiselIe de Sardoune
to not suffer from it, at least in the
secrecy of her heart. Alas! Monsieur,
I know, as we'll do you, that in the
light of true society it is absolutely
absurd: but permit me to say that