Year: 1867

please me-"


saThank you. Listen" And Emile sang one O
his own little songs with voice sweetly pathetic.


Victor was deeply affected, and when the las
sad notes had died away, he said, "Mademoiselle
thank you on my knees for your sweet kindness
in singing that and calling it your favorite." "


As he spoke door at the lower end of the room
glded back, displaying an inner apartment arran
ged for o repast


Monsieur, will you partake Of some fruit which
is served in the next room?


'Thank you," said Victor, rising and offering
Emile his arm to escort her into the next apart
ment.


Monsieur" said Mademoiselle Lamont, as they
set down to a tempting array of delicacies, "Mon'
sieur, wish you to see what Larose can produce.
All the fruit on the table comes from my garden.


'They are like everything else here-deGght,
full" said Victor, tasting luscious peach I'm,
deed, I can hardly believe all that have seen to,
day is real and substantial. Walking through your
splendid grounds I could have imagined myself in
the garden of the Hesperides. Seated in youl
gorgeous saloon, could hardly help fancying that
saw an enchanted vision which would soon dis
solve, leaving me nothing but the dull realities OF
life"


s'You poets are like that ethereal bird, the hu.
ma, which never touches the ground you are al,
ways flying in the air. and dislike to touch this poor
earth of ours. "


Had I the wings of an angel I could not fly to
a more delightful abode than have found to-day,
nor receive more gratifying welcome than which
you have so kindly given me-"


Victor returned to his books and studies from
his visit to arose, with feeling of satisfaction to
which he had long been stranger. His prospects
looked brighter He had secured powerful friend
in the Lady of Larose. Her kindness to him had
touched his tender heart, and it seemed as natural
for her to be agreeable as it is for the flowers to
bloom and birds to sing.


Emile had invited Victor to visit Larose by
moonlight. He did so one beautiful evening. They
strolled about the lovely grounds He told her OF
his struggles, of his golden aspirations, and of his
|disappointments She consoled him with sweet
and gentle words and she pointed to the great fu-
ture and assured him that his hopes would be re-
allied Victor felt the influence of that delicious
voice, and in that soft hour he knelt at her feet
and told her that he loved her.


To shorten the story, the day appointed for the
wedding arrived everything was ready. Victor,
handsome and expectant, advanced to meet the
bride, when lovely girl of nineteen, with face
and form which might have served as model for
ApoDos when he painted his exquisite picture Of
Venus came forward and took the hand of the fu-
ture husband.


This beautiful being was none other than the
Lady of Larose, who had so long excited the curl,
osity of the people of Paris, her ravshing beauty
being concealed by frightfu and ingeniously con-
structed mask.


Her object in yelling those charming features
from the gaze of the world was to secure partner
who would not marry her for the accidental advan'
tages of wealth and beauty alone, but for her OWL
intrinsic worth. She obtained such a partner in
Victor St Aubyn