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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. y errata id to nt ne pelure, ipon d 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 . 6 >v ■^ •% > ^ ^^-• >, ••% *\^k"\\ y^ •f"~>>^ ■» >». ^ ^ N >•. v \ ^,|^«t0itt(tt^ At §ixx(mxt,c^ \ ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT; OR, f «mt ilawf igittg m& ^tmi ^owwlwg. A CANADIAN TALE. B T M ES. LEPEOHON. )) PRINTED BY JOHN LOVELL, ST. JTIOHOLAS STREET 1864. lk> US- ^ '• 3l7 LeTV'OlK Ao, K.£ •V I PKEFACE. V The simple Tale unfolded in the following pages, was not originally intended to be issued with any prefatory remarks. Advised, however, that it is usual to do so, the author, having no wish to deviate from the established custom, will merely say : Although the literary treasures of " the old world '* are ever open to us, and our American neighbors should continue to inundate the country with reading- matter, intended to meet all wants ej '^. suit all tastes and sympathies, at prices which ena le every one to partake of this never-failing and ever-varying feast ; yet Canadians should not be discouraged from endear voring to form and foster a literature of their own. More than one successful effort towards the attain- ment of this object has been made within the last few years, and more than one valuable work, Canadian in PREFACE. I origin, subject, and sympathies, has been produced and published among us. To every tnie Canadian this simple fact must afford no little gratification, and any fresh contribution will not prove unwelcome. Therefore, remembering that the smallest stone employed always helps a little in the construction of even the loftiest building, the author, not altogether ■without some hope of a favorable reception, ventures on introducing to the public this work ; satisfied that if Antoinette pb Mireoourt possesses no other merit, it will, at least, be found to have that of being esseii- tially Canadian. ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. CHAPTER I. The feeble sun of November, that most unpleasant month m our Canadian year, was streaming down on the narrow streets and irregular buildings of Mon- treal, such as it existed in the year 176-, some short time afler the royal standard of England had replacud the fleur-de-lys of France. Reflecting back the red sunlight in the countless small panes of its narrow casements, stood a largo and substantial-looking stone house, situated towards the east extremity of Notre Dame street, then the aristo- cratic quarter of the city. Without going through the ceremony of raising the ponderous knocker, we will pass through the hall-door, with its arched fan-light overhead, and, entering the mansion, take a short survey of its interior and inmates. Despite the low* ness of the ceilings, so justly incompatible with our modern ideas of elegance, or even comfort, — despite 10 ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. the rough wood-carving and tarnished gilding encir- cling the doors and windows, and the quaint, useless wooden architraves running round the walls of the different apartments, there is a stamp of ur^mistakable wealth and refinement pervadmg the abode. Glimpses of fine old paintings, costly inlaid cabinets^ antique vases, and other objects of art, revealed through the half-open doors, confirm this impression, even before we are told that the mansion is inhabited by ^lonsieur D^xulnay, one of the most distinguished among the few families of the old French noblesse, who continued to dwell in any of the principal cities after their country had passed under a foreign rule. The master of the house, a plain-featured I it gen- tlemanly-looking man, was seated, at the moL -^nt in which we introduce him to the reader, in his lar^ and well-hghted library. The three sides of thi , his favorite apartment, were covered, from ceiling t floor, with compactly-filled shelves, whilst a few wv '-exe- cuted busts or good portraits of literary men were thfe only ornaments of any sort which the room con- tained. The serviceable, dark bindings of the volumes, Innocent of gilding or gaudy lettering, betrayed they were valued by their owner more for their contents than their appearance ; and ia his earnest, unostent^ ■I ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. 11 tious love of literature, might have been found the key to the tranquil placidity of character which distin- guished him under circumstances which would have often severely tried the patience of less philosophic men. When hosts of his personal friends and relatives urged him, after the capitulation of Montreal, to do as they were doing, and return to la vielle France^ or at least sock the solitude of his wealthy seigneurie in the country, and bury himself there for the remainder of his days, he looked round his library, sighed, and shook his head. In vain some fiery spirits indignantly asked him how he could brook the arrogance of the proud conquerors who had landed on their shores ? how he could endui'e to meet, wherever eye or footstep turned, the scarlet uniforms of the epauletted heroes who now governed his native land in King George's name. To their indignant remonstrances he sadly but calmly rejoined he should not see much of them, for he intended establishing himself henceforth perma- nently in his beloved library, and going abroad as little as possible. When farther pressed on the subject, he referred his friendly persecutors to Madame D' Aulnay ; and as it was well known that that fair lady had on several occasions expressed her fixed determination to never bury herself durmg life in the country, though 1 •; i 12 ANTOINETTE BE MXRECOUBT. she had no objections to their burying her there after death, he was generally, at this stage of the argument, left in peace. As we have said, Mr. D'Aulnay was seated in his library, absorbed in the perusal of some abstruse and learned work, no political regrets or projects disturbing for the moment his intellectual enjoyment, when the door of the apartment opened, and an elegant looking woman, on the shady side of Balzac's admired femi- nine age of thirty, and dressed with the most exquisite iaste and care, entered. " Mr. D'Aulnay," she exclaimed, laying a dainty, beavily-ringed hand on his shoulder. " Well, what is it, Lucille ?" and, he half closed his book with a regretful thou^ not impatient look. *' I have come to tell you that Antoinette has just arrived." ^' Antoinette," he absently repeated. *^ Yes, you moon-struck man," and the little hand 'inflicted a playful tap on his cheek. *< My cousin Antoinette, whom I have been vaiiily beg^ng of that cross uncle of mine, for the last six months ; and who has been at last granted a chance of seeing a little of life under my auspices." <^ Do you mean that rosy, good-liiunored little ^1 1 ti rs« n- A) ANTOINBTTB DB MIBBCOURT. 13 saw two summers ago, m the country, at Mr. De Mire- oourt's ?" " The same, hut instead of a little girl, she is now a young lady, and a wealthy heiress hesides. Uncle De Mirecourt has consented to her passing the winter with me, and I am detenmned that she shall see a little society during that time." " Ah ! I understand too well what that means," groaned Mr. D'Aulnay. " So our present domestic rules are to he suhverted, the house completely upset, and the whole plaee overrun with idle young fops, or raiknown men with swords clashing against their heels, as you have been studiously hinting to me for some time past. Alas ! I thought when the Chevalier de L^vis and his gallant epaulettes left the country, there was to be an end to all this military fervor or fever ; and I must to my shame acknowledge, that if anythmg could have tended to console me during that darkest episode of the history of my country, it was the sup- position I have just mentioned." " What would you, cher amif" plaintively ques- tioned Mrs. D'Aulnay. " Have we not mourned in sackcloth and ashes, as it were, for many a long and dreary month since ; but people must live, and to live they must see society. I really would as soon 14 ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. assume the garb of a female Carmelite, and see you don a Trappist's cowl and robe at once, as live any longer in the cloister-like seclusion in which we have been vegetating for an interminable time past." " Nonsense, Lucille ! As to the Trappist's cowl and robe, I think they would be more suitable to my age and tastes, and certainly far more comfortable, than the silk stockings and ball-room costume which your new projects will compel me so often to assume. But to discuss the matter seriously, surely you who used to talk so pathetically over the woes of Canada with the brave French soldiers who have left our shores — who used to enthral your listeners by your eloquent and patriotic denunciations of our enemies and oppres- sors, and were compared by Col. De Bourlamarque to one of the heroines of the Fronde^ — surely you are not going to entertain and feast those same oppressors now ?" " My dear, dear D'Aulnay, I again repeat, what alternative have I ? I cannot invite clerks or appren- tices to my house, and our own people are nearly all dispersed in one direction or another. Those English oflficers may be tyrants, ruthless oppressors, what you will ; but they are men of education and refine- ment ; and — conclusive argument — they are my only 1 i' resource. >> I''; "" "w- ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. 15 ,, ** Pray, tell me, then, when this reign of anarchy is to be inaugurated?" questioned Mr. D'Aulnay, silenced though not convinced. " Oh, on that point, my dear Andr^, I am certiun of meeting with your approbation. The good old Canadian /e^e of la Sainte Catherine, a day which our ancestors from time immemorial have joyously observed, will be the evening I will choose for again opening our doors to something like life and gaiety.'* " And I fear closing them against peace and com- fort ; but, do you know any of the men who are des- tined henceforth to fill our salons and to eat our suppers ?" " Yes ; Major Stemfield called here yesterday with that young Foucher, who, in times past, would scarcely have obtained admittance into my house ; but, alas ! society is so reduced in point of numbers, we cannot afford to be too exclusive now." " Was that long-legged flamingo I caught a glimpse of in the hall. Major Stemfield ?" questioned Mr. D'Aulnay. " Long-legged flamingo !" reiterated the lady, petu- lantly, " what an extraordinary choice of unsuitable epithets. Major Stemfield is certainly one of the handsomest and most elegant men I have ever met ; 16 ANTOINETTE DB MIRBCOURT. and, what is more to the point, he is a perfect gentle- man in manner and address. He expressed, in the most deferential terms, the earnest, anxious desire of himself, and many of his brother officers, to obtain an entrance into our Canadian sahns^* " Yes, to pick up any heiresses among us, and after turning the heads of all the rest of the ^rls, jilt them," grumbled Mr. D'Aulnay. " Ah, you are mistaken,'* rejoined his wife with ani- mation. " Myself and country-women will take good care that in all Cases they shall be the sufferers, not ourselves. Antoinette and I shall break dozens of their callous hearts, and thus avenge our country's wrongs." " Heaven preserve me from a woman's lo^c !" mut- tered the sorely-tried husband, hurriedly re-opening his book, and settling himself back in his chair. "There, there, invite them all, from General to Ensign, if you will, but leave me in peace." I *-• \ CHAPTER 11. Elated by her success, Mdme. D'Aulnay traversed, with tt light step, the long, narrow corridor, leading from the library, and turned off at the right into a pretty, airy bed-room, furnished with every possible attention to comfort. The apartment, however, at the moment in question, was in considerable confusion. Shawls and scarfs lay scattered on the chairs ; whilst a half-opened trunk, with innumerable band-boxes, lay heaped upon the floor. Standing before the tall Put/che, adding a last smoothing touch to her rich waves of hair, stood a young girl, with a slight, exquisitely-formed figure, and very lovely, expressive face* " Dressed already^ my charming cousin !** smilingly exclaimed Madame D'Aulnay. "You have dono much with very little ;" and she glanced significantly, if not contemptuously, at the dark gray dress, as sim« pie in its fashion as it was in material, which the young girl wore. " But, come, let me look at you well. I 18 ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. had only a glimpse of you, just now ;" and, suiting the action to the word, she drew her guest towards the window, first pushing entirely back the heavy damask curtains that hung before it. " Why, Antoinette, child, do you know that you have grown positively beautiful ? Such a complex- ion — " \ " Mercy, mercy, Lucille !" laughed the object of this eulogium, deprecatingly raising her pretty little hands before her face ; "just what Madame Gerard prophesied before I left home." "And, pray, what did that tiresome, punctilious, scrupulous old governess prophesy ? Come, tell me ;" and, placing her young companion in a cushionedyaw- teuil, she drew another towards her, and sank into its soft depths. " Well, first of all, she did all in her power, talked more in one week than I have heard her do in months, to induce papa to prevent my coming. She spoke of my youth and utter inexperience — the dangers and snares that might beset my steps, and then, dear Lucille, she spoke of you." " And what did she say of me ?" "Nothing very terrible. Simply that you were graceful, accomplished, and fascinating (His your turn t vri ANTOINETTE DB MIRECOURT. 19 to hide your blushes now), but that you were eminently unfit for the responsible oflRce of mentor to a girl of seventeen. Whilst you were ima^native, thoughtless and impulsive, I was giddy, childish and romantic ; so she argued that nothing good could come of commit- ting me six long months to your guidance." ** And what said Uncle De Mirecourt to all this V* " Not much at first, but I am tempted to think poor Madame Gerard said too much. You know papa always says he possesses a good share of the firmness — to use a mild term — constituting from time immemorial one of our family attributes ; and when Mrs. Gdrard became so urgent and earnest, he began to say just as decidedly that, as I was seventeen, it was time I should see something of society ; or, at least of town life, — that Madame D'Aulnay was his niece, and an amiable, kind-hearted woman, — with many other flat- tering speeches, of which I will spare you the recital. Still, the day was beginning to go .against us, for he thinks a great deal of Mrs. Gerard's judgment ; and he concluded by remarking that I might postpone my town visit to another winter, — when I, overwhelmed by this sudden disappointment of all my hopes and prospects, burst into tears. That decided the matter. Papa declared he had already half engaged his word ♦ I 20 ANTOINETTE DE lORECOURT. to me, and that unless I chose myself to free him from his promise, he most keep it. Then Mrs. Gdrard turned to me, and for two days her kindly-meant entreaties, and gentle counsels, made me the most miserahle little girl in the world. Indeed, I had finally made up my mind to yield to her wishes, when your last urgent, kind letter arrived. After its peru- sal, I embraced her tenderly, — for she has been, from my early childhood, a true and loving friend,— and implored her to forgive me this once for disobeying her. She said — but, no matter, here I am !" "And most welcome you are, you dear little Creature ! I declare, I would have had neither heart nor courage to enter on this season's campaign, with- out some such auxiliary as yourself. You are a wealthy heiress, high-born and handsome, and you will meet here the very 4Ute of those elegant English strangers." "English!" repeated Antoinette, with a slight start. " Oh, Lucille, papa hates the very name." " What of that, child ! If we do not have them, who are we to have ? Our darling French officers have left us for ever, together with the flower of our young noblesse. Any that remain of the latter are dispersed throughout the country joshes, burrowing \ AlTFOlMmB DB MIREOOORT. 21 'I in dismal seigniories or lonely old family mansions, and would prove at best but uncertain and occasional visitors. Surely, then, I am not to fill the drawing- rooms that have been crowded, night after night, with men like De Bourlamarque and his chivalric compan- ions, with such creatures as the occupants of the infe- rior government or other offices, which our English masters have judged too paltry to be worth destituting. But, tell me, are the two L^nard girls coming to town soon V* *'Yes; I received a few lines yesterday from Louise, mentioning they were both coming to spend a couple of months in Montreal with their aunt." <^ Tant mieux ! They are handsome, elegant-look- ing girls, and will be quite an addition to our circle* But, I must warn you in time that you must have a charming evening dress ready for next Thursday, the purchase and making of which, by the way, I must superintend myself. I intend that we shall celebrate la Sainte Catherine with all possible splendor. In the meantime, if you uhould feel lonesome, or find yourself at a loss for amusement, you have only to look from the window at any hour in the afternoon, and you can see the fine imposing figures of our intended guests, loun^g up and down our rough pavements." 22 ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. " Do you know any of them yet, Lucille ?" " I have made the acquaintance of only one ; but if he is anything like a fair specimen of the rest, I assure you we shall waste no more sighs on any of Do Levis' gallant followers. Major Stemfield, — that is the name of my new military acqudntance, — and (^par parentheae) he has placed the whole regiment at my disposal, guaranteeing that they shall make themselves equally useful and agreeable ; — Major Stemfield, then, is superbly handsome, polished and courteous in manner, in short a most accomplished man of the world. He got young Foucher to intro- duce him here ; and though I received him somewhat coldly at first, my reserve soon yielded to the defe- rential homage of his address, and the delicate flattery of his manner. By way of climax to his many per- fections, the dear creature speaks French charmingly. He told me he had spent two years in Paris. In taking leave, he asked permission to return soon with a couple of brother officers, who specially desired an introduction." " And what says cousin D'Aulnay to all this ?*' " Why, like a true philosopher, and a good, sen- sible husband as he is, he grumbles, but — submits. And 'tis better for us both he does so, for though ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. scarcely a shadow of real sympathy exists between ua (he is muf^cr-of-fact, practical, and intensely literaryi whilst I am rotflnntic, enthusiastic in temperament, and cannot endure the sight of a book, unless it be a novel, or vv^l'ime of sentimental poetry), we are still, in spite of such startling dissimilarity of tastes and character, happy, and mutually attached to each other." " Were you very much in love, then, with cousin D'Aulnay, when you married him ?" questioned An- toinette, hesitatingly, for she felt she was treading on what had hitherto been almost forbidden ground to her young imagination. " Oh dear, no ! My parents, though kind and indul- gent in other respects, showed me no consideration in this. They simply told me Mr. D*Aulnay was the husband they had chosen for me, and that I was to be married to him in five weeks. I cried for the first week almost without intermission. Then, mamma having pronnsed me I should select my own trousseau, and that it should be as rich and costly as I could desu*e, a different turn was given to my feelings, and I became so very busy with milliners and shopping, that I had not time for another thought of regret, till my wedding day arrived. Well, I was happy in my 24 ANTOINETTE DE MIBEOOUBT* lot, for Mr. WA alnay has ever been both indulgent and generous ; but, my darling child, the experiment was fearfully hazardouSy^^-one which might have re« suited in lifelong misery to both parties. Kemember, Antoinette," continued the speaker, with a pretty little air of sentiment, '^ that the only sure basis for a happy marriage, is mutual love, and community of soul and feeling." Apparently, mutual esteem, moral worth, and pru- dence in point of suitable choice, counted for nothing with Madame D'Aulnay. Well might the trustworthy governess have raised her voice against en*- rsting to such a mentor, Antoi- nette De Mirecouiw, with her childish inexperience, rich, poetic imagination, and warm, impulsive heart. CHAPTER III. Having introduced our heroine to the reader, we will devote a few pages to her parentage and prece- dents. Twenty years previous to the opening of our tale, on a golden October day, general rejoicing and gaiety reigned throughout the scigneurie and Manor-House of Valmont, in which Antoinette first saw the light, a«nd which had belonged to her family from the early date at which the fief had been conceded to the gal- lant Rodolphe De Mirecourt. This beau gentilhomme, who had landed in Canada possesamg little else than a keen bright sword and a pair of shining spurs, soon found himself installed, in return for some services rendered the French crown, lord and owner of the rich and fertile demesne of Valmont, which had de- scended since in direct line to its present owner, Arthur De Mirecourt. Arrived at the age of manhood, the latter yielded to a natural desire to see that gay «unny land of France, that polished brilliant Paris of 26 ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOtJRT. i I I which he had heard such marvels recounted. But thougfi the splendor of the latter at first dazzled, and its countless attractions fascinated him, the young man soon began to weary of its glittering dissipation, and to long for the simple pleasures, the quiet life of his own land. Despite then the entreaties, the indignant rep- resentations of his gay yoimg Parisian friends ; despite the reproachful glances of the dark eyed graceful dames who used to shed such pitying glances on him when allusion was made to the land of " snow and sa- vages," — he returned to his native country, fonder and more devoted to it than when he had left its shores. His sojourn iii the brilliant French capital, had in no degree changed the simple healthful tastes of his boy- hood, and never had he entered into the varied amuse- ments of a Parisian /(^king 1 28 ANTOINETTE DE MiRECOtJRT. calmness amounting to indiflference ; and on the morn- ing of his return, when he turned towards her, after tenderly folding his mother in his arms, and drew her towards him in a brother's frank friendly embrace, she evinced no more emotion or joy than if they had only parted the day previous. Happening to touch upon the circumstance, in one of the pleasant confidential conversations which his mother declared amply repaid her for the loneliness she had experienced during his absence, Madame De Mirecourt found a dozen excuses for the delinquent. Poor Corinne was so sickly — sub- ject to such frequent headaches — such great depression of spirits, — which benevolent pleas meanwhile did not prevent the young man from setting down the object of them as a cold unamiable egotist. It might have been expected that Mrs. De Mxre- court, having but recently recovered her son as it were, would have been in no hurry to share the large place she held in his heart with any rival, and yet such was really the case. No sooner was he fsdrly installed at home than a restless desire to see him settled in life, — married, took possession of her. Acting on this ma- ternal wish, a hint was given here and there to lady friends, and Arthur was soon besieged by invitations in every quarter, certain of meeting, wherever he AXTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. 29 •e- I u IB went, fair young faces which would have looked to singular advantage in the low dark rooms of the old Manor-House. Arrived at the age of twenty-eight, rejoicing in a heart and fancy entirely free, young De Mirecourt hy no means sought to keep aloof from these social meetings ; and before long, he began to acknowl- edge secretly to himself, that he returned in some slight degree, the evident partiality that a certtiin graceful young heiress, possessed of radiant health and spirits, bestowed upon him. Matters not advancing however with that rapidity which Mrs. De Mirecourt desired, that wily lady determined on inviting the young girl she had privately selected as a future daughter-in- law, together with a few other young people, on a fortnight's visit. The visit was now drawing to a close, and nothing tangible had come of it. Arthur had indeed talked, danced and laughed a great deal with Mademoiselle De Niverville, who, in rea^ y, was as good as she was charming, but that •^as all. No honeyed word, no tender love-vow had fallen from his lips ; and she was now a-bout returning home, and both parties were as free as if they had never met. Still the young man sincerely admired her, indeed he could scarcely do otherwise ; and more than once, as the sweet gaiety, the winning kindness of her disposition, showed 80 ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. itself in such striking contrast to the apathetic indiffer- ence of Corinne, who seemed to grow colder and more reserved every day, he could not help wishing for his mother's sake, whose life-long companion the young girl, if she continued single, was destined to be, that she more nearly resembled the fair young heiress of De Niverville. Meanwhile, Mrs. De Mirecourt, anxious and uneasy about the success of her matrimonial plans, bethought herself of seeking the co-operation of Corinne, and asking her to urge the dilatory Arthur to come to an understanding with Miss De Niverville before she left Valmont. Mrs. De Mirecourt would willingly have done this herself ; but the two or three attempts she had made in that direction had been so firmly though laughingly parried by her son, +^;at she deemed it unavailing. Corinne accepted, though perhaps some- what reluctantly, the delicate mission confided to her, and sought one morning the breakfast room, in which Arthur, always an early riser, was reading alone. Very patiently he heard her, for her manner possessed more sisterly kindness than it usually betrayed ; and she earnestly enlarged on Louise's merits and many good qualities — the hopes and expectations which she and her friends had probably founded on the ...tvcn- ANTOINETTE DB MIRECOURT. 31 tions ho had lately paid her, and on the happiness he would confer on his devoted mother by fulfilling the wish nearest her heart. The quiet yet persuasive eloquence with which Corinne spoke, surprised whilst it half convinced her auditor. He made no answer, however, beyond smil- ingly replying that he had ample" time yet, that the party were all going out sleighing that very afternoon ; and as he intended driving the fair Miss De Niverville himself, he had a. splendid opportunity for satisfying public expectation generally. Seeing that Corinne still looked very earnest, he took her hand, and added more gravely : " Laughing or jesting will not prevent me, my kind little sister, from seriously reflecting, and perhaps acting on your recent kindly-intended counsels. The drive this afternoon will certainly afford a most favor- able chance, if I can only make up my mind to avail myself of it. Of course you will join us ?" " I fear I cannot. I have a letter to write, and it is better for me to get rid of the task during the day, so that I may be free to join you all in the drawing- room on this, the last night that our guests will be with us. For this morning I have more work laid out than I can possibly accomplish." 82 ANTOINETTE DE MIRBCOURT. What charming weather it was for a drive ! How smooth were the dazzhng white roads, how glorious the sunshine ! Even Madame De Mirecourt had been induced to join the party, and buried under bear-skin robes, in her own comfortable roomy cariole, looked as cheerful as the light-hearted Louise herself. Corinne, true to her previous determination, re- mained behind ; and as she stood at the window waving them a friendly farewell, looking so pretty with that quiet smile on her delicate colorless features, and the sun-light gilding her rich silky hair, De Mirecourt again thought what a pity it was that so little feeling or warmth of character lurked beneath that fair exte- rior. But these thoughts were soon forgotten in the excitement of starting, and in the pleasurable duty of attending to his fair companion, and gathering the sleigh robes carefully around her. But, behold, after they had driven a short distance, the pretty Louise took it into her graceful head to imagine that she felt cold, and commenced bemoaning the want of a certain dark grey shawl, whose thick warm texture was a certain protection against the coldest of wintry blasts. Of course, a gallant cavalier like De Mirecourt instantly proposed returning to the house for it, and the sleigh was soon drawn up again at the starting point. ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. 33 ••>. o g-room. " I will hold the reins, Mr. De Mirecourt you run in for it. I left it in the little sit * Pray do not be angry with me for being so forgetful and troublesome ?" The young man replied to the charming speaker with a dangerously tender smile, and then entered the house. Lightly and rapidly he ran up the staircase, into the apartment indicated. There, on the end of the sofa, he perceived the object of which he had come in quest ; but as he hastily caught it up, the sound of a low though passionate sob fell on his ear. Surprised and startled, he glanced around. The sound again repeated, came from an inner chamber opening oflf the sitting room, and which a couple of book-cases had invested with the dignified title of library. Wlio could it be ? What did it mean ? Suddenly, through the half open door, his eye fell on a mirror suspended opposite him, on the wall of the library ; and clearly reflected in that mirror, was the figure of Corinne Delorme seated on a low stool, apparently in the utter abandonment of grief, her face bowed over some object which she held tightly clasped in her slender fingers, and on which she was showering im- passioned kisses. That object was his own miniature, a gift which he had brought his mother from France. . 84 ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. All was made clear to him now. The coolness, the indifference, was all feigned — an icj veil assumed to hide the devoted love that had grown with the young girl's growth, and become an engrossing sentiment of her life, a sentiment, however, which maiden pride and modesty had taught her so effectually to conceal. Yes, loving him as she did, she had found courage enough to plead the cause of another — to dismiss him with smiles when she supposed him on the point of offering the prize of his love to a rival. Very quietly, very softly, De Mirecourt retroated, and when he rejoined Miss De Niverville, his fac*^ was much paler and graver than was its wont. During the drive, notwithstanding his utmost efforts, he was unusually pre-occupied, and had to bear, in conse- quence, a considerable amount of railh ry from his fair companion ; but whatever course the conversation took, no profession or vow of love escaped his lips. Arrived at home, he soon mad6 Jiis escape from the lively group that gathered around the large double stove, and it was not till a couple of hours after that he rejoined them. The first person he met on entering the drawing room was Corinne ; and with a quiet smile on her pale still face, she " hoped he had enjoyed his drive." ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. 85 le " Tolerably ; but shall I tell you, sister mine, whe- ther I followed out your counsels or not ?" Brave young heart ! Not the quivering of a fea- ture, not the twitching of an eyelash, betrayed the terrible an^juish that rei'i'ncd within ! Softly, distinctly, the answer came : " Yes ; tell mo that you have fulfilled the wishes of the best of mothers-^f all your friends." He looked earnestly, soarchingly, in her face. " Will yon congratulate me, Corinne, if I have done so, and if my suit has prospered ?*' A crimson flush, fading as rapidly as it rose, over- spread her face, and turning away, she rejoined in a quiet, almost cold tone : " Why should I not ? Your choice is one against wliich no objection could possibly be raised." Without openly avoiding him, Corinne contrived that, during the course of the evening, she and Do Mirecourt should not find themselves again in prox- imity. He could read aright now, however, that apparent indifference and egotism which he had till lately so greatly misjudged and so strongly con- demned. The following day, Louise De Niverville left Val- mont, and her tardy suitor had not spoken. With Do ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOU^T. « Mirccourt's delicate sense of honor, his chivalrous generosity of character, it seemed to him that he was no longer free, that he belonged of right to her who had lavished on him unsought the hidden wealth of her secret love. After a week's quiet reflection, during which he found his fancy for Miss Do Niver- ville had taken no root whatever in his heart, — a week during which Corinne had endeavored unceasingly to avoid him, struggling all the while as only a woman can struggle against that aflfection which was daily gaining in intensity and depth, — he sought her side one snowy winter evening, as she stood at the sitting room window, silently watching the white flakes falling outside, and, without many vows or protestations, asked her to he his wife. She turned fearfully pale, arid after a moment's silence whispered, " was she, a poor dependant, the bride his mother would choose, his friends approve of?" " That is not what I ask you, dear Corinne. I do not marry to please either friends or mother ; and besides, the latter loves me too well to find fault with choice of mine. Tell me, simply, do you love me well enough to become my wife ?" Slowly, hesitatingly, as if the secret, so long and so jealously kept, could scarcely be yielded up, came the ANTOINETTE DE MIBECOURT. 87 little monosyllable — yes ; and a few weeks later, they were married, quietly and without pomp, in the little village church, — Mrs. Do Mirecourt, the first disagree- able sensation of the surprise over, easily sacrificing her own private wishes to those of her idolized son. Once married, the indifference and coldness of Corinne's character vanished like snow before April sunshine, and never was wife more loving and more devoted. De Mirecourt nc\cr told her that he had surprised her secret, never told her that she owed aa much to pity as to love ; and soon his generosity met its reward, for an affection as ardent as that which his young wife had so long secretly cherished for him, sprang up in his heart towards herself. Alas ! that union, blessed and trusting as theirs, was doomed to be BO soon severed ! Two years of domestic happiness, unclouded by look or word of estrangement, during which period Antoinette was bom, was accorded them, and then the young wife, always delicate and fragile, began to droop. No affection, no care could save her ; and before many months had elapsed, she was taken from Do Mirecourt's loving arms, and laid in her last earthly home. Ere the first anniversary of her death had arrived, Madame De Mirecourt had jomed her, leav* i I it i! 88 ANTOINETSE DE MIRECOURT. ing the Manor-House as gloomy and silent as a tomb. The appointed time of mourning over, friends began to hint to the young widower that his home required a mistress, that he was too young to devote himself to a life-long sorrow. Mr. De Mirecourt, however, remained deaf to all such friendly suggestions ; and after procuring in the person of the estima-ble Madame Gdrard, a suitable governess for his infant daughter, he subsided into the quiet country life he had led ever since. Fortunate beyond measure was the little Antoinette in having found so kind and prudent a guide to replace the mother she had so early lost ; and notwith- standing the excessive indulgence of her father, and th*^ ^'mpulsive thoughtlessness of her own disposition, she had grown up an amiable and winning, though not vhoUy faultless character. CHAPTER ir. It was St. Catherine's Eve, that day always marked in French Canadian honfes, whether in the habitanfs cottage or the seigneur^ 8 mansion, by innocent mirth and festivity, and which answers so nearly to our Hallow-E'en. On the iiight in question, Madame D'Aulnay's abode was blazing with waxen tapers and resounding to the strains oi lively cotillion and contre-danse ; whilst her handsome rooms, filled with glittering uni- forms, and gauzy, perfumed dresses, presented a bril- liant and enlivening scene. Leaning gracefully beside the mantle-piece of the grate, the bright reflection of whose clear fire cast a most becoming glow on her really fine features, stood the elegant hostess herself, engaged in conversation with a tall, fine-looking man, whose clear bright color and dark blue eye betrayed his AngloSaxon descent. The lady had brought the whole artillery of her charm» to bear on her corapanion, speaking glances, 40 ANTOINETftE DE MIRECOURT. ' ^ \\ bewitching smiles, and sweetly modulated tones ; but though he was courteous and attentive, she felt she had made little or no impression ; and to the courted and fascinating Madame D'Aulnay this was indeed a mortifying novelty. Meantime, whilst she was thus vainly lavishing her powers of attraction on her unimpressionable guest, her cousin, Mss de Mirecourt, was succeedmg much better with her partner of the hour. The latter was Major Stemfield, " the irresistible," as he had already been styled by some of the fairer portion of the company ; and certainly as far as outward qualifications went, he almost seemed to deserve the exaggerated title. A tall and splendidly-proportioned* figure — eyes, hair and features of faultless beauty, joined to rare powers of conversation, and a voice whose tones he could modulate to the richest music, wiere rare gifts to be all united in one happy mortal. So thought many an envious man and admiring woman; and so thought Audley Sternfield himself. A fitting partner for this Apollo was the bright- eyed, graceful Antomette De Mirecourt, whose 'rare personal charms were doubly enhanced by the witch- ing naivStS^ and shy vivacity of manner which many found more fascinating than even her beauty itself. AKTOINETTE DE laRBOOnRTr 41 3; but lit she ourted ieed a ng her >st, her , better Major y been ipany; ent, he 1 e. A hair l^owera could be all J an ought right- rare ritch- Major Stemfield was bending over her, apparently heedless of every thing but herself, and certainly leaving her no cause to complain of the devotion of her partner; when, skilfully enough for such a novice, changing the tone of the conversation from the shade of sentiment to which Sternfield, even in that early stage of their intercourse sought to bring it, she ex- claimed : " Pray tell me the names of some of your brother officers ? They are all strangers to me." " Willingly," he smilingly]rejomed, " and their char«- acters too. It will be but a proper preliminary step to their introduction to yourself; for they have all vowed, with but one exception, that they will not leave this evening till they have obtained, or attempted to obtain, an introduction to you. " To begin then. That dark, quiet-looking man on your right is Captain Assheton^ a very amiable and very harmless sort of person. The good-humored, ruddy personage beside hka is Doctor Manby, surgeon of ours, who would amputate a limb as smilingly and cheerfully at he would light a oigal^i That very pretty, very exqUisitely-dressed young gentlemwi^ dancing o^^posite us, is ihe HoUv Percy Delaval ; but, as I have promised to int!roduoe bim to yoiurself, pro^ V. 42 ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. vided you will permit it, when this dance is over, and he will probably claim your hand for the next, you will have an immediate opportunity of knowing and judging for yourself. " But who is that stately-looking, gentleman talk- ing with Mrs. D'Aulnay ?'* and Antoinette glanced towards the mantle-piece where the hostess still stood, conversing with her impassible companion. "That is Colonel Evelyi):'* and as Sternfield pronounced the name, an expression of mingled dislike and impa- tience flashed across his face. It was instantly re- pressed however ; and in a lower tone he rejoined : " In the first place, ho is the one exception I hinted at just row, who did not pledge himself to become acquainted with you this evening, if possible. Is not that enough ; or, do you still wish to know more of him ?" " Decidedly. He interests me now more than ever. )> " A true woman's perverse answer," inwf»,rdly thought Sternfield : but with a low bow, he replied : " Well, your wishes must be obeyed. In a few words then, confidential of course, I will tell you what Colonel Evelyn is. He is one who believes neither in God, nor man, nor yet in woman." • \\,> ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. 48 ** You almost frighten me ! Is he an infidel ?" " Not perhaps in open theory, but in practice he certainly is. Bom and brought up a Catholic, he has never, in the memory of the oldest member of the regiment, entered church or chapel. Cold and distant in manner, he is on terms of friendly intimacy with no man ; but worst and greatest crime of all," and here the chivalrous speaker deprecatingly smiled, " he is a professed, incorrigible woman-hater. Some disappointment in a love affair, early in life, the parti- culars of which none of us have ever heard, has embit- tered his character to such a degree that he oi)enly declares his contemptuous hatred for all of Eve's daughters, vowing they are all equally false and deceitful. Pray, forgive me. Miss De Mirecourt, for uttering such shocking sentiments in your presence, even whilst condemning them heart and soul ; buc you commanded me to speak, and I had no alternative .)ut to obey. But here comes Mr. Delaval to solici. an introduction." The usual formula was gone through, Antoine's hand asked by the new-comer for the ensuing d.i ue, and then Stemfield turned away, first whispciin ^ in the young girl's ear : " I yield my place with such regret, that I , lall Boon venture ^on claiming it again." 44 ANTOINETTE DB HIHECOtlRT. If Major Sternfield had chosen his successor with the intention that he should act as a foil to himself, he could not have succeeded better in his choice. The Honorable Percy Delaval was a golden-haired, pink-cheeked, delicate-featured youth of twenty-one summers. Lately come inco a considerable fortune — belongmg to an old and wealthy family in England, and possessing, as before hinted, considerable personal attractions. Lieutenant Delaval was as thoroughly infa- tuated with hii)aself as ever lover was with mistress. To his natural gifts he had added some acquired ones, such as a lisping, drawlmg form of speech, a lounging mode of standing or reclining (he rarely sat, in the proper acceptation of the term), and a peculiar mode of languidly half closing his large blue eyes, or occasion- ally calling up into them an abstracted vacancy of gaze and expression, — all of which numerous and varied attractions, rendered him, at least in Ms own estima- tion, more irresistible than the handsome Sternfield himself. Such was the young gentleman, who, after a protracted silence, during which his eyes had listlessly wandered round the room, apparently unconscious of the e^stence of his partner, at length turned towards her, and half patronizingly, half langmdly, enquired " if she Were fond of dancing?^* '^ ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. 45 " That depends entirely on the species of partner I chance to have,'* replied Antoinette, with as much truth as spirit. The infatuated Percy, however, saw only in this plain speech, an implied compliment to himself ; and after another five minutes' imposing silence and abstraction, he resumed — " They say it is intolerably cold here in the winter I" To this proposition there was no reply beyond a slight inclination of his companion's head. " What do the men wear to protect themselves from the Siberian rigor of the climate ?" " Bear skin coats," was the laconic reply. " And the women — ^haw — I beg pardon, the ladies — the fair sex, I should have said ?" " Blankets and moccasins," rejoined Antoinette, slightly tossing her pretty little head, for she felt her patience rapidly fflving way. The Honorable Percy stared. Was it really the case ; or could this " obscure little Colonial girl," as he inwardly characterized her, be quizzing him ? Oh, the latter supposition was improbable — totally out of the question. It must be that in some of the country parts, the women still wore the singular sos- 46 ANTOINETTE DB MIRECOURT. tume just mentioned, a reminiscence probably of the peculiar customs of their Indian predecessors.* Returning to the charge, he resumed with more impertinent nonchalance of tone and manner than before : " They say that for eight months the ground is covered to the depth of four feet with snow and ice, and that everything freezes. How do the unfortunate inhabitants contrive to support nature during that time V Antoinette's first feeling of irritation was fast giving place to one of amusement, and she smil- ingly rejoined : " Oh, if provisions are very scarce, they eat each other." Heavens and earth ! It was then possible, nay, act- ually true. She was quizzing him ! His very breath- ing seemed suspended by the discovery, and for a con- siderable time, indignant amazement kept him silent. But, he must condignly punish, annihilate his auda- cious partner ; and calling up as contemptuous a sneer • The reader will please remember that this was nearly a century ago, when such a thing was possible, though not probable. ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. 47 as his pretty, effeminate features would permit him to assume, he rejoined : " Well jes, Canada is as yet so utterly out of the pale of civilization, that I am not surprised at your tolerating any custom, however barbarous." " True,** serenely replied Antoinette ; " we can tolerate everything here but fops and fools." This last sally was too much for Lieutenant Delaval, and he had not recovered from the effects of the shock it had given him, when Major Sternfield hurried up to again claim Miss De Mirecourt' s hand for another dance. Antoinette carelessly placed her arm within that of the new-comer, and turned away, totally unconscious that Colonel Evelyn, who had been examining some prints at a table behind them, having succeeded in making his escape from his hostess, was an amused auditor of the whole of the preceding singular dia- logue. " Well, what think you. Miss De Mirecourt, of the Honorable Mr. Delaval ?" smilingly enquired her present partner. " If you remember, we decided that you should form your judgment of him unbiassed by any previous opinion of mine." " I request of you, Major Sternfield," was the 48 ANTOINBTT^ PE MIBEOOUBT. petulant reply, '^ to introduce me in future to no more foolish boys. They make tiresome partners." Stemfield*s eyes sparkled with suppressed mirth ; and that evening the mess room rang with jokes and laughter which made the Honorable Percy Delaval's ears tingle with mingled wrath and desire of revenge. ^c^^^S!***^^ < 1 CHAPTER V, And now will our readers forgive us if at the risk of being thought tedious, or, of repeating facts with which they may be as well acquainted as ourselves, we cast a cursory glance over that period of Canadian history which embraces Uie first few years that followed the capitulation of Montreal to the combined forces of Murray, Amherst, and Haviland — a period on which neither victors nor vanquished can dwell with much pleasure. Despite the terms of the capitulation, which had expressly guaranteed to Canadians the same rights as those accorded to British subjefcts, the former, who had confidently counted on the peaceful protection of a legal government, were doomed instead to see their tribunals abolished, their judges ignored, and their entire social system overthrown, to make way for that most insupportable of all tyrannies, martial law. 60 ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. \v\ It is true the new government may have thought these severe measures necessary, for it is well known that the Canadians, for three long years after King George's standard floated above their heads, still per- sisted in believing and hoping that France had not abandoned them, and that she would yet make a final and successful effort to regain the province when the cessation of hostilities should have been proclaimed. This last hope, however, like many others that the colonists had fixed on the mother country, was doomed to disappointment ; and by the treaty of 1763 the des- tinies of Canada were irrevocably united to those of Great Britain. This circumstance determined a second and more extensive emigration of the better classes of the towns and cities to France, in which country they were received with marks of special favor, and honorable places found for many of them in the government offices, in the navy and the army. Never perhaps was government more isolated from a people than was the new administration. The Canar dians, as ignorant of the language of their conquerors as these latter were of their own cherished Gallic tongue, indignantly turned from the spurred and armed judges appointed to preside among them, and referred the arrangement of their differences to their parish clergy or some of theit local notables. ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. SI Tho installation of tho En^i^lish troops in Canada had been followed by the arrival of a host of stranf^ers, among whom unf«»rtanately were many needy adven- turers, who sought to build themselves positions on the ruined fortunes of the vanquished people. Of these, General Murray, a stern but strictly honorable man, who had replaced Lord Amherst as Governor General, remarks : " When it had been decided to reconstitute civil government here, we were obliged to choose magistrates and select jury-men out of a community composed of some four or five hundred merchants, mechanics, and farmers, unsuitable and contemptible on account of their ignorance. It is not to be expected that such persons can resist the intoxication of power thus unexpectedly placed in their hands, or refrain from showing how skilful they are (in their peculiar way) in exercising it. They hate the Canadian no- blesse on account of their birth and their other titles to public respect ; and they detest other colonists, because the latter have contrived to elude the illegal oppression to which it was intended to subject them.'' The chief-justice Gregory, drawn from the depths of a prison to preside on the bench, was entirely igno- rant not only of the French language but also of the simplest elements of civil law ; while the attorney-gen- II Si 52 ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOUKT. ^ral was not much better qualified for the high charge he held. The power of nominating to the situations of provincial secretary, of council recorder, of registrar, was given to favorites, who rented them to the highest bidder. It is true the governor was soon compelled to sus- pend the chief-justice, and to send him back to Eng- land ; but this, and one or two other conciliatory meas- ures failed to counteract the painful impression which had been made on the minds of the conquered people, that such a thing as justice no longer existed for them. The dismemberment of their territory was a point that grieved them almost as much as the abolition of their laws. The islands of Anticosti and Magdalen, as well as the greater part of Labrador, were annexed to the government of Newfoundland ; the islands of St. John and Cape Breton were joined to Nova Scotia; the lands lying around the great kkes, to the neighboring colonies ; and finally New Brunswick was detached, and endowed with a separate government and the name it bears to-day. Royal instructions were received to compel the clergy and the people to take an oath of fidelity under penalty of being obliged to leave the country, as also to deny the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of Rome, which ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. 53 every Catholic is bound in conscience to acknowledge and submit to. They were also summoned to yield up all their weapons and defensive arms, or swear that they had none concealed. These latter orders, which were equally severe and unjust, the government hesi- tated about enforcing. A spirit of restless dissatis- faction, of open murmuring and complaints began to take possession of the people, hitherto so submissive to their new rulers. These latter felt it waa necessary to relax the severity of their measures ; and when at a later period, the American colonies broke out into the revolt which ended in the establishment of their inde- pendence, Great Britain, either through policy or justice, finally accorded to Canadians the peaceful enjoyment of their institutions and their laws« • CHAPTER VI. Madame d'Aulnay and her young cousin were now fairly launched into that life of fashionable gaiety in which they were so well fitted to shine, and an entrSe to madame's pleasant %alon8 was sought as a singular favor and advantage. Of course the lady's new mil- itary acquaintances were assiduous in their visits. Among the latter, Colonel Evelyn occasionally came, but farther intimacy made no change in his grave, quiet demeanor, nor did it soften, in any degree, his remarkable reserve. He never danced, and scarcely ever addressed a word to Antoinette or any of her pretty young rivals. Though refined and courteous in manner, he never paid a compliment — never uttered any of those commonplace gallantries which pass current in society as successfully as remarks on the weather. Surely Major Sternfield was right ; and this man, so reserved, so inaccessible, had little faith or trust in woman. ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. 55 Ample amends however did Audley Sternfield make for his Coloners indifference, and few days passed without his presenting himself, mider one pretext or another, in Mrs. D'Aulnay's drawing room. A pro- ject deferentially proposed by himself, and acceded to by both ladies after some pressing on his part, farther increased their intimacy. This was his becoming their preceptor in the English tongue. With the latter lan- guage Mrs. D'Aulnay was but slightly acquainted ; but Antoinette, however deficient in point of pronun- ciation, possessed a very accurate knowledge of its grammatical construction, thanks to the lessons of her governess, who, though experiencing, like 'most foreigners, great difficulty in the pronunciation, read and wrote it with perfect accuracy. , What dangerous means of attraction were thus fur- nished Major Sternfield in his new capacity. To sit daily for hours with his fair pupils at the same table, reading aloud some impassioned poem, — some graceful tale of fiction, whilst they listened in silent enjoyment to the rich intonations of a remarkably musical voice ; or watched the expressive play of his regular, fault- less features. Then when he arrived at some passage of peculiar beauty or fervent sentiment, how eloquent the rapid glance he would steal towards Antoinette — 'M ! i 66 ANTOINETTE DE MIRBCOtmT. I I i how ardent, how devoted the expression of his dark speaking eyes. Was it to be wondered at that the young and inexpe- rienced girl, thus exposed to such powerful and novel temptations, learned lessons in another lore than that of languages ; and that after those long and pleasant hours of instruction, she often sat wrapped in silent reverie, with flushed cheek and downcast g>ze that plainly told something more interesting than English verbs and pronouns occupied her thoughts. It was the first really good sleighing of the season ^ for the few slight falls of snow that had hitherto her- alded winter's approach, descending on the muddy roads and side-walks, had lost at once their whiteness and purity, and becoming incorporated with the liquid mud, formed that detestable> combination with which we Canadians are so familiar in the spring and faU, and which we recognize by the name of " slush." A hard frost, however, succeeded by a sufficiently abun- dant fall of snow, had filled with rejoicmg all the ama- teurs of sleighing ; whilst a clear blue sky overheady and brilliant sunshine, flooding the earth with light i£ not warmth, left nothing to be desired. Before Mrs. D'Auhiay's door was a feiy, exquisitely- fimshod dieigh, whilst a pair of gloBsy black ponies of ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. 57 is of the pure Canadian breed, stood tossing their gayly- tasseled heads, and ringing out musical peals from the host of little silver bells adorning their harness. 'Tis unnecessary to say that this fairy-like equipage was waiting for Mrs. D'Aulnay and her cousin, who were both in the former's dressing-room, adding the finishing touches to their elegant and becoming winter toilettes. On a chair, lay a pair of lady's riding-gauntlets, which the fair lady of the mansion took up, exclaiming : " You may safely trust yourself to my driving, An- toinette, for I am a practised hand. My ponies too, though pretty, spirited-looking creatures, are very gentle, and admirably broken in." From this speech it will be seen that Mrs. D'Aul- nay, amongst her other accomplishments, possessed that of driving two in hand ; and though few ladies of the time either sought or admired this gift, Madame D'Aulnay was a leader of fashion, and did as she pleased. " Do you know, petite cousine,''^ she remarked, glancing complacently in the mirror, " those dark furs of ours are very becoming ! They harmonize well with even my sallow complexion, whilst they become your glowmg carmine cheeks divinely. But what have we here, Jeanne ?" and she turned towards a E 68 ANTOINETTE DE MIRBCOURT. ( ■ I middle-aged woman who entered with a couple of letters in her hand. " For Mademoiselle Antoinette, madame "; and the new-comer placed the epistles in the young ^I's eagerly out-stretched hand. Jeanne was a somewhat privileged person in the household, for she had lived with Mrs. D*Aulnay in the capacity of lady's-maid before the latter's mar- riage, and had followed her to her new home, probably never to separate from her ; for she was fondly attached to her mistress, and frequently favored her with proofs of her devotion in the shape of remonstrances and reproachful counsels, which the petted and capricious Madame D'Aubay wpuld have borne from no one else. Antoinette hastily opened her letters, both of which were very long and closely written; and as Mrs. D'Aulnay's glance fell on the well-filled pages, she somewhat impatiently exclaimed, " Surely, dear child, you do not intend waiting to read those folios through now ! There, there, put them away : they will keep till our return." " Not so, dear Lucille. They are from papa, and poor Mrs. Gdrard, both of whom have been but very little 'n my thoughts for the last couple of weeks ; so, l! . ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. 59 by way of penance, I intend remaining at home, and reading the letters over till I have them by heart." " What nonsense !" exclaimed her hostess. " Do you really mean to lose this beautiful afternoon, and the first good sleighing of the season ? Surely you will not be so absurd !" " It must be, dear friend, for this once ; so forgive » me. " Ah !" rejoined Mrs. D'Aulnay, half pettishly, half playfully, " I see you possess a considerable share of the family firmness, or, to give it its true name, obstinacy ; but I must make up my mind to exhibit myself in Notre Dame street alone this after- noon. Well, adieu !" and with a light step she descended the stairs. 1 CHAPTER VII. Antoinette, after Mrs. D'Aulnay's departure, has- tily divested herself of her out-door clothing, and then entered on the perusal of her letters. The first, which was from her father, was kind and affectionate ; spoke of the void her absence made in the house- hold ; told her to enjoy herself to her heart's utmost desire ; and ended by warning her to watch well over her affections, and bestow them on none of the gay strangers who nught visit at her cousin!s house, for assuredly he would never under any circumstances countenance any of them as her suitors. A burning blush suffused the girl's cheek as she read this last sentence ; and she hastily laid down her father's letter, and took up the other, as if to banish the pecuUar thoughts thus suddenly evoked. But the second epistle was still more unfortunate in the reflections it gave rise to ; and as Antoinette read on, the glow on her cheek deepened to a feverish crimson, and the large bright tears gathered in her eyes, and fell one by one on the paper. ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. 61 No harsh reproaches, no severe denunciations, had found place in Mrs. Gdrard's letter ; but with gentle firmness she spoke of duties to be fulfilled, of errors to be avoided, and then implored her pupil to ques- tion her own heart narrowly, and find in what and how far she had been unfaithful since she had entered on the gay life she was now leading. For the first time since her rirrival beneath Mrs. D'Aulnay's roof, Antoinette entered on that trying task of self- examination ; and at its close, she stood before the tribunal of her own heart, self-condemned. Was she really the same innocent, guileless little country girl, whose thoughts and pleasures a few weeks previous had been as simple as those of a child ? — she, whose long conversations with Mrs. D'Aulnay ever turned on dress, fashion, or silly sentiment ; who lived in a round of glittering gaiety, that gave no "time for serious reflection or self-examination ? What amusements had replaced her former quiet country walks and useful course of reading — her religious and charitable duties ? Aye ! blush on, Antoinette ! for the answer is one both condemning and humiliating ; — the perusal of silly novels and exaggerated love- poems ; the conversation of frivolous men of the world, whose whispered flatteries and lover-like pro- ANTOINETTE DE BOREOOURT. i I testations had become so familiar to her ear that they had almost ceased to make her blush ; and idle day- dreams, planning equally idle pleasures for the future. Whilst che remorse evoked by these thoughts was busy at her heart, Jeanne entered to say that Major Stemfield wished to see her. " Impossible V- sharply replied Antoinette, for the foscinatmg Audley had much to answer for in her present severe self-retrospect. " But, Mademoiselle," expostulated Jeanne, en- deavoring to explain that the gentleman, certain of admittance, had unceremoniously followed her into the hall, and n^w stood outside the threshold of the adjoining apartment, which was one of the drawing- rooms, awaiting her appearance. " I tell you, 'tis impossible, Jeanne," was the quick impatient reply : ^' I have a headache, and can see no one. » The clear ringing tones of the speaker certainly indicated nothing like severe suffering, and consider- ably disconcerted, the viator retraced his steps. At the hall-door he paused, and, suddenly turning to the dark-eyed soubrette who stepped forward to open it for him, expressed his earnest hope that " Mademoi- selle De Mirecourt was not very ill." \t ANtOINfiTTE DE MIRECOUBT. 68 " Well, no sir," hesitatmgly replied Justine, touched alike by the dark appealing eyes and perfectly spoken French of the handsome interrogator. " Mademoi- selle received some letters from home a short time since ; and they may have contained some unpleasant news, for, on passing the half-open door, I could see that she was crying." The gallant Stemfield bowed his thanks, and passed into the street. " Letters from home and crying over them !" he murmured to himself. " I must find out from Madame D'Aulnay, to-morrow, what it all means. My little country beauty is too great a prize to be let carelessly slip through my fingers." A half-hour afterwards, Mrs. D'Aulnay in the highest spirits returned home. Not finding ^jitoinette in the dressmg-room, where she had left her, she hur- ried up to the latter's apartment, meeting Jeanne on the way, who informed iter that Major' Stemfield had called during her absence and had been refused admittance. " Why, what new phase of my little cousin's mood is this ?" she inwardly asked herself. " I suppose she has received a long epistolary lecture from home, which ha? given her over a prey to vexation or remorse. 5> 64 ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. ( ' Antoinette was lying on a couch, on which she had purposely thrown herself, intending to feign headache, and thus escape the remarks and suppositions of her hostess. The latter, however, without appearing to notice the swollen eyelids of her young companion, expressed her regret at her indisposition, and then entered on an animated description of her afternoon's drive. ** It had proved delightful ; she had met everybody worth meeting, and had organized with Madame Favancourt, a driving-party to Lachine for the following day. Major Stemfield, whom she had met on the way, was to see to the whole aflfair ; and, in short, they would hav0 a most delight- ful excursion. But now," she continued, in a still livelier strain, " I have come to the cream of the story. Whom should I meet in the Place D'Armes, in a splendid sleigh, driving a pair of superb English bays, but our misanthropic Colonel! The temptation of adding such a faultless turn-out to our expedition to-morrow was irresistible, and, raising my whip, I beckoned him towards me. The bays champed and curvetted as if they hated the sight of a pretty woman as much as their master does; but reining them in with an iron hand, he courteously listened to my invitation, evidently seeking all the time for some plausible excuse for refusal. Thinking i ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOUKT. 65 frankness best with such an extraordinary charac- ter, I laughingly declared that our resources in the way of handsome equipages and horses were somewhat limited. lie eagerly commenced assuring me that his were entirely at my disposal, not only to-morrow, but whenever I should require them. Seeing, how- ever, what the gentleman was at, I quietly interrupted him, by exclaiming, " Not without the owner. Colonel Evelyn : both or none !" " You never saw a man so much put out. He bit his lip ; reined in the bays till he almost made them stand perpendicularly on their hind legs ; and at length, seeing that I awaited determinedly his answer, he rejoined in a hurried constrained tone that he would do himself the pleasure of joining us on the morrow. He is a perfect barbarian ; — ^but I will leave you now, awhile, for quiet will do your poor head good," and, lightly pressing her lips to the fair young cheek pillowed on the couch, she left the room. Antoinette wearily sighed as the door closed upon her, and murmured : " Oh, if I wish to be again what I was, I must return home ! The temptations of this gay house, the society of my kmd-hearted but pleasure -loving cousin, are too much for my weak hexirt and feeble resolves.** % ■ 1^ * CfiAPTER VIII. A GAY cavalcade of prancing horses and richly- decorated sleighs were drawn up the following day, about noon, in front of Madaric D'Aulnay's mansion. Conspicuous among these wfoS the magnificent equip- age of Colonel Evelyn; but the owner himself waa standing near it Avith a moody, constrained expression, that plainly betokened he was there against his will. Most of the party were already in their respective places, laughing and chattmg in the highest spirits ; when the door 'of Mrs. D'Aulnay's residence opened, and that fair lady issued forth, dispensing sunny smiles and friendly bows on all sides. In her wake came Antoinette ; but the usually sparkling gaiety of the latter was strangely clouded, yet many thought this new and pensive shade of her beauty became her even better than the olden one. As the elder lady stepped on the pavement, Colonel Evelyn approached her, and, in a tone which he ANTOINETTE DE MIRBCOtmT.. 6T vainly endeavored to render emp-essSy requested her " to honor his sleigh by occupying it." She smilingly bowed assent, and then turned aside to answer some polite enquiries from some cavalier near. Suddenly Major Stemfield sought her side, and begged her to give him a seat with herself as he had something very particular to say to her. The truth was, he was most impatient to know why Antoi- nette had refused seeing him the previous day ; as well as to learn, if possible, the cause of the tearful grief of which Justine had spoken. Mrs. D'Aulnay good-naturedly answered in the affirmative, not very sorry at the same time to inflict a passing shght on the ungallant Colonel, who seemed to think it so severe a hardship to share the occupancy of his sleigh with her charming self. Having previously, however, intended that Antoinette and Major Stemfield should drive together, whilfc. she should head the cavalcade with Colonel Evelyn, she now felt momentarily embarrassed how to arrange matters. After a moment's thought, she tripped up to the Colonel, and smilingly told him " that as Major Stemfield had thrown himself on her charity, she had no * resource but to take him in her own little equipage. Here, however, is my substitute," she archly con- 68 ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. if ' i I tinued, drawing suddenly forward the embarrassed and astonished Antoinette, who had been looking around her for the last few minutes with a listless pre-occupied expression, which seldom rested on that sweet face. Completely taken by surprise, and at the same time indignant beyond measure at being thus arbi- trarily forced on the society of so unwilling a companion, Antoinette drew back, vehemently declar- ing " that she would not consent to such an arrange- ment, — that the horses looked too restive !" With an almost imperceptible curl of his lip, Colonel Evelyn hastened to assure her " that the steeds, though spirited, were thoroughly broken in," whilst Mrs. D'Aulnay impetuously whispered in her ear, " Do you want openly to insult the man ? Get in at once." Antoinette unwillingly complied ; and as Colonel Evelyn arranged the rich robes carefully around her, he contemptuously thought within himself, *' What a well-got-up piece of acting ! Young as they may be, — guileless as they may look, — they are all alike !" Whilst backing his horses to let Madame D'Aulnay and Major Sternfield (who, by the way, on seeing ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. 69 the last arrangement, heartily regretted his precipi- tancy) take precedence, the lady insisted on Evelyn's keeping the lead, declaring his magnificent bays were just the thing for opening the procession. Proudly, gaily, the party swept on, making the air musical with the sweet ringing of bells, and, after pro- ceeding down the length of Notre Dame street, passed through Recollet's gate, which gave them egress outside the wall encircling the ''ity, and they soon found themselves* in the open c^ antry, on the road to Lachine. Colonel Evelyn's moodiness and Antoinette's vexa- tion yielded after a time to the charms of the brilliant blue sky and sunshine, — the beautiful appearance of the wide-spread fields covered with their glittering snowy mantle, and sparkling as if some enchanter had strewn them with diamond-dust. There was something, too, peculiarly exhilarating in the rapid pace of the steeds, and in the keen bracing air itself, * This wall, which was originally built tcXprotect the inhabit tants of the town from the hostile attacks of the Iroquois tribe, was fifteen feet high, with battlements. After a time, it was suffered to fall into decay ; and it was ultimately removed by an Act of the Provincial legislature, to make way for some judi- cious and necessary improvements. [i 70 ANTOINETTE DE MmECOURT. that insensibly communicated its influence to both parties; but still, strangely enough, both remamed silent. The scene was entirely new to Evelyn, and talking commonplace platitudes would have marred his enjoyment; whilst Antoinette, on her part, was determined to show him, that, though forced in a measure on his society, she had no intention of profiting by the circumstance in any manner. At length they neared the Lachine Rapids, the roar of whose restless waters had been for some time pre- vious sounding in their ears ; and as the broad wreaths of foam, the snow-covered rocks with the black waters boiling and chafing up between them, or eddying round in countless different currents and whirlpools, burst upon tlicir view, an involuntary exclamation of admi- ration escaped Colonel Evelyn's lips. The scene wae indeed grand, sublime in the extreme ; and the lonely wooded shores of Caughnawaga opposite, the tiny islets with a solitary pine-tree or two growing fiom their rocky bosoms, and standing where they had stood for ages, calm, unmoved by the wild tempest of waters so fiercely raging around them, gave fresh food to the thoughts, whilst they added increased grandeur to the scene. In the eager admiration of the moment, the Colonel unconsciously relaxed his grasp on the reins, when a P- ANTOINETTE DE MIRBCOURT. Tl pts, mel m a Bhot, suddenly discharged from the gun of some country sportsman near, startled the spirited steeds, that instantly Bet off at a most fearful pace. The peril was immi- nent, for the road led close along the bank of the rapids, rising in some places several feet above the chafing waters. Still, the hand which held the reins was one of iron, and its firm and vigorous grasp was a consider- able check on the headlong career of the terrified ani- mals. After the first moment of alarm, Evelyn turned towards hi3 companion to deprecate by some encouraging word, the piercing shrieks, the fainting fit, or other tokens of feminine alarm, which would greatly have heightened the dangers of their position ; but Antoinette sat perfectly upright and quiet, her lips slightly com- pressed, and in no way betraying her secret terror, save in the marble-like pallor of her face. Noting the anxious glance Evelyn had just turned on her, she quietly exclaimed, " Do not mind me : attend to the horses." " What a brave little girl !" he inwardly thought; and assured of her perfect self-possession, he devoted every straining nerve and sinew to recovering his control over the runaways. Clear eye and strong hand were alike requsite, for they were now approaching a spot where tlie bank became steeper and the road narrower. An overturned 72 ANTOINETTE DB MIRBCOURT. J i' 'I cart, rising up black and unsightly by the wayside, added a fresh impetus to the terror of the akeady half- maddened animals. With a desperate plunge they sprang forward, and the wild effort caused the reins, already stretched for a considerable time past to the utmost tension, to snap asunder. In that moment of deadly peril there was no time for etiquette or cere- mony, and, quick as thought, Evelyn snatched up the light form of his companion, and murmuring " Forgive me," threw her out on the snow-covered ground. He instantly leaped out after, narrowly escaping entang- ling his feet in the robes, and stumbling forward with considerable violence. His first thought was of An- toinette, who had risen to her feet, and was now leaning in silence against the trunk of a tree, her lips rivalling her cheeks in their death4ike pallor. " Are you much hurt ?" he hurriedly enquired. " Oh, no, no," was the piteous toned reply ; " but the horses, the poor horses !" Colonel Evelyn looked eagerly around. Aye, where were they ? Down at the foot of the steep bank, maimed and bleeding, and still desperately struggling amid the rocks and shallow water, into which they had rolled. Evelyn dearly prized his beautiful English bays, perhaps over-valued them as much as he under-valued f! ■aaa 'S, AKTOINBTTB DB MIRECOURT. 73 women; but it is only rendering him justice to state, that in that moment every thought of regret for their fate was absorbed in secret gratulation that the helpless girl committed for the hour to his charge, was safe. " Take my arm. Miss De Mirecourfc," he gently ex- claimed, " and we will seek for assistance at yondei^ little cottage." Antoinette complied, and their knock for admittance was followed by an invitation to come in. On entering, they found themselves in a bare, scantily -furnished room ; the walls and hearth of which, however, were spotless, the small narrow panes glittering like diamonds, and the whole place shining with that exqusite cleanli- ness and order with which the Canadian habitants soften, if they do not conceal, their poverty, wherever it exists. Peacefully smoking beside the huge double-stove sat the master of the household, whilst half-a-dozen round- eyed, swarthy-cheeked children, of all ages fi-om one to seven, played and tumbled like so many dolphins upon the floor. On seeing his unexpected visitor, the man instantly rose, and, without bekaying half the astonishment he secretly felt, removed the blue tuque from his head, and politely answered in the affirmative to Antoinette's request for assistance. Looking sud- denly, however, towards the group on the floor, he ex- I vii 74 ANTOINETTB DE MIRECOURT. plained, in a somewhat hesitating tone, that his wife had gone from home on business, and made him promise that he^ would not leave the children in her absence, lest they should bum themselves. The absent wife's fears were fully justified by the state of the stove, which was nearly red hot ; but Antoinette with a snule wreathing her still white lips, assured him she should take every possible care of the little ones during his absence. Smilmg his thanks, the man left the cottage, accom- panied by Colonel Evelyn ; and Antoinette found herself alone with her young companions. Her first act was to bend her knee in heartfelt gratitude to Providence for her late escape, and then she tuhied her attention to consoling the youngling of the flock, who set up a lamentable out-cry a moment after its father's depar- ture. The task was not difficult, for childhood's tears are easily dried ; and a few moments after, he was in- stalled on her lap, timidly fingering the golden trinkets suspended from her neck, the heat of the room having forced her to lay aside her furs and mantle ; whilst the other children grouped around her, listened eagerly to a wonderous tale of a stupendous giant and a lovely fairy, feasting their eyes meanwhile on the beautiful face and elegant dress of the speaker, whom they in- wardly set down as belonging to the very class of fairies she was telling them about. «LaA.i....i!...vmwM i miuIi iB CHAPTER It. SoMK time after, Colonel Evelyn entered the cottage alcne, and, as his clouded gaze fell on the group before him, he involimtarily smiled. The little one on An- toinette's lap nestled closely to her breast on seeing the tall stranger enter, and clung there as naturally as if his little curly pate had always been accustomed to lie next a silken boddice, and press jewelled ornaments. Very lovely Antoinette appeared at the moment ; and the gentle play of her features, as she kindly looked from one little auditor to another, invested her with a charm which her beauty had never, perhaps, possessed in saloon or ball-room. On seemg Evelyn, she eagerly inquired about the horses. " Our host is attending to them," he carelessly replied, " and will joui us in a few moments. But tell me, are you really none the worse in any manner for our adventure ? Do you not feel any pain or ache V* "No— yes — there is something like a dull pain here," 76 ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOUIIT. ! m i If' '9 I ■I] '-l and baring her rounded beautifully-sliaped arm to the elbow, she disclosed a large discolored bruise upon its soft surface. Colonel Evelyn's countenance betrayed considerable emotion as he looked down on that frail arm, so indicative of almost childish helplessness, and remembered the xindaunted courage the brave young owner had exhibited throughout the whole of that trying ordeal. "Yes," he said, " I must indeed beg your forgiveness for my rough handling; for you must have received that bruise when I threw you from the sleigh. It would have been as easy for me to have sprang out with you in my arms, but I dreaded that in doing so, my feet should become entangled in the shawls and skins filling the sleigh, and thus entail our mutual d• .^'Tw. iw ANTOINETTE DE MntECOtJUT. 101 Mrs. D'Aulnay in the drawing-room. His visit, how- ever, proved anything but wearisome ; for his com* panion took advantage of their tSte-O'tSte to frankly communicate to him the contents of the letter of which Loiiis had been the bearer ; informing him, at the same time, of Mr. De Mirecourt's intense preju- dices against foreigners, and of his formally declared determination to never allow his daughter to marry one. Stemfield's stay was unusually protracted ; and towards Its close, had any curious eye glanced into the drawing-room, it would have seen him in the act of holding Mrs. D'Aulnay's hand, whilst voice and eyes were alike eloquent in preferring some request. For a long time the lady hesitated and wavered ; but at length, touched by his entreaties, she bowed her head in token of assent. " Thanks, thanks, my true and generous friend !" he vehemently exclaimed. " You have saved Antoi- nette and myself." " I do not feel so sure of that. I can do but little for you. Everything depends on your influence with my fair cousin herself; but you can call again this afternoon, and I will give you an opportunity of pressing your suit." Mrs. D'Auhiay kept her word ; and when Major 102 ANTOINETTE DB MIBEOOUBT. Stemfiold repeated his visit at a later period of the day, some inevitahle writing obliged her to leave the room shortly after his entrance, whilst, singularly enough, though several acquamtancoa called, none found their way into the drawing-room. After a time Sternfield took his departure, whilst Antoinette, with a flushed cheek and contracted brow, escaped to her own room. Thither she was soon followed by Mrs. D'Auhiay, who found her pacing the apartment with quick, nervous steps, and heightened color. <^ What is the matter, Antoinette ? Are you still ill ?'' she enquired in a kind tone. ^^ m, and unhappy," was the hurried, agitated reply. ^' Shall I, or 4ahall I not, confide m you V* and the speaker looked earnestly, wistfully into her cousm's countenance, which wore a look of innocent unconsciousness. Oh ! could Antoinette's better angel have spoken then, how he would have urged her to turn from that dangerous mentor, and place her confidence in those who would have proved more worthy of the trust. But it was. the soft musical tones of Mrs. D'Aulna^ that made themselves heard, as she gently insinuated her affection for Antoinette, and her earnest desire to ,pr(»not0 the latter^s hai^eas in all thuags. JUttle AirrOIKBTTE DE KIRBCOtTBT. 108 by little she at length drew from the young girl a confession, that Btemfield, who seemed by some wonderful instinct (so poor Antoinette in her sim- plicity smd) to have divined the contents of the letter which Louis had brought, had been using every possible entreaty and argument to induce her to a secret marriage. << And what answer did you give him, dear V* " Of course, I peremptorily refused," was the petulant reply. '^ Why, you are almost as bad as Stemfield himself, Lucille, to ask me such a ques- tion." "^ " Well, child, abuse me if you will; but I really do not condemn his proposal as strongly as you seem to do. Once wedded, your Seither would have no altera native but that of for^ving and receiving you again into favor ; whilst now, he may forbid your umon with Stemfield, under threats so severe, that you dare not disobey him." "Well, if he does so, I must submit," rejomed Antoinette, moodily. " I cannot, I dare not, deceive him to such an extent." " What, submit ! l^eld up the man you love for a father's whim,- sacrifice the happiness of your wh(^e life to a Boere pTijudice !" • ^« f- 104 ANTOINETTE BE MIRECOtRT* I • ' " Filial duty and affection are neither whims nor prejudices," retorted Antoinette indignantly. " Papa has always been kind and indulgent, and to deceive him so terribly would be indeed but a poor return for all his affection." " Perhaps you are right, child," was the quiet reply ; " and I begin to think it would be as well on the whole to obey him on every point. Louis will make u, good, humdrum sort of husband ; and even if your connubial happiness occasionally prove somewhat monotonous — even if you regret at times the never- to-be-recalled past — ^your filial duty and your own conscience will prove your reward." " Lucille, you are very provoking to-^ ly ! Reject- ing a secret marriage with Major Ster field is on© thing, and wedding Louis Beauchesne is Jiother." " Oh ! you will find them g^nonymous cousin mine. Uncle De Mrecourt is not a man to b^ ^rifled with, and your refusal to wed the suitor he may choose for you will prove as unavailing as would the struggles of a linnet against the strong grasp that would seek to place it in a cage. But you look flushed and feverish, dear child; Seek your pillow, and take counsel from it." Alas! Antoinette did so, instead of seeking direction from that unfailing source of light which M ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURr. 105 me. rith, for les of Ik to psh, I from jldng rhich would have guided her footsteps so unerringly amid the snares into which they had wandered. Still, for two days she scrupulously avoided any mention of Stemfield's name, evading, with equal care, all further discussion regarding him with Mrs. D'Aulnay ; and the latter began to think the handsome English- man's chance was a hopeless one, when help came to his cause from a quarter, the very last from which it might have been expected. This was in the shape of a very severe, very imperious letter from Mr. De Mirecourt to his daughter, mentioning that he had just heard from a lady who had recently left Mont- real, of the notorious flirtation she was carrying on with some English Officer, and that he was coming to town in a week to put an end to the affair by hurrying On her marriage with the husband he had chosen for her. This letter, most certainly ill-judged and arbitrary, corroborating so fully aU Mrs. D'Aulnay's late predic- tions, had a most pernicious effect on Antoinette's already wavering mind, and she had recourse again to her cousin for advice and encouragement. 'Tis needless to say in what shape the latter administered it ; and she now openly and constantly spoke of an inmiediate and secret marriage as the only alternative left. B >i CHAPTER XII. Additional cause of mental trouble and anxietj presented itself in the absence of Major Stemfield, who, since Antoinette's indignant rejection of his proposal, had not returned to the house. Whether this was the result of disappointment and wounded feeling, or that of simple calculation on his part, it is impossible to say. K the latter, he cer- tainly proved himself a clever tactician, for hia absence served his cause far more effectuallj than his presence could have done. Left almost entirely to herself — ^for she felt too unhappy to see any of the general run of " callers " who daily presented them- selves in her cousin's salons — ^half distracted by fears of her father's forcmg on her marriage with Louis, or visiting on her the full weight of his anger if she resisted, she missed with an acuteness, a feverish anxiety, she would have heretofore deemed impossible, the honeyed words, the tender protestations, which of late Audley Stemfield had so constantly breathed into her ear. f ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOUKT. 107 i 1 Mrs. D'Aulnay, who, partly out of kindly feeling to Antoinette, as well as to Stemfield, whose mutual happiness she thought could be alone secured by marriage — partly out of a silly sentimentalism, seek- ing excitement of some sort or other —was determined to bring about their union, if possible ; so far from doing anything in her power to alleviate Antoinette's very apparent wretchedness, strove rather to increase it. Now, affecting to look on the latter's marriage with a suitor she did not love, as inevitable, and pitying her in consequence ; then, gently blaming her timidity, her obstinacy in refusing to wed the one she did. These exhortations she always concluded by repeating that once her yomig cousin was united to Stemfield, they would have no difficulty in obtain- ing her father's forgiveness, though the latter would inevitably keep his word of wedding her to Louis if no obstacle, beyond his daughter's unwillingness, presented itself. Another time she would wonder, and comment on Sternfield's protracted absence — hint, that discouraged by Antoinette's coldness and contemptuous rejection of his suit, he had abandoned it, or perhaps turned his attentions to some other quarter where they would be more flatteringly received; and then she would leave Antoinette to 108 ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. reflections which dyed her brow with humiliating blushes, and made her heart ache as it had never ached before. It was at the end of such a conversa- tion, that Mrs. D'Aulnay rose to dress for a drive, in which Antoinette had petulantly declined joining her, saying,— " Well, it is probably better for all parties that Stemfield has ceased his visits here, for what could they avail but to render you both more wretched. In two days at farthest, your father will arrive ; and before another month, you will be Louis's very obedient, very loving wife." "Never!" she vehemently exclaimed. " I shall live and die single first." But as reflection brought up before her the inflex- ible determination of her father's will when once fully bent on any point, the passionate flush on her cheek faded, and she wearily leaned her head on the small table near her, faint and sick at heart. From her father, her thoughts turned to the recreant Audley, who had wearied so soon of a lover's supplicating attitude, and the quickened beating of her heart as his image mentally rose before her, even though irrita- tion mingled with the warmer feelings she entertained for him, whispered more energetically than aught else ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT, 109 could have done, " that now, at leaat, she ought not to become the bride of Louis." The opening of the hall-door, announcing the probable advent of some visitor, but increased the morbid irritation of her feelings ; and as the door of the apartment in which she was sitting unclosed, she impatiently exclaimed, without raising her head from the arm on which it was bowed : ** Not at home, Jeanne, not at home to any one." " Still less of all others to me, Antoinette," whis- pered a deep musical voice beside her ; and her quickly raised, startled glance, encountered the dark eyes of Audley Sternfi6ld, fixed in pleading, depre- cating entreaty upon her. " Forgive me, my beloved, this once, for thrusting Jeanne aside, and forcing myself on your presence unannounced, but I have just learned that Mr. De Mirecourt arrives to-morrow, and I have that to say to you which must be said. Tell me, first, though, that you forgive me " ; and he caught Antoinette's hand, which she passively sufiered him to retain, averting from him, however, her pale and troubled countenance. " I have come, mine own, to implore your forgiveness for the annoyance I caused you in our last interview — to atone for my madness and folly." 110 ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. "You have taken time to do so," returned his companion, her delicate lip nervously quivering. Oh! unwary, inexperienced Antoinette, how much was unconsciously implied, acknowledged in that childish reproach ! Major Stemfield's triumphant glance told he took in its full import ; but in tones of softest humility, he continued, as he seated himself beside her: "You ordered me from your presence, my own Antoinette, and I dared not seek you again till your anger, which my presumption had perhaps justly evoked, was somewhat appeased." But why follow that wily man of the world through his course of passionate entreaty, deprecation, and well-feigned despair ? What chance against him had the yielding, child-like Antoinette, unsustained as she then was by the religious principles, to whose holy suggestions she willfully closed her heart ? As might be foreseen, the tempter triumphed ; and on his again repeating, for the twentieth time, his proposal of an im- mediate marriage, she at length bowed her pale cheek on his shoulder, and burst into a passionate flood of tears. " This evening, my beloved," he whispered, as he pressed her cold, still half-reluctant hand to his lips, again and again. ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. Ill Antoinette's tears flowed still faster, but she spoke not. Her silence, however, was answer enough for her lover, and he continued : " kind Mrs. D'Aulnay will befriend us as she has ever heretofore done ; and here, in her drawing-room. Doctor Ormsby, the chaplain of our regiment, will unite us by those sacred bonds which will give me the blessed right to call you all my own." " Dr. Ormsby," repeated Antoinette, with a bewil- dered look, which told the peculiar circumstances of a secret marriage now fully dawned for the first time upon her. Yes, it must indeed be so. No Catholic priest would or dared marry her thus privately and secretly. Her father, too, was daily expected — no farther time allowed for hesitation, for delay. WofuUy as the young ^rl had retrograded from the standard of truth, and pure, strict uprightness, which had been hers when she first arrived beneath Mrs. D'Aulnay's roof, — negligent as she had latterly grown in prayer, and in the fulfihnent of all her religious duties, enough remained of olden feelings and principles, to make her shrink from the idea of a clandestine marriage, unhallowed by a father's bless- ing, and that religious benediction, which she had been taught from childhood to regard as so solemn 112 ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. and necessary a part of the marriage service. Stem- field saw her increased trouble, and divined at once the cause. Eloquently he spoke of Doctor Ormsby's worth and goodness, and gently insinuated how little mattered slight diflferences of ceremonies. "Ah! yes," interrupted his companion, with a slight shudder, " to you it is but a ceremony, — to me it is, or ought to be, a sacrament." " But, my beloved, our nuptials shall be blessed and solemnized again, if you wish it, by a clergyman of your own faith, whenever your father shall have been informed of our marriage, — nay, before then — to-morrow, if you will. Antoinette, my own Antoi- nette, what is there that love like mine would hesitate to grant you ?" Silenced, though not convinced, she made no reply, for passion at that moment spoke louder in her heart than principle ; and now every obstacle vanquished, every objection overcome, Stemfield poured forth his ardent expressions of love and gratitude, unmindful, almost careless in the proud height of his triumph, that tears were still flowing down her j)ale cheek, and that the little hand he held so closely was as cold as one of her own Canadian icicles. This singular lover's interview was brought to an end by Mrs. ANTOINETTB DB MIREOOURT. 113 D'Aulnay's entrance, some short time after ; and a glance at Stemfield's happy, triumphant countenance, so forcibly contrasted by the pale, agitated face of his companion, enabled her to form at once an accurate guess at the real state of matters. Antoinette rose on her cousin's entrance, and left the room, but not before Stcrnfield had imprinted a kiss on her hand, whispering in an audible tone : " This evening, my Antoinette, at seven." " Well, Major Stemfield, I see you have diligently, improved your time. So day and hour are settled !" exclaimed Mrs. D'Aulnay, fixing a penetrating glance on her military friend. Perhaps the exultant triumph that beamed on his handsome face, slightly jarred with her sentimental ideas of what a lover's reveren- tial devotion should be, infusing probably, at the same time, some uneasy fears into her mind, regarding the absolute certainty of Antoinette's future wedded hap- piness, — a thing of which, till the present moment, she had never entertained even the shadow of a doubt. The quick-sighted Stemfield detected at once the cloud on Mrs. D'Aulnay's countenance, slight as it was, and, probably divining the cause, instantly advanced towards her, exclaiming, " My dear, kind Madame D'Aulnay, you, who have listened so indulgently, so patiently to all my ri n 114 ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. doubts, hopes, and fears, will not wonder that I am nearly intoxicated with joy, when I tell you that Antoinette has consented to become mine by the holiest of all ties, this very evening. Oh, best and Nearest friend, I could kneel to you, if you would per- mit it, to pour forth my thanks — my unbounded grar titude." The handsome speaker seemed very much in ear- nest, and the lady, completely appeased, smiled kindly upon him, as she rejoined: " Enough, Major Sternfield : I believe in your sin- cerity. And now, if this solemn affair is really to come off this evening, I must send you away, for I have a great deal to do." The young man kissed the fair hand held out to him ; an act of gallantry which the speaker, who was equally proud of her pretty tapering fingers, and splendid rings, seldom objected to, and hurried away. Mrs. D'Aulnay did not at once seek Antoinette, for the one glance she had obtained of her tearful, pale face, on entering the drawing-room, told it would scarcely prove a propitious time for consultation or discussion, yet. Instead, she proceeded to her own chamber, and rang for Jeanne, with whom she was closeted a half-hour, giving her some household ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. 115 directions. .Then she sought Mr. D'Aulnay, and chatted another half-hour with him, incidentally men- tioning that she and Antoinette expected a couple of gentlemen friends in the evening, a precaution which she knew would infallibly keep her husband in his libraiy. The early winter evening was rapidly closing in ; and giving a passing glance at the drawing- rooms, to assure herself that lights and fires were brightly burning, she sought her young cousin's room. The latter was standing near the bed-room window, her forehead pressed against the panes as if she were watching the snow-storm wildly raging without, the falling flakes of which, caught up by the fierce wind, were whirled against the casement, or blown about in blinding masses, obscuring for the moment everything in earth or sky. " Good heavens, child !" exclaimed Mrs. D'Aul- nay, almost angrily, " what are you dreaming about? Five o'clock, and priest and bridegroom expected in a couple of hours!" Her annoyance was excusable, for Antoinette still wore the soft dark stuflf she had put on in the early part of the day, and no ribbons, flowers, or lighter gar- ments lying about, betokened any intention of assum- ing a more suitable costume. But as the young girl 116 ANTOINETTE DB MIRECOtJRT. slowly turned her pallid, tear-stained face, towards the new-comer, the heart of the latter smote her, and she felt she must console and encourage, instead of findmg fault. " Come here, Antoinette, darling, to the fire," she kindly exclaimed : " you will take cold near the win- dow. It is time to think, too, ahout what you will wear this evening, for you must look your very best." The bride-elect made no i*eply, but the expression of wretchedness on that usually bright and sparkling countenance, told how indiffeijent all minor details were to her then. A violent struggle, fierce as that of the storm she was watching, had been passing in her breast during the previous hour ; and better thoughts, and good inspirations had been combatting powerfully for the mastery. The strife was not yet over; for as Mrs. D'Aulnay, alariped at her pallor and silence, drew her towards her, repeating her questions, she whispered, " Lucille, I cannot, I dare not venture on this ter- rible step ! 'T would be a union unblessed by God or man. 99 Mrs. D'Aulnay sank into a chair, in speechless * amazement and indignation. Antoinette De Mire- court's destiny was trembling then in the balance. One word of good advice, one encouraging Iooa, ANTOINETTE DB MIRECOURT. 117 would iiavo given her strength to have drawn back from tlir precipicf" on which she was standing; but, alas '. that sticiigtheuing word or look came not, and instead, iior companion buret forth : ** Are you mad, utterly mad, Antoinette ? Your consent, your promise given — ^your lover, with the clergyman, whose assistance he has asked, on their way here — " " But my father; oh Lucille, my father !" gasped ' forth the girl, her cheek turning to still dcathlier whiteness. " Don't speak to me about your father !" retorted Mrs. D'Aulnay, now fairly roused to anger. " The harm, if harm there is, is entirely his doing. What right has he to dispose of you to Louis Beauchesne, as if you were a farm or field he wished to get rid of? Decide, now and for ever, between the husband he has selected for you, and the one your heart hdA chosen. Aye ! choose between Louis Beauchesne ar>d Audley Stemfield. But I am wasting words, my poor little cousin," she added in a softened tone : " your final choice is already made, though that way- ward heart shrinks from acknowledging it. I see I must be your tire-woman for the occasion ; and 'tis as well, for I am determined Audley shall feel proud of you/' CHAPTER XIII. Turning to Antoinette's ward-robe, she hastily selected a rose-colored silk dress, and, bringing it forward, exclaimed : " You are too pale for white this evening ; besides, as we are comparatively alone, it might excite the remarks of f servants. This soft, warm color will give something of that glow to your complexion in which it so sadly deficient to-night." Under Mrs. D'Aulnay's skillful fingers, the process of dressing was a speedy one ; but if hours had been lavished on the task, the result could scarcely have been more successful. Major Sternfield had indeed a lovely bride. " Come to the drawing-room, now, you little nerv- ous creature," the elder lady smilingly exclaimed. " You must be seated there quietly for a half hour at least, before they come in, for I can hear the beating of your heart as plainly, almost, as the ticldng of yonder pendulum." .-^-is^" ANTOINETTE DB MIRECOURT. 119 PV- d. at Once in the drawing-room, Mrs. D'Aulnay took good care to leave her companion little time for seri- ous reflections ; for she passed from one subject to another, with a vivacity and rapidity of utterance, which almost overpowered Antoinette's already over- tasked brain. Once, however, perhaps from weari- ness, she suddenly paused, and a long silence ensued. Antoinette's eyes were fixed on the floor, and, by the light of the lamp on the table near her, in whose full radiance she sat, Mrs. D'Aulnay earnestly scrutinized her features. There was something in their peculiar set expression which sent an uneasy fear through that lady's heart as to the wisdom of the step on which she was strongly encouraging, if not almost forcing the young girl committed to her charge, and suddenly, impulsively she exclaimed : " Tell me, Antoinette, darling, do you not truly, deeply love Audley Stemfield ?" For the first time that day, something like a smile flitted over the girl's face, as she replied : " Why, you have told me yourself a hundred times that I did, after questioning and cross-questioning me more strictly than any lawyer could have done." " Yes, but does not your own heart tell you that you do?" was the rapid, almost a^tated inquiry. 120 ANTOINETTE DB MIRECOURT. For a moment Antoinette was silent ; and then, as memory called up before her the fascinating hand- some Stemfield, with all his boundless devotion to herself, a shy smile played round her lips, and she murmured, " yes." " Thank you, sweet cousin, for the avowal !" replied Mrs. D'Aulnay, throwing her arms around her ; and feehng almost as delighted with the acknowledgment^ in her new-bom anxiety, as Stemfield himself could have done. " Thank you a hundred times ; and now I will ring for Jeanne to bring you a glass of wine. You look bent on being nervous and provoking, by and bye." It was Jeanne who answered the summons, and when her mistress exclaimed, " Let tea be given in the drawing-room : I expect a couple of friends," she rejoined, " Oh, madame, nobody that could help it would venture out to*nigbt: 'tis most fearful weather !" Her mistress quietly smiled in reply, inwardly thinking how terrible would be the storm which could prevent one of their expected guests from coming. As the door closed upon Jeanne, a furious blast stmck the casement, and caused Antoinette to give a nervous start. I '?■ \ t' ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. 121 y Id " 'Tis all for the best, dearest," was her compan- ion's smiling remark. '* We need be mider no appre- hensions of unwelcome intruders dropping in. Ah ! there are our friends," she added as voices and foot- steps sounded in the hall, and sundry stampings betok- ened the new-comers were endeavoring to divest them- selves of the snowy covering with which the storm had favored them. In another moment Major Stem- field and his companion Dr. Ormsby were in the drawing-room, and the ceremony of introduction was gone through. The clergyman, a young, inteiiectual- looking man with dark earnest eyes, replied briefly, almost coldly, to Mrs. D'Aulnay's flattering welcome, and, as soon as they were seated, stole an earnest scrutinizing glance towards Antoinette, beside whose chair Stemfield was already bending. Neither the pink hue of her dress, the heated atmosphere of the drawing-room, nor yet the presence of her lover, had brought color to her cheek, or animation to her eye ; and the minister's earnest gaze grew yet more serious and his expression more thoughtful, as he watched her. Rapidly, imploringly Stemfield whispered in the girl's ear; and at length, when Mrs. D*Aulnay, whose patience was almost exhausted by the want of gallantry of her clerical ^est, exclaimed, " Antoinette dear, we \ '1 li 1 r 122 ANTOINETTE DB MIRECOURT. must not trespass on Dr. Ormsby's valuable time," she briefly, almost irritably replied, " I am ready." Mrs. D'Aulnay turned quickly to the door, which she noiselessly fastened, and then moved to the table near which the remainder of the party were now stand- ing. For a moment Dr. Ormsby's calm, earnest glance rested on Antoinette, and he then gently said : " You are very young. Miss De Mirecourt, and 'tis a life-long engagement on which you are abflit to enter. Have you weighed well its duties and its purport?" " It seems to me that your question, Dr. Ormsby, is a very singular and unnecessary one," interrupted Stemfield, with a dark frown. " I am but doing my duty. Sir," was the grave, stem reply ; " or rather, I fear I am about to overstep it, in keeping the promise I have given you. However, as I am here, if Miss De -Mirecourt is still determined to wed you thus privately and hurriedly, 'tis not for me to raise opposition now." Antoinette again repeated in an almost inaudible voice, " I am ready." In a few moments, those solemn words, " They whom God hath joined let no man put asunder," rang in their ears, and Antoinette De Mire- court and Audley Stemfield were man and wife. ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURl. 123 After a few brief words of felicitation, Dr. Onnsby rose to t^ke leave. In vain Mrs. D*Aulnay begged him to remain to partake of some refreshment — in vain the handsome bridegroom, who had now completely recovered his equanimity, repeated her entreaties: he was resolute. As he shook hands with Antoinette, she laid her little hand on his arm, and whispered in a tone inaudible to her companions : " Promise me that you will keep my secret.'' " That promise," he kindly rejoined, " I have already tacitly given Major Sternfield, and to you I now repeat it. ' Need I say it shall be sacredly kept ?" " Thank you, and bear witness. Doctor Ormsby," she rejoined in a louder though more agitated tone, " that I tell Major Sternfield in your presence, that till the marriage shall have been publicly acknowledged to the world, and celebrated again by a Roman Catho- lic priest, he and I shall be but friends to each other." . Dr. Onnsby gravely, kindly bowed his head, and then left the room ; and as the yawning domestic showed out the tall stranger, he carelessly wondered at his early departure, Uttle dreaming what a power- ful, Hfe-long influence his stay, short as it had been, had exercised over the future destinies of two of the occupants of the drawing-room. Meanwhile the parties 124 ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. in question were standing quietly around the table as if nothing unusual had happened ; and Mrs. D'Aulnay and Major Stemfield were exchanging some common- place remarks about Dr. Ormsby's gentlemanly man- ners and appearance ; but the lady stole many a secret, uneasy glance towards the silent bride, the pallor of whose cheek had ^ven place to a feverish vivid scarlet, such as the keenest wintry air, or the most violent exercise, had never perhaps yet called to it. When the door closed upon the clergyman, Antoi- nette abruptly withdrew from Stemfield the hand he had immediately caught in his, and poured herself out a large glass of water, which she swallowed ia a single draught ; but the little finger trembled so violently in raising it to her lips, that part of its contents were spilled on her bridal dress. Mrs. D'Aulnay, naturally thinking that the lovers might wish to exchange a word alone, had, at first, , quietly turned to leave the room ; but a quick glance from the bride, half imploring, half authoritative,- had warned her to stay. Unwilling to increase the agita- tion she read so plainly depicted in the latter's face, she addressed some commonplace obs, i vation to Stemfield, and then walked to the window ; whilst ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. 125 Audley, probably actuated by a similar dread, re- pressed the ardent words that rose to his lips and continued to address her in the subdued strain of gentle affection which he justly divined would alone prove welcome at the moment to his trembling bride. " What a fearful night !" exclaimed Mrs. D*Aulnay as she drew together the crimson curtains shading the window near which she waa standing. 'Tis snowing, storming, and driftmg in a manner that will effectually block up the roads for days to come. Your father, Antoinette, cannot possibly arrive to-morrow." " A welcome respite !" was the secret thought of •all parties, but a thought to which no one gave expression ; and then Major Sternfield took occasion to enquire, with much seeming interest, how many miles it was to Vahnont. Shortly after, Mrs. D*Aul- nay rang for tea, which was quickly served up, and all three continued to affect a composure and calm which none really felt. Another hour passed over, all cir- cumstances considered very heavily ; and then the hostess warned Sternfield by a glance towards the time-piece, that it was time for him to leave. After a friendly clasp of the latter's hand and a few whispered words of gratitude, he turned to his shrink- ing, girlish bride, and, folding her in his arms, mur- 126 ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. mured, " My wife, my own !" For a moment that bright young head rested on his shoulder, and then with a convulsive sob, or rather gasp, she faltered : " Audley, Audley, never give me cause to repent the irrevocable step I have taken to-night !" Another embrace was his only reply ; and he left the apartment with a light step and a proud triumph in his face which was certainly not reflected from the countenances of his companions. " Come to rest, Antoinette, darling !'* exclaimed Mrs. D'Aulnay, when they were alone. " I will go •with you to your room, and wait to see you in bed." The girl passively obeyed ; and when her gay even- ing-dress was laid aside, and her rich heavy braids of hair gathered up beneath the little snowy cap which made her fair young face look doubly youthful, she knelt before her prie-Dieu, but only to rise from it a moment afterwards, vehemently exclaiming, " Oh ! Lucille, I cannot, I dare not pray to-night !" "And, why not, you dear, fanciful httle creature ?" It seems to me prayer is doubly incumbent on you now that you have a handsome, devoted husband to pray for. But do not mind it to-night : I see you are really ill and your hand is burning. Lie down at once. )j Lt D it r it h d ANTOINETTE DE MIRECODRT. 127 Antoinette passively submitted, but the step brought no repose to mind or body ; and for several hours her cousin sat at her bed-side, listening anxiously to the moaning and incoherent ravings which immediately ensued whenever sleep overpowered her, or soothing the nervous fancies or terrors which marked her waking moments. At length, about an hour after midnight, she sank into a deep, dreamless slumber ; and Mrs. D'Aulnay retired to her own couch, more anxious and troubled than she would acknoT/ledge even to herself. ! gj; g B»! ' i i i:-j Bi jtj%aw.v'Jiii> ii y'g i :: f /.^j^ i!' . ; / a: CHAPTER XIV. The following morning, the young girl awoke with an intense, overpowering head-ache which kept her prisoner in her room the whole of the forenoon, much to the annoyance and disappointment of Stemfield, who called at an early hour ; and who, when refused admittance by Jeanne, turned from the door with * lowering frown which excited that worthy woman's wrath to a high degree. " One would think he was the master of the house," she resentfully muttered, as she clojjed the door upon him. " Why, he looked as if he was about to push me aside and force himself in as he did the other day when he wanted to see Mademoiselle,^* She failed not on the first subsequent opportunity to communicate her ideas on the subject to her mistress, whose smooth brow contracted as she listened to the tale, in a manner which proved more satisfactory to Jeanne than it would have done to Major Stemfield had he witnessed it. Antoinette came down to dinner ; and just as the ladies had r I /I i , ANTOINBTTE I>E MIREOOURT. 129 Bought the drawing-room, and Mr. D'Aulnay his library, the tinkle of sleigh-bells stopping before the door announced an arrival. " My father," murmured Antoinette, turning pale as marble. " Yes, it is indeed he," rejoined her companion, taking a hasty rSconnaissanoe through the window. " Wlio would have expected him with such roads ? And now, dear child, no tremors — no nervousness. If, by ill-fortune, your father happen to be in an unpropitious humor, do not run the risk of con- fessing your marriage now: precipitancy might spoil all." Ere long, Mr. De Mirecourt — a carefully-dressed, stately-looking gentleman of the old French school — entered; and his daughter, dreading to meet his penetrating glance, instantly threw herself into his arms. He embraced her affectionately, and then gently raising Jier face, he looked earnestly into it, exclaiming, after a moment : " 'Tis as I feared, little one ! This gay, fashionable life does not agree with a simple country girl like yourself. Why, you look three years older than you did when you left home ; and though your cheeks are rosy enough, these burning little hands tell that your roses are more those of fever than of health." 130 ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. " Antoinette did not rest well last niglit, dear uncle,*' said Mrs. D'Aulnay, who was standing beside tlie new-comer, her hand resting caressingly on his shoulder. " She is unusually nervous." " There it is, my fair niece," was the smiling reply. " The usual fine lady's cant. Why, my little Antoi- nette, who used to give me breakfast every morning in the country at seven, and help to eat it too, with excellent appetite, scarcely knew then what the term nervous meant." " But, cher onde, Antoinette was scarcely more than a little girl a few months ago. She is a young lady now." " A fine lady, you mean, Lucille. But it is not that alone : I find an indefinable change in her that I cannot describe. Perhaps it is that she is more graceful, more elegant in her style of dress ; in short, more like my charming niece, Madame D'Aulnay," he good-humoredly added. " However, let my little girl's external appearance pass, 'tis well enough ; but I cannot say I am well satisfied with her on other points. Aye, you may well blush !" he added, as Antoinette'^ face became painfully crimson. " I have two serious accusations to bring against you. But to begin with the first : What is the reason you reject ANTOINETTE DB MIRECOURT. 131 Louis Bcauchcsnc, the husband I have chosen for you — to whom I promised you ?" " Because, dear papa, I do not love him sufficiently well to marry him." " Ah, Lucille, Lucille, this is your work," ex- claimed Mr. De Mirecourt, reproachfully shaking his head at his niece. " Just what Mrs. G^jrard fore- told, when we discussed the propriety of accepting your invitation for Antoinette." " But, dear uncle, I know you are too just, too kind, to force my cousin into a marriage with a man she does not love." " She loves Louis quite as well as you did Mr. D' Aulnay when you wedded him ; and who will pre- sume to say that you are not a very, happy couple ? But treve to this nonsense ! I have made up my mind ; and though I give her her own way about pocket- money, household matters, and other minor details, on this point I must have mine. She h^s known Louis long, always treated him with aflfectionate kindness, and is as well acquainted as I am with his irreproach- able char?icter. He is an excellent parti too in a worldly point of view, and I do not intend sacrificing so many combined advantages, in compliance with a girPs sentimental whim. So prepare to return home 1^ n 132 ANTOINETTE DE MIRBCOUET. with me to-morrow, my daughter ; or if I leave you another week here, it will be only to give you the chance of at once selecting your trousseau, — ^for, before this day month, Louis Beauchesne will be my son-in-law." " But, dear dear papa," pleaded Antoinette, with tearful eyes, throwing her arms about Mr. De Mire- court's neck as she spoke, ^* forgive me if I say I cannot marry Louis. I will do anything else you wish me to do— return with you to the country to- morrow, live as quietly as a hermit there " — " Pshaw ! enough of this folly !" interrupted Mr. De Mirecourt, unwinding, though not unkindly, the litiile arms encircling him. " I have overlooked your singular, I might say rather undutiful letter of last week, informing me that you could not, would not, listen to my wishes ; but, Antoinette dear, you must pot try my patience too far !" A pause ensyed, and then the young girl unclosed her lips twice as if to speak, but her resolution failed her, and she directed a pleading look towards Mrs, D'Aulnay, mutely asking her to enter on the dreaded explanation. " Well, it is all settled then ?" cheerfully enquired Mr. De Mirecourt, misinterpreting the momentary silence into a token of consent. ANTOINETTE DB MIRECOIJRT. 133 " Ah ! I fear not, my dearest uncle," and Mre. D*Aulnay's hand was again laid caressingly on his shoulder. " There may be an invincible obstacle to this union— one which, perhaps, cannot be over- come !" Mrs. D'Aulnay had scarcely calculated on the effect her words would produce, or she might have hesitated before uttering them. Dashing off her hand, Mr. De Mirecourt sprang to his feet, and, looking angrily from one to the other, sternly re- peated, " Invincible obstacle ! What do you, what can you mean, Lucille ? But, pshaw V* he continued, less violently, " 'Tis only your romantic, exaggerated style of speech ; unless, indeed," — and here his gaze grew darker than before, — " that Antoinette has become entangled in a ridiculous love-affair with some of the gay military gallants who are probably allowed to over-run the house. I have heard a whisper of the flirtations and nonsense going on here of late." " Uncle, dear uncle !" gently remonstrated Mrs. D'Aulnay. The simple appeal, uttered in the softest tones, Bomewhat calmed Mr. De Mirecourt, but he con- -<*»»i|i m ii u.liUiiiij * . ' I ! 134 ANTOINETTE DB MIRECOURT. tinued, still finnly enough, " 'Tis of no use, Lucille. Soft words and pleading looks will not prevent me saying what I have to say ; and again, I repeat, I hope that my daughter has not forgotten herself so far as to enter into any secret love -engagement with those who are aliens alike to our race, creed, and tongue." " But if she should have done so, dearest uncle — if she should have met with some noble, good man, who, apart from the objection of his being a foreigner, should have proved himself worthy in all other things of inspiring affection — " " Then,Madame D'Aulnay," he interrupted,striking the table so violently that the vases and other orna- ments on it shook again, " the first thing she has to do is to forget him ; for never, never will she obtain either my consent or my blessing." " Now is the moment," inwardly groaned Antoi- nette ; " now, we should undeceive him — tell him it is beyond earthly power to prevent the union he so utterly condemns." So thought Mrs. D'Auhiay too ; but Mr. De Mirecourt had wrought himself up to a degree of anger most unusual with him, and they tremblingly recoiled from the thought of exasperating him farther. ^! ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. 135 )1- 9 a M " Listen to me, daughter Antoinette, and you, my too officious niece, bear witness," he resumed, after a short pause, which had been merely a lull in the tempest. " I must be plain, explicit, with you both. I forbid you, child, to have any intercourse, beyond that of distant courtesy, with the men I have men- tioned ; and if you have entangled yourself in any disgraceful flirtation or attachment, break it off at once, under penalty of being disowned and disin- herited." " Oh ! my father !" faltered Antoinette, clasping her trembling hands, " For God's sake, retract those cruel words: they are too terrible !" A vague fear stole over Mr. De Mirecourt's heart at this passionate appeal ; but as is frequently the case, it only increased his irritation, and seizing his daughter's arm, he violently repeated, " I shall not retract them, disobedient, wilful girl !". At that moment the drawing-room door opened, and Louis Beauchesne entered. A look of mingled dismay and indignation flashed across his face as his glance took in the scene before him ; but Mr. De Mirecourt, still under the influence of his late fierce excitement, exclaimed, " I have just been telling this wilful girl that thia 1 136 ANTOINETTE DB MIRBOOURT. dtiy month, willing or unwilling, she shall become your wife." " Oh, Mr. De Mirecourt," he replied, with a look of mingled bitterness and pain. '' I seek not an unwilling bride— one forced to the altar against the wishes of her own heart. But are you not exacting too speedy a submission from Antoinette ? Scarcely a fortnight has elapsed since you first mentioned your "^fishes to her, and you must accord her a little' time to make up her mind. Why, she will require a month to recover from the effects of to-day's scolding " ; and he glanced compassionately towards Antoinette, who was leaning against a chsdr, her cheek pale as marble, and every feature quivering with agitation. Mr. De Mirecourt's heart smote him. During the seventeen years that his daughter had passed under the protecting shadow of his parental love, he had never addressed as many unkind and harsh words to her as he had done within the last ten minutes ; and unacquainted with the secret fears and anxieties tor- turing her heart, he attributed her overwhelming emotion entirely to his own severity. " Sit down Antoinette," continued Louis, reading, at once, the relenting expression stealing over her father's &ce. Sit down, and I know Mr. De Mirecourt will ANTOIKETTB DB MIRBCOURT. 137 promise to grant six months instead of one, to prepare your mind and your trousseau,^^ " You are a philosophical wooer, Louis," exclaimed Mr. Be Mirecourt, sarcastically; "more so than I would bave been at your age ; and seem to be in no hurry to seal your happiness." " Because I seek Antoinette's happiness before my own," he rejoined, whilst the old bitter expression clouded his countenance for a moment. " But speak, Mr. Be Mirecourt, is it not settled that you will give her six months longer for reflection; at the end of which time let us hope that your wishes and nune may be fulfilled." Poor Louis ! he knew well the futility of that hope ; but in his generous abnegation, he only thought of procuring a respite for the pale trembling ^rl before him. " Be it as you wish then," returned Mr. Be Mire- court, with an attempt at carelessness. " Since the expectant bridegroom is satisfied, so also should I be. But, Antoinette, remember that of what I have just told you concerning foreign lovers or suitors, I retract nothing. What I have said, I have said ; and if you disobey me, neither blessing nor inheritance will ever be yours. And now enough on this chapter. Where is Mr. B'Aulnay?" k 1 188 ANTOINBTTB DB MIBIOOURT. '^I will seek him, dear nnole," rejoined Mrs. D' Aulnaj, hastily rising, for her quick ear had caught the sound of the hall-^ioor opening. On leaving the room, instead of proceeding to the library where her husband was, she rapidly descended the stairs in time to arrest Stemfield, who was divesting himself of his outer coat, preparatory to seeking the society of the ladies, Jeanne having received no orders to exclude him. Mrs. D'Aulnay drew him hurriedly into a small ante-room off the hall, and in a few rapid words re- counted the stormy interview which had just passed up stairs. The major's flushed cheek and contracted brow betokened the intense annoyance the recital caused him ; and had his companion been as quick-* eyed as she generally was, she would have perceived that at her mention of Mr. De Mirecourt'^ threat of disinheriting his daughter, the Mstener's cheek gained a deeper glow, his eyes an angrier light. ^' Can you tell me," he irritably enquired, ^ how long this tyrannical old man is going to stay, for see my wife I must and shall." ^' Hush, hush, do not speak so loud« I think he will leave to-morrow morning; and tiU he has taken his departure, you must remain exiled &om her pre" ANTOINETTE DB BflREOOURT. 139 sence. Do not get impatient ; for, believe me, our penance meanwhile will be severer than yours." Dismissing Stemfield with a friendly pressure of the hand, she turned now to the library where she found, as she had expected, her husband; and im- mediately entered on a narrative of the late scene in the drawing-room, condemning Mr. De Mirecourt's harshness in no measured terms, and concluding by imploring Mr. D'Ai^nay to use all his influence in inducing this pdre Muvage to leave poor Antoinette a little longer with them. '^ Believe me, dear Andr^,' ' the l|Kly pathetically added, <* she will be scolded and worried into her grave, if she goes back with her still irritated father. Request, then, the prolongation of l^er visit as a personal favor ; and if yo^ are sufficientiy persevering, uncle De Mirecourt will scarcely refuse you." ^' Well, I will do as you ask me, Lucille, for I am really fond of the littie girl ; but still I cannot help thinking she would be better at home, than flirting and fluttering about with the military cavaliers that you sad she both so strongly aisct" I he Leu CHAPTER XV. The meeting between Mr. D'Aulnay and his guest was cordial in the extreme, for they had been fast friends from early boyhood, and, though dissimilar in many points of character, resembled each other in being both honorable, kind-hearted men. V n Mr. De Mirecourt's mentioning that he was about to bring his daughter back to the country, his host, with a warmth and earnestness for which the guest was un- prepared, insisted that Antoinette's visit should not be shortened in so sudden and unreasonable a manner. " It must be, my dear D'Aulnay. Your house here is too gay for an inexperienced country-girl, such as she is ; and I cannot trust her any longer among the fascinating English gallants whom report says find their way so frequently into Madame's salonsy " But surely where I trust my wife, you may safely trust your daughter ?" v ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. 141 m 16 id ^' Scarcely, Andr^. My fair niece has a stoi'e of experience and worldly knowledge which my little girl has not had time yet to acquire." " Well, even so, you will not refuse to leave her with us a couple of weeks longer ?" Mrs. D'Aulnay here joined her entreaties to those of her husband ; and after considerable pressing, Mr. De Mirecourt consented, though with considerable reluctance, that Antoinette should remain another fortnight in town, at the end of which time she was to return without fail to Yalmont. The evening passed pleasantly enough to most of the little party ; for Mrs. D'Aulnay and the good-natured Louis, whom the hostess had almost tearfullj pressed to remaih, exerted themselves to amuse the others. Antoinette alone was silent and sad ; but the scene of the morning, fortunately, accounted sufficiently for- her unusual depression. No allusion to that event was made by any one, except once, when she herself whispered to young Beauchesne : ^' My dear, kind Louis, how can I ever thank you sufficiently for your generous inter« ference this morning !" "Aye! Antoinette, you mai/ thank me, for tho effort caused me a sharp, bitter pang. I am not quite the cold philosophical wooer your father thinks me. 142 ANTOlMJPfl'E DB MIRSOOURT. H But no more of this now : it would only agitate you. Enough to say, that if I cannot be your lover, I will still continue to be your friend." His companion's beautiful eyes, so dangerously eloquent in their gratitude, drove poor Louis from her side, but only to see him soon return again; and as Mr. De Mirecoui't's watchful glance followed thear long-whispered conferences togeth^, his smiles became more genial, his laughs more frequent and pro- longed. In the course of the evening he consulted his host on the project so dear to his heart, informing him at the same time of Ant(Hnette's oppo^tion to his wishes. " Well, my opinion," replied Mr. D'Aulnay, as he directed, by a slight movement of his head, his com- panion's attention to the two young people who were standing at a distant window conversing in a low tone-^ '^ my opinion is, that you have only to let them alone, and they will soOn be more anxious even than yoursetf to fulfill your wishes. I know very little of womanly character or peculiarities, but I have read the works of those who have most deeply studied the question, and they all unite in asserting it to be a most difficult thing to force a young girl to love a smtor against her vown will. They indeed go farther, and say that to I' 4 ANTOINETTE PB MIREOOTTRT. 148 .4 warn her against, or forbid her loving any particular individual, is the most effectual way of ensuring her attaching herself to him." Mr. De Mirecourt smiled at this doctrine, and thought it might possibly be somewhat exaggerated ; but still he had sufficient respect for Mr. D'Aulnay's opinions, to accept his counsel of leaving his daughter unmolested for some time to come, on the subject of her marriage, convinced that such would be the most effectual means of bringing it about. He would have felt more anxious respecting the truth of his theory had he chanced to overhear the conversation going on at the distant window, in which Louis, in reply to his companion's whispered avowal that she loved Major Stemfield, resigned then and for ever, all hope of her hand ; promising, at the same time, with the innate generosity which formed so striking a feature in his character, to always do whatever he could to aid and befriend her. Mr.. De Mirecourt left early the follow- ing day, despite the condition of the roads ; and Antoinette, anxious to escape from her own harassing thoughts, seated herself at her tapestry-frame, where her white fingers were soon moving with as much rapidity as if no graver care engrossed her mind than the formation of the miniature lilies and roses she was 144 ANTOINETTE DB MIBECOURT. !i tracing on the canvass. Bending over her frame, her thoughts as busy as her fingers, she heard not the servant's announcement of a visitor, and it was only when enfolded in Stemfield*s arms that she was aware of his presence. Startled, surprised, she abruptly withdrew herself from his close clasp, and then, with crimsoned cheek, she asked, " Why did you do that, Audley ? " *' Why did I embrace my bride," he repeated with a forced laugh. ^' A singular question that, Antoi- nette !" " Listen to me," she gently though firmly rejoined, and this time there was no tremor in her voice, no nervousness m her manner. ^' I again repeat what I have once before told you, that till our marriage shall have been acknowledged in the eyes of the world, I shall be nothing nearer to you than I was as Antoi- nette De Mirecourt." *'You are unkind, unjust to treat me thus!" he vehemently rejoined. " Not so. Major Sternfield," exclaimed Mrs. D'Aul- nay, advancing towards them. Antoinette is right; and should I find that till the time she mentions has arrived, you should in any way annoy or grieve her, rest assured that much as I esteem you, much as I mmmms^. ANTOINBTTB DB MIRECOURT. 145 I have done and would do for you, I should be obliged to deny myself the pleasure of seeing you beneath my roof. Remember, Antoinette is under my protection, and I must shield her from unnecessary annoyance." " Good heavens !" impetuously interrupted Stem- field, "is it thus you threaten, speak to me about my own wife ! It passes human patience ! it passes belief! Nay, I must, I shall speak," he continued more violently than before, shaking off at the same time the hand which Mrs. D'Aulnay, partly in warning, partly in deprecation, had laid on his shoulder. Think you that after a clergyman has declared us one — after I have solemnly placed on her finger the wedding-ring that now glitters there, I am not to be allowed to speak to her — to even kiss the hem of her garments without permission ?" Antoinette, terrified by this hot outburst of passion, stood motionless with changing cheek and beating heart, but Mrs. D'Aulnay, wholly undismayed, quietly replied: "Be calm. Major Sternfield, and do not compel me already to regret the share I have had in bringing about your union. Yes, it must be as you say ; and till your marriage is openly proclaimed, I will run no risks of having my cousin's spotless name made a bye-word by servants and scandal-mongers .X 146 AlStOtStftTE 1>E MntfiCOtJIlt. througli too attentive civilities on your part. Ratlier tiian that duch a thing should happen, I would cloee my doors at once upon you." " By heaven ! you will drive me out of my senses !" he fiercely retorted. " I will not, I shall not submit to such intolerable tyranny. Antoinette, were the solemn Vows you uttered before God the other evening, a mere farce, an empty mockery ?" *' Oh ! no, no, Audley," and the soft pleading look, Ihe low earnest tones of the ^rl somewhat calmed teven hia fierce wrath. " Surely, I have already given jrou a great, a mighty proof of my love ; but under- stand, till the conditacus mentioned by me and sub- scribed to by yoursel' at the time of our marriage uhall have been published, I will not look on ^ latter as completed —as ratified. ** And when is tiiis ratification to take place ?" he questioned, though somewhat less violently than before. " Whenever you wish. Perhaps we had better write a full confession to my father at once," but a slight shudder ran through her frame as she spoke. "Beware of precipitation!" exclaimed Mrs. D*Aul- nay. " After yesterday's terrible scene, reflect carefully before venturing on such a step. He might cast you off — disinherit you at once. Even Major AKTOnnME BE lltllllOOV^T. uf Stemfield, excited as he is at the present moment, wiU join with me in condemning so hasty a proceeding. The way must he prepared first ; your father soothed imd humored till he is in a mood to receive such a communication more favorably. Am I not right, Audley ?" Stemfield, who had no wish that his bride should be portionless, felt the full justice of her remarks, and moodily replied in the affirmative. " Well, since such is the case, let us all make up our minds to be tolerant with one another. You, Audley, will promise to look on Antoinette merely as ^ourbetroUied,till a public repetition of the marriage- service in her own church shall have made her en- tirely and wholly yours." Stemfield made no reply, but walked to a window, near which he stood for some moments in sullen thought. This coiffitant harping on the incompleteness of their marriage made him both anxious and uneasy, and, after serious reflection, he returned to the spot where his pale young bride still stood, and exclaimed : ^* *Tis a hard and trying ordeal, Antoinette, to which you and Mrs. D'Aulnay wish to subject me ; and you would yourselves despise me, if my heart had not at first rebelled against it. If you wish it so, however, I must endeavor to submit. In return, you must 148 AKTOIKETTE DE MIRBCOURT. 1? both solemnly pronuse, nay, swear that you will not reveal our secret union, till I shall deem the time advisable." Mrs. D'Aulnay, ^ddy and thoughtless, at once rejoined, " Certainly : I see nothing wrong in that. I promise you, Audley, in the most solemn, the most binding manner that it shall be as you say. But ex- cuse me one moment : there is Jeanne at the door, waiting to consult me on some household topic." " Now, Antoinette, it is your turn," said Major Stemfield, as his hostess left the room. '^ I consent to waive, for the present, a husband's authority and privileges ; to look on you, treat you — ^hard task ! — as a stranger, instead of my own dear wife, as you really are. In return, you will bind yourself never to breathe the secret of this marriage to any one, nor to allow Mrs. D'Aulnay to reveal it, till I give you leave." " Oh, Audley ! " was the imploring rejoinder, ^^ why must we surround ourselves with more secresy ' — ^more mystery ? Alas ! have we not enough already around us ?" " It must be so, dearest, for your sake as well as mine. But this mystery, as you call it, will not last long, for my impatience to openly make you, call you mine, will brook no long delay. Promise, then 1" ■■I ANTOINETTE DE MIREOOURT. 149 " I do, most solemnly," she earaestly repeated. ** By this sign, whicn I know you hold so sacred," he added, raising to her lips a small gold cross which she always wore suspended from her neck. She kissed it, and repeated again, " I promise," adding afterwards, with a shudder, " My vow is in- deed a binding one, that cross was my mother's dying gift." " And I know you will keep it sacredly ; but sit down, Antoinette, darling, and we will talk quietly, kindly together, just as if we were but simple ac- quaintances; as if our destinies were not united beyond the power of aught on earth to ever part ttiem." When Mrs. D'Aulnay returned, she was enchanted to find Antoinette quietly seated at her frame, looking like her olden self; whilst Stemfield, on a low otto- man beside her, was reading aloud from some volume of love-verses, such passages as he deemed most suit- able to the circumstances. This was something like the realization of her romantic dreams for her young cousin — something like the piquante mystery she delighted in ; and resting her hand lightly on the young man's rich dark curls, she said with a half sigh, half smile, " What would some wives not give to have their husbands make love to them thus I" mmmmmmmmm 16a AHTOINBTTB DB UOmO^BTn Audlej Stemfield glanced towards his joung bride, and though the long lashes veiled the downcast eyes, the sweet smile that stole over her lips^ the sofi crim* son that suddenly flooded even her ivory neck, told that she, too, inwardly thought with Mrs, D'Aulnay, it wafl indeed very pleasant. mtttmummimmmm^m^' CHAPTER XVI. Thb stated fortnight, with its hours of pain and pleasure, passed rapidly oyer ; but alas ! poor Antoin- ette found that for her at least pain predominated. Apart from harraseing doubts regarding the possibility of her father's proving implacable ; apart from the remorse she experienced for the manner in which that kind, good father had been deceived and disobeyed, t*here was much in her lover's conduct to grieve and wound her. Ever passing from one extreme to another, he waa either all tenderness and passion, or else a prey to the most gloomy irritability ; and whilst under thQ influence of the latter mood, he would reproach her with her coldness and cruelty, in terms which made the ^I's eyes overflow, and her heart throb with mingled grief and indignation. Her approaching departure for the country was a continual source of recrimination and upbraicQng ; but despite all his lemonstraiOQesK her resqlutiou remained unchanged. 152 ANTOINETTE BE MIRECOURT. II ! She. knew, if Major Sternfield did not, that her father was not a man to be trifled with. The last day of her stay in town had arrived, and Mrs. D'Aulnay had invited a number of guests, in- tending that Antoinette's closmg evening should be as pleasant as possible. All was gaiety and glitter — promising a time of complete enjoyment; but one young heart was destined to learn, during the course of those mirthful hours, a new and keen suffering from which it had as yet been exempt. Antoinette had of course danced the fi**st dance with her lover, and as they promenaded slowly round the room, he abruptly exclaimed : " Were you speaking seriously yesterday evening, when you told me that you could not possibly say how long you would remain in Valmont ?" The reply was so low toned that he guessed, rather than heard its purport; and he rejoined irritably: " I tell you that so prolonged, perhaps uncertain an absence is more than I can patiently bear. However possible for you, it would be impossible for me ; so I shall soon run over to see you." " And what would papa say to that ?" she questioned, in alarm. " He would know nothing of it. I could go under a feii^ncd name, and stop at some yillage-inn near, or Ain:OIN£TTE DE MIBECOUBT. 153 at some farmer's house. You would have nothing to do then but to take your walks or drives in the right direction." " Audley, Audley, I dare not — I cannot do that. The sharp eyes, the busy *ongues, of village-gossips would soon make our meetings known, not only to papa, bvit to all the world." " So you refuse me even this paltry concession ! Beware, Antoinette : you are trying me too far !" " What can I do ? " she urged, turning an appeal- ing, tearful glance upon him. " What can you do !** he retorted, untouched by that pleading look. " Prove by your actions that you are a woman, not a silly child ; prove that you really feel, in some slight degree, the 'ove you so solemnly vowed me a fortnight since. Surely, I do not ask much. Permission to meet, to see you for a short hour ; and yet even that you heartlessly refuse me. If you continue thus insensible to pity, to common justice, I shall soon insist on your showing me both." *< These rejn'oaches are intolerable ! " gasped his companion, turning deadly pale. "Audley, I will confess all to my father at once, and throw myself on his mercy. Better his open thou^ terrible anger, than this uncea^g secret v^etehedness." I K'A Iff '1 i! 154 ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. ** No, you will not confess to Mr. De Mirecourt yet. Remember your solemn promise. When the favorable time comes, and not till then, shall I release you from that vow." " Oh, Major Stemfield, in what a net-work of deceit and mystery you have bound me !'' she rejoined with involuntary bitterness. " Perhaps you are already beginning to weary of your bonds," was the cold reply. " Well, I acknow- ledge I am a tiresome lover, too devoted, too fond ; I must endeavor to amend, however." Silence followed this remark, and soon after he led her to a seat, leaving her without further comment. In another moment, she saw him by the side of a graceful, dark-eyed brunette, whispering in her ear with the devotion he usually vouchsafed herself. An uneasy feeling smote her, but she resolutely corn- batted it, and accepted the hand of the first partner who presented himself. The dance over, her gaze involuntarily wandered in the direction of her lover. He stood just where she had last seen him, bending over his beautiful companion, toying with the flower she had given him from her bouquet, and adding, by his whispered flatteries, additional brilliancy to the iright flush that glowed on her cheek. Ah, noTT ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. 155 indeed, a keen, sharp pang shot through Antoinette^j heart ; but too proud, too maidenly to show it, she went calmly through the penance of another dance with a wearisome partner, who almost bewildered her already aching brain by his overwhelming flood of weak, small talk. It came, however, to an end, and then the slow measured strains of the minuet, so different to tb-j rapid polka, waltz, and galop of our days, struck up, and Stemfield and his companion pressed forward to join it. Still Antoinette bore all bravely. Another partner came up, and, though she declined dancing under a plea of fatigue, he retained his post beside her. Nothing daunted by her discouraging silence, he stood his ground, de- termined to have her hand for at least once during the evening; and when the music of the contra dance, which succeeded to the minuet, commenced playmg, she unwillingly stood up with him. By some unpleasant freak of fate, the place that fell to her lot was very near the couch on which Stemfield and his partner were now resting; and during the course of that interminable dance, she had to stand an apparently unconcerned spectator of that mutually engrossed couple, who seemed at the moment so 156 ANTOINETTE DE MIRBCOURT. entirely wrapped up in each other. Notwithstanding her close proximity, never once did Stemfield's glance wander towards herself; and as she silently watched them — ^how could she help it! she ever and anon asked her aching heart, '' Is that man really my hus- band ? Must I see all this, bear all this, and not even dare to complain — this too, the last evening that we shall be together for perhaps many weeks ! Bring me to the other room, it is too warm here," she abruptly said, when her partner, noticmg her exces- sive pallor, asked her at the close of the dance if she were ill. With a sentiment of relief, she entered a small sit- tmg-room, specially appropriated to Mrs. D'Aulnay's use, which at the moment chanced to be vacant ; and, longing for a moment's solitude to school her looks and voice to the calmness they ought to wear, she eagerly assented to her partner's proposal that he should procure her some refreshment. He was scarcely gone, when the clanking of approaching spurs told that an intruder was at hand. It proved to be Colonel Evelyn, who had accepted (an unusual cir- cumstance for him) Mrs. D'Aulnay's invitation for that evening ; and who now, without perceiving i ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT. 167 Antoinette, threw himself on the sofa with a wearied ennuyS look. His glance, however, in carelessly wandering round the room, suddenly fell upon her, when he started up, exclaiming, <