IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

K<^

1.0

^1^ 1^

^ ml 12.2
S 1^ 12.0

«IUU

1.1

IL25 inu

1.6

Hiotographic

Sciences

GorporatiGn

23 WIST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

C!HM/ICMH

Microfiche

Series.

CIHIVI/ICMH
Collection de
microfiches.

Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian ie microreproductions historiques

Technical and Bibliographic Notas/Notas tachniquas at bibliographiquas

Tha Inatituta has attamptad to obtain tha bast
original copy availabia for filming. Faaturas of this
copy which may ba bibliographically uniqua,
which may altar any of tha imagas in tha
raproduction, or which may significantly changa
tha usual mathod of filming, ara chackad balow.

Coloured covers/
Couverture de couleur

I I Covers damaged/

Couverture endommag^e

Covers restored and/or laminated/
Couverture restauria et^ou pelliculAe

□ Cover title missing/
Le

titre de couverture manque

j I Coloured maps/

Cartes giographiques en couleur

Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/
Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire)

I I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/

Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur

Bound with other material/
Relii avac d'autr'^s documents

Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion
along interior margin/

La re liure serrds peut causer de I'ombre ou de la
distortion le long de la marge inttrieure

Blank leaves added during restoration may
appear within the text. Whenever possible, these
have been omitted from filming/
II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajouttes
lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte,
mais, torsque cela 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont
pas ^td filmias.

Additional comments:/
Commentaires suppl^mentaires;

The
toti

L'institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire
qu'il lui a At6 possible de se procurer. Les details
da cat exemplaire qui sont peut-Atre uniques du
point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier
une image reproduite. ou qui peuvent exiger une
modification dans la mAthode normale de filmage
sont indiqute ci-dessous.

□ Coloured pages/
Pages de couleur

D
D

Pages damaged/
Pages endommagtes

Pages restored and/or laminated/
Pages restaurAes et/ou peiiiculAes

Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/
Pages d6color6es, tachet6es ou piqudes

Pages detached/
Pages d6tach6es

The
posi
of tl
filmi

Orig
begl
the I
sion
othfl
first
sion
or ill

r~| Showthrough/

Transparence

Quality of prir

Quaiiti in^gala de I'impression

Includes supplementary materii
Comprend du material supplimentaire

I I Quality of print varies/

I 1 Includes supplementary material/

|~n Only edition available/

The
shall
TINl
whit

IVIap
difffl
antii
begi
right
requ
metl

Seule Edition disponible

Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata
slips, tissues, etc.. have been refilmed to
ensure the best possible image/
Les pages totalement ou partiellement
obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une peiure,
etc., ont 6ti film^es A nouveau de fapon d
obtanir la meilleure image possible.

This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/

Ce document est filmi au taux de reduction indiquA ci-dessous.

10X

14X

18X

22X

26X

SOX

12X

16X

20X

24X

28X

32X

ire

details
les du
modifier
ler une
filmage

The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanlcs
to the generosity of:

National Library of Canada

The imagas appearing here are the best quality
possible considering the condition and legibility
of the original copy and in keeping with the
filming contract specifications.

L'exemplaire filmA fut reproduit grAce ii la
gAnArosit* de:

BibliothAque nationale du Canada

Les images suivantes ont M reproduites avec le
plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition at
de la nettet* de l'exemplaire film*, et en
conformity avec les conditions du contrat de
filmage.

6es

Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed
beginning with the front cover and ending on
the last page with a printed or illustrated impres-
sion, or the bacic cover when appropriate. All
other original copies are filmed beginning on the
first page with a printed or illustrated impres-
sion, and ending on the last page with a printed
or illustrated impression.

Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en
papier est imprimte sont filmte en commenpant
par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la
dernlAre page qui comporte une empreinte
d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second
plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires
originaux sont filmte en commenpant par la
premiere page qui comporte une empreinte
d'impression ou d'illuetration et en terminant par
la derniAre page qui comporte une telle
empreinte.

The last recorded frame on each microfiche
shall contain the symbol — ^ (meaning "CON-
TINUED"), or the symbol y (meaning "END"),
whichever applies.

Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la
derniire image de cheque microfiche, selon le
cas: le symbols — ^ signifie "A SUIVRE", le
symbols y signifie "FIN".

Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at
different reduction ratios. Those too large to be
entirely included in one exposure are filmed
beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to
right and top to bottom, as many frames as
required. The following diagrams illustrate the
method:

Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre
film6s A des taux de reduction diff Arents.
Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre
reproduit en un seul clichA, il est film6 A partir
de I'angle supArieur gauche, de gauche A droite,
et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre
d'images nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants
illustrent la mAthode.

y errata
id to

ne pelure,

ipon d

32X

4 .

>v ■^ •% >

^ ^^-•

>, ••%

*\^k"\\

•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

PKEFACE.

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.

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

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.

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 •;

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

rs«

ANTOINBTTB DB MIBBCOURT.

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

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.

** 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 ;

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."

*-•

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

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

vri

ANTOINETTE DB MIRECOURT.

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

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.

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."

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

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

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOtJRT.

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 /(^<e with more buoyancy of spirit,

and freshness of enjoyment than he did into the simple

■J

rejoicings succeeding his return to his own quiet home
in Valmont. »

Warm and loving hearts were waiting there to wel-
come him back, — the widowed mother, who had found
so powerful a solace in his thoughtful affection, for the
loss of the husband and children who lay sleeping be-
neath, the seigneurial pew from which Sunday or holi-
day so rarely found her absent ; friendly neighbors

AKTOINETTE DE MIRECOTtRT.

d
e

ftnd censitaires too, not omitting the orphaned Corinne
Delorme, a young girl distantly related to Mrs. De
Mirecourt, whom the latter had brought up with a
mother's care, and whom he had always looked on as
a dear sister*

This same Corinne, though possessing a graceful
figure and regular small features, had never obtained
the title of a beauty,— a circumstance which may have
arisen in part from her total want of that gaiety and
animation in which Canadian girls are so rarely defi-
cient, or from a certain look of languor and pallor, the
result of a very delicate fragile constitution.

A more exacting woman than Mrs. De Mirecourt
might have occasionally taxed her young protSgee with
ingratitude, so undemonstrative, so quiet was she in
word and manner ; but then it must be remembered
that the young girl never forgot those silent unobtru-
sive attentions, that respectful deference which daugh-
ter owes to parent. Never perhaps had Corinne'a
constitutional coldness showed itself more plainly, or
in a more annoying form to her benefactress, than on
the occasion of Arthur De Mirecourt's return to his
native land. Whilst household, friends and neighbors,
were planning festivities and rejoicings to duly honor
the expected arrival, she alone displayed a prov:>king

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.

•e-

I u

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

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.

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."

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.

••>.
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. .

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.

" 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.

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

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,

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

3; but
lit she
ourted
ieed a

ng her
>st, her
, better
Major
y been
ipany;

ent, he

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^

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.

** 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."

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.

" 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-

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 —

! i

ANTOINETTE DE MIRBCOtmT.

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.

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

ANTOINETTE DE MIRBCOURT.

( ■

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

ANtOINfiTTE DE MIRECOUBT.

" 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.

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

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOUKT.

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..

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-

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.

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.

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.

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

ANTOINETTE DB MIRBCOURT.

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

■aaa

'S,

AKTOINBTTB DB MIRECOURT.

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-

vii

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,"

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<estruction. Can I do anything for you now ? Let
me bathe it in cold water."

" Oh, no : 'tis a mere trifle, which Jeanne will attend
to when I get home," she snulingly rejoined, but color-
ing as she hastily drew down her sleeve.

A momentary pause ensued, and then Colonel Evelyn,
who had been earnestly regarding her, exclaimed—

" Do you know that you have behaved throughout
like a perfect heroine ? Not a start, not even a single
exclanration of fear; and yet I am certain, from the

ANTOINBTTJB DB MIRECOUHT.

expression of your countenance) that you were greatly
alarmed."

Antoinette hesitated a moment, and then an irre-
pressible smile broke into countless dimples around
her pretty mouth as she shyly rejoined :

" They say one great fear almost neutralizes an-
other ; and terrified as I was by the mad career of our
steeds, I was almost equally afraid of yourself."

" How, of me ?" he wonderingly exclaimed.

" Yes. In the first place I was in your sleigh
merely on sufferance : I had been, as it were, forced
on you, undesired and unsolicited, and consequently
felt doubly bound to behave well. No, do not inter-
rupt me," she playfully said, as Evelyn essayed a few
dissenting words, remembering at the same time with
something like remorse, the harsh judgment he had
inwardly passed on her previous to their setting out.
" Then, secondly," — ^but here the speaker paused in
some slight embarrassment. ^

" And what, secondly ?" questioned her compa-
nion, considerably amused,

" Well, I had been told that you were an inveterate
woman-hater, and consequently presumed that you
would show but little mdulgence to a woman's fears
or fancies."

fir

ANTOINETTE DE MIBECOUBT.

A look of mental pain instantly chased the smile
from Evelyn's face, and almost involuntarily he
rejoined : " The unenviable character you give me,
has been won and borne by many, merely because
they have practised a prudence taught them by past
experience."

The words were uttered in a low, constrjuned tone,
and the speaker immediately walked to the little win-
dow as if to terminate the subject.

Suddenly, two loud reports of a gun, fired in quick
succession, startled Antoinette, whose nervous system,
notwithstanding her apparent calmness, had been con-
siderably shaken by the late adventure, and an excla-
mation of terror escaped her lips. Evelyn winced kB
the shots rang through the air ; but instantly recover-
ing himself, he turned to his companion, kindly
exclaiming :

" Do not be alarmed r " 'tis our host, who is perform-
ing an act of mercy, and puttmg my poor maimed
horses out of their pain."

" What ! both killed !" and the girl involuntarily
clasped her hands.

" Yes, I examined ik&m well, and seeing that pro-
longed life would only be prolonged agony to them,
I sent our kind assistant to borrow a gun at some

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

neighboring cottage, and left to him the painful task
of releasing them. I was too cowardly to wait myself
for the accomplishment of the sacrifice.'*

After a moment's pause, Antoinette exclaimed in a
low agitated voice :

" I need not say how deeply sorry I am, Colonel
Evelyn, for you, as well as for the indirect share I
may have had in this unfortunate event; nor how
grieved I am that thought or remembrance of myself
should be connected in your memory with the most
unpleasant circumstance that will probably mark your
sojourn in Canada."

" Do not say that. Miss De Mirecourt," he hurriedly
replied. " Rather felicitate me on the fortunate
chance which ordained that you should have been my
companion, instead of Madame D'Aulnay, or some
other timid woman whose weak fears would have
infallibly destroyed two lives more precious than that
of a couple of carriage-horses. But one woman out
of many could have displayed the self-command you
did to-day, and which tended more to our mutual pre-
servation than any skill or horsemanship of mine.
But here comes our humble friend with the wreck of
our late equipage."

Antoinette approached the window and saw their

.ii

AN OINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

host, aided by a couple of men whom he had called to
his assistance, bringing forward a handsomely carved
dash-board, and the rich tiger-skin robes. These
latter, being thoroughly saturated by their late immer-
sion, were instantly spread to dry on the low stone
wall surrounding the garden of the cottage. Through
their united efforts they then succeeded in dragging
up the body of the sleigh from the foot of the bank, and
placing it beside the rest of the debris. Wliilst the men
were standing round the latter, and passing some sage
remarks upon the accident, the loud tinkling of nume-
rous sleigh-bells became audible, and the driving-party
soon came dashing up. Suddenly, Major Sternfield,
who was drivixig Madame D'Aulnay, caught sight
of the broken sleigh lying by the road-side, and
recognizing the rich sleigh-robes, he reined up his
horse with a precipitate violence which elicited a loud
scream from his companion, and sprang to the ground.
Hurriedly beckoning to the men, he addressed some
rapid enquiries to them, the answers to which seemed
in some degree to reassure both himself and Mrs.
D*Aulnay, who at the first hint of the accident seemed
dreadfully alarmed. Sternfield helped her to alight,
and they entered the cottage, soon followed by thr
remainder of the party, who were all equally curioii?^
and excited.

ANTOINETTE DB MIBECOURT.

Expressions of sympathy with Miss De Mirecourt's
late fright and congratulations on her escape, were of
course the order of the day ; but most of the gentle-
men were equally sincere in their condolences with
Colonel Evelyn on the loss of his fine bays, to which
professions of regret the latter listened with more impor
tience than gratitude. A consultation regarding the
return of the actors in the late adventure was then
held, and it was decide^ that Mrs. D'Aulnay's servant
should yield his place behind to Major Sternfield, who
should in turn give up his seat beside Mrs. D'Aulnay
to Antoinette. Colonel Evelyn, instinctively avoiding
any of the sleighs containing members of the fairer por-
tion of humanity, found part of a seat in a narrow
cutter already nearly filled by the portly Dr. Manby
and a brother officer, but he contrived to cling on to it
till they reached Lachino. ♦

Here the party halted for rest and refreshment at
the inn of the place, which was a very indifferent one ;
but through Sternfield's foresight, a large hamper
containing choice wines and other refreshments had
been placed in one of the sleighs, and was heartily
welcomed when produced.

The early sunset of December was illuminating the
front of Mrs. D'Aulnay's mansion when the party

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

stopped before it. Friendly farewells were smilingly
interchanged, and then the members of the party sought
their respective homes. Colonel Evelyn kindly shook
hands with Antoinette, earnestly reiterating his hope
that the morrow would find her completely recovered
from the effects of her late alarm ; but Major Stern-
field, less easily satisfied, implored Mrs. D'Aulnay to
grant him permission to enter with them, or at least
return that evening. This th§ lady smilingly but
positively negatived, declaring that Miss De Mire-
court's pale cheek plainly betrayed she wanted imme-
diate and complete repose.

That evening, Mrs. D'Aulnay passed with Antoi-
nette in the latter 's apartment, and, after some ques-
tioning and cross-questioning regarding the day's
mis-adventure, she enquired if there would be any
indiscretion in asking to see the letters her cousin had
lately received from home. Somewhat reluctantly
the latter put them in her hand, but the elder lady
caressingly exclaimed as she wound her arm round the
young girl's neck, " You must have no secrets from
me, my little Antoinette ! You have neither mother
nor sister to confide in ; choose me then as your friend
and counsellor."

Mr. De Mirecourt's letter she read slowly over, and

ANTOINETTE DB MIEECOUKT.

then refolded without further comment ; but after a
rapid glance at the contents of Mrs. G<^rard's epistle,
she crushed it up in her hand, and, opening the stove
door, threw it in.

The act had taken Antoinette so completely by sur-
prise that the paper was in ashes before she had fully
comprehended her companion's intention ; but recov-
ering from her indignant amazement, she exclaimed,
whilst her cheek flushed crimson :

" Why did you do that, Madame D'Aulnay ?"

" Simply because I will not have my darling little
cousin made miserable by dwelling over and pondering
on the prosy letters of any narrow-minded, strait-laced
old woman. Why, tiiat absurd epistle caused you a
head-ache and crying-fit yesterday ; and, think you, I
will run the risk of a repetition of the same thing to-
day, especially whilst you are in such a nervous,
exhausted state ?"

" You did very wrong, Lucille," replied the girl,
reproachfully ; " but I will say no more on the sub-
ject, as I doubt not you intended well."

" Many thanks, little one, for your prompt forgive-
ness; and in return for it, I will impart to you a
secret which I have just discovered. Why do you not
ask what it is? Well, I will reveal it without any

I '

ANTOINETTE DE MIREOODRT.

pressing. It is the pleasant fact that you have made
a complete conquest of the handsomest and most fasci-
nating man in the circle uf our acquaintance. Audley
Sternfield is deeply in love with you."

A rosy flush instantly overspread Antoinette's face,
whilst Mrs. D'Aulnay archly added :

" And to follow up my discoveries, I do not think
he loves in vain."

Eagerly the young girl strove to refute the charge,
but her blushes and confusion increased, till at length
she desisted and listened in silence to her companion's
raillery. When the latter finally paused, she gravely
resumed —

" Lucille, I am sincere in saying I do not think I
love him. I admire hin very much, prefer his society
to that of most other men" —

" Why, you delightfully innocent little creature,
what is all this but love ? I did not feel the half of it
for Mr. D'Aulnay, when I. married him. Seriously,
you are very fortunate, and will be an object of envy
to all the young girls of our acquaintance. Independent
of his matchless personal gifts and accomplishments,
he belongs to an excellent family, and, despite his com-
parative youth, his military rank is high. Why, before
you are six years married to him, you will probably be
a ColOiieFs wife."

ANTOIKETOB DB MIRECOURT.

"Married to hito, Lucille! how can you talk so
thoughtlessly ? — Have yoir not just read my father's
letter ? "

" What of it, child?" Who ever heard of fathers in
real or fictitious life, — on the stage or ofif it,— doing
what tliey ought to do, or acting in a kind and rea-
sonallc manner ? They are always either striving to
force their daughters into marriages which would ensure
their misery, or seeking to prevent them contracting
those which would procure their happiness. A girl must
have spirit, and allow no authority to come between
herself and the man she loves, especially if he be a
passable match in a worldly point of view."

The practical suggestion contained in the latter part
of Mrs. D'Aulnay's speech seemed somewhat incon-
sistent with the previous romantic tenor of her elo-
quence ; but Antoinette, without nt^'cing the discre-
pancy, quickly rejoined :

" You should not speak thus, Lucille. I do not know
what some fathers may be, but I know that mine has
always been kind and hdulgent, — has always acted
in a manner calculated to ensure my deepest love and
respect."

" All very well, child, whilst you have submitted,
as heretofore^ to his will in everything ; but wait till

ANTOINETTE DE MIEECOURT.

you venture to oppose or differ from him on any ma-
terial point. Believe me, dearest, I know more of life
than you can possibly do ; and you will yet acknowl-
edge the correctness of my opinion."

Alas, what a dangerous guide and companion had
fallen to Antoinette's lot ! How little chance had her
simple childish reasoning against the refined sophistries
of this accomplished woman of the world !

/^c^^sSiiS^'SSN.

y ma-
aiowl-

1 had
d her
istries

CHAPTBlt X.

The following morning Colonel Evelyn called to
enquire how Miss De Mirecourt was, but he did not
ask to see her, merely leaving his car'^,

" Well, that is more than I would have expected
from such a semi-barbarian, especially after the loss of
his splendid horses," was Mrs. D'Aukay's qualified
encomium.

In the afternoon the ladies went down to the draw-
ing-room, and soon after Major Sternfield entered.
There was an indescribable gentleness in his manner,
which made Antoinette imagine she had never yet
seen him appear to such advantage ; and she began
to think Mrs. D'Aulnay must be rights and that she
really did love Ixim. Contrary to her usual wont, the
hostess left the room on some trifling pretext, after a
half-hour^s conversation, and Antoinette, with a fueling
of unusual nervousness, caused probably by a recol-
lection of the secret her cousin had imparted to her

r •{

ANTOINETTB DE MIRECOURT.

the day previous, found herself alone with Audley
Stemficld.

The latter was not one to lose an opportunity he had
eagerly sought and desired, and, after alluding in elo-
quent words, rendered still more i)crsuasive ])y the
musical tones in which the were uttered, to the agita-
tion and alarm her late accident had caused him, he
poured forth protestations of love and devotion into the
ear of his blushing listener. 'Tis not to be wondered at
that such terms of impassioned devotion, whispered
for the first time to a young romantic girl, should be
fraught with dangerous power ; and when we remember
that the speaker was one endowed with the rarest per-
sonal gifts, we will cease to wonder if Antoinette sat
confused and silent, feeling that she did, she must
reciprocate in some measure the ardent love lavished
on herself. Still the answer, the little monosyllabic
"yes" that Stemfield so earnestly implored, came
not ; and feeling that moments to him of golden worth
were rapidly passing, he suddenly knelt beside her,
and takirg her hand in his, renewed his petition with
more impassioned fervor than before.

At that moment the sound of a door closing at the
end of the passage fell on Antoinette's ear, and she
hurriedly exclaimed "Rise, for heaven's sake, Major
Stemfield; rise ! I hear some one coming."

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

Ithe
jhe

" What of that, Antoinette ? Here will I remain till
I receive some hope — some word of encouragement —
till you whisper me, yes." •

" Yes, then yes," was the girl's quick, almost indis-
tinct reply. " Rise at once."

" Thanks, my own," murmured he, raising the hand
he still held, to his lips, and rapidly passing on one of
the slight fingers a splendid opal ring, the seal of their
mutual betrothal.

Here Mrs D'Aulnay entered, and a slight but well-
pleased smile flitted across her face as her glance
passed from Sternfield's }iandsome features, glowing
with happy triumph, to the embarrassed, averted coun.
tenance of her cousin. The gentleman did not greatly
prolong his stay, for his quick tact told him that his
absence just then would prove a great relief to his shy
betrothed; but as he took leave of Mrs. D'Aulnay,
where she stood a httle apart, looking from a window,
he whispered :

" How can I ever thank }ou sufficiently, my true
and generous friend! My suit has been favorably
received."

A kindly smile was his answer, and then, as the door
closed upon him, Mrs. D'Aulnay approached and
threw herself on a sofa beside her companion. The

iiiiiimiiirr n — i — •

AirrOINETTE DE MIRBCOURT.

latter however seemed in no mood for conversation ;
and unwilling to compel her confidence, the lady
touched lightly on indifferent topics, passing, apparently
without design, a warm eulogium on Stemficld, which
almost set at rest sundry uneasy doubts and reflections
which even then were agitating Antoinette's mind.
That night, however, when the young girl, according
to her wont, bade an affectioaate good night to her
hostess, the latter took her hand, and, glancing sig-
nificantly at the brilliant ring that sparkled there,
imprinted a kiss on her fair young cheek, whispering
at the same time words of earnest joyful gratulation, to
which Antoinette replied only by blushes and a slight
pressure from her tiny fingers.

A day or two after, Jeanne entered the drawing-
room to announce a visitor for Mademoiselle Antoinette,
and her smiling, "^t'-ified look presented a marked con-
trast to the grim lu'jroval with which she ever her-
alded the approach of any of King George's gallant
officers, for whom she entertained, individually and
collectively, a profound antipathy.

" Who is it, Jeanne ? "

" A young gentleman. Mademoiselle. One much
'nicer than any we have seen about here for some time
past."

ANTOINETTE DE MIEECOUKT.

Mrs. D'Aulnay quietly smiled at this uncoromonious
speech, hut uttered no remark, whilst the privileged
Jeanne continued, " I am sure Mademoiselle will be
pleased to see Mr. Beauchesne."

*' Louis Beauchesne ! " quickly repeated the lady
of the house. " Oh, he brings you letters or special
messages from home, Antoinette, so I will go to the
library for a little while, as I wish to speak to Mr.
D'Aulnay, but I will return soon. Jeanne, show this
favored young gentleman up at once."

Shortly after, a young man of five-and-twenty
with a clear ringing voice and open handsome counte-
nance, entered the apartment, and accosted Antoinette
with a degree of familiarity which betokened that great
intimacy, if not friendship, existed between the two
parties. The first few moments of friendly questioning
over, it suddenly struck the young girl that there was
an unusual degree of constraint about her companion's
manner ; and she was on the pomt of frankly asking
the cause, when the latter drew a letter from his breast-
pocket and handed it to her, exclaiming, in a some-
what embarrassed voice, " From your father, Antoi-
nette '■ ; after which brief piece of information, he rose
and walked towards a window.

Antomette's quick glance rapidly scanned the con-

w \r 'i^.

.\5

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

.^^%

1.0

1.1

itt 3tt g2.2

Fhotogr^)hJc

Sciences

Corporation

33 \MIST MAIN STRUT

WiBSTn,N.Y. 14SM

(71«)t72-4S03

ANTOINETTB DB MIRECOURT.

tents of the epistle ; and astonishment, perplexity, and
annoyance successively passed over her countenance as
she read on. . ^

At length she sharply exclaimed, " Are you ac-
quainted with the contents of this letter, Louis ? "

"I might hazard a guess at its purport," Beau-
-chesne hesitatingly rejoined, " though your father did
not show it to rje."

" No prevarication," was the quick reply. " You
know as well as mysf^lf, that my father informs me
here in the most sudden and unexpected manner, that
he has chosen you as my future husband, and that I am
to receive you as such."

Beauchesne's dark cheek slightly flushed, but he
made no reply, whilst his companion petulantly re-
sumed ; " Why do you not speak ? Surely you agree
«with me that the whole thing is most absurd and un-
reasonable ?"

" Pardon me, Antomette," and the young man's
tone plainly betrayed both mortification and wounded
feeling. " Pardon me, but I really see nothing so
very ridiculous in the proposition. Moving in the
same circle — ^belonging to the same race and creed —
intimate together from earliest childhood — "

" Yes, there it is," she hastily inteiTupted. " The

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

friendly familiarity in which we have grown up to-
gether, has taught us to love each other dearly, but
only as brother and sister."

*' Again, pardon me," and this time an almost
imperceptible smile curved the comers of his hand-
some mouth. '^ On that point, at least, I am fully
competent to judge, and can assure you that my
love is something more than brotherly in its fervor
and warmth."

" How provoking you are, Louis! you speak in
that strain merely to annoy me."

" Antoinette, be petulant — unkind if you will, but
do not be unjust," he replied, approaching close to her
chair, and fixing his earnest gaze upon her face. ^' I
do love you, and my affection is not the less sincere that'
it is unaccompanied by any of those frenzied outbursts
of passion which all lovers in romances or melodramas
are bound to indulge in."

Poor Louis ! At that moment the perverse Antoi-
nette was mentally contrasting, and greatly to his dis-
advantage, this really rational, truthful declaration of
. affection with the late impassioned words and looks of
Audley Sternfield. Perhaps something 'of what was.
passing in her mind, betrayed itself in her countenance,
for Beauchesne continued with a slight touch of bitter-
ness :

."I

ANTOINETTE DB MIRECOURT.

" But, I forget, you may perhaps have been listen-
ing of late to the love-vows of those who are proficients
in the art in which I am only a novice. What chance
of success has my simple, unstudied speech against
the polished eloquence of those gallant gentlemen of
the sword, who have perhaps made love in a dozen
different climes to as many different women ? You
forget, Antoinette, I labor under the angular disad-
vantage of your bemg the first idol my heart has wor-
shipped — ^your ear the first into which I would pour
promises or vows of love."

The truth of some of the allu^ons contained in
Louis's last speech, dyed the young girl's cheek with
tell-tale blushes, and she was too much confused to
venture on a reply. Beauchesne partly read ihe truth
in her embarrassment; an<f he quickly resumed, in tones
in which regret had replaced the bitterness which had
marked his previous words .•

" Surely it is not really so, Antoinette ? Surely
you have not given so quickly to a stranger the love
you refuse to the tried friend of childhood?"

" It matters not how that may be, Louis dear," she
replied, deeply touched by the appealing gentleness of
his last words ; " but do not be angry with me if I
frankly and truly declare I never can return your
love."

ANTOINETTE BE MIRSCOUBT.

" So be it," he calmly rejoined, bu<; his lip slightly
quivered as he spoke. '^ 'Tis better we should under-
stand each other at once. May the one you have
chosen prove one half as true and faithful as I would
have done."

A pause followed, which was broken by^Antoinette
exclaiming in ^ troubled voice, '^ I fear papa will be
very angry with me. Did he seem exceedingly
anxious for our marriage ?"

^' So anxious that he never even counted on the
possibility of my failure."

^' I suppose, then, that whenever he learns the real
state of things, he will hasten here in great anger, and
terrify me to death" ; and her eyes filled with tears at
the prospect her fancy had thus conjured up.

The kind-hearted Beauchesne, touched, notwith-
standing his late grievous disappointment, by the
childish fears of his companion, encoura^^y replied,
that he felt assured Mr. De Mirecourt was too just
and indulgent to blame his daughter for refusing her
hand where she could not give her heart."

'^ Ah ! I do not know that. Papa is kind, but he
does not like opposition of any sort. Louis dear, if
you would only be generous enough to help me !" and
she looked up eagerly in his fi%ce.

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

" How ?" he briefly questioned.

" When you return, tell papa, what of course you
ought and do secretly feel, that as my affections are
not yours, you will no longer seek my hand."

" Most assuredly, Antoinette De Mirecourt," he
rejoined, ilHtation and amusement struggling for the
mastery in his breast, " I will do no such thing : be
thankful that I do not tell him I am willing to wait for
you, even seven years long,«s Jacob waited for his
bride." »

" Well, then, tell me Louis, that you for^ve me for
what has just passed between us. Promise me that we
shall remain as fast friends as we have hitherto been 1"

There was no resisting that entreating look, that
pleading, coaxing tone ; and the young man frankly
grasping her hand, rejoined. "I promise willingly. Yes,
as we cannot be lovers, we shall at least remain friends.
But I must leave you now : I have imperative busi-
ness to attend to."

" You must not go without seeing Madame D'Aul-
nay. She would be qmte angry with you."

*' Frankly, I would rather forego that pleasure to-
day. Lucille is no great favorite of mine."

" Nonsense ! sho expects you to remain here, and
will be vexed with me if I allow you to leave without

:.'*^ '

ANTOINETTE DE MntECOXTRT.

her seeing you. Wait but one moment : I will bring
her immediately/' and Antoinette hastened from the
room.

During her absence, another visitor, Major Stemfield,
was shown into the drawmg-room. On his entrance,
young Beauchesne, with his usual frank courtesy,
bowed, preparatory to exchan^g some commonplace
remarks with the new-comer ; but the latter, falling
back on the sublime dandyism which he had the tact
to keep in abeyance when In the society of Mrs.
D'Aulnay and her cousin, or of his own intimate
friends, inquiringly stared at tMs unknown candidate
for the honor of his acquaintance ; and then sinking
back in the deep easy-chair which Antoinette had just
vacated, and on the arm of which her perfumed hand-
kerchief still lay, industriously commenced dustmg
his well-fitting boot with his tiny, agate-headed cane.

Beauchesne, humorously determined to show the
Exclusive that supercilious impertinence was not the
special prerogative of any class or profession, lounged
across the room to the mantle-mirror, and commenced
pulling up his collar and running his hand through his
thick raven curls with a self-concentrated solicitude,
an utter forgetfulness of time and place, which success-
fully rivalled in impertinence even Stemfield's super-

■'•IT?^"^"""!"'"

AUrrOINBTIE DS MIBBCOTIBT.

refined: dandyism. On the entrance of tho la^Iies,
LouiSy exercising tiie prerogative of intimate acqusdn-
tance, turned languidly towards them, listlessly hoping
they were well, and then sank on a couch with a
wearied nonchalance which was a tolerably fiuthful
reproduction of the manner in which Major Stemfield
had just performed the same action.

The latter seeing at once that this daring provincial
was actually turning him into ridicule, darted a covert
fladiing ^ance upon him, and Mrs. D'Auhiay, com-
prehending the position of affairs, quickly exclaimed :

^' Oh ! come here, Louis, I want to ask you a ques-
tion about Uncle Be Mrecourt."

She retreated into the hall as if to ask or impart
something of a confidential nature, and when the some-
what unwilling Louis had joined her, she caught his
arm and playfiilly shaking him, enquired in a whisper :
^ What sort of an impression did he intend ^ving her
guest of Canadian politeness."

^^ As good as that which he has given me of foreign
breeding," was the cool reply. '^ But tell me, Lucille,
in heaven's name, is yonder handsome coxcomb the
chosen lover of Antomette ?"

^' He is certainly a great admirer of hers, did I
believe & somewhat, favi^red one," waa the hesitating

ANTOINETTB DE lOREOOURT.

IS,
tt-

reply ; " but, Louis, you must not talk of, or treat Major
Stemfield so contemptuously : he is a man of rare gifts,
and—"

" There, there, Lucille, that will do," and he
strove impatiently to shake off the little hand that
still rested on his arm. " God help her, poor child !
she will learn soon that what she takes for pure gold
is but dross. No, I cannot stay to-day. Do not urge
me further. Say farewell to Antoinette for me. Au
revoir^*; and breaking from the hand that still sought
to detain him, he hurriedly left the house.

Mrs. D'Aulnay mused a moment, and then mur-
muring, " Certainly a disappointed suitor !*' slowly
turned back into the drawing-room, thinking what a
terrible sacrifice it would be to give Antoinette to
such a lover.

C".

CHAPTER XI.

Major Stemfield, whose equanimity had been con-
siderably rufiled by his meeting with I<ouis B^au-
chesne, did not stay long; and after he had taken His
departure, the letter which Louis had brought was
again read, and its contents discussed by both ladies.
The somewhat arbitrary though kindly tone of the
epistle was triumphantly pointed out by Mrs. D'Aul-
nay as an irresistible proof of the truth of her theory
respecting the unreasonable tyranny of fathers, where
their daughters' aflfections were concerned ; and her
conjectures with regard to the extremities Mr. Do
Mirecourt would proceed to in order to enforce his
wishes, put Antomette into a state of feverish rest-
lessness which effectually banished sleep from her
pillow that night. A severe headache, which confined
her the ensuing morning to her room, was the conse-
quence ; so that when Sternfield called with some
book or trifling message for her, he found no one but

^'*Mi. •>• .^'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 !"

• ^«

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

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

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.

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOUKT.

107

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.

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-

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.

'?■

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

121

" '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.

Lt
D

it
h

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

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-

" 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

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

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

^' 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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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."

K'A

Iff

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

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,

<<What, you here, Miss De Mirecourt, and all
alone ?"

" Oh, I have only just entered. Mr. Chandos has
gone in quest of coffee and cake."

Colonel Evelyn at once detected that her careless-
ness of manner was assumed, and, as he looked at her
more narrowly, there was something in the pallor of
her cheek, the constrained look of her beautiful but
unusually pale lips, that brought vividly back to mem-
ory the eventful drive they had once taken together,
and the feeling akin to interest which she had awoke
in his breast at the time. Instead of quietly escaping
from the 'room, as was his wont when by any chance he
found himself tSte-d-tSte with a pretty woman, he
drew nearer, and, whilst uttering some of the common-
places of conversation, which he generally avoided,
secretly wondered at the shadow which had fallen on
that young face, at the involuntary look of pain it wore.

" You have wearied soon of dancing, to-night,"
he said, after a short pause.

" Yes, I must keep my strength for to-morrow's

158

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

joumoy. I will start for Valmont immediatelj after
breakfast."

"Ah, you are leaving us then. What will your
friends and admirers do in your absence ?"

" Forget me," she apathetically rejoined.

The listener inwardly thought that where she had
once inspired love, she was not one to be easily for-
gotten, but he merely said, " As you will doubtless
forget them."

Ah ! would she ? There was one that now she
never could, never must forget ; and yet how he had
grieved, how he had trampled on her feelings, through
the course of that painful evening !

She made no reply to her companion's chance
remark ; but the tide of vivid crimson that rushed to
her cheek, the look of intense mental pain that sud-
denly contracted her features, told how deeply it had
moved her. Interested, touched by the evidence of
suffering thus involuntarily betrayed. Colonel Evelyn
gently changed the subject ; inwardly thinking what a
pity it was that a few more months' experience of
fashionable life would teach that guileless young
nature to dissemble completely the emotions it now
so clearly revealed.

Had Antoinette been in her usual state of health
and spirits, smiles irradiating her beautiful face,

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

159

Evelyn would soon, if not almost immediately, have
left her side ; but he had known deep and bitter
anguish himself, and moody, misanthropic as he
appeared at times, coldly, impatiently as he turned
away from human mirth and friendship, suffering or
sorrow always touched his heart.

At this juncture Mr. Chandos returned with a well-
loaded salver, and, as he pressed some of its contents
upon Antoinette, expressed a hope " that she would
soon be able to accompany him to the ball-room."

" If Miss De Mirecourt would rather remain here a
little longer to rest herself, I will be happy to wait
upon her," exclaimed Colonel Evelyn.

Mr. Chandos engaged for the next dance to a
sprightly young lady, who was probably already impa-
tiently awaiting him, mentioned lus engagement, and
joyfully withdrew. Antoinette, after making a pre-
tence of tasting some fruit, rose with a vague, unhappy
feeling that she ought not now to sit thus alone
with Colonel Evelyn, or indeed with any other.

" What, anxious to go already. Miss De Mirecourt ?
Pray take my arm, and we will walk through the
rooms till you are suflficiently rested to return to the
partners who are probably growing impatient at your
absence."

160

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOtJRT.

The forced smile with which poor Antoinette
endeavored to meet this remark was more painful
to see than even her late expression of misery ; and
Evelyn, remembering her calm, unflinching look in an
hour of mortal peril, sorrowfully thought that bravely
as she might meet physical danger, she was one appa-
rently whom mental suffering would soon prostrate.
Walking slowly through the rooms, he exerted himself
in a manner most unusual with him, to interest and
amuse her, and he partly succeeded.

Colonel Evelyn possessed a rare and powerful intel-
lect, and, though his conversation was wanting in the
graceful strain of compliment, the witty and constantly
recurring epigram, which imparted such brilliancy to
that of Stemfield, to a refined and cultivated mind, it
was infinitely more interesting- Antoinette quietly
listened, unconscious that in the short, simple obser-
vations she occasionally made, her companion found a
freshness, a transparent candor which charmed him
far more then the wittiest repartees could have done.

In passing through one of the apartments, dimly
lighted by rose-colored lamps, and abounding in
niches and angles whiv^h seemed to make it a very
temple of flirtation, they saw Major Stemfield seated
on a causeuse beside a pretty, child-like creature of

ANTOINETTE DE MIBECOURT.

161

sixteen, whose blushing, embarrassed face, and down-
cast eyes betrayed she was totally unused to the new
strain of adulatory conversation in which he was
initiating her.

As they passed on, Evelyn's lips curled, and he
abruptly asked,

" Do you admire Major Stemfield ?"

" How little he images," inwardly thought poor
Antoinette, " that Major Stemfield is now the sole
arbiter of my destiny — ^my future life"; but the
Colonel, without perceiving her sudden embarrassment,
or, careless of hearing her reply, rapidly went on, —
" Of course you do, and so also do three-tbirds of
the ladies present to-night. He is handsome as an
Apollo, dresses, dances, and flirts irreproachably ; —
surely, that is enough. Still I think I would rather
labor under the imputation of being a woman-hater, as
you once told me I was regarded, than a woman or
rather lady killer. One is not more heartless than
the other. But now, I must yield you up, for I see a
claimant for your hand approaching, and I will say
farewell, for I intend soon leaving this gay scene.'

" Good bye ! You have been very kind to me
to-night," she simply said, tendering her hand.

He clasped it in a friendly pressure, and whispered,

H ^

162

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

" Your last words encourage me to venture on
offering you a counsel which othwwise you might have
regarded as impertinent ; a counsel at least disinter-
ested, for it comes from one who has ceased to seek or
care for ladies' smiles and approbation. It is this :
Remain in that happy country home, in which you
have grown up candid and truthful ; remain with the
tried, wise friends of your girlhood. You will meet
none such in the gay, heartless life on which you have
lately entered."

" Too late !" inwardly sighed Antoinette, but she
merely replied by a sad slight shake of the head ; and
Colonel Evelyn turned away, acknowledging to himself
that such a thing as truth or worth in woman might
still possibly exist.

Antoinette, on her part, accepted without word or
comment the partner who had just presented himself,
and doubly wearisome did his platitudes appear after
the engrossingly interesting conversation of her previ-
ous companion. Soon her thoughts wandered back to
Audley Sternfield, to his studied, cruel neglect of her-
self, his open devotion to others ; and the olden
pained look came back on her face, stronger than
ever. At the end of the dance, supper was announced.
That over, came a cotillion, some singing ; and, finally,

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

163

when the greater part of the guests were taking leave,
Major Sternfield sought her side.

" How have you enjoyed yourself?" he asked ; " I
left you to do so, untrammelled by my wearisome
attentions."

'* You have made me very unhappy, to-night," she
rejoined, with a quivering lip.

Sternfield read as clearly as Co nol Evelyn had
done, the traces of mental anguish on that pale face,
and his heart somewhat smote him.

" Forgive me, Antomette," he tenderly whispered ;
" but what is the slight annoyance my conduct may
have caused you to-night, compared to the suffering
your coldness continually inflicts on myself?"

" I act as I do from principle, Audley ; but you have
grieved, tortured me to-night, either through retalia-
tion, or through an idle wish to see how mi?;;h you
could make me suffer — how much I could bear."

" Not so, my little wife ; but I thought the harsh
lesson might render you more merciful to me than you
have hitherto been. You will not surely now refuse
me permission to visit Valmont ?"

" Visit Valmont if you will, Audley, but como
openly, without disguise ; and even at the risk of
incurring papa's anger and reproaches, I will receive

It,

164

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

you witli friendly welcome : but to meet you in inns
or lonely walks, I will not, I cannot consent."

" So be it. I shall speedily commit myself, accord-
ing to your wishes, to the mercies of your father's
hospitality. Meanwhile, how shall I pass the time of
your absence ?"

" Oh, you have many resources," she bitterly
replied : " witness to-night."

" What, jealous, Antoinette ! " and an almost
imperceptible smile flitted over his face.

" I do not know that I have felt so ; but I know
that I have been very wretched during the course of
the last few hours ; and have asked myself more than
once in alarm, can the love you profess for me be really
sincere — can it even really exist whilst you treat me
thus ? Oh, imagine Audley, with what agony — what
anguish such a doubt must have filled my heart, now,
that we are irrevocably united together !"

" Yes — ; fortunate indeed that it is so !" he
rejoined, his eyes flaslgng with a moody triumph.

His companion shuddered. " Fortunate, you ahonld
say, Audley, as long as confidence and affection reign
between us."

" I make no exception — ^fortunate in any and every
case. Even with distrust, coldness, irritation, cloud-

ANTOINETTE DE MIBECOURT.

165

ing our mutual relationship, 'twiU always be a welcome
thought to know that you are entirely, irrevocably
mine!"

The words were merely one of those exaggerations
of passion which sound pleasantly enough, in general
cases, in the ear of a young bride of a fortnight ; but
they blanched the cheek of Stemfield's girlish wife,
and filled her heart with nameless dread.

" What, am I not right ?" he continued, almost
fiercely, noticing her sudden pallor.

" For mercy's sake, Audley, do not speak so wildly !
God forbid that either distrust or anger should ever
arise between us now ! I will be true, faithful, and
devoted to you, — ah, do you, on your part, be kind
and forbearing with me. Sport not with my feelings,
as you have so mercilessly done to-night — "

" Even as you are constantly doing with mine," he
whispered. " But, here comes our hostoss. Pray,
dearest, try and look more cheerful ; or I shall have
to undergo a private court-martial at her hands."

" What are you two conspiring about in this deso-
late corner ?" Mrs. D'Aulnay smilingly asked. " Why,
Antoinette, you look wretchedly ill ! You will surely
be unfit for your journey to morrow."

" There, Major Stemfield, say good night at once, for
I am certain it is you who have worried all Antoinette's

• ^i

: :,

166

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOtJRT.

roses away with your melancholy fretting and grum-
bling. Say good night and good-bye !" and she good-
naturedly turned from the lovers, still interposing her
stately person between them and the half-open door
^ of the adjoining room in which some of the guests still
lingered.

" Farewell, my own Antoinette," whispered Stem-
field, as he tenderly pressed the you^g girl to his
heart. " Forgive and forget the pain I have' so
cruelly inflicted on you to-mght."

Forgive and forget, aye, the request was easily
spoken, but was it as easily granted ? Antoinette's
sleepless, tear-stained pillow could have answered that.

CHAPTER XVII.

Another day saw our young heroine installed in her
own home, surrounded by her father's affectionate
cares, the gentle ministerings of her devoted gover-
ness, and the friendly attentions of Louis Beauchesne,
who was of course a privileged visitor of the Manor-
House. Still, despite the triple wall of affection thus
surrounding her — despite her return to the regular
hours and calm healthful pursuits of country life, she
retained the fragile delicate look she had acquired
during the last few weeks of her residence in Montreal.
Mr. de Mirecourt felt little anxiety on the subject, per-
suaded as he was that a fortnight's rest would make
her as strong as ever ; but Mrs. Gerard was far from
being as sanguine, or as easily satisfied.

What pained and alarmed her far more than the
pallor of Antoinette's cheek or the slowness of her step,
were the frequent fits of melancholy abstraction in
which she so often indulged ; as well as her indiffer-
ence, if not aversion to the charitable as well as intel-
lectual pursuits which had formed the chief pleasures

168

ANTOmETTE DE MntEOOUBT.

l! I

of her guileless life before her recent visit to Mrs.
D'Aulnay. Gently, patiently, lovingly, as a mother would
have done, did she endeavor to win the confidence of
her beloved pupil ; but the latter shrank with terror
from every overture : and Mrs. Gdrard, findmg the
invariable result of any such effort was to drive Antoi-
nette to the seclusion of her room for half the day, aban*
doned the attempt, contentmg herself with daily pouring
forth prayer to Heaven in private, for the support and
direction of that heavily-burdened young heart,sparing,
at the same time, no effort to cheer and distract her
sadness.

A source of unceasing regret and annoyance to
Mrs. G^3:ard, was the constant correspondence kept
up between her charge and Mrs. D'Aulnay. This
annoyance was well-founded; for the reception or
writing of a letter generally left tiie young girl a prey
to a fit of absorbing melancholy, or to a severe head-
ache. How much would her anxiety have been
increased, had she but known that half of the letters
thus received from, or sent under cover to Mrs.
D'Aulnay, formed part of a correspondence with
Major Stemfield.

A gentle, half-playM request on her part to be
permitted to see some of the epistles in question had

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

169

met with a cold reply from Antoinette, accompanied
by an assertion that she had promised Mrs. D'Aulnay
to show her letters to no person. Really alarmed, Mrs.
Gdrard applied to Mr. De Mirecourt ; but the latter,
grown doubly indulgent towards his daughter since
her retiim, impatiently rejoined that Antoinette must
noil be worried or vexed about trifles. She was too
old to be obliged to submit to inspection a harmless
correspondence with her cousin, as if she were still a
school-girl."

So had it always been with Mr. De Mirecourt,
whenever the governess had appealed to him ; and if
his child had hitherto proved a gentle and submissive
pupil, it was owing entirely to her own natural sweet-
ness of disposition, not to parental constraint. It was
well for the young girl's jealously-guarded secret, that
her father's time and thoughts at the present period were
entirely taken up by other matters, or he could not
have failed noticing the great and unaccountable
change which had come over her.

We have already remarked that the greater part of
the French Canadians, instead of having recourse in
their dibiculties to judges who understood neither their
laws nor their language, were accustomed to refer them
to the arbitration of the curS, or to that of some leading

t-.

170

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

person in the parish. In Valmont, Mr. De Mirecourt
was universally beloved and respected ; and he found
himself constituted judge and umpire in all the
differences which happened to arise amongst his co-
parishioners. No appeal was ever sought from his
decision, for all felt that he acted with the strictest
justice and impartiality.

" A letter for you, little one," he smilingly said,
entering one morning the cheerful though old-fashioned
sitting-room in which the ladies of the household were
passing the hours of the forenoon. " As heavy a des-
patch as the provincial secretary ever receives.**

No answering smile brightened his daughter's face
as she took the epistle and slipped it into the folds of
her dress, with a slight word of thanks. Mr. De Mire-
court, who had an unusual number of cases en dSli-
h4re that morning, soon took his departure, and a
moment after Antoinette rose also.

" Why not read your letter here, my child ?" ques-
tioned Mrs. Gerard. " I promise to neither speak to
nor look at you during its perusal."

The young girl murmured some apologetic, half-
unintelligible reply, and left the room. Ah, those
letters of hers were not letters to be read under the
eye of any one whose scrutiny she feared. They

1:%

ANTOINBTTB DB MIRBCOUKT.

171

V.'

e
e

brought crimson flushes to her cheek, tears to her eyes,
too often for that. They sent too many shades of
pain and pleasure (alas that the pain should have so
constantly predominated) flitting over her expressive
face to permit her to let any eye study her features
whilst she read them.

Alone in her room, she turned the key in the door
and opened the envelope which contained, as she had
previously divined, two letters, one from Major Stem-
field, the other from her cousin. We will give the
latter — a pretty accurate illustration of the mind and
character of the writer — in full.

" My darlmg Antoinette, for Heaven's sake, make
every effort to obtain your father's permission to return
to Montreal immediately ! Audley is like a perfect
mad-man. He has heard somewhere that young
Beauchesne is almost domesticated in your house,
paying you all the while the most devoted attention ;
and he will have it that you are flirting outrageously
with Louis, and entirely forgetting himself. He was
here last night in a towering passion, and declared that
if you remained in Valmont much longer, he would
assuredly go there to see you, let the consequences
be what they might. I have hitherto, in compliance
with your urgent prayers, prevented him doing so ;

I!' '

172

ANTOINETTE DB MIRECOURT.

but I fear his patience and my influence have now
reached their utmost limits. Who would have thought
that such a dear, handsome, fascinating creature could
BO soon have turned tyrant ! And yet there is some-
thing in his very violence, arising as it does out of
the excess of his love for you, calculated, it seems to
me, to render him ten times dearer to the one he has
chosen from among all of her sex. How contemptible
does the tame, philosophic love of most men appear
when placed side by side with his stormy devotion !—
Now, with regard to your visit here ; how is it to be
brought about ? I think Mr. D'Aulnay and myself
must drop in (of course unexpectedly) this week at
the Manor-House ; say we find you looking ill, which
of course you do, or ought to do, separated from the
being nearest and dearest to you in this world ; and
coax and worry Mr. De Mirecourt into lending you to
us for some time. I will represent, that this being
the season of Lent, I am doing penance for past gaiety
in perfect seclusion — that you will meec no one at
our house ; and finally, if all else fail, I will invite
Louis also. That last stroke of policy will I know
decide the matter; for Uncle De Mirecourt will natu-
rally suppose it will farther his own darling project of
a union between you both. — But adieu, I hear Stem-

ANTOINETTE DE MIRBCOURT.

178

; i

field*s voice in the hall, so I will not seal my letter
yet. Of course, he also has a few lines, or rather a
folio to send you. Your devoted, but greatly-worried,
Lucille."

The lines alluded to were not calculated to diminish
the mentifcl trouble produced by the letter in which they
were enclosed. They consisted chiefly of accusations
that she had forgotten him, passionate protestations
that he could not suffer to be much longer exiled from
her presence ; and a concluding assurance that he
would endeavor to be patient for a few days longer,
at the end of which time she must absolutely meet
him at Mrs. D'Aulnay's.

Antoinette read and re-read the epistles with
quivering lips, and covering her face with her hands,
sobbed forth,

" Oh ! Audley and Lucille, what misery ye have both
brought on me !"

The words, melancholy-strange as they were, coming
from the lips of a young bride, married to the husband
of her choice, were not, as might have been supposed,
the fretful complaining of a moment of trouble or
anxiety, but the real outpourings of an overburdened
heart. Yes, during the past few weeks, removed
entirely from the fascinations of Sternfield's society —

174

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

separated from Mrs. D'Aulnay's companionship and
influence, she had leisure in the solitude of her own
heart to look back on and to judge the irrevocable
ppst. What the result of that stem scrutiny was, may
be gathered from the exclamation that had just
escaped her.

Had Audley Stenifield proved persistently gentle
and considerate, there is no doubt that the passing
fancy which she had mistaken for love, would ulti-
matelyhave ripened into deep affection; for Antoinette's
nature was loving and gentle, but the system of perse-
cution and lucimidation the bridegroom had so soon
adopted after their ill-omened marriage, insensibly
frightened away the dawning attachment she had felt for
him ; and with anguished fear for the future, despairing
regret for the past, she now acknowledged to her
aching heart that she only feared and trembled where
she should have loved and confided. A dreary half-
hour followed, during which she sat leaning her head
on her hand, tearfully watching the bare branches
of the trees as they swayed to and fro, or wildly
tossed about, sport of the keen February wind ;
and thinking with a sort of broken-hearted apathy,
how improbable it was that she would ever know peace
or happiness again.

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

175

^■i

A slight tap at the door aroused her, and Mrs.
Gerard gently asked admittance, mentioning that Mr.
De Mirecourt and Louis were in the drawing-room, and
had enquired for her.

*' Please, go to them, dear Mrs. Gdrard ! I will be
down in a few minutes.'*

After hurriedly bathing her eyes, and smoothing
back her rich hair, yet damp with tears, she sought
the drawing-room, tutoring her countenance as she
went into a look of repose or indiflference. Placing
herself under the shade of the heavy crimson curtains,
that the glow they cast might help to conceal her
pallor (a precaution she had learned from the fair
Mrs. D'Aulnay), she contrived to reply with appar
rent composure to the remarks addressed her. After
a time, Mr. De Mirecourt was summoned to his pri-
vate room by some neighbors who wanted his counsel
and arbitration ; and Mrs. Gdrard, being occupied
with some household details, the young people found
themselves alone.

" What is the matter, Antoinette ?" asked Louis,
who had detected her mental trouble, spite of crimson
curtains and assumed composure.

" Oh, Louis ! I am very miserable — very unhappy !"
was the agitated reply.

4 i\

tin

176

ANTOINETTE DE MERECOURT.

" 1 have seen that since the first hour of your
r*jtum," he gravely rejoined. " You are not the
light-hearted and happy heing that you were, when
you left us. But, dear Antoinette, is .^here any-
thing I can do for you ?"

" Oh, yes," she interrupted, clasping her hands
together. " Ohtain permission for me to return soon,
aye immediately, to Montreal."

" Yes, to the fascinating society of the irresistible
Major Sternfield," rejoined her companion with a jea-
lous bitterness he could not at the moment overcome.
" Surely, if he grieves over your mutual separation
one half as much as you appear to do, your names
will deserve to go down to posterity as illustrative of
the noble devotion of the lovers of our day."

'* Oh ! Louis, spare me reproaches and taunts : I
am already miserable enough. Help me, if you can ;
if not, pity me !"

Touched by her gentleness, young Beauchesne im-
petuously exclaimed, " Nay, Antoinette, 'tis you who
must pity me, who must forgive my injustice. Say
that you do so, and I will endeavor to prove myself
worthy of the trust you have placed on me."

The assurance he asked was speedily accorded, and
Antoinette then communicated to him Mrs. D'Aul-

V.f

■j

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

177

nay's approaching visit and the object she had in
view. Louis, of course, promised at once to do all
in his power to further the project ; and Mrs. Gerard
entering soon after, he engaged her in lively con-
versation, in order to withdraw her attention from his
still agitated companion.

Ill

W n

CHAPTER XVIII.

On a pleasant bright morning, some days after, Mr.
and Mrs. D'Aulnay dashed up in their handsome
winter equipage to the door, greatly to ihe delight of
Mr. De Mirecourt, who was equally partial to his
graceful fashionable niece and her worthy philosophi-
cal husband. Antoinette brought her cousin to her
own room, to take off her wrappings ; and, once there,
the latter carefully closed the door, saying : " Now,
for home gossip ; but, mercy on us ! child, how dread-
fully ill you look. What have you been doing to your-
self ? Why, you have not only grown thin, but your
eyes and complexion have lost all their brilliancy.
This will not do. You should never allow anxiety or
grief to go farther than imparting a delicate pallor or
pensive look to your features."

" Give me your receipt for thus restraining it within
such moderate bounds," questioned Antoinette with
a faint smile.

" Why, whenever you find yourself beginning to
mope, stop thinking. Take a novel, or get up a flir-
tation, or overlook your wardrobe. If the latter be

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

179

in a needy state, the remedy will proi-e infallible, for
the one cause of low spirits will efifectually neutralize
the other. But, cheer up, darling child ! We will
obtain uncle's pern^ssion ; and you will find yourself
in Montreal to morrow evening, in my pretty sitting-
roorn, with that dear tyrannical Audley at your feet.
Hush, here comes Mrs. G(?rard. Not a word about
our project till after dinner.'-

The dinner was excellent, the wines choice, and
Mrt De Mirecourt, conscious that everything was as
it should be, was in a most propitious mood. Coffee
served in the drawing-room, Mrs. D'Aulnay ably
opened the campaign by a remark concerning An-
toinette's pallor and delicate appearance.

" Yes, she does look ill," replied Mr. De Mire-
court, somewhat shortly, " but ve may thank her
town visit for that."

" Oh, dear uncle," smilingly rejoined Mrs. D'Aul-
nay, " she looked far better when she left Montreal
than she does now. She is just moping herself to
death here, for the matter of that, precisely as I am
doing in town since Lent oegan."

" Very complimentary that, to Mr. D'Auhiay and
myself," was the reply.

But, uncle, you are very often absent, or occu-

i B

180

ANTOINETTE DB MIRECOURT.

pied by important duties in your study, and Mrs.
Gerard has her household duties to attend to, so poor
Antoinette is frequently left alone."

" Let the little lady read, play, or sew, as she used
to do very contentedly before her introduction to
fashionable life,'* replied Mr. de Mirecourt in the
same short tone ; but the kindly look with which he
regarded his daughter, contradicted the apparent
abruptness of his words.

" Rather let her return to town with us, dear
De Mirecourt," interrupted Mr. D'Aulnay, who had
been previously tutored by his fairer half, " and I
promise we will send her back after Easter, as merry
and healthy as she ever was."

Mr. De Mirecourt laughingly shook his head, and
Mrs. Gerard hinted that she did not think Antoinette
would wish to leave home so soon again after her pre-
vious long absence.

What chance however had Mrs. Gerard of success-
fully coping with the able allies arrayed against her ?
Even I ouis, whom she had counted upon as a most
efficient aid, incomprehensibly and treacherously went
over to the enemy. What his motive in doing so was,
she could not divine, unless it were, that, as Mrs.
D'Aulnay had extended an invitation to himself, he

ANTOINETTE DE MIKECOURT.

181

wished to profit by the opportunity thus afforded him of
becoming an inmate under the same roof with Antoinette.
It escaped Mrs. Gerard's notice that Beauchesne
replied to the invitation in question, in vague general
terms, which left him perfectly free to accept or reject
it hereafter, as best suited him. Antoinette herself,
silent and spiritless, spoke very little, and, in spite
of her cousin's warning looks, and significant hints,
remained almost passive.

One appealing glance towards her father, accom-
panied by the simpb sentence, " I would like to go,'*
was all the help she gave. Had the young girl care-
fiiUy studied however the most effectual means of
winning her father's consent, she could riot have
adopted any more successful. The quietness amount-
ing almost to apathy, the look of despondency
clouding that girlish face, combined with the remem-
brance of his own severity in the matter of her mar-
riage with Louis, touched him deeply, and inclined
him to accedt; to her request. Mrs. D'Aulnay's as-
sertion too, that they were living in due penitential
retirement, as well as the knowledge that Louis was
also invited, and could mount guard, as it were, over
his promised bride, decided him.

" Well, child," he kindly said, drawing his daughter
towards him, " we must make the sacrifice, I see, bo

182

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

we have only to endeavor to do it cheerfully. What,
in tears !'* he exclaimed, as Antoinette, overcome by
his kindness and by the remembrance of her own in-
gratitude and treachery towards him, hid her face
with a quick gasping sob on his shoulder. " In tears,
little one ! What does this mean ?"

" Do not be so childish, Antoinette !'' interrupted
Mrs. D'Aulnay, more sharply than the occasion seemed
to call for. " How ridiculously nervous you are to-
day ?"

" Well, it was yourself, fair niece, who taught her
what delicate nerves were and how she might contrive
to render herself miserable through them ; but enough
of this, Antoinette, — run up stairs and commence pack-
ing, or the half of the most indispensable things will
be forgotten. 'Tis no use, Mrs. Gdrard," he good-
hnmoredly continued, as the latter commenced an
earnest though respectful protestation against Antoi-
nette's return to town. " 'Tis no use. They have
been too many for us this time. There, there now.
Everything is settled. Give us some music, Lucille,
if you can ; but I am afraid the harpsichotd is out of
order. Our little girl has seldom touched it ^f late."

Shortly after Antoinette had sought her room, in
obedience to her father's welcome directions, Mrs.

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

183

Cr<5rard entered. " I have come to see, dear Antoi-
nette, if jou want my assistance," she kindly said.

" Oh ! I will not take much time to get everything
ready. My wardrobe and drawers are in perfect
order, thanks to your careful training, dear friend."

" Ah, my Antoinette," rejoined Mrs. G<)rard, with a
grieved anxiety of look and voice that she could scarcely
disguise, " I fear my instructions on points far more
important have been sadly deficient ; and yet, God
knows, I have ever diligently prayed for grace and
enlightenment to accomplish worthily the important
task assigned me."

" Dear Mrs. Gdrard, why are you so anxious and
unhappy ?" soothingly rejoined the young girl, as she
took the hands of her governess, and gently pressed
them within her own. " You have been more like a
mother to me than aught else. Ever kind, judicious,
prudent " —

" And yet I have failed, signally failed," inter-
rupted the elder lady in the same grieved, dejected
tone. Nay, start not thus, Antoinette, but listen, for
I am speaking truth. Where is the confidence I
should have inspired and that should have brought
you to me as to a mother, to relate your griefs, to
consult me in your troubles? Alas, you place no

' '

ii i

"-1

184

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

■1

more trust in me than if I were an utter stranger !
You have cares and anxieties, but you weep over them
ifi silence ; you may have plans and projects, but you
brood over them in secret. Oh, Antoinette, Antoi-
nette, tell me, have I deserved that you should dis-
trust me thus ?'*

The warm heart of the young girl, who was really
fondly attached to the kind instructress of her youth,
was deeply touched by this appeal. FHnging herself
with a burst of tears into the arms of the latter, she
Bobbed forth, " Oh, my kind, dear friend, forgive me !
Would that I had accomplished my duty one half as
faithfully to you as you have done yours to me.
Would that I had never left your side ! '^

" Then, why leave me again, dear one ?" softly
whispered Mrs. ^ rard, smoothing back the rich hair
from the fair young brow, leaning on her breast.
" Let Mfs.' D'Aulnay return alone to that gay town-
life, in whose turmoil you have already lost your smiles
and gaiety, yc'ur peace of mind."

" That cannot be !'' ejaculated Antoinette, starting
feverishly up. " Ab«!, I must go !'*

" So be it, then, my child, and may God guide your
steps aright. One word, my little Antoinette, one word
more from the tried friend who first taught your tongue

•

ANTOINETTE DB MIRECOURT.

185

to lisp the name of our heavenly Father. Why is it that
you, who were always so attentive to the duties and
observances of our religion, have of late almost aban-
doned them ?"

" Because I am unworthy of seeking their consola-
tions now," was the girl's agitated reply.

" The very reason, my child, that you should the
more perseveringly cling to them. Has not our
Divine Master Himself told us that he came to seek,
not the juat, but sinners ? But, surely, that term in
its severest sense does not apply to my little, quiet
Antoinette. Open your heart to me, my darling
child ; breathe in my ear the secret care that lies so
heavily on it, and you will be lighter, happier, after."

Antoinette groaned in spirit. What would she not
have given to have been able at that moment to whis-
per her hidden faults and griefs in the ear of that
wise, prudent counsellor, to have shared the burden of
that secret which was already beginning to prey upon
her young Hfe. But the remembrance of the vow of
secrecy which Stemfield had extorted from her,
ttealed her lips, and, with another tender caress, she
whispered, *' Have patience with me, yet awhile, oh
my kind, enduring friend ; and, despite my seemingly
ungrateful silence, love and pray for me still !"

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0

I.I

11.25

Kim |u

Photographic

Sciences
Ckaporation

33 WIST MAIN STRliT

WIBSTn,N.Y. MSSO

(716)t72-4S03

'4^
^

186

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

" May I come in, Antoinette ?" suddenly asked
the silvery voice of Madame D'Aulnay ; and without
waiting for a reply, the new-comer entered.

** What is all this, my poor little cousin ?" she ques-
tioned, glancing mdignantly from Antoinette's flushed
tearful face, to Mrs. Gerard. " You have been
receiving a lecture, I suppose."

" Hush, Lucille ! Do not speak so thoughtlessly,"
hurriedly interrupted Antoinette. " Are you going
now ?" she regretfully added as her governess rose.

" Yes, my child ; but before I leave, I have one
word of warning for you, Mrs. D'Aulnay. At your
pressing instances, that innocent, inexperienced child
was committed to your special care. To God you
will have to answer for the manner in which you have
fulfilled your trust. Whatever have been the snares
into which her feet have wandered ; whatever the
errors into which she may yet fall, on your head, you,
her guide and monitor, will fall the heaviest part of
the pimishment."

" What a dreadful old creature !" exclaimed Mrs.
D'Aulnay, shivering affectedly as the governess left
the room. " She reminds one of a Sybil."

" Spare your names and taunts, Lucille ?" retorted
Antoinette in a pained, indignant tone. ^' She has

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

187

been friend, instructress, mother, to me since infancy,
and I would indeed be a shameless ingrate if I ever
permitted her name to be slightingly spoken of in mj
presence, when I could help it."

'^ Oh, enough, my darling child ! 'Tis a mere waste
of indignation ; for I am ready to speak of her, look
on her in future as perfection, if you desire it. But
let us not waste our time in quarreUing, when we have
something more interesting to talk about. Have we
not succeeded charmmgly in all our plans ? We are
to start to-morrow morning early, to profit by the
beautiful roads, which a sudden fall of snow may at
any moment render heavy. Gome, smile now, Antoi-
nette. Look like your olden self, or your father will
think of retracting his permission. And now that we
have a moment to ourselves, why do you not over-
whelm me, you icy-hearted bride, with questions about
that dear, delightful, tyrannical husband of yours?
Why, you start at the epithet as if it terrified you !
You have really grown very nervous."

" Well, what of him ?" questioned Antomette, in a
low tone.

" WeU, what of him ?" rejoined Mrs. D'Adnay,
playfully reiterating her words. " Is it thus an idol-
ized bride of a few weeks should enquire about the

U I

188

ANTOINBTTE DB MIRECOURT.

handsomest; the most fascinating hridegroom that ever
woman was blessed with?"

'' I am not quite such an enthusiast as you are,
Lucille ; besides, you forget I received a letter from
him two d.'iys ago, which informed me that he was
quite well. But since you wish me to question you
about him, tell me how he has been spendmg the time
since my departure.''

"Well, the truth is," rejoined Mrs. D'Aulnay,
coughing, as if to conceal some sudden access of em-
barrassment, "it would not have done for him to
have shut himself up like a hermit. People might
have suspected something; so he has acted since
just as he was in the habit of always doing."

"As he did the last evening of my stay in town ?"
rejoined Antmnette, whilst a flush of nungled pain and
resentment overspread her features.

" Oh, yes : I know to what you allude. I observed
myself his disgraceful flirtation with a couple of the
^Is present, and I roundly scolded lum for it after-
wards. Among other things, I told him that you had
shown far too much gentleness and patience ; and that
your proper plan would have been to have flirted out-
rageously with some partner that Stated yotu: taste,
iSboB combining pleasure and revenge. But^ my dear-

ANTOINETTB DE MIABCOURT.

189

est Antomette, the dark, vindictive look he gave me,
in return, almost froze me with terror. ^ Listen to
me, Mrs. D*Aubiay,' he said ; * as you value the
happiness of your cousin, never give her advice to
that effect. Should you do so, and she act upon it,
the result would make you both rue the day she
entered on so mad a career.' * Why, Major Stem-
field, you are a perfect tyrant,' I angrily retorted.
' Blue-beard was not half as bad as you are.' ^ Do not
talk so childishly, Lucille,' he replied, impertinently
calling me by my Christian name. * I love devotedly,
as a man ought, the woman I have chosen for my life's
partner ; and I could not forgive her trifling with my
affections, much less my honor.' Is he not, spite
of his faults, an irresistible creature, Antoinette
darling ?"

Antoinette made no reply, beyond what was con-
veyed in the faintest possible smile, and ui a sight,
very slight shake of her head.

" And who do you think was enquiring very par-
ticularly, very kindly about you, some short time
since ? Guess ; I will give you twenty chances.
What ! you will not exercise your ingenuity at all ?
Well, I will tell you at once The invincible, invul-
nerable Colonel Evelyn. What think you he had the

190

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

! !

coolness to say, one afternoon that he came up to speak
to me whilst the carriage was drawn up near the
Citadel/ to give me a chance of listening to the new
band ? Afler enquiring about jou, and receiving the
information that jou were well, and that I expected
to have you soon again with me, he launched forth
into a diatribe something in the style of the one your
governess bas just favored mo with, saying how inex-
perienced and guileless you were, and how jealously I
should watch over — ^how prudently I should direct
you. I think he must have been listening to some ill-
natured remarks about yourself and Stemfield at the
mess-table, though what can have given rise to them
I cannot imagine. But, mercy on us! Antoinette,
how flushed and feverish you are looking ! Come, let
us leave this packing to your maid, and go down to
the drawing-room."

* Now Dalhousie Square.

CHAPTER XIX.

Thet found the gentlemen engaged in an animated
political discussion, in which the grievances of Canada
and the oppressive acts of the new government formed,
of course, the chief topics. In deference to Mrs.
D'Aulnay, who of late professed the greatest possible
dislike to politics, nothing more was said on the sub-
ject, and the conversation turned to general topics.

The next morning was mild and pleasant, and the
blue skj was beautifully dotted with soft fleecj clouds.
In the farm-yards the patient cattle, released from
the close confinement of stable and out-house, stood
turning their wondering gaze on the white landscape
around them, whilst flocks of tiny snow-birds hovered
round, or settled down on the leafless branches of the

192

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

i:;-

trees. As arranged the day previous, the party started
early ; and Mrs. D'Aukiay, n^ho was in the highest
spirits, enlivened with many a gay remark their long
though pleasant winter drive. In due time they
arrived at their destination ; and most comfortable did
the well-fumished rooms, with their bright fires, look.
The pleasant odor of an appetizing dinner, so welcome
to the hungry travellers, pervaded the house ; and the
dining-table set for three, with snowy damask, cut
crystal, and sinning silver, told they were expected.

With that kindly good nature which formed so
redeeming a feature in her fnvolous character, Mrs.
D'Aulnay hurriedly opened one of Antoinette's trunks,
and taking from it a handsome, bright-colored dinner-
dress, insisted on her wearing it.

" You know Audley will be here this evening, and
I want you to appear to advantage," she whispered ;
'* so now, as you have only ten minutes to dress, be
expeditious. Mr. D'Aulnay, philosophic and patient
on every other point, is the most irascible man in the
world if kept waiting any time for his dinner."

Antoinette, ready within the prescribed time, lought
the dining-room, where her host, watch in hand, was
promenading the room.

" Oh what a treasure of a wife you wiU make, fair

ANTOINETTE DE MIRBCOURT.

198

»>

cousin," he smilingly said.' *^ always ready to the
moment."

The exhilarating effect of the long drive, with its
natural result of an improved appetite, told with good
effect on Antoinette's languid frame ; and the lively
sallies of the fair hostess, who was in one of her hap-
piest mo6ds, imparted to the young girPs spirits a
cheerful tone which they had not known for many
weeks past. She was freed, too, at least for a
time, from the wearing fear, haunting her of late,
that her lover would venture on some rash step, such
as presenting himself unexpectedly under her father's
roof; or, what she dreaded still more, arriving in
Yalmont under an assumed name, and insisting on,
forcing her to grant him an interview.

After a half-hour's pleasant dinner-chat, Mr.
D'Aulnay solicited permission to retire to his hhrary,
ay ' Mrs. D'Aulnay and her cousin were left alone.
Thi former, who was an ardent admirer of fancy-work
in all shapes and varieties, hrought out some new
designs and patterns to exhibit to her companion.
Whilst expatiating on the beauties of a certain vinel
which she intended reproducing on canvas, a loud
summons of the hall-knocker sent the warm blood
bounding through Antoinette's veins.

194

ANTOINETTE DB MIRECOURT.

" Yes, that is Major Stemfield. Tis his impatient
knock; but bless me, child, how rapidly your color
is changing ! Tell me truly,*' and she scrutinized the
trembling girl more closely, " is it love or fear that
moves you thus ?**

"A little of both, I suppose," was the reply,
uttered with a very poor assumption of gaiety.

His handsome face beaming with smiles, Audley
Stemfield entered the room, and^ as he gently drew
his young wife x> his heart, he softly whispered,
** Arrived at last, my own darling. How happy — how
blessed I am !" *

Antoinette, remembering at that moment all the
unkind thoughts, the bitter regrets that she had
harbored smce their last parting, forgot all her
grievances, and, woman-like, accused herself of injus-
tice and unkindness. Ah, had Stemfield been always
tender to her thus, he might soon have rivetted her
affections to himself as irrevocably as he had done
her destinies.

The evening passed quickly and pleasantly, and
unwillingly Stemfield at length rose to take leave.
As he clasped his bride's delicate hand in his, his.
glance sought her wedding-ring, but it was no longer
on the finger on which he had placed it.

ANTOINETTE DB MIRECOURT.

195

** Where is it — ^your ring ?*' he asked, with a suddea
contraction of his brows.

Antoinette raised her other hand, on one of whose
fingers the golden circlet glittered, murmuring, ^^ I
used to color so deeply and feel so uncomfortable
when any one even glanced towards my hand, I
thought it more prudent to change it."

'^ Quite right, dearest ; and now for another ques-
tion equally allowable, and I hope equally easy to
answer: Who is this Mr. Louis Beauchesne, with
whom report says my little Antoinette has been so
busily flirting of late ?"

" Oh, poor Louis !" rejoined the girl, with a frank-
ness which effectually disarmed his suspicions, at least
for the moment.

" Why do you call him poor Louis ?"

« Because I like him," she rejoined, smiling and
slightly coloring.

" I hope you never call me poor Stemfield," re-
turned her companion, divining, with a quickness
peculiar to him, that Louis had been a suitor, though
not a favored one.

"Np, no," she gravely whispered; "you are one
better calculated to inspire fear than pity."

" And love than either, I trust," was his equally
soft-breathed reply.

196

ANTOINBTTB DE MIRBCOURT.

" A truco to farther whispering, friends," playfully
interrupted Mrs. D'Aulnay. " I want your attention
for a matter more serious than any of your own
private affietirs."

" Speak your wish, fair lady. It shall be law for
us both," and Stemfield gracefully bowed.

" Well, I wish to organize a slcigLlng-party to
Longue Point or to Lachine. We can count on very
little sleighing after a couple of weeks, the season is
80 far advanced."

" But we promised papa we should be so quiet and
retired whilst I remained in to¥m," hesitated Antoi-
nette.

" And so we are, and so we will be, my very prudish
little cousin. I do not intend proposing either ball,
rout, or soiree, but merely a drive, to profit by the
present beautiful roads. St. Anthony himself could
not have objected to such a thing. Take this pencil
and make a memorandum. Major Stemfield, of those
I wish you to gather together."

Two or three names were mentioned and jotted
down without comment, anil then Mrs. D*Aulnay pro-
posed Colonel Evelyn.

" Where is the use of asking him ?" objected
Stemfield. <^ He will not come. He did not the last
time." ^

ANTOINBTTB DB IfntEOOURt.

197

*' Never mind that, Mr. Secretary, but attend to
your duties," was the peremptory reply. " Invited,
Evelyn shall be. He joined us once before."

^* Yes, on which memorable occasion he lost the
splendid bays )ie had brought with him from England,
a reminiscence scarcely calculated to induce him to
favor us with his society a second time. And be-
sides, of what use will he be, now that he has neither
horses nor turn-out ? "

"Nonsense, Major Stemfield," sharply retorted
his hostess. " You know as well as I do that he has
lately procured a pair of the most beautiful Canadian
thorough-breds in the country. You are either
jealous, or anxious to be the only irresistible beau
of the party."

" Do you call him irresistible ?" sneered Stemfield.

" No, but he is misanthropic — mysterious, which is
a great deal better."

The gentleman shrugged his shoulders, and, afler
two or three minutes' farther discussion of their plans,
took leave.

The morning appointed for tiieir e(tpedition dawned
clear and briglit; and whilst the two ladies were
chatting over a somewhat late breakfast, in the plea-
sant little morning-room, Jeanne entered, and handeid
a card to her mistress.

198

ANTOINETTE DE MIKilCOtTRT.

" Why, I declare it is Colonel Evelyn !" exclaimed
the latter, in tones of profound astonishment. '^ What
on earth can he want so early ?"

Antoinette's color slightly deepened, but she
offered no solution of the problem.

" What are we to do ?" continued Mrs. D'Aulnay.
"The drawing-room fires are scarcely lighted yet.
We had better have him up here. Yes, Jeanne,
show the gentleman up. Do you know we both look
charming in these graceful French morning-dresses ?
and then this room, with my birds and flowers, is a
perfect niche of comfort. Decidedly, 'tis the best
place to receive him."

Stately and v ilm, the visitor entered. Probably
aware of Autoin tte's arrival, for he expressed no
surprise on seeir ; her, he accosted her with quiet
friendliness ; and then, after apologizing for his mati-'
nal visit, said, wi > a tranquil smile,

"I wish to know from yourself, Mrs. D'Aulnay,
whether your invitation was extended merely to my
horses, or did it also include myself?"

*< Why, what mean you, Colonel Evelyn ?" was the
indignant rejoinder. " I told Major Stemfield to ask
you on my behalf, as I did not think it necessary to
send you a more formal notice of such a very simple
afiair."

ANTOINETIB DE MIRECOUBT.

199

" Well, the invitation, to say the least, was a very
equivocal one. I met Major Stemfield in the street
yesterday evening ; and after felicitating me on the
acquisition of my new horses, and asking me if they
were well broken in, he told me that Madam D*Aulnay
was getting up a driving-party and could not do with-
out them."

" How malicious of Major Stemfield !" ejaculated
Mrs. D'Aulnay, with a heightened color. " I need
not explam or deny anything, Colonel, for you know
well I am incapable of such rudeness."

"I feel assured of that," he gravely rejoined.
" The hospitality Mrs. D'Aulnay has so kindly shown
to the strangers whom chance has brought to her
native land, is alone sufficient refutation. But my
chief purpose in coming was to know at what hour
you wish my •horses and servant (which are always
entirely at your disposal) to be here. Major Stem-
field, unfortunately, did not wait to inform me on that
point."

" I will not accept either, well trained as I know
they are, without their master," replied Mrs. D'Aul-
nay, with a pretty air of feminine pique, " I know
you care, in general, but little for woman's society ;
still I am certain you are too kind to come in person

200

ANTOINBTTB DB MIRBOOURT.

to refuse a lady's invitation, especially when she tells
you that doing so will both annoy and mortify her."

Colonel Evelyn looked perplexed. His chief object
in calHng that morning had really been, as he had said,
to place his equipage at Mrs. D'Aulnay's disposal, and
to ascertain at what hour he should send it. He may
also have had a passing wish, unacknowledged per-
haps to himself, to see Antoinette on her arrival ; but
joining the sleighing-party was a thing he had in no
wise contemplated. Still, when the lady urged and
pleaded, he at length rejoined :
. " Of course, since Mrs. D'Aulnay so kindly insists,
I cannot but comply with her wishes ; but I much fear
that, after the catastrophe which occurred during the
last excursion of the sort that I joined, no lady will
be found courageous enough to trust herself with me."

" Indeed you are mistaken. Without going farther,
here are two ladies willing to share the glories and
perils of your turn-out. What say you, Antoinette ?"

The girl blushingly shook her head, but Colonel
Evelyn, without noticing the slight movement, quickly
rejoined:

'^ Oh ! Miss de Mirecourt is a heroine in the true
sense of the word ; and if such an accident were ever
to happen again, I could be almost selfish enough to

ANTOINBTIK DB MIRBCOURT.

201

wish her for my companion. It was he|: wonderful
calmness that saved us both." ,,

" Joined to Colonel Evelyn's own skill and presence
of mind," replied Mrs. D*Aulnay with a winning smile.
" But what say you, Antoinette," she continued, an* ,
imated by a sudden desire to punish Stemfield for his
late shortcomings, — " what say you to giving the
world, and particularly Colonel Evelyn, a proof of your
courage by driving out with him to-day ?"

" Pray do. Miss De Mirecourt," he kindly, nay
persuasively said. ^^ I can safely promise that your
nerves and resolution will not be subjected to such a
severe trial as they were the last time. It will be a
welcome proof that you have forgiven and forgotten
the terrors of that dangerous drive."

" Of course, she will. Colonel Evelyn, " interrupted
Mrs. D'Aulnay. ^^ Consider the matter as finally
arranged."

Antoinette, tinud and embarrass 3d, was ashamed to
dissent farther ; but when the visitor shortly after took
leave, she burst forth, ** Oh, Lucille, I am afraid Aud-
ley will be very angry with our arrangement."

" Just what he deserves, the impertinent creature,
for misrepresenting me in such a shameful manner,"
retorted Mrs. D'Aulnay, on whose cheek a spot of
indignant red yet lingered.

202

▲NTOINETTB DB MIBEOOURT.

<' But, Lucille, when he is angry, I feel so much
afraid of him," remonstrated poor Antoinette.

<* The very reason you must learn to brave him out ;
but if you should feel at all uncomfortable about it, I
will tell him the arrangment waa entirely my own —
that you had nothing to do with it, which mdeed you
had not ; so no more worrying about such a trifle I''

CHAPTER XX.

It happened, fortunately for the easy fulfilment of
Mrs. D*Aulnay's plans, that Major Stemfield, owing
to some unforeseen impediment, was somewhat late, and
on dashing up in his fantastic hut graceful cutter, he
found the merahers of the party already in their
respective places.

" Time is up, Stemfield ! What kept you so late
to-day ?" exclaimed two or three voices, hut the new-
comer deigned no reply. When his eye feil on An-
tomette, seated heside Colonel Evelyn, an angry flush
mounted to his forehead ; hut, controlling his vexation,
he aproached Mrs. D'Aulnay, who sat hack among
her hear^kin rohes, with a very provoking smile on her
face.

^' Am I to thank you for this arrangement ?" he asked
in a low angry tone. *' Is it you who have condemned
me to drive alone?"

^' No need for that, Major Stemfield. Look at yon
unfortunate Captain Assheton, with two ladies, crowded

204

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

ill
III

np in that nat-^ell of his. Relieve him of one of hifi
fair charges."

"Pshaw!" retorted the gentleman with a look of
intense annoyance, " Mrs. D'Auhiay is not like herself
tto-day. However, joa hare punished me ; now I shaU
retaliate, and inflict my ill-tempered companionship
<on you " ; and, suiting the action to the word, he threw
the reins of his horse to one of the men in attendance,
and sprang into Mrs. D'Aulnay's slei^.

" You are really becoming insufferably impertinent,"
she exclaimed, inwardly however, anything but dis-
satisfied with an arrangement which she had probably
contemplated from the first.

A few smiles and satirical glances passed between
some member of the party at this by-play ; but Stem-
field was an idol of the ladies, and do what he would,
was generally sure of indulgence. Another five min-
utes' delay was occasioned by one of the gentlemen
leaving his own already sufficiently freighted sleigh
and stepping into Stemfield's empty cutter, into which
he mvited one of the over-crowded fair ones, vainly
pointed out to the former's compassionate notice, a few
moments previous. All were now ready, and, with jing-
ling bells and noddmg tassels, the cavalcade set out.

ANTOINBTTB DB MIBECOURT.

205

" Now, Mrs. D- Aulnay," abruptly questioned Stem-
field, after a few moments' silence, '^ answer me frankly.
Is this arrangement yours or Antoinette's ?"

" Entirely mine.'*

" And why, may I ask ? Why separate me from
my wife when I have Iso much to say to her ? when
we have so little time to spend together."

" To punish you, Major Stemfield, for delivering
BO untruthfully and rudely my message to Colonel
Evelyn."

^' Ah, he has stooped then to explain and complain,
our most potent, grave, and reverend Colonel," said
Stemfield with a sneer.

^' No such thing. It was by mere chance I fbund
out your »uperc?ierie ; but, good heavens! do you
want to break our necks that you worry and abuse my
beautiful pets thus ? Give me the reins at once ! 'Tis
dangerous to trust you with them whilst you are in
such a dreadful temper."

Sternfield sullenly obeyed ; and for a long time after-
wards, nothing beyond an occasional monosyllable es-
caped his lips. Not so silent, however, were Colonel
Evelyn and his fair companion ; and it was well, at
least for Antoinette, that she was removed from her
bridegroom's immediate surveillance, or she would

1!'

206

ANTOIFETTB DE MIRECOURT.

assuredly have thoroughly expiated, at a later period,
her own and Mrs. D'Aulnaj's faults. Their conver-
sation, on settmg out, was confined to generalities ; but
as they entered on the Lachine road, the remembrance
of their last eventful drive in that same direction, viv-
idly rose up before the memory of both. A shade of
emotion crossed Evelyn's brow, and he involuntarily
exclaimed,

" What a narrow escape ! Tell me. Miss De
Mirecourt, what were your thoughts, that is, if you
were capable of analysing them at such a moment,
when we were dashing on at such fearful speed to what
imght have been our ultimate destruction ?"

There was a moment's shy pause, for such frank com-
munion with a comparative stranger embarrassed her,
but then, half smilingly, half seriously, she rejoined :
" I was thinking of death, and endeavoring to prepare
myself for it."

"Well thought, well said," was the grave reply.
Though unfortunately I profess religion myself, neither
in action nor in word, still, where I meet with it in
others, I respect it."

" Are you not a * true believer,* a Catholic like my-
self?" she questioned, smilingly though timidly.

** Why, Miss De Mirecourt, you are quite learned on
all topics relating to my unworthy self," he rejomed,

ANTOINETTB DE MIBBCOURT.

207

turmng upon her with a suddenness that dyed her face
with crimson. " I suppose the same charitable talker
who informed jou once before that I was a woman-
hater, has also told you, that, though little better than
an infidel in point of practice, I was bom and brought
up in the same faith as yourself. Well, I have no right
to bo angry, for much that has been told you is unfor-
tunately too true. Do not mistake me, however.
Though careless, indeed utterly, completely neglectful
of all the precepts and duties of that Church of which
I still and always will call myself a member, I have
never gone so far in my impiety as to doubt even for
ft moment the wisdom and mercy, much less the exist-
ence, of the Sovereign Being who formed me. No, I
am not an atheist, as many have charitably called me,"
he added with considerable bitterness, *< but simply a
bad Catholic. Tou are shocked — startled. Miss De
Mirecourt," he said as he noticed Antoinette's color
suddenly rise, and a pained expression flit over her
face.

Not of his errors thought she then, but of her own.
She the religiously-trained, the carefully-instructed
girl, who had suffered a few months of fashionable,
frivolous life to stifle in her heart all its best and holiest
feelings, and to plunge her into a false step whose ter-

208

ANTOINETTE DE MXRECOURT.

rible consequences l^^ft nothing open to her save a long
vista of future falsehood and miseiy. Again, Colonel
Evelyn repeated his previous question, and his com-
panion startled into reply, involuntarily rejoined :

^^ Has not our Divine Teacher said. Judge not lest
ye be judged!"

Wondering at the gentle aptitude which alike charm-
ed and surprised him in all Antionette's replies, and
won into farther confidence by her evident sympathy,
he continued :

. . . ■ - . ; ■ ■ 1 . '. i • I ■ . ' ]

"And now, that I have proved to you I am not
exactly an infidel or an atheist, may I venture on
answering the other accusation laid to my charge,
that of being, as you have already told me with
an openness I prize in proportion to its rarity among
your sex, a woman-hater ?" Antoinette smiled, and the
bright blush Evelyn almost unconsciously took such
pleasure in watching, again rose to her cheek. He
mused a moment in silence, and then, turning suddenly
towards her, looked full in her face, and said :

" Shall I or shall I not give you a little insight into
the story of my life ? I cannot clear myself, or excuse
my general avoidance and distrust of women, unless
I do. Yes, I will tell it, but remember, not to be re-
lated again to Mrs. d'Aulnay, or any others of her

!-•

'j;

I. i

I i •. :• : i

ANTOINBTTB DB MIRECOURT.

209

'r 1 >■■■.-./! I :ii

■«' i '!

^1 t

stamp ; a breach of confidence I feel convinced you
could never be guilty of. I need not tell you— my mis-
spent life would almost have done so of itself — that I
never knew a mother's loving cares or counsels. Left
an orphan in earliest childhood, I retain no tenderer
recollections of my youth, than those with which college
life, an indifferent guardian, and a handsome, haughty
elder brother, furnish me. To be brief, I grew up to
manhood uncared for, chose the profession of arms, — of
course the family estate went to my brother John, — and
entered on life with a heart, despite its harsh training,
capable of yielding a rich return to whoever should
win its love. The time and hoar soon came.
Chance threw me into contact with a young girl of
good family and gentle bringing up. I will not vaunt
her* beauty, but will only say, that fair as you are,
Miss De Mirecourt, she was still far lovelier. I wooed,
and was soon accepted, both by herself and family ; for
though I was not wealthy, I had powerful family influ-
ence, which was certain to ensure my rapid advancement
in the career I had chosen. The day was appointed,
the bridal trousseau almost ready, and, having a
few days* leisure, I determined on paying a visit to
the old family-home to bid it and my brother farewell.
He received me kindly enough, though he rallied mo

t.t-3'i

210

jkNTOINETTB DB MIBECOURT:

most unmercifully about mj turning Benedict, sa he
called it, so soon. Somewhat nettled by his satirical
remarks, I drew forth, in my boyish vanity, the |)ortrait
of my betrothed, which, like all model " true lover**/*
I wore about me, and triumphantly asked him, was not
that face sufficient excuse for early turning Benedict?
He. looked long, earnestly at it, and at last re-
turned it with the brief remark that it was indeed a
lovely countenance. When I came down the following
morning, equipped for my journey, he was standing
dressed in the hall, and carelessly informed me that he
had business in — ^but names are unnecessary — in the
same quiet country town in which my betrothed dwelt.
Delighted at this, I expressed my satisfaction at the
prospect of their so soon knowing each other, and of
his being able to satisfy himself at the same time how
far the reality eclipsed the pictured beauty of my bride-
elect. There was nothing in the careless glance, the
few indiflferent words they interchanged on their
mutual introduction, to warn me of coming evil. The
time sped on. My brother, in his nonchalant, fashion-
able way, lounged in occasionally into the little
drawing-room, but there was no reason to find fault with
that : it rather gratified me. One evening he quietly
said he wished to make me a suitable brotherly gift, to

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

211

confer on myself and heirs for evermore the lands of
Welden Holme, a fine unentailed property belonging
to the family estate. My gratitude was of course as
boundless as my credulity. I returned to the old house
with the papers he placed in my hands, to sock an
interview with the family lawyer. He was tedious,
minute, detained me longer than 1 had expected ; but
what of that? I returned the eve of u./ appointed
bridal day. Of course I went straight to her home.
Secret consternation was depicted on the faces of uiPt
servants when I asked for her. Then came her mother,
grayhaired and respectable ; and told me to be patient,
to be forgiving, but that my affianced bride was now
the wife of John Evelyn, Lord Winterstow. I listened
patiently, stupidly almost, so great was my woful sur-
prise and grief, whilst she added that they had been
privately married three days previous, and were now
on their distant wedding-tour. Then I drew forth the
miniature, with the papers which really and virtually
conveyed to me the estate with which he sought to
bribe me for ray bride, and cast them into the flames
of the grate-fire before me. * Tell them how I have

disposed of both their gifts,' I said ; * tell them '

" *0h, do not curse them ! ' interrupted the pale tremb-
ling mother. * Do not curse my child ! ' * No,' I replied,

5:»i

I t

I 1
1
i

;

, 1

■ 1
• I

■

, 1

:t 1

212

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

as I turned away, * I leave them both to the curse of
their own remorse.' That very day I exchanged into
a regiment ordered for foreign service. Since then
I have served in India, Malta, Gibraltar ; have sighed
out five years of my manhood's prime in a French
prison, the hard school in which I learned your lan-
guage, Miss DeMirecourt, but for twelve long years I
have never set foot on my native land."

" And what of them ? " asked Antoinette, with a
moistened eye and quickened breathing that plainly
told how deeply this simple manly recital of a life's
Borrow had touched her.

" Aye ! what of them ? " he rejoined bitterly. In
my early simplicity, I questioned like yourself, what
of them, expecting that their perfidy Vould hourly
meet with condign and striking punishment. Well, it
has not been so. They are one of the happiest couples
in England, with lovely intelligent children around
them, she beautiful, admired — ^he happy, fond ; whilst
I am a lonely wanderer on the earth, a stray waif, a
gloomy misanthrope. Do you wonder now, that
I have. lost faith in your sex; that I have avoided
them almost as carefully as saint or anchorite has
ever done ? "

Antoinette made no repfy, for she feared the tremor
in her voice would reveal how deeply she felt, how ear-

ANTOINETTE DB MIBECOURT.

213

5mor
ear-

nestly she sympathized with the speaker ; but the keen
reader of face and character at her side, at once inter-
preted her silence correctly. After a pause he resumed :

" I have been strangely communicative with you,
Miss De Mirecourt. What secret spell of yours has
broken down so completely the barriers of my usual
reserve ? "

There was something peculiar in his tones, and An-
toinette feared he was already regretting the frankness
be had showed her.

Hurriedly she spoke : " I feel deeply grateful for
the confidence you have deigned to repose in me,
Colonel Evelyn, and it shall always be held sacred."

"I know that, young girl. Think you if I had
supposed for a moment that it could have been other-
wise, I should have trusted you. From the first, I saw
ihat you were a being as different to Mrs. D'Aulnay and
others of her class, as I am different from that per-
fumed fop, that heartless Stemfield."

Antoinette colored deeply ; but that changing blush
of hers came and went so often, that her companion
attached no great importance to the circumstance.

p I
M I
M I

,tf^

CHAPTER XXL

Tlie party were now near the humble village-inn,
at which they soon stopped for warmth and refresh*
ments, the greater part of the latter being brought by
themselves. Antoinette, somewhat chilled by the long
drive, was sitting in a warm comer of the room, near
an angle of the huge glowing stove, awaiting the return
of Colonel Evelyn, who had gone to procure her a glass
of warm wine. Here she was suddenly accosted by
Major Stemfield, who stepped up to her, and whispered
with that stem frown with which she was, alas ! already
so familiar :

"Much as you may have enjoyed the previous
arrangement, Antoinette, I must insist on altering it.
You will drive back with me and no other."

Without waiting for a reply he tumed away, and,
when Colonel Evelyn retumed with the refreshments
he had procured, he wondered much at the taciturnity
and pre-occupation which had so suddenly taken pos-

AKTOIKETTE DS MIRECOtJRT.

215

session of his young companion. Shortly after, Mrs.
D'Aulnay floated gracefully up to them and exclaimed:

^' I fear I come to change arrangements agreeable
to all parties ; but, my dear Antoinette, Major Stemfield
tells me that you had promised to drive with him when
this excursion was first spoken of. He feels very sore
about his disappointment, so I think you had better
console his wounded feelings by driving back with ,
him."

Antoinette remembered no such agreement, but she
was only too thankful to accept any subterfuge that
afforded her an opportunity of deprecating the stem
anger of which she stood so much in dread.

" Well, be it so," she quickly rejoined. *• I know
Colonel Evelyn will as kindly consent to this arrange-
ment as he (Ud to our former one."

^^ I have no alternative," he said with a somewhat
formal smile. " And who is to be my homeward corn-
panion ; or is it necessary I should have one ? "

" Certainly. That young lady (and Mrs. D'Aul-
nay indicated, by a slight motion of her head, one of
the over-crowded damsels on whose behalf she had
vainly appealed to Stemfield in the morning) has been
thrown agam on the world by Major Stemfield's
resumption of his sleigh, and she awaits the advent of
some generous knight-errant to relieve her."

i ' ' •-

216

ANTOINETTE BE MIRECOtJRT.

"I have long since given up knight-errantry,"
coldly rejoined Evelyn, " but the lady is welcome to a
seat in my sleigL"

The latter, though a really very pretty girl, hap-
pened to be one of the most affected and insipid of her
class ; so the feelings of Colonel Evelyn during the
return drive may be easily imagined. To her nervous
little terrors, her pretty sentimentalisms, he opposed a
sil^it grimness whicL made the young lady in question
inwardly compare him to an ogre. ^^ Faugh 1 '' thought
he, as the latter, on their arrival, determined to make
an impression on his stony heart, thanked him with a
die-away languishing gilanoe from her really splendid ^
dark eyes, which had only the effect of inexpressibly
disgusting him, '^ who could believe that this creature
and that other rare young g^irl really belong to the
same species 1 " ' ; . < *

Poor Antoinette's homeward drive had proved
even less pleasant ihan Colonel Evelyn's. Stemfield
was in one of his dark, jealous moods ; and he questioned,
reproached, and taunted her, with a severity alike
unjust and ill-judged. Mrs. D'Aulnay, also out of
sorts, invited none of the party m on her arrival, and
she and Antoinette entered the house alone.

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

217

"What a stupid aflfeir!" she petulantly exclaimed^
as she twitched off her rich furs, and threw herself
down on a couch in her dressing-room.

" *Tis that ill-tempered Stemlield who spoiled all ! I
really think if I had not yielded to his wishes, and pre-
vented you returning home with Colonel Evelyn, he
would have made some dreadful scene or other, before
the whole party. You cannot imagine how he annoyed
and worried me. What did he say to you on your
homeward route 9 Made love, I suppose ? "

" Oh, that is unnecessary now,^^ rejoined Antoinette,
" it would be an idle waste of time ! "

" Do not speak so singularly, Antoinette dear,"
hastily rejoined Mrs. D'Aulnay. " It alarms, grieves
me. But you shiver, child, and how pale you are ;
I hope you have not taken cold. Lie down on the
sofa, and I wi'l send Jeanne to you immediately with
a cup of hot offee.'*

It was no cold or extomal physical ailment that
blanched Antoinette's cheek, but mental suffering.
That drive, both going and coming, had been a
strangely eventful one for her. The powerful fasci-
nation Evelyn had exerted over her, whilst stooping
to lay bare his proud heart to her gaze, and which she
had earnestly, conscientiously, struggled against, still

ii'i

«5

I if:

218

I ':

AKTOIKETTB BE BOREOOTJRT.

Wi II

proved, alas ! that she was capable of a far deeper,
truer love, than that which she had bestowed on
Audley Stemfield. Then the bridegroom himself,
whose patient, thoughtful affection should have inter-
posed an invulnerable shield between her inexpe-
rienced youth and the strange, dangerous snares
that surrounded her peculiar position, yielding,
instead, to jealousy, irritation, or any other unworthy
feeling that happened at the moment to sway him,
gave free vent to it, careless of the anguish he was
inflicting on that sensitive young nature, to which the
language of reproof was so new ; or of the fearful
rapidity with which he was weakening his own mental
hold upon her.

The bitter hour of complete awakemng from the
feverish trance of her love-fit for Stemfield had at
length arrived ; and after a long houir's silent reverie,
during which every little event and episode which had
marked their acquaintance from its first beginning,
down to the painful drive of that day, rose up before
her, she suddenly clasped her hands, and murmured
with a look of intense anguish, " God help me ! I
do not love him !*'

What a ICTrible, but alas! what an unavailing
confession for a bride to make !

mam

warn

ANTOINETTE DE imtBCOURT.

219

But there were deeper abysses of misery yet
remaining, and from which she should have prayed
God on bended knee, night and morning, to preserve
her. It was that of loving another. Yes, though
her affection, or rather predilection, for Audley had
vanished like a morning mist, still she owed him
entire fidelity and alle^ance, and every feeling of
her heart belonged, of right, to him. Did any
warning voice suggest that she should avoid Colonel
Evelyn even as if he were her deadliest enemy —
that that proud nature, which had so strangely
unbent to her ihfluence, was one, alas, too danger-
ously attractive, too wondrously fascinating ? It must
have been so ; for suddenly, covering her face with
her hands, as if ashamed of the weakness her words
implied, she murmured, ^' I must see Evelyn no more

-no more.

»»

I
l! I

h I

CHAPTER XXII.

( «

A WKEK pascd over quietly enough. Stomflold,
who had Honiowhat recovorod hia good temper, and
who had received besides Home very severe loctiiros
from Mi*a. D' Auhiay, behaved himself better. Colonel
Evelyn had sent the ladies some interesting books,
but he had not called to see them. One unpleasant,
sleety afternoon, however, that they had settled them-
selves down to their work, certain that no visitors would
disturb them, Jeanne brought up his card.

" What is coming over the man ?" exclaimed Mrs.
D'Aulnay. ** He is surely in love with you, Antoi-
nette. Is it not too bad that — " she suddenly stopped
and bit her lip, but her cousin's rising color told her
that she had easily completed the sentence, with its
unexpressed regrets over her union with Stomfiold.
Alas ! did not her own heart, not once, but daily,
hourly now, waste itself in similar unavailing regrets.

Colonel Evelyn entered with a friendly kindness of
manner, very diflferent to his usual unbending reserve ;

ANTOINKTTB DB MIHBOOUKT.

221

ami as Mrs. D^Auhiay watcliod the oarncHt gontlo
^laiioo ho bent on hor young coudin, tho genial smilo
with which he listonod to hor oxproHsion of thankH for
tho hooks lio had sent, sho was conscious of a socrot
wisli, that tho " irrosistihlo Stornfiold," as sho had
onco delighted in calling him, was in tho most distant
ponal Bottlomont of his Sovereign's dominions. With
hor unfixed principles, hor lax ideas of right and
wrong, it did not strike Mrs. D'Aulnay that there
was any harm in permicthig Colonel Evelyn to in-
oroaso Ids evident admiration for Antoitietto by inter-
course with hor. On tho contrary, to a mind stored,
like hers, with novels, lovo-talos of tho most roprehon-
siblo folly, there was something inexpressibly touching
in this dawning of " wn amour malheareux,**

Fortunately, however, Antoinette's moral percep-
tions were of a koonor character ; and as Colonel
Evolyn grew moro attentive, addressing his conversa-
tion more exclusively to herself, her restlessness, and
occasionally appealing glances towards hor cousin,
plainly told tho latter that sho wished hor to come to
her aid, by giving a moro general tone to tho conver-
sation. Madame D'Aulnay, however, doing as she
would have wished others to have done by her, and
onwilling to stop so charming a little bit of romance

i,(

222

ANTOINETTB DB MrRECOURT.

in its very beginning, affected to be exceedingly
engrossed by her tapestry-frame. Ere long, Jeanne
came in with a message from Mr. D'Aulnay, whom
his wife at once sought in the library. She shortly
re -appeared at the drawing-room door, ready dressed
for the street, and informed her astonished auditors
that " she was going out with Mr. D'Aulnay for a
half-hour, on business," an assertion which was really
true. Antoinette's perturbation on this announcement
became extreme^ and Colonel Evelyn put his own
interpretation, a flattering one to himself, truly, on
her deepemng color and nervous embarrassment. In-
voluntarily he drew his chair closer to hers, and his
voice assumed a lower, kinder tone, which tended in
HO manner, however, to put his young companion at
her ease. They were thus seated together, when,
chancing to look up, they perceived Major Stemfield
standing in the half-open doorway, steadfastly regard-
ing them. Antoinette gave an irresistible start of
terror, which did not escape Evelyn's quick glance ;
but endeavoring to recover herself, she rose, and, in a
somev,hat faltering tone, welcomed Stemfield, and
asked him to come in.

" No, I fear I might be de trop^'' he slowly rejoined,
in accents of bitter irony. " It would be unpardonable

ANTOINETTB DE MIRBCOURT.

228

on my part to disturb so engrossing a tete-d-tSte.*^
Colonel Evelyn's brow grew dark as the speaker's,
and he fixed a stem, questioning glance upon him.

" Surely, Colonel Evelyn, you are not going to
order me under arrest for my unwitting interruption,"
queried Stornfield, in the same mocking tones.

The Colonel hastily rose to his feet, but before he
could speak, Antoinette gasped forth in tones of
passionate entreaty, " Audley, for mercy's , sake,
hush !"

An actual storm of passion seemed to shake the
young man's frame, but he evidently wrestled with
himself to repress it. " Antoinette !" he at length
said, in a voice hoarse from concentrated anger, " you
shall account to me for this " ; and then, as if afraid
to trust himself longer, he turned abruptly away, and,
a moment after, they heard the hall-door heavily
clang to. Antoinette, white as death, and trembling
in every limb, sank back in her chair, whilst her
companion sternly exclaimed, " 'Tis he, rather, who
shall be called to a strict account."

" Just what I feared," she whispered, growing, if
possible, whiter than before. Oh, Colonel Evelyn,
you will both meet in deadly conflict, I, the unhappy,
unworthy cause, and one or both may fall."

: i

'ill

224

ANTOINETTE DE MIRE :^URT.

:!ii

" There is no fear of that, Miss Do Mirocourt, if
I chooso to let the matter rest. Major Stcmfield will
scarcely challenge his commanding officer without
some more tangible cause of provocation than I have
given him."

** Ah, you cannot reassure me ! I know that men
of your profession generally hold the cruel code that
the slightest insult or offence should be washed out in
blood. Oh, Colonel Evelyn," and she clasped his
arm with her trembling hands, whilst her soft, speak-
ing eyes sought his in earnest entreaty, " promise me
that you will take no farther notice of this unfortunate
affair — that you will not seek to exact from Major
Sternficld an apology he may refuse to give V*

It was a new sensation to Evelyn to have that gentle,
beautiful girl thus clinging to him in prayerful en-
treaty, and he inwardly rejoiced his heart was not
yet so utterly insensible as to be able to resist its
influence.

" For whose sake do you thus pray so earnestly,"
he smilingly questioned, laying his own powerful,
sun-browned hand on the little fingers that lay like
snow-flakes on his arm. ^* Is it for mine or Major
Sternfield'a ?"

** For both," she rejoined, hurriedly, confusedly.

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

225

^^ Liston to mo, Miss Do Mirccourt, I will givo the
promise you exact of me — bind myself thus hand and
foot, if, in return, you will frankly answor mo one
question, and pardon, at the same time, my indis-
cretion in asking it ?''

" Speak," was the low-toned reply.

" Tell me, then, do you love Audley Sternfiold ?*'

How that question flooded her heart with pmn.
She was asked did she love liim^ her husband, her
future partner through the joys and sorrows of earth,
and she could not, anxiously as she sought to
deceive herself, say " yes."

" Alas ! I do not !" she rejoined, with a look and
tone of indescribable anguish.

" Another question, Antoinette," whispered her
companion, overlooking, in the delight which that oar-
nest denial afforded him, the peculiarity of her man-
ner, " another question," and he bent towards her
till his thick brown locks almost mingled with her own
shining tresses. " Do you think you could ever learn
to love me ? "

The tide of vivid burning scarlet that flashed over
cheek, neck, and brow, the suddenly averted eyes,
as if the girl feared he might read in their depths
the secret feelings of her heart, rendered him careless

\ H

)¥•

226

ANTOINETTE DB MIREOOUKT.

of her startled, impetuous exclamation : '^ Do not ask
me so idle, so wild a question, Colonel Evelyn?**

" Antoinette," he whispered, clasping her suddenly
to his breast. " You do love me. It is useless to
deny it. Oh to think that such a treasure of happiness
is vouchsafed to bless my long-desolate heart, my
barren, cheerless life 1"

Ah ^ in that moment ihe felt that death would have
been welcome, aye, pleasant. There was no chance
of farther self-deception now. She loved with
womanly love, not girlish fancy, the true-hearted
man beside her, but she must leave for ever the
support of those kindly arms that would have
shielded her so carefully from life's trials and cares ;
she must reject that priceless devotion, and follow
out alone her own dreary destiny, linked as it was
for ever with that of the dreaded, heartless Sternfield.
The regrets that crowded upon her were overwhelm-
ing in their despairing intensity, and, with a counte-
nance, furrowed at the moment with mental anguish,
she slowly raised herself from Evelyn's embrace.
" Words cannot thank you," she whispered, '' for so
great a proof of preference from one like you, to
aught 80 unworthy as myself.**

ANTOINETTE DB MIRECOURT.

227

'^ But, I do not ask thanks, my Antoinette, he
interrupted, troubled by her strange demeanor. One
little word of affection would be far more welcome."

" And that word can never be said. The love
you deign to ask for, can never be yours.*'

" This is girlish trifling,'* he earnestly though
gently rejoined. " I know you love me, Antoinette.
I have road it unmistakably in your look, manner,
and voice."

" So much the worse for us both, then^" she solemnly
rejoined. " I tell you. Colonel Evelyn, I can never
be yours — must never listen to word of love from you
again."

Terribly perplexed as well as grieved, he stood in
silent trouble, regarding her ; then it suddenly flashed
upon him, that she might have entered into some
thoughtless engagement with Major Stemfield, such
as young girls often form as easily as they break, and
that she regarded the engagement in question as an
insurmountable obstacle to any other union, even
though the fancy which first induced her to make it,
had completely passed away.

" Sit down, Antoinette," he said. " We will talk
quietly over the matter," and gently pressing her into
a chair, he took her hand in his. She immediately

i i

'^j

■i

(f If
1* »i

I ,

f
t

^JJJMJI!l!UI ' .l""liw

:l tfi

"i:

228

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

withdrew it, but remained seated where he had placed
her.

" You owe me a fair and patient hearing," he
continued, and it will be better for us both that we
should understand each other at once. I, who for
long years past, aye ever since that first bitter trial
of my life which I have already recounted to you,
have avoided woman, shunned alike her love or sym-
pathy, have suffered unconsciously to myself your
image to creep into my heart and become very dear
to me. Had your own sweet guilelessness of character
not betrayed that my affection was in some slight
degree reciprocated, notwithstanding the disparity
of age, and the gloomy unattractiveness of my nature,
I would have hidden it deep in my own breast, and
none would ever have suspected its existence. Des-
tiny has decreed otherwise ; and it rests with you
now to decide, whether this new-born love is to prove to
me a blessing or a curse ; it rests with you to
decide whether the remaining half of my life is to
prove as desolate as the first has done." She had
covered her face with her hands and was sobbing
bitterly, but he went on. " Antoinette, you are in
the dawning of life, I at its meridian. Oh, you know
how cruelly this heart of mine has been tried before —

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

229

spare it now ! Make of it no young girl's toy to be
cast aside after it has been won, for some childish
trifle, some exaggerated sentiment. Speak to me,
tell me that my future life will be gladdened by your
love !"

" Would to God that we had never met !" she
passionately exclaimed, wringing her hands. " Was it
hot enough that I was wretched, without bringing
misery on others ? Oh, Colonel Evelyn, I could kneel
at your feet to crave forgiveness for the pain I have
given, may give you, but alas ! I must again say I
never can be yours."

Keen and terrible was the suffering her words
inflicted on her hearer, and he abruptly turned from
her to hide the emotion every line of his countenance
betrayed, but soon he returned to her side to make a
last despairing appeal.

" Antoinette, you are sacrificing us both to some
over-strained principle,"^ he vehemently exclaimed.
" You are trampling on my heart as well as your own,
for some insufficient cause. You shake your head in
dissent. Let me know then this obstacle that lies like
a gulf between us. Give me the poor satisfaction,
one accorded to the greatest criminal, that of knowing
why I am condemned ?"

i:r

' > '

111

iiiiiiiniiiiiiinHn

230

ANTOINETTB DB MIBECOURT.

" Alas ! my lips are sealed by a solemn promise, by
an oath, to never reveal it."

" Poor, innocent child ! Some one has been prac-
tising on your youth and ignorance of life, to wind you
into toils wluch may yet bring misery, if not worse, on
your head. Break from them, Antoinette, turn from
the false friends who would thus mislead you, and my
arms will be your shelter, your home.'*

" Colonel Evelyn, you will drive me wild," she
exclaimed, in a voice sharp with anguish. " Waste
not your love or regrets on a wretched, guilty creature
like myself.

" Guilty, wretched," he repeated with a violent
start, whilst his face flushed. " These are wild words,
Antoinette."

" Yes, but they are true ones. False to the holiest
principles of my youth, false to ties which even the
most hardened respect, what other epithets do I
deserve ?"

Earnestly, searchingly Evelyn gazed into her face,
as if he would have looked into the depths of her soul,
and then in an accent of indescribable tenderness, he
said, " Poor wayward child, your looks belie your
words ; but it is time that this painful interview should
come to an end. You have no gleam of hope to give
me?"

ANTOINETTB DB MIRECOtJRT.

231

" None, none," she reiterated. " I have only to
say that my future lot will be far more miserable and
cheerle^ than your own."

He looked at her a moment in silence, and what
volumes of meaning, of emotion, were in that glance !
No disappointed suitor's pride, no irritation, lurked
there ; but oh, such yearning love, such unbounded
compassion for that fragile young creature on whom
the hoarded affection of the best part of a life time
had been lavished. " Antoinette, farewell," he at
length said, and his tones trembled despite every
effort. " Remember, m your hour of sorrow or trial,
that you have a friend whom nothing can alienate."

Her hour of trial! Yes, had come! Bitter,
scathing trial, and he had in great part brought it
about— infused into the chalice of her misery a
bitterness which almost overtasked her failing strength
to bear, and which left its traces so legibly
stamped on her brow, that tender compassion for her
almost predominated over his own wearing, hopeless
disappointment. Silently he withdrew from the room,
and she, stunned, almost bewildered, laid down her
aching head on the arm of the couch, wishing that she
might as easily lay down the burden of life.

1.11

r "ill

CHAPTER XXIII.

Of the lapse of time she took no note ; and when the
well-known voice of Stemfield suddenly pronounced
her name, she slowly raised her head and looked
at him in silence. He drew a chair towards her
and sat down, saying, in a low stem tone, ^' I have
come to ask why I found my wife closeted, an hour
ago, with Colonel Evelyn ?*'

The expression of heavy languor shadowing the girl's
beautiful face remained unchanged, and in tones,
strangely unlike her usual clear, sweet accents, she
rejoined, " I was not closeted with Colonel Evelyn, I
received him as I would have received any other
gentleman in the public drawing-room with open
doors."

" Where, pray, was your model chaperone mean-
wlule, the wise and prudent Mrs. D'Aulnay ?**

" Gone out with her husband. I am not surely to
be rendered responsible for that.''

" No. I will only ask to hear the subject of the
long conversation you held with this same gentleman

ANTOmETTE DE MXRECOURT.

visitor." " That I cannot reveal to you, Audky.
The secrets of others are not at my disposal."

" Is this your idea of wifely duty ?"

No reply, save a moody silence.

" Answer me,'* he continued in tones of risii,,:
anger. " Is this ring," he caught up the smvM
hand on which it glittered, ** and the union of whieli
it is the sacred symbol, a mere mockery ?"

In his deep-restrained passion, he pressed, perhaps
unconsciously, the small hand he had taken, till a line
half livid, half scarlet, formed around the golden
circlet.

" Press on,'* she murmured, giving no token, beyotid
a bitter smile, of the physical suffering that strong
clasp caused her, " Why should not the outward
symbol of our ill-starred union torture and crush the
body as deeply as its reality does the soul ?"

" You are complimentary," he rejoined, loosing his
hold of the hand he had clasped, not in love but in
anger, and tossing it from him.

" It seems to ine that the union whose sorrows you
are so eloquent over, does not weigh so heavily on you.
It has neither taught you affection or duty to him you
call husband, nor has it prevented you listening to the
secrets or love-vows of other men."

!,l

■mw-

284

ANTOINETTE DB MIRBOOURT.

p i,

jiii!

'< But whose is the fault, Audley ?" she suddenly
retorted with passionate earnestness. '^ Why have
you placed, and why do you keep me in so cruel, so
exceptional a position ? I tell you I cannot bear tins
longer. I will acknowledge everything to my father.**

" And break your solemn promise, your vow ?** he
interrupted. " No, Antoinette, you will not, you dare
not do .t. That promise made upon the cross received
iromyour dying mother, is as binding as our marriage-
vow itself.*'

"But why this continued secrecy and mystery?
Oh, Audley, it is bad for us both. Do away with it.
Acknowledge me before God and man for your wife,
whilst a chance of happiness yet remains to us — whilst
our hearts are not yet entirely estranged from each,
other!**

" Impossible child, utterly in^posable.*'

" And why so ?**

'* Because,'* and his handsome lip curved with a
Movement of mingled sarcasm and irritation — " be-^
cause I am not rich enough to afford the luxury of a
dowerless bride.*'

" A dowerless bride ! *' she slowly, wonderingly
repeated.

" Yes. Do you not know that if we were so infa-
tuated p to confess our rash act to^your father, the

ANTOINETTE DB BflRBCOURT.

285

consequence would be your immediate disinheritance,
and we would have nothing to live on but love, which
would prove a most inadequate means of support. You
may perhaps say that in three months, in six months,
your father's resentment will be just as much t<5 be
dreaded as it is now. Perhaps not; Time brings
many changes in its course, and before that period,
other influences may be brought to bear on his preju-
dices, which will soften if not remove them. At the
worst, Antoinette, you know that at the age of
eighteen, nothing can prevent you coming into the
enjoyment of your mother's small fortune, according
to her dying wishes, which happily for us were legally
expressed and recorded. Till then — 'tis only a com-
parrtively short time to wait — ^we may probably be
obliged to keep our secret."

There was a long pause. New thoughts and fears
were busy at work in Antoinette's aching brain, and
for the first time the bitterly humiliating conjecture
presented itself, that Sternfield had married her, not
from any romantic feeling (^ attachment, but from
cold calculation, from motives of interest.

Still with wonderful calmness she questioned,.
" Were you as well acquainted with my position
when you married me^ Audley, as you are now ?"

m
'1*1

1 1 '';

i; •

(!i

«''

;

286

ANTOINBTTB DI lOllECOURT.

'< Of course, yon simple child. Do you think that
I, with an income which barely suffices to keep me in
the necessaries of my rank— -my gloves alone cost a
dollar per day "—(Major Stemfield forgot to state what
his gambling propensities cost) — ^** would have ventured
on marriage, without previously ascertaining whether
my wife possessed some golden charms as well as
other more irresistible ones ?"

" Thank you ; I feel grateful for your candor. Now,
I need not visit with such severe condemnation, nor
expiate with such bitter remorse, my own waning love,
my growing indifference, towards youreelf."

" Whether your love wanes or grows, Antoinette,"
he carelessly said, ^' it does not matter so much, for
you can never forget that you are my wife."

" There is no danger that the captive will forget
the galling chain he is compelled to wear," was her
bitter reply.

*' A chain you assumed of your own free will, lady
mine ; but, a truce to heroics ! I have a horror of
them in private life. I have only to say before ter-
minating this interview, which I fear we have already
prolonged too far for our mutual comfort, that there
are some things I wiU bear with — others I will not.
With your indifference, or waning love as you call it,

ANTOIKBTTB DE MIRIOOURT.

287

I can put lip philosophically enough ; but beware of
rousing my jealousy by flirting with other men.
Farewell. Wliat, you will not let me take a parting
kiss! Well, I will be patient : your mood may be
more amiable at our next meeting.''

Jeanne, who chanced to be in tiie hall at the moment,
and let the gay handsome Major out, saw no tokens of
disturbance on his smiling features ; but she wondered
much when she went up stairs shortly after to Antoi-
nette's room, with a message firom Mrs. D'Aulnay, who
had just returned, at the ghastly paleness of the young
girl's &ce.

^' Tell Mrs. D'Aulnay, Jeanne, that I feel too ill
to go down stairs this evening." ,

" Poor Mademaisolle Antoinette, you do indeed

look very bad," said the kind-hearted woman in an

; anxious tone. ^^ I will bring you up a cup of tea now,

and some warm ti^anrie later, which will make you

sleep soundly all night."

*' I fear that is more than your Usanne can accom-
pHsh, Jeanne."

<* Indeed, Mademoiselle, you are mistaken: it is a
most wonderful cure, especially in youth, for, thank
God ! dear young lady, at your age, you can have no
thoughts able to drive sleep irom your pillow."

^1^^

288

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

Antoinette shivered m if a cold wind had suddenly
struck her, but she forced herself to smile kindly on
the woman as she dismissed her.

" My age !" she repeated. ** Yes, young in years
but old in sorrow," and she pressed her hands tightly
on her burning, throbbing brow.

Jeanne soon brought up a daintily-prepared repast,
with a message from Mrs. D'Aulnay, excusing herself
for a couple of hours, as she was engaged with a
friend of Mr. D'Aulnay, who had just arrived from
the country.

The time passed heavily on, and Antoinette still sat
motionless, her changing cheek alone ^ving token of
the storm of agitated thoughts and feelings that
worked within. Who could describe or analyse their
intense bitterness ? The full complete knowledge of
Stemfield's unworthiness, and the certainty which
brought so cruel a pang to her woman's heart, that she
had been sought and won (her cheek burned as she
recalled how lightly and how easily) from a paltry mo-
tive of worldly interest. Then came the thought of the
deceit she had practised on a kind, indulgent father —
of her own sad falling oflF from truth and goodness.
But keener, bitterer pang, perhaps, than all else, was
the agonizing remembrance of the priceless treasure

ANTOINETTB DB HIRECOURT.

239

she had lost in Colonel Evelyn's love. That brave,
true heart, with its wealth of noble, generous affections ;
that clear, powerful intellect, and honorable nature,
which might have belonged to her, and her alone, uad
which, alas ! were for ever beyond her grasp. How
contemptible appeared now the girlish feeling of ad-
miration for Major Sternfield's handsome face and
fascinating manners, which, combined with the flattered
gratification of her own vanity, she had once dignified
with the name of love. .

It was a fearful consciousness to a wife, to a
woman, weak, erring as she was, surrounded by
temptation, and with nothing to save her from harm but
the dim spark of religious faith that still burned in
her breast. She thought of Mrs. D*Aulnay, the un-
principled, ill-judging friend, whose counsels had ever
led her astray ; of Sternfield, her husband, who acted
as if he wished to drive her to destruction ; and then
of her own miserable weakness, her luke-warm devo-
tion, her undisciplined heart. From the very depths
of her nature suddenly went up in the stillness of her
room, an audible cry to Him whose ear is ever open
to the accents of humble penitence : "Oh, my God,
none but thou can save me !"

On her knees she repeated it, and in broken accents
prayed, not m empf^ form as she had done for so long

■A <

i [^

. t'

I L

24a

ANTOINETTE DE lORECOUBT.

a time past, but in passionate appeal, that she and
Cecil Evelyn might meet no more ; that his love for
her uHght pass away ; and that God would give her
strength and grace to preserve unsullied till death,
even by one rebelUous thought, the fidelity she had
vowed to Audley Stemfield. In the luxury of that
moment's free blessed communion with the Heavenly
Father, she had, for a time, almost forgotten, she found
strength to also ask for a wifely spirit of sub-
mission which would enable her to patiently bear all the
bitter trials Stemfield's unkindness might yet inflict
upon her. She was still engaged in prayer when the
door softly opened, and Mrs. D'Aulnay entered.

" How are you, my poor darling ? I had hoped you
were asleep," she kindly exclaimed, a» the ^rl rose
from her knees. " Why are you not in bed ?"

^' I must take Jeanne's infallible tiacmne first," wa»
the reply, uttered with a smile that wa& inexpressibly
sad.

Mrs. D'Aulnay, who was really very fond of her
young cousin, watched her countenance narrowly a
moment, and then whispered, as she threw her arm
around her neck, and drew her gently towards her^
" Alas ! it cannot cure heart-ache. 'Tis that wretch
of a Stemfield who renders you so miserable. I am

ANTOn^irrTB DB MIBEOOURT.

241

really beginning to hate him. And the thought that
you are tied to him for life sets me wild ; now es-
pecially, that I have a secret conviction that that
delightful misanthropic Evelyn loves you."

" Listen to me, Lucille,'' suddenly exclaimed the
young girl, confronting her with a calm dignity, which
awed for a moment the frivolous woman before her.
" You have led me, by your counsels and solicitaticmSy
into a terrible step which will entail on me life-long
wretchedness. I say not this to reproach you, for
alas ! I am far more guilty than yourself ; but to tell
you that having wrought me such misery, you should
stop now and not seek to plunge me still lower into-
sin and sorrow. Mention Colonel Evelyn's name to*
xne no more ; and above all, never tell me, a wife^
again, that he, or any other man, loves me. When
you speak of Sternfield, too, if you cannot do so in
terms of friendship, at least employ those of courtesy,
for he is my husband. Oh, Lucille, if you cannot
lighten my heavy cross, at least do not seek to make
it more galling !"

" Antoinette, you are an angel !" enthusiastically
exclaimed Mrs. DAulnay, touched by what she chose
to regard as the lofty heroism of her companion. For
6¥ery-day virtues she had no respect whatever > — iu fact^

?. A

\iiS-

! i

w mm! r ra:!r mrT~-

~--:s?nim

242

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

M .1 i<

as she often said herself, she had scarcely patience
with them ; but anything out of the ordinary routine
of life, heroic or uncommon, filled her with admiration.
" Yes, my child, your wishes, sublime in their self-
sacrificing heroism, shall be law to me. And after all,"
she pensively added, " 'tis perhaps better that Stem-
field should try you as remorselessly as he does. You
know a modem French writer has said that in wedded
life, next to love, hatred is best; that anything is
better than the terribly monotonous, hum-drum indif-
ference with which so many married couples regard
each other, and under the influence of which life
becomes like a dull, stagnant pool, without wave or
breeze ever breaking the surface. Better the wild
dash of the tempest, the sweep of the hurricane "

" What, even though it scatter ruin and desolation
Vound?" interrupted the poor young bride, won
into something like a smile, despite her misery, by
this new and extraordinary view of connubial life.
" No, no," she added more earnestly. " If I cannot
have sunshine, let me at least have peace. I have not
courage enough to cope with the storm or the tempest."

" Then, dear Antoinette, forgive my saying that
you have not all the necessary qualifications for a
genuine heroine. But here comes Jeanne with the
tisanne, which has led to so singular a dialogue.'*

p. I

* 1

nee

bine

lion.

elf.

rn-

CHAPTER XXIV,

Antoinette found the two following days singularly
quiet, after the terrible agitation she had recently
undergone. Mr. Cazeau, the gentleman visitor already
alluded to, was a quiet amiable man, with that gentle
suavity of manner and cheerful, well-bred gaiety which
characterized so generally the Canadian gentlemen of
the time. He was a sincere patriot, too, grieving
deeply over his country's dark days, and Antoinette
found a salutary distraction to her own sad thoughts
in listening to him ; the more so that his regrets and
reveries were unmixed with the fierce, merciless
denunciations of their conquerors, with which her own
father ever alluded to their national troubles.

" Well, Miss Antoinette," exclaimed Mr. Cazeau,
as the quiet little party separated the third evening of
his stay, after a long, pleasant conversation, " when
I see Mr. De Mirecourt, which I soon will, I must let
him know how much report has misrepresented you,
as well as Mrs. D'Aulnay. I was told you were

pi i

if;

•r 4

244

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

always surrounded by a bevy of red-coats, plunged
into the gayest fashionable dissipation, and totally
inaccessible to common mortals, like ourselves. Now,
I have been three whole days here, and I have seen
you both constantly occupied with your needles or
books, and asking no other amusement than the talk
of a tiresome, old-fa(iMoiied man like myself."

" You forget that it is passion-week," interrupted
Mr. D'Aulnay, with a very expressive shake of his
head; ^^and these fair ladies, though passably fond
of this world, have not ^ven up all hopes of ultimately
attaining to a better. Pay us a visit when Leut is
over, and then tell me what you think. For my paart,
I could find it in my heart to wish that it were Ijent
all the year round. I would willingly endure the
fasting and penance for the sake of the peace and
quiet."

" Indeed, I do not believe him, Mrs. D'Aulnay,"
laughed the guest, m answer to a playful, though
somewhat earnest protest on the part of his graceful
ihostess against Mr. D'Aulnay's last words. " I can
only speak of what I have seen ; and I can honestly
tell my old friend that I have been charmed by the
.quiet domestic life you lead here, and that Miss
lAntoinette is all that he could wish her, only a trifle
too pale."

((

ANTOINETTE DB MIRBOOURT.

245

plunged
totally

Now,
7e seen
iles or
be talk

Tupted
of his

y fond
mately
jent is
^part,
3 liont
*e the
'0 and

lough

iceful

I can

lestly

Y the

Miss

trifle

" Do not say anything about that, dear Mr. Cazeau,"
pleaded Mrs. D'Aulnay; "for fear Uncle De Mireoourt
should recall her to the country, out of anxiety for her
health or complexion, a step which would certainly
improve neither."

Mr. Cazeau's visit was so far productive of good,
that Antoinette received a few days after a very kind
letter from her father, saying that as she was leading
such a quiet domestic life in town, she might extend
her visit two or three weeks longer if she wished. He
added, moreover, that he was going to Quebec on
business matters, and would probably call himself on
his return, to bring her home.

" Do you not find it very singular that Sternfield
should be so long without coming to see us?*' ques-
tioned Mrs. D'Aulnay, one afternoon, of her young
cousin. " 'Tis more than a week since his last visit ;
in fact, he has not been here since the day that h^ros
de roman, Colonel Evelyn, called."

Antoinette merely sighed, whilst Mrs. D'Aulnay
resumed, with a yawn, which for the moment com-
pletely disfigured her pretty mouth, " He surely will
come to-day. I hope so, for I feel in a most dreary
discontented humor, and would like to see him, if
only to have a quarrel. Pshaw ! I am tired of this

I j a

11,'

.1 ■,: -
{■I

nniaw)wnf.iiiij|iiMummrvMnniv*aqH

246

AirromKTTB db hirecourt.

I •
1 i '

stupid work," and, impatiently throwing down heir
embroidery, she walked to the window. Her remarks
on the passers-by were anything but complimentary to
the individuals in question, when suddenly she started,
and, with a deepening color, abruptly exclaimed :

" As I live, there is Stemfield driving past with
that pretty Eloise Aubertin, with whom he flirted so
desperately at my last soirie. Is it not infacious ?"

Antoinette's only reply was another sigh.

** How can you bear it?" questioned Mrs. D'Aulnay,
indignantly. " A week without coming near you, and
then to dare drive past our very windows with a young
and pretty girl at his side. If you do not punish him
well for it, you are utterly destitute of common spirit."

" What am I to do ?" dejectedly asked her com-
panion, thus energetically appealed to.

" What are you to do ! Why retaliate in kind*
Drive, walk out to-morrow, flirt with any handsome
agreeable man. That will soon bring this, refractory
bridegroom of yours to his senses."

" Never, Lu'cille, never ! I have erred and sinned
enough. With Heaven's help I shall go no farther."

*' Then the next time that he comes to see you, fly
ai him in a passion. Tell him that he is a tyrant— a
heartless wretch."

■2

ANTOINETTB DB MIRECOURT.

247

" Scarcely the way to ensure his speedy returning,"
was the sad reply.

" Well, if you do not resent it in some ma^^ner or
other, I frankly tell you that you have neither
proper pride nor spirit."

'< Lucille, nothing remains for me iu>w but patience
and gentleness."

** Antoinette De Mirecourt," exclaimed Mrs. D' Aul-
nay, with startling abruptness, " you do not love this
man. If you did, your very blood would boil in your
veins with indignation at his conduct."

There was no answer to this sally, and Mrs.
D'Aulnay rapidly went on. " Good Heavens ! this
state of things is terrible — unnatural. Do you call
this a love-match ?"

" 'Tis a miatch of your own making," bitterly
retorted the poor bride.

" Yes, I acknowledge it," returned Mrs. D'Aulnay,
slightly disconcerted by this unsparing home-thrust.
" But who could have dreamed things would have
turned out as they have done ? Who could have
dreamed that such a handsome, fascinating, chivalrous
man as Audley Sternfield would have turned out
such a wretch ?"

lave already told you, Lucille, that I do not wish
: such epithets applied to him."

((

It'!!

1 1 '^^ '
■ i : ■

! ::

i .1 :
: f

I '

iii

•I !

i i

i I II i

r' if ^

i:i^

1, ■>

> 4

248

ANTOIKETTB DE MIRBCOURT.

"Nonsense!" and Mrs. D'Aulnay tossed her
graceful head indignantly : " I will give him his due
once, atJeast, if you oblige me ever after to hold my
peace Husband indeed ! He is certainly a singular
illustration of the word. I tell you what, my poor
little cousin, I see plainly you do not love him ; and I
do not think he loves you, or he acts as if he did
not, which comes to the same thing. No alternative
remains for you but a divorce."

" A divorce !" re-echoed Antoinette ; " since when
has our church granted divorces ? The most she has
ever done is in cases of extreme urgent necessity to
^ve permission to the parties to separate. But if
they were living at the opposite ends of the earth,
they would still be husband and -rife. Ah ! the chain
I so madly forged for myself, however galling it may
prove, I must wear to the end."

" But your case is an extraordinary one, poor child.
We might appeal through our Bishop to the Pope."

" Of what use, when he holds not the power V
Who or what am I, that I should expect an impos-
sibility ? What excuse for me is it that the senseless
ill-judged passion which led me to infringe the sacred
rules of feminine delicacy, the holy dictates of filial
duty, has passed away as quickly as it rose. 'Tis but
just that I should exDiate my folly."

.': I

ANTOINETTE DE MD^COORT.

249

" But if Stemfield, on his side^ wearying of the
marriage, as you have done, should seek a divorce,
obtain one, and then marry again,-'-^a thing of sufS*
ciently frequent occurrence, and permitted by his
faith,"— what then V*

<' My chains would remain as firmly rivetted as
ever, and in the eyes of God I would still be his wife,
not only unable to contract any other union, but
obliged to be as faithful in thought and deed to him,
as if he were the tenderest of husbands.''

" Good God ! *tis terrible !'* exclaimed Mrs. D'Aul-
nay with a shudder. ^^ Are you certain, Antoinette
that you are not in error ?"

'^ Alas, J have studied the subject too well to be
mistaken."

" But your marriage was secret, — 'the only witness
myself, — no banns published, and you a nunor."

^' Alas, alas I all that helped to render it sinful,
ill-judged, but it did not render it less binding."

'^ Oh, Antoinette, how little I anticipated so sorrow-
ful a conclusion to a romance that opened so brightly.
You are right in the stand you have taken, however,
even though it may cause strife and unkindness to
arise between you and Audley. A daughter of the
De Mirecourts is not to be at the beck of any husband
who is afraid or ashamed to publicly acknowledge her."

li f -J

■{fi

i-ll

•M&Za?

CHAPTER XXV.

r ,

''' '»

*^ There is some one up stairs whom you will be
very glad to see, Mademoiselle," exclaimed Jeamne,
as Mrs. D'Aulnay and Antoinette entered the house
on their return from an afternoon drive. " Mr. De
Mirecourt has just arrived."

" Now remember, Antoinette," said Mrs. D'Aulnay
in a warning voice, as her companion was hastening
up stairs, '' you must endeavor to obtain permission
to extend your stay in town. Should you return to
Valmont with your father, Stemfield will worry us
both to death, and end by bringing about some giimd
esclandre in your peaceful village."

Mr. De Mirecourt, who was in excellent spirits,
received his daughter most affectionately, and dismis-
sed the question of her delicate looks by a half dry,
half-laughing remark that it was fortunate she had
her husband Louis ready chosen and secured, other-
wise her fading beauty might render it somewhat
difficult to procure an eligible one.

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

251

Mr. D'Aulnay hastened to divert the conversation
from Antomette's personal appearance, a topic he well
knew was disagreeable to her, bj exclaiming : " But
do tell us, De Mirecourt, how does Quebec look now ?"

" How does it look !" repeated Mr. De Mirecourt,
his expression instantly becoming grave; '^just as a
citjr that has been besieged and bombarded ^wice,
nught be expected to look — all ruins and ashes. The
environs too,.in which three sanguinary battles have
been fought, the whole district itself, occupied for two
years by contending hosts, all bear melancholy traces
of our country's struggles and fall."

^' Did you see any of our old friends ?" questioned
Mr. D'Aulnay. '

" No, they all left the city after the capitulation of
Montreal, and are now endeavoring, like many others,
to occupy their time and repair their ruined fortunes
by devoting themselves to their farms and lands. It
will take a long time ere Quebec can rise Phoenix-like
&om her ashes."

" Did you meet any one you knew, going down ?"

" No. I had but one fellow-traveller, an English-
man, as I at once detected by his accent, though, he
addressed the drivv^r in excellent French."

" And what did you talk about, uncle ?" questioned
Mrs. D'Aulnay, becoming suddenly interested.

'I I

r if?

I I

m I

252

ANTOINBTTE DB MIRBCOURT.

** The conversation would have been a very brief
one, as far as I was concerned, fair lady, for I have
no fancy for intercourse with our new masters, had
it not been for an accidental circumstance, or, to be
just, an act of courtesy on his part. Shortly after we
started, a heavy snow-storm set in, accompanied by a
sharp, fitful wind, which, notwithstanding my thick
bear-skin coat, and woollen mufflers, so warmly knitted
by my httle Antoinette, soon searched, me through
and through. My chattering teeth plamly betrayed
this to my companion, who instantly, with a kindness
the more remarkable that I had previously repulsed
most ungraciously liis one attempt at conversation^
unfolded the large cloak laid across his knee, (he had
another one on him,) and insisted on my wearing it.
After this, conversation flowed freely, and I soon found
that my fellow-traveller was not only a person of high
intellect, but also a just and liberal man, totally free
from the prejudices that rule so many of his caste and
race. We discussed the present state of the country
with an openness certainly indiscreet on my part ; but
though I sometimes lost my temper, he never lost his,
maintaining his point when he differed from me, with
a manly courtesy which did him honor. On many
subjects he thought with me, and, I could see plainly.

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

253

had as great a horror of anything like oppression as
myself. I had a practical proof of this at an inn
where we stopped to change horses and procure
refreshments. The man, Thibault, who formerly kept
the place in question, embarked for France, last year,
with many more illustrious than himself, and his succes-
sor is a person of the name of Barnwell,— one of the
newly-arrived colonists who have come to lord it over
ourselves and fallen fortunes. Just as we were resuming
our seats, after partaking of some slight refreshments,
our attention was aroused by the voice of our host,
raised in loud angry tones. We looked round and saw

him forcing back by the bridle the horse of a poor habi-
tant^ whom necessity had compelled to stop for some
Uttle refreshment at his hospitable establishment. Poor
Jean-Baptiste energetically protested, in his own
tongue, that he had already paid twice the value of
what he had received ; whilst his adversary, with oaths
and opprobrious epithets, insisted he should hand over
the full price he asked, which was most extortionate.
Emboldened by the countryman's evident terror, and
the tacit encouragement or indiflference of the lookers-
on, Barnwell tightened his grasp on the bridle of the
horse, and commenced at the same time lashing the
poor animal about the head in the most merciless man-

.11

Pi:
I

' I'

'^^^ I

'■' H

H *

254

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

ner, threatening to do the same to the owner if he did
not at once satisfy his claim. In a second, my fellow-
traveller had leaped to the ground, wreathed his pow-
erful hand in mine host's coat collar, and with the whip,
he had just snatched from his grasp, administered him
two or three sharp cuts. ' Your name 1' gasped
the fellow ; ' your name, till I have you brought up
before a magistrate at once !* ' Colonel Evelyn, of
His Majesty's — th regiment,' he disdainfully replied,
hurling from him the man, now thoroughly cowed and
humbled."

" Colonel Evelyn !" breathlessly repeated Mrs.
D'Aulnay ; " dear uncle, we know him well."

" 'Tis to be hoped you do ; as you are acquainted
with so many objectionable people of his cloth, it would
be too bad not to know one who does it so much honor.
Upon my word, my little Antoinette, I could have for-
given you if you had succeeded in winning this gallant
Englishman's homage."

Poor Antoinette ! She had but just received another
illustration of the value of the heart which she had
indeed won, but which was beyond her reach forever.

' nd how did you find the roads ?" questioned Mr.
D'Aulnay.

i* ?

ir ii
H ■

ANTOINETTE DE MIBECOURT.

255

" 'Tifl time for some of you to ask me that. My
journey was as severe a one as I have ever yet made,
though I have travelled many a mile on snow und. }v.e,**

" How is that ? Tell us all about it !" exclaimed
his listeners.

" Well, as I have just said, shortly after we
started, it commenced snowing fast and heavily ; and
as it had snowed the whole night before, you may
safely conclude the roads were anything but light or
pleasant. Down it came in myriads of large soft
flakes, darkening the air ; and whilst my companion
and myself were discussing Canada, its misfortunes
and destiny, the snow was as effectually changing the
appearance of everything as if sorcery had been at
work. Fences, low stone walls disappeared entirely,
and fruit-trees looked like mere shrubs. Fortunately
for us, neither man nor animal was abroad, for no
sight could have been more unwelcome just then than
that of an approaching sleigh, which, by obliging us to
yield half the track, would have probably sent us all
floundering down into the depths of untrodden snow
on either side of the narrow road. Had we been
wise, we would have remained at Thibault's Inn, but
I was anxious to press on, and so was my companion :
after a minutes' halt accordingly we resumed our
journey. The cold soon became intensely severe. It

T- i!

ft, >:

iii'i ^

ill,

ir, I

(f,:|

I'll

I 11

^?f•

Mil

mam

♦'« ?

ifii

256

ANTOINETTE DB MIRECOURT.

ceased snowing, bnt the brilliant sunshine that had
succeeded was perfectly powerless, imparting neither
heat nor comfort. The wind used to catch the newly
fallen particles of snow, now hard and glittering as
diamonds, and whirl them back in our faces, blinding
and suffocating us. Meanwhile we advanced at a true
funereal pace. Large snow-drifts often lay right across
our path, and we had to alight and take turns with the
couple of wooden snow-shovels with which our driver's
sleigh (probably with a view to such emergencies)
was provided."

" And how did Colonel Evelyn act, uncle ?"
" Just as a true man and soldier should. He
neither grumbled nor wondered, but worked; and
when the shovels came into requisition, handled his
with as much skill and dexterity as one of your rose-
water heroes, fair niece, would twist his ivory4iandled

cane.

" But, dear papa, you must have suffered dread-
fully," exclaimed Antoinette.

" Yes, my little girl, I did. Every fibre and vein
in my face ached and smarted, and my respiration
became short and actually painful. And the roads —
oh, how those poor exhausted honies of ours labored
and floundered through the snow-wreaths, now plung-
ing Tvildly forward, then bringing suddenly up.

ANTOINETTE DB MIRBCOURT.

257

When we arrived at the little inn at which we were
to pass the night, I was utterly, thoroughly done up."

"And your fellow-traveller?" Mrs. D'Aulnay asked.

" All I have to say is, that he has an iron strength
of constitution, and, unused as he is to our climate, he
seemed to bear its rigor better than even old Dussault,
who has driven the stage for so many winters through
all sorts of weather. He is most unselfish too, and
shov d as much wish to assist and relieve me as if I
had some lawful claim upon him. But enough of this
long story. Neither Colonel Evelyn nor myself will
forget our winter journey for a long time to come."

Comments and suppositions followed on this narra-
tive, and at a late hour the party separated for the
night, in mutual good humor.

Mr. DeMirecourt, yielding to the united solicitations
poured in upon him, consented to remain a few days,
instead of stai*tmg the following morrang with Antoi-
nette, as he had intended. His stay proved very
agreeable ; and in witnessing the quiet regular lives
the ladies of the household led, and partaking of their
harmless amusements, he began to think matters nmst
have been greatly misrepresented, and that there
could be no great amount of harm in yielding to Mrs.
D'Aulnay's petition, and leaving Antoinette with her
till the return of spring.

11 fl

til

I •*'■ >'■■' I
I —.1

w (

; 1.

11 J: I

CHAPTER XXVI.

Lent over, Mrs. D'Aulnay thought it but fair to
repay herself for her late seclusion by giving an enter-
tainment to her friends, though boisterous March with
its rough winds and melting snows had already set in.
The late temporary cessation of gaieties seemed but to
add a fresh zest to present enjoyment ; and perhaps
the only heavy heart in Mrs. D'Aulnay'B rooms that
night, was that of the once light-hearted, happy An-
toinette. Yes, there was one oth'^r also, the tone of
whose spirits was somewhat in umson with her own ;
and Colonel Evelyn took himself secretly and severely
to task more than once for his folly in thus seeking
scenes distasteful to him, for the sake of a chance
meeting with Antoinette, who, on her side, endeavored
so assiduously to avoid him. There was always, how-
ever, a vague hope lurking in his heart that the
obstacle which she spoke of as insurmountable, was
not in reality so, and that some fortunate chance

ANTOINETTE DE MIAECOURT.

259

might yet set all right between them. For the first
part of the evening he respected her evident wish to
avoid any intercourse with him; but happening to
see her seated alone in one of the pauses of the
dance, he approached and accosted her on some
general topic. Though he strove to interest and
amuse, he had the tact to refrain from anything like
an approach to subjects of deeper interest. This was
fortunate ; for Mrs. D'Aulnay, suddenly finding her-
self at a loss for something to say, called on him, with
her usual thoughtlessness, to tell them " what he
had just been whispering to Miss De Mirecourt."

" Most willingly. I was repeating the remark made
by his Majesty George the Third to Madame De Lery,
when she was lately presented with her husband at the
English Court." ^

" Oh, the beautiful Louise De Brouages," replied
Mrs. D'Aulnay, with lively interest. " Well, what did
the King say ? What did he think of her ?"
. " He must have found her very beautiful, for he at
once said with considerable warmth, alluding of course
to the recent acquisition of Canada, that ' If all the
Canadian ladies resemble her, he had indeed good
reason to feel proud of his fair conquest.' " *

• Garneau.

{ ■

■! 1'.,

1 i

S I

260

ANTOINETTE ]>E MIRECOURT.

" The more chance then for the mission of Mr. De
Lery and his companions to prove successful," remark"
ed her fair hostess.

" And what is that mission ?" questioned one of the
company.

" They have been sent to represent our interests,
aa well as to present the expression of our homage to
our new monarch."

" And behold it is His Majesty who pays homage
instead, and with reason," exclaimed Stemfield, who
had just joined the group.

"Oh, I suppose .we shall be surfeited with compE-
ments, now that King George has set the example !"
coldly rejoined Mrs. D'Aulnay, as she turned away,
£>r the irresistible Major was in anything but high
favor with her just then.

Stemfield, who had heretofore been amusing as well
as behaving himself tolerably w<ell, no sooner saw
Antoinette with Colonel Evelyn than his good humor
yamshed,and he commenced inwardly taxing his brains
for some means of separating them. Being engaged
tot the next dance he could not ask Antoinette to be
his partner, which would have been the surest and speed-
iest method, so he had the inexpressible vexation of
seeing them conversing together during the long contra-
danse which followed. Turmng a deaf ear to his pretty

•i : I

ANTOINETTE BE MIREOOITRT.

261

companion's hint that she thought promenading infi-
nitely preferable to dancing, he unceremoniously depoo
sited her at the conclusion of the dance, on the first
vacant scat, and hastened to Antoinette.

" May I request the honor of your hand, Miss De
Mirecourt for the next ?" he asked with an elaborate
politeness which struck Evelyn as savoring more of
mockery than respect.

What a vivid crimson dyed that young face, and
what a mingled look of pained embarrassment and
anxiety stole over it as she timidly replied that she was
engaged. In the trouble of the moment she did not
think of mentioning the name of the partner to whom
her hand was promised, a very plain unattractive per-
son as it happened ; and Stemfield, at once inferring
that it was Colonel Evelyn, notwithstanding that the latr
ter rarely, indeed never danced,cast one stern vindictive
look upon her, and turned away. His coming however
had left its sting ; and Evelyn soon saw that his com-
panion's thoughts were now wholly occupied by things
foreign to the subject of their conversation, which was
the very harmless one of his late journey to Quebec
with Mr. De Mirecourt. It was almost a relief when
Mrs. D'Aulnay approached them, and, after some
jesting remark to Colonel Evelyn, carelessly handed her

0;*I

1 '.

(■11

i. I';

f ■,''■■

■^11

[ i

262

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

cousin a small scrap of paper on which were traced
a few words in pencil, sajing, ^^ A memorandum of
yours, Antoinette."

The latter, the worst possible hand in the world at
dissembling, took the paper, and hurriedly glanced
over it. It was from Stemfield, and ran thus :

" You are trying my patience beyond all bour.ds !
Meet me as soon as possible in the little sitting-room
upstairs, for I have that to say to you which must be
said without delay. At your peril refuse my request.
If you do, you will regret driving a desperate man too
far! Your husband,

AUDLEY StERNPIELD."

The tenor of this missive, as well as his recklessness
in appending to it the signature he had done, convinced
the unfortunate Antoinette that he was in no mood
to he trifled with, and with trembling fingers she
tore the paper into fragments. Her agitation was so
evident that Evelyn could not help speculating on the
cause, the more so as he had seen Stemfield give the
note in question to Mrs. D' Aulnay to deliver, a mission
which she had at first declined, but which his menaces
had ultimately forced her into accepting.

"What can be the seCVtt Rnk between that handsome
villain and this innocent girl?" he inwardly asked

\ii

A?;JOINETTB DB MIRECOUHT.

263

himself again and again. It certainly is not love, for,
apart from her explicit denial of the existence of such
a sentiment at least on hor side, h^r countenance
expresses anything but that feeling when he draws
near her. Well, I will watch, that I may render her
service if possible, and protect her from his treach-
erous arts."

Seeing that his companion now evidently wished to be
left to herself, he uttered some indifferent remark, and
sauntered to the other end of the room. Another
dance was beginning, and Antoinette greatly exasper-
ated the gentleman to whom she was engaged by
declaring she felt too much fatigued to join ii. Taking
advantage of the slight confusion consequent upon the
dancers assuming their places, she contrived to steal
from the room, as she hoped, unobserved. Up the
narrow stair-case she sped, and entered the sitting-
room in which Stemfield was already awaiting her,
and which, unlike the rest of the house, was but dimly
Hghted.

"You have condescended to use haste in coming/*
he sarcastically exclaimed, as he handed her a chair.

" What do you want with me, Audley ?" she asked,
placing her hand upon her heart to still its rapid
beatings.

III

■'a
if

i I,

> Ui

ill

264

ANTOIKBTTE DE MIRXCOURT.

I ^'

.il

" Have 1 not already warned you," he swd, his
brow growing darker and sterner as he spoke." Have
I not akeady Earned you, that, though I may patiently
put up with your coldness, your indiflferenoe, aye ! if I
read at times your feelings aright, your dislike, I will
not stand quietly by, and see you, my wedded wife,
coquetting and flirting with other men V*

'' Ev^r the same unjust, unfounded accusation.
With whom do you say I was flirting now ? "

** With that deep, dangerous hypocrite. Colonel
Evelyn. Do not attempt to deny it !'* he impetuously
continued, bringing his hand heavily down on the back
of the chair beside him. " I watched you both nar-
rowly. I saw your sweet down*cast looks, your varying
color, and his undisguised bold glances of love and
admiration. Curse him I Think you I will tamely
suffer all this ?"

" Why do you accuse and blame' me thus ? " She
strove to look and speak cahnly, though her hurried
irregular breathing told how deeply she was agitated.
" If a gentleman comes up to speak to me, to stand
beside my chair, I cannot bid him begone ; I must not
tell him that I am a wife, and that my thoughts and
smiles belong entirely to yourself. I will leave here
to-morrow — bury myself in the country, there to

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

265

remain till you judge fit to come forward and acknowl-
edge yourself my husband. I may perhaps have
peace there."

" Yes, flirting with your first love, Mr. Louis Beau-
chesne," was his moody retort.

Antoinette's small hands were clasped still more
tightly over her wildly throbbing heart, as she whis-
pered, " Audley, do you think you can continue to
torture me thus, without life or reason yielding in the
end V

" No heroics, please," he coldly rejoined. " I am
afraid Mrs. D'Aulnay finds you too apt a pupil in the
science which she is so eminently qualified to impart."

The girl, too miserable, too heart-struck to reply to
his taunt, covered her face with her hands in silent
wretchedness.

" Listen to me, my Antoinette," he said with a rapid
change of voice and manner. " You find me thus
unkind and stem, because you have shown me on your
side so little love or sympathy. Say that you forgive
all the past ; and let me, as a token of our perfect re-
conciliation—of my earnest intention to show you more
gentleness in the future, press for once a husband's
kiss on that proud brow, which has, heretofore, so scorn-
fully refused it. Do not say me nay ! I again repeat,

'tis wrong to push a desperate man too far !"

!!■

■'i J

ill

t !

ll'

!
' 1

266

ANTOINETTE DB MIRECOURT.

Feeling that she dared not, perhaps ought not to
refuse him so trifling a concession, she made no reply,
and Stemficld, interpreting her silence in his favor,
threw his arm around her, and kissed again and again
her brow, her silken shining hair. A sound between
a startled exclamation and a half-suppressed groan,
suddenly broke the silence ; and Antoinette sprang
from the treacherous arms that encircled her, in time
to behold Colonel Evelyn standing, white as marble, at
the door of the apartment. In another moment, he
was gone ; and as Antoinette's wild reproachful glance
fell on her companion, she saw a triumphant sneer
replacing already the tenderness his features had dis-
carded as rapidly as they had assumed.

" Methinks the dainty Colonel Evelyn will be effec-
tually cured of his love-fit by this wholesome lesson,"
he mockingly exclaimed. " You may flirt with him
henceforth, Antoinette, as much as you like.*'

Slowly the girl confronted her tormentor, and in low
thrilling tones exclaimed, " You have done your worst,
Audley Sternfield. Profaning the sacred name of
husband, you have been to me only a cruel, heartless
tyrant. Prevented by sordid paltry motives of inter-
est from acknowledging our marriage, you would yet
wish to degrade me in my own eyes, in those of others.
JNow, listen to me. Till the day you shall come fw-

I •"

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

26T

ward to claim mo as your wife in the eyes of the world,
I shall resolutely avoid all intercourse with you, and
laugh your threats and prayers to scorn, for despair
has made me reckless. I shall return to the couitry
to-morrow ; and if you follow me there to persecute me
farther, the doors shall be closed upon you.*'

"Will you ever dare to say you love me after this ?"
he impetuously questioned.

" Love you !" she repeated with a short sharp laugh
of bitterness. " Yes, as the criminal loves the instru-
ment of his punishment, as the convict loves the other
Wretch to whom he is chained for life."

** Be silent, girl, or I cannot answer for myself," he
said in tones hoarse with suppressed passion.

" Pshaw ! Major Stemfield," she replied with calm
disdain. " 'Tis you who are acting now. A half-hour
ago that speech would have made me tremble, would
have kept me an humble suppliant before you ; but I
tell you that all sentiments of fear, hope, or any feeling
save one, are dead now within my breast."

Stemfield glared fiercely at her. Calm, proud, she
stood before him— so lovely in her graceful festal robes,
80 delicate and feminine in her girlish beauty ; but there
was an iron firmness of expression stamped upon her
brow, which he had never yet seen there, telling
of resolutbns formed, resoluiions to be rigidly

f ;

i Ml.

lifii

i;i

; I

^68

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT,

u M

kept; and with a wrathful pang he inwardly
acknowledged that his own unhallowed violence had
lost him, perhaps, for ever, the love of that matchless
young creature.

" So be it, Antoinette ; you have willed that strife
should exist between us ; but remember, that through
weal or woe, in poverty or in suffering, in sickness or
in health, till death doth part us, you are mine -and
mine alone."

Despite her calmness, her stoicism, she shuddered
as the solemn words fell on her ear, but recovering
instantly her late forced composure, she rejoined: "Do
not fear, I can never forget that ; but I will return to
the ball-room now to enjoy myself as much as my pre-
sent frame of mind will permit me."

Those who had chanced to notice the long absence
of Antoinette and Sternfield, and saw them at last
stealing back, one after another, inwardly judged it
was a very decided case of flirtation ; nor was there
anything in the outward demeanor of either party to
indicate the singular interview through which they had
just passed. Antoinette was pale and quiet, but that
she had often been of late ; whilst Sternfield, as was
usual with him, hovered about the fairest faces in the
room, whispering words which ever won him che reward
of smiles and blushes.

^^Bu0m

CHAPTER XXVII.

ili

! I

,5 1

i!^

What Antoinette suffered during those tedious lag-
ging hours, no words could express. Obliged to speaK,
to smile, whilst heart and brain were alike throbbing
with agony; obliged above all, to hide her feelings
from curious qr cavilling eyes, there were times when
it seemed to her she must drop the mask at once. To
Sternfield, trained in deceit, triumphing in the success
of his odious plot to degrade her in the eyes of Colonel
Evelyn, a plot conceived and executed in the
moment his keen eye had detected the latter approach-
ing up the corridor, no great effort of self-command
was necessary. Determined to pique and punish his
refractory bride, he devoted himself with such assiduity
to the young lady who had, on a previous occasion,
shared his sleigh, that Mrs. D' Auliiay's indignation was
excited to the highest pitch. Glancing around in search
of AntoinetiD, she beheld her seated near a small table
pretending to examine e ^me engravings upon it. Re-

U[}]

1',

" W rV/ I- --? '' . '' " ' . !

270

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

lit

■t

solved to punish Sternfield in kind, she beckoned
Colonel Evelyn to her, and handing him a roll of
paper, exclaimed,

" Praj go and show these new plates to Miss De
Mirecourt, and examine them at the same time your-
self. You will tell me afterwards what you think of
them."

Evelyn looked for a moment as if he would have
declined the commission ; but meeting Mrs. D'Aulnay's
dawning look of amazement > he took the engravings,
and crossed the room to Antoinette's side. Abruptly,
coldly, he said :

" Rather than excite Mrs. D'Aulnay's questions or
suspicions, I have brought you these pictures as she
instructed me to do."

" Oh, Colonel Evelyn, what must you think of me ?'*
faltered the unhappy Antoinette.

" I will tell you," he rejoined m tones of suppressed
bitterness. " My first love taught me to hate your
sex ; you, my second love, have taught me to despise
them. She, though false to myself, was true at least
to the one who had supplanted me ; you, a few weeks
ago, called on Heaven to witness you had no love for
Audley Sternfield, and yet I saw you lie passive in his
arms an hour ago, whilst he pressed his kisses on your
lips and brow."

ANTOINETTE DB MIRECOURT.

271

" Spare me ! be merciful !" she implored with white
and quivering lips.

" No, Antoinette De Mirecourt, for you have not
spared me. Sternfield or his like might pardon you,
for their love is as easily recalled as it is given, but I
cannot. You have done me a woful wrong, young
girl ! destroyed the dawning confidence in human truth
and goodness, beginning to spring up in my seared
heart ; dried up the springs of human sympathy there,
and doomed back to hardened misanthropy the gloomy
remamder of my barren life."

"Oh, forgive me. Colonel Evelyn !" and the speaker
felt at the moment that she would wilUngly have laid
down her life, if she could have saved him thereby one
solitary suifering, one single pang.

Pitilessly he went on, " As much deeper in propor-
tion as is my love compared to that of most other men,
so is my resentment against her who has mocked that
love to scorn. Oh what a wealth of affection have I
not lavished on a worthless idol !"

" I have sinned," she rejoined in a low solemn tone,
" and my sin has found me out ; but. Colonel Evelyn,
guilty in the sense you supppose me to be, I am not.
Ten years would I willingly give of the life that spreads
out such a dreary blank before me, to have my inno-

1^ 1 1

i :

I ■!

' i

ii?

272

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

cence made clear to you ; but if in this life that may
not be, there is another and a better world where it
shall yet be made plain to you."

Evelyn gazed a moment on those clear truthful eyes,
that fair youthful brow, and then hastily averting his
gaze, exclaimed,

"GJrl, ask of Heaven to withdraw from you that fatal
gift of seeming innocence and candor, or you will win
others to their destruction as you have won me to

mme.

" And you will not spare me one kind or forgiving
word ?" she asked, clasping her hands together, reck-
less in the despair of the moment, who witnessed her
agitation, or what construction might be put upon it."

" No. You have ruined, robbed me, and I cannot
forgive you. If I were on my death-bed, on the point
of appearing before my Maker, my answer would still
be the same. I have loved you too well to show you
mercy, but, hush !" he rapidly added, interposing his
tall form between her and the other occupants of the
room. Your agitation may be noticed, misunderstood.
Heavens ! Miss De Mirecourt, what a finished, faultless
actress you are. One would think now that my appro-
bation or censure was a matter of life and death to
you. I would believe it myself, only that I witnessed

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

273

20 memorable a scene in the sitting-room a short time
ago. Oh, only for that terrible, dainning proof of your
"worthlessness, nothing could ever have opened my eyes
to it. Farewell now, and let us both mutually hope
our paths in life may never cross each othci again.
You will hei«r that Cecil Evelyn is a greater misan-
thrope than ever, that he is more selfish and gloomily
inaccessible to every social, kindly feeling ; but know-
ing who has helped to make him so, you at least wil
hold your peace."

He bowed, turned away, and a few moments after
left the house.

Sick at heart, Antoinette sat where he had left her,
wondering if human breast had ever known such
misery as her own ; when Sternfield, who had been
dancing and flirting in an adjoining room, came up
ti her. Narrowly he scanned her face, and then
said,

" You look ill and sad, Antoinette."

" You cannot expect me to look well or gay."

" Perhaps you are angry with me for having flirted
so much with that bright-eyed little Eloise?"

" I never noticed it," was the weary reply.

Sternfield bit his lip ! This utter indifierence was

1'' '

i;^

■. s

±U

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

neither what he had sought or wished for, and he
angrily rejoined :

*' Doubtless more powerful interests and anxieties
engrossed you."

" Ah, I have nothing left to hope or fear now."

" Are you really serious in your intention of
returning to the country immediately, or was it
merely an idle threat?"

" I go to-morrow."

" Shall I bid you farewell then to-night, or call
again for a parting word in the morning ?"

" As you wish. I think it would be better to say
the parting word to-night."

*< You are a loving bride, Antoinette."

" I am what you have made me," was the calm,
passionless response.

*' Then, since you wish it, Good-night," he
abruptly, angrily rejoined. " I will not obtrude
my unwelcome presence on you again."

He left her ; and Antoinette, feeling she had suffered
and feigned enough for one evening, quietly passed
from the apartment.

How cheerful, how pleasant her o^vn little room
looked, with the bright fire, the wax-lights, the soft
easy-chair drawn up into her favorite corner,, bat

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOUBT.

276

how heavy was the young heart of her who entered it !
Closing the door, she threw herself into the fauteuil,
hoping that tears migl^ come to her relief; but that
great solace was denied her, and she sat there in dry,
tearless misery, recalling every trifling detail, every
painful circumstance that could possibly add to the
burden of her sorrow. Another hour passed, the last
of the guests had taken their departure, and Mrs.
D'Aulnay, as was her wont, stepped in to bid her
cousin good-night. The latter looked strangely ill,
but then she was very calm and quiet, so Mrs.
D'Aulnay felt but little alarm,

" Are you sitting up, dear ?" she asked. " You
should have gone to bed immediately."

" I wished first to tell you, Lucille, that I must
return to Valmont to-morrow."

" Return to-morrow, and why ? Have you had
letters from home?"

" None ; but I have decided on returning."

" This is incomprehensible, cblid ! What cause,
what reason have you ?*'

" I am heart-sick, weary, Lucille, and I must have
rest, utter repose."

" You are ill, dear child. Aye, I feared so. You
have looked wretched for some time past, and two or

t J

276

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

H m

three remarked it to-night. Ah, I fear my poor
cousin, you are very unhappy." And she anxiously
scanned the pain-worn young face before her.

" Yes, I am indeed very miserable."

" And I need not ask the cause., I suppose His in
great part that miserable Stemfield ?"

" I will tell you in a simple sentence. You were
present when those solemn words were pronounced :
* Those whom God has joined, let no man put asunder.'
Do you understand, cousin Lucille ! The woful past
is unchangeable, irrevocable !"

'* Alas, do you really regret it so much, then ? I
suppose you must hate me at the same time ; though,
indeed, I did all for the best."

" Ah, no, I neither hate nor upbraid you ; but it
was an unfortunate hour for me when I entered
beneath your pleasant, friendly roof."

" Tell me, what has Audley been saying or doing
to bring you to such a hopeless state of mind ?''

" 'Twould be useless and painful for me to give
give any farther details than those with which you are
already acquainted, but I have been sorely tried."

" Oh, as to that, dear child, so are all wives.
There is Andr^, who will sometimes get into a passion
for the merest trifle, perhaps, a tardy dinner, at other

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

277

times, say in his quiet way, the most sarcastic, cutting
things you can imagine.

Antoinette smiled — a very bitter, strange smile —
as she replied, " If Audley Sternfield never gave me
greater cause of sorrow than Mr. D'Aulnay has given
yourself, I would not grieve so deeply that our union
is irrevocable."

" But to return to your lately formed determina-
tion, what will you gain, my poor darling, by re turn-
ing to the monotony of your country life sooner than
you can help ? Here, at least, you have some dis-
tractions, some amusements."

" Do you include under that title the persecutions
Sternfield daily inflicts upon me ?"

" But he will persecute you in Valmont as well
as here. You remember when you were there
before ?"

" Yes, but I have grown more callous than I was
then, more reckless of consequences, and for his own
sake he will not try me too much."

" Of course, dear, if you are decided on leaving,
there is no more to be said on that point ; but do you
not think it would be better to brave your father's
anger, violent as it may be at first, and acknowledge
at once your maniage ?"

, I':

I '

' ; : i 1

' ■

1 ;
( i

ti!

yi ?

278

ANTOINETTE DK MIRECOURT.

" That would not suit Major Stcrnfield," rejoined
Antoinette, with a sharp, forced laugh, that made Mrs.
D'Aulnaj start. " He told me he could not afford
th« luxury of a dowerless bride, having previously
bound me by a solemn promise not to reveal my
marriage till he allowed me, which will probably be
on my eighteenth birthday, when I shall enter on the
possession of my poor mother's fortune.'*'

" He calculates closely as well as cleverly," was Mrs.
D'Aulnay's sarcastic comment; " but, tell me, my poor
heart-broken little cousin, would you like me to
reveal all to your father^ instead of waiting the
pleasure of this tardy bridegroom ? I care nothing
for the promise he fraudulently extracted from
myself."

" Oh no," and Antoinette shuddered. " I begin
to look forward to the period when he will claim me,
with sickening terror. Let me enjoy my poor father's
love, my own personal liberty, as long as he will
allow me !"

" Oh, Antoinetto, forgive me 1" exclaimed Mrs.
B'Aulnay, throwing her arms round her cousin, and
bursting into a passionate flood of tears. " How
greatly my unfortunate cojinsels have helped to bring
utter misery on your bright young life. What would

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

279

I not give to undo the miachiof I have wronght !
Handsome, fascinating demon, how I hate \\ja !'

" Enough, dear Lucille. I am very t, ^ary — very
ill. Leave me to rest."

With countless tearful protestations and caresses,
Mrs. D'Aulnay parted from her, leaving her, not to
repose, but to a night of sleepless wretchedness. The
following day, notwithstanding her feelings of severe
bodily illness, she persisted in her intention of leaving
for the country. In passing before the parish church,
not the massive, stately edifice which now bears the title,
but an old-fashioned, though solid stone structure,
situated almost in the centre of the French square, or
Place D'Armes, she directed the driver to stop, and
alighted for a moment.* On leaving, shortly afl'^r, the

* The church in question, which Bucceeded to the first simple
wooden structure in which our early forefathers united in
common worship, was built in 1672, and as we have already
said,* occupied a portion of the French square, standing awk-
wardly across the middle of Notre Dame street, which it diyided
into two nearly equal portions, requiritg travellers to pass half
round the church to proceed from one part of the street to
another. The burying-ground was attached to the building,
and occupied the space where the present parish church stands,
as well as other parts of the Place D'Armes,

- .

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

€?.

1.0

I.I

11.25

u 1^ 12.0

Photograiiiic

SoHices

Corporalioii

4s^^

'%%^

23 WKT MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 145S0

(716) 872-4503

280

ANTOINETTE DB MIRECOURT.

Ifil ':

sacred edifice, strengthened and consoled by a few min-
utes' closer communion with her Creator, she stood, lean-
ing against the railings, gazmg at the thickly strewn
graves around her ; and Respite the cheerless aspect
of the cemetery, covered, in some parts, by winter's
icy mantle, presenting, in others, the muddy, sodden
appearance with which the melting of the snow
usually heralds Sprmg's approach, a wish, nay, rather
a prayer, as earnest as heart ever framed, rose up
from the depths of her soul, that death's dreamless
sleep might be vouchsafed her before the arrival of
the dreaded epoch when Stemfield should claim her
as his wife.

In turning away, her eyes fell on the tall form of
Colonel Evelyn approaching ; but he passed her with
a cold, though respectful salutation. A little later,
she encountered a small party of the gay tnflers she
had often met in Mrs. D'Aulnay's drawing-rooms,
and hats were touched, and bows made, with genuine
respect, for Antoinette had ever been a general
favorite. Afler she had passed, however, they
wonderingly commented on her altered looks, and
gravely marvelled if Canadian beauty was always as
evanescent as hers had been.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

In the joy following Antoinette's arrival in Valmont^
no one thought of wondering and questioning about
her abrupt, unexpected return, and it was with some-
tlung like a feeling akin to pleasure that she found
herself in the calm atmosphere of her home.

Mrs. Gerard saw that her charge had returned to
her, heart and world-weary ; but she made no direct
effort to obtain her confidence, contenting herself with
surrounding the young girl with the tenderest marks
of affection, which the latter, so far from shunning or
avoiding, as she had done during her previous sojourn
at home, now seemed to crave, to almoBt cling to.
Passively she yielded to Mrs. Gerard's arrangements
for the ordering of their time, and read, walked,
studied, just as her kind friend wished. No more
hours of lonely reverie now — no more long afternoons
devoted to imknown correspondents. Letters she
slill received from town, but they were neither as

I- i

282

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

I I

i I

frequent nor as heavy as formerly, nor did their
reception bring in their train the swollen eyes and
oppressive headaches which they had once done.
There were times when the worthy governess became
almost terrified by this passive submission, this apa-
thetic obedience : it looked so like a species of
•despair. This thought struck her one evening with
overwhelming force as she and Antoinette were seated
near the open window, watching the dying glories of
the setting sun, and listening to the liquid notes of
that sweetest of all our forest songsters, the Canadian
nightingale, or song-sparrow.

" Mrs, Gerard, mamma must have died very young ?"
was the girl's sudden but softly spoken question.

" Yes, my child. She married at eighteen and died
on her twentieth birth-day, leaving you an infant of
a year old."

" She died of decline, did she not ?"

" I believe so," rejoined the governess, very unwiL
lingly, for she did not like the turn the conversation
was taking.

"Twenty," softly repeated Antoinette to herself.
" Too long, too long ! Oh, Mrs. Gerard, pray that I may
never hve till my eighteenth birth-day ! "

Mrs. G(3rard started, and looked earnestly, sorrow-
fully into her young pupil's face, but she tranquilly

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

283

leir
eind
me.
stme
apa-

3 of

with
lated
es of
es of
adian

idied
ant of

unwiL
•sation

erself.
I may

jorro"^-
aquilly

Baid, " That were asking perhaps too soon, my darling,
for your heavenly crown. God may will that you should
bear your earthly cross, whatever it may be, much
longer than that."

" But mine is so heavy !" sighed the girl, more to
herself than to her companion.

" He who sent it will give you grace and strength
to bear it."

" Aye but He did not send it !" she rejoined, with a
sudden irresistible burst of emotion. " It was I in my
own blind folly that sought it out, that took it up."

"Bear it nevertheless, my child, with Christian
courage, and exceeding great shall be the reward. Ah,
my Antoinette ! I seek not to penetrate your secrets,
they shall be to me sacred ; but all I ask is, that you
should place your trust in no earthly arm or shield, but
in God aJone."

" You speak of secrets : young as I am, I have a
heavy one, one which bears me almost to the earth by
its merciless weight ; and yet I was mad, rash enough
to give my solemn promise on this doubly sacred sym-
bol," and she touched the small gold cross she wore,
" that I should never reveal it till permitted. Otherwise,
my patient, unwearied friend, I should have confided
all to you ere this.''

i; j :j
i '

284

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

" Thanks, thanks, dear child. How grateful I am
to know that your silence has arisen from necessity,
and not from any want of trust or confidence! Far
from me any attempt to induce you to break your word
thus solemnly given, but forgive me if I tell you to
beware of the person who asked that promise.
However dear they may have rendered them-
selves to you, however full of good or noble qualities,
beware of them, for it was not for your sake but for
their own it was exacted."

Some evenings after this conversation, Antoinette,
unusually dull and preoccupied, sought the sitting-room
where she and Mrs. (j^rard usually sat together, but
the latter was not there. On asking for her she learned
that her governess was suffering from severe headache,
and had gone to her room to lie down. Antoinette
immediately proceeded thither; but seeing that the
invalid required perfect rest and repose, she soon bade
her good-night and returned to the sitting-room. It
looked somewhat lonely ; but the moonlight was stream-
ing in, in floods of liquid silver, chequering the floor
and furniture in lines of strange fantastic beauty.

" Do you want lights. Miss ?" asked a servant, enter-
ing to close the windows and draw the curtains.

'^ No : I will sit in the moonlight for awhile. Does
Francois expect Mr. De Mirecourt home to night?*"

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

285

" He is not sure, Miss. The roads are somewhat
rough since the last rain, and 'tis fuUj a thirty miles
journey."

The girl retired, and Antoinette sat down near the
open casement, the fragrant breath of verbenas and
rojgnionette stealing up to where she sat, and adding
yet another charm to the tranquil beauty of the still
summer night. Soon her thoughts took the saddened
character they ever assumed when she was alone ; and
painful recollections of Colonel Evelyn, Mrs. D' Aulnay,
and bitterest of all, the worldly, heartless Audley
Sternfield, rose upon her memory. Suddenly her
pulses gave a bound of terror, for surely she had just
heard her own name softly pronounced in the well-
known tones of Audley himself.

" It must be fancy," she thought, endeavoring to
reassure herself, for she was trembling with agitation.
" Perhaps the sighing of the night-wind."

Ah, again ! This time it was not imagination. The
word "Antoinette" clearly though gently pronounced,
fell plainly upon her ear. Springing to the window,
she bent her straining gaze from it, and between the
acacia-trees growing close to the house, saw a tall, dark
figure emerge. But surely this figure disguised in
ungraceful cloak and slouching hat was not that mirror

it i

286

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

of elegant dandyism, Audley Sternfield ! The remem-
brance of what he had once said to her about visiting
Valmont in disguise, flashed across her mind; and
without any farther doubt as to who the intruder was,
she leaned forward, and rejomed in guarded but agi-
tated tones :

"Oh, Audley, what brings you here ?"

" ^Vhat brings me here ! Is that the only word of
welcome you have for me ?** was the rapid, irritated
reply. " Do you intend coming out, or will you merely
condescend to speak to me from the casement as if I
were a lackey ?"

" Heaven direct me," murmured the girl to herself,
" what to do ! Should I bring him in, and my father
find him here in that disguise, what fatal consequences
may not ensue ; and yet to steal out to meet him and
' be perhaps discovered, misjudged, condemned !"
, " Have you decided yet what farther reception you
will give me V The voice was louder now, less cau-
tious, showing that the patience of the impetuous speaker
was rapidly giving way.

" Hush !" she whispered. " I will be with you in
a moment * and, unclosing the French window which
opened on the low balcony, she soon stood beside him.

Coldly disengaging herself from his embrace, she

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

287

again asked, " Tell me, Audley, what has brought you
here ? "

" Are you really flesh and blood, Antoinette, like
others, or are you not rather made of marble ?'* he
passionately retorted. " You ask me, your bridegroom
and husband, after a wearisome separation of long
weeks, what has brought me here/'

" Have you come to claim me openly as your wife ?"
she shortly questioned.

" Not yet ; not yet awhile," and his accents be-
trayed something like embarrassment. " You know
the reason."

" Oh, I do. Major Sternfield, and doubtless you
think it all-sufficient, all-powerful. It may be so, but in
mercy do not talk of your love afterwards — 'tis empty
mockery. If from prudential, pecuniary motives you
can defer for months, perhaps years, claiming me as
your wife, your love is not st .comfortably ardent
that you cannot also refrain from paying me visits
which can entail nothing else on me save annoyance
and disgrace."

" You have a merciless, stinging tongue, Antoinette,"
rejoined the young man, baffled by the plain, straight-
forward manner in which his companion, once so child-
ish and timid, spoke to him now.

288

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

" Listen to me, Audley. You have robbed me of
nearly all I value in life, — my liberty, my happiness,
the approbation of my own conscience. Nothing re-
mains to me now save my reputation, and that no
threats or menaces of yours shall induce me to risk in
stolen interviews or secret meetings with you. If your
love is so great," here the speaker's tones involuntarily
grew sarcastic, " that you cannot exist without occa-
sionally meeting me, come openly to the house in your
own character of a gentleman, not disguised as you are
to-night."

" Yes, that your father may seek perhaps to eject
me, and bring matters to such a crisis that a full expla-
nation and acknowledgment of our marriage would
become inevitable. No, that would not suit me as well
as it would suit you. But let me congratulate you on
your tact : you are becoming a perfect diplomatist, my
little Antoinette."

Without noting the taunt conveyed in this last
speech, she rejoined, " Have you anything else to say
to me, for I must return to the house ? I expect my
father this evening, perhaps this moment."

" There is no danger of that. They told me in the
shabby apology of an inn where I put up last night,
that he was absent, and would not probably return till
to-morrow, on account of the bad roads."

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

289

" Believe me, you are mistaken ; he may be here
to-night : but in any case we have said all to each
other that we have to say. I have no honeyed phrases
to whisper ; and if you have them for my ear, they will
prove at best but unwelcome."

" Do you not fear that you are laying up a terrible
reckoning for a future day, lady mine ?" he asked in
a low menacing tone. " Think you that Antoinette De
Mirecourt's bitter revilings, her scornful disdain, may
not yet be remembered to Mrs. Audley Stemfield ?"

" Very probably. I have seen enough, Audley, to
know that you will not spare your wife more than you
have done your bride ; but I do not think that in any
case you could make me more wretched, more hopeless
than I am now."

He smiled — a cruel, meaning smile — and it was
well for the frail young girl at his side, that the shadow
of the acacia-boughs hid his face, or that smile would
have haunted her long afterwards.

" Well, 'tis to be hoped I never will ; but you have
orly a very slight idea of the troubles of hfe, young
lady. Your bark has always glided over a sunshiny
sea ; but it may meet with storms yet, such as you
have never dreamed of. Do you intend returning to
Montreal soon ?"

290

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOUBT.

" No. Not whilst I can help it. I suflferod too
much during my last visit there ; but I am living as
secluded and quiet a life here as you could wish.
I rarely go out alone, have few visitors, and am nearly
always with my governess. Believe me, for both our
sakes, 'tis better to leave me in peace. Let this visit,
Audley, be your last."

" It certainly ought, for my reception has not been
such as to encourage a renewal of it ; but I will make
no rash promises, lest I should be tempted to break
them hereafter.*'

" Hush !" suddenly exclaimed Antoinette, grasping
his arm tightly. " My father has arrived. Do you
not hear the voices — the noise ?"

A moment after, lights were glancing from the
sitting-room window, and Mr. De Mirecourt's clear,
pleasant voice was heard, loudly summoning his
daughter.

" Oh, we shall be discovered ! He is coming this
way," said the girl in an agony of terror.

^' Go forward, and meet him as usual, foolish
child," whispered Sternfield. " He will suspect
nothing."

Slowly, hesitatingly, Antoinette went forward into
the bright moonlight ; and had Mr. De Mirecourt's

ANTOINETTE DB MIRECOURT.

291

trust in his daughter bocn one degree less unbounded
— had his suspicions in any way been previously
aroused — he could not but have noticed the singu-
larity of her manner. Fortunately, however, he was
in high spirits, jested her about her sentimental love
of moonlight musings, and then enquired for Mrs.
Gerard, which aflforded Antoinette an opening on
a subject about which she could trust her voice.

Sternfield waited till father and daughter had re-
entered the house, and then advancing a little closer
to the open window, bat keeping still in shadow of the
trees, he listened.

" I thought her a much better actress," he said to
himself, after a moment. " How is it her father does
not see there is nomething the matter ? Pshaw ! she
is a mere child yet, and still how thoroughly, how
completely she keeps me in check," and a stem, dark
look crossed his features. " Do I love her, or do
I not ? At times when her rare beauty, her wondrous
grace, rises mentally before me, I feel she is a creature
to be madly worshipped ; then again, when she stands
fortL opposed to me, with that relentless firmness,
that iron will, so strangely at variance with her usual
character, her feminine loveliness, I feel as if I
almost hated her. Still, there is a wayward charm,

292

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

too, in that very coldness, which makes me rejoice in
the thought that she shall one day be mine ; but I
cannot afford to hasten that time, even if my love were
ten times as fervent as it is. My gambling losses
fetter me as completely as her secret marriage
fetters her. I certainly love her more now than
when I wooed and won her. I wonder will she
venture cit here again to-night ! I shall wait and
see. Ah ! I have wofuUy bungled matters to have
allowed her love for me to die out so completely.
I must try another course, and coax it back again.'*

The lights soon passed into a front rooi i. Mr. De
Mirecourt was about to partake of what, i ^cording to
the customs of the time, was a singularly lat tea ; and
the opening and closing of a door, follow id by the
light rustling of a woman's dress, fell on ternfield's
quick ear. Yes, it was as he had expect ^ — Antoi-
nette had returned, — and, stooping from the window,
she hurriedly whispered,

" Audley, are you still here ?"

" Do you think I could have gone without a
farewell word ?" he gently, though reproachfully
rejoined.

" I have come to say good night. Of course you
leave to-morrow," and her tones plainly betrayed the
intense anxiety she felt.

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

293

" Yes, since you appear so strongly to desire it."

" Oh, thank you, thank you. I cannot tell you
how much I dread anything like a scene between
you and my father."

" Is your health not better since your return to
the country ?" he enquired, with real anxiety.

" No ; still I have no decided ailment — ^merely
weakness."

A sudden fear flashed across Sternfield's mind as
he remembered how sadly changed Antoinette was
from the bright blooming creature he had first met in
Mrs. D'Aulnay's drawing-rooms. What if Death
snatched his bride from him before the time he
intended clainung her had arrived ! He had heard
it said that Antoinette's mother had died in early
youth of decline, and tnat her daughter strongly
resembled her in her delicate beauty, but he had paid
little attention to the rumor at the time. Now it
occurred to him with painful force, and he inwardly
determined to spare his bride the agitating scenes,
the wearying persecutions, which he felt had strangely
helped to undermine her physical health as well as
happiness. Pursuant to this resolve, he gently said :

'^ As I know my presence in Yalmont alarms and
annoys you, I shall leave it to-morrow at daybreak.

j\' '

294

ANTOINETTE DB MIRECOURT.

I will not seek to see you again for fear of discovery,
so I will say farewell now."

She leaned still lower from the low casement, and
extended her hand. It was of a dry burning heat,
and his conscience smote him as he pressed it to his
lips.

" If you should wish to see me, Antoinette, write
me word. Till then I will not trouble you."

" God bless you, Audley !" she faltcringly whis-
pered, for his unusual gentleness touched her.
" I will write to you often, and live as quietly as you
yourself could wish."

In a moment he had vaulte4 on to the low balcony,
through the open windov/, and was beside her. Not
for long, however. One ardent, passionate embrace,
and he was gone as rapidly, as silently, as he had
entered.

Shortly after, Antomette returned to superintend
the tea-table ; and Mr. De Mirecourt, noticing the
scarlet flush on her cheeks, laughingly enquired
" where she had stolen her rouge, ''^

ft]

CHAPTER XXIX.

Summer had mellowed into autumn. Not the
autumn of other lands, with its leaden gloomy
skies, and dark, withered foliage, but our glorious,
glowing Canadian autumn, with golden, hazy atmos-
phere, and gorgeous woods and forests.

Has it not often struck you, reader, how wondrous
is the change wrought by the first severe autumn
frost? You have retired to rest, giving a pleasant
parting look to green hills and emerald woods, — ^you
awake and find earth and wilderness flooded with new
lights and colours. Here the rich scarlet of the glowing
maple contrasts with the paJe gold of the delicate
birch ; there the quivering, silvery leaves of the
poplar with the dotted safiron of the broad sycamore.
Farther on, the crimson berries of the ash and the
gorgeously dyed vines, looking yet more bright
against a gloomy back-ground of firs and evergreens.

296

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

.'I

If ever beauty smiled brightly forth in the midst of
decay, it is certainly in the foliage of our autumnal
woods.

Looking languidly out from the window of her
room on the scene before her, sat Antoinette; and
the pillows heaped upon her chair, the tiny vial
and glass beside her, as well as the painful delicacy
of her whole appearance, betrayed she was an invalid.
By her side sat Mrs. Gerard, who, with a cheerful
smile, exclaimed :

" Do you not wish to hear what Doctor Le Bour-
dais says, dear child ?"

A faint smile and an inclination of the head was
her only reply.

" Well, he declares that your lungs are perfectly
sound, and that all you require is cheerfulness and
variety. He finds the life you lead here too dull
and quiet for the present state of your health, and
recommends an immediate visit to town."

'* To town!" repeated Antoinette, in consternation.
" The worst thing he could advise. No, I will not
leave home. Here, at least, I have peace and quiet
-—all I can wish or hope for on earth.''

'< My darling Antoinette, you will go since it has
been judged necessary for you to do so* You need

ANTOINBTTB DB MIRECOURT.

297

pion.

not

luiet

has

only remain a few weeks, just sufficiently long to
satisfy Dr. Le Bourdais' wishes, and the engrossing
anxiety of your poor father."

The young girl, either too docile or too spiritless to
offer farther resistance, soon yielded, and that day
week she was seated in the easiest, soheai fauteuil in
Mrs. D'Aulnay's drawing-room, submitting, like a
passive child, to the congratulations and caresses of
that highly delighted lady.

" What a treat to have you again with us, dearest
Antomette ! I am determined you shall enjoy your-
self well."

" Our ideas of enjoyment are now very different,
Lucille, and you must not forget, that being an
invalid, I must have quiet, and 6arly hours.^'

" No such thing, child ; you have been moped to
death in that dreary old Manor-House, and you require
a little gaiety to bring you round again. Did not the
doctor tell you as much himself ?"

<' Not exactly : he said my illness almost baffled
his skill, that he could not arrive at its origin, so,
«n desespoir d^ causey he ordered a change, to see
what effect that would have. Remember the con-
ditions, dear LuciUe, on wMch I came here.'*

(< Oh yes, I remember rashly promising that you

If:

I i

1 i

298

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

should remain as isolated and unsocial as you liked,
10 I suppose I must respect my promise for aivhile.
Of course, you will make an exception in Stcmfield's
fevor ?"

A delicate flush rose to the girVs cheek, as die
said, ^^ Yes, I must not refuse to see him."

" Indeed, you had better not," was the somewhat
fflgnificant reply. " It may serve as a sort of check
upon him."

A look of painful enquiry rose into Antoinette's
eyes. " Perhaps I should not tell you, my dear, but
you would hear it more abruptly from other quarters :
report says he has been leading a very wild life
lately."

The anxious look in Antoinette's eyes deepened.

'^ Yes, not to speak of other faiUngs, perhaps still
more unpardonable, and which I will not even
hint at, it appears he is becoming a confirmed
gambler. They say his losses are enormous. 'Tis
probably his complete separation, amounting almost
to estrangement from yourself, that has driven him
desperate."

Antoinette sighed — a long, weary sigh. Oh, how
every shade deepened ike gloom of the future!
This reckless gambler, this libertine spendthrift,

AirrOINBTTB DB MIRBCOURT.

299

whose faults were in every one's moutH, was her
life's partner, her husband ; and she awaited but his
will, his word, to leave the loving, tender friends of
youth, her happy home, perhaps, her native land, to
follow his ruined fortunes. One gleam of hope pre-
sented itself, her own failing health ; and it was with
a strange quickening of her pulses she remembered
that death might yet free her from a union, to whose
oonsummaiion she now looked forward with inexpres-
sible aversion.

" I have no doubt," continued Mrs. D'Aulnay,
" that Audley will entirely reform when your mar-
riage is publicly acknowledged, and will probably
make an excellent husband."

" Peace ! peace !" implored Antoinette, tortured
almost beyond her strength by the ill-chosen remarks
of her companion.

" Certainly, darling child. I will not touch on the
topic again since it annoys you. To speak of another,
and very different character. Colonel Evelyn : you
must know that he has become the most gloomy
misanthrope, the most confirmed savage, you can
imagine. To the several invitations I sent him after
you left town, he returned the shortest, most peremp-
tory refusals possible, never paying me the civility of

'-T»

■ i

M!
1^^

t I

1 . 1

I 1

800

AirromsTTB db mirecourt.

a call afterwards. Like St. Paul's relapsmg sumers,
the last state of the man is worse than the first. Ah,
I hear carriage-wheels at the door. 'Tis Stemfield.
I thought he would not prove tardj in paying his
devoirs. But I must go up stairs for a moment : I
shall be back immediately."

Whatever had been Stemfield's late mode of life,
his sins, or hb anxieties, no t^ces of either rested on
his gay, careless features when he entered ; and as he
stood there, so marked a contrast, in the pride of his
strong, handsome manhood, to the fra^le delicate,
^1 beside him, the latter could not help bitterly
thinking, that she, and she alone bore the heavy
burden of their mutual fault. With the bright smile
of old, he threw himself on the low ottoman at her
feet, exclaiming :

" So they have sent you to Montreal to recruit, my
little Antomette ? The best thing they could do, for
the dreariness of Valmont is enough to destroy the
strongest constitution in less than six months."

" I have never found it dreary, Audley. I was
bom and brought up there, and the place is inexpres-
sibly dear to me.''

<< For the matter of that, so is, to the Esquimaux, the
barren waste he inhabits ; but you will acknowledge

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

801

siimergy
t. Ah,
irnfield.
^g his
uent: I

I of life,
ested on
nd as he
ie of his
delicate,
bitterly
ie heavy
'ht smile
at her

cruit, my
d do, for
stroy the

>»

I was

inexpres-

iiaiix,the
uowledge

I have not troubled or worried you much lately. I
fonned the good resolve during my first and last moon'
light visit, that no act of mine should disturb your
mental peace, and thus retard your recovery."

" Thank you. You have indeed been considerate,
and I feel grateful to you for it."

The young man coughed as if slightly embarrassed,
and rejoined, " I must tell you, though, whilst Mrs.
D'Aulnay is out of the room, that, naturally feeling very
lonely whilst thus separated from yourself, I sought dis-
tractions and amusements which a rigid moralist might
censure ; but I will take courage and hope from one
of your own charming French proverbs, — a tovi
pScM misericorde,^*

Antoinette was silent, and he went on, " Mrs.
D'Aulnay, who is as indiscreet and ill-judging as she
is graceful and fascinating, took it into her fair head
to bring me to a strict reckoning about my conduct,
threatening at the same time to make a formal com-
plaint to yourself about me. I told her it was quite
enough for me to render an account of my actions to
my wife, without having also to do so to my wife's
friend. Was I not justified in telling her so ?"

" I have never assumed the right to find fault with
your actions, Audley."

802

ANTOINBTTB DE MIREOOURT.

f\ i

" Adhere always to that determination, and you will
make one of the most perfect little wives in the world.
But to change the subject to one more agreeable : I
suppose jou have returned to town for a little gaiety,
not to immure yourself here as you have done in the
country. In furtherance of so laudable a purpose, I
shall call for you to-morrow afternoon, and we will take
along drive in whatever direction you may prefer ; but
Mrs. IVAulnay must not be of the party.''

''In that case, I dare not go."
" Pray give me your reasons then ?" he irritably
questioned.

'* In the first place I do not wish to ofiend Lucille,
who is always so kind and considerate to myself; then
it would not do for me to be seen out driving alone
with any gentleman, the very day after my arrival. It
might come to papa's ears, and "

'' In short, Antdnette you are the most prudent and
circumspect of young ladies. No danger of your heart
or feelings ever running away with your judgment ; but,
since you will not accept my offer, do not be offended
if you should see me out with some less particular and
cautious young lady than yourself."

The entrance of Mrs. D'Aulnay put a stop to the
conversation as it was taking this most unpropitious

ANTOINBTTB DB MIRECOURT.

808

you will
world.
»able : I
gaiety,
in the
rpose, I
will takd
er; but

rritabljr

Lucille,
f; then
g alone
val. It

)nt and
r heart
t; but,
fended
arand

bo the
)itiou8

turn ; and after a half-hour*i general eonyersation,
Stemfield took leave.

The following day was one of those glorious October
days which almost reconcile one to the flight of birds
and flowers, and which possess a peculiar charm in their
mellow beauty, beyond that of the blooming luxuriant
Summer herself. Mrs. D'Aulnay*s carriage was at
the door early in the afternoon, and vainly Antoinette
begged to be excused from accompanying her, repeat-
ing Stcrnfield's request of the preceding day, and her
own refusal.

" The very reason you should go with me, child. You
must show him that you intend going abroad, keepmg
a strict watch over his actions. Come, I will take no
refusal.'*

Mrs. D^Aulnay carried her point ; and with a sad
heart, which neither golden sunshine nor bracing plea-
sant air could enliven, Antoinette took her place beside
her cousin in the latter's small though handsome car-
riage. Arrived in Notre Dame street, Mrs. D*Aulnay,
as usual, had some shopping to do, and, promising not
to delay more than five minutes, she alighted before
one of the dingy, narrow-paned shops, so different to
our present large-windowed, handsome establishments.
She had scarcely entered the store in question, when

;

<i '

S04

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

Stemfiold's light, graceful equipage parsed. By his
side was seated a smiling blushuig beauty, one of the
many who shared his attentions and his flatteries, and
Id passing Antoinette, she bestowed an unmistakable
glance of triumph on the latter. Scarcely recovered
from the unpleasant sensations which this last meeting
had excited, Antoinette beheld advancing towards her
a tall figure, the first glimpse of whom caused her heart
to beat with unwonted rapidity. It was Colonel Evelyn,
and, supposing he would probably pass her without any
sign of recognition, she turned away her eyes from
him. Yielding however, to an influence which ho rarely
allowed to sway him, that of impulse, he suddenly stop-
ped, and with scant words of introductory courtesy,
aaked her when she had arrived.

Recovering from her agitated astonishment, she
briefly told him.

" r have heard that you have been very ill since I
last saw you.'*

" Such things are always exaggerated," she rejoined,
with a wretched attempt at carelessness.

" You do not, however, look like one in health. Is
it mind or body that is ailing. Miss De Mirecourt ?'*
and his eyes earnestly scrutinized her face. Then
bending towards her, he said in a low tone, " You told

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

805

me once before, tbat you were very unhappy, and I
scarcely believed you ; now I read in your face that
you spoke tf»ith. In expiation of my incredulity, and
on account of tlie deep powerful love I so lately bore
you, I wish to whisper a word of counsel in your ear.
Will it be of any use to warn you to put no trust in
Audley Sternfield ? He is unworthy of any woman's
love."

. " Too late, too late," she faltered : "the past is
irrevocable !"

" Aye, after what I had seen, I ought to have
known it must be so. Well, you have chosen a frail sup-
port ; but regrets are unavailing. Farewell." Touch-
ing his cap, he strode off just as Mrs. D'Aulnay, having
completed her purchases, left the shop where she had
been tantalizing master and clerks about a certain inde-
finable shade of lilac, in search of which nearly all the
goods in the store had been overturned.

Antoinette, agitated by her late interview with
Colonel Evelyn, was in no mood for conversation, and,
after taking a turn up to Dalhousie Square, in which
the hill or citadel then stood, surmounted by its flag,
and the few rusty cannon which been almost the only
defence that Montreal had to offer against the three
besieging armies that had invested it, they returned

i :

806

ANTOINETTE DE HIRECOUBT.

homeward. Again, Sternfield and his blushing trium-
jdiant partner passed them. To the bows of both,
Mrs. D'Auhiay only returned a cold, disdainful nod,
which mortified Sternfield almost as much as Antoi-
nette's quiet, self-possessed bow. Mrs. D'Aulnay was in
a fever of indignation, and she abused Sternfield and
his companion with a fervor and energy wnicti could
not have been exceeded if she, instead of Antoinette,
had been the aggrieved party.

" May I tell Jeanne that you are not at home, when
he calb the nf time ? Do not shake your head — ^I
will. This insolent bridegroom must be brought to
his senses in one way or another.''

The next day. Dr. Manby, one of the army sur-
geons, and a frequent visitor at the house, called,
and he enquired so earnestly about Antoinette's health,
and expressed so great a desire to see her, that Mrs.
D'Aulnay, despite her cousin's avowed intention
of receiving no visitors for two or three days, went to
her room, and half coaxed, half forced her down. Dr.
Manby was a quiet, middle-aged man, neither hand-
some nor accomplished, simply respectable, so Antoi-
nette felt no anger at his many questions, nor scruti-
nizing looks. As he rose to go, he kindly said, retaining

ANTOINBTTE DE MIBSCOUBT.

807

ia his grasp a moment, the small thm hand he had
taken:

" If I yrere your physician, Miss De Mirecourt, I
would prescribe neither quinine nor tonics, but a daily
dose of heart's ease."

" But is that remedy found in every apothecary's
store ?" she rejoined, endeavoring to laugh off his
remark. " Or have you any doses ready done up
for use ?"

*^ I am afraid not; but at your age, my dear young
lady, it is easily procured. The best means is to take
plenty of exercise— see agreeable, cheerful people,
and religiously avoid all dull or melancholy thoughts.
I will call again next week to see if my prescription
has been followed, and to ascertam the results."

'^ What a good-natured, officious creature," said
Mrs. D'Aulnay, as she watched the Doctor's short,
thick-set figure traversing the street.

'^ Kind-hearted, and amiable, though," returned
Antoinette.

Neither dreamed for one moment, that Colonel
Evelyn, unable to subdue the anxiety which the sight
of Antoinette's altered appearance had awoke in his
breast the day previous, despite his outraged love,
despite that never-to-be-forgotten scene which he had

i'f

■

!■

808

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

witnessed between her and Stemfield, had asked Doctor
Manby, one of the chosen few with whom he was on
anything like terms of intimacy, to pay a visit of ap
parent civility to Mrs. D'Aulnay, and ascertain as
much as he possibly could about her young guest. It
must not be inferred from this, that Colonel Evelyn had
at all relented in his feelings of estrangement towards
Antomette, or in his severe condemnation of her cott-
duct. No, her offence was one which that sensitive,
honorable nature never could forgive ; but, at the same
time, there remained a feeling of powerful interest in
her, one which, perhaps, he could never wholly over-
come ; and a deep intense sentiment of regret that
the man for whom she had sacrificed so much was so
utterly unworthy of her. No one was better acquainted
than Colonel Evelyn with the lawless recklessness of
Stemfield's career ; and as he thought over the future
misery of the young girl, when united for life to a man
who set all moral laws at defiance, it was more with the
anxious grief of a father than with the irritation of a
rejected suitor.

j:)

ii!'

CHAPTER XXX.

Mrs. D'Aulnay did not obtain as speedy a chance
of saying " not at home " to Major Stemfield as she had
expected, for several days elapsed without his renew-
ing his visit ; and whilst she wondered and scolded,
Antoinette grew thinner and paler every day. Doctor
Manby, who, without having been formally adopted as
the latter's physician, took the liberty of questioning
and prescribing during most of his frequent visits,
began to get anxious and irritable. One day that he
found himself alone with the lady of the house, he
took her roundly to task, for the rapidity with which
her young friend's health was declining.

" But what can I do. Doctor ?" was the indignant
rejoinder. " 'Tis you, a physician, who should be able
to suggest or prescribe something that would be of
service to her."

<^ So I could and would, madam, if this were an
ordinary case, but it is not. 'Tis the mmd that is ill

!:i

Jii:

; if-

i I:

i
i

■! I

810

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

with her, and you should endeavor to soothe, cheer
and solace her."

" But I repeat, what can I do ?" questioned the lady
despairingly. " If I propose a soirSe, dancing, or other
amusement of the sort, she says she is too ill, and
menaces to shut herself up in her room till the enter-
tainment is over ; if I seek to engage her in visiting,
shopping, or novel-reading, or indeed in any other femi-
nine pastime," the Doctor smiled grimly at this choice
of amusements, " she begs off with such a coaxing
way, that I cannot find the heart to insist. The only
point on which I invariably remain firm is to bring her out
driving every day, and a diflScult task it sometimes is."
Doctor Manby, convinced that the case was a serious
as well as difficult one, departed without another word ;
and Mrs. D'Aulnay set herself earnestly to work to
-- think what more effectual means she could adopt to
amuse and divert her young guest. She was highly
delighted, therefore, when, that very afternoon, a clear
pleasant voice resounded in the hall, and Loais Beau-
ohesne entered, all smiles and gaiety. Antoinette,
too, was pleased to see him, for she had always looked
on him as a brother, and there was something almost
contagious in his exuberant spirits and kindly, genial
humor. . .

1 i

AFTOINBTTB DB BURECOURT.

811

He informed tliem " he had come to spend some
weeks in Montreal, having business of importance to
transact, and that he had promised Mr. De Mirecourt
at the same time to keep a strict watch over their
movements."

Mrs. D' Aulnay laughingly declared that " as she
wished to afford him every opportunity of prosecuting
his researches, she gave him carte blanche for visiting
at the house. Morning, noon, or night — to dinner,
breakfast, or tea, he would be always welcome without
farther invitation."

This pleasant species of challenge was smilingly
accepted, and that evening, as well as many succeed-
ing ones, saw Louis a welcome guest at Mrs. D'Aulnay's.
Something of Antomette's olden look and color used
to steal over her face whilst hsteping to Lr'iis and his
mirthful sallies. His conversation awoke o disagree-
able thoughts or remimscences ; it brought back only
the happy golden past : and his careful, delicate avoid-
ance of any illusion to his own ill-starred passion for
herself, which he seemed apparently to have completely
mastered, removed the only unpleasant feature that by
any chance could have attached itself to their inter-
course.

One evening the three were seated together in Mrs.
D'Auhiay's drawing-room^ and never had Louis been

312

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

ii '

more entertaining or his companions more highly
amused. Antoinette had asked him to hold a skein of
floss whilst she wound it off; and to assume a convenient
position, he had thrown himself carelessly at her feet on
one of the low stools with which Mrs. D'Aulnay's
rooms were filled, and which, that lady's enemies main-
tained, were intended for such purposes. The heat of
the fire had flushed the young girl's face ; and as Louis,
perhaps wearied of his task, fidgetted about, render-
ing the winding of the silk a very difficult thing, she
laughingly chided him for his impatient awkwardness.
At that moment the door opened, and, without warning
or announcement, Sternfield walked in. He stood a
moment on the threshold, glancing darkly on the group
before him. He had come there that evening, mag-
nanimously thinking that he had sufficiently punished
Antoinette for her obstinacy in the matter of the drive,
and expecting to find her ill, pale, and spiritless. He
saw her instead, with a glow on her face, and smiles on
her lip, such as neither had worn for many weeks past ;
whilst by way of climax, Louis was seated at her feet,
his gay, handsome face upturned to hers.

Mrs. D'Aulnay, who easily divined the jeaut-is angry
feelings of the new-comer, fairly revelled in the triumph
of the moment, and, with a look of smiling hadinage

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

313

I06vy

which he found inexpressively provoking, inquired
where he had been lately, and what he had been doing
with himself?

Scarcely replying, he walked over to a chair beside
Antoinette, and, throwing himself into it, sarcastically
expressed his delight at the improved state of her
health. Of Louis he took no notice whatever ; but the
latter revenged himself by adjusting his low seat more
comfortably, and inquiring how many more skeins
Antoinette had to wind, announcing his willingness at
the same time to hold any amount of them. With b11
his arrogance, hif self-esteem, Stemfield felt some-
what disconcerted. Mrs. D'Aulnay's mocking snille^
Louis's easy not to say impertinent indifference, and
Antoinette's constrained embarrassed welcome, formed
a reception such as he had not calculated upon. But
Major Stemfield was not a man to be easilj^ van-
quished ; and whilst Mrs. D'Aulnay was yet triumph-
ing in his mortification, he had detenmned how to
bring the latter to an end. ''"'''

Giving ample time to Antoinette to finitli'the wind-
mg of her floss, he waited till Louis rose from his seat
in obedience to a look firom the young girl, and draw-
ing hit chair nearer to hers, hemmed Her in in' such
a manner as to isolate her entirely from her compan-

814

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

I !i

i i

,y it

I 111

ions. Then addressing her in a low familiar tone on
matters which he knew could not but chain her atten-
tion, contriyed to engross her completely. Louis
watched this palpable and singular flirtation with
mingled surprise and indignation. That Antoinette
should permit such a thmg astonished him beyond
measure ; and yet, the more he watched them, which
he did very narrowly, the more leniently he judged
her, and the more intense became his feelings of dis-
like for her companion. There was a constrained un-
happy look about her, a restless glancing around, as if
she were weary of her position, and longed for release,
which seemed to speak of fear more than of love ; and
though Stemfield bent so closely over her that his
dark curls almost mingled with the braids of her hair,
and his eyes beamed glances that might have awoke
emotion in the heart of any woman who entertained
the slightest feeling of affection for himself, the cold-
ness of her manner never wavered, nor the glow which
had faded from her cheek shortly after his entrance,
never mounted to it again.

Stemfield however had accomplished all his inten-
tions: he had changed the pleasant cordiality which
reigned on his entrance into embarrassed dullness, and,
whilst inflicting ample mortification on his supposed

ANTOINETTB DB MIRECOURT.

815

rival, had punished at the same time Antoinette for
having dared to be gay or amused daring his absence.
Mrs. D'AuUiay, hoTvever, was eagerly watching an
opportunity of retaliation, and when Major Stemfield
said,

" I will call to-morrow for you, Miss De Mirecourt,
if you will do me the honor of driving with me," she
hastily interrupted, '^ Impossible ! Antoinette and I
are engaged to drive out with Mr. Beauchesne in the
country, to see a mutual friend."

Stemfield glanced at his bride, but her ^3yes, deter-
minedly bent on the carpet, warned him he would get
no assistance from her ; and too wise to enter on a
contest in which he ran the risk of defeat, he bowed
and withdrew. In doing so, however, he managed to
tell Mrs. D'Aulnay, in a low whisper, to beware of
making Antoinette as independent and careless a
wife as she was herself, for that he assuredly would
not prove as tame and blind a husband as Mr.
D'Auhiay."

" Audacious !" muttered the lady with crimsoning
brow ; but before she had time to collect her thoughts,
the offender was beyond reach of her voice.

The fierce unreasoning jealousy of Stemfield's char-
acter had been strangely roused by finding Louis on

816

ANTOENETTB DB MIRECOURT.

iiH

such intimate terms in Mrs. D'Aulnay's house ; and
the fact of subsequently meeting him a few days later,
driving the two ladies out, still farther increased his
ftnger. Shortly after the visit during which he had
contrived to render himself so disagreeable, Mrs.
D'Aulnay half coaxed, half worried Antoinette into
promising that she would enter into the details and
preparations for a small soirSe with which she wished
to enliven the present monotony of their lives. The
appointed night came, and the young girl in her gauzy
white robes looked so delicately lovely, but so fragile,
that Jeanne, remembering how full of health and
bloom that young face and form had been one short
year previous, sadly and forebodingly shook her head.

Aware that many unpleasant remarks regarding
I'er altered looks had been whispered about, Antoi-
nette spared no effort to appear gay and cheerful ; and
Doctor Manby, who was among the guests, quietly
rubbed his hands, and murmured to himself, " That
what his young friend really wanted after all, was dis-
traction and amusement." i

One of the liveliest of the gay assemblage was Louis
Beauchesne ; and there were few whose reserve of
manner did not yield more or less to the influence of
his frank, joyous gaiety. Stemfield, on the contrary,

ANTOINBTTB DE MIRECOURT.

817

was in one of his worst moods. Heavj gambling
losses experienced the night previous had greatly
ruffled his temper, and rarely man sought a festive
entertainment with feelings more ill-suited to the occa-
sion. Pre-determined to find fault with his unfortu-
nate young bride, he felt angry with her for looking
so unusually cheerful, angry with her for the calm
even friendliness of her manner towards him. Avail-
ing himself of the opportunity afforded by the dance
for which he had secured her hand, he contrived to
effectually damp her assumed cheerfulness by favoring
her with a chapter of reproaches and upbraidings such
as she was now, alas ! too familiar with. The dance
concluded, he abruptly left her and sought out one of
the budding young beauties with whom he was so
fond of flirting. Whilst bending over the latter, look-
ing and whispering tender things, he inwardly con-
gratulated himself on the means and power he thus
possessed of punishing that rebellious girlish will that
ever dared to place itself in opposition to his own.

Antoinette, however, was not left to a wall-flower's
fate, and eager partners thronged constantly around
her. Among these, Louis was naturally one of the most
attentive. Her greater degree of intimacy with him,^
the freedom from restraint, from the necessity of keep-

818

AKTOIKETTE DE MIRECOURT.

i,i

iDg up that appearance of cheerfiilness or interest which
she was obliged to assume, whilst dancing with others,
induced her more than once to grant his demand for
her hand. Still there was nothing which an unpre-
judiced eje would have regarded as even approaching
to flirtation between them ; and when Antoinette two
or three times chanced to meet Sterbfield's glance
angrily fixed upon her, she thought the looks were
merely the supplement of the lecture he had pre-
viously given her. Strangely dispirited, however,
by those threatening glances, she refused Louis's re-
quest to join a cotillion then forming, declaring that
she felt too much fatigued to do so.

*' Then I shall sit beside you and wait for the next,
for you have promised me a dance," he rejoined,
carefully adjusting the cushions of the silken ottoman
on which she was seated.

Kindly solicitous to make her forget the sadness
which he saw stealing over her, the young man strained
every faculty, though unavailingly, to interest and
amuse her. Antoinette's glance was either wandering
wearily round the room or stealing towards Stemfield,
who stood some distance from them, apparently en-
grossed by his pretty partner, for he never danced
with any but very young and handsome women. His

ANTOINETTB DB MIASCOURT.

819

companion's look strangely puzzled Louis. There was
sadness, anxiety, pain in it, but no jealous anger, none
of the pique which a girl might naturally be expected
to feel or show, in witnessing her lover devoted to
another. Suddenly, after studying her countenance
a moment in silence, he impulsively exclaimed :

'' Pardon the remark, but I think Major Stemfield
is a recreant wooer. On ! Antoinette, can it be pos-
sible that you really love that man ?"

She blushed deeply, painfully at the question, but
made no reply beyond a reproachful glance.

« Forgive me, dear Antoinette," he earnestly con-
tinued, '* but it seems to me there is something in
his manner and character that should prevent him
winning, much less retaining, the love of such a heart
as yours."

^' And yet is he not handsome and fascinating,
envied by men and admired by women ?" she replied
with a touch of bitterness which but confirmed Beau-
chesne's supposition that whatever tie still linked her
to Stemfield, it was not that of love.

'^ I acknowledge he is all that, but methinks there
is much in which he is still wanting. However pa-
tiently women may put up with slights and frowns after
marriage, they rarely tolerate them before."

320

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

" Because, probably, they have then a remedy in
their own hands, and can turn the despotic lover
adrift; but here is the object of your doubts ap-
proaching.",, ,. ., ,. . .; ,. ,,,, ,,,

" Yes, and with a stormy looking brow too," thought
Louis.

Sternly, Audley drew near them, and, unceremo-
niously leaning across young Beauc^esne, whispered
in Antoinette's ear, " How much longer do you intend
rendering yourself ridiculous by flirting with the brain-
less puppy beside you ? "

"What do you mean, Audley ?" she inquired in
turn, her face flushing. _. .

" I will tell you if you will favor me with your
hand for the next dance," he rejoined, in a somewhat
louder key.

" Miss De Mirecourt is engaged to me," said Louis^
stiffly. ,. ,

Stemfield cast a supercilious, negligent look at the
speaker, and repeated, " Do you hear, Antoinette,
you will dance the next dance with me ?"

" Pray, Miss De Mirecourt, do not forget that we
are engaged," interrupted Louis, still more firmly than
before.

Antoinette, infinitely distressed and perplexed,
glanced entreatingly from one to the other. Louis's

ANTOINETTE DE MIBECOURT.

321

the

;te.

countenance yras proud and determined, but Stem-
field's brow was like marble, as cold and unrelenting.

Again stooping towards the young girl, the latter
menacingly whispered, " I swear if you set me aside
to dance with that fool, I shall teach him with a horse-
whip to come between me and my wishes." . , . .,

The unmanly threat was worthy of him who uttered
it, but it had its effect ; for Antoinette, dreading not
only the menaced insult, but the deadly satisfaction
which was sure to follow, turned with a blanched
cheek to young Beauchesne.

" Are you ready. Miss De Mirecourt ? " inquired
the latter, " I do not like to hurry you, but the dancers
are taking their places."

Stemfield deigned no farther remark, but, with an
intolerable sneer on his lip, waited for Antoinette's
decision. The latter suddenly placed her hand on
Louis's arm, and, as he bent towards her, whispered :

" Oh, Louis, dear Louis, I implore you let me dance
with him. I am very wretched. Do not help to
make me still more so." , > .. ;. ,,i..» .

The pale cheek, the tearful eyes, the voice of the
speaker, touched the generous heart of Beauchesne,
and he mutely bowed in assent. As Stemfield
abruptly, almost roughly, drew his partner's arm

111

•% ^ ," ;

822

ANTOINKTTB DB MIREOOURT.

within his own, he cast a disdainful arrogant glance
upon his momentary rival, which the latter's kindling
eye returned with interest, speaking of something more
than mere anger, — of menace, of future revenge.

" What sweet words have you been whispering in
that idiot's ear to make him yield his insolent claims
80 easily ?" harshly questioned Stemfield.

Antoinette dared not reply, for her lashes were
heavy with unshed tears, and there was a suffocating
feeling in her throat that was almost growing beyond
her control : a scene she did not wish to make, and
she felt that she was on the verge of one.

" Take a word of friendly warning, sweetheart
imne,'* resumed her companion, " and bring your
present flirtation with that young gentlemen to a
speedy close, or I shall dp it for you in a more sum-
mary and unpleasant manner than either of you could
desire."

Antoinette shuddered, for well she understood the
threat conveyed in his words; but the music com-
menced, and with what composure she could gather,
she had to go through the lively dance and endeavor
to look careless and indifferent, in default of looking
gay or amused.

"Hang that fellow Stemfield!" inwardly solilo-
qiuzed Doctor Manby, who had noticed how entirely

ANTOINETTE DB MIREOOURT.

823

Antoinette's tranquillity had given way since the
former had accosted her : *' his shadow, like that of
the upas-tree, seems fairly to blight that poor young
creature."

The dance at length came to a close, and Antoi-
nette was mediLating flight to her own room, but
Stemfield had no intention of allowing her to escape
so easily. Bringing her to a small alcove, he drew
forward a chair for her, and then placed himself in
front of her. " I want a word of explanation with
you, for I do not think we understand each other yet.
You have braved me pretty well in this last flirtation
of yours with Mr. Louis Beauchesne."

" Audley, cruel and unjust as you always are, will
you aot believe my solemn, sacred asseveration, that
Louis is nothing more to me than an old and esteemed
friend ?"

" Tush ! the man loves you heart and soul ; and as
you do not care one iota for your wedded husband, it
• is hard to say on whom your wandering affections may
be placed."

What could she say to this heartless, merciless tor-
mentor, who scoffed at her denials, sneered at her
protestations ? Words were unavailing, and with hands
tightly clasped, and colorless lips, she sat, determined

824

ANTOINETTB DB MIBEOOURT.

to listen and suffer in patience. Had she not in her
own hlind foUj filled up this cup of misery, and was
she to murmur now at the bitterness of the draught ?

Either encouraged or exasperated by her silence he
went on : " You have hitherto been firm and unyielding
as bronze on your favorite whim. Tender word, caress,
or kindness, such as the most scrupulous young ladies
often accord their lovers, you have perseveringly
refused me. Well, so be it. You have been true to
your hobby, so I will be to mine. You shall walk,
drive, flirt, with no living man of whom I could pos-
sibly be jealous. K, neglecting this, my explicit
command, you disobey me, I shall walk up to your
cavalier of the moment. Master Louis, or whoever else
it may be, and publicly insult, strike him. On your
own head be the result ! If you will not love, I shall
at least teach you to fear me." He uttered this last
sentence with the menacing sternness peculiar at
times to his voice, and which was in such striking
contrast to his usual rich musical tones, .

" Well, God will perhaps show me that mercy
that you refuse me," she said, whilst an expression
of anguish momentarily convulsed her features.

At that moment her eyes encountered the fixed,
sorrovrful gaze of Louis, who stood at some distance,

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

v>mO

ist
at

apparently watchmg the dancers, but in reality con-
centrating his attention entirely upon herself. Instantly
however he turned away ; but another scrutinizing pair
of eyes was also fixed upon them — the light blue orbs
of the worthy Doctor Manby, who with a face purple
with suppressed indignation, suddenly stalked up to
Major Stemfield.

" What disagreeable nonsense are you whispering
in Miss De Mirecourt's ear, I should like to know ?"
he said, in a low tone. '^You have chased smiles
and color from her face."

The young man drew himself stiffly up, and
" wondered what Doctor Manby meant."

" Doctor Manby means what he says," was the
testy rejoinder. "And he does not like to see a young
lady, whom he looks on as one of his patients, fright-
ened and worried out of her health and wits, without
interferir.g. Come, Stemfield," he added, more good-
humoredly, "you have scolded Miss De Mirecourt
sufficiently for one evening, whatever her offence may
be ; so let me replace you, whilst you go and relieve
that pretty little girl in white over there, looking out
so disconsolately for a partner." -*■ • '*' ' ''' • ?" • '

Knowing that all farther chance of private conver-
^tion with Antoinette was now at an end, (for Doctor

826

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOUBT.

Manby was equally tenacious and outspoken,) Stem-
field rose, and, after telling her,with marked significance,
that he gave her free permission to flirt with Doctor
Manby, but with no one else, he turned away.

" How is this, my fair patient ?*' kindly enquired the
good-natured physician, secretly noting and grieving
over the suffering, pam-wom look of his companion.
^^ Have yon been dancing too much ? you look sadly
exhausted."

^^ Because I am unhappy, wretched !" she rejoined,
with that reckless candor which great misery often
induces. " Talk to me no more of drugs or palliatives,
Doctor, unless you can give me one that will set this
weary heart at rest for ever."

Inexpressibly shocked at this sudden confidence, as
well as at the depth of mental misery which it revealed,
he hurriedly, but soothingly, said : ^< Courage, courage,
dear child. We cannot throw down life's burden
because in a moment of depression we may find it
heavy. To-morrow all may be light and pleasant
again."

" Never, never !" she rejoined, with a slow, hope-
less shake of the head.

^' Listen, dear Mss De Mirecourt, to the advice of
a man old enough to be your father, and do not let a

ANTOINETTB DB MIRSOOURT.

32T

lover's quarrel prey on your spirits thus. Major
Stemfield is hot-tempered, but he soon forgets and
for^ves."

As he uttered the name which had proved such a
woful sound to her, a shudder ran through her frame,
and, more perplexed and troubled than ever, he in-
wardly thought, ^* She does not love the handsome
villain. What does it all mean ?"

In a quiet, indifferent tone he soon resumed: ''You
seem so weak and nervous to-night, my dear young
lady, the best thing you can do is to retire to rest at
once. Take my arm, and I will pilot you to the hall,
after which I will tell our friend, Stemfield, that I
insisted on sending you off."

Arrived at the foot of the stair-case, Antoinette
gratefuUy, falteringly bade hhn good-night, and hurried
to her room. Shall we follow her there, reader?
Shall we watch her during the course of that long,
weary night, during which no slumber closed her
burning eye-lids ; no temporary unconsciousness
brought its blessed balm, even for one half-hour, to
that tortured heart and spirit ? The lesson would be
a painful, though, perhaps, a useful one. She had
erred, but how speedy had been her retribution ; she
had violated the dictates of conscience and reli^on —

828

ANTOmETTE DE MIRECOURT.

^^1
■I

trampled on a daughter's most sacred duties, and what
had it brought her? That which guilt and wrong-
doing will ever bring to those who are not utterly
hardened in evil, — remorse and wretchedness.

:'t:r> .• :'}!* *i- /•' ,?(,;•.

?>'■*; . ^ ^.

:.'. < A

' .«.

'if

I "

.1?

rj- J,-'-',;

= ■ '4,-

k t '-

: .'■•„-

.' ft-

!:■

'. ■;:;■•■•-< i = '• •

It:'- ■• !'

. \'

.- /

M I

^}^-c;!-

»••*■.•,/- ■ - M-n'

■rn

i^:vft.',-i

:Wm

;'>^nv^ f>"'- Mi:

.«» (-. » , «/'

■•,i

f D. 'V .^.iV'/f

)--^'^vr) vv?;

■Ai.!

V-. I-

.mi.:v

:ir':rt ?~)

-r '3

r i

•hvf^ Zl-

'*. f.

.? (

CHAPTER XXXI.

, \'

Mrs. D'Aulnay, who had just risen from her couch,
was seated in her easy-chair, the morning after her
96irSe, her feet thrust into her quilted satin slippers,
whilst Jeanne was preparing to disentangle and smooth
the thick masses of her hair, when a loud, prolonged
knock, whose echoes reverberated through the whole
house, startled mistress and maid.

^^ Hoavens ! what can that be ? Run, Jeanne, and
see," ejaculated Mrs. D'Aulnay.

The messenger soon returned with a small note,
which she said << Mr. Beauchesne's man had just left*
He must be in a great hurrj, Madame, for he never
waited to ask how you and Miss Antoinette were, as
he generally does, but thrust the letter in my hand,
and hurried away."

The note was crumpled and ill->folded, the address
carelessly and ille^bly written ; and with a presenti-

:!•

830

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

xnent of evil, which caused her heart to throb more
rapidly, she opened the missive. It ran thus: —

" He who writes this, dear Mrs. D'Aulnay, is now
flying from justice, and, if not overtaken, will soon
have left his native land for ever. Major Stemfield
insulted me last night, goaded me to ungovernable
passion by his insolent cruelty to our poor unhappy
Antoinette, who seems — Heaven help her — to be
strangely in his power. I controlled my anger at
the moment, and waited my time. It soon came ; for
shortly after he left the house, which I took good care
to do at the same time with himself, I went up to him
and asked for an apology, which of course he was as
little disposed to give as I was anxious to obtain.
This morning we met, and he fell, mortally wounded.
They tell me he is dymg. Say to Antoinette, that if,
contrary to my secret suppositions and thoughts, he is
really dear to her, I implore her, by the memory of
the deep, true love I have ever borne her, to forgive
me. ' Deeply I regret the mad act of which I have
been gmlty, not so much for the consequences it has
entailed on myself, as for the terrible responsibility
thus incurred of hurrying a fellow-creature, in the
strength of manhood^ into etemiiy. Ah ! before the

ANTOINBTTB DB MIRBOOURT.

881

» mare

IS now

11 soon

mfield

>mable

ihappy

•to be

ger at

le; for

k1 care

to him

was as

obtain.

inded.

;hat if,

), he is

ory of

brgire

Ihave

it has

libiUty

n the

re the

deed was done, I could never have dreamed that the
remorse would have been so bitter — so weighty : but
time presses. With earnest thanks for all your past
kindness to myself— I dare send no farther message

to Antoinette,

" Yours,

"Louis."

Deeply agitated, Mrs. D'Aulnay perused and re-
perused this painful letter, and then, suddenly starting
up, hastened to her cousin's room. The latter, who
had thrown herself on the bed about an hour previous,
was lying motionless, her eyes listlessly fixed on the
pale rays of light streaming in between the parting of
the curtains, her face looking as wan as that chill,
pale light itself.

^^ Antoinette darling, I have something terrible to
tell you. Are you strong enough to bear it ?" trem-
blingly questioned Mrs. D'Aulnay.

Neither the warning of coming evil, contained in
this mysteriors announcement, nor the evident a^ta-
tion of the speaker, aroused anything like anxiety or
emotion in Antoinette. She was too ill in body and
mind at the moment for that.

" Well, child," sharply contimied Mrs. D'Aulnay,
with an irritability springing from her own intense

882

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

agitation, ** have you no quesdon to ask, no wish to
enquire farther ? It concerns chiefly yourself, or
rather one nearly related to you. 'Tis of Audley
Stemfield I would speak."

" What of him ?" languidly questioned the girl.

" There, read for yourself," and she placed Louis's
letter in her cousin's hands. " But Antoinette, dar-
ling, for Heaven's sake be calm : do not faint or go
into hysterics."

The latter did neither, but her cheek turned to an
ashy hue, and her very lips became white as she read.
The letter perused, she sprang from her couch, and,
without a moment's thought or hesitation, proceeded
to dress.

" Why this hurry? Where are you going ?" asked
Mrs. D'Aulnay.

" To poor Audley," was the whispered reply.

"Have you taken leave of your senses, child?
How do you know where he is, or even whether he is
still living?"

" I must ask, find out. They have probably
brought him to his quarters."

" And do you mean to say that you, a young girl,
will seek him in his own rooms ?" v

**But you will come with me, Lucille ?" was the
imploring rejoinder.

ANTOINETTE DE MIBECOURT.

838

** You are certainly out of your mind, poor child,"
and Mrs. D'Aulnay's accents betrayed both irritation
and compassion. " Why all Montreal would ring with
it to-morrow if we were to do such a thing. Our
names would bo in every one's mouth."

" So be it, Lucille : I shall go alone."

" You shall do no such thing. After quarrelling
and disagreeing with that unfortunate Stcrnfield ever
since he wedded you, about the preservation of your
fair name, are you going to uselessly, recklessly for-
feit it now ?"

" 'Tis my duty ; and whatever be the consequences,
I must go."

" But you do not love, you do not even like him,
thoughtless child."

" Oh, the more reason that I should seek his dying
bed without delay. Alas ! remorse is busy enough at
my heart already, without my adding farther to its
weight."

" But what good can you do him ?" persisted Mrs.
D'Aulnay.

" My presence may smooth, may solace him. Would
you have him die," and a convulsive shudder ran
through her frame, " with anger towards me in his
heart, perhaps curses on his lips, as might happen if

■J]

! ■;■

334

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOUBT.

I kept away from him, forgetful of his claims and my
duties?"

" Well, at least wait awhile. Mr. D'Aulnay is out,
but I expect him in every moment, and I will then
boldly ask him to accompany us."

But Antoinette had no intention of wasting priceless
moments, any one of which might be Stemfield's last
on earth, in waiting for a chance that might in the
end fail her, and, hastily completing her toilette after
her cousin's departure, she stole softly down the back
staircase, and thence through the narrow passage
which led to the out-houses and court-yard. As she
had partly hoped, she saw one of the servants lounging
about the stable-door, and in a low tone she told him
to harness one of the horses to the plain light vehide
usually employed by Mr. D'Aulnay. In a short while
it was ready; she got in, and they quietly passed
through the gate without attracting the notice of any
of the household, save one of the maids, who saw
nothing very unusual in the fact of Miss De Mirecourt's
going out at so early an hour in the morning ; her des-
tination, as the girl at once decided, being of course
to church.

" Now," thought Antoinette, pressing her hand to
her aching head, " my first step must be to call at

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOUBT.

885

and my

r is out,
ill then

dceless
d's last
in the
ke after
le back
passage
As she
unging
Id him
vehide
t while
passed
of any
10 saw
court's
er des-
course

and to
call at

Doctor Manby's, and, though he will probably be with
poor Audley, I may learn from some of his people
where the latter is."

Arrived at the quiet boarding-house which Doctor
Manby made his home, she was told he had gone to
Major Sternfield's quarters, to attend the latter, who
had been dangerously wounded that morning in a
duel.

Major Stemfield, and three or four of his brother
officers, occupied a plain, though comfortable, stone
house, situated towards the east end of the city, now
included in that portion which we call the Quebec
Suburbs. A small garden, environed by a wall,
whose rough masonry wca concealed in great part
by the spreading maples that kindly drooped over it,
sloped from the back of the building towards the
bank of the broad, blue St. Lawrence, from which it
was divided by a very narrow road. Directly in
front lay the graceful, picturesque island of St.
Helenas, then belonging to the Barons De Longueuil,
affording a pleasant resting-place to the eye, when
weary of dwelling on the sparkling, dancmg surface
of the river.

Before the door of this residence, Mrs. D'Aulnay's
coachman drew up the reeking, panting horse, which

*-i\

336

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

he had driven at a merciless pace, moved hy Antoi-
nette's unceasing and urgent appeals. A terrihle
fear had taken possession of the young ^rFs heart,
that she would arrive too late— arrive, hut to learn
that the man to whom she had sworn life-long love
and fidelity had passed from earth, hating and
cursing her. Without waiting for assistance, she
sprang to the ground, and, heedless of the amazed
looks of a couple of soldiers, officers' servants, who
were loitering ahout the doorsteps, plied the knocker
with what strength her tremhling fingers permitted.

A soldier opened it, and she hastily exclaimed,
" I wish to see Major Stemfield. Show me to his
room immediately.'*

Lounging in the hall, with a cigar in his mouth,
stood the Honorable Percy Delaval, and had Me-
dusa herself suddenly appeared on the threshold,
enquiring for the sick man, he could not have
looked more utterly astounded. In an adjoining room,
the door of which was open, two other officers were
seated, and the expression of intense astonishment
that suddenly overspread their features rivalled
the wonder depicted on Lieutenant Delaval's couii-
tenance.

ANTOINETTB DB MIRBCOURT.

837

" Do you hear me ? I wish to see Major Stem
field,** repeated the new comer, with feyerish a^ta-
tion.

The man hesitated, fearing to introduce so unusual
a visitant, without, at least, previouslj announcing
her to the patient.

Antoinette, chafing at this additional delaj, in-
stantly turned to Mr. Delaval, and entreatingly
exclaimed :

** You know me. Tell him to bring me at once to
Major Stemfield."

" Certainly, IVGss De Mirecourt," rejoined the
young man, with an embarrassment which contrasted
strangely wilh the young girl's fearless earnestness.
" Certainly. Here, sirrah, show this lady imme-
diately to Major Stemfield's room. I take all
responsibility upon myself."

Of course the man obeyed, and Antoinette followed
him with trembling limbs up the steep, narrow
staircase.

" Well, I call this a case !" whispered the young
honorable to his two brother officers, who had joined
him in the hall as soon as Antoinette had disappeared.
" A young lady who would do that in England
would certainly be tabooed."

!|l

SB8

AirrOINBTTB DB MIRB00X7RT.

^* And tliat poor girl will just as certainlj be
tabooed here," rejoined one of his companions*
*^ Thej are not more indulgent to woman's weak*
nesses in Canada than they are at home."

'' I can scarcely believe the evidence of my own
senses," said a third, a clever, gentlemanly man^
whom Antoinette had often met at Mrs. D'Aulnay's.
'^ I repeat, I can scarcely believe it, for Miss De
Mirecourt was such a gentle, modest little girl, the
very last one I would have thought capable of
venturing on such a step."

" Oh, love works miracles, Thomley,— changes
people's verjT natures sometimes."

" Stemfield is a lucky dog," grdSEtned young
Delaval. ^^ living or dying, he always contrives
to make a sensation. No danger of any of us, if
we were at the last gasp to-morrow, having such an
angel visitant.''

" Well, poor fellow, it will not do him much good,"
resumed Captain Thomley. " He is almost beyond
earthly consolation now. And I must say, that
I for (me do not think the less of the true«
hearted ^1 who has had courage enough to brave
0miles and sneers, in order that she might bid a last
farewell to the man she loved."

ANTOINETTE DE MIREOOUBT.

339

'* But I really do not think slie loved him. She
showed him no very decided marks of preference ; and
I have seeu her sit near him for a half-hour at a time,
with a look as cold, a glance as distant, as if she were
made of marble."

<< Oh, that was perhaps put on. At any rate, she
has just given proof of a love surpassing that of most
modem young ladies."

But we will leave the group to their discussion,
and follow the object of it on her way.

"J-

!1i

;■!

CHAPTER XXXII.

Arrived at the landing-placo, the soldier who
acted as guide silently indicated a door, and then, as
if fearing to venture farther, disappeared. Antoi-
nette, faint, sick with agitation, knocked hurriedly,
though lightly. It was opened by Doctor Ormsby,
the clergyman who had performed the marriage-service
for herself and Stemfield.

" Does he still live ?" she gasped, looking wildly
up into the kind, though sad face that met hers.

" Yes, but his hours are numbered," he whispered,
glancing sorrowfully towards the bed, on which,
ghastly and deathlike, Stemfield lay.

" Oh, Audley, my husband !" sobbed Antoinette,
suddenly springing to his side, and sinking on her
knees beside the couch, careless in that supreme
moment who might be there to learn the long jea-
lously-guarded secret of her breast; unconscious
that another, and that other, Cecil Evelyn, stood at

ANTOINBTTB DB MtRBCOURT.

841

a distant mrindow, listening awo-struck, spoil-bound,
to that strango confession. Every thought or fear of
hers then was absorbed in the overwhelming con*
sriousness tliat the man who had been the bane, the
curse of her life, but to whom nevertheless she belonged
by the holiest of earthly ties, lay there before her,
dying.

With an effort of strength, wonderful in his
exhausted state, the wounded man raised himself on
his elbow, and gazed at her a moment with a look of
intense astonishment, which speedily changed to an
expression of passionate anger ; then he hoarsely
said :

" Away, hypocrite, away, mocking dissembler !
How dare you utter the worA husband ? Have you
ever boon wife to me in aught but name ? Have you
ever shown me wifely duty, love, or submission ?"

" Audley, Audley," she wailed, " be merciful, be
just. Embitter not this solemn moment by cruel
upbraidings."

" Why have you come ?" he interrupted, in a still
harsher voice. " Is it to gloat over my dying ago-
nies, and to assure yourself by witnessing them, that
you are really free at last ? It is not love that has
brought you ; for if one spark of that feelmg for me

Ill

ll il

$42

ANTOXNBTTB DJJ MWBOOmtf.

hikd glowed in jour breaat, you would not have
mocked at my prayers and tenderness, trampled on
my rights and claims, as you have so insolently done,
aince the hour I placed the wedding-ring on your
finger."

<« But whose was the fault ?" she asked, with
clasped hands and streaming eyes. '^ Did I not
tell you that the instant you would acknowledge me
for your wife before the world, and have our mar-
riage solemnized ag^, without which my creed and
belief told me it was not lawfully completed, I was
ready to follow you to the ends of the earth.*'

'* Mere hair-splitting," he sneered. " No ^1, it
was not that, but it was because the short-lived fancy
that had led you to consent to our secret union,
had died out as suddenly as it had arisen."

" For^ve me if I interfere," said Doctor Ormsby,
advancing, moved alike by compassion for the agonized
suffering depicted in the girl's colorless face, and with
anxiety for the unchristian state of feeling into which
the dying man had lapsed. ", For^ve me if I mter-
fere ; but as the clergyman who solemnized that
maniage, which haa been, alas ! so fruitful in misery
to both, perhaps I may have some slight claim on your
n^utual attention and confidence."

AXTOIKBTfS DE MIREOOtTllT.

848

Here Colonel Evelyn, suddenly recovering from
the stupor of astonishment into which this singular
dialogue had plunged him, and becoming at the
same time awake to the grave impropriety of his
remaining there, a witness to an interview of so
Strange and delicate a nature, stole from the room^
closing the door noiselessly behind* lum; and as he
passed through the hall, the loungers there wondered
much what had occurred in the sick chamber to move
Evelyn's iron nature so greatly, and to leave such
traces of deep a^tation on a countenance usually
impassible as marble.

** May I speak, Stemfield ?" gently questioned
Doctor Ormsby, seeking to soothe the fiercely roused
passions of the wounded man.

** Say on," was the sullen rejoinder. *^ What I
could listen to from no other earthly being, I can
bear from you."

" Well, my dear friend, it seems to me that you
are severe, nay, unjust towards this young girl," and
he kindly Isad his hand on the shoulder of the still
kneeling Antoinette. " I remember well her telling
you what she has just said, and calling on me to
witness if*

" The old story, ever the old story," peevishly
ejaculated Stemfield^ turning aaide his head. <' Go

ill

t-'h
II

844

ANTOINETTB DB MIRECOTJRT.

home, ^1 ; go home : and you, Doctor, leave me in
peace. I am growing weary of you both."

As he spoke, a deadly pallor stole oyer his face^
and Antoinette, terribly startled, sprang to her
feet.

" Do not be alarmed," Doctor Ormsby reassuringly
exclaimed. << 'Tis a temporary faintness. He had
a similar attack shortly before you entered, when
Dr. Manby was here. Here are restoratives."

Their united efforts soon brought back somethmg
like life to Stemfield's pallid features; and the
clergyman, fearmg the sight of Antoinette might
renew his agitation, motioned her to place herself
behind a high screen which stood in one end of the
room.

After a moment, the dying man glanced rest-
lessly around him, and then muttered, ^^ Where is
she gone, my wife, Mrs. Stemfield ? Ha ! ha !
Doctor," and he laughed in a ghastly manner. ^^ Let
me at least give her her title once before he who
conferred it will be turned to lifeless clay."

" You told her to go home, just now."

<^ But why did she listen to me?" he retorted.
" Why <^d she go ? Of course she was tired of so
dull an oSgixr as a death-bed, and having made son

f; I

AMTOnfOTTE DE MIRBOOUBT.

345

apparition^ as Mrs. D'Aulnay would say, prudentlj
retired."

<< Shall I send for her again ?" .

" No, hy : I am not fallen so low as that.

Had she renuuned, it would, though I hate almost
to acknowledge it, have heen a solace, a comfort
to me." . , . , .

<' I haye not left you, Audley. I am still here,"
said Antoinette, timidly, as she emerged from her
retreat, and approached the bed. ^

Something like an expression of saiasfaction stole
over his features, imposing still in their death-struck
beauiy ; but when she filtered out <' Dear Audley,
may I remain beside you?" he answered, with the
olden sneer, which habit had rendered almost natural
to his handsome lip, ^* Since it pleases you to act the
part of a sister of charity, I will not say you nay. It
amuses me, though, to see you shower on my dying
hours, attentions and tender cares which you never
vouchsafed my living ones." . . .-

She bowed her head submissively, — ^no taunts of his
could move her now, — and, after a few moments'
silence, gently said : ,

^^ Had yon not better try to sleep ? I will watch
beside you. Are there any medicines to be given ?"

846

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOUKT.

" Pshaw ! I will take none. I told Manby so.
My case is beyond human skill, and why should
I torture my palate with any vile drugs or mix-
iures ?"

Knowing that insisting farther would only irritate
him uselessly, she drew a chair close to his couch,
and silently seated herself. After quietly watching
her for some time, he suddenly exclaimed :

" So you have fairly installed yourself here as my
nurse — determinedly taken up your post ! Are you
aware of what the world will say, of what men will
think?"

" Oh, dear Audley, what is the world to us ?" she
sadly said. " Do not think of it. Do not torment
yourself about its opinions."

" Aye ! it is nothing to me now ; but to you, girl,
it is everything. Why, before two hours, this mad
step of yours will be repeated, with exaggerations
and commentaries in every comer of the city ; and the
fair name, of which you have been so jealously careful,
will be at every one's mercy."

" If so," and the mournful eyes and voice became
yet more sad, " 'twill be but the just punish-
ment of my past folly: I have sinned, and I must
expiate my fault."

ANTOINETTE DB MIRECOURT.

847

mhj 80.
r should
or mix-

'■ irritate
J couch,
iratching

Q as my
V.re you
nen will

8?" she
torment

)u, girl,
lis mad
orations
and the
careful,

became
punish-
I must

** You have done so severely enough already," he
rejoined, the first approach to anything like feeling
which he had yet shown, softening his voice. " I
have not spared you ; and few young brides have ever
passed through as bitter an ordeal as yourself. Well,
the close of my rule and the dawn of your liberty are
both at hand, sooner by thirty or forty years than
you might have dared to hope for."

" Audley, talk not thus. Do not agitate yourself
unnecessarily — ' '

" Stop lecturing, child : here comes a higher
authority than yourself."

As he spoke. Doctor Manby entered the room.
The new-comers amazement on seeing Antoinette
seated at his patient's bed-side, was almost ludicrous.

" God bless my soul. Miss De Mirecourt!" he
ejaculated, involuntarily starting back.

" Not so. Doctor, but Mrs. Audley Stemfield,'* said
the patient, with a forced laugh, that grated most
painfiilly on all ears. " Nay, do not stare, man, as
if you were moon-struck. Our good friend, Ormsby,
here, who performed the interesting ceremony, can
corroborate my words. Speak out, fair bride. Do
you deny my ownership ?"

Antoinette's cheek had turned from white to deep
scarlet, and then to white again, at this address ; but

34B

AK90INM*1'E DE lulRSCOtRT.

: ,'! ■■ !

though her eyes were welling over with tears, she
contrived to rejoin, wiHi tolerable calmness, ^' I do
not seek to deny it, Audley. Why shoxM I ? It is
you, not I, who have always insisted oll keeping
it secret.*'

" WeH, I acknowledge it now ; so you see. Doctor,
I shall, at least, leave somethmg al>out a young and
interesting widow to round off gracefully the para-
graph announcing my decease. Do not look so
reproachfully at me, Manby,'' he continued, as
Antoinette, cruelly wounded by the mocking strain
in which he perasted in addressiiig her, hurriedly
rose, and turned away in tears. " You know the
proverb, " ruling habit, strong in death*' ; and I have
been so much accustomed to torment and worry my
bride from the first, that I can not resbt the tempta-
tion even now. But mi down, if you have suffi-
ciently recovered from your amazement to do so,
and tell me how many more hours this thread-like
pulse of mine promises me."

Scaarcely recovered yet from his ifirst overwhehning
astonishinent, the phjrsician took the chair which
Antoinette had just vacated; but m the midst of ail
his bewilderment, he was conscious of a deep feeling
of indignation excited by the mocking manncflr of

4^0INETTB DE lOBSCOITRT.

349

StenifieM towards the unhappy joiing creature whom
he called hj the sacred title of wife.

^' Well, speak out, man ! What does my ^pulse
sfiy ? Ah, you need not mince the matter. I am
no schoolrboy to be frightened by a few hours'
advance « delay. You will not answer? Never
mind : tibat shake of your head tells enough. I
suppose that I am hooked to start on my last journey
before to^ght."

The physician made no reply. He could not
conscientiously contradict lum ; for, despite the
strength of the wounded man's voice, and his flu-
ency of utterance, the faint, irregular pulse told
that sudden reaction, followed by the end^ was at
hand.

'' I can do no more for you, Sternfield," he said,
hurriedly rising to his feet, his late feeling of irrita-
tion completely merged in compassion. " A few
drops from this vial when you feel faint is all I can
prescribe ; at least, all that would be useful to you.
Crood bye. God bless you!" and after a long,
friendly grasp of the hand, the kind-hearted Doctor
kurried away, more agitated and grieved than he
cared to show.

For some time after his departure, the patient msun-
tained a moody silence which he at length broke by

350

ANTOINETTE DB MIRECOtlRT.

. . -|:

sullenly asking, " Do you know, girl, whose vile hand
laid me here ? Of course you do. It was that smooth-
faced country lover of yours. If I have not spoken of
him before, 'tis because at the very thought of him
curses rush to my lips, throng through my brain.
But I have a word to say to you about him. It is
this : He may hereafter return, hereafter renew his
suit, and I would have your solemn promise ere I
enter eternity that you will never lend him a favoring

ear

i»

." Dear Audley, could you thmk that the hand
stained by a husband's blood — "

" Pshaw ! no girlish sentiment. I want not pro-
testations nor speeches, but a promise, aye ! an oath,"
he added more fiercely, " that you will never be
aught nearer to him in any circumstances, than what
you have hitherto been ?"

" Willingly," she eagerly rejoined. " With heart
and soul."

" Then, kiss that,'^ and he indicated by a look the
chain to which was attached her small gold cross.
" The promise you made me once before on that, has
been so religiously kept, that I can put faith in any
other, framed in a similar manner."

She drew forth the cross, and with an earnest solemn
look kissed it.

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

351

" ^Tis well, Antoinette ; I can die now without curs-
ing him and hating you."

"Oh, Audley, my husband," she entreatingly
exclaimed, presenting the cross to his lips, " kiss it
also ; not as I have done, merely to add solemnity to
an earthly promise, but as the blessed token of salva-
tion, of future pardon and peace."

" No, no, Antoinette," and he faintly smiled. " 'Tis
too late to try proselytizing nov , I have settled my
spiritual affairs already with Doctor Ormsby, who has
read prayers to me, and prevailed on me, though with
great difficulty, I must acknowledge, to refrain from
heaping curses on the wretch who has cut short my
life."

" But it will do you no harm to allow me to say
a prayer at your bed-side."

" I am here, my dear young lady, to accomplish
that grave duty which is peculiarly my own," ex-
claimed Doctor Ormsby, in a firm though gentle voice,
as he advanced towards them. " I have hitherto
refrained from intruding on you, knowing that you
must have much to say to each other ; but if you wish
for prayer or reading now, Major Sternfield, I am
ready."
" Of course you are, Doctor," rejoined Sternfield,

' f

052

ANTOINETTE DE BflRBOOVBT.

with a somewhat equirocal snule. ^^ It would be a
terribly mortifying afl^r if I should Edip from your
pastoral care at the last moment, into ^e pale of
Rome."

" Oh, dearest Audley, do not talk so lightly, so
mockingly of all that is most solemn and sacred on
earth. K your heart leans to the faith of my fathersi
do not allow — "

** Tush ! child, enough of such foHy t I will die
in the creed in which I was bom and brought up."

** Then Doctor Ormsby will read you some prayers
at once : your time, my dear, dear husband, is veiy
short."

" Do not conmience croaking, Antoinette : it will do
me no good. Doctor, I am ready, but excuse my saying
I hope you will not be too diffuse."

"Your present state of weakness will prevent that.
Believe me, I wiU not overtask your strength.

At that moment a knock was heard at the door of
the apartment, which Doctor Ormsby instantly opened.
" A messenger for you, Miss De Mirecourt," he said.

Antoinette glanced through the half-open door-way,
and instantly recognized Jeanne; so whispering to
Sternfield that she would return in a few moments, she
went out to the new-comer-

ASTOlSnSXSE DE MIBBGOUBT.

853

The latter told her in a low tone that Mrs. D'Aulnay
had sent her with strict injunctions not to go back till
Antoinette should return with her. '^ But, mon Dieu,
IkGss De Mirecourt, what does all this mean ?'' enquired
the old servant, dranring her farther into the passage so
tibat the sound of their whispering might not disturb
the clergyman who had commenced reading aloud.
'^ Mr. D'Aubiaj, always so quiet, is like a ma<dman.
He says you have disgraced us aU, and that your
father will die of grief and shame ; and has been scold-
ing my mistress all morning, saying that she is to
blame as much as yourself, — he, that to my know,
ledge never said a downright cross word to her since
^ey became man and mfe. Madame at last told him
that if you had gone alone to see M^or Stemfield,
you had a right to do so, for that you were his wife.
It was that stupid Paul, who, on being asked by Mr.
D'Aulnay as he met him driving into the yard, where
he had been, told at once. But is it true, dear young
lady, what Madame said ?"

** Yes, Jeanne," said the girl, sadly. " Major
Stemfield, who is now dying in yon room, is my wed-
ded husband. I was married to lum secretly*"

^^ Oh, Miss Antoinette ! Miss Antoinette ! " ejacu-
lated the old woman, clasping her hands in over*

354

AifTOINETTB DE MIRECOUKT.

whelming distress. " I could not have believed that
a pious young lady, so carefully brought up as your-
self, could ever have consented to such a thing. What
will poor Mr. De Mirecourt and Madame Gerard feel ?
What will the wicked slanderous world say ?"

Antoinette shuddered. " Alas, I have mourned
over my folly bitterly enough, but that has not
repaired it. I have still a long expiation before me."

" And how long will you stay here, poor dear

child ?"

" Till all is over if he will let me," was the falter-
ing reply.

" Ah me. Miss Antoinette, of what service can
your presence be to him now ? Come home, come
home. How unseemly it is for a young lady of your
age to be alone in this house with none but soldiers
and gay young officers around you."

" Jeanne, if my dear and much-wroiiged father
were to come himself to bring me away, I could not,
would not go."

" Well, I suppose 'tis no use arguing with those
whose minds are made up not to see the right ; but it was
an evil day for us all that we caught the first sight of
a scarlet coat in our quiet home. Go in now,
Miss Antomette, dear ; I will just sit down here : for

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

365

that handsome Major, who always looked so scornfully
at me, would'nt like perhaps to see me in his dying

room." '

" But, Jeanne, you will feel ill at ease here, — so
many strange faces passing and repassing."

" And what harm can they do beyond staring at
me, and what does an old withered woman like me
care for their curious looks ? It is'nt hke if it was
your own pretty face they were peering at. Go in,
go in, and call me whenever I can be of any use. I
will sit here till then."

Doctor Ormsby was still reading when Antoinette
re-entered, and the young girl knelt down in a comer
of the apartment and poured forth in silence her own
earnest prayers to Heaven in behalf of that soul trem-
bling on the verge of eternity. Meantime, a sort of
drowsy torpor was stealing over Stemfield ; and when
Doctor Ormsby, having finished his ministrations,
addressed a few words to him, his answer was con-
fused and almost unintelligible.

" I must leave you for a time," said the clergyman,
closing his book ; " and I think, my dear young lady,
you had better bring that respectable woman in, provided
she is willing to assist you. If poor Stemfield should
recover his consciousness, which is improbable, she can

n
ii

866

AirtoiNiim sx mBBoocBS.

leave the room if her presence auooys him. I will
retam in a few hoars."

Acting on this advice,Antoinette brought in Jeanne ;
but unwilling to run any risk of aimoying the patient
in case he should suddenly recover consciousness, she
pointed to the latter to seat herself behind the screen
which had already afforded temporary concealment to
herself. Slowly the time wore on, no sound breaking
that deep, hushed silence save the laborious breathing
of the dying man. Prompted by a delicacy and kind-
liness of feeling that did them honor, the other occu-
pants of the house permitted no loud voice, or hurried,
careless footstep, to intrude on that heavy stillness.

Shortly after noon, a single knock was heard, and
Jeanne hastened to answer it. It was a soldier bear-
ing a tray containing some ample refreshments which
he said, >^ Doctor Manby ordered him in the morning
to bring to the Ack room."

" I begin to think in a kindlier way of these red-
coats than I have ever yet done," inwardly solilo-
quized Jeanne, as she arranged the iliings on a small
tat^e, and carried the latter close to Antoinette. " Ah,
I fear me, yon handsomenfaced one wafi the worst of
the lot/' and she glanced towards the calm statue-
like countenance of the deeper.

jLKTOINBITE DE lOBEOOUBT.

357

Earnestly, anxiously she pressed the young girl to
taste some of the refreshments she placed before her ;
but the heart of the latter was too heayy for that ; and
she was obliged at length to remove the untouched
tray, consoling herself by the reflection that if her
young lady did not eat, it was not at least owing to
tba.t most deplorable of all earthly reasons, the having
nothing on which to exercise her powers of appetite.

The sun had set behind thick banks of clouds, leav-
ing here and there a sullen crimson streak, and the
twilight was stealing rapidly on, its gray shadows
rendering still more wan and ghastly that white
upturned face lying so still and motionless on its pillow.
Suddenly it stirred, the heavy eye-lids parted, and
Stemfield's voice, so hoarse and changed as to be
scarcely recognizable, exclaimed, ^' Are you there,
Antomette ?"

A gentle pressure of his hand, a sofdy whispered
word of kindness, answered him.

'' Determined to see me through the last stage of
my journey ? It must be near its close, for my sight
is growing strangely dim/'

*^ The twilight is coming on, dear Auulc^y, It may
be that."

" No, 'tis that twilight which will never kno^ another
sunrise. Well; 'tis not the death a soldier would have

. 'I

858

ANTOINETTE DE BHRECOURT.

chosen, but it might have been worse. I am at least
free from pain."

" And you have had time, dear husband, to recon-
cile yourself with God ?"

" Yes, yes, and to dictate a short letter of farewell
to the two fair-haired sisters living in that quiet town
in Warwickshire in which I was bom. Ah! I had
not dreamed a year ago, of finding a grave amid the
snows of Canada ; above all, a grave at so early
a period of my pleasant life. Perhaps it would have
been better for me had I never exacted that promise of
secrecy from you ; but you had told me so often our
marriage was not lawfully completed, that I dreaded
such was really the case, and feared if our secret
became known, that your friends would prevail on you
to seek a divorce. Meantime, whilst waiting thus
securely for the day which would put you in undis-
turbed possession of your mother's fortune, many
things favorable to me might have happened : your
father's death — in this solemn hour, I speak openly,
Antoinette — or other circumstances which would have
placed yourself and reputation completely in my
power. But my dreams, like my life, are at an end."

A long silence, broken only by Antoinette's sobs,
followed.

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

359

" Listen to me, child ; bend nearer, for I have that
to say to you which I once thought my proud lips
would never say to mortal. Your patient gentleness
has touched me at last, and before I go hence, I would
ask you to pardon me for all that I have made you
suflfer, for all my past cruelty and injustice ?"

" From my heart," she whispered, stooping over,
and pressing her lips to that death-damp brow. " May
God forgive me all my own errors as freely as I forgive
you.''

He faintly smiled, and his fingers tightened on the
small hand that rested in his own. The twilight gloom
deepened. Colder and colder became his clasp,
darker and darker grew the shadows round his eyes
and mouth ; and when his pale young watcher, at length
startled by his fixed gaze, loudly uttered his name, no
look or word gave response.

" Jeanne, here, come here," she shrieked.

The woman hurriedly drew near, and, after a glance
at that marble face, she gently disengaged the girl's
fingers from the icy clasp in which they were still
twined, and whispered, " How peacefully he passed
away !"

A wild, hysterical fit of sobbing gave some relief to
Antoinette's overtasked feelings ; and a moment after
Doctor Ormsby entered the room.

860

AlrtOilffifftS DB MlKSOO'Offt*

<< Take her home, poor cliild," he ooxhpasnonately
said, raising her &om the bed on which she had thrown
herself. ** Take her home : she has been sorely tried.
I will see to everytlung."

Passively, almost onconsciously, Antcnnette gelded
to Jeanne^s guidance, and suffered herself to be dressed,
and placed in the yelucle which one of the officer's ser-
vants had procured. Arrived at home, the kind-
hearted womttn undressed her now ahnost helpless
charge, and put her to bed ; previously warmng Mrs.
D'Auhiay that she must on no account even enter her
cousm's room that night. Neither all these tender
cares nor the cafaning potion which she passively took,
sufficed to chase away that grim shadow of impending
dckness which was brooding over her pillow. From
a heavy lethargic sleep, she awoke up delirious. A phy-
fflcian was sent for, and the startled household learned
that she was dangerously ill of brain-fever.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

phy-

Whilst the young girl lay on that sick hod, uncon-
Bcious of every thing passing around her, battling with
the strength of youth against death and disease, the
mortal remains of the handsome and fascinating Major
Stemfield were committed to their last home. Very
busy were gossipping tongues with his name and that
of the hapless Antoinette ; and had the latter but known
half of the false rumors which malice or thoughtlessness
invented and repeated, it would in all likelihood have
prevented convalescence from ever revisiting her sick
couch. Everything of such a nature however was care-
fully kept from her, whilst watchful care, medical skill,
and judicious nursing were all enlisted in her cause ;
and after eight or ten days of anxious suspense, she
was pronounced out of immediate danger. Wofully
weak and altered was she though, and friends and
attendants ominously shook thoir heads and whispered
each other that she would never get wholly well.

362

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

Mr. De Mirecourt had hastened to Montreal imme-
diately on hearing of his daughter's illness ; and what-
ever may have been his first feelings of anger and
humiliation on learning the sad tale of her secret mar-
nage, her severe and dangerous attack of sickness,
calling forth his deep parental tenderness, shielded her
not only then, but even after recovery had set in, from
rebuke or reproach. About two months after Major
Sfcemfield's death, one afternoon that the invalid had
yielded to Mrs. D'Aulnay's entreaties, and venturefl
into the latter's cheerful morning apartment, her
hostesc ,vas summoned to the drawing-room to see a
visitor. She soon returned, and coaxingly exclaimed :

" My little Antoinette, an old friend prays for per-
mission to see you. 'Tis Colonel Evelyn. Will you
not admit him ?"

How rapidly Antoinette's color came and went,
how wildly her heart throbbed at that name ; and Mrs.
I)'Aulnay, taking advantage of her involuntary sileiae-
as implying consent, hastened away. A moment after,
a^rm, manly tread resounded through the hall, — ?* mist
arising from weakness or agitation swam before An-
toinette's eyes, and, when self-possession returned, she
was alone with Colopel Evelyn, both her hands in his,
and his kind, friendly glance bent earnestly on her
countenance.

1 " <

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

363

" You have been very, very ill," he exclaimed, in
accents as gentle as his looks.

"Yes, but I am rapidly recovering," she rejoined,
with a desperate effort at composure, and withdrawing
her hands as she spoke.

A silence followed, silence almost insufferable to the
nervous, agitated girl, for her companion's earnest
searching gaze was still fixed upon her, and beneath
it she felt her color come and go, and her eyes droop
in painful confusion. At length he resumed in tones
whose involuntary tremor betrayed that he too was
moved in no small degree :

" Will you pardon me, if, at the risk of agitating you,
I allude to the painful past and to that strange secret
which brought so much misery to more than one?
Was it — was your marriage with Audley Stemfield
your only cause for rejecting my own suit ?"

Antoinette became deadly pale, and, clasping her
hando to her breast as if to keep down her deep agita-
ion, she faltered :

" Colonel Dvelyn ! Do not speak of my past mad-
ness till at least I have acquired sufficient calmness,
to bear allusion to it. How you must wonder at my
folly, condemn and despise me !"

1< 1

364

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

His only reply was to clasp her quickly, closely to
his breast, whilst he whispered, " My much-tried, long-
suflfering Antoinette ! Mine own, at last !"

Ah, no farther need of disguise tLen, and, in broken
accents and with panting breath, she faltered forth her
gratitude, her joy, her happiness. Much had they to
say to each other ; and with a childish truthfulness, for
which that stern proud man could have knelt and
worshipped her, she recounted the history of that long
period of dark and bitter trial. True, she hesitated
when she came to the part in which he himself had
become an actor, when she had to acknowledge how
very dear he became to her heart ; but still bravely she
went on, telling her ceaseless struggles against that
new-born love, her temptations and her sufferings ; but
sparing all the while, as much as was possible, the
name of him who had wrought her all that misery.

Her tale concluded, she bowed her head on the arm
of the sofa, but he tenderly drew it towards his bosom,
whispering, " Here is your resting-place henceforth.
0, my beloved, as gold out of the furnace, so have
you come purified and perfected out of your fiery trial
— all that I had first thought, first hoped you were."

" But, Colonel Evelyn," and she raised her head
with a sudden anxious start, whilst the bright rich glow

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

365

on her cheek faded to a marble pallor, " report
must have said so many and such bitter things of me.
How can you so fearlessly brave the world's judgment,
and make the object of its censure, perhaps scorn, your
wife ?"

" I have long since ceased to care for the world's
opinions or its judgments, and certainly I will never
suffer it to influence me ivhcre the happiness of my
life is at stake. Do not worry your mind with trifles
or phantoms, my Antoinette. Thanks to that merci-
ful God whom I so sinfully ignored in the dark days
of life's adversity, and to whose love and service your
counsels and examples will guide me back, the future
lies happy and bright before us. Your father's con-
sent is already obtained." Antoinette joyfully started.
" Yes, before renewing my suit to yourself, I thought
it but right to speak to him. Without much demur
he consented ; frankly assuring me at the sara^ time,
that, had not circumstances banished Mr. Beauchesne
from his native land for ever, he would never have
listened affirmatively to my prayer."

" Oh, Colonel Evelyn, I feel almost too blessed,
she whispered, tears swelling from her eyes despite
erery effort. " Leave me now awhile, for I am almost
giddy with excess of happiness."

366

ANTOINETTE DE MIRBCOURT.

" Not happier, my own, than I am," and he tenderly
raised to his lips the hand on the second finger of
which Sternfield's wedding-ring still glistened. As
his glance involuntarily rested on it, the girl's face
deeply, painfully flushed, but he softly whispered :

" Another will soon replace it, beloved. One which
will bring you, let us humbly hope, more happiness
than it has ever done. But I must leave vou for
awhile now, for this interview has been an agitating
one, and I must be careful of my new-found treasure."

Rapidly to her room sped Antoinette to give vent
in tears, in earnest eager prayers of thanksgiving, to
the joy which was filling her young heart to over-
flowing. Ere she had yet half recovered her calmness,
a slight tap came to her door, and Mrs. D'Aulnay,
half sobbing, half laughing, folded her in her arms.

" Is it not like a romance, a fairy tale, my poor
little Antoinette ?" she exclaimed. I have this minute
come Trom Uncle De Mirecourt, who is in the library
with that darling Colonel Evelyn, and everything is
going on as smoothly as heart could desire.

" And my dear father has really given a cheerful
consent ?"

" Well he might, child," was the significant reply.
" He knew that after the eclat accompanying Stern-

ly ;i

ANTOINETTE PB MIRECOURT.

367

jnderly
iger of
I. As
's face

I \

ed:

) wjiich
ppiness
ou for
;itating
Lsure."
e vent
ing, to
) over-
mneBS,
uulnay,
•ms.
J poor
minute
library
ling is

leerful

reply.
Stem-

field's death and the promulgation of the secret which
had previously been so carefully kept, he might find
it very difficult to get a s- 'table husband for you.
Colonel Evelyn's conduct too was so manly, so hon~
orable throughout. Whilst you were still struggling
m the early stage of your terrible attack of fever, he
called here almost wild on account of your danger.
Your poor father, bowed to the very dust with hu-
miliation and grief, chanced to be in the room into
which he was shewn by the half-distracted Justine,
who, in common with the rest of the household, seemed
to be at her wit's end at the time. The two gentlemen
exchanged a few words together, having become ac-
quainted during Uncle De Mirecourt's memorable winter
drive to Quebec ; and I know not exactly what brought
it about, but Colonel Evelyn laid open his heart to
your father, exposed his fears, hi> 'opes, his feelings,
and received the latter's sanction to his suit if you
ever recovered, which at that time was indeed very
doubtful. We all agreed we would not agitate you
by speaking on the subject till you were sufficiently
recovered to let your lover plead his own cause. And
now what do you say to my matchmaking talents ?
Two husbands in the short space of one year ! All
tlie young girls in the country will be wild to partake

. ;

l:ii

I' *

868

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

!■

of my hospitality. But here comes that dear old
tyrant of a Doctor. He will be puzzled by the rapid
rate at which your pulse must be beating now."

Despite the opinions of friends and acquaintances,
who had obligingly decided that Antoinette should at
once enter a convent, or retire immediately to Val-
mont, there to live and die in the strictest seclusion,
she was publicly united a year after to Colonel
Evelyn. It is hard to say whether surprise or indig-
nation predominated ; and more than one fair lady
expressed unmeasured wonder and contempt at Colonel
Evelyn's mad infatuation for a girl who had rendered
herself so notorious as the bride had done.

Over Antoinette's future destiny we will not linger.
Happiness soon restored to that youthful frame the
health which had commenced to give way so rapidly
under her early cares and trials. To her devoted,
idolizing husband she brought that unclouded domestic
felicity he had for so many weary years of his life
despaired of ever knowing, and in assuring his happi-
ness, she assured her own.

Louis Beauchesue, who, through the connivance of
friends, was fortunate enough to escape from Canada,
notwithstanding the strict search instituted for him,
never returned to it. He was kindly received in

ANTOINETTE DE MIRECOURT.

869

t dear old
y the rapid

iOW."

[uaintances,
;e should at
ely to Val-
t seclusion,
to Colonel
36 or indig-
e fair lady
)t at Colonel
id rendered

I not linger,
frame the
so rapidly

er devoted,

ed domestic
of his life

; his happi-

France, which welcomed at that time with open arms
the Canadians who chose to leave their native land
for her own sunny soil. After a time he formed new
ties and friendships which hrought him happiness,
though they never obliterated from his memory those
of his youth and childhood.

The philosophical Mr. D'Aulnay returned with
renewed ardor to his books and folios, after the
strange period of trouble and bewilderment which had
hovered for a time over his household. His fair wife
smiled, dressed, and flirted as of old, ever willing to
help any of her young lady friends in their love-affairs,
but entertaining to the last moment of her career, a
prudent horror of secret marriages.

THE END.

nnivance of
)m Canada,
ed for him,
B'eceived in