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ROSS ROBERTSON, 55 KING-STREET WEST. ■OmrH-WISr OOHNEB Ot BAT-STiUIIT, 1879 .^ Like I royal ro market-t summer, mystery. over, tha simple St no reoolli ping with the pastil affected t enough id It was mass and to the hai fell perpe: natives gt diligence was, on ] short, it ii joys that { neard it c( ly ranged i road; thei spinuing al between tv eyes and g a turn in t iionest peoj hearts over Now, the thing foresh the usual t high that N the theatre modest vilh half century to count. ] oannoaball ■toDed Bh< road, betwe* upon its trac •t this uafoi Ie8-B>i3 3to dreamiug to such a rare were acousto MADELEINE. CHAPTER I. W>8T IN THE WOODS, Like altnott »U villages traversed by a royal road. Neuvy-lea-Bois is a frightful market-town, muddy ia wiuter, dusty in summer, m all seasons devoid of poetry and mystery. Such was its importonce, more- over that prior to the day at which this sincple story commences, the inhabitants had nf„r°° ►f°"°.? ?^ ''"y P"»>'i° v«»»i le stop, pmg w.thm their wall. This disdain thit the postilions and drivers had at all times aflFected towards Neuvy-les-Bois gives a poor enough Idea of the quality of its wines JI^^a"" autumn, one Sunday, between t^^hp hf 7?*"-. ^TP«^ "* **>« entrance to the ham et, under a fiery sun, whose rays fell perpendicularly upon their heads, the natives gravely awaited the passage of the diligence from Paris to Lim.gesl for this was on holidays, their only diversion,- short It IS true, but intoxicating, like all joys that are of brief duration. Vt'hen they Iv rlnLT'"*^ ? *'»«'l"t'">°«. they solemn- rL^ fk, '''«"1"«1^«8 upon each side of the road ; then. wh«n this great rolling machine. Bpnning along at the rapid trot of the hor«5 between two rows of noses in air, of dull eyes and gaping mouths, had disappeared at a turn in the road in a cloud of dust* these honest people returned to their horned, the r hearts oyerdowmg with sweet satisfaction. Now, the Sunday of which we speak, no- thing foreshadowed a possible departure rU hfeh"th' v"'*"".' ''o"' '* was Written on high that Neuvy-les-Bois should be that day mn^lf'^^if °^ * r'''^^' "PO" which this modest village profoundly discouraged by a half century of expectation, no longer dared to count Instead of spinning along ke a •tooed short m the middle of the road, between the two living hedges formed Tl^^r''- ^' tJ^i^-nexJected'^sJeoSt Ar^rlL '"""'^ s^ocii stilt, without even «,«hT^ *"'!"'' ""^ """'her whence came ■uoh a rare honour. Even the dogs, who were accustomed to run yelping after the ve? hicle.inviting the kicks of the postilion seem down , h. <,p,„„l ,h, d,,or oTtb ;,Z. ;lf h' na habit 4\>^aI- •"?""/ .*han her mourn- road in the bTazing sun ". t^^"" ^^^ «"*' same air, neither breathing a wo.d„n.« ^* , ropo.. the boi». which ""dZ\^. ""S" I thiog mote i, l.|. „. „d„ "!„„ fj^ MADELEINE. ' De»r demoiselle, may God take pity on your pain I I nee plainly, by your way of ■peaking, that you are not of our country. You come from a distance, no doubt V ' Oh ! yes, madame, very far, very far. I frequently thought that I should never »n ive. ' ' And you go V ' Where my mother, before dying, bade me to go. I knew, in setting out, that once at Neuvy-les Bois, I should tind easily the way to Valtravers.' ' You are going to Valtravers ?' ' Yes, madame.' * To the chateau ?' 'Eicactly.' ' You have lengthened your way, made- moiselle ; the driver ought to have let you got out at the neighbouring town. It is the same — you have before you only three little leagues, and moreover you will be able, by going through the woods, to gain time. If you will allow him, my nephew Pierrot will guide you ; but the heat is oppressive, and I am oertaiu, my dear little one, that you have eaten nothing to>day. Gome to our farm-house ; you shall taste the milk of our cows, and, to aet out again, you will wait the freshness of the evening. ' Thank you, madame, thank you. You are good ; but I do not need anything. I should like to set out immediately, and if it is not abusing thegood nature of M. Pierrot' — 'Here, Pierrot 1' cried the farmer's wife. At this invitation, made in a tone which suffered no reply, a little imp separated from the crowd, and came forward with the cring- ing air of a dog that feels that hia master calls him only to beat him. Pierrot, who, since morning, had been nursing the deli- cious prospect ot taking, after vespers, his ahare in the play upon the church square, appeared only moderately flattered by his aunt's proposition. Sne repeated it in such a way that he judged it prudent to con- sent. She put the little bundle of the stranger under his arm, then, pushing him by the shoulders : ' Go through the woods, and be sure not to walk too fast for this young demoiselle, who has neither your feet nor your legs.' Thereupon Pierrot started with a sullen air, while Nenvy-Ies- Bois, commencing to recover from its stupor, was lost in comments upon the events of this great day. We suspect this village of Neuvy-les-Bois to havd been so named by antiphrasis. For Neuvy (green), it is perfectly correct ; but for les bois, (the woods), it is another affair. For my part, I know nothing more deceitful or more fallacious than these names of places, or of persons that have a precise signification, and are as well formal pledges. I have notice that, in such cases, persons and places rarely furnish that which they promise, and that, in general, what is lacking is precisely that quality which christening has given them. I have known Angelines who pos- sessed none of the attributes of an angel, and Blanches black as little crows. As to places, without going further, Neuvy-les- Bois, since we are here, has not a clump of elms, or poplars, or aspens to shield it from the winds of the north or the heat of the south. The circumjacent country is as bare and as flat as the sea coast, and in its vicini- ty, within the radius of a half-)aague, you would not find the shade of an oak. How- ever, at Fontenay-aux-Roses thty show a few sorry rose bushes. But, aa the young girl and her guide withdrew from the dusty road and penetrat- ed into the country, the landscape gradually assumed greener and more joyous aspects. After two hours' walking, they perceived the woods of A'al- travers undulating at the horizon. In spite of the recommendations of his aunt, Pierrot went at a brisk pace, without thinking of his companion. The possibility that he foresaw of being able to return to take part in the play, gave wings to this scamp. Although she had light feet and fine limbs, at inter- vals the poor child was forced to ask mercy, but the abominable Pierrot deafened his ear and piteously pursued his course. Going posthaste, he regarded with a mournful eye the shadow of the trees, that the sun began to lengthen enormously upon the surround- ing sward ; in the bitterness of his heart he did not dissemble that if he went as far a!« Valtravers it was an end to his Sunday joys. Once upon the edge of the forest an infernal idea passed through the mind of this young shepherd. ' There !' said he resolutely, putting upon the grass the bundle that he held under his arm. * You have only to follow this wide avenue, which will lead you right to the chateau. In a quarter ot an hour you will have your nose at the gate.' Then this rascal prepared to escape ; a motion retained him. Having detached from her girdle a little purse which did not appear very heavy, the young girl drew from it a little white piece that she courteously offered to M. Pierrot, thanking him for his trouble. At this trait of generosity, upon which he was not cworting, Pierrot felt troubled. He hesitated ; and perhjips he might have given way to this cry of his cou- sciencdl if he h*d not discovered in the dis- tance, on the plain, the steeple of Neuvy-leu- i< Boil, HI beach, alone ca the chui at pitch rot held of silver to his him. Passii girl felt perience ing into movemei ■ustiine( ney that pray Hir which ah not doul hand, she and speei by the et dulgent friend of even chih forget a [ harmony, slanting i sun eent c that nighl followed 4 every insi found thf led to the only openi child liatei of a neigh 1 the dull hi woods at t knoll and i of verdure. of Provid( When, dish to return ble to recog ■be had pap yet left the filled with no longer si their down] the osprays such an hon solitude wei soul of the sides powe little one and her tear the black while she W( her blonde gilded. She remai) use aignificatioD, ledges. I have irsoiis and places ley promise, and king is precisely Jiiing has given felines who poa- of an angel, and srows. As to ;her, Neuvy-les- I not a clump of to shield it from r the heat of the luntry is as bare .nd in its vicini- half-)cague, you an oak. How- es thty show a and her guide id and penetrat- Iscape gradually more joyous Jurs' walking, oods of Val- lorizon. In spite his aunt, Pierrot t thinking of his that he foresaw ake part in the mp. Although limbs, at inter- id to ask mercy, deafened his ear course. Going a mournful eye it the sun began n the surround- 9 of his heart he e went an far as liis Sunday joys, orest an infernal ad of this young ly, putting upon e held under his follow this wide ou right to the n hour you will I to escape ; a aving detached e which did not g girl drew from she courteously ing him for his [enerosity, upon g, Pierrot felt tnd perhaps ho i cry of his cou- ered in the dia- le ofNeuvy-les- MADELEINE. oeaoh. By an effect of mirage that Fancv .bne can explain, he believe,i' he saw upou the church square a dozen comra.les playK • ** P'^o.^l-P®"?'^" •""• 'l»»'t«- At this S rot held back no longed. He tonk the piece I t h'^'L "'.'■"''* '* "''° hiB pocket and took j to^h.s heels as if the arcli-Hend pursued Passing under the branches, the vounc ;; girl felt that sensation of delight that Uex^ penenced on going outof an ovL and p lung • "^g into a bath of c.ol water. Hor first J movement was to thank (i„,l, X had nrav teL f *'^ ^^^ accomplished, iL to ' wh^hi '•«'"^«'• hospitable the door at which she was about to knock. As she did not doubt that the chateau was close at ' hand, she seated herself at the foot of an oak I and speedily allowed herself to be diverted I by the enchantments of the forest ; or in I dulgent and good-tempered, thou art the i friend of all ages ; thou consolest the aJl • I even children, when thou smilest upon them forget a parent's loss. All arounaher w« harmony, freshness and perfume Th^ slanting rays that through theToWeThe ?hatTlrP'""« ^' ^'' ^««*' -^dmou hed Jer olloa''JhrrP''°''<'^''>«- ^*^« '»«« -^"d every instant facade and turrets. But hHb frd'iM''** '^'' P«*»» ^hich Pierfc^said led to the avenue of the cheateau, in rlS S?P!"'*^.""° " t'-ansverse path. The of i ni'- ^KK*'^ attentively to hear some sounds tL M*'"""'^^ *>a»>itation ; she heard only the dull hum which runs in the deoth of thi knoll afd'*^' ''"'' ''/^y- She atuded a ot verdure. Committing herself to the care filled with shadow and mystery. The birds no longer sung, the moths beat the ai, Sh soul of i^Z, il ^ *°®"' ^<""<=e upon the She remained in this position some min- utes, overwhelmed with (Icspair, when aha breed, which she had not hear.l approach steDs''tl'5''T**"''*^ "' *•'« <'■"*'""'« «^» few ateps, motionless as at the time of stopping : , in the saddle was a rider who reganlLv her I and icrl " '""^ 'iJr""«»- •* «""-'•' «" hour ana such places. Hhe arose bv an abruot ' ZTu'1^ *''"","*'« ^''^ immediately reaa i'triyu^Jn^C^ ''"^'""'^^^ «^ ''^ '-" ! 'Monsieur,' said she, 'God has sent vou vou'^u^'t'h''"'-"'-, ^ ^■"" "'" "f *''is count^ry! amlesslv.fTv ." hours Ihave wandered aimlessly lu this forest, without being able to get out or knowing where I am going • perhaps you can ,lo me the favour o^ pSing me on my way.' I'uuwu^j 'No doubt, mademoiselle,' answered a •buTth'T "" ?',*''«*'"'' ''^^he young g rl- ^but then I must know where you wish ti ! J° J*'*'"*^®"' monsieur.' Ao the chateau?' ' Yes, to the chateau of Valtravers.' nl,w?"*"'"*i'"'*.have made a luckier ap- ing in that direction ; and, if you please. I^shall uave the pleasure of accompanying ,w^* these words, without waiting an an- swer, the rider sprang lightly from his s^d- ouL ■"' u^^ *. y°"°« ""an in all the fareful ^Ti". «P"'^«t''n« of life, slender, lovpr il i. "" cje proud and gentle o er all he possessed an indescribable fet in «'"""«• , ^" hair, shining like i!n \ excessive luxuriance, curled natu- lr.LfT ^" ^t^Pi^"- Carelessly knotted T ,^^'^. J"^"^' his cravat of gray silk streaked with blue, instead of conceaHng Siilf'^ IT"* the ivory purity of hiscoml 8lendpr\n^ brown ridmg.coat clasped his ?„«„ /ii"'*°"P?'^ ^°'"™! his white panta- lroh.H " J." T^^" f"^'^* '^hout a smalfboot, arched and slender, armed with a heel of shining and sounding steel. His bearing was at once unaffected and charming. ' Does this belong to you, mademoiselle, he inquired, pointing with the ».nd of his upon^h?'g^rat*"' '""'^^ P^°'"'«« "»*-« r^lJ^A ^°°«'eur, it is my whole fortune,' responded the stranger, with a sad smile. fJ!i^^.°"°*^'".*° *°°*' *he bundle and fas dn?. i!* 'T'^'?'.*.'' his horse's saddle; that ?h.v'h H ''""'■"' ^'^ *™ *° *he child and they both proceeded in the direction of the chateau, followed by the beautiful and MADELEINE. dooile animal, oropping here aud there the young sprouts of autumn. 'So, mademoiRelle, when I met you, you were puzzled, lost, and knew not what to tio? I thitnk the chiinoe that led nie thither, for vou were in danger of sleeping this ui((ht Dy the light of the stars, upon the muss of the woods,' 'I had resigned myself to it, monsieur.' And the young girl recounted the manner in which she ha(r been mvstitied by M. Pierrot. ' M. Pierrot is a little rascal who deserves to have liis ears boxed, And you are going to Valtravera? Then, perhaps, mademoi- uelle, you know the chevalier, or at least ■ome one at the chateau ?' ' I don't know any one.' ' Indeed 1' ' Absolutely no one j but you, monsiear, you know M. leChevalier ?' •Yes, certainly; we are old friends,' ' He is said to be good, generous, charita- ble.' *Ohl very charitable,' replied the young man, who conjectured that it was a matter pertaining simply to the help of some unfor- tunate ; but after a rapid glance thrown upon his young companion. Tie quickly re- pelled this idea, aud clearly comprehended that this was not an ordinary aoUiciteuee. ' Mademoiselle,' added he, gravely, ' I in- form you that M.le Chevalier's is the noblest heart that beats under heaven.' ' I know it. I do not doubt it : however, at this hour, it is very sweet to hear it affirmed anew. Ani little Maurice, mon- sieur, you must know him also ?' • What little Maurice, mademoiselle ?' 'Oh ! well, the son of the chevalier.' ' Ah ! good, good !' cried the young man, laughing. 'Yes, certainly, I know him, little Maurice. ' ' Does he promise to become some day good and generous like his father ?' ' Marry 1 he passes generally in this vici- nity for a good enough devil. It is not I who should wish to say anything ill of him,' ' I feel that he will love me like a bro- ther.' ' I can assure you that, on his part, he will be delighted to see you.' At this instant they traversed a clearing, and behind the walls of a park, the gates of which opened upon the forest, appeared a beautiful castle whose windows were illu- minated by the light of the setting sun. CHAPTER II. Aif ARTIST AT WORK. I i The same evening, at the same hour, the old Chevalier de Valtravers w«b seated upon the perron, in company with the old \far- quisede Fresnes, whose neighbouring chateau was perceived at the bottom of the valley, through tno yet green foliage of the poplars which skirt the Vienne They were both talking pleasantly of the days gone by, for at their age lite is only illuminated by that pale and soft rcHectiou called remembrance. The friendshi|) of the marquise and the chevalier dated fi.in a remote period. At the first stroke ot tiie tocsin sounded by the worn-out monaruliy. the Marquis de Fresnes had judged it convenient to go with his wife to spend a few months upon the borders of the Rhine, were it only to protest against that which was passing in France and to give to the throne of Saint Louis an authen- tic testimony of respect and devotedness. M. de Valtravers had decided to accompany them. It is well known what happened to these travels of a few months, and how these little excursions, that were represented at hrst as pleasure parties, ended for the most part in a long and hard exile. Our three compan- ions counted so surely upon a prompt return, that they had barely taken funds enough to supply their needs a year. These resources exhausted, the diamonds sold, the trinkets converted into money, they gained Nurem- berg quietly ; here they were installed in f>oor quarters ; their only concern was to ive. MM. de Fresnes and de Valtravers were indeed in deep dejection. So, as it aU ways happens, it was the wife who showed the example of resignation, of courage,and of energy. ' We shall work,' answered Mme. de Fresnes simply to her two friends, who asked with anxiety what part remained for them to take. She drew gracefully with the crayon aud painted miniatures, she gave les- sons .lud made portraits. Her beauty, her grace and her misfortune, still more than her talent, acquired for her in a short time a select and numerous clientele. The two gentlemen who had commenced by declaring it derogatory, and raising their voices at seeing the marquise at work, ended, will or nill, in perceiving that they were passably provided for without doing anything, aud that after all it was the marquise that, as the common saying is, bronaht the water to the milL The marquis found no occupa- tion ; but M. de Valtravers comprehended that to remain thus with folded arms was to bid farewell to all pride and dignity. But what em I oymeut could he find for his faculties ? to what industry could he apply his idle hands ? The idea came to him to teach French ; the necessity of preliminary self-instruction cut short this tine project. After studying aud revolving all projects in i hit own obliged I for uoth io the ai pared se this, wh enough raeohanii which h< turned v worked, ning topi of Nuren gentleina aving Iv i'aoks and lave had nation an Neverthe minutes c travers a that emol ■uddeuly the boson World ; a terrestrial kept mot space, mo M. de^ thanks to custom a classes of education The prece( the King honourabh best locksi great nobl( mechanica! dames she children, out foresigi played at w ter yielded than to the did not sus that the he noblemen v men, and i thinking in selves pleb( At the si chance, or rious vociti Valtravers to turn el later, he pa veiiuto Cell iu less than ing wood \ making toy tasty ; but I MADELEINE. wm iMtod upon th the old Mm' bouriiii/uh«t«au of tlin valley, ) of the putilart liey were both '» K^iie t*y. for iimteil by that 1 roiiionihrance. rquUc and the tte p«riouia an authen- e voted neas. M. ^company them, ipened to these how these little nted at first a« >e most part in three compan- prompt return, nnds enough to 'hese resouroes d, the trinkets gained Nurem- ire installed in oncern was to de Valtravers So, as it al- e who showed courage.and of answered Mme. D friends, who 't remained for efuUy with the m, she gave les- er beauty, her 1 more than her \ short time a ele. The two 3d by declaring bheir voices at ended, will or were passably anything, and rquise that, as it the water to nd no occupa- comprehended ided arms was and dignity, he find for his could he apply .me to him to of preliminary 8 tine project. all projects in I hia own mind, the chevalier waa at last obliged humbly to ooufesa that he waa unad for nothing but to go and get himself killed 10 the army of the Conde. He. therefore, pre- pared aeriously, but without enthusiasm, for thie, when one day he waa wandering aadly enough through the atreeta, he stopped meohanioally before tlie toy-ahop window in which he saw, among other little objecta of turned wood, jumping.jacka very artistically worked, and a good number of those apin- "!"« tops,— delights of childhood and Klory of Nuremberg. It might seem that for a gentleman emiKrant, utterly ruined, and having long passed the period of jumping- iaoka and Gorman tops, thia spectacle would have had nothing that could exalt the imagi- nation and inspire an intellectual transport JVevertheless, it happened that after a few miuutes of silent contemplation, M. de Val travere appeared to undergo something of otion which Chriatopher Coluinbua thatemotion „„.„.. v..,.«i„pner i^oiumoua •uddenly experienced when he saw riae upon the bosom of the ocean the ahores of the New World ; and Galileo, when he felt our little terrestrial globe, stopped by ignorance and Kept motionless for six thousand years in apace, moving and circling around the sun. M. de Valtravers was born in 1760. Now. thanks to the Emile of Rousseau, it was the nu. c^i ^^^i P*"°*^' *""°8 t»>e upper classes of French society, to complete every education by apprenticeship at some trade. ine precedent came from above. In 1780 the King of France, who was the most honourable man in his realm, was also the best locksmith. It was intended that the great nobles should be acquainted with some mechanical art ' kewiso that the great dames should .i .nselves nurse their own children. Generally this was practised with- out foresight and without seriousness ; these played at work, those at maternity ; the lat- tZrfA^u ^^ **''^«»P'-ic« of the day rather than to the demands of nature j the former fi.f *u ""'P^c*' »n "8'n«J the file or the plane, tuat the hour was approaching when youne Zn '™*°. :u°"'^ ^' "^^'S'^'^ to I,ecome3 nien, and that It was acting prudently in thinkiuK immediately of creating for them- selves plebeian titles. At the sight of these toys, before which rit,»^^' °V**^«^ the instinct of a myste- nous voo.4tion,had just conducted him.M. de Valtravers remembered that he had learned Uf.. k" ebony and ivory. Three months later, he passed at Nuremberg as the Ben- venuto Cellini of turned wood wori- In "~° m less than three months his skilHn fashTon' ing wood was unrivalled. He excelled in making toys ; his tops were generally very tasty ; but what shall be said of his S crackers, whi.-h, from their delicacy and de un" h"'"' ""? -h-lutely mi..clea of deaign I He manufactured in ivory what were regarded as genuine ornaments. Fa-hion had somothinK to do with it, and, as the painting, of M,„e. de Fresnes enjoyed already an unparallele.1 popularity.it was found.dur- lug two years in the old German city, every individual of good birth must pose before the marqumcand that nobody jould oat a filbert *'^'J^'^"* the intervention of a French emi- It may be believed that, quite difTerent trom certain people, our two artists did not take their success aeriously ; if they set their talents in public at a high price, they made great progress in friendship. Having worked apart, they reunited at evenina, and there were then, between her and him, scenes of msane Kaiety when she showed upon her easel the broad face of aome huge Nurem- berger, while he drew from his pocket a half- dozen nut-crackers that he had turned during the day. They laughed like children, and did not perceive that it was to the work li • u ? j"''^'^ *^*''■ 8"'ety-to the work, which had already rendered them better and happier than they had ever been in the happiest time of their prosperity. As to the marquis, he deemed to earn one s bread the act of the rabble, and that a gentleman who respected himself would rather die like the Roman Senators in their curule chairs, than stoop to live like beggars, by work. He expostulated private- ly with hts wife, regarded the chevalier with sovereign contempt, and did not trouble himself to conceal it. That which especially exasperated him waa to find them occupied and in good humour all day. while he was literally dymg from tha: gloomy and pro- found ennui which is a nevor,failing con- comitant of inaction. Notwithstanding all this, he ate with great appetite, appropriat- iBg without scruple the profits of the assooia- tion, and showed himself in many thinos a» puerile, as futile and more exacting than if f i.u V?*'" ''®®" '° his chateau on the bauks ?h .! u^M°^- ^^ was at the dinner hour that his bile was most freelv exhaled. «ell! marquis,' cried sometimes the chevalier, 'do us the favour to tell us where you would be without the portraits of the marquise ? 'And without the nut-crackers of our triend ? added the marquise laughinj?. M de Fresnes shrugged his shoulders, spoke of aoihug his cscutcheoo. asked forgiveness for his wife from the shades of his ancestors, and lamented at not seeing Bordeaux wine upon his table. At length, when they were assured of their MADELEINE. physical well-beinft, Mme. de Freinea and M. do Valtravors could obey a lentimniit moru (li»iiitereiited and moru poetiu, which had beuH gradually and nncnniuinuily dp- velopod in them. They had paasod, without being awaro of it, the steps which lead from trade to art, like Jacob's ladder, mounting from earth to heaven. The man|uise essay- ed, in reduced copy, some pictures from the old masters. 8he succeeded ; and her miniatures after Holbein and Albert Durer were eagerly sought after. Un his side, the chevalier entered seriously upon sculpture- in-wood ; he distinguished himself and be- came one of the most eminent artists of this kind beyond the Rhine. They show, to-day, in the I'athedral of Nuremberg, a chair of his make. Executed perfectly, the orna- ments are not wholly of irreproachable taste, but the principal piece, which represents .St. John preaching in the wilderness, is one of the most beautiful that Germany possesses, and would be able to sustain comparison with the carved wainscots seen at Venice, in the church of San Giorgio Maggiore. Besides the pleasure that it contributes, however humble and modest it be, Art pos- sesses these infallible and precious qualities : it elevates the heart ; it enriches the mind ; it opens to thought larger and serener hori- zons. This is what happened at least in the case of the marquise and chevalier. Both Bucceeded through it, little by little, in breaking entirely the circle of narrow ideas in which their birth and education had imprison- ed them. They recognized the aristocracy of work and the royalty of intelligence ; like two butterflies escaped from their chrysalis, they went out of their nurrow and limHed caste to enter triumphant into the great human family. All this time, wasted away by en- nui even to a skeleton, the marquis continued to be consumed with ineflTectual desires and sterile regrets. One beautiful day he restor- ed to God whatever he possessed of soul ; his wife and friend mourned him as a child. Some mouths after,- ' :\i8 was in 1802, — at the invitation of the First Consul, they re- passed the Rhine and returned joyously to their country, regenerated like themselves. Since a long time, they had succeeded in comprehending and accepting the new glo- ries of France ; touching this brave Boil.ihey felt their hearts throb and sweet tears moist- ened their eyes. The best part of their do- mains being left national property, they readily obtained re-posseasion ; so that the years of exile which had flowed by were, for them, only a long dream ; but, different from Bpimenides, they went to sleep aged and awakened youthful. As soon as he was re- established in the hall of his fathers, the chevalier hastened to summon a. beantifa and chaste creature whom he had loved in Germany, \/hom he i. arried, and who died in giving birth to a son. This child grew up between his father and Mme. de Fresnes, who were wholly devoted to him, and who con- tinued to live philosophically in their retreat doin^ good, enjoying tht-ir pleasures, scarce- ly hearing the noise of the world, stranger to every ambition. Uf all habits, that of la- bour is the rarest and most imperious. The marquise painted as a pastime, while the chevalier, rising every morning at daybreak, planed, carved and poiished pear-wood wal> nut and oak. He had undertaken to magni- tioeutly renovate, with his own hands, the worm*eaten wainscots of his manor ; perhaps also, by a pleasant return to his first suc- cesses, he turned now and then some nut- crackers, which he presented to the daugh- ters of his farmers. Reading, ridisg, the de- lights of a friendship whose charm had never grown old, and the education of young Maurice, absorbed the remainder of the day, ever t'^o short when one is busy and when one is loved. CHAPTER III, A MKW DEPARTaBI. One evening then, seated near each other, these old companions were enjoying them- sulvea in remounting the current of the days that they had descended together, when they perceived, issuing by a path of the park, the two young people that we left at the gate. Arrived at the foot of the perron, the young girl ascended the steps slowly with a com- posed air, although apparently moved. The marquise and chevalier rose to receive her. She drew from her bosom a letter that she piously pressed to her lips ; then she gave it to M. do Valtra vers, who was examining with a sentiment of gentle curiosity this child that he saw for the first time. The old gen- tleman broke the seal and read. Standing, her thin arms resting upon her bosom, .calm in her grief, dignified in her humility, the foreigner remained, the eyes btnt upon the ground, under the look of Mme. de Fresnes, who was observing her with iuttirest, while a few steps distant the young man who had brought her stood a discreet witness of this silent scene. ' Munich, July 18th, 18— ' About to leave this world, in face of the eternity which is near at hand, it is not to- wards Heaven, it is towards France that my eyes turn before closing ; it is not to God, it is to you that I cry, my brother, and extend non a- bcantifn le hkil loved in I, and who di«d hilt ohil nnoh beauty or If about her hard* >t left Munich d did not return uently passed a iighbouring city ;he vicinage. If ning at her win* bade her good- During dinner, Is, without look- nificant phrase, es, as it was for n occaaion which iss, to apeak of be one his nut- aturea, Maurice failed to escape ining, however, he could not 3 luxuriance of igniQoence. He 3 mark upon it, hand the luxu- kir that covered laH. The poor i to see herself of her cousin, 9d and trembled attempted, by a nition, Maurice, Drae tyrolienne, lertime, return- d her a pretty :hed liTiog from you sometimes ouug girl quite II Maurice had already turned on his heeL It was not because he was displeased at the presence of the orphan under the paternal roof. Far from it ! If he had all the ardours of youth, he had all its noble and generous instincts. The thought of disputing the part that Madeleine might some day have in the chevalier's will never entered his head. Let it be aaid, in passing, to the glory of youth, such shameful calculations rarely en- ter the hearta of twenty years. Maurice was ready to share with his cousin as with a sis- ter ; and, if he did show himself more atten- tive or more tender to her, it was very plain- ly because Madeleine had forgotten to come into the world fifteen or twenty mouths sooner'] The marquise and the chevalier had not failed to notice, fro* he first, the sudden change which was t ing in the habits of Maurice, whose tastes had hitherto been so simple and whose humour so facile. They were, in consequence, disturbed without too well understanding it. They had been young m a time when youth, scattered here and there in petty distractions, in elegant frivolities, hardly suspected that dull disoon- tent and profound ennui that were destined i to be, later, the torment and martyrdom of s whole generation. Although raised in the ' retreat, in the interior of the country, Mau- ' nee had undergone in his isolated position the influence of new ideas. Ideas are living forces mixed in the air we breathe— the wind carries and sows them at all points of the horizon ; and, whatever onem»ydo to escape these invisible currents, howaoever far he keepa himaelf aloof, he is penetrated, he ia iropregnated ; he is always the progeny of his century. That which chiefly surprised the old chevalier and marquise was not the need of absorbing activity that they explained naturally as the result of the warm blood and impetuousness of youth, but the sombre melancholy in which were swallowed up al- most always these ardours and transports. What could they understand, indeed, of the malady of an epoch in which gaiety, exiled from souls of twenty years, would no longer occur under the white hairs of the aged ? ay dint of thorough study and co-operation, they succeeded, however, in recognizing that the existence that Maurice had hitherto led waa neither fruitful nor enjoyable ; and tbat, despito the incomparable charm of sculptnre-iu-wood, they ought not to be as- tonished that a young heart wm nnt ^KcH" absorbed in it. This was the opinion o"f the "i?)?"."®' *''® chevalier corroborated it. What was to be done, however ?' They spoke at first of marriage; but the remedy was tcand a little too violent ; besides, the marquise made the just obaervation that they did not marry any longer at twenty ; and that, difiereat from the practice of the past, marriage had become less a beginning than an And. In short, after ripe reHeotion, it was decided that they would send Maurice travelling for two or three yeara— to Paris tirst, then, at his choice, in Germany or in Italy— in order to complete his education by thorough knowledge oi men and things. This programme was not much more vague than the greater part of those which the provinces trace out for their aona every year, before putting the bridle upon the neck and lead- ing them into Pariaian life. Some time later, on an autumn evening, a year to a day after the arrival of Madeleine, the chevalier, his son, and the marquise were aasembled in the chat««H of Valtravera. The horse that was to bear Maurice to the neighbouring village, through which passed the mail coach, was waiting saddled and bridled at the foot •( the perron. It was the hour of parting. A departure has always something of sadness and solemnity, even when it does not pertain to a sorrowful sepa- •■**'<"•• The chevalier appeared painfully affected ; the marquise illy concealed her emotion ; Maurice himaelf felt moved, and when his old father open ji his arms to him, he threw himself in tears upon his breast as if ho embraced him for the last time. Ma- dame de Fresnes clasped him to her heart with emotion. Lastly, the servitors of the house, the oldest, those who had seen him born, embraced him as their child. Time flew ; Maurice must put a stop to all these embraces. It was only at the last moment, when about to put foot in stirrup, that he remembered Madeleine. He looked around for her ; and astonished at not seeing her, he was going to call her, when somebody told him that the young girl, gone out since several hours, had not yet returned to the chateau. Committing a few affection- ate messages, to be addressed to his cousir, to the charge of the people around him, he moved off at the measured step of his horse, not without turning several times to salute once more with a tender gesture the excel- lent creatures who followed him with their eyes. Arrived at the gate of the park, about to break into a gallop, he hesitated, like an eagle upon the edge of his eyrie before launching himself into space. H*. recalled the happy days that he had passed under ehc shadow of this pretty manor, between the cares of the marquise and the tenderness of his father. He fancied he saw through the moving foliage the gracious phantom of hu. youth, that regarded him with sorrow and strove to retain him. Ho fancied h« 12 MADELEINE. heard charming; voices saying to him— 'In- grate, where art thou going?' His heart sank and his eyes filled with tears ; but his destiny urged him on. He plunged into the forest thrDugh which he must pass in order to reach the village. In a few hrief minutes, at the same place where he had met her a year previously, on the same day, at the same hour, Maurice perceived Madeleine seated ana in reverie. Just as in the past year, the orphan had not heard the noise of the gallop upon the moss ; raising her eyes, she saw her cousin looking at her. It was the same frame and the same picture. Nothing was changed ; but in the place of a scarcely-developad, slender and sickly child, without beauty and grace, there was a white figure around which was com- mencing to hover the golden liost of sweet dreams of youth. It was not yet the full- blown flower ; but the bud had half-opened Its envelope. It was not the full daybreak, but the incipient dawn, when Nature, near to waking, trembles into life under the first kisses of the mornina;. Maurice sprang from his horse. He hastened to embrace his cousin and to bid her adieu ; then, regaining his saddle, he pursued his way, never sus- pecting, alas I that he was leaving happiaess behind him. After he had disappeared at a turn in the path, Madeleine turned towards the chateau. When she entered the salon, the chevalier was seated at the corner of his deserted fire- place. She went and leaned her elbows sor- rowfully upon the back of the fauteuil in which the old man sat in a dejected attitude, and remained some momtnts contemplating him in silence. • My father,' said she, finally bending her blonde head towards him, • my father, there 18 left you a daughter.' The chevalier smiled and drew her softly to his heart. CHAPTER IV, THE FORTCNES OF LOVB. After the departure of itlunrice, Madeleine became all the joy of Valtravers. It was she who enlivened with evergrowing grace the roof that the presence of this young man no longer animated. She was seen like a young Antigouns, redoubling, around her old uncle, her pious and touching cares ; although with a sadder heart and a more reflective mind J "°''^* " belonged to her ago, she understood how, in amusing him, to forget herself, and transform her natural gravity into smiling serenity. She accompanied him on all his excursions, loitered around him when he worked in his workshop, read his papers aloud, did not oblige him to repeat again the stories of emigration, and especial- ly never failed to go into ecstacies before all the pieces of carving with which this indefa- tigable artist loaded every corner and recess of the chateau. At the «l|ine time, she was the loved daughter— an**'Very truly lovable —of the marquise, who instructed her in painting, and was overjoved to develop all the sweetness that God had implanted with- in her. In this manner between, these old people, the child increased in talents and amiable virtues. Three years after her ar- rival Madeleine was a good and beautiful oreaturu, not, it is true, of that accomplish- ed and conventional standard of beauty to which seem irrevocably consecrated all the heroines escaped from the brains of roman- cers and poets. Neither tall nor short, her form was not abaoh'.tely as pliant ss a reed, A critic, enamoured with the plastic side of Art, would indeed have found something to object to in the oval of her face. Her hair, of an indecisive brown, would not perhaps have perfectly satisfled the highest ideal in the world, having neither the black of ebony nor the golden g'later of the silky com. If her skin had that dull whiteness of the camel- lia that defies the effects of sun and air, her eyes were not of a very pure or very bright azure. If her teeth, ranged like the pearls or a neoklace.had the limpid light of mother- of-pearl, her mouth was a little too large, the hps were a little too full ; lastly, the eye- lashes in drooping fell not upon the cheek like the fringes of a gonfalon ; and, to speak the truth, the line of the nose only recalled vaguely the royal nose of princely races. As it was, however, her features and entire per- son formed a, suave ensemble, in which the mperfections of detail united and harmon- ized so well that each of them ap- peared to be an increased seduction and charm. I prefer these beauties less cor- rect than sympathetic, in which the heart is captivated before the eye ; and which, with- out possessing anything that dazzles or fas- cinates at the first view, are ever prepared to awaken, in those who understand them, some unforeseen grace and newenchantmenf. Although occupied with domestic adminis- tration, and charged with watching over the good order of the house, the precocious wisdom and reason that she possessed did not exclude from the mind of Madeleine either refinement, poesy, or even a certain romauliii and dreamy turn of mind that she had received alike from her mother, from Germany and from God. She was, on the whole, a pleasant girl to see, in all the bloom of youth and health, of rich and expansive spirit auc over, som wrote to ( other in prodigies. Debt ; th spoken of. But at t young fri shorter, le •rkshop, read his fi;e him to repeat bion, and especial* cstacies before all vhioh this i|idefa- O'irner and rteess Mne time, she was ^ery truly lovable nstructed her in 'ed to develop all 1 implanted with- it ween, these old d in talents and ears after her ar- [)d and beautiful ' that accomplish- »rd of beauty to naecrated all the brains of roman- ill nor short, her pliant SB a reed, ihe plastic side of nd somethini^ to face. Her hair, Quld not perhaps highest ideal in le black of ebony ( silky com. If less of the camel* snn and air, her re or very bright I like the pearls light of mother- tie too large, the lastly, the eye- t upon the cheek a ; and, to speak ose only recalled ncely races. As IS and entire per- e, in which the >ed and harmon* of them ap- soduction and auties less cor- lich the heart is nd which, with- dazzles or fas- i ever prepared aderstand them, wenchantmenf. mestic adminis- itchiog over the the precocious a possessed did 1 of Madeleine even a certain i mind that she • mother, from >he was, on the in all the bloom and expansive MADELEINE. n»tur«, spreading around her without os- tentation, animation, happiness and life One can easily form an idea of the position of Madeleine between the chevalier and marquise. She was the joy of their old ace and like a sweet beam of light that illumi- nated the end of their days. Minding in onison, these three existences flowed in •!bw and peaceful waves, and nothing fore- shadowed that the transparent limpidity r™«rrK ^ .1}^"^^- ^* nevertLless The letters of Maurice were at fir., ^jllof charm and poesy, fresh and fragrant as so many bouquets collected in the dew of the tields. It IS in this way that they write in that happy age. too quickly stolen away. At the fading hour when life already commences to decline, have you ever found at the bottom of some old drawer some of the letters of your youth? Have you been surprised nJn ^KT- J" '«adin«them. have yon seen pass through your tears the image of your happy years ? By a bitter return upon the present state of your heart, have you asked yourself if it was indeed from that same source, to-day near to exhaustion, that could have issued all these treasures of en- thusiasm and of faith, of grace and of virtue, of expansion and of love ? It was letters of this character that Maurice wrote at twenty. The days of post were therefore davs of festivity at Valtravers. When she saw the ITly J'^^"'^ *^ *^« distance, Madeleine JnfK T! ^""'^°f returned triumphant to the chateau Ordinaril^r it was she who read al„ud the letters of he^r cousin. When ever shb found her name there, which did S^LrlT'"' ''"PP^"' "'•« '"'«»>* I'ave seen her Sece^t^hr-.T'* a rosy light, almost im- perceptible, coloured an instant the alabaa- Ibou^tthl/^M- "•**'«^« ^" "» q"eS about the little cousin, which h- opened fre- quently she appeared neither . Irprised nor ?hit'":h: °°^^ **"' '"*«»'* have remarked th«rJ f*!."^*? 8^*n'*"" ""d '"ore silent the rest of the day. These letters of Maurice caused every fibre of the good chevS to ;''^'-*tt"; unison, who could therein olio w SeS^ tht r'?*'^ "' impassiolied ton" BviTl'nA If ''^^^T'^^ «^ »" elevated spirit and of a vivid intelligence. More- over some old friends that he had in Par^ wrote to congratulate him, vieing whh each ;5^dIg-/EStS^.-*t^J!-^ .p:LS''^''^'-'-'---ai;eat vo?^l */ ■^"a'"^^ "^ ■ y**"" t'"' l«tt«r8 of our young friend -'J.''"* -""^ ' '^' fo"ow« them louT«v« It "*" *» eager, curious and jea- ? eye, every ready to crush those who IsLv »nH general. ,f you wish to throw aespair and consternation into that h"— n «ow7nn'*" •*' "T you "bo7n""or grown up. arrive with head erect and oy the right road to success t« other hand, to spread a lively joy, go astray that your virtuous fellow-men Ly wwp 14 &1ADELEINE. When our fellow>inen weep because tfaey have well Mil MM upon your rum. for us, it ia only wished to laugh. Lienoe, Maurice, in a short time, became for the toM'u in question a wonderful subject of public scandal and interior satisfaction. Traitorously concealed under the mantle of pity, hatred took joy at h««art. Thu chevalier was spared neither charitable advices, nor compliments of hypocritical condolence ; anonymous letters did the rest. The marquise devoured her tears in silence; the chevalier disappeared from view. All bappiness was banished since a loug time from under the roof of these old friends. Madeleine went from one to the other like a consoling angel. She defended Maurice,and spoke still of the approaching return of the prodigal son ; but she herself no longer be- lieved it, and * equently hid herself to weep in solitude. 1 was plainly perceived that the good chevalier was seriously sVuck, for, oomiuencing to neglect his wood-carving, he soon wholly abandoned it. He no longer had any inclination for anything ; Madeleine ainne possessed the secret of unbending his forehead and bringing a pale smile upon his lips. He said to her at times : ' 1 ought indeed, poor child, to occupy myself before dying in assuriug your dear destiny ; for, from tKe way he is going, it is not Manrice that will watch over yon when I am no more. ' Never mind, never mind, father ; do not worry about that. I wish only to love you ; I shall need nothing when you are gone. See, I am large enouiih to watch over myself. I have good courago, thank Ood 1 and what you have doqe in our Germany, you and Madame the Marquise, why,- my uncle, I shall do in your France. I shall work, why not?' The old maa >fmiled softly, shaking his bead. One day the young girl took it upon herself to write in secret to her cousin. It was a lovely letter. Maurice did not answer. As to the chevalier, he no longer wrote ; scarcely did he permit, in tke latter part of the time, anyone to speak of his son in his presence, Ashe grew feebler and feebler, and as he felt his end arrive, he determin- ed, however, to send toward this unfortunate young man a last cry of love and despair. The response was slow in coming ; they waited three months ; finally it arrived. It was, that absent from Paris for about a year, traveling no one knew where, nor in company wcth whom, Maurice had not received until his return thti last advioea of his father. God be praised I this young man was return- ing to bettfir sentiments ; his letter showed it. Tbey saw revealbd in it the distress of a lacerated soul, wiudi by a auprame effort was striving to raise itself. He embraced the knees of tus old friend ; he covered with tears and kisses the hands of the marquise ; Madeleine herself was found mixed with the tears of his repentance. He asked only • few weeks to finish breaking bad associations, lu a few weeks he was going to set out ; he was going to bid an eternal adieu to the world that had led him astray; driven by the tempest, he was goingj to re-enter the port, never more to leave it ' Paternal roof, I am then going to \ see thee again 1 I am then going to return to the soft nest of my childhood 1 Amiable companions of my youth, I am then going to clasp you in my arms ; you also, little cousin, well-grown, very beautiful, no doubt 1' Exalted by these vivid images, his imagination found for an instant the grace and froshness of youth. Unfortunately, when this letter ar- rived at the chateau, the chevalier had been dead twenty-four hours. The lamp of his life was extinguished at evening near the window where they had rolled his fauteuil, between the Marquise and Madeleine, who each held one hand. The same day of the funeral, after the earth had covered all that remained here be- low of that excellent being that chance had made nobleman, and that work and poverty had made man, the marquise led away Ma- deleine, orphan for the second time. ' My child,' said she, ' thy work is not ac- complished. Thou yet must assist me in dying, and close my eyes.' They threw themselves in e^h other's arms and remained in a long embrace. ' Ah 1' cried the marquise, ' since you have restored my daughter to me, it is right that I should hold the place of mother.' From this day, Madeleine lived at the chateau de Fresnes. A week before his death the chevalier had put in the hands of the marquise a holographic last testament, by which he bequeathed to his niece his metairie of Coudray, having a value of eighty to a hundred thousand francs. This testament was couched iu affectionate and touching terms ; all the exquisite delicacy of the testator was therein revealed in a few charm- ing lines. Wheh, in order to tranquillize, doubtless, Madeleine with respect to her fu- ture, Madame de Fresnes confided to her this precious gage of the tenderness of her unnle, with a movement of pious recogni- tion the young girl pressed it to her lips and to her heart ; then having torn it, she sacred- ly slipped tho piocea iaco her bosom. ' On ! my child, what have you done T' cried the marquise, apparently dismayed, in reality charmed. ' la it you, noble heart, that ask this T' I •nswere thing of this you and thai benetice; of a par friend, t You you vise in i 'But, eounsul 3 upon the and I hi dear chil 'That thing buj thanks t( self "'ere that He ^ will not { my own •Ah ! as beaut suddenly the head again an cheeks. They w whom the a thunder Maurice d that he ha that his I the affaire I living. H II a letter wit } tional,in m thusiasm i tance of hi I of Coudra} I just renou I tingly hap I which she m answered a !| de Presnes, The young he done,ho Restraired he dared m * which he c( himself of | I plauded hii I doubt that I vers the off While at this last ho :<: eases were hardly pass( Her, when t that the do were to be s and Madeh He embraced the he covered with of the marquise ; lund mixed with He asked only a ; bad associations. Dg to set out ; he nai adieu to the -ay;drivea by the a-enter the port, Paternal roof, I e again 1 I am I soft nest of my npaniouB of my clasp you in my isin, well-grown, : V Exalted by nagiuation found iUd froshness of eu this letter ar- te chevalier had rs. The lamp of i evening near the lied his fauteuil, Madeleine, who ineral, after the emained here be- that chance had Fork and poverty 8e led away Ma- ud time. y work is not ao- at assist me in I.' They threw 'ms and remained ise, ' since you to me, it is right of mother.' ae lived at the reek before his ; in the hands of ist testament, by )iece his melairie of eighty to a This testament be and touching delicacy of the 1 in a few charm- to tranquillize, Bspect to her fu- confided to her mderness of her ': pious recogni- t to her lips and rn it, she sacred- bosom. ive you done T' bly daamayed, in that ask this f MADELEINE i answered Madeleine, smiling. « I know no- thing of the life of Maurice ; I feel only that this young man must need all his resources and that it would be a poor recognition of the beneticence of the father to deprive the son of a part of his inheritance. Be assured my friend, that what I hava done is well done You yourself would not have acted other- vise in my place, ' 'But, poor child, yon have nothinjr I eonnsulyou not to place too much dependence upon the self-denial of Maurice. I gone — and I have not long to remain on earth dear child,— what will become of you ? ' ' '^'l" ^^'<'*» happens when one has no- thing but courage and strong will. Am I not thanks to your lessons, as rich as you your- self "^re on arriving at Nuremberg ? I hope that He who came to your assistance then will not abandon me now, and I shall make my own nest as you have mcde yours ' • Ah ! well, you are a brave girl, as good as beautiful,' added the marquise, tatine suddenly between two white and thin hands the head of Madeleine, which she kissed ofeik8*° *^*"' "^"^ *^® forehead and They waited day by day, Maurice, upon whom the death of his father had fallen like • thunderbolt. Weeks, months flowed by ; Maurice did not come. They learned soen that he had sent his power of attorney, and that his agent was occupied in regulating the affairs that the (lead occasion for the living. He had at once wiitten to his cousin • letter without any effusion, although convex. tional,m which he offered her, with neither en- ;ilT?'.•*'^«T®•* '"«« part in the inheri- tonceofhis father, precisely that metairie of Coudray which the orphan had generously just renounced— so, indeed, Maurice unwit- tangly happened to otter to Madeleine that which she gave him. The young girl answered simply that, retired with Madame de Fresnes, she absolutely needed nothing. The young man did not insist. What had BLt?^^'^°^'"■' ^•**' ^" 8°od resolutions ? K*straired by respect and remorse, perhaps he dared not yet affront the sight of a tomb mmseif of prematurely opening. They an- plauded him for this reserve; they did not veTs h?ot^' '^rJ'^ ''^•"« later t'oValtr^' vers the offering of his expiations. While at Fresnes they nursed i Iff thiH u«f' l\' ""-"\ they nursed innocently 1 h:j'l^'"^f r« '^"^^-'•i of-^th^Jhet' weretobfrM^"^ chateau of Valtravere Tnd M^ '*^ fl* f°''*^°"- The marquise »nd Madeleme flatly refused to believe it and protested against the calumny, as the- bad ever done when the matter in hand wm to defend Ma-irice against the reporte of Th" province. One day, however, as they wert fnrtbi i^f-'-'^bsentone-for, while blam- ing they still could not help loving him -they perceived through the bars of the gate grouped here and there upon the llm ^'^f P*"""' • nu-^ber of the servitors and peasants, who were talking earnestly among themselves, and regard* ing each other with an air of con- sternation. Impelled partly by a pre- sentiment, partly by curiosity, they both ad- vanced towards the manor, to which they were accustomed to make frequent pilgrim- 'Oh I Madame la Marquise 1 Oh I Ma- demoiselle Madeleine !' cried they all tog^ ther as soon as they bad approached. ' Oh 1 M/hat a great misfortune for us all I Heaven has rallen upon our heads. This is the ruin of our poor lives.' n«np!?'?1i\'-' .u^ children? what has hap- •See 1 see 1 Madame la Marquise. What must our good master in heaven. M. la Chevalier, think ?' ' * ,^^'*\*}>'>'^\^^^red air they went up to the door and facade of the cheateau, dishonoured fiL™ ""*!}" ?''^.'"'*^'' "^'^^ '^« ""l" «f the of. ncers. lo doubt was no longer possible : they were notices of sale. H"«w»uie , rolled silently down her cheeks. Till this moment she had not well understood what was called in the vicinity the dissipations and excesses of Maurice. Therefore, u. her own conscience, she had ever absolved him. Now. all her noble instincts revolted within her— cried piteously that this young man was lost, ihe maiquise, ou her part, feit all the blood ot an indignant heart mount to her forehead, —that heart, ever young and burning, which age had not chilled. * 'Jri^x"'?? children, no,' she cried resolutely, while I live, this domain and chateau shaU never become the prey of the black shoal of snarRs. 1 will never permit so great a i .y to be given to the fools and rascals. The.efore be tiauquil my friends. You shall remain just as m the past, you in your farms where you were bom, you in this house where you have grown up. Nothing will b« nban'-ed in your existence ; take my word for it, and bo uTeT' *° *'°°''®^® y°^' ^'^es and chfl- She, therefore, instantly sent for her no- tary, and put into his hands the certificates of her stocks that represented the greater part lilil 16 MADELEINE. ■Il' ! M:i of her fortune, by means of which he must on the day of sale outbid all competitors. The marquise awoke, therefore, one tine morning legal proprietrnits of the domain of Valtravers, whioh did not change her habits, since she continued to live with Madeleine iu the chateau of Fresnes, where her daughter had died and where she also wished to die. Alas I this was the last act of the amiable and beloved marquise. For a long time she fancied herself gently but irresistibly drawn by the impatient soul of her old companion. 'You see, 'said she at times to Madeleine, ' we were never separated. Without speak- ing of the marquise, whom you never knew, I am certain that my poor chevalier is wearied there alone waiting for me. It is ungenerous in me to have kept him waiting ao long. But I am somewhat embarrassed to know what co answer when he asks ma for uews concerning his son.' The eve of her death, waking from a long ■lumber, Madame de Fresnes turned to- wards Madeleine, who was seatedat the side of her couch, and said : ' I just had a strange dream that I wish to relate to you. I saw Maurice at the bottom of a dreadful gulf. Hideous reptiles were crawling and hissing at his feet, and the unhappy child was ex- hausted by the desperate efforts made to re- mount to the light of day. I wanted to run to his assistance, but I felt my feet chained to the ground, and I was stretching towards him my powerless arms, when all at once I saw you coming in the distance, calm and serene. Having arrived at the edge of the abyss, and removed the white scarf that en- circled your neck and floated about your shoulders, you threw it smiling to Maurice, who seized it, and was drawn forth without effort, and appeared to me radiant and tra:is- tigured. Tbat is my dream : what do you think of it, my daughter?' A pale ray beamed upon the lips of Made- leine, who remained pensive and did not an- swer. Tho marquise died on the morrow, or, more exactly, she expired in the arms of he young German; her beautiful soul pastel away gently iu a last smile. ' Little one,' said she quite gayly some, hours before her end, ' I have not forgotten you in my will. Since you have a taste for paiutiug, I have bequeathed you my colours and brushes. Try with those to find a hus- band.' In fact, upon opening the will Madeleine saw that Madame de.Fresnes was not jesting. Only, to this little legacy the marquise had added the domain and chateau of Valtravers, leaving still a good share to her natural heirs, who had, however, no need of it. In this manner this young and beautiful ■ ;irl was left in absolute possession of that .ouse where, one autumn evening, five vears previously, she had preseated herself, her whole foitune consisting of a little bundle under her arm. CHAPTER Y. HISTRESa AND UISKRT. Less elated with her new position than one might believe, Madeleine re-entered re- ligiously into the chateau, in which the domestics, who had seen her grow up and who loved her, received her as if a young queen. She lived as in the past, modestly, unostentatiously, solely preoccupied with the beings confided to her care. Her authority was revealed only in the profusion of good deeds that she spread around her ; except for this, it would have been ditBuult to inter any increase of fortune ; except for this, she might still have passed for the little orphan sheltered by the charity of her uncle. Sue had declared at the outset that she in- tended that nothing should be changed in the former routine of the house, and that all the customs of the good chevalier should be respected, precisely as if he were npt dead and liable to return at any instant. As to herself, she did not wish any other apart- ment than the little room iu which had melted away the last days of her childhood and the tirat days of her youth. Whenever they came to receive her orders upon some- thing of some importance, she never failed to consult with her people to ascertain what the chevalier would have done in similiar cir- cumstances. If it was necessary to admo- nish or chide any one (which la iter happen- ed very rarely), she always prepared the way by some such phrase as this: 'I think, my children, that this is what your excellent master, M. le Chevalier, would have said or done.' She reminded herself often that the best way to honour the memory of the beings tiiat we have loved is to do nothing which would have pained them, and to rehect, be- fore acting, upon what they might have thought in like cases. Finally, whenever she spoke of Maurice, it was only with re- spect, and as of a young prince whose king- dom she was administering during his mino- rity. She wa^ less queen than regent. The report of her prosperity having spread in the country, suitors were not slow in pre- senting themselves. Valtravers became a sort ot Mecca or a kind of holy sepulch^ ?) assigned to the fervent piety of all tiie celi- bates of the dtputment. During several months a long bie of these pilgrims might have been seen wending their way to the holy spo Small cc men's sc broken-(l on hors their ol though leine p leM gait consoienc healthy faithfuls see a pooi ject of so zeal. Sh that Fran souls and hitherto « ligion of Moved ev gret, whit io her hui wish to ej which the in Older tl Howeve ansivered : cli'valier ni»rry. Th not marry approve i petty ridi< Would it E modity ali one canno same time( There is ac who has n( through lif( who has re has done i aUianceot h Freed frc tinned to li jdays to the aperforraanci the arts she I the library < ' served to smiling grai beauty, she and reason, irs that in ihrough the , lame time tl ^'of heaven. il every Sunda Jwreiched vil I less, in whic |orphan3 who Mg the chu MADELEINE. posaeuion of that utnn eveniiiK, tiv« preaeated heraeif, isiating of a little I V. MI8KRT. new position than tleine re-entered re- sau, in which the her grow up and her as if a young the paat, niodeatly, preoccupied with her care. Her oly in the profuaion spread around her ; have been difficult jrtuae ; except for paaaed for the little harity of her uncle, utset that she in- juld be changed in 3 house, and that d chevalier should as if he were npt tt any instant. As ti any other apart- Doi in which had ^s of her childhood youth. Whenever orders upon aome- she never failed to ascertain what the i*> in similiar cir> eceaaary to aduio- ich latter happen- 8 prepared the way this: 'I think, my nat your excellent I'ould have scid or raelf often that the imory of the beings do nothing wLich and to reflect, be- they might have finally, whenever vaa only with re- riuce whose king- ; during his miu3- than regent, rity having spread re not slow in pre- Itravers became a of holy Bepulch^<) ety of all itie celi- During several se pilgrims might their way to the WllT *<." ""*''? *^«'"« *^«''' 'levotiona. Small country aqu.res, ruined lords, noble: hZLT"' *"'y«.y"'>« «nn Germany soul rr' """■ '''" ""^'^^ ''"•"'"•y of li ,u^ soma aud geiieroua hearts, but she had i ever Sn o"f "Zf7'f *''''* ^'^ P"«»»«»* a huBband is a corai moaity alike ao indispensable and rar« thaf ^ same'tiror*'''''"^ '•'^-* it an'd't'fh 1 Th^L "^ ".^^'''' •■""« the risk of losine it ' 'S£rrt^r-*"„-rhrS a.„„,S hTan ™d Votr •°''""' "^ * ""• tinuSto'lr '°'k ■"'""•• "■^•1"" o»h- Joha.e borne re.pocUoUy'lo htji™' „°„T " Si?v^""*»-to^^^^^ r'V *'°" •^'^^. ""'I ''"'''""s thought .^he Zerthr"'/" ^- J'-^'^'H'. justis Ji'eap! pearea tlie autumn eveniuir whfin f«, Ti; but !ffh ^''' *''^" °"^y a kittle girl- but at this age, which we men regard on Iv wh.? •'"*?" ^?'" *^>« """ery, who knows and.howerVoun^'tts%'!L,^'!.lt1^ has grown up with h..r f.h. v,..„i' . . ®*^ ?® ---, ...,„„,c. young oe bia wife, unless he ithe lihrarvof i.„ , '**'' ex lumed from Omnisc eimn th„* . .i. I smiling gravi ? in h.r ^',"*^""=^ ^"^ ^^'^ iteame time throutli f ho h, . " *t the -?of heaven S™ ^^ ^^ '''^^^ the dew .■every SundavpKo . religious, and |wreVhed"vilw;whi<"hhi!:i''*''* u'^'^'^ that lless, in whicffinoJ^i^^^^^^^rBohelp lorphans who blessed her name Ar;/"*^ F« the church she rarely" orgot"" tli — . --.-e-niiuc ui ner soul, in. irST""' ,""■.*"•■ "■•