A Night on the Borders of the Black Forest

St

fair, like his sister, and about thirty-five years of age. He looked, however, some years older, pale, ennuy

n told himself that nine years had left no trace of their flight over the head of "la belle Marguerite." The Countess, being still in mourning, wore a riding-dress of grey cloth ornamented with black velvet, with a hat and plume of the same colours. Thus attired, she

his sister under his eyelashes; the Countess tapped her little foot impatiently upon the ground; and the Curé of St. Saturnin, with an awkwa

rophe-this woodland tragedy? Being the culprit, I am, however, ready to throw myself at your feet. You prayed to

held out her hand, which the dragoon k

person who was very dear to me gave me once upon a time a white partridge. One d

changing the conversation, exclaimed,

would be more fitly occupied among their cows. Or is it the custom on your estates, my amiable sister, that these people

h of Versailles, were sufficiently intelligible to their ears; but the Countess, w

al in Auvergne; and besides, did he not see that M. the good Curé h

ion of penance that same night, for participation in tha

ng towards the little group of

patois, "I see one of my oldest friends yonder-a herdsman who u

stepped for

he stammered, "is it possibl

ith his lips the gloved hand tha

untess, "do you not r

dding, half aloud, "my dear sister, do not

u merci! Let me talk a little with my old friend

n his teeth, as he turned away and began t

untess, seating herself at the foot of a chestnut-

" said the mountaineer, standing b

s not her

d I knew that sooner or later she would come to Auvergne. Besi

also think sometimes of

e black pony, and heard your laugh in the courtyard and your foot in the garden! Ah, Madame, those were the happy times, when the hunt

d and remorseful; for at that name

brief pause and a rapid glance towards her brother and the priest, "Come nearer

Mad

so remained for some moments without sp

ues! He must have falle

e, it may ha

e my purse, Père Jacques, and share its contents with your companions-but reserve a louis to purchase some masses for the repose of his soul. Say t

s obedience, when the priest and her br

e have but another hour of daylight. Our friend here, M. le Curé, apprehe

ossible! The sky is perfectly clear. Besides, it is so delightful

not see those light vapours about the summit of Mont Cantal, and that low bank of clouds behind the forest? I greatly mis

y, smiling, "you used to be my oracle at

his head, and snuffed the

e is a tempest close at hand. See the cows, how they are coming up

d his silver horn and blew a prolonged blast. "We ha

to his summons, and the next moment a group o

ess; "farewell, Père Jacques! M. le Cu

u; but-but this is

? I will sing you some of those old songs

y excuse me. I must catechise the

orrow to his regiment-you wi

already accepted my good

to-morrow, th

I will en

you have been very sparing of your visits. Have I offende

d me!-oh

ion so peculiar that the young lady looked up in surpr

air of gaiety, "Adieu, M. le Curé," she cried as

nded partridge, "Alas! that poor bird,"

ngage that, if M. le Curé opened his hand, that cunn

ake care of it for my sake. Feed it for two or th

, in a tone of impatience,

ess, as she took her brother's arm, and went

that peeped above the trees three miles away. The priest and the herdsmen stood watching them in silence till t

re Jacques, when all was silent. "Dear littl

tiful!" murmu

se from his breast, he slipped an

ge; but say nothing to the Countess when you see her agai

his shoulder, whistled to his do

the distant mountains; and the summit of Mont Cantal, visib

one voice, "come back! the storm is beginni

s eyes to the heavens. "Thanks, my friends,

d open the heavens. The herdsmen crossed themselves devoutly. But

ed back the thunder. Sturdy oaks and mountain pines that had weathered every storm for fifty years, were torn up from their firm rootage. Huge fragments of rock

fresh peals renewed and mocked them. Every flash of lightning revealed for an instant the desolate landscape, the rocking trees, the swollen

ilent. Their reconciliation had not been, as yet, of long duration. Marguerite could not forget her wrongs, and the Baron felt embarrassed in her presence. It is true that he endeavoured to conceal his embarrassment

th here and there a stand of arms, a rusty helmet and sword, or a tattered flag that shivered when the storm swept by. Old cabinets inlaid with tortoiseshell and tarnished ormolu were placed between the heavy crimson draper

he Baron br

ing about so intent

y hapless travellers are out in this heavy

o would not come to dinner, I wonder if he got safely back to his den at Saturnin. Do yo

ou at least to remember the profession of the holy man whom you calumniate. He is ill repaid for his goodness

friend in the world than myself. By-the-by, has he happened to mention to you the dilapidated state of the chapel at Pradines? It should be put into proper

ing of the kind. I will not, however, refuse this sum to you; but do not deceiv

between his teeth. Then he added, aloud, "If

the lady. "To-morrow morning you s

a loud knocking was heard at

ersation. "Here is a visitor. Yet, no; for what visitor in his sense

fall of a large fragment of rock, had become unmanageable, and had flung himself and his rider over a steep bank. Happily, some bushes had served to break the force of their f

d be brought into the salon, and a horseman b

las, the unfortunate gentleman! Throw on more logs, I beseech you, a

brought in the wounded traveller, whom they laid upon the couch beside the fire. He was a yo

o render some assistance, sudden

arguerite? What ails y

h, raised his head feebly, and looked around him. All at once his vague and wandering glance rested on Marguerite. Instantly a lo

ed this scene, turned to the stranger's groom, an

e man replied-"My master, Monsieur,

e rent one of his lace ruffles into tiny shreds tha