Fairy Fingers

would not let it trouble you so much. If you will allow the two extra plates to be placed before Bertha and myself, w

rything in my mansion," answered the c

ed-for emergency, I thought you might possibly consent to let her exert

ent of possessing witchcraft potent

pose I must have been guilty of imagining that I had; but, indeed, it was unpremeditated vanity. I really did not ref

tess, dryly; "only vanity so spontaneous, natural, and c

y rolling around her slender fingers her aunt's soft, white curl

for her son's dinner-party

ter into a description of the adroit method by which a portion of its primitive lustre had been restored to the worn and pressed velvet, nor particularize the skilful manner in which the corsage of the robe had been refashioned, and every tra

amily,-such lace as could no longer be purchased for gold, even if its members had been in a condition to exchange bullion for thread. This cap was another of the young girl's achievements, and she could not help smiling wit

moon upon the

and soul-revealing face as the one bending over her that defects struck the eye,-defects which

heir outline correctly, and no writer conjure up before the mind by descriptive language, however minutely the color of eyes, complexion,

topaz with the changing lustre of an opal: a combination difficult to imagine until it has once been seen. The darkly-fringed lids were peculiarly drooping, and gave the eyes a look of exceeding softness, now and then displaced by startling flashes of brilliancy. The finely-chiselled mouth was full of grave sweetness, decision, and energy, and yet suggestive of a mirthful temperament. The forehead was not too high, but ample and thoughtful.

f her bearing, would have given her an air of stateliness, but for the exceeding grace which dispelle

s dinner, her attire consisted merely of a sombre-hued barege, made with the severest simplicity, and gaining its only pretension to fu

st shine; but there was a rich depth in her tones, which imparted to her lightest words an intonation of feeling, and told the hearer that her vocal chords were in close communication with her heart. Th

ass of impoverished noblemen who keep up appearances by means of constant shifts and desperate struggles, of which the world knows nothing. But he w

e misfortune, and daily lamented the burden of his own nobility, fo

been more truly noble. I envy the peasants who have the glorious privilege of doing just that which they are best fitted to do; who are not forced to vegetate and call vegetation existenc

p root there, and, growing in the bleak atmospher

invention, her abundant resources, her tact in accommodating herself to circumstances, and her inexhaustible energy, had endow

e too minutely the motives of the noble lady, for fear that we might find her actuated less by a charitable impulse than by pride which would not allow it to

being a burden upon the generosity of her benefactors,-ways by which her obligations might be lightened, though she felt they could never be cancelled. She became the active, presiding spirit over the whole household; her skilful fingers were ever at work here, there, and everywhere; and her quick-witted brain was always planning measures to promote the interest, comfort, or pleasure of all within her sphere. The thought that an employme

s completed, but she kept Madeleine by her s

d the salon with the countess, he was sitting beside Bertha, but sprang up, and, advancing joyfully, exclaimed, "Ah! at last! I thou

lips to Madeleine's cheek,

a touch of vexation,-"why may I not kiss my cousin Madeleine

erent!" replied th

s the difference?"

oth second cousins, or third cousins, some people would call them; the one is kin th

answered the countess, in a seve

rprised at her aunt's manner. "If not, I must add my will to my aunt's." Then, as though in hast

Madeleine, look a little paler than ever, and a little thinner than you were. I fear it is because you still keep that candle bur

leine, gayly. "I am in most unpoetically ro

ver complains, and never admits she is tired. She would make us be

d why I am here one fortnight before I was expected. Has curiosity suddenly died out of the venerable

re!" excla

nded Madeleine. "Wh

efly concerns y

u are j

irst birthday. I would not be absent upon your birthday, though I did not k

when your father invited his friends to

without heeding

tle birthday token. Will

ed the case and took

that threatened to shape itself into a tear

itten beneath! That must be in remembrance that Madeleine not only bears peace in her own boso

ul interpreter," re

ecovering her composure. "See, a band of gold with a knot of pearls,-a 'manacl

m so rich in birthday gifts that I am bankrupt in thanks

rrupted this conversation by

age of the Marchioness de Fleury. She recognized me, ordered her carriage to stop, and sent her footman to apprise me that she was on her way to the Chateau de Tremazan, and to beg that I would pause there befor

on and Baroness de Tremazan are among the most valued of m

d Maurice, vivaciousl

eury quoted as a precedent, and her taste cited as the most perfect

e dresses to perfection! In her presence one never thinks of anything but the wonderful combination of colors, and the graceful flowing of drapery, that have produced certain artistic effects in her outward adorning. She is styl

,-are they not remarkabl

er, though it might drive a sculptor distracted if set before him as a model. As for her face, the novel arrangement of her hair and the coquettish disposition of her head-

is so agreeable in conversation, that yo

son of the emperor, she will give you a minute account of the most approved court-dresses. If you allude to the possibility that her husband (for such is the rumor) may be sent as ambassador to the United States, she will burst forth in bitter lamentations over the likelihood that American taste may not be sufficiently cultivated to appreciate a Parisian toilet, or to comprehend the great importance of the difficult art of dressing well. If you give the tribute of a sigh to the memory of the lovely sister she lost a year ago, she will run through a list of the garments of woe that gave expression

o heart, then?" q

designates by that name, may rise and fall somewhere beneath her jewel-studded bod

ther, rebukingly. "The Marchioness de Fleury is a l

ng to tell you her reasons for delaying me half an hour. It was to inquire whether you would be disengaged to-morrow morning, as she

he Marchioness de Fleury," resp

intelligence remain behind. At the Chateau de Tremazan, I saw three of our relatives on the de Gramont side, Madame de Nerv

with the inquiry, "Are they u

mpromptu ball. Madame de Tremazan seized upon the idea, and commissioned me to carry invitations to the Countess dowager de Gramont, Mademoiselles Made

lied Bertha; "

ball greatly!" ex

gage Madeleine for the first quadril

answered his cousins

s quite out of the question for you to attend a ball of such

, in a disappointed tone. "You su

ress with you. You have nothing ready which it would be proper for you to wear at such a brilliant reunion; for the de Tremazans are so rich that everything will be upon the most splendid an

pity!" half sighed,

oo provoking!" ej

or yourself and for Bertha, aunt," remarked Madeleine,

g her arms around her cousin. "I wonder if the time ever will arrive

live Madeleine!" shouted

re is the robe of gold and silver to

d for you, aunt, I will arrange an autumn arraying,-a costume soft, yet bright, like the autumn days which the Americans call 'Ind

e and night after next?" inquired the countess, evidently not at

e possibility!"

answers for it!"

w Madeleine has the fingers of a fairy; she can achieve

at; we will think of that

r a dress that becomes

at yours, and, remembering that

burst forth Maurice, uncontrollably,-"n

to think of me, I deserve little credi

king of you?" murmur

ow tone. From the moment he learned that Madeleine's relatives were accidentally assembled at the Chateau de Tremazan, he had determined to seize that favorable opportunity, and send them the letters requesting that they would by turn

pany, even with some great stimulating compensation in view. On the present occasion, though only the family had assembled, his olive complexion crimsoned as he advanced towards the countess, and his expressive, though irregular and not strictly han

d, and, the more violent his efforts to articulate, the more difficult it seemed for him to utter a distinct sentence. He was painfully near-

ite scholar, without ever mounting the pompous stilts of the pedant. All his impulses were noble and generous, though his best intentions were often frustrated by that fearful self-consciousness which made him dr

cestors. He chafed in his confinement, like a caged lion ready to break loose from bondage. But the lion freed might take refuge in his native woods, while Gaston, if

equent guest, for the countess and he

Madeleine, with but little hesitation apparent in his speech; but when he turned to Bertha, and

leine, with her wonted presence of mind, came to his aid; finished his sentence, as though he had spoken it himself

t heightening into a warmer emotion. But love and friendship are totally distinct affections. A woman may cherish the truest, kindliest friendship for a man whom it would be impossible for her to love; nay, in wh

and, without pretending to be blind to his defects, always viewed them leniently: thus, in her presence he was sufficiently at ease to be entire

could more easily turn to impart a sorrow, intrust a secret, solicit a favor, or receiv

-possession when the two American gentlemen,

ity which would have awed any visitors less unsus

is interest in the railway company of which we have before spoken; they had been cordially received by him, and invited to partake of his hospitality;

cquired was positive mental gain, and brought into active use. He had inherited no patrimony, and started life with no advantages of position; but he had made his own fortune, and earned his own place in the so

s was therefore a less strong, less highly developed, character. He had travelled over the larger portion of Europe, yet preferred to make his home in America; he had once ret

wo former, being the most important personages, occupied seats at table on the right and left of the countess. Gaston de Bois was well pleased to find himself beside Madeleine;

his native land unloosed his tongue, and she soon became deeply interested in the infor

st involuntarily murmured, with a half-

d to the spirit of self-reliance, energy, and indust

est spirits, and looked superlatively lovely. The brow of the countess grad

st; but Madeleine's suggestion had been acted upon,-they were placed before the young ladies, and, as the

hich she sung with untutored pathos. His grandmother could scarcely conceal her vexation. Approaching the singer, she took an opportunity, while Bertha and Mauri

urn, "I will steal away un

t demanded attention, and her aid was so heartily welcomed by the old domestics, who had become confused by the multiplicity

hould ever visit America, as you have expressed the desire to do, and if you should pass through Washington, as you certai

uld greatly shock the countess; but, taking the card, answered, courteously, "I fear nothing is more unlikely than th