Fairy Fingers

greeable upon that day, for he returned to the chateau so late

ples, and she answered at random. She did not once address Maurice, to whom she usually

ount retreated to the library. Maurice and Bertha were on the point of finding themselves tête-à-tête, for the countess just remembered t

pending calamity. The lively warmth of her salutation attracted the marquis to her side, and he remained fascinated to the spot for the rest of the evening. The countess was too thoroughly well-bre

ed the

ustre; her usually clear blue eyes looked heavy and shadowed; her rosy mouth had a half-sorrowful, half-fretful expression. It was evident that some nightmare preyed upon her mind, and had broken

her, during your morning walk, this little basket full of the greenest and most perfect ivy leaves you can find, and bring them to the chalet. Then, if you

novel and tasteful," remarked Bertha, with

plied Madeleine, as she left th

which flung over the outer walls a green drapery, intermingled with roses, honeysuckle, and jasmine; and, within doors, a few chairs, a well-worn sofa, a table, and footstool gave to the rustic apartment an appearance of habitableness and comfort. This was Madelein

or occasionally taking up a needle and making futile efforts to busy herself with the womanly implement, but always restless, and generally abandoning h

stume, and had not returned until late in the evening; yet the dress was cut out and fitted before Madeleine closed her eyes that night. The first auroral ray of light that stole into her chamber the next day fell upon the lithe figure of the young girl fold

ptiste entered. He deposited a basket filled with ivy leaves upon the table, and said th

walk this morning, then?" a

I was weeding the flower-beds, and immediately went back

ume your time, my good Baptiste. I thought Mademoiselle

s how glad I always am to se

at alone, singing, in a soft

s singing at

e walls o

next moment the vines, that formed a verdant curtain about the otherwise unp

selle Madeleine. May I en-en-enter?" asked Gaston de Bois, speaki

ou pl

at the window. "The daughter of a duke, with the talents of

lding the most familiar and harmless weapon of my sex-is no respecter of persons, as you see.

teau de Tremazan, where I was engaged to pass the evening, and I have brought him the replies. But before I play

then, and

ok a seat, and, regarding her work, remarked, "This

be surmounted by a garland of ivy, left open at the front, and fastened where it breaks off, on either side, with blush roses. Then among h

moment. Then he resumed the conversation by a

ress was completed last night. But it was not new,-only a fresh combination of mate

always wor-wor-working for t

I lavish upon her too much love? No one knows how well I love her and all that is hers! How well I love that dwelling which received the homeless orphan! People call the old chateau dreary and gloomy; to me it is a palace; its very walls are dear. I love the trees that yield me their shade,-the parks that you no doubt think a wilderness,-the rough, unweeded walks

fancied sometimes, when I saw the Countess an

that sometimes, when I have been misunderstood, and my best efforts have failed to bring about results that gratify them,-I will not say that my heart does no

-re-revenge?" cried Ga

ou the confidant of my secret machinations. This old chateau is lively enough now, and the presence of Bertha and Maurice preserve to my aunt the pleasant memory

lked to the window, brought destruction upon some of Madeleine's vines by pulling them violently aside, to thrust out his h

if she had not notic

, that I may pass long evenings playing with the count; I have noted and learned all the old airs that his mother delights to hear, because they remind her of her girlhood, and I will sing them to her when she is solitary and depressed. I will ma

Mad-ad-adeleine,

are, by my egotism, to entrap that ill-deserved compliment. Now let us talk about yourself and your

advice has

mption. We were merely discussing an abstract question,-the use of faculties accorded us, and the best mode of o

hless mortal I am, and this incited me to throw off the garm

l us what you have

e army, for what kind of an officer could I make? How should I ever manage to say to a soldier, 'Go and brave death for your coun-oun-ountry'? I should find it easier to do myself than to say it. Some diploma

" replied Madeleine. "I hope

long interview with the Marquis de Fleury. He expects to be sent as ambassa

ce was scarcely noticeable. "And what was concluded upon? for your countenance declares that you

s sec-s

America-ah! it is a long, long distance from Brittany! This is good news f

ired Gaston, with s

in Bertha,

he heed my absence? She-she-she,-w

ea affects you, you will fail to play the diplomat in di

t? What is it you divine? W

a,-love her as she d

t in vain, he burst forth: "Yes, it is but too true; I love her with my who

y despa

ch!" he answered, i

red with a large and

rtune for me!"

h Bertha will never remember when she bestows

if I become all that you have caused me to dream of being,-this dreadful imped-ed-ediment, t

it is nothing more; as you overcome your diffidence and gain self-possession, you will find tha

lways confidence. It is not difficult to talk to one for wh

fluent spee

my heart, I hesitate,-I get troubled,-I-I

at

to a woman he adores, yet in whose presence he trembles l

an Madeleine, laug

f impatience and discouragement; "the fact is, tha

me; you

rages me. And yet it is very odd! I have one method by which I ca

u not always employ that

you believe it?-it is very absurd, but so is everything

hat your m

e; you will only

omise I w

st forcible expressions, the most emphatic ejaculations! Those unloose my tongue! My words hurl themselves impetuously forward, as zouaves in battle! Only, as you may conceive, this discourse is not of

could say, controlling a str

, it helps me more than you can believe. But just imagine the result if

ginality, and the very oddity of the discourse might impress her deeply. Then, too, she is very sympathetic, and she

hat were

k it is

you! th

M. de Bois, she said: "Will you assist me? It is for Berth

ut his hands. Madeleine adjusted

very singularity of such an address might captivate her, and give you a decided

think

the case, because Bertha has a decided

he had ever given me the faintes

and hesitating, does she not

os-pos-" sta

imagines herself unnoticed. I have besides remarked a certain expression on her trans

ing me cruelly! It cannot be that she ever

" asked Madeleine, in

scount

ad snapped in M

ked M. de Bois; "I hope it was not

ing the skein out of his hand, but tangling it i

oves Bertha?" she asked, hardly aware

him to help loving her? Good gracious, Mademoiselle Madelein

that held the snarled skein trembled, and no effort of

nothing,-you are quite

troubled and embarrass

! I'm-I'm-I'

exclaimed Gaston, in exultation. "Ah, Mademoiselle Madeleine! I

rd on this subject! Enough that, if I had a secret, there

hide from me the preference wit

, "You do not know how deep a wound yo

grief? What obstacle

bstacle,-one that ex

be, since that

uld I repay all their benefits to me by causing them such a cruel disappointment? I could never be so ungrateful,-so guilty,-so inhuman. Therefore, I say, the obstacle lies in my own heart: that heart revolts at the very contem

on the honor

nk y

the path leading t

the open door and sa

ent he withdrew

as she plied her needle, half buried her agitat

not perceived that any one was present. Madeleine found it difficult to comma

id you have not chosen a very comfortable seat. I told Baptiste to remo

nced at her over his shoulder, and said

Penelope,

"Always absorbed in some fem

woman!" answered Made

on should find some les

eve to scold me when I am occupied with the interests of his family,-when I am literally shedding my blood in their behalf!" she added playfull

riably assume, and which would be very charming in a young girl of sixteen,-a girl like Bertha; bu

ld control himself no longer, and came forward with a lo

ce. I must have interrupted a tête-à-tête. You

wore an expression which the count would not have b

are most apt to chide those who

gnation, yet experiencing a strong desire to adopt his new

letters, of which you had the goodness to take charge, to the

forgotten that you will see them to-night at the ball? But I beg

rtant," answered

tters created. Madame de Nervac turned pale, and the Count Damoreau

s to send answers by

ver them. I heard Mademoiselle Madeleine singing as

etters, and placed th

eals at once, but changed his mind, and putting them in his pocket

could not w

glove he had dropped. He went back alone. Madeleine was occupied with her needle as when he left her. There were no tr

he had expected to find her weeping, or looking

in such an amiable

o-day. You saw how preoccupied he was. Something has gone

peak when he rated you so unreasonably. And, if I had spoken, I should

to defend me, or allude to what you unfortunately

n me good counsels; you must listen to some I have to give yo

cert

an opportunity of ta

to rejoin the count, who was too much absorbed in his o