Fairy Fingers

ves were dexterously polished, and a graceful garland laid above every tuck of the transparent white dress. The last leafy

nded very unlike his usual cheerful voice. "I came

ed Madeleine. "She promised to bring me this bask

I came here," Maurice continued, in the same grave tone. "She has disappeared just at

e that Maurice should desire an especial interview with his cousin, whom he

Are you troubled? Has anything o

ered the chateau. I tried to forget my disappointment for the moment, that no shadow might fall upon your birthday happiness; besides, I clung to the hope that I might yet convince them of the propriety, the policy, the actual necessity of the step I propose to take. My f

matical. I have not begun to find their clew," replied Madeleine, pausing i

he second prompted him gently to force the dress, she was so ta

o cause the Marchioness de Fleury to die of envy; can you not, therefore, rest from your labors, good fai

word tremulously, and a faint flu

ine, you, an

hing the door. "Do you not see her blue dress yonder through the trees

ant? Why! what has happened to distress you? Your eyes look

I could not help coming to you, though I wanted to act entirely upon my own responsibility, and I had

hat she could only murmur half to herse

l her face, and it was not until after she entered the chalet, and shook the blinding locks from before her eyes, that she saw Maurice. She drew back with a mov

ind you with me," observed Madele

urpose, until I could make up my mind about it all; I mean, I thought it best to postpo

d any clearer expression of h

ble, and said, "When you return to the house, Bertha, will you n

e!" exclaimed Bertha

d Maurice; "therefore you cannot refuse. We

mischief by taking her into my confidence. Do not go, Madeleine. Sit down, for you must stay. If you go, I wil

resumed

emaining, I will finish this garland while

it was easier to induce her to break the ice than to take the first step upon this delicate ground

is face, as though she was scannin

decidedly agreeable, except now and then; and you have a noble heart,-I never doubted it; and a fine intellect,-

herself beautiful enough for a Hebe, and whose fascinations are s

at I want to say is that such an attractive and agreeable young man as you are will natur

and your large fortune, will have suitors innumerable, from am

nt that I was not insensible to all your claims to

acknowledged you to be one of the most charming beings in the world, and that I thought the man to whom you gave your hand w

am so glad!-a sister? You d

I said

g, and I am overjoyed! I can

ove me then?"

aunt declared you hoped to make me your wife,-that you were crazily in love with me, and that if I refused you, I should ruin all your future pr

ttachment for me. Is that a mistake also?" inquired Maurice, sk

for you except as the dea

u pretend to think me, why are you so particularly averse to becoming my wife? What do you say to that? I

his moment that I feel inclined to double their number. Yet there is a rea

you like somebo

ggest such an idea? But I suppose you do so because

ion correct, unless you tell me why you

in a low tone, "because there is another woman, who is far more worthy of you, wh

her w

the world I desire so much as to see that other wom

y, for she had caught the whispered words. "Come, Bertha, we must

uite early in the day yet, and Maurice and I are deeply interested in our

replied

e alteration," persisted Ma

n an excited tone, which the mere t

pot! I suppose yo

d bounded away. Madeleine would have follow

deleine,-grant

g for me!" And she made an effo

, and she will forgive you, if it be only for t

l completed. It is growing late, Maurice; I entr

to you. The time has co

f to assume an air of composure, answered, "Speak, then; wha

If no responsive pulse in your own has revealed to you what is pas

ice! for the l

better for loving a being who bears the impress of Heaven's own glorio

re them! Her tall figure dilated until it seemed to shut out all the sunlight beyond; her countenance grew ashy with suppr

er some of the ivy leaves scattered around him. Madeleine bowed her head as a culpri

peaking in a hollow, scornful tone: "I am

was no

ize for disturbing you," s

it was his duty to answer and shield Madeleine, as

fusion? Why did she so quickly withdraw h

evasively. "Have I no right to show her af

rnly. "It is Madeleine, who should not have permitted this unmeet familiarity. I we

eld a flash of indignation in the e

aunt!" s

uld not permit

our hopes in regard to Maurice and Bertha; and it has not escaped my notice that y

at the charge, and too much bewild

fascinate Maurice by every speci

" cried Mauri

whom I am addressing my remarks, and her

by word, or loo

emed open to suspicion. The most specious coquetry has governed all your actions. You were always attired more simply than any one else; but by this very simplicity you thought to render yourself remarkable, and attract a larger share of attention. You alwa

listen to this injustice. I cannot see Madeleine so cruelly insulted. Were it my mother herself

ch words to one whom you are bound to address with reveren

use she knew it was deserved. "Your sufferings? That is a fitting expression to drop from your lips! I had the right to

me, aunt. I did n

have received at my hands, have caused my very grandson to treat me with disrespect, for the first time in his life. Your sufferings? I can well conceive that she who creates so much affliction in the house that

and powerless. For a few moments she remained standing as motionless as one petrified; then, with a heart-broken cry, dropped into a seat, and covering her face with her hands, sobbed convulsively,-sobbed as though all the sorrows of her life were concentrated in the anguish of that moment, and found vent in that deluge of tears,-that stormy whirlwind of passion! All the clouds in the firmament of her existence

, and it was only when the arms of the young girl were fond

deleine! What has happene

there is no hope left,-none, none! My father has died to me again to day, and I am alone once mor

d forth with re

her encircling arms. "If you are wretched, so am I-because you are! Only tell me the reason for this terrible so

ntary cry of intense sufferin

aunt looked blacker than any thunder-cloud. Still you did not come, and I went in search of you. Tell me why I fin

sed to esteem me,-she even repents of t

eleine; you

mask of assumed kindness has melted from her face! I am a burden t

old? What could she do without you? It is o

ify to the truth; a thousand suspicions, which I repulsed as unworthy of me and of her, return to convince me; words and looks, coldness and i

Bertha, though her heart told her with what

made for me in the carriage; I have seen it on numberless occasions. His glances, his accents, his whole demeanor, have seemed to reproach me for the place I occupied, for the garments I wore, for the very bread I ate,-the bread of bitter, bitter charity

! one of t

y, and rejoiced in, honest labor! Had I been the daughter of a mechanic, I might have gained my bread by some useful trade. Had I even been the child of some poor gentleman, I might have earned a livelihood by giving lessons in music, in drawing, by bec

, if you will b

he performance of needful offices,-by hands ever ready to serve, and a heart ever open to sympathize; but, if I am an encumbrance, an annoyance while I am young, what an intolerable burden I must become when youth passes away! Th

eadful it would be for us,

how! I look despairingly on all sides, and see no escape! I am bound, hand and foot, by the chains of my own noble birth, and shut within the iron wa

retched you make me by

-yes, I know it! You see how ungrateful, how selfish misery has rende

a letter. He looked dismayed when he beheld Madeleine's face of woe, and Bertha's tearful

d, "The valet of Count Damoreau has just left this letter for Mademoise

ll; that

er, and motioned to

e to write to you about? Do

little while. I scarcely know what I am d

in trouble, I would

e! And you-you, at

n leave you to prove that

d, turned suddenly, and quickened her steps in the opposite direction, prompted by an impulse to

sitors were awaiting the count, and their stay was protracted. The instant his guests took their leave, he hastened to the library, which h

" answered the count; "and I trust that I hold the means in

ced over the contents of the letter

son, wha

for his own family,-that it would be a great inconvenience to have any addition to his

othing else. Give me Madame de Nervac's letter. She is a charming woman,

letter. His mother

ear C

he absurd faux pas of establishing in her own house, and having always by her side, a person younger and ha

into continuing to bear this burden, though it may bring us to ruin. What insuppor

to open," remarked his moth

open angrily; but, glancing at the first lines, exclaimed, "What do I see? Have w

lovely and unfortunate relative of ours. I have always regarded her with admiration and affect

most excellent judgment," remar

inued readin

rs in my chateau, which will cause me to absent myself for some

doubtless take Madeleine with

in an altered

in a situation that is very suitable. My friend, Lady Vivian, of Edinburgh, who forms one of the party here, is in search of an humble companion. I have spoken to

humble companion! What an indi

continue

prise her of what I have done, and presen

ing us. But Count Damoreau has insulted us grossly. How has he dared to entertain such an offer for a member of our family,-on

me manner we must at once

situation which disgraced her noble n

nt, with a sardonic look; "but, unfortunat

ould have been accomplished with exultation. His hatred for Madeleine had strengthened into a fierce passion as his fears that Maurice loved her threatened to be confirmed. Far from sharing