Fairy Fingers

eheld the tempestuous burst of grief, the torrent of tears, the heart-rending despair that convulsed her frame but half an hour before, in t

s a heavy storm; in the death-like pallor which overspread her almost rigid features; in the steady light that shone from her soul-revealing eyes; in the

ding a letter in her hand. That letter had given a sudden

is communication fr

one instant quailed before her clairvoyant eyes. It seemed as

is gaze was riveted, as though by a magnetism too powe

ine we

rotection from me; that you feel I have sufficiently long enjoyed the s

ered these words. She spoke in a tone rendered

write in such a strain to you," ob

unt Tristan's authority. To prove it, he encloses the l

o attempt any reply. He was painfully aware o

his family circle; and that my other relatives have also declined to accede to a solicitation of yours that they should by turns receive me as an inmate. He

rate insult to us and you!

ps trembled wi

s thankful as Count Damoreau can desire me to

d menacing detestation. Their eyes met, and she returned the look with an e

r have permitted you to accept," remarke

sent, fearing that she might be driven to take some humil

propriety which I have the right to demand, you will still find a home in

you for that word! You do not know how much good it does me to hear it from your lips! Bu

the count, with a gleam of

shortly to quit this ma

accompany Lady Vivian t

f Lady Vivian!" exclaimed the countess, in wrathful asto

ich might have been interpreted into a tone of pride.

expect to live?" d

l live

, without friends? It is impracticable,-i

rve friends. I have some small possession: the f

ur nobl

t it will never b

I forbid you to even attempt to put it into execution. I forbid you by the gratitude

, each day my presence would become more intolerable to you; each day your words and looks would grow colder and harsher; each day I should feel more degraded in my own eyes. You would spoil your own benefactions: I perhaps, might forget them, and be stained with the crime of ingratitude. No, let us now part,-now, while I may stil

ntered Maurice and Bertha, who had ent

e's prostrating sorrow. They hastened back to the chalet together, but she

rtha. "What do you mean? Where are you

mus

l not let you; Maurice will not let you. Speak to

s resolution; and, if my mother will pardon me for differing with her, I must say, frankly, that I approve o

placing himself beside Madeleine, with

Madeleine for her resolution. I think sh

so? Don't let her go, unless you want

d with a brilliant glow as she cast up

ed. She cannot remain here as an inferior,-a dependent; one who is under daily obligation,-who is merely tolerated because she has no other place of refuge. My fa

the shrinking girl, whose deep blushes she interpreted into a token of exultation,

f delight, flung her arms joy

you are my son?" was all that the count

is as the inheritor of your name,-th

ve forgotten"-b

interrup

ched my majority, and that your consent i

e majority of a young man at twenty-five, and that he has no pow

I could never induce Madeleine to forego your consent to our union. But what valid objections can you have? You desired th

nd lovelier!" exclaimed Bertha

have one feather's weight in deciding my choice? I thank Heaven for teaching me to account it m

to speak. Maurice went on wit

. My father, you requested that Bertha and I should have an understanding with each other;

eart, as the dearest, most delightful cous

iling upon her tenderly. "But, as a lover

rfectly agreed upon that point," she rejoin

said the countess, in

r that is possible, my father's decision and yours this hour will determine. I am ardent, impetuous, fond of excitement, reckless at times,-as prone, I fear, to be tempted to vice as to be inspired by virtue. If you withhold your consent to my union with the only woman I can love,-if you drive me to despair,-I am lost! Every pure an

pplicated Madeleine, extending

s, and bent over her with an expression of

ath I trod, and beckoning me into the right road when I swerved aside, has alone saved me from falling into that vortex of follies and vices by which men are daily swallowed up, and from which they emerge sullied and debased. You do not know that, while I am here beside you, listening to the sound of your voice, holding your hand, gazing upon your face, I feel like one

with a look which beso

asked Count Tristan, scornfully. "Is

is Madeleine. It is for her to speak; it is for her to accomplish her work of base ingratitude; it is for her to

rom head to foot, while confusion flung its crimson mantle over her face-grew suddenly calm when she heard these taunts. The same icy, pallid quietude with which, but

e we are nothing and nobody here, and you are everyth

not at once co

viper! Dart your fangs into the bosom that has sheltered you: it is bared to receive th

e angry long. Speak and tell them that you love Maurice as he loves y

ademoiselle de Gramon

rice, my cousin, I shall never be able to tell you,-you can never know,-what emotions of thankfulness you have awakened in m

aches,-their menaces, I might say!" cried Maurice, wholly forgetting his wonted respect in the

emotions in the bosom of Maurice infused

nt Tristan had not uttered one word on the subj

can discourage me, only one which can force me to yield you up, and that is an admission, fro

, looking her cousin full in the face, and not by the faintest sign betray

bestowed; my heart

Maurice,-you love some one else?" quest

ning man might have looked at the ship that could have saved him disappea

s mine! O Madeleine! may you

one who has made you suffer. A bright future is before you. Th

hy should I reproach you? What right had I to deem myself worthy of you? You love another. All is spoken in those words: there

been. Even his grandmother, in spite of her joy at Madeleine's declaration, was not wholly u

the past by her present conduct; i

sound of his voice grated on her ears; his commendation made her doubt the wisdom and purity of her own act; his approval irritated her as no rebuke co

chamber. Bertha carefully closed the door, and, drawing her cousin down

Poor Maurice! It is a dreadful blow to him. And you love some one else. But whom? I know o

referred? She always treated him with such marked courtesy. There was no one else,-it must be he! Bertha could not frame the

bed by her own reflections t

e that haunting fear from her thoughts, "my aunt is no longer angry with you, and cousin Tri

Madeleine, in a tone t

for that of the favored lover, of w

ill nev

know he does,-he must. Every one loves you

r instance," remarke

ictured how dear you were to him! I noticed Cousin Tristan's eyes, and t

leine's powers of endurance: she sprang up, exclaiming, "Do not let us talk of these matters any more to-day, Bertha. It

sure Maurice will not go; and yo

persuade, entreat Maurice to go. If you do not, you will draw down my aunt's displeasure upon me anew, for s

spleased with you again; and then there is the b

d if you did not wear it this even

e unbound her long silken hair, and, after smoothing it as carefully as was her won

w any one weep so immoderately; and now you are as serene as though nothing had happened. If your lips were not so very, very whi

f, dear, and make

injunction, still wondering over Ma

in late. The meal passed almost in silence, though the Countess

ered impatiently that he did not intend to go. His grandmother heard the remark, and made an especial request that he would ch

, and she will be vexed with her again. Madeleine begged you w

first time during dinner, and found Mad

go," he

an to Bertha. A scarcely perceptible smil

to her niece, when she was officiating as usual at her aunt's toilet, was gentler than she had ever

alone with her own thoughts. The mask of composure was no longer

looked her affliction full in the face; had grown familiar with its sternest, saddest features; had bowed before them, and dashed the tears from her eyes, to see more clearly as that sorrow pointed out a path which a

ose violent opposition would throw a fearful obstacle in the way. It was easier to avoid than to surmount s