Fairy Fingers

on the unattuned ear; the glaring lights dazzle the pained vision until utter darkness would seem grateful; the merry voices and careless laughter catch a tone of bitter mockery;

clusters of azaleas and odorous heliotropes, a group of youthful heads unconcernedly thrust their lifeless chaplets in challenging contrast with nature's living loveliness, while flowing robes recklessly swept their floral imitations against her shrinking originals. In a different state of mind Maurice might not have been struck by the incongruous cont

and, in a softly cadenced voice, asked if she had not the pleasure of seeing Mademoiselle de Merrivale. In reply, the count presented Bertha. As she returned the courtesy of the marchioness, she could not help remembering the declaration of Maurice, that he had never perused the countenance of the distinguished belle, because his attention was irresistibly riveted upon the wondrous deta

a's picturesque attire, and longing to discover by what tasteful fingers it had been contrived; examining the polished ivy intertwined among her bright ringlets, and the half-blown roses just bursting their sheaths in a glossy covert of amber tresses; a

. de Bois, standing at a short distance, with his face turned toward her. The smile that accompanied her bow of greeting drew him neare

d-ad-adeleine?" he inquir

hed Bertha, stopping abruptly, though they

?" asked M. de Bois, speaking as distinctly as though he had never stammered in his life, and

a purer emotion. Glancing at the countess to see that she was not within hearing distance, she disengaged her arm from that of the duke, with a bow which he interpreted into a dismissal, and then, turning eagerly to M. de Bois, recounted to him, in a low, hurr

o sure until then that Madeleine loved him; so did I. But we

ou be sure?" asked M. de Bois,

the fact beyond doubt. She even

empt to conceal his cons

to breathe a word which was not the strictest truth,-she told you so? Y

, perhaps, so deeply concerned; "but I am very certain that Madeleine distinctly rejected Maurice, and, when he attributed her refusal to his grandmother's and hi

!" exclaimed M. de Bois, fervently. "She has

sentence, and checking a sigh. "Yes, I neve

. I don't mean that. She

ing this disjointed phrase, even if

d, accompanied by a gaunt, overdressed

oiselle de Gramont. Did she not a

o do so, but ch

m me to-day,-did she not?"

to her myself, which Baptiste

pprise you of

esent when she op

dy Vivian, in a grating voice. "I begin to be a little doubtful mys

the world," answered Bertha, in a tone of admira

ed, "That's a pity. Beauty is a dec

with spirit; "but I cannot perceive that my cou

e to you, my dear; but

ine is not my aunt's humble

vian, brusquely. "And I already begin to regr

amoreau! how could you have suggested such an idea? I would go on my knees to i

her assume, and, taking M. de Bois's arm, approached her aunt with a troubled countenance

ht. And that horrid Lady Vivian has made me so angry, talking of Madeleine as her hum

you were indignant. But

I never was at such a dull b

rture, the countess took an opportunity to leave the ballroom, accompanied by her niece and son, without attracting the observation of the hostess. M. de Bois joined

had not heard her light foot upon the floor, was sitting beside a small table, her head supported by her hands, and bent over some object which she contemplated wit

ha? How soon you

you, I could not stay. She seemed to have the audacity to expect that you would become her humble companion. You! our noble, dou

red her I would accept the proposition she ma

ld have entertaine

have just written to Count

provingly. As she laid it upon th

se, Madeleine

have been in the family, I can hardl

me see

d have caused a connoisseur at once to pronounce them of the first water; but their setting was quaint and old-fashioned. The necklace was composed of

me from the emerald isle: so, at lea

y Katrine Nugent, and these were her bridal jewels. You see that

racelet and a tiara-shaped comb. The shamro

g the bracelet admiringly upon her delicate wrist. "But

eine, with some hesitation. "I ha

em for your bridal

e tried

and shoulders. No, little dreamer, of two facts you may rest assured: one is that I shall never wear these jewels; the other that

t he had ordered the carriage to drive him to Rennes, in time to meet the early train that started for Paris. He trusted his father would offer no objection, and would make the traveller's apologies to the ladies of the household, for avoiding the pain of leave-taking. C

he had foregone the ceremony of an adieu. Any shortcoming in the payment of the full amount of deference, which she considered her due,

revived the hopes of Count Tristan and his mother, and awakened the welcome suggestion, tha

her countenance. For the first time he was half deceived into the belief that the passion of Maurice was unrequited. He had been puzzled in what manner to interpret Madeleine's determined rejection of her cousin. He was unable to comprehend a purity of motive wh

e dashed down an antique vase by his sudden movement of vexation, and, in stooping to gather the fractured china, upset the stand upon which it had stood. This manifestation of awkwardness, of course, increased his mal-aise; and, although the countess remaine

; then the old gardener approached, looking cautiously around to see that he was not observed, stealthily held out a note, whispering, "

ontained t

have no friend in whom I can confide but you. I shall be

ne M. de

fered him her confidence, trusted him, appealed to him for aid, was surely enough to raise him in his own esteem; and he almost forgot t

inted time had just arrived, as the watch he constantly consulted informed him, when she entered the summer-house. Their interview, occupied but half an hour; but

though some heavy pressure had been lifted from her breast; and, as she dashed away the tears that gathered in her eyes, she seemed eagerly looking into the dis

aunt as unalterable, and the countess was satisfied that her niece had spoken under the influence of excitement, without any fixed pu

outine of her wonted avocations as though they were always to continue, and as no change was apparent in her manner, save that she was more si

er, as though bidding farewell to dear, familiar objects, assured him that she had not spoken lightly, and that her threat would be carried into exec

red Madeleine's chamber, according to her custom,-for the young m

ght Bertha, hurrying down, and expecting

on were at table, but

inquired Bertha, cutting sh

was in th

ot seen her

orning," replie

continued Bertha. "It seems odd that she

d her head was constantly turned towards the window which commanded a

een Mademoiselle Mad

ademoi

e, aunt, I will go in search of her. Since she has not broken her fast yet, w

ortance to Madeleine's absence, and r

arter of an hour passed, and then he beheld Bertha coming rapidly from the direction of the chalet. He felt no surprise in observing that she was alone. The windows of th

I am hoarse. I picked up this handkerchief in the chalet,-it is marked 'G. de Bois,' yet it is three days since M. de Bois was here

nd, and examined the mark without comment:

ked the countess, not apparently discomposed. "Take your breakfast, Bertha;

lly wore were hanging within; she wandered about the room, examining every nook and corner, hardly conscious of what she was doing,-what she expected to find or to miss. All at once she remarked that a few books, which were favorites of Madeleine and once belonged to her father, had been removed from the table; but what of that?-they had probably been placed somewhere

eine has gone! I know she has gone, and she will never, never return to us! Her dresses are there; everything you hav

ry much flattered by the sensation she had created, and by her cousin's lamentations over her supposed flight; adding,

closely questioned, was desired to summon the other domestics. Bettina and Elise promptly obeyed the command. Their

re is he?" ask

was in th

ha; but I warn her that her dreams of a romantic adventure, and the flight of a young lady from an ancient chatea

ly attached to Madeleine, the devotion of Baptiste was unsurpassed. The count did not, for one instant, doubt that she had really gone. Some assistance she must have had,

cape the nobleman's observation that the spade went into the ground and was drawn out again with increased rapidity as he drew near, and that the

pti

nsi

uttered, and his guilty countenance, scarcely

eine passed you in walk

rrible state; it is not easy for one pair of hands to keep them even in toler

deleine to-day, as she must have walked out; but, as you know nothing

o monsieur," replied

cross-examination which he had anticipated with the dr

ount. "I suppose he sometimes strolls over here in the morning, at an hour

ys, it would be

suspect he had betrayed his secret. That Madeleine had actually fled, that M. de Bois h

o soothe Bertha. The only comfort to which she would listen was the assurance that, if M

politic to assume an ai

r that she has really left us forces itself upon me. I will order my horse and ride over to Rennes. She probably obtained a conveyance last nig

nfidence? She must have walked, though it is five miles; but that cannot be, for she

It seemed to answer her question. She hesitated for some moments before she could persuade herself to communicate her suspicion; but her

up in the chalet, he must have been there lately,-possibly this morning. Perhaps he knows someth

M. de Bois at once. Meantime, do not spoil your beautiful eyes with weeping. Never fear,-we will have Madeleine

mmering rendered the words he attempted to utter wholly incomprehensible, and the count made no effort to understand them. He proceeded to inform M. de Bois of Madeleine's sud

extent that his suggestions were unintelligible. His perturbation might have passed for surprise at the startling intelligence so a

king inquiries at the railroad dep?t. Will n

good," stamme

ny mode that will f

all; I am very dull

n subjected to the scrutiny of the Countess de Gramont or Bertha, and especial

he chateau with as dejected

meet him. "What news? When did M. de Bois lose h

ave dropped his handkerchief some days ago,-the morning after the ball; he has not been h

zed to hear tha

d, if you will allow me to make a suggestion, I would charge you not to let him suspect, when you meet, that you for a moment imagine he was in Madeleine's confidence. It would be highly indelicate,-the ve

entirely forget her own self-respect as to have a clandestine understanding with a yo

priety to confide in M. de Bois, then Madeleine certainly has not made him her confidant. Oh,

uch a step, taken by a woman of her birth, will set hundreds of tongues discussing our domestic concerns; our names will be bandied about from lip t

, he assumed an appearance of compliance, for

d dejected, was proportionate to her expectations. He had made all possible search,-so he said,-and no information concerning the fugitive could be gathered; she was gone! He feared they must now wait patiently until they heard from her. She would doubtless write soon,-a letter might come at any moment. Very possibly she had changed her mind in regard

elieve that such was Madeleine's destination; but he thought to check persistent inquiries which m

t, aunt?" asked Bertha, catching eagerly at this new hope. "But Madeleine to

ed the count. "You will find that she has done so; th

gerly to the door, her blue eyes greatening with expectation. Once, when the roll of wheels sounded in the distance, she uttered a cry of joy and rushed out upon the porch. Every moment she grew more and more restless and feverish; and when the usual hour for retiring came, she wandered into Madeleine's room, in

er grief upon paper, and it was soothed as if dropped into words upon the blank sheet before her. How often a full heart has had its burden