Fairy Fingers

he part of Bertha. Her character was so frank, so transparent,-her actions were always so unveiled,-her thoughts flowed in such an instinctive current toward her lips,-that the idea

ch a letter had been written, it wou

guilty of an unworthy action, would not have scrupled to intercept a letter, to distort a fact (we use the mildest phrase), to stoop to any deception

e chances of discovering her retreat might be diminished; and great was the wily schemer's conste

omfort or encourage; a voice that "turns common words to grace," imparting hope and dispensing joy; a presence full of helpfulness and peace; a being, grown familiar to our eyes by every day's association, whom we carelessly greet, or jostle against unheeding, or thrust aside impatiently, never dreaming that our working-day mortal, could she cast off this garment o

leine. The ancient domestics seemed completely lost without her guiding hand,-her spirit of order systematizing and lightening all their duties. Everything was in confusi

when she remembered how lightly she had prized her services. The antiquated femme de chambre had never appeared so clumsy, purbli

f a robe pinned awry; curls with long straight ends standing out porcupine fashion; a cap obstinate

ould do nothing but wander in and out of her aunt's apartment; stand at the window watching for the postman, beating the devil's tattoo

s in the hanging baskets suspended before the windows, and to the withered bouquets in the tall vases that stood on either side,-bas

, when she said all the violets withered when her fat

iced that there was no gay-looking blossom in his button-hole that day. This was an unmistakable expression of sorrow on the part of Baptiste; for he never assumed the compulsory office of butler without

stinging of a gnat, the endless creaking of rusty door-hinges,-minor miseries often more unendurable than some great mental or physical suffering. But although the patie

ff the sense of depression by hard study,-to battle against it with the arms of some engrossing occupation; but how could he spur himself up to study without an object?-and he was as far as ever from obtaining his father's consent to fitting himself for the bar, or for any other professional pursuit. No,-there was on

e road,-her favorite post, and the only locality where she ever remained quiet for any length of time,-when the carriage in which Maurice was seated drove up the avenue. With a joyfu

" were her cousin's first

; she will never come back! O Maurice

go where she may, I will find her!-be su

berate steps, and now appeared. The cruel words the countess had spoken to Madeleine were ringing in

me back to us, Maurice

the bitter words before they formed themselves into sound. H

ll the servants h

y know nothing of

ne of them at least mu

oung viscount were clear and unhesitating: no one could doubt, for a moment, that she was wholly ignorant of Madeleine's movement; and her tone and manner evinced

," he observed, dismissing the two female

go with you,

l pleased to see the cou

y the stable. He paused in his work to welcom

ateau, now. It does not seem like the same

he went, Gustave? Some

selle Madeleine was gone, it was as though a thunder-bolt

ne for Maurice to doubt him, or deem further questioning

as descending from the carriage. When Bertha and her cousin approached the venerable domestic, his trepidation was too obvious to escape their notice. He was pruning t

g to talk to you about," said Mauri

opped into a chair, covering his eyes with his hands; perhaps because he could not bear the sight of objects

nately, "if Madeleine only knew how wretched she has ma

val, the viscount, slowly raising his head, was again struck by the perturbed mien of the guileless old man, whose native simplicity, warmth, and ingenuousness would have melted an

ancient gardener closely, "do you not

monsi

ered in a tone of

not even

monsi

ow how she

monsi

not trifling with me? If you are, you can hardl

the exact tru

ever knew Baptiste to utter even a white lie: he has

oked at her

ou did not help Mademoiselle Madeleine in any way? She must have had some assistanc

outh twitched,-his eyes w

ed Bertha. "You did not know that Made

mademo

spoken almost

ave you not told us this bef

adeleine requested me not to give any information concerning her

laid his hand upon t

You were aware that she was going; you assisted her fligh

ur out my medicine with her own white hands? Did she not talk to me when I was racked with pain, until I thought the room was full of heavenly music, and I forgot I was suffering? Did she not keep me from cursing God when the pangs were so sharp that I felt I was tortured beyond my strength? Did she not tell me why all anguish of soul or body should b

by nature; but the emotion, forcibly suppressed for so many d

end; and I thank Heaven she had one like you. Do not think we blame you; only tell u

Oh, Mademoiselle Madeleine, are you going to leave us?' She answered, 'I cannot stay, Baptiste. I am compelled to go. You are the only person here who is aware of my intention. When I am gone do no

ged Maurice, as th

s room. She opened the door, and, without speaking, pointed to the little trunk. Old and weak

you adieu, then

she looked it. She looked as though she were blessing me and thanking me. I never saw a face that said so much,-so much that went to my very soul and comforted me! When she let g

the trunk con

t know,

le Madeleine the next m

when I came out to work. I pushed the door open and looked in; the tru

rop some hint, even the faintest, of

word Mademoiselle Madeleine

rther! Who could it be? Who coul

ion the note Madeleine had ordered him to deliver to M. de Bois. Her request had been that he would give no information

?" he asked, as Maurice st

ve nothing furt

ieur." Saying these wo

as gone, "I was the first person who came to the chalet. I found a

lear he was Madeleine's confi

ook him the handkerchief, and he could not tell when or where he had lost it. He was a

ave been? But I will s

l you"-began Bert

a, tell me everything which can throw the faintest

must be true. Do you not remember that Madeleine confessed she had bestowed her affections upon some one? Since

on de

es

was a painful struggle going on in her mind, though less t

what recovered h

, if he really knows nothing concerning Madeleine's departure, I must seek infor

toward the chateau, pausing on her way to talk with Baptiste

his composure when he received Maurice. Besides, he had ample time to collect himself; for he was walking in the park when his valet announced that the young viscount was awaiting him in the library. He had looked forward to the return of Maurice to Brittany as soon as the latter heard of Mad

that she was capable of holding clandestine communication with a young gentleman. Then, too, if M. de Bois was really the object of her attachment, he might not be aware of the preference with which she honored him; and it would be the height of indelicacy

s to-day?" asked M. de Bo

ago. I came to

licy of the former to lead the conversati

demoiselle de Gramont

in Bertha wro

eized upon the thr

rom Mademoiselle Ma

plunged into the subject in this straightforward, ca

ost w

an been able to obta

d she have gone!" exclaimed Maurice; but not in a tone of interro

been prompted by a noble motive. She could not cause you all this sorrow unl

only do her justic

opt?" inquired M. de Bois, with a perf

obtained a passport. She could not surely run the risk of attempting to travel without one. If the passport be for Great B

o me likely. She defi

he speak to you on the subj

de Bois betrayed a slight disquietude, but

r that, Mademoiselle Mad-ad-adeleine told me she had declined the prop-op-oposition. But, if you

would have no force upon paper. She must be there! Where else could s

ill accompany you. I must make my adieux t

you make a

were sent as ambassador to America. It is uncertain when he may get the appoin

have ac

adl

hes of my father's autocratic will! You have heard of his opposition to my studying for the bar? What is to become of me if I am deprived of every stimulating incentive to action?-especially now-now tha

be brought to contemplate y

if you will accomp

Bois walking by his side, as they approached the chateau. The countess was in the drawing-room when the gentlem

limbs were shackled; his movements became uncertain and spasmodic, menacing tables, chairs, vases, which, had they been gifted with consciousness, must have trembled at his approach; his nervous fingers thrust themselves into his hair, and threw it into ludicrous disorder;

alued a neighbor!" observed

k, and could not summon resolution. She took an opportunity, while th

he could give you no inform

also must bid you adieu, my grandmother; I am going immediately to Rennes; if I obtain the info

e countess answered, with an emphasis which was i

to make my apo

hat she had offered her destitute relative shelter, not from any genuine, womanly feeling of tenderness and compassion, but simply because she deemed it humiliating to allow one who bore her name to be placed in a doubtful and friendless position. All Madeleine's gentleness, cheerfulness, diligence to please, had failed to melt her aunt's impenetrable heart and make it expand to yield her a sacred place; the countess had misinterpreted her highest virtues,-gr

e farewell, M. de Boi

n as you reach Edinburgh?" p

comfort yourself with the assurance that I will not re

t pledge, for hope was a dominant char

, was in possession of the precious missive before her aunt and Count Tristan were aware of its arrival. She tore it open, and, glancing through the contents, uttered a cry of joy that rang through the chateau, and reached the ears even of

e has traced her! Oh, my dear, dear

atisfaction that her noble family had been spared some impending disgrace; but Count Tristan's black brows contracted; his malignant eyes flashed fiercely; he ground his teeth with suppressed rage as he snatched the letter o

me hear what

Trista

e with them. Following this clew I started immediately for Edinburgh, and arrived here on Wednesday evening. I had no difficulty in finding the residence of Lady Vivian. She is in London, but is expected home shortly. I had an interview with her venerable housekeeper, who answered all my inquiries with great patience. From her I learned that Lady Vivian was accompanied by a young French lady whom she had recently engaged as a dame de compagnie. The housekeeper could not remember her foreign name, but when I mentioned Mademoiselle de Gramont, she said it sounded like that. She had been informed that the young lady was very accomplished and belonged to an

reading the concluding lines

ere is no certainty that she will yield to his persuasions and return to us. Madeleine is very obstinate and self-will

dare say you are; but that will not make me miserable, which I should be if we could not find her at all. I mean to ask my uncle's permission to allow Madeleine to

g the count, nor did she divine the machinations already at w