Fashion and Famine

sinneth wit

heaven still

s may not

er up to da

, when thoug

leave the s

truth and s

shrink from s

that stormy night penetrated even the massive walls of the hotel, it had no power to throw a shadow upon the comforts with which this man had found means to surround himsel

certain light. Upon the mantel-piece stood a small picture-frame, carved to a perfect net-work, and apparently of pure gold, circling the miniature of a female, so exquisitely painted, so beautiful in itself, that the heart warmed to a glow while gazing upon it. It was a portrait of the very girl whom Julia had seen support

from a plate where several were lying, all somewhat mutilated, as if he had tried each without perfectly satisfying his fastidious appetite. Various foreign condiments, and several flasks of wine stood on the table, with ri

d a portion of his travelling luxuries. If we have dwelt long upon these small objects, it is because they bespoke the character of the man better than

s made up of the evil and the good, in order to be true, there must be many dark shadows in every picture of life as it exists now, and has exis

t seldom leaves the brow smooth, or the mouth perfectly flexible. Still to a casual observer, Leicester was a noble-looking and elegant man. The dark gloss and luxuriance of his hair was in nothing impaired by the few threads of silver that begun to make themselves visible; his forehead was high, broad and whit

then, for his eyes were lifted to that beautiful face gazing upon him so immovably from the ivory. He caught the mournful expression, cast, perhaps, by the position of the candles, and

jestic proportions of a person strong, sinewy and full of flexible vigor. His vest was off, and the play of his heart might have been counted through the fine and plaited linen that covered his

shut eyes upon the mute shadow that returned his look with such mournful intensity. At length the smile upon hi

s me, child-you are unskilful, Flor-a little spice of the evil-one-a storm of anger-now a dash of in

illed a glass and lifted it to his mouth. After tasting the wine with a soft, oily smack of the lips, and allowing a

nswer to his summons, but with information that a carriage had stopped at

He drew the cords of his d

riage? What does h

ll his teeth glistene

you speak

ward the picture on the mantel-

ldn't see a yard from the door; but I h

is dressing-gown, and hurriedly replacing it with garments more befitting the night, "Go, John, and say

erent to the rain that beat in his face. By changing his position he might have avoided half the violence of each new gust, b

carriage, intent on learning something of its inmate. But as he went down the steps a strong grasp was fixe

are you

the man's voice that

's message to the-the--" Here John began to stammer,

ester to come down;

from his garments, and drawing back to the doorway the moment he was released, but casting a furti

m the lanterns, the mulatto saw a white hand thrust forth; and a face of which he could distinguish nothing, save that

e door-open the door," cried a voice t

ear, but evidently excited to an unn

o attempted to r

. Leicest

found himself reeling back against the door, and t

it further back, f

he here?" was th

; but do be m

y, and without another word sh

ith no little impatience. The very imperfect report which he was enabled to give, relieved

oke from him as he was looking for his ha

yes, large and shining-a great deal brighter th

his dressing-gown from the floor and transferred the revolver to an inner po

en extinguished by the rain. Upon the steps, but lower down, and close by the carriage, stood the immovable figure of that self constituted sentinel. As

t though bold, he was a cautious man, and for a

man, who still held the door; "th

eicester, with one foot on the steps. "I was infor

m the carriage, as the sound

, if you would be safe

ghty reply, and Leicester touch

ed a sweet and tremulous voice from the carriage

was instantly closed; another form sprang up through the darkness and placed itself by the driver. The carriage dashed of

ick respiration-by the sort of thrill that seemed to agitate the being so mysteriously brought in contact with him. His own sensations were strange and inexplicable; accustomed to adventure, and living in intrigue of one kind or another continually, he entered i

the roof, the grinding wheels, and loud, splashing tread of the horses, he could hear the unequal breath of his companion with startling distinctness. Nay, it seemed to him as if the

d on, perhaps ten minutes, he thought how singular this silence must appear, and became ashamed of it. Even in the darkness he smiled in self derision; a lady had called at his hotel-had taken him almost per force into her carriage-was he to sit there like a great schoo

our captive. If one consents to be taken prisoner on a stormy

trange sensation to his heart again. He was silent-the gallant words seemed freezing in his throat. The hand clasped in his grew warmer, and began to tremble like a half frozen bird taking life from the humane bosom that has given it shel

summoned forth. Let me hear that voice again, though in this darkness to see your face is i

an effort to speak; but a low murmur only met his ea

as if he felt that she required support. She was trembling from head to foot. He uttered a few soothing words, and bending down, kissed her forehead. Then her head fell upon his shoulder, and she burst into a passion of tears. Her be

he was unaware, held the deep evil of his nature in abeyance. Strange as this woman's conduct had been, wild, incomprehensible as it certainly was, he could not think entirely ill of her. He would have laughed at another man in his place, had he entertained a doubt of her utter worthlessness; but there she lay

eet and blissful. Now and then she drew a deep, tremulous sigh, but no words w

me for me, and your name? If not that

art. This one moment of delusion was followed by a memory of who she was, and why she sought him, so bitter and sharp that it chilled her through and through. Ther

time you sh

the effort with gentle decision; and, completely lost in wo

that inky darkness; something more gloomy and palpable than the air loomed bef

been drowned by the rain dashing over the carriage. The man to whom she had spoken closed the door and seemed to mount a flight of steps. Then followed the sound of an opening door, and afte

door stood open, and, taking his hand, she led him through the profound darkness of what appeared to be a spacious vestibule. Then they ascended a flight of stairs winding up and up, as if confined wit

s already acquainted. The woman who now stood upon the faded carpet, ove

of flowers chased in frosted silver, and raised from the surface after a fashion peculiar to the best artists of Europe. Leicester was a connoiss

cester was fastidious even in his vices. "Some waiting-maid or governess who has borro

tinctly; she had thrown off her cloak, and stood with her veil of black lace, so heavily embroidered that no feature could be recognized through it, grasped in her hand, as if re

his sneers at once. Enough of personal beauty was revealed in the superb proportions of her form to make him more anxious for a view of her face. He

liar that every nerve in his strong frame seemed to quiver under the partial recognition. She sa

cheek. It was not often that this strong man was taken by surprise. His self-possession was marvellous at all times; but now, e

ow me,

brief struggle, and draw

there was a proud reserve about her as if she waited for him to say mo

we met," she said at len

as his cold reply; "

for the love of Heaven, say that I w

and tremble. He was rapidly gaining command over himself. Quick in association of ideas, even while he was smiling he had began to calculate. Selfish, haughty, cruel, with a heart fearful in the might of its passion, yet seldom gaini

nged, it would stir her heart to yield more certain signs of his power. He was not mistaken. She moved a step toward him as he

broken it-thus he calculated, for he could reason now before that beautiful, passionate being, co

for me in the least!" cried the poor lady, falling into on

n, Ada-wh

lifted her eyes-a flood of mo

hen, Wi

ny knowledge of my feelings

ip-idolize? Oh! Heavens, h

ely: a glorious light broke thro

u aband

d you-oh,

the past for a moment. It has not been so pl

a bitter, bitter pas

talk of anything, it must be that.

hy ask the cruel que

e not to spea

rt," she said, gently, "else how

l to swallow the dose at once, as

and it did-that man was not content with making victims, he loved to tease and

your history since we parted-

pon herself was a terrible one. She had resolved to open her heart, to tell the whole harrowing,

and exciting in it. For some time he would not aid her, even by a question, but he really wished to learn a portion of her history, for during the last three years he had lost a

e in her mind-and now where had they fled? The very power of speech seemed abandoning her. She almost longed for some taunting word, another cold sneer-at least they would hav

stillness grew

da; waiting to hear why yo

dled, and the fiery bloo

ndon my husban

t for a journey!"

otive, leaving me young, penniless, beset with temptation, tor

r own positive knowledge, to hear a denial of her a

ember. It was a

to get rid of me-nay, that you encouraged-I cannot frame words for the thought even now. He had lent you money, large sums-William, William, in the name

rched his to the soul. He smiled-her hand dropped-her countenanc

. A word would have torn it away, but you will not take

the absurdity o

t in her face. She panted to believe

this on his death-b

was the quick rejoi

d," she answere

aughter, h

oo is

ut his self-control was wonderful. A direct question might expose the unutterabl

aid by him

the whole force of her glance, and assumed an expression

ement. That you left the noble villain without public di

led for my own bread; by wrestling with poverty

e with him w

e sent for me, and I went. Oh!

cheeks; she covered he

s of his daughter-her nu

art, alone-you an

We were alone. She wa

our own child-only to be governess. Can you say to me, Ad

f stern dignity-perhaps at the moment he di

what cowards sin makes of us! That poor woman dared not tell the truth-she shrunk from uttering a positive falseho

husband, for Leicester was h

, replied in a firm voice, disagreeably firm, for the lie cost her proud spiri

's governess that I went-only to be her governe

king the truth; but there was something yet to learn, and in the

er death-bed and his-this pitiful man could leave you to poverty and toil. D

ught was mine-you onc

d the look of those eyes, the sweet pleading of her voice-for the con

tiful then," he sai

?" she answered, with a s

freshness of youth was gone, there was grace, maturity, intellect, everything r

with time. She blushed like a girl. He could feel even that her hand was glowing with the exquisite pleasure given by his praise. But he had a point to gain-all her loveliness was nothing to him, unless it could be made subservient to hi

l kept, so neatly arranged in that high chamber! Was she a governess in some wealthy household, furnishing her own room with the humble articles that had once been their own household goods? He glanced at her dress. It was simple and entirely without ornament; this only strengthened the conclusion to which he was fast arrivi

t first when our darling was a baby?

and stood up. His

l mother-is she not impoverished, aband

keenly as you can how impossible

e had arrived at the certa

again, or to dwell upon things that are unchangeable. You have s

nd gazed at him

o smile away her terror-"your looks but a moment since

voice died away-she staggered back with a f