The Mysteries of Paris V2

aid, on the part of Rudolph, to reassure Mrs. George as to the disappearance of her young protegee, who would return to her in a few days. For several very important reasons, added

ar of the abduction. In this interval, Sarah hoped to force the notary to favor the unworthy scheme of which we have spoken. This was not all.

bbering, and learned that a young lady, on the point of being surprised by her husband, had been saved, thanks to a lodger in the house named Rudolph. Informed of this circumstance, Sarah, possessing no material proof of the rendezvous that Lady d'Harville had given to Charles R

er was th

a room in the fourth story, under the name of Rudolph. If you doubt these facts, strange as they may appear, go to the Rue du Temple, No. 17, and inform yourself; paint to yourself the features of the august person spoke

END OF P

on to go to Madame d'Harville's to announce to her that he had found a charitable intrigue worthy of her. We will conduct the reader to Madame d'Harville's. It will be seen, from the following conver

hich we have spoken; the expression of Clemence d'Harville was affectionate and kind; D'Harv

o to-night?" said he, me

out; pray what

ciety is insupportable to me. I will pass this

since I am n

at his wife with surp

el

n prefer solitude whe

ce, smiling, "at present I prefer to partake my

emotion, "how kind you are to ant

your astonishment has a

cions the other day. To find you so forgiving, it is, I conf

" said she to her husban

t you? To tell you to what extremity a blind jealousy has impelled me? But

I say," repeated Clemence

The past also-c

e to d

nerous? But no, no, I cannot believe in so

e wrong,

t a dream? Oh, tell

ou are not

your voice almost falters. Oh, say, i

lso have nee

ou

from what you did? Isolated, unhappy, how resist the desire of seeking some consolation in a marriage which pleased you? Alas! when one suffers, one is

" said D'Harville, his hands

d. I will do all in my power to

you I

y you? Who should lend you a friendly and helping hand, if not I? A happy inspiration I have received. I have reflected,

rors, po

er our marriage, appealed to your hon

ence, pit

s. I should have endeavored to console you for a fearful malady, by only remembering your misfortune. By degrees I should have become attached to my work of commise

know how many new emotions your words

I comprehended how culpable I have be

in default of a fortunate and smiling destiny, let us seek our satisfaction in the accomplishment of the serious duties that fate imposes. Let us be indulgent to o

sure you cause me, Clemence! you do not know that your harshest words formerly, your most severe reproaches, alas! the most merited, have never so much overw

rt. This resolution is taken firmly; it shall never fail, I swear

ression of goodness which still graces you, the throbbings of my heart, all, all prove to me that what you say is true. But you know, Clemence, man is insati

the most tender of sisters; but nothing more. Pardon, pardon, if unkn

, fixing on her a despera

answered

nd her husband with the most touching attentions; but she felt that she was incapable of ever loving him. An impression still stronger than fright, contempt, hatred, separated

or having abandoned myself to a hope, mad as

er of sisters? You will owe to the most devoted friendship attentions that love could not give you. Hope for better days. Until now you have

said to Clemence, "His

asks if your ladysh

recovering his coolness, said to he

ince you have seen the prince; he will be happy to find you here. I shall, also, be much pleased to see him;

uld we do? Here he is." At the sa

doubly appreciate my good fortune, since it also procures me the pleasure of seeing you,

have had the honor to pay

my respects to Madame d'Harville, I asked for you; you were absent.

lle is the more guilty, since he has for your highness the most pr

would always be impossible for me to doubt his affection; but

en circumstances alone have prevented me from

o platonic in friendship; very sure that you are loved, you a

ant entered, bringing a letter to the marquis. It was the anonymous denunciat

k with his hand the silver salver which the servant han

, in the most affectionate tone,

our hig

Madame d'Harville, I beg

hness that there i

Albert, read

ut

at you-I

ires it," said the marquis, tak

uire you to treat

tal letter, the contents of which Rudolph could not have imagined, he added, smili

rsed together, while D'Harville twice read the letter. His countenance remained composed; a nervous trembling, alm

olph, smiling, "I shall ask permission to go and answ

see you aga

ve that honor; I hope your ro

h gayly. "Will you not tr

what your highness h

your letter is written; if not, promise to grant me an inte

ms me," said the marquis, bow

aid Rudolph to the marchioness,

'Harville was profoundly affected;

perhaps, at an in

ed me the conclusion of

is

conduct that I was resolved to follow,

py he sh

sorrow afterward has only been more bitter. While just now-what a difference! I asked my husband if he were going out: he answered me sadly, that he should pass the evening alone, as was usually the case. When I of

on your part lead to this painful co

hopes more tender, which I was very guarded not to excite,

d; he loves

not conceal my alarm. I caused him a sad blow in manifesting thus my invincible repugnance to his love, I regret it

ave been afflicted, for a long time past, with his sadness and dejection, although ignorant of the cause. Let us leave all to time, to reason. By degrees he will

er be wanting, I swe

promised you a good work, having all the charm of a

! what h

gine all that I find curious and interesting! In the first place, your proteges of the garret enjoy the comforts your presence had promised them; they have, ho

itude toward you!" "It i

has succored th

er to them. Besides, I have

eceive them: tell them

ce the Morels are now out of the reach of want, think of others. Let us think of our intrigue. It concerns a poor mother and her dau

and where do they

not

ou find out th

e temple. Your ladyship

ple

my

I went there to make some purchases w

neig

room in the R

for

she calls herself Rigolette; this Miss Dimplet

tue for a

e says, she has no time to be in love; for she must work from twelve

e on so smal

s who eat more than she does; her little room is as ne

ive sous a-day! s

you; hence, I recommend her to you. She is, she says, a very skillful seamstr

o small a sum, and, so to speak, be unknown to us, who are ri

ning an old secretary which was for sale, I found the draft of a letter written by a female to some individual, in which she complained that herself and daughter were reduced to the greatest misery, on account of the dishonesty of a lawyer. The secretary was part

not know t

ce. It is possible that, stripped of every thing, the mother and daughter have sought refuge in some miserably furnished lodgings

f circumstances!" said Madame

tter, found in the old secretary were th

d Madame d'Harville, with vivacity; then she continued, with a sigh, "But I a

l young, of distinguished appearance, whose daug

daughter! It seems to me a motive the m

e brother of this widow commi

to see her. I will write her a note to-night, so that I shall be sure to find her to-morrow morning. Who can these women be? From what you know of them

ble scoundrel, of whom I already know

y step-mother! But you are deceived, my lord; he is loo

nmask him, I have need that he shall not suspect, or rather, that he shall go on with impunity a short time longer. Yes; it is he who has

this

and misery into which he plunges you. For a man like this Ferrand, no patrimony of the orphan or savings of the poor are sacred! You confide to him gold; this gold tempts him; he makes you a beggar. By the force of privations and toil, you have assured to yourself bread, and an asylum for your old age; the will of this man tears from your old age this bread and shelter. This is not all. See the fearful effects of these infamous spoliations; this widow of whom we speak may die of so

BETWEEN DISHO

dignation; she listened in silence, struck by these words of eloquenc

ignation in thinking of the cruel fate which your future protegees may have realized

re. I am rich, but not as much so as I could wish, now that I see a new use for money; but, if it is necessary, I will speak to D'Harville; I will make him so happy that he cannot refuse any of my new caprices. Our protegees are proud, your highness says; I like them better for it: pride in misfortune al

t Machiavelian combination

ill see for myself. I will ask information from everybody. I will compromise myself, if it is necessary! I shall be so proud to obtain by myself, and by myself

her eyes; then, raising them in charming confusion, she said, "You laugh at my enthusiasm? It is because I am impatient to taste those holy joys which are about to reanimate my existence, until now sad and useless. Such, without doubt, was not the life I dreamed of; there is a sentiment, a happiness, more lively still that I can never know; although still very young, I must renounce it!" added Clemence, suppressing a sigh. "But thanks to you,

suffer! This is the reason I

ghness u

o them all. A lover, it has struck me through the first woman that I loved with all the blind confidence o

rand duchess did not

he loss of this child, whom I had hardly seen, is the sorrow of my life. The older I become, the more profound my regrets! Ea

ther still live?

being bronzed by egotism and ambition. Sometimes I ask myself if it were not be

ring Rudolph express himself thus. "Oh! I conceive

e a pure and lovely being! to inhale her virgin purity, to watch over her with tender care! A mother the most fond and most proud of her daughter cannot experience this feeling; she is herself too similar to taste these ineffable delights; she will appreciate much more the manly qualities of a bold

it is

e them?" said Rudolph, dejectedly. "But pardon me, madame; my regrets and m

e right? Have you not partaken of mine? Unfortunately

lutary to me. It is weakness, but I cannot hear a young

at Saint Lazare; this house contains many culprits. If I were not a mother, I should have judged them, doubtless, with still more severity, while I now feel for them pity; much softened in thinking that

you will pass through, without stumbling, these years of trial, so dangerous for women, above all for a woman gifted as you are; your reward shall be great; you

" "Far or near, I shall always take the deepest interest in all that concerns you; always, as much as depends

tears; "without your generous support, my strength would abandon me; b

ared pale and profoundly affected: his eyes were wet with tears. The first astonishment over, the marquis said to Rudolph, giving him Sarah

I pretended to be calm, while I had jealousy, anger, and despair in my heart; this is not all. Do you know what I did, my lord? I shamefully went and concealed myself behind this door to listen to you-to spy-yes, I have been wretch enough to doubt your honor. Oh! the author of this letter knows to whom he addresses

our secrets, I am delighted. I can preach to you at my leisure. I am your confidant by compulsion, and, what is still bette

e, will you p

suring your own happiness," and she extended her

ge that we are well avenged of the envious and wicked. That will answer while waiting for something better, for I divine from whence this came, and I am not accustomed to suffer patiently the injuries done to my friends. But thi

age, to thank him again, the marquis retired to