The Wandering Jew, Book IV.

nd Rose Simon, whom she so little expected to find together in such a place. The orphan, approaching close to the fence, which separated the nunne

r by the arm, and seemed to scold her severely, and notwithstanding some energetic words addressed to her by Mdlle. de Cardoville, she hastily carried off the orphan, who with weeping e

aracter had for a moment been shaken by fatigue, astonishment, fright, despair, on the terrible night when she had been taken to the asylum by Dr. Baleinier; and the latter, taking a diabolical advantage of her weakness and despondency, had succeeded for a moment in making her doubt of her own sanity. But the calm, which necessarily follows the most painful and violent emotions, combined with the reflection and reasoning of a clear and subtle intellect, soon convinced Adrienne of the groundlessness of the fears inspired by the crafty doctor. She no longer believed that it could even be a mistake on the part of the man of science. She saw clearly in the conduct of this man, in which detestable hypocrisy was united with rare audacity, and both served by a skill no less remarkable, that M. Baleinier was, in fact, the blind instrument of the Princess de Saint-Dizier. From that moment, she remained silent and calm, but full of dignity; not a complaint, not a reproach was allowed to pass her lips. She waited. Yet, though they left her at liberty to walk about (carefully depriving her of all means of communicating with any one beyond the walls), Adrienne's situation was harsh and painful, particularly for her, who so loved to be surrounded by pleasant and harmonious objects. She felt, however, that this situation could not last long. She did not thoroughly understand the penetration and action of the laws; but her good sense taught her, that a confinement of a few

rustic bench on which she was seated, and held her left hand over her eyes. She had laid down her bonnet beside her, and the inclined position of her head brought the long golden curls over her fair, shining cheeks. In this recumbent attitude, so full of careless grace, the charming proportions of her figure were seen to advantage beneath a watered green dress, while a broad collar, fastened with a rose-colored satin bow, and fine lace cuffs, prevented too strong a contrast between the hue of her dress and the dazzling whiteness of the swan-like neck and Raphaelesque hands, imperceptibly veined with tiny azure lines. Over the high and well-formed instep, were crossed the delicate strings of a little, black satin shoe-for Dr. Baleinier had allowed her to dress herself with her usual taste, and elegance of costume was not with Adrienne a mark

. For indeed this poor creature, pale, deformed, miserably clad, thus appearing suddenly before her, must have inspired Mdlle, de Cardoville, so passion

ndow. All that Agricola had told her of the charms of his protectress, appeared to her a thousand times below the reality; and never, even in her secret poetic visions, had she dreamed of such rare perfection. Thus, by a singular contrast,

cape the work-girl's notice; accordingly, she held down her head timidly, and said in a soft voice: "I be

t have forgotten the name of the workman. But, to her great surprise and joy, the fears of Adrienne seemed to d

ricola Baudoin?" sai

me-a poor needlewoman, wh

ng kindly, after a moment's silence: "It was you then, who

e, do you

much affected when he spoke of your devotion. I remember it well; it

some occupation here, as I am out of work. Unfort

id you rec

y, madame, of which

she lifted, with the tips of her rosy fingers,

miles, which rarely settled on her lips: "he is a poet, and omitted no single perf

ed you to come

received Agricola with so much goodness, that

e, with ineffable grace; "until now, unfortunately, I have

quite the opposite sentiment. With that rapid and minute power of observation natural to women, she remarked beneath the black crape of Mother Bunch's cap, the smoothness and brilliancy of the fair, chestnut hair. She remarked, too, the whiteness of the long, thin hand, though it displayed itself at the end of a patched and tattered sleeve-an infallible proof that care, and cleanliness, and self-respect were at least struggling against symptoms of fearful distress. Adrienne discovered, also, in the pale and melancholy features, in the expression of the blue eyes, at once intelligent, mild and timid, a soft and modest dignity, which made one forget the deformed figure. Adrienne loved physical beauty, and admired it passionately, but she had too superior a mind, too noble a soul, too sensitive a heart, not to know how t

?-they have deceived me-you are not mad! Just now, when I beheld you so kind and beautiful, when I heard the sweet tone of your voi

the place which becomes us. Believe me, I shall never forget how, in spite of the painful ideas which must needs occupy your mind, on seeing yourself deprived of work-your only resource-you have still thought of coming to me, and of trying to serve me. You may, indeed, be eminentl

mrades. His father went yesterday to offer bail for him, and they promised that he should be release

o

released immediately by what me

this house, and secluded from every one, M. Agricola must not think of addressing himself directly or indirectly to me. He must wait till I am at liberty; but that is not

their name

y, when I took my accustomed walk, and observed two poor little weeping faces come close to the windows of their separate cells, one on the ground floor, the other on the f

r relations,

ch I felt for them. Their tears, and the sadness of their charming faces, sufficie

me-the victim of the an

them just now said to me, I see that they are, like me, the victims of an odious machination. But thanks to you, it will be possible to save them: Since I have been in this house I have

k! speak,

ght these orphans to F

is still

pair, when, on his return home, he no longer found t

e this ring," said Adrienne, drawing it from her finger, "and give it to him.

icola only mentioned your name once, and I have n

girl. Remember, then,

tbr

Montbron-I sha

d friends, and lives on

e, No. 7-I sh

he girls, the name of the convent where they are confined, and my own detention as a lunatic in the asylum of Dr. Baleinier. Truth has an accent of its own, which M. de Montbron will recognize. He is a man of much experience and judgment, and possesse

e. Pray, give me your hand!" added Mdlle. de Cardoville, whose eyes were filling with tears; and, passing her beautiful hand through an opening in the fence, she offered it to the other. The words and the gesture of the fair patrician were full of so much real cordiality, that the

leinier; Adrienne withdrew abruptly, and disappeared b

ks. For a young lady, like Adrienne de Cardoville, to treat her as a sister, to kiss her hand, to tell her that she was proud to resemble her

peech, she was for a moment conscious of her own value. And though this feeling was rapid as it was ineffable, she clasped her hands and raised her eyes to heaven with an expression of fervent gratitude; for, if the poor sempst

he garden without being perceived, reascended to the first story, and knocked

whom I came, still here, si

longer. No doubt, you have com

ess, casting down her eyes; "would you h

with

p lest she should meet the superior, who would naturally

, to ask him to let her out, she heard these words pronounced in a gruff voice: "It seems, old Jerome, that we are to be doubly

voice; "I have my sharp scythe, a true gar

she had heard by mere chance, Mother Bunch approached

lodge, with a double barrelled gun, which he was occupied in loading, in hi

o the superior," answer

y. "You look like a sanctified scare

master, Dagobert, a little way behind him, arriving also with precipitation. She was hastening to meet the soldier, when a full, sonorous voice exclaimed from a little