Monsieur de Camors -- Volume 2

e local interests, and neglected no occasion of forwarding them. Furthermore, if any of his constituents, passing through Paris, presented themselves at his small hotel on the Rue de l'Imperatrice-it

otted out his horses in the court under their eyes. They found him much improved in personal appearance, and even reported affectionately that his face was fuller and had lost the melancholy cast it used to wear. His manner, once reserved, was now warmer, without

or he cultivated in the depths of his soul-for women, for his infe

spected as a god! In fact, he had now, realized as completely as possible, in his own pe

him, he was content! He was truly that which he wished to be. The pro

owledge of the world, delicacy of taste and elegance, refinement and the point of honor constituted a sort of moral whole which formed the true gentleman, he strove to adorn his person with the graver as well as the lighter graces. He was like a conscientious artist, who would leave no smallest detail incomplete. The result of his labor was so satisfactory, that M. de Camors, at the moment we rejoin him, was not perhaps one of the best men in the world, but he was beyond doubt one of the happiest and most

men by their virtues, or their vices, with equal indifference. He was incapable of meanness; he never wilfully entrapped a friend, or even an enemy, into a disastrous speculation; only, if the venture proved unsuccessful, he happened to get out and leave the others in it. But in financial speculations, as in battles, there must

modest and so laborious-to see him ready on the dryest subjects and with the most tedious reports. Ponderous laws of local interest neither frightened nor mystified him. He seldom spoke in the public debates, except as a repo

generation was preparing, after a time, to pass from theories to revolution-and calculating with pleasure that the development of this periodical catastrophe would probabl

ble to permit him to wait the hour of ambition. Men

ainment: his intrigues could not be gossiped about, being at

honors to his victims, and to inter them delicately under the flowers of his friendship. He had in this way made many

and economized his health, his energies, and his strength. His tastes were as thoroughly elevated as could be those of a being who strove to repress his soul. Refined intrigues, luxury in music, paintings, books, and

to him the true evangel of men superior to their species. He was less and less tempted to violate the rules of the game of life; but among all the useless cards, to hold which might disturb his system, the first he discarded was the thought of marriage. He pitied himself too tenderly at

He determined so to conduct himself toward her as to leave no ground for the growth of her illusion. He ceased to visit Reuilly, r

liteness to Mademoiselle Marie, there remained doubt in his mind that, the fickleness of the fair sex aiding him, the young mother of the girl would renounce her chimerical project. His error was great: and it may be here remarked that a hard and scornful scepticism may in

sentiments. Inconstancy of heart is the special attribute of man; but he deems it his privilege as well

ld, depraved though they be by the temptations that assail them, nature asserts herself; and it is no rarity to see them devote an entire life to one idea, one thought, or one affection! Their lives do not know the thousand distractions which at

red her heart in this union of her daughter with Camors, and in thus securing the happiness of both. Ever since she had conceived this desire-which could only have

husbands by connection with a pure soul, by family affections, and by the sweet religion of the heart. Seeking, therefore, by making her daughter an amiable and lovable woman, to prepare her for the high mission for which she was destined, she omitted nothing which could improve her. What success rewarded her care the

secret which concerned herself. Sometimes she talked too much of M. de Camors; som

ne we are likely to interpret favorably all that he does, or all that he omits to do. Madame de Tecle readily attributed the equivocal conduct of the Count to the inspiration of

isturbing the repose of

ortune which seemed dest

o his scruples by

reaching a marriageable age. She therefore did not despair that some day

s forced to marry her daughter to another, the poor woman consoled herself with the thought that all the car

occupied, placed ages and abysses between each of his periodical voyages. But Madame de Tecle, after five years, was always only a day removed from the cherished and fatal night on which her dream had begun. Since that period there had been no break in her thoughts

the impression she would make on the mind of the Cou

Councils-General to try a new style of hair-dressing for her. The same year on which we have resumed our recital there passed, on one occasion, a little scene which rather annoyed Ma

ng would break away from the rest, and fall in careless curls. Madame de T

aid sighing, and stepping back

think so. I see exactly what will happen: the bell rings-I run out- my n

what Monsieur de Camors

e de

r arms around her nec

bitter irony. He was "the great man"-"the mysterious personage"-"the star of t

so serious a nature as

cl

another cross. Her mother found her cold, awkward, and silent-brief, and slightly ca

le de Tecle was for him only an insignificant little g

interest him very much, and the more because against his will

wife better companions. Madame de Tecle accepted these invitations cheerfully, because it gave her an opportunity of seeing the elite of the Parisian world, from whom the whims of her uncle had always isolated her. For her own part, she did not much enjoy it; but her daughter, by moving in the midst of such fashion and elegance could thus efface some provincialisms of toilet or of language; perfect her taste in the delicate and fleeting changes of the prevaili

return of the Marquise to France he had resumed the relations of a kinsman and friend with her husband and herself; but, while trying to adopt the most natural manner, he treated

nother, had religiously intended to preserve one-the sentiment of honor. Many times, in the course of this life, he h

the Bible; it is not easy to know ex