Infelice

han the lapse of several ordinary monotonous years; and as Madame Orme sat in her reception-room at one o'clock on the following afternoon, awaiting the visit of the minister, the blanched face wa

, twined just behind the ear, and drooped low on the snowy neck. Before her on a gilded stand was the purple pyramid of flowers she had brought from the theatre, and beside them lay several perfumed envelopes with elaborate monograms. These notes

the billets-doux, the elegant, graceful chirography of the "Madame Odille Orme" drew her gaze, like the loathsome fascination of a basilisk, and taking a package of notes from her pocket, she held them for a moment clos

actresses. To be thrown aside-trampled down-for such a creature as Abbie Ames! his coarse-featured, diamond-dowered bride! Ah! my veins run lava; when I think of her thick heavy lips, pressing that haughty perfect mouth, where mine once c

if to efface some imaginary stain, and they slow

on-room was followed almost simultaneously by the

ought this up. What ans

g to her feet, and a vivid sca

Madame Orme begs to

hastly in her colourlessness, and her bloodless lip

e back,-le

bronze Mercury on the mantel. When she turned around, her features wer

nd then I wish you to come back and sit with your knitting yonder, at the end of the room. And please drop the curtain there, the pink silk will make me look a trifle less

, Mrs. Orme shuddered, and

mine has overtaken me before I am quite re

er bosom a locket containing Regina's miniature. Touching a spring, she looked at the childish features so singularly like those she had seen the previous eve

its rapid approach, waiting to throw herself into the arms that would clasp her so fondly; to-day that unaltered step smote her ears like an echo from the tomb, and for an instant her heart stood still, and she shut her eyes; but the door sw

e name of American is an open sesame to American sympathy and hospitality. Pray be seated, Mr. Laurance. Pardon me, not that stiff-backed ancient contrivance

stage, and no shadow of the past cast its dusky wing over her proud, pa

exerts over one who for many years has roamed far from his roof-tree and his hearthstone; but who never more proudly exulted in his na

ou paid me the tribute of y

ent with the intense admiration which kindled on the previous evening, now glowed more fervently from the con

companying our minister

r the arrangement of some business details, concerning which I was advised to consult him. One really cannot duly

phasis with which she had certainly singled out his face in that vast auditory, and, thoroughly appreciating his munifi

ion of your genius; but unfortunately the impression prevails that my charming countrywoman sternly interdicts all gentleman visitors, denies access even to the most ardent of her worshipp

is rashness, when, raising herself haughtily, sh

and rumour quotes me aright, in proclaiming me a recluse when the curtain falls and the lights are extinguished. To-day I deviated from my usual custom in compliment to the representati

gleam in her keen wide e

rliest opportunity of congratulating you upon your brilliant triumph. In the interim he places at your disposal certain printed regulations, which will supply the information you desire, and which you will find

tle finger of his left hand the day of their marriage-a ring endeared to her, because it had been her mother's bridal pledge-he now wore a flashing diamond, in a broad and costly setting. Almost unconscio

o him to place the papers on the table, a

aurance, since y

memories of my home are fresh and fragran

around your heart, and survive the attrition of a long residence in Paris. Your repertoire of charming me

in Europe confirms the belief that crossed the Atlantic with me, that in beauty, grace, and all the nameless charms that constitute the perfect, peerless, fascinating woman,

angerously beautiful eyes rested with an unmistakable expression upon the faultless features befo

se worship is offered only at foreign shrines, and the precious

e countrywomen. Is it needful that I recross the ocean to bow before the reigning muse? Is it not concede

that I, alas! cannot as an American lay claim to a moie

lambent light that seemed now and then to ray out of the brilliant eyes

ed in according to my own country

ch ship, in the middle

ite, your votaries bow as blindly, as helplessly, as those over whom your ancient Greek mo

's ethics, and shed far too rosy an Orientalism over his mind and heart; and hopes he will not forget he

cowered before the pure face that now leaned far forward, with dilated, scornful eyes

his chair, and mutely questioned as on the previ

he recovered himsel

n or where, I cannot conjecture, but of one thing I am painfully certain, we can never be strangers henceforth. Some charm in your voice, in the expression of your eyes when as 'Amy Robsart' t

the image of their child, a wintry smile broke over her white face, lending it that

uty that fickle heart you call your own utterly surrenders, and whom winning as wife, and cherishing as only husbands can the darlings they worship, you were finally torn away from-by inexorable death-the only power that can part husbands and wives, then think you, Mr. Laurance, that the universe holds a grave deep enough to keep you quiet in your coffin-if vain heartless men profaned her sacred widowhood by such utterances as you presume to offer me? The stage is the arena, where in gladiatorial combat I wage my battle with the beasts of Poverty and Want: there I receive the swelling acclamations of triumph, or the pelting hisses of defeat; there before the footlights where I toil for my bread, I am a

e unseasonable fiery influence, falls in an impetuous icy torrent, bearing the startling chill of winter into f

uption, and as he watched her, Mr. Laurance just then would have given the fortune of the Rothsch

g upon his flushed handsome face, interpreting its eloquent varying expressions by the aid of glancing lights which memory snatched from long-gone years, she saw the struggle in his dual nature, an

nical prude; and upon my primitive and wellnigh obsolete ideal of social decorum and propriety, upon my lofty standard of womanly delicacy and manly honour, I can patiently

d note, whose accusing characters betrayed the hand that penned it,

lless Narcissus, with no larger sense of honour than could find ample waltzing room on the point of a cambric needle, insolently avows his real sentiments in language that your valet might address to his favourite grisette; and closes like some ardent accepted lover, with an audacious demand for my photograph, 'to wear for ever over his fond and loyal heart!' That is fashionable homage to my genius-it

l the signature in violet ink flaunted before the violet eyes of its owner,

he said in an alter

y I disturb yo

sed in a snowy frame the benevolent wrinkled countenance, came forward, knitting in hand,

sun shines hot upon Mr. Laurance's brow. Then touch the b

ted. Waiting until the Quaker-like duenna had retreated to her former seat, he rose and leaned across the small table, and under his rich lo

delicacy. Madame Orme, if your unparalleled beauty, grace, and talent bewitched me into a passing folly and vain impertinence, for which indeed I blush, your stern reproof recalls me to my senses, to my better nature; and I beg that upon the unsullied word of an American gentleman, you will accept with my apology the earnest assurance that in quitting this room I honour and revere my matchless countrywoman far more than when I entered her noble presence. Fashionable freedom may have demoralized my tongue, but by the God above us, I swear it

embered and once so fondly loved stole tenderly through the dark, lonely, dreary recesses of her desolate, aching heart, it waked for one inst

evenge that held her back on that memorable day! Verily for each of us a "Nemean Lion lies in wait

gradual drooping of the heavily lashed lids, the eyes closed. Only until one might have leisurely counted five was he permitted to scan the wan face in

wn to mark a hidden quicksand; for in my future panorama I shall keep no niche for mortifying painful days like this-and you, sir, amid the rush and glow and glitter of this bewildering French capital, will have little leisure and less inclination to recall the unflattering failure of an attempted flirtation with a pretty but most utt

r for the privilege of sometimes seeing you. Permi

he exclaimed, with a quick nervous lau

to deny me the delight of

he attempted to touch the fair dimpled hand which

that the cameo ring pressed close upon her bounding heart, she looked down on him as from some distant height, w

permit. If accident should ever thrust you again across my path, you will do well to forget that our minister committed the blunder of sending you here to-day. Mr. Laurance will please accept my thanks

hers, as if in mortal challenge; and he bowed, with a degr

ways secures admission to her smiles, and from which no earthly power can debar me. Watching you from the same spot, where last night you floated like an angelic dream of my boyhood, like a glorious revelation upon my vision and my heart, I shall defy the wor

uoyed by an abiding fatalism, a fond faith in that magnetic influence and fascination he had hithe

e, the slender white-robed figure moved unsteadily across the f

snapped simultaneously; the actress was trampled out of sight, the weak, suffering, long-tortured woman bowed down in helpl

-not that woman's-but mine! all mine! My

e sweet times tha

h a tale my h

ted him! what

eel his arms a

t with his! What

aises; all to

rst not look

t that other th

ch men c