"They talk of letters-presents-from the Colonel;-tea-gardens; midnight walks; houses fit for demons.-Why bid me repeat? why wring from me"

"I have been to some of these places," said Rosalie. "The Colonel, courts me, and-"

"You have been with others--others-the Major," said Ormond, nigh choking with grief and wrath.

"Only to meet him," said Rosalie; and she blushed in a kind of wonder so charming, that he advanced and drew from her bosom the golden chain she wore concealed.

"Look here," he said, "and dangled it insultingly," when we see humble girls with trinkets such as these, we know their price."

"It costs a great deal of money, no doubt," said Rosalie, "but why should I refuse it?" and she arose indignantly, but, on a sudden, he held her from him by the waist,-viewing her with looks of sorrow.

"To have so much beauty," he muttered, with so little modesty. Though I must no longer own you-when he tires-casts you off-and all despise,--come yet to me, if living-oh, my Rosalie."

"Leave, go, I don't know what you mean, said she; and seeing a sort of wildness in his manner, "of what are you dreaming, Ormond?

of d'Arbret ;-then, of my wretched self."

"Dare you insult? dare you repeat?" cried the girl, as she sprung from him with blushes, deep enough, indeed, for anger.

"Your friends, say so-the whole town says so," he exclaimed.

"And you," she gasped, " you Ormond ?"

"I believe it:" these were his words.

Rosalie Farette stood transfixed, till all the colour faded from her face, and she was still standing there in mute wonder. The lover, at last, approached her.

"In a day, or so," he said, "if you should hear that harm has happened to me, then, remember there was one who loved, at least, your honor better than the world beside; farewell."

Rosalie advanced one step-but pride-wounded pride-that imperative sentiment of self-respect with-held her she met his gaze of passionate emotion cast back upon her, and so they parted. Ere he was well gone, she repented her folly and weakness, and wondered at the difficulty in which she found herself, and much would she have given to be able to retrace her past steps upon the road of life, never travelled but once.

Now the main origin of all this evil, Colonel d'Arbret, was precisely in the position he best of all preferred; having an excellent recreation in anticipation, and one that mightily suited his whim, in the duel with Ormond Casaubon; and, moreover, an amour with a pretty girl in the town, and a confirmed penchant for the far-famed beauty residing in its vicinity. The latter sentiment, of all, was the most agreeable to him, because the most true and rational-possessing so many extra degrees of bliss to all other, as real gems surpass the counterfeit in brilliancy;-as rays from

Heaven the artificial light; as, in strength and perfection, the flower of the earth, to that raised in hot-house culture.

It was at the gaming-house with Sarton, the gamester, and the worthy Major, that he divulged his intention of meeting Ormond Casaubon in a duel, as to exclusive right in the charms of Rosalie Farette; for, with this view, the event was regarded; and he had no doubt, whatever, that such a step would infallibly secure the affections of the damsel herself. It would make her at least proud of the conquests she had gained. "What say you, Sarton ?" said he, "behind the cathedral ruin. you be our second ?"

Will

"Anything," said the gamester.

"You know that I am not particular."

"Next to a bottle, give me a duel for the women? said the Major.

"The young fellow is a brave one," said d'Arbret, "I like him much, and want to see him sword in hand."

"If he happen to please the Prince," said the Major, "will he be appointed Aid-de-camp or—"

"H-u-s-h!—hush! silence," cried Sarton, and his words came hissing off the tongue, and tingling on the ears with somewhat remarkable meaning. The Major bowed differentially to d'Arbret, who, glancing round the apartment, watchfully, continued speaking.

"The youth has not a bad choice, and some of the true blood in his veins; for, what he seeks, he will have, nor will quit half way."

He is--who is he? "Sarton enquired," the nephew of the old miser yonder. "He is reported to have found a considerable treasure hereabouts," said his com panion. For my part I should like to have the handling of the miser's money bag? Sarton here winked to him in the way of a quiet rebuke.

"The young man wanted money, doubtless," said d'Arbret. "I hope he has found it. There is something wrong when we behold the topping pine spring up amid low trees. I like him mightily, or should scarce have honored him with a tilting bout."

Thus, they went on conversing on the intended meeting and on different topics, for the name of Miss d'Estreville could not be mentioned here; but ere they left the billiard table, while the Colonel was meditating over such arrangements as might be deemed expedient in such affairs, her father unexpectedly entered.

To be concluded in our next.

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No. 9.-THE GOOD FOLKS OF ST. DENIS.

(Concluded from page 224).

CHAPTER VIII.

THERE was, of late, a singular change in the deportment of d'Estreville; he was far more sedate and distant, almost like one involved in abstract ideas remote from objects of the material world; and there was a pride and serenity, too, in all this, that rendered it the more peculiar. It was not, however, observed by the Colonel, or, if so, regarded as nothing offensive, but, rather, excusable under the circumstances of their relative position. The gentlemen had played some time, lost and won considerably and drank champagne in bumpers ere they prepared to separate. At last, they did so reluctantly; but d'Estreville, and, the Colonel, too, had that upon his mind which must be communicated, and they were restless till each could learn the other's thoughts.

By seeming tacit consent they took their way through the town towards the ruined cathedral; one, asserting that the evening was inviting, the other, that i Q-COURT MAGAZINE-MAY, 1843.