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_ added, in a significant tone, “you will
. superb ices and jellies
274 "| FRANK LESLIE’S’ NEW “YORK' JOURNAL.
A Blow in the Dark.
Tus Reaznt—we go back to the time of Louis
XYV., in Paris—was fond of entertaining his friends
with brilliant torchlight fétes at Mousseaux, and
often in a freak ot caprice he would order all the
ligi.ts to be suddenly extinguished, leaving his gay
guests entirely in the dark, Curious and sometimes
romantic adventures frequently grew out of these
Jfétes, one of which we purpose to relate.
The Chevalier Viltrac, a courtly but eccentric
gentleman, while making his way through the
groups of visitors, accidentally trod on a foot, An
energetic oath exploding at the same moment, he
thought it the property of a man, and, expecting a
blow, he struck out at hazard, trusting to fortune
that his fist should reach its proper destination,
Conceive his surprise, when a soft, lovely shriek,
as plaintive as the note of a thrush, teached his ear.
Fearing in his wild haste that a lady had received
the blow, he fled, after hearing a voice near him
exclaim ;
“Madame Parabéne is ill!”
The chevalier was now in a state of alarm, as
Madame Perabéne was the favorite of the Regent;
and if it was discovered that she had received an
insult at his hands, even though it occurred in the
dark, his head would expiate the offence.
The chevalier, fearing that she might have recog-
nised his voice, and knowi ving her. temper to be hot
and impetuous, cast about him as to what line of
conduct to pursue.
thought. No! he would be discovered before he
reached the sea! Commit suicide? No! that was
worse than suffering at the Bastile. An expedient
presented itself, which, upon brief reflection, he
determined to adopt. Disguising himself as a valet
—as Francois, his own valet—he wrote a letter of
recommendation from himself, and applied for'a
situation to a certain Baron Boubon, who did not
know. him personally.
Thus securely disguised in livery, the startled
chevalier waited on the baron—a pompous, conceited
man of about fifty, fat, and embroidered with the
assumed airs of a gallant troubled with obesity.
Waving his scented handkerchief, the, chevalier
stood in his august presence.
“Ah” said the baron, scanning the form of the
applicant ;:“* you come well recommended, I have
& great respect for your late maastery an and should like
. to serve you.” 5+
The chevalier turned his head, and inquired, with
. Blight trepidation ::
* Do you know him, M le Baron pr
“Not: personally, but by. reputation extremely
well. , As I was saying, I should like to serve you.
My establishment ‘is full at ‘present, but I have
: spoken:to my aunt, the Marchioness de ]’Espalier,
who, understanding you were recommended by the
Chevalier Viltrac, consents to engage you "7
- Thechevalier turned over her name in his memory,
but could not recognise it.” .)
T’'m sure I’m much obliged to, her,” remarked
he. «Does she know my late master !”?
- “Dm not able;to say,” replied the baron; ‘but
clearly un-
derstand that you owe your engagement to my
influence !”” i
The chevalier. ‘intimated that he was the soul of
gratitude,
Again the baron scanned the form of, the valet,
‘and his eyes rested on his clear, frank brow and
_deep, earnest eyes. .
«Young man, can I take you into my confi-
dence ?”* said he, arranging his portly form on a rich
ottoman. - ** You seem an_ honest fellow!” I like
. the expression of your face!” ‘
.. The lacquey bowed,, © .
“Don’t. blush—I am very sincere! Come, I'll
. trust you! Remember, what I say is in strict con-
" fidence.” . ig 8 :
Another bow. fe
« You must know,” pursued ‘the baron, i in a con-
fidential. tone, which - betrayed anxiety, ‘that my
uncle, the Marquis de l’Espalier, who was a strange,
whimsical being, some years ago had a pretty house-
keeper in his service, who was famous for making
My uncle was a gourmand
as well-as a fool; and one day he took-it into his
-head to marry his young housekeeper !’ ,
“ Her ices raised a flame in his bosom ! " remarked
_ the chevalier, drily. ‘The baron. coughed slightly,
“and proceeded: .
, “The consequences of. ‘this ridiculous marriage
were, that my expectations went to the dogs; in
other words, my uncle, instead. of leaving me his
fortune at his -death—which occurred about two
years ago—had the bad taste to settle it all on his
wife” © .* : ‘
To fly to England was his first | .
«Shameful in the extreme !” remarked the cheva-
lier. “It is just the way with these wives!” .
«Now comes the great secret of my communica-
tion!” . said the baron, lowering his voice into a
mellow tone of loving confidence. * What I wish
now, is to marry the marchioness, who is still
blooming !”
«But she is your aunt!” expostulated the valet.
«That goes for nothing. What I most desire is,
your assistance: and to begin, I must tell you that
she hates the very sight of me." As the baron
spoke, he raised himself from the velvet cushion in
very mockery of the thought
+ Hates the sight of him!” thought the chevalier
—but he was careful not to embody his. thoughts
in words. “Ah!” she must be a woman of taste,
whoever she is!” and, after assuring him that any-
thing in his humble capacity he could do he would
embark in willingly, the baron expounded his no-
tions of conquest,
I fancy,” continued he, “despise me,.as she
thinks she does—but it must be a delusion—a
woman’s whim—I fancy if I have near her a faith-
ful fellow like yourself, who will perpetually sound
my praises, and abuse everybody else in an artful
manner, I think much may be done, in time, to-
wards dispelling her indifference!’
The chevalier began to open his eyes, and com-
prehend the character of his companion. ~
«Do you comprehend me?” he inquired.
“Perfectly! I am to combine the functions of
the spy with the duties of the servant? To lose no
opportunity of. knocking everybody else down, and
helping you up?”
The baron was delighted at his aptitude, and gave
him a piece of gold.
“Don’t doubt me for a moment!”. pursued the
chevalier, warming with the prospect of an adven-
ture. “I quite comprehend you—you want a sub-
tle, cunning, ingenious knave!” You want me to
keep my ears to the doors and’ my eyes to the let-
ters—to search, inquire, keep watch, and faithfully
report to you everything that occurs with which
the marchioness is in any way connected?” ~~
‘A master—by heavens, a master at intrigue!”
roared the fat baron, in delight, and urging another
piece of gold on his confidant ; a you will bei in-
valuable—a treasure—a ——’
The footstep of the marchioness was heard in the
vestibule. ‘lhe baron hurried the chevalier out of
the way, promising to urge on her his- immediate
engagement. The next moment the marchioness,
in an agitated state, flounced into the apartment.
Her face was crimsoned, her eyes. flashed, and) her
manner . betrayed high -nervous irritation., The
baron sought shelter from the storm behind a screen
for a moment.
«I'd give half: £ possess in the world to know
who it was!’ exclaimed she, walking about the
room, to the peril of the Chinoisenes scattered on the
rich: tables. « «| Whenever I think: of. it. the indig-
nant blood leaps through my veins. -I always loved
Mousseaux, and after the Regent ordered the lights
to be- extinguished, I' received two. declarations,
four: kisses—and—and a blow!” » The declarations
and the kisses, were -all -well enough — but the
blow ——!”
“The baron could endure his exilé no longer. | He
crawled rather than, walked from: the screen, and
took. up a position that she might see him. As the
marchioness glanced in- his direction, he drew up
his face until it assumed the expression of what he
intended as a most fascinating smile. .
’. “Oh, baron, are you here again!” said she, with
irritation. +* What are you doing? Don’t smirk
so—it makes you look like a monkey! A smile on
your face reminds me of a butterfly ona nutmeg
grater!”
Severe as was this rebuke, and although she mut
‘| tered something to the effect that it was a great
bore to have a nephew as old as a grandfather, .the
imperturbable baron, bent’ on conquest, and proof
against repulse, took no notice of these assaults, but
attempted to soften her temper.
«« Charming, incomparable aunt!’” said he, hum- |
bly; “would I could add wifé as well!”
to speak to you about the new valet !”’
« Well, speak away —what have you got to say?
Where is the valet? . Let me see him immediately!
If you_would. not see me have wrinkles, baron,
before I'm five-and-thirty, you ‘U not distress me at
this moment!’ : :
_ “But the valet?” .
* Send him to me at once!’’
The baron rang a bell, and going to the door of
an ante-room, beckoned in the chevalier, who en-
tered with a timid step. The marchioness, on see-
I wish
ing him, started and betrayed the slightest. emotion,
which she quickly suppressed with all the.tact of a
woman of the world, Then, turning to Viltrac,
she said, sharply :
«Come here—come here, I say !? and in the
force of her impatience she stamped her foot ill-
temperedly.
The chevalier was piqued for an instant, and said:
«« Madame, I have not got wings!”
« Who said you had, fool? Speak? what is your
name? Don’t keep me waiting!’
« Frangois.”
« Well, Francois, I’m in an ill temper!”
“ Indeed, madame, I should never have suspected
it!” replied the chevalier, with cool selt-possession.
‘he baron applauded this remark in silence. He
thought he saw a keen readiness and ‘persuasive
sophistry in the remark of his coadjutor.
“Well, Frangois, I take you into my service!
You shall have nothing to do and plenty to eat!
Will that suit you?
« At doing nothing I am a master—a valet, I beg
madame’s pardon; and, in the.matter of appetite;
from a child my capacity in that respect has been
especially remarked !””
‘The baron thought this another coup, and grinned
with satisfaction. Whispering to the chevalier to
be on the gué vive for all that occurred, he made a
low bow, and quitted the chamber, unseen by the
marchioness, who by this: time had found her way
into a fautewil, and seemed lost in medidation. Dis-
missing the new valet, she instructed ‘him: to be
within the sound of her bell. .
«* What an astonishing likeness that man bears to
his former master, the “chevalier .Viltrac!” mused
she, with a thoughtful earnestness written on her
face; ‘« whom I once knew when I was lady's maid
to his aunt, the Baroness ‘Brevanne, at’ St. Ger-
mains! Ah! the chevalier has forgotten me! |I
left his aunt and went as housekeeper to the Mar-
quis d’Espalier, finally became -his. wife, and so he
has lost sight of little Florine, as he once called me!
His valet brings back a long train of pleasant recol-
lections, and I am not sure but that I was happier
then as Florine than now as the marchioness! I
have a strange fancy that this valet looks exceed-
ingly like his. master!” and, determining to haye
another look at him, she rang her bell.’ = '
Ina moment the ‘chevalier, true to his’ instruc-
tions, was at her side.‘ She ‘regarded him with a
scrutiny that made him feel uncomfortable, and she
did not fail to observe his embarrassment.’
. Frangois!” said ‘she, in her sweetest tones, “I
am iperishing with ennui /-.I wish to be. amused |
Suppose you tell me a story!” :
‘Viltrac looked still more confused, mid colored
deeply, which was not lost on the marchioness,
**What shall I tell, madame?’ he. at length
managed to utter.
i Oh, something I don’t know, of course! By
the way, can you dress hair?” -
> «Perfectly. well!” :replied ‘the chevalier, whose
confidence:was slowly returning. ‘« And I should
rejoice to illustrate my skill on yours!”?
The marchioness arose, still watching the ex-
pression of his face, and seated herself at her toilette,
facing the mirror. |The chevalier bent over’ her,
and attempted to put in practice his knowledge of
powder and ringlets, but his achievements were 80
awkward, that he threw the powder in her eyes.
: Bless: me!’" exclaimed’ the. marchioness, with
warmth, «You will blind me!” ):
«I should be made to suffer ten thousand deaths,
did I do anything so cruel!’? quickly remarked the
chevalier, i in: a gallant: tone; for -madame’s eyes
are ——'
Do you think them pretty ?? interrupted she,
casting them up into his face over her “beautifally
rounded shoulder,
«They brim with: sweetness and: ‘expression, as
my former master would say |”
“Your former master!‘ Come,’ tell me ‘of | hin.
Has he the same distaste for military life ?””
“«T believe so.”” :
“« They say he is brave- hearted, too ed
‘He would go through fire and water to serve &
friend. Water I am’ sure the: would—for he: can
swim!’ ye
The marchioness seemed to gather curiosity a she
proceeded. .
* They tell me he wl not fight a duel.
you account for that
He has. some crotchet “on that point. ‘T've
often heard. him say that dueling isa barbarous
custom !””..;
«« Between ourselves, “Frangois,” retorted “she,
with an emphasis which made the chevalier wince;
“How do
“IT think him abit. of: a, coward « ‘What do you
think pe . . wat d