The Argosy — page 374: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The Curé’s Sister. 351 any relations but them. That great fear in the French mind—the fear of scandal—had made Madame de St. Erme utter her pleadings secretly, through the Curé of St. Erme, or through letters placed in the shell of the old fountain ; but now that she was married, she and her husband were feverishly anxious to claim their daughter. But to do this by force of law and not of nature, was an idea most painful to the unhappy mother. An appeal to law would rip up all the sorrowful story of her youth, and the decree that gave her her daughter could not give also her daughter’s heart. So she came to st. Erme, and in many an interview strove to shake Léonie’s resolu- tion, and win her love. Alas ! she beat against a rock. “I do not care for the luxuries you offer me,” said the girl. ‘To gain them I have to forsake those who have loved me ever since I was born. It is with them I have had a home, with them I have found a mother and a brother. I will not desert them to be rich and a lady; and as for love, ez love wearies me, it falls upon my heart like an unknown tongue does upon my ear—there is no answer to it in my soul.” “Thus,” said the Count to me, “did this strange girl reply to our pleadings ; and still unwilling to force her to come to our roof by a legal process, I thought of trying how the offer of a rich alliance would affect her. I spoke to her of the young Comte de Villet, who had seen and admired her. She listened to me at first in passionate contempt—a contempt which has changed lately to a fixed eagerness.” And will she marry him ?” I cried. *T think so,” returned the Count. ‘‘ Her mother, who is much attached to young De Villet, is most anxious for this alliance. And though I will not hurt her maternal love by saying so, I believe it is Léonie’s attachment to him which has at last brought her to our arms.” I mused a moment in silence, not daring to utter what I thought ; then I asked if the Comte de Villet loved Léonie. Monsieur de St. Erme sighed deeply. **T scarcely know,” he said. ‘‘ Remember the difference between Léonie’s rearing and his; how can he have any sympathy with one brought up without any of the refinements of birth, education, and wealth ?” “But Léonie has genius,” I answered; ‘‘ and genius is above'the accidents of birth and fortune.” “Yes,” sighed the Count ; ‘‘it may be so ; nevertheless, it takes a great soul to recognise genius, and I fear my son-in-law elect sees only that Léonie is the heiress to the lands of St. Erme and De la Roche.” I went home musingly, stricken with sad forebodings. COMMICOOOKS.€O