HOW AN UGLY MAN WON A WIFE'S LOVE.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 529, 20 September 1871, Page 2

HOW AN UGLY MAN WON A WIFE'S LOVE.

The following, which is .alien from " Love1 passages in the Life of Perron tho )( Bretori," is Very Prench'in its spirit, style nnd"situation. M. Perron soes'n young lady.,for whose parents he has dohe/many. favours ; he loves her and asks her hand,' but, as.hejs shockingly ugly, she refuses. Ho.w'eVer as he importunately pressesihis suit, she is obliged to consent, and the ceremony takes place. This leads us to where ■the; extract cbmmenc.es,.aud it is told in his own words :— We took our seats in the carriage alone ; tho. feeling of loathing which betrayed itself in her beautiful countenance after a while subsided into icy coldness. Her mauner; cottpled.-'.witli.lier conduct to herr parents and hefore the altar, filled me with inexpressible dread, and- I felt myself a prey to an undefined apprehension bfiyond thfcii confessed difhoultibslof my situation.. I behaved to her en route with distant but' kind politeness ; antt no o no-who had seenus would have imagHgd our relative positions. I had; no hope of success in'this painful struggle but in going, beyond, her. After a journey'full of embUrraSsffie'nt, which wo performed wit'iout nau^e, my object 'being 'to reach nir residence 'in' Paris as .speedily . ajS possiUe,,we,arrived our destination. I welcomed ]ier with Ceremonial kinduess.as an hpiiyured guest., I took an opportunity in her fresenbe to" ordey royi o>yurprivatcichambej, ; V uo prei for the night; and, hnndin^ er j.h e key of hers, said aloud to her /«f>^ ft: _k, ohambre, ys'.i'A'■' . .-0 .T< _' k I "You will find two beds in Madamw boudoir^ «I desire that, with her permit sion, you occupy one,and never neglect to do so without her especial order." j I cannot dt-scribo tho, expression of tho Countess at that"1 moment. 'A frightful vision ,appeared, to have, .be^ dispelled.; I ,Sgi,il.:6j_r (:-...

she looked as one unexpectedly reprieved from death. Her features, which had been rigid with the fixed resolution that seemed hitherto to have" influenced her, relaxed into an expression of the sincerest gratitude ; and after a moment's reflection she drew from-her bosom a small phial and placing it hurriedly into my hands she rushed from the room. It was poison. 1 was horror struck ! Oh, how humiliating was my situation ! In what extremity had ,1 placed the being most dear to me on earth ! Her, for whose happiness I would have sacrificed all that I valued in this world, save herself! And she, what would she not have done to rid herself of me ? Eorlorn and hopeless, what had I done that should put her hateful mark on me thus P An angel was shutting the door of Paradise against me. It was late on the following day before the Countess appeared in the saloon; her colour had somewhat returned and arsmile of grateful calmness gleamed in her sweet face. , Already it was evident that | a sympathy was* awakened in her, though as yet of no. warmer a nature, than gratitude. I was cheered. One point was gained. She no longer avoided me as a hateful thing ; and though she sometimes trembled as a consciousness of her situation came over her, my conduct at once frank and respectful, restored her to confidence. But the time arrived when my wife must mingle in the society befitting her station. Instinctively she took its highest tone. I was not prepared for the universal admiration she attracted; and you may imagine the contrast between;her charms, and my appearance, when I tell you we were, designated amongst the tgay asi " TLa Belle et la "Betel"- Now began my tribulations —myconiba't with;-tbe world. Among the mJnstant:vi»itors at our reunions was the'Vis--tthtsle V , who was openly the most sedulous attendant on Madame. He was a young man of great personal attractions, high birth, and great wealth, witty, and accomplished; so much so, that he had obtained the sobriquet of " Orcesus Crichton." The Viscount's attentions to Madame were offered with great- empressment, and augmented tho envy and jealousy with which the fashionable of her own sex'regarded her. Scandal began to be busy. T.could have sent the Viscount, a caWeZ,. but this would have been his death, and I.did not desire to become his murderer. He was an accomplished shot, but I was far his superior; for. though I had never been known to fire a pistol, and was, to" their seeming, exactly the man to be trifled with, they were mistaken. Hitherto.she was free, but I should be culpable to let her be longer exposed to temptation. At this juncture a circumstance happened which, I perceived, if skillfully handled, might serve greatly to my advantage. A note fell-;into my hands, directed to Madame, and sealed with the: Viscount's arms. I did not hesitate to peruse it. It contained a pressing- invitation'- to be allowed to attend her to the Duke of 's, to hear the divine Pasta (then in the zenith of her glory^ and; who was to execute the chefs d'auvre in Nini) before a reunion of the elite of Paris. The Viscount and Madame had executed much of this music together, and the note concluded by adding, " Such heavenly sounds require your angelic,company alone to realise all that is perfect on earth." My resolution was taken. I determined to give Madame the opportunity to accept this invitation. After carefully re-sealing the note, I caused it to be delivered to Madame. ,£n hour afterwards I presented nfyseTr before her. I found her silent, thocttgljt^. ful, and uneasy. It appeared to me thaf duty and a sense of decorum were strong —that virtue was not alarmed—and her simplicity blinded her to her danger. But when I stated the necessity for ~< my absence at i the Chambers, on affairs of Government, till late at night, I ..became aware that the demon temptation was at work, from the urg.hcy atfd anxiety with which she entreated me to remain. J, however, pleaded the necessity of my engagement, and retired'to. prepare "for a result which I saw, by her want of forti-" tude, was inevitable. I need not say that the "Viscountconducted the Countess to his own hotel, which I entered as soon as he, and followed them to his chamber. As I approached tbe door, I'heard Madame's Voice loud in reproach; and on entering found her. standing in the middle of the room.scarlet with indignatiqri,the Viscount ori bis knees before her! 1' closed the door after me, and turned the key.' My wife sank upon the sofa; overwhelmed by her feelings. The Viscount rose • from his knees, full of mortification, but maintaining the perfect self-possession of ; a man of the world. . I drew a pair of pistols from my cloak, and, placing, them on the table ■ took my >eat opposite niiui. '" ''■--■'<-

""Will it hot; be-niPro in-keeping;" said he, pointing to the weapunsj " to await the lady's-absence-?"- ;; fiBOX "iPrpm, your, manner, Monsieur. le Yicomte," I replied, coolly, "one would imagine I had come for your wife instead of my own." At the sound of my voice Madame recovered herself. She seemed astonished at my composure^and rising in embarrassment, would have" placed herself Beside me, but I repuls.d liei* saying, " When you.can bring your heart with you it will be time'ehoughi" '■ . ',;' '■'"" ~-*' '•;.:.' ■;j She cast a reproachful, lpok.upbh me and sank s agaip into her seat, covering her face with her hands'. There was a pause, ■ which the Viscount at length, broke, by saying, " This; triumph',Monsieur, is somewhat, lengthy; will you take satisfaction on.the, spot, pr vyhat.do.yo,u propose ?'* . i '"'I did not come to'lseek your blood," replied I. .T.i___a-K_:|_p .■■■; " Why, then, these -pistols ?" he inquired. ~..,, ..,,, | " Because;" I^ia.^llwonYd1 have you know what I sky atis.s'from:prinoiple, not lyom fear. ' Monsieur l^Yicomte; I Corn« hero not to upbraid you ; I come to corfi vjnce Madame of tbe'vicioUs'hess of that circle of folly with which she suffers hor■selfto be surrounded— to, prove to her tho danger which^ttendsuS. . v^hetherLbelie ;the galaxy of "sat^lli^s.t^at.float around ljer, she herself 'shall W You lbvo my wife,Moasieuf;jlfi —you jljave told meisoa 'thousand times. You Ijave pitied "her forbeing Sacrificed to a monster like my self—'you Set off your own :i ,against my deformity.., I:loye ; • Yier t00.. : •Now;let,her)be:jwdgo pfjfche dps J V^Ce in the Iqualifcy'ioi'yourrlovop onai ' haDov^ onsieur ' J come !<o;make you 1i a .aohelor^^l^ tayou, Y; o u are > { \ aoqu - 1:' 7fl^n be divorced j'yiou shall

marry her, and that which on earth yon most desire will be yours." The Viscount was thrown completely off his guard. I knew full well he was fow position in the Luxembourg, in a certaia exalted quarter, that rendered matrimonW the sure path to disgrace and bam_hme-\_ from the gay world. V "I was not prepared for this," said tl 1 Viscount, in vain endeavouring to over* \ come his embarrassment. "I cannot sub. Mit to this result—l must have tecourse to the argument on the table." " Observe, Madame," I said, addreggin* myself to my wife, "you are rejected! Nay, rather than receive you. Houourfthljr this gentleman, who professes to lovSyott'f would seek to escape you, even in-tbe_ mg '! of dea.th. Is,this. enough? Is.thiß.hn. . miliatibn—degradation, Or will-' you %lw me to a.name befitting itP" p Whilst I spoke, rope,from the spfr, and placed herselfbihind ray 6hlir.) §y leaned upon my shoulde.. I: felt her tremble. Her tears fell fast, t_Ayoite re drops of precious balm upon my, Jieart. I addressed myself anew to the Vi§<^)un't. " You sit there, Monsieur, wit_fall tKe* blandishments that Nature can lavish upo_' a man, the idol of the opppsite sex, the envy of your own, sated with^ucoeg*. You see before y ; ou .one t>?t)b!e:4infortal nates of her caprice—ohe' JtKhS!s-|%_t: _ single pretension 'to".hh_afmitj;, a_,c_ tbfitis invisible—it is Ids heart! Qh'jjidlonsieur judge my feelings at seeing that which is' mine, but to which I dare.^not-aMHra freely played for by you and others. And 'for what. To throw 1 away.,^_l<?^Qs_ terms by which I hold existeffci. (^fjwjoli Madame,' I continued, turning towards her; 'nothing can quench Sn^We'but death !') thrown by as a cast-off;-&_r_{__t. You, Monsieur, arc a> __an of /fashion* __i_ of the world, yet, unlike y6ttrrpe.rsi.you have a fresh and noble heart." _?lead'for me—in charity give me theinfldence of* that seductive-voice which'y6tf_ehou_ee;; on your own account. You, owe spme*> what for my patience-^teach:jierjt_ai there is a charm in the innate soul greater than,J;he man corporeal. .:._ Teach jher tobelieve that in me, unsightly aadi-oon-' temned, she rejects all that man. can pffpr,., forbear, or suffer for her sake."''''" '' ™

I had not miscalculated'the;'Vtscbunt. He rose from his seat with emotion, and approached me. '_ '. ■'.' ~ ™77 I " How little do we know the misery we inflict on others," said hei-" Noble _)e'' Perron, forgive me ; and you,' Madam., I ask your pardon. Cherish, I im'pldfeyou, an affection so devoted; show but an equal constancy, and the world, which is noM ~ permitted to look on you with compassion, will stand aloof with admiration. I will make what amends I can," he added, wringing my hand as he left the room. I conducted my wife to our home, and, made no alteration in ray conduct.towards her, except that, if possible, I was.more humble, kind, and attentive than hereto-, fore;, while her self-abasement -was' _&•- great that it was many days before I could restore her cheerful confidence. " ' '

There was at that time in great vogue in Paris the Chevalier de Eosevillei ay fellow notorious for every vice under the sun. . His real name was Bois le Dreux, §1 from - the, Lyonnais ; like myself, sprung from humble origin v _^h.e man could-hpaat,, neither refinement nor acdomplishments; but he; had a quick capacity, that couldadapt itself to all persons and occasions. His figure was symmetrical, and his coun-j tenanee handsome, but .faded with the pallor of dissipation. He was a successful

id unscrupulous, gambler, cruel and

vicious in intrigue, aprofessed duellist, and i^w^U-known master of hj» weapons.. He revelled in a princely fortune, accumulated., by cards and dice, and every .imaginable J species of villany. By means of l_is'we_liW v 1 he found his way into the highest ranks of j society, and by his; remorseless reputation he held his sway/unattacked. ~, .. Prom the moment he entered my nous'.^

this man established himselfat tbje side^ji Madame. He became a complete secution. But I was not sorry fprihis, ag I desired nothing so much as to.give her ah entire disgust to these imj&r___-nce_7 Already my courage had been capvasipd— a challenge, and consequently my. di&th, was daily looked for by the gaping Crowd. It was clear that the villain must hedealt with at once; but how,was a.matter of no: small deliberation, for.&'om the first, I had resolved that Madame.'spame should not be sullied in the miatter. , I'-ehtei'ea into a project with the Yiscouht, and we together; attended the; club-which hevfrequented. We made ; for the-itable -where he sat, and commenced plafro I.^??!,^r long in finding out legitimate cause,for attacking him. . ... • .. " Monsieur de Hoseville; T;d<y E not .ap-' prove the mariner.'in which yPii have.cut chose cards'. You have placed, an1 Joiiour —it is the ace of spades !" " "7 ■■ < ... T turned over the cards and'sh(.w<ed'the J ono riataed. It1 was but a guess/hoWetfer; yet, as the stakes were heavy, and this jwas the card he wahted.the cheat might'be _ considered a certainty. Tffe- fa'-s^W** founded. ■■" '. :' ■ .vnfiOthnad.-WL^ I continued my attack;,an(fc j the l ,res|l!i?: was a duel. .: I; j duel-was on the, ifclh^ing morning./ , .Roseville had agreed to mjs prpppsitipfi toy use rifles. You see ..thatj one hanging against the wall, small in bore, and nearly six feet in length—-a real Eentuckian !•—it is the one I fought wit]s^*J dopbtijaotyoitawill be surprised to bear that I in!sist-_»n Madame's presence at the duel. She never ? did", no. would | kat» questioned my wil 170 requested lieV W envelop herself ite^Tv large, gravelling cloak, and to remain ifrch'e carriage a silent spectator to whatever might,pccur>,,,, *$[f took up the Viscount, and withojiit e#,q changing a word reached the. KrOundj , before my antagonist had arrived. \ iS&fSfr I lie was not long behind, and th® j!, 6' lim maries were quickly arranged«turdi^ jWere to be placed a hundred m kyf. distance, and advance uponFeach v-|r step' 'by'1 step, with the- pptionof firing at discretion. But Woe to him-Who sbottld1: fire first and miss'! His opponent; had ; cjhly to approach iahd put thel muzzle Wy his breast. Such was the arrangement. I I never once thought of failure, so entire was my self-confidence ; and'l had, throughout, no intention of killing my .man. This would have been contrary to my fix.-d;principle., My object was to striker Him oh I■'the right shoulder, so _3 tOi disable the limb, .and for the future put it out of his power to gamble, ip'trigue, Or murder as he had been }M the habit of d^iifj7for *p But now the "moment was come, and I had the opportunity of doing what

fh_ laws should have done for me—nerved i.„ wi.u the conviction that I was also, wit" ■ --Hi humanity, my making common caiiso wi.- <^n v repugnance to shed blood rose power..-- 1,; ff it}iia me ; but I summoned all my firmD.SO to go through with the part I had assigned myself. As the shoulder would be flpmewhat covered with the stock of the p'# my aim must be to the greatest i(... yfcy. I examined his piece ;it was illchosen for his, and well for my purpose, being very, thin at the stock and badly balanced. His only chance was in a near approach before he fired. We were placed. I boked upon Madame : she was pale, hut motionless as a statue. I nodded cheerfully to her. The signal was given at that instant, and we advanced towards each other at a funeral pace, our rifles poised, and fingers on the triggerwatchful as lynxes at every motion. Inis slow process—while death hangs m the air over one's head—is apt to try tne nerves. Mine were as cool as it 1 Had been waiting for a hart in the thicket. I have said the secret of my success depended on the quickness of my aim, tor I have got an instantaneous sight. If he approached within sixty yards I could execute any manoeuvre I pleased. He came within thirty yards—a murderous distance ; he then stopped rather suddenly, and brought his rifle to his shoulder ; it was somewhat covered, but I fired, and the ball went straight as an ace-to its aim; yet keeping as close as possible to the wood of his stock, which was carved.it glanced against an angle and shot upwards. De Roseville whirled round two or three times, and fell on his face, his piece going offintheair. - • , When turned over he presented a spectacle too dreadful to describe. His law was shattered and his right eye forced from its socket—a fitting spectacle for a duellist! I felt sick at heart, and Madame was horror-struck. We drove rapidly home, without giving vent to our feelings in words. . Sobs, however, broke from her; and. the movement of the cloak with which she-. remained enveloped showed how powerful was her emotion. When we-enfered our room she rushed into my arms,,and :threw herself upon my l'O.soni, imploring forgiveness for the past! I felt her heart throb upon my own—her tears wet my cheeks—she m mis.. Here then, was at last an end to aarmyU r my suffering! To describe my feeling would •be impossible—rapture top great for Tftture te support! ■ From that hour to the present no cloud has passed over our unvarying sympathies, Siot a cold word has broken the harmony of our communion.