LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 944, 4 July 1877, Page 3

LITERATURE.

WHO WAS HE ? WHO IS HE ? ( Concluded.) Now Joseph was a simple-minded Swiss, but he was of course also endowed with all the intuitive sagacity and child-like craft and cunning of simple minds. So he made his way straight to the dining-hall where the tables were laid, surveyed the place, and coolly changed two cards. The Marchioness de Cast res, Estelle’s aunt, had, in the interest of her favorite, whom she had fully made up her mind to force upon her niece, taken care to have Armand placed on Estelle’s right, with a deaf old general on the left. Joseph altered this pretty little arrangement by placing Raymond’s card on the young lady’s left instead, shifting the general’s up to the immediate vicinity of the marchioness, who, as usual on grand occassions at the Hotel Ter sac, took the place of hostess at table. Now the deaf old general was the marchioness’s special aversion.

So it may easily be imagined how very disagreeably surprised the lady was at the discovery of this audacious alteration of her own clever arrangement. However, ere she could recover from her surprise the matter was past mending; Raymond, guided by Joseph, having taken his place by the side of Mademoiselle Duplessis-Tersac, to the deep indignation of the marchioness, which she could barely repress, and to the angry amasement of the Viscount Armand de Vauguyron, who had taken an instinctive dislike at first sight to ‘this M. Raymond,’ whom nobody seemed to know—not even the master of the house ; for when the mar chioness, prompted by her portege, had asked the general who ‘this young man’ was, her brother-in-law (the Marchioness de Castres was sister to Estelle’s departed mother) had replied that he really could not say ; all he knew was that the name of ‘ the young man’ was Raymond, and that he was a friend of the Count Dartigue, who, it would appear, had just returned to Paris, and was expected by the general every moment. This statement did not tend to recommend Raymond to the good graces of the haughty lady, who happened to form a rare exception to the almost universal rule of liking felt for the noble-minde kindhearled Count Dartigue by whoever came in contact with him. The count was more than suspected of strong Bonapartist leanings, and was therefore the legitimate object of the old Bourbonist lady’s most legitimist aversion.

Poor Raymond had all this time been in a state of most perplexed embarrassment. Llis present position in the general’s saloon was indeed quite exceptional. Relying implicitly upon the count’s promise to meet him there and to introduce him properly, he had ventured to come uninvited to a grand dinner and reunion ! True, it seemed quite clear that his coming there had somehow been announced and expected; true, also, that his reception by the host and young hostess had been most cordial. But unhappily, the count failed to put in an appearance, and Raymond absolutely knew not a single person there, and was himself entirely unknown to the other gnesls, some of whom, indeed, it looked to his sensitive imagination, were eyeing him askance from time to time, to the uttermost limits of canons of good breeding. However', once seated at table, the most unexpected good fortune of being placed next to the beautiful girl, whose child-like image had never been effaced from his memory, and the sweet smile with which she seemed to approve of the apparently mysterious conjunction, put him soon completely at his ease, and he speedily repressed even his anxiety on account of his friend to deliver up his whole being to supreme happiness. As has already been intimated, Raymond had considerable conversational gifts. There was a rich fund of quaint humour in him. lie had a playful genial wit, the rover o o 1 that sharp caustic spirit which will but too often prompt effver people to say smart things, without troubling themselves in the least how deeply they may wound the feelings of others.

It so happened that his left-hand neighbour was the witty Countess de Givry, jocularly called Madame de Vingt-neuf- the figure at which she had unvaryingly given her age in courts of law on three different occasions, at intervals of from five to fifteen years

With this lady, who was thoroughly unconventional, and openly professed her liking for clever men, Raymond had a most pleasant encounter and interchange of wit and humour, to the intense delight of Mademoiselle Dnplessis-Tersac, who would occasionally throw in some brilliant remark of her own, to the ill-concealed vexati n of the viscount, who in |his blind-self-conceit was making desperate efforts to monopolise his fair neighbour’s attention, and who forgot himself even to actual rudeness, in uttering some ill-natured sneers to the address of the unknown M. Raymond, which brought down upon him such happy unpremeditated repartees as made the countess and Estelle laugh outright, and caused more than one smile in the immediate circle of guests around.

Thus the dinner passed. The unknown M. liaymond had made c nsiderable way in concilitating the kind feelings of many. The Marchioness de Castres was indignant, the Viscount Armand do Vauguyron furious.

The concert afforded the unknown M, Raymond fresh opportunities of drawing smiles of pleasure from Mademoiselle Dup-lessis-Tersac. and unmistakeable marks o f ungrudging approbation and applause from the Countess de Givry and many other ladies and most of the gentlemen present. He would with modest diffidence, have declined the Countess’s eager invitation to sing, the more so as he wished to avoid coming into clashing contact with the Viscount Armand de Vuguyron, who, with a fine baritone voice and high musical acquirements, seemed more than half disposed to secure for himself the lion’s share in the vocal concert. But when Estelle and several other ladies joined the countess in her request, and when the deaf old general, who had taken quite a fancy to the young stranger, called upon him for a song in his blunt military fashion, he yielded, and sang a simple Breton ballad, in a rich mellow, tenor voice, and with such excellent expression that even the Marchioness de Castres could not altogether refrain from bestowing some slight meed of approbation. The master of the mansion, prompted by an intense love of a little goodnatured mischief, then called upon Raymond for the ‘ Marseillaise,’ to the intense dismay of his sister-in law and the viscount, with a few others of the more petrified Legitimist. Raymond sang the great national hymn of France with something very like the inspiration and go of its writer, when it was sung by him at Btrasburg for the first time. The warm congratulations of nearly the entire saloon rewarded his efforts: and the applause was well-nigh unanimous when, in compliance with the wishes of some of the high officers present, he sang a Bonapartist song of the period. As the night advanced, Raymond’s anxious apprehensions increased lest some serious mishap should have overtaken his dear friend Dartigue, as hour after hour passed without bringing him any information about him

After the concert the young man would, no doubt, have gathered fresh laurels iu the ball room, but that General DuplessisTersac, who had set out anew on his train of thoughts in connection with his fleeting, dream • like recollections of Raymond’s features, took possession of him for a game of chess, in which the general was universally held to be a pet master. In Raymond, however, he met with his match, and even a little beyond, perhaps, but that the young man had thoroughly mastered the wise maxim in life to avoid, if possible, conquering in trials of skill antagonists very much older and superior in rank and station. After a long-continued and hotly contested struggle Raymond succeeded in losing the game, with admirable shill, by a cleverlymanaged oversight. His antognist was, of course, highly pleased, and kindly condescended to point out to the defeated player, for his consolation, tha 1 he would most likely have won the game had he not committed that one little mistake. As the general wrs fixing his eyes once more intently upon Raymond, just to see how he took his defeat, the veil hanging over his memory was suddenly lifted, and he recognised the features of his preserver from the murderous yataghans of the four Moorish assassins some four years before. To the general’s eager inquiry whether he had been at Algiers in June 1834, and whether any adventure had happened to him there, he, iu the simplest and most modest way, narrated the facts as they had taken place. Just at this juncture the general’s daughter came iu search of her father. She looked flushed and distressed, and she had evidently some communication to make to her father, from which her aunt, who was following her, seemed to he endeavouring to dissuade her. But before she could speak, the general had started up, and warmly embraced the astonished young man, and introduced him to his daughter and his sider-in-law as the preserver of his life ; to which Estelle, avith a charming ingenuous smile brightening her beautiful face, cleared now from every trace of distress and displeasure, added, ‘And of niine, dearest papa ; for M. Raymond is the same young gentleman who rescued me from a horrible fate some eight years ago in the Swiss mountains ; and it was he who saved Count Dartigue from the New York rowdies.’

Whereupon the warm-hearted general embraced the young man again, and called upon his sister in-law to thank him also. This call, however, elicited simply a most ungracious, stiff half-how from the lady, who was clearly in an unappeasable pet just then, and a nasty sneering remark that the ‘young man’ would seem to have made rescuing people from impending danger his special pursuit in life - no doubt a very paying one. With this Parthian shot the haughty lady departed on her return to the ball-room, imperiously beckoning her niece to come with her, which Mademoiselle Duplesiss-Tersac, however, absolutely declined to do. Tire general was indignant with his sister-in-law : lie was more angry still when his daughter told him, with heightened colour, that Annand had been positively rude to her, and that the marchioness, so far from defending her departed sister’s child from the hatelnl persecutions of that most ohjec Uiinahle young man, but rather aided and abetted and actually encouraged him in the prosecution of his detested suit. Estelle’s prayer alone, and the fear of a scandal, could prevent the father from giving at once full vent and expression to his outraged feelings.

Mademoiselle Huplessia-Tersae did not return to tbe ballroom, however, but remained aaily chatting with her father and Raymond, who, poor fellow, felt as in a blessed dream, from which he only dreade i awaking suddenly to the sad realities of life. The Viscount Armaud de Vauguyron had, meanwhile, also lell the ballroom, and w s watching Estelle with jealous angry eyes. This exemplary young man had taken up his * watching position’ near a table at which several high officers were seated, who were warmly discussing the interesting question who had ltd a certain decisive attack upon the Russian guards at Austerlitz. Opinions differed. Some said Murat; others, Lsnnes, whilst a third trroup named Belliard as the hero of the day. The Viscoant Armaud de Vauguyron, like the ill-bred unlicked young cub he was, thought fit to join in the discussion uninvited. He claimed the lead of the attack for Mortier, professing that he had the fact from his father, who had it from Alexander Berthier, who again had it direct from Bona parte.

‘ I think it would not knock your teeth out, viscount,’ said an ol I general of the Empire, angrily, ‘were you to say the em peror. However, I’ll bow, of course to the authority of “ Boneparte,” as you call him.’ Now it so happened that just before Armaud had thought fit to join thus uninvited in the discussion of the officers, General Huplessis Tersac had caught the angry glances which the viscount was darting on his daughter, and he had quietly walked up to have a serious explanation with the young man, and to tell him uumistakeably to resign all expectation of ever gaining Mademoiselle Huplessis - Tersac’s hand, which the general intended to inform him frankly he had fully made up his mind to bestow upon his own and his daughter’s preserver, M. Raymond. But ere the general had come up to the viscount, the latter had turned to the table to his dog matic dictum upon the third-hand authority stated.

‘ Even upon the viscount’s assertion I will not give up Belliard !’ cried General Lacretelle, one of the disputants. ‘ But, gentlemen,’ he continued, glancing accidentally in the Raymond’s direction, ‘ let us ask that young unknown, M. Raymond, who seems to know everything.’ And the general went over to Raymond to politely request his company for a few minutes. Raymond con plied at once: Mademoiselle Duplessis-Tersac went also up to the table to join her father. ' I cannot see what that young man can possibly know about it,’ observed the viscount, with a sneer. ‘ Insufferable puppy !’ he added, in an undertone. ‘ How I should like to try his skill in fencing !’ The subject of the discussion having been explained to Raymond, he said, ‘ I am afraid, gentlemen, I cannot agree with any of you. I happen to know that the attack was led by General Latour des Touches ’

‘So it was, so it was 1’ cried General Lacretelle eagerly. ‘ I remember it now,’ ‘ And pray, sir, upon whose authority do you, who would to me seem the least likely person to be informed upon a subject of this nature—upon whose authority, I say do you venture upon contradicting me, who hold the fact, from my own father, who was an intimate friend of the Prince of Wagram ?’ asked the viscount, with marked aggressive intention.

Raymond calmly measured the young gentleman with his eyes. ‘ I hold the fact, sir,’ ho replied, slowly and deliberately, ‘from the late General Count Latour des Touches himself ’

'i bis statement created general surprise. * Ho, ho!’ said the viscount, laughing rudely. ‘ Ho, ho ! and pray sir, will you kiudly tell me what connection there could possibly exist between —a M, Raymond and the late Count Latour des Touches that could have induced that nobleman to deliver lectures upon the campaigns of the Empire to—a M. Raymond ?’ ‘ .''ir,’ was the prompt reply, uttered with the most perfect calmness, though with deep emotion in voice and manner—‘sir, let me inform you in the first place that your obvious intention to insult me misses its mark altogether, I declare to you most emphatically that I never fight a worthless quarrel.’ Here the viscount burst out laughing. * Right, indeed!’ he cried, with a contemptuous sneer, * Who do you think would light with a M. Raymond ?’ * Viscount,’ cried General Lacretelle angrily, ‘ you are a puppy!’ ‘An impertinent puppy, who deserves condign chastisement!’ cried General Duple sis-Tersac, urged beyond his power of endurance.

‘ Will you kindly leave this matter in my hands, gentlemen ?’ said Raymond, with perfect composure ; then, walking up to the vi.-counfc, and fixing his eyes intently upon him, be continued, ‘You rudely interrupted me, sir. Let me finish what I was going to say to yon. The late Count Latour des Touches, sir, was my father, and the present Cent Latour des Touches stands before you now. The name Raymond I took from a maternal uncle, who adopted me after my lamented father’s death. Having given you this explanation, I must decline holding any further communication with you :’ and Raymond turned away proudly. ‘ The son of my old friend and comrade Latour!’ cried Generals Duplessis-Tersac and Lacretelie simultaneously. ‘ The sou of the ga’lant (Latour !’ cried the other officers, crowding [round the young man, and embracing him in the true French fashion on both cheeks. The Marchioness do Castres was just'teen coming up to the group.

‘ You asked me, marchioness,’ cried her brothe-iu-law, ‘who this youug man was. Through the whole evening I have been assailed on all sides with the question, who is he? Let me prescut him now to you, marchioness, and to all, as the son of my dearest and oldest friend, the late General Latour des Touches—and as my future son-in-law !’

‘ Viscount, your arm!’ cried the marchioness.

The somewhat chap-fallen Armand obeyed the invitation with alacrity, and the noble Indy, escorted by her noble protege, sailed away majestically indignant. Immediately after the Count Dartigue made his appearance at last. He had met with an accident to his carriage, which had detained him for hours on the road to Paris. And thus the lust remaining cloud was dispersed from the young people’s heaven of happiness - an edifice created somewhat suddenly, but none the less solid and enduring for that.

Mutton - Birds. —The Aparima correspondent of the Southland A'ew,? reports that the Maoris have just returned from their muttonbirdiug at the islands off the South Cape. They stated that they were one and all very unsuccessful this year. The young birds were so poor that they died in thousands, and scarce one in a hundred birds taken was fit for food. This winter, he adds, will come very hard on many of the natives. Their potato crops were scarcely worth digging owing to the rabbits, while flour, oatmeal, and bread have risen in price, and there is no hire for

laborers. Counterfeits Abroad. There are counterfeits and imitations abroad which are intended to trick the community out of its money at the expense of Australia’s most popular health beverage, Udolpho Woipe’s Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps. No article, imported or otherwise, which is alleged to possess similar ingredients to it is aught elso than a pernicious humbug. The public will be guided accordingly, and shun the trap. — [Adtt.]