GRANDE MONDE AND DEMI MONDE.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2793, 26 January 1878, Page 4

GRANDE MONDE AND DEMI MONDE.

In the same year that tho world's attention was firsfc called to California and its gold mines tho writer was appointed one of the representatives of the British Comuiis■ion at the first dog show that was held in tho Belgian capital, and to his special care were intrusted a number of extremely handsome specimens of tho canine species, chief among which was a Skye terrier, the price of which was fixed at one hundred guineas. Tiny was a most playful, cunning and amusing little scamp, and so covtred was ho with long silk; fioss that it was difficult to distinguish his head from his tail, sare from the brilliant, mischievous «ye& that peered forth from beneath his shaggy brows. From the very opening of the show Tiny became a great favorite, especially among the ladies, for whose "benefit he was never tired of exhibiting his well-trained tricks, in return for a few of those luscious bon-bons, for which Brussels is so celebrated. I was, therofore, .not surprised when, after a few days, I was sent for to interview a gentleman who wished to become the purchaser of my pretty charge. His card bore the crest of a Marquis, and beneath was inicribed, Baoul de Yerlesmont, a name well known among the Jeunesse doree of Belgium. Our interview was very short, he merely asking if the dog was suited to the position of a Duchess' pet, and on receiving an answer in the affirmative, he gave me a cheque for the amount, requesting me to forward Tiny to his addross at Spa, when the show was brought to a conclusion. Sorao days elapsed, and tho circumstance had almost slipped from my memory, wlien my office was invaded in a somewhat tempestuous manner by a lady of whom I had heard many strange and romantic stories, she forming one of the brilliant sensations of Paris. Marguerite Gauthier was then the reigning beauty of demi-monde, and fabulous stories were told of her extravagance and eccentricities, chief among which was her aversion to the scent of all flowers, and for this reason she invariably restricted herself to camellias, and thus gained the name of "The Lady of the Camellias." Never had I seen a more perfect type of beauty, save that her features were somewhat too fine, and that her figure, although admirably cast, was too ethereal for a robust state of health. Every movement was innate with grace, and her manners were charming, tinged with a brusqutrie that savored of the Grande Duchesse.

In a few words she informed me of the purport of her visit, which was to purchase Tiny, whose fceauty and accomplishments had captivated her attention. It was in tain that I told her that the little favorite was already sold, she retorting that she was ready to pay any amount for its possession; and in order to rid myself of her pleasing importunity, and to prove how little chance she had of gaining her desires, I presented her with the card of the purchaser. As she road tho name a charming smile irradiated her countenance, and thanking me for the trouble she remarked that now, not only would she hare the dog,, but at the same time would save the money, and as she swept from the room I was led to infer that the old adage of " Love me, love my dog " was jn this instance totally reversed. Some time after this, when the dog show bad come to an end and I had settled np my affairs, I bethought myself of Tiny, and as I had a few days to spare I resolved to go to Spa and deliver my charge to the Marquis in person. To my intense astonishment my reception was not very cordinl, the illustrious foreigner wishing the dog at the deuce; but when I, thinking that be was sick of his bargain, offered to reimburse the purchase money, he 'laughingly; replied that that was not the rule, but it was a modern instance of Paris offering the apple to the most beautiful, and for the life of him he knew not how to make the selection. In the meantime he requested me to keep charge of the dog, so that ho might truthfully say that Tiny had not yet come into his possession.

Of coarse, in a small fashionable water* ing place like Spa. I became soon acquainted with the details of the quandary in which the Marquis found himself It appeared that he had recently made the acquaintance of a beautiful Countess, the descendant of one of Spain's noblest families, and that Tiny had been originally destined as a love-ofiering to the fascinating girl to whom he was theii paying his attentions. However, the adage says, " It is better to be off with the old lore before one is on with the new," and the advent of Mademoiselle Marguerite on the f cone, with the imperious demand for the dog couU gui route, placed the Marquis in a strange dilemma, especially as he had already given the Countess a full description of Tiny, who was to be received with all the honors due to his talents, and illustrious parentage, as also, without doubt, with some fondness for tTle donor's sake. The next day tbeMarquiscainetomy hotel, and asked meif, at any cost, he could duplicate his purchase, as the wilful and frail lady had absolutely refused to accept a magnificent diamond bracelet in lieu of the dog. On my replying that it was not in my power, he was in despair, and he said that the affair had become bruited around, and that it was now a question of amour propre between the two beauties that threatened to wreck all his hopes of a brilliant alliance, in which not only his interests but his heart was engaged. My hard-hearted suggestion that in such a case the wisdom of Solomon might bo utilised by the adjustment of an equitable division of the prize, failed to meet his views, and lie departed, leaving the matter as much unsettled as ever. The means that the fair Marguerite resorted to in order to gain the day was the threat to send to the Marquis' new love a batch of letters she had received in days gone by,, when he had wooed, and that not pour le hon moitff, and this comedy of every day ■was soon developed into a drama in which life was recklessly exposed and new-born hopes and wishes were ruthlessly scattered to the winds. It was a custom then for visitors to make an excursion to the Cascade de Coo, a romantic spot some eight miles from the village, and the Marqms and the Spanish beauty formed part ot a cavalcade that wended its way across the moors, while the carriages went around the high road. On returning the party were caught in a sudden thunderstorm, aud they took refuge from the heavy rain in the miserable hut of a goatherd on the hill's slopes. .Not long after their arrival, and as the ladies were drying their habits by the peat fire, an Amazon dashed up to the door, attended by a gentleman, and throwing herself from the saddle, rushed into the dark, dingy, but welcome shelter and approached the lire. It was Marguerite Gauthier, face to face with her rival, and undaunted by

the surroundiuKs, she lisped forth a salutation to tho Mnrquis, to which ho returned a muttered curse as he hastily left the hut on an errand that boded no good for her escort. In a few minutes the clouds swept away and the sun shone gaily, and as the fair Marguerite emerged into the broad daylight she met tho Marquis at the threshold and requested him to aid her in mounting her horse, and as she expressed her thauks for this onforced courtesy she vouchsafed this advice in tones that were distinctly heard by everyone, " Marquis, remember what ! is said about serving two masters ; well, it's ten times more difficult in the case of a mistress," and giving rein to her horse, sho was soon out of sight, followed by her escort.

The denouement was swift and unexpected. The uext day there was a duel between the Marquis and the gentleman who had accompanied tho wilful Marguerite in her ride, in which the latter was wounded. The Spanish beauty and her family took up their residence in Paris instead of Brussels, as they had intended. The Marquis went on a tour to the East, and Tiny accompanied mo Lack to England, where it soon found a happy home. A year or two had not elapsed before in its freaks' had effected great changes. The Countess made a brilliant marriage, and Marguerite Gauthier died a miserable, lingering death. The latter was the original of " Gatnille," whose sufferings have exacted pity from even the purest all over Christendom, while the former was Eugenic de Montijo, now known as the Empress of the French. What commentaries might not be extracted by philosophic minds from the strange story of"" Only a Dog ? "