The Duvenger Curse.

back Nature ' s joy . Nip flirted indefatigably Avith Mr . Fourier , and completely turned his head . Louis tried to speak to her once or twice , but she avoided him . She had been very distant toAvard him since the day of the ride . She whispered

to me once : " See Mine . Adrienne cling to Mr . Hathaway ; she hasn ' t given him a chance to talk Avith Isabel , once . " " I ' m going to manage so that he does have a chance , " said I , " noAv that Isabel and Mr . Fairfax are at the top of the hill . "

Mme . LeFevre Avas seated on the grass under a tree , and Maurice Hathaway stood beside her , when Mr . LeGrand ancl I carelessly went up and talked with them . I said , monchalantly , after a time : " Mr . HathaAvay , will you Avalk up to the top of the hill with me ? Mr . LeGrand Avill stay with Mme . LeFevre , and Ave can return in a few minutes . "

He complied Avith my request , of course ; I even thought he looked grateful . As Ave reached the top , Isabel turned toward him , the languid fire burning in her dark eyes . I Avas just turning over in my mind IIOAV to take Mr . Fairfax away , when the silky tones of Adrienne LeFevre Avere beard :

'' You see we have folloAved you . Mr . LeGrand was very uneasy , I could see . He wished to have his own lady back . " My manoeuvering was for nothing ; but Mr . Hathaway bore it with his own graceful politeness . The rest Avere ascending . As Nip and Mr . Fourier reached the top ,

she turned ancl waved her handkerchief to those below . It fluttered from her hand , and caught on the rugged branch of a dead tree . She was about to speak , but Louis had seen it ; Avith a quick agility , he secured and retained it , with a meaning look at Nip . Apparently she took no notice , for she Avas chatting busily Avith Mr . Fourier .

As Ave returned home that afternoon , Ave four ali ghted , and entered the cathedral , It was dark and dim ; only the still flame of the perpetually burning lamp shone out , a little point of light , before the rich altar . The organist Avas there . A fine thread of music Avas vibrating through the church

, and losing itself high up among the dark arches . Strangely sweet and solemn it seemed , until Nip spoiled all Avith the words :

" What a handsome priest ! " If Father Antoine heard the Avords his face gave no sign . He advanced and spoke to the gentlemen and received the introduction to us Avith a bright cordiality . He ivas rather handsome , young , and Avith clearly cut features , and a certain

masterful manner . Nip Avas enthusiastic ov ? , r him for a time , until she received a check . One afternoon Ave were looking out of the AvindoAv , when Mr . HathaAvay ancl Isabel came home from a ride . " Handsome couple , " said Nip ; " I believe they'll make a match . I hope so , for Mme . LoFevre ' s benefit . See Mr .

Fairfax going out to hold her bridle . Small thanks he gets for it , for it is Mr . HathaAvay Avho helps her to dismount . Heigh ho ! they are both in love with her , and Louis is married—there is nothing left for me . I ' m going to flirt Avith that priest . " And the little minx actually did put on

her hat ancl march off . Isabel came up stairs , brig ht and flushed , to her room , Avhile I Avent CIOAVU to the dark salon . The Avhite figure of Artemise glided out as I entered . I threAv myself in an easy chair in a dark corner , pondering on all the

mysteries and concealments of this house ; for I had heard as I came clown , two A'oices , one in angry remonstrance , and one soothing and deprecating . What had Adrienne LeFeA're ancl Maurice HathaAvay to say to each other 1 While I sat there Isabel came in , and thinking herself alone Avent to the piano . While she played , Maurice

Hatha-Avay entered , and went and stood beside her , looking doAvn with a smile . And so she played from her heart to him , until the music seemed to take form and colour , ancl float ancl circle iu and out among the dark shadows of the room . Mr . Hathaway touched her hair lightly ;

" my beautiful Isabel ! " he said . I slipped softly out , and Avent to my room , but scarcely had I entered it Avhen Nip came bounding in , and threAv herself on the floor in a paroxysm of laughter . " Oh , dear ! Oh , clear ! I AA'ent into the

church ancl met Father Antoine , ancl behaved just so sveeet to him as I could , but the man has no more feeling than a marble statue ; he just looked CIOAVU and began talking about my soul . So I told him I hadn ' t any soul , I was merely a fairy creature sent here to learn the arts of mortals , I should dissolve into moonshine