Fairy Fingers

aintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality. The edifice could still boast of imposing grandeur, especially if classed among "fine ruins." Within and

s in abundance, though its only culture was received from the hands of old Baptiste, who made his appearance as gardener in the morning, but, with a total change of costume, was m

loud lowered on the noble lady's brow; her eyes shot forth electric flashes, an

mont, you have taken

of their own unassailable mental equilibrium, when thei

disproved by denial, the count sank resignedly behind t

f into becoming a shareholder, or manager, or director, or whatever you please to term it, in a railway company?-you, Count Tristan de Gramont! The

property left us is the transatlantic estate which my roving brother purchased during his wanderings in the New World, and bequeathed to my son, Maurice, for whom it is held in trust by an American gentleman. The members of the association, who desire to interest me in their speculation, assert that the proposed

t!' 'bring in!' What language to grow familiar to the lips of a son of mine! You t

degree of confidence it was necessary to repose in his stately mother. A

a lady of your rank, education, and mode of lif

ake the nobleman, my son, comprehend t

taking. It is true I am a nobleman; but even rank, my dear mother, must have the means of sustaining its existence, to say nothing of preserving its dignity. Even rank is subject to the common, vulgar need of food and raiment and shelter, not to mention the necessity of keeping horses, carriages, domestics, and securing other indispensable but money-consuming luxuries. Our narrow income

an idea once took possession of his brain, he patiently and diligently brought the embryo thought to fruition, in spite of all disheartening obstacles. He was narrow-minded and selfish when any interests save his own and those of his mother and son were at stake. These were the only two beings whom he loved, and he only loved them because they were his-a portion of himself; and it was merely himself that he loved through them. In a certain sense, he was a devoted son.

red to oppose her views was in the

d as though it had been a throne, that, in spite of the blind obstinacy with which she refused

nance. Her forehead was somewhat low and narrow; the face, a decided oval; the nose, almost straight; the eyes almond-shaped, and of a jetty blackness, flashing out from beneath brows that were remarkable for the fine, dar

erge of stiffness, and her step too firm to be quite soundless. Advancing years had not produced any unseemly embonpoint, nor had her figure fa

rk, which forced him to begin anew. He thoug

I trust you will not disapprove of my having invited two American gentlemen to join the party. A

that those gentlemen were directors of the

to have forgotten that my Sêvres china is only a set for twelve, and I can use no ot

table. She is always so obliging and manageable that she can easily be requested to

, Bertha will be annoyed,"

, and this is one which I might cite, and the one that galls me most. Here, for three years, you have sheltered and supported this young girl, without once reflecting upon the additional expense we are inc

phew. When she was left homeless and destitute, did not the honor of the family force me to offer her an asylum, an

g for this young person, thrust upon us by the force of circumstances, a place at table, a seat in the carriage, room upon every party of pleasure, makes her presence an inconvenience, if not a positive burden

sibly there may have been times when I have not been well pleased to see one so dear, invariably, though most inexplicably, eclipsed. Bertha may shine forth in her most resplendent jewels,-h

ristan; "and, my mother, have you never reflected how seriously y

d not think of Madeleine when a union with

or Madeleine was unmistakable. Now that he is shortly to come home, and for an indefinite period,-now that our plans must ripen, I have come to the conclusion that Madeleine must be removed, or they

rl bounded into the room, with a letter in

aintly traced, and the lashes too light, though long. The low brow, straight, slender nose, the soft curve of the chin, the fine oval of the face, were obviously an inheritance. At a single glance it was impossible not to be struck with the resemblance which these classic features bore to those of the countess. But the sportive dimples, pressed as though by a caressing touch, upon the cheeks and chin of the young girl, destroyed, even more than the totally opposite coloring, the likeness in the two countenances. The hair of the countess had been remarkable for its shining blackness, while the yellow acacia w

every year to spend a few months with her mother's relatives, who warmly pleaded for these annual visits. Her sojourn at the chateau de Gramont was always a season o

exclaimed Bertha, dancing around he

We did not expect Maurice for a fortnight; but he writes that he will be here to-morrow. How little time we sha

g will be good enough for him! Every one will sink into insignificance at his coming! We, poor, f

han at this moment. Be sure you wear your blue brocade to-morrow, and the blue net int

ay, but it does not suit ours. We, of the present time, do not wear nets for the express purpose of ensnaring the admiration of young men; or don our

ired the countess,

else which she must not see to day,-this bracelet, the exact pattern of the one my uncle presented to

d, fastened by a knot formed of pearls, and gayly held up he

and bracelets are very appropriate for you, but they do not suit Ma

will not always be poor, and she shall not be dependent upon any one-not even upon you. I mean to se

rtunately for her, you have no power at present over your own property; you cannot play

l have the right," ans

your husband to obtain, and th

ve the power, and I need not marry before then. I am sixteen, nearly seventeen

your majority. Meanwhile you are fostering tastes in Madeleine which

; you spoil me with too much love and consideration; and it is because you have spo

t her aunt's feet, took her hand caressi

you. One would not imagine that she is your grandniece as much as I am,-that is, almost as much, for she was the grandniece of the Count de Gramont, my uncle. You find

tone which might have awed any le

to you,-for you are kind to every one else. And have you not been most kind to her also? Were you not the only one of her proud relatives who held out

the only one who

u have company, is it not Madeleine who sees that everything is in order? If you give a dinner, is it not Madeleine who not only superintends all the preparations, but invents the most beautiful decorations for the table,-and out of nothing-out of leaves and flowers so common that no one would have thought of culling

oyment to herself. She delights as much, or more,

making me the wreath which I wore at the Count de Caradaré's concert the other evening, and which every one complimented me upon. It was her own invention;-and did not you yourself remark that there was not a head-dress in the room half as beautiful? Everything she touches she beautifies. The commonest objects assume a graceful form beneath her fingers. The "fingers of a fairy" my cousin Maurice used to call them, and, there certainly is magic in those dainty,

t charming advocate in the world," a

r cousin will be here to honor her birthday. How enchanted she will be! But she makes entirely too much of him,-just as you all do. The instant she hea

leaving the countes

the former, as Bertha disappeared.

e we so earnestly de

ake place. It is my one dream, my

my doubts-my fears; in a word, I do not believe this

dignant amazement. "What do you mean

, she is so fascinating, her character is so lovable, that I think those talents and attrac

ng, and lovely as a painter'

her son. "Mark my words: I understand young men. I know what dazzles their eyes and turns their heads. If Mauric

ntess, emphatically, and risin

fortunate that Maurice returns a fortnight before we expected him. I had my plans lai

scheme?" ask

annot refuse, and her life will be very varied and pleasant, visiting from house to house every three months, enjoying new pleasures, seeing new faces, making new friendships. And her relatives will, in reality, be our debtors, for Madeleine is the most charming of i

heir dangerously agreeable inmate, and the count, withou