Serge Panine -- Complete

gate separates the avenue from the road leading to Pontoise by way of Conflans. A carpet of grass, on which carriages roll as if on velvet, leads up to the park gates. Be

of the hall to a level with the gallery of sculptured wood running round and forming a balcony on the first floor. At each corner is a knight in armor, helmet on head, and lance in hand, mounted on a charger, and covered with the heavy trappings of war. Cases full of objects of art of great value, bookshelves containing all the new books, are placed along the walls. A billiard-table and all sorts of games are lodge

s, are large oil-paintings by old masters. An "Assumption," by Jordaens, which is a masterpiece; "The Gamesters," by Valentin; "A Spanish Family on Horseback," painted by Velasquez; and the marvel of the collection-a "Holy Family," by Francia, bought in Russia. Then, lower down, "A Young Girl with a

daylight. The furniture, of gilt wood and Genoese velvet, looks very bright. The walls are white and gold; and flowers are everywhere. At the end is Madame Desvarennes's bedroom, becau

ed with fox-skins and wolf-skins. A large rug, formed by four bears' skins, with menacing snouts, showing their white teeth at the four corners, is in the centre of the room. On the walls are four paintings by Princeteau, admirably executed, and representing hunting scenes.

he grassy banks which border the wood, while the low-lying branches of the trees dip into the flood, on which swans, dazzlingly white, swim in stately fashion. Beneath an old willow, whose drooping boughs form quite a vault of pale verdure, a squadron of multicolored boats

he lake carrying musicians whose notes echoed through the air. Under a marquee, placed midway in the large avenue, the country lads and lasses were dancing with spirit, while the old people, mor

nd her stood Marechal and Savinien, like two aides-de-camp, ready, at a sign, to offer their arms to the ladies, to conduct them to the drawing-rooms. The gathering was numerous. Merchant-princes came for Madame Desvarennes's sake; bankers for Cayrol's; a

of their fathers' former chamberlains; millionaires sprung from nothing, who made a great show and who would have gi

e consciousness of his triumphs. Herzog had just arrived, accompanied by his daughter, a charming girl of sixteen, to whom Marechal had offered his

s, and an old friend of Prince Panine's, at whose side he had received the wounds which had so frightfully mutilated him. Micheline, smiling, was listening to flattering

een placed. The ladies, wrapped in their lace scarfs, had formed into groups and were enjoying the delights of the beautiful evening. Bursts of subdued laugh

was beloved by Micheline, and in a few hours he would take her away, triumphant and happy. A great sadness stole over the young man's spirit; he was disgusted with life and hated humanity. What was to become of him now? His life was shattered; a heart like his cou

atisfaction than unproductive honors and mercenary rewards. Those who only sought happiness and joy-epicureans who drive away all care, all pain, and only seek to soften their existence, and brighten their horizon-were they not true sages? Death comes so quickly! And it is with astoni

ungrateful child regret me. She will see the difference between me and him whom she has chosen. S

oulder; and Marechal's affe

doing here, gestic

turne

he had not heard hi

ve been seeking you for more than a quarter of an hour. You are wrong to hide yourself; people will make remarks. Com

what does it matter to me?" said P

, my friend. In society there is nothing that provokes laughter more than a disappointed lover, who rolls his eyes about and looks woe-begone. And, then, you-see, suffering is a human law; the world is an

ago I was making projects, but I was a fo

u are suffering from weariness of mind; but your stre

expect in

things happen!" said Marechal, gayly. "Who is to

not help laug

t talk such

"in life it is only nonsense that is

d the terrace, with an elegantly dressed and beautiful woman on his arm. Savinien, in the midst of a circle of dandies, was

" asked a little fat man, girt in a white satin wai

don't know anything!" cried Savi

d Le Brede, in a piqued voice. "I don't profess to

have not looked at her. Come, open you

English style. They were not men to be deceived. One of them, a tall,

fellow, you make

e to the beautiful Englishwoman, who was resting the

nquired Le Bred

a cousin of the Prince. She is extreme

s very kind to Serge Panine," ad

e she is so rich? He has been quite a

is ma

d reason. But wher

y ever sees him. He is out of his mind;

Then why does not this pr

belongs to

all

Serge Panine was judged by his companions in pleasure, by the frequenters of the clubs in which he had spent a part of his existence. The Prince being "in the market" was obl

e. Lady Harton pointed to the bride with her fan. The P

married to Lord Harton, wishes to be introd

e, looking lovingly at her husband. "All w

nglishwoman app

heline, who bowed gracefully. Then, with a shade of familia

man. "I hope you will allow me to love you also; and I beg y

from her wrist a splendid brace

ine, lowering her eyes, and awed by th

dame, as a token

this bracelet, Mada

e, we Poles all speak Latin-Semper means 'Always!' It is a great word. On your wife's ar

Lady Harton took the arm of a tall young m

e's arm, and advancing on the terrace, with a rapid movement flung it in the water. The bracelet gleamed in the night-air and made a bri

your

ith tears; a smile brightened her lips, and hurriedl

Under the watchful eyes of their mothers, who, decked out in grand array, were seated along the walls, they were gamboling, in spite of the stifling heat, with all t

irl felt uncomfortable at being a third party with the newly-married couple, and welcomed the arrival of the Prince and Mic

s passing through the rooms, I heard these words: 'Loan, discount, liq

y grateful," sai

ill

furnace. At once he saw Herzog seated in the corner of a bay-window with one of the

ation," said he, smiling; "but your daughter is wa

morrow," said he to his companion. "We will talk ove

ir Dundreary whiskers, was eager to do busin

, with that familiarity which was one of his means of becoming intimate with pe

charming woman," repl

a great lord such as you are! Oh, you are like those masterpieces of art which

happiness. He had taken one of his hands

and you have succeeded. Oh! she likes you, my dear Prince; she told me so only a little while ago. You have won her heart. I don't know how you manage it, bu

hardly friendly. But the financier appeared so in

tune is settle

dame Desvarennes was a clever woman and she has proved it. And you signed the contrac

, suddenly lifting his eyes, and with an i

ut, my dear fello

ted Serge wit

se of a sou belonging to your wife without her consent. It is true, you have influence over her, happily for you. Still you must foresee that she will be

, regained his self-possession

d of me, sir, and I don't know what ob

se me much. With your tastes, it is possible that in a brief time you may be short of

rather troubled. The financier's words had awakened importunate ideas in his mind. Was it true that he had been duped by Madame Desvarennes, and that the l

and all will be well

arried people. The rooms were clearin

ng to do to-night

ment has been prep

aris. Our little paradise is prepared for us, and I wish to enter it to-nig

id Serge; gayly, "quite in

at's how we bankers do i

anging

old by turns. Just fancy, I have never loved befo

ed at Jeanne. She was sea

yes. The mother felt that the last moments of her absolute reign were near, and she was contemplating with supreme a

. You don't belong to me any longer. How I shall m

errupted Micheline.

retorted Madame De

t!" said Mic

ng towar

eaking, you are so

de an effort to soften t

ing. A litt

, surrounded by all our friends, I felt that I was whiter than my veil. And the crossing to my place seemed so long, I thoug

ad appr

said he, smiling, "and e

ng wife, quickly; "always call me Micheline. It wi

ot resist drawing her daug

, "you need affection, as flowers n

pped an

love

nd to her son-in-law. T

returning to Paris, you might take some

n on my wedding-day?

he mistress, laughing. "While we are enjoying ou

g her mother, wen

n appearance at the work-people's ball? I promi

iting your orders. Let u

round by the park to the door of the little conservatory and wait there. Thus, his wife and he woul

nt up to Jea

ly, dear, I shall not see yo

ed her. Then taking her husband'