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acquaintance, is always considered as a piece of impertinence that demands correction; but to pretend to be happier, is an offence never pardoned. Mari et femme were viewed as thus offending, and those who so considered them determined on avenging themselves.

Little did the St. Armands imagine that, while they were enjoying the pure happiness which congenial minds experience in a domestic life, their tranquil felicity and retired habits were exciting the hatred of those whom they had never injured. Had this fact been. communicated to them, they would have disbelieved it; for both were unacquainted with the ill-nature of worldly minds, and the wanton and atrocious calumnies which the spirit of rancour engenders.

The rarity of Madame de St. Armand's appearance in society rendered her beauty still more impressive whenever she was seen;

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and even women who were, perhaps, really lovelier, ceased to attract their wonted degree of admiration when she was present; solely because the beholders were habituated to their charms, while hers were invested with all the additional grace of novelty. This success only increased the acerbity of those who were already but too well inclined to be hostile to her, and they anxiously awaited an opportunity of injuring and humiliating her.

At this period a ball was given by an aunt of M. de St. Armand, at which she insisted

that my conjugal and exemplary pair should attend. Aware of this circumstance, some of the most mischievous of their acquaintance hoped to profit by it, and to arrange a plot which would occasion them dissension and

mortification.

A M. de Melfort had been an unsuccessful

suitor for the hand of Alicia St. Armand, the

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⚫ year previously to her union with Jules; and had felt so much grieved by her rejection of him, that he fled to Italy, whence he only returned a few days prior to the celebration of the memorable ball to which I have been alluding. His return had revived the recollection of his former attachment, and people wondered whether he could behold his former flame, now a wedded dame, without emotion; while others were equally anxious to learn how St. Armand would treat his wife's former admirer.

A few of the most malicious of the ladies who bore my unlucky heroine so much ill-will, were assembled in the boudoir of one of the clique, two days before the intended fête; when, the subject of M. de Melfort's return having been introduced, Madame de Chatannes proposed to mystify, as she designated her insidious project, "the affected prude;" and

another, equally spiteful, suggested the practice of a similar mystification with regard to M. de St. Armand.

Various were the plans furnished by each of the ladies, who displayed a most laudable invention and rivalry on the occasion. At length, it was agreed that Madame Fontanges, who was chosen on account of her not being an acquaintance of the St. Armands, should be the person to put the following plot into execution.

This lady was to narrowly watch my hero and heroine; and, in case of their being separated during the ball, she was to approach close to Alicia, and, after asking an accomplice to point out to her Madame de St. Armand, to state that she experienced for her the utmost interest and pity, in consequence of her discovery of the craft and falsity of M. de St. Armand; who, while basely pretend

ing to only adore his unfortunate wife, was the devoted lover of an artful and most wicked person. This verbal poison was to be delivered loud enough for Alicia to hear it; and, if it should produce the anticipated effect upon her countenance, the skilful calumniator was then to pass near the husband, and observe how very embarrassed and agitated Madame de St. Armand appeared, in consequence of the presence of M. de Melfort, for whom she evidently retained all her old tendresse.

Can you not fancy the delight with which this malicious clique would concoct this amiable plan? I think I can see them revelling in all the ecstasy which the expectation of its success would occasion them; and experiencing an almost insupportable impatience to inflict a deadly wound upon the peace of two persons who had never injured them, even in thought.

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