THE PEIGNoIR.
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more beautiful every day, on purpose to set him
crazy. And he was therefore glad when, at the
expiration of the autumn holidays they all return
ed to court, to commence there new and excit-
ing life. He was no longer so near the Countess
as in the country he dwelt no longer under the
same roof, and met her but twice or thrice week
in company. The separation olny increased his
passion. 1t was too late now to attempt to era
dicate his feelings, for they had been allowed
sufficient time to root themselves deeply in his
heart Even the thought of her lofty rank and
his mean origin, could nor repress his wishes, and
when his last hope was crushed by the intelligence
that Wilbelmine was whispered To be daughter
of the reigning Duke, he loved but the more ar
IDENTIFY


Wilhelmine seemed not to understand his CLAN
ces half so well as he did those Of the pining
Bridget For the purpose of enjoying opportun-
ties TO see the Countess, or perhaps out offrivol-
ity, or perhaps even tenderer feeling, he ap-
peared to sympathise with Bridget, and thence
forth she wrote nothing but hymns. Thus do
we deceive one another.
But Madame Won Landern was not deceived. She
discovered the passion Of her daughter, and for
seeing that resistance would be in vain, she resol
we'd to further it to the utmost of her power
Without betraying the secret to her husband she
insisted that the merits of the Private Secretary
deserved higher station. Should he once reach
the council, thought the prudent mother, in year
more he will be noble Her pains were not
without their reward. The Privy Councillor re-
commended Roderick as Secretary to an embassy
about to be sent to a foreign court, and the Duke
who had often heard Of him, graciously assented
But this preferment, which involved long years
of separation, was death wound to Bridget's
gentle bosom.


Wheu Roderick at length came one morning.
according to etiquette, dressed in black, the civil
uniform, with sword by his side, to take his
leave Of his Excelency, the Privy Councillor,
Bridget hearing his voice before her door, sprang
up in tender dispair, dismissed her friseair, and
withoutrefecting that, ,envelpedasshe was white
peignoir, with loug dishevelled hair, she made
by no means lovely figure, hastened to meet the
new diplomat. With inexpressable anguish the
distracted girl flew TO him, and although he would
gladly have guarded his black clothes from con-
tact with her powder-covered mantle, cast her
self, lie the snow-whte garb of innocence, weep
ing into his arms. Roderick defended himself
like one distracted, but with much poltenees,
while the tender girl daubed him only the more
vigorously with flour and pomatum, and spread
her long locks first over one shoulder and then on
the other


"My God?" cried he in The anguish Of his
heart, 81 adjure you-l am yours unalterably.
Hear me-compose yourself-I am In despair


Bridget, who received these broken expressions
as evidences of his affection. was but the more
deeply moved.


"Ah!" sighed she, eve are both unhappy,
but, Roderick, thero is God an eternity.''


every true, good, excellent lady but you
make''-


"No, Roderick, make you not more wretch
ed than you make me by your departure"


The good Roderick was now completely spotted
aud Bridget herself, as she stepped back mo-
ment to gaze on his beloved form, was astounded
at her work. At the same moment the Councillor
came from his room, and his daughter, with
madenly consciousness, flew into her chamber
leaving Roderick standing helplessly at the door.
Escape he could not; so he collected himself
paid his Excellency the fitting compliments, and
craved his further protection. His eXcellency
was almost rs much confused as the Secretary
for he had caught sight of the furtive, and CUES
sed the rest.


sBut good heavens what an appearance you
make,'' said the Privy Councillor at length.


I" Your Excellency, chanced to come too
near Powder God )" said Roderick, casting a
sorrowful glance upon his ruined state dress
The councillor shook his head. Go, brush
off the beams he has left. | fear they are more
earthly than you say"


All was now betrayed. Lady Bridget denied
nothing. Madam Won Landem added her good
word, and when the Ambassador returned home
sick, and Roderck had for half year conducted
the affairs of his court happily, he received unex-
pectedly, as the reward ofhs services, the patent
of nobility. But it was not SO much his merits
as Bridget's peiguor that had obtained him this
advancement For it was settled thing in the
house of the Privy Councillor, that Roderick
must be nobleman in order to become fitting
bride groom for hisdaughter.


/ THE ELECTUARY.