We are engravers by profession, and with the profits of our business, and the fortunes we inherit, we enjoy an easy and agreeable independence, while our talents command consideration and respect. Pride and love have, however, united to disturb this happiness and tranquillity. In the street of St. Dominick there lives a picture-dealer, an old gentleman, who is himself by no means extraordinary, but who has a daughter so exquisitely beautiful, that the city of Lyons, large and populous as it is, contains no woman who can be placed in competition with her; and she possesses all those graces and accomplishments of mind and person, which would make her the object of unrivalled admiration and love, were they not obscured by one single fault- and that is pride, overweening pride. Spoiled by universal adulation, she looks with the most sovereign contempt upon those lovers who are her equals in rank and fortune, and scarcely deems any one, beneath the dignity of a prince, worthy to aspire to the honor of her hand. Her old father, who, though a good judge of paintings, is very weak and ignorant in all other respects, has completely spoiled her by indulgence, and a devotion which almost amounts to idolatry. The reading of romances, her mirror, and the unceasing praise and flattery of those by whom she is constantly surrounded, have turned her head; and what at first was nothing more than harmless vanity and self-love, has grown into arrogance and a contempt for all whose rank and opulence do not flatter her pride.

But why should I speak of others, when it is my own story I would relate? During my professional intercourse with her father, I became acquainted with her. She was affable, and I thought she bestowed more attention upon me than upon most of those around her. She often allowed me to escort her to balls and the theatre; so that, deceived by these trifling marks of favor, I fancied I was beloved, because treated with more toleration than many others; and with the rashness of a lover, ventured to make my proposals to her father, who received them with approbation, and promised me his countenance. My family, fortune, and profession, were all such as to justify me in thinking that my alliance would be acceptable to the young lady. Imagine, then, my surprise, when this arrogant girl turned to her father, in my presence, and said, with a smile of derision upon her haughty lips:

Do you think, Sir, that I was born merely to become the wife of an engraver ?'

I was thunder-struck. Such excess of impudence extinguished my passion in an instant. I left her with precipitation, burning with the desire of revenge, and meditating upon the manner of accomplishing it. I sought my friends, and represented to them that the insult I had received reflected upon our whole profession. They warmly took my part: we have formed a plot, and vowed to make her feel in reality that she was not born to so great an honor as to become the wife of an engraver. This is my story, my dear Perourou; and now, tell me whether you have sufficient confidence for this undertaking, and feel an ambition to raise yourself above your present station? Beneath a poor exterior, you have shown us that you possess spirit and intelligence equal to the task we propose to you. Are you willing to become the husband of an accomplished and beau

tiful woman, who only needs that her pride should be humbled, and her vanity punished, to render her worthy of love and esteem?'

Yes,' I replied, with confidence, 'I comprehend the part you wish me to act; and I undertake to perform it in such a manner that you will have no cause to regret the choice you have made.'

The next day we arranged a systematic plan, by which we regulated all our future proceedings. I bathed twice a day, to clear my complexion, and soften my skin; my hair was arranged by the most fashionable hair-dresser in Lyons; my friends bestowed upon me a complete wardrobe, and attached themselves so closely to me, that we were almost inseparable, and all their leisure was devoted to my instruction. One taught me to read, another to write. Music, drawing, and various other studies, occupied my time and unremitting attention for three months. I soon perceived that this kind of life so entirely accorded with my tastes, that I felt an ardent desire to perfect myself in my new education. Study became my passion, and nature had endowed me with such capabilities for acquirement, and a memory so retentive, that my young friends beheld with astonishment and delight the rapid progress of their scholar.

The period having arrived when my friends thought me sufficiently prepared to carry their project into execution, I quitted my little study, and took possession of superb apartments in one of the best hotels in Lyons. The poor bellows-mender vanished, and in his place appeared the rich Marquis de Ruperou, one of the principal proprietors of the mines of Dauphiny. It was under this title, that I presented myself to the old picture-dealer, as an amateur desirous to gratify his taste, and careless at what cost. I had learned from my masters how to show off to advantage my large diamond ring, display a handsome repeater, and strike it with a preoccupied air, and gracefully present an elegant snuff-box, upon the lid of which was a beautiful fancy portrait, which I modestly said was the likeness of a sister, to whom I was greatly attached. In short, I endeavored to please, and was successful. But it was not enough to deceive the father only to gain our end, the daughter also must be duped and won; and while turning in my mind how to bring this about, fortune seemed to clear the way for me.

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One day a note was brought to me from the old gentleman, informing me that he had just received from Rome a number of fine engravings; and he begged me to call at his house the next morning, and make my choice, before he offered them for sale. I went, unconscious of the fate which there awaited me; for instead of being received by the father, as usual, his beautiful daughter appeared before me, and dazzled me by her charms.

It often happens that a calm and indifferent exterior conceals a heart alive to the finest sensibilities of our nature. Mine was susceptible of the deepest passion, and I felt at that moment all the power and fascination of beauty. A new world seemed opened before me; a new sentiment filled my heart; and forgetting that I was but acting a part, one deep absorbing feeling took possession of all my faculties. Aurora, perceiving her triumph, was apparently flattered by my confusion, and listened with complacency to the disor

dered expressions which escaped my lips, showing too plainly the admiration I felt, and the impression her charms had made upon me. This interview fixed my destiny for ever. Every obstacle disappeared before my passion, which absorbed my whole being; and from that moment, I resolved to devote my days and nights to study, that I might become less unworthy of the happiness to which I aspired. Every day I found some pretext for a visit to the picture-dealer's. I always had some trifle to present to Aurora, or some object of taste upon which to ask her advice. It was the season of flowers, and I constantly presented her with bouquets of the rarest and most beautiful, to which my friends frequently enabled me to add a complimentary sonnet, or song, composed by them, but of which I had all the credit. I soon perceived that my gifts and attentions were not indifferent to her, and frequently surprised the beautiful girl with her eyes fixed upon me with an expression of tender interest.

In this manner six months passed rapidly away. The engravers, intent upon the full accomplishment of their revenge, were fearful, by too much precipitation, to endanger the completion of their object. Every evening they required of me an exact account of the events of the day; and appeared so entirely satisfied with my conduct, that they even furnished me with more money than I needed. One day I received a formal invitation from the picture-dealer to a grand fête at his country-seat, which I suspected was given principally in my honor. When I arrived there, I was received by his proud and beautiful daughter with so much consideration, and she bestowed upon me so many kind and delicate attentions, that, entirely overcome by her charms, heightened by the brilliancy of her dress, I seized the first moment of our being alone, to pour forth feelings I could no longer conceal; and throwing myself at her feet, I offered her my heart and hand. She accepted my proposals with dignity and composure; but a tear which escaped from her downcast eye, convinced me that pride was not the only sentiment that agitated her heart. I saw, I felt, that I was beloved!

Having deceived the daughter as to my birth, it was now necessary to blind the father with respect to my fortune. Nor was this difficult; for having little penetration or suspicion, he gave full credence to my false story. I told him my father resided upon his estate in a remote part of Dauphiny; but that his age and infirmities were such as to prevent his being present at my marriage, although he gave his entire and willing assent to it. I endeavored, in some degree, to ease my conscience by the resolution I had formed to accept of no dower, declaring that my fortune was too large to think of increasing it by a wife's portion. Before the end of the conversation, we came to an excellent understanding, as I left to him all the settlements and money transactions, only requesting him, as our mutual families were distant from Lyons, and could not be present at the ceremony, to avoid all unnecessary publicity in our marriage, which it was decided should take place in two weeks.

With difficulty I tore myself from Aurora, and hastened to Lyons, to inform my friends that our drama was now approaching its conclusion. I related all that had passed: they embraced me with delight, and bestowed upon me such praises, that without a good share of

Their con

vanity, I might have thought they were ridiculing me. duct, however, convinced me they were sincere. Their desire for revenge upon the haughty girl, seemed to become more eager and extravagant, as it was about to be gratified. In order to confirm the delusion of both father and daughter, they immediately sent, in my name, to my mistress, a beautiful bouquet, accompanied by a watch, bracelets, jewelry, and lace of the finest quality. Toward the end of the week the marriage contract was drawn up, to which I took care to sign my true name, a precaution which was in the end of the greatest service to me.

I had deceived Aurora, shamefully deceived her, it is true; but heaven is my witness, it was not without the deepest remorse! When at her side, I could think only of her. When with my gay friends, their good humor, their wit, and agreeable manners, and the state of dependence in which they held me; the instructions and favors they had so freely bestowed upon me; the many and kind services I had received from them; all combined to take from me the power of reflection. I could scarcely realize the present, or look forward to the future. But, in the solitude of my own chamber, passion and sophistry gave way to despair and remorse; and I looked with dismay upon the frightful prospect before me! When I pictured to myself my beautiful Aurora, undeceived and conducted to my wretched abode, the only one I possessed; when I thought of those fair and delicate hands condemned to perform the most menial offices, and prepare the scanty meals for our daily support; when I felt that so much grace and beauty, fit to adorn a palace, was doomed henceforth to be buried in my father's miserable hut, I started with horror from the contemplation of the scene; a death-like coldness paralyzed my senses. I was ready to throw myself at her feet, confess my crime, and declare myself ready to bear the shame and degradation I so truly deserved. But alas! self-love, and the madness of my passion, withheld me. Intoxicated by the feelings of the present, imagination cast a ray of hope over the obscurity of the future. The unhappiness of Aurora,' I said to myself, will only be momentary. Love will soften all the bitterness of her misfortune; and when the thirst for revenge, which now blinds her enemies, shall have passed away, she shall again be happy! I shall have some money remaining, and by my own industry, I can procure her comfort and ease. I should indeed be contemptible, if I were not willing to devote all the energy of my character, and every hour of my life, to shed ease and enjoyment on the pathway of her existence. When she first discovers the truth, her resentment will doubtless be terrible indeed; but the evil being irreparable, reason will in time reconcile her to it; love will compensate her for the loss of fortune; and we shall at last be happy!'

Such were the reflections which occupied my mind, during the few days preceding our marriage. When, at the holy altar, Aurora pronounced the vow to live and die with me, a cold shudder shook my whole frame. Never before had the odious part I was acting appeared in so appalling a light. I turned as pale as death, and should have fallen upon the floor, had not tears come to my relief. This last effort of expiring virtue was mistaken by the surrounding crowd for an excess of sensibility. Aurora was herself deceived; and I felt,

by the expression of her tenderness, that this proud and haughty beauty shrank not from evincing toward me all the feelings of a devoted and affectionate wife.

The engravers, willing to reward the address and good faith with which I had executed their project, permitted me to continue the deception for some days; during which time I gave myself up to the happiness of the moment, and endeavored to banish from my mind the fatal period when the delusion must be dissolved. But alas! I could not ward it off for ever. They at length became impatient; and after many fruitless entreaties to spare my Aurora, her implacable enemies insisted upon the completion of their triumph, and bade me prepare to conduct her to my miserable home. When I proposed to my wife a journey, of which I knew the cruel termination, I could not suppress a deep sigh, which she heard with surprise; for to her lively imagination, the prospect of travelling with me, in a handsome equipage, with attendants, was a gratification both of her affection and pride, to which she could only look forward with delight; and she flew with eagerness to prepare for our departure, the near approach of which caused me inexpressible grief. Again and again I implored the pity of my friends; but they were inexorable, and only replied by placing the bond of our agreement before my eyes. I found my doom was inevitable, and ceased to struggle against fate.

Two of my employers acted as our couriers; and Aurora's rejected suitor, with the aid of a wig, and black patch over one eye, which so completely disguised him that no one could have recognised him, insisted upon being our coachman. Three others, dressed in gay liveries, mounted as footmen behind the carriage, while the other four, unable, on account of business, to leave Lyons, were compelled to console themselves for the loss of the final scene, by exacting from their comrades a promise to give them a full account of every thing that took place during the journey. It was with the greatest difficulty that the rogues could restrain their laughter, when my wife, after giving them her orders in a careless and haughty tone, turned to me, and with the utmost deference, asked the names of my different chateaux, the extent of my domains in Dauphiny, and what were my rights of chase and fishery thereon; and spoke with complacency of the richness of my mines, which in her imagination equalled those of Peru. While conversing upon these subjects, we at length approached Montélimart, and turned off into the narrow, crooked lane, which led to the poor little hamlet in which my father lived.

The awful moment at length arrived; for after a painful drive of three hours over a humble road, our coachman suddenly drew up before a miserable cabin, at the door of which sat a venerable old man, clad in the coarsest garb of poverty. This was my father! Believe me, my dear friend, words are inadequate to describe the scene which then ensued! On one side stood the pale and trembling Perourou; on the other, the astonished Aurora, surrounded by the six insolent young men, who handed her with mock ceremony to an old broken chair, amid bursts of insulting laughter, and sarcastic remarks, best calculated to express their revenge, and complete her humiliation. The pretended coachman, throwing aside his wig and