THE MYSTERIES OF PARIS. 103 blood, while his flat face and hollow cheeks were of a livid paleness. The expression of his eyes could not be seen, concealed as they were by his large green specta- cles; but the visible alteration of his features an- nounced a consuming passion. He crossed the office slowly, without saying a word to his clerks, without appearing to notice their pres- ence, entered the room of the head clerk, walked through it, as well as his own cabinet, and descended immediately by the little staircase which led to the court. Jacques Ferrand having left behind him all the doors open, the clerks could, with good reason, be astonished at the extraordinary motions of their patron, who came up one staircase and descended another, without stopping in any of the chambers, which he had traversed mechanically. Chapter XVI.—Luxurieux Point ne Seras. ' It w-as night. The profound silence which reigned in the pavilion occupied by Jacques Ferrand was interrupted at inter- vals by the sighing of the wind, and by the gusts of rain, which fell in torrents. These melancholy sounds seemed to render still more complete tlie solitude of this dwelling. In a bedchamber on the first floor, very comfortably and newly furnished, and covered with a thick carret, a young woman was standing before an excellent fire. What was very strange, in* the centre of the door, ¦which was strongly bolted, and opposite to the bed, was placed a small wicket of about five or six inches square, which could be opened on the outside. A reflecting lamp cast an obscure light in this room, which was hung with a garnet-colored silk; the cur- tains of the bed of the window-, as also the covering of a large sofa, are of silk and worsted damask, of the same color. We insist to be minute in these details of demi-luxe so secently imported into the dwelling of the notary, because this demi-luxe announces a complete revolu- tion in the habits of Jacques Ferrand, who, until then, was of Spartan avarice and meanness (above all as respected others) for all that concerned living. It is. then, on this garnet tapestry, of a strong back- f round and warmth of color, on which is delineated the gure of Cecily, that we are going to paint her. Of tall and 'graceful stature, the Creole is in the flower and in the bloom of youth. The development of her fine shoulders, and of her luxurious person, makes her waist appear so marvellously slender, that one 7 believe that Cecily might use her necklace fora "ceintui- degrees, twists in inextricable folds the victim, feels it ! interview with the notary, that he was completely mi- palpitate under its deadly stings, and seems to feed der the charm ; at the avowal which he made of his upon its struggles with as much delight as upon its 'flame, she thought she would at once throw off her blood. Cecily, as we have said, but lately arrived from Ger- many; having formerly been seduced by a man fright- fully, depraved, she continued, without the knowledge of David, who loved her with as much idolatry as blindness, to' display and exercise, for some time, her dangerous blandishments; but soon the fatal scandal of her adventures was unveiled; horrible discoveries were made, and she was condemned to perpetual im- prisonment. To the foregoing let there be joined an adroit, insinu ¦ ating, quick mind—an intelligence so marvellous, that in a year she spoke both French aud German with the most extreme facility—sometimes even with marked eloquence. Imagine, in fine, a corruption worthy of the courtesan queans of ancient Rome, and audacity and courage above all proof, propensities, diabolical wickedness, and one would have a correct idea of the new serrant ot Jacojues Ferrand—the determined creat- ure who had dared to throw herself into the den of the wolf. And yet (singular anomaly), on learning from M. de Graun the provoking and plait,uir part which she -was to play at the house of the notary, and what aveng- ing ends were to be produced by her artifices, Cecily had promised to perform her part aroc amour; or, rather, with a terrible hatred against Jacques Ferrand, being- very indignant at the recital of the infamous vio- lence he had used towards Louise—a recital it was found necessary to make, in order that she should be on her guard against the hypocritical attempts of this monster. Some retrospective words concerning the latter personage are indispensable. When Cecily was presented to him by Madame Pipe- let, as an orphan over whom she wished to have no control, no care, the notary had, perhaps, been less struck with the beauty of the Creole then fascinated by her irresistible glances—glances which, from the first interview, lighted a fire which disturbed his reason. For we have said, in speaking of the insensate audac- ity of some of bis words in the conversation with Madame de Lucenay, that this man, ordinarily with so much self-command, so calm, so cunning, forgot the cold calculations of his profound dissimulation, when the demon of luxury obscured his mind. Besides, he had no reason to doubt the protegee of Madame Pipe- let. After his conversation with the latter. Madame Sera- As simple as it is coquettish and provoking, her Alsa- ' phin had proposed to Jacques Ferrand to take the place tian costume is of a strange taste, a little theatrical, of Louise, a young girl almost without a home, for and thu s more calculated for the effect it was intended whom she would answer. The notary had gladly ac- to produce cepted, in tbe hope of abusing, with impunity, the pre- Her spencer of black cassimere, half open on her carious and isolated condition of his new servant. swelling bosom, very long in tbe " corsage," with tight ijves and plain back, is slightly embroidered with le woo! on the seams, and trimmed with a row of Imall, chased, silver buttons. A short petticoat of ¦e merino, which seems of exaggerated ampli- although it fits admirably on the ' -contours " of itural richness, allows a glance at the charming ¦i ole, with the scarlet stockings and blue as is met, witli among the old Flemish- o si iow so complacently the garters of their Never did artist dream of a " galle " as pure as that of the "jambes" of Cecily; strong and muscular above their "mallet rebondi," they terminated by a small foot, quite at ease, and well arched in its very " petit " e'roe of black morocco, with silver buckles. Cecily is standing before tbe glass on the chimney- Ciece' ' The slope of her spencer displays her elegant and graceful neck of dazzling whiteness, but without transparency. Taking off her cherry-colored cap, to replace it by a '"¦ madrian," the Creole displayed her thick and mag- nificent hair of bluish black, which, divided in the mid- dle of her forehead, and naturally curled, descended oo lower than the " collier de Venus " which joins the neck to the shoulders. One must know the inimitable taste witli which a Creole twists around her head these handkerchiefs, to have an idea of the graceful coif- fure de nuit " of Cecily, and of the piquant contrast of this tissue, variegated with purple, azure, and orange, with her black hair, which, escaping from the close folds of the "madras," surround, with their large, silky curls, her pale, but round and firm cheeks. The two arms raised above her head, she finished, with her slender, ivory fingers, arranging a large "rosette," placed very low on the left side, almost on The features of Cecily are of a kind which it is im- possible ever to forget. A bold forehead, slightly projecting, surmounted a visage of perfect oval; her complexion of a dead white. Finally, far from being suspicious, Jacques Ferrand found, in the march of events, new motives of security. All responded to his wishes. The death of Madam Séraphin rid him of a danger- ous accomplice. The death of Fleur de Marie (he thought her dead) released him from the living proof of one of his first crimes. Then, thanks to the death of La Chouette, and the precarious situation of the Comtesse M'Gregor, he no longer feared these two women, whose revelations and importunities might have been fatal. We repeat, no sentiment of suspicion came to coun- terbalance in his mind the sudden, irresistible impres- ii which he had experienced at the sight of Cecily. reigned timidity, and change her mask. The Creole then assumed all at once a bold air. Jacques Ferrand went into new ecstacies on the beauty of features, and the enchanting figure of his new bonne. " Look me full in the face," said Cecily, resolutely; '.'although dressed as an Alsatian peasant, do I look like a servant?" "What do you mean to say?" cried Jacques Fer- rand. " Regard this hand—is it accustomed to rude la- bor?" And she showed a white and charming hand, with slender and delicate fingers, the long nails polished like agate, but of which the slightly-shaded crown be- trayed the mixed blood. " And this foot? is it a servant's foot?" i And she advanced a ravishing little foot, coquetry " chausse," which the notary had not yet remarked, and which he now only desisted from looking at, to re- gard Cecily with amazement. " I bave tôld my Aunt Pipelet just what suited me; she is ignorant of my past life; she thought I was re- duced to this position by the death of my parents, and took me for a servant; but you have, I hope, too much sagacity to partake of her error, dear master?" "And who are you, then?" cried, Jacques Ferrand, more and more surprised at this language. " That is my secret. For reasons best known to my- self, I have been obliged to leave Germany in this dis- guise. I wished to remain concealed at Paris for some time. My a.unt, supposing me redu'eed to poverty, pro- posed to me to enter your service, spoke of your sol- itary manner of living, and told me that I would never be allowed to go out. I accepted quickly. Without knowing it, my aunt anticipated my most anxious de- sire. Who could look for and discover me here?" "Conceal yourself! and what have you done to be obliged to conceal yourself?" " Soft offences, perhaps; but this ismy secret," ¦ "And what are your intentions, Mademoiselle?" " Always the same. Saving your significant compli- ments on mv shape and beauty, I should not, perhaps, have made "this avowal, which your penetration had sooner or later provoked. Listen to me, then, my dear master: I have accepted for the moment the condition, or, rather, the part of a servant ; circumstances oblige me to do so. I shall have the courage to play this part to the end. I will submit to all the consequences. I will serve you with zeal, activity and respect, to pre- serve my place; that is to say, a sure and unknown retreat. But at the least Word of gallantry, at the least liberty you take with me, I leave you—not from prudery, nothing in me, I think, looks like the prude." And she cast a glance charged with sensual electrici- ty, which reached the very bottom of the notary's soul ; he snuddered. " No, I am not a prude," she resumed, with a pro- voking smile, which displayed her dazzling teeth: " Vive Dieu ! when love bites me, the bacchantes are saints in comparison. But be just, and you will agree that your unworthy servant only wishes to perform honestly her duty as a servant. Now you know my secret, or at least a part of my secret; will you. per- , chance act as a gentleman; Do I seem too handsome 1 to serve you? Do you desire to change parts ana be- come my slave? So be it! frankly,I prefer that, but on this condition, that I shall never go out of always ~. He seized with delight, the occasion to receive into ! the house, and you shall have for me the most paternal so!11ar>^weIliggthe pretended niece of Madame j ^^^^^^J^^^^^ Pipelet. The character, habits, and antecedents of Jacques Ferrand known and stated, the provoking beauty of the Creole, such as we have endeavored to pamt it, some other facts which we will now expose, will cause to be comprehended, we hope, the sudden, phrenzied passion of the notary, for this seductive and dangerous creature. Uthough Jacques Ferrand was never to obtain the object of his wishes, the Creole was very careful not to deprive him of all hope; but the vague and distant hopes which she recked inthe cradle of so many ca- prices were for him only increased tortures, and riv- eted more solidly still the burning chain he wore. _ If any astonishment is felt that a man of such vigor and audacity had not had recourse to cunning or vio- lence to triumph over the calculated resistance of Cecily, then it must have been forgotten that Ceeily Besides, the next day after your devotion and your discretion." "The sole? the sole?" stammered Jacques Ferrand. " The sole—unless solitude and the devil make me mad: which is impossible, for you will keep me com- pany, and, in your quality as a holy man, you shall ex- orcise the evil spirit. " Come, decide, no mixed position; either 1 willserve you, or you shall serve me; otherwise, I leave your house, aiid I beg my aunt to find me another place. All this must seem strange to you; so be it; but if you take me for an adventurer, without the means of ex- istence, you are wrong. In order to make my aunt my accomplice, without her knowledge, I allowed her to think Iwas too poor to buy other clothes than these. Yet I have, you see, a purse well filled : on this side with gold, on'the other with diamonds (aud she showed the notary a long, red silk purse, filled with gold, and through the meshes of which shone precious stones). was not a second Ionise. n™n^;^a $& LXfortu«:ail "the" money m _the world^could^ot her ,..,. another part than she by whose aid she had been intro- duced to her master, or he would not have been tne dupe of his servant for two consecutive days. Instructed of the fate of Louise by the Baronde Graun, and knowing afterward by what abominable the unfortunate daughter of Morel had become ,f a camélia ..imperceptibly ! means^.;-—»-¦££-J^Creole, entering in touched bv a ray of the sun; her eyes, of a size almost immoderate, have a singular expression, for the pupil, extremely large, black, and brilliant, hardly allows the transparent "Jolenatre " of the globe of the eye to be seen from the corners of her eyelids, fringed with long lashes; her chin is perfect: her nose, straight and "fin," is terminated by two nostrils which dilate at each emotion; her lovely and impudent mouth is ot a lively red. ', . ,,. Let one imagine this pale face, with its sparkling -black glances, its red, moist, and glossy lips, which shine like wot coral. Let us say that this tall Creole,.at once slender and fleshy strong and active as a panther, was the type m eamme of that sensuality which is only lighted up at the fires of the tropics. Such was Cecily. ., . . , Her detestable predelictions, for some time restrained by her real attachment for David, were only developed in Europe; civilization and climatical influence ot the North had tempered the violence, modified the expres- sion. Instead of casting herself violently on her prey, and thinking only, like her compeers, to destroy as soon as possible their life and fortune, Cecily, fixing on her victims her magnetic glances, commenced by at- tracting them, little by little, into tbe blazing whirlwind which seemed to emanate from her; then, seeing them lost, suffering everv torment of a "desir massouvi, ¦she amused herself by a refinement of coquetry, to prolong their delirium; then, returning to her first in- stincts, she destroyed them in her homicidal em- -brassemens." This was more horrible still. . The famished tiger, who springs and carries oft the ,-prev which he tears with loud roars, inspires .ess hor- tor than the serpent, which silently charms, attracts by solitary' house, had taken excellent precautions to pass the first night in security. ... The same evening of her arrival, remaining alone with Jacques Ferrand, who, in order not to alarm her, affected hardly to look at her, and told her, roughly, to go to bed, she avowed, naively, that at night she was very much afraid of thieves, but that she was strong, resolute, and ready to defend herself. " With what?" asked Jacques Ferrand. . "With this," answered the Creole, drawing from the ample woollen pelisse in which she was wrapped up a little dagger of high finish, and which made the notary Y'et,'persuaded that his new servant only feared rob- bers be conducted her to the room she was to occupy (the former chamber of Louise). After having exam- ined tbe localities. Cecily told him, trembling, with her eyes cast down, that, from fear, she would pass her night on a chair, because she saw on the door neither lock nor bolt. , . , , ,,__ Jacques Ferrand, already completely under the charm, but not wishing to awaken'the suspicions of Cecily ' said to her, in a cross tone, that she was a fool to'ha've such fears; but he promised that the next day the bolt should be arranged. The Creole did not go to bed. In the morning the notary came to instruct her as to o?âè.7o51nispire her with confidence; but, struekwUh .mpoas.We.^ Already her beauty, which, in the broad daylight, seemed still more dazzling, blinded, and carried away by his feelings he stammered forth some compliments on her figure ive me a retreat as secure as your house, so isolated by the retirement in which you live. Accept, then, one or the other of my offers; you will render me a serv- ice. You see, I place myself at your discretion: for to tell you that I conceal myself, is to tell you I am sought'for. But I am sure you will not betray me, even if you knew bow to betray." ' This romantic confidence, this sudden.transformat.ion I of character, troubled the brain of Jacques Ferrand. Who was this woman? Why did she conceal herself ? Had chance alone conducted her*o his dwelling? If, , on the contrary, she came there for some secret pur- pose, what was this purpose? ¦ " Among all the hypotheses which this singular adven- ture raised in the mind of the notary, the taie motive of tbe Creole's presence never came to lus£li_ught. He bad not. or. rather, he thought he had not, any other enemies than the victims of his licentiousness and cu- pidity Now all of them were in such a condition of trouble or distress, that he could not suppose them capable of spreading a snare of. which. Cecily was the bait. ... ,„ And then, again, for what purpose was it spread? No ; the sudden transformation of Cecily inspired but one fear to Jacques Ferrand: he thought that if this woman did not speak the truth, she was an adventurer, who, believing him rich, introduced herself into the house to cajole him, find him out, and perhaps cause him to marry her. But. although his avarice and cupidity revolted at the idea, he perceived, shudder- ing, that these suspicions, these reflections, were too late; for, with a single word, he could put his^ sus- picions at rest by sending this woman away. Ana this word he did not'speak. Already he loved her, after his manner, and passionately. Already the idea of seeing aiShe;e with rare sagacity, had judged, from her first this seducing creature leave his house seemed to him impossible. Already, even, feeling the pangs ot a savage jealousy to think that Cecily .bight bestow on -_t--S- e-----------~e„r,nA tr, lilrn Tnt._..r_.r iAnoed SOlIie COU- other's f avoi s refused to him, he experiem solation in saying: . " As long as she is sequestred in my house, ne on« will possess her."