Cheville took Marie's hand, and all admired the lithe and bending figures, as they floated down the room. Close after them came Monsieur Maillefert and his active bride, with rapid feet and cloudless faces; and then such crossing in and out, such swinging right and left, such airy harmony of movement, such natural grace and deep enjoyment have not been seen in Kaskaskia since the Monsieur's school was closed.
With a delicate, though healthy, bloom upon her cheeks, with eyes sparkling happiness and love, the young bride seemed wafted through the figure; and when, with one bright glance into his eyes, she placed her arm within De Cheville's, and retired from the floor, a murmur of unenvying admiration passed along the ranks of pleased spectators.
As they approached the window, and stood leaning there, a passing figure, muffled in a cloak, paused for a moment, and looked in. Could they have seen the fierce hatred of that look, so happy as they were, they could but have pitied him from whose heart such bitterness could rise. They saw him not, however; and, with that devilish glance, he gathered up his cloak, and passed on. It was Napoleon Le Vert, who thus gazed on what his mercenary soul had lost him.
After midnight the fête broke up; but the memory of that evening did not pass away with the night; for many an old Kaskaskian can recall this brilliant commencement of the happy married life of De Cheville and his peerless bride.
And so to conclude. Soon after his marriage, De Cheville discovered that he had acquired, unawares, one of the greatest fortunes then in the West; but, as the prospect had not influenced, the possession did not injure, him. Both he and his yet lovely wife have borne themselves meekly in their prosperity; and if an austere economist might carp at the style of their living, he could, at least, never reproach them with vulgar ostentation, of reckless profusion in unworthy pursuits or for unworthy objects, nor instance any refusal of assistance to the needy and deserving. De Cheville occupies a high federal station; and his
