Great intimacy existed
between the families, although from circumstances--nameless here--the
ladies seldom met, and never at Bellevue.
Major Favraud was a constant visitor at Beauseincourt, when on his
estates. He was, however, of a roving disposition, and, though tenderly
attached to his wife, was often absent, negligent, and careless of her
feelings. He was a renowned duelist, and deemed a challenge the
essential element and result of every unsettled discussion. A typical
Southerner of his day, I felt keen interest in the scrutiny of his
character, until events developed those venomous tendencies which came
very near destroying my peace of mind forever, with the life of the
noble man whom, after a brief acquaintance, I had learned to love
against my own desires.
The occasion of this belligerent demonstration was afforded at the
Christmas festival, held yearly at Beauseincourt, by Colonel and Mrs. La
Vigne--in the great, many-windowed drawing-room with its waxed
parquet--its ebony-framed mirrors, its pier consoles, and faded damask
furniture.
There were assembled around the bright pine-fire, on the occasion of
this universal anniversary, neighbors, and guests from a distance,
invited specially for a certain number of days, among whom the
unexpected advent of a troop of engineers, of Northern extraction, made
a desirable variety.
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