Retrospect of French Literature—Novels, Romances, &c. 707 
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arrear, in respect to the manners as 
well as the dress of the court and ca- 
pital. 
The principal object of scandal, was 
the arrival of a lady in that neighbour. 
hood, who lived along with her uncle 
and his son, and as she was -both beau- 
titul and accomplished, it may be 
easily imagined, that but few compli- 
ments were paid, either to her face or 
talents. Melanie, for this happened to 
be her name, was tall and elegant. 
She joined tothe grace of a Creole,— 
for she was a native of the West In- 
dies—a very considerable degree. of 
personal perfection; her features were 
regular, her eyes piercing, her mouth 
small, her teeth white, and her hair of 
a shining auburn. There was an air 
of timidity and melancholy, however, 
in her countenance, which notwith- 
standing her youth and graces, in- 
spired an idea of reserve. Dormeuil 
her unc'e, had been ruined in conse- 
quence of some unforeseen misfor- 
tunes that occurred in the island of 
St. Domingo; but a sufficiency re- 
mained to enable him to maintain the 
station of a gentleman, in a pretty 
little kouse, where an elegant sim- 
plicity reigned, and where his niece, 
andthe young Alphonzo, who was cal- 
led his son, constituted the whole of 
his happiness.’ Alphonzo was a young 
wan of good education and excellent 
parts; but his character was impe- 
tuous and fiery, so that while his vir- 
tues and accomplishments promised 
to render him not only an amiable, 
but an accomplishéd man, his temper 
was calculated to lead him into many 
errors. ; 
Notwithstanding the whole faruily, 
consisting of those three persons were 
desirous to avoid company, yet Melvil, 
a gentleman of larze fortune in the 
aeighbourhood, was to introduce him- 
self, aud soon after declared his pas- 
sion for Melanie; but his pretensions 
were secretly opposed by Alphonso, 
who was himself in- love, and with 
the same object. 
/ ‘This young man beine desirous of 
entering into the army as an offeer, 
determined to have an explanation of 
his precise situation and pretensions, 
and soon learned, to his inexpressible 
confusion, that he was a bastard, and 
‘consequently inadmissible’ during the 
existence- of the ancient monarchy! 
Notwithstanding this, he throws him. - 
self soon after at the feet of —- 
2 
and declares his passion; when this 
Jady to his inexpressible surprise and | 
confusion, declares herself his mo-~ 
ther! He now attempts to make 
away with himself, but is prevented 
by the arrival of Melvil, who learns 
the fatal secret, and finding that his 
Inistress was a mother, and yet un- 
married and innocent, he is wore 
attached to her than ever. 
We find from her story, that she 
was born in St. Domingo; that her 
mother died immediately after; and 
that she was educated by an aunt, both 
pious and virtues, yet entirely igno- 
rant of the world. When only seven 
years of age, her father repaired to 
‘Europe, and m the luxurious and de- 
bauched city of Paris, soon squan- 
dered away the whole of his fortune. 
During his absence and that of her 
uncle Dormeui!, when only thirteen 
years of age, she was prevailed on 
to go to a ball, given in the capital 
of the island, by a new governor; 
and as her aunt was extremely old, and 
subject to’ a disease that soon brought 
her to the grave, she was confided fo 
the care of a friend. The Count D’O}- 
mene, nephew to his excellency, hav- 
ing been captivated with her opening 
charms, waited upon her at ber own 
house, and by means .of a letter 
from her father, relative to some colo 
nial business, obtained her confidence: 
Although his person was odious to her, 
yet she was obliged to listen to his ad- 
dresses, which were’ not however 
of an honourablenature. Yet, having 
olbtained the consent of ber aunt, whe 
was unable to make the necessary in- 
quiries, and suborned Sanite a female 
slave, by means of a purse of money, 
and a rich embroidered handkerchief, 
the count proceeded in his guilty ca- 
reer. At length he was introduced 
into the bed-cham ber of the beautiful 
Creole, during the aight, and she 
having been stuptfied by means of a 
powerful potion, the crime was per- 
petrated, and theravisher fled. 
A long ilness followed this execra- 
ble deed, and the young lady, soon 
after her recovery found she .was with 
child. On this,the Negro who had been 
accessary to her dishonour, perceiy- 
ing detection unavoidable, and dread- 
ing the fury of the uncle Dormeuil, 
whe was on his yoyage home from 
France, took poison and expired in 
great agonies. 
On his return, Dormetil immedi- 
ately 
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