t is a defect i acknowledge but my disposition never suffers me to put restraint on present feelings for the sake of a future besides we men can never hope to equal the exquisite tact and delicacy f women in a favor we can but appreciate and as a poor acknowledgment offer devoted homage rejoined the colonel in a low voice while his eye rested on the glowing in s hair miss s cheek flushed while unconsciously retreated as far as she could towards the end of the sofa yes but i am persuaded if people would take things literally as they are without ever perpetually and seeking for hidden and motives half the which daily arise might be averted observed languidly ah but if everything were taken literally where would friendship � society � be you know we are constantly having the disagreeable truth impressed upon us that this is an age of irony and profession however at times the world finds me enough on some subjects for instance i refused until yesterday to give to the report that you were engaged to lord his s visit was a very one was it not very i was amazed beyond expression when i heard of the earl s arrival at the persisted the colonel fixing his eyes on her face you could not have been more astonished than myself responded miss throwing herself back on the couch is it possible who now and then caught a word was in agony she resolved however to make a desperate to put an end to it � i exclaimed she suddenly i want to hear you know about the grand ball at park next month called on his road to and found mrs deep in the mysteries of colored lamps and why i never remember your curiosity so strongly excited about a ball before however yonder sits miss mrs s niece talking to sir and i dare say she will only be too happy to give you every detail after dinner replied turning again towards the colonel � i have not yet wished that every felicity may attend your with lord miss may i not congratulate you resumed colonel in a deep earnest voice oh certainly i when a thing is inevitable it is best policy to take everybody s congratulations in good part and not pause to one s own feelings too closely replied looking down and a most attack on her � you remember the old colonel � what cannot be cured � did you know a cousin of sir s is about to join your regiment s cheeks burned meditating a speedy retreat she gazed around when to her unspeakable consternation she beheld lord standing so close behind that he could scarcely fail to have heard her last observation she glanced again at her and beheld her occupied as ever with the colonel totally unconscious of the eyes so earnestly bent upon her arose and moved towards a table hoping thus to attract her attention and took up one of those small highly colored of scenery so frequently brought home by for the of their friends this executed print miss can give you but a very feeble conception of the sublime beauty of said lord crossing over to the table near which she stood was astonished she stole a glance at the earl s face the expression of his eye was severe yet a smile hung ou his lip and she at the self possession of his language and manner yes i feel that the of must be seen to be appreciated replied she scarcely knowing what she said as lord took e print from her hands the superfluous waters of the lake on the summit of flowing down the mountain from this � peaks of glistening ice piled one above another some thirty or forty feet high i can scarcely describe the dazzling effect of the sun s rays or the gorgeous hues which sparkle around the towering as th y gradually and slope to the fertile valley at the base of the mountain but have you never been abroad miss never ah i suppose you have been too happy � too content with home and its ties to wander in search of foreign adventure lord paused and then resumed after a brief space my tour me with more pleasing than any of my past years of travel as it was by the companionship of lord and his accomplished daughter the lady lady in painting and i understand yes her pictures are beautifully finished she studies daily from a small but choice gallery of paintings by her father at miss ei likewise possesses great talents in this delightful accomplishment does she not have you really never seen any of s exquisite drawings i will request her permission to show you her or perhaps i had better ask lady replied quickly looking round for she was growing jealous for s lord made a hasty movement had not time to ascertain whether it was one of approval or when dinner was announced and in a few seconds she found herself the spacious hall arm in arm with mr the worthy of i do not know what your opinion is miss but think our appear the reverse of enchanted with each other this evening said mr in a whisper is replied indeed i protest i never remember seeing her look more blooming than she appears to night between ourselves miss as a friend of the i regret that chattering makes one of our party hush exclaimed in a voice of entreaty as they entered the dining room bat comes it i have the honor of handing down so a said the worthy as they took their at let me see how lady has disposed of her x sir has led out my little friend continued mr in a low tone of voice meant expressly for s ear and sits next to i 