The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1826-11-02
MIA INJURY.

garden OF art, as gentle as the lilly
of the meadow, that bends its heat
to the summer zephyr and yet
at times, as wild and reckless as th,
playful school boy that sports on
the edge OF The rocky precipice
She was Just such a being as youth
would love. | have seen her in the
midst of gaiety, with dimple on
her cheek, and II playfulness in her
manner, which infused its influence
on those around her. Many an eye,
ut such times, was turued upon hel
with delight, and many a memory
frequently called up to mind the
smile that played npon her conntc-
nance, when directed towards him.
She was at such times in her proper
sphere, for her whole cast of char
aeter then beamed forth il spoke
in the playful throw Of "A welI-turned
arm i; in the graceful movements OF
sylph-hkc form : and in the mer-
~ step of pretty foot Yet, with
a natural volatility, she possessed II
noble and generous heart. In her
intercourse with society IT WAS her
intention to pursue correct and
honorable course. But she knew
not herself.
The winning grace Of beauty,
the smile of gaicty, and the power
OF fashion, never fall 10 draw ad-
mirers around the form of woman.
Eliza hurry knew the truth Of this :
she felt the full force of her attrac
tlons she could read il in the plea
sure which her smile gave TO the ma
ny eyes that rested, with delight, up
OH her and more than all. she had
felt the agitatcd grasp of the hand
rs il spoke OF young love. that would
delight to bud.
Dancing along, then. in the hey
day OF her conquest she had still
felt at times the influence which pas
sion is ever cXerting over us.
Among the many suitors who ap-
peared before her, Henry Egland
was all that the young maiden could
desire. lie saw Eliza Murry gay,
beautiful, and attractive, posses sing,
with all her volatility, gentlcness
in her manner. a sweetness of tenn
per, a buoyancy of fancy, and an
ease in conversation which he all
mircd. He offered himself among
the list of suitors for her hand. With
the true spirit OF an honorable court
ship, he unf0Idcd to her his circum-
stances, his prospects, and his fa-
ture hopes desired an intimate
knowledge, willing that acquaint-
ance should blossom into friendship,
and ripen into love. She, with the
ardent colour, which female fancy
ever gives to man, when he stands
before her in the beauty of a lover,
sketched to herself the character oil
her suitor-dwelt upon the candid
manner in which lie had unloldcd
his purpose, threw her rainbow over
the future, pledged herself his. and
his alone and promised him sep
aration from all society bat bis own.
Thus far all was right. But IN
youth We arc but the beings Of fan
cy and more especially the chill
dren of volatility, live in the delight
Of the moment. The gay aud Siddy
scene is the theatre on which they
move. This the reader already
knows was too much the Characteris-
tic of Eliza hurry. ACard for ball
was handed her by one who had
always prolesscd himself an admir-
er, and she forgot in the moment Of
his reception, her promise to Henry.
But when alone, her situation Was
viewed in its proper light. The
card had been taken-go she must
and yet II might possibly break
off the connexIon with Egland. She
knew it was wrong, but he will for
give me. and moving at the moment
before mirror she smiled with
satisfaction; then putting on AN
arch look, danced merrlIy away
with the eXclamc, he cannot with
stand that But her beauty possess
ed not the power she imagined.
lie visited her the evening after the
ball, talked over the forfeiture oil
her word cooIly, and asked if she
had acted correctly. Instead oil
freely acknowledging her error, she
dwelt, with apparent delight, upon
the gay scene Of the ball-told oil
the merry company present, OF the
p0iteness of her partner, aud, III
the end. endcavoured 10 ridicule the
idea of his being offended. 1t was