Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-11-24
L
THE DOWRY.

handsome, handsome as-herself, for
she cannot be compared To any one
Adela IS formed like the Graces, and
the Graces seem TO direct her least
movements. Adela has wit, but she has
only what is necessary to a woman, who
makes no %pretensions. Adela is good,
aud goodness is better than wit. She has
modesty, and modesty is the paint Of
beauty. This little masterpiece Of
nature does not suspect what she is
worth, and that is another good quality.
Nature makes nothing without some in
t%ention, and she is beginning to make
.Adela feel what that intention is. Adela
signs and knows not why. Theodore
and A~dolphus, amiable and rich young
men, have come to pass some time at
Paris; they huve also n determined IN
clinallon for marriage. The beauties of
their small town have grown up with
them, land Of all the objects which he sees
grow, man prefers the plant which he
has cultivated. Theodore and Adoiphus
come to seek in Paris. a pew and seduc-
ing object, a wife and perhaps a fortune.
Love is every thing for youth; gold IS
only the second seducer Of man. The
odorc and Ado!ohus are inseparable. Ad-
mi,ted into the best society, they have
not yet experienced that surprize, that
admiration, that sudden and deep scnti-
mcnt which is produced in an ardent
heart, by the woman whom it is destined
to love, whom it loves already, whom it
will love long tine, of whom it will pre-
serve through lie a tender remem
brancs.
They were strolling about Paris, in
that vague uneasiness, which seems to
call the object which is to put an end to
it. They entered every place where
they could divert themselves, by chatting
or buying, to escape a moment from re-
Election. They pass before a splendid
store Of silk goods. Why should they
not enter there as elsewhere!
Adela is at the counter; she is. seated
noa her mother. Theodore and Adolf
plus forget what they were going to
call for. They have seer Adela, and can
no longer see any thing else. Adela
casts her eyes d%ownwards and bushes.
She bushes deeper, when she, secretly
observes Adolphus. Not a word is ut
tered, yet they understand each other
perfectly. The expression of a happy
physiognmy is the most certain as we'll
as the most eloquent language. The
clear sighted mother recalls tho young
men to themselves by asking what they
wish. To buy is the only means of pro-
longing the sweetest and most danger
Gus of %enjoyments. They buy, and when
it is time to 60, they believe they want
something else. How quit this charm
ing figure, those rounded arms and those
slender fingers, which sometimes hold
the measure, sometimes play with the
waving folds Of the cloth? The two
young men are intoxicated with love and
pleasure; but their purses arc empty
They arc obliged to leave Adela. They
intended to buy som t%rIles; they did
not expect to have a bundle to carry
away. A shop boy offers his services,
and they are accepted with eagerness;
they will have an opportunity at least
of talking of AdeIa, if they do not see
her again. Adcia is an only daughter
Of NJ. Larochc, who is thought to be
worth 100000 crowns, and it is said that
he will give the third Of it to his daugh-
ter on her marriage. Adolphus and
Theodore are incapable of carrying dis
order and distress into the bosom of a
virtuous family. 1t is therefore necessary
to marry AdeIa, or renounce her; and
to renounce her is impossible. In order
| to marry her, it is necessary to please
her, and it is not possible for both TO
please and marry her. Tho two friends
cntrus. to each other what is passing in
their minds, when they find they are
rivals. Knowing this, they are sincere
ly afflicted, and each thinks that he can
not require that his friend should sacri-
flee himself to his happiness. Each
promises to SEQ the object Of their pas
sion no more, and both endeavour to for
get her in dissipation. Theodore meets
in a circle, a young lady, who is not a.
pretty as Adela, nor as well formed, but
who, however, is worthy of notice, and
who has an income Of $4,000 livres.-
Some days absence have moderated the
passion " hich he believed IL be growing
necessarily, and Theodore becomes a
calculator. I'VE must think said he to
his friend, that persons Of our standing
who marry, are obliged to keep up n
splendid establishment. If the woman
we marry does not furnish something to
meet this increase Of expense, we are
compelled to descend below our state;
and do you think, Adolphus, that the
possessions Of love arc sufficiently true
and durable IN make amends for such n