Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-10-20

You came intO my mouse Wihout IeaNc'
Your practices are ruaning aud dccitiu!;
know you not--anl hope law will right me.
OLD Play.
In Paris there lived widow, who,
although she was no longer young, had
every inclination to be thought so, and
possessed beauty enough to second her
pretensions. She had daughter about
the age of fifteen, whom she thought it
prudent to keep in retirement, because
she feared, and not without reason, that
the girls budding beauty might deprive
her of some Of tho conquests which she
meditated AS it always happens IN such
cases, her precautions turncd out to be
useless. Every sun that rose diminished
her charms in the same proportion as
those Of her daughter increased; and,
allho' Madame de Mcsnil might have
overlooked, or at last pardoned this, yet,
when she found las she did a!terwards)
that her daughters modesty aud elegance
Of manners were so perfect and ire
sistablc, that they had captivated the
affections Of the old ladys most favored
lover-and this, too, in spite Of all the
TO retain him-hcr anger knew no bound.
The chcvalier, knowing with whom he
had to deal, conducted his proceedings
for some time with so much finessc, and
so completely concealed his passion for
the daughter, that the coquctish mother
still continued to believe herself the sole
object of his aflectionato attentions.
The young girl, however, knew better,
and was not slow in perceIving that her
charms had made an impression on the
heart Of her mothers admirer. She
was, naturally enough, nattered by his
attentions; and with that vanityGf it
deserves so harsh name) which belongs
to her sex, whenever she expected the
chcyalier's visit, she took more pains
with her toilet than beforc her hair was
better arranged and her dress put on
with taste that greatly increased her
natural attractions. Her charms soon
became talked of, and she grew the object
of universal attention, to her mothers
great disquiet.
The chevalcr who has been mention
ed was called Pastourd, and seeing the
attractions Of his mistress, he naturally
enough feared that some rival might pre-
sent himself; to obviate which, he made
a declaration o(his passion to the person
by whom il, had been inspired. Nichon, for
so the young lady was called felt so much
confused and pleased with this her first
conquest, that she did not observe her
mother, who entered the room at the
time.-Thc anger Of the matron was be-
yonJ all control. In the greatest rage,
she asked Pastourd if he visited at her
house to insult her daughter Pastourd
was little confused, but like man who
knew the world, he sought TO divert the
old lady's rage.
NO, madam he replied, smy inten-
tions are honorable, and your suspicious
do me great injustice. must, however,
confess that Gid wrong in applying TO
any other than yourself on this subject
and for this mistake very humbly and
sincerely beg your pardon
The lady's vanity and her affection
together forbade her doubling that her
lover still wore hei chains she put on a
most amiable smile, and lorgave and for
GOT the cause that had excited her sus-
picions.
Pastourd, who was so completely en-
crossed by his passion that he thought of
nothing else, seeing that tho old lady
had recovered her good temper so soon,
thought he might bring her over to his
side, and said,
MADAM, if | were now to declare the
true sentiments Of my heart, might |
flatter myself that you would listen to
them with favorable ear?,
'Speak,' said she, with u majestic, but
at the same time, condescending air.
Il love, madam continued he, with
such intensity, that it is impossible any
longer to conceal my fame
'Do you imagine said she, that !
have not perceived itp
You astonish me, madam answered
the chevalicr; ] thought that my admI-
ration was a profound secret until to-day;
because, tho better to conceal it, had
fcigned passion for another person.
Say no more about it, replied Madam
de Mesnil; you ought to have told me
of il at first, when should have approved
of If, as do now
MADAM cried tho chcvalier, pas
sonately throwing himself on his knees,
{ l will not rise till you have promised me
that hand on which my happiness de-
pends.