Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-01-05


feet Want Of control, all form-odious
formp And she threw her eyes up tc
heaven as she spoke. She had beauti-
full eyes, but this time their appeal seem
ed TO me out Of place. She threw them
on ME, but they did not move me, and
she yielded her opinion as she always
did, only with less hesitation than was
usual with her, for me to be as usual sat
isied with my victory. l was peculiarly
sensitive on this one pOint-the dellcacy
of a woman's department.; and Gabriel
las MANNE had sometimes disturbed me.
| had sometimes wondered at her self
possession too, only that to me she was
never self-possessed. She had often
turned off an uncomfortable sentence
with a gay laugh, which has covered me
with confusion and offence, and | have
felt that l should yet have been more at
ease had she been less so.
81 was silent for some time after, and
thoughtful, and Gabrielle tried TO WOO
me into better company. She was sell
dom unsuccessful, and insensibIy we
grew into conversation again. One or
two OF the rest ofthe company joined US.
and we gathered into a little circle around
her sofa.
The discourse turned on manners,
but this time it was on English
A gentleman present, and who, by the
way, was rather a celebrated traveller,
just rising, or risen, into fame and fash
ion, observed, that in no country in the
world did there exist such perfect do
nestle and conjugaI happiness as in En-
gland-such an entire confidence be-
tween husband and wifo-such a perfect
union, both of heart and mind.
Gabrielle assented cordially, and APP
pIauded the feeling with warmth. had
turned away, and when l looked again |
found that her eyes were bent OIL the
traveller.
Wherein what other country, ,
pursued he, do we find such an agreea-
BILE social intercourse to prevail between
a man and his wife. Even in the high
est walks of life there is visible such an
exquisite and charming familiarity. TO
take a fanciful view Of the subject, for
instance, that one little circumstance of
calling each other by the mere Christian
name Abbreviated, as we hear it, too, in
every possible way, by people of the
first fashion, speaks Volumes
FPoor mamma" exclaimed Gabrielle,
Il remember mamma always called poor
papa, Beau!'
"Who was your motheri' said 1.
Heavens!' cried she, don't you
know the beautiful Mrs. Beauvilliers-
La bella bellissima,' as she was called
in Italy? l was in mourning for her
when | first saw YOU. Have you never
seen the beautiful miniature of mamma
in my rooms?
81 have seen the original answered
l., in the picture gallery at Florence
whether it was the tone Of my voice,
for l felt that it was altered, or the ex-
preston of my countenance, for | was
crimsoned to the temples, that struck
Gabrielle, l know not-but she changed
the conversation For my part l had
relapsed into my silence, and / skunk
away. Gabrielle the daughter Of Mrs.
BeauviIliers!
"Why have you never told me that
you had been at Florence?' said she
next morning, when we we're alone.----
How odd!---we must. have been there
together, and we we're strangers!'
81 knew your MOTHER said l..
FPoor mamma! Heavens! how beau
tiful she must have been! But did you
absolutely know ber?---I thought l had
known the whole circle of mammals ad-
mirers'
But why need l 60 Oh? 1t was per-
haps, fortunate for me that | could never
separate the conneXion between Mrs.
Beauvilliers and Gabrielle. The early
impression other mother which had been
left so strongly OH my mind, could not
be effaced by any recurrence to the
daughter. | could never think on Ga
briella without recalling TO my recollec-
ton Mrs. Beauvilliers III the picture gal
lery, or in the ballroom at Florence.
However disguised might be their man
ner, their conduct was too similar to bear
comparison. From the suddenness with
which the veil of my illusion fell from
before my eyes, almost from that very
hour it would seem now as ,f 1 had been
influenced by prejudice. But no, it was
Gabriella's self that cast it from me-.
True, my knowledge Of her mothers
character had given me an insight into
the character Of the daughter. 1t had
made me think, and thought was d%estruc-
ton TO Gabrielle. Her behavior could
not bear investigation---her character
still less SO. 1t was not the shock of
Mrs. Beauvilliers as a mother that had
disturbed me, it was the dread Of Mrs.