Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-12-08


started up, and running several times
round the field, with swiftncss which
completely baflled the pursuit of the dog,
encountered as he was with his unwont-
ed trappings, threw herself on the grass,
and laying her head on the chld's lap,
indulged in an immoderate fit of laugh
ter. | never saw such picturesque beau-
ty rs she then displayed. The perfect
symmetry of her form, as she lay extend
ed on the grass, with her little feet care
lessly folded over each other, the bright
eye and flushed cheek Of which we OBJ
tanned casual glimpscs as the wind lifted
her clustering curls, were exquisitively
lovely. When, few hours after, we
were introduced by Mary Wilson to "my
cousin, Miss Davcnant," we had no diff
ficulty in recognizing the pretty romp,
notwithstanding the smoothly corbed
locks and demure countcnance which she
then exhibited.
never could sec the use Of max ing
long story out of short one. We all
know what stupid people lovers are, Ito
all but each other, l mean and the man
ner in which love affairs arc conducted,
has always been the same, from the time
of the delugc. My story only differs in
its denouemeni Mordaunt had been the
acknowledged lover of Cecilia for some
months, and their union was only defer
red until he should have taken orders
His fortune was considerable, and hers
was very great, so that pecuniary con-
siderations were of no weight with them.
Ono evening | accidentally owe rheard a
conversation between them, which gave
me some painful doubts as to their future
happiness. They had just returned from
a walk, and as they seated themselves on
the piazza, near the window where | was
reading, Cecilia exclaimed, in halfpet-
ulant tone,
"Rcally Mordaunt, you have grown
so stupid and dull lately that you are alb.
solutely tiresome, what on earth is the
matter with you;"
"Tiresome," returned he in tone Of
melancholy sweetness, which thrilled my
very heart, "tiresome even to you, Cecil
ia?''
ooh! well I didn't mean tresomc cy-
actly; but what is the reason that you are
always so dull? l wish you loved mirth
as well rs do"
"I am sorry yon even indulge such
wish as that" said he, gravcIy, Gas you
well know it is one which never can be
gratifying. I love to see yom gay, but
certainly never expect to possess such Il
frolcsomc spirit myself"
81 declare, l am absolutely afraid to
talk to you, you take every thing so seri-
ously," returned she. T once heard
you called the knight of the rueful coun-
tenancc," and really believe you de-
serve the title"
This was touching Mordaunt in the
tcndcrcst point. His dread Of ridiculc
rendered him trcmblingly alive to such a
remark.
"Pray who was witty enough to be-
stow such an appellation upon me?" in
quircd he in tone of pique.
"There," said she laughing, "didnt /
tell you that you took every thing so Sc
riously; now you are vexed about that
harmless jest"
"Will YOU be so kind as to inform me
of the person." asked he, in the same
tone Of vexaton.
"Oh, | forget" answered the needless
girl, "Ncd Wiloughby, | believe"
was about to start forward and rcpcl
the false accusation when Mordaunt re-
piled,
"No, Cecilia, that I cannot credit;
whoever it might be, know it was not
Edward He has too much regard for
me to wound my feelings by unmeritcd
ridiculc. can easily believe that wo-
mans affections are governed by caprice
but with mans nature | am better ac-
quaintcd You may be amused by a
sensecss jest even when | am the sub
iect of it; but Edward Willoughby,
would never heap ridicule upon his
friend"
He spoke this in tone Of the deepest
modification, but she only laughed still
moro heartily, and asked him if he was
practising n homily, lie rose hastily.
Cecilia" said he, T am not Just now
in the humor for merriment. lfyou will
trouble yourself to recollect that on the
coming sabbath l am to preach my first
sermon you will probably understand the
reason ofmy gravity. Allow me also to re-
mind you that you have in your possession
n manuscript which wish to make use
of on that occasion. AS vou have prob
ably been too much occupied to perusc
it, will you be kind enough to return it to
mcw
"Oh, cannot 90 for It now" said she
carelessly. suppose it will be time e.
nough Tomorrow. dare say you know
II by heart already"