The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-03-07

II
tempt him to unbind Prometheus aeain to
woman. Again did the splendid dress at
tract his eye, and his attention was now full
ly stirred. He repeated his enquiries con-
cernng its use.
"'Tis for the bal costume Of the Princess
Pslaski," replied Florence at length, af-
fecting an unconcern she did not feel. De
We're looked very grave.
MY dearest love, surely your good ma
ture has carried you too far" he said.
You are spending your time, and even
lending your personal jewels to trick out,
in meretrcious splendour, some lady who
chooses to risk her good name, by visiting
foreigner of such doubtful reputation MS
the Princess $50 cslled) Pulaski"
Some lady !" repeated Mrs. Montague,
within wondering stare, "why, Lord de
We're, Florence herself is goingm
Certainly am," said Florence haughti-
ly-"l have never seen a bal costume.
Aud, az for the Princess, all New York
visits her, and why should not | J"
"And did all the world visi, her, Florence
Rivers cannot, must not, shall MOTT" said
De We're. " Nay, Florence. unbend that
look Of pride. saw again shall mol! Are
you not my betrolhcd wife Is not your
honour mine, your happiness my cafe :
Am not the rgb,ful guardian Of your
spo,less name, ths friend, the protector
named rs your safeguard by a dying ia
tberf Shame shame on you, Miss Riv-
ers Look on the sable garments which
trap your person with mockery Of wo
remember the sod, the recent cause which
has alone delayed our marriage, aud then
insult your fathers memory, if you dare !"
Francis Wellesley had commanded two
hundred men by worldly q motion of
his hand led them to risk life aud death
through scenes of danger, horror and blood,
he had never mistaken or ,quailsd. Blu,
he knew not how to rule n woman, and
that woman the proud, impassioned Flor
ence Rivers. To be thus reproyed, shan,ed
and mmanded-snd before Mrs. Mon
tague, a dependant! To be ruled thus
imperatively, and by a lover! The blood
rushed wanton through her frame, and her
limbs shook with emotion ; then rising
with extreme pride, she said-
Lord Wellesley De We're will find I
eau at least dare to reject his impairment
and officieus counsel, and cast from me
with scorn the rude and unmsnIy counsel
lor. thank you, Sir, for showing me the
bane, since bless Heaven, the an,idote is
still iu my power. Lord Wellesley will
understand that Miss Rivers would be a
lone !"
DE We're struggled with himself and at
tempt to take her hand.
Forgive me, my dear Florence, If l
have too rudely spoken. am, you know,
= plain blunt sailor, and little used to dress
my words for ladies' eurs. My blood too
warmly resented the idea Of my Florence,
my sweet, pure, uusullied lily, mingling in
the reeking pollution Of the hsunts Of fash
ion. Nay, a nearer and more jealous re-
sentiment epurns the idea, that these sables,
which alone have kept me from my CO.
veted joy, should be put off to grace q
demirep's assembly. Come, lay inside thes,
hateful trappings, aud With them our only
disagreement! Think Of the matter Of ny
! words, and let their manner be forgotten y
Florence gazed full and coldIy on hi
: face as she made answer. Both are Il
me 90 Indifferent, that ] am quite willin,
to forget them. The dress ! will assured
Iy lay aside, rs certainly to resume it ,h
day week for the Princess Pulaski's ball !
As she spoke she slowly retired, bending
to the last on him a look Of mingled prid,
and defiance.
Mrs. Montague opened a volley Of CON-
mon phrases, such as, Dear me I'm very
sorry" "Bless me, if had known
would have never told you" Good gra-
cious, who, I declare she's quite angry"
&c. &s.-and followed Florence, leaving
Wellesley in no envisble mood. He bl,
his liz, and walked the room murmuring to
HIMSELF" Absurd positive obstinate"
and such other superlatives ss served to
vent his spleen. Soon, however, it turned
upon bimself--" Blockhesd that ] was
DID I think I was hsiling the masthead,
or giving the order to board, that must be
so loud aud rough, Surely she cannot
mean to quarrel with me! Why d'd not
coax or reason her into giving up the ac-
cursed ball, instead Of clustering like
land lubber. as I amt Hsrk ! she 10 com
ing Dear Florence !"
But no dear Florence appeared; only =
servant 10 remove the unfortunate cause OF
dispute-the contested gsls dress. DE
We're sent message cntreating to see her.
Miss Rivers was engaged. lie wrote a
few lines earnestly desiring the same-it
wss returned unopened Mise Rivers had
gone out. Thoroughly rufiled, the pbiIos-
opher in love took his leave, heartily cur
sing foreign Princesses and bais rosiumss,
womcn's caprices and his own roushness.
In fact, from the time that Florence had
been so nobIy rescued by De We're, her in
tense gratitude, kept alive still more mr.
iossIy by his severe sufferinTs. bsd given
hin little to complain Of from the varis-
tons Of her temper; then the rapidly sue
eeedine death Of her father had subdned
her feelings and manners to . quIetude by
no mesns natural to them. IN the 6ra tor