Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-03-01

the manuscript but Miss Davenant had re-
tired TO her apartment, and returned unsue-
cessful
\ The next morning us soon as thought
Mordaunt would admit me, sought BIS
chamber. He was rxceedpgly pale add {
could discover that be was very much excl
ted About an hour before church service
commenced, the manuscript arrived. Nor
dauni opened il and after reading the FIRST
few pages. said,
have not time TO overlook il now I
believe may trust my memory
We went TO the church together An un-
usually large audience was assembled, and
seated IN the front pew directly below the
pulpit, was the gaily alfred and beautiful
Cecilia. Mordaunt read the psalm in low
sweet voice which, like the air, rather fell
thnn heard, seemed TO pervade every part OF
The building. The prayer which followed
was one of the most affecting appeals 10
heaven that ever issued from the lps OF NOR.
tall When 1t was finished he sat with his
face bent down between his hands as iflo re-
cover strength for the more important TASK
which now awaited him. AT Ienpth he rose
His voice was extremely tremulous as n.
repeated the text which he had chosen. but
IN lew moments bis selfpossession seemed
TO return, aud his manner, so calm. so DIG
mined and so Impressive, gave new force 10
the Truths which his eloquence had adorned
The attention Of the audience was inlen,ly
fixed upon.the preacher as he prore~ded 10
explain the disputed points Of his subject, and
he was gradually approaching that part Of
his discourse which is usually designated
The PRACTICAL application, when he suddenly
paused. deep silence and almost breath.
less attention denoted the interest off hear
ers Still the pause was unbroken. look.
ed al Mordauni. his face was crmsoned with
emotion. He appeared busily turning over
the leaves oil his manuscript us il in search
ofsome connecting link which had been
found wanting. His search seemed vain
Ills brow grew almos, black with suppress
ed agitation A slight litter began 10 be
heard among the younger part of the audi
ence. Mordaunl was still silent. AT lenotb
laugh was distinctly heard from the new
which Cecilia occupied Mordaunt ben,
over the pulpit, and for moment fixed a
stern and wild gaze upon her He endeay
ored 10 speak. The words seemed 10 rattle
m his throat; but he could form no articu.
late sound. He sat down The more seri.
Gus pait OF the audience remained in mute
amazement. while the laugh had become al
most universal among the young people
A fer the lnnsa nj se.oral ,.,..se Efor,l..,,
again arose and. in low and hurriad Soi T,e.
mutcred something abou, the loss OF part of
bis sermon, and hastily apologizing 10 the
audience, abruptly left the church. The con
fusion which followed can scarcely be con
ceived | made my way TO Cecilia as soon
as possible. Her immoderate mirlh convin.
ced me that she knew more than any one
else ofthe mystery But | could get no in.
formation from her, and. disguised at her
heartlessness, left her and FASTENED to Nor.
daunt 10 vain knocked at his door and
| implored TO be admitted. He refused 10 all
low me TO see him. could hear him pa.
cling his apartments with steps which be-
trayed his agitation. But il was not until
some hours had passed that was allowed
entrance. His face was dreadiuly pale,
his eyes hlood-shed aud his whole appear.
ance that ofa man just recovering from an
attack Of epilepsy. The mystery was soon
explained. la the anticipation OF a frolic,
Cecilia had cut out leaf OF the sermon
Taken completely by surprise, Mordaunl en-.
tirely lost his selfpossession In vain he
endeavored 10 regain the thread of his dis
course Overwhelmed by modification and
anguish. Qor he well knew that il could be
ascrbed TO no hand but Cecilia's) be was
unable to frame connecting link for his
idea, and the consequence was utter humili.
alton
After long and agita,ing conversation
between Us he rose TO seek Cecilia
| Shall accompany you 2 said |.
Ii you choose, was the reply; but re-
member must see her alone
When we arrived nj the house. took
seat on the piazza with Mary, while he, hav.
ing requested private interview with Miss
Davenant, retired to the drawing room.
What passed during the time they re.
manned together never heard. Mary and
myself were completely engrossed in the dis.
cnssion ofihe painful circumstance in which
thoughilsss jest had placed both.
! remarked with some surprise that Mary
seemed much agtated, aud spoke of her
cousin with degree Of severity very for
eienio her usual sweetness and gentleness
| For moment suspicion that Mordaunt
! might have found a more congenial spirit in
her crossed my mind, butthe recollection Of
her uniform tranquility during the progress
Of his love affair with Cecilia, entirely des
royed the probability fit
La few minutes we heard confused
murmur from the room. The low and lrem-
ulous tones of Mordaunis voice were dis
linctly heard, followed by accents of depre-
cation and entreaiy from the lips of Cecilia
/ Rv deurees The voices vera raised We