The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-07-31
SELECTED TALES.
THE CoQUETTE.
By JAMES SHERIDAN KNOWLES.


lace half averted from the kneeling figure be
side her, whom still she suffered TO retain he,
hand-"hose arm still encircled her waist, un
ioroldden. VIII not marry yet - aud love
= was IN the tone OF the very accents which with
held the boon Of love, or deferred the bestow
I al of it,"
81 Aubyn was young man of moderate for
tune accomplished, ,unsophistioated, of quick
sensiblties. A student, and fond of retire.
: ment. he had selected for his summer resi-
dence small fishing hamlet on the romantic
coast of Devonshire; where, between his
DOORS and the sea-shore, along which he loved
10 tdmole' ms time passed any thing but heav-
! Ny. Here he had resided about a month.
when the little community received an addit.
ION, IN a young lady and her mother, who
Joined it for the purpose of temporary resi-.
dence; and 81. Aubyn stepped back in sur.
PRISE when, issuing one morning from the cab
IN where he lodged, he beheld two females, in
the attire and with the air of fashionable one
leaning upon the arm of the other-approacb h
ing the humble portal where he had iust
emerged. lie bowed, however. and passed op
lie had scarcely more than glanced at the
strangers; but transient as was his suryes of
them, he saw that one of them was an invalid
the younger. "H How touching is the Ian
guor which indispositon casts over beauty ~
exclaimed 81. Aubyn TO himself. Health
would improve the loveliness Of that facc, but
.he interests winch now invests it would van.
lsh. No visitation" he continued. "but late
hours and crowded rooms has sent her bithcr
I-ior prophecy she comes 10 make some stay
Sidmouth would bs change of scene. but NOT
change OF occupation :" He was right. ST.
Aubyn returned from his ramble earlier than
was ms custom. His thoughts, that day, were
Ih 'he hanlet, and not upon the shore. He
/ approached ms lodging with something like
the emotion OF expectation and suspense. He
looked at the landlady, on entefine, AS if ex
pectlng her TO communicate sometime: and
was disappointed when she merely returned
'he ordinary response to his salutation. He
entered ms apartment, dspirted. and threw
hlhseli INTO chair near the window, the sash
OF "hich he threw up, as if he wanted air. For
The trSt time, he felt the oppression of Ionel;
ness. They have not come to stop." said he
to himself, and absolutely with sieh-and no
wonder! In an assembly, lovely, graceful,
and delicate woman. hehsiJ, nOT Ifc 6,., .;----,
would have exactcd from him only the ordin-
AIRY tribute which beauty shares with beauty:
but in remote little fishing hamlet, Inhabited
by beings as rude as their .neighbor., the sea
and the rocks, such vision could hardly come
and vanish, without leaving a strong impression
upon the beholder. st. Aubyn sat distracted,
hagrined-mortiiied.
The opening Of a window. in cabin opposite,
reused him The sash was thrown open by a
white arm, shining through 4 sleeve Of muslin.
thin as gauze. Presently dimpled elbow re-
posed upon the sill and a cheek of pensiye
sweetness sank npon a hand so small, so white,
that 1t seemed to have been modelled for no
other ofhce than to pillow such burden. A
thr'll ran through St. Aubyn, quickening him
into wakeful life.
How the hand talks! What passion,
thought, and sentiment are in it, What
tongues are the fingers Oh the things that
the hand which 81. Aubyn sat watching, dis
eoursed to him as 1t changed its posture-now
with the palm. now with the back kissing its
owners cheek-now extending one finger upon
the marbly ample temple-now enwreathing IT,
self with one jetty curl and another-now pass
ed over the arched bright forehead-now low.
cred, and languidly dropping from the window
frame, upon which the arm 10 which il was at.
taehed lay motlonless--tben raised again with
slow and watering motion, ill it closed with the
cheek that half met it-then gradually crossed
over the bosom that seemed TO heave with
sigh as IT passed, and pressed to the heart
then claspedwith IFS besuteous fellow and car
rled TO the back Of the head the full elastic
arms, swelling and whitening as they contract
ed
St. Aubyn gazed on entranced. Hitherto
the cheek alone Of the fair invalid had been
presented to him, but nov her head turned;
her eyes met his and dropped rose and
Withdrew.
Only gIimpses of her did st. Aubyn catch a.
gain that evening,-but they were frequent.
A hand an elbow-tbe point Of her shoulder
once twice her figure, fitting backwards and
forwards, as she paced up and down the apart
I1uak felI efin I,
post. Wns il IA guitar that he heard Twas;
but awakened as the first tones Of an Eoiian
harp, which you hold your breath to hear.
Her hand was on the strings: one chord at
length she struck full another succeeded-
and another. Then all was silence for time
st. Aubyn remained at the window,--nor 10
vain. The music woke again, as fairy soft as
before ; and voice-soft as the music, but
oh : Tar sweeter--3woke along with il. She
was singing, but he could hear nothing except
the STRAIN; and yet he heard enough TO tell
iiiin that II was the theme Of tenderness. Though
sung BY hts, that rather seemed to help than
mar the passionate mood. The stars Shone
out; the moon IN her first quarter half com
pleted, showed her bright crescent clear, though
setting the folds of white drspery sbone
diinly through the still open easement. Did
the wearer approach. and look out 10 gaze up
on the fair knight No. The sash was pull
ed down; the string and the voice were hush.
ed; the interesting minstrel had reiired. ST.
Aubyn retired too; but though his head was
upon has pillow, not a moment Of that night
was his vision and his eaf Withdrawn from the
open window.
Il was broad day before forgetfalness cast
her spell over the excited spirits of St. An.
byn. nor was it broken TIL high noon lie
arose. emerged from his chamber. and took an
anxious survey Of the habiraiion opposite. The
room appeared empty. lie psuook of slight
repast; aud ssllying out. made his way 10
the shore. lie bad not proceeded FAR. when.
turning point. he beheld the elder female a.
bout a hundred yards 10 advance Of him. stand /
ing still, and looking anxiously upwards to-
" arris The clin Lie fnllnucd lii, a,r,e arsd 10