The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-10-19

placed the pictures and handed her the book,
and we again parted. From that time saw
her no more in the steamboat.
] had long ceased 10 meet with her, and
but that hor surprising beauty had formed
one of the lovelest pictures in the chambers
Of imagery, should probably, have forgotten
her. One day. as | was entering Stewards,
a lady glided out Of the door, and stepped in
to splendid carriage, while clerk handed
in a small parcel, which, from the extreme
potiteness Of his parting bow, took to be Of
considerable value. A rich velvet cloak con-
cealed the lady's figure, and blond veil
shaded her face, but the transient glimpse
which | obtained, convinced me that | had
seen her before. Not long afterwards ! was
visiting collection Of paintings, and, seated
before remarkably fine Magdalcn, scarce
| ly noticed that some person had taken seat
beside me. AT length turned and saw again
| the purple velvet cloak and veil, but the face
was no longer concealed, and, to my surprise
| beheld the lady Of the portfolio. There
was no installing that countenance, but when
| remembered the little straw bonnet and
coarse shawl, could scarcely believe be-
held the same individual. There was half
smile on her beautiful lips as she caught my
! eye; she probably guessed my thoughts, and
| turned towards me, as if half inclined to
speak, but my companions coming up, she
rose and proceeded to another part of the
| room
While was still thinking Of her, my hus-
band approached, and introduced me to his
| old friend, Charles Willeston, Of whom had
often heard him speak Of as College friend.
| They had not met in several years, and had
entirely lost sight of each other, when they
| thus accidentally met i'll the picture gallery.
| After a few minutes conversation, Mr.. Willis
| ton said, You do not know that have been
| as lucky as yourself, and among my other
successes have obtained wife; perhaps
Mrs. --- will allow me to make her acquain-
ted with Mrs. Willeston.' So saying, he
crossed the room, and Immediately returned
with the lady Of the portfolio. Twas so much
surprised that scarcely know how recev-
ed her. My first feeling was pleasure, my
second, a strong impulse Of curiosity. After
very agreeable conversation, we parted,
| with an understanding that | should call on
Mrs. Willeston the following day. My visit
was the beginning Of an intimacy which still
exists, though an ocean rolls between us. !
found her light hearted, joyous, contented
creature, and learned from her own lips, the
history which had SO long baffled my conjec-
lures.
| My mother said she, was the youngest
daughter of the Dean of --, and the
only one of large family who remained I'M
married at the death Of her father My
| grandfather, who bad taken second wife
| quite late in life, left his daughter entirely
dependent on the will of her step mother,
with the exception of a small sum which she
ipb taJ nf bar thor
was woman of harsh and ambitious temper,
who sought to extend her influence by the
marriage Of the Deans daughter, so as to
command success for her only son. My mo-
Their, who possessed gentle and quiet tenn
per- together with good talents and extreme
personal beauty, was by no means disposed to
enter into her ambitious schemes, The dis
similarity Of their views gave rise to unplea-
SAINT scenes, until, at length, as punishment,
and in the hope that the monotony of her new
home would give her zest for the gay world, |
my mother was sent to spend the summer
with an old aunt, who resided in remote
village in the west Of England To my mo-
Their, the transition from the gaieties of a Lon
don life to the quiet of country village, was,
indeed, delightful. Wearied with perpetu-
al round Of dissipation, disguised with the
frivolous pleasures of fashionable life, she |
had never been so happy since she left the
nursery and school room, as she was when
occupying one corner Of the little parsonage
Of fairfield. Her aunt, an old fashioned
body, who read her Bible, darned stockings,
and made carpet work, interfered but little in
her pursuits; and her uncle, an old world
clergyman, who divided his time between
sermon-wri,ing and backgammon, troubled |
himself still less about her. Her uncle's IL
brary afforded many resources to mind as
contemplative as hers, and her skill in draw
ing enabled her to occupy many hours in
sketching the picturesque beauties of the lit
tie village. Perhaps the visits of the young
curate had some effect in making her con-
tent with her seclusion, for 1t is very certain
that the summons to return to the gay world,
was most unwelcome one. She, however,
obeyed it, and found her home rendered more
uncomfortable than ever, by project which
her step mother now entertained, of marrying |
her to a rich and equity old lord. A series Of
persecution followed her refusal to aid in this |
scheme, and she was finally sent back to
fairfield, where she no longer hestated to
obey the dictates of her own heart The
poor curate, who had long loved her in secret,
was soon her accepted lover, and in spite of
the threats of oulawry from her family and
friends, they were married.
Totally ignorant Of the value of money,
because she had never known its want I'M
used to any kind Of household occupations,
my mother was little suited to the humble
life she had chosen. But, by willing heart
and great energy of character, she set herself
to the task she had undertaken, and though |
several years elapsed before she had fully |