The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1840-12-04

But, in so doing, his eyes met those of Blanche,
and she saw in that look something that changed
her resolution of passing on in silence,
'Oh! thank you, Stanley, you have returned to
me the finest ofmy flowers Bat why she adj
ded gaily, 'are you so silent this morning-has an
enchanters spell been laid upon you come, con-
Tess as gallant knight and then, seeing that
Stanley looked hurt at her tone of raery, she
continued in an altered tone, and one touching
that it went at once to her lovers heart destroying
his proud resolves at word, 'but why is it that
Blanche never sees you now as of old, Stanley
surely You are not always so occupied but thatyOu
might spare your old play fellow one word What
have done to offend you, Stanley:'
'Oh nothing-no,hing, exclaimed her lover,
you never could offend me, Blanche he conin-
ned with vchemence of tone, aud a. look that
brought the blood into the maiden's cheek, and
made her heart beat wildly, for God knows it is
not that which keeps me from YOU. Oh! Blanche
if you could but know all, you would not blame
me-
lIush--hush,' said the agit0ted girl, for at this
instant the door opened, and BIanche's tire wo-
man entered the room, and hurrying away from
her lover, she ran to her chamber, there to anal
we, if possible, the new, wild feelings Il, her heart
There are moments in the lives of all lovers
when look, or word will tell us more of each
others feelings than we ever knew before That
moment had come for Blanche and Stanley. Lit
tie had been said between them, and the words of
lovers felt, after that interview, that they were moi
wholly Indifferent to each other. They were not
assured of each others love, for till that instant
Blanche had never dreamed that she loved Stan
long convinced of the hopcleSsncss of his affection
that even now he dared not trust himself to believe
he was beloved. But wild, thrilling sensation OF
hope was at his breast, and he would have given
worlds that the interview had continued, And
Blanche, what did she? Hidden in her chamber,
and blushng even at her own thoughts, she wcpt
at her new discovery, and then, drying her tears,
smiled swcctcr than she had done for weeks, Her
tears were those of JOY wild, oycrpoworing joy.
During the rest Of that day Stanley, IN VAN,
sought an interview with blanche. But fortune
proved adverse and he had now joined the hawk
ing party in the vague hope of finding an opporu-
nifty 10 speak, if only for few moments, alone to
Blanche, And now, having introduced our char
accrs to our readers, let us return to our opening
scene.
The knight had scarcely spoken before the Ial-
con made a swoop at the heron bat, instead of
returning to the filconcr, he shook his p'umagc
proudly moment, ga2cd moment back at the
man, and then scared away down the course Of
the river.
Come, knights and gentlemen, ladies' and all,
let us ride after the truaht and see if he will an
swcr my call, said Blanche, and suiiug the action
to the word, she dashed forward Oh her palGcy, at
Il rate that soon left most of the train behind.
Two, however, maintained their pace, but a
short distance III her rear. The one was the laugh
ty Baron, the other was Stanley.
'Oh! my gallant steed,' said the latter to him
self as he urged on his horse, stand me but in
good service today, and | will value You thou
sand fold more than ever. Only distance the grey
Of yon nsOcnt foreigner
The course which Blanche took led down by the
side of the stream, the banks of which, after about
mile, became abrupt, broken, and often precpi-
,ons. A dwarf wood sprnkled the landscape here
and there, reaching down often to the banks of tie
little river. Pointing to the place where the hawk
had apparently aghled, and looking bacl, gaiIy to
challenge her companions on, Blanche dashed on
ward at pace, which had now become tremcn-
dous. As she was the best mounted in the whole
train, no one could pretend TO keep up with her,
except Stanley, who rode beast nearly match
for her own, aud the baron, who, by this time, de-
spite his cxer,ons began to fall behind his rival
Meanwhile they had entered the wood, and it was
with the utmost difficulty that Stanley could keep
in sight of Blanche; but, determined if possible to
avail himself Of this opportunity TO obtain the i'll
tcryiew he wished he urged forward his steed with
redoubed ardor and soon found himself gaining
on Blanche. The baron was 10 longer TO be seen.
They were now almost up to the spot where the
hawk had alighted, and travelling road running
along precipicc IN a dangerous proximity TO the
river Suddenly the palfrey on which Blanche
rode SHED, aud snoring with fear, dashed wildly
toward the prccipice. 1t was but step OF two off,
and Stanley saw with horror that Banches exer-
tons TO check the career of the frightened animal
were unayailing. In a moment all was over. The
beast had plunged down the procpice, bearing a.
long with him his lovely burden. With cry OF
anguish Stanley dashed 10 tie side of the steep
bank, and looking eagerly downward, saw a white
dress floating with the current toward him. With
out a minutes pause he plunged in, and after a
desperate struggle succeeded in seizing the floating
| form of the now nanimaie maiden aud breasing
| the waves with one arm. while he clasped Blanche
in the other he soon gained the opposite shore, and
laid his apparently lifeless burden on the green
sward. lie clasped her hands, he kissed her tenn
| pies, he invoked her TO speak 10 him Fora while
he thought her dead. and his agony of heart no