Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-07-21

should never think of regarding il; but
know can rely upon the word Of Mr.. Paul
Plant
rely upon my word surely you may,
Mrs. Wiltul, | should be sorry it,
oh, don't mention II, my dear sir. l
never doubted for moment: certainly you
never would have limited anything like an at
tachmcnt unless YOU had been sincere
Certainly ma'am,' in great amazement,
with the conjecture how he had been so I'M
lucky as to say more than he mean for
Paul would as soon have thought Of jumping
Oh, of IA sleeple as of telling widow Wiliul he
felt an attachment, for her. Certainly, by
all MEANS he continued to repeat, mechani-
callv. Ooh yes, certainly
Pray, Mr. PLANT, be so good as TO hand
me glass of water; really the room is SO
warm-just reach your hand
Certainly madam; my hand is entirely
at your service.' Paul was in such hu,ter
that he was not aware what he was uttering,
till the words we're past recall Bless me !
what have said y thought he to himself
But it was too late.
'Oh, Mr.. Pliant!' said she, blushng up
to the ears, you are too generous, | mean
you are almost too precipilate. Now were
it any other man l should suspect him of
lrinng. But such a man as MIR. Plant
'Confound the jade!' quo.h Paul to him
self, how shall get out of the scrape? ? l
hope she isn't going to faint Mrs. Wilul
-madam--yon know say thousand things
of this sort cant help it you know
'That's jus, as I always supposed, Mr..
Plant; man of your sincerity and frank
ness, can't help uttering his true sentiments.
All like the honest man of all things
Oh, Mr.. PLANT, you are an honest man.
Now this is TOO bad thought Paul, in
dear madam, certainly wish to be honest.
Compliments, you know are compliments 3;
but when a man means nothing-you know.
Certainly, Mr.. Pliant,you are quite tight.
When IA man means nothing, lie should say
nothing. knew those were your senti-
menls. Wasn't right 2
Ooh yes, by all means; quite right re-
turned Paul in deeper embarrassment than
ever. He found himself fairly caught the
widows eyes sparklcd, and she languished
three times at him. l won't speak another
word,' said he to himso!f--' it only makes
the matter worse He sna,ched cup OF
whipped cream and pretended to eat it,
The widow saw his embarrassment, and
whether she suspected his determination to
resist all further attempts to entange him or
not, we do not know; but she resolved not
to let him escape. A silence of some mo-
ments followed, till Paul, finding he could
not decenlly hold his tongue any longer, cast
about for something innocent to say. After
some hesitation upon a variety of topics, lie
judged it safe to admire the carpet-trom
the carpet, natural transition was made to
The pictures, and from the pictures TO the
window curtains-lhe window curtains led
to the armchair, the armchair to the sofa,
and the sofa to pair OF little babies in ala
baster, on the chimney piece.
Charming delightful = exclaimed Paul
NOT exactly knowing whether he meant to
be understood of the arm chair or some 9TH
err article of furniture.
amt ,hey?' said the widow.
what have said again 2 quoth Paul to
himself beginning to trembe in apprehen-
sion. The furniture is in very good taste,
Mrs. Wiliul-very elegant very fine
AN vanity, Mr.. Plant said the widow,
affecting very solemn look these things
are all vanity
'Oh yes-you are quite right-all vanity,
replied Paul, taking spoonful of whipped
cream, and finding he had got nothing in l,ls
mouth.
'Ah! Mr.. Pliant' said the widow Ian
guishingly.
YES, exactly so,' returned Paul.
Exactly how; Mr.. Plant, pardon me-
didn't perceive the drift Of your observa-
ton
Beg pardon, ma'am-I was only saying
-as you remarked, that every Thing was re-
narkably fine in this house of yours, and
that all is vanity, or rather, should say tina,
one thing is needful.'
! 'AII, Mr.. Plant, | understand you-you
mean the furniture is complete except one
article
Exactly so. Yes; that is, if you think
any thing is wanting replied Paul in consid.
cradle perturbation, and glad to escape the
appearance of finding fault, by any sort o
eqnvoques.
The widow clapped her handkerchief tt
her face, and exhibited or pretended to ex.
hibt a Sigh, emotion. MY dear Mr.. Plant,
said she in tender voice, it is impossibl.
not to understand you. You mean hus-
husband y
! a husband ! exclaimed Paul, started by
the audacious boldness of the suggestion.
u knew you meant SO, returned the wild.
ow sinking into the chair. Ooh my dear sir
| feel quite over embarrassed Paul's in
,ellects were in such "A cloudy state at thi,
moment, that he thought she was about tc
faint. lie caught her hand and was jus, 60
ing TO call for harlshorn, when she opened
her eyes with an appearance of great Ian
guor.
'Oh Mr.. Plant! the sincerity of th
avowal--you are sincere Mr.. Plant
Cerlainly-yes;' exclaimed Paul,for hi
could say nothing else /; he was lost man
He struggled to say some,hing--iet how des
peraiely he was situated. Mrs. Willul,
said he in great agitation, i do not wish yo'
TO be dece,ved-,he fact is, | must speaI
plainly
My dear Mr.. Plant, never thought yo