The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-05-17

Oil dir anu manner worthy OF a countess,
now-and then one can make up some lit
tie romance as TO her parentage,-at all
events, marriage is the only terms on which
she can be gained, so marry her will"
"And have you gained her consent, and
that of her parents, to this wise scheme ~
"Hcr consent l'' said Beresford, -"of
course, she will consent, though have not
yet opened the subject with her."
Sand pray how do you know that 2"
show do | know why, shall tell her
who | am, and plead the cause officially,
you see,-and, with all Difference to the
elite of this region, such offers do not occur
every day,-she must see this, of course"
WELL" replied Vincent, 81 have seen
little of her to be sure, but from the sobre-
ty of mind and good sense that seem to
characterize the family, have some hopes
that you will not succeed"
"Thafs past praying for, | fear" said
Beresford. "ifI may judge from certain lit
tie indications. and so forth, land Beres-
ford turned on his heel and whistled him.
self out Of the room, with a very contented
and assured appearance.
His confident expectations had arisen
simply from the fact that our heroine, from
the joint influence of acquaintanceship and
natural good humour, had grown, of late,
much more approachable besides which,
for few days past more marked change
of manner had supervened MARY had be-
come absent, occasionally melancholy and
more than usually excitab.e,-her color was
varying, her eye restless, and there was a
nervous tremor of manner, entirely differ
ent from any thing she had ever before ex-
hibited. The truth was, that she was Who'll.
ly engrossed by certain little perplexities
and sorrows of her own; but, as Beresford
knew nothing of the kind, he formed for
himself very natural and satisfactory the
DRY, as to the cause of her altered manner.
Accordingly, at the close of skill after
noon. when Mary's mother and sisters were
absent, Beresford stole suddenly upon her,
as she was sitting by an open window cur.
tanned by green vines. He commenced
his enterprise by series of complimentary
remarks, in just that assumed, comfortable
way, that is inexpressiby vexatious to an
inexperienced and sensitive woman-a man.
ner that seems to say, ii understand all a.
bout you, and can manage you to admira-
ton" Mary felt annoyed, yet conscious
of her own inability to meet, on his own
ground, the practised and ready man of the
world, who addressed her.
"Mr. Beresford," she said at length, af-
ter some silence. 81 presume that all this is
very fine in its way, but beg you will not
waste it upon mel really have not the
cultivation to appreciate it."
| Beresford protested that he was entirely
and devoutly serious IN every word.
81 am very sorry for it, if you are" said
Mary, smiling.
Beresford proceeded to reveal his name
and title, and to make an offer in regular
| form.
With some surprise, but with great SIM
plicity and decision, our heroine declined
the proposal.
Beresiord pleaded the advantages of sta
ton he had to offer, his own disinterested-
ness and so forth.
"Indeed, Mr.. Beresford," replied Mary
Il do not know enough about these things
to feel in the least honored or tempted by
them. 1t may. very possibly, seem to you
that you do me great honor by this pro-
posal, but have no such feeling. You are
accustomed to such different kind of so.
clety, such different manner of estimating
things, from any thing have ever known
that | cannot very well understand YOU
feelings. If | ever marry, it will be one
who can fully appreciate the affection give
for its own sake, and not one who will al
ways look upon me as d sort of ornamental
appendage to his station, and so FORTH
"Some Yankee pedlar or tinker,perhaps,
replied Beresford, angrily.
"Very possibly" replied Mary, calmly
sand yet he may be more truly noble, thai
the only earl ever had the honor of know
; ing."-and our heroine left the room.
Handsomely done, that l'' said the earl
walking up and down the room" pom m,
word, duchess could not have execute,
the thing better. l was fool for beIn,
7 angry with her, for. after all. it would hav
r been awkward if she had consented '-an
the earl, who never in his life troubled him
self five minutes about any thing, made u
3 his mind to pass off the whole as goo
S Joke and in less than three weeks frCn
L this time, he was desperately in love wit
, captivating little opera dancer at Quebec
f And yet on the evening Of that very day
D you mighthave caught glimpses of the whit
dress of Mary, as she stood beneath the Of
? vine arbour, in the garden, alone with on
7 other, listening to the oft told tale again.
But this time one might perhaps see tina
she listens with no unwilling ear, while
r manly hand clasps hers, and words of pa:
: sionate feelings are poured forth.
J 81 must 60, Mary-brightest, deares
loveliest,-with such form and face, sue
soul, what might you not demand in on
t, that dared hope for you, and | have nothin
l to offer-nothing."
Il "Yes, but there is so long an uncertaint
1 before me-so much to be done single-har
! ded, and not soul thinks shall succee
d NOT soul-not even my own mother.
If "Yes, George, you know l dc" said M;
: ry, land you know what say is wort
S more than all put together"