Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1843-05-04
A WIFE IN DANGER.


ceived splendid presents from an admir-
er, thought it would be unwise not to
show her what dangerous ground she
stood upon She had been driving out
one mol ming with lady, and wen, to
the dining room Immediately on her return
home, intending to show her purchases
to her husband. No husband, however,
did she tinG-but what, for the moment,
delighted her more-the table covered
with jewels ! The transported Alicia
eagerly advanced.
GLOW beautiful" she exclaimed A.
loud, as she tried the bri.ians upon her
arm and fingers, and alternately put down
one ornament to admire another. 81
did not see, even at court, such dia-
mond necklace as this :" she continued
IL wonder where they came from :"
Suddenly she spied beautiful box TO
hold bonjons, set in diamonds, and of II
particularly beautiful shape. These BON
Joniercs were much the fashion ai that
time, and the duchess of ID. had display
ed one at the opera house, which had
been the envy and admiration OF all pres
ent. To have more elegant and
precious box than the duchess of ID. to
set the fashion of that shape /; to show
her fair taper fingers TO advantage, as
she presented it to her nei2hbors--how
many sources of delight to fashionable
/ belle Instantly the ornaments were
replaced and forgotten /; nothing bu,
this delightful box deserved thought.
She was so much engrossed by her ad-
miraton, she saw not her husband until
he stood before her.
"Oh, Mr.. Clairvillc," she cried with
childish joy, "see how magnificent, how
lovely all these things are DO but
look at this bVou Of a box ! Oh
would no, part with il for worlds ! And
this, too, is the opera night, and 1 shall
show it there Is it not charming :"
(Which, my love- replied Mr. Clair
vile, with smile, "the dIamouds or the
opera :"
"Oh, both, to be sure ~ hastily an.
swered his wife. "But you do not seen
to admire them.
"Indeed do but you know think
lOlnlIlE WV wv
\ "And was IL not to make me more so,
said Alicia, laughing, "that you sen
/ lor all these gay things p
/ 81 am not rich enough to display tn,
contents of all the jewellers shops to yol
and bid them court your acceptance,
i said Mr.. ClairviIle These came irou
\ one who has more of the power, though
not Of the will TO please. The P
/ sent them to you, and spread them on
| the table to enjoy your first surprise"
H "IIow very good how very nagnii
cent ~ replied the simple Alicia. "An,
\ may ] choose what like ~
II "Whhout doubt" said her husband
"they are all yours if you like. Bu
you forget he price"
"You do not pay for gift" said Ali
cia, the calInness of her husbands man
ner subduing her satisfaction.
"These diamonds, nevertheless, have
a price," he said; fixing his eyes s'eadI
iy on his blooming wife, 81 am III
price ~
The gIiitering baubIes fell from tn
hand of the appalled, Alicia ; mecbanl
cally she reireated from the table, whlcl
now only inspired her with alarm ait
horror she put her arms behind he
and continued to walk backwards, unit
she reached the extremity of the apart
ment in which she stood then lcanln
against the wall, she raised her eye
with an implrring expression to her hus
bands face, as II she feared the yer
sigh, Of these presents had sunk her i
his esteem, although she had still but
confused idea of his meaning.
III "lIow pale you are, my beloved
how you trem0le ~ said her husban
irnderly supporting her, "you canno
fear an evil you need not bring upo
yourself an evil which kno'r you wi
not bring upon yourself or me. | dr
not shock yon in this sudden way be
cause doubted you, but because
thought II the simplest way Of disclosin,
II 10 YOU the P-'s views. Now vii
you return the diamonds ~