, 1844-02-07
EDITED AND PRINTED WEEKLY ny
z. Il
THE COQUETTE,

Mabel Gray was most beautiful; but
her beauty wns Of that sort which we
gaze upon adtDiringly and distrustfully.
She was till, slender and gracefully pro
por,ioned. Her eyes were large, black
and sparkling. Her hair. of the same
color, fell ID luxuriant tresses on her
shoulders. Her eye brows were strong,
! ~ marked and arched. Her lips werc
rosy and mischioyous. Her nose was on
1ho Roman order and ;mperions. Her
complexion was dark but clear, and man
ding with a d slica,e bloom. 70 these
nersoual- fssaji aritios her character COR
responded. She was clever, capricious
and tender. Fond Of exciting admifaS
zion, she despised any feeling short ofab,
so!dle love-and seemingly DESTROYS Of
dominion over all, she really wished only
for tho undivided homage Of but one.
But. rs she knew herself capable ola
deep and lasting passion, so she demand
ed nothing less from tho one on whom
she should bestow her heart, aud in order
10 prove him, she resolved not 10 give the
least token Of encouragement until his
entire love and c~ons'ancy we're beyond
doubt. IL he could remain truo while
she lavished smiles ard attention on his
rivals, then she would, after a time, re-
lent, and make up by warmth and SINGER
iiy for previous GOODNESS and deceit.
Mabel Gray was a ccquette--but likely
10 become something better.
1t was not possible for such a cir, 10
live unwooed-and when ! state thai che
was an orphan with a large fortune at
her disposal, it may be supposed that her
lovers were rather numerous.
Amongst those who profcssed .hem-
selves enamored of her charms, was Oil.
yer Pearson, a young nan Of properly,
education, and prepossessing manners.
His person was commanding and his (ea.
lures handsome. He was gifted with
peculiar readiness and pliancv Of intel.
Iect, which enabled him 10 adapt himself
10 any occasion, and 10 turn it to adyap-
,uge. He could be grave or gay, SEMI.
mental or satirlcal, and all with uppar-
entity equal ease. Oliver Pearson was
Just the man to cope with a coque,te,
and Of all coquettts with MabeI
Gray.
the others, because she suspected she be-
held hun with more, Indeed, she feared
10 examine herself strictly on this sub
iect, lest she should discover too plainly
how feigned was her indifference, Ant
what was her reason for playing this poor
hvpocriticaI part2 She was not yet con
WINGED that Pearson was as devoted Il
her as her merits deserved. He had no
vel humbIed himself sufficiently low ant
sufficiently long. Before she could be
gin to evince the least sign of love, sh,
must feel that she was loved as deeply a
a human creature ever was loved ia tn
world before. She committed q grea
bu, common error: inordinate woman,
vanity she considered proper maidenl
pride, 80,
One morning she sat working, willis
Oliver Pearson sat by her side lockin
on. The work on which Mabel Ora
was employed, was very characteristic
Of her. She was working a silksn chat
for a lover HON she despised, in order
yex The lover whom she admired. Nevs
did she touch that chain unless Olive
Pearson was present; his we'll know
knock was always the signal for her t
king il up, and his departure for her pu
ting it down. It's Ostensible purpose as
present, was quite secondary to it's re-
purpose as an engine Of coquetry. Pr
badly she bad 20 intention OF ever fms
ing it, but it satisfied that Pearson b
iieyed she had, would have been conteI
ted with the ingenious triumph ofpiquir
one lover and not committing herself wi
another. Pearson, however, was prov
kingly cool. He seldom alluded 10
and when he did, it was usually wi
smiles, as if he we're rather amused th'
otherwise. Could he have the indepe
dence TO think that she preferred him
his rivalsf OF to suppose that The cha
was not intended Tor the person she st
twas3 lie might Ind himself mlsiak
after all.
On the present occasion he had sat
full half an hour, talking about love
the old style and had not once mention
the chain, though she had shown a VIC
derful lndustry, and had worn oil !
airs Of being engaged in an INTEREST,"
task. Atlast, taking hold Ofit careless
he said,
$50 the chain comes on slowly, | Fl
NV friend Mordaunt must be impatien
"Your friend Mordhunt may be inn
tent if he please, sir" said Mabel. 81
lienl or impatient, no must wait unit
choose 10 give it,"
"Which will moi DO long" said DIV
smiling, "when We consider how grca
tavorilc be is with Miss Gray. Blu
cenfess this matter puzzles me; for, i
be worthy Of making a chain for, be
certainly worthy Of having il made
him a lI',lS quicken !. does not &c