The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-03-28

f
love me thus" 5 o..r-9
But Mary was not insensible to the
polished manners and winning grace
OF her uncle's friend; nor did the deli
cate attention he paid, or the friendly
interest he evinced for her, pass unap-
preciated. Agreeable frstimpre sions
facilitate intercourse amazingly, and
one is astonished what progress love
makes in country house, where COM
munion is unfettered and free.
"And so we are going to have din
ner party to-dav,'said Clifford to Mary,
as she was gathering flowers for the
vases; show | wish it was over; ! hate
such affairs"
81 see you are spoiled" said Mary,
laughing; "you have been petted by my
aunt, and praised by my uncle, till you
really are beyond bearing"
"Who are coming?"
"A great many agreeable people,"
"Country squires mostly are; they
will talk Of the corn laws and tithes.
and the pedigree of their horses, and
other interesting ''sayings and doings."
Will you tell me any of their names"
"Sir Edward and Lady Talbot; he,
grave and sedate; she. all sparkle and
suavity. MIR. and the four Miss Arm.
olds; he, clever shrewd man of the
world; his daug ghters worthy of such a
sire. Pretty, accomplished, and sing
and play enchantingly. Lord Lucas,
fond of the ''feast," though not Of "rea-
son;" he is bachelor" continued Ma
ry, archIy, 'therefore ] must be merci-
ful to him. Tnen Mr.. and Mrs. Powell.
MY Powell's two sons,and dear graceful
Grace; beauty, wit. and goodness
enough in her own dear self, to make
the dullesi dinner charming"
"Does your enthusiasm extend to the
whole tamilyp asked Clifford, assum-
ing an indifference he did not feel.
20 yes, indeed wear them all in
my heart of heaHs.'
Clifford was satisfied.
"You cannot imagine how much ore
may extracted from such folks as these
you seem to hold in contempt" contin-
ued Mary, "by the exercise of very
little moral alchemy, will YOU tryW
II will do any thing for you."
swell, be thankful then, for this pc
tite historiette; you ought, for ! had
scarcely left ten minutes for the gra-
ces." And away she ran, laden with
flowers. looking, as Clifford thought, ,the
very personifcation of Flora"
"Your niece is very lovely ,'said Cliff
ford, day or two after the above con-
versation, breaking long silence, and
thus indicating the current Of his
thoughts.
"Yes," replied Dacre, "pretty, and
portionless; my poor brother was ever
needless, of the future, and he felt her
little beside his blessing; but | cannot
talk Of that even to you, Frank"
Clifford spoke of his protracted WIS.,
it. 81 have been here six weeks! sure
ly never did time pass so rapidly"
"You must not, my deal fellow, think
of going yet, we have all been so happy
in your society"
Clifford wondered if Mary was IN
cluded in that imperial pronoun We.
Another and another week flew on,and
still he fingered; he was less cheerful,
and when alone on his wand rings,
which became more frequent, he felt lit
tie fiat, void, fruitless; hut ever in his
musings he imagined a bright, fair vis-
ion, which he believed was the only
charm required to make it very differ
ent ;he became decided that love was
not all delusion; an airy nothing;
sparkling but to make the gloom more
apparent at its vanishing. "Maryp'
he softly breathed, and, as if she had
heard the scarcely uttered sound, a
turn of the path brought her TO his side.
allow fresh all things look," she ex-
claimed; show pleased and glad nature
appears! listen to the matin so ng Of the
birds; is it not sweet music, is it not all
delightfuI?"
sltislovely, ,butit lis something bright
er than all that makes it appear fair and
bright to mel! I,
Need we 60 on, or say how beyond
'.ali count Of time" that morning walk
was extended, or how Mrs Dacre fore
bore reproof when they entered long
after luncheon, or how Mr.. Dacre smi-
led when Clifford said, +t
"How -noiseiess falls the foot of time,
That only treads on flowers" @@ ~
and smiled still more when he asked for
ten minutes chat inthe library. Mary
to the interim, with eyes overf1owins
with teal s, whose source did not spring
from woe, was quite confidential with
Mrs. Dacre, and il would have been
difficult TO have founda more happy
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