Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1845-05-15

cr, would say the countess stole me-
Well, in hard, iron phrase, she did so
but surely the spirit that prompted hel
that prompted the felony, made the
theta divine one Even the accusing
angel must have put his finger to his lip
aud inwardy said "Mum!" as the coun.
tess, in autter of triumph, bore me from
palace. How her heart beat-for, snugly
concealed under her short satin cloak,
felt the throbbing orgau-beat, as the
beautiful robber entered her carriage.
| doubt not, there are simple folks who
will marvel at this story-nay, it may be
give no belief to it, They may ask
What! countess fitch feather, when a
word in the place would doubtless
have made it her lawful challIc! Such a
petty pilIering might have been looked
for at the hands Of Mrs Scott, the princes
wet-nurse-of Jane Simpson or Ca herne
Johnson, rockers--but from Countess
Blushrose!"
| confess it: in my inexperince OF the
world, such were the very thoughts that
oppressed me; now it is otherwise. Not
without melancholy own it; but | have
found that with some natures it would
pain and perplcx their moral anatomy to
move direct to an object: like snakes,
they seem formed to take pleasure IN in
direct motion; with them the true line of
moral beauty is curve. Had Queen
Charlotte herself bestowed me upon the
countess, she would not felt as pleased. ar.
rived at the mansion Of the CO untess in
Square. A curious adventure greeted
me, | may say, at threshold As her la
dyship passed through the hail, she was
met by a mild, gentlemanly-looking
person. There was a certain meaning
in his look--a something significant, of
dlsquetude softened and controlled by
constitutional calmness. "May | speak
some words with your ladysbip;p he
asked.
"Certainly, Mr. Inglewood," answered
the countess; and turning into an apart
ment, she let her cloak drop from her
shoulders, cast me upon the table, and
then with the voluptuous majesty ofJuno,
sank upon chair. "llave you heard
how the dear bishop is to-day;" she in
CURED; and then without waiting for an
answer, she continued: "poor man! what
he's made of | can't think-merc flesh
and blood had never lasted till now" His
lordship has been great sufferer" re-
piled Mr. Inglewood; "but to-day he is
better"
"But there's no hope-impossible.-
He mends; and he mends; but then he
breaks and he breaks. That cough Of
his OUGHT to have killed anybody. Well,
Mr. lnglewood, land here the countess,
lifting me from the table, and now idly
flaming her cheek with me, and now
breathing upon me, and smiling as at her
breath | trcmbled-"well, Mr. lnglewood,
she said | suppose we must all die"
"Thank God!" was the answer.
Really, now" asked her ladyship,
still waving me to and fro in her white
hand, "don't you think this world would
be much prettier place if death never
showed his wicked features in it?'
Mr. Inglewood gravely shook his head,
and then with a gentle smile asked
"Ought we to say wicked, madam"
81 can't tell-parhaps not; you as a
clergyman are bound, you know, to have
other opinions. And yet, added her lady
ship condoscendng to glance with bril-
liant archness at the reverend man, -"and
yet, | dare say death, though at times he
may be thought tolerable sort of thing
by a curate, is ug y enoug h-oh, & per-
fec, fright to a bishop"
81 hope not, madam" answered the
private chaplain of the countess,
"You have no notion, asked her lady
ship who will have the vacant mitre? We
ry good, Mr. Inglewood, by that look Of
humility can perceive that mitres make
no part of your dreams You are above
such vanities."
I'm truth, your ladyship, though I'm
not of worse stuff than bishops are some
times made Of"
"Certainly not" interrupted the cOun-
tess quickly; 81 don't see why you
should despair There is the bishop Of
-; he was only a chaplain, and taught
what was it?--hic hoe to the children.
You are certainly as good as he-and then
you can swim so well! How luckily il
was that brought his lordship's nephew