New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-07-19


this the woman who sat beside her in car.
rage with their arms entwined aud who while
she cOurted and entreated her 10 love and trust her,
drew her fair head 70 nestle her breast and
would have laid down life 70 shield u from wrong
or harm
Oh Edith il were well 10 die. indeed, at such a
time Better and happier far perhaps 70 die 50,
Edith. than to live on 20 the end
The Honorable Mrs. Skewton, who was think
ing Of any thing rather than of such sentiments
for, like many genieel persons who have existed
AZ various times she set her face against death al
together. aud objected % the mention Of any such
low and dwelling upstart-nsd borrowed house IN
Brook-street GrosvenOr square. nom stately re-
lative lone OF the Feenix brood. who was out OF
town, and who did not object 70 enSing II, IN the
hanGsomest manner for uupual purposes, as the
loan implied his inal release aud acqulttsnce from
all farther loans and gifts to Mrs Skewton and her
daughter. Ii being necessary for the credit OF the
family % make a handsome appearance at such a
time. Mrs. Skewton with the assistance Of an &C
comm0datlng tradesman resident m the parish Of
Mary e bone who lent out all sorts OF articles % the
nobility and gentry from a service OF plate 70 an
army OF t00tmen Clapped into this house silver
headed butler who was charged extra on that &C
count rs having the appearance OF an anclenttsmi-
~ retainer two very tall young men In livery, and
a select staff OF kitchen servants so that legend
arose. down stairs that Wthers the page. released
AT once from his numerous household duties, and
from the propulsion Of the wheeedchair liDconsis.
tent with the metropos. had been several times
observed % rub his eyes and pinch his limbs as II he
misdoubted his having oversight himself at the
Leamineton milkmans and being still IN celestial
dream. variety OF requisites IN plate and china
being also conveyed 10 the same establishment
from the same convenient source, with several mis-
cellaneous articles, including a neat chariot and a
pair Of bays Mrs Skewton cushioned herself on the
principal sofa in the Cleopatra attitude, and held
her court IN fair state.
And how. said Mrs Skewton, on the entrance
Of her daughter and her charge. d" is my charming
Florence You must come and Kiss me, Florence.
if you please, my love
Florence was timidly STOPPING to pick out a
place In the white part Of Mrs. Skewton face,
when the lady presented her ear, and relieved her
OF her difficulty.
Edith my dear said Mrs. Skewton posi-
lively. stand little more In the hight, my sweet
est Florence. for a moment.
Florence blushingy complied.
" You do Mt remember, dearest Edith said her
mother, what YOU were when you were about the
same age as our exceedingly precious Florence, OF
few years younger
IL have long forgotten, mother
" For positively, my dear said Mrs. SkewtOn
g | do think that | see a decided resemblance q
what YOU were then, in our extremely fascinating
young friend. And 1t shows said Mrs SkewtOn
in a lower voice, which conveyed her opinion that
Florence was in very unfinished state what
cultivation will do.
d" It does indeed" was Ediths stern reply.
Her mother eyed her sharply for moment and
feeling herself on unsafe ground, said, as diver
sion
Ny charming Florence, you must come and kiss
me once more, If you please, my love.
Florence complied, Of course and again imprint
ed her lips on Mrs. Skewtons ear.
And you have heard, no doubt, my darling pet,
] a. EkatNfon datafufuo hpr hand 90 that
/ papa, whom We all perfectly adore and dote upon
is u be married 70 my dearest Edith this day
week
II knew it would be very soon, returned Flo
renee. but not exactly when
Ny darling Edith urged her mother, gaily
is it possible you have not told Florence =
Why should tell Florence 2 sine returned, SC
suddenly aud harshy, that Florence could scarce
believe it was the same voice.
/ Mrs Skewton then told Florence, as another and
safer diversion, that her father was coming to din
ner aud that he would no doubt be charmingly sur
prised TO see her as he bad spoken last night OF
dressing in the city. aud had known nothing OF
Edith design the execution OF which. according
20 Mrs SkeWtons expectation, would throw him
into a perfect ecstacy. Florence was troubled u
hear this and her distress became so keen. as the
dinner hour approached. that il she had known how
to frame entrea'y ~ bee suffered 20 return home
without involving her father iu her PLANTATION she
D
breathess, and alone rather than incur the risk Of
meeting his dlspleasure.
As the time drew nearer she could hardly
breathe. She dared not approach a window, lest
he should see her from the street She dared not
20 up stairs % hide her emotion lest IN passing ou
at the door, she should meet him unexpectedly
beside which dread she felt as though she never
could come back again If she were summoned Il
his presence In this conflict OF her fears, she wa:
sitting by Cleopatra couch eudeayoring to under
stand and 10 reply 30 the bald discourse OF that lady
when she heard bis foot upon the star
Il hear him now cried Florence starting
+ He is coming
/ Cleopatra, who in her juyenity was always play
fully disposed and who in her selfengrossment did
not trouble herself about the nature Of this agita
ton. pushed Florence behind her couch, and
dropped a shaw over. preparatory 10 giving Mr.
Dombey a rapture OF surprise 10 vas so quickly
done, that In a moment Florence heard his awful
step IN the room.
He saluted bis Intended mother n-law, and hi.
intended bride. rne strange sound OF his voice
thrilled through tue whole frame Ot his child.
Ny dear Dombey,' said Cleopatra come here
and tell me how your preity FLORENCE IS
Florence is very wei said Mr.. Dombey, al
vancing toward the couch
AT home D.
AT home said Mr. Dombey
Ny dear Dombsy, returned Cleopatra, with
not deceiyiug mc / don't know what my dearest
Edith viii say % me when make such declara
ton but upon my honor | afraid you are the
falsest Of men. my dear Dombey.'
Though he had been and had been detected, on
the spot in the most enormous fslsehOOd that wa
ever said or done he could hardly have been more
disconnected than he was when Mrs. Skewtor
plucked the shawl away, and Florence, pale AND
trembling rose before him Ike a ghost He had
not Yet recovered his presence OF mind, when 10
renee had run up 20 him, clasped her hands round
his neck kissed bis face, and hurried out OF the
room He look ed round as II 70 refer the matter t.
somebody else. but Edith had gone after Florence
instantly
Now. confess my dear Dombey,' said Mrs
Skewton giving him her hand. that you never
were more surprised and pleased in your life
q never was more surprised, said Mr.. Dombey
Nor pleased ny dearest Dombey returned
Mrs Skewtou holding up her fan.
Ives | am exceedingly glad 70 meet Florence
here. said Mr. Dombey. He appeared 10 consider
gravely about it for moment and then said more
decidedly. Yes really am very glad indeed q
meet Florence here
4 You wonder how she comes here, said Mrs
Skewton, do 1t you Z"
Edith. perhaps suggested Mr. Dombey
All wicked guesser" replied Cleopatra. shsk
I ing her head All cunning cunning man One