The national whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1847, 1847-07-29

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turned. 40 suddenly and harshly, that Flo
renee could scarce believe it was 'ne sans
voice.
Mrs.. skewton then told Florence, as
another and safer diversion, that her tatner
was coming to dinner, and that ne wouio
NO doubt be charmingly surprised 20 see
her = be had spoken last night OF dress.
ing ~ the CITY, and had known nothing OF
Edith,s desi0n, the execution OF winch, &C
cordino TO Mrs. Skewton's expectation,
would throw him into Periect ecstasy
Florence was troubled to hear !nis ana
her distress became so keen, as the dinner
hour .pproached that if she had known
ho,v 10 frame an entreaty to be suffered to
,.,,,n Nome. without involving her father
g ~ exclamation; she would have hurried
h.cL an foot, bareheaded, breathless, and
slons. rather than incur the risk Of meeting
his displeasure. -,
AZ he time drew nearer, she could hard
" breathe She dared not approach . win
dow. lest he should see her from the street.
She dared not 20 up stairs to hide her emo
ton, lest, in passing out at the door, she
should meet him unexpectedly; besides
which dread, she felt as though she never
could come back again if she were sum-
monsd 70 his presence. In this conflict OF
her fears, she was sitting by Cieopatra's
couch snSssySrng to rnasFs 81 ana lauy y
when she heard his foot upon the stair.
] hear him now ~ cried Florence, start
ing. |" He j. coming! !"
Cleopatra, who in her Juvenility was al
ways playfally disposed, and who in her
sslf snerossment did not trouble herself
about The nature of this agitation, pushed
Florence behind her couch, and dropped .
shawl over her, preparatory to giving Mr..
Dombey rapture Of surprise. It was 30
heard his awful step in the room.
He saluted his intended mother-in-law,
and his intended bride. The strange sound
Of his voice thrilled through the whole
frame Of his child. s
"My dear Dombey," said Cleopatra,
" come here and tell me how your pretty
Florence is.
Florence is well,n said Mr.. Dombey,
advancing towards the couch.
At home 20
"At home,o said Mr.. Dombey.
My dear Dombey," returned Cleopatra,
with bewitching vivacity, "now are you
snrs you are not deceiving mei don't
know what my dearest Edith will say to
me whsn make such declaration, bu,
upon my honor am afraid Of You, you are
the falsest Of men, my dear Dombey.n
Though he had been and had been de-
tscted on the spot in the most enormous
6lsshoOd that was ever said or done; be
cenld hardly have been more disconnected
than he was, when Mrs. Skewton plucked
the shawl away, and Florence, pale and
trembling, rose before him like ghost. He
had not yet recovered his presence Of mind
when Florence had run up to him, clasped
her hands round his neck, kissed his face
and hurried out Of the room. He looked
round a. if to refer the matter to somebody
else, but Edith had gone after Florence in
stantly.
Now, confess, my dear Dombey, p sai,
yOu never were hore surprised and please,
in your life"
81 never was more surprised" said Mr.
Dombey.
aNor pleased, my dearest Dombey,o re
turned Mrs. Skewton, holding up her fan.
9I-yes, am exceedingly glad to NEE
Florence here" said Mr.. Dombey. He ap
peared to consider gravely about il for
moment, and then said, more decidedly
/" Yea, ! really am very glad indeed to NEE
Florence here.o
/" You wonder how she comes here
said Mrs Skewton, don't you'o
edith, perhaps" suggested Mr.. Dom
hey.
"Ah! wicked guesserm replied Cleo
patra, shaking her head. "Ah! cunning
cunning man! One shouldn't tell thes,
things; your sex, my dear Dombey, are 8,
vain, and so apt to abuse our weaknesses
but you know my open soul-very well
Immediately"
This was addressed to one Of the yer,
tall young men who announced dinner.
But Edith, my dear Dombey,n sh,
continued in whisper, /" when she canno
have You near her-and az tell her, sh,
cannot expect that always-will at leas
have near her something or somebody be
longing to You. Well, how extremely ma
tural that 10 !! And in this spirit, nothing
would keep her from riding Of to-day, 4
fetch our darling Florence. Well, how ex
cessiyely charming that is!'
A. she waited for an answer, MIR. Dom
hey answered, 6 Eminently SOB
!" Bless you, my dear Dombey, for tina
proof Of heart!" cried Cleopatra, squeez
ing his hand. "But am growing too Sc
rious Take me down stairs like an angel
and let " see what these people intend L
give ~ for dinner. Bless you, dear Dom
bey!"
Cleopatra, skipping off her couch wit
sea>.~hl> L.i-h-..., .f,er tho last bvuctlic
ton, Mr., Dombey took her arm in his an
led her tremendously down stairs; one q
the very tall young men on hire whose OF
gan OF veneratlon was imperfectly develop
ed, thrusting his tongue into his cheek, f.
thu entertainment of tho OH. .... -