New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-04-23

! 3 ~,
teeth, set of by her false complexion, in the gar
den Of what's iis-nane-'
Eden, suppose, Mamma" interrupted the
Younger lady. sconfully.
Ny dear Edith said the other cannot help
IL never can remember those irlghtful names
without having your whole Soa and Being inspired
BY the sight Of Mature by tee perfume. said Mrs
Skewron rust.ing q handkerchief thst was fam;
and sickly with essences, Of her artless breath
you creature !!
The discrepancy between Mrs. Skswton's fresh
enthusiasm Of words and foFloFnly faded manner
was hardly less observable Than tha. between be!
age. which was about seventy, and her dress
which would have been youthful Cor twenty seven.
Her attitude in the wheeled chair which she never
varied. was ope in which she had been taken in a
bsrouche, some hity years before, by then fash
ionable artist who had appended To bis published
sketch the name OF Cleopatra: IN consequence OF a
discovery made by the critics Of the time, that L
bore al exact resemblance 10 that Princess as she
rsciined on board her galley. Mrs. Skewton was a
beauty then and bucks threw vine glasses over
their heads BY dozens in her honor. The beauty
and the barouche had both passed away, but she
still preserved the attitude, and for this reason ex-
pressly maintained the wheeled chair and the butt
ing page; there being nothing whatever except
the attitude. 10 prevent her from walking.
Mr.. Dombey is devoted 10 Nature. | trust ,"
said Mrs Skewton. settling her diamond brooch.
aud by the way. she chiefly lived upon the reputa-
ton OF some diamonds, and her family connections.
Ny friend Dombey. Ma am" returned the Ma.
jor. may be devoted 10 her IN secret, but a man
who is paramount in the greatest city in the uni
verse
No one can be stranger" said sirs. Skewton,
20 Mr. DOmbey's immense inauence"
As Mr.. Dombey acknowledged the compliment
with bend OF his head, the younger lady glanclng
at him. met his eyes.
- I'll. I'D NJ
addressing her.
No we have been to a great many places
To Harrowgare, and Scarborough, and into Devon.
shire. We have been visiting. and resting here
and there Mamma likes change"
Edith of course does not said Mrs. Skewton,
with a ghastly archness.
Il have not found that there is any change in
such places" was the answer, delivered with su.
preme indifference.
They libel me. There is only one change, Mr..
Dombey, observed Mrs. skewton, with mincing
sigh, " for which I really care, and that | fear
shall never be permitted to enjoy. People cannot
spare one. But seolusion and contemplation are
my what hisnsme-'
"lfyOu mean Paradise. Mamma. you had better
say So to render yourself inte..ieioe," said the
younger lady.
MY dearest Edith" returned Mrs Skewton.
you know that am wholly dependent upon you
for those odous names assure you Mr. Dombey,
Nature intended me for an Arcadlan. | am thrown
away in society. Cows are my passion. What |
have ever sighed for has been to retreat to a Swiss
farm, and live entirely surrounded by cows-and
china
This curious association of objects suggesting a
remembrance of the celebrated bull who got by
mistake into a crockery shop, received with
perfect gravity by Mr.. Dombey, who intimated his
opinion that Nature was, no doubt, very respect
able institution.
What want" drawled Mrs Skewton piuchng
her shriveled throat. is heart" 1t was irightful
ly true in sense. nOt in that in which she used
the phrase. What | want is frankness, conf
dence, less conventionaty. and ireer play OF soul
We are so dreadfully artificial"
We were. indeed.
In short" said Mrs Skewton, want Nature
everywhere it would be so extremely charming.
Mature is inviting us away now, Mamma II you
are ready" said the younger lady curling her hand
some lip. At this hint. the wan page, who had
been surveying the party the top OF the chair
vanished behind it as if the ground had swallowed
him up.
Stop moment Withers !" said Mrs Skew
ton the chair began to move; calling to the page
with all the languid dignity with which she hsc
called in days of ynre to coachman with wig
cauliflower nosegay, and silk stockings Where
are you stay ing, abomination
The Major was staying at the Royal Hotel, with
his friend Donibey.
You may come and see rs any evening when
you are good, lsped Mrs Skewton. " If Mr. Dom
hey will honor us We shall be happy. Withers, GO
on "
The Major again pressed TO his blue lips the tips
OF the fingers that disposed the ledge Of the
wheeled chair with careful careessness after the
Cleopatra model and Mr.. Dombey bowed. The
elder lady honored them both with very gracious
smile and grlish wave Of her hand the younger
lady with the very slightest inclination OF her head
thar common courtesy allowed
The las, glimpse Of the wrinkled face OF the
mother with that patched color on It which the
made infinitely more haggard and dismal than
any want OF color could have been. and Of the
proud beauty Of the daughter with her graceful
figure and erect department, engendered such an
involuntary disposition on the part OF both the Ma
or and Mr. Dombey 70 look after them, that they
both turned at the same moment The Page,
nearly as much asant as his own shadow, was
toilng after the chair uphill like slow batterng.
ram the top OF CleOpatga's bonnet was futterlng
in exactly the same corner TO the inch before
and the Beauty lettering by herself little in ad-
10 foot the same supreme disregard of everything
and everybody,
Il tell You what Sir" said the Major, as they
resumed their walk again. Ii Joe Bagstock
were a younger msn. there s not woman in the
world whom he d prefer for Mrs. Bsgstock to that
woman. By George, Sir" said the Major, she's
superb I"
'Do you mean the daughterl" inquired Mr.
Dombey.
Is Joey D. turnip, Dombeyl' said the Major
" that he should mean the mother
you were complimentary 10 the mother re.
turned Mr. Dombey.
An ancient flame, Sir" chuckled Major Bag.
stock. "De.vilish ancient humor her"
90 She impresses ME as being perfectly genteel,"
said Mr. Dombey.
Genteel, SIR" said the Major. stopping short
and staring in bis companions face. The Honora-
BILE Mrs. Skewton, Sir, is sister 10 the late Lord
Feenix, and aunt TO the present Lord. The family
are not wealthy-they re poor, indeed-and she
lives upon a small jointure; but If you come 70
blood, SIR The Ma or gave a flourish with bis
stick and walked on again in despair Of being able
10 say what you came 70, II you came 70 that.
" You addressed the daughter, Observed said
Mr.. Dombey, after a short pause as Mrs. Gran
ger"
ping short again and punching mark in the ground
eighteenl Granger OF Ours whom the Major indi.
Major tapping the last ideal portrait, and rolling
his head, emphstically. d" was Colonel Of Ours a
deyiish handsome fellow, Sir, Of iorty-one. He
died Sir IN the second year OF his marriage
The Major the representative OF the deceased
Granger through and through the body with his
walking stick, and went on again, carrying his
stick over bis shoulder.
How long is this ago 7" asked Mr. Dombey