Democratic banner., 1848-02-21

uIC w AOSp OOSh wv ~ SAY AonbAbyS w
should marry. And it seemed, whichever
party violated these precious conditions
was actually dependent on the other for
bread and butter. When I first heard of
this pious arrangement, I blessed myself,
and Sir Edgar cursed himself. A passion
ate, overbearing, dissolute young man,
Thought 7, for the husband of an orphan
of q girl who has not a nearer relation than
himself in the worldwide has no father
to advised her, no mother to support her:-a
professional rake, too-who will merely
view me as an ir.cunbrance on his estate,
who will think no love, no confidence, no
respec, due to me; who will insult my feel
lings, dsride my sentiments, and wither with
unkindness the best affections of my nature.
lNo!-My constitutional levity returned-I
have the greatest possible respect for guar
dians,-revere their ofice,-but to make
myself wretched merely to please them
No! No! I positively cannot think of it.
Well-time, who is no respecter Of per-
sons, went on. The gentleman was within
a few month"; Of being twenty-one, and, on
the day Of his attaining age, he was to say,
whether it was his pleasure, to fulfil his en-
gagement. My opinion, l found, was not
to be asked. A titled husband, was pro-
cured for me, and I must take him and be
thankful. was musing on my singular
situation, when a thought struck me. Can
| not see him, and judge of his character
unsupported by himself?
This is the season when he pays an an
nusl visit to my God mother, why not per-
suade her to let me visit her incog? The
idea, strange as it was, was instantly acted
OH, and . week saw me at Vale Royal, with
out carriages, without horses, without SER
wants, to all appearance a girl of no prsten-
isions or expectations, and avowedly de-
lpendent on a distant relation.
To this hour I remember my heart beat
ing audibly, as l descended to the dining
room, where / was to see for the first time
til. future arbiter Of my fate-never shall
I forget my surprise, when a pale, gentle,
manly, and rather reserved young man, in
apparent ILL., health, was introduced to me
for the noisy, distracted, and distracting
Baronet!
Previously have l been hoaxed, thought l,
as, after a long and rather interesting con-
Iversation with Sir Edgar, I, with the othe'
ladies left the room.
Days rolled on in succession. Chance
continually brought US together, and pru.
dence began to whisper, "You had better
return home" Still I lingered-till, one
evening, towards the close Of a long tea
tete conversation, on my saying that new
err considered money and happiness as syn
onymous terms, and thought it very posi-
Bile to live on FIVE hundred ayear, he re-
piled, zone admission more--could you
live on it with me? You are doubtless &C.
quainted," he continued, with increasing
emotion,-"with my unhappy situation, but
not perhaps aware, that, revolving from
union with Miss Vsvasour, ! have resolved
on taking orders, and accepting . living
from a friend. If, foregoing more brilliant
prospects you would condescend to share
my retircment,"-his manner, the moment
the lovely scene which surrounded us, al
combined against me, and heaven only
knows what answer l might have been hur
|ried into, had I not got out, with a gaiet!
foreign to my heart-"I can say nothing t.
you till you have, in person, explained your
4 sentiments to Miss vsvasouF. Nothing
positively nothing"
"But why? can seeing her again and q
gain" he returned, Sever reconcile me t.
her manners, habits and sentiments, or any
estates induce me to place, at the head o.
> my table, a hump-back blue stocking il
green spectacles!"
"Hump-backed?"
ayes from her cradle. But your color
Do you know herr"
ultimately. She's my most particular
Ifriend!"