The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1848-02-25
The Flirt and the Citrate.

which she was reclining, she tossed away a
French novel, over which she had yawned for
the last half hour, and rung The bell to sum-
mon her attendant.
:" Do you hear my resolve, Jane :" continued
she addressing her sister, who was engaged in
writing at table near her.
hear, but do not believe" calmly re-
joined her sister.
" 1t is a fact-I positively intend to go to
church."
Her companion raised her eyes, and re-
garded her with looks of unequivocal amaze
ment. go to church and in the country.
what an idea but then you are such an odd
person !" and she quietly resumed her en-
ployment.
:" Positively, am already repaid for the
sacrifice of time, by having succeeded in rous-
ingj in you something like emotion; really,
never saw you look so animated before. But
are you not curious to know what put this
freak into my head y
:" A little so."
I" Listen and attend then. Ever since I
have been denizen of this most stupid vii
lage, Mapehurst now some four weeks,
wheresoever I have been, with whomsoever l
converse one only theme do I hear discussed
the curate of Maplehurst. Gentle and
simple. rich and poor all combine in sounding
the praises of Richard Temple, for SO the man
is called"
"What for, his eloquence piety, or what ;"
" He has both these excelencies, l believe,
but of course they would not alone have
reused the spirit of curiosity in me; no, dear,
it is the report of his miraculous beauty that
interests me. They say he is the Hercules
and Antinous blended into one."
"Oh! then you are going to church to
sketch him W
mo; but intend to make him come and
sketch me-for / hear amongst his other
multiplied projections, that he is an admirable
amateur artist. The fact is, I must have an
attache of some sort, and as the regiment at
Lai9 hton contains nothing but the plainest
and most unloveable officers in her Majestys
service, and as my good husband chooses to
bury me here, while he is coquetting at Mu-
Mich, 1 must get up an interest to beguile the
tristsness Of my exile. / must either send for
Charles Herbert, hither, from London, or flirt
with the curate here"
But you do not know that he will fiirt
with yous Perhaps you may fail in captivat-
ing him"
Ibid I ever fall" and she turned her
large oriental looking eyes full on her sister.
Jane said nothing, but bowed her head as
sentingly, with sly smile, in which archness
and malice each had their share.
The attendant entered, and while Lady
Torrington is engaged in making her toilet for
church and conquest, it may be as well to
enlighten the reader as to her position and
disposition. Lady Clara Torrington was the
youngest daughter of an English Baronet, of
limited fortune but ancient pedigree. At
assize ball, her beauty attracted the notice OF
the young Lord Torrington, the county men,
Der. By the exercise of little feminine
diplomacy, in which she was proficient, she
succeeded in deepening the charms she had
originated, and after few months courtship,
found herself, greatly to her hearts content,
standing at the altar of ST. Georges Church,
swearing allegiance to handsome young man
of 100000 year-a viscount and Legislator
to boot. Her husband had lately been ap-
pointed Ambassador from our court to Mu-
Mich: and as five years OF matrimony had
brought down the temperature of her affection
(never rising very high for any one but her
self almost to zero, she declined accompany
ing him. advancing as plea to be left behind,
the delicate state of health of their heir and
only child; but really thinking that sojourn
of a few months in the country, without
the Surveillance of a husband, would be vastly
agreeable as we'll as new. Lord Torrington
yielded to her request but only on condition
of her making their country seat, Maplehurst
Hall, her place of residence during their
temporary separation, and the promise that
she would follow him as soon as the hoy was
pronounced strong enough to encounter the
fatigues of long journey. Lord Torrington
had now been gone month, and she was be-
ginning to repent, from the dullness OF the
country, that she had not been his con,pagnon
du vOyage when our story opens.
Her disposition may be inferred from the
fippancy of her conversation with her sister,
who resembled her in the same total want OF
principle. Their mother dying in their infan-
CIV, their education had been confided to the
care OF French governess; who, when the
period of their tuition was completed, left
them rich in every varied accomplishment
but in character vain and cold-heartless and