The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1849-09-06
WI s O L L L a N e o U
4 ClllRMlAG STORY.
The Virgin Of Van Dick.
.4tya 7te from the French,
BY kUSE ACTON.

In one of the large saloons of ST. James
palace, during the re ign OF the first James,
was assembled bright group OF mirth
and beauty-young tar girls. from whose
softly rounded AMI dim pied che.ks the
blush OF hope and pleasure had never ia
dsd, whose laughing eyes coLld never
have known tears. These were gathered
round an open window, looking upon The
palace gardens, bending over the tapestrieI
woIk, tnen So commonly seen III Ine deli
cate hugers OF those lifted by rank beyond
the Cares and concerns OF household mIn
agement and the bright buds blooming be-
Meath The sklltll needles OF the tar work
men, seemed all that engroSs1i their
thoughts on that lovely morning; though
over their graceful heads had passed
enough summers TO teach that, however
we tread, even among flowers we mast
encounter thorns. Bat ah!-;here lay
the secret, il had been always summer 10
those lighI-hearted ones. EIch bent
IIughIngly o'et her task, now and then
pauSIng III expectation OF d Summons; tOt
the Queen had not YET risen, anL me tefri-
bic tyranny OF court ceremonies had not
commenced. Every sunny spot has It's
shade, ana the only shadow east over that
tIlr scene was the presence of a lady who,
By her age and grave dignity, seemed OF
advanced rank, AMI Ill ,IdeaL recollection
OF her responsibility ana required statel
ness. This lady was the Grand Duchess
DAILY, first lady in waiting, and guar
dian ani mJnltress to the young maids OF
honor gathered around ner, w4lling Her
Malesty's summons To their dutles. OF
4 Ia. l. Il h.l
from her companions, amidst their co4uet-
ish adornmenlS, by the studied simplicity
OF her dress and tile quiet thoughttulnesS
OF her fair features; her robe OF black vel
vet fell open, discovering fall wnite satin
pettcoai; while deep rutiies falling from
The elbows, only allowed a partial gllmps
OF the small rounded arm; and her only
ornament was little diamond cross, the
S0uUeRtr of lost and beloved mother;
this simple attire was further deepened by
a long veil, flung over her dIrk tresses,
and mlngllng with The folds OF her SOM
bre dress.
Dorothea was of one of the noblest Scot
tish families, and inherltress of lis high
pride and dignity; Lord Ruthven, her faith
er possessing an escutcheon as famed for
its unslaimed nobility as his vast estates
for their extent.
short time before our tale opens, the
young Scotch maiden had been brought
from her Highland Businesses TO occupy d
post of honor near G Queen, for the pur-
pose of completing her education In The
accomplishments eXtant III those days.
But 0Ile heart had charms for the young
student; naturally thoughtful, motherlesS,
and left to the guidance of her own fam
cies, Dorothea had from childhood loved
10 make herself friends among the pictured
ancestors of her house.-Dally IN the
large galleries, nigh be seen a fair young
form holding converse, in thought. with
the generations passed away; and lnsensl-
bly, the girls untutored mind began to no.
tice and appreciate, as time passed by the
glorious creations OF the painters vision
ings; and Paul Veronese, Guido, and Reu'
bens, were able masters to the young
dreamer; and when youth usurped the
place of childhood, the childish fancy
deepened to fervent passion; and Doro-
thea came into the world TO taste its plea
sures and experience by the side of royalty
with but one aim and hope in her young
guileless heart; the yearning to achieve {
glorious fame in The noble art OF which she
was worshipper.
But TO return to the morning tasks o
the fair group. Ten o'clock struck, ant
each young head was lifted 10 the large
time-piece, while chorus of wondering
voices was raised in evident surprise a
the absence of an expected addition tt
their circle. Hardly had the echoes dieG
when the door of the saloon was flung
open to give entrance 10 the object of thei
slrmises-the painter Van Dyck. Al th'
announcement of his name there was
general futter among the pearls and satin
robes of the fair girls like the waving of
group of flowers beneath the touch OF th
e'enlng breeze, and each graceful fold wa
r'-arranged on the silken ottomans. Th
young pupil of Rubens, accustomed as h,
was to look upon the beautiful among ere
a:ion, could no, refrair glance of sur
p:ise and admiration on suddenly fndin,
himself in the midst of SO brilliant circle
Nor was the involuntary emotion unnoti
ced by the noble maidens.
The Duchess DAILY, attributing tn
young man embarrassment to the digni
fed hauteur of her greeting, condescende