The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-01-17

home" cried de Granville, seeing the mounting
color in Vane's cheek. No need TO blush, Vane ;
saw the damsel to-day and she is fair enough TO
be worth the trouble of winning give you fair
warning that | am going to enter the lists with
you; but remember that never WOO save par
oHo9Ts gave her a look to-day and Randolph's
ten guineas to crown piece that succeed, not
withstandinR your advantage Of previous &C.
quaintance Your saints are never quite sound at
the coren
Rascal exclaimed Vane, choking with in
dignation, as he aimed wine glass at de Graf
villes head. But his arm was suddenly caught
back, and the voice of the gentleman who few
moments before had sought TO moderate the Gov
ernor's anger, whispered in his ear, as he drew
him aside
crash blood, rash blood, young man-though
grant you had just cause"
For some moments, the room was in confusion,
when the Governor, as the shortest way Of set
Ting n temporary peace, proposed adiourning to
the drawing room. But the syren tones and
marked preference OF the honorable Eleanor
Meredith had lost their fascination for Frederic
Vaue, that evening
His mind, for some weeks occupied by her was
now thoroughly reused, and his thoughts busy
with the past.
Hitherto, we have said little Of young Vane's
personal appearance, and, perhaps, we may as
well briefly describe it, inasmuch as it was a fair
index to his character. His face was Just such an
one as ever wins the love Of young and trusting
hearts-full of rich, sensuous beauty; that pecu-
liar moulding of feature and expression when, by
sef-cuture and careful training, may be develop
l ed into me noolest form Of manly beauty, or, ty
Incidence and self-excess, degenerate into mere
sensualism. There was no lack of intellect; and
with the whole energy of his nature aroused by
the events Of the evening, perhaps he never look
ef more worthy Of admiYatisr- than on the night
of which we speak "a he safe in thoughtful silence
by the side of the fair English lady.
As he was crossing the gallery towards his own
| room late that night servant overlook him, say
! ing that the Governor requested few moments
private conversation with him. He turned TO his
Excellency's private room, and met, not the an
CRY, baffed ruler, but the smooth, polished cour-
tier of the reign of Charles |.
After some desultory remarks and gracefui
allusion to and apology for his own want of self
control at the dinner table the Governor laid his
hand on a pile of letters, and said;
II have had no opportunity to speak to you
of the contents of your mothers letters She says
that the death of your only near male relative and
guardian has left me, her distant cousin, your
natural friend and adviser and wishes me TO pro-
cure for you some situation which may be adapt
ed TO your talents. am willing to do this as
much for your own sake as hers. 1 our natural
abilities are good, my influence at court notsmall
With such grounds to start from, it will be your
own fault II You 30 not reach high rounda&
ladder Only be wary and prudent, boy, and let
me hear no more of such brawls as that we have
lust witnessed Not but what | commend your
spirit but, as general thing, quarrels are impol-
itic. IL de Granville challenges you as most
likely he will, you must meet him; but, hence
forth, quarrel only when it will further your ends
better than peace And" he added, smiling, "you
are young and handsome we'll Methinks
you had one by your side this evening who would
not need much wooing. Add her wealth to my
influence and your talent, and your way is clear.
BY Jove, boy, if you show one half the spirit
in wooing my ward, Eleanor, that you did to-
night in defending that cid rebel, she will be
yours in q fortnight. As TO his daughter, let
de Granville WOO her as he lists. 1t is naught to
u.s.
Alas for the vanity and wordliness Of the bu-
man heart Where was the high and noble
spirit that had hurled defiance at de Granville, a
few hours before Chilled by the cold breath Of
worldly wisdom, until long before he again sought
his own room, the gentle memory of Sybil, which
had been so surely drawing him back to her side
during the evening hours, bad faded before the
ftful glare which cleaned from the ambitious
path which the Governors words had opened.