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


vice of the dinner-tabie went on with great pro-
priety without her for a few moments while she
recollected herself II was well that Mrs. Arm
strong however inwardly discomposed, could new
er be surprised from her self-command.
When the last couple had taken their seats ut
the table, she sank majestically into her chair,
and the dinner commenced 1t was an almost in
terminable affair. | win not tire you with the
three courses--the stately compliments of the
gentlemeD, the dignifed reserve Of the ladies'
nor Of the firm resolution formed by Mrs. Arm
strong as she saw without seeming to see the poor
cousins worship of Louse-the devotion of Louis
annoying thing to her was the thought that it was
not possible, with any sort of propriety, to ma
DGuvre and prevent the young people returning to-
the drawing-room in the precise order in which
they LEFT It, or even to prevent their teie-a-e af
forwards, until the hour for dancing arrived
Thus when the company left the dining room for
the saloon, she had the pain Of seeing Willis car
'44sdtf AbkDsSani recess by the supplemented
Louise, who wished to show him a collection Of
rare shells and fossils, and Susan Somervills en-
ticed away by Louis to look at fine original Ii
tlan, representing gorgeous autumn Landscape
ln another corner of the room, General Stuart
Gordon and Brutus Lion were standing before
sofa, upon which sat Britannia ORiley, with
Gertrude on her right hand and Zoe ON her left
These five persons were engaged in lively con-
versation ss Mrs. Armstrong sailed majestically
towards them, hoped that they were amusing
themselves, and then blandly requested Miss o.
Riley TO say 70 her pupil that she standing too
near the window. Britannia understood, not only
all that was scid by the tongue, hut all that was
meant by the look. She withdrew herself from
the circle, and sought Leuiss, at whose side she
remained the rest Of the evening. Mrs. Armstrong
then turned from the sofa-Geueral Stuart G or-
don Offering his hand TO attend her across the
room, This was precisely what she wanted-to
interrupt the tas-a-ttts of Louise aud Willis, and
to obtain, without formally demanding it. a pri-
yate conversation with General Stuart. G ordon,
with Inc invvnlion vi oaiiing ms arten,Iop, In a
diplomatic and digni6ed manner, to the fact, of
which he seemed entirely unconscious, namely
the decided preference Of his son and heir for the
penniless Susan Somerville. Having suffered her.
self 10 be seated ia large arm chair, and having,
with gesture full Of graceful hameur, indicated
her wish that the General should assume the
seat on her left, bending graciously towards him,
she said
C earnestly congratulate you, General Stuart
Gordon, upon the happy prospects your son -
Madam !"
His choice does high honor to his intellect
and heartp
that understand you"
Miss Somervilie is young lady of great good
sense and amiabilityD
Really, my dear madam, you must pity and
forgive my stupidity ! am utterly at loss to
comprehend the full bearing Of the subject Of your
conversation"
al speak, of course, of the approaching mar.
riage of your SON." ~ az
"Of my son, madam repeated the old gentle
man, with deprecating slowness and softness as
though his manner implored pardon for the rude.
meas Of his repetition.
"Of your SON, Louiso
aThe approaching marriage of Louis, did | un.
derstand you to say, madam ~
"Yes, General, congratulate you upon the ap-
preaching marriage Of your son, Louisn
May inquire With what lady his name has
been associated, madam ~
With the name Of young lady every way
worthy Mr. Stuart-G ordon's regard-with one OF
the most ancient names in the country-with that
of Miss SomervilIe. had named her in the com
mencement of our conversaio n'
The General started with surprise, then rooted
his eyes upon the carpet, then looked up. seeking
Louis by a sweeping glance through the room
:" bad not dreamed of this p he exclaimed, in
tone of deep regret, as his eyes fell upon Louis
and Susan Somerville in close and apparently
very interesting conversation upon that crimson
shaded sofa at the extremity of the saloon.
Mrs. Armstrong;
General Stuart-Gordon ~
"Will you pardon me for inquiring your au-
thority for speaking of the possible, or probable,
union of my son with Miss Somerville? Do you
merely suspect 1t from your observation Of the
pirties, or have you heard it 2"
The report is common in the neighborhood
and the department of the young couple seems to
confirm IT'D
Madam, there is not one word of truth in this
report Of the marriage engagement at qH-not
one word, ! assure you, upon my souls honorp
said the General, with great emphasis
~ Yet there seems to be decided preference in
that quarter smiled the lady, with a successful
assumption Of good humor.
No, madam n0-H0-not so n mere friend
ship, assure you mental affinity, &c. Miss
Somervile is a year older than my son-looks
upon him as n younger brother-Lous regards
her in the light of an elder sister No, madam,
no! think am advised as to the preference of
my son. think know what sweet flower, what
delicate snon-drop, Louis Stuart-Gordon would
fsin place in bis bosom. | know at what shrine
the prisons of Louis Stuart-Gordon are offered
exclaimed the General with earnestness, and,
rising, with a profound bow, he Eauntered for
ward to arrest, or at least TO make third in the
of Louis and Susan. As he APP
preached them, be looked covertly but keenly at
each md tAok note of the following facts name
ly-that Louis WAS now eonyersing in very free
and disem oarrassed manner upon general subjects,
and that Susan usually so calm, was looking
down upon the gcraBium she held in her hand, |
and now visibly trembling in every nerve-her
cheek, always so white and cool, was now warm
and fushed-her eyes ever 20 serenely clear and |
open, were now downcast each gemmed with a
L. tie al L.
won the heart Of Susan Somerville, whether he
wished to do so or not,n was the comment of the |
old man, as be stood before them Then, taking
his seat on the opposite side Of Miss Somerville,
he began talking TO her ia lively and compli-
vein, and 80 completely threw Louis out
of the conversation in which he had been en-
gagged They had no word together The remain
der of the evening Thus Mrs Armstrong had
at last in the face Of all difficulties, discovered
every incipiept Irritation, and successfully ma
neuvred to arrest them.
By reason of the number of guests at Mont
General Stuart-Gordon and his son &C.
cupied separate beds in the same chamber. When
they had retired to their room, General Stuart
Gordon commenced, In his ftherIy and affection
tie manner, 10 banter Louis upon the subject of
ais affsciion--not for Susan Someryille--he was
determined to be blind, deaf, and dumb upon
hat affair when with Louis, unless il should be
breed upon his attention in a manner that should
Compel him TO take cognizance of it--but upon
he matter of his old childish affection for Louise
armstrong. This was with view Of discover,
pq the true state Of bis heart for General Stu.
rt.Gordon by no means felt the assurance upon
his subject nor, that he had expressed when
peaking upon it with Mrs. Armstrong
"What is the matter, Louis, between you and
diss Armstrong You did not speak the whole
vening, think
Father, Louise has been, by her mother, |
link, frightened into avoiding me. Within the
lst few weeks, whenever | have CHANGED to meet
nd speak TO her. at church, at the village, or
|sewhere, che has exhibited such terror and dis.
ress that could not, and cannot, find it-in my
cart to prosecute her with annoying civilities.
una ra1v mad h..xy Ia |