Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1850-05-24
CHAPTER ".
CHAPTER ".
And ne'er did Grccian chisel trace
A nymph, Naind, or a Grace,
Of finer form, or loveler face =

piazza, while the carriage which contained Mrs.
Vaughan and her son, rolled along the win ling
avenue towards the cottage, One arm OF daz.
zling whiteness was wound about pillar, while
the other rested on the head of a pet greyhound.
Her long curls grooped like a shower of sun
beams over her neck and slo ders, while her
simple dress Ct snowy muslin fell in graceful
folds about her fairy figure. Boil, motht and son
as they saw her in the distance exclaimed how
perfectly lovely and when, a NON mt after,
they were welcomed by the sweetest little dim
pied mouth in the worl neither was disposed to
Withdraw the exclamation.
Mrs. Wiloughby expressed great deal Of
pleasure at the meeting pressed her lips up
on those of her friend, and even shed few i'm
proinptu tears upon the occasion. She accom-
panied Mrs. Vaughan to her apartment, and
remained there until the tea bell was rung, talk
ing over odd tim5s,' and school times while
Cecil after making few changes in his dress,
FASTENED back to the drawing room. Florence
was very busly engaged in reading as he en-
tered, aud did not look up until he stood before
her. when she blushed very naturally and laid
down the book. was the Lady OF the Lake,
and lie smiled as he remarked upon the beauty
of the poem. Several passages which were pc
culiarly beautiful were marked, gnd he saw at
glance that they were such as lie most ad-
m red.
1t seems almost impossible, Miss Willough.
by, that you are the Little Florence whom |
saw ten years ago. lie said alter pause as lie
laid down the yolune.
i can hardly be more change than yourself
for although should have recognized you at
once, yet ten years Is long time, and changes
the mind as ettctually as the person.
tYes' replied Cecil, but we were both chill
4 l. II I Of,
er, used to improve every opportunity of ma
king you realize my superior years ana Wis
dom
i was a very passionate child, said Florence
a blush crossing her fair face, size spoke,
and your advice and kind reproUts had deep,
influence over me, at the lime and indeed for
years after, for which surely owe you my SIN
cere thanks
Those were very simple words, but Cecil was
strangely pleased with them. 1t might have
been because the voice was so sweet and low
and the blue eyes were SO timidly veiled by their
long dark lsshcs. 1t seemed something OF Il
mystery how any words of his, spoken SO long
ago, could have been treasured up IN the heart
Of such a beautiful woman as Florence; but
while Cecil was thinking how pleasant il was
to have a good memory, the two elder ladies ell
tered tie paror, and Mrs. Willoughby led the
way into the breakfast room.
That evening passed very pleasantly away.
Mrs. Vaughan, and Mrs. Wi!ougllly, sat Oh a
couch, and still called to remembrance the
events OF their school life, and the still more Sc
rious events of their subsequent histories-whlle
the young people sat al window, the mooi-
beams playing upon their faces, and Cecil re.
counted to Florence his travels in Europe. lie
tool; her in imagination from the palace homes
of England, to the squalid huts of Ireland, from
Loeb Lomund to the glaciers o! Switzerland
from wine clad France to the sunny skies oi
SPAIN and thence to Italy. Cecil's eloquence
ali seemed reserved for Italy, and as Florence
listened to his burning words, her blue eyes d.
lated, and her whc!c frame quivored with emo
ton.
An hour later, and FLORENCE STOOL before the
mirror in her mothers dressing room. a smile
was resting on her beautiful fps, and her sleL-
der fingers wera unwreatLpg the blossoms from
her hair
Cecil Vaughan is very handsome remarked
her mother, 'rery handsome, and very wealthy
hope YOU will try and win his heart, Florence
you viii never have SO good an opportunity a
GAIN
Never you fear mamma. Have | not eye,
to see that he is handsome and haven't gooC
sense sutii cient TO catch at Il golden bait
Never you fear mamma, | am iHLe too mucl
like YOU to let such an opportunity pass unim
proved and the Gutiul clnld Oadc her mothe
good night
sOne thing more Florence, must tell you
you must be more respectful to M, and you
must not rave way to your PASSIONATE temper
while they are here. feel confident, from Sc
veral remarks which his mather made hi;
evening that her son retains his dislike toward.
passionate woman, that characterized him whei
q mere boy.'
Cecil's dreams that nj ght were very pleasant
blue eyes-and golden hGr-and smiling
Inns, seemed floating about him-ind 1T voice.
WHISPERED in his ear. lie had beel .courleJ
and caressed' not only in The first circles of his
native land, but in those OF the old countries
His heart had passed unscathed among the
flashing eyes and sparkling gems of high born
ladies' because lie could not love artificial m2 p.
ners, nor perfect se9t--possession in women, and
now he nad returned home, and in country
'3wn, far away from the city noise, aud city
fashion, he had met Florence Wnoughby-so
simple and unaffected. and vet SO very btaui.
full Cici was fascinated, and at the end Of IA
week he confessed it to himself They had
read and sung and walked together-he had
marked his iayorlte passages in his fayorte
authors for her perusal, and had felt g7dlilied
that she appreciated them, and admired them
as highly AS he did.
Meanwhile Mrs. Vaughan had read the
CHANGED character of ner school friend aud had
found that it was warped by collision with the
world bur of Florence she would not Judge 90
hastily. so she watched her silently, when she
"aa nn ~ daooy Cecil was becoming interested
iaT ~" nd ue. at length became Convinced that
nd ~ he' ,Sa an ranipg of her mother, she was not
unoh a"ue' "oman IS he would wish for wife.
One evening as Cecil was passing her aoor
-, biS way to his own room sle called him.
.It IT. is lcng time my son, since we have had
ma of our good old fashioned chats together,
She said as he seated himself upon sofa by
her side.
Yes replied Cecil, laconically.
Il called to you TO night, for wished to
sneak a few words to you in reference to Flo
rer.e Wllloughby.' Here Cecil coored, but
hstened attentlvely, as his mother continued | |
have deferred speaking with you upon the sub
iect before, because hoped lnat you had sutti
cient confidence in your mother 70 Introduce
the subject to her,
Indeed interrupted Cecil, could not con-
fess to you that winch had hardly confessed
to myself.
You will be surprised when tell you that
vou n re fascinated with her beauty and leJeed