Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-05-02
From Graham's Magazine.
ISABELLA DE MONTALVA.
A STORY OF THE CENTRE DIVISION
IcoNT1NUED FROM OUR LAsT.l

Lance reighton-whom, at college, by
| slight play upon his name, we used to call
Crichton, on account of his handsome figure
and many accomplishments-was the only
son of a wealthy Virginia planter, who
had manumitted his negroes and emigrated
to the West. Lance was young, and, as it
is called, "wild having unlimited COM
mand of money and corresponding capacity |
for spending it. Notwithstanding his irreg-
however, he was an elegant schol-
ar, particularly as linguist, honorable and
manly in thought and deed, and adventur-
GUS and romantic. He had a certain fresh
ness and fervor Of feeling which dissipation
seldom allows its votaries to retain, and was,
for a wonder, remarkably credulous, especi-
ally with woman. Yet he knew the world
thoroughly-was not vain, except in a meas
ure unavoidable to one who had been as
I" successful as he-and was never known
to be guilty of treachery or premeditated
wrong. He was tall, graceful, and elegant
in manners, and withal looked the gentle
man he Wos. Careless of distinction, de-
sirous only of adventure, in which he found
his chief enjoyment, and fond Of good-fel-
lowship, he cared little with whom-he was
still faithful friend and valuable compan-
ion. The number of his love-passages would
seem to forbid the supposition of fidelity /;
but they were in truth only transitory fan
cies, founded generally upon some decided
preference given to his distinguished ap-
pearanee and though he was, doubtless,
very susceptible, l do not think his heart
had ever been touched until he met Isabella
de Montalva. His impulsive nature had
led him into many errors on this subject
as upon others; but believe lie had com,
out of them all with heart untaintcd ant
"a conscience void of ofense."
No sooner had we risen from the tabl
and walked out upon the pavement, thai
his impatience got the better Of him.
. Come he said, let us go to the Sc
! nora's.'
Pshaw = said it is not time by q
: least an hour Sit down here. take a cigal
: and tell me all about your adventures sine
We parted
i John, said he, seriously, you think th
! is only Irritation of the old college style
: But when l went back to Matamoras an
d found Isabella gone, no enc knew whittier,
e knew better | must see her, as soon I
If may be-
: But, Lance I urged, we would onl
spoil all if we went there now-perhaps d
/ feat our own purpose. Sit down and tal
! cigar
: Well said he, with sickly smile-f
the news that Montavcrde was here, ha
> made his heart heavy. I suppose | mu
u obey your orders, both on account of yOl
e rank, and because cannot 60 without you
oi He sat down and took the cigar; but
" required a more rigid cross-examination thi
: | could give, to extract from him any co
l nected story. His mind was bent only u
10 on the fandango and though he did n
d suggest start until the hour was past, t
alacrity with which he sprang to his fc
when [ arose, manifested his impatience.
The Sonora Montalva's residence W
is large, and, unlike most of the houses in s.
At Antonio, well preserved. a high sto
7e wall surrounded a well-kept garden
n through its eastern end, gate opened up
[e flight Of stone steps leading down to t
an margin of the water. As we approach
Of the house, we could see that the dance b
"A already commemorative squeaking notes
re fiddle floating through the open windoy
and mingling with the shutting sound
pr many feet. Lance was about to dash |
on ceremoniously in but | detained him, a
no went first to window to make reconn
foP sance Between the vertical wooden ba
,st which protect the unslazed windows of m
" San Antonio houses-a full view of the
be loon was before us. The company had
yet all assembled, but there were quite
lis nough present for the comfort or grace
ar the dancers About dozen American
le. ieers were in various ways making Tho
yht selves agreeable to as many of the bellies
the city; while an equal number of Nt
cans either stood moodily aloof, or joil
with sycophantie laughter i'll the merrim
>" of the rival race. A dance-somethin
10 tween a cotillion and reel, was being
orously executed by six or seven coupl
w and the gentle tapping of the pretty foot
the each Sonora, keeping time, broke the
,ine pleasantness of the scraping both upon
ess. floor and on the fiddle. The function
vet, who played the part of the Devil in J
1ect O'Shanter,
= To gle them music was his charge
9 'ner sat opposite to us in the middle of the W
'uu 4n9 and, playing as if life and death depcn
IN: .le upon the continuity of the strain, all
.lon :N"n while kept his little black eyes fixed L
'ves s wlthered old woman, who was busy
liol LL cocting some nameless beverage, at tn
1. 'ne BILE under the window. Upon this
,inn. hln were displayed the cakes and condiment
.;en' a tended for the rejection Of the guests il
elon- dinn every variety of bread. from II