The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1851-08-20
The Price of a Coronet.
BY MRS. WARD.

A lady, exquisitely fair, WITH dark shining
bands of hair drawn back from her classic
brow, stood beneath the centre chandelier
of n brllianlly-lghted ballroom. She had
been dancing and was surrounded by Aknot
of distinguished men OF the country, each
anxious TO have the honor cf handing her
TO carriage. She was 10 longer girl, for
she had been the beauty of that county for
some years. She still carried the Palm most
lofily, albeit younger aspirnnts smiled at
her pretensions, and college youths, whose
conversation had no CHAINS for her, affected
to depreciaie her as pdsse.
The morning sun strcamed through the
roseate drapcry of Maudc Grevile's cham
Der windows, and Knocked the ligh. of the
wax tapers OF her mirror. Before that mir
ror she sat and scanned the features that had
an hour before been illumined with smiles.
Heavy tears rolled down that lovely bu, fad
ing face. Pale, detected, with tresses all
unbourd who would have recognized in that
forlcrn aud weeping creature, the still -ad-
mired, handsome, Miss Grevlle
By mere chance that night chord hsd
been touched by the mention of the name
of her first love. She had heard him al
luded 10 by one who had left him only the
DAY before.
Ten years ago, she had made her first ap.
pearancc in public ballroom, side by side
with that young lover-ber first friend in
life, her first playmate. She paused, her
head resting on her hands, and called mp
from The depths of memory the echo of his
gay laugh, his frank boyish air, his burning,
earnest words, his sorrow>slricken look on
seeing her coquet with a man whom she de-
spised " only to try" if Henry loved her
his circumstances, her sharp retort.
Again--she was beside him he was bids
ding her farewell, mournfully, yet with some-
thing like scorn upon his lip while she,wilh
her neart aching in response to that proud
goodbye, smiled calmly-as calmly gave
her band in token of commons place adieu,
and turning away aith steady step, bent 1t
home wards, 70 seek her own apartment, ,c osc
tue door, and there weep bitterly at the re-
suit Of her own vanity.
She slept at last and dreamt of that cold
grey morning when she had risen 10 listen
at her window for the sound Of reircating
chaI Ioi>whees aud how when this sound
had ceased, she had cast her eyes upon the
sweet scenes Of ,,-ace and beauty before her
and ielt-what strange feeling j, 40 g
young mind how all outward thing nal
lost their Interest, since he whose presence
had briy iylfencd all, was gone, Alas one
kind word from her lips, one glance Of re-
but the demon of pride held her in bis tolls,
and while she grieved at being deserted, as
she wrongly called it, she bore = front utter
y unworthy of the heart within: the bloom
of that heart was yet unsullied. But hmbi-
lion waited TO stalk in when love made way,
And thus, never loving another, she turned
from wealth TO rank, undecided which TO
take; sometimes Doth were offered, and sill
the hend Of ambition held up his false mir
ror, with the shadows Of higher deslinies
beckoning her onwards.
On the night in which ! have introduced
Maude 10 the reader, she had been disin-
guished by the notice Of one who blended
rank, wealth, power. interest, with what her
stirring and ambitious heart loved better than
all-fame lie was statesman, with vast
possessions, and the favorle of his sovereign
Maude accepted, with beating heart, the
homage Of the great mans eye. She lent II
willing ear to his courtly compliments. She
triumphed in the light Of his rare smile, She
met his lofty courtesy with proud compla-
cency. A few hours Of suffering were all
she permitted herself 10 give TO her early
attachment. Before her lay a futurity OF
loneliness--beualy iaded-the word snegleci;
nay, worse, lis pity land others, fair as she
had been, filing her place in the wreath Of
youth and loyeliness.
1t was the morning following the fefr,
which had been rendered remarkable by the
Marquis Of Houghtonville's devotion to
Maude Greville. lie bad proposed calling
at Greyille Place 10 see her fathers oolec-
lion Of fine pictures. He came before the
hour appointed. Maude. in her elegant