Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-04-21

and anxleues were at once conflded; and
filter depository for such secrets Of the
heart could hardly have been found. He
made no iokes-for he was not bachelor;
he abstained from shaking his head and re-
commencing prudence--ior he was not a
seasoned husband or an experienced wild
over; what he really did, was to enter
heart and soul into his friends projects
for he was precisely in that position, in
which the male sex generally take a prep
er interest in matchmaking; he was new
ly married man.
Two days after, Mr.. Streat6eld was the
happiest OF mortals-he was introduced to
the lady of his love, TO Miss Jane Langley.
He really enjoyed the priceless privilege
Of looking once more ON the face in the
balcony, and looking on it almost as often
as he wished. 1t was perfect Elysium.-
Mr.. and Mrs. Langley saw little, or no
company-Miss Jane was almost accessi-
bic, never monopolised-the light of her
beauty shone day after day, for her adorer
alone; his love blossomed in it, fast as fow-
ers in hot house. Passing quickly by all
the minor details Of the wooing TO arrive
the sooner at the grand fact Of the winning,
let US simply relate that Mr.. Streatfield' S
object in seeking an Introduction to Mr..
Langley was soon explained, and was In
deed visible enough long before the expla-
nation. He was handsome man, an ac-
complished man, and rich man.
His two first qualifications conquered
l., I'll, II Il f.xl T..
SIX weeks Mr.. Streatfeld was the accepted
lover of Miss Jane Langley.
The weddng.day was fxed-it was ar
ranged thatthe marriage should take place
at Langley Hall, whittier the family pro-
ceeded, leaving the unwilling lover in Lon
don, prey to all the inexorahle business
formaliiies of the occasion. For ten days
did the ruthless lawycrs-thosc dead
weights on the back Of Hymen--keeptheir
victim in the metropolis, occupied over set
Elements that never seemed likely to beset-
tied. But even the long march Of the Law
has its end like other mortal things; at the
expiration of the ten days all was compile
ted and Mr. Streatfeld found himself at ib-
erty to start for Langley Hall
Alarge party was assembled at the house
to grace the approaching nuptials. There
were to be tableaux, charades, boating
trips, riding excursions, amusements OF all
sorts--the whole to conclude lin the play
bill phrase) with the grand climax of the
wedding. Mr.. Streatfeld arrived late; din
ner was ready: he had barely time to dress,
and then hustle into the draving-room. Just
as the guests We're leaving it, to offer his
arm to Miss Jane-all greetings with friends
and introductions to strangers being post
poned till the party met round the dining
table
Grace had been said; the covers were
taken %; the loud cheerful hum ofconver-
sation was just beginning, when Mr. Streat-
field eyes met the eyes Of Young lady
who was seated opposite. at the table. The
guests near him, observing at the same mo-
ment, that he continued standing after eve
ry one else had heen placed, glanced at
linn inquiringiy. To their astonishment
and alarm, they observed that his face had
Suddenly become deadly pale-his rigid
features looked struck by paralysis. Seve-
raj Of his irien Is spoke to him; but for the
FIRST few moments he returned no answer.
Then, still fixing his eyes upon the young
lady opposite, he abruptly exclaimed in a
Voice, the altered tones Of which startled
every one who heard him; THAT is the
face saw in the balconyl-that woman is
the only woman | can ever marry !" The
next ms slant, without a word more either of
explanation or apology, he hurried from
the room.
One or two guests mechanically started
up, as if to follow him; the rest remained
at the table, looking on each otherin speech
less surprise. But before any one could
either act or speak, almost at the moment
when the door closed on Mr. Streatield,
the attention Of all was painfully directed
to Jane Langley. She had tainted. Her
mother and sisters removed her from the
room Immediately, aided by the servants.
As they disappeared, dead silence again
sank down over the company-they all
looked around with one accord to the mas
ter ofthe house.
Mr.. Langley's face and manner sufi-
GENTLY revealed the suieringand suspense
that he was secretly enduring. But he
was a man of the world-neither by word
nor action did he betray what was passing
within him. He resumed his place at the
table and begged his guests to do the same.
He affected to make light of what passed !;
entreated every one to torgctit, or if they
remembered it at all, to remember it only
as a mere accident which would no doubt
be satisfactorily explained. Perhaps it
was only jest on Mr.. Streatfeld's part
rather too serious one, he must own. AT
any rate. whatever was the cause of the in
terruption to the dinner WHICH had Just
happened, it was not important enough
to require everybody to fast around the
table of the feast He asked it as favor
to himself, that no further notice might be
taken of what had occurred. While Mr..
Langley was speaking thus, he hastily
wrote few lines on a piece Of paper and
gave it to one of the servants. The note
was directed to Mr.. Streatfeld; the lines
contained only these words:-"Two hours
hence, shall expecttosee you alone in the
library"
The dinner proceeded the places oc-
cupied by the female members of the
Langley family, and by the young lady
who attracted Mr.. Streatfeid's notice in SO
extraordinary manner, being left vacant
Every one endeavoured to follow Mr..
Langley advice, and go through the bu-
siness ofthe dinner, as though nothing had
occurred; but the attempt failed miser-
ably. Long blank pauses occurred in the
conversation; general topics were started.
but never pursued it was more ike an
assembly OF strangers, than meeting Of
friends; people neither eat nor drank, as
they were accustomed to eat and drink /;
they talked in altered voices, and sat with
unusual stiffness, even in the same posi-
tions. Relatives, friends, and acquaintan-