The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-04-03

1t will not let poor man go about his business
OLD SONG.
And are those folics going,
And is my proud heart growing
Too cold, or wise, for woman's eyes
Again to set it glowing !-MooRE.
The General put on his spectacles, and
locked steadfastly at Isabel for at least
two minutes. ''Turn your head" he
said at last-"there to the left"
Isabel Montford, although an ac-
knowledged beauty, was as amiable as
she was admired; she had also a keen
appreciation Of character; and, though
somewhat piqued, was amused by the
oddly of her aunt's old lover. The
General was fine example Of the we'll
preserved person and manners of the
past century; beauty always recognizes
beauty as distinguished relative; and
Isabel turned her head, to render it as
attractive as it could be.
The General smiled, and after gazing
for another minute with evident plea
sure, he said-'Do me the favor to keep
that attitude, and walk across the ROOM"
Isabella did so with much dignity; she
certainly was exceedingly handsome;-
her step light, but firm; her figure, ad-
mirably poised; her head, we'll and
gracefully placed; her features, finely
formed; her eyes and smile, bright and
contiding. She would have been more
captivating had her dress been less
studied, her taste was evidently Parsien
rather than classic. The gentleman
muttered something, in which the words,
"charming," and ''to be regretted )"
only met her ear; then he spoke dis
tinctly:
"lou solicited my candor. young lady
you challenged comparison between
you and your compeers, and the passing
bellies whom have seen. Now, be so
kind as to walk out ofthe room, re-enter,
and curtsey."
Had Isabel Montford been an unedu-
Gated young lady; she might have
bounced out Of the salon in obedience
to her displeasure, which was very de-
clded; but as it was, she drew herself to
her full height, and swept through the
tolding-doors. The General took very
large pinch OF snuff. chat is so per-
frctIy copy Of her poor aunt!' he muir.
INJURED; Just so would she pass onward,
like ruilled swan; she went after that
exact fashion into the ante.room, when
she refused me, for the fourth time,
thirty-fve years ago.
The young Isabel e.entered, and
curtseyed. The gentleman seated HIM
self, leaned his clasped hands upon the
head of his beautiful inlaid canr-which
he carried rather for show than use-and
said, Young lady, YOU look divinity!
Your torncure is perfection; but your
curtsey is frightfu!! A dip, bob, a
bend, shuttle, slide, canter-nei,her
dlgni6ed, graceful, nor self-possessed!
A curtsey is in grace what an adngio is
in music;-only masters Of the art can
execute either the one or the other.
Why, the beauty Of the Duchess of De-
vonshire could not have saved her repu.
tatlon as a graceful woman, if she had
dared such curtsey as that"
81 assure you, SIR" demonstrated the
offended Isabel, "that Madame Micheau"
"W hat do care for the womanr' ex-
claimed the General, Indignantly Have
| not memory
"Can you not teach me" said Isabel,
amused and interested by his earnest
ness.
81 teach you'll! No; the curtseys
which captivated thousands in my youth
were more an inspiration than an art.
The very queen of ballet, in the present
day, cannot curtsey."
| Could my aunt!" inquired Isabel, a
little saucily.
"Your aunt, Miss Montford, was grace
itself All! there are no such women
now a-daysp'
And, after the not very Aa.tering OBJ
servation, the General moved to the
piano. lsabel's brows contracted and
her cheeks flushed; however, she glanced
at the looklng-glass, was comforted and
smiled. He raised the cover, placed the
seat with the grave gallantry of an old
courtier, and invited the young lady to
play. She obeyed, to do her justice,
with prompt polteness; she was not
without hope that there. at least, the old
gentleman would confess she was tri-
umphant. Her white hands, gemmed
with Jewels, flew over the keys like
winged seraphs; they bewildered the
eye by the rapidity oftheir movements.
The instrument Numbered, but the thun.
der was so continuous that there was no
echo! "The contrast will come by-and-
by" thought the disciple of the old
school-''there must be some shadow 10
throw up the hghts.''
Thunder-crash-t hunder-crash-
drum-rattIe-a confused, though elo-
quent, running backward and forward