Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-04-28

ways framing some very winning excuse
Tor his visit. A bouquet of rare exotics,
or an exquisite pint scarce book, or
beautiful specimen of foreign mechan-
ism, were sure to be his apology. Could
any girl Of seventeen be insensible to
such gallant wooing, especially when
Proffered by rich young nobleman, who
wore such splendid whiskers, and whose
moustache and imperial were the envy
OF all the aspirants after ladies' smiles.
Adelaide soon began to discover that,
when the Count was present, time few
on eagles wings; and when, after spend.
ing the morning in her company, he
ventured to make one of the gay circle
usually assembled in her drawing room
at evening, she was conscious of de-
gree Of pleasure for which she was un-
Wiling 10 account. His intimacy with
her cousin Horace afforded MIN rn1 up.
portunity of being her companion abroad
as we'll as at home; and in the gay eve-
ming party, the morning promenade, or
the afternoon ride, the handsome Count
was ever her attendant
A feeling of gratifed vanity probably
aided the natural goodness of Adelaide's
temper, and enabled her to endure with
exemplary equanimity the railleries of
her young friends but she was not so
tranquil when her father began seriously
to demonstrate against this imprudent
intimacy.
You have had all your whims graft
fed, Adelaide said he; now you must
indulge one of mine. Adopt as many
foreign fashions as you please, but re-
member that you never with my consent,
marry any other than an American. My
fortune has been made by my own in
custry-my name was transmitted to
me unsullied by my father, who earned
his patent of nobility when he signed the
Declaration of independence, and nc
empty-titled foreigner shall ever reap
the fruits of my toll, or teach my daugh
ter to be ashamed of her republican
father
The earnestness of these admonitions
from parent who had never before spo
ken except in the words of unboundec
tenderness. first led Adelaide to look
into the depths of her own heart. She
was almost terrified at her own research
es, when she found that she had allowed
the image Of the Count 10 occupy it.
most hidden recesses. Bitterly did sh'
repent her folly.
L wish he were an American, sighec
she, and yet, if he were, he would no
be half SO pleasing. How devoted hi
manners are-how much feeling ther
} is in all he says and doesr
, Poor Adelaide she was like the fas
cinated bird-she dreaded his power, ye
! she could not withdraw herself from hi
: influence. She could not conceal fror
herself the fact that the manners of tn
7 Count, too, were greatly changed. Fror
/; the courtly gallant, he had gradually be
u come the impassioned lover. He tret
sured her every look and word, and sh
e keenly felt that in exposing her ow
}, peace of mind she had also risked th
It loss of his.
r This state of things could not long e.
: ist without an explanation. Six month
l. had scarcely passed since Adelaide fir
S beheld the noble stranger, and alreac
her young cheek had lost its glow ar
l. her step its buoyant lightness. She w
sitting alone one morning, brooding ov
If her melancholy forebodings, when Il
: door opened, and the object of h
n thoughts entered. Seating himself b
" side her, he commenced a convefsati,
e full of those graceful uothings viii,
women always love to hear, but Ac
III laide was in no mood for gayety. T
Id Count intently watched the play Of
If elegant features, and then, as if he
y, vined the tumult Of her feelings, sudde
II ly changed the topic TO one of deep
er interest. He spoke Of himseIf-of
he various adventures-of his personal fe
On ings, and finally, of his approaching
er parture for Europe Adelaide's che
nd grew paler as he spoke, but she S,
rs pressed the cry which rose to her Ii
y The Count gazed earnestly upon h
ch then seizing her hand and clasping
FL closely between his own, he poured fo
ith the most passionate expressions of
his fection. Half fainting with the exc
of her emotions, Adelaide sat mott
mt less as statue, until aroused by
ere Counts entreatfes for reply. With
he ter self-reproach, she attempted to
is swer him. Faltering but frankly,
stated her fathers objections to her un
le.' with foreigner, and blamed herself
er- having permitted an intimacy VIII
in could only end in suffering for both.
Only tell me, Adelaide, that J
ng; fathers prejudices are the sole obstac
; TO said the Count passionatelS; say
ty. that you could have loved me, and
rem be content
on Adelaide blushed and trembIed.
1t For the love of Heaven, answer
ing but by look ?
= Timidly that downcast eye was ra
lere to his, and be was answered.
him Adelaide he resumed, after a
for ments pause, We may yet be happ
Could you love the humble citize
reat well as the noble Count .