The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-04-07
Asmodeus in the Ballroom.

lKss than they or THEFT 'msmmss, imagine
"And dreams in their development have truth"
The strangest thing that ever happened |
occurred at the fancy ball given by Miss
Burdett Coutts, on the 18th instant.
The young and lovely Emily C had
long looked forward 10 the event with de-
lighful anticipaiions in fact, since her pre-
at Court, no other subject occupi-
ed her thoughts Her mamma had decided
that she should not come out anywhere but
at Miss Burditt Coutis', and for ten days or
more she had 10 endure all the torments Of
suspense, and 10 hear the most. tantalizing
accounts of what was going on everywhere,
as she was compelled TO wait until the ball
was given. Atlenglh the happy day arriv-
ed, and we shall give the entire Of this ex-
traordinary narrative in Lady C-'s words.
"On Sunday night went 10 bed early,
though not exactly to sleep; for as Celes-
tine happened 10 mention the ball, and
wished TO know my opinion about my dress,
| Dismissed her. When she was gone, | lay
down, and suppose the subject Of our con>
versation must have dwelt upon my memory,
for on no other hypo can account for
the very singular dream that visited me.
al thought the long expected night was
come at last, and that mamma ard Laura and
myself had just been set down at Miss Coutis'
door in Siration street, amidst an endless
number of carriages and servants, as if all
London had been there. We were ushcred
up through long vstas Of light and fragrance.
shed around us from countless lamps and
myriads of flowers, and succeeded at length
in reaching the ent to the principal sa-
loon, where my delighted eyes rested upon
scene Of unexampled brlliancy. beheld
before me the whole elite Of the gay ard
fashionable world beauty and talent, rank
and spcndor, appeared at once combined to
dazzle and cnchant my bewldered senses.
recalled my memories of Lalla Rookh. !
was transported in fancy to that delighted
spot
Where pleasure through the fields and groves
Has loosened all her world of loves,
Aud every heart la. found its own.
| felt as if all my anticpations had been
weak aud colorlcss compared with The ami.
nation and glow Of The reality which ! now
gazed upon.
Amongst the many remarkable personages
present. there was one at the upper end Of
the room who ireisislibly fixed my attention,
and awoke in my mind the most ardent de.
sire 10 know who he was, in order that
might, ifpossible, enter into conversation
with him. He wa, tall and graceful, with
extremely handsome features, and very pale
/ His hair and eyes were excessively dark
but there was in the expression of the lstier
a troubled look, out Of keeping with the
habitual smile with which he greeted al
who approached him. ] felt quite fascina-
ted, and determined TO ask mamma who he
was. Judge Of my astonishment, conceive
my emotions, when she answered, with the
greatest sang froid, 'Ob, that person. m,
dea-, is the-the-the-I cannot tell you
my love. But vet l must and as it's no
hall so shocking in French, III use thei
word. That, my dear is--ile Diable p
Z" Tie ,chat, mamma? Uho did you say?
1.-The Devil, my love-" she replied AM
she looked as il she had merely said, tn
Duke of Devonshire."
For a moment, was thunderstruck bu
the idea soon becoming familiar. felt al
earnest desire to know all about him. "Ho,
did he come here, mamma ?"
"Ah! my dear, it's easy 10 see This
your frs, ball, He goes 10 every party i
town. assure you he's very fashionabl,
Should you like to he introduced to him ?
Now, though this was strange proposition
felt sn excessive thrill of delight os ga
gerly answered in the affirmative.
1t seemed as if The object Of ou: brief cor
versaton had overheard US for, bowing |
lady with whom be had been talking. h
| moved toward the spot where we stood. II
, shook hands with mamma, as if he had bee
an old acquaintance, and presently she turn
ed round, aud presented me to him. Imag
inc my sensation at being introduced to tn
Diabie himself Eve fell aud all the worl
has condemned her weakness but the worl
is a bad judge Of the matter. can easll
excuse ner. for never did any one posse,
: such attractions. lie knew every person
the room, and told such piQuant anccdo.,
about them all. Then his manner was 6
soft, so winning, SO defereEtisl, so difiereI
from the pl oud cold look he had worn be
fore he spoke 10 me. His voice, too. wi
the sweele.t thing imaginable 10 my CO
y | found /. so. | asked him thousand que
lions; did he like London2 He scarcel
ever left il. Did he not go sometimes
I Paris? HE had been there formerly, b.
5 there was no necessity for his being on Il
h spot as long as Louis Napoleon was aliv
4 Was he fond of music ? He reminded n
of Mario. Did he like dancing II
never misseda single ball. You may que
what followed; he asked me to waltz. and
did not say no.
He certainly did waltz most divinely; AT
> never did experience so much pleosu
before. At first The movement was slo
l. and he gided with gentle motion round II
= room then it gradually quickened. and II
= heart beat fas, as We circled with increas'
]. rapidi,y. lest all power Of disliuguishil