The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-07-08
THE TWO YOUNG LADIES,

Erika found Seraphine not alone when SIN
visited her the following mor0ng A pair 0
milliners were with her. who alternately, will
the most superficial fattery, praised the younl
lady as to every article of dress. Open cartoons
stood around on the chairs and tables; a cap
hat, collar, were alternately approved ant
found faulty; while Seraphine with self-ap
proving smiles, glanced into the high pier
glass, and lent compacent ear to their ad
miring excla
Erika passed through the strait of boxes to
Seraphine, took her hand, and, without paying
the least attention to the surrounding articles
of fashion, said
II am glad met your aunt so OPPORTUNITY
And then, without waiting for an invitation,
took seat on small sofa in the young lady's
room.
Seraphine was offended at this uncopstrained
indifference to what was of such magnitude in
her view.
"You will excuse me- dear Erika," conceal
ing as much as possible her displeasure with
the interruption, if | finish these articles OF
millinery before attending to you"
ado so. Seraphine; We shall then be undis-
turbed"
And Erika looked over book lying on the
table, without ever casting glance Mt the
dressing lass
This indifference of Erika might appear
feigned. but was not Seraphine's conduct to-
day contrasted too evidently with that of yes
terday, and was disgusting. She had come
with the intention to speak seriously with
her but was now on the point of giving it up (;
when the latter put the eIess aside, told the
mlliners TO come again. and pat down beside
Rrika.
aYou could not we'll bear to be poor, Sera-
phine?"
The young girl laughed
cam | not pOort" asked she, meeting
Erika g searching look at least dependent on
the will of my aunt"
But you wish to be independent"
"Who told you that?"
"Your whole character"
my character 2"
"Yes; you arc vain, and your highest hap
piness consists in constantly gratifying this
vanity-in living on hattery."
Seraphine blushed, and with bitterness re
piled
"Who can say whose vanity is greater-heri
who takes pains by innocent means to assis
her nature, or hers who disdains all these
means in the belief that she needs them not -
"Whose vanity is greater" said Erka
"may remain undecided; but whose is thu
more contemplate, believe can affirm, Scra
phine' she continued in o more afectionate
tone. :" saw you yesterday 30 happy, that
cannot comprehend how you are to-day and
how you can esteem sympathy and attention
as nullitiesD
Il know not of what happiness you speak
Erikan
"Tbe happiness Of being loved, and the re-
ciprocatiOn of love-"
What lovel" asked Seraphine, still more
coldly.
"A love that you need not be ashamed Of
a love that appears to me to flow TO you from
heart pureand interrupted, that never could
have reached such height if it were not mu-
tual"
"Ah, you speak Of the young painters ex.
trayagancep said Seraphine, lightly; for she
thought that Erika took this means to lessen
her in the eyes of Sternhof whom she had not
yet given up
Not alone OF bis, but also Of yours can
not otherwise believe aftor what yesterday
saw and heard, than that you love Muller; and
If il is 30 with him. why do you not openly
speak TO your aunt"
II really do not know, Erika, what answer
shall give your singular assertions"
"TelT me II dare make further inquiries y
"Erika!p
If the conversation you had with Muller