The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-08-25

For weeks the theme of fashionable
conversation had been the approaching
grand party of Mrs. Danvers E.! ington,the
rich aristocratic widow, enrolling on its
list, senators, statesmen, officers Of the
army and navy, foreign counts and am
bassadors, with all the literary lions, which
a months notice could bring together from
different parts of the Union.
The speculations of the beau-monde
upon this event at length became realities;
for Time, though to many his flight seem
ed shackled and weary, ultimately brought
round the evening of the long-anticipated
fete.
The almost princely dwelling of Mrs.
Ellington reflected exteriorly none of the
brilliency which, from attic to basement,
gave to the whole magnificent interior
more than monday brightness. Every
blind was scrupulously closed, yet the hall
door swung wide, and i'll the vestibulc
servants In full livery, their fingers cased
in delicate kids, stood ready to usher
guests to the dressing rooms. Carpcting
OF rich Brussels extended down the flight
Of marble steps and over the entire lentlh
OF squares, that as the dainty foot of beau-
ty left the carriage, it might not come in
chill contact with the rough pavcments.
Ot the rcception-rooms, ofthosc devoted
to social chit-chat, to music, or the dance,
to the promenade, refreshments, ct cctcra,
description would fail to do justice to their
tasteful and appropriate decorations
Leaving this point, therefore, let me intro.
duce Mrs. Dauvcrs Ellington, and to 10 80
the more unresevcdIy, throw open the
door of that lady's drcssing-room.
The lady, whose head was under the
skIlltul hands OF Monsieur Manton, the
most fashionable hair-drcsscr in B--,
was one whose countcnance, ut the first
glance, you would pronounce brilliant
superb-far no other superlative could APP
ply to beauty of such character At
the second glance, you would discover in
those large black eyes passions to make
you shuddcr, and read on that lofty brow
and i'll the naughty curl of the coral-red
lip, defiance to all the gcntlcr influences
OF love, sympathy, and Kindness. At the
third, you would turn away with n feeling
ofrelief, nor wish to look again, although,
perhaps, for days and months, that cold.
superb face would haunt your memory,
A stranger would have considered himself
poor judge Of the lady's age, had he
pronounced her day older than twenty
eight, or thirty at the most. She was
forty. Yet SO we'll had she preserved her
rich Spanish complexion, always less la
ble to fade than the blondc-such was the
profusion of her glossy, raven-black hair
so dazzling white and perfect her teeth,
and such the graceful, still youthful, pro-
portions of her majestic person, that Mrs
Danvers Ellington night well challenge
the flight OF Time, whose hand seemed but
to mature, not impair, her beauty.
Wrapped in careless but most bccom-
ing negligc of pale yellow silk, Mrs. FL
lington was seated before ful-length mir
ror, into which her eyes flashed critically,
and with an impatient meaning, as Mon
seur Manton proceeded in his difficult
task. AT her elbow stood a young wait
ing maid, hiding small looking-glass,
framed in ebony and pearl, in such a man.
ner that her lady could at the same time
have full view of the back Of the head,
and note the skill Of Monsieur. Her small
feet, incascd in soft lambs-wool slippers,
curiousl y wrought, rested upon cushion
ofpurple yelvet--onc hand hung careless
ly over the arm of the lounge, the other
held small repeater, mounted with dia-
monds. A second waiting-maid was busi-
ly spreading out upon the elaborately de-
corated dressing-table, caskets of rich gems
that, from their costly contents, her mis-:
tress might select those in which it might
please her to adorn her even more brlli-
ant charms.
Stupid really, you have lost all the
taste you ever had, Manton," said Mrs.
Ellington, impatiently moving her head
on one side.
''C'est vrai, madame" replied Manton,
with the ready tact of Frcnchman--"it
is true-it is all lperdu-gonc-lost in dc
exquisite tete afmi ladi All, nevare-
no nevare, cen do one head so magnifque
encore again"
"lmpertinence take it down, Monsieur
it pleases me not" returned Mrs. Filing
| ton.
20, madame!-pardonnez mott is a
| Pty-eest domma8e SAID poor Manton
aghast.
There sir,-now will you do as I bid
youl" and with one sweep of her fair
hand, and toss Of her queenly head, the
long tresses of Mrs Ellington were free
from come and bodkin.
80, Mon Dieu!" shrugged the dscom-
fitted artist, and again he commenced his
difficult task. Fortunately, for himself
he was more successful in this second at
tempt.
Catherine, now hand Monsieur my
diamond spray" said Mrs. Ellington.a-
And Manton finished his work by arrang-
ing, amid her rich ebon tresscs, a sugerb
diamond, the intrinsic value Of which
would have been q life subsistence to many
hard-working son or daughter Of pow
city.