New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-02-02
WOMAN'S MAGNANIMTTY;
Or HEART TRIALS IN HIGH PLACES.
A Sketch of the Days Of William and Mary.
Bn A4rs. ga. T. Gspniuas

Or, HEART-TRI IN HIGH PLACES.
A Sketch of the Days of William and Mary.
an aars. Ga. L. espniuss.
CHAPTER 1.
Why did she love him, Curious fool, be still:
LIS human love the growth of human will [BYRos.
In spacious apartment-furnished in that
magnificent style which characterized the reign
of Charles the Second-the numerous mirrors of
which reflected the rich blue and silver drape-
ries, and decorated with all that could minister
to the refined taste Of its occupants, were seen
two individuals, of different ages and sex. The
elder Of the two was man, seemingly past the
meridian of life; tall, and of muscular frame,
and though somewhat broad across the shoulders,
not ungraceful in his bearing. His appearance
displayed a due mixture Of blunt good humor,
and strong sense, mingled with high intellectual
culture. His clerical garb denoted him as be-
longing to the ministry, though there was no
austerity in his demeanor; indeed he seemed at
times lacking in that dignitied aspect and quiet
department which is usually 20 becoming to those
who wear the cloth. He stood in respectful
attitude, with one hand resting on the back of
chair, upon which was seated with careless
grace, very beautiful girl in the first bloom of
youth; to whom he was addressing himself with
much earnestness of manner, blended with that
gentle courtesy which is naturally assumed
cially if they are Of superior rank. 1t would
seem as if but few summer suns had shed their
brightness over the fair girls head, as her years
could not have numbered more than sixteen.
She was as lovely as the vision which floats
through the imagination of the young poet, in
describing his ideal. Though rather above the
medium height, her form was symmetrical in its
proportions. Long silken ringlets flowed in rich
luxuriance around a neck and shoulders of ex-
quisite whiteness. Her large, brilliant eyes
Wore a most bewitching expression of mingled
| sweetness and vivacity; her features were fault
less, although at this time clouded with melan-
choly. Such was Mary of England, the eldest
daughter of James the Second, then Duke of
York, and heir presumptive to the throne Of
England.
| The person first described was, as the reade,
has doubtless already surmised, no other thar
Gilbert Burnet, who plays SO conspicuous par
in this epoch Of English history. As we have
limited, he had been speaking upon some momen
tous question, and now stood respectfully await.
ing reply.
Mary, without giving direct response, raised
her beautiful eyes, still humid with tears, to
| his; and throwing back the clustering ringlets
from her face with an infantile and graceful
motion of the head, in her usually soft and musi-
cal voice exclaimed
'sOh! what a hard, hard fate is mine, to be
compelled in the very morning of our life, to
wed one whom we cannot love, indeed whom we
have never seen. Oh! this State policy, how
many hapless victims have been sacrificed on its
altar" 'sIf,'' she continued, ss it were for Il
week, or month"; or any limited term of years,
that we had to drag through this existence one
might school ones heart to endure the penalty
until release came. But to pass n whole life,
perhaps a long one, unloving and unbeloved, to
feel our warm affections daily growing colder
and colder, under the chilling blight of neglect
and indiference-and this to be my fate," she
passionately pursued, Il, who have hitherto so
lived upon affection, that could not rest with
out having something to pet and love; even
when but a child, how often have poured out
the overflowing tenderness of my heart upon a
cherished flower, and when it has withered and
died, how have l for days bemoaned its loss as
though some friend who loved me had been
snatched away. And now, when l could love so
devotedly, now, that ripening years have pointed
out nobler aspirations, to be as one doomed to
darkness and the chillness of the tomb;" and
the troubled girl pressed her delicate hands
upon her fair face and silently wept
"Nay, nay, dear lady, recolect that you are
about to wed the greatest genius of the age; p
| said Burnet in tones of tenderness. GA mar
born to command the admiration Of the world
one who, welding the sword of battle with un-
finching bravery, is not less distinguished in the
Cabinet; one who rulesh subjects with bend
of the finger, or a glance of the eye, and is
looked up to, by them, with idolatry; brilliant
meteor, casting around a dazzling brightness
wherever he deigns to appear. All look up to
him with awe and reverence. and though to the
world, seemingly stern and uncompromisng, he
has n nature that often dissolyes into more thar
wolnanly softness. Firm and devoted in his
friendships, what will he not be, lady, when love
enters his heart'"
Mary raised her head, looking in the face O
mt pft1
her cheek, like Sc dew drops on rose,' a bright
smile of mingled surprise and gratiied vanity
stole over her lately sad countenance, as with
childish timidity she asked,
'' But will the god-like creature you have
portrayed. bestow a thought upon one so inferior
to himself in mental requirements? Will h'
not consider it debasing to cast his eyes upon q
mere child, with an education so defective
doubtless he now thinks of me with contempt
if, indeed, he ever dreams of me at ALL
sNay, nay, answered the other, GO under
value not yourself thus, dear lady you have
charms sufficient to captivate the heart of th'
proudest monarch that ever graced n throne
smile always thus, and William will bow, a viii
ling slave at the shrine of thy beauty
Glancing at the mirror, with girlsh smile
she addressed her companion in a tone half Sc
rious, half earnest GO But tell me, Burnet, j
he handsome' Describe hisp person.
A slight smile, family seen, curled the lip
the man as he replied:
"iListen, lady; William has not that com
manding form, full of grace, which elicits gen
eral admiration. lnheriting delicate const
tuition, he has, since the time he found himself
State prisoner, been subject to sudden and vic
lent, attacks of disease, which have somewhs
marred the beauty of his figure, and made hi,
appear ten years older than in reality"
'sPoor fellow said the artless girl, in a syn
pathizing tone; sc l will nurse him so tenderl
that he will soon be we'll again; go on, let II
hear more" She bent her head in a istenin
attitude and Burnet continued:
d ellis forehead,' lofty and commanding, give
indisputable evidence of superior intellect
: his eyes, equal to the flash of the lightning,
q deep penetrating and quick as the eagles whe
aboqtto swoop upon his prey; around his mout
!, are, deeply indented lines, which, TO supertci'
tobservers, make him look stern and unbendin
but to his intimate friends, and those wi