The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-03-23
THE DAILY DISPATCH
THE COUSINS.

One of the best stories we have lately read
. entitled-"The Cousins-A Country Tale
Ii is from the chaste pen of Miss Milford, an
English authoress of considerable reputation.
The whole is too long for one paper, and il is a
story which ii will not spoil to divide. The
first half of the story, like the bigger portion of
the hrstyolume of some of Scott's Novels, is
merely introductory TO what follows. So we
will sum up the preparatory part in few
words, and then give the denouement in Miss
Alittord's own beautiful language.
Lawyer Molesworth was rich landlord in
Cramley, the native town Of Miss Milford
He had two daughters, TO whom his pleasant
house owed Its chief attraction. Agnes was
beautiful woman, Jessy was a pretty girl
The fond father intended that Jessy should
marry poor relation, one Charles Woodferd.
Charles had been brought up by his uncle's
kindness. and had recently returned into the
family from great Office in London. Charles
was to be the immediate partner and eventual
successor to the fiourishing business of his
benetactor, whose regard seemed fully justified
by the excellent conduct and remarkable tai
ents OF the orphan nephew. Agnes, who
secretly entertained an affection for Charles,
was destined by her father for young baronet
who had lately been much at the house.
But IN affairs of love, as in all others, says
Miss Milford, man is born to disappointment
'L'homme propose, et Dieu dispose is never
truer than in the great matters of matrimony,
So found poor Mr.. Molesworth wIo-Jessy
having arrived at the age of eighteen, and
Charles at that of two and twenty, offered his
pretty daughter and the lucrative partnership
to his penniless relation, and was petrified with
astonishment and indignation, to find the con-
nee,ion very respectfully and firmly declined.
The young man was very much distressed and
agitated: he had the highest respect for Miss
Jessy, but could not marry her-he loved an
other! And then he poured forth confidence
as unexpected as it was undesired by his in
censed patron, who left him in undimnished
wrath and increased perplexity.
This interview had taken place immediate
ly after breakfast; and when the conference
was ended, the provoked father sought his
daughte who happily unconscious ofall that
had occurred, were amusing themselves in their
splendid conservatory-a scene always be-
coming as it is agreeable TO youth and beauty.
Jessy was flirting about like butterfly among
the fragrant orange trees and brig hit geraniups.
Agnes was standing under superb fuschido
that hung over large marble basin-her form
and attitude, her white dress, and the classical
arrangement of her dark hair, giving her the
look of some nymph or maid, a rare relic of
Grecian art. Jessy was prattliDg gaily as she
wandered about, of q concert she had attended
the evening before.
81 hate concerts" said the pretty little Hirt !:
Ito sit bolt upright on a bench for four hours,
between the same two people, without the
possibility of moving, or speaking to anybody,
or anybody's getting to us! Oh! how tire
some it i"
81 saw Sir Edmund, trying to slide through
the crowd TO reach you,' said Agnes, little
archly; "his presence would, perhaps, have
mitigate the evil. But the barricade was too
complete; he was forced TO retreat, without ac-
complishing his object'
"Yes, assure you, he thought il very fire.
some; he told me so when we were coming out.
And then the music ~ pursued Jessy, "the
noise that they called so; Sir Edmund says
that he likes no music except my guitar, or a
flute on the water; and | like none except our
playing on the organ and singing Handel on a
SUNDAY evening, or Charles Woodford's read
ing Milton, and bits of Hamlet"
"Do you call thatsfnRsc % asked Agnes,
laughing. "And yek, continued she, ''it is
most truly so, with his fieh Pasta-like voice,
and his fine sense of sound; ap,tsfoSyou, who
do not greatly love it for. lis sakssHi is doubt
less a pleasure much resembling m kind that
of the most thrilling of melodies on the noblest
instruments. | myself have such gratificG-
ton in hearing that voice recite the verses of
Homer or Sophocles in the original Greek
Charles Woodferd's reading is music"
alt is music which neither Of you are likely
to hear again." interrupted MIR. Molesworth,
advancing suddenly towards them; "for he
has been ungrateful, and / have discharged
him.
Agnes stood as if petrifed. "Ungrateful.
oh, father!'
"You can't have discharged him, to be sure,
papa said Jessy, always good-natured; ;"poor
Charles! what can he have done."
Refused your hand, my child" said the
angry parent; "refused to be my partner and
son in law, and fallen in love with another
lady! What have you TO say TO him now 2"
"Whv, really, papa,'' replied Jessy, +" I'm
much more obliged TO him for refusing my
hand, than to you for offering il. like Charles
we'll for cousin, but should not like such a
husband at all; SO if this refu.ol be the worst
that has happened, there's no great harm
DONE" "And off the gipsey ran, declaring
that she must put on her habit, for she had
promised to ride with Sir Edmund and his
sister, and expected them every minute.
The father and the favorite daughter remain
ed in the conservatory.
"'fhe heart is untouched, however," said
Mr.. MoIesworth, looking after her with a
smile.
'-Untouched by Charles Woodford, undoubt-
edly," replied Agnes, "but has be really refused
my sister?'
"Undoubtedly."
sand does he love another?"
ale says he does, and believe him."
SIS he loved again?"
"rhat he did not say"
"Dd he tell the name of the lady ~
ayes"
sis she worthy of him 2"
"Most worthy"
"Has he any hope of gaining her affections
Oh! he musti What woman could refuse
him 2"
ale ia determined 10 try. The lady whom
he loves is above him in every why, and as
much as he has coun,eracted my wishes, il is
an honorable part of Charles Woodtord's con-
duct, that he intends to leave his affection
unsuspected by its object"
Here ensued short pause in the dialogue,
during which Agnes appeared trying TO occu-
py herself with collecting the blossoms of q
cape jessamine, and watering favorite gera-
mum; but il would not do; the subject was
near her heart, and she could not force her
mind TO indifferent occupations. She returned
TO her father who had been anxiousIy watch