New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1853-04-21

I
brilliancy Of Claras manners Mildred would
scarcely be noticed in her presence"
A conceited smile was seen on Mrs Sedley's
face as she advanced = ntst visitor who had
Just entered.
Mildred Lennox was unhappy in her new
home, and as the gay season came on the occur
rences of each day served TO give her clearer |
insight into the characters Of those around her.
and she became more and more unhappy. She
was disappointed in her sister, though expecting
her to differ from herself in many ways, she was
to find her affectionate little play
mate Of whom she had such distinct recollec-
tion transformed into a vain and fashionable
belle-a character for which Mildred had been
taught to have no respect. Then her aunt
seemed dissatisfied with all she did and said, and
in order to please her, Mildred tried to interest
herself in their plans and amusements, though
accustomed to the quiet Of country life she
could take no pleasure in fritteriDg away her
mornings in idle conversation and endless shop
scenes Of gayety. To some Of her customs. how
ever, she would not conform, as in order to do so
she would be obliged to act in direct opposition
to many Of the precepts laid down for her
guidance. Displeased at this, and failing to ef-
feet change ip Mildred's manners, Mrs Sed,ey
made many remarks to her friends tending to
the disadvantage Of her niece, which were re-
peated to others, and at length it was generally
acknowledged that Mildred Lennox was dull,
unamiable and unattractive. The one, however,
whose society she found most congenial, was her
| cousin Edward.
When left, as was frequently the case, with
nothing to amuse her except books and her own
thoughts, he would seek her presence and for
getting many of her troubles in agreeable con-
versation with him, she gradually became more
reconciled to her change of residence. One fine
morning Mr. Sedley, in looking over one of the
newspapers of the day discovered among the lis
of arrivals the name Of his friend Lambert Har
land, q man of wealth and high attainments
That evening, after informing his wife of hi
friends arrival, Mr.. Sedley observed, " invites
him to dine with US tomorrow
"My DEAR" he continued, turning to Clara
/" if there is a favored one among your list o
admirers, dispel all his rising hopes at once
and prepare to renew your engagements with
your old friend, Mr.. Harland.''
"I really cannot understand what you are
talking about, uncle" replied Clara.
~" Have you forgotten Mr. Harland! 1t il
recollect he one day laughingly asked you i
you would be his little wife. did not attent
to your reply, but think your must have con
sented for know Mr.. Harland seemed pleased
and said that perhaps at some future time hi
might claim you according to your promise
He was then a young man of about twenty six.
"Nonsensep' exclaimed Clara, paying bu
little heed to her uncle's remarks--her thought
no doubt dwelling on some of the numerou
compliments administered to her vanity at
party the previous evening.
"You may call it nonsense" said Mr. Sed
ley, "but to speak seriously, Clara, if NJ
Harland admired you when q child, he cam
fail to admire you now, and know of no Of
q for whom l have higher esteem"
"Thank you, uncle, have no fancy for Il
. society of person twice my age"
. "That is not very fattering to me, Clar
, Why, am ten years older than Harland, ar
if should be left widower," observed NJ
Sedley, glancing silly at his wife, 81 would'r
. | ,
"Provided you could get one,' returne
Clara.
"No trouble about that; of course, shoul
not propose to a silly girl like you, and sensi
BILE one would prefer me to an empty Drained
fashionable dandy"
"My DEAR said Mrs. Sedley to her nice,
sc it is time for us to dress, if we are going o,
to- night"
Clara thought no more of her uncles remarl
until the following day, while dressing for di1
| ner, ring at the door recalled them to HI
mind
f 1t is too late for morning visitors, and th
must be Mr.. Harland, she mentally said 81
! wondered if he would remember her. 1t W,
strange that she had not better recollectio
of him, and falling into a train of reflection
| she stood for some time with her eyes fixed upo
one of the various trinkets which adorned ht
dressing table. light sfootstep at lengt
late-long past the dinner hour. Their visitt
had arrived, and her uncle and cousin wei
also below Clara said she must hurry,
would be SO embarrassing, she thought, to fin
r them in the dining room.
Mr.. Harland was justly called an elegant al
we'll bred man. Life had passed smoothly vii
him, and, although in his thirty seventh yea
n no one would have taken him for more tht
thirty. Possessing handsome and striking e
e terror, graceful carriage, and having remark
+ BILE powers of conversation, combined with a p
culiar fascination of manners, he seldom fail
p to win the esteem and admiration of all wi
# whom he became acquainted. His create
fault was selfshness, of which he possessed {
i unusual share, though rarely discernible
q others. When he was presented to the 81
ters, his eye rested for a moment upon Mildre
and then he directed his attention to Clar
n He alluded to several circumstances connect'
;. with his former visit, and said that he shou
n have recognized her any where, although he d
B. not hatter himself with the thought that he sti
9 retained place in her memory. For the fir
= time in her life, Clara appeared i'll at ease, al
r was at loss for reply; but the announceme
of dinner fortunately prevented her inappr
r pirate remarks from being observed. By Il
# time, however, they were assembled at Il
u table, she had recovered herself, and appear
>, with her accustomed ease and sprightliness
|, manner
a. la,,1H ap1a Arlt,o