The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-06-22
CHAP. VII.
Mildred Wrar.

Mildred Wray was one of those singularly
beautiful women on whom it is impossible to
eaza without fascination In style and char
a,t,r cf feature, she bore a striking resem-
l4nee to Leonard. 1t was, indeed, sufficiently
marked 70 betrav at glance, their close re-
iaaJa-iiip: yet there was peculiarly about
r. shich III TIA details presented 80 many essen
;.ai points Of difference as 20 lead G. close OBJ
>er}cr 30 ascrbe them to distinct parental
ori,iD. In perscn, tall and of a commanding
presence, with figure cast in natures finest
mould, she moved a model of feminine grace
aad elegance, the perfect case and unrestraint
OF Der carriage contrasting singularly with the
a't'ctati"n Of the leading beauties of the Paris
ln saloons whose port was only too evidently
borrowed from art. Her complexion was of q
pale, clear olive, with the slightest tinge of
bloom in the cheek, which, however, deepened
under excitement, or fled entirely, leaving her
rountenancc palo as marble. She wore her
hliT after the simplest fashion. 1t was jet
black, fine as silk, aud hung in q profusion of
natural cur.s around her face and down her
beck. Her eyes were of the same hue, and in
teLso!y brilliant but having a pensive express
-on amounting almost to sadness, as if she
ecre the victim Of some settled, inward sorrow
When she smiled, it was sadly toe, and even
iii iti EAbtSb nDUlSnbS Lilc Same lnel1ncnOiY
appeared 70 nnderlie her mirth Nevertheless
Mildred Wray was admitted to be one of the
ross fascinating and lovely women whose pres
eaee had graced the Paris saloons for many a
Hnl season. Ii was therefore, no wonder she
attracted crowd of admirers, young and old,
wherever she went.
The elegant apartments of the Princess Ma
'nde cousin of Prince Louis Napoleon, were
I.ie! with a gay and lively throng of the fash
naahics OF the Republic. Music and dancing,
ards, chit chat, politics, literature, each had
IL yofar-s there, broken up into select circles,
and absorbing all their interest for the time
h.irg The principal celebrities of the day
had formed themselves into coterfe, and were
t'cFiy engaged in the discussion of the events
% the day, uudcterred by the presence Of the
Parsonage who at that moment was looking for
ward, with intense anxiety, to the consumma-
h"n Of the actual crisis, but who, nevertheless,
I'D not bet9ay in the slightest degree, the feel
-ng' and the thoughts then passing through his
mnd. Leonard, however, observed that in the
course Of the evening the Prince held frequent
ASIDE though brief conversations with bis cousin,
and That she appeared to be the medium Of
Communication between him and sundry of tho
quests, who, after comforting with her, would
move away 70 one or other of the circles into
which the company was divided, and become
ais rbed in their attention to the conversation
gong forward
Leonard formed part of group consistin g
q! politicians Of no particular shade Of opinion,
ave that Of the republcanisIn of the day. of
literary men, and few others who had 10
turn disposed CT the weather, the last inven-
tlons Of science the most recent discoveries. the
las, novel the affairs Of every Government in
the world. including that Of France, and, in
Tact praised, abused and laughed at and PHI
ioS1phized and commented upon all kinds of
ne's ms things, institutions, and countries, and
'heir hpbits, manners, and customs in the COSY,
ob-haHd, chatty manner so peculiarly charac-
''rstc Of the most polished, versatile, and
hiklH people under the sun. Now and then
Leonard had joined in the discussions, chiefly
'ocoTrect NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. on certain subjects
Affecting his own country and its institutions,
and Ct the reputation of which he, as a true
american citizen, felt somewhat jealous. Ii
pleased him to observe that his corrections
"ere received with respect, and his opinions
deferred to.
tie had Just been endeavoring to explain bis
views OF French republicanism, contrasting it
WIN that of the United States, and had evil
Gently succeeded in demonstrating to his inter
tScd listeners that the distinguishing features
luDt'cdHlsm VI hm6TiCS WtIo blu
Ee'ner distinct from the modern republicanism
u France, and that radically it was sounder,
ma impaired more freedom to the body of the
citizens.
At the close of his observations, he was sd-
Ne'Sed by an individual, who had taken a
iTomlnent part in the preceding conversation,
4na whose name and European reputation as
N author and statesman, impaired no in-
fashionable weight to his opinions He was
mort of stature, and somewhat corpulent; his
'@ad was large and compact and his counte-
nance was singularly expressive of fnesse He
wore spectacles, which he now and then shifted
- AZ to allow them to rest on his broad ana
olty forehead, by which act the cleaning VI
' sa"city of his small, gray, deep-ses eyes, was
allowed full play.
VIII you permit me, Monsieur" said he, a
'liiie OF malice playing about the corners OF