The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1854-06-03

'ioiteu PIayHouSe, uepartCu from tnelr uSu-
al co,irse of life to pay court and to pay dol
lars to the histronic and intellectual prodigy.
The town was theatre mad, and the Ban-
chards partook of the enthusiasm before they
had seen the cause of it. Henry had been
absent an evening, and when he next report
cd himself, he was full Of the stage. Scene
after scene of the preceding nights perform
ancc he described and criticised-no com.
mcnded. He spoke in rapturcs, and Flora
was half jealous. The result af that evening s
discussion was resolution, passed unan-
mously, that Wentworth should, OH the next
day, secure seats for the four-the expense of
which Mr.. Blanchard insisted upon bearing,
with true mercantile independence.
: Tomorrow brought the hustle of prepara-
ton. The forenoon was spent in vigorous
+ shopping, and in hurried directions to MILL
hers and mantua makers. 1t was very short
notice, and all the millincrs visited, were re-
quircd to tell all they knew about the dresses
which Mrs Brown and Miss Black, Mrs.
Green and Miss White, leaders of the ton,
had worn at their several first appearances
for the season. This may appear strange to
the uninitiated, but let them look at a "fash-
ionablc house," and then judge whether the
actresses, or the ladies in the dress circle have
spent most time at the toilet. People cannot
see without being seen. The labors of the
day were not accomplished by the two ladies
| lnllpatn hfa al fro ,-,cif In
Madame Blanks, who furnished th,m with
her best rcstorativcs, as they were more than
ordinarily in need.
To every day ofprcparation there is an end
Flora and her mother at length came down to
the drawing room, where Mr.. Blanchard and
his young friend awaited them. At little
distance Mrs. Blanchard looked a magnificent
young woman, buta nearer approach showed
the experienced observer the tell tale traces in
her countenancc of long continued delicate
health The daughter looked fairy, elegance
and taste setting off surprising personal beau
ty. Her eyes too sparklcd-all expectation
doubtless-for it were ungallant to hint that
the briliance was the effect of preparation
against an evenings exposure. But she aras
beautiful. We might undertake to describe
her-if we had never seen her in curl papers.
Henry never had-and he started and gazcd as
if goddess had suddenly descended, when
Flora gave intimation of their presence by say
ing,-'.Comc gentlemen, you are unusually
busy in talk tonight, and ladies waiting for
YOU"
"Ycs, my boy" said Mr.. Blanchard, taking
Henry hand aflcctionatcly as they rose from
their chairs, nothing could give me greater
pleasure than your posal-except its con-
summation. Another of the three can also
answer for, and know you will find no diff
liculty with the third. Come, ladies', now we
wait"
How Flora's heart beat! What could all
that mean? The rafting of the coach over the
pavement barred all conversation, and the
party were soon set down at the door of the
theatre. The play was the unchback-then
a novelty, and possessing the additional charm
of having its heroine personatcd by her for
whom the author in part wrote it-Fanny
Kemble. Declining to wait for the farce, the
party rode home at the end of the first piece.
Henry ofcourse stayed to supper. Flora could
not avoid being struck with the great famil-
arity with which her father addressed him. A
stickler for old fashioned conventional forms,
he had never before descended from Mr.. Went
worth, in speaking to him. Now it was "Har-
ry, Henry "my boy" and tiny son."
accompanied with an occasional slap on the
back-very indecorous in such an old gentle
man.-Flora knew that her father had COM
planned of cramped knees, and small touches
of rheumatic pains between every act of the
play-and she knew also that his remedy had
been "walk in the lobby" each time. This
, afforded her some clue, and her maiden sagaci
, ty coupled the end of the conversation she had
overheard before they left the house, with her
fathers conduct afterwards. This was enough.
Her heaet beat more violently than ever; but
as every young lady would she felt some
maidenly reserve, and showed it. Henry
thought she never looked so beautiful, and his
heart beat too; but if Mr.. Blanchard had been
any other young woman's father, he would
have pronounced him disgusting old brute.
The mother and daughter retired to throw
off their hoods and cloaks. Flora returned
first, and seating herself pcnsively on the side
of the CRATE opposite her father, applied her
handkerchief to her face. "IIave you the
tooth-ache, Miss Blanchard 2" inquired Mr..
Wentworth. Flora blushed, but before she
could find time to reply, the old gentleman
answered, Lord, no Harry-you never must
ask what ais the womcn-they have such
delicate health" - Here Mr.. Blanchard gave
MIR. Wentworth most uncomfortable thrust
in the side, and smiled most ridiculously-
which smile was intended to look very in
telligent. Flora now blushed vermillion, and
Henry rejoiced that such sensitive girl would
not always be exposed to continual mortifica-
ton from her sot of a father.
81 shall take mine here" said Mrs. Blan-
chard, who now entered, and seated herselfin
low chair, III a way very decidedly ncgli-
onpt with hor foot on fbo G. nJ,, o,,J .I.,,