The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1854-11-03

word, that, receiving lately valuable collec-
ton of paintings and mezzotints from Rome
would feel highly honored by my calling on Il,
him, to inspect them. This invitation I
eagerly accepted, and was received, not by
Monsieur CIERMosr, but by his beautiful
daughter CEoiLY. saw that lovely girl
forthe first time in my life, and for the first
time, also, experienced the power of beauty.
A new world opened to my eyes-I forgot
totally my prescribed role, and fell deeply,
irrevocably in love with her; that feeling
alone occupying my heart--the whole facul-
ty OF my mind concentrating in that one
idea. Ceciy perceived her triumph and ap-
peared to listen with pleasure to the uncon-
nected expressions and. confession of nv
love, that stammeringly escaped my lips.L
Ihis occurrence sealed my destiny for ever
the felicity | felt in her society, forced me
onward, and made me blind to all conse-
quences. For months 1 visited, and spoke
with Cecily every day, and enjoyed an in.
describabie happiness, that was only disturb
ed by remorseful feelings and self-accusation
during my lonely hours--which were only
extinquisbed by the necessity of my calling
occasionally upon my employers for money,
Jewelry, and other requisites. ,.....-...
Finally, the father of my Cecily gave at
his country seat family party in my hon
or and selzing such glorious opportunity,
forgetting all but my love for his daughter.
throwed myself at Ceciys feet, suitor for
her heart and hand. She listened to me
with modest dignity, while tear of iov
trembled in her brilliant dark eve, shading
Its lustre, and proving to me beyond doubt,
that her heart was not ruled by pride alone
and that | was beloved by her-as she alone
could love. True, / was a cheat, but heaven
is my witness, that in deceiving my charming
Cecily suffered the greatest pangs of con-
science. In her society, thought only of
her, but in the quiet hours and solitude of
night, disappeared all that sophistry and
passion, opening a terrible future before my
enchanted gaze. Again, when thought of
Cecily and the miserable lot that fell to her.
picturing to myself her delicate taper-fineers
preparing our coarse meals, and securing a
wretched dirty hut, I trembled with horror,
and sprang in. cold sweat from my bed; but
vanity and selflove came to my aid. and I
imagined that loving me really, she might
still be happy. I vowed, therefore, to dedi-
cate all my energies in the endeavor to strew
her path through life with flowers. Cecily,s
father put unlimited confidence in me, and
oeheVed every word about my estates in the
Dauphince, distant province in France.
particularly as insisted that the dowry of
his daughter should be placed under her sole
control. was free, therefore, from the re-
proach of having robbed her. We were
married, and unmanly as it may seem, /
could not help weeping at that solemn occa-
sion, the last sign of my departing virtue;
the crowd ascribing my emotion to strong
sensibility. 49,. .. .....
About fortnight after our marriage we
left for Montelmar, according to agreement
between me and my employers, in whose
unconditional power was. My poor wife
believing us all the time Fastening towards
the estates and castles of my ancestors, some
OF the engravers and painters accompanying
us in the guise of foot-men, post-boys, grooms
and couriers of our splendid equipage. The
moment Of inevitable discovery came at last,
50 anxiousiy feared by me- and proved 10 De
far more formidable than ever imagined.
Arrived in my native place, my companions
ordered our grand carriage to be driven be-
fore the entrance Of the miserable hut where
in my poor but respected father resided, he
setting before the door, occupied in repairing
sundry old bellows. Now came that terri
bic discovery: the carriage stopped, and
helping out my poor, deluded, surprised Gee.
lily, all my employers Immediately formed 3,
circle round us, took off their disguises, and
the man she had refused to marry, now act-l
ing as spokesman Of the party, addressed
her in the following strain Madam, you
certainly were rightin saying that your birth
and education entitled you 10 higher views