The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-05-17
For the National Era.
MIRTH AND MEL ANCH0lY.
BY MARY IRVING.
CHAPTER III.
V1e.eil IS disprored the intdllibaity Of first
Impressions
BY MARY IRVING.


U1e5e;a IS disprored tie intaUibi1Hy Of first
impressions.
Nv bear,--ihey loose my heart-those simple words;
n, iarkne,s passes, which nought else could touch;
l. .- some dark snake, that force may not expel
Wi,r, eiideln out 10 music sweet and low ="
Bropcnitg.
Kitty had Gained her risibles sufficiently to
give Mr.. Grey a civil reception, when he again
made his appearance. Seing him without the
disadvantage of contrast with an expected ideal
hero. she was prepared to do him justice in
some degree; owning to herself that his fore
head bore Natures stamp of nobility, and that
his melancholy voice was singularly rich in its
tone
81 heard music rs was coming in" he said,
after time. 81 have boys fondness for it,
and the tone of that piano has set me longing.
DO you play, Mrs. Hope?"
Il? Oh no, you know it is not the profes-
sion Of married ladies'" pleasantly remarked
Mrs. Hope. "Kitty plays. Kitty, DEAR" she
added, with perfect simplicity, as though speak
ing to a little girl in short frocks, +" give Mr..
GREY song or an air, if he would like it"
II should be most happy began Mr.. Grey,
f5r the first time turning his eyes full On the
Younger lady. There was depth in those eyes
far preaching vista of gloom and mystery-a
glimpse Of which had the magnetic effect of So
bering our hayward little heroine at once. She
went unhesitstingly to her piano, and turned
over pile OF music books.
He pretended to be fond of music !" she
mutiered to herself, as she commenced rafting
polka. 1t is the cant of them all |"
Kitty, as We have limited, had passion for
music, which had been cultivated until she was
really spirited and skillful performer. Her
CAV spirits seemed to find fullest vent in the
lively music Of which her brothers were espe-
cially fond. But her own preference led her to
melodies Of very different style. Was it some
undercurrent Of sadness, hidden from even her
own consciousness, yet mingling in the joyous
flow of her young soul, that gushed up so trem-
uously, heart-touchingly, in the old ballads she
loved best to sing by herself, alone in the dark
ened parlor, or in the spiritual strains that
seemed to float above her softly-moving fingers,
under the holy light Of the frstwaking stars
Yet Kitty was never sad-nevor moody. III
she had transient fat of annoyance, it passed
OF as the morning cloud, leaving her heart fresh
er and gayer than ever. But she loved plain
i've music
Mr. Grey listened civilly at first, with head
resting on his outspread hand. But soon, be-
rng addressed by Mrs. Hope whose apprecia-
Ton OF music prompted no enthusiastic silence,
be recommended his conversation with her.
nifty, who thought he had ceased to take notice
OF her playing, and in her heart despised his
complimentary hypocrisy, went on amusing her
Sell with ore variation after another, making a
melanSe OF her own. At length, her fingers
dropped into that dreamy, soul-appealing air of
Postal 1t was as simple as child's music
lesson; and she played on instinctively, without
thought of her audience.
Hamilton Grey, who was in the midst of a
grave description of his late voyage from Eu-
rope, started at the first note-imperceptibly to
Mrs. Hope, whose eyes had, for the moment,
dropped TO a purse which she was netting--and
stopped talking. She thought the young man
confused, and, kindly wishing to help him, said,
les II must have been terrible storm Did
you suffer from sea sickuess?"
oh, that is-excuse me, madam The
captain came into the PRISON. would say
The cabin; and the waves shone down upon
Us -
Has the man taken leave of his senses p
thought Laura Hope, looking up in utter aston
The gentleman's face was turned towards the
PIANO, but his eyes were fixed neither on the
instrument nor on the performer. There was
az intensity of expression almost frightful, in
,,eE augulShed gaze. I" A tablet of unuttera-
"eAought5 was traced on that strange face for
q moment; then glad radiance overspread it,
'Igollng the gaunt features with light magic
%'y transforming. He had evidently forgotten
|e presence of the two sisters-the very scene
Dt'oTe him; and Mrs. Hope kindly forbore to
.e'aiI him. =" He is an anomaly" was her
~ought. Music mad, / supposed"
is TIE last note died away. he started again,
aIu turning TO Mrs. Hope q face lowered to its
urinary expression, recommended his story
N"eFe he had left it two minutes ago. He
SEEMED unconscious of the. absurdities he had
terPe'rated; and his hostess would have been
Inc !aSt to have reminded him of them.
Nifty came forward, in the very least degree
Il41ed that he had not been civil enough to
1lanH her for her trouble, and took seat by
Aer sister, to listen to the story.
some inner fountain had been touched by
Ia strain of the Austrian prisoner for
a-4ltoh Grey seemed to have received bap-
-1l OIL fresh life and eloquence, as he launched
mo most enthusiastic description of a "storm
sea. lie had given the former part of his
55aTratiye slowly, and without animation. Now,
- Fps played as though an enchanter's wand
-Al been laid upon them, pouring out success.
rOa Oh rich ord-pictures and sparkling COM
PARSONS, until Kitty found herself, at the close,
e-+ng breathlessly into that uncouth face, with.
-. lot the moment-s thought beyond admi-
-i ~ and delight in the story.
tie lie arose, and made his parting bow; but
sined suddenly.
a.. I'sS Clayborne, l ought to have acknowl.
~ seI Inc treat you have given me. Pardon
f;,aoI' II always seems to me as though some
IsS We're sent straight from Heaven to my
T1@.1 and needed no thanks returned below.
n,' an very torgetful of word-forms; but thank
a., And bowling again, he departed
e oeiieye that was sincere!" said Kitty, as
In. am sure it was began Mrs. Hope. Her
men fs opened to tell the story of his entrance.
H. out she bit them, with the reflection that
arnS 3 ISeidom-slumbering mirth should not be
K; hamilton Grey called again and again; and
Of r3u zane to play for him quite as matter
bsa..ulSe, glad to give real pleasure. The kind
rs.IIDe gir, spite of all her satirical vagaries
bsany lett Tor one whose youth seemed to have
er - prematurely Swallowed. Still, she new
did ben' TO penetrate his veil of reserve, mol
lbsn ne seem to look upon her as anything more
CON-. q medium for spirits of sweet sound to
Communicate with him.
Msnoe gradually left her more gay and stirring
rra;' and fell back into her own favorite
A''n OF soft, sweet music.