Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-02-14

anu the huge army o. the hearts desires"
Shokspedre.
Eugene Mans6eld's knowledge of the
deyions ways of a wolnans heart, was
more the result Of keen observation, than
OF any practical initiation into its subtle |
mysteries. When conscious that his course
OF exclusive devotion had failed to elicit
any evidence Of Irene's love--that not even
VIZ cf heIrgg2l,aQ heEaRerss could bis
k-ss4sg Aatioh gsasb TO kaSg a hope upon, he I
resolved TO adopt the advice of one we'll
skilled in all manner of successful wooing,
viz, to-
"Do proper homage to thine idols eyes,
But not too humbly. or she will despise
Thee and thy suit"
Having accidently made the acouain-
-tance of Amelia Hanson, whose remark at
the theatre had interested him so suddenly,
aud knowing she was afianced 10 an old
friend OF his, he determined to enlist her as
an active tactician in the development of
his designs. He con6ded to her his love
for Irene; his surmises; nay, hopes of its
being reciprocal, though so coldly rejected,
and all his various measures for the attain
ment Of his object, which were to win from
her at every hazard confession of her
love, even though she was forever resigned
for another. Amelia's intimacy with her
would greatly aid him in testing the boun-
dairy line of his experiment, and it was
agreed he should play the devoted lover to
Amelia publicly, and she to give him cvc-
ry mark of encouragement that propriety
could suggest.
But, said she, | warn youof total
dscomGture-pcrhaps your Uoniiy may be
grati6ed by some evidence of preference,
for it is my belief, Irone's heart is not in
different to you yet, so great is her 6rm-
ness Of purpose, that | verify think she
would yield herself martyr, ere she would
be the first to break her Uow to Earnest
Malcolm
Well, time developes all plots to a sue
cessful or defeated issue, let me but have the
slightest assurance that there beats in the
cold, panoplized heart of Irene Carlton the
faintest emotion of love foH Eugene Mans
field, and then let fate do her utmost in
sealing her union with Earnest Malcoim.'
With what gaping astonishmcnt did the
fashionable world and the numerous qui
UiOe listen to the strange notes of Rumor's
ineonstant voice. L mas passing stranges
but no less true, that the fastidious Mr..
Mansfield should have deserted the far
famed shrine of the titled heiress, to be-
come q worshipper at that of the gay,
laughter loving Amelia Hanson. All +!
said the disinierested, 'there was too much
metallic alloy in his love to abide the pro-
cess Of constant association with one so
naughty and inaccessible
And, replied the beautiful, what a
shocking outre taste to select one so very
plain, after veering to every point Of beau
ty's compass
But, little did the lip of Irene betray
what her burning heart too truly felt; and
the temptation to murmur against her fate
was far greater, when that heart was ava
kened to the misery of her own unrequited
slighted love, than when assured of being
the adored object Of Eugcne's devotion.
And when she dwelt with painful intcn
sity of thought upon those earnest word
spoken by him in their last tete-a-tete, he
inAexibility seemed more like species o
unnatural, unfeminine cruelty, THANH did o
that mild, healing sympathy, which shoult
ever be the guiding feeling in the breast 0
woman. She felt that circumstances hat
indeed moulded her most lamentably uulik
the rest Of her scx-that she was destinet
through life to war with two Of the mos
powerful and uncompromisng combatants
Nove and Pride, beneath whose oppresslv
sseets the heart often sinks to ruin. a
.ea,Sgh conscience approved of her inflex
DlhCy, yet she gradually began to be shake
~ nN &ith, regarding her strict adherenc
. 70 'he 'aNctity of her fatal VOW, and to fc'
now Oi.ts' thing it was to look at hal
PlneSs shsoOgh another's eye
l wOhoc' what is the reason Mr.. Man
hela nas 80 entirely withdrawn from OF
society! See how he is dasbinr throug
the streets with Amelia in his cabriolet
said olla, gong to the window; the
have stopped at our door. I DECLARE
'scarcely deserves fricntlly welcome fro
us
have just dropped in to crafty n b
OF gnawing curiosity exclaimed imel
as she hurriedly entered the room w
know | am all in Autter about the hall :
morrow night, aud went to Madame d
pee's to decide upon matters in general :
specting my dress-when 10 as usual.
engagement with the ladies' at Irwin hon
was her plea for not accommodating me.
Madame said, she was making two m,
splendid dresses, entirely recherche, in viii
Mademoiselle Carlton would lock exouisi
ly dazzliug-but she refused to tell me
what style, as she is always particular ab,
divulcing the secrets of her high Gus
mers paraphernalia. Now, this insinr
tion acted so powerfully upon my bump
iuouisitiveuess, that accepted Mr. Ma
fields offer to drive me here to hav
grati6ed, and, as he will return for me
6alf an hour, must be expeditions in
consultation about the all-important q
ton
1T was who enjoined secrecsy '
Dupee,' replied Ola. l have pei
adherence Of all limitations, and you K
when any fashion becomes notorious
consequently vulgar. Irene yielded to
choice of rainbow satin, which W
have been entirely too snowy for one OF
sober unobtrusive taste, and as she apPe
so passiyely indifferent about the matt
took the reins Of decision