The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-08-22

Ny eyes had followed the direction Of
hers, and on seeing NJ. de Kerguereon, ]
could not help saying, like her, ''Oh, yes
he is handsome"
lie was fine young man, of q light
and easy carriage and taR, manly figure.
He wore his elegant uniform with an ease
and grace full of distinction His long
black hair gave striking charm to his
masculine, expressive, and somewhat sun
burnt countenance. He wore neither beard
nor moustache, but his lips of deep red
set off to the best advantage the dazzling
whiteness of his teeth.
His large grey eyes, rather full, were
shaded by long and thick lashes which
yelled their brightness, and when theil
glance met mine sensation | cannot de.
scribe thrilled through me.
." I shall love him! OH feel by the
beating of my heart that l love him al
ready" said my cousin, leaning toward me
"Silly grill" said /, "pray lay aside
your romantic notions and wait at least
till he has spoken to you and till you know
more of him ere you decide; and besides, y
added 1 again, elf he should prefer ME to
you?"
Denise knew she was beautiful, there
fore she innocently answered,
.:It is impossible!"
The prelude of quadrille was now
heard. M. de Kerguereon advanced to-
ward us. l was very pale! Denise trem-
bled. My aunt, who sat behind us, sud-
denly leant forward, and said to us,
"The one he first invites will have his
preference!"
/ Denise trembled very much, and felt
ready to die. was afraid for my cousins
sake that he might ask me first.
NJ. de Kerguereon was now only few
steps from us; he appeared calm, and yet
his eyes were ardently fixed on us and
turned from one to the other. He was
hesitating perhaps! At last he came,kand
addressing Denise, ssa aaa go
| "Miss,' said he, with gentle, thrilling
voice, "will you grant me the honor OF
dancing the first quadrlle with me?" 20
| " Yes, sir, answered she, making a
great effort to overcome her emotion.
| "Miss," said NJ de Kerguereon, again
bending toward me, "may have the hap
piness of dancing the first waltz with you?n
Yes, Sir, replied /, in my turn, in a
| voice scarcely audible, feeling that the
young officers eyes were fixed on me- q
He offered his hand to Denise and she
went with him, radiant and proud of her
triumph
My aunt's face was beaming, she was
So happy at the preference accorded to her
daughter, and 1 began to breathe when
the officer of dragons came to request
the honor of dancing with me, aud con-
Quoted me opposite to M. de Kerguereon
and my cousin whose vis-a-vis we were
| When, after the quadrille, Denise and
l found ourselves again seated side by side,
she recountcd to me her impressions and
l was alarmed to find what pitch of ex-
citement she had reached @
Mary she said, @I love him; oh!
that is no longer doubtful; and / can as
sure you that if be should not love me it
would be my DEATH"
| Her words bore such an accent of truth
that | trembled for her,
Some minutes passed before the prelude
of the waltz was again heard l was
calmer, but curious to see and hear the
officer who was likely to have so great an
influence over my cousins future fate.
When he took my hand, l thought I
felt his .tremble, and I could no longer
doubt. when borne along in the whirl of
the waltz, l felt the pressure of his strong
arm around my waist. His heart beat
violently, and his breathing was short and
uneven. At times, by movement of ir-
resistible power, he seemed eager to press
me against his breast; at others, .son the
contrary, he gently held me off, and we
waltzed away, and had not yet exchanged
a single word. sg.s +
/ was not like my cousin, having no
faith in sudden passions, inspired all at
once at first sight by the exchange of a
look, or the contact of one hand with an
other.
And nevertheless must avow it?-
/ felt happy! Yes, indeed, very happy!
r l was under the influence of vague
sensation till then utterly unknown. New
er had the pleasures of the waltz caused
me any such intoxication; but, too weak
to support such emotions any longer, I
said to NJ. de Kerguereon, .e,
"Pray, sir let us rest a moment"
He took my hand, and laying it on his
arm,
care you unwell, Miss?n inquired he
with a trembling voice. d ta3
"Oh! it is nothing, sir; only the heat. =
He hastily took me near an open win
dow looking into the garden. ,;.zi
sit is rather stormy resumed he after
moments silence; .perhaps, that is the
cause of your indispesition, Miss
Probably, sir,n | answered; "but / am
better now,Y and in saying this / inyolun-
tarily raised my nosegay to my lips; one
of the flowers broke off, and after rolling
down my dress fell at NJ. de Kerguereon's
feet; he stopped and picked it up.sas =
Allow me-, Miss" said he, ito keep
xbse Aoxr,oy