Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-09-17

ient-very happy to see you-fear you
haven't been as comfortable as you should. !"
What's that you are talking of--going
away p interrupted Mr. Banks. "Sha'n't
do any such thing Not convenient ! Saw
a room fit for a prince close to mine not a
soul in it.
"Sleep there tonight. Walk till morn
ing-won' t wake any one. GoawaY moth
ing but tHaide. Hatc@to &c outsdone, hey?
Empty pockets ache near full ones"
Here he put his hands in his pockets,
and jingling some gold and silver, began
one of his interminable laughs.
Miss Phills saw that it was necessary,
to redeem her reputation in the eyes of Mr..
Banks, to treat his brother with more civ
ility. She condescended to make some
apology for the mistake of the preceding
night, and promised to prepare the apart
ment which Mr.. Banks desired for him, if
he would remain.
Thus authorized, Mr.. Manners became
quite eloquent. and Lelias eyes pleaded
more eloquently than all their words. Mr..
Clements could not resist their mute appeal,
and declared his willingness to remain.
Cheerfulness was restored, and even Miss
Phillis appeared amiable; for the convic-
tion that she had acted right, though forced
into the path Of duty, gave a sweetened
expression to her face, which elected the
evident admiration of Mr. Banks, and ad-
ded, in consequence, to her own self Ella
ton.
A week passed away, during which time
the two uncles and their sons became COM
petely domesticated in the family of Mr.
Manners. Mr. Banks continued to assume
the most amusing airs of superior grandeur,
sported most magnificent wardrobe, fir
ted with Aunt Phillis, and pinched and
kissed her nieces-while Mr. Clements,
mild, digni6ed and intellectual, wore the
same thread bare coat, and the same
old nap-worn hat. Aunt Phillis, before
whose eyes visions of welded pomp and
splendour, bright as if called up by the
wand of the genii, were constantly floating,
scarcely noticed his presence, as according
to her Interpretation, he seemed too con-
scious of his own insignifcance to force
himself upon the observation of any one.
Cousin Joe was still reserved, but as Elmi-
ra, according to her aunt's instructions,
paid him the most marked attention, he
attached himself more and more 20 bes So
= cgcty, aIsu IL seemed more than proDaDl
}, that double wedding might take place.
8. Leila, who, in her pure singleness of heart
4 though htnot of conquests or weddings, te
delight in the companionship OF he
as cousin Charles, that, succeeding the death
in all congenial feelings, had the power I
er enchantment. The books which she ba
ad read alone, and which had enthralled h
e. with the master-spell of geniu S, acquired
lie, double fascination, since they had discou
an sed of their excellencies. He had fine
modulated voice, and when he read alou
bis she discovered that the dullest author hi
Mt, charms unknown before. Leila was ve
Sc fond of drawing, and she now took unwo
his ted pleasure in the ex ercise of this acco
plishment, for Charles had the painte
leir eye, as well as the poets tongue. And,
Hid their hours of closer intimacy, when wit
no drawn from the busting circle too mu
fee occupied with their own interests to int
we'd fere with them, they sat near Mr.. Clemen
ght side, who led them on to themes of high a
bill holy import, and thought and feeling ca
IS a up from the innermost depths of the so
ded and frightened or darkened in the spei
the ing eye-it was then that Leila Learn
we'd, that, while music, painting, and poe
rson gave grace and beauty to his mind, +
S vein Of philosophy, and still richer v
lew, of religion, ran like golden ore though
lent whole texture of her cousins charact
he She had never been SO happy in her !
wing Though it was winter, and the tress W
her leafess, and the ground bleak and bs
len. she seemed surrounded with the verd
able of the aroma of perpetual summer.
N 1t above her was sunshine, all beneath
SIZED fowers-fcr the affections of her ard
anne heart, which, since her Aunt Lydia's de
had been yearning for some legitimate
tall ject, on which to exercise their tendern
'hil- had found one worthy of all their siren
and and on which they expanded with unc
es to scious warmth. But this is working
the world, and life has realities which o1
I'd force us from the lovely localities, wi
ming hang their beautiful drapery over the
C dc chinery of our existence. Leila had
lrlet, serious source of anxiety in the mids
occa- her new felicity-her uncle's coat
lie could not bear to see his diguifed fs
n in clouded by such rusty garment She
style, at first troubled that Charles should b
a un- much better dressed than his father,
u the ing that a tinge of selfshness tarnished
% i'll lustre of his virtues; but her uncle
rdin- removed this fear, by accidentally ment
ing that the wardrobe of Charles wa
said plenshed by friend, to whom he
room willing to be under obligations, trus
that he would be able to repay them
warm the exercise Of his own talents, whe
leets ; was once established in the world.
How Aunt Phillis was in high state of pr,
Sleep alton for large entertainment in ho
of Mr.. Banks aud his son. Leila was
Mr.. tressed at the thought of her Uncle
reath- ments appearing at it in his shabby
< du- She would have begged her father to
isturb sent him q new one, but rememberin
scene about the bed-chamber, she dr'
:" and similar refusal.
p /" "What a shame!' thought she,
u, my Uncle Banks should be revelliDg in
n his ence, and suffer his brother to weal
part of poor apparel p l should think pr
be un- no better feeling, would incite hin
iguous more just and generous conduct"
enient An unexpected circumstance fav
I must her secret wishes Her father had ]
ed Elmira and herself set of jewels,