Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-08-20
GM0lGE LlTERATuRR.
>~-0o0-~~00o~-~0-0---O
HENRIETTA, OF ENG LAND.
CHAPTER /.
----" I'll not wed-I cannot love
I am tco young
Oh, sweet my mother
Delay this marriage for month"

DeliIy enlS AdIIldSo IoI d uoAtA.
THE mellow.pea OF the vesper bell, which
foated from. the tower Of. the .conven ut of
Chaillot, brolA the Sabbath, stiffness of
soft and balmy evening. Two ladies, whose
secular dress showed that they did not be-
long to the religious fraternity, rose at the
sound, though they still fingered at win
dow, whence could be deserted the wndings
of the Seine, from whose bosom we're fa-
ding the farewell glories of the dying day
The features of the elder lady, though she
was nearly fifty, retained Testiges of great
beauty; yet there were marks, such as are
traced by the stern finger of sorrow, rather
than time, visible on her high and some
what naughty brow. Her dress was a
mourning robe, and amid the sable folds
that mantled her breast, cleaned a cross
set with brilliants. The young creature by
her side, not yet seventeen, was dream
ofloveliness. Were we to sketch portraits
with large, melting eyes, their snowy lids
fringed by long, dropping lashes, profu-
sion of curls, soft and glossy as the plumes
Of some beautiful bird, shading'a brow and
neck of unsullied whiteness, and sometimes
straying with the breeze over check wear
ing the delicate but fresh bloom of the pale
rose-lips like buds Of the same flower wher
bathed in dew, full of sweetness and ex
preston, still there would be room for the
most luxuriant Imagination to fill up tht
picture. At this moment, shade o
thoughtful melancholy clothed her fea
lures.
"Why should I leave these peaceful
walls, my mother?' said she. There i
something whispers me that my fate vii
prove still more disastrous and unhapp,
than yours has been"
"And even if it should, can the grand
daughter of Henry ". desire to bury her
self in convent, when the brother of tn
greatest prince of his age sues for he
hand?"
eyes, the brother r' said she, emphat
cally Il shrink from the gloom and Sc
verify of his character" and burying he
face in her hands, perceptible shudde
passed over her frame.
"I pardon your childish feelings, Her
rietta," said her mother, "for as yet, i
knowledge of the world, as well as in years
you are nothing more than child. Whe1
as the wife of Phillip of France, you hay
for few months shone the first and mos
attractive ornament of the most magnii
cent court in Europe, they will give plat
to higher and far different aspiration"
"Why, if | am only, as you say, chill
should this hateful marriage be hastened
S "Because the Princeis too ardent low
to brook delay, and because it will ul'
mately prove the means of securing yc
: honor and happiness
4 d The beautiful girl drew miniature fro
: her bosom, which for few moments 81
/ regarded with an earnest and wistful gaz
J. "Mother," said she, "did you nev
d think that my fathers mournful destil
d was written in his countenance [ ha
e sometimes fancied that the wing of /
= = guardian angel cast a shadow upon tho
% grave and handsome features to warn hi
i of his fate Now, mother, look at me, al
l. you will see that my features have SON
is thing of the same expression" She
8 voluntarily obeyed the request, and, to
surprise, perceived that the usually playt
: : countenance other daughter was overspre
N by the same mysterious anu uuueHnal
h. look of melancholy, which all who W.
" familiar with him, had remarked as pei
s liar characteristic in the features of Oh
OF les l. Willing to disipate the painful en-
rs rs tions which were pressing upon her O
- mind as we'll as her daug ghter' S, she evad
n n the question, and remarked that they m
ay hasten to the chapel. Henrietta return
nd the picture to its place, and shading
tn face and clustering ringlets with mou
m ing veil, followed her mother, who had
,D1 nG ready withdrawn from the apartment.
,as ,aa few of the nuns, with their long, WI
EN- EN- robes, could be discerned though the gl,
nd at the extremity of the corridor, as, Oh
lde like, they glided along to join the pre-
!. sion, slowly advancing towards the cha
M Ml1s AS the soft, clear strains of the vesper b
hat hat rose and fingered along the vaulted