Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-11-18

SO Florence, holding on to lite by a
thread not less fragile than gossamer, was
contracted to Beaufort. Her father con-
cluded that his refusal would be sure to
snap this slender thread, while her marriage
might possibly prolong her life for many
years 1t was arranged that, Immediately
on their nuptials, the young couple should
cross the Atlantic, and pass the coming
winter under the,warm sun of Italy.
from the tiiAel the marriage was deter
mined upon Florence, to most observers,
seemed in much better health as well as
spirits but to her over-anxious father, and
her skillful medical adviser, there were
symptoms of physical and moral malady
continually revealing themselves.
The color had come bac X to her cheek,
wont to be so pale f; but the color concen-
trated itself little too much upon the cen
tre of the cheeks, leaving the rest of the
face, by contrast, seemingly more pale
With others, the fire that shone in her
eyes reflected naught but youth and love !;
but the observant physician detected, from
time to time, the lurid brilliancy of fever.
He feared that an occasion of great excite
ment, any emotion exaggerated into a pas
sion, might become instantaneously fatal to
her. His fears proved predictions.
To celebrate the betrothal, Colonel
Wentworth, at his daughters request, de-
termined to give fete; but, as prelimi-
nary condition, he first exacted promise
from his daughter that she would not waltz.
Her physician, he said, had prohibited her
doing so; not that she was too sick, but
nervous and excitable in the highest degree
and this passionate exercise would excite
her to fever.
81 shall not dance nor waltz" said Beau
fort decidedly.
"Ah, WELL" said Florence, II do not wisl
to dance or waltz. But as for you, Charles
it is necessary to respect the usages OF so
ciety, and to observe the proprieties Of life
and therefore," she continued, smilingly
81 authorize you to dance, and even t.
waltz, as much as you please, provided yol
consent to share with me, from time t.
time, the passive role to which both pa
ternal and medical authority condemn me-
Thanks, my childp' exclaimed the Col
onel, and Beaufort looked his gratitude.
Every thing went well during the frs
part of the ball. Florence, notwithstand
ing her paleness, was so eminently beauti
full, so perfectly diStinguee in her dress an
! manner, that she was decidedly the quee
J of the fete. Fanny alone, full of grace, v
vacity, and brilliancy, could have conteste
her supremacy.
! Beaufort kept his promise faithfully
y He had danced, with long intervals betweel
i two or three qnadrilles with two or thre
o ladies whom it would have been discount
e Gus not to have asked; but when not dal
d cling, he had always returned to Florenc
{ the soft pressure of whose hand thankt
IS him for his conduct, while her look to
le him how happy she felt.
Sc From time to time, also, Fanny approac
le ed her cousin, like vassal rendering hol
a. age. and exchanged with her some of tho
laughing remarks which the dresses, or t
conversation, or manners of large comp
nv always suggest, At last after one
er these visits, Beaufort said to Florence,
\ Ihe was standing close by her: "And no
u nv dear fancee, ought | not to dance W
=, :, rour cousin Fanny?"
py "With FannyW exclaimed Florence, 81
delv. Then recovering herself: ''(
cert;nly," she said; otherwise she mis
be Airy with me"
!. "Hey angry with you"
tie "Yes, she might say it was l who
lvented yC,r dancing with her"