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


.Ah yes, You are right, = replied Florence,
forcing laugh; 1T would be very absurd |
on her part. Go, then, and lose no time
in asking her, for YOU see how she IS sur
rounded by admirers Z"
Beaufort, without perceiying the slight
bitterness in FIorence's remarks, crossed
over where Fanny was standing and, after
a few minutess conversation with her, re-
turned to Florence. aWell,p she inquired,
MfSii ssse most natural air. '.for which quad
rifle have yceA engaged Fanny ~
ssWhy,n he TssS7ied. .siiff YOU are the queen
ofethe ball, It app Atars that Fanny IS the
yice-queen, ter her cars q - fl s.. .epgages
nEeflts
9Then you do notsdance with her q said
Florence, hastily.
81 could not have done so but as came
in your name, as special favor she con-
sents to strike off one of her adorers, and
give me his place, which is No. 5 on her
card"
"Number 5..'' said Florence; and, look
ing at the card, she exclaimed, "Why, that
b will be waltz !"
at is possible" said Beaufort, indifer-
emily.
From this moment Florence appeared
thoughtful and preoccupied, making scarce
ly Ineligible answers to any thing Beau
fort addressed to her, but looked at Fanny
unremittingly, who, excited by the music,
lights, and consciousness of beauty, seemed
to carry gayety and happiness wherever she
fitted.
In the mean time Colonel Wentworth
was watching his daughter, and noticed
something wrong about her. So, in one of
the pauses between the quadrilles, he went
up to her, and urged her to retire, as she
did not seem at all well.
"On the contrary, my dear father" she
replied, with dry voice and constrained
smile, 81 am very we'll, and the ball is de-
lightful one. | am so amused %
When the quadrille that preceded the
waltz which Beaufort was to dance with
Fanny was over, Fanny took seat close to
her cousin. The Colonel, who had not
lost sight of his daughter for moment
since his last remarks to her, noticed, with
fearful apprehension, the strange expression
in her eyes, and the nervous, convulsive
motions of her limbs. He approached
took her hand, and said, with an accent Of
the deepest feeling "Florence, you are
wishing for something. Do whatever you
please, my dear child. 1t is better your
wish should be gratifed, whatever it is, than
that you should continue to suffer as you
now do"
"What" |" cried Florence, with anima,
ton, s4lnay 1 do what SO mneB want to2'
g Alas r replied the Coloneb it is toe
! late fear, for an alternative"
"May waltz once, only once with Beau
fort g. she ind ddired, almost breathless.
"Do as you please" the Colonel replied
"Well then, Charles" she joyfully ex
claimed, "the next waltz if you say so y
"My dear Florence" said he, gratife'
but embarrassed, " am engaged for tha
waltz to Fanny"
Florence turned suddenly toward he
cousin, and without saying a word, ques
toned her with piercing look.
"Oh, l am so fatigued," Fanny hastene
to say, "that if you will be so kind as t
take my place, Florence, with Beaufort
assent, I shall be much obliged to both p
A flash of joy lighted up Florence's eve
ry feauture, and at that very moment th
music of the waltz commenced. She sell
ed Beaufort's hand and drew him into til
circle Of walters.
"Take care of her." the Colonel said I
e Beaufort, as they passed him.
"Never fear," replied he, eve shall onl
make few turns"
: 1t was a waltz of Webers, and like i
great composer, ardent and serious at once
o one of those movements that draw us G
in spite of ourselves. AT first, the motto
: is slow; but as it draws near the end,
becomes gradually more and more amin
h ted, and terminates in tumultuous excit
; ment.
; Beaufort supported his partner to Il
). best of his ability, but after few turns
: could not but perceive she leaned heavi
:, . and heavier upon him. Florence"
Il said, had you not better rest a few mi
q utes g"
: ."No, no." she replied, q am strong
y never fear Besides, if we stop my faith
/ will forbid us from beginning again"
There could not be more attracti
It sight than this couple, of such decided y
l. different comeliness, interlocked with ea
i others arms, and gliding over the flo
ID with such an elastic step as to be unheal
N Florence, slender, 1.-THE, and graceful, lea
i ed her delicate waist upon Beaufort's ar
ID while he, on his side, carried away by t
intoxication of the moment, forgot t
: spectators, the occasion, the whole wor
n, forgot the warning advice of the Co
ee mel and his own promise-forgot eve
e. thing in his strange delirium. They be
n seemed to fly rather than turn to the few
,e, ish tones of the music, and all the til
ed Florence would still cry out, " Quicker, Q
I'D quicker, Beaufort" and he would obey
1t was no longer the pale and languishi
IL Florence that thus urged him on, but
M young girl radiant and sparkling, VIII,
osei eyes flashed fire, and whose cheeks glow
he with excitement. While the most act
pa and muscular would stop in the waltz
of breath, they still responded to the mu
as still quickened their steps, seeing moth
ow, more, hearing nothing more, caring
ith nothing more Lights, company, the 70
itself, seemed turning with them, in IL
ud-l delirium. Once or twice Beaufort fanc
Oh, he heard the voice of the Colonel, imp
ghtI ing him to stop, but at the very inst
Florence would murmur in his ear,
"Faster, Charles, OH faster yet!r
pre- Suddenly she fell with her whole we
| upon her lovers arm, and he stopped.