Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-12-18
The Escape Of an Heiress.

1t was ut fashionable hour for morning
calls, but the tlrawing-room of Isabella Grand
by was unoccupicd, save by the fair heircss
and her chapcron; for the world had already
learned the days when she was " at home" only
to Sir Phillip Dcvcrill her accepted lover; and
the elegant French clock now marked the
hour of his coming. AS its chimes struck on
her ear, Isabella naturally pale check became
still palcr, to the alarm of Mrs Manners, who
arose and bent over her with aiIectonate So
licitudc.
6 am quite well, my dear aunt" said the
young lady, hastily, land you must confer a
favor upon me. | wish to see Sir Phillip
quite alone"
The elder lady looked surprised and half
offended, but Isabella went on.
:" know how very kindly and dscreety
you have always acted, but yield to him for
one hour, and forgive my Withholding the rea-
son for the resent
The gentle, coaxing manner Of her pretty
relative had air, ady assuagcd Mrs. Manners s
rufilcd feelings, and she smilingly gathered to-
gether her vastaSSortmcnt Ofnccdes and wool.
Isabella watched her in silence; but as she
turned to leave the room, abruptly asked
I" Dear aunt why have you never admired
my chosen huShand?"
"My child" said the old lady, startled at
the unexpected question, 81 have never told
you that did not like him."
But have sccl il" replied Miss Grand
by; "Sccn it in your eyes, in your manners,
and rcproach myself for acting in what felt
was in opposition to the wishes of the best
and trucSt friends"
MY dearest Isabella" said Mrs. Manners,
dropping her work that she might return the
afcctionatc embrace Of her niece, "if my dis
taste to Sir Phillip has given you one hours
uneasncsS, | will be very angry with myself
for having, though unwittingly, betrayed it.
have never dreamed of attempting to blast
your choice; you arc Of age, and with good
sense and penetration to mid you in your Sc
lection; and il | have not exactly approved,
it is because fear my child will lind Sir Phil
lip too thoroughly man of the world-Of the
London world-to become her companion in
purer and simpler cnjoyments."
At this moment the dashing Of a cabriolct
to the door, and loud rattat announced the
expected arrival, and, as Mrs. Manners van
iShed at one door, Sir p. Deverill, hurrying
past the servant, who has hastened to an
nounce him, entered ut the other.
They told me truly last evening"" he ex-
N'"'HSNt w iSuOChtS MUM
=" sec by your countcnancc that they told me
truly last evening, that you were i'll. fear
ed that my causcesS jealousy at the ambassa-
doris ball had made you seclude yourself in
angCr-tirSt tell me that you forgavc me, my
beloved"
eyes" answered Isabella quietly, ~ have
forgiven It, almost forgotten it.
My generous ISabella!" no murmured,
pressing the hand he had taken, land yet
your looks belle the kindness of your words.
Your manner is constraincd-you shrink from
me. and those eloquent eyes love to look
into arc turned away-but you trcmbIc-you
arc again ill-lct INC support you on this
couch!"
ISbclla hastily cxtricatcd herself from the
arms that so tcndcrly cncirclcd her, seated
herself besides work table, and pointed to a
lounge opposite, replied