Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-02-17
FEBRUARY II, 1858

nurse DarDara, now was resolved 10 ar |
range it myself. | wound it about my
head, in heavy, glossy, bd1sdeGa1, like tur-
ban; then fastened it with cleaning gol- |
den pins and placed on one side, dropping
to my neck, bunch Of blood-red carna- /
tions. Ny figure was what an empress
ought to be; full, tall, and perfectly devel-
oped. robed myself in closely fitting
waist of crimson velvet, that rich, deep
crimson which resembles in hue rare old
wine, mantling over silver goblet. With
this, wore long, flowing skirt of merino,
precisely the same in shade. Around my
neck and arms | clasped ornaments of pure
jet, and then, standing before my mirror, |
surveyed my work, and experienced my
very first emotion of pride in my own love-
illness. | awaited my fathers coming inn
patiently, for longed to tell him Of the
discovery had made.
1t was late before he arrived. | ordered
Isupperin the magnificent old drawing room,
for that night had the tastes of a princess.
The room was furnished with lounges and
ottomans of crimson velvet, heavily in
wrought with gold. The walls displayed
the same blending of gold and crimson,
and the fnll-length mirrors multiplied it
with endless repetitions.
| threw myself Down among the crimson
cushions, and leaning my head on my hand,
abandoned myself to profound revelry.
tried to summon into my presencea a vision
of my mother as she must have been,
young, beautiful, radiant. The lanp-Iight
drifted over me, almost with the full bril-
lance of sunshine, and closing my eyes the
long lashes veiled my cheeks. Absorbed
in my own fancies, heard no sound, until
my fathers voice broke upon the stiffness
s" This is my only child, Sir Reginald
Isabella Hutchinson. ! call her lisa, and
so may you, since you are cousins
| sprang instantly to my feet, and en-
countercd the admiring gaze of the frs
gentleman to whose voice | had ever lis
tened. Reginald Percy was beautiful a
morning, but it was a genuinely Englisl
beauty. He had eyes Of the same deel
blue with Marion Ilsley's, but the expires
sion was very different. They beamet
upon you like a summer day, clear, un
troubled, and vet with soul in their depths
all the more visible from their very clear
ness. His hair was of the same goldef
shade with Marion's flowing tresses and
clustered in short, thick curls around hi
fair open brow. There was something in
describably sweet about his mouth, and hi
smile seemed to kindle his whole face.
am very glad to see you, cousin Isa,
he said, very quietly, in a rich, music;
voice, coming toward me, with his extende
hand. Ny fingers touched his, lor singl
instant, and | then drew them back, tremI
ling so | could scarcely stand. My fac
crinisoned so deeply that my fatherDotice
it, and said kindly
f" You must not mind. 1t is shy httl
puss. lisa never saw but one visitor befoI
in her life-eh, Isa y
| blushed still more deeply, and b
laughingly rejoined--
A sore subject isn't itl We'll, / won
discuss it any longer. I'm hungry as
Polar bear. Could your ladyship give |
some supper"
Glad of an excuse to leave the room,
went out to see that the tea-things we
arranged. Ny father followed me, anxiou
l suppose, to learn the result Of his expel
ment in trying to give me pleasure
"Well, Isal"
turned round and looked at him inqui
ingly-@ Well, papa, what did you bril-
him home for!"
"What! why he is yonr cousin, on h
mothers side, and now she is dead, yol
nearest relative except your father. Ha'
you so many friends you can afford
throw them away p
"oh yes, papa. There are YOU al
Barbara, and
And Marion Hlsley,p said the faith,
laughing. You have surely establish
your case now, but want you and Re-
nald TO get on well together, neyerthele
Perhaps, if you are a good girl, he "
come to see you often, and must be aw
from home more than usual this winter
:" How old is he, papal"
Nineteen, puss. Only four years old
: than you, but three times four years wise
no BE CONTINUED.