Litchfield enquirer., 1858-10-14
WHAT CONSTITUTES AN ENGAGE
 MENT?
A wATERING-PLACE HISTORY,

! WHAT CONSllI IES AN ENGAG E- MENT?
 A wATERING-PLAcE HISTORY.
 The feus ktomaste of the Courier des Etats Uns, in his last Chronique de Neao Kork," {" after asserting that the present season has produced little but commonplace events gives the following romantic wateringplace history
 know young man (though the history does not belong to the present season,) who found himself engaged one fine morning, with out any idea of such an event. True, he had hirted good deal for a week or more with & beautiful young blonde, whom fashionable pleasure had attracted to Saratoga, Newport, or Sharon, as you will. The name is Tot of the slightest consequence.
 Filtration, which is not expressly prohibited in the decalogue, is sentimental coin fully current in the United States, and its circula- ton compromises no one. If the truth must be avowed, it had chanced that our hero one night-one moonless nigbt-enjoyed a conver- satlou at the extremity of a dark piazza and this young gentleman, by accident, perhaps, dropped his hand at the moment the young lady in question raised hers, the better to hear what he said. But kiss, halfgiven and half-receiv- ed, is not matter o: such moment as to re- quifc Iuc SductlOu Ol marriage.
 Be it known, then. that William q sec no impropriety in calling him William) was petri- fed rather than charmed, the next day, when his partner of the previous nights interview asked him, blushing, if he thought it best to make known their engagement at once He gave her look from which the young lady inferred that she was not understood, and bushing still more sweetly, repeated the ques- tion.
 William exhibited no discourteous surprise but put on an appearance which indicated that he was deciding whether an immediate public avowal was best, and then managed to have some good reasons for postponing the revela- tion until the close of the season and Nelly promised to keep it profound secret.
 That night he retired to his room and med itated various schemes for extrcating himself from his embarrassing position. He could ad- nit every plan but one-that of marriage.
 He had not decided upon any definite plan, when, next night, at the dance Miss Susan H., a charming person, who honored him with friendship bordering upon the sentimental touched him lightly on his arm, and said, with Q mysterious air
 Sir, I congratulate you" Wherefore 2" he asked but she had al- ready glided away in the dance. The matter required an explanation, and dur ing hiatus in the music they went aside, and Susan spoke in serious mood ."Nelly is my best friend she has told me all. Oh, you needn't blush so at that p
 In fact William colored with the idea that his pretended engagement had already been circulated among his intimate friends. He did not directly deny it, however but took meth cd of his own.
 "Am really engaged ?" he demanded of Susan.
 "A beautiful question to ask me !" said Su- san, with the slightest touch of spite You shall judge my case" said William Suppose repeated here what you have heard a hundred times--a thousand times-that you are beautiful, intelligent and accomplished that your eyes are the deep blue of heaven your lips the transparent red of the coral your locks the black lustre of the ravens wing your neck the grace of the swan, and your shoulders the whiteness of his plumage-would all this, l ask, constitute an engagement be- tween us 2" u@ "Not. certainly"
 you for the melody of your voice, the painter for the perfection of yorr lineaments, the sculp- tor for the model of your glance. the unfortu- nate for the goodness of your heart. the gay for your wit. and love you for all these. I-" "Is it true that you have said all these pret- ty things to her p
 It is not true. I could not have said it without fasehood" | "And you never lie ?"
 If make such an avowal, does it follow that we are to become man ald wife ?" 1 "I do not think so"
 "Nether co I. For example. if upon just such night as this, I take your hand (the taking of the hand was more than supposi- tion) and say to you, o Susan do you not kaow how long have loved you? Have you not divined it in my words, felt it in my silence, seen it in my looks ? Then, do not wait ac- cept the offer of my heart, which beats only for you of my life, which has no other object, if 1 may consecrate it wholly to your happiness 2" | "Oh, shame shame !' suddenly cried voice stiaed with emotion
 The two retreated precipitately, seeing poor Nelly, who also hurried to her chamber to hide her disappointment and her fury. Disturbed at the disappearance of her supposed afianced, she had walked out on the dark piazza, hoping to meet him, and arrived ill time to hear his gallant speech.
 Heaven what will she think ?" exclaimed Susan.
 "The truth l" replied William. *
 The next morning, at breakfast, every one was asking, Have you heard the news? Will liam has broken his engagement" But they were deceived for in three months he married l Miss Susan H.. and the happy pair are now in Italy.
 l SaA pedler, calling on an old lady to dis