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

Such speech, and from a child This,
then, was fair sample of the class in whom
had been SO vainly interesting myself
Involuntarily my lip curled, and turning,
led the way to more modern apartment.
lnstinctively felt that the new conner was
not worthy to share the room, whose very
floor was consecrated by the very pressure
of the royal foot.
The two weeks of her visit were among
the most trying of my life. was obliged
to treat with cordiality and politeness this
strange specimen of perverted childhood,
who was my own and my fathers guest
But she had not been with me a week, be-
fore | learned absolutely to hate her. She
was, even then, woman Of the world in
miniature. Her dress and her ringets were
arranged after the most approved fashion;
her every sentence was conventional and
polite. When she left, declined with cold
civility an invitation to return heryisit, and
told my father that had seen enough of
children, did not wish any more compa-
ny. / was his idol, and he willingly acce-
ded to my desires. He conducted my edu-
cation himself, and it was as contrary as
could be imagined to all the usual modes
of educating woman. Grecian poets and
German metaphysicians were the favorite
companions Of my hours of solitude. l was
proud, passionate, and self-willed, but not
unloving. l could have rivalled heroine
of romance in my devotion to my father.
was fifteen years old before any other
stranger ever passed the portals of Hutch
inson-house Living at so short distance
from the great, bustling heart of London,
| had never expressed, never even felt, any
desire to look upon its wonders. Occa-
sioually, of late, my father had offered to
take me ont with him, but recollecting Ma
rion Illsley, and considering her specimen
of the society should probably meet,
had persistently refused. was disturbed
in those days by haunting curiosity to
know more concerning my mother. l had
been told by my nurse, that she was an
Italian lady, and very beautiful, bnt that
was all. Growing toward womanhood, as
| was, | longed to know if my father had
loved her, when they had met, and if he
was with her when she died. One after
noon, | asked him some of these questions
He turned upon me his eyes full of remorse-
ful agony.
"Isa," he said, ''you know not what you
do. Never ask these questions again, here
after. | loved your mother, and / cannot
bear, after all this lapse of years, even to
: hear her name. She was daughter of
the South, beautiful and passionate, and /
, wronged her. Oh, God, can eternity itself
atone for that deep, damning wrong She
. was so bright, so happy when met her
} first, creature all poetry and music and
: tenderness. | cannot talk of her, but Isa
J will give you something that was hers.
, 1t contains things which came into my pos
) session only after her death, and which her
: child may need some day. Keep it sacred
{ ly, my daughter, and swear by the cross
? above your mothers grave, that you will
j never open it until | am sleeping in the
: tomb of the Hutchinsons."
d / gave the required pledge, and rising,
he took from an old fashioned desk a
It quantity carved ebony casket, inlaid with
= flowers of gold and silver He placed it
/ in my hands, and touching spring in one
d side, out flew a little invisible drawer, con.
tanning small golden key.
a "There, Isa," he said, controlling himself
with an effort, ''there, when the time shal
II come to open the casket, you will remem-
0, Der how to find the key; and now, my
ut child, leave me"
Iwent out, and ascending the stairs, en-
g tered my own room. Ipressed the caske
ee reverently to my lips, for it was all the to
e, ken | had to remember me of that deac
mother, so beautiful; and, my father ha,
| said, SO deeply wronged. deposited til,
'u caskct in my escritoir and sat down t.
1e dream out my mothers destiny.
n When l met my father at breakfast th
next morning. his manner was as calm an
ey quiet as.I had usually seen it. After tn
ne meal was over he rose, and giving me
ly parting kiss, remarked,
h Il shall not be at home before night, m
hit Isa am going to see Sydenham Percy
he He married my second cousin, and his OIL
at ly son, Reginald, would be heir at law t
'es this estate, if had no naughty little girl
in keep it from him."
en-, 1t was winter day, and ordered fire
of lighted in all the rooms, and spent the tim
nd pacing restlessly from one apartment to al
alf other / walked over every square inch
ng my own chamber, determined that my fe
ne. should tread where the great queens hs
al passed before me. At last | determine
ion to attire myself as for festival, and CIV
lite my father pleasant surprise on his retur
res, sat down before the mirror, and surveyt
lde myself intently. 1t was an Italian, rath
led than an English face, which my gaze e
ON countered. There were the soft, silky, al
of yet luxuriant black hair of the Venitian
me the delicately arched Italian brows t
ice clear, cool, olive complexion, brighteniI
ing in the cheeks to warm, deep crimson
ms. the small mouth and pearl-like teeth: an
she above all the large, languishiug, passions
She black eyes of Italy. | had never befc
at given Thought to my personal appearan,
ten but now, surveying myself for the first tin
Ny my heart thrilled with the knowledge I'll
was beautiful as any creation of the pa
tly. tiers. 1t was from no mean vanity, that
ON, remained for half hour absorbed in t
nee contemplation. did not speculate
ove, what Others might think or say of me
our had no desire to display this loveliness
ron the world, but smiled as l gazed on,
the very intensity Of my worship for |
;dlv heautifnl wherever and Whenever T n