San Andreas independent., 1858-08-14
A Woman's Perversity.

OF hugo Hdu IedCueu LIS ultietn year
unmolested by passion, save an ardent
one for flowing goblet. Instead of love
passages, his delight was in tournaments
whence he always returned victorious
At length he was flung from the saddle of
his indifference by the beardless tilter,
love! He saw Angelica the fairest
maiden of the land-forgot his gray hairs,
and, unmindful of the incongruity of
union between May and December, led
her to the nuptial altar. Fortunately,
Angelica was as modest as she was fair,
and her firm virtue repulsed the numer-
GUS butterflies that swarmed round the
opening flowers of her beauty. Sir Hugo
knew the tried virtue of his consort, and
therefore she was to him dear and pre-
cious as the apple of his eye.
One morning he rode to pay visit to
neighboring baron in arms, his honest
squire Conrade, trotting after him. Scarce
ly had they proceeded half way when the
knight suddenly stopped, and cried
'Come here, Conrade; most torment
ing thought has just occurred to me-
This is the very day that Father Nicholas
comes to the castle to say mass for my
dear wife and myself, and I am not at
all inclined to have him in my abode dur
ing my absence; so gallop back, and de-
sire your lady, in my name, not to admit
the priest
Conrade paused and shook his head as
if in doubt and replied, Excuse me, no
BILE sir; but perhaps the lady Angelica, if
left to her own discretion, will do what
you wish
"A curse on your perhaps = exclaimed
the knight; l make all sure by giving
the order
Do you think SOP replied the squire;
'now, | in my simplicity believe exactly
the contrary. Take the advice of your
faithful servant for once in your life; let
things take their course, and give no or
ders upon so delicate point
"A fig for your delicacy!' cried Sir
Hugo, angrily; what absurd fancies you
have got into your head to-day Do you
think an hours ride task so very tedi-
ous?'
ooh! if it comes to that, sir, rejoined
Conrade, l have no more to say
He put spurs to his horse, and rode
back to the castle.
Angelica saw him galloping up, and
cried in terror from the window, what
has brought you back in such haste? Has
any accident happened to my lord p
None whatever, gracious lady, an
swered Conrade, but the noble knight
was apprehensive that some accident
might happen you, if by any chance you
took fancy to ride Sultan
| ride-ride the large greyhound =
exclaimed Angelica, in utter astonishment.
L believe you are drunk or mad 1t is
impossible that your master can have sent
us SO ridiculous message
AYE, but he did though, pursued the
squire; 'and my noble master said at the
same time, that he knew Sultan would
bite terribly, not being accustomed to be
made pony Of; and he therefore begs
that you will not attempt to divert your
self in that way Having said this, he
again mounted his horse, and galloped off
10 reJOln MS master.
'Am I awake, or do I dream?' eiacu-
lated Angelica. The folly of Sir Hugo
is so strange, that | am almost tempted
to believe it all wild dream. What does
he mean? 1t is not enough that have
hitherto tried to read his every will and
wish, and, when known, obeyed them i'm
plicitly; and do | deserve that he should
stretch his power SO far, and play the ca
pricious, naughty tyrant? Now, | see
that to be too submissive, too softly COM
plant, is not the way to treat him; the
worm that crawls in the dust is trampled
upon. But no, Sir Knight, it is not gone
quite SO far with us yet; in spite of you,
l will ride Sultan; and you may thank
yourself, as but for your message such
thing would never have entered my head
Her soliloquy was here interrupted by
the entrance of a servant, who informed
her that Father Nicholas had arrived, and
was in the antechamber Il cannot re-
ceive his visit to-day said the consort of
Sir Hugo, for my lord is absent. Give
this as my excuse to the reverend father,
and beg him to return tomorrow with
all due respect to Father Nicholas con-
tinued she, when left to herself, he shall
not spoil my pleasant ride. Now, if my
pony were but here He must have an
easy gait, and his teeth | do not fear; he
Is as quiet as lamb. Oh how shall |
delight in this two-fold pleasure of show
ing the surly old fellow that | care neither
for him nor his orders, and of trying
pastime that is at least a novel one p
Through every corner of the house re-
sounded now her cry of Sultan Here,
boy Sultan! Sultan!'
The immense but docile animal sprang
from bone upon which he was feasting,
and was at her side in an instant. Ca
ressing him till she got him into room,
the door of which she shut:
Nov, friend Sultan cried his fair
mistress, no growl, no bite, and all is
safe.' With her snow-white hand she
continued stroking and patting his huge
back for some minutes, and then, In the
hope, that, if only through gratitude, he
would comply with her fancy, she mounted
L L <<,&h -