Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-05-21
The Brighton Coach.
BY THEODORE HOOK.

1t was one day in the autumn OF 1879, Just as the
pavilion clock striking three that stepped into
Mr.. Goodman's coach. In it found already thin
pling enveoped in fur peisse the only distinguish
ing mark of whose sex tuft of mustache on his
upper lip. He wore travelling cap on his head, grit
with golden band and he eyed me and bis other fellow
traveller though had been OF different OF
beings from himself.
The other fellow traveller took to be small attor-
ney He was habited in drab great coat, which
matched his round fat face in color his hair too was
drab, and his hat drab his features were that of
pig.
gan wondering what it would be like, and whether it
would be male female old or young, handsome or ug
ly when my specuations speedily terminated by
the arrival of an extremely delicate pretty woman at
tended by her maid The lady was dressed in the ex-
IRENE of plainness and yielded the palm of gayety to
her soubrette, who mounted by the side of Mr. Good
-an at the moment that her mistress placed herself next
my pig-faced friend and opposite me-
The lady in question cast hasty glance round her,
merely as it should seem to ascertain if she was per-
sonally acquainted with any of her companions. She
evidently not and her eyes sank from the enqur
ing gaze round the party, upon black silk bag which
lay on her lap She about four five and twenty;
her eyes blue and her hair fair it hung careessy
over her forehead and the whole of her costume gave
evidence of want of attention to what is called set
ting ones self off to best advantage" She was tall
thin-pae and there a sweet expression in her
COuntenaDce which shall forget; it mild and
gentle and seemed to be formed to its planve cast by
suierng-and yet why should so lovely be unhappy
AS the clock struck we started The sudden turn of
the team round the of North street and Church
street brought flush of color into her cheeks she
conscious Of the glow which watching she SEEM
ed of her own tmidity She looked up to see if she
observed she she was and looked down again.
All this happened in the first hundred and seventy
yards of Journey of fifty-two miles and half.
Ny glazed friend, who sucked his barley sugar So
noriOusy paid little attention to anybody anything,
except himself and, in pursuance of that amlabe ten
derness, pulled up the window of his side. The lady,
like the beau in the fur coat laid her delicate head back
in the of the COACH and slept or seemed to Sleep
The horror felt lest my pigfaced friend should con
slider it necessary to join in any conversation which
might venture to originate with my unknown beauty
opposite, kept quiet and |, ever and anon looked
anxousy towards his vacant features in hopes to see
the two gray unmeaning things which served him for
eyes, closed in sweet and satisfactory slumber. But
although he spoke not, and, if any one may judge
by countenance thought not still he kept awake and
ready, it should seem to join in conversation which
he had not the courage to begin.
And so we Travelled on and not one syllable was eX-
changed until we reached Crawley There my heart
was much relieved At hands we had dropped the
coet with the tufts horses ready to convey him
to mans house to dinner and when we were quit
ting Crawley saw my excellent demolisher of barley
sugar mount regular Sussex buggy, and export HIM
self to some town Or village-out OF our road.
here made small effort at ice-breakng with my
delicate companion, who consored with her maid at the
end of the rOOm while l. with one or two more sensual
lists from the outside, refreshing myself with some
cold fowl and salad. ventured to ask her if she would
allow me to offer her some wine and water Hang it,
thought [, if stand upon gentilty in stagecoach
journey, smart Us the things are shall never part So
ciaby She seemed somewhat of the opinion, for
she smiled | shall never forget it; it seemed on her
placid cOuntenance like sunshine amidst shOWers-she
accepted my profered draught.
q rather Think, said |, shall travel alone the
rest of the ourneyour communicative friends have left
She made no answer but from the sort of expression
which passed her features, very sorry that
had made the remark. I was in the greatest possible
alarm lest she should require the presence of her maid
to play propriety But no she had no such notion.
A summons from Mr.. Goodman soon put the party
in motion, and in few moments again on our
journeyhe dear interesting creature and myself etea-
tce.
Have you been long at Brighton ?" said l.
Sometime replied the lady" some months in
decd"
Here came u pause.
| You reside in London, presume, said l.
In the neghborhood" replied the lady at the same
time drawing the glove off her left hand (which, by the
way, was as white as SNOWY to smooth one of her eye
brows it appeared by what she actually did with it,
but, as thought, to exhibit to my sight the golden
badge which encircled her third finger.
And, said |, have you been living alone at Brigh-
! ton so long,?
"Oh, no. said the stranger, my husband has only
left during the last few weeks and has now sum-
moned me home being unable to rel oin me an the
coast
Happy man y said l, to expect such a thing
Nov, there did not seem much in this common
place bit of folly for meant it for little else than Jest
to up thousand feelings, and excite thousand
passiOnstO raise storm, and flood Of tears
But so it was.
My companion held down her head to conceal hel
grief and the big drops fell from her beautiful eyes.
"If" said l. you will so far trust me as to confde
your sorrows to me- pledge myself to secrecy and
to procure any course which you may suggest for re
evng Them
"My sorrow is BRIEF" said my companion promise
me not to refer to it at any future period during my life
that is, if we should ever meet after today-and vii
trust you
Here the pressure of the hand was unequivocal ant
by corresponding yet perhaps more fervent TOKEN
sealed the compact between us.
81 am the daughter, said she, of general officer
who with my exemplary mother resided chiefly in Som
ersetshire The and attentions of my parents wer
aectonatey devoted to the education and improvement
of their only child, and became, they have thou
sand times said, the blessing of their declining years
was scarcely seventeen when lost my father, and hi
death not only produced a change Of circumstances il
our family, but change of residence Nv mother am
Il myself removed to Bath. There resided until W
were induced to visit the continent, where-I ann asham
ed to go OLA nobleman became my avowed admrer
and made offer of marriage. His rank was exalted
his fortune large but could not love him was wron
in refusing to marry him?"
Il loved another, being all candor, openness, honor
and principle; talented and accomplished, gay full
feeling and generous to fault His name nv mothe
would not hear mention She expelled him from on
house, excluded him from my society. What then ??
trick and evasion on my part suppanted obedience an
sincerity. The house of friend afforded opportunitie
> for our meeting which my own denied-my youthfr
spirit could not bear restraintwe eloped and were mai