Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-10-04

I as a matter of course, were always about hel
she regarded as SO many sources of diversion
but the idea of feeling any sympathy with then
as human beings or OF making use OF her Powe
over them for their improvement, was one tina
had never entered her head.
Edward Ashton was an old bachelor cousil
of Florences, who having earned the title OF ODD
| ity, in general society, availed himself OF II
exercise turn for telling the truth to the va
rous young ladies OF his acquaintance, especiall.
to bis fair cousin Florence. We remark, by tn
by, that these privileged truthtellers are quite
necessary of life to young ladies, in the full tid
of society and we really think it would bt
worth while for every dozen of them to unite t.
keep person of this kind, on salary, for the
benefit of the whole; however, that is nothing
to our present purpose; we must return to oul
fair heroine, whom we left, at the close of tht
last conversation, standing in deep reyerie by
the window.
'It 8 more than half true," she said to her
self-'more than half. Here am |, twenty years
old, and never have done anything, except tt
amuse and crafty myself; no purpose-no, OBJ
lject-nothiDg high-nothiDg dgnihed-nothine
worth living for! only parlor ornament, heigh
ho! Well, really do believe could do some
thing with this Elliot; and yet-how dread te
try
Now, my good readers, ifyou are anticipating
love story, we must hasten to put in our dis
olaimer-you are quite mistaken IN the case
Our fair, brilliant heroine was, at the time. OF
speaking, as heart-whole as the diamond on her
bosom, which reflected the light in too many
sparkling rays ever to absorb it. She had, to
be sure, half ia earnest, half in jest, maintained
a banteripg platonic sort of friendship with
George Elliot; she had danced, ridden, sung,
aud sketched with him; but 80 had she with
twenty other men, and as to coming to anything
tender with such quick, brilliant, restless crea
ture, Elliot would Us soon have undertaken TO
sentimentalize over glass of soda water. NO,
there was decidedly no love in the case.
"What curious ring that is !" said Elliot to
her, a day or two after, as they were reading
together.
It's knights ring said she, playfully, as
she drew it off and pointed to q coral cross set
in the gold-"a ring of the red crossed knights.
Come, now, pve great mind to bind you to
my service with it,"
"Do, lady fair p said Elliot, stretching out bis
hand for the ring 90.
"Know, then" said she, "if you take this
pledge, that you must obey whatever commands
lay upon you IN lIS name.
"I swearf" said Elliot, in the mock heroic,
and placed the ring on his finger.
An evening or two after, Elliot attended FLO
renee to party at Mrs. BIS. Everything
was CAV and brilliant, and there was no lack OF
either wit or wine. Elliot was standing by a
little alcove, spread with refreshments, with O
glass of wine in his hand.
81 forbid it, the cup is poisoned" said
voice close his ear.
He turned quickly, and Florence was at bis
side. Every one was busy with laughing and
talking, around, and nobody saw the sudden
start and flush that these words produced as Eli
liot looked earnestly in the lady's face. She
smiled, and pointed playfully to the ring; but
after all, there was in her face an expression OF
agitation and interest which she could not re-
press, and Elliot felt, however playful the man
mel, that she was in earnest-and as she gllded
away in the crowd, and stood with his arms
folded and his eyes fixed on the spot where she
disappeared ~
"Can it be that am suspected-that there
are things said OF me, as If were IN danger e
were The first thoughts that flashed through bis
mind. How strange that man may appear
doomed, given uP, aud lost, TO the eye OF every
looker-on, before he begins to suspect himself
This was the first time that any defined appre-
tension of loss of character had occurred to Eli
lior. and he was startled as if from dream.
'tWEat the deuce is the matter with you, Ell
liot +? you look as solemn as hearse," said q
young man near oy. y,
HAS Miss Elmore cut you 7" said another.
"Come, map, have glass, said third one
"Let him alone-he's bewitcbed," said a
fourth II saw the spell laid On him. None o
"An hour later, that evening, Florence was
taking, with her usual spirit, to group who
were collected around her, when, suddenly
looking up, she saw Elliot, standing in an abb
stracted manner at one Of the windows tba
looked out into the balcony.
"He is offended, dare say" she thought
shut why should care2 For once in my life
have tried to do right thing, good thing;
have risked giving offence for less than this
many time."
| Still, Florence could not but feel little trem
ulous when, a few moments after, Elliot ap'
preached her, and offered his arm for prone
made. They walked up and down the room, sh
talking volubly, and be answering yes and no
and anything else, till at length, as if by &C.
cident, he drew her into the balcony which o.
yerhung the garden. The moon was shining
brightly, and everything without, in its placi
ouietness, contrasted strangely with the busy
hurrying scene within.
"Miss Elmore," said Elliot, abruptly, "may
ask you, sincerely, had you any design in re
mark you made to me in the early part Of tn
EVENING""
Florence paused, and though habitually th
most practised and self.possessed OF women, tn
color actually receded from her cheek, as sh
answered
"Yes, Mr.. Elliott must confess that 1 had.
'And is it possible, then, tnat you have hear
anythings"
Il have heard, Mr.. Elliot, that which makes m
trembe for you, and for those whose life kno'
is bound up in you; and tell me, were it we
or friendly In Inc to know that such things wer
! said, that such dangers existed, and not to war
you OF ita"
| Elliot stood for few moments in silence
81 fear have offended you, Mr.. Elliot, by takin
so much libertys" said Florence, gently.
Hitherto Elliot had only seen in Florence th
self possessed, assured, light hearted woman {
fashion; but there was reality, and depth {
feeling, in the few words she had spoken to bin
in this interview, that opened to him entirel
new view OF her character.
mo, Miss Elmore," said he earnestly, afte
some pause II may be panied, offended car
not be. To tell the truth, have been thought
less, excited, dazzed my spirits, naturally buoy
ant, have carried me, often too far, and, latel.
have often painfully suspected my own pow
ers OF resistance; Eave really felt that need
ed help but have been too prond 10 confess, eve
to myself, that needed it. You, Miss Elmor
have done what, perhaps, no one else could hav
DONE ain overwhelmed with gratitude, and
shall bless you for it to the latest day of my lit
| am ready to pledge myself to anything ~
may ask Oh this subject"
''Then," said Florence, 'do not shrink frol
doing what it is safe and necessary and right ft
you to d, because you have once said you woul
not do it. You understand me-"
"Precisely," replied Elliot; "and you shall