Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1859-06-16

age would teach me patience; one might be
too old to appreciate the value" he contin-
ued, struggling his shoulders with an air of
innocence that the barbed words might wound,
and yet with tone of sneering inquiry.
"Unfortunately for you, sir, age has not
yet learnt me that lovely grace, and if you
will be kind enough to call Mr.. Randolph
who see is now released will excuse your
farther attendance" Her voice trembled in
passion, and her flashing eye taught him he
had gone too far.
"Mrs. Manvers, forgive me! >. How could
I so far forget myself, forget your position !!
Believe me, I will not so offend again"
She inclined her head haughtily.
cam indeed forgiven? thank your
generous kindness; and let my disappoint-
ment, my surprise plead"-he continued, in
the most contrite manner
"Plead nothing" said she impatiently,
"suHicient that I consent to forget it."
H looked at her curiously, incredulously !;
a woman, and not to receive a fattering
homage! Perhaps she feared other eyes; he
must be more willy. The boldness that took
other hearts by storm had failed him here !:
he must play a'more cunning part, and the
difficulty but lent the task fascination. She
promised to be a study, and her beauty
clothed it with charm that excited him to
double ardor. His whole: conduct was now
altered, he did not seek her society, but
when circumstances threw them together,
the Difference of his manner, his gentle de-
meanor could not but impress her favorably.
His conversational powers were very remark
able, and travel in foreign lands gave to his
manner an easy grace, that was very pre-
possessing. In short, nature had lavished
every charm on the casket, and jealous art
had robbed it of its jewel. 1t was not un-
til be saw her suspicion completely disarmed
that he again sought her side. Then all the
treasures of his versatile mind were laid
open. Were science the theme of discourse,
he would invest the dryest subjects with a
novel charm and by application and incident
enchain the attention. Indeep and abstruse
reasoning he would at once discover the
thread of thought, and with chain of light
follow it through all its labyrinths to the
bright ocean of truth into which it flowed.
Was it the world of art, his fastidious taste,
and unerring judgment would counsel, con-
demn, or encourage, opening world of
thought and beauty, and fascinating while it
instructed. Familiar with the literature of
the day, his happy criticisms, his ready wit,
his prompt memory at ali times furnished
him with subjects grave or gay as the humor
of the moment demanded. 1t was impossi-
BILE not to be captivated by such brilliancy,
such wit, such research and Clara, young,
gay and unsuspicious, found pleasure in
his society that few inspired her with. Not
tone, not a look betrayed him but grace
full Difference, studied politeness. fattered
while it soothed.
"Harry, what spell is keeping you here so
long" said Dudley, one evening to his friend.
"You seem to have no special object, unless
it is in paying distant court to Mrs. Man
vers. By the way, how do you like her p
She seemed shy enough of you at first, but
latterly you seem to have succeeded in thaw-
ing the ice."
"Dudley, that woman fascinates and puz-
zles me. Perhaps the study makes the fas-
cination, but she would make glorious con-
quest; such passion, such modesty, such fer
vor, such dignity, such depth, such simplici-
ty, have never met-one half, glowingly,
meltingly Italian the other, firmly, purely
Saxon. Such a happy commingliug is in
deed fascinating"
"Ah!" replied Dudley, sarcastically, "and
has she yet paid you the tribute you exact
from beauty, or have you wisely quilted the
field, and claimed from friendship what you
cannot gain from love?"
"I have been thwarted for time, Dudley,
never yet defeated. Do not think I will
forego the richest prize yet offered"
"What do you mean, Leslie? Would you
ignore such words as honor, as virtue? Have
you no reverence for such sacred things as
Home, as Wife, as domestic happiness ??
said Dudley, gravely.2
"Bah, Dudley! don't fly off at tangent
the Loves and Penates of each household, b.
they what they may, great Jove ever guard
I only ask the Promethean fire to warm th'
statue l would sec It flush and tremble un
del my hand, and own, in silence though i
be, my creative power"
"Give your folly a name, Leslie, or dar
you do it?"
"I'd do and dare good deal, Dudley, 70
my own pleasure; 1 am not ashamed to con
fess myself disciple of Epicurus-not Of tn
earlier sort either who found their pleasur
in so called virtue-but wherever my fanc
leads me there follow my ,self-constitute
divinity"
~ do not profess to be pattern of mora
excellence myself, Leslie, but the man VIII
would wantonly and deliberately invade tn
domestic circle, casting no other shado'