Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1860-02-25
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY s5, 1860.


available at any moment had no anxities nor
fears. When, at an early hour, ascended to
my attic chamber, thought, az surveyed my
face in the small cracked looking glass; that
would very shortly lose the appearance of an
invalid.
Two days afterwards was seated in my back
parlor for the last evening which intended to
spend in London for some time. had invited
Savall-Charles Savall, the master Of the
house. to take wine and alight supper with me,
previous to my departurc-good fortune opens
the heart to charity; had forgiven Savall and
his wife for their neglectful and harsh treat
ment of me during my poverty and sickness
OF Savall | had, indeed, seen little or nothing
during my illness, and therefore could not
Judge exactly of his conduct. He was un-
changed now from what he had been; he did
mot erin 70, and fawn, and become meanly SER
vile, like Mrs. Savall; his manners were re-
spectful, quiet and dignilied. lie was of ltal-
ian extraction, and had spent much of his early
life in Italy. lie was druggist by profession,
but was very unsuccessful in business cir
cumstance which accounted in my eyes, for the
gloom which frequently rested on his large
featured and remarkably swarthy face.
All my wine, and wit, and high spirits, could
not keep the cloud away entirely from his face,
on the evening in question, though even the
melancholy hack parlor looked bright End
smiling, with the combined influences of
burning fire, and clear, cheerful lights. Ipour-
ed out sparkling wine for him; he made no
objection to drink il off, and he made some eff
forts, too, to seem gay; sudden smile would
dart over his face, like a sunbeam ever bleak,
wintry landscape, only serving to throw out
more palpably the gloom of the scene; and he
would give now and then laugh so abrupt
and startling, that more than once paused to
speculate on the evil mind which fancied ii
betrayed, and then blamed myself for thinking
hardly of human nature, on such slight
grounds.
Neither his smiles nor his laughter reached
his eyes they had perpetual hard, sinister
look, particularly when they fixed intently on
me, as they did at times, which annoyed and
even disturbed mel even caught myself
thinking of a pocket-book, containing bank
notes to some amount, which had about me
at the moment but 7 child myself severely for
the foolish alarm.
The simple supper, suitable for an invalid,
was early brought in, and with it came Mrs.
Savall whom had invited, though with con-
siderable repugnance, which | made a point
and merit with myself to overcome for
knew that she had known poverty, and was
aware how the whole nature grows often un-
consciously hard and selfish, when want and
misery become fixed circumstances in life; and,
remembering my own sufferings, pitied her,
and strove hard to forgive. She was all smiles,
and sunshine, and softness, and sweetness, and
prcttiness--every one of the feminine amiabil-
tiles seemed existing in her. | knew the hypo-
, crisy of woman, and only wondered that she
should again strive to give me false impress
sons of her character, after what had wit
messed of its real nature, She had innumera-
ble apologies to make for Savall and hersel
being my guests, stating, what she had pre-
yiously informed me of that they had determined
mined to have me to q nice little bit of suppe
with them that evening, and had made prepa
rations, and were, indeed, sadly disappointed
that they could not get showing me so mucl
attention before left them. had received
, such an invitation. from her in the early par
Of the day, but had declined the honor
"Savall and she were also going to leav
London she said; ''they had been disposini
of various concerns in the shop, and were read
to remove at any moment.m At this, Charlie
Sayall gave her sudden sharp lool--it wa
more than SHARP, it was malevolent. Sh
smiled and took no notice, apparentlyi bu
j as soon as supper was over, she rose to tax
: leave of me she bade me most aitcctionat
:, "a most fattcring adieu. :
Savall was talking loudly, and as i thought
3 unconnectedly, when she closed the door; ye
fancied heard the key turned on the othe
side, locking us in; and then again believe
= il must be Imagination, for what motive coul
u she possibly have in so acting?
1t was my usual hour for going to rest, an
% I wondered that Savall was not leaving mt
D. became silent, thinking to give him hint
90, but still he sat, with the black shadow
e more thcky than usual gathered on his dar
l. face; and his gloomy, but at times singularl
bright, or rather glaring eyes, were fixed mov'
IL lessly on me. looked on the fire-l locke
'e on the candles-on the ground-on the daube
IN picture over the chimney-piece; but whe
ie again glanced at Savall, there were his dee
ID ewes still turned fixedly on me.
l. became uncomfortable, uneasy; the man
u, looks had, thought, something of the singu
y power of mesmerism in them. determined
l. endure II no longer-I was an invalid, nj
IN therefore to be excused for waving ceremon
So told Sayal that it was my usual hour
a retiring, and that ! felt drowsy.
: "You feel drowsy?p he said, slowly, and mi
BY igating in no degree the intolerable scrutiny
nd his looks.
as "Yes," said, somewhat angrily, belieN
ok ~ do feel drowsy, and shall be glad to reti
Id to rest very shortly. have been too long q
to quainted with sickness not to try to preser
or health now that it is returning"
to eyes; it is worth while to preserve heal
ne when twenty thousand pounds are to be G
Ter joyed by one who was in poverty he said,
l a deep, deliberate manner, but without any q
"a pearance of taking his departure.
! made no answer. thought it insolent
ed him, in the circumstances, not to leave me
he cnce, rose and stood by the fire.
y- "You are not going yet" he said with, a
thought, a marked sneer.