The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1861-07-17

tu0 iutcrFleW, SDe was CIVIL, OUT nc
more. She could not help being beau
tiful; nor could she help speaking
the intelligence and spirit which al
j ways characterized her conversation !;
and SO Mr.. Mowbay went away, more
in love than ever.
A few months later found Nelly
domiciled, for the winter, in Philadel-
phia. Hardly had she changed her
travelling dress when her friend came
into her chamber.
81 want You to look your prettiest
tonight" said Miss Stanly, :" for I
expect crowd of beaux, and among
them Mowbray, the brilliant yong law
yer and Mr.. Hazard; the former claims
to have met yoa, and raves everywhere
about your beauty. The latter, who
is the great artist, and very critical.
laughs at his friends enthusiasm, and
says he'd bet you're only common
rustic, with cheeks like peonies. So
l wish you to convert the heretic."
Only a common rustic" said Nell
ly to herself, heartily; and she resolv-
ed to be as beautiful as possible.
Perhaps, too, there was a half formed
resolve to bring the offender to her
feet, in revenge.
A great surprise awaited her When
she entered the drawing room that
evening, the first stranger she saw was
the indentical Clarence, who had paint
ed her as the bare footed little girl
and then, for the first time, it flashed
upon her that this was the great ar
fist who had spoken so contemptuous-
/ " of her charms. Her notion proved
correct, for Miss Stanly, Immediately
advancing, presented the stranger to
her as Mr.. Hazard. A glance into
his face treasured her that be did not
| recognize her; and then she turned
away after naughty courtesy, to re-
ceive the eager Fluctuations of Mr..
Mowbray.
There were conflicting feelings at
war in her bosom. All her old ro-
nance about Clarence was warred up
on her by Indignation, as a belle, at
his sighting remarks and at his pres
ent Indifference. For he had made
no attempt to improve his introduce
tion, but left her to the crowd of 9TH
er beaux, prominent among whom was
Mr. Mowbrsy. Piqued and excited,
Nelly was even more beautiful and
witty than usual Late in the even
ing she consented, at Mise Stanley's
request, to play and sing. She first
dashed off some brilliant waltzes
then played bits of a few operas and
at last, at Mr. Mowbray's solicitation,
sang several ballads. Few persons
had such sympathetic voice, and
Clarence, who was passionately fond
of music, drew near fascinated. AT
ter singing, " Are ye sure the news is
true 2" Bonnie Dundee, J" and others
which had been asked for, Clarence
said
+" And may |, too, ask for my favor
tie 2n
Certainly" shesanswered with the
least bit of hauteur. What may it
be 2"
"Oh too sad, perhaps, for so gay
company! The Land of the Leal.
I hardly dare to hope you will con-
sent.'
It was her favorite also, and her
voice slightly trembled, as she began
From this, or some other cause, she
sang then az even she had never sung
before aud, when she finished, hel
eyes were full of tears. She would
have given much to have seen Clar.
ence's face, but she could not trust
herself to look up; and partly to con.
ceal emotion. and partly by sudden
impulse, she struck into the 1aiaeTere
of "Il Trovatore. Nobody theirs
had ever before realized the full trag.
edy of that saddest yet most beautiful
dirge. Even the selfish heart of Mr.
Mowbray was affected. When the
last chord had died away, he was the
first to speak, and he was. profuse in
his Animation and thanks. But Clar.
ence said nothing. Nelly, at last
looking towards hin saw that his eyes
J had been dim as well as her own. She
J felt that his silence was the most elo-
quent Of compliments, and from that
hour forgave him fos trasing called hei
J common rustic"
Clarence soon became q constant
visitor at Mr.. Stanley's. But he al.
ways found Mr. Mowbray there be-
fore him, who in every way tried tomo'
nopelize Nelly's attention. Reserved
if not absolutely naughty, Clarence
left the field generally to his rival
and Nelly, half indignant, was some.
times tempted to affect gaiety il
Mr.. Mondays company which sht
was far from feeling. Occasionally