The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1861-12-03
THE FACE AT THE WINDOW.

II was woman's face | saw as | drew
rein at Cuthbert Hall--a pale, calm, al
most proud face, with large Creole eyes,
and coal-black hair looped away from the
checks in heavy aud shining folds.
had seen many more beautiful faces
during my winters in New York and
Washington-my summers at Cape May,
Newport, and Nahant and, besides, was
expecting 10 meet at the Hall certain
Southern belle and heiress, sister-in-law
OF the friend who had invited me at his
house. So gave only passing glance
at the pale stranger, and, dismounted, rang
the bell. A slave answered the summons,
aud, conducting me into the library, went
10 call his master. In few moments the
door opened. and the lady whom had
seen at the window came in, with TIVE
curly headed children clinging about her.
She bade me good morning, in a voice as
sweet as tie thrill OF u,e-string, and said,
with somc embarrassment:
i am sorry that Mr.. and Mrs Cuthbert
are both out riding
'Ah, and SO am !, was the answer; but
| suppose they will not be long, though
they did not expect me to-day, wrote
them that | should probably be here this
week.
Then you are Mr.. Vincent z
Richard Vincent, at your service, and
now introduce yourself
'I--l--am- she paused and wound
one of the little girls ringlets around her
finger, in her confusion, and began again :
i am'-once more hesitated, and ! re-
sumed:
j have guessed t--you are governess ?
She smiled, but the color mounted 10
her very temples.
Poor and proud soliloquiscd; how
that blush becomes her :
Al this moment we heard the tramp OF
horses, and saw Cuthbert and his beautiiu!
wife dashing up the the broad avenue lead
ing TO the mansion. The goyeness hastily
left me. and shortly after saw her talking
10 my friend in the yerandah. Their briei
conference over, my host and hostess en-
tered and gave me a warm welcome, which
is Characteristic of the South. When
greetings had been intelchanged, ] turned
10 Cuhbert, and said
Pray, where is Miss Dupont, the charm
ing sister-in-law, Of whom you spoke ? lie
and his wife exchanged significant glances
and contnued i am all impatience to
see this paragon don't keep me long in
suspense
/ Il will not you will meet at dinner.
Thenext morning the dressing-bell rang
and the host lead the way TO the guest
chamber. where he left me TO make my
toilet. In those days | was not indifferen
TO my personal appearance, and with ,h,
aid of an attentive slave, arrayed mysel
in the most elegant suit my wardrobe at
forded.
i wonder IL shall suit the heiress Z
queried, mentally, as | took last survey
in the mirror, and descended to the dining
hail. There, near the table, sat Cuthbert
and his wife, the face had seen at th'
window. and not far from the governess, I
young lady with a fair complexion, {
blooming cheeks. and Tire sunnirst Of blue
eyes, and profusion Of golden hair.
/ was a connoisseur in ladies' dress at tina
period, and took in al glance her costly
India muslin robe, with its frills Of fMechlir
lace, the splendor Of her bracelets, neck
lace, and ear-drops, and the exquisiielj
wrought golden comb which loopcd up ih,
rich tresses. Why was il that my fac'
wandered from her, TO the pale calm gov.
erness, with her bands Of raven hair, anC
her great, eloquent eyes, aud dress tba
fen about her like .Dummisl Z
Blanche, said my host. ALLOW me L
present al old and valued friend Rich
ard Vincent
Tie blond beauty eolored. simpered and
with an inclination she intended to be iik,
that of a parma donna 10 an appiaudiag
crowd, Acknowledged my bow.