Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1863-01-22


: came in and took a seat at the harI
!, As she sat there / noticed for the frs
, , time the superb proportions Of her 6n
gers, the graceful poise Of her head O.
the stately neck--but l forgot thos
when she smote the chords of the harl
and began to sing. Was she an i'm
provisitrice? / thought she must be
so full Of soul was the music she pouret
forth. and when she concluded I asket
Mrs. Cuthburt whose composition i
was.
"Her own." she replied. sand sh,
never knows what she is going to sing
when she commences"
| uttered no fulsome words OF com.
menda,ion to Marguerite, but my eyes
must have spoken volumes Of approval.
That night when ! retired to rest,
my dreams were not haunted by the
heiress but by the pale face had seen
BY the window, the face Of Marguerite
the governess.
The next morning I was awake at
an early hour, and glancing out, saw
Marguerite gliding across the lawn. l
fastened to join her. Her cheek wore
a rich glow. her lips tremulous with
smiles, her dark lusIrious eyes were
full Of light. her white apron was full
of snowy blossoms. and she had
wreathed spray Of jassamine amid the
blackness Of her hair. How we began
to talk | scarcely know. but I never
was so entertained by any woman as
by her. I could touch upon no subject
in literature or art, with which she was
not familiar. and Madam de Stael
might have coveted her conversational
powers. On the lawn we separated,
but when we met al the breakfast. in
the presence Of the Cuihburls and the
superciliOus heiress, | saw that the old
governess look had come back to her
lace, and she was more reticent than
ever. My friend proposed horseback
excursion TO boiling spring in the
neighborhoOd, and when our party as
sembled on the veranda, noticed with
the keenest disappointment that the
governess had been excluded. rode
at the bridal rein Of the fair Blanche,
who looked very pretty in the blue
habit, and with her velvet cap set CO.
quetishly above her golden tresses.
but | found it an effort to interest my
self in her common place chit chat
felt sense Of relief when we dismoun
ted at the Hall, and as soon as | had
led my partner in. bounded up the stair
case. On the way to my chamber |
passed an open door, and through il
caught glimpse Of Marguerite. The
two children were busy at their tasks.
and she sat busily correcting a sketch
which one of them had made. A port
folio lay beside her which | doubted
not was filed with her own drawings
She heard my step, and looking up,
saw me on the threshold.
"What," she exclaimed, "bave you
returned so soon? did not expect
you for an hour or two. i hope you
have enjoyed yourself"
mo, have not. I was really dis
appointed because you did not 60"
A faint smile passed over her face.
IL" she muttered, "you can't
understand etiquette if you suppose
governess TO be made an equal"
Ifelt the blood rush to my brow as
replied:
"There are many false notions in
society; ! am sure Mrs. Cuthburt's gov
erness is the equal Of any one here, and
as such / regard her."
Her face crimsoned, and for time
here was silence, which | broke by
saying,
''Is this the school room?"
"fes."
at looks very cool and pleasant; may
/ come in?"
al suppose Mrs. Cuthburt would
have no objection"
IL hope not!" and with these words
I moved to the table, at which she bad
been sitting.
"Does that portfolio belong to
you?" | inquired. laying my hand on
the article in question. She bowed as
sent. and resumed, shall have the
pleasure Of examining its contents?"
"Certainly. SIR"
She was calm. grave. quiet. but
when l drew forth the pictures and be
gan to expatiate. then her reticent
vanished. Her eyes lit. the pale cheek
glowed, and her lips. those mobile lips
of hers. parted. and she talked with
the enthusiasm Of girlhood. The
sketches were indeed wonderful, and ]
said, !
ut is shame for you. with your
genius for painting, to drudge as a
goyernessl"
Again that peculiar smile fitted over
her features. as she murmured,
"fhe poor must do what tFey can
NOT what they would"
Atthis moment we were Interrupted
by the children. and left Ter.
In the afternoon, as 1 wis louuging
on luxurious sofa in the library, the
door opened and Marguerite appeared,
but at sight of me she preeipitaiely re-
tired. III
"stay. stay!" cied 1. following
her.
mo, no. I capsot-I did not dream
you we're here; twas lonely. and came
down for a book.