The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-02-27
{ | J he
PUBLISHED EVERY
Volume I'D.

glances, and / continued
lam inpatient to see this paragon-don'
keep me in suspense
Il will not. You will meet her at dinner.
The next moment the dressing bell rang
and the host led the way to the guest cham
Der, where he left me to make my toilet
In those days was not indifferent to m
personal appearance, and with the aid OF Al
attentive servant arrayed myself in the mos
elegant suit my wardrobe afforded.
IL wonder if shall suit the heircss?
queried mentally. as I took the last surve.
in the mirror and descended to tho din:nI
hall.
Near the table sat Cuthbert and his wife
the face had seen at the window, and no
far from the governcss a young lady with
fair complexion, blooming cheek, the sun
niest blue eyes, and prorusion OF COLDER
hair. was connoisseur in ladies' dress
that period. and took in ut glance he
costly India muslin robe, with its frills o
Mechlin lace, the splendor OF her bracelets
necklace and cardrops, and the exquisitel
wrought golden comb, which looped up tn
rich tresses. Why was it that my hc
wandered from her to the pale, calm COVER
ness, with her band of raven hair and he
great, eloquent eyes, and a dress that fell ii
graceful folds about her.
Blanche. said my host, 'allow mo to pre-
sent my old and valued friend-Richard Vim
cent
The blonde beauty colorcd and simpered.
He then presented me to the governess.
She greeted me with the grace Of queen
and l, as respectfully as if she had been one
said
I'VE have had the pleasure of meeting be
fore, Cuthbert.'
AS told you,' murmurcd the governess
Il went down to tell him you were absent
The ceremonies of dinner now began, an,
as a seat had been assigned me beside Blanche
tried to play the agreeable; but often foun,
that my thoughts wandered to the pale, silcn
girl opposite. When the meal was over, an,
the ladies had left the table
What do you think of my sistcr?, aske'
Cuthbert.
'She isScry beautiful l replied.
And have you fallen in love at first sigt?
'If have shall not tell you,' exclaimed
and then we went on chatting in merr,
strain.
When wo adjourned to the great, cool
luxurious parlor, found Mrs. Cuthbcrt ant
her sister; but the governess was walking I,
and fro on the terrace, apparently absorbed
in thought. The usual small talk ensued
and at last, a, my request, the heiress sa
down to the piano, and played and sang will
much skill. l had observed a harp in tn
boudCir adjacent, and begged her to sweel
its strings for me.
Il cannot she SAID; 'but Miss Marguerite
can. will call hcr.'
Then moving to the window, she exclaimed
imperiously-
Come, Marguerite, we wish you to pla.
some upon the harp.
The governess hesitatcd a moment, ther
came in, and took seat at the harp. Al
she sat thero, I noticed for the FIRST time tn
superb proportions of her figure, and tn
graceful poise Of her head on the stated.
neck. But forgot those when she smoto tn
chords Of the harp, and began to sing. Wa
she an improvisatrice? thought she mus
be. so full OF soul was the music she pourcc
forth. and when she had concluded, asked
Mrs. Cuthbcrt whose composition il was.
Her own, she replied, as she never knows
what she Is going to perform when she com
mences.
fused no fulsome words of commentator
to Marguerite, but my eyes must have spoken
volumes OF approval. .
That night, when retired TO rest, m!
dreams wero not haunted by the heircss, bu
by tho pale face had seen ut the window
the face of Marguerite the gcverness. i.
The next morning awoko at On earl.
hour. and, glancing out saw Marguerite
gliding across the lawn. l fastened to joi'
her. Her checks wore a richer glow, he
dark lustrous eyes full of light. her lips trem
ulous with smiles, her white apron was ful
of snowy blossoms, and she had wrcathed
spray Of jcssaminc amid the blackness of he
hair.
How We began to talk scarcely know
but never was so entertained by any woma'
as by her. could touch no subject in lit
erature or art with which she was not "a
miliar, and Madam de Stael might have en-
We'd her conversational powers.
On the lawn We separated, but when W
met at breakfast, in tho presence of tn
Cu,hbcrts and the supercilious beiress.
saw that the old governess look had returne'
to her face, and she was moro rcticent thai
ever. .r
My friend proposed horseback excursion
to boiling spring in the neighborhood, an
our party assembled on the verandah. lno
,iced with the kccnsst disappointment tina
} the governess was excluded. Irodo ut tn
: bride rein Of tho fair Blanche, who looke
: very pretty in the blue habit, and, with he