Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1864-07-13

posed to granting the favor you solicit,
Whilst I remain concealed, shall be
sure of hearing. from your mouth such
aattering words as perhaps I am not ac-
customed to. Should / take from my
face its protecting veil, farewell illusiOnsl
Stiff courtesy and gloomy seriousness
would take the place of praise and en-
dearments, and the tender persistence
which, while I do mot yield, keeps me at
least diverted and content .l
This modesty strikes me as the great
est proof of your charms.
Yes, if l lack other things, have at
least the merit of mOdesty speak foo!-
ishly-of sincerity a
Were it possible to oOnfOund you with
the crowd of women, might believe it.
The carnival is nothing else than the re-
1 verse of the medal, the world; and doubt
less the figures in the shadow whish
seems to invite deception, feign less than
those upon its face. It is so seldom that
truth can bespoken with impunity.
Yet you
you are not ugly; could swear to
that Frequent deccptions and Olsen
chantments have taught me tact and skill
in detecting maskers. You caunOt foil
me so easily. l have a good nOser-
/ Spanish idiOm for I am good judge, b
/ On pronouncing the last word, I obser-
we'd in my companions face a movement
Of surprise, and as I thought, displeas-
ure. Believing that the common phrase
which I had thoughtIessly made use Of,
had disgusted her refined ears, hasten
ed to make my excuses for not havingex-
pressed myself better; upon which the
lady laughed, and taking my hand assur-
ed me with the most consummate grace
that she willingly pardoned so trivial a
a slip of the tongue. I continued:
There is only one reason why should
be very sorry to have you unmask'
What is that?'
Because then I could no longer talk
to you SO freely. Would it not grieve
me to renounce this afTectionate familiar
Il ity which the carnival balls permit?-
Now speak to you as an intimate friend
a visitor, betrothcd, beloved one
well, then, if l should be 50 indis-
crceet as to unmask, you would be as ea-
ger to forsake me, and would hardly stay
for cold aud formal your most obedi-
cut.
How you mortify me- Do you then
think me capable of such impolitenoss2 ?
Suppose for a moment that you were
iugly, horrible Could you lay aside,
with the mask which so tantalizes me,
the charms of your conversation, your
bewitching voice, the afability which
captivates me, and the grace which fills
me with admiration? How could a wo-
man with such gifts want attractions? l
can we'll bear it.
You say 50. But would you be more
indulgent than the rest of mankind ?
Would you be less influenced by selfish
considerations? For ugliness is consid-
cred by most men a woman's greatest
crime.
20, I am of another species, or else
you SANDER the sex, lady. If you don't
believe me, unite that mask which inter
fores with my happiness, and you shall
see how, far from growing cool, my ardor
will increase. Do not think my propos-
al presumptuous. For in what can de-
formity consist, with which you try to
/ frighten me? Do ] not discern the Ian
guild grace of your form? Do not press
in mine your lovely hand? Am not
already bcwitched by your pretty littls
foot? Do not the glances of those en-
chanting eyes pierce my very heart7
And lave not caught glimpses of your
heavenly mouth?'
Nevertheless, with all these beauties
which you are pleased to extol, I assure
you that 1 am frightfully ugly, and that
you would be struck with horror should
I unmask.
No, no! It impossible. Your form.
features
Have yeu beheld them alp
4 think so. The nose is the only
one
Here the lady interrupted me by q
burst of laughter.
You are merry. Is it then fat one
or a long one?'
No, it is not possible that an ugly
nose should spoil the effect of so many
charms. Moreover, I accept the conse
quences Of the favor which beg. Will
that mouth, those eyes, that incompara
bic form, let the nose be fiat or long,
care not
Imprudent man"
Must l beseeeh you on my knees
, viii you make me the sport of the ball
room?
'WeIl, well, that will do. Since yO1
desire it so much, you shall see my face
| How weak We women are
Shall 1? Oh happiness too great t
2 be expressed! Envy me, ye morta,s