The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-10-30

| ERnd pro fooeeded in dashing style in
laearch OF wealth and & wife. 7; 4
E Is,Was o delicions day In June, and
the gardens and grounds OF Earose
presented q scene OF rayishing beauty
to the eyes of Sir Charles Dashing-
ton, who looked upon himself as
soon to be s'monarch of eli he sup
veyed, !" After o. drive Of a quarter
of an hour, through winding roads
bordered with sweet and brilliant
flowers, and through shady and cool
groves, the superb villa Of Larose
burst upon his enraptnred sight. As
he drove up he was met by servant
in handsome livery, who conducted
him through an elegant marble gal
lery into the spacious reception
room. @
The matchless splendor of this
apartment dazzled the eyes of Sir
Charles Dashington. The floor was
composed of exquisite mosaics,
wrought into quaint and curious pat
terms; the walls were beautifully fres-
coed, after the manner of Raphael;
before the crimson tinted windows
hung purple silk curtains, which
trembled in the vibration of low,
melancholy music, whose origin
could be discovered; tables of agate
and pearl were placed in different
parts of the room; some of them
loaded with richly bound books, and
others having on them gorgeous vases
of flowers, whose odor pervaded the
apartment. In one corner stood q
massive cabinet, containing curiosi-
ties, and surmounted with busts of
celebrated authors, among whom the
Englishman wns pleased to see Shak-
speare crowned with immorteUes.
While he was admiring the splen-
did saloon, door glided softly back,
and Emile Lamont was announced.
Dashington arose and advanced to
meet the person who entered. He
was prepared to see face, ugly,
indeed-but when his eyes fell upon
the frigH tful features of the lady, he
shrunk pack with an exclamation of
horror. Her lips were withered and
bloodless; her eyes were sunk deep
IN their sockets; her large and mis-
shapen nose was q revolving object;
and her skin was dry and yellow as
an Egyptian mummy.
Without appearing to notice Dash
lngton's embarrassment, Emile well
coined him to Larose in few sweetly
spoken words; and, to his surprise,
she spoke in English, with slight
but charming accent, for among the
many accomplishments of the singu-
lar creature was perfect knowledge
OF the modern languages. Sir Charles
was somewhat re-assured by her kind
welcome and winning voice; and he
succeeded in overcoming, or at least
IN concealing, the disgust which the
horrible ugliness of her face had at
first occasioned. After O long pre-
llminary conversation, he ventured to
approach the subject which had
brought him to Larose.
'tMademoiselle," he said, with
bow, eff I did not know that the
Garden OF Eden was in Asia, should
think that had found it to-day in
your delicious retreat"
"Sir Charles Dashington is pleased
to fiatter my poor Larose."
"Mademoiselle, it is not hattery;
the beauty and splendor of your
grounds far surpass all my expecta-
tions. O! how dream-like my life
would be passed in this lovely spot!
With q congenial companion to share
its sweets, this place would be O para
disc on earth. )"
What do you mean by a congenial
Gone who possesses an appreciat-
ing love of nature; one who finds
greater delight in books than in balls
One who prefers meditation and
study to the frivolities of modern So
ciety."
"You say nothing of beauty-is
not that arequisite?" demanded Emil
lie, who saw the serpent lurking be-
meath his fiowery language.
"Give me the lasting beauties of
the mind, and I care not for the
fading beauties of the face" cried
Dashington.
Soon after this the interview ter
minated, and Sir Charles rose to de-
part. Emile told him he should
hear from her in q week.
81 shall expect your communica-
tion with impatience. said Dashing-
ton, bowling himself from the room.
AS he crossed the long gallery to
reach his carriage, he muttered, in
sufficiently loud tone to be overheard
by servant who had kept close be-
hind him:
"What monster! But for the gold
crIVI l.. e