The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1868-04-02
from the St, James Magazine
NOTES
FROM AN OLD MAIDS DIARY.
PART I.-CoNTINUED.

AM l'-OONIlNUED.
1t was about this period of my resi-
dence at Rose Cottage, when, one eve
ming, as was engaged playing at chess
with Captain Bedford, the street-bell
rang, and the servant announced "a
visitor!" The Bedfords instantly rose
and gave him a warm welcome, intro
ducing him to me as their dear and
valued friend, "Charles Raven" Miss
Green, who was also in the room,
came forward and shook hands with
him; whilst in the course of the even
ing she found opportunity to whisper
to me that Mr.. Raven was an author,
a man of family and talent, and he was
the friend who had introduced the Bed.
fords to them, &c. An author! Like
many other persons l had kind of
veneration for literary characters, i'm
agining them to be beings of a different
order to the generality ofmortals, whom
it must be a privilege to meet and asso-
ciate with. l therefore turned to take
in good view of Mr.. Raven. lie was
a slight-made man of symmetrical fig
ure, decidedly handsome. His fore
head was high and expanded (what
authors is not? l thought( his eyes
dark and deep-set, his features regular
and his complexion pale. Altogether
the countenance before me was refined
and interesting, and was at once pre-
possessed in Mr.. Ravens favor. His
voice, too, completed the illusion; it
was very melodious, while there was
that ease of manner and graceful ad-
dress that bespoke the gentleman. AT
ter apologizing for interrupting me in
my game, he insisted on Captain Bed
ford resuming his place, and then turn
ed to Mrs Bedford, and carried on an
easy conversation with her, portion
of which reached us while at play.
After the game was concluded, Mr..
Raven drew his chair near me, and l
soon found myselfin earnest conversa-
ton with the newcomer. 'Did /
catch your name aright!" he asked
"Miss Linley; are you any way con-
nected with the Linleys ofSomerville?
My father was well acquainted with
that family" / SAID ! believed we were
distantly related, and he then proceed
ed to relate several anecdotes of people
whose names were familiar to me-, with
all of whom he seemed to be on very
intimate footing. After tea Mr.. Raven
took his departure, and Mrs Green
asked me i'll did not think him charm
ing man. so well-informed, so clever
| assented, and Captain Bedford then
chimed in, saying Mr.. Ravens acquain-
tance was indeed privilege, for bis
talents were first-rate, and although
his modesty made him publish his works
under an assumed name, he was a most
rising literary character, and his inter-
est among influential people very great.
l inquired what books he had written.
co." said Mrs. Bedford, II shall be
happy to lend you one if you have not
seen it''i and, leaving the room, she
returned with three volumes bound in
green cloth, which l recognized as that
very popular work that had lately ap-
peared under the name of George Eliot
-"Adam Bede."* "O!" / exclaimed,
sis Mr.. Raven the author of adam
Bede7' l read it last month, and hear
it is considered the cleverest work of
the season.; and from tyrO Mr.. Ra-
ven instantly rose higher in my mind
The following fortnight that gentleman
was constant visitor and agreeable ad-
dition to our evening circle, generally
dropping in to see his dear friends, the
either taking friendly din
ner or tea, for Mrs. Green had brought
up her country hospitality ideas into
London. He was most welcome, too,
for he had such fund Of anecdote and
was SO entertaining that soon his alb
senoe would occasion rather blank to
all of us. 81 have been reading your
last work, Mr.. Raven" / said, one eve
ming, 'and like the volume so much.