The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1868-07-19
NUMBER "a.

| -; "uu "atAAnR Cne nOOr, IL have
gwen you the veritable biography Of your
Inam0rata, and am of opinion that even
Ihaokeray could not have served it nm in
mucH nmer style, only that he would have
seasoned here and there with u cynicism or
sarcasm, II species of spice that some neonIa
like amazingly; not i, for one, seeing Int
little use IN snarling at all mankind. simply
because there are wicked and disa rreeabie
natures on the role. l think if he wonld
devote e,e more time to hunting up the good
t!! .naC IS certainty somewhere in human ma
ture, he would find less of the evil at which
he so constantly cavils."
=, ou have, indeed, done yourself and
theme ample justice, replied Achille,n - and
after this sample l will never again doubt
the superiority Of your colloquial powers.
reason why cannot make a nearer approach
70 the lady than might to a wood or water
nymph, for certainly she is flesh and blood.',
oh, that part of the story remains vet
to be told only, as Mrs: Grundy stands
gEamother, go n1, cannot vouch for the truth of
all she says, though it is borne out in part
by the lady's own conduct. Thus, then,
runs the gossip, or rather the Interpretation
that people give to what they can't under
stand because Alice is o widow it does not
follow that her heart is dead on the con-
trary, the supposition is that she has never
yet experienced the grdnde passion, and
knowing herself susceptible, young, rich
and beautiful, only makes her feel more
keenly her suffering and helplessness she
feels that she has no right ever again to
tatlon, she escrupulously avoids the acquaint-
ance OF, for instance, such fascinating indi-
yiduals as you or me, and only receives a
few old friends, married ladies and their
husbands, with such young girls as have
got sense and feeling enough to appreciate
her society aud sympathize with her musi-
cal and literary tastes. She is not one to
lower herself to the level of the common
herd; indeed, from all accounts, she is
rather above the world than of it for this
those who cannot comprehend nature SO
elevated. Unfortunately there are peonle.
you know, who would like to drag every
one Q down to their own level, and when they
sm;tefs a eG eane md tne1r revenge in variety Of
siiatts that are as apt to hit home as else
where. When l meet such specimens T
must confess that do rather admire Thacl,-
erays slashing style. But to return to this
now comprehend the hopelessness of your
views. Can you suppose for an instant
that, however ethereal she may be, the
little spark of humanity that is left could
stand the full blaze of such a splendid fel-
lows charms, to say nothing of the pros
from such everyday mortals as myself it
is not likely that the drawbridge will be-
lowered and the citadel surrendered at ye1r
word OF command. No, no, my frent,/ turn
your attention elsewhere, for depend upon
it, you will find the spirit of >.sTenclopc in
that fragile form"
Certainly. now seelthat a man would
possess great temcrity to pursue this
modern Daphnc5ff all you say is true; SO
let the subject rest" said Achillc, with
strange and somewhat perturbed expression
Of countenance; "but it is very late, aud
,s>Thave still IL letter to write before the
nail closes, must bid You good night"
So saying the friends parted-Achille for
iis room at the st. Nicholas, and Egmont
% his own home, where we will leave them
both to the train of thought and of dreams
hat their nights adventure and conversa-
ion may produce.
ITO be Continued.I