Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-05-01
Au 0rigiua1 Storg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
FLORIMOND;
DIVORCE OR No DIVORCE.
BY MRS. CLARK WARING.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE BALL.

THE BALL.
The next night there was grand ball-a
scene of fresh ovations and triumphs for Mrs.
Ravenswood 1t was half past nine o'clock,
when she entered her parlor attired for the oc-
casion. Begging the readers kind indulgence,
we shall describe her dress minutely, for it
was as she appeared this night, that she dwelt
long afterward in the heart and the memory
of Ralph Eglinton. Florimond wore rose
colored silk, made with short skirt, trimmed
with deep point lace Aounces in front, and
puf1s of white silk, divided by bows of rose
colored satin. A court train, scalloped on the
edge, and bound with white satin rows of
point lace and satin piping above. The sides
elaborately ornamented with lace and bows of
rose-colored satin. Low, square corsage, Or
namented with lace, and the short sleeves
formed only of a fall of the lace to match.
Hair in pufs and curls, with pink moss roses !;
pink coral necklace, pin, earrings and brace
lets. Thus attired, Mrs. Ravenswood, as we
have said, walked into her parlor, and stand
ing before the full-length mirror, quietly sur
veyed herself. The dress set off her Spanish
looking, Persian-like beauty to perfection, and
so perhaps, she thought, judging from the
complacent expression of the face reflected
from the polished glass; and so, too, no doubt
thought Doctor Eglinton, who was lounging
on an opposite sofa, where, for the last half
hour, he had been awaiting Mrs. Ravenwood's
appearance. Apparently satisfied with the
result of her inspection, Florimond picked UP
her gloves, began putting them on, and turn
ing from the glass with last brief glance,
said to herself or to the room at large"
"Well! hope Ralph will like my dress to
night"
"Ralp ph does, decidedly" said that individ-
ual, springing up, with one exception
"Good heavensw exclaimed Florimond,
"Why Ralph, how you startled me! l did
not know you were here"
~ was as quiet as mouse" said Ralph,
laughing, "for I wanted to see, for once, how
pretty woman looks at herself in the glass.
Well, Florry, your dressis lovely-exquisite-
what shall say? But I wish to make one
change. Come back to the glass. Now
please take off your jewels-all."
Florimond began to remove the coral, but
not with very good grace, saying with pout-
ing lips
"Why. Ralph. you do not admire these
lovely pink coral? think they aretoo sweet;
and they suit my dress so we'll"
"Here is something, however, which suits it
BETTER" said Ralph, throwing shower of dia-
monds around her neck.
Heavens |" exclaimed Florimond, observ-
ing, from the glass, the dazzling effect; "why,
what magnificent gemsp Then with con-
scious, arch look, she enquired, care these
some of those jewels labelled for certain
person?"
eyes," said Ralph, grati6ed smile on his
handsome face.
"But am to wear them tonight" said
Florimond, as he handed her the pin and ear
rings, and proceeded to clasp, himself,
bracelet on her arm.
eyes, of course"
"But they are not rightfully mine, yet' she
said.
"They will be in short time-'tis all the
same"
"But," demonstrated Florimond, 81 would
rather not wear them until then. They are so
superb-so valuable-suppose anything should
happen to them or to me? Life is 80 uncer-
tain, Ralph-they may never be mine l
may, after all, never be your wife"
He started, dropped the arm on which he
was now clasping the other bracelet and with
gesture of anger, turned away from her.
"What have 1 said? Whathave 1 done p
cried Florimond, laying her hand on his arm.
"You have wounded me deeply by that re-
mark. What, except death, could prevent
our marriage now, unless you are triAing with
me"
"God knows am not" said Florimond ear
nestly. believe me, dear Ralph, am in
earnest with you, if ever woman was in ear
nest with a man. Why should you doubt me,
Ralph?"
"Your own remark. Please, if you have
any regard for my feelings, never speak in
that way again." and then taking the last
piece of jewelry, which was diamond spray
for the hair, out of the jewel case, he handed
it to her saying, "whether my wife or not,
Florimond, if should die tomorrow, these
Jewels are yours-they are willed to you, and
everything else possess on earth"
"Oh you noble, generous man p exclaimed
Florimond, and her eyes filled and glowed,
and she could scarcely speak for excessive
emotion. "Could I triAe with such a heart ?
Could wrong such noble love2 All believe
me, Ralph, respect-and esteem-and love
you,' and"-she whispered the rest in his
ear-"you told me long ago could love you
ifI would allow myself, and now I do allow
myself, and I love you better than ever loved
any human being on earth!'
"Prove it, and will believe you," said Ralph.
"Well, how shall prove it? What will
you consider undeniable proof?"
MARY me in a weeks time"
$50 beit," said Florimond, "since cannot
prove it to your satisfaction in any other way" !"
"Will your Are you in earnest, my Flor1-
mond ?"
81 am-this day week, become your wife. -
"Now, indeed, believe that you do care
for me-" said the enraptured Ralph, "and you
are the sweetest, best, loveliest, dearest" &c.
X
uT roollv ofro;d vour head will he turn-