The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-04-02

nurtrv in bcr composition. and was fully
! persuaded that he had secured u place IN
her ancctions. Perhaps ne was lt,le 700
sure " ms happiness; perhaps he did not
| ap,nk soon enough; FOR " ~ certnin thnt
he had not vet declared himself III words
when Augustus mother, VINO hld Tor
| wars ut.i licpt her eyes on the rlch old
| bachelor walter DE Liuccy, at length sue
coded in bringing him to her daughters
feet aud took tlc earliest opportunity OF
| npptising Npvins OF tho fact.
Ncyirs accepted the situat on, remain
| eel the best OF friends with tno gay
young wiiC. but when the war broke
| ont with The South, was one OF the first TO
! V oluntcer his services to his country, and
departed for the seat OF war, perhaps not
| much caring how soon n Southern bullet
might bring his career TO close. His
rise in the army was rapid; and when he
| VISITED New York on his first leave of alb
scnce. "a hero in the eyes Of the world If
| not in his own, the fascinating widow was
| quite ready TO remember their old friend
snip aud even occasionally to forget her
| present flrtatious, and glide iDsensibly
into a tone Of sentiment sufficient TO pro-
woke the couiectuies OF the lookers-on and
the disgust OF the ladv's more openly re-
| cognized admirers.
Alfred Delano was nm admirer Of differ
ent stamp Thirty-nve years of age not
remarkable for personal attractions tact
turn and reserved In manner, he was one
OF those men who influence the sex by
| hidden strength and forvor OF character
| which seldom appears on the surface, but
| which n closer acquair lance reveals in full
| force. Among his own sex lie was unpopu-
lar; with women scarcely less so, except
| among the few whom he distinguished by
an exclusive devotion, whose very rarity
| rendered IL the more Irresistible.
or this devotion Augusta De Lancey
had for the past two years been the OBJ
iect. In society he was her recognized
attendnnt-so much 30 that in the selec-
ton of guests for limited party the
hostess Invariably said, " We must invite
| Mr.. Delano for Mrs. DE Lancey." To him
was taciily conc, ded the privilege OF es-
| corting her To every ball that she attended,
Of a place in her box at the opera, and of
| quietly ignoring every other woman with
derstood that Mrs. DE Lancey did not even
refuse to accept presents from Mr.. Delano
presents, not of tribes like bOHbOnni6rcS
and bouquets, but articles OF real value,
costly personal ornaments which she did
not hesitate to accept aud wear.
There would in fact have been little
doubt in society that the intentions OF the
parties were matrimonial but for one in
superable objection. Though Alfred De-
lano went into the world ca gdrcOn, though
he had his bachelor rooms at n hotel, dned
nj the club, and passed his evenings at the
opera or in society, 1t was perfectly well
known that he was a married man. He
had married IN the country; and though
n was generally understood that he had n
house Mt Fort Washington and took rooms
AT a hotel i'm town every winter, hardly
any one had seen his wife. IL was sad
that she was pretty and attractive, but
had no taste for gaiety, and preferred the
retirement OF the country To the excite
ments of town life.
Delanos position as a prominent broker
| necessltated his constant presence in the
city, and, 10 would appear, "A considerable
amount of social intercourse IN which hs
| wife took no part. People shook their
| heads at his intimacy with Mrs. DE Lancey;
| the ladies pitled her mprudence. while the
club men darkly limited that the affair
| would probably result III an elopement 10
! Paris-hints however, cautiously uttered,
| as Dclauo was known to be "a dangerous
| man TO provoke.
Herman Egerton was n man about town
! "A yOuugster VINO dabbled III stocks and
| played little mt the broker business but
| whose time was principally passed at the
| ball room, the club ana the race course.
Though less generally respected than his
ri ais, his good looks, easy assurance, and
| local graccS made hun u universal favor
ite aud II was common remark III the
gay world that nothing could he done
without him. No dancing party was con-
sidered complete unless lie led the ger
man. which IN "a certain class II the test
OF social distinction. scion OF one of
The best families, he had inherited "a hand
some fortune, winch he had by this time
sufficiently diminished to begin to think
| marriage desirable; and he had in lis own
mind selected Augusta DE Lancey as the
object best suited al once 10 his tastes and
necessities.
Laucey, VINO with all her love OF admira
ton was not wanting in practical good
sense. should have responded to lierman's
advances. He was four years her JUNIOR,
aud Tar more than four years her inferior
in intellect and force of character. But
about thls time Mrs. DE Lancey's heart had
become conscious OF VOID which her
daily resources We're unable TO NIL She
was beginning TO weary II her barren tllr-
tation with Aired Delano. She knew, or
at least strongly suspected, that he con-
| denned himself, and that the thought OF
his neglected wife was cons tant reproach
70 him IN the midst OF his apparent devo-
ton; that II rendered him moody and
variable, and embittered her enjoyment ms
well us his own. Her heart expanded at
| the utSpOken devotion OF young Egcrton,
| VIII en- she could say to herself meant some
thing III earliest.
Herman had not failed to profit by his
opportunities; and although he rs yet con-
coded TO Mr. De.ano the privilege of ac-
campaigning AIRS. DE Lancey Is her escoi {.
he made IT II rule 10 take possession OF her
ON her arrival, and To remain by her side
tie whole evening, fiattrriug himself that
by so doing he drove Delhno 10 despera-
non.
The gossips in society had generally CON
cludcd thut Mr.. Egcrton's attentions 10
Mis-. DE Lancey would result IN an engage
ment. ii indeed they were not already Gu
gagged. E;ertOn, when the qles lon was
inslnuated. was not slow in encouraging
The idea that there was an understanding
llrcLdy existing between them. In Iact,
hc had made formal tender OF his hand
aud heart, and received an answer which
MAS not an absolute refusal, and might
nave expanded into nn unqualified accept
ance had not the unexpected return of her
old admirur, Col. Nevlns, awakened some
half-torgotten memories, and rendered her
little uncertain AS to the state OF her
affections.
Herman was one of the first arrivals at
DelmonIco's on the night OF the ball. 70
tell the truth, he was drawn thther not 50
much by eagerness to meet Mrs. De Ian
cey Us by the desire Of displaying II pecu-
harly splendid diamond OF which he had
possessed himself out OF Mrs. DE Lancey 5
jewel box, IN defiance OF her strenuous
objections, and declared his intention OF
| sporting at the ball.
While strolling through the ball room.
and studying the various faces, his atten-
ton was attracted by young lady who
sat apart from the company IN The deep
est recess of the bow window, ut the west
end of the room. He was attracted partly
by her beauty, which was remarkable;
partly by tie singularity OF her position,
alone and apparently in melancholy rev.