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day he ventured a remark on the beauty of the stone; and for a long time the
simple operator was at a loss to conjecture what there was in the observation
to call the blood so tumultuously to the face of the maiden. His surprise
might haply have continued to the hour of his death, had not Lawton kindly
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intimated that it was indignation at his overlooking the object on which the
bauble reposed. The gloves of kid which concealed the hands and part of the
arm, leaving enough of the latter in sight, however, to proclaim its fair
proportions, indicated that there was no one present to tempt the flattering,
and perhaps unconscious display, of womanly power.
Once, and once only, as they moved towards the repast prepared with so much
judgment and skill by Cæsar, did Lawton see a foot thrust itself from beneath
the folds of her robe, and exhibit its little beauties encased in a slipper of
blue silk, clasped close to the shape by a buckle of brilliants. The trooper
caught himself sighing as he thought, though it was good for nothing in the
stirrup, how enchantingly it would grace a minuet.
As the black appeared on the threshold of the room making a low reverence,
which has been interpreted for some centuries into dinner waits, Mr.
Wharton, clad in a dress of drab, and loaded with enormous buttons, advanced
formally to Miss Singleton, and bending his powdered head to near the level of
the hand he extended, received her s in return.
Dr. Sitgreaves offered the same homage to Miss Peyton, and met with equal
favor; the lady first pausing, with stately grace, to draw on her gloves.
Colonel Wellmere was honoured with a smile from Sarah while performing a
similar duty; and Frances gave the ends of her taper fingers to Captain Lawton
with a manner, that said so much to the corps, and so little to the man.
Much time, and some trouble was expended before the whole party were, to the
great joy of Cæsar, comfortably arranged around the table with proper
attention to all points of etiquette and precedence. The black well knew the
viands were getting cold, and felt his honour concerned in the event.
For the first ten minutes all but the captain of dragoons found themselves in
a situation much to their liking; but he felt himself a little soured at the
multiplicity of the questions and offers of the host, which were meant to be
conducive to his enjoyments, but which in truth had an exactly contrary
effect. The captain could not eat and answer in a breath, and the demands for
the latter somewhat interfered with the execution of the former.
Next came the drinking with the ladies; but as the wine was excellent, and
the glasses of very ample size, the trooper bore this interruption with
consummate good nature. Nay, so fearful was he of giving offence, and omitting
any of the nicer points of punctilio, that having commenced this courtesy with
the lady who sat next him, he persevered until not one of his fair companions
could, with justice, reproach him with partiality in this particular.
His long abstemiousness from any thing like generous wine might plead the
excuse of Captain Lawton, especially when exposed to so strong a temptation as
was now before him. Mr. Wharton had been one of a set of politicians in
New-York, whose principal exploits, before the war, had been to assemble, and
pass sage opinions on the signs of the times, under the inspiration of certain
liquors which were made from a grape that grew on the south side of the island
of Madeira, and found its way into the colonies of North America by the way of
the West Indies, sojourning awhile in the Western Archipelago, by way of
trying the virtues of the climate. A large supply of this cordial had been
drawn from his store-house in the city, and some of it now sparkled in a
bottle before the captain, blushing luxuriantly in the rays of the sun, which
were passing obliquely through it.
If the meat and vegetables had made their entrance with perfect order and
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propriety, their exeunt was effected with far less. The point was to clear the
board something after the fabled tale of the harpies, and by dint of
scrabbling, tossing, breaking, and spilling, the overflowing remnants of the
repast vanished from the room. And now another series of processions
commenced, by virtue of which a goodly display of pasty with its usual
accompaniments, garnished the table.
Mr. Wharton poured out a glass of wine for the lady who sat on his right
hand, and pushing the bottle to a guest, said, with a low bow--
We are to be honoured with a toast from Miss Singleton.
Although there was nothing more in this movement than occurred every day on
such occasions, yet the lady trembled, coloured, and grew pale again,
seemingly endeavouring to rally her thoughts, until by her agitation she had
excited the interest of the whole party; when, by an effort, and in a manner
as if she had strived in vain to think of another, Isabella said faintly--
Major Dunwoodie.
The health was drank cheerfully by all but Colonel Wellmere, who wet his
lips, and drew figures on the table with some of the liquor he had spilt; and
Frances thought deeply on the manner of doing, what in itself would have
excited no suspicions.
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