Fashion and Famine

oman's love

at never fee

roses cre

st bloom up

ts appointments for any idea but that of perfect taste, which wealth does not always give. A cottage house it was, or rather an exquisite mockery of what one sees named as cottages in the country. The front, of a pa

e of massive lace, was luxuriously interwoven with creeping plants. Prairie roses, crimson and white, clung around the lower balconies. Ipomas wove a profusion of their great purple and rosy bells around the upper windows; cypress vines, with their small crimson bells; petunias of every tint; rich passion flowers, and verbenas with their leaves hidden in the light balco

fruit; the gleam of white lilies; the glow of roses, and the graceful sway of a slender labarnum tree, all crowded into one little nook scarcely large enough for the

in profound repose, that the house might have been deemed uninhabited but for the gleam of light that occasionally broke through the vines about one or another of the windows. Sometimes it might be seen struggling through the rose

out upon the balconies, and return again, like a bird afraid to be detected beyond the door of its cage. Sometimes an old lady in mourning might be seen passing in and out, as if occupied with some slight household responsibi

one could decide her exact position. He seldom visited the house. Sometimes during months together he never crossed the threshold. But the old lady was always

that very reason. Thus all the usual avenues of intelligence were closed around the cottage. True, a colored man came occasionally to prune and trim the little flower nook, but he was never seen to enter the house, and appeared to be profoundly ignorant of its history and its inmates. Some of the most curious

the place was broken by the appearance of a new inmate. A fair young girl about this time was often noticed early in the morning, and sometimes after dusk hovering about the little fountain, as if enticed there by the scent

that lovely fountain was tossing its cool shower of water-drops into the air, and the flowers were bathed in the moonlight, for persons to pause in their evening walk and wonder at the gem-like beauty of the place. But these two persons seemed about to enter the little gate. One held t

pening the gate, "I see a light

accents of joyful surprise-"how beautiful-how very, very beautif

advancing along the walk. "It does look well just now, with the moonlight f

he youth, casting his g

nues to give entire satisfaction, even the efforts of our own mind, or the work of our own hands, after it is once completed. It is the progress, the love of change, the curiosity

-why the angels might think

d out their mis

ight revealed, had something unpleasant in it. The youth happened to look up at the moment, and a sharp revulsion cam

s the angels themselves, living here!" he said, half timid

. He was about to fasten the fragrant sprig in his button-hole, but some after-thought came ove

jeering good humor, as one trifles with a child:

n Leicester's tone that wounded his self-love; and without reply he moved from the fount

recognised Leicester. After one glance of surprise at his young companion, which

re entwined. No glittering chandelier, no gilded cornices or gorgeous carpets disturbed the pure harmony of this little room; delicate India matting covered the floor; the chairs, divans and couches were of pure white enamel. Curtains of soft, delicate lace

an vase, in which a lamp was burning, and through its sculpture poured a subdued light

ore free from earthly taint than everything within it. Robert paused at the threshold; a vague feeling of self-distrust came over him. It seemed as if his presence would soil the mysterious purit

own on a divan

here!" he said, addr

ep near the door, and with every appearance of eager haste a young girl entered the room. A morning dress of white muslin, edged with a profusion of delicate lac

th both hands extended, approached Leicester. Before she reached the divan the consciousness that a stranger w

f the hand toward Robert. "The evening was so fine, we have been

e beautiful, living original of a picture still engraven on his heart. The surprise was overpowering. He could not speak;

ivan which Leicester occupied. The color had left her cheek; and Robert, who was

n a low voice, bending with a timid air toward Leicester.

wered Leicester, carelessly. "I sent once or

but for them I should have

her; but, spite of the effort, a sound of rising tears was in her voice;

lorence, how do you

irl, shaking her head mournfully

ster, quietly interrup

rl, with a faint shudder. "

er, with an affectation of paternal interest; "we must have a g

the recess behind, seemed to be gazing out upon the flower-garden. A faint sound now and then brok

o be a tone of suppressed reproof, then he came into the room again, making some careless observation about the beauty of the nigh

end to your drawing, my dear young lady. I know it is difficult to obtain really competent masters; but here is my young f

as if from some vivid emotion. A faint glow tinged her own cheek, and, as it were, obeying the glanc

of joyous embarrassment-"that is, if I thought-if I dreamed that my impe

him; "do you not see that Miss Craft is delighted with the

speaker with a look of gratitude that

that, sweet as it was, sent a painful thrill through the listener.

hey are sure to think a guardian too exacting o

ishment; she seemed utterly at a loss to comprehend him, and though a

cure who loves to shake his wine, and amuse himself with its rich sparkle, long after his appetite is satiated. It seemed a

smiles, "now let us have some music. You must not send us

h a brightened look. "At least, I think so-w

ince?" questioned Leicester, as she brought

over the ottoman on which she seated herself, and with an ai

he spirits now,

ly reply, unless the wild, sweet burst of music that ro

ce toward him, while her small hand glided over the st

im cruel. With his mind he tortured the soul over which that mind had gained ascendancy. He named the song very gently which that poor young creature was to sing. It was her fath

en by a word from his lip or a glance of his eye. A moment before she had been radiant with happiness-now she

sometimes gave us on shipboard-do you remember I wr

is easier to give pain than pleasure; easier to dash the cup of joy from a trembling hand than to fill it afterward. She sighed deeply, and sat with her eyes bent upon the floor. That bad man was half off

stricken that young heart cruelly. Even this but partially aroused her. His vicious pride was pained. He leaned back on the divan, and the words of a song, sparkling,

her drooping form became more erect; her hand began to tremble; her pale lips were softly parted, and grew red as if the warm breath, flashing through, kindled a richer glo

very beautiful as the bloom came softly back to her cheek like a smile growing vivid there; it was like watching a flower blossom, or the escape of sunbeams from un

ting his own powers in the beautiful agitation of that young creature. The rich vibrations of his voice were still trembling upon the air, when the old lady returned to the room. Her manner was still quiet, but her large and

lli

nt that low, but ringing voice fell upon his ear, and, with some slight display of embarrassment,

o not like music!" added the old

ixedly upon her, wondering at all he saw. To him she appeared like the birds he had read of fluttering around the jaws of a serpent; spite of himself, this

liked music" said Florence, casting the ribbo

u both sing and play, dear child; but William-M

her eyes upon him with a look that made Robert pre

t again," said Leicester, with a slight shrug of

le group, and though she attempted to open a conversation with Robert, he was too much

aw the youth out, and that with a degree of quiet gravity that seemed by its respect to win upon her favor. He took no further

proposing that the young gentleman should give our pretty guest here some dr

hen bending her eyes upon the floor, she seemed to ponder over the proposal that had been made.

nd hard at Leicester, "it will occupy her-

h urged this proposal. That some motive of self interest was there, the old lady well knew, but she resolved to watch closer. His projects were not to

sought to keep him a few minutes longer, though she had no courage to utter the wish. He took her soft, little hand gent

visit, the one great joy for which she had so waited and watched, was over; and how had it passed? With the keen, cold eyes of that old lady upon them-beneath the curious scrutiny of a stranger. Tears of vexa

ppear to be weeping, one deep sigh after another heaved the black neckerchief folded over her bosom. As these sighs abated, Florence saw that the old lady was sinking into a reverie so deep, that she fancied it possible to steal away, unnoticed, to her room. So,

in her usual kindly tones, "I

dress, and turned back, for there was something in

oking out upon-upon the n

pents crept among the flowers, even th

ame into Floren

nd you," she said, i

lady, bending her eyes compassionately on

e blushes, a moment before warm upon her cheeks, had burned themselves out. She fel

ply. As she spoke, the old lady pressed her hand upon the coil of raven hair that bound that graceful head; t

, her eyes and her cheek kindling again, "else how could you k

questioned the old lady, while a de

athed with blushes to the very temples; "I h

?" questioned the old lady,

-I-how could any o

night-this v

ret, the-the flurry of his sudden visi

age? Have his professions of love ever taken this form?

e? yes-no-n

n word

ght of that befor

ssively-"then he is one shade le

g girl, all pallid and gasp

ose small, trembling hands in hers, "William

you know? Who are you that tell

or child. God help m

so pale, so still, that her very quietude was mo

parted lips. "It is his mot

tensity. "Look up, girl, and see what it costs

calm, her heart filled with tender pity, notwithstanding the tumult already t

will unsay these bitter words-you are only angry with him now-something has gone wrong

h mournful earnestness. "And now, dear child, let us talk n

ld lady arose and led h