Ballou's Monthly Magazine, Vol. XXVII, No. 1 — page 25: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

So as by Fire. throned in a blue satin fauteuil, against which the suit gray of her many-flounced dress, and the rose-colored ribbous of her breast-knot and headdress, make a delicate but lively contrast. Hair of soft, pale brown, as yet scarcely touched with gray, and only showing those faint touches on a close examination, shows in a shining coil at the back of her head, and a light fleece of ringlets hangs and tosses at each side of her handsome face. Mrs. Granger’s face and form are full, her features regular and soft in outline, her com- plexion as delicate and her flesh as tender as an infant’s, her eyes a clear, pleasant gray, her forehead low and beautifully-shaped. She has a sweet, smooth voice, a gentle manner, and a very winning smile. Indeed, she is a thoroughly amiable woman, as the name goes. I doubt if she ever inspired or experienced any deep or devoted attachment; those uni- versally smiling women seldom do; but she was liked, and that suited her. Cora sat a little apart, and glanced from one to the other of these two. As much as she loved her aunt, and as grateful as she felt toward her, she could not help comparing her face to asmilingmask. There was something superficial in her sweetness, her compliments sounded hollow, her desire to please seemed to the critical eyes of her niece to be too evident. The other was by far the finer char- acter, she could not help owning. No one could doubt the sincerity of George Burkmar’s face. If anything, it was a trifle too sincere for the lady who was trying to please and flatter him. He received her smiles with scanty return, and though he evidently liked and respected her, there was no appearance of any marked feeling of complacency toward her. “ He is grand looking,” thought Cora, then felt vexed with herself the next minute for the adinission. Mr. Burkmar’s manner was unusually con- strained that day. He was not a man to be delighted with Mrs. Granger’s style of conver- sation, and at any time he found it not easy to reply to her compliments. Now it was more than ever difficult, with that pale and haughty creature sitting opposite, with her cool, bright eyes scanning him, and her ears taking in every word he spoke. Miss Cora was rather surprised and disconcerted pres- ently, to see the gentleman suddenly turn his eyes on her with a frowning look. She was not aware how intent her gaze had been. Mrs. Granger looked at the clock at the 29 same moment, with an exclamation of dismay: “Bless me!” I shall have to leave you to Cora, Mr. Burkmar. I am so sorry, but I know that you will excuse me. We have a meeting of the committee of our church char- itable society, and Iam the chair—woman, I suppose I must call it. We have a great many poor in the city. They call on me so seldom, that I feel it my duty to go. Perhaps I shall find you here on my return. Wont you stay and have dinner?” The gentleman gravely excused himself, being already engaged elsewhere, and seemed about to take his leave then, but changed his mind. Half way to the door, and after hav- ing bowed to Cora with freezing coldness, he deliberately returned to his seat. She looked at him in surprise, and waited for him to speak. “T am glad to have the opportunity to speak to you alone,” he said, coldly, but with some embarrassment. “I am aware that I am trespassing in taking advantage of that opportunity, since your dismissal of me from your presence was so explicit, at the time we were on our journey. Have I your permission to speak? or shall I go without saying any more ?” “Tf you have anything to say to me, you are at liberty to say it,” Cora said, loftily. “My aunt's visitors have every claim on my courtesy.” Seeing that she moved uneasily to avoid the sunlight from the window, he rose and lowered the curtain so as to shade her face, but leave the golden light on her bosom and on the fair hands that were folded on her lap. Instead of resuming his seat again then, he came nearer and leaned on the high back of a chair opposite her, his lofty form showing to full advantage in that position. His manner changed, too. The greater freedom and su- periority he felt when standing, banished his momentary embarrassment. He _ smiled slightly, and did not try to conceal the invol- untary expression of admiration with which he saw how lovely and picturesque she was in that light. She wore black, and the monotony of color allowed the eye to dwell more entirely on the perfection of her shape. But, plain as her dress was, every detail was exquisite; he saw that. From the smooth braids of her hair, to the tiny puffof white crape at the wrists, and the jet buckle of her shoe, every- thing was dainty and harmonious. The pal- lor which her face wore when we ae saw her, is there no longeS OU UG ORR Ware”