W

I.

I ARRIVE AT BELLEAIR.

WHEN I went to see aunt Wimple

not Lulu-at Belleair, in the good year eighteen hundred and blank, I was nineteen, had my pockets full of money, and was called Tom. I am Thomas

Esquire, now; but, looking back through the mists of many years, and making due allowance for the partiality of the judge, I think the fine young fellow I was then, a far more enviable personage than my eminently respectable self, now. But I am not much changed; my mustache contains but two or three white hairs, as yet-and those who know me, say I'm a gay young fellow still, in which opinion I agree with them.

Lulu, aunt Wimple's only daughter, had staid in town with us, the winter before, and I had met the fate of nearly every one who had the temerity to encounter the bright light of her dazzling eyes. I was not long in pleading for leave of absence from old Borem & Company-in whose commission house I lived-and in following this permission up, by graciously accepting my invitation to Belleair. I arrived at the old hall, one evening, when all the birds of August were singing; and when the beautiful stream, at the foot of the hill, was dancing in the red sunset, which it threw back from its broad expanse magnificently. I was warmly welcomed, of course, by kind old aunt Wimple, and, more enthusiastically still by Jack, Lulu's brother, and, consequently, my most intimate friend. As for Lulu, she came forward, rather demurely, and quietly extended her hand, struggling to suppress her laughter of which commodity this fascinating young lady always seemed to have an unlimited supply.

"By your leave, mistress!" I observed; and, before the damsel could defend herself, I had impressed upon two of the reddest lips in the world a "salute"-as said our honest ancestors -far warmer than our relationship made necessary. You see, I was nineteen then, and the heart of nineteen beats warmly in the bosom.

Jack laughed heartily; aunt Wimpie's countenance relaxed; and even Lulu, muttering "Impudence!" burst into laughter; and so we entered the old antler-decorated hall, and the great sitting-room, where all the portraits of my venerable forefathers, in pearls and powder, ruffled breasts and laces, seemed to extend to me a serene and courteously smiling welcome.

There were two visitors at Belleair, who soon made their appearance-Rose Walton, a demure little, quiet friend of Lulu, also a hopeless flame of Jack; and Mr. Fitzarthur, "from town." Did you know Fitzarthur, in those days? To make a negative reply, will argue that you yourself were wholly unknown. How shall I describe the serene efful. gence of the noble knight-what do I say, the king, the emperor-of fashion! He wore the tightest kid gloves, the smallest boots, the most elegant and recherché coats and waistcoats; and his watch-chain, with its bundle of seals and “charms,” then coming into fashion, was the admiration of every beholder. To know Fitzarthur was, if not to love, at least to admire and wonder at him. Fitzarthur patronized everybody in the most good-natured way-aunt Wimple, Jack, Rose, the Honorable Josiah Muggins, M.C., who sometimes came to Belleair-even Lulu herself, whom he had met at the Springs that year, and to whom he was paying his addresses.

As I look back on you now, my dear Fitzarthur, and recollect how you shone, and how I feared you would not recognize me in the country, and how you went through life at Belleair and in town, with changeless smiles and nevershaken self-esteem and admiration, I bow to you, as the prince of dandies, erect an imaginary tablet to record your graces, and declare that you were more than mortal almost-almost the paragon of fops.

As I have intimated, Fitzarthur accorded me a serene recognition, giving me, for that purpose, the end of his kid glove; and so, with Jack's arm round me -I wished it had been Lulu's-we were ushered into the great supper-room,

where a thousand merry jests went round, and where was eaten, perhaps, the merriest supper of the century. Afterwards, we had the pleasantest lounge upon the portico, looking out upon the noble chase, with its century oaks, and the broad stream, glittering, through the dipping foliage, with the last red fires of sunset; and, in good time, I threw myself joyously into one of those old, honest, tall-posted, leaguewide country-beds, which are scarcely ever seen now, in our miserable generation. Jack was with me, of course, and we talked for hours--you see, I liked him, and he was the brother of somebody--and then I dropped asleep, and all the scene slipped from me in Elysian dreams: Elysian! for I dreamed that I was married to Lulu, and that Fitzarthur was my first groom's man.

I have dedicated these paragraphs to the evening of my arrival at Belleair, because the beautiful sunshine of that August evening shines in my memory still, and ever will live there for me, fair and dreamy, and instinct with the radiance of romance and youth.

The month of August flew by like a dream, and I find no difficulty in recalling-as I could relate in detail, were it necessary every incident of that glorious time, when my heart beat warm and free, with the blood of nineteen. The rides; the games; the fishing parties, in the boat on the stream; the rambles in the woods; the apple-gathering in the orchard, when the "bell-flowers" were ripe, and all the thousand scenes, and jests, and merry utterances-all these are as real in my memory, to-day, as in my real life then.

I need scarcely say that my love for Lulu did not diminish, thus thrown with her, as I was, day after day, and week after week. I found, every hour almost, something new in her character, which, more and more, deprived me of the small quantity of free will which I possessed. The loving circle, of which she was the life and pride, at that time, will bear me out, when I say, that there are few such natures in this prosy world, to-day. She was literally the life and joy of every scene-she had the rarest and most singular combination of maidenly delicacy and extravagant mirthfulness. Her dark, brilliant eyes had a "charming archness" in them, and her quick movements and ever-changing attitudes, were the perfection of wild

What a

grace and daring abandon. poor thing language is! I try to trace some outline of Lulu at seventeen, and I am reduced to the most unhappy plight by my inability: I don't think any one would be more successful. I had seen many girls, of all styles of beauty, at town parties; and, while I had employed much of my spare time in the genteel and satisfactory occupation of flirting, I never so much as thought of loving any of them. After being ten days at Belleair, I was past praying for. Truth to say, I think my dreadful rival, Fitzarthur, was as nearly in the same condition as was possible for one who had so absorbing an admiration and regard for himself. He loved Lulu, however, I have no doubt-rightly supposing that, to receive such a wife, would be the crowning feather in his cap; to secure aunt Wimple's broad acres, or a portion of them, to be Lulu's some day, not a disagreeable plum in his pocket. As for myself, I can honestly say, upon my honor, that I seldom or ever thought of Lulu, in connection with such things; for I never knew the want of money, and my father was wealthy, and had no other child but myself. I own such reckless imprudence and disregard of "material affairs" was shocking; but I was very much in love, you see, and only nineteen. Now, at nineteen, the heart rules the intellect a disgraceful despotism, shaken off in after life.

The month of September, like that of August, fled along on downy pinions, and the Belleair circle was the same. Fitzarthur had paid one or two visits to friends of his in the neighborhood; but he always so arranged these visits that they should not take him out of "hitting distance," so to speak, of Lulu. At last he returned to aunt's, where Rose Walton still was staying, avowing his design to tarry only a few days, and then return to town, from which, it was a wonder to the whole family, how any consideration could have kept this star of fashion absent so long.

I mention these little incidents of the summer months, you see, to afford, as it were, some frame and coloring to the deeply-absorbing and highly-interesting adventures of the real period of my courtship, which occurred in the bright month of October. To say that every day I had grown more and more hopelessly a captive, would be only repeti

tion. I had long since come to the "desperate" point; and had vainly cudgeled my unfortunate brains for a means of impressing on Lulu, orally, the fact, that I was her slave. I revolved the propriety of requesting a private interview in the sitting-room; but the idea of solemnly entering that great apartment with Lulu following me wonderingly, and, in the presence of my grave old ancestors, proposing for her hand and heart-the very thought disarmed me, made me a coward, and I relinquished the idea instantly, like the poor poltroon I was. Then I thought of asking Lulu to ride with me-to take a stroll in the woods—to ramble through the grove. From all these propositions my cowardly heart recoiled, and retreated ignominiously. I never got any further than taking her hand, and holding it lingeringly, one evening at twilight, as we returned toward the hall, and striving in vain to speak. Lulu was an intelligent girl, and she, no doubt, perfectly understood my meaning; for she quickly withdrew her hand, and, blushing slightly, said, with a laugh, and somewhat hurriedly, "Come, cousin, let us go in, the dew is falling!" -and so she flitted up the broad staircase and disappeared.

When Lulu came down that evening she was in brilliant spirits, as usual; and, with her arm leaning on Miss Rose's shoulder, presented the most joyous and entrancing vision I had ever looked upon; Fitzarthur made her the most elegant compliment imaginable, and, of course, I had not the least desire to cut his throat, and so make an end of him.

But we'll get on to October. It was on a beautiful morning of that fine month that the first scene of real dramatic interest occurred between myself and Lulu, and the purpose of this little introduction has been, to convey, as rapidly and clearly as possible, some idea of the relative position of the par

ties.

Fitzarthur, you see, was in love with Lulu, and I was in love with Lulu: and the mutual desire of myself and Fitz. was, to reduce into possession the heart of this young lady. I saw that my rival was going to propose very soon, and I intended to frustrate him, having, at last, conceived a brilliant and encouraging idea, of which I shall proceed, at once, to speak.

II.

LULU AND MYSELF FALL OUT.

It was the brightest day of the whole month of October, and never have I seen the forest present a more gorgeous picture of splendid and imperial beauty.

We were all out upon the portico, and had been conversing for some time, my friend Fitzarthur "leading" the company, and making everybody laugh with his amusing stories. Fitzarthur, you see, was an admirable general; and, a long experience in the ways of women had led him to the conclusion, that these charming creatures like an entertaining fellow. But Fitz. had another axiom equally impressed upon his mindnamely, that a gentleman who wishes to produce the best effect upon a young lady, should never make his presence stale. I think he was right, and more than once have I known a fine young fellow to be ruined by a too exclusive devotion to the presence of his mistress.

In consequence of Fitz.'s views upon this subject, he rose at the end of a most entertaining story, and, gently caressing his "imperial," observed that he had too long neglected a fair friend of his, whose three last letters remained unanswered. He must positively write to her by the mail that evening-announcing his immediate return. Having made this communication with the most odious and graceful elegance, he kissed his hand, and retired into the hall.

Lulu pouted beautifully. Then there was somebody whose society Mr. Fitzarthur preferred to their own; even communication with her by mail. Well, Mr. Fitzarthur was the best judge of his own affairs: and, having clearly indicated these reflections in her eyes, Miss Lulu proceeded to pout again. As she did so, her eyes fell upon myselfI was smiling. Lulu looked at me for a moment, saw that I was watching her expression, and burst out laughing.

"Well, sir," she said, "why are you staring me out of countenance?"

66

"A cat may look at a king," I replied, “and, doubtless, the same applies to a queen."

"A queen! so you are laughing at me! Well, sir, laugh on!"

And Miss Lulu set me the example, by herself bursting into the merriest fit imaginable. She then heaved a mock sigh, and said:

How in the world shall we pass our

morning? I thought Mr. Fitzarthur was going to give me a row on the stream-heigho!"

And Miss Lulu pretended to be broken-hearted.

"Won't I do ?" I said instantly; for this very idea had occurred to me on the evening before: "I have the largest and most serviceable hands, you see, my dear cousin ———.”

"Now you are laughing at Mr. Fitzarthur, sir! He has the most beautiful hands I ever saw; they are as soft and white as satin."

66

Then you have experimented upon their softness, have you?" I said, laughing.

"No, sir! I never saw anything as unamiable as you gentlemen, in speaking of each other."

"Very well: but you have not answered."

"Answered what, sir ?"

"Will you go and have a sail ?"

Lulu hesitated: she wished to pique Mr. Fitzarthur; she wished to make the excursion; but she wished to take revenge on me.

"Ask Rose," she said; "the boat will hold only two."

"I can't go," said little Rose; "I have a cold, and am afraid of the air on the stream."

Lulu was thus forced to say yes, or no; and while she was debating, I improved the time by painting such a richly-colored picture of the delights of the excursion, that she could not resist the temptation. Lulu knew very well

her so.

that I was in love with her, and that I was seeking for an opportunity to tell But either my tone of laughing carelessness disarmed her suspicions, or she yielded to the exciting temptation which so frequently assails young ladies under the same circumstances; and so she consented, and ran and got her bonnet, and in ten minutes we were in the boat.

It was one of those frail little canoes, which lie upon the water like a leaf of autumn; and had only seats for twoone in the middle, where Lulu sat, and the other at the stern, which I now occupied. Obedient to the single paddle, the skiff plunged her cutwater into the stream; and, ascending the lazy current thus, we glided past the Lover's Rock," raising its tall granite peak straight up from the bed of the stream, to the top, almost, of the fir-clad heights;

along by the belt of richly-variegated oaks and chestnuts which skirted the stream, and so, into the primitive forest, as it were, through which the current wound and sparkled.

Lulu's brilliant eyes seemed to gather fresh light from the blue skies and the golden forest; and the splendid tints of autumn communicated to her face, it appeared to me, a new and more dazzling beauty. We scarcely spoke, and nothing was heard but the dip of the paddle, as I drove on the little boat; the musical, fairy-bell-like chime of the crystal drops which fell from its edges into the water, as I raised it for a moment into the air; or, perhaps, now and then a snipe or plover's cry, or the partridge's whistle from the uplands, beyond the belt of forest. We ascended the stream thus, until we came nearly to the fish-baskets, on the Grassland estate; and there, in the midst of a scene of wild and picturesque beauty, of thick-woven foliage, brilliant with October, and clear-running water, mirroring the tall trees, I threw the paddle into the bottom of the boat, and permitted the craft to take its own way back toward Belleair.

We talked about the beauty of the scene, and a thousand things, but I think my cowardly voice trembled slightly. It's an old story: I suppose young fellows will go on being cowards to the end of the world, and will never come to understand, that frequently the young damsel has no fonder desire than that they should take courage, and ask for the willing prize. I hereby recommend to my dear grandchildren the adoption of the venerable motto, "Faint heart never won fair lady yet," assuring those dear boys, upon my honor, that bright birds very often wish to have themselves caged. Perhaps this advice may seem strange in connection with what follows; I nevertheless communicate it. But I will proceed.

As the little boat drifted down the stream, I sat with my eyes fixed upon the lovely face, shaking and trembling to my inmost heart, with the thought of what I designed. As yet, I could only try and tell her with my eyes, that life, without her, would be a miserable farce to me; and to this occupation I assiduously addressed myself.

Lulu did not seem to be aware of my presence; a dreamy influence seemed to have stolen over her, and, pensively

leaning her head upon her hand, she gazed at the tints of the autumn forest, and murmured, "Beautiful! beautiful!"

As she sat thus, supporting her fair brow with her white hand, with her dark curls falling upon her classic neck, I was plunged into such a sea of love, that I could not speak at first, my words fainting at the portal of the lips. At last I mustered courage to echo her observation, and murmur, "Yes, very beautiful."

There must have been something in the tone of my voice which sounded strangely, for Lulu waked up, as it were, from her revery, and fixed her startled eyes upon my countenance. It told the whole tale fully, without a chance of misunderstanding; and a sudden flush covered her cheeks, and even invaded her neck. The ice was broken, the signal of the assault given, the cat released from the bag. Any of these figures of speech may be taken as a description of the sudden change in the face of affairs. In a moment, I was in possession of Lulu's unappropriated hand, with whose assistance I performed a foolish ceremony, common to lovers in all ages, and in the most rapturous

manner.

The following were the terms in which I then proceeded to address my companion:

"How can I conceal it any longer? Oh! Lulu! if you only knew how much I love you! Without you, I feel that life to me will be a wretched burden, and unless you love me, I will kill myself, and my blood will be upon your hands! Oh, Lulu! answer me!-tell me that you love me, and will marry me! Unless you do, I will be ruined and broken-hearted, and I will leave my native land, and never more return!"

I paused, nearly out of breath, and only saw a blush suffuse Lulu's face, and her frame shake with emotion, as she covered her eyes with her handkerchief.

"Without you," I continued, “life will be nothing but a thunder-cloud to me, and all hope will depart! Do you, can you, doubt my love? If you doubt it, tell me what I shall do to prove it, and if it be to accomplish greater labors than those of Hercules, I will accomplish them; for I feel that the thought of winning you will give me a giant's strength. Speak. Lulu! tell me that you love me!-tell me that you

will be my wife, and make me happy! I know I am not worthy of you, but your love will make me so. If you are not mine, I care not what may happen to me; and you will have upon your conscience a ruined life. The thought of having refused such love as mine will prey upon your spirits; you will waste away, and perhaps fill an untimely grave, beside my mouldering remains. Avoid this dreadful future; love me in return, and the world will never see a happier pair. Oh, Lulu! answer me, and tell me I am blest!"

I stopped, this time wholly out of breath, and waited for a reply. Lulu's emotion seemed to have overwhelmed her; her face was covered, and she shook with emotion.

"Don't let your feelings overcome you, dearest Lulu," I cried, trying to draw away her hands," your emotion, under the circumstances, is very natural, and I can understand it."

The hands fell down; a more violent convulsion shook Lulu's frame; she was overcome with laughter!

I have passed through some disagreeable scenes in the course of my life, but I don't think I ever experienced an emotion of such profound meanness. That is the word. Lulu's reception of my addresses had the effect of freezing water thrown on a naked and trembling wretch-I was completely speechless.

Lulu laughed for five minutes without intermission, and then, wiping the tears from her eyes, said, trying to speak gravely:

"Oh cousin Tom! How could you talk in that way? How could you say such horrid, dreadful things?"

And again Miss Lulu seemed to be about to lapse into laughter; but she restrained herself. By a powerful effort she grew calmer, and said with gradually increasing seriousness:

You

"I am very sorry-very, very sorry, cousin, that you-that we have had this conversation. I love you very much; but it would not be honest for me to make you think that I have any warmer feeling than that of a cousin. fancy that your feeling for me is stronger than it is; but I think you are led away by your fancy. Let us forget this whole scene, and remain as good friends as ever: and, more than all, you must not think of going away, as I know you gentlemen think you ought to, at such times. Indeed, you must not,