(Continued from page 56.) CHAPTER IV. A NEW-YORK PARTY. BY FAIRY FAY. "No matter what you intended," interrupted the lady. "Please tell me, sir, at once, if I am to have the new damask hangings, and the Paris mirrors, I have been wishing for so long?" "Indeed, my dear, I should like to oblige you," said Mr. F.; "but consider the amount! One thousand dollars! The loss I have sustained by that confounded bank, together with the expenses of your daughter's education, and various other things, have completely drained me. Where am I to get the money? Couldn't you put off having these things for a little while longer, till I can look about me?" "And have some one else snap them up in the mean time, hey! Mrs. Livingston is to have a party soon, and I shouldn't wonder that she took a fancy for the draperies, especially if she heard I was after them; and I declare I won't be rivaled by anybody. I have set my heart upon having my rooms look perfect at my approaching fête; and it will spoil all the pleasure, if I give it with this shabby old furni ture." Poor Mr. Fortescue, finding it of no avail to argue with his obstinate lady, at length agreed to accede to her wishes, although he told her at the same time, that it might be his ruin. He would be obliged to borrow the money upon good security, and, in failure of payment, would have to sacrifice property to double the amount. His worldly-minded partner saw only the bright prospect of eclipsing Mrs. Livingston and gaining the splendid ornaments, and, satisfied with her success, left her better half to his arm-chair and an hour's quiet. a Bright blazed the lamps in the splendid mansion, where the fashionable world were assembled to pass the night: the young in folly, the old in cards. There were the Stanbrooks, the Lennoxes, the Lindsays, the Morgans, (with seven daughters,) the Van Vlecks, and the Van Vlocks, and many other Vans; the McPhersons, and the McTiers, and many other Macs. In short, this was a select party. None of your mixed sets-aristocrats and plebeians-but the very quintessentiality of New-York fashion. First let me introduce the seven Miss Morgans :Tall, fair and spare, nearly all of one height, resembling sun-flowers in full bloom; and as the flower turns to meet the orb of day, 80 they turned gladly to meet any orbs which might incline in their direction. Unhappily, they had as yet sighed, gazed, and languished in vain! "Angels and ministers of Love, defend us!" whispered Beaumont to young Fitzallen; “if here aint the seven weird sisters! How now, ye lovely, enchanting dames! Whate'er ye do, oh, haunt me not! Presto!" he suddenly exclaimed, "Celestina has her eye upon me: I'm a doomed man-I'm an atom-a grain-an animalcule I'm-I'm invisible ;" and skip ping behind Fitzallen, he bade him stand the fire until he effected his escape. "Poor Mrs. Morgan! she don't know how to manage, or she wouldn't parade out all her daughters at once," said Mrs. Lennox to Mrs. McPherson. "Poor thing, she seems distressed about procuring them partners. Fitz," she whispered, as she passed that young gentleman, "incline thy gentle heart to pity. Glorvina has singled you out you really must dance." "I'm ti-r-ed," drawled the beau, without moving an inch. "Pho! pshaw! nonsense! Well, if you're non compos, where are all the Astor House beaux? Where's Major Gorman ?" "In bed." "What's the matter with him?" "Lost his senses." By examining Mrs. Langdon's face." "You incorrigible! Mrs. Langdon don't rouge." "What'll you bet ?" "You forget, sir," said Mrs. Lennox, haughtily, "that ladies don't bet." "Pshaw !—well, I'll give you a dozen pair of gloves, if Mrs. Langdon's cheeks are colored by nature." "Done!" echoed Fitzallen. "I'm witness. But how to ascertain the point?" it." "Promise not to betray me, and I'll prove A thousand honors bright were pledgedFitzallen rubbing his hands in great glee. "Come with me, then, and be silent," said he, offering his arm to the lady. They crossed the room where the unconscious victim of their attack was sitting, watching the movements of the dancers. "My dear Mrs. Langdon!" said the exquisite, bowing respectfully; "never saw you looking so handsome. You absolutely rival the flowers in beauty and bloom." As he spoke, he turned to a vase on the table, near. "By the way, I wonder if these flowers are real? Yes, genuine, 'pon honor." He stooped over to replace the vase, and in so doing, dexterously spilled half the water it contained, upon the face of Mrs. Langdon. Snatching his perfumed handkerchief from his pocket, he rushed up to the lady, and, making many apologies for "Good gracious! how long since that hap- his awkwardness, commenced wiping off, with pened ?" "Since dinner!" replied Beaumont, with a shrug. "Oh, you audacious," laughed the lady, tapping him with her fan. "You are incorrigible. Apropos, where is your star of worship to-night?" no gentle hand, the dew-drops he had scattered. "Your cheek, madam; allow me; a leaf has fallen upon it." Fitzallen, unable to contain himself longer, burst into a loud laugh, while Mrs. Lennox, who really pitied the unfortunate object of this trial, suppressed her own mirth, and offered assistance in removing the effects of Beaumont's rudeness. Little mischief was done by the water; but, alas for beauty! that it must fade! We dare not examine too closely the tell-tale handkerchief. Suffice it to say, that when all eyes were diverted from their coterie, he slowly drew it from his pocket, and flourished it in triumph before the eyes of Mrs. Lennox. She lost the gloves. "Now, you have discovered one work of art, I suppose you will soon find another," said Mrs. Lennox. "I shouldn't wonder if you accused that beautiful girl yonder of wearing false curls. Did you ever see anything more natural than those ringlets?" crowd, had found refuge in the music-room, where, placed in a conspicuous position, the splendid harp of Miss Angelina was now sending forth its dulcet sounds. Here Cornelia Stanbrook-the observed of all observers had collected around her a select group of distinguished gentlemen, whom, by the brilliancy of her sallies, her splendid beauty and graceful ease, she chained to her side.The belle, the beauty, the heiress, feared neither competition nor rivalry. Refreshments were now brought in, and the gentlemen became busy in attention to their fair partners. "False, I'll be bound,” replied Beaumont ; Frederick Howard, who, through the flattering "and, if you'll give me leave, I'll prove it." "You cannot-you dare not." "I can, and dare, and will, as soon as the waltz commences for which I have engaged her." Mrs. Lennox fixed her attention upon the young lady and her long glossy ringlets, while Beaumont busied himself in some mysterious arrangement of his vest buttons, unperceived by his companions. When the waltz commenced, away the couple flew, while all stood admiring the ease and grace of the one, and the beauty of the other, whose hair in particular was generally extolled. Suddenly the shining mass seemed to be inextricably entangled in the dress of the lady's partner, and, shocking to relate, a few of the envious ringlets remained in his possession, twined like tendrils around a button of his vest. They paused for the lady to recover her breath. The hero retired with the stolen signal of success. Amid the shouts of laughter that ensued, music was heard from an adjoining apartment. Conversation ceased, and all ears were bent to listen. "Who is playing?" asked several voices. "It is Angelina Fortescue, practising her new harp." "Let's adjourn," said Fitzallen, twirling his mustache. notice of the Stanbrook family, as well as his own merits, had become a favorite in society, was standing with the famous poet H******, conversing with Laura, when some commotion in the room announced that another performer was about to try the harp, and, at this moment, his eye fell upon a lady, who, having been surrounded by a group of the literati, had hitherto escaped his notice. Her dress was studiously plain, yet elegant and becoming.Her hair dark, and disposed in the Grecian style about a head, whose classical contour instantly struck the beholder with admiration. Her eyes were of that changeable color which appears gray, blue or black, in peculiar lights, and generally allowed to be the most expressive. Her eye-brows were arched and well defined, and the long lashes which half concealed her eyes, except when raised, fell upon a cheek of that deep rich color, which is the sure indication of health. Her hand, which she that moment raised to replace a rose in her dark hair, was extremely small and delicately formed, and her arm dazzlingly white and round. Her form appeared perfection, developing every grace of nature, and displayed to advantage by her tight-fitting black velvet dress. She wore no ornaments, and beauty like hers needed none to improve it. Howard caught but one glance of this interesting stranger, for Mrs. Fortescue, "Is the Stanbrook there?" inquired Beau- bustling through the crowd, panting with the แ "Get away." 'Certainly, I'm going to worship my star of promise. Ah! good evening, Miss Laura, lovely as usual. There, the divine Cornelia is at length at liberty; I must go pay my devoirs. Au revoir, Fred; come to my rooms to-morrow, I've business of importance with you. A rich client, you comprehend-addio.” And having rattled through his speech, the exquisite rattled off, his highly polished French boots creaking musically at every step. "Place that harp farther this way," said Mrs. Fortescue to an attendant. 66 Now, Miss Legard; pardon me for interrupting your conversation, but may I entreat you to favor us with one song. You who play so beautifully on the harp, ought not to refuse. I wish Angelina to improve by hearing the best performers. Of course, having been in France and Italy so long, you must be perfect." "Who is Miss Legard?" inquired Howard of Laura. "A foreigner, I understand. At least she has that reputation, although she speaks English fluently." "I have heard,” observed H******, “many, both French and Italians, converse with such fluency in our language that it was difficult to detect their foreign origin except from their countenances and manners." "The latter is an invariable criterion," remarked Mrs. Langdon; "for foreign ladies are always graceful-our countrywomen always stiff." "What a reflection," said Laura, smiling. "The Legard is certainly French," said Lavinia Fitzallen; "for I heard her chatting away and she talks like with Monsieur LLevisac's Grammar." "Italian, I'm confident," said Miss Mellen; "for that handsome Italian Count, with whom Cornelia Stanbrook is so much in love, talked with Miss Legard half an hour about Venice, and Florence, and Doges, and all those sorts of things; as if they had been intimate with them from their infancy." "But how oddly she dresses," said Miss Lavinia: "no diamonds, nor pearls, nor anything; and only look at her hair! drawn back on her head, like one of those statues at Launitz's.She, no doubt, wishes to imitate Calypso, or some other Italian goddess." “Grecian, you mean," said Miss Mellen. Well, no matter where they lived. They all look alike in pictures and statues. I wonder she don't wear a loose white robe, confined at the shoulder with a cameo, and have her feet bare, or in sandles, and all that sort of thing." "Oh, it is very evident that you are influenced by jealousy," said Miss Corrinna Mellen, who was very anxious to appear a "blue" and a savant, and had been boasting all the evening of her intention to patronize the Legard, whom nobody knew. "I have discovered that she has talent, and mean to bring her out," said she. "Of course, as she is a stranger, we must make a party for her. She has already an invitation to the Mis Stanbrooks' literary soirée; mine shall follow, and I will have Mr. Irving, and Mr. Benjamin, and Mr. Hoffman, the American Walter Scott, and all the lady writers, and we will have music too, and all that sort of thing; and-and-" Here she was interrupted by "chut,” “chut,” "silence;" and the tuning of the harp inter rupted the conversation. Miss Legard seated herself at the harp. "She must be a foreigner," thought Howard, "for her perfect self-possession proves it beyond all doubt." As he watched her graceful figure in tuning the harp and arranging the music, something in her air and manner reminded him of Inez, whose absence—having been detained by illness-had been a great drawback to his present enjoyment. At the very first tones of a voice, clear, rich, powerful, and well cultivated, everyone yielded to the sensation which music always awakens in those capable of enjoying it. The very breath seemed suspended, as Miss Legard swept her hands across the strings of the harp, and at length, assured that all was right, commenced singing to its accompaniment a favorite Scotch ballad. "But why don't she sing French or Italian, or something that we don't understand?" asked Miss Mellen, in a whisper. "Pray ask her, Mrs. Fortescue. These things are so common." Miss Legard smiled, as, after finishing her song, this request was made to her. "With pleasure," she replied, turning over the music. "What shall it be?" A song from a favorite opera was proposed, to which the soft modulations of her voice, and her correct pronuncia- | tion of the Italian, gave additional charm. And here let me remark upon the absurdity of young ladies in the present day attempting to sing words which they do not understand, and cannot even pronounce. They suppose it fashionable to sing Italian, and having no knowledge whatever of the language, often utter strange dissonant sounds, at variance with the music, or make perfect nonsense of the words; and sometimes giving a different meaning to them than was intended by the author. After this second song, Miss Legard declined doing more until some of the rest of the company had performed their part. As few understood the harp, the piano was resorted to, at which the Misses Fitzallen did justice to that well-known duet, "O dolce Concento." This was followed by dancing, the band suddenly striking up in the large drawing-rooms adjoining, and calling off the more juvenile of the company. Howard joined the circle who, as the room thinned again, gathered around the fascinating stranger. Miss Stanbrook, for once, felt herself eclipsed; yet, determined not to lose her ground, she beckoned Beaumont to her side, who, ever ready to obey a wink or nod from the idol of his worship, instantly answered the summons. "What a fuss they are making about her toright," she said in a pettish tone. One would think she were a foreign princess, by the adulation she receives. She is neither young nor" -she was about to say "beautiful," but her conscience would not allow her "They say she is very clay-ver-,” minced Beaumont. upon his bounty, Inez Laurence, has been taking lessons of her in music and other things. She has smuggled herself into society some way; and now Colonel Stanbrook carries his absurd patronage so far as to desire me to notice her, and make parties to show her off! There is a report that she has been lately made independent by the caprice of some old fellow, who disinherited his own relations, and left all his property to her. She lives very genteelly, and—” eye of At this moment Cornelia caught the her uncle fixed upon her with such a strange expression, and so full of stern reproof, that she stopped abruptly in the midst of her speech. She had often witnessed his displeasure at her rude remarks, but she had never seen him look so indignant before. She dropped her eyes, and was silent. Happily, Beaumont's attention had been directed towards the object of her raillery, so that he did not notice the sudden change in her countenance, and, with her usual tact, she hastened to turn the conversation. "Is there any prospect of Ellen Tree's arrival?" "I hope so; for the Park is most dolefully dull." “Pray, get me an ice; I am perishing with the heat." Off flew Beaumont. "Got rid of him at last, just as Count Puffer is approaching-of course to solicit my hand for the next dance. What a fop that fellow is." The next instant she turned, with her most gracious smile, to greet her foreign admirer. As Howard approached the group, in the midst of which Miss Legard was seated, Mr. Hamilton, an English gentleman, was remarking upon the passion for German and Italian music, both in England and this country, and deploring the want of musical talent or musical enthusiasm, which prevented any of our composers from becoming distinguished in this respect. "I imagine," said Miss Legard, "that it is not so much because they fail in either of these, "Not more so than is necessary in her situa- as from the multiplicity of other engagements, tion, and for the occupation in which she is which does not allow of their paying it suffiengaged." cient attention. Hayden and Mozart made it "What is that?" asked Beaumont, in asto- the business of their lives. The Italians are, nishment. "Why, I have heard that she was governess to some noble family in Europe, where she learned all her graces, I suppose. Since her return, my uncle's ward, or rather a dependant by nature, musical. Their climate, their serene skies, their green valleys and bright flowers -even their indolent lives-contribute to the encouragement of, and tend to foster their love for, this delightful science. The sweetest voice |