The Double Marriage [pp. 776-787]

The Double'Mr1arriage.78
were flashing with light, the cheek
was tinged like a rose, the white
neck and arms shamed even the
pearls that gleamed upon them.
Beautiful, bright, and sparkling the
picture was; but would to heaven I
had died as I stood there, for I was
then innocent and good.
' You, perhaps, sister, never saw or
cared to see a ball-room; on me the
effect was electrical.'Just as we entered, the sweet, fascinating melody of a popular waltz was floating
round the room; the room itself
was radiant with light and beauty; jewels were shining, feathers
waving, rich satins were gleaming;
and the wearers, to my novice's gaze,
were like beings from fairyland.
"Miss Clinton was soon surrounded
with friends, and I listened with astonishment to her witty repartees and
animated conversation. I was introduced to many of her friends;
our group or party was, I could not
fail to perceive, the most select in
the room. I sat by my mother, endeavoring to give my attention to
some officer who was detailing a
striking adventure, when a face and
form suddenly attracted my attention; it was that of a noble-looking
man, with a head remarkable for the
extreme beauty of its contour and
the richness of its dark curls. The
face, too, though not exactly handsome, was irresistibly attractive, from
its aristocratic mould of feature and
melancholy expression. His eyes
were a singularly dark gray, shaded
with long eyelashes; they had a tired,
listless look. I watched this gentleman some few minutes, and then
turning to my companion, said:'Can
you tell me who is that distinguished
looking man standing just beneath
the chandelier?'
"' Lord Montford. He is a clever
man; but a very reserved, haughty
character; he is known by the name
of Le Grand Seigneur. I know him
well, intimately; but I never can
penetrate the veil of melancholy that
hangs over him.'
"'Perhaps he is unhappy,' I said
simply'is he married?'
"'No; he is one of the best parties
of the season. Some say an early
disappointment is the cause of his
want of sociability; others say he
has a distaste for the society of your
charming sex.' And my informant
made a low bow.
"A dozen more questions trembled
on my lips; but not liking to continue the conversation, I remained silent. Suddenly looking up, I saw
Lord Montford's eyes fixed upon me.
I blushed, feeling like a guilty culprit. In a few minutes Miss Clinton came to me, and said:
"'Eva, you have made a splendid
conquest. Here is Lord Montford
asking to be introduced to you.
Come with me.'
"' Indeed I cannot,' I replied,
shrinking, scarcely knowing why.
"' Mrs. Leason, make her come,'
said Bella, smiling to my mother.
"' Go, Eva,' my mother said; and
I went. My first impulse was to run
away when I saw that tall, stately
form bending before me; but he
looked at me with so kindly an expression of interest and admiration
that I accepted the invitation for the
next quadrille with less of fear and
restraint than I had hitherto felt.
When the quadrille was over, Lord
Montford took me into the refreshment-room.
"' It is no idle compliment to tell
you, Miss Leason, that I enjoyed
that dance more than I have done
anything for years.'
"'Why?' I answered innocently,
looking up with astonishment. He
smiled and answered:
"' If I wished to flatter you, I should
say because you are more beautiful
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