Page:Peterson's Magazine 1842, Volume I.pdf/184

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asks for, Up to this moment, I assure you, I have never seen him.”

“But sure, if he sees you fuce to face it's all overs mad in love he'll be.”

“I admit that it will bo difficult to eure him.”

« Aye, hut are not you going to take a way that will render it impossible?”

“Not at all. Leave overything to me, anil T engage to send him homo to you as sensible as yourself.”

“And soon, Now mind, Mis.”

“Phin very day you shall 200 him, perfectly cured, at Charing Cross Hotel.”

“Why then, tong life and a good husband to you, Misa Gamott, Good morning to you, By the powers! bat you are beantiful. One would suppose that you were born in Cork.”

cmarren rrr,

A rew minutes after tho departure of Mr. Comey O'Donoughne, of Driskeen Park, Sally entered the apartment ; and by the announcoment of a very impor- tant jticce of intelligence, she put an end to the loud laughter of tho two friends. Sally announced that the young gentleman who had written fifty billets, the run- away from S81. Luke's, the unhappy “Cornelius,” was below in tho parlor, waiting for an answer to hia last letter, either to he admitted to an interview, or to put an ‘end to his existence in thewtrect. Miss Gumett instantly took up the pen, and wrote these worda:—

« We ought not to allow all fopls to perish, at lesat, without making one effort to eavo them, You may, therefore, come.

“Sally, said she, “take this to the young gentleman below staira, and then show hit into tho back druwing- room.”

The instant Mise Garnett was atono with her friend, she resolved upon playing a trick upon the amorous

“young law-student. She waa an excellent actress, a most accomplished drosser, and, therefore, was pretty certain of hor success. With a disiuterestednens, and an absence of selfishness, which are very rarely found in a beautiful woman, she resolved ‘to metamorphose herself, if It were possible, into an ngly woman, First she placed over her splendid drear a large hack apron, which belonged to her waiting-maid; then she took a thick red, heavy shaw!, that effectually conccaled her exquisite neck and delicate waist. She next placed coarse mittens upon her fair end delicate hands; and then she put a very small quantity of carmine upon the tip of her nose, wiped whitish powder upon her brows, and then took @ stage snuff-box, filled with some harm- less mixturo, with which sho darkened her upper lip.

‘Thus mado up, thus disguised, thus ealumniated, outraged, and metamorphosed by hersclf, she took @ fong look at the glass, and saw thut her charming fuce

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and person were no longer scarcely recognizable. Being perfectly content that she should he able to gratify the wishes of Mr. O'Donoushue senior, she rung for her servant to admit Me, Cornelius to her presence.

Gornelius entered the room, and suddenly stopped ; for he was terrified ut his own happiness, He wax pale, moveless, without sight, and without voice, He suw himself in the house of the cclobrated actrosa; he was in the eame room with Ais “Juliet,” his “Desdemona,” dis “Letitia Hardy.” He was about to speak to her, fur from the theatre, fax from the public gaze, and alone too, It seem to him as if ho never could havo the courage to raise his eyes to that divine creature, nor the power to speak to her, nor the boldncee to answer her, nor the audacity to express his adoration of her, At last ho advanced two or three pacea, and then looked upon the two actresses, as if ho were trying to recognize which was the one that he had fallen in love with from the stage box. MisfBarnett did not feave him long in doubt,

«Toko a seat, Sir,” said she, “and remaii please, at a little distance.”

“A distance!” thought Comeling,as be pliced himself on the very edge of a chair.

«Well, Sir, what makes you sit there, with your eyes fixed on the ground, like a bold hoy at choot, who hos been scolded for not Icarning his lesson. Why don't you look at met”

“Oh, Heavens! this ix surely not Mixa Garnett,” exeloimed Cornelius, with his eyes fixed on the fady.

“Yeo, but it is Miss Garett. Oh! now T see what aurprivea you. I suppose you thought you would sce me in my own houve, as if I were dreascd up for the stage, and going on as ‘Juliet,’ You wanted to have me with my checks painted red, and my nose whitened,

if you

.and my neck bare, and my arma uncovered. Oh! my

good young Ind, that is all very well for the foot-lights; but when the curtain fulle I am plain Maria Garnett onco agnin. Tattend (0 the affairs of the house, F see the cookery is all right; and, you must know, I am unequalled at made dishes. When I get home [ am aa you see me now. Tkcep myeelf nice, snug, coxy, warm, and comfortable; and when T ata annoyed hy visitors, 1 —take snuff.”

“Then how in the wortd is it that you appear #0 very different on the stuge ?” said the diappointed lover, driven out of all patience; “how ie it that you enchain all hearts; that all who seo you feet inclined to write « poetry ? 2

“Tatking of pootry,” saidl xe, “have you seen the pretty verses that Tom Moore has written upon mie, Instead of the “Lines to Marin,” { sbould ltuve preferred him sending me @ good Cheshire cheose.”

“But then the famo, the renown, and the glory that such © poet must give you." �