BY THE AUTHORESS OF “THE DISINHERITED,” “FLIRTATION," &c. "Devotion even in despair." IN TWO VOLUMES, VOL. II. PHILADELPHIA: CAREY, LEA & BLANCHARD. ...... 1836. Fibe THE DEVOTED. CHAPTER I. La table de Celamer est toujours bien servie; on y fait une chère fort propre et fort délicate;-mais si son cuisinier a mis trop, ou trop peu, de sel dans un ragoût il s'abandonne à des emportemens qui approchent de la fureur-il ne faut plus que les conviés espèrent de parler ou de se réjouir;il fautdes harangues à tous ses valets, les uns après les autres ; il n'est plus le maïtre de lui-même; il semble qu'il extravague, et qu'il ait perdu le sens.BELLEGARDE, Reflexions sur le Ridicule. EVERY one has felt after a course of amusement how little they are inclined to drop again into the dull current of common life: a fever is on them; they are weary-it may be of excitement; yet they would toil on and pursue the phantom pleasure, wherever it may lead, rather than pause-rather than look at the past hours steadily, or allow themselves to make an estimate of their real value. The least bad part of dissipation is its actual idleness: its deadly quality is the apathy which it sheds over all the sober enjoyments of existence. Mr. Delamere acknowledged this vacuity of mind as he lingered among the last of the opera crowd, and it was a relief to him when Lord Deloraine gave him an invitation to sup at his lodgings. To N N Street, therefore, he drove; and again his spirits were exhilarated as he entered that brilliant bauble of a house. The apartments were on a small scale, as befits the affected modesty of a bachelor's establishment; but they were decorated with a tasteful magnificence which satisfied even his fastidious eye. The ceilings were delicately wrought over with a network of gold: the cornice and the ornaments round the doors and panels were in perfect keeping,-they had just enough, not too much of gilding; and the cream-colored walls and geranium furniture were gorgeous without being gaudy. Comfort was gracefully blended with ornament, and taste with both. Mr. Delamere had leisure to observe all this, for he was the first person who arrived; but, after a rapid glance of approval had been given, he threw himself on a couch, with the same APR 16 1951 |