er canst find
A hidden sweetness in my face.
And if, as years and cares steal on,
Even that lingering light must flee,
What matter! if from thee I hear
"Thou art _still_ beautiful to me!"
SONNET TO NIGHT.
Oh! look, my love, as over seas and lands
Comes shadowy Night, with dew, and peace, and rest;
How every flower clasps its folded hands
And fondly leans apon her faithful breast.
How still, how calm, is all around us now,
From the high stars to these pale buds beneath--
Calm, as the quiet on an infant's brow
Rocked to deep slumber in the lap of death.
Oh! hush--move not--it is a holy hour
And this soft nurse of nature, bending low,
Lists, like the sinless pair in Eden's bower,
For angels' pinions waving to and fro--
Oh, sacred Night! what mysteries are thine
Graven in stars upon thy page divine.
GRETTA.
PAULINE DUMESNIL.
OR A MARRIAGE DE CONVENANCE.
BY ANGELE DE V. HULL.
The reason firm, the temperate will,
Endurance, foresight, strength and skill
A perfect woman, nobly planned. WORDSWORTH.
In a large but somewhat scantily furnished apartment sat two young
girls, in such earnest and apparently serious conversation that, but
for their youthful and blooming countenances, one might have fancied
them bending beneath the cares and sorrows of age. On the dark old
table between them rested a magnificent work-box, whose rich
implements they had been busily and skillfully using; but now the
scissors and thread lay at their feet, their needles were dropped, and
the younger of the two sat with clasped hands, while her companion's
low tones appeared to awaken every emotion of her heart.
On the old-fashioned French bedstead were thrown dresses of various
hues and expensive stuffs, while one only, a robe of the most delicate
material, its graceful folds looped with orange flowers, seemed to
attract the attention of the fair, fragile being, whose attitude was
one of intense suffering. Her bright hopes had faded at sight of that
colorless garb, and the bridal wreath was to wither on her brow! What
to her sad soul were the costly things before her? The jewels that
sparkled on their snow-white satin case, the long fairy veil of
beautiful lace that lay side by side with the bridal dress?
Her companion continued speaking, and she bowed her face upo
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