all appearance of modesty, urged his horse up to them || where they stood by the body of the dead steed, and taking off his cap and bells, held them out with mock gravity to the younger. "What means this fooling?" exclaimed the young man, laughing and pushing the cap from him. "Take it, take it," said the jester with unmoved gravity, “for truly, brother Charles, thou must be the greater fool to stand whining over a dead horse, and Bedford's men sounding their bugles in the hills." "Peace, sir fool!" exclaimed Dunois, suddenly rousing himself."And, if thou canst, tell us how we are to reach the camp without horses, in a road infested with English soldiers." "In faith, my wits carry me not so far, yet I misdoubt if they have not picked up what thy wisdom has failed to warn thee of." "What is that, sirrah?" "Why, that a troop of Bedford's men are either in close pursuit, or have swept round the hill in order to intercept us at the village ahead." "By the mass, no!" exclaimed Dunois, stepping hastily forward to gain a distinct view of the village alluded to. The gorge in which the travellers halted, commanded a fine view of an emerald valley, hedged in by broken and irregular hills, with here and there a frowning old rock, cutting against the sky on either side, or shelving down in a picturesque precipice, to the quiet vale it seemed to guard. A clear stream swept down one side of the valley, and with a sudden curve, crossed the highway, a little from the gorge where it formed a tortuous outlet. At the farther extremity of the valley, appeared a village, half hidden by trees and bedded in vineyards; and about midway between that and the gorge, a small hostelry with rude stables and out-houses, || stood directly on the highway. The whole valley was evidently the domain of some nobleman; for, on the face of one of the most picturesque of the hills, a chateau, now in ruins, reared its antique turrets, flanked by a natural battlement of rocks, and divided from the stream by an undulating descent, clothed with long, uncut grass, and blossoming shrubs. Nothing could have been more quiet than the strip of green verdure over which the travellers gazed. The village lay still and beautiful in the bosom of the valley, without the least appearance of life or bustle, which might betray the presence of an enemy; yet the very repose was suspicious. || "She dashes bravely forward!" exclaimed he of the blue eyes. “Ay, by the mass, and is as beautiful as she is bold," he continued, as she neared the ford, so as to give him a perfect view of her person. She was, indeed, a creature of singular beauty; tall and Juno-like, but dressed even more rudely than the female peasants of the neighborhood. A skirt of coarse, blue stuff, scarcely reaching to the ankle, and a bodice of inferior scarlet cloth, laced over her full bust, so as to expose the spirited curve of her neck, and fitting tightly to her round, and well-proportioned waist, composed her entire raiment. Her arms were bare to the shoulder, and though brown from exposure, displayed a healthy roundness and beautiful proportions. Her lips though finely cut, were feminine, and deeply red, while the color in her cheeks was like rich wine glowing through a cup of Arabian onyx. Her black and shining hair was drawn away from her face in the form of an ancient helmet, and flowed down her back in long glossy waves, which caught the light like the plumage of a raven, exposing a forehead full of intellect and rare beauty, while an eye, bright and piercing as a wild eagle's, gave a character of commanding, nay, of almost terrible beauty to her face. The horses came forward at the top of their speed, and plunging into the stream without checking their force, sent a shower of spray over themselves and their graceful rider. Without seeming in the least annoyed by this unceremonious deluge, she urged them through the stream up the opposite bank, and then with a bold evolution, plunged down again, forcing her horses to prance and curvet in the water, and sending a shower of spray into the sunlight, till the air around seemed alive with shooting diamonds. After indulging in this strange exercise for awhile, she suffered the horses to drink, and rode slowly to a side of the gap, opposite to that on which our travellers were standing. Wheeling her horses around at the foot of one of the cliffs which formed the jaw of the gorge, she remained gazing toward the vil lage, occasionally turning a keen look to the pass, as one stationed to give warning to a friend, or to detect the approach of an enemy. As she sat, with a huge peak cleft almost in twain, looming against the west, at her back-a heap of gorgeous clouds piled up behind, and pouring a flood of glory on the spot she occupied, till her long hair, as it stirred in the wind, seemed impregnated and woven with flickering gold-the boughs of a great oak waving to and fro in the crimson light, like triumphal banners drenched in the blood of a battle-field—her spirited horses pawing the turf, and she, unconsciously, curbing the one on which she sat, till his mouth almost touched his chest, while her eyes were fixed with absorbing earnestness on the village-as she sat thus, there came a sound of approaching hoofs, and a troop of English soldiers swept through the gorge. As the three stood concealed by the boughs of the chestnut, deliberating on the best means of reaching the French encampment, an exclamation from the jester, drew their attention to the little hostelry before mentioned. Hitherto, it had displayed no signs of life; but now, a female appeared, issuing from the stables, riding a young horse and leading another. The fiery young horse which she rode was without saddle or other accoutre- "What has chanced here?" exclaimed the leader of ments, save a halter of twisted deer-skin; yet she reined the party, reining his horse up by the stiffening form of him with a careless grace which seemed almost super- the traveller's steed, and stirring the coarse saddle-cloth human, as she came swiftly forward, her knee resting with his sword. Holy saints! but this must belong to lightly on his glossy shoulder, and her small foot in its the party we are in search of. See, here are housings of buskin of coarse, untanned leather, pressed to his side, || velvet, and stirrups of beaten silver. Push forward! the unsupported by strap or stirrup. carcass is scarcely cold; they cannot be far ahead," and ness of the old chateau for receiving guests, but made no further opposition to his cousin's wishes. The young traveller whispered a few words to his putting spurs to his horse, the speaker rode in a brisk trot toward the village, followed by his men. One soldier, a heavy featured, ruffianly fellow, lingered behind till his companions had crossed the ford; then, throwingjester, and then turned into the bridle-path before menhimself heavily from his saddle, he slipped the bridle over tioned. Dunois followed on the slain soldier's horse, but his arm, and proceeded to dismantle the dead horse of moodily, and with a frown upon his brow, his trappings. After tearing the weapons from the saddle-bow, he looked with a rapacious eye on the rich housings, now fully revealed, "By the holy Saint Gris!" he muttered, lifting one of the stirrups and striving to tear it from the strap, "it is a pity to rend such goodly furniture; if I had another beast, now, to bear the prize, this dead carcass were better worth stripping than a dozen beggarly Frenchmen," As he uttered the last words, a slight noise drew his attention to the strange female, where she sat like a young eagle watching the ravages of a hungry vulture. He dropped the stirrup, and springing to his saddle, urged his horse rudely forward. Before she could prepare herself for the outrage, his heavy beast rushed between her and the led horse; the halter was forced from her hand, and the brutal wretch galloped back to secure the coveted horse-furniture; but, before he had time to dismount, she touched her spirited horse, which bounded forward with the leap of a deer, till he came on a level with his stolen companion. His fearless rider bent forward, and without checking his speed, stripped the loose halter from the head of the disputed animal, and calling him by name, galloped down the hill as fearlessly as she had ascended it, The freed horse sprang forward at her call, and kept by her side, as if still subject to her guidance. With a brutal oath the soldier buried his rowels into his charger; it plunged forward, but was instantly thrown back upon its haunches by a strong arm, and a heavy blow sent his rider with a crash to the ground. "Bravely done!" exclaimed the younger of the travellers, advancing from behind a thicket, where they had concealed themselves with their horses, on the first approach of the soldiers. "Finish thy work, Dunois, then mount, and let us push for yonder chateau." The jester remained, standing under the chestnut until the travellers disappeared in the underbrush, which lined the face of the hill; then breaking into a low, chuckling laugh, he mounted his horse and rode toward the inn, muttering, "He will never stir hence till he learns more of this she-eagle, unless he prefers the rifling of his cousin's dove-cote yonder. Beshrew me, but here is dainty mischief brewing." The Jester had scarcely reached the ford, when two horsemen the one a stout serving-man, the other, a handsome little page, gaily dressed, but somewhat awkward in his movements, came swiftly down the hill, and were about to pass him. They had reached the brink of the stream, when the page checked his horse, and taking off his cap, let a shower of rich tresses fall over his shoulders, as he bent a fair forehead to the saddle-bow in mock salutation. 46 Agnes Sorrell!" exclaimed the Jester, in a voice of angry surprise, "what means this masking? why art thou here, in this garb?" The disguised girl shook back the curls from her bright, young face, and her merry laugh rang up the stream like the melody of a bird. She glanced an arch look around, and then said in a voice still rich with laughter, "Question me not, most sapient uncle; I seek a higher than thou. Where is thy master?" The Jester hesitated in his reply; but she gaily interrupted him, Nay, no frowning; I must know; for, to say truth, fair uncle, Charles left me in ill humor this morning. I had stolen his signet-ring, and refused to yield it up, out of pure mischief, though he entreated most earnestly. I repented of my silly obstinacy after his departure; so, borrowing a dress from my page, I rode forward to return the jewel, and to make my peace with its angry "Had we not better keep the road?" inquired the owner,--now, that I have talked myself breathless, other, with a strange confusion in his manner. 66 'No, they would be on our track like blood-hounds; secure yon heavy brute, his master will never feel the loss; mount, and let us away! I saw a bridle-path a little back; it will doubtless lead us to the ruin." "It is a gloomy pile, and appears altogether dismantled," still urged Dunois. "And therefore the better calculated for concealment. We are yet several leagues from the camp, or I have lost all knowledge of the country. Now I bethink me; yon village is Domremie, and the ruin-holy saints, cousin! thou art chary in thy hospitality; this domain is thine by our uncle's gift." "Ay, chary enough to one set," muttered the jester in an under tone. Dunois seemed confounded; the blood flushed up to his temples, and he bit his nether lip with the impatience of a chafed lion; he muttered something about the unfit speed me on my errand that I may return to Chinon in time to laugh at the delightful scandal my absence will excite in that dullest of all dull places." "It is useless to contend with thy hair-brained folly," said the Jester, with ready falsehood, as she ceased speaking. "My master and the Count Dunois, took a cross road from Vancouleurs; they are at the camp by this hour." "Nay, then," exclaimed the gay creature, turning with an air of comic distress to her servant, "we may even return as we came, though in truth, I am sorely tired." The Jester seemed to reflect a moment, and then addressed her. "Proceed with me to the hostelry yonder. I will bespeak thee a night's lodging, for the English troops are abroad, and thy way back will be full of danger." "Cease thy croaking, and let us forward to the inn; my poor nag is ready to drop with fatigue; Jean, there, is nearly famished, and I can scarcely keep my seat from while the other was lighted by a lofty arched window, excessive weariness." set in heavy stone work, and crowded with small diaSaying this with a cheerfulness which belied her pro-mond shaped glass. Trophies of the chase, with curious fessions of extreme fatigue, the seeming page put spurs to her jaded horse, and led the way to the hostelry. Before dismounting, she ordered her attendant to saddle the horse by the first dawn of day, as she intended to break her fast far on the road to Chinon, whither she had resolved to return without prosecuting her wild adventure farther. The two cousins rode forward unmolested, and in silence, followed the path which led to a back entrance of the ancient chateau. Docks and thistles were rife, in what had once been a spacious garden; here and there, a solitary flower struggled up through the rank weeds, while grape-vines, neglected, and burthened with fruit, trailed over a broken gravel terrace, and nearly choked up the gateway. weapons, garnished the walls, catching the dim light and flinging their fantastic shadows over the chequered marble, with gloomy and picturesque effect. Dunois crossed this hall, and was about to usher his cousin into a half furnished banqueting room, but he carelessly touched a neighboring door, and entered the apartment thus exposed. It was twilight, and the volumes of rich velvet, falling over the only window of the room, rendered every thing indistinct within. But there were flashes of gilding, with the shadow of gorgeous hangings, while here and there a silver sconce, with its mirror of steel plate, gleamed out from the ceiling like fragments of winter moonlight. A marble slab in one corner was more clearly revealed, by the light of a burning censor, with a pedestal of silver and a bowl of snowy agate, through "I will go forward and prepare for your reception," which the perfumed fire glowed like blood in the cheek said Dunois, dismounting. of a northern beauty, emitting a delicious odor through the apartment as if the flame had been fed from the hearts of a thousand crushed roses. "Nay," replied his companion, "methinks it would prove but a thriftless errand, if this pile be, as it seems, untenanted. Let us even go forward, and leave Black-heart to crop these vines; see, how daintily he treads among the purple clusters, while yon heavy English brute tramps them down as his master would have crushed yon glorious maiden, but for thy gallant aid. In faith, cousin, that was a lusty blow; the beef-eating churl -his skull was clearly driven in by thy battle-axe." As the young man uttered these broken remarks, they were picking their way through the rank herbage to the grounds which lay directly under the windows of the chateau. There all traces of neglect disappeared, and a small cultivated garden, well stocked with healing plants and choice flowers, lay nestled between a wing of the building and the wilderness of weeds luxuriated beyond. Roses of every tint clambered up to the low, narrow windows, and trees, full of ripening fruit, threw their graceful foliage over the rough walls. The wing itself bore traces of recent repairs; the rubbish which surrounded other parts of the building was here carefully removed, and in the centre of the garden a fountain, which had been choked up, poured its waters with a cheerful gush through the jaws of a huge stone bear, into a basin of unfinished mason work. A lute, with a lady's scarf, lay on the grass which surrounded the fountain, and a bouquet of fresh flowers blushed at the feet of the crouching monster. Dunois led the way, trampling the blossoming shrubs under his feet, and pushing back the branches which hung over his path with reckless violence, till he reached a small postern door; here he turned, and made another effort to leave his companion. An angry flush shot athwart the brow of the younger traveller, as this unusual splendor burst upon him. "Thou art dainty in thy house garniture, Count Dunois," he said, turning to his companion with a sarcastic smile. "Mary of Anjou, queen though she be, is fain to content herself with bare walls and leathern chairs." Dunois would have answered, but at the first sound of his voice there was a faint exclamation of joy, a rustling of drapery, and then a young female rushed forward and threw herself upon his bosom. "My lord, my own dear lord," she said, raising her face to his with the eager fondness of a trusting woman. "Oh, I have been so impatient-so weary with watching!" Dunois pressed his lips to her forehead, and interrupted her affectionate greeting by a few whispered words. She started from his arms, and a faint blush, like the reflection of a rose wreath on the marble brow of Venus, stole over her face. She cast a timid glance at the stranger, and, with a graceful inclination of her slight person, stood shrinking beneath his gaze of mingled surprise and admiration. "We crave pardon, fair lady," he said, after a moment of mutual embarrassment. "Had we been informed that a lady graced this ruin, our entrance should have boasted somewhat more of courtesy." The lady returned this gallant address with a few low words, and a gentle smile; then observing the travelworn appearance of her guests, she left them to order refreshments. the cage is but fitly gilded for so sweet a bird," said the gay young man, glancing good humoredly round the sumptuous apartment, as the fair occupant left it. "Well, most sage and monkish cousin, solve me this "The day has been warm," he said, pointing to the female riddle; thy prodigality is forgiven, for, in faith, fountain, "rest awhile, I will return forthwith." The other burst into a broad laugh. "Nay, nay," he said, "I have a fancy for exploring, so let us proceed." The blood again rushed up to Dunois forehead, with an impatient gesture he pushed open the door, and led the way into a low, stone hall. A huge fire-place, chiselled over with armorial bearings, yawned at one extremity; "The story is a long one," replied Dunois, with emotion, "I would fain have kept it secret even from you, my best friend and most indulgent—" "Nay, nay-no more of that; forget that fate has cumbered us with any title, save that of thine over-hasty but ever loving cousin. Let us be seated, and then proceed to solve me this mystery." Dunois seated himself, and after a few moments of rapid explanation, stood confessed as one who had gained the love of a young Italian, during a visit to Rome the preceding year. When too late to recall his affections, he had learned that she was an orphan, the heiress of great wealth both in lands and money, and that she had been placed under the wardship of his holiness the Pope, who had expressed his determination that she should marry a noble of her own country. Urged forward by his own passion, as well as by the encouragement of the lady, Dunois fled with her and her immense portable wealth from Rome, leaving her lands to enrich the Holy See. The chateau had been repaired for her reception, and she had been concealed there during several months, willingly surrendering her wealth to the necessities of her adopted country, and submitting to remain the unacknowledged wife of Dunois, rather than embroil his master, the young king of France, with his Holiness, by calling on him to sanction a more public ceremony than that which had already bound them. "And it was from this source the exchequer was supplied, after the last sous had been drawn to meet the expenses of the wars," exclaimed the young traveller, grasping his cousin's hand with sudden energy. "By this right hand, Dunois! thy claim on this lovely piece of Eve's flesh shall be sustained, though the crown of France crumble in the contest. To-morrow she shall be sent, with all fitting honor, to the court; not openly as thy bride-that cannot be yet, a rupture with his Holiness would be ruinous, in our present weak state; one fair victory over the English braggarts, and we will brave even the haughty Pontiff in thy behalf. Meantime, the Queen of France is a fitting protector for thy fair wife." Dunois was about to utter his thanks, when the object of their discourse returned to the apartment. "It is even as I say; these eyes saw her rub down a heavy English roadster." The youth turned in his chair with an expression of disgust, and motioned the Jester to leave the room, but without heeding the command, he remained looking keenly into his master's face. After a few moments' silence he murmured, in a low, silky voice, "Yet she is very beautiful. Such eyes! They fairly showered fire on the brutal soldier, when he called the king of France a sparrow, whom his master had wellnigh plucked to the skin." A rush of blood to the traveller's face, and an impatient motion of the hand, told how fully the last speech had taken effect. The Jester appeared not to notice his emotion, but proceeded, as if carried away by the interest of his subject. "'Sdeath! how her haughty lip writhed-how eagerly those little fingers clutched the dagger!" "And did she strike him?" exclaimed the young man, half-starting from his chair, and fixing his flashing eyes on the crafty Jester. "Ay, that did she! The sharp steel ran clean through his arm. It was glorious, her look of disdain, when she tore it out, reeking as was, and dashed it down, as if loathing the sight of the blood her own hand had drawn." "And the wounded churl, did he seek to revenge the hurt?" "That did he not. His companions raised a laugh, and he shrunk away ashamed, for the flash of her fierce eyes were even more terrible than the blow of her dagger. The troops soon passed forward, and I saw no more of them." "But the maiden, what of her?" "She supposed herself alone-for I, from the first, had concealed myself—more than a minute she stood, with her hands clasped, and her eyes fixed on the reeking dirk where it stuck, quivering, with its point buried deep in the ground. Then she fell upon her knees, and prayed. A prayer like that might inspire a whole nation with a thirst for action; might instil valor even into the dis The young traveller had occupied his sleeping apartment but a few minutes that night, when the Jester knocked for admission. His face still bore the familiar smile, which, from constant practice, seemed to have be-couraged troops of France! It was the outpouring of a come a portion of his features, but when the door was closed a change came over his whole person: the muscles about his mouth fell, his eyebrows, which were lifted almost to an expression of silliness, drooped to their natural heavy curve; his lips became more firm and determined in their expression; and his air of comic effrontery, gave place to an erect front and a respectful demeanor. Taking off his cap, and folding his cloak so as to conceal his gaudy apparel, he stood at a respectful distance as if waiting to be questioned. "Sit down," said the young man, pushing a stool forward with his foot, and assuming a show of indifference. "Sit down, and tell us how thy errand has speeded." 46 Indifferently well," replied the Jester, taking the proffered stool, "I came to speech with the damsel." "And what learned ye?" "That she is quick of wit, full of fire, and the scullion or hostler of yonder inn." spirit too highly excited for its own endurance. The burning words fell from her lips, like sparks from heated steel; each glowing sentence is sounding in my brain, even yet, like the voice of a war trumpet. A creature like that, placed in the midst of a discouraged soldiery, would accomplish more by her fearless eloquence, than whole armies arrayed for battle, with the thoughts of former defeat freezing up their courage." "This strange eloquence must be contagious," said the youth coldly, fixing a keen and suspicious look on the face "Thou art not wont to waste words to of the Jester. no purpose, even in thy seeming folly. To the point at once. What wise project hast thou framed, touching this fiery maiden? Mark me-one who has defended the honor of her sovereign, to the shedding of blood, is no game for meaner followers!" "I know that full well," replied the Jester, humbly, "nor do I seek to mate with eagles, though they be found "Impossible! A creature of such beauty the menial in kites' nests." of a low inn? Tush, man, it cannot be !" A cloud disappeared from the brow of the youth. "It is well," he said, in a kinder tone. "Now unfold thy project, for some scheme thou had'st, I'm certain." The Jester drew his stool close to the feet of his master, and unfolded his design in a low and rapid speech. A rich glow gathered in the cheeks of the youth, his eye brightened, and he now and then interrupted the speaker with broken exclamations of pleasure. By degrees, the Jester's voice became lower and more insidious; as he proceeded, a frown darkened the face of his master, and, more than once, he started back with an angry exclamation. Then he would gradually incline his head, and his deepening color told how skilfully the subtle adviser was playing upon his passions. As if carried away by the interest of his subject, the Jester at length spoke aloud in a firm voice. "There are women," he said, "whose lives are as a quiet stream; passions may disturb them for a moment, as winds ruffle the limpid waters, and then their life passes on as quietly as if no evil had oppressed them, even as the stream resumes its glassy smoothness, when the breeze which disturbs it is hushed. With such, joys or sorrows never penetrate beyond the surface of the heart, the core remains untouched and impervious. There are others—and this damsel is one-bold and visionary, with the energies of men, joined to the tenderness of the weakest woman; with passions and aspirations, which, || once lighted, burn on for ever and ever, till the heart is consumed by its own unquenchable desires. Excite these energies and this tenderness, at the same time, and a creature is formed such as this damsel may be made: a lion in the face of an enemy, a dove in the bosom of one on whom she lavishes affection; a being, who, once engaged in a course of love or glory, will concentrate her strength and contend with difficulty, danger, and even death, but who will never yield till her object is accomplished. To win such love, to awaken such powers, is a task worthy even of thee, my master. But beware of arousing them for a slight purpose; of trifling with a heart like that, for the simple amusement of a day; it would be like uncapping Vesuvius, to be amused by the sparkle of its flames, and the rush of its burning lava. Leave her here, in the solitude of her own green valley, to indulge the fiery strength of her nature by curbing travellers' horses, and breaking young colts; or take her hence, as I but now proposed, place her among the soldiery, and make one more mighty effort to arouse the energies of France." Here the Jester's voice again sunk to an under tone, he spoke long and earnestly, apparently explaining with more minute exactness, the project which occupied his mind. "Well, be it so," said the youth, at length, as his wily servant arose to depart, "but, on thy life, be prudent and secret." Original. ELDERLY GENTLEMEN. BY MRS. SEBA SMITH. READER mine, hast thou ever, in thy mortal cogita tions, been tempted to indulge in feelings of compassion or contempt for those of thy race, who may appropriately be termed Elderly Gentlemen? Or hast thou ever, in contemplating thy possible destiny, shrunk from this particular part of thy lot as from a period bereft of all com fort, and the very acme of human ills? If so, I beseech thee to take shame and confusion of face to thyself, for thou art already convicted of the very climax of human folly. I will scarcely believe thou art able to discern "a hawk from a handsaw." Rest thee in thy Cretanism, and I will, if so be there is stuff enough in thee, essay to convince thee of thy great error, and to enlighten thee as to the many privileges thou art still to enjoy: or of which, perchance, thou mayest already have begun to partake, albeit unconscious of thy felicity. First, let us review the successive periods of thy life, each with its peculiar and not to be avoided perils, and verily, thou wilt perceive that as thou hast approached this haven, thy felicity hath increased. Look, then, at thy firm and well-turned limbs, (for the Elderly Gentleman hath no experience in the shrunk pantaloon,) thy well formed foot, which thou art wont to display in the best of Day and Martin's polish; thy cheek, with its strong manly lines, which thou art fain to consider as evidences of thought and force of character, a position from which I will not attempt to dislodge thee; thy whiskers, scarcely sprinkled with grey, and matching the short curly locks that mantle thy high, rather intellectual looking, brow-for no other word will suit thee, suggestive as it is of those of Jupiter, Mars, and a whole Pantheon of Gods and Goddesses-thy brow then, which thou hast fondly persuaded thyself is no mean counterpart to that of Napoleon, (a harmless phantasy, in which thou mayest freely indulge; elderly gentlemen do, or ought to look intellectual.) Look at all this, and then consider, I beseech thee, that thou wast once a 'sprawling babe, mewling and puking" in the arms of thy nurse, thy bare feet and shapeless legs kicking back and forth, to the most disreputable of all sounds, inasmuch as it is nothing certain, being neither language, bark nor mew, neither a low nor a squeal, but that nondescript of all sounds, a baby cry. Then think of thy bald head, and dropsical cheeks, and that aperture in lieu of a mouth distended to its largest possible dimensions, exhibiting thy red, toothless gums and quivering tongue, all for the laudable purpose of emitting the before spoken of sounds, that delight none but thyself, and two nameless objects, who witness the operation with the greatest possible pleasure. Thy very cheek tingles with shame at the recital, but I am not yet done. I will suppose thou hast passed through all the preliminary steps to walking; that thou hast looked interesting upon all-fours; that mama has been duly pulled and hauled, mortified and enraptured; |