St. Martins's Eve; A Novel

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1885 Excerpt: ... the table-linen, and then the whole world around was to her as nothing. Frederick St. John shone to advantage in society. Handsome without affectation, gay without levity, accomplished without display, he yet possessed, amidst all his solid conversational powers, that apt gallantry which wins its way, that readiness at light phrases which makes a captive of the ear. He had the great ad. vantage also of speaking French almost as a native: only by a blight accent once in a way, could a Frenchman detect the foreigner's tongue. If he held those guests spell-bound that evening, in what sort of a spell do you suppose he must have held Adeline! It was a man of subtle wisdom who first recorded that phrase of truth--Man's heart is lost through the eye, but woman'i through the ear. Mr. St. John remained after the guests had departed. Wka he said farewell, Madame de Castella, in talking, stepped oat with him on the colonnade, and descended the steps. Her sister and Adeline followed. It was a lovely night. The transition from the hot rooms, with their many lights, to the cool pure atmosphere outside was inexpressibly grateful, and they walked with him to the shrubbery and part of the way down it. Madame de Castella suddenly recollected Adeline. Her voice, as she spoke, had a tone of alarm in it. "This change to cool air may not be well for you, Adeline. Yon have nothing on. Let us run back: who will be in-doors first? Good night, Mr. St. John." She turned with Agnes de Beaufoy, and the windings of the shrubbery soon hid them from view. Adeline would have followed, but a beloved arm had encircled her and held her back. Frederick St. John drew her towards him, and snatched the first sweet tremulous kiss of love. Maidenly reserve caused her to draw away from hi...