Author Description

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. 1867 Excerpt:...kingdoms. The Lady Angelina, whom time will make a countess in her own right, sat by her mother's side, with her fan in her hand, high amid the most exelusive--the crime de la erime of that aristocratic assemblage--with that air of callous indifferenee to all passing around which is by some assumed, either in pride or real apathy and coldness, as the best expression of unquestioned grandeur. But as Ridley approached, the fan quivered, and those cold, calm eyes fell, and a color--rare visitant upon that face!--slowly defined itself like a lamp within an alabaster vase upon the pale wax of that cheek. Her mother sat beside her--a noble, haughtylooking dame, of splendid figure and fine handsome face, and covered with diamonds that an emperor might have envied; but the daughter was slender, not to say thin, and her face, though faultless in point of feature, was devoid of animation, and possessed little power of captivating. Of course the Lady Angelina had had hosts of suitors, but she had remained insensible until now. Now, however, the star ascendant of Ridley triumphed over a heart cold and hard as adamant; and he found himself, not only elevated to the highest position in the political world, but the envy of the world of ton. through the reputation of having achieved this unequaled conquest. Amhition--vanity--nay, that sort of gratitude which any man must feel for a heart bestowed under such circumstanees, for tho moment almost intoxicated him. The Lady Angelina had been well educated; her manners were of exquisite polish, and she was not devoid of talents. He daneed with her, he sat by her, he talked with her; her arm rested upon his as he led her to her mother's carriage: it was the most entraneing evening he had ever passed in his life. He flung himself...