Page:The Ladies' Cabinet of Fashion, Music & Romance 1832.pdf/99

 

prising, therefore, that I gave little heed to the dumb beast at my feet, however expressively he might invite me with his eyes. Poor Rover ! had he known my situation, he would never have " done the deed" he did. I knew the kindness of his disposition—but the truth must be told. After waiting several minutes, and eliciting no glance from his master, he raised his heavy foot, and placed it impressively on mine. It rested on the very spot ! It was not in human nature to bear this unmoved. I withdrew the distressed member, with a convulsive twitch, which brought my knee in contact with the table, with so much violence, that the attention of the whole company was drawn on me, just in time to see the contents of my wine-glass emptied into my plate, and that of my companion into her lap . Kind girl ! She exhibited no emotion, but slightly and unseen by the company, shook off the wine, and continued her conversation, as if nothing unpleasant had taken place. Overwhelmed with mortification, I found it impossible, with all the efforts I could make, to recover my self-possession. I could only reply in monosyllables to her remarks ; and, save when she addressed me, I was silent in spite of myself. She touched on various subjects which had usually interested me, in the hope of withdrawing me from the remembrance of the accident ; but finding her efforts vain, she adopted another course, and asked me, in a counterfeited tone of censure, when she was to have the lap-dog I had promised to procure for her several days before. The word " dog" was all that traversed the passage to my mind, so thickly was that passage crowded with keen remembrances. Thinking ofmy own Newfoundland, I replied, fiercely : " He dies to-morrow !" Startled at the unusual tone, my fairest companion cast on me a glance of surprise, almost of fear. A tear shone in her eye, and she was silent. At last the time of leaving the table came-oh, moment to me most welcome ! It seemed to me that we had sat an age at the board ; but at the last, my corporeal had been forgotten in my mental pain. If the reader has any bowels of compassion, he is now hoping that my troubles are over ! that I shall go quietly home, take off the offending boot, enclose my foot in an easy slipper, and then, in the evening, with an old boot well -polished, pay my respects to my mistress -explain all- receive her forgiveness, and be again happy. Would it were so ! But let me not anticipate.