The Amorous Intrigues and Adventures of Aaron Burr/Chapter 2
CHAPTER II.
Description of Burr.—A beautiful girl.—Love at first sight.—Untimely visitor.—Rev. Dr. Bellamy in New Jersey.
After his return to New Jersey, Burr at once became famous as a gallant. His height was just five feet six inches; of a handsome though slender figure, and possessed of a great muscular power. He could also endure great hardships and fatigue. His carriage was very erect and dignified; his forehead was broad and high, and his hair dark, and worn behind in a queue. His nose was nearly Grecian, and his mouth had an expression of voluptuousness, deceit, and cunning. His chin was broad and well-moulded; and his eyes were large, black and penetrating—once seen, never to be forgotten. This magnetic power was great, as many of the gentle sex knew to their sorrow.
His daring, independent spirit recommended him to the ladies, who admired courage and independence, very generally, and it was not long after his return, that he had a convincing proof of this, which gratified his vanity exceedingly.
Aaron was one day walking in an unfrequented spot, (for there were many wild and solitary places in those days,) when he saw approaching him a lady on horseback.
Without appearing impertinent, he took measures to ascertain whether it was a young or elderly rider. His stealthy glances soon convinced him that she was both young and lovely. She was not above the middle size, and of feminine proportions and features, yet there was a certain hauteur in her bearing which only rendered her more interesting.
As the rider drew near, Burr perceived that she was dressed in rich and fanciful style. She wore a riding-habit of blue cassimere, with yellow buttons, and the cuffs and collar were composed of red velvet. Her scarlet velvet cap was trimmed with fur, and sat very gracefully and rather jauntily on her head, while from under it fell a profusion of jet-black curls, which Solomon would have compared to clusters of ripe grapes. Her stately neck was of the purest alabaster, and her lips, like threads of scarlet, only opened to disclose pearls of surpassing whiteness.
Her bosom was plump, and of a good size; the shoulders faultless. The taper waist was admirably contrasted with well-rounded hips, and her manner was graceful—nay, fairly bewitching. She carried her head with an air of pride and gentleness combined, which stamped her a member of the upper classes of society.
Our hero looked more than once at this charming rider, but when she drew very near, he was about to pass with a simple bow, when her lips parted, and in musical accents, she inquired:
"Pray, sir, do I not address Mr. Aaron Burr?"
Burr started with surprise, but soon recovered his self-possession, and replied:
"My name is Aaron Burr, Miss. Can I serve you in any way?"
"I beg your pardon sir," she said checking her horse, and blushing deeply; "but you have forgotten me doubtless?"
"I must have seen you before," said Burr, "though your name has slipped my recollection; nor is it strange, for my memory is very defective in the matter of names and dates."
"Angelina Dudley," said she with a sweet smile.
"Ten thousand pardons, Miss Dudley!" cried he, with animation. "I recollect you perfectly well. It was at the house of—," he paused, for he had, in truth, no recollection of ever seeing the young lady before, and her name was entirely new to him. But the young lady helped him out; for perceiving that he hesitated, she cried:
"At the house of Lord Stirling."
"Oh! forgetful dolt that I am!" resumed Burr. "I remember it was there—I—I—I—danced with you—"
"No, sir!" interrupted Angelina, laughing merrily; "we did not dance on that occasion, and as I said little, you may have but a very indistinct recollection of me; but, sir, I observed you, and was much pleased with your remarks on the subject of the aggressions of the King and Parliament."
"I am glad to hear—"
"Oh! sir, your patriotic sentiments found an echo in my heart!"
"You do me great honor, Miss, and this certainly the happiest moment of my life."
"I am glad that you are happy," said she, in a mournful tone.
"May I not hope that Miss Dudley is also happy? Ah, were she, indeed, as happy as she is beautiful—"
"Oh, sir!"
"Nay, I do not flatter. You know that I speak the truth. I do not believe that a lady is to blame when she is beautiful for being conscious of the fact."
The emotions now betrayed by this fair interlocutor, let Burr into her secret. She was silent several moments, evidently endeavoring to commanding her feelings.
"Will not Miss Dudley descend and let her horse crop the beautiful grass and clover? It will be to her an agreeable change to walk a little."
"Thank you, sir," said Angelina, as Burr assisted her to alight, and took charge of the horse. He took the bit from the mouth of the animal, who was soon engaged in devouring the daisies and butter-cups, while Burr took the hand of Miss Dudley, and kissing it, said:
"To form an acquaintance with Miss Dudley, would be the most fortunate circumstance that has yet brightened my existence."
"To try to dissemble any longer, would be sheer folly," cried Angelina. "You see the state of my heart; but pardon—oh! pardon the unwomanly step which I have taken, and despise me not; but ever since I met you at the house of Lord Stirling; I have been most unhappy."
"And yet you have taken the trouble to see me again! If seeing me once made you unhappy—"
Angelina laughed through her tears at this sally, and then placing her hand in that of Burr's, rested her cheek upon his shoulder, and giving vent to her long-suspended feelings, sobbed aloud.
This was an interesting situation for a young man like Aaron Burr to be placed in. It was very much as if a young sheep had reclined upon the bosom of a lion, to enjoy the tender sympathy of the king of the forest.
Burr put his arm around the waist of Angelina, and pressing her to his throbbing heart, applied his lips to those ivory globes which rounded up over her dress, almost to the nipples.
The effect of this was instantly apparent. The warm-hearted girl sighed heavily, there was a choking sensation in her throat, and her large dark eyes were rolled up in her head with such a softness in their expression, that Burr must have been more or less than man, not to have desired a more intimate acquaintance with her.
"My dear love!" cried he, kissing her furiously, and throwing her back upon the grass, "you are as lovely as a seraph!"
He threw up her clothes, and revealed such charms as seldom have been exposed to the light of the sun. The smooth, round belly, the voluminous yet compact thighs, the robust calf, and small foot and ankle, the satin smoothness of the skin, and other graces not to be mentioned, but whose pouting and moist freshness betokened a guarded virginity, which, however, longed for the pressure of manhood, all these so fired him with passion, that he had scarcely the necessary patience to prepare himself for the amorous encounter.
Just as he was about entering the gate of Paradise, the snorting of a steed was heard. Both of them started. Burr looked towards Angelina's horse, and saw that he was silently feeding by the way-side. He could not have made the noise. Burr sprang to his feet, and looking beyond a projection of the road, beheld his worthy friend, the Rev. Dr. Bellamy, riding towards the spot, with saddle-bags, umbrella, and the other accutrements for a journey.
The reverend gentleman was close upon the enamored pair, and there was not a moment to lose; Burr raised the young lady to her feet, smoothed down her dress, and taking a book from his pocket, began walking along by the side of the girl, as if discanting upon the contents of the volume, in conjunction with the beauties of nature.
Angelina understood this manœuvre, and acted her part as well as she could, but her countenance was very pale when Dr. Bellamy came up. The latter recognized the youth immediately, and reined in his steed.
"You here, doctor!" exclaimed Burr. "I am right glad to see you!"
He then seized the doctor's extended hand, and pressed it cordially. The doctor expressed himself highly pleased at the encounter.
"All in good time," said he. "I was on my way to the house of your uncle, my friend Edwards, and you can point me out the exact spot, for I must confess that this region is entirely new to me."
At the same time, the reverend doctor glanced at Angelina, who had sunk down upon a rock, and at her horse, who was enjoying the largest liberty among the long grass and wild flowers.
"This is Miss Brown," said Burr, quickly; "she has experienced a fright: her horse ran away with her—"
"Indeed!" cried the doctor, innocently. "He seems quiet enough now. Are you not afraid to trust him alone?"
"Oh, no sir, he sometimes gets frightened, and runs, after which he is quite docile. I fear that the effects of Miss Brown's alarm will be serious; if you will permit me to get some water—"
The doctor eyed the young man closely.
"You were reading a volume to her—"
"Oh, yes, sir!" cried Burr, who perceived that he was caught. "I was telling her to be composed, and read some thing to her which was calculated to confirm her trust in the protecting care of Divine Providence."
"I am glad to find that the hours you spent in my library have not been without their good fruits," said Bellamy. "You have then become a sincere believer, at least, in an over-ruling Providence?"
"I think it good policy to refer those to the 'good book,' who have been educated in its precepts, like Miss Brown," said Burr, "as I would refer a Mahometan to the Koran—"
"But, pray, get the water you spoke of for the young lady, who may be suffering while we discuss theological questions," said the doctor.
"The devil! What sent the old curse here just at the critical moment?" said Burr to himself, as he led Angelina to a neighboring brook, and dashed the pure water over her temples.
Burr took this opportunity to whisper to Angelina that he would get clear of "the old hunks" as soon as possible; but she was too much agitated to make any reply, except by deep and frequent blushes.
The disappointment had evidently been quite as severe to Angelina as to Aaron, perhaps even more overwhelming, and she continued faint and haggard.
As Dr. Bellamy now rode up to the spot where the lovers stood, Burr began to describe to him the house of Mr. Timothy Edwards, and the roads which he must pursue; but it was not easy to make the reverend gentleman comprehend the way, and he found that he could not get clear of acting as a guide to the worthy clergyman, without an open show of disrespect, and in those days, a regular minister of the gospel was "some pumpkins."
Burr, therefore, asked Angelina if she felt able to ride.
"By no means," cried the doctor. "The young lady must not be trusted on the horse again. We will accompany her home first. After that, you can go with me. How far does Mr. Brown live from here?"
This was putting a new face upon the matter. Angelina had no desire to be seen by her family in company with Burr, and the story of a frightened horse would sound very strangely in the ears of her father, who knew that Angelina was a fearless rider, and that the pony was gentleness itself.
"There is no necessity," said the disappointed girl, quickly; "if Mr. Burr will have the goodness to assist me in re-mounting the horse, I will manage to get home myself."
Burr sighed, but he saw no other way. He did as requested, and Angelina set out on a slow trot for her father's house. Burr then obtained a horse in the neighborhood, and guided the Doctor to the mansion of his worthy relative.