The Youth of Jefferson | Page 9

May morning joyously after his late
imprisonment; and he betook himself immediately to paying assiduous
court to Miss Belle-bouche, who, the sooth to say, did not seem
ill-disposed to get rid of Jacques.
Poor Jacques, therefore, made an unsuccessful attempt to engage
Philippa in conversation. This failing--for Philippa was watching
Mowbray disappearing toward Williamsburg--the melancholy Jacques
made friends with the lap-dog, who at first was propitious, but ended
by snapping at his fingers.
"A delightful day, my dear madam," he said to Philippa, once more
endeavoring to open an account current of conversation.
Philippa, with bent brows, made no reply.
"The birds are having a charming time, it seems."
Poor Jacques! Philippa is buried in thought, and with her eyes fixed on
the receding horseman, does not hear him.
"You seem preoccupied, madam," he said.
"Yes, a charming day, sir," she said, rising; "did you say it was pleasant?
I agree with you. If I dared!" she added to herself, "if I only dared! But

what do I not dare!"
And she abruptly left the room, to the profound astonishment of
Jacques, who sat gazing after her with wide-extended eyes.
"I told you he was in love with her, my dear Miss Belle-bouche, since
you say that will in future be your name--it is either with you or
Madam Philippa."
These words were uttered in a confidential whisper to Belle-bouche by
Sir Asinus, who was leaning forward gracefully in a tall carven-backed
chair toward his companion, who reposed luxuriously upon an ottoman
covered with damask, and ornamented quoad the legs with satyr heads.
Belle-bouche suffered her glance to follow that of her companion.
Jacques was indeed, as we have said, gazing after the lady who had just
departed, and for this purpose had opened his eyes to their greatest
possible width. He resembled a china mandarin in the costume of Louis
Quatorze.
"Am I mistaken?" said Sir Asinus.
Belle-bouche sighed.
"A plain case: he is even now saying to himself, my dear Miss
Belle-bouche,
'Quis desiderio sit pudor aut modus Jam cari capitis----'
which means, 'How can I make up my mind to see you go up stairs?'"
Belle-bouche cast a tender glance at Jacques. Sir Asinus continued:
"Yes, yes, I see you pity him. But you should pity me."
"Why?"
"Your watch-paper--you remember; the one which you cut for me?"

"Yes."
"Well, last night I placed my watch on my window--before retiring,
you know; and in the night," continued Sir Asinus, "it commenced
raining----"
"That was last night?"
"Yes, Madam Belle-bouche. Well, the roof leaked, and presto! when I
rose I found my watch swimming in water--your watch-paper all
soaked and torn--that is to say, my fingers tore it; and a dozen minuets I
had bought for you shared the same fate, not to mention my
jemmy-worked garters! My ill luck was complete--me miserum!"
"Was it at college?"
"Oh no," said Sir Asinus; "you know I am temporarily absent from the
Alma Mater."
"Indeed!"
"Yes. I have taken up my residence in town--in Gloucester street,
where I am always happy to see my friends. Just imagine a man
persecuted by the professors of the great University of William and
Mary for the reason I was."
"What was it?"
"Because I uttered some heresies. I said the Established Church was a
farce, and that women, contrary to the philosophy of antiquity, really
had souls. The great Doctor could pardon my fling at the church; but
being an old woman himself, could not pardon my even seeming to
revive the discussion of the heresy in relation to your sex. What was the
consequence? I had to flee--the enemy went about to destroy me;
behold me now the denizen of a second floor in old Mother Bobbery's
house, Gloucester street, city of Williamsburg."
"Rusticating you call it, I think," says Belle-bouche, smiling languidly,

and raising her brow to catch the faint May breeze which moves her
curls.
"Yes; rusticating is the very word--derived from rus, a Latin word
signifying main street, and tike, a Greek word meaning to live in
bachelor freedom. It applies to me exactly, you see. I live in bachelor
freedom on Gloucester street, and I only want a wife to make my
happiness complete."
Belle-bouche smiles.
"You are then dissatisfied?" she says.
"Yes," sighs Sir Asinus; "yes, in spite of my pipes and books and
pictures, and all appliances and means to boot for happiness, I am
lonely. Now suppose I had a charming little wife--a paragon of a wife,
with blue eyes and golden curls, and a sweet languishing air, to chat
with in the long days and gloomy evenings!"
Belle-bouche recognises her portrait, and smiles.
Sir Asinus continues:
"Not only would I be happier, but more at my ease. To tell you the
humiliating truth, my dear Miss Belle-bouche,