Dennison, and Mr. Barnay, a clever New York lawyer, with
whom we had crossed the Atlantic. But if the Governor recommended
himself to us as a gentleman, what am I to say of his daughter? Papa has
gone out and has left her description to me, whereas he could give a
much more lively one, as he at once lost his heart to her. Her figure is
tall and slight, but at the same time beautifully rounded; her neck long
and graceful, with a sweet pretty brunette face. I seldom have seen such
lovely eyes and dark eyelashes; she has rich dark hair in great
profusion, but her style and dress were of the utmost simplicity and
grace, and I almost forgave papa for at once falling in love with her.
Her father has been three times a widower, though not older-looking than
papa, and with good reason he worships his daughter. She has been at the
head of her father's house for the last six months, and the _naive_
importance she attached to her office gave an additional attraction to
her manners. While we sat talking in the little room the Governor handed
me a white and red rose as being the last of the season. He had placed
them ready for me in a glass, and I have dried them as a memorial of
that pleasant evening. We soon went into the dining-room, where tea and
coffee were laid out on a light oak table, with an excellent _compote_
of apples, a silver basket full of sweet cakes, of which the Americans
are very fond: bread--alas! always cut in slices whether at the hotels
or in private, fresh butter,--an improvement on the usual salt butter of
the country, and served, as it generally is, in silver perforated dishes
to allow of the water from the ice to drain through, and a large tureen
of cream toast.
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