Under A Mask.

At length Lady Hester resolved to travel , and having a long consultation with her mother in regard to her plans of the future , that lady , as before mentioned in the first of this sketch , had her doubts as to the result of her daughter ' s projectsfearing

, she would meet with many annoyances , embarrassments , and perhaps insults ; but the devoted mother was ready and willing to accompany her child to the end of the world , if necessary .

So , at the end of a month , the elegant town mansion of Lady Hester was closed , and given over to the keeping of a trusty , housekeeper , and her business affairs being managed by a friend of her late husband ' s , the young widow had no fears that in her absence anything connected with her vast

estates in town and country would bo neglected . Mrs . Graham , the mother of Hester , had a number of sisters , and the elder one , having married an American , lived in New Yorkand her husband was one of the

, merchant princes of that city . When Mrs . Lewis received a letter from her sister , Mrs . Graham , announcing the fact of her daughter ' s proposed visit to the

United States , that lady—who , with her husband , a son , and one daughter , resided amid the aristocratic residences of Murray Hill—was delighted at the news ; for , iii spite of Hester ' s misfortune , was she not a wealthy widow 1—and having a title , the

two combined would render her nieco charming , no matter how hideous her face . Robert Lewis was a young man of twenty-ei ght or thirty , was called goodlooking by the ladies , and a first-rate fellow b y the gentlemen ; but in his black

eyes there was a hard , glassy glitter not agreeable to a physiognomist , and the full , red li ps were those of a sensualist , while a lurking cruelty and a false , hollow heart were revealed in the smiling countenance and polished manner of this darling son of Mrs . Lewis .

Sallio Lewis , the sister of Robert , was a belle and a beauty , with eyes of the darkest hazel , clear and cold , hair black and glossy as satin , a faultless complexion , a delicate nose , red , thin lips , and flashing white teethbut the forehead was somewhat low

, and narrow , the eyes at times had a certain hue in their depths that reminded one of a cat ' s eye , green changing to yellow , full of deceit and treachery .

Hester and her mother arrived in New York just at the holidays , and everybody and everything wore a festive garb , and every house was full of life , light , and joy . The Lewis mansion was illuminated from top to bottomwhile guests were bidden

, from all quarters to welcome the coming of the noble lady who woxdd honour the fete with her presence ; for Hester had determined to go into society in spite of her masked countenance .

The travellers arrived early on the morning of the day that the grand party was to be given , so Hester begged to be excused from appearing until evening , as she wished to recover a little horn the fatigue of travel .

The great drawing-rooms at the Murray Hill mansion were marvels of elegance and luxury , with azure silk drapery at the plate-glass windows ; Turkey carpets so thick that the feet seemed as if treading on woodland moss ; furniture carved in

ebony , with azure silk coverings , choice paintings , exquisite groups of statuary , bronzes , vases of purple and gold , inlaid tables , and a thousand costly trifles that made the apartment look like an enchanted place .

The rooms were filled and running over with fluttering creatures in airy raiments , and the rainbow sheen of sUk and satin , and attendant cavaliers in full evening dress , all full of curiosity to see the niece of their hostess , the young English widow ,

Lady Stanhope . Sallie Lewis , in her evening splendour , was brig ht and radiant as the morning . With a rose-lmed satin , covered by airy white tulle falling hi graceful folds about her perfect formand amid the cloudy

, draperies gleamed blush roses and flashing diamonds , while a spray of moss buds , sparkling with diamond dew-drops , nestled in her dark braids . Sallie outshone even

the rare exotics blooming in her conservatory Robert looked very handsome and full of manly graces , while he was all expectation , and his heart beat wildly as he thought of this rich and noble relation ; foralthough knowing of Hester ' s deformity ,

, he had resolved to win her fur a wife—not that he wanted her love , but he did want her vast wealth , and the honour of becoming the husband of a titled lady .