It was at one of these parties that Henry Linwood, the son of a
wealthy and retired gentleman of Richmond, was first introduced to
Isabella, the oldest daughter of Agnes. The young man had just
returned from Harvard College, where he had spent the previous
five years. Isabella was in her eighteenth year, and was admitted
by all who knew her to be the handsomest girl, colored or white,
in the city. On this occasion, she was attired in a sky-blue silk
dress, with deep black lace flounces, and bertha of the same. On
her well-moulded arms she wore massive gold bracelets, while her
rich black hair was arranged at the back in broad basket plaits,
ornamented with pearls, and the front in the French style (a la
Imperatrice), which suited her classic face to perfection.
Marion was scarcely less richly dressed than her sister.
Henry Linwood paid great attention to Isabella which was looked
upon with gratification by her mother, and became a matter of
general conversation with all present. Of course, the young man
escorted the beautiful quadroon home that evening, and became the
favorite visitor at the house of Agnes. It was on a beautiful
moonlight night in the month of August when all who reside in
tropical climates are eagerly grasping for a breath of fresh air,
that Henry Linwood was in the garden which surrounded Agnes'
cottage, with the young quadroon by his side. He drew from his
pocket a newspaper wet from the press, and read the following
advertisement:--
NOTICE.
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