of his eye, and by his deft
expressions, when, as chance acquaintances grouped about him,--as is the
way of watering-places,--and eager listeners multiplied, his hilarity
and spirit took a chill from the increasing auditory, and drawing
abruptly to a close, he would sidle away with a friend and be gone.

Among the visitors was a tall, interesting young girl--from Louisiana,
if I mistake not--who had the reputation of being a great heiress, and
who was, of course, beset by a host of admirers. There was something
very attractive in her air, and Mr. Irving was never tired of gazing on
her as she walked, with what he called a "faun-like step," across the
lawn, or up and down the corridors. Her eyes too--"dove-like," he
termed them--were his special admiration. He watched with an amused
interest the varying fortunes of the rival lovers, and often met me
with--"Well, who is in favor to-day?" And he discussed very freely the
varying chances.

One brusque, heavy man, who thought to carry the matter through by a
_coup de main_, he was sure could never succeed. A second, who was most
assiduous, but whose brazen confidence was unyielding, he counted still
less upon. But a quiet, somewhat older gentleman, whose look was ever
full of tender appeal, and who bore himself with a modest dignity, he
reckoned the probable winner. "He will feel a Nay grievously," said he;
"but for the others, they will forget it in a supper."

I believe it eventually proved that no one of those present was the
successful suitor. I know only that the fair girl was afterward a bride;
and (what we all so little anticipated) her home is now a scene of
desolation, her fortune very likely a wreck, her family scattered or
slain, and herself, maybe, a fugitive.

I saw Mr. Irving afterward repeatedly in New York, and passed two
delightful days at Sunnyside. I can never forget a drive with him upon a
crisp autumn morning through Sleepy Hollow, and all the notable
localities of his neighborhood, in the course of which he kindly called
my attention, in the most unaffected and incidental way, to those which
had been specially illustrated by his pen; and with a rare humor
recounted to me some of his boyish adventures among the old Dutch
farmers of this region. Most of all, it is impossible for me to forget
the rare kindliness of his manner, his friendly suggestions, and the
beaming expression of his eye.

I met it last at the little stile from which I strolled away