I had resided here for near two months when, returning from a concert about three o'clock one morning I was proceeding up stairs to bed as usual, when my landlord, stepping from the parlour, begged I would walk in, as he wished to speak a few words with me.
This being the first time we had ever spoken together- I having taken my apartments of the landlady, and the late hours I was compelled to keep having prevented our meeting since-I was of course rather surprised at the unexpected request; however, I immediately followed him into the parlour. On the table were bottles containing rum, brandy, a decanter of water, glasses, etc. A man, having the appearance of a respectable mechanic, of harsh features and low stature, sat in a disconsolate posture, supporting his head upon his hand; he appeared absorbed in deep reflection, which my entrance did not in the least disturb, until my host begged to introduce Mr. E-. He instantly rose up, and handed me a chair, and in a few moments I found that my new acquaintance was my old but unknown friend of the best side of the partition. He was then in momentary expectation of being hailed a father; and this accounted for the invitation I had so unexpectedly received.
We partook of several glasses of brandy and water together, and in less than an hour my fellow lodger was congratulated by the communicative nurse on his becoming the happy father of a beautiful daughter, declaring at the same time that the mother was doing remarkably well.
I must confess that during the time I was in company with my new acquaintance I could not help regarding him with a kind of dislike-a secret feeling of envy that a man so destitute of personal attractions should possess so lovely a woman-as I could not help imagining his wife to be.
For the first time in my life I must admit that I indulged in a feeling of vanity; and fancied that, could I but gain an introduction and have an opportunity of declaring my sentiments to her, I should have but little to fear from so contemptible a rival; and although in my heart I despised the man, I determined to cultivate his acquaintance-to bear with his insipid conversation in order at a future time to enjoy the sprightly society of his (to my imagining) fascinating wife.
Fortunately for me, his business called him away from morning till night; Sunday therefore was the only day on which I had to undergo the mortification of his company. But I endured my fate with the most heroic fortitude; the anticipation of the sweet reward I promised myself upheld me and enabled me to gild my features with a show of pleasure foreign to my heart.
On week days I omitted nothing that might induce her to think favorably of me, and as women are generally partial to music I had my piano removed into my bed-chamber, from whence I well knew every note I played or sung could be heard most distinctly by her. Under this impression I would sit at home for hours, apparently employed in close professional practice but in reality singing the most voluptuous songs I could select from the poetry of Moore, Byron, etc., which I adapted to pathetic and love-inspiring melodies; nor was it long before I was rewarded for my labors by the glad discovery that I was listened to with pleasure by the as yet sweet enchantress of my soul. I have frequently, after playing a short prelude in order to arrest her attention, heard her exclaim, in an audible whisper to the nurse, "Hush! he'll sing presently." I even once suspected that, prompted by curiosity, that bane of lovely woman, she was endeavouring to steal a glance at me by means of a convenient keyhole, when, on a sultry summer's day, she thought me sleeping; and I frequently chuckled with delight as I overheard her sweet voice speaking to her female visitors in terms of admiration of my vocal talent.
Every day my impatient longing to behold her became more difficult to control; and one morning having occasion to take out the movement of my instrument, I determined, under pretence of borrowing a screwdriver, to tap at her door and thus gratify my long indulged desire.
I did so. With panting heart I watched the opening door; and in a moment after, she stood before me!
I must here confess that the first feeling I experienced was one of disappointment, for she certainly fell very short of the Venus my fond imagination had so frequently painted; but still, at every stolen glance, I discovered some new charm. She had indeed that peculiar cast of countenance which improves upon acquaintance; her stature was rather below the middle size, her complexion dark, and her features upon the whole remarkably pleasing, being lit by a pair of eyes of dazzling brilliance; never shall I forget their peculiar expression; they seemed at one glance to read the very soul. Her hair was of a glossy jet black and shaded her forehead in natural curls; while her bosom, plump and finely formed, seemed by its gentle heavings to invite the pressure of a lover's gentle touch.
In the most affable manner she complied with my request, and I retired to my own apartment-not to my instrument, but to ponder on the charms of this, if not strictly handsome, very fascinating creature.
It was several days ere I again beheld her, but during that time she was ever present to my warm imagination. When I ran my fingers over the keys of my piano, the chords fell flat and heavy on my ear, the music of her voice still lingered in them, and every sound beside was "discord dire."
The tedious period allotted to women after having added to the population of this bustling world at last expired; the ceremony called "churching" was over; the excitement that had prevailed for the last month had abated, and all things now went smoothly on as before and I began to despair of making any progress in my amour when an engagement was offered me to sing at a concert about to be given at the A- Rooms, for which having procured a couple of tickets I presented them to Mr. E-, hoping that I should have the pleasure of seeing him and Mrs. E- at the performance, as it might afford her some trifling amusement after her recent tedious confinement. He accepted them with avidity, and expressed himself grateful for what he termed the unexpected treat; nor was I less delighted, but from a very dissimilar inspiration.
At length the wished-for evening arrived, and although generally rather careless as to my personal appearance, on this occasion I dressed myself in the most careful manner, not omitting the most trivial thing calculated to make me appear agreeable in her eyes; and the pleasure that diffused itself over her countenance whilst the audience were honoring me with their plaudits, afforded me more real satisfaction than all the congratulations which I received that night from as brilliant and numerous an assembly as ever graced the A- Rooms.
I could not help thinking how differently all would have eyed each other had they heard a song sung by me only a few nights previously to a small party of private friends, and which I reproduce to satisfy the reader's curiosity.
The Hasty Bridegroom:
Or
The Rarest Sport that hath been try'd, between a lusty bridegroom and his bride.
Come from the Temple, away to the Bed,
As the Merchant transports home his Treasure;
Be not so coy Lady, since we are wed, 'Tis no Sin to taste of the Pleasure:
Then come let us be blithe, merry and free,
Upon my life all the waiters are gone;
And 'tis so, that they know where you go say not so, For I mean to make bold with my own.
What is it to me, though our Hands joyned be, If our Bodies are still kept asunder:
It shall not be said, there goes a marry'd Maid, Indeed we will have no such wonder:
Therefore let's imbrace, there's none sees thy Face, The Bride-Maids that waited are gone;
None can spy how you lye, ne'er deny but say I, For I mean to make bold with my own.