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.
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