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Feathertop: A Moralized Legend
Theworthymagistratewhohadbeenconversantwithalldegreesandqualitiesofmankind,couldnotbutperceiveeverymotionandgestureofthedistinguishedFeathertopcameinitsproperplace;nothinghadbeenleftrudeornativeinhim;awell-digestedconventionalismhadincorporateditselfthoroughlywithhissubstanceandtransformedhimintoaworkofart.Perhapsitwasthispeculiaritythatinvestedhimwithaspeciesofghastlinessandawe.Itistheeffectofanythingcompletelyandconsummatelyartificial,inhumanshape,thatthepersonimpressesusasanunrealityandashavinghardlypithenoughtocastashadowuponthefloor.AsregardedFeathertop,allthisresultedinawild,extravagant,andfantasticalimpression,asifhislifeandbeingwereakintothesmokethatcurledupwardfromhispipe.
ButprettyPollyGookinfeltnotthus.Thepairwerenowpromenadingtheroom:Feathertopwithhisdaintystrideandnolessdaintygrimace,thegirlwithanativemaidenlygrace,justtouched,notspoiled,byaslightlyaffectedmanner,whichseemedcaughtfromtheperfectartificeofhercompanion.Thelongertheinterviewcontinued,themorecharmedwasprettyPolly,until,withinthefirstquarterofanhour(astheoldmagistratenotedbyhiswatch),shewasevidentlybeginningtobeinlove.Norneedithavebeenwitchcraftthatsubduedherinsuchahurry;thepoorchild’sheart,itmaybe,wassoveryferventthatitmeltedherwithitsownwarmthasreflectedfromthehollowsemblanceofalover.
