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Charlemont; Or, the Pride of the Village. a Tale of Kentucky by William Gilmore Simms
page 16 of 518 (03%)
who had borne many sorrows, and borne them with that resignation,
which, while it proves the wisdom of the sufferer, is at the same
time, calculated to increase his benevolence. The expression of his
eye, was full of kindness and benignity, while that of his mouth,
with equal force, was indicative of a melancholy, as constant as
it was gentle and unobtrusive. A feeble smile played over his lips
while he spoke, that increased the sadness which it softened; as
the faint glimmer of the evening sunlight, upon the yellow leaves
of autumn, heightens the solemn tones in the rich coloring of the
still decaying forest.

The face of his companion, in many of its features, was in direct
contrast with his own. It was well formed, and, to the casual
glance, seemed no less handsome than intellectual. There was much
in it to win the regard of the young and superficial. An eye that
sparkled with fire, a mouth that glowed with animation--cheeks
warmly colored, and a contour full of vivacity, seemed to denote
properties of mind and heart equally valuable and attractive. Still,
a keen observer would have found something sinister, in the upward
glancing of the eye, at intervals, from the half-closed lids; and,
at such moments, there was a curling contempt upon the lips, which
seemed to denote a cynical and sarcastic turn of mind. A restless
movement of the same features seemed equally significant of caprice
of character, and a flexibility of moral; while the chin narrowed
too suddenly and became too sharp at the extremity, to persuade a
thorough physiognomist, that the owner could be either very noble
in his aims, or very generous in his sentiments. But as these
outward tokens can not well be considered authority in the work
of judgment, let events, which speak for themselves, determine the
true character of our travellers.
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