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ZULMIERA, THE HALF-CARIB GIRL.
so light, that it would scarcely have crushed the lowliest flower. Upon reaching the verge of the grove, it stopped ; and placing a finger upon a small gittern,* carried beneath the ample cloak, struck a single note. The crushing of the younger twigs and leaves told that the signal was heard ; and springing from the covert, a young man bounded forward, exclaiming—" Zulmiera ! dearest Zulmiera ! how long thou hast stayed to-night !" The moon still shone with a clear and fervent light, displaying every object in a distinct manner, and shewing the picturesque dress of the impassioned stranger to the best advantage. His figure was slight but perfectly formed, while his fair skin and glowing cheeks bespoke his Saxon origin. His eyes were of the clearest blue, and his long auburn locks, parted in the middle of his forehead, flowed over his shoulders, in length and profusion equalling a woman's. A slight moustache shaded his upper lip, which, slightly curved, displayed a set of teeth faultless in size and colour. His dress, fashioned in that superb style which the followers of Charles loved to indulge in, consisted of a doublet of three-piled murrey-colour velvet, pinked and slashed with white satin, and ornamented with elaborate embroidery, his falling band, or collar, of the richest point lace, and his nether garments to match with the doublet, were finished at the knees with white satin roses and diamond studs. A small but admirably tempered Toledo, the hilt of solid gold, and sparkling with diamonds, was strapped to his side by an embroidered belt ; while a Flemish beaver hat, looped with a diamond button, and surrounded by a snowy plume, shaded his somewhat boyish features. A dark short cloak, lined with white taffety, which he had flung aside when springing to meet Zulmiera, floated from behind his right shoulder, and served to give him still more an air of graceful elegance. " Dearest Zulmiera," said the young stranger, when * A kind of small guitar, in use about the 16th and 17th centuries.