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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/15470-8.txt b/15470-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ae59802 --- /dev/null +++ b/15470-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9021 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Inez, by Augusta J. Evans + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Inez + A Tale of the Alamo + +Author: Augusta J. Evans + +Release Date: March 26, 2005 [EBook #15470] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INEZ *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, S.R. Ellison and the PG +Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + + +INEZ + +A TALE OF THE ALAMO + +BY + +AUGUSTA J. EVANS + +_Author of "Beulah," "St. Elmo," "Infelice," "Macaria," Etc._ + +NEW YORK + +THE FEDERAL BOOK COMPANY + +PUBLISHERS + + + + + TO + THE TEXAN PATRIOTS, + WHO TRIUMPHANTLY + UNFURLED AND WAVED ALOFT + THE + "BANNER OF THE LONE STAR!" WHO + WRENCHED ASUNDER + THE IRON BANDS OF DESPOTIC MEXICO! AND WREATHED + THE BROW OF THE "QUEEN STATE" + WITH + THE GLORIOUS CHAPLET OF "CIVIL AND + RELIGIOUS LIBERTY!" THIS + WORK IS + RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY + THE AUTHOR. + + + + +INEZ: A TALE OF THE ALAMO. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + "But O, th' important budget! + Who can say what are its tidings?" + + COWPER. + + +"There is the bell for prayers, Florry; are you ready?" said +Mary Irving, hastily entering her cousin's room at the large +boarding-school of Madame ----. + +"Yes; I rose earlier than usual this morning, have solved two +problems, and translated nearly half a page of Telemaque." + +"I congratulate you on your increased industry and application, though +you were always more studious than myself. I wish, dear Florry, +you could imbue me with some of your fondness for metaphysics and +mathematics," Mary replied, with a low sigh. + +A momentary flush passed over the face of her companion, and they +descended the stairs in silence. The room in which the pupils were +accustomed to assemble for devotion was not so spacious as the +class-room, yet sufficiently so to look gloomy enough in the gray +light of a drizzling morn. The floor was covered with a faded carpet, +in which the indistinct vine seemed struggling to reach the wall, +but failed by several feet on either side. As if to conceal this +deficiency, a wide seat was affixed the entire length of the room, so +high + + "That the feet hung dangling down, + Anxious in vain to find the distant floor." + +There were no curtains to the windows, and the rain pattered drearily +down the panes. + +The teacher who officiated as chaplain was seated before a large +desk, on which lay an open Bible. He seemed about twenty-four, his +countenance noble rather than handsome, if I may make so delicate a +distinction. Intelligence of the first order was stamped upon it, yet +the characteristic expression was pride which sat enthroned on his +prominent brow; still, hours of care had left their impress, and the +face was very grave, though by no means stern. His eye was fixed on +the door as the pupils came in, one by one, for prayers, and when +Florence and Mary entered, it sunk upon his book, In a few moments he +rose, and, standing with one arm folded across his bosom, read in a +deep, distinct tone, that beautiful Psalm, "The Lord is my shepherd." +He had only reached the fourth verse, when he was interrupted by two +girls of twelve or fourteen, who had been conversing from the moment +of their entrance. The tones grew louder and louder, and now the words +were very audible: + +"My father did not send me here to come to prayers, and Madame has no +right to make us get up before day to hear him read his Bible!" + +Many who coincided with them tittered, others stared in silence, while +Florence's lip curled, and Mary looked sorrowingly, pityingly upon +them--hers was the expression with which the angel multitudes of +Heaven regard their erring brethren here. The chaplain turned toward +them, and said, in a grave yet gentle voice, "My little friends, I am +afraid you did not kneel beside your bed this morning, and ask God to +keep your hearts from sinful thoughts, and enable you to perform all +your duties in a humble, gentle spirit. In your present temper, were I +to read the entire book instead of one Psalm, I fear you would receive +no benefit." + +The girls were awed more by the tone than words, and sat silent and +abashed. The reading was concluded, and then he offered up a prayer +earnest and heartfelt. Instead of leaving the room immediately, the +pupils waited as for something, and taking a bundle of letters from +the desk, their tutor distributed them as the direction indicated. + +"My budget is not so large as usual, and I regret it for your sakes, +as I fear some are disappointed. Miss Hamilton, here are two for you;" +and he handed them to her without looking up. + +"Two for Florry, and none for me?" asked Mary, while her voice +slightly trembled. He was leaving the room, but turned toward her. + +"I am very sorry, Miss Mary, but hope you will find a comforting +message in your cousin's." + +Gently he spoke, yet his eyes rested on Florence the while, and, with +a suppressed sigh, he passed on. "Come to my room, Mary; it is strange +the letters are postmarked the same day." And while she solves the +mystery, let us glance at her former history. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + "Calm on the bosom of thy God, + Fair spirit! rest thee now! + Ev'n while with us thy footsteps trod, + His seal was on thy brow." + + HEMANS. + + +Florence Hamilton had but attained her fourth year when she was left +the only solace of her widowed father. Even after the lapse of long +years, faint, yet sweet recollections of her lost parent stole, in +saddened hours, over her spirit, and often, in dreams, a face of +angelic beauty hovered around, and smiled upon her. + +Unfortunately, Florence proved totally unlike her sainted mother, both +in personal appearance and cast of character. Mr. Hamilton was a +cold, proud man of the world; one who, having lived from his birth in +affluence, regarded with a haughty eye all who, without the advantages +of rank or wealth, strove to attain a position equal to his own. +Intelligence, nobility of soul, unsullied character, weighed not an +atom against the counterpoise of birth and family. He enjoyed in youth +advantages rare for the unsettled times in which he lived; he tasted +all that France and Italy could offer; and returned _blasé_ at +twenty-seven to his home in one of the Southern States. Attracted by +the brilliant fortune of an orphan heiress, he won and married her; +but love, such as her pure, gentle spirit sought, dwelt not in his +stern, selfish heart. All of affection he had to bestow was lavished +on his only sister, who had married during his absence. + +His angel wife drooped in the sterile soil to which she was +transplanted, and, when Florence was about four years old, sunk into a +quiet grave. + +Perhaps when he stood with his infant daughter beside the newly-raised +mound, and missed the gentle being who had endeavored so strenuously +to make his home happy, and to win for herself a place in his heart, +one tear might have moistened the cold, searching eyes that for +years had known no such softening tendency. "Perhaps," I say; but to +conjecture of thee, oh Man! is fruitless indeed. + +As well as such a nature could, he loved his child, and considered +himself extremely magnanimous in casting aside all thought of a second +marriage, and devoting his leisure moments to the formation of her +character, and direction of her education. + +Florence inherited her father's haughty temperament without his sordid +selfishness, and what may seem incompatible with the former, a glowing +imagination in connection with fine mental powers. To all but Mr. +Hamilton she appeared as cold and impenetrable as himself; but the +flashing eye and curling lip with which she listened to a tale of +injustice, or viewed a dishonorable act, indicated a nature truly +noble. Two master passions ruled her heart--love for her parent, and +fondness for books. Idolized by the household, it was not strange that +she soon learned to consider herself the most important member of it. +Mr. Hamilton found that it was essential for the proper regulation +of his establishment that some lady should preside over its various +departments, and accordingly invited the maiden sister of his late +wife to make his house her home, and take charge of his numerous +domestics. + +Of his daughter he said nothing. Aunt Lizzy, as she was called, was an +amiable, good woman, but not sufficiently intellectual to superintend +Florry's education. That little individual looked at first with +distrustful eyes on one who, she supposed, might abridge her numerous +privileges; but the affectionate manner of the kind-hearted aunt +removed all fear, and she soon spoke and moved with the freedom which +had characterized her solitude. + +One day, when Florence was about nine years old, her father entered +the library, where she sat intently reading, and said, + +"Florence, come here, I have something to tell you." + +"Something to tell me! I hope it is pleasant;" and she laid her hand +on his knee, and looked inquiringly in his face. + +"You remember the cousin Mary, whose father died not long ago? Well, +she has lost her mother too, and is coming to live with us." As he +spoke, his voice faltered, and his proud curling lip quivered, yet +he gave no other evidence of the deepest grief he had known for many +years. + +"She will be here this evening, and I hope you will try to make her +contented." With these words he was leaving the room, but Florence +said, + +"Father, is she to stay with us always, and will she sleep in my room, +with me?" + +"She will live with us as long as she likes, and, if you prefer it, +can occupy the same room." + +The day wore on, and evening found her on the steps, looking earnestly +down the avenue for the approach of the little stranger. + +At length a heavy carriage drove to the door, and Florry leaned +forward to catch a glimpse of the inmate's face. A slight form, clad +in deep mourning, was placed on the piazza by the coachman. + +Mr. Hamilton shook her hand kindly, and, after a few words of welcome, +said, + +"Here is your cousin Florence, Mary. I hope you will love each other, +and be happy, good little girls." Mary looked almost fearfully at +her proud young cousin, but the sight of her own pale, tearful face +touched Florry's heart, and she threw her arms round her neck and +kissed her. The embrace was unexpected, and Mary wept bitterly. + +"Florence, why don't you take Mary to her room?" + +"Would you like to go up-stairs, cousin?" + +"Oh yes! if you please, I had much rather." And taking her basket from +her hand, Florry led the way. + +Mary took off her bonnet, and turned to look again at her cousin. +Their eyes met; but, as if overcome by some sudden recollection, she +buried her face in her hands and burst again into tears. + +Florence stood for some time in silence, at length she said gently, + +"It is almost tea-time, and father will be angry if he sees you have +been crying." + +"Oh! I can't help it, indeed I can't," sobbed the little mourner, "he +is so much like my dear, darling mother;" and she stifled a cry of +agony. + +"Is my father like your mother, cousin Mary?" + +"Oh yes! When he spoke to me just now, I almost thought it was +mother." + +A tear rolled over Florry's cheek, and she slowly replied, "I wish I +knew somebody that looked like my mother." In that hour was forged the +chain which bound them through life, and made them one in interest. + +Years rolled on, and found Mary happy in her adopted home. If her +uncle failed to caress her as her loving heart desired, she did not +complain, for she was treated like her cousin, and found in the strong +love of Florence an antidote for every care. Mary was about sixteen, +and Florence a few months younger, at the time our story opens, and +had been placed in New Orleans to acquire French and music, as good +masters could not be obtained nearer home. We have seen them there, +and, hoping the reader will pardon this digression, return to Florry's +letter. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + "Philosophy can hold an easy triumph over past and future + misfortunes; but those which are present, triumph over her." + + ROCHEFOUCAULT. + + +A Striking difference in personal appearance was presented by the +cousins, as they stood together. Florence, though somewhat younger, +was taller by several inches, and her noble and erect carriage, in +connection with the haughty manner in which her head was thrown back, +added in effect to her height. Her hair and eyes were brilliant black, +the latter particularly thoughtful in their expression. The forehead +was not remarkable for height, but was unusually prominent and +white, and almost overhung the eyes. The mouth was perfect, the lips +delicately chiseled, and curving beautifully toward the full dimpled +chin. The face, though intellectual, and artistically beautiful, was +not prepossessing. The expression was cold and haughty; and for this +reason she had received the appellations of "Minerva" and "Juno," such +being considered by her fellow-pupils as singularly appropriate. + +Mary, on the contrary, was slight and drooping, and her sweet, +earnest countenance, elicited the love of the beholder, even before an +intimate acquaintance had brought to view the beautiful traits of her +truly amiable character. + +And yet these girls, diametrically opposed in disposition, clung to +each other with a strength of affection only to be explained by that +strongest of all ties, early association. + +Florence broke the seal of her letter, and Mary walked to the window. +It looked out on a narrow street, through which drays rattled noisily, +and occasional passengers picked their way along its muddy crossings. + +Mary stood watching the maneuvers of a little girl, who was +endeavoring to pass dry-shod, when a low groan startled her; and +turning quickly, she perceived Florence standing in the center of the +room, the letter crumpled in one hand: her face had grown very pale, +and the large eyes gleamed strangely. + +"Oh! Florry, what is the matter? Is your father ill--dead--tell me +quick?" and imploringly she clasped her hands. + +Florence made a powerful effort, and spoke, in her usual tone: + +"I was foolish to give way to my feelings, even for a moment--my +father is well." She paused, and then added, as if painfully, "But, +oh! he is almost penniless!" + +"Penniless!" echoed Mary, as though she could not comprehend her +cousin's meaning. + +"Yes, Mary, he has been very unfortunate in his speculations, obliged +to sell our plantation and negroes, and now, he says, 'a few paltry +thousands only remain;' but, oh! that is not the worst; I wish it +were, he has sold out everything, broken every tie, and will be here +this evening on his way to Texas. He writes that I must be ready to +accompany him to-morrow night." + +She paused, as if unwilling to add something which must be told, and +looked sadly at her cousin. + +Mary understood the glance. + +"Florry, there is something in the letter relating to myself, which +you withhold for fear of giving me pain: the sooner I learn it the +better." + +"Mary, here is a letter inclosed for you; but first hear what my +father says," and hurriedly she read as follows: ... "With regard to +Mary, it cannot be expected that she should wish to accompany us on +our rugged path, and bitterly, bitterly do I regret our separation. +Her paternal uncle, now in affluence, has often expressed a desire to +have her with him, and, since my misfortunes, has written me, offering +her a home in his family. Every luxury and advantage afforded by +wealth can still be hers. Did I not feel that she would be benefited +by this separation, nothing could induce me to part with her, but, +under existing circumstances, I can consent to give her up." + +Florence flung the letter from her as she concluded, and approaching +her cousin, clasped her arms fondly about her. Mary had covered her +face with her hands, and the tears glistened on her slender fingers. + +"Oh, Florry, you don't know how pained and hurt I am, that uncle +should think I could be so ungrateful as to forget, in the moment of +adversity, his unvaried kindness for six long years. Oh! it is cruel +in him to judge me so harshly," and she sobbed aloud. + +"I will not be left, I will go with him, that is if--if--Florry, tell +me candidly, do you think he has any other reason for not taking me, +except my fancied dislike to leaving this place--tell me?" + +"No, dear Mary; if he thought you preferred going with us, no power on +earth could induce him to leave you." + +Mary placed her hand in her cousin's, and murmured, + +"Florry, I will go with you; your home shall be my home, and your +sorrows my sorrows." + +A flash of joy irradiated Florence's pale face as she returned her +cousin's warm embrace. + +"With you, Mary, to comfort and assist me, I fear nothing; but you +have not yet read your uncle's letter, perhaps its contents may +influence your decision." + +Mary perused it in silence, and then put it in her cousin's hand, +while the tears rolled over her cheeks. + +"Mary, think well ere you reject this kind offer. Remember how +earnestly he entreats that you will come and share his love, his home, +and his fortune. Many privations will be ours, in the land to which we +go, and numberless trials assail the poverty-stricken. All these you +can avoid, by accepting this very affectionate invitation. Think well, +Mary, lest in after-years you repent your hasty decision." + +There came a long pause, and hurriedly Florence paced to and fro. Mary +lifted her bowed head, and pushing back her clustering hair, calmly +replied, "My heart swells with gratitude toward my noble, generous +uncle. Oh, how fervently I can thank him for his proffered home! yet, +separated from you, dear Florry, I could not be happy; my heart would +ache for you, and your warm, trusting love. I fear neither poverty +nor hardships. Oh, let me go with you, and cheer and assist my dear +uncle!" + +"You shall go with us, my pure-hearted cousin. When I thought a moment +since, of parting with you, my future seemed gloomy indeed, but now I +know that you will be near, I am content." + +A short silence ensued, broken by a mournful exclamation from +Florence. + +"Ah! Mary, it is not for myself that I regret this change of fortune, +but for my proud, haughty father, who will suffer so keenly. Oh, my +heart aches when I think of him!" + +"Florry, we must cheer him by those thousand little attentions, which +will lead him to forget his pecuniary troubles." + +Florence shook her head. + +"You do not know my father as I do. He will have no comforters, broods +over difficulties in secret, and shrinks from sympathy as from a +'scorching brand.'" + +"Still, I think we can do much to lighten his cares, and I pray God I +may not be mistaken," replied Mary. + +Florence lifted her head from her palm and gazed vacantly at her +cousin, then started from her seat. + +"Mary, we must not sit here idly, when there is so much to do, Madame +---- should know we leave to-morrow, and it will take us all day to +prepare for our journey." + +"Do let me go and speak to Madame----; it will be less unpleasant to +me?" + +"No, no; I will go myself; they shall not think I feel it so sensibly, +and their condolence to-morrow would irritate me beyond measure. I +scorn such petty trials as loss of fortune, and they shall know it." + +"Who shall know it, Florry?" + +Her cheek flushed, but without a reply she left the room, and +descended the steps which led to Madame ----'s parlor. Reaching the +door, she drew herself proudly up, then knocked. + +"Come in," was the response. + +She did so. In the center of the apartment, with an open book on the +table before him, sat the teacher who officiated at prayers. He rose +and bowed coldly in answer to her salutation. + +"Pardon my intrusion, Mr. Stewart. I expected to find Madame here." + +"She has gone to spend the morning with an invalid sister, and +requested me to take charge of her classes, in addition to my own. If +I can render you any assistance, Miss Hamilton, I am at your service." + +"Thank you, I am in need of no assistance, and merely wished to say to +Madame that I should leave New Orleans to-morrow, having heard from my +father that he will be here in the evening boat." + +"I will inform her of your intended departure as early as possible." + +"You will oblige me by doing so," replied Florence, turning to go. + +"Miss Hamilton, may I ask you if your cousin accompanies you?" + +"She does," was the laconic answer, and slowly she retraced her steps, +and stood at her own door. The cheeks had become colorless, and the +delicate lips writhed with pain. She paused a moment, then entered. + +"Did you see her, Florry?" + +"No, she is absent, but I left word for her." + +Her tone was hard, dry, as though she had been striving long for some +goal, which, when nearly attained, her failing strength was scarce +able to grasp. It was the echo of a fearful struggle that had raged in +her proud bosom. The knell it seemed of expiring exertion, of sinking +resistance. Mary gazed sadly on her cousin, who stood mechanically +smoothing her glossy black hair. The haughty features seemed chiseled +in marble, so cold, stony was the expression. + +"Dear Florry! you look harassed and weary already. Why, why will you +overtask your strength, merely to be called a disciple of Zeno? Surely +you cannot seriously desire so insignificant an honor, if it merits +that title?" + +"Can, you, then, see no glory in crushing long-cherished hopes--nay, +when your heart is yearning toward some 'bright particular' path, +to turn without one symptom of regret, and calmly tread one just the +opposite! Tell me, can you perceive nothing elevating in this Stoical +command?" + +The cold, vacant look had passed away; her dark eyes gleamed, +glittered as with anticipated triumph. + +"Florry, I do not understand you exactly; but I do know that command +of the heart is impossible, from the source whence you draw. It may +seem perfect control now, but it will fail you in the dark hour of +your need, if many trials should assail. Oh! my cousin, do not be +angry if I say 'you have forsaken the fountain of living water, and +hewn out for yourself broken cisterns, which hold no water.' Oh! +Florry, before you take another step, return to Him, 'who has a balm +for every wound.'" + +Florence's face softened; an expression of relief began to steal over +her countenance; but as Mary ceased speaking, she turned her face, +beautiful in its angelic purity, full upon her. A bitter smile curled +Florence's lip, and muttering hoarsely, "A few more hours and the +struggle will be over," she turned to her bureau, and arranged her +clothes for packing. + +The day passed in preparation, and twilight found the cousins watching +intently at the casement. The great clock in the hall chimed out +seven, the last stroke died away, and then the sharp clang of the +door-bell again broke silence. They started to their feet, heard the +street door open and close--then steps along the stairs, nearer and +nearer--then came a knock at the door. Mary opened it; the servant +handed in a card and withdrew. "Mr. J.A. Hamilton." Florence passed +out, Mary remained behind. + +"Come, why do you linger?" + +"I thought, Florry, you might wish to see him alone; perhaps he would +prefer it." + +"Mary, you have identified yourself with us. To my father we must be +as one." She extended her hand, and the next moment they stood in the +reception-room. + +The father and uncle were standing with folded arms, looking down into +the muddy street below. He advanced to meet them, holding out a hand +to each. Florence pressed her lips to the one she held, and exclaimed, + +"My dear father, how glad I am to see you!" + +"Glad to see me! You did not receive my letters then?" + +"Yes, I did, but are their contents and pleasure at meeting you +incompatible?" + +He made no reply, and then Mary said, in a low, tremulous tone, + +"Uncle, you have done me a great injury, and you must make me all the +reparation in your power. You said, in your letter to Florry, that +you did not think I would wish to go with you. Oh, uncle! you do not, +cannot believe me so ungrateful, so devoid of love as to wish, under +any circumstances, to be separated from you. Now ease my heart, and +say I may share your new home. I should be very miserable away from +you." + +An expression of pleasure passed over his face, but again the brow +darkened. + +"Mary! Florence is my child--my destiny hers, my misfortunes hers; but +I have no right to drag you with me in my fall; to deprive you of the +many advantages that will be afforded, by your uncle's wealth, of the +social position you may one day attain." + +"Uncle! uncle! am I not your child by adoption? Have you not loved +and cared for me during long years? Oh! what do I care for wealth--for +what you call a high position in the world? You and Florry are my +world." She threw her arms about his neck, and sobbed, "Take me! oh, +take me with you!" + +"If you so earnestly desire it, you shall indeed go with us, my Mary." +And, for the first time in her life, he imprinted a kiss on her brow. + +When he departed, it was with a promise to call for them the next +morning, that they might make, with their aunt, some necessary +purchases, and remove to a hotel near the river. + +Everything was packed the ensuing day, when Mary suddenly remembered +that her books were still in the recitation-room, and would have gone +for them, but Florence said, + +"I will bring up the books, Mary; you are tired and pale with bending +so long over that trunk." And accordingly she went. + +Mary threw herself on the couch to rest a moment, and fell into +a reverie of some length, unheeding the flying minutes, when she +recollected that Florence had been absent a long time, and rising, +was about to seek her; just then her cousin entered. A change had come +over her countenance--peace, quiet, happiness reigned supreme. One +hour later, and they had gone from Madame ----'s, never to return +again. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + + "Time the supreme! Time is eternity, + Pregnant with all eternity can give; + With all that makes archangels smile + Who murders time, he crushes in the birth + A power ethereal." + + YOUNG. + + +A year had passed away. "How paradoxical is the signification of the +term!" How vast, when we consider that each hour hastens the end +of our pilgrimage! How insignificant in comparison with futurity! A +single drop in the boundless deep of eternity! Oh Time! thou greatest +of all anomalies! Friend yet foe, "preserver and yet destroyer!" +Whence art thou, great immemorial? When shall thy wondrous mechanism +be dissolved? When shall the "pall of obscurity" descend on thy +Herculean net-work? Voices of the past echo through thy deserted +temples, and shriek along thy bulwarks--Never, no never! + +Season had followed season in rapid succession, and the last rays +of an August sun illumined a scene so beautiful, that I long for +the pencil of a Claude Lorraine. It was a far-off town, in a far-off +state, yet who has gazed on thy loveliness, oh, San Antonio, can e'er +forget thee! Thine was the sweetness of nature; no munificent hand had +arranged, with artistic skill, a statue here, a fountain there. + +The river wound like an azure girdle round the town; not confined +by precipitous banks, but gliding along the surface, as it were, and +reflecting, in its deep blue waters, the rustling tule which fringed +the margin. An occasional pecan or live-oak flung a majestic shadow +athwart its azure bosom, and now and then a clump of willows sighed +low in the evening breeze. + +Far away to the north stretched a mountain range, blue in the +distance; to the south, the luxuriant valley of the stream. The +streets were narrow, and wound with a total disregard of the points +of the compass. Could a stranger have been placed blindfold in one +of them, and then allowed to look about him, the flat roofs and light +appearance of most of the houses would have forced him to declare that +he had entered a tropical town of the far east. + +Many of the buildings were of musquit pickets, set upright in the +ground, lashed together with strips of hide, and thatched with the +tule before mentioned. There were scarce three plank-floors in the +town; by far the greater number being composed of layers of pebbles, +lime, and sand, rolled with a heavy piece of timber till quite +compact; daily sprinkling was found necessary, however, to keep down +the dust, produced by constant friction. + +The wealthy inhabitants built of sun-dried bricks, overcast with a +kind of stucco. Yet, unfortunately, the plastering art died with the +Montezumas, for the most vivid imagination failed to convert this +rough coating into the "silver sheen" which so dazzled Cortes's little +band. The reader will exclaim, "I can fancy no beauty from so prosy a +description. Thatched roofs and dirt floors, how absurd!" + +Although a strict analysis might prove detrimental, I assure you the +_tout ensemble_ was picturesque indeed. + + "Italia! oh Italia! thou who hast + The fatal gift of beauty." + +Art rivaled here. Thy gorgeous skies have floated hither, and hover +like a halo round the town. The sun had set; the glowing tints faded +fast, till of the brilliant spectacle naught remained save the soft +roseate hue which melted insensibly into the deep azure of the zenith. +Quiet seemed settling o'er mountain and river, when, with a solemn +sweetness, the vesper bells chimed out on the evening air. Even as the +Moslem kneels at sunset toward the "Holy City," so punctiliously does +the devout papist bend for vesper prayers. Will you traverse with me +the crooked streets, and stand beneath the belfry whence issued the +holy tones? + +This ancient edifice was constructed in 1692. It fronted the Plaza, +and was a long, narrow building, flanked, as it were, by wings lower +than the main apartment, and surmounted by a dome, in which were five +or six bells. This dome or belfry was supported by pillars, and in the +intervening openings were placed the bells. The roof was flat, and the +dark green and gray moss clung along the sides. The interior presented +a singular combination of art and rudeness; the seats were of +unpainted pine, and the cement floor between was worn irregularly by +the knees of devout attendants. The railing of the altar was of carved +mahogany, rich and beautiful. Over this division of the long room hung +a silken curtain, concealing three niches, which contained an image of +the "Virgin," the "Child," and in the center one, a tall gilt cross. +Heavy silver candlesticks were placed in front of each niche, and +a dozen candles were now burning dimly. A variety of relics, too +numerous to mention, were scattered on the altar, and in addition, +several silver goblets, and a massive bowl for holding "holy water." A +few tin sconces, placed against the wall, were the only provision for +lighting that dark, gloomy church, and dreary enough it looked in the +twilight hour. About a dozen devotees were present, all kneeling on +the damp, hard floor. The silk curtain which concealed the altar was +drawn aside, with due solemnity, by two boys habited in red flannel +petticoats, over which hung a loose white slip. The officiating priest +was seen kneeling before the altar, with his lips pressed to the +foot of the cross. He retained his position for several moments, then +rising, conducted the ceremonies in a calm, imposing manner. When +these were concluded, and all had departed save the two boys, who +still knelt before the Virgin, he beckoned them to him, and speaking +a few words in Spanish, ended by pointing to the door and uttering, +emphatically, "Go." Crossing themselves as they passed the images, +they disappeared through a side door, and the priest was left alone. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + * * * "He was a man + Who stole the livery of the court of heaven + To serve the devil in; in Virtue's guise, + Devoured the widow's house and orphan's bread; + In holy phrase, transacted villanies + That common sinners durst not meddle with." + + POLLOK. + + +In years, he could not have exceeded twenty-five, yet the countenance +was that of one well versed in intrigue. The cast was Italian--the +crisp black hair, swarthy complexion, and never-to-be-mistaken eyes. +A large amount of Jesuit determination was expressed in his iris, +blended with cunning, malignity, and fierceness. The features were +prominent particularly the nose; the lips finely cut, but thin; the +teeth beautiful and regular. In stature he was low, and habited in the +dress of his order, a long black coat or gown, buttoned to the throat, +and reaching nearly to the feet. + +Glancing at his watch as the sound of the last step died away, +he paced round and round the altar, neglecting now the many +genuflections, bows, and crossings with which he had honored the +images in the presence of his flock. His brows were knit, as if in +deep thought, and doubtless he revolved the result of some deep-laid +plan, when the door was hurriedly opened, and a man, bowing low before +the images, approached him. The dress of the stranger declared him a +ranchero: he wore no jacket but his pantaloons were of buckskin, and +his broad sombrero was tucked beneath his arm. + +"Benedicit, Juan!" + +"Bueño noche, Padre." + +"What tidings do you bring me?" said Father Mazzolin. + +The Mexican handed him a letter, and then, as if much fatigued, leaned +heavily against the wall, and wiped his brow with a large blue cotton +handkerchief. As the priest turned away and perused his letter, a +smile of triumphant joy irradiated his face, and a momentary flush +tinged his dark cheek. Again he read it, then thrusting it into his +bosom, addressed the bearer: + +"May the blessing of the church rest upon you, who have so faithfully +served your Padre;" and he extended his hand. Warmly it was grasped by +Juan, with a look of grateful surprise. + +"Este bueño?" inquired Juan. + +"Si mui bueño. Juan, do you read American writing?" + +"Chiquito," was answered, with a slight shrug. + +"What is the news in the el-grand Ciudad?" + +"They have a strong ox to pull the ropes, now Santa Anna is at the +head. Bravura!" and the ranchero tossed his hat, regardless of the +place. + +It was, however, no part of Mazzolin's policy to allow him for one +moment to forget the reverence due the marble images that looked so +calmly down from their niches, and with a stern glance he pointed to +them, crossing himself as he did so. Juan went down on his knees, +and with an "Ave Maria," and a Mexican dollar (which he laid on the +altar), quieted his conscience. + +"Señor Austin is in the Calaboose," he said, after a pause. + +Mazzolin started, and looked keenly at him, as if striving to read his +inmost thoughts. + +"You must be mistaken. Juan; there is no mention of it in my letter?" +he said, in a tone of one fearing to believe good news. + +"Not at all, Padre. We started together--there were fifteen of us--and +after we had come a long way, so far as Saltillo, some of Santa Anna's +cavaleros overtook us, and carried Señor Americano back with them, and +said they had orders to do it, for he was no friend to our nation. I +know, for I heard for myself." + +"Do you know the particular reason of his arrest?" + +Juan shook his head, and replied, "That the officers did not say." + +"Did you mention to any one your having a letter for me?" + +"No, Padre; I tell no man what does not concern him." + +"A wise plan, Juan, I would advise you always to follow; and be +very careful that you say nothing to any one about my letter: I +particularly desire it." + +"Intiendo," said Juan, turning toward the door. "I go to my ranche +to-morrow, but come back before many sunsets, and if you want me +again, Padre, you know where to find me." + +"The blessing of the Holy Virgin rest upon you, my son, and reward you +for your services in behalf of the church." + +"Adios!" And they parted. + +Father Mazzolin drew forth the letter, and read it attentively for +the third time, then held it over one of the twelve candles, and +deliberately burnt it, muttering the while, "Ashes tell no tales." + +Extinguishing the candles and locking the door of the church, he said +to himself: + +"All is as I foresaw; a breach is made which can only be closed by +the bodies of hundreds of these cursed heretics; and Santa Anna is +bloodthirsty enough to drain the last drop. Alphonso Mazzolin, canst +thou not carve thy fortune in the coming storm? Yea, and I will. I am +no unworthy follower of Loyola, of Gavier, and of Bobadillo. Patience! +a Cardinal's cap shall crown my labors;" and with a chuckling laugh he +entered the narrow street which led to his dwelling. + +"There is but one obstacle here," he continued; "that Protestant +girl's work is hard to undo," and his step became quicker. "But for +her, I should have been confessor to the whole family, and will be +yet, despite her warning efforts, though I had rather deal with any +three men. She is as untiring as myself." He reached his door, and +entered. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + "And ruder words will soon rush in + To spread the breach that words begin; + And eyes forget the gentle ray + They wore in courtship's smiling day; + And voices lose the tone that shed + A tenderness round all they said." + + MOORE. + + +Inez de Garcia was an only child, and in San Antonio considered quite +an heiress. Her wealth consisted in broad lands, large flocks, and +numerous herds, and these valuable possessions, combined with her +beautiful face, rendered her the object of considerable attention. +Inez was endowed with quick perceptions, and a most indomitable will, +which she never surrendered, except to accomplish some latent design; +and none who looked into her beautiful eyes could suppose that beauty +predominated over intellect. She was subtile, and consciousness of her +powers was seen in the haughty glance and contemptuous smile. Her hand +had been promised from infancy to her orphan cousin, Mañuel Nevarro, +whose possessions were nearly as extensive as her own. Inez looked +with indifference on her handsome cousin, but never objected till +within a few weeks of her seventeenth birthday (the period appointed +for her marriage), when she urged her father to break the engagement. +This he positively refused to do, but promising, at Father Mazzolin's +suggestion, that she should have a few more months of freedom, she +apparently acquiesced. Among the peculiar customs of Mexicans, was a +singular method of celebrating St. ----'s day. Instead of repairing to +their church and engaging in some rational service, they mounted their +half wild ponies, and rode furiously up and down the streets till +their jaded steeds refused to stir another step, when they were +graciously allowed to finish the day on the common. The celebration +of the festival was not confined to the masculine portion of the +community; silver-haired Señoras mingled in the cavalcade and many a +bright-eyed Señorita looked forward to St. ----'s day with feelings +nearly akin to those with which a New York belle regards the most +fashionable ball of the season. + +On the evening preceding the day of that canonized lady, Mañuel +entered the room where Inez sat, her needle work on the floor at some +distance, as though flung impatiently from her, her head resting on +one hand, while the other held a gentleman's glove. Light as was his +step, she detected it and thrusting the glove into her bosom, turned +her fine face full upon him. + +"What in the name of wonder brings you here this time of day, Mañuel? +I thought every one but myself was taking a siesta this warm evening." + +"I have been trying a new horse, Inez, and came to know at what hour +you would ride to-morrow." He stood fanning himself with his broad +sombrero as he spoke. + +"Excuse me, Señor, I do not intend to ride at all." + +"You never refused before, Inez; what is the meaning of this?" and his +Spanish brow darkened ominously. + +"That I do not feel inclined to do so, is sufficient reason." + +"And why don't you choose to ride, pray? You have done it all your +life." + +"I'll be cross-questioned by no one!" replied Inez, springing to +her feet, with flashing eyes, and passionately clinching her small, +jeweled hand. + +Mañuel was of a fiery temperament, and one of the many who never pause +to weigh the effect of their words or actions. Seizing her arm in no +gentle manner, he angrily exclaimed, + +"A few more weeks, and I'll see whether you indulge every whim, and +play the queen so royally!" + +Inez disengaged her arm, every feature quivering with scorn. + +"To whom do you speak, Señor Nevarro? You have certainly mistaken me +for one of the miserable peons over whom you claim jurisdiction. Allow +me to undeceive you! I am Inez de Garcia, to whom you shall never +dictate, for I solemnly declare, that from this day the link which has +bound us from childhood is at an end. Mine be the hand to sever it. +From this hour we meet only as cousins! Go seek a more congenial +bride!" + +"Hold, Inez! are you mad?" + +"No, Mañuel, but candid; for eight years I have known that I was +destined to be your wife, but I never loved you, Mañuel. I do not, and +never can, otherwise than as a cousin." + +In a tone of ill-suppressed range, Nevarro retorted: + +"My uncle's authority shall compel you to fulfil the engagement! You +shall not thus escape me!" + +"As you please, Señor. Yet let me tell you, compulsion will not +answer. The combined efforts of San Antonio will not avail--they may +crush, but cannot conquer me." She bowed low, and left the room. + +Every feature inflamed with wrath, Nevarro snatched his hat, and +hurried down the street. He had not proceeded far, when a hand was +laid upon his arm, and turning, with somewhat pugnacious intentions, +encountered Father Mazzolin's piercing black eyes. + +"Bueño tarde, Padre." + +The black eyes rested on Nevarro with an expression which seemed to +demand an explanation of his choler. Mañuel moved uneasily; the hot +blood glowed in his swarthy cheek, and swelled like cords on the +darkened brow. + +"Did you wish to speak with me, Padre?" + +"Even so, my son. Thou art troubled, come unto one who can give thee +comfort." + +They were standing before the door of the harkell occupied by the +priest: he opened it and drew Mañuel in. + +An hour later they emerged from the house. All trace of anger was +removed from Nevarro's brow, and Father Mazzolin's countenance wore +the impenetrable cast he ever assumed in public. It was his business +expression, the mask behind which he secretly drew the strings, and +lured his dupes into believing him a disinterested and self-denying +pastor, whose only aim in life was to promote the welfare and +happiness of his flock. + +When Don Garcia sat that night, _à la Turk_, on a buffalo-robe before +his door, puffing his cigarrita, and keeping time to the violin, which +sent forth its merry tones at a neighboring fandango, Inez drew near, +and related the result of her interview with Mañuel, concluding by +declaring her intention to abide by her decision, and consult her own +wishes in the selection of a husband. + +His astonishment was great. First he tried reasoning, but she refuted +every argument advanced with the adroitness of an Abelard: the small +stock of patience with which "Dame Nature" had endowed the Don gave +way, and at last, stamping with rage, he swore she should comply, or +end her life in a gloomy cell of San Jose. + +Inez laughed contemptuously. She felt the whirlwind she had raised +gathering about her, yet sought not to allay it: she knew it was the +precursor of a fierce struggle, yet quailed not. Like the heroine of +Saragossa, or the martyr of Rouen, she knew not fear; and her restless +nature rather joyed in the strife. + +A low growl from the dog who shared the robe, announced an intruder, +and the next moment the Padre joined them. He was joyfully hailed by +De Garcia as an ally; but a dark look of hatred gleamed from Inez's +eyes, as they rested on his form: it vanished instantly, and she +welcomed him with a smile. She was cognizant of his interview with +Nevarro, for her window overlooked the street in which it took place. +She knew, too, his powers of intrigue; that they were enlisted against +her; and a glance sufficed to show the path to be pursued. Long +ago her penetrating eye had probed the mask of dissimulation which +concealed, like the "silver veil" of Mokanna, a great deformity: how +much greater because, alas! a moral one. + +Father Mazzolin inquired, with apparent interest, the cause of +contention. The Don gave a detailed account, and wound up by applying +to him for support, in favor of Nevarro. The look of sorrowful +astonishment with which he listened, compelled Inez to fix her large +Spanish eyes on the ground, lest he should perceive the smile which +lurked in their corners, and half played round her lip. + +He rebuked her gently, and spoke briefly of the evils which would +result, if she persisted in her wilful and ungrateful course. Inez +listened with a meekness which surprised both parent and Padre; and +when the latter rose to go, approached, and, in a low tone, requested +him to meet her, that day week, in the confessional. + +Woman's heart is everywhere the same, and in the solitude of her own +apartment, Inez's softer feelings found full vent. She sat with her +face in her hands, one long deep; sigh, which struggled up, telling of +the secret pain that was withering her joys and clouding her future. +Suddenly she started up, and passionately exclaimed, + +"It is hard that _his_ love should be wasted, on one whose heart is +as cold and stony as this wall;" and she struck it impatiently. +Then drawing forth the glove, which on Mañuel's entrance had been so +hastily secreted, she pressed it repeatedly to her lips, returned it +to its hiding-place, and sought her couch. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + "What cause have we to build on length of life: + Temptations seize when fear is laid asleep; + And ill-foreboded is our strongest guard." + + YOUNG. + +St. ----'s dawn was welcomed by joyous peals from the church-bells, +and the occasional firing of a few muskets, by way of accompaniment. +The sun rose with a brilliance which would have awakened deep tones +in Memnon's statue, and gilded mountain and valley. Beautiful beyond +description the city looked in his golden light, and + + "All nature seemed rejoicing." + +Half hid by a majestic live-oak which shaded the front, and within +a few yards of the river, stood a small white house. It was built of +adoles, and contained only three rooms. Instead of reaching these by +a broad flight, one step from the threshold placed you on the ground. +The floor was uncovered, and, as usual, of cement. In one corner of +the front apartment stood a sideboard, covered with glass of various +kinds, and a few handsome pieces of plate. Its _vis-à-vis_ was a range +of shelves, filled with books; and on the plain deal mantelpiece stood +a pair of neat China vases, decked with brilliant prairie flowers. +Before the open window was placed the table, arranged for the morning +meal. How pure the cloth looked, how clear the glass; and then the +bouquet of fragrant roses which adorned the center, how homelike, +fresh, and beautiful it seemed! An air of comfort--American, southern +comfort--pervaded the whole. The breakfast was brought in by a +middle-aged negress, whose tidy appearance, and honest, happy, smiling +face presented the best refutation of the gross slanders of our +northern brethren. I would that her daguerreotype, as she stood +arranging the dishes, could be contrasted with those of the miserable, +half-starved seamstresses of Boston and New York, who toil from dawn +till dark, with aching head and throbbing heart, over some weary +article, for which they receive the mighty recompense of a shilling. + +When she had arranged every dish with great exactness, a small bell +was rung; and, waiter in hand, she stood ready to attend the family. + +A bright, young face appeared at the open window. + +"I hope, Aunt Fanny, you have a nice breakfast. You have no idea what +an appetite my walk has given me." + +"Now, Miss Mary, ain't my cooking always nice?" + +"Indeed, it is. Your coffee would not disgrace a pasha's table; and +your rolls are + + 'The whitest, the lightest, that ever were seen.'" + +She disappeared from the window, and entered the room just as Mr. +Hamilton came in, followed by Florence. + +"My dear uncle, have you forgotten the old adage of 'early to bed, and +early to rise?'" + +"I am not sure that I ever learned it, Mary;" he dryly replied, +seating himself at the table. + +"One would suppose you had taken a draught from the 'Elixir of Life;'" +said Florence, glancing affectionately at her beaming face. + +"I have discovered the fountain of perpetual youth, so vainly sought +in South America!" + +"Indeed! Is it located in this vicinity?" + +"Yes; and if you will rise to-morrow with Aurora, when 'she sprinkles +with rosy light the dewy lawn,' I will promise to conduct you to it." + +"Thank you; but, Mary, what induced you to ramble so early?" + +"I have been nearly two miles for some roots Mrs. Carlton expressed a +wish for. See, Florry, how I have dyed my hands pulling them up!" + +"Were you alone, Mary?" asked Mr. Hamilton. + +"I was, most of the time. As I came back, Dr. Bryant overtook me. +He spent the night at San Jose mission, with a sick Mexican, and was +returning. But where is Aunt Lizzy?" continued Mary, with an inquiring +glance round the room. + +"She went to mass this morning," replied her cousin. + +"Oh, yes! It is St. ----'s day. I heard the bells at daybreak." + +"It is a savage, heathenish custom they have adopted here, of tearing +up and down the streets from morning till night. I wish, by Jove! they +would ride over their canting Padre! I think he would find some other +mode of celebrating the festival!" + +"He would lay claim to saintship on the strength of it," replied Mary. + +"You had better keep out of the street to-day, girls," rejoined Mr. +Hamilton, pushing his cup away, and rising from the table. + +At this moment Aunt Lizzy entered; and after the morning salutation, +turned toward the door. + +"You are later than usual this morning, aunt. Do sit down and eat your +breakfast, or it will be so cold you cannot touch it," said Mary. + +"No really devout Catholic tastes food on this holy day," she +answered, motioning it from her. + +"It must be quite a penance to abstain, after your long walk," said +Mr. Hamilton with a smile. + +"Father Mazzolin said, this morning, that all who kept this holy +day would add a bright jewel to their crown, and obtain the eternal +intercession of the blessed saint;" and she left the room. + +"That falsehood adds another stone to the many that will sink him in +the lake of perdition, if there be one!" muttered Mr. Hamilton, as +he departed for the counting-room. The last few sentences had fallen +unheeded on Florence's ear, for she sat looking out the window, her +thoughts evidently far away. But every trace of merriment vanished +from Mary's face, and instead of her bright smile, a look of painful +anxiety settled there. A long silence ensued; Mary stood by the table, +wiping the cups as Aunt Fanny rinsed them, and occasionally glancing +at her cousin. At length she said, + +"Florry, will you walk over to Mrs. Carlton's with me? I promised to +go, and the walk will do you good, for indeed your cheeks are paler +than I like to see them." + +"Certainly, Mary, but do you remember what father said about our +remaining at home, to-day?" + +"There is no danger, Florry, if we only look about us, and I really +must go." + +"Well then, let us start at once." + +In a few moments they set out, equipped in large straw hats, and +equally large gloves; in addition, Mary carried in her hand a basket, +filled with herbs and flowers. + +"If we walk briskly, we shall get there before any of the riders set +forth. Ah! I am mistaken, there they come. Florry, don't go so near +the street: that horseman in blue, looks as though he were riding on +ice--see how his horse slides about!" + +A party of twenty or thirty thundered past, and the girls quickened +their pace. A few minutes' walk brought them to Mrs. Carlton's door, +which closed after them. + +That lady was reading, as they entered, but threw aside her book, and +advanced joyously to greet them. She kissed Mary affectionately, and +cordially shook Florence's hand. + +"I am glad you came, Mary. I feared you would not, and really I want +you very much." + +"What can I do, Mrs. Carlton?" + +"You can take off your hat and gloves, and prepare yourselves to spend +the day with me." + +They laughingly complied, protesting, however, that they could only +remain a short time. + +"Mary, my poor blind proselyte died yesterday, and bequeathed her +orphan child to me: I feel almost obliged to accept the charge, for +her fear lest it should fall into the Padre's hands was painful to +behold, and I promised to protect it if possible. The poor little +fellow is nearly destitute of clothes; I have cut some for him, and +knew you would assist me in making them." + +"With pleasure, dear Mrs. Carlton, and so will Florry; fill my basket +with work, and we will soon have him a suit. Oh! how glad I am that he +has such kind friends as yourself and husband." + +"The Padre came last night to demand the child, but we refused to give +him up: he said he intended clothing and educating the boy free of +charge; yet I knew better, for he refused to baptize Madame Berara's +orphan-niece without the customary fee, though he well knew she could +ill afford it, and was compelled to sell her last cow to make up the +requisite sum. I feel assured he will do all in his power to entice +Erasmo from me; but hope, by constant watchfulness, to counteract his +influence. Oh! Mary, how much we need a Protestant minister here: one +who could effectually stem the tide of superstition and degradation +that now flows unimpeded through this community. Oh! my dear friend, +let us take courage, and go boldly forth in the cause of truth, and +strive to awaken all from the lethargy into which they have fallen--a +lethargy for which their priests are alone responsible, for they +administered the deadly drug." + +"I feel as deeply as yourself, dear Mrs. Carlton, the evil tendency +and deplorable consequences of the institutions by which we are +surrounded, and the little that I can do will be gladly, oh, how +gladly! contributed to the work of reformation you have so nobly +begun." + +"You forget, Mary, in your proselyting enthusiasm, that Aunt Lizzy +belongs to the despised sect; surely you can not intend, by attacks on +her religion, to render her home unpleasant?" said Florence. + +Mary's eyes filled with tears, as she glanced reproachfully at her +cousin, and replied, + +"Nothing is further from my wishes, Florry, than to make her home +other than happy. Aunt Lizzy has every opportunity of informing +herself on this important question. Yet she prefers the easier method, +of committing her conscience to the care of the priest; she has chosen +her path in life, and determinately closes her eyes to every other. +The state of the Mexicans around us is by no means analogous. They +were allowed no choice: bred from infancy in the Romish faith, they +are totally unacquainted with the tenets of other creeds. Implicit +obedience to the Padre is their primary law, the grand ruling +principle of life, instilled from their birth. To lay before them the +truths of our own 'pure and undefiled religion,' is both a privilege +and duty." + +"You spoke just now, Miss Florence, of the 'despised sect;' allow me, +in all modesty, to say, that to the true and earnest Christian +there is no such class. Believe me, when I say, that though deeply +commiserating their unhappy condition, and resolved to do all in +my power to alleviate it, still I would as cheerfully assist the +conscientious Papist, and tender him the hospitalities of my home, as +one of my own belief." + +"You have expressed my feelings exactly, Mrs. Carlton, and there are +times when I wish myself a missionary, that I might carry light to +this benighted race," exclaimed Mary, enthusiastically. + +"We are very apt, my dear child, to consider ourselves equal to +emergencies, and capable of great actions, when a strict examination +would declare that the minor deeds and petty trials which test the +temper and the strength too often destroy our equanimity, and show our +inability to cope with difficulties. Woman's warfare is with little +things, yet we are assured by the greatest of all female writers, that +'trifles make the sum of human things;' therefore, let us strive more +and more earnestly to obtain perfect control of ourselves; then shall +we be enabled to assist others." + +"I often think," replied Mary, thoughtfully, "that we make +great sacrifices with comparative ease, because we feel our own +insufficiency, and rely more on God for assistance; while in lesser +troubles we are so confident of success, that we neglect to ask his +blessing, and consequently fail in our unaided attempts." + +"You are right, Mary, and it should teach us to distrust our powers, +and lead us to lean upon 'Him, who is a very precious help in time of +need.'" + +A long silence ensued, broken at length by the entrance of Mrs. +Carlton's two children, who carried a large basket between them. +Hastily they set it down, on seeing Mary, and sprung to her side: the +little girl clung around her neck, and kissed her repeatedly. + +"Maria, you are too boisterous, my little girl; Miss Mary will have +no cause to doubt your affection. Elliot, why do you not speak to Miss +Florence, my son?" + +Blushing at his oversight, the boy obeyed, and, joined by his sister, +stood at his mother's side. Maria whispered something in his ear, but +he only shook his head and replied, + +"Not now, sister, let us wait." + +She hesitated a moment, then laid her little hand on Mrs. Carlton's +shoulder. + +"Mother, I know you said it was rude to whisper in company, but I want +to tell you something very much." + +Mrs. Carlton smiled. + +"I am sure the young ladies will excuse you, my daughter, if it is +important." She bent her head, and a prolonged whispering followed. +A flush rose to the mother's cheek and a tear to her eyes, as she +clasped her to her heart, and said, + +"I wish you, my children, to speak out, and tell all you know of this +affair." + +Elliot was spokesman. + +"We went into the garden as you desired us, mother, and Erasmo and I +picked the peas, while sister held the basket; presently we heard a +noise in the brush fence like something coming through, and sister got +frightened (here he laughed), and wanted to run to the house, but we +told her it was only a sheep or dog outside; but it turned out to be +the Padre, and he came and helped us to pick. Mother, he told us such +pretty stories; I can't think of the names; they must have been Dutch, +they were so long and hard. But I remember one of the tales; he said +there was once a good man who lived in Asia, and one day he lost his +crucifix; he looked everywhere for it, but could not find it; and a +long time afterward, he happened to be walking by the sea-shore +and looked out on the water, and oh, what do you think! He saw his +crucifix moving on the water, and a great crab paddled out to land and +laid his crucifix down before him, and then paddled right back into +the sea again. Now wasn't that funny. I can't think of the good man's +name, Saint--Somebody--Saint--Saint--" + +"Brother, I reckon it was Saint Crab!" + +"No, no! It was the crab that found the crucifix, and I think he was +smarter than the saint." + +"Now, Florry, should I repeat this legend to Aunt Lizzy, it would be +impossible to convince her that it proceeded from the Padre's lips. +Yet even prelates of Rome scruple not to narrate as miracles tales +equally absurd, where their auditory is sufficiently ignorant to +credit them. Pardon my interruption, Elliot, and finish your story," +continued Mary. + +"Mother, the Padre talked to Erasmo in Spanish. I could not understand +all he said, but it was about coming to live with him, and going to +Mexico, to see the sights there. When he came to the rows you left for +seed, I told him we must come to the house, and asked him to come in; +but he would not, and offered us all some money, and said we must not +tell a soul we had seen him, for he happened to see us through the +fence, and just came in to speak to us, and you and father might +think he ought not to come into our garden. But oh, mother, would you +believe it! he told Erasmo, as he went off, that he must ask you to +let him go to bathe to-morrow; and instead of going to the river, he +must come to the church: he wanted to give him something. He told him +in Spanish, but I understood what he said. Now, wasn't that teaching +him to tell a lie? and he a Padre too! Mother, don't you think he +ought to be ashamed?" + +"Elliot, if you would gladden the hearts of your father and mother, +be ever truthful. Remember the story of 'Pedro and Francisco' you +read not long ago, and put dishonesty and dissimulation far from you: +'honesty is the best policy,' and if you adhere to it through life, +it will prove of 'far more worth than gold.' Be sure you keep nothing +from me, particularly what the Padre may say." + +"Shall we take the peas out under the hackberry and shell them," said +Maria. + +"Yes, my dear, but first tell me where Erasmo is." + +"Sitting on the steps, mother. I know he will help us to shell them, +for he said it was mere fun, picking peas." + +"Say nothing to him of the Padre or his conversation, but interest him +about other things." + +They left the room swinging the basket between them. Mrs. Carlton's +eyes filled as she looked after her children. "A mother's care can +do a great deal, yet how little did I imagine that temptation would +assail them at such a time, and in such a garb." + +"Oh, guard them carefully; for, surrounded by these influences, it +will be difficult to prevent contamination," said Mary, earnestly. + +Just then a long, loud shout from the street attracted their +attention, and hastening to the door, they perceived a crowd gathered +on the Plaza. In the center was a body of Mexican cavalry, headed by +their commanding officer, who, hat in hand, was haranguing them. The +ladies looked at each other in dismay. + +"To what does this tend?" asked Mary, anxiously. + +"My husband told me several days since that Austin was imprisoned in +Mexico, and said he feared difficulties would ensue, but knew not the +cause of his confinement." + +"There is Dr. Bryant coming toward us; I dare say he can tell us the +meaning of this commotion." + +That gentleman, bowing low in the saddle, reined his Steed as near the +step as possible. + +"How do you do, Miss Hamilton, and you, my dear sister? I had the +pleasure of meeting Miss Mary in her morning rambles; she is a most +remarkable young lady. Assures me she actually loves early rising." +His dark eyes were fixed laughingly upon her. + +"Do stop your nonsense, Frank, and tell us the cause of that crowd," +said Mrs. Carlton, laying her hand on his arm. + +"My dear sister, that tall, cadaverous-looking cavalier is the +brother-in-law of Santa Anna, and no less a personage than General +Cos, sent hither to fortify this and every other susceptible place." + +"Against whom or what?" + +"It is a long story, ladies. You know that Coahuila has pursued an +oppressive policy toward us for some time, and refused to hear reason: +Austin remonstrated again and again, and at last went to Mexico, +hoping that the authorities would allow us (here he bit his lip, and +his cheek flushed)--it galls my spirit to utter the word--allow us +to form a separate State. The Congress there took no notice of his +petition, for, in truth they were too much engaged just then about +their own affairs to heed him, and he wrote to several persons in +Austin, advising them at all hazards to proceed. Some cowardly wretch, +or spy in disguise, secretly despatched one of his letters to the +ministers; consequently, as Austin was returning, they made him +prisoner, and carried him back to Mexico. Santa Anna is at the head of +affairs. He has subverted the too liberal constitution of 1824, but +is opposed by a few brave hearts, who scorn the servitude in store +for them. Santa Anna knows full well that we will not submit to his +crushing yoke, and therefore sends General Cos to fortify the Alamo. +This is the only definite information I have been able to glean from +several sources." + +"Do you think there is probability of a war?" + +"It will most inevitably ensue, for total submission will be exacted +by Santa Anna, and the Texans are not a people to comply with any such +conditions." + +"You think General Cos is here to fortify the Alamo?" + +"Yes; the work commences to-morrow, I hear, and the fort will be +garrisoned by Spanish troops." + +"How many has he with him?" inquired his sister. + +"Only fifty or sixty; this is merely the advanced guard, the main body +will probably arrive in a few days." + +"I suppose they are joyously welcomed by the Mexicans here, who have +ever regarded with jealous eyes Protestant settlers." + +"Oh, yes, that shout testified the hearty welcome they received." + +At this moment Mr. Hamilton joined the group. + +"Have you heard the news?" he inquired. + +"Yes, and sad enough it is," said Mary, with a sigh. + +"It will be a bloody conflict." + +"I am afraid so," replied Dr. Bryant. + +"Come, girls, I am going home, will you go now?" + +Mary took her basket, which Mrs. Carlton had filled with work, and +they descended the steps. + +"I declare, Miss Irving, I have a great desire to know what that +basket contains; it is as inseparably your companion as was the tub of +Diogenes. I often see it round a corner before you are visible, and at +the glimpse of it, invariably sit more erect in saddle, and assume my +most amiable expression." + +He raised himself, and peeped inquiringly over the edge; Mary swung it +playfully behind her. + +"I never gratify idle curiosity, Dr. Bryant." + +"Indeed, how very remarkable; but I assure you I know full well the +use to which those same herbs you had this morning are to be applied; +you are amalgamating nauseous drugs, and certain pills, to be +administered to my patients. I am grieved to think you would alienate +what few friends I have here, by raising yourself up as a competitor. +Pray, where did you receive your diploma? and are you Thomsonian, +Allopathic, Homeopathic, or Hydropathic?" + +Mary looked at Mrs. Carlton: both smiled. + +"Ah! I see Ellen is associated with you. Do admit me to partnership; +I should be a most valuable acquisition, take my word for it. A more +humble-minded, good-hearted, deeply-read, and experienced disciple of +Esculapius never felt pulse, or administered a potion." + +They laughed outright. + +"Mary, shall we tell Frank what we intend those herbs for?" + +"By no means, he does not deserve to know." + +"Ah! I see Terence was right after all, in his opinion of woman's +nature--'When you request, they refuse; when you forbid, they are sure +to do it.'" + +"Come, girls, come! I have business at home;" said Mr. Hamilton, +and they set out homeward. They had not proceeded far, when Mary +exclaimed, pointing behind her, + +"Oh, uncle, that woman will be killed! Can nobody help her?" + +"She will certainly be thrown from her horse!" + +A party of five or six Mexicans were riding with their usual rapidity +toward them. An elderly woman in the rear had evidently lost control +of her fiery horse, which was plunging violently. The other members of +the company seemed unable to render any assistance, as their own could +scarcely be restrained. The unfortunate Señora was almost paralyzed +with fright; for instead of checking him by the reins, they had fallen +over his head, become entangled in his feet, and, now grasping the +mane, she was shrieking fearfully. + +"Oh, can't we do something for her!" cried Mary, clasping her hands. + +"I do not see how we can assist her," said Mr. Hamilton. + +"At least, let us try;" and they hastened to the spot where the +infuriated animal was struggling. + +"Stand back, girls! you can do nothing." + +He made several ineffectual attempts to catch the bridle, as the +forefeet rose in air, and at last succeeded in getting one end. He +bade the woman let go the mane, and slide off. She did so, but some +portion of her dress was caught in the saddle, and she hung suspended. +The horse feeling the movement, again plunged, despite Mr. Hamilton's +efforts to hold him down. The scene was distressing indeed, as she was +raised and then, flung down again. + +Mary saw the danger, and rushing round the enraged horse, fearlessly +pushed off the piece which was attached to the pommel of the saddle, +and freed the unfortunate matron. The horse, feeling relieved of his +burden, gave a desperate bound, and rushed off down the street. + +Florence shrieked, and sprung to her father's side. Mary was bending +over the moaning woman, but turned suddenly, and saw her uncle +stretched at Florence's feet. He was insensible, and a stream of +blood oozed from his lips. They raised his head, and motioned to +the Mexicans, that now gathered round, for water; some was hastily +procured, and then Mary entreated one of them to go for Dr. Bryant: as +she spoke, the tramp of hoofs caused her to look up, and she perceived +him urging his horse toward them. He flung the reins to a man who +stood near, and bent over the prostrate form. + +"There is some internal injury, I see no outward wound; how did this +happen?" + +Florence briefly explained the manner in which her father received a +kick on the chest. Happily, they were near their own home, and, with +the assistance of two men, Dr. Bryant carefully bore him in, and laid +him on a couch near the open window. A restorative was administered, +and soon the sufferer opened his eyes. The flow of blood had ceased, +but he lay quite exhausted. + +The physician examined the wounded place, and assured Florence there +was no fracture. + +"I am afraid some blood-vessel is ruptured?" said she, anxiously. + +"It is only a small one, I hope, but cannot tell certainly for several +days. He must be perfectly quiet; the least excitement might prove +fatal, by causing a fresh hemorrhage." + +Nearly a week passed, and one evening Mary followed the physician as +he left the house: he heard her step, and turned. His usually laughing +countenance was grave and anxious; but he strove to seem cheerful. + +"Doctor, I wish to know what you think of my uncle's case; we are +afraid it is more serious than you at first pronounced it?" + +"It is better that you should know the worst. I am pained to grieve +you, but candor compels me to say, that a fatal injury has been +inflicted. I hoped for the best, but an examination this evening +confirmed my fears." + +Mary sobbed bitterly and long. Dr. Bryant sought not to comfort her +by exciting false hopes, but paced up and down the gravel-walk beside +her. + +"You do not fear a rapid termination of the disorder?" she said at +last, in a low, trembling tone. + +"He may linger some days, but I do not think it probable that he +will." + +"Florry, Florry! what is to become of us?" cried the weeping girl, in +a voice of agony. "Oh, God! spare him to us!" + +"Do you think your cousin comprehends her father's danger?" + +"She fears the worst, and requested me this evening to ask your +opinion. Oh, how can I tell her that he must die!" + +"Do not crush all hope (though I have none); let her believe that he +may recover. She is not of a temperament to bear prolonged agony. +The shock will be less painful, rest assured. Believe me, I deeply +sympathize with you both." And pressing her hand, he withdrew. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + "See! the dappled gray coursers of the morn + Beat up the light with their bright silver hoofs, + And chase it through the sky!" + + MARSTON. + + +Inez left her father's door as the last notes of the matin bell died +away on the cool, clear morning air. She held in her hand a silken +scarf, which, according to the custom of her country, was thrown +lightly across the head, and confined at the chin. + +Beautiful she looked, with the feverish glow on her cheek, and her +large Spanish eyes, restless and piercing, flashing out at times the +thoughts of her inmost soul. She threw the mantilla round her head, +and turned toward the church. The step was firm yet hasty. She seemed +endeavoring to escape from herself. + +The streets were silent and the Plaza deserted, and naught seemed +stirring save the swallows that twittered and circled round and round +the belfry of the church. There was something soothing in the deep +stillness that reigned on that balmy morning, and Inez felt its +influence. She paused at the entrance of the gray old church, and +stretched forth her arms to the rosy east. + +"Peace, peace!" she murmured, in a weary tone, and sunk her head upon +her bosom. The door opened behind her, and raising herself proudly, +she drew the scarf closer about her, and entered. + +A basin of holy water was placed near, and hastily she signed the +figure of the cross and proceeded down the aisle to a side door +leading to one of the wings. She pushed it noiselessly ajar and passed +in. + +A solitary tin sconce dimly lighted the small confessional, dark and +gloomy as night, at that early hour. A wooden cross suspended from the +wall, a stone bench, and table, on which lay a rosary and crucifix, +and a small vessel of holy water, formed the entire furniture. Before +this table sat Father Mazzolin, his face buried in his hands. Her +step, light as it was, startled him; yet without rising, he murmured, +"Benedicit." + +"Bueño dios, Padre." + +He motioned to her to kneel, and she did so, on the damp floor at his +feet, drawing the scarf over her face, so as to conceal the features. + +"Bless me, my Father, because I have sinned." + +He laid his hands on her bowed head, and muttered indistinctly a Latin +phrase. "I confess to Almighty God, to blessed Mary, ever Virgin, to +blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the +holy apostles Peter and Paul, and to all the saints, that I have +sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, through my most +grievous fault. Therefore I beseech the blessed Mary, ever Virgin, the +blessed Michael the Archangel, the blessed John the Baptist, the holy +apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints, to pray to the Lord our +God for me. + +"Since my last confession, I accuse myself of many sins. I have missed +mass, vespers and many holy ordinances of our most holy church. Have +borne hatred, and given most provoking language. + +"I have broken the engagement thou did'st command me to keep; have +angered Mañuel, and enraged my father greatly. I neglected fasting on +the day of our most holy Saint ----. + +"I have entered this church, this holy sanctuary, without crossing +myself; and passed the image of the Blessed Virgin without kneeling." +She paused, and bent her head lower. + +'The Padre then said, "My daughter, thy sins are grievous; my heart +bleeds over thy manifold transgressions." + +"Even so, my Father; even so." + +"Dost thou still bear enmity to Mañuel Nevarro, who loves thee truly, +and is thy promised husband?" + +"No, my Father; I desire to be speedily reconciled to him whom I have +offended." + +"Wilt thou promise to offer no objection, but become his wife?" + +"My Father, I do not wish to be his wife; yet thy will, not mine." + +A smile of triumph glittered in the Padre's eye at this confession; +yet his low tone was unchanged. + +"Inez, I will not force thee to marry Mañuel, yet thou shalt never be +another's wife. In infancy thou wast promised, and thy hand can never +be joined to another. Choose you, my daughter, and choose quickly." + +"Padre, give me time. May one so guilty as I speak out?" + +"Yes, speak; for I would have thine inmost thoughts." + +"Father, let me spend a month of quiet and peace among the holy +sisters at San Jose; there will I determine either to be Mañuel's +wife, or dedicate the remainder of my life to the service of God and +our most Holy Lady." + +"You have spoken well: even so shall it be; but, Inez, I would +question you further and see you answer me truly, as you desire the +intercession of the Blessed Virgin." + +Inez lifted her head, and fixing her eyes full on his swarthy face, +replied with energy: + +"My Father, even as I desire the intercession of our Blessed Virgin, +so will I answer." + +The head was bent again on her bosom. He had sought to read her +countenance during that brief glance, but there was a something in its +dark depths he could not quite understand. + +"My daughter, hast thou been of late with that Protestant girl, by +name Mary Irving?" + +"I have seen her twice since last confession." + +"Where did you meet her?" + +"Once at Señora Perraras, and once she came for me, to walk with her." + +"Answer truly. Upon what subjects did you converse?" + +Inez seemed striving to recall some portion of what had past. At last +she said, "Indeed, Padre, I cannot remember much she said. It was +mostly of birds, and trees, and flowers, and something, I believe, +about this beautiful town, as she called it." + +"Think again. Did she not speak lightly of the blessed church, and +most holy faith? Did she not strive to turn you to her own cursed +doctrines, and, above all, did she not speak of me, your Padre, with +scorn?" + +"No, my Father, most truly she did not." Again she raised her eyes to +his face. Piercing was the glance he tent upon her. Yet hers fell not +beneath it: calm and immovable she seemed. + +He lifted his hand menacingly. + +"I bid you now beware of her, and her friend, the trader's wife. +They are infernal heretics, sent hither by the evil one to turn good +Catholics from their duty. I say again, beware of them!" and he struck +his hand heavily on the table beside him. "And now, my daughter, have +you relieved your conscience of its burden? Remember, one sin +withheld at confession will curse you on your death-bed, and send you, +unshriven, to perdition!" + +A sort of shudder ran through the bowed form of Inez, and in a low +tone, she replied, "I also accuse myself of all the sins that may have +escaped my memory, and by which, as well as those I have confessed, I +have offended Almighty God, through my most grievous fault." + +"I enjoin upon you, as penance for the omission of the holy ordinances +of our most holy church, five Credos when you hear the matin bell, +twelve Paters when noon comes round, and five Aves at vespers. These +shall you repeat, kneeling upon the hard floor, with the crucifix +before you, and your rosary in your hand. In addition, you must repair +to a cell of San Jose, and there remain one month. Moreover, you shall +see and speak to none, save the holy sisters. And now, my daughter, I +would absolve you." + +Inez bent low, while he spread his hands above her head and pronounced +the Latin text to that effect, then bade her rise, and dismissed her +with a blessing. + +The sun was just visible over the eastern hills, as Inez stepped upon +the Plaza. Her face was deadly pale, and the black eyes glittered +strangely. + +"I have knelt to thee for the last time, Father Mazzolin. Long +enough you have crushed me to the earth; one short month of seeming +servitude, and I am free. Think you I too cannot see the gathering +tempest? for long I have watched it rise. It may be that happiness +is denied me; but yonder gurgling waters shall receive my body ere I +become a lasting inmate of your gloomy cell. My plan works well; +even my wily Padre thinks me penitent for the past! But dearly have I +bought my safety. I have played false! lied! where is my conscience? +Have I one? No, no! 'tis dead. Dead from the hour I listened to the +Padre's teachings! If there be a hereafter, and, oh! if there is a +God, what will become of me?" And the girl shuddered convulsively. +"Yet I have heard him lie. I know that even he heeds not the laws of +his pretended God! He bade me follow his teachings, and I did, and I +deceived him! Hal he thinks the game all at his fingers' ends. But I +will neither marry Mañuel, nor be a holy sister of Jose. There will +come a time for me. Now I must work, keep him in the dark, spend the +month in seclusion; by that time the troubles here will begin, and who +may tell the issue?" + +A quick step behind her caused Inez to turn in the midst of her +soliloquy. Dr. Bryant was hastening by, but paused at sight of her +face. + +"Ah, Señorita! How do you do this beautiful morning?" He looked at +her earnestly, and added, "You are too pale, Inez--much too pale. Your +midnight vigils do not agree with you; believe me, I speak seriously, +you will undermine your health." Her eyes were fixed earnestly on his +noble face, beaming with benevolence, and a slight flush tinged her +cheek, as she replied, "Dr. Bryant, I am not the devout Catholic you +suppose me. The Padre thinks me remiss in many of my duties, and I +am going for a short time to San Jose. You need not look at me so +strangely, I have no idea of becoming a nun, I assure you." + +"Inez, one of your faith can never be sure of anything; let me entreat +you not to go to the convent. You need recreation, and had much better +mount your pony, and canter a couple of miles every morning; it would +insure a more healthful state of both body and mind." + +"I must go, Dr. Bryant." + +"Well then, good-by, if you must, yet I fear you will not return +looking any better." + +"Adios," and they parted. + +Inez's eye followed the retreating form till an adjoining corner +intervened. Then pressing her hand on her heart, as if to still some +exquisite pain, she murmured in saddened tones--"Oh! I would lay down +my life for your love, yet it is lavished on one who has no heart to +give in return. Oh, that I may one day be able to serve you!" + +At the moment she perceived Mañuel Nevarro crossing the Plaza, and +drawing closer the mantilla, she hastened homeward. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + "A perfect woman, nobly planned; + To warn, to counsel, to command, + The reason firm, the temperate will, + Prudence, foresight, strength, and skill." + + WORDSWORTH. + + +The beautiful ideal of Wordsworth seemed realized in Mrs. Carlton. She +was by nature impetuous, and even irritable; but the careful training +of her deeply pious mother early eradicated these seeds of discord and +future misery. She reared her "in the way she should go," and taught +her to "remember her Creator in the days of her youth." Crushing +vanity, which soon rose hydra-headed in her path, she implanted in her +daughter's heart a sense of her own unworthiness, and led her to the +"fountain of light and strength." + +Under her judicious care, Ellen's character was molded into perfect +beauty. She became a Christian, in the purest sense of the term. Hers +were not the gloomy tenets of the anchorite, which, with a sort of +Spartan stoicism, severs every tie enjoined by his great Creator, bids +adieu to all of joy that earth can give, and becomes a devotee at the +shrine of some canonized son of earth, as full of imperfections as +himself. Neither did she hold the lighter and equally dangerous creed +of the latitudinarian. Her views were of a happy medium; liberal, yet +perfectly orthodox. + +Ellen married early in life, and many were the trials which rose up +to test her fortitude, and even her reliance on almighty God. Of six +beautiful children that blessed her union, four went down to an early +tomb. Though bowed to the earth by the weight of her affliction, she +murmured not against the hand that chastened her; but as one by one +was snatched from her warm embrace, she poured out the depth of a +mother's love on the remaining two. + +One stroke of fortune reduced her, in a day, from affluence to +comparative penury; and leaving his luxurious home, Mr. Carlton +resolved to seek his fortune in the Western World. Hither she +had accompanied him, encountering, without a murmur, the numerous +hardships, which those who have not endured can never fully realize. +They had preceded Mr. Hamilton but a few months, and joyfully welcomed +him as an agreeable acquisition to their little circle. + +Mrs. Carlton found in Mary a real friend; one who sympathized with, +and assisted her in her many benevolent plans for ameliorating the +condition of the destitute Mexicans around them. + +With Florence, the former had little affinity, and, consequently, +little intercourse. Their tastes were directly opposite, and though +they often met, there was no interchange of the deep and holier +feelings of the heart. + +Frank Bryant was the orphan-brother of Mrs. Carlton, and almost as +dearly loved by her as her own darling Elliot. A few months before +St. ----'s day, he reached San Antonio, on a visit to the sister, from +whom he had been separated several years. Soon after his arrival, an +epidemic made its appearance among the lower order of Mexicans; and as +there was no resident physician at that early time, his services +were speedily in requisition. The Padre, who numbered among his +many acquirements a tolerable knowledge of medicine, viewed with +indifference the suffering around him; and was only roused from his +lethargy by discovering the flattering estimation in which Frank was +held. Fearing so formidable a rival in the affections of his people, +he left no means untried to undermine the popularity so deservedly +acquired. But gratitude is a distinguishing trait of Indian character; +and though apparently obeying the injunctions of their Padre, to +follow no directions save his own, they reverenced Dr. Bryant as a +being of superior order. + +It was beside the bed of a dying friend that Inez first met him. One +long weary night they watched together, and when at last death freed +the sufferer, with mingled emotions of admiration and gratitude she +thanked him for the attentions conferred with such disinterested +benevolence. She could not avoid contrasting the conduct of the cold +and calculating Jesuit with the warm-hearted kindness of the noble +stranger. + +In a few days it became evident that she had herself imbibed the +disease, and her terrified father brought the young physician to +restore her. With unwearied patience he watched over the beautiful +Señorita, whom Mrs. Carlton and Mary most carefully nursed, and was +rewarded by the glow of returning health. + +The idols of her youth were neglected and forgotten; one image filled +Inez's heart, and before it she poured out all the passionate love of +her ardent nature; hence her aversion to a union with Mañuel Nevarro. + +Dr. Bryant early perceived her attachment; and knowing full well +that he could never return it, avoided her society with a delicacy +peculiarly his own. When thrown accidentally into her presence, his +manner was frank, kind, and brotherly. + +Inez did not deceive herself for a moment by supposing that he would +ever return her love. She knew too well the nature of the barrier +which intervened. To remain unfettered, to see, to love, and one day +to serve him, was her dearest wish; and for its gratification she +dared the rage of her father, and the hatred of her Padre. She fancied +he loved another, and with the characteristic jealousy of her nation, +an aversion to that object settled on her heart. + +Dr. Bryant had nursed the last patient into convalescence: still he +lingered, and at the close of St. ----'s day, announced his intention +of remaining until the difficulties with Mexico were either amicably +arranged, or war declared. Mary and Florence he often met, for he was +a constant visitor at Mr. Hamilton's. His manner toward them was +very different; with Mary he ever assumed the light bantering tone +of brotherly freedom; with Florence he was always grave and earnest. +Their conversation was generally upon literary topics, of which she +was fond. Many were their discussions for and against their favorite +authors and philosophers. In these arguments Mary seldom took part, +though fully qualified to do so. Occasionally her cousin asked her +opinion on various topics; at such times she gave them clearly, yet +modestly, and with a gentle dignity peculiar to herself. The earnest +attention with which Frank listened to her views, and his happy smile, +when they coincided with his own, somewhat puzzled Mary; yet she +welcomed his repartees with the same bright smile, and allowed +distrust and jealousy no room in her heart. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + "He swore that love of souls + Alone had drawn him to the church; yet strewed + The path that led to hell with tempting flowers, + And in the ear of sinners, as they took + The way of death, he whispered peace." + + POLLOK. + + +How wearily pass the hours to the anxious watcher beside the couch of +pain. To her, it seems as though the current of time had forgotten +to run on and join the mighty past, and that its swift waters were +gathering glassily around her. With unmitigated care, Florence had +attended the bedside of her suffering parent; occasionally slumbering +on his pillow, but more frequently watching through the long nights, +and often stealing to the casement, to look out upon surrounding +gloom, and wonder if the light of day would ever fall again on earth. +Ah! in the midnight hour, when all nature is hushed when universal +darkness reigns, when the "still small voice" will no longer be +silenced, then we are wont to commune with our own hearts. All +barriers melt away, and the saddened past, the troubled present, and +the shadowy future rise successively before us, and refuse to be put +by. In vain we tightly close the aching lids; strange lurid lights +flare around us, and mysterious forms glide to and fro. + +To the guilty, how fearful must the season of darkness prove, when, +unable longer to escape from themselves, they yield to the pangs of +remorse, and toss in unutterable anguish! + + "By night, an atheist half believes a God." + +And thousands, who in the sunny light of day rush madly on to ruin, +pause, shudderingly, in the midnight hour, and look yearningly +toward the narrow path where Virtue's lamp, flashing into the +deepest recesses of surrounding gloom, dispels all shadow; and, in +imagination, view the Christian peacefully descending the hill of +life, fearlessly crossing the "valley of the shadow of death," and +resting at last on that blest shore, where night and darkness are +unknown, "swallowed up in endless day." + +It was very evident that Mr. Hamilton could survive but a few days; +and to every entreaty that she would take some rest, Florence but +shook her head, and replied, that she would not leave him when he must +die so soon. + +One evening Dr. Bryant, having administered a soothing potion, turned +to her and said, "My dear Miss Hamilton, you will seriously injure +your health by such constant watching. Your father needs nothing now +but quiet. Let me entreat you to go out for a short time; the air will +refresh you, and your aunt will remain with Mr. Hamilton." He drew her +reluctantly from her seat as he spoke, and whispered Mary to accompany +her. + +Drawing her arm round Florence, Mary turned in the direction of their +accustomed rambles, but her cousin said, "I am too weary to walk far, +let us go to our old seat by the river." + +The stream was only a few yards distant, and they seated themselves +on a broad, flat stone, beneath a cluster of pomegranate and figs. The +evening was beautifully clear, the soft light which still lingered in +the west mellowing every object, and the balmy southern breeze, fresh +from "old ocean's bosom," rustling musically amidst the branches +above. As if to enhance the sweetness of the hour, and win the +mourners from their sad thoughts, the soothing tones of the vesper +bells floated afar on the evening air; distance had softened them, and +now they sounded clear and Eolian-like. The river eddied and curled +rapidly along at their feet; and ever and anon, the stillness that +seemed settling around was broken by the plunging fish, that gambled +in hundreds amidst its blue waters. + +"How calm and holy this stillness seems! Florry, does it not cause +you to lift your heart in gratitude to the 'almighty Giver' of so many +blessings?" + +"All things are dark to sorrow;" replied Florence, and folding her +arms across her bosom, she dropped her head wearily upon them. + +"Oh, Florry, do not give up so! I cannot bear to hear your despairing +tone. Still hope; your dear father may be spared to us;" and she put +her arms caressingly around her. + +"Hope!" echoed Florence; "I have ceased to hope that he will recover. +I know that he cannot; and in a few hours I shall be alone in the +world. Alone, alone!" she repeated the words, as if fully to realize +the misery in store for her. "O God! why hast thou not taken me +before? Take me now; oh, in mercy, take me with him!" + +In vain Mary strove to soothe and console her; she remained perfectly +still, her face hid in her arms, and replied not to her anxious +questionings. A long silence ensued, and Mary wept. A feeling of +desolation began to creep over her; a second time she was to be thrown +on the wide, cold world. She thought of her uncle's generosity and +unvaried kindness during the many years she had dwelt under his roof, +and scarcely felt that it was not her own. And then there stole up +the image of her lost mother; the wan, but saint-like face, and the +heavenly smile with which she pointed upward, and bade her child +prepare for the glorious union, in that mansion which Jehovah assigned +to those who are faithful on earth. + +Poor Mary's heart was sad indeed; yet there was no bitterness in +her soul, no rebellious feelings toward Almighty God, who had thus +afflicted her so sorely. She wiped away her tears, and calming herself +as much as possible, repeated, in a faltering voice, the beautiful +hymn commencing "I would not live always." She paused at the +conclusion of the second verse; but Florence did not lift her head, +and hoping to cheer her, she finished the hymn. + +Twilight had fallen on the earth, and the blue vault of heaven was +studded with its myriad lamps. The new moon glittered like a golden +thread--low in the west--and seemed almost to rest upon the bosom of +the stream, as it curved in the distance to meet the horizon. + +"Come, Florry, you must not stay out so late; I am afraid you will +take cold!" + +Florence rose mechanically and accompanied her. + +"Oh, Florry, do try and trust in God, and believe that in every trial +and affliction he will comfort and assist us." + +Her cousin sighed heavily, but made no reply. + +As they reached the gate it was quickly opened, and the Padre met +them: he bowed coldly to Mary, but shook hands with Florence, and +promised to come again the ensuing day. It was so late that Mary could +not distinguish his features; but just as he turned to go, Aunt Fanny +threw open the kitchen door, and the light streamed full on his +face; their eyes met, and she started at the smile of triumph that +irradiated his dark countenance: he bowed, and passed on. + +Mary hastened down the walk, and entered the sick room, fearing she +scarcely knew what. The invalid Was tossing restlessly from side to +side, and on the pillow lay a rosary and crucifix. For an instant she +stood motionless; then sprang forward, and clasped his burning hand +in hers. "Uncle! dear uncle! tell me who has been with you! Aunt +Lizzy promised she would not leave you till we came back You have been +excited: your hands are burning with fever!" + +"I was not alone, Mary; the Padre sat and talked with me;" as the +sufferer spoke, he shuddered and closed his eyes. + +"And did he leave these here!" said she, taking up the crucifix and +rosary. + +"No, no! they are mine!" and he snatched them from her. + +Mary turned pale, and leaned against the bed for support. Florence, +now bending over her father, motioned to her cousin to be silent; +without effect, however; for, passing round the bed, she knelt beside +him. "Uncle, was it by your desire that the Padre came here this +evening?" + +He did not seem to hear her question; she repeated it. + +"Yes; that is, this is not his first visit." + +"Uncle, why do you evade me? Tell me, I entreat you, if he did not +force himself here in my absence!" + +"Mary, will you drive my father delirious with your interference with +his wishes?" + +"No, Florry, not when I am convinced that such are his wishes. I know +that in health he is no more a Papist than you or I; yet, now I see +him clinging to that rosary and crucifix, what am I to think? If you +can explain this mystery, do so, Florry." + +"The day that you were at Mrs. Carlton's, learning to make that +custard my father likes so well, the Padre came, and kindly sat with +him some time. He came the next night, and the next; and read and +prayed with him. I hope you are satisfied now that there is no +intrusion." All this was whispered so low as not to reach the ears of +the invalid. + +"Were you present at any of these interviews, Florry?" + +"No; they always preferred being alone," + +"Oh! why did you not tell me this before?" + +"I am sure I can't see what you are so excited about! If my father +chooses to become a Catholic, I should think it would relieve you to +know that he realizes his situation." She turned resolutely away as +she finished speaking, and seated herself beside the bed. + +Mary left the room almost stunned by the discovery she had made; and +scarce knowing what to do, wrapped her shawl about her, and walked +quickly to Mrs. Carlton's. To her she related all she had just +learned, and begged her advice and assistance. + +Mrs. Carlton was sorely puzzled and much distressed. + +"I fear, Mary, it is too late to remedy the evil." + +"Oh, do not say so! I cannot bear that he should die in that faith; he +is too feeble to oppose anything they offer, and is scarcely conscious +of his own actions. In health, they dared not approach him; for they +knew full well that he scorned their creed, and disliked their Padre. +Yet now that he is so weak, in both body and mind, they hope to +influence him. Oh, how could Florence be so blind! Dear Mrs. Carlton, +come and reason with him. I know he esteems you very highly, and your +opinion might weigh with him." + +"Indeed, my dear child, I will do all in my power to dissuade him +from the unfortunate course he has taken, but not to-night; he must be +wearied very much already. I will come in the morning." + +Early the ensuing day she fulfilled her promise, and in Florence's +presence strove to elicit his views and belief. To her surprise he +refused to hold any conversation on the subject; declaring that his +mind was made up, and that he was determined to die a member of the +holy Catholic Church. + +Before she could frame a reply, they were startled by the sound of a +struggle at the door, and the next moment it was flung wide open, and +Father Mazzolin, livid with rage, rushed in. Mrs. Carlton rose with +gentle dignity, and inquired his business. He heeded not her question, +but strode to the bed, and whispered in Mr. Hamilton's ear. The +invalid, in a voice so feeble that it was scarce audible, requested +them to leave him with the Padre for an hour, as he wished to converse +with him alone. Mrs. Carlton perfectly well understood that he but +repeated the priest's orders, and perceiving that nothing could now be +effected, left the room accompanied by Florence. But Mary clung to the +bed, and refused to go. + +"You have taken advantage of my uncle's weakness to force yourself +where your presence is unwelcome, and I will not leave him when he is +too weak to oppose your orders." + +He strove to force her out, but she clung firmly to the bed; and +muttering an oath between his teeth, he turned to the sufferer, and +spoke in an unknown tongue; a feeble response in the same language +seemed to satisfy him, and darting a triumphant glance at the kneeling +girl, he seated himself, and conversed for nearly an hour. Then +offering up a Latin prayer, departed, promising to come again. + +Mrs. Carlton had not left the house; she waited anxiously for Mary. +And when Florence re-entered the sick room, the former hastened to her +friend. + +"Oh, I did all I could to prevent it!" cried Mary, in despair. "All +is over, I am afraid. I was sitting on the doorstep, preparing some +arrowroot, when I saw Aunt Lizzy go out the gate. I thought it strange +at the time of day, but never suspected the truth. Presently I saw her +coming back with the priest, and knew in an instant she had gone for +him. I was determined to prevent his seeing my uncle, if possible, and +fastened the front door. Before I could lock my uncle's, he wrenched +open the window, and sprang in. I tried to put the key in my pocket, +and told him he could not go in then; but he made Aunt Lizzy hold one +of my hands, while he forced open my fingers and took the key. Oh! +that Dr. Bryant had been here." She showed Mrs. Carlton the marks of +his grasp on her wrist. "Tell, oh, tell me what I can do to save him!" + +"Alas! nothing, Mary. He is completely under the control of the Padre, +and no reasoning will avail him now." + +With a sad heart Mrs. Carlton took leave, advising Mary "to offer no +further resistance, as it was now impossible to convince her uncle of +his error." + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + "He's gone--his soul hath ta'en its earthless flight, + Whither? I dread to think--but he is gone!" + + BYRON. + + +Mr. Hamilton, though perfectly conscious that his end was rapidly +approaching, had scrupulously avoided the subject in the presence of +the girls. One morning, after a night of more than ordinary suffering, +he lay quite exhausted. Death was at hand, and feeling intuitively +that the appointed hour had arrived, he requested all to withdraw, +save Florence. When they were alone, he laid his hand on her head, and +said, in a low, feeble tone--"Florence, I am going. I cannot survive +this day, and I wish to give you my last advice. I am afraid your lot +will be a hard one, when I am gone; trials without number are in store +for you. Oh! my proudhearted, beautiful Florence, what will become +of you now?" He covered his face with his hands a moment, then +continued--"I do not wish you to return to your native place. My child +must be dependent on no one, yet to leave you here so unprotected, +is hard indeed. Dr. Bryant has promised to watch over you, and the +Carltons are kind friends. Florence you must depend upon yourself. +Thank God, you are strong-minded, and Mary, our kind, good Mary, will +be near, to comfort and assist you. I am growing weaker, but there is +one more thing I wish to say." + +He paused, and for the first time Florence spoke. + +"My father, tell me every wish; fear nothing for me, there is nothing +I cannot bear now." + +"For my sake, Florence, if not for your own, will you promise to be +guided by Father Mazzolin?" + +"Do you mean in matters of religion, my father?" + +"I mean in all things: matters of interest, as well as matters of +faith. He will assist you much, if you will but follow his advice and +directions." + +There was a pause, and then Florence said slowly, as if weighing every +word--"Rest assured your wishes shall be my law. I will consult the +Padre as you desire." + +With a look of relief the dying man sank back on his pillow, and +closed his eyes. Florence quickly summoned the physician, and her aunt +and cousin. A little while after, as Mr. Hamilton's eye fell on the +weeping Mary, he extended his hand, and when she bent over him, drew +her face down, and imprinted a long kiss on her pale cheek. Even as he +did so, a dark form glided to the bedside. Another moment, the uncle +and niece were separated; none knew how, yet the Padre stood between, +whispering low in the sufferer's ear. Almost gasping for breath, the +latter intimated his desire to confess for the last time. And they +were left alone. + +Nearly an hour after, the priest entered the apartment where Florence +and Mary sat. He trembled visibly, yet, in his usual tone, said that +he wished the family to be present at the last rites about to be +performed for the dying Papist. They immediately repaired to the sick +room, and the spectacle there presented made Mary quiver in every +limb. The sufferer had been placed for convenience on a low couch, and +was supported by pillows in an upright position. A dozen candles burnt +around him, and a cloud of incense wreathed slowly along the wall. +The room had been profusely sprinkled with holy water, and a chalice +containing the consecrated wafer, sat near. Gasping for breath, Mr. +Hamilton clasped a crucifix to his lips, though unable from weakness +to secure it there; for twice it fell from his fingers, and rolled to +the floor. + +Father Mazzolin, attired in a surplice ornamented with the insignia of +his order, stood beside the bed, holding in one hand a superbly-bound +volume--in the other, a silver cup containing oil. + +After a moment's pause he opened the book, and hurriedly read in +a low, muttering tone, a Latin service of several pages. At the +conclusion he carefully poured out a few drops of the oil, and just +touched the palms of the sufferer's hands and the soles of his feet, +bidding him at the same time cross himself. Perceiving that he was +utterly unable to do so, he hastily signed the figure and resumed his +reading. How long he would have gabbled on it is impossible to say, +but a gasping sound from the dying man declared that dissolution +was at hand, and, snatching the chalice, he hastily administered the +wafer, which was swallowed with difficulty. For the third time, Father +Mazzolin strove to replace the crucifix in his hand and bend it to +his lips. The cold fingers refused to clasp the consecrated wood, and +sank, stiffened and powerless, by his side. + +Mary had gazed mournfully on as this mummery was enacted. A death-bed +for a theater, weeping relatives an audience, and Father Mazzolin an +amateur performer. Aunt Lizzy was kneeling beside the Padre, ever +and anon invoking the Virgin; while Florence sat with her face in her +hands, almost as unconscious of what passed as her dying parent She +bent over him now, and in heartrending accents conjured him not to +leave her. He struggled in vain to utter words of comfort; they died +away in whispers, and, with a slight moan, the spirit returned to +the God that gave it. The Padre snatched his hat and hastily left +the house, while Mary gave vent to an uncontrollable burst of sorrow. +Florence seemed suddenly frozen, so rigid was her countenance, as she +gazed on the cold form before her. She neither wept nor moaned, but +closed the eyes with a long, long kiss, and drawing a sheet over the +marble features, turned, with a slow, unfaltering step, away. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + "For now that Hope's last ray is gone, + Sure Lethe's dream would bless: + In grief to think of bliss tha'ts flown, + Adds pangs to wretchedness." + + ANONYMOUS. + + +A fortnight had passed, and again it was evening. In the small +dining-room of Florence Hamilton's humble home assembled the now +diminished family circle. Florence sat sadly apart, leaning her head, +with closed eyes, against the window. The tea bell rang; she lifted +her head, glanced round the room, and wearily dropped her brow again +on its resting-place. Mary approached, and taking her hand, said, in a +gentle, winning tone, "Come, Florry dear." + +"Eat your supper, Mary; I do not wish any." + +"But you have not eaten anything to-day, and need something; do try, +for my sake." + +"I cannot. If you knew how both head and heart ache, you would not +urge me." + +Mary turned away, and ate the usually joyous meal with a heavy heart. +Florence had left her seat, and was standing in the door: as her +cousin rose from the table she beckoned to her, and passed hurriedly +out. Mary strove to catch her arm but she hastened on, as if trying +to escape from herself. Suddenly she paused by the river side, and +clasped her hands convulsively over her head. + +"Mary! Mary! you know not what I suffer." + +"Florry, sit down, and lean your weary head on my shoulder." + +She dipped her hand in the water, and dashed the cold, sparkling drops +on her cousin's burning brow, speaking the while in a low, soothing +tone. Florence rested a few moments in her cousin's arms, then threw +herself on a grassy bank, and covered her face; one long, deep groan +alone attesting her mental anguish. Mary wept more bitterly than +she had yet done; still, she was so quiet, none would have known her +grief, save from the tears that fell over her hand and arms. Can it +be, that the spirits of departed friends hover near us while on +earth, and draw closer in hours of woe? If so, why is it denied to the +suffering one to hear again the dear accents of the "loved and lost?" +Why may not their silver pinions fan the burning brow of sorrowing +mortality, and the echo of Heaven's own melody murmur gently, "Peace, +peace and joy for evermore?" + +Florence stood up before her cousin; all trace of emotion had passed +away, and left her calm. The bright moon shone full on her face. Oh! +how changed since the morning she stood in Madame ----'s schoolroom. +The large dark eyes were sunken; the broad brow marked with lines of +mental anguish; the cheeks colorless, and her long raven hair tossed +back, and hanging like a veil below her slender waist. There was +a hollow, wasted look in every feature; the expression was one of +hopeless misery, and a something there was which made the heart ache, +yet the haughty glance of other days might still be seen. + +"Mary, look at me!" + +"Well, Florry, I have looked at you, and sad enough it makes me feel." + +"I am changed Mary, strangely changed, am I not? Answer me truly." + +"Yes, you look weary and ill; but why do you ask me such a question? +You have had cause to look pale." + +"Ah! you say truly; but, Mary, have you never suspected that a secret +grief was freezing the life-blood in my cheeks?" + +"Florry, what do you mean? I am afraid you are feverish!" and Mary +laid her hand anxiously on her cousin's. It was flung contemptuously +off. + +"Mary, listen to what I have to say. I am in a strange mood to-night, +and you must not contradict me. Where shall I begin? When my mother +died I was four years old, they say, and a very delicate child. My +mother! how strange it sounds. Yet I can at times faintly remember +her beautiful face. Very faintly, as in a dream, I have seen an angel +visitant. My mother, why did you leave your hapless babe? Oh! why? my +mother! I was left much to myself, and followed unrestrained my +own inclinations. You know my fondness for books; that fondness was +imbibed in girlhood, as I wandered in my own sunny home--my lost home. +My father taught me to conceal my emotions--to keep down the rising +sob, to force back the glittering tear; and when I smiled over some +childish grief, applauded my stoicism. I became unnatural, cold, +haughty, but not unfeeling. I remember well how your pale face and +mourning dress touched my heart, and waked my sympathies. From that +hour I lavished my love on my father and yourself. Years passed and we +went to New Orleans--" Here Florence paused, and closed her eyes for +a moment, but quickly resumed--"You know how I studied. Mary, was it +merely from love of metaphysics and philosophy, think you? No. no! +Mr. Stewart's look of surprise and pleasure as, one by one, I mastered +various intricacies, was the meed for which I toiled. Mary, from the +first day we met, I loved him, for his was a master spirit I worshiped +him in my inmost soul, and he loved me in return. I know--I feel that +he did. Yet he was even prouder than myself, and would have scorned to +speak of love to one who never smiled in his presence. Oh! often when, +he stood beside my desk giving instruction, my heart has sprung to +him. I have longed to hear the words of tenderness that welled up from +his heart, but scorned to tremble on his lips. No look of love ever +fell on me. His glance was cold and haughty. Oh, how inconsistent +is woman! I yearned for his love; yet, had he tendered it, under my +haughtiness would have dropped my idol--have shivered it at my feet. +Weeks passed, and while near him I knew no sorrow; but the morning of +my life was destined to be short. The cloud that had lowered on the +horizon suddenly darkened around. That never-to-be-forgotten letter +came, and I saw a great gulf open at my feet. An invisible hand placed +Dudley Stewart on one brink, and I was left upon the other; and an +unknown messenger thundered the decree of separation--'Forget the past +and live again in the future!' I started as from a frightful dream. +The cold reality forced itself upon me. Mary, a suspicion stole into +my heart, and stung me. I thought for a brief time that Mr. Stewart +loved you, and whose hand may register the darkened thoughts that +crowded bitterly up? The morning we left New Orleans, I went into the +schoolroom for our books. Ah! who may know the agony of that hour! I +sat down in his chair, and laid my head on his desk, and groaned in +mine anguish of spirit. Oh! Mary, that was the blackest, bitterest +hour of my life. I had fancied he loved me: I feared I was deceived; I +hated--despised myself for my weakness. Yet I could not reproach him; +he had never sought my love. + +"I had just risen from his desk when Mr. Stewart came in. He did +not seem to see me, but took a seat near the door. I was well-nigh +exhausted, but strove to appear as cold and indifferent as ever. I +gathered up my books and turned to go, then he laid down his pen, and +came to me. + +"'I believe you and your cousin leave to-day?' + +"'Yes. in this evening's boat,' I answered, much as usual. + +"'I wish you a safe and pleasant voyage. My kindest adieux to your +cousin. Good-by, Miss Hamilton.' + +"He held out his hand. I said 'good-by' as clearly and coldly as +himself. Our hands met but an instant: there was no pressure--no +warmth, and then he opened the door for me to pass. As he did so +our eyes met; his glance was calm and cold, but his lips were firmly +compressed. Had he looked sad, mournful, or tender, I should have +passed out and triumphed; but my overtasked strength gave way; a cold +shudder crept through my frame, and consciousness forsook me. I never +fainted before or since. When I revived, I raised my head and looked +about me, I was reclining on a couch; he kneeling beside me, calmly, +as he would have stood in class. He held my hand, and pressed it +warmly. + +"'Are you better now, Florence?' + +"'Oh, yes, thank you,' I said, and rose to my feet. + +"He still held my hand. I withdrew it, and turned to the door. He +placed himself before it, and said--'Florence, it was well done; you +are an admirable dissembler, but I am not deceived. You love me, and +have for long, yet I freely acknowledge your love can never exceed my +own. I love you better than my life, though perfectly aware that +we are now parted forever. I am a poor tutor, dependent on my daily +exertions for subsistence; you the cherished daughter of a wealthy and +ambitious parent.' + +"He drew me to him, and imprinted a long kiss on my lips; then put me +gently back, and left the room. + +"I never saw him again, but did I doubt his love? No, no! I would +sooner doubt my own existence. We embarked, as you know, in the +evening. That night was beautiful--just such a one as this--serene and +heavenly. I stole out on deck when others slumbered, and for a long +weary hour paced to and fro. There was a wild tumult in my soul which +would not be stilled, and every restraining effort but fanned the +flame that raged within. A never-to-be-forgotten contest was waged +that night, and my heart was the arena. My guardian angel whispered +low, 'Forget the past as a feverish dream; it is not well for thee; +forget, forget!' But the heaven-born accents were suddenly drowned +by the wild shriek of my dark destiny--'Of Lethe's waters thou shall +never taste! I have shattered the goblet at thy feet, and scattered +the draught to the winds of heaven! Behold the apotheosis of thine +idol! At this shrine shalt thou bow evermore--evermore!' + +"A new impulse was implanted within me; and, impotent to resist, I +was impelled onward, and onward, till a chasm yawned at my feet. Yet +a moment I trembled on the brink, then plunged desperately forward. +Mary, listen. I knelt on the damp, glistening deck, and implored +Almighty God to register my words in heaven. In his awful name and +presence, I solemnly swore to love Dudley Stewart alone--to be his +wife, or go down to the tomb as Florence Hamilton. I rose up +calm--the fierce warring was stilled. Yet it was not inward peace that +succeeded. My fate was sealed--the last page of destiny transcribed. + +"Time passed on, oblivious of the darkened hours it bore on its broad +bosom. Mary, I have watched for one loved form, and listened for that +calm, proud step. I have loved, and trusted, and believed that we +should meet again. Deluded Florence! a period is put to thy hopes and +fears! Mary, he is married! All is over for me. The dull, heavy weight +resting upon my heart will soon crush out the life spark, and lay low +my proud head. Ah! I my cousin, you weep. I wish that I could; but +tears have been _too_ often scornfully repulsed; they come not now at +my call. Oh, Mary, I am weary, weary! I long for rest, even the rest +of the dark, still tomb! I have no hope--no wish. I am passive now. +At last nature has broken the bonds so long forced upon her, and the +reaction is strong indeed. You ask how I received my information: ah! +you need not doubt its authenticity. Aunt Lizzy and his mother were +old friends, and she received a letter the day before my father died, +announcing _his_ approaching union with a beautiful cousin! I am +deservedly punished: I worshiped the creature and forgot the God. I +needed a desperate remedy, and it is administered." + +As Florence concluded she leaned heavily against a tree, and raised +her eyes to the jeweled vault above. Just then a dense black cloud, +which had floated up from the west, passed directly over the moon, +obscuring the silvery rays. She pointed to it, and said, in a low, +mournful voice--"How typical of my life and heart; shut out from joy +and hope in one brief hour, unlike it ever to be brightened again." + +"Oh! Florry, dear Florry! turn to God for comfort and succor in this +hour of need. He will enable you to bear this trial, and go steadily +on in the path of duty." + +"Mary, I have no incitement to exertion; nothing to anticipate. My +future is blank and dreary. I know my lot in life; I have nothing to +hope for." + +"Not so, Florry. Your future life will be an active one. Are we not +dependent on our exertions for subsistence? and does not our little +school open to-morrow? Cheer up, darling all may yet be bright. +Bury the painful remembrances of the past; believe me, peace, if not +joyousness, will surely follow the discharge of your duties." + +"I cannot forget the past. Had he sought my love, I could scorn him +for his baseness; but it is not so, I almost wish it were. Yet I know +and feel that he loves me; and oblivion of the past is as impossible +for him as, myself. I know not what strange impulse has induced me to +tell you all this. I did it half unconsciously, hoping for relief by +revealing that which has pressed so heavily on my heart. Mary, never +speak to me of it again; and, above all, do not mention his name. It +has passed my lips for the last time, and all shall be locked again +within my own heart. We will open the school to-morrow; and may God +help me, Mary, pray, oh, pray for me! I had no mother to teach me, and +prayer is a stranger to my lips." + +She walked hurriedly to the house, and shut herself within her own +apartment. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + "Freedom calls you! Quick! be ready: + Think of what your sires have been: + Onward! onward! strong and steady, + Drive the tyrant to his den." + + PERCIVAL. + + +How intoxicating is the love of power; and how madly the votaries +of ambition whirl to the vortex of that moral Corbrechtan, which has +ingulfed so many hapless victims. Our own noble Washington stands +forth a bright beacon to warn every ruler, civil or military, of the +thundering whirlpool. Father of your country! you stand alone on +the pedestal of greatness; and slowly rolling years shall pour their +waters into the boundless deep of eternity ere another shall be placed +beside you. + +When Iturbide attempted to free his oppressed countrymen from the +crushing yoke of Spanish thraldom, Liberty was the watchword. Success +crowned his efforts--sovereign power lay before him. He grasped it, +and made himself a despot. Ambition hurled him from the throne of the +Montezumas, and laid his proud head low. A new star rose on the stormy +horizon of the west; pure and softly fell the rays on the troubled +thousands round. The voice of the new-comer said "Peace," and the wild +tumult subsided. Ten years passed; Santa Anna culminated. The gentle +tones of the arch-deceiver were metamorphosed into the tiger's growl, +the constitution of 1824 subverted in a day, and he ruled in the room +of the lost Iturbide. + +* * * * * + +The Alamo was garrisoned. Dark bodies of Mexican troops moved heavily +to and fro, and cannon bristled from the embrasures. The usually quiet +town was metamorphosed into a scene of riot and clamor, and fandangos, +at which Bacchus rather than Terpsichore presided, often welcomed the +new-born day. The few Americans[A] in San Antonio viewed with darkened +brows the insolent cavaliers. The gauntlet was flung down--there +was no retraction, no retreat. They knew that it was so, and girded +themselves for a desperate conflict. + +[Footnote [A]: It doubtless appears absurd to confine the title of +"Americans" to the few citizens of the United States who emigrated to +Texas, when all who inhabit the continent are equally entitled to the +appellation. Yet the distinction is Mexican; "Los Americanos" being +the name applied to all who are not of Spanish descent.] + +The declaration of independence was enthusiastically hailed by the +brave-hearted Texans, as they sprang with one impulse to support the +new-born banner, that floated so majestically over the sunny prairies +of their western home. Mechanic, statesman, plowboy, poet, pressed +forward to the ranks, emulous of priority alone. A small, but intrepid +band, they defied the tyrant who had subverted the liberties of his +country; defied Santa Anna and his fierce legions, and spurned the +iron yoke which the priests of Mexico vainly strove to plant upon +their necks. Liberty, civil and religious, was the watchword, and +desperately they must struggle in the coming strife. + +Mañuel Nevarro had eagerly enlisted in the Mexican ranks, and in a +few weeks after General Cos's arrival, donned his uniform. Thus +accoutered, he presented himself, for the first time since their +disagreement, before Inez, who had but recently returned from San +Jose, doubting not that her admiration of his new dress would extend +to him who filled it. In truth, his was a fine form and handsome face; +yet sordid selfishness, and, in common parlance, "a determination to +have his own way," were indelibly stamped upon his countenance. + +Inez was busily preparing the evening meal when he entered; and though +perfectly aware of his presence, gave no indication of it. He +stood aside and watched her movements, as she shaped and turned the +tortillas. Presently she began to sing + + "He quits his mule, and mounts his horse, + And through the streets directs his course-- + Through the streets of Gacatin, + To the Alhambra spurring in, + Wo is me, Alhama. + + "And when the hollow drums of war + Beat the loud alarm afar, + That the Moors of town and plain + Might answer to the martial strain, + Wo is me, Alhama. + +As the mournful cadence died away, she turned, and started with +well-feigned surprise on meeting the piercing glance fixed upon her. + +"Ah, Mañuel!" She held out both hands, with a most amicable expression +of countenance. He grasped them, and would have kissed her beautiful +lips, but she slipped adroitly to one side--"No, no! Mañuel. I'll not +permit that till I am Señora Nevarro." + +"And when will that be, Señorita?" + +"Not till the war is over." + +"But it has not begun yet; and it will be many moons before we whip +these cursed Americanos." + +"How many, think you, Mañuel?" + +"I can't tell, Inez; therefore we will not wait till the war is over. +The Padre is ready any time, and why not marry at once?" + +"Sacra Dios! I'll do no such thing." + +"And why not, Inez?" + +"Because they might kill you, Mañuel, and then what would become of +me?" + +"You would be as well off then as now; there would be no difference, +only you would be married. You will mourn, any how, if I am killed." + +"How do you know I would?" Her Spanish eyes twinkled as she spoke; but +for fear of going too far, she laid her hand on his shoulder. Mañuel +turned sharply round. + +"You deserve to be shot, Mañuel, for joining in a miff. Why didn't you +tell me you were going to be a soldier?" + +He grasped her hand tighter, but made no reply. + +"I say, why did not you tell me first?" + +"And if I had told you, what then?" + +"Why, I should not have let you do it, you savage. If you had only +asked me, I might be willing to marry you next week. But as it is, I +am not going to be left a widow, I can tell you." + +"Inez, I don't believe you care whether I am killed of not. I do not +understand you at all." + +The girl's eyes filled, and her lip quivered with emotion. "Mañuel do +you think me a brute? There is nobody to love Inez but her father and +you. I am not cold-hearted." + +"You speak truth, Inez; and my uncle will not live very long, for he +has seen many years. When he is gone, there will be nobody to take +care of you but me; so the sooner we are married the better." + +"Not so. You must come and see us as often as you can till the war is +over; but I will marry no one now." + +"Will you promise it shall be as soon as the war is over?" + +Inez coquettishly tossed her beautiful head, and advancing to the +fire, gaily exclaimed--"While we talked the tortillas burned. Come, +eat some supper. I know they are as good as those you get at the +Alamo." + +Mañuel seated himself on a buffalo-robe, and while partaking of the +evening meal, Inez chatted away on indifferent subjects, asking, +during the conversation, what news had been received from the Texan +army. + +"We got news to-day that they are marching down to Gonzales, but I am +thinking they will find hot work." + +"How many men may we number, Mañuel, and think you the chances are for +us?" + +"By the blessed Virgin, if we were not ten to five Mañuel Nevarro +would not eat his tortilla in peace. The Captain says we will scatter +them like pecans in a high wind." + +"What bone is there to fight for at Gonzales?" + +"Cannon, Inez, cannon. Don't you know we sent a thousand men to bring +it here, and the white rascal sent five hundred to keep it there. By +the Virgin, we will see who gets it!" + +"Holy Mother protect us! Mañuel, take care of yourself, man, and rush +not into danger. It will profit you little that we have many men, if +some strong arm tells your length on the sward." + +"Never fear, Inez--never fear. We must not stop till every American +turns his back on the Alamo, and his face to the East." + +"But you will not harm those that live here in peace with all men?" + +"The Padre told our General, yesterday, that we must fight till all +submitted, or the last American child was driven to the far bank of +the Sabine." + +Inez laid her hand on his arm, and looking him full in the face, +asked, in a low tone--"Mañuel, would you help to drive Mary from her +home among us? She who nursed me in sickness, and bound the white +bread to your bleeding arm, and made the tea for my dying mother, when +none other came to help? Mañuel! Mañuel! she is alone in the world, +with only her cousin. Spare Mary in her little home; she hurts none, +but makes many to die in peace." + +Mañuel's face softened somewhat, but he replied in the same determined +tone--"The Padre says she is an accursed heretic, and he will not +rest till she is far away. But I tell you now, Inez, she will not be +harmed; for he said he would see that she was protected, and would +himself take her to a place of safety. He said she had been kind to +our people, and none should molest her or her cousin; but leave all to +him." + +"If the Padre promised, he will place them in safety; he never forgets +to do what he says. I am satisfied, Mañuel; and for the rest of the +Americans, the sooner they are driven out the better." + +"You say truly, Inez, the sooner the better: all, all shall go, even +their Doctor, that carries himself with such a lordly air, and sits +in saddle as though never man had horse before. But the moon is up; I +must return, for I watch to-night, and must be back in time." He put +on his hat as he spoke. + +"Mañuel, come as often as you can, and let me know what is going on. +You are the only one whose word I believe; there are so many strange +tales nowadays, I put little faith in any. And before you go, put this +crucifix about your neck: 'twill save you in time of danger, and think +of Inez when you see it." She undid the fastening which held it round +her own throat, and pressing it to her lips, laid it in his hand. + +Astonished at a proof of tenderness so unexpected, Mañuel caught +her in his arms, but disengaging herself, she shook her finger +threateningly at him, and pointed to the door. He lighted his +cigarrita, and promising to come often, returned to the Alamo. + +Left alone, the Spanish maiden sought her own apartment, muttering as +she ascended the steps--"The Padre protect you, Mary! Yes, even as +the hawk the new chicken. Take thee to a place of safety! even as the +eagle bears the young lamb to his eyrie. Yes, Mañuel, I have bound +the handkerchief about your eyes, You think I love you, and trust both +Padre and crucifix! Trust on, I too have been deceived." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + +More like somnambulism than waking reality was now the life of +Florence Hamilton. No duty was unperformed, so exertion spared to +conduce to the comfort of the now diminished family circle. No words +of repining or regret were uttered--no tear dimmed the large dark +eyes. She moved and lived as it were mechanically, without the agency +of feeling or sympathy; yet though she obtruded her grief on none, +it was equally true that no gleam of returning cheerfulness ever +lightened the gloom which enveloped her. A something there was in the +hopeless, joyless expression of her beautiful face, which made the +heart ache; yet none offered sympathy, or strove to console her, for +she seemed unapproachable, with the cold, haughty glance of other +days. Painfully perceptible was the difference between Christian +fortitude and perfect hopelessness--gentle, humble resignation and +despair. There was no peace in her soul, for her future was shrouded +in gloom: she had no joys in anticipation. The sun of hope had set +forever to her vision, and she lived and bore her grief like one who +had counted the cost, and knew that for a little while longer she must +struggle on; and that oblivion of the past was dispensed only by +the angel of death. She acquiesced in Mary's plan of opening a small +school, and unfalteringly performed her allotted task as assistant +teacher. Unexpected success had crowned their efforts, and fifteen +pupils daily assembled in the room set apart for the purpose. Mary +had feared opposition on the part of the Padre, and was agreeably +surprised at the number of Catholic children committed to her care. + +One morning early in October, having finished her household duties, +she repaired to the schoolroom for the day. Florence was already at +her post, though suffering from violent nervous headache. Mary seated +herself with her back to the door, and called one of her classes. +Arithmetic it proved; and if the spirits of the departed were +ever allowed to return in vindication of their works, the ghost +of Pythagoras would certainly have disturbed the equanimity of +the "muchachos," who so obstinately refused the assistance and +co-operation of his rules and tables. In vain she strove to impress on +one that 2 from 8 left 6. Like the little girl that Wordsworth met, he +persisted "it was seven." Despairing at last, she remanded the class +to their seats. Anxious to facilitate the progress of her pupils, Mary +spared no pains to make perspicuous what to them appeared obscure. The +little savages could not, or would net understand that the earth +was like a ball, and not only turned upon its own axis, but made +the entire circumference of the sun. A pair of globes could not be +procured, and she taxed her ingenuity for a substitute. Selecting two +apples, one enormous, the other medium size, she carefully introduced +a reed through the center of the smaller apple, thus causing it to +revolve on its axis. Calling up the tyros in geography, she took the +smallest, or "Earth," as she designated it, and while causing it to +perform the diurnal motion, she carried it slowly round the larger, or +"Sun," as she termed it; thus illustrating the combined movements of +our globe. Even the dullest could not fail to comprehend; and well +satisfied with the result of her experiment, she carefully put her +planets by in one corner of the schoolroom, and proceeded with her +questions. The imperfect recitation finished, Mary glanced across +the room, hoping her cousin's patience was not so tried, and some +brilliant coruscations in that direction fixed her attention. Florence +had dropped her aching head on the desk in front, shading her eyes +with her hand; before her, in dark array, stood some half dozen +small boys just beginning to spell. Each held a book containing +illustrations of various well-known articles and animals, having the +name beneath. + +"U-r-n--teapot." Elliot Carlton, whose seat was near, gave a +suppressed giggle. Florence looked around inquiringly, then dropt her +head again on her hand, bidding the boy "spell on." + +"S-t-a-g--goat." Elliot crammed his handkerchief into his mouth, and +Mary smiled. + +"W-i-g--curly head." Florence was effectually roused this time by a +shout of laughter from Elliot, in which he was joined by Mary, and Dr. +Bryant, who had just entered and was standing in such a position that +no one had perceived him. + +"Really, Miss Hamilton, I must congratulate you on the extraordinary +progress your pupils make; I was not aware that you cultivated their +powers of comparison in connection with the rudiments of orthoepy," + +"To what do you allude, Doctor; I am scarcely conscious of what passes +around me this morning," said Florence, wearily pressing her hand +across her aching brow. + +"I am not surprised that you are somewhat stunned, though, after all," +he continued, pointing to the picture of a ringleted pate, "the little +fellow was not far wrong, for this wig is incontestibly a curly head," + +With a faint smile which passed as quickly as it came, she dismissed +the class with an additional lesson. + +"I am sorry to see you suffering so much this morning," said Frank, +seating himself beside her: "and should certainly not recommend this +schoolroom as an antidote to nervous attacks. Miss Mary, why do you +allow your cousin to overtax her strength? However, I bring you good +news. We have had an engagement at Gonzales, and, thank Heaven, are +victorious. The brave five hundred sent to preserve the field-piece +there, encountered double their number of the enemy, and not only +saved the cannon, but scattered the Mexicans in all directions. +Our brave band are marching to Coliad, where they expect to supply +themselves and comrades with ammunition; they have probably taken the +magazine before this, and are returning." + +"Thank Heaven we have triumphed!" cried Mary, fervently clasping her +hands; "but oh! if the tide should turn this way, what will become of +us? The Mexicans are numerous here, and the Alamo strongly fortified +and in their possession." She turned her eyes inquiringly on Frank, +and started as she met the earnest, searching expression of his, bent +full upon her face. + +"How pale you have grown of late," he murmured as to himself, and +replied to her questioning glance--"I think, myself, there is much +danger incurred by remaining here; but rest assured you shall not be +harmed. I am watching the signs of the times, and will warn you should +peril approach." + +He took Florence's hand, and pressed it as he spoke; then turning +to Mary, who had walked away, he said--"I must insist on your cousin +having rest; she is weary and too much excited, and you, who are a +good nurse, must take better care of her." + +"Indeed, Doctor, I did my best to prevent her teaching to-day, but she +would not listen to my entreaties," replied Mary, with averted head. + +"If I might venture to advise yourself and cousin, Miss Hamilton, I +should suggest the discontinuance of your school, at least for the +present; for in these stormy times one scarce knows what a day may +bring forth: and, indeed, your pupils are dropping off within the last +few days, and you had better disband voluntarily." + +"I believe you are right, Doctor; and if Mary concurs with us, I think +we will follow your advice." + +"Do as you think best, Florry; I suppose we would have no pupils soon, +even if we continued our efforts; yet I dislike very much to give up +the school so very soon." Her voice faltered slightly, and her cheek +grew paler. + +"Your reluctance to dismiss these children, I am not surprised at; and +if it will relieve you in the least, allow me to see their parents, +and arrange all pecuniary matters. You certainly feel no hesitation in +confiding this to me." + +"Thank you, Dr. Bryant, you are very kind; but we will not burden you +with an additional trouble. I prefer taking these children home to +their parents, who committed them to my care; and as you and Florry +think it advisable, we will close our school this evening. Believe me, +however, that in refusing your kind offer, I am not insensible to, but +appreciate fully the motives which dictated it." + +"Feel no hesitation in calling on me to perform any of the many +services a gentleman friend may so often render. If you knew how +gladly I would serve you, I am sure you would not fail to do so." + +Shaking hands with Florence who stood near, he turned to go, but +paused at the threshold. + +At this moment a slight disturbance in a distant corner of the room +attracted their attention, and springing forward, little Maria Carlton +exclaimed--"Oh, Miss Mary, what do you think? Somebody has eat up the +world, and bit a great big piece out of the sun!" + +When the merriment this excited had in some degree subsided, Dr. +Bryant laughingly said--"I am much afraid you have a Polyphemus among +your pupils. Miss Mary, do discover the incipient monster and eject +him forthwith. Heavens, what powers of digestion he must possess! Good +morning, ladies--good morning." And with a bow he left the house. + +"Florry, dear, do try and sleep some; I will do all that is necessary +about the children. True, there is not enough to occupy me long, and +meanwhile you must impart the news of this victory to Aunt Lizzy." + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + "----I might not this believe + Without the sensible and true avouch + Of mine own eyes." + + SHAKSPEARE. + + +Twilight had fallen slowly, for the evening was heavy and wet, and +dark masses of cloud driven by the northern blasts sailed gloomily +overhead. Nature wore a dreary aspect, and one involuntarily turned +inward for amusement. A bright light gleamed from the window of +Florence Hamilton's humble home, and her little dining-room seemed by +contrast extremely cheerful; yet the hearts of its inmates were +more in accordance with the gloom which reigned without. Aunt Lizzy, +growing somewhat infirm of late, had retired earlier than usual. +Florence had been sewing all the afternoon, but now lay with closed +eyes on the couch, her hands clasped over her head. Mary sat near the +table holding an open volume, but her thoughts had evidently wandered +far away; for her gaze was fixed abstractedly on the fire which blazed +and crackled at her feet. The girl's countenance was an interesting +study, as she sat rapt in her saddened thoughts. A careworn expression +rested upon her face, as though some weighty responsibility too soon +had fallen on one so frail. The cheeks were very pale, and now and +then across the lips there came a quiver, as though she struggled +inwardly, and fain would give no outward show of grief. In truth, an +almost spiritual expression had come over her features; the impress of +some deep and hidden sorrow, nobly borne, though chasing the rosy hue +from her cheeks. Sadder grew the look, and some acute pain wrinkled +her brow as she threw aside the book, and covered her face with her +hands; while a heavy, yet smothered sigh, struggled forth, as if +striving to relieve the aching heart. + +The door opened noiselessly, and a dark shrouded form glided with soft +steps to the chair, and laid a heavy hand on her shoulder. Mary raised +her head, and starting up, gazed inquiringly at the muffled face, +while the intruder pointed to the motionless form of Florence, and +laid a finger on her lip. Then beckoning Mary to follow, she receded, +with stealthy tread, to the door, which was softly closed, and walked +hurriedly on till she reached a large rose-tree, which shaded the +window. Mary shivered as the piercing wind swept over her, and strove +in vain to suppress a fit of coughing. There was a moment's silence. + +"You did not know me?" + +Mary started. "I did not, till you spoke; but, Inez, what brings you +out on such a night?" + +Inez took off the mantilla which had so effectually concealed her +features, and threw it round the frail, drooping form before her. + +"No, no, Inez, you will take cold;" and Mary tendered it back. + +It was tossed off contemptuously, and mingled with a bitter laugh came +the reply--"I am not cold, Mariñita, nor ever shall be but once again. +I am burning with an inward fire that will not be quenched" + +"You are ill, Inez, and want some medicine; tell me where and how you +suffer?" + +"No, no. I want nothing from you or yours: I come to help, not to +ask. Mary, why is it you have made me love you so, when I hate yonder +dark-eyed girl? But I am losing time. I come to warn you of danger, +and even now I am watched; but no matter, listen to what I have to +say. The Padre hates you, even as--as I hate him, and has sworn your +ruin. I tell you now you must fly from San Antonio, and fly quickly, +for danger is at hand. My countrymen are many here, and he is stronger +than all. You and I have thwarted him, and the walls of a far off +convent are our destination--you, and your cousin, and myself. I am +at heart no Catholic; I have seen the devil, if there be one, in my +confessor. I have heard him lie, and seen him take the widow's and the +orphan's portion. Mary, if there was a God, would he suffer such as +my Padre to minister in his holy place, and touch the consecrated +vessels? No, no; there is none, or he would be cut off from the face +of the earth." + +"Inez! Inez! stop and hear me." + +"No, no! time waits for none, and I have little more to say, Mary, you +are deceived; your cousin is not what you think. She is a Catholic; +for mine own eyes have seen her in the confessional, and mine own ears +have listened to her aves and paters." + +Mary uttered a deep groan, and clasped Inez's arm, murmuring--"You +are--you must be delirious or mad: Florry deceive me! impossible!" + +"Ah! poor deluded Mary: do you trust any on earth? Yet I would trust +you, with your white face and soft blue eyes; and there is one other +I would trust--but no more. You will not believe that Florence has +turned from the faith of her fathers? Go to her as she sleeps yonder, +and feel with your own hand the crucifix around her neck. Ha! you hold +tight to my arm: I tell you your Cousin Florence is as black-hearted +as the Padre, for he told me she had promised her dying father to +follow his advice in all things, yet she tells you not of this: and +again, has she not won the love of a good, a noble man, and does she +not scorn his love; else why is his cheek pale, and his proud step +slow? Mariñita, I have read you long ago. You love your Doctor, but he +loves that Florence, whose heart is black and cold as this night You +are moaning in your agony; but all must suffer. I have suffered +more than you; I shall always suffer. My stream of bitterness is +inexhaustible; daily I am forced to quaff the black, burning waters. +Ha! I know my lot--I swallow and murmur not. Mary, I am sorry to make +you drink so much that is bitter to-night; but you must, for your own +good; better a friend should hold the cup and let you taste, than have +it rudely forced upon you." + +"Why have you told me this, Inez? I never did you harm, or gave you +pain." + +"Poor pale face! I want to save you from worse than death--yea, from +a living death. Go from this place; for if you are here a month hence, +you will be lost. Your people here will be defeated, and then the +Mexicans will hand you all over to the Padre, who says he means to put +you where you will be protected. Mark me: you will be sent where no +cry for succor will ever be heard. You will be imprisoned for life, +where none can come back to tell the tale. Mary, go to your friends in +the States; or if you cannot get there, go where your people are +many, and take your Doctor with you, for blood will yet run down these +streets, and I would not that his swelled the stream. He has promised +to watch over you; tell him to take you from here--from this cursed +place. I have crept from home this dark night to tell you of your +danger; I am watched, for the Padre suspects me, but you were always +good; you nursed me and my dying mother, and were kind to Mañuel, and +I would risk more than I have to help you. I have done all I can; I +charge you, wait not till the last moment." + +Inez stretched out her hand for her mantilla, which she folded closely +about her face, and then clasped Mary's hand in hers. + +"Inez! oh, Inez!" + +"Well, Mariñita, I may not linger here. I will see you again if I can; +but if we meet no more, forget not Inez de Garcia, or the love she +bears you; and as the greatest blessing now for you, I hope you may +soon find peace in the quiet grave. I shall never find rest till I +sleep that last, unbroken sleep!" + +"Inez, my heart is wrung by what I have heard to-night; but I beg of +you, as a last favor, do not, oh, do not turn away from God! Inez, +there is a God; and death is not an everlasting sleep. Hereafter is an +awful tribunal; and if not again on earth, you and I shall assuredly +meet before God. Oh I believe that he will yet bless you; that he +will enable you to bear all earthly trials; and, if faithful, he will +receive you at last into the kingdom of eternal rest. Try to forget +the past, and in this book you will find the path of duty so clearly +marked out, that you cannot mistake it. 'Tis all I have about me, yet +I pray God it may be the greatest treasure you possess." + +She drew a small Bible from her pocket as she spoke, and pressed it +within Inez's fingers, adding--"I cannot sufficiently thank you for +your kindness in warning me of my danger; I shall leave this place as +soon as possible, and shall constantly pray that you may be spared and +blessed." + +She held out her hands. Inez clasped them tightly for a moment, and +then glided down the walk as noiselessly as she came. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + Be sure that you teach nothing to the people but what is certainly + to be found in Scripture." + + BISHOP TAYLOR. + + +Mary Irving sought her chamber, and sinking on her knees, fervently +implored the blessing and guidance of Him who is very precious help in +time of need. She prayed for strength to meet with Christian fortitude +the trials which awaited her, and in all the vicissitudes of her +checkered life to pursue unfalteringly the path of duty. She strove +to collect her scattered thoughts, and with what composure she could +assume, returned to the dining-room. The fire was burning low on +the hearth, and the single candle gave but a faint, unsteady light. +Florence was slowly pacing up and down the floor; she raised her head +as Mary entered, then sunk it wearily on her bosom, and resumed her +walk. + +"Florry, come sit here by me--I want to consult you." + +"Is it very important, Mary? I feel to-night as though I could +comprehend nothing; let me wear off this dull pain in my heart and +head by walking, if possible." + +"My dear Florry, it is important; and therefore you will forgive me if +I claim your attention." + +Florence seated herself, and as she did so, leaned her head on Mary's +shoulder, while the latter wound her arm fondly about her, and gently +stroked back the raven hair from her aching brow. + +"Since we broke up our school, I have been warned that we are in +danger, and advised to leave San Antonio as speedily as possible; for +strife is evidently at hand, and a battleground is no place for those +so unprotected as you and I." + +"Dr. Bryant has promised to watch over us: and surely you have +implicit confidence in both his judgment and honor. What do you fear, +Mary?" + +"Everything. We may remain here too long--till escape will be +impossible; and then who may predict with any degree of certainty the +chances of war? That Dr. Bryant will do all that a friend or brother +would, I doubt not; but he may be powerless to help when danger +assails; and even if he should not, to travel from here in stormy +times would not be so easy as you imagine." + +"Who has been filling your head with such ideas? It could be none +other than that dark-browed Inez." + +"If she has, could aught but disinterested friendship actuate her to +such a course?" + +"Really, Mary, I should not have given you credit for so much +credulity. Do you place any confidence in what that girl may tell +you?" + +"I do rely on what she confides to me. Has she ever given you cause +to doubt her sincerity? Indeed, Florry, you do her injustice. I would +willingly--God only knows how willingly--doubt some portions of what I +have heard from her lips, but I dare not." + +"Mary, can you not perceive that she is jealous of us, and hopes, by +operating on your fears, to drive us from this place? The Padre hinted +as much to me not long since." + +"Florry, it is for you to say whether Inez speaks truth. From her lips +I had the words--Your Cousin Florence is a Papist, wears a crucifix +about her neck, and kneels in the confessional. Oh, Florry! will +you--can you--do you deny the charge?" + +The cousins stood up, and each gazed full upon the other. Mary's face +was colorless as marble, and her hands were tightly clasped as she +bent forward with a longing, searching, eager look. A crimson glow +rushed to Florence's very temples; then receded, leaving an ashy +paleness. + +"I am a member of the Church of Rome." + +Mary groaned and sank back into her chair, at this confirmation of her +fears. Florence leaned against the chimney, and continued in a low, +but clear voice--"I have little to say in defense of what you may +consider a deception. I deny the right of any on earth to question my +motives of actions; yet I would not that you, Mary, who have loved me +so long and truly, should be alienated, without hearing the reasons +which I have to allege in favor of my conduct. Mary, think well when +I ask you what prospect of happiness there was for me a month since? +Alone in the wide world, with ruined hopes, and a long, long, joyless +future stretching gloomily before me. I was weary of life. I longed +for death, not as a passport to the joys of heaven (for I had never +sought or deserved them), but as bringing rest, peace, and oblivion +of the past I viewed it only as a long, last, dreamless sleep. Mary, +I was groping my way in what seemed endless night, when suddenly there +came a glimmer of light, faint as the first trembling rays of the +evening star, and just pierced the darkness in which I wandered. The +Padre came to me, and pointed to the long-forgotten God, and bade me +seek him who hath said, come unto me all ye who are weary, and I +will give you rest. Mary, do you wonder that I clasped the hand +outstretched to save me, and besought him to lead me to the outraged +and insulted God? My eyes were opened, and looking down the long, dark +vista of the past. I saw how, worshiping a creature, I built a great +barrier between myself and heaven. I saw my danger, and resolved, ere +it was too late, to dedicate the remainder of my life to him who gave +it. The door of the church was opened, and Father Mazzolin pointed +out the way by which I might be saved. The paths seem flowery, and +he tells me the ways are those of pleasantness and peace, and I have +resolved to try them. Once, and once only, I met him at confession, +hoping, by unveiling my sufferings to a man of God, to receive comfort +of a higher order than I might otherwise expect. He has granted +me absolution for the past, and I doubt not that in future the +intercession of the blessed saints in heaven will avail with my +offended Maker." + +"Florry, my own dear Florry! hear me, for none on earth love you as I +do. Do you not believe the Bible--God's written word? Has he not said, +'there is _one mediator_ between God and man--the man Christ Jesus?' +Has not Christ made propitiation for our sin, and assured us there is +but one way whereby we may be saved, repentance for our past sins and +faith in the sufficiency of his atonement? Do you doubt the efficacy +of Christ's suffering and death? Tell me, Florry, by what authority +you invoke your saints? Surely you do so in opposition to the express +declaration of the Bible already quoted--'there is _one mediator_ +between God and man.'" + +"The holy Fathers of our church have been in the habit of praying for +the intercession of saints from the earliest periods, and none have +questioned their fervent piety, or doubted the orthodoxy of their +faith," replied Florence. + +"In the first place," said Mary, "it would be ridiculous in the +extreme to advocate all the opinions and tenets advanced by those +same Fathers. St. Augustine doubted the existence of the antipodes; +Tertullian emphatically pronounced second marriages adultery; Origen +denied the sin of David in causing the death of Uriah, and has often +been accused of favoring Arianism, and the doctrine of transmigration +of soul; while it is a well-known fact, that Jerome, to vindicate +Peter from the charge of dissimulation, actually accused St. Paul of +lying, and thereby favoring deceit. In the second place, are you quite +sure that they were in the habit of invoking saints?" + +"Certainly, Mary; for it is undeniable that St. Augustine in his +Meditations calls on the Blessed Virgin, and all the angels and +apostles in heaven, to intercede with God in his behalf. Father +Mazzolin pointed out the passage no later than last week, to remove +the doubts which I confess I entertained, as to whether it was proper +and in accordance with the practise of the Fathers to implore such +intercession." + +"And does your conviction rest on so frail a basis? Hear what the +Rev. Dr. Milner says on this subject, in the first volume of his +Ecclesiastical History;" and taking it from the shelf, Mary read: + +'The book of Meditations, though more known to English readers than +any other of the works ascribed to Augustine, on account of the +translation of it into our language by Stanhope, seems not to be his, +both on account of its style, which is sententious, concise, abrupt, +and void of any of those classical elegancies which now and then +appear in our author's genuine writings; and also, on account of the +prayers to deceased saints which it contains. This last circumstance +peculiarly marks it to have been of a later date than the age of +Augustine. Frauds of this, kind were commonly practised on the works +of the Fathers in the monastic times.' + +"And why, Florry, does it peculiarly mark it as spurious? Because, had +he entertained these views on so vital a point, the expression of them +would most certainly have occurred in his other very voluminous works. +I have searched his Confessions for instances of this invocation, +either from himself or anxious mother, and had he believed, as the +Catholic prelates assert, in this intercession of the dead, it would +most assuredly have been sought in the hour of his suffering and fear, +lest he should be given over. But I find none. On the contrary, +these two passages occur in his Confessions: 'I now sought the way of +obtaining strength to enjoy thee, and found it not, till I embraced +the mediator between God and man, Jesus Christ, who is above all, God, +blessed forever, calling and saying I am the way, the truth, and the +life.' And here, Florry, is another extract from the same book still +more conclusive--'Whom shall I look to as my mediator? Shall I go to +angels? Many have tried this, and have been fond of visions, and have +deserved to be the sport of the illusions which they loved. The true +mediator, whom in thy secret mercy thou hast shown to the humble, and +hast sent that by his example they might also learn humility, the man +Christ Jesus, hath appealed a mediator between mortal sinners and the +immortal Holy One, that he might justify the ungodly, and deliver them +from death.' Yet in your manuals you are directed to say 'Mother of +God command thy son;' and one of your prayers, Florry, is as follows: +'Hail, Holy Queen! Mother of Mercy--our life, our sweetness, and our +hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished sons of Eve, to thee do we send +up our sighs, mourning and weeping in the valley of tears. Turn thee, +most gracious Advocate, thy eyes of mercy toward us.' And at vespers +you say, + + 'Hail, Mary! queen of heavenly spheres, + Hail! whom the angelic host reveres!' + +Florry, in all candor, let us investigate this subject; we will +consult both the Bible and the Fathers, or, if you prefer it, by the +words of the latter only we will decide; for truth we are searching." + +"Mary, let me read a second time those passages from St. Augustine. +Strange I should have been so deceived," she continued, as, having +perused them, she returned the book to her cousin. + +"Florry, can you perceive any encouragement there given to the +practise of invocation? Does not St. Augustine expressly denounce it?" + +"There can be no doubt of his sentiments on this point; but, Mary, +this is only one decision, when I have been assured that the united +voices of many Fathers established it without a doubt, even supposing +there was no authority in Holy Writ for such a custom--which, however, +we have, for did not Jacob wrestle with an angel and did not his +blessing descend upon him?" + +"But Christ had not then died; neither had the Christian dispensation +succeeded to the old Jewish rites and customs. If you will turn to +Jeremiah, you will also read how the curse of God was pronounced +against the idolaters who offered incense to the Queen of Heaven: yet +you do the same. Still, by the tradition of the elders, we will judge. +Hear the words of Paulinus on this subject--'Paul is not a mediator; +he is an ambassador for Christ. John intercedes not, but declares that +this mediator is the propitiation for our sin. The Son of Almighty +God, because he redeemed us with the price of his blood, is justly +called the true Redeemer,' Again, the great and good Ambrose--'We +follow thee, Lord Jesus, but draw us up that we may follow. No one +rises without thee. Let us seek him, and embrace his feet, and worship +him, that he may say to us, Fear not. I am the remission of sin, I am +the light, I am the life. He that cometh to me shall not see death; +because he is the fulness of divinity.' One more, Florry--'Come to +yourselves again, ye wretched transgressors! Return ye blind to your +light! Shall we not believe God, when he swears that neither Noah, +nor Daniel, or Job, shall deliver one son or daughter by their +righteousness. For this end he makes the declaration, that none might +put confidence in the intercession of saints. Ye fools! who run to +Rome to seek there for the intercession of an Apostle. When will ye +be wise? What would St. Augustine say of you, whom ye have so often +quoted?' Such, Florry, are the words of the celebrated Claud of Turin; +but as he is regarded by your church somewhat as a reformer, I will +just read one passage from Anselm, whose orthodoxy no Papist ever +questioned. Speaking of the intercession of Christ--'If the people sin +a thousand times, they need no other Saviour; because this suffices +for all things, and cleanses from all sin.' Florry, we have jointly +admired the character of one of the earliest martyrs, St. Cyprian. +Will you hear him on this subject?--'Christ, if it be possible, let us +all follow. Let us be baptized in his name. He opens to us the way +of life. He brings us back to Paradise. He leads us to the heavenly +kingdom. Redeemed by his blood, we shall be the blessed of God the +Father,' Yet you say in your prayers, 'We fly to thy patronage, oh! +holy Mother of God!' And again-- + + 'Hail sacred gate.' + +Florence, you have cited the Fathers: by their own words are you not +convinced as to intercession?" + +"Mary, I was asking myself if vital Christianity could exist in any +church which allows such a system of deceit on the part of its clergy: +for deceived I assuredly have been." + +"You should remember, Florry, that the promulgation of Papal +doctrines, and the aggrandizement of the Romish church, is the only +aim of its priesthood; consequently, all means which conduce to this +great object are unscrupulously employed. Even crime is sanctioned +where the good of the church can be promoted." + +"Surely, Mary, you cannot mean what you say? Crime sanctioned by the +Romish clergy! Impossible! How dare you make such an assertion!" + +"It doubtless strikes you, Florry, as strangely uncharitable and +unchristian; yet, if you will consult the records of the past, I +venture to say you will think very differently. What memorable event +occurred on one of your saints' days--the 24th of August, 1572? At +dead of night the signal was given, and the Papal ministers of France +perpetrated the foulest deed that stains the page of history. +Thirty thousand Huguenots were butchered in their beds. And what +distinguished the murderer from the doomed victim? A white cross on +the hat of the former. How did Imperial Rome receive the tidings of +this massacre? The cannons were discharged, the Pope ordered a jubilee +and grand procession, and caused a _Te Deum_ to be chanted. I ask +you, Florry, was not this sanctioning crime? Again, how died the great +Henry IV? The celebrated edict of Nantes sealed his doom, and the +infamous Ravaillac, for the good of the Romish church, conveniently +forgot the commandment of Jehovah, and meritoriously assassinated him. +Florry, I have myself heard a Papist say, 'that whatever her priest +commanded, she would unhesitatingly perform.' Shocked at the broad +assertion, I replied: 'You surely do not know what you are saying. +Obey the priest in all things! Why, you would not commit murder at his +command?' 'Certainly I would, if my priest bid me; for if I obey him, +I cannot do wrong.' I know this to be true; and I ask you what is the +inference? You admit that you have been deceived. Pious frauds were +committed in the time of Ambrose and Chrysostom; yet hear what St. +Augustine says: 'Lying is the saying of one thing, and thinking of +another;' and in all cases, even for most pious purposes, he excludes +lying as unchristian and anti-scriptural." + +Florence was leaning with clasped hands on the table gazing intently +at her cousin; while Mary knelt on the other side, her hand resting +on the large family Bible. The light fell full on her pale face as she +knelt; her chestnut curls half veiling the pure white cheek, and the +dark-blue eyes, earnest, and yet almost angelic, in their gentle, +loving expression. + +"Oh, Florry! need I implore you in future to look to Christ alone as +the author of our salvation?" + +"One more question, Mary. Is there not a passage in Revelations +substantiating the doctrine of intercession? Father Mazzolin assured +me the testimony was conclusive in favor of that practise." + +"The passages to which you allude are these: 'And another angel came +and stood at the altar, having a golden censor; and there was given +unto him much incense, that he should offer it, with the prayers of +all saints, upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And +the smoke of the incense which came with the prayers of the +saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.' No word of +intercession occurs here; and are we not as free to suppose that the +prayers so offered were in their own behalf as that of their friends? +Had it been as the Padre tells you, would not St. John have said +intercession or prayers in behalf of others?" + +"Mary, can you have mistaken the passage? This cannot be his boasted +testimony." + +"I know that these two verses are highly prized by Papists, as +establishing the doctrine in question; yet I cannot see them in that +light--can you?" "No, no; and if these are the strongest arguments +they can adduce in the defense of invocation, I reject it as a remnant +of the dark ages, during which period it certainly crept into the +church." + +"If you do this, Florry, you cause the whole fabric to totter, for on +this doctrine, as a foundation, rests the arch, of which confession is +the keystone." + +"'Confess ye your sins, one to another,' is very strong in our favor, +Mary?" + +"Florry, we are searching for truth, and let us in all humility and +candor investigate this particularly important point. It seems to me +that St. James's meaning is this--when we have offended or harmed our +fellow-men or brethren, we should make all the amends in our power; +confess our faults unto them; implore their pardon, and abstain from +offensive conduct in future. Do you not think that if he had intended +us to interpret it differently, he would have said--'Confess your +faults unto your priest, and he will give you absolution.' Setting +aside all bias, do you not think this reasonable; the more so, when +we call to mind those words of our Saviour in his sermon on the mount: +'Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest +that thy brother hath aught against thee, leave there thy gift before +the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and +then come and offer thy gift.' If our Lord had intended the ordinance +of confession, would he not have said on this occasion, 'First confess +thy sins unto thy priest, and when he has absolved thee, then come +with clean hands and offer thy gift.' Mark the difference, and ask +your own heart if there is any encouragement here for confessing to +your Padre?" + +"If this passage of James were all we could adduce in favor of +confession, I should think with you, Mary; yet it is not so. When +about to dismiss his Apostles on their errands of mercy, Christ said +to them--'Peace be with you; as my Father hath sent me, even so I send +you;' and when he had breathed upon them, he said unto them--'Receive +ye the Holy Ghost; whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto +them, and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained.' Now, Mary, +do you not plainly perceive that the power of forgiving sin was +conferred upon the Apostles?" + +"Most assuredly I do; and avow my belief that they were enabled +to forgive sin, and at the same time other miraculous powers were +conferred on the 'Twelve.' 'Then he called his twelve disciples +together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to +cure diseases.' We know that they cast out devils, restored the blind, +and raised the dead. Power to forgive sin was one among many wonderful +gifts conferred upon them. Yet you do not believe that the power of +raising the dead was transmitted to posterity. How, then, can you say +the gift of absolution was?" + +"But, Mary, Christ says in another place--'Thou art Peter: and upon +this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell shall not +prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom +of heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in +heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in +heaven.'" + +"I perfectly agree with you, Florry, in believing that St. Peter had +miraculous powers bestowed on him by our Saviour; but it seems absurd +to suppose that these powers were perpetuated in the ministers of the +Roman Catholic Church. Our Saviour said, what 'Peter loosed, should +be loosed in heaven,' and not what Peter's successors loosed should be +observed and loosed in heaven. We should not judge of Christ's views +by isolated passages, but rather from all his teachings; for if we +did, what would you say to the verse just below those already quoted, +'And he said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an +offense unto me: for thou savorest not the things which be of God, but +those that be of men.' But this is wandering from the subject. In +St. Augustine's Confessions, though I admit somewhat abridged, I find +nothing relating to confessing to priests. This passage alone appears: +'O Lord, thou knowest!--have I not confessed my sins to thee? and +hast thou not pardoned the iniquity of my heart?' Speaking of a +sudden illness during his boyhood, he says he eagerly desired baptism, +fearing to die, and his mother was about to comply with his request, +when he quickly recovered. Now, had he considered confession +necessary, would he not have urged it upon all who read his +Confessions, which you will mark, Florry, were not made to a priest, +but obviously to God himself," + +There followed a long pause, while Florence dropped her face in her +hands and sighed heavily. + +"Florry, it is very late; our candle has burnt low--see, it is +flickering in the socket; we have not heeded the lapse of time." She +rose and replaced the books she had been consulting. + +"Mary, Mary! why have you shaken my faith? I had thought to find +comfort in future, but you have torn my hope from me, and peace flies +with the foundations which you have removed!" + +"Florry, you have been blinded, deceived. They have cried unto you, +Peace! peace! when there was no peace. But oh! there is a source +of rest, and strength, and comfort, which is to be attained not +by confession, or the intercession of the dead or living, but +by repentance for the past, and an active, trusting faith in the +mediation of our blessed Lord Jesus Christ" + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + "The purple clouds + Are putting on their gold and violet, + To look the meeter for the sun's bright coming. + How hallowed is the hour of morning! Meet-- + Ay! beautifully meet--for the pure prayer." + + WILLIS. + + +Morn broke in the East; or, in the beautiful language of the Son of +Fingal, "Sol's yellow hair streamed on the Eastern gale." Awakened by +the first chirping of the feathered tribe, Florence rose as the gray +morning light stole into her chamber, and seating herself at the +window, looked out on the town before her. Quiet reigned as yet, +broken only by the murmuring and gurgling of the river, which roiled +swiftly on, just below their little gate. How delightful to her seemed + + "The cool, the fragrant, and the silent hour + To meditation due." + +Calmly she now weighed the conversation of the preceding night, and, +engrossed in earnest thought, sat gazing out till the Orient shone +resplendent, and an October sun poured his rays gloriously around her. +Then she knelt, and prayed as she had never done before. She sought +the "pure fountain of light," and implored strength and guidance +in her search after truth. Rising, her glance fell on her sleeping +cousin, and she was struck with the change which within the last month +had taken place in her appearance. Approaching the bed, she lifted the +masses of chestnut hair that clung to the damp brow. As she looked on +the pure, pale face, there came a gush of tenderness into her soul, +and bending, she imprinted a long, warm kiss. Mary stirred, and opened +her eyes. + +"Ah, Florry, you are up earlier than usual." She closed them again, +murmuring slowly, "I feel as though I had no strength remaining; I can +scarcely lift my head." + +"Sleep, Mary, if you can. I will shut out the light, and call you +again after a while." + +"No, Florry, I must not give way to such feelings; indeed they are +getting quite too common of late; I can't think what makes me so weak +and feverish." + +An hour later, as they stood together at the door of their little +dining-room, a body of Mexican cavalry dashed furiously past their +gate. The cousins looked full at each other. Then Florence said in a +low, calm tone: "You are right, Mary; we will go from this place; I +feel now that it is for the best." She averted her face; but Mary saw +an expression of keen agony resting there. "Florry, let us consult +Mrs. Carlton. She will advise us what would be best to do in this +emergency." + +"Go and see her yourself; I cannot. Whatever you decide upon I will +agree to. Oh! Mary, how desolate and unprotected we are." + +"No, not while there is an Almighty One to watch over us. But, Florry, +I am much troubled about Aunt Lizzy. I mentioned our wish to leave +here, and she opposed it strenuously, on the grounds that the Padre +had promised his protection. Now what are we to do?" + +"Go to Mrs. Carlton's, Mary, and I will convince aunt that it is +best we should remove from here immediately. You need apprehend no +difficulty on her part. As you return from Mrs. Carlton's, meet me in +the churchyard." + +"Florry, do not go till I come home; or, if you prefer it, let us go +there at once." + +"No, Mary, I wish to be there alone." + +"But I am afraid it is not quite safe for you to venture out so far +from home." + +"I fear nothing: who would harm a daughter beside her father's grave?" + +Mary sighed heavily, but offered no further opposition. Her walk to +Mrs. Carlton's was a sad one, for her heart clung to the scenes she +had learned to love so well, and the prospect of departure, and the +uncertainty of the future, weighed heavily on her heart, and made her +step unwontedly slow. She found her friend alone, and much depressed. +Mrs. Carlton clasped her tenderly in her arms, while the tears rolled +silently down her cheeks. + +"I hope nothing has happened to distress you?" said Mary, anxiously. + +"You are the very one I wished to see. Mr. Carlton said, this morning, +that he was unwilling for me to remain here any longer, as our +troops are marching to attack the Alamo. He says he will take us to +Washington, and I could not bear the idea of leaving you here." + +"I have come to consult you on this subject; for some of my Mexican +friends have advised us to leave San Antonio; and not knowing where or +how to go, concluded to come and see you. But Washington is far, very +far from here. How will we ever reach it in these unsettled times?" + +"Mr. Carlton and Frank have gone to make all necessary preparation +for our immediate departure. We will have two tents, and carry such +cooking utensils and provisions as are needful for a tedious journey: +one wagon is all we hope to obtain for conveying these. I suppose we +shall all ride horseback; for you know there is not a carriage in the +town. Frank does not wish us to leave this place, for he suggested +your coming to remain with us till these stormy times were over. But +this is not a suitable home for you. Surely your cousin and aunt will +consent to accompany us?" + +"Yes, I think so; for Florry left it entirely with me, and certainly +we should go now." + +"I am very glad to hear you say so, Mary; not only upon your own +account, but also for Frank. He will consider himself bound to +accompany you; for he promised your dying uncle to watch over you both +with a brother's care, and otherwise he could not be induced to leave +San Antonio at this crisis. He seems completely rapt in the issue of +the contest; and would you believe it, Mary, he is anxious to enlist; +but my entreaties have as yet prevented him." + +"Dear Mrs. Carlton, there is no obligation resting on him to go with +us. He has been very kind and careful, and though deeply grateful, we +could not consent to his leaving against his own inclinations. Oh, no! +we could not allow this. Yet should he remain, what may be the result? +Oh! Mrs. Carlton, this is terrible." + +Mary's cheek was very pale, and her lips quivered convulsively, while +the small hands, clasped each other tightly. + +"Mary, for my sake, use your influence with him in favor of going to +Washington. I can't go in peace, and feel that he is here exposed +to such imminent danger, for when I am gone, what will restrain him? +Mary, Mary! do not deter him, if he feels it incumbent on him to see +you to a place of of safety." + +"Mrs. Carlton, you can appreciate the peculiar position in which I am +placed. Florry and I would shrink from drawing him away, in opposition +to his wishes, particularly when there is no danger attendant on our +traveling; for with you and Mr. Carlton we would feel no apprehension; +and even if we did, we could not consent to such a sacrifice on his +part. Yet I sympathize with you, most sincerely, and will willingly do +all that in propriety I can to alleviate your sorrow; but knowing his +sentiments, how could I advise, or even acquiesce in his going?" + +"My pure-hearted girl, forgive a request made so thoughtlessly. I +had not considered, as I should have done; yet you can appreciate +the anxious feelings which dictated it." As she spoke, Mrs. Carlton +clasped her friend to her heart, and wept on her shoulder. No tear +dimmed Mary's eye; yet that she suffered, none who looked on her pale +brow and writhing lips could doubt. As she raised her head to reply, +Dr. Bryant entered, and started visibly on seeing her, Mrs. Carlton +endeavored to regain her composure; and, with a slightly faltering +voice, asked how he succeeded in procuring horses? + +"Better than I had hoped," was the rejoinder; and he held out his hand +to Mary. She gave him hers, now cold as ice. He held it a moment, and +pressed it gently, saying: "You see my sister is going to run away on +the first intimation of danger. I hope she has not infected you with +her fears; though, to judge from your looks, I should almost predict a +stampede in another direction." + +"Indeed you are quite right. Florry and I are going with her; though +we had decided on leaving before we knew she intended doing so." + +"Ah! you did not seem to apprehend any immediate danger when we +conversed on this subject a few days since. What has changed your +views?" + +"I have been warned not to risk the dangers attendant on the +approaching conflict by a Mexican friend, whose attachment I have +every reason to believe is sincere; and besides, it needed but little +to augment my fears: and Florry and I concluded, if practicable, to +remove to a place of greater safety." + +"Can you be ready within two days, think you, Miss Mary? for, if we +leave at all, it is advisable that we do so immediately." + +"Oh, yes! I know we can be ready by that time." + +"Let me see--how many additional horses shall we need? Yourself, your +cousin, and aunt, and myself." + +Mary looked eagerly at Mrs. Carlton; but she had averted her head; and +for a moment a terrible struggle within kept the gentle girl silent. + +"Dr. Bryant, I know you do not wish to leave here at this juncture, +intensely interested as you are in the event, and I fear you are +sacrificing your own wishes for our benefit. Let me beg you to consult +your inclinations, and do not feel it in the least incumbent on you to +attend us, particularly when we are in the kind care of Mr. Carlton; +and you have already done so much toward contributing to our comfort." + +"Thank you for your consideration. Nevertheless, I shall not rest +satisfied till I place you in safety on the banks of the Brazos. One +of my greatest pleasures has been to render you service, and you would +not abridge them, I hope, by refusing my company on your journey?" + +Mary's eyes were fixed earnestly on his face while he spoke, and +though there was no change in his kind, gentle tone, there came an +undefinable expression over his noble countenance--an expression in +which coldness and sorrow predominated. She could not understand him; +yet a shudder crept though her frame, and a sensation of acute pain +stole into her heart. She felt as through a barrier had suddenly risen +between them, yet could not analyze the cause. + +"Your servants will take all possible care of the house and furniture +during your absence, which, I hope, will be but temporary. They will +not be molested; and I am afraid we could not conveniently carry two +additional persons. What think you of this arrangement?" + +"I think with you, that under existing circumstances the servants +could not well accompany us; and though they will incur no danger, +I regret the necessity of leaving them, particularly should they +object." + +"I hope you will find no difficulty in arranging everything to your +entire satisfaction, previous to our departure. You and my sister must +consult as to all minor points, and I must look to our preparations. +My respects to your cousin. I will see you again to-morrow;" and +bidding her good morning, he turned away. + +"Oh, such a weight is lifted from my heart!" exclaimed Mrs. Carlton. +"I can now exert myself as I am called on to do." + +"Florry will be waiting for me, and we have much to do at home; so +good-by," and Mary lifted her pale face for a farewell kiss. + +Mrs. Carlton affectionately embraced her, and bidding her "make all +speed," they parted. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + "'There is a soul just delivered from Purgatory!' It was found + to be a frog dressed in red flannel." + + KIRWAN. + + +Florence having succeeded, as she imagined, in convincing her aunt +that it was advisable to remove from San Antonio, slowly proceeded to +the churchyard, little dreaming that the door had scarce closed behind +her ere Aunt Lizzy, with swift steps, directed her way to the house +of the Padre, He was writing, but gave his attention, and heard, +with ill-disguised chagrin, that Florence distrusted his promised +protection. + +"Does she doubt in matters of faith, think you?" he eagerly inquired. + +"Indeed, Padre, I cannot say. All I know is, that she and Mary sat +till midnight, reading and talking, and she has not seemed like +herself since." + +"Where shall I find Florence?" said he, taking his hat. + +"In the churchyard, I think, beside her father's grave." + +"Say nothing to her, but apparently acquiesce in her plans; and, above +all, do not let her dream that you have told me these things." + +Ah, Florence! who may presume to analyze the anguish of your tortured +heart as you throw yourself, in such abandonment of grief, on the tomb +of your lost parent? The luxuriant grass, swaying to and fro in the +chill October blast, well-nigh concealed the bent and drooping form, +as she knelt and laid her head on the cold granite. + +"My father! oh, my father!" and tears, which she had not shed before, +fell fast, and somewhat eased the desolate, aching heart. Florence had +not wept before in many years; and now that the fountain was unsealed, +she strove not to repress the tears which seemed to lift and bear away +the heavy weight which had so long crushed her spirits. + +What a blessing it is to be able to weep; and happy are they who can +readily give vent to tears, and thus exhaust their grief! Such +can never realize the intensity of anguish which other natures +suffer--natures to whom this great relief is denied, and who must keep +the withering, scorching agony pent up within the secret chambers of +their desolate, aching hearts. Sobs and tears are not for these. No, +no; alone and in darkness they must wrestle with their grief, crush it +down into their inmost soul, and with a calm exterior go forth to meet +the world. But ah! the flitting, wintry smile, the short, constrained +laugh, the pale brow marked with lines of mental anguish, will +ofttimes, tell of the smoldering ruin.... + +"My daughter, God has appointed me in place of the parent he has taken +hence; turn to me, and our most holy church, and you will find comfort +such as naught else can afford." + +Florence sprung to her feet, and shuddered at the sound of his low, +soft voice. The Padre marked the shudder, and the uneasy look which +accompanied it: "Padre, I have confessed, and I have prayed to almost +every saint in the Calendar, and I have had your prayers in addition +to my own; yet I find no comfort. No joy has stolen to my heart, as +you promised it inevitably would." + +"My daughter, if peace has not descended on thy spirit, I fear you +have not been devout. Tell me truly if you have not doubted in matters +of faith, for our most holy Mother ever grants the prayers of her +faithful and loving children?" + +"I have searched the Bible, and I nowhere find authority for invoking +saints or the Virgin." + +"I can convince you, without doubt, that there is such authority--nay, +command." + +"'Tis useless, you may save yourself the trouble; for my mind is +clearly made up that we have not even the sanction of the Fathers." + +"Holy Mary, pardon her unbelief, and send down light into her darkened +soul!" + +Florence fixed her eyes full upon him, and replied--"Christ expressly +declares 'I am the light, I am the life.'" + +"Daughter, your heretic cousin has done you a great injury. May God +protect you, and forgive her blasphemy." + +"She needs no forgiveness, for she is pure in heart before God, and +truthful in all things." + +The swarthy cheek of the Italian flushed--"Florence, you and your aunt +must come and stay at my house till it is safe here; and, I doubt not +when you are at leisure to hear me, you will duly repent your hasty +speeches. I shall pray God and our Lady to give you a more trusting, +believing heart, and intercede with the blessed saints for your entire +conversion." + +"Not so, Father Mazzolin; we shall leave this place in a very few +days, and I have come to bid adieu to the grave of my father: leave +me, for I wish to be alone and in peace." + +"Do you doubt my will or ability to protect you, my daughter? Beneath +my roof no danger can assail." + +"We have fully decided to go from here, and further reasoning or +entreaty would be vain; accept, however, my thanks for your proffered +kindness." + +"Girl, you have gone too far! Hear me while I am placable, for I tell +you now, without my consent, you cannot--shall not leave here." + +"You have neither right nor power to detain me." + +"Have I not? I swear, if you do not hear and abide by what I say, +your father's soul will remain forever in purgatory, where it justly +belongs." + +"How dare you make so miserable a threat?" said the calm, clear voice +of Mary, who had approached unobserved. + +"Cursed believer in a cursed creed, what do you here? Begone, or dread +the vengeance I shall surely inflict on so blasphemous and damnable a +heretic!" + +Winding her arm tightly about Florence's waist, she +replied--"'Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord. I will repay;' and +though I have never injured you, Padre--even if I had, it ill becomes +a consecrated priest to utter such language, or so madly to give vent +to passion." + +"Silence!" thundered the Padre, livid with rage; "I will compass +heaven and earth rather than you shall escape me." + +"Come, Florry, this is no place for us now; even the churchyard is not +sacred. Come home." + +"Florence, dare you curse your own father?" The girl's lips quivered, +but no sound came forth--she seemed stunned. + +"You would usurp the prerogatives of Jehovah, Father Mazzolin; but +your threat is vain. You cannot bless or damn my uncle at will. How +dare you, guilty as you are, hold such impious language?" + +For a moment he quailed before the calm, unflinching girl, then +seizing Florence's arm, hoarsely exclaimed: "One more chance I give +you. Florence, I am your brother--your father, my father. On his +death-bed he confessed his sins and discovered his son." + +A deep groan burst from Florence's lips, and her slender frame +quivered like a reed in a wintry blast. The Padre laid his head on the +granite slab which covered the remains of Mr. Hamilton, and continued: +"I call God in heaven, and all the saints to witness the truth of what +I say, and if I prove it not, may I sink into perdition. When your +father was yet young, he made the tour of Europe. Traveling in Italy, +he met at Florence a poor but beautiful girl; and she, struck, in +turn, by the handsome face of the stranger, left her humble home, +and listened to the voice of seduction. He remained five months at +Florence, and then suddenly left Italy for his native country, without +apprising the unfortunate woman of his intentions. Hatred succeeded to +love, and she vowed vengeance. That woman was my mother; and when ten +years had passed, she told me my parentage, and made me swear on the +altar of her patron saint that I would fulfil her vow of vengeance. +She died, and I became a priest of Rome, and in time was sent by +my order to Mexico, and thence here to assist my aged and infirm +predecessor. I had in my possession a miniature of my father, and no +sooner had I met him here than I recognized the base being who had +deserted my mother. I kept my peace; but ere he died, he confessed +that one sin--heavier than everything beside--weighed on his +conscience. In the agony and remorse of that hour my mother was +revenged. I told my parentage, and he discovered his child. Feeling +that I was your brother, he bade you remain here, claim my protection, +and follow my advice. But, Florence, hear me--your misery touched my +heart; a kindred feeling for you made me desire to serve you; but I +swear now that if you hear not my voice, and return to the bosom +of our church, your father's soul shall linger in damnation, and my +vengeance shall follow you. You know not my power, and wo to you if +you defy me!" + +Had the specter-form of the deceased, leaving the shadowy band of +the spirit-world, risen on the granite slab before them the two girls +could not have been more startled. Tightly they clung one to another, +their eyes riveted on the face of the Padre. There was a long pause; +then Florence lifted herself proudly up, and cold and haughty was her +tone: "It is not for me to deny your statement. If my father sinned, +peace to his memory, and may God forgive him. One so sinful and +malignant as yourself cannot be invested with divine prerogatives. +I have known your intentions with regard to myself since the hour +I knelt in confession. I was destined for a convent, and I tacitly +acquiesced in your plans, hoping that so secluded from the world I +should be comparatively happy; but my feelings are changed on many +points, and any further interference from you will be received with +the scorn it merits. No love for me actuates your movements, else you +would have spared me the suffering of this hour." + +"You defy me, then?" + +Florence had turned away, and heeded not his question; but Mary, +clasping her hands, looked appealingly in his face; "Oh, Padre, by the +tie which you declare exists between yourself and Florry--for the sake +of your lost parent--do not put your threat in execution. Spare an +unprotected orphan. You will not harm your sister!" + +"Know you not, girl, that when a Jesuit priest takes the oath of his +order, he tears his heart from his breast and lays it at the feet of +his superior? Appeal not to ties of relationship: we repudiate them, +and pity is unknown among us." + +With a shudder Mary joined her cousin, and rapidly and in perfect +silence they retraced their steps homeward. When they reached their +gate, Mary would have opened it, but her cousin, taking her hand, led +the way to their old seat beside the river. + +Florence seated herself as near the water as possible, and then +tightly clasping the hand she held, asked in a voice of suppressed +emotion; "Tell me, Mary, is there a purgatory?" + +"No, Florry; I think there is less foundation for that doctrine than +any advanced by your church." + +"Mary, you speak truth, and all that you say I can implicitly believe. +Tell me what grounds support the theory?" + +"You remember the words of our Saviour. 'All sin shall be forgiven, +save blasphemy of the Holy Ghost; that shall not be forgiven, either +in this world or the next.' Now Papists argue in this way: Then other +sins can be forgiven in another world; there is no sin in heaven, in +hell no forgiveness, consequently, there must exist a middle place, +or, in other words, a purgatory. Florry, you smile, yet I assure you I +have seen this advanced as unanswerable. In the book of Maccabees is a +very remarkable passage authorizing prayers for the dead, and on this +passage they build their theory and sanction their practise. Yet you +know full well it is one of the Apocryphal books rejected by the Jews, +because not originally written in their language. It was never quoted +by our Saviour, nor even received as inspired by your own church +till the Council of Trent, when it was admitted to substantiate the +doctrine of purgatory, and sanction prayers for the dead. I admit that +on this point St. Augustine's practise was in favor of it; though it +was only near the close of his long life that he speaks of the soul +of his mother. Yet already history informs us that the practise of +praying for the dead was gaining ground in the church, along with +image worship. St. Cyprian, who lived long before him, and during +a purer state of the church, leaves no doubt on our minds as to his +sentiments on this subject; his words are these: 'When ye depart +hence, there will be no room for repentance--no method of being +reconciled to God. Here eternal life is either lost or won. Here, +by the worship of God, and the fruit of faith, provision is made for +eternal salvation. And let no man be retarded, either by his sins or +years, from coming to obtain it. No repentance is too late while a man +remains in this world.' Our Saviour nowhere gives any encouragement +for such a doctrine. On the contrary, he said to the dying thief: +'This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.' I know of no other +argument which Papists advance in favor of their darling theory, save +the practise of the latter Fathers of their church." + +"Mary, I cannot believe this doctrine, without further proof of Divine +sanction." + +"Indeed, Florry, I know of no other reason in its favor, and have long +supposed it a system of extortion in connection with indulgences, now +used, only as a means of gain by the dissolute clergy of the Romish +faith. I need scarcely say, that the abuse of this latter doctrine +drove Luther to reformation. It is a well-known fact, that in the 16th +century, Tetzel, a Dominican monk high in his order, drove through +Germany in a wagon, containing two boxes--one holding indulgences, +the other the money received for them. You will smile, Florry, when I +repeat a translation of the German lines Written on the outside of the +latter box: + + "'When in this chest the money rings, + The soul straight up to heaven springs.'" + +Yet the boldness and audacity of his general language was quite in +accordance: 'Indulgences,' said he, 'are the most precious of God's +gifts. I would not exchange my privileges for those of St. Peter in +heaven; for I have saved more souls with my indulgences than he with +all his sermons. There is no sin so great that the indulgence will not +remit it. Even repentance is not necessary. Indulgences save the dead; +for the very moment the money chinks against the bottom of this chest, +the soul escapes from purgatory, and flies to heaven,' + +"Yet this inquisitor was high in favor with Pope Leo X. You will +say, Florry, that the abuse of a doctrine should be no test of its +soundness; and I admit that had he received the punishment he so +richly merited it would not; yet this is only one instance among +many. We have conversed on the doctrines of the Romish faith merely as +theories, should we not now look at the practise? We need not go very +far. When Aunt Fanny expressed surprise on seeing our Mexican shepherd +eat meat last Friday, did he not reply in extenuation, 'I have paid +the priest and can eat meat'? Now if it was necessary for him to +abstain previously, could the small sum paid to the Padre exempt him +from the duty? Again we see the working of the system: was not Herrara +scrupulously exact on the same point? yet he rose from the table and +told a most positive lie. With regard to indulgences, there is not +a Papist who will admit that they are a license to sin. The voice of +history declares that 'a regular scale for absolution was graded,' and +the fact is authenticated by a recent traveler, who asserts that +in the chancel of Santa Croce, at Rome, is hung a catalogue of the +indulgences granted to all who worship in that church. Yet your +priests will tell you they are the remission of sins already +committed. Did not Herrara say, 'I have paid the Padre and can eat +meat'? Now I ask you if this is not a license to commit what would +otherwise be considered a heinous offense by all devout Papists?" + +"Relying implicitly on what the Padre asserted, Mary, I have never +investigated these subjects as I should have done, before giving my +credence and support; but of the doctrine in question I can henceforth +entertain but one opinion--a detestable and infamous method of filling +the papal coffers; for since you have led me to think on this subject, +I clearly remember that a large portion of the enormous expense +incurred by the building, ornamenting, and repairing of St. Peter's, +was defrayed by money obtained through the sale of indulgences. +Oh, Mary, how could I have been so deluded--allowed myself to be so +deceived!" She took from her pocket the rosary and crucifix which had +been given to her father, and threw them impatiently into the river +gurgling at her feet. + +"The perfect harmony with which the entire system works is +unparalleled in the civil, religious, or political annals of the +world. A complete espionage is exercised in papal countries, from the +Adriatic to the Californian gulf. And the greater portion of this is +accomplished by means of the confessional. The Superior at Rome +can become, at pleasure, as perfectly conversant with your domestic +arrangements, and the thousand incidents which daily occur, as you or +I, who are cognizant of them. To what is all this tending? Ah, +Florry, look at the blood-stained records of the past. The voices of +slaughtered thousands, borne to us across the waste of centuries, bid +us remember the Duke of Alva, the Albigensian crusade, the massacre of +St. Bartholomew, and the blazes of Smithfield. Ignatius Loyola! happy +would it have been for millions lost, and millions yet to be, hadst +thou perished at the siege of Pampeluna. Florry, contrast Italy and +Germany, Spain and Scotland, and look at Portugal, and South America, +and Mexico, and oh, look at this benighted town! A fairer spot by +nature the face of earth cannot boast; yet mark the sloth, the penury, +the degradation of its people, the misery that prevails. And why? +Because they languish under the iron rule of the papal see--iron, +because it admits of no modification. Entire supremacy over both body +and soul, or total annihilation of their power. May the time speedily +come when they shall spurn their oppressors, and trample their yoke +in the dust, as their transatlantic brethren will ultimately do. Oh, +Florry, does not your heart yearn toward benighted Italy? Italy, once +so beautiful and noble--once the acknowledged mistress of the world, +as she sat in royal magnificence enthroned on her seven hills; now a +miserable waste, divided between petty sovereigns, and a by-word for +guilt and degradation! The glorious image lies a ruin at our feet: for +the spirit that gave beauty and strength, and shed a halo of splendor +round its immortal name, has fled afar, perhaps forever; banished +by the perfidious system of Papacy--that sworn foe to liberty, +ecclesiastical or political. + +"How incomprehensible the apathy with which the English regard the +promulgation of Puseyism in their church! It is stealing silently but +swiftly to the very heart of their ecclesiastical institutions, +and total subversion will ultimately ensue. That Americans should +contemplate without apprehension the gradual increase of papal power +is not so astonishing, for this happy land has never groaned beneath +its iron sway. But that the descendants of Latimer and of Ridley, of +Hooper and of Cranmer, should tamely view the encroachments of this +monster hydra, is strange indeed. Do not imagine, Florry, that I doubt +the sincerity of all who belong to the Church of Rome. I know and +believe that there are many earnest and conscientious members--of this +there cannot be a doubt; yet it is equally true, that the most +devoted Papists are to be found among the most ignorant, bigoted, +and superstitious of men. The masses of your church are deceived with +pretended miracles and wondrous legends, such as the one currently +reported respecting the holy house of Loretto, which seems so +migratory, and flies hundreds of miles in a night. These marvelous +tales are credited by the uneducated; yet no enlightened man or woman +of the present age, who has fully investigated this subject, can say +with truth that they conscientiously believe the doctrines of the +Romish Church to be those taught by our Saviour, or its practises in +accordance with the general tenor of the Bible. This may seem a +broad assertion, yet none who calmly consider the subject in all its +bearings, and consult the page of history, will pronounce it a hasty +one." + +"Yet remember, Mary, that the sect in question is proverbial for +charitable institutions. One vital principle is preserved. Surely +this is a redeeming virtue. Catholics are untiring in schemes of +benevolence and philanthropy." + +"You will start, and perhaps condemn me, when I reply, that their +boasted charity is but the mask behind which they disseminate the +doctrines of the Romish Church. I may appear very uncharitable in +the expression of this opinion; yet hear me, Florry; facts are +incontrovertible. If you will think a moment, you cannot fail to +remember Patrick, the porter at our friend Mrs. D----'s. Having +received a dangerous wound in his foot, he was sent to the hospital, +where several of the nurses were Sisters of Charity. He remained +nearly a month, and on his return related to Mrs. D----, in my +presence, some of the circumstances of his long illness. His words +made a lasting impression on my mind: + +"'Indeed, and I am glad enough to come home, ma'am; for never was I +treated worse in my life. The first week Sister Agnes, who nursed +in my room, was kind and tender as could be, and thought I, if ever +angels come to earth, this good woman is one; but I can tell ye I did +not think so long: she read some saints' lives to us, and asked me if +I was a Catholic. I said no, I was no Catholic. Then she tried every +way to make me one, and told me if I refused I would surely die and go +to purgatory. Faith! the more she talked that way the more I wouldn't +be a Catholic; and then she just let me alone, and not another thing +would she do for me. I might call from then till now, and never a step +would she come, or nurse me a bit. It is no good care of hers that has +brought me back alive and well: I tell you, Sister Agnes won't do for +any but Catholics.' + +"Florry, is such charity akin to that taught by the Bible? Catholics +boast of their asylums; and by means of fairs and suppers, large +amounts are annually collected for the support of these numerous +institutions. I have been told by a directress of a Protestant orphan +asylum, that on one occasion a squalid woman, accompanied by two boys, +presented herself and entreated that her children might be received +into the asylum. The unhappy mother informed the directress that she +was a Roman Catholic, and had claimed the protection of her own sect; +but, said she, tearfully, 'Indeed I had no money to pay for their +entrance, and they refused to take my children.' + +"Such, Florry, is their boasted charity; and I might add, their lives +are little in accordance with the spirit inculcated by our Saviour, +who said, 'When ye do your alms, let not your left hand know what your +right hand doeth.' There are thousands who daily dispense charities +of various kinds; yet they do not term themselves Sisters of Charity; +neither promenade the streets in a garb so antiquated and peculiar +as to excite attention, or elicit encomiums on their marvelously holy +lives and charitable deeds. Do not suppose, Florry, because I speak +thus, that I doubt the sincerity of all who enroll themselves as +Sisters. I do believe that there are many pious and conscientious +women thus engaged; yet they are but tools of the priests, and by them +placed in these institutions for the purpose of making proselytes." + +A pause ensued, and Florence paced slowly along the bank. Somewhat +abruptly she replied: + +"Yet you will admit, Mary, that we owe much to the monks, by whose +efforts light and knowledge were preserved during the dark ages? But +for them every vestige of literature, every record of the past, would +inevitably have been lost." + +"Tell me, Florry, what caused the dark ages? Was it not the gradual +withdrawal of light and knowledge--the crushing, withering influence +exerted on the minds of men? And tell me if this influence was not +wielded by the priests of Rome--corrupted, fallen Rome? During the +dark period in question, papal power was at its height; the thunders +of the Vatican were echoed from the Adriatic to the Atlantic--from the +Mediterranean to the North Sea. An interdict of its profligate Pope +clothed cities, and kingdoms, and empires in mourning; the churches +were closed, the dead unburied, and no rite, save that of baptism, +performed. Ignorance and superstition reigned throughout the world; +and it is said, that in the ninth century scarce a person was to +be found in Rome itself who knew even the alphabet. Yet monasteries +crowned every eminence, and dotted the vales of southern Europe. The +power of the priesthood was supreme. Florry, I do admit that what +remained of light and learning was hid in the cell of the anchorite; +not disseminated, but effectually concealed. They forgot our Saviour's +injunction--'Let your light shine before men.' Oh! Florry, did not the +teachers of the dark ages put their light under a bushel? Dark ages +will ever follow the increase of papal power. It is part of their +system to keep the masses in ignorance. How truly it has been said +that Rome asked but one thing, and that Luther denied her--'A fulcrum +of ignorance on which to rest that lever by which she can balance the +world.' They dare not allow their people light and knowledge; and what +to others was indeed a dark age, is regarded by the priests of Rome as +a golden season. Can you point to a single papal country which is not +enveloped in the black cloud of superstition and crime? To Italy, and +Spain, and Portugal, the dark ages have not passed away; neither will +they, till liberty of conscience is allowed, and the Bible permitted +in the hands of the laity. Under papal rule, those unfortunate nations +will never rise from their degradation; for their masters and teachers +'love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil.' +It has often been said by those who fail properly to consider this +subject, that the Roman Catholic schools and colleges which abound in +the United States are far superior to similar Protestant institutions. +Why do not these very superior teachers disseminate knowledge at +home? Why do they not first enlighten the Spaniards ere they cross the +Atlantic to instruct American pupils? The ignorance of Neapolitans +is proverbial; yet Naples is the peculiarly favored city of Romanism. +Tell me why these learned professors do not teach their own people? +Florry, papal institutions in America are but branches of the +Propaganda. They but come to proselyte. I have heard it repeatedly +averred of a certain nunnery, 'that no efforts were made to affect the +religious views of the pupils.' Yet I know that such is not the case. +They are far too politic openly to attack the religion; yet +secretly it is undermined. I will tell you how, Florry, for you look +wonderingly at me. Prizes are awarded for diligence, and application; +and these prizes are books, setting forth in winning language the +doctrines of their church. I have seen one of these which was given +to M---- K----, and I also read it most carefully. It was titled +'Alethea; or, a Defense of Catholic Doctrines.' Yet most indignantly +they deny any attempts toward proselyting the pupils intrusted to +their care." + +"Who will deny the truth of your statements, Mary! Yet, if such are +the facts, how can the world be so utterly ignorant of, or indifferent +to them? Strange that they can thus regard a subject so fraught with +interest to every lover of liberty--to every patriot." + +"Florry, Papists are unacquainted with these things; for, begirt with +darkening, crushing influence, they are effectually secluded from even +a wandering ray of light on this subject. The avenue through which all +information is conveyed at the present day is barred to them. Books +are denied to the Catholic laity. You may ask how this is effected in +this enlightened and liberal age. The prelates of Rome, who long ago +resorted to ignorance as their bulwark, are ever on the alert. No +sooner is a new publication announced, than it is most carefully +perused by them; and if calculated to point out the fallacy of their +doctrines, or depict their abuse of power, a papal bull is forthwith +issued, prohibiting all Catholics from reading the heretical book. +The writings of the prince of novelists, Walter Scott, which are +universally read by other sects, are peremptorily refused to all +Papists. And why? Because many of his darts are aimed at their +profligate priesthood. Now if, as they tell their people, these are +but slanderous attacks on their religion, surely the shafts would fall +harmless on the armor of truth. Why then so strenuously oppose their +reading such works? Florry, the trite adage, 'Truth is the hardest of +all to bear,' is applicable to these prelates of papacy; who, knowing +their danger, are fully resolved to guard the avenues of light and +knowledge. The Pope of imperial Rome, surrounded as he is with luxury, +magnificence, and hosts of scarlet-liveried cardinals, who stand in +readiness to convey his mandates to the remotest corners of the earth, +has been made to tremble on his throne by the pen of feeble woman. The +truthful delineations of Charlotte Elizabeth startled his Holiness +of the Vatican, and the assistant conclave of learned cardinals are +trembling lest their laity of the Green Isle should catch a glimpse +of light. A bull was quickly fulminated against her heretical +productions. Alas! when, when will the Romish Church burst the iron +bands which begirt her? + +"The world at large--I mean the world as composed of Protestants, +latitudinarians, politicians, statesmen, and fashionable dunces, +are in a great measure acquainted with these facts; but knowing the +rapidly increasing power of papal Rome, and the vast influence already +wielded in this happy land by its priesthood, they prefer to float +along with the tide, rather than vigorously resist this blasting +system of ignorance, superstition, and crime which, stealthily +approaching from the east and from the west, will unite and crush the +liberties of our glorious Republic. As patriots, they are called on +to oppose strenuously its every encroachment--yet they dare not; for +should they venture to declaim against its errors, they endanger +their popularity and incur the risk of defeat at an ensuing election. +Florry, I was once conversing on this subject with a lady who had +recently visited Europe, and inquired of her if she had not marked the +evils and abuses which existed in the papal dominions through which +she traveled. She whisperingly replied--'Certainly, my dear, I could +not fail to mark the ignorance and degradation which prevailed, but +I never speak of it, because, you know, it makes one very unpopular,' +Here, Florry, you have the clew to the mystery. Americans quietly +contemplate this momentous subject, and silently view the abuses which +are creeping into our communities, because if they expose them, it is +at the hazard of becoming unpopular," + +"Mary, can I ever, ever forget that hour in the churchyard?" Florence +sadly said, as they rose and proceeded to the house. "Oh! it seems +branded on my brain; yet I must cast this new grief from me, for +enough of anguish was mine before. Still I feel that there is a path +just ahead, and it seems lighted up. But a slight barrier intervenes, +and when that is passed all will be well. Pray for me, Mary, that I +may be enabled to lead the life of a Christian, and at last die the +death of the righteous." + +Clasping tightly the hand which rested in her own, Mary replied: + +"While life remains, it shall indeed be my prayer that you may be +blessed on earth, and rewarded in heaven. Oh, Florry, I thank God that +the scales have fallen from your eyes, and that truth shines brightly +before you." She stopped suddenly, and pressed her hand to her side, +while the pale brow wrinkled with pain. + +"I have been talking too much, there is a suffocating sensation here." + +"It is only momentary, I hope." + +Mary shook her head, and smiled sadly: "I don't know, Florry; I have +felt strangely of late." + +That evening as the household were busily preparing for their intended +departure, Dr. Bryant abruptly entered, and informed them, with a +clouded brow, that removal was impossible, as he could not procure a +pair of horses for any price. + +"It is perfectly unaccountable what has possessed the Mexican from +whom I purchased as many as I thought necessary. We agreed as to +price, and they were to be sent this afternoon; but about two hours +ago, he came to me, and declared that he had changed his mind, and +would not part with them. I offered double the original amount, but he +said money was no inducement. I strove to borrow or hire for any +given time, but every proposal was peremptorily declined, and as it is +impossible to leave here, I came over to entreat you to remain with +my sister, at least for a few days, till we can determine what is +advisable to do." + +His proposal was accepted, and the ensuing day saw them inmates of +Mrs. Carlton's. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + "We're the sons of sires that baffled + Crowned and mitered tyranny: + They defied the field and scaffold + For their birth-rights--so will we!" + + CAMPBELL. + + +The issue of the engagement of the 8th October placed Goliad, with +valuable munitions, in the hands of the Texans. Many and joyous +acclamations rose from their camp, hope beamed on every face, and +sanguine expectations were entertained of a speedy termination of the +conflict. Slowly the little band proceeded toward Bexar, receiving +daily accessions from headquarters, and girding themselves for a +desperate struggle. General Cos, fully appreciating the importance +of the post he held, made active preparation for its defense, never +doubting, however, that the strong fortifications of the Alamo would +prove impregnable to assailants so feeble numerically. Under the +direction of the cautious Spaniard, the town already assumed a +beleaguered aspect, and in addition to the watchman stationed on the +observatory of the fortress, a sentinel paced to and fro on the flat +roof of the gray old church, having orders to give instant alarm in +case of danger by the ringing of the several bells. Silver-haired men, +bending beneath the weight of years, alone passed along the deserted +streets, and augured of the future in the now silent Plaza. The stores +were closed, and anxiously the few Americans awaited the result; +rising at dawn with the belief that ere twilight closed again their +suspense would be terminated. On the morning of the 28th the booming +of distant artillery was borne on the southern breeze. With throbbing +hearts the inhabitants gathered about their doors, and strained their +eyes toward the south. A large body of Mexicans, availing themselves +of the cover of night, sallied from the Alamo, hoping to cut off a +squad of ninety-two men, who, leaving the main body of the Texan army, +had advanced for the purpose of reconnoitering, and were posted at the +old Mission of Conception, some two miles below the town; and here +the contest was waged. The watchman on the church listened intently +as each report reached his ear, and kept his fingers firmly on +the bell-rope. An hour passed on, and the sun rode high in heaven; +gradually the thundering died away. Quicker grew the breathing, and +tighter the cold fingers clasped each other. The last sound ceased: a +deathlike silence reigned throughout the town, and many a cheek +grew colorless as marble. There came a confused sound of shouts--the +mingling of many voices--the distant tramp of cavalry; and then there +fell on the aching ears the deep, thrilling tones of the church bells. + +An intervening bend in the river was quickly passed, and a body of +Mexican cavalry dashed at full gallop across the plain, nor slackened +their pace till secure behind the somber walls of the Alamo. + +At intervals of every few moments, small squads pushed in, then a +running band of infantry, and lastly a solitary horseman, reeling in +his saddle, dripping with gore. Madly his wounded horse sprung on, +when just as the fort was gained, his luckless rider rolled senseless +at the entrance. One deep groan was echoed from church to fortress. +Victory, which had hovered doubtful o'er the bloody field, settled at +last on the banner of the "Lone Star." Against what fearful odds is +victory ofttimes won! The intrepid Texans, assaulted by forces which +trebled their own, fought as only Texans can. With unerring precision +they lifted their rifles, and artillerymen and officers rolled +together in the dust. The brave little band conquered, and the flying +Mexicans left them sole masters of the field of the "Horseshoe." On +the hill which rose just beyond the town stood, in bold relief against +the eastern sky, a tall square building, to which the sobriquet of +"Powder-House" was applied. Here, as a means of increased vigilance, +was placed a body of horse, for the purpose of watching the plain +which stretched along the river. Fearing every moment to see the +victorious Texans at the heels of their retreating infantry, they had +orders to dash in, at the first glimpse of the advance-guard of the +enemy. But night closed and none appeared, and, dreading the morning +light, many lay down to sleep at the close of that eventful day. +Several hours elapsed, and then the Texan forces, under General +Burleson, wound across the valley, and settled along the verge of the +town. The Alamo was beleaguered. + +Forced, as it were, to remain a witness of the horrors of the then +approaching conflict, the cousins strove to cast from them the gloomy +forebodings which crept into their hearts, darkening the present and +investing the future with phantoms of terror. Mrs. Carlton and Mary +were far more hopeful than the remainder of the little circle, +and kept up the semblance of cheerfulness, which ever flies at the +approach of danger. The girls saw but little of the gentlemen, for Mr. +Carlton was ever out in search of tidings from the camp, and Frank, +in opposition to his sister's tearful entreaties, had enlisted +immediately after General Burleson's arrival. His manner, during his +brief visits, was considerate and kind; yet Mary fancied at times +that he avoided her, though, marking her declining health, he had +prescribed some simple remedy, and never failed to inquire if she were +not improving. Still there was a certain something, indescribable, yet +fully felt, which made her shrink from meeting him, and as week after +week passed, her cheek grew paler, and her step more feeble. + +With an anxious heart, Mrs. Carlton watched her failing strength; but +to all inquiries and fears Mary replied that she did not suffer, save +from her cough, and for a time dispelled her apprehensions. + +One evening Mary stood leaning against the window, looking earnestly, +wistfully upon the beautiful tints which ever linger in the western +sky. She stretched her arms toward the dim outline, murmuring slowly: + +"Oh! that my life may fade away as gently as those tints, and that I +may at last rest on the bosom of my God." + +Darkness closed around--the soft hues melted into the deep blue of the +zenith as she stood communing with her own heart, and she started when +a shawl was wrapped about her, and the window closed. + +"As ministering physician, I cannot allow such neglect of injunctions. +How dare you expose yourself after my express direction to keep +close?" + +"I have kept very closely all day, and did not know that star-gazing +was interdicted." + +As she spoke, a violent fit of coughing succeeded; he watched her +anxiously. + +"Do you suffer any acute pain?" + +"Occasionally I do; but nothing troubles me so much as an unpleasant +fluttering about my heart, which I often have." + +"You must be very careful, or your cough will increase as winter comes +on." + +Mary repressed a sigh which struggled up from her heart, and inquired +if there was any news. + +"We cannot learn exactly what is transpiring within the Alamo, but +feel assured the crisis is at hand; some excitement has prevailed in +the garrison all day, and it is confidently expected in our camp that +the assault will soon be made." + +"Oh! may God help you in the coming strife, and adjudge victory to the +side of justice and liberty." + +"Apparently the chances are against us, Miss Irving; yet I regard the +future without apprehension, for the Texans are fearless, and General +Burleson in every respect worthy the confidence reposed in him. Allow +gloomy forebodings no room in your heart, but, like myself anticipate +a speedy termination of the war." + +"Yet your situation is perilous in the extreme; hourly you incur +danger, and each day may be your last. Oh! why will you hazard your +life, and cause your sister such bitter anguish?" Mary replied, with +quivering lips, while the tone faltered, despite her efforts to seem +calm. + +"At least, I could not die in a better cause; and, as the price of +independence, I would willingly yield up my life. Yet Ellen's tears +are difficult to bear; I bade her adieu a few moments since, and must +not meet her again till all is decided. So good-by, Miss Irving." + +He held her hand in his, pressing it warmly, then lifted the cold +fingers to his lips, and quietly turned away. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + "It rains--what lady loves a rainy day? + She loves a rainy day who sweeps the hearth, + And threads the busy needle, or applies + The scissors to the torn or threadbare sleeve; + And blesses God that she has friends and home." + + ANON. + + +"Mary, where is your cousin? I have not seen her since breakfast," +inquired Mrs. Carlton, as the two friends sat conversing in the +chamber of the latter. + +"She laid aside her book just now, declaring it was so dark she +could scarcely read. This gloomy day has infected her spirits; she is +probably in the dining-room. I will seek her." And rising, Mary left +the apartment. + +For two days the rain had fallen in torrents, and now on the third +morning, the heavens were still overcast, and at intervals of every +few moments the heavy clouds discharged themselves in copious showers. +The despondency induced by the unsettled times was enhanced by the +gloomy weather, and many an earnest wish was expressed that sunshine +would soon smile again upon the town. + +Weary with pacing up and down the dining-room, Florence had stationed +herself at the window, and stood with her cheek pressed against the +panes, gazing dreamily out upon the deluged streets. She was roused +from her reverie by Mary's entrance. + +"Florry, I have come in quest of you. Pray, how are you amusing +yourself here, all alone?" + +"Communing with my own thoughts, as usual. Here, Mary, stand beside +me. As you came in I was puzzling myself to discover how those +Mexican women across the street are employing themselves. They +seem distressed, yet every now and then chatter with most perfect +unconcern. There, they are both on their knees, with something like a +picture hanging on the fence before them. They dart in and out of the +house in a strange, excited manner. Perhaps you can enlighten me?" + +Mary looked earnestly in the direction indicated by her cousin, and at +length replied: + +"You will scarcely credit my explanation: yet I assure you I perfectly +understand the pantomime. Florry, look more particularly at the +picture suspended in the rain. What does it most resemble, think you?" + +"Ah, I see now--it is an image of the Virgin! But I should suppose +they considered it sacrilegious to expose it to the inclemencies of +the weather." + +"Look closely, Florry, there are praying to the Virgin, and imploring +a cessation of the rain. I once happened at Señor Gonzale's during a +thunder-storm, and, to my astonishment, the family immediately +hung out all the paintings of saints they possessed. I inquired the +meaning, and was told in answer, that the shower would soon pass over, +as they had petitioned the images to that effect. Those women have +repeated a certain number of aves, and withdrawn into the house, but +ere long you will see them return, and go through the same formula." + +"It is almost incredible that they should ascribe such miraculous +power to these little bits of painted canvas," replied Florence, +gazing curiously upon the picture which was suspended with the face +toward her. + +"No, not incredible, when you remember the quantity of relics annually +exported from Rome, such as 'chips of the Cross,' 'bones of the +Apostles,' and 'fragments of the Virgin's apparel,' which Papists +conscientiously believe are endowed with magical powers sufficient to +relieve various infirmities. I doubt not that those women confidently +expect a favorable response to their petition; and if such +intercession could avail, it was certainly never more needed. Absurd +as the practise appears to us, a doubt of the efficacy of their +prayers never crossed their minds. They are both devout and +conscientious." + +"But, Mary, such superstitious ignorance is entirely confined to the +degraded and uneducated classes. No really intelligent mind could rely +on yonder picture to dispel these clouds, and win a ray of sunshine. +I think you are too hasty in supposing that the enlightened portion +of the Catholic Church place such implicit confidence in images and +relics." + +"What do you term the enlightened portion of the church? Would not its +prelates be considered as belonging to that class?" + +"Most certainly they would, Mary: for doubtless many of the greatest +minds Europe has produced, were and are still to be found among the +Roman Catholic clergy. Yet you would not insinuate that these rely on +the efficacy of such mummery as that we have just witnessed?" replied +Florence, fixing her eyes inquiringly upon her cousin's face. + +"Allow me to ask one question ere I reply. Florry, do you believe the +days of miracles have passed away, or do you suppose that the laws of +nature are still constantly infringed, the harmony of cause and +effect destroyed, and wonderful phenomena still vouchsafed to favored +Europeans?" + +"Of course I do not advocate the theory that miracles occur at the +present day. It is too preposterous to advance in this enlightened +age. There are perhaps natural phenomena, only to be explained +by scientific research; yet in the common acceptation of the term +miracle, I unhesitatingly declared that I believe none have occurred +since the days of Christ and the Apostles." + +"Then, Florry, your position is untenable, for Romish prelates of the +present day do most unquestionably defend the theory of the annual +occurrence of miracles. Bishop ----, whose intellectual endowments are +the constant theme of encomiums, has recently visited Italy. On +his return to America, he brought with him a valuable collection of +relics, which he distributed among the members of his church. Florry, +I can vouch for the truth of what I now say. He declared himself +extremely fortunate in having happened at Naples during the +anniversary of the death of St. Janarius. Said he, 'I repaired to the +place of his martyrdom, and took into my own hand the vial containing +the blood of the blessed saint, now decomposed. As the hour rolled +around I watched the holy dust in breathless anxiety; at the appointed +moment I perceived a change in its appearance, and while I held the +vial in my hand the ashes liquefied and became veritable blood; while +the dark spots on a neighboring stone turned of a deep crimson.' Now +the bishop related this miracle far and wide and priests ministering +at the altar repeated his words to their listening flocks. Sanctioned +by the example of their prelates, do you wonder that the ignorant +masses of the Romish church should implicitly rely upon the +intercession of saints, and place unbounded confidence in the +miraculous powers imputed to relics? Again, the Manuals placed in +the hands of the laity, are compiled under the special supervision of +these ecclesiastical professors, who necessarily indorse all we see +there advanced. In the Ursuline Manual I find this assertion: 'The +Hail Mary was composed in Heaven, dictated by the Holy Ghost, and +delivered to the faithful by the Angel Gabriel!' Now, Florry, does +not this seem blasphemy, bordering on the absurd? What conscientious, +honest, enlightened Christian would unblushingly defend such a +declaration?" + +"But, Mary, admitting as you do, that you believe there exist +many truly conscientious members of this sect, why indulge your +apprehension at the promulgation of its tenets?" replied Florence. + +"I might answer you, Florry, in the words of Henry IV., who inquired +of a celebrated Protestant divine, 'if a man might be saved by the +Roman Catholic religion?' 'Undoubtedly,' replied the clergyman, 'if +his life and heart be holy.' 'Then,' said the king, 'according to both +Catholics and Protestants, I may be saved by the Catholic religion; +but if I embrace your religion, I shall not be saved according to the +Catholics.' Thus Henry most unquestionably adjudged Protestants the +more tolerant of the two sects. Here, Florry, you have the clew to +my anti-Romanism. I fear the extension of papal doctrines, because +liberty of conscience was never yet allowed where sufficient power was +vested in the Roman Catholic clergy to compel submission. To preserve +the balance of power in ecclesiastical affairs is the only aim of +Protestants. We but contend for the privilege of placing the Bible in +the hands of the masses--of flashing the glorious flambeau of truth +into the dark recesses of ignorance and superstition--into the abysmal +depths of papal iniquity. Unscrupulously employing every method +conducive to the grand end of disseminating Romish dogmas, the +fagot, the wheel, and all the secret horrors of the Inquisition, were +speedily brought to bear upon all who dared to assume the privilege of +worshiping God according to the dictates of an unfettered conscience. +If the bloody tragedies of the Middle Ages are no longer enacted upon +the theater of a more enlightened world, it is because the power so +awfully abused has been wrested from the scarlet-robed tenants of the +Vatican, The same fierce, intolerable tyranny is still exercised where +their jurisdiction is unquestioned. From the administration of the +pontifical states of Italy to the regulation of convent discipline, we +trace the workings of the same iron rule. No barriers are too mighty +to be overborne, no distinctions too delicate to to be thrust rudely +aside. Even the sweet sacredness of the home circle is not exempt from +the crushing, withering influence. Ah! how many fair young members of +the household band have been decoyed from the hearthstone and immured +in gloomy cells. Ah! how many a widowed parent has mourned over the +wreck of all that was beautiful in a cherished daughter, snatched by +the hand of bigotry from her warm embrace, and forever incarcerated +in monastic gloom. Oh! tell me, Florry, if compulsory service is +acceptable to all-seeing God? If the warm young heart, beating behind +many a convent grate, yearns to burst asunder the iron bands which +enthrall her, and, mingling again upon the stage of life to perform +the duties for which she was created, oh! where in holy writ is +sanction found for the tyrannical decree which binds her there +forever--a living sacrifice?" + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + + "'Tis the light that tells the dawning + Of the bright millennial day, + Heralding its blessed morning, + With its peace-restoring ray. + + * * * * * + + "Man no more shall seek dominion + Through a sea of human gore; + War shall spread its gloomy pinion + O'er the peaceful earth no more." + + BURLEIGH. + +It was a dark, tempestuous night in December, and the keen piercing +blasts whistled around the corners and swept moaningly across the +Plaza. Silence reigned over the town. No sound of life was heard--the +shout of laughter, the shriek of pain, or wail of grief was stilled. +The voices of many who had ofttimes hurried along the now silent and +deserted streets were hushed in death. The eventful day had dawned +and set, the records of its deeds borne on to God by the many that +had fallen. Oh! when shall the millennium come? When shall peace and +good-will reign throughout the world? When shall hatred, revenge, +and malice die? When shall the fierce, bitter strife of man with +fellow-man be ended? And oh! when shall desolating war forever cease, +and the bloody records of the past be viewed as monster distortions of +a maddened brain? These things shall be when the polity of the world +is changed. When statesmen cease their political, and prelates their +ecclesiastical intrigues; when monarch, and noble, and peasant, alike +cast selfishness and dissimulation far from them; when the Bible is +the text-book of the world, and the golden rule observed from pole to +pole. + +The 11th of December is marked with a white stone in the calendar of +the Texans. During the fortnight which elapsed from the engagement of +Conception, the Alamo had been closely invested by General Burleson, +and brief though bloody struggles almost daily occurred. The besiegers +numbered only eight hundred, while the fortress was garrisoned by +twenty-five hundred Mexican troops. Yet well-directed valor has ever +proved more than a match for numerical superiority. On the morning of +the 11th a desperate assault was made, a violent struggle ensued, +and ere long victory declared for the "Lone Star." With unutterable +chagrin General Cos was forced to dispatch a messenger bearing the +white banner of submission to the Texan commander, and night saw the +Alamo again in Texan hands, and General Cos and his disheartened band +prisoners of war. + +Dr. Bryant had received, during the engagement, a wound in the arm, +which he caused to be dressed, and, placing the injured member in a +sling, strove to soothe the dying and relieve the wounded. Early +he dispatched tidings of his safety to his anxious sister, and now +devoted himself to the suffering soldiery. Midnight found him beside +the couch of pain, and even as he bent to administer a sedative, a +hand was lightly laid on his shoulder. Looking up, Frank perceived the +muffled form of a female, though unable to determine who stood beside +him, for the face was entirely concealed by the mantilla. + +"Can I do anything for you, Señora?" + +"Dr. Bryant, will you leave your people here to see a dying +Mexican--one who fell fighting against you?" + +"Most assuredly, if I can render relief; but, Inez, you should not +have ventured here on such an errand; could no messenger be found? It +was imprudent in you to come at this hour." + +"No matter; I felt no fear of your people, and mine would not molest +me. But I have little time to wait. Mañuel is sorely wounded: we bore +him from the Alamo, and he lies at my father's. Can you do nothing for +him?" + +"I hope it is not too late to render assistance; we will go +immediately." And drawing his cloak over the wounded arm, he followed +her to Don Garcia's. Neither spoke till they reached the threshold; +then Frank said: + +"Inez, does Mañuel know you came for me?" + +"Yes; he objected at first, but as the pain grew more acute, he begged +us to do something for him. I told him there was none to help save +you. He frowned a little, but nodded his head, and then I lost no +time." + +They entered the apartment of the sufferer, and Inez started at the +change which had taken place during her temporary absence. Mañuel +feebly turned his head as the door opened, and his eyes brightened +as they rested on Inez. He motioned her to sit beside him, and she +complied, lifting his head and carefully leaning it upon her bosom. +Dr. Bryant examined the wound, felt the pulse, and stooping over him, +asked: + +"Nevarro, do you suffer much?" + +Mañuel laid his hand on the bleeding side, and feebly inclined his +head. + +"Inez, I can only use one hand, will you assist me in binding this +wound?" + +She attempted to rise, but Nevarro clutched her hand and gasped--"Too +late--too late!" + +Resolved to do something, if possible, for his relief, Frank beckoned +to the Don, who stood near, and with some difficulty they succeeded +in passing a bandage round the mouth of the wound. The groans of the +dying man caused even the cheek of the fearless Inez to blanch. She +who scorned danger, and knew not fear, could not witness with out +a pang the sufferings of another. She moaned in very sympathy, and +stroked gently back the straight raven hair, now clotted with blood. +The exertion necessarily made proved fatal; the breathing grew short +and painful, the pulse slow and feeble. Appealing was the look which +the wounded one bent on Inez: he strove to utter his wishes, but, +alas, it was indeed too late. The blood gushed anew from his side, +crimsoning bandage and couch, and dyeing Inez's dress. Dr. Bryant took +one of the cold hands and pressed it kindly. Mañuel opened his eyes, +and looked gratefully on one who had at least endeavored to relieve +him. Convulsively the fingers closed over his physician's hand; again +he turned his face to Inez, and with a groan expired. + +Frank took the lifeless form from her arms, and laying it gently back +upon the pillow, closed the eyes forever, and covered the face. + +No words, save "Holy Mary!" escaped the Don's lips, as he quitted the +room of death. + +Inez's lips Quivered, and the convulsive twitching of her features +plainly indicated her grief at this mournful parting with the playmate +of her youth--with her affianced husband. Yet the large dark eyes were +undimmed: and her tone calm, as though the "King of Terrors" were not +there in all his gloom. + +"Inez, I sympathize with you in this affliction, and sincerely regret +that the fatal wound was inflicted by one of my nation. Yet the past +is irretrievable, though painful, and many are, like you, bereft of +friends and relatives. Inez, in your hours of gloom and sadness can +you not think of your reunion with Mañuel, where death and parting are +unknown!" + +She had averted her head, and a look of unutterable bitterness rested +on the pale, stern face. + +"I thank you for coming; though you could not give Mañuel relief. It +was good and kind in you to try, and none but Frank Bryant would have +done it: again I thank you. I shall not forget this night, and you, +Señor, shall be requited. I trust you are not suffering with your arm; +why is it bound up?" And she laid her hand softly on it. + +"I received a slight though rather painful wound during the +engagement, and placed it in a sling for convenience and relief; but, +Inez, it is well-nigh day, see how the stars are waning. You +need rest, so good night, or rather morning; I will see you again +to-morrow." And Frank sought his sister, knowing full well her +anxiety, and wishing speedily to allay it. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + "Where is the place of meeting? + At what hour rises the moon? + I repair to what? to hold a council in the dark + With common ruffians leagued to ruin states!" + + BYRON. + + +The fierce storm of war had swept over the town, and quiet seemed +succeeding. No sound of strife disturbed the stillness which settled +around. Many had fallen, and the grass began to bud on the grave of +Mañuel; no tear moistened the sod beneath which he rested. Inez often +stood beside the newly-raised mound with folded arms, and a desolate, +weary look on her beautiful features, which too plainly indicated +a longing to sleep near him. Yet she never wept; for her love for +Nevarro had been that of a cousin, perhaps not so fervent. Still, +now that his steps no longer echoed at their door, and his deep voice +sounded not again on her ear, a lonely feeling stole into her heart, +and often she crept from her dreary home and sought the churchyard. + +Christmas had come and gone; a joyless season to many saddened hearts +accustomed to hail it with delight. The cousins had returned to +their home, and were busily arranging their yard, and making some +alterations for the New Year. Florence had begun of late to grow +cheerful again, and Mary watched, with silent joy, the delicate +tinge come back to her marble cheek. She seemed very calm, and almost +hopeful; and the spirit of peace descended and rested on their hearth. +Only one cause of sorrow remained--Mary's declining health: yet she +faded so gently, and almost painlessly, that their fears were ofttimes +lulled. + +Dr. Bryant was still engaged in nursing the wounded, and only came +occasionally, regretting often that it was not in his power to see +them more frequently. A change had come over him of late; the buoyancy +of his spirits seemed broken, and his gay tone of raillery was hushed; +the bright, happy look of former days was gone, and a tinge of sadness +was sometimes perceptible on his handsome face. Mrs. Carlton had +spoken on her last visit of Frank's departure. She said she hoped +he would return soon, as his business required attention at home. He +would not leave, however, as long as his services were in requisition. + +One Sabbath morning Inez attended mass--something unusual for her of +late, for since Nevarro's death she had secluded herself as much +as possible. She knelt in her accustomed place, with covered head, +seemingly rapt in devotion, but the eyes rested with an abstracted +expression on the wall beside her: her thoughts were evidently +wandering from her rosary, and now and then the black brows met as her +forehead wrinkled; still the fingers slid with mechanical precision up +and down the string of beads. The services were brief and the few who +had assembled quietly departed. As Inez rose to go, the Padre, who was +hastening down the aisle, was stopped by a Mexican in the garb of a +trader. They stood quite near, and the hoarse whisper of the latter +fell on her listening ear. + +"Meet me at the far end of the Alameda, when the moon rises to-night." + +"I will be there before you: is there any good news?" + +A finger was laid on the lip, and a significant nod and wink were not +lost upon the maiden, who, bowing low before the Padre, walked slowly +away. The day wore on, much as Sabbaths ordinarily do, yet to her it +seemed as though darkness would never fall again, and many times she +looked out on the shadows cast by the neighboring houses athwart +the street. Twilight closed at last, and having placed her father's +evening meal before him, she cautiously gazed down the narrow alley, +and perceiving no one stirring, sallied forth. The stars gave a faint +light, and she hurried on toward the bridge: swift was her step, +yet noiseless, and she glided on like a being from another world, +so stealthy were her movements. The bridge was gained at length and +almost passed, when she descried in the surrounding gloom a dark +figure approaching from the opposite direction. Closer she drew the +mantle about her form, and slackened her rapid pace. They met, and the +stranger paused and bent eagerly forward: + +"Who goes there?" + +The voice was well known. Inez's heart gave a quick bound, and she +answered: + +"Inez de Garcia!" + +"Why, where are you roaming to this dark night, Inez? Are you not +afraid to venture out alone and so far from home?" + +"No, Doctor, I have no fears; I was never a coward you know; and +besides, who would harm me, an unoffending woman? Surely your people +will not molest me?" + +"No, certainly not. But, Inez, I hope you are not bending your steps +toward the Alamo?" + +"I am a friend to the Americans, though they have taken the last of my +family there was to give. Yet I will be true to Mary and to you. Fear +nothing for me, and let me pass on my errand." + +He stood aside. "Bueño noche, Señorita." + +"Bueño noche;" and she glided on. "I fear I have lost time;" and +hastily glancing toward the east, she saw a faint light stealing up +from the horizon. Redoubling her speed she pushed on, but, despite her +efforts, the moon rose with uncommon brilliance as she approached the +place of rendezvous, and soon every object was bathed in a flood of +light. + +The Alameda, which she had just entered, was a long double row of +majestic cotton-woods, which, stretching out in the direction of the +Powder-House, was the favorite promenade with the inhabitants of the +town. Previous to the breaking out of the war numbers were to be seen +here every afternoon, some walking, others playing games, another +group dancing, and the graver portion of the company resting on the +rude seats supplied for the purpose. But their favorite resort was +blood-stained, for the Alameda was the battle-field in the late +desperate conflict, and the smooth surface was torn and trampled by +the stamp of prancing cavalry. Dark spots were still visible, that +were yet damp with gore. Just to the west rose the grim walls of the +fort, distinctly seen through the opening between the trees. Beyond +where the avenue ceased, stood a low, irregular building of stone, +thatched with tule. + +Inez stood at the threshold and listened intently. The place bore a +desolate air, and neither sound nor light betokened the presence of +a human being. It had long been uninhabited, and some declared it was +haunted, so that the Padre had some time before sprinkled holy water +profusely about, in order to drive away the evil one. + +Cautiously Inez tried the fastening; it swerved not beneath her firm, +strong grasp. She shook it slightly: a hollow echo answered back. +Entrance was impossible; and even as she lingered irresolute, the +sound of approaching steps was borne to her listening ears by the +night wind. What should she do? Without a moment's hesitation she +glided swiftly to a cluster of chapperal, and crouched low among its +thorny branches. Inez had scarcely secreted herself, when the figure +of a man, directing his steps to the house she had just left, warned +her to keep quiet. He stood still a moment, then knocked. Drearily the +knock resounded through the empty building. Again was the signal for +admission given, but no response greeted the anxious tympanums. + +"Why in the name of twenty devils don't you open the door?" and he +shook it violently: still no answer. + +"I swear I'll batter it down, and stretch you on it to boot, if you +don't let me in. Why do you keep me waiting? I am too late already." + +"Nay, nay; restrain your impatience," said a voice behind him. + +"By the saints, you are come in good time, Padre. I had well-nigh made +a soldier's entrance." + +"No need of violence, Señor. Why could not you wait in Christian +patience?" + +"Look here, my good friend. I came not all the way from Mexico to +listen to a lecture; and you will do well to save your canting for a +better time and a worse man. So, Mazzolin, just open the door of this +cursed den." + +Roused by the bold language of the stranger, the Padre, though anxious +to learn his errand, was still true to his policy, and could in no +measure compromise the dignity of his person. + +"There is no obligation resting on me to do so against my will, and no +man shall bully or threaten me, a priest of our holy church." He had +partially opened the door, but closed it again. + +Enraged beyond degree, the soldier grasped what little collar was +afforded by the habit he wore. + +"You infernal, canting hypocrite! I swear by Cortes I'll kick you to +a jelly--I'll bastinade you till you won't know the Virgin from the +Devil, if you don't instantly let me in, and keep your lying tongue in +your Jesuit head. Think you to gull me with your holy talk? I know you +all: you are a blessed, holy brotherhood, truly. Have I not seen +your letters to Mexico, you canting scoundrel?" He shook the Padre +violently as he delivered this benediction. + +Now Father Mazzolin, like many of his sex, was fond of supporting his +dignity, and reverence for his sacred person was especially inculcated +by his teachings. Yet when firmly met his threats melted away, and, to +all appearances, his choler too, for he knew full well when to succumb +and when to oppose belligerent demonstrations. The expression of rage +that darkened the face of the soldier, left no doubt that he would +execute his threat if further opposed. And Father Mazzolin, fully +satisfied that the organ of reverence was altogether omitted in his +cranium, thought it best to comply. + +"Ha! you can understand Irish logic as well as the next brave one." +And he entered, followed by the Padre, who ground his teeth with +mortification. + +An hour later they stood again on the threshold in earnest converse, +not perceiving the dark form which fled, on the reopening of the door, +to the old hiding-place. They turned to go in different directions; +the stranger stopped, and calling to the Padre, desired him to keep +well the secret, and in no way divulge a breath of their conference. + +"It could not be in safer hands," was answered back, and they parted. + +A low, bitter laugh escaped Inez's lips as, waiting till it was safe +to venture forth, she rose from the chapperal and hastened homeward. + +"Padre, cunning though you are, we are well mated; there are few like +unto you and me." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + + "I simply tell thee peril is at hand, + And would preserve thee!" + + BYRON. + +Two days later the cousins sat in their front room, Florence intently +reading, Mary watching beside the couch of pain, bathing her aunt's +brow, and chafing the hands. Aunt Lizzy was suffering from violent +nervous headache: all day she had tossed restlessly about, and now, +soothed by the gentle touches on her brow, had fallen asleep. Her +fingers had tightly clasped Mary's small, thin hands, but gradually +relaxing their hold, sunk beside her. Softly smoothing back the +disordered hair, the young nurse failed to perceive the entrance of +Dr. Bryant, and only looked up when a beautiful bouquet of flowers +was laid upon her lap. The feverish glow deepened on her cheek as she +warmly thanked him. + +"I am glad you like them, Miss Irving." + +"How could I do otherwise?" + +"My bunch is equally beautiful," cried Florence, holding it up for +inspection. "Pray, Doctor, how came you so thoroughly acquainted with +our different tastes? You have selected admirably." + +"I am gratified at succeeding so happily in my arrangement of them. +But I hope your aunt is not seriously indisposed?" + +"No, merely a bad nervous attack, to which she is subject." + +"Miss Mary, as you are free from apprehension on her account, can you +take a short ride this evening? I have a gentle horse at the gate, and +if you will trust yourself with me, I think a good canter will benefit +you exceedingly: will you go?" + +Mary sought Florence's eye; it brightened with pleasure. + +"Certainly, Mary; why do you hesitate? I am very glad Dr. Bryant +suggested it; I will take good care of aunt, and the ride will +doubtless benefit you." + +"You are very kind, Doctor; I will only detain you while I change my +dress." And she withdrew. + +"Don't you think she looks much better to-day?" asked Florence, +anxiously, as her cousin left the room. + +"She has certainly more color, but I am afraid it is only a feverish +glow. Let me entreat you, Miss Hamilton, to watch over her with the +greatest care: the slightest exposure might cause a return of that +terrible cough, and in her feeble state I fear for the consequences." + +"She has grown very, very thin, within the last month; but then, when +warm weather comes again, I doubt not she will grow rosy and strong +once more." They both sighed heavily, as though against conviction +each had striven to cheer the other. + +Mary re-entered the room equipped for her ride, and now, for the first +time, Florence thought her cousin beautiful. Beneath her straw hat +floated back from her fair face a luxuriant mass of brown curls; a +bright blush mantled the delicate cheek, and the gentle blue eyes +seemed unusually large and brilliant. A smile dimpled round her lip as +she met the fond glance bent upon her. Florence tenderly clasped her +hand a moment, then kissed her warmly, and bade Dr. Bryant take all +care of her. He promised to do so, and soon they had passed beyond her +sight. They rode slowly, lest Mary should be too much fatigued; and +often the eyes of her companion rested on the frail but lovely being +by his side. + +"Which way shall we ride?" + +"If you have no preference, suppose we go to San Pedro?" + +"You could not have selected more in accordance with my own wishes." + +A long silence ensued, broken only by the clatter of their horses' +hoofs along the gravel path. + +"The prospect of leaving forever these beautiful environs, which I +have so often admired, fills me with inexpressible regret. My heart +clings to San Antonio, though my residence here has been very brief;" +said Dr. Bryant sadly. + +"Do you go to return no more?" asked Mary, with averted head. + +"Yes, most probably I shall never see this place again; for I wish to +visit Europe so soon as my business affairs are arranged at home, and +on my return, shall devote myself to my profession." He fixed his eyes +earnestly on her face as he spoke. + +Slowly the head drooped, till the hat concealed her features. + +"We shall miss you very much when you are gone. Florry and I feel +deeply grateful for your continued kindness, and never--no, never +shall we forget your care of my uncle." + +"Take care--take care; you are dropping your reins." + +He gathered them up and replaced them in her hand. + +"Thank you; I had quite forgotten them." + +"Do you not think it would be best for you and Florence to return to +your friends in Louisiana? This is an unpleasant home for you." + +"It was my uncle's wish that we should remain here, and I know Florry +would not consent to leave, unless some danger threatened. We have +learned to love San Antonio more dearly than any other place, except +our old home;" replied Mary, earnestly. + +"By the bye, I had almost forgotten to mention that I have had a +letter from an old friend, who inquired very particularly after +you--Dudley Stewart; you knew him, I think, in New Orleans. His letter +is dated six months ago; but I am happy to receive it at all during +these unsettled times." + +"We heard of his marriage," said Mary, in a low tone, as the image of +Florence rose before her. + +"His marriage! Oh, no! you must be mistaken. He would most certainly +have mentioned it, for we are old and intimate friends." + +"It was reported that he had married his cousin." + +"Ah! is that all? I am not much surprised that you should have heard +that, for before I left home it was quite current. His widowed mother +was very anxious to make the match; but Stewart assured me he would +never comply with her wishes, as he had fully resolved never to wed a +woman he did not tenderly love; and though quite pretty, Ellen is not +sufficiently intellectual to attract such a man." + +"Are you quite sure of this, Dr. Bryant?" said Mary, in a quick, eager +tone. + +"Certainly; I had it from his own lips." + +"Oh! I"--She stopped short, and her cheek crimsoned, as she met the +piercing glance of his dark eye bent upon her face. Her small hands +trembled so that the reins quivered, and she closed her eyes for a +moment, while the glow fled from her cheeks, leaving them pale as +marble. + +He caught her hand, and steadied her in her saddle. + +"Forgive my inattention, Miss Irving, you are not strong enough to +extend your ride. Your face is very pale, and you look fatigued." + +"Yes, let us go home--home." Her voice was low and faltering, and she +with difficulty restrained the tears which sprung to her eyes. + +They turned their horses' heads, and neither attempted to remove the +restraint which both experienced. They entered the town, and then +seeing her hand glide quickly to her side, he gently said: + +"I am afraid we are riding too fast for you." + +Her lips writhed for a moment with acute pain; but with a faint smile, +which touched him with its sadness, she replied: + +"I am better now--the pain has almost left me, I am very sorry to +trouble you so much, Dr. Bryant," + +"Trouble!" he murmured, as if communing with his own heart. "I see +you do not know me, nor ever will; for none have truly read my soul or +sympathized." A look of bitterness passed over his face, and a sterner +expression rested there than Mary had ever marked before. She knew not +what to reply, for she could not comprehend the change, and even as +she pondered, he pointed to the western sky, and, much in his usual +tone, asked: + +"Don't you think the sunsets here exceed any you ever beheld +elsewhere?" + +"In brilliancy they certainly do. Yet I love still better the soft +tints which often linger till the stars come out. I think they blend +and harmonize more beautifully with the deep blue of the zenith than +any I have seen before, and I have watched sunsets from my childhood." + +"You are right; I have noticed in more northern latitudes a very +perceptible difference in the appearance of the firmament. The moon, +for instance, on cold, clear nights, presents a silvery, glittering +disk, but the soft mellow light of a southern clime is wanting." + +While he spoke, the figure of a woman emerged from a house near by, +and, softly approaching Mary's horse, laid her finger on her lips, +and, pressing a piece of paper into her hand, returned as silently +as she came. Dr. Bryant turned his head toward Mary as he finished +speaking, and, catching a glimpse of the retreating form, looked +inquiringly at her. + +"I believe it was Inez, though the face was entirely concealed. She +did not speak, but gave me this paper," and Mary unrolled the note: + + "MARINITA, + + "Santa Anna has crossed the Rio Grande with eight thousand + men. I warn you of your danger. You can get horses now, for + the Padre cannot control your people. There are brave men in + the Alamo, tell them of their danger. Again I say, fly quickly + from San Antonio. + + "INEZ." + +With a groan, Mary handed him the paper. In silence he perused and +returned it to her. + +"Tell me, was it Inez who warned you before?" + +"Yes, she told me we incurred unknown dangers by remaining here." He +mused for several moments. + +"Ah! I can understand it all now. Several nights ago, returning +from the Alamo, I met her on the bridge alone; she seemed excited, I +thought, and impatient at meeting me, for I questioned her rambling so +late." + +"Inez is a warm friend, and what she advises I feel almost bound +to do, for she is not timid, and only real danger rouses her +apprehension." + +"Eight thousand men! and not two hundred to man the Alamo. Inez is +right; this is not a proper place for you. We will go, as we once +decided, to Washington; and when you are in safety, I will return and +lend my efforts to the feeble garrison." + +They reached the gate, and he gently lifted the frail form from the +saddle; and, drawing her arm through his, led her to the house. As +they entered, he bent his head and said, in, a low tone: + +"Tell me candidly, are you able to undergo the fatigue incident to +this journey? I fear you are not." + +"Yes, I shall perhaps grow stronger; at any rate, if you do not change +your mind, let no fears for me influence you." + +When leaving, he said it was probable that all would be in readiness +for their departure within a couple of days, as he wished to see them +secure, and then return. + +"Mrs. Carlton will accompany us when she learns this terrible news?" +said Mary, inquiringly. + +"Oh yes; I cannot consent for her to remain, and besides Mr. Carlton +has been anxious for some time regarding his family." + +Florence, having read the note, fully approved their promptly +removing, and all necessary preparations were made for immediate +departure. + +Mary longed inexpressibly to impart to her cousin what she had learned +respecting Mr. Stewart, but shrank instinctively from reviving hopes +which might never be realized--hopes which Florence had long since +crushed and cast out of her heart as dead. With an earnest prayer +that her cousin might yet be blessed and happy, Mary determined not +to broach the subject at least for a time. Dr, Bryant without delay +apprised the garrison of the rumor which had reached him, and a +courier was immediately despatched to headquarters for reinforcements +sufficient to defend this important fortress--this key of the +state--from the powerful force now advancing to assault it. Horses +were supplied with alacrity, for he had made many and warm friends, +and two large tents, together with a baggage-wagon, were readily +granted to one who so nobly contributed to the relief of the sick, +wounded, and dying. + +At length every arrangement was completed, and the next morning +appointed for their departure. Aunt Lizzy had objected at first, +but speedily became reconciled when Dr. Bryant painted, in a graphic +manner, the horrors which were about to ensue. + +As the shades of evening came gently on, the girls set out for Mrs. +Carlton's, as from her dwelling they commenced their journey. Aunt +Lizzy remained to give some final direction, and then came a sorrowful +parting with their servants, one of whom took Mary in her arms and +bade God bless her, while the tears rolled over her wrinkled face. +Mary could not repress her own, and she sobbed convulsively. Dr. +Bryant, who had come over for them, laid his hand on the shoulder of +the true-hearted negress, and said: + +"Why, Aunt Fanny, you must not excite Miss Irving; she is not strong, +you know, and has a long ride before her to-morrow." + +"Oh yes, Doctor, it will do well enough for you to tell me not to cry, +but I can't help it, for I love her as if she was my own child, and if +I thought to see her again I should not grieve so much; but I saw her +mother before her, and I know how she grew pale and thin, and then +took to the sofa, and never rose up till she was carried to her grave; +and can't I see that blessed child going just like her? Oh I it's no +use talking to me; she ain't long for this world, and it's hard--yes, +it's hard for her to die away from old Fanny!" and she covered her +face with her apron, and sobbed aloud. + +Mary wiped her own tears quickly away, and taking the hand of her +old friend, led her back to the kitchen. For several moments her +companions waited anxiously for her; and soon she advanced slowly to +meet them. Frank drew her arm through his, and sadly they walked away. +Passing the gate, Mary paused and looked out on the river, where she +had so often sat at this hour; and sad though sweet associations, +infinite in number, crowded upon her mind. + +How calm and beautiful all nature seemed, as though arrayed in its +loveliest garb to chain her affection, that, in after years, the +memory of that western home might steal gently up amidst surrounding +gloom, to charm away the anguish of some bitter hour, and soothe the +saddened spirit. Her heart was inexpressibly touched, and she averted +her head to conceal the expression of keen sorrow which rested on her +face. + +"This view of the San Antonio has often struck me as particularly +fine," said Dr. Bryant, turning to Florence, whose pale cheek alone +attested regret at leaving her home. + +"Yes, I know none superior; and our favorite ramble was along this +bank, and down the river side." + +"Its windings are multitudinous, yet how graceful every curve: and +then, the deep blue of its waters adds not a little to the beauty of +the whole. But we have not leisure to admire it now, for your cousin +must not be chilled, and the wind blows freshly from the north." + +He stepped on as he spoke, but feeling the small hands clasped over +his arm, looked earnestly down into the pale face at his side. Mary +was bending a last, long look on house and tree and river; as they +walked on, the different objects passed beyond her view, and then a +faint moan escaped her lips. She met the anxious gaze of her friend, +and replied to its silent questioning: + +"Forgive what doubtless seems a great weakness. You and Florry can +not sympathize with me now. You will both return ere long, but my eyes +have rested for the last time on each loved object. I have dreaded +this parting from the home that has grown so dear to me--but the pang +is over." + +Her deep blue eyes rested on his face, and touchingly sad was the +expression, as she swept back the clustering hair from her brow. +The lips quivered, as of late they often did when she was excited. +Florence did not hear her words, for she had crossed the street; but +Frank's heart throbbed violently as he listened to her low, sad tone. +Laying his hand on hers, that were tightly clasped, he pressed them +gently, and said, in a slightly faltering voice: + +"For Florence's sake--for mine--for your own, do not give way to such +gloomy forebodings! Your depressed spirits will act injuriously on +your health. Let me beg you to place no confidence in Aunt Fanny's +words at parting; she was herself scarce conscious of their import." + +"I have no gloomy forebodings, no apprehension of the future, and +generally no depressed spirits; but I know full well that my life is +gradually wasting away, slowly, gently, and almost without pain, I +am sinking to an early tomb. Yet I would not have it otherwise if I +could. Death has long lost all terrors for me; I have no fear--all is +peace and quiet. I am paining you. Forgive me, Dr. Bryant; but knowing +that you and Florry were anxious about me, I thought it best to tell +you that I am fully aware of my danger, if so I can term what I would +not avert." + +A shudder crept over the strong man as he looked down at the calm, +colorless face of her who spoke so quietly of death, and of quitting +forever the scenes she loved so truly. + +"I cannot--will not believe you are so ill. You will grow stronger +when we leave this place, and a year hence, when quite well again, you +will beg pardon for the pain you have given me." + +A faint smile played round the thin lips, and in silence they +proceeded to Mrs. Carlton's. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + + "Who's here besides foul weather?" + + SHAKESPEARE. + + +Far away stretched the prairie, bounded, ocean-like, only by the +horizon; the monotony occasionally relieved by clumps of aged live +oaks, which tossed their branches to and fro in summer breezes and +in wintry blasts, and lent a mournful cadence to the howlings of the +tempest. Now and then a herd of deer, lifting proudly their antlered +heads, seemed to scorn danger from the hand of man, as they roamed +so freely over the wide, desolate waste which possessed no visible +limits. And groups of cattle, starting at the slightest sound, tossed +their horns in defiance, and browsed along the mosquit, in many places +so luxuriant as well-nigh to conceal their forms. The day had been +unusually warm for January, and the sun beamed down with a sickening +intensity which made the blood tingle in the veins. Toward noon the +sky assumed a dull, leaden cast, and light flakes of cloud, like +harbingers of evil, scudded ominously overhead. The sun passed the +zenith, and a low sighing breeze swept moaningly across the wide +waste, even as the wail of lost spirits floats out on the midnight +air, and then is hushed forever. + +The cattle that stood leisurely cropping about, and now and then +moving a few paces, lifted their heads, snuffed the air, and, with +a simultaneous lowing, started at full speed to the timbered tracts, +where they were wont to resort for shelter from the winds of winter. +On, on they rushed, till in the distance one might fancy them a +quantity of beetles, or other insects, dotting the surface before +them. Soon not a vestige remained of the flying herd, and happy it was +for them they made good their retreat, and gained a place of refuge +ere the "norther" burst in all its keenness on the unprotected plain. +Wildly the piercing blasts whistled through the trees, and rushed +furiously on, unimpeded by the forests, which in more eastern lands +present a formidable barrier to the progress. The rain began to fall +heavily, when a small cavalcade sought the protection of a clump of +oaks, by placing the leafy boughs between themselves and the beating, +driving torrents. The party consisted of several ladies and gentlemen, +two children, and as many servants; the latter in a wagon, the +remainder on horseback. With all possible speed the gentlemen +dismounted, and, tightly buttoning their great-coats about them, +proceeded to stretch two tents, by means of poles and pins, carried in +the wagon. + +Night closed in, and finding a sheltered spot beneath the trees, +a large fire was kindled, which threw its ruddy light into the +surrounding tents, and illumined the entire grove. The horses were +picketed out, almost within reach from the tents, and the wagon +containing their stores drawn so near as, in some degree, to shelter +them. The servants prepared the evening meal--simple, it is true, yet +enjoyed far more than a sumptuous repast of Indian delicacies, and +untold ragouts, eaten without the sauce of hunger produced by their +long ride. More than a week had elapsed since leaving San Antonio, +and Mary had borne better than they dared to hope the fatigue of the +journey. + +To-night, however, she lay exhausted on her pallet, the thin cheek +bright with fever: gently she declined all that was proffered, and her +hollow cough chased the smile from the lips of her friends. Dr. Bryant +knelt beside her, and taking one hot hand in his own, asked, in a low +anxious voice, if she suffered. + +Turning away her face, she said--"Oh no, not much. There is, however, +such a painful throbbing about my heart I can scarcely breathe. And I +not feverish?" she continued. + +"Yes;" and he placed his fingers on the pulse, beating violently. "I +am afraid you have taken severe cold--the day has been so inclement." +And, with a somewhat unsteady hand, he administered a potion. + +"Don't feel uneasy about me, Doctor, I shall be better when I sleep." +And she turned away, and wearily closed her eyes. + +When the camp-fire burned low, and all slumbered save Mary, who could +not calm her feverish excitement, and lay wide awake, she fancied +she heard steps around the tent. All was silent; then again came +the sound; and raising herself, she thought she perceived some one +standing near the entrance. The figure disappeared, and then followed +a rumbling, stamping, kicking, as though the horses were verily +bewitched. "The Indians!" thought Mary; and quickly rising, she threw +a black mantle round her, and creeping to the door of the tent, +peeped cautiously out. The horses still seemed restless, stamping and +snorting, and she thought she could softly reach the adjoining tent +and rouse the gentlemen, knowing that their arms were in readiness. +She had just stepped out of her own tent, and stood out of doors, when +she caught a glimpse of a dark, muffled figure walking toward her. +The rain had ceased, but it was very dark, and only by the aid of the +firelight, now grown dim, she perceived it. A cold shudder crept over +her, as, raising her eyes to the blackened sky but an instant, she +sprung forward toward the place where she fancied the gentlemen were +sleeping. A hand was laid on her arm, and a deep voice sounded in her +ear: + +"Be not alarmed, Miss Mary, I am here!" + +She trembled so that she could scarcely stand. He supported her a +moment, ere she replied in a whisper-- + +"What causes the disturbance to-night?" + +"I feel assured there are Indians about, though you need fear nothing, +for they are not in sufficient numbers to attack us. There are four +men in our party--nearly a dozen muskets, besides my pistols, and +plenty of ammunition. Were you one of the timid sort, I should not +venture to tell you my apprehensions: but I know that you are not. I +have not slept, or even lain down; and a while ago, I heard the sound +of hoofs approaching. Taking my pistols, I went round to the horses, +and had not waited many moments before I saw two figures, evidently +reconnoitering and planning the abduction of our horses, who seemed +much alarmed. I suppose the intruders must have seen me, for they +suddenly wheeled off and galloped away." + +"Perhaps there is a party not far distant, for whose assistance they +have gone." + +"Possibly, though I think not; but you must not stand on this wet +ground." He led her to the tent, and seating himself near the door, +continued: + +"I shall not sleep to-night, and rest assured you will be most +carefully guarded. You were imprudent to venture out on such a night." + +"What! when I thought there was danger, and none, save myself, aware +of it?" + +"Did you think I could rest, knowing, as I do, how you are suffering?" + +"I never imagined you were up, or watching, for I heard no sound near +me." + +"Well, no matter; sleep, if you can, and dream of peace, and quiet, +and perfect happiness." He sighed heavily as he spoke, and rising, +renewed the fire. + +Mary lay watching him as he paced to and fro in front of the burning +logs--his arms folded across his chest, and his cap drawn over the +brow: gradually a sense of utter weariness stole over her, and she +slept. + +At dawn a bustle commenced in the camp, and preparation made--first +for breakfast, then for moving. + +When Mary came out, her pale face and wearied look attracted Mrs. +Carlton's attention. + +"My dear child, I am afraid you are scarcely able to travel to-day; +did you not sleep well?" + +"Not so soundly as I could have wished," she said, passing her hand +over her brow, as if to remove some painful thought. + +Dr. Bryant acquainted them with the adventures of the night +suggesting, that in future some of the party should watch, as security +for their horses; and all agreed that it was advisable. + +"How readily one might suppose this a gipsy encampment. Miss Hamilton +and myself are quite dark enough to favor the illusion, and Ellen and +Mr. Carlton would pass as of gipsy descent; but what would they think +of Miss Mary? She is decidedly anti-gipsy in her appearance." + +"I can tell you, Uncle Frank," cried Elliot, clapping his hands; "they +would take Miss Mary for an angel that came to our tent, like the one +that came down to see Abraham." + +"Unfortunately, angels never appear in the form of a lady, Elliot; so +you must tax your ingenuity to dispose of me in a different manner," +said Mary, smiling gently on the noble boy beside her. + +"Indeed, I would sooner think you ought to be an angel than any +gentleman I know, or lady either; don't you think so too, Uncle +Frank?" + +"Certainly I do; but, Elliot, you should not have made me say so in +Miss Florence's presence. You forget that she is also a young lady." + +"No, I don't, uncle, and I ask her pardon if I was rude; but I heard +you say Miss Mary was an angel, and though I like Miss Florence very +much indeed, I can't help thinking so too." + +Dr. Bryant's cheek flushed, and he glanced quickly at Mary. Mr. and +Mrs. Carlton and Florence laughed good-naturedly; and laying his hand +on the boy's head, Frank said: + +"My very promising nephew, you will never be accused of want of candor +if you grow up in your present spirit." + +Mary drew the child to her, and whispered in his ear: + +"Your uncle meant that I should soon be in Heaven, Elliot; and I hope +it will not be very long before I am an angel. Don't you see how thin +and pale I am?" + +Elliot's eyes filled, as he looked earnestly at the gentle girl, so +wasted of late, and throwing his arms about her neck, he hid his face +on her shoulder, and murmured: + +"Oh! you must not go from us--we can't spare you even to God! Why +does he want to take you? He has plenty of angels already around him! +Mother and uncle and I had almost as soon die ourselves as see you go +away forever." + +None heard what passed between them; but Mrs. Carlton saw a look +of pain on Mary's pure white brow, and gently drawing her son away, +changed the conversation by asking if it would not be better for Mary +to ride awhile in the wagon. + +"I am afraid she would find the jolting rather too much for her. +However, it will answer as a change, and by driving myself, I can +avoid many inequalities. So, Miss Irving, make up your mind to +relinquish your babicca at least for to-day." + +"You are very kind, Dr. Bryant, but I greatly prefer your riding as +usual. Indeed you need not look so incredulous. I won't allow you to +make such a sacrifice." + +"I was not aware that I was making any sacrifice," he coldly answered, +and turned away. + +Mary's lip quivered with internal pain, but she offered no further +opposition. + +All was in readiness for moving on. Dr. Bryant stood arranging +Florence's bridle, and bantering her on her inattention to the reins. +She laughed in her turn. + +"Indeed, Doctor, don't you think me a capital horse-woman? you will +certainly admit it, after being vanquished in a race?" + +"Really, Miss Florence, I rather think the credit due to your fine +horse than to your skill as a rider. + +"Ah, incorrigible as usual, I see, Doctor!" and she rode off to join +Mr. Carlton. + +Mr. Carlton had placed Mary in the wagon, and carefully arranged her +shawls that she might rest easily. Frank quietly seated himself, and +drove on. + +"I shall not exert myself in the least to entertain you, so you need +not expect it; for having very politely told me you did not desire my +company, I shall not disturb you with my chatter, I promise you, and +take this opportunity to inform you that my tympanums are at your +service the remainder of the day." + +He glanced over his shoulder at the frail form nearly buried beneath +the weight of shawls and cloaks wrapt about her. She smiled, and laid +her head on her arm: as she did so, he, looking at her, failed to +perceive a large stone in the track, and the wheels passing directly +over it caused the wagon to jolt most unmercifully. + +Florence was just in the rear, and, unable to control her mirth, +laughed outright as Frank and Mary bounced up and down; and, riding up +to them, merrily asked "if Mary duly appreciated her good fortune in +having so careful and scientific a driver?" + +Not a little amused, yet scarce able to laugh, the latter replied that +"she did indeed congratulate herself on the change of drivers, as she +would not have survived the day had it been otherwise." + +Frank joined heartily in their merriment. + +"Miss Hamilton," said he, "if you only knew what caused me to overlook +that unfortunate stone, you would be more lenient in your criticisms." + +"I am very sure you will adduce every possible reason in your own +favor, sir, and therefore feel no sympathy for your carelessness," she +retorted. + +"Really you make me out as incorrigible a self-excuser as the heroine +of Miss Edgeworth's juvenile tales; though even she chanced upon a +good excuse occasionally. Come, try me, and see what I can urge in my +own defense." + +"Well, then, I ask you, _à la Godfrey_, what you were thinking of +when you, who had an ailing lady in your cart, drove directly over the +largest rock you have seen in a week?" + +"In the first place, I did not see it. You need not look quite so +incredulous; I assure you I did not." + +"That is very evident, but no excuse at all. Pray, where were your +eyes?" + +"Where nature intended them to be, I suppose." + +"Nonsense! why didn't you use them?" + +"Because I have not the faculty of looking two ways at once, +like Brahma; and my optics were irresistibly drawn in an opposite +direction." + +"A truce to all such excuses!" + +"Patience, Miss Florence, hear me only once more. The reason is, that +I was looking at your cousin over there, and calculating the chances +of her surviving suffocation." + +"There is certainly some danger. Pray, Mary, why wrap up so closely? +Æolus has closed the mouth of his cave, and the warring winds are +securely pent in their prison." + +"Are you not very much edified Miss Mary? I should beg pardon for such +a waste of time and talk, if I were not aware that + + "'A little nonsense now and then, + Is relished by the wisest men.'" + +As Mary made no reply, he turned around and regarded her earnestly, +Her hat had fallen back from the face, which rested on his black +cloak. Every vestige of mirth fled from his countenance as they gazed +on the sleeping girl. The feverish flush had left the cheek, now +perfectly wan; the dark brown hair clung on the pure, beautiful +brow, and beneath the closed eyes were dark circles, traced by mental +suffering. The expression of the face was perfectly calm, yet a +wearied look, as though longing to be at rest, lingered there. So +motionless she lay, that Frank hastily placed his hand on hers to feel +if warmth and vitality remained. Slowly and faint came the pulsations, +and, as he watched her deathlike slumber, his cheek grew pale, a look +of unutterable anguish settled on his noble brow, and the finely cut +lips were tightly compressed, as with some acute though hidden pain. +Florence slowly returned to Mr. and Mrs. Carlton--no smile passed her +lips the remainder of the day; she seemed now, for the first time, +to realize her cousin's danger, and naught could divert her mind from +this new grief. + +Dr. Bryant bent his head upon his breast, and murmured in saddened +tones: "Oh, Mary! Mary! how gladly would I give all I possess on earth +to see you strong and well again." + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + + "And therefore my heart is heavy + With a sense of unquiet pain, + For but Heaven can tell if the parted + Shall meet in the earth again. + + "With Him be the time and the season + Of our meeting again with thee: + Whether here, on these earthly borders, + Or the shore of the world to be." + + CAREY. + + +One day our party had traveled further than on any previous occasion: +long and tedious was the ride, still they pushed on, hoping to reach +some stream ere the tents were pitched for the night, as an abundant +supply of pure fresh water was essential to the comfort of their camp. +In the metaphorical strain of a certain writer--"Phoebus drove his +steeds to be foddered in their western stables." Slowly twilight fell +upon the earth, and, one by one, the lamps of heaven were lit. The +wagon in which Dr. Bryant and Mary rode was rather in the rear of the +party, as the riders pressed anxiously forward. The cool night-wind +blew fresh upon the fevered brow of the invalid, and gently lifted and +bore back the clustering curls. + +"I am very much afraid you will take cold:" and Dr. Bryant wrapped his +coat carefully about her. + +"Thank you:" and she sank back in its heavy folds, and looked up to +the brilliant firmament, where the stars glittered, like diamonds on a +ground of black velvet, in the clear, frosty air. + +"Orion has culminated; and how splendidly it glows to-night, I think I +never saw it so brilliant." + +"Perhaps it appears so from the peculiar position whence you view it. +You never observed it before from a wagon, in a broad prairie, +with naught intervening between the constellation and yourself save +illimitable space, though I agree with you in thinking it particularly +splendid. I have ever regarded it as the most beautiful among the many +constellations which girt the heavens." + +"I have often wondered if Cygnus was not the favorite of papists, Dr. +Bryant." + +"Ah I it never occurred to me before, but, since you mention it, I +doubt not they are partial to it. How many superstitious horrors are +infused into childish brains by nurses and nursery traditions! I +well remember with what terror I regarded the Dolphin, or, in common +parlance, 'Job's Coffin,' having been told that, when that wrathful +cluster was on the meridian, some dreadful evil would most inevitably +befall all who ventured to look upon it; and often, in my boyhood, I +have covered my face with my hands, and asked its whereabouts. Indeed +I regarded it much as Æneas did Orion, when he says: + + "'To that blest shore we steered our destined way, + When sudden dire Orion roused the sea! + All charged with tempests rose the baleful star, + And on our navy poured his watery war.' + +The contemplation of the starry heavens has ever exerted an elevating +influence on my mind. In viewing its glories, I am borne far from +the puerilities of earth, and my soul seeks a purer and more noble +sphere." + +"Your quotation from Virgil recalled a passage in Job--'Seek him that +maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death +into morning.' Oh! how inimitably sublime is inspired language--and +'turneth the shadow of death into morning.' And how comforting the +promise conveyed," said Mary, earnestly. + +"Miss Irving, don't you admire Cassiopeia very much?" said Dr. +Bryant, wishing to turn the current of her thoughts. "I think it very +beautiful, particularly when it occupies its present position, and, as +it were, offers to weary travelers so inviting a seat. Yet often I am +strangely awed, in gazing on the group so enveloped in unfathomable +mystery. Who may say when another of its jewels shall flicker and go +out? And when may not our own world to other planets be a 'Lost Star?' +How childish associations cling to one in after years. I never looked +up at Cassiopeia, without recalling the time when my tutor gave me as +a parsing lesson, the first lines of the 'Task'--literally a task to +me (mind I do not claim the last as original, for it is a plagiarism +on somebody, I forget now who). My teacher first read the passage +carefully over, explaining each idea intended to be conveyed, and +at the conclusion turned to an assistant, and remarked that +'with Cassiopeia for a model, he wondered chairs were not earlier +constructed.' I wondered in silence what that hard word could signify, +and at length summoned courage to ask an explanation. A few nights +afterward, visiting at my father's, he took me out, pointed to the +constellation, and gave the origin of the name, while, to my great +joy, I discovered the resemblance to a chair. Ah! that hour is as +fresh in my memory as though I stood but last night by his side and +listened to his teachings. + +"Yes, who will deny the magic influence of association? After all, Dr. +Bryant, it is not the intrinsic beauty of an object that affords us +such delight, but ofttimes the memory of the happy past, so blended +with the beauty viewed as scarcely to be analyzed in the soothing +emotions which steal into the heart. Such a night as this ever reminds +me of the beautiful words of Willis, in his 'Contemplations;' and, +like Alethe, I often ask, 'When shall I gather my wings, and, like a +rushing thought, stretch onward, star by star, up into heaven?'" + +A silence ensued for several moments, and then the cry of "Water!" +"water!" fell refreshingly on the ears of the wearied travelers, and +the neighboring stream was hailed as joyfully as was in olden time the +well of Gem-Gem. + +Soon the tents were pitched, and a bright crackling fire kindled. +Florence, declaring she was too much fatigued for supper, threw +herself on her pallet. Aunt Lizzy and Mrs. Carlton were busily +unpacking some of their utensils, and Mary, closely wrapt up, stood +by the blazing logs, thinking how cheerful its ruddy light made every +object seem, and wondering if, after all, the Ghebers were so much to +blame, Mr. Carlton joined her; and after inquiring how she bore +their very fatiguing ride, remarked that in a few more days their +journeyings would be over. + +"I shall almost regret its termination. This mode of traveling seems +very pleasant to me, and you, who are strong and well, must enjoy it +much more." + +Just then the sound of approaching hoofs caused her to look toward +their wagon; and she perceived two men mounted, one in the act of +descending, while Dr. Bryant advanced quickly to meet him. + +Mr. Carlton left her. Silently she looked on, wondering who the +strangers could possibly be, when the words fell with startling +distinctness on her listening ear: + +"Dudley Stewart! do my eyes deceive me?" + +"Frank Bryant is it possible I meet you here?" + +The tones of the last speaker were too familiar to be mistaken. She +trembled from head to foot as the past rose before her. Her first +thought was of Florence. + +"Oh, if he is married, this meeting will be terrible!" and her heart +throbbed violently as the gentlemen approached her. Scarce conscious +of her movements, she advanced to meet Dr. Bryant, whose arm was +linked in that of the new comer. They met: the fire-light glowed on +the face of both. + +"Mr. Stewart!" and the wasted hand was extended. + +"Mary Irving! or is this an illusion?" Tightly the hand was clasped. + +"It is I----your old pupil, though so altered, I wonder not that you +fail to recognize me." She lifted her eyes and met Dr. Bryant's gaze, +deep and piercing, as though he were reading her inmost soul. Mr. +Stewart looked long at the face turned toward him. + +"Frank, you did not tell me she was with you! Oh, how changed--how +wasted you are! But what means this black dress?" and his fingers +clutched her mourning gown, while his deep tone faltered. Mary drew +closer to his side, and murmured: + +"Florry is well: but my uncle has been taken from us." Her head sunk +on her bosom as she spoke. + +"Where is Florence?" and he tightly clasped her hand between his own. + +A shudder crept over Dr. Bryant, who had not heard their words, and he +walked quickly away. + +"Florry is in the tent. Mr. Stewart, we heard that you were married; +can this be true?" + +"No, no! Did your cousin credit the report?" + +"Yes; and ere you make yourself known, let me in some degree prepare +her for the meeting." + +So saying, she sought Florence, and asked if she were sleeping. + +"No, Mary; can I do anything for you?" and she raised her head. + +"Yes, Florry, come with me--I want to speak to you." + +Her cousin accompanied her to the door, and standing so that the +tent intervened between them and Mr. Stewart, Mary laid her hand on +Florence's shoulder, and said: + +"I have just learned, Florry, that Mr. Stewart is not married." + +"Mary, Mary! why touch a chord which ever vibrates with the keenest +agony? There is no happiness for me on earth--I have known that for +long, and now I am striving to fix my thoughts, and all of hope that +remains, on heaven." + +Mary linked her arm in Florence's, and gently drawing her forward, +replied: + +"God has not promised heaven as the price of every earthly joy and +comfort. Can you not still hope for happiness?" + +"Mary, I am parted forever from him whom I have loved so devotedly; +yet I cease to repine. I know my lot, and I will pass through life +alone, yes, alone, without a murmur." + +"Not so, Florence--my own treasured Florence!" + +She turned quickly, and was clasped to the heart of him she had sworn +to love alone. + +"Am I dreaming?" said Florence, gazing eagerly up into the noble face +before her. He lifted his cap from his brow, and bent his head that +the light might fall full upon it. A gleam of perfect joy irradiated +her beautiful face, and, leaning her head on his shoulder, she +whispered: "Forgive me--for I doubted you." + +He bent, and sealed her pardon with a long kiss. + +Mary stole away to Mrs. Carlton to impart the good news; Dr. Bryant +had already communicated it. Warmly she sympathized with them in again +meeting an old friend; but Mary heeded not her words, for her eyes +were riveted on Frank's stern brow and slightly curling lip. A mist +rose before her, and catching for support at the tent, she would +have fallen, had not his strong arm encircled her; and soon she lay +motionless in her tent. He stood and looked on her a moment, then +knelt and clasped the cold hands. Mary had not swooned, though +well-nigh insensible, and a low moan of anguish escaped her lips, +colorless, and writhing with pain. + +"Can I do nothing for you?" + +"No, thank you; only do not tell Florry and Mr. Stewart I am ill. It +would only damp the joy of their meeting." + +He left her, and met the lovers as they sought the remainder of the +party. He understood at a glance the position of affairs, and with the +sad conviction that Mary loved Mr. Stewart, and loved him in vain, he +strove to repress his emotion and appear as usual. + +Florence withdrew her hand from Mr. Stewart's clasp, and, with a deep +blush, passed Frank in order to reach the tent. He placed himself +before it. + +"Miss Hamilton, I can't allow any one to disturb your cousin; she is +almost exhausted by our long ride, and I forbid all company, as she +needs rest and quiet." + +"I will not disturb her in the least, I assure you, Doctor." But +he persisted, and she was forced to form one of the circle that now +gathered round the fire. + +Mr. Stewart, in answer to Dr. Bryant's inquiries, replied that he had +long felt anxious to visit San Antonio, but had been detained at home +by important business till within a few weeks, when he set out +for Austin, and obtaining there a sort of guide and companion, was +hastening on, hoping to reach the former place ere the arrival of the +Mexican forces. + +"Having heard," continued he, "that Mr. Hamilton's death left his +family somewhat unprotected, I felt particularly anxious on their +account. Seeing your camp-fire, attracted us in this direction, and +happy am I to meet so many old friends." + +To Florence he had been far more explicit, detailing the causes +which produced a most fortunate change in his circumstances, and his +immediate determination to seek her in her Western home. + +"You will return with us to Washington then, Stewart, as we possess +the treasure you are in search of?" + +"Yes, if none of the party offer any objection," replied he. + +"I don't know that any feel disposed to act so ungratefully: +suppose we inquire however. Miss Hamilton, have you any objection to +receiving, as an escort and protector, this amiable cavalier, who has +wandered so far from home to offer his services?" + +"Frank, it is hardly fair to make her speak for the party; some may +differ with her, on so important a point." + +"You seem quite certain as to her sentiments on this subject. Upon my +word, Miss Florence, if I were you, I should most assuredly take this +occasion to teach him a little humility; for instance, just tell him +it makes no difference with you--that it is perfectly immaterial." + +"In following your advice, Doctor, the responsibility will be +inevitably transferred to yourself; and I must thank you for so +politely relieving me." + +"I see no reason, Stewart, why you should not join our party, and lend +your assistance toward enlivening the tedious hours yet in store for +us; though only a few more days of travel remain, thank Heaven." + +"One would suppose, from the fear of ennui which seems to cloud your +future, that Mary and I had not succeeded so happily as we imagined, +in our efforts to entertain you." + +"Pardon me, Miss Florence, if I have failed duly to appreciate your +kind efforts; though candor compels the avowal, that I was not aware +any extraordinary exertion was made in my behalf." + +"Really, Frank, I should say you have made considerable progress +in raising yourself in your own estimation since last I heard you +converse. Mrs. Carlton, I am afraid this climate is unfavorable for +the growth of at least two of the cardinal virtues." + +"Your insinuation is contemptible, because utterly without grounds. +Miss Florence, I appeal to you, as worthy the privilege of acting as +umpire in this important discussion. Have you ever observed aught in +my conduct indicating a want of humility?" + +"Unfortunately, Doctor, should I return an answer in your favor, it +would be at the expense of a virtue equally entitled to pre-eminence." + +"To the very candid Miss Hamilton, I must return thanks for her +disinterested and very flattering decision." + +Here the conversation was interrupted by a call to the evening meal, +and gladly they obeyed the welcome summons. + +Florence glancing round perceived the absence of her cousin, and +inquired the cause. + +"I dare say she is asleep, poor child," said Aunt Lizzy. + +"She is trying to rest, Miss Hamilton, and I would not advise any +interruption. She needs quiet, for she was sorely tried by this day's +fatigues," observed Dr. Bryant. + +"I am afraid so," replied Florence, an anxious look again settling on +her face. "Oh, I wish on her account we could reach a place of rest +and safety. I fear she has failed in strength since leaving San +Antonio." + +"How sadly changed she has become: had she not spoken in her old, +familiar tones, I should not have known her. I earnestly hope there +is nothing serious in her attack, and that she will soon regain her +former bloom; it pains me to see her so altered," said Mr. Stewart. + +"She cannot possibly improve while subjected to the fatigues of this +journey. I feared she was scarce able to endure it," answered Frank. + +The conversation turned on more agreeable topics, and soon--by all but +Frank, who could not forget her look of anguish--she was for a time +forgotten. + +Mary heard from her couch of suffering the cheerful blending +of voices, though nothing distinct reached her ear; and as none +approached to soothe her by affectionate inquiries, a sense of neglect +stole over her. But too habitually accustomed to judge gently of +others and forget herself, it passed quickly away. She knelt on her +pallet, and clasping her thin hands, raised her heart to God, in the +low, feeble tone of one well-nigh spent: + +"My God, thou readest my heart! Thou knowest how, day by day, I have +striven to love thee more and serve thee better. Yet, oh, Father of +mercies! my soul is tortured with unutterable agony! Oh! on the verge +of the tomb, my heart still clings to earth and its joys. Look down in +thy mercy upon me, and help me to fix my thoughts on heaven and thee. +For long I have known the vanity of my hope, and the deceitfulness of +human things; yet I could not tear away the pleasing image, and turn +to thee alone for comfort. Oh, may peace be my portion the few days +I have to live, and when death comes, be thou with me, my God, to +comfort and take me soon to my home above." + +She sank back in very weariness. "Oh, Frank, how could you so mistake +me?--you whom I have loved so long, how could you believe I loved +another?" + + * * * * * + +In the clear sunny light of morning, how cheerful all things looked; +and to a heart at peace with God, nature seemed rejoicing. The deep +blue vault arching inimitably above--the musical murmuring of the +creek, as it rushed along its rocky bed--the mosquit, bent and +glittering with its frosty mantle, blended with the blazing camp-fire +and the busy hum of preparation for the day, stole pleasingly into the +heart. All the party, save Mary, stood about the fire, warming their +fingers and chatting on the various occurrences of their long journey. +All paused to welcome the invalid, as she joined them with a slow, +feeble step; yet she looked better than she had done since leaving her +home. Restlessly she had tossed on her hard couch, and now the hectic +flush mantled the thin cheek and brightened the deep blue eyes. The +warm congratulations of her friends on her improved appearance brought +a sad smile to her lip, and the expression of Dr. Bryant's countenance +told her that he at least realized her danger. Never had Florence +looked more beautiful, as the clear cold air brought the glow to her +cheek, added to the effect of her mourning dress and the expression +of quiet happiness, imparting an indescribable charm to her lovely +features. + +"As you now stand, Miss Florence, looking so earnestly toward the +east, you seem to me a perfect realization of Willis's Jephtha's +Daughter: + + "'She stood before her father's gorgeous tent, + To listen for his coming. Her loose hair + Was resting on her shoulder, like a cloud + Floating around a statue, and the wind + Just swaying her light robe, revealed a shape + Praxiteles might worship: + Her countenance was radiant with love: + She looked to die for it--a being whose + Whole existence was the pouring out + Of rich and deep affections.'" + +As he looked upon her these lines were uttered half unconsciously; +and then turning to Mary, he gently asked if he might speak what was +passing in his mind. + +"Certainly, Frank--continue your quotation; the lines never seemed so +beautiful before;" said Mr. Stewart, glancing at Florence as he spoke. + +"Doubtless not, Stewart, because never so applied. Miss Hamilton, your +cousin looks more as did the Jewish maiden at close of evening: + + "'Her face was pale, but very beautiful; her lip + Had a more delicate outline, and the tint + Was deeper. But her countenance was like the + Majesty of Angels.'" + +"Dr. Bryant, is it possible you so far forget yourself and previously +expressed opinions, as to make quotations? I thought you a sworn foe +to the practise." + +"On ordinary occasions, I am: and you may rest assured it is the last +time I commit such an absurdity by a camp fire. I think you once asked +me my objection--will you hear it now? When I was quite young, I one +day read an anecdote of the celebrated Greek professor, Dr. Porson, +which gave me a strong bias against quotations, particularly locating +them, which necessarily follows. Porson was once traveling in a +stage-coach, when a young Oxonian, fresh from college, was amusing +some ladies with quite a variety of small talk, among other things +a quotation from Sophocles, as he said. A Greek quotation in a +stage-coach roused Porson, who half slumbered in a quiet corner. +'Young gentleman,' said he, 'I think you indulged us, just now, with a +quotation from Sophocles; I don't happen to remember it there.'--'Oh, +sir,' rejoined the tyro, 'the quotation is word for word, and in +Sophocles too.' The professor handed him a small edition of Sophocles, +and requested him to point out the passage. After rummaging about +for some time, he replied: 'Upon second thought the passage is in +Euripides.' 'Then,' said Porson, handing him a similar edition of +Euripides, 'perhaps you will be so kind as to find it for me in this +little book.' Our young gentleman returned unsuccessfully to the +search, with the very pleasant cogitation of 'Curse me, if ever I +quote Greek again in a stage-coach,' The tittering of the ladies +increased his confusion, and desperate at last, he exclaimed--'Bless +me, how dull I am; I remember now perfectly that the passage is in +Æschylus. The incorrigible professor dived again into his apparently +bottomless pocket, and produced an edition of Æschylus; but the +astounded Oxonian exclaimed, 'Stop the coach! Halloa! coachman, let +me out instantly; there is a fellow inside here that has got the whole +Bodleian library in his pocket. Let me out, I say--it must be Porson +or the devil!' Now previous to reading this anecdote, I must confess +to quite a _penchant_ for quotations, but I assure you a full year +elapsed ere I ventured on another; and for a long time the ghost of +our gentleman appeared, specter-like, before me, whenever I attempted +one." + +When the merriment subsided, Mr. Stewart asked if it was not of this +same professor that a phrenologist remarked, on examining his skull, +that "the most important question was, how the ideas found access to +the brain--once inside, and there are very solid reasons to prevent +their getting out again." + +"Yes, the same. Craniologists admit, I believe, that his was the +thickest skull ever examined; and it is related that when he could no +longer articulate English, he spoke Greek with fluency." + +In a few moments the camp was broken up, and they proceeded on their +way. Mary cast a longing glance toward her horse, now mounted by one +of the servants, and was taking her seat in the wagon, when Dr. Bryant +said: + +"Would you like to try your horse a little while this morning? If it +proves too fatiguing, you can return to the wagon." + +"I should like it very much, if I felt strong enough, but I could not +sit upright so long. Doctor, will you be so kind as to ride my horse +for me to-day, and let William drive?" + +"Certainly, if you prefer it; but may I venture to ask your reason?" + +"You have long been separated from your friend, and naturally wish to +be with him. Do not, on my account, remain behind the party, as you +are forced to do in driving the wagon, but join Florence and Mr. +Stewart, who seem in such fine spirits this beautiful morning. I feel +too weary and feeble to talk, and William will take good care of me." + +He fixed his dark eyes mournfully on her face; she could not meet his +gaze, and her head sunk upon her bosom. + +"Believe me, Miss Irving, every other pleasure is second to that +of watching over and being with you. If, in the proposed change, my +feelings alone are to be consulted, allow me to remain with you." + +"Thank you, Dr. Bryant, you are very kind to remember me so +constantly; my only object was to promote your enjoyment of the day." + +They rode for some distance in silence. + +"This is my birthday; and how little I fancied, on the last +anniversary, that I should be so situated," said Dr. Bryant, as though +speaking unconsciously. + +"How one's feelings change with maturer years. I remember well that, +in my childhood, the lapse of time seemed provokingly slow, and I +wondered why, from year to year, it seemed so very long. The last +three years of my life, though somewhat checkered, have flown too +quickly away. A month ago, I would willingly have recalled them, but +they are lost in the ocean of eternity, only to be remembered now as a +changing, feverish dream," Mary replied. + +"Miss Irving, without the benign and elevating influence of Hope, that +great actuating principle from the opening to the close of life, what +a dreary blank our existence would prove. In childhood it gorgeously +gilds the future; the tints fade as maturity gains that future, and +then it gently brightens the evening of life, while memory flings her +mantle of witchery over the past, recalling, in hours of sadness, +all of joy to cheer the heart, and banishing forever the phantoms of +terror--the seasons of gloom that once haunted us." + +"Yes, how appropriately has the great bard of Time, termed Hope +'silver-tongued.' And then, its soothing accents are felt and +acknowledged in the darkest hour of human trial. When about to sever +every earthly tie--when on the eve of parting with every object +rendered dear by nature and association--when the gloomy portals of +the silent tomb open to receive us, then comes Hope to paint the joys +of heaven. Our reunion with those we have loved and lost--perfect +freedom from sin--the society of angels, and the spirits of the just +made perfect; the presence of our Saviour, and an everlasting home in +the bosom of our God." + +A look of unutterable peace and joy settled on the face of Mary as +she finished speaking and sank back, her hands clasped, and her eyes +raised as though in communion with the spirits above. + +Dr. Bryant's eyes rested with a sort of fascination on her +countenance. + +"You have this hope; yes, already your soul turns from earth and its +vanities to the pure, unfailing fount of heavenly joy. Oh! that I, +like you, could soon find peace and perfect happiness? I have striven +against the bitter feelings which of late have crept into my heart; +still, despite my efforts, they gather rapidly about me. I look +forward, and feel sick at heart. Turbid are all the streams of earthly +pleasures, and fully now I realize those lines, which once seemed the +essence of misanthropy-- + + 'I thought upon this hollow world, + And all its hollow crew.' + +For a time I found delight in intellectual pursuits, but soon wearied +of what failed to bring real comfort in hours of trial." + +"You need some employment to draw forth every faculty: in a life of +active benevolence and usefulness, this will be supplied. Do not give +vent to feelings of satiety or ennui; your future should be bright--no +dangers threaten, and many and important duties await you in life. God +has so constituted us, that happiness alone springs from the faithful +discharge of these. Every earthly resource fails to bring contentment, +unless accompanied by an active, trusting faith in God, and hope of +blessedness in heaven. Wealth, beauty, genius are as naught; and fame, +that hollow, gilded bauble, brings not the promised delight, and an +aching void remains in the embittered heart. One of our most talented +authors, now seated on the pinnacle of fame, assures us that + + 'The Sea of Ambition is tempest tost, + And your hopes may vanish like foam.' + + * * * * * + + 'The Sun of Fame but gilds the name, + The heart ne'er felt its ray.' + +Pardon me if I have ventured too far, or wounded your feelings: it was +not my intention, and I have spoken half unconsciously." + +"Thank you, Miss Irving, for your kind words of comfort and advice. +Fear not that ambition will lure me: I know its hollow, bitter wages, +and cannot be deceived. Yet there is a lonely feeling in my heart +which I cannot dispel at will. Still my plans for the future are +sufficiently active to interest me; and I doubt not that a year hence +I shall feel quite differently. If I could always have your counsel +and sympathy, I should fear nothing." + +"In seasons of trial--in the hours of gloom and despondency--appeal to +your sister for comfort. Oh! she is far more capable of advising and +cheering than I, who only echo her sentiments." Mary pressed her hand +to her side, and leaning back, closed her eyes, as if longing for +rest. + +"I have drawn you on to converse more than was proper--forgive my +thoughtlessness; and, if it would not be impossible, sleep, and be at +rest." He carefully arranged her shawls, and as she lay a long while +with closed eyes, he thought her sleeping, but turning, after a time, +was surprised to perceive her gazing earnestly out on the beautiful +country through which they now rode. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + + "Alas! how light a cause may move + Dissensions between hearts that love! + Hearts that the world in vain had tried, + And sorrow but more closely tied; + That stood the storm when waves were rough, + Yet in the sunny hour, fall off, + Like ships that have gone down at sea, + When heaven was all tranquillity!" + + MOORE. + + +"Peace and quiet and rest for you at last!" cried Dr. Bryant, as they +drove into the village of Washington, and, by dint of much trouble and +exertion, procured a small and comfortless house. But a bright fire +soon blazed in the broad, deep, old-fashioned chimney--the windows and +doors closed--their small stock of furniture and provisions unpacked, +and a couch prepared for Mary, now far too feeble to sit up. The +members of the safe and happy party gathered about the hearth, and +discussed hopefully their future prospects. Dr. Bryant raised his +eyes to the somewhat insecure roof, through which the light of day +occasionally stole in, and exclaimed: + + "'And doth a roof above me close?'" + +"Not such a one as greeted Mazeppa on regaining his senses, Frank; +rather insecure, 'tis true, yet somewhat better than the canvas +covering for which we have been so grateful of late." + +Dr. Bryant leaned his elbow on the mantel-piece, and fell into a fit +of musing, not unusual to him since leaving San Antonio. The servant +disturbed his reverie by requesting room for her cooking utensils. +He raised his head as she spoke, and then, as if utterly unconscious, +dropped it again, without reply. + +"A cigar for your thoughts, Bryant!" said Mr. Stewart, and linking his +arm in that of his friend they turned away. Florence approached +her cousin, and bending over the wasted form, asked if she were not +already better. + +Mary lifted her arms to her cousin's neck, and for a moment strove to +press her to her heart, but strength had failed rapidly of late, and +they sank wearily by her side. Florence sat down and took both hands +between hers. + +"Tell me, dear, if you are in pain?" + +"No, Florry, I do not suffer much now; I am at present free from all +pain. I have not had an opportunity of talking with you for some time. +Florry, tell me, are you very happy?" + +"Yes, Mary, I am very happy--happier than I ever was before; and far +more so than I deserve. Oh! Mary, how miserable I have been; and it +is by contrast that the transition is so delightful. I doubted the +goodness and mercy of God; and, in the bitterness of my heart, I +asked why I had been created for so much suffering. Oh, Mary! my +pure-hearted, angel cousin, how much of my present happiness I owe to +you. Suppose you had suffered me to wander on in the maze of darkness. +At this moment I should have been a desolate, deluded, miserable nun; +clinging to a religion which, instead of Bible truths, filled the +anxious, aching heart with monkish legends of unattested miracles, and +in place of the pure worship of God, gives us mummeries nearer akin +to pagan rites! I thank God that I am released from my thraldom. I +see now the tissue of falsehood so plausible in which all things were +wrapped. Blackness and deceit in the garb of truth and purity! And +it is horrible, to think that he who so led me astray claims to be my +brother! Mary, Mary, how can I tell Mr. Stewart this?--tell him that I +have wandered from the true faith--that I have knelt in confession to +him who cursed our common father! He will despise me for my weakness: +for only yesterday he said he first loved me for my clear insight into +right and wrong, and my scorn of deceit and hypocrisy! Yet I deceived +you; at least, tacitly--you who have ever loved me so truly, you +who have saved me at last, and pointed out the road to heaven. Mary, +forgive me! I never asked pardon of any on earth before, but I wronged +you, good and gentle though you always were. Forgive me, oh, my +cousin!" + +Mary clasped Florence's hands in hers, and though too feeble to speak +very audibly, replied: + +"Florry, think not of the past; it has been very painful to us both, +yet I thank God that you are right at last. You know how I love you: +I would give every treasure of earth to contribute to your happiness; +and now that you are so blest, listen to my counsel. Florry, there is +a cloud no bigger than a man's hand resting low on the horizon of your +happiness--be warned in time. You know Mr. Stewart's firm, unwavering +principals of Protestantism; you know, too the aversion with which he +regards the priests of Rome; it may be a hard task now, but it will be +tenfold more difficult a year hence. Go to him at once, tell him you +were misguided and deceived, and reveal every circumstance connected +with that unhappy period. He will love you more for your candor. +Florry, you turn pale, as though unequal to the task. Oh, my cousin, +you prize his love more than truth; but the time will come when he +will prize truth more than your love! Florry, let me beg you tell him +all, and at once." She sank back, as if exhausted by her effort in +speaking so long, yet firmly retained Florence's hand. + +"Mary, if I do this, it is at the risk of losing his esteem, which +I prize even more than his love. And after all, _I_ cannot see that +truth or duty requires this humiliating confession. Should he ever +question me, I should scorn to deceive him, and at once should tell +him all. But he does not suspect it, and _I_, being no longer in +danger or blinded, need not reveal the past." + +Mournfully Mary regarded her beautiful cousin. + +"Florry, if you conceal nothing now, he will esteem you more than ever +for hazarding his love in the cause of truth. If, in after years, +he discovers the past, he will tell you that, silently at least, you +deceived him, and reproach you with want of candor and firmness. Oh! +there is a fearful risk to run; he will never place confidence in you +again--be warned in time." + +The entrance of Aunt Lizzy and Mrs. Carlton prevented further +conversation, and unclasping Mary's fingers, Florence disengaged her +hand and left the room. + +Two days passed in furnishing and arranging their new home, and Mary +saw but little of her cousin. As evening closed in again, the invalid +watched from her couch the countenance of Mr. Stewart, as he sat +earnestly conversing with her aunt. Florence and Mr. and Mrs. Carlton +were out making some necessary purchases, and Dr. Bryant had been +absent on business of his own since morning. + +"Florence is too young to marry, or even dream of it, at present, Mr. +Stewart; and besides, if I must be candid, I have always entertained +different views for her." + +"Pardon me, but I believe I scarcely comprehend your meaning. You +speak of other views for her; may I venture to ask the nature of +these?" + +"I have never expected her to marry at all, Mr. Stewart." + +"And why not, pray? What can you urge in favor of your wishes?" + +"I had her own words to that effect, scarce a month ago." + +A proud, happy smile played round his lips, and he replied: "She may +have thought so then, but I think her views have changed." + +"But for Mary, she would have been the same;" and a bitter look passed +over her wrinkled face. + +"Excuse me, if I ask an explanation of your enigmatical language; +there is some hidden meaning, I well know." + +"Mr. Stewart, your mother and I are old friends, and I wish you well; +but all good Catholics love their church above every earthly thing. I +should like to see Florence happy, but her eternal good should first +be secured; you are a Protestant, and bitterly opposed to our Holy +Church, and I cannot consent to see her marry a heretic, for such you +are: she is too far astray already." + +"If your niece were herself a Papist, your reason would indeed be +a cogent one; but, under existing circumstances, I am puzzled to +understand you." + +"Were it not for Mary's influence, Florence would even now rest in the +bosom of our Holy Church. She has done her cousin a grievous wrong; +may God and the blessed Virgin forgive her!" + +Mary groaned in spirit, as she marked the stern glance of his eagle +eye, and feebly raising herself, she said: "Mr. Stewart, will you take +this seat beside the sofa? I wish to speak with you." + +Aunt Lizzy left the room hurriedly, as though she had already said too +much, and silently he complied with Mary's request. + +"You are pained and perplexed at what my aunt has just said; allow me +to explain what may seem a great mystery. You are not aware that my +uncle died a Papist. Weakened in body and mind by disease, he was +sought and influenced in secret, when I little dreamed of such a +change. On his death-bed he embraced the Romish faith, and, as I have +since learned, exacted from Florry a promise to abide by the advice +of his priest, in spiritual as well as temporal matters. He expired +in the act of taking the sacrament, and our desolation of heart can be +better imagined than described--left so utterly alone and unprotected, +far from our relatives and the friends of our youth. I now marked a +change in Florry, though at a loss to account for it. An influence, +secret as that exerted on her lost parent, was likewise successful +and, to my grief and astonishment, I found that she too had embraced +papacy." + +The door opened and Florence entered. She started on seeing her lover, +but advanced to them much as usual. He raised his head, and cold and +stern was the glance he bent on her beautiful face. She stood beside +him, and rising, he placed a chair for her in perfect silence. Mary's +heart ached, as she noted the marble paleness which overspread her +cousin's cheek. Mr. Stewart folded his arms across his chest, and said +in a low, stern, yet mournful tone: + +"Florence, I could not have believed that you would have deceived me, +as you have silently done." + +Mournfully Florence looked for a moment on Mary's face, yet there was +no reproach in her glance; it seemed but to say--"You have wakened me +from my dream of happiness." + +She lifted proudly her head, and fixed her dark eye full on her lover. + +"Explain yourself, Mr. Stewart; I have a right to know with what I am +charged, though I almost scorn to refute that of deceit." + +"Not a week since, Florence, you heard me avow my dislike of the +tenets and practises of the Romish Church. I said then, as now, that +no strong-minded, intelligent woman of the present age could consult +the page of history and then say that she conscientiously believed its +doctrines to be pure and scriptural, or its practises in accordance +with the teachings of our Saviour. You tacitly concurred in my +opinions. Florence, did you tell me you had once held those doctrines +in reverence? Nay, that even now you lean to papacy?" Stern was his +tone, and cold and slightly contemptuous his glance. + +A bitter, scornful smile wreathed the lips of his betrothed. "I +acknowledge neither the authority of questioning, nor allow the +privilege of any on earth to impugn my motives or my actions. Had I +felt it incumbent on me to acquaint you with every circumstance of my +past life, I should undoubtedly have done so, when you offered me your +hand. I felt no obligation to that effect, and consequently consulted +my own inclinations. If, for a moment, you had doubted me, or asked an +explanation of the past, I should have scorned to dissemble with you; +and now that the subject is broached you shall have the particulars, +which, I assure you, have kept well, though, as you suppose, sometime +withheld. I have been a member of the Church of Rome: I have prayed +to saints and the Virgin, counted beads and used holy water, and +have knelt in confession to a priest of papal Rome. I did all this, +thinking, for a time, my salvation dependent on it. You know all now." + +Mr. Stewart regarded her sadly as she uttered these words, and his +stern tone softened as he noticed her bloodless cheek and quivering +lip. + +"Florence, it is not your former belief or practise that gives me this +pain, and saddens our future. If you were at this moment a professor +of the Romish faith, I would still cherish and trust you: I should +strive to convince you of your error--to point out the fallacy of your +hopes. When I recall the circumstances by which you were surrounded, +and the influences exerted, I scarcely wonder that, for a time, you +lent your credence and support. But, Florence, full well you know that +this is not what pains me. It is the consciousness that you have +kept me in ignorance of what your own heart told you would show your +momentary weakness, and led me to suppose you entertained a belief at +variance with your practise. You have feared my displeasure more than +the disregard of truth and candor. Florence, Florence! knowing how +well I loved you, and what implicit confidence I reposed in you, how +could you do this?" + +"Again, Mr. Stewart, I repeat that I perceive no culpability in my +conduct. Had I felt it my duty, your love or indifference would not +have weighed an atom in my decision to act according to my sense of +right and wrong." + +He turned from her, and paced to and fro before the fire. Florence +would have left the room, but Mary clasped her dress, and detained +her. + +"Mr. Stewart, you have been too harsh and hasty in your decision, and +too severe in your remarks. Florry has not forfeited your love, though +she acted imprudently. Ask your own heart whether you would be willing +to expose to her eye your every foible and weakness. For you, like all +God's creatures, have faults of your own. Is there nothing you have +left untold relative to your past? Oh! if you knew how deep and +unutterable has been her love, even when she never again expected to +meet you, you would forget this momentary weakness--a fault committed +from the very intensity of her love, and fear lest she should sink in +your estimation." + +"Mary, if she had said, Dudley, I have not always felt as now, and my +mind was darkened for a time, I should have loved her, if possible, +more than before, for her noble candor. My own heart would have told +me, This is one in whom you may eternally trust, for she risked the +forfeiture of your love in order that truth might be unsullied. +How can I confide in one who values the esteem of man more than +the approval of her own conscience? You have said her love was a +palliation. No, you are wrong; it is an aggravation of her fault. She +should have loved me too well to suffer me to discover by chance +what should have been disclosed in confidence. Mary, her love is not +greater than mine. None know how I have cherished her memory--how I +have kept her loved image in my heart during our long separation. I +would give every earthly joy or possession to retain her affection, +for it is dearer to me than everything beside, save truth, candor, and +honesty. I have nothing to conceal from her; I would willingly bare +my secret soul to her scrutiny. There is nothing I should wish to keep +back, unless it be the pain of this hour." + +He paused by her side, and looked tenderly on the pale, yet lovely +face of Florence. + +"Mr. Stewart, shall one fault forever destroy your confidence in +Florry, when she has declared that had she thought it incumbent on her +to speak of these things--if she had felt as you do, she asserts that +nothing could have prevented her revealing every circumstance." + +"Mary, I fear her code of morality is somewhat too lax; and the fact +that she acknowledges no fault is far more painful than any other +circumstance." + +"Mary, I have omitted one thing which I wish him to know. I neglected +to inform you, that the priest to whom I confessed is my half-brother! +I have now told you all; and thinking as you do, it is better that in +future we forget the past and be as strangers to each other. That I +have loved you fervently, I can never forget--neither your assertion +that I am unworthy of your confidence." + +She disengaged her dress from Mary's clasp, and turned toward the +door. Mr. Stewart caught her hand, and firmly held it. She struggled +not to release herself, but lifted her dark eyes to his, and calmly +met his earnest glance. + +"Florence!" + +There was a mournful tenderness in the deep tone. Her lip quivered, +still her eyes fell not beneath his, piercing as an eagle's. + +"Mr Stewart, you have wronged her; you have been too severe." And Mary +clasped his hand tightly, and looked up appealingly. He withdrew his +hand. + +"Florence, this is a bitter, bitter hour to me. Yet I may have judged +too harshly: we will forget the past, and, in future, let no such +cloud come between us." + +"Not so, Mr. Stewart: if I am unworthy, how can you expect confidence +from me? Think you I will change the code which you just now +pronounced too lax? Oh! you know not what you have done. It is no +light thing to tell a woman of my nature she is unworthy of the love +she prized above every earthly thing!" Her voice, despite her efforts, +faltered. + +"Florence, I have been too severe in my language, and you too proud +and haughty. Full well we know that without the love of each other +life would be joyless to both. Ours is not a common love; and again I +say, let us forget the past, while, in future, need I ask you to keep +nothing from me?" + +He drew her to him as he spoke, and passing his arm round her, pressed +her to his heart. A long time Florence hid her head on his shoulder, +as if struggling with her emotion, and then a heavy sob relieved her +troubled heart. Closer he clasped her to him, and, laying his cheek on +hers, murmured: + +"My own darling Florence, forgive me, if I misjudged you; tell me +that you will not remember my words--that this hour shall be to us a +painful dream," + +She withdrew from his embrace, and, lifting her head, replied: + +"I was wrong to doubt your love, or believe that you would think long +of my weakness; but I am innocent of the charge of dissimulation, and +never let us recur to the past" + +She held out her hand, and clasping it in his, Mr. Stewart led her +away. + +An hour later Mary lay with closed eyes, too weary, from +overexcitement, even to look about her. All had left the room, and a +dim light from the hearth just faintly lighted the large, comfortless +apartment. With noiseless step Dr. Bryant entered, and seating himself +in the vacant chair, near Mary's sofa, bent forward that he might +look on the wan face of the sufferer. His heart ached as he noted the +painful alteration of the last week, and gently and softly he took one +of the thin white hands between his own. It was cold and damp, and, +while he pressed it, the dark blue eyes rested earnestly on his face. + +"I hoped you were sleeping, did I wake you?" and he laid the hand +back, as she strove to withdraw it. + +"No, I have not slept since morning." + +"Oh! I am troubled at your constant suffering; is there anything I can +do for you?" + +"No, thank you, Doctor, I wish nothing." + +"All my arrangements are completed, and to-morrow I return to your +home. Can I deliver any message, or execute any commission?" + +For a moment, Mary closed her eyes, then replied in a low voice: + +"If you should see Inez, tell her to remember my gift at parting, and +thank her, in my name, for her many, many kindnesses." She paused, as +if gathering courage to say something more. + +"And tell her, too, that ere many hours I shall be at rest. Tell her +I have no fear, nay more, that I have great hope, and that heaven is +opening for me. Let her prepare to join me, where there is no sorrow +nor parting." + +There was a silence, as if each were communing with their own hearts. + +"You go to-morrow, Dr. Bryant? Then you will not stay to see me die? I +am failing fast, and when you return, I shall have gone to that bourne +whence no traveler comes back to tell the tale. Let me thank you +now, for your unvarying kindness; many have been your services, and +a brother's care has ever followed me. Thank you; I appreciate your +kindness, and earnest and heartfelt is my prayer that you may be very +happy and blest on earth; and when you, too, come to die, may your +end be like mine--free from all fear, and may hope and joy attend your +last moments!" + +Her breathing grew short, and large drops stood on her pure beautiful +brow. + +He had bent his head upon his bosom while she spoke, but now he raised +it, and, taking her hand, clasped it warmly. + +"Mary, Mary, if you knew what torture you inflicted, you would spare +me this!" + +It was the first time he had called her Mary, and her pale lip +quivered. + +"Forgive me, if I cause you pain!" + +Bending forward, he continued, in a tone of touching sadness--"I had +determined, Mary, to keep my grief locked in my own heart, and never +to let words of love pass my lips. But the thought of parting with you +forever is more than I can bear. Oh! Mary, have you not seen for weeks +and months how I have loved you? Long ago, when first we met, a deep, +unutterable love stole into my heart. I fancied for a time that you +returned it, till the evening we met at my sister's, and you spoke +with such indifference of leaving me behind. I saw then I had +flattered myself falsely; that you entertained none save friendly +feelings toward me. Still, I thought in time you might learn to regard +me with warmer sentiments. So I hoped on till the evening of our last +ride, when your agitation led me to suppose you loved another. I saw +you meet Mr. Stewart, and was confirmed in my supposition. I gave up +all hope of ever winning your affection in return. Now I see my error +in believing for a moment that you felt otherwise to him than as a +brother, as the betrothed of your cousin. I know that you have never +loved him, and pardon my error. When I sought you just now, it was to +say good-by, and in absence and varied and exciting pursuits to shut +out from my heart the memory of my hopes and fears. Mary, your words +fill me with inexpressible anguish! Oh, you cannot know how blank and +dreary earth will seem when you are gone! I shall have no hope, no +incitement, no joy!" + +As she listened to this confession, which a month before would have +brought the glow to her cheek and sparkle to her eye, she felt that +it came too late; still a perfect joy stole into her heart. She turned +her face toward him, and gently said: + +"I am dying; and, feeling as I do, that few hours are allotted me, I +shall not hesitate to speak freely and candidly. Some might think me +deviating from the delicacy of my sex; but, under the circumstances, I +feel that I am not. I have loved you long, and to know that my love +is returned, is a source of deep and unutterable joy to me. You were +indeed wrong to suppose I ever regarded Mr. Stewart otherwise than as +Florry's future husband. I have never loved but one." + +"Mary, can it be possible that you have loved me, when I fancied, of +late, that indifference, and even dislike, nestled in your heart? We +shall yet be happy! I thank God that we shall be so blest!" And he +pressed the thin hand to his lips. + +"Do not deceive yourself. Your confession has come too late. I can +never be yours, for the hand of death is already laid upon me, and +my spirit will wing its way, ere long, home to God. Now that we +understand each other, and while I yet live, let us be as calm, as +happy as the circumstances allow. It may seem hard that I should be +taken when the future appears so bright, but I do not repine, neither +must you. God, ever good and merciful, sees that it is best I should +go, and we will not embitter the few hours left us by vain regrets." +Too feeble to speak more, she closed her eyes, while her breathing +grew painfully short. + +Dr Bryant bent forward, and gently lifting her head, supported her +with his strong arm, and stroked off from her beautiful brow the +clustering hair. A long time she lay motionless, with closed eyes, and +bending his head, he pressed a long kiss on the delicately-chiseled +lips. + +"O God! spare me my gentle angel Mary," he murmured, as looking on the +wan, yet lovely face, he felt that to yield her up was more than he +could bear. + +At this moment Mrs. Carlton entered: he held out his hand, and drawing +her to his side, said, in a deep, tender tone: + +"She is mine now, sister; thank God, that at last I have won her, and +pray with me that she may be spared to us both." + +Fervently she pressed his hand, and a tear rolled down and dropped +upon it, as she bent down to kiss the sufferer. Gently he put her +back. + +"She is wearied, and just fallen asleep; do not wake her." + +He carefully depressed his arm that she might rest more easily. Mrs. +Carlton seated herself beside her brother, and whispered: + +"You will not go to-morrow, Frank?" + +"No, no; I will not leave her a moment. Ellen, does she seem very much +thinner since leaving home? I know she is very pale." + +"Yes, Frank; she is fearfully changed within the last week." + +"Oh, Ellen! if she should be taken from me;" and closer he drew his +arm, as though fearing some unseen danger. + +"We must look to Heaven for her restoration, and God is good," +answered his sister, turning away to conceal her tears. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + + "Ah! whence yon glare + That fires the arch of heaven?--that dark red smoke + Blotting the silver moon?... + Hark to that roar whose swift and deafening peals, + In countless echoes, through the mountains ring, + Startling pale midnight on her starry throne! + + * * * * * + + Loud and more loud, the discord grows, + Till pale Death shuts the scene, + And o'er the conqueror and the conquered draws + His cold and bloody shroud." + + SHELLEY. + + +The 6th of March rose dark and lowering, and all nature wore an aspect +meet for the horrors which that day chronicled in the page of +history. Toward noon the dense leaden cloud floated off, as though +the uncertainty which veiled the future had suddenly been lifted--the +crisis had come. Santa Anna and his bloodthirsty horde, rendered more +savage by the recollection of the 11th December, poured out the vial +of their wrath on the doomed town. Oh! San Antonio, thou art too +beautiful for strife and discord to mar thy quiet loveliness. Yet the +fiery breath of desolating war swept rudely o'er thee, and, alas! thou +wast sorely scathed. + +A second time the ill-fated fortress was fiercely charged. Long it +withstood the terrible shock, and the overwhelming thousands that so +madly pressed its gray, moldering walls. The sun went down as it were +in a sea of blood, its lurid light, gleaming ominously on the pale, +damp brows of the doomed garrison. Black clouds rolled up and veiled +the heavens in gloom. Night closed prematurely in with fitful gusts, +mingling the moans and strife of nature with the roar of artillery. +Still the fury of the onset abated not: the Alamo shook to its firm +basis. Despairingly the noble band raised their eyes to the blackened +sky. "God help us!" A howling blast swept by, lost in the deep +muttering of the cannonade. Then a deep voice rung clearly out, high +above the surrounding din: "Comrades, we are lost! let us die like +brave men!" + +The shriek of departing hope was echoed back by the sullen groan of +despair. Travis fell, fighting at the entrance. As the hero sank upon +the glory floor, there was a pause; friend and foe gazed upon the +noble form! His spirit sprung up to meet his God. + +"On, comrades! Travis has fallen! dearly will we die!" + +One hundred and fifty brave hearts poured out their life-blood by +his motionless form, struck down like sheep in the slaughter-pen. But +seven remained: in despair they gazed on the ruin around, reeling from +exhaustion and slipping in gore. There was borne on the midnight air a +faint, feeble cry: "Quarter! quarter!" Alas! brave hearts, the appeal +was lost, for an incarnate demon led the thirsty band. With a fiendish +yell it was answered back, "No quarter!" and ye seven were stretched +beside your fearless, noble Travis. + +Not a living Texan remained. The stiffening forms, grim in death, +returned not even a groan to the wild shout of triumph that rung so +mockingly though the deserted chambers of the slaughter-house. Victory +declared for the wily tyrant--the black-hearted Santa Anna. Complete +was the desolation which reigned around: there was none to oppose--no +not one; and the Alamo was his again! Oh, Death! thou art insatiate! +Hundreds had yielded to thy call, and followed the beckoning of thy +relentless hand: and still another must swell thy specter host, and +join the shadowy band of the Spirit World! + +For three days Don Garcia lay motionless on his couch of pain; even +utterance was denied him, for paralysis had stretched forth her numb, +stiffening finger, and touched him, even while he stood in the busy +haunts of men. All day the din of battle had sounded in his ear; +Inez from time to time stole from his side, and looked out toward the +fortress, dimly seen through the sulphurous cloud of smoke and the +blaze of artillery. + +In the silent watches of the night, the shout of "Victory!" was +borne on by the blast. "My father, the Alamo is taken--Santa Anna has +conquered!" He struggled fearfully, a gurgling sound alone passed his +lips, and he fell back lifeless on his pillow. + +Calmly the girl bent down and closed the eyes, covered decently the +convulsed features, and then, shrouding her face with the mantilla, +stept forth for assistance. The next day saw the Don borne to his last +resting-place. In accordance with the custom of the nation, no female +followed the bier. It was borne by two men, and followed by some dozen +children, and perhaps as many aged Mexicans. While just in advance +strode the Padre, repeating the Latin service for the dead, and +attended by four boys--two bearing censers, one a cross, and the other +holy water. With indecent haste they pressed forward, passing through +the church, and resting the bier for a moment on the altar, while an +Ave Maria was repeated. At a sign from the Padre, the procession +moved on to the churchyard, and, without further ceremony, the body +deposited in consecrated ground. Holy water was sprinkled profusedly +around, and then all departed, leaving him to sleep undisturbed the +last dreamless sleep. + +Night found Inez sitting alone by her dreary, deserted hearth. Father, +mother, sister, cousin, all had passed on before her; and the last of +her house, she mused in her lonely home. A faint fire flickering on +the hearth just revealed the form and face of the Mexican maiden. +Her mantilla lay on the floor beside her, the black hair, thick and +straight, hung to the waist, her brilliant, piercing eyes were bent +vacantly on the fire, her dark cheek perfectly colorless as clay. + +"Who is there to care for Inez now? Who will smooth my pillow, and +close my eyes, and lay me to rest?" + +Her desolation of heart conquered; her head sunk upon her bosom, and +a deep, bitter groan burst from her lips. Slowly she rocked herself to +and fro in the loneliness of her spirit. + +She had not loved her father warmly; there was little congeniality +between them, and her hasty rejection of Mañuel's suit mutually +embittered their intercourse. For Nevarro, a sort of sisterly feeling +was entertained, no warmer affection. Yet she could love intensely. A +little sister had waked her tenderness--her heart clung to the gentle +child, so unlike herself. She sickened, and in a day went down to the +tomb: bitter was the grief of Inez, who felt little for her mother, +and soon she too took her place in the churchyard. Dr. Bryant came, +and again Inez loved--again she was disappointed; and now she sat +alone in the wide world, without one remaining tie to bind the future. + +The hour of bitterness had come. She looked upon that dreary future +and her utter desolation, and no gleam of hope stole to her darkened +soul. An almost vacant expression settled on the dark countenance of +the once beautiful maiden. Softly the door was pushed ajar, and the +form of the Padre stood within. By instinct she seemed aware of +his entrance, for raising her bowed head, the black sparkling eyes +flashed, and the broad brow wrinkled into a frown dark as night. He +approached her, and they stood face to face upon the hearth. + +"What do you here, in the house of death, Mio Padre?" + +"Inez, my queen of beauty, I have come to take the prize for which I +toiled. There are none now between us, no, not one. You need not draw +back so proudly." + +A bitter, contemptuous laugh rung out on the night air, and Inez +folded her arms upon her bosom. + +"Truly, Padre, we are well mated! You have opposed me, and I thwarted +you! I am your equal: think you to intimidate me with threats? You +should know better!" + +"Inez, listen! I leave this place before many days. My work is +finished here; there are none to oppose, and I go elsewhere. To Mexico +first, and then to Italy. You must go with me, my proud beauty! I +cannot leave you here!" + +Again Inez laughed her mocking laugh. "Go with you, Mio Padre! No, no; +I must decline the honor. The hour of settlement has come! Alphonso +Mazzolin, for long you have plotted my destruction; and one by one +removed every obstacle in your way, and smoothed my path to ruin! I +have known this--silently I have watched you maneuver. You counseled +Mañuel; you flattered him, encouraged his hasty course and overbearing +manner, and caused the rupture between us. You knew my nature, and +foresaw the result. You thought to secure me within the walls of +yonder gloomy convent, and hoped that in time my broad lands would +bless and enrich your holy church! But, Padre, I did not fancy +the home prepared for me in San Jose. I promised to comply with my +father's wish, and fulfil the engagement, much to your surprise and +chagrin. Padre, I would have married Mañuel, sooner than second your +plans. I, too, foresaw the tempest that even now howls over us. It +was my only hope, and I said, who may predict the chances of war? The +Americans may yet number the most here, and then your power will be at +an end. Seemingly I was passive, but you are thwarted. We stand face +to face, and I scorn you, incarnate devil as you are. How dared you do +as you have done? Mine eyes are opened--you can no longer deceive me +with your lying legends and the marvelous traditions of your country. +I tell you, I hate you with an everlasting hate. You have led me far +from God, if there be a God, and may my curse follow you, even to your +grave!" + +Fiercely the glowing face was bent upon him. Hate, scorn, bitterness +of heart, and utter desolation mingled strangely in the withering +glance. The Padre seized her arm, and hoarsely exclaimed: + +"We know each other now: no matter, you cannot escape me: if force be +necessary to take you hence, I can command it at any moment. You know +full well my word is law; resist not, nor further rouse me--there is +no help for you save in submission. I will not leave you." + +"Ere I follow you hence, yonder river shall close over my body. I tell +you now I will not accompany you." + +He stepped to the door and whistled faintly. The next moment a +black-browed soldier stood before them. + +"Herrara, she has broken her promise--she refuses to enter a convent, +and she defies me, and scorns our holy church. I somehow expected +this; and I charge you now, suffer her not to pass the threshold of +her own room; guard well the door, there is no window. See you, +Inez, you cannot escape me?" He whispered in the intruder's ear, and, +promising to come again the ensuing day, left the house, carefully +closing the door after him. Lighting his cigarrita, Herrara requested +Inez to seek her own apartment, that he might secure the door outside, +and then return to the fire. Without a word she ascended the stairs +to her own room. A chain was passed about the door, and then the +retreating steps of the soldier died away. + +What should she do? Inez sat down to collect her thoughts, and looked +round the apartment. The walls were of solid rock, and in one corner +was a small grating of four iron bars, which admitted light and +air, but precluded all hope of escape in that quarter. The door was +secured, and no means of egress presented itself. Her eye rested on +her lamp, and a smile lit up the dark countenance of the prisoner. She +threw herself on her bed: slowly the hours rolled--midnight came at +last. She rose and listened--no stir, no sound of life reached her: +she glanced at her lamp, now dim--the light was waning, and softly +stepping across the room, she drew from a basket several bundles of +paper. These she tore in pieces, and placing them beside the door, +drew the lamp near. Inez carefully twisted up her long black hair, and +placed on her head a broad sombrero, which the Don had worn of late; +then taking his Mexican blanket, she slipped her head through the +opening, and suffered it to fall to her feet. Something seemed +forgotten, and after some little search, she found a small cotton bag, +into which she dropped a polonce, then secured it beneath the blanket. +Queerly enough she looked, thus accoutered; but apparently the oddity +of her appearance never once crossed her mind, for, stepping across +the floor, she held the pieces of paper over the lamp till ignited, +then quickly thrust them one by one between the small crack or chink +in the center of the door. It was of wood, old and dry, and caught +like tinder. She watched it burn; the door was narrow, and the +devouring element soon consumed all save the top and bottom pieces +which extended across. These quivered as their support crumbled +beneath them, and soon would fall with a crash. She watched her time, +and gathering dress and blanket closely about her, sprang through, and +though almost suffocated with smoke, hurried down to a small door at +the rear of the house. She stood without and listened: Inez fancied +she heard the crackling of the fire, yet there was no time to lose. +Just before her sat a large stone vessel, containing the soaking corn +for the morning tortillos; drawing forth her bag, she filled it with +the swollen grain, and hastened on to where a small black horse was +lassoed, having his hay scattered on the ground beside him. It was but +the work of a moment to throw on and fasten her father's saddle, which +hung on a neighboring tree, and loosing the hair lariat, she patted +the pony she had often ridden on St. ----'s day, and sprang into +the seat. Slowly she passed through the narrow yard, and entered the +street; pausing, she glanced up at her window, and perceived +through the grating the blaze and smoke now filling the vacant room. +Distinctly the clank of the chain fell on her ear, and turning into an +alley, she galloped away. + +Inez knew it would be impossible to pass over the bridge, and down +the Alameda without detection, for seven hundred Mexican troops were +stationed on the outskirts of the town; and, with the celerity of +thought, she directed her way in the opposite direction, toward a +shallow portion of the river, occasionally used as a ford. Happily +the distance was short; and urging her somewhat unwilling horse, she +plunged in. The moon rose full and bright as she reached the opposite +bank; and pausing a moment, she looked back upon the sleeping town. +No sound of life fell on her ear; and avoiding the beaten track, she +turned her horse out on the grass, and hastened on toward the east, +directing her course so as to pass beyond the Powder-House, which was +dimly seen in the distance. At a quick canter it was soon passed, and +she pressed on to the Salado, some three miles distant. Full well she +knew she would be sought for when morning dawned; and with such speed +she almost flew on, that sunrise found her many miles from her home, +Inez was fearless, or she would never have dared to undertake what +lay before her. Alone, unprotected, in the guise of a man, without +possessing his ordinary means of defense, there was much to risk; for +Indian depredations were frequent, and she must traverse a wide waste +of almost interminable length ere reaching any settlement. + +When the sunbeams played joyously about her Inez stopped to rest, and +eating a few grains of her treasured corn, she allowed her horse to +graze a short time along the margin of a stream, where the grass +was tender and abundant; and then remounting, rode on somewhat more +leisurely than she had previously done. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + + "To die, is landing on some silent shore, + Where billows never beat nor tempests roar!" + + GARTH. + + +Since morning, Mary had lain in the deep, dreamless sleep of +exhaustion: and now the leafless boughs, which waved to and fro +before her window, threw long shadows athwart the wall and across +the deserted yard. Evening was creeping slowly on. Over the wan, yet +lovely face of the sleeper had come a gradual change--agonizing, yet +indescribable. It ever appears when Death approaches to claim his +victim, and it seems as though the shadow cast by his black pinions. +Mary opened her eyes and looked silently on the sad group which +clustered around her couch. Mr. Stewart, alone able to command his +voice, asked if she was not better, as she had slept so gently. + +"All is well, Mr. Stewart--I have no pain;" and her eye again +rested on Florence. Long was the look, and full of deep, unutterable +tenderness. Feebly she extended her hand. + +"Florry!" + +Her cousin knelt beside her, and buried her face in her hands. Mary +laid hers on the bowed head. + +"Dear Florry, I have little time to stay. Do not sadden this last +hour with vain regrets. Ah! my cousin, I thank God that you will be +so happy. When you miss me from your side you will feel lonely enough, +and your heart will ache for me again. Yet, though bodily absent, I +shall not be far away, Florry. My spirit will hover round the loved +ones I leave on earth. Your dead, forming an angel-guard, will ever +linger about your earthly path, and in the hour like this will bear up +your spirit to God. Think not of me as resting in the silent grave. I +shall not be there, but ever near you. I do not say, try to forget me, +and fix your thoughts on other things. Oh! I beg you to think of me +often, and of our glorious reunion in heaven! Florry, there is one +thing which will stand between you and me. My dear cousin, conquer +your pride, cast away your haughtiness, and learn to lean on God, and +walk in accordance with his law. Oh! who would exchange the hope of a +Christian for all that worlds could offer? One may pass through life, +and do without it; but in the hour of death its claim is imperatively +urged, and none can go down to the tomb in peace without it. Florry, +you said last night it was hard that I should die. I am not merely +reconciled, but I am happy! Earth looks very bright and joyous, and if +I might stay, my future is attractive indeed. Yet I know that for some +good end I am taken, and what seems to you so hard, is but a blessing +in disguise. Oh! then, when you are summoned away, may you feel, as +I now do, that the arms of your God are outstretched to receive you." +She held out her hand to Mr. Stewart, who stood beside her: he clasped +it in his. + +"Cherish Florry, and let no shadow come between you. It gives me +inexpressible joy to know that when I am gone you will be near to love +and to guide her." + +"We will comfort and guide each other, dear Mary, and oh! I pray God +that we may be enabled to join you in that land of rest to which you +are hastening." He fervently kissed the thin white hand he held, and +then gently raised Florence. Mary lifted her arms feebly, and they +clasped each other in a long, last embrace. + +"Mary, my angel cousin, I cannot give you up. Oh! I have never prized +you as I ought. Who will love me as you have done?" + +"Hush, Florry!" whispered the sinking voice of the sufferer. "I am +very, very happy--kiss me, and say good-by." + +Gently Dr. Bryant took Florence from her cousin, and then each in +turn, Mrs. Carlton and Aunt Lizzy, bent over her; as the latter turned +away, Mary took her hand, and drawing her down, murmured: + +"My dear aunt, forgive what may have pained you in my past life. We +have differed on many points, but we both know there is one God. Ah! +aunt, in his kingdom may we soon meet again: think of me often, dear +aunt. When I am gone you will be very lonely, but only for a short +period are we separated." + +Dr. Bryant elevated her pillow that she might rest more easily. She +lifted her eyes to his pale face. "Frank, will you turn the sofa that +I may see the sun set once more?" + +He moved it to the west window, and drew aside the curtain that the +golden beams might enter: she could not look out, for the sofa was +low, and sitting down beside her, he passed his arm around her, +and lifted her head to his bosom. For a time she looked out on the +brilliant hues of the setting sun, now just visible above the tree +tops. Slowly it sank, then disappeared forever to her vision. Once Dr. +Bryant had seen her lips move, as in prayer; now the deep blue eyes +were again raised to the loved face bending over her. + +"Long ago, I prayed to God that I might fade away gently, and die a +painless death. He has granted my petition. All things seem very +calm and beautiful--earth ne'er looked so like heaven before; yet how +insignificant in comparison with the glories which await me. Frank, +if aught could draw me back, and make me loth to leave this world, it +would be my love for you. Life would be so bright passed by your side. +You know the depth of my love, yet I may not remain. Frank, tell +me that you can give me up for a little while. Oh! can you not say, +'God's will-be done?'" + +"Mary, it is a terrible trial to yield you up, when I looked forward +so joyously to the future. It is hard to think of the long, long +dreary years that are to come, and know that you will not be near me; +that I cannot see your face, or hear your loved tones. Oh, Mary, you +know not the bitterness of this hour; yet I can say God's will be +done, for I have conquered my own heart, but every earthly joy and +hope has passed away. To our reunion I must ever look as my only +comfort, and I pray God that it may be speedy." + +He bent his head till his lips rested on the white brow, now damp in +death. Wearily she turned her face toward his; he clasped the wasted +form tightly to his heart, and kissed the pale lips; her fingers +clasped his hand gently, and she whispered, "Good-by!" + +"Good-by, my darling Mary!--my own angel one, good-by!" + +Again he pressed his lips to hers, and then rested her head more +easily upon his arm. The eyes closed, and those who stood watching her +low, irregular breathing, fancied she slept again. + +One arm was around her, while the other supported the drooping head. +Her beautiful brown hair fell over his arm, and left exposed the +colorless face. She was wasted, yet beautiful in its perfect peace +and joy was the expression which rested on her features. Dr. Bryant, +leaning his noble brow on hers, felt her spirit pass away in the last +sigh which escaped her lips. Yet he did not lift his head. Cold as +marble grew the white fingers which lingered in his, still he clasped +her tightly. He sat with closed eyes, communing with his own saddened +heart; he was stilling the agony which welled up, and casting forth +the bitterness which mingled darkly with his grief, and he said unto +his tortured soul: "Be still! my treasure is laid up in heaven." + +He lifted the hair from his arm, and gently drew his hand from hers; +yet, save for the icy coldness of her brow, none would have known +that the soul which lent such gentle loveliness to the countenance had +flown home to God. + +Dr. Bryant pressed a last kiss on the closed eyes and marble brow, +softly laid her on her pillow, and left the room. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + + +"All things are dark to sorrow," and the very repose and beauty of +nature seem to the aching heart a mockery. No violent bursts of grief +had followed Mary's death, for so peaceful and painless was her end, +it was scarce allowable. Yet now that she had been consigned to the +quiet grave, a dreary sense of loneliness and desolation crept to +the hearts of the saddened group. They stood assembled at the door +of their new home, to bid adieu to Dr. Bryant. In vain had been his +sister's tears and entreaties, and Mr. Carlton's expostulations. +Florence had clasped his hand, and asked in trembling accents, why he +left them in their sorrow, and Mr. Stewart implored him not to seek +death on the battlefield. + +Firm in his purpose, naught availed. He stood upon the step ready +to depart; his noble face was very pale, and grief had touched with +saddening finger every lineament. Yet his tone and mien were calm as +usual. + +"My dear sister," said he, "in times like these a man should first +regard duty--the laws and precepts of his God! then the claims of his +suffering country; and lastly, the ties of nature and the tenderer +feelings of his heart. Ellen, think how many have torn themselves from +weeping wives and clinging children, and cast their warm love far from +them. The call to patriots is imperative. I have now nothing to detain +me here: it is my duty to lend my arm toward supporting our common +liberty. Do not fear for me, Ellen, my dear sister; remember that the +strong arm of all-seeing God is ever around us, to guard in time of +danger!" He clasped her tenderly to his heart, then placed her in her +husband's arms. + +"Florence, if not again in Texas, I hope we shall soon meet, in more +peaceful hours, in Louisiana; if not, I pray God that you and Stewart +may be as happy as I once hoped to be." He pressed her hand warmly, +and returning the long, tight clasp of Mr. Stewart, mounted his horse +and rode slowly away. + +"Mother," said Elliot, "Uncle Frank has not taken the right road +toward home." + +"Hush, Elliot!" she sadly answered, while her tears gushed anew; "he +has gone by his Mary's grave." + +On that hour, spent at the early tomb of the "loved and lost" Mary, +we will not intrude: it is rendered sacred by its deep, unutterable +anguish. + +Nearly a week passed, and Dr. Bryant had hurried on, riding through +the long, long nights, and only pausing at times to recruit his jaded +steed. He had arrived at within two days' ride of San Antonio, and +too wearied to proceed, stopped as night closed in, and picketing his +horse wrapped his cloak about him, and threw himself under a large +spreading oak to rest, and, if possible, to sleep. An hour passed +on: still he lay looking up to the brilliant sky above. Perfect quiet +reigned around, and he felt soothed inexpressibly. Overcome with +fatigue, sleep stole on, and momentary oblivion of the past was +granted. He was startled from his slumber by the neighing of his +horse; and rising lightly, drew forth his pistols, cocked one, and +turned in the direction whence came the sound of approaching hoofs. +The neighing was answered by the advancing steed, and soon the figure +of both rider and horse was dimly seen; for the moon was not yet +risen, and the pale light of the stars but faintly assisted the +vision. + +"Who comes there?" asked Dr. Bryant, throwing off his cloak, and +stepping up to the stranger. + +"A peaceful Mexican, in search of cows, and some twenty sheep which +strayed away. I think, from your voice, you are an Americano. I am +friendly to your people--you will not molest me, and I will not harm +you." + +"My friend, I rather doubt your word. These are stormy times for a man +to venture out in search of cattle, so far from San Antonio.". + +"I could tell you a piece of news that would satisfy you that I run +less risk than yourself. But, stranger, it's not civil to doubt a +man's word, and make him an enemy whether he will or not." + +"I am willing to receive your proffered proof of sincerity, and hope +to find you unlike your fickle nation. Come, tell the news which +sanctions this long ramble of yours. These are dark days, and it +becomes every man to look well to his own safety, and likewise watch +his neighbor's movements." + +"I will do you a kindness, stranger; turn your horse's head, and let +moonrise find you where you drank water at noon. San Antonio is no +place for Americans now. Santa Anna has taken the Alamo; and every +one of your people lie low. Not one was spared to carry the tale to +Austin--no, not one!" + +Dr. Bryant groaned in spirit, and his extended arm sunk to his side. + +"Oh God! hast thou forsaken us? Surely thou wilt yet listen to the +voice of justice and liberty," he murmured to himself, and there was a +pause. + +"How long since the ill-fated Alamo fell?" he inquired. + +"Five days ago. Hintzilopotchli came down and held his bloody feast, +and cut off many brave men." + +"By what force was the fortress assaulted?" + +"Seven thousand men, led by the great and victorious Santa Anna. Not +long lasted the strife: we were too many for your people, and the +fight was short." + +"And was our noble Travis slaughtered with his brave band?" + +"He was too brave to live. Think you he would survive his comrades? +No! he fell first, and then all followed." + +"Will Santa Anna march to Austin, think you; or, content with victory, +remain in your town?" + +"Truly you give me credit for few brains and a woman's tongue. I have +told you one true tale, can you expect another from a fickle Mexican? +I tell you now, stranger, push me not too closely, if you would hear +what is good for you." + +"Your voice sounds strangely familiar; yet I cannot recognize it +sufficiently to know with whom I am speaking. If, as you declare, +friendly to our people, you will not object to giving your name. +Perhaps I have known you in San Antonio." + +"We Mexicans can tell a friend across the prairie--but no matter. I am +thinking we be strangers, yet I am not ashamed of my name. They call +me Antoine Amedo--did you ever hear of such an 'hombre?' My ranche is +just below the mission San Jose, and I have large flocks of sheep and +cattle." + +"Antoine Amedo," repeated Dr. Bryant, musingly, and striving, through +the gloom, to scan his features. "You are right; I do not know you, +though your voice is familiar." + +"If you have no objection, Señor Americano, I will let my horse picket +awhile, and rest myself; for I have ridden many miles since sunrise, +and not a blessed 'barego' have I smelled." + +"You are at liberty to rest as long as you please: consult your own +inclinations." And he turned away to his own horse, yet marked that +the newcomer dismounted with some difficulty. + +He changed his own picket, that fresh grass might not be wanting; and +returning to the tree, leaned against its huge body, and watched +the movements of the intruder. They were very slow, as if he were +well-nigh spent with overexertion. He took off his broad hat, +smoothed his hair, then replaced it; adjusted his heavy blanket more +comfortably, and drawing forth a sort of wallet, proceeded to satisfy +the cravings of hunger. He ate but little, and returning the bag or +sack to its hiding-place in the broad girdle which was passed about +his waist beneath the blanket, stretched himself on the ground, with +not even a straggling bough between him and the deep blue vault of +heaven. + +No sound broke the silence, save the cropping of the horses as they +grazed near; and, seeking again his grassy couch, Dr. Bryant closed +his eyes, and communed with his own heart. Sleep was now impossible, +and he lay so rapt in thought, that time flew on unheeded. The moon +was shining brightly now, and every object was distinctly seen. He +heard the rustling of leaves and the crush of grass. A moment he +opened his eyes, then closed them, and feigned sleep. + +The Mexican had risen, and softly approaching the motionless form, +knelt on the ground beside him, and listened to his breathing. It was +low and regular, as one in quiet slumber. He bent and gazed into the +upturned face--not a muscle quivered or a feature moved. Stealthily a +hand crept round the collar of the cloak, and lifted a heavy lock of +the raven hair. Smoothing it out on the grass, he drew forth a crooked +blade, which, in accordance with the custom of his countrymen, +ever hung in the girdle passed about the waist. It glittered in the +moonlight; and with dexterous hand he cut the lock of hair: then, +returning the knife to its resting-place, rose, and noiselessly +retreating to his former position, some yards distant, threw himself +down to sleep. + +Dr. Bryant, fully conscious of every movement, determined, if +possible, to solve this mystery. His pistols were in readiness, and, +had violence been attempted, he would have sprung to his feet and +defended himself. He waited awhile, then turned, stretched, yawned, +and finally rose up. He drew out his watch, the hand pointed to two. +He wound it up, and drawing his cap closer about his ears, for the +night was cold, approached his companion and stirred him with his +foot. No sound or movement indicated consciousness; he stooped and +shook him. + +"Antoine, Antoine, get up my friend: you don't intend to spend the +night here, do you?" + +Ameda sat upright, and rubbed his eyes with well-feigned sleepiness: +"Well, Señor Americano, what is it--Indians smelling about?" + +Dr. Bryant could not repress a smile at the drowsy tone of the +ranchero, who scarce five moments before had crept from his side. + +"Upon my word, you seem a match for the seven sleepers of old. Why, +man, if Indians had stumbled on you by chance, they had slung +your scalp on yonder bough. In times like these men should slumber +lightly." + +"Very true, Señor; yet mine eyes are heavy, for two moons have seen me +riding on. But you are up! wherefore?" + +"I proceed on my journey, and wakened you to ask advice and direction, +and request your company, if it be that we take the same route." + +"Jesu Maria! One might think the man had choice! Why, turn your +horse's head, and rest for naught but grass and water." + +The Mexican had risen, and in adjusting his blanket, a sudden gust +of wind lifted his hat, and it fell to the ground at his feet; he +clutched at it convulsively, but it was too late. Dr. Bryant started +back in astonishment: + +"Inez!" + +The head sunk on her bosom, and the hair which had been confined at +the back of her head, fell in luxuriant masses to her waist. + +"Fearless, yet unfortunate girl! what has led you to this freak?" + +A singular group they presented, standing on the broad and seemingly +boundless prairie--the March wind moaning through the old oaks, and +rustling the brown grass. The moon shone full upon them; Dr. Bryant, +with his large cloak wrapped closely about him, and the black cap +drawn over his brow--surprise, reproach, pity, and chagrin strangely +blended in his gaze. One arm was folded over the broad chest, the +other hung by his side. Inez stood just before him, her beautiful head +bent so that the black locks well-nigh concealed her features. Her +father's large variegated blanket hanging loosely about the tall, +slender form. At her feet lay the hat, crushed by the extended foot, +and quivering in the night wind, her hands tightly clasped. + +"Inez, you crouch like a guilty being before me! Surely you have +done nothing to blush for. Yet stranger step was never taken by a +reasonable being. Inez, raise your head, and tell me what induced +you to venture in this desolate region, alone, unprotected, and in +disguise?" + +Inez lifted slowly the once beautiful face, now haggard and pale. +Anguish of spirit had left its impress on her dark brow, wrinkled by +early care. Mournful was the expression of the large dark eyes raised +to his face: + +"Dr. Bryant, I am alone in the wide, wide world--there are none to +protect--none to care for me now! My father sleeps by Mañuel's side, +in the churchyard, and I am the last of my house. The name of De +Garcia, once so proud and honored, will become a byword for desolation +and misery! I have said cursed was the hour of my birth! and I now say +blessed is the hour of my last sleep! You see me here from necessity, +not choice, for all places would be alike to me now; but I have been +driven from my lonely hearth--I dared not stay, I flew to this dreary +waste for peace--for protection! There is no rest, no peace for me, +Not one is left to whom I can say, guard and keep me from harm! Alone, +friendless, in this wide, bitter world!" + +"Your language is strangely ambiguous, Inez! Can you not explicitly +declare what danger threatens, and believe that all I can do to avert +evil will gladly be done?" + +"Dr. Bryant, the Padre is my most inveterate enemy! Is not this +sufficient to account for my presence here?" + +"Unfortunate girl! how have you incurred that man's hatred?" + +"It is a long tale, and needless to repeat: enough, that he plotted +my ruin--that the strong, silent walls of a far-off convent was my +destination. And why?--That my flocks and lands might enrich his +precious church. You look wonderingly upon me; strange language, +this, I think you say, for a lamb of his flock. How dare you speak so +irreverently of the holy man, consecrated priest of Rome as he is? Dr. +Bryant, I am no Catholic, nor have I been since you have known me. +It was my policy to appear passive. I attended mass, and sought the +confessional, and all the while cursed him in my heart. I watched him, +and saved your people from destruction. Would you know how? I heard +whispered promises to meet at dead of night. I followed; I saw the +meeting between an emissary of Santa Anna and my godly Padre. At +imminent risk I listened to their plot. You were to be kept in +ignorance of the powerful force hurrying on to destroy you. Santa +Anna was to burst suddenly upon the town, and, ere you could receive +reinforcements, capture the Alamo at a blow. Once in his possession, +more than one of your people were to be handed over to the tender +mercies of my holy confessor. I warned you of your danger, and happily +you heeded the signs of the time; else you, too, would now molder +beneath the walls of the Alamo. His prey escaped him, and with +redoubled eagerness he sought to consummate my destruction. I was made +a prisoner in my own home, ere the sod settled on my father's grave! +I fled in the midnight hour, and you see me here! Dr. Bryant, I +well-nigh cut short the knotted thread of my life; but one thing saved +me, else my body would even now whirl along the channel of the river. +When I parted from the blue-eyed, sainted Mary, she gave me this book, +and asked me not only to read but follow its teachings. She clasped my +hand, and told me to remember God, and the eternity which awaited me, +and the judgment of that other, final world. Oh! if there be a heaven +and a purgatory! a God and a judge! if I sink to perdition, one alone +is to blame. He told me he had power to forgive my sins; that the +more completely I obeyed him on earth, the more blessed I should be in +heaven. Yet I have heard him lie, and seen him set aside the rules of +humanity and the laws of God! Mary's Bible tells me 'to keep holy the +Sabbath day.' Yet, from my childhood, I have seen our Priests at mass +on Sabbath morning, and at monte and cock-fights on the evening of the +same day! And I have seen them take from the widow, as the burial-fee +of her husband, the last cow she possessed. I saw these things, and +I said, there is no God, or he would not suffer such as these to +minister as his chosen servants upon the earth. I said in my heart, +purgatory is but a lie made to keep pace with their marvelous legends +and frequent miracles! There is not a purgatory, or they would fear +the retribution in store for them. I had none to teach me aright. +I mocked at the thought of religion. I said there is none on the +earth--it is merely a system of gain, and all that constitutes the +difference is, that some are by nature more of devils, and others +gifted with milder hearts. But I saw Mary--pure angel that she is--I +saw her with the sick and the dying: she railed not at our priest, as +he at her. She carried her Bible to the bed of death, and told them to +look to God for themselves. She bade them leave off saint-worship, and +cling to Jesus as their only Mediator. Peace followed her steps, and +much good she would have done, but my Padre interfered, peremptorily +ordered all good Papists to shun her as they would an incarnate demon, +and frightened many into submission with his marvelous tales and +threats of purgatory. I said to myself, if there be truth in God and +religion, this Mary walketh in the right path, for like an angel +of mercy and light she ever seems. She was the hope, the joy, the +blessing of all who knew her. Oh! I will come to you, Mary, and learn +of you, and die near, that you may be with me in the hour of rest." + +Inez sank on the ground, and burying her face in her arms, rocked +herself to and fro. Dr. Bryant had listened to her rambling, +incoherent language, like one in a dream, till the name of Mary passed +her lips, and then his head sank upon his chest, and he groaned in the +anguish of his tortured spirit. + +Inez held in one hand the small Bible given at parting; his eye fell +upon it, and he stepped nearer to her: + +"Inez, the Mary you have loved rests no longer on earth. She has +passed away, and dwells in heaven. She was true to God, and his holy +law, and great is her reward. Scarce a week since I laid her in her +quiet grave, yet not there either, but yielded her up to the arms of +God!" + +He paused, for his deep tone faltered. Inez rose quickly to her feet +as he spoke, and gazed vacantly on his face. + +"Mary gone forever! Mary in heaven! Shall I never again see her, sweet +angel of truth and purity, with her soft blue eyes, so full of holy +love and gentleness? Oh, Mary, thou art blessed! thou art at rest! +When shall I, too, find eternal rest? Ere long, Mary, I, too, will +sleep the last, unbroken, dreamless sleep!" + +Dr. Bryant laid his hand on the sacred volume, and would have drawn +it from her clasp; but tightening her hold, she shook her head, and +mournfully exclaimed: + +"No, no; it is mine! When I die, it shall be my pillow; while I live, +it rests near my heart, and in the churchyard I will not let it go. +You have no right to claim it: you have not loved her as I have done. +She loved you, yet you heeded not the jewel that might have, even now, +been your own!" + +"Inez, I have loved--I do love her, as none other can! Too late I +found my love returned. Had God spared her to me, she would have been +my wife. Oh, Mary, Mary! my own cherished one! May thy spirit hover +round me now, as in life thou wert my guardian angel! Inez, I, too, +have suffered, and severely. I have little to anticipate in life, +yet I am not desponding as you; my faith in God and his unchanging +goodness is unshaken. Let us both so live that we may join my Mary in +glory." + +Inez answered not, but passed her hand wearily across her brow. + +"Inez, which will you do? retain your disguise, and go with me, or +return to your old home? I am not going to Austin, but to Goliad, to +join the Texans there; will you accompany me, and claim the protection +of our banner? All that a brother could, I will gladly do; with me you +are safe, at least for a time; and when the storm of war has passed, I +doubt not your home will again be happy." + +"I know you, Dr. Bryant, and I know that you are true to God, and keep +his law. I will go with you to Goliad, and there we will decide what I +must do. Oh! I am weary and sick at heart, and not long will I burden +you." + +She stooped, and picking up the hat, replaced it on her head, and +turned toward her horse. + +Frank kindly took her hand. + +"Inez, do not despond. I trust all may yet be well with you, and rest +assured it gives me heartfelt pleasure to be enabled to render you +a service, and take you to a place of safety. But your hand is +hot--burning: it is feverish excitement from which you suffer. When we +have reached Goliad, and you can rest, I doubt not your strength and +spirits will return; meantime take one of my pistols, it is loaded, +and, in case of danger, will render good service." + +She took the proffered weapon, and having secured it in the +girdle, turned to mount her horse. Frank assisted in arranging the +accouterments, and, springing upon his own recruited steed, they +turned their faces southward. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + + "Our bosoms we'll bare to the glorious strife, + And our oath is recorded on high, + To prevail in the cause that is dearer than life, + Or crushed in its ruins to die. + + * * * * * + + And leaving in battle no blot on his name, + Look proudly to heaven, from the death-bed of fame." + + CAMPBELL. + + +A bloody seal was set upon thee, oh! Goliad. A gory banner bound +around thy name; and centuries shall slowly roll ere thou art blotted +from the memory of man. The annals of the dim and darkened past afford +no parallel for the inhuman deed, so calmly, so deliberately committed +within thy precincts; and the demon perpetrator escaped unpunished! +A perfect appreciation of the spirit of the text--"Vengeance is +mine, saith the Lord; I will repay," alone can sanction the apathy +manifested by one to whom the world looked as the avenger of his +murdered countrymen. + +Rumors of the fall of the Alamo, the overwhelming force of Santa Anna, +and his own imminent danger, had reached Colonel Fanning. In vain he +entreated reinforcements, in vain urged the risk hourly incurred. The +Texan councils bade him save himself by flight. "Retreat, fly from the +post committed to my keeping!" The words sounded like a knell on the +ear of the noble man to whom they were addressed. He groaned in the +anguish of his spirit, "I will not leave this fortress--Travis fell +defending with his latest breath the Alamo! Oh, Crocket! Bowie! can +I do better than follow thy example, and give my life in this true +cause?" + +An untimely death--the separation and misery of his darling family, +weighed not an atom! "Patria infelici fidelis!" was ever his motto, +and unfaltering was his own step. There came a messenger from +headquarters--"Abandon Goliad, and retreat!" + +"Colonel, you will not sound a retreat?" and Dr. Bryant laid his hand +upon his commander's arm. + +"My God! it is a fearful thing to decide the destinies of four hundred +brave men! Bryant, if we remain it is certain death--the tragedy of +San Antonio will be reacted in our case!" + +"Colonel, you must remember the old saw--'He that fights and runs +away, lives to fight another day,'" said a timeworn ranger, settling +his collar with perfect nonchalance. + +"Why, Furgeson, do you counsel flight? My brave comrade, bethink +yourself!" + +"Well, Colonel, it is something strange for me to say run; but when I +do say it, I am in earnest. The most hot-headed fellow in our company +dare not say I lack courage: you know as well as I do what they call +me--'Bulldog Furgeson,' but who feels like fighting the grand devil +himself, and his legion of imps to boot? I am a lone man and have +nothing in particular to live for, it's true; but it is some object +with me to do the most service I can for our Lone blessed Star! I +should like a game with old 'Santy' in a clear ring, and fair play; +but I am thinking we had best take French leave of this place, and +join the main body where we can fight with some chance ahead. Now +that's my opinion, but if you don't believe that doctrine, and want to +take the 'old bull right by the horns,' I say let's at him." + +A smile passed over the face of his commander. + +"Thank you, Furgeson, and rest assured I shall not doubt your stanch +support in time of need." + +Again the broad brow contracted, and, linking his arm in that of Dr. +Bryant, he paced to and fro, engrossed in earnest, anxious thought. +Pausing at length, he pointed to his troops, awaiting in silence his +commands. + +"Bryant, at least half those brave fellows have wives and children, +and bright homes, beckoning them away, yet see them calmly trust to +me in this trying hour. Should my order go forth to man the fort, and +meet the worst, I know full well not a murmur would be heard. Still it +is equally certain that, if we brave the conflict, not one of us +shall survive to tell the tale. What am I to do? Make this a second +Thermopylæ?" + +"Peculiarly painful, I know full well, is the situation in which you +are placed. Yet one strong argument remains to be urged. Colonel, if +we desert Goliad, and sound a retreat, we cannot escape. The force of +the enemy is too powerful, their movements too rapid, to allow us to +retire to a place of safety without a desperate encounter. Is it not +better policy to remain here, and meet the shock?" + +"If we fight at all it must be at fearful odds; four hundred to six +thousand! Yet, should I follow the dictates of my own heart, I would +not give one inch!--no, not one! Dearly they should buy the ground on +which I stand!" + +"Colonel, shall we not meet them on this spot and lay down our lives, +as did our brethren of the Alamo?" + +"No, by Jove! I shall have to leave, whether I will or not!" And +crumpling the note of orders, he tossed it to the ground, and pressed +it with his heel. + +He stepped forth, and drawing his military cap about his eyes, folded +his arms upon his broad chest, and addressed his troops: + +"Comrades! Retreat is no test of an army's bravery, neither the +courage of its commander. In every age and nation, circumstances have +occurred in which the cause of liberty, or the general welfare of +the state, has been promoted by timely flight rather than desperate +engagements. 'The Swamp Fox' often retired to his island of refuge, +safe from invading bands--the daring Sumter was forced at times to +retreat; and even our great Washington fled from superior forces, and +waited till a more convenient season. Fellow-soldiers: there is one of +two steps to be immediately taken. We will stand to our post, and fall +to a man, like Travis and his noble band, and our names will go down +to posterity as did the Spartans of old, + + 'Wreathed with honor, and immortal fame;' + +or else we set out at once for headquarters, consolidate our forces, +and march united to oppose Santa Anna. + +"Comrades, which will ye do?" + +No sound was heard along the ranks, each bent his head and communed +with his own spirit; and the image of their distant, yet cherished +homes, rose up and murmured--"Remember thy weeping wife and thy +fair-browed boy; who will guard them when thou art gone?" + +The eagle eye of their brave leader was piercingly bent on the +mute assemblage; the momentary gleam of hope that lighted his noble +countenance faded away. There came a faint sound of rising voices--it +swelled louder, and louder still: + +"God bless our noble Colonel! our brave Fanning! With him is the +issue. Say but the word, and we will follow!" + +"Bryant, I cannot sign their death-warrant!" he said in a low, subdued +tone, sinking his head upon his breast. He lifted himself up, and +raising his voice, calmly replied: + +"Had I not received orders to retreat, and if I were not fully aware +that lingering here insured our total destruction, I should scorn to +turn my back upon Goliad! Oh! gladly I would die in its defense; +but your fate is too entirely in my hands to admit of following +my individual wishes! None know the pang it causes me to sound a +'Retreat,' yet it may be, that the success of our cause demands it +at my hands, and therefore I say, 'Retreat, comrades!'--at dawn +to-morrow, we move from Goliad." + +The decree went forth, and the ensuing day saw the doomed band moving +eastward toward headquarters they were destined never to reach. + +On arriving at Goliad, Dr. Bryant had immediately enlisted, after +placing Inez in safety at the house of an aged Señora of her nation; +and no sooner was it decided to leave the town the following day than +he sought his Spanish friend. + +She was sitting alone when he entered, and quickly rising, placed a +seat for him. + +"Thank you, Inez, I have only a moment to remain--I come to say +good-by." + +"Which way do your people go now?" she hoarsely asked. + +"Santa Anna is marching with overwhelming forces toward us, and +Colonel Fanning thinks it advisable to retire to headquarters. We set +out at dawn to-morrow." + +"You cannot escape by flight: it were better to remain here. I tell +you now, if you leave Goliad, you will be cut off to a man." + +"Inez, my own feelings would strongly incline me to follow your +advice, but it has been decided otherwise!' + +"Then, if you must go, I go with you!" + +"Impossible, Inez, impossible! you know not what you say! For you to +venture from this place under existing circumstances, beset as we are +on every hand with dangers seen and unseen,--would be the height of +madness." + +"I know not fear! of that you must have been convinced long ere this. +Danger cannot intimidate me; what you meet and suffer, that will I +encounter." + +"Bethink yourself, Inez! What can you hope to accomplish by this +strange step? You have nothing to fear here from your own nation: what +can you gain by seeking a home among my people? Strange, mysterious +being! I wish for your own sake you were timid--that fear might +strengthen your sense of prudence!" + +Inez had bent her head while he spoke, as in humiliation, now she +lifted herself and said, in a low, determined tone: + +"I am alone in the wide world, and I have but one hope, but one +pleasure; to be with you while life remains, and to die near, that you +may close my eyes and lay me down to rest." She paused a moment, +and then clasping her hands, approached him, and continued in a more +passionate tone: + +"Oh, if you knew how I have loved you, you could not look down so +coldly, so calmly upon me! you could not refuse the favor I ask! Oh, +Dr. Bryant, do not scorn me for my love!--'tis not a common love; for +it I have lost every earthly comfort and blessing; for this struggled +and toiled, and braved numberless dangers. I have loved you better +than everything beside! Turn not from me, and think contemptuously of +the worship given unsought! If you cannot love me, do not, oh, do not +despise me! Let me a little while longer be with you, and see you; +I will not trouble or incommode any one--do not leave me. Oh, Dr. +Bryant, do not leave me!" + +The large black eyes were raised entreatingly to his, and an +expression of the keenest anguish rested on her colorless, yet +beautiful face. + +Sadly he regarded her as she hurried on: no glance of scorn rested +even for a moment upon her. Yet a stern sorrow settled on his broad +brow, and around the firmly compressed lips. + +"Inez, I do not, cannot love you, other than as the kind friend of +other days. I have never loved but one--I never shall. Mary, my own +angel Mary, ever rests in my heart. I cannot forget her--I can never +love another. I do not even thank you for your love, for your avowal +gives me inexpressible pain! I have suspected this, Inez, for long, +and your own heart will tell you I gave no ground to hope that I could +return your affection. I have striven to treat you like a sister of +late, yet this painful hour has not been averted. Equally painful to +both. Inez, your own words make it more than ever necessary that we +should part forever. I cannot return your love--I will not encourage +it. You must, as soon as safety allows, return to your old home. +Inez, do not cherish your affection for me, it can only bring pain and +remorse; forget me, and remember that you have imperative duties of +your own to perform. This is your darkest hour, and believe me, in +time you will be happy, and a blessing to your people. Remember Mary's +words, and her parting gift, and I pray God that we may so live that +we shall all meet in a happier home." + +"Then I shall never see you again?" she said, in a calm and +unfaltering voice. + +"For your sake, Inez, it is best that we should not meet again. If I +survive this war I go to Europe, and you will probably never see me +more. Inez, I pain you--forgive me. Your own good requires this candor +on my part." + +An ashy paleness overspread the cheek and brow of his companion as he +spoke, and the small hands clutched each other tightly, yet no words +passed the quivering lips. + +"Good-by, Inez! my kind and valued friend, good-by!" He held out his +hand. She raised her head, and gazed into the sad yet noble face of +the man she had loved so long. She clasped his hand between both hers, +and a moan of bitter anguish escaped the lips. + +"My love will follow you forever! A woman of my nature cannot forget. +I shall sink to eternal rest with your name on my lips--your image +in my heart. Yet I would not keep you here--go, and may your God ever +bless you, and--and--may you at last meet your Mary, if there be a +heaven! We part now, for you have said it; good-by, and sometimes, +when all is joy and gladness to you, think a moment on Inez! the +cursed, the miserable Inez! sitting in bitter darkness by her lonely +hearth! Good-by!" She pressed her lips to his hand, and without a +tear, shrouded her face in her mantilla and turned away. + +"God bless you, Inez, and keep you from all harm!" and Dr. Bryant left +the house, and returned to his commander. + + * * * * * + +Colonel Fanning had led his troops but a few miles when the vanguard +halted, and some excitement was manifested. Spurring forward, he +inquired the cause of delay. + +"Why, Colonel, if we ain't 'out of the frying-pan into the fire,' my +name is not Will Furgeson. Look yonder, Colonel, it takes older and +weaker eyes than mine to say them ain't Santy Anna's imps marching +down upon us thick as bees just swarmed, too!" + +"You are right, Furgeson; it is the entire Mexican force! let us form +at once and meet them!" + +Quick and clearly his orders rung out, and his little band, compact +and firm, waited in silence the result. With an exulting shout the +Mexicans charged. Desperately the doomed Texans fought, heaping up the +slain at every step. The wily Santa Anna changed his tactics. There +came a momentary cessation as the crowding thousands were furiously +driven back. And, seizing the opportunity, he spurred forward, offered +honorable terms, and besought Fanning to surrender and save the lives +of his brave followers. + +"We will only surrender on condition that every privilege of prisoners +of war be guaranteed to us," replied Colonel Fanning. + +"I, Santa Anna, commander-in-chief of the Mexican forces, do most +solemnly pledge my word, that all the privileges consistent with your +situation as prisoners of war, shall be extended to yourself and men. +And hereby swear, that on these conditions you may lay down your arms +in safety, without further molestation on our part." + +Is there one of my readers who for a moment would attach blame to the +noble Fanning? The lives of his men were of far more importance to him +than the renown of perishing, like Travis, in a desperate struggle. +With the latter there was no alternative, for the cry of even seven +exhausted men for "quarter" was disregarded, and the garrison fell +to a man. But honorable terms were offered Fanning: he remembered +his men, and surrendered. Santa Anna! can there be pardon for such a +hardened wretch as you? Does not sleep fly your pillow? In the silent +watches of the night, do not the specter forms of your victims cluster +about your couch, and the shambles of Goliad rise before you? Can you +find rest from the echoing shrieks of murdered thousands, or shut your +eyes and fail to perceive the mangled forms stiffening in death, +and weltering in gore? If you are human, which I much doubt, your +blackened soul will be tortured with unavailing remorse, till Death +closes your career on earth, and you are borne to the tribunal of +Almighty God, there to receive your reward.... + +Night found the Texans again in Goliad, and they sought sleep secure +from evil; for had not Santa Anna's word been given that further +molestation would not be allowed? and they believed! Soundly they +slept, and dreamed of far-off homes and fireside joys. + + "That bright dream was their last!" + +Sunrise came, and they were drawn out upon the Plaza. Their leader was +retained in custody, and, unsuspicious of harm, they each maintained +their position. Dr. Bryant raised his eyes--they rested but a moment +on Santa Anna's face. Turning quickly, he shouted aloud, + +"Turn, comrades, let us not be shot in the back!" + +Another moment the signal was given, and a deadly fire poured +upon four hundred unresisting prisoners of war, to whom honorable +conditions had been granted by the brave and noble generalissimo of +the Mexican forces. + +Not one of many noble forms was spared. Dr. Bryant sank without +a struggle to the earth; and his spirit, released from sorrowing +mortality, sprung up to meet his Mary and his God! + +The deed was done; and Santa Anna, the mighty chief who mowed down +four hundred unarmed men, was immortalized! Fear not, brave heart, +that posterity will forget thee! Rest assured that the lapse of time +cannot obliterate the memory of thy mighty deeds! + +Fanning survived but a few hours, and then a well-aimed ball laid low +forever his noble head. Who among us can calmly remember that his +body was denied a burial? Oh, thou martyr leader of a martyr band, we +cherish thy memory! dear to the heart of every Texan, every American, +every soldier, and every patriot. Peace to thee, noble Fanning! and +may the purest joys of heaven be yours in that eternity to which we +all are hastening. + + * * * * * + +It was noon! Still and cold lay the four hundred forms upon the Plaza. +Even as they sank, so they slept. No disturbing hand had misplaced +one stiffened member. The silence of death reigned around the murdered +band. A muffled figure swiftly stole down the now deserted streets, +and hurrying to the Plaza, paused and gazed on the ruin and wreck that +surrounded her. Pools of blood were yet standing, and the earth was +damp with gore. One by one Inez turned the motionless forms, still +the face she sought was not to be found. She had almost concluded her +search, when her eye fell on a prostrate form, closely wrapt in a long +black cloak; she knelt and gazed into the upturned face, and a low cry +of bitter anguish welled up and passed her colorless lips. Gently she +lifted the cloak, clasped by one icy hand: the ball had pierced his +side, and entered the heart. So instantaneous had been his death that +not a feature was convulsed. The dark clustering hair was borne back +from the broad white brow, the eyes closed as in deep sleep, the +finely-cut lips just parted. Pallid was the cheek, yet calm and noble +beyond degree was the marble face on which Inez gazed. She caught the +cold hand to her lips, and laid her cheek near his mouth, that she +might know and realize that his spirit had indeed joined Mary's in the +"land of rest." The icy touch extinguished every gleam of hope, +and calmly she drew the cloak over the loved face, concealing every +feature, then dropped her handkerchief upon the covered head, and +drawing her mantilla like a shroud about her, went her way to wait for +night and darkness. + +Stretched on a couch in the home of the kind-hearted Señora who had +received her, Inez noted the moments and hours as they passed. An +eternity seemed comprised in the time which elapsed from noon till +dusk. Again and again she raised her bowed head, and looked out on the +slowly sinking sun. It passed at length beyond her vision. She rose +and sought her friend, an aged dame, whom God had gifted with a gentle +heart, keenly alive to the grief and sufferings of another. + +"Well, Señorita Inez, what will you have?" + +"I have a great favor to ask, yet it is one I doubt not will be +granted. Señora, among yonder slain is one who in life was ever kind +to me and to our people. Since morning he has lain in his own blood! +To-morrow will see them thrown into heaps, and left with scarce sod +enough to cover! I cannot, will not see him buried so! I myself will +lay him down to rest, if Santa Anna claims my life for it to-morrow! +I have caused a grave to be dug in a quiet spot, but I cannot bear him +to it unassisted. My strength is gone--I am well-nigh spent: will you +help me to-night? They will not miss him to-morrow, and none will know +till all is at rest! Señora, will you come with me?" + +"Tell me first, Inez, if it is he who brought you here; who acted so +nobly to me, and bade adieu to you but two days since?" + +"Yes, the same! will you refuse to assist me now?" + +"No, by our blessed Virgin! I will do all an old woman like me can do; +yet united, Inez, we shall be strong." + +Wrapping their mantillas about them, they noiselessly proceeded to +the Plaza. Darkness had closed in, and happily they met not even +a straggling soldier, for all, with instinctive dread, shunned the +horrid scene. They paused as Señora Berara stumbled over a dead body, +and well-nigh slipped in blood: + +"Jesu Maria! my very bones ache with horror! this is no place for me. +Señorita, how will you know the body? Oh! let us make haste to leave +here!" + +"Hush! do you see a white spot gleaming yonder? Nay, don't clutch my +arm, it is only my handerchief. I laid it there to mark the place. +Come on, step lightly, or you will press the dead." + +With some difficulty they made their way along the damp, slippery +ground, now and then catching at each other for support. Inez paused +on reaching her mark, and bent down for several moments; then raising +herself she whispered: + +"Señora, I have wrapped his cloak tightly about him, lift the corners +near his feet, while I carry his head. Be careful, lift gently, and do +not let the cloak slip." + +Slowly they lifted the motionless form, and steadily bore it away: +Inez taking the lead, and stepping cautiously. She left the Plaza +and principal streets, and turned toward a broad desolate waste, +stretching away from the town, and bare, save a few gnarled oaks that +moaned in the March wind. The moon rose when they had proceeded some +distance beyond the last house, and Inez paused suddenly, and looked +anxiously about her. + +"Sacra Dio! I trust you have not lost your way! Holy Mother, preserve +us if we have gone wrong." + +"I knew we must be near the place: it is under yonder tree; fear +nothing Señora, come on:" and a few more steps brought them to the +designated spot. + +A shallow excavation had been made, sufficient to admit with ease the +body of a full-grown man; and on its margin they softly laid their +burden down. Every object shone in the clear moonlight, and stranger +scene never moon shone upon. A dreary waste stretched away in the +distance, and sighingly the wind swept over it. Inez knelt beside the +grave, her wan yet still beautiful features convulsed with the secret +agony of her tortured soul; the long raven hair floating like a black +veil around the wasted form. Just before her stood the old woman, +weird-like, her wrinkled, swarthy face exposed to full view, while the +silver hair, unbound by her exertion, streamed in the night breeze. +Loosely her clothes hung about her, and the thin, bony hands were +clasped tightly as she bent forward and gazed on the marble face of +the dead. Wonder, awe, fear, pity, all strangely blended in her dark +countenance. + +Inez groaned, and rocked herself to and fro, as if crushed in body and +spirit. She could not lay him to rest forever without the bitterest +anguish, for in life she had worshiped him, and in death her heart +clung to the loved form. Again and again she kissed the cold hand she +held. + +"Señorita, we must make haste to lay him in, and cover him closely. +Don't waste time weeping now; you cannot give him life again. Have +done, Señorita Inez, and let us finish our work." + +"I am not weeping, Señora! I have not shed a single tear; yet be +patient: surely there is yet time." + +Inez straightened the cloak in which Frank Bryant was shrouded, placed +the hands calmly by his side, and softly smoothed the dark hair on his +high and noble brow. She passionately kissed the cold lips once, then +covered forever the loved, loved features, and they carefully lowered +the still form into its last resting-place. + +They stood up, and the old dame pointed to the earth piled on either +side. Inez shuddered and closed her eyes a moment, as if unequal to +the task. + +Her companion stooped, and was in the act of tossing forward a mass of +earth; but Inez interposed: "Señora, softly! I will do this: remember +there is no coffin." + +Fearfully calm was her tone as she slowly pushed in the earth. There +was no hollow echo, such as ofttimes rends the heart of the mourner, +but a heavy, dull sound of earth crushing earth. Gradually she filled +the opening even with the surface, then carefully scattered the +remaining sod. + +"I will not raise a mound, for they would tear him up, should they +know where I have laid him." Inez walked away, and gathering a +quantity of brown, shriveled leaves, and also as much grass as she +could draw from the short bunches, sprinkled them on the grave and +along the fresh earth. + +"Think you, Señora, they will find him here?" + +"No, no, Señorita! none will know that we have buried him. But the +night is already far gone, why do you linger?" + +For a moment longer Inez gazed down upon the new-made grave: "But a +few more hours, and I shall sleep here by your side; farewell till +then." + +She turned away, and silently they retraced their steps to the town, +reaching without inquiry or molestation their own home. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + + "So live, that when thy summons comes to join + The innumerable caravan, that moves + To the pale realms of shade, where each shall take + His chamber in the silent halls of death, + Thou go not, like the quarry slave, at night + Scourged to his dungeon; but sustained and soothed + By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave, + Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch + About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams." + + BRYANT. + + +A bright day in April drew near its close, and the golden rays of the +spring sun poured joyously through the open casement into the chamber +of death. Yes, the "King of Terrors" drew nigh, and the cold damp, +which his black pinions swept on, settled upon the brow of Inez. A +few days after the massacre at Goliad, a raging fever crimsoned her +cheeks, and lent unwonted brilliance to the large black eyes. Delirium +ensued, and wildly the unfortunate girl raved of the past--of her +former love, her hopelessness, her utter desolation. The dreamless +sleep of exhaustion followed this temporary madness: long she lay in +the stupor so near akin to death, and now, consciousness restored, she +awaited in silence her hour! In vain the kind-hearted Señora entreated +her to see a priest--steadfastly she refused. At length Madame Berara +assumed the responsibility of calling in her own confessor, and +silently quitting the room, went in quest of him. Inez suspected +the cause of her usual absence, and too feeble to concentrate her +thoughts, turned her face to the wall, and wearily closed her eyes. +Yet one hand felt along the cover and beneath the pillow. For what was +she searching on the bed of death? The thin fingers rested on a +small and well-worn Bible, and a tiny package, wrapped in paper and +carefully tied. The sacred volume was feebly pushed beneath her head, +and mechanically she undid the knot, and drew forth a glossy lock +of black hair. Wearily she pressed it to her lips several times, and +again folding it away, her hands sank powerless upon her bosom. + +Inez, Inez! are there none near to clasp thy cold hand and tenderly +lift thy weary head? Alas, thou desolate one, Thou art left alone +in the bitter hour of thy trial! When all things seem shrouded in +impenetrable gloom, and thy darkened soul turns from the tortured past +to the dim, uncertain future, no loved one is nigh to dash away the +gathering mists, and point to that celestial home "of which it hath +not entered into the heart of man to conceive." + +Oh, Inez! thy short life has been dark and tempestuous; it is hard +that a calm and peaceful end is denied to thee, thou suffering +one, longing for rest, oblivion of the past, utter unconsciousness! +Struggle on, proud maiden! but a few moments, and thy tones will +vibrate no longer, thy firm step cease forever, and thy memory pass +away like the shadows of night! + +Señora Berara re-entered the silent chamber, accompanied by a priest, +clad in the vestments of his order. They approached the bed, and the +aged dame, bending over Inez, whispered audibly: + +"I could not find my own Padre, but I bring one who will confess and +absolve thee? Make haste to prepare for heaven." + +"I want neither confession nor absolution! Begone! and let me die in +peace," she answered, without unclosing the lids, which lay so heavily +upon the sunken eyes. + +"Leave us together! I will call thee when thou art wanted," whispered +he of the Order of Jesus. The matron immediately withdrew, repeating +an Ave Maria; and they were left alone. + +"Inez!" + +A shudder crept through the wasted form, and, with a start, she looked +upon the face of the intruder. Even in death, hatred was strong; the +dim eye flashed, and the cold, damp lips wreathed into a smile of +utter scorn: + +"Well, Padre! you have tracked me at last. It is a pity, though, you +had not set out one day later; you would have altogether missed your +prey! But I am content, for I am far beyond your reach!" She gasped +for breath, yet ghastly was the mocking smile which lit up the face. + +"Not so, Inez! you escaped me once; I have you now! You have defied me +in health; but in death I conquer. You cannot die in peace without my +blessing. Remember, remember, one sin unconfessed will sink you into +everlasting perdition! Think you I will absolve you! Never! Never!" + +"What brings you here? Think you the approach of death will terrify +me?--that I shall claim your intercession and absolution? Have you +come hoping to make a bargain, and receive my order for a hundred +sheep, or as many cattle, on condition that you pray me out of +purgatory? I tell you now, if there be such a place, you will surely +follow me ere long. We shall not be separated long, my godly Padre!" + +Large drops rolled from her brow, and, gasping, she continued more +indistinctly: + +"There is one to stand between us now, even blackbrowed Death! and +now, as I speak, I see his shadow flung over me. I am dying, and if +I am lost, you are to blame! you, and you only! You a man of God! You +forgive my sins, and give me a passport to heaven! Padre, I know you, +in all your hypocrisy, and I know that, if there be a God, you have +outraged His every law! You have led me astray! You have brought me +to this! Padre, I am sinful, full well I know it; for this is an hour +when the barrier which hides the secret soul is thrown down, and every +deed and thought stands up boldly for itself. I have not served God! +But oh! I would not change places with you, leader, teacher, guide, +consecrated priest, as you are--for you have mocked him! Yes, mocked +him! set aside his written word, and instead of Bible truths you told +me of Saints, and Relics, and Miracles! You bade me worship the cross, +and never once mentioned Him who consecrated it with his agony and +blood! In my childhood I believed your legends and miracles, and +trusted to such as you to save me. A dreadful curse will rest upon +your head, for you came in sheep's clothing, and devoured many +precious souls! Padre, I--I--" In vain she strove to articulate, +further utterance was denied her. The ghastly hue of death settled +upon her face. She lifted her eyes to heaven as in prayer; vacantly +they wandered to the face of the Padre, now well-nigh as pale as her +own; then slowly closed forever. A slight quiver passed over the lips, +a faint moan, and Inez was at rest. For long her wearied spirit had +cried "Peace! peace!" and now she laid herself down and slept the +long, unbroken sleep of death. + + "Oh! you have yearned for rest, + May you find it in the regions of the blest." + +As she had died without the pale of the church, they refused the +lifeless form a narrow bed in consecrated ground. Even the ordinary +service for the dead was entirely omitted; and, without a prayer, they +committed her to the silent tomb. The kind old dame, remembering her +grief at the secret burial of her noble friend, obtained permission to +lay her by his side, and, with the fierce howlings of the tempest for +her funereal dirge, they consigned Inez--the proud, beautiful, gifted, +yet unfortunate Inez--to rest. Peace, Inez, to thy memory, and may the +sod lie lightly on thy early grave! + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + + "There's a bliss beyond all that the minstrel has told, + When two, that are linked in one heavenly tie, + With heart never changing, and brow never cold, + Love on through all ills, and love on till they die!" + + MOORE. + + +"Come, Florence, put on your bonnet; we land in a few moments," said +Mr. Stewart, entering the splendidly furnished saloon of a Mississippi +steamer, where she sat, book in hand. Quietly the young wife, for such +she now was, complied with his request, and taking her husband's arm, +they advanced to the bow of the boat. It was a bright, sunny morning +in early May, and the balmy breath of the opening summer wafted +gladness to many a weary, aching heart. The margin of the river was +fringed with willow, poplar, cotton-wood, and cypress, the delicate +fresh green foliage contrasting beautifully with the deep azure sky, +and the dark whirling waters of the turbid stream. It was such a day +as all of us may have known, when nature wore the garb of perfect +beauty, and the soothing influence is felt and acknowledged +gratefully--joyfully acknowledged by every one accustomed from +childhood duly to appreciate, admire, and love the fair and numberless +works of God, who, + + --"Not content + With every food of life to nourish man. + Makes all nature beauty to his eye + And music to his ear." + +Florence was gazing intently, as each object receded from her view. +They turned an angle in the stream, and drew near a landing, with +only a solitary warehouse visible. She started, and her clasped hands, +resting on her husband's arm, pressed heavily. He looked down into the +flushed face, and said with a smile: + +"Well, Florence, what is it? Why do you tremble so?" + +"Mr. Stewart, I cannot be mistaken: this is my father's old landing! +Why do you look so strangely? Oh! if you knew what painful memories +crowd upon my mind, you could not smile so calmly!" and her voice +faltered. + +Laying his hand tenderly on hers, he replied: + +"You once asked me whereabouts on the river my plantation was +situated. I evaded your question. You are aware that I inherited it +from a bachelor uncle. He purchased it from your father, and to your +old home, my dear Florence, we have come at last. It is yours again, +and I should have told you long ago, but feared you might be impatient +of the journey; and then it is pleasant to surprise you." + +Ere Florence could speak the mingled emotions of her heart, the boat +stopped, and the jangling bells warned them to lose no time. + +Mr. Stewart placed her on the bank, and beckoning to a coachman +mounted on a large heavy carriage, opened the door, assisted her +in, and then cordially shaking the outstretched hand of the servant, +inquired if all were well at home?" + +"Oh yes, sir! all well except your mother. She has had the asthma, but +is better. But ain't you going to let me look at your wife? You put +her in as if I wan't to see my new mistress." + +Mr. Stewart laughed, and opening the door, bade Florence look out; she +threw back her long mourning veil, and bent forward; their eyes met, +and both started with surprise: + +"Isaac!" + +"Miss Florry! sure as I am alive!" and he grasped the white hand +heartily. + +"I cannot understand this at all! Isaac, how came you here?" + +"Why you see, when the plantation was sold, we were sold with it; +that's how I come to be here." + +"My dear Florence, it is strange, very strange, that I never once +thought of your recognizing the servants, though I should have known +you could not forget them. In what capacity did Isaac formerly serve?" + +"He was always our coachman; and many a ride in childhood I owe to his +kindness and wish to make me happy. Isaac, I am very glad to see you +again." And her smile confirmed her words. + +Mr. Stewart took the seat by her side, and was closing the door, when +the old man interfered. + +"Miss Florry, I know old master is dead--we heard that sometime ago; +but where is Miss Mary? that blessed good child, that never gave a +cross word to one on the plantation. Why didn't she come home with +you?" + +Florence could not reply, and the tears rolled silently over her +cheeks. + +"Isaac," said Mr. Stewart, in a low, saddened tone, "Mary has gone to +a brighter home in heaven! She is happier far than she could be even +here with us! She died about a month ago." + +There was a pause, and then, wiping his rough sleeve across his eyes, +Isaac slowly said--"And Miss Mary is dead! Well, she has gone to +heaven, if ever anybody did! for she was never like common children. +Many's the time when my poor little Hannah was burnt, and like to die, +that child has come by herself of dark nights to bring her a cake, or +something sweet and good! God bless her little soul! she always was +an angel!" and again wiping his eyes he mounted the box and drove +homeward. + +Ah! gentle Mary! no sculptured monument marks thy resting-place! No +eulogistic sermon, no high-flown panegyric was ever delivered, on +thy life and death! Yet that silent tear of old Isaac's outspoke a +thousand eulogies! It told of all thy kindness, charity, love, angelic +purity of heart, and called thee "Guardian Angel" of the house of +Hamilton. + +Night found Florence sitting alone in the parlor of her old and dearly +loved home. The apartment was much as she had left it five years +before, and old familiar articles of furniture greeted her on +every side. She sat down to the piano, on which in girlhood she had +practised, and gently touched the keys. The soft tones, waking the +"slumbering chord of memory," brought most vividly back the scenes of +other days. Again she stood there an only cherished daughter, and her +father's image, as he used to stand leaning against the mantel-piece, +rose with startling distinctness before her. And there, too, stood her +cousin, with the soft blue eyes and golden curls of her girlhood; and +she fancied she heard, once again, the clear, sweet voice, and felt +the fond twining of her arms about her. Long forgotten circumstances +in primitive freshness rushed upon her mind, and unable to bear the +sad associations which crowded up, Florence turned away from +the instrument, and seating herself on the sofa, gave vent to an +uncontrollable burst of sorrow-- + + "Oh! what a luxury it is to weep, + And find in tears a sad relief!" + +And calmly Florence wept, not bitterly, for she had had much of sorrow +to bear, and schooled her heart to meet grief and sadness. Yet it was +hard to come back to her cherished home and miss from her side the +gentle playmate of her youth, the parent she had almost idolized, and +feel that she had left them in far distant resting-places. She heard +her husband's step along the hall, and saw him enter--she strove to +repress her tears and seem happy, but the quivering lips refused to +smile. He sat down, and drawing his arm around her, pressed her face +to his bosom, and tenderly said: + +"My mother had much to say, after my long absence, and I could not +leave her till this moment My own heart told me that you suffered, and +I longed to come to you and sympathize and cheer." + +"Do not think me weak, Mr. Stewart, because you find me weeping. It is +seldom I give vent to my feelings, but to-night I am overwhelmed with +recollections of the past. Oh! now, for the first time, I realize that +Mary has indeed gone forever. Mary! Mary! my heart aches already for +you, and your warm unchanging love! Oh! how can I look forward to the +long coming years, and feel that I shall never see her again?" + +"Florence, my own Florence, I would not have you repress a single +tear. I know how sadly altered all things are, and what a dreary +look your home must bear. All I ask is, that when you feel lonely and +unhappy, instead of hiding your grief, come to me, lay your weary head +upon my shoulder, and I will strive to cheer you my precious wife! Let +nothing induce you to keep aught from me--let perfect confidence reign +between us: and do not, for a moment, doubt that I wish you other +than you are. The past is very painful both to you and to me, and the +memory of Frank and Mary constantly saddens my spirit. Yet we will +look forward to a happier future, and strive to guide and cheer each +other." He kissed the broad brow as he spoke, and drew tighter the arm +which encircled his wife, as though no danger could assail while he +was near. + +"Of late, Mr. Stewart, I have wondered much how you ever learned to +love me; for I am much changed, and in my girlhood I was cold, proud, +and often contemptuous in my manner. Ah, Mary, how different from you! +If I have higher aims in life, and purer joys, I owe it all to her, +for she led me to love the law of God, and exemplified in her daily +life the teachings of Christ! But for her, I shudder to think what I +should now have been! O God, I thank thee that I am saved even as a +burning brand from the fire! I have hope of happiness on earth, and +at last a joyful reunion with the loved ones that have gone on home +before me. And you, my husband, help me to conquer myself to break +down my pride, and to be more like Mary. Oh, forgive my weaknesses, +and ever love me as you now do!" + +He clasped her to his heart, and whispered--"Fear not, Florence, that +I will ever love you less! I, too, have faults which you may be called +on to excuse, yet all is bright for us, and I trust no common share of +happiness will be our portion through life!" + + "Oh, sweet reward of danger past! + How lovely, through the tears + That speak her heart's o'erflowing joy, + The young wife's smile appears. + The fount of love for her hath gushed, + Life's shadows all have flown, + Joy, Florence! thou a heart hast found + Responding to thine own!" + +THE END. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Inez, by Augusta J. Evans + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INEZ *** + +***** This file should be named 15470-8.txt or 15470-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/4/7/15470/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, S.R. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Inez + A Tale of the Alamo + +Author: Augusta J. Evans + +Release Date: March 26, 2005 [EBook #15470] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INEZ *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, S.R. Ellison and the PG +Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + + +INEZ + +A TALE OF THE ALAMO + +BY + +AUGUSTA J. EVANS + +_Author of "Beulah," "St. Elmo," "Infelice," "Macaria," Etc._ + +NEW YORK + +THE FEDERAL BOOK COMPANY + +PUBLISHERS + + + + + TO + THE TEXAN PATRIOTS, + WHO TRIUMPHANTLY + UNFURLED AND WAVED ALOFT + THE + "BANNER OF THE LONE STAR!" WHO + WRENCHED ASUNDER + THE IRON BANDS OF DESPOTIC MEXICO! AND WREATHED + THE BROW OF THE "QUEEN STATE" + WITH + THE GLORIOUS CHAPLET OF "CIVIL AND + RELIGIOUS LIBERTY!" THIS + WORK IS + RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY + THE AUTHOR. + + + + +INEZ: A TALE OF THE ALAMO. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + "But O, th' important budget! + Who can say what are its tidings?" + + COWPER. + + +"There is the bell for prayers, Florry; are you ready?" said +Mary Irving, hastily entering her cousin's room at the large +boarding-school of Madame ----. + +"Yes; I rose earlier than usual this morning, have solved two +problems, and translated nearly half a page of Telemaque." + +"I congratulate you on your increased industry and application, though +you were always more studious than myself. I wish, dear Florry, +you could imbue me with some of your fondness for metaphysics and +mathematics," Mary replied, with a low sigh. + +A momentary flush passed over the face of her companion, and they +descended the stairs in silence. The room in which the pupils were +accustomed to assemble for devotion was not so spacious as the +class-room, yet sufficiently so to look gloomy enough in the gray +light of a drizzling morn. The floor was covered with a faded carpet, +in which the indistinct vine seemed struggling to reach the wall, +but failed by several feet on either side. As if to conceal this +deficiency, a wide seat was affixed the entire length of the room, so +high + + "That the feet hung dangling down, + Anxious in vain to find the distant floor." + +There were no curtains to the windows, and the rain pattered drearily +down the panes. + +The teacher who officiated as chaplain was seated before a large +desk, on which lay an open Bible. He seemed about twenty-four, his +countenance noble rather than handsome, if I may make so delicate a +distinction. Intelligence of the first order was stamped upon it, yet +the characteristic expression was pride which sat enthroned on his +prominent brow; still, hours of care had left their impress, and the +face was very grave, though by no means stern. His eye was fixed on +the door as the pupils came in, one by one, for prayers, and when +Florence and Mary entered, it sunk upon his book, In a few moments he +rose, and, standing with one arm folded across his bosom, read in a +deep, distinct tone, that beautiful Psalm, "The Lord is my shepherd." +He had only reached the fourth verse, when he was interrupted by two +girls of twelve or fourteen, who had been conversing from the moment +of their entrance. The tones grew louder and louder, and now the words +were very audible: + +"My father did not send me here to come to prayers, and Madame has no +right to make us get up before day to hear him read his Bible!" + +Many who coincided with them tittered, others stared in silence, while +Florence's lip curled, and Mary looked sorrowingly, pityingly upon +them--hers was the expression with which the angel multitudes of +Heaven regard their erring brethren here. The chaplain turned toward +them, and said, in a grave yet gentle voice, "My little friends, I am +afraid you did not kneel beside your bed this morning, and ask God to +keep your hearts from sinful thoughts, and enable you to perform all +your duties in a humble, gentle spirit. In your present temper, were I +to read the entire book instead of one Psalm, I fear you would receive +no benefit." + +The girls were awed more by the tone than words, and sat silent and +abashed. The reading was concluded, and then he offered up a prayer +earnest and heartfelt. Instead of leaving the room immediately, the +pupils waited as for something, and taking a bundle of letters from +the desk, their tutor distributed them as the direction indicated. + +"My budget is not so large as usual, and I regret it for your sakes, +as I fear some are disappointed. Miss Hamilton, here are two for you;" +and he handed them to her without looking up. + +"Two for Florry, and none for me?" asked Mary, while her voice +slightly trembled. He was leaving the room, but turned toward her. + +"I am very sorry, Miss Mary, but hope you will find a comforting +message in your cousin's." + +Gently he spoke, yet his eyes rested on Florence the while, and, with +a suppressed sigh, he passed on. "Come to my room, Mary; it is strange +the letters are postmarked the same day." And while she solves the +mystery, let us glance at her former history. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + "Calm on the bosom of thy God, + Fair spirit! rest thee now! + Ev'n while with us thy footsteps trod, + His seal was on thy brow." + + HEMANS. + + +Florence Hamilton had but attained her fourth year when she was left +the only solace of her widowed father. Even after the lapse of long +years, faint, yet sweet recollections of her lost parent stole, in +saddened hours, over her spirit, and often, in dreams, a face of +angelic beauty hovered around, and smiled upon her. + +Unfortunately, Florence proved totally unlike her sainted mother, both +in personal appearance and cast of character. Mr. Hamilton was a +cold, proud man of the world; one who, having lived from his birth in +affluence, regarded with a haughty eye all who, without the advantages +of rank or wealth, strove to attain a position equal to his own. +Intelligence, nobility of soul, unsullied character, weighed not an +atom against the counterpoise of birth and family. He enjoyed in youth +advantages rare for the unsettled times in which he lived; he tasted +all that France and Italy could offer; and returned _blase_ at +twenty-seven to his home in one of the Southern States. Attracted by +the brilliant fortune of an orphan heiress, he won and married her; +but love, such as her pure, gentle spirit sought, dwelt not in his +stern, selfish heart. All of affection he had to bestow was lavished +on his only sister, who had married during his absence. + +His angel wife drooped in the sterile soil to which she was +transplanted, and, when Florence was about four years old, sunk into a +quiet grave. + +Perhaps when he stood with his infant daughter beside the newly-raised +mound, and missed the gentle being who had endeavored so strenuously +to make his home happy, and to win for herself a place in his heart, +one tear might have moistened the cold, searching eyes that for +years had known no such softening tendency. "Perhaps," I say; but to +conjecture of thee, oh Man! is fruitless indeed. + +As well as such a nature could, he loved his child, and considered +himself extremely magnanimous in casting aside all thought of a second +marriage, and devoting his leisure moments to the formation of her +character, and direction of her education. + +Florence inherited her father's haughty temperament without his sordid +selfishness, and what may seem incompatible with the former, a glowing +imagination in connection with fine mental powers. To all but Mr. +Hamilton she appeared as cold and impenetrable as himself; but the +flashing eye and curling lip with which she listened to a tale of +injustice, or viewed a dishonorable act, indicated a nature truly +noble. Two master passions ruled her heart--love for her parent, and +fondness for books. Idolized by the household, it was not strange that +she soon learned to consider herself the most important member of it. +Mr. Hamilton found that it was essential for the proper regulation +of his establishment that some lady should preside over its various +departments, and accordingly invited the maiden sister of his late +wife to make his house her home, and take charge of his numerous +domestics. + +Of his daughter he said nothing. Aunt Lizzy, as she was called, was an +amiable, good woman, but not sufficiently intellectual to superintend +Florry's education. That little individual looked at first with +distrustful eyes on one who, she supposed, might abridge her numerous +privileges; but the affectionate manner of the kind-hearted aunt +removed all fear, and she soon spoke and moved with the freedom which +had characterized her solitude. + +One day, when Florence was about nine years old, her father entered +the library, where she sat intently reading, and said, + +"Florence, come here, I have something to tell you." + +"Something to tell me! I hope it is pleasant;" and she laid her hand +on his knee, and looked inquiringly in his face. + +"You remember the cousin Mary, whose father died not long ago? Well, +she has lost her mother too, and is coming to live with us." As he +spoke, his voice faltered, and his proud curling lip quivered, yet +he gave no other evidence of the deepest grief he had known for many +years. + +"She will be here this evening, and I hope you will try to make her +contented." With these words he was leaving the room, but Florence +said, + +"Father, is she to stay with us always, and will she sleep in my room, +with me?" + +"She will live with us as long as she likes, and, if you prefer it, +can occupy the same room." + +The day wore on, and evening found her on the steps, looking earnestly +down the avenue for the approach of the little stranger. + +At length a heavy carriage drove to the door, and Florry leaned +forward to catch a glimpse of the inmate's face. A slight form, clad +in deep mourning, was placed on the piazza by the coachman. + +Mr. Hamilton shook her hand kindly, and, after a few words of welcome, +said, + +"Here is your cousin Florence, Mary. I hope you will love each other, +and be happy, good little girls." Mary looked almost fearfully at +her proud young cousin, but the sight of her own pale, tearful face +touched Florry's heart, and she threw her arms round her neck and +kissed her. The embrace was unexpected, and Mary wept bitterly. + +"Florence, why don't you take Mary to her room?" + +"Would you like to go up-stairs, cousin?" + +"Oh yes! if you please, I had much rather." And taking her basket from +her hand, Florry led the way. + +Mary took off her bonnet, and turned to look again at her cousin. +Their eyes met; but, as if overcome by some sudden recollection, she +buried her face in her hands and burst again into tears. + +Florence stood for some time in silence, at length she said gently, + +"It is almost tea-time, and father will be angry if he sees you have +been crying." + +"Oh! I can't help it, indeed I can't," sobbed the little mourner, "he +is so much like my dear, darling mother;" and she stifled a cry of +agony. + +"Is my father like your mother, cousin Mary?" + +"Oh yes! When he spoke to me just now, I almost thought it was +mother." + +A tear rolled over Florry's cheek, and she slowly replied, "I wish I +knew somebody that looked like my mother." In that hour was forged the +chain which bound them through life, and made them one in interest. + +Years rolled on, and found Mary happy in her adopted home. If her +uncle failed to caress her as her loving heart desired, she did not +complain, for she was treated like her cousin, and found in the strong +love of Florence an antidote for every care. Mary was about sixteen, +and Florence a few months younger, at the time our story opens, and +had been placed in New Orleans to acquire French and music, as good +masters could not be obtained nearer home. We have seen them there, +and, hoping the reader will pardon this digression, return to Florry's +letter. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + "Philosophy can hold an easy triumph over past and future + misfortunes; but those which are present, triumph over her." + + ROCHEFOUCAULT. + + +A Striking difference in personal appearance was presented by the +cousins, as they stood together. Florence, though somewhat younger, +was taller by several inches, and her noble and erect carriage, in +connection with the haughty manner in which her head was thrown back, +added in effect to her height. Her hair and eyes were brilliant black, +the latter particularly thoughtful in their expression. The forehead +was not remarkable for height, but was unusually prominent and +white, and almost overhung the eyes. The mouth was perfect, the lips +delicately chiseled, and curving beautifully toward the full dimpled +chin. The face, though intellectual, and artistically beautiful, was +not prepossessing. The expression was cold and haughty; and for this +reason she had received the appellations of "Minerva" and "Juno," such +being considered by her fellow-pupils as singularly appropriate. + +Mary, on the contrary, was slight and drooping, and her sweet, +earnest countenance, elicited the love of the beholder, even before an +intimate acquaintance had brought to view the beautiful traits of her +truly amiable character. + +And yet these girls, diametrically opposed in disposition, clung to +each other with a strength of affection only to be explained by that +strongest of all ties, early association. + +Florence broke the seal of her letter, and Mary walked to the window. +It looked out on a narrow street, through which drays rattled noisily, +and occasional passengers picked their way along its muddy crossings. + +Mary stood watching the maneuvers of a little girl, who was +endeavoring to pass dry-shod, when a low groan startled her; and +turning quickly, she perceived Florence standing in the center of the +room, the letter crumpled in one hand: her face had grown very pale, +and the large eyes gleamed strangely. + +"Oh! Florry, what is the matter? Is your father ill--dead--tell me +quick?" and imploringly she clasped her hands. + +Florence made a powerful effort, and spoke, in her usual tone: + +"I was foolish to give way to my feelings, even for a moment--my +father is well." She paused, and then added, as if painfully, "But, +oh! he is almost penniless!" + +"Penniless!" echoed Mary, as though she could not comprehend her +cousin's meaning. + +"Yes, Mary, he has been very unfortunate in his speculations, obliged +to sell our plantation and negroes, and now, he says, 'a few paltry +thousands only remain;' but, oh! that is not the worst; I wish it +were, he has sold out everything, broken every tie, and will be here +this evening on his way to Texas. He writes that I must be ready to +accompany him to-morrow night." + +She paused, as if unwilling to add something which must be told, and +looked sadly at her cousin. + +Mary understood the glance. + +"Florry, there is something in the letter relating to myself, which +you withhold for fear of giving me pain: the sooner I learn it the +better." + +"Mary, here is a letter inclosed for you; but first hear what my +father says," and hurriedly she read as follows: ... "With regard to +Mary, it cannot be expected that she should wish to accompany us on +our rugged path, and bitterly, bitterly do I regret our separation. +Her paternal uncle, now in affluence, has often expressed a desire to +have her with him, and, since my misfortunes, has written me, offering +her a home in his family. Every luxury and advantage afforded by +wealth can still be hers. Did I not feel that she would be benefited +by this separation, nothing could induce me to part with her, but, +under existing circumstances, I can consent to give her up." + +Florence flung the letter from her as she concluded, and approaching +her cousin, clasped her arms fondly about her. Mary had covered her +face with her hands, and the tears glistened on her slender fingers. + +"Oh, Florry, you don't know how pained and hurt I am, that uncle +should think I could be so ungrateful as to forget, in the moment of +adversity, his unvaried kindness for six long years. Oh! it is cruel +in him to judge me so harshly," and she sobbed aloud. + +"I will not be left, I will go with him, that is if--if--Florry, tell +me candidly, do you think he has any other reason for not taking me, +except my fancied dislike to leaving this place--tell me?" + +"No, dear Mary; if he thought you preferred going with us, no power on +earth could induce him to leave you." + +Mary placed her hand in her cousin's, and murmured, + +"Florry, I will go with you; your home shall be my home, and your +sorrows my sorrows." + +A flash of joy irradiated Florence's pale face as she returned her +cousin's warm embrace. + +"With you, Mary, to comfort and assist me, I fear nothing; but you +have not yet read your uncle's letter, perhaps its contents may +influence your decision." + +Mary perused it in silence, and then put it in her cousin's hand, +while the tears rolled over her cheeks. + +"Mary, think well ere you reject this kind offer. Remember how +earnestly he entreats that you will come and share his love, his home, +and his fortune. Many privations will be ours, in the land to which we +go, and numberless trials assail the poverty-stricken. All these you +can avoid, by accepting this very affectionate invitation. Think well, +Mary, lest in after-years you repent your hasty decision." + +There came a long pause, and hurriedly Florence paced to and fro. Mary +lifted her bowed head, and pushing back her clustering hair, calmly +replied, "My heart swells with gratitude toward my noble, generous +uncle. Oh, how fervently I can thank him for his proffered home! yet, +separated from you, dear Florry, I could not be happy; my heart would +ache for you, and your warm, trusting love. I fear neither poverty +nor hardships. Oh, let me go with you, and cheer and assist my dear +uncle!" + +"You shall go with us, my pure-hearted cousin. When I thought a moment +since, of parting with you, my future seemed gloomy indeed, but now I +know that you will be near, I am content." + +A short silence ensued, broken by a mournful exclamation from +Florence. + +"Ah! Mary, it is not for myself that I regret this change of fortune, +but for my proud, haughty father, who will suffer so keenly. Oh, my +heart aches when I think of him!" + +"Florry, we must cheer him by those thousand little attentions, which +will lead him to forget his pecuniary troubles." + +Florence shook her head. + +"You do not know my father as I do. He will have no comforters, broods +over difficulties in secret, and shrinks from sympathy as from a +'scorching brand.'" + +"Still, I think we can do much to lighten his cares, and I pray God I +may not be mistaken," replied Mary. + +Florence lifted her head from her palm and gazed vacantly at her +cousin, then started from her seat. + +"Mary, we must not sit here idly, when there is so much to do, Madame +---- should know we leave to-morrow, and it will take us all day to +prepare for our journey." + +"Do let me go and speak to Madame----; it will be less unpleasant to +me?" + +"No, no; I will go myself; they shall not think I feel it so sensibly, +and their condolence to-morrow would irritate me beyond measure. I +scorn such petty trials as loss of fortune, and they shall know it." + +"Who shall know it, Florry?" + +Her cheek flushed, but without a reply she left the room, and +descended the steps which led to Madame ----'s parlor. Reaching the +door, she drew herself proudly up, then knocked. + +"Come in," was the response. + +She did so. In the center of the apartment, with an open book on the +table before him, sat the teacher who officiated at prayers. He rose +and bowed coldly in answer to her salutation. + +"Pardon my intrusion, Mr. Stewart. I expected to find Madame here." + +"She has gone to spend the morning with an invalid sister, and +requested me to take charge of her classes, in addition to my own. If +I can render you any assistance, Miss Hamilton, I am at your service." + +"Thank you, I am in need of no assistance, and merely wished to say to +Madame that I should leave New Orleans to-morrow, having heard from my +father that he will be here in the evening boat." + +"I will inform her of your intended departure as early as possible." + +"You will oblige me by doing so," replied Florence, turning to go. + +"Miss Hamilton, may I ask you if your cousin accompanies you?" + +"She does," was the laconic answer, and slowly she retraced her steps, +and stood at her own door. The cheeks had become colorless, and the +delicate lips writhed with pain. She paused a moment, then entered. + +"Did you see her, Florry?" + +"No, she is absent, but I left word for her." + +Her tone was hard, dry, as though she had been striving long for some +goal, which, when nearly attained, her failing strength was scarce +able to grasp. It was the echo of a fearful struggle that had raged in +her proud bosom. The knell it seemed of expiring exertion, of sinking +resistance. Mary gazed sadly on her cousin, who stood mechanically +smoothing her glossy black hair. The haughty features seemed chiseled +in marble, so cold, stony was the expression. + +"Dear Florry! you look harassed and weary already. Why, why will you +overtask your strength, merely to be called a disciple of Zeno? Surely +you cannot seriously desire so insignificant an honor, if it merits +that title?" + +"Can, you, then, see no glory in crushing long-cherished hopes--nay, +when your heart is yearning toward some 'bright particular' path, +to turn without one symptom of regret, and calmly tread one just the +opposite! Tell me, can you perceive nothing elevating in this Stoical +command?" + +The cold, vacant look had passed away; her dark eyes gleamed, +glittered as with anticipated triumph. + +"Florry, I do not understand you exactly; but I do know that command +of the heart is impossible, from the source whence you draw. It may +seem perfect control now, but it will fail you in the dark hour of +your need, if many trials should assail. Oh! my cousin, do not be +angry if I say 'you have forsaken the fountain of living water, and +hewn out for yourself broken cisterns, which hold no water.' Oh! +Florry, before you take another step, return to Him, 'who has a balm +for every wound.'" + +Florence's face softened; an expression of relief began to steal over +her countenance; but as Mary ceased speaking, she turned her face, +beautiful in its angelic purity, full upon her. A bitter smile curled +Florence's lip, and muttering hoarsely, "A few more hours and the +struggle will be over," she turned to her bureau, and arranged her +clothes for packing. + +The day passed in preparation, and twilight found the cousins watching +intently at the casement. The great clock in the hall chimed out +seven, the last stroke died away, and then the sharp clang of the +door-bell again broke silence. They started to their feet, heard the +street door open and close--then steps along the stairs, nearer and +nearer--then came a knock at the door. Mary opened it; the servant +handed in a card and withdrew. "Mr. J.A. Hamilton." Florence passed +out, Mary remained behind. + +"Come, why do you linger?" + +"I thought, Florry, you might wish to see him alone; perhaps he would +prefer it." + +"Mary, you have identified yourself with us. To my father we must be +as one." She extended her hand, and the next moment they stood in the +reception-room. + +The father and uncle were standing with folded arms, looking down into +the muddy street below. He advanced to meet them, holding out a hand +to each. Florence pressed her lips to the one she held, and exclaimed, + +"My dear father, how glad I am to see you!" + +"Glad to see me! You did not receive my letters then?" + +"Yes, I did, but are their contents and pleasure at meeting you +incompatible?" + +He made no reply, and then Mary said, in a low, tremulous tone, + +"Uncle, you have done me a great injury, and you must make me all the +reparation in your power. You said, in your letter to Florry, that +you did not think I would wish to go with you. Oh, uncle! you do not, +cannot believe me so ungrateful, so devoid of love as to wish, under +any circumstances, to be separated from you. Now ease my heart, and +say I may share your new home. I should be very miserable away from +you." + +An expression of pleasure passed over his face, but again the brow +darkened. + +"Mary! Florence is my child--my destiny hers, my misfortunes hers; but +I have no right to drag you with me in my fall; to deprive you of the +many advantages that will be afforded, by your uncle's wealth, of the +social position you may one day attain." + +"Uncle! uncle! am I not your child by adoption? Have you not loved +and cared for me during long years? Oh! what do I care for wealth--for +what you call a high position in the world? You and Florry are my +world." She threw her arms about his neck, and sobbed, "Take me! oh, +take me with you!" + +"If you so earnestly desire it, you shall indeed go with us, my Mary." +And, for the first time in her life, he imprinted a kiss on her brow. + +When he departed, it was with a promise to call for them the next +morning, that they might make, with their aunt, some necessary +purchases, and remove to a hotel near the river. + +Everything was packed the ensuing day, when Mary suddenly remembered +that her books were still in the recitation-room, and would have gone +for them, but Florence said, + +"I will bring up the books, Mary; you are tired and pale with bending +so long over that trunk." And accordingly she went. + +Mary threw herself on the couch to rest a moment, and fell into +a reverie of some length, unheeding the flying minutes, when she +recollected that Florence had been absent a long time, and rising, +was about to seek her; just then her cousin entered. A change had come +over her countenance--peace, quiet, happiness reigned supreme. One +hour later, and they had gone from Madame ----'s, never to return +again. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + + "Time the supreme! Time is eternity, + Pregnant with all eternity can give; + With all that makes archangels smile + Who murders time, he crushes in the birth + A power ethereal." + + YOUNG. + + +A year had passed away. "How paradoxical is the signification of the +term!" How vast, when we consider that each hour hastens the end +of our pilgrimage! How insignificant in comparison with futurity! A +single drop in the boundless deep of eternity! Oh Time! thou greatest +of all anomalies! Friend yet foe, "preserver and yet destroyer!" +Whence art thou, great immemorial? When shall thy wondrous mechanism +be dissolved? When shall the "pall of obscurity" descend on thy +Herculean net-work? Voices of the past echo through thy deserted +temples, and shriek along thy bulwarks--Never, no never! + +Season had followed season in rapid succession, and the last rays +of an August sun illumined a scene so beautiful, that I long for +the pencil of a Claude Lorraine. It was a far-off town, in a far-off +state, yet who has gazed on thy loveliness, oh, San Antonio, can e'er +forget thee! Thine was the sweetness of nature; no munificent hand had +arranged, with artistic skill, a statue here, a fountain there. + +The river wound like an azure girdle round the town; not confined +by precipitous banks, but gliding along the surface, as it were, and +reflecting, in its deep blue waters, the rustling tule which fringed +the margin. An occasional pecan or live-oak flung a majestic shadow +athwart its azure bosom, and now and then a clump of willows sighed +low in the evening breeze. + +Far away to the north stretched a mountain range, blue in the +distance; to the south, the luxuriant valley of the stream. The +streets were narrow, and wound with a total disregard of the points +of the compass. Could a stranger have been placed blindfold in one +of them, and then allowed to look about him, the flat roofs and light +appearance of most of the houses would have forced him to declare that +he had entered a tropical town of the far east. + +Many of the buildings were of musquit pickets, set upright in the +ground, lashed together with strips of hide, and thatched with the +tule before mentioned. There were scarce three plank-floors in the +town; by far the greater number being composed of layers of pebbles, +lime, and sand, rolled with a heavy piece of timber till quite +compact; daily sprinkling was found necessary, however, to keep down +the dust, produced by constant friction. + +The wealthy inhabitants built of sun-dried bricks, overcast with a +kind of stucco. Yet, unfortunately, the plastering art died with the +Montezumas, for the most vivid imagination failed to convert this +rough coating into the "silver sheen" which so dazzled Cortes's little +band. The reader will exclaim, "I can fancy no beauty from so prosy a +description. Thatched roofs and dirt floors, how absurd!" + +Although a strict analysis might prove detrimental, I assure you the +_tout ensemble_ was picturesque indeed. + + "Italia! oh Italia! thou who hast + The fatal gift of beauty." + +Art rivaled here. Thy gorgeous skies have floated hither, and hover +like a halo round the town. The sun had set; the glowing tints faded +fast, till of the brilliant spectacle naught remained save the soft +roseate hue which melted insensibly into the deep azure of the zenith. +Quiet seemed settling o'er mountain and river, when, with a solemn +sweetness, the vesper bells chimed out on the evening air. Even as the +Moslem kneels at sunset toward the "Holy City," so punctiliously does +the devout papist bend for vesper prayers. Will you traverse with me +the crooked streets, and stand beneath the belfry whence issued the +holy tones? + +This ancient edifice was constructed in 1692. It fronted the Plaza, +and was a long, narrow building, flanked, as it were, by wings lower +than the main apartment, and surmounted by a dome, in which were five +or six bells. This dome or belfry was supported by pillars, and in the +intervening openings were placed the bells. The roof was flat, and the +dark green and gray moss clung along the sides. The interior presented +a singular combination of art and rudeness; the seats were of +unpainted pine, and the cement floor between was worn irregularly by +the knees of devout attendants. The railing of the altar was of carved +mahogany, rich and beautiful. Over this division of the long room hung +a silken curtain, concealing three niches, which contained an image of +the "Virgin," the "Child," and in the center one, a tall gilt cross. +Heavy silver candlesticks were placed in front of each niche, and +a dozen candles were now burning dimly. A variety of relics, too +numerous to mention, were scattered on the altar, and in addition, +several silver goblets, and a massive bowl for holding "holy water." A +few tin sconces, placed against the wall, were the only provision for +lighting that dark, gloomy church, and dreary enough it looked in the +twilight hour. About a dozen devotees were present, all kneeling on +the damp, hard floor. The silk curtain which concealed the altar was +drawn aside, with due solemnity, by two boys habited in red flannel +petticoats, over which hung a loose white slip. The officiating priest +was seen kneeling before the altar, with his lips pressed to the +foot of the cross. He retained his position for several moments, then +rising, conducted the ceremonies in a calm, imposing manner. When +these were concluded, and all had departed save the two boys, who +still knelt before the Virgin, he beckoned them to him, and speaking +a few words in Spanish, ended by pointing to the door and uttering, +emphatically, "Go." Crossing themselves as they passed the images, +they disappeared through a side door, and the priest was left alone. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + * * * "He was a man + Who stole the livery of the court of heaven + To serve the devil in; in Virtue's guise, + Devoured the widow's house and orphan's bread; + In holy phrase, transacted villanies + That common sinners durst not meddle with." + + POLLOK. + + +In years, he could not have exceeded twenty-five, yet the countenance +was that of one well versed in intrigue. The cast was Italian--the +crisp black hair, swarthy complexion, and never-to-be-mistaken eyes. +A large amount of Jesuit determination was expressed in his iris, +blended with cunning, malignity, and fierceness. The features were +prominent particularly the nose; the lips finely cut, but thin; the +teeth beautiful and regular. In stature he was low, and habited in the +dress of his order, a long black coat or gown, buttoned to the throat, +and reaching nearly to the feet. + +Glancing at his watch as the sound of the last step died away, +he paced round and round the altar, neglecting now the many +genuflections, bows, and crossings with which he had honored the +images in the presence of his flock. His brows were knit, as if in +deep thought, and doubtless he revolved the result of some deep-laid +plan, when the door was hurriedly opened, and a man, bowing low before +the images, approached him. The dress of the stranger declared him a +ranchero: he wore no jacket but his pantaloons were of buckskin, and +his broad sombrero was tucked beneath his arm. + +"Benedicit, Juan!" + +"Bueno noche, Padre." + +"What tidings do you bring me?" said Father Mazzolin. + +The Mexican handed him a letter, and then, as if much fatigued, leaned +heavily against the wall, and wiped his brow with a large blue cotton +handkerchief. As the priest turned away and perused his letter, a +smile of triumphant joy irradiated his face, and a momentary flush +tinged his dark cheek. Again he read it, then thrusting it into his +bosom, addressed the bearer: + +"May the blessing of the church rest upon you, who have so faithfully +served your Padre;" and he extended his hand. Warmly it was grasped by +Juan, with a look of grateful surprise. + +"Este bueno?" inquired Juan. + +"Si mui bueno. Juan, do you read American writing?" + +"Chiquito," was answered, with a slight shrug. + +"What is the news in the el-grand Ciudad?" + +"They have a strong ox to pull the ropes, now Santa Anna is at the +head. Bravura!" and the ranchero tossed his hat, regardless of the +place. + +It was, however, no part of Mazzolin's policy to allow him for one +moment to forget the reverence due the marble images that looked so +calmly down from their niches, and with a stern glance he pointed to +them, crossing himself as he did so. Juan went down on his knees, +and with an "Ave Maria," and a Mexican dollar (which he laid on the +altar), quieted his conscience. + +"Senor Austin is in the Calaboose," he said, after a pause. + +Mazzolin started, and looked keenly at him, as if striving to read his +inmost thoughts. + +"You must be mistaken. Juan; there is no mention of it in my letter?" +he said, in a tone of one fearing to believe good news. + +"Not at all, Padre. We started together--there were fifteen of us--and +after we had come a long way, so far as Saltillo, some of Santa Anna's +cavaleros overtook us, and carried Senor Americano back with them, and +said they had orders to do it, for he was no friend to our nation. I +know, for I heard for myself." + +"Do you know the particular reason of his arrest?" + +Juan shook his head, and replied, "That the officers did not say." + +"Did you mention to any one your having a letter for me?" + +"No, Padre; I tell no man what does not concern him." + +"A wise plan, Juan, I would advise you always to follow; and be +very careful that you say nothing to any one about my letter: I +particularly desire it." + +"Intiendo," said Juan, turning toward the door. "I go to my ranche +to-morrow, but come back before many sunsets, and if you want me +again, Padre, you know where to find me." + +"The blessing of the Holy Virgin rest upon you, my son, and reward you +for your services in behalf of the church." + +"Adios!" And they parted. + +Father Mazzolin drew forth the letter, and read it attentively for +the third time, then held it over one of the twelve candles, and +deliberately burnt it, muttering the while, "Ashes tell no tales." + +Extinguishing the candles and locking the door of the church, he said +to himself: + +"All is as I foresaw; a breach is made which can only be closed by +the bodies of hundreds of these cursed heretics; and Santa Anna is +bloodthirsty enough to drain the last drop. Alphonso Mazzolin, canst +thou not carve thy fortune in the coming storm? Yea, and I will. I am +no unworthy follower of Loyola, of Gavier, and of Bobadillo. Patience! +a Cardinal's cap shall crown my labors;" and with a chuckling laugh he +entered the narrow street which led to his dwelling. + +"There is but one obstacle here," he continued; "that Protestant +girl's work is hard to undo," and his step became quicker. "But for +her, I should have been confessor to the whole family, and will be +yet, despite her warning efforts, though I had rather deal with any +three men. She is as untiring as myself." He reached his door, and +entered. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + "And ruder words will soon rush in + To spread the breach that words begin; + And eyes forget the gentle ray + They wore in courtship's smiling day; + And voices lose the tone that shed + A tenderness round all they said." + + MOORE. + + +Inez de Garcia was an only child, and in San Antonio considered quite +an heiress. Her wealth consisted in broad lands, large flocks, and +numerous herds, and these valuable possessions, combined with her +beautiful face, rendered her the object of considerable attention. +Inez was endowed with quick perceptions, and a most indomitable will, +which she never surrendered, except to accomplish some latent design; +and none who looked into her beautiful eyes could suppose that beauty +predominated over intellect. She was subtile, and consciousness of her +powers was seen in the haughty glance and contemptuous smile. Her hand +had been promised from infancy to her orphan cousin, Manuel Nevarro, +whose possessions were nearly as extensive as her own. Inez looked +with indifference on her handsome cousin, but never objected till +within a few weeks of her seventeenth birthday (the period appointed +for her marriage), when she urged her father to break the engagement. +This he positively refused to do, but promising, at Father Mazzolin's +suggestion, that she should have a few more months of freedom, she +apparently acquiesced. Among the peculiar customs of Mexicans, was a +singular method of celebrating St. ----'s day. Instead of repairing to +their church and engaging in some rational service, they mounted their +half wild ponies, and rode furiously up and down the streets till +their jaded steeds refused to stir another step, when they were +graciously allowed to finish the day on the common. The celebration +of the festival was not confined to the masculine portion of the +community; silver-haired Senoras mingled in the cavalcade and many a +bright-eyed Senorita looked forward to St. ----'s day with feelings +nearly akin to those with which a New York belle regards the most +fashionable ball of the season. + +On the evening preceding the day of that canonized lady, Manuel +entered the room where Inez sat, her needle work on the floor at some +distance, as though flung impatiently from her, her head resting on +one hand, while the other held a gentleman's glove. Light as was his +step, she detected it and thrusting the glove into her bosom, turned +her fine face full upon him. + +"What in the name of wonder brings you here this time of day, Manuel? +I thought every one but myself was taking a siesta this warm evening." + +"I have been trying a new horse, Inez, and came to know at what hour +you would ride to-morrow." He stood fanning himself with his broad +sombrero as he spoke. + +"Excuse me, Senor, I do not intend to ride at all." + +"You never refused before, Inez; what is the meaning of this?" and his +Spanish brow darkened ominously. + +"That I do not feel inclined to do so, is sufficient reason." + +"And why don't you choose to ride, pray? You have done it all your +life." + +"I'll be cross-questioned by no one!" replied Inez, springing to +her feet, with flashing eyes, and passionately clinching her small, +jeweled hand. + +Manuel was of a fiery temperament, and one of the many who never pause +to weigh the effect of their words or actions. Seizing her arm in no +gentle manner, he angrily exclaimed, + +"A few more weeks, and I'll see whether you indulge every whim, and +play the queen so royally!" + +Inez disengaged her arm, every feature quivering with scorn. + +"To whom do you speak, Senor Nevarro? You have certainly mistaken me +for one of the miserable peons over whom you claim jurisdiction. Allow +me to undeceive you! I am Inez de Garcia, to whom you shall never +dictate, for I solemnly declare, that from this day the link which has +bound us from childhood is at an end. Mine be the hand to sever it. +From this hour we meet only as cousins! Go seek a more congenial +bride!" + +"Hold, Inez! are you mad?" + +"No, Manuel, but candid; for eight years I have known that I was +destined to be your wife, but I never loved you, Manuel. I do not, and +never can, otherwise than as a cousin." + +In a tone of ill-suppressed range, Nevarro retorted: + +"My uncle's authority shall compel you to fulfil the engagement! You +shall not thus escape me!" + +"As you please, Senor. Yet let me tell you, compulsion will not +answer. The combined efforts of San Antonio will not avail--they may +crush, but cannot conquer me." She bowed low, and left the room. + +Every feature inflamed with wrath, Nevarro snatched his hat, and +hurried down the street. He had not proceeded far, when a hand was +laid upon his arm, and turning, with somewhat pugnacious intentions, +encountered Father Mazzolin's piercing black eyes. + +"Bueno tarde, Padre." + +The black eyes rested on Nevarro with an expression which seemed to +demand an explanation of his choler. Manuel moved uneasily; the hot +blood glowed in his swarthy cheek, and swelled like cords on the +darkened brow. + +"Did you wish to speak with me, Padre?" + +"Even so, my son. Thou art troubled, come unto one who can give thee +comfort." + +They were standing before the door of the harkell occupied by the +priest: he opened it and drew Manuel in. + +An hour later they emerged from the house. All trace of anger was +removed from Nevarro's brow, and Father Mazzolin's countenance wore +the impenetrable cast he ever assumed in public. It was his business +expression, the mask behind which he secretly drew the strings, and +lured his dupes into believing him a disinterested and self-denying +pastor, whose only aim in life was to promote the welfare and +happiness of his flock. + +When Don Garcia sat that night, _a la Turk_, on a buffalo-robe before +his door, puffing his cigarrita, and keeping time to the violin, which +sent forth its merry tones at a neighboring fandango, Inez drew near, +and related the result of her interview with Manuel, concluding by +declaring her intention to abide by her decision, and consult her own +wishes in the selection of a husband. + +His astonishment was great. First he tried reasoning, but she refuted +every argument advanced with the adroitness of an Abelard: the small +stock of patience with which "Dame Nature" had endowed the Don gave +way, and at last, stamping with rage, he swore she should comply, or +end her life in a gloomy cell of San Jose. + +Inez laughed contemptuously. She felt the whirlwind she had raised +gathering about her, yet sought not to allay it: she knew it was the +precursor of a fierce struggle, yet quailed not. Like the heroine of +Saragossa, or the martyr of Rouen, she knew not fear; and her restless +nature rather joyed in the strife. + +A low growl from the dog who shared the robe, announced an intruder, +and the next moment the Padre joined them. He was joyfully hailed by +De Garcia as an ally; but a dark look of hatred gleamed from Inez's +eyes, as they rested on his form: it vanished instantly, and she +welcomed him with a smile. She was cognizant of his interview with +Nevarro, for her window overlooked the street in which it took place. +She knew, too, his powers of intrigue; that they were enlisted against +her; and a glance sufficed to show the path to be pursued. Long +ago her penetrating eye had probed the mask of dissimulation which +concealed, like the "silver veil" of Mokanna, a great deformity: how +much greater because, alas! a moral one. + +Father Mazzolin inquired, with apparent interest, the cause of +contention. The Don gave a detailed account, and wound up by applying +to him for support, in favor of Nevarro. The look of sorrowful +astonishment with which he listened, compelled Inez to fix her large +Spanish eyes on the ground, lest he should perceive the smile which +lurked in their corners, and half played round her lip. + +He rebuked her gently, and spoke briefly of the evils which would +result, if she persisted in her wilful and ungrateful course. Inez +listened with a meekness which surprised both parent and Padre; and +when the latter rose to go, approached, and, in a low tone, requested +him to meet her, that day week, in the confessional. + +Woman's heart is everywhere the same, and in the solitude of her own +apartment, Inez's softer feelings found full vent. She sat with her +face in her hands, one long deep; sigh, which struggled up, telling of +the secret pain that was withering her joys and clouding her future. +Suddenly she started up, and passionately exclaimed, + +"It is hard that _his_ love should be wasted, on one whose heart is +as cold and stony as this wall;" and she struck it impatiently. +Then drawing forth the glove, which on Manuel's entrance had been so +hastily secreted, she pressed it repeatedly to her lips, returned it +to its hiding-place, and sought her couch. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + "What cause have we to build on length of life: + Temptations seize when fear is laid asleep; + And ill-foreboded is our strongest guard." + + YOUNG. + +St. ----'s dawn was welcomed by joyous peals from the church-bells, +and the occasional firing of a few muskets, by way of accompaniment. +The sun rose with a brilliance which would have awakened deep tones +in Memnon's statue, and gilded mountain and valley. Beautiful beyond +description the city looked in his golden light, and + + "All nature seemed rejoicing." + +Half hid by a majestic live-oak which shaded the front, and within +a few yards of the river, stood a small white house. It was built of +adoles, and contained only three rooms. Instead of reaching these by +a broad flight, one step from the threshold placed you on the ground. +The floor was uncovered, and, as usual, of cement. In one corner of +the front apartment stood a sideboard, covered with glass of various +kinds, and a few handsome pieces of plate. Its _vis-a-vis_ was a range +of shelves, filled with books; and on the plain deal mantelpiece stood +a pair of neat China vases, decked with brilliant prairie flowers. +Before the open window was placed the table, arranged for the morning +meal. How pure the cloth looked, how clear the glass; and then the +bouquet of fragrant roses which adorned the center, how homelike, +fresh, and beautiful it seemed! An air of comfort--American, southern +comfort--pervaded the whole. The breakfast was brought in by a +middle-aged negress, whose tidy appearance, and honest, happy, smiling +face presented the best refutation of the gross slanders of our +northern brethren. I would that her daguerreotype, as she stood +arranging the dishes, could be contrasted with those of the miserable, +half-starved seamstresses of Boston and New York, who toil from dawn +till dark, with aching head and throbbing heart, over some weary +article, for which they receive the mighty recompense of a shilling. + +When she had arranged every dish with great exactness, a small bell +was rung; and, waiter in hand, she stood ready to attend the family. + +A bright, young face appeared at the open window. + +"I hope, Aunt Fanny, you have a nice breakfast. You have no idea what +an appetite my walk has given me." + +"Now, Miss Mary, ain't my cooking always nice?" + +"Indeed, it is. Your coffee would not disgrace a pasha's table; and +your rolls are + + 'The whitest, the lightest, that ever were seen.'" + +She disappeared from the window, and entered the room just as Mr. +Hamilton came in, followed by Florence. + +"My dear uncle, have you forgotten the old adage of 'early to bed, and +early to rise?'" + +"I am not sure that I ever learned it, Mary;" he dryly replied, +seating himself at the table. + +"One would suppose you had taken a draught from the 'Elixir of Life;'" +said Florence, glancing affectionately at her beaming face. + +"I have discovered the fountain of perpetual youth, so vainly sought +in South America!" + +"Indeed! Is it located in this vicinity?" + +"Yes; and if you will rise to-morrow with Aurora, when 'she sprinkles +with rosy light the dewy lawn,' I will promise to conduct you to it." + +"Thank you; but, Mary, what induced you to ramble so early?" + +"I have been nearly two miles for some roots Mrs. Carlton expressed a +wish for. See, Florry, how I have dyed my hands pulling them up!" + +"Were you alone, Mary?" asked Mr. Hamilton. + +"I was, most of the time. As I came back, Dr. Bryant overtook me. +He spent the night at San Jose mission, with a sick Mexican, and was +returning. But where is Aunt Lizzy?" continued Mary, with an inquiring +glance round the room. + +"She went to mass this morning," replied her cousin. + +"Oh, yes! It is St. ----'s day. I heard the bells at daybreak." + +"It is a savage, heathenish custom they have adopted here, of tearing +up and down the streets from morning till night. I wish, by Jove! they +would ride over their canting Padre! I think he would find some other +mode of celebrating the festival!" + +"He would lay claim to saintship on the strength of it," replied Mary. + +"You had better keep out of the street to-day, girls," rejoined Mr. +Hamilton, pushing his cup away, and rising from the table. + +At this moment Aunt Lizzy entered; and after the morning salutation, +turned toward the door. + +"You are later than usual this morning, aunt. Do sit down and eat your +breakfast, or it will be so cold you cannot touch it," said Mary. + +"No really devout Catholic tastes food on this holy day," she +answered, motioning it from her. + +"It must be quite a penance to abstain, after your long walk," said +Mr. Hamilton with a smile. + +"Father Mazzolin said, this morning, that all who kept this holy +day would add a bright jewel to their crown, and obtain the eternal +intercession of the blessed saint;" and she left the room. + +"That falsehood adds another stone to the many that will sink him in +the lake of perdition, if there be one!" muttered Mr. Hamilton, as +he departed for the counting-room. The last few sentences had fallen +unheeded on Florence's ear, for she sat looking out the window, her +thoughts evidently far away. But every trace of merriment vanished +from Mary's face, and instead of her bright smile, a look of painful +anxiety settled there. A long silence ensued; Mary stood by the table, +wiping the cups as Aunt Fanny rinsed them, and occasionally glancing +at her cousin. At length she said, + +"Florry, will you walk over to Mrs. Carlton's with me? I promised to +go, and the walk will do you good, for indeed your cheeks are paler +than I like to see them." + +"Certainly, Mary, but do you remember what father said about our +remaining at home, to-day?" + +"There is no danger, Florry, if we only look about us, and I really +must go." + +"Well then, let us start at once." + +In a few moments they set out, equipped in large straw hats, and +equally large gloves; in addition, Mary carried in her hand a basket, +filled with herbs and flowers. + +"If we walk briskly, we shall get there before any of the riders set +forth. Ah! I am mistaken, there they come. Florry, don't go so near +the street: that horseman in blue, looks as though he were riding on +ice--see how his horse slides about!" + +A party of twenty or thirty thundered past, and the girls quickened +their pace. A few minutes' walk brought them to Mrs. Carlton's door, +which closed after them. + +That lady was reading, as they entered, but threw aside her book, and +advanced joyously to greet them. She kissed Mary affectionately, and +cordially shook Florence's hand. + +"I am glad you came, Mary. I feared you would not, and really I want +you very much." + +"What can I do, Mrs. Carlton?" + +"You can take off your hat and gloves, and prepare yourselves to spend +the day with me." + +They laughingly complied, protesting, however, that they could only +remain a short time. + +"Mary, my poor blind proselyte died yesterday, and bequeathed her +orphan child to me: I feel almost obliged to accept the charge, for +her fear lest it should fall into the Padre's hands was painful to +behold, and I promised to protect it if possible. The poor little +fellow is nearly destitute of clothes; I have cut some for him, and +knew you would assist me in making them." + +"With pleasure, dear Mrs. Carlton, and so will Florry; fill my basket +with work, and we will soon have him a suit. Oh! how glad I am that he +has such kind friends as yourself and husband." + +"The Padre came last night to demand the child, but we refused to give +him up: he said he intended clothing and educating the boy free of +charge; yet I knew better, for he refused to baptize Madame Berara's +orphan-niece without the customary fee, though he well knew she could +ill afford it, and was compelled to sell her last cow to make up the +requisite sum. I feel assured he will do all in his power to entice +Erasmo from me; but hope, by constant watchfulness, to counteract his +influence. Oh! Mary, how much we need a Protestant minister here: one +who could effectually stem the tide of superstition and degradation +that now flows unimpeded through this community. Oh! my dear friend, +let us take courage, and go boldly forth in the cause of truth, and +strive to awaken all from the lethargy into which they have fallen--a +lethargy for which their priests are alone responsible, for they +administered the deadly drug." + +"I feel as deeply as yourself, dear Mrs. Carlton, the evil tendency +and deplorable consequences of the institutions by which we are +surrounded, and the little that I can do will be gladly, oh, how +gladly! contributed to the work of reformation you have so nobly +begun." + +"You forget, Mary, in your proselyting enthusiasm, that Aunt Lizzy +belongs to the despised sect; surely you can not intend, by attacks on +her religion, to render her home unpleasant?" said Florence. + +Mary's eyes filled with tears, as she glanced reproachfully at her +cousin, and replied, + +"Nothing is further from my wishes, Florry, than to make her home +other than happy. Aunt Lizzy has every opportunity of informing +herself on this important question. Yet she prefers the easier method, +of committing her conscience to the care of the priest; she has chosen +her path in life, and determinately closes her eyes to every other. +The state of the Mexicans around us is by no means analogous. They +were allowed no choice: bred from infancy in the Romish faith, they +are totally unacquainted with the tenets of other creeds. Implicit +obedience to the Padre is their primary law, the grand ruling +principle of life, instilled from their birth. To lay before them the +truths of our own 'pure and undefiled religion,' is both a privilege +and duty." + +"You spoke just now, Miss Florence, of the 'despised sect;' allow me, +in all modesty, to say, that to the true and earnest Christian +there is no such class. Believe me, when I say, that though deeply +commiserating their unhappy condition, and resolved to do all in +my power to alleviate it, still I would as cheerfully assist the +conscientious Papist, and tender him the hospitalities of my home, as +one of my own belief." + +"You have expressed my feelings exactly, Mrs. Carlton, and there are +times when I wish myself a missionary, that I might carry light to +this benighted race," exclaimed Mary, enthusiastically. + +"We are very apt, my dear child, to consider ourselves equal to +emergencies, and capable of great actions, when a strict examination +would declare that the minor deeds and petty trials which test the +temper and the strength too often destroy our equanimity, and show our +inability to cope with difficulties. Woman's warfare is with little +things, yet we are assured by the greatest of all female writers, that +'trifles make the sum of human things;' therefore, let us strive more +and more earnestly to obtain perfect control of ourselves; then shall +we be enabled to assist others." + +"I often think," replied Mary, thoughtfully, "that we make +great sacrifices with comparative ease, because we feel our own +insufficiency, and rely more on God for assistance; while in lesser +troubles we are so confident of success, that we neglect to ask his +blessing, and consequently fail in our unaided attempts." + +"You are right, Mary, and it should teach us to distrust our powers, +and lead us to lean upon 'Him, who is a very precious help in time of +need.'" + +A long silence ensued, broken at length by the entrance of Mrs. +Carlton's two children, who carried a large basket between them. +Hastily they set it down, on seeing Mary, and sprung to her side: the +little girl clung around her neck, and kissed her repeatedly. + +"Maria, you are too boisterous, my little girl; Miss Mary will have +no cause to doubt your affection. Elliot, why do you not speak to Miss +Florence, my son?" + +Blushing at his oversight, the boy obeyed, and, joined by his sister, +stood at his mother's side. Maria whispered something in his ear, but +he only shook his head and replied, + +"Not now, sister, let us wait." + +She hesitated a moment, then laid her little hand on Mrs. Carlton's +shoulder. + +"Mother, I know you said it was rude to whisper in company, but I want +to tell you something very much." + +Mrs. Carlton smiled. + +"I am sure the young ladies will excuse you, my daughter, if it is +important." She bent her head, and a prolonged whispering followed. +A flush rose to the mother's cheek and a tear to her eyes, as she +clasped her to her heart, and said, + +"I wish you, my children, to speak out, and tell all you know of this +affair." + +Elliot was spokesman. + +"We went into the garden as you desired us, mother, and Erasmo and I +picked the peas, while sister held the basket; presently we heard a +noise in the brush fence like something coming through, and sister got +frightened (here he laughed), and wanted to run to the house, but we +told her it was only a sheep or dog outside; but it turned out to be +the Padre, and he came and helped us to pick. Mother, he told us such +pretty stories; I can't think of the names; they must have been Dutch, +they were so long and hard. But I remember one of the tales; he said +there was once a good man who lived in Asia, and one day he lost his +crucifix; he looked everywhere for it, but could not find it; and a +long time afterward, he happened to be walking by the sea-shore +and looked out on the water, and oh, what do you think! He saw his +crucifix moving on the water, and a great crab paddled out to land and +laid his crucifix down before him, and then paddled right back into +the sea again. Now wasn't that funny. I can't think of the good man's +name, Saint--Somebody--Saint--Saint--" + +"Brother, I reckon it was Saint Crab!" + +"No, no! It was the crab that found the crucifix, and I think he was +smarter than the saint." + +"Now, Florry, should I repeat this legend to Aunt Lizzy, it would be +impossible to convince her that it proceeded from the Padre's lips. +Yet even prelates of Rome scruple not to narrate as miracles tales +equally absurd, where their auditory is sufficiently ignorant to +credit them. Pardon my interruption, Elliot, and finish your story," +continued Mary. + +"Mother, the Padre talked to Erasmo in Spanish. I could not understand +all he said, but it was about coming to live with him, and going to +Mexico, to see the sights there. When he came to the rows you left for +seed, I told him we must come to the house, and asked him to come in; +but he would not, and offered us all some money, and said we must not +tell a soul we had seen him, for he happened to see us through the +fence, and just came in to speak to us, and you and father might +think he ought not to come into our garden. But oh, mother, would you +believe it! he told Erasmo, as he went off, that he must ask you to +let him go to bathe to-morrow; and instead of going to the river, he +must come to the church: he wanted to give him something. He told him +in Spanish, but I understood what he said. Now, wasn't that teaching +him to tell a lie? and he a Padre too! Mother, don't you think he +ought to be ashamed?" + +"Elliot, if you would gladden the hearts of your father and mother, +be ever truthful. Remember the story of 'Pedro and Francisco' you +read not long ago, and put dishonesty and dissimulation far from you: +'honesty is the best policy,' and if you adhere to it through life, +it will prove of 'far more worth than gold.' Be sure you keep nothing +from me, particularly what the Padre may say." + +"Shall we take the peas out under the hackberry and shell them," said +Maria. + +"Yes, my dear, but first tell me where Erasmo is." + +"Sitting on the steps, mother. I know he will help us to shell them, +for he said it was mere fun, picking peas." + +"Say nothing to him of the Padre or his conversation, but interest him +about other things." + +They left the room swinging the basket between them. Mrs. Carlton's +eyes filled as she looked after her children. "A mother's care can +do a great deal, yet how little did I imagine that temptation would +assail them at such a time, and in such a garb." + +"Oh, guard them carefully; for, surrounded by these influences, it +will be difficult to prevent contamination," said Mary, earnestly. + +Just then a long, loud shout from the street attracted their +attention, and hastening to the door, they perceived a crowd gathered +on the Plaza. In the center was a body of Mexican cavalry, headed by +their commanding officer, who, hat in hand, was haranguing them. The +ladies looked at each other in dismay. + +"To what does this tend?" asked Mary, anxiously. + +"My husband told me several days since that Austin was imprisoned in +Mexico, and said he feared difficulties would ensue, but knew not the +cause of his confinement." + +"There is Dr. Bryant coming toward us; I dare say he can tell us the +meaning of this commotion." + +That gentleman, bowing low in the saddle, reined his Steed as near the +step as possible. + +"How do you do, Miss Hamilton, and you, my dear sister? I had the +pleasure of meeting Miss Mary in her morning rambles; she is a most +remarkable young lady. Assures me she actually loves early rising." +His dark eyes were fixed laughingly upon her. + +"Do stop your nonsense, Frank, and tell us the cause of that crowd," +said Mrs. Carlton, laying her hand on his arm. + +"My dear sister, that tall, cadaverous-looking cavalier is the +brother-in-law of Santa Anna, and no less a personage than General +Cos, sent hither to fortify this and every other susceptible place." + +"Against whom or what?" + +"It is a long story, ladies. You know that Coahuila has pursued an +oppressive policy toward us for some time, and refused to hear reason: +Austin remonstrated again and again, and at last went to Mexico, +hoping that the authorities would allow us (here he bit his lip, and +his cheek flushed)--it galls my spirit to utter the word--allow us +to form a separate State. The Congress there took no notice of his +petition, for, in truth they were too much engaged just then about +their own affairs to heed him, and he wrote to several persons in +Austin, advising them at all hazards to proceed. Some cowardly wretch, +or spy in disguise, secretly despatched one of his letters to the +ministers; consequently, as Austin was returning, they made him +prisoner, and carried him back to Mexico. Santa Anna is at the head of +affairs. He has subverted the too liberal constitution of 1824, but +is opposed by a few brave hearts, who scorn the servitude in store +for them. Santa Anna knows full well that we will not submit to his +crushing yoke, and therefore sends General Cos to fortify the Alamo. +This is the only definite information I have been able to glean from +several sources." + +"Do you think there is probability of a war?" + +"It will most inevitably ensue, for total submission will be exacted +by Santa Anna, and the Texans are not a people to comply with any such +conditions." + +"You think General Cos is here to fortify the Alamo?" + +"Yes; the work commences to-morrow, I hear, and the fort will be +garrisoned by Spanish troops." + +"How many has he with him?" inquired his sister. + +"Only fifty or sixty; this is merely the advanced guard, the main body +will probably arrive in a few days." + +"I suppose they are joyously welcomed by the Mexicans here, who have +ever regarded with jealous eyes Protestant settlers." + +"Oh, yes, that shout testified the hearty welcome they received." + +At this moment Mr. Hamilton joined the group. + +"Have you heard the news?" he inquired. + +"Yes, and sad enough it is," said Mary, with a sigh. + +"It will be a bloody conflict." + +"I am afraid so," replied Dr. Bryant. + +"Come, girls, I am going home, will you go now?" + +Mary took her basket, which Mrs. Carlton had filled with work, and +they descended the steps. + +"I declare, Miss Irving, I have a great desire to know what that +basket contains; it is as inseparably your companion as was the tub of +Diogenes. I often see it round a corner before you are visible, and at +the glimpse of it, invariably sit more erect in saddle, and assume my +most amiable expression." + +He raised himself, and peeped inquiringly over the edge; Mary swung it +playfully behind her. + +"I never gratify idle curiosity, Dr. Bryant." + +"Indeed, how very remarkable; but I assure you I know full well the +use to which those same herbs you had this morning are to be applied; +you are amalgamating nauseous drugs, and certain pills, to be +administered to my patients. I am grieved to think you would alienate +what few friends I have here, by raising yourself up as a competitor. +Pray, where did you receive your diploma? and are you Thomsonian, +Allopathic, Homeopathic, or Hydropathic?" + +Mary looked at Mrs. Carlton: both smiled. + +"Ah! I see Ellen is associated with you. Do admit me to partnership; +I should be a most valuable acquisition, take my word for it. A more +humble-minded, good-hearted, deeply-read, and experienced disciple of +Esculapius never felt pulse, or administered a potion." + +They laughed outright. + +"Mary, shall we tell Frank what we intend those herbs for?" + +"By no means, he does not deserve to know." + +"Ah! I see Terence was right after all, in his opinion of woman's +nature--'When you request, they refuse; when you forbid, they are sure +to do it.'" + +"Come, girls, come! I have business at home;" said Mr. Hamilton, +and they set out homeward. They had not proceeded far, when Mary +exclaimed, pointing behind her, + +"Oh, uncle, that woman will be killed! Can nobody help her?" + +"She will certainly be thrown from her horse!" + +A party of five or six Mexicans were riding with their usual rapidity +toward them. An elderly woman in the rear had evidently lost control +of her fiery horse, which was plunging violently. The other members of +the company seemed unable to render any assistance, as their own could +scarcely be restrained. The unfortunate Senora was almost paralyzed +with fright; for instead of checking him by the reins, they had fallen +over his head, become entangled in his feet, and, now grasping the +mane, she was shrieking fearfully. + +"Oh, can't we do something for her!" cried Mary, clasping her hands. + +"I do not see how we can assist her," said Mr. Hamilton. + +"At least, let us try;" and they hastened to the spot where the +infuriated animal was struggling. + +"Stand back, girls! you can do nothing." + +He made several ineffectual attempts to catch the bridle, as the +forefeet rose in air, and at last succeeded in getting one end. He +bade the woman let go the mane, and slide off. She did so, but some +portion of her dress was caught in the saddle, and she hung suspended. +The horse feeling the movement, again plunged, despite Mr. Hamilton's +efforts to hold him down. The scene was distressing indeed, as she was +raised and then, flung down again. + +Mary saw the danger, and rushing round the enraged horse, fearlessly +pushed off the piece which was attached to the pommel of the saddle, +and freed the unfortunate matron. The horse, feeling relieved of his +burden, gave a desperate bound, and rushed off down the street. + +Florence shrieked, and sprung to her father's side. Mary was bending +over the moaning woman, but turned suddenly, and saw her uncle +stretched at Florence's feet. He was insensible, and a stream of +blood oozed from his lips. They raised his head, and motioned to +the Mexicans, that now gathered round, for water; some was hastily +procured, and then Mary entreated one of them to go for Dr. Bryant: as +she spoke, the tramp of hoofs caused her to look up, and she perceived +him urging his horse toward them. He flung the reins to a man who +stood near, and bent over the prostrate form. + +"There is some internal injury, I see no outward wound; how did this +happen?" + +Florence briefly explained the manner in which her father received a +kick on the chest. Happily, they were near their own home, and, with +the assistance of two men, Dr. Bryant carefully bore him in, and laid +him on a couch near the open window. A restorative was administered, +and soon the sufferer opened his eyes. The flow of blood had ceased, +but he lay quite exhausted. + +The physician examined the wounded place, and assured Florence there +was no fracture. + +"I am afraid some blood-vessel is ruptured?" said she, anxiously. + +"It is only a small one, I hope, but cannot tell certainly for several +days. He must be perfectly quiet; the least excitement might prove +fatal, by causing a fresh hemorrhage." + +Nearly a week passed, and one evening Mary followed the physician as +he left the house: he heard her step, and turned. His usually laughing +countenance was grave and anxious; but he strove to seem cheerful. + +"Doctor, I wish to know what you think of my uncle's case; we are +afraid it is more serious than you at first pronounced it?" + +"It is better that you should know the worst. I am pained to grieve +you, but candor compels me to say, that a fatal injury has been +inflicted. I hoped for the best, but an examination this evening +confirmed my fears." + +Mary sobbed bitterly and long. Dr. Bryant sought not to comfort her +by exciting false hopes, but paced up and down the gravel-walk beside +her. + +"You do not fear a rapid termination of the disorder?" she said at +last, in a low, trembling tone. + +"He may linger some days, but I do not think it probable that he +will." + +"Florry, Florry! what is to become of us?" cried the weeping girl, in +a voice of agony. "Oh, God! spare him to us!" + +"Do you think your cousin comprehends her father's danger?" + +"She fears the worst, and requested me this evening to ask your +opinion. Oh, how can I tell her that he must die!" + +"Do not crush all hope (though I have none); let her believe that he +may recover. She is not of a temperament to bear prolonged agony. +The shock will be less painful, rest assured. Believe me, I deeply +sympathize with you both." And pressing her hand, he withdrew. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + "See! the dappled gray coursers of the morn + Beat up the light with their bright silver hoofs, + And chase it through the sky!" + + MARSTON. + + +Inez left her father's door as the last notes of the matin bell died +away on the cool, clear morning air. She held in her hand a silken +scarf, which, according to the custom of her country, was thrown +lightly across the head, and confined at the chin. + +Beautiful she looked, with the feverish glow on her cheek, and her +large Spanish eyes, restless and piercing, flashing out at times the +thoughts of her inmost soul. She threw the mantilla round her head, +and turned toward the church. The step was firm yet hasty. She seemed +endeavoring to escape from herself. + +The streets were silent and the Plaza deserted, and naught seemed +stirring save the swallows that twittered and circled round and round +the belfry of the church. There was something soothing in the deep +stillness that reigned on that balmy morning, and Inez felt its +influence. She paused at the entrance of the gray old church, and +stretched forth her arms to the rosy east. + +"Peace, peace!" she murmured, in a weary tone, and sunk her head upon +her bosom. The door opened behind her, and raising herself proudly, +she drew the scarf closer about her, and entered. + +A basin of holy water was placed near, and hastily she signed the +figure of the cross and proceeded down the aisle to a side door +leading to one of the wings. She pushed it noiselessly ajar and passed +in. + +A solitary tin sconce dimly lighted the small confessional, dark and +gloomy as night, at that early hour. A wooden cross suspended from the +wall, a stone bench, and table, on which lay a rosary and crucifix, +and a small vessel of holy water, formed the entire furniture. Before +this table sat Father Mazzolin, his face buried in his hands. Her +step, light as it was, startled him; yet without rising, he murmured, +"Benedicit." + +"Bueno dios, Padre." + +He motioned to her to kneel, and she did so, on the damp floor at his +feet, drawing the scarf over her face, so as to conceal the features. + +"Bless me, my Father, because I have sinned." + +He laid his hands on her bowed head, and muttered indistinctly a Latin +phrase. "I confess to Almighty God, to blessed Mary, ever Virgin, to +blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the +holy apostles Peter and Paul, and to all the saints, that I have +sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, through my most +grievous fault. Therefore I beseech the blessed Mary, ever Virgin, the +blessed Michael the Archangel, the blessed John the Baptist, the holy +apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints, to pray to the Lord our +God for me. + +"Since my last confession, I accuse myself of many sins. I have missed +mass, vespers and many holy ordinances of our most holy church. Have +borne hatred, and given most provoking language. + +"I have broken the engagement thou did'st command me to keep; have +angered Manuel, and enraged my father greatly. I neglected fasting on +the day of our most holy Saint ----. + +"I have entered this church, this holy sanctuary, without crossing +myself; and passed the image of the Blessed Virgin without kneeling." +She paused, and bent her head lower. + +'The Padre then said, "My daughter, thy sins are grievous; my heart +bleeds over thy manifold transgressions." + +"Even so, my Father; even so." + +"Dost thou still bear enmity to Manuel Nevarro, who loves thee truly, +and is thy promised husband?" + +"No, my Father; I desire to be speedily reconciled to him whom I have +offended." + +"Wilt thou promise to offer no objection, but become his wife?" + +"My Father, I do not wish to be his wife; yet thy will, not mine." + +A smile of triumph glittered in the Padre's eye at this confession; +yet his low tone was unchanged. + +"Inez, I will not force thee to marry Manuel, yet thou shalt never be +another's wife. In infancy thou wast promised, and thy hand can never +be joined to another. Choose you, my daughter, and choose quickly." + +"Padre, give me time. May one so guilty as I speak out?" + +"Yes, speak; for I would have thine inmost thoughts." + +"Father, let me spend a month of quiet and peace among the holy +sisters at San Jose; there will I determine either to be Manuel's +wife, or dedicate the remainder of my life to the service of God and +our most Holy Lady." + +"You have spoken well: even so shall it be; but, Inez, I would +question you further and see you answer me truly, as you desire the +intercession of the Blessed Virgin." + +Inez lifted her head, and fixing her eyes full on his swarthy face, +replied with energy: + +"My Father, even as I desire the intercession of our Blessed Virgin, +so will I answer." + +The head was bent again on her bosom. He had sought to read her +countenance during that brief glance, but there was a something in its +dark depths he could not quite understand. + +"My daughter, hast thou been of late with that Protestant girl, by +name Mary Irving?" + +"I have seen her twice since last confession." + +"Where did you meet her?" + +"Once at Senora Perraras, and once she came for me, to walk with her." + +"Answer truly. Upon what subjects did you converse?" + +Inez seemed striving to recall some portion of what had past. At last +she said, "Indeed, Padre, I cannot remember much she said. It was +mostly of birds, and trees, and flowers, and something, I believe, +about this beautiful town, as she called it." + +"Think again. Did she not speak lightly of the blessed church, and +most holy faith? Did she not strive to turn you to her own cursed +doctrines, and, above all, did she not speak of me, your Padre, with +scorn?" + +"No, my Father, most truly she did not." Again she raised her eyes to +his face. Piercing was the glance he tent upon her. Yet hers fell not +beneath it: calm and immovable she seemed. + +He lifted his hand menacingly. + +"I bid you now beware of her, and her friend, the trader's wife. +They are infernal heretics, sent hither by the evil one to turn good +Catholics from their duty. I say again, beware of them!" and he struck +his hand heavily on the table beside him. "And now, my daughter, have +you relieved your conscience of its burden? Remember, one sin +withheld at confession will curse you on your death-bed, and send you, +unshriven, to perdition!" + +A sort of shudder ran through the bowed form of Inez, and in a low +tone, she replied, "I also accuse myself of all the sins that may have +escaped my memory, and by which, as well as those I have confessed, I +have offended Almighty God, through my most grievous fault." + +"I enjoin upon you, as penance for the omission of the holy ordinances +of our most holy church, five Credos when you hear the matin bell, +twelve Paters when noon comes round, and five Aves at vespers. These +shall you repeat, kneeling upon the hard floor, with the crucifix +before you, and your rosary in your hand. In addition, you must repair +to a cell of San Jose, and there remain one month. Moreover, you shall +see and speak to none, save the holy sisters. And now, my daughter, I +would absolve you." + +Inez bent low, while he spread his hands above her head and pronounced +the Latin text to that effect, then bade her rise, and dismissed her +with a blessing. + +The sun was just visible over the eastern hills, as Inez stepped upon +the Plaza. Her face was deadly pale, and the black eyes glittered +strangely. + +"I have knelt to thee for the last time, Father Mazzolin. Long +enough you have crushed me to the earth; one short month of seeming +servitude, and I am free. Think you I too cannot see the gathering +tempest? for long I have watched it rise. It may be that happiness +is denied me; but yonder gurgling waters shall receive my body ere I +become a lasting inmate of your gloomy cell. My plan works well; +even my wily Padre thinks me penitent for the past! But dearly have I +bought my safety. I have played false! lied! where is my conscience? +Have I one? No, no! 'tis dead. Dead from the hour I listened to the +Padre's teachings! If there be a hereafter, and, oh! if there is a +God, what will become of me?" And the girl shuddered convulsively. +"Yet I have heard him lie. I know that even he heeds not the laws of +his pretended God! He bade me follow his teachings, and I did, and I +deceived him! Hal he thinks the game all at his fingers' ends. But I +will neither marry Manuel, nor be a holy sister of Jose. There will +come a time for me. Now I must work, keep him in the dark, spend the +month in seclusion; by that time the troubles here will begin, and who +may tell the issue?" + +A quick step behind her caused Inez to turn in the midst of her +soliloquy. Dr. Bryant was hastening by, but paused at sight of her +face. + +"Ah, Senorita! How do you do this beautiful morning?" He looked at +her earnestly, and added, "You are too pale, Inez--much too pale. Your +midnight vigils do not agree with you; believe me, I speak seriously, +you will undermine your health." Her eyes were fixed earnestly on his +noble face, beaming with benevolence, and a slight flush tinged her +cheek, as she replied, "Dr. Bryant, I am not the devout Catholic you +suppose me. The Padre thinks me remiss in many of my duties, and I +am going for a short time to San Jose. You need not look at me so +strangely, I have no idea of becoming a nun, I assure you." + +"Inez, one of your faith can never be sure of anything; let me entreat +you not to go to the convent. You need recreation, and had much better +mount your pony, and canter a couple of miles every morning; it would +insure a more healthful state of both body and mind." + +"I must go, Dr. Bryant." + +"Well then, good-by, if you must, yet I fear you will not return +looking any better." + +"Adios," and they parted. + +Inez's eye followed the retreating form till an adjoining corner +intervened. Then pressing her hand on her heart, as if to still some +exquisite pain, she murmured in saddened tones--"Oh! I would lay down +my life for your love, yet it is lavished on one who has no heart to +give in return. Oh, that I may one day be able to serve you!" + +At the moment she perceived Manuel Nevarro crossing the Plaza, and +drawing closer the mantilla, she hastened homeward. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + "A perfect woman, nobly planned; + To warn, to counsel, to command, + The reason firm, the temperate will, + Prudence, foresight, strength, and skill." + + WORDSWORTH. + + +The beautiful ideal of Wordsworth seemed realized in Mrs. Carlton. She +was by nature impetuous, and even irritable; but the careful training +of her deeply pious mother early eradicated these seeds of discord and +future misery. She reared her "in the way she should go," and taught +her to "remember her Creator in the days of her youth." Crushing +vanity, which soon rose hydra-headed in her path, she implanted in her +daughter's heart a sense of her own unworthiness, and led her to the +"fountain of light and strength." + +Under her judicious care, Ellen's character was molded into perfect +beauty. She became a Christian, in the purest sense of the term. Hers +were not the gloomy tenets of the anchorite, which, with a sort of +Spartan stoicism, severs every tie enjoined by his great Creator, bids +adieu to all of joy that earth can give, and becomes a devotee at the +shrine of some canonized son of earth, as full of imperfections as +himself. Neither did she hold the lighter and equally dangerous creed +of the latitudinarian. Her views were of a happy medium; liberal, yet +perfectly orthodox. + +Ellen married early in life, and many were the trials which rose up +to test her fortitude, and even her reliance on almighty God. Of six +beautiful children that blessed her union, four went down to an early +tomb. Though bowed to the earth by the weight of her affliction, she +murmured not against the hand that chastened her; but as one by one +was snatched from her warm embrace, she poured out the depth of a +mother's love on the remaining two. + +One stroke of fortune reduced her, in a day, from affluence to +comparative penury; and leaving his luxurious home, Mr. Carlton +resolved to seek his fortune in the Western World. Hither she +had accompanied him, encountering, without a murmur, the numerous +hardships, which those who have not endured can never fully realize. +They had preceded Mr. Hamilton but a few months, and joyfully welcomed +him as an agreeable acquisition to their little circle. + +Mrs. Carlton found in Mary a real friend; one who sympathized with, +and assisted her in her many benevolent plans for ameliorating the +condition of the destitute Mexicans around them. + +With Florence, the former had little affinity, and, consequently, +little intercourse. Their tastes were directly opposite, and though +they often met, there was no interchange of the deep and holier +feelings of the heart. + +Frank Bryant was the orphan-brother of Mrs. Carlton, and almost as +dearly loved by her as her own darling Elliot. A few months before +St. ----'s day, he reached San Antonio, on a visit to the sister, from +whom he had been separated several years. Soon after his arrival, an +epidemic made its appearance among the lower order of Mexicans; and as +there was no resident physician at that early time, his services +were speedily in requisition. The Padre, who numbered among his +many acquirements a tolerable knowledge of medicine, viewed with +indifference the suffering around him; and was only roused from his +lethargy by discovering the flattering estimation in which Frank was +held. Fearing so formidable a rival in the affections of his people, +he left no means untried to undermine the popularity so deservedly +acquired. But gratitude is a distinguishing trait of Indian character; +and though apparently obeying the injunctions of their Padre, to +follow no directions save his own, they reverenced Dr. Bryant as a +being of superior order. + +It was beside the bed of a dying friend that Inez first met him. One +long weary night they watched together, and when at last death freed +the sufferer, with mingled emotions of admiration and gratitude she +thanked him for the attentions conferred with such disinterested +benevolence. She could not avoid contrasting the conduct of the cold +and calculating Jesuit with the warm-hearted kindness of the noble +stranger. + +In a few days it became evident that she had herself imbibed the +disease, and her terrified father brought the young physician to +restore her. With unwearied patience he watched over the beautiful +Senorita, whom Mrs. Carlton and Mary most carefully nursed, and was +rewarded by the glow of returning health. + +The idols of her youth were neglected and forgotten; one image filled +Inez's heart, and before it she poured out all the passionate love of +her ardent nature; hence her aversion to a union with Manuel Nevarro. + +Dr. Bryant early perceived her attachment; and knowing full well +that he could never return it, avoided her society with a delicacy +peculiarly his own. When thrown accidentally into her presence, his +manner was frank, kind, and brotherly. + +Inez did not deceive herself for a moment by supposing that he would +ever return her love. She knew too well the nature of the barrier +which intervened. To remain unfettered, to see, to love, and one day +to serve him, was her dearest wish; and for its gratification she +dared the rage of her father, and the hatred of her Padre. She fancied +he loved another, and with the characteristic jealousy of her nation, +an aversion to that object settled on her heart. + +Dr. Bryant had nursed the last patient into convalescence: still he +lingered, and at the close of St. ----'s day, announced his intention +of remaining until the difficulties with Mexico were either amicably +arranged, or war declared. Mary and Florence he often met, for he was +a constant visitor at Mr. Hamilton's. His manner toward them was +very different; with Mary he ever assumed the light bantering tone +of brotherly freedom; with Florence he was always grave and earnest. +Their conversation was generally upon literary topics, of which she +was fond. Many were their discussions for and against their favorite +authors and philosophers. In these arguments Mary seldom took part, +though fully qualified to do so. Occasionally her cousin asked her +opinion on various topics; at such times she gave them clearly, yet +modestly, and with a gentle dignity peculiar to herself. The earnest +attention with which Frank listened to her views, and his happy smile, +when they coincided with his own, somewhat puzzled Mary; yet she +welcomed his repartees with the same bright smile, and allowed +distrust and jealousy no room in her heart. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + "He swore that love of souls + Alone had drawn him to the church; yet strewed + The path that led to hell with tempting flowers, + And in the ear of sinners, as they took + The way of death, he whispered peace." + + POLLOK. + + +How wearily pass the hours to the anxious watcher beside the couch of +pain. To her, it seems as though the current of time had forgotten +to run on and join the mighty past, and that its swift waters were +gathering glassily around her. With unmitigated care, Florence had +attended the bedside of her suffering parent; occasionally slumbering +on his pillow, but more frequently watching through the long nights, +and often stealing to the casement, to look out upon surrounding +gloom, and wonder if the light of day would ever fall again on earth. +Ah! in the midnight hour, when all nature is hushed when universal +darkness reigns, when the "still small voice" will no longer be +silenced, then we are wont to commune with our own hearts. All +barriers melt away, and the saddened past, the troubled present, and +the shadowy future rise successively before us, and refuse to be put +by. In vain we tightly close the aching lids; strange lurid lights +flare around us, and mysterious forms glide to and fro. + +To the guilty, how fearful must the season of darkness prove, when, +unable longer to escape from themselves, they yield to the pangs of +remorse, and toss in unutterable anguish! + + "By night, an atheist half believes a God." + +And thousands, who in the sunny light of day rush madly on to ruin, +pause, shudderingly, in the midnight hour, and look yearningly +toward the narrow path where Virtue's lamp, flashing into the +deepest recesses of surrounding gloom, dispels all shadow; and, in +imagination, view the Christian peacefully descending the hill of +life, fearlessly crossing the "valley of the shadow of death," and +resting at last on that blest shore, where night and darkness are +unknown, "swallowed up in endless day." + +It was very evident that Mr. Hamilton could survive but a few days; +and to every entreaty that she would take some rest, Florence but +shook her head, and replied, that she would not leave him when he must +die so soon. + +One evening Dr. Bryant, having administered a soothing potion, turned +to her and said, "My dear Miss Hamilton, you will seriously injure +your health by such constant watching. Your father needs nothing now +but quiet. Let me entreat you to go out for a short time; the air will +refresh you, and your aunt will remain with Mr. Hamilton." He drew her +reluctantly from her seat as he spoke, and whispered Mary to accompany +her. + +Drawing her arm round Florence, Mary turned in the direction of their +accustomed rambles, but her cousin said, "I am too weary to walk far, +let us go to our old seat by the river." + +The stream was only a few yards distant, and they seated themselves +on a broad, flat stone, beneath a cluster of pomegranate and figs. The +evening was beautifully clear, the soft light which still lingered in +the west mellowing every object, and the balmy southern breeze, fresh +from "old ocean's bosom," rustling musically amidst the branches +above. As if to enhance the sweetness of the hour, and win the +mourners from their sad thoughts, the soothing tones of the vesper +bells floated afar on the evening air; distance had softened them, and +now they sounded clear and Eolian-like. The river eddied and curled +rapidly along at their feet; and ever and anon, the stillness that +seemed settling around was broken by the plunging fish, that gambled +in hundreds amidst its blue waters. + +"How calm and holy this stillness seems! Florry, does it not cause +you to lift your heart in gratitude to the 'almighty Giver' of so many +blessings?" + +"All things are dark to sorrow;" replied Florence, and folding her +arms across her bosom, she dropped her head wearily upon them. + +"Oh, Florry, do not give up so! I cannot bear to hear your despairing +tone. Still hope; your dear father may be spared to us;" and she put +her arms caressingly around her. + +"Hope!" echoed Florence; "I have ceased to hope that he will recover. +I know that he cannot; and in a few hours I shall be alone in the +world. Alone, alone!" she repeated the words, as if fully to realize +the misery in store for her. "O God! why hast thou not taken me +before? Take me now; oh, in mercy, take me with him!" + +In vain Mary strove to soothe and console her; she remained perfectly +still, her face hid in her arms, and replied not to her anxious +questionings. A long silence ensued, and Mary wept. A feeling of +desolation began to creep over her; a second time she was to be thrown +on the wide, cold world. She thought of her uncle's generosity and +unvaried kindness during the many years she had dwelt under his roof, +and scarcely felt that it was not her own. And then there stole up +the image of her lost mother; the wan, but saint-like face, and the +heavenly smile with which she pointed upward, and bade her child +prepare for the glorious union, in that mansion which Jehovah assigned +to those who are faithful on earth. + +Poor Mary's heart was sad indeed; yet there was no bitterness in +her soul, no rebellious feelings toward Almighty God, who had thus +afflicted her so sorely. She wiped away her tears, and calming herself +as much as possible, repeated, in a faltering voice, the beautiful +hymn commencing "I would not live always." She paused at the +conclusion of the second verse; but Florence did not lift her head, +and hoping to cheer her, she finished the hymn. + +Twilight had fallen on the earth, and the blue vault of heaven was +studded with its myriad lamps. The new moon glittered like a golden +thread--low in the west--and seemed almost to rest upon the bosom of +the stream, as it curved in the distance to meet the horizon. + +"Come, Florry, you must not stay out so late; I am afraid you will +take cold!" + +Florence rose mechanically and accompanied her. + +"Oh, Florry, do try and trust in God, and believe that in every trial +and affliction he will comfort and assist us." + +Her cousin sighed heavily, but made no reply. + +As they reached the gate it was quickly opened, and the Padre met +them: he bowed coldly to Mary, but shook hands with Florence, and +promised to come again the ensuing day. It was so late that Mary could +not distinguish his features; but just as he turned to go, Aunt Fanny +threw open the kitchen door, and the light streamed full on his +face; their eyes met, and she started at the smile of triumph that +irradiated his dark countenance: he bowed, and passed on. + +Mary hastened down the walk, and entered the sick room, fearing she +scarcely knew what. The invalid Was tossing restlessly from side to +side, and on the pillow lay a rosary and crucifix. For an instant she +stood motionless; then sprang forward, and clasped his burning hand +in hers. "Uncle! dear uncle! tell me who has been with you! Aunt +Lizzy promised she would not leave you till we came back You have been +excited: your hands are burning with fever!" + +"I was not alone, Mary; the Padre sat and talked with me;" as the +sufferer spoke, he shuddered and closed his eyes. + +"And did he leave these here!" said she, taking up the crucifix and +rosary. + +"No, no! they are mine!" and he snatched them from her. + +Mary turned pale, and leaned against the bed for support. Florence, +now bending over her father, motioned to her cousin to be silent; +without effect, however; for, passing round the bed, she knelt beside +him. "Uncle, was it by your desire that the Padre came here this +evening?" + +He did not seem to hear her question; she repeated it. + +"Yes; that is, this is not his first visit." + +"Uncle, why do you evade me? Tell me, I entreat you, if he did not +force himself here in my absence!" + +"Mary, will you drive my father delirious with your interference with +his wishes?" + +"No, Florry, not when I am convinced that such are his wishes. I know +that in health he is no more a Papist than you or I; yet, now I see +him clinging to that rosary and crucifix, what am I to think? If you +can explain this mystery, do so, Florry." + +"The day that you were at Mrs. Carlton's, learning to make that +custard my father likes so well, the Padre came, and kindly sat with +him some time. He came the next night, and the next; and read and +prayed with him. I hope you are satisfied now that there is no +intrusion." All this was whispered so low as not to reach the ears of +the invalid. + +"Were you present at any of these interviews, Florry?" + +"No; they always preferred being alone," + +"Oh! why did you not tell me this before?" + +"I am sure I can't see what you are so excited about! If my father +chooses to become a Catholic, I should think it would relieve you to +know that he realizes his situation." She turned resolutely away as +she finished speaking, and seated herself beside the bed. + +Mary left the room almost stunned by the discovery she had made; and +scarce knowing what to do, wrapped her shawl about her, and walked +quickly to Mrs. Carlton's. To her she related all she had just +learned, and begged her advice and assistance. + +Mrs. Carlton was sorely puzzled and much distressed. + +"I fear, Mary, it is too late to remedy the evil." + +"Oh, do not say so! I cannot bear that he should die in that faith; he +is too feeble to oppose anything they offer, and is scarcely conscious +of his own actions. In health, they dared not approach him; for they +knew full well that he scorned their creed, and disliked their Padre. +Yet now that he is so weak, in both body and mind, they hope to +influence him. Oh, how could Florence be so blind! Dear Mrs. Carlton, +come and reason with him. I know he esteems you very highly, and your +opinion might weigh with him." + +"Indeed, my dear child, I will do all in my power to dissuade him +from the unfortunate course he has taken, but not to-night; he must be +wearied very much already. I will come in the morning." + +Early the ensuing day she fulfilled her promise, and in Florence's +presence strove to elicit his views and belief. To her surprise he +refused to hold any conversation on the subject; declaring that his +mind was made up, and that he was determined to die a member of the +holy Catholic Church. + +Before she could frame a reply, they were startled by the sound of a +struggle at the door, and the next moment it was flung wide open, and +Father Mazzolin, livid with rage, rushed in. Mrs. Carlton rose with +gentle dignity, and inquired his business. He heeded not her question, +but strode to the bed, and whispered in Mr. Hamilton's ear. The +invalid, in a voice so feeble that it was scarce audible, requested +them to leave him with the Padre for an hour, as he wished to converse +with him alone. Mrs. Carlton perfectly well understood that he but +repeated the priest's orders, and perceiving that nothing could now be +effected, left the room accompanied by Florence. But Mary clung to the +bed, and refused to go. + +"You have taken advantage of my uncle's weakness to force yourself +where your presence is unwelcome, and I will not leave him when he is +too weak to oppose your orders." + +He strove to force her out, but she clung firmly to the bed; and +muttering an oath between his teeth, he turned to the sufferer, and +spoke in an unknown tongue; a feeble response in the same language +seemed to satisfy him, and darting a triumphant glance at the kneeling +girl, he seated himself, and conversed for nearly an hour. Then +offering up a Latin prayer, departed, promising to come again. + +Mrs. Carlton had not left the house; she waited anxiously for Mary. +And when Florence re-entered the sick room, the former hastened to her +friend. + +"Oh, I did all I could to prevent it!" cried Mary, in despair. "All +is over, I am afraid. I was sitting on the doorstep, preparing some +arrowroot, when I saw Aunt Lizzy go out the gate. I thought it strange +at the time of day, but never suspected the truth. Presently I saw her +coming back with the priest, and knew in an instant she had gone for +him. I was determined to prevent his seeing my uncle, if possible, and +fastened the front door. Before I could lock my uncle's, he wrenched +open the window, and sprang in. I tried to put the key in my pocket, +and told him he could not go in then; but he made Aunt Lizzy hold one +of my hands, while he forced open my fingers and took the key. Oh! +that Dr. Bryant had been here." She showed Mrs. Carlton the marks of +his grasp on her wrist. "Tell, oh, tell me what I can do to save him!" + +"Alas! nothing, Mary. He is completely under the control of the Padre, +and no reasoning will avail him now." + +With a sad heart Mrs. Carlton took leave, advising Mary "to offer no +further resistance, as it was now impossible to convince her uncle of +his error." + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + "He's gone--his soul hath ta'en its earthless flight, + Whither? I dread to think--but he is gone!" + + BYRON. + + +Mr. Hamilton, though perfectly conscious that his end was rapidly +approaching, had scrupulously avoided the subject in the presence of +the girls. One morning, after a night of more than ordinary suffering, +he lay quite exhausted. Death was at hand, and feeling intuitively +that the appointed hour had arrived, he requested all to withdraw, +save Florence. When they were alone, he laid his hand on her head, and +said, in a low, feeble tone--"Florence, I am going. I cannot survive +this day, and I wish to give you my last advice. I am afraid your lot +will be a hard one, when I am gone; trials without number are in store +for you. Oh! my proudhearted, beautiful Florence, what will become +of you now?" He covered his face with his hands a moment, then +continued--"I do not wish you to return to your native place. My child +must be dependent on no one, yet to leave you here so unprotected, +is hard indeed. Dr. Bryant has promised to watch over you, and the +Carltons are kind friends. Florence you must depend upon yourself. +Thank God, you are strong-minded, and Mary, our kind, good Mary, will +be near, to comfort and assist you. I am growing weaker, but there is +one more thing I wish to say." + +He paused, and for the first time Florence spoke. + +"My father, tell me every wish; fear nothing for me, there is nothing +I cannot bear now." + +"For my sake, Florence, if not for your own, will you promise to be +guided by Father Mazzolin?" + +"Do you mean in matters of religion, my father?" + +"I mean in all things: matters of interest, as well as matters of +faith. He will assist you much, if you will but follow his advice and +directions." + +There was a pause, and then Florence said slowly, as if weighing every +word--"Rest assured your wishes shall be my law. I will consult the +Padre as you desire." + +With a look of relief the dying man sank back on his pillow, and +closed his eyes. Florence quickly summoned the physician, and her aunt +and cousin. A little while after, as Mr. Hamilton's eye fell on the +weeping Mary, he extended his hand, and when she bent over him, drew +her face down, and imprinted a long kiss on her pale cheek. Even as he +did so, a dark form glided to the bedside. Another moment, the uncle +and niece were separated; none knew how, yet the Padre stood between, +whispering low in the sufferer's ear. Almost gasping for breath, the +latter intimated his desire to confess for the last time. And they +were left alone. + +Nearly an hour after, the priest entered the apartment where Florence +and Mary sat. He trembled visibly, yet, in his usual tone, said that +he wished the family to be present at the last rites about to be +performed for the dying Papist. They immediately repaired to the sick +room, and the spectacle there presented made Mary quiver in every +limb. The sufferer had been placed for convenience on a low couch, and +was supported by pillows in an upright position. A dozen candles burnt +around him, and a cloud of incense wreathed slowly along the wall. +The room had been profusely sprinkled with holy water, and a chalice +containing the consecrated wafer, sat near. Gasping for breath, Mr. +Hamilton clasped a crucifix to his lips, though unable from weakness +to secure it there; for twice it fell from his fingers, and rolled to +the floor. + +Father Mazzolin, attired in a surplice ornamented with the insignia of +his order, stood beside the bed, holding in one hand a superbly-bound +volume--in the other, a silver cup containing oil. + +After a moment's pause he opened the book, and hurriedly read in +a low, muttering tone, a Latin service of several pages. At the +conclusion he carefully poured out a few drops of the oil, and just +touched the palms of the sufferer's hands and the soles of his feet, +bidding him at the same time cross himself. Perceiving that he was +utterly unable to do so, he hastily signed the figure and resumed his +reading. How long he would have gabbled on it is impossible to say, +but a gasping sound from the dying man declared that dissolution +was at hand, and, snatching the chalice, he hastily administered the +wafer, which was swallowed with difficulty. For the third time, Father +Mazzolin strove to replace the crucifix in his hand and bend it to +his lips. The cold fingers refused to clasp the consecrated wood, and +sank, stiffened and powerless, by his side. + +Mary had gazed mournfully on as this mummery was enacted. A death-bed +for a theater, weeping relatives an audience, and Father Mazzolin an +amateur performer. Aunt Lizzy was kneeling beside the Padre, ever +and anon invoking the Virgin; while Florence sat with her face in her +hands, almost as unconscious of what passed as her dying parent She +bent over him now, and in heartrending accents conjured him not to +leave her. He struggled in vain to utter words of comfort; they died +away in whispers, and, with a slight moan, the spirit returned to +the God that gave it. The Padre snatched his hat and hastily left +the house, while Mary gave vent to an uncontrollable burst of sorrow. +Florence seemed suddenly frozen, so rigid was her countenance, as she +gazed on the cold form before her. She neither wept nor moaned, but +closed the eyes with a long, long kiss, and drawing a sheet over the +marble features, turned, with a slow, unfaltering step, away. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + "For now that Hope's last ray is gone, + Sure Lethe's dream would bless: + In grief to think of bliss tha'ts flown, + Adds pangs to wretchedness." + + ANONYMOUS. + + +A fortnight had passed, and again it was evening. In the small +dining-room of Florence Hamilton's humble home assembled the now +diminished family circle. Florence sat sadly apart, leaning her head, +with closed eyes, against the window. The tea bell rang; she lifted +her head, glanced round the room, and wearily dropped her brow again +on its resting-place. Mary approached, and taking her hand, said, in a +gentle, winning tone, "Come, Florry dear." + +"Eat your supper, Mary; I do not wish any." + +"But you have not eaten anything to-day, and need something; do try, +for my sake." + +"I cannot. If you knew how both head and heart ache, you would not +urge me." + +Mary turned away, and ate the usually joyous meal with a heavy heart. +Florence had left her seat, and was standing in the door: as her +cousin rose from the table she beckoned to her, and passed hurriedly +out. Mary strove to catch her arm but she hastened on, as if trying +to escape from herself. Suddenly she paused by the river side, and +clasped her hands convulsively over her head. + +"Mary! Mary! you know not what I suffer." + +"Florry, sit down, and lean your weary head on my shoulder." + +She dipped her hand in the water, and dashed the cold, sparkling drops +on her cousin's burning brow, speaking the while in a low, soothing +tone. Florence rested a few moments in her cousin's arms, then threw +herself on a grassy bank, and covered her face; one long, deep groan +alone attesting her mental anguish. Mary wept more bitterly than +she had yet done; still, she was so quiet, none would have known her +grief, save from the tears that fell over her hand and arms. Can it +be, that the spirits of departed friends hover near us while on +earth, and draw closer in hours of woe? If so, why is it denied to the +suffering one to hear again the dear accents of the "loved and lost?" +Why may not their silver pinions fan the burning brow of sorrowing +mortality, and the echo of Heaven's own melody murmur gently, "Peace, +peace and joy for evermore?" + +Florence stood up before her cousin; all trace of emotion had passed +away, and left her calm. The bright moon shone full on her face. Oh! +how changed since the morning she stood in Madame ----'s schoolroom. +The large dark eyes were sunken; the broad brow marked with lines of +mental anguish; the cheeks colorless, and her long raven hair tossed +back, and hanging like a veil below her slender waist. There was +a hollow, wasted look in every feature; the expression was one of +hopeless misery, and a something there was which made the heart ache, +yet the haughty glance of other days might still be seen. + +"Mary, look at me!" + +"Well, Florry, I have looked at you, and sad enough it makes me feel." + +"I am changed Mary, strangely changed, am I not? Answer me truly." + +"Yes, you look weary and ill; but why do you ask me such a question? +You have had cause to look pale." + +"Ah! you say truly; but, Mary, have you never suspected that a secret +grief was freezing the life-blood in my cheeks?" + +"Florry, what do you mean? I am afraid you are feverish!" and Mary +laid her hand anxiously on her cousin's. It was flung contemptuously +off. + +"Mary, listen to what I have to say. I am in a strange mood to-night, +and you must not contradict me. Where shall I begin? When my mother +died I was four years old, they say, and a very delicate child. My +mother! how strange it sounds. Yet I can at times faintly remember +her beautiful face. Very faintly, as in a dream, I have seen an angel +visitant. My mother, why did you leave your hapless babe? Oh! why? my +mother! I was left much to myself, and followed unrestrained my +own inclinations. You know my fondness for books; that fondness was +imbibed in girlhood, as I wandered in my own sunny home--my lost home. +My father taught me to conceal my emotions--to keep down the rising +sob, to force back the glittering tear; and when I smiled over some +childish grief, applauded my stoicism. I became unnatural, cold, +haughty, but not unfeeling. I remember well how your pale face and +mourning dress touched my heart, and waked my sympathies. From that +hour I lavished my love on my father and yourself. Years passed and we +went to New Orleans--" Here Florence paused, and closed her eyes for +a moment, but quickly resumed--"You know how I studied. Mary, was it +merely from love of metaphysics and philosophy, think you? No. no! +Mr. Stewart's look of surprise and pleasure as, one by one, I mastered +various intricacies, was the meed for which I toiled. Mary, from the +first day we met, I loved him, for his was a master spirit I worshiped +him in my inmost soul, and he loved me in return. I know--I feel that +he did. Yet he was even prouder than myself, and would have scorned to +speak of love to one who never smiled in his presence. Oh! often when, +he stood beside my desk giving instruction, my heart has sprung to +him. I have longed to hear the words of tenderness that welled up from +his heart, but scorned to tremble on his lips. No look of love ever +fell on me. His glance was cold and haughty. Oh, how inconsistent +is woman! I yearned for his love; yet, had he tendered it, under my +haughtiness would have dropped my idol--have shivered it at my feet. +Weeks passed, and while near him I knew no sorrow; but the morning of +my life was destined to be short. The cloud that had lowered on the +horizon suddenly darkened around. That never-to-be-forgotten letter +came, and I saw a great gulf open at my feet. An invisible hand placed +Dudley Stewart on one brink, and I was left upon the other; and an +unknown messenger thundered the decree of separation--'Forget the past +and live again in the future!' I started as from a frightful dream. +The cold reality forced itself upon me. Mary, a suspicion stole into +my heart, and stung me. I thought for a brief time that Mr. Stewart +loved you, and whose hand may register the darkened thoughts that +crowded bitterly up? The morning we left New Orleans, I went into the +schoolroom for our books. Ah! who may know the agony of that hour! I +sat down in his chair, and laid my head on his desk, and groaned in +mine anguish of spirit. Oh! Mary, that was the blackest, bitterest +hour of my life. I had fancied he loved me: I feared I was deceived; I +hated--despised myself for my weakness. Yet I could not reproach him; +he had never sought my love. + +"I had just risen from his desk when Mr. Stewart came in. He did +not seem to see me, but took a seat near the door. I was well-nigh +exhausted, but strove to appear as cold and indifferent as ever. I +gathered up my books and turned to go, then he laid down his pen, and +came to me. + +"'I believe you and your cousin leave to-day?' + +"'Yes. in this evening's boat,' I answered, much as usual. + +"'I wish you a safe and pleasant voyage. My kindest adieux to your +cousin. Good-by, Miss Hamilton.' + +"He held out his hand. I said 'good-by' as clearly and coldly as +himself. Our hands met but an instant: there was no pressure--no +warmth, and then he opened the door for me to pass. As he did so +our eyes met; his glance was calm and cold, but his lips were firmly +compressed. Had he looked sad, mournful, or tender, I should have +passed out and triumphed; but my overtasked strength gave way; a cold +shudder crept through my frame, and consciousness forsook me. I never +fainted before or since. When I revived, I raised my head and looked +about me, I was reclining on a couch; he kneeling beside me, calmly, +as he would have stood in class. He held my hand, and pressed it +warmly. + +"'Are you better now, Florence?' + +"'Oh, yes, thank you,' I said, and rose to my feet. + +"He still held my hand. I withdrew it, and turned to the door. He +placed himself before it, and said--'Florence, it was well done; you +are an admirable dissembler, but I am not deceived. You love me, and +have for long, yet I freely acknowledge your love can never exceed my +own. I love you better than my life, though perfectly aware that +we are now parted forever. I am a poor tutor, dependent on my daily +exertions for subsistence; you the cherished daughter of a wealthy and +ambitious parent.' + +"He drew me to him, and imprinted a long kiss on my lips; then put me +gently back, and left the room. + +"I never saw him again, but did I doubt his love? No, no! I would +sooner doubt my own existence. We embarked, as you know, in the +evening. That night was beautiful--just such a one as this--serene and +heavenly. I stole out on deck when others slumbered, and for a long +weary hour paced to and fro. There was a wild tumult in my soul which +would not be stilled, and every restraining effort but fanned the +flame that raged within. A never-to-be-forgotten contest was waged +that night, and my heart was the arena. My guardian angel whispered +low, 'Forget the past as a feverish dream; it is not well for thee; +forget, forget!' But the heaven-born accents were suddenly drowned +by the wild shriek of my dark destiny--'Of Lethe's waters thou shall +never taste! I have shattered the goblet at thy feet, and scattered +the draught to the winds of heaven! Behold the apotheosis of thine +idol! At this shrine shalt thou bow evermore--evermore!' + +"A new impulse was implanted within me; and, impotent to resist, I +was impelled onward, and onward, till a chasm yawned at my feet. Yet +a moment I trembled on the brink, then plunged desperately forward. +Mary, listen. I knelt on the damp, glistening deck, and implored +Almighty God to register my words in heaven. In his awful name and +presence, I solemnly swore to love Dudley Stewart alone--to be his +wife, or go down to the tomb as Florence Hamilton. I rose up +calm--the fierce warring was stilled. Yet it was not inward peace that +succeeded. My fate was sealed--the last page of destiny transcribed. + +"Time passed on, oblivious of the darkened hours it bore on its broad +bosom. Mary, I have watched for one loved form, and listened for that +calm, proud step. I have loved, and trusted, and believed that we +should meet again. Deluded Florence! a period is put to thy hopes and +fears! Mary, he is married! All is over for me. The dull, heavy weight +resting upon my heart will soon crush out the life spark, and lay low +my proud head. Ah! I my cousin, you weep. I wish that I could; but +tears have been _too_ often scornfully repulsed; they come not now at +my call. Oh, Mary, I am weary, weary! I long for rest, even the rest +of the dark, still tomb! I have no hope--no wish. I am passive now. +At last nature has broken the bonds so long forced upon her, and the +reaction is strong indeed. You ask how I received my information: ah! +you need not doubt its authenticity. Aunt Lizzy and his mother were +old friends, and she received a letter the day before my father died, +announcing _his_ approaching union with a beautiful cousin! I am +deservedly punished: I worshiped the creature and forgot the God. I +needed a desperate remedy, and it is administered." + +As Florence concluded she leaned heavily against a tree, and raised +her eyes to the jeweled vault above. Just then a dense black cloud, +which had floated up from the west, passed directly over the moon, +obscuring the silvery rays. She pointed to it, and said, in a low, +mournful voice--"How typical of my life and heart; shut out from joy +and hope in one brief hour, unlike it ever to be brightened again." + +"Oh! Florry, dear Florry! turn to God for comfort and succor in this +hour of need. He will enable you to bear this trial, and go steadily +on in the path of duty." + +"Mary, I have no incitement to exertion; nothing to anticipate. My +future is blank and dreary. I know my lot in life; I have nothing to +hope for." + +"Not so, Florry. Your future life will be an active one. Are we not +dependent on our exertions for subsistence? and does not our little +school open to-morrow? Cheer up, darling all may yet be bright. +Bury the painful remembrances of the past; believe me, peace, if not +joyousness, will surely follow the discharge of your duties." + +"I cannot forget the past. Had he sought my love, I could scorn him +for his baseness; but it is not so, I almost wish it were. Yet I know +and feel that he loves me; and oblivion of the past is as impossible +for him as, myself. I know not what strange impulse has induced me to +tell you all this. I did it half unconsciously, hoping for relief by +revealing that which has pressed so heavily on my heart. Mary, never +speak to me of it again; and, above all, do not mention his name. It +has passed my lips for the last time, and all shall be locked again +within my own heart. We will open the school to-morrow; and may God +help me, Mary, pray, oh, pray for me! I had no mother to teach me, and +prayer is a stranger to my lips." + +She walked hurriedly to the house, and shut herself within her own +apartment. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + "Freedom calls you! Quick! be ready: + Think of what your sires have been: + Onward! onward! strong and steady, + Drive the tyrant to his den." + + PERCIVAL. + + +How intoxicating is the love of power; and how madly the votaries +of ambition whirl to the vortex of that moral Corbrechtan, which has +ingulfed so many hapless victims. Our own noble Washington stands +forth a bright beacon to warn every ruler, civil or military, of the +thundering whirlpool. Father of your country! you stand alone on +the pedestal of greatness; and slowly rolling years shall pour their +waters into the boundless deep of eternity ere another shall be placed +beside you. + +When Iturbide attempted to free his oppressed countrymen from the +crushing yoke of Spanish thraldom, Liberty was the watchword. Success +crowned his efforts--sovereign power lay before him. He grasped it, +and made himself a despot. Ambition hurled him from the throne of the +Montezumas, and laid his proud head low. A new star rose on the stormy +horizon of the west; pure and softly fell the rays on the troubled +thousands round. The voice of the new-comer said "Peace," and the wild +tumult subsided. Ten years passed; Santa Anna culminated. The gentle +tones of the arch-deceiver were metamorphosed into the tiger's growl, +the constitution of 1824 subverted in a day, and he ruled in the room +of the lost Iturbide. + +* * * * * + +The Alamo was garrisoned. Dark bodies of Mexican troops moved heavily +to and fro, and cannon bristled from the embrasures. The usually quiet +town was metamorphosed into a scene of riot and clamor, and fandangos, +at which Bacchus rather than Terpsichore presided, often welcomed the +new-born day. The few Americans[A] in San Antonio viewed with darkened +brows the insolent cavaliers. The gauntlet was flung down--there +was no retraction, no retreat. They knew that it was so, and girded +themselves for a desperate conflict. + +[Footnote [A]: It doubtless appears absurd to confine the title of +"Americans" to the few citizens of the United States who emigrated to +Texas, when all who inhabit the continent are equally entitled to the +appellation. Yet the distinction is Mexican; "Los Americanos" being +the name applied to all who are not of Spanish descent.] + +The declaration of independence was enthusiastically hailed by the +brave-hearted Texans, as they sprang with one impulse to support the +new-born banner, that floated so majestically over the sunny prairies +of their western home. Mechanic, statesman, plowboy, poet, pressed +forward to the ranks, emulous of priority alone. A small, but intrepid +band, they defied the tyrant who had subverted the liberties of his +country; defied Santa Anna and his fierce legions, and spurned the +iron yoke which the priests of Mexico vainly strove to plant upon +their necks. Liberty, civil and religious, was the watchword, and +desperately they must struggle in the coming strife. + +Manuel Nevarro had eagerly enlisted in the Mexican ranks, and in a +few weeks after General Cos's arrival, donned his uniform. Thus +accoutered, he presented himself, for the first time since their +disagreement, before Inez, who had but recently returned from San +Jose, doubting not that her admiration of his new dress would extend +to him who filled it. In truth, his was a fine form and handsome face; +yet sordid selfishness, and, in common parlance, "a determination to +have his own way," were indelibly stamped upon his countenance. + +Inez was busily preparing the evening meal when he entered; and though +perfectly aware of his presence, gave no indication of it. He +stood aside and watched her movements, as she shaped and turned the +tortillas. Presently she began to sing + + "He quits his mule, and mounts his horse, + And through the streets directs his course-- + Through the streets of Gacatin, + To the Alhambra spurring in, + Wo is me, Alhama. + + "And when the hollow drums of war + Beat the loud alarm afar, + That the Moors of town and plain + Might answer to the martial strain, + Wo is me, Alhama. + +As the mournful cadence died away, she turned, and started with +well-feigned surprise on meeting the piercing glance fixed upon her. + +"Ah, Manuel!" She held out both hands, with a most amicable expression +of countenance. He grasped them, and would have kissed her beautiful +lips, but she slipped adroitly to one side--"No, no! Manuel. I'll not +permit that till I am Senora Nevarro." + +"And when will that be, Senorita?" + +"Not till the war is over." + +"But it has not begun yet; and it will be many moons before we whip +these cursed Americanos." + +"How many, think you, Manuel?" + +"I can't tell, Inez; therefore we will not wait till the war is over. +The Padre is ready any time, and why not marry at once?" + +"Sacra Dios! I'll do no such thing." + +"And why not, Inez?" + +"Because they might kill you, Manuel, and then what would become of +me?" + +"You would be as well off then as now; there would be no difference, +only you would be married. You will mourn, any how, if I am killed." + +"How do you know I would?" Her Spanish eyes twinkled as she spoke; but +for fear of going too far, she laid her hand on his shoulder. Manuel +turned sharply round. + +"You deserve to be shot, Manuel, for joining in a miff. Why didn't you +tell me you were going to be a soldier?" + +He grasped her hand tighter, but made no reply. + +"I say, why did not you tell me first?" + +"And if I had told you, what then?" + +"Why, I should not have let you do it, you savage. If you had only +asked me, I might be willing to marry you next week. But as it is, I +am not going to be left a widow, I can tell you." + +"Inez, I don't believe you care whether I am killed of not. I do not +understand you at all." + +The girl's eyes filled, and her lip quivered with emotion. "Manuel do +you think me a brute? There is nobody to love Inez but her father and +you. I am not cold-hearted." + +"You speak truth, Inez; and my uncle will not live very long, for he +has seen many years. When he is gone, there will be nobody to take +care of you but me; so the sooner we are married the better." + +"Not so. You must come and see us as often as you can till the war is +over; but I will marry no one now." + +"Will you promise it shall be as soon as the war is over?" + +Inez coquettishly tossed her beautiful head, and advancing to the +fire, gaily exclaimed--"While we talked the tortillas burned. Come, +eat some supper. I know they are as good as those you get at the +Alamo." + +Manuel seated himself on a buffalo-robe, and while partaking of the +evening meal, Inez chatted away on indifferent subjects, asking, +during the conversation, what news had been received from the Texan +army. + +"We got news to-day that they are marching down to Gonzales, but I am +thinking they will find hot work." + +"How many men may we number, Manuel, and think you the chances are for +us?" + +"By the blessed Virgin, if we were not ten to five Manuel Nevarro +would not eat his tortilla in peace. The Captain says we will scatter +them like pecans in a high wind." + +"What bone is there to fight for at Gonzales?" + +"Cannon, Inez, cannon. Don't you know we sent a thousand men to bring +it here, and the white rascal sent five hundred to keep it there. By +the Virgin, we will see who gets it!" + +"Holy Mother protect us! Manuel, take care of yourself, man, and rush +not into danger. It will profit you little that we have many men, if +some strong arm tells your length on the sward." + +"Never fear, Inez--never fear. We must not stop till every American +turns his back on the Alamo, and his face to the East." + +"But you will not harm those that live here in peace with all men?" + +"The Padre told our General, yesterday, that we must fight till all +submitted, or the last American child was driven to the far bank of +the Sabine." + +Inez laid her hand on his arm, and looking him full in the face, +asked, in a low tone--"Manuel, would you help to drive Mary from her +home among us? She who nursed me in sickness, and bound the white +bread to your bleeding arm, and made the tea for my dying mother, when +none other came to help? Manuel! Manuel! she is alone in the world, +with only her cousin. Spare Mary in her little home; she hurts none, +but makes many to die in peace." + +Manuel's face softened somewhat, but he replied in the same determined +tone--"The Padre says she is an accursed heretic, and he will not +rest till she is far away. But I tell you now, Inez, she will not be +harmed; for he said he would see that she was protected, and would +himself take her to a place of safety. He said she had been kind to +our people, and none should molest her or her cousin; but leave all to +him." + +"If the Padre promised, he will place them in safety; he never forgets +to do what he says. I am satisfied, Manuel; and for the rest of the +Americans, the sooner they are driven out the better." + +"You say truly, Inez, the sooner the better: all, all shall go, even +their Doctor, that carries himself with such a lordly air, and sits +in saddle as though never man had horse before. But the moon is up; I +must return, for I watch to-night, and must be back in time." He put +on his hat as he spoke. + +"Manuel, come as often as you can, and let me know what is going on. +You are the only one whose word I believe; there are so many strange +tales nowadays, I put little faith in any. And before you go, put this +crucifix about your neck: 'twill save you in time of danger, and think +of Inez when you see it." She undid the fastening which held it round +her own throat, and pressing it to her lips, laid it in his hand. + +Astonished at a proof of tenderness so unexpected, Manuel caught +her in his arms, but disengaging herself, she shook her finger +threateningly at him, and pointed to the door. He lighted his +cigarrita, and promising to come often, returned to the Alamo. + +Left alone, the Spanish maiden sought her own apartment, muttering as +she ascended the steps--"The Padre protect you, Mary! Yes, even as +the hawk the new chicken. Take thee to a place of safety! even as the +eagle bears the young lamb to his eyrie. Yes, Manuel, I have bound +the handkerchief about your eyes, You think I love you, and trust both +Padre and crucifix! Trust on, I too have been deceived." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + +More like somnambulism than waking reality was now the life of +Florence Hamilton. No duty was unperformed, so exertion spared to +conduce to the comfort of the now diminished family circle. No words +of repining or regret were uttered--no tear dimmed the large dark +eyes. She moved and lived as it were mechanically, without the agency +of feeling or sympathy; yet though she obtruded her grief on none, +it was equally true that no gleam of returning cheerfulness ever +lightened the gloom which enveloped her. A something there was in the +hopeless, joyless expression of her beautiful face, which made the +heart ache; yet none offered sympathy, or strove to console her, for +she seemed unapproachable, with the cold, haughty glance of other +days. Painfully perceptible was the difference between Christian +fortitude and perfect hopelessness--gentle, humble resignation and +despair. There was no peace in her soul, for her future was shrouded +in gloom: she had no joys in anticipation. The sun of hope had set +forever to her vision, and she lived and bore her grief like one who +had counted the cost, and knew that for a little while longer she must +struggle on; and that oblivion of the past was dispensed only by +the angel of death. She acquiesced in Mary's plan of opening a small +school, and unfalteringly performed her allotted task as assistant +teacher. Unexpected success had crowned their efforts, and fifteen +pupils daily assembled in the room set apart for the purpose. Mary +had feared opposition on the part of the Padre, and was agreeably +surprised at the number of Catholic children committed to her care. + +One morning early in October, having finished her household duties, +she repaired to the schoolroom for the day. Florence was already at +her post, though suffering from violent nervous headache. Mary seated +herself with her back to the door, and called one of her classes. +Arithmetic it proved; and if the spirits of the departed were +ever allowed to return in vindication of their works, the ghost +of Pythagoras would certainly have disturbed the equanimity of +the "muchachos," who so obstinately refused the assistance and +co-operation of his rules and tables. In vain she strove to impress on +one that 2 from 8 left 6. Like the little girl that Wordsworth met, he +persisted "it was seven." Despairing at last, she remanded the class +to their seats. Anxious to facilitate the progress of her pupils, Mary +spared no pains to make perspicuous what to them appeared obscure. The +little savages could not, or would net understand that the earth +was like a ball, and not only turned upon its own axis, but made +the entire circumference of the sun. A pair of globes could not be +procured, and she taxed her ingenuity for a substitute. Selecting two +apples, one enormous, the other medium size, she carefully introduced +a reed through the center of the smaller apple, thus causing it to +revolve on its axis. Calling up the tyros in geography, she took the +smallest, or "Earth," as she designated it, and while causing it to +perform the diurnal motion, she carried it slowly round the larger, or +"Sun," as she termed it; thus illustrating the combined movements of +our globe. Even the dullest could not fail to comprehend; and well +satisfied with the result of her experiment, she carefully put her +planets by in one corner of the schoolroom, and proceeded with her +questions. The imperfect recitation finished, Mary glanced across +the room, hoping her cousin's patience was not so tried, and some +brilliant coruscations in that direction fixed her attention. Florence +had dropped her aching head on the desk in front, shading her eyes +with her hand; before her, in dark array, stood some half dozen +small boys just beginning to spell. Each held a book containing +illustrations of various well-known articles and animals, having the +name beneath. + +"U-r-n--teapot." Elliot Carlton, whose seat was near, gave a +suppressed giggle. Florence looked around inquiringly, then dropt her +head again on her hand, bidding the boy "spell on." + +"S-t-a-g--goat." Elliot crammed his handkerchief into his mouth, and +Mary smiled. + +"W-i-g--curly head." Florence was effectually roused this time by a +shout of laughter from Elliot, in which he was joined by Mary, and Dr. +Bryant, who had just entered and was standing in such a position that +no one had perceived him. + +"Really, Miss Hamilton, I must congratulate you on the extraordinary +progress your pupils make; I was not aware that you cultivated their +powers of comparison in connection with the rudiments of orthoepy," + +"To what do you allude, Doctor; I am scarcely conscious of what passes +around me this morning," said Florence, wearily pressing her hand +across her aching brow. + +"I am not surprised that you are somewhat stunned, though, after all," +he continued, pointing to the picture of a ringleted pate, "the little +fellow was not far wrong, for this wig is incontestibly a curly head," + +With a faint smile which passed as quickly as it came, she dismissed +the class with an additional lesson. + +"I am sorry to see you suffering so much this morning," said Frank, +seating himself beside her: "and should certainly not recommend this +schoolroom as an antidote to nervous attacks. Miss Mary, why do you +allow your cousin to overtax her strength? However, I bring you good +news. We have had an engagement at Gonzales, and, thank Heaven, are +victorious. The brave five hundred sent to preserve the field-piece +there, encountered double their number of the enemy, and not only +saved the cannon, but scattered the Mexicans in all directions. +Our brave band are marching to Coliad, where they expect to supply +themselves and comrades with ammunition; they have probably taken the +magazine before this, and are returning." + +"Thank Heaven we have triumphed!" cried Mary, fervently clasping her +hands; "but oh! if the tide should turn this way, what will become of +us? The Mexicans are numerous here, and the Alamo strongly fortified +and in their possession." She turned her eyes inquiringly on Frank, +and started as she met the earnest, searching expression of his, bent +full upon her face. + +"How pale you have grown of late," he murmured as to himself, and +replied to her questioning glance--"I think, myself, there is much +danger incurred by remaining here; but rest assured you shall not be +harmed. I am watching the signs of the times, and will warn you should +peril approach." + +He took Florence's hand, and pressed it as he spoke; then turning +to Mary, who had walked away, he said--"I must insist on your cousin +having rest; she is weary and too much excited, and you, who are a +good nurse, must take better care of her." + +"Indeed, Doctor, I did my best to prevent her teaching to-day, but she +would not listen to my entreaties," replied Mary, with averted head. + +"If I might venture to advise yourself and cousin, Miss Hamilton, I +should suggest the discontinuance of your school, at least for the +present; for in these stormy times one scarce knows what a day may +bring forth: and, indeed, your pupils are dropping off within the last +few days, and you had better disband voluntarily." + +"I believe you are right, Doctor; and if Mary concurs with us, I think +we will follow your advice." + +"Do as you think best, Florry; I suppose we would have no pupils soon, +even if we continued our efforts; yet I dislike very much to give up +the school so very soon." Her voice faltered slightly, and her cheek +grew paler. + +"Your reluctance to dismiss these children, I am not surprised at; and +if it will relieve you in the least, allow me to see their parents, +and arrange all pecuniary matters. You certainly feel no hesitation in +confiding this to me." + +"Thank you, Dr. Bryant, you are very kind; but we will not burden you +with an additional trouble. I prefer taking these children home to +their parents, who committed them to my care; and as you and Florry +think it advisable, we will close our school this evening. Believe me, +however, that in refusing your kind offer, I am not insensible to, but +appreciate fully the motives which dictated it." + +"Feel no hesitation in calling on me to perform any of the many +services a gentleman friend may so often render. If you knew how +gladly I would serve you, I am sure you would not fail to do so." + +Shaking hands with Florence who stood near, he turned to go, but +paused at the threshold. + +At this moment a slight disturbance in a distant corner of the room +attracted their attention, and springing forward, little Maria Carlton +exclaimed--"Oh, Miss Mary, what do you think? Somebody has eat up the +world, and bit a great big piece out of the sun!" + +When the merriment this excited had in some degree subsided, Dr. +Bryant laughingly said--"I am much afraid you have a Polyphemus among +your pupils. Miss Mary, do discover the incipient monster and eject +him forthwith. Heavens, what powers of digestion he must possess! Good +morning, ladies--good morning." And with a bow he left the house. + +"Florry, dear, do try and sleep some; I will do all that is necessary +about the children. True, there is not enough to occupy me long, and +meanwhile you must impart the news of this victory to Aunt Lizzy." + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + "----I might not this believe + Without the sensible and true avouch + Of mine own eyes." + + SHAKSPEARE. + + +Twilight had fallen slowly, for the evening was heavy and wet, and +dark masses of cloud driven by the northern blasts sailed gloomily +overhead. Nature wore a dreary aspect, and one involuntarily turned +inward for amusement. A bright light gleamed from the window of +Florence Hamilton's humble home, and her little dining-room seemed by +contrast extremely cheerful; yet the hearts of its inmates were +more in accordance with the gloom which reigned without. Aunt Lizzy, +growing somewhat infirm of late, had retired earlier than usual. +Florence had been sewing all the afternoon, but now lay with closed +eyes on the couch, her hands clasped over her head. Mary sat near the +table holding an open volume, but her thoughts had evidently wandered +far away; for her gaze was fixed abstractedly on the fire which blazed +and crackled at her feet. The girl's countenance was an interesting +study, as she sat rapt in her saddened thoughts. A careworn expression +rested upon her face, as though some weighty responsibility too soon +had fallen on one so frail. The cheeks were very pale, and now and +then across the lips there came a quiver, as though she struggled +inwardly, and fain would give no outward show of grief. In truth, an +almost spiritual expression had come over her features; the impress of +some deep and hidden sorrow, nobly borne, though chasing the rosy hue +from her cheeks. Sadder grew the look, and some acute pain wrinkled +her brow as she threw aside the book, and covered her face with her +hands; while a heavy, yet smothered sigh, struggled forth, as if +striving to relieve the aching heart. + +The door opened noiselessly, and a dark shrouded form glided with soft +steps to the chair, and laid a heavy hand on her shoulder. Mary raised +her head, and starting up, gazed inquiringly at the muffled face, +while the intruder pointed to the motionless form of Florence, and +laid a finger on her lip. Then beckoning Mary to follow, she receded, +with stealthy tread, to the door, which was softly closed, and walked +hurriedly on till she reached a large rose-tree, which shaded the +window. Mary shivered as the piercing wind swept over her, and strove +in vain to suppress a fit of coughing. There was a moment's silence. + +"You did not know me?" + +Mary started. "I did not, till you spoke; but, Inez, what brings you +out on such a night?" + +Inez took off the mantilla which had so effectually concealed her +features, and threw it round the frail, drooping form before her. + +"No, no, Inez, you will take cold;" and Mary tendered it back. + +It was tossed off contemptuously, and mingled with a bitter laugh came +the reply--"I am not cold, Marinita, nor ever shall be but once again. +I am burning with an inward fire that will not be quenched" + +"You are ill, Inez, and want some medicine; tell me where and how you +suffer?" + +"No, no. I want nothing from you or yours: I come to help, not to +ask. Mary, why is it you have made me love you so, when I hate yonder +dark-eyed girl? But I am losing time. I come to warn you of danger, +and even now I am watched; but no matter, listen to what I have to +say. The Padre hates you, even as--as I hate him, and has sworn your +ruin. I tell you now you must fly from San Antonio, and fly quickly, +for danger is at hand. My countrymen are many here, and he is stronger +than all. You and I have thwarted him, and the walls of a far off +convent are our destination--you, and your cousin, and myself. I am +at heart no Catholic; I have seen the devil, if there be one, in my +confessor. I have heard him lie, and seen him take the widow's and the +orphan's portion. Mary, if there was a God, would he suffer such as +my Padre to minister in his holy place, and touch the consecrated +vessels? No, no; there is none, or he would be cut off from the face +of the earth." + +"Inez! Inez! stop and hear me." + +"No, no! time waits for none, and I have little more to say, Mary, you +are deceived; your cousin is not what you think. She is a Catholic; +for mine own eyes have seen her in the confessional, and mine own ears +have listened to her aves and paters." + +Mary uttered a deep groan, and clasped Inez's arm, murmuring--"You +are--you must be delirious or mad: Florry deceive me! impossible!" + +"Ah! poor deluded Mary: do you trust any on earth? Yet I would trust +you, with your white face and soft blue eyes; and there is one other +I would trust--but no more. You will not believe that Florence has +turned from the faith of her fathers? Go to her as she sleeps yonder, +and feel with your own hand the crucifix around her neck. Ha! you hold +tight to my arm: I tell you your Cousin Florence is as black-hearted +as the Padre, for he told me she had promised her dying father to +follow his advice in all things, yet she tells you not of this: and +again, has she not won the love of a good, a noble man, and does she +not scorn his love; else why is his cheek pale, and his proud step +slow? Marinita, I have read you long ago. You love your Doctor, but he +loves that Florence, whose heart is black and cold as this night You +are moaning in your agony; but all must suffer. I have suffered +more than you; I shall always suffer. My stream of bitterness is +inexhaustible; daily I am forced to quaff the black, burning waters. +Ha! I know my lot--I swallow and murmur not. Mary, I am sorry to make +you drink so much that is bitter to-night; but you must, for your own +good; better a friend should hold the cup and let you taste, than have +it rudely forced upon you." + +"Why have you told me this, Inez? I never did you harm, or gave you +pain." + +"Poor pale face! I want to save you from worse than death--yea, from +a living death. Go from this place; for if you are here a month hence, +you will be lost. Your people here will be defeated, and then the +Mexicans will hand you all over to the Padre, who says he means to put +you where you will be protected. Mark me: you will be sent where no +cry for succor will ever be heard. You will be imprisoned for life, +where none can come back to tell the tale. Mary, go to your friends in +the States; or if you cannot get there, go where your people are +many, and take your Doctor with you, for blood will yet run down these +streets, and I would not that his swelled the stream. He has promised +to watch over you; tell him to take you from here--from this cursed +place. I have crept from home this dark night to tell you of your +danger; I am watched, for the Padre suspects me, but you were always +good; you nursed me and my dying mother, and were kind to Manuel, and +I would risk more than I have to help you. I have done all I can; I +charge you, wait not till the last moment." + +Inez stretched out her hand for her mantilla, which she folded closely +about her face, and then clasped Mary's hand in hers. + +"Inez! oh, Inez!" + +"Well, Marinita, I may not linger here. I will see you again if I can; +but if we meet no more, forget not Inez de Garcia, or the love she +bears you; and as the greatest blessing now for you, I hope you may +soon find peace in the quiet grave. I shall never find rest till I +sleep that last, unbroken sleep!" + +"Inez, my heart is wrung by what I have heard to-night; but I beg of +you, as a last favor, do not, oh, do not turn away from God! Inez, +there is a God; and death is not an everlasting sleep. Hereafter is an +awful tribunal; and if not again on earth, you and I shall assuredly +meet before God. Oh I believe that he will yet bless you; that he +will enable you to bear all earthly trials; and, if faithful, he will +receive you at last into the kingdom of eternal rest. Try to forget +the past, and in this book you will find the path of duty so clearly +marked out, that you cannot mistake it. 'Tis all I have about me, yet +I pray God it may be the greatest treasure you possess." + +She drew a small Bible from her pocket as she spoke, and pressed it +within Inez's fingers, adding--"I cannot sufficiently thank you for +your kindness in warning me of my danger; I shall leave this place as +soon as possible, and shall constantly pray that you may be spared and +blessed." + +She held out her hands. Inez clasped them tightly for a moment, and +then glided down the walk as noiselessly as she came. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + Be sure that you teach nothing to the people but what is certainly + to be found in Scripture." + + BISHOP TAYLOR. + + +Mary Irving sought her chamber, and sinking on her knees, fervently +implored the blessing and guidance of Him who is very precious help in +time of need. She prayed for strength to meet with Christian fortitude +the trials which awaited her, and in all the vicissitudes of her +checkered life to pursue unfalteringly the path of duty. She strove +to collect her scattered thoughts, and with what composure she could +assume, returned to the dining-room. The fire was burning low on +the hearth, and the single candle gave but a faint, unsteady light. +Florence was slowly pacing up and down the floor; she raised her head +as Mary entered, then sunk it wearily on her bosom, and resumed her +walk. + +"Florry, come sit here by me--I want to consult you." + +"Is it very important, Mary? I feel to-night as though I could +comprehend nothing; let me wear off this dull pain in my heart and +head by walking, if possible." + +"My dear Florry, it is important; and therefore you will forgive me if +I claim your attention." + +Florence seated herself, and as she did so, leaned her head on Mary's +shoulder, while the latter wound her arm fondly about her, and gently +stroked back the raven hair from her aching brow. + +"Since we broke up our school, I have been warned that we are in +danger, and advised to leave San Antonio as speedily as possible; for +strife is evidently at hand, and a battleground is no place for those +so unprotected as you and I." + +"Dr. Bryant has promised to watch over us: and surely you have +implicit confidence in both his judgment and honor. What do you fear, +Mary?" + +"Everything. We may remain here too long--till escape will be +impossible; and then who may predict with any degree of certainty the +chances of war? That Dr. Bryant will do all that a friend or brother +would, I doubt not; but he may be powerless to help when danger +assails; and even if he should not, to travel from here in stormy +times would not be so easy as you imagine." + +"Who has been filling your head with such ideas? It could be none +other than that dark-browed Inez." + +"If she has, could aught but disinterested friendship actuate her to +such a course?" + +"Really, Mary, I should not have given you credit for so much +credulity. Do you place any confidence in what that girl may tell +you?" + +"I do rely on what she confides to me. Has she ever given you cause +to doubt her sincerity? Indeed, Florry, you do her injustice. I would +willingly--God only knows how willingly--doubt some portions of what I +have heard from her lips, but I dare not." + +"Mary, can you not perceive that she is jealous of us, and hopes, by +operating on your fears, to drive us from this place? The Padre hinted +as much to me not long since." + +"Florry, it is for you to say whether Inez speaks truth. From her lips +I had the words--Your Cousin Florence is a Papist, wears a crucifix +about her neck, and kneels in the confessional. Oh, Florry! will +you--can you--do you deny the charge?" + +The cousins stood up, and each gazed full upon the other. Mary's face +was colorless as marble, and her hands were tightly clasped as she +bent forward with a longing, searching, eager look. A crimson glow +rushed to Florence's very temples; then receded, leaving an ashy +paleness. + +"I am a member of the Church of Rome." + +Mary groaned and sank back into her chair, at this confirmation of her +fears. Florence leaned against the chimney, and continued in a low, +but clear voice--"I have little to say in defense of what you may +consider a deception. I deny the right of any on earth to question my +motives of actions; yet I would not that you, Mary, who have loved me +so long and truly, should be alienated, without hearing the reasons +which I have to allege in favor of my conduct. Mary, think well when +I ask you what prospect of happiness there was for me a month since? +Alone in the wide world, with ruined hopes, and a long, long, joyless +future stretching gloomily before me. I was weary of life. I longed +for death, not as a passport to the joys of heaven (for I had never +sought or deserved them), but as bringing rest, peace, and oblivion +of the past I viewed it only as a long, last, dreamless sleep. Mary, +I was groping my way in what seemed endless night, when suddenly there +came a glimmer of light, faint as the first trembling rays of the +evening star, and just pierced the darkness in which I wandered. The +Padre came to me, and pointed to the long-forgotten God, and bade me +seek him who hath said, come unto me all ye who are weary, and I +will give you rest. Mary, do you wonder that I clasped the hand +outstretched to save me, and besought him to lead me to the outraged +and insulted God? My eyes were opened, and looking down the long, dark +vista of the past. I saw how, worshiping a creature, I built a great +barrier between myself and heaven. I saw my danger, and resolved, ere +it was too late, to dedicate the remainder of my life to him who gave +it. The door of the church was opened, and Father Mazzolin pointed +out the way by which I might be saved. The paths seem flowery, and +he tells me the ways are those of pleasantness and peace, and I have +resolved to try them. Once, and once only, I met him at confession, +hoping, by unveiling my sufferings to a man of God, to receive comfort +of a higher order than I might otherwise expect. He has granted +me absolution for the past, and I doubt not that in future the +intercession of the blessed saints in heaven will avail with my +offended Maker." + +"Florry, my own dear Florry! hear me, for none on earth love you as I +do. Do you not believe the Bible--God's written word? Has he not said, +'there is _one mediator_ between God and man--the man Christ Jesus?' +Has not Christ made propitiation for our sin, and assured us there is +but one way whereby we may be saved, repentance for our past sins and +faith in the sufficiency of his atonement? Do you doubt the efficacy +of Christ's suffering and death? Tell me, Florry, by what authority +you invoke your saints? Surely you do so in opposition to the express +declaration of the Bible already quoted--'there is _one mediator_ +between God and man.'" + +"The holy Fathers of our church have been in the habit of praying for +the intercession of saints from the earliest periods, and none have +questioned their fervent piety, or doubted the orthodoxy of their +faith," replied Florence. + +"In the first place," said Mary, "it would be ridiculous in the +extreme to advocate all the opinions and tenets advanced by those +same Fathers. St. Augustine doubted the existence of the antipodes; +Tertullian emphatically pronounced second marriages adultery; Origen +denied the sin of David in causing the death of Uriah, and has often +been accused of favoring Arianism, and the doctrine of transmigration +of soul; while it is a well-known fact, that Jerome, to vindicate +Peter from the charge of dissimulation, actually accused St. Paul of +lying, and thereby favoring deceit. In the second place, are you quite +sure that they were in the habit of invoking saints?" + +"Certainly, Mary; for it is undeniable that St. Augustine in his +Meditations calls on the Blessed Virgin, and all the angels and +apostles in heaven, to intercede with God in his behalf. Father +Mazzolin pointed out the passage no later than last week, to remove +the doubts which I confess I entertained, as to whether it was proper +and in accordance with the practise of the Fathers to implore such +intercession." + +"And does your conviction rest on so frail a basis? Hear what the +Rev. Dr. Milner says on this subject, in the first volume of his +Ecclesiastical History;" and taking it from the shelf, Mary read: + +'The book of Meditations, though more known to English readers than +any other of the works ascribed to Augustine, on account of the +translation of it into our language by Stanhope, seems not to be his, +both on account of its style, which is sententious, concise, abrupt, +and void of any of those classical elegancies which now and then +appear in our author's genuine writings; and also, on account of the +prayers to deceased saints which it contains. This last circumstance +peculiarly marks it to have been of a later date than the age of +Augustine. Frauds of this, kind were commonly practised on the works +of the Fathers in the monastic times.' + +"And why, Florry, does it peculiarly mark it as spurious? Because, had +he entertained these views on so vital a point, the expression of them +would most certainly have occurred in his other very voluminous works. +I have searched his Confessions for instances of this invocation, +either from himself or anxious mother, and had he believed, as the +Catholic prelates assert, in this intercession of the dead, it would +most assuredly have been sought in the hour of his suffering and fear, +lest he should be given over. But I find none. On the contrary, +these two passages occur in his Confessions: 'I now sought the way of +obtaining strength to enjoy thee, and found it not, till I embraced +the mediator between God and man, Jesus Christ, who is above all, God, +blessed forever, calling and saying I am the way, the truth, and the +life.' And here, Florry, is another extract from the same book still +more conclusive--'Whom shall I look to as my mediator? Shall I go to +angels? Many have tried this, and have been fond of visions, and have +deserved to be the sport of the illusions which they loved. The true +mediator, whom in thy secret mercy thou hast shown to the humble, and +hast sent that by his example they might also learn humility, the man +Christ Jesus, hath appealed a mediator between mortal sinners and the +immortal Holy One, that he might justify the ungodly, and deliver them +from death.' Yet in your manuals you are directed to say 'Mother of +God command thy son;' and one of your prayers, Florry, is as follows: +'Hail, Holy Queen! Mother of Mercy--our life, our sweetness, and our +hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished sons of Eve, to thee do we send +up our sighs, mourning and weeping in the valley of tears. Turn thee, +most gracious Advocate, thy eyes of mercy toward us.' And at vespers +you say, + + 'Hail, Mary! queen of heavenly spheres, + Hail! whom the angelic host reveres!' + +Florry, in all candor, let us investigate this subject; we will +consult both the Bible and the Fathers, or, if you prefer it, by the +words of the latter only we will decide; for truth we are searching." + +"Mary, let me read a second time those passages from St. Augustine. +Strange I should have been so deceived," she continued, as, having +perused them, she returned the book to her cousin. + +"Florry, can you perceive any encouragement there given to the +practise of invocation? Does not St. Augustine expressly denounce it?" + +"There can be no doubt of his sentiments on this point; but, Mary, +this is only one decision, when I have been assured that the united +voices of many Fathers established it without a doubt, even supposing +there was no authority in Holy Writ for such a custom--which, however, +we have, for did not Jacob wrestle with an angel and did not his +blessing descend upon him?" + +"But Christ had not then died; neither had the Christian dispensation +succeeded to the old Jewish rites and customs. If you will turn to +Jeremiah, you will also read how the curse of God was pronounced +against the idolaters who offered incense to the Queen of Heaven: yet +you do the same. Still, by the tradition of the elders, we will judge. +Hear the words of Paulinus on this subject--'Paul is not a mediator; +he is an ambassador for Christ. John intercedes not, but declares that +this mediator is the propitiation for our sin. The Son of Almighty +God, because he redeemed us with the price of his blood, is justly +called the true Redeemer,' Again, the great and good Ambrose--'We +follow thee, Lord Jesus, but draw us up that we may follow. No one +rises without thee. Let us seek him, and embrace his feet, and worship +him, that he may say to us, Fear not. I am the remission of sin, I am +the light, I am the life. He that cometh to me shall not see death; +because he is the fulness of divinity.' One more, Florry--'Come to +yourselves again, ye wretched transgressors! Return ye blind to your +light! Shall we not believe God, when he swears that neither Noah, +nor Daniel, or Job, shall deliver one son or daughter by their +righteousness. For this end he makes the declaration, that none might +put confidence in the intercession of saints. Ye fools! who run to +Rome to seek there for the intercession of an Apostle. When will ye +be wise? What would St. Augustine say of you, whom ye have so often +quoted?' Such, Florry, are the words of the celebrated Claud of Turin; +but as he is regarded by your church somewhat as a reformer, I will +just read one passage from Anselm, whose orthodoxy no Papist ever +questioned. Speaking of the intercession of Christ--'If the people sin +a thousand times, they need no other Saviour; because this suffices +for all things, and cleanses from all sin.' Florry, we have jointly +admired the character of one of the earliest martyrs, St. Cyprian. +Will you hear him on this subject?--'Christ, if it be possible, let us +all follow. Let us be baptized in his name. He opens to us the way +of life. He brings us back to Paradise. He leads us to the heavenly +kingdom. Redeemed by his blood, we shall be the blessed of God the +Father,' Yet you say in your prayers, 'We fly to thy patronage, oh! +holy Mother of God!' And again-- + + 'Hail sacred gate.' + +Florence, you have cited the Fathers: by their own words are you not +convinced as to intercession?" + +"Mary, I was asking myself if vital Christianity could exist in any +church which allows such a system of deceit on the part of its clergy: +for deceived I assuredly have been." + +"You should remember, Florry, that the promulgation of Papal +doctrines, and the aggrandizement of the Romish church, is the only +aim of its priesthood; consequently, all means which conduce to this +great object are unscrupulously employed. Even crime is sanctioned +where the good of the church can be promoted." + +"Surely, Mary, you cannot mean what you say? Crime sanctioned by the +Romish clergy! Impossible! How dare you make such an assertion!" + +"It doubtless strikes you, Florry, as strangely uncharitable and +unchristian; yet, if you will consult the records of the past, I +venture to say you will think very differently. What memorable event +occurred on one of your saints' days--the 24th of August, 1572? At +dead of night the signal was given, and the Papal ministers of France +perpetrated the foulest deed that stains the page of history. +Thirty thousand Huguenots were butchered in their beds. And what +distinguished the murderer from the doomed victim? A white cross on +the hat of the former. How did Imperial Rome receive the tidings of +this massacre? The cannons were discharged, the Pope ordered a jubilee +and grand procession, and caused a _Te Deum_ to be chanted. I ask +you, Florry, was not this sanctioning crime? Again, how died the great +Henry IV? The celebrated edict of Nantes sealed his doom, and the +infamous Ravaillac, for the good of the Romish church, conveniently +forgot the commandment of Jehovah, and meritoriously assassinated him. +Florry, I have myself heard a Papist say, 'that whatever her priest +commanded, she would unhesitatingly perform.' Shocked at the broad +assertion, I replied: 'You surely do not know what you are saying. +Obey the priest in all things! Why, you would not commit murder at his +command?' 'Certainly I would, if my priest bid me; for if I obey him, +I cannot do wrong.' I know this to be true; and I ask you what is the +inference? You admit that you have been deceived. Pious frauds were +committed in the time of Ambrose and Chrysostom; yet hear what St. +Augustine says: 'Lying is the saying of one thing, and thinking of +another;' and in all cases, even for most pious purposes, he excludes +lying as unchristian and anti-scriptural." + +Florence was leaning with clasped hands on the table gazing intently +at her cousin; while Mary knelt on the other side, her hand resting +on the large family Bible. The light fell full on her pale face as she +knelt; her chestnut curls half veiling the pure white cheek, and the +dark-blue eyes, earnest, and yet almost angelic, in their gentle, +loving expression. + +"Oh, Florry! need I implore you in future to look to Christ alone as +the author of our salvation?" + +"One more question, Mary. Is there not a passage in Revelations +substantiating the doctrine of intercession? Father Mazzolin assured +me the testimony was conclusive in favor of that practise." + +"The passages to which you allude are these: 'And another angel came +and stood at the altar, having a golden censor; and there was given +unto him much incense, that he should offer it, with the prayers of +all saints, upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And +the smoke of the incense which came with the prayers of the +saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.' No word of +intercession occurs here; and are we not as free to suppose that the +prayers so offered were in their own behalf as that of their friends? +Had it been as the Padre tells you, would not St. John have said +intercession or prayers in behalf of others?" + +"Mary, can you have mistaken the passage? This cannot be his boasted +testimony." + +"I know that these two verses are highly prized by Papists, as +establishing the doctrine in question; yet I cannot see them in that +light--can you?" "No, no; and if these are the strongest arguments +they can adduce in the defense of invocation, I reject it as a remnant +of the dark ages, during which period it certainly crept into the +church." + +"If you do this, Florry, you cause the whole fabric to totter, for on +this doctrine, as a foundation, rests the arch, of which confession is +the keystone." + +"'Confess ye your sins, one to another,' is very strong in our favor, +Mary?" + +"Florry, we are searching for truth, and let us in all humility and +candor investigate this particularly important point. It seems to me +that St. James's meaning is this--when we have offended or harmed our +fellow-men or brethren, we should make all the amends in our power; +confess our faults unto them; implore their pardon, and abstain from +offensive conduct in future. Do you not think that if he had intended +us to interpret it differently, he would have said--'Confess your +faults unto your priest, and he will give you absolution.' Setting +aside all bias, do you not think this reasonable; the more so, when +we call to mind those words of our Saviour in his sermon on the mount: +'Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest +that thy brother hath aught against thee, leave there thy gift before +the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and +then come and offer thy gift.' If our Lord had intended the ordinance +of confession, would he not have said on this occasion, 'First confess +thy sins unto thy priest, and when he has absolved thee, then come +with clean hands and offer thy gift.' Mark the difference, and ask +your own heart if there is any encouragement here for confessing to +your Padre?" + +"If this passage of James were all we could adduce in favor of +confession, I should think with you, Mary; yet it is not so. When +about to dismiss his Apostles on their errands of mercy, Christ said +to them--'Peace be with you; as my Father hath sent me, even so I send +you;' and when he had breathed upon them, he said unto them--'Receive +ye the Holy Ghost; whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto +them, and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained.' Now, Mary, +do you not plainly perceive that the power of forgiving sin was +conferred upon the Apostles?" + +"Most assuredly I do; and avow my belief that they were enabled +to forgive sin, and at the same time other miraculous powers were +conferred on the 'Twelve.' 'Then he called his twelve disciples +together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to +cure diseases.' We know that they cast out devils, restored the blind, +and raised the dead. Power to forgive sin was one among many wonderful +gifts conferred upon them. Yet you do not believe that the power of +raising the dead was transmitted to posterity. How, then, can you say +the gift of absolution was?" + +"But, Mary, Christ says in another place--'Thou art Peter: and upon +this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell shall not +prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom +of heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in +heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in +heaven.'" + +"I perfectly agree with you, Florry, in believing that St. Peter had +miraculous powers bestowed on him by our Saviour; but it seems absurd +to suppose that these powers were perpetuated in the ministers of the +Roman Catholic Church. Our Saviour said, what 'Peter loosed, should +be loosed in heaven,' and not what Peter's successors loosed should be +observed and loosed in heaven. We should not judge of Christ's views +by isolated passages, but rather from all his teachings; for if we +did, what would you say to the verse just below those already quoted, +'And he said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an +offense unto me: for thou savorest not the things which be of God, but +those that be of men.' But this is wandering from the subject. In +St. Augustine's Confessions, though I admit somewhat abridged, I find +nothing relating to confessing to priests. This passage alone appears: +'O Lord, thou knowest!--have I not confessed my sins to thee? and +hast thou not pardoned the iniquity of my heart?' Speaking of a +sudden illness during his boyhood, he says he eagerly desired baptism, +fearing to die, and his mother was about to comply with his request, +when he quickly recovered. Now, had he considered confession +necessary, would he not have urged it upon all who read his +Confessions, which you will mark, Florry, were not made to a priest, +but obviously to God himself," + +There followed a long pause, while Florence dropped her face in her +hands and sighed heavily. + +"Florry, it is very late; our candle has burnt low--see, it is +flickering in the socket; we have not heeded the lapse of time." She +rose and replaced the books she had been consulting. + +"Mary, Mary! why have you shaken my faith? I had thought to find +comfort in future, but you have torn my hope from me, and peace flies +with the foundations which you have removed!" + +"Florry, you have been blinded, deceived. They have cried unto you, +Peace! peace! when there was no peace. But oh! there is a source +of rest, and strength, and comfort, which is to be attained not +by confession, or the intercession of the dead or living, but +by repentance for the past, and an active, trusting faith in the +mediation of our blessed Lord Jesus Christ" + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + "The purple clouds + Are putting on their gold and violet, + To look the meeter for the sun's bright coming. + How hallowed is the hour of morning! Meet-- + Ay! beautifully meet--for the pure prayer." + + WILLIS. + + +Morn broke in the East; or, in the beautiful language of the Son of +Fingal, "Sol's yellow hair streamed on the Eastern gale." Awakened by +the first chirping of the feathered tribe, Florence rose as the gray +morning light stole into her chamber, and seating herself at the +window, looked out on the town before her. Quiet reigned as yet, +broken only by the murmuring and gurgling of the river, which roiled +swiftly on, just below their little gate. How delightful to her seemed + + "The cool, the fragrant, and the silent hour + To meditation due." + +Calmly she now weighed the conversation of the preceding night, and, +engrossed in earnest thought, sat gazing out till the Orient shone +resplendent, and an October sun poured his rays gloriously around her. +Then she knelt, and prayed as she had never done before. She sought +the "pure fountain of light," and implored strength and guidance +in her search after truth. Rising, her glance fell on her sleeping +cousin, and she was struck with the change which within the last month +had taken place in her appearance. Approaching the bed, she lifted the +masses of chestnut hair that clung to the damp brow. As she looked on +the pure, pale face, there came a gush of tenderness into her soul, +and bending, she imprinted a long, warm kiss. Mary stirred, and opened +her eyes. + +"Ah, Florry, you are up earlier than usual." She closed them again, +murmuring slowly, "I feel as though I had no strength remaining; I can +scarcely lift my head." + +"Sleep, Mary, if you can. I will shut out the light, and call you +again after a while." + +"No, Florry, I must not give way to such feelings; indeed they are +getting quite too common of late; I can't think what makes me so weak +and feverish." + +An hour later, as they stood together at the door of their little +dining-room, a body of Mexican cavalry dashed furiously past their +gate. The cousins looked full at each other. Then Florence said in a +low, calm tone: "You are right, Mary; we will go from this place; I +feel now that it is for the best." She averted her face; but Mary saw +an expression of keen agony resting there. "Florry, let us consult +Mrs. Carlton. She will advise us what would be best to do in this +emergency." + +"Go and see her yourself; I cannot. Whatever you decide upon I will +agree to. Oh! Mary, how desolate and unprotected we are." + +"No, not while there is an Almighty One to watch over us. But, Florry, +I am much troubled about Aunt Lizzy. I mentioned our wish to leave +here, and she opposed it strenuously, on the grounds that the Padre +had promised his protection. Now what are we to do?" + +"Go to Mrs. Carlton's, Mary, and I will convince aunt that it is +best we should remove from here immediately. You need apprehend no +difficulty on her part. As you return from Mrs. Carlton's, meet me in +the churchyard." + +"Florry, do not go till I come home; or, if you prefer it, let us go +there at once." + +"No, Mary, I wish to be there alone." + +"But I am afraid it is not quite safe for you to venture out so far +from home." + +"I fear nothing: who would harm a daughter beside her father's grave?" + +Mary sighed heavily, but offered no further opposition. Her walk to +Mrs. Carlton's was a sad one, for her heart clung to the scenes she +had learned to love so well, and the prospect of departure, and the +uncertainty of the future, weighed heavily on her heart, and made her +step unwontedly slow. She found her friend alone, and much depressed. +Mrs. Carlton clasped her tenderly in her arms, while the tears rolled +silently down her cheeks. + +"I hope nothing has happened to distress you?" said Mary, anxiously. + +"You are the very one I wished to see. Mr. Carlton said, this morning, +that he was unwilling for me to remain here any longer, as our +troops are marching to attack the Alamo. He says he will take us to +Washington, and I could not bear the idea of leaving you here." + +"I have come to consult you on this subject; for some of my Mexican +friends have advised us to leave San Antonio; and not knowing where or +how to go, concluded to come and see you. But Washington is far, very +far from here. How will we ever reach it in these unsettled times?" + +"Mr. Carlton and Frank have gone to make all necessary preparation +for our immediate departure. We will have two tents, and carry such +cooking utensils and provisions as are needful for a tedious journey: +one wagon is all we hope to obtain for conveying these. I suppose we +shall all ride horseback; for you know there is not a carriage in the +town. Frank does not wish us to leave this place, for he suggested +your coming to remain with us till these stormy times were over. But +this is not a suitable home for you. Surely your cousin and aunt will +consent to accompany us?" + +"Yes, I think so; for Florry left it entirely with me, and certainly +we should go now." + +"I am very glad to hear you say so, Mary; not only upon your own +account, but also for Frank. He will consider himself bound to +accompany you; for he promised your dying uncle to watch over you both +with a brother's care, and otherwise he could not be induced to leave +San Antonio at this crisis. He seems completely rapt in the issue of +the contest; and would you believe it, Mary, he is anxious to enlist; +but my entreaties have as yet prevented him." + +"Dear Mrs. Carlton, there is no obligation resting on him to go with +us. He has been very kind and careful, and though deeply grateful, we +could not consent to his leaving against his own inclinations. Oh, no! +we could not allow this. Yet should he remain, what may be the result? +Oh! Mrs. Carlton, this is terrible." + +Mary's cheek was very pale, and her lips quivered convulsively, while +the small hands, clasped each other tightly. + +"Mary, for my sake, use your influence with him in favor of going to +Washington. I can't go in peace, and feel that he is here exposed +to such imminent danger, for when I am gone, what will restrain him? +Mary, Mary! do not deter him, if he feels it incumbent on him to see +you to a place of of safety." + +"Mrs. Carlton, you can appreciate the peculiar position in which I am +placed. Florry and I would shrink from drawing him away, in opposition +to his wishes, particularly when there is no danger attendant on our +traveling; for with you and Mr. Carlton we would feel no apprehension; +and even if we did, we could not consent to such a sacrifice on his +part. Yet I sympathize with you, most sincerely, and will willingly do +all that in propriety I can to alleviate your sorrow; but knowing his +sentiments, how could I advise, or even acquiesce in his going?" + +"My pure-hearted girl, forgive a request made so thoughtlessly. I +had not considered, as I should have done; yet you can appreciate +the anxious feelings which dictated it." As she spoke, Mrs. Carlton +clasped her friend to her heart, and wept on her shoulder. No tear +dimmed Mary's eye; yet that she suffered, none who looked on her pale +brow and writhing lips could doubt. As she raised her head to reply, +Dr. Bryant entered, and started visibly on seeing her, Mrs. Carlton +endeavored to regain her composure; and, with a slightly faltering +voice, asked how he succeeded in procuring horses? + +"Better than I had hoped," was the rejoinder; and he held out his hand +to Mary. She gave him hers, now cold as ice. He held it a moment, and +pressed it gently, saying: "You see my sister is going to run away on +the first intimation of danger. I hope she has not infected you with +her fears; though, to judge from your looks, I should almost predict a +stampede in another direction." + +"Indeed you are quite right. Florry and I are going with her; though +we had decided on leaving before we knew she intended doing so." + +"Ah! you did not seem to apprehend any immediate danger when we +conversed on this subject a few days since. What has changed your +views?" + +"I have been warned not to risk the dangers attendant on the +approaching conflict by a Mexican friend, whose attachment I have +every reason to believe is sincere; and besides, it needed but little +to augment my fears: and Florry and I concluded, if practicable, to +remove to a place of greater safety." + +"Can you be ready within two days, think you, Miss Mary? for, if we +leave at all, it is advisable that we do so immediately." + +"Oh, yes! I know we can be ready by that time." + +"Let me see--how many additional horses shall we need? Yourself, your +cousin, and aunt, and myself." + +Mary looked eagerly at Mrs. Carlton; but she had averted her head; and +for a moment a terrible struggle within kept the gentle girl silent. + +"Dr. Bryant, I know you do not wish to leave here at this juncture, +intensely interested as you are in the event, and I fear you are +sacrificing your own wishes for our benefit. Let me beg you to consult +your inclinations, and do not feel it in the least incumbent on you to +attend us, particularly when we are in the kind care of Mr. Carlton; +and you have already done so much toward contributing to our comfort." + +"Thank you for your consideration. Nevertheless, I shall not rest +satisfied till I place you in safety on the banks of the Brazos. One +of my greatest pleasures has been to render you service, and you would +not abridge them, I hope, by refusing my company on your journey?" + +Mary's eyes were fixed earnestly on his face while he spoke, and +though there was no change in his kind, gentle tone, there came an +undefinable expression over his noble countenance--an expression in +which coldness and sorrow predominated. She could not understand him; +yet a shudder crept though her frame, and a sensation of acute pain +stole into her heart. She felt as through a barrier had suddenly risen +between them, yet could not analyze the cause. + +"Your servants will take all possible care of the house and furniture +during your absence, which, I hope, will be but temporary. They will +not be molested; and I am afraid we could not conveniently carry two +additional persons. What think you of this arrangement?" + +"I think with you, that under existing circumstances the servants +could not well accompany us; and though they will incur no danger, +I regret the necessity of leaving them, particularly should they +object." + +"I hope you will find no difficulty in arranging everything to your +entire satisfaction, previous to our departure. You and my sister must +consult as to all minor points, and I must look to our preparations. +My respects to your cousin. I will see you again to-morrow;" and +bidding her good morning, he turned away. + +"Oh, such a weight is lifted from my heart!" exclaimed Mrs. Carlton. +"I can now exert myself as I am called on to do." + +"Florry will be waiting for me, and we have much to do at home; so +good-by," and Mary lifted her pale face for a farewell kiss. + +Mrs. Carlton affectionately embraced her, and bidding her "make all +speed," they parted. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + "'There is a soul just delivered from Purgatory!' It was found + to be a frog dressed in red flannel." + + KIRWAN. + + +Florence having succeeded, as she imagined, in convincing her aunt +that it was advisable to remove from San Antonio, slowly proceeded to +the churchyard, little dreaming that the door had scarce closed behind +her ere Aunt Lizzy, with swift steps, directed her way to the house +of the Padre, He was writing, but gave his attention, and heard, +with ill-disguised chagrin, that Florence distrusted his promised +protection. + +"Does she doubt in matters of faith, think you?" he eagerly inquired. + +"Indeed, Padre, I cannot say. All I know is, that she and Mary sat +till midnight, reading and talking, and she has not seemed like +herself since." + +"Where shall I find Florence?" said he, taking his hat. + +"In the churchyard, I think, beside her father's grave." + +"Say nothing to her, but apparently acquiesce in her plans; and, above +all, do not let her dream that you have told me these things." + +Ah, Florence! who may presume to analyze the anguish of your tortured +heart as you throw yourself, in such abandonment of grief, on the tomb +of your lost parent? The luxuriant grass, swaying to and fro in the +chill October blast, well-nigh concealed the bent and drooping form, +as she knelt and laid her head on the cold granite. + +"My father! oh, my father!" and tears, which she had not shed before, +fell fast, and somewhat eased the desolate, aching heart. Florence had +not wept before in many years; and now that the fountain was unsealed, +she strove not to repress the tears which seemed to lift and bear away +the heavy weight which had so long crushed her spirits. + +What a blessing it is to be able to weep; and happy are they who can +readily give vent to tears, and thus exhaust their grief! Such +can never realize the intensity of anguish which other natures +suffer--natures to whom this great relief is denied, and who must keep +the withering, scorching agony pent up within the secret chambers of +their desolate, aching hearts. Sobs and tears are not for these. No, +no; alone and in darkness they must wrestle with their grief, crush it +down into their inmost soul, and with a calm exterior go forth to meet +the world. But ah! the flitting, wintry smile, the short, constrained +laugh, the pale brow marked with lines of mental anguish, will +ofttimes, tell of the smoldering ruin.... + +"My daughter, God has appointed me in place of the parent he has taken +hence; turn to me, and our most holy church, and you will find comfort +such as naught else can afford." + +Florence sprung to her feet, and shuddered at the sound of his low, +soft voice. The Padre marked the shudder, and the uneasy look which +accompanied it: "Padre, I have confessed, and I have prayed to almost +every saint in the Calendar, and I have had your prayers in addition +to my own; yet I find no comfort. No joy has stolen to my heart, as +you promised it inevitably would." + +"My daughter, if peace has not descended on thy spirit, I fear you +have not been devout. Tell me truly if you have not doubted in matters +of faith, for our most holy Mother ever grants the prayers of her +faithful and loving children?" + +"I have searched the Bible, and I nowhere find authority for invoking +saints or the Virgin." + +"I can convince you, without doubt, that there is such authority--nay, +command." + +"'Tis useless, you may save yourself the trouble; for my mind is +clearly made up that we have not even the sanction of the Fathers." + +"Holy Mary, pardon her unbelief, and send down light into her darkened +soul!" + +Florence fixed her eyes full upon him, and replied--"Christ expressly +declares 'I am the light, I am the life.'" + +"Daughter, your heretic cousin has done you a great injury. May God +protect you, and forgive her blasphemy." + +"She needs no forgiveness, for she is pure in heart before God, and +truthful in all things." + +The swarthy cheek of the Italian flushed--"Florence, you and your aunt +must come and stay at my house till it is safe here; and, I doubt not +when you are at leisure to hear me, you will duly repent your hasty +speeches. I shall pray God and our Lady to give you a more trusting, +believing heart, and intercede with the blessed saints for your entire +conversion." + +"Not so, Father Mazzolin; we shall leave this place in a very few +days, and I have come to bid adieu to the grave of my father: leave +me, for I wish to be alone and in peace." + +"Do you doubt my will or ability to protect you, my daughter? Beneath +my roof no danger can assail." + +"We have fully decided to go from here, and further reasoning or +entreaty would be vain; accept, however, my thanks for your proffered +kindness." + +"Girl, you have gone too far! Hear me while I am placable, for I tell +you now, without my consent, you cannot--shall not leave here." + +"You have neither right nor power to detain me." + +"Have I not? I swear, if you do not hear and abide by what I say, +your father's soul will remain forever in purgatory, where it justly +belongs." + +"How dare you make so miserable a threat?" said the calm, clear voice +of Mary, who had approached unobserved. + +"Cursed believer in a cursed creed, what do you here? Begone, or dread +the vengeance I shall surely inflict on so blasphemous and damnable a +heretic!" + +Winding her arm tightly about Florence's waist, she +replied--"'Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord. I will repay;' and +though I have never injured you, Padre--even if I had, it ill becomes +a consecrated priest to utter such language, or so madly to give vent +to passion." + +"Silence!" thundered the Padre, livid with rage; "I will compass +heaven and earth rather than you shall escape me." + +"Come, Florry, this is no place for us now; even the churchyard is not +sacred. Come home." + +"Florence, dare you curse your own father?" The girl's lips quivered, +but no sound came forth--she seemed stunned. + +"You would usurp the prerogatives of Jehovah, Father Mazzolin; but +your threat is vain. You cannot bless or damn my uncle at will. How +dare you, guilty as you are, hold such impious language?" + +For a moment he quailed before the calm, unflinching girl, then +seizing Florence's arm, hoarsely exclaimed: "One more chance I give +you. Florence, I am your brother--your father, my father. On his +death-bed he confessed his sins and discovered his son." + +A deep groan burst from Florence's lips, and her slender frame +quivered like a reed in a wintry blast. The Padre laid his head on the +granite slab which covered the remains of Mr. Hamilton, and continued: +"I call God in heaven, and all the saints to witness the truth of what +I say, and if I prove it not, may I sink into perdition. When your +father was yet young, he made the tour of Europe. Traveling in Italy, +he met at Florence a poor but beautiful girl; and she, struck, in +turn, by the handsome face of the stranger, left her humble home, +and listened to the voice of seduction. He remained five months at +Florence, and then suddenly left Italy for his native country, without +apprising the unfortunate woman of his intentions. Hatred succeeded to +love, and she vowed vengeance. That woman was my mother; and when ten +years had passed, she told me my parentage, and made me swear on the +altar of her patron saint that I would fulfil her vow of vengeance. +She died, and I became a priest of Rome, and in time was sent by +my order to Mexico, and thence here to assist my aged and infirm +predecessor. I had in my possession a miniature of my father, and no +sooner had I met him here than I recognized the base being who had +deserted my mother. I kept my peace; but ere he died, he confessed +that one sin--heavier than everything beside--weighed on his +conscience. In the agony and remorse of that hour my mother was +revenged. I told my parentage, and he discovered his child. Feeling +that I was your brother, he bade you remain here, claim my protection, +and follow my advice. But, Florence, hear me--your misery touched my +heart; a kindred feeling for you made me desire to serve you; but I +swear now that if you hear not my voice, and return to the bosom +of our church, your father's soul shall linger in damnation, and my +vengeance shall follow you. You know not my power, and wo to you if +you defy me!" + +Had the specter-form of the deceased, leaving the shadowy band of +the spirit-world, risen on the granite slab before them the two girls +could not have been more startled. Tightly they clung one to another, +their eyes riveted on the face of the Padre. There was a long pause; +then Florence lifted herself proudly up, and cold and haughty was her +tone: "It is not for me to deny your statement. If my father sinned, +peace to his memory, and may God forgive him. One so sinful and +malignant as yourself cannot be invested with divine prerogatives. +I have known your intentions with regard to myself since the hour +I knelt in confession. I was destined for a convent, and I tacitly +acquiesced in your plans, hoping that so secluded from the world I +should be comparatively happy; but my feelings are changed on many +points, and any further interference from you will be received with +the scorn it merits. No love for me actuates your movements, else you +would have spared me the suffering of this hour." + +"You defy me, then?" + +Florence had turned away, and heeded not his question; but Mary, +clasping her hands, looked appealingly in his face; "Oh, Padre, by the +tie which you declare exists between yourself and Florry--for the sake +of your lost parent--do not put your threat in execution. Spare an +unprotected orphan. You will not harm your sister!" + +"Know you not, girl, that when a Jesuit priest takes the oath of his +order, he tears his heart from his breast and lays it at the feet of +his superior? Appeal not to ties of relationship: we repudiate them, +and pity is unknown among us." + +With a shudder Mary joined her cousin, and rapidly and in perfect +silence they retraced their steps homeward. When they reached their +gate, Mary would have opened it, but her cousin, taking her hand, led +the way to their old seat beside the river. + +Florence seated herself as near the water as possible, and then +tightly clasping the hand she held, asked in a voice of suppressed +emotion; "Tell me, Mary, is there a purgatory?" + +"No, Florry; I think there is less foundation for that doctrine than +any advanced by your church." + +"Mary, you speak truth, and all that you say I can implicitly believe. +Tell me what grounds support the theory?" + +"You remember the words of our Saviour. 'All sin shall be forgiven, +save blasphemy of the Holy Ghost; that shall not be forgiven, either +in this world or the next.' Now Papists argue in this way: Then other +sins can be forgiven in another world; there is no sin in heaven, in +hell no forgiveness, consequently, there must exist a middle place, +or, in other words, a purgatory. Florry, you smile, yet I assure you I +have seen this advanced as unanswerable. In the book of Maccabees is a +very remarkable passage authorizing prayers for the dead, and on this +passage they build their theory and sanction their practise. Yet you +know full well it is one of the Apocryphal books rejected by the Jews, +because not originally written in their language. It was never quoted +by our Saviour, nor even received as inspired by your own church +till the Council of Trent, when it was admitted to substantiate the +doctrine of purgatory, and sanction prayers for the dead. I admit that +on this point St. Augustine's practise was in favor of it; though it +was only near the close of his long life that he speaks of the soul +of his mother. Yet already history informs us that the practise of +praying for the dead was gaining ground in the church, along with +image worship. St. Cyprian, who lived long before him, and during +a purer state of the church, leaves no doubt on our minds as to his +sentiments on this subject; his words are these: 'When ye depart +hence, there will be no room for repentance--no method of being +reconciled to God. Here eternal life is either lost or won. Here, +by the worship of God, and the fruit of faith, provision is made for +eternal salvation. And let no man be retarded, either by his sins or +years, from coming to obtain it. No repentance is too late while a man +remains in this world.' Our Saviour nowhere gives any encouragement +for such a doctrine. On the contrary, he said to the dying thief: +'This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.' I know of no other +argument which Papists advance in favor of their darling theory, save +the practise of the latter Fathers of their church." + +"Mary, I cannot believe this doctrine, without further proof of Divine +sanction." + +"Indeed, Florry, I know of no other reason in its favor, and have long +supposed it a system of extortion in connection with indulgences, now +used, only as a means of gain by the dissolute clergy of the Romish +faith. I need scarcely say, that the abuse of this latter doctrine +drove Luther to reformation. It is a well-known fact, that in the 16th +century, Tetzel, a Dominican monk high in his order, drove through +Germany in a wagon, containing two boxes--one holding indulgences, +the other the money received for them. You will smile, Florry, when I +repeat a translation of the German lines Written on the outside of the +latter box: + + "'When in this chest the money rings, + The soul straight up to heaven springs.'" + +Yet the boldness and audacity of his general language was quite in +accordance: 'Indulgences,' said he, 'are the most precious of God's +gifts. I would not exchange my privileges for those of St. Peter in +heaven; for I have saved more souls with my indulgences than he with +all his sermons. There is no sin so great that the indulgence will not +remit it. Even repentance is not necessary. Indulgences save the dead; +for the very moment the money chinks against the bottom of this chest, +the soul escapes from purgatory, and flies to heaven,' + +"Yet this inquisitor was high in favor with Pope Leo X. You will +say, Florry, that the abuse of a doctrine should be no test of its +soundness; and I admit that had he received the punishment he so +richly merited it would not; yet this is only one instance among +many. We have conversed on the doctrines of the Romish faith merely as +theories, should we not now look at the practise? We need not go very +far. When Aunt Fanny expressed surprise on seeing our Mexican shepherd +eat meat last Friday, did he not reply in extenuation, 'I have paid +the priest and can eat meat'? Now if it was necessary for him to +abstain previously, could the small sum paid to the Padre exempt him +from the duty? Again we see the working of the system: was not Herrara +scrupulously exact on the same point? yet he rose from the table and +told a most positive lie. With regard to indulgences, there is not +a Papist who will admit that they are a license to sin. The voice of +history declares that 'a regular scale for absolution was graded,' and +the fact is authenticated by a recent traveler, who asserts that +in the chancel of Santa Croce, at Rome, is hung a catalogue of the +indulgences granted to all who worship in that church. Yet your +priests will tell you they are the remission of sins already +committed. Did not Herrara say, 'I have paid the Padre and can eat +meat'? Now I ask you if this is not a license to commit what would +otherwise be considered a heinous offense by all devout Papists?" + +"Relying implicitly on what the Padre asserted, Mary, I have never +investigated these subjects as I should have done, before giving my +credence and support; but of the doctrine in question I can henceforth +entertain but one opinion--a detestable and infamous method of filling +the papal coffers; for since you have led me to think on this subject, +I clearly remember that a large portion of the enormous expense +incurred by the building, ornamenting, and repairing of St. Peter's, +was defrayed by money obtained through the sale of indulgences. +Oh, Mary, how could I have been so deluded--allowed myself to be so +deceived!" She took from her pocket the rosary and crucifix which had +been given to her father, and threw them impatiently into the river +gurgling at her feet. + +"The perfect harmony with which the entire system works is +unparalleled in the civil, religious, or political annals of the +world. A complete espionage is exercised in papal countries, from the +Adriatic to the Californian gulf. And the greater portion of this is +accomplished by means of the confessional. The Superior at Rome +can become, at pleasure, as perfectly conversant with your domestic +arrangements, and the thousand incidents which daily occur, as you or +I, who are cognizant of them. To what is all this tending? Ah, +Florry, look at the blood-stained records of the past. The voices of +slaughtered thousands, borne to us across the waste of centuries, bid +us remember the Duke of Alva, the Albigensian crusade, the massacre of +St. Bartholomew, and the blazes of Smithfield. Ignatius Loyola! happy +would it have been for millions lost, and millions yet to be, hadst +thou perished at the siege of Pampeluna. Florry, contrast Italy and +Germany, Spain and Scotland, and look at Portugal, and South America, +and Mexico, and oh, look at this benighted town! A fairer spot by +nature the face of earth cannot boast; yet mark the sloth, the penury, +the degradation of its people, the misery that prevails. And why? +Because they languish under the iron rule of the papal see--iron, +because it admits of no modification. Entire supremacy over both body +and soul, or total annihilation of their power. May the time speedily +come when they shall spurn their oppressors, and trample their yoke +in the dust, as their transatlantic brethren will ultimately do. Oh, +Florry, does not your heart yearn toward benighted Italy? Italy, once +so beautiful and noble--once the acknowledged mistress of the world, +as she sat in royal magnificence enthroned on her seven hills; now a +miserable waste, divided between petty sovereigns, and a by-word for +guilt and degradation! The glorious image lies a ruin at our feet: for +the spirit that gave beauty and strength, and shed a halo of splendor +round its immortal name, has fled afar, perhaps forever; banished +by the perfidious system of Papacy--that sworn foe to liberty, +ecclesiastical or political. + +"How incomprehensible the apathy with which the English regard the +promulgation of Puseyism in their church! It is stealing silently but +swiftly to the very heart of their ecclesiastical institutions, +and total subversion will ultimately ensue. That Americans should +contemplate without apprehension the gradual increase of papal power +is not so astonishing, for this happy land has never groaned beneath +its iron sway. But that the descendants of Latimer and of Ridley, of +Hooper and of Cranmer, should tamely view the encroachments of this +monster hydra, is strange indeed. Do not imagine, Florry, that I doubt +the sincerity of all who belong to the Church of Rome. I know and +believe that there are many earnest and conscientious members--of this +there cannot be a doubt; yet it is equally true, that the most +devoted Papists are to be found among the most ignorant, bigoted, +and superstitious of men. The masses of your church are deceived with +pretended miracles and wondrous legends, such as the one currently +reported respecting the holy house of Loretto, which seems so +migratory, and flies hundreds of miles in a night. These marvelous +tales are credited by the uneducated; yet no enlightened man or woman +of the present age, who has fully investigated this subject, can say +with truth that they conscientiously believe the doctrines of the +Romish Church to be those taught by our Saviour, or its practises in +accordance with the general tenor of the Bible. This may seem a +broad assertion, yet none who calmly consider the subject in all its +bearings, and consult the page of history, will pronounce it a hasty +one." + +"Yet remember, Mary, that the sect in question is proverbial for +charitable institutions. One vital principle is preserved. Surely +this is a redeeming virtue. Catholics are untiring in schemes of +benevolence and philanthropy." + +"You will start, and perhaps condemn me, when I reply, that their +boasted charity is but the mask behind which they disseminate the +doctrines of the Romish Church. I may appear very uncharitable in +the expression of this opinion; yet hear me, Florry; facts are +incontrovertible. If you will think a moment, you cannot fail to +remember Patrick, the porter at our friend Mrs. D----'s. Having +received a dangerous wound in his foot, he was sent to the hospital, +where several of the nurses were Sisters of Charity. He remained +nearly a month, and on his return related to Mrs. D----, in my +presence, some of the circumstances of his long illness. His words +made a lasting impression on my mind: + +"'Indeed, and I am glad enough to come home, ma'am; for never was I +treated worse in my life. The first week Sister Agnes, who nursed +in my room, was kind and tender as could be, and thought I, if ever +angels come to earth, this good woman is one; but I can tell ye I did +not think so long: she read some saints' lives to us, and asked me if +I was a Catholic. I said no, I was no Catholic. Then she tried every +way to make me one, and told me if I refused I would surely die and go +to purgatory. Faith! the more she talked that way the more I wouldn't +be a Catholic; and then she just let me alone, and not another thing +would she do for me. I might call from then till now, and never a step +would she come, or nurse me a bit. It is no good care of hers that has +brought me back alive and well: I tell you, Sister Agnes won't do for +any but Catholics.' + +"Florry, is such charity akin to that taught by the Bible? Catholics +boast of their asylums; and by means of fairs and suppers, large +amounts are annually collected for the support of these numerous +institutions. I have been told by a directress of a Protestant orphan +asylum, that on one occasion a squalid woman, accompanied by two boys, +presented herself and entreated that her children might be received +into the asylum. The unhappy mother informed the directress that she +was a Roman Catholic, and had claimed the protection of her own sect; +but, said she, tearfully, 'Indeed I had no money to pay for their +entrance, and they refused to take my children.' + +"Such, Florry, is their boasted charity; and I might add, their lives +are little in accordance with the spirit inculcated by our Saviour, +who said, 'When ye do your alms, let not your left hand know what your +right hand doeth.' There are thousands who daily dispense charities +of various kinds; yet they do not term themselves Sisters of Charity; +neither promenade the streets in a garb so antiquated and peculiar +as to excite attention, or elicit encomiums on their marvelously holy +lives and charitable deeds. Do not suppose, Florry, because I speak +thus, that I doubt the sincerity of all who enroll themselves as +Sisters. I do believe that there are many pious and conscientious +women thus engaged; yet they are but tools of the priests, and by them +placed in these institutions for the purpose of making proselytes." + +A pause ensued, and Florence paced slowly along the bank. Somewhat +abruptly she replied: + +"Yet you will admit, Mary, that we owe much to the monks, by whose +efforts light and knowledge were preserved during the dark ages? But +for them every vestige of literature, every record of the past, would +inevitably have been lost." + +"Tell me, Florry, what caused the dark ages? Was it not the gradual +withdrawal of light and knowledge--the crushing, withering influence +exerted on the minds of men? And tell me if this influence was not +wielded by the priests of Rome--corrupted, fallen Rome? During the +dark period in question, papal power was at its height; the thunders +of the Vatican were echoed from the Adriatic to the Atlantic--from the +Mediterranean to the North Sea. An interdict of its profligate Pope +clothed cities, and kingdoms, and empires in mourning; the churches +were closed, the dead unburied, and no rite, save that of baptism, +performed. Ignorance and superstition reigned throughout the world; +and it is said, that in the ninth century scarce a person was to +be found in Rome itself who knew even the alphabet. Yet monasteries +crowned every eminence, and dotted the vales of southern Europe. The +power of the priesthood was supreme. Florry, I do admit that what +remained of light and learning was hid in the cell of the anchorite; +not disseminated, but effectually concealed. They forgot our Saviour's +injunction--'Let your light shine before men.' Oh! Florry, did not the +teachers of the dark ages put their light under a bushel? Dark ages +will ever follow the increase of papal power. It is part of their +system to keep the masses in ignorance. How truly it has been said +that Rome asked but one thing, and that Luther denied her--'A fulcrum +of ignorance on which to rest that lever by which she can balance the +world.' They dare not allow their people light and knowledge; and what +to others was indeed a dark age, is regarded by the priests of Rome as +a golden season. Can you point to a single papal country which is not +enveloped in the black cloud of superstition and crime? To Italy, and +Spain, and Portugal, the dark ages have not passed away; neither will +they, till liberty of conscience is allowed, and the Bible permitted +in the hands of the laity. Under papal rule, those unfortunate nations +will never rise from their degradation; for their masters and teachers +'love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil.' +It has often been said by those who fail properly to consider this +subject, that the Roman Catholic schools and colleges which abound in +the United States are far superior to similar Protestant institutions. +Why do not these very superior teachers disseminate knowledge at +home? Why do they not first enlighten the Spaniards ere they cross the +Atlantic to instruct American pupils? The ignorance of Neapolitans +is proverbial; yet Naples is the peculiarly favored city of Romanism. +Tell me why these learned professors do not teach their own people? +Florry, papal institutions in America are but branches of the +Propaganda. They but come to proselyte. I have heard it repeatedly +averred of a certain nunnery, 'that no efforts were made to affect the +religious views of the pupils.' Yet I know that such is not the case. +They are far too politic openly to attack the religion; yet +secretly it is undermined. I will tell you how, Florry, for you look +wonderingly at me. Prizes are awarded for diligence, and application; +and these prizes are books, setting forth in winning language the +doctrines of their church. I have seen one of these which was given +to M---- K----, and I also read it most carefully. It was titled +'Alethea; or, a Defense of Catholic Doctrines.' Yet most indignantly +they deny any attempts toward proselyting the pupils intrusted to +their care." + +"Who will deny the truth of your statements, Mary! Yet, if such are +the facts, how can the world be so utterly ignorant of, or indifferent +to them? Strange that they can thus regard a subject so fraught with +interest to every lover of liberty--to every patriot." + +"Florry, Papists are unacquainted with these things; for, begirt with +darkening, crushing influence, they are effectually secluded from even +a wandering ray of light on this subject. The avenue through which all +information is conveyed at the present day is barred to them. Books +are denied to the Catholic laity. You may ask how this is effected in +this enlightened and liberal age. The prelates of Rome, who long ago +resorted to ignorance as their bulwark, are ever on the alert. No +sooner is a new publication announced, than it is most carefully +perused by them; and if calculated to point out the fallacy of their +doctrines, or depict their abuse of power, a papal bull is forthwith +issued, prohibiting all Catholics from reading the heretical book. +The writings of the prince of novelists, Walter Scott, which are +universally read by other sects, are peremptorily refused to all +Papists. And why? Because many of his darts are aimed at their +profligate priesthood. Now if, as they tell their people, these are +but slanderous attacks on their religion, surely the shafts would fall +harmless on the armor of truth. Why then so strenuously oppose their +reading such works? Florry, the trite adage, 'Truth is the hardest of +all to bear,' is applicable to these prelates of papacy; who, knowing +their danger, are fully resolved to guard the avenues of light and +knowledge. The Pope of imperial Rome, surrounded as he is with luxury, +magnificence, and hosts of scarlet-liveried cardinals, who stand in +readiness to convey his mandates to the remotest corners of the earth, +has been made to tremble on his throne by the pen of feeble woman. The +truthful delineations of Charlotte Elizabeth startled his Holiness +of the Vatican, and the assistant conclave of learned cardinals are +trembling lest their laity of the Green Isle should catch a glimpse +of light. A bull was quickly fulminated against her heretical +productions. Alas! when, when will the Romish Church burst the iron +bands which begirt her? + +"The world at large--I mean the world as composed of Protestants, +latitudinarians, politicians, statesmen, and fashionable dunces, +are in a great measure acquainted with these facts; but knowing the +rapidly increasing power of papal Rome, and the vast influence already +wielded in this happy land by its priesthood, they prefer to float +along with the tide, rather than vigorously resist this blasting +system of ignorance, superstition, and crime which, stealthily +approaching from the east and from the west, will unite and crush the +liberties of our glorious Republic. As patriots, they are called on +to oppose strenuously its every encroachment--yet they dare not; for +should they venture to declaim against its errors, they endanger +their popularity and incur the risk of defeat at an ensuing election. +Florry, I was once conversing on this subject with a lady who had +recently visited Europe, and inquired of her if she had not marked the +evils and abuses which existed in the papal dominions through which +she traveled. She whisperingly replied--'Certainly, my dear, I could +not fail to mark the ignorance and degradation which prevailed, but +I never speak of it, because, you know, it makes one very unpopular,' +Here, Florry, you have the clew to the mystery. Americans quietly +contemplate this momentous subject, and silently view the abuses which +are creeping into our communities, because if they expose them, it is +at the hazard of becoming unpopular," + +"Mary, can I ever, ever forget that hour in the churchyard?" Florence +sadly said, as they rose and proceeded to the house. "Oh! it seems +branded on my brain; yet I must cast this new grief from me, for +enough of anguish was mine before. Still I feel that there is a path +just ahead, and it seems lighted up. But a slight barrier intervenes, +and when that is passed all will be well. Pray for me, Mary, that I +may be enabled to lead the life of a Christian, and at last die the +death of the righteous." + +Clasping tightly the hand which rested in her own, Mary replied: + +"While life remains, it shall indeed be my prayer that you may be +blessed on earth, and rewarded in heaven. Oh, Florry, I thank God that +the scales have fallen from your eyes, and that truth shines brightly +before you." She stopped suddenly, and pressed her hand to her side, +while the pale brow wrinkled with pain. + +"I have been talking too much, there is a suffocating sensation here." + +"It is only momentary, I hope." + +Mary shook her head, and smiled sadly: "I don't know, Florry; I have +felt strangely of late." + +That evening as the household were busily preparing for their intended +departure, Dr. Bryant abruptly entered, and informed them, with a +clouded brow, that removal was impossible, as he could not procure a +pair of horses for any price. + +"It is perfectly unaccountable what has possessed the Mexican from +whom I purchased as many as I thought necessary. We agreed as to +price, and they were to be sent this afternoon; but about two hours +ago, he came to me, and declared that he had changed his mind, and +would not part with them. I offered double the original amount, but he +said money was no inducement. I strove to borrow or hire for any +given time, but every proposal was peremptorily declined, and as it is +impossible to leave here, I came over to entreat you to remain with +my sister, at least for a few days, till we can determine what is +advisable to do." + +His proposal was accepted, and the ensuing day saw them inmates of +Mrs. Carlton's. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + "We're the sons of sires that baffled + Crowned and mitered tyranny: + They defied the field and scaffold + For their birth-rights--so will we!" + + CAMPBELL. + + +The issue of the engagement of the 8th October placed Goliad, with +valuable munitions, in the hands of the Texans. Many and joyous +acclamations rose from their camp, hope beamed on every face, and +sanguine expectations were entertained of a speedy termination of the +conflict. Slowly the little band proceeded toward Bexar, receiving +daily accessions from headquarters, and girding themselves for a +desperate struggle. General Cos, fully appreciating the importance +of the post he held, made active preparation for its defense, never +doubting, however, that the strong fortifications of the Alamo would +prove impregnable to assailants so feeble numerically. Under the +direction of the cautious Spaniard, the town already assumed a +beleaguered aspect, and in addition to the watchman stationed on the +observatory of the fortress, a sentinel paced to and fro on the flat +roof of the gray old church, having orders to give instant alarm in +case of danger by the ringing of the several bells. Silver-haired men, +bending beneath the weight of years, alone passed along the deserted +streets, and augured of the future in the now silent Plaza. The stores +were closed, and anxiously the few Americans awaited the result; +rising at dawn with the belief that ere twilight closed again their +suspense would be terminated. On the morning of the 28th the booming +of distant artillery was borne on the southern breeze. With throbbing +hearts the inhabitants gathered about their doors, and strained their +eyes toward the south. A large body of Mexicans, availing themselves +of the cover of night, sallied from the Alamo, hoping to cut off a +squad of ninety-two men, who, leaving the main body of the Texan army, +had advanced for the purpose of reconnoitering, and were posted at the +old Mission of Conception, some two miles below the town; and here +the contest was waged. The watchman on the church listened intently +as each report reached his ear, and kept his fingers firmly on +the bell-rope. An hour passed on, and the sun rode high in heaven; +gradually the thundering died away. Quicker grew the breathing, and +tighter the cold fingers clasped each other. The last sound ceased: a +deathlike silence reigned throughout the town, and many a cheek +grew colorless as marble. There came a confused sound of shouts--the +mingling of many voices--the distant tramp of cavalry; and then there +fell on the aching ears the deep, thrilling tones of the church bells. + +An intervening bend in the river was quickly passed, and a body of +Mexican cavalry dashed at full gallop across the plain, nor slackened +their pace till secure behind the somber walls of the Alamo. + +At intervals of every few moments, small squads pushed in, then a +running band of infantry, and lastly a solitary horseman, reeling in +his saddle, dripping with gore. Madly his wounded horse sprung on, +when just as the fort was gained, his luckless rider rolled senseless +at the entrance. One deep groan was echoed from church to fortress. +Victory, which had hovered doubtful o'er the bloody field, settled at +last on the banner of the "Lone Star." Against what fearful odds is +victory ofttimes won! The intrepid Texans, assaulted by forces which +trebled their own, fought as only Texans can. With unerring precision +they lifted their rifles, and artillerymen and officers rolled +together in the dust. The brave little band conquered, and the flying +Mexicans left them sole masters of the field of the "Horseshoe." On +the hill which rose just beyond the town stood, in bold relief against +the eastern sky, a tall square building, to which the sobriquet of +"Powder-House" was applied. Here, as a means of increased vigilance, +was placed a body of horse, for the purpose of watching the plain +which stretched along the river. Fearing every moment to see the +victorious Texans at the heels of their retreating infantry, they had +orders to dash in, at the first glimpse of the advance-guard of the +enemy. But night closed and none appeared, and, dreading the morning +light, many lay down to sleep at the close of that eventful day. +Several hours elapsed, and then the Texan forces, under General +Burleson, wound across the valley, and settled along the verge of the +town. The Alamo was beleaguered. + +Forced, as it were, to remain a witness of the horrors of the then +approaching conflict, the cousins strove to cast from them the gloomy +forebodings which crept into their hearts, darkening the present and +investing the future with phantoms of terror. Mrs. Carlton and Mary +were far more hopeful than the remainder of the little circle, +and kept up the semblance of cheerfulness, which ever flies at the +approach of danger. The girls saw but little of the gentlemen, for Mr. +Carlton was ever out in search of tidings from the camp, and Frank, +in opposition to his sister's tearful entreaties, had enlisted +immediately after General Burleson's arrival. His manner, during his +brief visits, was considerate and kind; yet Mary fancied at times +that he avoided her, though, marking her declining health, he had +prescribed some simple remedy, and never failed to inquire if she were +not improving. Still there was a certain something, indescribable, yet +fully felt, which made her shrink from meeting him, and as week after +week passed, her cheek grew paler, and her step more feeble. + +With an anxious heart, Mrs. Carlton watched her failing strength; but +to all inquiries and fears Mary replied that she did not suffer, save +from her cough, and for a time dispelled her apprehensions. + +One evening Mary stood leaning against the window, looking earnestly, +wistfully upon the beautiful tints which ever linger in the western +sky. She stretched her arms toward the dim outline, murmuring slowly: + +"Oh! that my life may fade away as gently as those tints, and that I +may at last rest on the bosom of my God." + +Darkness closed around--the soft hues melted into the deep blue of the +zenith as she stood communing with her own heart, and she started when +a shawl was wrapped about her, and the window closed. + +"As ministering physician, I cannot allow such neglect of injunctions. +How dare you expose yourself after my express direction to keep +close?" + +"I have kept very closely all day, and did not know that star-gazing +was interdicted." + +As she spoke, a violent fit of coughing succeeded; he watched her +anxiously. + +"Do you suffer any acute pain?" + +"Occasionally I do; but nothing troubles me so much as an unpleasant +fluttering about my heart, which I often have." + +"You must be very careful, or your cough will increase as winter comes +on." + +Mary repressed a sigh which struggled up from her heart, and inquired +if there was any news. + +"We cannot learn exactly what is transpiring within the Alamo, but +feel assured the crisis is at hand; some excitement has prevailed in +the garrison all day, and it is confidently expected in our camp that +the assault will soon be made." + +"Oh! may God help you in the coming strife, and adjudge victory to the +side of justice and liberty." + +"Apparently the chances are against us, Miss Irving; yet I regard the +future without apprehension, for the Texans are fearless, and General +Burleson in every respect worthy the confidence reposed in him. Allow +gloomy forebodings no room in your heart, but, like myself anticipate +a speedy termination of the war." + +"Yet your situation is perilous in the extreme; hourly you incur +danger, and each day may be your last. Oh! why will you hazard your +life, and cause your sister such bitter anguish?" Mary replied, with +quivering lips, while the tone faltered, despite her efforts to seem +calm. + +"At least, I could not die in a better cause; and, as the price of +independence, I would willingly yield up my life. Yet Ellen's tears +are difficult to bear; I bade her adieu a few moments since, and must +not meet her again till all is decided. So good-by, Miss Irving." + +He held her hand in his, pressing it warmly, then lifted the cold +fingers to his lips, and quietly turned away. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + "It rains--what lady loves a rainy day? + She loves a rainy day who sweeps the hearth, + And threads the busy needle, or applies + The scissors to the torn or threadbare sleeve; + And blesses God that she has friends and home." + + ANON. + + +"Mary, where is your cousin? I have not seen her since breakfast," +inquired Mrs. Carlton, as the two friends sat conversing in the +chamber of the latter. + +"She laid aside her book just now, declaring it was so dark she +could scarcely read. This gloomy day has infected her spirits; she is +probably in the dining-room. I will seek her." And rising, Mary left +the apartment. + +For two days the rain had fallen in torrents, and now on the third +morning, the heavens were still overcast, and at intervals of every +few moments the heavy clouds discharged themselves in copious showers. +The despondency induced by the unsettled times was enhanced by the +gloomy weather, and many an earnest wish was expressed that sunshine +would soon smile again upon the town. + +Weary with pacing up and down the dining-room, Florence had stationed +herself at the window, and stood with her cheek pressed against the +panes, gazing dreamily out upon the deluged streets. She was roused +from her reverie by Mary's entrance. + +"Florry, I have come in quest of you. Pray, how are you amusing +yourself here, all alone?" + +"Communing with my own thoughts, as usual. Here, Mary, stand beside +me. As you came in I was puzzling myself to discover how those +Mexican women across the street are employing themselves. They +seem distressed, yet every now and then chatter with most perfect +unconcern. There, they are both on their knees, with something like a +picture hanging on the fence before them. They dart in and out of the +house in a strange, excited manner. Perhaps you can enlighten me?" + +Mary looked earnestly in the direction indicated by her cousin, and at +length replied: + +"You will scarcely credit my explanation: yet I assure you I perfectly +understand the pantomime. Florry, look more particularly at the +picture suspended in the rain. What does it most resemble, think you?" + +"Ah, I see now--it is an image of the Virgin! But I should suppose +they considered it sacrilegious to expose it to the inclemencies of +the weather." + +"Look closely, Florry, there are praying to the Virgin, and imploring +a cessation of the rain. I once happened at Senor Gonzale's during a +thunder-storm, and, to my astonishment, the family immediately +hung out all the paintings of saints they possessed. I inquired the +meaning, and was told in answer, that the shower would soon pass over, +as they had petitioned the images to that effect. Those women have +repeated a certain number of aves, and withdrawn into the house, but +ere long you will see them return, and go through the same formula." + +"It is almost incredible that they should ascribe such miraculous +power to these little bits of painted canvas," replied Florence, +gazing curiously upon the picture which was suspended with the face +toward her. + +"No, not incredible, when you remember the quantity of relics annually +exported from Rome, such as 'chips of the Cross,' 'bones of the +Apostles,' and 'fragments of the Virgin's apparel,' which Papists +conscientiously believe are endowed with magical powers sufficient to +relieve various infirmities. I doubt not that those women confidently +expect a favorable response to their petition; and if such +intercession could avail, it was certainly never more needed. Absurd +as the practise appears to us, a doubt of the efficacy of their +prayers never crossed their minds. They are both devout and +conscientious." + +"But, Mary, such superstitious ignorance is entirely confined to the +degraded and uneducated classes. No really intelligent mind could rely +on yonder picture to dispel these clouds, and win a ray of sunshine. +I think you are too hasty in supposing that the enlightened portion +of the Catholic Church place such implicit confidence in images and +relics." + +"What do you term the enlightened portion of the church? Would not its +prelates be considered as belonging to that class?" + +"Most certainly they would, Mary: for doubtless many of the greatest +minds Europe has produced, were and are still to be found among the +Roman Catholic clergy. Yet you would not insinuate that these rely on +the efficacy of such mummery as that we have just witnessed?" replied +Florence, fixing her eyes inquiringly upon her cousin's face. + +"Allow me to ask one question ere I reply. Florry, do you believe the +days of miracles have passed away, or do you suppose that the laws of +nature are still constantly infringed, the harmony of cause and +effect destroyed, and wonderful phenomena still vouchsafed to favored +Europeans?" + +"Of course I do not advocate the theory that miracles occur at the +present day. It is too preposterous to advance in this enlightened +age. There are perhaps natural phenomena, only to be explained +by scientific research; yet in the common acceptation of the term +miracle, I unhesitatingly declared that I believe none have occurred +since the days of Christ and the Apostles." + +"Then, Florry, your position is untenable, for Romish prelates of the +present day do most unquestionably defend the theory of the annual +occurrence of miracles. Bishop ----, whose intellectual endowments are +the constant theme of encomiums, has recently visited Italy. On +his return to America, he brought with him a valuable collection of +relics, which he distributed among the members of his church. Florry, +I can vouch for the truth of what I now say. He declared himself +extremely fortunate in having happened at Naples during the +anniversary of the death of St. Janarius. Said he, 'I repaired to the +place of his martyrdom, and took into my own hand the vial containing +the blood of the blessed saint, now decomposed. As the hour rolled +around I watched the holy dust in breathless anxiety; at the appointed +moment I perceived a change in its appearance, and while I held the +vial in my hand the ashes liquefied and became veritable blood; while +the dark spots on a neighboring stone turned of a deep crimson.' Now +the bishop related this miracle far and wide and priests ministering +at the altar repeated his words to their listening flocks. Sanctioned +by the example of their prelates, do you wonder that the ignorant +masses of the Romish church should implicitly rely upon the +intercession of saints, and place unbounded confidence in the +miraculous powers imputed to relics? Again, the Manuals placed in +the hands of the laity, are compiled under the special supervision of +these ecclesiastical professors, who necessarily indorse all we see +there advanced. In the Ursuline Manual I find this assertion: 'The +Hail Mary was composed in Heaven, dictated by the Holy Ghost, and +delivered to the faithful by the Angel Gabriel!' Now, Florry, does +not this seem blasphemy, bordering on the absurd? What conscientious, +honest, enlightened Christian would unblushingly defend such a +declaration?" + +"But, Mary, admitting as you do, that you believe there exist +many truly conscientious members of this sect, why indulge your +apprehension at the promulgation of its tenets?" replied Florence. + +"I might answer you, Florry, in the words of Henry IV., who inquired +of a celebrated Protestant divine, 'if a man might be saved by the +Roman Catholic religion?' 'Undoubtedly,' replied the clergyman, 'if +his life and heart be holy.' 'Then,' said the king, 'according to both +Catholics and Protestants, I may be saved by the Catholic religion; +but if I embrace your religion, I shall not be saved according to the +Catholics.' Thus Henry most unquestionably adjudged Protestants the +more tolerant of the two sects. Here, Florry, you have the clew to +my anti-Romanism. I fear the extension of papal doctrines, because +liberty of conscience was never yet allowed where sufficient power was +vested in the Roman Catholic clergy to compel submission. To preserve +the balance of power in ecclesiastical affairs is the only aim of +Protestants. We but contend for the privilege of placing the Bible in +the hands of the masses--of flashing the glorious flambeau of truth +into the dark recesses of ignorance and superstition--into the abysmal +depths of papal iniquity. Unscrupulously employing every method +conducive to the grand end of disseminating Romish dogmas, the +fagot, the wheel, and all the secret horrors of the Inquisition, were +speedily brought to bear upon all who dared to assume the privilege of +worshiping God according to the dictates of an unfettered conscience. +If the bloody tragedies of the Middle Ages are no longer enacted upon +the theater of a more enlightened world, it is because the power so +awfully abused has been wrested from the scarlet-robed tenants of the +Vatican, The same fierce, intolerable tyranny is still exercised where +their jurisdiction is unquestioned. From the administration of the +pontifical states of Italy to the regulation of convent discipline, we +trace the workings of the same iron rule. No barriers are too mighty +to be overborne, no distinctions too delicate to to be thrust rudely +aside. Even the sweet sacredness of the home circle is not exempt from +the crushing, withering influence. Ah! how many fair young members of +the household band have been decoyed from the hearthstone and immured +in gloomy cells. Ah! how many a widowed parent has mourned over the +wreck of all that was beautiful in a cherished daughter, snatched by +the hand of bigotry from her warm embrace, and forever incarcerated +in monastic gloom. Oh! tell me, Florry, if compulsory service is +acceptable to all-seeing God? If the warm young heart, beating behind +many a convent grate, yearns to burst asunder the iron bands which +enthrall her, and, mingling again upon the stage of life to perform +the duties for which she was created, oh! where in holy writ is +sanction found for the tyrannical decree which binds her there +forever--a living sacrifice?" + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + + "'Tis the light that tells the dawning + Of the bright millennial day, + Heralding its blessed morning, + With its peace-restoring ray. + + * * * * * + + "Man no more shall seek dominion + Through a sea of human gore; + War shall spread its gloomy pinion + O'er the peaceful earth no more." + + BURLEIGH. + +It was a dark, tempestuous night in December, and the keen piercing +blasts whistled around the corners and swept moaningly across the +Plaza. Silence reigned over the town. No sound of life was heard--the +shout of laughter, the shriek of pain, or wail of grief was stilled. +The voices of many who had ofttimes hurried along the now silent and +deserted streets were hushed in death. The eventful day had dawned +and set, the records of its deeds borne on to God by the many that +had fallen. Oh! when shall the millennium come? When shall peace and +good-will reign throughout the world? When shall hatred, revenge, +and malice die? When shall the fierce, bitter strife of man with +fellow-man be ended? And oh! when shall desolating war forever cease, +and the bloody records of the past be viewed as monster distortions of +a maddened brain? These things shall be when the polity of the world +is changed. When statesmen cease their political, and prelates their +ecclesiastical intrigues; when monarch, and noble, and peasant, alike +cast selfishness and dissimulation far from them; when the Bible is +the text-book of the world, and the golden rule observed from pole to +pole. + +The 11th of December is marked with a white stone in the calendar of +the Texans. During the fortnight which elapsed from the engagement of +Conception, the Alamo had been closely invested by General Burleson, +and brief though bloody struggles almost daily occurred. The besiegers +numbered only eight hundred, while the fortress was garrisoned by +twenty-five hundred Mexican troops. Yet well-directed valor has ever +proved more than a match for numerical superiority. On the morning of +the 11th a desperate assault was made, a violent struggle ensued, +and ere long victory declared for the "Lone Star." With unutterable +chagrin General Cos was forced to dispatch a messenger bearing the +white banner of submission to the Texan commander, and night saw the +Alamo again in Texan hands, and General Cos and his disheartened band +prisoners of war. + +Dr. Bryant had received, during the engagement, a wound in the arm, +which he caused to be dressed, and, placing the injured member in a +sling, strove to soothe the dying and relieve the wounded. Early +he dispatched tidings of his safety to his anxious sister, and now +devoted himself to the suffering soldiery. Midnight found him beside +the couch of pain, and even as he bent to administer a sedative, a +hand was lightly laid on his shoulder. Looking up, Frank perceived the +muffled form of a female, though unable to determine who stood beside +him, for the face was entirely concealed by the mantilla. + +"Can I do anything for you, Senora?" + +"Dr. Bryant, will you leave your people here to see a dying +Mexican--one who fell fighting against you?" + +"Most assuredly, if I can render relief; but, Inez, you should not +have ventured here on such an errand; could no messenger be found? It +was imprudent in you to come at this hour." + +"No matter; I felt no fear of your people, and mine would not molest +me. But I have little time to wait. Manuel is sorely wounded: we bore +him from the Alamo, and he lies at my father's. Can you do nothing for +him?" + +"I hope it is not too late to render assistance; we will go +immediately." And drawing his cloak over the wounded arm, he followed +her to Don Garcia's. Neither spoke till they reached the threshold; +then Frank said: + +"Inez, does Manuel know you came for me?" + +"Yes; he objected at first, but as the pain grew more acute, he begged +us to do something for him. I told him there was none to help save +you. He frowned a little, but nodded his head, and then I lost no +time." + +They entered the apartment of the sufferer, and Inez started at the +change which had taken place during her temporary absence. Manuel +feebly turned his head as the door opened, and his eyes brightened +as they rested on Inez. He motioned her to sit beside him, and she +complied, lifting his head and carefully leaning it upon her bosom. +Dr. Bryant examined the wound, felt the pulse, and stooping over him, +asked: + +"Nevarro, do you suffer much?" + +Manuel laid his hand on the bleeding side, and feebly inclined his +head. + +"Inez, I can only use one hand, will you assist me in binding this +wound?" + +She attempted to rise, but Nevarro clutched her hand and gasped--"Too +late--too late!" + +Resolved to do something, if possible, for his relief, Frank beckoned +to the Don, who stood near, and with some difficulty they succeeded +in passing a bandage round the mouth of the wound. The groans of the +dying man caused even the cheek of the fearless Inez to blanch. She +who scorned danger, and knew not fear, could not witness with out +a pang the sufferings of another. She moaned in very sympathy, and +stroked gently back the straight raven hair, now clotted with blood. +The exertion necessarily made proved fatal; the breathing grew short +and painful, the pulse slow and feeble. Appealing was the look which +the wounded one bent on Inez: he strove to utter his wishes, but, +alas, it was indeed too late. The blood gushed anew from his side, +crimsoning bandage and couch, and dyeing Inez's dress. Dr. Bryant took +one of the cold hands and pressed it kindly. Manuel opened his eyes, +and looked gratefully on one who had at least endeavored to relieve +him. Convulsively the fingers closed over his physician's hand; again +he turned his face to Inez, and with a groan expired. + +Frank took the lifeless form from her arms, and laying it gently back +upon the pillow, closed the eyes forever, and covered the face. + +No words, save "Holy Mary!" escaped the Don's lips, as he quitted the +room of death. + +Inez's lips Quivered, and the convulsive twitching of her features +plainly indicated her grief at this mournful parting with the playmate +of her youth--with her affianced husband. Yet the large dark eyes were +undimmed: and her tone calm, as though the "King of Terrors" were not +there in all his gloom. + +"Inez, I sympathize with you in this affliction, and sincerely regret +that the fatal wound was inflicted by one of my nation. Yet the past +is irretrievable, though painful, and many are, like you, bereft of +friends and relatives. Inez, in your hours of gloom and sadness can +you not think of your reunion with Manuel, where death and parting are +unknown!" + +She had averted her head, and a look of unutterable bitterness rested +on the pale, stern face. + +"I thank you for coming; though you could not give Manuel relief. It +was good and kind in you to try, and none but Frank Bryant would have +done it: again I thank you. I shall not forget this night, and you, +Senor, shall be requited. I trust you are not suffering with your arm; +why is it bound up?" And she laid her hand softly on it. + +"I received a slight though rather painful wound during the +engagement, and placed it in a sling for convenience and relief; but, +Inez, it is well-nigh day, see how the stars are waning. You +need rest, so good night, or rather morning; I will see you again +to-morrow." And Frank sought his sister, knowing full well her +anxiety, and wishing speedily to allay it. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + "Where is the place of meeting? + At what hour rises the moon? + I repair to what? to hold a council in the dark + With common ruffians leagued to ruin states!" + + BYRON. + + +The fierce storm of war had swept over the town, and quiet seemed +succeeding. No sound of strife disturbed the stillness which settled +around. Many had fallen, and the grass began to bud on the grave of +Manuel; no tear moistened the sod beneath which he rested. Inez often +stood beside the newly-raised mound with folded arms, and a desolate, +weary look on her beautiful features, which too plainly indicated +a longing to sleep near him. Yet she never wept; for her love for +Nevarro had been that of a cousin, perhaps not so fervent. Still, +now that his steps no longer echoed at their door, and his deep voice +sounded not again on her ear, a lonely feeling stole into her heart, +and often she crept from her dreary home and sought the churchyard. + +Christmas had come and gone; a joyless season to many saddened hearts +accustomed to hail it with delight. The cousins had returned to +their home, and were busily arranging their yard, and making some +alterations for the New Year. Florence had begun of late to grow +cheerful again, and Mary watched, with silent joy, the delicate +tinge come back to her marble cheek. She seemed very calm, and almost +hopeful; and the spirit of peace descended and rested on their hearth. +Only one cause of sorrow remained--Mary's declining health: yet she +faded so gently, and almost painlessly, that their fears were ofttimes +lulled. + +Dr. Bryant was still engaged in nursing the wounded, and only came +occasionally, regretting often that it was not in his power to see +them more frequently. A change had come over him of late; the buoyancy +of his spirits seemed broken, and his gay tone of raillery was hushed; +the bright, happy look of former days was gone, and a tinge of sadness +was sometimes perceptible on his handsome face. Mrs. Carlton had +spoken on her last visit of Frank's departure. She said she hoped +he would return soon, as his business required attention at home. He +would not leave, however, as long as his services were in requisition. + +One Sabbath morning Inez attended mass--something unusual for her of +late, for since Nevarro's death she had secluded herself as much +as possible. She knelt in her accustomed place, with covered head, +seemingly rapt in devotion, but the eyes rested with an abstracted +expression on the wall beside her: her thoughts were evidently +wandering from her rosary, and now and then the black brows met as her +forehead wrinkled; still the fingers slid with mechanical precision up +and down the string of beads. The services were brief and the few who +had assembled quietly departed. As Inez rose to go, the Padre, who was +hastening down the aisle, was stopped by a Mexican in the garb of a +trader. They stood quite near, and the hoarse whisper of the latter +fell on her listening ear. + +"Meet me at the far end of the Alameda, when the moon rises to-night." + +"I will be there before you: is there any good news?" + +A finger was laid on the lip, and a significant nod and wink were not +lost upon the maiden, who, bowing low before the Padre, walked slowly +away. The day wore on, much as Sabbaths ordinarily do, yet to her it +seemed as though darkness would never fall again, and many times she +looked out on the shadows cast by the neighboring houses athwart +the street. Twilight closed at last, and having placed her father's +evening meal before him, she cautiously gazed down the narrow alley, +and perceiving no one stirring, sallied forth. The stars gave a faint +light, and she hurried on toward the bridge: swift was her step, +yet noiseless, and she glided on like a being from another world, +so stealthy were her movements. The bridge was gained at length and +almost passed, when she descried in the surrounding gloom a dark +figure approaching from the opposite direction. Closer she drew the +mantle about her form, and slackened her rapid pace. They met, and the +stranger paused and bent eagerly forward: + +"Who goes there?" + +The voice was well known. Inez's heart gave a quick bound, and she +answered: + +"Inez de Garcia!" + +"Why, where are you roaming to this dark night, Inez? Are you not +afraid to venture out alone and so far from home?" + +"No, Doctor, I have no fears; I was never a coward you know; and +besides, who would harm me, an unoffending woman? Surely your people +will not molest me?" + +"No, certainly not. But, Inez, I hope you are not bending your steps +toward the Alamo?" + +"I am a friend to the Americans, though they have taken the last of my +family there was to give. Yet I will be true to Mary and to you. Fear +nothing for me, and let me pass on my errand." + +He stood aside. "Bueno noche, Senorita." + +"Bueno noche;" and she glided on. "I fear I have lost time;" and +hastily glancing toward the east, she saw a faint light stealing up +from the horizon. Redoubling her speed she pushed on, but, despite her +efforts, the moon rose with uncommon brilliance as she approached the +place of rendezvous, and soon every object was bathed in a flood of +light. + +The Alameda, which she had just entered, was a long double row of +majestic cotton-woods, which, stretching out in the direction of the +Powder-House, was the favorite promenade with the inhabitants of the +town. Previous to the breaking out of the war numbers were to be seen +here every afternoon, some walking, others playing games, another +group dancing, and the graver portion of the company resting on the +rude seats supplied for the purpose. But their favorite resort was +blood-stained, for the Alameda was the battle-field in the late +desperate conflict, and the smooth surface was torn and trampled by +the stamp of prancing cavalry. Dark spots were still visible, that +were yet damp with gore. Just to the west rose the grim walls of the +fort, distinctly seen through the opening between the trees. Beyond +where the avenue ceased, stood a low, irregular building of stone, +thatched with tule. + +Inez stood at the threshold and listened intently. The place bore a +desolate air, and neither sound nor light betokened the presence of +a human being. It had long been uninhabited, and some declared it was +haunted, so that the Padre had some time before sprinkled holy water +profusely about, in order to drive away the evil one. + +Cautiously Inez tried the fastening; it swerved not beneath her firm, +strong grasp. She shook it slightly: a hollow echo answered back. +Entrance was impossible; and even as she lingered irresolute, the +sound of approaching steps was borne to her listening ears by the +night wind. What should she do? Without a moment's hesitation she +glided swiftly to a cluster of chapperal, and crouched low among its +thorny branches. Inez had scarcely secreted herself, when the figure +of a man, directing his steps to the house she had just left, warned +her to keep quiet. He stood still a moment, then knocked. Drearily the +knock resounded through the empty building. Again was the signal for +admission given, but no response greeted the anxious tympanums. + +"Why in the name of twenty devils don't you open the door?" and he +shook it violently: still no answer. + +"I swear I'll batter it down, and stretch you on it to boot, if you +don't let me in. Why do you keep me waiting? I am too late already." + +"Nay, nay; restrain your impatience," said a voice behind him. + +"By the saints, you are come in good time, Padre. I had well-nigh made +a soldier's entrance." + +"No need of violence, Senor. Why could not you wait in Christian +patience?" + +"Look here, my good friend. I came not all the way from Mexico to +listen to a lecture; and you will do well to save your canting for a +better time and a worse man. So, Mazzolin, just open the door of this +cursed den." + +Roused by the bold language of the stranger, the Padre, though anxious +to learn his errand, was still true to his policy, and could in no +measure compromise the dignity of his person. + +"There is no obligation resting on me to do so against my will, and no +man shall bully or threaten me, a priest of our holy church." He had +partially opened the door, but closed it again. + +Enraged beyond degree, the soldier grasped what little collar was +afforded by the habit he wore. + +"You infernal, canting hypocrite! I swear by Cortes I'll kick you to +a jelly--I'll bastinade you till you won't know the Virgin from the +Devil, if you don't instantly let me in, and keep your lying tongue in +your Jesuit head. Think you to gull me with your holy talk? I know you +all: you are a blessed, holy brotherhood, truly. Have I not seen +your letters to Mexico, you canting scoundrel?" He shook the Padre +violently as he delivered this benediction. + +Now Father Mazzolin, like many of his sex, was fond of supporting his +dignity, and reverence for his sacred person was especially inculcated +by his teachings. Yet when firmly met his threats melted away, and, to +all appearances, his choler too, for he knew full well when to succumb +and when to oppose belligerent demonstrations. The expression of rage +that darkened the face of the soldier, left no doubt that he would +execute his threat if further opposed. And Father Mazzolin, fully +satisfied that the organ of reverence was altogether omitted in his +cranium, thought it best to comply. + +"Ha! you can understand Irish logic as well as the next brave one." +And he entered, followed by the Padre, who ground his teeth with +mortification. + +An hour later they stood again on the threshold in earnest converse, +not perceiving the dark form which fled, on the reopening of the door, +to the old hiding-place. They turned to go in different directions; +the stranger stopped, and calling to the Padre, desired him to keep +well the secret, and in no way divulge a breath of their conference. + +"It could not be in safer hands," was answered back, and they parted. + +A low, bitter laugh escaped Inez's lips as, waiting till it was safe +to venture forth, she rose from the chapperal and hastened homeward. + +"Padre, cunning though you are, we are well mated; there are few like +unto you and me." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + + "I simply tell thee peril is at hand, + And would preserve thee!" + + BYRON. + +Two days later the cousins sat in their front room, Florence intently +reading, Mary watching beside the couch of pain, bathing her aunt's +brow, and chafing the hands. Aunt Lizzy was suffering from violent +nervous headache: all day she had tossed restlessly about, and now, +soothed by the gentle touches on her brow, had fallen asleep. Her +fingers had tightly clasped Mary's small, thin hands, but gradually +relaxing their hold, sunk beside her. Softly smoothing back the +disordered hair, the young nurse failed to perceive the entrance of +Dr. Bryant, and only looked up when a beautiful bouquet of flowers +was laid upon her lap. The feverish glow deepened on her cheek as she +warmly thanked him. + +"I am glad you like them, Miss Irving." + +"How could I do otherwise?" + +"My bunch is equally beautiful," cried Florence, holding it up for +inspection. "Pray, Doctor, how came you so thoroughly acquainted with +our different tastes? You have selected admirably." + +"I am gratified at succeeding so happily in my arrangement of them. +But I hope your aunt is not seriously indisposed?" + +"No, merely a bad nervous attack, to which she is subject." + +"Miss Mary, as you are free from apprehension on her account, can you +take a short ride this evening? I have a gentle horse at the gate, and +if you will trust yourself with me, I think a good canter will benefit +you exceedingly: will you go?" + +Mary sought Florence's eye; it brightened with pleasure. + +"Certainly, Mary; why do you hesitate? I am very glad Dr. Bryant +suggested it; I will take good care of aunt, and the ride will +doubtless benefit you." + +"You are very kind, Doctor; I will only detain you while I change my +dress." And she withdrew. + +"Don't you think she looks much better to-day?" asked Florence, +anxiously, as her cousin left the room. + +"She has certainly more color, but I am afraid it is only a feverish +glow. Let me entreat you, Miss Hamilton, to watch over her with the +greatest care: the slightest exposure might cause a return of that +terrible cough, and in her feeble state I fear for the consequences." + +"She has grown very, very thin, within the last month; but then, when +warm weather comes again, I doubt not she will grow rosy and strong +once more." They both sighed heavily, as though against conviction +each had striven to cheer the other. + +Mary re-entered the room equipped for her ride, and now, for the first +time, Florence thought her cousin beautiful. Beneath her straw hat +floated back from her fair face a luxuriant mass of brown curls; a +bright blush mantled the delicate cheek, and the gentle blue eyes +seemed unusually large and brilliant. A smile dimpled round her lip as +she met the fond glance bent upon her. Florence tenderly clasped her +hand a moment, then kissed her warmly, and bade Dr. Bryant take all +care of her. He promised to do so, and soon they had passed beyond her +sight. They rode slowly, lest Mary should be too much fatigued; and +often the eyes of her companion rested on the frail but lovely being +by his side. + +"Which way shall we ride?" + +"If you have no preference, suppose we go to San Pedro?" + +"You could not have selected more in accordance with my own wishes." + +A long silence ensued, broken only by the clatter of their horses' +hoofs along the gravel path. + +"The prospect of leaving forever these beautiful environs, which I +have so often admired, fills me with inexpressible regret. My heart +clings to San Antonio, though my residence here has been very brief;" +said Dr. Bryant sadly. + +"Do you go to return no more?" asked Mary, with averted head. + +"Yes, most probably I shall never see this place again; for I wish to +visit Europe so soon as my business affairs are arranged at home, and +on my return, shall devote myself to my profession." He fixed his eyes +earnestly on her face as he spoke. + +Slowly the head drooped, till the hat concealed her features. + +"We shall miss you very much when you are gone. Florry and I feel +deeply grateful for your continued kindness, and never--no, never +shall we forget your care of my uncle." + +"Take care--take care; you are dropping your reins." + +He gathered them up and replaced them in her hand. + +"Thank you; I had quite forgotten them." + +"Do you not think it would be best for you and Florence to return to +your friends in Louisiana? This is an unpleasant home for you." + +"It was my uncle's wish that we should remain here, and I know Florry +would not consent to leave, unless some danger threatened. We have +learned to love San Antonio more dearly than any other place, except +our old home;" replied Mary, earnestly. + +"By the bye, I had almost forgotten to mention that I have had a +letter from an old friend, who inquired very particularly after +you--Dudley Stewart; you knew him, I think, in New Orleans. His letter +is dated six months ago; but I am happy to receive it at all during +these unsettled times." + +"We heard of his marriage," said Mary, in a low tone, as the image of +Florence rose before her. + +"His marriage! Oh, no! you must be mistaken. He would most certainly +have mentioned it, for we are old and intimate friends." + +"It was reported that he had married his cousin." + +"Ah! is that all? I am not much surprised that you should have heard +that, for before I left home it was quite current. His widowed mother +was very anxious to make the match; but Stewart assured me he would +never comply with her wishes, as he had fully resolved never to wed a +woman he did not tenderly love; and though quite pretty, Ellen is not +sufficiently intellectual to attract such a man." + +"Are you quite sure of this, Dr. Bryant?" said Mary, in a quick, eager +tone. + +"Certainly; I had it from his own lips." + +"Oh! I"--She stopped short, and her cheek crimsoned, as she met the +piercing glance of his dark eye bent upon her face. Her small hands +trembled so that the reins quivered, and she closed her eyes for a +moment, while the glow fled from her cheeks, leaving them pale as +marble. + +He caught her hand, and steadied her in her saddle. + +"Forgive my inattention, Miss Irving, you are not strong enough to +extend your ride. Your face is very pale, and you look fatigued." + +"Yes, let us go home--home." Her voice was low and faltering, and she +with difficulty restrained the tears which sprung to her eyes. + +They turned their horses' heads, and neither attempted to remove the +restraint which both experienced. They entered the town, and then +seeing her hand glide quickly to her side, he gently said: + +"I am afraid we are riding too fast for you." + +Her lips writhed for a moment with acute pain; but with a faint smile, +which touched him with its sadness, she replied: + +"I am better now--the pain has almost left me, I am very sorry to +trouble you so much, Dr. Bryant," + +"Trouble!" he murmured, as if communing with his own heart. "I see +you do not know me, nor ever will; for none have truly read my soul or +sympathized." A look of bitterness passed over his face, and a sterner +expression rested there than Mary had ever marked before. She knew not +what to reply, for she could not comprehend the change, and even as +she pondered, he pointed to the western sky, and, much in his usual +tone, asked: + +"Don't you think the sunsets here exceed any you ever beheld +elsewhere?" + +"In brilliancy they certainly do. Yet I love still better the soft +tints which often linger till the stars come out. I think they blend +and harmonize more beautifully with the deep blue of the zenith than +any I have seen before, and I have watched sunsets from my childhood." + +"You are right; I have noticed in more northern latitudes a very +perceptible difference in the appearance of the firmament. The moon, +for instance, on cold, clear nights, presents a silvery, glittering +disk, but the soft mellow light of a southern clime is wanting." + +While he spoke, the figure of a woman emerged from a house near by, +and, softly approaching Mary's horse, laid her finger on her lips, +and, pressing a piece of paper into her hand, returned as silently +as she came. Dr. Bryant turned his head toward Mary as he finished +speaking, and, catching a glimpse of the retreating form, looked +inquiringly at her. + +"I believe it was Inez, though the face was entirely concealed. She +did not speak, but gave me this paper," and Mary unrolled the note: + + "MARINITA, + + "Santa Anna has crossed the Rio Grande with eight thousand + men. I warn you of your danger. You can get horses now, for + the Padre cannot control your people. There are brave men in + the Alamo, tell them of their danger. Again I say, fly quickly + from San Antonio. + + "INEZ." + +With a groan, Mary handed him the paper. In silence he perused and +returned it to her. + +"Tell me, was it Inez who warned you before?" + +"Yes, she told me we incurred unknown dangers by remaining here." He +mused for several moments. + +"Ah! I can understand it all now. Several nights ago, returning +from the Alamo, I met her on the bridge alone; she seemed excited, I +thought, and impatient at meeting me, for I questioned her rambling so +late." + +"Inez is a warm friend, and what she advises I feel almost bound +to do, for she is not timid, and only real danger rouses her +apprehension." + +"Eight thousand men! and not two hundred to man the Alamo. Inez is +right; this is not a proper place for you. We will go, as we once +decided, to Washington; and when you are in safety, I will return and +lend my efforts to the feeble garrison." + +They reached the gate, and he gently lifted the frail form from the +saddle; and, drawing her arm through his, led her to the house. As +they entered, he bent his head and said, in, a low tone: + +"Tell me candidly, are you able to undergo the fatigue incident to +this journey? I fear you are not." + +"Yes, I shall perhaps grow stronger; at any rate, if you do not change +your mind, let no fears for me influence you." + +When leaving, he said it was probable that all would be in readiness +for their departure within a couple of days, as he wished to see them +secure, and then return. + +"Mrs. Carlton will accompany us when she learns this terrible news?" +said Mary, inquiringly. + +"Oh yes; I cannot consent for her to remain, and besides Mr. Carlton +has been anxious for some time regarding his family." + +Florence, having read the note, fully approved their promptly +removing, and all necessary preparations were made for immediate +departure. + +Mary longed inexpressibly to impart to her cousin what she had learned +respecting Mr. Stewart, but shrank instinctively from reviving hopes +which might never be realized--hopes which Florence had long since +crushed and cast out of her heart as dead. With an earnest prayer +that her cousin might yet be blessed and happy, Mary determined not +to broach the subject at least for a time. Dr, Bryant without delay +apprised the garrison of the rumor which had reached him, and a +courier was immediately despatched to headquarters for reinforcements +sufficient to defend this important fortress--this key of the +state--from the powerful force now advancing to assault it. Horses +were supplied with alacrity, for he had made many and warm friends, +and two large tents, together with a baggage-wagon, were readily +granted to one who so nobly contributed to the relief of the sick, +wounded, and dying. + +At length every arrangement was completed, and the next morning +appointed for their departure. Aunt Lizzy had objected at first, +but speedily became reconciled when Dr. Bryant painted, in a graphic +manner, the horrors which were about to ensue. + +As the shades of evening came gently on, the girls set out for Mrs. +Carlton's, as from her dwelling they commenced their journey. Aunt +Lizzy remained to give some final direction, and then came a sorrowful +parting with their servants, one of whom took Mary in her arms and +bade God bless her, while the tears rolled over her wrinkled face. +Mary could not repress her own, and she sobbed convulsively. Dr. +Bryant, who had come over for them, laid his hand on the shoulder of +the true-hearted negress, and said: + +"Why, Aunt Fanny, you must not excite Miss Irving; she is not strong, +you know, and has a long ride before her to-morrow." + +"Oh yes, Doctor, it will do well enough for you to tell me not to cry, +but I can't help it, for I love her as if she was my own child, and if +I thought to see her again I should not grieve so much; but I saw her +mother before her, and I know how she grew pale and thin, and then +took to the sofa, and never rose up till she was carried to her grave; +and can't I see that blessed child going just like her? Oh I it's no +use talking to me; she ain't long for this world, and it's hard--yes, +it's hard for her to die away from old Fanny!" and she covered her +face with her apron, and sobbed aloud. + +Mary wiped her own tears quickly away, and taking the hand of her +old friend, led her back to the kitchen. For several moments her +companions waited anxiously for her; and soon she advanced slowly to +meet them. Frank drew her arm through his, and sadly they walked away. +Passing the gate, Mary paused and looked out on the river, where she +had so often sat at this hour; and sad though sweet associations, +infinite in number, crowded upon her mind. + +How calm and beautiful all nature seemed, as though arrayed in its +loveliest garb to chain her affection, that, in after years, the +memory of that western home might steal gently up amidst surrounding +gloom, to charm away the anguish of some bitter hour, and soothe the +saddened spirit. Her heart was inexpressibly touched, and she averted +her head to conceal the expression of keen sorrow which rested on her +face. + +"This view of the San Antonio has often struck me as particularly +fine," said Dr. Bryant, turning to Florence, whose pale cheek alone +attested regret at leaving her home. + +"Yes, I know none superior; and our favorite ramble was along this +bank, and down the river side." + +"Its windings are multitudinous, yet how graceful every curve: and +then, the deep blue of its waters adds not a little to the beauty of +the whole. But we have not leisure to admire it now, for your cousin +must not be chilled, and the wind blows freshly from the north." + +He stepped on as he spoke, but feeling the small hands clasped over +his arm, looked earnestly down into the pale face at his side. Mary +was bending a last, long look on house and tree and river; as they +walked on, the different objects passed beyond her view, and then a +faint moan escaped her lips. She met the anxious gaze of her friend, +and replied to its silent questioning: + +"Forgive what doubtless seems a great weakness. You and Florry can +not sympathize with me now. You will both return ere long, but my eyes +have rested for the last time on each loved object. I have dreaded +this parting from the home that has grown so dear to me--but the pang +is over." + +Her deep blue eyes rested on his face, and touchingly sad was the +expression, as she swept back the clustering hair from her brow. +The lips quivered, as of late they often did when she was excited. +Florence did not hear her words, for she had crossed the street; but +Frank's heart throbbed violently as he listened to her low, sad tone. +Laying his hand on hers, that were tightly clasped, he pressed them +gently, and said, in a slightly faltering voice: + +"For Florence's sake--for mine--for your own, do not give way to such +gloomy forebodings! Your depressed spirits will act injuriously on +your health. Let me beg you to place no confidence in Aunt Fanny's +words at parting; she was herself scarce conscious of their import." + +"I have no gloomy forebodings, no apprehension of the future, and +generally no depressed spirits; but I know full well that my life is +gradually wasting away, slowly, gently, and almost without pain, I +am sinking to an early tomb. Yet I would not have it otherwise if I +could. Death has long lost all terrors for me; I have no fear--all is +peace and quiet. I am paining you. Forgive me, Dr. Bryant; but knowing +that you and Florry were anxious about me, I thought it best to tell +you that I am fully aware of my danger, if so I can term what I would +not avert." + +A shudder crept over the strong man as he looked down at the calm, +colorless face of her who spoke so quietly of death, and of quitting +forever the scenes she loved so truly. + +"I cannot--will not believe you are so ill. You will grow stronger +when we leave this place, and a year hence, when quite well again, you +will beg pardon for the pain you have given me." + +A faint smile played round the thin lips, and in silence they +proceeded to Mrs. Carlton's. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + + "Who's here besides foul weather?" + + SHAKESPEARE. + + +Far away stretched the prairie, bounded, ocean-like, only by the +horizon; the monotony occasionally relieved by clumps of aged live +oaks, which tossed their branches to and fro in summer breezes and +in wintry blasts, and lent a mournful cadence to the howlings of the +tempest. Now and then a herd of deer, lifting proudly their antlered +heads, seemed to scorn danger from the hand of man, as they roamed +so freely over the wide, desolate waste which possessed no visible +limits. And groups of cattle, starting at the slightest sound, tossed +their horns in defiance, and browsed along the mosquit, in many places +so luxuriant as well-nigh to conceal their forms. The day had been +unusually warm for January, and the sun beamed down with a sickening +intensity which made the blood tingle in the veins. Toward noon the +sky assumed a dull, leaden cast, and light flakes of cloud, like +harbingers of evil, scudded ominously overhead. The sun passed the +zenith, and a low sighing breeze swept moaningly across the wide +waste, even as the wail of lost spirits floats out on the midnight +air, and then is hushed forever. + +The cattle that stood leisurely cropping about, and now and then +moving a few paces, lifted their heads, snuffed the air, and, with +a simultaneous lowing, started at full speed to the timbered tracts, +where they were wont to resort for shelter from the winds of winter. +On, on they rushed, till in the distance one might fancy them a +quantity of beetles, or other insects, dotting the surface before +them. Soon not a vestige remained of the flying herd, and happy it was +for them they made good their retreat, and gained a place of refuge +ere the "norther" burst in all its keenness on the unprotected plain. +Wildly the piercing blasts whistled through the trees, and rushed +furiously on, unimpeded by the forests, which in more eastern lands +present a formidable barrier to the progress. The rain began to fall +heavily, when a small cavalcade sought the protection of a clump of +oaks, by placing the leafy boughs between themselves and the beating, +driving torrents. The party consisted of several ladies and gentlemen, +two children, and as many servants; the latter in a wagon, the +remainder on horseback. With all possible speed the gentlemen +dismounted, and, tightly buttoning their great-coats about them, +proceeded to stretch two tents, by means of poles and pins, carried in +the wagon. + +Night closed in, and finding a sheltered spot beneath the trees, +a large fire was kindled, which threw its ruddy light into the +surrounding tents, and illumined the entire grove. The horses were +picketed out, almost within reach from the tents, and the wagon +containing their stores drawn so near as, in some degree, to shelter +them. The servants prepared the evening meal--simple, it is true, yet +enjoyed far more than a sumptuous repast of Indian delicacies, and +untold ragouts, eaten without the sauce of hunger produced by their +long ride. More than a week had elapsed since leaving San Antonio, +and Mary had borne better than they dared to hope the fatigue of the +journey. + +To-night, however, she lay exhausted on her pallet, the thin cheek +bright with fever: gently she declined all that was proffered, and her +hollow cough chased the smile from the lips of her friends. Dr. Bryant +knelt beside her, and taking one hot hand in his own, asked, in a low +anxious voice, if she suffered. + +Turning away her face, she said--"Oh no, not much. There is, however, +such a painful throbbing about my heart I can scarcely breathe. And I +not feverish?" she continued. + +"Yes;" and he placed his fingers on the pulse, beating violently. "I +am afraid you have taken severe cold--the day has been so inclement." +And, with a somewhat unsteady hand, he administered a potion. + +"Don't feel uneasy about me, Doctor, I shall be better when I sleep." +And she turned away, and wearily closed her eyes. + +When the camp-fire burned low, and all slumbered save Mary, who could +not calm her feverish excitement, and lay wide awake, she fancied +she heard steps around the tent. All was silent; then again came +the sound; and raising herself, she thought she perceived some one +standing near the entrance. The figure disappeared, and then followed +a rumbling, stamping, kicking, as though the horses were verily +bewitched. "The Indians!" thought Mary; and quickly rising, she threw +a black mantle round her, and creeping to the door of the tent, +peeped cautiously out. The horses still seemed restless, stamping and +snorting, and she thought she could softly reach the adjoining tent +and rouse the gentlemen, knowing that their arms were in readiness. +She had just stepped out of her own tent, and stood out of doors, when +she caught a glimpse of a dark, muffled figure walking toward her. +The rain had ceased, but it was very dark, and only by the aid of the +firelight, now grown dim, she perceived it. A cold shudder crept over +her, as, raising her eyes to the blackened sky but an instant, she +sprung forward toward the place where she fancied the gentlemen were +sleeping. A hand was laid on her arm, and a deep voice sounded in her +ear: + +"Be not alarmed, Miss Mary, I am here!" + +She trembled so that she could scarcely stand. He supported her a +moment, ere she replied in a whisper-- + +"What causes the disturbance to-night?" + +"I feel assured there are Indians about, though you need fear nothing, +for they are not in sufficient numbers to attack us. There are four +men in our party--nearly a dozen muskets, besides my pistols, and +plenty of ammunition. Were you one of the timid sort, I should not +venture to tell you my apprehensions: but I know that you are not. I +have not slept, or even lain down; and a while ago, I heard the sound +of hoofs approaching. Taking my pistols, I went round to the horses, +and had not waited many moments before I saw two figures, evidently +reconnoitering and planning the abduction of our horses, who seemed +much alarmed. I suppose the intruders must have seen me, for they +suddenly wheeled off and galloped away." + +"Perhaps there is a party not far distant, for whose assistance they +have gone." + +"Possibly, though I think not; but you must not stand on this wet +ground." He led her to the tent, and seating himself near the door, +continued: + +"I shall not sleep to-night, and rest assured you will be most +carefully guarded. You were imprudent to venture out on such a night." + +"What! when I thought there was danger, and none, save myself, aware +of it?" + +"Did you think I could rest, knowing, as I do, how you are suffering?" + +"I never imagined you were up, or watching, for I heard no sound near +me." + +"Well, no matter; sleep, if you can, and dream of peace, and quiet, +and perfect happiness." He sighed heavily as he spoke, and rising, +renewed the fire. + +Mary lay watching him as he paced to and fro in front of the burning +logs--his arms folded across his chest, and his cap drawn over the +brow: gradually a sense of utter weariness stole over her, and she +slept. + +At dawn a bustle commenced in the camp, and preparation made--first +for breakfast, then for moving. + +When Mary came out, her pale face and wearied look attracted Mrs. +Carlton's attention. + +"My dear child, I am afraid you are scarcely able to travel to-day; +did you not sleep well?" + +"Not so soundly as I could have wished," she said, passing her hand +over her brow, as if to remove some painful thought. + +Dr. Bryant acquainted them with the adventures of the night +suggesting, that in future some of the party should watch, as security +for their horses; and all agreed that it was advisable. + +"How readily one might suppose this a gipsy encampment. Miss Hamilton +and myself are quite dark enough to favor the illusion, and Ellen and +Mr. Carlton would pass as of gipsy descent; but what would they think +of Miss Mary? She is decidedly anti-gipsy in her appearance." + +"I can tell you, Uncle Frank," cried Elliot, clapping his hands; "they +would take Miss Mary for an angel that came to our tent, like the one +that came down to see Abraham." + +"Unfortunately, angels never appear in the form of a lady, Elliot; so +you must tax your ingenuity to dispose of me in a different manner," +said Mary, smiling gently on the noble boy beside her. + +"Indeed, I would sooner think you ought to be an angel than any +gentleman I know, or lady either; don't you think so too, Uncle +Frank?" + +"Certainly I do; but, Elliot, you should not have made me say so in +Miss Florence's presence. You forget that she is also a young lady." + +"No, I don't, uncle, and I ask her pardon if I was rude; but I heard +you say Miss Mary was an angel, and though I like Miss Florence very +much indeed, I can't help thinking so too." + +Dr. Bryant's cheek flushed, and he glanced quickly at Mary. Mr. and +Mrs. Carlton and Florence laughed good-naturedly; and laying his hand +on the boy's head, Frank said: + +"My very promising nephew, you will never be accused of want of candor +if you grow up in your present spirit." + +Mary drew the child to her, and whispered in his ear: + +"Your uncle meant that I should soon be in Heaven, Elliot; and I hope +it will not be very long before I am an angel. Don't you see how thin +and pale I am?" + +Elliot's eyes filled, as he looked earnestly at the gentle girl, so +wasted of late, and throwing his arms about her neck, he hid his face +on her shoulder, and murmured: + +"Oh! you must not go from us--we can't spare you even to God! Why +does he want to take you? He has plenty of angels already around him! +Mother and uncle and I had almost as soon die ourselves as see you go +away forever." + +None heard what passed between them; but Mrs. Carlton saw a look +of pain on Mary's pure white brow, and gently drawing her son away, +changed the conversation by asking if it would not be better for Mary +to ride awhile in the wagon. + +"I am afraid she would find the jolting rather too much for her. +However, it will answer as a change, and by driving myself, I can +avoid many inequalities. So, Miss Irving, make up your mind to +relinquish your babicca at least for to-day." + +"You are very kind, Dr. Bryant, but I greatly prefer your riding as +usual. Indeed you need not look so incredulous. I won't allow you to +make such a sacrifice." + +"I was not aware that I was making any sacrifice," he coldly answered, +and turned away. + +Mary's lip quivered with internal pain, but she offered no further +opposition. + +All was in readiness for moving on. Dr. Bryant stood arranging +Florence's bridle, and bantering her on her inattention to the reins. +She laughed in her turn. + +"Indeed, Doctor, don't you think me a capital horse-woman? you will +certainly admit it, after being vanquished in a race?" + +"Really, Miss Florence, I rather think the credit due to your fine +horse than to your skill as a rider. + +"Ah, incorrigible as usual, I see, Doctor!" and she rode off to join +Mr. Carlton. + +Mr. Carlton had placed Mary in the wagon, and carefully arranged her +shawls that she might rest easily. Frank quietly seated himself, and +drove on. + +"I shall not exert myself in the least to entertain you, so you need +not expect it; for having very politely told me you did not desire my +company, I shall not disturb you with my chatter, I promise you, and +take this opportunity to inform you that my tympanums are at your +service the remainder of the day." + +He glanced over his shoulder at the frail form nearly buried beneath +the weight of shawls and cloaks wrapt about her. She smiled, and laid +her head on her arm: as she did so, he, looking at her, failed to +perceive a large stone in the track, and the wheels passing directly +over it caused the wagon to jolt most unmercifully. + +Florence was just in the rear, and, unable to control her mirth, +laughed outright as Frank and Mary bounced up and down; and, riding up +to them, merrily asked "if Mary duly appreciated her good fortune in +having so careful and scientific a driver?" + +Not a little amused, yet scarce able to laugh, the latter replied that +"she did indeed congratulate herself on the change of drivers, as she +would not have survived the day had it been otherwise." + +Frank joined heartily in their merriment. + +"Miss Hamilton," said he, "if you only knew what caused me to overlook +that unfortunate stone, you would be more lenient in your criticisms." + +"I am very sure you will adduce every possible reason in your own +favor, sir, and therefore feel no sympathy for your carelessness," she +retorted. + +"Really you make me out as incorrigible a self-excuser as the heroine +of Miss Edgeworth's juvenile tales; though even she chanced upon a +good excuse occasionally. Come, try me, and see what I can urge in my +own defense." + +"Well, then, I ask you, _a la Godfrey_, what you were thinking of +when you, who had an ailing lady in your cart, drove directly over the +largest rock you have seen in a week?" + +"In the first place, I did not see it. You need not look quite so +incredulous; I assure you I did not." + +"That is very evident, but no excuse at all. Pray, where were your +eyes?" + +"Where nature intended them to be, I suppose." + +"Nonsense! why didn't you use them?" + +"Because I have not the faculty of looking two ways at once, +like Brahma; and my optics were irresistibly drawn in an opposite +direction." + +"A truce to all such excuses!" + +"Patience, Miss Florence, hear me only once more. The reason is, that +I was looking at your cousin over there, and calculating the chances +of her surviving suffocation." + +"There is certainly some danger. Pray, Mary, why wrap up so closely? +AEolus has closed the mouth of his cave, and the warring winds are +securely pent in their prison." + +"Are you not very much edified Miss Mary? I should beg pardon for such +a waste of time and talk, if I were not aware that + + "'A little nonsense now and then, + Is relished by the wisest men.'" + +As Mary made no reply, he turned around and regarded her earnestly, +Her hat had fallen back from the face, which rested on his black +cloak. Every vestige of mirth fled from his countenance as they gazed +on the sleeping girl. The feverish flush had left the cheek, now +perfectly wan; the dark brown hair clung on the pure, beautiful +brow, and beneath the closed eyes were dark circles, traced by mental +suffering. The expression of the face was perfectly calm, yet a +wearied look, as though longing to be at rest, lingered there. So +motionless she lay, that Frank hastily placed his hand on hers to feel +if warmth and vitality remained. Slowly and faint came the pulsations, +and, as he watched her deathlike slumber, his cheek grew pale, a look +of unutterable anguish settled on his noble brow, and the finely cut +lips were tightly compressed, as with some acute though hidden pain. +Florence slowly returned to Mr. and Mrs. Carlton--no smile passed her +lips the remainder of the day; she seemed now, for the first time, +to realize her cousin's danger, and naught could divert her mind from +this new grief. + +Dr. Bryant bent his head upon his breast, and murmured in saddened +tones: "Oh, Mary! Mary! how gladly would I give all I possess on earth +to see you strong and well again." + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + + "And therefore my heart is heavy + With a sense of unquiet pain, + For but Heaven can tell if the parted + Shall meet in the earth again. + + "With Him be the time and the season + Of our meeting again with thee: + Whether here, on these earthly borders, + Or the shore of the world to be." + + CAREY. + + +One day our party had traveled further than on any previous occasion: +long and tedious was the ride, still they pushed on, hoping to reach +some stream ere the tents were pitched for the night, as an abundant +supply of pure fresh water was essential to the comfort of their camp. +In the metaphorical strain of a certain writer--"Phoebus drove his +steeds to be foddered in their western stables." Slowly twilight fell +upon the earth, and, one by one, the lamps of heaven were lit. The +wagon in which Dr. Bryant and Mary rode was rather in the rear of the +party, as the riders pressed anxiously forward. The cool night-wind +blew fresh upon the fevered brow of the invalid, and gently lifted and +bore back the clustering curls. + +"I am very much afraid you will take cold:" and Dr. Bryant wrapped his +coat carefully about her. + +"Thank you:" and she sank back in its heavy folds, and looked up to +the brilliant firmament, where the stars glittered, like diamonds on a +ground of black velvet, in the clear, frosty air. + +"Orion has culminated; and how splendidly it glows to-night, I think I +never saw it so brilliant." + +"Perhaps it appears so from the peculiar position whence you view it. +You never observed it before from a wagon, in a broad prairie, +with naught intervening between the constellation and yourself save +illimitable space, though I agree with you in thinking it particularly +splendid. I have ever regarded it as the most beautiful among the many +constellations which girt the heavens." + +"I have often wondered if Cygnus was not the favorite of papists, Dr. +Bryant." + +"Ah I it never occurred to me before, but, since you mention it, I +doubt not they are partial to it. How many superstitious horrors are +infused into childish brains by nurses and nursery traditions! I +well remember with what terror I regarded the Dolphin, or, in common +parlance, 'Job's Coffin,' having been told that, when that wrathful +cluster was on the meridian, some dreadful evil would most inevitably +befall all who ventured to look upon it; and often, in my boyhood, I +have covered my face with my hands, and asked its whereabouts. Indeed +I regarded it much as AEneas did Orion, when he says: + + "'To that blest shore we steered our destined way, + When sudden dire Orion roused the sea! + All charged with tempests rose the baleful star, + And on our navy poured his watery war.' + +The contemplation of the starry heavens has ever exerted an elevating +influence on my mind. In viewing its glories, I am borne far from +the puerilities of earth, and my soul seeks a purer and more noble +sphere." + +"Your quotation from Virgil recalled a passage in Job--'Seek him that +maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death +into morning.' Oh! how inimitably sublime is inspired language--and +'turneth the shadow of death into morning.' And how comforting the +promise conveyed," said Mary, earnestly. + +"Miss Irving, don't you admire Cassiopeia very much?" said Dr. +Bryant, wishing to turn the current of her thoughts. "I think it very +beautiful, particularly when it occupies its present position, and, as +it were, offers to weary travelers so inviting a seat. Yet often I am +strangely awed, in gazing on the group so enveloped in unfathomable +mystery. Who may say when another of its jewels shall flicker and go +out? And when may not our own world to other planets be a 'Lost Star?' +How childish associations cling to one in after years. I never looked +up at Cassiopeia, without recalling the time when my tutor gave me as +a parsing lesson, the first lines of the 'Task'--literally a task to +me (mind I do not claim the last as original, for it is a plagiarism +on somebody, I forget now who). My teacher first read the passage +carefully over, explaining each idea intended to be conveyed, and +at the conclusion turned to an assistant, and remarked that +'with Cassiopeia for a model, he wondered chairs were not earlier +constructed.' I wondered in silence what that hard word could signify, +and at length summoned courage to ask an explanation. A few nights +afterward, visiting at my father's, he took me out, pointed to the +constellation, and gave the origin of the name, while, to my great +joy, I discovered the resemblance to a chair. Ah! that hour is as +fresh in my memory as though I stood but last night by his side and +listened to his teachings. + +"Yes, who will deny the magic influence of association? After all, Dr. +Bryant, it is not the intrinsic beauty of an object that affords us +such delight, but ofttimes the memory of the happy past, so blended +with the beauty viewed as scarcely to be analyzed in the soothing +emotions which steal into the heart. Such a night as this ever reminds +me of the beautiful words of Willis, in his 'Contemplations;' and, +like Alethe, I often ask, 'When shall I gather my wings, and, like a +rushing thought, stretch onward, star by star, up into heaven?'" + +A silence ensued for several moments, and then the cry of "Water!" +"water!" fell refreshingly on the ears of the wearied travelers, and +the neighboring stream was hailed as joyfully as was in olden time the +well of Gem-Gem. + +Soon the tents were pitched, and a bright crackling fire kindled. +Florence, declaring she was too much fatigued for supper, threw +herself on her pallet. Aunt Lizzy and Mrs. Carlton were busily +unpacking some of their utensils, and Mary, closely wrapt up, stood +by the blazing logs, thinking how cheerful its ruddy light made every +object seem, and wondering if, after all, the Ghebers were so much to +blame, Mr. Carlton joined her; and after inquiring how she bore +their very fatiguing ride, remarked that in a few more days their +journeyings would be over. + +"I shall almost regret its termination. This mode of traveling seems +very pleasant to me, and you, who are strong and well, must enjoy it +much more." + +Just then the sound of approaching hoofs caused her to look toward +their wagon; and she perceived two men mounted, one in the act of +descending, while Dr. Bryant advanced quickly to meet him. + +Mr. Carlton left her. Silently she looked on, wondering who the +strangers could possibly be, when the words fell with startling +distinctness on her listening ear: + +"Dudley Stewart! do my eyes deceive me?" + +"Frank Bryant is it possible I meet you here?" + +The tones of the last speaker were too familiar to be mistaken. She +trembled from head to foot as the past rose before her. Her first +thought was of Florence. + +"Oh, if he is married, this meeting will be terrible!" and her heart +throbbed violently as the gentlemen approached her. Scarce conscious +of her movements, she advanced to meet Dr. Bryant, whose arm was +linked in that of the new comer. They met: the fire-light glowed on +the face of both. + +"Mr. Stewart!" and the wasted hand was extended. + +"Mary Irving! or is this an illusion?" Tightly the hand was clasped. + +"It is I----your old pupil, though so altered, I wonder not that you +fail to recognize me." She lifted her eyes and met Dr. Bryant's gaze, +deep and piercing, as though he were reading her inmost soul. Mr. +Stewart looked long at the face turned toward him. + +"Frank, you did not tell me she was with you! Oh, how changed--how +wasted you are! But what means this black dress?" and his fingers +clutched her mourning gown, while his deep tone faltered. Mary drew +closer to his side, and murmured: + +"Florry is well: but my uncle has been taken from us." Her head sunk +on her bosom as she spoke. + +"Where is Florence?" and he tightly clasped her hand between his own. + +A shudder crept over Dr. Bryant, who had not heard their words, and he +walked quickly away. + +"Florry is in the tent. Mr. Stewart, we heard that you were married; +can this be true?" + +"No, no! Did your cousin credit the report?" + +"Yes; and ere you make yourself known, let me in some degree prepare +her for the meeting." + +So saying, she sought Florence, and asked if she were sleeping. + +"No, Mary; can I do anything for you?" and she raised her head. + +"Yes, Florry, come with me--I want to speak to you." + +Her cousin accompanied her to the door, and standing so that the +tent intervened between them and Mr. Stewart, Mary laid her hand on +Florence's shoulder, and said: + +"I have just learned, Florry, that Mr. Stewart is not married." + +"Mary, Mary! why touch a chord which ever vibrates with the keenest +agony? There is no happiness for me on earth--I have known that for +long, and now I am striving to fix my thoughts, and all of hope that +remains, on heaven." + +Mary linked her arm in Florence's, and gently drawing her forward, +replied: + +"God has not promised heaven as the price of every earthly joy and +comfort. Can you not still hope for happiness?" + +"Mary, I am parted forever from him whom I have loved so devotedly; +yet I cease to repine. I know my lot, and I will pass through life +alone, yes, alone, without a murmur." + +"Not so, Florence--my own treasured Florence!" + +She turned quickly, and was clasped to the heart of him she had sworn +to love alone. + +"Am I dreaming?" said Florence, gazing eagerly up into the noble face +before her. He lifted his cap from his brow, and bent his head that +the light might fall full upon it. A gleam of perfect joy irradiated +her beautiful face, and, leaning her head on his shoulder, she +whispered: "Forgive me--for I doubted you." + +He bent, and sealed her pardon with a long kiss. + +Mary stole away to Mrs. Carlton to impart the good news; Dr. Bryant +had already communicated it. Warmly she sympathized with them in again +meeting an old friend; but Mary heeded not her words, for her eyes +were riveted on Frank's stern brow and slightly curling lip. A mist +rose before her, and catching for support at the tent, she would +have fallen, had not his strong arm encircled her; and soon she lay +motionless in her tent. He stood and looked on her a moment, then +knelt and clasped the cold hands. Mary had not swooned, though +well-nigh insensible, and a low moan of anguish escaped her lips, +colorless, and writhing with pain. + +"Can I do nothing for you?" + +"No, thank you; only do not tell Florry and Mr. Stewart I am ill. It +would only damp the joy of their meeting." + +He left her, and met the lovers as they sought the remainder of the +party. He understood at a glance the position of affairs, and with the +sad conviction that Mary loved Mr. Stewart, and loved him in vain, he +strove to repress his emotion and appear as usual. + +Florence withdrew her hand from Mr. Stewart's clasp, and, with a deep +blush, passed Frank in order to reach the tent. He placed himself +before it. + +"Miss Hamilton, I can't allow any one to disturb your cousin; she is +almost exhausted by our long ride, and I forbid all company, as she +needs rest and quiet." + +"I will not disturb her in the least, I assure you, Doctor." But +he persisted, and she was forced to form one of the circle that now +gathered round the fire. + +Mr. Stewart, in answer to Dr. Bryant's inquiries, replied that he had +long felt anxious to visit San Antonio, but had been detained at home +by important business till within a few weeks, when he set out +for Austin, and obtaining there a sort of guide and companion, was +hastening on, hoping to reach the former place ere the arrival of the +Mexican forces. + +"Having heard," continued he, "that Mr. Hamilton's death left his +family somewhat unprotected, I felt particularly anxious on their +account. Seeing your camp-fire, attracted us in this direction, and +happy am I to meet so many old friends." + +To Florence he had been far more explicit, detailing the causes +which produced a most fortunate change in his circumstances, and his +immediate determination to seek her in her Western home. + +"You will return with us to Washington then, Stewart, as we possess +the treasure you are in search of?" + +"Yes, if none of the party offer any objection," replied he. + +"I don't know that any feel disposed to act so ungratefully: +suppose we inquire however. Miss Hamilton, have you any objection to +receiving, as an escort and protector, this amiable cavalier, who has +wandered so far from home to offer his services?" + +"Frank, it is hardly fair to make her speak for the party; some may +differ with her, on so important a point." + +"You seem quite certain as to her sentiments on this subject. Upon my +word, Miss Florence, if I were you, I should most assuredly take this +occasion to teach him a little humility; for instance, just tell him +it makes no difference with you--that it is perfectly immaterial." + +"In following your advice, Doctor, the responsibility will be +inevitably transferred to yourself; and I must thank you for so +politely relieving me." + +"I see no reason, Stewart, why you should not join our party, and lend +your assistance toward enlivening the tedious hours yet in store for +us; though only a few more days of travel remain, thank Heaven." + +"One would suppose, from the fear of ennui which seems to cloud your +future, that Mary and I had not succeeded so happily as we imagined, +in our efforts to entertain you." + +"Pardon me, Miss Florence, if I have failed duly to appreciate your +kind efforts; though candor compels the avowal, that I was not aware +any extraordinary exertion was made in my behalf." + +"Really, Frank, I should say you have made considerable progress +in raising yourself in your own estimation since last I heard you +converse. Mrs. Carlton, I am afraid this climate is unfavorable for +the growth of at least two of the cardinal virtues." + +"Your insinuation is contemptible, because utterly without grounds. +Miss Florence, I appeal to you, as worthy the privilege of acting as +umpire in this important discussion. Have you ever observed aught in +my conduct indicating a want of humility?" + +"Unfortunately, Doctor, should I return an answer in your favor, it +would be at the expense of a virtue equally entitled to pre-eminence." + +"To the very candid Miss Hamilton, I must return thanks for her +disinterested and very flattering decision." + +Here the conversation was interrupted by a call to the evening meal, +and gladly they obeyed the welcome summons. + +Florence glancing round perceived the absence of her cousin, and +inquired the cause. + +"I dare say she is asleep, poor child," said Aunt Lizzy. + +"She is trying to rest, Miss Hamilton, and I would not advise any +interruption. She needs quiet, for she was sorely tried by this day's +fatigues," observed Dr. Bryant. + +"I am afraid so," replied Florence, an anxious look again settling on +her face. "Oh, I wish on her account we could reach a place of rest +and safety. I fear she has failed in strength since leaving San +Antonio." + +"How sadly changed she has become: had she not spoken in her old, +familiar tones, I should not have known her. I earnestly hope there +is nothing serious in her attack, and that she will soon regain her +former bloom; it pains me to see her so altered," said Mr. Stewart. + +"She cannot possibly improve while subjected to the fatigues of this +journey. I feared she was scarce able to endure it," answered Frank. + +The conversation turned on more agreeable topics, and soon--by all but +Frank, who could not forget her look of anguish--she was for a time +forgotten. + +Mary heard from her couch of suffering the cheerful blending +of voices, though nothing distinct reached her ear; and as none +approached to soothe her by affectionate inquiries, a sense of neglect +stole over her. But too habitually accustomed to judge gently of +others and forget herself, it passed quickly away. She knelt on her +pallet, and clasping her thin hands, raised her heart to God, in the +low, feeble tone of one well-nigh spent: + +"My God, thou readest my heart! Thou knowest how, day by day, I have +striven to love thee more and serve thee better. Yet, oh, Father of +mercies! my soul is tortured with unutterable agony! Oh! on the verge +of the tomb, my heart still clings to earth and its joys. Look down in +thy mercy upon me, and help me to fix my thoughts on heaven and thee. +For long I have known the vanity of my hope, and the deceitfulness of +human things; yet I could not tear away the pleasing image, and turn +to thee alone for comfort. Oh, may peace be my portion the few days +I have to live, and when death comes, be thou with me, my God, to +comfort and take me soon to my home above." + +She sank back in very weariness. "Oh, Frank, how could you so mistake +me?--you whom I have loved so long, how could you believe I loved +another?" + + * * * * * + +In the clear sunny light of morning, how cheerful all things looked; +and to a heart at peace with God, nature seemed rejoicing. The deep +blue vault arching inimitably above--the musical murmuring of the +creek, as it rushed along its rocky bed--the mosquit, bent and +glittering with its frosty mantle, blended with the blazing camp-fire +and the busy hum of preparation for the day, stole pleasingly into the +heart. All the party, save Mary, stood about the fire, warming their +fingers and chatting on the various occurrences of their long journey. +All paused to welcome the invalid, as she joined them with a slow, +feeble step; yet she looked better than she had done since leaving her +home. Restlessly she had tossed on her hard couch, and now the hectic +flush mantled the thin cheek and brightened the deep blue eyes. The +warm congratulations of her friends on her improved appearance brought +a sad smile to her lip, and the expression of Dr. Bryant's countenance +told her that he at least realized her danger. Never had Florence +looked more beautiful, as the clear cold air brought the glow to her +cheek, added to the effect of her mourning dress and the expression +of quiet happiness, imparting an indescribable charm to her lovely +features. + +"As you now stand, Miss Florence, looking so earnestly toward the +east, you seem to me a perfect realization of Willis's Jephtha's +Daughter: + + "'She stood before her father's gorgeous tent, + To listen for his coming. Her loose hair + Was resting on her shoulder, like a cloud + Floating around a statue, and the wind + Just swaying her light robe, revealed a shape + Praxiteles might worship: + Her countenance was radiant with love: + She looked to die for it--a being whose + Whole existence was the pouring out + Of rich and deep affections.'" + +As he looked upon her these lines were uttered half unconsciously; +and then turning to Mary, he gently asked if he might speak what was +passing in his mind. + +"Certainly, Frank--continue your quotation; the lines never seemed so +beautiful before;" said Mr. Stewart, glancing at Florence as he spoke. + +"Doubtless not, Stewart, because never so applied. Miss Hamilton, your +cousin looks more as did the Jewish maiden at close of evening: + + "'Her face was pale, but very beautiful; her lip + Had a more delicate outline, and the tint + Was deeper. But her countenance was like the + Majesty of Angels.'" + +"Dr. Bryant, is it possible you so far forget yourself and previously +expressed opinions, as to make quotations? I thought you a sworn foe +to the practise." + +"On ordinary occasions, I am: and you may rest assured it is the last +time I commit such an absurdity by a camp fire. I think you once asked +me my objection--will you hear it now? When I was quite young, I one +day read an anecdote of the celebrated Greek professor, Dr. Porson, +which gave me a strong bias against quotations, particularly locating +them, which necessarily follows. Porson was once traveling in a +stage-coach, when a young Oxonian, fresh from college, was amusing +some ladies with quite a variety of small talk, among other things +a quotation from Sophocles, as he said. A Greek quotation in a +stage-coach roused Porson, who half slumbered in a quiet corner. +'Young gentleman,' said he, 'I think you indulged us, just now, with a +quotation from Sophocles; I don't happen to remember it there.'--'Oh, +sir,' rejoined the tyro, 'the quotation is word for word, and in +Sophocles too.' The professor handed him a small edition of Sophocles, +and requested him to point out the passage. After rummaging about +for some time, he replied: 'Upon second thought the passage is in +Euripides.' 'Then,' said Porson, handing him a similar edition of +Euripides, 'perhaps you will be so kind as to find it for me in this +little book.' Our young gentleman returned unsuccessfully to the +search, with the very pleasant cogitation of 'Curse me, if ever I +quote Greek again in a stage-coach,' The tittering of the ladies +increased his confusion, and desperate at last, he exclaimed--'Bless +me, how dull I am; I remember now perfectly that the passage is in +AEschylus. The incorrigible professor dived again into his apparently +bottomless pocket, and produced an edition of AEschylus; but the +astounded Oxonian exclaimed, 'Stop the coach! Halloa! coachman, let +me out instantly; there is a fellow inside here that has got the whole +Bodleian library in his pocket. Let me out, I say--it must be Porson +or the devil!' Now previous to reading this anecdote, I must confess +to quite a _penchant_ for quotations, but I assure you a full year +elapsed ere I ventured on another; and for a long time the ghost of +our gentleman appeared, specter-like, before me, whenever I attempted +one." + +When the merriment subsided, Mr. Stewart asked if it was not of this +same professor that a phrenologist remarked, on examining his skull, +that "the most important question was, how the ideas found access to +the brain--once inside, and there are very solid reasons to prevent +their getting out again." + +"Yes, the same. Craniologists admit, I believe, that his was the +thickest skull ever examined; and it is related that when he could no +longer articulate English, he spoke Greek with fluency." + +In a few moments the camp was broken up, and they proceeded on their +way. Mary cast a longing glance toward her horse, now mounted by one +of the servants, and was taking her seat in the wagon, when Dr. Bryant +said: + +"Would you like to try your horse a little while this morning? If it +proves too fatiguing, you can return to the wagon." + +"I should like it very much, if I felt strong enough, but I could not +sit upright so long. Doctor, will you be so kind as to ride my horse +for me to-day, and let William drive?" + +"Certainly, if you prefer it; but may I venture to ask your reason?" + +"You have long been separated from your friend, and naturally wish to +be with him. Do not, on my account, remain behind the party, as you +are forced to do in driving the wagon, but join Florence and Mr. +Stewart, who seem in such fine spirits this beautiful morning. I feel +too weary and feeble to talk, and William will take good care of me." + +He fixed his dark eyes mournfully on her face; she could not meet his +gaze, and her head sunk upon her bosom. + +"Believe me, Miss Irving, every other pleasure is second to that +of watching over and being with you. If, in the proposed change, my +feelings alone are to be consulted, allow me to remain with you." + +"Thank you, Dr. Bryant, you are very kind to remember me so +constantly; my only object was to promote your enjoyment of the day." + +They rode for some distance in silence. + +"This is my birthday; and how little I fancied, on the last +anniversary, that I should be so situated," said Dr. Bryant, as though +speaking unconsciously. + +"How one's feelings change with maturer years. I remember well that, +in my childhood, the lapse of time seemed provokingly slow, and I +wondered why, from year to year, it seemed so very long. The last +three years of my life, though somewhat checkered, have flown too +quickly away. A month ago, I would willingly have recalled them, but +they are lost in the ocean of eternity, only to be remembered now as a +changing, feverish dream," Mary replied. + +"Miss Irving, without the benign and elevating influence of Hope, that +great actuating principle from the opening to the close of life, what +a dreary blank our existence would prove. In childhood it gorgeously +gilds the future; the tints fade as maturity gains that future, and +then it gently brightens the evening of life, while memory flings her +mantle of witchery over the past, recalling, in hours of sadness, +all of joy to cheer the heart, and banishing forever the phantoms of +terror--the seasons of gloom that once haunted us." + +"Yes, how appropriately has the great bard of Time, termed Hope +'silver-tongued.' And then, its soothing accents are felt and +acknowledged in the darkest hour of human trial. When about to sever +every earthly tie--when on the eve of parting with every object +rendered dear by nature and association--when the gloomy portals of +the silent tomb open to receive us, then comes Hope to paint the joys +of heaven. Our reunion with those we have loved and lost--perfect +freedom from sin--the society of angels, and the spirits of the just +made perfect; the presence of our Saviour, and an everlasting home in +the bosom of our God." + +A look of unutterable peace and joy settled on the face of Mary as +she finished speaking and sank back, her hands clasped, and her eyes +raised as though in communion with the spirits above. + +Dr. Bryant's eyes rested with a sort of fascination on her +countenance. + +"You have this hope; yes, already your soul turns from earth and its +vanities to the pure, unfailing fount of heavenly joy. Oh! that I, +like you, could soon find peace and perfect happiness? I have striven +against the bitter feelings which of late have crept into my heart; +still, despite my efforts, they gather rapidly about me. I look +forward, and feel sick at heart. Turbid are all the streams of earthly +pleasures, and fully now I realize those lines, which once seemed the +essence of misanthropy-- + + 'I thought upon this hollow world, + And all its hollow crew.' + +For a time I found delight in intellectual pursuits, but soon wearied +of what failed to bring real comfort in hours of trial." + +"You need some employment to draw forth every faculty: in a life of +active benevolence and usefulness, this will be supplied. Do not give +vent to feelings of satiety or ennui; your future should be bright--no +dangers threaten, and many and important duties await you in life. God +has so constituted us, that happiness alone springs from the faithful +discharge of these. Every earthly resource fails to bring contentment, +unless accompanied by an active, trusting faith in God, and hope of +blessedness in heaven. Wealth, beauty, genius are as naught; and fame, +that hollow, gilded bauble, brings not the promised delight, and an +aching void remains in the embittered heart. One of our most talented +authors, now seated on the pinnacle of fame, assures us that + + 'The Sea of Ambition is tempest tost, + And your hopes may vanish like foam.' + + * * * * * + + 'The Sun of Fame but gilds the name, + The heart ne'er felt its ray.' + +Pardon me if I have ventured too far, or wounded your feelings: it was +not my intention, and I have spoken half unconsciously." + +"Thank you, Miss Irving, for your kind words of comfort and advice. +Fear not that ambition will lure me: I know its hollow, bitter wages, +and cannot be deceived. Yet there is a lonely feeling in my heart +which I cannot dispel at will. Still my plans for the future are +sufficiently active to interest me; and I doubt not that a year hence +I shall feel quite differently. If I could always have your counsel +and sympathy, I should fear nothing." + +"In seasons of trial--in the hours of gloom and despondency--appeal to +your sister for comfort. Oh! she is far more capable of advising and +cheering than I, who only echo her sentiments." Mary pressed her hand +to her side, and leaning back, closed her eyes, as if longing for +rest. + +"I have drawn you on to converse more than was proper--forgive my +thoughtlessness; and, if it would not be impossible, sleep, and be at +rest." He carefully arranged her shawls, and as she lay a long while +with closed eyes, he thought her sleeping, but turning, after a time, +was surprised to perceive her gazing earnestly out on the beautiful +country through which they now rode. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + + "Alas! how light a cause may move + Dissensions between hearts that love! + Hearts that the world in vain had tried, + And sorrow but more closely tied; + That stood the storm when waves were rough, + Yet in the sunny hour, fall off, + Like ships that have gone down at sea, + When heaven was all tranquillity!" + + MOORE. + + +"Peace and quiet and rest for you at last!" cried Dr. Bryant, as they +drove into the village of Washington, and, by dint of much trouble and +exertion, procured a small and comfortless house. But a bright fire +soon blazed in the broad, deep, old-fashioned chimney--the windows and +doors closed--their small stock of furniture and provisions unpacked, +and a couch prepared for Mary, now far too feeble to sit up. The +members of the safe and happy party gathered about the hearth, and +discussed hopefully their future prospects. Dr. Bryant raised his +eyes to the somewhat insecure roof, through which the light of day +occasionally stole in, and exclaimed: + + "'And doth a roof above me close?'" + +"Not such a one as greeted Mazeppa on regaining his senses, Frank; +rather insecure, 'tis true, yet somewhat better than the canvas +covering for which we have been so grateful of late." + +Dr. Bryant leaned his elbow on the mantel-piece, and fell into a fit +of musing, not unusual to him since leaving San Antonio. The servant +disturbed his reverie by requesting room for her cooking utensils. +He raised his head as she spoke, and then, as if utterly unconscious, +dropped it again, without reply. + +"A cigar for your thoughts, Bryant!" said Mr. Stewart, and linking his +arm in that of his friend they turned away. Florence approached +her cousin, and bending over the wasted form, asked if she were not +already better. + +Mary lifted her arms to her cousin's neck, and for a moment strove to +press her to her heart, but strength had failed rapidly of late, and +they sank wearily by her side. Florence sat down and took both hands +between hers. + +"Tell me, dear, if you are in pain?" + +"No, Florry, I do not suffer much now; I am at present free from all +pain. I have not had an opportunity of talking with you for some time. +Florry, tell me, are you very happy?" + +"Yes, Mary, I am very happy--happier than I ever was before; and far +more so than I deserve. Oh! Mary, how miserable I have been; and it +is by contrast that the transition is so delightful. I doubted the +goodness and mercy of God; and, in the bitterness of my heart, I +asked why I had been created for so much suffering. Oh, Mary! my +pure-hearted, angel cousin, how much of my present happiness I owe to +you. Suppose you had suffered me to wander on in the maze of darkness. +At this moment I should have been a desolate, deluded, miserable nun; +clinging to a religion which, instead of Bible truths, filled the +anxious, aching heart with monkish legends of unattested miracles, and +in place of the pure worship of God, gives us mummeries nearer akin +to pagan rites! I thank God that I am released from my thraldom. I +see now the tissue of falsehood so plausible in which all things were +wrapped. Blackness and deceit in the garb of truth and purity! And +it is horrible, to think that he who so led me astray claims to be my +brother! Mary, Mary, how can I tell Mr. Stewart this?--tell him that I +have wandered from the true faith--that I have knelt in confession to +him who cursed our common father! He will despise me for my weakness: +for only yesterday he said he first loved me for my clear insight into +right and wrong, and my scorn of deceit and hypocrisy! Yet I deceived +you; at least, tacitly--you who have ever loved me so truly, you +who have saved me at last, and pointed out the road to heaven. Mary, +forgive me! I never asked pardon of any on earth before, but I wronged +you, good and gentle though you always were. Forgive me, oh, my +cousin!" + +Mary clasped Florence's hands in hers, and though too feeble to speak +very audibly, replied: + +"Florry, think not of the past; it has been very painful to us both, +yet I thank God that you are right at last. You know how I love you: +I would give every treasure of earth to contribute to your happiness; +and now that you are so blest, listen to my counsel. Florry, there is +a cloud no bigger than a man's hand resting low on the horizon of your +happiness--be warned in time. You know Mr. Stewart's firm, unwavering +principals of Protestantism; you know, too the aversion with which he +regards the priests of Rome; it may be a hard task now, but it will be +tenfold more difficult a year hence. Go to him at once, tell him you +were misguided and deceived, and reveal every circumstance connected +with that unhappy period. He will love you more for your candor. +Florry, you turn pale, as though unequal to the task. Oh, my cousin, +you prize his love more than truth; but the time will come when he +will prize truth more than your love! Florry, let me beg you tell him +all, and at once." She sank back, as if exhausted by her effort in +speaking so long, yet firmly retained Florence's hand. + +"Mary, if I do this, it is at the risk of losing his esteem, which +I prize even more than his love. And after all, _I_ cannot see that +truth or duty requires this humiliating confession. Should he ever +question me, I should scorn to deceive him, and at once should tell +him all. But he does not suspect it, and _I_, being no longer in +danger or blinded, need not reveal the past." + +Mournfully Mary regarded her beautiful cousin. + +"Florry, if you conceal nothing now, he will esteem you more than ever +for hazarding his love in the cause of truth. If, in after years, +he discovers the past, he will tell you that, silently at least, you +deceived him, and reproach you with want of candor and firmness. Oh! +there is a fearful risk to run; he will never place confidence in you +again--be warned in time." + +The entrance of Aunt Lizzy and Mrs. Carlton prevented further +conversation, and unclasping Mary's fingers, Florence disengaged her +hand and left the room. + +Two days passed in furnishing and arranging their new home, and Mary +saw but little of her cousin. As evening closed in again, the invalid +watched from her couch the countenance of Mr. Stewart, as he sat +earnestly conversing with her aunt. Florence and Mr. and Mrs. Carlton +were out making some necessary purchases, and Dr. Bryant had been +absent on business of his own since morning. + +"Florence is too young to marry, or even dream of it, at present, Mr. +Stewart; and besides, if I must be candid, I have always entertained +different views for her." + +"Pardon me, but I believe I scarcely comprehend your meaning. You +speak of other views for her; may I venture to ask the nature of +these?" + +"I have never expected her to marry at all, Mr. Stewart." + +"And why not, pray? What can you urge in favor of your wishes?" + +"I had her own words to that effect, scarce a month ago." + +A proud, happy smile played round his lips, and he replied: "She may +have thought so then, but I think her views have changed." + +"But for Mary, she would have been the same;" and a bitter look passed +over her wrinkled face. + +"Excuse me, if I ask an explanation of your enigmatical language; +there is some hidden meaning, I well know." + +"Mr. Stewart, your mother and I are old friends, and I wish you well; +but all good Catholics love their church above every earthly thing. I +should like to see Florence happy, but her eternal good should first +be secured; you are a Protestant, and bitterly opposed to our Holy +Church, and I cannot consent to see her marry a heretic, for such you +are: she is too far astray already." + +"If your niece were herself a Papist, your reason would indeed be +a cogent one; but, under existing circumstances, I am puzzled to +understand you." + +"Were it not for Mary's influence, Florence would even now rest in the +bosom of our Holy Church. She has done her cousin a grievous wrong; +may God and the blessed Virgin forgive her!" + +Mary groaned in spirit, as she marked the stern glance of his eagle +eye, and feebly raising herself, she said: "Mr. Stewart, will you take +this seat beside the sofa? I wish to speak with you." + +Aunt Lizzy left the room hurriedly, as though she had already said too +much, and silently he complied with Mary's request. + +"You are pained and perplexed at what my aunt has just said; allow me +to explain what may seem a great mystery. You are not aware that my +uncle died a Papist. Weakened in body and mind by disease, he was +sought and influenced in secret, when I little dreamed of such a +change. On his death-bed he embraced the Romish faith, and, as I have +since learned, exacted from Florry a promise to abide by the advice +of his priest, in spiritual as well as temporal matters. He expired +in the act of taking the sacrament, and our desolation of heart can be +better imagined than described--left so utterly alone and unprotected, +far from our relatives and the friends of our youth. I now marked a +change in Florry, though at a loss to account for it. An influence, +secret as that exerted on her lost parent, was likewise successful +and, to my grief and astonishment, I found that she too had embraced +papacy." + +The door opened and Florence entered. She started on seeing her lover, +but advanced to them much as usual. He raised his head, and cold and +stern was the glance he bent on her beautiful face. She stood beside +him, and rising, he placed a chair for her in perfect silence. Mary's +heart ached, as she noted the marble paleness which overspread her +cousin's cheek. Mr. Stewart folded his arms across his chest, and said +in a low, stern, yet mournful tone: + +"Florence, I could not have believed that you would have deceived me, +as you have silently done." + +Mournfully Florence looked for a moment on Mary's face, yet there was +no reproach in her glance; it seemed but to say--"You have wakened me +from my dream of happiness." + +She lifted proudly her head, and fixed her dark eye full on her lover. + +"Explain yourself, Mr. Stewart; I have a right to know with what I am +charged, though I almost scorn to refute that of deceit." + +"Not a week since, Florence, you heard me avow my dislike of the +tenets and practises of the Romish Church. I said then, as now, that +no strong-minded, intelligent woman of the present age could consult +the page of history and then say that she conscientiously believed its +doctrines to be pure and scriptural, or its practises in accordance +with the teachings of our Saviour. You tacitly concurred in my +opinions. Florence, did you tell me you had once held those doctrines +in reverence? Nay, that even now you lean to papacy?" Stern was his +tone, and cold and slightly contemptuous his glance. + +A bitter, scornful smile wreathed the lips of his betrothed. "I +acknowledge neither the authority of questioning, nor allow the +privilege of any on earth to impugn my motives or my actions. Had I +felt it incumbent on me to acquaint you with every circumstance of my +past life, I should undoubtedly have done so, when you offered me your +hand. I felt no obligation to that effect, and consequently consulted +my own inclinations. If, for a moment, you had doubted me, or asked an +explanation of the past, I should have scorned to dissemble with you; +and now that the subject is broached you shall have the particulars, +which, I assure you, have kept well, though, as you suppose, sometime +withheld. I have been a member of the Church of Rome: I have prayed +to saints and the Virgin, counted beads and used holy water, and +have knelt in confession to a priest of papal Rome. I did all this, +thinking, for a time, my salvation dependent on it. You know all now." + +Mr. Stewart regarded her sadly as she uttered these words, and his +stern tone softened as he noticed her bloodless cheek and quivering +lip. + +"Florence, it is not your former belief or practise that gives me this +pain, and saddens our future. If you were at this moment a professor +of the Romish faith, I would still cherish and trust you: I should +strive to convince you of your error--to point out the fallacy of your +hopes. When I recall the circumstances by which you were surrounded, +and the influences exerted, I scarcely wonder that, for a time, you +lent your credence and support. But, Florence, full well you know that +this is not what pains me. It is the consciousness that you have +kept me in ignorance of what your own heart told you would show your +momentary weakness, and led me to suppose you entertained a belief at +variance with your practise. You have feared my displeasure more than +the disregard of truth and candor. Florence, Florence! knowing how +well I loved you, and what implicit confidence I reposed in you, how +could you do this?" + +"Again, Mr. Stewart, I repeat that I perceive no culpability in my +conduct. Had I felt it my duty, your love or indifference would not +have weighed an atom in my decision to act according to my sense of +right and wrong." + +He turned from her, and paced to and fro before the fire. Florence +would have left the room, but Mary clasped her dress, and detained +her. + +"Mr. Stewart, you have been too harsh and hasty in your decision, and +too severe in your remarks. Florry has not forfeited your love, though +she acted imprudently. Ask your own heart whether you would be willing +to expose to her eye your every foible and weakness. For you, like all +God's creatures, have faults of your own. Is there nothing you have +left untold relative to your past? Oh! if you knew how deep and +unutterable has been her love, even when she never again expected to +meet you, you would forget this momentary weakness--a fault committed +from the very intensity of her love, and fear lest she should sink in +your estimation." + +"Mary, if she had said, Dudley, I have not always felt as now, and my +mind was darkened for a time, I should have loved her, if possible, +more than before, for her noble candor. My own heart would have told +me, This is one in whom you may eternally trust, for she risked the +forfeiture of your love in order that truth might be unsullied. +How can I confide in one who values the esteem of man more than +the approval of her own conscience? You have said her love was a +palliation. No, you are wrong; it is an aggravation of her fault. She +should have loved me too well to suffer me to discover by chance +what should have been disclosed in confidence. Mary, her love is not +greater than mine. None know how I have cherished her memory--how I +have kept her loved image in my heart during our long separation. I +would give every earthly joy or possession to retain her affection, +for it is dearer to me than everything beside, save truth, candor, and +honesty. I have nothing to conceal from her; I would willingly bare +my secret soul to her scrutiny. There is nothing I should wish to keep +back, unless it be the pain of this hour." + +He paused by her side, and looked tenderly on the pale, yet lovely +face of Florence. + +"Mr. Stewart, shall one fault forever destroy your confidence in +Florry, when she has declared that had she thought it incumbent on her +to speak of these things--if she had felt as you do, she asserts that +nothing could have prevented her revealing every circumstance." + +"Mary, I fear her code of morality is somewhat too lax; and the fact +that she acknowledges no fault is far more painful than any other +circumstance." + +"Mary, I have omitted one thing which I wish him to know. I neglected +to inform you, that the priest to whom I confessed is my half-brother! +I have now told you all; and thinking as you do, it is better that in +future we forget the past and be as strangers to each other. That I +have loved you fervently, I can never forget--neither your assertion +that I am unworthy of your confidence." + +She disengaged her dress from Mary's clasp, and turned toward the +door. Mr. Stewart caught her hand, and firmly held it. She struggled +not to release herself, but lifted her dark eyes to his, and calmly +met his earnest glance. + +"Florence!" + +There was a mournful tenderness in the deep tone. Her lip quivered, +still her eyes fell not beneath his, piercing as an eagle's. + +"Mr Stewart, you have wronged her; you have been too severe." And Mary +clasped his hand tightly, and looked up appealingly. He withdrew his +hand. + +"Florence, this is a bitter, bitter hour to me. Yet I may have judged +too harshly: we will forget the past, and, in future, let no such +cloud come between us." + +"Not so, Mr. Stewart: if I am unworthy, how can you expect confidence +from me? Think you I will change the code which you just now +pronounced too lax? Oh! you know not what you have done. It is no +light thing to tell a woman of my nature she is unworthy of the love +she prized above every earthly thing!" Her voice, despite her efforts, +faltered. + +"Florence, I have been too severe in my language, and you too proud +and haughty. Full well we know that without the love of each other +life would be joyless to both. Ours is not a common love; and again I +say, let us forget the past, while, in future, need I ask you to keep +nothing from me?" + +He drew her to him as he spoke, and passing his arm round her, pressed +her to his heart. A long time Florence hid her head on his shoulder, +as if struggling with her emotion, and then a heavy sob relieved her +troubled heart. Closer he clasped her to him, and, laying his cheek on +hers, murmured: + +"My own darling Florence, forgive me, if I misjudged you; tell me +that you will not remember my words--that this hour shall be to us a +painful dream," + +She withdrew from his embrace, and, lifting her head, replied: + +"I was wrong to doubt your love, or believe that you would think long +of my weakness; but I am innocent of the charge of dissimulation, and +never let us recur to the past" + +She held out her hand, and clasping it in his, Mr. Stewart led her +away. + +An hour later Mary lay with closed eyes, too weary, from +overexcitement, even to look about her. All had left the room, and a +dim light from the hearth just faintly lighted the large, comfortless +apartment. With noiseless step Dr. Bryant entered, and seating himself +in the vacant chair, near Mary's sofa, bent forward that he might +look on the wan face of the sufferer. His heart ached as he noted the +painful alteration of the last week, and gently and softly he took one +of the thin white hands between his own. It was cold and damp, and, +while he pressed it, the dark blue eyes rested earnestly on his face. + +"I hoped you were sleeping, did I wake you?" and he laid the hand +back, as she strove to withdraw it. + +"No, I have not slept since morning." + +"Oh! I am troubled at your constant suffering; is there anything I can +do for you?" + +"No, thank you, Doctor, I wish nothing." + +"All my arrangements are completed, and to-morrow I return to your +home. Can I deliver any message, or execute any commission?" + +For a moment, Mary closed her eyes, then replied in a low voice: + +"If you should see Inez, tell her to remember my gift at parting, and +thank her, in my name, for her many, many kindnesses." She paused, as +if gathering courage to say something more. + +"And tell her, too, that ere many hours I shall be at rest. Tell her +I have no fear, nay more, that I have great hope, and that heaven is +opening for me. Let her prepare to join me, where there is no sorrow +nor parting." + +There was a silence, as if each were communing with their own hearts. + +"You go to-morrow, Dr. Bryant? Then you will not stay to see me die? I +am failing fast, and when you return, I shall have gone to that bourne +whence no traveler comes back to tell the tale. Let me thank you +now, for your unvarying kindness; many have been your services, and +a brother's care has ever followed me. Thank you; I appreciate your +kindness, and earnest and heartfelt is my prayer that you may be very +happy and blest on earth; and when you, too, come to die, may your +end be like mine--free from all fear, and may hope and joy attend your +last moments!" + +Her breathing grew short, and large drops stood on her pure beautiful +brow. + +He had bent his head upon his bosom while she spoke, but now he raised +it, and, taking her hand, clasped it warmly. + +"Mary, Mary, if you knew what torture you inflicted, you would spare +me this!" + +It was the first time he had called her Mary, and her pale lip +quivered. + +"Forgive me, if I cause you pain!" + +Bending forward, he continued, in a tone of touching sadness--"I had +determined, Mary, to keep my grief locked in my own heart, and never +to let words of love pass my lips. But the thought of parting with you +forever is more than I can bear. Oh! Mary, have you not seen for weeks +and months how I have loved you? Long ago, when first we met, a deep, +unutterable love stole into my heart. I fancied for a time that you +returned it, till the evening we met at my sister's, and you spoke +with such indifference of leaving me behind. I saw then I had +flattered myself falsely; that you entertained none save friendly +feelings toward me. Still, I thought in time you might learn to regard +me with warmer sentiments. So I hoped on till the evening of our last +ride, when your agitation led me to suppose you loved another. I saw +you meet Mr. Stewart, and was confirmed in my supposition. I gave up +all hope of ever winning your affection in return. Now I see my error +in believing for a moment that you felt otherwise to him than as a +brother, as the betrothed of your cousin. I know that you have never +loved him, and pardon my error. When I sought you just now, it was to +say good-by, and in absence and varied and exciting pursuits to shut +out from my heart the memory of my hopes and fears. Mary, your words +fill me with inexpressible anguish! Oh, you cannot know how blank and +dreary earth will seem when you are gone! I shall have no hope, no +incitement, no joy!" + +As she listened to this confession, which a month before would have +brought the glow to her cheek and sparkle to her eye, she felt that +it came too late; still a perfect joy stole into her heart. She turned +her face toward him, and gently said: + +"I am dying; and, feeling as I do, that few hours are allotted me, I +shall not hesitate to speak freely and candidly. Some might think me +deviating from the delicacy of my sex; but, under the circumstances, I +feel that I am not. I have loved you long, and to know that my love +is returned, is a source of deep and unutterable joy to me. You were +indeed wrong to suppose I ever regarded Mr. Stewart otherwise than as +Florry's future husband. I have never loved but one." + +"Mary, can it be possible that you have loved me, when I fancied, of +late, that indifference, and even dislike, nestled in your heart? We +shall yet be happy! I thank God that we shall be so blest!" And he +pressed the thin hand to his lips. + +"Do not deceive yourself. Your confession has come too late. I can +never be yours, for the hand of death is already laid upon me, and +my spirit will wing its way, ere long, home to God. Now that we +understand each other, and while I yet live, let us be as calm, as +happy as the circumstances allow. It may seem hard that I should be +taken when the future appears so bright, but I do not repine, neither +must you. God, ever good and merciful, sees that it is best I should +go, and we will not embitter the few hours left us by vain regrets." +Too feeble to speak more, she closed her eyes, while her breathing +grew painfully short. + +Dr Bryant bent forward, and gently lifting her head, supported her +with his strong arm, and stroked off from her beautiful brow the +clustering hair. A long time she lay motionless, with closed eyes, and +bending his head, he pressed a long kiss on the delicately-chiseled +lips. + +"O God! spare me my gentle angel Mary," he murmured, as looking on the +wan, yet lovely face, he felt that to yield her up was more than he +could bear. + +At this moment Mrs. Carlton entered: he held out his hand, and drawing +her to his side, said, in a deep, tender tone: + +"She is mine now, sister; thank God, that at last I have won her, and +pray with me that she may be spared to us both." + +Fervently she pressed his hand, and a tear rolled down and dropped +upon it, as she bent down to kiss the sufferer. Gently he put her +back. + +"She is wearied, and just fallen asleep; do not wake her." + +He carefully depressed his arm that she might rest more easily. Mrs. +Carlton seated herself beside her brother, and whispered: + +"You will not go to-morrow, Frank?" + +"No, no; I will not leave her a moment. Ellen, does she seem very much +thinner since leaving home? I know she is very pale." + +"Yes, Frank; she is fearfully changed within the last week." + +"Oh, Ellen! if she should be taken from me;" and closer he drew his +arm, as though fearing some unseen danger. + +"We must look to Heaven for her restoration, and God is good," +answered his sister, turning away to conceal her tears. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + + "Ah! whence yon glare + That fires the arch of heaven?--that dark red smoke + Blotting the silver moon?... + Hark to that roar whose swift and deafening peals, + In countless echoes, through the mountains ring, + Startling pale midnight on her starry throne! + + * * * * * + + Loud and more loud, the discord grows, + Till pale Death shuts the scene, + And o'er the conqueror and the conquered draws + His cold and bloody shroud." + + SHELLEY. + + +The 6th of March rose dark and lowering, and all nature wore an aspect +meet for the horrors which that day chronicled in the page of +history. Toward noon the dense leaden cloud floated off, as though +the uncertainty which veiled the future had suddenly been lifted--the +crisis had come. Santa Anna and his bloodthirsty horde, rendered more +savage by the recollection of the 11th December, poured out the vial +of their wrath on the doomed town. Oh! San Antonio, thou art too +beautiful for strife and discord to mar thy quiet loveliness. Yet the +fiery breath of desolating war swept rudely o'er thee, and, alas! thou +wast sorely scathed. + +A second time the ill-fated fortress was fiercely charged. Long it +withstood the terrible shock, and the overwhelming thousands that so +madly pressed its gray, moldering walls. The sun went down as it were +in a sea of blood, its lurid light, gleaming ominously on the pale, +damp brows of the doomed garrison. Black clouds rolled up and veiled +the heavens in gloom. Night closed prematurely in with fitful gusts, +mingling the moans and strife of nature with the roar of artillery. +Still the fury of the onset abated not: the Alamo shook to its firm +basis. Despairingly the noble band raised their eyes to the blackened +sky. "God help us!" A howling blast swept by, lost in the deep +muttering of the cannonade. Then a deep voice rung clearly out, high +above the surrounding din: "Comrades, we are lost! let us die like +brave men!" + +The shriek of departing hope was echoed back by the sullen groan of +despair. Travis fell, fighting at the entrance. As the hero sank upon +the glory floor, there was a pause; friend and foe gazed upon the +noble form! His spirit sprung up to meet his God. + +"On, comrades! Travis has fallen! dearly will we die!" + +One hundred and fifty brave hearts poured out their life-blood by +his motionless form, struck down like sheep in the slaughter-pen. But +seven remained: in despair they gazed on the ruin around, reeling from +exhaustion and slipping in gore. There was borne on the midnight air a +faint, feeble cry: "Quarter! quarter!" Alas! brave hearts, the appeal +was lost, for an incarnate demon led the thirsty band. With a fiendish +yell it was answered back, "No quarter!" and ye seven were stretched +beside your fearless, noble Travis. + +Not a living Texan remained. The stiffening forms, grim in death, +returned not even a groan to the wild shout of triumph that rung so +mockingly though the deserted chambers of the slaughter-house. Victory +declared for the wily tyrant--the black-hearted Santa Anna. Complete +was the desolation which reigned around: there was none to oppose--no +not one; and the Alamo was his again! Oh, Death! thou art insatiate! +Hundreds had yielded to thy call, and followed the beckoning of thy +relentless hand: and still another must swell thy specter host, and +join the shadowy band of the Spirit World! + +For three days Don Garcia lay motionless on his couch of pain; even +utterance was denied him, for paralysis had stretched forth her numb, +stiffening finger, and touched him, even while he stood in the busy +haunts of men. All day the din of battle had sounded in his ear; +Inez from time to time stole from his side, and looked out toward the +fortress, dimly seen through the sulphurous cloud of smoke and the +blaze of artillery. + +In the silent watches of the night, the shout of "Victory!" was +borne on by the blast. "My father, the Alamo is taken--Santa Anna has +conquered!" He struggled fearfully, a gurgling sound alone passed his +lips, and he fell back lifeless on his pillow. + +Calmly the girl bent down and closed the eyes, covered decently the +convulsed features, and then, shrouding her face with the mantilla, +stept forth for assistance. The next day saw the Don borne to his last +resting-place. In accordance with the custom of the nation, no female +followed the bier. It was borne by two men, and followed by some dozen +children, and perhaps as many aged Mexicans. While just in advance +strode the Padre, repeating the Latin service for the dead, and +attended by four boys--two bearing censers, one a cross, and the other +holy water. With indecent haste they pressed forward, passing through +the church, and resting the bier for a moment on the altar, while an +Ave Maria was repeated. At a sign from the Padre, the procession +moved on to the churchyard, and, without further ceremony, the body +deposited in consecrated ground. Holy water was sprinkled profusedly +around, and then all departed, leaving him to sleep undisturbed the +last dreamless sleep. + +Night found Inez sitting alone by her dreary, deserted hearth. Father, +mother, sister, cousin, all had passed on before her; and the last of +her house, she mused in her lonely home. A faint fire flickering on +the hearth just revealed the form and face of the Mexican maiden. +Her mantilla lay on the floor beside her, the black hair, thick and +straight, hung to the waist, her brilliant, piercing eyes were bent +vacantly on the fire, her dark cheek perfectly colorless as clay. + +"Who is there to care for Inez now? Who will smooth my pillow, and +close my eyes, and lay me to rest?" + +Her desolation of heart conquered; her head sunk upon her bosom, and +a deep, bitter groan burst from her lips. Slowly she rocked herself to +and fro in the loneliness of her spirit. + +She had not loved her father warmly; there was little congeniality +between them, and her hasty rejection of Manuel's suit mutually +embittered their intercourse. For Nevarro, a sort of sisterly feeling +was entertained, no warmer affection. Yet she could love intensely. A +little sister had waked her tenderness--her heart clung to the gentle +child, so unlike herself. She sickened, and in a day went down to the +tomb: bitter was the grief of Inez, who felt little for her mother, +and soon she too took her place in the churchyard. Dr. Bryant came, +and again Inez loved--again she was disappointed; and now she sat +alone in the wide world, without one remaining tie to bind the future. + +The hour of bitterness had come. She looked upon that dreary future +and her utter desolation, and no gleam of hope stole to her darkened +soul. An almost vacant expression settled on the dark countenance of +the once beautiful maiden. Softly the door was pushed ajar, and the +form of the Padre stood within. By instinct she seemed aware of +his entrance, for raising her bowed head, the black sparkling eyes +flashed, and the broad brow wrinkled into a frown dark as night. He +approached her, and they stood face to face upon the hearth. + +"What do you here, in the house of death, Mio Padre?" + +"Inez, my queen of beauty, I have come to take the prize for which I +toiled. There are none now between us, no, not one. You need not draw +back so proudly." + +A bitter, contemptuous laugh rung out on the night air, and Inez +folded her arms upon her bosom. + +"Truly, Padre, we are well mated! You have opposed me, and I thwarted +you! I am your equal: think you to intimidate me with threats? You +should know better!" + +"Inez, listen! I leave this place before many days. My work is +finished here; there are none to oppose, and I go elsewhere. To Mexico +first, and then to Italy. You must go with me, my proud beauty! I +cannot leave you here!" + +Again Inez laughed her mocking laugh. "Go with you, Mio Padre! No, no; +I must decline the honor. The hour of settlement has come! Alphonso +Mazzolin, for long you have plotted my destruction; and one by one +removed every obstacle in your way, and smoothed my path to ruin! I +have known this--silently I have watched you maneuver. You counseled +Manuel; you flattered him, encouraged his hasty course and overbearing +manner, and caused the rupture between us. You knew my nature, and +foresaw the result. You thought to secure me within the walls of +yonder gloomy convent, and hoped that in time my broad lands would +bless and enrich your holy church! But, Padre, I did not fancy +the home prepared for me in San Jose. I promised to comply with my +father's wish, and fulfil the engagement, much to your surprise and +chagrin. Padre, I would have married Manuel, sooner than second your +plans. I, too, foresaw the tempest that even now howls over us. It +was my only hope, and I said, who may predict the chances of war? The +Americans may yet number the most here, and then your power will be at +an end. Seemingly I was passive, but you are thwarted. We stand face +to face, and I scorn you, incarnate devil as you are. How dared you do +as you have done? Mine eyes are opened--you can no longer deceive me +with your lying legends and the marvelous traditions of your country. +I tell you, I hate you with an everlasting hate. You have led me far +from God, if there be a God, and may my curse follow you, even to your +grave!" + +Fiercely the glowing face was bent upon him. Hate, scorn, bitterness +of heart, and utter desolation mingled strangely in the withering +glance. The Padre seized her arm, and hoarsely exclaimed: + +"We know each other now: no matter, you cannot escape me: if force be +necessary to take you hence, I can command it at any moment. You know +full well my word is law; resist not, nor further rouse me--there is +no help for you save in submission. I will not leave you." + +"Ere I follow you hence, yonder river shall close over my body. I tell +you now I will not accompany you." + +He stepped to the door and whistled faintly. The next moment a +black-browed soldier stood before them. + +"Herrara, she has broken her promise--she refuses to enter a convent, +and she defies me, and scorns our holy church. I somehow expected +this; and I charge you now, suffer her not to pass the threshold of +her own room; guard well the door, there is no window. See you, +Inez, you cannot escape me?" He whispered in the intruder's ear, and, +promising to come again the ensuing day, left the house, carefully +closing the door after him. Lighting his cigarrita, Herrara requested +Inez to seek her own apartment, that he might secure the door outside, +and then return to the fire. Without a word she ascended the stairs +to her own room. A chain was passed about the door, and then the +retreating steps of the soldier died away. + +What should she do? Inez sat down to collect her thoughts, and looked +round the apartment. The walls were of solid rock, and in one corner +was a small grating of four iron bars, which admitted light and +air, but precluded all hope of escape in that quarter. The door was +secured, and no means of egress presented itself. Her eye rested on +her lamp, and a smile lit up the dark countenance of the prisoner. She +threw herself on her bed: slowly the hours rolled--midnight came at +last. She rose and listened--no stir, no sound of life reached her: +she glanced at her lamp, now dim--the light was waning, and softly +stepping across the room, she drew from a basket several bundles of +paper. These she tore in pieces, and placing them beside the door, +drew the lamp near. Inez carefully twisted up her long black hair, and +placed on her head a broad sombrero, which the Don had worn of late; +then taking his Mexican blanket, she slipped her head through the +opening, and suffered it to fall to her feet. Something seemed +forgotten, and after some little search, she found a small cotton bag, +into which she dropped a polonce, then secured it beneath the blanket. +Queerly enough she looked, thus accoutered; but apparently the oddity +of her appearance never once crossed her mind, for, stepping across +the floor, she held the pieces of paper over the lamp till ignited, +then quickly thrust them one by one between the small crack or chink +in the center of the door. It was of wood, old and dry, and caught +like tinder. She watched it burn; the door was narrow, and the +devouring element soon consumed all save the top and bottom pieces +which extended across. These quivered as their support crumbled +beneath them, and soon would fall with a crash. She watched her time, +and gathering dress and blanket closely about her, sprang through, and +though almost suffocated with smoke, hurried down to a small door at +the rear of the house. She stood without and listened: Inez fancied +she heard the crackling of the fire, yet there was no time to lose. +Just before her sat a large stone vessel, containing the soaking corn +for the morning tortillos; drawing forth her bag, she filled it with +the swollen grain, and hastened on to where a small black horse was +lassoed, having his hay scattered on the ground beside him. It was but +the work of a moment to throw on and fasten her father's saddle, which +hung on a neighboring tree, and loosing the hair lariat, she patted +the pony she had often ridden on St. ----'s day, and sprang into +the seat. Slowly she passed through the narrow yard, and entered the +street; pausing, she glanced up at her window, and perceived +through the grating the blaze and smoke now filling the vacant room. +Distinctly the clank of the chain fell on her ear, and turning into an +alley, she galloped away. + +Inez knew it would be impossible to pass over the bridge, and down +the Alameda without detection, for seven hundred Mexican troops were +stationed on the outskirts of the town; and, with the celerity of +thought, she directed her way in the opposite direction, toward a +shallow portion of the river, occasionally used as a ford. Happily +the distance was short; and urging her somewhat unwilling horse, she +plunged in. The moon rose full and bright as she reached the opposite +bank; and pausing a moment, she looked back upon the sleeping town. +No sound of life fell on her ear; and avoiding the beaten track, she +turned her horse out on the grass, and hastened on toward the east, +directing her course so as to pass beyond the Powder-House, which was +dimly seen in the distance. At a quick canter it was soon passed, and +she pressed on to the Salado, some three miles distant. Full well she +knew she would be sought for when morning dawned; and with such speed +she almost flew on, that sunrise found her many miles from her home, +Inez was fearless, or she would never have dared to undertake what +lay before her. Alone, unprotected, in the guise of a man, without +possessing his ordinary means of defense, there was much to risk; for +Indian depredations were frequent, and she must traverse a wide waste +of almost interminable length ere reaching any settlement. + +When the sunbeams played joyously about her Inez stopped to rest, and +eating a few grains of her treasured corn, she allowed her horse to +graze a short time along the margin of a stream, where the grass +was tender and abundant; and then remounting, rode on somewhat more +leisurely than she had previously done. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + + "To die, is landing on some silent shore, + Where billows never beat nor tempests roar!" + + GARTH. + + +Since morning, Mary had lain in the deep, dreamless sleep of +exhaustion: and now the leafless boughs, which waved to and fro +before her window, threw long shadows athwart the wall and across +the deserted yard. Evening was creeping slowly on. Over the wan, yet +lovely face of the sleeper had come a gradual change--agonizing, yet +indescribable. It ever appears when Death approaches to claim his +victim, and it seems as though the shadow cast by his black pinions. +Mary opened her eyes and looked silently on the sad group which +clustered around her couch. Mr. Stewart, alone able to command his +voice, asked if she was not better, as she had slept so gently. + +"All is well, Mr. Stewart--I have no pain;" and her eye again +rested on Florence. Long was the look, and full of deep, unutterable +tenderness. Feebly she extended her hand. + +"Florry!" + +Her cousin knelt beside her, and buried her face in her hands. Mary +laid hers on the bowed head. + +"Dear Florry, I have little time to stay. Do not sadden this last +hour with vain regrets. Ah! my cousin, I thank God that you will be +so happy. When you miss me from your side you will feel lonely enough, +and your heart will ache for me again. Yet, though bodily absent, I +shall not be far away, Florry. My spirit will hover round the loved +ones I leave on earth. Your dead, forming an angel-guard, will ever +linger about your earthly path, and in the hour like this will bear up +your spirit to God. Think not of me as resting in the silent grave. I +shall not be there, but ever near you. I do not say, try to forget me, +and fix your thoughts on other things. Oh! I beg you to think of me +often, and of our glorious reunion in heaven! Florry, there is one +thing which will stand between you and me. My dear cousin, conquer +your pride, cast away your haughtiness, and learn to lean on God, and +walk in accordance with his law. Oh! who would exchange the hope of a +Christian for all that worlds could offer? One may pass through life, +and do without it; but in the hour of death its claim is imperatively +urged, and none can go down to the tomb in peace without it. Florry, +you said last night it was hard that I should die. I am not merely +reconciled, but I am happy! Earth looks very bright and joyous, and if +I might stay, my future is attractive indeed. Yet I know that for some +good end I am taken, and what seems to you so hard, is but a blessing +in disguise. Oh! then, when you are summoned away, may you feel, as +I now do, that the arms of your God are outstretched to receive you." +She held out her hand to Mr. Stewart, who stood beside her: he clasped +it in his. + +"Cherish Florry, and let no shadow come between you. It gives me +inexpressible joy to know that when I am gone you will be near to love +and to guide her." + +"We will comfort and guide each other, dear Mary, and oh! I pray God +that we may be enabled to join you in that land of rest to which you +are hastening." He fervently kissed the thin white hand he held, and +then gently raised Florence. Mary lifted her arms feebly, and they +clasped each other in a long, last embrace. + +"Mary, my angel cousin, I cannot give you up. Oh! I have never prized +you as I ought. Who will love me as you have done?" + +"Hush, Florry!" whispered the sinking voice of the sufferer. "I am +very, very happy--kiss me, and say good-by." + +Gently Dr. Bryant took Florence from her cousin, and then each in +turn, Mrs. Carlton and Aunt Lizzy, bent over her; as the latter turned +away, Mary took her hand, and drawing her down, murmured: + +"My dear aunt, forgive what may have pained you in my past life. We +have differed on many points, but we both know there is one God. Ah! +aunt, in his kingdom may we soon meet again: think of me often, dear +aunt. When I am gone you will be very lonely, but only for a short +period are we separated." + +Dr. Bryant elevated her pillow that she might rest more easily. She +lifted her eyes to his pale face. "Frank, will you turn the sofa that +I may see the sun set once more?" + +He moved it to the west window, and drew aside the curtain that the +golden beams might enter: she could not look out, for the sofa was +low, and sitting down beside her, he passed his arm around her, +and lifted her head to his bosom. For a time she looked out on the +brilliant hues of the setting sun, now just visible above the tree +tops. Slowly it sank, then disappeared forever to her vision. Once Dr. +Bryant had seen her lips move, as in prayer; now the deep blue eyes +were again raised to the loved face bending over her. + +"Long ago, I prayed to God that I might fade away gently, and die a +painless death. He has granted my petition. All things seem very +calm and beautiful--earth ne'er looked so like heaven before; yet how +insignificant in comparison with the glories which await me. Frank, +if aught could draw me back, and make me loth to leave this world, it +would be my love for you. Life would be so bright passed by your side. +You know the depth of my love, yet I may not remain. Frank, tell +me that you can give me up for a little while. Oh! can you not say, +'God's will-be done?'" + +"Mary, it is a terrible trial to yield you up, when I looked forward +so joyously to the future. It is hard to think of the long, long +dreary years that are to come, and know that you will not be near me; +that I cannot see your face, or hear your loved tones. Oh, Mary, you +know not the bitterness of this hour; yet I can say God's will be +done, for I have conquered my own heart, but every earthly joy and +hope has passed away. To our reunion I must ever look as my only +comfort, and I pray God that it may be speedy." + +He bent his head till his lips rested on the white brow, now damp in +death. Wearily she turned her face toward his; he clasped the wasted +form tightly to his heart, and kissed the pale lips; her fingers +clasped his hand gently, and she whispered, "Good-by!" + +"Good-by, my darling Mary!--my own angel one, good-by!" + +Again he pressed his lips to hers, and then rested her head more +easily upon his arm. The eyes closed, and those who stood watching her +low, irregular breathing, fancied she slept again. + +One arm was around her, while the other supported the drooping head. +Her beautiful brown hair fell over his arm, and left exposed the +colorless face. She was wasted, yet beautiful in its perfect peace +and joy was the expression which rested on her features. Dr. Bryant, +leaning his noble brow on hers, felt her spirit pass away in the last +sigh which escaped her lips. Yet he did not lift his head. Cold as +marble grew the white fingers which lingered in his, still he clasped +her tightly. He sat with closed eyes, communing with his own saddened +heart; he was stilling the agony which welled up, and casting forth +the bitterness which mingled darkly with his grief, and he said unto +his tortured soul: "Be still! my treasure is laid up in heaven." + +He lifted the hair from his arm, and gently drew his hand from hers; +yet, save for the icy coldness of her brow, none would have known +that the soul which lent such gentle loveliness to the countenance had +flown home to God. + +Dr. Bryant pressed a last kiss on the closed eyes and marble brow, +softly laid her on her pillow, and left the room. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + + +"All things are dark to sorrow," and the very repose and beauty of +nature seem to the aching heart a mockery. No violent bursts of grief +had followed Mary's death, for so peaceful and painless was her end, +it was scarce allowable. Yet now that she had been consigned to the +quiet grave, a dreary sense of loneliness and desolation crept to +the hearts of the saddened group. They stood assembled at the door +of their new home, to bid adieu to Dr. Bryant. In vain had been his +sister's tears and entreaties, and Mr. Carlton's expostulations. +Florence had clasped his hand, and asked in trembling accents, why he +left them in their sorrow, and Mr. Stewart implored him not to seek +death on the battlefield. + +Firm in his purpose, naught availed. He stood upon the step ready +to depart; his noble face was very pale, and grief had touched with +saddening finger every lineament. Yet his tone and mien were calm as +usual. + +"My dear sister," said he, "in times like these a man should first +regard duty--the laws and precepts of his God! then the claims of his +suffering country; and lastly, the ties of nature and the tenderer +feelings of his heart. Ellen, think how many have torn themselves from +weeping wives and clinging children, and cast their warm love far from +them. The call to patriots is imperative. I have now nothing to detain +me here: it is my duty to lend my arm toward supporting our common +liberty. Do not fear for me, Ellen, my dear sister; remember that the +strong arm of all-seeing God is ever around us, to guard in time of +danger!" He clasped her tenderly to his heart, then placed her in her +husband's arms. + +"Florence, if not again in Texas, I hope we shall soon meet, in more +peaceful hours, in Louisiana; if not, I pray God that you and Stewart +may be as happy as I once hoped to be." He pressed her hand warmly, +and returning the long, tight clasp of Mr. Stewart, mounted his horse +and rode slowly away. + +"Mother," said Elliot, "Uncle Frank has not taken the right road +toward home." + +"Hush, Elliot!" she sadly answered, while her tears gushed anew; "he +has gone by his Mary's grave." + +On that hour, spent at the early tomb of the "loved and lost" Mary, +we will not intrude: it is rendered sacred by its deep, unutterable +anguish. + +Nearly a week passed, and Dr. Bryant had hurried on, riding through +the long, long nights, and only pausing at times to recruit his jaded +steed. He had arrived at within two days' ride of San Antonio, and +too wearied to proceed, stopped as night closed in, and picketing his +horse wrapped his cloak about him, and threw himself under a large +spreading oak to rest, and, if possible, to sleep. An hour passed +on: still he lay looking up to the brilliant sky above. Perfect quiet +reigned around, and he felt soothed inexpressibly. Overcome with +fatigue, sleep stole on, and momentary oblivion of the past was +granted. He was startled from his slumber by the neighing of his +horse; and rising lightly, drew forth his pistols, cocked one, and +turned in the direction whence came the sound of approaching hoofs. +The neighing was answered by the advancing steed, and soon the figure +of both rider and horse was dimly seen; for the moon was not yet +risen, and the pale light of the stars but faintly assisted the +vision. + +"Who comes there?" asked Dr. Bryant, throwing off his cloak, and +stepping up to the stranger. + +"A peaceful Mexican, in search of cows, and some twenty sheep which +strayed away. I think, from your voice, you are an Americano. I am +friendly to your people--you will not molest me, and I will not harm +you." + +"My friend, I rather doubt your word. These are stormy times for a man +to venture out in search of cattle, so far from San Antonio.". + +"I could tell you a piece of news that would satisfy you that I run +less risk than yourself. But, stranger, it's not civil to doubt a +man's word, and make him an enemy whether he will or not." + +"I am willing to receive your proffered proof of sincerity, and hope +to find you unlike your fickle nation. Come, tell the news which +sanctions this long ramble of yours. These are dark days, and it +becomes every man to look well to his own safety, and likewise watch +his neighbor's movements." + +"I will do you a kindness, stranger; turn your horse's head, and let +moonrise find you where you drank water at noon. San Antonio is no +place for Americans now. Santa Anna has taken the Alamo; and every +one of your people lie low. Not one was spared to carry the tale to +Austin--no, not one!" + +Dr. Bryant groaned in spirit, and his extended arm sunk to his side. + +"Oh God! hast thou forsaken us? Surely thou wilt yet listen to the +voice of justice and liberty," he murmured to himself, and there was a +pause. + +"How long since the ill-fated Alamo fell?" he inquired. + +"Five days ago. Hintzilopotchli came down and held his bloody feast, +and cut off many brave men." + +"By what force was the fortress assaulted?" + +"Seven thousand men, led by the great and victorious Santa Anna. Not +long lasted the strife: we were too many for your people, and the +fight was short." + +"And was our noble Travis slaughtered with his brave band?" + +"He was too brave to live. Think you he would survive his comrades? +No! he fell first, and then all followed." + +"Will Santa Anna march to Austin, think you; or, content with victory, +remain in your town?" + +"Truly you give me credit for few brains and a woman's tongue. I have +told you one true tale, can you expect another from a fickle Mexican? +I tell you now, stranger, push me not too closely, if you would hear +what is good for you." + +"Your voice sounds strangely familiar; yet I cannot recognize it +sufficiently to know with whom I am speaking. If, as you declare, +friendly to our people, you will not object to giving your name. +Perhaps I have known you in San Antonio." + +"We Mexicans can tell a friend across the prairie--but no matter. I am +thinking we be strangers, yet I am not ashamed of my name. They call +me Antoine Amedo--did you ever hear of such an 'hombre?' My ranche is +just below the mission San Jose, and I have large flocks of sheep and +cattle." + +"Antoine Amedo," repeated Dr. Bryant, musingly, and striving, through +the gloom, to scan his features. "You are right; I do not know you, +though your voice is familiar." + +"If you have no objection, Senor Americano, I will let my horse picket +awhile, and rest myself; for I have ridden many miles since sunrise, +and not a blessed 'barego' have I smelled." + +"You are at liberty to rest as long as you please: consult your own +inclinations." And he turned away to his own horse, yet marked that +the newcomer dismounted with some difficulty. + +He changed his own picket, that fresh grass might not be wanting; and +returning to the tree, leaned against its huge body, and watched +the movements of the intruder. They were very slow, as if he were +well-nigh spent with overexertion. He took off his broad hat, +smoothed his hair, then replaced it; adjusted his heavy blanket more +comfortably, and drawing forth a sort of wallet, proceeded to satisfy +the cravings of hunger. He ate but little, and returning the bag or +sack to its hiding-place in the broad girdle which was passed about +his waist beneath the blanket, stretched himself on the ground, with +not even a straggling bough between him and the deep blue vault of +heaven. + +No sound broke the silence, save the cropping of the horses as they +grazed near; and, seeking again his grassy couch, Dr. Bryant closed +his eyes, and communed with his own heart. Sleep was now impossible, +and he lay so rapt in thought, that time flew on unheeded. The moon +was shining brightly now, and every object was distinctly seen. He +heard the rustling of leaves and the crush of grass. A moment he +opened his eyes, then closed them, and feigned sleep. + +The Mexican had risen, and softly approaching the motionless form, +knelt on the ground beside him, and listened to his breathing. It was +low and regular, as one in quiet slumber. He bent and gazed into the +upturned face--not a muscle quivered or a feature moved. Stealthily a +hand crept round the collar of the cloak, and lifted a heavy lock of +the raven hair. Smoothing it out on the grass, he drew forth a crooked +blade, which, in accordance with the custom of his countrymen, +ever hung in the girdle passed about the waist. It glittered in the +moonlight; and with dexterous hand he cut the lock of hair: then, +returning the knife to its resting-place, rose, and noiselessly +retreating to his former position, some yards distant, threw himself +down to sleep. + +Dr. Bryant, fully conscious of every movement, determined, if +possible, to solve this mystery. His pistols were in readiness, and, +had violence been attempted, he would have sprung to his feet and +defended himself. He waited awhile, then turned, stretched, yawned, +and finally rose up. He drew out his watch, the hand pointed to two. +He wound it up, and drawing his cap closer about his ears, for the +night was cold, approached his companion and stirred him with his +foot. No sound or movement indicated consciousness; he stooped and +shook him. + +"Antoine, Antoine, get up my friend: you don't intend to spend the +night here, do you?" + +Ameda sat upright, and rubbed his eyes with well-feigned sleepiness: +"Well, Senor Americano, what is it--Indians smelling about?" + +Dr. Bryant could not repress a smile at the drowsy tone of the +ranchero, who scarce five moments before had crept from his side. + +"Upon my word, you seem a match for the seven sleepers of old. Why, +man, if Indians had stumbled on you by chance, they had slung +your scalp on yonder bough. In times like these men should slumber +lightly." + +"Very true, Senor; yet mine eyes are heavy, for two moons have seen me +riding on. But you are up! wherefore?" + +"I proceed on my journey, and wakened you to ask advice and direction, +and request your company, if it be that we take the same route." + +"Jesu Maria! One might think the man had choice! Why, turn your +horse's head, and rest for naught but grass and water." + +The Mexican had risen, and in adjusting his blanket, a sudden gust +of wind lifted his hat, and it fell to the ground at his feet; he +clutched at it convulsively, but it was too late. Dr. Bryant started +back in astonishment: + +"Inez!" + +The head sunk on her bosom, and the hair which had been confined at +the back of her head, fell in luxuriant masses to her waist. + +"Fearless, yet unfortunate girl! what has led you to this freak?" + +A singular group they presented, standing on the broad and seemingly +boundless prairie--the March wind moaning through the old oaks, and +rustling the brown grass. The moon shone full upon them; Dr. Bryant, +with his large cloak wrapped closely about him, and the black cap +drawn over his brow--surprise, reproach, pity, and chagrin strangely +blended in his gaze. One arm was folded over the broad chest, the +other hung by his side. Inez stood just before him, her beautiful head +bent so that the black locks well-nigh concealed her features. Her +father's large variegated blanket hanging loosely about the tall, +slender form. At her feet lay the hat, crushed by the extended foot, +and quivering in the night wind, her hands tightly clasped. + +"Inez, you crouch like a guilty being before me! Surely you have +done nothing to blush for. Yet stranger step was never taken by a +reasonable being. Inez, raise your head, and tell me what induced +you to venture in this desolate region, alone, unprotected, and in +disguise?" + +Inez lifted slowly the once beautiful face, now haggard and pale. +Anguish of spirit had left its impress on her dark brow, wrinkled by +early care. Mournful was the expression of the large dark eyes raised +to his face: + +"Dr. Bryant, I am alone in the wide, wide world--there are none to +protect--none to care for me now! My father sleeps by Manuel's side, +in the churchyard, and I am the last of my house. The name of De +Garcia, once so proud and honored, will become a byword for desolation +and misery! I have said cursed was the hour of my birth! and I now say +blessed is the hour of my last sleep! You see me here from necessity, +not choice, for all places would be alike to me now; but I have been +driven from my lonely hearth--I dared not stay, I flew to this dreary +waste for peace--for protection! There is no rest, no peace for me, +Not one is left to whom I can say, guard and keep me from harm! Alone, +friendless, in this wide, bitter world!" + +"Your language is strangely ambiguous, Inez! Can you not explicitly +declare what danger threatens, and believe that all I can do to avert +evil will gladly be done?" + +"Dr. Bryant, the Padre is my most inveterate enemy! Is not this +sufficient to account for my presence here?" + +"Unfortunate girl! how have you incurred that man's hatred?" + +"It is a long tale, and needless to repeat: enough, that he plotted +my ruin--that the strong, silent walls of a far-off convent was my +destination. And why?--That my flocks and lands might enrich his +precious church. You look wonderingly upon me; strange language, +this, I think you say, for a lamb of his flock. How dare you speak so +irreverently of the holy man, consecrated priest of Rome as he is? Dr. +Bryant, I am no Catholic, nor have I been since you have known me. +It was my policy to appear passive. I attended mass, and sought the +confessional, and all the while cursed him in my heart. I watched him, +and saved your people from destruction. Would you know how? I heard +whispered promises to meet at dead of night. I followed; I saw the +meeting between an emissary of Santa Anna and my godly Padre. At +imminent risk I listened to their plot. You were to be kept in +ignorance of the powerful force hurrying on to destroy you. Santa +Anna was to burst suddenly upon the town, and, ere you could receive +reinforcements, capture the Alamo at a blow. Once in his possession, +more than one of your people were to be handed over to the tender +mercies of my holy confessor. I warned you of your danger, and happily +you heeded the signs of the time; else you, too, would now molder +beneath the walls of the Alamo. His prey escaped him, and with +redoubled eagerness he sought to consummate my destruction. I was made +a prisoner in my own home, ere the sod settled on my father's grave! +I fled in the midnight hour, and you see me here! Dr. Bryant, I +well-nigh cut short the knotted thread of my life; but one thing saved +me, else my body would even now whirl along the channel of the river. +When I parted from the blue-eyed, sainted Mary, she gave me this book, +and asked me not only to read but follow its teachings. She clasped my +hand, and told me to remember God, and the eternity which awaited me, +and the judgment of that other, final world. Oh! if there be a heaven +and a purgatory! a God and a judge! if I sink to perdition, one alone +is to blame. He told me he had power to forgive my sins; that the +more completely I obeyed him on earth, the more blessed I should be in +heaven. Yet I have heard him lie, and seen him set aside the rules of +humanity and the laws of God! Mary's Bible tells me 'to keep holy the +Sabbath day.' Yet, from my childhood, I have seen our Priests at mass +on Sabbath morning, and at monte and cock-fights on the evening of the +same day! And I have seen them take from the widow, as the burial-fee +of her husband, the last cow she possessed. I saw these things, and +I said, there is no God, or he would not suffer such as these to +minister as his chosen servants upon the earth. I said in my heart, +purgatory is but a lie made to keep pace with their marvelous legends +and frequent miracles! There is not a purgatory, or they would fear +the retribution in store for them. I had none to teach me aright. +I mocked at the thought of religion. I said there is none on the +earth--it is merely a system of gain, and all that constitutes the +difference is, that some are by nature more of devils, and others +gifted with milder hearts. But I saw Mary--pure angel that she is--I +saw her with the sick and the dying: she railed not at our priest, as +he at her. She carried her Bible to the bed of death, and told them to +look to God for themselves. She bade them leave off saint-worship, and +cling to Jesus as their only Mediator. Peace followed her steps, and +much good she would have done, but my Padre interfered, peremptorily +ordered all good Papists to shun her as they would an incarnate demon, +and frightened many into submission with his marvelous tales and +threats of purgatory. I said to myself, if there be truth in God and +religion, this Mary walketh in the right path, for like an angel +of mercy and light she ever seems. She was the hope, the joy, the +blessing of all who knew her. Oh! I will come to you, Mary, and learn +of you, and die near, that you may be with me in the hour of rest." + +Inez sank on the ground, and burying her face in her arms, rocked +herself to and fro. Dr. Bryant had listened to her rambling, +incoherent language, like one in a dream, till the name of Mary passed +her lips, and then his head sank upon his chest, and he groaned in the +anguish of his tortured spirit. + +Inez held in one hand the small Bible given at parting; his eye fell +upon it, and he stepped nearer to her: + +"Inez, the Mary you have loved rests no longer on earth. She has +passed away, and dwells in heaven. She was true to God, and his holy +law, and great is her reward. Scarce a week since I laid her in her +quiet grave, yet not there either, but yielded her up to the arms of +God!" + +He paused, for his deep tone faltered. Inez rose quickly to her feet +as he spoke, and gazed vacantly on his face. + +"Mary gone forever! Mary in heaven! Shall I never again see her, sweet +angel of truth and purity, with her soft blue eyes, so full of holy +love and gentleness? Oh, Mary, thou art blessed! thou art at rest! +When shall I, too, find eternal rest? Ere long, Mary, I, too, will +sleep the last, unbroken, dreamless sleep!" + +Dr. Bryant laid his hand on the sacred volume, and would have drawn +it from her clasp; but tightening her hold, she shook her head, and +mournfully exclaimed: + +"No, no; it is mine! When I die, it shall be my pillow; while I live, +it rests near my heart, and in the churchyard I will not let it go. +You have no right to claim it: you have not loved her as I have done. +She loved you, yet you heeded not the jewel that might have, even now, +been your own!" + +"Inez, I have loved--I do love her, as none other can! Too late I +found my love returned. Had God spared her to me, she would have been +my wife. Oh, Mary, Mary! my own cherished one! May thy spirit hover +round me now, as in life thou wert my guardian angel! Inez, I, too, +have suffered, and severely. I have little to anticipate in life, +yet I am not desponding as you; my faith in God and his unchanging +goodness is unshaken. Let us both so live that we may join my Mary in +glory." + +Inez answered not, but passed her hand wearily across her brow. + +"Inez, which will you do? retain your disguise, and go with me, or +return to your old home? I am not going to Austin, but to Goliad, to +join the Texans there; will you accompany me, and claim the protection +of our banner? All that a brother could, I will gladly do; with me you +are safe, at least for a time; and when the storm of war has passed, I +doubt not your home will again be happy." + +"I know you, Dr. Bryant, and I know that you are true to God, and keep +his law. I will go with you to Goliad, and there we will decide what I +must do. Oh! I am weary and sick at heart, and not long will I burden +you." + +She stooped, and picking up the hat, replaced it on her head, and +turned toward her horse. + +Frank kindly took her hand. + +"Inez, do not despond. I trust all may yet be well with you, and rest +assured it gives me heartfelt pleasure to be enabled to render you +a service, and take you to a place of safety. But your hand is +hot--burning: it is feverish excitement from which you suffer. When we +have reached Goliad, and you can rest, I doubt not your strength and +spirits will return; meantime take one of my pistols, it is loaded, +and, in case of danger, will render good service." + +She took the proffered weapon, and having secured it in the +girdle, turned to mount her horse. Frank assisted in arranging the +accouterments, and, springing upon his own recruited steed, they +turned their faces southward. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + + "Our bosoms we'll bare to the glorious strife, + And our oath is recorded on high, + To prevail in the cause that is dearer than life, + Or crushed in its ruins to die. + + * * * * * + + And leaving in battle no blot on his name, + Look proudly to heaven, from the death-bed of fame." + + CAMPBELL. + + +A bloody seal was set upon thee, oh! Goliad. A gory banner bound +around thy name; and centuries shall slowly roll ere thou art blotted +from the memory of man. The annals of the dim and darkened past afford +no parallel for the inhuman deed, so calmly, so deliberately committed +within thy precincts; and the demon perpetrator escaped unpunished! +A perfect appreciation of the spirit of the text--"Vengeance is +mine, saith the Lord; I will repay," alone can sanction the apathy +manifested by one to whom the world looked as the avenger of his +murdered countrymen. + +Rumors of the fall of the Alamo, the overwhelming force of Santa Anna, +and his own imminent danger, had reached Colonel Fanning. In vain he +entreated reinforcements, in vain urged the risk hourly incurred. The +Texan councils bade him save himself by flight. "Retreat, fly from the +post committed to my keeping!" The words sounded like a knell on the +ear of the noble man to whom they were addressed. He groaned in the +anguish of his spirit, "I will not leave this fortress--Travis fell +defending with his latest breath the Alamo! Oh, Crocket! Bowie! can +I do better than follow thy example, and give my life in this true +cause?" + +An untimely death--the separation and misery of his darling family, +weighed not an atom! "Patria infelici fidelis!" was ever his motto, +and unfaltering was his own step. There came a messenger from +headquarters--"Abandon Goliad, and retreat!" + +"Colonel, you will not sound a retreat?" and Dr. Bryant laid his hand +upon his commander's arm. + +"My God! it is a fearful thing to decide the destinies of four hundred +brave men! Bryant, if we remain it is certain death--the tragedy of +San Antonio will be reacted in our case!" + +"Colonel, you must remember the old saw--'He that fights and runs +away, lives to fight another day,'" said a timeworn ranger, settling +his collar with perfect nonchalance. + +"Why, Furgeson, do you counsel flight? My brave comrade, bethink +yourself!" + +"Well, Colonel, it is something strange for me to say run; but when I +do say it, I am in earnest. The most hot-headed fellow in our company +dare not say I lack courage: you know as well as I do what they call +me--'Bulldog Furgeson,' but who feels like fighting the grand devil +himself, and his legion of imps to boot? I am a lone man and have +nothing in particular to live for, it's true; but it is some object +with me to do the most service I can for our Lone blessed Star! I +should like a game with old 'Santy' in a clear ring, and fair play; +but I am thinking we had best take French leave of this place, and +join the main body where we can fight with some chance ahead. Now +that's my opinion, but if you don't believe that doctrine, and want to +take the 'old bull right by the horns,' I say let's at him." + +A smile passed over the face of his commander. + +"Thank you, Furgeson, and rest assured I shall not doubt your stanch +support in time of need." + +Again the broad brow contracted, and, linking his arm in that of Dr. +Bryant, he paced to and fro, engrossed in earnest, anxious thought. +Pausing at length, he pointed to his troops, awaiting in silence his +commands. + +"Bryant, at least half those brave fellows have wives and children, +and bright homes, beckoning them away, yet see them calmly trust to +me in this trying hour. Should my order go forth to man the fort, and +meet the worst, I know full well not a murmur would be heard. Still it +is equally certain that, if we brave the conflict, not one of us +shall survive to tell the tale. What am I to do? Make this a second +Thermopylae?" + +"Peculiarly painful, I know full well, is the situation in which you +are placed. Yet one strong argument remains to be urged. Colonel, if +we desert Goliad, and sound a retreat, we cannot escape. The force of +the enemy is too powerful, their movements too rapid, to allow us to +retire to a place of safety without a desperate encounter. Is it not +better policy to remain here, and meet the shock?" + +"If we fight at all it must be at fearful odds; four hundred to six +thousand! Yet, should I follow the dictates of my own heart, I would +not give one inch!--no, not one! Dearly they should buy the ground on +which I stand!" + +"Colonel, shall we not meet them on this spot and lay down our lives, +as did our brethren of the Alamo?" + +"No, by Jove! I shall have to leave, whether I will or not!" And +crumpling the note of orders, he tossed it to the ground, and pressed +it with his heel. + +He stepped forth, and drawing his military cap about his eyes, folded +his arms upon his broad chest, and addressed his troops: + +"Comrades! Retreat is no test of an army's bravery, neither the +courage of its commander. In every age and nation, circumstances have +occurred in which the cause of liberty, or the general welfare of +the state, has been promoted by timely flight rather than desperate +engagements. 'The Swamp Fox' often retired to his island of refuge, +safe from invading bands--the daring Sumter was forced at times to +retreat; and even our great Washington fled from superior forces, and +waited till a more convenient season. Fellow-soldiers: there is one of +two steps to be immediately taken. We will stand to our post, and fall +to a man, like Travis and his noble band, and our names will go down +to posterity as did the Spartans of old, + + 'Wreathed with honor, and immortal fame;' + +or else we set out at once for headquarters, consolidate our forces, +and march united to oppose Santa Anna. + +"Comrades, which will ye do?" + +No sound was heard along the ranks, each bent his head and communed +with his own spirit; and the image of their distant, yet cherished +homes, rose up and murmured--"Remember thy weeping wife and thy +fair-browed boy; who will guard them when thou art gone?" + +The eagle eye of their brave leader was piercingly bent on the +mute assemblage; the momentary gleam of hope that lighted his noble +countenance faded away. There came a faint sound of rising voices--it +swelled louder, and louder still: + +"God bless our noble Colonel! our brave Fanning! With him is the +issue. Say but the word, and we will follow!" + +"Bryant, I cannot sign their death-warrant!" he said in a low, subdued +tone, sinking his head upon his breast. He lifted himself up, and +raising his voice, calmly replied: + +"Had I not received orders to retreat, and if I were not fully aware +that lingering here insured our total destruction, I should scorn to +turn my back upon Goliad! Oh! gladly I would die in its defense; +but your fate is too entirely in my hands to admit of following +my individual wishes! None know the pang it causes me to sound a +'Retreat,' yet it may be, that the success of our cause demands it +at my hands, and therefore I say, 'Retreat, comrades!'--at dawn +to-morrow, we move from Goliad." + +The decree went forth, and the ensuing day saw the doomed band moving +eastward toward headquarters they were destined never to reach. + +On arriving at Goliad, Dr. Bryant had immediately enlisted, after +placing Inez in safety at the house of an aged Senora of her nation; +and no sooner was it decided to leave the town the following day than +he sought his Spanish friend. + +She was sitting alone when he entered, and quickly rising, placed a +seat for him. + +"Thank you, Inez, I have only a moment to remain--I come to say +good-by." + +"Which way do your people go now?" she hoarsely asked. + +"Santa Anna is marching with overwhelming forces toward us, and +Colonel Fanning thinks it advisable to retire to headquarters. We set +out at dawn to-morrow." + +"You cannot escape by flight: it were better to remain here. I tell +you now, if you leave Goliad, you will be cut off to a man." + +"Inez, my own feelings would strongly incline me to follow your +advice, but it has been decided otherwise!' + +"Then, if you must go, I go with you!" + +"Impossible, Inez, impossible! you know not what you say! For you to +venture from this place under existing circumstances, beset as we are +on every hand with dangers seen and unseen,--would be the height of +madness." + +"I know not fear! of that you must have been convinced long ere this. +Danger cannot intimidate me; what you meet and suffer, that will I +encounter." + +"Bethink yourself, Inez! What can you hope to accomplish by this +strange step? You have nothing to fear here from your own nation: what +can you gain by seeking a home among my people? Strange, mysterious +being! I wish for your own sake you were timid--that fear might +strengthen your sense of prudence!" + +Inez had bent her head while he spoke, as in humiliation, now she +lifted herself and said, in a low, determined tone: + +"I am alone in the wide world, and I have but one hope, but one +pleasure; to be with you while life remains, and to die near, that you +may close my eyes and lay me down to rest." She paused a moment, +and then clasping her hands, approached him, and continued in a more +passionate tone: + +"Oh, if you knew how I have loved you, you could not look down so +coldly, so calmly upon me! you could not refuse the favor I ask! Oh, +Dr. Bryant, do not scorn me for my love!--'tis not a common love; for +it I have lost every earthly comfort and blessing; for this struggled +and toiled, and braved numberless dangers. I have loved you better +than everything beside! Turn not from me, and think contemptuously of +the worship given unsought! If you cannot love me, do not, oh, do not +despise me! Let me a little while longer be with you, and see you; +I will not trouble or incommode any one--do not leave me. Oh, Dr. +Bryant, do not leave me!" + +The large black eyes were raised entreatingly to his, and an +expression of the keenest anguish rested on her colorless, yet +beautiful face. + +Sadly he regarded her as she hurried on: no glance of scorn rested +even for a moment upon her. Yet a stern sorrow settled on his broad +brow, and around the firmly compressed lips. + +"Inez, I do not, cannot love you, other than as the kind friend of +other days. I have never loved but one--I never shall. Mary, my own +angel Mary, ever rests in my heart. I cannot forget her--I can never +love another. I do not even thank you for your love, for your avowal +gives me inexpressible pain! I have suspected this, Inez, for long, +and your own heart will tell you I gave no ground to hope that I could +return your affection. I have striven to treat you like a sister of +late, yet this painful hour has not been averted. Equally painful to +both. Inez, your own words make it more than ever necessary that we +should part forever. I cannot return your love--I will not encourage +it. You must, as soon as safety allows, return to your old home. +Inez, do not cherish your affection for me, it can only bring pain and +remorse; forget me, and remember that you have imperative duties of +your own to perform. This is your darkest hour, and believe me, in +time you will be happy, and a blessing to your people. Remember Mary's +words, and her parting gift, and I pray God that we may so live that +we shall all meet in a happier home." + +"Then I shall never see you again?" she said, in a calm and +unfaltering voice. + +"For your sake, Inez, it is best that we should not meet again. If I +survive this war I go to Europe, and you will probably never see me +more. Inez, I pain you--forgive me. Your own good requires this candor +on my part." + +An ashy paleness overspread the cheek and brow of his companion as he +spoke, and the small hands clutched each other tightly, yet no words +passed the quivering lips. + +"Good-by, Inez! my kind and valued friend, good-by!" He held out his +hand. She raised her head, and gazed into the sad yet noble face of +the man she had loved so long. She clasped his hand between both hers, +and a moan of bitter anguish escaped the lips. + +"My love will follow you forever! A woman of my nature cannot forget. +I shall sink to eternal rest with your name on my lips--your image +in my heart. Yet I would not keep you here--go, and may your God ever +bless you, and--and--may you at last meet your Mary, if there be a +heaven! We part now, for you have said it; good-by, and sometimes, +when all is joy and gladness to you, think a moment on Inez! the +cursed, the miserable Inez! sitting in bitter darkness by her lonely +hearth! Good-by!" She pressed her lips to his hand, and without a +tear, shrouded her face in her mantilla and turned away. + +"God bless you, Inez, and keep you from all harm!" and Dr. Bryant left +the house, and returned to his commander. + + * * * * * + +Colonel Fanning had led his troops but a few miles when the vanguard +halted, and some excitement was manifested. Spurring forward, he +inquired the cause of delay. + +"Why, Colonel, if we ain't 'out of the frying-pan into the fire,' my +name is not Will Furgeson. Look yonder, Colonel, it takes older and +weaker eyes than mine to say them ain't Santy Anna's imps marching +down upon us thick as bees just swarmed, too!" + +"You are right, Furgeson; it is the entire Mexican force! let us form +at once and meet them!" + +Quick and clearly his orders rung out, and his little band, compact +and firm, waited in silence the result. With an exulting shout the +Mexicans charged. Desperately the doomed Texans fought, heaping up the +slain at every step. The wily Santa Anna changed his tactics. There +came a momentary cessation as the crowding thousands were furiously +driven back. And, seizing the opportunity, he spurred forward, offered +honorable terms, and besought Fanning to surrender and save the lives +of his brave followers. + +"We will only surrender on condition that every privilege of prisoners +of war be guaranteed to us," replied Colonel Fanning. + +"I, Santa Anna, commander-in-chief of the Mexican forces, do most +solemnly pledge my word, that all the privileges consistent with your +situation as prisoners of war, shall be extended to yourself and men. +And hereby swear, that on these conditions you may lay down your arms +in safety, without further molestation on our part." + +Is there one of my readers who for a moment would attach blame to the +noble Fanning? The lives of his men were of far more importance to him +than the renown of perishing, like Travis, in a desperate struggle. +With the latter there was no alternative, for the cry of even seven +exhausted men for "quarter" was disregarded, and the garrison fell +to a man. But honorable terms were offered Fanning: he remembered +his men, and surrendered. Santa Anna! can there be pardon for such a +hardened wretch as you? Does not sleep fly your pillow? In the silent +watches of the night, do not the specter forms of your victims cluster +about your couch, and the shambles of Goliad rise before you? Can you +find rest from the echoing shrieks of murdered thousands, or shut your +eyes and fail to perceive the mangled forms stiffening in death, +and weltering in gore? If you are human, which I much doubt, your +blackened soul will be tortured with unavailing remorse, till Death +closes your career on earth, and you are borne to the tribunal of +Almighty God, there to receive your reward.... + +Night found the Texans again in Goliad, and they sought sleep secure +from evil; for had not Santa Anna's word been given that further +molestation would not be allowed? and they believed! Soundly they +slept, and dreamed of far-off homes and fireside joys. + + "That bright dream was their last!" + +Sunrise came, and they were drawn out upon the Plaza. Their leader was +retained in custody, and, unsuspicious of harm, they each maintained +their position. Dr. Bryant raised his eyes--they rested but a moment +on Santa Anna's face. Turning quickly, he shouted aloud, + +"Turn, comrades, let us not be shot in the back!" + +Another moment the signal was given, and a deadly fire poured +upon four hundred unresisting prisoners of war, to whom honorable +conditions had been granted by the brave and noble generalissimo of +the Mexican forces. + +Not one of many noble forms was spared. Dr. Bryant sank without +a struggle to the earth; and his spirit, released from sorrowing +mortality, sprung up to meet his Mary and his God! + +The deed was done; and Santa Anna, the mighty chief who mowed down +four hundred unarmed men, was immortalized! Fear not, brave heart, +that posterity will forget thee! Rest assured that the lapse of time +cannot obliterate the memory of thy mighty deeds! + +Fanning survived but a few hours, and then a well-aimed ball laid low +forever his noble head. Who among us can calmly remember that his +body was denied a burial? Oh, thou martyr leader of a martyr band, we +cherish thy memory! dear to the heart of every Texan, every American, +every soldier, and every patriot. Peace to thee, noble Fanning! and +may the purest joys of heaven be yours in that eternity to which we +all are hastening. + + * * * * * + +It was noon! Still and cold lay the four hundred forms upon the Plaza. +Even as they sank, so they slept. No disturbing hand had misplaced +one stiffened member. The silence of death reigned around the murdered +band. A muffled figure swiftly stole down the now deserted streets, +and hurrying to the Plaza, paused and gazed on the ruin and wreck that +surrounded her. Pools of blood were yet standing, and the earth was +damp with gore. One by one Inez turned the motionless forms, still +the face she sought was not to be found. She had almost concluded her +search, when her eye fell on a prostrate form, closely wrapt in a long +black cloak; she knelt and gazed into the upturned face, and a low cry +of bitter anguish welled up and passed her colorless lips. Gently she +lifted the cloak, clasped by one icy hand: the ball had pierced his +side, and entered the heart. So instantaneous had been his death that +not a feature was convulsed. The dark clustering hair was borne back +from the broad white brow, the eyes closed as in deep sleep, the +finely-cut lips just parted. Pallid was the cheek, yet calm and noble +beyond degree was the marble face on which Inez gazed. She caught the +cold hand to her lips, and laid her cheek near his mouth, that she +might know and realize that his spirit had indeed joined Mary's in the +"land of rest." The icy touch extinguished every gleam of hope, +and calmly she drew the cloak over the loved face, concealing every +feature, then dropped her handkerchief upon the covered head, and +drawing her mantilla like a shroud about her, went her way to wait for +night and darkness. + +Stretched on a couch in the home of the kind-hearted Senora who had +received her, Inez noted the moments and hours as they passed. An +eternity seemed comprised in the time which elapsed from noon till +dusk. Again and again she raised her bowed head, and looked out on the +slowly sinking sun. It passed at length beyond her vision. She rose +and sought her friend, an aged dame, whom God had gifted with a gentle +heart, keenly alive to the grief and sufferings of another. + +"Well, Senorita Inez, what will you have?" + +"I have a great favor to ask, yet it is one I doubt not will be +granted. Senora, among yonder slain is one who in life was ever kind +to me and to our people. Since morning he has lain in his own blood! +To-morrow will see them thrown into heaps, and left with scarce sod +enough to cover! I cannot, will not see him buried so! I myself will +lay him down to rest, if Santa Anna claims my life for it to-morrow! +I have caused a grave to be dug in a quiet spot, but I cannot bear him +to it unassisted. My strength is gone--I am well-nigh spent: will you +help me to-night? They will not miss him to-morrow, and none will know +till all is at rest! Senora, will you come with me?" + +"Tell me first, Inez, if it is he who brought you here; who acted so +nobly to me, and bade adieu to you but two days since?" + +"Yes, the same! will you refuse to assist me now?" + +"No, by our blessed Virgin! I will do all an old woman like me can do; +yet united, Inez, we shall be strong." + +Wrapping their mantillas about them, they noiselessly proceeded to +the Plaza. Darkness had closed in, and happily they met not even +a straggling soldier, for all, with instinctive dread, shunned the +horrid scene. They paused as Senora Berara stumbled over a dead body, +and well-nigh slipped in blood: + +"Jesu Maria! my very bones ache with horror! this is no place for me. +Senorita, how will you know the body? Oh! let us make haste to leave +here!" + +"Hush! do you see a white spot gleaming yonder? Nay, don't clutch my +arm, it is only my handerchief. I laid it there to mark the place. +Come on, step lightly, or you will press the dead." + +With some difficulty they made their way along the damp, slippery +ground, now and then catching at each other for support. Inez paused +on reaching her mark, and bent down for several moments; then raising +herself she whispered: + +"Senora, I have wrapped his cloak tightly about him, lift the corners +near his feet, while I carry his head. Be careful, lift gently, and do +not let the cloak slip." + +Slowly they lifted the motionless form, and steadily bore it away: +Inez taking the lead, and stepping cautiously. She left the Plaza +and principal streets, and turned toward a broad desolate waste, +stretching away from the town, and bare, save a few gnarled oaks that +moaned in the March wind. The moon rose when they had proceeded some +distance beyond the last house, and Inez paused suddenly, and looked +anxiously about her. + +"Sacra Dio! I trust you have not lost your way! Holy Mother, preserve +us if we have gone wrong." + +"I knew we must be near the place: it is under yonder tree; fear +nothing Senora, come on:" and a few more steps brought them to the +designated spot. + +A shallow excavation had been made, sufficient to admit with ease the +body of a full-grown man; and on its margin they softly laid their +burden down. Every object shone in the clear moonlight, and stranger +scene never moon shone upon. A dreary waste stretched away in the +distance, and sighingly the wind swept over it. Inez knelt beside the +grave, her wan yet still beautiful features convulsed with the secret +agony of her tortured soul; the long raven hair floating like a black +veil around the wasted form. Just before her stood the old woman, +weird-like, her wrinkled, swarthy face exposed to full view, while the +silver hair, unbound by her exertion, streamed in the night breeze. +Loosely her clothes hung about her, and the thin, bony hands were +clasped tightly as she bent forward and gazed on the marble face of +the dead. Wonder, awe, fear, pity, all strangely blended in her dark +countenance. + +Inez groaned, and rocked herself to and fro, as if crushed in body and +spirit. She could not lay him to rest forever without the bitterest +anguish, for in life she had worshiped him, and in death her heart +clung to the loved form. Again and again she kissed the cold hand she +held. + +"Senorita, we must make haste to lay him in, and cover him closely. +Don't waste time weeping now; you cannot give him life again. Have +done, Senorita Inez, and let us finish our work." + +"I am not weeping, Senora! I have not shed a single tear; yet be +patient: surely there is yet time." + +Inez straightened the cloak in which Frank Bryant was shrouded, placed +the hands calmly by his side, and softly smoothed the dark hair on his +high and noble brow. She passionately kissed the cold lips once, then +covered forever the loved, loved features, and they carefully lowered +the still form into its last resting-place. + +They stood up, and the old dame pointed to the earth piled on either +side. Inez shuddered and closed her eyes a moment, as if unequal to +the task. + +Her companion stooped, and was in the act of tossing forward a mass of +earth; but Inez interposed: "Senora, softly! I will do this: remember +there is no coffin." + +Fearfully calm was her tone as she slowly pushed in the earth. There +was no hollow echo, such as ofttimes rends the heart of the mourner, +but a heavy, dull sound of earth crushing earth. Gradually she filled +the opening even with the surface, then carefully scattered the +remaining sod. + +"I will not raise a mound, for they would tear him up, should they +know where I have laid him." Inez walked away, and gathering a +quantity of brown, shriveled leaves, and also as much grass as she +could draw from the short bunches, sprinkled them on the grave and +along the fresh earth. + +"Think you, Senora, they will find him here?" + +"No, no, Senorita! none will know that we have buried him. But the +night is already far gone, why do you linger?" + +For a moment longer Inez gazed down upon the new-made grave: "But a +few more hours, and I shall sleep here by your side; farewell till +then." + +She turned away, and silently they retraced their steps to the town, +reaching without inquiry or molestation their own home. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + + "So live, that when thy summons comes to join + The innumerable caravan, that moves + To the pale realms of shade, where each shall take + His chamber in the silent halls of death, + Thou go not, like the quarry slave, at night + Scourged to his dungeon; but sustained and soothed + By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave, + Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch + About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams." + + BRYANT. + + +A bright day in April drew near its close, and the golden rays of the +spring sun poured joyously through the open casement into the chamber +of death. Yes, the "King of Terrors" drew nigh, and the cold damp, +which his black pinions swept on, settled upon the brow of Inez. A +few days after the massacre at Goliad, a raging fever crimsoned her +cheeks, and lent unwonted brilliance to the large black eyes. Delirium +ensued, and wildly the unfortunate girl raved of the past--of her +former love, her hopelessness, her utter desolation. The dreamless +sleep of exhaustion followed this temporary madness: long she lay in +the stupor so near akin to death, and now, consciousness restored, she +awaited in silence her hour! In vain the kind-hearted Senora entreated +her to see a priest--steadfastly she refused. At length Madame Berara +assumed the responsibility of calling in her own confessor, and +silently quitting the room, went in quest of him. Inez suspected +the cause of her usual absence, and too feeble to concentrate her +thoughts, turned her face to the wall, and wearily closed her eyes. +Yet one hand felt along the cover and beneath the pillow. For what was +she searching on the bed of death? The thin fingers rested on a +small and well-worn Bible, and a tiny package, wrapped in paper and +carefully tied. The sacred volume was feebly pushed beneath her head, +and mechanically she undid the knot, and drew forth a glossy lock +of black hair. Wearily she pressed it to her lips several times, and +again folding it away, her hands sank powerless upon her bosom. + +Inez, Inez! are there none near to clasp thy cold hand and tenderly +lift thy weary head? Alas, thou desolate one, Thou art left alone +in the bitter hour of thy trial! When all things seem shrouded in +impenetrable gloom, and thy darkened soul turns from the tortured past +to the dim, uncertain future, no loved one is nigh to dash away the +gathering mists, and point to that celestial home "of which it hath +not entered into the heart of man to conceive." + +Oh, Inez! thy short life has been dark and tempestuous; it is hard +that a calm and peaceful end is denied to thee, thou suffering +one, longing for rest, oblivion of the past, utter unconsciousness! +Struggle on, proud maiden! but a few moments, and thy tones will +vibrate no longer, thy firm step cease forever, and thy memory pass +away like the shadows of night! + +Senora Berara re-entered the silent chamber, accompanied by a priest, +clad in the vestments of his order. They approached the bed, and the +aged dame, bending over Inez, whispered audibly: + +"I could not find my own Padre, but I bring one who will confess and +absolve thee? Make haste to prepare for heaven." + +"I want neither confession nor absolution! Begone! and let me die in +peace," she answered, without unclosing the lids, which lay so heavily +upon the sunken eyes. + +"Leave us together! I will call thee when thou art wanted," whispered +he of the Order of Jesus. The matron immediately withdrew, repeating +an Ave Maria; and they were left alone. + +"Inez!" + +A shudder crept through the wasted form, and, with a start, she looked +upon the face of the intruder. Even in death, hatred was strong; the +dim eye flashed, and the cold, damp lips wreathed into a smile of +utter scorn: + +"Well, Padre! you have tracked me at last. It is a pity, though, you +had not set out one day later; you would have altogether missed your +prey! But I am content, for I am far beyond your reach!" She gasped +for breath, yet ghastly was the mocking smile which lit up the face. + +"Not so, Inez! you escaped me once; I have you now! You have defied me +in health; but in death I conquer. You cannot die in peace without my +blessing. Remember, remember, one sin unconfessed will sink you into +everlasting perdition! Think you I will absolve you! Never! Never!" + +"What brings you here? Think you the approach of death will terrify +me?--that I shall claim your intercession and absolution? Have you +come hoping to make a bargain, and receive my order for a hundred +sheep, or as many cattle, on condition that you pray me out of +purgatory? I tell you now, if there be such a place, you will surely +follow me ere long. We shall not be separated long, my godly Padre!" + +Large drops rolled from her brow, and, gasping, she continued more +indistinctly: + +"There is one to stand between us now, even blackbrowed Death! and +now, as I speak, I see his shadow flung over me. I am dying, and if +I am lost, you are to blame! you, and you only! You a man of God! You +forgive my sins, and give me a passport to heaven! Padre, I know you, +in all your hypocrisy, and I know that, if there be a God, you have +outraged His every law! You have led me astray! You have brought me +to this! Padre, I am sinful, full well I know it; for this is an hour +when the barrier which hides the secret soul is thrown down, and every +deed and thought stands up boldly for itself. I have not served God! +But oh! I would not change places with you, leader, teacher, guide, +consecrated priest, as you are--for you have mocked him! Yes, mocked +him! set aside his written word, and instead of Bible truths you told +me of Saints, and Relics, and Miracles! You bade me worship the cross, +and never once mentioned Him who consecrated it with his agony and +blood! In my childhood I believed your legends and miracles, and +trusted to such as you to save me. A dreadful curse will rest upon +your head, for you came in sheep's clothing, and devoured many +precious souls! Padre, I--I--" In vain she strove to articulate, +further utterance was denied her. The ghastly hue of death settled +upon her face. She lifted her eyes to heaven as in prayer; vacantly +they wandered to the face of the Padre, now well-nigh as pale as her +own; then slowly closed forever. A slight quiver passed over the lips, +a faint moan, and Inez was at rest. For long her wearied spirit had +cried "Peace! peace!" and now she laid herself down and slept the +long, unbroken sleep of death. + + "Oh! you have yearned for rest, + May you find it in the regions of the blest." + +As she had died without the pale of the church, they refused the +lifeless form a narrow bed in consecrated ground. Even the ordinary +service for the dead was entirely omitted; and, without a prayer, they +committed her to the silent tomb. The kind old dame, remembering her +grief at the secret burial of her noble friend, obtained permission to +lay her by his side, and, with the fierce howlings of the tempest for +her funereal dirge, they consigned Inez--the proud, beautiful, gifted, +yet unfortunate Inez--to rest. Peace, Inez, to thy memory, and may the +sod lie lightly on thy early grave! + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + + "There's a bliss beyond all that the minstrel has told, + When two, that are linked in one heavenly tie, + With heart never changing, and brow never cold, + Love on through all ills, and love on till they die!" + + MOORE. + + +"Come, Florence, put on your bonnet; we land in a few moments," said +Mr. Stewart, entering the splendidly furnished saloon of a Mississippi +steamer, where she sat, book in hand. Quietly the young wife, for such +she now was, complied with his request, and taking her husband's arm, +they advanced to the bow of the boat. It was a bright, sunny morning +in early May, and the balmy breath of the opening summer wafted +gladness to many a weary, aching heart. The margin of the river was +fringed with willow, poplar, cotton-wood, and cypress, the delicate +fresh green foliage contrasting beautifully with the deep azure sky, +and the dark whirling waters of the turbid stream. It was such a day +as all of us may have known, when nature wore the garb of perfect +beauty, and the soothing influence is felt and acknowledged +gratefully--joyfully acknowledged by every one accustomed from +childhood duly to appreciate, admire, and love the fair and numberless +works of God, who, + + --"Not content + With every food of life to nourish man. + Makes all nature beauty to his eye + And music to his ear." + +Florence was gazing intently, as each object receded from her view. +They turned an angle in the stream, and drew near a landing, with +only a solitary warehouse visible. She started, and her clasped hands, +resting on her husband's arm, pressed heavily. He looked down into the +flushed face, and said with a smile: + +"Well, Florence, what is it? Why do you tremble so?" + +"Mr. Stewart, I cannot be mistaken: this is my father's old landing! +Why do you look so strangely? Oh! if you knew what painful memories +crowd upon my mind, you could not smile so calmly!" and her voice +faltered. + +Laying his hand tenderly on hers, he replied: + +"You once asked me whereabouts on the river my plantation was +situated. I evaded your question. You are aware that I inherited it +from a bachelor uncle. He purchased it from your father, and to your +old home, my dear Florence, we have come at last. It is yours again, +and I should have told you long ago, but feared you might be impatient +of the journey; and then it is pleasant to surprise you." + +Ere Florence could speak the mingled emotions of her heart, the boat +stopped, and the jangling bells warned them to lose no time. + +Mr. Stewart placed her on the bank, and beckoning to a coachman +mounted on a large heavy carriage, opened the door, assisted her +in, and then cordially shaking the outstretched hand of the servant, +inquired if all were well at home?" + +"Oh yes, sir! all well except your mother. She has had the asthma, but +is better. But ain't you going to let me look at your wife? You put +her in as if I wan't to see my new mistress." + +Mr. Stewart laughed, and opening the door, bade Florence look out; she +threw back her long mourning veil, and bent forward; their eyes met, +and both started with surprise: + +"Isaac!" + +"Miss Florry! sure as I am alive!" and he grasped the white hand +heartily. + +"I cannot understand this at all! Isaac, how came you here?" + +"Why you see, when the plantation was sold, we were sold with it; +that's how I come to be here." + +"My dear Florence, it is strange, very strange, that I never once +thought of your recognizing the servants, though I should have known +you could not forget them. In what capacity did Isaac formerly serve?" + +"He was always our coachman; and many a ride in childhood I owe to his +kindness and wish to make me happy. Isaac, I am very glad to see you +again." And her smile confirmed her words. + +Mr. Stewart took the seat by her side, and was closing the door, when +the old man interfered. + +"Miss Florry, I know old master is dead--we heard that sometime ago; +but where is Miss Mary? that blessed good child, that never gave a +cross word to one on the plantation. Why didn't she come home with +you?" + +Florence could not reply, and the tears rolled silently over her +cheeks. + +"Isaac," said Mr. Stewart, in a low, saddened tone, "Mary has gone to +a brighter home in heaven! She is happier far than she could be even +here with us! She died about a month ago." + +There was a pause, and then, wiping his rough sleeve across his eyes, +Isaac slowly said--"And Miss Mary is dead! Well, she has gone to +heaven, if ever anybody did! for she was never like common children. +Many's the time when my poor little Hannah was burnt, and like to die, +that child has come by herself of dark nights to bring her a cake, or +something sweet and good! God bless her little soul! she always was +an angel!" and again wiping his eyes he mounted the box and drove +homeward. + +Ah! gentle Mary! no sculptured monument marks thy resting-place! No +eulogistic sermon, no high-flown panegyric was ever delivered, on +thy life and death! Yet that silent tear of old Isaac's outspoke a +thousand eulogies! It told of all thy kindness, charity, love, angelic +purity of heart, and called thee "Guardian Angel" of the house of +Hamilton. + +Night found Florence sitting alone in the parlor of her old and dearly +loved home. The apartment was much as she had left it five years +before, and old familiar articles of furniture greeted her on +every side. She sat down to the piano, on which in girlhood she had +practised, and gently touched the keys. The soft tones, waking the +"slumbering chord of memory," brought most vividly back the scenes of +other days. Again she stood there an only cherished daughter, and her +father's image, as he used to stand leaning against the mantel-piece, +rose with startling distinctness before her. And there, too, stood her +cousin, with the soft blue eyes and golden curls of her girlhood; and +she fancied she heard, once again, the clear, sweet voice, and felt +the fond twining of her arms about her. Long forgotten circumstances +in primitive freshness rushed upon her mind, and unable to bear the +sad associations which crowded up, Florence turned away from +the instrument, and seating herself on the sofa, gave vent to an +uncontrollable burst of sorrow-- + + "Oh! what a luxury it is to weep, + And find in tears a sad relief!" + +And calmly Florence wept, not bitterly, for she had had much of sorrow +to bear, and schooled her heart to meet grief and sadness. Yet it was +hard to come back to her cherished home and miss from her side the +gentle playmate of her youth, the parent she had almost idolized, and +feel that she had left them in far distant resting-places. She heard +her husband's step along the hall, and saw him enter--she strove to +repress her tears and seem happy, but the quivering lips refused to +smile. He sat down, and drawing his arm around her, pressed her face +to his bosom, and tenderly said: + +"My mother had much to say, after my long absence, and I could not +leave her till this moment My own heart told me that you suffered, and +I longed to come to you and sympathize and cheer." + +"Do not think me weak, Mr. Stewart, because you find me weeping. It is +seldom I give vent to my feelings, but to-night I am overwhelmed with +recollections of the past. Oh! now, for the first time, I realize that +Mary has indeed gone forever. Mary! Mary! my heart aches already for +you, and your warm unchanging love! Oh! how can I look forward to the +long coming years, and feel that I shall never see her again?" + +"Florence, my own Florence, I would not have you repress a single +tear. I know how sadly altered all things are, and what a dreary +look your home must bear. All I ask is, that when you feel lonely and +unhappy, instead of hiding your grief, come to me, lay your weary head +upon my shoulder, and I will strive to cheer you my precious wife! Let +nothing induce you to keep aught from me--let perfect confidence reign +between us: and do not, for a moment, doubt that I wish you other +than you are. The past is very painful both to you and to me, and the +memory of Frank and Mary constantly saddens my spirit. Yet we will +look forward to a happier future, and strive to guide and cheer each +other." He kissed the broad brow as he spoke, and drew tighter the arm +which encircled his wife, as though no danger could assail while he +was near. + +"Of late, Mr. Stewart, I have wondered much how you ever learned to +love me; for I am much changed, and in my girlhood I was cold, proud, +and often contemptuous in my manner. Ah, Mary, how different from you! +If I have higher aims in life, and purer joys, I owe it all to her, +for she led me to love the law of God, and exemplified in her daily +life the teachings of Christ! But for her, I shudder to think what I +should now have been! O God, I thank thee that I am saved even as a +burning brand from the fire! I have hope of happiness on earth, and +at last a joyful reunion with the loved ones that have gone on home +before me. And you, my husband, help me to conquer myself to break +down my pride, and to be more like Mary. Oh, forgive my weaknesses, +and ever love me as you now do!" + +He clasped her to his heart, and whispered--"Fear not, Florence, that +I will ever love you less! I, too, have faults which you may be called +on to excuse, yet all is bright for us, and I trust no common share of +happiness will be our portion through life!" + + "Oh, sweet reward of danger past! + How lovely, through the tears + That speak her heart's o'erflowing joy, + The young wife's smile appears. + The fount of love for her hath gushed, + Life's shadows all have flown, + Joy, Florence! thou a heart hast found + Responding to thine own!" + +THE END. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Inez, by Augusta J. Evans + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INEZ *** + +***** This file should be named 15470.txt or 15470.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/4/7/15470/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, S.R. 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