diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15982-8.txt | 3763 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15982-8.zip | bin | 0 -> 76968 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15982-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 79529 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15982-h/15982-h.htm | 3937 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15982.txt | 3763 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 15982.zip | bin | 0 -> 76950 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 |
9 files changed, 11479 insertions, 0 deletions
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/15982-8.txt b/15982-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2b22412 --- /dev/null +++ b/15982-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3763 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Woman As She Should Be, by Mary E. Herbert + +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: Woman As She Should Be + or, Agnes Wiltshire + +Author: Mary E. Herbert + +Release Date: June 4, 2005 [EBook #15982] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WOMAN AS SHE SHOULD BE *** + + + + +Produced by Early Canadiana Online, Robert Cicconetti, +Janet Blenkinship and the Online Distributed Proofreading +Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +WOMAN AS SHE SHOULD BE; + +OR, + +AGNES WILTSHIRE. + +BY + +MARY E. HERBERT, + +AUTHOR OF "ĈOLIAN HARP," "SCENES IN THE LIFE OF A HALIFAX BELLE," &c. + + + + I saw her on a nearer view, + A Spirit, yet a Woman, too; + Her household motions light and free,-- + And steps of virgin liberty; + A countenance in which did meet + Sweet records, promises as sweet; + A creature not too bright or good, + For human nature's daily food, + For transient pleasures, artless wiles, + Praise, blame, love, kisses, tears, and smiles. + + --WORDSWORTH. + + + HALIFAX, N.S.: + PUBLISHED BY MARY E. HERBERT. + 1861. + + + CAMBRIDGE, MASS.: + MILES & DILLINGHAM. + Printers and Stereotypers + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +The Sabbath day was drawing to a close, as Agnes Wiltshire sat at her +chamber window, absorbed in deep and painful thought. The last rays of +the sun lighted up the garden overlooked by the casement,--if garden it +could be called,--a spot that had once been most beautiful, when young +and fair hands plucked the noxious weed, and took delight in nursing +into fairest life, flowers, whose loveliness might well have vied with +any; but, long since, those hands had mouldered into dust, and the spot +lay neglected; yet, in spite of neglect, beautiful still. There was no +enclosure to mark it from the fields beyond, that stretched, far as the +eye could discern, till lost in a rich growth of woods, but a few +ornamental trees and graceful shrubs, with here and there a plot, now +gay, with autumn flowers, alone kept alive, in the heart of the +beholder, a remembrance of its purpose. A quiet scene of rural beauty +it was, and so thought the maiden, as, rousing from her reverie, she +gazed on garden, fields, and distant woods, but more lovingly and +lingeringly dwelt her glance on a lake that lay embosomed between the +meadow and the grove, partly skirted by trees that grew even to its +edge, and partly by the rich grass, whose vivid color betrayed the +influence of those placid waters, that now reflected every glowing tint, +and every delicate hue of the peerless sunset sky. + +Quiet at all times, the stillness of the scene was now unbroken, save by +the twittering of some belated swallow, the chirp of the cricket, or the +evening hymn of the forest songsters, ere they sank to grateful rest. +All was peace without, but troubled and anxious was the heart of the +solitary occupant of that apartment, who, though for a moment aroused +from deep, and, as it appeared from the expression of her countenance, +painful thought, by the beauty of the landscape, again summoned her +wandering thoughts, and returned to the theme which had so deeply +engrossed her. + +A slight tap at the door once more aroused her, and in answer to her +invitation, "Walk in," a lady entered the room, and affectionately +addressed the young girl. + +"Forgive my intrusion, my dear Miss Wiltshire, but I feared, from your +remaining so long in your room, that you were not well, and have come +to ascertain whether I am correct or not." + +"I am much obliged for your kindness, but I am quite well, in body, at +least," was the reply, while the lips quivered, and the eyes were +suffused with tears. + +There was silence for a few moments between them, for Mrs. Gordon was +too delicate to allude to emotions, which her companion evidently strove +to conceal, and with the nature of which she was totally unacquainted. +At length, however, she broke the quiet that had reigned for some +moments in the apartment, by an observation on the service they had both +that day attended. + +"Accustomed, as you are, to city churches and city congregations, it +could scarcely be expected that our unpretending house of prayer, with +its humble worshippers, could have found much favor in your eyes, Miss +Wiltshire?" + +"And yet, strange to say," exclaimed Agnes, lifting her fine dark eyes +to Mrs. Gordon's sweet, though pensive face, "that unpretending church, +those earnest worshippers, and, above all, that simple, faithful +discourse, affected me far more deeply than any heard from the lips of +the most eloquent divine, in a gorgeous edifice crowded with the =elite= +of the city, and where the solemn notes of the full-toned organ ought, +perhaps, to have filled the soul with sacred and heavenly thoughts. +Those words, so thrillingly pronounced, shall I ever forget them? 'To +whom much is given, of him shall much be required.' They seem still to +ring in my ears, for I, alas, am among those who have received much, yet +rendered back nothing." + +The speaker paused, overcome with emotion, but the countenance of the +listener grew radiant with delight,--not that delight which arises from +the realization of some worldly hope, but, rather, a heavenly joy, which +lent to the pale and pensive face a beauty not of this world; it beamed +in the sunken, yet soft blue eye, and flushed the hollow cheek; it was +the joy of a saint, nay, it was the joy of an angel, at the return of +the stray sheep to its Father's fold. But it soon found expression in +words. + +"I cannot tell you how happy you make me, in speaking thus, dear Agnes," +said she, affectionately clasping her hand. "Since you first came here, +I have been thinking so much about you, and praying, too, that you, so +rich in all that makes woman lovely and beloved, might possess that +grace, which will but add lustre to every other endowment, qualifying +you for extensive usefulness here, and glorious happiness hereafter." + +"But you know not, my kind friend, what mental struggles I have passed +through this afternoon, nor how conflicting feelings are yet agitating +my soul. I hear the voice of duty, but it calls me to tread a rugged +path. Could I always remain with you, secluded from the gay world, far +removed from its temptations and allurements, then, indeed, would I +gladly make my choice, and say, 'This people shall be my people, and +their God my God;' but in a few days I must depart, and, again, in the +haunts of the busy city, and surrounded by the gayeties of fashionable +life, I fear I shall feel no more those sweet and sacred influences, +which have been as the breath of heaven to my soul." + +"'My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest!' Is not +that a sufficiently encouraging promise, dear Agnes? Had you nought but +your own strength to rely on, you might well fear; but forget not Him +who has declared, 'If any lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to +all liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given.'" + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +Agnes Wiltshire was an orphan. Her father had died during her infancy, +her mother during her childhood; but a happy home had been thrown open +to her, by a kind uncle and aunt, who gladly adopted her as their own, +and lavished on her every tenderness. Mr. and Mrs. Denham were generous +and warm-hearted people; their dwelling was elegant and commodious; the +society in which they mingled, as far as wealth and fashion is +concerned, unexceptionable. What more was wanting? Alas, they were +thoroughly worldly; their standard was the fashionable world; their +maxims were derived from the same source; and while regularly attending +the stated ordinances of the church, and esteeming themselves very +devout,--for were not their lives strictly moral?--they, in reality, +knew as little of heart religion, as the dwellers in a heathen land. + +Such was the character of the people among whom Agnes Wiltshire had +attained the age of eighteen; and, surrounded by such influences, what +wonder, that she, too, partook of the same spirit, and was content to +sail down the sunny stream of life, without one thought of its +responsibilities, without one glance at the future that awaited her. +Long might she have continued thus, still pursuing the phantom of +pleasure, seeking ever for happiness, but never seeking aright, had she +not been suddenly startled, in the midst of worldly pursuits, by the +unexpected death of a gay and favorite companion, who, surrounded by all +of earthly happiness, was torn from her embrace. In the agony of +delirium, Agnes had beheld her, gliding, unconsciously, down the dark +valley and the shadow of death, and she trembled, when she felt how +totally unprepared she was to meet the King of Terrors, and yet how soon +she might be called to do so. In the midst of the gay dance, at the +festive board, where mirth ruled the hour, and honeyed flatteries were +poured into her ear, she was still haunted by that pallid, agonized +countenance, and by the voice, whose heart-rending accents she still +seemed to hear, as distinctly as when it cried, in imploring tones, +"Save me, oh save me, from the deep, dark waters. They surround me on +every side; have pity on me, for I sink, I sink, I sink." + +So deep an effect had the loss of her young companion, and the +remembrance of her last hours, produced on Agnes, that she fell into a +dejection, from which nothing could rouse her, and her physical powers +soon gave unmistakable evidences of their sympathy with the mind, by +alarming prostration of strength. The physician, on being applied to, +recommended the usual restorative, change of air and scene; and a +pleasant summer's retreat was selected as Agnes's residence, for a few +weeks. Mrs. Denham would fain have accompanied her niece, but a violent +attack of the gout, to which Mr. Denham was subject, rendered it +impossible for her to leave him, and with many tender charges and +injunctions, Agnes was consigned to the care of a friend, travelling in +that direction. + +Great was the change to Agnes, yet not the less beneficial on that +account. The absence of the glitter and show of fashionable life, the +quiet that reigned around, the beauty of the scenery, the kindness and +simplicity of the scattered inhabitants,--all delighted her; and the +group of admirers, who were wont to surround her, would scarcely have +recognized, in the warm-hearted, enthusiastic girl, who, in simple +attire, might daily be seen rambling through the fields, or, with a book +in hand, seated beneath a favorite oak, the accomplished and fashionable +Miss Wiltshire. + +The lady with whom she resided was a clergyman's widow, who, deprived by +an untimely death of her natural protector and provider, sought to +augment her scanty means, by opening her house during the summer months +to casual visitors. She had been beautiful once, and she was young +still; but the glow and the freshness of life's youth had vanished, not +so much before time as sorrow, for peculiarly distressing circumstances +had attended the loss of her dearest friend, and now, disease had +almost, unsuspected, commenced its insidious ravages on a naturally +delicate constitution. + +A mutual friendship was speedily formed between these two, so strangely +thrown together by circumstances. Agnes was charmed with Mrs. Goodwin's +sweet, pensive face, and gentle manners, while her character, so +beautifully exemplifying the power of religion to give support and +happiness, under all circumstances, won her deepest regard. On the other +hand, the genuine warmth, the unsophisticated manners, still uncorrupted +by daily flatteries and blandishments, the lofty and gifted mind, all +delighted Mrs. Goodwin, who had never before formed an acquaintance with +a female possessing so many attractions, and she gazed at her with +wonder and admiration, not unmixed with a sentiment of tenderness and +pity, as she thought of life's slippery paths, and of the injurious +influences of worldly pursuits and worldly gayeties. + +But to the city Agnes must again return, for the roses have come back to +her cheeks, her previous dejection has vanished under the kind and +salutary ministrations of her friend, and she has no reasonable excuse +for remaining longer; besides, her friends have become impatient at her +stay,--the light and life of their dwelling,--how can they consent to +her tarrying longer; so the long and interesting conversations on high +and holy themes, which she had scarcely ever before heard alluded to but +in church, must be relinquished, and the quiet scenes of Nature +exchanged for the bustle and show of city life. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +A twelvemonth has elapsed, since the events recorded in our first +chapter. In the drawing-room of a spacious mansion, in the suburbs of +the city where Agnes Wiltshire resided, is seated a young man, +apparently perusing a volume which he holds in his hand, but, in +reality, listening to a gay group of young girls, who are chattering +merrily with his sister at the other end of the apartment. Scarcely +heedful of his presence, for he is partly concealed by the thick folds +of a rich damask curtain,--or, perhaps, careless of the impression +produced, they rattled gaily on, for not one of them but in her heart +had pronounced him a woman-hater; for were he not such, could he have +been insensible to the sweetest and most fascinating smiles of beauty? + +But the last sound of their retreating footsteps, the echo of their +merry laugh, has died away, and Arthur Bernard emerges from his retreat, +in the enclosure of the window. + +"I declare, Arthur, it is positively too bad," exclaimed Ella, his +sister, a gay and pretty young girl; "you are certainly the most +agreeable company in the world. Not a syllable to say beyond 'yes,' or +'no,' 'good morning,' or 'good evening.' I am really ashamed of you. You +are a woman-hater, I really believe. I am sure the girls all set you +down as such." + +"I am much obliged for their good opinion, and shall endeavor to deserve +it," was the smiling reply. "But, can you imagine what I have been +thinking about, while you and your merry companions have been talking +all sorts of nonsense?" + +"No, indeed. I should like to hear your wise meditations, most grave and +potent seigneur. Doubtless, they will prove very edifying, as the theme, +of course, was woman's foibles." + +"I have been thinking rather of what woman might be, than of what she +is. What an exalted part she might perform in the regeneration of the +world, did she but fulfil her mission. An archangel might almost envy +her opportunities of blessing and benefiting others; and yet, with so +many spheres of usefulness open to her, with influence so potent for +good or evil, the majority of your sex do nothing, or, worse than +nothing, injure others by their example. I am not a woman-hater, Ella; +but I must deplore that so many are unmindful utterly of their high +calling, and careless of everything but how to spend the present hour +the most agreeably, instead of being found actively sustaining, as far +as in their power, every good word and work; and ever with a smile and +a word of encouragement to the weary toilers in the path of duty. That +there are such women, I have not the least doubt; but I have never met +with one yet. When I do so, and remain insensible to =her= charms, you +may then call me a woman-hater,"--and a smile concluded the sentence. + +A merry, mocking laugh from his, sister rang through the room. + +"I thought as much. We, poor women, are not good enough for your most +serene highness; nothing short of one endowed with angelic qualities +will suit you. I must really try if, in my long list of acquaintances, I +cannot find one to come up to your standard; though I am afraid it would +be rather a difficult task. And now, in reply to that grave lecture of +yours, (what a pity the girls were not here to be edified,) for my part, +I always imagined that woman's mission was to be as charming as +possible, and I am quite content with being that,"--and Ella looked up +into her brother's face, with an irresistible smile. + +"But may you not be charming and useful both?" + +"Well, I don't know about that; I should like to know what you would +have us do." + +Do! what might you not do, if you were disposed? What an incalculable +amount of good, and that in the most unobtrusive manner. Society takes +its tone from you, and waits to be fashioned by your hand. But, I verily +believe, running the risk of speaking very ungallantly, that there is +not one in thirty, fifty, or perhaps a hundred of your sex, who have the +slightest idea of exerting their talents for the benefit of others. You +laugh and talk, and enjoy yourselves, careless of the impression your +example may produce, and conform to the usages of society, without one +inquiry, as to whether in those usages may not, sometimes, lurk +frightful dangers, if not to yourselves, to others who follow admiringly +in your steps." + +"Frightful dangers! Really, brother, you are growing enigmatical. I +should like to have that sentence made a little plainer, for I certainly +do not understand you." + +"Perhaps an incident that occurred not long ago, which I will relate to +you, may explain more clearly my meaning. I can vouch for its +correctness, for it came under my own observation. You have frequently +heard me speak of Henry Leslie, my room-mate at college, one of the +noblest and most gifted of young men, but who unfortunately had +contracted a taste for intoxicating liquors. Unfortunately for himself, +his agreeable manners and fine qualities rendered him a great favorite +with the ladies, and no party seemed complete without him; and thus +constantly exposed to the seducing influence of the wine-cup, the habit +of imbibing largely grew so strong, that he scarcely had any +restraining power left. I remonstrated with him, and, as I trusted, with +some success, for he solemnly promised to abstain totally from the +intoxicating beverage,--but the very next day we found, on returning +home from a walk, an invitation to an evening party lying on our table. +It was from the mother of the young lady to whom report alleged he was +deeply attached, and whatever influence I might have possessed in +dissuading him from attending any other social gathering, I found I was +powerless in this case. But he again renewed his determination to +abstain from intoxicating stimulants. + +"'I know what you fear, Arthur, but I have made the resolution to "touch +not, taste not, handle not," as the teetotallers say, and I am +determined not to break it.' + +"I made no answer, but prepared to accompany him, with a heavy heart; +for I felt certain, in my own mind, of the result, at least to some +extent, of that evening's visit. I need not enter into particulars; +suffice it to say, that Henry Leslie bravely withstood all +solicitations, from our sex, to partake of the destroying beverage, and +I was beginning to hope that my fears would prove unfounded, when the +daughter of our hostess, the young lady to whom I before alluded, +approached him with a glass of sparkling wine in her hand. She was +beautiful,--I cannot but acknowledge that,--and I shall never forget +her appearance as she stood there, a fascinating smile lighting up her +animated countenance, and, in her sweetest tones, begged him to take a +glass of wine with her. I thought of Satan, disguised as an angel of +light, and trembled for the result, as I stood anxiously listening for +his answer. It came in the negative, but the hesitating, half-apologetic +tone was very different from the firm and decided one, in which he had +resisted all other solicitations. But she was not yet satisfied. Womanly +vanity must triumph, no matter how dearly the victory may be purchased. + +"'You surely will not be so ungallant as to refuse a lady so small a +favor,'--and her eyes added, as plainly as words,--'but much less can +you refuse me.' + +"'You see how society is degenerating, Mr. Bernard,' she said, turning +to me, 'there was a time when a lady's request was deemed sacred, now we +poor women have little or no influence over your sex.' + +"'I devoutly wish you had less, Madam,' was my uncourteous reply; but +she scarcely heard me, for Henry, taking the proffered glass, and in a +low tone, murmuring, 'For your sake alone,' quaffed its contents. A +flush of gratified vanity passed over the lady's countenance, for she +had laid a challenge with some of her friends, who had observed his +previous abstinence, that she would make him drink a glass of wine with +her, before the evening was over. That night week I sat, a lonely +watcher, by the corpse of Henry Leslie. He had died in the horrors of +delirium tremens, and his last cry had been for brandy. + +"Oh, it stings me almost to madness," exclaimed Arthur, rising and +pacing the apartment with hurried steps, "when I reflect that that +woman, knowing well his fatal propensity,--knowing, too, how powerful +was her influence over him, for, poor fellow, I believe he would have +laid down his life for her sake, was the immediate instrument of leading +to destruction one who might,--had she encouraged him in his resolution +to abstain, instead of luring him to depart from it,--have been an +honored ornament to society, not filling, as he does to-day, a +drunkard's grave, 'unhonored and unsung.'" + +There was silence for a few moments in the apartment, for even the +volatile Ella seemed affected at the narration. At length she spoke in a +subdued tone. + +"That is certainly a melancholy story, Arthur, and I shall not be able +to get it out of my mind soon. But now that I think of it, have you seen +Agnes Wiltshire since your return?" + +"No; but I have been about to inquire several times where she is, and +why have I not seen her before?" + +"Simply, because she has abjured society." + +"Abjured society!" and Arthur looked up, with a glance full of +astonishment. "What do you mean, Ella? Has she become a nun?" + +"Not exactly; but she certainly is a Sister of Charity, in the fullest +sense of the term. It was only yesterday morning she passed our windows +quite early, followed by a servant carrying a large basket, and I can +easily imagine it was on some charitable mission. You must know, Arthur, +for I see by your looks that you are impatient to hear all about +her,--by the bye, it is singular that you should take any interest in +her, considering she is a woman,"---- + +"Dear Ella, do go on with your story." + +"It is well for you, Mr. Arthur, that I am very good-natured, for I +should have an excellent opportunity now of retaliation, for all the +unkind things you have been saying about our sex. But I can be generous, +and will forgive you this time,--so now to our story. You must know, +then, that a great change has taken place in Agnes, ever since the +sudden death of poor Lelia Amberton, the particulars of which I wrote to +you at the time it occurred. Agnes grew very low-spirited, and in +consequence lost her health, and was ordered by the physician to the +country, to recruit her failing strength. On her return, her dejection +had entirely vanished; but still she was very different to what she had +formerly been. To the great astonishment, and even displeasure of her +relatives, she gently but firmly declined all invitations to balls, or +gay parties, refused to attend the theatre, and, to her friends' earnest +expostulations and inquiries as to the reasons for such a course, +declared 'that she had, at length, become convinced of the vanity and +sinfulness of such pursuits, and no longer dared to peril her immortal +interests by engaging in them.'" + +"But, Edward Lincoln, how does he approve of this strange alteration?" +inquired Arthur, in a tone which, in spite of himself, could not conceal +his evident interest. + +"Oh, poor Edward has been discarded long ago." + +"Discarded! What do you mean, Ella, that she has broken her engagement +with him?" + +"Yes; or, rather, they mutually agreed in the matter, and thereby caused +fresh disappointment to Agnes's friends, whose opposition has risen to +such a height, that I believe they have almost threatened to expel her +from home." + +"Barbarous!" exclaimed Arthur, hastily, his eye flashing with +indignation. "But I suspect they would hardly carry that threat into +effect. And what reason was assigned for the breaking of the +engagement?" + +"Oh, nothing more than non-agreement of sentiment. When I was reasoning +with Agnes about it, one day, she said to me, 'How can two walk together +except they be agreed? I grant, dear Ella, that Mr. Lincoln is all you +have said, handsome, intelligent, and possesses many estimable +qualities; but these qualities, to be permanent, must be based on +principles drawn from the Word of Truth. Do not think, my friend, that +it was without a struggle I have resigned him. No, the conflict was long +and bitter; but I was enabled, at last, to yield to my convictions of +duty. And, indeed, he himself has confessed, that whatever I might have +done once, I should never have suited him now. Our views are +diametrically opposed; the gayeties of life, which I have gladly +resigned, he still takes delight in, and when I have endeavored feebly, +but earnestly, to lead him to seek for more enduring joys, his only +reply is a merry laugh at my enthusiasm, which, he predicts, will soon +evaporate. No, Ella, there is little in unison between us, and it is far +better to break our engagement now, than to find, when too late, that we +had entered into a union productive of misery to us both.'" + +"Agnes is certainly a singular girl," said Arthur, musingly. + +"Oh, but I have not told you all. She has been a Sabbath-school teacher, +has established a day school for poor children, which she superintends, +and there is no fear of her tempting a gentleman to take a glass of +wine, for last, but not least, she has become a teetotaller. There, what +think you of that? and yet, I do not know how it happens, but in spite +of her singular ways, I seem to like her better than ever. There is +nothing in her manner that indicates a consciousness of superior merit, +but she is so truly kind, and her countenance wears so peaceful and +heavenly an expression, that I can never weary of gazing at her, and in +my sober moods, which occur once or twice in a twelvemonth, have some +idea of following her example. And now, Arthur," Ella added playfully, +"if Miss Wiltshire comes not up to your standard of female excellence, I +should despair of ever finding one that did." + +Arthur was about to reply, but was interrupted by the announcement of a +visitor. Slightly annoyed, for he had become really interested in the +conversation, and, resolving to slip away the first convenient +opportunity, he turned to salute the lady, whose name he had not heard, +when, Ella's exclamation of surprise and pleasure fell on his ear. + +"Why, Agnes, have you came at last? I almost thought I was never to see +you again. I called twice, but you were out." + +"Yes, I was very sorry, but a particular engagement called me from +home." + +"Arthur, have you forgotten your old friend, Miss Wiltshire?" inquired +Ella of her brother, who was waiting an opportunity to address her. + +"It would be a difficult task to do that," was the reply, while the +cordial clasp of the hand and kindly tone, told how pleasant was that +meeting to one of the party at least. "You should rather have inquired +if Miss Wiltshire had forgotten me, which is far more probable." + +"I never forget my friends," said Agnes, with a slight emphasis on the +word friends. + +"And to be numbered among Miss Wiltshire's friends, I consider no +ordinary privilege," was Arthur's reply, as he insisted on her occupying +an easy chair by the blazing fire, which the clear but chilly air of +autumn rendered indispensable to comfort. + +"I am afraid you have learned the art of flattery in your travels, Mr. +Bernard." + +"Flattery!" exclaimed Ella, drawing up a chair close to her friend, and +smiling at her brother, who was seated opposite; "I only wish you had +heard him, Agnes, a little while ago, in what terms he spoke of our sex, +for if you had, you would agree with me, that the title of woman-hater +would be far more appropriate than flatterer." + +"Ella, Ella, that is hardly fair," said Arthur, while his cheek became +slightly flushed. + +"But what did he say about us, Ella?" Agnes inquired, smiling half +mischievously at his evident embarrassment. + +"Say, all sorts of things; he declared that the great majority of us +care for little else but pleasure; that the idea of exerting our +influence for good is one that we seldom ever entertain, and he wound up +his exceedingly edifying lecture by a dismal story of a lady, whose +persuasions induced a friend of his to break a promise which he had made +to abstain from intoxicating liquors, and was, thereby, led to an +untimely death." + +"You have been bringing very grave charges against our sex, Mr. +Bernard," said Agnes, with a sweet seriousness, that, however unusual, +well became her fair youthful face; "and I am afraid we should have to +plead guilty in too many instances. Still, even those who appear the +most thoughtless, have their hours of reflection, no doubt, when they +feel the utter insipidity of a life of pleasure--false pleasure--and +form many resolutions to abandon it; but habit is strong, and example +powerful, and once immersed in the gayeties of life, nothing short of +strength from above can make them to 'come out from the world, and to +become separate.'" + +A deeper shade of seriousness passed over Agnes's expressive countenance +as she uttered these words. It was evident they had evoked some painful +recollections, and, as Arthur gazed on the down-cast face, on the long +silken eyelashes that but half concealed the tear that unhidden rose to +the lustrous eye, and observed her lip quivering with suppressed +emotion, he easily divined, from his previous conversation with his +sister, the cause of her agitation. + +"She has suffered, and in the cause of truth," was his mental +ejaculation. Oh, to have the privilege of cheering and sustaining one so +lovely! but + + "Man may not hope her heart to win, + Be his of common mould." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +A few select friends had assembled at Mrs. Bernard's, to celebrate +Ella's birthday. + +"It will not do to have a dancing-party, Mamma," said Ella, when they +were making the necessary arrangements, "it will not do to have a +dancing-party, or Agnes will refuse to come, and I have set my heart on +having her, and I strongly suspect somebody else has done the same," +glancing mischievously at her brother, who had just entered the room. "I +am sure, too, I shall enjoy myself a great deal better with a few select +friends, than if we had a large, gay party." + +"Have it your own way, my dear," said the mother, fondly kissing her +daughter's fair upturned brow; "if it pleases you, I am sure it will +satisfy me." + +"Thank you, dear Mamma, and now I have nothing to do but to write my +invitations, and send them. But, Arthur, I declare you have not said a +word; one would imagine, only I know better, that you do not feel at all +interested in the matter." + +"Interested, why should I, in your foolish parties? Do you not know I +have something better to think of?" + +"Doubtless, and you do not care in the least who accepts the +invitations. Now, confess, for you may as well, that when I proposed, a +few evenings ago, having a small select gathering of friends for Agnes's +sake, your very eyes shone with joy, for all you did wear that provoking +grave look. Confess, too, that you have thought of little else ever +since. I am sure you dreamed about it last night, for you looked very +smiling as you entered the breakfast room this morning." + +"You are an incorrigible little rattle-brain, Ella, and, to punish you, +I have a great mind to declare I will not enter your party. How would +you like that?" + +"I am not in the least alarmed, brother dear, that that threat will be +carried into execution, for the very good and sufficient reason, that +you would thus punish yourself worse than me. But if I stand talking any +longer, my invitations will not be written in season, so I must defer +our very edifying conversation till another opportunity,"--and, humming +a favorite air, the lively girl danced gaily out of the room. + +Arthur, left alone, stood for a moment musing, half amused and half +vexed with his sister. He scarcely had ever mentioned Agnes's name, and +yet, he could not conceal from himself that he felt an interest in her, +beyond that he had ever experienced for any other woman. + +"Absence is love's food," so poets say, and Arthur proved the truth of +the observation. While spending his college vacations at home, he had +often met with her before; and, even then, she charmed him as no other +woman ever did, but when report told of her engagement to Edward +Lincoln, honor forbade him any longer to cherish hopes which he had +allowed to tint with their bright hues his dreams of the future. + +He had shunned her society as far as possible from that time while at +home, and striven, while at college and during his year's sojourn in +foreign lands, to banish her image from his remembrance, and vainly +imagined he had succeeded; but the flame, though it may be dimmed, was +by no means quenched, and was ready, at the slightest encouragement, to +burst forth with renewed vigor. + +But we have digressed. Mrs. Bernard's drawing-room presented a picture +of comfort and elegance as Agnes entered it on the evening of Ella's +party. A few select friends were gathered there, all apparently +perfectly at home, and amusing themselves without restraint, according +to their diversified inclinations. Some were examining the choice +engravings that lay scattered on the tables; others were standing in a +group round the piano, admiring some new music which Ella had that day +received; while the elder members of the party were gathered round the +fireside, enjoying its cheerful blaze, and merrily discussing the events +of the season. Innocent amusement seemed to be the rule of the evening, +and Agnes, though she had left home unusually depressed in spirits, felt +a glow of pleasure thrill through her heart as she contemplated the +scene, and responded with her usual sweet, though, latterly, pensive +smile, the kind greetings of her friends. + +"How pale Miss Wiltshire looks to-night," observed one young lady to +another who was seated at the piano as Agnes entered the apartment. + +"She does, indeed, pale and sad both," was the response. + +Arthur, who had overheard the remark, could not help admitting to +himself its correctness, as he crossed the room to pay his respects to +Agnes, and as, unobserved, he watched her closely, it was evident to him +that, while with her usual unselfishness, she strove to promote the +happiness of others by entering cheerfully into conversation, from the +half suppressed sigh, and the shadow that at intervals stole over her +face, some painful subject, very foreign from the scene around, occupied +her thoughts. + +"I am afraid you are not well to-night, Miss Wiltshire," he at length +said, in a tone low and gentle as a woman's, for Agnes, seated on a +corner of the sofa, and imagining herself unobserved by the rest of the +company, had for a moment closed her eyes, as though to shut out +surrounding objects, while an expression of mental anguish flitted +across her features. + +How precious to the aching heart is human sympathy. The words were +nothing in themselves, but the tenderness of tone in which they were +spoken, told plainly that it was anything but a matter of indifference +to the speaker, and Agnes, blushing deeply as she met Arthur's +compassionate glance, felt the conviction, darting like a ray of sunbeam +through her mind, that to at least one person in the world she was +dearer than aught else beside. + +"I have only a slight headache," was her reply to his kind inquiry, and +one which was strictly correct, for the headache was the result of +mental agitation during the day. + +"I shall recommend you, then, to sit quite still, while I constitute +myself, for the evening, your devoted knight; and shall, therefore, +remain here, ready to obey your slightest behests, be they what they +may." + +"I shall certainly then insist, in the first place, that others be not +deprived of the pleasure of your company for my gratification. I should +be selfish, indeed, if I allowed you to do so." + +"Notwithstanding, here I am, and here I intend to remain until I am +forced away," said Arthur, smiling as, seating himself comfortably +beside her on the sofa, he drew a portfolio from the centre table, which +contained some sketches taken during his recent tour, and, in pointing +out the different places and relating his adventures in each, Agnes +became so much interested as to forget her headache, and even the +anxiety which had weighed down her mind but a short time before. + +There was one picture that seemed particularly to attract her attention. +It was the sketch of a small church, whose white walls peeped out from +the midst of thick foliage, and whose opened doors seemed to welcome the +worshippers that in every direction were seen apparently wending their +way towards it. + +Agnes gazed at it long and earnestly. She laid it down and took it up +again, while Arthur, who could not imagine why she seemed to admire this +sketch in preference to others whose artistic merits were far superior, +gazed on her with some surprise. + +"I see you are wondering, Mr. Bernard," she said, as she marked the +inquiring expression of his countenance, "why this scene should +particularly attract me. It is because it reminds me of the happiest +hours of my life, for, in a church, whose situation and appearance +exactly resembles this, I first learned where true bliss was to be +found." + +"A valuable lesson truly, Miss Wiltshire, and one which I would feel +thankful if you could impart to me, for I assure you I am sadly in need +of it. Dissatisfied with the world, I still see so much hypocrisy in the +church,--there are so many, even among those who minister in holy +things, who seem by their actions wedded to the vanities which they +profess to renounce, that I turn away with a feeling akin to disgust, +and am almost ready to believe that the piety which characterized the +first professors of Christianity has totally disappeared." + +"Perhaps you have not been looking for it in the right place, Mr. +Bernard. There are many whose religion consists in outward observances, +while the heart is given up to its idol; but, granting there was not one +in the world who was really the possessor of true religion, 'What is +that to thee?' The claims of Heaven are not less binding on you, because +not recognized or responded to by the multitude, for each must render an +account of himself, whether the offering of the heart, the only +acceptable one, has been presented, or whether we have turned coldly +away from the voice of the charmer, charm it ever so wisely." + +There was silence for a few moments, which was broken by an observation +from Arthur. + +"Do you know of whom you remind me, Miss Wiltshire? Of a distant +relative of my mother's, who resided with us for a time, when I was but +a boy. She was a young woman then; I, a wild, heedless boy; but her +look, her smile, her very words, are indelibly impressed on my mind. +What a lovely example of all Christian graces was she, for in her they +seemed blended, like the exquisite tints of the rainbow, into a perfect +whole. Her gentle reproof,--her winning manner ever alluring us to that +which was right,--her unwearied endeavor to make all around her +happy,--these, combined with every womanly charm, made her appear, in my +eyes, more than human; and when death came, much and deeply as I +lamented the loss, I could scarcely wonder that Heaven had reclaimed its +own." + +There was a pause, and then Arthur added,--"That I have not gone to the +same extent in folly as others, I believe I owe to her, for when +tempted, by my gay companions at college, to join them in the pleasures +of sin, her look of mild entreaty seemed ever before me, deterring me +from ill; and I often think, had she lived, I might to-day have been a +better and more useful man." + +Agnes had been an attentive listener. "I do not wonder," she said, as he +ceased speaking, "that you so highly estimate woman's influence, for you +have largely benefited by it; but though dead, she yet speaketh. Do you +remember what Young says respecting dying friends? That they are + + 'Angels sent on errands full of love, + For us they sicken, and for us they die.' + +We sometimes wonder at the mysterious Providence which often suddenly +removes the excellent from earth; while the wicked are allowed to +remain; but may it not be graciously ordered thus, to excite in us an +ardent desire for that preparation which shall enable us to greet our +friends on the shores of the better land. Oh, without such a hope what +would life be. + + 'It lifts the fainting spirit up, + It brings to life the dead.' + +How often should I be ready to sink in despair," and Agnes's lips +quivered with emotion, "were it not that I am permitted to look forward +to that inheritance which is incorruptible and undefiled, and which +shall prove an abundant recompense for those 'light afflictions which +are but for a moment.'" + +"But you," said Arthur, half inquiringly, "are, I trust, a stranger to +those afflictions. + + 'Rose-leaved from the cold, + And meant, verily, to hold + Life's pure pleasures manifold.'" + +"My childhood and youth has, indeed, passed amid flowers and sunshine," +was the reply; "and if the future appears now to point to a more gloomy +and thornier path, I will not repine to tread it, for + + 'Here little, and hereafter much, + Is true from age to age.'" + +Arthur, as he was about making a reply, was interrupted by his sister, +who came to request Agnes to play for her a favorite tune, and their +conversation, with the exception of an occasional word now and then, was +ended for that evening. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +"The only son of his mother, and she was a widow,--" Arthur Bernard, as +he attained to manhood, seemed to realize, in person and character, all +a fond mother's fondest anticipations. His stately form, as he mingled +among his compeers, did not tower more above them, than did his lofty +mind, stored with sound principles, and embellished with varied +learning, seem to soar above their grovelling ideas, and to breathe a +higher and purer atmosphere. A glance at his countenance would have +sufficed for the most casual observer to have read, in every lineament, +the impress of a noble and chivalrous nature. Yes, gentle reader, start +not at the word =chivalrous=. It may be, from his previous conversation +on woman's foibles, that you have been, ready to form a very different +opinion,--but you are mistaken; and so will you often find yourself in +the journey of life, should you thus estimate character in general. +Deceit frequently lurks beneath the smile and honeyed words of the +flatterers, and he who believes that the avenues to woman's heart are +only accessible by such means, proves, beyond a doubt, that he has +associated with none but the frivolous, the vain and weak-minded of the +sex. Poor, indeed, is that compliment which man pays to woman, when he +expatiates on her sparkling eyes, her flowing tresses, and ruby lips, as +though she were only a beautifully fashioned creature of clay, while he +virtually ignores the existence of those higher and holier powers which +she shares in common with man, and which make her, in proportion to +their wise and careful development, akin to the angels. + +Arthur Bernard was no flatterer, it is true, but chivalrous in every +sense of the word. A keen appreciator of all that is honorable and +high-minded, he could not stoop to those petty meanesses, which too +often characterize the conduct of those who flatter themselves with the +name of =gentleman=,--a title which Tennyson forcibly describes as + + "Usurped by every charlatan, + And soiled with all ignoble use." + +Courage to meet any emergency, firmness to resist temptation when +presented in its most alluring form, was blended with that genuine +kindness of manner, that deference towards the weak and defenceless, +which renders its fortunate possessor not only esteemed, but beloved. +Yet with so much that was admirable in mind and heart, of him it might +be said, as it was of one of old, "One thing thou lackest." Strange, +that the subject of the greatest importance should be, too often, the +one most seldom dwelt on, too frequently thrust aside, until, in the +season of affliction and the hour of death, its terrible magnitude is +first realized--realized, perhaps, forever too late. Regular in his +attendance on all the ordinances of worship, his heart had remained +unaffected; but this indifference was owing, it may be, in a measure, to +the discourses to which he was in the habit of listening from Sabbath to +Sabbath,--discourses which, while they portrayed in fairest colors the +beauty of a moral life, seemed to forget the natural depravity of the +human heart, and the necessity of the mind being fully renewed, in order +that it might carry those principles into effect. + +Mrs. Bernard, though a devoted mother, and, in many respects, an +excellent woman, had never realized, for herself, "the blessedness of +things unseen." She had been contented to sail smoothly along the stream +of life, which for the most part had been ruffled by few storms, and she +almost forgot, as day after day and week after week glided past, they +were bearing her frail bark swiftly on to the ocean of eternity. There +was a time,--it seemed to her now like a dream as she looked back,--that +she had thought more of these things, for they were presented to her in +a living form, embracing, as it were, in the daily walk and +conversation of a relative, who had been for some time an inmate of her +dwelling. The lovely traits developed in the character of this lady, had +won the matron's heart, and especially had she appreciated the unbounded +care and tenderness which her friend exercised towards her children, +Ella and Arthur. But this messenger of peace passed away to a brighter +clime, and the impression made by her brief sojourn seemed to have +become erased from the memory; like the morning cloud and the early dew, +it soon passed away. Yet was she not altogether forgotten, nor had her +labors of love been entirely in vain. To her it was that Arthur had +alluded in his conversation with Miss Wiltshire, for childhood's heart +is tender and impressible, and from her instructions he had imbided many +of those lofty and noble sentiments which now characterized him; and +often, when the tide of worldliness rushed in to bear him away on its +fierce current, that gentle form would seem to stand before him, and he +would hear again, in fancy, the soft tones of that voice, beseeching him +to pause, and consider his doings. + +Oh, woman, woman, how potent is thy influence, which thou exercisest, in +thy apparently limited sphere, over the human race. Thy tender hand +moulds the plastic mind of childhood; thy gentle rebuke checks the +wayward impulses of impetuous youth; thy loving sympathy and voice +counsel, cheer, and stimulate manhood; and to thee age and infirmity +look up with confidence and delight, assured that thy unwearied care +will not be wanting to smooth their passage to the tomb. Blessed office! +High and holy ministration! Well, indeed, for mankind, if woman were but +truly alive to the onerous duties and responsibilities that devolve upon +her; well for her, and those by whom she is surrounded, if instead of +being as, alas, she too often is, the encourager of man in evil, she +would ever prove the supporter and upholder of that which is good, and +by her example and persuasion, + + "Allure to brighter worlds, and lead the way." + +Arthur Bernard on leaving college had spent some years in travelling +through Europe, and had but just returned when our story commences. Left +in affluent circumstances at the death of his father, which had taken +place while he was yet a child, there was little necessity for exertion; +but of an active and energetic disposition, he could not remain +comparatively unemployed; and obtaining a situation in one of the +principal banks in the city, he devoted the income, acquired by it, to +aid in the diffusion of useful knowledge among his fellow-townsmen, and +for the alleviation of the wants of the helpless and distressed, for +never did the needy apply to him in vain. He looked not with a captious +eye upon their faults and follies,--did not harshly repel them because +sin had, in many instances, led to their distress, but first relieving +their bodily necessities, strove, by wise counsel, kindly administered, +to raise the fallen, cheer the hopeless, and assist the outcast and +degraded in retrieving their position, and again becoming useful members +of society. + +Ella, his sister, a light-hearted girl of eighteen, over whose fair head +prosperity had hitherto scattered its richest blossoms, resembled her +brother in kindness of disposition; but her gay and volatile temper +formed a charming contrast to his grave and subdued manner. Five years +her elder, Arthur's brotherly affection was mingled with an air of +almost fatherly protection; and to him, next to her mother, she had been +in the habit of appealing, and never in vain, for advice and assistance +in any emergency; and while his gravity checked, in some measure, the +mirth which might have degenerated into frivolity, her +light-heartedness, in its turn, exercised a wholesome influence over +him, and, like the gentle breeze, scattered the clouds which sometimes +brooded darkly over his spirit. + +But the declaration of Sacred Writ is, "One event happeneth to all." +None, as they beheld that united and happy family, the centre of a +numerous circle of friends, admired and beloved in the community, +imagined the change which was so soon to "come o'er the spirit of their +dream." + +A few weeks only had elapsed, after the festive scene we have portrayed +in a former chapter, when one morning Ella, on entering her mother's +chamber, which adjoined her own, was surprised to find, for the hour was +unusually late, that she had not yet risen. With noiseless step she +approached the couch, and with gentle hand drew back the curtain, +thinking to wake her by a kiss, when, terrible spectacle to her +affectionate heart, she beheld her idolized mother, not sleeping as she +had expected, but every lineament transfixed and motionless in death! An +apoplectic fit,--so the physician affirmed,--must have seized her during +the watches of the night, and thus, suddenly and fearfully, had she been +called to her final account. We draw a veil over that mournful scene, +for "too sacred is it for a stranger's eye." + +On her children its effect was deep and lasting. Ella especially seemed +sinking beneath the blow, and her brother, fearing for her reason, if +not her life, with gentle violence almost compelled her to bid adieu to +her native city, and, accompanied by him, seek, in change of scene, some +alleviation for the grief that preyed so deeply on her spirit. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +The steamboat wharf of the town of Elton was truly a scene of busy life. +The steamer was making full preparations for the embarkation of +passengers to a distant city; and the wharf was crowded with bales of +goods, casks of water, cabs, trucks, &c. Business men were hurrying to +and fro, sailors were shouting to each other, and friends were hastily +clambering up the plank and springing on deck to remain a few minutes +longer, if possible, with those from, whom they were so soon to be +severed, "it might be for years, and it might be forever." + +But the bell has rung once, twice, its warning note, and now, for the +third time, it peals out on the clear air. The last clasp of the hand, +the hurried embrace, the fervent "God bless you," is given, and those +who are to remain have trodden the plank, regained the wharf, and now +turn, before departing to their respective homes, to take a farewell +glance at the steamer, as she moves slowly and gracefully away, bearing, +it may be, from many their heart's most cherished idols. The passengers +are assembled on deck, watching the receding shores, and many +handkerchiefs are waving a last response to those eager glances, an +adieu which, alas, few there dream shall prove final to so many. + +At the farther end of the deck, close by the railing, is seated a lady +in travelling costume. She is alone, for her companion, an elderly +gentleman, has left her to salute a friend whose face he had just +recognized among the crowd of passengers. + +"A lady accompanies you, I see," was the remark made to Mr. Cameron by +his friend, the Rev. Mr. Dunseer, after the first salutations were over. + +"Yes, Miss Wiltshire, from B----. + +"Miss Wiltshire? I thought I recognized the countenance as one I had +seen before." + +"Ah, so you have had a previous acquaintance with her." + +"Yes; for I am sure it is the same person. She is the niece, is she not, +of Mr. Denham, of B----; but I first met her when she was visiting the +part of the country in which I was stationed for a year or two." + +"I remember perfectly the time," was the reply. "Her relatives had +become alarmed at her failing health, and change of air had been ordered +by the physician." + +"And so she is going to H----." + +"Yes, on a visit to her mother's brother, Mr. Edwards. His only daughter +is about to be married, and they have sent for her to be bride's maid. +Miss Wiltshire has never seen any of the family as yet, with the +exception of Mr. Edwards, who came to B----, on business, and then, for +the first time, had an opportunity of becoming acquainted with his +niece." + +"It is rather singular," was the reply, while a smile lighted up the +fine countenance of the speaker, "that I am on a somewhat similar +errand. The groom, who for many years has been an intimate friend of +mine, insisted on my performing the marriage ceremony. I maintained that +it was the lady's privilege to select a clergyman, but, as he said that +their wishes were one in that respect, I was compelled to concede, and +am on my way thither for that purpose." + +"I am heartily glad of it," said Mr. Cameron. "Miss Wiltshire will, I am +sure, be pleased to see you again, and she will now have more agreeable +company than an old man like me can possibly be; so if you have no +objection we will join her, for she appears to be engaged in a converse +with solitude." + +"I was about proposing to do so, for to renew my acquaintance with one +whom I had learned, during her brief sojourn, so highly to esteem, will +indeed be an agreeable episode in my journey." + +While this conversation was carried on between the two friends, Agnes +had risen from her seat, and with one hand on the railing was leaning +slightly over the side of the steamer, watching the ebb and flow of the +transparent waves, or gazing fondly on the shores fast fading in the +distance. She was not apt to be melancholy; indeed, she seldom allowed +herself to indulge in a mood so opposed to that cheerfulness which +should characterize a Christian; but as she stood there gazing on the +mingled beauties of sea and land, more beautiful than ever at this hour, +when the golden hues of sunset were reflected in the placid waters, and +touched with fresh glory the distant hills, dark and gloomy shadows +stole over her spirit. + +And, indeed, distressing to youth, so dependent on the kindness and +sympathy of others, were the circumstances under which she was now +placed. She had bade adieu to the friends who had watched over her from +childhood, not as hitherto, during her brief visits, with the loving +farewell and the earnest injunction to speedily return; but cold looks +and colder words had marked that parting, with the very distant +intimation, on the part of her uncle, that if, on the expiration of her +sojourn among strangers, her fanatical views; as he termed them, +remained unchanged, she must expect to find herself banished from the +home of her childhood. Poor Agnes! a painful decision awaited her. With +all the affection of her warm and unsophisticated spirit, had she repaid +the tenderness that had been lavished upon her, and now to find herself +charged with having acted a foolish and ungrateful part,--to be thrust +forth from a home of luxury,--from the attention and sympathy of +friends,--to battle with a world that has but little kindness, in +general, to spare for those who need it most; these were painful and +harassing thoughts, and what wonder they weighed down that gentle and +timid spirit, and suffused those lustrous eyes which, until lately, had +seldom shed the tear of sorrow, except for other's woes. + +But as, lost in these troubled reflections, she glanced at the giant +waves beneath her, suddenly a sweet promise of Holy Writ was applied to +her agitated mind, "When thou passest through the waters I will be with +thee, and through the floods, they shall not overflow thee,"--and +immediately her spirit grew calmer, while a sense of peace, comfort and +security, quelled each rising doubt. + +"I have nothing to fear," she murmured. + + "His voice commands the tempest forth, + And stills the stormy wave,-- + And though his arm be strong to smite, + 'Tis also strong to save." + +Agnes was aroused from her reverie by Mr. Cameron's cheerful voice. + +"My dear Miss Wiltshire, allow me to present to you an old friend." + +She turned to salute the stranger, but what was her surprise and delight +to find in him the clergyman under whose ministrations she had so +largely profited. The pleasure, indeed, seemed mutual, for though Mr. +Dunseer, having shortly after Agnes's departure for the city left that +part of the country, had consequently heard nothing more of her, he +still remembered his young and attentive hearer, and had often since +then desired to see her again, and ascertain if indeed the impressions +made were lasting, or had been obliterated amid the whirl and gayety of +fashionable life. + +Still more delighted was Agnes when she learned of his destination; it +seemed a link binding her to those with whom, with the exception of Mr. +Edwards, she was totally unacquainted; and from the depth of her heart +she silently thanked the kind Providence who had thus directed her +steps, and permitted a meeting so fraught with comfort and encouragement +at the very time most needed. + +Long and pleasant was the converse of friends that evening, and it was +not until some time after the sun had set, and dark and heavy clouds, +sweeping across the sky like armies gathering to battle, had obscured +the light of the rising moon, that Agnes, with a heart peaceful and +trusting, retired to her state-room, and in spite of the dash of waves, +and the wail of the rising wind, resigned herself to slumbers calm and +blest. + +But from pleasant dreams of home and friends, she was suddenly aroused +by the confusion and hurried tramping of feet above her head, mingled +with the shrieks of women and children, and the fearful ejaculations of +terrified men. Agnes started up, scarcely realizing that she was indeed +"on the wide billows of the raging sea." Drawing aside the curtains from +her berth, she glanced out into the cabin. It was not day, for the +lights were burning brightly, but the place was a scene of wild dismay; +women wringing their hands; children clinging to their mothers; all +bespoke such terror and despair, that for a moment Agnes felt +bewildered; but quickly recovering herself, and hastily rising, she was +soon in the midst of the terrified group, where she was immediately +joined by Mr. Cameron and his friend. + +"What is the matter?" was her first ejaculation. + +"The steamer is on fire," was the fearful reply. "Quick, my dear girl, +secure whatever you find to be most necessary, while they are getting +the boats ready." + +With that self-possession so invaluable in the time of danger, Agnes +hastily, but calmly, equipped herself comfortably, secured about her +person a small purse of money, and then aided the other lady passengers +in their frantic efforts to prepare for this trying emergency. Very soon +the Captain's stentorian voice was heard,--"The boats are ready, ladies, +there is no time to be lost." + +With a face pallid as death, yet serene in its very paleness, Agnes, +accompanied by her two friends, and followed by a number of the other +passengers, ascended the staircase, and, having gained the deck, glanced +for an instant at the fearful scene. + +There was, indeed, as the Captain had affirmed, no time to be lost. The +fire, which had originated in the engine-room, from the carelessness of +one of the hands, was now making fearful headway, in spite of the +continued efforts of the sailors by deluging it with buckets of water, +to mitigate in a measure, its ravages. All the fore-part of the vessel +was burning, and awfully sublime was the spectacle as the flames mounted +higher and higher, casting their lurid glare over the intensely dark +waste of waters, whose turbid and sullen waves, lashed into fury by a +fierce north-eastern blast, seemed warning the unhappy sufferers of the +fearful fate that awaited them, should they commit themselves more +immediately to its mercy. + +But the danger of embarkation in those frail boats, on an ocean that +every moment grew more tempestuous, was almost lost sight of in +contemplation of the nearer and more fearful fate that awaited them +should they linger; and quickly, and with scarce a murmur of +apprehension, the boat was filled. + +While Mr. Cameron was assisting Agnes into the frail boat, Mr. Dunseer, +who had secured a life-preserver, as soon as she was safely seated +handed it to her, observing that if the boat should be upset, by +clinging to it she might be preserved from a watery grave. + +Thanking him for his kind consideration at such a time, Agnes inquired +anxiously of the two gentlemen whether they were not to accompany her. + +"No;" was the reply of Mr. Cameron. "I fear we must be separated, but +only I trust for a time. This boat is not sufficiently large to hold +more than the lady passengers and the sailors who are to manage it. We +are to embark, as soon as you are safely off, in another, but as both +will steer for the same shore, and keep near each other as much as +possible, I trust, by the mercy of Providence, we shall meet again on +=terra firma=. + +"Yes," responded the minister, who had been for a moment silent, and his +clear voice sounded like the spirit of peace above the roaring flames +and raging billows, "we are steering, I trust, for the same shore, and +should we never meet again on earth, may it be our happy lot to greet +each other in the haven of eternal rest, haven to take the shipwrecked +in." + +Agnes's heart was for a moment too full to speak, but controlling +herself, she said to Mr. Cameron in a hurried whisper, "If anything +should happen to me, and you again behold my friends, tell them, oh, +tell them, that my last thoughts were for them; tell them not to lament +for me, for I shall be at rest, but, oh, I charge, I implore them to +meet me in heaven!" + +A burst of tears closed the sentence; she could no longer restrain her +feelings. + +"We must leave you now, my dear child," said Mr. Cameron, after +promising compliance with her request. "May heaven bless and help you." + +"And may He who holds the winds and the waves in the hollow of his hand, +preserve you, and all, through the hours of this terrible night," was +the solemn ejaculation of Mr. Dunseer, as pressing for the last time her +hand, the final order was given, the boat pushed out from the side of +the burning vessel, and she was left in the midst of strangers; +strangers personally, yet linked together by the sympathy arising from +mutual danger. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +"Letters from home at last," said Arthur Bernard, as he entered the +private salon of an hotel, located in a pretty town in the south of +France. + +"I had begun to think our friends had quite forgotten us," he continued, +addressing his sister, who, seated in a recess formed by a large +bow-window, had been anxiously watching for his return. + +"You have not opened any of them yet," she said, as she came eagerly +forward to receive her share. + +"No;" was the reply. "I knew how anxiously you were waiting, and +hastened that we might read them together." + +"Always thoughtful, dear brother, of my comfort, you quite spoil me," +said Ella, with an affectionate smile, but in a tone, whose subdued +sound, proved a striking contrast to her former vivacity. + +For the next few moments silence reigned in the apartment, for each were +busily engaged in perusing their respective epistles. + +It was broken at length by an exclamation from Ella, which arrested her +brother's attention, and looking up from the opened sheet he held in his +hand, he ejaculated with alarm,-- + +"For pity's sake, Ella, what is the matter?" for his sister's cheek had +become colorless as marble, and sinking into a seat, she burst into a +passion of tears. + +Still more alarmed, he laid down the letter, and advancing to her, +implored her to tell him the cause of her agitation. + +"Read for yourself," she said, "for I cannot bear to speak of it. Oh, +Agnes, Agnes!" + +A fresh mist of tears followed these words. + +"Agnes, what of her?" and Arthur's cheek became almost as blanched as +his sister's, and his hand trembled as he grasped the fatal manuscript. +He seemed to forget that the name might belong to some other than Miss +Wiltshire, for among the circle of their acquaintance there were two or +three with a similar designation, but in his inmost thoughts, though he +had never thus addressed her, he had been so accustomed to associate it +with the remembrance of herself, that it had become dear and sacred as a +household word, and when his sister's ejaculation of "Agnes, Agnes," met +his ear, he never dreamed of other, for + + "There was but one such name for him + So soft, so kind, so eloquent." + +The letter was from a lady acquaintance of Ella's, written in a fine +Italian hand, not very intelligible, and crossed and re-crossed in a +most elaborate manner. + +"Commend me to a lady's epistle," he said, in a tone more nearly +approaching to bitterness than his sister had ever heard from him +before. And, indeed, trying to the patience at any time, its perusal, +just now, seemed a hopeless task; but at length, at the foot of the +closing page, the writer having largely expatiated on the loss she had +sustained in the departure of her dear friend Ella, and how eagerly she +had looked forward to her return, and having exhausted all other items +of information which "she hoped," she added, "might not prove +uninteresting to her friend and Mr. Bernard," very coolly wound up by +remarking, "By the bye, I suppose you have not heard of Miss Wiltshire's +unhappy fate. I think it was a week or two after you left B----, that +she embarked in one of the steamers, ostensibly on a visit to a relative +who resided in H----, to act as bridesmaid for his daughter, but with an +intimation from her uncle, so I understand, that unless she relinquished +her fanatic notions, she must no longer expect a home beneath his roof. +The vessel in which she embarked sailed at the appointed time, but never +reached its destination. It took fire the night after leaving the +harbor, and all efforts to quench the flames were unavailing. The +passengers, of whom there were a large number on board, attempted to +escape in boats; some were fortunate enough to succeed, but the ladies, +among whom was Miss Wiltshire, without exception, found a watery grave. +It appears that the females had been first placed in one of the boats +manned by two or three sailors, and then another boat received the male +passengers and crew. They had hoped to keep near each other, but were +separated by the dark and tempestuous night. The gentlemen were +fortunate enough to gain land, after a good deal of sailing, and from +thence, having endured much fatigue, at length arrived here in safety; +but of the missing ones no intelligence was gained, until yesterday, +when a boat, identified by the passengers, from the name printed on its +stern, was picked up by some vessel, and brought into our harbor. It had +drifted nearly as far as the coast of Newfoundland, and, strange to say, +a woman's bonnet was found floating near it, which being also conveyed +here, was immediately recognized by Mrs. Denham, as the very one Miss +Wiltshire wore on leaving home, thus proving, beyond the slightest +doubt, the terrible fate which befell her and her unfortunate +companions. Mr. and Mrs. Denham seem almost bereft of their +senses,--they refuse to be comforted,--and blame themselves as the sole +cause of their niece's death; but, for my part, and I am sure you will +agree with me, I think Miss Wiltshire's singular conduct was quite +sufficient to warrant the anger of her relatives, who had always treated +her with such indulgence; for it seems to me a great presumption, for a +young person to set up her own ideas, in opposition to those who +certainly are far more capable of judging of what is right and wrong. + +"Poor thing, she has gone now, so it would not be right to speak too +harshly; but I cannot help telling you, that she was never a favorite of +mine, for I do dislike that pretending to be so much better than others, +and she had such a soft, winning way with her, that I believe some +almost thought her an angel, but she couldn't thus have imposed on me." + +Arthur read no further. He forgot his sister's presence; forgot that the +epistle belonged to her, and with an impulse of indignation he could not +control, he tore it in pieces, scattering its contents to the winds; +while with open, wondering eyes, the tears suddenly checked, Ella looked +on without speaking, almost ready to conclude that her brother had taken +leave of his senses. He turned from the open casement, and as he met her +inquiring and troubled gaze, instantly became himself again. + +"Forgive me, dear sister," he said, in a tone of mingled anger and +grief, "that I have destroyed that =precious= manuscript," laying an +emphasis on the word precious; "but oh, Ella, Ella, is it possible that +such fearful intelligence can be true? It almost seems," he added, in a +tone of anguish and despair, "that heaven could not permit one so +young, so lovely, to perish in such a heart-rending manner,"--he stopped +abruptly,--and Ella was spared replying by a gentle tap at the door. + +"Come in," she said in a low, faint voice, and, in compliance with the +invitation, an elderly American lady, who was on a visit to some friends +that resided opposite, and with whom Ella had become quite intimate +during her sojourn in the place, entered the apartment. + +"I have been wanting so much to see you, my dear child," she said, +affectionately, "and have been looking for you all the morning, and +finding you did not make your appearance, concluded to come in search of +you. But what is the matter," said she, pausing, and glancing first at +Ella, and then at her brother, "I trust you have not heard any bad +news?" + +"We have, indeed, dear Madam," replied Arthur, with an effort to control +his voice, "the loss of a very dear friend,"--here the tones visibly +faltered,--"by the burning of a vessel at sea, and the subsequent +upsetting of a boat, in which some of the passengers were endeavoring to +make their escape." + +"That is indeed very, very sad news," said the old lady, affectionately +clasping Ella's hand, "and I, my friends, can sympathize with you, for +five years ago to-day, my son, my darling son, the pride of my heart, +the charm and ornament of our dwelling, set sail from his native shores, +for a distant land, and from that moment unto this, no tidings ever +reached me of his fate, for the vessel was heard of never after." + +"Do you know," she said to Ella, a few moments after, as Arthur, with +some murmured apology left the room, for he felt that human sympathy, +however precious at other times, seemed but to madden him now, and he +longed to be alone--"Do you know," she repeated, as the young girl's +eyes, swollen with weeping, were upraised to her benevolent countenance, +"that I was standing at the window right opposite, when you drove up to +the door, and as your brother quickly alighted from the carriage, and +tenderly assisted you out, my heart beat quick; the blood forsook my +cheeks, and my whole frame was convulsed with emotion, for so strikingly +did he resemble my lost one in look and manner, that, for the moment, I +wildly dreamed that he had come back to bless me." + +The old lady's tears flowed freely. + +"I miss him so much, so very much," she said, "and especially on the +anniversary of that fatal day which tore him from my fond embrace, and I +can well appreciate the emotion which lent intensity to David's pathetic +exclamation, 'Oh my son, my son, would to heaven I had died for thee, +oh, my son, my son.'" + +While Mrs. Cartwright was thus, by a relation of her own trials, +endeavoring to divert, in some measure, Ella's mind, and prevent her +from dwelling too exclusively on this painful event, Arthur, having +gained his chamber, was now pacing the floor with restless steps, his +whole soul a prey to the most intense emotions of grief, such as he had +never before experienced. At one moment he felt stupefied, at the +suddenness of the blow; the next, aroused again to the consciousness of +its terrible reality. At length a hope, that seemed to up-spring from +the depth of his despair, shed a faint light over the chaotic darkness +that reigned within. "The information may be exaggerated," was his +mental solving, "for it is plain that the writer, in penning it, was +actuated by no feelings of good-will, and there may yet exist a hope of +Anges's escape." With this idea, he opened another epistle, which he had +received, but not yet read. It was from an elderly gentleman, who had +always held Agnes in the deepest esteem, and with a trembling hand he +broke the seal. Alas for his futile hopes! Not at the close of the page, +as in the one received by Ella, but at the very commencement of the +letter, was the mournful intelligence communicated, and while the +narrator deeply deplored the event, he intimated, at the same time, that +not a doubt existed in his own mind, or in the minds of her friends, as +to the certainty of her untimely fate. + +Arthur laid the letter aside, and again commenced his restless pacing. +Alas, he had once almost imagined himself a Christian, for had he not +been sedulous in the discharge of every duty, and, like the young man +referred to in Scripture, could have said, with reference to the moral +law as far as outward observances are concerned, "All these have I kept +from my youth up." But now, mitigating, soothing, extracting from grief, +however mighty, some portion of its bitterness, where was the +resignation of the Christian? Not, certainly, in that heart so full of +bitterness, that was ready to contend with heaven for having reclaimed +its own; its power, its goodness, its wisdom, were almost, +unconsciously, arraigned, and finite man presumed to pass judgment on +the acts of infinite benevolence, until, at length, shocked at his own +rebellious feelings,--and startled, nay, terrified, at this the deepest +insight he had ever obtained of the natural depravity of his heart, he +sank into a chair, and in utter recklessness abandoned himself to the +tide of grief which seemed waiting to overwhelm him. + +Oh there are terrible moments in human experience, moments when even the +Christian is so haunted by the demon of unbelief, when the dire enemy of +God and man takes advantage of some unpropitious circumstance, some +painful affliction, to taunt the soul, already almost crushed, and to +inquire, with fiendish malignity, "Where is now thy God?" that if not +wholly overcome, he, at least, escapes alone with fearful wounds from +the trying conflict; how then can that one sustain the assault who is +totally unprepared, and who knows but little of the source from whence +alone help can come? Well, indeed, for frail humanity, that there is a +tender, pitying Father, who "knoweth our frame, and remembereth we are +dust," and oftentimes, when our need is sorest, sends, in his own good +way, unexpected relief. + +With his face buried in his hands, heedless of the lapse of time, and of +anything save his own absorbing emotion, Arthur still sat in the +armchair, into which he had thrown himself, his thoughts dwelling, with +strange pertinacity, upon the past,--the past that seemed to mock him +now. + +They expected very shortly to have returned home, and he had anticipated +so much pleasure in that return. He had never analyzed the source of +that pleasure, but now that it was removed, he saw it too clearly; it +was the hope, the expectation, of meeting with her. He recalled to mind +the hours he had passed with her,--happy hours, all too quickly flown; +her winning smile, the sweetly persuasive tones of her voice, her +earnest and thoughtful manner, all came back to haunt him with their +memory. Oh, how distinctly he remembered one of the last conversations +he had with her, when, in her own mellifluous tones, she had repeated +Young's exquisite lines,-- + + "Stricken friends + Are angels sent on errands full of love,-- + For us they languish, and for us they die." + +Never had he felt their beauty as now, for the storm of passion had in a +measure subsided, and the still small voice of conscience once more +asserted its power. + +"Oh, Agnes, Agnes," he murmured, "you tarried on our earth as an angel +of light, and now you have but returned to your native sphere, and +rejoined your sister spirits, but could you see my rebellious heart, how +infinitely removed from the resignation and purity that can alone find +admission into the haven of bliss, how should I sink in your esteem, if, +indeed, surrounded by the spirits of the blessed, your thoughts ever +turn to so miserable an inhabitant of earth." + +A book lay on the table beside him. He took it up mechanically, scarcely +knowing what he did. It was an elegant edition of Mrs. Hemans' poems, +and had been the gift of Agnes to his sister a few weeks previous to her +leaving home. + +On the fly-leaf she had inscribed Ella's name, and the sight of her +hand-writing sent a fresh thrill of agony to his heart. But last +evening, on borrowing the book from his sister, he had contemplated it +with such delight; now, it was but the fatal reminder of "what had been, +but never more could be." With the restlessness of a weary heart, he +turned over page after page, until his glance was arrested by some lines +she had evidently marked. How bitterly appropriate they seemed now as he +read,-- + + "Go, to a voice such magic influence give + Thou canst not lose its melody and live; + And make an eye the load-star of thy soul; + And let a glance the springs of thought control. + Gaze on a mortal form with fond delight, + Till the fair vision mingles with thy sight; + There seek thy blessings; there repose thy trust + Lean on the willow, idolize the dust! + Then, when thy treasure best repays thy care, + Think on that dread '=forever=,' and despair." + +It is true these lines, evidently addressed to an unbeliever in our holy +Christianity, were not, in that respect, applicable to him, yet he felt +that the reproof came home to his own conscience; for earth had too much +engrossed his vision, and while from childhood he had been taught that +life and immortality are brought to light by the Gospel, in his +despairing grief he had almost lost sight of the blessed possibility of +being re-united to her, whom he now contemplated as a sinless spirit in +the regions of eternal bliss. + +Far reaching as Eternity were the results of these hours of affliction, +and with higher and holier aims, and the determination to consecrate +life's remaining days, weeks, or years, to that service which is alone +worthy of being engaged in by immortal beings, Arthur Bernard returned +once more to the battle of life, with a heart crushed and bleeding, it +is true, but not destitute of Peace, that celestial visitant, or of +heavenly hope, pointing to a brighter and more enduring inheritance. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +The winter had set in unusually early. Along the bleak coast of +Newfoundland, and through its dreary and sparsely inhabited islands, +November blasts raged fiercely, lashing to fury the crested waves that +beat against the giant rocks, which, standing sentinel-like on the +shore, seemed to frown defiantly on them; or laving, far and wide, the +long, flat sand beach, that afforded less obstruction to their impetuous +progress. To a remote part of this dreary coast we would now direct the +attention of our reader. Scarcely fair, even when Summer lavished upon +it her fairest smiles, there, no traces of beauty invited the weary +pilgrim to tarry and rest within their refreshing shade; no garden, gay +with flowers, rang with childish laughter, as the little ones plucked +their fragrant blossoms; but rugged hills, frowning rocks, and desolate +sand beaches, assumed the place of waving woods, smiling corn-fields, +and blooming orchards; while for the melodious notes of woodland +songsters, was heard the wild cry of the stormy petrel, or the shrill +scream of the large sea-gull. + +But "Nature never fails the heart that loves her," and while destitute +of the exuberant charms of more genial climes, the spot to which we +allude was not without attraction to an admirer of the sublime and +picturesque. + +Nor was there wanting wild beauty in the scene which greeted the +spectator, who might perchance on some lovely summer's morning ascend +the steep hills, or pause for rest on one of the rocky eminences jutting +out into the sea. Before him lay the wide expanse of ocean, reaching far +beyond the keenest vision, calm at that moment as though it had never +been lashed to fury by wailing tempests, and reflecting in its +mirror-like surface the azure heavens that smiled brightly above. +Beneath his feet the stunted herbage assumed its liveliest hue of +emerald green, diversified here and there by some tiny, hardy wild +flowers, while the distant sail, gleaming in the sunlight, and then +passing beyond the eager vision,--the fishermen's huts, scattered here +and there on the rugged and uneven land,--the fishing shallops, and +boats of every variety, that dotted the waters, with their owners, some +standing on the beach, and some in their vessels, but all engaged in the +one occupation of securing and preserving the finny tribe, their only +source of wealth, gave an air of animation to the scene, while the merry +laugh of children, and the cheerful tones of women, as they hurried to +the beach to assist the parent or husband, spoke of social ties, and +seemed to say, that peace and contentment were not alone the associates +of refinement, education, and luxury. + +But quite a different aspect did that barren coast present when chilly +Autumn and relentless Winter resumed their dreaded reign. Then, indeed, +to the inhabitant of the city, dreary beyond description would a +residence within one of its small yet hospitable huts appear, and he +must possess resources in himself of no common order, or be sustained by +a lofty sense of duty, who could cheerfully and contentedly remain +through those cheerless seasons. + +Standing somewhat isolated, and at a distance from the shore, yet +commanding a fine view of the sea, was a cottage of larger dimensions, +and of neater appearance than the generality of the fishermen's +dwellings. It was built on an irregular tract of land, that sloped down +to the shore, and behind it rose a ragged hill, in summer partially +covered with coarse grass, that concealed its jagged rocks, and lent it +an air of cheerfulness; but now its rude outline, no longer softened by +the verdure and sunshine, presented a weird and desolate appearance. In +front of the cottage, which contained four or five rooms, with a small +attic above, used for storing away provisions, &c., was a piece of +ground, enclosed by a wooden railing, where a few vegetables were +planted each spring; but these had long ago been gathered in, and the +land was now enjoying its Sabbath, to be continued for six long months, +before it would again yield of its productions, for the benefit of its +hardy and thrifty owners. + +The interior of the dwelling, though roughly fashioned, and furnished in +the most simple manner, was not uninviting, for there was that +atmosphere of cleanliness and neatness about it, which renders the +rudest spot more attractive than luxurious habitations, where it is +found wanting. Through the centre ran a narrow hall, out of which opened +the different rooms. On the right hand, just as you entered, was a door +leading into a good-sized apartment, fulfilling the united duties of +kitchen, parlor, and sitting-room, while at the opposite side were +several chambers, small, but clean and airy. + +In the sitting-room,--for by that term we shall designate the principal +apartment,--a bright coal fire was blazing cheerily in the large open +fire-place, casting its pleasant light over the spotless and carefully +sanded floor, gleaming on the plastered walls, and lingering to see +itself gaily reflected on the shining pewter, and brightly colored delf, +that, neatly arranged on the bowed shelves of the snowy dresser, were +evidently the pride of the housekeeper. + +A white cloth covered the rude wooden table that stood in the centre of +the room, and the mistress of the dwelling was hurrying to and fro, +evidently intent on preparing the evening repast, while from the +bake-kettle, that had just been taken from the fire, the fragrance of +newly-baked bread ascended, filling the place with its odor; an odor by +no means ungrateful to appetites, sharpened by manly labor and healthy +sea-breezes. + +While the busy matron was thus happily employed in her labors of +love,--for such they emphatically were to her,--the daughter, a girl of +eighteen years of age, and two younger sons, were with their father on +the beach, assisting him in sorting, and putting in barrels, a quantity +of fish, designed for the family's use during the winter. + +"It will be a fearful night, father," said the girl, pausing from her +labors, and looking out on the black, swollen waves, while the wind, as +it swept furiously by, more than once obliged her to cling to the rock +for support. + +"It will be a fearful night, father," she repeated,--and, hesitating for +a moment, she added, "and brother William is at sea." + +"Ay," responded the brawny, stalwart, and good-humored looking man, "it +will be, as you say, lass, a stormy night, and a terrible one, I reckon, +to poor seamen,--for there is more than William on the ocean." + +A faint flush tinged with a deeper hue the girl's countenance, already +bronzed by exposure to sun and wind, while her dark grey eye grew moist +with unshed tears. It was evident that there was something deeper in the +old man's speech, than the mere words would seem to imply,--some covert +allusion which thus called forth her emotion. + +"The vessel was to have left more than a week ago; it ought to be near +the coast by this time," said the fisherman, in a tone of uneasiness. + +He turned to address his daughter, but she was no longer at his side; +and, looking in the distance, he perceived her climbing a high and +jutting rock, from which the ocean, for miles around, was distinctly +visible. Ellen, for that was her name, having at length ascended, stood +with agile yet firm feet on the eminence, shading, with one hand, the +sun, which now, peering from behind a mass of dark purple clouds, lit up +for a moment the turbid waves, and gleamed on rock and beach and +fishermen's huts,--and with the other holding on to the sharp edge of a +projecting rock, that still towered above her. Nor as she thus stood, +was she, by any means, an unpicturesque object; the sunshine glancing on +her neatly arranged brown hair, her tall figure, slight for that of a +hardy fisherman's child, clad in a black skirt and crimson jacket, and +every feature of her speaking countenance wearing a commingled +expression of anxiety, hope, and tenderness. + +How her eager vision seemed to catch, in a moment, each feature of the +scene; the sandy beach--the rugged hill--her father's shallop--and he, +standing in the position she had left him, gazing out into the sea; and +with what a lingering, straining glance, did her eyes wander over that +pathless ocean, while her heart sank within her, as she contemplated its +angry and menacing appearance. + +"Not a sail in sight," she murmured, "and the night coming on so +fearfully black. Oh, Edward, shall I ever see you again!" was her +exclamation, uttered in a tone full of wild pathos, while the hand, that +had been upraised to shade the sun's rays, fell listless at her side. + +"Oh, if you only come back safe again, I shall quarrel with you and +tease you no more,--and you so patient and so good,"--and her quivering +lip, and the expression of anguish that passed over her features, told +how deep and true her emotion. + +"It is no use lingering here," she mentally ejaculated, as a fresh blast +of wind nearly swept her from the summit. "I may as well go down at +once." Turning to descend, she paused to take a parting glance at the +distant ocean, whose mercy she would fain have invoked for the loved +ones it bore on its bosom, when something at a distance caught her eager +eye. As one transfixed, she stood there, fearing almost to breathe, lest +a breath might dissolve the vision. + +"Yes, a sail is in sight; but, ah, is it the one I look for? Oh, this +cruel suspense, how much longer must I bear it! Father, father," she +cried, and the breeze bore the clear tones of her voice distinctly to +his ear; "father, do come here, for I see a sail yonder, and I think it +is the 'Darling,'" for so, by the lover captain,--doubtless to remind +him of another =darling=, tarrying at home,--the little trim schooner +was designated. + +The man quickly obeyed her summons, and soon stood by her side, +scanning, too, with eager eyes, the appearance of the vessel, that was +now, favored by a strong breeze, veering rapidly towards them. + +"It looks like her cut, Ellen," said the fisherman; "but we shall see +shortly." + +"Yes," said the girl, clapping her hands with delight, while her whole +face was lighted up with joy; "it is her, sure enough, for I see her +blue flag bordered with red, and the white square in the centre." + +"Well," said the man, with a good-humored smile, "thine eyes must be a +good deal sharper than mine, lass, for I can barely see a flag at all, +much less its color; but certainly thou ought to know best, when it +happens to be the work of thine own hands." + +A merry laugh was the response. "I shall hurry down to tell +mother,"--and with an agile step she bounded down the steep eminence, +and in a few moments reached the door of the dwelling, while the +fisherman hastened to the beach, to be first ready to greet the crew of +the schooner with a hearty welcome home. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +"Ben," said the Captain of a smart-looking schooner, that under a heavy +weight of canvas was manfully breasting the breeze, almost conscious, +one might fancy, that it was steering for home. + +"Ben," he inquired, addressing the mate, who had just come on deck, +"what is that strange looking thing yonder?" indicating by his finger +the direction of the object. The mate, a weather-beaten and experienced +looking son of the ocean, glanced for a moment in the direction +specified, without speaking. + +"It looks to me," he said at length, "like a human being clinging to +some box or chair, but it is floating fast this way, and we shall soon +be able to tell." + +Sure enough, in a moment or two, they were enabled to gain a full, clear +view of it, and saw it to be a woman holding fast to a ring of some +kind,--a life-preserver they judged it to be,--which kept her head above +the waters. + +"Let us bear down quick," said the Master, in an excited tone, for he +was young and kind-hearted, and the sight of anything in distress, how +much more a woman, was sufficient to arouse his warmest sympathies; and +ere ten minutes had elapsed, the life-preserver, with its clinging +burden, was safely landed on deck. + +Agnes, for she it was, whom this worthy man had so promptly and +providentially rescued, was partially insensible; but some restoratives, +which fortunately they happened to have on hand, being applied, she soon +recovered, at least sufficiently to explain from whence she came, and +through what means she had been placed in such a perilous situation. + +It appeared, from her statement, that after having embarked on board the +boat during that tempestuous night, which witnessed the conflagration of +their noble steamer, whose fate was recorded in a previous chapter, the +sailors, who had, unknown to the captain, smuggled a large cask of +spirits on board, began freely to imbibe them, to keep out, as they +said, the cold. It was in vain that the ladies remonstrated with them, +and pointed out the dangers which would ensue, should they become +helpless through its means. Unfortunately they had lost sight, in +consequence of the darkness and tempest, of the other boat, containing +the remainder of the passengers, who had just time to push away from the +burning wreck before its final submersion beneath the briny waves; and, +having none to check them, the sailors, in spite of the entreaties of +the women, continued to partake, from time to time, of the +death-destroying liquid. + +Morning dawned, but brought little alleviation. It is true, the storm +had abated, and the sky was becoming clear, but the wind was still high, +and the boat rocked fearfully, while the billows, that had not yet been +hushed into quiet, threatened, every now and then, to submerge the frail +and tempest-tossed bark. They had drifted,--so the sailors said,--a long +way through the night, and must be somewhere near the coast of +Newfoundland; but no indication of land was visible, nor was there to be +seen the slightest trace of their companions in misfortune. All that day +the sailors behaved pretty well; a bag of biscuits had been placed on +board, and a jar of water, of which each partook, and all felt a little +comforted and strengthened; but, as night came on, the men commenced +afresh to drink. Most fortunately, the sea had become calm, so the boat +drifted on, pretty much left to its own will. The next morning found the +sailors in a state of almost helpless intoxication; but now land was in +sight, though at a great distance, and the women, seizing the oars, +strove to impel the boat in that direction; but soon, worn out with the +struggle, and finding they made but little headway, most of them gave up +to despair, and resigned themselves, as they said, to their fate. It was +now high noon, at least so they judged from the look of the sun, and +Agnes strove by every means to re-assure her fainting companions. She +spoke of the power and goodness of their heavenly Father, and besought +them to unite with her in earnest petitions to the throne of grace for +timely succor, or for a preparation for a speedy exit from life. Some +heard with attention, and united with agonizing earnestness in the +petition, which, as it ascended from her lips, sounded like a seraph's +pleading, and surely reached the ear of the Lord God of Sabaoth. Others +listened with stolid indifference, or sullen despair. Throughout the +precious years of prosperity, that had been vouchsafed to them, they had +been neglecters of the "great salvation;" and now, in the article and +hour of death, they knew not how to implore his mercy, of whom they had +been hitherto utterly unmindful, much less adored and loved. + +At length one of the women lifted her face, haggard with care and grief, +and threw a glance, preternaturally sharpened, over the wild waste of +waters:-- + +"I see a sail yonder," she cried wildly. "Look," she cried to Agnes, +"can you not see it, too?"--but just at this moment one of the sailors, +not quite so much stupefied as the others, hearing the exclamation, +roused himself, and bent over the side of the boat, and instantly the +frail bark was submerged beneath the waves. + +Oh, what shrieks of agony filled the air. + + "Then rose from sea to sky the wild farewell, + Then shrieked the timid, and stood still the brave." + +Agnes had carefully retained the life-preserver, which had been given to +her by her friend the minister, and with the instinct of +self-preservation, almost unconsciously clung to it, while her +companions, less fortunate, and worn out with previous grief, one by one +sank to rise no more "till the sea shall give up its dead." + +"I think," she said, as she concluded her narrative, "I must have been +in the water more than half an hour, when I espied the sail, to which my +unfortunate companion had alluded, and seeing it, seemed to inspire me +with new life, for I had become so exhausted and enfeebled by the waves +that surrounded me, that I felt nature could not much longer survive the +icy chills which thrilled through my very frame; and when I found that +you had seen me, and were sailing towards me, evidently with the +intention of effecting my rescue, no language can describe the varied +emotions of my heart,--joy, gratitude and hope preponderating." + +Exhausted by the effort of speaking, Agnes sank back on the rude couch, +that the sailors had with kind haste prepared for her. + +"Land, yonder," sang one from the mast-head. + +"I am heartily glad of it," said the Captain, "for all our sakes, for we +shall soon have a terrible storm, but especially for this poor lady's, +whose strength seems almost gone." + +Prospered by a favoring breeze, a few hours sufficed to bear the vessel +to its destined harbor; and that night, sheltered, in comparative +comfort, beneath the hospitable roof of Mr. Williamson, Ellen's father, +Agnes sank into deep and quiet repose. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + +April, capricious, yet beautiful child of Spring, once more smiled upon +the bleak shores and sterile plains which, when we last beheld them, +were encompassed by the chilling atmosphere, and loomed bleak and +desolate beneath the sombre sky of, to that land at least, unpropitious +winter. + +Welcome to all the inhabitants of that rude coast, the return of the +season was hailed with pleasure the deepest, the liveliest, with +gratitude as warm as ever expanded the human heart, by her whom, an +exile from her native shores, had been compelled to sojourn for a season +on its rocky and cheerless wastes. Five months had now elapsed since, +rescued by the kind-hearted sailors, Agnes had become an inmate of the +fisherman's cottage, and these months had seemed to her like a separate +existence, so widely had their experience differed from that of her +accustomed every-day life. + +But deem not, gentle reader, that they had been spent by her in sinful +repining at the hardships of her lot. During the first part of her +sojourn among them, severe sickness, caused no doubt by previous +exposure and anxiety, had prostrated her system, and brought her to the +very borders of the grave, but through the unremitting care of Mrs. +Williamson and her daughter, she was restored to health; and full of +gratitude to heaven for this double preservation of her life, which had +been thus vouchsafed, her first inquiry was, how she could best return +the debt of gratitude due to her Father in Heaven, and those through +whose kindly instrumentality she was thus raised up again. Nor was she +long in ascertaining the path of duty, nor hesitating in commencing and +pursuing it with eagerness. + +One day, soon after her recovery, she was sitting by the fire, when +Ellen, the fisherman's daughter, to whom we have before alluded, entered +the room, and observing that Agnes looked somewhat downcast, kindly +inquired the cause, for the gratitude she had manifested for every +little act of kindness, had deeply endeared her to those with whom she +was now associated. + +"I hope you do not feel any worse, dear lady," she said. + +"Oh, no, Ellen," was the reply, while a smile instantly dissipated the +shadow that had obscured for a moment her countenance. "And how deeply +grateful should I feel," she added after a short pause, "first to my +Heavenly Father, and then to you and your kind family, whose unwearied +care and attention have been so instrumental in my recovery; and I trust +yet to have it in my power to show my sense of your kindness." + +"Don't, Miss Wiltshire, please don't say anything more. Why, we only did +what any persons, with common feelings, would have done." + +"Nevertheless," persisted Agnes, "I feel under very great obligations to +you all. But I will tell you what made me look a little melancholy when +you came in. Your father informed me, this morning, that there would be +no possibility of my communicating with my home until spring, and thus +my relatives and friends, not having any intelligence of me, for so long +a time, will certainly believe that I have found a watery grave." + +"But when you return home, what a delightful surprise they will get; +why, it would be worth enduring months of pain for," said Ellen, who +seemed to have the happy faculty of always looking at the bright side. + +"Very true, Ellen, but"--and an involuntary sigh followed the +sentence--"you know not, and I trust will never know, from experience, +that 'Hope deferred maketh the heart sick.'" + +"I know something about that, too, Miss Agnes, though maybe you think me +too young; but, indeed, there was once a weary while, when I watched the +sea day after day, that is, when the scalding tears would let me see +it, and shuddered to hear the fierce winds moaning round our dwelling, +as though they had a human heart, and sighed and raved for some lost +love. Oh, how I remember the day, when that long-looked for vessel came +back again, for I had got up more down-hearted than ever, and I thought +it no use hoping and waiting, for I shall never see it again,--and then +the salt sea was not salter than the tears I shed, as I sat down on a +rock by the shore, and thought of the stalwart form that would never +meet my eye again, and of the kind voice that should never sound in my +ears,--and as I looked on the sea, its bright waves rippling and smiling +beneath my feet, it seemed to laugh and mock me cruelly, and I almost +wished myself,--I know it was very wicked, Miss Agnes,--far, far beneath +it, where I should forget my troubles, and my heart cease its aching. +And then I laid my head on the rock, and covered my face with my hands, +and cried as though I should never cease, until I felt something touch +my face, and a voice that I knew too well said, 'Ellen, Ellen, what art +thou breaking thy heart for in this manner?'--and I looked up, and saw +two eyes, that, a moment before, I thought death had closed, shining +brightly on me, and--but you have seen him yourself, Miss Agnes, and can +easy guess how happy I was. Oh, it made up for all my weary days, and +wretched, sleepless nights." + +Agnes had listened with much interest to the simple narrative, and +while her eyes filled with tears, she murmured, almost unconsciously, + + "One touch of nature makes the whole world kin." + +We would not like to vouch for it, but, perhaps, while Ellen had been +speaking, with the remembrance of her relatives, another image had +arisen in her mind, and she thought, "And he, too, he will hear of what +they will deem my terrible fate." + +There was pleasure, mingled with pain, as her heart suggested, that +eyes, albeit unused to weep, might even now be shedding a tear over her +untimely doom; for Arthur did not, could not, conceal the deep interest +he felt in her welfare; and as she called to mind his kindness, his +sympathy, when all the world seemed dark to her, she felt her heart +thrill with strange emotion, and she asked herself, again and again, +"Shall I ever be so happy as to see him once more?" + +"Mr. Elliot is, indeed," said she, in reply to Ellen, after a short +pause, "worthy of you, as far as I have had an opportunity of judging, +and that is saying a good deal, Ellen. But I must tell you what I was +thinking of, this morning, while I sat here alone. You told me, the +other day, that the children of the neighborhood were growing up in +fearful ignorance, destitute, as they are, of a teacher, and I thought, +if it met with the approbation of their parents, that I could not be +more usefully or happily employed, during the time that must intervene +before I have an opportunity of returning to my friends, than +instructing those little ones, a few hours each day. Our evenings, too, +might be pleasantly occupied, for I overheard you, when I was lying ill, +expressing a wish to know how to write, and these long winter evenings +will afford abundant opportunity for your taking lessons, and any of +your young companions, that may wish to join you." + +Ellen was delighted with the proposition, and warmly expressed her +thanks, and Agnes's wishes were speedily carried into effect. A small +unoccupied cottage was fitted up as a school-house, to which all the +children of the neighborhood, far and near, daily repaired, while at +night the young people of both sex filled the good-sized room of Mr. +Williamson's dwelling, thirsting for that instruction which Agnes was so +willing to impart. Nor did her efforts end here. Of pastoral guidance +these poor people were equally destitute; as sheep without a shepherd, +they had long "stumbled on the dark mountains of sin and error," but now +each Sabbath morning found them congregated in the school-house, singing +the hymns that some of them had learned in childhood, in their distant +native lands, or listening to the sweet tones of their teacher and +guide, as she explained, by many simple and touching illustrations, the +sacred Word, or offered up the fervent prayer, which from her lips +seemed to come with double power, and caused even the sturdy fishermen's +hearts to melt within them. The afternoon of the sacred day was +especially devoted to the children; classes were formed, over which the +most intelligent members of the community presided, conspicuous among +whom was Ellen, whose naturally quick and clever mind, brought into +contact with one so superior as Agnes, rapidly developed, while her +whole appearance gave indications of how much she had profited by +constant intercourse with her youthful companion. + +Ellen's parents were not natives of the land in which she now resided. +They had come from one of the counties of England, when Ellen was little +more than an infant; their original destination being Canada, but having +been wrecked on the Newfoundland coast, and lost nearly all they +possessed, they had not means to travel farther; and while Williamson +gladly joined the fishermen in their occupation for the purpose of +temporarily supplying the necessities of his family, his wife,--who was +a skilful needle woman, and clever at almost everything,--made herself +generally useful among their families, and thus acquired much influence +over them. + +Gradually they came to look upon the sterile coast, unlike, strangely +unlike though it was, to the cultivated lands they had left, as their +home, at least for some years to come. Both frugal and industrious, a +little cottage was speedily erected, which very soon, from the superior +thrift and neatness of its owners, became the best in the place, and as +time passed on, they not only continued to gain a subsistence, but +succeeded in gathering round them many little comforts, which were the +admiration and, sometimes, the envy of their less fortunate neighbors. +From time to time, Mr. Williamson was in the habit of taking a quantity +of their chief export, fish, to H----, and obtaining, in lieu of it, +plentiful supplies of food and clothing; and, what his wife and daughter +had prized more than all, in returning from his last voyage, he had +brought with him a few school-books, with some entertaining works, and +several volumes of interesting and evangelical sermons. + +Mrs. Williamson, who was the daughter of a small farmer, had, in her +youth, received the elements of a good English education. She could read +with tolerable fluency, and had taught her children this important +branch; but though, when a child, she had learned to write, want of +practice and varied duties connected with her toilsome condition, had +almost erased the power from memory; and it was with deep regret at her +own neglect, that she found her children growing up as ignorant, as +herself, of the power of communicating their thoughts through the medium +of the pen. It was, therefore, with no small delight, that she had +hailed Agnes's welcome offer; and as she sat, evening after evening, in +her corner by the fireside, apparently busily engaged in knitting, but, +in reality, an attentive listener to the instruction Agnes was imparting +to the young people,--or as she mingled her tones with theirs who, on +the Sabbath, warbled, from hearts attuned to devotion, those melodies +that had been familiar to her from childhood,--again and again, would +memory revert to the happy days of her infancy and youth, when with +beloved parents and friends she had gone up to the house of God, and +while a tear of sorrow and penitence would steal down her cheeks, to +think how much of the instructions, then received, had been forgotten, +she blessed the Parental Hand that had placed beneath her roof, one so +fitted to counsel and comfort, to prove to her, as well as to many +others, a ministering angel indeed. + +Thus, happily and usefully employed, the winter months glided by +comparatively swiftly to Agnes. Not that the past was forgotten,--not +that she never sighed for more congenial society, for the friends of her +early youth, or even for the refinement and luxuries by which she had +been surrounded,--that would be affirming too much, for she had a +genuine woman's heart, and that innate perception and love of the +beautiful, which delights in the elegancies and embellishments of life, +and could not as easily accommodate itself, as some could, to a +situation where those are wholly wanting. + +There were hours when she felt herself an exile, indeed; hours when +Ellen's young companions would flock to the cottage, and talk and laugh +over subjects in which it was impossible for Agnes to feel any interest; +it was then, more especially perhaps, she thought of home, and of the +educated and refined society in which she had been accustomed to mingle, +and realized more fully the wide gulf dividing her from those among whom +Providence had so mysteriously, as it seemed, placed her. But think not, +fair reader, such considerations were allowed to influence her conduct, +or render her manner haughty and disagreeable. It is true she was +treated with consideration and respect by the female part of the +community; they could not help looking upon her as a being of another +and higher sphere, and her presence had often the effect of checking the +tide of rude mirth, and of rendering their demeanor more quiet and +retired. But while she thus claimed their admiration and reverence, she +at the same time almost unconsciously won their affection, for on her +lip was ever the law of kindness, and the interest she took in their +humble pursuits, the ready counsel and sympathy in every case of +emergency and sorrow, endeared her deeply to them, and her efforts to +impart instruction were received with all the genuine gratitude of +unsophisticated Nature, so that these portions of her time, devoted to +the training of those uncultivated minds, were the ones which afforded +to Agnes the purest pleasure; seasons which she often recurred to in +other years, as being among the most agreeable in her experience. + +But the dreary Winter at length gave place to smiling Spring, and Agnes +began to look forward anxiously for an opportunity of returning home. +She scarce allowed herself to dwell on the matter, so intense became her +anxiety as the time drew near for leaving the hospitable home which had +so long afforded her rude but safe protection. + +The young sailor, Agnes's preserver, who had been long affianced to +Ellen, had just returned from a very successful sea-voyage. + +In a few days they were to be united; a minister, who resided at some +distance in the interior of the country, being expected to visit them, +and perform the ceremony; and Agnes, much to the delight of Ellen, had +promised to officiate as bridesmaid. In a few weeks subsequent the +groomsman intended sailing to B----, and Agnes would then have an +opportunity of returning once more to her home. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + +"Captain,"--exclaimed a tall, slight young man, as he ascended the cabin +steps of a noble vessel, and, having gained the deck, stood gazing on +the expansive Atlantic stretched out before him,--"Captain," he eagerly +inquired, "this surely is not our destination," pointing at the same +time with his finger to a rude outline of land, now distinctly visible. + +"No, indeed," said the Captain, good humoredly; "it would be but a poor +compliment to the stately city of B----, to take this rude coast, with +its sandy beaches, its rocky eminences, and fishermen's huts, for its +handsome dimensions. Nevertheless, poor as this little fishing +settlement looks, it is a very welcome sight just now, I assure you, as +our provisions are getting scarce, and as to the water, my cook tells me +he should have hardly enough to fill a tea-kettle for to-morrow's +breakfast." + +"And so you intend putting in here for supplies?" + +"Precisely so, though I see by your look you deem it not a very +probable place to obtain them. But this is not the first time I have +been obliged to put in here, and have always found a hearty welcome, and +obtained necessary supplies; not, perhaps, the very best of provisions, +but such as the place can afford; and I am well acquainted with one of +the fishermen, an emigrant from my native place, whose hospitality, and +that of his family, is unbounded; and whenever I happen to tarry here, +they do all in their power to make us comfortable." + +"And how long do you expect to remain?" inquired Mr. Clifford. + +"For a few days only, but long enough I trust to recover these two +sailors of mine, who have been complaining so much of late; and my +wife's health also is not as good as usual, accustomed though she has +been to long sea-voyages. You, too, Sir, I think," said the Captain, +"will be all the better for a taste of the land breeze, even though it +should not be laden with the balmy breath of flowers." + +"You are quite right, Captain," was the reply; "and anxious as I am to +see my home again, after five long years' absence, I shall be none the +worse for a ramble on =terra firma= once more." + +In a few hours subsequent to the conversation recorded above, a fine +boat might be seen rapidly cutting the sparkling waves, and the little +party, consisting of the Captain and his wife, with their only +passenger, Mr. Clifford, soon landed on the sandy beach, and gladly +directed their steps towards Mr. Williamson's cottage. + +Captain Pierce pointed out the residence to Mr. Clifford, for though it +was at some distance from their landing place, it could be distinctly +seen, owing to the elevation of the ground on which it was built. + +"You had better go on, Sir," said the Captain, "and, if you have no +objection, inform them you are a passenger of the barge '=Pearl=.' That +will be sufficient, I know, to insure you a hearty welcome, and you can +add, if you choose, that we are behind; for my wife and myself are but +indifferent walkers, being more accustomed to patrolling the deck of a +vessel than climbing these steep hills, so that if you try to conform +your pace to ours, you will be quite weary when you reach the dwelling." + +Mr. Clifford laughingly replied, and hastening his steps, soon came in +sight of the cottage. + +It was near the end of April, and the day a balmy one, even for smiling +June. + +At the open window of the sitting-room, which commanded a view of the +road and harbor, Agnes was seated busily engaged in embroidering the +muslin dress intended for Ellen's wedding attire. The sound of steps +near at hand arrested her attention, and looking up, she beheld a +stranger, with wonder and admiration depicted on his countenance, +standing and gazing fixedly at her. For a moment her heart seemed to +cease its pulsations, and a death-like pallor overspread her cheeks, for +so strikingly did the form and face resemble Arthur Bernard, that, in +spite of the improbability of the case, Agnes almost believed it to be +him. + +Ernest, on his part, was equally surprised at seeing, in a fisherman's +dwelling, one whose elegant appearance formed such a striking contrast +to the unpretending and rudely fashioned abode in which she dwelt. + +The small purse of gold, which Agnes had thoughtfully secured about her +person on the night that witnessed the conflagration of the ill-fated +steamer, had enabled her to purchase from Mrs. Williamson some plain +materials, which had been fashioned, by her own skilful fingers, into +neat and becoming attire. Her nicely-fitting brown stuff dress, relieved +by a linen collar of snowy whiteness, displayed to advantage her +graceful figure; her soft brown tresses were smoothly parted from her +fair forehead; and her fine intelligent countenance, on whose every +lineament refinement and sensibility were stamped, wore an expression of +sweet and touching resignation, and hope "subdued but cherished still;" +what marvel, then, that Ernest Clifford's steps were arrested, when he +beheld so lovely an apparition, and that he gazed upon her as though he +expected that the fair vision would soon vanish from his view. He had +watched her for a few moments unobserved, but when their glances met, he +marked, with increasing astonishment, her evident emotion, and pleased, +yet strangely puzzled, he could not find courage to seek admittance at +the cottage, but, retracing his steps, resolved to wait for an +introduction from the Captain. + +It was with a good deal of surprise that the Captain and his wife beheld +Ernest advancing towards them. + +"Was no one within," he inquired, "that you have come back so soon?" + +"Really, Captain," was the reply, "I could not summon courage to knock +at the door and ascertain." + +"Courage!" echoed the Captain, wondering as he marked the young man's +heightened color and evident embarrassment,--"courage to knock at a poor +fisherman's dwelling! Really, Mr. Clifford, your sojourn among these +barbarians must have been productive of no little injury to you, if it +has robbed you of that courage with which I am sure, from your +appearance, Nature plentifully endowed you." + +"You misunderstand me, my dear Sir, I assure you," was the reply. "I +feared intruding, and thought I would prefer waiting for an introduction +from you." + +The Captain could contain himself no longer, but burst into a hearty +fit of laughter, in which he was joined by his wife. + +"You must excuse me, Mr. Clifford," he said, apologizing; "but, really, +the idea of your formality amused me no little; for, however acceptable +such would prove to the society with which you have been accustomed to +mingle, I am afraid such ceremonious politeness would be hardly popular +here." + +"But, really, Captain,"--and Mr. Clifford looked, it must be confessed, +a little vexed,--"you should have informed me who I was going to meet, +before sending me on as herald. I was not aware that I should be thrown +into the society of ladies, or I should have endeavored to appear to a +little better advantage. As it is, I am hardly fit to be seen; and while +I am aware that your good lady excuses me, knowing the circumstances +under which I took shelter with you, yet, to strangers I would appear +rather ludicrous, clad in those ill-fitting garments." + +"They are not the most elegant in the world, I acknowledge," was the +response; "but much better than the fishermen's wives and daughters are +accustomed to see, for those are the only =ladies= that inhabit these +sterile regions." + +"It surely could not have been a fisherman's daughter that I beheld just +now, as I neared the dwelling to which you directed me; for, seated at +the window, sewing, was a young lady, neatly though plainly dressed; +but her look and manner bespoke her to be far above such a condition of +life." + +The Captain looked puzzled, and turning to his wife, said, "It must, be +Ellen Williamson, to whom Mr. Clifford alludes. She is not ill-favored, +by any means, and indeed quite the belle of the place, being by far the +best looking girl in it; nevertheless, I should hardly mistake her for +one of higher rank; but Mr. Clifford has been so long without beholding +woman's face divine, with the exception of yours, my dear, that he is +ready to magnify good looks into positive beauty and grace." + +The young man seemed disconcerted. + +"I could almost stake my existence, that the person to whom I refer is +not, cannot be the daughter of a fisherman. However, if it should be so, +Captain, and such a region as this can produce so lovely a being, in +spite of its barren wastes and rocky steppes, I should be ready to +surname it Paradise, or The Enchanted Isle, if you will; for certainly +it was a vision of enchantment I just now beheld." + +Captain Pierce, though almost imagining that his young friend's +intellect had been deranged, gaily responded:-- + +"I must warn you in time, I see, for you are in danger of losing your +heart, if it is not gone already. Ellen Williamson is engaged to a +worthy young man, a captain of a fishing schooner, and their marriage +is to be celebrated this spring, so her father informed me when I was +here last year, and I think it only my duty to give you fair warning, +that another claims your enchantress as his own. But here we are at the +cottage, and your doubts will speedily be put to flight, by an +introduction to the girl herself." + +The loud knock of the Captain, at the cottage door, was quickly answered +by Mrs. Williamson, who, in terms of genuine pleasure, welcomed his safe +return, and the little party were ushered into the sitting-room, whose +neat and even tasteful appearance, formed a striking contrast to the +generality of the fishermen's huts. + +Mr. Clifford's quick eye, as they entered, sought the window, but the +seat was vacant now; evidences of its having been lately occupied were +discernible in a work-basket that stood on a table near, and on which +some embroidered muslin had been lightly thrown. + +The Captain smiled as he observed Mr. Clifford's disappointed look, and +turning to Mrs. Williamson, who was assisting his wife in divesting +herself of her shawl and bonnet, inquired after her daughter. + +"She is quite well, thank you," was her reply, "and was here a moment +ago, but observing you in the distance, ran to inform her father; who is +working beyond the hill at the back of the dwelling. She will be back +shortly." + +A slight sigh escaped from Mr. Clifford, unheard by all save his friend, +who turned to him with a mischievous smile, which the former easily +interpreted as, "I wonder which was right, you or I?" + +In the meanwhile, Mrs. Williamson was entreating Mrs. Pierce to take +some rest, "for indeed you look much in need of it," she added, "and I +will have a cup of strong tea ready for you in a few moments, for you +need something to refresh you, I am sure, after being so long on the +salt water." + +Her husband seconded Mrs. Williamson's advice. + +"You had better go, my dear, and lay down for a little while, and you +will feel vastly better, I assure you. As for me, I must now go back to +the ship, but will return in time to join you in a good cup of tea, +which, from past experience, I know will be excellent,--and I suppose I +shall then see Mr. Williamson and daughter." + +"Oh, yes, Sir," was the reply. "They should have been back before this; +but I expect husband was farther off than Ellen imagined, and seeking +for him has detained her." + +Gaily waving an adieu, the Captain hurried away, and Mrs. Pierce +following the fisherman's wife into her chamber, Ernest Clifford was +left alone. He seated himself at the open casement in a listless +attitude; for though he would hardly acknowledge it to himself, he could +not help a feeling of disappointment in finding his air castle so +quickly shattered. + +The only object of attraction to be seen from the casement was a fine +view of the sea; but Ernest had been too long a sojourner on the wild +waste of waters, not to have become weary of their monotony, and tired +of gazing at what had been so long a familiar object, he turned his +attention to the interior of the room. As he glanced round the +apartment, he could not help admiring the spotless neatness which marked +it, for everything was in the most perfect order, while the few +ornaments and some pretty shells, that the fisherman and Ellen's +betrothed had brought on their return from different voyages, were +tastefully arranged on the mantel-piece and tables, with several books, +which, from the pencilled passages he observed as he opened them, had +evidently been well conned. In one, a small volume of miscellaneous +poems, Ellen's name was inscribed on the fly-leaf, in a graceful Italian +hand, evidently a lady's writing. + +"This fisherman's daughter must certainly be a very superior person," he +said to himself, as he turned over page after page, observing with the +eye of a critic,--for literature to him had been a familiar study from +early youth,--that the finest passages were the only ones marked, +proving, conclusively, that they had been the reader's favorites. + +"Strange to find one like her in so remote and desolate a spot," and, +half-aloud, he read the stanzas, in which he had just opened, smiling as +he thought how true they were in this instance. + + "Full many a gem of purest ray serene + The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear; + Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, + And waste its sweetness on the desert air." + +He was interrupted by the clear, sweet tones of a woman's voice in an +adjoining room. + +"You will find my chamber quite comfortable, Mrs. Pierce, and I must +insist on your sharing it, for there is abundance of room for us both." + +"But I am afraid of discommoding you, my dear young lady, and can easily +sleep on board, though I will take advantage of your kindness now, to +rest on your bed for a short time." + +"Indeed, my, dear Madam, I assure you, that you will be conferring a +favor instead of receiving one, in sharing my apartment, while you +remain, for it is such a delight to me to see the face of a countrywoman +in this, the land of my exile." + +"How long did Mrs. Williamson say it was since you were conveyed here?" +inquired Mrs. Pierce. + +"Nearly six months." + +"And what a dreary time you must have found it, my dear." + +"No," said the sweet voice again, that sounded like music to the ear of +the unintentional listener; "No," she repeated, "I have felt tolerably +contented with my lot, and but for the remembrance of my friends and the +sorrow they must have endured on my account, thinking, as they certainly +must, that a watery grave has been my portion,--but for such +remembrances I should have been comparatively happy. But you will never +sleep," she added playfully, "if I go on chattering in this manner, so I +will leave you to your much needed repose." + +At this moment, the outer door of the cottage opened, and the Captain, +accompanied by Mr. Williamson and his daughter, whom he had met as he +was returning from the ship, entered the room, and a mutual introduction +to Mr. Clifford took place. + +The Captain, as he named "Ellen Williamson," looked roguishly at Mr. +Clifford, who returned his glance with an equally amused smile, but one +that the Captain could not comprehend. Not sorry to find he was in the +right, and with a little mischievous pleasure, as he imagined his +friend's discomfiture, when the fair stranger,--for such from her +conversation she evidently was,--should make her appearance, Ernest's +eyes were riveted at the door, which communicated with an inner +apartment, and at length his patient watching was rewarded. + +The fisherman's wife, overhearing the Captain's somewhat loud though +cheerful voice, hastened to meet him again, accompanied by Agnes, who +was anxious to resume the employment which astonishment and emotion had +caused her to throw aside. Besides, it must be confessed, she felt in no +way averse to see again the stranger, whose striking similarity to her +friend, had so deeply overcome her. From Mrs. Pierce she had already +learned his name, and also a sketch of his history, from the period of +her first acquaintance with him, and thrillingly interesting as it was, +Agnes could not help feeling attracted towards one who had suffered so +much, and who, like herself, had been an unwilling exile from his native +land. + +Captain Pierce, who was sitting with his face turned from the door, and +who, moreover, was engaged in relating to Mr. Williamson the particulars +of his voyage, did not, at first, observe the new comer; but as she +advanced nearer, he abruptly paused in the conversation, and with a +glance--as full of astonishment and perplexity as Ernest, who was now an +amused spectator, could desire--intently regarded her. + +"I see you wonder, Captain, how this young lady, whose name is Miss +Wiltshire," said Mrs. Williamson, "took up her residence in this out of +the way place; but Elliot, on his return voyage from H---- in November, +happened, fortunately, to rescue her from the waves, into which she was +thrown by the upsetting of a boat, and having brought her here, she has +remained ever since in this dreary place, at least it must be such to +her, for she has had no opportunity of returning to her friends." + +With her customary grace, Agnes returned the Captain's and Mr. +Clifford's respectful greeting, and resumed again her embroidery, +disclaiming, however, as she did so, the epithet of dreary, as being +quite inappropriate, in her estimation, to the place which had afforded +her so hospitable a shelter. + +"It would be impossible for me to find any spot dreary," she said, +"inhabited by so many kind friends, and from whom I have received such +true tokens of hospitality; and while I confess to an eager desire to +behold again my relatives, it will not be without very great pain that I +shall part from those whose warmest sympathies and tenderest care were +exercised towards a helpless stranger." + +"I have heard," said Mr. Pierce, turning to Mrs. Williamson, whose +countenance told the emotion she felt at the intimation of Agnes's +speedy departure, "I have heard of =some= entertaining 'angels +unawares,' and I should judge you have been thus fortunate, Mrs. W." + +"You may, indeed, say so, Sir," said the good woman, wiping away a tear +with the corner of her apron; "I cannot tell you what a blessing this +young lady has been, not only to my family, but to the whole +neighborhood. Indeed, Sir, you would be surprised to see what a change +has been effected by her in this place. Miss Wiltshire has established a +day school for the children, and a night class for the young people; and +our Sabbaths, that some spent in sleep, others in doing nothing, or +worse than nothing, now pass in a very different manner, for we have +both Church and Sabbath school, and 'come up with those that keep holy +day.' What we shall do without her, I cannot imagine, though, to be +sure, it would be dreadfully selfish in me to wish her to stay longer, +for those to whom she belongs must be breaking their hearts after so +lovely a creature." + +The above conversation, which was addressed particularly to the Captain, +was delivered in an under-tone, and was therefore unheard by Agnes, who +was an attentive listener to Mr. Clifford, as he called up all the +varied powers of his fine intellect for the purpose of describing the +scenes through which he had passed; and he was well rewarded for his +efforts by the sweet smile, and breathless interest, with which Agnes +heard the narration. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + +"What a lovely evening," exclaimed Arthur Bernard, as rising from his +seat, by the invalid's couch, he drew aside the thick folds of the +crimson damask curtains, allowing the glorious rays of the full-orbed +moon to illuminate the apartment. + +"My dear Sir," he said kindly, turning to Mr. Denham, the uncle of +Agnes, for he it was who reclined on the velvet lounge, propped up by +pillows, "I am sure it would do you good, on a fine spring day such as +this has been, to take a short drive through the suburbs of the city. +The fresh, balmy air of delightful May would prove, as your physician +told you, yesterday, the best restorative; better, far better, than all +his drugs; and, besides, it will divert your mind to mark the dawn of +summer, to witness how quickly, almost instantaneously, the trees have +put forth their leaves, and in the parks and fields, how thick and +verdant Nature's flowery carpet. Can I not prevail upon you to accompany +me to-morrow in a short drive? I know, on your return, you will not +regret having been persuaded to try the efficacy of my prescription." + +The invalid shook his head, sadly. + +"You are very kind, Arthur," he said, "in taking such interest in a +querulous old man, like me, and I would gratify you; but, indeed, it is +not the illness of the body of which I complain, for that only suffers +in sympathy with the mind. Fresh breezes may fan the brow, and verdant +scenes charm the eye, but tell me, + + 'Can they minister to a mind diseased, + Or pluck from mem'ry's roots a barbed arrow?' + +If you promise that they can accomplish such wonders as these, then +shall I gladly try your prescription." + +"No, Sir," was the reply; "admirer as I am of Nature, and powerful as I +deem her ministrations, I dare not undertake in her name, to promise +that she shall perform such a miracle as this. From bitter, yet salutary +experience, I know that the sick heart may turn even with loathing from +her loveliest scenes, as being but reminders of by-gone happiness, +awakening associations too painful for the spirit calmly to +contemplate." He paused abruptly, and then in a lower tone repeated to +himself, as he gazed on the beautiful, park-like grounds, that +surrounded Mr. Denham's residence, fair to view at all times, but never +lovelier than when illumined, as now, by the soft rays of the +full-orbed moon,-- + + "Since my Alexis withers in the tomb, + Untimely fades, nor sees a second bloom; + Ye hills and groves no more your landscapes please, + Nor give my soul one interval of ease; + Delight and joy forever flee your shades,-- + And mournful care your solitude invades." + +"But, my dear Mr. Denham," he said, as he turned from contemplating the +scene without, and resumed his seat near the invalid's couch, "though I +cannot promise that Nature will afford you the elixir you require, your +case is not, cannot be hopeless, while there is balm in Gilead, while +there is a Physician there." + +"I know well what you would say, Arthur Bernard, and it is easy for you +to speak thus, who have never known the horrors of remorse; who have +never been haunted by the vision of a sweet face, drowned in tears, +whose look of affection was repelled by coldness and harshness. Ah, had +you known my dearly loved Agnes as I have; had you watched from infancy +each expanding grace, until she grew to be your heart's idol; had you +loved her with a love like mine"-- + +Arthur Bernard groaned involuntarily, but the old man unheeding went on. + +"And then, because her pure mind could not be content to feed on the +husks of worldly vanity, and sought for more congenial nourishment, +banish her from your presence, for the very cause that should have +rendered her dear beyond all price, and that banishment to have such a +termination; to think that the wild salt waves should cover my darling, +that the winds should be her requiem, that I shall never hear that sweet +voice pronounce my forgiveness,--oh, it is too much, too much for human +nature to bear, though I deserve it all. + +"Talk not to me, Arthur Bernard," and the invalid, in the energy of +passion, half-raised himself from the couch, "talk not to me, I beseech +you, of balm in Gilead, or of a Physician there; others, who have not +sinned as I have done, may find forgiveness, but as for me, unless the +treacherous sea restore my darling to my arms, there is never more peace +or comfort for me, but my gray hairs shall go down with sorrow to the +tomb." + +He sank back exhausted by the violence of his emotions, and silence +reigned through the apartment for a few moments, its two occupants +seemingly absorbed in painful thought. + +To Arthur the reflection of the almost certain destiny that had befallen +her who had, unconsciously to himself, shared so large a portion of his +affections, was indeed fraught with anguish; the void she had left he +felt, day by day, could never be replaced, and in reference to a passion +at once so absorbing and constant, he might well have adopted, as +embodying his own experience, the language of the poet:-- + + "It was life's whole emotion, a storm in its might, + 'Twas deep as the ocean, and silent as night; + It swept down life's flowers, the fragile and fair, + The heart had no powers from passion to spare." + +It is time, from her loss, he had learned lessons of purest wisdom; he +had sought and found the grace which he so truly exemplified in life and +conduct; nor had the oil and joy of heavenly consolation been denied +him, in the period of his sorest need; and though he could not, he dared +not, dwell on the billows that swept above that once beautiful form, yet +he delighted, in fancy, to visit those regions of bliss, now, as he +deemed, her habitation, and to conjecture what the occupation, and what +the enjoyment of its thrice-blessed inhabitants:-- + +But, "Earth's children cling to earth; the frail companion, the body, +weighs down the soul, and draws it back from the contemplation of high +and holy realities;" and thus there were seasons in Arthur Bernard's +experience, when his very heart seemed to die within him, exhausted by +its vain yearnings for her who, like an angel of light, had shone upon +his path, and then suddenly disappeared; and as he looked forward into +the probable future, and beheld life stretching out before him, +monotonous and solitary, what wonder that Courage sometimes faltered, +and Faith drooped, and Hope almost ceased to cheer the stricken +pilgrim. + +And such a moment of anguish he experienced now, as he sat in silence, +with bowed-down head, while "thought went back to the shadowy past." Mr. +Denham's words had thrilled his soul; had presented Agnes's image to him +so vividly, that he could scarcely refrain from giving expression to his +anguish in bitter groans; and this was the most trying remembrance, "it +might have been" otherwise, had he, to whose care she had been solemnly +committed by dying parents, faithfully fulfilled his trust, and instead +of frowning on her, had cheered and encouraged her in the path of duty. + +But there was one who suffered more than Arthur,--he who now lay +listless on his couch, burdened with a heavy weight of anguish and +remorse. Ah, it was this that deepened the sting of sorrow, that +heightened with its bitterness every remembrance that "he alone the deed +had done," and that but for his obstinacy and worldliness, she might +even now be standing beside him, bathing his burning brow with gentle +hands, and in her own sweet tones be imparting all needful consolation. + +But Mr. Denham could bear these thoughts no longer, and hastily rousing +himself, he addressed Arthur. + +"It is growing late. Will you be so kind as turn on the gas a little +brighter, for it seems to burn but dimly. I am sure," he added, in the +querulous tones of an invalid, "it is time Mrs. Denham had returned. She +took advantage of your coming to remain with me to visit a sick +neighbor, but she must be very ill, indeed, to cause her to remain so +long." + +"She will be here very shortly, I dare say," was Arthur's reply, as, in +compliance with the old man's request, he closed the curtains on the +scene without, and caused the magnificent gaseliers to emit a more +dazzling light,--"and in the meanwhile, if you have no objection, I +shall be happy to read to you." + +The invalid signified his willingness, and Arthur, sitting down by him, +opened the richly-gilt Bible that lay on the marble stand near at hand, +but ere he could commence, there was the rattling of wheels up the +carriage-road. The vehicle stopped at the hall-door, and the bell was +loudly rung. + +The old man listened for a moment, and then, turning to Arthur, said, "I +cannot see any person to-night. Will you be kind enough to inform the +servant, that Mrs. Denham is out, and that I feel too much indisposed to +receive any visitors,--though it is a singular hour for visitors, I must +confess." + +Arthur, as he opened the drawing-room door, heard a strange confusion in +the hall below, and quickly closing it on the invalid, stepped out to +convey Mr. Denham's orders, and to ascertain the cause of this unusual +disturbance. + +As he descended the staircase, he was met by the servant, whose honest +face was lit up with a strange expression of wonder, joy, and +satisfaction. + +"Anything amiss?" inquired Arthur, observing the perturbation of the +man. + +"Oh, no, Sir, but how glad I am that you are here, for I am afraid the +news will be too much for Master, and the young lady told me to break it +to him gently." + +"What news, what young lady, what do you mean, John?" inquired Mr. +Bernard, in a tone of bewilderment. "I do not understand to what you +allude." + +"Beg pardon, Sir, for not telling you before, but it has been so sudden, +it quite overpowered me, to think our dear young lady, whom we thought +long since buried in the sea"-- + +The man stopped abruptly, and turned his head, evidently too much +affected to go on. + +"For pity's sake, speak, John, and put an end to this suspense; what +about her?" + +"Oh, Sir, nothing, Sir; I mean nothing at all, to alarm you, Sir; she +has come back again, Sir; she was not drowned, after all, and she is now +waiting in the library. She would have come right up, but I told her how +ill Master had been, and then she stopped, for she was afraid the shock +might be too much for him." + +Arthur heard not the conclusion of the sentence. + +"She is not drowned,--she has come back again,"--was all he could think +of; and with eager steps, that yet seemed all too slow for his impatient +spirit, he hastened to greet the long-mourned wanderer. + +He paused a moment at the door of the library, to calm the tumult of his +soul, and then slowly opening it, entered the room. + +Agnes,--for it was indeed her own dear self,--had thrown off her cloak +and hood, and sank back on a sofa, almost overcome with emotion, at +finding herself once more at home,--and, perhaps, a little troubled to +learn what reception she was likely to expect, from those who had parted +with her so coldly. + +She started up at the sound of approaching footsteps. + +"Miss Wiltshire, this is, indeed, one of the happiest moments of my +life," said Arthur, as clasping her hand, he raised it, involuntarily, +to his lips, and with a voice, tremulous with emotion, continued: + +"We have mourned you as one long since departed, but a gracious +Providence has surely miraculously restored you again to your home, and +your deeply sorrowing friends." + +"Mine has, indeed, been a miraculous preservation, and one which +demands the most grateful acknowledgment of my heart." + +"I trust to have the pleasure of listening to its details, by and bye, +and in joining with you in praising Him, who has so graciously given you +back to us all. But I must not forget that you are, I am sure, very +anxious to see your uncle." + +"I am, indeed," was the reply. "Is he dangerously ill?" she earnestly +inquired. "The man told me, he believed my aunt was out, but would go +and ascertain." + +"Mrs. Denham went out two hours ago, to visit a sick neighbor, and has +not yet returned. Your uncle has, indeed, been very ill, and is still +quite an invalid; but it has all originated in sorrow for your loss, and +remorse at having been the chief instrument in sending you away. You +will find him wonderfully changed," added Arthur, with kind +consideration; for, fully aware of the circumstances under which she had +left home, he knew she must feel anxiety respecting the terms on which, +it was probable, she would be permitted to remain with her relatives. + +"It was only this evening, he was lamenting his loss, and declaiming, in +bitterest terms, against his former conduct, declaring, that, unless the +sea restored his darling to him, his gray hairs would go down with +sorrow to the grave." + +Agnes wept tears of joy at this intelligence, but recovering herself, +and recollecting Mr. Clifford, who had accompanied her from the vessel, +and who, seated at the farthest end of the apartment, and partly in the +shade, had, on that account, escaped Arthur's glance, she said, + +"I have been very remiss, indeed, Mr. Clifford." + +Arthur started, as she pronounced the name, and turning round, for the +first time beheld the stranger. + +"But you will excuse me, I am sure; for this return home, and the +meeting with an old friend, has quite bewildered me. Allow me, Mr. +Bernard to introduce to you my companion on the voyage, and one who like +myself, has known the privations of exile, though for a much longer +period than I." + +Mr. Clifford advanced to Arthur, and the young men shook hands heartily. + +"There needed no apology, Miss Wiltshire," said Ernest; "for your +emotion, at returning home again, is only natural. It has afforded me, I +assure you, the purest pleasure to witness it; a foretaste of what I +trust myself to experience, when I embrace my mother again; if, indeed, +she be yet in the land of the living." + +"And now," said Arthur, "you will excuse me, while I go and prepare Mr. +Denham for this interview with his long-lost niece, for it would not be +prudent," he said, turning to Agnes, "for you suddenly to surprise him. +I am afraid it would be too much for him in his present weak state." + +Agnes thankfully acquiesced, and awaited with as much patience as she +could command, the return of Arthur. + +He was back again in a few moments. + +"Your uncle is waiting to see you, and is almost delirious with joy. Mr. +Clifford will excuse me while I conduct you to the apartment, and then I +think my presence can be dispensed with." + +The servants had flocked to the hall to see their dear young mistress +again, and to find if it were indeed, as John had declared, her very +self. It was with some difficulty that Agnes made her way through them, +but shaking each warmly by the hand, and with many kind inquiries, she +passed on, requesting, however, the cook to prepare some refreshments +for the gentleman in the library. + +Arthur, as he threw open the drawing-room door, observed that Mr. Denham +had raised himself on the couch, and was gazing eagerly in that +direction. Agnes instantly sprang forward into her uncle's outstretched +arms, the old man murmuring with a voice weak with emotion, "My darling +here,--you come back to your old uncle once more." + +With instinctive delicacy Mr. Bernard softly closed the door, and +retired, feeling that the scene had become too sacred for a stranger's +eye. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + +Lights streamed gayly from every window of Mr. Hilton's spacious and +hospitable mansion, where a party of friends had assembled to celebrate +the return of the long-lost Agnes. This gentleman, whose letter had +confirmed to Arthur, while yet in France, the painful intelligence of +the destruction of the steamer in which Agnes had embarked, and the +subsequent supposed shipwreck of its passengers, had been among the +first to hasten to welcome her home, for a warm admirer of woman in +general, Miss Wiltshire had secured his especial regard, and having no +daughters of his own, he used often to remark to his excellent wife, +that there was but one thing he envied Mr. Denham, and that was the +possession of so winningly lovely a niece. + +The party had been postponed from time to time, awaiting Mr. Denham's +recovery, and it was not until early in July, that his perfect +restoration to health, enabled him, together with Mrs. Denham, to +accompany his niece on this festive occasion. + +Mr. Denham, as he entered the brilliantly illuminated drawing-room, +seemed by his appearance almost to have recovered his youth, so much so, +as to call forth from more than one of the company,-- + +"The old gentleman is looking twenty years younger, than when I last saw +him. What a change the return of his niece has made." + +Mr. and Mrs. Denham were accompanied by Mr. Clifford, on whose arm Agnes +leaned as she entered the room. His fine form, no longer enveloped in +sailor-garb, but in more appropriate costume, was displayed to full +advantage, and elicited the admiration of not a few of the ladies, as +the whispers, here and there, of "What a fine looking-man; so tall, and +dignified, so imposing in appearance,"--bore ample testimony. + +Agnes was attired in snowy white; a few rose-buds forming her only +ornament; her face was lit up with a joyous smile, as she greeted one +after another of her old companions; and there was something in the +expression of that countenance, a blending of the highest and loftiest +emotions, with all the social tenderness in which woman finds her chief +earthly happiness, so irresistibly attractive, that he who could turn +away coldly or unmoved, must indeed be a cynic, if not the veriest stoic +that ever trod our beautiful earth. + +In a recess, formed by a large bow window, and which, though at the +furthest end of the room, was admirably fitted for a looker-on, +commanding, as it did, a view of the whole, two ladies were seated, +busily engaged in that most delightful of occupations, gossiping, for +which they found ample material, as guest after guest paid their +respects to the mistress of the dwelling. + +"Only look," said the elderly lady, addressing her companion, as Arthur +crossed the room, to speak to Agnes; "just look, what a melancholy +appearance Mr. Bernard wears. I wonder where his sister is to-night?" + +"I heard Mr. Clifford, who you know is a visitor there, say that she had +a violent toothache, and his mother, fearing she would feel lonely, had +remained at home with her." + +"Mr. Clifford's mother! You surely do not mean that that old lady, Mrs. +Cartwright, who accompanied the Bernards on their return from France, is +the mother of that fine looking young man?" + +"Yes, indeed, his is quite a romantic history." + +"Oh, I should like to hear it of all things. Do oblige me by narrating +it, will you? You are so intimate with the Bernards, that you have an +opportunity of hearing everything." + +The younger lady's face wore a gratified expression, for it was very +pleasant to learn, whatever the facts of the matter really were, that +others believed her on terms of close intimacy with a family, whose +high standing in the community had never been disputed; and she now +gladly complied with the request, certain that it would afford to her +friend confirmation of her previously expressed opinion, "strong as Holy +Writ." + +"You must know, then," she commenced, "that when Ella was visiting the +South of France for the benefit of her health, (for I told Mr. Bernard, +again and again, before they left, that nothing but change of air would +restore her,) she met with this Mrs. Cartwright, whose own home was in +America, but who was then on a visit to a relative. They became quite +intimate in a short time, and Ella, on her return to B----, persuaded +Mrs. Cartwright to accompany them, and to spend some time with them. + +"A widow and childless, as she then supposed, and having no near kin to +bind her to her home, she accepted Ellen's invitation, and, accordingly, +they all returned together. + +"But this old lady, it appears, had a son, the child of a previous +marriage,--for she has buried two husbands,--who, some five years ago, +sailed on some distant voyage, I do not exactly know what his +destination. However, no tidings were ever received of the vessel having +reached the desired port, and, of course, Mrs. Cartwright, who Ella told +me was exceedingly attached to him, mourned him bitterly as one dead. +But instead of being lost at sea, he had been picked up, the only +survivor of the shipwrecked vessel, by Moorish pirates, who, taking him +into their country, sold him as a slave. + +"He managed to make his escape somehow, about six months ago, though he +had a terrible time of it; but he succeeded getting on board an English +vessel, which was just about leaving for America." + +"But how did he come to meet with Miss Wiltshire?" + +"Why the vessel put into the place where Agnes was conveyed by the +Captain of the fishing schooner, who went to her rescue, and, of course, +Agnes gladly availed herself of the opportunity to return home, and this +accounts, in part, for their intimacy." + +"And how did Mr. Clifford meet with his mother? Surely he did not expect +to find her here?" + +"No; it was a very singular coincidence. Mr. Bernard happened to be at +Mr. Denham's when Agnes, accompanied by Mr. Clifford, arrived there; and +in the course of subsequent conversation with him, Mr. Bernard +ascertained that he was the son of the very lady who was then a guest at +his dwelling, and, of course, insisted that he, also, should be a +partaker of his hospitality." + +"What a strange circumstance," loudly ejaculated the attentive listener, +"and how delighted the old lady must have been. You know I was out of +town at the time, and never heard the rights of the matter." + +"Yes, I remember, and the old lady, as you say, was indeed delighted, so +much so, that at first she was completely overcome. She took immediately +to her bed, from which she has not been able to rise, till within the +last few weeks." + +"Ah, so that is the reason they have resided so long at Mr. Bernard's." + +"That is one reason, but I strongly suspect there is another and +greater," was the reply, as the younger lady, observing that Mr. Bernard +had approached, and stood by a table near examining some very +exquisitely carved ornaments, thought it a good opportunity to give him, +without pretending to notice his proximity, some little +information,--information which might hereafter aid in accomplishing her +own well-planned schemes. + +"You said he had another reason for remaining so long, did you not, +Maria?" + +"Oh, yes, and one palpable enough to any person who has eyes. Just look +yonder, and you will see for yourself." + +Mr. Bernard involuntarily raised his eyes, and glanced at the spot +indicated. At a side-table, a little apart from the others, Agnes was +seated, looking over a large and elegant portfolio, the peculiar +beauties of whose admirable engravings, Ernest Clifford seemed eagerly +pointing out, as he bent over her chair; his handsome countenance lit up +with a smile of pleasurable emotion. + +"Ah, yes, I understand you now, Maria. But I heard Mr. Bernard had some +partiality that way." + +"Hush, speak lower, for he is standing at the table near you." + +"Oh, dear me, I had no idea he was so handy." + +"That was mere idle gossip, I assure you," was the reply, as the tones +sank into a whisper. "I have the best evidence in the world as to that." + +"Well, well, they will make a handsome couple, I must say," remarked +Maria's companion, as Mr. Bernard moved away with a firm step, which +gave no indication of the mental agony that was rending his soul. + +Glad to make his escape, he stepped out from an open window in the +balcony, and from thence descended, by a short flight of marble steps, +into the large and thickly-shaded garden, which it overlooked. + +With a feverish step he traversed its winding walks, until wearied he +sank on a rustic seat, beneath the welcome shade of a graceful elm. The +sounds of music and mirth came wafted to him through the open casement, +and never seemed they less congenial to his feelings. + +"If I could only think it some of that ill-natured woman's gossip, I +would not care," he said, half aloud, "for the mind that could indite +such an epistle as Ella received, containing the account of Agnes's +supposed death, would be capable of anything,--but, alas, I fear it is +too true. + + 'Her heart it is another's, and + It never can be mine.' + +Yes, she appears reserved, almost cold with me. I am evidently shunned +by her, while =he= is welcomed most warmly, whenever he appears. But I +cannot blame her. It was natural that an acquaintance, thus strangely +formed, should lead to such a result, and he, too, yes, he is worthy of +her. He loves her dearly, I am sure of that; but never, never can he +regard her as I do." + +Again the sounds of music swelled on the balmy evening breeze. It was +now a woman's voice that warbled clear and sweet a touching strain. + +"It is Agnes," he murmured, adding as a fine manly voice took up another +part, "and that is Ernest Clifford. My fondest hopes, a long, a last, +farewell." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + +A fortnight had elapsed subsequent to the festivity recorded in the +preceding chapter, when, late one afternoon, Arthur,--who had been +engaged from early morning in a distant part of the city, transacting +some business of importance,--as he returned, passing by Mr. Denham's +dwelling, suddenly came in contact with Mr. Clifford, who, with a quick, +eager step, and a countenance all aglow with some pleasurable emotion, +was hurrying on, so absorbed in his own thoughts, that he was only +arrested by the sound of his friend's voice. + +"You seem to be in a great hurry, Clifford," said Arthur smiling, though +it must be confessed his heart felt little attuned to mirth; "and, +judging from the expression of your countenance, combined with your +unusual absent-mindedness, something more than usual must have occurred, +and that of a very pleasurable nature, to have thus excited you." + +"You have made a capital guess of it, Arthur. I have been putting forth +every energy of late to win a priceless treasure, and after a desperate +effort, have succeeded. Is not that a subject for congratulation?" + +"At last, at last, she is won," inwardly murmured poor Arthur, while his +whole frame seemed convulsed, but controlling himself, as he observed +his companion's glance fixed eagerly upon him, he replied, in a tone +which, in spite of his efforts, sounded cold and somewhat ungracious. + +"I shall be a better judge of that, Clifford, when I know what the +nature of the prize, and whether it was valuable enough to warrant the +efforts put forth to obtain it." + +"=Valuable=, there is no boon on earth to be compared to it. I might +exhaust comparisons in vain to furnish a fit simile; for, in it, is +combined all that is lovely, virtuous and excellent. To descend, +however, from parable, in order to enlighten you, allow me to say," and +a slight flush mounted to the speaker's face, while his companion's +cheek grew ashy pale, "that I have been so truly fortunate as to secure +a place in the affections of a woman, to my mind, the loveliest of her +sex. But, happy as I am in obtaining such an avowal, there is one +drawback to my felicity; her consent must be ratified, so she affirms, +by a beloved relative, before I am to consider it binding. And I--do you +know, Arthur--I never dreamed I was a coward until now; but it seems +such presumption in me to expect a man to part with a flower that he has +tenderly nurtured and cherished, that it may adorn with its beauty and +grace another homestead, far removed, perhaps, from the eyes that +delighted to watch its expanding charms." + +"This suspense is intolerable," murmured Arthur Bernard to himself, +while in blissful unconsciousness his companion went on. "Why does he +not speak her name out clearly, and put an end to this torture, which +racks every nerve of my frame?" + +"And now, Arthur, I want your advice. Woman-hater as you are,"--Clifford +said with a smile. + +"I suppose Agnes told him that, she thought so herself, no doubt," was +Arthur's mental parenthesis. + +"Woman-hater as you are, I know you deem my hopes and fears as both +unfounded; but, never mind, you will, I trust, know by experience some +day or other, so, in consideration of that coming, happy time, will you +inform me in what terms I can possibly have the presumption, to request +of the lady's relative, that he graciously permit her to bestow her hand +upon your humble servant?" + +"I do not foresee any difficulty," said Arthur, with a tremulous effort +at composure. "The lady's consent once secured, I should think all +others of comparatively little moment, and with the knowledge that her +happiness depends on their sanction, it will, I believe, be readily +accorded." + +"How happy you make me, my dear fellow, though you did deliver that +speech, as though you were negotiating some bank business. And so, you +would advise me to put a bold face on the matter, and say to them, 'she +is mine, and I will have her.'" + +"If that form of expression suits you best, use it, by all means; I have +no objection." + +"Then I shall act upon your advice immediately, Arthur Bernard," and the +voice at once became deeply solemn and earnest. "Are you willing to +resign to my fondest, my tenderest care, your only and beloved sister +Ella, to whom I am aware you are so deeply attached, and who returns +your affection with all the warmth of her loving nature." + +Arthur Bernard, could not reply. He was bewildered, stunned, at the +intelligence. From the very depth and agony of despair, to be raised to +the very summit of hope, was almost too much for poor human nature to +bear. His friend observed his emotion, but attributed it to a very +different cause, and his countenance, so joyous a moment before, clouded +instantly. + +"I see," he said, in a low and mournful tone, "that this does not meet +your wishes, nor can I wonder at it, for I feel I am not worthy of so +precious a gift, except for the intense love I bear her,--a love which, +I trust, if permitted, shall be manifested in every action of my future +life." + +"Not meet my wishes! You have totally mistaken me, my friend, my +brother, as I would now joyfully call you," pressing fervently his +companion's hand as he spoke; "you are worthy of my darling Ella, my +beloved sister, and there is none other, to whom I could yield her less +reluctantly than yourself. With a brother's blessing I commit her to +you, and as she has been to me the most faithful and affectionate of +sisters, so, I am sure, you will find her the truest and most devoted of +wives." + +There was a pause. Both the gentlemen were affected, and they continued +their walk, which had been extended to a solitary part of the city's +suburbs, for some time in silence, which Ernest was the first to break. + +"I cannot thank you in words; they are too poor to express how I +estimate this frank and generous consent; my actions will, I trust, show +how truly I appreciate it. Forgive me, Arthur, for my unjust suspicions, +but I imagined when I commenced the conversation, that you suspected the +nature of my embassy, and by cold looks and words strove to divert me +from speaking in plainer terms, and forcing you to a denial of my +request." + +Arthur was slightly embarrassed, and his companion looked at him, +wondering what could thus discompose his usually sedate friend. + +"The truth is," he said after a pause, "that I totally misunderstood +you, so you see there has been a mutual mistake. I have been blind, +indeed, but I had not the slightest idea that you entertained any +feeling but friendship for Ella." + +"And pray, then, if you will permit me to inquire," and there was +something mischievous in the speaker's glance and tone, "to whom did you +imagine I alluded, when I informed you that, woman, dear woman, was the +prize so much coveted?" + +"Well, I did think," and the speaker's hesitancy was not by any means +unobserved by his friend, "for report affirmed, that Miss Wiltshire was +the lady to whom you intended to vow life-long allegiance." + +"And so you supposed I had come to make a confidant of =you=. I wonder +you did not knock me down for my presumption, in expecting to eclipse +you in her eyes. No, no, my dear Sir, I was not such a simpleton, for +had I entertained hopes of that kind before, the joy which lighted up +her fine eyes, and glowed on her countenance, on that eventful meeting +with you on her return, combined, how often, with subsequent similar +observation, would have been quite sufficient proof to me that my +expectations were 'baseless as the fabric of a vision.'" + +Arthur smiled and shook his head, though the subject was by no means an +unpleasing one, at least judging from his animated countenance, and the +rapt attention which he paid to every word. + +"But who, may I ask, Ernest, was your informant as to my claims to the +title of 'woman-hater?'" + +"Not Miss Wiltshire, I can credibly affirm. More than that I do not +think it is fair to tell you." + +"Well, well, I am perfectly satisfied, and now I think it is time for us +to retrace our steps in the direction of home." + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + +"And so our dear young lady is married, Ellen?" said Mrs. Williamson to +her daughter, who had just returned from a visit to B----. + +"Yes, mother, and a beautiful bride she made." + +"Ay, I doubt it not, and as good as beautiful," said the father, who had +just come in to Ellen's neat little cottage, to hear all the particulars +connected with her late journey. + +"And they treated you well, Ellen, did they not?" + +"Treated me =well=? why, mother, it was like a new world; and they were +so kind to me, took me to every place, and showed me everything worth +seeing. And, dear me, but it is a beautiful city; such grand buildings, +such water-works, such parks, all laid out with trees, and walks, and +grass-plots, and seats, where you can rest whenever you choose,--and +then at night, the splendid shops are so dazzlingly lit up, and the +streets almost as bright as day. Oh, surely it is a fine thing to live +in the city!" + +"Ha, ha," said a clear, manly voice, and the speaker entered the door; +"so my little bird has become restive since her taste of city life, and +longs to fly away again." + +"Indeed, Edward, that is not true. If I had been brought up to +city-ways, I think I should like to live there; but, now, I like my home +better, far better. I only wish we could have the meetings on Sunday, +that I went to there; oh, mother," she said, as she turned suddenly +round to address her, "it would have done your heart good to have heard +the singing, and have listened to the sermons, and such grand churches, +all crowded too." + +"But I want to hear everything from the beginning," said Mr. Williamson. + +"Well, then, I will commence my history from the time we got there. You +know Miss Agnes was expecting me, and they kept a constant look-out, so +that the vessel had not been an hour at the wharf, but what should I see +but a splendid carriage, driven by two white horses, galloping down, and +how overjoyed I was when Miss Agnes stepped out, and came on board, and +ran up and kissed me, and we both shed tears, I believe, for I saw her +put her handkerchief to her eyes, and I cried for joy at seeing her +again. And then I must go right home with her; she would fain have had +Edward, too, but he could not leave his vessel, yet was quite willing +that I should go, so my trunk was handed in, we both stepped into the +carriage, and were off in a few moments, Edward standing on the deck, +watching till we were out of sight; at least I take that for granted. + +"Well, we drove to her uncle's dwelling, a large white house, with +splendidly ornamented pillars in front, and a balcony all round. It +stands in the midst of a park, at least so I call it; and there is a +fountain just before the door, flinging its glistening waters to a great +height, and grass, and flowers, and large shady trees, and winding +walks, and it looked altogether so lovely to me, with the sun shining +down upon it, that I cannot find words to describe it. Well, we got out +at the hall-door, and I followed Agnes into a parlor, where her uncle +and aunt were sitting, and, would you believe it, as soon as they saw me +they came forward, and kissed me, and made me sit by them, and told me +that Agnes had related to them all the kindness that had been shown to +her by our family, and how thankful they were to us all for it; and then +asked me about my husband, who, they said, had rescued her from a watery +grave, and how anxious they were to see him, and hoped he would be able +to call soon, and so he did that very evening, and a happy time we had +of it! + +"The next morning there came in to Mr. Denham's, a young gentleman with +Mr. Clifford, who you know stopped here with Captain Pierce; and they +both shook me warmly by the hand. This young gentleman's name was +Bernard, and while Agnes was talking to Mr. Clifford, he asked me many +questions about my home, and about the people that lived here, and +wanted to know if there were often shipwrecks near the place. I knew +well enough what he wished to find out, for I saw him, every now and +then, look at Miss Agnes so wistfully and sad, and then at Mr. Clifford, +as though he envied him the seat near her, and so I felt a kind of pity +for him, and began to tell him, in a low tone, what I knew he was +longing to hear, though I suppose he had heard it all before; but, +somehow, people never get weary of hearing about the one they love. And, +oh, he grew so lively, as I went on, and seemed such a pleased +listener,--and when I told him how much good she had done, and what a +change had come over the place, while she stopped here; the day and +night schools she had formed, and the services she had held on the +Sabbath, his very eyes seemed to thank me, they shone so brightly; and +when I had finished, he said, in a low tone, which he did not think I +overheard, + +"'Yes, she is indeed an angel; so much the more bitter for me!' + +"They left soon after, Mr. Clifford being in somewhat of a hurry; so Mr. +Bernard had but little opportunity of conversing with Miss Agnes; and +after they were gone, she stood by the window in silence for a few +moments, and when she turned to speak, I saw that a tear had fallen on +her long lashes, but she said, in a cheerful tone, 'We will go now and +take the promised drive.' + +"And so we did, and a charming one it was. Mr. Denham came with us, and +he pointed out everything to me that was new and beautiful; if I had +been his own daughter, he could not have been kinder. + +"But still, while I was looking at all the noble buildings, I could not +help thinking of Mr. Bernard; and then Miss Agnes, while she talked and +laughed a good deal, seemed as though she were striving to be cheerful, +I thought it did not come as natural to her there, as it did when she +was with us, and I half fancied something was going wrong. + +"Then her uncle began to talk of Mr. Clifford, and to praise him very +much; and I watched her, though she little knew it; but she joined with +him warmly, and her color never rose a bit, nor her voice faltered. By +and bye, somehow or another, I believe it was myself spoke of Mr. +Bernard, and he, too, came in for a large share of praise from Mr. +Denham; but Agnes only responded, 'Yes, I have no doubt of it,' looking +at the same time very earnestly out of the carriage window; but I caught +a glimpse of her face, as she turned it, and saw a delicate rose-color +flush her cheeks, and then I knew that Mr. Bernard need not despair. + +"So it went on from day to day. We rode, and walked, and shopped, and +visited, and attended museums, and lectures, and meetings, and yet I +fancied Agnes grew sadder and sadder; and Mr. Bernard, when I saw him +now and then, for he did not come much to the house, looked like a man +who was bravely struggling against some misfortune, which, in spite of +his efforts, was well nigh crushing him. + +"But one evening, Agnes had been invited out to a dinner party; they had +sent me an invitation, also, but I declined going, for I knew I should +not feel at home among so many strangers, and they so far above me; so I +remained with Mr. and Mrs. Denham. + +"'I would far rather stay with you,' Miss Agnes said, 'than go out this +evening, but these are very particular friends, who would feel I +slighted them, if I remained away; but, indeed, I do not feel at all +well.' + +"I was in her dressing-room at the time, and she was preparing for the +occasion. + +"'You do look pale, Miss Agnes,' I replied, 'and your eyes look heavy.' +I was pretty sure, from their appearance, she had been weeping that +afternoon. + +"However, she went; for it was not her fashion to consult her own ease, +when others were to be gratified. + +"It was little more than 10 o'clock that night; Edward had been with me +during the evening, but had just returned to his ship, and Mr. and Mrs. +Denham had retired to rest, for they kept early hours; I was sitting in +the parlor, reading a beautiful book, a present from Agnes, when I heard +steps coming up the gravel walk, and a murmur of voices in earnest +conversation. I peeped through the half-closed blind, and beheld Miss +Wiltshire arm in arm with a gentleman, whom I took to be, though I could +not see very distinctly, Mr. Bernard. + +"In a moment after they entered, and sure enough it was Mr. Bernard, +though every trace of sadness had disappeared from his face, and as he +came forward and shook hands with me, asking me so kindly how I was, his +very voice seemed altered, it was so gay, so joyous. I tried to catch a +glimpse of Miss Agnes's countenance,--it was some time before she lifted +her veil, but when she flung it aside, as she took off her bonnet, I saw +that her former paleness had been succeeded by a rosy-red, and her eyes +seemed beaming with new life. + +"We sat and talked for some time, at least Mr. Bernard and I, for Miss +Wiltshire was unusually silent. + +"At length he took his leave, but as he clasped her hand, and bade her +'Good night,' I heard him say in a low tone, 'I shall see Mr. Denham, if +nothing happens, early to-morrow morning,'--and so departed. + +"We soon separated for the night, and I heard nothing until the next +day, when Agnes told me all the particulars. + +"It seems there had been a mistake all round; Mr. Bernard having +believed that Mr. Clifford was his rival, and Miss Wiltshire imagined, +from something some lady told--Maria as they called her, I heard her +other name, but forget it--that Mr. Bernard had been paying her very +great attention, and had almost, if not actually, proposed for her hand. + +"There was not a word of truth in that, of course; but this Maria, it +seems, was determined to have the young gentleman, and did not care what +she said or did, if she could only secure him. + +"But it came out right, after all; Providence is always good to those +that trust Him, and so, just a week ago to-day, for we sailed +immediately after the wedding, they were married, and Mr. Clifford at +the same time." + +"But who did Mr. Clifford marry?" inquired one of the deeply interested +listeners. + +"Mr. Bernard's sister, a sweet pretty young creature, with eyes as blue +as a summer's sky. And such a sight it was to see the two brides; both +dressed alike in white satin, with orange blossoms in their hair, and +white veils on the back of the head, falling over their shoulders like a +mantle. It was so strange, too, that the clergyman who married them, +and who was a great friend of Miss Wiltshire's, had been a passenger in +the very steamer from which she had so narrow an escape; he had embarked +in another boat, and with the rest of the male passengers had got safe +to land. A short time before her wedding, Agnes met him in the street, +just after his arrival from some distant part, and she said, she did not +know which was the greatest, his joy or surprise at seeing her, for he +had never heard of her wonderful preservation, and had not, therefore, +the most distant idea she was in the land of the living. + +"Well, as soon as it was over, and they stepped out of the church, the +joy bells rang out, so merrily, and every person looked so pleased and +so happy. There was a grand lunch at Mr. Denham's, and then the bridal +party drove away to spend the honeymoon in travelling." + +"Well, she deserved a good husband, and I trust she has got one," said +Mrs. Williamson, as Ellen paused to take breath, "and I pray that Heaven +may bless them both!" + +"Amen," was the hearty response of the listeners, a response which, we +trust, kind reader, you will have no hesitation in echoing. + +The wish of Ellen, which she gave expression to, as she narrated her +visit, unlike most earthly wishes, was, in the space of a year or two, +abundantly realized. + +Through the instrumentality of Agnes and her devoted husband, a neat +little church was erected; a school-house quickly followed; a minister +and teacher were obtained; the people, stimulated by their example, +rebuilt and improved their dwellings; began to cultivate their land, and +that with such success, that fruit and flowers, and shady trees, and +fields of waving grain, were, in a comparatively short time, to be seen +in every direction, so that with regard to those changes, and the +instrumentality through which they had been effected, it is little +wonder that Mrs. Williamson, as she pointed them out to her family, +would now and then exclaim,-- + +"The wilderness and the solitary place were made glad by her, and the +desert rejoices and blossoms as the rose." + +Verily Agnes Bernard has her reward now, in the enjoyments which cluster +so thickly around her; in the happiness of which she is at once the +dispenser and partaker; but how greatly shall it be increased, when, +from a Saviour's lips, shall be heard the welcome plaudit:-- + +"Inasmuch as ye did it unto the least of these, ye did it unto me." + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Woman As She Should Be, by Mary E. Herbert + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WOMAN AS SHE SHOULD BE *** + +***** This file should be named 15982-8.txt or 15982-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/9/8/15982/ + +Produced by Early Canadiana Online, Robert Cicconetti, +Janet Blenkinship and the Online Distributed Proofreading +Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/15982-8.zip b/15982-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..314c5b5 --- /dev/null +++ b/15982-8.zip diff --git a/15982-h.zip b/15982-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3d83dd0 --- /dev/null +++ b/15982-h.zip diff --git a/15982-h/15982-h.htm b/15982-h/15982-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..75b6590 --- /dev/null +++ b/15982-h/15982-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,3937 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Woman As She Should Be, by Mary E. Herbert. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + .pagenum {position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right;} /* page numbers */ + .sidenote {width: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; margin-left: 1em; + float: right; clear: right; margin-top: 1em; + font-size: smaller; background: #eeeeee; border: dashed 1px;} + + .bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + .bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + .bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + .br {border-right: solid 2px;} + .bbox {border: solid 2px;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span {display: block; margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em;} + .poem span.i32 {display: block; margin-left: 32em;} + .poem span.i9 {display: block; margin-left: 9em;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Woman As She Should Be, by Mary E. Herbert + +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: Woman As She Should Be + or, Agnes Wiltshire + +Author: Mary E. Herbert + +Release Date: June 4, 2005 [EBook #15982] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WOMAN AS SHE SHOULD BE *** + + + + +Produced by Early Canadiana Online, Robert Cicconetti, +Janet Blenkinship and the Online Distributed Proofreading +Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1>WOMAN AS SHE SHOULD BE;</h1> + +<p class='center'>OR,</p> + +<p class='center'>AGNES WILTSHIRE.</p> + +<h3>BY</h3> + +<h2>MARY E. HERBERT,</h2> + +<p class='center'>AUTHOR OF "ÆOLIAN HARP," "SCENES IN THE LIFE OF A HALIFAX BELLE," &c. +<br /><br /><br /></p> + + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span>HALIFAX, N.S.:<br /></span> +<span>PUBLISHED BY MARY E. HERBERT.<br /></span> +<span>1861.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span>CAMBRIDGE, MASS.:<br /></span> +<span>MILES & DILLINGHAM.<br /></span> +<span>Printers and Stereotypers<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + + + +<!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. --> +<p><br /><br /><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_I"><b>CHAPTER I.</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_II"><b>CHAPTER II.</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_III"><b>CHAPTER III.</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_IV"><b>CHAPTER IV.</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_V"><b>CHAPTER V.</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_VI"><b>CHAPTER VI.</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_VII"><b>CHAPTER VII.</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"><b>CHAPTER VIII.</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_IX"><b>CHAPTER IX.</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_X"><b>CHAPTER X.</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XI"><b>CHAPTER XI.</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XII"><b>CHAPTER XII.</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XIII"><b>CHAPTER XIII.</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XIV"><b>CHAPTER XIV.</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XV"><b>CHAPTER XV.</b></a><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. --> + + + + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span>I saw her on a nearer view,<br /></span> +<span>A Spirit, yet a Woman, too;<br /></span> +<span>Her household motions light and free,—<br /></span> +<span>And steps of virgin liberty;<br /></span> +<span>A countenance in which did meet<br /></span> +<span>Sweet records, promises as sweet;<br /></span> +<span>A creature not too bright or good,<br /></span> +<span>For human nature's daily food,<br /></span> +<span>For transient pleasures, artless wiles,<br /></span> +<span>Praise, blame, love, kisses, tears, and smiles.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class='center'>—WORDSWORTH.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + + +<p>The Sabbath day was drawing to a close, as Agnes Wiltshire sat at her +chamber window, absorbed in deep and painful thought. The last rays of +the sun lighted up the garden overlooked by the casement,—if garden it +could be called,—a spot that had once been most beautiful, when young +and fair hands plucked the noxious weed, and took delight in nursing +into fairest life, flowers, whose loveliness might well have vied with +any; but, long since, those hands had mouldered into dust, and the spot +lay neglected; yet, in spite of neglect, beautiful still. There was no +enclosure to mark it from the fields beyond, that stretched, far as the +eye could discern, till lost in a rich growth of woods, but a few +ornamental trees and graceful shrubs, with here and there a plot, now +gay, with autumn flowers, alone kept alive, in the heart of the +beholder, a remembrance of its purpose. A quiet scene of rural beauty +it was, and so thought the maiden, as, rousing from her reverie, she +gazed on garden, fields, and distant woods, but more lovingly and +lingeringly dwelt her glance on a lake that lay embosomed between the +meadow and the grove, partly skirted by trees that grew even to its +edge, and partly by the rich grass, whose vivid color betrayed the +influence of those placid waters, that now reflected every glowing tint, +and every delicate hue of the peerless sunset sky.</p> + +<p>Quiet at all times, the stillness of the scene was now unbroken, save by +the twittering of some belated swallow, the chirp of the cricket, or the +evening hymn of the forest songsters, ere they sank to grateful rest. +All was peace without, but troubled and anxious was the heart of the +solitary occupant of that apartment, who, though for a moment aroused +from deep, and, as it appeared from the expression of her countenance, +painful thought, by the beauty of the landscape, again summoned her +wandering thoughts, and returned to the theme which had so deeply +engrossed her.</p> + +<p>A slight tap at the door once more aroused her, and in answer to her +invitation, "Walk in," a lady entered the room, and affectionately +addressed the young girl.</p> + +<p>"Forgive my intrusion, my dear Miss Wiltshire, but I feared, from your +remaining so long in your room, that you were not well, and have come +to ascertain whether I am correct or not."</p> + +<p>"I am much obliged for your kindness, but I am quite well, in body, at +least," was the reply, while the lips quivered, and the eyes were +suffused with tears.</p> + +<p>There was silence for a few moments between them, for Mrs. Gordon was +too delicate to allude to emotions, which her companion evidently strove +to conceal, and with the nature of which she was totally unacquainted. +At length, however, she broke the quiet that had reigned for some +moments in the apartment, by an observation on the service they had both +that day attended.</p> + +<p>"Accustomed, as you are, to city churches and city congregations, it +could scarcely be expected that our unpretending house of prayer, with +its humble worshippers, could have found much favor in your eyes, Miss +Wiltshire?"</p> + +<p>"And yet, strange to say," exclaimed Agnes, lifting her fine dark eyes +to Mrs. Gordon's sweet, though pensive face, "that unpretending church, +those earnest worshippers, and, above all, that simple, faithful +discourse, affected me far more deeply than any heard from the lips of +the most eloquent divine, in a gorgeous edifice crowded with the <i>elite</i> +of the city, and where the solemn notes of the full-toned organ ought, +perhaps, to have filled the soul with sacred and heavenly thoughts. +Those words, so thrillingly pronounced, shall I ever forget them? 'To +whom much is given, of him shall much be required.' They seem still to +ring in my ears, for I, alas, am among those who have received much, yet +rendered back nothing."</p> + +<p>The speaker paused, overcome with emotion, but the countenance of the +listener grew radiant with delight,—not that delight which arises from +the realization of some worldly hope, but, rather, a heavenly joy, which +lent to the pale and pensive face a beauty not of this world; it beamed +in the sunken, yet soft blue eye, and flushed the hollow cheek; it was +the joy of a saint, nay, it was the joy of an angel, at the return of +the stray sheep to its Father's fold. But it soon found expression in +words.</p> + +<p>"I cannot tell you how happy you make me, in speaking thus, dear Agnes," +said she, affectionately clasping her hand. "Since you first came here, +I have been thinking so much about you, and praying, too, that you, so +rich in all that makes woman lovely and beloved, might possess that +grace, which will but add lustre to every other endowment, qualifying +you for extensive usefulness here, and glorious happiness hereafter."</p> + +<p>"But you know not, my kind friend, what mental struggles I have passed +through this afternoon, nor how conflicting feelings are yet agitating +my soul. I hear the voice of duty, but it calls me to tread a rugged +path. Could I always remain with you, secluded from the gay world, far +removed from its temptations and allurements, then, indeed, would I +gladly make my choice, and say, 'This people shall be my people, and +their God my God;' but in a few days I must depart, and, again, in the +haunts of the busy city, and surrounded by the gayeties of fashionable +life, I fear I shall feel no more those sweet and sacred influences, +which have been as the breath of heaven to my soul."</p> + +<p>"'My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest!' Is not +that a sufficiently encouraging promise, dear Agnes? Had you nought but +your own strength to rely on, you might well fear; but forget not Him +who has declared, 'If any lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to +all liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given.'"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + + +<p>Agnes Wiltshire was an orphan. Her father had died during her infancy, +her mother during her childhood; but a happy home had been thrown open +to her, by a kind uncle and aunt, who gladly adopted her as their own, +and lavished on her every tenderness. Mr. and Mrs. Denham were generous +and warm-hearted people; their dwelling was elegant and commodious; the +society in which they mingled, as far as wealth and fashion is +concerned, unexceptionable. What more was wanting? Alas, they were +thoroughly worldly; their standard was the fashionable world; their +maxims were derived from the same source; and while regularly attending +the stated ordinances of the church, and esteeming themselves very +devout,—for were not their lives strictly moral?—they, in reality, +knew as little of heart religion, as the dwellers in a heathen land.</p> + +<p>Such was the character of the people among whom Agnes Wiltshire had +attained the age of eighteen; and, surrounded by such influences, what +wonder, that she, too, partook of the same spirit, and was content to +sail down the sunny stream of life, without one thought of its +responsibilities, without one glance at the future that awaited her. +Long might she have continued thus, still pursuing the phantom of +pleasure, seeking ever for happiness, but never seeking aright, had she +not been suddenly startled, in the midst of worldly pursuits, by the +unexpected death of a gay and favorite companion, who, surrounded by all +of earthly happiness, was torn from her embrace. In the agony of +delirium, Agnes had beheld her, gliding, unconsciously, down the dark +valley and the shadow of death, and she trembled, when she felt how +totally unprepared she was to meet the King of Terrors, and yet how soon +she might be called to do so. In the midst of the gay dance, at the +festive board, where mirth ruled the hour, and honeyed flatteries were +poured into her ear, she was still haunted by that pallid, agonized +countenance, and by the voice, whose heart-rending accents she still +seemed to hear, as distinctly as when it cried, in imploring tones, +"Save me, oh save me, from the deep, dark waters. They surround me on +every side; have pity on me, for I sink, I sink, I sink."</p> + +<p>So deep an effect had the loss of her young companion, and the +remembrance of her last hours, produced on Agnes, that she fell into a +dejection, from which nothing could rouse her, and her physical powers +soon gave unmistakable evidences of their sympathy with the mind, by +alarming prostration of strength. The physician, on being applied to, +recommended the usual restorative, change of air and scene; and a +pleasant summer's retreat was selected as Agnes's residence, for a few +weeks. Mrs. Denham would fain have accompanied her niece, but a violent +attack of the gout, to which Mr. Denham was subject, rendered it +impossible for her to leave him, and with many tender charges and +injunctions, Agnes was consigned to the care of a friend, travelling in +that direction.</p> + +<p>Great was the change to Agnes, yet not the less beneficial on that +account. The absence of the glitter and show of fashionable life, the +quiet that reigned around, the beauty of the scenery, the kindness and +simplicity of the scattered inhabitants,—all delighted her; and the +group of admirers, who were wont to surround her, would scarcely have +recognized, in the warm-hearted, enthusiastic girl, who, in simple +attire, might daily be seen rambling through the fields, or, with a book +in hand, seated beneath a favorite oak, the accomplished and fashionable +Miss Wiltshire.</p> + +<p>The lady with whom she resided was a clergyman's widow, who, deprived by +an untimely death of her natural protector and provider, sought to +augment her scanty means, by opening her house during the summer months +to casual visitors. She had been beautiful once, and she was young +still; but the glow and the freshness of life's youth had vanished, not +so much before time as sorrow, for peculiarly distressing circumstances +had attended the loss of her dearest friend, and now, disease had +almost, unsuspected, commenced its insidious ravages on a naturally +delicate constitution.</p> + +<p>A mutual friendship was speedily formed between these two, so strangely +thrown together by circumstances. Agnes was charmed with Mrs. Goodwin's +sweet, pensive face, and gentle manners, while her character, so +beautifully exemplifying the power of religion to give support and +happiness, under all circumstances, won her deepest regard. On the other +hand, the genuine warmth, the unsophisticated manners, still uncorrupted +by daily flatteries and blandishments, the lofty and gifted mind, all +delighted Mrs. Goodwin, who had never before formed an acquaintance with +a female possessing so many attractions, and she gazed at her with +wonder and admiration, not unmixed with a sentiment of tenderness and +pity, as she thought of life's slippery paths, and of the injurious +influences of worldly pursuits and worldly gayeties.</p> + +<p>But to the city Agnes must again return, for the roses have come back to +her cheeks, her previous dejection has vanished under the kind and +salutary ministrations of her friend, and she has no reasonable excuse +for remaining longer; besides, her friends have become impatient at her +stay,—the light and life of their dwelling,—how can they consent to +her tarrying longer; so the long and interesting conversations on high +and holy themes, which she had scarcely ever before heard alluded to but +in church, must be relinquished, and the quiet scenes of Nature +exchanged for the bustle and show of city life.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + + +<p>A twelvemonth has elapsed, since the events recorded in our first +chapter. In the drawing-room of a spacious mansion, in the suburbs of +the city where Agnes Wiltshire resided, is seated a young man, +apparently perusing a volume which he holds in his hand, but, in +reality, listening to a gay group of young girls, who are chattering +merrily with his sister at the other end of the apartment. Scarcely +heedful of his presence, for he is partly concealed by the thick folds +of a rich damask curtain,—or, perhaps, careless of the impression +produced, they rattled gaily on, for not one of them but in her heart +had pronounced him a woman-hater; for were he not such, could he have +been insensible to the sweetest and most fascinating smiles of beauty?</p> + +<p>But the last sound of their retreating footsteps, the echo of their +merry laugh, has died away, and Arthur Bernard emerges from his retreat, +in the enclosure of the window.</p> + +<p>"I declare, Arthur, it is positively too bad," exclaimed Ella, his +sister, a gay and pretty young girl; "you are certainly the most +agreeable company in the world. Not a syllable to say beyond 'yes,' or +'no,' 'good morning,' or 'good evening.' I am really ashamed of you. You +are a woman-hater, I really believe. I am sure the girls all set you +down as such."</p> + +<p>"I am much obliged for their good opinion, and shall endeavor to deserve +it," was the smiling reply. "But, can you imagine what I have been +thinking about, while you and your merry companions have been talking +all sorts of nonsense?"</p> + +<p>"No, indeed. I should like to hear your wise meditations, most grave and +potent seigneur. Doubtless, they will prove very edifying, as the theme, +of course, was woman's foibles."</p> + +<p>"I have been thinking rather of what woman might be, than of what she +is. What an exalted part she might perform in the regeneration of the +world, did she but fulfil her mission. An archangel might almost envy +her opportunities of blessing and benefiting others; and yet, with so +many spheres of usefulness open to her, with influence so potent for +good or evil, the majority of your sex do nothing, or, worse than +nothing, injure others by their example. I am not a woman-hater, Ella; +but I must deplore that so many are unmindful utterly of their high +calling, and careless of everything but how to spend the present hour +the most agreeably, instead of being found actively sustaining, as far +as in their power, every good word and work; and ever with a smile and +a word of encouragement to the weary toilers in the path of duty. That +there are such women, I have not the least doubt; but I have never met +with one yet. When I do so, and remain insensible to <i>her</i> charms, you +may then call me a woman-hater,"—and a smile concluded the sentence.</p> + +<p>A merry, mocking laugh from his, sister rang through the room.</p> + +<p>"I thought as much. We, poor women, are not good enough for your most +serene highness; nothing short of one endowed with angelic qualities +will suit you. I must really try if, in my long list of acquaintances, I +cannot find one to come up to your standard; though I am afraid it would +be rather a difficult task. And now, in reply to that grave lecture of +yours, (what a pity the girls were not here to be edified,) for my part, +I always imagined that woman's mission was to be as charming as +possible, and I am quite content with being that,"—and Ella looked up +into her brother's face, with an irresistible smile.</p> + +<p>"But may you not be charming and useful both?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't know about that; I should like to know what you would +have us do."</p> + +<p>"Do! what might you not do, if you were disposed? What an incalculable +amount of good, and that in the most unobtrusive manner. Society takes +its tone from you, and waits to be fashioned by your hand. But, I verily +believe, running the risk of speaking very ungallantly, that there is +not one in thirty, fifty, or perhaps a hundred of your sex, who have the +slightest idea of exerting their talents for the benefit of others. You +laugh and talk, and enjoy yourselves, careless of the impression your +example may produce, and conform to the usages of society, without one +inquiry, as to whether in those usages may not, sometimes, lurk +frightful dangers, if not to yourselves, to others who follow admiringly +in your steps."</p> + +<p>"Frightful dangers! Really, brother, you are growing enigmatical. I +should like to have that sentence made a little plainer, for I certainly +do not understand you."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps an incident that occurred not long ago, which I will relate to +you, may explain more clearly my meaning. I can vouch for its +correctness, for it came under my own observation. You have frequently +heard me speak of Henry Leslie, my room-mate at college, one of the +noblest and most gifted of young men, but who unfortunately had +contracted a taste for intoxicating liquors. Unfortunately for himself, +his agreeable manners and fine qualities rendered him a great favorite +with the ladies, and no party seemed complete without him; and thus +constantly exposed to the seducing influence of the wine-cup, the habit +of imbibing largely grew so strong, that he scarcely had any +restraining power left. I remonstrated with him, and, as I trusted, with +some success, for he solemnly promised to abstain totally from the +intoxicating beverage,—but the very next day we found, on returning +home from a walk, an invitation to an evening party lying on our table. +It was from the mother of the young lady to whom report alleged he was +deeply attached, and whatever influence I might have possessed in +dissuading him from attending any other social gathering, I found I was +powerless in this case. But he again renewed his determination to +abstain from intoxicating stimulants.</p> + +<p>"'I know what you fear, Arthur, but I have made the resolution to "touch +not, taste not, handle not," as the teetotallers say, and I am +determined not to break it.'</p> + +<p>"I made no answer, but prepared to accompany him, with a heavy heart; +for I felt certain, in my own mind, of the result, at least to some +extent, of that evening's visit. I need not enter into particulars; +suffice it to say, that Henry Leslie bravely withstood all +solicitations, from our sex, to partake of the destroying beverage, and +I was beginning to hope that my fears would prove unfounded, when the +daughter of our hostess, the young lady to whom I before alluded, +approached him with a glass of sparkling wine in her hand. She was +beautiful,—I cannot but acknowledge that,—and I shall never forget +her appearance as she stood there, a fascinating smile lighting up her +animated countenance, and, in her sweetest tones, begged him to take a +glass of wine with her. I thought of Satan, disguised as an angel of +light, and trembled for the result, as I stood anxiously listening for +his answer. It came in the negative, but the hesitating, half-apologetic +tone was very different from the firm and decided one, in which he had +resisted all other solicitations. But she was not yet satisfied. Womanly +vanity must triumph, no matter how dearly the victory may be purchased.</p> + +<p>"'You surely will not be so ungallant as to refuse a lady so small a +favor,'—and her eyes added, as plainly as words,—'but much less can +you refuse me.'</p> + +<p>"'You see how society is degenerating, Mr. Bernard,' she said, turning +to me, 'there was a time when a lady's request was deemed sacred, now we +poor women have little or no influence over your sex.'</p> + +<p>"'I devoutly wish you had less, Madam,' was my uncourteous reply; but +she scarcely heard me, for Henry, taking the proffered glass, and in a +low tone, murmuring, 'For your sake alone,' quaffed its contents. A +flush of gratified vanity passed over the lady's countenance, for she +had laid a challenge with some of her friends, who had observed his +previous abstinence, that she would make him drink a glass of wine with +her, before the evening was over. That night week I sat, a lonely +watcher, by the corpse of Henry Leslie. He had died in the horrors of +delirium tremens, and his last cry had been for brandy.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it stings me almost to madness," exclaimed Arthur, rising and +pacing the apartment with hurried steps, "when I reflect that that +woman, knowing well his fatal propensity,—knowing, too, how powerful +was her influence over him, for, poor fellow, I believe he would have +laid down his life for her sake, was the immediate instrument of leading +to destruction one who might,—had she encouraged him in his resolution +to abstain, instead of luring him to depart from it,—have been an +honored ornament to society, not filling, as he does to-day, a +drunkard's grave, 'unhonored and unsung.'"</p> + +<p>There was silence for a few moments in the apartment, for even the +volatile Ella seemed affected at the narration. At length she spoke in a +subdued tone.</p> + +<p>"That is certainly a melancholy story, Arthur, and I shall not be able +to get it out of my mind soon. But now that I think of it, have you seen +Agnes Wiltshire since your return?"</p> + +<p>"No; but I have been about to inquire several times where she is, and +why have I not seen her before?"</p> + +<p>"Simply, because she has abjured society."</p> + +<p>"Abjured society!" and Arthur looked up, with a glance full of +astonishment. "What do you mean, Ella? Has she become a nun?"</p> + +<p>"Not exactly; but she certainly is a Sister of Charity, in the fullest +sense of the term. It was only yesterday morning she passed our windows +quite early, followed by a servant carrying a large basket, and I can +easily imagine it was on some charitable mission. You must know, Arthur, +for I see by your looks that you are impatient to hear all about +her,—by the bye, it is singular that you should take any interest in +her, considering she is a woman,"——</p> + +<p>"Dear Ella, do go on with your story."</p> + +<p>"It is well for you, Mr. Arthur, that I am very good-natured, for I +should have an excellent opportunity now of retaliation, for all the +unkind things you have been saying about our sex. But I can be generous, +and will forgive you this time,—so now to our story. You must know, +then, that a great change has taken place in Agnes, ever since the +sudden death of poor Lelia Amberton, the particulars of which I wrote to +you at the time it occurred. Agnes grew very low-spirited, and in +consequence lost her health, and was ordered by the physician to the +country, to recruit her failing strength. On her return, her dejection +had entirely vanished; but still she was very different to what she had +formerly been. To the great astonishment, and even displeasure of her +relatives, she gently but firmly declined all invitations to balls, or +gay parties, refused to attend the theatre, and, to her friends' earnest +expostulations and inquiries as to the reasons for such a course, +declared 'that she had, at length, become convinced of the vanity and +sinfulness of such pursuits, and no longer dared to peril her immortal +interests by engaging in them.'"</p> + +<p>"But, Edward Lincoln, how does he approve of this strange alteration?" +inquired Arthur, in a tone which, in spite of himself, could not conceal +his evident interest.</p> + +<p>"Oh, poor Edward has been discarded long ago."</p> + +<p>"Discarded! What do you mean, Ella, that she has broken her engagement +with him?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; or, rather, they mutually agreed in the matter, and thereby caused +fresh disappointment to Agnes's friends, whose opposition has risen to +such a height, that I believe they have almost threatened to expel her +from home."</p> + +<p>"Barbarous!" exclaimed Arthur, hastily, his eye flashing with +indignation. "But I suspect they would hardly carry that threat into +effect. And what reason was assigned for the breaking of the +engagement?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, nothing more than non-agreement of sentiment. When I was reasoning +with Agnes about it, one day, she said to me, 'How can two walk together +except they be agreed? I grant, dear Ella, that Mr. Lincoln is all you +have said, handsome, intelligent, and possesses many estimable +qualities; but these qualities, to be permanent, must be based on +principles drawn from the Word of Truth. Do not think, my friend, that +it was without a struggle I have resigned him. No, the conflict was long +and bitter; but I was enabled, at last, to yield to my convictions of +duty. And, indeed, he himself has confessed, that whatever I might have +done once, I should never have suited him now. Our views are +diametrically opposed; the gayeties of life, which I have gladly +resigned, he still takes delight in, and when I have endeavored feebly, +but earnestly, to lead him to seek for more enduring joys, his only +reply is a merry laugh at my enthusiasm, which, he predicts, will soon +evaporate. No, Ella, there is little in unison between us, and it is far +better to break our engagement now, than to find, when too late, that we +had entered into a union productive of misery to us both.'"</p> + +<p>"Agnes is certainly a singular girl," said Arthur, musingly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, but I have not told you all. She has been a Sabbath-school teacher, +has established a day school for poor children, which she superintends, +and there is no fear of her tempting a gentleman to take a glass of +wine, for last, but not least, she has become a teetotaller. There, what +think you of that? and yet, I do not know how it happens, but in spite +of her singular ways, I seem to like her better than ever. There is +nothing in her manner that indicates a consciousness of superior merit, +but she is so truly kind, and her countenance wears so peaceful and +heavenly an expression, that I can never weary of gazing at her, and in +my sober moods, which occur once or twice in a twelvemonth, have some +idea of following her example. And now, Arthur," Ella added playfully, +"if Miss Wiltshire comes not up to your standard of female excellence, I +should despair of ever finding one that did."</p> + +<p>Arthur was about to reply, but was interrupted by the announcement of a +visitor. Slightly annoyed, for he had become really interested in the +conversation, and, resolving to slip away the first convenient +opportunity, he turned to salute the lady, whose name he had not heard, +when, Ella's exclamation of surprise and pleasure fell on his ear.</p> + +<p>"Why, Agnes, have you came at last? I almost thought I was never to see +you again. I called twice, but you were out."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I was very sorry, but a particular engagement called me from +home."</p> + +<p>"Arthur, have you forgotten your old friend, Miss Wiltshire?" inquired +Ella of her brother, who was waiting an opportunity to address her.</p> + +<p>"It would be a difficult task to do that," was the reply, while the +cordial clasp of the hand and kindly tone, told how pleasant was that +meeting to one of the party at least. "You should rather have inquired +if Miss Wiltshire had forgotten me, which is far more probable."</p> + +<p>"I never forget my friends," said Agnes, with a slight emphasis on the +word friends.</p> + +<p>"And to be numbered among Miss Wiltshire's friends, I consider no +ordinary privilege," was Arthur's reply, as he insisted on her occupying +an easy chair by the blazing fire, which the clear but chilly air of +autumn rendered indispensable to comfort.</p> + +<p>"I am afraid you have learned the art of flattery in your travels, Mr. +Bernard."</p> + +<p>"Flattery!" exclaimed Ella, drawing up a chair close to her friend, and +smiling at her brother, who was seated opposite; "I only wish you had +heard him, Agnes, a little while ago, in what terms he spoke of our sex, +for if you had, you would agree with me, that the title of woman-hater +would be far more appropriate than flatterer."</p> + +<p>"Ella, Ella, that is hardly fair," said Arthur, while his cheek became +slightly flushed.</p> + +<p>"But what did he say about us, Ella?" Agnes inquired, smiling half +mischievously at his evident embarrassment.</p> + +<p>"Say, all sorts of things; he declared that the great majority of us +care for little else but pleasure; that the idea of exerting our +influence for good is one that we seldom ever entertain, and he wound up +his exceedingly edifying lecture by a dismal story of a lady, whose +persuasions induced a friend of his to break a promise which he had made +to abstain from intoxicating liquors, and was, thereby, led to an +untimely death."</p> + +<p>"You have been bringing very grave charges against our sex, Mr. +Bernard," said Agnes, with a sweet seriousness, that, however unusual, +well became her fair youthful face; "and I am afraid we should have to +plead guilty in too many instances. Still, even those who appear the +most thoughtless, have their hours of reflection, no doubt, when they +feel the utter insipidity of a life of pleasure—false pleasure—and +form many resolutions to abandon it; but habit is strong, and example +powerful, and once immersed in the gayeties of life, nothing short of +strength from above can make them to 'come out from the world, and to +become separate.'"</p> + +<p>A deeper shade of seriousness passed over Agnes's expressive countenance +as she uttered these words. It was evident they had evoked some painful +recollections, and, as Arthur gazed on the down-cast face, on the long +silken eyelashes that but half concealed the tear that unhidden rose to +the lustrous eye, and observed her lip quivering with suppressed +emotion, he easily divined, from his previous conversation with his +sister, the cause of her agitation.</p> + +<p>"She has suffered, and in the cause of truth," was his mental +ejaculation. Oh, to have the privilege of cheering and sustaining one so +lovely! but</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span>"Man may not hope her heart to win,<br /></span> +<span>Be his of common mould."<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + + +<p>A few select friends had assembled at Mrs. Bernard's, to celebrate +Ella's birthday.</p> + +<p>"It will not do to have a dancing-party, Mamma," said Ella, when they +were making the necessary arrangements, "it will not do to have a +dancing-party, or Agnes will refuse to come, and I have set my heart on +having her, and I strongly suspect somebody else has done the same," +glancing mischievously at her brother, who had just entered the room. "I +am sure, too, I shall enjoy myself a great deal better with a few select +friends, than if we had a large, gay party."</p> + +<p>"Have it your own way, my dear," said the mother, fondly kissing her +daughter's fair upturned brow; "if it pleases you, I am sure it will +satisfy me."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, dear Mamma, and now I have nothing to do but to write my +invitations, and send them. But, Arthur, I declare you have not said a +word; one would imagine, only I know better, that you do not feel at all +interested in the matter."</p> + +<p>"Interested, why should I, in your foolish parties? Do you not know I +have something better to think of?"</p> + +<p>"Doubtless, and you do not care in the least who accepts the +invitations. Now, confess, for you may as well, that when I proposed, a +few evenings ago, having a small select gathering of friends for Agnes's +sake, your very eyes shone with joy, for all you did wear that provoking +grave look. Confess, too, that you have thought of little else ever +since. I am sure you dreamed about it last night, for you looked very +smiling as you entered the breakfast room this morning."</p> + +<p>"You are an incorrigible little rattle-brain, Ella, and, to punish you, +I have a great mind to declare I will not enter your party. How would +you like that?"</p> + +<p>"I am not in the least alarmed, brother dear, that that threat will be +carried into execution, for the very good and sufficient reason, that +you would thus punish yourself worse than me. But if I stand talking any +longer, my invitations will not be written in season, so I must defer +our very edifying conversation till another opportunity,"—and, humming +a favorite air, the lively girl danced gaily out of the room.</p> + +<p>Arthur, left alone, stood for a moment musing, half amused and half +vexed with his sister. He scarcely had ever mentioned Agnes's name, and +yet, he could not conceal from himself that he felt an interest in her, +beyond that he had ever experienced for any other woman.</p> + +<p>"Absence is love's food," so poets say, and Arthur proved the truth of +the observation. While spending his college vacations at home, he had +often met with her before; and, even then, she charmed him as no other +woman ever did, but when report told of her engagement to Edward +Lincoln, honor forbade him any longer to cherish hopes which he had +allowed to tint with their bright hues his dreams of the future.</p> + +<p>He had shunned her society as far as possible from that time while at +home, and striven, while at college and during his year's sojourn in +foreign lands, to banish her image from his remembrance, and vainly +imagined he had succeeded; but the flame, though it may be dimmed, was +by no means quenched, and was ready, at the slightest encouragement, to +burst forth with renewed vigor.</p> + +<p>But we have digressed. Mrs. Bernard's drawing-room presented a picture +of comfort and elegance as Agnes entered it on the evening of Ella's +party. A few select friends were gathered there, all apparently +perfectly at home, and amusing themselves without restraint, according +to their diversified inclinations. Some were examining the choice +engravings that lay scattered on the tables; others were standing in a +group round the piano, admiring some new music which Ella had that day +received; while the elder members of the party were gathered round the +fireside, enjoying its cheerful blaze, and merrily discussing the events +of the season. Innocent amusement seemed to be the rule of the evening, +and Agnes, though she had left home unusually depressed in spirits, felt +a glow of pleasure thrill through her heart as she contemplated the +scene, and responded with her usual sweet, though, latterly, pensive +smile, the kind greetings of her friends.</p> + +<p>"How pale Miss Wiltshire looks to-night," observed one young lady to +another who was seated at the piano as Agnes entered the apartment.</p> + +<p>"She does, indeed, pale and sad both," was the response.</p> + +<p>Arthur, who had overheard the remark, could not help admitting to +himself its correctness, as he crossed the room to pay his respects to +Agnes, and as, unobserved, he watched her closely, it was evident to him +that, while with her usual unselfishness, she strove to promote the +happiness of others by entering cheerfully into conversation, from the +half suppressed sigh, and the shadow that at intervals stole over her +face, some painful subject, very foreign from the scene around, occupied +her thoughts.</p> + +<p>"I am afraid you are not well to-night, Miss Wiltshire," he at length +said, in a tone low and gentle as a woman's, for Agnes, seated on a +corner of the sofa, and imagining herself unobserved by the rest of the +company, had for a moment closed her eyes, as though to shut out +surrounding objects, while an expression of mental anguish flitted +across her features.</p> + +<p>How precious to the aching heart is human sympathy. The words were +nothing in themselves, but the tenderness of tone in which they were +spoken, told plainly that it was anything but a matter of indifference +to the speaker, and Agnes, blushing deeply as she met Arthur's +compassionate glance, felt the conviction, darting like a ray of sunbeam +through her mind, that to at least one person in the world she was +dearer than aught else beside.</p> + +<p>"I have only a slight headache," was her reply to his kind inquiry, and +one which was strictly correct, for the headache was the result of +mental agitation during the day.</p> + +<p>"I shall recommend you, then, to sit quite still, while I constitute +myself, for the evening, your devoted knight; and shall, therefore, +remain here, ready to obey your slightest behests, be they what they +may."</p> + +<p>"I shall certainly then insist, in the first place, that others be not +deprived of the pleasure of your company for my gratification. I should +be selfish, indeed, if I allowed you to do so."</p> + +<p>"Notwithstanding, here I am, and here I intend to remain until I am +forced away," said Arthur, smiling as, seating himself comfortably +beside her on the sofa, he drew a portfolio from the centre table, which +contained some sketches taken during his recent tour, and, in pointing +out the different places and relating his adventures in each, Agnes +became so much interested as to forget her headache, and even the +anxiety which had weighed down her mind but a short time before.</p> + +<p>There was one picture that seemed particularly to attract her attention. +It was the sketch of a small church, whose white walls peeped out from +the midst of thick foliage, and whose opened doors seemed to welcome the +worshippers that in every direction were seen apparently wending their +way towards it.</p> + +<p>Agnes gazed at it long and earnestly. She laid it down and took it up +again, while Arthur, who could not imagine why she seemed to admire this +sketch in preference to others whose artistic merits were far superior, +gazed on her with some surprise.</p> + +<p>"I see you are wondering, Mr. Bernard," she said, as she marked the +inquiring expression of his countenance, "why this scene should +particularly attract me. It is because it reminds me of the happiest +hours of my life, for, in a church, whose situation and appearance +exactly resembles this, I first learned where true bliss was to be +found."</p> + +<p>"A valuable lesson truly, Miss Wiltshire, and one which I would feel +thankful if you could impart to me, for I assure you I am sadly in need +of it. Dissatisfied with the world, I still see so much hypocrisy in the +church,—there are so many, even among those who minister in holy +things, who seem by their actions wedded to the vanities which they +profess to renounce, that I turn away with a feeling akin to disgust, +and am almost ready to believe that the piety which characterized the +first professors of Christianity has totally disappeared."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you have not been looking for it in the right place, Mr. +Bernard. There are many whose religion consists in outward observances, +while the heart is given up to its idol; but, granting there was not one +in the world who was really the possessor of true religion, 'What is +that to thee?' The claims of Heaven are not less binding on you, because +not recognized or responded to by the multitude, for each must render an +account of himself, whether the offering of the heart, the only +acceptable one, has been presented, or whether we have turned coldly +away from the voice of the charmer, charm it ever so wisely."</p> + +<p>There was silence for a few moments, which was broken by an observation +from Arthur.</p> + +<p>"Do you know of whom you remind me, Miss Wiltshire? Of a distant +relative of my mother's, who resided with us for a time, when I was but +a boy. She was a young woman then; I, a wild, heedless boy; but her +look, her smile, her very words, are indelibly impressed on my mind. +What a lovely example of all Christian graces was she, for in her they +seemed blended, like the exquisite tints of the rainbow, into a perfect +whole. Her gentle reproof,—her winning manner ever alluring us to that +which was right,—her unwearied endeavor to make all around her +happy,—these, combined with every womanly charm, made her appear, in my +eyes, more than human; and when death came, much and deeply as I +lamented the loss, I could scarcely wonder that Heaven had reclaimed its +own."</p> + +<p>There was a pause, and then Arthur added,—"That I have not gone to the +same extent in folly as others, I believe I owe to her, for when +tempted, by my gay companions at college, to join them in the pleasures +of sin, her look of mild entreaty seemed ever before me, deterring me +from ill; and I often think, had she lived, I might to-day have been a +better and more useful man."</p> + +<p>Agnes had been an attentive listener. "I do not wonder," she said, as he +ceased speaking, "that you so highly estimate woman's influence, for you +have largely benefited by it; but though dead, she yet speaketh. Do you +remember what Young says respecting dying friends? That they are</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">'Angels sent on errands full of love,<br /></span> +<span>For us they sicken, and for us they die.'<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>We sometimes wonder at the mysterious Providence which often suddenly +removes the excellent from earth; while the wicked are allowed to +remain; but may it not be graciously ordered thus, to excite in us an +ardent desire for that preparation which shall enable us to greet our +friends on the shores of the better land. Oh, without such a hope what +would life be.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span>'It lifts the fainting spirit up,<br /></span> +<span>It brings to life the dead.'<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>How often should I be ready to sink in despair," and Agnes's lips +quivered with emotion, "were it not that I am permitted to look forward +to that inheritance which is incorruptible and undefiled, and which +shall prove an abundant recompense for those 'light afflictions which +are but for a moment.'"</p> + +<p>"But you," said Arthur, half inquiringly, "are, I trust, a stranger to +those afflictions.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span>'Rose-leaved from the cold,<br /></span> +<span>And meant, verily, to hold<br /></span> +<span>Life's pure pleasures manifold.'"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"My childhood and youth has, indeed, passed amid flowers and sunshine," +was the reply; "and if the future appears now to point to a more gloomy +and thornier path, I will not repine to tread it, for</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span>'Here little, and hereafter much,<br /></span> +<span>Is true from age to age.'"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Arthur, as he was about making a reply, was interrupted by his sister, +who came to request Agnes to play for her a favorite tune, and their +conversation, with the exception of an occasional word now and then, was +ended for that evening.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + + +<p>"The only son of his mother, and she was a widow,—" Arthur Bernard, as +he attained to manhood, seemed to realize, in person and character, all +a fond mother's fondest anticipations. His stately form, as he mingled +among his compeers, did not tower more above them, than did his lofty +mind, stored with sound principles, and embellished with varied +learning, seem to soar above their grovelling ideas, and to breathe a +higher and purer atmosphere. A glance at his countenance would have +sufficed for the most casual observer to have read, in every lineament, +the impress of a noble and chivalrous nature. Yes, gentle reader, start +not at the word <i>chivalrous</i>. It may be, from his previous conversation +on woman's foibles, that you have been, ready to form a very different +opinion,—but you are mistaken; and so will you often find yourself in +the journey of life, should you thus estimate character in general. +Deceit frequently lurks beneath the smile and honeyed words of the +flatterers, and he who believes that the avenues to woman's heart are +only accessible by such means, proves, beyond a doubt, that he has +associated with none but the frivolous, the vain and weak-minded of the +sex. Poor, indeed, is that compliment which man pays to woman, when he +expatiates on her sparkling eyes, her flowing tresses, and ruby lips, as +though she were only a beautifully fashioned creature of clay, while he +virtually ignores the existence of those higher and holier powers which +she shares in common with man, and which make her, in proportion to +their wise and careful development, akin to the angels.</p> + +<p>Arthur Bernard was no flatterer, it is true, but chivalrous in every +sense of the word. A keen appreciator of all that is honorable and +high-minded, he could not stoop to those petty meanesses, which too +often characterize the conduct of those who flatter themselves with the +name of <i>gentleman</i>,—a title which Tennyson forcibly describes as</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span>"Usurped by every charlatan,<br /></span> +<span>And soiled with all ignoble use."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Courage to meet any emergency, firmness to resist temptation when +presented in its most alluring form, was blended with that genuine +kindness of manner, that deference towards the weak and defenceless, +which renders its fortunate possessor not only esteemed, but beloved. +Yet with so much that was admirable in mind and heart, of him it might +be said, as it was of one of old, "One thing thou lackest." Strange, +that the subject of the greatest importance should be, too often, the +one most seldom dwelt on, too frequently thrust aside, until, in the +season of affliction and the hour of death, its terrible magnitude is +first realized—realized, perhaps, forever too late. Regular in his +attendance on all the ordinances of worship, his heart had remained +unaffected; but this indifference was owing, it may be, in a measure, to +the discourses to which he was in the habit of listening from Sabbath to +Sabbath,—discourses which, while they portrayed in fairest colors the +beauty of a moral life, seemed to forget the natural depravity of the +human heart, and the necessity of the mind being fully renewed, in order +that it might carry those principles into effect.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Bernard, though a devoted mother, and, in many respects, an +excellent woman, had never realized, for herself, "the blessedness of +things unseen." She had been contented to sail smoothly along the stream +of life, which for the most part had been ruffled by few storms, and she +almost forgot, as day after day and week after week glided past, they +were bearing her frail bark swiftly on to the ocean of eternity. There +was a time,—it seemed to her now like a dream as she looked back,—that +she had thought more of these things, for they were presented to her in +a living form, embracing, as it were, in the daily walk and +conversation of a relative, who had been for some time an inmate of her +dwelling. The lovely traits developed in the character of this lady, had +won the matron's heart, and especially had she appreciated the unbounded +care and tenderness which her friend exercised towards her children, +Ella and Arthur. But this messenger of peace passed away to a brighter +clime, and the impression made by her brief sojourn seemed to have +become erased from the memory; like the morning cloud and the early dew, +it soon passed away. Yet was she not altogether forgotten, nor had her +labors of love been entirely in vain. To her it was that Arthur had +alluded in his conversation with Miss Wiltshire, for childhood's heart +is tender and impressible, and from her instructions he had imbided many +of those lofty and noble sentiments which now characterized him; and +often, when the tide of worldliness rushed in to bear him away on its +fierce current, that gentle form would seem to stand before him, and he +would hear again, in fancy, the soft tones of that voice, beseeching him +to pause, and consider his doings.</p> + +<p>Oh, woman, woman, how potent is thy influence, which thou exercisest, in +thy apparently limited sphere, over the human race. Thy tender hand +moulds the plastic mind of childhood; thy gentle rebuke checks the +wayward impulses of impetuous youth; thy loving sympathy and voice +counsel, cheer, and stimulate manhood; and to thee age and infirmity +look up with confidence and delight, assured that thy unwearied care +will not be wanting to smooth their passage to the tomb. Blessed office! +High and holy ministration! Well, indeed, for mankind, if woman were but +truly alive to the onerous duties and responsibilities that devolve upon +her; well for her, and those by whom she is surrounded, if instead of +being as, alas, she too often is, the encourager of man in evil, she +would ever prove the supporter and upholder of that which is good, and +by her example and persuasion,</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span>"Allure to brighter worlds, and lead the way."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Arthur Bernard on leaving college had spent some years in travelling +through Europe, and had but just returned when our story commences. Left +in affluent circumstances at the death of his father, which had taken +place while he was yet a child, there was little necessity for exertion; +but of an active and energetic disposition, he could not remain +comparatively unemployed; and obtaining a situation in one of the +principal banks in the city, he devoted the income, acquired by it, to +aid in the diffusion of useful knowledge among his fellow-townsmen, and +for the alleviation of the wants of the helpless and distressed, for +never did the needy apply to him in vain. He looked not with a captious +eye upon their faults and follies,—did not harshly repel them because +sin had, in many instances, led to their distress, but first relieving +their bodily necessities, strove, by wise counsel, kindly administered, +to raise the fallen, cheer the hopeless, and assist the outcast and +degraded in retrieving their position, and again becoming useful members +of society.</p> + +<p>Ella, his sister, a light-hearted girl of eighteen, over whose fair head +prosperity had hitherto scattered its richest blossoms, resembled her +brother in kindness of disposition; but her gay and volatile temper +formed a charming contrast to his grave and subdued manner. Five years +her elder, Arthur's brotherly affection was mingled with an air of +almost fatherly protection; and to him, next to her mother, she had been +in the habit of appealing, and never in vain, for advice and assistance +in any emergency; and while his gravity checked, in some measure, the +mirth which might have degenerated into frivolity, her +light-heartedness, in its turn, exercised a wholesome influence over +him, and, like the gentle breeze, scattered the clouds which sometimes +brooded darkly over his spirit.</p> + +<p>But the declaration of Sacred Writ is, "One event happeneth to all." +None, as they beheld that united and happy family, the centre of a +numerous circle of friends, admired and beloved in the community, +imagined the change which was so soon to "come o'er the spirit of their +dream."</p> + +<p>A few weeks only had elapsed, after the festive scene we have portrayed +in a former chapter, when one morning Ella, on entering her mother's +chamber, which adjoined her own, was surprised to find, for the hour was +unusually late, that she had not yet risen. With noiseless step she +approached the couch, and with gentle hand drew back the curtain, +thinking to wake her by a kiss, when, terrible spectacle to her +affectionate heart, she beheld her idolized mother, not sleeping as she +had expected, but every lineament transfixed and motionless in death! An +apoplectic fit,—so the physician affirmed,—must have seized her during +the watches of the night, and thus, suddenly and fearfully, had she been +called to her final account. We draw a veil over that mournful scene, +for "too sacred is it for a stranger's eye."</p> + +<p>On her children its effect was deep and lasting. Ella especially seemed +sinking beneath the blow, and her brother, fearing for her reason, if +not her life, with gentle violence almost compelled her to bid adieu to +her native city, and, accompanied by him, seek, in change of scene, some +alleviation for the grief that preyed so deeply on her spirit.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + + +<p>The steamboat wharf of the town of Elton was truly a scene of busy life. +The steamer was making full preparations for the embarkation of +passengers to a distant city; and the wharf was crowded with bales of +goods, casks of water, cabs, trucks, &c. Business men were hurrying to +and fro, sailors were shouting to each other, and friends were hastily +clambering up the plank and springing on deck to remain a few minutes +longer, if possible, with those from, whom they were so soon to be +severed, "it might be for years, and it might be forever."</p> + +<p>But the bell has rung once, twice, its warning note, and now, for the +third time, it peals out on the clear air. The last clasp of the hand, +the hurried embrace, the fervent "God bless you," is given, and those +who are to remain have trodden the plank, regained the wharf, and now +turn, before departing to their respective homes, to take a farewell +glance at the steamer, as she moves slowly and gracefully away, bearing, +it may be, from many their heart's most cherished idols. The passengers +are assembled on deck, watching the receding shores, and many +handkerchiefs are waving a last response to those eager glances, an +adieu which, alas, few there dream shall prove final to so many.</p> + +<p>At the farther end of the deck, close by the railing, is seated a lady +in travelling costume. She is alone, for her companion, an elderly +gentleman, has left her to salute a friend whose face he had just +recognized among the crowd of passengers.</p> + +<p>"A lady accompanies you, I see," was the remark made to Mr. Cameron by +his friend, the Rev. Mr. Dunseer, after the first salutations were over.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Miss Wiltshire, from B——.</p> + +<p>"Miss Wiltshire? I thought I recognized the countenance as one I had +seen before."</p> + +<p>"Ah, so you have had a previous acquaintance with her."</p> + +<p>"Yes; for I am sure it is the same person. She is the niece, is she not, +of Mr. Denham, of B——; but I first met her when she was visiting the +part of the country in which I was stationed for a year or two."</p> + +<p>"I remember perfectly the time," was the reply. "Her relatives had +become alarmed at her failing health, and change of air had been ordered +by the physician."</p> + +<p>"And so she is going to H——."</p> + +<p>"Yes, on a visit to her mother's brother, Mr. Edwards. His only daughter +is about to be married, and they have sent for her to be bride's maid. +Miss Wiltshire has never seen any of the family as yet, with the +exception of Mr. Edwards, who came to B——, on business, and then, for +the first time, had an opportunity of becoming acquainted with his +niece."</p> + +<p>"It is rather singular," was the reply, while a smile lighted up the +fine countenance of the speaker, "that I am on a somewhat similar +errand. The groom, who for many years has been an intimate friend of +mine, insisted on my performing the marriage ceremony. I maintained that +it was the lady's privilege to select a clergyman, but, as he said that +their wishes were one in that respect, I was compelled to concede, and +am on my way thither for that purpose."</p> + +<p>"I am heartily glad of it," said Mr. Cameron. "Miss Wiltshire will, I am +sure, be pleased to see you again, and she will now have more agreeable +company than an old man like me can possibly be; so if you have no +objection we will join her, for she appears to be engaged in a converse +with solitude."</p> + +<p>"I was about proposing to do so, for to renew my acquaintance with one +whom I had learned, during her brief sojourn, so highly to esteem, will +indeed be an agreeable episode in my journey."</p> + +<p>While this conversation was carried on between the two friends, Agnes +had risen from her seat, and with one hand on the railing was leaning +slightly over the side of the steamer, watching the ebb and flow of the +transparent waves, or gazing fondly on the shores fast fading in the +distance. She was not apt to be melancholy; indeed, she seldom allowed +herself to indulge in a mood so opposed to that cheerfulness which +should characterize a Christian; but as she stood there gazing on the +mingled beauties of sea and land, more beautiful than ever at this hour, +when the golden hues of sunset were reflected in the placid waters, and +touched with fresh glory the distant hills, dark and gloomy shadows +stole over her spirit.</p> + +<p>And, indeed, distressing to youth, so dependent on the kindness and +sympathy of others, were the circumstances under which she was now +placed. She had bade adieu to the friends who had watched over her from +childhood, not as hitherto, during her brief visits, with the loving +farewell and the earnest injunction to speedily return; but cold looks +and colder words had marked that parting, with the very distant +intimation, on the part of her uncle, that if, on the expiration of her +sojourn among strangers, her fanatical views; as he termed them, +remained unchanged, she must expect to find herself banished from the +home of her childhood. Poor Agnes! a painful decision awaited her. With +all the affection of her warm and unsophisticated spirit, had she repaid +the tenderness that had been lavished upon her, and now to find herself +charged with having acted a foolish and ungrateful part,—to be thrust +forth from a home of luxury,—from the attention and sympathy of +friends,—to battle with a world that has but little kindness, in +general, to spare for those who need it most; these were painful and +harassing thoughts, and what wonder they weighed down that gentle and +timid spirit, and suffused those lustrous eyes which, until lately, had +seldom shed the tear of sorrow, except for other's woes.</p> + +<p>But as, lost in these troubled reflections, she glanced at the giant +waves beneath her, suddenly a sweet promise of Holy Writ was applied to +her agitated mind, "When thou passest through the waters I will be with +thee, and through the floods, they shall not overflow thee,"—and +immediately her spirit grew calmer, while a sense of peace, comfort and +security, quelled each rising doubt.</p> + +<p>"I have nothing to fear," she murmured.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span>"His voice commands the tempest forth,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">And stills the stormy wave,—<br /></span> +<span>And though his arm be strong to smite,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">'Tis also strong to save."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Agnes was aroused from her reverie by Mr. Cameron's cheerful voice.</p> + +<p>"My dear Miss Wiltshire, allow me to present to you an old friend."</p> + +<p>She turned to salute the stranger, but what was her surprise and delight +to find in him the clergyman under whose ministrations she had so +largely profited. The pleasure, indeed, seemed mutual, for though Mr. +Dunseer, having shortly after Agnes's departure for the city left that +part of the country, had consequently heard nothing more of her, he +still remembered his young and attentive hearer, and had often since +then desired to see her again, and ascertain if indeed the impressions +made were lasting, or had been obliterated amid the whirl and gayety of +fashionable life.</p> + +<p>Still more delighted was Agnes when she learned of his destination; it +seemed a link binding her to those with whom, with the exception of Mr. +Edwards, she was totally unacquainted; and from the depth of her heart +she silently thanked the kind Providence who had thus directed her +steps, and permitted a meeting so fraught with comfort and encouragement +at the very time most needed.</p> + +<p>Long and pleasant was the converse of friends that evening, and it was +not until some time after the sun had set, and dark and heavy clouds, +sweeping across the sky like armies gathering to battle, had obscured +the light of the rising moon, that Agnes, with a heart peaceful and +trusting, retired to her state-room, and in spite of the dash of waves, +and the wail of the rising wind, resigned herself to slumbers calm and +blest.</p> + +<p>But from pleasant dreams of home and friends, she was suddenly aroused +by the confusion and hurried tramping of feet above her head, mingled +with the shrieks of women and children, and the fearful ejaculations of +terrified men. Agnes started up, scarcely realizing that she was indeed +"on the wide billows of the raging sea." Drawing aside the curtains from +her berth, she glanced out into the cabin. It was not day, for the +lights were burning brightly, but the place was a scene of wild dismay; +women wringing their hands; children clinging to their mothers; all +bespoke such terror and despair, that for a moment Agnes felt +bewildered; but quickly recovering herself, and hastily rising, she was +soon in the midst of the terrified group, where she was immediately +joined by Mr. Cameron and his friend.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter?" was her first ejaculation.</p> + +<p>"The steamer is on fire," was the fearful reply. "Quick, my dear girl, +secure whatever you find to be most necessary, while they are getting +the boats ready."</p> + +<p>With that self-possession so invaluable in the time of danger, Agnes +hastily, but calmly, equipped herself comfortably, secured about her +person a small purse of money, and then aided the other lady passengers +in their frantic efforts to prepare for this trying emergency. Very soon +the Captain's stentorian voice was heard,—"The boats are ready, ladies, +there is no time to be lost."</p> + +<p>With a face pallid as death, yet serene in its very paleness, Agnes, +accompanied by her two friends, and followed by a number of the other +passengers, ascended the staircase, and, having gained the deck, glanced +for an instant at the fearful scene.</p> + +<p>There was, indeed, as the Captain had affirmed, no time to be lost. The +fire, which had originated in the engine-room, from the carelessness of +one of the hands, was now making fearful headway, in spite of the +continued efforts of the sailors by deluging it with buckets of water, +to mitigate in a measure, its ravages. All the fore-part of the vessel +was burning, and awfully sublime was the spectacle as the flames mounted +higher and higher, casting their lurid glare over the intensely dark +waste of waters, whose turbid and sullen waves, lashed into fury by a +fierce north-eastern blast, seemed warning the unhappy sufferers of the +fearful fate that awaited them, should they commit themselves more +immediately to its mercy.</p> + +<p>But the danger of embarkation in those frail boats, on an ocean that +every moment grew more tempestuous, was almost lost sight of in +contemplation of the nearer and more fearful fate that awaited them +should they linger; and quickly, and with scarce a murmur of +apprehension, the boat was filled.</p> + +<p>While Mr. Cameron was assisting Agnes into the frail boat, Mr. Dunseer, +who had secured a life-preserver, as soon as she was safely seated +handed it to her, observing that if the boat should be upset, by +clinging to it she might be preserved from a watery grave.</p> + +<p>Thanking him for his kind consideration at such a time, Agnes inquired +anxiously of the two gentlemen whether they were not to accompany her.</p> + +<p>"No;" was the reply of Mr. Cameron. "I fear we must be separated, but +only I trust for a time. This boat is not sufficiently large to hold +more than the lady passengers and the sailors who are to manage it. We +are to embark, as soon as you are safely off, in another, but as both +will steer for the same shore, and keep near each other as much as +possible, I trust, by the mercy of Providence, we shall meet again on +<i>terra firma</i>.</p> + +<p>"Yes," responded the minister, who had been for a moment silent, and his +clear voice sounded like the spirit of peace above the roaring flames +and raging billows, "we are steering, I trust, for the same shore, and +should we never meet again on earth, may it be our happy lot to greet +each other in the haven of eternal rest, haven to take the shipwrecked +in."</p> + +<p>Agnes's heart was for a moment too full to speak, but controlling +herself, she said to Mr. Cameron in a hurried whisper, "If anything +should happen to me, and you again behold my friends, tell them, oh, +tell them, that my last thoughts were for them; tell them not to lament +for me, for I shall be at rest, but, oh, I charge, I implore them to +meet me in heaven!"</p> + +<p>A burst of tears closed the sentence; she could no longer restrain her +feelings.</p> + +<p>"We must leave you now, my dear child," said Mr. Cameron, after +promising compliance with her request. "May heaven bless and help you."</p> + +<p>"And may He who holds the winds and the waves in the hollow of his hand, +preserve you, and all, through the hours of this terrible night," was +the solemn ejaculation of Mr. Dunseer, as pressing for the last time her +hand, the final order was given, the boat pushed out from the side of +the burning vessel, and she was left in the midst of strangers; +strangers personally, yet linked together by the sympathy arising from +mutual danger.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + + +<p>"Letters from home at last," said Arthur Bernard, as he entered the +private salon of an hotel, located in a pretty town in the south of +France.</p> + +<p>"I had begun to think our friends had quite forgotten us," he continued, +addressing his sister, who, seated in a recess formed by a large +bow-window, had been anxiously watching for his return.</p> + +<p>"You have not opened any of them yet," she said, as she came eagerly +forward to receive her share.</p> + +<p>"No;" was the reply. "I knew how anxiously you were waiting, and +hastened that we might read them together."</p> + +<p>"Always thoughtful, dear brother, of my comfort, you quite spoil me," +said Ella, with an affectionate smile, but in a tone, whose subdued +sound, proved a striking contrast to her former vivacity.</p> + +<p>For the next few moments silence reigned in the apartment, for each were +busily engaged in perusing their respective epistles.</p> + +<p>It was broken at length by an exclamation from Ella, which arrested her +brother's attention, and looking up from the opened sheet he held in his +hand, he ejaculated with alarm,—</p> + +<p>"For pity's sake, Ella, what is the matter?" for his sister's cheek had +become colorless as marble, and sinking into a seat, she burst into a +passion of tears.</p> + +<p>Still more alarmed, he laid down the letter, and advancing to her, +implored her to tell him the cause of her agitation.</p> + +<p>"Read for yourself," she said, "for I cannot bear to speak of it. Oh, +Agnes, Agnes!"</p> + +<p>A fresh mist of tears followed these words.</p> + +<p>"Agnes, what of her?" and Arthur's cheek became almost as blanched as +his sister's, and his hand trembled as he grasped the fatal manuscript. +He seemed to forget that the name might belong to some other than Miss +Wiltshire, for among the circle of their acquaintance there were two or +three with a similar designation, but in his inmost thoughts, though he +had never thus addressed her, he had been so accustomed to associate it +with the remembrance of herself, that it had become dear and sacred as a +household word, and when his sister's ejaculation of "Agnes, Agnes," met +his ear, he never dreamed of other, for</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span>"There was but one such name for him<br /></span> +<span>So soft, so kind, so eloquent."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The letter was from a lady acquaintance of Ella's, written in a fine +Italian hand, not very intelligible, and crossed and re-crossed in a +most elaborate manner.</p> + +<p>"Commend me to a lady's epistle," he said, in a tone more nearly +approaching to bitterness than his sister had ever heard from him +before. And, indeed, trying to the patience at any time, its perusal, +just now, seemed a hopeless task; but at length, at the foot of the +closing page, the writer having largely expatiated on the loss she had +sustained in the departure of her dear friend Ella, and how eagerly she +had looked forward to her return, and having exhausted all other items +of information which "she hoped," she added, "might not prove +uninteresting to her friend and Mr. Bernard," very coolly wound up by +remarking, "By the bye, I suppose you have not heard of Miss Wiltshire's +unhappy fate. I think it was a week or two after you left B——, that +she embarked in one of the steamers, ostensibly on a visit to a relative +who resided in H——, to act as bridesmaid for his daughter, but with an +intimation from her uncle, so I understand, that unless she relinquished +her fanatic notions, she must no longer expect a home beneath his roof. +The vessel in which she embarked sailed at the appointed time, but never +reached its destination. It took fire the night after leaving the +harbor, and all efforts to quench the flames were unavailing. The +passengers, of whom there were a large number on board, attempted to +escape in boats; some were fortunate enough to succeed, but the ladies, +among whom was Miss Wiltshire, without exception, found a watery grave. +It appears that the females had been first placed in one of the boats +manned by two or three sailors, and then another boat received the male +passengers and crew. They had hoped to keep near each other, but were +separated by the dark and tempestuous night. The gentlemen were +fortunate enough to gain land, after a good deal of sailing, and from +thence, having endured much fatigue, at length arrived here in safety; +but of the missing ones no intelligence was gained, until yesterday, +when a boat, identified by the passengers, from the name printed on its +stern, was picked up by some vessel, and brought into our harbor. It had +drifted nearly as far as the coast of Newfoundland, and, strange to say, +a woman's bonnet was found floating near it, which being also conveyed +here, was immediately recognized by Mrs. Denham, as the very one Miss +Wiltshire wore on leaving home, thus proving, beyond the slightest +doubt, the terrible fate which befell her and her unfortunate +companions. Mr. and Mrs. Denham seem almost bereft of their +senses,—they refuse to be comforted,—and blame themselves as the sole +cause of their niece's death; but, for my part, and I am sure you will +agree with me, I think Miss Wiltshire's singular conduct was quite +sufficient to warrant the anger of her relatives, who had always treated +her with such indulgence; for it seems to me a great presumption, for a +young person to set up her own ideas, in opposition to those who +certainly are far more capable of judging of what is right and wrong.</p> + +<p>"Poor thing, she has gone now, so it would not be right to speak too +harshly; but I cannot help telling you, that she was never a favorite of +mine, for I do dislike that pretending to be so much better than others, +and she had such a soft, winning way with her, that I believe some +almost thought her an angel, but she couldn't thus have imposed on me."</p> + +<p>Arthur read no further. He forgot his sister's presence; forgot that the +epistle belonged to her, and with an impulse of indignation he could not +control, he tore it in pieces, scattering its contents to the winds; +while with open, wondering eyes, the tears suddenly checked, Ella looked +on without speaking, almost ready to conclude that her brother had taken +leave of his senses. He turned from the open casement, and as he met her +inquiring and troubled gaze, instantly became himself again.</p> + +<p>"Forgive me, dear sister," he said, in a tone of mingled anger and +grief, "that I have destroyed that <i>precious</i> manuscript," laying an +emphasis on the word precious; "but oh, Ella, Ella, is it possible that +such fearful intelligence can be true? It almost seems," he added, in a +tone of anguish and despair, "that heaven could not permit one so +young, so lovely, to perish in such a heart-rending manner,"—he stopped +abruptly,—and Ella was spared replying by a gentle tap at the door.</p> + +<p>"Come in," she said in a low, faint voice, and, in compliance with the +invitation, an elderly American lady, who was on a visit to some friends +that resided opposite, and with whom Ella had become quite intimate +during her sojourn in the place, entered the apartment.</p> + +<p>"I have been wanting so much to see you, my dear child," she said, +affectionately, "and have been looking for you all the morning, and +finding you did not make your appearance, concluded to come in search of +you. But what is the matter," said she, pausing, and glancing first at +Ella, and then at her brother, "I trust you have not heard any bad +news?"</p> + +<p>"We have, indeed, dear Madam," replied Arthur, with an effort to control +his voice, "the loss of a very dear friend,"—here the tones visibly +faltered,—"by the burning of a vessel at sea, and the subsequent +upsetting of a boat, in which some of the passengers were endeavoring to +make their escape."</p> + +<p>"That is indeed very, very sad news," said the old lady, affectionately +clasping Ella's hand, "and I, my friends, can sympathize with you, for +five years ago to-day, my son, my darling son, the pride of my heart, +the charm and ornament of our dwelling, set sail from his native shores, +for a distant land, and from that moment unto this, no tidings ever +reached me of his fate, for the vessel was heard of never after."</p> + +<p>"Do you know," she said to Ella, a few moments after, as Arthur, with +some murmured apology left the room, for he felt that human sympathy, +however precious at other times, seemed but to madden him now, and he +longed to be alone—"Do you know," she repeated, as the young girl's +eyes, swollen with weeping, were upraised to her benevolent countenance, +"that I was standing at the window right opposite, when you drove up to +the door, and as your brother quickly alighted from the carriage, and +tenderly assisted you out, my heart beat quick; the blood forsook my +cheeks, and my whole frame was convulsed with emotion, for so strikingly +did he resemble my lost one in look and manner, that, for the moment, I +wildly dreamed that he had come back to bless me."</p> + +<p>The old lady's tears flowed freely.</p> + +<p>"I miss him so much, so very much," she said, "and especially on the +anniversary of that fatal day which tore him from my fond embrace, and I +can well appreciate the emotion which lent intensity to David's pathetic +exclamation, "Oh my son, my son, would to heaven I had died for thee, +oh, my son, my son."</p> + +<p>While Mrs. Cartwright was thus, by a relation of her own trials, +endeavoring to divert, in some measure, Ella's mind, and prevent her +from dwelling too exclusively on this painful event, Arthur, having +gained his chamber, was now pacing the floor with restless steps, his +whole soul a prey to the most intense emotions of grief, such as he had +never before experienced. At one moment he felt stupefied, at the +suddenness of the blow; the next, aroused again to the consciousness of +its terrible reality. At length a hope, that seemed to up-spring from +the depth of his despair, shed a faint light over the chaotic darkness +that reigned within. "The information may be exaggerated," was his +mental solving, "for it is plain that the writer, in penning it, was +actuated by no feelings of good-will, and there may yet exist a hope of +Anges's escape." With this idea, he opened another epistle, which he had +received, but not yet read. It was from an elderly gentleman, who had +always held Agnes in the deepest esteem, and with a trembling hand he +broke the seal. Alas for his futile hopes! Not at the close of the page, +as in the one received by Ella, but at the very commencement of the +letter, was the mournful intelligence communicated, and while the +narrator deeply deplored the event, he intimated, at the same time, that +not a doubt existed in his own mind, or in the minds of her friends, as +to the certainty of her untimely fate.</p> + +<p>Arthur laid the letter aside, and again commenced his restless pacing. +Alas, he had once almost imagined himself a Christian, for had he not +been sedulous in the discharge of every duty, and, like the young man +referred to in Scripture, could have said, with reference to the moral +law as far as outward observances are concerned, "All these have I kept +from my youth up." But now, mitigating, soothing, extracting from grief, +however mighty, some portion of its bitterness, where was the +resignation of the Christian? Not, certainly, in that heart so full of +bitterness, that was ready to contend with heaven for having reclaimed +its own; its power, its goodness, its wisdom, were almost, +unconsciously, arraigned, and finite man presumed to pass judgment on +the acts of infinite benevolence, until, at length, shocked at his own +rebellious feelings,—and startled, nay, terrified, at this the deepest +insight he had ever obtained of the natural depravity of his heart, he +sank into a chair, and in utter recklessness abandoned himself to the +tide of grief which seemed waiting to overwhelm him.</p> + +<p>Oh there are terrible moments in human experience, moments when even the +Christian is so haunted by the demon of unbelief, when the dire enemy of +God and man takes advantage of some unpropitious circumstance, some +painful affliction, to taunt the soul, already almost crushed, and to +inquire, with fiendish malignity, "Where is now thy God?" that if not +wholly overcome, he, at least, escapes alone with fearful wounds from +the trying conflict; how then can that one sustain the assault who is +totally unprepared, and who knows but little of the source from whence +alone help can come? Well, indeed, for frail humanity, that there is a +tender, pitying Father, who "knoweth our frame, and remembereth we are +dust," and oftentimes, when our need is sorest, sends, in his own good +way, unexpected relief.</p> + +<p>With his face buried in his hands, heedless of the lapse of time, and of +anything save his own absorbing emotion, Arthur still sat in the +armchair, into which he had thrown himself, his thoughts dwelling, with +strange pertinacity, upon the past,—the past that seemed to mock him +now.</p> + +<p>They expected very shortly to have returned home, and he had anticipated +so much pleasure in that return. He had never analyzed the source of +that pleasure, but now that it was removed, he saw it too clearly; it +was the hope, the expectation, of meeting with her. He recalled to mind +the hours he had passed with her,—happy hours, all too quickly flown; +her winning smile, the sweetly persuasive tones of her voice, her +earnest and thoughtful manner, all came back to haunt him with their +memory. Oh, how distinctly he remembered one of the last conversations +he had with her, when, in her own mellifluous tones, she had repeated +Young's exquisite lines,—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i9">"Stricken friends<br /></span> +<span>Are angels sent on errands full of love,—<br /></span> +<span>For us they languish, and for us they die."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Never had he felt their beauty as now, for the storm of passion had in a +measure subsided, and the still small voice of conscience once more +asserted its power.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Agnes, Agnes," he murmured, "you tarried on our earth as an angel +of light, and now you have but returned to your native sphere, and +rejoined your sister spirits, but could you see my rebellious heart, how +infinitely removed from the resignation and purity that can alone find +admission into the haven of bliss, how should I sink in your esteem, if, +indeed, surrounded by the spirits of the blessed, your thoughts ever +turn to so miserable an inhabitant of earth."</p> + +<p>A book lay on the table beside him. He took it up mechanically, scarcely +knowing what he did. It was an elegant edition of Mrs. Hemans' poems, +and had been the gift of Agnes to his sister a few weeks previous to her +leaving home.</p> + +<p>On the fly-leaf she had inscribed Ella's name, and the sight of her +hand-writing sent a fresh thrill of agony to his heart. But last +evening, on borrowing the book from his sister, he had contemplated it +with such delight; now, it was but the fatal reminder of "what had been, +but never more could be." With the restlessness of a weary heart, he +turned over page after page, until his glance was arrested by some lines +she had evidently marked. How bitterly appropriate they seemed now as he +read,—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span>"Go, to a voice such magic influence give<br /></span> +<span>Thou canst not lose its melody and live;<br /></span> +<span>And make an eye the load-star of thy soul;<br /></span> +<span>And let a glance the springs of thought control.<br /></span> +<span>Gaze on a mortal form with fond delight,<br /></span> +<span>Till the fair vision mingles with thy sight;<br /></span> +<span>There seek thy blessings; there repose thy trust<br /></span> +<span>Lean on the willow, idolize the dust!<br /></span> +<span>Then, when thy treasure best repays thy care,<br /></span> +<span>Think on that dread '<i>forever</i>,' and despair."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>It is true these lines, evidently addressed to an unbeliever in our holy +Christianity, were not, in that respect, applicable to him, yet he felt +that the reproof came home to his own conscience; for earth had too much +engrossed his vision, and while from childhood he had been taught that +life and immortality are brought to light by the Gospel, in his +despairing grief he had almost lost sight of the blessed possibility of +being re-united to her, whom he now contemplated as a sinless spirit in +the regions of eternal bliss.</p> + +<p>Far reaching as Eternity were the results of these hours of affliction, +and with higher and holier aims, and the determination to consecrate +life's remaining days, weeks, or years, to that service which is alone +worthy of being engaged in by immortal beings, Arthur Bernard returned +once more to the battle of life, with a heart crushed and bleeding, it +is true, but not destitute of Peace, that celestial visitant, or of +heavenly hope, pointing to a brighter and more enduring inheritance.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + + +<p>The winter had set in unusually early. Along the bleak coast of +Newfoundland, and through its dreary and sparsely inhabited islands, +November blasts raged fiercely, lashing to fury the crested waves that +beat against the giant rocks, which, standing sentinel-like on the +shore, seemed to frown defiantly on them; or laving, far and wide, the +long, flat sand beach, that afforded less obstruction to their impetuous +progress. To a remote part of this dreary coast we would now direct the +attention of our reader. Scarcely fair, even when Summer lavished upon +it her fairest smiles, there, no traces of beauty invited the weary +pilgrim to tarry and rest within their refreshing shade; no garden, gay +with flowers, rang with childish laughter, as the little ones plucked +their fragrant blossoms; but rugged hills, frowning rocks, and desolate +sand beaches, assumed the place of waving woods, smiling corn-fields, +and blooming orchards; while for the melodious notes of woodland +songsters, was heard the wild cry of the stormy petrel, or the shrill +scream of the large sea-gull.</p> + +<p>But "Nature never fails the heart that loves her," and while destitute +of the exuberant charms of more genial climes, the spot to which we +allude was not without attraction to an admirer of the sublime and +picturesque.</p> + +<p>Nor was there wanting wild beauty in the scene which greeted the +spectator, who might perchance on some lovely summer's morning ascend +the steep hills, or pause for rest on one of the rocky eminences jutting +out into the sea. Before him lay the wide expanse of ocean, reaching far +beyond the keenest vision, calm at that moment as though it had never +been lashed to fury by wailing tempests, and reflecting in its +mirror-like surface the azure heavens that smiled brightly above. +Beneath his feet the stunted herbage assumed its liveliest hue of +emerald green, diversified here and there by some tiny, hardy wild +flowers, while the distant sail, gleaming in the sunlight, and then +passing beyond the eager vision,—the fishermen's huts, scattered here +and there on the rugged and uneven land,—the fishing shallops, and +boats of every variety, that dotted the waters, with their owners, some +standing on the beach, and some in their vessels, but all engaged in the +one occupation of securing and preserving the finny tribe, their only +source of wealth, gave an air of animation to the scene, while the merry +laugh of children, and the cheerful tones of women, as they hurried to +the beach to assist the parent or husband, spoke of social ties, and +seemed to say, that peace and contentment were not alone the associates +of refinement, education, and luxury.</p> + +<p>But quite a different aspect did that barren coast present when chilly +Autumn and relentless Winter resumed their dreaded reign. Then, indeed, +to the inhabitant of the city, dreary beyond description would a +residence within one of its small yet hospitable huts appear, and he +must possess resources in himself of no common order, or be sustained by +a lofty sense of duty, who could cheerfully and contentedly remain +through those cheerless seasons.</p> + +<p>Standing somewhat isolated, and at a distance from the shore, yet +commanding a fine view of the sea, was a cottage of larger dimensions, +and of neater appearance than the generality of the fishermen's +dwellings. It was built on an irregular tract of land, that sloped down +to the shore, and behind it rose a ragged hill, in summer partially +covered with coarse grass, that concealed its jagged rocks, and lent it +an air of cheerfulness; but now its rude outline, no longer softened by +the verdure and sunshine, presented a weird and desolate appearance. In +front of the cottage, which contained four or five rooms, with a small +attic above, used for storing away provisions, &c., was a piece of +ground, enclosed by a wooden railing, where a few vegetables were +planted each spring; but these had long ago been gathered in, and the +land was now enjoying its Sabbath, to be continued for six long months, +before it would again yield of its productions, for the benefit of its +hardy and thrifty owners.</p> + +<p>The interior of the dwelling, though roughly fashioned, and furnished in +the most simple manner, was not uninviting, for there was that +atmosphere of cleanliness and neatness about it, which renders the +rudest spot more attractive than luxurious habitations, where it is +found wanting. Through the centre ran a narrow hall, out of which opened +the different rooms. On the right hand, just as you entered, was a door +leading into a good-sized apartment, fulfilling the united duties of +kitchen, parlor, and sitting-room, while at the opposite side were +several chambers, small, but clean and airy.</p> + +<p>In the sitting-room,—for by that term we shall designate the principal +apartment,—a bright coal fire was blazing cheerily in the large open +fire-place, casting its pleasant light over the spotless and carefully +sanded floor, gleaming on the plastered walls, and lingering to see +itself gaily reflected on the shining pewter, and brightly colored delf, +that, neatly arranged on the bowed shelves of the snowy dresser, were +evidently the pride of the housekeeper.</p> + +<p>A white cloth covered the rude wooden table that stood in the centre of +the room, and the mistress of the dwelling was hurrying to and fro, +evidently intent on preparing the evening repast, while from the +bake-kettle, that had just been taken from the fire, the fragrance of +newly-baked bread ascended, filling the place with its odor; an odor by +no means ungrateful to appetites, sharpened by manly labor and healthy +sea-breezes.</p> + +<p>While the busy matron was thus happily employed in her labors of +love,—for such they emphatically were to her,—the daughter, a girl of +eighteen years of age, and two younger sons, were with their father on +the beach, assisting him in sorting, and putting in barrels, a quantity +of fish, designed for the family's use during the winter.</p> + +<p>"It will be a fearful night, father," said the girl, pausing from her +labors, and looking out on the black, swollen waves, while the wind, as +it swept furiously by, more than once obliged her to cling to the rock +for support.</p> + +<p>"It will be a fearful night, father," she repeated,—and, hesitating for +a moment, she added, "and brother William is at sea."</p> + +<p>"Ay," responded the brawny, stalwart, and good-humored looking man, "it +will be, as you say, lass, a stormy night, and a terrible one, I reckon, +to poor seamen,—for there is more than William on the ocean."</p> + +<p>A faint flush tinged with a deeper hue the girl's countenance, already +bronzed by exposure to sun and wind, while her dark grey eye grew moist +with unshed tears. It was evident that there was something deeper in the +old man's speech, than the mere words would seem to imply,—some covert +allusion which thus called forth her emotion.</p> + +<p>"The vessel was to have left more than a week ago; it ought to be near +the coast by this time," said the fisherman, in a tone of uneasiness.</p> + +<p>He turned to address his daughter, but she was no longer at his side; +and, looking in the distance, he perceived her climbing a high and +jutting rock, from which the ocean, for miles around, was distinctly +visible. Ellen, for that was her name, having at length ascended, stood +with agile yet firm feet on the eminence, shading, with one hand, the +sun, which now, peering from behind a mass of dark purple clouds, lit up +for a moment the turbid waves, and gleamed on rock and beach and +fishermen's huts,—and with the other holding on to the sharp edge of a +projecting rock, that still towered above her. Nor as she thus stood, +was she, by any means, an unpicturesque object; the sunshine glancing on +her neatly arranged brown hair, her tall figure, slight for that of a +hardy fisherman's child, clad in a black skirt and crimson jacket, and +every feature of her speaking countenance wearing a commingled +expression of anxiety, hope, and tenderness.</p> + +<p>How her eager vision seemed to catch, in a moment, each feature of the +scene; the sandy beach—the rugged hill—her father's shallop—and he, +standing in the position she had left him, gazing out into the sea; and +with what a lingering, straining glance, did her eyes wander over that +pathless ocean, while her heart sank within her, as she contemplated its +angry and menacing appearance.</p> + +<p>"Not a sail in sight," she murmured, "and the night coming on so +fearfully black. Oh, Edward, shall I ever see you again!" was her +exclamation, uttered in a tone full of wild pathos, while the hand, that +had been upraised to shade the sun's rays, fell listless at her side.</p> + +<p>"Oh, if you only come back safe again, I shall quarrel with you and +tease you no more,—and you so patient and so good,"—and her quivering +lip, and the expression of anguish that passed over her features, told +how deep and true her emotion.</p> + +<p>"It is no use lingering here," she mentally ejaculated, as a fresh blast +of wind nearly swept her from the summit. "I may as well go down at +once." Turning to descend, she paused to take a parting glance at the +distant ocean, whose mercy she would fain have invoked for the loved +ones it bore on its bosom, when something at a distance caught her eager +eye. As one transfixed, she stood there, fearing almost to breathe, lest +a breath might dissolve the vision.</p> + +<p>"Yes, a sail is in sight; but, ah, is it the one I look for? Oh, this +cruel suspense, how much longer must I bear it! Father, father," she +cried, and the breeze bore the clear tones of her voice distinctly to +his ear; "father, do come here, for I see a sail yonder, and I think it +is the 'Darling,'" for so, by the lover captain,—doubtless to remind +him of another <i>darling</i>, tarrying at home,—the little trim schooner +was designated.</p> + +<p>The man quickly obeyed her summons, and soon stood by her side, +scanning, too, with eager eyes, the appearance of the vessel, that was +now, favored by a strong breeze, veering rapidly towards them.</p> + +<p>"It looks like her cut, Ellen," said the fisherman; "but we shall see +shortly."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said the girl, clapping her hands with delight, while her whole +face was lighted up with joy; "it is her, sure enough, for I see her +blue flag bordered with red, and the white square in the centre."</p> + +<p>"Well," said the man, with a good-humored smile, "thine eyes must be a +good deal sharper than mine, lass, for I can barely see a flag at all, +much less its color; but certainly thou ought to know best, when it +happens to be the work of thine own hands."</p> + +<p>A merry laugh was the response. "I shall hurry down to tell +mother,"—and with an agile step she bounded down the steep eminence, +and in a few moments reached the door of the dwelling, while the +fisherman hastened to the beach, to be first ready to greet the crew of +the schooner with a hearty welcome home.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + + +<p>"Ben," said the Captain of a smart-looking schooner, that under a heavy +weight of canvas was manfully breasting the breeze, almost conscious, +one might fancy, that it was steering for home.</p> + +<p>"Ben," he inquired, addressing the mate, who had just come on deck, +"what is that strange looking thing yonder?" indicating by his finger +the direction of the object. The mate, a weather-beaten and experienced +looking son of the ocean, glanced for a moment in the direction +specified, without speaking.</p> + +<p>"It looks to me," he said at length, "like a human being clinging to +some box or chair, but it is floating fast this way, and we shall soon +be able to tell."</p> + +<p>Sure enough, in a moment or two, they were enabled to gain a full, clear +view of it, and saw it to be a woman holding fast to a ring of some +kind,—a life-preserver they judged it to be,—which kept her head above +the waters.</p> + +<p>"Let us bear down quick," said the Master, in an excited tone, for he +was young and kind-hearted, and the sight of anything in distress, how +much more a woman, was sufficient to arouse his warmest sympathies; and +ere ten minutes had elapsed, the life-preserver, with its clinging +burden, was safely landed on deck.</p> + +<p>Agnes, for she it was, whom this worthy man had so promptly and +providentially rescued, was partially insensible; but some restoratives, +which fortunately they happened to have on hand, being applied, she soon +recovered, at least sufficiently to explain from whence she came, and +through what means she had been placed in such a perilous situation.</p> + +<p>It appeared, from her statement, that after having embarked on board the +boat during that tempestuous night, which witnessed the conflagration of +their noble steamer, whose fate was recorded in a previous chapter, the +sailors, who had, unknown to the captain, smuggled a large cask of +spirits on board, began freely to imbibe them, to keep out, as they +said, the cold. It was in vain that the ladies remonstrated with them, +and pointed out the dangers which would ensue, should they become +helpless through its means. Unfortunately they had lost sight, in +consequence of the darkness and tempest, of the other boat, containing +the remainder of the passengers, who had just time to push away from the +burning wreck before its final submersion beneath the briny waves; and, +having none to check them, the sailors, in spite of the entreaties of +the women, continued to partake, from time to time, of the +death-destroying liquid.</p> + +<p>Morning dawned, but brought little alleviation. It is true, the storm +had abated, and the sky was becoming clear, but the wind was still high, +and the boat rocked fearfully, while the billows, that had not yet been +hushed into quiet, threatened, every now and then, to submerge the frail +and tempest-tossed bark. They had drifted,—so the sailors said,—a long +way through the night, and must be somewhere near the coast of +Newfoundland; but no indication of land was visible, nor was there to be +seen the slightest trace of their companions in misfortune. All that day +the sailors behaved pretty well; a bag of biscuits had been placed on +board, and a jar of water, of which each partook, and all felt a little +comforted and strengthened; but, as night came on, the men commenced +afresh to drink. Most fortunately, the sea had become calm, so the boat +drifted on, pretty much left to its own will. The next morning found the +sailors in a state of almost helpless intoxication; but now land was in +sight, though at a great distance, and the women, seizing the oars, +strove to impel the boat in that direction; but soon, worn out with the +struggle, and finding they made but little headway, most of them gave up +to despair, and resigned themselves, as they said, to their fate. It was +now high noon, at least so they judged from the look of the sun, and +Agnes strove by every means to re-assure her fainting companions. She +spoke of the power and goodness of their heavenly Father, and besought +them to unite with her in earnest petitions to the throne of grace for +timely succor, or for a preparation for a speedy exit from life. Some +heard with attention, and united with agonizing earnestness in the +petition, which, as it ascended from her lips, sounded like a seraph's +pleading, and surely reached the ear of the Lord God of Sabaoth. Others +listened with stolid indifference, or sullen despair. Throughout the +precious years of prosperity, that had been vouchsafed to them, they had +been neglecters of the "great salvation;" and now, in the article and +hour of death, they knew not how to implore his mercy, of whom they had +been hitherto utterly unmindful, much less adored and loved.</p> + +<p>At length one of the women lifted her face, haggard with care and grief, +and threw a glance, preternaturally sharpened, over the wild waste of +waters:—</p> + +<p>"I see a sail yonder," she cried wildly. "Look," she cried to Agnes, +"can you not see it, too?"—but just at this moment one of the sailors, +not quite so much stupefied as the others, hearing the exclamation, +roused himself, and bent over the side of the boat, and instantly the +frail bark was submerged beneath the waves.</p> + +<p>Oh, what shrieks of agony filled the air.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span>"Then rose from sea to sky the wild farewell,<br /></span> +<span>Then shrieked the timid, and stood still the brave."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Agnes had carefully retained the life-preserver, which had been given to +her by her friend the minister, and with the instinct of +self-preservation, almost unconsciously clung to it, while her +companions, less fortunate, and worn out with previous grief, one by one +sank to rise no more "till the sea shall give up its dead."</p> + +<p>"I think," she said, as she concluded her narrative, "I must have been +in the water more than half an hour, when I espied the sail, to which my +unfortunate companion had alluded, and seeing it, seemed to inspire me +with new life, for I had become so exhausted and enfeebled by the waves +that surrounded me, that I felt nature could not much longer survive the +icy chills which thrilled through my very frame; and when I found that +you had seen me, and were sailing towards me, evidently with the +intention of effecting my rescue, no language can describe the varied +emotions of my heart,—joy, gratitude and hope preponderating."</p> + +<p>Exhausted by the effort of speaking, Agnes sank back on the rude couch, +that the sailors had with kind haste prepared for her.</p> + +<p>"Land, yonder," sang one from the mast-head.</p> + +<p>"I am heartily glad of it," said the Captain, "for all our sakes, for we +shall soon have a terrible storm, but especially for this poor lady's, +whose strength seems almost gone."</p> + +<p>Prospered by a favoring breeze, a few hours sufficed to bear the vessel +to its destined harbor; and that night, sheltered, in comparative +comfort, beneath the hospitable roof of Mr. Williamson, Ellen's father, +Agnes sank into deep and quiet repose.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + + +<p>April, capricious, yet beautiful child of Spring, once more smiled upon +the bleak shores and sterile plains which, when we last beheld them, +were encompassed by the chilling atmosphere, and loomed bleak and +desolate beneath the sombre sky of, to that land at least, unpropitious +winter.</p> + +<p>Welcome to all the inhabitants of that rude coast, the return of the +season was hailed with pleasure the deepest, the liveliest, with +gratitude as warm as ever expanded the human heart, by her whom, an +exile from her native shores, had been compelled to sojourn for a season +on its rocky and cheerless wastes. Five months had now elapsed since, +rescued by the kind-hearted sailors, Agnes had become an inmate of the +fisherman's cottage, and these months had seemed to her like a separate +existence, so widely had their experience differed from that of her +accustomed every-day life.</p> + +<p>But deem not, gentle reader, that they had been spent by her in sinful +repining at the hardships of her lot. During the first part of her +sojourn among them, severe sickness, caused no doubt by previous +exposure and anxiety, had prostrated her system, and brought her to the +very borders of the grave, but through the unremitting care of Mrs. +Williamson and her daughter, she was restored to health; and full of +gratitude to heaven for this double preservation of her life, which had +been thus vouchsafed, her first inquiry was, how she could best return +the debt of gratitude due to her Father in Heaven, and those through +whose kindly instrumentality she was thus raised up again. Nor was she +long in ascertaining the path of duty, nor hesitating in commencing and +pursuing it with eagerness.</p> + +<p>One day, soon after her recovery, she was sitting by the fire, when +Ellen, the fisherman's daughter, to whom we have before alluded, entered +the room, and observing that Agnes looked somewhat downcast, kindly +inquired the cause, for the gratitude she had manifested for every +little act of kindness, had deeply endeared her to those with whom she +was now associated.</p> + +<p>"I hope you do not feel any worse, dear lady," she said.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, Ellen," was the reply, while a smile instantly dissipated the +shadow that had obscured for a moment her countenance. "And how deeply +grateful should I feel," she added after a short pause, "first to my +Heavenly Father, and then to you and your kind family, whose unwearied +care and attention have been so instrumental in my recovery; and I trust +yet to have it in my power to show my sense of your kindness."</p> + +<p>"Don't, Miss Wiltshire, please don't say anything more. Why, we only did +what any persons, with common feelings, would have done."</p> + +<p>"Nevertheless," persisted Agnes, "I feel under very great obligations to +you all. But I will tell you what made me look a little melancholy when +you came in. Your father informed me, this morning, that there would be +no possibility of my communicating with my home until spring, and thus +my relatives and friends, not having any intelligence of me, for so long +a time, will certainly believe that I have found a watery grave."</p> + +<p>"But when you return home, what a delightful surprise they will get; +why, it would be worth enduring months of pain for," said Ellen, who +seemed to have the happy faculty of always looking at the bright side.</p> + +<p>"Very true, Ellen, but"—and an involuntary sigh followed the +sentence—"you know not, and I trust will never know, from experience, +that 'Hope deferred maketh the heart sick.'"</p> + +<p>"I know something about that, too, Miss Agnes, though maybe you think me +too young; but, indeed, there was once a weary while, when I watched the +sea day after day, that is, when the scalding tears would let me see +it, and shuddered to hear the fierce winds moaning round our dwelling, +as though they had a human heart, and sighed and raved for some lost +love. Oh, how I remember the day, when that long-looked for vessel came +back again, for I had got up more down-hearted than ever, and I thought +it no use hoping and waiting, for I shall never see it again,—and then +the salt sea was not salter than the tears I shed, as I sat down on a +rock by the shore, and thought of the stalwart form that would never +meet my eye again, and of the kind voice that should never sound in my +ears,—and as I looked on the sea, its bright waves rippling and smiling +beneath my feet, it seemed to laugh and mock me cruelly, and I almost +wished myself,—I know it was very wicked, Miss Agnes,—far, far beneath +it, where I should forget my troubles, and my heart cease its aching. +And then I laid my head on the rock, and covered my face with my hands, +and cried as though I should never cease, until I felt something touch +my face, and a voice that I knew too well said, 'Ellen, Ellen, what art +thou breaking thy heart for in this manner?'—and I looked up, and saw +two eyes, that, a moment before, I thought death had closed, shining +brightly on me, and—but you have seen him yourself, Miss Agnes, and can +easy guess how happy I was. Oh, it made up for all my weary days, and +wretched, sleepless nights."</p> + +<p>Agnes had listened with much interest to the simple narrative, and +while her eyes filled with tears, she murmured, almost unconsciously,</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"One touch of nature makes the whole world kin."</p></div> + +<p>We would not like to vouch for it, but, perhaps, while Ellen had been +speaking, with the remembrance of her relatives, another image had +arisen in her mind, and she thought, "And he, too, he will hear of what +they will deem my terrible fate."</p> + +<p>There was pleasure, mingled with pain, as her heart suggested, that +eyes, albeit unused to weep, might even now be shedding a tear over her +untimely doom; for Arthur did not, could not, conceal the deep interest +he felt in her welfare; and as she called to mind his kindness, his +sympathy, when all the world seemed dark to her, she felt her heart +thrill with strange emotion, and she asked herself, again and again, +"Shall I ever be so happy as to see him once more?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Elliot is, indeed," said she, in reply to Ellen, after a short +pause, "worthy of you, as far as I have had an opportunity of judging, +and that is saying a good deal, Ellen. But I must tell you what I was +thinking of, this morning, while I sat here alone. You told me, the +other day, that the children of the neighborhood were growing up in +fearful ignorance, destitute, as they are, of a teacher, and I thought, +if it met with the approbation of their parents, that I could not be +more usefully or happily employed, during the time that must intervene +before I have an opportunity of returning to my friends, than +instructing those little ones, a few hours each day. Our evenings, too, +might be pleasantly occupied, for I overheard you, when I was lying ill, +expressing a wish to know how to write, and these long winter evenings +will afford abundant opportunity for your taking lessons, and any of +your young companions, that may wish to join you."</p> + +<p>Ellen was delighted with the proposition, and warmly expressed her +thanks, and Agnes's wishes were speedily carried into effect. A small +unoccupied cottage was fitted up as a school-house, to which all the +children of the neighborhood, far and near, daily repaired, while at +night the young people of both sex filled the good-sized room of Mr. +Williamson's dwelling, thirsting for that instruction which Agnes was so +willing to impart. Nor did her efforts end here. Of pastoral guidance +these poor people were equally destitute; as sheep without a shepherd, +they had long "stumbled on the dark mountains of sin and error," but now +each Sabbath morning found them congregated in the school-house, singing +the hymns that some of them had learned in childhood, in their distant +native lands, or listening to the sweet tones of their teacher and +guide, as she explained, by many simple and touching illustrations, the +sacred Word, or offered up the fervent prayer, which from her lips +seemed to come with double power, and caused even the sturdy fishermen's +hearts to melt within them. The afternoon of the sacred day was +especially devoted to the children; classes were formed, over which the +most intelligent members of the community presided, conspicuous among +whom was Ellen, whose naturally quick and clever mind, brought into +contact with one so superior as Agnes, rapidly developed, while her +whole appearance gave indications of how much she had profited by +constant intercourse with her youthful companion.</p> + +<p>Ellen's parents were not natives of the land in which she now resided. +They had come from one of the counties of England, when Ellen was little +more than an infant; their original destination being Canada, but having +been wrecked on the Newfoundland coast, and lost nearly all they +possessed, they had not means to travel farther; and while Williamson +gladly joined the fishermen in their occupation for the purpose of +temporarily supplying the necessities of his family, his wife,—who was +a skilful needle woman, and clever at almost everything,—made herself +generally useful among their families, and thus acquired much influence +over them.</p> + +<p>Gradually they came to look upon the sterile coast, unlike, strangely +unlike though it was, to the cultivated lands they had left, as their +home, at least for some years to come. Both frugal and industrious, a +little cottage was speedily erected, which very soon, from the superior +thrift and neatness of its owners, became the best in the place, and as +time passed on, they not only continued to gain a subsistence, but +succeeded in gathering round them many little comforts, which were the +admiration and, sometimes, the envy of their less fortunate neighbors. +From time to time, Mr. Williamson was in the habit of taking a quantity +of their chief export, fish, to H——, and obtaining, in lieu of it, +plentiful supplies of food and clothing; and, what his wife and daughter +had prized more than all, in returning from his last voyage, he had +brought with him a few school-books, with some entertaining works, and +several volumes of interesting and evangelical sermons.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Williamson, who was the daughter of a small farmer, had, in her +youth, received the elements of a good English education. She could read +with tolerable fluency, and had taught her children this important +branch; but though, when a child, she had learned to write, want of +practice and varied duties connected with her toilsome condition, had +almost erased the power from memory; and it was with deep regret at her +own neglect, that she found her children growing up as ignorant, as +herself, of the power of communicating their thoughts through the medium +of the pen. It was, therefore, with no small delight, that she had +hailed Agnes's welcome offer; and as she sat, evening after evening, in +her corner by the fireside, apparently busily engaged in knitting, but, +in reality, an attentive listener to the instruction Agnes was imparting +to the young people,—or as she mingled her tones with theirs who, on +the Sabbath, warbled, from hearts attuned to devotion, those melodies +that had been familiar to her from childhood,—again and again, would +memory revert to the happy days of her infancy and youth, when with +beloved parents and friends she had gone up to the house of God, and +while a tear of sorrow and penitence would steal down her cheeks, to +think how much of the instructions, then received, had been forgotten, +she blessed the Parental Hand that had placed beneath her roof, one so +fitted to counsel and comfort, to prove to her, as well as to many +others, a ministering angel indeed.</p> + +<p>Thus, happily and usefully employed, the winter months glided by +comparatively swiftly to Agnes. Not that the past was forgotten,—not +that she never sighed for more congenial society, for the friends of her +early youth, or even for the refinement and luxuries by which she had +been surrounded,—that would be affirming too much, for she had a +genuine woman's heart, and that innate perception and love of the +beautiful, which delights in the elegancies and embellishments of life, +and could not as easily accommodate itself, as some could, to a +situation where those are wholly wanting.</p> + +<p>There were hours when she felt herself an exile, indeed; hours when +Ellen's young companions would flock to the cottage, and talk and laugh +over subjects in which it was impossible for Agnes to feel any interest; +it was then, more especially perhaps, she thought of home, and of the +educated and refined society in which she had been accustomed to mingle, +and realized more fully the wide gulf dividing her from those among whom +Providence had so mysteriously, as it seemed, placed her. But think not, +fair reader, such considerations were allowed to influence her conduct, +or render her manner haughty and disagreeable. It is true she was +treated with consideration and respect by the female part of the +community; they could not help looking upon her as a being of another +and higher sphere, and her presence had often the effect of checking the +tide of rude mirth, and of rendering their demeanor more quiet and +retired. But while she thus claimed their admiration and reverence, she +at the same time almost unconsciously won their affection, for on her +lip was ever the law of kindness, and the interest she took in their +humble pursuits, the ready counsel and sympathy in every case of +emergency and sorrow, endeared her deeply to them, and her efforts to +impart instruction were received with all the genuine gratitude of +unsophisticated Nature, so that these portions of her time, devoted to +the training of those uncultivated minds, were the ones which afforded +to Agnes the purest pleasure; seasons which she often recurred to in +other years, as being among the most agreeable in her experience.</p> + +<p>But the dreary Winter at length gave place to smiling Spring, and Agnes +began to look forward anxiously for an opportunity of returning home. +She scarce allowed herself to dwell on the matter, so intense became her +anxiety as the time drew near for leaving the hospitable home which had +so long afforded her rude but safe protection.</p> + +<p>The young sailor, Agnes's preserver, who had been long affianced to +Ellen, had just returned from a very successful sea-voyage.</p> + +<p>In a few days they were to be united; a minister, who resided at some +distance in the interior of the country, being expected to visit them, +and perform the ceremony; and Agnes, much to the delight of Ellen, had +promised to officiate as bridesmaid. In a few weeks subsequent the +groomsman intended sailing to B——, and Agnes would then have an +opportunity of returning once more to her home.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + + +<p>"Captain,"—exclaimed a tall, slight young man, as he ascended the cabin +steps of a noble vessel, and, having gained the deck, stood gazing on +the expansive Atlantic stretched out before him,—"Captain," he eagerly +inquired, "this surely is not our destination," pointing at the same +time with his finger to a rude outline of land, now distinctly visible.</p> + +<p>"No, indeed," said the Captain, good humoredly; "it would be but a poor +compliment to the stately city of B——, to take this rude coast, with +its sandy beaches, its rocky eminences, and fishermen's huts, for its +handsome dimensions. Nevertheless, poor as this little fishing +settlement looks, it is a very welcome sight just now, I assure you, as +our provisions are getting scarce, and as to the water, my cook tells me +he should have hardly enough to fill a tea-kettle for to-morrow's +breakfast."</p> + +<p>"And so you intend putting in here for supplies?"</p> + +<p>"Precisely so, though I see by your look you deem it not a very +probable place to obtain them. But this is not the first time I have +been obliged to put in here, and have always found a hearty welcome, and +obtained necessary supplies; not, perhaps, the very best of provisions, +but such as the place can afford; and I am well acquainted with one of +the fishermen, an emigrant from my native place, whose hospitality, and +that of his family, is unbounded; and whenever I happen to tarry here, +they do all in their power to make us comfortable."</p> + +<p>"And how long do you expect to remain?" inquired Mr. Clifford.</p> + +<p>"For a few days only, but long enough I trust to recover these two +sailors of mine, who have been complaining so much of late; and my +wife's health also is not as good as usual, accustomed though she has +been to long sea-voyages. You, too, Sir, I think," said the Captain, +"will be all the better for a taste of the land breeze, even though it +should not be laden with the balmy breath of flowers."</p> + +<p>"You are quite right, Captain," was the reply; "and anxious as I am to +see my home again, after five long years' absence, I shall be none the +worse for a ramble on <i>terra firma</i> once more."</p> + +<p>In a few hours subsequent to the conversation recorded above, a fine +boat might be seen rapidly cutting the sparkling waves, and the little +party, consisting of the Captain and his wife, with their only +passenger, Mr. Clifford, soon landed on the sandy beach, and gladly +directed their steps towards Mr. Williamson's cottage.</p> + +<p>Captain Pierce pointed out the residence to Mr. Clifford, for though it +was at some distance from their landing place, it could be distinctly +seen, owing to the elevation of the ground on which it was built.</p> + +<p>"You had better go on, Sir," said the Captain, "and, if you have no +objection, inform them you are a passenger of the barge '<i>Pearl</i>.' That +will be sufficient, I know, to insure you a hearty welcome, and you can +add, if you choose, that we are behind; for my wife and myself are but +indifferent walkers, being more accustomed to patrolling the deck of a +vessel than climbing these steep hills, so that if you try to conform +your pace to ours, you will be quite weary when you reach the dwelling."</p> + +<p>Mr. Clifford laughingly replied, and hastening his steps, soon came in +sight of the cottage.</p> + +<p>It was near the end of April, and the day a balmy one, even for smiling +June.</p> + +<p>At the open window of the sitting-room, which commanded a view of the +road and harbor, Agnes was seated busily engaged in embroidering the +muslin dress intended for Ellen's wedding attire. The sound of steps +near at hand arrested her attention, and looking up, she beheld a +stranger, with wonder and admiration depicted on his countenance, +standing and gazing fixedly at her. For a moment her heart seemed to +cease its pulsations, and a death-like pallor overspread her cheeks, for +so strikingly did the form and face resemble Arthur Bernard, that, in +spite of the improbability of the case, Agnes almost believed it to be +him.</p> + +<p>Ernest, on his part, was equally surprised at seeing, in a fisherman's +dwelling, one whose elegant appearance formed such a striking contrast +to the unpretending and rudely fashioned abode in which she dwelt.</p> + +<p>The small purse of gold, which Agnes had thoughtfully secured about her +person on the night that witnessed the conflagration of the ill-fated +steamer, had enabled her to purchase from Mrs. Williamson some plain +materials, which had been fashioned, by her own skilful fingers, into +neat and becoming attire. Her nicely-fitting brown stuff dress, relieved +by a linen collar of snowy whiteness, displayed to advantage her +graceful figure; her soft brown tresses were smoothly parted from her +fair forehead; and her fine intelligent countenance, on whose every +lineament refinement and sensibility were stamped, wore an expression of +sweet and touching resignation, and hope "subdued but cherished still;" +what marvel, then, that Ernest Clifford's steps were arrested, when he +beheld so lovely an apparition, and that he gazed upon her as though he +expected that the fair vision would soon vanish from his view. He had +watched her for a few moments unobserved, but when their glances met, he +marked, with increasing astonishment, her evident emotion, and pleased, +yet strangely puzzled, he could not find courage to seek admittance at +the cottage, but, retracing his steps, resolved to wait for an +introduction from the Captain.</p> + +<p>It was with a good deal of surprise that the Captain and his wife beheld +Ernest advancing towards them.</p> + +<p>"Was no one within," he inquired, "that you have come back so soon?"</p> + +<p>"Really, Captain," was the reply, "I could not summon courage to knock +at the door and ascertain."</p> + +<p>"Courage!" echoed the Captain, wondering as he marked the young man's +heightened color and evident embarrassment,—"courage to knock at a poor +fisherman's dwelling! Really, Mr. Clifford, your sojourn among these +barbarians must have been productive of no little injury to you, if it +has robbed you of that courage with which I am sure, from your +appearance, Nature plentifully endowed you."</p> + +<p>"You misunderstand me, my dear Sir, I assure you," was the reply. "I +feared intruding, and thought I would prefer waiting for an introduction +from you."</p> + +<p>The Captain could contain himself no longer, but burst into a hearty +fit of laughter, in which he was joined by his wife.</p> + +<p>"You must excuse me, Mr. Clifford," he said, apologizing; "but, really, +the idea of your formality amused me no little; for, however acceptable +such would prove to the society with which you have been accustomed to +mingle, I am afraid such ceremonious politeness would be hardly popular +here."</p> + +<p>"But, really, Captain,"—and Mr. Clifford looked, it must be confessed, +a little vexed,—"you should have informed me who I was going to meet, +before sending me on as herald. I was not aware that I should be thrown +into the society of ladies, or I should have endeavored to appear to a +little better advantage. As it is, I am hardly fit to be seen; and while +I am aware that your good lady excuses me, knowing the circumstances +under which I took shelter with you, yet, to strangers I would appear +rather ludicrous, clad in those ill-fitting garments."</p> + +<p>"They are not the most elegant in the world, I acknowledge," was the +response; "but much better than the fishermen's wives and daughters are +accustomed to see, for those are the only <i>ladies</i> that inhabit these +sterile regions."</p> + +<p>"It surely could not have been a fisherman's daughter that I beheld just +now, as I neared the dwelling to which you directed me; for, seated at +the window, sewing, was a young lady, neatly though plainly dressed; +but her look and manner bespoke her to be far above such a condition of +life."</p> + +<p>The Captain looked puzzled, and turning to his wife, said, "It must, be +Ellen Williamson, to whom Mr. Clifford alludes. She is not ill-favored, +by any means, and indeed quite the belle of the place, being by far the +best looking girl in it; nevertheless, I should hardly mistake her for +one of higher rank; but Mr. Clifford has been so long without beholding +woman's face divine, with the exception of yours, my dear, that he is +ready to magnify good looks into positive beauty and grace."</p> + +<p>The young man seemed disconcerted.</p> + +<p>"I could almost stake my existence, that the person to whom I refer is +not, cannot be the daughter of a fisherman. However, if it should be so, +Captain, and such a region as this can produce so lovely a being, in +spite of its barren wastes and rocky steppes, I should be ready to +surname it Paradise, or The Enchanted Isle, if you will; for certainly +it was a vision of enchantment I just now beheld."</p> + +<p>Captain Pierce, though almost imagining that his young friend's +intellect had been deranged, gaily responded:—</p> + +<p>"I must warn you in time, I see, for you are in danger of losing your +heart, if it is not gone already. Ellen Williamson is engaged to a +worthy young man, a captain of a fishing schooner, and their marriage +is to be celebrated this spring, so her father informed me when I was +here last year, and I think it only my duty to give you fair warning, +that another claims your enchantress as his own. But here we are at the +cottage, and your doubts will speedily be put to flight, by an +introduction to the girl herself."</p> + +<p>The loud knock of the Captain, at the cottage door, was quickly answered +by Mrs. Williamson, who, in terms of genuine pleasure, welcomed his safe +return, and the little party were ushered into the sitting-room, whose +neat and even tasteful appearance, formed a striking contrast to the +generality of the fishermen's huts.</p> + +<p>Mr. Clifford's quick eye, as they entered, sought the window, but the +seat was vacant now; evidences of its having been lately occupied were +discernible in a work-basket that stood on a table near, and on which +some embroidered muslin had been lightly thrown.</p> + +<p>The Captain smiled as he observed Mr. Clifford's disappointed look, and +turning to Mrs. Williamson, who was assisting his wife in divesting +herself of her shawl and bonnet, inquired after her daughter.</p> + +<p>"She is quite well, thank you," was her reply, "and was here a moment +ago, but observing you in the distance, ran to inform her father; who is +working beyond the hill at the back of the dwelling. She will be back +shortly."</p> + +<p>A slight sigh escaped from Mr. Clifford, unheard by all save his friend, +who turned to him with a mischievous smile, which the former easily +interpreted as, "I wonder which was right, you or I?"</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile, Mrs. Williamson was entreating Mrs. Pierce to take +some rest, "for indeed you look much in need of it," she added, "and I +will have a cup of strong tea ready for you in a few moments, for you +need something to refresh you, I am sure, after being so long on the +salt water."</p> + +<p>Her husband seconded Mrs. Williamson's advice.</p> + +<p>"You had better go, my dear, and lay down for a little while, and you +will feel vastly better, I assure you. As for me, I must now go back to +the ship, but will return in time to join you in a good cup of tea, +which, from past experience, I know will be excellent,—and I suppose I +shall then see Mr. Williamson and daughter."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, Sir," was the reply. "They should have been back before this; +but I expect husband was farther off than Ellen imagined, and seeking +for him has detained her."</p> + +<p>Gaily waving an adieu, the Captain hurried away, and Mrs. Pierce +following the fisherman's wife into her chamber, Ernest Clifford was +left alone. He seated himself at the open casement in a listless +attitude; for though he would hardly acknowledge it to himself, he could +not help a feeling of disappointment in finding his air castle so +quickly shattered.</p> + +<p>The only object of attraction to be seen from the casement was a fine +view of the sea; but Ernest had been too long a sojourner on the wild +waste of waters, not to have become weary of their monotony, and tired +of gazing at what had been so long a familiar object, he turned his +attention to the interior of the room. As he glanced round the +apartment, he could not help admiring the spotless neatness which marked +it, for everything was in the most perfect order, while the few +ornaments and some pretty shells, that the fisherman and Ellen's +betrothed had brought on their return from different voyages, were +tastefully arranged on the mantel-piece and tables, with several books, +which, from the pencilled passages he observed as he opened them, had +evidently been well conned. In one, a small volume of miscellaneous +poems, Ellen's name was inscribed on the fly-leaf, in a graceful Italian +hand, evidently a lady's writing.</p> + +<p>"This fisherman's daughter must certainly be a very superior person," he +said to himself, as he turned over page after page, observing with the +eye of a critic,—for literature to him had been a familiar study from +early youth,—that the finest passages were the only ones marked, +proving, conclusively, that they had been the reader's favorites.</p> + +<p>"Strange to find one like her in so remote and desolate a spot," and, +half-aloud, he read the stanzas, in which he had just opened, smiling as +he thought how true they were in this instance.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span>"Full many a gem of purest ray serene<br /></span> +<span>The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear;<br /></span> +<span>Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,<br /></span> +<span>And waste its sweetness on the desert air."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>He was interrupted by the clear, sweet tones of a woman's voice in an +adjoining room.</p> + +<p>"You will find my chamber quite comfortable, Mrs. Pierce, and I must +insist on your sharing it, for there is abundance of room for us both."</p> + +<p>"But I am afraid of discommoding you, my dear young lady, and can easily +sleep on board, though I will take advantage of your kindness now, to +rest on your bed for a short time."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, my, dear Madam, I assure you, that you will be conferring a +favor instead of receiving one, in sharing my apartment, while you +remain, for it is such a delight to me to see the face of a countrywoman +in this, the land of my exile."</p> + +<p>"How long did Mrs. Williamson say it was since you were conveyed here?" +inquired Mrs. Pierce.</p> + +<p>"Nearly six months."</p> + +<p>"And what a dreary time you must have found it, my dear."</p> + +<p>"No," said the sweet voice again, that sounded like music to the ear of +the unintentional listener; "No," she repeated, "I have felt tolerably +contented with my lot, and but for the remembrance of my friends and the +sorrow they must have endured on my account, thinking, as they certainly +must, that a watery grave has been my portion,—but for such +remembrances I should have been comparatively happy. But you will never +sleep," she added playfully, "if I go on chattering in this manner, so I +will leave you to your much needed repose."</p> + +<p>At this moment, the outer door of the cottage opened, and the Captain, +accompanied by Mr. Williamson and his daughter, whom he had met as he +was returning from the ship, entered the room, and a mutual introduction +to Mr. Clifford took place.</p> + +<p>The Captain, as he named "Ellen Williamson," looked roguishly at Mr. +Clifford, who returned his glance with an equally amused smile, but one +that the Captain could not comprehend. Not sorry to find he was in the +right, and with a little mischievous pleasure, as he imagined his +friend's discomfiture, when the fair stranger,—for such from her +conversation she evidently was,—should make her appearance, Ernest's +eyes were riveted at the door, which communicated with an inner +apartment, and at length his patient watching was rewarded.</p> + +<p>The fisherman's wife, overhearing the Captain's somewhat loud though +cheerful voice, hastened to meet him again, accompanied by Agnes, who +was anxious to resume the employment which astonishment and emotion had +caused her to throw aside. Besides, it must be confessed, she felt in no +way averse to see again the stranger, whose striking similarity to her +friend, had so deeply overcome her. From Mrs. Pierce she had already +learned his name, and also a sketch of his history, from the period of +her first acquaintance with him, and thrillingly interesting as it was, +Agnes could not help feeling attracted towards one who had suffered so +much, and who, like herself, had been an unwilling exile from his native +land.</p> + +<p>Captain Pierce, who was sitting with his face turned from the door, and +who, moreover, was engaged in relating to Mr. Williamson the particulars +of his voyage, did not, at first, observe the new comer; but as she +advanced nearer, he abruptly paused in the conversation, and with a +glance—as full of astonishment and perplexity as Ernest, who was now an +amused spectator, could desire—intently regarded her.</p> + +<p>"I see you wonder, Captain, how this young lady, whose name is Miss +Wiltshire," said Mrs. Williamson, "took up her residence in this out of +the way place; but Elliot, on his return voyage from H—— in November, +happened, fortunately, to rescue her from the waves, into which she was +thrown by the upsetting of a boat, and having brought her here, she has +remained ever since in this dreary place, at least it must be such to +her, for she has had no opportunity of returning to her friends."</p> + +<p>With her customary grace, Agnes returned the Captain's and Mr. +Clifford's respectful greeting, and resumed again her embroidery, +disclaiming, however, as she did so, the epithet of dreary, as being +quite inappropriate, in her estimation, to the place which had afforded +her so hospitable a shelter.</p> + +<p>"It would be impossible for me to find any spot dreary," she said, +"inhabited by so many kind friends, and from whom I have received such +true tokens of hospitality; and while I confess to an eager desire to +behold again my relatives, it will not be without very great pain that I +shall part from those whose warmest sympathies and tenderest care were +exercised towards a helpless stranger."</p> + +<p>"I have heard," said Mr. Pierce, turning to Mrs. Williamson, whose +countenance told the emotion she felt at the intimation of Agnes's +speedy departure, "I have heard of <i>some</i> entertaining 'angels +unawares,' and I should judge you have been thus fortunate, Mrs. W."</p> + +<p>"You may, indeed, say so, Sir," said the good woman, wiping away a tear +with the corner of her apron; "I cannot tell you what a blessing this +young lady has been, not only to my family, but to the whole +neighborhood. Indeed, Sir, you would be surprised to see what a change +has been effected by her in this place. Miss Wiltshire has established a +day school for the children, and a night class for the young people; and +our Sabbaths, that some spent in sleep, others in doing nothing, or +worse than nothing, now pass in a very different manner, for we have +both Church and Sabbath school, and 'come up with those that keep holy +day.' What we shall do without her, I cannot imagine, though, to be +sure, it would be dreadfully selfish in me to wish her to stay longer, +for those to whom she belongs must be breaking their hearts after so +lovely a creature."</p> + +<p>The above conversation, which was addressed particularly to the Captain, +was delivered in an under-tone, and was therefore unheard by Agnes, who +was an attentive listener to Mr. Clifford, as he called up all the +varied powers of his fine intellect for the purpose of describing the +scenes through which he had passed; and he was well rewarded for his +efforts by the sweet smile, and breathless interest, with which Agnes +heard the narration.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + + +<p>"What a lovely evening," exclaimed Arthur Bernard, as rising from his +seat, by the invalid's couch, he drew aside the thick folds of the +crimson damask curtains, allowing the glorious rays of the full-orbed +moon to illuminate the apartment.</p> + +<p>"My dear Sir," he said kindly, turning to Mr. Denham, the uncle of +Agnes, for he it was who reclined on the velvet lounge, propped up by +pillows, "I am sure it would do you good, on a fine spring day such as +this has been, to take a short drive through the suburbs of the city. +The fresh, balmy air of delightful May would prove, as your physician +told you, yesterday, the best restorative; better, far better, than all +his drugs; and, besides, it will divert your mind to mark the dawn of +summer, to witness how quickly, almost instantaneously, the trees have +put forth their leaves, and in the parks and fields, how thick and +verdant Nature's flowery carpet. Can I not prevail upon you to accompany +me to-morrow in a short drive? I know, on your return, you will not +regret having been persuaded to try the efficacy of my prescription."</p> + +<p>The invalid shook his head, sadly.</p> + +<p>"You are very kind, Arthur," he said, "in taking such interest in a +querulous old man, like me, and I would gratify you; but, indeed, it is +not the illness of the body of which I complain, for that only suffers +in sympathy with the mind. Fresh breezes may fan the brow, and verdant +scenes charm the eye, but tell me,</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span>'Can they minister to a mind diseased,<br /></span> +<span>Or pluck from mem'ry's roots a barbed arrow?'<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>If you promise that they can accomplish such wonders as these, then +shall I gladly try your prescription."</p> + +<p>"No, Sir," was the reply; "admirer as I am of Nature, and powerful as I +deem her ministrations, I dare not undertake in her name, to promise +that she shall perform such a miracle as this. From bitter, yet salutary +experience, I know that the sick heart may turn even with loathing from +her loveliest scenes, as being but reminders of by-gone happiness, +awakening associations too painful for the spirit calmly to +contemplate." He paused abruptly, and then in a lower tone repeated to +himself, as he gazed on the beautiful, park-like grounds, that +surrounded Mr. Denham's residence, fair to view at all times, but never +lovelier than when illumined, as now, by the soft rays of the +full-orbed moon,—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span>"Since my Alexis withers in the tomb,<br /></span> +<span>Untimely fades, nor sees a second bloom;<br /></span> +<span>Ye hills and groves no more your landscapes please,<br /></span> +<span>Nor give my soul one interval of ease;<br /></span> +<span>Delight and joy forever flee your shades,—<br /></span> +<span>And mournful care your solitude invades."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"But, my dear Mr. Denham," he said, as he turned from contemplating the +scene without, and resumed his seat near the invalid's couch, "though I +cannot promise that Nature will afford you the elixir you require, your +case is not, cannot be hopeless, while there is balm in Gilead, while +there is a Physician there."</p> + +<p>"I know well what you would say, Arthur Bernard, and it is easy for you +to speak thus, who have never known the horrors of remorse; who have +never been haunted by the vision of a sweet face, drowned in tears, +whose look of affection was repelled by coldness and harshness. Ah, had +you known my dearly loved Agnes as I have; had you watched from infancy +each expanding grace, until she grew to be your heart's idol; had you +loved her with a love like mine"—</p> + +<p>Arthur Bernard groaned involuntarily, but the old man unheeding went on.</p> + +<p>"And then, because her pure mind could not be content to feed on the +husks of worldly vanity, and sought for more congenial nourishment, +banish her from your presence, for the very cause that should have +rendered her dear beyond all price, and that banishment to have such a +termination; to think that the wild salt waves should cover my darling, +that the winds should be her requiem, that I shall never hear that sweet +voice pronounce my forgiveness,—oh, it is too much, too much for human +nature to bear, though I deserve it all.</p> + +<p>"Talk not to me, Arthur Bernard," and the invalid, in the energy of +passion, half-raised himself from the couch, "talk not to me, I beseech +you, of balm in Gilead, or of a Physician there; others, who have not +sinned as I have done, may find forgiveness, but as for me, unless the +treacherous sea restore my darling to my arms, there is never more peace +or comfort for me, but my gray hairs shall go down with sorrow to the +tomb."</p> + +<p>He sank back exhausted by the violence of his emotions, and silence +reigned through the apartment for a few moments, its two occupants +seemingly absorbed in painful thought.</p> + +<p>To Arthur the reflection of the almost certain destiny that had befallen +her who had, unconsciously to himself, shared so large a portion of his +affections, was indeed fraught with anguish; the void she had left he +felt, day by day, could never be replaced, and in reference to a passion +at once so absorbing and constant, he might well have adopted, as +embodying his own experience, the language of the poet:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span>"It was life's whole emotion, a storm in its might,<br /></span> +<span>'Twas deep as the ocean, and silent as night;<br /></span> +<span>It swept down life's flowers, the fragile and fair,<br /></span> +<span>The heart had no powers from passion to spare."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>It is time, from her loss, he had learned lessons of purest wisdom; he +had sought and found the grace which he so truly exemplified in life and +conduct; nor had the oil and joy of heavenly consolation been denied +him, in the period of his sorest need; and though he could not, he dared +not, dwell on the billows that swept above that once beautiful form, yet +he delighted, in fancy, to visit those regions of bliss, now, as he +deemed, her habitation, and to conjecture what the occupation, and what +the enjoyment of its thrice-blessed inhabitants:—</p> + +<p>But, "Earth's children cling to earth; the frail companion, the body, +weighs down the soul, and draws it back from the contemplation of high +and holy realities;" and thus there were seasons in Arthur Bernard's +experience, when his very heart seemed to die within him, exhausted by +its vain yearnings for her who, like an angel of light, had shone upon +his path, and then suddenly disappeared; and as he looked forward into +the probable future, and beheld life stretching out before him, +monotonous and solitary, what wonder that Courage sometimes faltered, +and Faith drooped, and Hope almost ceased to cheer the stricken +pilgrim.</p> + +<p>And such a moment of anguish he experienced now, as he sat in silence, +with bowed-down head, while "thought went back to the shadowy past." Mr. +Denham's words had thrilled his soul; had presented Agnes's image to him +so vividly, that he could scarcely refrain from giving expression to his +anguish in bitter groans; and this was the most trying remembrance, "it +might have been" otherwise, had he, to whose care she had been solemnly +committed by dying parents, faithfully fulfilled his trust, and instead +of frowning on her, had cheered and encouraged her in the path of duty.</p> + +<p>But there was one who suffered more than Arthur,—he who now lay +listless on his couch, burdened with a heavy weight of anguish and +remorse. Ah, it was this that deepened the sting of sorrow, that +heightened with its bitterness every remembrance that "he alone the deed +had done," and that but for his obstinacy and worldliness, she might +even now be standing beside him, bathing his burning brow with gentle +hands, and in her own sweet tones be imparting all needful consolation.</p> + +<p>But Mr. Denham could bear these thoughts no longer, and hastily rousing +himself, he addressed Arthur.</p> + +<p>"It is growing late. Will you be so kind as turn on the gas a little +brighter, for it seems to burn but dimly. I am sure," he added, in the +querulous tones of an invalid, "it is time Mrs. Denham had returned. She +took advantage of your coming to remain with me to visit a sick +neighbor, but she must be very ill, indeed, to cause her to remain so +long."</p> + +<p>"She will be here very shortly, I dare say," was Arthur's reply, as, in +compliance with the old man's request, he closed the curtains on the +scene without, and caused the magnificent gaseliers to emit a more +dazzling light,—"and in the meanwhile, if you have no objection, I +shall be happy to read to you."</p> + +<p>The invalid signified his willingness, and Arthur, sitting down by him, +opened the richly-gilt Bible that lay on the marble stand near at hand, +but ere he could commence, there was the rattling of wheels up the +carriage-road. The vehicle stopped at the hall-door, and the bell was +loudly rung.</p> + +<p>The old man listened for a moment, and then, turning to Arthur, said, "I +cannot see any person to-night. Will you be kind enough to inform the +servant, that Mrs. Denham is out, and that I feel too much indisposed to +receive any visitors,—though it is a singular hour for visitors, I must +confess."</p> + +<p>Arthur, as he opened the drawing-room door, heard a strange confusion in +the hall below, and quickly closing it on the invalid, stepped out to +convey Mr. Denham's orders, and to ascertain the cause of this unusual +disturbance.</p> + +<p>As he descended the staircase, he was met by the servant, whose honest +face was lit up with a strange expression of wonder, joy, and +satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"Anything amiss?" inquired Arthur, observing the perturbation of the +man.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, Sir, but how glad I am that you are here, for I am afraid the +news will be too much for Master, and the young lady told me to break it +to him gently."</p> + +<p>"What news, what young lady, what do you mean, John?" inquired Mr. +Bernard, in a tone of bewilderment. "I do not understand to what you +allude."</p> + +<p>"Beg pardon, Sir, for not telling you before, but it has been so sudden, +it quite overpowered me, to think our dear young lady, whom we thought +long since buried in the sea"—</p> + +<p>The man stopped abruptly, and turned his head, evidently too much +affected to go on.</p> + +<p>"For pity's sake, speak, John, and put an end to this suspense; what +about her?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Sir, nothing, Sir; I mean nothing at all, to alarm you, Sir; she +has come back again, Sir; she was not drowned, after all, and she is now +waiting in the library. She would have come right up, but I told her how +ill Master had been, and then she stopped, for she was afraid the shock +might be too much for him."</p> + +<p>Arthur heard not the conclusion of the sentence.</p> + +<p>"She is not drowned,—she has come back again,"—was all he could think +of; and with eager steps, that yet seemed all too slow for his impatient +spirit, he hastened to greet the long-mourned wanderer.</p> + +<p>He paused a moment at the door of the library, to calm the tumult of his +soul, and then slowly opening it, entered the room.</p> + +<p>Agnes,—for it was indeed her own dear self,—had thrown off her cloak +and hood, and sank back on a sofa, almost overcome with emotion, at +finding herself once more at home,—and, perhaps, a little troubled to +learn what reception she was likely to expect, from those who had parted +with her so coldly.</p> + +<p>She started up at the sound of approaching footsteps.</p> + +<p>"Miss Wiltshire, this is, indeed, one of the happiest moments of my +life," said Arthur, as clasping her hand, he raised it, involuntarily, +to his lips, and with a voice, tremulous with emotion, continued:</p> + +<p>"We have mourned you as one long since departed, but a gracious +Providence has surely miraculously restored you again to your home, and +your deeply sorrowing friends."</p> + +<p>"Mine has, indeed, been a miraculous preservation, and one which +demands the most grateful acknowledgment of my heart."</p> + +<p>"I trust to have the pleasure of listening to its details, by and bye, +and in joining with you in praising Him, who has so graciously given you +back to us all. But I must not forget that you are, I am sure, very +anxious to see your uncle."</p> + +<p>"I am, indeed," was the reply. "Is he dangerously ill?" she earnestly +inquired. "The man told me, he believed my aunt was out, but would go +and ascertain."</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Denham went out two hours ago, to visit a sick neighbor, and has +not yet returned. Your uncle has, indeed, been very ill, and is still +quite an invalid; but it has all originated in sorrow for your loss, and +remorse at having been the chief instrument in sending you away. You +will find him wonderfully changed," added Arthur, with kind +consideration; for, fully aware of the circumstances under which she had +left home, he knew she must feel anxiety respecting the terms on which, +it was probable, she would be permitted to remain with her relatives.</p> + +<p>"It was only this evening, he was lamenting his loss, and declaiming, in +bitterest terms, against his former conduct, declaring, that, unless the +sea restored his darling to him, his gray hairs would go down with +sorrow to the grave."</p> + +<p>Agnes wept tears of joy at this intelligence, but recovering herself, +and recollecting Mr. Clifford, who had accompanied her from the vessel, +and who, seated at the farthest end of the apartment, and partly in the +shade, had, on that account, escaped Arthur's glance, she said,</p> + +<p>"I have been very remiss, indeed, Mr. Clifford."</p> + +<p>Arthur started, as she pronounced the name, and turning round, for the +first time beheld the stranger.</p> + +<p>"But you will excuse me, I am sure; for this return home, and the +meeting with an old friend, has quite bewildered me. Allow me, Mr. +Bernard to introduce to you my companion on the voyage, and one who like +myself, has known the privations of exile, though for a much longer +period than I."</p> + +<p>Mr. Clifford advanced to Arthur, and the young men shook hands heartily.</p> + +<p>"There needed no apology, Miss Wiltshire," said Ernest; "for your +emotion, at returning home again, is only natural. It has afforded me, I +assure you, the purest pleasure to witness it; a foretaste of what I +trust myself to experience, when I embrace my mother again; if, indeed, +she be yet in the land of the living."</p> + +<p>"And now," said Arthur, "you will excuse me, while I go and prepare Mr. +Denham for this interview with his long-lost niece, for it would not be +prudent," he said, turning to Agnes, "for you suddenly to surprise him. +I am afraid it would be too much for him in his present weak state."</p> + +<p>Agnes thankfully acquiesced, and awaited with as much patience as she +could command, the return of Arthur.</p> + +<p>He was back again in a few moments.</p> + +<p>"Your uncle is waiting to see you, and is almost delirious with joy. Mr. +Clifford will excuse me while I conduct you to the apartment, and then I +think my presence can be dispensed with."</p> + +<p>The servants had flocked to the hall to see their dear young mistress +again, and to find if it were indeed, as John had declared, her very +self. It was with some difficulty that Agnes made her way through them, +but shaking each warmly by the hand, and with many kind inquiries, she +passed on, requesting, however, the cook to prepare some refreshments +for the gentleman in the library.</p> + +<p>Arthur, as he threw open the drawing-room door, observed that Mr. Denham +had raised himself on the couch, and was gazing eagerly in that +direction. Agnes instantly sprang forward into her uncle's outstretched +arms, the old man murmuring with a voice weak with emotion, "My darling +here,—you come back to your old uncle once more."</p> + +<p>With instinctive delicacy Mr. Bernard softly closed the door, and +retired, feeling that the scene had become too sacred for a stranger's +eye.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + + +<p>Lights streamed gayly from every window of Mr. Hilton's spacious and +hospitable mansion, where a party of friends had assembled to celebrate +the return of the long-lost Agnes. This gentleman, whose letter had +confirmed to Arthur, while yet in France, the painful intelligence of +the destruction of the steamer in which Agnes had embarked, and the +subsequent supposed shipwreck of its passengers, had been among the +first to hasten to welcome her home, for a warm admirer of woman in +general, Miss Wiltshire had secured his especial regard, and having no +daughters of his own, he used often to remark to his excellent wife, +that there was but one thing he envied Mr. Denham, and that was the +possession of so winningly lovely a niece.</p> + +<p>The party had been postponed from time to time, awaiting Mr. Denham's +recovery, and it was not until early in July, that his perfect +restoration to health, enabled him, together with Mrs. Denham, to +accompany his niece on this festive occasion.</p> + +<p>Mr. Denham, as he entered the brilliantly illuminated drawing-room, +seemed by his appearance almost to have recovered his youth, so much so, +as to call forth from more than one of the company,—</p> + +<p>"The old gentleman is looking twenty years younger, than when I last saw +him. What a change the return of his niece has made."</p> + +<p>Mr. and Mrs. Denham were accompanied by Mr. Clifford, on whose arm Agnes +leaned as she entered the room. His fine form, no longer enveloped in +sailor-garb, but in more appropriate costume, was displayed to full +advantage, and elicited the admiration of not a few of the ladies, as +the whispers, here and there, of "What a fine looking-man; so tall, and +dignified, so imposing in appearance,"—bore ample testimony.</p> + +<p>Agnes was attired in snowy white; a few rose-buds forming her only +ornament; her face was lit up with a joyous smile, as she greeted one +after another of her old companions; and there was something in the +expression of that countenance, a blending of the highest and loftiest +emotions, with all the social tenderness in which woman finds her chief +earthly happiness, so irresistibly attractive, that he who could turn +away coldly or unmoved, must indeed be a cynic, if not the veriest stoic +that ever trod our beautiful earth.</p> + +<p>In a recess, formed by a large bow window, and which, though at the +furthest end of the room, was admirably fitted for a looker-on, +commanding, as it did, a view of the whole, two ladies were seated, +busily engaged in that most delightful of occupations, gossiping, for +which they found ample material, as guest after guest paid their +respects to the mistress of the dwelling.</p> + +<p>"Only look," said the elderly lady, addressing her companion, as Arthur +crossed the room, to speak to Agnes; "just look, what a melancholy +appearance Mr. Bernard wears. I wonder where his sister is to-night?"</p> + +<p>"I heard Mr. Clifford, who you know is a visitor there, say that she had +a violent toothache, and his mother, fearing she would feel lonely, had +remained at home with her."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Clifford's mother! You surely do not mean that that old lady, Mrs. +Cartwright, who accompanied the Bernards on their return from France, is +the mother of that fine looking young man?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed, his is quite a romantic history."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I should like to hear it of all things. Do oblige me by narrating +it, will you? You are so intimate with the Bernards, that you have an +opportunity of hearing everything."</p> + +<p>The younger lady's face wore a gratified expression, for it was very +pleasant to learn, whatever the facts of the matter really were, that +others believed her on terms of close intimacy with a family, whose +high standing in the community had never been disputed; and she now +gladly complied with the request, certain that it would afford to her +friend confirmation of her previously expressed opinion, "strong as Holy +Writ."</p> + +<p>"You must know, then," she commenced, "that when Ella was visiting the +South of France for the benefit of her health, (for I told Mr. Bernard, +again and again, before they left, that nothing but change of air would +restore her,) she met with this Mrs. Cartwright, whose own home was in +America, but who was then on a visit to a relative. They became quite +intimate in a short time, and Ella, on her return to B——, persuaded +Mrs. Cartwright to accompany them, and to spend some time with them.</p> + +<p>"A widow and childless, as she then supposed, and having no near kin to +bind her to her home, she accepted Ellen's invitation, and, accordingly, +they all returned together.</p> + +<p>"But this old lady, it appears, had a son, the child of a previous +marriage,—for she has buried two husbands,—who, some five years ago, +sailed on some distant voyage, I do not exactly know what his +destination. However, no tidings were ever received of the vessel having +reached the desired port, and, of course, Mrs. Cartwright, who Ella told +me was exceedingly attached to him, mourned him bitterly as one dead. +But instead of being lost at sea, he had been picked up, the only +survivor of the shipwrecked vessel, by Moorish pirates, who, taking him +into their country, sold him as a slave.</p> + +<p>"He managed to make his escape somehow, about six months ago, though he +had a terrible time of it; but he succeeded getting on board an English +vessel, which was just about leaving for America."</p> + +<p>"But how did he come to meet with Miss Wiltshire?"</p> + +<p>"Why the vessel put into the place where Agnes was conveyed by the +Captain of the fishing schooner, who went to her rescue, and, of course, +Agnes gladly availed herself of the opportunity to return home, and this +accounts, in part, for their intimacy."</p> + +<p>"And how did Mr. Clifford meet with his mother? Surely he did not expect +to find her here?"</p> + +<p>"No; it was a very singular coincidence. Mr. Bernard happened to be at +Mr. Denham's when Agnes, accompanied by Mr. Clifford, arrived there; and +in the course of subsequent conversation with him, Mr. Bernard +ascertained that he was the son of the very lady who was then a guest at +his dwelling, and, of course, insisted that he, also, should be a +partaker of his hospitality."</p> + +<p>"What a strange circumstance," loudly ejaculated the attentive listener, +"and how delighted the old lady must have been. You know I was out of +town at the time, and never heard the rights of the matter."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I remember, and the old lady, as you say, was indeed delighted, so +much so, that at first she was completely overcome. She took immediately +to her bed, from which she has not been able to rise, till within the +last few weeks."</p> + +<p>"Ah, so that is the reason they have resided so long at Mr. Bernard's."</p> + +<p>"That is one reason, but I strongly suspect there is another and +greater," was the reply, as the younger lady, observing that Mr. Bernard +had approached, and stood by a table near examining some very +exquisitely carved ornaments, thought it a good opportunity to give him, +without pretending to notice his proximity, some little +information,—information which might hereafter aid in accomplishing her +own well-planned schemes.</p> + +<p>"You said he had another reason for remaining so long, did you not, +Maria?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, and one palpable enough to any person who has eyes. Just look +yonder, and you will see for yourself."</p> + +<p>Mr. Bernard involuntarily raised his eyes, and glanced at the spot +indicated. At a side-table, a little apart from the others, Agnes was +seated, looking over a large and elegant portfolio, the peculiar +beauties of whose admirable engravings, Ernest Clifford seemed eagerly +pointing out, as he bent over her chair; his handsome countenance lit up +with a smile of pleasurable emotion.</p> + +<p>"Ah, yes, I understand you now, Maria. But I heard Mr. Bernard had some +partiality that way."</p> + +<p>"Hush, speak lower, for he is standing at the table near you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear me, I had no idea he was so handy."</p> + +<p>"That was mere idle gossip, I assure you," was the reply, as the tones +sank into a whisper. "I have the best evidence in the world as to that."</p> + +<p>"Well, well, they will make a handsome couple, I must say," remarked +Maria's companion, as Mr. Bernard moved away with a firm step, which +gave no indication of the mental agony that was rending his soul.</p> + +<p>Glad to make his escape, he stepped out from an open window in the +balcony, and from thence descended, by a short flight of marble steps, +into the large and thickly-shaded garden, which it overlooked.</p> + +<p>With a feverish step he traversed its winding walks, until wearied he +sank on a rustic seat, beneath the welcome shade of a graceful elm. The +sounds of music and mirth came wafted to him through the open casement, +and never seemed they less congenial to his feelings.</p> + +<p>"If I could only think it some of that ill-natured woman's gossip, I +would not care," he said, half aloud, "for the mind that could indite +such an epistle as Ella received, containing the account of Agnes's +supposed death, would be capable of anything,—but, alas, I fear it is +too true.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span>'Her heart it is another's, and<br /></span> +<span>It never can be mine.'<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Yes, she appears reserved, almost cold with me. I am evidently shunned +by her, while <i>he</i> is welcomed most warmly, whenever he appears. But I +cannot blame her. It was natural that an acquaintance, thus strangely +formed, should lead to such a result, and he, too, yes, he is worthy of +her. He loves her dearly, I am sure of that; but never, never can he +regard her as I do."</p> + +<p>Again the sounds of music swelled on the balmy evening breeze. It was +now a woman's voice that warbled clear and sweet a touching strain.</p> + +<p>"It is Agnes," he murmured, adding as a fine manly voice took up another +part, "and that is Ernest Clifford. My fondest hopes, a long, a last, +farewell."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + + +<p>A fortnight had elapsed subsequent to the festivity recorded in the +preceding chapter, when, late one afternoon, Arthur,—who had been +engaged from early morning in a distant part of the city, transacting +some business of importance,—as he returned, passing by Mr. Denham's +dwelling, suddenly came in contact with Mr. Clifford, who, with a quick, +eager step, and a countenance all aglow with some pleasurable emotion, +was hurrying on, so absorbed in his own thoughts, that he was only +arrested by the sound of his friend's voice.</p> + +<p>"You seem to be in a great hurry, Clifford," said Arthur smiling, though +it must be confessed his heart felt little attuned to mirth; "and, +judging from the expression of your countenance, combined with your +unusual absent-mindedness, something more than usual must have occurred, +and that of a very pleasurable nature, to have thus excited you."</p> + +<p>"You have made a capital guess of it, Arthur. I have been putting forth +every energy of late to win a priceless treasure, and after a desperate +effort, have succeeded. Is not that a subject for congratulation?"</p> + +<p>"At last, at last, she is won," inwardly murmured poor Arthur, while his +whole frame seemed convulsed, but controlling himself, as he observed +his companion's glance fixed eagerly upon him, he replied, in a tone +which, in spite of his efforts, sounded cold and somewhat ungracious.</p> + +<p>"I shall be a better judge of that, Clifford, when I know what the +nature of the prize, and whether it was valuable enough to warrant the +efforts put forth to obtain it."</p> + +<p>"<i>Valuable</i>, there is no boon on earth to be compared to it. I might +exhaust comparisons in vain to furnish a fit simile; for, in it, is +combined all that is lovely, virtuous and excellent. To descend, +however, from parable, in order to enlighten you, allow me to say," and +a slight flush mounted to the speaker's face, while his companion's +cheek grew ashy pale, "that I have been so truly fortunate as to secure +a place in the affections of a woman, to my mind, the loveliest of her +sex. But, happy as I am in obtaining such an avowal, there is one +drawback to my felicity; her consent must be ratified, so she affirms, +by a beloved relative, before I am to consider it binding. And I—do you +know, Arthur—I never dreamed I was a coward until now; but it seems +such presumption in me to expect a man to part with a flower that he has +tenderly nurtured and cherished, that it may adorn with its beauty and +grace another homestead, far removed, perhaps, from the eyes that +delighted to watch its expanding charms."</p> + +<p>"This suspense is intolerable," murmured Arthur Bernard to himself, +while in blissful unconsciousness his companion went on. "Why does he +not speak her name out clearly, and put an end to this torture, which +racks every nerve of my frame?"</p> + +<p>"And now, Arthur, I want your advice. Woman-hater as you are,"—Clifford +said with a smile.</p> + +<p>"I suppose Agnes told him that, she thought so herself, no doubt," was +Arthur's mental parenthesis.</p> + +<p>"Woman-hater as you are, I know you deem my hopes and fears as both +unfounded; but, never mind, you will, I trust, know by experience some +day or other, so, in consideration of that coming, happy time, will you +inform me in what terms I can possibly have the presumption, to request +of the lady's relative, that he graciously permit her to bestow her hand +upon your humble servant?"</p> + +<p>"I do not foresee any difficulty," said Arthur, with a tremulous effort +at composure. "The lady's consent once secured, I should think all +others of comparatively little moment, and with the knowledge that her +happiness depends on their sanction, it will, I believe, be readily +accorded."</p> + +<p>"How happy you make me, my dear fellow, though you did deliver that +speech, as though you were negotiating some bank business. And so, you +would advise me to put a bold face on the matter, and say to them, 'she +is mine, and I will have her.'"</p> + +<p>"If that form of expression suits you best, use it, by all means; I have +no objection."</p> + +<p>"Then I shall act upon your advice immediately, Arthur Bernard," and the +voice at once became deeply solemn and earnest. "Are you willing to +resign to my fondest, my tenderest care, your only and beloved sister +Ella, to whom I am aware you are so deeply attached, and who returns +your affection with all the warmth of her loving nature."</p> + +<p>Arthur Bernard, could not reply. He was bewildered, stunned, at the +intelligence. From the very depth and agony of despair, to be raised to +the very summit of hope, was almost too much for poor human nature to +bear. His friend observed his emotion, but attributed it to a very +different cause, and his countenance, so joyous a moment before, clouded +instantly.</p> + +<p>"I see," he said, in a low and mournful tone, "that this does not meet +your wishes, nor can I wonder at it, for I feel I am not worthy of so +precious a gift, except for the intense love I bear her,—a love which, +I trust, if permitted, shall be manifested in every action of my future +life."</p> + +<p>"Not meet my wishes! You have totally mistaken me, my friend, my +brother, as I would now joyfully call you," pressing fervently his +companion's hand as he spoke; "you are worthy of my darling Ella, my +beloved sister, and there is none other, to whom I could yield her less +reluctantly than yourself. With a brother's blessing I commit her to +you, and as she has been to me the most faithful and affectionate of +sisters, so, I am sure, you will find her the truest and most devoted of +wives."</p> + +<p>There was a pause. Both the gentlemen were affected, and they continued +their walk, which had been extended to a solitary part of the city's +suburbs, for some time in silence, which Ernest was the first to break.</p> + +<p>"I cannot thank you in words; they are too poor to express how I +estimate this frank and generous consent; my actions will, I trust, show +how truly I appreciate it. Forgive me, Arthur, for my unjust suspicions, +but I imagined when I commenced the conversation, that you suspected the +nature of my embassy, and by cold looks and words strove to divert me +from speaking in plainer terms, and forcing you to a denial of my +request."</p> + +<p>Arthur was slightly embarrassed, and his companion looked at him, +wondering what could thus discompose his usually sedate friend.</p> + +<p>"The truth is," he said after a pause, "that I totally misunderstood +you, so you see there has been a mutual mistake. I have been blind, +indeed, but I had not the slightest idea that you entertained any +feeling but friendship for Ella."</p> + +<p>"And pray, then, if you will permit me to inquire," and there was +something mischievous in the speaker's glance and tone, "to whom did you +imagine I alluded, when I informed you that, woman, dear woman, was the +prize so much coveted?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I did think," and the speaker's hesitancy was not by any means +unobserved by his friend, "for report affirmed, that Miss Wiltshire was +the lady to whom you intended to vow life-long allegiance."</p> + +<p>"And so you supposed I had come to make a confidant of <i>you</i>. I wonder +you did not knock me down for my presumption, in expecting to eclipse +you in her eyes. No, no, my dear Sir, I was not such a simpleton, for +had I entertained hopes of that kind before, the joy which lighted up +her fine eyes, and glowed on her countenance, on that eventful meeting +with you on her return, combined, how often, with subsequent similar +observation, would have been quite sufficient proof to me that my +expectations were 'baseless as the fabric of a vision.'"</p> + +<p>Arthur smiled and shook his head, though the subject was by no means an +unpleasing one, at least judging from his animated countenance, and the +rapt attention which he paid to every word.</p> + +<p>"But who, may I ask, Ernest, was your informant as to my claims to the +title of 'woman-hater?'"</p> + +<p>"Not Miss Wiltshire, I can credibly affirm. More than that I do not +think it is fair to tell you."</p> + +<p>"Well, well, I am perfectly satisfied, and now I think it is time for us +to retrace our steps in the direction of home."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + + +<p>"And so our dear young lady is married, Ellen?" said Mrs. Williamson to +her daughter, who had just returned from a visit to B——.</p> + +<p>"Yes, mother, and a beautiful bride she made."</p> + +<p>"Ay, I doubt it not, and as good as beautiful," said the father, who had +just come in to Ellen's neat little cottage, to hear all the particulars +connected with her late journey.</p> + +<p>"And they treated you well, Ellen, did they not?"</p> + +<p>"Treated me <i>well</i>? why, mother, it was like a new world; and they were +so kind to me, took me to every place, and showed me everything worth +seeing. And, dear me, but it is a beautiful city; such grand buildings, +such water-works, such parks, all laid out with trees, and walks, and +grass-plots, and seats, where you can rest whenever you choose,—and +then at night, the splendid shops are so dazzlingly lit up, and the +streets almost as bright as day. Oh, surely it is a fine thing to live +in the city!"</p> + +<p>"Ha, ha," said a clear, manly voice, and the speaker entered the door; +"so my little bird has become restive since her taste of city life, and +longs to fly away again."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, Edward, that is not true. If I had been brought up to +city-ways, I think I should like to live there; but, now, I like my home +better, far better. I only wish we could have the meetings on Sunday, +that I went to there; oh, mother," she said, as she turned suddenly +round to address her, "it would have done your heart good to have heard +the singing, and have listened to the sermons, and such grand churches, +all crowded too."</p> + +<p>"But I want to hear everything from the beginning," said Mr. Williamson.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, I will commence my history from the time we got there. You +know Miss Agnes was expecting me, and they kept a constant look-out, so +that the vessel had not been an hour at the wharf, but what should I see +but a splendid carriage, driven by two white horses, galloping down, and +how overjoyed I was when Miss Agnes stepped out, and came on board, and +ran up and kissed me, and we both shed tears, I believe, for I saw her +put her handkerchief to her eyes, and I cried for joy at seeing her +again. And then I must go right home with her; she would fain have had +Edward, too, but he could not leave his vessel, yet was quite willing +that I should go, so my trunk was handed in, we both stepped into the +carriage, and were off in a few moments, Edward standing on the deck, +watching till we were out of sight; at least I take that for granted.</p> + +<p>"Well, we drove to her uncle's dwelling, a large white house, with +splendidly ornamented pillars in front, and a balcony all round. It +stands in the midst of a park, at least so I call it; and there is a +fountain just before the door, flinging its glistening waters to a great +height, and grass, and flowers, and large shady trees, and winding +walks, and it looked altogether so lovely to me, with the sun shining +down upon it, that I cannot find words to describe it. Well, we got out +at the hall-door, and I followed Agnes into a parlor, where her uncle +and aunt were sitting, and, would you believe it, as soon as they saw me +they came forward, and kissed me, and made me sit by them, and told me +that Agnes had related to them all the kindness that had been shown to +her by our family, and how thankful they were to us all for it; and then +asked me about my husband, who, they said, had rescued her from a watery +grave, and how anxious they were to see him, and hoped he would be able +to call soon, and so he did that very evening, and a happy time we had +of it!</p> + +<p>"The next morning there came in to Mr. Denham's, a young gentleman with +Mr. Clifford, who you know stopped here with Captain Pierce; and they +both shook me warmly by the hand. This young gentleman's name was +Bernard, and while Agnes was talking to Mr. Clifford, he asked me many +questions about my home, and about the people that lived here, and +wanted to know if there were often shipwrecks near the place. I knew +well enough what he wished to find out, for I saw him, every now and +then, look at Miss Agnes so wistfully and sad, and then at Mr. Clifford, +as though he envied him the seat near her, and so I felt a kind of pity +for him, and began to tell him, in a low tone, what I knew he was +longing to hear, though I suppose he had heard it all before; but, +somehow, people never get weary of hearing about the one they love. And, +oh, he grew so lively, as I went on, and seemed such a pleased +listener,—and when I told him how much good she had done, and what a +change had come over the place, while she stopped here; the day and +night schools she had formed, and the services she had held on the +Sabbath, his very eyes seemed to thank me, they shone so brightly; and +when I had finished, he said, in a low tone, which he did not think I +overheard,</p> + +<p>"'Yes, she is indeed an angel; so much the more bitter for me!'</p> + +<p>"They left soon after, Mr. Clifford being in somewhat of a hurry; so Mr. +Bernard had but little opportunity of conversing with Miss Agnes; and +after they were gone, she stood by the window in silence for a few +moments, and when she turned to speak, I saw that a tear had fallen on +her long lashes, but she said, in a cheerful tone, 'We will go now and +take the promised drive.'</p> + +<p>"And so we did, and a charming one it was. Mr. Denham came with us, and +he pointed out everything to me that was new and beautiful; if I had +been his own daughter, he could not have been kinder.</p> + +<p>"But still, while I was looking at all the noble buildings, I could not +help thinking of Mr. Bernard; and then Miss Agnes, while she talked and +laughed a good deal, seemed as though she were striving to be cheerful, +I thought it did not come as natural to her there, as it did when she +was with us, and I half fancied something was going wrong.</p> + +<p>"Then her uncle began to talk of Mr. Clifford, and to praise him very +much; and I watched her, though she little knew it; but she joined with +him warmly, and her color never rose a bit, nor her voice faltered. By +and bye, somehow or another, I believe it was myself spoke of Mr. +Bernard, and he, too, came in for a large share of praise from Mr. +Denham; but Agnes only responded, 'Yes, I have no doubt of it,' looking +at the same time very earnestly out of the carriage window; but I caught +a glimpse of her face, as she turned it, and saw a delicate rose-color +flush her cheeks, and then I knew that Mr. Bernard need not despair.</p> + +<p>"So it went on from day to day. We rode, and walked, and shopped, and +visited, and attended museums, and lectures, and meetings, and yet I +fancied Agnes grew sadder and sadder; and Mr. Bernard, when I saw him +now and then, for he did not come much to the house, looked like a man +who was bravely struggling against some misfortune, which, in spite of +his efforts, was well nigh crushing him.</p> + +<p>"But one evening, Agnes had been invited out to a dinner party; they had +sent me an invitation, also, but I declined going, for I knew I should +not feel at home among so many strangers, and they so far above me; so I +remained with Mr. and Mrs. Denham.</p> + +<p>"'I would far rather stay with you,' Miss Agnes said, 'than go out this +evening, but these are very particular friends, who would feel I +slighted them, if I remained away; but, indeed, I do not feel at all +well.'</p> + +<p>"I was in her dressing-room at the time, and she was preparing for the +occasion.</p> + +<p>"'You do look pale, Miss Agnes,' I replied, 'and your eyes look heavy.' +I was pretty sure, from their appearance, she had been weeping that +afternoon.</p> + +<p>"However, she went; for it was not her fashion to consult her own ease, +when others were to be gratified.</p> + +<p>"It was little more than 10 o'clock that night; Edward had been with me +during the evening, but had just returned to his ship, and Mr. and Mrs. +Denham had retired to rest, for they kept early hours; I was sitting in +the parlor, reading a beautiful book, a present from Agnes, when I heard +steps coming up the gravel walk, and a murmur of voices in earnest +conversation. I peeped through the half-closed blind, and beheld Miss +Wiltshire arm in arm with a gentleman, whom I took to be, though I could +not see very distinctly, Mr. Bernard.</p> + +<p>"In a moment after they entered, and sure enough it was Mr. Bernard, +though every trace of sadness had disappeared from his face, and as he +came forward and shook hands with me, asking me so kindly how I was, his +very voice seemed altered, it was so gay, so joyous. I tried to catch a +glimpse of Miss Agnes's countenance,—it was some time before she lifted +her veil, but when she flung it aside, as she took off her bonnet, I saw +that her former paleness had been succeeded by a rosy-red, and her eyes +seemed beaming with new life.</p> + +<p>"We sat and talked for some time, at least Mr. Bernard and I, for Miss +Wiltshire was unusually silent.</p> + +<p>"At length he took his leave, but as he clasped her hand, and bade her +'Good night,' I heard him say in a low tone, 'I shall see Mr. Denham, if +nothing happens, early to-morrow morning,'—and so departed.</p> + +<p>"We soon separated for the night, and I heard nothing until the next +day, when Agnes told me all the particulars.</p> + +<p>"It seems there had been a mistake all round; Mr. Bernard having +believed that Mr. Clifford was his rival, and Miss Wiltshire imagined, +from something some lady told—Maria as they called her, I heard her +other name, but forget it—that Mr. Bernard had been paying her very +great attention, and had almost, if not actually, proposed for her hand.</p> + +<p>"There was not a word of truth in that, of course; but this Maria, it +seems, was determined to have the young gentleman, and did not care what +she said or did, if she could only secure him.</p> + +<p>"But it came out right, after all; Providence is always good to those +that trust Him, and so, just a week ago to-day, for we sailed +immediately after the wedding, they were married, and Mr. Clifford at +the same time."</p> + +<p>"But who did Mr. Clifford marry?" inquired one of the deeply interested +listeners.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Bernard's sister, a sweet pretty young creature, with eyes as blue +as a summer's sky. And such a sight it was to see the two brides; both +dressed alike in white satin, with orange blossoms in their hair, and +white veils on the back of the head, falling over their shoulders like a +mantle. It was so strange, too, that the clergyman who married them, +and who was a great friend of Miss Wiltshire's, had been a passenger in +the very steamer from which she had so narrow an escape; he had embarked +in another boat, and with the rest of the male passengers had got safe +to land. A short time before her wedding, Agnes met him in the street, +just after his arrival from some distant part, and she said, she did not +know which was the greatest, his joy or surprise at seeing her, for he +had never heard of her wonderful preservation, and had not, therefore, +the most distant idea she was in the land of the living.</p> + +<p>"Well, as soon as it was over, and they stepped out of the church, the +joy bells rang out, so merrily, and every person looked so pleased and +so happy. There was a grand lunch at Mr. Denham's, and then the bridal +party drove away to spend the honeymoon in travelling."</p> + +<p>"Well, she deserved a good husband, and I trust she has got one," said +Mrs. Williamson, as Ellen paused to take breath, "and I pray that Heaven +may bless them both!"</p> + +<p>"Amen," was the hearty response of the listeners, a response which, we +trust, kind reader, you will have no hesitation in echoing.</p> + +<p>The wish of Ellen, which she gave expression to, as she narrated her +visit, unlike most earthly wishes, was, in the space of a year or two, +abundantly realized.</p> + +<p>Through the instrumentality of Agnes and her devoted husband, a neat +little church was erected; a school-house quickly followed; a minister +and teacher were obtained; the people, stimulated by their example, +rebuilt and improved their dwellings; began to cultivate their land, and +that with such success, that fruit and flowers, and shady trees, and +fields of waving grain, were, in a comparatively short time, to be seen +in every direction, so that with regard to those changes, and the +instrumentality through which they had been effected, it is little +wonder that Mrs. Williamson, as she pointed them out to her family, +would now and then exclaim,—</p> + +<p>"The wilderness and the solitary place were made glad by her, and the +desert rejoices and blossoms as the rose."</p> + +<p>Verily Agnes Bernard has her reward now, in the enjoyments which cluster +so thickly around her; in the happiness of which she is at once the +dispenser and partaker; but how greatly shall it be increased, when, +from a Saviour's lips, shall be heard the welcome plaudit:—</p> + +<p>"Inasmuch as ye did it unto the least of these, ye did it unto me."</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Woman As She Should Be, by Mary E. Herbert + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WOMAN AS SHE SHOULD BE *** + +***** This file should be named 15982-h.htm or 15982-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/9/8/15982/ + +Produced by Early Canadiana Online, Robert Cicconetti, +Janet Blenkinship and the Online Distributed Proofreading +Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/15982.txt b/15982.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..62b826b --- /dev/null +++ b/15982.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3763 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Woman As She Should Be, by Mary E. Herbert + +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: Woman As She Should Be + or, Agnes Wiltshire + +Author: Mary E. Herbert + +Release Date: June 4, 2005 [EBook #15982] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WOMAN AS SHE SHOULD BE *** + + + + +Produced by Early Canadiana Online, Robert Cicconetti, +Janet Blenkinship and the Online Distributed Proofreading +Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +WOMAN AS SHE SHOULD BE; + +OR, + +AGNES WILTSHIRE. + +BY + +MARY E. HERBERT, + +AUTHOR OF "AEOLIAN HARP," "SCENES IN THE LIFE OF A HALIFAX BELLE," &c. + + + + I saw her on a nearer view, + A Spirit, yet a Woman, too; + Her household motions light and free,-- + And steps of virgin liberty; + A countenance in which did meet + Sweet records, promises as sweet; + A creature not too bright or good, + For human nature's daily food, + For transient pleasures, artless wiles, + Praise, blame, love, kisses, tears, and smiles. + + --WORDSWORTH. + + + HALIFAX, N.S.: + PUBLISHED BY MARY E. HERBERT. + 1861. + + + CAMBRIDGE, MASS.: + MILES & DILLINGHAM. + Printers and Stereotypers + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +The Sabbath day was drawing to a close, as Agnes Wiltshire sat at her +chamber window, absorbed in deep and painful thought. The last rays of +the sun lighted up the garden overlooked by the casement,--if garden it +could be called,--a spot that had once been most beautiful, when young +and fair hands plucked the noxious weed, and took delight in nursing +into fairest life, flowers, whose loveliness might well have vied with +any; but, long since, those hands had mouldered into dust, and the spot +lay neglected; yet, in spite of neglect, beautiful still. There was no +enclosure to mark it from the fields beyond, that stretched, far as the +eye could discern, till lost in a rich growth of woods, but a few +ornamental trees and graceful shrubs, with here and there a plot, now +gay, with autumn flowers, alone kept alive, in the heart of the +beholder, a remembrance of its purpose. A quiet scene of rural beauty +it was, and so thought the maiden, as, rousing from her reverie, she +gazed on garden, fields, and distant woods, but more lovingly and +lingeringly dwelt her glance on a lake that lay embosomed between the +meadow and the grove, partly skirted by trees that grew even to its +edge, and partly by the rich grass, whose vivid color betrayed the +influence of those placid waters, that now reflected every glowing tint, +and every delicate hue of the peerless sunset sky. + +Quiet at all times, the stillness of the scene was now unbroken, save by +the twittering of some belated swallow, the chirp of the cricket, or the +evening hymn of the forest songsters, ere they sank to grateful rest. +All was peace without, but troubled and anxious was the heart of the +solitary occupant of that apartment, who, though for a moment aroused +from deep, and, as it appeared from the expression of her countenance, +painful thought, by the beauty of the landscape, again summoned her +wandering thoughts, and returned to the theme which had so deeply +engrossed her. + +A slight tap at the door once more aroused her, and in answer to her +invitation, "Walk in," a lady entered the room, and affectionately +addressed the young girl. + +"Forgive my intrusion, my dear Miss Wiltshire, but I feared, from your +remaining so long in your room, that you were not well, and have come +to ascertain whether I am correct or not." + +"I am much obliged for your kindness, but I am quite well, in body, at +least," was the reply, while the lips quivered, and the eyes were +suffused with tears. + +There was silence for a few moments between them, for Mrs. Gordon was +too delicate to allude to emotions, which her companion evidently strove +to conceal, and with the nature of which she was totally unacquainted. +At length, however, she broke the quiet that had reigned for some +moments in the apartment, by an observation on the service they had both +that day attended. + +"Accustomed, as you are, to city churches and city congregations, it +could scarcely be expected that our unpretending house of prayer, with +its humble worshippers, could have found much favor in your eyes, Miss +Wiltshire?" + +"And yet, strange to say," exclaimed Agnes, lifting her fine dark eyes +to Mrs. Gordon's sweet, though pensive face, "that unpretending church, +those earnest worshippers, and, above all, that simple, faithful +discourse, affected me far more deeply than any heard from the lips of +the most eloquent divine, in a gorgeous edifice crowded with the =elite= +of the city, and where the solemn notes of the full-toned organ ought, +perhaps, to have filled the soul with sacred and heavenly thoughts. +Those words, so thrillingly pronounced, shall I ever forget them? 'To +whom much is given, of him shall much be required.' They seem still to +ring in my ears, for I, alas, am among those who have received much, yet +rendered back nothing." + +The speaker paused, overcome with emotion, but the countenance of the +listener grew radiant with delight,--not that delight which arises from +the realization of some worldly hope, but, rather, a heavenly joy, which +lent to the pale and pensive face a beauty not of this world; it beamed +in the sunken, yet soft blue eye, and flushed the hollow cheek; it was +the joy of a saint, nay, it was the joy of an angel, at the return of +the stray sheep to its Father's fold. But it soon found expression in +words. + +"I cannot tell you how happy you make me, in speaking thus, dear Agnes," +said she, affectionately clasping her hand. "Since you first came here, +I have been thinking so much about you, and praying, too, that you, so +rich in all that makes woman lovely and beloved, might possess that +grace, which will but add lustre to every other endowment, qualifying +you for extensive usefulness here, and glorious happiness hereafter." + +"But you know not, my kind friend, what mental struggles I have passed +through this afternoon, nor how conflicting feelings are yet agitating +my soul. I hear the voice of duty, but it calls me to tread a rugged +path. Could I always remain with you, secluded from the gay world, far +removed from its temptations and allurements, then, indeed, would I +gladly make my choice, and say, 'This people shall be my people, and +their God my God;' but in a few days I must depart, and, again, in the +haunts of the busy city, and surrounded by the gayeties of fashionable +life, I fear I shall feel no more those sweet and sacred influences, +which have been as the breath of heaven to my soul." + +"'My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest!' Is not +that a sufficiently encouraging promise, dear Agnes? Had you nought but +your own strength to rely on, you might well fear; but forget not Him +who has declared, 'If any lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to +all liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given.'" + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +Agnes Wiltshire was an orphan. Her father had died during her infancy, +her mother during her childhood; but a happy home had been thrown open +to her, by a kind uncle and aunt, who gladly adopted her as their own, +and lavished on her every tenderness. Mr. and Mrs. Denham were generous +and warm-hearted people; their dwelling was elegant and commodious; the +society in which they mingled, as far as wealth and fashion is +concerned, unexceptionable. What more was wanting? Alas, they were +thoroughly worldly; their standard was the fashionable world; their +maxims were derived from the same source; and while regularly attending +the stated ordinances of the church, and esteeming themselves very +devout,--for were not their lives strictly moral?--they, in reality, +knew as little of heart religion, as the dwellers in a heathen land. + +Such was the character of the people among whom Agnes Wiltshire had +attained the age of eighteen; and, surrounded by such influences, what +wonder, that she, too, partook of the same spirit, and was content to +sail down the sunny stream of life, without one thought of its +responsibilities, without one glance at the future that awaited her. +Long might she have continued thus, still pursuing the phantom of +pleasure, seeking ever for happiness, but never seeking aright, had she +not been suddenly startled, in the midst of worldly pursuits, by the +unexpected death of a gay and favorite companion, who, surrounded by all +of earthly happiness, was torn from her embrace. In the agony of +delirium, Agnes had beheld her, gliding, unconsciously, down the dark +valley and the shadow of death, and she trembled, when she felt how +totally unprepared she was to meet the King of Terrors, and yet how soon +she might be called to do so. In the midst of the gay dance, at the +festive board, where mirth ruled the hour, and honeyed flatteries were +poured into her ear, she was still haunted by that pallid, agonized +countenance, and by the voice, whose heart-rending accents she still +seemed to hear, as distinctly as when it cried, in imploring tones, +"Save me, oh save me, from the deep, dark waters. They surround me on +every side; have pity on me, for I sink, I sink, I sink." + +So deep an effect had the loss of her young companion, and the +remembrance of her last hours, produced on Agnes, that she fell into a +dejection, from which nothing could rouse her, and her physical powers +soon gave unmistakable evidences of their sympathy with the mind, by +alarming prostration of strength. The physician, on being applied to, +recommended the usual restorative, change of air and scene; and a +pleasant summer's retreat was selected as Agnes's residence, for a few +weeks. Mrs. Denham would fain have accompanied her niece, but a violent +attack of the gout, to which Mr. Denham was subject, rendered it +impossible for her to leave him, and with many tender charges and +injunctions, Agnes was consigned to the care of a friend, travelling in +that direction. + +Great was the change to Agnes, yet not the less beneficial on that +account. The absence of the glitter and show of fashionable life, the +quiet that reigned around, the beauty of the scenery, the kindness and +simplicity of the scattered inhabitants,--all delighted her; and the +group of admirers, who were wont to surround her, would scarcely have +recognized, in the warm-hearted, enthusiastic girl, who, in simple +attire, might daily be seen rambling through the fields, or, with a book +in hand, seated beneath a favorite oak, the accomplished and fashionable +Miss Wiltshire. + +The lady with whom she resided was a clergyman's widow, who, deprived by +an untimely death of her natural protector and provider, sought to +augment her scanty means, by opening her house during the summer months +to casual visitors. She had been beautiful once, and she was young +still; but the glow and the freshness of life's youth had vanished, not +so much before time as sorrow, for peculiarly distressing circumstances +had attended the loss of her dearest friend, and now, disease had +almost, unsuspected, commenced its insidious ravages on a naturally +delicate constitution. + +A mutual friendship was speedily formed between these two, so strangely +thrown together by circumstances. Agnes was charmed with Mrs. Goodwin's +sweet, pensive face, and gentle manners, while her character, so +beautifully exemplifying the power of religion to give support and +happiness, under all circumstances, won her deepest regard. On the other +hand, the genuine warmth, the unsophisticated manners, still uncorrupted +by daily flatteries and blandishments, the lofty and gifted mind, all +delighted Mrs. Goodwin, who had never before formed an acquaintance with +a female possessing so many attractions, and she gazed at her with +wonder and admiration, not unmixed with a sentiment of tenderness and +pity, as she thought of life's slippery paths, and of the injurious +influences of worldly pursuits and worldly gayeties. + +But to the city Agnes must again return, for the roses have come back to +her cheeks, her previous dejection has vanished under the kind and +salutary ministrations of her friend, and she has no reasonable excuse +for remaining longer; besides, her friends have become impatient at her +stay,--the light and life of their dwelling,--how can they consent to +her tarrying longer; so the long and interesting conversations on high +and holy themes, which she had scarcely ever before heard alluded to but +in church, must be relinquished, and the quiet scenes of Nature +exchanged for the bustle and show of city life. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +A twelvemonth has elapsed, since the events recorded in our first +chapter. In the drawing-room of a spacious mansion, in the suburbs of +the city where Agnes Wiltshire resided, is seated a young man, +apparently perusing a volume which he holds in his hand, but, in +reality, listening to a gay group of young girls, who are chattering +merrily with his sister at the other end of the apartment. Scarcely +heedful of his presence, for he is partly concealed by the thick folds +of a rich damask curtain,--or, perhaps, careless of the impression +produced, they rattled gaily on, for not one of them but in her heart +had pronounced him a woman-hater; for were he not such, could he have +been insensible to the sweetest and most fascinating smiles of beauty? + +But the last sound of their retreating footsteps, the echo of their +merry laugh, has died away, and Arthur Bernard emerges from his retreat, +in the enclosure of the window. + +"I declare, Arthur, it is positively too bad," exclaimed Ella, his +sister, a gay and pretty young girl; "you are certainly the most +agreeable company in the world. Not a syllable to say beyond 'yes,' or +'no,' 'good morning,' or 'good evening.' I am really ashamed of you. You +are a woman-hater, I really believe. I am sure the girls all set you +down as such." + +"I am much obliged for their good opinion, and shall endeavor to deserve +it," was the smiling reply. "But, can you imagine what I have been +thinking about, while you and your merry companions have been talking +all sorts of nonsense?" + +"No, indeed. I should like to hear your wise meditations, most grave and +potent seigneur. Doubtless, they will prove very edifying, as the theme, +of course, was woman's foibles." + +"I have been thinking rather of what woman might be, than of what she +is. What an exalted part she might perform in the regeneration of the +world, did she but fulfil her mission. An archangel might almost envy +her opportunities of blessing and benefiting others; and yet, with so +many spheres of usefulness open to her, with influence so potent for +good or evil, the majority of your sex do nothing, or, worse than +nothing, injure others by their example. I am not a woman-hater, Ella; +but I must deplore that so many are unmindful utterly of their high +calling, and careless of everything but how to spend the present hour +the most agreeably, instead of being found actively sustaining, as far +as in their power, every good word and work; and ever with a smile and +a word of encouragement to the weary toilers in the path of duty. That +there are such women, I have not the least doubt; but I have never met +with one yet. When I do so, and remain insensible to =her= charms, you +may then call me a woman-hater,"--and a smile concluded the sentence. + +A merry, mocking laugh from his, sister rang through the room. + +"I thought as much. We, poor women, are not good enough for your most +serene highness; nothing short of one endowed with angelic qualities +will suit you. I must really try if, in my long list of acquaintances, I +cannot find one to come up to your standard; though I am afraid it would +be rather a difficult task. And now, in reply to that grave lecture of +yours, (what a pity the girls were not here to be edified,) for my part, +I always imagined that woman's mission was to be as charming as +possible, and I am quite content with being that,"--and Ella looked up +into her brother's face, with an irresistible smile. + +"But may you not be charming and useful both?" + +"Well, I don't know about that; I should like to know what you would +have us do." + +Do! what might you not do, if you were disposed? What an incalculable +amount of good, and that in the most unobtrusive manner. Society takes +its tone from you, and waits to be fashioned by your hand. But, I verily +believe, running the risk of speaking very ungallantly, that there is +not one in thirty, fifty, or perhaps a hundred of your sex, who have the +slightest idea of exerting their talents for the benefit of others. You +laugh and talk, and enjoy yourselves, careless of the impression your +example may produce, and conform to the usages of society, without one +inquiry, as to whether in those usages may not, sometimes, lurk +frightful dangers, if not to yourselves, to others who follow admiringly +in your steps." + +"Frightful dangers! Really, brother, you are growing enigmatical. I +should like to have that sentence made a little plainer, for I certainly +do not understand you." + +"Perhaps an incident that occurred not long ago, which I will relate to +you, may explain more clearly my meaning. I can vouch for its +correctness, for it came under my own observation. You have frequently +heard me speak of Henry Leslie, my room-mate at college, one of the +noblest and most gifted of young men, but who unfortunately had +contracted a taste for intoxicating liquors. Unfortunately for himself, +his agreeable manners and fine qualities rendered him a great favorite +with the ladies, and no party seemed complete without him; and thus +constantly exposed to the seducing influence of the wine-cup, the habit +of imbibing largely grew so strong, that he scarcely had any +restraining power left. I remonstrated with him, and, as I trusted, with +some success, for he solemnly promised to abstain totally from the +intoxicating beverage,--but the very next day we found, on returning +home from a walk, an invitation to an evening party lying on our table. +It was from the mother of the young lady to whom report alleged he was +deeply attached, and whatever influence I might have possessed in +dissuading him from attending any other social gathering, I found I was +powerless in this case. But he again renewed his determination to +abstain from intoxicating stimulants. + +"'I know what you fear, Arthur, but I have made the resolution to "touch +not, taste not, handle not," as the teetotallers say, and I am +determined not to break it.' + +"I made no answer, but prepared to accompany him, with a heavy heart; +for I felt certain, in my own mind, of the result, at least to some +extent, of that evening's visit. I need not enter into particulars; +suffice it to say, that Henry Leslie bravely withstood all +solicitations, from our sex, to partake of the destroying beverage, and +I was beginning to hope that my fears would prove unfounded, when the +daughter of our hostess, the young lady to whom I before alluded, +approached him with a glass of sparkling wine in her hand. She was +beautiful,--I cannot but acknowledge that,--and I shall never forget +her appearance as she stood there, a fascinating smile lighting up her +animated countenance, and, in her sweetest tones, begged him to take a +glass of wine with her. I thought of Satan, disguised as an angel of +light, and trembled for the result, as I stood anxiously listening for +his answer. It came in the negative, but the hesitating, half-apologetic +tone was very different from the firm and decided one, in which he had +resisted all other solicitations. But she was not yet satisfied. Womanly +vanity must triumph, no matter how dearly the victory may be purchased. + +"'You surely will not be so ungallant as to refuse a lady so small a +favor,'--and her eyes added, as plainly as words,--'but much less can +you refuse me.' + +"'You see how society is degenerating, Mr. Bernard,' she said, turning +to me, 'there was a time when a lady's request was deemed sacred, now we +poor women have little or no influence over your sex.' + +"'I devoutly wish you had less, Madam,' was my uncourteous reply; but +she scarcely heard me, for Henry, taking the proffered glass, and in a +low tone, murmuring, 'For your sake alone,' quaffed its contents. A +flush of gratified vanity passed over the lady's countenance, for she +had laid a challenge with some of her friends, who had observed his +previous abstinence, that she would make him drink a glass of wine with +her, before the evening was over. That night week I sat, a lonely +watcher, by the corpse of Henry Leslie. He had died in the horrors of +delirium tremens, and his last cry had been for brandy. + +"Oh, it stings me almost to madness," exclaimed Arthur, rising and +pacing the apartment with hurried steps, "when I reflect that that +woman, knowing well his fatal propensity,--knowing, too, how powerful +was her influence over him, for, poor fellow, I believe he would have +laid down his life for her sake, was the immediate instrument of leading +to destruction one who might,--had she encouraged him in his resolution +to abstain, instead of luring him to depart from it,--have been an +honored ornament to society, not filling, as he does to-day, a +drunkard's grave, 'unhonored and unsung.'" + +There was silence for a few moments in the apartment, for even the +volatile Ella seemed affected at the narration. At length she spoke in a +subdued tone. + +"That is certainly a melancholy story, Arthur, and I shall not be able +to get it out of my mind soon. But now that I think of it, have you seen +Agnes Wiltshire since your return?" + +"No; but I have been about to inquire several times where she is, and +why have I not seen her before?" + +"Simply, because she has abjured society." + +"Abjured society!" and Arthur looked up, with a glance full of +astonishment. "What do you mean, Ella? Has she become a nun?" + +"Not exactly; but she certainly is a Sister of Charity, in the fullest +sense of the term. It was only yesterday morning she passed our windows +quite early, followed by a servant carrying a large basket, and I can +easily imagine it was on some charitable mission. You must know, Arthur, +for I see by your looks that you are impatient to hear all about +her,--by the bye, it is singular that you should take any interest in +her, considering she is a woman,"---- + +"Dear Ella, do go on with your story." + +"It is well for you, Mr. Arthur, that I am very good-natured, for I +should have an excellent opportunity now of retaliation, for all the +unkind things you have been saying about our sex. But I can be generous, +and will forgive you this time,--so now to our story. You must know, +then, that a great change has taken place in Agnes, ever since the +sudden death of poor Lelia Amberton, the particulars of which I wrote to +you at the time it occurred. Agnes grew very low-spirited, and in +consequence lost her health, and was ordered by the physician to the +country, to recruit her failing strength. On her return, her dejection +had entirely vanished; but still she was very different to what she had +formerly been. To the great astonishment, and even displeasure of her +relatives, she gently but firmly declined all invitations to balls, or +gay parties, refused to attend the theatre, and, to her friends' earnest +expostulations and inquiries as to the reasons for such a course, +declared 'that she had, at length, become convinced of the vanity and +sinfulness of such pursuits, and no longer dared to peril her immortal +interests by engaging in them.'" + +"But, Edward Lincoln, how does he approve of this strange alteration?" +inquired Arthur, in a tone which, in spite of himself, could not conceal +his evident interest. + +"Oh, poor Edward has been discarded long ago." + +"Discarded! What do you mean, Ella, that she has broken her engagement +with him?" + +"Yes; or, rather, they mutually agreed in the matter, and thereby caused +fresh disappointment to Agnes's friends, whose opposition has risen to +such a height, that I believe they have almost threatened to expel her +from home." + +"Barbarous!" exclaimed Arthur, hastily, his eye flashing with +indignation. "But I suspect they would hardly carry that threat into +effect. And what reason was assigned for the breaking of the +engagement?" + +"Oh, nothing more than non-agreement of sentiment. When I was reasoning +with Agnes about it, one day, she said to me, 'How can two walk together +except they be agreed? I grant, dear Ella, that Mr. Lincoln is all you +have said, handsome, intelligent, and possesses many estimable +qualities; but these qualities, to be permanent, must be based on +principles drawn from the Word of Truth. Do not think, my friend, that +it was without a struggle I have resigned him. No, the conflict was long +and bitter; but I was enabled, at last, to yield to my convictions of +duty. And, indeed, he himself has confessed, that whatever I might have +done once, I should never have suited him now. Our views are +diametrically opposed; the gayeties of life, which I have gladly +resigned, he still takes delight in, and when I have endeavored feebly, +but earnestly, to lead him to seek for more enduring joys, his only +reply is a merry laugh at my enthusiasm, which, he predicts, will soon +evaporate. No, Ella, there is little in unison between us, and it is far +better to break our engagement now, than to find, when too late, that we +had entered into a union productive of misery to us both.'" + +"Agnes is certainly a singular girl," said Arthur, musingly. + +"Oh, but I have not told you all. She has been a Sabbath-school teacher, +has established a day school for poor children, which she superintends, +and there is no fear of her tempting a gentleman to take a glass of +wine, for last, but not least, she has become a teetotaller. There, what +think you of that? and yet, I do not know how it happens, but in spite +of her singular ways, I seem to like her better than ever. There is +nothing in her manner that indicates a consciousness of superior merit, +but she is so truly kind, and her countenance wears so peaceful and +heavenly an expression, that I can never weary of gazing at her, and in +my sober moods, which occur once or twice in a twelvemonth, have some +idea of following her example. And now, Arthur," Ella added playfully, +"if Miss Wiltshire comes not up to your standard of female excellence, I +should despair of ever finding one that did." + +Arthur was about to reply, but was interrupted by the announcement of a +visitor. Slightly annoyed, for he had become really interested in the +conversation, and, resolving to slip away the first convenient +opportunity, he turned to salute the lady, whose name he had not heard, +when, Ella's exclamation of surprise and pleasure fell on his ear. + +"Why, Agnes, have you came at last? I almost thought I was never to see +you again. I called twice, but you were out." + +"Yes, I was very sorry, but a particular engagement called me from +home." + +"Arthur, have you forgotten your old friend, Miss Wiltshire?" inquired +Ella of her brother, who was waiting an opportunity to address her. + +"It would be a difficult task to do that," was the reply, while the +cordial clasp of the hand and kindly tone, told how pleasant was that +meeting to one of the party at least. "You should rather have inquired +if Miss Wiltshire had forgotten me, which is far more probable." + +"I never forget my friends," said Agnes, with a slight emphasis on the +word friends. + +"And to be numbered among Miss Wiltshire's friends, I consider no +ordinary privilege," was Arthur's reply, as he insisted on her occupying +an easy chair by the blazing fire, which the clear but chilly air of +autumn rendered indispensable to comfort. + +"I am afraid you have learned the art of flattery in your travels, Mr. +Bernard." + +"Flattery!" exclaimed Ella, drawing up a chair close to her friend, and +smiling at her brother, who was seated opposite; "I only wish you had +heard him, Agnes, a little while ago, in what terms he spoke of our sex, +for if you had, you would agree with me, that the title of woman-hater +would be far more appropriate than flatterer." + +"Ella, Ella, that is hardly fair," said Arthur, while his cheek became +slightly flushed. + +"But what did he say about us, Ella?" Agnes inquired, smiling half +mischievously at his evident embarrassment. + +"Say, all sorts of things; he declared that the great majority of us +care for little else but pleasure; that the idea of exerting our +influence for good is one that we seldom ever entertain, and he wound up +his exceedingly edifying lecture by a dismal story of a lady, whose +persuasions induced a friend of his to break a promise which he had made +to abstain from intoxicating liquors, and was, thereby, led to an +untimely death." + +"You have been bringing very grave charges against our sex, Mr. +Bernard," said Agnes, with a sweet seriousness, that, however unusual, +well became her fair youthful face; "and I am afraid we should have to +plead guilty in too many instances. Still, even those who appear the +most thoughtless, have their hours of reflection, no doubt, when they +feel the utter insipidity of a life of pleasure--false pleasure--and +form many resolutions to abandon it; but habit is strong, and example +powerful, and once immersed in the gayeties of life, nothing short of +strength from above can make them to 'come out from the world, and to +become separate.'" + +A deeper shade of seriousness passed over Agnes's expressive countenance +as she uttered these words. It was evident they had evoked some painful +recollections, and, as Arthur gazed on the down-cast face, on the long +silken eyelashes that but half concealed the tear that unhidden rose to +the lustrous eye, and observed her lip quivering with suppressed +emotion, he easily divined, from his previous conversation with his +sister, the cause of her agitation. + +"She has suffered, and in the cause of truth," was his mental +ejaculation. Oh, to have the privilege of cheering and sustaining one so +lovely! but + + "Man may not hope her heart to win, + Be his of common mould." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +A few select friends had assembled at Mrs. Bernard's, to celebrate +Ella's birthday. + +"It will not do to have a dancing-party, Mamma," said Ella, when they +were making the necessary arrangements, "it will not do to have a +dancing-party, or Agnes will refuse to come, and I have set my heart on +having her, and I strongly suspect somebody else has done the same," +glancing mischievously at her brother, who had just entered the room. "I +am sure, too, I shall enjoy myself a great deal better with a few select +friends, than if we had a large, gay party." + +"Have it your own way, my dear," said the mother, fondly kissing her +daughter's fair upturned brow; "if it pleases you, I am sure it will +satisfy me." + +"Thank you, dear Mamma, and now I have nothing to do but to write my +invitations, and send them. But, Arthur, I declare you have not said a +word; one would imagine, only I know better, that you do not feel at all +interested in the matter." + +"Interested, why should I, in your foolish parties? Do you not know I +have something better to think of?" + +"Doubtless, and you do not care in the least who accepts the +invitations. Now, confess, for you may as well, that when I proposed, a +few evenings ago, having a small select gathering of friends for Agnes's +sake, your very eyes shone with joy, for all you did wear that provoking +grave look. Confess, too, that you have thought of little else ever +since. I am sure you dreamed about it last night, for you looked very +smiling as you entered the breakfast room this morning." + +"You are an incorrigible little rattle-brain, Ella, and, to punish you, +I have a great mind to declare I will not enter your party. How would +you like that?" + +"I am not in the least alarmed, brother dear, that that threat will be +carried into execution, for the very good and sufficient reason, that +you would thus punish yourself worse than me. But if I stand talking any +longer, my invitations will not be written in season, so I must defer +our very edifying conversation till another opportunity,"--and, humming +a favorite air, the lively girl danced gaily out of the room. + +Arthur, left alone, stood for a moment musing, half amused and half +vexed with his sister. He scarcely had ever mentioned Agnes's name, and +yet, he could not conceal from himself that he felt an interest in her, +beyond that he had ever experienced for any other woman. + +"Absence is love's food," so poets say, and Arthur proved the truth of +the observation. While spending his college vacations at home, he had +often met with her before; and, even then, she charmed him as no other +woman ever did, but when report told of her engagement to Edward +Lincoln, honor forbade him any longer to cherish hopes which he had +allowed to tint with their bright hues his dreams of the future. + +He had shunned her society as far as possible from that time while at +home, and striven, while at college and during his year's sojourn in +foreign lands, to banish her image from his remembrance, and vainly +imagined he had succeeded; but the flame, though it may be dimmed, was +by no means quenched, and was ready, at the slightest encouragement, to +burst forth with renewed vigor. + +But we have digressed. Mrs. Bernard's drawing-room presented a picture +of comfort and elegance as Agnes entered it on the evening of Ella's +party. A few select friends were gathered there, all apparently +perfectly at home, and amusing themselves without restraint, according +to their diversified inclinations. Some were examining the choice +engravings that lay scattered on the tables; others were standing in a +group round the piano, admiring some new music which Ella had that day +received; while the elder members of the party were gathered round the +fireside, enjoying its cheerful blaze, and merrily discussing the events +of the season. Innocent amusement seemed to be the rule of the evening, +and Agnes, though she had left home unusually depressed in spirits, felt +a glow of pleasure thrill through her heart as she contemplated the +scene, and responded with her usual sweet, though, latterly, pensive +smile, the kind greetings of her friends. + +"How pale Miss Wiltshire looks to-night," observed one young lady to +another who was seated at the piano as Agnes entered the apartment. + +"She does, indeed, pale and sad both," was the response. + +Arthur, who had overheard the remark, could not help admitting to +himself its correctness, as he crossed the room to pay his respects to +Agnes, and as, unobserved, he watched her closely, it was evident to him +that, while with her usual unselfishness, she strove to promote the +happiness of others by entering cheerfully into conversation, from the +half suppressed sigh, and the shadow that at intervals stole over her +face, some painful subject, very foreign from the scene around, occupied +her thoughts. + +"I am afraid you are not well to-night, Miss Wiltshire," he at length +said, in a tone low and gentle as a woman's, for Agnes, seated on a +corner of the sofa, and imagining herself unobserved by the rest of the +company, had for a moment closed her eyes, as though to shut out +surrounding objects, while an expression of mental anguish flitted +across her features. + +How precious to the aching heart is human sympathy. The words were +nothing in themselves, but the tenderness of tone in which they were +spoken, told plainly that it was anything but a matter of indifference +to the speaker, and Agnes, blushing deeply as she met Arthur's +compassionate glance, felt the conviction, darting like a ray of sunbeam +through her mind, that to at least one person in the world she was +dearer than aught else beside. + +"I have only a slight headache," was her reply to his kind inquiry, and +one which was strictly correct, for the headache was the result of +mental agitation during the day. + +"I shall recommend you, then, to sit quite still, while I constitute +myself, for the evening, your devoted knight; and shall, therefore, +remain here, ready to obey your slightest behests, be they what they +may." + +"I shall certainly then insist, in the first place, that others be not +deprived of the pleasure of your company for my gratification. I should +be selfish, indeed, if I allowed you to do so." + +"Notwithstanding, here I am, and here I intend to remain until I am +forced away," said Arthur, smiling as, seating himself comfortably +beside her on the sofa, he drew a portfolio from the centre table, which +contained some sketches taken during his recent tour, and, in pointing +out the different places and relating his adventures in each, Agnes +became so much interested as to forget her headache, and even the +anxiety which had weighed down her mind but a short time before. + +There was one picture that seemed particularly to attract her attention. +It was the sketch of a small church, whose white walls peeped out from +the midst of thick foliage, and whose opened doors seemed to welcome the +worshippers that in every direction were seen apparently wending their +way towards it. + +Agnes gazed at it long and earnestly. She laid it down and took it up +again, while Arthur, who could not imagine why she seemed to admire this +sketch in preference to others whose artistic merits were far superior, +gazed on her with some surprise. + +"I see you are wondering, Mr. Bernard," she said, as she marked the +inquiring expression of his countenance, "why this scene should +particularly attract me. It is because it reminds me of the happiest +hours of my life, for, in a church, whose situation and appearance +exactly resembles this, I first learned where true bliss was to be +found." + +"A valuable lesson truly, Miss Wiltshire, and one which I would feel +thankful if you could impart to me, for I assure you I am sadly in need +of it. Dissatisfied with the world, I still see so much hypocrisy in the +church,--there are so many, even among those who minister in holy +things, who seem by their actions wedded to the vanities which they +profess to renounce, that I turn away with a feeling akin to disgust, +and am almost ready to believe that the piety which characterized the +first professors of Christianity has totally disappeared." + +"Perhaps you have not been looking for it in the right place, Mr. +Bernard. There are many whose religion consists in outward observances, +while the heart is given up to its idol; but, granting there was not one +in the world who was really the possessor of true religion, 'What is +that to thee?' The claims of Heaven are not less binding on you, because +not recognized or responded to by the multitude, for each must render an +account of himself, whether the offering of the heart, the only +acceptable one, has been presented, or whether we have turned coldly +away from the voice of the charmer, charm it ever so wisely." + +There was silence for a few moments, which was broken by an observation +from Arthur. + +"Do you know of whom you remind me, Miss Wiltshire? Of a distant +relative of my mother's, who resided with us for a time, when I was but +a boy. She was a young woman then; I, a wild, heedless boy; but her +look, her smile, her very words, are indelibly impressed on my mind. +What a lovely example of all Christian graces was she, for in her they +seemed blended, like the exquisite tints of the rainbow, into a perfect +whole. Her gentle reproof,--her winning manner ever alluring us to that +which was right,--her unwearied endeavor to make all around her +happy,--these, combined with every womanly charm, made her appear, in my +eyes, more than human; and when death came, much and deeply as I +lamented the loss, I could scarcely wonder that Heaven had reclaimed its +own." + +There was a pause, and then Arthur added,--"That I have not gone to the +same extent in folly as others, I believe I owe to her, for when +tempted, by my gay companions at college, to join them in the pleasures +of sin, her look of mild entreaty seemed ever before me, deterring me +from ill; and I often think, had she lived, I might to-day have been a +better and more useful man." + +Agnes had been an attentive listener. "I do not wonder," she said, as he +ceased speaking, "that you so highly estimate woman's influence, for you +have largely benefited by it; but though dead, she yet speaketh. Do you +remember what Young says respecting dying friends? That they are + + 'Angels sent on errands full of love, + For us they sicken, and for us they die.' + +We sometimes wonder at the mysterious Providence which often suddenly +removes the excellent from earth; while the wicked are allowed to +remain; but may it not be graciously ordered thus, to excite in us an +ardent desire for that preparation which shall enable us to greet our +friends on the shores of the better land. Oh, without such a hope what +would life be. + + 'It lifts the fainting spirit up, + It brings to life the dead.' + +How often should I be ready to sink in despair," and Agnes's lips +quivered with emotion, "were it not that I am permitted to look forward +to that inheritance which is incorruptible and undefiled, and which +shall prove an abundant recompense for those 'light afflictions which +are but for a moment.'" + +"But you," said Arthur, half inquiringly, "are, I trust, a stranger to +those afflictions. + + 'Rose-leaved from the cold, + And meant, verily, to hold + Life's pure pleasures manifold.'" + +"My childhood and youth has, indeed, passed amid flowers and sunshine," +was the reply; "and if the future appears now to point to a more gloomy +and thornier path, I will not repine to tread it, for + + 'Here little, and hereafter much, + Is true from age to age.'" + +Arthur, as he was about making a reply, was interrupted by his sister, +who came to request Agnes to play for her a favorite tune, and their +conversation, with the exception of an occasional word now and then, was +ended for that evening. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +"The only son of his mother, and she was a widow,--" Arthur Bernard, as +he attained to manhood, seemed to realize, in person and character, all +a fond mother's fondest anticipations. His stately form, as he mingled +among his compeers, did not tower more above them, than did his lofty +mind, stored with sound principles, and embellished with varied +learning, seem to soar above their grovelling ideas, and to breathe a +higher and purer atmosphere. A glance at his countenance would have +sufficed for the most casual observer to have read, in every lineament, +the impress of a noble and chivalrous nature. Yes, gentle reader, start +not at the word =chivalrous=. It may be, from his previous conversation +on woman's foibles, that you have been, ready to form a very different +opinion,--but you are mistaken; and so will you often find yourself in +the journey of life, should you thus estimate character in general. +Deceit frequently lurks beneath the smile and honeyed words of the +flatterers, and he who believes that the avenues to woman's heart are +only accessible by such means, proves, beyond a doubt, that he has +associated with none but the frivolous, the vain and weak-minded of the +sex. Poor, indeed, is that compliment which man pays to woman, when he +expatiates on her sparkling eyes, her flowing tresses, and ruby lips, as +though she were only a beautifully fashioned creature of clay, while he +virtually ignores the existence of those higher and holier powers which +she shares in common with man, and which make her, in proportion to +their wise and careful development, akin to the angels. + +Arthur Bernard was no flatterer, it is true, but chivalrous in every +sense of the word. A keen appreciator of all that is honorable and +high-minded, he could not stoop to those petty meanesses, which too +often characterize the conduct of those who flatter themselves with the +name of =gentleman=,--a title which Tennyson forcibly describes as + + "Usurped by every charlatan, + And soiled with all ignoble use." + +Courage to meet any emergency, firmness to resist temptation when +presented in its most alluring form, was blended with that genuine +kindness of manner, that deference towards the weak and defenceless, +which renders its fortunate possessor not only esteemed, but beloved. +Yet with so much that was admirable in mind and heart, of him it might +be said, as it was of one of old, "One thing thou lackest." Strange, +that the subject of the greatest importance should be, too often, the +one most seldom dwelt on, too frequently thrust aside, until, in the +season of affliction and the hour of death, its terrible magnitude is +first realized--realized, perhaps, forever too late. Regular in his +attendance on all the ordinances of worship, his heart had remained +unaffected; but this indifference was owing, it may be, in a measure, to +the discourses to which he was in the habit of listening from Sabbath to +Sabbath,--discourses which, while they portrayed in fairest colors the +beauty of a moral life, seemed to forget the natural depravity of the +human heart, and the necessity of the mind being fully renewed, in order +that it might carry those principles into effect. + +Mrs. Bernard, though a devoted mother, and, in many respects, an +excellent woman, had never realized, for herself, "the blessedness of +things unseen." She had been contented to sail smoothly along the stream +of life, which for the most part had been ruffled by few storms, and she +almost forgot, as day after day and week after week glided past, they +were bearing her frail bark swiftly on to the ocean of eternity. There +was a time,--it seemed to her now like a dream as she looked back,--that +she had thought more of these things, for they were presented to her in +a living form, embracing, as it were, in the daily walk and +conversation of a relative, who had been for some time an inmate of her +dwelling. The lovely traits developed in the character of this lady, had +won the matron's heart, and especially had she appreciated the unbounded +care and tenderness which her friend exercised towards her children, +Ella and Arthur. But this messenger of peace passed away to a brighter +clime, and the impression made by her brief sojourn seemed to have +become erased from the memory; like the morning cloud and the early dew, +it soon passed away. Yet was she not altogether forgotten, nor had her +labors of love been entirely in vain. To her it was that Arthur had +alluded in his conversation with Miss Wiltshire, for childhood's heart +is tender and impressible, and from her instructions he had imbided many +of those lofty and noble sentiments which now characterized him; and +often, when the tide of worldliness rushed in to bear him away on its +fierce current, that gentle form would seem to stand before him, and he +would hear again, in fancy, the soft tones of that voice, beseeching him +to pause, and consider his doings. + +Oh, woman, woman, how potent is thy influence, which thou exercisest, in +thy apparently limited sphere, over the human race. Thy tender hand +moulds the plastic mind of childhood; thy gentle rebuke checks the +wayward impulses of impetuous youth; thy loving sympathy and voice +counsel, cheer, and stimulate manhood; and to thee age and infirmity +look up with confidence and delight, assured that thy unwearied care +will not be wanting to smooth their passage to the tomb. Blessed office! +High and holy ministration! Well, indeed, for mankind, if woman were but +truly alive to the onerous duties and responsibilities that devolve upon +her; well for her, and those by whom she is surrounded, if instead of +being as, alas, she too often is, the encourager of man in evil, she +would ever prove the supporter and upholder of that which is good, and +by her example and persuasion, + + "Allure to brighter worlds, and lead the way." + +Arthur Bernard on leaving college had spent some years in travelling +through Europe, and had but just returned when our story commences. Left +in affluent circumstances at the death of his father, which had taken +place while he was yet a child, there was little necessity for exertion; +but of an active and energetic disposition, he could not remain +comparatively unemployed; and obtaining a situation in one of the +principal banks in the city, he devoted the income, acquired by it, to +aid in the diffusion of useful knowledge among his fellow-townsmen, and +for the alleviation of the wants of the helpless and distressed, for +never did the needy apply to him in vain. He looked not with a captious +eye upon their faults and follies,--did not harshly repel them because +sin had, in many instances, led to their distress, but first relieving +their bodily necessities, strove, by wise counsel, kindly administered, +to raise the fallen, cheer the hopeless, and assist the outcast and +degraded in retrieving their position, and again becoming useful members +of society. + +Ella, his sister, a light-hearted girl of eighteen, over whose fair head +prosperity had hitherto scattered its richest blossoms, resembled her +brother in kindness of disposition; but her gay and volatile temper +formed a charming contrast to his grave and subdued manner. Five years +her elder, Arthur's brotherly affection was mingled with an air of +almost fatherly protection; and to him, next to her mother, she had been +in the habit of appealing, and never in vain, for advice and assistance +in any emergency; and while his gravity checked, in some measure, the +mirth which might have degenerated into frivolity, her +light-heartedness, in its turn, exercised a wholesome influence over +him, and, like the gentle breeze, scattered the clouds which sometimes +brooded darkly over his spirit. + +But the declaration of Sacred Writ is, "One event happeneth to all." +None, as they beheld that united and happy family, the centre of a +numerous circle of friends, admired and beloved in the community, +imagined the change which was so soon to "come o'er the spirit of their +dream." + +A few weeks only had elapsed, after the festive scene we have portrayed +in a former chapter, when one morning Ella, on entering her mother's +chamber, which adjoined her own, was surprised to find, for the hour was +unusually late, that she had not yet risen. With noiseless step she +approached the couch, and with gentle hand drew back the curtain, +thinking to wake her by a kiss, when, terrible spectacle to her +affectionate heart, she beheld her idolized mother, not sleeping as she +had expected, but every lineament transfixed and motionless in death! An +apoplectic fit,--so the physician affirmed,--must have seized her during +the watches of the night, and thus, suddenly and fearfully, had she been +called to her final account. We draw a veil over that mournful scene, +for "too sacred is it for a stranger's eye." + +On her children its effect was deep and lasting. Ella especially seemed +sinking beneath the blow, and her brother, fearing for her reason, if +not her life, with gentle violence almost compelled her to bid adieu to +her native city, and, accompanied by him, seek, in change of scene, some +alleviation for the grief that preyed so deeply on her spirit. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +The steamboat wharf of the town of Elton was truly a scene of busy life. +The steamer was making full preparations for the embarkation of +passengers to a distant city; and the wharf was crowded with bales of +goods, casks of water, cabs, trucks, &c. Business men were hurrying to +and fro, sailors were shouting to each other, and friends were hastily +clambering up the plank and springing on deck to remain a few minutes +longer, if possible, with those from, whom they were so soon to be +severed, "it might be for years, and it might be forever." + +But the bell has rung once, twice, its warning note, and now, for the +third time, it peals out on the clear air. The last clasp of the hand, +the hurried embrace, the fervent "God bless you," is given, and those +who are to remain have trodden the plank, regained the wharf, and now +turn, before departing to their respective homes, to take a farewell +glance at the steamer, as she moves slowly and gracefully away, bearing, +it may be, from many their heart's most cherished idols. The passengers +are assembled on deck, watching the receding shores, and many +handkerchiefs are waving a last response to those eager glances, an +adieu which, alas, few there dream shall prove final to so many. + +At the farther end of the deck, close by the railing, is seated a lady +in travelling costume. She is alone, for her companion, an elderly +gentleman, has left her to salute a friend whose face he had just +recognized among the crowd of passengers. + +"A lady accompanies you, I see," was the remark made to Mr. Cameron by +his friend, the Rev. Mr. Dunseer, after the first salutations were over. + +"Yes, Miss Wiltshire, from B----. + +"Miss Wiltshire? I thought I recognized the countenance as one I had +seen before." + +"Ah, so you have had a previous acquaintance with her." + +"Yes; for I am sure it is the same person. She is the niece, is she not, +of Mr. Denham, of B----; but I first met her when she was visiting the +part of the country in which I was stationed for a year or two." + +"I remember perfectly the time," was the reply. "Her relatives had +become alarmed at her failing health, and change of air had been ordered +by the physician." + +"And so she is going to H----." + +"Yes, on a visit to her mother's brother, Mr. Edwards. His only daughter +is about to be married, and they have sent for her to be bride's maid. +Miss Wiltshire has never seen any of the family as yet, with the +exception of Mr. Edwards, who came to B----, on business, and then, for +the first time, had an opportunity of becoming acquainted with his +niece." + +"It is rather singular," was the reply, while a smile lighted up the +fine countenance of the speaker, "that I am on a somewhat similar +errand. The groom, who for many years has been an intimate friend of +mine, insisted on my performing the marriage ceremony. I maintained that +it was the lady's privilege to select a clergyman, but, as he said that +their wishes were one in that respect, I was compelled to concede, and +am on my way thither for that purpose." + +"I am heartily glad of it," said Mr. Cameron. "Miss Wiltshire will, I am +sure, be pleased to see you again, and she will now have more agreeable +company than an old man like me can possibly be; so if you have no +objection we will join her, for she appears to be engaged in a converse +with solitude." + +"I was about proposing to do so, for to renew my acquaintance with one +whom I had learned, during her brief sojourn, so highly to esteem, will +indeed be an agreeable episode in my journey." + +While this conversation was carried on between the two friends, Agnes +had risen from her seat, and with one hand on the railing was leaning +slightly over the side of the steamer, watching the ebb and flow of the +transparent waves, or gazing fondly on the shores fast fading in the +distance. She was not apt to be melancholy; indeed, she seldom allowed +herself to indulge in a mood so opposed to that cheerfulness which +should characterize a Christian; but as she stood there gazing on the +mingled beauties of sea and land, more beautiful than ever at this hour, +when the golden hues of sunset were reflected in the placid waters, and +touched with fresh glory the distant hills, dark and gloomy shadows +stole over her spirit. + +And, indeed, distressing to youth, so dependent on the kindness and +sympathy of others, were the circumstances under which she was now +placed. She had bade adieu to the friends who had watched over her from +childhood, not as hitherto, during her brief visits, with the loving +farewell and the earnest injunction to speedily return; but cold looks +and colder words had marked that parting, with the very distant +intimation, on the part of her uncle, that if, on the expiration of her +sojourn among strangers, her fanatical views; as he termed them, +remained unchanged, she must expect to find herself banished from the +home of her childhood. Poor Agnes! a painful decision awaited her. With +all the affection of her warm and unsophisticated spirit, had she repaid +the tenderness that had been lavished upon her, and now to find herself +charged with having acted a foolish and ungrateful part,--to be thrust +forth from a home of luxury,--from the attention and sympathy of +friends,--to battle with a world that has but little kindness, in +general, to spare for those who need it most; these were painful and +harassing thoughts, and what wonder they weighed down that gentle and +timid spirit, and suffused those lustrous eyes which, until lately, had +seldom shed the tear of sorrow, except for other's woes. + +But as, lost in these troubled reflections, she glanced at the giant +waves beneath her, suddenly a sweet promise of Holy Writ was applied to +her agitated mind, "When thou passest through the waters I will be with +thee, and through the floods, they shall not overflow thee,"--and +immediately her spirit grew calmer, while a sense of peace, comfort and +security, quelled each rising doubt. + +"I have nothing to fear," she murmured. + + "His voice commands the tempest forth, + And stills the stormy wave,-- + And though his arm be strong to smite, + 'Tis also strong to save." + +Agnes was aroused from her reverie by Mr. Cameron's cheerful voice. + +"My dear Miss Wiltshire, allow me to present to you an old friend." + +She turned to salute the stranger, but what was her surprise and delight +to find in him the clergyman under whose ministrations she had so +largely profited. The pleasure, indeed, seemed mutual, for though Mr. +Dunseer, having shortly after Agnes's departure for the city left that +part of the country, had consequently heard nothing more of her, he +still remembered his young and attentive hearer, and had often since +then desired to see her again, and ascertain if indeed the impressions +made were lasting, or had been obliterated amid the whirl and gayety of +fashionable life. + +Still more delighted was Agnes when she learned of his destination; it +seemed a link binding her to those with whom, with the exception of Mr. +Edwards, she was totally unacquainted; and from the depth of her heart +she silently thanked the kind Providence who had thus directed her +steps, and permitted a meeting so fraught with comfort and encouragement +at the very time most needed. + +Long and pleasant was the converse of friends that evening, and it was +not until some time after the sun had set, and dark and heavy clouds, +sweeping across the sky like armies gathering to battle, had obscured +the light of the rising moon, that Agnes, with a heart peaceful and +trusting, retired to her state-room, and in spite of the dash of waves, +and the wail of the rising wind, resigned herself to slumbers calm and +blest. + +But from pleasant dreams of home and friends, she was suddenly aroused +by the confusion and hurried tramping of feet above her head, mingled +with the shrieks of women and children, and the fearful ejaculations of +terrified men. Agnes started up, scarcely realizing that she was indeed +"on the wide billows of the raging sea." Drawing aside the curtains from +her berth, she glanced out into the cabin. It was not day, for the +lights were burning brightly, but the place was a scene of wild dismay; +women wringing their hands; children clinging to their mothers; all +bespoke such terror and despair, that for a moment Agnes felt +bewildered; but quickly recovering herself, and hastily rising, she was +soon in the midst of the terrified group, where she was immediately +joined by Mr. Cameron and his friend. + +"What is the matter?" was her first ejaculation. + +"The steamer is on fire," was the fearful reply. "Quick, my dear girl, +secure whatever you find to be most necessary, while they are getting +the boats ready." + +With that self-possession so invaluable in the time of danger, Agnes +hastily, but calmly, equipped herself comfortably, secured about her +person a small purse of money, and then aided the other lady passengers +in their frantic efforts to prepare for this trying emergency. Very soon +the Captain's stentorian voice was heard,--"The boats are ready, ladies, +there is no time to be lost." + +With a face pallid as death, yet serene in its very paleness, Agnes, +accompanied by her two friends, and followed by a number of the other +passengers, ascended the staircase, and, having gained the deck, glanced +for an instant at the fearful scene. + +There was, indeed, as the Captain had affirmed, no time to be lost. The +fire, which had originated in the engine-room, from the carelessness of +one of the hands, was now making fearful headway, in spite of the +continued efforts of the sailors by deluging it with buckets of water, +to mitigate in a measure, its ravages. All the fore-part of the vessel +was burning, and awfully sublime was the spectacle as the flames mounted +higher and higher, casting their lurid glare over the intensely dark +waste of waters, whose turbid and sullen waves, lashed into fury by a +fierce north-eastern blast, seemed warning the unhappy sufferers of the +fearful fate that awaited them, should they commit themselves more +immediately to its mercy. + +But the danger of embarkation in those frail boats, on an ocean that +every moment grew more tempestuous, was almost lost sight of in +contemplation of the nearer and more fearful fate that awaited them +should they linger; and quickly, and with scarce a murmur of +apprehension, the boat was filled. + +While Mr. Cameron was assisting Agnes into the frail boat, Mr. Dunseer, +who had secured a life-preserver, as soon as she was safely seated +handed it to her, observing that if the boat should be upset, by +clinging to it she might be preserved from a watery grave. + +Thanking him for his kind consideration at such a time, Agnes inquired +anxiously of the two gentlemen whether they were not to accompany her. + +"No;" was the reply of Mr. Cameron. "I fear we must be separated, but +only I trust for a time. This boat is not sufficiently large to hold +more than the lady passengers and the sailors who are to manage it. We +are to embark, as soon as you are safely off, in another, but as both +will steer for the same shore, and keep near each other as much as +possible, I trust, by the mercy of Providence, we shall meet again on +=terra firma=. + +"Yes," responded the minister, who had been for a moment silent, and his +clear voice sounded like the spirit of peace above the roaring flames +and raging billows, "we are steering, I trust, for the same shore, and +should we never meet again on earth, may it be our happy lot to greet +each other in the haven of eternal rest, haven to take the shipwrecked +in." + +Agnes's heart was for a moment too full to speak, but controlling +herself, she said to Mr. Cameron in a hurried whisper, "If anything +should happen to me, and you again behold my friends, tell them, oh, +tell them, that my last thoughts were for them; tell them not to lament +for me, for I shall be at rest, but, oh, I charge, I implore them to +meet me in heaven!" + +A burst of tears closed the sentence; she could no longer restrain her +feelings. + +"We must leave you now, my dear child," said Mr. Cameron, after +promising compliance with her request. "May heaven bless and help you." + +"And may He who holds the winds and the waves in the hollow of his hand, +preserve you, and all, through the hours of this terrible night," was +the solemn ejaculation of Mr. Dunseer, as pressing for the last time her +hand, the final order was given, the boat pushed out from the side of +the burning vessel, and she was left in the midst of strangers; +strangers personally, yet linked together by the sympathy arising from +mutual danger. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +"Letters from home at last," said Arthur Bernard, as he entered the +private salon of an hotel, located in a pretty town in the south of +France. + +"I had begun to think our friends had quite forgotten us," he continued, +addressing his sister, who, seated in a recess formed by a large +bow-window, had been anxiously watching for his return. + +"You have not opened any of them yet," she said, as she came eagerly +forward to receive her share. + +"No;" was the reply. "I knew how anxiously you were waiting, and +hastened that we might read them together." + +"Always thoughtful, dear brother, of my comfort, you quite spoil me," +said Ella, with an affectionate smile, but in a tone, whose subdued +sound, proved a striking contrast to her former vivacity. + +For the next few moments silence reigned in the apartment, for each were +busily engaged in perusing their respective epistles. + +It was broken at length by an exclamation from Ella, which arrested her +brother's attention, and looking up from the opened sheet he held in his +hand, he ejaculated with alarm,-- + +"For pity's sake, Ella, what is the matter?" for his sister's cheek had +become colorless as marble, and sinking into a seat, she burst into a +passion of tears. + +Still more alarmed, he laid down the letter, and advancing to her, +implored her to tell him the cause of her agitation. + +"Read for yourself," she said, "for I cannot bear to speak of it. Oh, +Agnes, Agnes!" + +A fresh mist of tears followed these words. + +"Agnes, what of her?" and Arthur's cheek became almost as blanched as +his sister's, and his hand trembled as he grasped the fatal manuscript. +He seemed to forget that the name might belong to some other than Miss +Wiltshire, for among the circle of their acquaintance there were two or +three with a similar designation, but in his inmost thoughts, though he +had never thus addressed her, he had been so accustomed to associate it +with the remembrance of herself, that it had become dear and sacred as a +household word, and when his sister's ejaculation of "Agnes, Agnes," met +his ear, he never dreamed of other, for + + "There was but one such name for him + So soft, so kind, so eloquent." + +The letter was from a lady acquaintance of Ella's, written in a fine +Italian hand, not very intelligible, and crossed and re-crossed in a +most elaborate manner. + +"Commend me to a lady's epistle," he said, in a tone more nearly +approaching to bitterness than his sister had ever heard from him +before. And, indeed, trying to the patience at any time, its perusal, +just now, seemed a hopeless task; but at length, at the foot of the +closing page, the writer having largely expatiated on the loss she had +sustained in the departure of her dear friend Ella, and how eagerly she +had looked forward to her return, and having exhausted all other items +of information which "she hoped," she added, "might not prove +uninteresting to her friend and Mr. Bernard," very coolly wound up by +remarking, "By the bye, I suppose you have not heard of Miss Wiltshire's +unhappy fate. I think it was a week or two after you left B----, that +she embarked in one of the steamers, ostensibly on a visit to a relative +who resided in H----, to act as bridesmaid for his daughter, but with an +intimation from her uncle, so I understand, that unless she relinquished +her fanatic notions, she must no longer expect a home beneath his roof. +The vessel in which she embarked sailed at the appointed time, but never +reached its destination. It took fire the night after leaving the +harbor, and all efforts to quench the flames were unavailing. The +passengers, of whom there were a large number on board, attempted to +escape in boats; some were fortunate enough to succeed, but the ladies, +among whom was Miss Wiltshire, without exception, found a watery grave. +It appears that the females had been first placed in one of the boats +manned by two or three sailors, and then another boat received the male +passengers and crew. They had hoped to keep near each other, but were +separated by the dark and tempestuous night. The gentlemen were +fortunate enough to gain land, after a good deal of sailing, and from +thence, having endured much fatigue, at length arrived here in safety; +but of the missing ones no intelligence was gained, until yesterday, +when a boat, identified by the passengers, from the name printed on its +stern, was picked up by some vessel, and brought into our harbor. It had +drifted nearly as far as the coast of Newfoundland, and, strange to say, +a woman's bonnet was found floating near it, which being also conveyed +here, was immediately recognized by Mrs. Denham, as the very one Miss +Wiltshire wore on leaving home, thus proving, beyond the slightest +doubt, the terrible fate which befell her and her unfortunate +companions. Mr. and Mrs. Denham seem almost bereft of their +senses,--they refuse to be comforted,--and blame themselves as the sole +cause of their niece's death; but, for my part, and I am sure you will +agree with me, I think Miss Wiltshire's singular conduct was quite +sufficient to warrant the anger of her relatives, who had always treated +her with such indulgence; for it seems to me a great presumption, for a +young person to set up her own ideas, in opposition to those who +certainly are far more capable of judging of what is right and wrong. + +"Poor thing, she has gone now, so it would not be right to speak too +harshly; but I cannot help telling you, that she was never a favorite of +mine, for I do dislike that pretending to be so much better than others, +and she had such a soft, winning way with her, that I believe some +almost thought her an angel, but she couldn't thus have imposed on me." + +Arthur read no further. He forgot his sister's presence; forgot that the +epistle belonged to her, and with an impulse of indignation he could not +control, he tore it in pieces, scattering its contents to the winds; +while with open, wondering eyes, the tears suddenly checked, Ella looked +on without speaking, almost ready to conclude that her brother had taken +leave of his senses. He turned from the open casement, and as he met her +inquiring and troubled gaze, instantly became himself again. + +"Forgive me, dear sister," he said, in a tone of mingled anger and +grief, "that I have destroyed that =precious= manuscript," laying an +emphasis on the word precious; "but oh, Ella, Ella, is it possible that +such fearful intelligence can be true? It almost seems," he added, in a +tone of anguish and despair, "that heaven could not permit one so +young, so lovely, to perish in such a heart-rending manner,"--he stopped +abruptly,--and Ella was spared replying by a gentle tap at the door. + +"Come in," she said in a low, faint voice, and, in compliance with the +invitation, an elderly American lady, who was on a visit to some friends +that resided opposite, and with whom Ella had become quite intimate +during her sojourn in the place, entered the apartment. + +"I have been wanting so much to see you, my dear child," she said, +affectionately, "and have been looking for you all the morning, and +finding you did not make your appearance, concluded to come in search of +you. But what is the matter," said she, pausing, and glancing first at +Ella, and then at her brother, "I trust you have not heard any bad +news?" + +"We have, indeed, dear Madam," replied Arthur, with an effort to control +his voice, "the loss of a very dear friend,"--here the tones visibly +faltered,--"by the burning of a vessel at sea, and the subsequent +upsetting of a boat, in which some of the passengers were endeavoring to +make their escape." + +"That is indeed very, very sad news," said the old lady, affectionately +clasping Ella's hand, "and I, my friends, can sympathize with you, for +five years ago to-day, my son, my darling son, the pride of my heart, +the charm and ornament of our dwelling, set sail from his native shores, +for a distant land, and from that moment unto this, no tidings ever +reached me of his fate, for the vessel was heard of never after." + +"Do you know," she said to Ella, a few moments after, as Arthur, with +some murmured apology left the room, for he felt that human sympathy, +however precious at other times, seemed but to madden him now, and he +longed to be alone--"Do you know," she repeated, as the young girl's +eyes, swollen with weeping, were upraised to her benevolent countenance, +"that I was standing at the window right opposite, when you drove up to +the door, and as your brother quickly alighted from the carriage, and +tenderly assisted you out, my heart beat quick; the blood forsook my +cheeks, and my whole frame was convulsed with emotion, for so strikingly +did he resemble my lost one in look and manner, that, for the moment, I +wildly dreamed that he had come back to bless me." + +The old lady's tears flowed freely. + +"I miss him so much, so very much," she said, "and especially on the +anniversary of that fatal day which tore him from my fond embrace, and I +can well appreciate the emotion which lent intensity to David's pathetic +exclamation, 'Oh my son, my son, would to heaven I had died for thee, +oh, my son, my son.'" + +While Mrs. Cartwright was thus, by a relation of her own trials, +endeavoring to divert, in some measure, Ella's mind, and prevent her +from dwelling too exclusively on this painful event, Arthur, having +gained his chamber, was now pacing the floor with restless steps, his +whole soul a prey to the most intense emotions of grief, such as he had +never before experienced. At one moment he felt stupefied, at the +suddenness of the blow; the next, aroused again to the consciousness of +its terrible reality. At length a hope, that seemed to up-spring from +the depth of his despair, shed a faint light over the chaotic darkness +that reigned within. "The information may be exaggerated," was his +mental solving, "for it is plain that the writer, in penning it, was +actuated by no feelings of good-will, and there may yet exist a hope of +Anges's escape." With this idea, he opened another epistle, which he had +received, but not yet read. It was from an elderly gentleman, who had +always held Agnes in the deepest esteem, and with a trembling hand he +broke the seal. Alas for his futile hopes! Not at the close of the page, +as in the one received by Ella, but at the very commencement of the +letter, was the mournful intelligence communicated, and while the +narrator deeply deplored the event, he intimated, at the same time, that +not a doubt existed in his own mind, or in the minds of her friends, as +to the certainty of her untimely fate. + +Arthur laid the letter aside, and again commenced his restless pacing. +Alas, he had once almost imagined himself a Christian, for had he not +been sedulous in the discharge of every duty, and, like the young man +referred to in Scripture, could have said, with reference to the moral +law as far as outward observances are concerned, "All these have I kept +from my youth up." But now, mitigating, soothing, extracting from grief, +however mighty, some portion of its bitterness, where was the +resignation of the Christian? Not, certainly, in that heart so full of +bitterness, that was ready to contend with heaven for having reclaimed +its own; its power, its goodness, its wisdom, were almost, +unconsciously, arraigned, and finite man presumed to pass judgment on +the acts of infinite benevolence, until, at length, shocked at his own +rebellious feelings,--and startled, nay, terrified, at this the deepest +insight he had ever obtained of the natural depravity of his heart, he +sank into a chair, and in utter recklessness abandoned himself to the +tide of grief which seemed waiting to overwhelm him. + +Oh there are terrible moments in human experience, moments when even the +Christian is so haunted by the demon of unbelief, when the dire enemy of +God and man takes advantage of some unpropitious circumstance, some +painful affliction, to taunt the soul, already almost crushed, and to +inquire, with fiendish malignity, "Where is now thy God?" that if not +wholly overcome, he, at least, escapes alone with fearful wounds from +the trying conflict; how then can that one sustain the assault who is +totally unprepared, and who knows but little of the source from whence +alone help can come? Well, indeed, for frail humanity, that there is a +tender, pitying Father, who "knoweth our frame, and remembereth we are +dust," and oftentimes, when our need is sorest, sends, in his own good +way, unexpected relief. + +With his face buried in his hands, heedless of the lapse of time, and of +anything save his own absorbing emotion, Arthur still sat in the +armchair, into which he had thrown himself, his thoughts dwelling, with +strange pertinacity, upon the past,--the past that seemed to mock him +now. + +They expected very shortly to have returned home, and he had anticipated +so much pleasure in that return. He had never analyzed the source of +that pleasure, but now that it was removed, he saw it too clearly; it +was the hope, the expectation, of meeting with her. He recalled to mind +the hours he had passed with her,--happy hours, all too quickly flown; +her winning smile, the sweetly persuasive tones of her voice, her +earnest and thoughtful manner, all came back to haunt him with their +memory. Oh, how distinctly he remembered one of the last conversations +he had with her, when, in her own mellifluous tones, she had repeated +Young's exquisite lines,-- + + "Stricken friends + Are angels sent on errands full of love,-- + For us they languish, and for us they die." + +Never had he felt their beauty as now, for the storm of passion had in a +measure subsided, and the still small voice of conscience once more +asserted its power. + +"Oh, Agnes, Agnes," he murmured, "you tarried on our earth as an angel +of light, and now you have but returned to your native sphere, and +rejoined your sister spirits, but could you see my rebellious heart, how +infinitely removed from the resignation and purity that can alone find +admission into the haven of bliss, how should I sink in your esteem, if, +indeed, surrounded by the spirits of the blessed, your thoughts ever +turn to so miserable an inhabitant of earth." + +A book lay on the table beside him. He took it up mechanically, scarcely +knowing what he did. It was an elegant edition of Mrs. Hemans' poems, +and had been the gift of Agnes to his sister a few weeks previous to her +leaving home. + +On the fly-leaf she had inscribed Ella's name, and the sight of her +hand-writing sent a fresh thrill of agony to his heart. But last +evening, on borrowing the book from his sister, he had contemplated it +with such delight; now, it was but the fatal reminder of "what had been, +but never more could be." With the restlessness of a weary heart, he +turned over page after page, until his glance was arrested by some lines +she had evidently marked. How bitterly appropriate they seemed now as he +read,-- + + "Go, to a voice such magic influence give + Thou canst not lose its melody and live; + And make an eye the load-star of thy soul; + And let a glance the springs of thought control. + Gaze on a mortal form with fond delight, + Till the fair vision mingles with thy sight; + There seek thy blessings; there repose thy trust + Lean on the willow, idolize the dust! + Then, when thy treasure best repays thy care, + Think on that dread '=forever=,' and despair." + +It is true these lines, evidently addressed to an unbeliever in our holy +Christianity, were not, in that respect, applicable to him, yet he felt +that the reproof came home to his own conscience; for earth had too much +engrossed his vision, and while from childhood he had been taught that +life and immortality are brought to light by the Gospel, in his +despairing grief he had almost lost sight of the blessed possibility of +being re-united to her, whom he now contemplated as a sinless spirit in +the regions of eternal bliss. + +Far reaching as Eternity were the results of these hours of affliction, +and with higher and holier aims, and the determination to consecrate +life's remaining days, weeks, or years, to that service which is alone +worthy of being engaged in by immortal beings, Arthur Bernard returned +once more to the battle of life, with a heart crushed and bleeding, it +is true, but not destitute of Peace, that celestial visitant, or of +heavenly hope, pointing to a brighter and more enduring inheritance. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +The winter had set in unusually early. Along the bleak coast of +Newfoundland, and through its dreary and sparsely inhabited islands, +November blasts raged fiercely, lashing to fury the crested waves that +beat against the giant rocks, which, standing sentinel-like on the +shore, seemed to frown defiantly on them; or laving, far and wide, the +long, flat sand beach, that afforded less obstruction to their impetuous +progress. To a remote part of this dreary coast we would now direct the +attention of our reader. Scarcely fair, even when Summer lavished upon +it her fairest smiles, there, no traces of beauty invited the weary +pilgrim to tarry and rest within their refreshing shade; no garden, gay +with flowers, rang with childish laughter, as the little ones plucked +their fragrant blossoms; but rugged hills, frowning rocks, and desolate +sand beaches, assumed the place of waving woods, smiling corn-fields, +and blooming orchards; while for the melodious notes of woodland +songsters, was heard the wild cry of the stormy petrel, or the shrill +scream of the large sea-gull. + +But "Nature never fails the heart that loves her," and while destitute +of the exuberant charms of more genial climes, the spot to which we +allude was not without attraction to an admirer of the sublime and +picturesque. + +Nor was there wanting wild beauty in the scene which greeted the +spectator, who might perchance on some lovely summer's morning ascend +the steep hills, or pause for rest on one of the rocky eminences jutting +out into the sea. Before him lay the wide expanse of ocean, reaching far +beyond the keenest vision, calm at that moment as though it had never +been lashed to fury by wailing tempests, and reflecting in its +mirror-like surface the azure heavens that smiled brightly above. +Beneath his feet the stunted herbage assumed its liveliest hue of +emerald green, diversified here and there by some tiny, hardy wild +flowers, while the distant sail, gleaming in the sunlight, and then +passing beyond the eager vision,--the fishermen's huts, scattered here +and there on the rugged and uneven land,--the fishing shallops, and +boats of every variety, that dotted the waters, with their owners, some +standing on the beach, and some in their vessels, but all engaged in the +one occupation of securing and preserving the finny tribe, their only +source of wealth, gave an air of animation to the scene, while the merry +laugh of children, and the cheerful tones of women, as they hurried to +the beach to assist the parent or husband, spoke of social ties, and +seemed to say, that peace and contentment were not alone the associates +of refinement, education, and luxury. + +But quite a different aspect did that barren coast present when chilly +Autumn and relentless Winter resumed their dreaded reign. Then, indeed, +to the inhabitant of the city, dreary beyond description would a +residence within one of its small yet hospitable huts appear, and he +must possess resources in himself of no common order, or be sustained by +a lofty sense of duty, who could cheerfully and contentedly remain +through those cheerless seasons. + +Standing somewhat isolated, and at a distance from the shore, yet +commanding a fine view of the sea, was a cottage of larger dimensions, +and of neater appearance than the generality of the fishermen's +dwellings. It was built on an irregular tract of land, that sloped down +to the shore, and behind it rose a ragged hill, in summer partially +covered with coarse grass, that concealed its jagged rocks, and lent it +an air of cheerfulness; but now its rude outline, no longer softened by +the verdure and sunshine, presented a weird and desolate appearance. In +front of the cottage, which contained four or five rooms, with a small +attic above, used for storing away provisions, &c., was a piece of +ground, enclosed by a wooden railing, where a few vegetables were +planted each spring; but these had long ago been gathered in, and the +land was now enjoying its Sabbath, to be continued for six long months, +before it would again yield of its productions, for the benefit of its +hardy and thrifty owners. + +The interior of the dwelling, though roughly fashioned, and furnished in +the most simple manner, was not uninviting, for there was that +atmosphere of cleanliness and neatness about it, which renders the +rudest spot more attractive than luxurious habitations, where it is +found wanting. Through the centre ran a narrow hall, out of which opened +the different rooms. On the right hand, just as you entered, was a door +leading into a good-sized apartment, fulfilling the united duties of +kitchen, parlor, and sitting-room, while at the opposite side were +several chambers, small, but clean and airy. + +In the sitting-room,--for by that term we shall designate the principal +apartment,--a bright coal fire was blazing cheerily in the large open +fire-place, casting its pleasant light over the spotless and carefully +sanded floor, gleaming on the plastered walls, and lingering to see +itself gaily reflected on the shining pewter, and brightly colored delf, +that, neatly arranged on the bowed shelves of the snowy dresser, were +evidently the pride of the housekeeper. + +A white cloth covered the rude wooden table that stood in the centre of +the room, and the mistress of the dwelling was hurrying to and fro, +evidently intent on preparing the evening repast, while from the +bake-kettle, that had just been taken from the fire, the fragrance of +newly-baked bread ascended, filling the place with its odor; an odor by +no means ungrateful to appetites, sharpened by manly labor and healthy +sea-breezes. + +While the busy matron was thus happily employed in her labors of +love,--for such they emphatically were to her,--the daughter, a girl of +eighteen years of age, and two younger sons, were with their father on +the beach, assisting him in sorting, and putting in barrels, a quantity +of fish, designed for the family's use during the winter. + +"It will be a fearful night, father," said the girl, pausing from her +labors, and looking out on the black, swollen waves, while the wind, as +it swept furiously by, more than once obliged her to cling to the rock +for support. + +"It will be a fearful night, father," she repeated,--and, hesitating for +a moment, she added, "and brother William is at sea." + +"Ay," responded the brawny, stalwart, and good-humored looking man, "it +will be, as you say, lass, a stormy night, and a terrible one, I reckon, +to poor seamen,--for there is more than William on the ocean." + +A faint flush tinged with a deeper hue the girl's countenance, already +bronzed by exposure to sun and wind, while her dark grey eye grew moist +with unshed tears. It was evident that there was something deeper in the +old man's speech, than the mere words would seem to imply,--some covert +allusion which thus called forth her emotion. + +"The vessel was to have left more than a week ago; it ought to be near +the coast by this time," said the fisherman, in a tone of uneasiness. + +He turned to address his daughter, but she was no longer at his side; +and, looking in the distance, he perceived her climbing a high and +jutting rock, from which the ocean, for miles around, was distinctly +visible. Ellen, for that was her name, having at length ascended, stood +with agile yet firm feet on the eminence, shading, with one hand, the +sun, which now, peering from behind a mass of dark purple clouds, lit up +for a moment the turbid waves, and gleamed on rock and beach and +fishermen's huts,--and with the other holding on to the sharp edge of a +projecting rock, that still towered above her. Nor as she thus stood, +was she, by any means, an unpicturesque object; the sunshine glancing on +her neatly arranged brown hair, her tall figure, slight for that of a +hardy fisherman's child, clad in a black skirt and crimson jacket, and +every feature of her speaking countenance wearing a commingled +expression of anxiety, hope, and tenderness. + +How her eager vision seemed to catch, in a moment, each feature of the +scene; the sandy beach--the rugged hill--her father's shallop--and he, +standing in the position she had left him, gazing out into the sea; and +with what a lingering, straining glance, did her eyes wander over that +pathless ocean, while her heart sank within her, as she contemplated its +angry and menacing appearance. + +"Not a sail in sight," she murmured, "and the night coming on so +fearfully black. Oh, Edward, shall I ever see you again!" was her +exclamation, uttered in a tone full of wild pathos, while the hand, that +had been upraised to shade the sun's rays, fell listless at her side. + +"Oh, if you only come back safe again, I shall quarrel with you and +tease you no more,--and you so patient and so good,"--and her quivering +lip, and the expression of anguish that passed over her features, told +how deep and true her emotion. + +"It is no use lingering here," she mentally ejaculated, as a fresh blast +of wind nearly swept her from the summit. "I may as well go down at +once." Turning to descend, she paused to take a parting glance at the +distant ocean, whose mercy she would fain have invoked for the loved +ones it bore on its bosom, when something at a distance caught her eager +eye. As one transfixed, she stood there, fearing almost to breathe, lest +a breath might dissolve the vision. + +"Yes, a sail is in sight; but, ah, is it the one I look for? Oh, this +cruel suspense, how much longer must I bear it! Father, father," she +cried, and the breeze bore the clear tones of her voice distinctly to +his ear; "father, do come here, for I see a sail yonder, and I think it +is the 'Darling,'" for so, by the lover captain,--doubtless to remind +him of another =darling=, tarrying at home,--the little trim schooner +was designated. + +The man quickly obeyed her summons, and soon stood by her side, +scanning, too, with eager eyes, the appearance of the vessel, that was +now, favored by a strong breeze, veering rapidly towards them. + +"It looks like her cut, Ellen," said the fisherman; "but we shall see +shortly." + +"Yes," said the girl, clapping her hands with delight, while her whole +face was lighted up with joy; "it is her, sure enough, for I see her +blue flag bordered with red, and the white square in the centre." + +"Well," said the man, with a good-humored smile, "thine eyes must be a +good deal sharper than mine, lass, for I can barely see a flag at all, +much less its color; but certainly thou ought to know best, when it +happens to be the work of thine own hands." + +A merry laugh was the response. "I shall hurry down to tell +mother,"--and with an agile step she bounded down the steep eminence, +and in a few moments reached the door of the dwelling, while the +fisherman hastened to the beach, to be first ready to greet the crew of +the schooner with a hearty welcome home. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +"Ben," said the Captain of a smart-looking schooner, that under a heavy +weight of canvas was manfully breasting the breeze, almost conscious, +one might fancy, that it was steering for home. + +"Ben," he inquired, addressing the mate, who had just come on deck, +"what is that strange looking thing yonder?" indicating by his finger +the direction of the object. The mate, a weather-beaten and experienced +looking son of the ocean, glanced for a moment in the direction +specified, without speaking. + +"It looks to me," he said at length, "like a human being clinging to +some box or chair, but it is floating fast this way, and we shall soon +be able to tell." + +Sure enough, in a moment or two, they were enabled to gain a full, clear +view of it, and saw it to be a woman holding fast to a ring of some +kind,--a life-preserver they judged it to be,--which kept her head above +the waters. + +"Let us bear down quick," said the Master, in an excited tone, for he +was young and kind-hearted, and the sight of anything in distress, how +much more a woman, was sufficient to arouse his warmest sympathies; and +ere ten minutes had elapsed, the life-preserver, with its clinging +burden, was safely landed on deck. + +Agnes, for she it was, whom this worthy man had so promptly and +providentially rescued, was partially insensible; but some restoratives, +which fortunately they happened to have on hand, being applied, she soon +recovered, at least sufficiently to explain from whence she came, and +through what means she had been placed in such a perilous situation. + +It appeared, from her statement, that after having embarked on board the +boat during that tempestuous night, which witnessed the conflagration of +their noble steamer, whose fate was recorded in a previous chapter, the +sailors, who had, unknown to the captain, smuggled a large cask of +spirits on board, began freely to imbibe them, to keep out, as they +said, the cold. It was in vain that the ladies remonstrated with them, +and pointed out the dangers which would ensue, should they become +helpless through its means. Unfortunately they had lost sight, in +consequence of the darkness and tempest, of the other boat, containing +the remainder of the passengers, who had just time to push away from the +burning wreck before its final submersion beneath the briny waves; and, +having none to check them, the sailors, in spite of the entreaties of +the women, continued to partake, from time to time, of the +death-destroying liquid. + +Morning dawned, but brought little alleviation. It is true, the storm +had abated, and the sky was becoming clear, but the wind was still high, +and the boat rocked fearfully, while the billows, that had not yet been +hushed into quiet, threatened, every now and then, to submerge the frail +and tempest-tossed bark. They had drifted,--so the sailors said,--a long +way through the night, and must be somewhere near the coast of +Newfoundland; but no indication of land was visible, nor was there to be +seen the slightest trace of their companions in misfortune. All that day +the sailors behaved pretty well; a bag of biscuits had been placed on +board, and a jar of water, of which each partook, and all felt a little +comforted and strengthened; but, as night came on, the men commenced +afresh to drink. Most fortunately, the sea had become calm, so the boat +drifted on, pretty much left to its own will. The next morning found the +sailors in a state of almost helpless intoxication; but now land was in +sight, though at a great distance, and the women, seizing the oars, +strove to impel the boat in that direction; but soon, worn out with the +struggle, and finding they made but little headway, most of them gave up +to despair, and resigned themselves, as they said, to their fate. It was +now high noon, at least so they judged from the look of the sun, and +Agnes strove by every means to re-assure her fainting companions. She +spoke of the power and goodness of their heavenly Father, and besought +them to unite with her in earnest petitions to the throne of grace for +timely succor, or for a preparation for a speedy exit from life. Some +heard with attention, and united with agonizing earnestness in the +petition, which, as it ascended from her lips, sounded like a seraph's +pleading, and surely reached the ear of the Lord God of Sabaoth. Others +listened with stolid indifference, or sullen despair. Throughout the +precious years of prosperity, that had been vouchsafed to them, they had +been neglecters of the "great salvation;" and now, in the article and +hour of death, they knew not how to implore his mercy, of whom they had +been hitherto utterly unmindful, much less adored and loved. + +At length one of the women lifted her face, haggard with care and grief, +and threw a glance, preternaturally sharpened, over the wild waste of +waters:-- + +"I see a sail yonder," she cried wildly. "Look," she cried to Agnes, +"can you not see it, too?"--but just at this moment one of the sailors, +not quite so much stupefied as the others, hearing the exclamation, +roused himself, and bent over the side of the boat, and instantly the +frail bark was submerged beneath the waves. + +Oh, what shrieks of agony filled the air. + + "Then rose from sea to sky the wild farewell, + Then shrieked the timid, and stood still the brave." + +Agnes had carefully retained the life-preserver, which had been given to +her by her friend the minister, and with the instinct of +self-preservation, almost unconsciously clung to it, while her +companions, less fortunate, and worn out with previous grief, one by one +sank to rise no more "till the sea shall give up its dead." + +"I think," she said, as she concluded her narrative, "I must have been +in the water more than half an hour, when I espied the sail, to which my +unfortunate companion had alluded, and seeing it, seemed to inspire me +with new life, for I had become so exhausted and enfeebled by the waves +that surrounded me, that I felt nature could not much longer survive the +icy chills which thrilled through my very frame; and when I found that +you had seen me, and were sailing towards me, evidently with the +intention of effecting my rescue, no language can describe the varied +emotions of my heart,--joy, gratitude and hope preponderating." + +Exhausted by the effort of speaking, Agnes sank back on the rude couch, +that the sailors had with kind haste prepared for her. + +"Land, yonder," sang one from the mast-head. + +"I am heartily glad of it," said the Captain, "for all our sakes, for we +shall soon have a terrible storm, but especially for this poor lady's, +whose strength seems almost gone." + +Prospered by a favoring breeze, a few hours sufficed to bear the vessel +to its destined harbor; and that night, sheltered, in comparative +comfort, beneath the hospitable roof of Mr. Williamson, Ellen's father, +Agnes sank into deep and quiet repose. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + +April, capricious, yet beautiful child of Spring, once more smiled upon +the bleak shores and sterile plains which, when we last beheld them, +were encompassed by the chilling atmosphere, and loomed bleak and +desolate beneath the sombre sky of, to that land at least, unpropitious +winter. + +Welcome to all the inhabitants of that rude coast, the return of the +season was hailed with pleasure the deepest, the liveliest, with +gratitude as warm as ever expanded the human heart, by her whom, an +exile from her native shores, had been compelled to sojourn for a season +on its rocky and cheerless wastes. Five months had now elapsed since, +rescued by the kind-hearted sailors, Agnes had become an inmate of the +fisherman's cottage, and these months had seemed to her like a separate +existence, so widely had their experience differed from that of her +accustomed every-day life. + +But deem not, gentle reader, that they had been spent by her in sinful +repining at the hardships of her lot. During the first part of her +sojourn among them, severe sickness, caused no doubt by previous +exposure and anxiety, had prostrated her system, and brought her to the +very borders of the grave, but through the unremitting care of Mrs. +Williamson and her daughter, she was restored to health; and full of +gratitude to heaven for this double preservation of her life, which had +been thus vouchsafed, her first inquiry was, how she could best return +the debt of gratitude due to her Father in Heaven, and those through +whose kindly instrumentality she was thus raised up again. Nor was she +long in ascertaining the path of duty, nor hesitating in commencing and +pursuing it with eagerness. + +One day, soon after her recovery, she was sitting by the fire, when +Ellen, the fisherman's daughter, to whom we have before alluded, entered +the room, and observing that Agnes looked somewhat downcast, kindly +inquired the cause, for the gratitude she had manifested for every +little act of kindness, had deeply endeared her to those with whom she +was now associated. + +"I hope you do not feel any worse, dear lady," she said. + +"Oh, no, Ellen," was the reply, while a smile instantly dissipated the +shadow that had obscured for a moment her countenance. "And how deeply +grateful should I feel," she added after a short pause, "first to my +Heavenly Father, and then to you and your kind family, whose unwearied +care and attention have been so instrumental in my recovery; and I trust +yet to have it in my power to show my sense of your kindness." + +"Don't, Miss Wiltshire, please don't say anything more. Why, we only did +what any persons, with common feelings, would have done." + +"Nevertheless," persisted Agnes, "I feel under very great obligations to +you all. But I will tell you what made me look a little melancholy when +you came in. Your father informed me, this morning, that there would be +no possibility of my communicating with my home until spring, and thus +my relatives and friends, not having any intelligence of me, for so long +a time, will certainly believe that I have found a watery grave." + +"But when you return home, what a delightful surprise they will get; +why, it would be worth enduring months of pain for," said Ellen, who +seemed to have the happy faculty of always looking at the bright side. + +"Very true, Ellen, but"--and an involuntary sigh followed the +sentence--"you know not, and I trust will never know, from experience, +that 'Hope deferred maketh the heart sick.'" + +"I know something about that, too, Miss Agnes, though maybe you think me +too young; but, indeed, there was once a weary while, when I watched the +sea day after day, that is, when the scalding tears would let me see +it, and shuddered to hear the fierce winds moaning round our dwelling, +as though they had a human heart, and sighed and raved for some lost +love. Oh, how I remember the day, when that long-looked for vessel came +back again, for I had got up more down-hearted than ever, and I thought +it no use hoping and waiting, for I shall never see it again,--and then +the salt sea was not salter than the tears I shed, as I sat down on a +rock by the shore, and thought of the stalwart form that would never +meet my eye again, and of the kind voice that should never sound in my +ears,--and as I looked on the sea, its bright waves rippling and smiling +beneath my feet, it seemed to laugh and mock me cruelly, and I almost +wished myself,--I know it was very wicked, Miss Agnes,--far, far beneath +it, where I should forget my troubles, and my heart cease its aching. +And then I laid my head on the rock, and covered my face with my hands, +and cried as though I should never cease, until I felt something touch +my face, and a voice that I knew too well said, 'Ellen, Ellen, what art +thou breaking thy heart for in this manner?'--and I looked up, and saw +two eyes, that, a moment before, I thought death had closed, shining +brightly on me, and--but you have seen him yourself, Miss Agnes, and can +easy guess how happy I was. Oh, it made up for all my weary days, and +wretched, sleepless nights." + +Agnes had listened with much interest to the simple narrative, and +while her eyes filled with tears, she murmured, almost unconsciously, + + "One touch of nature makes the whole world kin." + +We would not like to vouch for it, but, perhaps, while Ellen had been +speaking, with the remembrance of her relatives, another image had +arisen in her mind, and she thought, "And he, too, he will hear of what +they will deem my terrible fate." + +There was pleasure, mingled with pain, as her heart suggested, that +eyes, albeit unused to weep, might even now be shedding a tear over her +untimely doom; for Arthur did not, could not, conceal the deep interest +he felt in her welfare; and as she called to mind his kindness, his +sympathy, when all the world seemed dark to her, she felt her heart +thrill with strange emotion, and she asked herself, again and again, +"Shall I ever be so happy as to see him once more?" + +"Mr. Elliot is, indeed," said she, in reply to Ellen, after a short +pause, "worthy of you, as far as I have had an opportunity of judging, +and that is saying a good deal, Ellen. But I must tell you what I was +thinking of, this morning, while I sat here alone. You told me, the +other day, that the children of the neighborhood were growing up in +fearful ignorance, destitute, as they are, of a teacher, and I thought, +if it met with the approbation of their parents, that I could not be +more usefully or happily employed, during the time that must intervene +before I have an opportunity of returning to my friends, than +instructing those little ones, a few hours each day. Our evenings, too, +might be pleasantly occupied, for I overheard you, when I was lying ill, +expressing a wish to know how to write, and these long winter evenings +will afford abundant opportunity for your taking lessons, and any of +your young companions, that may wish to join you." + +Ellen was delighted with the proposition, and warmly expressed her +thanks, and Agnes's wishes were speedily carried into effect. A small +unoccupied cottage was fitted up as a school-house, to which all the +children of the neighborhood, far and near, daily repaired, while at +night the young people of both sex filled the good-sized room of Mr. +Williamson's dwelling, thirsting for that instruction which Agnes was so +willing to impart. Nor did her efforts end here. Of pastoral guidance +these poor people were equally destitute; as sheep without a shepherd, +they had long "stumbled on the dark mountains of sin and error," but now +each Sabbath morning found them congregated in the school-house, singing +the hymns that some of them had learned in childhood, in their distant +native lands, or listening to the sweet tones of their teacher and +guide, as she explained, by many simple and touching illustrations, the +sacred Word, or offered up the fervent prayer, which from her lips +seemed to come with double power, and caused even the sturdy fishermen's +hearts to melt within them. The afternoon of the sacred day was +especially devoted to the children; classes were formed, over which the +most intelligent members of the community presided, conspicuous among +whom was Ellen, whose naturally quick and clever mind, brought into +contact with one so superior as Agnes, rapidly developed, while her +whole appearance gave indications of how much she had profited by +constant intercourse with her youthful companion. + +Ellen's parents were not natives of the land in which she now resided. +They had come from one of the counties of England, when Ellen was little +more than an infant; their original destination being Canada, but having +been wrecked on the Newfoundland coast, and lost nearly all they +possessed, they had not means to travel farther; and while Williamson +gladly joined the fishermen in their occupation for the purpose of +temporarily supplying the necessities of his family, his wife,--who was +a skilful needle woman, and clever at almost everything,--made herself +generally useful among their families, and thus acquired much influence +over them. + +Gradually they came to look upon the sterile coast, unlike, strangely +unlike though it was, to the cultivated lands they had left, as their +home, at least for some years to come. Both frugal and industrious, a +little cottage was speedily erected, which very soon, from the superior +thrift and neatness of its owners, became the best in the place, and as +time passed on, they not only continued to gain a subsistence, but +succeeded in gathering round them many little comforts, which were the +admiration and, sometimes, the envy of their less fortunate neighbors. +From time to time, Mr. Williamson was in the habit of taking a quantity +of their chief export, fish, to H----, and obtaining, in lieu of it, +plentiful supplies of food and clothing; and, what his wife and daughter +had prized more than all, in returning from his last voyage, he had +brought with him a few school-books, with some entertaining works, and +several volumes of interesting and evangelical sermons. + +Mrs. Williamson, who was the daughter of a small farmer, had, in her +youth, received the elements of a good English education. She could read +with tolerable fluency, and had taught her children this important +branch; but though, when a child, she had learned to write, want of +practice and varied duties connected with her toilsome condition, had +almost erased the power from memory; and it was with deep regret at her +own neglect, that she found her children growing up as ignorant, as +herself, of the power of communicating their thoughts through the medium +of the pen. It was, therefore, with no small delight, that she had +hailed Agnes's welcome offer; and as she sat, evening after evening, in +her corner by the fireside, apparently busily engaged in knitting, but, +in reality, an attentive listener to the instruction Agnes was imparting +to the young people,--or as she mingled her tones with theirs who, on +the Sabbath, warbled, from hearts attuned to devotion, those melodies +that had been familiar to her from childhood,--again and again, would +memory revert to the happy days of her infancy and youth, when with +beloved parents and friends she had gone up to the house of God, and +while a tear of sorrow and penitence would steal down her cheeks, to +think how much of the instructions, then received, had been forgotten, +she blessed the Parental Hand that had placed beneath her roof, one so +fitted to counsel and comfort, to prove to her, as well as to many +others, a ministering angel indeed. + +Thus, happily and usefully employed, the winter months glided by +comparatively swiftly to Agnes. Not that the past was forgotten,--not +that she never sighed for more congenial society, for the friends of her +early youth, or even for the refinement and luxuries by which she had +been surrounded,--that would be affirming too much, for she had a +genuine woman's heart, and that innate perception and love of the +beautiful, which delights in the elegancies and embellishments of life, +and could not as easily accommodate itself, as some could, to a +situation where those are wholly wanting. + +There were hours when she felt herself an exile, indeed; hours when +Ellen's young companions would flock to the cottage, and talk and laugh +over subjects in which it was impossible for Agnes to feel any interest; +it was then, more especially perhaps, she thought of home, and of the +educated and refined society in which she had been accustomed to mingle, +and realized more fully the wide gulf dividing her from those among whom +Providence had so mysteriously, as it seemed, placed her. But think not, +fair reader, such considerations were allowed to influence her conduct, +or render her manner haughty and disagreeable. It is true she was +treated with consideration and respect by the female part of the +community; they could not help looking upon her as a being of another +and higher sphere, and her presence had often the effect of checking the +tide of rude mirth, and of rendering their demeanor more quiet and +retired. But while she thus claimed their admiration and reverence, she +at the same time almost unconsciously won their affection, for on her +lip was ever the law of kindness, and the interest she took in their +humble pursuits, the ready counsel and sympathy in every case of +emergency and sorrow, endeared her deeply to them, and her efforts to +impart instruction were received with all the genuine gratitude of +unsophisticated Nature, so that these portions of her time, devoted to +the training of those uncultivated minds, were the ones which afforded +to Agnes the purest pleasure; seasons which she often recurred to in +other years, as being among the most agreeable in her experience. + +But the dreary Winter at length gave place to smiling Spring, and Agnes +began to look forward anxiously for an opportunity of returning home. +She scarce allowed herself to dwell on the matter, so intense became her +anxiety as the time drew near for leaving the hospitable home which had +so long afforded her rude but safe protection. + +The young sailor, Agnes's preserver, who had been long affianced to +Ellen, had just returned from a very successful sea-voyage. + +In a few days they were to be united; a minister, who resided at some +distance in the interior of the country, being expected to visit them, +and perform the ceremony; and Agnes, much to the delight of Ellen, had +promised to officiate as bridesmaid. In a few weeks subsequent the +groomsman intended sailing to B----, and Agnes would then have an +opportunity of returning once more to her home. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + +"Captain,"--exclaimed a tall, slight young man, as he ascended the cabin +steps of a noble vessel, and, having gained the deck, stood gazing on +the expansive Atlantic stretched out before him,--"Captain," he eagerly +inquired, "this surely is not our destination," pointing at the same +time with his finger to a rude outline of land, now distinctly visible. + +"No, indeed," said the Captain, good humoredly; "it would be but a poor +compliment to the stately city of B----, to take this rude coast, with +its sandy beaches, its rocky eminences, and fishermen's huts, for its +handsome dimensions. Nevertheless, poor as this little fishing +settlement looks, it is a very welcome sight just now, I assure you, as +our provisions are getting scarce, and as to the water, my cook tells me +he should have hardly enough to fill a tea-kettle for to-morrow's +breakfast." + +"And so you intend putting in here for supplies?" + +"Precisely so, though I see by your look you deem it not a very +probable place to obtain them. But this is not the first time I have +been obliged to put in here, and have always found a hearty welcome, and +obtained necessary supplies; not, perhaps, the very best of provisions, +but such as the place can afford; and I am well acquainted with one of +the fishermen, an emigrant from my native place, whose hospitality, and +that of his family, is unbounded; and whenever I happen to tarry here, +they do all in their power to make us comfortable." + +"And how long do you expect to remain?" inquired Mr. Clifford. + +"For a few days only, but long enough I trust to recover these two +sailors of mine, who have been complaining so much of late; and my +wife's health also is not as good as usual, accustomed though she has +been to long sea-voyages. You, too, Sir, I think," said the Captain, +"will be all the better for a taste of the land breeze, even though it +should not be laden with the balmy breath of flowers." + +"You are quite right, Captain," was the reply; "and anxious as I am to +see my home again, after five long years' absence, I shall be none the +worse for a ramble on =terra firma= once more." + +In a few hours subsequent to the conversation recorded above, a fine +boat might be seen rapidly cutting the sparkling waves, and the little +party, consisting of the Captain and his wife, with their only +passenger, Mr. Clifford, soon landed on the sandy beach, and gladly +directed their steps towards Mr. Williamson's cottage. + +Captain Pierce pointed out the residence to Mr. Clifford, for though it +was at some distance from their landing place, it could be distinctly +seen, owing to the elevation of the ground on which it was built. + +"You had better go on, Sir," said the Captain, "and, if you have no +objection, inform them you are a passenger of the barge '=Pearl=.' That +will be sufficient, I know, to insure you a hearty welcome, and you can +add, if you choose, that we are behind; for my wife and myself are but +indifferent walkers, being more accustomed to patrolling the deck of a +vessel than climbing these steep hills, so that if you try to conform +your pace to ours, you will be quite weary when you reach the dwelling." + +Mr. Clifford laughingly replied, and hastening his steps, soon came in +sight of the cottage. + +It was near the end of April, and the day a balmy one, even for smiling +June. + +At the open window of the sitting-room, which commanded a view of the +road and harbor, Agnes was seated busily engaged in embroidering the +muslin dress intended for Ellen's wedding attire. The sound of steps +near at hand arrested her attention, and looking up, she beheld a +stranger, with wonder and admiration depicted on his countenance, +standing and gazing fixedly at her. For a moment her heart seemed to +cease its pulsations, and a death-like pallor overspread her cheeks, for +so strikingly did the form and face resemble Arthur Bernard, that, in +spite of the improbability of the case, Agnes almost believed it to be +him. + +Ernest, on his part, was equally surprised at seeing, in a fisherman's +dwelling, one whose elegant appearance formed such a striking contrast +to the unpretending and rudely fashioned abode in which she dwelt. + +The small purse of gold, which Agnes had thoughtfully secured about her +person on the night that witnessed the conflagration of the ill-fated +steamer, had enabled her to purchase from Mrs. Williamson some plain +materials, which had been fashioned, by her own skilful fingers, into +neat and becoming attire. Her nicely-fitting brown stuff dress, relieved +by a linen collar of snowy whiteness, displayed to advantage her +graceful figure; her soft brown tresses were smoothly parted from her +fair forehead; and her fine intelligent countenance, on whose every +lineament refinement and sensibility were stamped, wore an expression of +sweet and touching resignation, and hope "subdued but cherished still;" +what marvel, then, that Ernest Clifford's steps were arrested, when he +beheld so lovely an apparition, and that he gazed upon her as though he +expected that the fair vision would soon vanish from his view. He had +watched her for a few moments unobserved, but when their glances met, he +marked, with increasing astonishment, her evident emotion, and pleased, +yet strangely puzzled, he could not find courage to seek admittance at +the cottage, but, retracing his steps, resolved to wait for an +introduction from the Captain. + +It was with a good deal of surprise that the Captain and his wife beheld +Ernest advancing towards them. + +"Was no one within," he inquired, "that you have come back so soon?" + +"Really, Captain," was the reply, "I could not summon courage to knock +at the door and ascertain." + +"Courage!" echoed the Captain, wondering as he marked the young man's +heightened color and evident embarrassment,--"courage to knock at a poor +fisherman's dwelling! Really, Mr. Clifford, your sojourn among these +barbarians must have been productive of no little injury to you, if it +has robbed you of that courage with which I am sure, from your +appearance, Nature plentifully endowed you." + +"You misunderstand me, my dear Sir, I assure you," was the reply. "I +feared intruding, and thought I would prefer waiting for an introduction +from you." + +The Captain could contain himself no longer, but burst into a hearty +fit of laughter, in which he was joined by his wife. + +"You must excuse me, Mr. Clifford," he said, apologizing; "but, really, +the idea of your formality amused me no little; for, however acceptable +such would prove to the society with which you have been accustomed to +mingle, I am afraid such ceremonious politeness would be hardly popular +here." + +"But, really, Captain,"--and Mr. Clifford looked, it must be confessed, +a little vexed,--"you should have informed me who I was going to meet, +before sending me on as herald. I was not aware that I should be thrown +into the society of ladies, or I should have endeavored to appear to a +little better advantage. As it is, I am hardly fit to be seen; and while +I am aware that your good lady excuses me, knowing the circumstances +under which I took shelter with you, yet, to strangers I would appear +rather ludicrous, clad in those ill-fitting garments." + +"They are not the most elegant in the world, I acknowledge," was the +response; "but much better than the fishermen's wives and daughters are +accustomed to see, for those are the only =ladies= that inhabit these +sterile regions." + +"It surely could not have been a fisherman's daughter that I beheld just +now, as I neared the dwelling to which you directed me; for, seated at +the window, sewing, was a young lady, neatly though plainly dressed; +but her look and manner bespoke her to be far above such a condition of +life." + +The Captain looked puzzled, and turning to his wife, said, "It must, be +Ellen Williamson, to whom Mr. Clifford alludes. She is not ill-favored, +by any means, and indeed quite the belle of the place, being by far the +best looking girl in it; nevertheless, I should hardly mistake her for +one of higher rank; but Mr. Clifford has been so long without beholding +woman's face divine, with the exception of yours, my dear, that he is +ready to magnify good looks into positive beauty and grace." + +The young man seemed disconcerted. + +"I could almost stake my existence, that the person to whom I refer is +not, cannot be the daughter of a fisherman. However, if it should be so, +Captain, and such a region as this can produce so lovely a being, in +spite of its barren wastes and rocky steppes, I should be ready to +surname it Paradise, or The Enchanted Isle, if you will; for certainly +it was a vision of enchantment I just now beheld." + +Captain Pierce, though almost imagining that his young friend's +intellect had been deranged, gaily responded:-- + +"I must warn you in time, I see, for you are in danger of losing your +heart, if it is not gone already. Ellen Williamson is engaged to a +worthy young man, a captain of a fishing schooner, and their marriage +is to be celebrated this spring, so her father informed me when I was +here last year, and I think it only my duty to give you fair warning, +that another claims your enchantress as his own. But here we are at the +cottage, and your doubts will speedily be put to flight, by an +introduction to the girl herself." + +The loud knock of the Captain, at the cottage door, was quickly answered +by Mrs. Williamson, who, in terms of genuine pleasure, welcomed his safe +return, and the little party were ushered into the sitting-room, whose +neat and even tasteful appearance, formed a striking contrast to the +generality of the fishermen's huts. + +Mr. Clifford's quick eye, as they entered, sought the window, but the +seat was vacant now; evidences of its having been lately occupied were +discernible in a work-basket that stood on a table near, and on which +some embroidered muslin had been lightly thrown. + +The Captain smiled as he observed Mr. Clifford's disappointed look, and +turning to Mrs. Williamson, who was assisting his wife in divesting +herself of her shawl and bonnet, inquired after her daughter. + +"She is quite well, thank you," was her reply, "and was here a moment +ago, but observing you in the distance, ran to inform her father; who is +working beyond the hill at the back of the dwelling. She will be back +shortly." + +A slight sigh escaped from Mr. Clifford, unheard by all save his friend, +who turned to him with a mischievous smile, which the former easily +interpreted as, "I wonder which was right, you or I?" + +In the meanwhile, Mrs. Williamson was entreating Mrs. Pierce to take +some rest, "for indeed you look much in need of it," she added, "and I +will have a cup of strong tea ready for you in a few moments, for you +need something to refresh you, I am sure, after being so long on the +salt water." + +Her husband seconded Mrs. Williamson's advice. + +"You had better go, my dear, and lay down for a little while, and you +will feel vastly better, I assure you. As for me, I must now go back to +the ship, but will return in time to join you in a good cup of tea, +which, from past experience, I know will be excellent,--and I suppose I +shall then see Mr. Williamson and daughter." + +"Oh, yes, Sir," was the reply. "They should have been back before this; +but I expect husband was farther off than Ellen imagined, and seeking +for him has detained her." + +Gaily waving an adieu, the Captain hurried away, and Mrs. Pierce +following the fisherman's wife into her chamber, Ernest Clifford was +left alone. He seated himself at the open casement in a listless +attitude; for though he would hardly acknowledge it to himself, he could +not help a feeling of disappointment in finding his air castle so +quickly shattered. + +The only object of attraction to be seen from the casement was a fine +view of the sea; but Ernest had been too long a sojourner on the wild +waste of waters, not to have become weary of their monotony, and tired +of gazing at what had been so long a familiar object, he turned his +attention to the interior of the room. As he glanced round the +apartment, he could not help admiring the spotless neatness which marked +it, for everything was in the most perfect order, while the few +ornaments and some pretty shells, that the fisherman and Ellen's +betrothed had brought on their return from different voyages, were +tastefully arranged on the mantel-piece and tables, with several books, +which, from the pencilled passages he observed as he opened them, had +evidently been well conned. In one, a small volume of miscellaneous +poems, Ellen's name was inscribed on the fly-leaf, in a graceful Italian +hand, evidently a lady's writing. + +"This fisherman's daughter must certainly be a very superior person," he +said to himself, as he turned over page after page, observing with the +eye of a critic,--for literature to him had been a familiar study from +early youth,--that the finest passages were the only ones marked, +proving, conclusively, that they had been the reader's favorites. + +"Strange to find one like her in so remote and desolate a spot," and, +half-aloud, he read the stanzas, in which he had just opened, smiling as +he thought how true they were in this instance. + + "Full many a gem of purest ray serene + The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear; + Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, + And waste its sweetness on the desert air." + +He was interrupted by the clear, sweet tones of a woman's voice in an +adjoining room. + +"You will find my chamber quite comfortable, Mrs. Pierce, and I must +insist on your sharing it, for there is abundance of room for us both." + +"But I am afraid of discommoding you, my dear young lady, and can easily +sleep on board, though I will take advantage of your kindness now, to +rest on your bed for a short time." + +"Indeed, my, dear Madam, I assure you, that you will be conferring a +favor instead of receiving one, in sharing my apartment, while you +remain, for it is such a delight to me to see the face of a countrywoman +in this, the land of my exile." + +"How long did Mrs. Williamson say it was since you were conveyed here?" +inquired Mrs. Pierce. + +"Nearly six months." + +"And what a dreary time you must have found it, my dear." + +"No," said the sweet voice again, that sounded like music to the ear of +the unintentional listener; "No," she repeated, "I have felt tolerably +contented with my lot, and but for the remembrance of my friends and the +sorrow they must have endured on my account, thinking, as they certainly +must, that a watery grave has been my portion,--but for such +remembrances I should have been comparatively happy. But you will never +sleep," she added playfully, "if I go on chattering in this manner, so I +will leave you to your much needed repose." + +At this moment, the outer door of the cottage opened, and the Captain, +accompanied by Mr. Williamson and his daughter, whom he had met as he +was returning from the ship, entered the room, and a mutual introduction +to Mr. Clifford took place. + +The Captain, as he named "Ellen Williamson," looked roguishly at Mr. +Clifford, who returned his glance with an equally amused smile, but one +that the Captain could not comprehend. Not sorry to find he was in the +right, and with a little mischievous pleasure, as he imagined his +friend's discomfiture, when the fair stranger,--for such from her +conversation she evidently was,--should make her appearance, Ernest's +eyes were riveted at the door, which communicated with an inner +apartment, and at length his patient watching was rewarded. + +The fisherman's wife, overhearing the Captain's somewhat loud though +cheerful voice, hastened to meet him again, accompanied by Agnes, who +was anxious to resume the employment which astonishment and emotion had +caused her to throw aside. Besides, it must be confessed, she felt in no +way averse to see again the stranger, whose striking similarity to her +friend, had so deeply overcome her. From Mrs. Pierce she had already +learned his name, and also a sketch of his history, from the period of +her first acquaintance with him, and thrillingly interesting as it was, +Agnes could not help feeling attracted towards one who had suffered so +much, and who, like herself, had been an unwilling exile from his native +land. + +Captain Pierce, who was sitting with his face turned from the door, and +who, moreover, was engaged in relating to Mr. Williamson the particulars +of his voyage, did not, at first, observe the new comer; but as she +advanced nearer, he abruptly paused in the conversation, and with a +glance--as full of astonishment and perplexity as Ernest, who was now an +amused spectator, could desire--intently regarded her. + +"I see you wonder, Captain, how this young lady, whose name is Miss +Wiltshire," said Mrs. Williamson, "took up her residence in this out of +the way place; but Elliot, on his return voyage from H---- in November, +happened, fortunately, to rescue her from the waves, into which she was +thrown by the upsetting of a boat, and having brought her here, she has +remained ever since in this dreary place, at least it must be such to +her, for she has had no opportunity of returning to her friends." + +With her customary grace, Agnes returned the Captain's and Mr. +Clifford's respectful greeting, and resumed again her embroidery, +disclaiming, however, as she did so, the epithet of dreary, as being +quite inappropriate, in her estimation, to the place which had afforded +her so hospitable a shelter. + +"It would be impossible for me to find any spot dreary," she said, +"inhabited by so many kind friends, and from whom I have received such +true tokens of hospitality; and while I confess to an eager desire to +behold again my relatives, it will not be without very great pain that I +shall part from those whose warmest sympathies and tenderest care were +exercised towards a helpless stranger." + +"I have heard," said Mr. Pierce, turning to Mrs. Williamson, whose +countenance told the emotion she felt at the intimation of Agnes's +speedy departure, "I have heard of =some= entertaining 'angels +unawares,' and I should judge you have been thus fortunate, Mrs. W." + +"You may, indeed, say so, Sir," said the good woman, wiping away a tear +with the corner of her apron; "I cannot tell you what a blessing this +young lady has been, not only to my family, but to the whole +neighborhood. Indeed, Sir, you would be surprised to see what a change +has been effected by her in this place. Miss Wiltshire has established a +day school for the children, and a night class for the young people; and +our Sabbaths, that some spent in sleep, others in doing nothing, or +worse than nothing, now pass in a very different manner, for we have +both Church and Sabbath school, and 'come up with those that keep holy +day.' What we shall do without her, I cannot imagine, though, to be +sure, it would be dreadfully selfish in me to wish her to stay longer, +for those to whom she belongs must be breaking their hearts after so +lovely a creature." + +The above conversation, which was addressed particularly to the Captain, +was delivered in an under-tone, and was therefore unheard by Agnes, who +was an attentive listener to Mr. Clifford, as he called up all the +varied powers of his fine intellect for the purpose of describing the +scenes through which he had passed; and he was well rewarded for his +efforts by the sweet smile, and breathless interest, with which Agnes +heard the narration. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + +"What a lovely evening," exclaimed Arthur Bernard, as rising from his +seat, by the invalid's couch, he drew aside the thick folds of the +crimson damask curtains, allowing the glorious rays of the full-orbed +moon to illuminate the apartment. + +"My dear Sir," he said kindly, turning to Mr. Denham, the uncle of +Agnes, for he it was who reclined on the velvet lounge, propped up by +pillows, "I am sure it would do you good, on a fine spring day such as +this has been, to take a short drive through the suburbs of the city. +The fresh, balmy air of delightful May would prove, as your physician +told you, yesterday, the best restorative; better, far better, than all +his drugs; and, besides, it will divert your mind to mark the dawn of +summer, to witness how quickly, almost instantaneously, the trees have +put forth their leaves, and in the parks and fields, how thick and +verdant Nature's flowery carpet. Can I not prevail upon you to accompany +me to-morrow in a short drive? I know, on your return, you will not +regret having been persuaded to try the efficacy of my prescription." + +The invalid shook his head, sadly. + +"You are very kind, Arthur," he said, "in taking such interest in a +querulous old man, like me, and I would gratify you; but, indeed, it is +not the illness of the body of which I complain, for that only suffers +in sympathy with the mind. Fresh breezes may fan the brow, and verdant +scenes charm the eye, but tell me, + + 'Can they minister to a mind diseased, + Or pluck from mem'ry's roots a barbed arrow?' + +If you promise that they can accomplish such wonders as these, then +shall I gladly try your prescription." + +"No, Sir," was the reply; "admirer as I am of Nature, and powerful as I +deem her ministrations, I dare not undertake in her name, to promise +that she shall perform such a miracle as this. From bitter, yet salutary +experience, I know that the sick heart may turn even with loathing from +her loveliest scenes, as being but reminders of by-gone happiness, +awakening associations too painful for the spirit calmly to +contemplate." He paused abruptly, and then in a lower tone repeated to +himself, as he gazed on the beautiful, park-like grounds, that +surrounded Mr. Denham's residence, fair to view at all times, but never +lovelier than when illumined, as now, by the soft rays of the +full-orbed moon,-- + + "Since my Alexis withers in the tomb, + Untimely fades, nor sees a second bloom; + Ye hills and groves no more your landscapes please, + Nor give my soul one interval of ease; + Delight and joy forever flee your shades,-- + And mournful care your solitude invades." + +"But, my dear Mr. Denham," he said, as he turned from contemplating the +scene without, and resumed his seat near the invalid's couch, "though I +cannot promise that Nature will afford you the elixir you require, your +case is not, cannot be hopeless, while there is balm in Gilead, while +there is a Physician there." + +"I know well what you would say, Arthur Bernard, and it is easy for you +to speak thus, who have never known the horrors of remorse; who have +never been haunted by the vision of a sweet face, drowned in tears, +whose look of affection was repelled by coldness and harshness. Ah, had +you known my dearly loved Agnes as I have; had you watched from infancy +each expanding grace, until she grew to be your heart's idol; had you +loved her with a love like mine"-- + +Arthur Bernard groaned involuntarily, but the old man unheeding went on. + +"And then, because her pure mind could not be content to feed on the +husks of worldly vanity, and sought for more congenial nourishment, +banish her from your presence, for the very cause that should have +rendered her dear beyond all price, and that banishment to have such a +termination; to think that the wild salt waves should cover my darling, +that the winds should be her requiem, that I shall never hear that sweet +voice pronounce my forgiveness,--oh, it is too much, too much for human +nature to bear, though I deserve it all. + +"Talk not to me, Arthur Bernard," and the invalid, in the energy of +passion, half-raised himself from the couch, "talk not to me, I beseech +you, of balm in Gilead, or of a Physician there; others, who have not +sinned as I have done, may find forgiveness, but as for me, unless the +treacherous sea restore my darling to my arms, there is never more peace +or comfort for me, but my gray hairs shall go down with sorrow to the +tomb." + +He sank back exhausted by the violence of his emotions, and silence +reigned through the apartment for a few moments, its two occupants +seemingly absorbed in painful thought. + +To Arthur the reflection of the almost certain destiny that had befallen +her who had, unconsciously to himself, shared so large a portion of his +affections, was indeed fraught with anguish; the void she had left he +felt, day by day, could never be replaced, and in reference to a passion +at once so absorbing and constant, he might well have adopted, as +embodying his own experience, the language of the poet:-- + + "It was life's whole emotion, a storm in its might, + 'Twas deep as the ocean, and silent as night; + It swept down life's flowers, the fragile and fair, + The heart had no powers from passion to spare." + +It is time, from her loss, he had learned lessons of purest wisdom; he +had sought and found the grace which he so truly exemplified in life and +conduct; nor had the oil and joy of heavenly consolation been denied +him, in the period of his sorest need; and though he could not, he dared +not, dwell on the billows that swept above that once beautiful form, yet +he delighted, in fancy, to visit those regions of bliss, now, as he +deemed, her habitation, and to conjecture what the occupation, and what +the enjoyment of its thrice-blessed inhabitants:-- + +But, "Earth's children cling to earth; the frail companion, the body, +weighs down the soul, and draws it back from the contemplation of high +and holy realities;" and thus there were seasons in Arthur Bernard's +experience, when his very heart seemed to die within him, exhausted by +its vain yearnings for her who, like an angel of light, had shone upon +his path, and then suddenly disappeared; and as he looked forward into +the probable future, and beheld life stretching out before him, +monotonous and solitary, what wonder that Courage sometimes faltered, +and Faith drooped, and Hope almost ceased to cheer the stricken +pilgrim. + +And such a moment of anguish he experienced now, as he sat in silence, +with bowed-down head, while "thought went back to the shadowy past." Mr. +Denham's words had thrilled his soul; had presented Agnes's image to him +so vividly, that he could scarcely refrain from giving expression to his +anguish in bitter groans; and this was the most trying remembrance, "it +might have been" otherwise, had he, to whose care she had been solemnly +committed by dying parents, faithfully fulfilled his trust, and instead +of frowning on her, had cheered and encouraged her in the path of duty. + +But there was one who suffered more than Arthur,--he who now lay +listless on his couch, burdened with a heavy weight of anguish and +remorse. Ah, it was this that deepened the sting of sorrow, that +heightened with its bitterness every remembrance that "he alone the deed +had done," and that but for his obstinacy and worldliness, she might +even now be standing beside him, bathing his burning brow with gentle +hands, and in her own sweet tones be imparting all needful consolation. + +But Mr. Denham could bear these thoughts no longer, and hastily rousing +himself, he addressed Arthur. + +"It is growing late. Will you be so kind as turn on the gas a little +brighter, for it seems to burn but dimly. I am sure," he added, in the +querulous tones of an invalid, "it is time Mrs. Denham had returned. She +took advantage of your coming to remain with me to visit a sick +neighbor, but she must be very ill, indeed, to cause her to remain so +long." + +"She will be here very shortly, I dare say," was Arthur's reply, as, in +compliance with the old man's request, he closed the curtains on the +scene without, and caused the magnificent gaseliers to emit a more +dazzling light,--"and in the meanwhile, if you have no objection, I +shall be happy to read to you." + +The invalid signified his willingness, and Arthur, sitting down by him, +opened the richly-gilt Bible that lay on the marble stand near at hand, +but ere he could commence, there was the rattling of wheels up the +carriage-road. The vehicle stopped at the hall-door, and the bell was +loudly rung. + +The old man listened for a moment, and then, turning to Arthur, said, "I +cannot see any person to-night. Will you be kind enough to inform the +servant, that Mrs. Denham is out, and that I feel too much indisposed to +receive any visitors,--though it is a singular hour for visitors, I must +confess." + +Arthur, as he opened the drawing-room door, heard a strange confusion in +the hall below, and quickly closing it on the invalid, stepped out to +convey Mr. Denham's orders, and to ascertain the cause of this unusual +disturbance. + +As he descended the staircase, he was met by the servant, whose honest +face was lit up with a strange expression of wonder, joy, and +satisfaction. + +"Anything amiss?" inquired Arthur, observing the perturbation of the +man. + +"Oh, no, Sir, but how glad I am that you are here, for I am afraid the +news will be too much for Master, and the young lady told me to break it +to him gently." + +"What news, what young lady, what do you mean, John?" inquired Mr. +Bernard, in a tone of bewilderment. "I do not understand to what you +allude." + +"Beg pardon, Sir, for not telling you before, but it has been so sudden, +it quite overpowered me, to think our dear young lady, whom we thought +long since buried in the sea"-- + +The man stopped abruptly, and turned his head, evidently too much +affected to go on. + +"For pity's sake, speak, John, and put an end to this suspense; what +about her?" + +"Oh, Sir, nothing, Sir; I mean nothing at all, to alarm you, Sir; she +has come back again, Sir; she was not drowned, after all, and she is now +waiting in the library. She would have come right up, but I told her how +ill Master had been, and then she stopped, for she was afraid the shock +might be too much for him." + +Arthur heard not the conclusion of the sentence. + +"She is not drowned,--she has come back again,"--was all he could think +of; and with eager steps, that yet seemed all too slow for his impatient +spirit, he hastened to greet the long-mourned wanderer. + +He paused a moment at the door of the library, to calm the tumult of his +soul, and then slowly opening it, entered the room. + +Agnes,--for it was indeed her own dear self,--had thrown off her cloak +and hood, and sank back on a sofa, almost overcome with emotion, at +finding herself once more at home,--and, perhaps, a little troubled to +learn what reception she was likely to expect, from those who had parted +with her so coldly. + +She started up at the sound of approaching footsteps. + +"Miss Wiltshire, this is, indeed, one of the happiest moments of my +life," said Arthur, as clasping her hand, he raised it, involuntarily, +to his lips, and with a voice, tremulous with emotion, continued: + +"We have mourned you as one long since departed, but a gracious +Providence has surely miraculously restored you again to your home, and +your deeply sorrowing friends." + +"Mine has, indeed, been a miraculous preservation, and one which +demands the most grateful acknowledgment of my heart." + +"I trust to have the pleasure of listening to its details, by and bye, +and in joining with you in praising Him, who has so graciously given you +back to us all. But I must not forget that you are, I am sure, very +anxious to see your uncle." + +"I am, indeed," was the reply. "Is he dangerously ill?" she earnestly +inquired. "The man told me, he believed my aunt was out, but would go +and ascertain." + +"Mrs. Denham went out two hours ago, to visit a sick neighbor, and has +not yet returned. Your uncle has, indeed, been very ill, and is still +quite an invalid; but it has all originated in sorrow for your loss, and +remorse at having been the chief instrument in sending you away. You +will find him wonderfully changed," added Arthur, with kind +consideration; for, fully aware of the circumstances under which she had +left home, he knew she must feel anxiety respecting the terms on which, +it was probable, she would be permitted to remain with her relatives. + +"It was only this evening, he was lamenting his loss, and declaiming, in +bitterest terms, against his former conduct, declaring, that, unless the +sea restored his darling to him, his gray hairs would go down with +sorrow to the grave." + +Agnes wept tears of joy at this intelligence, but recovering herself, +and recollecting Mr. Clifford, who had accompanied her from the vessel, +and who, seated at the farthest end of the apartment, and partly in the +shade, had, on that account, escaped Arthur's glance, she said, + +"I have been very remiss, indeed, Mr. Clifford." + +Arthur started, as she pronounced the name, and turning round, for the +first time beheld the stranger. + +"But you will excuse me, I am sure; for this return home, and the +meeting with an old friend, has quite bewildered me. Allow me, Mr. +Bernard to introduce to you my companion on the voyage, and one who like +myself, has known the privations of exile, though for a much longer +period than I." + +Mr. Clifford advanced to Arthur, and the young men shook hands heartily. + +"There needed no apology, Miss Wiltshire," said Ernest; "for your +emotion, at returning home again, is only natural. It has afforded me, I +assure you, the purest pleasure to witness it; a foretaste of what I +trust myself to experience, when I embrace my mother again; if, indeed, +she be yet in the land of the living." + +"And now," said Arthur, "you will excuse me, while I go and prepare Mr. +Denham for this interview with his long-lost niece, for it would not be +prudent," he said, turning to Agnes, "for you suddenly to surprise him. +I am afraid it would be too much for him in his present weak state." + +Agnes thankfully acquiesced, and awaited with as much patience as she +could command, the return of Arthur. + +He was back again in a few moments. + +"Your uncle is waiting to see you, and is almost delirious with joy. Mr. +Clifford will excuse me while I conduct you to the apartment, and then I +think my presence can be dispensed with." + +The servants had flocked to the hall to see their dear young mistress +again, and to find if it were indeed, as John had declared, her very +self. It was with some difficulty that Agnes made her way through them, +but shaking each warmly by the hand, and with many kind inquiries, she +passed on, requesting, however, the cook to prepare some refreshments +for the gentleman in the library. + +Arthur, as he threw open the drawing-room door, observed that Mr. Denham +had raised himself on the couch, and was gazing eagerly in that +direction. Agnes instantly sprang forward into her uncle's outstretched +arms, the old man murmuring with a voice weak with emotion, "My darling +here,--you come back to your old uncle once more." + +With instinctive delicacy Mr. Bernard softly closed the door, and +retired, feeling that the scene had become too sacred for a stranger's +eye. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + +Lights streamed gayly from every window of Mr. Hilton's spacious and +hospitable mansion, where a party of friends had assembled to celebrate +the return of the long-lost Agnes. This gentleman, whose letter had +confirmed to Arthur, while yet in France, the painful intelligence of +the destruction of the steamer in which Agnes had embarked, and the +subsequent supposed shipwreck of its passengers, had been among the +first to hasten to welcome her home, for a warm admirer of woman in +general, Miss Wiltshire had secured his especial regard, and having no +daughters of his own, he used often to remark to his excellent wife, +that there was but one thing he envied Mr. Denham, and that was the +possession of so winningly lovely a niece. + +The party had been postponed from time to time, awaiting Mr. Denham's +recovery, and it was not until early in July, that his perfect +restoration to health, enabled him, together with Mrs. Denham, to +accompany his niece on this festive occasion. + +Mr. Denham, as he entered the brilliantly illuminated drawing-room, +seemed by his appearance almost to have recovered his youth, so much so, +as to call forth from more than one of the company,-- + +"The old gentleman is looking twenty years younger, than when I last saw +him. What a change the return of his niece has made." + +Mr. and Mrs. Denham were accompanied by Mr. Clifford, on whose arm Agnes +leaned as she entered the room. His fine form, no longer enveloped in +sailor-garb, but in more appropriate costume, was displayed to full +advantage, and elicited the admiration of not a few of the ladies, as +the whispers, here and there, of "What a fine looking-man; so tall, and +dignified, so imposing in appearance,"--bore ample testimony. + +Agnes was attired in snowy white; a few rose-buds forming her only +ornament; her face was lit up with a joyous smile, as she greeted one +after another of her old companions; and there was something in the +expression of that countenance, a blending of the highest and loftiest +emotions, with all the social tenderness in which woman finds her chief +earthly happiness, so irresistibly attractive, that he who could turn +away coldly or unmoved, must indeed be a cynic, if not the veriest stoic +that ever trod our beautiful earth. + +In a recess, formed by a large bow window, and which, though at the +furthest end of the room, was admirably fitted for a looker-on, +commanding, as it did, a view of the whole, two ladies were seated, +busily engaged in that most delightful of occupations, gossiping, for +which they found ample material, as guest after guest paid their +respects to the mistress of the dwelling. + +"Only look," said the elderly lady, addressing her companion, as Arthur +crossed the room, to speak to Agnes; "just look, what a melancholy +appearance Mr. Bernard wears. I wonder where his sister is to-night?" + +"I heard Mr. Clifford, who you know is a visitor there, say that she had +a violent toothache, and his mother, fearing she would feel lonely, had +remained at home with her." + +"Mr. Clifford's mother! You surely do not mean that that old lady, Mrs. +Cartwright, who accompanied the Bernards on their return from France, is +the mother of that fine looking young man?" + +"Yes, indeed, his is quite a romantic history." + +"Oh, I should like to hear it of all things. Do oblige me by narrating +it, will you? You are so intimate with the Bernards, that you have an +opportunity of hearing everything." + +The younger lady's face wore a gratified expression, for it was very +pleasant to learn, whatever the facts of the matter really were, that +others believed her on terms of close intimacy with a family, whose +high standing in the community had never been disputed; and she now +gladly complied with the request, certain that it would afford to her +friend confirmation of her previously expressed opinion, "strong as Holy +Writ." + +"You must know, then," she commenced, "that when Ella was visiting the +South of France for the benefit of her health, (for I told Mr. Bernard, +again and again, before they left, that nothing but change of air would +restore her,) she met with this Mrs. Cartwright, whose own home was in +America, but who was then on a visit to a relative. They became quite +intimate in a short time, and Ella, on her return to B----, persuaded +Mrs. Cartwright to accompany them, and to spend some time with them. + +"A widow and childless, as she then supposed, and having no near kin to +bind her to her home, she accepted Ellen's invitation, and, accordingly, +they all returned together. + +"But this old lady, it appears, had a son, the child of a previous +marriage,--for she has buried two husbands,--who, some five years ago, +sailed on some distant voyage, I do not exactly know what his +destination. However, no tidings were ever received of the vessel having +reached the desired port, and, of course, Mrs. Cartwright, who Ella told +me was exceedingly attached to him, mourned him bitterly as one dead. +But instead of being lost at sea, he had been picked up, the only +survivor of the shipwrecked vessel, by Moorish pirates, who, taking him +into their country, sold him as a slave. + +"He managed to make his escape somehow, about six months ago, though he +had a terrible time of it; but he succeeded getting on board an English +vessel, which was just about leaving for America." + +"But how did he come to meet with Miss Wiltshire?" + +"Why the vessel put into the place where Agnes was conveyed by the +Captain of the fishing schooner, who went to her rescue, and, of course, +Agnes gladly availed herself of the opportunity to return home, and this +accounts, in part, for their intimacy." + +"And how did Mr. Clifford meet with his mother? Surely he did not expect +to find her here?" + +"No; it was a very singular coincidence. Mr. Bernard happened to be at +Mr. Denham's when Agnes, accompanied by Mr. Clifford, arrived there; and +in the course of subsequent conversation with him, Mr. Bernard +ascertained that he was the son of the very lady who was then a guest at +his dwelling, and, of course, insisted that he, also, should be a +partaker of his hospitality." + +"What a strange circumstance," loudly ejaculated the attentive listener, +"and how delighted the old lady must have been. You know I was out of +town at the time, and never heard the rights of the matter." + +"Yes, I remember, and the old lady, as you say, was indeed delighted, so +much so, that at first she was completely overcome. She took immediately +to her bed, from which she has not been able to rise, till within the +last few weeks." + +"Ah, so that is the reason they have resided so long at Mr. Bernard's." + +"That is one reason, but I strongly suspect there is another and +greater," was the reply, as the younger lady, observing that Mr. Bernard +had approached, and stood by a table near examining some very +exquisitely carved ornaments, thought it a good opportunity to give him, +without pretending to notice his proximity, some little +information,--information which might hereafter aid in accomplishing her +own well-planned schemes. + +"You said he had another reason for remaining so long, did you not, +Maria?" + +"Oh, yes, and one palpable enough to any person who has eyes. Just look +yonder, and you will see for yourself." + +Mr. Bernard involuntarily raised his eyes, and glanced at the spot +indicated. At a side-table, a little apart from the others, Agnes was +seated, looking over a large and elegant portfolio, the peculiar +beauties of whose admirable engravings, Ernest Clifford seemed eagerly +pointing out, as he bent over her chair; his handsome countenance lit up +with a smile of pleasurable emotion. + +"Ah, yes, I understand you now, Maria. But I heard Mr. Bernard had some +partiality that way." + +"Hush, speak lower, for he is standing at the table near you." + +"Oh, dear me, I had no idea he was so handy." + +"That was mere idle gossip, I assure you," was the reply, as the tones +sank into a whisper. "I have the best evidence in the world as to that." + +"Well, well, they will make a handsome couple, I must say," remarked +Maria's companion, as Mr. Bernard moved away with a firm step, which +gave no indication of the mental agony that was rending his soul. + +Glad to make his escape, he stepped out from an open window in the +balcony, and from thence descended, by a short flight of marble steps, +into the large and thickly-shaded garden, which it overlooked. + +With a feverish step he traversed its winding walks, until wearied he +sank on a rustic seat, beneath the welcome shade of a graceful elm. The +sounds of music and mirth came wafted to him through the open casement, +and never seemed they less congenial to his feelings. + +"If I could only think it some of that ill-natured woman's gossip, I +would not care," he said, half aloud, "for the mind that could indite +such an epistle as Ella received, containing the account of Agnes's +supposed death, would be capable of anything,--but, alas, I fear it is +too true. + + 'Her heart it is another's, and + It never can be mine.' + +Yes, she appears reserved, almost cold with me. I am evidently shunned +by her, while =he= is welcomed most warmly, whenever he appears. But I +cannot blame her. It was natural that an acquaintance, thus strangely +formed, should lead to such a result, and he, too, yes, he is worthy of +her. He loves her dearly, I am sure of that; but never, never can he +regard her as I do." + +Again the sounds of music swelled on the balmy evening breeze. It was +now a woman's voice that warbled clear and sweet a touching strain. + +"It is Agnes," he murmured, adding as a fine manly voice took up another +part, "and that is Ernest Clifford. My fondest hopes, a long, a last, +farewell." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + +A fortnight had elapsed subsequent to the festivity recorded in the +preceding chapter, when, late one afternoon, Arthur,--who had been +engaged from early morning in a distant part of the city, transacting +some business of importance,--as he returned, passing by Mr. Denham's +dwelling, suddenly came in contact with Mr. Clifford, who, with a quick, +eager step, and a countenance all aglow with some pleasurable emotion, +was hurrying on, so absorbed in his own thoughts, that he was only +arrested by the sound of his friend's voice. + +"You seem to be in a great hurry, Clifford," said Arthur smiling, though +it must be confessed his heart felt little attuned to mirth; "and, +judging from the expression of your countenance, combined with your +unusual absent-mindedness, something more than usual must have occurred, +and that of a very pleasurable nature, to have thus excited you." + +"You have made a capital guess of it, Arthur. I have been putting forth +every energy of late to win a priceless treasure, and after a desperate +effort, have succeeded. Is not that a subject for congratulation?" + +"At last, at last, she is won," inwardly murmured poor Arthur, while his +whole frame seemed convulsed, but controlling himself, as he observed +his companion's glance fixed eagerly upon him, he replied, in a tone +which, in spite of his efforts, sounded cold and somewhat ungracious. + +"I shall be a better judge of that, Clifford, when I know what the +nature of the prize, and whether it was valuable enough to warrant the +efforts put forth to obtain it." + +"=Valuable=, there is no boon on earth to be compared to it. I might +exhaust comparisons in vain to furnish a fit simile; for, in it, is +combined all that is lovely, virtuous and excellent. To descend, +however, from parable, in order to enlighten you, allow me to say," and +a slight flush mounted to the speaker's face, while his companion's +cheek grew ashy pale, "that I have been so truly fortunate as to secure +a place in the affections of a woman, to my mind, the loveliest of her +sex. But, happy as I am in obtaining such an avowal, there is one +drawback to my felicity; her consent must be ratified, so she affirms, +by a beloved relative, before I am to consider it binding. And I--do you +know, Arthur--I never dreamed I was a coward until now; but it seems +such presumption in me to expect a man to part with a flower that he has +tenderly nurtured and cherished, that it may adorn with its beauty and +grace another homestead, far removed, perhaps, from the eyes that +delighted to watch its expanding charms." + +"This suspense is intolerable," murmured Arthur Bernard to himself, +while in blissful unconsciousness his companion went on. "Why does he +not speak her name out clearly, and put an end to this torture, which +racks every nerve of my frame?" + +"And now, Arthur, I want your advice. Woman-hater as you are,"--Clifford +said with a smile. + +"I suppose Agnes told him that, she thought so herself, no doubt," was +Arthur's mental parenthesis. + +"Woman-hater as you are, I know you deem my hopes and fears as both +unfounded; but, never mind, you will, I trust, know by experience some +day or other, so, in consideration of that coming, happy time, will you +inform me in what terms I can possibly have the presumption, to request +of the lady's relative, that he graciously permit her to bestow her hand +upon your humble servant?" + +"I do not foresee any difficulty," said Arthur, with a tremulous effort +at composure. "The lady's consent once secured, I should think all +others of comparatively little moment, and with the knowledge that her +happiness depends on their sanction, it will, I believe, be readily +accorded." + +"How happy you make me, my dear fellow, though you did deliver that +speech, as though you were negotiating some bank business. And so, you +would advise me to put a bold face on the matter, and say to them, 'she +is mine, and I will have her.'" + +"If that form of expression suits you best, use it, by all means; I have +no objection." + +"Then I shall act upon your advice immediately, Arthur Bernard," and the +voice at once became deeply solemn and earnest. "Are you willing to +resign to my fondest, my tenderest care, your only and beloved sister +Ella, to whom I am aware you are so deeply attached, and who returns +your affection with all the warmth of her loving nature." + +Arthur Bernard, could not reply. He was bewildered, stunned, at the +intelligence. From the very depth and agony of despair, to be raised to +the very summit of hope, was almost too much for poor human nature to +bear. His friend observed his emotion, but attributed it to a very +different cause, and his countenance, so joyous a moment before, clouded +instantly. + +"I see," he said, in a low and mournful tone, "that this does not meet +your wishes, nor can I wonder at it, for I feel I am not worthy of so +precious a gift, except for the intense love I bear her,--a love which, +I trust, if permitted, shall be manifested in every action of my future +life." + +"Not meet my wishes! You have totally mistaken me, my friend, my +brother, as I would now joyfully call you," pressing fervently his +companion's hand as he spoke; "you are worthy of my darling Ella, my +beloved sister, and there is none other, to whom I could yield her less +reluctantly than yourself. With a brother's blessing I commit her to +you, and as she has been to me the most faithful and affectionate of +sisters, so, I am sure, you will find her the truest and most devoted of +wives." + +There was a pause. Both the gentlemen were affected, and they continued +their walk, which had been extended to a solitary part of the city's +suburbs, for some time in silence, which Ernest was the first to break. + +"I cannot thank you in words; they are too poor to express how I +estimate this frank and generous consent; my actions will, I trust, show +how truly I appreciate it. Forgive me, Arthur, for my unjust suspicions, +but I imagined when I commenced the conversation, that you suspected the +nature of my embassy, and by cold looks and words strove to divert me +from speaking in plainer terms, and forcing you to a denial of my +request." + +Arthur was slightly embarrassed, and his companion looked at him, +wondering what could thus discompose his usually sedate friend. + +"The truth is," he said after a pause, "that I totally misunderstood +you, so you see there has been a mutual mistake. I have been blind, +indeed, but I had not the slightest idea that you entertained any +feeling but friendship for Ella." + +"And pray, then, if you will permit me to inquire," and there was +something mischievous in the speaker's glance and tone, "to whom did you +imagine I alluded, when I informed you that, woman, dear woman, was the +prize so much coveted?" + +"Well, I did think," and the speaker's hesitancy was not by any means +unobserved by his friend, "for report affirmed, that Miss Wiltshire was +the lady to whom you intended to vow life-long allegiance." + +"And so you supposed I had come to make a confidant of =you=. I wonder +you did not knock me down for my presumption, in expecting to eclipse +you in her eyes. No, no, my dear Sir, I was not such a simpleton, for +had I entertained hopes of that kind before, the joy which lighted up +her fine eyes, and glowed on her countenance, on that eventful meeting +with you on her return, combined, how often, with subsequent similar +observation, would have been quite sufficient proof to me that my +expectations were 'baseless as the fabric of a vision.'" + +Arthur smiled and shook his head, though the subject was by no means an +unpleasing one, at least judging from his animated countenance, and the +rapt attention which he paid to every word. + +"But who, may I ask, Ernest, was your informant as to my claims to the +title of 'woman-hater?'" + +"Not Miss Wiltshire, I can credibly affirm. More than that I do not +think it is fair to tell you." + +"Well, well, I am perfectly satisfied, and now I think it is time for us +to retrace our steps in the direction of home." + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + +"And so our dear young lady is married, Ellen?" said Mrs. Williamson to +her daughter, who had just returned from a visit to B----. + +"Yes, mother, and a beautiful bride she made." + +"Ay, I doubt it not, and as good as beautiful," said the father, who had +just come in to Ellen's neat little cottage, to hear all the particulars +connected with her late journey. + +"And they treated you well, Ellen, did they not?" + +"Treated me =well=? why, mother, it was like a new world; and they were +so kind to me, took me to every place, and showed me everything worth +seeing. And, dear me, but it is a beautiful city; such grand buildings, +such water-works, such parks, all laid out with trees, and walks, and +grass-plots, and seats, where you can rest whenever you choose,--and +then at night, the splendid shops are so dazzlingly lit up, and the +streets almost as bright as day. Oh, surely it is a fine thing to live +in the city!" + +"Ha, ha," said a clear, manly voice, and the speaker entered the door; +"so my little bird has become restive since her taste of city life, and +longs to fly away again." + +"Indeed, Edward, that is not true. If I had been brought up to +city-ways, I think I should like to live there; but, now, I like my home +better, far better. I only wish we could have the meetings on Sunday, +that I went to there; oh, mother," she said, as she turned suddenly +round to address her, "it would have done your heart good to have heard +the singing, and have listened to the sermons, and such grand churches, +all crowded too." + +"But I want to hear everything from the beginning," said Mr. Williamson. + +"Well, then, I will commence my history from the time we got there. You +know Miss Agnes was expecting me, and they kept a constant look-out, so +that the vessel had not been an hour at the wharf, but what should I see +but a splendid carriage, driven by two white horses, galloping down, and +how overjoyed I was when Miss Agnes stepped out, and came on board, and +ran up and kissed me, and we both shed tears, I believe, for I saw her +put her handkerchief to her eyes, and I cried for joy at seeing her +again. And then I must go right home with her; she would fain have had +Edward, too, but he could not leave his vessel, yet was quite willing +that I should go, so my trunk was handed in, we both stepped into the +carriage, and were off in a few moments, Edward standing on the deck, +watching till we were out of sight; at least I take that for granted. + +"Well, we drove to her uncle's dwelling, a large white house, with +splendidly ornamented pillars in front, and a balcony all round. It +stands in the midst of a park, at least so I call it; and there is a +fountain just before the door, flinging its glistening waters to a great +height, and grass, and flowers, and large shady trees, and winding +walks, and it looked altogether so lovely to me, with the sun shining +down upon it, that I cannot find words to describe it. Well, we got out +at the hall-door, and I followed Agnes into a parlor, where her uncle +and aunt were sitting, and, would you believe it, as soon as they saw me +they came forward, and kissed me, and made me sit by them, and told me +that Agnes had related to them all the kindness that had been shown to +her by our family, and how thankful they were to us all for it; and then +asked me about my husband, who, they said, had rescued her from a watery +grave, and how anxious they were to see him, and hoped he would be able +to call soon, and so he did that very evening, and a happy time we had +of it! + +"The next morning there came in to Mr. Denham's, a young gentleman with +Mr. Clifford, who you know stopped here with Captain Pierce; and they +both shook me warmly by the hand. This young gentleman's name was +Bernard, and while Agnes was talking to Mr. Clifford, he asked me many +questions about my home, and about the people that lived here, and +wanted to know if there were often shipwrecks near the place. I knew +well enough what he wished to find out, for I saw him, every now and +then, look at Miss Agnes so wistfully and sad, and then at Mr. Clifford, +as though he envied him the seat near her, and so I felt a kind of pity +for him, and began to tell him, in a low tone, what I knew he was +longing to hear, though I suppose he had heard it all before; but, +somehow, people never get weary of hearing about the one they love. And, +oh, he grew so lively, as I went on, and seemed such a pleased +listener,--and when I told him how much good she had done, and what a +change had come over the place, while she stopped here; the day and +night schools she had formed, and the services she had held on the +Sabbath, his very eyes seemed to thank me, they shone so brightly; and +when I had finished, he said, in a low tone, which he did not think I +overheard, + +"'Yes, she is indeed an angel; so much the more bitter for me!' + +"They left soon after, Mr. Clifford being in somewhat of a hurry; so Mr. +Bernard had but little opportunity of conversing with Miss Agnes; and +after they were gone, she stood by the window in silence for a few +moments, and when she turned to speak, I saw that a tear had fallen on +her long lashes, but she said, in a cheerful tone, 'We will go now and +take the promised drive.' + +"And so we did, and a charming one it was. Mr. Denham came with us, and +he pointed out everything to me that was new and beautiful; if I had +been his own daughter, he could not have been kinder. + +"But still, while I was looking at all the noble buildings, I could not +help thinking of Mr. Bernard; and then Miss Agnes, while she talked and +laughed a good deal, seemed as though she were striving to be cheerful, +I thought it did not come as natural to her there, as it did when she +was with us, and I half fancied something was going wrong. + +"Then her uncle began to talk of Mr. Clifford, and to praise him very +much; and I watched her, though she little knew it; but she joined with +him warmly, and her color never rose a bit, nor her voice faltered. By +and bye, somehow or another, I believe it was myself spoke of Mr. +Bernard, and he, too, came in for a large share of praise from Mr. +Denham; but Agnes only responded, 'Yes, I have no doubt of it,' looking +at the same time very earnestly out of the carriage window; but I caught +a glimpse of her face, as she turned it, and saw a delicate rose-color +flush her cheeks, and then I knew that Mr. Bernard need not despair. + +"So it went on from day to day. We rode, and walked, and shopped, and +visited, and attended museums, and lectures, and meetings, and yet I +fancied Agnes grew sadder and sadder; and Mr. Bernard, when I saw him +now and then, for he did not come much to the house, looked like a man +who was bravely struggling against some misfortune, which, in spite of +his efforts, was well nigh crushing him. + +"But one evening, Agnes had been invited out to a dinner party; they had +sent me an invitation, also, but I declined going, for I knew I should +not feel at home among so many strangers, and they so far above me; so I +remained with Mr. and Mrs. Denham. + +"'I would far rather stay with you,' Miss Agnes said, 'than go out this +evening, but these are very particular friends, who would feel I +slighted them, if I remained away; but, indeed, I do not feel at all +well.' + +"I was in her dressing-room at the time, and she was preparing for the +occasion. + +"'You do look pale, Miss Agnes,' I replied, 'and your eyes look heavy.' +I was pretty sure, from their appearance, she had been weeping that +afternoon. + +"However, she went; for it was not her fashion to consult her own ease, +when others were to be gratified. + +"It was little more than 10 o'clock that night; Edward had been with me +during the evening, but had just returned to his ship, and Mr. and Mrs. +Denham had retired to rest, for they kept early hours; I was sitting in +the parlor, reading a beautiful book, a present from Agnes, when I heard +steps coming up the gravel walk, and a murmur of voices in earnest +conversation. I peeped through the half-closed blind, and beheld Miss +Wiltshire arm in arm with a gentleman, whom I took to be, though I could +not see very distinctly, Mr. Bernard. + +"In a moment after they entered, and sure enough it was Mr. Bernard, +though every trace of sadness had disappeared from his face, and as he +came forward and shook hands with me, asking me so kindly how I was, his +very voice seemed altered, it was so gay, so joyous. I tried to catch a +glimpse of Miss Agnes's countenance,--it was some time before she lifted +her veil, but when she flung it aside, as she took off her bonnet, I saw +that her former paleness had been succeeded by a rosy-red, and her eyes +seemed beaming with new life. + +"We sat and talked for some time, at least Mr. Bernard and I, for Miss +Wiltshire was unusually silent. + +"At length he took his leave, but as he clasped her hand, and bade her +'Good night,' I heard him say in a low tone, 'I shall see Mr. Denham, if +nothing happens, early to-morrow morning,'--and so departed. + +"We soon separated for the night, and I heard nothing until the next +day, when Agnes told me all the particulars. + +"It seems there had been a mistake all round; Mr. Bernard having +believed that Mr. Clifford was his rival, and Miss Wiltshire imagined, +from something some lady told--Maria as they called her, I heard her +other name, but forget it--that Mr. Bernard had been paying her very +great attention, and had almost, if not actually, proposed for her hand. + +"There was not a word of truth in that, of course; but this Maria, it +seems, was determined to have the young gentleman, and did not care what +she said or did, if she could only secure him. + +"But it came out right, after all; Providence is always good to those +that trust Him, and so, just a week ago to-day, for we sailed +immediately after the wedding, they were married, and Mr. Clifford at +the same time." + +"But who did Mr. Clifford marry?" inquired one of the deeply interested +listeners. + +"Mr. Bernard's sister, a sweet pretty young creature, with eyes as blue +as a summer's sky. And such a sight it was to see the two brides; both +dressed alike in white satin, with orange blossoms in their hair, and +white veils on the back of the head, falling over their shoulders like a +mantle. It was so strange, too, that the clergyman who married them, +and who was a great friend of Miss Wiltshire's, had been a passenger in +the very steamer from which she had so narrow an escape; he had embarked +in another boat, and with the rest of the male passengers had got safe +to land. A short time before her wedding, Agnes met him in the street, +just after his arrival from some distant part, and she said, she did not +know which was the greatest, his joy or surprise at seeing her, for he +had never heard of her wonderful preservation, and had not, therefore, +the most distant idea she was in the land of the living. + +"Well, as soon as it was over, and they stepped out of the church, the +joy bells rang out, so merrily, and every person looked so pleased and +so happy. There was a grand lunch at Mr. Denham's, and then the bridal +party drove away to spend the honeymoon in travelling." + +"Well, she deserved a good husband, and I trust she has got one," said +Mrs. Williamson, as Ellen paused to take breath, "and I pray that Heaven +may bless them both!" + +"Amen," was the hearty response of the listeners, a response which, we +trust, kind reader, you will have no hesitation in echoing. + +The wish of Ellen, which she gave expression to, as she narrated her +visit, unlike most earthly wishes, was, in the space of a year or two, +abundantly realized. + +Through the instrumentality of Agnes and her devoted husband, a neat +little church was erected; a school-house quickly followed; a minister +and teacher were obtained; the people, stimulated by their example, +rebuilt and improved their dwellings; began to cultivate their land, and +that with such success, that fruit and flowers, and shady trees, and +fields of waving grain, were, in a comparatively short time, to be seen +in every direction, so that with regard to those changes, and the +instrumentality through which they had been effected, it is little +wonder that Mrs. Williamson, as she pointed them out to her family, +would now and then exclaim,-- + +"The wilderness and the solitary place were made glad by her, and the +desert rejoices and blossoms as the rose." + +Verily Agnes Bernard has her reward now, in the enjoyments which cluster +so thickly around her; in the happiness of which she is at once the +dispenser and partaker; but how greatly shall it be increased, when, +from a Saviour's lips, shall be heard the welcome plaudit:-- + +"Inasmuch as ye did it unto the least of these, ye did it unto me." + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Woman As She Should Be, by Mary E. Herbert + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WOMAN AS SHE SHOULD BE *** + +***** This file should be named 15982.txt or 15982.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/9/8/15982/ + +Produced by Early Canadiana Online, Robert Cicconetti, +Janet Blenkinship and the Online Distributed Proofreading +Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/15982.zip b/15982.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c4a8ef6 --- /dev/null +++ b/15982.zip diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..39675e0 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #15982 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/15982) |