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Southworth</title> - <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> - <style> - body { margin-left: 8%; margin-right: 10%; } - h1 { text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-size: xx-large; } - h2 { text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-size: x-large; } - .pageno { right: 1%; font-size: x-small; background-color: inherit; color: silver; - text-indent: 0em; text-align: right; position: absolute; - border: thin solid silver; padding: .1em .2em; font-style: normal; - font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; } - p { text-indent: 0; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; text-align: justify; } - .sc { font-variant: small-caps; } - .large { font-size: large; } - .xlarge { font-size: x-large; } - .small { font-size: small; } - .lg-container-b { text-align: center; } - .x-ebookmaker .lg-container-b { clear: both; } - .lg-container-l { text-align: justify; } - .x-ebookmaker .lg-container-l { clear: both; } - .lg-container-r { text-align: right; 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} - .c016 { font-size: .9em; text-indent: 1em; margin-top: 0.25em; - margin-bottom: 0.25em; } - .c017 { font-size: .9em; text-align: right; } - .c018 { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin-bottom: 0.8em; - margin-left: 35%; margin-right: 35%; width: 30%; margin-top: 2em; } - .c019 { margin-left: 8.33%; text-indent: -5.56%; margin-top: 0.5em; - margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - div.tnotes { padding-left:1em;padding-right:1em;background-color:#E3E4FA; - border:thin solid silver; margin:2em 10% 0 10%; font-family: Georgia, serif; - clear: both; } - .covernote { visibility: hidden; display: none; } - div.tnotes p { text-align: justify; } - .x-ebookmaker .covernote { visibility: visible; display: block; } - .figcenter {font-size: .9em; page-break-inside: avoid; max-width: 100%; } - .x-ebookmaker img {max-height: 30em; max-width: 100%; } - .chapter { clear: both; page-break-before: always; } - .ol_1 li {font-size: .9em; } - .x-ebookmaker .ol_1 li {padding-left: 1em; text-indent: 0em; } - body {font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: justify; } - table {font-size: .9em; padding: 1.5em .5em 1em; page-break-inside: avoid; - clear: both; } - div.titlepage {text-align: center; page-break-before: always; - page-break-after: always; } - div.titlepage p {text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; - line-height: 1.5; margin-top: 3em; } - .ph1 { text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; font-size: xx-large; - margin: .67em auto; page-break-before: always; } - .ph2 { text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; font-size: x-large; margin: .75em auto; - page-break-before: always; } - .x-ebookmaker p.dropcap:first-letter { float: left; } -</style> - </head> - <body> -<p style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The discarded daughter, by Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte Southworth</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world 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 <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The discarded daughter</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:1em;'>Or the children of the isle</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte Southworth</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: January 5, 2023 [eBook #69714]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: Richard Tonsing and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DISCARDED DAUGHTER ***</div> - -<div class='tnotes covernote'> - -<p class='c000'><strong>Transcriber’s Note:</strong></p> - -<p class='c000'>The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.</p> - -</div> - -<div class='titlepage'> - -<div> - <h1 class='c001'><span class='sc'>The Discarded Daughter</span><br> <span class='small'>OR</span><br> <span class='xlarge'>The Children of the Isle</span></h1> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div>BY</div> - <div class='c003'><span class='large'>MRS. E. D. E. N. SOUTHWORTH</span></div> - <div class='c003'><span class='small'>Author of “Ishmael,” “The Hidden Hand,” “The Bride’s Fate,” “The Changed Brides,” etc.</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/i_title.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>GROSSET & DUNLAP</div> - <div>PUBLISHERS: NEW YORK</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_iii'>iii</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CONTENTS.</h2> -</div> - -<table class='table0'> - <tr> - <th class='c005'><span class='small'>CHAPTER</span></th> - <th class='c006'> </th> - <th class='c007'><span class='small'>PAGE</span></th> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'> </td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>Introductory—St. Clara’s Isle</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_v'>v</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>I.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>Mount Calm</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_1'>1</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>II.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>The New Suitor</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_3'>3</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>III.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>The Father’s Tyranny</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_7'>7</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>IV.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>The Subjection of Alice</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_12'>12</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>V.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>The Husband’s Authority</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_14'>14</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>VI.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>Country Neighbors</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_16'>16</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>VII.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>Hutton of the Isles</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_20'>20</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>VIII.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>The Bride of the Isles</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_24'>24</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>IX.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>Hutton Lodge</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_28'>28</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>X.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>The Patience of Alice</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_33'>33</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>XI.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>Alice’s Visit to Hutton Isle</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_41'>41</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>XII.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>Child of the Wreck</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_45'>45</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>XIII.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>The Desolate House</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_51'>51</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>XIV.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>Vanishing of Agnes</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_55'>55</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>XV.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>The Elfin Girl</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_59'>59</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>XVI.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>Elsie</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_66'>66</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>XVII.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>The Ball—The Unexpected Guest</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_75'>75</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>XVIII.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>The New-Found Heir</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_83'>83</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>XIX.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>The Devotion of Love</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_86'>86</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>XX.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>Elsie in the Attic</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_97'>97</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>XXI.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>Cruelty—A Chamber Scene</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_103'>103</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>XXII.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>Marriage</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_108'>108</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>XXIII.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>The Heart Overtasked</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_118'>118</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>XXIV.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>The Wife’s Trust</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_128'>128</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_iv'>iv</span>XXV.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>Life’s Storm and Soul’s Shelter</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_133'>133</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>XXVI.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>Day After the Wedding</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_143'>143</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>XXVII.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>Deep Dell—Country Tavern</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_150'>150</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>XXVIII.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>The Vault</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_155'>155</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>XXIX.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>The Children of the Isle</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_168'>168</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>XXX.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>The Night Visit</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_172'>172</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>XXXI.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>Nettie in the Mansion</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_180'>180</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>XXXII.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>The Interview</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_187'>187</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>XXXIII.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>Elsie in the Log Cabin</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_198'>198</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>XXXIV.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>What Came Next</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_207'>207</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>XXXV.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>The Flight of Time</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_217'>217</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>XXXVI.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>Light on the Island</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_227'>227</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>XXXVII.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>The Beehive</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_242'>242</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>XXXVIII.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>Hugh and Garnet</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_256'>256</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>XXXIX.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>The Struggle of Love and Ambition</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_267'>267</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>XL.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>Elsie’s Fortunes</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_282'>282</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c005'>XLI.</td> - <td class='c006'><span class='sc'>The Secret Revealed</span>,</td> - <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_291'>291</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_v'>v</span> - <h2 class='c004'>INTRODUCTORY.<br> <span class='large'>ST. CLARA’S ISLE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in6'>The Island lies nine leagues away.</div> - <div class='line in8'>Along its solitary shore</div> - <div class='line in6'>Of craggy rock and sandy bay,</div> - <div class='line in8'>No sound but ocean’s roar,</div> - <div class='line'>Save where the bold, wild sea-bird makes her home,</div> - <div class='line'>Her shrill cry coming through the sparkling foam.</div> - <div class='line in40'><i>—R. H. Dana.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>The scenes of our story lie along the Western shore -of Maryland, near the mouth of the Potomac River, and -among the islets of the Chesapeake Bay.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Nothing can be more beautiful, grand, and inspiring -than the scenery of this region.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The great Potomac, a mighty and invincible monarch -of rivers, even from her first stormy conquest, in which -she rent apart the everlasting mountains, and forced herself -a passage to the sea—widens and broadens her channel, -extending the area of her empire continually as she -goes on her irresistible way in a vast, calm, majestic flow -of waters to the ocean.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At the mouth of the river on the north, or Maryland -side, is Point Lookout; on the south, or Virginia side, is -Smith’s Point, with an expanse of water twenty miles -in width between them.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The shore on the Maryland side is broken by the most -beautiful creeks and inlets, and dotted by the most beautiful -islets that imagination can depict—creeks whose -crystal-clear waters reflect every undulating hill and -vale, every shadowy tree and bright flower lying upon -their banks, and every soft and dark, or sun-gilded and -glorious cloud floating in the skies above their bosoms; -islets whose dewy, fresh and green luxuriance of vegetation, -darksome trees and profound solitude, tempt one -<span class='pageno' id='Page_vi'>vi</span>into poetic dreams of an ideal hermitage. The beauty -and interest of this shore is enhanced by the occasional -glimpses of rural homes—magnificent, or simply picturesque—seen -indistinctly through the trees, at the -head of some creek, on the summit of some distant hill, -or in the shades of some thick grove.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Nothing can surpass the pleasure of the opposite but -delightfully blended emotions inspired by this scene.</p> - -<p class='c010'>On the one hand the near shore, with its inlets and -islands, its sunny hills and shadowy dells, its old forests, -its cornfields, and its sweet, sequestered homes, yields -that dear sense of safety and repose which the most adventurous -never like to lose entirely.</p> - -<p class='c010'>On the other hand, looking out to the sea, the broad -expanse of waters, the free and unobstructed pathway -to all parts of the world, fills and dilates the heart with -an exultant sense of boundless freedom!</p> - -<p class='c010'>I said that the islets of the Potomac were fertile, verdant, -and luxurious in vegetation. This is because their -sandy soil is mixed freely with clay and marl; because -it is enriched with the deposits of the vast flocks of water-fowl -that hover upon them for safe repose; and finally, -because, unlike the worn-out lands of the peninsula, the -soil is a virgin one, where for ages vegetation has -budded, bloomed, and decayed, and returned to the -earth to fertilize it. (And here let me be pardoned for -saying that it is a matter of surprise to me that the attention -of enterprising men has never been turned to -these islands as a source of agricultural wealth; for, besides -the rich fertility of the soil, the salubrity of the air, -and the beauty and grandeur of the land and water -scenery, these islands are rich in shoals of fish, crabs, -and oysters, and in vast flocks of water-fowl. But we -ever overlook and leave the near to seek the far-off goal.)</p> - -<p class='c010'>Beyond the mouth of the river, however, and up the -coast of the bay, the islands are sandy and poor—nearly -unproductive, or entirely barren.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Anyone who will turn to the map of Maryland will -see that the Chesapeake Bay is interspersed with numerous -islands of all sizes, from the largest—Kent Island—to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_vii'>vii</span>the smallest, nameless sand bank; that the eastern and -western shores of Maryland are beautifully diversified -with every modification of land and water scenery; that -the inlets and islands of the coast form the most charming -features of the landscape.</p> - -<hr class='c011'> - -<p class='c010'>Some distance above Point Lookout, at the mouth of -the Potomac River, up the western shore of Maryland, -there is a beautiful inlet, or small bay, making up about -three miles into the land, called St. Clara’s Bay by one -of the early Roman Catholic settlers. At the headwaters -of this inlet is a small, very old hamlet, the site of one -of the first settlements of the State, intended once, no -doubt, for a great colonial seaport, and christened by -the same sponsor St. Clarasville. With its fine harbor -and great commercial facilities, whatever could have arrested -its growth and withered it in its prime I do not -know—possibly the very abundance of other good harbors -on the coast—probably the frequent and violent -dissensions between the pre-emption freebooters of the -Bay Isles and the legal proprietors and settlers of the -mainland. Lying two miles off the mouth of this inlet, -and stretching across in front of it, is an oblong, sandy, -and nearly barren island—rich, however, in fish, crabs, -oysters, and water-fowl, and upon this account a great -resort in early colonial times, and baptized by the same -devout claimant of the bay and town St. Clara’s Isle, in -honor of his patron saint.</p> - -<p class='c010'>But there was another claimant of the island, inlet, and -township; a freebooter, who, believing in and acknowledging -no greater personage than himself, had named -the isle, the bay, and town also, when it was laid out, -after himself. So they were first and most frequently -called Hutton’s Island, Bay, and Town.</p> - -<div class='chapter ph1'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c012'> - <div>THE DISCARDED DAUGHTER</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_1'>1</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER I.<br> <span class='large'>MOUNT CALM.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>A proud, aristocratic hall it seems,</div> - <div class='line'>Not courting, but discouraging approach.</div> - <div class='line in32'><i>—Moultrie.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Let me introduce you to Mount Calm, the seat of -General Aaron Garnet. Even from the bay you can see -the mansion house, with its broad white front, as it -crowns the highest of a distant range of hills. After passing -through the village of Hutton, and going up and -down the grassy hills that rise one above the other beyond -it, you enter a deep hollow, thickly grown with -woods, and passing through it, begin to ascend by a -heavily shaded forest road, the last and highest hill of -the range—Mount Calm. When about halfway up this -hill you come to the brick walls inclosing the private -grounds, and passing through the porter’s gate you -enter a heavily-shaded carriage drive, that, sweeping -around in an ascending half-circle, brings you up before -the mansion house.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Behind the house was a green slope and a thick grove -that concealed from view the extensive outbuildings connected -with the establishment. Extensive fields of corn, -wheat, rye, oats, tobacco, etc., spread all over the undulatory -land. The estate itself comprised several thousands -of the best acres in old St. Mary’s County, and there -were several hundred of them under the best cultivation -and in the richest state of productiveness.</p> - -<p class='c010'>This princely estate had remained in the possession of -the Chesters since the first settlement of the county, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_2'>2</span>unlike the usual fate of old Maryland plantations, the -property had not only been carefully preserved, but had -steadily increased in value up to the time of the Revolution, -when it had reached its highest importance.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The estate was then in the hands of Charles Chester, -Esq., Justice of the Peace and Associate Judge of the -Provincial Court. His family consisted of a wife, two -sons, and a daughter.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At the breaking out of the Revolution Judge Chester -and his two stalwart boys took the field among the first, -and at the triumphant close of the war Colonel Chester -set out on his return home with a pair of epaulettes, -minus his pair of goodly sons, who were left not only -dead upon the field of glory, but buried with all the -honors of victorious war upon the immortal plains of -Yorktown. And thus it happened that the heirship of the -heavy estate, with all its burden of onerous responsibilities, -fell upon the frail shoulders of young Alice Chester—a -fair-skinned, golden-haired, blue-eyed girl of seventeen, -the fairest, gentlest, and most fragile being that ever -owed life to a stern and warlike sire. Alice, living at -home with her simple-hearted, domestic mother, had -been very little noticed by her father, or even by anyone -else, until, by the death of his sons, she became the sole -heiress of the vast estate, which was to prove the greatest -misfortune of her life.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The long, long bleak winters were passed in almost -inviolable seclusion, cheered only by an occasional letter -from the army, and an occasional ride to church, if the -road happened to be passable, which was seldom the case.</p> - -<p class='c010'>This life lasted until Alice was fifteen years of age, -when an event occurred such as would make no stir at -all in a city, but which will throw a quiet country neighborhood -into convulsions, namely, a change of ministry—not -national, but parochial! The old parson, compelled -by declining health, had departed to take charge of a -congregation farther south, and a young parson had -come in his stead. The Rev. Milton Sinclair was handsome, -graceful, and accomplished.</p> - -<p class='c010'>By the invitation of Mrs. Chester the young minister -<span class='pageno' id='Page_3'>3</span>became the temporary inmate of Mount Calm, and very -much he entertained and instructed, cheered and sustained -the secluded mother and daughter. He became -the almoner of the lady to the poor around. He directed -and superintended the reading of Alice; introducing -gradually, as her opening mind could bear, all -the beauties and glories of science, history, philosophy, -and poetry.</p> - -<p class='c010'>As the days fled, Alice and Milton Sinclair grew to -love each other, and one day the minister told his great -love and was made happy by Alice confessing that she -returned his affection. Mrs. Chester, too, approved of -the match, and she set her maids to work carding, spinning, -knitting, weaving, and sewing, that Alice might -have a full supply of every description of household -cloth and linen. The bride’s trousseau was the last -thing thought of, and there was time enough, she -thought, for that when her father should arrive. She did -not know when that would be, but it was well to have -everything that took a great deal of time and labor, such -as the house and furniture and the household stuff, ready—as -for the wedding dresses and other minor preparations, -of course they must be deferred until Colonel -Chester’s arrival, and then they could be speedily got up.</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was in the midst of this domestic happiness, this -great tense joy and hope, that the thunderbolt fell!</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER II.<br> <span class='large'>THE NEW SUITOR.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>How! Will she none? Doth she not give us thanks?</div> - <div class='line'>Is she not proud? Doth she not count her blessed,</div> - <div class='line'>Unworthy as she is, that we have wrought</div> - <div class='line'>So worthy a gentleman to be her bridegroom?</div> - <div class='line in38'><i>—Shakspere.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>First came the news of the glorious victory of Yorktown—the -final and signal triumph of the American -arms. There were no railroads and telegraphic wires in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_4'>4</span>those days, and very few newspapers. The report, the -re-echo of this splendid victory, rolled on toward their -quiet neighborhood like a storm; in clouds of doubt, in -thunder and lightning of astonishment, joy, and mad triumph. -The most delirious rejoicing convulsed the whole -village and neighborhood for days, before any newspaper -arrived with an account of the battle.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And the same mail that brought the newspaper, -with a long account of the battle, headed in great capital -letters line below line, brought also a letter sealed -with black that sped like a bullet through the foreboding -heart of Mrs. Chester, a letter from Colonel Chester, announcing -the glorious death of his two brave sons upon -the field of victory.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mrs. Chester was overwhelmed with grief by the twofold -bereavement, the fall of both her gallant sons, of -whom she was as proud as fond.</p> - -<p class='c010'>She did not dream of the calamity, worse than death, -that had befallen Alice, in the disguise of a princely inheritance, -destined to darken her whole life with sorrow, -while it mocked her in the face of the world with -its unreal light and splendor.</p> - -<p class='c010'>But there was one who was not so forgetful—Colonel -Chester. He was still with the army, but another letter -was received from him, announcing his speedy return -home, accompanied by his friend and companion in -arms, General Garnet, a young officer, who, though but -thirty years of age, had risen to the highest rank in the -army, and won an immortal fame.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Colonel Chester came at length, accompanied by General -Garnet. He met Alice with great empressement—for -it was scarcely great affection—praised her growth -and her beauty, introduced General Garnet, and, excusing -himself for a few moments, passed to the sick-chamber -of his wife.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Left alone with her guest Alice examined him shyly, -with the curiosity of a woman and the bashfulness of a -country girl. General Garnet was what young ladies call -a fine, military-looking man. He certainly had a fine, -martial figure and bearing, or that which is our ideal of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_5'>5</span>it—a tall and elegantly proportioned figure, a calm, -majestic carriage, yet withal suggestive of great reposing -strength and fire. His voice was perfect harmony -itself. His manner was dignified and imposing, or graceful, -earnest, and seductive. Yet, sometimes, one in a sudden, -vague astonishment, would feel that he was a man -who could unite the utmost inflexibility, and even cruelty -of purpose, with the most graceful and gracious urbanity -of manner. With all his marvelous powers of fascination -he was a man to darken, chill, repel a bright-spirited, -warm-souled, pure-hearted girl like Alice. Yet -she did the honors of her father’s house to her father’s -guest until that guest merged into the lover, and then -Alice felt and betrayed the utmost soul-sickened repugnance -to him and his suit.</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was now that the object of Colonel Chester in inviting -this distinguished visitor to Mount Calm became -evident—that of bestowing the hand of his daughter and -heiress upon him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>After a conversation with General Garnet he sent for -Alice, and, without any preface at all, bade her make -up her mind to a speedy marriage with the husband he -had chosen for her, his distinguished and dear friend, -General Garnet.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice passed from the room, mechanically pressing her -hands to her temples, trying to awake as from a heart-sickening -dream. And so she passed to her now frequent -post of duty, her declining mother’s darkened -room and sick-bed. The senses, or the intuitions, or the -instincts of those on the confines of the unseen world are -sometimes preternaturally acute. There was that in the -falling footstep, in the very form and bearing, of Alice, as -she glided through the shadows of that dark room, that -revealed to the mother the existence of some heavy cloud -teeming with sorrow, that was ready to burst upon the -devoted head of her child.</p> - -<p class='c010'>She called Alice to her bedside, took her hand in her -gentle grasp, looked with wondering sadness into her -eyes—her eyes set in the stare of blank stupor—and murmured -tenderly:</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_6'>6</span>“What is the matter, Alice? Tell your mother?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Her mother’s loving voice and touch unsealed the -spellbound founts of tears and speech.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, mother! mother! I am ruined! ruined!” she -wildly gasped, and, sinking down upon the floor, -dropped her head upon the bed with hysterical sobs and -gasps, and inarticulate wailings.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Her mother laid her gentle hand upon her child’s -burning and throbbing head, and raised her tender eyes -in silent prayer for her, while this storm raged, and until -it passed, and Alice, exhausted, but calm, was able to -rise, sit by her side, and while she held her hand, tell her -what had happened.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will speak to him, Alice,” she then said. “I will -tell him how you and Sinclair love each other—as you -could not tell him, my child. I will show him how vain—oh, -how vain! are wealth, and rank, and honor, and -glory, in the hour of grief, by the bed of death, in the -presence of God! how love, and truth, and faith are all -in all! Yes! and I will make him feel it, too. And, -though he should not realize it as I do, yet he will never -refuse me a request now!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And the next morning, directly after breakfast, Colonel -Chester received a message from his wife, requesting -him to come to her room for a few minutes, if convenient, -as she wished to speak with him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Colonel Chester went. What passed at that interview -no one knew more than what might be guessed from -what followed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Colonel Chester came out of the room, banging the -door after him, with a half-uttered imprecation upon -“sickly fancies,” “irritable nerves,” and “foolish -women.” But immediately after this interview Mrs. -Chester became much worse; her fever rose to delirium, -and she was alarmingly ill for several days. Milton Sinclair -heard of her state, and, little suspecting the cause, -came to see her. He was met by Colonel Chester, who -informed him that his wife was too ill to receive even -her pastor, and requested him to walk into the library. -There Colonel Chester informed him that circumstances -<span class='pageno' id='Page_7'>7</span>had occurred which made it his painful duty to beg that -Mr. Sinclair would temporarily suspend his visits to -Mount Calm.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Alice!” exclaimed the young man. That name contained -everything, and rendered a full explanation indispensable. -It was given.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Deadly pale, Sinclair walked up and down the floor, -pressing his head tightly between his two palms and -groaning—groaning the name, the prayer, that in the -bitterest agony of the soul starts to every lip:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My God! oh, my God! have pity on me! God have -mercy on me!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The heart-broken tone of these words touched even -that hard man of the world, Colonel Chester.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Come, come, Sinclair; you must have been prepared -for this for some months past. I did not violently and -at once separate you from Alice when I first came home, -although you must have known that all our plans were -changed. I gave you time to wean yourself gradually -off. In other circumstances, indeed, I should have felt -myself most honored, most happy in the alliance; but we -do not control our own destinies. Good-day, Sinclair. -You will forget Alice.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER III.<br> <span class='large'>THE FATHER’S TYRANNY.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>An thou be mine, I’ll give thee to my friend!</div> - <div class='line'>An thou be not, hang, beg, starve, die i’ the streets,</div> - <div class='line'>Nor what is mine shall ever do thee good,</div> - <div class='line'>Trust to it, bethink you! I’ll not be forsworn!</div> - <div class='line in41'><i>—Shakspere.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>Sinclair! Sinclair! Where in the world was he? -Where had he been so many days? Why did he not -come? Alice could have given the world to have seen -him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>She did not know that he had been forbidden the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_8'>8</span>house. She was totally ignorant of everything that had -passed between her father and himself. She walked -wildly about the house and grounds, instinctively avoiding -her feeble mother’s room, lest in her present distracted -state she should kill her with agitation; afraid of -meeting her father, and doubly afraid of encountering -General Garnet, and wishing and praying—oh! praying, -as if for dear life, that she might meet Sinclair.</p> - -<p class='c010'>One afternoon she wrote a wild letter to him, illegible -and unintelligible every way except in this—that he -must “come to Mount Calm immediately.” She sent -the letter off, and walked up and down her chamber, trying -to get calm enough to go and see her mother. While -thus employed a message reached her from her mother, -desiring her to come to her room. Alice went immediately. -As she entered the dark chamber Mrs. Chester -called her up to the side of her bed; she saw that her -mother’s countenance had changed fearfully since the -morning, and now a new terror and remorse seized her -heart; she was about to speak, when Mrs. Chester said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Alice, you look frightfully pale and haggard, my -dear child. Alice, we were foiled this morning. Your -father has been here, and told me all about it—the projected -marriage in a week, and all; but do not fear, my -dear child, you shall not be sacrificed; it is not right. I -have sent a message to Mr. Sinclair to come here this -evening. He has not been here for some time, and when -he comes I must have a talk with him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>At this moment a servant entered the chamber, to -whom Mrs. Chester turned, saying:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Milly, mix a teaspoonful of ether with a little water, -and hand it to Miss Alice. She is not well. You must -take it, Alice, dear; you are really very ill, and it will -compose your nerves.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mr. Sinclair is downstairs, madam, and wants to -know if he may come up,” said the girl, as she handed -the glass to Alice.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice dropped the glass, untasted.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Where is General Garnet?” said Mrs. Chester.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“In the library, writing, madam.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span>“Where is Colonel Chester?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Gone out riding, madam.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank Heaven! Yes, request Mr. Sinclair to come -up, Milly.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>After the departure of the girl the mother and daughter -remained in silent expectation. At last the light, -quick footstep of Sinclair was heard upon the stairs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Go and meet him, Alice, my darling,” said the -mother, with a smile.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice arose, and as he opened the door and advanced -into the room, started forward and threw herself weeping -into his arms. What could he do but press her to his -bosom? Then he led her back to her mother’s bedside—stooped -over the sick lady, taking her hand, and inquiring -tenderly, respectfully, after her health of body and -soul. While she was making her gentle, patient reply, -the attention of all three was arrested by the noise of -heavy, hurried footsteps hastening up the stairs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is your father, Alice! Oh, God, save us!” exclaimed -Mrs. Chester, just as Colonel Chester, with one -violent kick of his boot, burst open the door, and, purple -and convulsed with rage, stood among them.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Who admitted this man? Who sent for him?” he -demanded, in a furious voice.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I did. I sent for him,” said the mother, pale with -fear and feebleness, but wishing to shield her daughter.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I did! I wrote him a note,” murmured the daughter, -in a dying voice, sick with terror, but wishing to save her -mother.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Traitors! Shameless household traitors! so there are -a pair of you! a desirable wife and daughter! a very -suitable mother and daughter! But I’ll find a way to -punish you both. I’ll——”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Here he was interrupted by Sinclair, who, turning to -him, said, in a composed but stern voice:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Colonel Chester, visit your anger and reproaches -upon me, who knew of your prohibition, not upon those -who possibly knew nothing about it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You have the insolence to tell me, sir, to remind me, -that you knew of my prohibition to cross my threshold! -<span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span>while standing here in my house, in the very heart of -my house, my wife’s bedchamber!” exclaimed Colonel -Chester furiously.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“In your wife’s sick-chamber, sir, where, as a Christian -minister, it is my bounden duty sometimes to come.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And, d—— you, from whence I’ll put you out!” -exclaimed the infuriated man.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will go. Good-evening, Mrs. Chester; good-evening, -Alice. I leave you in the care of Heaven,” said -Sinclair, wishing, by all means, to avoid the disgrace of -a struggle.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Go! what, go quietly like an honored guest dismissed? -No, d—— you, you came surreptitiously, and -you shall depart involuntarily. No, d—— you, I will -put you out!” vociferated the maniac, in an ungovernable -fury, springing upon Sinclair.</p> - -<p class='c010'>A violent struggle ensued. Sinclair acted entirely -upon the defensive, saying, continually, as he could -make himself heard:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Colonel Chester, let me go! I will leave quietly; I -would have done so at first.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And now the deathly grip and struggle went on in -silence, interrupted only by the short, curt, hissing exclamations -of the enraged man through his now whitened -lip and clenched teeth. Sinclair was half the age -and double the weight and strength of his opponent, and -could easily have mastered him, but did not want the -odium of doing it.</p> - -<p class='c010'>While wrestling desperately on the defensive, he expostulated -once more:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Colonel Chester—not for my sake, but for your own—for -your family’s, for honor’s sake, let me depart in -peace!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ah, villain!” exclaimed the madman, finding his -strength failing, and suddenly drawing a pistol, he -pointed it at Sinclair’s temple and fired. Sinclair suddenly -started, and the bullet went through the window, -shattering the glass. Chester now raised the spent pistol -and aimed with it a violent blow upon Sinclair’s head. -Sinclair quickly caught his descending hand, when——</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span>A power more awful than the judge’s baton, the monarch’s -scepter, or the priest’s elevated crucifix arrested -the combat.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Death stood in their presence! A cry of mortal anguish -from Alice caused both to turn and look—both to -drop their hold—and stand like conscience-stricken -culprits!</p> - -<p class='c010'>There lay Mrs. Chester, the gentle, patient, long-suffering -woman, stricken down, dying in her daughter’s -arms.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Colonel Chester came to his senses at once, feeling all -the horror and remorse of a murderer.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And Sinclair repented from his soul that he had not -permitted himself to be expelled from the house with -every species of ignominy rather than to have seen this.</p> - -<p class='c010'>That ashen brow—those fixed eyes—that silent tongue, -and quick, gasping breath! that face of the dying! it -would never depart from his memory. Oh! any personal -indignity rather than this memory! if he could but save -her! but she was beyond all help now, for—even as full -of sorrow and remorse he gazed—with a long, deep sigh, -as for the pilgrims she left behind on earth, her spirit -passed to God.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Sinclair bore Alice, fainting, from the room.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Colonel Chester fell down on his knees, dropping his -head upon the bed, and throwing his arms over his dead -wife in a paroxysm of remorse and despair, ungovernable -as his rage had been, and, alas! nearly as transient!</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER IV.<br> <span class='large'>THE SUBJECTION OF ALICE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Oh! bid me leap, rather than marry Paris,</div> - <div class='line'>From off the battlements of yonder tower.</div> - <div class='line in36'><i>—Shakspere.</i></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Now see that noble and most sovereign reason</div> - <div class='line'>Like sweet bells jangled out of tune and harsh!</div> - <div class='line'>That unmatched form and feature of blown youth</div> - <div class='line'>Blasted with ecstasy!</div> - <div class='line in40'><i>—Ibid.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>After this terrible family storm, in which poor Mrs. -Chester’s vital powers had suddenly failed, the peace -stern death enforces reigned through the house. Alice, -her heart and brain overturned by endurance, lay exhausted, -almost insensible, upon her bed within her -chamber.</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet had taken himself off to the village -tavern, whence he had been invited to pass a week or -two, at Point Yocomoco, the seat of Judge Wylie.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Sinclair, in the disinterested kindness of his heart, -remained at the house, superintending and directing -everything, unquestioned by Colonel Chester, who, when -he met, recognized him with a sigh or a groan. He remained -until the funeral was over, and the house restored -to its former order, and departed without seeing -Alice, who, still prostrated, had not left her room. And -after this, as Colonel Chester had not revoked his prohibition, -he came to the house no more.</p> - -<p class='c010'>As days glided into weeks Alice recovered a portion of -her strength, left the chamber, and mournfully went -about her customary occupations.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Poor Alice! her spirit was very willing, but her nerves -were very weak. So it was with a pang of fear that -Alice heard her father at the breakfast table one morning -announce the expected arrival of General Garnet -that evening. Yes, Colonel Chester, thinking that now -perhaps sufficient time had elapsed since her mother’s -death—and sufficient strength and cheerfulness had returned -<span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span>to his daughter—had recalled her suitor. Alice -was trembling violently—she dared not look up. She -had been taught to love and venerate her father above all -earthly beings, and next to God. She loved and venerated -him still, and kept her thoughts reverently away -from investigating his motive and judging his conduct. -She had been taught to bow with implicit and reverential -obedience to his will. To oppose him had not been easy -in her thought—it was terrible in practice. It would -have been terrible to her had her father been a man of -moderate temper and self-control; but he was a man of -violent and ungovernable passion; and Alice was in an -agony of terror when she faltered out:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Father, if General Garnet comes here only as your -guest, I will welcome him with every possible attention; -I will try to make him feel at home, and endeavor to -render his sojourn with us in every other way agreeable; -but if he comes here as my suitor——” Here her voice -died away.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>It is impossible to convey the short, curt, galvanic -strength and abruptness with which he jerked, as it -were, this syllable out, and brought Alice up. It was like -throwing the lasso suddenly around her neck, and jerking -her up face to face with him. And such a face! It -is impossible to paint the grim determination of the -locked jaws, armed with the wiry stubble beard, bristled -up with fierceness, and the ferocity of the darkly-gathered -frown that screwed his glance upon her pallid -face, that screwed it into her very brain. Alice turned -deadly sick, her eyes filmed over, and she sank back in -her chair. She did not faint or lose consciousness, for -the next instant she felt her father’s iron hand upon her -fragile shoulder, and her father’s awful voice in that low, -deep, suppressed tone of fierce, immutable determination, -saying:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Miss Chester, it is not as your suitor, but as your -husband, that General Garnet will come this evening. I -command you to receive him as such.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And he left her.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER V.<br> <span class='large'>THE HUSBAND’S AUTHORITY.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Yet haply there will come a weary day,</div> - <div class='line in2'>When overtasked at length,</div> - <div class='line'>Both Love and Hope beneath the weight give way;</div> - <div class='line in2'>Then with a statue’s smile, a statue’s strength,</div> - <div class='line'>Stands the mute sister, Patience, nothing loth,</div> - <div class='line'>And both supporting does the work of both.</div> - <div class='line in40'><i>—Coleridge.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Let us hasten over the next few hideous weeks. -Alice had a serious illness, from which she recovered -slowly; her spirit utterly broken; her heart utterly -crushed; her very brain clouded. Her whole being -bowed down by the storm of sorrow, yet with no one to -support, comfort, sympathize with her. Sinclair, that -only living being who could have saved her, was absent, -forbidden to approach her. She was left alone, almost -imbecile, and so quite defenseless in the terrible power -of her father.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And what words are these to write! and what a position -was hers when that divinely appointed parental authority—that -protective and beneficent power—was perverted -by pride, ambition, and selfishness into an engine -of mighty torture, inflicting a fatal and life long calamity!</p> - -<p class='c010'>Yet the father verily believed that he was disinterestedly -serving his daughter’s best interests. There is -no more profoundly mournful illustration of the ruined -archangel than that of any perverted love.</p> - -<p class='c010'>With the support of her feeble mother, had she lived—with -the support of Sinclair, had his piety been less -æscetic, more hopeful—Alice might have successfully resisted -the fate impending over her; but she was alone, -reduced by sorrow and illness to a state of imbecility of -mind and body, and she succumbed to her destiny.</p> - -<p class='c010'>So, in just three months from the death of her mother -Alice Chester, pallid, cold, nearly lifeless, whiter than the -pearls in her pale hair, stood in bridal array before God’s -holy altar, to vow in the hearing of men and angels to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>love and honor one whom she found it difficult not to -hate and despise.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Immediately after the marriage they set out upon a -bridal tour through the North. They were absent all -summer. Early in autumn they returned to Mount -Calm, where, at the earnest desire of Colonel Chester, -they took up their residence. Alice would have preferred -it otherwise.</p> - -<p class='c010'>After their marriage, and during their long and varied -bridal tour, she had, as it were, lost her identity, seeming -to herself to be someone else. The varied scenes of her -journey—the stage-offices, turnpike roads, country taverns, -great cities with their masses of brick and mortar, -public edifices, forests of shipping, gay shops, theaters, -concerts, balls, illuminations, dancings, splendid attire, -stage pageantry, the ranting and the after silence, land -journeys, water journeys—all haunted by one painful -presence—had passed before her like a phantasmagoria; -like a continuation of her brain fever, with its nervous -delirium and grotesque or hideous visions and hallucinations. -So all had seemed to her, while she seemed to all -a pale, pretty, silent girl.</p> - -<p class='c010'>There is a point of suffering beyond which sorrow destroys -itself—is not felt as real—just as there is a crisis -at which physical agony superinduces insensibility. So -it had been with Alice, until she re-entered her native -State, and memory and association were at work again,</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in6'>“And the accustomed train</div> - <div class='line'>Of things grew round her brain again”;</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c014'>then it was with the shrinking dread with which a -burned child would approach fire that Alice drew near -her home. She would have preferred to remain away -for ever, amid the kaleidoscopic changes of her new, -wandering, unreal life, rather than have awakened from -the strange, painful, but very vague dream; rather than -have consciousness forced upon her by the dear, old familiar -scenes and associations of her home—her once -peaceful, hopeful, happy home, as by</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Some monstrous torture-engine’s whole</div> - <div class='line'>Strength.”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>The day of their arrival at home a large company had -been invited to meet them at dinner. The days that followed -were filled up with dinner parties. At length, -late in the fall, they were quietly settled, and the monotonous -routine of daily country life commenced. One -thing Alice dreaded and avoided—appearing at church -again under her new position and name. But Sinclair -had accepted a “call” to a church in the West, which -opened to him a new field of labor and usefulness. His -departure followed; and this was a great relief to Alice, -who, with the “sigh of a great deliverance, tried to leave -the past with all its gloom and terror,” and turn to the -future with some hope.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Two events of great domestic importance occurred in -the second year of their marriage; one was the death of -Colonel Chester, who died, as all their neighbors said, -of nothing more than his diabolical temper; as their -physician said, of congestion of the brain, brought on by -excitement. And what do you think was the cause of -this fatal excitement? That the child of Alice happened -to be a girl instead of a boy, which he had set his heart -upon.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER VI.<br> <span class='large'>COUNTRY NEIGHBORS.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Blest those abodes where want and pain repair</div> - <div class='line'>And every stranger finds a ready chair;</div> - <div class='line'>Blest be those feasts, with joyous plenty crowned,</div> - <div class='line'>Where all the blooming family around,</div> - <div class='line'>Laugh at the jests or pranks that never fail,</div> - <div class='line'>Or sigh with pity at some mournful tale,</div> - <div class='line'>Or press the weary traveler to his food,</div> - <div class='line'>And feel the luxury of doing good.</div> - <div class='line in40'><i>—Goldsmith.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Alice was almost in solitary confinement in the cold, -stern prison of her home, for General Garnet discouraged -association with old friends, who at least suggested -the past, if they did not openly refer to it.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span>But there was one family, and that family the very -warmest and most steadfast among the few friends of -Sinclair, from whom General Garnet had not the will to -separate his young wife—the Wylies of Yocomoco, or -Point Pleasant, as their seat was more frequently called -by their delighted visitors. Who, indeed, had the will -or the power to do aught to annoy the delightful host -of Point Pleasant?</p> - -<p class='c010'>Who in all the South has not heard of Judge Jacky -Wylie, still called judge because he had once sat upon -the bench, though not finding the seat comfortable, he -had abandoned it, affirming that he had “not the heart” -for the business? That was a favorite phrase of the -judge, who was always asserting that he “hadn’t the -heart,” when everyone knew that he had the largest -heart in all old Maryland.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And there was his mother, a gentlewoman of the old -school, without any state about her, a Lady Bountiful of -the neighborhood, without any pretensions.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Who did not know and love old Mrs. Wylie?</p> - -<p class='c010'>How she was adored by the large, miscellaneous family -Jack had gathered together! To be sure, all Jacky’s -unprovided nieces and nephews were her grandchildren, -and it was partly for love of her, to please her, to let -her gather all her second brood under her wing, that her -son Jacky collected them. Yes, she was adored by all -that household of laughing girls and roystering boys, -the tide of whose love and fondness for her was so great -that it sometimes overflowed the barriers of veneration—just -as Jacky’s confidence in God sometimes swamped -his reverence!—but most of all was she idolized by the -adopted son of Judge Jacky, Ulysses Roebuck.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Next to his grandmother Ulysses loved his smallest -cousin, little Ambrosia, the only child of Judge Jacky, -and the little goddess of the whole household of -grown-up and growing young men and maidens. Little -Ambrosia, named after her Uncle Ambrose, who had -been the elder and only brother of Jacky, and the favorite -of his mother, but who had died in youth. And -it was to please his mother that Jacky, having no son, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span>called his little daughter after his brother. And it was -a lovely name, too, he thought—a lovely, tempting, caressable -name! really better than one could have hoped; -for Ambrose was old-fashioned and ugly—low be it -spoken.</p> - -<p class='c010'>I think the negroes must have conceived it to be a -“tempting” name, too; for, with their inevitable fault of -corrupting language, they called the little seraph, with -her charming face and sunny hair, “Miss Ambush.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And “Marse Useless” and “Miss Ambush” were the -prime favorites of the plantation, notwithstanding, or -perhaps, because of, the dare-devil, don’t care-ishness of -the former.</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was with this family, then, that General and Mrs. -Garnet interchanged frequent visits. Often the old lady, -Mrs. Wylie, accompanied by little Ambrosia and a waiting-maid, -would drive up to Mount Calm in their old-fashioned -phaeton, to spend the day; or else two or three -of the girls and young men would ride up to pass an -evening, and return by starlight. And not unfrequently -young Mrs. Garnet would go down with her little Alice -and pass a day and night at Point Pleasant.</p> - -<p class='c010'>There was yet another family with whom the Garnets -were upon terms of close intimacy and friendship—their -next neighbors, the Hardcastles of Hemlock Hollow, -whose estate joined Mount Calm, lying immediately behind -and below it, and extending further inland. The -family at the Hollow consisted of Lionel Hardcastle, -High Sheriff of the State; his only son, Lionel, Jr., a -youth of fifteen, and his nephew, Magnus, a boy of ten -years old.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Lionel Hardcastle was the only man in the county -with whom General Garnet could be said to be on terms -of close intimacy. Their estates, as I said, joined; their -rank in life was upon a par, and their country interests -almost identical. They were also of the same party in -politics, of the same denomination in religion, and of -like opinion upon all common and local questions; so -that there was very little to differ about, while there was -a great deal to attract them to each other in their very -<span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>opposite temperaments and characters, experiences, and -mental acquisitions.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mrs. Garnet had always been strongly attached to the -family at the Hollow, and though there was no lady at -the head of the establishment to receive her, she continued -to accept the invitations to dinner extended to -General Garnet and herself, and always accompanied -him thither.</p> - -<p class='c010'>But Mrs. Garnet had her favorite among the Hardcastles—this -was young Magnus Hardcastle, the nephew, -a fine, handsome, spirited, and generous boy, devotedly -fond of his beautiful neighbor, and her sweet little girl. -Very often would Mrs. Garnet take Magnus home with -her to spend several days or weeks at Mount Calm. And -when he was not staying there, still every day would -the boy find his way to Mount Calm, with some little -childish love-offering to its sweet mistress. In spring it -would be a bunch of wood violets, or wild sweet-briar -roses, gathered in the thicket, and of which Alice was -very fond; in summer, a little flag-basket of wild strawberries -or raspberries, which Alice loved better than hothouse -or garden fruit; in autumn, a hat full of chestnuts -and chinkapins, gathered in the forest, and hulled by -himself; even in winter the little fellow might be seen -trudging on, knee-deep in snow, with a bunch of snow-birds -which he had caught in his trap for pretty Cousin -Alice, as he called Mrs. Garnet.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Very bright would grow Mrs. Garnet’s pleasant chamber -when Magnus, with his sunny smile, would break in -upon the pensive lady and the little child, and light up -all the room with his gladness. Very often the lady -would open her arms to receive the joyous boy, and fold -him to her bosom in a most loving clasp, grateful for -the new life and joy he ever brought her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mrs. Garnet loved her own beautiful and gentle child, -but it was with a profound, earnest, almost mournful -and foreboding love.</p> - -<p class='c010'>But Magnus was a perpetual day-spring of gladness -and delight to her. She could not look upon the boy -without a thrill of sympathetic joy and hope.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span>And so the years had passed, and Alice grew happy -in their flight, until the second trial of her life approached.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER VII.<br> <span class='large'>HUTTON OF THE ISLES.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in2'>Thou art as tall, as sinewy, and as strong,</div> - <div class='line'>As earth’s first kings—the Argo’s gallant sailors—</div> - <div class='line in2'>Heroes in history, and gods in song.</div> - <div class='line in44'><i>—Halleck.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>The Huttons, proprietors by pre-emption right of St. -Clara’s town, bay, and isle for more than two hundred -years, had settled among the islets of the bay many -years previous to the date of that patent by which -James I. granted the province of Maryland to George -Calvert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At the commencement of the American Revolution a -certain Captain Hugh Hutton, the then representative -and head of the family, fired with an enthusiastic passion -for liberty, or—fighting! sold a great portion of his patrimony, -and purchased, fitted out, and manned a privateer, -and sailed against the British flag.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He served gallantly and with various success during -the whole period of the war.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At the glorious close of the revolutionary struggle, -ruined in fortune and riddled with wounds, Captain -Hugh Hutton, the sailor-patriot and martyr, retired to -the last foothold of his once kingly estate, to the little -island of St. Clara’s, otherwise called Hutton’s Island—there -to die in obscurity.</p> - -<p class='c010'>A few days previous to his death he called his only -son, Hugh, to his bedside, and enjoined him never to -demand—never even to accept compensation from Congress -for his services and his losses during the war.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My fortune, my labor, my life-blood were not sold, -but given to the cause of liberty and of my country,” he -said, and these were the last words of the sailor-patriot.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>Hugh Hutton, the son, and now the sole representative -of the family, was at this time about eighteen years -old. Having lost his mother at an early age he had -been taken by his father as a companion in all his sea -voyages.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He had sailed with him in his first privateering expedition -against the British ships. At first as a childish -and innocent spectator, afterward as a youthful and enthusiastic -actor, he had figured in all the sea-fights in -which his father’s ships had been engaged during the -whole course of the war.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Thus all education, except that exclusively of the sailor -and soldier, had been denied him. And thus Hugh Hutton, -though tall, strong, handsome, and gallant, like all -his race, was yet rude, unschooled, and unpolished.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He was faithful to the dying injunctions of his father. -With many claims upon his country’s remembrance and -gratitude he set forth none.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Loving the ocean with the passionate enthusiasm of all -his father’s nature, he took to it as his natural element.</p> - -<p class='c010'>First he engaged in the humble capacity of mate on -board the <i>Little Agnes</i>, a small schooner plying between -Hutton Town and Baltimore or Alexandria, as the -freight or market demanded.</p> - -<p class='c010'>After serving many years in this situation, an unexpected -turn in the wheel of fortune gave him the means -of purchasing a larger vessel of his own, and of extending -the area of his trade and the length of his voyages. -This was the death of the old ship-owner and captain -with whom he had sailed for many years, and who, -dying, left him all his moderate possessions on condition -of his marrying his only daughter, then a mere child -of fifteen years of age, and constituted him her guardian -until the marriage. The heart of the brave young sailor -had seldom or never turned on love or marriage—it was -not the nature of his free, wild, adventurous race. But -when he had buried his old captain in Baltimore, where -he died, and taken the command of the little schooner -to return home to Hutton Town to find his little ward -and wife—then—ah! then all sorts of strange, sweet, solemn, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>and tender thoughts of beauty, and love, and -home, and repose swarmed about his heart.</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was late in the afternoon of a glorious October day -that the schooner, with her crew, put into the harbor -of Hutton’s Inlet. In striking contrast to the warm-hued, -deep-toned, refulgent natural scenery was the cold, -white front of a mansion house standing upon a distant -hill against the western horizon, and girt around with its -old ancestral trees. This was Mount Calm, the seat of -General Aaron Garnet.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The little schooner, with its white sail, glided swiftly -and smoothly into the inlet, and cast anchor near the -hamlet. Leaving the vessel in charge of the mate, Captain -Hutton took a boat and went on shore. A crowd of -villagers, as usual, thronged the beach, anxious to hear -and to tell the news, and hearty greetings and noisy -questions met him as he stepped upon the strand, such -questions as:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How is the old captain? How is old Seabright? -Why don’t he come ashore?—though there is evil news -enough to meet him when he does come! Where is the -jolly old dog, then? I guess he’s wanting up at home -there?” were some of the storm of words hailed upon -him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Friends,” replied the young sailor, shaking hands -right and left as he pushed on, “our old captain is outward -bound to that distant seaport whence no voyager -ever returns. Permit me now to go on and break the -sad news to his child.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Stay! Poor old man, when did he die? What ailed -him?” exclaimed two or three of the most persevering, -detaining him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“To-night, friends—to-night at the ‘Neptune and -Pan,’ I will tell you all about it. Permit me now to -pass on and take his last letter to his daughter,” said the -skipper good-humoredly, elbowing and pushing his -way through the crowd.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Stop! What’s to become of the young girl—pretty -Agnes Seabright? How did he leave his bit of property?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>“To-night, comrades—to-night, at the ‘Neptune and -Pan,’ I will meet you. You shall have a supper, and -drink to the memory of the outward-bound while I tell -you all about it. I must go now!” impatiently exclaimed -the captain, shaking off the pertinacious, and hastening -away up the straggling street of the hamlet.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Hugh Hutton, like all his fathers, was far above the -usual height of men—indeed, all his characteristics were -not only marked, but extravagant; thus he was very -tall, broad-shouldered and deep-chested, very muscular -and thin, with a very dark complexion, with black hair -and eyes, and very high, commanding features. Honest, -brave, and frank even to rashness, generous even to -extravagance, unselfish to the degree that the worldly-wise -would call fatuity; yet he had never known a -mother’s care, a sister’s companionship, and his indifference -to home joys was as profound as his ignorance -of love and of woman. Brought up on a ship’s deck by -a rough sailor father, he learned to love the ocean and -wild liberty with a profound and passionate enthusiasm.</p> - -<p class='c010'>But now he had a little girl left to him. He must -make a home for her, take care of her, and make her -happy if he could. This was a very novel duty indeed, -and set him very keenly to thinking. The first natural, -strange, sweet fancies that had been awakened by the -idea of this lovely living legacy had fallen asleep again, -and left him to his normal, free, glad, but hard, unloving -nature. And now the thought of pretty Agnes Seabright -fretted him like a fetter.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He pursued his walk up through the village, up over -the hills rising one beyond the other, until he came to -the arm of the forest stretching around the base of that -tallest distant hill, upon which stood the white-fronted -mansion house of Mount Calm. He pursued his walk -on through this arm of the forest, ascending the hill -until he came to a small cleared space, in which was a -little cot inclosed within a narrow garden and nearly -hidden with trees. He opened the small gate and passed -up the narrow walk between rows of marigolds, crimson, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>white, and yellow chrysanthemums, scarlet verbena -and other bright fall flowers, to the little door at which -he rapped.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER VIII.<br> <span class='large'>THE BRIDE OF THE ISLES.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>A beautiful and happy girl,</div> - <div class='line'>With step as soft as summer air,</div> - <div class='line'>And fresh young lips and brow of pearl</div> - <div class='line'>Shadowed by many a careless curl</div> - <div class='line'>Of unconfined and flowing hair;</div> - <div class='line'>A seeming child in everything,</div> - <div class='line'>Save thoughtful brow and ripening charms,</div> - <div class='line'>As nature wears the smile of spring,</div> - <div class='line'>When sinking into summer’s arms.</div> - <div class='line in32'><i>—Whittier.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>The door was opened by a beautiful girl between -fourteen and fifteen years old, not tall for her age, but -full-formed and exquisitely proportioned. Her features -were regular, with the “sweet, low brow,” and straight -nose and arched lips of the Grecian profile; her eyes -were of dark and melting hue, and her dark, rich auburn -hair, parted over a forehead of snowy fairness, dropped -in a mass of irregular ringlets down cheeks of carnation -dye. The idea she inspired was that of a richness -and fullness of life.</p> - -<p class='c010'>She stood within the door with a smile, awaiting the -pleasure of the stranger, whose knock had summoned -her. Captain Hugh had never seen Agnes Seabright -before, so that he handed her the letter, saying:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think that this is for you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>She took it, and was about in her haste to break the -seal and possess herself of the contents, when her eyes -alighted on these words, written on the corner: “To -make my little girl acquainted with Mr. Hutton, my -mate and good friend.” Then she raised her eyes from -the letter in her hand to Hugh Hutton’s face. Then -<span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span>she offered her hand shyly but kindly, while she said, -simply:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How do you do, Mr. Hutton? Will you walk in and -sit down, and excuse me while I read father’s letter? I -have not heard from him for so long,” she said, as they -walked into the parlor.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He sat down in a large flag-bottomed chair and began -to draw figures on the sanded floor with a stick, while -she retired to an end window to read her father’s farewell -letter.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Captain Hutton watched her growing pale and paler -as she read the letter to its close—as she folded it and -advanced trembling to his side—as she laid her hand -heavy from faintness on his arm, and speaking in thick, -faltering tones, said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Tell me! I don’t—I’m afraid to understand what -this means! But, my father—where is he gone?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Hugh took both her hands in his, while the folded -letter fell to the ground, looked full, looked kindly and -gravely into her set and anxious eyes, and answered -slowly:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“To heaven, Agnes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>He would have held her hands longer, gazed longer -upon that beautiful but troubled countenance, as to impart -his own strength and composure, but she withdrew -her fingers, sank down upon a chair, and covered her -face with her hands. Soon between the fingers copious -tears flowed. Then she arose and slowly left the room.</p> - -<p class='c010'>What was to be done with this young and beautiful -girl? To be sure, there was Hugh’s own home on Hutton -Island, and there was Miss Josephine Cotter, Hugh’s -maiden aunt; but the home was so poor, and Miss Joe—so -queer! There was no knowing how Miss Joe might -receive this poor child, so much in need of love and sympathy -and care just now. After ruminating a long time -he could think of no better plan than to at least consult -Miss Joe upon the subject. So, his hours for the evening -being all pre-engaged, he determined to go home -early the next morning to break the news to his aunt.</p> - -<hr class='c011'> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>“You must perceive, Aunt Joe, that I’m in a serious -dilemma.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, then, here! take this reel and wind off this -hank o’ yarn, while I foot my stocking. People needn’t -be idle while they’re talking. More idle time is spent -talking than any other way—as if people’s hands and -tongues would not go at the same time.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Hugh obeyed with a good-humored laugh. At last:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, aunt?” he said.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, Hugh! Now begin, and tell me all over, all -about it, for I don’t know as I understand it—quite!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Hugh recapitulated the history of Captain Seabright’s -illness and death, his last will and testament, and finally -the embarrassment in which he found Agnes Seabright -and the relation in which he stood toward her, concluding -with:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Now, what am I to do with her, aunt?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Marry her, Hugh. There is no home open to the -orphan but this—nor this, unless you marry her first. -You promised to wed her—you mean to wed her—why -not do it at once? Will the marriage rite hurt or inconvenience -you? Just let the marriage ceremony, -which gives you a lawful claim to her, and which gives -her the right to live here in this house as its mistress, -and which will shut the mouths of the gossips for ever—be -performed. ‘An ounce of preventive is better than -a pound of cure,’ even in matters of gossip. Then bring -her here to me. I’ll be a mother to the child. I’ll do -the best I can for her. I’ll make her feel at home, and -make her happy, even on this lonesome island.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The next morning Hugh spent with Agnes Seabright. -And after that he visited her every day, until the orphan’s -tears were nearly dried and the maiden’s heart -won.</p> - -<p class='c010'>For the reception of the bride Miss Joe was making -every preparation which she could make without spending, -or, as she called it, “heaving away of” money. -Hugh schemed “to draw all points to one,” so that the -marriage should take place upon the very day on which -he was to sail for Baltimore preparatory to a longer trip -<span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>to the West Indies. So, very early on a glorious autumn -morning, while the rising sun was shining splendidly -into the chapel windows, the marriage ceremony was -quietly performed in the village church by the village -parson.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Immediately after the ceremony was concluded Hugh -tucked Agnes under one arm and Miss Joe under the -other, and hurried down to the beach to get them on -board the boat. He lifted Agnes into the skiff, handed -Miss Joe after her, and, entering himself, laid his hand -vigorously to the oar, and they sped down the stream -and over the bright waters.</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was a golden morning—grand, exultant, inspiring! -Out before them rolled the boundless, the magnificent -sea, with its myriads beyond myriads of waves, leaping, -flashing, sparkling, scintillating like fluid emeralds in the -dazzling splendor of the morning sun.</p> - -<p class='c010'>As he looked upon this scene Hugh’s eyes kindled, -blazed. He did not see how sad was the brow of his -young bride. No! the sea-king had already risen above -the lover.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At last the island lay before them like a line of gold. -He rowed swiftly for it. Soon they landed on the glittering -strand. It was here they parted.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And—be kind to my little Agnes!” he whispered, as -he took leave of the old lady.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Now, Agnes,” he said, as he folded her to his bosom -and pressed his first and farewell kiss upon her lips.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Then he sprang into the boat and struck out to sea in -the direction of his vessel, riding at anchor at about a -half league’s distance, and which was to sail with the -tide.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Come, Agnes,” said Miss Joe, kindly taking her arm -to draw it within her own.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not yet—not just yet! And, if you please, just let -me watch until the boat gets out of sight.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Honey, it will put your eyes out to try to look upon -this sparkling sea. Come; breakfast is waiting for us, -I know.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I wish he had only stayed to breakfast with us! I -<span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>could have parted with him better then, if I had known -he had eaten a good, warm breakfast.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The tide wouldn’t wait, you know, child, and he will -get his breakfast on board his vessel. Why, what’s the -matter, Agnes? I do believe you like him already! I -do believe you’re sorry he’s gone!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He was my only friend! Since father died I was -getting used to him,” said Agnes, bursting into tears.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, I declare to man, if it is not wonderful! All -them Huttons had never seemed to value woman’s love—have -every one of them always got more than they -deserved. Come, Agnes; the boat is quite out of sight -now; come home and take a cup of coffee, child; it will -cheer you up.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you think he is safe on board of his vessel yet?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, yes, of course! Come, a cup of coffee is first-rate -for trouble—’cause, you see, I’ve tried it! Come, -honey!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And Miss Joe drew Agnes’ arm within her own and -walked up the isle toward the cottage.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER IX.<br> <span class='large'>HUTTON LODGE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>A snug thatch house; before the door a green;</div> - <div class='line'>Hens in the middling; ducks and geese are seen;</div> - <div class='line'>On this side stands a coop; on that a pen;</div> - <div class='line'>A wood-pile joins.</div> - <div class='line in36'><i>—Allan Ramsay.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Hutton Lodge, on Hutton’s Island, had been built in -the palmy days of the family’s prosperity.</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was to this lodge that Captain Hugh Hutton of -Revolutionary memory had retired with his sole female -relative, his sister-in-law, Miss Josephine Cotter. And -here, after his death, had the good woman continued to -live.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And here was Hugh Hutton’s home whenever his ship -<span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>would be in port. And finally, it was to this lodge, or -cottage, as he called it, that Miss Joe conducted her -young charge, the widowed bride.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The days were all occupied with work—yes, hard -work. All day long the whir of the flying shuttle, and -the dull, monotonous clap-clap of the warp-rammer -would be heard, as Miss Joe sat at her loom; and the -hum of the great spinning-wheel as Agnes stood and -spun. Agnes had no motive under the sun for her industry -but Hugh’s interest and Hugh’s pleasure. To -become an efficient help-meet for Hugh—to be an industrious -and saving little housekeeper for Hugh’s profit. -And when Miss Joe praised her docility and perseverance, -poor girl, she felt as though she were receiving -Hugh’s approval. Sometimes she would be tempted to -think a little hardly of his having gone to sea so instantly -after their marriage, but when this thought took the hue -of blame she banished it at once. But—did he love her -at all, when he could leave her so soon, and with so little -emotion? She feared not. Would he ever love her as -she loved him—as she wished to be loved? She knew -herself to be beautiful and attractive. She would have -been an idiot not to have known it. In her deep and -secret heart, while never acknowledging her purpose to -herself, she sought to adapt herself to her circumstances -and duties, and fit herself to win Hugh’s approval and -love. Such were her silent dreams and reveries by day, -while her spinning-wheel whirled under her hand, and -the incessant clap-clap of Miss Joe’s loom sounded on -her ear from the other corner. And so November and -the greater part of December passed, when a letter came -from Hugh announcing his speedy return home.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At length the important day dawned; it was Christmas -Eve. The snow was two feet deep on the ground, -and crusted with a coat of ice thick enough to bear the -heaviest footsteps without breaking through. The day -was cold, crisp, but clear.</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was nearly sunset when Agnes went up into her -room for the fiftieth time that day to look at the sea -for a sail. It was very cold, and there was no fire, so -<span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>Agnes thought just to give one sweeping glance over -the waters and then retire, when her eye alighted on a -distant sail making toward the isle. She wrapped a -large woolen shawl around herself and sat down to -watch what might come. The vessel bore down rapidly -upon the island. When within about a quarter of a mile -and bearing away westward toward the mainland, she -lowered a boat with two rowers, who pulled swiftly toward -the island landing. Agnes recognized Hugh and -one of his crew. She started and ran downstairs, exclaiming -as she burst into the kitchen:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hugh is coming! Hugh is almost here, aunt! I saw -him in the boat!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Is he?” said the old lady quietly. “Well, then, -honey, do you take some water upstairs in—in—in my—no, -your room for him to wash, while I put up the supper, -so that he needn’t wait.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Agnes complied, arranging everything neatly and conveniently, -and then returned to the kitchen to assist Miss -Joe in arranging the supper on the table.</p> - -<p class='c010'>They had scarcely completed their task before a sharp -rap was instantly followed by the pushing open of the -door, and Hugh entered alone, vigorously stamping the -snow off his feet.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Miss Joe looked at the snow and her soiled floor, and -sighed heavily and shook her head before she even advanced -to welcome her nephew.</p> - -<p class='c010'>That greeting over, Hugh extended his hand to his -young wife with a “How do you do, Agnes, my dear?” -and threw himself heavily into a great armchair by the -fire.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Yes! it seemed but too true! The little love Agnes -had inspired him with during their short acquaintance -had all evaporated during the not much longer sea -voyage!</p> - -<p class='c010'>Would he go to his room and change his dress? -Would he have water? Everything was in readiness for -him upstairs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>No! he would stay here in this armchair by the chimney -corner until they should sit down to tea. He did -<span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>not wish to give anybody any trouble. He begged that -they would take none. Besides, he was so glad to see -his good aunt and little Agnes that he did not wish to -lose a single moment of their company for the little time -that he had to stay with them.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Then Miss Joe invited him, as soon as he should feel -himself sufficiently rested, to take off his overcoat and -sit down to supper.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Then Hugh arose, and Agnes quietly took his hat and -Miss Joe drew off his overcoat and inducted him into -his seat at the table. The supper was a feast. Besides -the usual indispensables of coffee, rich cream, fresh -butter and light bread, there were oysters and wild duck, -stewed fruit, cakes, and so on.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Hugh asked Agnes how she liked her island home. -This was the first question he had put to her since his -return.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Agnes answered that she liked it very well. Did she -not find it lonesome?</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, indeed.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Poor Agnes in her desire to be agreeable was totally -unconscious of her falsehood.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Then Hugh turned to Miss Joe, inquiring kindly after -her health.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Oh, her health was always good, and had never been -better than at this moment.</p> - -<p class='c010'>When tea was over and the table cleared away they -all drew around the fire. Miss Joe, with her reel and -yarn, and Agnes sitting idle in compliment of Hugh’s -return.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Hugh, on his part, began to tell them of his voyage, -of his success, of his happiness to find himself at home -again; of a certain large and well-filled box which he -hoped might be acceptable to his aunt and Agnes. -Whereupon Miss Joe began an exordium on the sin of -“heaving away” money, which was gently cut short by -Hugh, who, rising up, announced that he really ought to -have been back to his vessel an hour before, and that -he must now take leave of them.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“When shall we see you again?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>“To-morrow, about noon.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What! not before?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No; I have to go to Huttontown.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, you’ll stay when you do come?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am afraid I cannot promise you, indeed, aunt; but, -at all events, I will see you every day, and make it a -point to spend the whole of Christmas Day with you. -Good-night, aunt! Good-night, Agnes, my dear!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>A week passed, during which Hugh was for the most -part at the cottage.</p> - -<p class='c010'>New Year’s Day dawned. It was the last day he had -to stay at home. They spent this holiday very much as -they had spent Christmas Day—going to church at Huttontown -in the forenoon and returning to the isle to dinner. -After dinner Hugh took them to the mainland, -where he hired a sleigh and gave them a long, fine run -over the frozen snow.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The next morning Hugh came early—unknown to -Aunt Joe, however, who was outdoors giving directions -to Pontius Pilate about his day’s work. She had returned -to the kitchen and was busily engaged, as usual, -at her loom, when she was very much astounded by a -noise on the stairs as of a man’s heavy footsteps, and -the stair-door was pushed open and Hugh appeared, -porter-like, with a great trunk—Agnes’ trunk—upon his -shoulders, a basket in his hand, and a bandbox under -his arm, and followed by Agnes herself, dressed in traveling -gear, with another basket and a bundle.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Miss Joe stared in amazement, without being able to -articulate.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why, what in the name of all the saints in heaven -does all this here mean?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am going to take Agnes to sea with me,” said -Hugh.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The old lady broke out into loud sobs for company.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Hugh set his trunk, bandbox, and basket down upon -the floor and set himself to the task of comforting and -soothing both.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Miss Joe was the first to recover.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Come here, Aggy, my darling child! You have been -<span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>like a darter to me, honey. Kiss me again. Since you -will go, Aggy, God bless you, my child! God bless you! -I shall comfort myself very well by weaving cloth and -flannel, and making counterpanes for you against you -come back. Good-by!” And she embraced Agnes -fondly and lifted and placed in her hands the basket and -bundle.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Hugh now came forward, and, for the second time, -bade his aunt farewell; and, resuming his bundles, trunk, -bandbox, basket, etc., set out for the beach.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If I’d only known, I’d a’ had a cup of coffee ready -for you,” said the old lady; and she looked really pitiable -as she stood there in her solitude, watching them as they -went down to the beach and embarked on board the little -boat and sped toward the distant ship. Having with -the aid of a spyglass seen them embark on board the -ship, Miss Joe turned into her lonely home and began -preparing her solitary meal.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER X.<br> <span class='large'>THE PATIENCE OF ALICE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Thou must endure, yet loving all the while,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Above, yet never separate from thy kind;</div> - <div class='line'>Meet every frailty with the gentlest smile,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Though to no possible depth of evil blind,</div> - <div class='line'>This is the riddle thou hast life to solve;</div> - <div class='line in2'>But in the task thou shalt not work alone,</div> - <div class='line'>For while the worlds about the sun revolve,</div> - <div class='line in2'>God’s heart and mind are ever with His own.</div> - <div class='line in26'><i>—J. Monckton Milnes.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>It is now twelve years since the marriage of Alice -Chester and General Garnet, and six months since the -departure of Hugh Hutton and Agnes upon their sea -voyage.</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet is absent on an electioneering tour, -but daily expected back.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>It is June, and the scene is the terrace in front of -Mount Calm. There are four persons upon the terrace.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice occupies a rustic seat under the shadow of a -locust tree. She is still a most beautiful woman, very -delicate, almost sylph-like, with her fair, blond beauty -and airy, white muslin wrapper. She is calmly pursuing -a piece of fine, white, knitting-work—that favorite busy -idleness of all Maryland ladies. At her feet is a very -small basket, containing her keys and the ball of lamb’s -wool yarn from which she knits. Near her stands a -young mulatto hand-maid of about ten years of age.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Lower down upon a step of the terrace sits her -daughter Alice, or Elsie, as she was called for distinction’s -sake. Elsie is now a very beautiful child, promising -to be much more beautiful than her mother had -ever been. She strangely united the most beautiful features -of both parents. She had the delicate, Grecian -features, fair, roseate complexion, golden hair, and blue -eyes of her mother, with the passionate, veiled gaze and -bewildering smile of her father. She had a finer vital -and sanguine temperament than either could have possessed; -a more rounded form, more elastic motion, a -more joyous expression, a more gladsome cadence in her -speech and in her laughter. Elsie sat sketching an elm -tree from nature—the tree stood before her, at some distance -on the lawn. She was bending over her drawing-board, -that rested on her lap, until her fair ringlets almost -concealed her rosy cheeks. She, also, wore a simple -white muslin dress that harmonized well with her -blooming beauty. Behind her, bending over her, stood -a youth of sixteen; but for height, for breadth of shoulders -and depth of chest, and manly and athletic proportions -generally he might have been taken for twenty -years of age. He was a very handsome boy, with bright -chestnut hair, waving around a massive brow and relieving -and beautifying its heavy strength, gracefully as -foliage shades rock. He seemed to have just returned -from gunning, for he wore a dress of forest green, his -cap lay at his feet, his pointers were near, and one hand -rested upon a fowling-piece, while with the other he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>pointed alternately to the elm tree and the drawing, giving -Elsie some instruction in her work. His dark gray -eyes, full of thought, truth, and affection, were fixed -upon her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And while they pursued their work Alice, from her -rustic seat, watched them. Alice, looking as serenely -happy as though her heart had never been broken, her -brain never been crazed by calamity, anguish, and despair -verging upon madness; as healthful, amiable, and -self-possessed as though she had never sworn in her -frenzy that she could not survive the severance from -Sinclair; that neither moral, intellectual, nor physical nature -could stand the test—the misery of a life with -Garnet.</p> - -<p class='c010'>But Divine Providence is kind, and nature is full of -remedial power. We have all strength given us according -to our need. If our joys are greater in anticipation -than in realization, so certainly are our sorrows.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice, in the terrible storm of passion that had temporarily -dethroned her reason, believed that she could -not outlive her marriage; yet she had lived twelve years, -and was comparatively happy—possibly happier than -many a girl who had married for love, or its semblance.</p> - -<p class='c010'>It is true that from the hour she awoke from the -strange torpor that immediately followed her marriage -her religious principles had taught her to turn from the -memory of Sinclair, whenever that memory recurred. -She prayed against, she strove against it, wrenched her -thoughts forcibly from it, and riveted them to something -else. And her prayers and struggles had produced this -happy effect. The image of Sinclair had faded away -with the brightest visions of her girlhood. And now -that that typhoon of youthful passion had long passed, -and even its memory had almost faded away, her genial, -affectionate, religious nature made her happy. With -such a nature Alice could not live without forming attachments -to those around her. He must have been a -terrible brute who could not have been blessed with -some portion of her affection by simply living in the -house with her for twelve years. And General Garnet -<span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>was not exactly a brute. He was very handsome, graceful, -and accomplished and habitually polite. And now -that time had long worn out his jealousy he had ceased -all undignified and ungentlemanly interference with his -wife’s specially feminine occupations and associations. -Alice was happy with her housekeeping, her garden, her -dairy, her country neighbors, her favorite Magnus, and -her little daughter. Yet, had the Angel of Destiny whispered -to her heart this alternative: “Your daughter! two -fates await her—to die in her childhood, or live to be an -unwilling bride—choose for her!” Alice would have answered -with a shudder and without a moment’s hesitation: -“Let her die in her childhood rather. Let her die -now, rather!” And to have saved her from the misery -of wedding one she could not love, Alice would have -been content to lay her heart’s only treasure, her idolized -child, in the grave.</p> - -<p class='c010'>But no such question of Destiny had yet called back -the memory of the past, and Alice was happy as she -drew out her knitting-needle and smiled at the boy and -girl on the terrace.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At last the sketch was finished and Magnus pronounced -it perfect, and threw his shoulders back with a -yawn of relief, and brought his hands together with -a ring, exclaiming, as he turned to Alice:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Now, cousin, let me order the horses and let us ride -at once to the beach. Why, here’s Goliah come from the -post office—with a letter, too!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is from the general, madam,” continued Magnus, -receiving the letter from the boy and handing it to Alice. -She opened and glanced through it. Then turning to -the expectant child, she said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Elsie, your father will be home this evening. He -will bring with him Judge Wylie, Mr. Ulysses Wylie, -Mr. Hardcastle, and Mr. Lionel Hardcastle. He requests -me to have supper ready for the party.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice was soon superintending the preparations for -supper. She had a good deal of the pride of the housekeeper -and the hostess about her. Every Maryland -woman has.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>And that evening General Garnet entertained his -friends to his heart’s content. It was a sort of little -political party, at which Mrs. Garnet was not expected -to appear.</p> - -<p class='c010'>After supper Lionel and Ulysses left the grave conclave -of politicians to the discussion of Congress and -canvas-back ducks, and came out upon the green.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Lionel was full of the new good fortune that had befallen -him. The dearest wish of his life was gratified; -his father had at last obtained for him a midshipman’s -warrant and he was going to sea. Alice looked at the -wild and willful youth with much anxiety, and wished in -her heart that it might have been otherwise; that he -might have been forced to stay under his father’s protection -and surveillance.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Lionel also, in his frank, off-hand manner, informed -his Cousin Magnus there before them all that his father -had not forgotten him, either; that he had arranged with -a celebrated physician of Baltimore to receive him as a -student.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Magnus received this news with feelings of blended -pain and pleasure—pain at the thought of leaving his -dear “Cousin Alice” and her beautiful child—pleasure -at the idea of the opening prospect of study, improvement, -and independence.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Elsie never thought of the evil; she only thought of -the good; she threw her arms around his neck and wished -him joy and success.</p> - -<p class='c010'>But Alice was much more depressed than the occasion -seemed to warrant. Again she caught herself wishing -that young people could possibly remain at home. All -partings depressed her. The idea of these saddened her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Was the cloud on her beautiful face really sorrow at -the certainty of losing her loving boy-friend, or was it -the shadow of coming events? Alice sighed heavily as -she watched the young people dance. And at an early -hour she recalled them to the house, served them with -refreshments, and, pleading great fatigue, dismissed -them all to their several chambers.</p> - -<p class='c010'>She then threw herself languidly into the great easy-chair -<span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>to await the breaking up of the party and the appearance -of General Garnet. She had scarcely had an -opportunity of speaking to him since his return.</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was not very long before she heard the gentle, -cheerful bustle of the departing guests, and the ringing -tones of Judge Wylie’s voice above all the rest, inviting -everybody to Point Pleasant the next evening for -the purpose of meeting everybody else.</p> - -<p class='c010'>When the last guest had departed General Garnet entered -Alice’s parlor.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Up yet, Mrs. Garnet! Have I been so unfortunate -as to disturb your rest?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No—oh, no! I think you were very quiet for a party -of gentlemen—not at all like the noisy parties Judge -Wylie gathers. No; I had no opportunity of welcoming -you home,” she said rising and offering her hand. -“Have you had a pleasant journey?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“A successful one, madam, which is better. I think -that there can be no reasonable doubt that D—— will -carry the majority of votes in the districts through which -we traveled.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Her next question was a housekeeper’s query:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How did you like your supper, and were your guests -pleased?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“All was very well, Alice—and, could they be else -than pleased after so triumphant a canvass?” said he, -taking a seat and motioning Alice to do the same. “I -have something to propose to you, Alice, in regard to -our daughter.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Our daughter!” repeated she, with a vague fear -creeping over her heart.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, our girl. I scarcely approve the loose, irregular -manner in which her education is conducted at -home.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It may appear to you so, because her occupations and -amusements are so various; but, indeed, her habits—all -habits, I mean, upon which health and improvement depend—are -very regular; and for the rest, human nature -itself—health, improvement—require some little irregularity. -The rain does not fall and the sun shine upon -<span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>set days. See what a bright, healthful, happy, intelligent -child Elsie is! Part of that is owing to her habits. -She rises very early, breakfasts early, rides with Magnus -or one of the servants, returns and devotes three hours -to her books.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, all that is very well, but there should be a systematic -course of study, which, I fancy, you are not -quite competent to direct.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Try me,” said Alice. “I have not been idle all my -life, nor all my life occupied exclusively with the eating, -drinking, and wearing interests of our family. I have -found time to cultivate my mind, for Elsie’s sake. I -have read and reflected much. I expected to be Elsie’s -only teacher. I have been, hitherto. And I wish, above -all things, to continue to be. Then I shall feel better -assured of her best good; better assured that her affections -will not run to waste while her intellect is cultivated.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“‘A little learning is a dangerous thing.’ It makes -anyone conceited—especially, I think, a woman who has -few opportunities of comparing her ignorance with other -people’s knowledge,” muttered General Garnet to himself. -Then slightly raising his voice, he said: “No, -Alice, it will not do. Elsie cannot remain under your -tuition. I have other and wiser plans for her.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I suppose,” said Alice, in a low voice, “that you are -thinking of employing a private governess or tutor. -Well, if you think it best——”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, Alice, I have no faith in governesses, and I -totally disapprove of private tutors for young ladies. My -intention is to send Elsie to a boarding-school for the -next six or seven years.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“To boarding-school for seven years! Elsie, my darling, -my only one, away from me for so long! She!—so -young!—to go among total strangers for so long! -No! you cannot mean it!” exclaimed Alice, rising and -wringing her hands.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Sit down, Mrs. Garnet, and listen to me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice sank into her seat again, and listened.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There is no female academy of the first class in this -<span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span>country, I am sorry to say; none, at least, at which I -should like to place our only daughter.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice’s hopes raised; she thought she might have misunderstood -what he had said before—her mind was so -confused. She hastened to say:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, then, you are thinking of some very accomplished -woman, or some highly intellectual graduate of -William and Mary, who, though not exactly an ordinary -governess or tutor, may be induced to come and take -charge of our little girl for a very liberal salary?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet waved his hand impatiently.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hear me out, if you please, Mrs. Garnet. I have -told you that I dislike private tutors and governesses! I -dislike the idea of a stranger domesticated in the house -very much. I said, besides, that there was no boarding-school -in the country to which I could care to trust our -daughter. I intend to send Elsie to England.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“To England!” murmured Alice, in an inaudible -voice, growing very pale and sinking back in her chair.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, to England. My friend, General A—— is going -out there as minister. He takes all his family, of -course. He expects to remain abroad many years. In -talking over with me his prospects, among other things -for which he congratulated himself was the opportunity -that his residence abroad would afford giving his daughters -a very superior education. While we conversed, I -spoke of Alice, regretting the limited means of female -education afforded by our country. Well, he proposed -that I should commit my daughter to his charge, to go -to England, and be put to school with his own. He -pressed this favor very earnestly upon me. The opportunity -was one not likely to occur again, and therefore -not to be lightly thrown away. Finally I accepted his -offer. It was all arranged between us. The embassy -sails from Baltimore in two weeks, and before that time -Elsie must be ready to join the family.”</p> - -<hr class='c011'> - -<p class='c010'>In the course of the month their departure took place -from the neighborhood.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Elsie Garnet, with many tears, left for her English -<span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>school under the protection of the American minister to -the Court of St. James.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Lionel Hardcastle sailed as midshipman aboard the -United States ship <i>Falcon</i>.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And Magnus Hardcastle, taking a most affectionate -leave of his beautiful friend, Alice, and promising many -letters, left for Baltimore to enter upon the study of -medical science in the office of a distinguished physician.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XI.<br> <span class='large'>ALICE’S VISIT TO HUTTON ISLE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in20'>“At eve a sail</div> - <div class='line'>On the blue water with a freshening gale.”</div> - <div class='line in36'><i>—Crabbe.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>It was a bright evening near the last of October. The -mail had just come in, and brought Alice letters to -gladden her heart for many months. There was a letter -from Magnus—that strong, confident, joyous Magnus, -who always saw so much good and glory in the future. -And there was one post-marked London, and ship-marked -<i>Belle Agnes</i>, from Elsie—the healthful, hopeful, -happy Elsie, who always made the best of everything, -and was gladsome everywhere. No letter could be more -replete with the tenderest filial affection than hers, yet -there was not a word of home-sickness, or sorrow, or -discontent in it. It was full of genial life, of happy love, -and confident hope.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice kissed the loving letter again and again, and -walked about, happy, restless, overjoyed. General Garnet -was away from home again, as he was about half -the time. And Alice, after she had read the welcome -letter to all the confidential servants who loved Elsie, -bethought herself—by way of expending some of the -extra life she had received—of going over to see Miss -Joe and telling the old lady that her nephew’s vessel was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span>in port, for that she had got letters by it. She had frequently -gone on to Hutton’s Isle to cheer the lonely old -woman, and she knew the old soul would also be delighted -to hear from Elsie.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice told Diogenes, the colored servant, to get the -one-horse chaise and take her over to Huttontown. The -chaise was soon ready. Alice entered it and was driven -by Diogenes over to the village. She left the chaise at -the ‘Neptune and Pan,’ and, attended by Diogenes, went -down to the beach. The afternoon was very clear and -calm:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“The air was still and the water still,”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c014'>and she felt no uneasiness in trusting herself to the little -skiff and the one oar to the old servant.</p> - -<p class='c010'>As they glided over the silent waters the profound stillness -of the air and water was vaguely disturbed by a -distant, deep-toned, solemn moan, swelling on the horizon -like the breeze upon a mammoth harp-string, and -dying away in the deep of silence.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Did you hear that?” asked Alice of her attendant.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, ma’am, I heard nothing, Miss Ally,” replied the -obtuse negro.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And Alice thought she was mistaken. The bay was -perfectly smooth, yet it seemed to Alice that the vast -body of water under them just perceptibly rose and fell, -as though instinct with life and breath. The little skiff -sped like an arrow across the bosom of the waters, and -in something less than half an hour cleared the distance -between the mainland and the isle. The old negro stuck -his oar into the sand and shoved the boat up high and -dry upon the beach, so that his mistress could step out -dry-shod.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Does not the wind blow around this bleak island -even when it is calm along the coast of the mainland?” -asked Alice, as she gathered her flapping veil and shawl -more closely around her and stepped out upon the -strand.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“La, no, Miss Ally, ma’am; it never doesn’t, of course; -dough when der is a win’, it has more ’siderable of a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>clean sweep here than anywhere else. No, Miss Ally, no, -ma’am; but de win’ do seem for to be a-risin’.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Come, let us hurry on to the house, for really it is -quite fresh,” said she, drawing her veil down over her -face and under her shawl, and wrapping the latter more -closely around her, and striking into the narrow path -leading through the cornfield and up to the house. But -when she had got about halfway up the hill the wind -took her so fiercely, flapping her skirts about her feet, -flapping her bonnet and veil about her face, that she was -forced to turn around from the wind to recover her -breath and strength.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I can scarcely face this gale! How very suddenly it -has sprung up!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, ma’am,” replied the old negro, looking uneasily -at the sky; “I—I—mos’ wish us hadn’t a-ventured out! -I—I—I do hope us aint a-gwine to have a squeeling, -knocking storm afore us gits back!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, it is entirely too late in the season for an equinoctial -storm,” replied Alice, following his glance to the -sky. “The wind has blown a few straggling clouds up -from the horizon, but it does not look at all threatening.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ah, Miss Ally, you don’t know, honey! Der aint -never no good in dem ar switchy mare’s tails!” replied -Diogenes, pointing to the long, black, ragged clouds flying -before the wind. Holding her head down, and hugging -her shawl tightly about her, Alice pushed on toward -the house.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Looking up as she reached the top of the hill she saw -Miss Joe with her head far out of the gable end loft -window, with an old spyglass in her hand, leveling it -out to sea. Miss Joe lowered her glass for a moment and -perceived Alice, and shouted to her above the blast:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How do you do, Mrs. Garnet? Hasn’t this here bluff -of wind come up sudden? ’Taint a-going to be anything -but a wind, though, I believe. Come up to the house, -honey. I’ll be down from here about the time you get -up. I have just been looking out after that there vessel -down the bay, as I think must be Hugh’s, seeing I’m expecting -him. I spied that there craft about two hours -<span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span>ago. She was making slow headway, because the tide -was strong agin her. Now she seems farther off than -before. I shouldn’t wonder if this gust of wind, with the -current, didn’t blow her out to sea agin. I hope it aint -nothing but a gust, though, that’ll soon be over. The -wind bluffs around as if it were a-going to change too; -then it’ll be fair for her, and she’ll scud along fast enough -before it. Come up to the house, honey! I’m coming -down.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice reached the garden gate just as Miss Joe opened -the house door and came out to meet her, her clothes all -blown aslant and flapping about as if they would go -over her head, but looking so hardy, sturdy, storm-proof, -with her shining face rubicund with joy and welcome, -Alice laughed out to see her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Dear Miss Joe! you look chirping as a frosty morning! -It enlivens one to see you! I have heard of people -who, going out for wool, returned shorn. I have -come to cheer you, and shall go home gladdened! You -look so chirp!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, honey! I have enough to chirrup me. I’m heern -from Hugh and his wife. You saw that sloop in at Hutton’s -Harbor? Well, that there sloop, she came from -the port of Baltimore, where she spoke the <i>Belle Agnes</i>, -jest in from Liverpool, and brought a letter from Captain -Hutton, saying as he should run down here soon as -ever he unloaded his cargo and took in some freight for -this here port. His letter says how Agnes is going for -to stay long o’ me now. ’Deed, I reckon she’s had -enough o’ sea-faring, a’ready!” said Miss Joe, as she -straddled on toward the gate and opened it.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Very soon the neat tea-table was set out and a repast, -delicate and luxurious as any epicure could have desired, -spread upon it. And Miss Joe arranged Alice in a comfortable -seat at the side of the table near the fire, and -as she poured out the fragrant tea she told all the story -of the letter she had got from Hugh. How they had -made such a prosperous voyage; how Hugh was going -to stay home for three months; how Agnes was not going -away again at all; and how she supposed Agnes was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span>cured of her curiosity to see the ocean. And through -all her talk Alice saw how much family affection was in -that old frost-bitten heart of hers.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XII.<br> <span class='large'>CHILD OF THE WRECK.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>The strife of fiends is on the battling clouds,</div> - <div class='line'>The glare of hell is in the sulphurous lightnings.</div> - <div class='line'>This is no earthly storm!</div> - <div class='line in32'><i>—Maturin’s Bertram.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>The sun went down. The wind seemed to lull. Alice -arose and put on her bonnet and shawl for a start. Old -Diogenes buttoned his coat up to his chin, and took up -his old felt hat to attend her. Miss Joe threw her check -apron over her head to accompany them, and the little -party opened the door and set out for the beach. The -eyes of old Diogenes rolled</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“From heaven to earth, from earth to heaven,”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c014'>in a great trouble!</p> - -<p class='c010'>Though the sun had but just set, the sky was no -longer blue, but of a lurid, metallic, coppery color, mottled -over by leaden clouds, athwart which, and lower -down, scudded huge, black, inky masses of vapor, driven -wildly before the wind that had shifted and was again -rising. Lower down and nearer the earth flew other -clouds, flocks of wild sea fowl, screaming frightfully and -dashing hither and thither, or settling upon the island -as for shelter from the coming tempest. Such was the -sky.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The look of the sea was still more terrible. The surface -of the water was very rough, the waves breaking -into foam as though frost were thrown up from the -depths of the sea. The whole enormous mass of waters -was rising with a vast, slow, mighty swell, as though -<span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span>some monstrous under-power were laboring to upheave -the ocean from its bed and shatter it into precipices and -caverns. And all around the lurid horizon boomed the -low, deep, awful sound of the coming storm.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It will never do to try to cross the water to-night, -my dear child,” said Miss Joe, solemnly and fearfully. -“We’re going to have an awful storm, and it may burst -upon us at any minute.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“’Deed, Miss Ally, child, it’s wery unsafe—wery! -Don’t let’s be a-tempting o’ Providence! Don’t!” said -Diogenes, his teeth chattering with cold and terror.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Just then the voice of the wind wailed across the -waters like the shriek of a lost spirit, and the salt spray -of the sea was dashed in their faces. The sky seemed -to be settling down over the isle, and the waters, black, -heavy, and dark! The mighty sea was heaving, settling, -rising to meet the lowered sky! The vapor of the clouds -and waves seemed intermingling! The rising wind -howled and shrieked!</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, child, if you venter upon the water this evening, -you’ll row to the Kingdom of Heaven,” said Miss -Joe. “Turn—hurry back! We must get to the house -as fast as possible, or the storm will be upon us! Child, -alive! what are you standing looking out to sea for? I -do believe you are more afraid of braving General Garnet’s -anger than that of the wind and sea themselves.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I should not have come,” said Alice, turning shuddering, -away from the beach.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, you should!” replied Miss Joe; “and now you -should come back! Hurry! hurry! hurry! Look at that -mass of black cloud rushing like a demon up the sky!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was now very dark, and they hastened on toward -the house. They reached it as a furious blast of wind -drove them against its walls. They went in the house. -Shutters were closed, props were placed against the -doors to assist the old locks in holding them against the -fury of the storm. And as the room was now pitch dark, -except by the lurid light of the smoldering fire, Miss -Joe lit a candle and set it on the mantelpiece. Alice sat -down in the chimney-corner armchair, very pale.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span>The storm raged, shrieked and howled around the -house. Hourly its violence increased; tenfold the crash -of falling trees, twisted off at the roots, the clatter of -rattling tiles and shingles, reft off and rained down from -the roof; the scream of the frightened water-fowl, the -howl of the alarmed cattle, mingled with the shriek of -the wind and the thunder of the waves in the grand -diapason of nature’s wildest, most terrific harmony.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At last came the awful crisis of the storm. The wind -had</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Paused to gather its fearful breath.”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c014'>and now rushed upon the house with the invincible -power of a storming battery, with a sound, a shock, as -if two planets had met in fatal concussion. The earth -trembled; the massive roof of the strong house was torn -off and hurled aloft; heavy blocks of sandstone came -clattering down from the topmost wall, and then the rain -fell its vast sheets, as if “all heaven was opened.” And -now came a sound more terrific than that of an advancing -army!</p> - -<p class='c010'>The ocean was upon them in its might!</p> - -<p class='c010'>Speechless with awe, like those in the immediate presence -of sudden death, Alice and Miss Joe remained -locked in each other’s arms. The old negro ran wildly -about, like one perfectly distracted, screaming:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, my God! my God! we shall be all drowned in -this very house, like blind puppies in a tub! Oh, will -nobody ’fess me o’ my sins? Oh, Lord! I ’fess to de -breaking o’ all de ’mandments, rather dan miss absolushum -for dem as I has broke!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And so he ran about and raved, while Alice and Miss -Joe remained motionless, waiting for death where they -sat.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The water that dashed against the wall was no longer -the rain, but the sea—the sea cannonading the house!</p> - -<p class='c010'>An hour like an eternity passed, during which the -waves, with deafening sounds, stormed the walls, and the -inmates waited for death. Then the horrible tempest -seemed to abate; the ocean seemed to be retiring.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span>Oh, were the waves indeed receding, or was it only -one of those fatal pauses, during which the storm fiend -gathered new strength for destruction?</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice, fearful, hopeful, raised her head, doubtful of the -reprieve from immediate death.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Miss Joe clasped her closer in her arms, but listened.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Diogenes stopped in his wild walk and began to praise -all the saints.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Yes, the ocean was certainly receding. They were -saved! But now, amidst their joy, came a knell of doom!</p> - -<p class='c010'>The signal gun of a ship in distress!</p> - -<p class='c010'>No one knew how often that knell had pealed before. -It could not have been heard, amid the deafening noise -of the waves, any more than the report of a single cannon -could have been distinguished in the thunder of a million -others. The sound struck to the hearts of all -present.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh!” said Miss Joe, “that ship! that ship! It is the -very ship I spied—I know it is—I know it is! And, -oh! it may be the ship of Hugh!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Again the minute gun boomed over the sea.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, Heaven, how I pity them! What can be the -nature of their danger? The storm has almost ceased; -if they could live through that terrific tempest, surely -they can save themselves now. What can be the danger -to which they are exposed now?” asked Alice.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The ship, tossed about so in the horrible storm, must -a’ sprung a leak. Oh, if it should be Hugh’s ship!” replied -Miss Joe.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Again the minute gun wailed across the waters.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And, oh!” exclaimed Alice, wringing her hands, “if -there is one thing worse than imminent danger or death -to one’s own, it is to be in perfect safety and to hear, -near by, the cry of others in extremity, and to be unable -to give them aid!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Once more the minute gun wailed across the waters. -It seemed the voice of a last appeal.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My God, I can scarcely stand this!” exclaimed Alice, -shuddering, cowering, stopping her ears, while Miss Joe -walked about, groaning, groaning, groaning!</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span>But once more the minute gun wailed across the -waters. It seemed the voice of a last reproach.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The two women and the old negro could do absolutely -nothing to help the dying ship. They felt their own -safety as a shame, and covered their heads to shut out -the sound of death. They need not have done so.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The minute gun wailed no more across the waters. -The voice was silenced for ever!</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, my God! my God! she is gone down! she is -gone down!” screamed Miss Joe, wrought up to an -agony of terror and grief beyond all self-control.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The dread silence that followed was more insufferable -than the terrific storm in its utmost fury had been—than -the awful voice of the minute gun, in its vain appeal, -had been! It was long after midnight now. Miss Joe, -unable longer to bear the awful pause of fate, went and -pulled open the door and looked out.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The wind had lulled, the rain had ceased, the waves -had gone down, the storm was nearly over. Yet in the -deep darkness she could only guess the wild ruin that -had been wrought around. The sky hung over the -waters black as a pall, yet by the phosphoric light of the -sea that still moved and sparkled she discovered a dark -object, like the hulk of a huge vessel, disappear under -the waves.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And, hush! What sound is that, low and distinct, in -the deep silence of the awful night? The sound of approaching -footsteps and voices hurrying on, and now -very near.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Light another candle, for God’s sake! some people -are coming. God send it may be Hugh and his men! -Light another candle, quick! and thrust it into a lantern!” -exclaimed Miss Joe, hastening into the house.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And before the light of the other candle blazed, the -room was filled with sailors, storm-beaten, dripping wet, -two of the foremost of whom bore the body of a fainting -woman in their arms.</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was Agnes.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Where is Hugh—where is your captain? My God! -where is Hugh?” exclaimed Miss Joe, as her eyes -<span class='pageno' id='Page_50'>50</span>roamed over this wild party in the vain quest of her -nephew.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We left the captain on the deck of his vessel. He -refused to leave it while a man remained on board. We -are going back for him, and half a dozen others,” said -the mate, looking about in haste for a place to lay Agnes; -then, putting her in the arms of old Dodgy, he turned, -with three others of the men, and left the house for the -beach.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Too late! too late! I saw the ship go down myself!” -exclaimed Miss Joe, beside herself with grief.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What must I do with this here young ’oman, Miss -Ally?” inquired Diogenes of his mistress.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Take her upstairs, Diogenes, and I will go up and -attend to her,” said Alice. And leaving Miss Joe and -the shipwrecked sailors below, Alice followed the old -negro with his burden upstairs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>But there a scene of ruin met her startled gaze. The -roof had been reft from the house in the storm; the rain -had poured through the ceiling of the loft and drenched -the bed-chambers. One of the beds, however, being in -a more protected angle of the room, was comparatively -dry. This Alice turned over, and upon this the old negro -was directed to lay his insensible burden.</p> - -<p class='c010'>While Alice was rubbing and chafing the cold, cold -hands and feet of the shipwrecked girl, a loud cry of -despair came up from below.</p> - -<p class='c010'>She hastened downstairs to know the cause.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The mate had returned from a fruitless errand. The -<i>Belle Agnes</i> had gone down with all left on board, and -among them the brave and generous Captain Hugh -Hutton!</p> - -<hr class='c011'> - -<p class='c010'>Within the next three dreadful hours, “in night and -storm and darkness,” a man-child was born—son of the -storm and the wreck—heir of a desert and a ruin!</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XIII.<br> <span class='large'>THE DESOLATE HOUSE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in14'>Alas! It desolately stands</div> - <div class='line'>Without a roof, the gates fallen from their band,</div> - <div class='line'>The casements all broke down, no chimney left!</div> - <div class='line in34'><i>—Allan Ramsay.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>The sun rose next morning upon a scene of ruin that -defies description.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The house was almost a wreck. The roof, the chimneys, -and the shutters of the upper story were gone. -The windows were shattered and driven in.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The grounds also were literally laid waste. All traces -of field, and garden, and flower yard were washed away. -Trees were torn up by the roots, fences were leveled, -outbuildings blown down, and all swept away by the -flood. Cattle and poultry were drowned, and their -bodies carried off by the sea.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Yes! the isle was indeed a desert, and the house was -a ruin, with the exception of the lower story, which, having -been built of stronger material, and being less exposed -to the violence of the wind, had remained entire.</p> - -<p class='c010'>If the scene without was wretched, the scene within -was scarcely less so.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The shipwrecked sailors had gone down to the beach -for the purpose of searching for the bodies of the -drowned men, if, perchance, they might have been -thrown up, and of hailing any boat that might pass -within hail.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Agnes and her child had been removed from the open -and exposed upper chamber to the lower one, which was -more comfortable. Alice, forgetful of her own fears and -cares, bestowed upon the unfortunate young woman the -most affectionate attention. Miss Joe, broken-hearted -and half crazy, yet still governed by her inveterate habits -of order and industry, went about putting things to -rights, groaning, wringing her hands, and getting breakfast. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span>Diogenes brought wood and water, and stood -shivering and waiting orders without the door.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Very soon after sunrise General Garnet, with two of -his servants, arrived from the mainland. The wild ruin -that reigned around, the deep distress that prevailed -within the house, arrested all speech of blame upon his -lips. He kissed Alice, expressing his gratitude to -Heaven that she was saved. He condoled with Miss -Joe, said that he would send over workmen to repair the -house, offered any other assistance in his power, and requested -to know in what manner he could serve her. -But Miss Joe shook her head dolefully, said that she had -always lived without alms, and that she could not receive -any now; that she had not very long to live, but -hoped she should not die a pauper.</p> - -<p class='c010'>After breakfast General Garnet took Alice home.</p> - -<p class='c010'>For many days nothing was talked of but the storm -and the wreck. And every day brought in news of some -disaster that had been wrought by the tempest.</p> - -<hr class='c011'> - -<p class='c010'>One day, as Alice sat sewing in her room, General -Garnet entered with a cloud upon his brow, and the -newly arrived Norfolk <i>Signal</i> in his hand. To his wife’s -startled look and anxious question, he answered:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“A heavy misfortune has befallen our neighbor Hardcastle. -His son Lionel was lost in the storm of the -28th.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, Heaven!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, fearful as the wind was here, it was even more -terrific farther down the coast. The <i>Falcon</i>, homeward -bound, was about entering Hampton Roads when overtaken -by that horrible and disastrous tempest. The <i>Falcon</i> -suffered frightfully. In the midst of the storm several -of the crew and one of the midshipmen were washed -overboard. Here is the full account in the leading column -of the <i>Signal</i>. Read it. I must go over and see -poor Hardcastle. By the way, Alice, this makes a very -great change in the prospects of your young friend, -Magnus. Hardcastle had no other child but Lionel, and -has no near relation but his nephew Magnus, has he?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>“No,” said Alice, looking surprised at such a question -at such a time.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hum-m-me! then, indeed, this ‘ill wind’ has blown -a great inheritance to Magnus. I suppose that after his -uncle has somewhat recovered the shock of his bereavement -he will recall Magnus. He will scarcely permit -him to pursue the study of medicine now.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think that Magnus will prefer the study of some -profession. I am sure that he wishes to live an earnest -and useful life.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, I do not know a more earnest purpose, or a -more useful life, than that lived through in the proper -administration of a large estate. By the way, Alice, I -hope you have not, with your usual indifference in all -things and to all persons, neglected to write to the poor -boy during his banishment among total strangers in -Baltimore?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I write to him every week.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That is right; perfectly right. I am very glad to -hear it. Apropos, Alice, were not Magnus and Elsie very -great friends?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“They were very much attached to each other,” replied -Alice, with her innocent eyes still dilating with -wonder at these queries.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“‘Very much attached to each other.’ Hum-m-me! -Mount Calm and Hemlock Hollow would form one very -magnificent estate, joining as they do—about ten thousand -acres, would they not be?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes,” said Alice abstractedly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, certainly, that is it. Let us see—how old is this -youth?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“About seventeen, I believe.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, and he will marry very early, if he can find a -wife to suit him. He will settle very soon to serious, -practical life. He is just the young man to do it. Alice, -when he returns I hope you will not permit him quite -to forget old friends. Stay—our Elsie is—twelve years -of age?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not quite.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, nearly twelve—then thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span>sixteen—four years. Four years will quickly pass away; -and our young gentleman can wait that long. At the -end of four years I shall bring Elsie home from school. -She will then be sixteen years of age. You were but a -year older when you were married, Alice. Say, answer -me—you were but seventeen when you were married, -were you not?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I was but seventeen,” replied Alice.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And here the conference ended.</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet found Mr. Hardcastle in the extremity -of grief. He had only received the dire intelligence of -the loss of his only and well-beloved son, in a letter of -condolence from the captain of the ship. He had nothing -new, therefore, to learn from General Garnet, but -thanked him for his visit and his sympathy. General -Garnet remained with him all day and until a late hour -of the night, when he took his leave.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Days, weeks elapsed, before Mr. Hardcastle found -courage to summon Magnus to Hemlock Hollow, though -in the meantime Magnus had written often, expressing -his heartfelt sorrow and his earnest sympathy, and entreating -permission to come home and see his uncle. At -last Mr. Hardcastle wrote and recalled him. Magnus -came and remained over Christmas. Then, his uncle -being restored to his usual state of composure and cheerfulness, -and being engaged in his customary occupations -of agriculture and politics, hunting, fishing, and company, -Magnus begged leave to return to his studies. -His uncle opposed the proposition. What was the use of -his studying a profession now? Could he not be contented -to stay at home and keep a childless old man -company?</p> - -<p class='c010'>But Magnus wished to be busy again.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, could he not be busy enough overseeing the -overseer, and keeping the plantation in order?” queried -the old man testily.</p> - -<p class='c010'>But Magnus was very much in earnest, and persisted -in his purpose. Finally, the old man angrily threatened -to disown him, and let him go. And Magnus, preferring -his profession to any inheritance, departed.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span>But let the reader rest assured that the old gentleman -had not the slightest intention of discarding the fine boy, -whom he loved as a second son.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XIV.<br> <span class='large'>VANISHING OF AGNES.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>They sought her that night and they sought her next day,</div> - <div class='line'>They sought her in vain ‘till a week passed away;</div> - <div class='line'>The highest, the lowest, the loneliest spot;</div> - <div class='line'>Her neighbors sought wildly, but found her not.</div> - <div class='line in36'><i>—Mistletoe Bough.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Days and weeks passed on, and brought Christmas, -when an event occurred of so startling and inexplicable -a nature as to fill the whole neighborhood with wonder.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Miss Joe’s preparations for Christmas were all made, -with the exception of the turkey and the materials for -the plum-pudding. Miss Joe’s turkeys had all been -drowned in the great flood. Now, to have a roast turkey -and a plum-pudding at Christmas was Miss Joe’s eleventh -commandment of the Lord and fortieth article of the -Episcopal faith. So she took two pairs of men’s woolen -socks that she had just completed, donned her antiquated -bonnet and shawl, and, taking Pontius Pilate as -her negro body-servant, prepared to start for Huttontown -to exchange her work with the village shopkeeper -for raisins, currants, and spice, and money to purchase -a turkey. Snow clouds were slowly condensing in the -sky, but Miss Joe assured Agnes that she would be back -long before it came on to snow.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And then, full of cheerful energy and anticipation, she -set out.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Agnes remained in her usual apathetic mood, unheeding -the flight of time, until the sudden rising of the -wind and the sudden hustling of hail-stones against the -windows told her that a furious storm was coming up. -She arose and closed the window-shutters with some difficulty, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>and lighted a candle, when she found, to her surprise, -that it was already seven o’clock. It was high -time for Miss Joe to be at home. And now it occurred -to the kind heart of Agnes that the good old lady, coming -in from the storm, might relish a cup of hot tea. So -she threw more wood upon the fire (Miss Joe’s forethought -had supplied her with a pile of wood by the -chimney corner), and filled the tea-kettle and hung it -over the blaze. But Agnes knew that if Miss Joe did not -come almost immediately, if she had not already landed -on the island, she would not come that night. Agnes -set the table and made the tea.</p> - -<p class='c010'>An hour passed by and Miss Joe had not returned, -and Agnes gave her up for the night.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At about midnight the storm abated, the clouds broke -up, and a few stars looked shyly out as if reconnoitering -the darkness. The night was very dark. Agnes, who -felt lonely and nervous, and could not sleep, opened the -window-shutters to look out, but could scarcely discern -the line where the dark waters met the snow-covered -beach. The sky hung like a black pall over the island. -The deep darkness, the deep silence, the deep solitude -oppressed her with gloom and fear. Her form was -shrunk, and her eyes dilated by terror.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Suddenly, while she gazed, the whole scene was -brightly illuminated. Several torches blazed along the -beach, lighting up the whole line of coast, and revealing -the forms of three boats already landed, and the figures -of several men passing back and forth.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At the same instant that Agnes perceived them, she -felt that she herself must have been seen in the strong -glare of the lighted window at which she sat.</p> - -<p class='c010'>She started up with the wish to extinguish her candle, -when she saw several of the men with torches approaching -the house; and, overpowered with terror, she fell in -a swoon.</p> - -<hr class='c011'> - -<p class='c010'>In the meantime Miss Joe had very reluctantly been -detained at Huttontown by the utter impossibility of -getting through the snowstorm to the isle. She had -<span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span>passed the night with Mr. Fig’s—the grocer’s—family, -bemoaning the necessity, and lamenting that “that poor -young thing would feel so lonesome, staying by herself -on the island all night.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Very “bright and early” the next morning Miss Joe, -with a fine fat hen-turkey, living, and tied by the legs, -and several packages of raisins, currants, and spices, entered -her boat and set out on her return home.</p> - -<p class='c010'>When she reached the lodge the scene of confusion -that met her eyes nearly transfixed her. Both doors, -front and back, were wide open, and the air was rushing -through the room. The fire had gone out; the great logs -of wood had burned in two and fallen apart, and the -charred and blackened ends were sticking up. The candle -had expired in melted grease, which was now spread, -cold, all over the candlestick, and down upon the nice -white-oak table. The bed had not been slept in, for -there it was perfectly smooth as Miss Joe had left it, -with her own peculiar folds and twists about it. And -there lay the baby in the cradle, screaming its little life -away.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“In the name o’ God A’mighty, Pont, what has been -a-happening?” asked Miss Joe, lifting up the child, and -sinking with it into a chair, pale as death.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Pontius Pilate stood there with the screeching and -struggling turkey in one hand and the bundle of groceries -in the other—looking like a statue of dismay, -carved in ebony.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“In the name of Heaven, Pont, what has been a-takin’ -place?” repeated Miss Joe.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Gor A’mighty knows, mist’ess; but I does werily -b’lieve how de Britishers is been landen’ ag’in, or else -Bonnypart. Chris’ de Lor’ be praised, ole mist’, dat I -an’ you wa’nt home when dey come. See, now, how -ebery ting turn out for de bes’. S’pose dat snowstorm -hadn’t a come up, where you an’ I been? Good Lor’! -poor Miss Aggy! Wonder what’s come o’ her?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, what, my Lord! Pont,” said Miss Joe, who -never in any emergency was known to neglect the plain -practical duty of the moment, “go and get the tinderbox, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span>and light a fire quickly, and heat some milk and -water for this child. He is almost frozen and almost -starved.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And Pontius Pilate put down his burdens and did as -he was bid. And Miss Joe made the infant perfectly -comfortable, and put him to sleep, before she joined -Pont in his vain search around the island for Agnes, or -some clew to her fate.</p> - -<p class='c010'>When she ascertained that Agnes was certainly not on -the island, she dispatched Pontius Pilate to the mainland -to rouse up the people of Huttontown to prosecute -the search.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And the people were aroused indeed to a state of nine -days’ wonder.</p> - -<p class='c010'>What could have become of her? How could she have -left her sea-girt isle without a boat? Would she have -forsaken her child at all?</p> - -<p class='c010'>No; Miss Joe was certain she would not; she was too -fond of him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Had she possibly drowned herself?</p> - -<p class='c010'>No; Miss Joe was sure not; she was too much afraid -of dying and leaving her babe.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Had she been carried off, then? and by whom?</p> - -<p class='c010'>Yes. It was finally concluded that she must have been -carried off; but by whom? That was still the problem -unsolved. Inquiries were made up and down the coast -and in every direction. Advertisements were inserted -in the papers, and large rewards offered for her discovery -by General Garnet, Judge Wylie, and other benevolent -neighbors. For to this sort of assistance Miss Joe -made no objection. She considered the recovery of Agnes -quite an affair of general interest, as indeed it was. -Nothing, however, was heard of her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>As months passed, the mystery deepened, and people -grew weary of conjecture.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XV.<br> <span class='large'>THE ELFIN GIRL.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>But who is this? What thing of sea or land!</div> - <div class='line'>Female of sex it seems.</div> - <div class='line in28'><i>—Samson Agonistes.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>For a time Miss Joe had grieved immoderately over -the untimely and mysterious fate of her niece, and the -loneliness of her own lot, and the prospect of a poor and -solitary old age before her; but soon, in the native kindness -and disinterestedness of her heart, she turned to the -child thus thrown upon her exclusive protection, and -only hoped that she might be spared long enough to -raise him, and see him able to take his own part; for, -after all, small and helpless, and abandoned as he was, -he was the last Hutton of the Isles, and the heir of—the -little sand bank in the bay, yclept St. Clara’s Isle or -Hutton’s Isle.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Very strange was the lot and life of the lonely recluse -of the sea-girt isle and her little protégé. Their only -possessions were the nearly barren islet, the dilapidated -lodge, a cow, a sheep or two, a little poultry and a dog. -No cart or horse had they, nor even any use for either. -The small skiff conveyed them to the mainland whenever, -for the purpose of laying in a few groceries or dry -goods, or of attending divine service, they found it -necessary or agreeable to go. Their faithful old servant, -Pontius Pilate, whose duty it was to till the land, row -the boat, fish the weir, rake the oyster bed, and cut and -bring wood from the mainland, was their only companion. -The soil immediately around the house being mixed -with clay and marl, still yielded, with careful cultivation, -corn and wheat enough for the small consumption of -the little family. And Pontius Pilate saved money by -grinding this in a hand-mill. The little garden produced -vegetables enough for their table. And the two sheep -yielded wool enough for their winter socks and mits—carded, -spun, and woven by the indefatigable fingers of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span>Miss Joe. And so time passed on, until Miss Joe, not -having trouble enough on her hands already, was induced -to assume the responsibility of rearing another -child, a little wild elf-like girl, whose advent was almost -as great a subject of gossiping speculation as the disappearance -of Agnes had been. And the name of this -elfin child was Garnet Seabright.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The history of Garnet Seabright, as it was understood -in the neighborhood, was very briefly this:</p> - -<p class='c010'>When Hugh was about six years of age Miss Joe -received a letter from a distant relation living in Calvert -County, beseeching her, for the Redeemer’s sake, -to lose no time in hastening to the sick-bed of the writer, -who was most anxious to see her before she died.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Miss Joe had to rub her organ of eventuality before -she could recognize in the writer a cousin, a wild young -girl of exceeding beauty and willfulness, who had, years -before, eloped with a soldier, a certain George Seabright, -a distant relation of Captain Seabright.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Miss Joe never slighted any appeal to her benevolence. -She shut up house, left the island in care of Pontius -Pilate, took Hugh to Huttontown and left him in charge -of Mrs. Fig, the grocer’s wife, borrowed a mule, and set -out for Calvert County.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The house of her cousin she heard upon inquiry was -a miserably poor cottage, with scarcely any cleared -ground around it, and situated in the midst of a deep, -dark forest. It was approached for miles only by a narrow -bridle path. It was near nightfall when Miss Joe -entered this lonesome path; it was quite dark before she -got near the house.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, good Lord! this is a great deal more lonesomer -and more wilder than my sea-girt island they make such -a fuss about; for there, at least, I could see an enemy a -long ways off. But here! Lord, there might be an Injun, -or a bandit, or more likely still, a runaway nigger, -behind every tree. Get up, Jinny! Hark! Lord deliver -us! what was that?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Highe! cheep! th-sh-sh-e-e-e-e!” -laughed, screamed, chirped, chirruped a sharp, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span>shrill voice, high up in the trees, or somewhere between -them and the blinking stars.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Lord save us, what was that?” ejaculated Miss Joe, -looking up at the branches overhead, in the direction of -the eerie voice.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And there she saw, in the dark, bright starlight, in the -highest branches of the trees, among the green and glistening -leaves, a little elfin face, with glittering eyes, and -gleaming teeth and streaming hair, mopping and mowing -at her—chattering, gibing, laughing, and screaming -at her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“St. John and all the Holy Evangelists! St. Mary -and all the Holy Virgins!—what’s that? It’s—it’s—a -fairy—it’s—it’s—a brownie!” exclaimed Miss Joe, bursting -out into a profuse perspiration.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Miss Joe was neither cowardly nor superstitious, yet -when the little elf, with its wild eyes and streaming hair, -glided down the tree with the swiftness and celerity of -a monkey down a mainmast, and leaped, with a yell of -malice and delight, upon the mule, behind her, Miss Joe -opened her throat with a prolonged shriek, that might -have waked the dead.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And at the same time the mule dashed, plunging and -kicking, forward.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The elf stuck its little hands into Miss Joe’s fat sides, -and, as the good lady herself afterward said, clung there -like a craw-fish or a crab. The mule plunged madly on.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Miss Joe, delirious with terrors, real and imaginary, -lost all power of controlling the animal, dropped the reins, -and must have fallen off, had not the bit been seized by a -strong hand, and the mule forced back upon her haunches.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That’s Godfather!” cried the elf, in human words -and tones, and Miss Joe, looking up, recognized in her -deliverer General Garnet.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The sprite leaped from the saddle to the bosom of -General Garnet, and clung there in her crab-like fashion, -her little head rubbed, rooted, under his chin, her little -arms around his neck, and her little figure almost veiled -by her long hair, screaming with her inarticulate tones -of affection and delight.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span>Miss Joe dismounted from the now stationary mule, -and began in an eager voice to pour forth her surprise, -gratitude, and wonder.</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet, with a look of vexation, tinged with -amusement, tried to shake off his little encumbrance. -But it was like trying to get rid of a chestnut burr; for -if he succeeded in pulling her off from one place, she -would stick at another, screaming with wild delight and -elfish perversity, clinging to him, rooting her little head -into him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Come, Netty! Come, come! this will not do; release -me. Goodness, child, are your hands and feet furnished -with claws?” exclaimed General Garnet, trying to tear -off the little human bramble.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Chip! Chip! Chee-ee-ee! H-sh-sh-sh! Whip!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>It is impossible to convey in words the saucy, defiant, -chirping, inarticulate cry of the sprite, as it rammed -its head again into the bosom of its victim. Presently -the elf sprang away of itself, and perched upon the back -of the mule.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How is your mother, Netty?” then asked General -Garnet.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Waiting for you and the old woman, too. She sent -me after you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And now Miss Joe and the general looked at each -other in astonishment, as if mutually inquiring, “You, -too?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet, putting his hand upon the shoulder -of the elf, and giving her a slight shake, put her upon -the ground, took her hand, and walked up to the dark -forest path, drawing her after him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Miss Joe took the bridle, and leading her mule, followed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>A little way up the path was a horse standing perfectly -still, saddled and bridled, and with a portmanteau -on the crupper.</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet remounted this horse, and, taking the -wood-sprite before him, rode on up the path.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Miss Joe, not wishing to be left behind, tumbled up -into her old saddle, and urged old Jenny to her best -<span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span>speed. They soon came to a little clearing in the forest, -and paused before the humble door of a log house. The -elf sprang down from her seat, and, darting into the -door, cried:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“They’ve come, Minny! Godfather and the old -body, both.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Poke up the fire, and let them both come in, Netty!” -was the answer; and presently the sprite pulled open -the door with a bang, and stood there with her glittering -eyes and streaming hair and naked legs, to admit them.</p> - -<p class='c010'>They entered and found the room occupied by two -persons; a young woman, who sat propped up in an -armchair by the fire; and an old negress, who seemed -to be her servant or nurse. The young woman bore a -singular resemblance to the elf-like child; but her dark -eyes were burning, and her face was bathed with the -fatal fires of consumption. She held out an emaciated -hand to welcome her visitors, while the old negress set -rude stools for their accommodation. The young invalid, -pressing the hand of Miss Joe, thanked her many -times for her kindness in taking this journey, and -begged her to sit down quite close to her, for that she -could not raise her voice much. Miss Joe drew the stool -to the side of the invalid and begged to be informed how -she could serve her, expressing at the same time her -perfect willingness to do so. Then the young woman, in a -feeble voice, interrupted by frequent fits of coughing, -said that she felt she had but little time to live,—that her -days, nay, her very hours were numbered,—that after -her death she wished Miss Joe to take charge of her -orphan child; that General Garnet, who considered himself -under great obligations to her late husband, would be -at the costs of its rearing and education, and would, besides, -liberally repay Miss Joe for the trouble she might -be put to in taking care of it.</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet was there to indorse her promises. -He approached them; and taking the feverish hand of -the invalid, and turning to Miss Joe, said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The husband of this young woman was a soldier -under my command; he fought under me during the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span>whole course of the war. Once he saved me from death. -Once he saved me from dishonor. He received his -death-wound—for, years after, it caused his death—in -the same battle in which I won my present military rank. -I am under eternal obligations to him; and while I have -an acre of ground, or a dollar at my banker’s, I will -never see this child want!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The invalid died the next morning, immediately after -being placed in her chair, where she had insisted upon -sitting.</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet arrived within an hour after, and took -the direction of the humble funeral.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Within four days from this Miss Joe found herself -at home with her grandnephew, little Hugh, her ward, -Garnet Seabright, the old negress, who had fallen to -little Garnet’s possession, along with the personal effects -of her mother, and, lastly, with old Pontius Pilate, who -had complained of great loneliness during his mistress’ -absence.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Little Hugh Hutton was a proud and happy little man -the day of Netty’s arrival. He tried to multiply himself -into a train of attendants to wait upon the little girl. -He first proposed to give up his cot bed, his chair, and -his little chest for her use. He brought her all his playthings, -his bows and arrows, and guns and traps, and -hammered all day at what he fondly supposed to be a -boat, that he was making for her benefit.</p> - -<p class='c010'>When General Garnet had taken leave of Miss Joe at -Huttontown, just as she was about to cross over to her -island, he had begged her to apply to him in any emergency, -and to call on him for anything her young charge -might want. The child of the soldier who had served -under him throughout the Revolutionary war, who had -once interposed his body to save his life, should never -suffer for the necessaries or comforts of existence while -that life was spared. And this he had said with that -earnest and fervent tone, and with that benign and beautiful -smile that never failed to fascinate the love and -trust of all who heard and saw him. And Miss Joe felt -assured and comfortable.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span>But now, as days slid into weeks, and weeks grew into -months, Miss Joe heard no more of General Garnet and -his promises, nor did she like to take him at his word -and apply to him. He ought to prevent that and save -her feelings, she said.</p> - -<p class='c010'>As years passed away, however, Miss Joe occasionally -wrote to General Garnet in behalf of her little protégée. -For the most part, her letters would remain unanswered, -but when one did elicit a reply, General Garnet’s epistle -would be full of kindness, blessing, encouragement, good -advice, and—nothing else.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At last, during a bitter winter, their main dependence, -their faithful servant, poor old Pontius Pilate, -caught the pleurisy and died. In the midst of this trouble -Miss Joe wrote again to General Garnet, and once -more, and for the last time, invoked his promised assistance. -After the lapse of several days she received a -letter from the benignant general, full of condolence, -sympathy, and exhortation to hope and patience, and—nothing -else! The letter concluded with the assurance -that she had nothing to fear—that God never made a -mouth for which he had not also provided food. To -this letter the long-suffering old lady was exasperated -to reply—that though it was true God had made both -the mouths and the food, yet the mouths had fallen to -her lot, and the food to his.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The general never replied to this last letter, and here -the correspondence ceased.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XVI.<br> <span class='large'>ELSIE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in24'>Oh! the words</div> - <div class='line'>Laugh on her lips; the motion of her smiles</div> - <div class='line'>Showers beauty, as the air-caressed spray</div> - <div class='line'>The dews of morning.</div> - <div class='line in32'><i>—Milman.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in26'>But ever still,</div> - <div class='line'>As a sweet tone delighteth her, the smile</div> - <div class='line'>Goes melting into sadness, and the lash</div> - <div class='line'>Droops gently to her eye, as if she knew</div> - <div class='line'>Affection was too deep a thing for mirth.</div> - <div class='line in32'><i>—Willis.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>General Garnet was certainly not a parsimonious -man; perhaps his interest in his little godchild had died -with her mother; perchance, being a very wealthy man, -he could not appreciate the strait to which poor Miss -Joe and her little family were reduced; possibly, he did -not wish to give his personal attention to little Garnet’s -necessities; probably, he intended that Miss Joe should -get what was needed at the village store, upon his account; -certainly, if Miss Joe had liberally interpreted his -letters, and done so, he would, without demur, have settled -the bill. But Miss Joe was far too cautious to put -a doubtful construction on his letters, and run in debt. -I never clearly comprehended the difficulty between -them, but I believe they each misunderstood the other, -and so General Garnet remained with the stigma of -cruelty and ingratitude resting upon him, when, perhaps, -he could be justly accused of indifference only.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Just about the time of Miss Joe’s last application also, -General Garnet, like Martha, was troubled with many -things. He was a candidate for the Senate, and all his -thoughts engaged in the secret, intriguing, vexatious, -multifarious business of electioneering; or if he had a -thought or a moment to spare, it was divided between -the negotiation with his neighbor, Mr. Hardcastle, of a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>marriage between Magnus Hardcastle and Elsie Garnet, -or in preparations for the return of his daughter—having -his house repapered, repainted, and newly furnished.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Magnus Hardcastle had obtained his diploma, and was -getting into some little practice, despite the grumbling, -growling, and swearing objections of his uncle, who -could see no necessity for his nephew “making a slave -of himself for nothing.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Yes, absolutely for nothing! Let Magnus show a dollar -that he had ever earned by all his practicing of medicine. -Let him show even a dollar that he had ever got -back for the medicines that he had dispensed along with -his attention and advice!</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was true, Magnus’ receipt-book, if he owned one, -was an unwritten volume. His practice was mostly -among poor people, who had no dollars to spare.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Well, then, what did he do it for? What good did it -do him? There he was, rapped up out of his warm bed -in the middle of the winter’s night, in the midst of a -snowstorm, to ride five or six miles to some old woman -in a cramp colic, or some child with the croup! What -good did it do? And this was not the case once or -twice, but five or six times in a month. And what good -did it do him?</p> - -<p class='c010'>Lives were saved!</p> - -<p class='c010'>Yes, but what did he get for his trouble? Thanks, -maybe. Pooh! he knew very well that half the time he -got nothing but ingratitude and coarse abuse. He had -better remember that Irishwoman, with an inflammatory -fever, who took her powders every hour in a gill of -whisky, and, being near death, swore the d—— doctor’s -stuff had murdered her. He had better remember how -the other woman cursed him for cutting off her husband’s -mortified leg to the saving of his life. Pooh! -Let him give up the dirty profession. He did not adopt -him, did not intend to give him a fortune for the sole -purpose of enabling him to be a poor doctor without even -parish pay!</p> - -<p class='c010'>Sometimes Magnus would answer to this effect:</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span>“Nonsense, my good uncle! If I can do any good in -my day and generation, let me do it. Though I do sometimes -get abuse from some poor, ignorant man, or, more -frequently, a blowing up from some poor, nervous, overtasked -woman, who, by the way, would defend me, to -the death, the very next hour, if anyone else attacked -me—why should I care? I am quite as well liked as I -deserve to be. Most people are, in fact. Some day the -people around here will send me to Congress in my own -despite, I am so popular.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Send you to Congress! I expected that—I was only -waiting for that. It only wanted that to complete my -despair and your ruin.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Dear uncle, be easy—I shan’t go,” Magnus would reply, -laughing.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Yes, Dr. Magnus Hardcastle was very popular, and -could have carried as many votes as any man in the -county. He was the constant companion of General Garnet, -by what sort of attraction and association the reader -cannot fail to know. Never was such a zealous partisan -as Magnus! Never was such a stump orator,—earnest, -eloquent, impassioned, large-souled, great-hearted, -full of human sympathies,—he could sway a crowd to -and fro in a manner that might have been amusing, if -it had not been sublime in its exhibition of power. It -was his personal appearance, as well as his temperament, -that was the cause of much of this power over others.</p> - -<p class='c010'>But it is time to give you some idea of Magnus Hardcastle -at twenty-three. He was a fine illustration of the -beauty of the vital system. He had the tall, athletic -form that distinguishes the men of the Western Shore; -a face rather square, by reason of the massive forehead -and massive jaws, both indicating intellect and strength; -but it was in the fullness of the beautifully rounded chin -and cheeks, in the fullness of the large, but beautifully -curved lips, that the fine, genial serenity, and joyous temperament -was revealed; the line of the nose and forehead -was nearly straight, and the eyes were clear blue, -the complexion was clear and ruddy; and the face was -surrounded by the darkest chestnut hair, and whiskers -<span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span>that met beneath the chin. The prevailing expression -of this fine countenance was confidence and cheerfulness.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Magnus had been corresponding with Elsie for the -last three years, and looked forward to her return with -more of joyful anticipation than anyone else in the -world, perhaps, except her mother. A year before this, -two miniature portraits of Elsie, in her young womanhood, -had been forwarded from England. One of them -had been retained by her mother; the other was presented -by General Garnet to Magnus. He wore it in -his—vest pocket. It was his charm, his talisman, his -abracadabra. When, if ever, he would become, for the -instant, lazy, stupid, hopeless, or impatient, he would take -that miniature out, touch the spring so that the case -would fly open, and gaze upon that handsome, wholesome, -happy face until energy, inspiration, hope, and -patience came again; and he would close it, and replace -it in his pocket with a joyous faith in his coming -life, that not all the powers of evil could have shaken.</p> - -<p class='c010'>I told you that Magnus was the zealous, active, and -most efficient partisan of General Garnet; he was also -the dear friend and confidant of Mrs. Garnet. Many -and long were the confidential talks they would have in -Alice’s dressing room; and the subject of these conversations -was Elsie—still Elsie.</p> - -<p class='c010'>One day, after reading with Mrs. Garnet Elsie’s last -delightful letter, and discussing with her Elsie’s expected -arrival, he exclaimed joyfully: “This makes me gladdest -of all!—that our fresh, dewy, charming Elsie will -come at once to us. Well!—at once to me—that she -will not have had, as most young ladies have, many -other lovers; that the sun of the world will not have -stolen the bloom and the dew from our beautiful Maryland -rose.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>But Magnus “reckoned” his future without destiny, -his “host.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Elsie had been withdrawn from school, indeed, and -was quite ready and anxious to get home. She was to -return with General A——’s family, who were soon expected -to sail for the United States. But one circumstance -<span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span>following another, and connected with his diplomatic -business, had deferred his departure from time -to time, until six months passed away—during which -time Miss Garnet had been presented at court, and was -moving in the best society in London. Yes; and, though -still impatient to come home, enjoying her happy self to -the utmost, as every letter testified.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Now, you would think that after having congratulated -himself so upon the unsunned freshness of this -beautiful Maryland rose, that Magnus would lament that -she was blooming in the very blaze of the sun of fashion, -in the very conservatory of a court.</p> - -<p class='c010'>By no means; her letters reassured him, every one.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is well, very well, upon the whole,” he said. “She -has now an opportunity of forming an acquaintance with -one order of society that may never occur again—of getting -an insight into one phase of human nature that -nothing but this experience could afford her.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And time sped on, and brought the day when a letter -came to them, dated at Liverpool, and announcing that -General A——, with his family, and Miss Garnet, would -sail within a few days, in the ship <i>Amphytrite</i>, bound -from that port to Norfolk. Therefore, it was expected -that within a few days after, if not before the arrival of -the letter, the <i>Amphytrite</i> would be in port.</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet, accompanied by Dr. Hardcastle, left -Mount Calm immediately for Norfolk, to welcome his -daughter, if the ship had come; to wait for her if it had -not.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mrs. Garnet remained at home to receive her, in fond, -impatient expectation.</p> - -<p class='c010'>She had Elsie’s bed chamber decorated, and a fire -made in it every day, and the parlors lighted and -warmed, and the tea table set for the whole party every -evening.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At last, one night,—a week after they had left home,—while -she was standing before the parlor fire, trimming -a lamp on the chimney-piece, and wondering sadly if -she were not merely imagining that her long-lost daughter -was expected home, a carriage drove rapidly up the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>shaded avenue, steps were let down, people came, a little -bustle ensued, hasty steps and joyous voices were heard. -Alice ran out, and, in an instant, the mother, weeping, -laughing, exclaiming, had caught, and was hugging her -daughter laughing to her bosom. Yes, Elsie herself!—Elsie, -warm, alive, real, and such an armful of bright, -rosy, joyous life, and love and reality! I leave you to -imagine the joy of the party around the tea-table that -night, where all were too joyful to eat—or the late hour -at which they separated for the night and retired to their -several rooms, where each one was too happy to sleep.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The next morning, happy, joyous Elsie had to hold -a sort of levee for the benefit of the colored folks. Every -negro in the house, or on the plantation, who had known -her before she went away, had to come and shake hands -with her, and welcome her back. And every little one -that had grown from infancy to childhood during her -absence, and to whom she was a sort of fabulous demigoddess, -or, it might be, one of the angels, had to come -and stare at her and be patted on the head, and get its -paper of sugar-plums or its toy.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And then, later in the day, when her trunks and boxes -arrived in the wagon, and were unpacked, she had to -distribute her presents and tokens of remembrance to all -and each of the colored people.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And in the course of the second day, when the news -of her arrival began to be rumored about, the companions -of her childhood, now grown up to be young men -and women, flocked in to see her. And it was from their -sly hints and innuendos that Elsie was taught that -it was expected of her father to give a ball, and that, -indeed, a great many people would be very greatly disappointed -if he did not. And good-natured Elsie, in order -to make so many young folks happy, named the matter -to her father, and begged him, as a personal favor -to herself, in consideration of her recent arrival home, -to give a party. So General Garnet, willing to please his -child, and believing, besides, that a large party might -forward his electioneering prospects, gave his consent. -He consulted Mrs. Garnet and Dr. Hardcastle, and fixed -<span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span>the time of the ball for that day two weeks. Magnus -was with Elsie every day. She perfectly understood, -though she could scarcely have told why, for no one -had as yet hinted the subject to her, that she was at no -very distant period of time to be married to Magnus. -She considered her marriage, like her leaving school, -her presentation at court, and her coming-out ball, a -part of the programme of her happy drama of life, and -was content. She loved Magnus. During her absence -in England, she had remembered and loved him as she -had remembered and loved her father and mother—as -one of the elements of her life’s joy.</p> - -<p class='c010'>When she returned, she had met him with the fond -and free affection of a sister for an only brother.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And when she had been at home a week, and Magnus -had found opportunity and courage, and led the beautiful -and happy girl to a shady nook in the twilight parlor, -and told her with the burning eloquence of passion -how long, how deeply, how greatly he had loved her; -how she had been at once his one memory and his one -hope—his incentive, his dream, his inspiration, his guiding -star, Elsie heard him with undisguised astonishment -at his earnestness and enthusiasm, and wondered to herself -where it all came from. And when he, full of doubt -and fear, for her free and unembarrassed manner discouraged -him, begged her to give him answer, she -replied, without the slightest hesitation or embarrassment—nay, -even in her native, gladsome, confident manner—that -he need not have given himself so much anxiety; -that of course everybody knew they were going -to be married; didn’t their lands join? and, of course, -she had never even thought of retreating.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Now you may think from that speech that Elsie was -a sadly heartless and mercenary and calculating little -baggage. She was as far as possible from being that. -She was a fresh, innocent, totally inexperienced girl, -who repeated, parrot-like, the sentiments of those around -her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Magnus knew that, and caught her, strained her to his -bosom, pressed kisses on her brow, her cheeks, her lips, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span>in the delirious joy of “first and passionate love.” And -Elsie broke from his arms and ran from the room suffused -with blushes, trembling with a strange, painful, -blissful tumult. All that evening Elsie wandered about -upstairs, or sat dreaming, half in terror, half in joy, -until her mother came in and asked of what she was -thinking so deeply?</p> - -<p class='c010'>Elsie started, and blushed violently.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice took both her hands and gazed deeply into her -face.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At that earnest and tender mother’s gaze, the tears -sprung into Elsie’s eyes, and then, as struck by something -ludicrous in herself or her position, Elsie laughed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice pressed her hands, and released them, saying:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is time to dress, my dear Elsie, your father expects -you in the parlor. Let me fix your hair; it is in -sad disorder.” And she smoothed and twined the rich -ringlets around her fingers, letting them drop in long -tendrils of golden auburn.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And then she arranged her dress of purple cashmere, -and they went below to the lighted parlor, where General -Garnet and Magnus awaited them. The general -and Magnus were engaged in a political discussion, but -Magnus broke off and came at once to meet them.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Elsie, with a bright blush, turned away and walked to -a distant table, where she ensconced herself with her -tambour frame.</p> - -<p class='c010'>But from that day Elsie gradually changed. She kept -out of the way of Magnus most sedulously. The courtship -became a regular hunt. All Magnus’ ingenuity was -employed in devising how he could circumvent Elsie’s -arch and saucy prudery, and entrap her into a little -lover’s talk or walk. And all Elsie’s tact was engaged in -devising means to avoid without offending Magnus.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And so days went on, until one day it fell like ice upon -the warm heart of Magnus, that Elsie might not love him -except as a brother; and oh! he thought of her first, free, -fond, sisterly affection for him, until the evening upon -which he first declared his passion, and then of her calm -agreement to marry him because their lands joined, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span>her cold avoidance of him ever since. “Yes,” he said to -himself, “it is too true. Elsie does not love me. I am -wooing an unwilling bride. Shall I continue to do so? -Shall I marry her and seal her misery? No, my God! -No, though she is the first and last hope of my life, I will -resign her if that will make her happy.” And so Magnus -suddenly abandoned the pursuit of Elsie, and grew -thoughtful, sorrowful, pale, and weary-looking.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Then he absented himself from Mont Calm for several -days. Elsie did not grow pale or thin; she was too sanguine -for that; but she became uneasy, then anxious, then -restless, and would walk about looking silently from the -windows, particularly the back windows that overlooked -the forest road leading down to the Hollow; or looking -into her father’s or her mother’s face with an anxious, -appealing look of silent inquiry. If the door-bell were -rung, she would start violently, pause breathlessly, turn -very pale, ask eagerly of the servant who returned, “who -was that?” The answer, “Judge Jacky Wylie,” or -“Marse Roebuck” caused her to sink back in her -seat, disappointed and blushing with mortification. And -yet only two or three days had passed; but then Magnus -had been in the habit of coming twice a day, and -staying over night; and two or three days seems to a -young, impatient heart like two or three eternities.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At last General Garnet, in the blackest rage and the -brightest smile, put a pair of pistols in his pocket, -mounted his magnificent black war-horse Death, and rode -down to Hemlock Hollow, with the deliberate intention -of courteously inquiring into Dr. Hardcastle’s motives of -conduct, and blowing his brains out if the answer should -not prove satisfactory. Not that he sympathized with -Elsie, or believed in broken hearts, but that he had a -saving faith in the junction of estates, and a high respect -for the “honor of his house.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>He found Magnus looking sallow and haggard, and -immediately surmised that he had been ill, reproached -him in a polite, gentlemanly way for not having informed -his friends of his indisposition, and finally hoped -that he had recovered.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span>Magnus pleaded guilty to illness, and much care and -anxiety, and spoke of the pain that enforced absence from -Elsie gave him. Not for the world would Magnus have -hinted that Elsie’s coldness had driven him away, and -that despair had made him ill; he knew too well that such -a communication would be visited with great severity by -her father upon the head of Elsie. And he judged -rightly—General Garnet’s heart was set on the marriage -of those two joining plantations. If Magnus had backed -out, he would have shot him like a dog. If Elsie had retreated, -he would have turned her out of doors. If both -had broken off, by mutual consent, he would have—Satan -only knows what he would not have done.</p> - -<p class='c010'>As it was now, he was perfectly satisfied with Magnus, -insisted that he should come over the day of the ball, -if not before, received his promise to do so, and took -leave.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XVII.<br> <span class='large'>THE BALL—THE UNEXPECTED GUEST.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>There was a sound of revelry by night.</div> - <div class='line in24'>... and bright</div> - <div class='line'>The lamps shone o’er fair women and brave men;</div> - <div class='line'>A thousand hearts beat happily, and when</div> - <div class='line'>Music arose with its voluptuous swell,</div> - <div class='line'>Soft eyes looked love to eyes that spoke again,</div> - <div class='line'>And all went merry as a marriage bell!</div> - <div class='line'>But hush! hark!</div> - <div class='line in46'><i>—Byron.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>The day of the ball arrived. People had been invited -for twenty miles around. Apartments had been prepared -for the guests who, coming from a distance, would be -likely to remain all night. From an early hour in the -afternoon carriages began to arrive, and the men-servants -had enough to do in stabling the horses and putting -away the vehicles; while the maid-servants were employed -in showing the company to their dressing rooms, -and attending upon them there.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span>Magnus came early in the afternoon, in order to have -a private conversation with Mrs. Garnet, to whom he intended -to open his heart fully.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He asked for her as soon as he arrived, and was immediately -shown up into her bed chamber, into which -both Alice and her daughter had been crowded by the -incoming of their guests. As he entered, Alice came forward -with a smile to meet him. Elsie started violently, -colored brightly, and, ere anyone could prevent her, even -if they had wished, flew from the room.</p> - -<p class='c010'>As she flew by him, Magnus fixed one passionate reproachful -look upon her, and said, in a hurried voice:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Fear nothing, Elsie! I will never trouble you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice, still smiling, pointed him to a chair. He sat -down, dropped his forehead upon his hands for a moment, -sighed heavily, looked up, and opened his story. -He told Alice that he had discovered, to his eternal sorrow, -that Elsie did not love him, that though to resign -her was like resigning his hope of heaven, yet every -principle of justice and honor obliged him to do so; he -concluded by asking her opinion as to the best manner -of breaking this affair to General Garnet, so as to shield -Elsie from his indignation.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And so you wish to give Elsie up?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Wish!” and Magnus dropped his forehead into his -palms with a groan that might have started all the house, -had they been listening. Then, lifting his head up again, -he said sternly, almost fiercely:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Listen! If Elsie loved me, not all the power of earth -or of hell—or—God forgive me!—I had nearly said of -heaven—should sever her from me! not you—not her -father—not herself—if only she loved me! But she does -not, and it is all over.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And who told you she did not love you?” inquired -Alice, smiling at his vehemence, and sighing as her -thoughts flew back to the past, when she was resigned in -spite of herself. “Who told you that Elsie did not return -your love?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>With a gesture of despair Magnus recounted all that -had passed between himself and Elsie, and ended, as he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span>had begun, with a groan, dropping his head upon his -hands.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Puir human bodies are sic’ fules,</div> - <div class='line'>Wi’ a’ their colleges and schules,</div> - <div class='line'>That when nae real ills perplex ’em,</div> - <div class='line'>They mak eno’ themsel’s to vex ’em,”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c014'>sang Alice; then said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, Magnus! with all your knowledge—with your -classic, and mathematic, and philosophic, and metaphysic -learning—with all your knowledge, not to know a young -girl’s heart better than that! Oh, Magnus! ‘with all -your getting, get wisdom, get understanding.’”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Alice, Cousin Alice! Do you mean to intimate what -sometimes I have madly hoped—that I have been mistaken, -that Elsie does——”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That Elsie loves you a thousandfold more now, -that she avoids you, than she did while she laughed, -and talked, and romped with you. Oh, man! you should -have found this out for yourself, and not have put me to -the shame of betraying my child. And now, never let me -hear another word of your self-sacrificing resignation of -Elsie’s hand, or I shall take you at your word, as she -would do now, for I don’t believe in it. I have more -faith in the cruelest demonstrations of a downright, honest, -sincere, human passion than in all the self-martyrizing -resignation in the world!” said Alice, with a -strange asperity, for her thoughts flew back again to the -past. “Go, Magnus! You will find Elsie in the ballroom. -Go, Magnus; I love you, or I never would have -said all that I have said to you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Magnus seized the hand of Alice, pressed it to his -heart, to his lips, and darted from the room in search of -his betrothed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He found her in the large saloon, described in the beginning -of this story as occupying the whole of the righthand -wing of the house. She was standing at a table, arranging -a large bouquet in a marble vase. He stole -softly up behind her, and, restraining the impetuous force -of his emotions, passed his arm gently around her waist, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span>and drew her—so gently!—to his heart. And Elsie’s -head sank upon his shoulder. He raised her chin and -kissed her—still so gently!—as fearing to startle her shy -trust and again frighten her away. So gently, and -trembling all over, for in his bosom he held a young tornado -in check. At last she moved to withdraw herself -from his arms; he pressed her once more to his bosom, -printed one more kiss upon her lips, and let her go. So -quiet and so silent was their reconciliation.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He stood there where she left him in a happy trance, -until the company began to drop in one by one, and in -couples, and trios, and in small parties.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And then he wandered on by himself. He strolled -down the shaded avenue, and through the gate, and over -the burnished hills, now brown with the sear wind of -November, under the cold deep-blue starlit skies, -wrapped in a blissful dream, until the sudden peal of -music from the house awoke him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He turned to retrace his steps, and now saw the whole -south wing blazing with light, and the sprite-like figures -of the dancers as they flitted by the illuminated windows. -He hastened back, entered the house, hurried to the little -room always kept sacred to his use, arranged his toilet, -and went below.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He entered the ballroom, which was resplendent and -joyous with light, and music, and gay and brilliant company. -Magnus slowly made his way through the crowd -in search of his ladylove, but nodding, smiling, shaking -hands, according to the degree of his acquaintance with -the individuals that made up the company.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Judge Jacky was there in great force—superb in a -blue velvet coat, white satin vest, and smallclothes.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And Ambrosia Wylie was there, too. Miss Ambush, -as the colored folk perverted her pretty name. Oh, well -named both ways, for she had grown up the most alluring -<i><span lang="la">ignis-fatuus</span></i> that ever drew men on an elf chase -through brambles and quagmires.</p> - -<p class='c010'>She had already drawn General Garnet on to ask her -to dance! General Garnet, the proud, the stern, the majestic, -the unbendable, is actually bending over her with -<span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span>his most seraphic smile, and a gaze that might melt all -the icebergs in the Northern Ocean—and she has raised -her languishing eyes, with the look of a gratified angel, -and she has given her hand, and he, still shining upon her -with that sunlike smile, is leading her to the head of the -cotillion.</p> - -<p class='c010'>In the meantime, Magnus found his ladylove. She -was sitting at the farthest extremity of the room, the -center of a circle of sprightly young people, who were -eagerly engaged in asking her questions concerning her -residence abroad, London, the court, the king, etc., etc., -and as eagerly listening to her replies. As Magnus -gently broke through this circle, and approached her side, -with a smile, her eyes fell and her color rose.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Her young friends, with a smile, a laugh, or an arch -glance, dropped off, one by one, leaving the lovers -alone.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And now Elsie’s eyes were dropped to the ground, and -her color mounted to her temples.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At the same moment a young gentleman came up and -asked the pleasure of her hand in the next quadrille.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Elsie, with a start, and a sigh of relief, suffered him to -lead her forth to the head of the cotillion.</p> - -<p class='c010'>I am sure Dr. Hardcastle was unconscious of the angry -flush and fierce glance with which he followed the meanderings -of the young couple through the mazes of the -dance.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Not so Elsie. With many a swift, furtive glance she -detected the angry passion of her lover’s face, and felt -self-reproach enough to bewilder her movements. Never -had beautiful Elsie danced with less grace, and never had -she been so glad when the set was over.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Her partner led her to a seat, distant from the one he -had taken her from, took his seat by the side of her, and -held her in conversation that made her more fidgety than -before.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Poor Elsie was at length relieved by Judge Jacky, who, -seeing her distress and embarrassment, came up, and -taking my gentleman by the arm, and saying to him: -“There is a very lovely woman who would not be averse -<span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span>to dancing the next set with you; come, let me introduce -you to her,” marched him off to dance with a tall, thin -young lady of sixty-five.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Dr. Hardcastle now left his position across the room, -and, walking leisurely, came up to Elsie, and dropped -slowly into the seat just vacated.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And at that very instant, as if to try his patience to the -utmost, up came Ulysses Roebuck, and holding out his -hand, in quite a confident way, informed Elsie that he intended -to confer upon her the glory and the joy of being -his partner in the next set.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Elsie glanced at Magnus, shook her head, and laughed -lightly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Ulysses persisted, affirming that indeed he was in earnest, -and did not mean to humbug her; that he really had -reserved the honor and the pleasure of his hand in the -next cotillion for her, and her alone. That his uncle had -selected a very charming partner for him, whom he had -declined, in consideration of her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Elsie laughed a little, and told him she feared “the -honor and the pleasure” was only offered to her in -order to pique Ambrosia.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Whereupon Roebuck began to vow and protest, but in -the midst of his vociferous asseverations, he happened to -spy Ambrosia sitting down, quite exhausted, quite alone, -apparently quite disengaged, for the first time during the -evening, and Ulysses suddenly sped off toward her, in -order to secure her at once—for the dance?—no, for a -good, rousing quarrel.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why did you not dance with Ulysses?” inquired -Magnus of Elsie.</p> - -<p class='c010'>She threw a swift glance to his face, then dropped her -eyes, and replied, in a low tone:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I shall not dance again to-night.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why?” he asked, taking her hand, and seeming to -study its deep beauty. “Why will you not dance again -to-night?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>But she colored so deeply, and looked so distressed, -that he desisted from questioning her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At last Elsie of herself said, in a very low voice:</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span>“Mother told me not to dance, unless it were to make -up a set that could not otherwise be completed.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But I do not understand why you should have been -warned against your favorite amusement, Elsie?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why, lest by filling up one place in the cotillion, I -might keep some young lady from dancing,” replied she. -But then, as though spurning disingenuousness, she -added: “But that was not the only reason I refused -Ulysses.” Then pausing, and making a great effort over -herself, she added, in a very low and tremulous voice: -“It was because you looked so annoyed while I was dancing -with Mr. Brent.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The light of an unutterable joy shone on the face of -Magnus. He caught her hand with a strong, almost -crushing clasp—his bosom heaved—his eyes kindled and -smoldered. He stooped his lips near Elsie’s ear to whisper -something, but her cheek blazed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And just then a slight bustle at the other extremity of -the room attracted their attention. Exclamations of astonishment, -joy, and wonder were intermingled with -many words of cordial greeting, and of hearty welcoming. -Above all noises were heard the jocund tones of -old Mr. Hardcastle. The bustle widened in the crowd, -like eddies in the water where a stone had just been -cast, and the crowd seemed to be swayed toward the -place where our lovers sat. The center of this crowd -was a young man of rather effeminate, but exceeding -personal beauty, tall, and slightly, but elegantly proportioned, -with Grecian features, a fair, roseate complexion, -golden hair, and light, soft, hazel eyes. He was receiving, -and gracefully and graciously acknowledging, the -<i><span lang="fr">devoirs</span></i> of all around him, who were also moving with -him towards Magnus and Elsie. As he drew near, they -both simultaneously exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My Cousin Lionel!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Lionel Hardcastle!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And both eagerly started forward, holding out their -hands, in joyful welcome, before even thinking of the -miracle of his advent.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Lionel at first shook hands with Magnus, then, seeming -<span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span>to yield to a sudden and irresistible impulse, folded -him to his heart in a close brotherly embrace.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He then took Elsie’s hand, bowed over it gracefully, -raised it tenderly to his lips, when Elsie exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, my dear old playmate, I am so glad! so glad! -that you were not lost after all!” threw herself into his -arms.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The youth’s eye and cheek kindled with a hectic flush, -as he pressed the innocent, affectionate girl for an instant -to his bosom, and released her to turn and see Magnus -grasp her arm with no very gentle hand, and lead her -away. To the many eager questions of “When did you -arrive?” “Where from?” “How did you escape?” -“Where have you been all this time?” put to him by the -astonished crowd as soon as they recovered sufficient -strength, Lionel replied:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“To-morrow, to-morrow, I will tell you all about it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That you shan’t! you shan’t tell for a week. It is -enough, good Heaven, to have you among us. No more -questions shall be asked or answered for a week!” exclaimed -Judge Wylie, in a magisterial tone, and the company -understood that they had been wearying a fatigued -traveler, and desisted.</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was late when the ball broke up. And Judge Jacky, -who seemed possessed with a spirit of jollity, resolved to -follow up this party by one of his own. Accordingly, -that very night, he improvised the “time, place, and circumstance” -of a ball, and availed himself of the opportunity -afforded by the presence of so many of his familiar -friends, to give out rather informal verbal invitations. -When all the company had departed, a cloud remained -upon the brow of General Garnet. He spoke -coldly to Magnus, in reply to his “good-night,” as the -latter left the house. Alice looked deeply distressed. -Elsie glanced from father to mother with a vague presentiment -of impending evil.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XVIII.<br> <span class='large'>THE NEW-FOUND HEIR.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Ernest.</i>—Which is the bridegroom?</div> - <div class='line'><i>Wilhelm.</i>—Marry! the heir.</div> - <div class='line in26'><i>—Newman.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Magnus had returned home with his cousin. The -next day the family from the Hollow dined at Mount -Calm, by invitation. General Garnet was still cold and -reserved to Magnus, but showed the most marked attention -to Lionel. This at first surprised Dr. Hardcastle; -but soon, with a haughty curl of the lip, he thought:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I see how it is; fortune has changed. I have lost an -inheritance.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>After dinner Lionel told a tale of an Algerine cruiser, -of a long captivity, of a hair-breadth escape, but left as -vague an impression of reality upon the minds of his -hearers as it leaves now upon the minds of my readers. -They did not doubt his story, but they could not well connect -the effeminate beauty of the man with any life of -pirate-adventure and slavery hardships.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Elsie was saddened for the first time in her life, and -she scarcely knew wherefore. During the short estrangement -between herself and her lover she had been nervous, -anxious, excitable; now she was depressed. She -loved her mother very tenderly; she loved her father passionately; -and Magnus she loved—oh, how shall I say?—with -an infinite future reservation. But now she saw -a cloud—she was too guileless to know wherefore—settle -and deepen, dark, cold, and chill, between her lover -and her father; and the happy, buoyant Elsie grew pensive -and thoughtful. General Garnet, with all his coldness, -was studiously polite; and Magnus was self-possessed -and social.</p> - -<p class='c010'>As this day passed—as far as the relative positions of -some of the parties were concerned—so passed the -weeks, and brought the day upon which Judge Wylie’s -party was to be given.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_84'>84</span>There was a heavy cloud of thought and care upon the -brow of General Garnet; and those who knew him well -surmised that he was considering the best manner of -transferring the hand of the heiress of Mount Calm from -the poor doctor to the rich heir of Hemlock Hollow.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Magnus continued his visits, as usual, undisturbed by -the freezing exterior of General Garnet.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice always received him with affection; and Elsie’s -manner to him was earnest, affectionate, deferential, as if -she wished to make up for her father’s coldness. She -was no longer shy and diffident. It seemed as if the -presentiment of some impending misfortune, which -she felt rather than understood, had thrown down the -barriers of her reserve, and that she could not do too -much, in her sweet, feminine way, to assure Magnus of -her unchangeable affection and unswerving truth. Her -eyes waited on him, shyly, all day long, for her maiden -pride was self-subdued, but not her maidenly delicacy. -Elsie had no suspicion of what her father really meant -until the morning of the day upon which Judge Wylie’s -ball was to be given. General Garnet called Elsie into -his room, and having explained in his polite way—he -was polite even to his child—that circumstances beyond -all human calculation or control had rendered it expedient -that a new adjustment of affairs should take place, -and that she must no longer look upon Magnus Hardcastle -in the light of a suitor for her hand, but must, on -the contrary, prepare herself to think of, and accept, -Lionel Hardcastle, to whom he had given permission to -visit her—Elsie opened wide her eyes in undisguised -astonishment, that her father, her revered father, should -ask her to break her plighted faith; but without one atom -of terror, and without an instant’s hesitation, she answered:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why, father, being engaged to Magnus, with yours -and mother’s consent, I would no more forsake him now -than if I were already his wedded wife.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We shall see, Miss Garnet. I will give you time,” -replied the General, in his soft, but sarcastic, manner.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Father,” said Elsie, her cheek burning with shame -<span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span>and indignation, “if I should give you to suppose that -any lapse of time could alter my determination, I should -be a coward or a hypocrite. Father, I would not have -engaged myself without your consent and my mother’s, -for I should have felt that to be wrong; but having engaged -myself with your consent and blessing, I will not -break that engagement, come what may. I promised, with -your approbation, to give my hand to Dr. Hardcastle on -Thursday week, and Thursday week, father, I must do -it. Dr. Hardcastle has lost an inheritance; an event -which he rejoices in, since it gives his uncle back a -dearly beloved and long-lost son. But he must not lose -his wife, father; he shall not.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet stood like one thunderstruck. His wife -had never ventured to oppose his will, except</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“To plead, lament, and sue,”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c014'>to avert some cruel deed. His servants had ever trembled -before him. His very neighbors and associates had -fallen into the habit of yielding to his inflexible will; -and here was a little girl of seventeen years of age, with -positively her own notions of right and wrong, of faith -and infidelity, of honor and dishonor—and telling him, -with a high, unblanching cheek, and a clear, unfaltering -voice, that she meant to abide by right, and eschew -wrong! He turned pale with suppressed rage; his eyes -gleamed with their sinister light; he clenched his fist, -and made one step towards her, but retreated again, and -dropped his hand. The polished “gentleman” asserted -its supremacy of habit over the angry “man.” It would -not be <i><span lang="fr">comme-il-faut</span></i> for “General Garnet” to give -“Miss Garnet” a good drubbing with his fists; besides, -there was a look of calm, healthful moral strength about -the mere child that forcibly impressed him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Father, this thing came suddenly upon me, and surprised -me out of my self-possession, and the respect that -is due to you. I spoke hastily, and, I fear, irreverently. -I earnestly repent it, and ask your pardon. Forgive -me,” said Elsie; and she approached, and would have -<span class='pageno' id='Page_86'>86</span>offered herself in his embrace; but General Garnet extended -his hand, and waved her off.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do I understand you to say, Miss Garnet, that you -repent your foolish decision? If so, I am sincerely rejoiced -to hear it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, sir. Always, father, and in all else, I will be -your submissive child. But for this, sir, you, yourself, -laid on me this other duty, which I cannot shake off. -Forgive me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet looked at her steadily, while gleamed -that red light from his dark eyes, and slowly shook his -head, as communing with himself. Then, turning suddenly, -and muttering something that sounded very much -like a threat to “break her will or break her heart,” he -left the room; and Elsie sank down in her chair, and -leaning upon the windowsill, raised her eyes to heaven, -“full of thought and prayer.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XIX.<br> <span class='large'>THE DEVOTION OF LOVE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Oh! sweeter far than wealth, than fame, than all,</div> - <div class='line'>Is first and passionate love; it stands alone.</div> - <div class='line in46'><i>—Byron.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>There was a much larger, but not so select, a company -invited by the genial, social Judge Jacky than that assembled -by the proud and reserved General Garnet. And -by “early candle light”—the country hour for assembling -for a ball—the whole house—parlors, chambers, -family rooms, and saloon—were crowded to overflowing. -The dining room only was kept shut up, for there the -two long tables were to be set for supper. The saloon, -or “big room,” as it is plainly called in old-fashioned -country houses, was blazing with light and splendor, and -pealing with music, and alive with young men and maidens -in ball dresses, laughing, talking, wooing, flirting, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span>dancing. It was something like General Garnet’s ball -on a larger and somewhat coarser scale, it must be confessed, -but then it was such a joyous, jubilant, exultant -scene! The young folks laughed, and talked, and -danced, and jested with so much gladness and freedom! -And Judge Jacky moved about laughing, talking, joking, -gallanting all the ugly old maids, making love to all the -low-spirited old widows, flattering and complimenting -all the plain girls, encouraging all shamefaced young -gentlemen, and electrifying into jocund life all the “flat, -stale, and unprofitable” folks in the joyous company.</p> - -<p class='c010'>But it is not with the gay and thoughtless of that -merry throng that we have to do, but with our great-hearted -Magnus and our dear Elsie. You know at this -moment, just as well as I do, that they both had too much -on their minds to think of dancing. They had each come -to the ball chiefly to meet the other and have a talk. -General Garnet would willingly have kept Elsie away, -but he did not think it polite to offend Judge Wylie by -doing so. But one thing he had taken care to do—to -send for Lionel Hardcastle to escort her there. And -Lionel had ridden in the carriage alone with Elsie from -Mount Calm to Point Pleasant, and had had every opportunity -of pursuing a courtship that he had commenced -almost from the first evening of his return. Elsie cut -him short in the midst of one of his finest speeches by -telling him that he was making love to his cousin’s wife—or -to one who would be so on Thursday week! Yes, -Elsie compelled herself to say exactly that to Lionel, to -crush his hopes at once. On reaching the house at Point -Pleasant, Elsie said aloud to Magnus, who came out to -meet them:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Dr. Hardcastle, help me to thank your cousin for -the kind manner in which he has supplied your place in -attending me here,” and, bowing courteously to Lionel, -she took the arm of Magnus and entered the saloon.</p> - -<p class='c010'>They were now seated at the farthest extremity of the -vast saloon, within the bay window. Elsie was looking -very beautiful this evening. She was dressed in a gossamer -white crape, over white satin. Her snowy arms -<span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span>and neck were bare, and encircled by diamond bracelets -and necklace. She was always beautiful, but now her -usually happy, joyous face was softened and deepened -into an expression of serious thought and feeling ineffably -charming.</p> - -<p class='c010'>They had been conversing. Elsie had told him all that -had passed between herself and her father. And Magnus -had recounted a similar scene that had taken place -between himself and General Garnet. He had, as Elsie -had, asserted his determination to abide by their betrothal. -He repeated the same thing to Elsie now. It -was this—this saving of her heart’s fondest hopes amid -the crash of fortune—that made Elsie feel and look so -very blessed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>They were still conversing. He raised her hand—she -had an exquisitely beautiful hand, elegantly shaped, and -white as snow, and now diamond rings sparkled upon it; -appropriate ornaments for it, as one may see. Well, he -raised that small, white, jeweled hand, and looking tenderly, -half-remorsefully upon it, said—and his voice was -full-toned and melodious with love and sorrow:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“This tiny, snow-white hand, sparkling with diamonds—this -fresh, pure, delicate thing!—a jewel itself!—how -can it be put to the uses to which my wife’s hand -must be put, Elsie?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>She looked at him with passionate devotion, saying:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Take the jewels off and cast them from thee, Magnus—do!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And this slender wrist—you have such a beautiful -arm, Elsie! What a round, full, graceful curve from -the elbow to the forearm, and how elegantly it tapers off -to the slender wrist! Ah! this arm, so pure and fresh, -so well decked with this sparkling diamond bracelet—like -icicles upon snow! How will it support labor?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The bracelet offends you, too? It was my father’s -birthday gift; but I like it no longer—it offends you. -Take it off and cast it from you. Press your thumb and -finger around my arm instead. Press it tightly, so that -you will leave a ring there. It will be a red bracelet—or -even a black one; so that when I can no longer see you, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span>I may close my eyes, and, feeling the impress of your fingers, -cheat my heart with the fancy that you still grasp -my wrist with a sweet violence. It will be another dearer -bracelet that I will wear in remembrance of you. Oh, -don’t you know I understand now the enthusiasm of the -saints?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Dearest Elsie, let us go forth from here. The light, -the glare, the crowd, the noise here is insufferable. Let us -go forth in the fresh air under the light of the holy stars. -Come, love! My heart hungers, faints, to press you to -itself. Come, love!” And opening a leaf of the bay -window, he led her forth. It was a mild, clear, beautiful -starlight night for the season, yet the air was chill, and -Elsie was lightly clad. He looked at her and glanced -around. The lighted window of a sitting room in the -angle of the building showed that apartment to be vacant. -He led her there. It was one of those small, conical -wainscoted parlors so common in old houses. A fine fire -was burning in the chimney, and a little old-fashioned -green settee drawn up on one side of the fireplace. The -room had an air of delightful snugness, comfort, and repose. -He led her to this sofa and seated himself beside -her, opened his arms, and whispered: “Come to my -bosom, my own soul’s love!” and folded her closely -there. “Elsie, my pure, fresh, delicate, elegant Elsie, -can you go with me indeed to share my lot of poverty and -struggle? Oh, Elsie! if you do, will you never repent? -Oh, Elsie! do you know what poverty is? Born and -brought up in luxury and wealth, do you know what poverty -is? Oh, Elsie, my little idealist, there is no poetry -in poverty. Oh, Elsie, my little epicurienne, every sense -is shocked and tortured in poverty. You see unsightly -things, you hear discordant sounds, you come in contact -with roughness, you partake of coarse food; oh, Elsie! -ideality is wounded and saddened, sense is shocked, and -love itself, perhaps, revolted!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Never! oh, never!” she said fervently.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, Elsie! my bright, beautiful Elsie! my delicate, -elegant Elsie! I am worse than an executioner to marry -you. I feel it, and yet I shall do it. God knows that I -<span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span>will have you, and let the future take care of itself!” he -said, pressing her strongly to his bosom.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, have me, have me; let me be always with you. -It will be bliss ineffable. I should die if you were to -leave me. My heart would consume itself in its own -fires. I do not care for wealth, or rank, or distinction, -or for ease or luxury. I only care for the wealth and -luxury of your affection, and your constant society. I -do not fear to have ‘ideality wounded and saddened.’ -No, for the soul creates its own poetry. I do not fear -to have every sense shocked. I do not fear to live amid -unsightly objects and discordant sounds, and rough contacts; -oh, no, for the soul creates its own heaven of -beauty and harmony. I do not fear to have love revolted. -Oh! no, no, no! I only fear a separation from -you. My whole being trembling, tends toward you—so -strong, as it would lose itself in you. Shut out the -world, shut out light and sound, only let me feel your -arms around me, pressing my bosom to your heart as -now. All my life is compressed within my heart, and it -is bursting to meet yours. I am blind, deaf, dead to all -but you. I have scarcely self enough to say ‘I have no -self.’ I love myself in you. Oh, my greater self! my -larger life!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>So the softly flushed and moist cheeks, the heavy, -liquid eyes, and the palpitating bosom said, but no word -escaped the parted and glowing lips. Nor could a word -have escaped between the kisses that were pressed upon -them. Then he released her, and they sat upon the old-fashioned -sofa by the glowing hickory fire in the old -wainscoted parlor, and, hand in hand, talked. Oh, how -they talked! Sometimes with profound earnestness, -sometimes with light and bantering gayety.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yet you have had many admirers, Elsie,” said Magnus.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Have I?” she asked.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, Elsie, you know that you have.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I try not to know it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why, dearest?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Because I wish I was an Eastern bride for you. Oh, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span>yes! I wish that I had been reared in conventual seclusion, -that no man’s eye had seen me until my husband -came to claim me; that, then, I could have gone apart -from the world and seen only him. That would have -been exquisite; that would have been blissful; for I do -not want admiration; I want only your heart’s approval! -There would be such intense and concentrated joy in -knowing only you. My joy would be diluted if my heart -were divided among many.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But your numerous admirers, dearest?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, my numerous admirers! I did not finesse when -I asked you if I really had any; for, in truth, my ‘admirers’ -never came near enough to me to breathe their -admiration.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why was that? How was that? Tell me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Look in my eyes, love, and read your answer there. -Peruse my heart, love. It lies open to you as a book.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Nay, tell me. I love to hear you talk. It delights -me to listen to you. Tell me now. It is some sweet -secret that will give me heaven to know. Come, love, be -generous. Breathe the secret out upon my bosom,” he -whispered softly, and drew her again to his heart. -“Come, love——”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, I will. I will repress this feeling of reluctance, -and tell you all my thoughts. Yes, for surely I feel you -have a right to have an answer to any question you ask -me, my higher self. Listen, then. Bend low, for I shall -whisper very low, lest the air around should hear me. -When you first drew me on to love you, when leaf by -leaf my heart unfolded and developed under the life-giving -warmth of your eyes, of your touch, just as a rose -buds and blossoms under the rays of its sovereign, the -sun—my heart, I mean, or something rising within it—taught -me many mysteries that neither prophet, priest, -nor sage could have taught me. Among other things, -it revealed to me the knowledge of all that would please -and all that would displease you in myself, and impelled -me to follow the first and eschew the last. It made me -wish to isolate myself for you. It killed the very first -germ of vanity in my heart, and made me wish that none -<span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span>should come near enough to me to know whether I were -beautiful or otherwise, far less so near as to tell me of it. -It made me shrink from all those little gallantries from -gentlemen which make up so large a portion of a belle’s -life. I was so afraid of being found unworthy of you -when you should take me. I should not have felt good -enough for you if my hand, that awaited your hand, had -been squeezed and kissed, and my waist, that awaited the -dear girdle of this arm—fold it closer around me now—had -been pressed, and I, your expectant bride, had been -twined and whirled about in the giddy waltz. But none -of these things have happened to me. I come to you -almost an Oriental bride for exclusiveness, and that -makes me so happy. I should have else been unhappy, -should else have been unworthy of you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>All this was murmured slowly, softly, dreamily, as -though the truth stole out of a slumbering heart, while -she lay upon his bosom, and the last words were breathed -forth in an almost inaudible sigh. But he answered with -passionate vehemence, clasping her to his heart:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Unworthy of me! You! so beautiful! so good! so -intellectual!—save when your highest intellect is -whelmed in feeling!—yet, no—your highest intelligence—your -spirit—is never so whelmed! You, the heiress -of the haughtiest family in Maryland—and I—who -am I?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My greater self! my life-giver!—by these titles only -I know you. Does my rank and fortune offend you? -Pluck me away from them; for I am yours. Bury me -with yourself, in some lone forest cabin, in the wilderness, -whither your footsteps tend; and there my hunter’s -wife will forget the world, while preparing the cabin for -his return at eve. And she will not think the hours of -his absence long, for they will be filled with fervent -thoughts of him. Oh, that hunter’s lodge in the wild! I -see it even in my dreams!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And this was not romance; but the passionate fanaticism -of first, of early love.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, Elsie! how you talk!” he exclaimed, gazing on -her eloquent face with wonder, reverence, and passion.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span>She blushed deeply, and bowed her crimson brow upon -his bosom, murmuring:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do I? I am sorry. I suppose maidens do not talk -so; do they?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I do not know how maidens do or should talk, any -more than you do,” answered Magnus, and then a singular -expression passed over his countenance. He bent his -gaze upon her, with a look of profound thought and -searching inquiry, as though to read the depths of that -heart she had so freely laid open to his perusal. And he -said, very seriously: “I do not know how maidens talk, -for I have spoken with but one maiden before of love.” -He paused and gazed down deeply into her eyes, as if to -read her most hidden thought and feeling—possibly he -expected to see some trace of jealousy there—he saw only -the calm, profound repose of love, deep joy, and infinite -trust. He resumed: “I never talked with but one -maiden of love before; she was my first love.” Again he -looked down, and saw upon her beautiful face the same -ineffable peace. He continued: “I loved her passionately. -I lost her. It nearly maddened me.” For the -last time he gazed down upon her, as she lay quietly over -his arm, with her face turned up to his, but her whole -countenance radiated with a sort of calm, rapt ecstasy, -as though she were then in the possession of all the bliss -possible on earth. He gazed for a moment, full of astonishment, -and then quietly asked: “Is it possible that this -gives you no uneasiness, my love?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Does what?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The thought of my first love.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, dearest. Why should it?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“‘Why should it?’ What a question. Why should -it not?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t know, I am sure. When I do, I’ll tell you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yet,” said Magnus thoughtfully, “though the idea -of my having had a first love gives you no pain, you -felicitated yourself and me very much upon the fact of -your having had no other lover.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, that was a very different thing. Don’t you feel -that it was?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span>“Yes; I feel it. But tell me now—think—why is it -that the thought of my first love does not distress you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Indeed, I do not know at all. I only know by the -sure inspiration of my soul, and feel in every nerve of -my body, that you love me; and I am so ineffably -blessed.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My darling Elsie!” he said, joyously kissing the lids -down upon her two sweet eyes. “My darling Elsie, you -are not selfish or jealous for yourself at all. I only -wished to probe your heart a little. You were so jealous -for me that I thought perhaps you might be so for yourself. -You are not, my darling Elsie; my light of life! -You are the only woman I ever loved! Yet, dearest, I -told you no fiction. You, yourself, were ‘the maiden to -whom I spoke before of love.’ But it was soon after -you returned from school. You, yourself, were the -maiden whom I lost,—for a little while, during our short -misunderstanding,—and whose loss nearly maddened -me. Oh, come! enter the heart of hearts, and live there -forever!” He clasped her closer, and they subsided into -silence, or conversed only with their eyes.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Long, long they remained in that still trance of joy, -but at last Elsie withdrew herself, laughing, from his -arms, sat down beside him, and they began to talk of -their future home. He told her it would be indeed a -cabin in the backwoods of Maryland; but not a hunter’s -cabin, as she fancifully supposed. Oh, no! but a country -doctor’s dwelling, in a new settlement. And that he -would not return at eve in the hunter’s picturesque costume, -with a gun and a nine-antlered deer across his -shoulders, but upon the back of a stout mule, with a country -doctor’s saddle-bags behind him. How would she -like that?</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, very well, dearest Magnus! for then you will be -saving life instead of taking it. Oh, yes, I do like—I do -love—your profession, Magnus. Since you must have -one, I like it better than any other you could have chosen. -I think physicians do more disinterested good than any -other set of men on earth. I will not even except the -preachers. Oh, yes! I do love your profession, dear -<span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span>Magnus, and love you better, if possible, for being a -poor country doctor. God love and bless you! When -you shall have come home tired, from your long round—oh, -you shall have sweet repose, love—indeed you shall! -God bids me to assure you that you shall. Whatever our -cabin home may be, I can make it a little haven of repose—a -little heaven of bliss for you. Oh, indeed I do not -fear; my whole full soul assures me that we shall be -happy and victorious over fate. Let me kiss your eyes—you -kissed mine just now, so sweetly. God bless those -grand eyes! Oh, Magnus, can a cabin or a garb of -homespun hide the light, the greatness that is in you? -Oh, Magnus, I saw a king and several princes of the -blood when I was presented at court by General Armstrong; -but their foreheads were low and receding, their -presence had the strut without the dignity of majesty. -Oh, Magnus, their kingly crown could not have given -either that magnificent forehead of yours. Oh, Magnus, -there is something greater in you than any surrounding -you can have. Do not any more dread that I shall be -either pained or revolted at anything in the circumstances -of our condition. The rough walls of a log cabin will -not shock or sadden me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, darling, for the rough walls of our log cabin, like -the rough bark of an oak tree, has something really picturesque -about it; but”—said he, in a half-sorrowful, -half-comic way—“the pots and kettles, the mops and -brooms!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What! the humble little household gods and goddesses -that set up no pretension to worship, or even to -honorable mention, and yet confer so much benefit? No, -indeed. I have a kindly feeling for all such. Mine, if -they can’t be beautiful, shall be neat and pretty. Oh, -don’t you remember when we were children, and used to -run in out of the snow to old Aunt Polly’s kitchen, and -how she’d press us in to help her every time she could? -Oh, I know a great deal about cooking, and I always had -a turn for housekeeping.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>He arose, took her hand, and raised her up, and looked -at her from head to foot, as she stood—that delicate, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span>beautiful girl, in her elegant ball dress of gossamer crape -over white satin, diamonds sparkling on her arms and -neck, as he had said, like icicles upon snow. He surveyed -her, from her white rose-wreathed auburn hair to -the tip of the white satin slipper. He clasped her hand, -and looked at it.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I know,” she said, “what you are thinking of again—‘Elsie -must doff this dress, and this style of dress, for -some years to come’; but do not fear, within ten years, -and by the time that the beauty of your love has matured, -Elsie will weave a more elegant dress than this, -when her husband’s talents shall have ‘achieved greatness.’ -And this little hand that you look at so fondly, so -sadly—‘this pure, fresh, delicate thing, a jewel itself,’ as -you called it just now—under this soft, white cushion of -flesh are nerves and sinews of steel. I am very strong, -dear Magnus, very strong every way. And I can work; -this hand shall toil and retain its beauty, because you -prize it, too.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>He clasped her again to his breast, and drew her white -arms up around his neck. And then that notion of isolation -came upon her again like a fond superstition, and she -whispered:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I do not want neighbors or friends where we live, -love. I want only you. I want no one that can take me -off from you. It is late. Shall I go?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, dear love,” she answered, untwining her arms -from about his neck.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XX.<br> <span class='large'>ELSIE IN THE ATTIC.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>To-night, when my head aches indeed,</div> - <div class='line'>And I can either think nor read,</div> - <div class='line'>And these blue fingers will not hold</div> - <div class='line'>The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)—</div> - <div class='line'>I tell you, I pace up and down</div> - <div class='line'>This garret, crowned with love’s best crown,</div> - <div class='line'>And feasted with love’s perfect feast,</div> - <div class='line'>To think I bear for him at least.</div> - <div class='line in32'><i>—Browning.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>When they re-entered the ballroom the revelry was -still at its height. Six cotillions were on the floor.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Judge Jacky was flying about, now here and now there, -now everywhere at once.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Ambrosia Wylie, in a gold-colored satin, that harmonized -well with her warm-hued tone of beauty, sat in the -bay window, the sunny center of a system of satellites.</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet, who had got through with the political -business that detained him at Huttontown, had just arrived, -and was now standing apart, conversing with -Lionel Hardcastle. He frowned darkly on seeing Elsie -enter the room leaning on the arm of Magnus, and both -looking so self-possessed, confident, and happy.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He smoothed his brow quickly, however, excused himself -to Lionel, and advanced toward them. Bowing -slightly to Magnus, he took the arm of Elsie, and saying -that he wished to have a conversation with her, drew her -off for a promenade.</p> - -<p class='c010'>In going off, Elsie turned, smiled on Magnus, and -said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If I do not return in half an hour, Dr. Hardcastle, -you must seek me out,” and, bowing playfully, she went -on.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Was that done to insult me, Miss Garnet?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, dearest father, it was done out of respect to Dr. -Hardcastle; as you forgot to excuse yourself to him for -<span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span>taking me off so abruptly, it would have been scarcely -courteous in me to have left him without a word. We -would not have treated a common acquaintance so, -father.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“A common acquaintance! And pray what more is -Dr. Hardcastle entitled henceforth to be considered?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“As my husband, and as your son-in-law, father.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet turned pale, and spoke low, with suppressed -rage:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Your husband, and my son-in-law! I—would—see—him—and—you—in -the lowest pit of h——l first!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Elsie gave a violent start as this awful word struck -her like a bullet. It was the more awful, that Elsie had -never known her father to forget himself so far before. -Violence shocked her, profanity revolted her; she was -unaccustomed to either. Her father, even in his tyranny, -was habitually polite. Her mother was ever gentle. -Fury, threats, were strange to her; and now came this -terrible burst of passion, the more terrible for its half -suppression. She gazed at him in alarm. His face was -white with anger, but it reminded her of the white ashes -upon a burning coal. He continued in the same deep, -stern tone:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How dared you even receive that young man’s attentions, -after I have withdrawn my countenance of -him?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Father, because his attentions were my right and his -right. Who else, in your absence, could have attended -me with so much propriety?” asked Elsie, trembling in -her flesh, but firm in her spirit.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do not commit the impertinence of answering my -question by asking another again, Miss Garnet. A question -which, impertinent as it was, I will answer. ‘Who,’ -you inquire, ‘in my absence, could have attended you -with so much propriety?’ I reply, Mr. Lionel Hardcastle, -the gentleman under whose protection I placed you -for the evening.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And who wickedly abused his position by addressing -the words of love to one whom he knew to be Dr. Hardcastle’s -betrothed wife.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span>“Death! if you say that again,” exclaimed General -Garnet, trembling with fury.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And whom,” continued Elsie, frightened, but resolute, -“I had therefore to dismiss as soon as I found Dr. -Hardcastle.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>He grasped her arm with a violence that might have -crushed it. He set his teeth, and drew his breath hard. -He could not shake or beat her there—not in that room -full of company—among those hundreds of people. He -could not even let them see the rage that was on the -eve of explosion.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He looked around. Seeing Lionel Hardcastle at a -short distance, he beckoned him to approach, and, without -relinquishing his vise-like grip, said, in a deep, hurried -tone:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do me the favor to call my carriage, sir, instantly, if -you please.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Lionel opened his soft, bright eyes in a look of wide -surprise, turned on Elsie a gaze of mingled admiration, -sorrow, and deprecation, and, bowing to General Garnet, -moved off to comply with his request.</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet grasped Elsie’s arm with a suppressed -fierceness, and pulled her after him into the hall, thence -out into the portico, and down the steps to the carriage -door. Pushing her forcibly in, he jumped in after, -pulled to the door, commanded the coachman to drive -rapidly for Mount Calm, and was soon whirled away on -the road to that place. He maintained a stern silence -toward Elsie during the whole ride.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Arrived at Mount Calm, he sprang from the carriage, -took Elsie out, drew her arm roughly within his own, -and pulled her up the steps.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Has your mistress retired?” was the first question he -asked of the servant at the door. The man started at -the fierce abruptness of his master’s tone and manner, -and replied hurriedly that she had.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is very well. Go wake up the housekeeper; ask -her for the keys of the attic-room, and bring them to me -yourself, with a night-lamp.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The man hurried away in dismay. And General Garnet -<span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span>remained there, still with his violent grasp upon -Elsie’s arm. When the servant returned with the bunch -of keys and the light:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Precede me upstairs, and on up into the attic,” said -General Garnet; and grasping Elsie more tightly, he -fiercely hurried her on, till they reached the first floor, -and the wide hall into which the family chambers opened.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Father, this is my chamber door. I wish to retire,” -said Elsie, pointing to the door on her left. But her -father hurried her past it.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The servant was now going up the attic steps, but -paused to look down upon the scene.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Father, what are you about to do?” asked Elsie, holding -back. Her attire had been very much disordered by -the violence with which she had been hurried in, her -cloak and hood had fallen off below stairs; now her beautiful -dress was tumbled, and her hair in wild disorder. -“What are you going to do, father?” she asked again, -drawing back.</p> - -<p class='c010'>But he turned upon her sharply, shook her furiously, -as though he would have shaken the life from out her; -and then seeing the horrified gaze of the servant standing -on the stairs, he exclaimed, “Up into the attic, and -wait for me there, instantly, sirrah. And consider yourself -already sold to a trader, for your insolence in watching -me!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The appalled servant vanished up the steps, and the -unmasked tyrant turned to Elsie, and tightening the -grasp that he had never relinquished, dragged her to the -foot of the attic stairs. Here the girl sank with all her -weight upon him, upheld only by his hand.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Up, up the stairs with you!” he exclaimed fiercely.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Elsie had too much physical strength to swoon, and -too much presence of mind to scream. She would not -have terrified her poor mother to no good purpose. Yet -her agitation was so great, with augmented astonishment -and terror, that she could not move.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He seized her violently, drew her up the stairs until -they had reached the narrow attic passage, and commanding -the negro to unlock the door that stood before -<span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span>them, forced her into the room; dismissed the servant, -locked the door on the inside, and turned upon her. -Elsie had dropped into an old flag-bottomed armchair, -where she sat shivering with cold and fear. He turned -upon the delicate and trembling girl fiercely, scornfully, -triumphantly, tauntingly, as if she had been some rough -male adversary in his power. He placed the key in his -pocket, buttoned up his overcoat, and stood looking at -her with a bitter, sarcastic laugh, saying:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You have insulted and provoked me sufficiently this -evening, Miss Garnet! You were very happy and confident -an hour ago. What do you think of your prospects -now?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Elsie shuddered and was silent.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Can you escape from this room? Will you jump -from one of those windows and fall a hundred feet? -Will your lover find a ladder long enough to reach you? -I think not. Can you break that lock? I think not. -Will you bribe your jailer? I think not; for I shall be -your jailer myself. No one else shall enter this room. -And now listen to me,” and taking a chair, he sat down -before her, and said in a hard, harsh voice, “I do not care -one jot for all the miserable, contemptible love sentiment -in the world; I never did! I do not believe in it. -I never did! But that which I want, and that which I -will have, is the union of these two joining estates, -Mount Calm and Hemlock Hollow. That project is as -dear to old Mr. Hardcastle as it is to me. It was for -that reason, and not upon account of any trifling, mutual -predilection of yours, that we were about to negotiate a -marriage between my daughter and his nephew, when -fortunately Lionel came home in time to arrest the execution -of the plan; of course it was perfectly easy to see -what then became the duty of all parties.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Fidelity,” said Elsie in a low voice.</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet laughed tauntingly, and continued -without further notice of her reply:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The young man who was to inherit the estate was to -have the bride. It mattered nothing to me whether that -were Magnus or Lionel; but the hand of my heiress was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_102'>102</span>to be bestowed upon the heir of Hemlock Hollow. That -was the treaty. So I reminded old Mr. Hardcastle. He -remembered that it really was so, and fully and entirely -agreed with me. Young Lionel Hardcastle is also conformable. -You only are contumacious. But I have -pledged myself to your consent, and, by Heaven, you -shall redeem my pledge. Listen, minion! You never -leave this room until you leave it as the wife of Lionel -Hardcastle. Curious place for a marriage ceremony! -but, come, it does not matter; we can have the wedding -afterward. You were to be the wife of Dr. Hardcastle, -as you very respectfully call him, on Thursday week. -Ha! ha! ha! Come, what do you think of your prospects -of marrying him now?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Father, as far as my marriage with Dr. Hardcastle -on Thursday week is concerned, my fate has gone out -of my hands and into God’s! I have no more to say -about that.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ha! ha! I should think not. Not quite so confident -as you were an hour ago, hey?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But, father, forgive me for reminding you that as -far as marriage with any other person is concerned, that -is entirely in my hands for refusal. Church and State -very properly make the bride’s consent an indispensable -preliminary to marriage, and even a vital part of the -marriage ceremony. And my consent can never be -gained to marry Lionel.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ha! my pretty piece of stubbornness, we shall see. -Pray, do you know—have you ever felt the power of -solitary imprisonment, cold, and hunger, in bringing a -contumacious girl to docility?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Elsie’s face flushed, more for him than herself.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He continued:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“For all those mighty engines can I spring upon you! -And will I, by Satan and all his hosts!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Father, you may do that, and nature may faint and -succumb to their power. I am very strong, but those -things you threaten me with may be stronger still. But, -father, if ever I am left with strength enough to stand -before the minister with Lionel Hardcastle by my side, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_103'>103</span>when that minister shall ask me whether I will promise -to love, honor, and obey him till death, I shall answer, -‘No, I do not love him, I never did, I never shall. If I -stand here to be married to him, it is to please my father, -his father, and not myself! And so I cannot tell a falsehood, -far less vow one in God’s presence about it. I love -Dr. Hardcastle, to whom you all know that I have been -long engaged. I always did love him, and always shall,’ -and then let the minister of God marry us, if he durst.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>With a furious oath he sprang upon her—seized her—the -idea of strangling her upon the instant darted -through his brain; but he only shook her with frenzied -violence, and holding her in his terrible grip, said, with -a husky voice and ashen cheek, and gleaming eye:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If you were to do so, girl, as God in heaven hears -me, I would kill you!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And she felt to the very core of her shuddering heart -that he told the truth. Then he dropped her, and threw -himself out of the room, leaving her there, half dead -with cold and fright, in the miserably bleak attic, without -a spark of fire or light, for the lamp had been blown out -by the fury with which her father had banged the door.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXI.<br> <span class='large'>CRUELTY—A CHAMBER SCENE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Thou knowest not the meekness of love,</div> - <div class='line in2'>How it suffers and yet can be still—</div> - <div class='line'>How the calm on its surface may prove</div> - <div class='line in2'>What sorrow the bosom may fill.</div> - <div class='line in28'><i>—Mrs. Ellis.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Early the next morning Mrs. Garnet arose softly, -without awaking the general, and thrusting her small -feet in wadded slippers, and drawing on her wadded -dressing-gown, passed into her daughter’s chamber for -the purpose of looking silently upon her while she slept, -to see whether she bore the fatigue of the ball well. She -<span class='pageno' id='Page_104'>104</span>went in softly, drew the curtains of the bedstead, and to -her surprise, found that it had not been slept in. Her -first thought, of course, was that Elsie had remained all -night at Point Pleasant.</p> - -<p class='c010'>She felt disappointed, and returned immediately to her -own chamber, rang for her maid, and proceeded with her -morning toilet.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Her maid, Milly, entered, bearing on her arm the cloak -and hood that Elsie had worn to Point Pleasant, and -afterward dropped while being dragged through the -passage. Mrs. Garnet gazed at her in fixed astonishment, -saying:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why, where did you get those, Milly? Is it possible -that your Miss Elsie has returned so early this -morning? Where is she?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Miss Elsie returned last night, missis, and must have -dropped these in the passage, for that is where I found -them.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Returned last night! Her bed has not been occupied! -Where is she?” exclaimed Mrs. Garnet, dropping -the long mass of golden curls that she had been twisting -into a knot, and standing aghast with vague terror. -“Where is she? What is the meaning of this? Why -do you look so strangely? Oh, my God! what has happened -to my child? Speak this moment, Milly! What -do you know of it?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I thought you must a’ known, Miss Ally; marster’s -locked her up in the garret.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>All the blood of the Chesters rushed to the brow of -Alice, and crimsoned it.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Locked Elsie up in the attic!” she exclaimed. -Then: “Give me the keys! Where are they? Bring -me the keys instantly!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Please, Miss Ally, marster took the garret key off of -the bunch, and put it in his pocket.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Leave me, Milly. Go! Hasten! Go downstairs! -I don’t want you this morning,” said Alice, conscious of -having betrayed too much emotion in the presence of her -servant.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Milly left the room, and Alice hastened, with a flushed -<span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span>brow, and trembling hand, to the big armchair at the -head of the bed, over the back of which hung the general’s -clothing that he had worn the night before. Alice -searched all the pockets of the overcoat in vain. And -she took up the dress coat.</p> - -<p class='c010'>But while Alice was hunting for the key, the general -had risen upon his elbow, and, unseen by her, was watching -her motions with a demoniac leer.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice searched all the pockets of the dress coat, and it -was not there. Then she raised the vest, and in the -pocket found the key. She seized it eagerly, and was -about to fly off with it when a heavy blow felled her to -the floor! The key dropped from her hand. General -Garnet stooped and repossessed himself of it, and looking -at her with a laughing devil in his eye, said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, was that you? Excuse me, madam! I beg ten -thousand pardons; but waking up suddenly, and seeing a -hand in my pocket, I naturally enough supposed it to be -that of a thief! It’s Heaven’s mercy that I had not shot -you by mistake, my dear!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>But seeing that she did not move, he leaned further -over the side of the bed, and perceived that in falling the -back of her head had struck the corner of the dressing -bureau, and that she was stunned by the concussion—stunned -or dead, he did not know which. He jumped to -the floor and raised her. Her head and limbs fell helplessly -over his arms. He laid her on the bed, ran his -fingers through the golden tresses of her hair, but found -no fracture; there might be a concussion of the brain, but -there was no outward sign.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He started to the bell to ring it, but before he got -there changed his mind and returned, locked the door, -went to the bureau, and taking a couple of linen handkerchiefs, -tore them in strips, and took a lancet from his -case (all planters kept such things for the exigencies of -the plantation). He then went to the bedside, ripped up -the sleeve of Alice’s dress, and baring the arm, opened a -vein. As the blood began to flow—first very sluggishly, -then faster—she opened her eyes and looked at him. He -then bound up her arm, and telling her that he hoped -<span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span>this sharp lesson would teach her the danger of opposing -his will again, left her and proceeded to dress himself.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice attempted to rise, but her head grew dizzy, her -eyes dim, and she sank back at the same moment that he -sternly bade her be still, and not venture to leave her bed -that day. He dressed, and left the chamber.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At noon General Garnet returned and entered the -room, and approaching the bedside asked Alice how she -felt.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Only drowsy, inclined to sleep while lying down, but -sick and dizzy and blind when I attempt to rise.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If that be the case, you must not, upon any account, -yield to that inclination to sleep. It is dangerous; you -must rise and sit up.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I cannot—I wish I could—I cannot. I turn deadly -sick as soon as my head is lifted.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Alice—I—think I must bleed you again,” he said, -taking out the lancet and baring her arm. Then he hesitated -a moment; he doubted whether this second bleeding -would be right, but he resolved to risk it rather than -risk the exposure of their secret by sending for a physician. -He opened the vein again, and while the blood was -trickling, looked so full of solicitude that Alice felt sorry -for him, and said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Never mind; don’t you know I knew it was an accident—the -striking of my head against the bureau.” She -now looked so much better again that he ventured to say, -as he bound up her arm:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hope, Alice, that this will be a profitable lesson to -you, at least. Consider. You—you might have been -killed.” Then he raised her in a sitting posture, -propped pillows behind her, took a seat in the big chair, -and said: “This is really a trifle as it turns out, Alice. -This dizziness will soon pass away if you sit up. Only, -I hope, as I said before, that this will be a warning to -you, for it might have been much more serious, or even -fatal. It is dangerous, Alice, dangerous to rebel either -by stratagem or force against just authority. And, now -listen, for I wish to talk to you of Elsie for two reasons—first, -to keep you from falling into an injurious -<span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span>sleep; and, secondly, to let you know my reason for confining -her, and my plans and purposes toward her.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And then General Garnet, for the first time, openly -avowed to his wife his fixed determination to break off -forever the projected marriage between Magnus and -Elsie, and to bestow the hand of the latter upon Lionel -Hardcastle, giving her his reasons in full for doing so, -and declaring his intention to keep Elsie confined until -her consent was obtained, and to take her then from her -room at once to the altar, that no deception might be -practiced. Alice dreaded lest he should ask her opinion, -or her co-operation. Fortunately for her, he did not consider -either of the least importance, and soon rising, left -the room and went down to dinner.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice pressed both hands to her head and groaned -forth the prayer:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, God! guide me aright through this labyrinth of -crossing duties, lest I lose my way!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>In the afternoon General Garnet went out again.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And soon after he was gone Milly entered her mistress’ -chamber and put in her hand a little slip of paper, -which she said Elsie had given her as she handed in her -dinner.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice took it eagerly. It was the flyleaf of her pocket -prayer-book, and on it was picked with a pin the sentence:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Say something to me, beloved mother.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice asked for a pencil, and wrote:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“To-morrow I will write, dear child.” And then the -pencil dropped from her hand. “Milly, when you take -her supper up, give her that,” she said, and closed her -eyes from exhaustion.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_108'>108</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXII.<br> <span class='large'>MARRIAGE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Take her, and be faithful still,</div> - <div class='line in2'>And may the marriage vow</div> - <div class='line'>Be sacred kept in after years,</div> - <div class='line in2'>And fondly breathed as now.</div> - <div class='line in26'><i>—Old Song.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>The next morning, after General Garnet had left the -house—for the whole day—Alice arose, still dizzy and -weak, not only from the effects of the blow, but from -fasting and anxiety. She was scarcely seated in her -chair when a letter was brought to her that had come in -the mail-bag from the post office. It was superscribed -in the handwriting of Dr. Hardcastle. Alice tore it open, -and read a much longer epistle than I can find space to -transcribe here, reader, but the sum total of it was this: -Magnus informed his friend Alice of what she already -knew—General Garnet’s expressed determination to -break the engagement existing between himself and -Elsie, for mere mercenary motives; of his own and -Elsie’s fixed resolution to abide by their betrothal, and -his hopes that their decision would meet her—Alice’s—approval. -He told her of his wish that their marriage -should take place on Thursday, as had been first proposed; -and of his intention to depart on the following -Monday for his home, among the new settlements in the -backwoods of Maryland. He told her, farther, that he -had called the day before to see her and Elsie, but that he -had been refused admittance at the very threshold, the -servants adducing their master’s commands as their warrant. -He had heard, he said, that Elsie was immured, -but hoped and believed that this was not so. He concluded -by entreating Alice to write and inform him of -her own and Elsie’s state of health and spirits, and advise -him how to proceed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice folded the letter, clasped her hands, and closed -her eyes a moment in intense thought and prayer. Then, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_109'>109</span>bidding Milly wheel her writing table before her, she -took pen and paper, and wrote the following short but -important note:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-l c015'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“<span class='sc'>Dear Magnus</span>:</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c016'>“As soon as you see this, go to a locksmith and send -him instantly to me. Then get a carriage, procure your -license, call at Fig’s to take up the young Methodist minister -who boards there, and come at once to Mount Calm. -When you return, Elsie shall accompany you.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c015'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Your friend,</div> - <div class='line in4'>“<span class='sc'>Alice Garnet</span>.”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>She sealed this note, dispatched it, and then dropped -her head into her hands, holding it tightly, as though to -chain thought to its object. Then once more she drew -her writing-desk nearer to her, took her pen, and wrote -these hurried lines to Elsie:</p> - -<p class='c016'>“Within a very few hours from this, my own dear -Elsie, you will be released and married. And now let me -tell you, my own dear child, my reasons for advising and -aiding you in this step. It is not only, my Elsie, that -your heart has long been given to Magnus; that your -hand has long been pledged to him with the approbation -of both your parents; that your happiness is concerned -in being united to him; that your honor is implicated in -keeping faith with him; it is not, either, that it would be -a heinous wickedness to forsake your betrothed at the -very moment that fortune forsakes him, and in the hour -of his greatest adversity; it is not that this very desertion -of yours would shake his faith in all that is good and -true in heaven or on earth, palsy his energy and enterprise, -and thus do him a serious mortal and social injury. -And, on the other hand, it is not that you do not -love Lionel. No, Elsie, it is simply because Magnus is -entirely the better man of the two,—better, incomparably -better,—physically, mentally, morally, religiously. Magnus -is healthful, strong, handsome, energetic, highly intellectual, -purely moral, profoundly religious; and he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_110'>110</span>loves you completely. Lionel is broken in constitution, -evidently by excess; indolent, selfish, voluptuous, yet irritable -and often violent. His interest in you is a low -compound of vanity, cupidity, and sense—it would be -false and profane to call it by the sacred name of love. -Magnus would make you better and happier, in loving -you greatly, in elevating your moral and religious nature, -while Lionel would draw you down to the misery -and degradation of his own low nature. My child, my -one lone child, it is for this consideration that I bar you -from wealth, luxury, ease, adulation, and give you to the -stern but kindly discipline of poverty, toil, and privation—with -love by your side, to lighten all your labors and -God above you to reward them. May God love you, my -only child! my little Elsie!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>No tear-drop blotted this paper, though her tears had -fallen thick, and fast, and blindingly, while she wrote it. -She had turned her head away; for no sign of sorrow -should wound and weaken Elsie in the letter written to -comfort and sustain her. She had turned her head away, -and the tears had rained upon her lap. Many times she -had arisen from her writing desk and fallen, overcome -with grief, upon the bed. But it was done. She had -succeeded. And there was nothing upon the paper or in -the letter to betray the anguish of mind in which it was -written.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Trying to steer as blamelessly as she could through -her labyrinth of duties, Alice would not call one of the -servants, all of whom had been expressly forbidden to -approach the attic, but took the paper herself, went feebly -up the stairs, and supporting herself by the balustrades, -she reached the topmost landing, and went to the door of -Elsie’s room.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are there, dear mother. I know your footstep -so well, though it is weaker than usual. And if I did -not know your footsteps, I should know your sigh. Dear -mother, do not grieve for me. I am happy—reverently -be it spoken—as Peter was in prison.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My darling Elsie, here is something I have written -<span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span>for you. I will push it under the bottom of the door. -Take it, darling, read it. Try to compose your mind, and -be ready for me very soon. I must go now, dear, for -when you begin to read that you will find I have a great -deal to prepare. Good-by, for an hour, my dear.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice then went down, entered her chamber, and rang -for Milly; then she went to her drawers and caskets, and -got together all the jewelry that she possessed, to the -amount of several thousand dollars, and all Elsie’s, that -amounted to several thousand more, and placed them in -one strong casket. Then she searched her purse and -pocketbook, and took out all the money she had in possession, -a few hundred dollars, and put it in a strong -packet. Then she sent Milly into Elsie’s vacant chamber, -and had all her clothing collected and packed into -two large, strong traveling trunks. Next, she sent for a -man-servant to come and lock and strap them down before -her face. Lastly, she received the keys from him, -and told him to procure assistance, take the trunks down, -put them into a cart, carry them over to Huttontown, and -leave them at Mr. Fig’s, with a request from her that he -would keep them until they were called for. When -Alice had done this she was told that a man wished to -see her in the hall.</p> - -<p class='c010'>She went out, and found the locksmith with his tools. -She bade him to follow her, and led the way up into the -attic, and to the door of Elsie’s prison. She stopped -there, and turning to the locksmith, said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Pick this lock.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>No sooner said than done. The man put in his instrument -and unlocked it with as much ease as though -he had used a key.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There, thank you, sir! you need not open the door. -Please to retire now. Milly, my girl, will settle with -you downstairs,” said Alice, who did not by any means -wish to “reveal the secrets of that prison-house.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The man bowed, gathered his tools, and went downstairs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice opened the door, and was instantly locked in the -arms of her daughter. Fearing to lose her courage and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_112'>112</span>presence of mind, perhaps trembling for the strength of -her purpose, too, Alice did not venture to indulge these -enervating endearments, but hastened to say:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You read and understood my note, my dear Elsie?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, mother.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You know, then, what is about to take place?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, dear mother.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Come, then, my child, we must be quick. I expect -Magnus here with the license and the minister every -minute. Your trunks are already packed and sent off to -Huttontown. Where are your diamonds, Elsie? I did -not see them among your jewelry. They are the greatest -portion of your dower now, my child. Where are they? -I wish to put them into a casket that I have packed for -you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Here they are, mother, with the ball dress in which -I came to prison.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ah, that ball dress, put that on, it will do as well as -another; or, no, you will perhaps have no time to change -it afterward. Come down into my room, and put on -your traveling dress at once. I have left it out with -your bonnet; come, Elsie.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If you please, ma’am, Dr. Hardcastle and Parson -Wilson are downstairs, inquiring for you,” said a servant -from the foot of the interdicted stairs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Invite them into the back parlor, and say that I will -be with them in a few minutes,” said Alice. “Come, -Elsie, hasten, dear, and let me dress you.” She drew -Elsie down.</p> - -<p class='c010'>She felt no weakness or dizziness now. She was upheld -by a strange excitement. Her cheeks and lips -seemed burning, and her eyes blazing as with a hectic -fever.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Arrived in her own chamber, she quickly assisted Elsie -to put on her traveling dress, smoothing her beautiful -auburn ringlets, pressed her again fondly to her bosom, -tied on her little beaver bonnet, and led her downstairs -into the back parlor, where Dr. Hardcastle and the minister -sat.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Both forward, bowed, and shook hands.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span>“Oh! for God’s sake have it over quickly, Magnus, -lest my strength fail!” said Alice, trembling violently.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The minister drew the prayer-book from his pocket -and opened it.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Elsie suddenly lost every vestige of color, and threw -herself again into her mother’s arms. Alice pressed her -passionately to her heart a moment, and then gave her -up to Magnus, who took her hand, passed his arm around -her waist to support her, and stood before the minister.</p> - -<p class='c010'>In ten more minutes Magnus Hardcastle had the joy -of clasping his wife to his bosom.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank Heaven that it is over! Oh-h-h! Ugh-gh-h! -I felt my flesh creeping all the time, as if father were -peeping over my shoulder,” exclaimed Elsie, shuddering, -and burying her head under the arm of Magnus.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, thank Heaven, it is over! It was short. A -few solemn words of exhortation, a brief prayer, a -briefer benediction, and now I possess you, without a -doubt, or dispute—entirely. The laws of God and man -give you to me alike, and no power under heaven can -tear you from me, my own Elsie! my own wife!” said -Magnus fervently, and almost crushing her in his arms.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, thank Heaven it is over! The doubt, the struggle, -and the fear is over. You are safe, Elsie. Your -happiness, as far as human foresight can secure it, is insured,” -said Alice, as she received Elsie once more from -the arms of Magnus, and folded her in her own.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But you! Oh, my dear mother! you will be left -without your child!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Never regret me, my own darling. You go without -your mother, but you go with your husband, and you are -happy. Are you not, my Elsie?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, yes, yes, mamma.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, I am left without my daughter, but I remain -with my husband. Think that I am happy also,” said -Alice, feeling thankful to Providence from the bottom of -her heart, that Elsie was “innocent of the knowledge” of -General Garnet’s tyranny over herself.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Yet Elsie half suspected, she knew not what. She -looked deeply, searchingly, for an instant into her</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span>mother’s dark blue eyes, as if to read the secret of the -deep sorrow in them.</p> - -<p class='c010'>But Alice dropped her long lashes, and averted her -head.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Then Elsie took her hand, and bending round to look -into her troubled face, said, slowly, earnestly, tearfully:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You love my father dearly, very dearly; don’t you, -mamma? Say, don’t you, mamma? Oh! don’t you, -mamma?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, Elsie, I love him,” said Alice, in a very low -voice, turning again to her daughter.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, mamma, you love him as well as I love Magnus! -Don’t you, mamma? Don’t you? You love him better -than you love me, and you will be very happy with him -even when I am gone? Say, mamma! Oh, tell me before -I go.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>For an answer Alice stooped and kissed her daughter -on the forehead.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But oh! tell me before I go! Tell me that you love -my father better than you love me, and that you will be -very happy with him when I am gone,” said Elsie, growing -more anxious for an answer every instant.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice turned very pale.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And Magnus, who saw that she was fast losing her -self-control, came to her relief, by saying, as he approached, -took her hand, and drew her off:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have a word to say to you, if you please, Mrs. -Garnet.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>They went to a window, leaving Elsie near the parson.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mrs. Garnet! Cousin Alice! Dearest friend! I -have a proposal to make to you that must surprise and -may shock and offend you. But nevertheless, I make it. -Listen to me, Alice. I know too well what you have -risked for us, and what you have incurred at the hands -of your husband this day! Alice! I fear—I tremble at -the thought of leaving you here alone, and exposed to his -terrible wrath. You——”</p> - -<p class='c010'>But Alice raised her hand and gently arrested his -speech.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span>“Magnus, forgive me for reminding you that you -should not talk to me in that way. General Garnet’s -displeasure, as far as I am implicated, will perhaps be -just. You and Elsie were right. Your faith was -pledged with his consent. You were right in redeeming -your mutual pledge. But I, perhaps, was wrong in assisting -you in it. I do not clearly know. Oh, Magnus, -for many years my ideas of right and wrong have been -very much confused. For many years I have lost sight -of the exact line that divides good and evil. Oh, Magnus, -when the eyes are dimmed with tears, the sight is -not very clear—and when the soul is drowned in grief, -Magnus, the moral vision may be very much obscured. -But this I know—that General Garnet’s anger, just or -unjust, moderate or violent, I must meet, and meet alone. -By all means alone! The dignity of both is concerned in -that.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Alice, you must not! Hear me! Listen to me! Do -not turn away with that air of gentle self-respect, and -wave me off! Don’t I know that your heart is breaking -this moment—this moment, that your child is leaving you, -and you are left desolate and exposed to danger! Desolate, -wretched, in peril, though you would have her to -believe otherwise? Oh, Alice, you may deceive the child -of your bosom, but you will not deceive the boy who sat -at your feet and loved you, and studied the mystery of -the sorrow on your brow when you came home a bride, -and everybody called you happy. I was not deceived -then; I have not been deceived since. Oh, Alice, my love -for Elsie, my love for you, my relation toward both, give -me the right to feel, the right to speak and advise. Hear -me: You must not remain here to meet the anger of -your husband. Your life—your life will be endangered. -Nay! do not lift your hand to stop my speech; hear my -plan; hear me out—I will be very brief. Listen! You -love Elsie and me. Go with us when we leave here. Go -with us to our backwoods home. Our home will be -humble, but full of peace and love, and the repose you so -much need. We shall be poor, but you shall not feel it. -Respectful and loving hands will wait on you all day -<span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span>long. You will be happy with us. Remain with us till -the storm blows over. There need be—there would be—no -exposure, no gossip, no scandal. To the neighbors -who knew of our betrothal, our marriage and departure -will seem perfectly natural, only rather unsocial because -we did not give a wedding. And I can answer for the -discretion and fidelity of Wilson. Your accompanying -us, for a visit, will seem nothing unusual. General Garnet, -if I mistake not, is too much a man of the world -not to keep his own secret, and too much of a despot not -to enforce silence upon his people, in regard to this matter. -General Garnet will be very anxious to get you back -before your visit is prolonged to a suspicious extent. -And then, Alice, while you are safe with us, you can -make your own conditions with him for your return. -You can secure for yourself——”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Stop! Magnus, I do not wish to mar the harmony -of this sad hour by one dissonant word or thought or -feeling. But let me hear no more of this. Not one -breath more, dearest Magnus. What! I leave my home! -leave my husband, and remain away to make conditions -with him! I, who unconditionally pledged myself to him -‘for better or worse’—I, who vowed love, honor and obedience -to him ‘until death’! No Magnus. That marriage -vow, in all its details, is not to be tampered with. -It is not a question of happiness, or of peace, or of expedience, -or of repose, or of affection, but simply of duty. -No, Magnus. When I hastened to bestow my daughter -upon you, it was for the reason that I believed you -to be one toward whom it would be a happiness as well -as duty to keep sacred, in all its minutiæ, that marriage -vow.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Alice, dearest Alice, your heart is very mournful, and, -forgive me for saying it, very morbid.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is? Call Elsie, then. Her feelings are all singularly -healthful. Call her, and in her presence just invite -me to go with you, simply to go with you—that will be -the mildest form of your proposal—and see what Elsie -will say. Come, do so.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Magnus turned with a smile, and beckoned Elsie to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span>approach. Elsie came, with her bright face beaming -with interest and inquiry.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Elsie, my love,” said Magnus, “I have been trying to -persuade your mother to accompany us to our new home, -and remain there for a few weeks.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And leave father so suddenly, when I am leaving -him, too! Oh, don’t press her to do any such a thing, -dear Magnus. Oh, don’t think of leaving father just -now, dearest mother,” said Elsie earnestly; then throwing -herself in her mother’s arms, whispered anxiously: -“Mother, don’t you love father? Oh, mother, tell me, -before I go, that you love father.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, Elsie, I do love him. No, Magnus, I cannot -leave him. I have helped to bereave him of his child for -a season—I cannot leave him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But, oh, Alice!” said Magnus, drawing her apart, -“think again! think what you will meet. How can you -brave his anger?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I shall not brave it, Magnus. It may be just, coming -from him. At least I must bear it—patiently, too.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Just then the door was burst open by a servant, who -exclaimed, in affright:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Madam!—mistress!—doctor!—Miss Elsie! Marster -is a riding down the road, post-haste, to the house!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, my God! there is not a moment to spare. Good-by, -my beloved child. God bless you!” said Alice, -straining her daughter to her bosom.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, mother, don’t you love father dearly? Tell me -once more.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, yes, Elsie.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, mother, if you love him so dearly, get my pardon -from him. Tell him how I grieve to be under the -necessity of offending him. Get my pardon for me, beloved -mother.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will do my very best. God bless you, my darling -child! Good-by! Oh, Magnus, be good to her, be merciful, -be loving, be tender. Oh, Magnus, I have torn -the heart from my bosom and given it to you. Be good -to her.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“May God deal by my soul as I deal by her heart!” -<span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span>said Magnus, folding his mother-in-law in a fervent embrace.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Then they hurried out, hastened into the carriage, the -blinds were let down, the doors closed, the whip cracked, -and the vehicle rolled away.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXIII.<br> <span class='large'>“THE HEART OVERTASKED.”</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Oh, break, break, heart! poor bankrupt, break at once!</div> - <div class='line'>To prison, soul! Ne’er hope for liberty!</div> - <div class='line in40'><i>—Shakspere.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Oh! do whate’er thou wilt! I will be silent.</div> - <div class='line in34'><i>—Joanna Baillie.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Alice heard an advancing step. She looked around. -Milly stood at her side.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Where is your master? Did he enter by the back -gate? Is he at the stables?” she inquired.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Miss Alice, no, ma’am; he didn’t come home at all. -He didn’t even meet the carriage. He turned off ’fore he -got to the porter’s lodge, and rode hard as he could down -the path as leads down the Hollow. I ’spects how he had -some ’litical business long o’ Mr. Hard’stle.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, thank Heaven!” said Alice, with a long-drawn -sigh of relief, and rising, she hurried off to her own chamber. -Not to sit down in faithless despair, but to write -a letter to General Garnet, softly and meekly breaking to -him the news of their daughter’s marriage, so that the -first shock of astonishment and rage should be over before -he should come home and she should have to meet -him. She wrote this letter. It contained all that she -had said in her letter to Elsie, and much more; besides, -a meek, appealing spirit pervaded it, that few hearts could -have resisted. She dispatched it by a servant to General -Garnet at Hemlock Hollow. Then she lay down and -tried to sleep.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span>She was disturbed by the entrance of a servant bearing -a letter.</p> - -<p class='c010'>She raised up and took it. It was for General Garnet, -and bore the post-mark of Huttontown. She regarded it -attentively for an instant, for it was written in a coarse, -schoolboy-like hand.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Then she placed it on the dressing-table, and, dismissing -the servant, lay down and closed her eyes again, with -an effort to sleep. She could not do so for a long time. -Emotion was busy in her heart, and thought in her brain. -One, two, three hours passed; and then she prayed, -prayed for the promised rest, and, praying, fell asleep.</p> - -<p class='c010'>She did not know how long she had slept, when, waking, -she perceived General Garnet in the room.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He was sitting in the large armchair near the bed, and -his attention riveted upon a letter he was reading. Alice -glanced at the dressing-table. The letter she had placed -there was gone. Yes, it was that letter which he was -reading with such fixed interest.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice lay quietly, yet anxiously watching him, until he -finished reading, folded up the letter, and put it in his -pocket. His attitude was one of deep, even intense, -thought. In the crimson twilight of that closely curtained -chamber she could not see the expression of his -face. It was evident, she thought, that he had not seen -her in the shadowy recess where her sofa stood.</p> - -<p class='c010'>After thus watching a moment, breathing a prayer for -mercy, she slowly arose, crossed the room, and sank -upon the cushion near his feet, took his hand, and looked -up pleadingly into his face.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice was still a very beautiful woman, as I have told -you, and never was a more beautiful picture than that -kneeling figure, with the bright, flowing hair, flushed -cheek, and upturned, pleading gaze with which she -sought silently to deprecate the anger of her husband. -She sought to read her fate in his countenance; but that -high and haughty face was lifted and averted, and its -features were stern, and calm, and impassible. Then she -found words to speak, and inquired, softly:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You received my letter, General Garnet?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span>“Yes, madam, I received your letter,” he answered, in -a hard, cold tone of voice.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then you know what else I should tell you here at -your feet.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I know that my daughter has eloped, and that my -wife helped her off,” he replied, in the same dry tone, -and with his head still averted.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice could not see that his lips were bloodless and -compressed, and his eyes burning with a fearful, lurid -glare. His very quietude, hard and dry, and constrained -as it was, deceived her. She took his hand again and -pressed it to her lips, and held it to her bosom, murmuring -softly:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Let us forgive each other! Oh, my husband, let us -forgive each other! For many wrongs there is positively -no other remedy in the wide universe but simple forgiveness—simple, -magnanimous, sublime forgiveness. ‘It is -impossible but that offenses will come,’ said the most -merciful of all beings. It is impossible, says the experience -of life, it is impossible but that disappointments, -sorrows, pains, and partings will come. They are the -conditions of our existence. We cannot escape them. -Let us lessen their bitterness as much as we may. It is -impossible but that troubles will come, but the vital question -is whether we shall turn them to good or evil account—whether -we shall live to any good end or not. -Oh, my husband, make friends with me! We have only -each other in the wide world upon whom to depend for -our life’s comfort and happiness. Make friends with -me!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>She paused, covering his hand with fond caresses, -pressing it to her lips, laying it against her cheek, holding -it to her throbbing heart. He drew his hand from her -gentle clasp, and folded his arms.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice sank back, sobbing—sobbing, as though her -heart would burst—then suddenly she clasped his knees, -exclaiming wildly: “Can we hate each other—you and I -who have lived so many years together? Can we hate -each other—you and I, who love our only child, our dear -Elsie, so much? Make friends with me! Let us understand -<span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span>each other! Let us be candid with each other! -Let us forbear each other! I know that you deeply regret -the failure of your favorite plan to unite these -estates. I know it; I am sorry for it; sorry that I have -been constrained to have a hand in it. But, oh, General -Garnet, I, too, you know, was once—long years ago—bitterly -disappointed—terribly disappointed! But it is all -over now; it has all been over many years ago! And -that is what I have often wanted to tell you, when I saw -by the cold, dark shadow on your brow that you thought -yourself unloved. But I never could approach you near -enough to tell you—to tell you that if you would look -into my heart you would see it filled with the love of -God, of my husband, and my child. Oh, Aaron! let us -forget all that estranged us in the dreary past, and see -if we cannot live a better and happier life in the future! -At least we can be kind, candid, forbearing with each -other. Think how long we may have to travel the rough -road of mortal life side by side! We are not old—you -and I, Aaron! You are not forty-five, and I am much -younger. People healthful as we are usually live to the -age of eighty and beyond it. Think how many years we -may have to live together! Shall we, through all these -years, be unloving, cold, estranged, suspicious, uncharitable -each to the other? Think how many years of our life -we have already wasted in coolness, strangeness, misunderstandings! -Think how many yet remain! Shall we -not live the rest in mutual forbearance, candor, benevolence? -Make friends with me. Let us comprehend each -other. Dear Aaron, I have opened my heart to you; -give me your confidence!” She ceased, half turned to -gaze up in his face; his head was quite averted—had he -relented? She thought so. She suddenly, impulsively -arose, threw her arms around his neck, and bent her lips -to kiss him, repeating softly: “Dearest Aaron, make -friends with me. Give me your confidence.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>He sprang up, and with one dash of his strong arm -threw her from him, exclaiming:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Off, traitress! Off, serpent! Viper!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>She tottered and fell back among the silken cushions -<span class='pageno' id='Page_122'>122</span>of an old-fashioned low lounge, exhausted, pale, and -shuddering.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He gazed at her with flashing eyes and darkening -brow, and white and writhen lips, and the long restrained -passion broke out in a torrent of invective. Shaking his -clenched fist at her, he exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How dare you talk to me of confidence, traitress that -you are? How durst you even approach me, serpent! -viper! after your black treachery? What do you mean -by braving me? Are you enamored of a broken head? -Or do you think your own too hard to be broken? At -what do you value your life, pray? What hinders me -now from strangling you? Why didn’t you fly with -your hopeful daughter? Don’t you expect me to hurl -you out of doors after her? How durst you cross my -path after your treachery? Viper, answer me, I say!” -he vociferated, striding toward the lounge, grasping her -shoulder, and jerking her to her feet before him. “Answer! -How dared you face me after your black treachery?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It was no treachery,” answered Alice, pale and trembling, -yet with a certain gentle dignity in her words and -tone; “it was no treachery; I broke no promise; I betrayed -no trust; I am incapable of doing either.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Silence, traitress!” he thundered, shaking her furiously; -“I do not ask you for any impudent falsehood; I -will not, by Heaven, permit you to tell me one! I ask -you how you dared to meet me here?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh-h-h!” sighed Alice, suddenly sinking at his feet. -“It was to return to my allegiance; at whatever personal -risk, to yield myself to you; to abide henceforth by -my duties. And oh, General Garnet, do not misunderstand -me! If I have humbled myself before you—vainly, -perhaps, it is not from so base a motive as fear! Oh, I -have outlived and outsuffered the fear of pain—the fear -of death—the fear of anything that might befall me! I -am at your feet. If I have placed myself unconditionally -in your hands, it is for the sake of the holiest principles, -the most sacred duties. General Garnet, you believe -me—I see that you do! General Garnet, listen to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_123'>123</span>me farther; this is positively the first time in our married -life of seventeen years that I ever opposed you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The first time that you ever successfully opposed me, -madam; and, by Heaven, you have made a signal beginning!” -commented General Garnet, no longer speaking -in a furious voice, but in the dry, hard, stern tone, and -fixed, inflexible brow with which he had in the beginning -of their interview heard and replied to her gentle words. -The burst of violent passion had passed away and left -him—the hard, scornful, sarcastic, yet cool, calculating, -dissembling, most dangerous man that he was before.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice gazed up at his face, seeking to read the changed -expression there; but it passed her skill, and she murmured -slowly:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Perhaps I was wrong; I know that under other circumstances -it would have been very wrong; yet I dare -not say that I regret what I did, for under the same circumstances -I should do it again. Not to obtain your -forgiveness would I deceive you, though to obtain it -would make me comparatively happy; but I deeply regret -that anything I had a hand in should give you pain. -And I say, do as you please, I shall not complain, I -cannot. From the one revolt of my whole life I return -to a full and unconditional allegiance; there is nothing -farther to disturb it, nothing to draw me aside. My love -for my child only did it; that cannot move me again.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ha! can it not?” he asked scornfully.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, no, indeed it cannot!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Never!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Never! How can my love for Elsie ever again draw -me aside from you? Elsie is married and gone; now I -have only you; my duty is undivided—and, oh, if you -would let me, I would try to make you so happy!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Would you?” he asked, doubtfully, scornfully.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, I would,” she said, suddenly rising, leaning -her hand upon his arm, and her head upon his shoulder, -with the confidence of perfect love and faith. “Oh, -Aaron, you have not been yourself for a few days past. -Yet I do not love you the less on that account; indeed, -I do not. Oh, Aaron, I can excuse your violence more -<span class='pageno' id='Page_124'>124</span>than you can excuse yourself, I know, for I have been -used to it in others. My father was violent sometimes. -And I know that anger is a brief intoxication—’a short -madness’—in which people do and say what they never -intended. Come, you are not angry now; you are smiling; -and I—I can only repeat what I said in the beginning, -‘Let us forgive each other, and live better and happier -all our future lives.’ That is right—put your arm -around me, dear Aaron, for I am very weak.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was scarcely in human nature, or in devil nature, -to resist the charm of her winning beauty, gentleness, -and meekness. General Garnet pressed a passionate kiss -upon her lips, and clasped her to his heart. It was the -first kiss of many, many years; and Alice, trembling, -happy, with her blushing face hidden on his bosom, saw -not the “laughing devil in his eye.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, Aaron, this is generous—this is magnanimous. -Oh, Aaron, if you knew how the simple act of forgiveness -has power to bind the human heart! I know it by -the way it draws my heart to yours,” said Alice, with -enthusiasm.</p> - -<p class='c010'>But another and a more passionate kiss sealed her lips -for a time.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At last she said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My friend, how has it been with you this long, long -time? I mean how has it been with your heart and soul, -your inner life? Have you been happy—have you had -any great life purpose? Oh, Aaron, often when I have -watched you in your daily life, as you walked, or rode, -or drove; as you sat at table, or at your writing-desk, -or settled business with your overseer or agents; or jested -or told anecdotes among your friends; when you have -seemed to live lightly on the outside of things, I have -longed to ask you, ‘How is with you—is this reality, -and is this all of your life, and are you contented with it—are -you happy?’ And when I have seen you sit, or -stand, or walk apart, silent, moody, abstracted, retired -into yourself, I have longed to knock at your heart’s -door, to be let in, too—to be let into your confidence, -and to give you my sympathy, but I dared never to do so. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_125'>125</span>It has taken the grief and passion of this hour to enable -me to do so now. But this shall never be so again, shall -it? We shall never be such strangers to each other -again? Come, tell me now—how it is with you. Are -you happy?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Quite happy, just at this hour, Alice.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And do you truly love me—a little? Oh, love me—only -love me!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Love you! That is not so difficult, Alice. You are -still a very lovely woman.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Will you let me deliver Elsie’s last message to -you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>He quickly averted his face to hide the dark cloud -that overswept it, while he answered:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will hear it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Elsie’s parting words to me were, ‘Oh, mother, you -love my father very dearly, do you not?’ I answered, -‘Yes.’ She replied, ‘Oh, if you love him, mother, win -my pardon from him!’ Aaron, look on me. Father, -forgive your child for loving her husband as much as -her mother loves thee.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Alice,” he said, drawing her again to his bosom and -kissing her, “this seals your full pardon; be content; for -the rest, give me time.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, if I could persuade you to forgive poor Elsie—who -only needs her father’s pardon and blessing to be -perfectly happy in her humble state.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Alice, if Elsie were before me, as you are, in all your -beauty, perhaps I could not choose but be reconciled with -her as with you, my lovely Alice.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice was so unused to praise from him that these -words and caresses were beginning to embarrass her. -Blushing like a very girl, she withdrew herself from his -arms, and sat down. Then, as fearing to have offended, -she said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do not think me ungrateful. Test my sincerity in -any way you please.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“In any way, Alice?” he asked significantly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes. Try me—test me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Pause—think—in any way?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_126'>126</span>“In anything and everything will I obey you, that -does not transgress the laws of God, I mean, of course.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ah, that to begin with, is one very broad and comprehensive -exception—especially if you design to give it -a very liberal and latitudinarian interpretation. And it -implies, besides, a suspicion and a guard against my giving -you any command which, to obey, would be to transgress -the laws of God. Do you really suppose that I am -capable of doing such a thing, Alice?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No—oh, no. Only you pressed me for an exception, -you know, and I gave you the only one I thought of.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am satisfied with your exception, Alice. But is -that really the only exception to your vow of compliance?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, indeed, the only one.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Reflect—you may find another.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No; indeed, no.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No? What is the dearest wish of your heart, now, -Alice?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“For peace—for perfect family peace and perfect -Christian love.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thanks, Alice. ‘Almost thou persuadest me to be a -Christian.’ But is there no secret, darling thought that -hovers around Magnus and Elsie?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice suddenly turned very pale. Her hands flew up -pleadingly, and involuntarily she cried, in a voice of -anguish:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, for the loving Saviour’s sake, do not require me -to renounce Elsie!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If I did, would you do so, Alice?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>She was silent, with her head bowed upon her clasped -hands.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He looked at her and smiled sardonically, saying:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I knew it—another exception! How many would -follow this, I wonder? But be easy, Alice. I do not require -you to renounce your daughter. Far be that from -me. Hold her as closely to your heart as you wish. -Nothing but nervousness could have put that thought -into your head. Have I not said that even I might be -brought to forgive Elsie? Pshaw, dear Alice, I only -<span class='pageno' id='Page_127'>127</span>wished to prove to you how really vain were all your -promises.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, they are not!” exclaimed Alice earnestly, -energetically. “You have reconciled yourself to me -when I least hoped and expected it, and I will do anything -to prove how glad I am—anything except renounce -Elsie or fail in my higher duty to Heaven. Oh, -do not close your half-opened heart to me again! -Try me!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good! I will put your sincerity to one more test. -And woe to both if that third test should prove you -faithless.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It shall not—it shall not!” said Alice solemnly. “All -our future confidence and peace depends on it, and it -shall not fail, so help me Heaven. What is it?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You shall soon see, Alice,” replied General Garnet, -rising and preparing to leave the room. “Where are -they now?—I mean Dr. Hardcastle and his wife.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I believe they are at the hotel at Huttontown, where -they expect to remain for a few days—if you do not -bring them back here. Oh, General Garnet, if you would -pardon them—if you would bring them back here to -live with us—how happy we should all be—oh, how -happy we should all be the long future years! No more -partings—no more tears. Our children and grandchildren -would be with us all through life. Magnus -could practice his profession, and be of such inestimable -value besides, in your political plans, and such company -for you at home. And Elsie would be such a comfort -to me. We should all be so happy! Come, bring them -back with you. Ah! do. Let us have them with us, -all reconciled, around the table to-night—and it will be -the happiest family gathering that ever was held. Oh, I -see you smile, and I know you will bring them back—will -you not?” said Alice, suddenly seizing his hand, and -gazing eloquently, beseechingly into his face.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We shall see, Alice—I will tell you more about that -when I return,” he said, with one of his charming smiles, -and shaking her hand cheerfully, opened the door and -went out.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_128'>128</span>“Oh, yes—I do believe he will bring them back with -him. Ah, no father can harden his heart against his -child. Yes, yes, I am sure he will bring them back!” -she repeated, seeking to still the anxiety that was tormenting -her breast.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXIV.<br> <span class='large'>THE WIFE’S TRUST.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>I know not, I ask not, if guilt’s in that heart,</div> - <div class='line'>But I know that I love thee, whatever thou art.</div> - <div class='line in42'><i>—Moore.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>The sun was going down when a servant entered the -chamber and announced that Judge Wylie was below -stairs and begged to see Mrs. Garnet alone upon important -business.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Telling the man to show Judge Wylie into the library, -Alice threw a shawl around her, and, full of vague and -painful misgivings, descended the stairs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>What could be the important business upon which -Judge Wylie came? What business, trifling or important, -could he have with her? Had any accident happened -to Elsie? The thought gripped her heart like a -vise. Had anything happened to Magnus or General -Garnet?</p> - -<p class='c010'>Trembling and pale, and almost overwhelmed by the -trials of the day, she opened the library door and entered -in.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Judge Wylie was standing there awaiting her. Judge -Jacky’s usually jubilant face was now overcast and -troubled as he advanced to meet Alice, took her hand, -led her to a settee, and seated himself beside her. He -pressed her hand with paternal kindness and said, gravely -and gently:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My dear Mrs. Garnet, you will pardon the liberty -about to be taken by your oldest friend.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“For Heaven’s sake—what has——” happened, she -was about to ask, but the words died on her pale lips.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_129'>129</span>“Do not be alarmed, my dear Mrs. Garnet. Nothing -has occurred since the marriage—you perceive that I -know all about it. But it is to warn you—to put you -upon your guard against something about to occur, that -I come to you this evening.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“For God’s sake—what? what?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Be easy. Nothing that you have not in your full -power to avert by a little firmness.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“For Heaven’s sake, explain yourself, Judge Wylie.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You know something, I presume, of the Maryland -laws of property, of inheritance, and of marriage?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, no; I know nothing about it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“At least you know that when a girl marries, all the -personal property she may be possessed of at the time of -her marriage, or may afterward inherit, becomes the -property of her husband?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, of course, I know that.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, but—listen. All the landed property she possesses -at the time of her marriage, or afterward inherits, -is hers—hers alone. Her husband can neither alienate it -during his life, or will it at his death. He cannot mortgage -it, nor assign it, nor can it be taken for his debts. -It is hers, and hers alone. She alone has the disposal -of it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes. Well?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Therefore, all the personal property you became possessed -of at the death of your father is the property of -General Aaron Garnet.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Certainly. Who disputes it? Well?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But. And now listen! All the landed property, consisting -of six thousand acres of the best land on the -Western Shore, which you inherited from your father, is -yours, your own, and at your death it is your daughter’s, -if she survive you, and unless you choose to will it to -someone else. General Garnet can make no disposition -of it either during your life or at your death.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It seems to me, Judge Wylie, that this conversation -is a very singular one,” said Alice coldly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not so singular or so impertinent—that is what you -mean—as it appears to be. Bear with me. Hear me -<span class='pageno' id='Page_130'>130</span>out. I speak for your good, and your child’s good, I -have before me now the face of your sainted mother. -I loved her in my youth, Alice; but that is neither here -nor there. Well, this is what I had to say: Your daughter -Elsie has, by her marriage, grievously offended her -father. He may or may not pardon her. He may discard -her. Do not put it in his power to disinherit her.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice turned very pale.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why do you say that to me?” she asked falteringly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Because,” he answered, “it is said that women can -always be kissed or kicked out of any right of property -they may happen to possess. Now, don’t you, my little -Alice, be kissed out of your six thousand acres of finely -cultivated and heavily timbered, well-watered land, with -all its land and water privileges. The best plantation -within the bounds of old Maryland. Don’t you be kissed -out of it, little Alice, for it makes you independent and -of great importance. Don’t you be kissed out of it, -Alice, for you can leave it to your beloved daughter, who -will need it. Don’t you be kissed out of it, Alice, my -child; and as for the other alternative, my courteous -friend, General Garnet, is far too much of a gentleman to -resort to it, either literally or metaphorically.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Judge Wylie, why do you talk to me in this way? -You are my oldest friend; you have a certain privilege. -I beseech you, forbear to abuse it,” said Alice, divided -between mortification and anxiety. The latter at last prevailed, -and she asked: “Why did you open up this subject -just now, Judge Wylie? You came to tell me why, -I suppose. Tell me now at once.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, then, only this, Alice. That about an hour ago -I happened in at Squire Fox’s office, where General Garnet -was superintending the drawing up of a deed. An -involuntary—a providential—glance, now I think it was, -over the clerk’s shoulder revealed to me the fact that he -was drawing up a deed of assignment, by which you -were to convey all your right, title, and interest in the -landed property of Mount Calm to General Aaron Garnet. -General Garnet then turned to me and requested -me to meet him here to-night, to witness your signature. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_131'>131</span>I asked, with surprise, if you had consented to give it. -He looked offended, and expressed astonishment at my -question. By which I knew that he intended to come -upon you by a coup de main, and I came off here to put -you on your guard.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, is that all?” asked Alice, with a sigh of great -relief. “Well, Judge Wylie, if anyone else in the wide -world had talked to me as you have been talking for the -last ten minutes, I should have said that they took a -most unwarrantable and most offensive liberty in presuming -to interfere in a matter that concerns only General -Garnet and myself. Of you, my old friend, I only -say that your doubts and fears are totally groundless. -General Garnet, perhaps, wishes to test the strength of -my confidence in him, or he may have some other and -still better reason for what he is about to do. At all -events, when he lays that deed before me for signature, -most willingly, most cheerfully, will I prove my love and -respect, and confidence in him, by signing it at once. -Judge Wylie, I am not well this evening. The events of -the day have shaken me very much. Judge Wylie, with -many thanks for your kind intentions, permit me to wish -you good-evening.” And Alice held out her hand.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Judge Wylie arose, saying:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ah! I knew it. I might have known it before I -came. She will not be saved when she might be. She -is like all her sex: none of them ever will be saved, unless -it’s those who aint worth saving. Well, good-evening, -Mrs. Garnet! God be with you! It is said that -children and—pardon me—fools—enjoy the privilege of -an especial Providence. May such a protection be yours! -Good-evening, madam.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And pressing her hand, he took his hat and stick, and -was about to leave the room, when the front door was -heard to open, steps to hurry up the hall, and the library -door was thrown open, and General Garnet entered, -ushering in a magistrate and a lawyer, who held some -documents, tied with red tape, in his hands.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ah, Judge Wylie! I am glad to find you already -here. Gentlemen, be seated. Alice, my love, I preferred -<span class='pageno' id='Page_132'>132</span>to bring these gentlemen here, for the purpose of transacting -a little law business in which you are concerned, -rather than risk your health by taking you out in this -severe weather. Judge Wylie, resume your seat. Gentlemen, -pray be seated. Alice, my love, come hither; I -had expected to find the library empty, and you in your -chamber, where I left you. I wish to have a word with -you apart.” And putting one arm affectionately over -the shoulder of Alice, he took her hand, and led her -away to a distant part of the room, where, with his most -angelic smile, he said: “Alice, I am the nominal master -of Mount Calm only! but, Alice, I am at this moment -a poor man. Prove your affection and confidence now, -as your heart dictates!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I know what you mean, Aaron. Come! I am ready -to do so—at once. But, oh, Aaron! have you seen -Elsie?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will tell you all about that after this little business -is over, dear Alice! Come.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Immediately after?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, instantly, and it will take but a moment.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Come, then, let us have it over quickly, that I may -the sooner hear of Elsie. But, oh! just assure me of this—that -you have forgiven her! I know by your smile that -you have—but, oh! I long to hear you say so!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Can you doubt me, Alice? Come! let us have this -affair over, and then you shall know all about it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And taking her hand he led her up the room.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The magistrate was seated behind a table; before him -lay a copy of the Holy Scriptures, pen, ink, and paper, -and certain documents, among which was the deed of assignment -in question. By the side of the table stood -Judge Jacky and the lawyer, as witnesses.</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet led Alice up in front of it, and immediately -before the magistrate.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Squire Fox took up the deed of assignment, and read -it aloud. Then he administered the oath to Alice, and -put the usual questions, as to whether she gave that deed -of her own free will, without compulsion, or undue persuasion -from her husband?</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_133'>133</span>“Without being kissed or kicked out of it?” whispered -Judge Jacky.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Having received satisfactory answers to all questions -the magistrate laid the deed open before Alice, for her -signature. General Garnet dipped a pen in ink and -handed it to her. Alice received it, smilingly, and in a -clear, unfaltering hand, wrote her name at the bottom of -that deed, that conferred upon her husband immense -wealth and left herself penniless.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The lawyer affixed his signature, as witness. Judge -Wylie, with a deep groan, wrote his name. The squire -performed his part, and the business was complete.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice looked up into General Garnet’s face, with an -expression that said—“Now have you proved me sufficiently? -Now will you confide in me? Will you love -me?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet stooped down and whispered to her:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Retire immediately to your chamber, Alice!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But—Elsie—tell me of her?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Retire to your chamber, instantly, Mrs. Garnet!—and -await me there! I must offer these gentlemen something -to drink, and dismiss them; immediately after which, I -will come to you, and tell you all that I have done, and -all that I intend to do!” said General Garnet, in a tone of -authority and impatience, that would brook no opposition -or delay.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And Alice, courtesying slightly to the party, withdrew.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXV.<br> <span class='large'>LIFE’S STORM AND SOUL’S SHELTER.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Go, when the hunter’s hand hath wrung</div> - <div class='line'>From forest cave her shrieking young,</div> - <div class='line'>And calm the lonely lioness—</div> - <div class='line'>But chide not—mock not my distress.</div> - <div class='line in30'><i>—Byron.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Alice retired to her chamber and waited restlessly. -An hour passed, and still she heard no sound of departing -guests. It was quite dark and she rang the bell.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_134'>134</span>Milly entered with lights.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Tea is ready to go on the table, Miss Ally. Shall we -put it up?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Where is your master? What is he doing?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He is in the library, ma’am, with the gentlemen. -They don’t seem to have any notion of going home. -General Garnet—he sent for more wine, and ordered -deviled turkey and scalloped crabs—two other gentlemen -have come in, and they are all very high upon -pullyticks.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice heard and sighed deeply.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So I thought, Miss Ally, how you’d like your cup -of tea, anyhow. Shall I set the table as usual? Though -it will be very lonesome for you to sit at the table all -alone, now that Miss Elsie is gone, and marster’s engaged. -Or else shall I bring you a cup of tea up here, -with anything else you would like? There is some cold -fowl in the pantry, and some neat’s tongue, too; shall I -bring it up to you, with a cup of tea?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, Milly. Perhaps the general would like supper -got for his guests. Come with me; I will go down and -see.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“God bless your soul, Miss Ally, honey, they’s been a -stuffing ever since they’s been here.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No matter for that, Milly; you know our gentlemen -have infinite gastronomic capacities.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My Gor A’mighty, Miss Ally! you don’t say so. Is -it catching?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That there complaint our gemmen has got.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Nonsense, Milly! you misunderstood me; I meant to -say that they had ‘no bottoms to their stomachs.’”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My Gor A’mighty! Miss Ally, what a misfortunate -state to be in. It’s a world’s wonder as it don’t kill ’em -to death!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Pshaw, Milly! There is nothing the matter with -them except that they never get done eating.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, is that it, Miss Ally? Well, indeed, I don’t believe -they ever does; especially when they is a talkin’ -pullyticks. ’Case, you see, Miss Ally, I done sent ’em -<span class='pageno' id='Page_135'>135</span>in four dozen scallop crabs and six dozen raw open Nanticoke -oysters, each one of ’em as big as the palm of my -hand, and two deviled turkeys, and bless patience if they -didn’t put all that away in less than an hour, and sent for -more.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, they will want a hot supper by and by, that is -certain. So take the candle, Milly, and go before me. -I am going down to the library door to speak to General -Garnet.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Milly lifted the candlestick, and preceded her mistress -down the stairs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>When she reached the library door Alice stepped before -her and rapped.</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet came to the door and opened it. On -seeing his wife:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, what do you want now? Didn’t I direct you -to keep your chamber until I came?” he inquired sternly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes; and I would have done so, but your visitors are -staying longer than you or I supposed. Perhaps they -will need supper; shall I order it?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No! Mind your own business. Don’t go beyond -your orders. Return to your room and wait me there,” -he said, and shut the door in her face.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice sighed, and turned from the door.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Milly was indignant. This was the first time she had -ever positively witnessed any disrespect shown to her -beloved mistress. And Milly boiled with rage.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“High! Who he? Mus’ think how people ’fraid o’ -him. My Lor’! I only jes’ wish how my ole man, Tom, -’ould turn a darned etarnal fool in his ole days, and talk -to me so! that’s all! ‘High!’ I say, ‘Nigger, better hit -somebody, hadn’t you? Is you done tuk o’ your ole -woolly head’s senses?’ ’Deed I would. Look here, Miss -Ally, honey! Don’t you put up o’ that there shortness. -Now Miss Elsie’s gone, he can’t spite you any way. He -daren’t hit you. ’Case why? ’case the law protects you. -Now, Miss Ally, I say, you take my ’vice. You jes’ -pluck up a sperit and turn on him. And put a ’stonishment -on to him. Jes’ you step it over him in style. -Make him walk chalk. Ses you, ‘Now, you behave yourself, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_136'>136</span>or I’ll unmask you afore all the world, and let people -see how pretty you are underneat of your smiles.’ Lor’, -Miss Ally, if men aint the easiest spil’t and a-made fools -of, of all the dumb beasts as ever wore shoe leather. -There’s my old man, Tom. Why, anybody’d think he -was the bestest old nigger as ever said prayers. But -Lor’! when we first took up ’long o’ each other, the -cussed infunnally fool thought he was master; thought -how he’d got a nigger of his own. Ugh—umph! I soon -took him out o’ that there. I wa’nt a-goin’ to lay down -on the ground and let people walk on me. Now he -’haves himself as a man ought to do. ’Twon’t do, Miss -Ally, ’deed it won’t, Miss Ally! to spile men folks. Men -folks ’quire to be made to know their places. ’Deed, -’fore my Heavenly Marster, they do, honey.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Doubtless Alice would have rebuked this freedom of -speech, had she heard one word of it; but she did not. -She only knew that Milly was twaddling some monotonous -strain of monologue, as she carried the candle before -her upstairs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Arrived within her chamber Alice dismissed her maid, -refusing all refreshment, and threw herself, exhausted -and anxious, upon her bed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>As the hours passed slowly away, sounds of revelry -from below stairs began to reach and disturb her. As -time wore on toward midnight these orgies became -louder and higher. Vociferous laughter, shouting songs -and thundering cheers mingled in a strange wild discord, -and broke startlingly upon the aristocratic repose of that -mansion and the holy quiet of that night. Alice listened -in fear and trembling and disgust, for such orgies -were unprecedented there.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At length, long after midnight, the company broke up -in great disorder. Alice listened shudderingly to their -noisy leave-taking, as with jocular songs, coarse jests, -vociferous cheers and laughter, they departed. Then she -heard the closing of doors and windows, and the steps -of General Garnet as he moved about the house. Lastly, -she heard him coming up the stairs. He entered the -chamber. Alice rose to meet him.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_137'>137</span>“Oh, you are waiting to hear something about Elsie. -Well, sit down,” said he, putting down the night-lamp, -closing the door, and turning to her with a sarcastic -smile.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice had sunk into a chair, faint, sickened by the -sight of the demon leer that now he did not even turn to -conceal.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, now, what questions do you want to put to me? -I am quite ready to answer any,” he said, dropping himself -into a chair before her, crossing his feet, folding his -arms, and leaning back.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Elsie, then? Have you seen her?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What, not seen Elsie!” she repeated, with a look of -deep disappointment. “Not seen Elsie?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No,” he answered again, looking at her with steady, -imperturbable contempt.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But you—you intend to see her?” asked Alice, with -a sinking voice.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Never! Never, so help me Heaven! And now listen, -minion! fool! It was for the purpose of punishing -her and you—of beggaring her and you, that I obtained -that deed!” he exclaimed, malice, scorn, taunting triumph -writhing around his lips, flashing from his eyes, -and lighting up the whole dark face with a lurid demoniac -fire.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice stared at him for an instant with a marble-like -immobility of countenance, as if it were impossible for -her to comprehend such black treachery.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Stretching out his arm, and pointing his finger at her, -he laughed aloud.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Then the spell of amazement that checked the current -of her blood was broken, and slowly from the pallid lips -came the words:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, my God! I understand it all now!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ha! ha! ha! do you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“All—all,” she continued, without withdrawing her -steady gaze—“all, all. I have sold my birthright and -hers, for—a kiss!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ha! ha! ha! Well, what do you want to complain -<span class='pageno' id='Page_138'>138</span>of? You got the kiss,” he exclaimed, in the most insulting -manner.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have sold her birthright for a kiss! a serpent’s kiss! -a Judas kiss!” cried Alice, wildly wringing her hands.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Come, Mrs. Garnet, no hard words, if you please. -Remember how you hung upon me this morning. You -were so affectionate! I was quite flattered; grew ‘quite -in favor with myself,’ and almost with you—only it is -impossible to rekindle ashes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, fiend, fiend! remorseless fiend! I shall go mad! -Oh, God! where sleep your thunderbolts?” cried Alice, -rising, and walking distractedly up and down the floor.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Come, madam. No more of this. I am tired of it. -Resume your seat,” exclaimed General Garnet, leaving -his scornful, taunting manner, and speaking in the deep, -stern tones of haughty command.</p> - -<p class='c010'>But Alice heard him not, as she walked wildly up and -down the room, crying:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, God! God! where rest your thunderbolts?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you hear me? Sit down, I say! or, by Heaven, -I will send you in search of the thunderbolts!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>But Alice was not to be stopped now. Still wildly -walking up and down the floor, distractedly wringing -her hands, she was pouring forth the gathered bitterness -of many years.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have borne so much, great God. I have borne so -much. Oh, I have been a woman ‘of sorrows and acquainted -with grief.’ And who is it that has made my -life, my harmless life, one long pain? You, General -Garnet, you. You married me by force, you know you -did. In my young girlhood—nay, in my innocent childhood, -when life opened to me with such a bright promise -of usefulness and happiness with one I loved, with one to -whom my faith was plighted, you tore me away from -that one, and made his life a useless, barren waste, and -married me yourself, for your own selfish purposes, and -nearly broke my heart and crazed my brain. God knows -I have no clear recollection now of the months that followed -my marriage. Well! Well! Well! ‘Time and -the hour beareth away all things,’ and as time passed, I -<span class='pageno' id='Page_139'>139</span>learned to love you. Because you were my husband, -and the father of my child, and because it was the great -necessity of my nature to love, I loved you. God knows, -I think there was no other reason. Oh, if Heaven gave -me one idea purer and higher than all the rest, it was -that of the beauty and holiness of marriage! And -though mine was a miserable sacrifice, so great was my -need to live in an atmosphere of love and piety, that I -tried to make a sort of temple of it. It was a wild ruin. -Oh, worse! it was a ridiculous failure! This hour has -proved it. Ha! ha! ha! Hark! did I laugh? No, it was -not I. I have nothing to laugh at in earnest, and I never -laugh in scorn. But there are two spirits in me now, -and one mocks at the other.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Sit down, this moment, sit down!” thundered General -Garnet, stamping furiously.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“But heedless as the dead was she</div> - <div class='line'>Of all around, above, beneath!”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c014'>Of all but the stormy outpouring of thought and feeling, -from her own over-burdened heart and brain.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“When you trampled all my rights and my happiness -beneath your feet, when you seized and married me -against my will, I excused you, for I said you loved me -with a strong passion, and strong passions have their -necessities and their rights. When you required me to -give up my dearest friends, and lay aside habits of study -and elegant amusements, that were a second nature to -me, I said that your position gave you a right to dictate -to me, and I acquiesced without a murmur. When you -took my little child away from me, the only comfort I -had left in the world, and sent her across the ocean, to -remain at school for many years, I said you were her -father, and what you did was doubtless intended for her -good, however mistaken the intention might be, and I -submitted. Recently, when you have laid violent hands -upon my person, and endangered my life, I said it was -violence of temper, not malignity of heart, and I resolved, -for your sake and mine, to keep our secret, and -to bear with it. I excused it—nay, I went farther, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_140'>140</span>vindicated it. No ill-usage, from mere violence of temper, -could have affected my happiness. I do not know -but that I thought you had a right to strike me if you -were angry. Because I was superstitious and fanatical, -and because I loved you then. They say that ‘perfect -love casteth out fear.’ My love, imperfect as it was, cast -out fear. When I conscientiously assisted at Elsie’s -marriage, and remained home here to meet you, I nerved -my heart to bear all your fury. I even said it would be -just, coming from you. And no matter how much I had -suffered at your hands, no matter if you had left me for -dead, as you did once before, if I had recovered I could -have gone on cheerily with my daily duties, as if nothing -had happened. Because I could have understood -violence, as I said: I could have understood anything -that grew out of heat of passion—anything, but this -clear-headed, cold-blooded treachery—because I loved -you then. Nay! My God! I believe in my soul, I love -you yet, and it is that which stings my self-respect to -madness. It is that which lays my soul open to the entrance -of the scornful, jibing spirit that mocks at my -holiest instincts.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Sit down! Sit down, I say!” vociferated General -Garnet, striding toward her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Suddenly she fell at his feet, and raised her clasped -hands, saying:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am mad! I am mad! Two spirits possess me—a -mad and a sane one. It is the mad spirit that impels me -to say now—while your serpent-treachery folds its cold, -damp coils about my heart, and not so much stings as -chills me to death—to say now, in the face of all reason—while -the same spirit keeps before me—to say, only -forgive Elsie! only be reconciled with her, and take all -the rest; and I will try to forget that I have been deceived -and scorned. At least I will never, never harbor -the thought, much less give it expression again. Come, -forgive your child! You cannot be forever obdurate to -your child! Be reconciled to her, and I will believe that -anger and disappointment bereft you of your reason—for -a little while—and that it was only during a temporary -<span class='pageno' id='Page_141'>141</span>fit of insanity that you could have done such a thing. -And I will honor you again.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Pooh! fudge! You are not so mad as to believe the -words you are saying,” said General Garnet, jerking her -up and flinging her upon the sofa. “There, be quiet; -I hate raving. And now listen to what I have to say in -regard to Elsie: I will never see her, or speak to her, -or receive a letter or a message from her, under any circumstances -whatever, so long as I live. I will never -permit you to see her, or speak to her, or hold any communication, -by letter or message, with her, under any -circumstances that may occur, so long as you live. I -will never give her an acre of land, or a cent of money, -or an article of food, or raiment, or fuel, to save her -from starvation or freezing!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice, exhausted, prostrate, gazed at him in horror, as -with a darkened and ferocious countenance, and a voice -of concentrated hatred, so deep as to be nearly inaudible, -he continued:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If she were to dare to set foot upon this plantation -I would loosen my bloodhounds upon her!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Fiend—you are the only bloodhound that would hurt -her. Turn them loose on her, then—do it! They would -crouch at her feet! They would lick her hands—her -beautiful hands—that have fed and caressed them all. -Or get strange dogs to hunt her with, and even they -would grovel before the angel in her eyes. Oh, fool!—you -are the only brute on God’s creation that would harm -her,” said Alice, in a low, deep tone.</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet continued, as if he had not heard -her:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If she were lying, dying, at my gate I would not -suffer one of my negroes to hand her a drink of water, -if that drink of water would save her from death!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Demon—there is not a man, woman, or child on this -plantation that you could hinder, with all your malice -and power, from rendering Elsie any service she might -require—unless you imprisoned them, or tied them hand -and foot!” said Alice, in a dying voice.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Still he continued, without attending to her indignant -<span class='pageno' id='Page_142'>142</span>but faint interruptions. And his face became still more -dark and demoniac.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And now comes the very best part of the argument, -which, like a good orator, I have saved for the very -last—I wonder how you will like it! I shall take pleasure -in watching the play of your pretty features while -I tell you, and dissecting and analyzing the emotions of -your heart as you hear! And saying within myself—there -is so much regret, and there is so much shame, -and there is so much jealousy, and there is so much rage. -Listen, then—you have disappointed me in my first plan -for uniting two great estates. Before I have done I will -make you regret that. The estates shall be united yet. -You have taught your daughter to disobey me. Very -well; you have bereft her of her birthright for a caress, -to your shame be it remembered—and I have discarded -and disowned her. But, listen: I have another daughter—the -child of my love—ha!—are you pale with jealousy? -Listen, farther yet: all the broad lands of Mount -Calm that came by you, and should descend to your -child, and enrich her, will I bestow upon the child of my -love; and her hand will I bestow upon Lionel Hardcastle, -who will be glad to accept it, no doubt. Ha! -Now die of rage!” he exclaimed, with a ferocious laugh.</p> - -<p class='c010'>But neither regret, shame, nor jealousy, nor rage, disfigured -that peaceful face, or agitated that composed -figure. General Garnet, who glanced at her first in triumph, -now gazed in awe. Her eyes were closed, her -hands had fallen. Her whole figure expressed perfect repose. -She looked as if the Angel of Death had laid -hand upon her head, and said to that storm-tossed life, -“Peace—be still.” “And there had fallen a Great -Calm.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_143'>143</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXVI.<br> <span class='large'>DAY AFTER THE WEDDING.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in16'>What is the world to them?</div> - <div class='line'>Its pomp, its pleasure, and its nonsense all?</div> - <div class='line'>Who in each other clasp whatever fair,</div> - <div class='line'>High fancy forms and lavish hearts can wish,</div> - <div class='line'>Or in the mind or mind-illumined face;</div> - <div class='line'>Truth, goodness, honor, harmony and love,</div> - <div class='line'>The richest bounty of indulgent Heaven!</div> - <div class='line in36'><i>—Thompson.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>At break of day a large traveling wagon, strongly -and compactly built, and neatly roofed with snow-white -tent-cloth stretched lightly over hoops, and drawn by two -stout gray mules, stood before the village hotel at Huttontown. -This wagon was closely packed with a small -assortment of cabin furniture. All this “household -stuff” was perfectly new, clean, neat, and bright, and -snugly stowed away in the back and middle part of the -wagon. Near the front of the vehicle stood a small, flag-bottomed -armchair, wedged tightly in between boxes and -trunks, so that it could not be jostled by the motion of -the wagon. It is needless to say that this was the “traveling -carriage” of our bridal pair, or that the little flag-bottomed -chair was provided for the especial convenience -and comfort of the bride. Early as the hour was, -a crowd of village neighbors had collected for the pleasure -of seeing the “bride and groom” come out, and -the wagon start “for the Western country.” Among -the assembled villagers was a fine, handsome boy of ten -or twelve years of age, who volunteered to hold the reins -until the travelers should come forth.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The people had not very long to wait. The front door -of the hotel opened, and Dr. Hardcastle, clad in a large, -shaggy overcoat and overalls, and fox-skin cap and -gloves, and looking as great, energetic, and joyous as -ever, came out, leading Elsie, wrapped in a full, brown -cloth cloak, with her healthful, happy face blooming and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_144'>144</span>smiling from out the comfortable rolls of a wadded, -brown silk hood.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Magnus nodded and smiled as he shook hands hastily -right and left, and hurried Elsie toward the wagon. He -lifted her in, fixed her comfortably in her chair, wrapped -the ample folds of her cloak about her, and tucked it -snugly around her feet, with a solicitous care for her and -a total indifference to the eyes of the lookers-on that -provoked their merriment into peals of good-humored -laughter, accompanied by exclamations of: “That is -right, doctor. Take good care of her, God bless her! -That’s right, doctor. That’s the way. Tuck her up -warm. Indeed, her chin will freeze, if you don’t muffle -that comforter closer around her throat.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, hurry! let’s escape this!” whispered Elsie, laughing -and blushing.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Never mind, dear! Never mind their rough manners. -You are too generous and large-hearted to feel anger or -contempt at their unrefined method of expressing their -sympathy, which is really more sincere and earnest than -all the congratulations in elegant phrases that ladies and -gentlemen give and receive upon such occasions. Let us -have patience with uncultivated Nature, dear Elsie, for -we are going to live with her a long time. At least, have -any other feeling for humanity rather than contempt, -dear Elsie,” replied Magnus, as he finished arranging -her cloak.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Me! me presume to feel contempt for my rough, honest, -kindly neighbors! Oh, Magnus, never! I will prove -to you that I do not!” exclaimed Elsie, in a low, hurried -voice.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Then Magnus sprang into his seat, and took the reins -from the hands of the lad.</p> - -<p class='c010'>As he gave them up, the boy fixed a long, lingering, -wistful look at the wagon and its occupants.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You look as if you had half a mind to accompany us, -my boy,” said Dr. Hardcastle, as he read the expression -of the lad’s countenance.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, I have, sir! for I feel I could be useful, almost -necessary to you, and beneficial to myself, if I could go; -<span class='pageno' id='Page_145'>145</span>but I cannot, for I have a little girl to take care of at -home.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“A little girl to take care of? You!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir, my little sister, or rather she is just like my -little sister. We live on Hutton Island.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, yes! the two Children of the Isle. How come -you over here so early, my boy?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I came over to bring some maninosies to the tavern, -sir, in time for them to be prepared for breakfast. I -expect you ate some of them yourself, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, and they were very good.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My sister and I gathered them, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes. Well, my boy, you look like a fine, independent, -enterprising lad. Rely on God and yourself, improve -your mind, be honest, industrious, and frugal, and -you will make your own way in the world. What is your -name?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hugh Hutton, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, young Hutton of the Isles, one of the ‘Scotch -lairds,’ as the people used to call them for their pride -and——”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Poverty,” calmly concluded the boy.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, child, they go admirably together. Hold to -your pride as long as you are poor, and cast it away when -you become rich. Well, Hugh, I will not forget you, or -lose sight of you. Some day I shall come back, and -then you may return with me. Good-by,” said Dr. -Hardcastle, shaking hands with the boy.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Then he arose in his seat, lifted his cap, and waved -farewell to the neighbors. Elsie kissed her hand to them -several times, blushing brightly as they all waved their -hats and handkerchiefs, and amid the cheers and benedictions -of the little crowd the wagon started.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We must make thirty miles to-day, dear Elsie, and -reach Deep Dell by nightfall if possible,” said Magnus.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, how I wish that fine boy were really with us. -How useful he could be to you, and what a man you -could make of him!” said she, looking back to where -Hugh stood, the last of the crowd, watching the departing -wagon.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_146'>146</span>“God has made a man of him already, dear Elsie. -What a fine, independent look he has! Yes, I could have -wished him to go with us; a very strong sympathy attracts -me to that boy. I should be very proud of that -boy.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He will be gentle and great like you. He reminds -me of what you were at his age, when you used to carry -me about the forest in your arms, as joyous as a boy, -yet as careful as a woman. I thought of that when he -talked about his sister. Magnus, I used to feel as if I -should so love to have a sister or to be a sister. There is -such a sweet and tender thought in sisterhood—children -of the same mother. Just now I thought that boy’s -voice took a tone of modulated sweetness when he spoke -of his sister. Yet his very gentleness must be the playfulness -of a lion’s cub—there is such fire in his grand -eyes, that reminded me of you, too. Oh, Magnus, do -you know what I have been thinking of? what great -music has been sounding its majestic harmony through -my soul this morning as I journey by your side into the -wilderness? Listen:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Thy spirit, Independence, let me share,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Lord of the lion heart and eagle eye!</div> - <div class='line'>Thy steps I follow with my bosom bare,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Nor heed the storm that howls along the sky.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c014'>“And I feel as if you were that very incarnate spirit of -Independence, and I am sure that that boy was the worshiping -disciple who was ready to follow you. And as -for me, Magnus,” she continued, laughing, “there is such -a superfluous amount of energy in my little body and soul -this morning, that I feel as if I could not only brave and -bear hardships and peril by your side, but should be disappointed -if they did not come.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You have so much resistance, Elsie! but do not do -with your wealth of energy as the prodigal son did with -his wealth of money, spend it all at the outset; and, as -an illustration of what I mean, put your hands within -your cloak, and fold it closely around your chest—we -are about to turn and face a sharp, if not a violent northwester, -and after the sun is fully up you will see that it -<span class='pageno' id='Page_147'>147</span>will blow harder,” said Magnus, as they turned the end -of the street and entered the turnpike road.</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was a glorious winter day; the sun now arose in -cloudless splendor, lighting up the snow-clad hills and -plains and ice-spangled forest trees and bushes into -flashing, dazzling radiance, while far away behind them -dashed and sparkled the green waters of the Chesapeake, -like a sea of molten emeralds.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Their road, after leaving the village, lay over the snowy -hills and plains, and through the forest around the base -of Mount Calm. In making the circuit they once came -in full view of the front of the mansion house, and Elsie, -seizing her husband’s arm, exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Magnus, tie your pocket-handkerchief at the end of -your stick, and get up and wave it. I know that our beloved -mother has been watching at that window for the -last hour to see us pass. I know it, though it is too -distant to see her distinctly; yet I think I see somebody -there. Wave it, Magnus, and then we’ll know.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Dr. Hardcastle stood up, lifted the impromptu flag on -high, and presently the signal was returned by a white -cloth waved from the window, and instantly withdrawn.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“She saw us, she saw us, Magnus! But stay! why -didn’t she look out?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It would not have been safe on such a sharp morning -as this for your mother to run her head out of the window -in that bleak, exposed position,” said Magnus, repressing -the various vague forebodings of his heart.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am afraid something has happened to mother, Magnus. -Oh! indeed, I feel as if something had,” said Elsie -anxiously.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Nonsense, my love. I saw some of the gentlemen -who were there last night until twelve, and who slept at -the hotel, and one of them told me when I inquired, -that all the family were well. However, Elsie, in driving -around we will see some of the colored folks, and receive -fresh assurance. Elsie, dear, it is solely on your mother’s -account that I do not turn into the grounds and drive up -to the mansion house now, and make a last effort at -reconciliation with your father. I know, Elsie, that it -<span class='pageno' id='Page_148'>148</span>would only subject her to a violent and perhaps fatal -scene. I know, poor child, that it is a great trial to you -to pass by your father’s house, bound for a long journey, -and a new, strange life, without stopping to ask his blessing. -Oh! I know it, my poor Elsie! but keep your courage; -this is the sharpest, and it is also the last trial you -shall have.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, my courage is up,” said Elsie, dashing the sparkling -tears from her eyes, and smiling out like an April -sun from the clouds. “These, father, are the very last -tears I am going to shed. No, indeed, won’t I weep, and -make you sad for me, my dear Magnus! No, indeed, -won’t I, for anybody’s cruelty and injustice!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hush, hush, my darling! ‘The heart grows bitter by -saying bitter things,’” said Magnus, kissing the dew-drops -from her rosy cheek.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Gee up, Dobbin! Make them gee up, Magnus,” said -Elsie, poking at the mules with the point of her umbrella.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Magnus put whip to the animals, and they started -afresh. Soon, in turning around toward the back of -Mount Calm, they came to a group of negroes just starting -to their work. Every man of them dropped his hat, -and stood bowing, smiling, and grimacing at the sight of -their young mistress. Magnus stopped the wagon.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How are they all at the house, Uncle Bob?” he asked -of the driver.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“All fus’ rate, sir! ’Deed dey is, Miss Elsie, honey.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Are you sure that mother is quite well, Bob?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“’Deed, fus’ rate, Miss Elsie! ’Deed is her, honey!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How do you know, Uncle Bob? You never go to the -house.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“’Deed, honey, sister Milly told me; ’deed, honey, you -needn’t be ’t all oneasy, nor likewise ’stress in your mind -’bout your ma! De madam is fus’ rate—’deed her is. -Der wa’n’t nothin’ of no fuss, nuther, honey!—eberyting -passed off quite quiet. Marse Iron he had some company -las’ night, and ’joyed himself ’long o’ de gemmen -very much.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>It is unnecessary to say that “Iron” was the negro -corruption of Aaron, and not an unapt translation, either.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_149'>149</span>“And mother is well and cheerful?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“High! what I tell you, Miss Elsie? Think I gwine -to ax you a lie? De madam is fus’rate!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank Heaven, then! Here, Bob, here is a keepsake -for you. It is a little prayer-book that I have carried in -my pocket ever since I first left home for England. I -held it in my hand when I was married, and I intended -to carry it out West with me; but here, you shall have it. -And, Bob, give my love to mother, and tell her that I am -very happy—you hear, Bob?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, miss.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And give her this letter also, Bob,” said Dr. Hardcastle, -taking one ready sealed and directed from his -pocket.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Then they took leave of the colored folks, shook hands -with Uncle Bob, and started. Again Elsie called the -driver back.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Now, be sure to tell my dear mother that she must -not have a thought or a care for me. Tell her I am very -happy.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, Miss Elsie; yes, honey; I’ll be sure to tell her—’deed, -God A’mighty knows will I. Good-by! God bless -you, Miss Elsie, and you, too, Marse Magnet! I wishes -you both all the good luck in the worl’—’deed I does, -children!—’deed, God A’mighty knows does I—I don’t -care what ole marse say!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And Uncle Bob hurried off after his staff of workmen, -leaving the wagon pursuing its way.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Suddenly, with one of his impetuous bursts of emotion, -Magnus threw his arms around the form of his -bride, and drew her to his bosom, exclaiming:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, Elsie! every now and then I realize, with a sort -of quick, sharp, almost mortal pang of joy, that you really -are my wife! Oh, Elsie, my love! my child! there lives -not a being on earth so happy as I! There lives not a -creature in heaven so happy as I!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And she sank upon his bosom, pale, faint, with excess -of joy. The reins were loosed, the mules came to a -standstill on the decline of the hill, when Elsie, with one -of her sudden, healthful rebounds from the bathos of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_150'>150</span>sentiment, sprang laughing up, and seizing the reins, -exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Gee up, Dobbin! Magnus, why don’t you make -them gee up? We shall not make our thirty miles to-day.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Magnus took the reins from her hands, flourished the -whip, and they set off in earnest, unmindful of a cynical -old negro by the roadside, who, watching them as he -bagged his snow-birds from the trap, said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The cussed infunnally young fools! I s’pose dey tink -it always gwine be jes’ so! Gor A’mighty help ’em! -Aar, Lor’! der troubles is all afore ’em, like young -bearses!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And they went on, happy, hopeful, confident, and -justly confident; recalling the past with its childish -pleasures, planning for the future, pointing out to each -other familiar places in the forest, and spots associated -with some childish reminiscence—now it was the very -tree where Magnus first took her to gather chestnuts; -now the very dell where he set traps to catch snow-birds -for her; now the thicket where the wild rose-bushes bore -so full in spring; now the glade that was red with strawberries -in May; and so, talking and laughing, hoping -and believing, billing and cooing, our pair of turtledoves -pursued their Westerly flight.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXVII.<br> <span class='large'>DEEP DELL—COUNTRY TAVERN.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Here rustic statesmen talked with looks profound,</div> - <div class='line'>And news much older than their ale went round.</div> - <div class='line in40'><i>—Goldsmith.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>It was far into the night when they reached Deep Dell, -and put up at the large log tavern that fulfilled the manifold -duties of country store, post office, smithy, meetinghouse, -and hotel, and was consequently a place of great -<span class='pageno' id='Page_151'>151</span>bustle, if not business. Here our emigrant pair, by special -favor, were accommodated with the landlady’s own -parlor, and promised a private supper. The tavern was -full of people, for this was mail day, and the post-boy -from Huttontown was expected every moment.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Magnus went out to put his wagon under cover, and -to feed and stable his mules.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And Elsie sat to employ his absence in writing a few -lines to her mother, which she inclosed and directed to -Mr. Wilson, the young Methodist minister.</p> - -<p class='c010'>She had scarcely concluded when supper, consisting of -fine coffee and rich cream, buckwheat cakes, fresh butter, -and venison steaks with currant jelly, was brought in -and neatly arranged upon the table.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Magnus came in, and Elsie, with a blush and a smile, -took her seat at the head of the board. This was the -first time she had “done the honors of the table,” and -her half-womanly, half-childly heart was pleased at the -novelty of her position.</p> - -<p class='c010'>As for Magnus, he was as gravely comfortable as if he -had been used to his vis-a-vis all his life.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Very early the next morning the mules were fed and -watered and put to the wagon, and a substantial breakfast -prepared for our travelers.</p> - -<p class='c010'>But when Magnus went to the bar to pay his bill, the -barkeeper, with the slow nonchalance of a country postmaster, -handed him a letter, which he said had been -brought by the Huttontown post-boy late the night previous. -Magnus took the letter. It was superscribed in -the handwriting of Mr. Wilson. He turned it to break -it open, and found, to his dismay, that the seal was black. -He tore it open. It was short, even abrupt in its annunciation.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c015'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“<span class='sc'>Huttontown</span>, December 18, 18—.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-l c015'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“<span class='sc'>Dr. Hardcastle.</span></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c016'>“<span class='sc'>My Dear Friend</span>: I keep the post-boy waiting while -I write to announce the painful intelligence of the death -of Mrs. Garnet. She expired suddenly about two o’clock -this morning—three hours before you left Huttontown, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_152'>152</span>although we did not receive the sad news of her decease -until seven o’clock. The funeral is fixed for to-morrow -afternoon at four. Return immediately, if you would be -present to pay the last respects to the memory of the -sainted dead. May Heaven grant that this season of -awful and mutual bereavement may be sanctified to the -hearts and souls of the father and daughter, of the father-in-law -and the son-in-law, and that you may be all reconciled—each -to the other, and all to God—is the prayer of</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c015'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Your brother in Christian love,</div> - <div class='line in20'>“<span class='sc'>Ebenezer Wilson</span>.”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>“Why, why was not this letter given me last night?” -exclaimed Dr. Hardcastle, in strong excitement.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Because, sir, the mail did not get in until an hour -after you had gone to bed.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Have you any description of carriage here, lighter -than my wagon? We must set off instantly, on our return -to Huttontown.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hope there’s no bad news, sir?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes—my wife’s mother died yesterday.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good Heaven, sir; was the poor lady sick when you -left?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, no—it was unexpected—quite suddenly; we left -her in perfect health. Is there any vehicle I can procure?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why, sir—dear me, this is very shocking; I am very -sorry to hear it. Yes, there’s Mrs. Barber—her old -carryall.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Have my mules put to it on the instant,” said Magnus; -and pale with trouble, he went into the little breakfast -parlor where Elsie sat at the head of the breakfast -table awaiting. His grave demeanor, his troubled face, -and the open letter with the broken black seal, alarmed -her. Starting up in haste, she rushed to his side. He -threw his arms around her, and placed the letter in her -hand.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Elsie read the first lines. She was too strong and full -of blood to faint, but the strength and sanguinity that -kept her from falling under the sudden, tremendous blow -<span class='pageno' id='Page_153'>153</span>gave greater energy and passion to her grief. Breaking -from her husband’s arms, with a wild shriek she gave -herself up to passionate lamentations and bitter self-reproaches.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I should not have left her—I should not have left -her! Oh! I see now, it was thoughtless—it was selfish—it -was cruel to leave her! If I could scarcely bear my -father’s tyranny, how could she? How could she—so -delicate, so sensitive! Died suddenly!—oh, yes, done to -death—done to death! And to keep it secret for four -or five hours—oh!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Elsie—dear, darling Elsie—hush! Do not say bitter -and sinful things, which you will repent.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, don’t put your arms around me, Magnus! It -would be heinous for me to be loved, or comforted by -your sympathy, now. I who left my gentle, fragile -mother alone, to be done to death for me; my dove-like -mother, in the claws of the vulture. I, who was so much -stronger, and who, having your protection also, should -have remained to protect her. I to leave her, defenseless, -and in peril for my sake, and to come flaunting off, -so happy and thoughtless, like a very matron. Oh, Magnus, -I could go to a nunnery, Magnus—I could go to -a nunnery, Magnus. A hundred serpents are gnawing -at my heart! Oh, Magnus, I can never be happy—never -make you happy in this world again. Oh, Magnus, I am -sorry—so sorry for you, too! You did not deserve a -sorrow-stricken, remorseful wife. Oh, mother, dear, -gentle mother, what harm did your innocent life do to -anyone, that it should have been trampled out?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And then she burst into tears—such copious tears, -such floods of tears, as only one of her strong and sanguine -temperament could have shed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Tears and lamentations are the natural vent of a -healthful sorrow. It is only the sorrow unto death that -is mute and dry.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And while she was drowned in tears, and wringing -her hands, and wailing, and talking, Magnus walked up -and down the floor, waiting as patiently as he would -have waited for a storm of thunder, lightning, and rain -<span class='pageno' id='Page_154'>154</span>to subside, except when some unfilial expression of bitter -indignation against her father would escape her lips, -when he would go up to her, and gently risk to stop her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Dear Elsie, you must not speak so. Nothing that -your father can do or say to me, or to others, can affect -your duty toward him. Elsie, you must speak of your -father with respect, or not speak of him at all. That is -what your sainted mother would have advised, and, gentle -as she was, enforced. There was nothing more admirable -in Alice Garnet’s blameless character and conduct -than the delicate reserve with which she concealed -her own sufferings, and the gentle dignity with which -she constrained the respect of all her friends for General -Garnet. I often compared her to the dove, folding her -wing over her mortal wound, to hide it from all eyes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Blessed mother!—oh, angel mother!” said Elsie, -bursting into fresh floods.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“She respected the husband in General Garnet—will -you not respect the father?” at last said Magnus.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, yes—yes, I will, indeed! I will never say another -word about him. If I do, stop me—don’t let me, -please, Magnus. I don’t wish to do wrong; but, oh, -Magnus, is it not enough to try one’s faith—to kill one’s -faith—when one so good as my mother is permitted to -suffer and to die?” exclaimed Elsie, giving way to another -extravagant burst of sorrow.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Magnus knelt by her side, and took her hands, and -stroked her hair, and wiped her tears, until the fresh gush -of grief had spent itself, and then he said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Dear Elsie, it is the great strengthener and supporter -of faith—the sufferings and premature death of the good. -It makes immortality, heaven, certain, because necessary; -and necessary, because just. Dear Elsie, what is -the life and death of Christ intended to teach? What is -the resurrection and ascension intended to insure?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I know—oh, I know she is an angel in heaven; but -heaven itself needs ‘familiarizing’ to our feelings, before -it can console us for the lost—much.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>At this moment the barkeeper came in, and said that -the carryall was ready. Dr. Hardcastle re-arranged the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_155'>155</span>cloak around his almost helpless companion, tied her -hood, and leading her out, fixed her in the back of the -carryall.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Three o’clock came, and they had still fifteen miles to -go. The mules went in a fast trot. Four o’clock came, -and ten miles lay before them. Five o’clock came; it was -nearly dark, and they were still several miles from town. -At length, at a little before six, when it was quite dark -and piercing cold, they entered Huttontown.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Elsie had long in silence given up the hope of getting -even to the church in time for the funeral service there; -and now she whispered, in a low, solemn, sorrow-fraught -tone:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Drive to the church—to the house of the sexton. We -must see her again, if only in the vault.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It will be too much for you, oh, my Elsie!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, no; I entreat, I implore you, take me to the -vault.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXVIII.<br> <span class='large'>THE VAULT.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Death, that hath sucked the honey of thy breath,</div> - <div class='line'>Hath had no power as yet upon thy beauty;</div> - <div class='line'>Thou art not conquered! Beauty’s ensign yet</div> - <div class='line'>Is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks,</div> - <div class='line'>And Death’s pale flag is not advanced there.</div> - <div class='line in40'><i>—Shakspere.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>A silent drive of about half an hour’s length brought -them to the deep and sheltered forest dell in which St. -John’s Church stood. Surrounding the dell was the -boundless forest, whose nearer trees stood up, stark and -black, in strong contrast with the snow. Within the circle -of these grim trees gleamed a single ray of red light, -shooting in a line of crimson across the graveyard. -This came from the window of the old sexton’s log house, -that stood just within the shelter of the forest. Taking -this ghostly light as their guide, and picking their way -<span class='pageno' id='Page_156'>156</span>cautiously and reverently among the tombs, they approached -the lone dwelling. As they drew near they saw -the light flitting backward and forward in the house, and -then perceived an old negro with a saddled mule at the -gate.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Before Dr. Hardcastle could speak to ask a question -the door of the house was opened, and the old sexton -came forth, clad in a shaggy overcoat, fox-cap, and fur -gloves, and carrying a lantern in his hand. Seeing two -strangers, he made an exclamation of surly surprise, and -asked their business. Dr. Hardcastle drew him apart, -explained to him who they were, and what they wanted. -The old man then changed his tone, invited them into his -house, and, lantern in hand, slowly led the way. With -plain kindness, he took the hand of Elsie, and led her -to a rude armchair in the chimney corner, telling her -that, being about to go away for the night, he had put -out the fire, but that he would soon kindle it up again -to warm her. Then going to an obscure corner of the -room, he brought forth a quantity of oily pine knots, and -lighting one at the candle in the lantern, and placing it -on the hearth and piling other around it, and heaping -more upon them, in an instant he had a very hot fire. -Then he turned to Dr. Hardcastle, begging him to be -seated, and explained that he had just been summoned -away to Green Mills to see his brother, who was dangerously -ill; that he had therefore to depart on the instant, -lest he should not see his brother alive; that if Dr. Hardcastle -would dispense with his services, and take the keys -of the church and let himself in, he would be very much -obliged; farther, that if Dr. Hardcastle should choose -not to return to Huttontown in the severe cold, this -poor cottage was at his service, with all it contained; only -when the doctor left, would he please to put out the fire, -and lock up everything, both at the church and at the -cottage, securely, and put the bunch of keys under the -stone by the doorstep. Dr. Hardcastle thanked him, -accepted the keys, promised security to all things intrusted -to his care, and even hastened to dismiss the old -man. When the sexton and the negro had departed, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_157'>157</span>Magnus turned to Elsie, who had sat all this time in the -armchair by the chimney corner, with her face covered -by the flap of her cloak, and whispered:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Elsie, my dear, dear girl, pause, think; do not insist -upon going into the vault!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, yes! yes, I entreat you; something in my heart -urges me beyond the possibility of keeping back; haste! -haste, I implore you. I am sick with impatience while -you hesitate. I feel as if something momentous, something -tremendous hung upon this instant of time; haste, -haste!” she said.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My darling, my poor darling, strong as you are, this -has been too much for you; you are nervous, excited, -flighty; but, come along; I can take care of you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Elsie arose and took his arm, and solemnly and silently -they passed out of the old sexton’s house, and took their -mournful way toward the church. Solemnly and silently -they entered its portals, and, dimly lighted by the lantern, -passed up its shadowy aisles—silently, but for the mournful -echo of their footsteps. The door of the vault was -situated at the side of the altar. Opening this door with -reverential care, and still bearing the lantern, Magnus -Hardcastle descended, followed by Elsie, pale with grief -and awe, into its shadows. There is a depth of solemnity -about the last resting-place of the dead which overwhelms -the wildest sorrow with awe, and subdues it into -deathlike stillness. Magnus and Elsie entered the vault -with profound calmness. But here was only the darkness -and repose of death. The vault, like the church, was -new. Only two mortals—an aged man and an infant—had -been placed there to rest, just before Alice Garnet -fell asleep and was laid by their side. As the two mourning -pilgrims entered, the light of the lantern partially revealed -the new, gray stone walls, the white ground floor, -and the three coffins. That of Alice was, of course, easily -recognized. Reverently, mournfully, they approached -and knelt by its side. With reverent hands Magnus -raised the top of the outer case.</p> - -<p class='c010'>A glass-plate set in the lid of the coffin gave the features -of the quiet face once more to the view of the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_158'>158</span>mourning son and daughter. There was the face, even -as Elsie had seen it often in its natural sleep; only more -serene than in slumber, for in her life the very sleep of -Alice had seemed troubled or too deathlike. Was this -repose deathlike? Was this death? Beautiful, strangely -beautiful, was that heavenly face, in its deep repose, in -its rapt repose, for there was a look of ecstasy in the -countenance, in the elastic fullness of the muscles, in the -faint color on the rounded cheeks, and the full and pouting -lips. Was this death? Someone’s reverence for the -beautiful had left the amber ringlets straying from the -close border of the cap, and now so lifelike looked the -lovely face, and these ringlets seemed to tremble as with -a trembling breath. Was this death? Was the suddenness -with which life had left the clay the cause of this -lifelike look? There are moments when the most rational -have wild hopes, moments when the most habitually -self-collected doubt the evidence of their own senses; -it was thus in amaze that they gazed upon her countenance, -seemingly instinct with life; with the freshness, -and fullness, and bloom of life; the color seemed brightening -upon her cheeks and lips with life; the eyelashes -and the amber ringlets seemed quivering with life, and -even as they gazed with amaze the view was obscured by -a mist on the glass, and the beautiful countenance veiled -from their eyes. Elsie spoke with a voice full of tears.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, Magnus! dear Magnus! wipe off the glass. Our -breath, as we looked too close, has dulled it. I cannot -see her angel face any longer for the mist upon the -glass.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Magnus drew out his silk pocket-handkerchief and -wiped the glass carefully.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I cannot see her yet, Magnus. I cannot see her yet. -Oh, I want to see her again, that that divine countenance -may be indelibly fixed in my memory—oh-h-h!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Magnus wiped the glass again very carefully, looked, -wiped it a third time most carefully, and, taking up the -lantern, threw its whole light upon the plate, rubbing it -assiduously as he did so. Why did Dr. Hardcastle start—</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“As if the Archangel’s trump he heard?”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_159'>159</span>The new mist upon the glass was from within the coffin. -To snatch a hunting-knife from his belt, to wrench open -the coffin lid with one wrench of his strong hand and -throw it off, to give her fresh air; to snatch her from the -coffin to the warmth and shelter of his living arms and -bosom; to turn to the thunder-stricken Elsie, and exclaim:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Elsie, don’t faint! Be strong, I command you! Your -mother lives! she lives! She has been placed here in apparent -death only; she must not recover to find herself -in this dreadful place; to see these grave-clothes; to -know what horrors have befallen her, lest reason be -shocked forever from its seat. Give me your cloak, Elsie! -Quick! quick! My God, don’t faint, I abjure you; I’ll -never forgive you if you faint now. Your cloak, I say; -your cloak, quick! to throw around this shroud, which -she must not see.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Elsie, with pallid lips and dilated eyes, too amazed and -doubtful of her own senses and sanity to receive the -joyful truth, with mechanical promptitude threw off her -cloak and handed it to Magnus.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That’s my brave girl; that’s my pioneer wife!” he -said, receiving the cloak, and folding it hastily yet carefully -around the form he held in his arms, and pressing -it closer to his bosom. “There, Elsie! Now, my little -heroine, shade the lantern; quick, Elsie, lest she open -her eyes and see the place we bear her from. Quick, -Elsie! she is moving restlessly in my arms now, and her -form is getting warm, thank Heaven! as warm almost as -yours, my Elsie. There, now follow me closer behind, -Elsie, my little soldier, and you may let the lantern shine -as soon as we get out of the church.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And so, folding the form of Alice closer in his sustaining -arms, closer to his sheltering bosom, and followed -by Elsie, bearing the darkened lantern, he hurried -up the stairs of the vault, down the aisle of the church, -out of the great door, and across the graveyard toward -the cottage of the sexton, never pausing in his speed until -he reached the door of the cabin, which, without stopping -to unlatch, he pushed open with a blow of his foot.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_160'>160</span>He bore her in, followed by Elsie with the lantern. -The fire they had left there was still burning brightly, -warming and lighting the whole room. In the upper -end of the apartment stood a poor but neat and cleanly -bed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Toward this he hastened with the form of Alice. He -turned down the cover, and, hastily divesting her of the -heavy cloak, laid her in the bed and covered her warmly -up. He stooped and looked at her with intense interest, -then took her arm and felt her pulse. It was moderately -full and quick. He gazed upon her face. The color was -still brightening in her cheeks and lips; her eyelids were -quivering as if about to fly open; her full, fresh lips -were slightly apart, as if about to speak; she was moving -gently, breathing softly, murmuring melodiously. He -bent his ear to catch that low, musical murmur; low and -musical as the faintest breath of the Æolian harp. The -words of that strange melody were: “Oh, angels, let me -go! I—only I of all the earth love him well enough to -be the instrument of Christ for his redemption—I—only -I of all the earth have faith in its possibility.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Wandering, flighty, delirious,” said Dr. Magnus, -quietly dropping the wrist he had held, and rising and -going toward Elsie. “Elsie, I dare not leave your -mother for an instant now. Pick up your cloak, wrap -yourself well in it, take the lantern and haste to the gate, -where we left the carriage; take my medicine chest from -the box, and bring it hither. Haste, Elsie, haste! Every -second counts a year of life.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mechanically as an automaton Elsie had obeyed his -every direction. She looked unnatural with her pale face -and great, dilated eyes. And she performed her part -with the abstracted air and literal and mathematical precision -of a sleep-walker. With this strange, absent air -she went out, and after an absence of about fifteen minutes -returned with the medicine chest.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Magnus heard her coming and left his patient for an -instant to open the door and relieve her of her burden. -But here another subject unexpectedly arrested his attention -and claimed his care. As she gave the chest into -<span class='pageno' id='Page_161'>161</span>his hands she stared straight at him—straight through -him and past him with such unconscious eyes that he -grew alarmed for her. Setting down the medicine chest -upon a bench, he took her hands and drew her up to the -fire, and, laying his hand upon her shoulder, and looking -straight in her eyes, he said cheerfully:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Wake up, Elsie! Rouse yourself, my child! This is -very awful, but not unnatural.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh-h-h!” sighed Elsie, dropping into the armchair. -“Oh-h-h! I know it is not unnatural, or uncommon, -either, for loved ones to die, and hearts to be bereaved -and broken; but, dear Magnus, I am afraid I am going -crazy; I am afraid to tell you what I wildly imagined just -now, what an extravagant fancy I took into my head.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What was it, then?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Now, don’t be too much astounded at my folly, dear -Magnus, for I have been so grievously tried.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What was it, then? Quick! I have no time for idle -talk.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, then, I fancied—oh-h-h! such a mad, frenzied -fancy—that my beloved mother was alive again. Am I -not going mad? I thought my dear mother was alive -again!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And you know she is!” he exclaimed, dropping his -hand upon her shoulder, with hearty, kindly roughness; -“you know she is! Rouse yourself this moment, Elsie; -I command you; collect your thoughts; remember where -you are, and what has occurred. What sort of behavior -is this? Have I been premature and too partial in ascribing -to you strength of mind; courage, coolness, -promptitude in emergency? Can I depend upon you in -extremity? Come out of this amazement this instant, -Elsie! Wake up, and make yourself useful; weakness -is meanness. Be strong; strength is grandeur. Be -heroic; strength is heroism. Make me proud to call you -wife. Stand up, now; give me both your hands. Look -me straight in the eyes, and let me see if I cannot infuse -some sanity and strength into that amazed and fainting -soul of yours.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Elsie placed the back of her hands against her brow, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_162'>162</span>while she slowly arose to her feet, and then, slowly -throwing off her hands, as if to dispel an illusion, she -said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There; the cloud has passed, Magnus; the weakness -has left me; I will be worthy of you. What is it that I -can do, Magnus?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There! I know you were not a poltroon; only a -fatigued hero, Elsie. Come, one kiss, and then to work.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And he caught her to his bosom with an ardent clasp -and fervent kiss, that inspired from his own rich and -strong vitality all her life, and warmth, and energy, and -activity that her weaker nature needed at this trying moment. -Then he led her to the bedside of her mother, -whispering as he did so:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Now, my own heroic wife, no relapse into weakness.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, no, indeed, my strength; I will be worthy of you. -Oh, Magnus, I think you have life enough to raise me -from the dead, if I were to die. Oh, Magnus, I begin to -realize now that she lives, and that I am blessed; blessed -to the fullness of content,” said Elsie, sinking upon her -knees and raising her clasped hands and streaming eyes -to heaven.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Calmly, calmly, my Elsie,” said Magnus, laying his -hand gently on her head. “There, rise now, and sit -beside your mother, and watch her, and listen for her -words, that we may know the nature of her illusion, and -not rudely shock it. She seems in a happy trance now—and -her pulse is good, yet her state is so critical that her -waking must be watched for.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hush-h-h! her lips move! she speaks!” said Elsie, -bending over her. “Oh, mother! mother! darling -mother! warm and living, restored to me! What shall I -render Heaven in exchange for thee? Hush-h-h! she is -saying something. Oh, Magnus, that look of quiet -ecstasy has left her countenance, and the troubled, earthly -look she used to wear has come again! What is the -reason of it? oh, what is the reason of it? Oh, see how -her brow contracts! how her lips quiver! Oh, see her -hands fly together and clasp like vises! Oh, Magnus! -Magnus do something! She is going into a spasm.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_163'>163</span>“No, no, child; she is not. Natural life is coming -again. Her mind is taking up the train of thoughts at -the place where it was lost. Nothing can be done as yet, -but to listen—yes, listen—she speaks again—hear!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Forgive Elsie—only forgive Elsie, and I will forget -that I have been betrayed, and scorned, and trampled -under foot. At least I will never, never speak of it,” murmured -Alice, in a heart-broken tone; and then her hands -flew up, her eyes flew open, and she looked around in the -full possession of all her faculties, which was evident -from the surprise with which she glanced upon the -strange scene.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Magnus and Elsie had drawn back, not to shock her -with their sudden appearance.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Yes, catalepsy, epilepsy, apparent death—whatever the -medical faculty in their wisdom might have pronounced -the fit to be that had held her life spellbound for two -days—was over, quite over, and she raised up in the full -possession of all her senses.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Where in the universe am I?” she asked, rising upon -her elbow and looking around. “Has he turned me out -of doors, really, and has one of the negroes taken me into -a quarter during a fainting fit? Let me recollect. What -happened after he threw me down? I remember nothing -after that. ‘Now, die of rage’ he said, and spurned me -from him. Yes, that is the last link in memory’s chain. -I must have fainted after that; he must have thrust me -out, and one of the poor negro women must have picked -me up and brought me to her quarters, and here I have -recovered. Oh, I wonder how long I have lain in this -swoon?—not long. It was near daylight when I lost -recollection. It is not quite daylight yet. Oh, I have -not lain here long, perhaps not ten minutes. I wish -someone would come. I want to warn them not to speak -of this. It must not be talked of on the plantation. It -must not get out among the neighbors. And never, -never must Elsie hear of it—guess at it! God! God! -save Elsie from this knowledge! Let her still respect her -father. Let her still be happy in thinking of me in my -home—‘home’—my home. Alas! it is not my home any -<span class='pageno' id='Page_164'>164</span>longer! I do not own an interest there—not even a -wife’s interest in the homestead which I should have had, -even had the estate come by General Garnet, for I have -signed even that away—‘all right, title, and interest.’ -Yet it is my home, if not my homestead, for it is my husband’s -place of permanent residence, and therefore my -home. And I must go back to it. I must beg him to let -me in. I must, no matter how I may be received. I -must, even if his other daughter is there to insult me. I -must, to spare Elsie the knowledge of this. Elsie must -never know—must never suspect this.” And Alice arose, -and, sitting up straight in bed, prepared to throw the -cover off and arise, when Elsie sprang forward and threw -herself upon the bed, exclaiming, in heart-broken -tones:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Elsie does know it, darling mother. Elsie knows it -all. God nor angels would suffer her to be kept in ignorance -of it—of all the sufferings—of all the sacrifice -that has made it her duty never to leave you nor forsake -you again. And may Heaven forsake me, mother, the -hour that ever I leave you again!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, Elsie! good, but rash child, have you ventured -to come back here? Oh, Elsie!” And Alice threw her -arms around the neck of her daughter, and clasped her -to her bosom, and both wept copiously.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At last—“Tell me what has happened, dearest child. I -have no recollection of anything since my swoon,” said -Alice, in a faint voice, slipping from the embrace of -Elsie.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mother, darling mother, won’t you please to rest -now, without asking any questions? You must be so -weak,” replied Elsie, laying her gently down, and arranging -the cover over her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I feel weak, yet well, light, renewed; but I won’t ask -questions that will pain you to answer, dear child. I am -almost certain of what has occurred. I swooned, and -was picked up by one of the women and brought to this -quarter, and she sent for you. Dear Elsie, I am afraid -she alarmed you. Did Magnus come, too?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, dearest Mrs. Garnet, I am here,” said Dr. Hardcastle, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_165'>165</span>advancing to the bedside with a cordial in his -hand.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Elsie raised her mother once more, and taking the restorative -draught, placed it to her lips. Alice drank it, -and then said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Magnus, Elsie, I am afraid they have told you a -dreadful tale of what occurred to me after you left the -house. Dearest, you must not believe all that you may -have heard, and you must excuse the rest. You know -negroes, especially negro women, will exaggerate. They -do not intentionally transcend the truth, but their quick -fancies and warm sympathies lead them into extravagance. -General Garnet, in the temporary insanity of -rage, has done something violent, no doubt; but not so -violent as has appeared to you, and no doubt he regrets -his anger now. Elsie, do not think too hardly of your -father. Give him time. All will come right at last. In -the meanwhile, darling, I must return to the house. I -must not seem inclined to make the most of his anger -by absenting myself. Dearest Elsie, this morning we -must part again. We will take breakfast together in -this humble quarter, and then we must part, dear child, -until better times. You must go with your husband, -Elsie, and I must return to mine,” said Alice, lifting up -her arms and embracing her child.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Elsie looked at Magnus in despair. He stooped, and -said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Dear Mrs. Garnet, you must sleep now. I am your -physician as well as your son. You must be silent, close -your eyes, and lie still.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I cannot, Magnus. I do not feel the least inclined to -sleep. I feel as though I had had a very long sleep. I -feel quite fresh and renewed, though a little weak, as -from want of nourishment. Besides, day is breaking. It -is time to rise. This is the day you were to depart for -the backwoods, and you intended to have made an early -start. I cannot hinder you. I must rise. We must have -one more social meal together, and then depart to our -several duties.” Alice spoke in a low, calm tone, but -covered her face to conceal the quivering features.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_166'>166</span>Magnus seized the chance to draw Elsie aside, to -whisper hurriedly in her ear:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Elsie, she must know all about it. She is strong -enough to bear the knowledge, and so it is perfectly safe -to break it to her gently. In fact, to tell her the truth -is the only safe plan. Her providential recovery from -apparent death must not be made known to anyone for -the present, or until General Garnet’s secret disposition -is ascertained and can be safely trusted. She has nothing -to hope from him; she shall have nothing to fear. -She must be perfectly secure from his persecutions and -annoyances, until he is in a better frame of mind. This -I think the safety of her life and of her reason demands. -I consider that she is providentially dead to General -Garnet and living to us. She must accompany us to the -West. We must be en route within an hour, lest the -old sexton returns and discovers all. Listen, I will go -back to the church and restore everything there to such -complete order that no suspicion shall be excited. And -while I am gone, do you assist her to arise, if she wishes -it. When she gets up and looks about her, she will see -where she is, and that will greatly prepare her for my -explanation. If she asks you any questions refer her to -me alone for explanation. There, love, is the bundle of -clothing you put up in your haste when about to leave -Deep Dell. I brought it from the carriage just now, while -you were talking with your mother. Get your double -wrapper out, and slip it on her before the window-shutter -is opened. I would not have her see that garb suddenly.” -And having given these hasty directions Magnus hurried -out to the chapel, and having restored everything -there to primal order, returned to the cottage. He found -Alice sitting up by the fire with her hands clasped, and -her head bowed with a look of deep thoughtfulness. -Elsie had hung the tea-kettle on to make coffee, and had -set the table, and was now handing out the contents of -the old man’s cupboard.</p> - -<p class='c010'>As Dr. Hardcastle entered, Alice, without raising -her head, held out her hand to him, saying:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Magnus, come here. Where am I?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_167'>167</span>And Dr. Hardcastle went and drew a chair to her -side, and took her hand, and slowly, and gently, and -cautiously made known to her the events of the last two -days. Alice made no comment.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The awful solemnity of the facts disclosed—the apparent -death, the burial, veiled, softened as they were in -the telling—overwhelmed her soul. She dropped her -head upon her open hands, and neither moved nor spoke -for a long time, or until Elsie came to her side, passed one -arm earnestly over her shoulder, placed a cup of coffee -at her lips with the other hand, bending her bright, loving -face smilingly upon her the while. Then Alice lifted -up her head, took the cup, and kissed the gentle hand -that gave it.</p> - -<p class='c010'>While Alice drank the coffee Dr. Hardcastle went out -and attended to his mules. When he returned they -all gathered around the breakfast table. It was during -that meal that he proposed to Alice the plan of accompanying -them, urging upon her the strong necessity of -her doing so.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice combated all his arguments as well as her instincts -taught her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Dr. Hardcastle avowed his intention of accompanying -her back to Mount Calm, and, remaining in the neighborhood, -in case of her perseverance in her present intention -of returning. Alice sought to dissuade him from -that plan.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Finally, after much talk, Alice agreed to accompany -them on the first stage of their journey as far as Deep -Dell, and remain there incognito, while he should return -to Mount Calm, and ascertain the disposition of General -Garnet, and, if possible and prudent, break gradually -to him the fact of his wife’s unexpected restoration to -life.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Having agreed upon this plan Dr. Hardcastle made -rapid preparations for the recommencement of their -journey. They—he and Elsie—restored everything -about the cottage to complete order; put out the fire, -fastened up the cupboard, and the windows, and then the -doors, and, tying a little purse of money to the door-key, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_168'>168</span>by way of compensation for all they had used, hid it -“under the stone by the doorstep,” as requested, entered -the carriage, and commenced their journey.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXIX.<br> <span class='large'>THE CHILDREN OF THE ISLE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Their earliest steps have wandered from the green and fertile land,</div> - <div class='line'>Down where the clear blue ocean rolled, to pace the rugged strand,</div> - <div class='line'>They proudly flung the proffered bribe and gilded toy away,</div> - <div class='line'>To gather up the salt sea-weed, or dabble in the spray;</div> - <div class='line'>They shouted to the distant crew, or launched their mimic bark.</div> - <div class='line'>They met the morning freshness there, and lingered till the dark;</div> - <div class='line'>And still their souls are as they were, and as they e’er will be,</div> - <div class='line'>Loving and wild as what they love, the curbless, mighty sea.</div> - <div class='line in48'><i>—Eliza Cook.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>The little sea-girt homeland of Hutton’s Isle had -never recovered from the fatal devastation of the great -tempest and flood. The fences had never been reconstructed -strong and complete as before. The house had -never been properly repaired. All the little mending -and rebuilding that had been done had been the joint -work of Miss Joe and her factotum, Pontius Pilate. And -these slight repairs were of such a temporary character -as to require renewal every few months. And every year -the house sank and fell, and grew more ruinous and dilapidated. -And every year the isle became more desolate -and desert. Every season the soil was less productive -and the crop poorer. The oyster banks had -failed entirely. The fisheries were becoming precarious. -Nothing remained in primeval abundance except in the -flocks of water-fowl that still flew in vast clouds over the -isle, darkening the very air at certain times, like night -or storm.</p> - -<p class='c010'>So much for the house and isle. Now for the inmates -and inhabitants.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_169'>169</span>From having been always poor they were now upon -the verge of penury—destitution. Miss Josephine Cotter, -the good fairy of this sea-girt isle, was, to use her -own expression, growing older and older every day of -her life. She did not know, she said, which was most -likely to topple down first, she or her old house.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The death of Pontius Pilate in the beginning of the -winter, and a severe attack of rheumatism in her limbs, -had seemed to be the climax of the poor old lady’s misfortunes. -It was immediately after the burial of Pontius -Pilate that Miss Joe was sitting down in the depth of -despair, with her apron thrown over her head, and her -head bowed upon her knees, Hugh and Garnet suddenly -stood before her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Don’t cry any more, granny. I and Nettie can work -the farm,” said Hugh, in a cheerful, confident tone.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You and Nettie work the farm!” replied Miss Joe, -looking up with pity, anger, and contempt in the expression -of her countenance and in the tone of her voice. -To her, a woman past sixty, the boy of twelve and the -girl of nine seemed yet infants. “You and Nettie work -the farm!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, granny, and haul the wood, and fish, and -shoot——”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Pah, pah! Hush talking, you make my head ache.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Granny, I have sometimes taken the plow from Pont -and plowed a row for fun. I know a little practice would -make me perfect at that.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Granny, Hugh can hoe up the hills, and I can drop -corn. Hugh can cut wood, and I can fetch and carry it. -And now, as there is no fish near the isle, Hugh can go -out in the boat, and I can go with him to bait his hooks -and look after the basket.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And do you guess all the hard and manifold work -they did?</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was the dead of winter—the earth was frozen hard, -and two feet deep with snow, crusted with ice. All the -wood that was burned on the isle had to be cut and -hauled from the forest behind Huttontown, and brought -over to the isle in a boat. And the boy, with no implements -<span class='pageno' id='Page_170'>170</span>but a hatchet, a small wheelbarrow, and a little -rowboat, performed all that labor alone, until one day, -when he had made very slow progress, and effected very -little, he returned home, near frozen, from having been -so long at work in the snow and among the ice-clad trees.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Then Nettie threw herself into a violent paroxysm of -excitement, and vowed that she would go with him the -next day to help him gather wood in the forest. And -she went. And while Hugh cut the brush and the -lighter branches of the dead trees Nettie would break -them up and pile them in the wheelbarrow, enlivening -the earnest, thoughtful boy all the time with her wild -and joyous talk.</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was late in the afternoon of a stormy day near the -end of December, that the two children, Hugh Hutton -and Garnet Seabright, might have been seen wandering -on the cold, bare, snow-clad northwest beach of Hutton’s -Isle.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Hugh was at this time a fine, handsome, athletic boy -of twelve and a half years of age; tall, broad-shouldered, -deep-chested, strong limbed, with the high Roman features, -dark complexion, and commanding countenance -of all his race; a noble boy, undisguised even by the old, -worn, faded, and patched suit of homespun cloth in -which he was clad. Bitterly cold as it was, his head and -feet were bare—bare, because though Miss Joe might -shear the sheep, and card and spin the wool, and knit -him socks enough, yet shoes and hats cost a great deal -more money than Miss Joe or Hugh could often get -together, and so shoes and hats were luxuries and elegancies, -only to be indulged in on Sundays and high -holidays.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Garnet Seabright was now about ten years of age; -a beautiful, brilliant, sun-burned, or rather sun-gilded -brunette, whom the sea air and sun rays had made as -hard, bright, dark, and resplendent as the burning, -crimson, sea-coast gem whose name she bore. Child of -Apollo and Amphytrite she was. Her eyes were large, -dark, and burning bright; her rich and glossy hair -seemed jet black in the shade, but emitted gleams of red -<span class='pageno' id='Page_171'>171</span>light wherever the sun shone upon it; her complexion -was rich and glowing; she wore a dress of scarlet country -cloth, with coarse shoes and stockings, and a coarse -straw hat—and, altogether, her bright presence warmed -and illumined the cold, bleak desolation of the sea-coast, -like some cheerful fire. She followed close behind Hugh, -stopping whenever he stopped, and digging with a little -stick wherever the little round holes in the sand indicated -the presence of the maninosies, left by the subsiding -wind and ebbing tide upon the beach. Very necessary -was it that they should fill their basket, for very little -else had they at home for supper.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Their task was finished just as the clear, red winter’s -sun sank to a level with the horizon, lighting up all the -bay like a sea of fire.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The boy and girl started for home with their baskets -well laden with maninosies, and were gayly laughing -around the fire, when Miss Joe held up her hand, exclaiming:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hush, I thought I heard a man’s step.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“A man’s step!” echoed Hugh, with a look of surprise.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“A man’s step!” re-echoed Nettie, her eyes wide open -with astonishment.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes! A man’s heavy step crunching through the -snow. There, listen! there it is again. It seems to be -coming up the hill toward the house—listen!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>They all listened.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Crunch, crunch, crunch came the heavy, regular, -monotonous tramp.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And it is impossible to convey the effect of that regular, -heavy sound breaking upon the profound stillness -and solitude of night on that sea-girt isle.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“In the name of Heaven, who can it be?” exclaimed -Miss Joe, as nearly frightened as ever she was in her -life.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Crunch, crunch, crunch came the step, nearing the -door.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am going to see,” exclaimed Hugh, seizing up a -pine knot, lighting it at the fire, and making for the door.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Miss Joe could scarcely repress a scream.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_172'>172</span>Nettie stood like a young panther at bay; clinging to -Miss Joe in terror, yet looking toward the door with her -eyes ablaze with defiance.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Just as a loud rap started them afresh Hugh swung -the door open, and a tall, majestic-looking man, wrapped -in a large cloak, strode into the room.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXX.<br> <span class='large'>THE NIGHT VISIT.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>And scenes long past of joy and pain,</div> - <div class='line'>Come weldering through her childish brain.</div> - <div class='line in38'><i>—Scott.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>“That’s godfather! As sure as a gun that’s godfather!” -exclaimed Nettie; making one bound from the -place where she stood to a chair, and springing thence -to the bosom of the newcomer, where she clung desperately, -pressing her arms around his neck; holding his -head between her hands, while she kissed his eyes and -cheeks and lips; then rubbing and rooting her head into -his bosom, and screaming with delight.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And is it possible you recollect me, little Nettie?” -asked General Garnet (for it was he), in a tone of voice -almost sad.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Recollect you, godfather; sure I do! Though you -have been away so long; I haven’t seen you since I was -a wood-sprite, and that was a long time ago, and now -I am a water-nymph,” exclaimed Nettie, rubbing her -head into him, and clinging around him, laughing with -joy.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Wild as ever, Nettie?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Wild, yes! You know when I was a wood-sprite I -could climb trees like a squirrel; well, now, I am a sea-nymph—I -can swim like a duck and dive like a fish—ask -granny if I can’t! cried Nettie, reiterating all her exclamations -of affection and delight, and repeating all her -impetuous caresses.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_173'>173</span>“It seems to me that you love me a little, Nettie?” -said he, in the same sad tone.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Love you a little, godfather! Oh! just open your -cloak and take me inside next to you. Oh! just unbutton -your coat, and button me up inside of that, too. I -love you well enough to let you swallow me, godfather,” -exclaimed the imp, nestling close to him with her arms -about his neck, her head tucked into his bosom, and -wriggling with delight.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, you do love me—disinterestedly—poor, forsaken -child! And you are the only thing on earth that -does love me,” said he, folding both arms closely about -her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>All this took place in a very few minutes, while Miss -Joe was rising in her corner, setting aside her wheel, -smoothing down her apron, and coming forward to meet -her visitor, saying:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Nettie, jump down this moment, and don’t trouble -the ‘gentleman.’” But Nettie clung tighter, and General -Garnet held her closer. “General Garnet, sir, it is -an unexpected honor to see you here. Pray, come to the -fire and sit down. Hugh, shut that door, and set a -chair for the general, and throw more brush on the fire. -General, do sit down, and don’t let that wild child bother -you so. Come down, Nettie, I say.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I sha’n’t, granny!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Never mind, Miss Joe, I like to have her here,” said -General Garnet, throwing off his cloak, seating himself -in a large armchair at the fire, and seating Nettie on his -knee. “Well, my old friend, how does fate use you -nowadays?” he finally asked of the old lady.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, sir, very well, indeed; fust-rate, I thank you,” -answered proud Miss Joe.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am very glad to hear it,” commented her visitor, -with one arm still clasping Nettie, while he glanced sarcastically -around the room.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Miss Joe did not perceive the irony, but she saw his -suit of deep mourning, and suddenly recollected that she -might be expected to say something appropriate to the -occasion. So, composing her countenance to funereal -<span class='pageno' id='Page_174'>174</span>solemnity, she looked at General Garnet, and said, very -seriously, the following commonplace:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We have heard of your heavy bereavement in the -sudden death of your wife, General Garnet, and we are -very much grieved. But you know, sir, death is the common -lot of all. It is the only condition we can—can have -life on. It’s just as nat’ral as being born. And so, sir, -I hope you’ll be able to bear up under your fate like a -philosopher. Besides which, it is the will of God. And -being just so, I trust you will have grace to resign yourself -to your trials like a Christian.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I trust so, I trust so,” replied General Garnet, -speaking quickly; then he added: “It augments my sorrow -very much, however, to remember that it was the -misconduct of the daughter that precipitated the fate of -the mother.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good Heaven! you don’t say so, sir!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes! you may as well know the truth, my good old -friend. Elsie threw herself entirely away; eloped and -went off to the West with that worthless beggar, Hardcastle,” -said he, looking around to see the effect of his -words.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Hugh’s head sprang up with an expression of indignant -astonishment, denial, and defiance on his fine countenance.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Nettie gazed at him—appalled.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Miss Joe stared, with mouth and eyes all open with -wonder, exclaiming:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good gracious, sir, you don’t tell me so. I heard -something—but I didn’t—I never—well, dear me—Lord -a-mercy. Was it really that away, arter all?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes: and now my good friend, my excellent friend, -let us change the subject; it is too painful; much too -painful; even you can judge a father’s and a husband’s -feelings must be upon such an occasion. Let us leave -the agonizing topic, and never revert to it again. Let us -turn to a more agreeable subject. My dear little goddaughter, -here,” said he, bending over the child on his -knee with his soft, bright smile—a smile as charming -as full, beautifully curved lips, pearly teeth, and a dark -<span class='pageno' id='Page_175'>175</span>mustache, and the spirit of Belial could make it; “my -dear little godchild here—she is a very fine little girl, -and will one day, no doubt, make a very accomplished -woman. You have taken good care of her; it is easy to -see that. What rosy cheeks she has!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have taken as good care of her as I could, sir—which -being an old woman—too old to follow after children—wan’t -much.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am under great obligations to you, Miss Joe, and -must find some way in which to repay you for the years -of trouble and expense you have been put to upon account -of my little ward.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not at all, sir; you owe me nothing,” said the proud -old lady. “I have always been a-t’iling, striving, saving -soul; but I never saved anything, as I thought anyone -near me, ’specially a little child, was a sufferin’ for. No, -General Garnet, ef I am to be paid at this hour of the -day I had rather the Lord pay me. I don’t want you -to take it out’n his hands.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet, turning to little Nettie, again took her -hand, looked at the beautifully-molded but sun-browned -thing, and said, softly and smilingly:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You have a very pretty-shaped hand, my dear little -girl. You ought to take care of it. You ought to wear -gloves.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Haint got any, godfather.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But you should get them or have them got for you. -Why don’t you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Couldn’t dig for maninosies or break brush with -gloves on, godfather.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why, you don’t do these shocking things?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, indeedy! and I’m going coon hunting with -Hugh next moonshiny night that comes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Next moonlight night that comes you will be in a -very different looking place from this,” said he, pushing -the lurid black ringlets back gently behind her ears, and -noticing for the first time that sure index of “gentle -blood” in human kind or horses—the small and elegantly -formed ear.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Where shall I be, godfather?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_176'>176</span>“Never mind where! They have not bored your ears, -Nettie!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No; I haven’t had my ears bored, but I saw a picture -of an Indian with his nose bored.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Pooh—yet, after all, one is about as barbarous as the -other, little Nettie. Nettie, my little girl, would you like -to go home and live with me?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Go home and live ’long o’ you! Um-m-m-me—no! -I had rather you’d come and live ’long o’ me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“’Cause I don’t want to leave granny; she wouldn’t -have anybody to hug her up and keep her back warm at -night.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But if we were to take granny with us, too?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Um-m—me. Could you take Hugh along, too?” -asked the child, with the astute air of one making a -shrewd bargain.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No,” very decidedly answered General Garnet; adding, -in a lower tone, “No more childish friendships -ripening into mature love.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Very well, then, godfather, if you love me, you’ll -have to come and live ’long of us; for I can’t go home -’long o’ you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why not, pray?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“’Cause, godfather, how could Hugh live here by himself?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, little ‘Martha,’ anxious and troubled about -many things, Hugh need not live here by himself. Suppose -I was to get a situation for Hugh?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“A what?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Suppose I were to put Hugh in the way of getting an -honest living?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“La, godfather, no white men about here except niggers -ever get an honest living, and I can’t let you black -Hugh’s face and crisp his hair—that’s black enough already—and -make a nigger of him!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You silly child, you will let me make a lawyer, or a -doctor, or a parson of him, won’t you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Before Nettie could answer Hugh Hutton came up, -cap in hand, and stood facing General Garnet.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_177'>177</span>“Well, my boy?” said the latter.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“General Garnet, if you have any notion of taking -Nettie away from here, just look out for her and the old -lady, who has had the care of her so long, and never mind -me. I can take care of myself. Nettie, darlin’, never -stop for me; I know what to do with myself. And now, -general, as long as I am talking to you, I must tell you -I don’t believe one word about Dr. Hardcastle’s being -a worthless man, because I know he is a good and great -man; nor do I believe one word of Miss Elsie’s breaking -her mother’s heart, because—because I know she is as -good as she is beautiful. You needn’t be angry. I -should have hated myself if I hadn’t spoke out!” exclaimed -the boy, his frank, brave spirit flashing boldly -from his eyes.</p> - -<p class='c010'>But the words had scarcely left the lips of Hugh before -Nettie had jumped to her feet, and administered a -sound box on the ear to him, exclaiming:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Now! take that! Now, you make godfather out to -be a story-teller again!” And having given her sharp -little lesson, Nettie sprung back to her seat, and threw -her arms again around his neck. General Garnet, without -seeming to have seen her action, regarded the boy -with a sort of gentle, dignified surprise and leisurely -scorn, merely saying:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why, you impertinent young dog!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Nettie sprang down a second time. General Garnet -gently attempted to restrain her, but she dashed his -hands away, exclaiming:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Let me alone, godfather. You are wicked and ugly, -and I hate you. He’s not an impudent young dog at all! -he is my dear, gentle brother Hugh,” she said, throwing -herself about the neck of the boy, who folded his arms -around her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You must please to excuse Nettie, sir; indeed she is -the wildest, queerest child that ever was born. But then, -you know, she was wild and queer before ever I took her -in hand,” said Miss Joe, who was all this time busy with -a saucepan over the fire; and a pitcher, a bowl, and some -eggs, sugar, and spices on a chair by her side.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_178'>178</span>“Nettie seems to have very little self-control or any -other sort of control,” dryly observed the general.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Now if you aint mad long o’ granny. Just as if it -was her fault. And she making you mulled cider, too, -to keep the cold out of your stomach. And taking the -top-knot hen’s eggs, too, that she was saving to set, because -they’re a first-rate breed of hens, that lay eggs all -the winter, and she wants more of them. And she had -but six eggs, and now she’s taken three to make you -mulled cider to keep the cold from striking to your stomach; -and you to get mad long o’ her, and cut her up -short for nothing. Never mind him, granny. I’ll speak -right up for you, and take your part,” said Nettie, with -her arms still clasped around Hugh’s neck, looking at her -guardian, who was regarding her with a smile of mingled -amusement and condescending toleration.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Don’t you mind her, sir. Eggs aint no scarcity in -this house; no, nor anything else you could want. Would -you like the leg of a cold turkey, broiled, with a little -currant jelly, sir? Or a few queen-cakes, with a glass of -good old sherry?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why, granny, I thought you hadn’t——” began -Nettie, but Hugh put his hand over her lip and whispered:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Don’t talk too much, Nettie. Go make friends with -your guardian.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Nettie turned, saw once more the tolerant, indulgent -smile that was beaming upon her, and, with her usual -way of assimilating only the good and the beauty of a -mixed thing, sprang at once to his arms, to his neck, -and caressing him vehemently, asked:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are not mad with me, are you, godfather? I -love you dearly! dearly! ’Deed I do, godfather!” And -turning around his bushy face between her little hands, -she kissed him many times, repeating her question: -“You are not mad ’long o’ me, are you, godfather?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, darling little Nettie, I am not.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>I have often thought that the spell of power that child -held over that man’s hard, stern, reserved nature was -this: The blending of passionate fondness with perfect -<span class='pageno' id='Page_179'>179</span>freedom, frankness, and fearlessness in her feelings and -her manners toward him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet then turned, and, addressing himself -seriously to the old lady, informed her that he thought -the time had come for him to discharge the great obligation -under which he lay to his worthy deceased friend, -the late gallant Corporal Seabright, and redeem the -promise made to his widow when dying by taking care -of the rearing, education, and future fortunes of their -orphan girl. That it was now expedient that his dear -little goddaughter and ward should be brought into -proper restraint and training; that, in order that this -should be fittingly accomplished, it was necessary that his -sweet little ward should become an inmate of his house, -and live under his immediate protection and supervision; -that, being most unhappily a widower, and having no -lady at the head of his establishment to look after his -household, and do the honors, he should be under the -necessity of engaging the services of some highly respectable -matron as housekeeper; that he thought no -more competent person for the duties of the position -could be found in the world than Miss Josephine Cotter, -and, under all the circumstances, no one could be found -to fill the situation with such perfect propriety; that if -she chose to exchange her lodge on the isle for the housekeeper’s -rooms at Mount Calm, she might name her own -salary, and he would come up to it or exceed it.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Miss Joe’s eyes twinkled under her iron-bound spectacles, -but she hesitated to answer.</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet gave her full time to digest his proposition, -while he toyed with the child upon his knee—telling -her of her new home and new prospects, as far as he -thought she could comprehend them; promising her new -dresses, books, playthings, a pony, etc. Finally, he raised -his head and turned to Miss Joe, saying:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, madam, have you reflected upon my proposition, -and what do you think of it?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Miss Joe hemmed, cleared her throat, blew her nose, -wiped the tears from her eyes, rubbed her specs and replaced -them, and then said:</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_180'>180</span>She didn’t know. She was used to staying where she -was. She had lived there twenty odd years, and did not -feel like leaving it at her time of life. Besides, she must -see what could be done for Hugh. She must take time to -consider. She couldn’t give an answer no way till next -day.</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet acceded to the short delay, and, smiling -to himself, arose to take leave; tasted and praised Miss -Joe’s mulled cider; kissed and fondly embraced little -Nettie; nodded to Hugh Hutton; shook hands with Miss -Joe, and withdrew.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXXI.<br> <span class='large'>NETTIE IN THE MANSION.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>She shall dwell in lordly houses, with gardens all about,</div> - <div class='line'>And servants to attend her when she goes in and out;</div> - <div class='line'>She’ll have music for the hearing, and pictures for the eye,</div> - <div class='line'>And exquisite and costly things each sense to gratify.</div> - <div class='line in48'><i>—Howitt.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Very early on the morning of the 2d of January, -while yet the level rays of the newly-risen sun were projecting -golden lines of light aslant the snow-covered -earth, the traveling carriage of General Garnet passed -through Huttontown on its way to the beach to take in -Miss Joe and little Nettie, who were that day to leave -their island home.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At the same hour Miss Joe was bustling over her last -preparations at the isle. The simple furniture was to be -safely stowed away and left in the house; the most valuable -portion of their personal effects was to be transported -to Mount Calm at more leisure; her own and -Nettie’s clothing was packed into a chest ready to be -taken away.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Hugh’s bundle was made up and slung at the end of a -stick across his shoulder. The boy certainly looked the -most hopeful and happy of the three.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Dear Hugh, you do just ’mind me of Jack in the fairy -<span class='pageno' id='Page_181'>181</span>tale, going to seek his fortune,” said Nettie, gazing at -him with admiration.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Nettie herself was wild with joy and expectation. -Scarcely had she slept or ate since the noted visit of her -godfather. How could she? All the fairy tales she had -ever read in her life were about to be realized in her own -person; she was Cinderella, going in splendid style to -the royal palace, to be married to the king’s son; she -was Beauty, who had just discovered the Beast to be a -handsome, powerful prince, who was going to make a -princess of her; or, if not literally so, her dreams were -equally fanciful and extravagant. But how different was -the reality, poor Nettie! more fairy-favored as wood-sprite -in the forest wild, or water-nymph in her sea-girt -isle than ever as heiress of the millionaire in the cold -magnificence of Mount Calm.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The last thing Miss Joe did was to put out the fire and -dress Nettie in a little cloak of scarlet country cloth, -made with a hood to go over her head.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At which Nettie, with many extravagant capers, declared -herself to be Little Red Riding Hood in person.</p> - -<p class='c010'>When all was done and the house locked up, the three -took their way down the solitary footpath through the -snow to the water’s edge.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Hugh had already cleaned out the boat, and they all -got into it. Hugh took the oar. The water was very -smooth, the current in their favor, and in twenty minutes -the boy landed his charge safely upon the beach.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The carriage of General Garnet was in waiting.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Miss Joe and Nettie were handed in by Hugh, and then -the boy put in his hand to bid them a sorrowful -good-by.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Miss Joe burst into tears, sobbed aloud, told Hugh if -he should not find his place as shop-boy at Mr. Fig’s -grocery pleasant to let her know and she would go right -back to Hutton’s Isle, and they two would work together -and see better times when the warm weather -should come.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Nettie, for her part, much as she loved Hugh, could -not cry. She had read too many fairy tales not to know -<span class='pageno' id='Page_182'>182</span>how her own ought to end; and so Nettie felt perfectly -assured that by some dénouement at Mount Calm every -wish of her heart must be accomplished, most especially -the dearest wish of all, that of having her playmate always -with her. So they took leave. Hugh struck into a -by-path, and walked off briskly toward the store of Mr. -Fig. And the carriage rolled on up through the main -street of the village and out over the country road that -led over the snow-covered hills and through the hollow -to Mount Calm.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Arrived at Mount Calm they were met by General -Garnet, who, receiving little Nettie in his arms, pressed -her fondly and carried her into the house, followed by -Miss Joe. Here, in the hall, he delivered the little girl -to the charge of a neatly-dressed “ladylike” mulatto girl -with a gray Madras turban on her head and a pair of -heavy gold hoops in her ears, telling her to take Miss -Seabright to the chamber lately occupied by Miss Garnet, -and to prepare her for the breakfast table.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And what’s your name?” asked Nettie, looking up -with curiosity at the gay mulatto.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Nettie, my darling, she is Hero, your maid,” said -General Garnet.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Hero took the hand of the child and was about to -lead her up the great staircase, when Nettie suddenly -broke from her, and, exclaiming, interrogatively: “This -way?” sprang up the stairs like a squirrel.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Hero tripped after her, overtook her on the landing, -and gently took her hand, saying:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Miss Seabright, young ladies oughtn’t to romp -through a quiet house, and race upstairs in that manner.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I know young ladies oughtn’t to, but I am a little -gal.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are a little lady, and should act like one. But -here is your chamber, Miss Seabright,” said Hero, opening -the door of Elsie’s beautiful room.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, how—how grand!” exclaimed Nettie, breaking -from her maid, springing into the midst of the apartment, -and standing gazing, speechless with admiration upon -<span class='pageno' id='Page_183'>183</span>the splendor—for such they were to her—of the furniture.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The French paper on the walls, with its pretty pattern -of wild rose vines climbing up gilded pillars and forming -into arches: the carpet on the floor, chosen to match, -with wild rose vines running over a white ground; the -pink damask and white muslin curtains of the windows, -that suffused the whole chamber with a soft, roseate -light; the rosewood dressing bureau standing between -these two windows, with its tall mirror and marble top, -and elegant ornaments of porcelain, pearl and gold; the -rosewood bedstead, standing in the opposite recess, with -its white-embossed counterpane, and rich valance, all -softly shaded by hanging curtains of pink damask, like -those of the windows; the wardrobe, with its mirror -doors, occupying the side to the left of the chimney; the -marble-top table, with its elegant trifles—a work-box of -mother-of-pearl and gold, a standish of ebony, inlaid with -ivory, a portfolio, books, etc.; the work-stand of satinwood; -the luxurious sofa, chair, and ottoman, covered -with rose-colored cut velvet to suit the draperies; the polished -steel grate; with its silver mounting, and marble -mantelpiece, with its ormolu clock, vases, statuettes, medallions, -etc.; lastly, the paintings, few, but admirable, -though attractive to Nettie chiefly upon account of the -massive and richly-gilded frames.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Introducing Nettie into that elegant, luxurious chamber -was like letting a monkey loose in a fancy-shop. -For a moment she stood shading her eyes with her hand, -as she would have done in looking upon a dazzling -winter landscape, gazing transfixed with surprise; and -then she ran hither and thither, seized this and that, upset -an inkstand, seized a porcelain bottle by its stopper, -letting the other part fall and break; knocked down an -elegant dressing-case, splitting off its pearl corners, and -spilling all its contents; jumping up into one of the -beautiful chairs and standing on it; snatched a statuette -of Thalia from the mantelpiece, and, calling it a doll-baby, -declared she would make it a red petticoat and give -it the name of Dolly.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_184'>184</span>All this was the work of a minute, for then Hero went -and took her hand again, and said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Come, Miss Seabright, all these pretty things are -yours, but you must learn to handle them carefully, so -as not to break and destroy them. Come, now, I have -to get you ready for breakfast. You are to eat breakfast -with the general. Come, let me wash your face -and comb your hair.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, indeed, you aint a-goin’ to wash my face and -comb my hair. I’ve washed my own face and combed -my own hair ever since I can remember, and I aint -a-goin’ to let anybody else do it now.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, then, you do it; and here is such a pretty blue -dress of princess cloth, all trimmed with black braid; -and here is a black silk apron and a nice lace tucker, and -silk mits, and a tortoise-shell long comb to keep your -curls back, and here is a pair of black morocco boots, -see!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, how beautiful!” exclaimed the child admiringly, -as she hastened with her ablutions.</p> - -<p class='c010'>When Nettie was arrayed in her new dress she scarcely -permitted her maid to tie the last thing, or turn the last -long ringlet behind the comb, before she sprang from -under her hands and fled downstairs to “show godfather -and granny how she looked dressed like a lady.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>As Nettie sprang into the presence of her guardian he -arose and walked toward her, took her hand gently, and -told her that little girls must walk and not jump and -skip through the rooms of a house. Then he led her -into the breakfast room, where Miss Joe was already installed -at the head of the table, attended by a “genteel” -waiter. General Garnet seated his ward and took his -own place. Hero now made her appearance and stood -by her little mistress. But Nettie’s eyes were wandering -from the elegancies of the breakfast table, with its damask -tablecloth, fine napkins, Sevres china service, etc., -to the superb sideboard, with its splendid array of cut-glass -and silver plate; and from the rich Turkey carpet -to the wonderful paper hangings of the walls that showed -the city of Paris by morning light. And Nettie’s maid -<span class='pageno' id='Page_185'>185</span>had several times to remind her that little ladies did not -stare about, but ate their breakfast prettily, before she -could withdraw her attention from the new glories -around her and fix it upon her breakfast.</p> - -<p class='c010'>But before the meal was half over Nettie had sprung -up and bounded out of the room in search of more novelties. -The hall, the library and the picture-gallery, the -parlor and the drawing room, the saloon and the conservatory—all -on the first floor—were in turn invaded -and overhauled by the eager, impetuous child. Then all -the chambers on the second floor were visited and ransacked. -And then the indefatigable little explorer made -for the attic, and besieged the doors of the locked-up -rooms there. Through all these runnings and ramblings -Hero followed her, telling her that little ladies should not -do this, or that, or the other.</p> - -<p class='c010'>When night came, a little tired with her incessant running, -and a little fretted and dispirited with the ceaseless -accompaniment of her maid’s tuitions and fault-finding, -Nettie went into the library, where her guardian sat -luxuriating in his easy-chair at a table covered with -books and papers before a fine fire.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Nettie was too tired to notice the elegant and luxurious -appointments of General Garnet’s favorite retreat; the -superb book-cases at intervals along the walls; the rare -and costly statues, busts, and oil-paintings; the tables -laden with prints and articles of virtu; the easy-chairs, -sofas, and foot-cushions; the deep, soft carpet, “stealing -all noises from the feet”; the heavy damask curtains, -excluding all cold air, and the splendid chandeliers -pendant from the ceiling and diffusing through their -stained glass shades a rich, warm, and glowing light -throughout the apartment. Nettie sauntered straight up -to General Garnet, climbed upon his knees, and threw -her head and arms languidly upon his bosom.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Tired, my little Nettie?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, very tired, godfather, indeed. Take me in your -arms and rock me back and forward, as Hugh does.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You must forget Hugh and the isle, and the lodge, -and all your infantile life, little Nettie. You are going -<span class='pageno' id='Page_186'>186</span>to be a young lady, and some day you may feel mortified -if anyone reminded you of these things.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But I think it would be wicked to forget them, godfather, -and indeed I won’t forget them, either,” said -Nettie, lifting herself from her resting-place.</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet saw his error. If he wished Nettie to -forget her past life, companions, and occupations, he must -never remind her of them. If she spoke of them, he -must not keep her mind fixed upon the subject even by -opposing it. He must draw her attention to something -else. Reaching out his hand, drawing a book of colored -prints up before him, and opening it, he said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You have a great deal of curiosity, little Nettie. Here -are views taken on the Mediterranean; pictures of -strange places and old cities, which I will tell you about. -But as I do not wish to talk to a listless hearer, you must -first tell me when you see a picture that interests you, -and question me about anything that excites your curiosity, -and then I shall know that I am speaking to an attentive -pupil.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Nettie kissed her guardian rapturously, and, still sitting -on his knees, bent forward and eagerly turned over -the leaves of the folio, until a view on the coast of Greece -arrested her attention, and, pausing upon it, she caressed -her guardian and claimed the explanation. General -Garnet was absorbed in the description and history -of this plate, and Nettie was listening eagerly, when the -front door-bell was heard to ring. General Garnet -ceased talking, and raised his head and listened. Nettie -pressed her lips to his and listened, too. The library -door opened; a servant entered, and announced:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Dr. Hardcastle!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Show Dr. Hardcastle in,” said General Garnet, gathering -Nettie closely to his bosom with one arm, resting -the other hand upon the table, and elevating his head -and Roman nose to the loftiest angle of scorn. A minute -passed, and then the door opened again, and Magnus -Hardcastle, still clothed in his rough emigrant suit, entered -the library, walked down its length, and stood face -to face with General Garnet.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_187'>187</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXXII.<br> <span class='large'>THE INTERVIEW.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Here I disclaim all my paternal care,</div> - <div class='line'>Propinquity and property of blood,</div> - <div class='line'>And as a stranger to my hearth and me</div> - <div class='line'>Hold her from this forever!</div> - <div class='line in30'><i>—Shakspere.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Thus they stood:</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet had arisen and put Nettie from his -bosom, but she stood upon the chair he had just vacated, -with her arms around his neck, gazing at the newcomer.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Dr. Hardcastle stood, cap in hand, immediately before -him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>They looked at each other. The countenance of General -Garnet was calm and impassable; he could afford to -be calm; he had his revenge in his hand—in his arms! -The countenance of Magnus was frank, open, eager as -ever, yet tempered with a certain gravity and earnestness -of expression.</p> - -<p class='c010'>But a single instant they thus regarded each other, and -then:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, sir?” said General Garnet.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Magnus held forth his hand, saying seriously:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“General Garnet, I have come a day’s journey back -from my Western road to offer you my hand in amity, -to say to you how kindly I feel, and must ever feel, toward -the father of my beloved wife—to say how much -I desire your friendship—how much we all desire a -reconciliation. Will you take my hand?” General Garnet -drew himself up and remained silent. Nettie, with -her arms still around his neck, gazed with interest at -their visitor. Magnus dropped his hand, but continued: -“Sir, I can understand the resentment of disappointed -ambition. But I do not, and will not, believe such anger -to be implacable; not now—not under the afflicting dispensation -of your recent deplorable bereavement. General -Garnet, I had proceeded a day and night upon my -<span class='pageno' id='Page_188'>188</span>westward journey before I received a letter from Mr. -Wilson announcing the sudden death of Mrs. Garnet. -My dear wife was overwhelmed with sorrow, a sorrow -which I also deeply felt. She reproached herself bitterly -with a thousand fancied sins against her lost mother, -vowing in her remorse and despair what she would give, -or do, could the grave but give up its dead. ‘The grave -is inexorable!’ General Garnet, to some extent I have -judged your heart by hers. The husband and the daughter -have a common sorrow. The husband must have -suffered as much as the daughter. General Garnet, can -I venture to speak candidly to you? Can I venture to -say that, little as your Alice may have been loved or valued -while she was still by your side, in your daily path, -yet now that she has vanished from your sight you miss -her in a thousand endearing attentions—in a thousand -gentle ministrations every moment of your life. You -miss her in countless comforts, and nameless refinements -of comfort, of which she, till lost, was the quiet, unsuspecting -origin. And now you find out the cause by missing -the effect!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“‘How blessings brighten as they take their flight!’” -said General Garnet, in a low, ironical tone, filling up the -pause made by Magnus. But, without observing the -sneer, Dr. Hardcastle replied, gravely and sweetly:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes! ‘We know not that an angel had been with us -till we saw the glory of her vanishing wing!’ In your -deep heart, was it not thus with you, General Garnet? Is -it not so in a modified way with many of us? Oh, the -loved and lost! we may have misapprehended, undervalued, -misused them in life; but let the inexorable hand -of Death be laid upon them, and how changed are all our -feelings toward them! How remorsefully we appreciate -their worth; how despairingly we love them. What -would we not sacrifice to restore motion, warmth, consciousness -to that still, cold heart, so we might press it -beating to our bosom; to restore light to those folded -eyes, so we might gaze into them all the remorse, all the -love we feel, but cannot speak; to restore life to the dead, -that we might see them again at our fireside or table is -<span class='pageno' id='Page_189'>189</span>the old, familiar dress, with the old, familiar look; that -we might be a saint or a slave to them thenceforth for -ever! Take a closer case; take that of your Alice. Could -now the doors of that vault where you laid her fly open -and yield up its beautiful dead—or, to leave the supernatural -and impossible out of the question, could Alice -be found to have been laid there during a fit of epilepsy, -as has sometimes been the case with others, and could -she now be restored to you living, loving, would you -not rejoice as you never rejoiced before—would you not -love and value her as you never loved or valued her before—would -you not do anything on earth to render her -renewed life happy?” Magnus paused again to see the -effect of this hint of the truth, thinking, also, that in the -event of General Garnet remaining obdurate, he had possibly -verged too nearly upon a disclosure.</p> - -<p class='c010'>But the stern, immovable countenance of the latter betrayed -no emotion, either of suspicion or of relenting. -It positively gave no clew to his thoughts or feelings. -Magnus hoped the best, yet withdrew from the precipice -of a dangerous confidence by saying:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But to leave improbable things also. Could you -wake up in the morning and find that you had only -dreamed her death, and see her by your side—living, -beautiful, loving—would you not clasp her to your heart -in joy, exclaiming: ‘Oh, dearest wife, I have had such -a dreadful dream! It seemed, too, so very real. I -dreamed that you were dead, Alice. Thank God, it was -nothing but a dream! Now, ask me what you will, -Alice, for I am so happy to know I have you yet—to -know that you have not gone from my side, but are -here—here!—that I can refuse you nothing.’ Would -those not be your words and feelings? And what would -Alice say—what would Alice ask? What was nearest her -heart when she fell asleep? What would she say could -she now be restored, and should you ask her what would -make her happy, but ‘Father, be reconciled to your -daughter!’ General Garnet, the same letter that announced -our sudden and mutual bereavement, the letter -of that Christian minister, expressed a hope that the hand -<span class='pageno' id='Page_190'>190</span>of Death, which had led our friend away from our midst, -leaving us all in a common sorrow, might reunite our -hands in amity. General Garnet, that hope is my prayer. -I entreat you, take my hand!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet recoiled a step, and answered scornfully:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Sir, I know you for an orator of old. But if you hope -to work upon my feelings through the sorrow of my recent -and very sudden loss, you deceive yourself. And -now, hear me! Could—as you have put the question—could -the doors of my wife’s tomb fly open—and could -she be restored to me, living, loving, in all the beauty -and goodness of her being—could such impossibilities -occur—and should the first boon she craved to bless her -renewed life be the reconciliation you desire, that boon -would be refused, though that refusal should send her -back into the grave! Now I hope you understand me -thoroughly.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Dr. Hardcastle nodded his head several times, keeping -time to his thoughts, as he said, in his heart:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And little do you surmise, poor man, that your refusal -will send her back to the grave—for you! That she will -be indeed dead—to you!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet, taking this nod for one of assent, -added:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And now, I hope, sir, that no more false hopes may -be raised upon me. Neither you nor your wife need ever -expect anything at my hands. By my fireside, and at my -board, and in my heart, the place of the late Miss Garnet -is filled. This little girl, sir, is my daughter and heiress. -I have regularly and legally adopted her. The late Miss -Garnet had, but for your reminder, passed from my memory. -Mrs. Hardcastle is an alien and a stranger, and I -desire that she remain such. I beg you also to remember, -sir, that, though I have a slight electioneering acquaintance -with Dr. Hardcastle, such as every prominent -politician may have with persons not to be recognized -under any other circumstances, I do not wish even that -acquaintance to continue. And I beg you to recollect -that I have never even seen Mrs. Hardcastle, and never -<span class='pageno' id='Page_191'>191</span>wish to see her. I do not know the person, and never -wish to know her. Have you anything more to advance, -Dr. Hardcastle?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir!” said Magnus, drawing himself up, and as -his fine chest expanded, looking at his adversary with a -brow, a glance that made him quail and drop his eyes. -“You have dared to misrepresent my purpose in coming -to you, or else you have naturally mistaken my motives—naturally, -for it may not be in your nature to understand -them. Yet, no, it is not so. You do not mistake -me. And do not dare to affect it again. You know that -your fortune is nothing—absolutely nothing—to me, and -never was. So little do rank and fortune weigh with me -against hearts and souls that, had I been a millionaire -and had Elsie been the child of a beggar instead of a -daughter of General Garnet, and the heiress of Mount -Calm, I would have taken her to my bosom in the face -of all the world. And, more—further, had Elsie possessed, -in her own inalienable right, hundreds of millions, -and I possessed no more than the clothes I wore, -I would have married her, and not thanked her for the -millions she brought me, but simply loved her for the -beauty, the goodness, the love, the dear womanhood she -gave me. So little do I value money where nature and -affection are concerned. As it is, we are both poor, both -will have to work hard. Elsie has chosen her lot in life, -and shall abide by it. Even you, her father, shall not -rescue her from it with your wealth. You cannot change -her destiny. Your fortune could not do it. I am resolved -to make, to command whatever success may be in life -for us. Yet”—he added, with a softening brow and tone—“yet, -father of my dear wife—for her sake, for your -own, for mine, I would be reconciled with you. Spite -of all the bitter things written upon your forehead, and -spoken by your lips, and which I do not think your -heart indorses, I would be at peace with you; bitter talk -is but hasty breath. Let us forget it. Let us be friends. -Now, then, for the last time I offer you my hand. For -the last time, I beseech you take it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet frowned darkly and averted his head.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_192'>192</span>But Nettie, who had been gazing kindly and admiringly -at the speaker, now suddenly thrust out her little -hand, and, emphatically striking it into the broad, open -palm of Magnus, exclaimed cordially:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes! Let us be friends! I’ll be friends! I like -you!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>There was no resisting that sparkling, cordial smile—that -earnest, confiding manner, and Magnus closed his -hand upon the child’s hand, pressing it kindly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Godfather, why don’t you ask the good-looking gentleman -to sit down, and why don’t you ring the bell and -have wine brought for him like you did for Mr. Judge -Jacky? Sit down, gentleman, in that armchair, and I -will go and ring the bell,” she said, jumping down and -running to the bell-rope, which she pulled vigorously.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Will you be seated, sir?” said General Garnet -ironically.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Will you first take my hand, General Garnet?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, sir! To forbear is the utmost limit of my self-control. -I cannot go further, and forgive. Yet you are -in my house—standing by my fireside. While you bestow -upon us your presence, I beg you be seated.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Magnus waved his hand in rejection of this invitation -and turned to go, but Nettie, returning from her vociferous -bell-ringing, stopped him by seizing both his hands -and leaning up against him as she exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No! you mustn’t go till you get something—I hear a -boy coming now.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And at this moment, indeed, the door was opened, and -a waiter appeared in answer to the noisy summons.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Get some good wine and some sort o’ witches—you -make with bread and butter and ham—sandwitches, and -bring up here for this gentleman. And make haste, you -hear, because he is in a hurry,” said Nettie to the waiter.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The man looked with surprise and perplexity from the -self-constituted little mistress to the master. And General -Garnet, in some perversity of mood, exclaimed -fiercely:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, sir! Why do you pause? Did you hear Miss -Seabright’s order?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_193'>193</span>“Yes, sir, but——”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Go and obey it, then. Do you wait for me to tell -you that her commands here are only second to my -own?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, why don’t you go along when I tell you that the -good-looking gentleman is in a great hurry? What -makes you look so queer?” exclaimed Nettie, stamping -with impatience, but not with ill-humor.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The man bowed and withdrew.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Again Dr. Hardcastle sought to free himself from his -loving little captor, but Nettie clung to him like a very -nettle, or an opossum to a tree, exclaiming:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, sir, you mustn’t go; you shan’t go, till the wine -comes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And before he could get away the wine and sandwiches -arrived. As the waiter walked straight up the -room and set the refreshments upon the table, General -Garnet turned coldly to Dr. Hardcastle, saying:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My little daughter invites you to take something. -Will you do so, sir?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Dr. Hardcastle, who had been released by Nettie, declined -the invitation, and retired, followed into the hall -by Nettie, who sought to recapture and detain him. He -raised the child, kissed her, and left the house at -once.</p> - -<p class='c010'>After he had gone Nettie remained standing in the hall -so long that General Garnet came out to seek her. Having -found her, he exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why do you linger so, my little Nettie? Come with -me into the library, and let us go on with the pictures -and stories.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t want to go back to the library with you, godfather.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What! Don’t want to return with me and see the -beautiful pictures, and hear the wonderful stories?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No; I don’t care for the pictures, nor the stories, nor -you, either, godfather. I want to go to my own room—and -I wish you would call my maid.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Whe-ew! How my little princess takes state upon -herself! But I must say it becomes her—rarely. But -<span class='pageno' id='Page_194'>194</span>why does she not care for pictures, stories, or godfather, -either?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Because, godfather, you treated the pleasant-spoken -gentleman so meanly. I’m sure when I and Hugh and -granny lived in the poor lodge, and had nothing to offer -but persimmon beer and sour, knobby apples, we never -treated our visitors so meanly. No, that we didn’t! -Granny used to say, ‘Hospit—something or other—before -everything’ which meant that it was a shame to treat -well-behaved company meanly. And you treated the -pleasant-spoken gentleman meanly. ’Deed, I thought he -preached nice as the parson. But you treated him -meanly—and I don’t want to have anything to do with -you, and I won’t, either, have anything to do with you, -godfather. I want my maid. Will you please to send -her to me?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Piqued, amused, attracted by the naïve candor and -courage of the fond but passionate child, General Garnet -laughed and held out his arms, saying:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, come to me, my little Nettie. Come and kiss me, -and give me one of your tight hugs.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“’Deed, I won’t, godfather!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Won’t! Why?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“’Cause I don’t feel like it, one bit.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Don’t feel like it! Well, then, now what shall I give -my little Nettie for a good, hearty hug and kiss—say? -Shall it be a pony, or a little carriage, or a great wax -doll, or what? Come! say now. What shall it be?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Nothing, godfather. You will give me all them -things, anyhow, ’cause you promised them to me if I’d -come and live ’long o’ you. But I aint sure that I will -take any of them—and I aint even sure that I shall stay.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet laughed aloud, and said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Very well! if you won’t come and give me a good, -hearty hug and kiss, neither for free love nor bribery, I -can come and give you one.” And he went toward her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Nettie ran, flew up the stairs, and from the first landing -looked down to see if she was pursued, and said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, you mustn’t, indeed, godfather. I had rather -anyone hit me a hard lick right in the face than kiss me -<span class='pageno' id='Page_195'>195</span>when I don’t want to be kissed. And I don’t want to -be kissed by you, godfather. I wouldn’t kiss you hardly -to save your life.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And having said this, Nettie fled the rest of the way -upstairs. Hero was already there with a light to take -charge of her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Strange! How strange it is that I love that wild -child more and more—need her love more and more -every hour that I live! Strange, passing strange, that -with all her willfulness, I love that half-savage, but most -beautiful thing, better than I ever loved anyone in the -wide world! Oh, it is not strange, after all! It is because -she loves me thoroughly—with every fiber of her soul -and body; because I can trust in her, for she hides nothing -from me—not even her childish anger.”</p> - -<hr class='c011'> - -<p class='c010'>Dr. Hardcastle returned to Huttontown, and to the -tavern, where he was to lodge that night. He intended -to retire early, preparatory to a very early start the next -morning. But first it was necessary to go to Mr. Fig’s -for the purpose of making a few purchases of articles -that had been forgotten in his first packing up.</p> - -<p class='c010'>When he entered the grocery he saw, to his surprise, -Hugh Hutton behind the counter, ready to serve him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, my boy,” said he, extending his hand, “I am -surprised and happy to see you again.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, doctor! have you really turned back? I am so -very glad!” exclaimed Hugh, his countenance actually -illuminated with joy.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, my boy. We had proceeded but a day’s journey, -when we heard of Mrs. Garnet’s death, and came -back.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Where is Mrs. Hardcastle? Is she at the inn?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, my boy; finding that we came too late for the -funeral I took Mrs. Hardcastle immediately back to Deep -Dell, where she now sojourns, waiting for me. I found -it necessary to come back a second time. I have traveled -the road between Huttontown and Deep Dell forth -and back twice within a week, Hugh; and to-morrow -morning, at five o’clock, I make the third start.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_196'>196</span>“The old folks say that there is great luck in the third -attempt,” said Hugh.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I should think there was in my instance, if I could -take you back with me, my boy.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, sir, Dr. Hardcastle, you can if you will,” exclaimed -Hugh, in a tone of anxious, eager solicitude.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I assuredly will, if I can. And no obstacle exists with -me. But your little sister, my boy?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, sir, my little sister is better provided for than I -could hope to provide for her for many years to come. -She is the ward of General Garnet, and he has just this -morning taken her home to live with him, and to be -educated.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How? What? Is it possible? The little, fond, wild, -beautiful creature I saw at Mount Calm to-night?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir, that was she—Garnet Seabright.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What kin is she to you, boy—not your sister?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No kin at all, sir; but dear to me as if she were my -twin sister.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“A beautiful child! A sweet, wild, haunting thing!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, yes, sir; and so true and good—so trusting!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“A little eerie, spirit-like thing! What a pity!” said -Dr. Hardcastle, communing with himself; then, raising -his voice, he said: “Well, you desire to accompany me, -my boy? But how long have you been with Mr. Fig, -and what are your obligations to him?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No obligations at all, sir. The truth is, seeing that -from having been a help to aunty and Nettie in the time -of their need I had got to be a hindrance in the way of -their doing better than I could do for them, I went to -Mr. Fig and told him that I would stand behind the -counter and help about the store, for no more than my -mere board—not even asking clothing—on conditions, -it should be understood, I was to go to the West the -very first chance that came. Well, Mr. Fig knew me, and -how much I could do, and agreed to my plan; and so I -came this morning, and have done a very hard day’s -work, too—hauling several cartloads of freight from the -brig up to the store, and unloading them, and storing -them in, and waiting behind the counter the rest of the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_197'>197</span>time. All that makes me feel well to-night. So, you -see, sir, I owe Mr. Fig nothing but good friendship; and -I am ready to set out with you to-morrow.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Be it so, then, my boy. And I am rejoiced to know -that in thus following the bent of your inclinations, you -abandon no duty. Will you join me to-night, or early -to-morrow morning?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Early to-morrow morning, Dr. Hardcastle. You -may pick me up at the south gate of the falling-field, behind -Mount Calm—that will be directly in your road. I -must go up to Mount Calm, to-night, to bid good-by to -Aunt Joe and Nettie.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Very well, my boy. Be punctual.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And having obtained the articles for which he came -Dr. Hardcastle left the store.</p> - -<p class='c010'>That night Hugh Hutton went up to Mount Calm. -He succeeded in obtaining entrance to his Aunt Joe’s -rooms, but found, to his regret, that Nettie had some -time before retired to bed, and was now fast asleep. He -spent the night on a pallet in his aunt’s room, and in the -morning made up his bundle to start. Miss Joe objected, -cried, bemoaned her fate and Hugh’s, but finally -consented to his departure; for Miss Joe believed in -Hugh and had faith in Dr. Hardcastle, besides it would -not sound so badly to tell the neighbors, by and by, -that her nephew, Hugh Hutton, was “studying medicine -underneath Dr. Hardcastle.” So Miss Joe gave him -her blessing, and went to wake up Nettie, to bid him -farewell, prophesying all the while that Nettie would -“take on dreadful.” But Nettie did not “take on” at -all; she threw herself joyously around Hugh’s neck, -gave him a hearty hug and kiss, and declared, that with -his bundle across his shoulder he was Jack the Giant-Killer, -going to seek his fortune; and that he must let -her know about every giant he killed, and every enchanted -lady he freed, and every magician’s castle he -took, and ever beautiful princess that loved him. And -then she pulled the scarlet worsted comforter from her -neck and wound it around Hugh’s throat, tucking the -ends into his coat breast, and bid him good-by. Hugh -<span class='pageno' id='Page_198'>198</span>went to the door, turned to take a last look, impulsively -darted back, clasped his old aunty, and then Nettie, in a -last embrace, sprung from the room, and was gone. A -rapid walk brought him to the spot where he found Dr. -Hardcastle, just arrived in his carryall, waiting for him, -and exclaiming:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Just in time, my boy—and very welcome. Jump in! -All right!”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXXIII.<br> <span class='large'>ELSIE IN THE LOG CABIN.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>It was a lodge of ample size,</div> - <div class='line'>But strange of structure and device,</div> - <div class='line'>Of such materials as around</div> - <div class='line'>The workman’s hand had readiest found.</div> - <div class='line in32'><i>—Scott.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>The place selected by Magnus Hardcastle as the field -of his life labor was that grandly picturesque portion of -Maryland now known as Alleghany County, but then -called indifferently the Mountains, the Wilderness, or the -Backwoods. The site chosen for his home was a wildly -beautiful spot in the midst of a deep, narrow valley lying -between two ridges of the Alleghany Mountains, and -watered by a branch of the Potomac River. Although -Magnus Hardcastle’s first idea of a home in the backwoods -presented nothing but a log cabin, and although -his young and lovely bride was quite ready to dare and -share the unmitigated rudeness and privations of such -a home and life, yet Providence, who “tempereth the -wind to the shorn lamb,” mercifully ameliorated the -hardships of the condition for the delicately nurtured -girl, who, however willing, was, notwithstanding all her -health and strength, scarcely able to bear the shock of -such a sharp and sudden change. The contents of that -casket—the bridal gift of Alice Garnet to her daughter—amounted -to nearly five thousand dollars, and though -the whole of this sum would go but a very little way -<span class='pageno' id='Page_199'>199</span>toward supplying the superfluities of a fashionable -bride’s trousseau, yet the half of it went very far toward -completing and furnishing a comfortable backwoods -home for our young couple. Their house was a log -cabin indeed, but one of “ample size” and commodious -appointments.</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was near the close of a fine winter day that Alice -and Elsie were together in the family rooms of the cabin. -This apartment was large, and supplied with all needful -furniture. The walls were lathed and plastered, but not -whitewashed, and retaining the original stone color, gave -a sober tone to the air of the room. There was no -carpet on the floor, but the broad hearth was a notable -specimen of the fine arts, by Hugh Hutton, who declared, -in his pride, that it was an interesting, instructive, and -endless study, to anyone fond of tracing the individuality -and infinite variety of natural form and color. The -hearth was, in fact, a fine mosaic of fragments of rocks, -of divers forms, sizes, and colors, perfectly filled in, leveled -and chinked with a hard, white composition, that -formed an irregular boundary line between the pieces. -Each side the ample fireplace were dressers, constructed -of strong plank, and at once laden and ornamented with -crockery ware. From the lowest and broadest shelves -hung dark calico curtains, reaching to the floor, and -concealing “the humble little household gods,” as Elsie -called them. There were chairs and tables, made more -for strength than beauty, ranged along the walls. The -windows were curtained with dark calico. There was no -article of luxury, no superfluity in the room, but everything -was convenient, orderly, and immaculately clean.</p> - -<p class='c010'>A fine fire blazed in the broad chimney, and though -the hour was growing dark, it illuminated the room, so -as to render a lighted candle unnecessary. The tea-kettle -hung over the blaze, an oven lid sat upon the logs -by its side, and the oven was turned up against the front -of the fire to heat for baking.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Elsie stood at a deal-table, making out biscuits—busy, -healthful, and happy as ever.</p> - -<p class='c010'>A little to the left of the blazing, too-hot fire, sat Alice, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_200'>200</span>in a rocking-chair, and—a reverie. There was but one -change in Alice since we saw her last. The sunny ringlets -of her unfaded hair (be it remembered that she was -but thirty-five), the sunny ringlets of her hair were -turned around her cheek, and their end twisted around -with her back braid. A little lace cap which she wore, -because she said a cap was proper for her at her time of -life, and in her relations, sat gracefully upon her still -beautiful head, and gave a softness to the outline of her -delicate and spiritual face, making her seem even more -youthful and beautiful than before. She had been embroidering -an infant’s dress, but the work had dropped -into her lap, and her hand had fallen upon the little -snow-white heap of muslin, and the richly-chased gold -thimble glittered idly in the firelight; but the tiny foot, -in the delicate slipper, was not idle—it turned upon the -rockers of a cradle, where, amid downy pillows and soft -white drapery, reposed a lovely babe of about two months -of age. Altogether this beautiful and graceful group was -a little out of keeping with the log cabin, to which it -nevertheless lent a charm. But then, Elsie had always -laughingly said that her mother was an ingrain “lady,” -while she herself, for her own part, was “only a woman.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Elsie having finished making out her biscuits, brought -the tray to the fire to put them on to bake. While kneeling -with one knee upon the hearth to arrange her bread -in the oven, she looked up at her mother’s pensive face, -and said, sympathetically:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Dear mother, it seems to me you are not happy, -though you would have us believe it is so?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Elsie, no one is perfectly happy; that is a saying as -old as the plucking of the forbidden fruit that first -brought suffering into the world, and yet we never believe -it. We are ever striving for that perfect happiness -which is impossible.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I do not believe it to be impossible, dear mother. I -am a firm believer in perfect earthly happiness; I am so -near it myself. Why, even now, I should be perfectly -happy but for the shadow on your brow, mother.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“‘But,’ there is ever a ‘but.’ It is the order of life, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_201'>201</span>and I am content with it. Be at ease, dear; I, too, should -be perfectly happy, but——”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What, dearest mother?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am a living falsehood, Elsie.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mother!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Child, I did not mean to speak so strongly. But I -have a secret to keep that pains me always—a sinful -secret, inasmuch as I am conscious that the keeping of -it may cause sin in others.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Sin, mother?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, Elsie; your father is in the prime of life; he believes -himself a widower. What if he were to marry -again?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ha! I never thought of that. It seems so strange -to me that people should ever marry again.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I know it does, my happy Elsie; but, nevertheless, -they do, you know. Elsie, I have refrained from speaking -of my thought, because I did not wish to distress -you or have an argument with your husband; but, my -love, I feel that I ought to write to General Garnet, and -after that, as you and yours are doing so very well, and -as you are all so comfortable and happy, and as I should -not be missed among you, I think, if General Garnet -wishes it, I ought to go home.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He will not wish it, mother; you know he has a gentlemanly -horror of a nine days’ wonder. Sweet mother, -you must remain with us. Not miss you! Whom should -we have to wait upon and adore if you were gone? And -as for writing, mother, talk to Magnus about that. Here -he comes now, and Hugh with him, as usual, and—a -stranger with him, as unusual. Who can it be?” said -Elsie, as, setting the lid upon the oven and replacing the -tray upon the table, she looked out of the window into -the moonlit yard.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The door opened, and Magnus Hardcastle entered, accompanied -by a gentleman, and followed by Hugh Hutton. -The stranger was clothed in a suit of rusty black, -his tall, slim figure was slightly bowed, and his black -hair was thickly mixed with gray.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Come in, sir; come in, sir. Hugh, my student, there, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_202'>202</span>will care for your horse. Come in, sir. It is needless -to say that you are most gladly welcome. A guest is a -God-send to us. Come to the fire, sir,” said Dr. Hardcastle, -leading the way.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mrs. Garnet, let me present to you the Rev. Mr. Sinclair, -missionary to the Winnebagoes, who will do us the -honor of resting in our cabin for a few days, on his -western route. Mr. Sinclair, Mrs. Garnet of Mount -Calm.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Is it possible! Alice!” ejaculated the stranger, dropping -hat, gloves, and whip, and reeling on his feet.</p> - -<p class='c010'>A slight paleness overspread the face of the lady, but -rising with perfect ease, she offered her hand, saying:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mr. Sinclair, it is many years since we last met. I -am very glad to see you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>He drew back, then took the hand she offered, and -looked wonderingly, searchingly, into her face, as if to -read her soul. Her face was impassible to him. Turning -to Dr. Hardcastle, she said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My dear Magnus, this is a very old acquaintance -you have brought me, an acquaintance of my girlhood. -Elsie, my love!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Elsie came forward.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mr. Sinclair,” she continued, still retaining his hand, -“let me introduce you to my daughter, Mrs. Hardcastle. -Elsie, my love, Mr. Sinclair is a very old friend of mine.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am very glad to see you, sir. I should be glad even -if you were a perfect stranger, but I am very glad to -see an old friend of my mother’s. Do take this chair between -mother and the chimney corner, sir; it is not the -post of honor, perhaps, but it is the most comfortable -and convenient seat, as you can rest and toast your feet -and talk over old times with mother at the same time—old -times, I said. She does not look like she had seen -any very old times, does she, sir?” said Elsie, gayly talking -on, while she shook the hand of the guest and installed -him in his seat.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mamma,—‘Mrs. Garnet of Mount Calm,’—pray take -the entertainment of Mr. Sinclair upon yourself, while I -attend to that for which I have the most talent. I mean -<span class='pageno' id='Page_203'>203</span>the creature comforts. Don’t tell him, mamma, that if -ever I lose my soul through either of the three great -enemies of souls, ‘the world, the flesh, and the devil,’ it -will be by the flesh, for that I have very little of worldliness, -not a whit of diabolism, but a grand passion for -creature comforts,” said Elsie, laughing, as she raised -the lid off the oven. “These biscuits are going to be very -nice,” she remarked, as the steam of the fresh warm -bread greeted their nostrils. She then replaced the lid, -perceived and picked up the fallen hat, gloves, and whip -of the minister, looked at him as the most careless and -slovenly man she ever saw in her life, brushed and put -away the things, and hurried on with her preparations -for supper.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And is this the residence of the wealthy and distinguished -General Garnet’s widow and daughter?” said -Sinclair, in a deep, stern tone, looking around upon the -rough walls.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is the home of General Garnet’s daughter, certainly, -and the temporary home of his wife.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ah! I beg your pardon, earnestly—yet—the mistake -was very natural,” said the minister.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hugh, attend to that gentleman’s animal in the very -best manner. Dear Magnus, please to get me some more -wood. Hugh, take the bucket, and, as you come back, -bring me a bucket of water. Dear Magnus, we must -not forget to request the minister to christen our baby. -It may be a long time before we have another opportunity, -and anyhow, I prefer Mr. Sinclair to officiate; it -will be so interesting, he being mother’s old friend,” said -Elsie, as she hurried about, speaking to first one and -then another, attending to everything and forgetting -nothing. Supper was speedily placed upon the table—tea, -fresh butter and eggs, venison, and the nice biscuits. -The minister asked a blessing, but ate little. And soon -after they arose from the table, Mr. Sinclair pleaded fatigue, -and requested to be shown to his room.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Dr. Hardcastle attended him to his chamber.</p> - -<p class='c010'>When Magnus returned to the family room he found -the tea things had been already washed up and put away, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_204'>204</span>the hearth swept, the fire replenished, and the two ladies -with their needlework, and Hugh with his books, all -gathered around the table that was lighted by but one -tallow candle. He drew a chair up with the rest, and, -putting his hand in his pocket, said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have got a letter from Huttontown.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“A letter from Huttontown!” exclaimed all three, -looking eagerly up.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, from Mr. Wilson.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What’s the news? How is father?” asked Elsie.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Does he speak of the general? How is he?” inquired -Alice anxiously.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How are all the folks? How is Aunt Joe and Nettie?” -asked Hugh Hutton. All were speaking together, -and all eagerly awaiting an answer.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Peste! ladies and young gentleman, I cannot answer -all at once,” said Magnus, smiling, yet with something -constrained in his manner. “I will read the letter; it is -very short; a mere note—a mere matter of business.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well?” said Alice, seeing him pause.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“A mere announcement, in truth—a—but I will read -it. Hugh, you’re discreet?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Elsie, my dear, I have been anxious to submit this -letter to your mother and yourself all the evening.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, well, Magnus. My mother is on thorns, and I -am scarcely more at ease. Has anything happened? -You look ‘perplexed, yet not in despair’—not like the -recipient of very ill news.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why, no, not of ill news, yet strange news. You -know before I came away from Huttontown the last -time I requested the Rev. Mr. Wilson to inform me immediately -by letter of anything important that might occur -at Mount Calm, and concern us.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, yes. Well?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He has done so. Here is his letter—listen.”</p> - -<div class='c017'>“<span class='sc'>Huttontown</span>, January, 18—.</div> - -<p class='c016'>“<span class='sc'>Dear Dr. Hardcastle</span>: At our last interview you -desired me, in the event of General Garnet’s contemplating -<span class='pageno' id='Page_205'>205</span>any second matrimonial engagement, to inform you, -by letter, without delay, saying that it vitally concerned -the welfare of all parties that this should instantly -be done. Without having the most remote idea of the -cause of your very emphatic instructions, I hasten to -obey them, by advising you that General Garnet and -Miss Wylie of Point Pleasant are to be married on Tuesday -next. Nothing is talked of but the match and the -great preparations making for the wedding at Point -Pleasant, and for the reception of the bride at Mount -Calm. The family of the lady seem very well pleased -with the match. Ulysses Roebuck, the jilted lover, has -gone—sailed for Europe, with the purpose of making the -grand tour.</p> - -<p class='c016'>“There, you have the facts that most interest you. -There is nothing else stirring; all the same dull, dead -level; a birth, death, or marriage would be an historical -event in this village.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c015'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“With respects to your lady, I remain,</div> - <div class='line in20'>“Your sincere friend,</div> - <div class='line in32'>“<span class='sc'>E. Wilson</span>.”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>“Good Heaven! There, what did I tell you, Elsie!” -exclaimed Alice, clasping her hands.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My dear mother! my darling mother! never mind. -There is one love on earth that shall never fail you. I -can have no second mother,” said Elsie, rising and throwing -her arms around the lady’s neck.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Magnus, you see that I must go. I must write to-night, -to prepare him for my arrival, and to-morrow I -must set out myself.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, no, mother; don’t go! It will be worse than ever -now in your old home. Oh, mamma, don’t go! Write—only -write. Or if it be indispensable that someone go, -Magnus will. Will you not, Magnus?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will do whatever your mother wishes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then, dearest Magnus, mail my letter to-night, even -late as it is, and prepare to set out with me to-morrow. -Yet, no: you must not leave Elsie. Prepare me a way -to go alone.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_206'>206</span>“Dear Mrs. Garnet, dear friend, I implore you not to -think of going. I will go myself.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Magnus, dear, you know that upon some points I -can be stubborn. I must go straight to Mount Calm,” -said Alice.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And despite all arguments and entreaties, she persisted -in her resolution.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then, since you will go, I shall attend you to the end -of your journey, and—bring you back—perhaps.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But, Elsie; you cannot leave her alone and unprotected -at home.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“She will not be alone; Hugh will be with her; and for -protection, my brave wife can protect herself, if necessary. -Pooh! my dear madam, I would leave Elsie here -in the heart of the wilderness six months, if needful, -without fear or hesitation. She is one in a million, our -Elsie. What say you, dear Elsie?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I say—go with mother if you love me, Magnus. See -her safe to her journey’s end, and, if it be possible, bring -her safe back to me again.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>That same night Alice’s letter was written and mailed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The next morning, at an early hour Alice Garnet set -out, under the protection of Dr. Hardcastle, for the East.</p> - -<p class='c010'>An hour later, when the Rev. Mr. Sinclair arose and -came down to breakfast, Mrs. Hardcastle tendered him -the compliments and excuses of his host, informing him -that a domestic affair of vital moment called Mrs. Garnet -suddenly to Mount Calm, whither Dr. Hardcastle was instantly -obliged to attend her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>After breakfast the minister, leaving his respects and -adieus for the absentees, took leave and proceeded on -his journey.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_207'>207</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXXIV.<br> <span class='large'>WHAT CAME NEXT.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Uncomfortable time! why camest thou now</div> - <div class='line'>To murder—murder our solemnity?</div> - <div class='line in28'><i>—Shakspere.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>It was two days before the appointed wedding day, and -General Garnet sat in his library, over his wine, in deep -consultation with his lawyer.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And, you say, sir, that my will might be successfully -contested?” he asked, setting down his empty glass, and -looking anxiously, half angrily, at the attorney.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I give it, sir, as my best digested legal opinion, that -in the event of your death, should the will by which you -bequeath all this vast property to your adopted daughter -be contested, it would probably be set aside in favor of -Alice Chester Hardcastle, the only living representative -of the old Chester family, who have held the land from -the first settlement of the country to the present time—upward -of two hundred years. You know, sir, that the -decision of the case would rest finally with the jury, and -such are the prejudices in favor of wealth, rank, hereditary -descent, and——”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well! speak out—justice, you would add, I suppose,” -said General Garnet, filling his glass and passing the -bottle.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The lawyer bowed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, sir! what of these prejudices? Finish your -sentence.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That scarce a jury could be found to give a verdict -against your legal daughter—a Chester—and in favor of -your—I beg your pardon—adopted daughter—a stranger -and an alien.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Sir, you know nothing of the law. I shall seek better -legal advice,” exclaimed General Garnet, bringing down -his glass upon the table with a force that shivered it, and -rising in an excited manner.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You may seek other, and find more palatable advice, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_208'>208</span>sir. Our consultation ends here. I wish you good-evening, -sir,” said the lawyer, rising and going to the -door.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Stay!” said General Garnet, going after him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>But the attorney bowed deeply and retired.</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet continued to pace up and down the -floor, with a strange, excited manner, totally at variance -with his usual serene self-possession. Frequently, also, -he stopped—poured out and quaffed a glass of wine. At -last, pausing, he struck his forehead, emphatically -exclaiming:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have it, now! a deed! To-morrow morning, the -first thing I do will be to have drawn up, sign, seal, and -record a deed of conveyance, giving the whole of this -estate to Garnet Seabright, and retaining only a life interest -in it myself. Yes! a deed! There will be no contesting -or setting aside that, I fancy. And whether I die -next year, or a hundred years hence, Nettie, if she lives, -becomes possessed of all this property. Yes! yes! I must -revenge myself upon Hardcastle. I must punish that ungrateful -daughter—true scion of the stubborn Chesters. -And by all means, by any means—I must—will!—elevate -and aggrandize Nettie—my child, my darling, my darling, -the only thing on earth that loves me. Yes! elevate -and aggrandize her until I force the world to recognize -her. Nettie, my heart’s core! whose thought has power -to banish even the image of my young bride from my -mind!—to banish it, because fair and lovely and loving as -she is—her fantastical and selfish passion, flattering as it -is—is a more selfish thing than your sweet affection, my -darling child. Yet she is beautiful, this fervid Ambrosia! -And once this business settled—this deed that -secures wealth and rank to my Nettie, executed and recorded, -I shall be free to yield up soul and senses to this -dream of passion. How my thoughts wander! I am -giddy. I am not well. When ever did I talk to myself -before? I must stop this. I will consult a physician to-morrow,” -said General Garnet, sitting down, and drinking -great draughts of wine.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The next day, true to his purpose, he rode to Huttontown, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_209'>209</span>and had the deed of conveyance, giving all the -great Mount Calm property to Garnet Seabright, and reserving -only a life interest in it himself, drawn up, signed, -and witnessed with all legal formulæ. Then he rode with -it himself to the county town, and had it recorded. In the -course of the day the slight indications of approaching -illness that had visited him the night before returned, -and now, with more marked emphasis. Sudden vertigo, -with failure of sight and confusion of thought, would -seize him an instant, pass away—return again, and again -pass. He drew up his horse at last before a doctor’s office, -entered, sat down, and apologizing for troubling the -physician with such a trifling indisposition by saying, -jestingly, that he wished to be in perfect health upon his -wedding day—he related his symptoms.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is nothing, sir,” said the physician, after he had -felt his pulse, etc. “It is nothing. Do not be alarmed, I -beseech you! Keep a calm mind; it is of vital importance -that you keep a calm mind. I would advise you to defer -your marriage for a few weeks.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you think, sir, that I am threatened with——”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, sir! Oh, no, there is not the least occasion for -alarm; these symptoms must yield to a very little judicious -treatment. Abstain from the use of wine and -stimulating food, and, above all things, avoid all agitation -and excitement; keep from all places and persons -that have the least effect upon your nerves. A day or so -will set you up again. Stay, I will write you a little prescription. -Here, sir, take this—it is simply a cooling -draught; follow directions, and all will be right.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet took the scrap of paper, bowed, and -withdrew, with a contemptuous smile upon his lips, muttering -to himself:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Fool that I am, to seek medical advice of a fellow -whose interest it is to make and keep me ill for a month -or so! Shall I take this prescription, now? No, I feel -better already. The fresh air has revived me. I will go -to Point Pleasant and spend the evening with Ambrosia; -her sweet smile and gentle touch will charm this fitful -illness.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_210'>210</span>And turning his horse’s head, General Garnet took the -road to Judge Wylie’s. The sky was clouding up, but, -heedless of the threatened rain, he rode on rapidly to -Point Pleasant. He spent a long, delightful evening -with Miss Wylie, and left, at a late hour, more intoxicated -than ever with the alluring beauty of his promised bride, -and repeating, in an impassioned tone, many times, the -words of his parting: “To-morrow! oh, to-morrow, Ambrosia.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>He faced a cold and driving rain all the way home, and -arrived at his own gate, dripping wet.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Throwing the reins of his horse to an attendant, he -hastened into the house. The voice of Nettie greeted -him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Here, godfather! come in here to the library; here is -a good fire, and your dressing-gown and slippers all -warm, and hot coffee and oysters and wine. I made them -for you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Divesting himself of his wet overcoat, cap, leggings, -and gloves, he walked into the library, where he found -Nettie presiding over the comforts she had prepared for -him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My dear little brownie! Why are you up so late?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The rain waked me up, godfather, and then I couldn’t -sleep any more for thinking you were out in it. So I got -up and dressed myself, and came down here to make -things comfortable for you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My own Nettie! I have been making things comfortable -for you, also! But where is your granny?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Gone to bed these two hours.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And now you must go, my dear little one. Come -and kiss me close, and then, good-night.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The elf sprang to his neck, squeezing him tightly, and -rooting herself into his bosom, as though she would -grow there, and then suddenly springing off, bounded -from the room.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The little supper standing before him did not tempt -his appetite. With another retrospective glance of contempt -at the physician’s advice, he turned to the table -and poured out and swallowed glass after glass of wine. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_211'>211</span>Then, without heeding the mail-bag that hung upon the -chair, or ringing for a servant to clear off the things, or -even closing up the house, as was his invariable custom, -he arose and retired to his chamber.</p> - -<hr class='c011'> - -<p class='c010'>At this same hour, on the turnpike road, about six -miles distant from Mount Calm, plunged on through -darkness, mire, and driving rain, a one-horse chaise, occupied -by two travelers—Dr. Hardcastle and Mrs. Garnet. -They traveled on in perfect silence for two hours -before reaching the grounds of Mount Calm. But, upon -passing the outer gate and entering upon the premises, -Alice became nervous and uneasy, and at length she -asked:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Magnus, do you feel positively assured that he has -received my letter, that he is prepared and expecting to -see me?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Without a doubt, dear Mrs. Garnet, he got your letter -to-day at noon; assuredly, late as it is, he must be now -expecting us.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I wonder if he really does. I wonder if he has spread -the news among the people of the plantation! It is really -necessary to know, dear Magnus. Else my sudden and -unexpected apparition among them will cause a general -alarm and rouse the neighborhood.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Very true, and at the first quarter I come to I will -alight and find out.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>They rode on in silence until they came to a solitary -quarter on the outskirts of the plantation. Then Dr. -Hardcastle, alighting, gave the reins to Mrs. Garnet, and -trudged through the deep mud and pelting rain to the -cabin from whence a faint light issued, and the low, sweet -sound of a violin was heard. He rapped smartly with the -handle of his riding whip. The music ceased, and a voice, -which he recognized as belonging to Bob, the driver, -called out from within:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hoo dar, rappin’ at my door dis onseasonable hour -o’ de night?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Me, Bob! your old friend, Dr. Hardcastle; open the -door and show yourself.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_212'>212</span>“Oh, my Gor A’mighty, Marse Magnate, is it you, -sure ’nough, come from forrin parts?” ejaculated the old -negro, fumbling at the wooden latch and wrenching open -the door. “Come in, come in—come in, Marse Magnate, -come in. Oh, blessed Lor’! I’m so joyed to see -you. How is Miss Elsie! she long o’ you? Come in!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, Bob, I cannot come in. I am going straight on -to the house. Elsie is not with me; she is at home, and—well, -I can’t come in. I only called by to see you, my -old friend, and to ask you if all were well at the house, -and if anything new had happened.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“All well dar, honey, ’deed dey is, fus’ rate. Nuffin -new, honey, ’cept ’tis Marse I’on g’wne be marry to Miss -Ambush Wylie to-morrow night.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ah! Well, I wrote to General Garnet to say that I -was coming to-night; is he expecting me, do you -know?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“’Deed he got de letter, honey, caze I fotch it from de -pos’ office myself dis mornin’, an’ de pos’ marser said how -it war from out yonder where you gone to. But I never -hear General I’on say nuffin ’bout ’spectin’ no one to de -weddin’, ’deed I didn’t, honey. Let me run along to de -house an’ rouse ’em all up and tell ole marse how you’ve -come.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, by no means, Bob. Thank you, good-night,” -said Dr. Hardcastle, jumping into the carriage.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“All right, he has received your letter, madam; but has -not imparted its contents to anyone. He is doubtless -expecting you momentarily; but as no one else is, your -sudden appearance would strike a panic to the household, -suddenly roused up out of their sleep, or perhaps -send them all shrieking from the plantation.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But would not your presence by my side—they know -you’re alive—reassure them?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My dear Mrs. Garnet, they assisted at your funeral, -twelve months ago, and seeing us enter at midnight together -will sooner believe me to be a second ghost than -you to be a living woman. No, my dear friend, you -must veil yourself closely, and after I have got you into -the house, pass quietly up to General Garnet’s chamber -<span class='pageno' id='Page_213'>213</span>and reveal yourself to him. Here we are at last,” said -Dr. Hardcastle, pulling up before the front door of the -mansion.</p> - -<p class='c010'>All was dark except a fitful light that gleamed and -sunk, and gleamed and sunk, from the upper windows of -General Garnet’s chamber—as if a candle was expiring -there in the socket.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It must be near two o’clock—yet he is still sitting up -for me—see there,” whispered Alice, pointing to the -flashing and darkening light.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He must be alone, and have dropped asleep by that -expiring light,” murmured Magnus, as he led her up the -stairs to the front door. “Now, courage, my dear -friend. Remember that in me you have a protector near -you,” whispered Dr. Hardcastle, as he fumbled about in -the dark for the knocker. In doing so the door swung -silently open—it had evidently been left ajar. They entered -noiselessly. The hall was perfectly dark and silent; -no sound was heard but the moan of the wind and the -heavy fall of the rain without. “Now, dearest Alice, he -has evidently left the door ajar that you might enter without -rousing the servants, and make your way at once to -his chamber, where he awaits you. Go on—yet! stay! I -do not like the looks of this thing, either. No one -knows of your existence—no one knows that you were -expected here; he awaits you alone in the solitude, silence, -and darkness of deep night. No, Alice! I cannot -let you go alone to his baleful presence—I must attend -you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not for the world, Magnus. What monstrous -thought is in your mind? Does midnight storm and -solitude raise such phantoms of fear in your strong -mind?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Alice! bethink you! he is a man of fearful passions, -yet of profound subtlety and secretiveness. He believed -you dead and was about to be married. He finds that -he has been deceived in your death, and that his own -marriage is about to be ridiculously broken off. He has -imaginary injuries to revenge, and endangered joys to -secure—both ends to be reached by one means. And, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_214'>214</span>more than all, he has the fearful temptation of fancied -impunity. Alice, take care! This open door—this silent -house—this lonely watcher in the solitary chamber—this -deep night hour—and the expected lonely visitor. Alice, -take care!” whispered Magnus.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Horrible! most horrible. You make my blood -curdle. Not with fear, but with horror, at the monster -in your imagination. You must not enter with me. I -will go in alone. Follow, if you please to do so, at a -short distance. I have no such dreadful fear or doubt. -I tremble, it is true; but I should also tremble if, in broad -daylight, a score of people witnessed our meeting. -Come on, and remain upon the landing while I go in.”</p> - -<hr class='c011'> - -<p class='c010'>On entering his chamber General Garnet suddenly bethought -himself of something—he could not exactly -think what—forgotten. A strange absence of mind, temporary -loss of memory, transient confusion of thought, -had fitfully afflicted him all day long. He put his hand -to his forehead, and walked up and down in doubt and -perplexity, then suddenly recollecting what he wanted, he -rang the bell, and when a servant, half-dressed, appeared, -demanded, impatiently:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Anything from the post office to-day, sir?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, marser. Bob, he went to de post office an’ -fotch de bag.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then where is it, you scoundrel? and why was it not -brought to me?” stamped the master.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“De-ur-ur——” stammered the negro, in fear and perplexity, -scratching his head for an answer.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Sir!” thundered General Garnet.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And the reply bolted from the lips of the negro as if -thumped out by a blow between his shoulders:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ugh! Yes, sir! You wan’t comed home when it -’riv, marser, an’ I hanged it on a chair by de liberry -table, where you could see it when you comed.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And if I had forgotten all about it, as I did, you -scoundrel! Go and bring it to me. Vanish!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The man precipitately retreated, and soon reappeared -with the mail-bag, which he placed in the hands of his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_215'>215</span>master, who immediately opened and turned out its contents.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Only one letter! And that—— D——!” exclaimed -General Garnet, recognizing the handwriting of Magnus -Hardcastle in the superscription of Alice’s letter. -“Here, you sir! Come here!” added he, hastily blotting -out the superscription and re-directing it. “Come here! -take this letter! By the earliest dawn to-morrow take it -back to the post office, that it may be in time for the -mail, and tell the postmaster to send it back where it -came from.” He tossed the letter toward the feet of the -negro, who tremblingly approached, picked it up, and -retired from the chamber.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Left alone he paced up and down the floor in troubled -thought, for about the space of an hour. All about the -house was profoundly still; no sound was heard but the -mournful murmur of the wind, and the dreary beating -of the rain. The clock struck twelve, and the strokes fell -through the awful stillness of the night with preternatural -solemnity.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So late! and I not yet calm enough to sleep—fearing -to sleep, almost, lest I should never wake again. What -is this? Why now does the solitude and silence of my -chamber so affect, so appall, me? The truth is, I am -ill! must be, or I should not be so weak. I did not kill -her. No, I did not kill her. I did not take any means -to recover her for hours? Well! what if I did not? That -was not murder! I let her die in her fit for want of -assistance? She might have died anyhow. Why does -her image haunt my bed, driving sleep thence? Oh, -miserable weakness! Oh, cowardice! Would my bitterest -enemy believe it of me? that I dread to look around -me, lest I see her face? It is this that is my illness. Oh, -doctor! can your drugs banish her thoughts? Pshaw! -They say nothing evil can come into the neighborhood -of innocence. Nettie! my Nettie is near me! in the next -room. Surely my reason wanders. What evil could -come nigh me? She was not ‘evil’ on earth. She is -not ‘evil’ in heaven. She would not avenge herself, if -she could. Oh, wretched driveling! What am I talking -<span class='pageno' id='Page_216'>216</span>of? I am ill—I must be. It is illness that raises these -phantoms of dread. And solitude and uncommunicated -thoughts and sorrows have caused this illness. Courage! -This is my last lonely night. To-morrow, and ever after -to-morrow, the cheerful face of that fair girl shall banish -all such sickly fancies. To-morrow, and ever after to-morrow. -But to-night I cannot rest at all. I—I will go -and look at Nettie, sleeping; the innocence of slumbering -childhood shall disperse the cloud of devils lowering -over me. Nettie! ‘The sins of the father shall be visited -upon the children——’ I dare not. No! I dare not -now. No! I dare not.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>He dropped upon a chair—struck both hands to his -forehead, whence the cold sweat oozed. He sat there, -heedless, while the wind moaned around the house, and -the rain beat drearily against the windows. He sat there, -motionless, until the clock struck one, and the stroke fell -like a knell. He started then, but relapsed, immediately, -into statue-like stillness. The hour passed on, while the -rain still beat, and the wind still moaned. The candle -burned low in its socket, but he did not heed it. It -flashed, filling the room with a strange brilliancy, and -sunk, leaving it in darkness—but he did not heed it. It -flashed and darkened—and flashed and darkened ever—but -he did not heed it.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The door swung open—but he did not know it. Alice, -his lost wife, stood within, motionless—pale—but he did -not see her. She gazed at him—growing paler every -instant—she glided toward him—she stood over him—where -he sat, with his face buried in his hands—but he -gave no sign of consciousness. Trembling, pale, and -cold with fear, she laid her icy hands upon him, saying, -in a voice faint and hollow with exhausted emotion:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Aaron, I have come.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>He sprang up as if shot; his face ashy pale, his countenance -aghast, hair bristling, eyes starting with horror, -as he exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then such things are! You have taken form at last! -or else—yes—it must be so—I am mad—mad!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Dashing his hands against his forehead, as though to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_217'>217</span>shut out a horrible vision, he sunk back again into his -chair.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Astonished, terrified, shuddering, Alice approached -again, kneeled by his side, spoke gently, soothingly, -deprecatingly to him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>But ere she ceased speaking his hands dropped from -his forehead, his head sank upon his bosom, his form -swayed to and fro an instant, and then he fell forward, -prostrate, at the feet of his wife.</p> - -<p class='c010'>A succession of violent screams from Alice brought -Dr. Hardcastle rushing in at one door, and Nettie, in -her nightgown, flying in at the other.</p> - -<p class='c010'>They gathered around the fallen man. They raised -him, set him in his chair.</p> - -<p class='c010'>General Garnet was dead.</p> - -<hr class='c011'> - -<p class='c010'>After that the wild shrieks of a distracted child, refusing -to be comforted, filled the house of death.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXXV.<br> <span class='large'>THE FLIGHT OF TIME.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>And years flew by, and the tale at last</div> - <div class='line'>Was told as a sorrowful one, long past.</div> - <div class='line in30'><i>—Mistletoe Bough.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>It was the morning of Garnet Seabright’s majority, -when she was to come into possession of the vast estate -given her by her adopted father, and she was expecting -a visit from her trustee to give an account of his stewardship -and yield up his office.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Lionel Hardcastle, foreordained by General Garnet as -the husband of his inheritrix, had been appointed trustee -of the estate and guardian of the heiress, and of—his -own interests at the same time.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And well had he fulfilled his trust; no Eastern despot -had even established a stricter guard over a young -<span class='pageno' id='Page_218'>218</span>Georgian maid than did this guardian over the heiress. -At the early age of twelve he had placed her at a strict -convent school, where she avowed that she had to eat, -drink, and sleep; pray, sing, and learn lessons; sit, stand, -and walk by exact rule. We may fancy the effect of such -a discipline upon our wild child. The fleet deer of the -mountain penned, the free bird of the air caged, was -nothing to this wild child of sea and land confined! At -first she was anxious to go; for all children like change; -but at the first visit of her guardian, whom with her confiding -nature she already loved, she sprang upon his lap, -threw her arms around his neck, entreated, prayed, wept -to be taken away; and when she found her vehement -solicitations vain, she passionately dashed her hand into -his face, called him an evil spirit, sprang from his arms, -and threw herself face downward flat upon the floor; -called the good sisterhood a pack of witches, with Hecate -at their head, and threatened to starve herself to death, -as the partridge did she tried to tame once; and so, by -this conduct, got herself into disgrace for a week. There -is great adaptativeness in childhood, and in time our -little girl became reconciled to her convent, especially as -the gentle nuns took an affectionate interest in civilizing -the little barbarian, who, notwithstanding her faults, -drew all hearts to herself. The effect of this conventual -education was altogether good. It cultivated and directed -the powers of her intellect and moral sense, and -taught her to control the almost savage strength and -daring of her passionate and energetic nature. But she -left the convent distinguished by the same inflexibility -of will with which she had entered its walls. By the will -of her adopted father she was not to marry until she -had attained the age of twenty-one, and though then -her choice was not absolutely controlled, it was directed -to her guardian. It was upon this account, and to seclude -her from society and the chance of forming another -attachment, that, despite the conscientious expostulations -of the Mother Superior, he left her boarding -at the convent until she had nearly reached her twentieth -birthday. About that time Miss Seabright became -<span class='pageno' id='Page_219'>219</span>inspired with a desire to see the world—not society, but -the earth and all thereon; so, without asking any favors, -she expressed her will to leave the convent and travel for -a year. This proposition well suited the views of her -guardian, as it obviated the awkward necessity of leaving -her in the convent, or the impolitic alternative of introducing -her into society, and gave him an admirable opportunity -of pressing his suit, and even imposing upon -her the inevitable propriety of accepting him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>They made the tour of Europe together, journeying -over the kindred soil of Old England, the “sunny land” -of France, the old chivalric mountains of Spain, the -classic plains of Italy and Greece, the Alpine precipices -of Switzerland; along the forest, rock, and castle-shadowed -rivers of Germany; over the snow-clad plains of -Russia, and thence down amid the mosques and seraglios -of Turkey. By Mr. Hardcastle’s position and connection -in America, and his letters of presentation to our -ministers abroad, he might have obtained introduction -for himself and ward into the best society of every capital -in Europe, but it did not suit his policy to do so. And -even when her love of travel was somewhat sated, and -Miss Seabright expressed a desire to enter the world of -society, he put her off from time to time with various -excuses. As her wish to mingle with the world was not -very strong, she did not insist. And thus at the end of -thirteen months’ travel in Europe Miss Seabright set out -on her return home as “innocent of the knowledge” of -the world as when she had left her convent walls. She -had had the opportunity of studying deeply but one -specimen of human nature, and him she had well learned—her -guardian and traveling companion, Lionel Hardcastle. -Repeatedly had he pressed his suit, and eloquently -had he pleaded the passion with which his recent -intimate association with the unique and beautiful -girl had inspired him. And repeatedly, amid protestations -of gratitude and friendship, had she lamented her -utter inability to meet his love. He bided his time!</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was in this relative position that the guardian and -ward returned to Mount Calm early in the spring of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_220'>220</span>18—. Miss Seabright had indulged her love of luxury -with the purchase of elegant furniture in France. These -had been transported to Mount Calm, where the mansion -house had been superbly fitted up for the reception -of its young mistress.</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was then a fine day in the month of March that Miss -Seabright sat in her library, awaiting the arrival of her -guardian.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mr. Lionel Hardcastle!” announced a servant, -throwing open the door. Miss Seabright seated herself -before the library table, and Mr. Lionel Hardcastle entered -the library, accompanied by old Mr. Hardcastle, his -father, and a lawyer.</p> - -<p class='c010'>A half hour was occupied in the reading and transferring -of certain documents, of which the lawyer finally -took charge.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Then the gentlemen got up to take leave. Miss Seabright -also arose, to dismiss them; but when she saw -that Lionel Hardcastle was about to bow the others out -with the purpose of remaining himself, she courteously -advanced, and invited them all to remain and dine. A -quick telegraphic look from Lionel Hardcastle to his -father arrested the old gentleman’s intention of accepting, -so that, excusing himself, he took leave and withdrew, -followed by the lawyer. Miss Seabright also followed, -with the intention of leaving the library, but -Lionel Hardcastle intercepted her purpose by bowing -the gentlemen out, and closing the door after them. -Miss Seabright retreated to the library table, where she -stood erect, with one hand resting upon the table, and -with her fiery eyes concentrating all their rays into a -burning focus in the gaze she fixed upon his face. Yet -he winced not; but advancing calmly toward her, said: -“That attitude and gaze, Miss Seabright, would remind -me that my authority as your guardian ceases from this -hour.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Without referring to that circumstance, Mr. Hardcastle, -I would only plead excessive weariness of this -room, and to be excused for the remainder of the day.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You do not look in the least fatigued; and just now -<span class='pageno' id='Page_221'>221</span>you even invited my father and your lawyer to remain -and dine with you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And extended the same invitation to yourself; which -I now repeat. Will you now accept it, and excuse me -for an hour’s repose until dinner time?” she asked -calmly—calmly, yet he could see by those dark eyes, -which blazed and darkened under their heavy lids like -a flashing and expiring flame, that under that quiet exterior, -volcanic passion stirred, threatening every instant -to break out in destroying fury, and only restrained by -the force of her own will and the power of her own moral -sense.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He folded his arms, and gazed on her; his look was -resolved, his face was ashen pale, all the strength and -fire of his nature seemed concentrated and burning in -his eyes, and in the gaze he fixed upon her face. He -answered, slowly, “No, Miss Seabright; there is no repose -for me, shall be none for you, until you hear me. -I will not leave this room, nor suffer you to leave it, until -you hear me. Hitherto you have disregarded your -benefactor’s expressed will and wishes, contemned my -claims, despised my love.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Your ‘love’? Is yours the language or the deportment -of love?” she asked, in the deep, stern tone of suppressed -indignation.</p> - -<p class='c010'>His manner suddenly changed; and from insolent and -threatening, became submissive and deprecating. He -dashed his hands suddenly against his forehead, then -threw himself at her feet, seized her hands and dropping -his head upon them, almost wept, exclaiming: “No, no, -Garnet! mine were not the words or acts of love, but of -‘love to frenzy driven.’ I forswear them. Pardon me, -pardon me. Garnet, I love you! I adore you! I worship -you! Not that you have beauty, grace, genius—all -these I have seen in other women, with an undisturbed -heart—but there is a unique power in your look that -draws me to you; there is a fire in your soul and in your -eyes that draws me to you as the sun attracts the earth. -Daughter of the sun you are indeed, with all his reddish -rays concentrated in your being, as in the burning gem, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_222'>222</span>your family namesake. Garnet, oh, Garnet, I rave still, -and more insanely than before. Garnet, restore peace, -calmness, self-possession, and reason to my soul! Give -your peerless self to me! Be my salvation! Speak to -me! Answer me! Say something, oh, dear Garnet!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Her lightning anger, quick to subside as to flash forth, -had died away. As he held her hands, kissing them and -almost weeping over them, she answered, in a low voice: -“Alas! Mr. Hardcastle, what shall I say? What can I -say, that I have not said with pain before this? I feel -honored by your esteem; I feel grateful for your love; -I feel humbled that I cannot return it. It is no disparagement -to you—it is a misfortune, perhaps, to me—that -I cannot do so. One cannot always admire what -may be admirable, or esteem what may be estimable, still -less can they always love what is lovable. Yet I am disposed -to entertain a profound friendship for you. My -dear guardian, cease then to torment yourself and me -farther with this question. I cannot marry,” she said, -gently but firmly, as she sank into the chair behind her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Cannot marry!” he repeated, rising and throwing -himself upon a sofa near her. “Cannot marry! Have -you then made a vow of celibacy? Has your convent -education imbued you with that notion?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No; Heaven forbid! I have formed no resolution of -leading a single life. I should not be happy in such a -destiny, should not even if I were already blessed with -father and mother, sisters and brothers, cousins and -friends—how could I possibly expect to be, standing perfectly -alone as I do? I have a sisterly affection for you—not -love! There be many affections; but only one love! -only one—marriage.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>He had restrained himself as long as it was possible to -do so. He now started from the sofa where he had reclined, -watching her with pale cheeks and burning gaze, -and, starting toward her with clenched fist, he exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, haughty girl, you speak truth; there is but one -marriage—for you! You are compelled to marry me! -The world expects it of you. Is not the will of your -benefactor known? Are we not generally supposed to be -<span class='pageno' id='Page_223'>223</span>betrothed? Did we not make the tour of Europe alone -together? The world expects you to marry me. And -you will forever lose the respect of the world by failing -to do so.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Her brow crimsoned, her eyes blazed. She arose to -her feet and answered slowly:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And I would rather lose the respect of the world by -rejecting you than deserve to lose it by accepting you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Fool! Have you no regard for your reputation?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes; but think it wrong to secure good reputation at -the expense of good character.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What paradox, what nonsense is that?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh! they are not synonymous terms, character and -reputation; on earth they never have been, on earth they -never will be. Often they are antagonistic words. -Many of the heroes and martyrs of history, the demigods -of our adoration, were men of the best characters, with—while -they lived—the worst reputations.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then you have no respect for the good opinion of -the world?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes! my aspiring heart! too much, I fear, for my -soul’s good; and I know, I know by all the glorious -gifts of Heaven to me, I know by all my mighty power -for good or ill, by all my absolute unswerving will to -good, I know that I have a right and title, Heaven-patented, -not to the passive good opinion, but to the -honor, the co-operation of the world.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And I tell you, haughty woman, as you stand here -a very goddess of pride, I tell you as you stand here beneath -these halls, where you should never have stood, -invested with all this power, that you should never have -possessed, armed with the might of vast wealth and of -high talent, arrayed in the magic charms of young -womanhood and perfect beauty—I tell you, that you are -now—naught that you will be, unless you marry me—a -suspected, proscribed, banned, outcast woman!” He -expected this to overwhelm her. But she turned her -large, dark, solemn eyes, solemn now with prophetic inspiration, -upon him, and inquired calmly:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_224'>224</span>“Listen, girl. You are ambitious, arrogant, scornful. -Yet a few words from me will subdue all that, by showing -you that you are obliged to marry me. Attend! we -made the tour of Europe alone together, putting up at -the same hotels, having a common parlor, a common -table, a common carriage——”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, sir! That is easily understood in guardian and -ward.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not when the guardian is a man of thirty-seven and -the ward a girl of twenty; not when</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“‘Both are young and one is beautiful,’”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c014'>he added sneeringly. “Often, you know it, we were -mistaken for a married pair——”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And for brother and sister,” she added, the blood -mounting to her brow.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Which we were not. Now attend! All that familiarity -may be understood in a guardian and ward, -who are, besides, known to be betrothed to each other, -and who keep their tacit promise to society by marriage. -Now, listen! if you should not consent to marry me——”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If I do not! I will not. There is no if.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then all your beauty, wealth, and talent, with all the -power they give you, avail you nothing. You are an -outcast!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>She dropped into her chair again, she paled even to -her lips, the fire died out of her eyes, and even from -every lurid ring of her dark, bright hair. He gazed at -her ironically, saying slowly:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ah! you do not care for the opinion of the world.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do I not?” she exclaimed, with sudden and impassioned -energy, “do I not aspire to the honor of all the -world? Do I not know and feel by all that I am and -have, and by all that I purpose to do and to be, that I -have a God-given patent to such honor? Has not my -soul prophesied it?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And I repeat to you, haughty woman, that unless -you marry me, you will not have it. Your powers are -all paralyzed.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_225'>225</span>She dropped her hands upon her lap, her head upon -her bosom, in the collapse of despair.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ha! trapped, palsied, helpless!” he exclaimed exultingly. -“Where is now your vaunted independence? -your pride? your scorn? Gone! quite gone! Why, so -much the better. You will make the better wife for the -loss of that. Come, Garnet, I love you; could worship -your beauty, sometimes, only that it seems to spoil you; -come, I love you. Let us cease this absurd quarrel and -be friends. Come, do not look so despairingly. Harsh -and stern as I may be when threatened with your loss, I -shall not make such a bad husband. And for the rest—bless -me, girl, you know my family and my standing—shall -I be such a very ill match for General Garnet’s——”</p> - -<p class='c010'>He paused, and she raised her deathlike brow, and, -wiping the cold drops of sweat from its pallid surface, -said slowly, and with profound sadness:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh-h-h! You miserably misconceive my grief. It -is this that overwhelms me; it is the thought of -your——”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Villainy! Speak out, I will relieve you!” he said -sarcastically.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I did not mean to use the word.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Policy, then! for it was no more nor less; only -finish.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is this, then, that crushes me with sorrow—the -knowledge that you, my only protector, who should have -warned my inexperience against the least social mistake, -and shielded my good name from the slightest chance of -injury; that you, my guardian, having perfect authority -over me, and indisputable control of all my actions; that -you, my friend, having my perfect confidence and affection, -that you should have abused that authority, betrayed -that confidence, and wounded that affection by -leading me into a course of conduct pre-calculated, pre-contrived, -to fetter my choice in woman’s dearest privilege, -or to blast my fair fame and palsy my powers of -usefulness forever!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Rave on! be abusive, scornful, insulting as you please. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_226'>226</span>But I tell you, arrogant woman, that he whom you -abuse, insult, and scorn will be your husband yet.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And I tell you, insolent man!” she exclaimed, starting -to her feet with all the fire of her nature burning in -her cheeks, and blazing in her eyes, “I tell you that, -wronged, suspected, proscribed, outcast as I may be; and -add to that, poor, friendless, ill, persecuted, desolate as I -may be, I could not fall so low as to become the wife of -the wretch you are. I repel your pretensions with scorn -and loathing. Begone!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>He gazed at her in speechless amazement. Was this -incarnate storm, his ward? the dignified, self-restraining, -self-governing Miss Seabright? Yes, the violent passions -of her nature, restrained for many years, had now burst -the bonds of moral power. The volcanic tide of fire that -had ebbed and flowed, and been repressed through all -this scene, had now broken forth in appalling power. -Her form was erect—her nostrils dilated—her brow -was crimson, her eyes blazed and darkened, and blazed -and darkened with terrific rapidity.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Begone!” she thundered; “out of my sight, or by the -Heaven that made me, I will summon my slaves and -have you thrust forth with contumely from my gates!” -Her hand was on the bell, her insane purpose was indubitable.</p> - -<p class='c010'>With a gesture of desperation he rushed from the -room.</p> - -<p class='c010'>She gazed after him until he had closed the door. -She stood motionless a long, long time, while the tide of -fire ebbed; then, sinking with the reaction of the exhaustion -and self-reproach, she covered her face with -her hands, murmuring in heart-broken tones, “God pity -me! God forgive me! What a nature is mine! With -a heart and bosom torn, tortured, convulsed by storms -of ferocious anger, scorn, and pride, yet with a spirit -brooding highly, calmly over all—as above the clouds, -and thunder, and lightning of the earth shine the holy -stars of heaven.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_227'>227</span> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXXVI.<br> <span class='large'>LIGHT ON THE ISLAND.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Her wretched brain gave way,</div> - <div class='line'>And she became a wreck at random driven,</div> - <div class='line'>Without one glimpse of reason or of Heaven.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Long remained Miss Seabright with her head bowed -upon her hand in bitter thought. Twice a servant came -and announced dinner without her seeing or hearing -him. The third time, when he approached and spoke -close to her ear, she raised her head languidly and said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ask Miss Joe to dine without me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And when Miss Joe herself came in with anxious inquiries -about her health, and affectionate offers of tea -and toast and jellies, she answered, with a bitter smile:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, be easy, dear friend; a little fasting will not hurt -my flesh and blood!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Day waned, and still she maintained her silent and -thoughtful posture. Night came, and a servant entered -with candles. The glare of light aroused her, and, looking -up, she saw the dark face of the man turned ashen -gray with fear. “What is the matter, Cæsar?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Light on de island, miss; you kin see it plain as star -a-shinin’!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Light on the island? Well, I will go and see myself. -Where can this light be seen from?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“From the garret window, miss, sure as you’re born.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Go on before me,” she said, rising from her recumbent -posture, and following the man up the several -flight of stairs to the attic.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Arrived there, in the very front room where Elsie had -been a prisoner on the last night of her stay at Mount -Calm, they paused.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Miss Seabright advanced to the window, threw it up, -and looked out at the clear, brilliant, starlight night. -There was not a breath of wind stirring. The air was -still and cold. The rolling hills and plains white with -<span class='pageno' id='Page_228'>228</span>snow, and intersected only by the belt of forest around -the foot of Mount Calm, reached silently on to the dark -boundary of the sea.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why, I see no light at sea; none anywhere except -the myriad lights of stars in heaven!” said Miss Seabright, -letting down the window.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Bress your soul, miss, no more you can’t; leastwise -you puts out de candle and looks t’rough the spyglass!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why, here’s a fellow who, not having causes of trouble -enough near him, must put out the light and take a -telescope to find out distant ones! Well, set the candle -outside the door, and give me the glass.” And taking -the telescope she went again to the window and hoisted -it. “Yes,” she said, after taking sight, “yes, there is -a light shining still and clear, and apparently fixed near -the ruins of the old lodge!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, it can be seen plain as possible from the village,” -said Miss Joe, who now entered, followed by other members -of the household.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Miss Seabright closed the window, and, turning to the -assembled group, said, with her singular smile:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, now, this is really a very small affair for conjecture, -and could interest none but a country family in -the depth of winter. Let us go downstairs. It is probably -some poor, lone soul, who, having no shelter, has -put together the ruins of the old lodge and lives there -and supports himself by fishing and shooting.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes,” said Miss Joe, “that might be well enough, -and nobody thinks nothing of it, only you see, honey, the -folks from the village have been over on the island in -the broad daytime searching, and they can’t find the -leastest signs of human habitations; the poor, dear old -lodge is more tumble-downder than ever, as in course -it must naturally be every winter, with no one to keep the -dear, old crippled thing on its legs. Lord, child, the -neighbors from Huttontown found all so desolute that -the very stars of heaven were shining down into the water -collected in the cellar. No roof, no chimneys, no floors -even; nothing but the lonesome, desolute walls and the -stagnant cellar. They didn’t find anybody, nor any sign -<span class='pageno' id='Page_229'>229</span>of anybody, though they searched all over the island—but, -mind, that was at sunset, and that night about dark -the light blazed up there as bright as ever!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why did not the neighbors go and search then?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“They did. They got into the boats and rowed -straight back, watching the ghostly light all the time, -and just afore they landed it was out.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Did they carry a light in their boats?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Certain.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then the great problem is solved. It was some fugitive -slave, a refugee on the island, who, seeing the approach -of the boats by the lights they carried, extinguished -his light and concealed himself.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“As if he could. Lor’, child, where could he hide -away on that island? All plain and bare, and bleak as it -is; no bit o’ woods, no hollow; nothing but the outside -walls o’ the old lodge, with its cellar full o’ water, and -the lonesome, bare trees standin’ far apart like ghosts.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“True, very true; there is not a hiding place possible -on the island. But I cling to the thought of the fugitive -refugee, who, seeing the invaders, probably extinguished -his light and took boat for the open sea.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, honey, that w’a’nt it. Bless you, they thought of -that at once, and lit more pine knots, and separated, and -run all around the coast of the little islet, and flashed -their lights about, and couldn’t see sign of a boat on the -waters.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then I am at the end of conjecture. Come, let us -go down. It is cold up here. Take up the candle, -Cæsar,” said Miss Seabright, turning to go from the -room.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, let’s go down; it is so cold up here. And supper’s -ready in the little red parlor. That’s what I come -to tell you, when these niggers all followed me. I told -Milly, long as you hadn’t eat any dinner, and felt sort o’ -low spirited, to get supper airly, and br’il a pair of -pa’tridges. A cup o’ good, strong Young Hyson tea, -with light biscuits and br’iled pa’tridges, is very good for -lowness o’ spirits. I knows it, ’cause I’ve tried it myself.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_230'>230</span>They hurried through the bleak passages, and downstairs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Miss Seabright, preceded by the servant bearing the -candle, and followed by the old lady, entered the parlor. -The comfortable little parlor, with its thick carpet, heavy -curtains, soft sofa, bright fire, and elegant tea-table, -was certainly a specific for mere low spirits. The old -lady bustled past Garnet, and set the urn upon the table, -burning her fingers slightly, and rubbing them, while -she exclaimed cheerily:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There now, sit down. As there’s no one here but -you and me, you know, you can draw the end of the -sofy to the table and loll on that, while I pour out your -tea and butter you a biscuit. Cæsar, you cut up that -pa’tridge for your young mist’ess—not that one, you -stupid creetur! t’other one, it’s the plumpest. Now you -see, honey, the maids have got through their day’s work, -for a wonder, and I have got time to stay in the parlor -and enjoy myself ’long o’ you. And so we’ll have a -jolly good evening; you can loll on the sofa and enjoy -yourself with your low spirits and cologne bottle—only -don’t waste it—and I can sit here and patch my old -gown, and talk about old times.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Garnet looked at the good-natured face of the old -lady, and felt compunction for the answer she was about -to make.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am sorry to spoil the plan of your evening’s entertainment, -Miss Joe, but I am going to explore Hutton’s -Island to-night.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Going to explore Hutton’s Island to-night!” exclaimed -Miss Joe, dropping knife and fork, and staring -at her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The Lord have mercy upon her! I’ve been havin’ -of my misgivin’s all this time, but now I know she’s a -little deranged!” said Miss Joe to herself. Then speaking -aloud, in something of the tone one would take in -addressing a sick and delirious child, “No, no, honey, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_231'>231</span>don’t think of it! You’re sick, you know, and it is cold -and dark and dangerous. Then, it isn’t proper for a -young lady to do such a thing, anyhow!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Miss Seabright smiled a queer smile, as she replied:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“For the first objections, my good old friend, cowardice -is not one of my weaknesses; for the last”—she -paused and her smile deepened in meaning—“I made a -start in life by quite innocently perpetrating a heinous, -a fatal—crime? no, impropriety! I broke no law of God -or man; yet I am told that for all that I shall be banished -from society unless I do commit a sin, in open -day, in the face of society; who will then forgive -me!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mad! mad!” said Miss Joe to herself, gazing at the -ironical girl.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well!</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“‘What’s <i>banished</i> but yet free?’</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c014'>I will do whatever I please—conventional or unconventional! -I will break no law of God’s or man’s, and -after that is said, all is said for me. For the rest, I will -do whatever my spirit impels me to do, whether the -world likes it or not!” said Garnet, speaking more to -herself than to another, and rising and ringing the bell.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mad! mad! mad! and getting worse every minute,” -said Miss Joe, hurrying out, and hastening into the front -hall, where Cæsar was lighting the lamp.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Cæsar, come here to me, quick—close. Hush! don’t -say anything. Go as hard as you can to Hemlock Hollow, -and tell Mr. Lionel Hardcastle how he must come -as fast as possible here; how he’s wanted badly, very -badly. Hurry—mount a fast horse, and go as quick as -ever you can!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The man, with his eyes staring wide, ran to obey. Miss -Joe then returned to the parlor, where she found Garnet -giving directions to a servant to have two horses saddled, -and prepare himself to attend her down to the -shore. Miss Seabright was giving her orders with so -much calmness and precision that the old lady thought -she had a lucid interval in her madness, and that this -<span class='pageno' id='Page_232'>232</span>afforded her an excellent opportunity for argument; so, -as soon as the man retired, she said coaxingly:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My dear child, think of it!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I do, Miss Joe; and the more I think of it the more -I want to go. I am determined to vary the tedious -monotony of my days with a little adventure!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My dear child, you have heard of the fate of Agnes! -How she was either murdered or carried off from that -island by unknown ruffians!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I heard long ago of her mysterious disappearance, -Miss Joe, and I always thought, and think now, that in -her deep despair for the sudden loss of her husband she -drowned herself. I think so the more that never before -or since that strange occurrence, has any outrage been -attempted on the island. Think of the years we lived -there alone with nothing to disturb our quiet. Why, -often in the fond superstition of my childhood, when -I have waked up in the night, have I risen and gone out -into the starlight, and rambled all over the isle in the -hope of surprising the fairies at their midnight revels! -Well, if I never found them, I never found anything -worse. No, Miss Joe, there is no danger. If there were, -I do not know the fear of it. That solitary light on the -isle belongs to some solitary wretch, poorer and more -friendless even than we were; one whose misfortunes or -crimes make him dread and shun the approach of his -fellow-men; one whom I do not fear to seek; one whom, -if I find, I shall try to relieve. And I will tell you, if -that will ease your kind anxiety upon my account, I will -direct Pompey to take a pair of pistols.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>As she finished speaking a servant appeared at the -door, and announced that the horses were ready.</p> - -<p class='c010'>She left the parlor, and soon returned prepared for -her ride, and immediately set out.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Miss Joe fidgeted up and down the hall in great disturbance -of mind. In about ten minutes after Miss Seabright -had left the house the quick trampling of horses -announced the arrival of Lionel Hardcastle. He hurried -into the house, booted and spurred as he was, and -asked rapidly:</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_233'>233</span>“Where is Miss Seabright? Has she sent for me?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, sir; no. It was me that sent for you. Come -here—here in the parlor, sir. I have got something -terrible to tell you. Shut the door.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>He followed her into the parlor, closing the door as -requested, and stared with astonishment at the old lady’s -excited countenance, while with rapid enunciation she -related all that had happened just before and since his -visit in the forenoon. Miss Seabright’s excited manner, -her mad resolution of going that night to Hutton’s Island -to find out about the light, and above all her “real -crazy” talking about committing a sin before the world -in order “to keep in long o’ the world.” Mr. Hardcastle -listened with a sarcastic smile until he heard of -her night expedition; then his sinister face lighted up -with demoniac joy, to conceal which he quickly averted -his head.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ha! with only one attendant, say you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“With no one, sir, but Pomp—sure as you’re born.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I must instantly go after her then.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, do, sir! do hurry!” said Miss Joe, and in five -minutes more Lionel Hardcastle, with the dark and -lowering brow of a fiend hidden by the night, was galloping -swiftly toward the coast, muttering in his heart: -“Now, scornful girl, shall my love and vengeance both -be sated!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>In the meantime Garnet had reached the shore at -which the Mount Calm fleet of boats were chained—boats -of all sizes, from the long skiff to the twelve-oared -canoe and the sail-boat. She entered the smallest of the -skiffs, followed by Pompey, who immediately unlocked -the chain, took the single oar, and pushed off from the -sandy beach. The bay was perfectly smooth, and reflected -the dark, resplendent sky, with its myriads beyond -myriads of shining lights so distinctly that the -little skiff seemed to glide among the stars as it sped -over the waters. Soon before then lay Hutton’s Island, -like a darker line upon the sea. And there, like a single -star, shone the solitary light! Yet so much deeper was -Garnet’s love of nature than of adventure, that she delivered -<span class='pageno' id='Page_234'>234</span>herself up to intense enjoyment of the starlight -night on the waters, forgetful of her errand, until the -slight shock of the skiff, touching upon the strand of -the island, aroused her from her trance. Then, when -she looked up, the light on the isle was gone.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That is very provoking! Now who would have -thought that darkly and silently as we came we should -have been perceived? However, light your pine knot, -Pompey, and come along.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Pompey had been selected as her attendant in this expedition -by Miss Seabright, as being the least superstitious -and cowardly of all her men, yet now the namesake -of “The Invincible” shrank back in dread, muttering:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Indeed, indeed, miss, you’d better not!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Pompey! whoever the dweller on this isle is, it is -some poor wretch, more worthy of our pity than of our -fear; weak and timid, since it watches and hides from -even such harmless visitors as we. Come along!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“’Deed—’deed, miss, that aint good reasonin’! ’Deed, -’fore my Heavenly Marster, aint, miss. ’Deed—’deed—’deed—’deed——” -muttered Pompey, his teeth chattering, -until he lost his voice.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Give me the torch then, Pompey; I will go before. -You may follow me as distantly as you please, and run -at the first alarm!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think that would be the mos’ safes’, miss; caze dey -wouldn’t be so apt to shoot a young lady, miss, as they -would to shoot a colored gemman ob my siteration in -deciety.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Without hearing Pompey’s compromise with his cowardice -and his conscience, Miss Seabright, torch in hand, -walked up the gradually ascending rise of ground to the -ruins of the old lodge. From being so long out in the -night her eyes had become accustomed to it, so that now, -under the brilliant starlight, the scene was distinctly, -though darkly, before her—the ruin, the isle, and the sea. -No sign of fence or outhouse could be seen as she approached -the ruined lodge, whose skeleton walls stood -up square around what seemed a deep, stagnant pond, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_235'>235</span>whose stillness was drearily broken by the plunge of some -toad, snake, or other loathsome reptile. Blinded or -scared by the glare of the torch, bats flitted to and fro -about the ruined walls, water rats ran in and out among -the broken stones, and plunged into the stagnant waters, -and lastly, a huge screech-owl took flight from the -blasted tree by the fallen chimney, “making night hideous” -with his yells. Profoundly saddened by seeing the -beloved home of her wild childhood so desolate, Garnet -turned silently away, and passing mournfully over the -bleak ground, reached the strand. Then passing slowly -all around the beach, she looked out upon the waters in -search of any stray boat that might contain the supposed -fugitive of the isle. As far as the eye could reach -no sign of a boat could be seen. She then turned inland—if -the tiny isle could be said to have an inland—and -searched carefully about, walking around every specterlike -tree standing far apart on the bare, bleak island, and -quite incapable after all of concealing the smallest possible -fugitive in the human shape. But she looked around -and up into them, as I have seen men look under candlesticks -and into tiny drawers for their missing hats, umbrellas, -and boot-jacks! After her thorough search was -quite over she turned to her attendant, and said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, I am disappointed. There is positively no one -here, and the mystery of the island light is still unsolved.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Her attendant did not answer. Thinking that he was -still under the influence of fear, she said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why, Pompey, we are as safe and as quiet here as I -was when I lived here with Aunt Joe and Hugh.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Still her follower did not speak, but rather lingered -behind her, and she herself relapsed into silence, and fell -into a reverie, until she arrived at the farthest extremity -of the isle, opposite to that on which she had landed. -This was the northwestern point of the island, and the -same beach upon which she and the sole companion of -her childhood, Hugh, used to pick maninosies. Here, -as she walked about watching the starlit waves break -gently on the beach, noting the numerous perforations, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_236'>236</span>where the maninosies had buried themselves in the sand, -the tide of memory rolled back, overwhelming the apprehension -of the present. She saw herself, a tiny, -sprite-like child, stealing out on starlight nights, and -sitting on the pile of rocks, on this very spot, watching -in fond faith for the swimming of the nereids, and mistaking -the reflection of some purple cloud, high up in the -heavens, for the royal robe of Amphytrite in the “deep, -deep sea.” She saw herself again in the daytime, when -the setting sun, like Macbeth’s blood-crimsoned hand, -would</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“The multitudinous seas incarnadine,</div> - <div class='line'>Making the green one red!”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c014'>she saw herself well shod and warmly clothed, and Hugh, -the manly boy, barefooted, bareheaded, and coarsely -clad, yet grandly handsome “as Hercules ere his first -labor!” Hugh, with his noble look and noble nature; -and she smiled to think of the high faith, and hope, and -love that irradiated his fine countenance, as he confidently -promised to make a fortune for her, his sister; to -get wealth, rank, honor for her! And the tears rolled -down Garnet’s cheeks, as she thought of the glorious -boy, and thought how many, many years it had been -since she had even inquired his residence or his destiny.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He thought,” she said, speaking to herself in a low self-communing -voice, “he thought to have made a fortune -before me—to have conferred wealth, rank, honor -upon me! The case might be reversed—it might! oh! -I wish it could! There is only one way in which it -could, and that is not impossible, though remote. This -dream that I have enshrined within my heart—this ideal -of goodness and greatness with which only I will unite—this -I owe to Hugh. And oh! if he has fulfilled in his -manhood the glorious promise of his boyhood, whatever -his external fate may be, if he has fulfilled in himself the -promise of matured goodness and greatness—then——”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What then?” said a deep voice at her elbow.</p> - -<p class='c010'>She started slightly, and exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My guardian!”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_237'>237</span>“Yes, Miss Seabright, your guardian; who never -found you more in need of his guardianship than at -present.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Sir! why have you followed me here?—where is my -servant?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Having come upon him, cowering, several yards behind -you, I took the liberty of sending him back to the -mainland, by the boat in which you came!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Garnet’s eyes began to blaze and darken with fearful -rapidity. Yet repressing the mounting fire of anger, she -strove to ask calmly:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And why did you ‘take the liberty’ of sending my -servant away, sir? And why have you further presumed -to break upon my privacy?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“One question at a time, if you please, Miss Seabright. -I sent your servant away that I might have the pleasure -of a private interview. I break upon your solitude for -the furtherance of the same purpose.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And your object, sir?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“To come to a full and final reckoning with you!” -he said, his manner suddenly becoming threatening.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Garnet pressed both hands upon her bosom, to restrain -its violent throbbings, and answered slowly:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I thought, sir, that our last interview, of only this -morning, had finally settled all between us? Upon that -occasion I told you some harsh truths—and with some -violence, which I regret; feeling sorry that the honest -verdict of my head and heart should not have been delivered -with more temperance.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And which you shall more deeply regret before we -part, scornful girl.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Her eyes blazed wide and full, like sudden meteors, -and then fell into darkness, as she replied, with constrained -calmness:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I pray you, sir, do not provoke me. I am subject -to anger, as other people are to ague and fever.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ha, ha, ha! Is that meant for an appeal or for a -threat? If for an appeal, I am not subject to magnanimity, -as other people are to insanity!—if for a threat, -how ridiculous! Be angry—furious—violent! What -<span class='pageno' id='Page_238'>238</span>can you do now? Why, thou foolish girl, thou art completely -in my power.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“In your power! Not so, insolent creature, ‘whom it -were base flattery to call a man’; there are no circumstances -whatever that could put me in your power.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why, you absurd woman! look around you. Deep -and silent night hangs over the world. You stand alone -with me upon a barren, uninhabited, sea-girt isle. How -far off do you suppose the nearest human being is from -us? How loud a shriek from this lone spot could raise -the distant sleepers of the mainland from their beds?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Garnet raised her proud head to give some indignant -answer, but meeting the gaze of her companion, the -burning, scathing anger of her reply froze in horror ere -it passed her lips—for never did night lower over a countenance -darker, more dreadful with demoniacal malignity -of purpose. Garnet turned her eyes from the baleful -glare of Hardcastle to throw them over the lone and -desert isle on which they stood, and for the first time -a sense of the appalling danger of her situation swam -in upon her brain, and for a moment nearly overwhelmed -her. His countenance lighted up with a fiendish -triumph. He continued:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, Miss Seabright. Yes, Garnet. You have read -my look and purpose aright. This night must you and -I come to a reckoning. This hour, haughty girl, shall -your pride be humbled. To-day you rejected my hand -with scorn. To-morrow shall you sue for it as for life. -Ha! already my triumph begins. You grow pale, -lady.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No!—pale? If my cheek did so belie my soul as to -grow pale before a wretch like you, by my soul, I would -paint it black for the rest of my life, and sell myself to -base servitude as being too low for any other sphere. -Oh, sir! the sudden revelation of your enormous wickedness -shocked me for a single instant, as if I had unexpectedly -been confronted with the foul fiend—that was -all! And now I tell you that even on this lone sea isle -I do not feel myself to be in your power. I am not the -least afraid of you! Afraid of you? I am afraid of nothing. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_239'>239</span>I do not know the word. I never did know it; and -it is not likely that you can teach it to me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“By Heaven, she defies me even here!” exclaimed -Hardcastle, pale with rage, and striding toward her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes,” said Garnet, recoiling a step or two, and standing -upon the fragment of rock where she had so often -sat in childhood; “yes,” she said, reverently raising her -eyes and hand, “by Heaven, I do defy you! Under the -protection of Heaven, in the name of Heaven, I do defy -you!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Thou fool! Why, what shall -hinder me now from refuting you and taking my revenge?” -he said, again striding toward her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Off! A parley, I say! Listen to me a moment. -God! myself! yourself shall hinder you. Mr. Hardcastle, -I have this hour conquered a greater and stronger adversary -than yourself—even mine own spirit! I have -overcome my anger; I have the lion of my temper -chained beneath my feet. And now, to put you down -will be a much lighter task—much easier victory. And I -tell you now, in coolness, what I told you before in heat, -that I am not afraid of you. Nor shall you falsely take -the tone toward me of one who has the advantage. I -know you, Mr. Hardcastle. And I know your present -evil scheme by your former revealed treachery. Heaven -purify my soul from the sin of the knowledge! I know -that you now think you have me at your mercy, and intend -to terrify me into making conditions with you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“In the fiend’s name, young woman, what do you -mean?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“This, to be explicit: You think to fright me, Garnet -Seabright, into the promise to become your wife, and -endow you with the broad lands of Mount Calm, upon -condition of your sparing me, showing mercy to me, and -taking me safely home to Mount Calm.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“By all the demons, girl! I wonder that you should -dare to give breath to that fear!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not fear!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“To that suspicion, then. I am amazed that you -should venture to place these conditions before me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_240'>240</span>“That I should detect and pluck the villainous scheme -from your heart, and hold it up before you. Well, I will -go further in my defiance of you, Mr. Hardcastle, and -tell you that, threaten what you may, I will never, under -any circumstances, promise to be your wife. Now, you -see that I know I am not at your mercy.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“By Satan, Miss Seabright, I am thunderstruck at -your audacity! Girl, you would be but a sparrow in my -grasp! Who could rescue you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I thank you for the word you used in illustration -of my weakness. It recalls in good time the words of -a favorite old volume of mine—a book, perchance, with -which you have not chanced to meet. Listen! ‘Are not -two sparrows sold for a farthing? Verily, I say unto you, -not one of these shall fall to the ground without your -Father. Are ye not of more value than many sparrows?’ -Heaven pardon me! I should not have quoted Scripture -here, Mr. Hardcastle. Nevertheless, it helps to make me -fearless now. Sir, I will tell you once for all why I do -not fear you. First, because I trust in God. Next, because -I trust in myself. Finally, because I can somewhat -trust in you! Cut off as we now are from all communion -with our fellow-creatures—alone, defenseless, unprotected, -and at your mercy as I seem—you dare not harm -me, and I know and feel it! You are not mad or intoxicated; -therefore, you will not. You are not of a passionate, -impetuous nature, therefore you will not. You are -a cold-blooded, clear-headed, calculating, forecasting -schemer—therefore you will not dare to do me an -injury that will end in ruin to yourself. You are a gentleman -by birth, education, and position. You are a gentleman—however -undeserving of the name—and you will -not exchange the title for that of—felon! I am under -the protection of God and of the laws! Lay but your -hand in insult on me, and by the Heaven that watches -over us, as soon as I reach the mainland, cost what it may -to my woman’s heart, for the sake of sacred right will -I denounce you! Murder me—sink my body in the sea!—the -crime would still be traced to yourself. We were -known to have been left here alone.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_241'>241</span>“Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! We were -known to be left here alone together! Ha, ha, ha, ha, -ha! By none but the negro, and a negro’s evidence is -not received in any court of law! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!” -he laughed, in fiendish triumph. “I have allowed you -to spring from my hands, and I have listened to your -talking, only to make game of you. Only as a cat lets -a mouse run before finally seizing it. But this has lasted -long enough!” he exclaimed, ferociously springing toward -her, seizing and hurling her from the rock.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Summoning all her great strength the intrepid girl, -with a mighty effort, threw him from her, and before -he could spring upon his prey again the fragment of -rock near them rolled down the slope to the beach—a -sudden light glared upon the scene, and a tall woman, -wildly clad, and waving a torch above her head, -emerged, and stood before them. The sudden irruption -of this human being from the bosom of the earth did not -astonish Garnet as did the look of Lionel Hardcastle. -Struck pale as death, and statue-still, but for the universal -tremor that shook his frame, he stood and gazed with -stony eyes and chattering teeth upon the apparition. At -last:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Agnes!” he gasped, shaking as with an ague fit.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, pirate!—Agnes!” said the woman, approaching -him slowly, holding the torch above her head; then -stooping, fixing her eyes intently upon him, and thus -creeping toward him, as a lioness preparing for a couch -and spring. She paused before him, and still glaring on -his face, said very slowly: “So, pirate! we meet again, -at last! We meet upon the spot of that outrage which -first separated me from home and country, friends and -kindred, holiness and heaven! We meet upon this spot -that you would again desecrate with crime! We meet -in an hour of retribution! For this have I lived! For -now that at last I see my mortal foe, never will I lose -sight of you again until I have put you in the hands of -justice! Never will I cease to pursue you, until I hunt -you to the scaffold! Never can I die, until I see you -dead before me by the death of a felon!”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_242'>242</span>While she spoke with such slow tones of settled hatred -and determined vengeance he held his hand in his bosom. -As she ceased speaking:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“False prophetess! You die now!” he thundered, -leveling the pistol he held at her head.</p> - -<p class='c010'>She sprang forward, seized his arm, turning the -weapon aside. They struggled violently for a moment, -and then the pistol was discharged, and Lionel Hardcastle -fell, shot through the chest.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Frozen with horror Garnet Seabright drew near, and -stooped over the fallen man. Agnes also bent over her -prostrate foe for a moment, then turning to Garnet, and -throwing her wild hair back, she said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I did not kill him, madam, though if I had ’twould -have been but just.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The eyes of the dying man flared open once, and fixed -upon the face of Garnet. Raising himself upon his elbow, -he said, in low and broken tones:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Forgive me, Garnet—and—believe this!—whatever -were the hidden sins of my youth—neither piracy nor -bloodshed were among them! I was a—prisoner among -them! Ship—wreck—plank—waves—picked up—oh, -God, forgive me!” His head fell back—he rolled over -in a mortal struggle, and then grew still in death.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXXVII.<br> <span class='large'>THE BEEHIVE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>A cottage where domestic love</div> - <div class='line'>And truth breathe simple kindness to the heart,</div> - <div class='line'>Where white-armed children twine the neck of age,</div> - <div class='line'>Where hospitable cares light up the hearth,</div> - <div class='line'>Cheering the lonely traveler on his way.</div> - <div class='line in40'><i>—Gilman.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>“The Beehive” was the name that had been given by -Elsie to her first backwoods home, and afterward transferred -by her to the substantial home of hewn rock that -had replaced the log cabin.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_243'>243</span>It is late in the afternoon of a blustering March day -that I shall again introduce you into the household of -Dr. Hardcastle. And it is a large and interesting family -for which the doctor is now responsible.</p> - -<p class='c010'>First, there is himself, as glorious a type of manhood -as ever stood in the exposed outer circle of existence, interposing -his own body between the storms and cares of -life and the cowering forms of women and children.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Then, there was his pupil, Hugh Hutton—</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“As tall, as sinewy, and as strong</div> - <div class='line in2'>As earth’s first kings—the Argo’s gallant sailors;</div> - <div class='line'>Heroes in history, and gods in song,”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c014'>and bearing, in that genial dignity of form, countenance, -and manner which was the natural expression of great -conscious power and goodness, a general resemblance to -his master.</p> - -<p class='c010'>There was Mrs. Garnet, in her simple widow’s dress -of black silk, with surplice bosom, inside handkerchief, -and little lace cap—somewhat jaded, yet with her graceful -form, fair complexion, delicate features, and pensive -thoughtfulness of expression, presenting a pleasing image -of the “intellectual system of beauty.” In charming -contrast to her was her daughter, Mrs. Hardcastle, in -the full bloom of perfectly developed vital beauty, revealing -that marriage and maternity had been to her -healthful, sanguine, and joyous organization, what they -should be to all women, a continuous accession of new -life, health, and happiness.</p> - -<p class='c010'>She had made no mistake in the calculation of her future. -Active, bustling, often very laborious her lot had -been indeed, but suited to her strong and cheerful nature. -Her life had been guided, besides, by almost -unerring intelligence, sustained by undying love, and -cheered by unfailing hope. Anxieties had come, indeed, -but these had not been suffered to grow into corroding -cares. Sorrow had visited them, too, but this had not -been permitted to crush them with despair, or even bow -them long in despondency. In the second year of their -married life the Angel of Death had entered their dwelling -<span class='pageno' id='Page_244'>244</span>and lifted their only child from its mother’s bosom. -Yes, the firstling of their little flock—the first-born of -their youthful love, the strong and beautiful child, so -full of glorious promise, whose health and life seemed -so secure, who was, besides, so watched and tended—that -idolized child was borne away from their arms, and -the hearts of the parents long writhed in the anguish -of bereavement before they could understand and receive -the divine message in the infant’s little life and -death. They had been so independent, so confiding, so -happy in their earthly lot, so absorbed in their worldly -plans, that they might never even have lifted their eyes -to Heaven but for gazing after the soaring wing of their -cherub; might never have lifted their hearts to Heaven, -but for yearning after the ascended and glorified child; -for “where the treasure is, there will the heart be also.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>They had now been married eleven years, and six -other children claimed their love and care; six children—boys -and girls—with their ages ranging from one year -old to nine. They were not rich. They owned the -homestead, farm, and improvements upon the latter, but -beyond this they did not possess a thousand dollars. Dr. -Hardcastle’s practice was very extensive, and very -profitable to—his patients; not very enriching to himself. -With a large and growing family, with a strong and -sympathetic nature, generous heart, and open hand and -purse, how could Magnus Hardcastle grow rich? Indeed -he must have been much poorer than he was but -for the efficient aid of his “woman-kind.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mrs. Garnet had gradually assumed to herself the responsibility -of the needlework of the family.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Elsie did all the housework.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Hugh Hutton constituted himself hewer of wood and -drawer of water, stock-driver and feeder, gardener, assistant -nurse and tutor, doctor’s boy, big brother, and -helper-in-general to the establishment.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And he found time, besides, for the systematic and assiduous -study of medicine, so that within the last year -he had been dubbed by the neighbors the young doctor -of the professional firm.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_245'>245</span>For the last two years Hugh had spent the winters -in an Eastern city, attending lectures at the Medical College. -Upon these occasions he usually left home upon -the 1st of December and returned upon the 1st of March. -This was the last winter of his purposed migrations East, -and his friends at home were expecting his return with -unusual impatience. The 1st of March had come, however, -and he had not yet arrived. A letter from him had -informed his friends that he remained in the city for the -purpose of presenting himself before the medical board -of examination as a candidate for a diploma.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The family were now in daily expectation either of his -arrival or of another letter. It was upon the evening of -the 7th of March, then, that the commodious family room -of the house was occupied by Mrs. Garnet and six children -of Elsie’s. This room was well warmed and lighted -by a large fire of pine logs in the chimney, and a couple -of lighted candles upon the mantelpiece. The supper-table -was set, and supper was ready to be served as soon -as the doctor should get in from his rounds. It had not -long to wait; for soon Dr. Hardcastle was seen to ride -into the yard, dismount, and take off his saddle-bags and -booted spurs, and, great coated as he was, came into -the house. As soon as he set foot within the room the -children swarmed upon him like bees upon a sunflower -stalk, or the Lilliputians upon Gulliver; and he lifted and -kissed them one by one, but looking around impatiently -the while for one he loved even more than all these little -ones—to wit, the mother. At last:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Where is Elsie, Mrs. Garnet?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Gone again; I do wish, Magnus, you would prevent -her. She makes herself a slave to these poor neighbors -of hers. I do really think that she has family cares and -toils enough; and that when she has performed her -household duties as well as she always does, she might -consider herself discharged from other social obligations. -I do wish you would talk to her very seriously about it. -Now to-day she has had a very fatiguing time indeed; she -was ironing all the forenoon, and this afternoon baking. -And yet this evening, as soon as she had got supper and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_246'>246</span>set the table, she placed the children all in my care, and -against my advice, high as the wind is, and deep as the -snow is drifted, she took a basket and filled it with provisions, -and started to carry it to those poor Millers on -the mountain. Indeed, I wish, Magnus, you would tell -her not to do it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Me tell Elsie to do or not to do! Whew! Do you -know, my dear lady-mother, what is the highest, the -very highest boon of God to man? Free will—the -blessed liberty of going even to the old Nick if they -please. There are those so fond of ‘freedom,’ that they -would prefer going to perdition by the exercise of their -free will to being arbitrarily predestined to heaven!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Perhaps so; but Elsie is not one of those, Dr. Hardcastle. -If you were but to hint to your wife that you -disapprove and dislike her thus exposing herself, she -would stop it at once; she would think it her duty to -do so.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I know it; and therefore I have to be more chary in -meddling with her docile spirit than if she had the self-will -and temper of Xantippe. But, ah! do you think it -does not make my heart ache to see her expose herself -to wind and snow, and to think that I have not yet provided -a carriage for her, and to see her work from early -morning till night, doing all the housework of the family, -and think that I have not yet got a servant for her? -And now having brought her to all this, shall I fetter -her will? No, by my soul!” said Dr. Hardcastle, with -strong emotion.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mrs. Garnet arose and went to his side, and stood -there, and drew his arm over her shoulder caressingly, -as she said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Magnus, you have made Elsie completely, divinely -happy; I mean, as a mortal woman can be! No man -can do more for his wife, very few can do so much. As -for her privations and toils, it is I, only I, whose weakness -caused all that! It was I who disinherited her! I!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hush! hush! a truce to self-criminations! Elsie is -the only consistent, rational, equable one in the family, -now Hugh is gone. And here she comes, the darling! -<span class='pageno' id='Page_247'>247</span>and without her cloak, as I live. Come, Mrs. Garnet, -we will both scold her for that. Let’s open upon her as -soon as she gets in.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>He kissed Alice’s hand and hastened to meet his wife.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Here she came, cold as the weather was, actually without -her cloak.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He opened the door quickly, and received her in his -arms, pressing her cold hands under his chin, to his -bosom, to warm them, and drawing her on toward the -fire.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Now where have you been, facing the wind, and -plunging through the snowdrifts?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have been on the mountain,” said Elsie, untying -her bonnet, and giving it to one child, and throwing -her shawl upon the arms of another. “I have been on -the mountain to see those poor Millers. Their little girl, -almost barefooted, came over here this afternoon for me -to go to her mother, who is confined. I knew they were -suffering, and so I filled the basket and went home with -the little one.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But your cloak, dear! What in the world have you -done with your cloak?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh! I laid it over Susan Miller and her babe, until -I could come home, and send them a blanket. Oh, now -don’t look so shocked! I am warmly clothed without -the cloak; besides, the distance was short, and I ran -along fast. Nonsense, now! How is it that children are -half their time out running and romping in the cold, -without being wrapped up, and only grow more robust -by the exposure?” said Elsie, laughing, as she arose, -pushed her curls back from her blooming face, and went -and lifted her crowing babe from the cradle.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Then she sat down and nursed it, while Mrs. Garnet, -assisted by the eldest child, a little girl of nine years old, -began to arrange the supper upon the table.</p> - -<p class='c010'>As Elsie sat and nursed the child, her blooming, joyous -face softened into sadness, tears gathered in her eyes, -and she sighed deeply, bowing her head over the babe. -Magnus was watching her. He was accustomed to her -occasional moods of sorrowful tenderness, which, he said, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_248'>248</span>compared with her usual bright, cheerful temper as a -general, steaming thaw contrasts with a fine, clear, frosty -morning. He stooped over the back of her chair, and, -bending his head close to hers, asked:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Of what are you thinking so sadly, Elsie?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>A slight flush warmed her cheek, and she replied, -meekly, without raising her head:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“An unworthy thought, dearest; at least, ungrateful -and presumptuous. I was thinking of that poor family, -of the little good that I was able to do them, and the great -pleasure it gave me to do even that. I will confess to -you all the egotism of my thought—then I thought how -generous I really was by nature, and how I should delight -in doing a great deal of good, if I had the means; -and then an emotion of discontent, and a disposition to -murmur, came upon me, and I thought what a pity it was -that I, so really liberal by nature, should be compelled -to repress so many generous impulses—that I should not -have a fortune to spend—and I sighed from self-pity. I -am ashamed that such ungrateful emotions should have -disturbed my heart, and I speak of them now with shame, -for now I feel how presumptuous they really were; for -why, indeed, should I have a fortune, or anything else -that we have not gained by our own toil? I, who am -already so happy in the wealth of family affections, -Magnus.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Dear Elsie, if the material and temporal good of -mankind were first to be thought of, doubtless then it -were better that wealth should be in the hands of the -benevolent and philanthropic. But such is not the case. -It is the spiritual and eternal welfare both of the individual -and of the race that is provided for; and hence each -individual is placed in circumstances, not where he can -do the most seeming good, but where he can best develop -his moral and spiritual nature. Thus, you have -benevolence. You do not need to have that virtue cultivated -by the contrast of your own wealth with another’s -want, and by the exercise of almsgiving; hence, you are -not schooled in prosperity and the duty of beneficence. -But, Elsie, as you are not perfect, perhaps there are -<span class='pageno' id='Page_249'>249</span>other virtues you lack, and which can be developed only -in poverty. But I did not mean to preach you a little -sermon, darling. And now, in requital of prosing, I will -tell you two pieces of good news—first, that as this is -the last year in which we shall be put to any expense -for Hugh’s college course of lectures, we shall have a -hundred or so dollars over our annual expenditures; -half of this sum you shall disburse in judicious alms. -That is my first piece of glad tidings, and my second is -like unto it—Hugh himself will be home to-night.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hugh home to-night? Oh, you don’t say so!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes; this afternoon, in post office, I got a letter that -arrived yesterday. And this letter announces the arrival -of Hugh this very evening.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hugh coming home this evening? Oh, I am so glad! -Children, children, did you hear? Brother Hugh is coming -home this evening.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Brother Hugh is come!” said a pleasant voice, as the -door opened, and Hugh Hutton stood among them.</p> - -<p class='c010'>All arose, and Magnus and Elsie hastened to meet him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Dear friends,” he said, shaking hands right and left, -“I could not resist the desire I felt to go to the window -and look in upon you while you were all at your quiet -evening occupations. I have been watching you for the -last two minutes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You rogue! But come to the fire, come to the fire. -Supper is just ready,” said Dr. Hardcastle, while Hugh -threw off his great-coat, and laid it aside with his hat. -“Oh, Hugh, we are so glad to see you! Had you a -pleasant journey? What time did you get to the village? -You have traveled day and night, I am afraid? And -then you have walked from the village here?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes; I couldn’t have got a horse for two or three -hours; and I really couldn’t wait, I was so eager to get -home.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Dear Hugh, you must be so tired and hungry! -Here, sit down in this chair near the fire,” said Elsie, -pushing a chair forward with one hand, while she held -the child with the other arm.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Hugh threw himself into the chair, and mechanically -<span class='pageno' id='Page_250'>250</span>stretched out his arms and took the crowing, laughing -infant from its mother, and set it upon his knee, playing -with it all the time he talked to others.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, have you got your diploma, Hugh? Let’s see -the document with our own eyes,” said Dr. Hardcastle, -coming forward.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes; here it is,” said Hugh, rooting in his pocket -with one hand, while he hugged the baby up with the -other. “Here it is. I took it out of my trunk to bring -along as a sort of credential that your years of kindness -have not been thrown away upon me, my best friend;” -and Hugh produced the parchment, and laid it on the -table.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good! good! Here it is, Elsie! Come, look! Here -is Dr. Hutton’s warrant to kill and cure, secundum -artem. Here is the diploma. Here is the prize for which -he has toiled so hard—the good of his race.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No; not the good, but the great starting place. Is it -not so, Hugh?” said Elsie, coming forward.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, true, the starting point. She is worthier than -I. The starting point, my boy. And now for a brilliant -career. Aim high, Hugh. He who aims at the sun may -not bring it down, but his arrow will fly highest. You -must be more successful than I have been, Hugh. I am -a useful—if you please—an extensively useful member -of my profession, and of society. You must be a distinguished -honor to the faculty and the world. Oh! I -have a grand ambition for you, Hugh, my son!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My dear friend! my best friend! all that I am and -have I owe to you, to your patient, disinterested teaching -of many years. Oh, yes! and all that I may become -or may possess I shall still owe to you! Ah, Dr. Hardcastle! -I speak of a debt! I shall never be able to pay -the debt I owe to you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why, Hugh!” replied Dr. Hardcastle, throwing his -arm affectionately over the shoulder of his young friend, -and speaking in a voice as harmonious and gentle as a -woman’s. “Why, Hugh! never let me hear another word -of owing anything but brotherly love to me. You who -have been my second self in all my labors and professional -<span class='pageno' id='Page_251'>251</span>cares; a son to me, except that you have given -me no anxiety, but much ease. My brother, companion, -confidant! Why, whatever could I have done without -you, Hugh? What could any of us have done without -you? Mrs. Garnet! how could you have got along without -your son, Hugh? Elsie! how could you have managed -to conduct your domestic and business affairs without -Hugh? Children! little ones, I say! what would you -take for ‘big brother’?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The last-named little shareholders in the Hugh Hutton -property swarmed around him, some with gentle, some -with vociferous demonstrations of affection. And their -mother laid her hands affectionately on his shoulders, -and, looking up in his face, said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Dear Hugh! No! no one could possibly have supplied -your place to us, since we have known you. You -have been, indeed, like a younger brother, or an elder -son of the family, only that, as the doctor says, instead -of giving us trouble, you have relieved us of it. Oh, -Hugh! our dear boy! only be half as eminent as we hope -you will be, and we shall be so proud and happy in your -success!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Come, come, Elsie, a truce to sentiment! Supper -waits, and a man who has staged night and day for a -week, and walked three miles to-night, must have a good -appetite for his supper, and a strong disposition to his -bed. Come; give the babe to his sister, there, and draw -your chair up. The children have been suffered to sit -up in honor of your arrival, Hugh. They are usually in -bed at this hour. Come,” said Dr. Hardcastle, seating -himself at the table, when all the others were seated, -“let’s see! What have we here to tempt a traveler’s appetite? -Mocha coffee—some of that which you sent us -by the wagon, Hugh—and cream and butter, such as -Elsie only can make. Here are some buckwheat cakes; -just try one. Our buckwheat has surpassed itself this -year. There, I don’t think you ever met with buckwheat -cake like that in the city. Indeed, I don’t think people -east of the mountains know what good buckwheat really -is. Take honey with your cake. There’s honey for you. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_252'>252</span>The comb clear and clean like amber and frost. Our -bees have distinguished themselves this season. There -are venison steaks before you. Use the currant jelly -with them, Hugh, it is better than the grape. That is -the finest venison that I have seen this winter. Ah, -Hugh, you should have been with me when I brought -that stag down—shot him on the Bushy Ridge. Great -fellow!—eight antlers—five inches of fat in the brisket!—weighing—how -much did he weigh, Elsie? No matter. -You are laughing, Hugh. What at, sir, pray?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“At you, and myself, and stag-hunting, and deerstalking, -and story-tellings. The truth is, I never hear -of stags and antlers, but I think of a fine, bragging tale -I was cut short in while telling to my fellow-students at -a little farewell supper given by them to me when I was -coming away. I was trying to persuade some of them -to come out here, and boasting of the country. I was -launched into the midst of a grandiloquent eulogium. -‘Glorious country, sir!’ said I, ‘glorious country! sublime -mountains, piercing the clouds! mag-nif-i-cent forests -stretching five hundred miles westward! splendid -trees, sir, standing but two feet apart, their trunks measuring -three yards in circumference! their luxurious -branches inextricably intertwined! and game, sir! superb -deer, with antlers six feet apart, bounding through those -forests——’ ‘Where the trees grow but two feet apart, -and their branches are inextricably entwined, how the -very deuce do they manage to get through them, Hutton?’ -asked my friend, bringing my magniloquence to a -sudden stand. I never was so disconcerted in my life. I -knew I had been telling the truth, yet had made it sound -like a fiction. At last I answered, ‘By Dian, sir, that is -their business, not mine, nor yours!’”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ha, ha, ha! Yes, pretty good! Yet, Hugh, you are -not romancing. There are parts of the forest where the -great trees grow in such thickets as you have described; -but they are as impassable to the deer as to us, of course; -and then there is superb game in the forest, which may -never approach within miles of such thickets. Take another -cup of coffee?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_253'>253</span>“No, no, not any more,” said Hugh, pushing up his -plate and cup.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mrs. Hardcastle gave the signal, and they arose from -the table. The children had also finished their milk and -bread, and their mother took them upstairs to be put to -bed, while Mrs. Garnet washed up the tea things and -Dr. Hardcastle replenished the fire.</p> - -<p class='c010'>When the table was cleared away, and Elsie had returned, -and they were all gathered around the evening -fireside, deeply engaged in telling and in hearing all that -had happened to each during the winter’s separation, -Hugh suddenly clapped his hand to his pocket, with a -“Lord bless my soul!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What’s the matter?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, was ever such absence of mind!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Never in the world, of course. Only what’s it -about?” laughed Dr. Hardcastle.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why, a letter—a letter that came in the same stage -with myself—a letter from Huttontown, for you. I took -it out of the office, and—indeed, I hope I have not lost -it,” continued Hugh, fumbling first in one pocket and -then in another. “Oh, here it is,” he exclaimed, producing -the letter, and handing it to the doctor.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The superscription is in a strange hand, to begin -with—a lady’s hand. Whom can it be from?” said Dr. -Hardcastle, breaking the seal. “Dated ‘Mount Calm.’”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mount Calm!” exclaimed all three of his hearers, in -a breath.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, dated ‘Mount Calm,’ and signed ‘Garnet Seabright.’”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Garnet Seabright?” exclaimed Mrs. Garnet, in a tone -of surprise and displeasure.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My little sister Nettie,” said Hugh, bending forward -with interest.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Can you read it aloud, doctor?” inquired Elsie, in a -low voice.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, dear,” replied Dr. Hardcastle, stooping to pick -up a second letter, that had fallen out of the first, and -retaining the one in his hand while he read the other, -as follows:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c015'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_254'>254</span>“<span class='sc'>Mount Calm</span>, March 1, 18—.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-l c015'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“<span class='sc'>Dr. Hardcastle.</span></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c016'>“<span class='sc'>Dear Sir</span>: Will you do me the favor of transmitting -the inclosed letter to Dr. Hugh Hutton, of whose address -I am entirely ignorant? Pray, pardon me for urging -your prompt attention to my request, as its subject -is of the utmost importance to Dr. Hutton, and requires -his instant action.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c015'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Very respectfully,</div> - <div class='line in12'>“<span class='sc'>Garnet Seabright</span>.”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>“Here, Hugh, after all, the matter concerned only -you. Here is your letter,” said Dr. Hardcastle, handing -over the inclosed epistle to Hugh, who took it with a -look of amazed interest, tore it open, and read it in silence. -Suddenly he sprung up, overturning the chair, -and dropping the letter, as he exclaimed vehemently:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Your horse! Your horse, doctor! Can I have your -horse to-night?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“‘A horse! A horse! my kingdom for a horse!’ -Why, what the deuce is the matter now? Who’s killed? -Who’s wounded?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, doctor, no jesting. This is serious—this is terrible. -Only—quick!—can I have your horse?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Certainly, certainly, Hugh. But tell me, in one -word, what’s the matter?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My mother, my long-lost mother, is found, and at -Mount Calm, but ill and dying, I fear. There! read -Nettie’s letter, while I saddle the horse. I must ride at -once to the village—the mail stage starts from there at -ten o’clock. I must go in it,” said Hugh, hastening -out.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mrs. Garnet and Elsie gathered around Dr. Hardcastle, -while he read the following letter:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c015'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“<span class='sc'>Mount Calm</span>, March 1, 18—.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c016'>“<span class='sc'>Dearest Hugh</span>: Wherever you are, and whatever -may be your engagements, drop them at once, and hasten -to Mount Calm. Your long-lost mother is found—she is -here with me, but very, very ill of brain fever. Hasten. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_255'>255</span>There are other things, too, dear Hugh, of which I cannot -write now, but of which you will hear when you -come. I write in haste and agitation, but, indeed, I am, -as much as ever,</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c015'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Your affectionate sister,</div> - <div class='line in20'>“<span class='sc'>Nettie</span>.”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>“Strange! most strange!” said Mrs. Garnet.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And most unsatisfactory,” observed Elsie.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We shall know no more, however, until Hugh writes -us from Mount Calm. Here he comes! How quick he -has been!” said the doctor, going to meet Hugh as he -entered.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You know, Hugh, how much I feel with you about -this. Let me know now if in any way I can be of service -to you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, my friend, I know all your goodness. But do -you know how much my secret heart has ever been filled -with the desire of finding my mother? I could never -hope to find her, but still, from my boyhood, the thought -of seeing her has haunted me like the dream of an impossible -good; and now she is found, but——”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Hugh’s voice broke down, and he covered his face with -his hands.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hope for the best, Hugh. You used to be hopeful. -And, oh, Hugh, be sure that we feel your trouble as if it -were our own. It is our own,” said Elsie, laying her -hand gently upon him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My horse is ready. I only run in to say good-by; -good-by, dear friends. Good-by, Mrs. Garnet—pray that -I may not be too late! Good-by, Mrs. Hardcastle—give -my love to the dear children when they ask for me to-morrow. -Good-by, Dr. Hardcastle, my best friend. I -will write to you from Mount Calm,” said Hugh, shaking -and squeezing hands right and left, and then preparing -to hasten out.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Aint you going to take your great-coat?” asked the -doctor, holding it up.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, yes; I had forgotten it. I haven’t time to put it -on. I can throw it upon the horse,” exclaimed Hugh, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_256'>256</span>hurriedly throwing the garment over his arm. “Once -more, good-by to all.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If I had a second horse, or had time to borrow one, -I would go with you, Hugh,” said Dr. Hardcastle, attending -him from the house.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXXVIII.<br> <span class='large'>HUGH AND GARNET.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>When friends do meet in sorrow’s hour</div> - <div class='line'>’Tis like a sun-glimpse through a shower,</div> - <div class='line'>A watery ray, an instant seen,</div> - <div class='line'>The darkly closing clouds between.</div> - <div class='line in34'><i>—Scott.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>The full moon was shining broadly and brightly over -the snow-clad hills and plains around Mount Calm, when -Hugh Hutton rode up to the front entrance of the mansion -in a full gallop. He threw himself from his horse, -flung the reins to a servant in attendance, ran up the -marble stairs, and, without stopping to ring, pushed at -once into the house.</p> - -<p class='c010'>A large hanging-lamp lighted up the hall, and its rays -fell upon the form of a majestic and beautiful girl, whose -presence immediately arrested the impetuous hurry of -the visitor. Pausing, he bowed with deference, saying:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Miss Seabright?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>He had always thought of her as Nettie; until he saw -her he purposed to have called her Nettie; but this was -not to be thought of now, in the presence of this imperial-looking -girl, with whom he would no more have -ventured upon familiarity than he would have dared to -make free with an empress. She, too, had thought of -her childhood’s companion as plain Hugh, had addressed -him as dear Hugh in her letter; but now, when she saw -before her this stately and reserved man, she blushed to -think of it. And when, with deferential suavity, he repeated -his question:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I presume—Miss Seabright?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_257'>257</span>She answered: “Yes, Dr. Hutton;” and added, with -mournful gentleness, “Under happier circumstances I -should say that I am very glad to see you, sir; but now -I can only tell you truly that you are very, very welcome -to Mount Calm.” And she offered him her hand.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My mother? Miss Seabright! How is my mother?” -he inquired, alarmed at the sorrowful manner of his -young hostess.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Come into the parlor, Dr. Hutton; there is a fire -there, and you are chilled,” said Garnet, sadly evading -the question, and leading the way.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My mother?” again inquired the guest, when she had -conducted him into the drawing room.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Sit down, pray, sit down; you look so weary—here, -near the fire,” said his hostess, drawing a chair to the -hearth. He dropped into the seat—his prophetic heart -already prepared for the words she was about to utter.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Your mother, Dr. Hutton, is above all pain and grief -now.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Dead! dead!” exclaimed Hugh, dropping his head -upon his open hands.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Garnet bent over the side of his chair, and laid her -hand gently on his shoulder, and bowed her head until -tears fell upon his hands, but said nothing.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At last: “How long since?” he asked, raising his head.</p> - -<p class='c010'>She seated herself by his side, and with her hand gently -laid upon his, she replied:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Your mother was ill but three days, Dr. Hutton. -Upon the first day I wrote to you—upon the third she -passed away. It is four days since, so that, you see, you -could not have reached here, even by the utmost speed; -and so you have nothing to blame yourself for.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Dead! really dead! dead four days!” he exclaimed, -burying his face in his hands.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, not dead—living in heaven! You know that—try -to feel it also,” she said tenderly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He did not reply, nor did he speak again for some -time, nor did she break upon the sacred silence of his -grief by any ill-judged attempt at consolation.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At last he broke forth in bitter lamentation.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_258'>258</span>“Oh, that she had but lived! Oh, that my poor -mother had but lived! That her son might have atoned -in the last half of her life for the sorrows of her youth! -Oh, that my mother had but lived!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ah! do not mourn so; believe me, it is far better as -it is. There are some lives so wronged, so broken, that -nothing but death can set them right. Such a life was -hers. There are some sorrows so deep that nothing but -heaven can cure them. Such sorrows were hers. Oh! -believe me, by all the loving-kindness of the Father, it is -better as it is,” said Garnet, kindly pressing the hand -she held.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If I could have seen her but once! Oh, Miss Seabright! -I thought but little about her in my boyhood, -but as I grew to man’s estate the one secret, cherished -hope of my heart was to find my mother—to devote my -life to her. Oh, that I could have found her; oh, that I -could have reached here in time to have seen her living -face but once, so as to have known and remembered it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Again I say it is better as it is. The tender mercy of -God spared you the trial. Would you have carried away -in your heart the picture of a countenance transiently -distorted by delirium, as the only impression of your -mother’s face? Oh, no! Think of her only as she has -been described to you in her youthful beauty, or think -of her as she is now, in her immortal beauty. She has -always been shrined in your heart as a beautiful and -sacred memory and hope. Let it be so still, and let the -hope be immortal.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>She ceased speaking, and both relapsed into silence, -that lasted until the door opened and a servant entered, -bringing coffee and other refreshments upon a waiter.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Wheel the table forward here, and set the waiter -upon it, and then you may go, Pompey,” said Miss Seabright, -in a low voice.</p> - -<p class='c010'>When they were alone together again Miss Seabright -poured out a cup of coffee, and offered it to her guest. -He thanked her, but declined it, and dropped his head -again upon his hands, and fell into silence and despondency.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_259'>259</span>Miss Seabright put the cup of coffee down and came -and sat by his side, and laid her hand upon him again, -and said softly:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I feel how you suffer, Dr. Hutton; and I can imagine -that when we have lost a dear friend or dear relative, -especially a parent, we should think it almost a sin to take -comfort in any way, and selfishness even to refresh the -wasted, wearied frame with needful food and sleep. It is -so natural to feel so. Fasting and vigil are first compelled -by anxiety and grief, and afterward, when all is -over, and when nature has reasserted her claims, and -made us feel the need of food and rest—still often the -heart’s fond superstition will not yield, and fasting and -vigil are offered as a tribute to the memory of the lost. -It is so natural—but so wrong, Dr. Hutton—the rent -garments, and the torn hair, and the ashes sprinkled on -the head, and the inordinate worship of grief, belong to -pagan bereavement, which is ‘without hope, and without -God’—not to Christian sorrow, which should be calmed -by resignation and cheered by faith. My friend, you -are very weary and depressed—you need refreshment. -Come, Hugh, lift up your head; take this coffee from my -hand—Nettie’s hand.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>As she stooped over him, offering the cup, the ends of -her soft ringlets touched his brow, and her breath fanned -his cheek. He raised his head, received the refreshment, -and gratefully pressed the gentle hand that gave it. -When he had drained the cup and set it down, he said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Miss Seabright, how much I thank you for your sympathy -and kindness none can know but God. Dear and -gentle comforter, tell me, now, the facts of this sad discovery. -When did my mother return, and under what -circumstances?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Had you not better defer hearing the story for the -present, Dr. Hutton? You look so tired. Retire early, -and sleep well to-night, and to-morrow morning I will -tell you everything you desire to know.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Miss Seabright, I have not slept since I received your -letter telling me of my mother’s advent and illness. I -shall never be able to sleep until I have heard all you -<span class='pageno' id='Page_260'>260</span>have to tell me of that mother’s history and sorrows. -But, Miss Seabright, I beg your pardon—you are so -good, that your very goodness has made me selfish, and -forgetful of the trouble I may give you. You are doubtless -fatigued, and should not be longer harassed by the -presence of an exacting egotist like me. If so, let me -bid you good-night,” said Dr. Hutton, rising.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, no; sit down; besides, I cannot let you go to-night. -You are to remain with us, certainly, to-night—and -as many more days and nights as your convenience -will permit. Sit down; I am not the least wearied, and -if, indeed, you think you will rest better after having -heard the story I have to tell you, why, of course, I will -willingly tell it. Yes, and upon second thought, I feel -that it is better you should hear it to-night. To-night -let the grave close in faith over the sad past. To-morrow -you will arise with new hope for the future.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>They both resumed their seats. And Miss Seabright -related to him the story of the nightly light seen on Hutton’s -Isle; her visit there, to ascertain the cause; her -guardian’s unexpected arrival; the sudden apparition of -Agnes; the encounter and the death of Lionel Hardcastle -by the accidental discharge of the pistol. Having -reached this point of her story, she went on to say:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“At the first appearance of your mother I saw by -her wild look and frenzied manner that reason had fled. -But instantly after the fall of Lionel Hardcastle the sudden -change, the quiet manner with which she exculpated -herself from the suspicion of blood-guiltiness deceived -me so that I mistook for sanity that mood which was -only the reaction of frenzy—or, at best, a lucid interval -of madness. As soon as I had ascertained the victim to -be quite dead, and had collected my thoughts for action, -I determined to return to the mainland and rouse the -magistrate, Judge Wylie. The unhappy woman was sitting -upon the ground, with her head bowed upon her -hands, and her wild hair streaming all around her, like -a veil. I spoke to her, and told her my purpose, and -asked her to accompany me. She gave me no reply. I -spent a long time in trying to persuade her to get up -<span class='pageno' id='Page_261'>261</span>and go with me—but I could not get a word or gesture -from her. I made no more impression on her than if she -had been a statue. Finally I was obliged to leave her -for the purpose of procuring assistance. I went down to -the beach, got into the skiff, took the paddle, and rowed -swiftly to the landing at Point Pleasant. I found all the -family there still up, owing to the decease of old Mrs. -Wylie, who had just expired. Judge Wylie, with his -usual promptitude, gave me all the help that was needful. -I returned with the party to Hutton Isle, where we -found the unfortunate woman in the same posture in -which we had left her. I spoke to her again, and with -no more success than before. Finding it impossible to -make any impression upon her, I requested Mr. Ulysses -Roebuck, who had command of the party, to lift her up -gently and convey her to the boat. He attempted to do -so, but on being raised she broke into sudden frenzy. -Dr. Hutton, spare me and yourself the details of this illness—it -is over now. It is sufficient to say that she was -brought hither, that she had the best medical attendance -and the best nursing that could be procured. She recovered -her reason about an hour before her death, and -asked to see a clergyman. Mr. Wilson, the Methodist -preacher, attended her. Of the circumstances of her -forcible abduction, and the misfortunes that ensued to -her, she refused to make any revelations, saying that the -dying should not drop a fire-brand into the circle they -were leaving. When told that she had a son, she blessed -you, and left this message for you, that ‘Forgiveness is -the only remedy for some wrongs’; and of herself she -said that ‘Death was the only rectifier of some lives.’ -She died at set of sun—calmly and hopefully. At some -future day I will show you where they have laid her. As -for the unhappy man who met his death so suddenly—the -coroner’s jury sat upon his case before his remains -were permitted to be removed from the Isle. The body -was then conveyed to Hemlock Hollow for burial. Old -Mr. Hardcastle has not been able to leave his bed since -the shock of his son’s sudden death threw him upon it. -It is supposed that he cannot recover.” This Miss Seabright -<span class='pageno' id='Page_262'>262</span>added with the purpose of partially diverting the -mind of her guest from dwelling too intently upon the -circumstances of his mother’s death.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At the close of her recital Dr. Hutton remained silent -for a few minutes, and then, taking and pressing her -hand, he thanked her, with much emotion, for the care -she had bestowed upon his mother.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Miss Seabright rang for night-lamps, and when they -were brought directed the servant to attend Dr. Hutton’s -leisure, and when he felt inclined to retire to show -him to his chamber. Then bidding her guest good-night, -she left the room.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The next morning Dr. Hutton came down very early -and found Miss Seabright already in the drawing room. -She advanced to meet him, holding out her hand. After -the usual courteous inquiries about health, etc., Dr. Hutton -said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Miss Seabright, I scarcely know how to pardon myself -for my forgetfulness of an aged and worthy relative -last evening; but pray tell me now, how is my old aunt?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Miss Joe! oh, very well, indeed. The only mark of -infirmity I can perceive in her is her wish to go to bed -earlier now than heretofore. She had retired before you -arrived last night, and I would not have her disturbed. -She is in the breakfast room superintending breakfast. -She knows that you are here, but does not know that you -have risen. Shall I send for her?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If you please, Miss Seabright. I have not seen my -aunt for two years. I have generally made it a point to -come and see her every year or two since I first left her, -and should have visited her this spring even, had not -your letter summoned me now. Ah! here she comes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Miss Joe came in smiling and weeping, and drying -her eyes, and wiping her spectacles with her check -apron, and as soon as she saw her nephew she ran to -him and fell in his arms, laughing and crying and talking -all at once, and not regaining self-possession until she -became alarmed for the propriety of her cap and kerchief, -when she extricated herself, smoothing down her -apron and exclaiming:</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_263'>263</span>“There, Hugh! There, Neffy! You’re not a baby -now; don’t tumble my cap and my handkerchief—there’s -no sense in it;” though, dear old soul, the fault lay all the -while in her own fondling—not Hugh’s. “There, come -to breakfast now. It is all on the table waiting, and will -get cold.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Dr. Hutton offered his arm to Miss Seabright, and -they went in to breakfast.</p> - -<p class='c010'>After the meal was over Dr. Hutton made a motion -to depart, but Miss Joe vigorously opposed his purpose, -supplicating him to remain at Mount Calm for only a few -days, if not longer. Miss Seabright joined her invitation -to the old lady’s entreaties, and Dr. Hutton finally consented -to stay, and retired to his room to write letters to -his friends in the West.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The few days of Dr. Hutton’s projected stay at Mount -Calm grew into a week, and the week was stretching into -a month, and still Hugh Hutton found it daily more difficult -to tear himself away from Garnet Seabright, for -every time he would make an attempt to go she would -say:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not yet, Dr. Hutton. Not just yet! Stay till to-morrow;” -and she would think, “Why does he not -speak? He loves me! He stays here at my bidding. He -must know that I love him, too! Why does he not -speak? Will he go away without an explanation? Can -it be that my fortune and his own lack of wealth hinders -him? There are some men so proud that they will not -marry an heiress, lest it be said of them that they owe -all they have to their wives. But such a thought would -never enter the head of my noble Hugh! He would not -elevate money on one side or the other into importance -enough to divide two hearts that love. Yet there is -some reason, and some good reason, why, when his eyes -and tones and gestures tell me every hour that he loves -and esteems me, his words never do.” And then sometimes -when alone she would break forth impatiently, -thus: “Indeed, I won’t bear this much longer! No, -that I won’t! I shan’t have Hugh’s heart and my own -tormented in this way to no good purpose! I will make -<span class='pageno' id='Page_264'>264</span>him tell me what it all means! Feeling very sure he -loves me he shall tell me what all this hesitation -means.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Such would be her impatient resolve, but Garnet never -could bring herself to lead her lover on to any explanation, -until one night when Hugh for the dozenth time -made known that he should leave Mount Calm the next -morning. It was after supper when Miss Joe retired, -and they were playing a game of backgammon together. -Miss Seabright looked up from her dice and said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, Dr. Hutton, since you are going to-morrow, -and I feel that we cannot justly keep you from your business -any longer, I wish, before you depart, to ask your -advice—I——”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, Miss Seabright?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I—you know that my social position is a very singular -one.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is, indeed, Miss Seabright.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Responsible as I am for the faithful stewardship of -a very large fortune——”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is indeed, in your case especially, a very heavy -responsibility.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes; and I have neither father nor brother to aid and -counsel me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My poor counsel is at your command always, Miss -Seabright.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you! It is in relation to the stewardship of -Heaven’s goods intrusted to me that I wish your advice. -One should not live for themselves alone, you know.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Assuredly not,” said Dr. Hutton, giving her his close -attention.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Miss Seabright then related at length certain very judicious -and extensive schemes of benevolence, and desired -his opinion upon them.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Your plans of usefulness and beneficence would be -both wise and good, reflecting honor on your head and -heart, but that they lack the proper foundation of all -schemes of action.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What is that?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Justice.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_265'>265</span>“Justice?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Justice!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I do not understand you in the least!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Miss Seabright, have you ever learned how it was -that you came into possession of all this estate?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My dear godfather gave it to me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you know why he conveyed it to you in his life -rather than bequeath it to you at his death?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Because, had he merely bequeathed it to you, his will -would have been set aside by our courts of justice in -favor of his wife and child.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, he did convey it to me! It is mine, at all -events!” said Garnet, with a flushed cheek and brow.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And yet he had a wife and daughter whom he beggared -to enrich you. Was this right?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Right! Yes, it was right! He cut off a fugitive wife -and a rebellious daughter! Right! Yes, it was right! -He did it, and he could have done no wrong! Therefore -it was right! Right! Yes, it was right! Who dares to -gainsay it?” she exclaimed, with her bosom heaving and -her color rising.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ah! Miss Seabright, it is an ungracious task indeed -to unveil before you the true character and hidden motives -of your benefactor, of one whom you have always -looked upon with affection and respect——”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Stop!” exclaimed Garnet breathlessly, and pressing -both hands upon her bosom, as was her custom when -trying to repress an eruption of anger. “Stop! If you -are about to breathe a syllable reflecting upon the memory -of my godfather—hold! I will not hear a breath, -believe me! A word that should wound his good name -would transfix my own heart.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“For your dear sake, Miss Seabright, I will respect -the name of General Garnet; but for the dearer sake -of justice I will plead the cause of his widow and -daughter.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Of his widow and daughter! I am not—the Lord -knows it!—ungrateful, ungenerous, or cruel. I will -largely dower them both.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_266'>266</span>“You will do no such thing, Miss Seabright! I trust -there is too much latent nobility in your character to -permit you to add such ‘insult’ to their ‘injury.’”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then what is it that you wish me to do?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What your conscience shall, after you understand the -matter, dictate to be done. He who gave you the Mount -Calm estate had no just right to do so. The whole of the -estate came by his wife, and should descend to her -daughter. It was held by her family, the Chesters, for -two hundred years.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, I think two centuries quite long enough for -any one family to hold any one landed estate. I think it -quite time the property had passed into other hands,” -said Miss Seabright firmly. Then she added: “Besides, -my godfather must have had a legal right to the property, -else he could not have conveyed it to me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Miss Seabright, if you will permit me, for justice’s -sake, I will tell you the whole history of the transaction -by which General Garnet became legally possessed of the -Mount Calm estate. It is right—it is necessary that you -should know it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Say on, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Dr. Hutton began, and, softening as much as possible, -for her sake, the conduct of General Garnet, related the -atrocious history of his life and actions—first, how, aided -by her father, he sundered the engagement existing -between Alice Chester and Milton Sinclair and forcibly -married the heart-broken child; their wedded life of -tyranny on his side and suffrance on hers; the separation -of the mother and daughter; in after years his betrothal -of Elsie and Magnus; his subsequent attempt to break -their engagement from mercenary motives; his furious -anger at their marriage; the arts by which he gained from -his wife a deed of the Mount Calm estate; his revenge -in disinheriting his daughter; the taunts and cruelties by -which he had nearly caused the death of his wife, and had -finally driven her from him; and lastly, the legal acumen -with which, for the sake of more surely impoverishing -his wife and child, he had conveyed the estate, instead of -bequeathing it, knowing that the will, upon account of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_267'>267</span>its crying injustice, would have been set aside by the -courts in favor of the widow and daughter.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There, Miss Seabright, that is the way in which your -godfather first, and you after him, came into possession -of the Mount Calm property.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Garnet Seabright had not listened patiently to this recital. -Many times her large, heavily-fringed eyes blazed -and darkened; her cheeks crimsoned and faded; and, -though she pressed both hands to her chest, her bosom -heaved and fell like the waves of the sea. Many times -she interrupted him, and nothing, perhaps, but the felt -law of justice enabled Dr. Hutton to persevere to the -close of his ungracious and unwelcome narrative.</p> - -<p class='c010'>When he had closed by revealing the hypocrisy, -treachery, and revenge of General Garnet, all the color -was suddenly struck out from her face, as though she -had been blasted by a stroke of lightning, so white, so -still, and aghast was her aspect. Dr. Hutton hastened -to her side and took her hand. At the touch she rose in -trepidation, and, scarcely heeding what she said, exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not now! Not one single word now! I must be -alone, or die! To-morrow!—to-morrow I will hear -you!” and hurried, or rather reeled, from the room.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XXXIX.<br> <span class='large'>THE STRUGGLE OF LOVE AND AMBITION.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in16'>Her passion-tortured soul,</div> - <div class='line'>Like a ship dashed by fierce encountering tides,</div> - <div class='line'>And of her pilot spoiled, drives round and round,</div> - <div class='line'>The sport of wind and wave.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>The next morning she appeared at the breakfast table -with a face so pale and stern as almost to awe the good -Miss Joe from making an inquiry as to her health. And -when at last the old lady asked her if she were not well, -she replied curtly:</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_268'>268</span>“An ill night’s rest!” and the questioning ceased.</p> - -<p class='c010'>When she had retired to the drawing room Dr. Hutton -followed her thither. He found her standing on the rug -and resting her forehead against the mantelpiece. Her -long ringlets, hanging low, concealed her face from his -view, until she turned around and said, in a very low -voice:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Dr. Hutton, you are not going away this morning, -are you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, Miss Seabright!—no, Garnet. I did not rouse -a war in your soul to leave you until peace should be -restored.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I do not know why you should say there is a war,” -said Garnet, in a deep voice.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I can see it. That fiery blood that has left your brow -and cheeks and very lips of a gray paleness has mustered -somewhere. Besides, I know you, Garnet. You were -always very transparent to me. I know that in your soul -the powers of good and evil are drawn out in battle array -against each other.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>With an adjuring gesture she left her position, and, -crossing the room, threw herself into a chair. He -watched her some few minutes where she sat, with her -pale brow resting on one hand and the other hanging -listlessly down, and then he slowly crossed the room, and, -dropping upon one knee by her side, raised her hand to -his bosom, and said, in a voice deep with passion:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Miss Seabright!—Nettie, my dear sister!—my wife, -if you will bless me so!—I wish—I do wish I had a kingdom -to offer you to replace this Mount Calm. As it is, -I have only myself, and an affection, an affection, Nettie, -that—oh, I cannot tell you in a few words, a few seconds, -that love which it will take all the years we live together -to express, to live out!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, Hugh!” she said, in broken accents, “if you -knew where this rack screws and strains my heart-strings -most. To think that one whom I always loved and honored -with a passionate enthusiasm as the very first in human -excellence—but no more of that! Not my lips shall -breathe one word of blame, though all earth and heaven -<span class='pageno' id='Page_269'>269</span>cry shame on his memory!” said Garnet, as her dark eyes -smoldered and flashed and sank again, as she breathed, -in heart-broken tones: “No more of that! Oh, God, that -I could say to my thoughts, as to my tongue, ‘No more -of that’!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And, scarcely heeding her lover, she arose, threw back -her falling hair, pressed both hands upon her bosom, and -passed out of the room.</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was late in the evening before he saw her again. -He went into the library after the lamps were lighted -and found her sitting at one of the reading tables, with -her head bowed down upon her folded hands. He went -and sat by her, saying:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Garnet, dearest, do not keep your thoughts and -troubles all to yourself; let me share them. Come, -come,” he continued, caressing her, “this is unkind! I -have had a very solitary day.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“A solitary day! I wish you joy of it! Mine has been -‘peopled with the furies.’ Oh, Hugh, even in my wild -infancy I was such an ambitious child! Though, Heaven -knows, there was nothing around me to foster ambition, -unless it were the want of everything, and the study of -fairy tales! Oh, Hugh! if the little wild water-witch of -the isle was ambitious——”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“‘The woman, gifted with beauty, talent, wealth, and -largest liberty, is a hundred times more so,’ you would -say,” said Hugh. “But, Garnet, do you know there is -an ambition more noble than all others—that of moral -greatness! Garnet, you have the opportunity granted -to few—the opportunity of moral heroism!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, Hugh, before I saw you I had great schemes! -great schemes!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I know it, dear Garnet; but they did not demand the -great moral force required of you to-day.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But since you came, Hugh——” Here her voice -broke down and she dropped her head upon the table for -a few minutes. Then, lifting it up again, she held her -veil of ringlets back, and said: “But since you came, -Hugh, all schemes have given place to one. I had been -living in such a golden dream, dear Hugh! Oh, listen! -<span class='pageno' id='Page_270'>270</span>You know when we were two poor children, obliged to -pick our frugal meal of maninosies from the beach, and -I, inspired by the ‘Arabian Nights’ Entertainments,’ -would be talking my wild, childish talk about sudden -riches and fairy grandmothers, you said you had a fairy -in your head who could convert the sand and clay into -gold-dust and precious gems.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, I remember. It was when I dreamed of being -an agriculturist.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And you promised you would make a fortune for me; -confer rank, and wealth, and honor upon me?” she -asked, smiling very sadly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes—yes, Nettie!” he answered solemnly. “Yes, -and I hold myself bound to redeem that boyish pledge. -Doubly bound now, Nettie, for I must repay you for all -you lose.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, stop! Hear me out. Well—heigho! I thought -if Hugh could give Garnet a fortune he might also take -one from her—take one with her. Oh, Hugh! I knew -I could not confer upon you rank or honor; you must -make them for both of us; but I dreamed that I could -give you wealth to aid in doing it. Hugh, listen! I -heard you say that you would like to travel, and spend -some time in London, Paris, and at some of the German -cities, for the sake of perfecting your medical knowledge. -I then heard you regret that necessity which urged your -immediate settlement in some Western neighborhood, to -commence practice. Well, Hugh, I dreamed that necessity -would be obviated. I dreamed, Hugh, that we would -make a bridal tour to Europe, and sojourn in all these -capitals, while you pursued your studies at your ease. -Now my dream is over—over!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“God bless you for saying that, Garnet! God bless -you for saying that! The dream is over!—the dream is -over!—the battle is over, and your moral sense has nobly -conquered; you will yield up this property?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Over!—the battle? The doubt over! No! no! no! -no! I did not say that, either!” exclaimed Miss Seabright, -her whole aspect changing. Suddenly rising, -with flashing eyes and burning cheeks, and pacing the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_271'>271</span>room with rapid steps: “Over! No! man! man! Is it a -flower, a ring, an orange you ask me for, that I should -give it up without a struggle—as a matter of course? -Give up this estate! Why, I should be insane, frantic, -frenzied! Nothing short of ranting mad! Why, Hugh, -is there a man, woman, or child now living on this earth -who would voluntarily yield up an estate which they -might keep—an estate of two millions of dollars—for—what?—a -point of conscience! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, -ha! Come, answer me!” she exclaimed, throwing herself -into a chair with a strange, unnatural air of audacity. -“Say! is there a man, woman, or child living who would -do this?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes. Any child would do it. There is one man I -know who would do it. There is one woman who will -do it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Me?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Why, Dr. Hutton, anyone, -if they were wealthy, might give up a thousand—ten -thousand dollars, for conscience’ sake; but two millions! -Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Why, Dr. Hutton! -I am a human being, subject to like passions and foibles -with other people. I rather like wealth, handsome -houses and furniture, and dress and jewels, and servants -and equipages, and traveling, sight-seeing, and change -of scene. And if there were nothing to be given up but -these, how great would be the sacrifice. But then, I have -magnificent plans of extensive philanthropy; glorious -prospects of social distinction. And to renounce these! -How tremendous the renunciation!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ah, Nettie! with your usual perfect openness you -have revealed the very death-throes of your expiring -selfishness. For your selfishness—will die! Conscience -will conquer it. The cup of earthly prosperity is brimful, -and at your lips, but you will put it, untasted, away. I -know you will! I have perfect faith in you!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hugh, you kill me! You madden me! Have you no -pity? I believe you think you will make me do it!” she -exclaimed, starting up and pacing the floor rapidly. “I -<span class='pageno' id='Page_272'>272</span>do believe you fancy that you will make me give up this -estate by asserting confidently that I will do it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think your true nobility of soul will constrain you -to it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Suddenly she stopped, threw both hands to her breast, -and turned so ghastly pale that Dr. Hutton sprang to -her side, exclaiming:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Garnet, you are ill! Is it possible that this struggle -produces such an effect upon you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>She dropped her hands from her bosom, her color returned, -and, smiling strangely, she said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why, Hugh, do you fancy that I am such a spoiled -child as to grow ill because I want to have my own way -in all things? No! But as I hurried up and down the -room in such a heat I was arrested suddenly by a quick, -sharp pang; a deathly pang, that caught away my breath. -It seemed to me as if another movement would have -been fatal; it seemed as if in the very flow of my high -tide of life and audacity the skeleton fingers of death -had closed around my heart and squeezed it. It is gone -now. Nay, now, nonsense, Hugh! Do not look at me -with such a death-warrant in your eyes. If you look at -your patients that way you will frighten them to death!” -she said, laughing.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Garnet, sit down. There—give me your wrist. Did -you ever experience this symptom before?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Symptom! Bless you, Dr. Hutton, it is not a symptom. -Dr. Hutton, if you are out of practice and wish to -get your hand in again, I refer you to all the hypochondriacal -old men and women on the plantation, who will -delight your professional heart with ‘symptoms’ for any -length of time.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Garnet, you have been too much agitated to-day, for -one of your excitable temperament. Go to rest.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will. I feel, for the first time in my life, a little -exhausted,” she replied, rising and extending her hand.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He drew her unresisting to his bosom, pressed a kiss -upon her brow, and led her to the door.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He did not see her again until the next day at dinner, -when she appeared in full dress, and looking grandly -<span class='pageno' id='Page_273'>273</span>beautiful, joyous, and decided. He congratulated her. -She smiled exultingly, and said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I feel well, very well, because I have come to a -decision.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>When dinner was over she challenged him for a walk -on the terrace around the roof of the house. When they -had reached this elevated site she advanced to the front -of the balustrade, and, stretching one hand out toward -the magnificent prospect, she said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Look, Hugh! Saw you ever a fairer scene?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is indeed a sublime and beautiful prospect.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And has it no more interest than that? Listen, -Hugh! All these waving forests and rolling hills and -plains; all these fields and barns and granaries; all these -orchards, vineyards, and gardens; these terraces, with -their statues, fountains, and conservatories; this mansion -house, with its stately chambers, halls, and saloons—is -ours—is our beautiful, our superb home, if you will -take it—when you take me,” she said, turning to him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Nettie, when Satan wished to tempt Christ he took -Him up into a very high mountain, and showed Him the -kingdoms of the earth and the glory thereof, and said: -‘All these will I give Thee, if Thou wilt fall down and -worship me.’”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Upon my soul, I thank you for the parallel you have -chosen to run between me and Satan!” exclaimed Miss -Seabright, with a burning cheek.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You misconstrue me, dearest Garnet. You do not -tempt me. I am not tempted. It is the Christ in you—the -angel in you—the good in you that is tempted by -Ambition.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hugh! Hugh! It is not for myself now so much as -for you that I am ambitious. With the power this fortune -would give, when joined to your talents, you could -become so distinguished.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Again, Garnet: When Satan tempted Christ it was -not through any puerile idea, but through the grandest -passion of the human soul—the passion by which the -great archangel fell—Ambition. But, I tell you, Garnet, -that if ambition be the most glorious of human passions, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_274'>274</span>remorse is the most terrible. And, too often one follows -the other as surely as night follows day.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>She did not reply, and both remained silent for a few -minutes, when, taking her hand, he said impressively:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do not think me ungrateful, dearest Garnet. Very -deeply do I feel the blessing of your sweet love; very -highly do I estimate the honor of your ambition for me. -But listen, dearest. In erecting your edifice of earthly -happiness, it would be well to lay the basement sure. -You might possess and inhabit a princely palace, luxuriously -furnished, yet you would not glory in its splendor, -or even enjoy a moment’s repose under its roof, if -you knew its foundation to be insecure; that at any instant -in the midst of enjoyment it might suddenly fall -and crush you under its magnificent ruins. Garnet, such -an insecure dwelling-place, such a transient phantasmagoria, -is any plan of earthly happiness not based upon -the principles of justice. Such, Garnet, is your edifice of -enjoyment; for you will feel that death, which hangs -over us all at all times, may at any moment summon you -from its possession to place you at the bar of Eternal -Justice, to answer for the sin of your soul. And your -ill-gotten splendors here will be your condemnation hereafter. -Oh, believe me, dear Garnet, to say nothing of -the sublime beauty of faith displayed in the sacrifice of -earthly interests to heavenly prospects—of temporal -pleasures to eternal joys—there is great good sense in -seeking ‘first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness’; -for, look you; I may gain wealth and renown, but -if my fortune is ill-gotten I cannot fully enjoy it, for -knowing that at any time my soul may be snatched -from its possessions to the bar of God, and, stained with -falsehood and injustice as it is, be hurled thence to perdition. -But, on the other hand, if my fortune is founded -upon righteousness, and built up with the blessing of -God, then I may be as rich and as great as I please, and -yet enjoy this world with a surer joy for knowing that it -leads to a better and an eternal one. Life, dear Garnet, -is a journey to the Judgment Seat. In all your plans, -therefore, of life’s journey, look to its end. If you set -<span class='pageno' id='Page_275'>275</span>out upon a road that you knew was leading you to misery—no -matter how fine the carriage in which you traveled, -how soft the cushions on which you sat, how beautiful -the country through which you passed—you could -not enjoy it; for every mile that should draw you nearer -to its close would increase your uneasiness, for you would -know its end to be misery. Such a journey, dear Garnet, -will be your life if you set out upon it with ill-gotten -riches. Now, look on the other side of the question. If -you should start upon a journey that you know will bring -you finally to a haven of rest and honor—no matter how -common your vehicle, how rough your road, how ordinary -the landscape, how full of unpleasant accidents—you -will endure it, and at every stage with more cheerfulness, -for knowing that it brings you nearer to its end, -and that its end is repose and happiness. And, if your -journey should be pleasant, its very pleasures will be enhanced -by the knowledge that its goal is rest, honor, and -joy. Such a journey will our lives be, dearest love. You -will resign this estate. We will marry, and, feeling the -smile and blessing of God upon us, we will go forth -strongly and hopefully and labor for our living. We -shall have some early struggles, but God will be with -us. He will bless our sacrifice, and we shall finally prosper. -And while weeks are slipping into months, and -months gliding into years, we shall really enjoy the very -making of a fortune, taste prosperity piecemeal, and get -the good of every morsel. Every little comfort that we -may be able to add to our daily domestic life will be -relished the more that we have felt the want of it, and -blessed the more that it has come to us from God. And -for our future years I hope highly, but may not prophesy. -They are in the hands of God,” he said, raising his hat -with profound reverence. Then, his tone changing to -one of deep tenderness, he stretched forth his arms, and -said: “Come, Nettie! Come, my darling wife. You will -give up all this ill-starred wealth, and trust in God to -restore you a hundredfold.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Pale and drooping with excess of feeling she sank -upon his bosom, murmuring:</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_276'>276</span>“Oh, God bless you, Hugh! Large and full heart, -God bless you! Where could I find my life but in you? -But, oh, dear Hugh, do not be a martyr at this rational -age of the world! Take my fortune with me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Never, Nettie! Never, so strengthen me Heaven! -When I take you I will take no sin with you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>She started, burst from his embrace, and broke forth -with passionate vehemence:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Silence! I will not hear you. I will never give up -my privileges. I will not be a fanatic to please you. Oh! -look at me, Hugh; and do not think I speak from vanity, -but from a war of conflicting passions, that rends my -soul in twain. Do I look like one to be condemned to -poverty, and privation, and domestic toil, and drudgery? -I will speak out, though in your eyes I convict myself -of vanity and presumption. You never called me beautiful -in words, but you have said so with your eyes a -thousand times. Oh, Hugh, I valued my beauty as I -did my wealth, for your sake. But should I be beautiful -in poverty? You know that I know what poverty is! -Look at my hair, Hugh. Yesterday you took the whole -mass up in your hand and looked at it as at a treasure, -so proudly; then you singled out a ringlet and examined -it as a strange beauty, so curiously. Now look at the -ringlets again. Do you think it requires no care to keep -them so soft and glossy, and in such full curl? Why, a -rose-bush will not bloom in full glory unless it is cared -for and tended; neither will my beauty. Hugh, I do not -know why I may not venture to speak before you what -I dare to think before God. I know that my soul’s habitation -is beautiful; and it seems to me fit that it should -be so, and that its beauty should be enhanced by rich -drapery, and preserved from all uses. How could that -be done in bitter poverty?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Garnet,” he answered solemnly, “the soul is greater -than its temple. Would you preserve the temple sacred -from all uses, yet degrade the greater deity within it? -Would you preserve the delicacy of your beauty, and -clothe your form in gorgeous apparel by an action that -would stain your soul with foul dishonesty?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_277'>277</span>“Don’t talk to me any more. You will drive me -frantic. Dishonesty! That is the low vice of ignorant -and debased natures, for which they are sometimes sent -to the State’s prison.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And yet which is more excusable ‘in ignorant and -debased natures’ than in intelligent and exalted ones,” -said he sternly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Dishonesty! What have I to do with that? This -estate is legally mine. To keep it is not even injustice. -Why do you talk to me so?” she exclaimed, tearing at -her bosom, as she wildly walked up and down the terrace, -as if to pluck away the burning pain there. “Why do -you torture—exasperate—madden me so?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is not I, Garnet. No mere words that I could -speak could disturb your bosom’s peace. It is the awful -conscience there that refuses to be silent,” said Hugh -solemnly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>She paused before him, trembling all over; clenching -her chest with her spread hands, as though to clutch the -passion there; her eyes burning in their intense lurid fire, -in fearful contrast with the ghastly paleness of her brow -and cheeks, and gasped between her white lips:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are an incendiary, sent here to convulse my soul -with war, until Reason herself is hurled from her throne! -Man! man! You know what civil war in a nation is. -Do you know—can you guess what the internal conflict -of a divided soul is? No, you do not. Your well-balanced -mind, like a well-governed State, is always -quiet. But mine! Oh, you have raised an insurrection -in my soul that can never, never be suppressed! Oh, -man! man! it is a grievous wrong that you have done -me. I was so highly happy in my glorious hopes and -prospects until you came. You have killed all my joy. -But do not think,” she exclaimed, with another violent -outburst of passion; “do not think that you have succeeded! -Do not! Never suppose that to please your -fanaticism I will give up my estate—never! never!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, Garnet. Not to please my fanaticism, as you call -it, will you do so, but in obedience to your awakened -and aroused conscience will you do so.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_278'>278</span>“What! Never! What! resign all my great plans of -usefulness, of benevolence, of wide philanthropy? Renounce -all my glorious prospects of world honor—perhaps -renown? Man! do you know what you ask of me? -They are worth my soul’s price. Give up my fortune! -Do you know its amount? Why, my income is almost -a queen’s revenue. Do you know, as I do, with what -power it clothes me?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I know the vast amount and great power of your -wealth, Garnet. And I know the great good that you, -with your wonderful beauty, talent, and enterprise could -do with it; the great distinction you could gain by it. I -know your pride, your ambition, your burning aspiration -after worldly glory, and I feel the stupendous force -of the temptation that is upon you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I tell you, my power, my plans and prospects are -worth almost my soul’s price!” she exclaimed vehemently.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“‘Almost’ not quite. There is a surplus value and -weight about the soul that will weigh down the scale, and -toss the fortune up.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Never, I tell you. Never!” she repeated passionately.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Dr. Hutton regarded her fixedly for some moments, -then he asked coldly:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And this, then, is your final decision, Miss Seabright?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes; please Heaven, it is.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But it will not please Heaven, Miss Seabright. I -only waited for your decision. I have it, and I shall -leave here to-morrow. Had your conclusion been otherwise—but -no more of that. And now,” said he sternly, -“listen to me! You will go forth into the world. Your -wondrous beauty, genius, and your riches will draw -around you the mighty in intellect, wealth, and position. -Yet, queen of that court as you will be, you will take no -joy on your throne; you will know you have usurped the -seat of another. Your graces of mind and of person will -be the theme of every tongue, yet you will know that -they clothe a soul spotted with dishonesty. Your extensive -<span class='pageno' id='Page_279'>279</span>philanthropy will be the admiration of sages and -statesmen, yet their praises will reproach you with the -thought that your munificence is at the expense of another. -Your benevolence will be the sustaining hope and -comfort of all the poor and wretched around you, yet -their very blessings will curse you with the thought that -you have relieved them with means falsely taken and -falsely kept from a widow. You will dwell in lordly -mansions, yet their magnificence will oppress you with -the consciousness that they belong in justice to another. -You will be arrayed in costly garments, yet you will be -scarcely able to bear the glare of their splendor, for you -will know they cover a woman degraded from her pristine -nobility by base ambition, and stained with foul injustice. -You will be adorned with priceless gems, yet -the diamond tiara on your brow will burn and sear your -brain like a diadem of flame; the diamond necklace on -your bosom will scorch and eat into your heart like a -circlet of fire.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hugh! Hugh! spare me! I tell you you will drive -me mad!” she cried, clasping her temples.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“At last you will cap the climax of your hopes by -marrying some grand magnate of the land, yet you will -bear within your bosom all the while a false, a widowed, -and a lonely heart, for you will know that your husband -is not your true mate; for you will know—you do know, -oh, Garnet!—you feel by all the instincts of your nature -that it was to this—this bosom that God wedded you -from the first!” he said, dropping his voice to a gentle -tone, and drawing her toward him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>She dropped her face upon his shoulder, and wept and -sobbed as if her heart would break. Such convulsions of -sobs; such a deluge of tears! Gasping all the while:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, I do! I know it, Hugh. Then, why will you -cast me from you because I happen to be burdened with -a fortune? Is not that a strange, new reason for leaving -the girl that you love?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Garnet! darling Nettie!” said Hugh tenderly; “if -you were suddenly bereft of your enchanting beauty, -my love would be strong enough to bear the change; for -<span class='pageno' id='Page_280'>280</span>the heart and soul that I loved most would live for me -unaltered. But smirch not the fairness of your soul, Garnet, -for I will not wed moral deformity.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“This is weakness! This is miserable driveling!” exclaimed -Miss Seabright, starting from her resting-place -upon his bosom, and dashing the tears from her flashing -eyes. “I am no mendicant for your love, sir! No! nor -will I purchase it at too high a price, either!” she added -bitterly, throwing off his deprecating hand, and hurrying -from him into the house.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Hugh looked after her in deep thought; then said to -himself:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The flow and ebb of ocean’s tide is nothing to the -waving forth and back of her mind in its present phase. -How strong—how terrible is the death-agony of her ambition! -If the contest were simply between ambition and -love, ambition would triumph in a high, proud nature -like hers; but justice sides with love, and together they -are invincible. I would the battle were over, though.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>He did not see her again during the day. She did not -appear even at the supper-table.</p> - -<p class='c010'>I have no time to tell you how Garnet Seabright spent -that night, how the battle in her soul was fought and -won. I have only time left for results.</p> - -<p class='c010'>In the gray of the morning Hugh Hutton came downstairs, -booted, great-coated, and laden with his saddle-bags, -preparatory to mounting his horse to set forth on -his journey. He found Garnet Seabright in the great -hall, apparently waiting for him. She stood at the foot -of the stairs and leaned for support against the balustrades. -She was looking very haggard, as from loss of -rest and anxiety; yet, through all the physical weariness -there radiated the light of a calm joy. He lifted his hat -and bowed, intending to pass her, when she raised her -hand, and by an adjuring gesture, stayed him, murmuring -very low:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Dr. Hutton, was it really your intention to leave me -this morning?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It was, Miss Seabright,” he replied, in a deep, constrained -voice.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_281'>281</span>“‘It was,’ and is it?” she added, in a low tone, gently -moving from her position.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It was, and is, Miss Seabright, unless you give me -the only good reason for staying.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>She advanced toward him, slowly, slowly, with averted -face and deeply blushing cheek, laid both her hands in -both of his, and murmured almost timidly:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Stay, then, Dr. Hutton; I give up the estate.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Hugh Hutton dropped his saddle-bags, drew her to -his bosom and pressed her there, but spoke no word as -yet.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, take me, Dr. Hutton! I am not worth much, -bereft of all my glory, shorn,” she smiled faintly; “quite -shorn of all my beams; but such as I am, you may have -me, Dr. Hutton,” she murmured, dropping her head on -his shoulder. Then, as he strained her to his bosom, the -passion-fraught heart of the man found expression for its -fullness of emotion in one “great heart-word”:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My wife!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, your wife,” she whispered, very softly, hiding -her glowing face on his bosom. “Your wife! no more -nor less than simply that cheerful toiler by your side. I -thought to have conferred wealth on you! It was a -proud, presuming thought—it is past now.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My wife! my wife! you have! you do——” ejaculated -Hugh Hutton, with his full heart gushing in every tone, -until it choked his utterance, and he stopped.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Through all their painful struggle he had not broken -down until now; and now—but she was talking again, -murmuring in her sweet, deep tones again, and he bent -to listen, to hear her whisper:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, Hugh! such a night as I have passed; such resistance -of the demon, before he would flee from me. -But the war is over now—quite over! The estate, the -projects are all resigned, and not regretted—for, oh, -Hugh! where could I find such richness and fullness of -life and joy as——” Her low voice died away with her -breath along his cheek and chestnut hair. But it was -Garnet’s nature or her present mood to pour forth the -fullness of her heart in words. She spoke again: “Oh, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_282'>282</span>Hugh, I am so glad, so comforted and strengthened, so -proud of you, that you did not yield one jot or tittle of the -right, even for my love. Oh, Hugh! oh, Hugh! my -guide and guard! be always good, and great, and strong, -that I may have full life and joy in loving you. And -when you have drawn your Nettie up to your own high -moral level, soar you higher still, that, though rising -herself, she may see you ever above her, and honor you -as now! as now!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, God, have I deserved this!” exclaimed Hugh -Hutton, raising his eyes in grateful adoration an instant, -and then bending them with unutterable love on Garnet, -as he ejaculated in earnest, fervent, broken language: -“Nettie! Nettie! not Heaven, not Heaven could give me -a higher incentive to high resolve than He has given me -in your faith—in your faith!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>He pressed his lips to hers, and from that first burning -kiss the tide of eloquence found way. He snatched her -up in his arms, hurried into the parlor, set her in a chair, -sank down by her side, and, folding his arms adoringly -around her form, poured forth, in words of fire, the long-pent, -great passion of his heart.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XL.<br> <span class='large'>ELSIE’S FORTUNES.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>You shall be blessed as once you were with friends, and home, and all</div> - <div class='line'>That in the exulting joy of love your own you fondly call;</div> - <div class='line'>Beloved and loving faces that you’ve known so long as well;</div> - <div class='line'>The dear familiar places where your childish footsteps fell.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>It was Saturday night, and Dr. Hardcastle had not -yet returned home to supper. The family, except Elsie, -had all retired to bed. Elsie had had a very fatiguing -day, as most industrious housekeepers must have in -bringing the week’s work to a conclusion. Elsie’s work, -however, was not yet fully completed, though the family -<span class='pageno' id='Page_283'>283</span>clock was on the stroke of nine, for having gotten -through with all the heavy household labor, cleared up -the supper-table, put the children to bed, and persuaded -her mother to retire to rest, she set the coffee pot and -a covered plate and dish to keep hot for Magnus, replenished -the fire, drew a little table up before it, and sat -down with a large basket of stockings to darn—a couple -of dozen of little hose and half a dozen pair of large ones—all -to be looked over, and half to be mended. And -Elsie, with her usually happy alchemy of turning everything -into a subject of congratulation, said to herself -that it was very fortunate she had so many stockings to -darn, as it made the time pass so much quicker while -waiting for Magnus. Yet Elsie was very weary; very -well prepared to appreciate the blessings of the Sabbath -that makes cessation from work a positive duty. Yes, -she was very weary, though the only signs of fatigue she -showed were in the deeper flush of her cheek, the brighter -light of her eyes, and the clammy moisture of her fair -forehead that half uncurled the golden ringlets. The -last little stocking was drawn upon her hand, and the -bright needle swiftly gliding in and out among the -meshes of the last rent, when the quick gallop of a horse -into the yard apprised her that her husband had come, -and in an instant more the door was thrown open and -Dr. Hardcastle entered. Elsie was about to rise and receive -him, when something strange and novel in his air -and manner arrested her attention, as he said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, do not stir! Sit still, dear Elsie! I want to look -at you just as you are a moment.” He threw off his -great-coat, drew a chair to her side, seated himself by -her, and gazed at her for the space of half a minute. -Then he took her hand into his palm, pressed it, and, -opening his hand, watched the rosy tide ebb and flow -through her still beautiful fingers. “Elsie,” said he, -“how long have we been married, dear wife?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Eleven years and more,” replied she, looking up inquiringly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you remember, dear, Judge Wylie’s ball given in -honor of your return from school? Do you remember -<span class='pageno' id='Page_284'>284</span>that we had just heard of my changed prospects, and -that we knew if we should marry we would have to go -forth to a life of toil and self-denial—and do you remember -that I took this hand into mine with fear and -trembling for its destiny as it lay in my broad, brown -palm, a tiny snow-white thing, sparkling with diamonds -like icicles on snow, a fairy hand—an ideal hand?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, I remember you talked a great deal of poetry -about my hand, dear Magnus—and I remember that seeing -you loved its beauty so much, I made a rash promise -to keep it always beautiful for your sake. I could not do -it, dear Magnus. It is not so fair and elegant now as it -was then,” said Elsie, smiling, and holding it up.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But, oh! how much dearer! how much more beloved! -Then it was an ideal hand—now it is a human hand, a -mother’s hand,” he said, taking it again and pressing it -to his lips and bosom, and gazing fondly on her. Then, -after a little, he spoke again, saying: “Elsie, dearest, -there was another promise which you made, but in my -name, and which I tacitly indorsed, yet have failed to -perform.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, dear Magnus?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you remember the dress you wore upon the memorable -occasion of that ball? I do perfectly. I do not -know the material of which it was made, but it floated -around you as you moved—a soft and radiant mist. And -when I spoke of it, bemoaning the fate that would -change it for a plain garb such as befitted a poor young -doctor’s wife—you smiled hopefully, and promised that -in ten years, when I should have ‘achieved greatness,’ -you would wear a much richer dress, which should still -befit my station—and I indorsed the promise; yet ten -years have passed, and I have failed to redeem it. My -Elsie still wears coarse clothing, and works from morning -till night.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Your Elsie is happy, dearest Magnus. And the -Princess Charlotte herself, the idol lady of all England, -could not say any more. Young people, especially where -youth is brightened by such sanguine blood as mine, have -too many extravagant hopes—make too many rash -<span class='pageno' id='Page_285'>285</span>promises; I say again, your Elsie is happy, dear Magnus, -and if she had the world she could not say more.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>He gazed on her in fond admiration for a little while, -and then said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Elsie, dearest, there is one thing at least in which we -did not promise or expect too much—in which we have -not failed to keep our promise—to love each other more -and more every year we should live.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>She raised her eyes to his, and he read her answer in -their loving glance.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, Elsie,” he said, at last, “you are happy; yet it -is not now the hope of better days to come that makes -you happy—for more than ten years have passed, and I -have not laid by a thousand dollars. So you can scarcely -expect now that I shall ever make a fortune by my -profession.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, we make a comfortable living, and shall continue -to do so; and as for our dear children, we must -educate them to work, as we have done. Let me give -you your supper now, Magnus.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No—not just yet,” he said, smiling on her hand and -pressing it.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, then, let go my hand a minute, till I finish -darning little Elsie’s stocking.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No! no more work to-night, Elsie,” he said firmly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh! just let me finish this last stocking; it completes -the whole job.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No! no more work to-night! No more work ever -more for you. The long, long trial you have borne so -patiently, so nobly, is over. Elsie! dearest Elsie! fortune -has come to us at last.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Elsie stared at her husband with a look so blank that -you could not have told whether she had heard good or -bad news—an instant, and then a sudden joy broke over -her countenance, and she exclaimed, in a voice of wonder -and gladness:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Fortune! You tell me so, Magnus, and it must be -true.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, fortune—yet it has come to us through such -solemn, not to say tragic, circumstances that our prosperity -<span class='pageno' id='Page_286'>286</span>must be received with a chastened spirit. Listen, -dearest Elsie—this evening, as I returned home, I called -at the post office and found a letter from Reynolds, who -used to do all my Uncle Hardcastle’s law business. By -his letter I learned that about five weeks since my unhappy -cousin, Lionel, who had just returned from making -the tour of Europe with his ward, was instantly killed -on Hutton’s Island by the accidental discharge of a pistol. -My uncle never recovered from the shock of his death, -and he sank gradually until about five days since, when -he died, leaving me sole heir to all his property and -executor of his will.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Alas! Magnus, is it not a sad and grave thought, that -no property which we do not make by our own toil ever -comes to us except through the death or the misfortunes -of others! Alas! Magnus, our prosperity should indeed -be received with a very chastened spirit.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sudden riches should be always received with -fear and trembling; and when they come by sudden death—with -awe!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Elsie looked down thoughtfully upon her clasped -hands and then, after a little while, inquired:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, Magnus! what will be your first movement under -these new circumstances?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I shall proceed at once to Hemlock Hollow to settle -up affairs, and prepare the old hall for the reception of -you and the children. And by the time those arrangements -are completed the weather will be sufficiently -settled to remove them. The only point of difficulty is in -the temporary disposition of my professional business. -I scarcely know what to do with my patients. I wish -Hugh would return and take charge of the practice for -a few weeks during my absence, or until the people could -get another physician to settle among them.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is quite time that we had heard from Hugh. But, -dear Magnus, has this sudden news quite deprived you -of your appetite?” said Elsie, rising and putting away -her basket of work.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No—oh, no, dearest! Give me my supper.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Elsie’s nimble hands quickly laid the cloth, and spread -<span class='pageno' id='Page_287'>287</span>the little supper. Magnus drew up his chair, and Elsie -had just poured out his coffee when the quick gallop of -a horse up to the house, followed by a loud knocking at -the door, arrested their attention. Magnus went to answer -the summons, and in another instant Hugh Hutton -entered. “Why, Hugh!” exclaimed Dr. Hardcastle and -his wife in one breath.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Come in! Come in! We are so glad to see you! -But where on earth did you come from? How did you -come? You did not come by the stage this afternoon, -for I was at the stage office myself when it came in,” said -Dr. Hardcastle.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No; I missed the coach at the last station, and had -to hire a horse to bring me hither. But how do you all -do?” said Hugh, shaking hands with both.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, very well! But you, Hugh, how is it with -you?” asked Dr. Hardcastle, glancing at his black suit.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I may reply in your own words—‘Well, very well!’ -You got my letter?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, friends, it was a bitter blow to me, but I believe -now it was dealt in mercy to her. You have heard -from Hemlock Hollow.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes—but only this evening.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And what do you intend to do?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“To go on there immediately and prepare for the removal -of my family as soon as the weather permits. But, -come, Hugh—come, here is supper. See, Elsie has already -set your plate and knife and fork and poured out -your coffee.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What! have you really not supped yet?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have not! Draw up.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The conversation at supper turned upon the affairs -of Hemlock Hollow, Point Pleasant, Huttontown, and its -neighborhood. Yet there was a studious avoidance of -the subject of Mount Calm and Garnet Seabright, until -the cloth was removed, and Dr. Hardcastle arose with -the evident intention of showing his guest to his -chamber.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Then Hugh made a sign to his host to take his seat, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_288'>288</span>and resumed his own, saying: “Well, my dear friends, -you have inquired after everybody in our old neighborhood -except my fair young hostess, Miss Seabright of -Mount Calm; and yet one would think that she would -interest you more than all.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Hugh paused for a reply, and looked at them both. -Elsie’s brow crimsoned, and she turned away. Dr. -Hardcastle looked very grave, and remained silent.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If you knew Miss Seabright personally you would -admire her very much. She is the most superbly beautiful -woman I ever saw—of the brunette order, I mean,” -he added, bowing and smiling toward Mrs. Hardcastle, -who averted her face with a heightened color. “Yes, -she is certainly the most splendidly beautiful brunette I -ever saw—and with a soul, too, more beautiful than its -shrine.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Still Elsie averted her head, and Dr. Hardcastle continued -gravely silent.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You do not answer me,” said Hugh perseveringly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hugh, my dear boy, Elsie and myself love and admire -you sufficiently. Do not insist upon our loving and -admiring your friend, Miss Seabright. Under all the circumstances -it is quite too great a task for human -nature.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yet,” said Hugh—and his voice faltered, and the -tears swam in his eyes—“yet last week I was the instrument -in the hands of Providence in setting a far greater -task than that to human nature, sir! And not to nature, -well-disciplined human nature like yours, but to young, -ardent, impetuous human nature—and I saw, through -tears and groans, and writhings of the spirit, that task -accomplished. What should you think of a young girl -endowed with great wealth, peerless beauty, graces and -accomplishments—fitted in every way to adorn the highest -circles of society—a girl, besides, of high self-appreciation—of -great ambition—of adventurous enterprise—whose -head and heart were busy with a hundred grand -and glorious plans of life—what, I ask you, should you -think of such a girl, in such circumstances, giving up -her wealth, her rank, her splendid plans and prospects, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_289'>289</span>her soul’s most cherished expectations and desires for the -sake of simple, abstract justice?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I should think that such a noble girl was worthy of -a king’s worship, or rather of a hero’s love. But it is -impossible! No girl would ever do this,” said Dr. Hardcastle, -turning and gazing at Hugh with wonder.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Will you please to look over these documents,” said -Hugh, drawing a packet of papers from his great-coat -pocket and laying them on the table.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The title deeds of Mount Calm, and legally conveyed -to Alice Chester Garnet by Garnet Seabright!” exclaimed -Dr. Hardcastle, examining them. Then he laid -the documents down, squared himself round, placed his -hands upon his knees, and, staring full into the face of -Hugh, said: “Hugh! what the d——, I never swore in -my life! Don’t make me begin now! But what the -deuce does all this mean?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You see what it means. Miss Seabright, having -come of age, and feeling that she has no just right to -the Mount Calm estate, conveys it to its original owner, -Mrs. Garnet!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Elsie suddenly clasped her hands, and bent forward -with flushed cheeks and open lips.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Dr. Hardcastle continued his fixed, broad stare, until -Hugh exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“God bless all our souls, Magnus Hardcastle, you are -not the only noble specimen of God’s workmanship on -earth. There are others capable of magnanimity besides -Magnus—even the young girl, Garnet Seabright!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Garnet! She is a diamond of the first water. Is it -possible that this should be so? I can scarcely credit -the testimony of my eyes and ears! That Miss Seabright, -as soon as she reached her majority, should have -given up her estate. Oh! it must have been a mere impulse -of youthful enthusiasm. She could not have known -the value of money and property—and, besides, you must -have used great powers of persuasion with her.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No—you are wrong in every point. It was not enthusiasm. -All her enthusiasm was enlisted on the other -side, in favor of social distinction, for which she considered -<span class='pageno' id='Page_290'>290</span>wealth indispensable. Nor was she ignorant of the -value of money. No, enlightened by experiences in the -extremes of, first poverty and afterward wealth, this girl -of twenty-one had as accurate a knowledge of the value -of money and property as any miser, beggar, or banker -of forty-two. Nor was it without a struggle she resigned -the estate. Most terrible indeed was the battle in her -soul before Justice subdued Ambition. Nor was it -through my persuasion that she made this glorious sacrifice -to right. No; no mere words of mine could have -subdued that towering pride, governed that aspiring -ambition. No; I simply set the truth before her, and then -let it work its way. No; I set the truth before her, and -then I might have gone to Patagonia or Bering Strait, -and the result would have been the same. She would -never have known an hour’s peace until she had restored -the property, at whatever sacrifice to her pride -and ambition.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Here Elsie broke forth, exclaiming:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh! what a noble girl! Oh! I love and admire her -so much. I do think if I were in mother’s place now I -should be Quixotic enough to convey the whole estate -back again to her. At least, I know I would make her -take back half of it. My heart burns toward that noble -girl, and I feel half ashamed that we should benefit by -her magnanimity. I feel as if by her giving and our -receiving so much that she is more noble than we are.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, yes! She is indeed a noble, a wonderful girl!” -exclaimed Dr. Hardcastle.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And this noble, this wonderful girl,” said Hugh, with -his cheeks and eyes kindling with pride and joy—“this -glorious girl is going to be my wife! Congratulate me, -dear friends!” he suddenly exclaimed, impulsively thrusting -out a hand to each.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Going to be your wife? I am so glad,” exclaimed -Elsie, pressing his left hand.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Going to be your wife? Why, then, dear Hugh, this -great sacrifice is fully as much yours as hers—since what -was hers would have been yours,” said Dr. Hardcastle, -shaking his right hand.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_291'>291</span>“Never mind that; only wish me joy.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We do! We do! with all our hearts,” said Elsie, -clasping his hand again. “But when are you going to be -married, Hugh?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Next Thursday four weeks. Having deprived Nettie -of all her wealth I must take her as soon as possible -under my legal protection, unsettled as I am, and trust -God with the result. Yes, next Thursday four weeks; -that will give you time to prepare to come to Mount -Calm, which, having been just handsomely fitted up for -the reception of Miss Seabright, on her return from -Europe, is in a proper condition to receive your family. -Miss Seabright will remain at Mount Calm until our -marriage, which will take place there. We wish you to -arrive at or before our wedding day, that when we leave -the mansion house we may leave you in possession.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hugh, we are not, of course, authorized to promise -anything in the name of Mrs. Garnet, who is at this moment -ignorant of Miss Seabright’s magnanimity; but—I -would she were here to answer for herself.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Here the clock struck twelve, and Dr. Hardcastle, -lighting another candle, said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Friends, it is Sunday morning. Let us waive the -discussion of worldly matters for to-day. Hugh, you -know your chamber. Good-night!”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XLI.<br> <span class='large'>THE SECRET REVEALED.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>And in her lineaments they trace</div> - <div class='line'>Some features of her father’s face.</div> - <div class='line in30'><i>—Byron.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>In the meantime Miss Seabright was preparing to resign -her state. Few can estimate the terrible trial it -was to this just but ambitious girl to abdicate her elevated -social position and step down upon the common -<span class='pageno' id='Page_292'>292</span>level to labor with the common herd. You have already -seen how, in the fearful struggle which had ensued—in -that dread bosom tempest—all the latent selfishness -which marred that noble nature was thrown up and -exposed upon the crest of the tossing waves of passion. -But if, in this soul-storm, her hidden evil was cast up to -view, it was also cast off. And then, when the waves of -her heart subsided, and the clouds on her brain dispersed, -and the sun of right shone out clear and bright, -illuminating her soul, and revealing her to herself—then -she saw that there was something in her own nature -greater than all her adventitious surroundings. Now she -would not have said to Hugh what she had said before, -“I am not much, shorn of my beams.” No, indeed, there -was consolidating in her heart a noble, steadfast self-appreciation -that would no more falsify itself by factitious -humility than degrade itself by unjust action. And -having once made the sacrifice, and turned her back -upon the splendors of her past fortune, there was no regret, -no looking back, like Lot’s wife; her face was set to -her forward path—her strong, impetuous soul already -rushing on to realize her future of loving and hopeful -toil with Hugh for her companion and guide. With -Hugh! How, the recurring of his very name, the tide -of emotion, like the rushing of a mighty river, would roll -over her, overwhelming and confusing her soul with a -sort of lost, delirious joy! Within this month of sacrifice, -how much stronger and more concentrated had become -her love for Hugh! And if the Judge of all hearts -had demanded a reason for the mighty love that was in -her, she would have been constrained to answer, “It is -his moral integrity that has mastered my heart. It is -his moral integrity that would not waver, for love or for -ambition—those two mightiest passions of the human -soul. I loved him before, I loved him well enough to -have given him myself and all my wealth, but when I -found in him a moral rectitude that would not bend for -love of me, or hope of grandeur, I was drawn up to adore -him. Yes, that is why I would rather follow him barefoot -over all the earth, if necessary, and serve him as the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_293'>293</span>Indian woman serves her lord, than be myself the object -of worship to all the world.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Yes, there was a man to love through life and unto -death; there was a man to repose upon in all weakness, -to confide in in all emergencies; whom the combined -power of love and ambition, beauty, wealth, and the -usages of society that would have justified him, could -never move from his uprightness. There was a pillar of -strength to cling to in a storm. It was with as much -high-born pride and joy as love that Garnet thought of -her betrothed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The month and her preparations drew near their close. -She was daily expecting to hear of the arrival of the -family of Dr. Hardcastle at Hemlock Hollow. Dr. Hutton, -who had not yet returned, was to come with them. -She was looking for them by every stage, and hourly -she added some new attraction to the preparations she -was making to receive them. The ancients were accustomed -to adorn a sacrifice before offering it up, and the -same instinct impelled Miss Seabright daily to walk -through her halls and chambers, designing, with her artistic -taste, new improvements and embellishments for -the palace home she was about to resign.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The wedding day arrived. It was a bright and beautiful -day in May. Upon the evening previous Dr. Hardcastle, -with his family, had arrived at Hemlock Hollow. -Therefore, there had been no time or opportunity for a -meeting between them and Miss Seabright previous to -the marriage day. Dr. Hutton was a guest at the Hollow, -and a note from him to Miss Seabright informed her -that they would all be at Mount Calm at an early hour of -the morning. Owing to the rather recent deaths in the -family, and the peculiarity of the circumstances, it had -been arranged that the marriage ceremony should be performed -quietly at eight o’clock in the morning in the -saloon of Mount Calm, in the presence of few witnesses, -and that immediately after the ceremony and breakfast -the young couple should depart to seek their Western -home, leaving Mrs. Garnet in possession of the mansion -house and the estate. The only guests invited were the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_294'>294</span>Hardcastles, with Mrs. Garnet, Judge Wylie and Miss -Wylie, and their old friend, the Rev. Mr. Wilson, with -his wife and young sister. The marriage ceremony was -to be performed after the Episcopal ritual by the recently -installed pastor of the New Church.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At seven o’clock in the morning, therefore, the few -privileged friends, with the exception of the Hardcastles, -who had not yet arrived, were assembled in the saloon -of Mount Calm, awaiting the entree of the bridal party.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At last the carriage containing the family from Hemlock -Hollow drove up and paused before the main entrance -of the mansion, and Dr. Hardcastle alighted, followed -by Dr. Hutton, who then handed out Mrs. Garnet -and Mrs. Hardcastle. They passed up the marble stairs -and into the hall, where they paused until Mrs. Garnet -had sent up a servant to the bride, to request the favor -of being received by her before she should come down -into the saloon, and obtained an answer that Miss Seabright -would be pleased to see Mrs. Garnet and Mrs. -Hardcastle in her own apartment.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The servant who brought back the message bowed -and offered to show the ladies up. Mrs. Garnet and her -daughter followed him up the broad staircase into the -upper hall, and through a door into an elegant front -dressing room, which Alice recognized with a smile as -having been her own bedchamber.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The room, when they entered, was vacant of other -occupants, but they had scarcely seated themselves at the -front windows when the opposite folding doors opened -and Miss Seabright appeared before them.</p> - -<p class='c010'>A novice, when she is about to renounce forever the -pomps and vanities of the world and take the black veil -of the nun, arrays herself for the last time in costly -apparel. So Miss Seabright, when about to resign forever -all pretensions to splendor, arrayed her glorious -form with almost regal magnificence. Her bridal costume -was a rich Mechlin lace over white and silver brocaded -satin, and festooned with bouquets of pearls and -diamonds, a fine and ample lace veil confined above her -and ringlets by a wreath of the same priceless gems.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_295'>295</span>Mrs. Garnet raised her eyes to look upon the bride. -She had never seen Miss Seabright before, and now, at -the first sight of her magnificently beautiful form and -face, Alice started violently: all the blood suddenly left -her cheeks for an instant, and then rushed back again, -crimsoning her face to the very edges of her hair—so -startling, so strong, so painful was the resemblance of -Miss Seabright to the late General Garnet. Yes, there -was the same majesty and sweetness of mien, the same -regal turn of head and neck, the same fiery, dark hair, -the same smoldering and flashing eyes, the same beautiful -lips, the same bewildering smile. The only difference -was that in place of the latent diabolism under General -Garnet’s countenance all heaven shone from Miss Seabright’s. -Alice felt that she looked upon her late husband’s -face, only with its beauty idealized, elevated, made -divine. The vague, half-formed suspicions concerning -the paternity of Garnet Seabright that had occasionally -floated through her mind now became painfully confirmed. -As she gazed chills and heats alternately shook -her frame, and then a strong, yearning compassion -mingled with the high admiration she had hitherto felt -for the noble-souled girl, and she said to herself: “I -wonder if she knows it?” Then, looking at her more -attentively, she exclaimed inwardly: “No, no! she does -not know or suspect it! My soul upon it, she does not -know or suspect it! No; there is a high self-appreciation, -a grandeur in her mien and air, a majesty seated -on that pure and lofty brow, unconscious of shame—unconscious -of the very possibility of shame! God shield -her from the knowledge! for, oh! as I look upon her -noble presence now, I feel too surely that the knowledge -of her shame would kill her with a stroke swift, sharp, -and sure! God shield her from the knowledge! It were -sacrilege to discrown that imperial brow of its diadem -of unsullied honor, and brand it with shame instead. -God shield the innocent from the knowledge of guilt -which is infamy! God shield her! Oh, I can now forgive -my dead husband for having cheated me out of this -beautiful daughter, when I think he had the grace to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_296'>296</span>keep her innocent of the knowledge of her parentage and -his guilt. Yet how he must have loved her! Oh, doubtless -many times when his brow was overcast with gloom -and sullenness, it was with the thought of this child. -He never confided his sins or his troubles to me. Would -he had! I could have been as much of a friend as a wife -to him. Would he had had faith enough in me, when -the poor little one was orphaned, to have laid her on my -bosom instead of exiling her to that bleak isle! I would -have brought her up as my own. Did he dream that I -would have been otherwise than good to a little child? -But he would not trust me. He could tyrannize over -me in a thousand useless ways, yet never could venture -to bring the motherless child to my arms. No; he could -never tell me until that night, when drunken both with -brandy and bad passions—he taunted me with the fact.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>All these thoughts of Garnet’s parentage passed with -the rapidity of lightning through the mind of Mrs. Garnet, -while Miss Seabright, with outstretched hands and -radiant countenance, was advancing toward her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No; she must never know it! That pure, bright -brow must never be smirched and darkened by the burning, -blackening smite of shame! Yet shall she be another -daughter to me,” concluded Alice, as she arose to -meet the bride. As Miss Seabright, being the taller of -the two, bent to welcome Mrs. Garnet, Alice threw one -arm caressingly over her shoulder, and saying:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We must not meet as strangers, my love,” kissed her -cheek.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Miss Seabright looked down with proud gravity upon -the gentle lady for an instant, and then said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have great pleasure in welcoming you back to your -native halls, Mrs. Garnet. Long may you live in the enjoyment -of them!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The enjoyment of which I owe to you, noble girl.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Nay, madam; the long deprivation of which you -owed to me, unfortunately. The repossession of which -now you owe to nobody—nothing. It is simple justice.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But it is not justice, thou noble girl, that thou, who -wast brought up in affluence——”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_297'>297</span>“Nay, madam—I have known penury, too!” interrupted -Miss Seabright, with a sort of proud humility, if -the phrase be admissible.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Without noticing the interruption Mrs. Garnet resumed:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is not justice that one educated in luxury, and in -the prospect of nearly boundless wealth, should be suddenly -bereft of everything and reduced to a position for -which she is totally unfit.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, madam! pardon me. Had I not an example before -me? Did not your own admirable daughter resign -wealth and station and go forth to a life of toil and -privation to preserve intact the integrity of her heart?” -said Garnet Seabright, with gentle dignity, waving her -hand toward Mrs. Hardcastle, who had withdrawn to -a distant window during this colloquy.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, to preserve the dignity of her heart, and the -love of her heart—which latter gave her strength to do -as she did. Yes, and that was scarcely a trial to Elsie, -who possessed a cheerful, loving, and active temperament, -and was, besides, without your aspiring ambition. -No, Miss Seabright—nature, even more than education, -has quite unfitted you for the life of active household -toil and privation, voluntarily assumed for long years -by Mrs. Hardcastle. No, Miss Seabright—justice, as -well as your own magnanimous conduct, has imposed -this duty on me.” Miss Garnet paused and, drawing -from her pocket a roll of parchment, placed it in the -hands of the bride.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What is this?” asked Miss Seabright.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is a deed of conveyance of property to the amount -of one-tenth the Mount Calm estate. Receive it, with -my love, as a marriage portion.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I cannot, madam,” said Miss Seabright, returning the -deed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Nay, take it—take it then as a mark of the high esteem—the -honor I bear you!” persisted Mrs. Garnet, -tendering the packet.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, I cannot take it, madam.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Receive it, then, as your right, proud girl! Education -<span class='pageno' id='Page_298'>298</span>and expectation have given you a right to this -Take it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Indeed, believe me, I cannot, madam; though from -my soul I thank you,” said Miss Seabright, with emotion.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mrs. Garnet looked discouraged for an instant, and -then, as her glance fell upon the bright and joyous form -of Elsie, as she stood looking out from the front window -upon the spring scene, her eyes lighted up, and she called -to her:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Elsie, my love, come here. You have a gift of persuasion -that I, with all my good-will, never possessed.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Elsie came smiling forward.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Miss Seabright, this is my daughter, Mrs. Hardcastle.” -(Ah, Heaven! if they knew they were sisters!)</p> - -<p class='c010'>As Miss Seabright bowed Mrs. Hardcastle threw her -arm around her neck, and kissed her heartily, exclaiming -simply:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, I wished to meet you so much! I shall be so -glad to know you well!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I called you here, my love, to aid me in persuading -Miss Seabright to suffer me to do her justice. You -know——”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, I know!” said Elsie, interposing her cheerful -voice. “I know all about it. See here, Miss Seabright! -I never was crowned with magnanimity, sublimity, enthusiasm, -or the rest of the Godlike virtues and frenzies! -But I am gifted with some sound, good sense, which is -ever at the service of my friends, and I offer you a sample -of it now. Magnanimity is Godlike, until it is distorted -into fanaticism, when it is fool-like! It was magnanimous -in you to give up the whole of this estate. It -would be fanatical to refuse to take the tenth of it when -it is offered to you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The aptness of this argument seemed to strike Miss -Seabright, for, smiling, she replied:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I refer you to Dr. Hutton. I underwent such a -course of lessons from him upon the love of lucre, as opposed -to the love of justice, that I shall not forget it -soon. Ha! I am not sure that, should I go to the altar -<span class='pageno' id='Page_299'>299</span>with a deed of any portion of this estate in my pocket, -he would not think I had backslidden in principles, and -reject me even there!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Here Miss Joe, who, unperceived, had entered the -room and came up to them, interposed her voice, saying:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I wish he wouldn’t—I just do! I shouldn’t like to -see Hugh make such a fool of himself as that!” Then, -patting Miss Seabright affectionately upon the shoulder, -she whispered, in a knowing, confidential tone: “You -take it yourself, honey. Who has got a better right to -some o’ General Garnet’s property than you? Sure, -you’re his own flesh and blood! and the image of him, -too! You’re his own flesh and blood, honey. I know -all about it. It’s all in the little yellow hair trunk among -the letters. You take it, honey. You’re his own flesh -and blood!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh! Miss Joe, your rash words have destroyed—have -blasted her!” exclaimed Alice, in a voice of agony, -as the old lady, having fired this magazine, hurried out -of the room quite heedless, because quite unsuspicious -of the impending ruin.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And ruined indeed looked Miss Seabright, with every -vestige of color blasted from her marble-like face. Still -as a statue of despair, she stood with her dilated eyes -immovably fixed upon the receding figure of the old -woman, until it had disappeared from the room.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Then tossing back her bridal veil and springing forward -she grasped the hand of Mrs. Garnet, and, darting -her wild gaze piercingly into the lady’s gentle eyes, she -asked hurriedly:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Did I—did I hear aright? What did she say?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Nothing; do not mind her, Miss Seabright,” replied -the lady, with a flushed brow.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What did she say?” repeated Garnet.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Nothing! Nothing worth telling, my dear.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh! I implore you, tell me what did she say?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My dearest girl! nothing that it is well you should -hear.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Nay, then! I adjure you to tell me! By your soul’s -truth, I adjure you to tell me!” she persisted wildly.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_300'>300</span>“She told you, dearest Garnet, that you were the -daughter of my late husband; but——”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Stay! am I so?” interrupted Garnet, in a voice of indescribable -anguish.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes—I believe so,” replied Alice gently.</p> - -<p class='c010'>She dropped the hand she had grasped with such -strength, and stood as if suddenly turned to stone, for -an instant—and then springing forward with the wild -energy of desperation, she exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Unsay those words—or see me die before you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alice suddenly threw her arms around the form of the -stricken girl, and, catching her wild eyes, gazed into -them deeply and tenderly as though she would have -transfused all her own sweet love and resignation into -that rampant soul, and said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Dearest child! She told you only what we knew, and -still loved you. Dearest child! you are my husband’s -daughter, and Elsie’s younger sister—and we love you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The child of your husband and not your child! The -younger sister of your daughter, and you living!” exclaimed -the wretched girl, sinking, withering, shriveling -as it were before the fell blast of this burning and consuming -revelation. At last she groaned forth in tones of -unutterable sorrow: “Oh! oh! was it right, Heaven! was -it well, Heaven! just as I had made a great sacrifice to -duty, and achieved a great moral victory; was it well to -strike me in my pride of place, and bring me down so -low! so low!” Then with another spasmodic outbreak -of energy, she exclaimed: “Unsay those words! Unsay -them, or see me die before you! Take all I have—wealth, -rank, prospects, hopes! all, all! but, for the love of God, -unsay those words! Take all, all! but leave me my honorable -name! Take all, all! but let me go an honored, -if an humble bride, to my husband’s home! Oh, for the -pity of God!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Again Mrs. Garnet threw her arms around the cowering -form of the wretched girl, as though she would envelop, -sustain, save her in this trying moment, by the -might of love; and saying:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My dearest Garnet! my love! my love! you shall go -<span class='pageno' id='Page_301'>301</span>an honorable and an honored bride to your husband’s -home. One whom I will take to my bosom thus—is -a worthy match for any man. You should have been my -own daughter, Garnet, but that I was cheated out of you; -but I claim you now. You are my husband’s child, and -the express image of his person; therefore you should -have been my child; therefore I claim you now to be my -child of right! I loved your father, Garnet! I love you! -Believe me! Do not cover your face, and turn it from -me. Let me kiss you. Do not grieve so.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Grieve!” exclaimed the sinking girl, in a voice of -anguish; “I do not grieve, lady! I die! Grieve! Oh, -look you, madam! If I had suffered the loss of friends -by death, or what is worse, by treachery; if I were -miserably poor, ill, and abandoned; if I were dying of -disease, want, and neglect; if I were misjudged, slandered, -and persecuted; if I were unjustly charged, falsely -imprisoned, and innocently doomed to death; if I were -suffering any other anguish of mind, or agony of body, -then I might grieve—but now! now! that I know myself -a living, breathing monument of guilt!” A terrible -shudder shook her frame and arrested her speech—her -form collapsed and sank more than before—and it was -in a dying voice she resumed: “Now that I know myself -infected by worse than leprosy”—she paused and -looked at herself from head to foot; she stretched forth -her beautiful brown arm, frosted with pearls and diamonds, -and surveyed it; she gathered up the lurid ringlets -of her dark hair and gazed on them; then, dropping -her arms wearily, she continued—“I was not so vain -as grateful for my beauty. But now! oh, God! to think -that every atom of flesh, and every drop of blood, and -every nerve and vein to my heart’s core is pervaded, permeated -with sin and reproach! sin and reproach! Oh, -God! oh, God, quickly take back the soul Thou didst -send into this shape of sin!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Once more her form cowered, crushed beneath the -overwhelming weight of ignominy. She tottered and -must have fallen to the floor, but that Elsie sprang and -aided her mother in supporting her to a sofa near.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_302'>302</span>“I declare,” exclaimed Elsie, in her positive manner, -“there should have been no concealment; she should -have grown up with the knowledge of her parentage!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh-h-h! doubtless,” murmured the nearly dying girl, -“oh, doubtless they should have told me of my birth! -And then my soul would have grown up familiarized -with infamy, until it became as base as its proscribed -dwelling-place!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But,” said Elsie, in her calm way, “is it possible you -never suspected this? Is it possible that, when you came -home from school, with all your faculties alive and keen, -you could have looked upon my father’s portrait, and -looked upon your own reflection in the glass, and not be -struck by the resemblance, the identity of the two faces? -Is it possible that you did not suspect?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Suspect this! suspect my birth! suspect my shame! -Oh, woman, woman! you found me proud and joyous! -how could I have suspected this? You found me living! -how could I have suspected this and lived?” she exclaimed, -in a voice of indescribable grief and reproach, -and then her form subsided, as it were, prostrate, among -the cushions. And so it was throughout the scene; frequent -convulsive outbreaks of anguish would be instantly -followed by the prostration of all strength. And -then she lay with her hands pressed upon her face a long -time perfectly still, but for an occasional start and shudder. -She lay there, with Elsie sitting by her side, until -the clock struck eight—the marriage hour. Mrs. Garnet -then approached, and, kneeling by her, embraced and -kissed her, saying:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My dear girl, my daughter, rouse yourself. The bitter -trial of this needless revelation has shocked you -nearly to death. But it will pass away, as all trials must, -my love. Garnet, I, too, have had trials in my time, -heart-crushing disappointments and sorrows, from which -I thought I never could recover. But I have recovered, -you see. My sorrows are gone, long ago; gone down -the stream of the past, and I have been happy for years. -So it will be with you. We all think our first sorrow -is to kill us, but it does not. We live and recover. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_303'>303</span>So you will find it. This sudden revelation has overwhelmed -you, but you will get over it. We will make -you forget it. You will be an honorable and honored -wife. You will be loved and happy. Come, rouse yourself! -Your marriage hour has struck. Your husband -waits you even now; come! Give me your hand! -Garnet!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My marriage hour has struck! My husband waits -me now! Oh, madam, do you then believe me base in -soul as in birth?” exclaimed the miserable girl, with -bitterness.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“In the name of Heaven, what mean you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you think that I, stripped of all other possessions, -will carry my dower of shame to my husband’s home?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“In the name of mercy, what do you mean?” asked -Alice, in alarm.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, merely this, that this marriage must not and shall -not proceed! Oh, no! Dr. Hutton must never blush -for his wife’s parentage!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mrs. Garnet glanced at Elsie in despair. Elsie here -interposed her blooming face and hopeful voice, saying:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Miss Seabright, as I told you before, I have no -grand sentiments, but I have some good sense, and it -seems to me, as it takes two to make an engagement, it -takes two to break it, honestly; I think, as you have -plighted your troth to Hugh Hutton, you might consult -him before breaking faith with him, for such a cause, at -the very last moment.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Consult him!” said the poor girl, as the blood crimsoned -her ashen brow. “How can I consult him? And -if I could, I know his self-immolating generosity. I -know, besides, that he loves me so, he would hold me -to my word; he loves me so, he would take the shame -with me. Consult him! No, no! for many reasons. But -without consulting him, I will break with him; since in -breaking faith I shall wrong him less than in keeping -it!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ah, Miss Seabright, that is sophistry! And sophistry -is ingenious, but it deceives no one. Duty is very simple, -and it never can be mistaken. But I hear the bridegroom -<span class='pageno' id='Page_304'>304</span>and his friends approaching the door. Come, rise! let -me re-arrange your hair and wreath.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mrs. Garnet opened the door, and admitted Dr. Hardcastle -and Hugh Hutton. Dr. Hardcastle went up to his -wife, who drew him off to a distant window, while Hugh -Hutton, seeing his bride reclining, pale and disordered, -upon the sofa, hastened to her, stooped over, took her -hand, and gazed anxiously upon her, inquiring:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My dearest Garnet, what is the matter? Are you ill -again?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>She turned her face, whitened and sharpened with anguish, -upon him, gazed intently in his countenance, but -said nothing for a full minute—then, as by a new and -sudden impulse, she exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hugh! I know my birth. Do you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Dr. Hutton dropped her hand, frowned, and compressed -his lips.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Garnet’s features convulsed with a spasm of anguish, -and she covered her face with her hands.</p> - -<p class='c010'>When Hugh Hutton saw that he dropped upon his -knees at her side, removed her hands, and kissed her -pallid brow, saying:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I know that God created you a beautiful and high-souled -woman. I know that by no act of your life have -you ever marred His creation. I seek to know”—he -broke forth with sudden energy—“I consent to know no -more.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hugh,” she said, looking at him piteously, “an evil -covered up is not an evil cured. Hugh, this marriage -must not go on.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Nettie, you are insane!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, never more soberly, sadly sane than now.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What! would you break your engagement to me—and -at the last moment?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes; for a sufficient reason.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But I will not consent to it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I do not ask your consent. I break it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Nettie!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hugh! stoop down here! nearer—there. Hugh!” -she said tenderly, running her pale fingers through the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_305'>305</span>dark waves of hair each side his massive forehead, and -holding his head between her hands as she gazed fondly -in his face—“Hugh! I know you love me. I have never -doubted it one single moment. And I do love you. So -much—so much, Hugh, I love you so much that, to save -my own immortal soul I would not marry you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You dare not refuse me. I claim your plighted -faith. I claim you for my wife,” exclaimed Hugh Hutton -passionately.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“To save you I dare refuse you. To save you I dare -break my plighted faith, and take the sin upon my own -soul. Hugh! dear Hugh! in one great contest I yielded -to you, because high principle was on your side. But -this is a different matter; I am as inexorable as Death.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Nettie! Nettie! I am strong; but your loss would -paralyze me. But oh! it cannot be. I will never, never -leave you nor forsake you. If I do, may God abandon -my own soul!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Her features were convulsed again, and for a moment -she concealed them with her hands; then laying her -hands tenderly upon the head of her kneeling companion, -she said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It does not matter much for me, for I think that death -is upon me—but for you, Hugh—oh, it is hard, it is -hard for you. It is hard for you, so good and true, so -noble as you are, to be so grievously wronged by disappointment. -Oh! it shakes one’s faith in goodness, in -Heaven. But I love you so—I love you so that I will -pray God, living or dying, I will pray God to give you -another love, another wife, who shall be worthy of you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“By Heaven! I will have no other wife but you. And -you will I have!” exclaimed Hugh Hutton, forgetting -the presence of others, and speaking so loud as to startle -Mrs. Garnet, who came forward and said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, Hugh! my dear friend, is not this a trouble? -What shall we do to persuade her?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Dear friend, leave me alone with her for a little -while. God has deputed to me some power over His -self-willed child—this noble but stubborn girl. Leave -me with her.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_306'>306</span>Mrs. Garnet turned to go, but was met near the door -by Miss Joe, who bustled in, and, nudging the lady’s -elbow, whispered to her, saying:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I say! aint it time for them all to walk down? The -parson—Parson Sinclair—has been come for half an -hour, and the company downstairs is getting out o’ patience. -Besides, if the ceremony don’t make haste and -get performed, the breakfast will get spoiled—the coffee -will boil all its strength away, and the batter for the rice -waffles will rise so much it will turn sour. What are they -all waiting for?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Nothing. And I do not know that there will be any -marriage,” replied Mrs. Garnet sternly and bitterly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hugh, what is the matter?” exclaimed Miss Joe, -looking around in surprise. Then, perceiving the recumbent -form of Miss Seabright, with Dr. Hutton still -kneeling by her, she inquired: “Dear me! What ails -Garnet?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You have ruined her peace forever,” indignantly exclaimed -Mrs. Garnet, unable to forbear reproaches. -“You have killed her with your uncalled-for revelations.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Me! ruined what? killed which?” exclaimed the innocent -old lady, in perplexity.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Garnet Seabright. I say you have killed her.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Killed her! why I haint even tetched her. I haint -done a thing to her; I haint harmed a hair of her head. -I haint been a-nigh her. She was well enough when I -come through here with the napkins.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Words kill! You told her the secret of her birth. -You told her she was General Garnet’s child, and the -shock and the shame have overwhelmed, have killed her.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The old lady listened with her eyes starting out of her -head, and her mouth wide open with unmeasured astonishment, -and then exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Me! Me tell her she was General Garnet’s child! -Why, I didn’t do no such thing! Who says I did?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I! I heard you with my own ears.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why, you didn’t hear any such a thing! High! how -could I tell such a lie as that, when it wa’n’t the truth?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mrs. Garnet, in her turn, stared with such unbounded -<span class='pageno' id='Page_307'>307</span>astonishment and incredulity, that the old lady took high -offense, and exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well! upon my word! Next time it lightens, I -shouldn’t wonder if you accused me of setting the clouds -afire. Come! if you don’t b’lieve me, there’s the young -gal herself. Go ask her now. She aint dying neither, -no more ’an I am. She looks gashly as a corpse, to be -sure, but Lord! I’ve seen her look that way afore, when -she’d get into her tantrums long o’ her guardian or -Hugh. Come! I’ll go;” and the old lady waddled precipitately -across the room to the sofa, exclaiming wrathfully, -“Miss Seabright! Garnet Seabright, I say! Now, -did ever I tell you such a falsity as that you were General -Garnet’s child?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Dr. Hutton started up from his kneeling posture, and -stood staring at the excited old lady. Garnet sprang up -from the cushions, and gazed at her face with all her -soul in her eyes.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My goodness, child; don’t stare at me so wild! -You’ll give me the fever ‘n’ ague. Answer my question.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Here Dr. and Mrs. Hardcastle were attracted to the -scene of action.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Can’t you speak? Did ever I say you were General -Garnet’s child?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Did—you—not—say—so?” asked Miss Seabright, -with life and death struggling in her bosom.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No! I did not say so. How could I tell such a lie, -when it wasn’t the truth?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And—he—was—not—my—father?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I wish people wouldn’t be slandering of your poor, -dear mother! poor, little, wild thing. She was distantly -connected with myself.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But,” said Elsie, interposing, “no one raised a doubt -but yourself, Miss Joe, and we would like to hear you -explain your words, that gave rise to all this trouble.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Words! what words?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The words you whispered to Miss Seabright when -you passed through the room an hour ago.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh! yes. Why, I telled her she might well have a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_308'>308</span>share o’ the property, seein’ how she was General Garnet’s -granddaughter.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“General Garnet’s granddaughter!” exclaimed everyone.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes. Don’t all talk to me at the same time, you -’fuse my head. I declare, if my heart aint as big as a -batch of light dough, and my head goes round like a -coffee-mill! That ’minds me of the breakfast—’deed it -will get spoiled.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But you did not tell her that she was General Garnet’s -granddaughter. It was something else you told -her,” said Elsie.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I—don’t ’fuse my mind. I don’t ’member what the -words were, but that’s what the meaning was.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I remember what the words were exactly,” said Elsie; -“she said she was ‘his own flesh and blood.’”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“To be sure I did; that’s just what I did say. It’s all -in the little yellow hair trunk—her mother’s little yellow -hair trunk. I never knowed anything about it until I -come here to live, because I never had no chance to fool -my time away ransacking of old papers afore. If you’ll -all stop talking to me, I’ll tell you all about it, and you -can read the rest. You see, General Garnet, when he was -a boy about seventeen or eighteen years old, he falls in -love long of a poor gal, and marries her secretly. In -about a year arter this, the poor gal she died, leaving of -a young infant son. Then General Garnet—he was Mr. -Garnet then—he being a wild young man, and not wanting -to be bothered with children, he puts this child out to -nurse, and goes off and forgets all about it. But the -boy, as he grew up, he knew, somehow, who his father -was, and sort o’ always had a hankering arter finding -him. Well, he didn’t meet his father till he listed in the -wars, when he was no more than fourteen years of age; -and he served under him the whole length of the war; -and though General Garnet—he was Captain Garnet -then—being a handsome, dashing, gay young officer, -would not acknowledge or even notice this son, yet the -boy seemed to worship the very earth his father walked -on. He seemed to live but for one thing in the world—to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_309'>309</span>love and serve his handsome but unnatural father. -He watched over the safety of his life and his honor. -Twice he saved his father’s honor at the loss of his own -reputation; and that was the reason why he never got -to be anything better ’an a corporal all the time he -sarved in the war. I’ll tell you all about it some time, -or else you can read it all in the old letters in the little -yellow hair trunk. Well, and at last he saved his -father’s life, at the expense of a dreadful wound, that, -arter years of illness, caused his death. Well, this boy—though -his father didn’t set any store to him, and his -comrades didn’t vally him as they ought to ’a done—was -thought a heap on by my wild little cousin. And so, -when he come from the wars, wounded, and feeble, and -broken-hearted, she stole away to him, and they were -married. She said she could work for both, and she did -work for both till he died. Well, arter the poor misfortunate -young man was dead and gone, I suppose General -Garnet’s conscience, as had been stone dead long -before, had a resurrection, or else the ghost of his murdered -conscience haunted him, for he paid a visit to the -young widow, and found her grieving herself to death. -Well, he made a whole parcel o’ splendid promises as he -never fulfilled. And when the poor young thing died, -leaving her little darter in his care, he jest passed her -over to me as a great favor, and that was the very last -I ever saw or heard of him or his promises till he quarreled -long o’ his own darter, and then he comed over and -’dopted Nettie. You see, God never could prevail with -him to do anything, but the devil could make him do as -he pleased.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There, there, Miss Joe, that will do,” interrupted Mrs. -Garnet, to whom these severe reflections were deeply -painful. “Never, Miss Joe, cast unnecessary reproach -upon the memory of the dumb, defenseless dead.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I won’t. I am sure if the Lord pardons him, we can. -I won’t say any more. Only if you want to know all -the particulars, you see, you can read the letters in the -little yellow hair trunk. And that’s the end of the story; -and now I know the coffee is spoiled.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_310'>310</span>“Garnet, you have a right to blush for your parentage—but -let it be a blush of enthusiasm, for never -have I heard of two such disinterested souls,” said Dr. -Hardcastle, shaking her hand with cordial sympathy.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Hugh Hutton said nothing as yet, but stood by her, -pouring all his earnest, loving soul through the gaze he -fixed upon her face. And she—down her cheeks the -tears had poured like rain. But now that copious and -refreshing shower was over and the sun of gladness -shone out again, Garnet smiled brightly, while yet the -tears sparkled like rain-drops on her ringlets. Mrs. -Hardcastle, with her cheerful blooming expression, was -standing behind her quietly rearranging the disordered -wreath and veil. Mrs. Garnet went to the door of the -adjoining room, and beckoned the two young ladies who -were to act as bridesmaids. Dr. Hardcastle opened the -hall door and admitted the groomsmen, who entered and -gave their arms to the young bridesmaids. Hugh Hutton -took the hand of Garnet, and, when she arose, Elsie -arranged the folds of her robe, and whispered:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Never mind if you are very pale and agitated, dear; -it is not so unbefitting a bride—besides, your veil is -down, you know.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The bridal party moved onward downstairs. As Dr. -Hardcastle followed with his wife, he turned to her with -an arch look, and whispered:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My dear Elsie, there is an old acquaintance of yours -below stairs.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Many of them, I suspect.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, but this one is an uninvited, unexpected, but -most welcome guest.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Whom?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The Honorable Ulysses Roebuck!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“‘The Honorable Ulysses Roebuck!’ I remember -‘Marse Useless,’ as the negroes used to call him; but -how on earth became he ‘Honorable’?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Dr. Hardcastle shrugged his shoulders, elevated his -eyebrows with a queer smile, and answered:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I really suppose just as more of our Honorables become -so. He failed at everything useful, went to a distant -<span class='pageno' id='Page_311'>311</span>part of the State, took to politics, made stump-speeches -‘full of sound and fury, signifying nothing’ and -got himself sent to Congress. After an absence of ten -years he has just now revisited his native neighborhood. -He reached Point Pleasant by the early boat this morning, -and, finding that the family were all here, he followed -them, and is here also.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And his old ladylove, who jilted him to marry my -father, and lost both, and who must be now near twenty-eight -years of age—how did she receive him? I should -like to have seen that meeting!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I saw it. When he first entered the saloon he was -caught in the arms of Judge Jacky, who ran to him and -rapturously embraced him, overwhelming him with welcomes. -Then, when released from the old gentleman’s -arms, he shook hands with all his friends and acquaintances, -looking uneasily around the room all the while, as -if in search of someone else. At last his flying glances -alighted on the distant form of Ambrosia, standing near -the fireplace. He made her a formal bow, which she -acknowledged by a cold courtesy!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“After a lover’s quarrel and a separation of ten years! -That is a first-rate sign, Magnus; I should not wonder if -he had cherished her image in his heart through all those -years.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, they had not even spoken when I came away.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Better and better! I shall not be surprised if he -propose for her before the day is over.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>They had now reached the saloon where the bridal -party were already ranging themselves before the clergyman, -who was no other than our oldest friend, the Rev. -Milton Sinclair.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“See!” whispered Dr. Hardcastle, pointing to where -Miss Wylie sat gloomily at one end of the room, and -Mr. Roebuck morosely at the other; “see! I do not believe -they have spoken yet.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I believe they’ll be married in a week!” laughed -Elsie.</p> - -<p class='c010'>But the clergyman had opened his book, the ceremony -was about to commence, and all became silent and profoundly -<span class='pageno' id='Page_312'>312</span>attentive while it progressed. It was over, and -friends crowded around to offer their congratulations to -the newly-married pair. In the crowd Ulysses Roebuck, -Mrs. Hardcastle, and Ambrosia Wylie got pressed together.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I declare!” exclaimed Elsie, with her cheerful, ringing -tones, “if here are not two of my old, old playmates!” -And seizing a hand of each, she shook them -heartily; then joining those two hands in hers, she said, -“Let me be the mediator. Be friends, as you long to -be!” and slipped away, leaving them together.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Shall we be friends? Shall we be more to each -other, Ambrosia?” said Ulysses, pressing her hand.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes; if you can forgive the infidelity caused by ambition, -and expiated by whole years of suffering!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have waited for you ten years, Ambrosia. I should -think that an answer. Come! let’s go to the bay window -and talk over old times!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not now; the company are going in to breakfast,” -replied Ambrosia, taking his arm; and they followed in -the wake of the foremost. Mrs. Garnet approached the -clergyman, who still lingered as if lost in abstraction.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mr. Sinclair,” she said, “it gives me great happiness -to see you back here and settled in our parish. I am -much pleased, also, to welcome you to our house. The -company have gone in to breakfast; will you come?” -Mr. Sinclair bowed in grave silence, gave the lady his -arm, and they followed the others.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Breakfast was over. The traveling carriage of Mount -Calm was packed and at the door to convey the newly-married -couple to the stage office at Huttontown, whence -they were to start for the West. The family party, consisting -of Mrs. Garnet, Dr. and Mrs. Hardcastle, and -the bride and groom, were grouped for a last leave-taking -in the passage, when Miss Joe suddenly appeared -among them, in her poke bonnet and brown shawl, with -a bandbox in one hand and a basket in the other, and -followed by a negro man, bending under the weight of a -great trunk. When the little party stared with surprise, -she exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_313'>313</span>“Well, now, you needn’t look so queer, all of you, -cause I couldn’t help of it! I’ve been a-struggling and -a-struggling with my feelings, and I couldn’t help of it! -I’m gwine long o’ Hugh and Nettie. They’re like my -own children, ’cause I took care of them when they were -little! And I’m gwine long o’ them. Besides, long as -they’re poor, they’ll want somebody to help them work. -It aint much I can do now, seeing I’m nigh on to seventy -years old. But, leastways, I can mend their clothes, -and darn the children’s stockings, and mind the baby, -and so on.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>There was no time for much argument now; but to all -that Mrs. Garnet and the Hardcastles could say to prevail -on her to remain at Mount Calm the old lady turned -a deaf ear. She was set to go with Hugh and Nettie, -because they were like her own children, and because -they were poor.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But they are not poor,” said Mrs. Garnet; “and, oh! -that reminds me—I have the deed of gift yet,” continued -the lady, producing the deed from her pocket, and placing -it in the hands of Dr. Hutton.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What is this, madam?” he asked, examining the -parchment.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is merely a dower with your bride,” said the lady.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is a deed of conveyance, Hugh, investing me with -properties to the amount of one-tenth the great Mount -Calm estate. Can I take it?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, dearest—no, you cannot!” replied Dr. Hutton, -pressing her hand; then, turning to the lady, he said: -“Mrs. Garnet, we sincerely thank you. This generosity -is so like yourself that we are not surprised at it, while -we must gratefully decline it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>As no arguments could move Hugh Hutton from his -resolution, the effort was at last abandoned.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The carriage, into which Miss Joe was packed, drew -up nearer to the door. Garnet embraced her friends successively. -Hugh Hutton shook hands with them in turn, -and handed his bride into the carriage. The steps were -put up, the door closed, and the carriage rolled away.</p> - -<hr class='c011'> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_314'>314</span>Mrs. Garnet continued to reside at Mount Calm, happy -in her vocation of “Lady Bountiful” to the neighborhood—happy, -that is to say, as long as the fine weather -of spring, summer, and autumn last, during which, in her -missions of usefulness or benevolence, she could walk, -ride, or drive through the most beautiful country in the -world; but, when winter came, with its wind and rain, -and hail and snowstorms, its impassable roads, and its -long spells of tempestuous or intensely cold weather, and -its longer seasons of enforced confinement within-doors, -the lonely lady of Mount Calm found the solitary -grandeur of her mansion house dreary enough. The -minister had been her coadjutor, and often her companion, -in her labors of beneficence, during the preceding -eight or ten months; and now, in the stormy winter -weather, he was her willing representative and almoner -among the sick, the poor, and the suffering. No fury of -tempest overhead, or depth of snow, or quagmire under -foot, could interrupt the weekly visits of the pastor to the -lady. The solitary lady knew this; and so, even in the -most frightful weather, during the darkest, dreariest, and -loneliest seasons, there was one day in the week to which -she could look forward with certainty of enjoyment—namely, -to Wednesday, when, let the wind and the rain, -the hail and the snow, do what it might to prevent him, -the minister was sure to present himself at Mount Calm. -Each Wednesday evening it became more painful for -these two friends to part, and the parting was protracted -to a later hour. One very stormy night in February, -when he had lingered by her fireside later than ever before, -and had at last risen to take leave, he detained -her hand in his a long time in silence, and then faltered: -“Alice, are we never to be more to each other than -now?” The lady shook her head in mournful negation, -and there was a “soul’s tragedy” in the tone wherewith -she answered simply: “We are old, now!” The timid -proposition was not renewed then; the shyness of age, -worse than the shyness of youth, silenced the lips of the -minister. The proposal probably never would have been -renewed, but for the intervention of the cordial-hearted -<span class='pageno' id='Page_315'>315</span>Elsie—that happy, healthful, sworn foe to all morbid -scruples and needless suffering. She had been made acquainted -with her mother’s early history, and for years -past she had watched over the delicate lady with more -care and tenderness than over any of her own robust and -blooming babies. Now that she was divided from her, -she felt increased solicitude for the welfare of the fragile, -sensitive recluse. It was toward the spring that she was -awakened to a knowledge of the attachment existing -between the lady and the pastor; and, after taking observation -for a few days, she one day said to her mother: -“Mother, why don’t you marry the minister?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Dear Elsie, what could suggest such an absurd thing -to your mind? What would the neighbors say? At our -age, too!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Dearest mother, they may wonder a little; but, upon -the whole, they will be well pleased. Besides, shall their -wonder prevent you being comfortable? You need each -other’s society—you and the minister. You are both so -lonely—you in your mansion, he in his lodgings; you -need each other. Come! accept him, mother. Magnus -and I will give you our blessing,” laughed Elsie; and -then, immediately regretting her involuntary levity, she -said seriously: “Dear mother, think of this. You have -reached the summit-point of life; before you lies the -descent into the vale of years; your old friend stands on -the same ground, with the same road before him. Give -your hand to your dear old friend, and go ye down the -vale together.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Elsie was successful in her efforts. Before another -winter the lady and the minister were married; and -thenceforward the serene and beautiful life of the pair -gave a poetic fitness to the name of their homestead, -“Mount Calm.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Dr. and Mrs. Hardcastle made Hemlock Hollow their -place of permanent residence. They erected an elegant -mansion, and improved and adorned the grounds with -such artistic taste that it was considered one of the most -beautiful seats in old St. Mary’s.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The Honorable Ulysses and Mrs. Roebuck spent their -<span class='pageno' id='Page_316'>316</span>summers at Point Pleasant, and their winters in the -metropolis, until the Honorable Ulysses grew weary of -political life and careless of popularity, and lost his election, -when they took up their permanent abode at the -Point, with Judge Jacky Wylie.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And the families of Hemlock Hollow, Mount Calm, -and Point Pleasant formed an intimate social circle, and -kept up their agreeable relations after the St. Mary’s -fashion of family dinner-parties, social tea-drinkings, fish -feasts upon the coast, fox-hunts among the gentlemen, -neighborhood dances, etc.; while the gentle, but powerful -influence emanating from Mount Calm spread the -spirit of religion over all.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Dr. and Mrs. Hutton eventually settled in a Southern -State. Miss Joe Cotter remained with them to the end -of her long life. Consistent in her economy to the very -last, she devoted the remaining years of her life to “laying -up treasures in heaven.” Dr. Hutton became one -of the most celebrated physicians in the country, and -amassed a large fortune. Mrs. Hutton became one of -the brightest stars in the great Southern constellation of -beauty, genius, and fashion. Their home is a beautiful -edifice on the banks of a Southern lake, within easy distance -of the city. For elegance, taste, and luxury it is -scarcely excelled by the far-famed palaces of the Old -World. From his present affluent ease Dr. Hutton delights -to look back upon his early struggles, and he repeats -now, with more emphasis than before, that, “A -young American should never permit himself to depend -upon the accidents of fortune for success in life; for in -our prosperous country a man of good health and good -habits need never fail to make an independence for himself -and family, and to win the blessing of God.”</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c003'> -</div> -<div class='chapter ph2'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c012'> - <div>Grosset & Dunlap’s Popular</div> - <div>Series of Standard Books</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> -<hr class='c018'> - -<p class='c010'>A series of 12mos of distinctive character and appearance, -comprising judiciously selected titles, indorsed by -the foremost critics, and approved by generations of readers. -Beautifully printed on fine book paper, and handsomely -bound in cloth with strikingly artistic cover designs.</p> -<hr class='c011'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>Price, 50 cents per volume, postpaid.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class='c011'> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>AESOP’S FABLES</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>ANDERSEN, HANS CHRISTIAN</div> - <div class='line in4'>Fairy Tales and Stories</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>BARRIE, J. M.</div> - <div class='line in4'>The Little Minister</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>BELL, J. J.</div> - <div class='line in4'>Wee Macgreegor</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>BESANT AND RICE</div> - <div class='line in4'>All Sorts and Conditions of Man</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>BRONTE, CHARLOTTE</div> - <div class='line in4'>Jane Eyre</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>BULWER-LYTTON</div> - <div class='line in4'>The Last Days of Pompeii</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>BUNYAN, JOHN</div> - <div class='line in4'>Pilgrim’s Progress</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>CAREY, ROSA NOUCHETTE</div> - <div class='line in4'>Aunt Diana</div> - <div class='line in4'>Averil</div> - <div class='line in4'>Merle’s Crusade</div> - <div class='line in4'>Not Like Other Girls</div> - <div class='line in4'>Only the Governess</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>CARROLL, LEWIS</div> - <div class='line in4'>Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. The two volumes in one</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>CONNOR, RALPH</div> - <div class='line in4'>Black Rock</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>COOPER, J. FENIMORE</div> - <div class='line in4'>The Deerslayer</div> - <div class='line in4'>The Last of the Mohicans</div> - <div class='line in4'>The Pathfinder</div> - <div class='line in4'>The Pioneers</div> - <div class='line in4'>The Prairie</div> - <div class='line in4'>The Spy</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>CUMMINS, MARIA S.</div> - <div class='line in4'>The Lamplighter</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>CORELLI, MARIE</div> - <div class='line in4'>Thelma</div> - <div class='line in4'>A Romance of Two Worlds</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>DEFOE, DANIEL</div> - <div class='line in4'>Robinson Crusoe</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>DICKENS, CHARLES</div> - <div class='line in4'>A Tale of Two Cities</div> - <div class='line in4'>The Christmas Stories</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>DODGE, MARY MAPES</div> - <div class='line in4'>Hans Brinker</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>DOYLE, A. CONAN</div> - <div class='line in4'>Tales of Sherlock Holmes</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>DUMAS, ALEXANDER</div> - <div class='line in4'>Twenty Years After</div> - <div class='line in4'>The Three Guardsmen</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>ELIOT, GEORGE</div> - <div class='line in4'>Silas Marner</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>ELLIS, EDWARD S.</div> - <div class='line in4'>Life of Kit Carson</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>EMERSON, RALPH WALDO</div> - <div class='line in4'>Essays (1st and 2nd Series in one volume)</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>EVANS, AUGUSTA J.</div> - <div class='line in4'>Beulah</div> - <div class='line in4'>Inez</div> - <div class='line in4'>Macaria</div> - <div class='line in4'>St. Elmo (Special Ed.)</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>FOTHERGILL, JESSIE</div> - <div class='line in4'>The First Violin</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>GASKELL, MRS.</div> - <div class='line in4'>Cranford</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>GRIMM, THE BROTHERS</div> - <div class='line in4'>Grimm’s Fairy Tales</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>HABBERTON, JOHN</div> - <div class='line in4'>Helen’s Babies</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>HARRIS, MIRIAM COLES</div> - <div class='line in4'>Rutledge</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>HAWTHORNE, NATHANIEL</div> - <div class='line in4'>The Marble Faun</div> - <div class='line in4'>The Scarlet Letter</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>HOLLAND, J. G.</div> - <div class='line in4'>Bitter Sweet</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>HOLLEY, MARIETTA</div> - <div class='line in4'>Samantha at Saratoga</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>HOLMES, OLIVER WENDELL</div> - <div class='line in4'>Elsie Venner</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>HUGHES, THOMAS</div> - <div class='line in4'>Tom Brown’s School Days</div> - <div class='line in4'>Tom Brown at Oxford</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>INGRAHAM, REV. J. H.</div> - <div class='line in4'>The Prince of the House of David</div> - <div class='line in4'>The Pillar of Fire</div> - <div class='line in4'>The Throne of David</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>IRVING, WASHINGTON</div> - <div class='line in4'>The Sketch Book</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>LAMB, CHARLES AND MARY</div> - <div class='line in4'>Tales from Shakespeare</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>LANG, ANDREW</div> - <div class='line in4'>The Blue Fairy Book</div> - <div class='line in4'>The Green Fairy Book</div> - <div class='line in4'>My Own Fairy Book</div> - <div class='line in4'>The Red Fairy Book</div> - <div class='line in4'>The Yellow Fairy Book</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>LONGFELLOW, HENRY W.</div> - <div class='line in4'>Evangeline</div> - <div class='line in4'>Hiawatha</div> - <div class='line in4'>The Courtship of Miles Standish</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>MARLITT, EUGENIE</div> - <div class='line in4'>Gold Elsie</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>MEREDITH, OWEN</div> - <div class='line in4'>Lucile</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>MULOCK, MISS</div> - <div class='line in4'>The Little Lame Prince</div> - <div class='line in4'>Mulock’s Fairy Tales</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>OUIDA</div> - <div class='line in4'>Under Two Flags</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>PRENTISS, ELIZABETH PAYSON</div> - <div class='line in4'>Stepping Heavenward</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>READE, CHARLES</div> - <div class='line in4'>The Cloister and the Hearth</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>REID, CAPT. MAYNE</div> - <div class='line in4'>The Rifle Rangers</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>SCOTT, SIR WALTER</div> - <div class='line in4'>Ivanhoe (with notes)</div> - <div class='line in4'>Kenilworth (with notes)</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>SEWELL, ANNA</div> - <div class='line in4'>Black Beauty</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>SHELDON, REV. CHARLES M.</div> - <div class='line in4'>Crucifixion of Philip Strong</div> - <div class='line in4'>In His Steps</div> - <div class='line in4'>Robert Hardy’s Seven Days</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>STEVENSON, R. L.</div> - <div class='line in4'>Treasure Island</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>STOWE, HARRIET BEECHER</div> - <div class='line in4'>Uncle Tom’s Cabin</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>THOMPSON, D. P.</div> - <div class='line in4'>Green Mountain Boys</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>WAGNER, CHARLES</div> - <div class='line in4'>The Simple Life</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>WARNER, SUSAN</div> - <div class='line in4'>The Wide, Wide World</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>WOOD, MRS. HENRY</div> - <div class='line in4'>East Lynne</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>WYSS, JOHANN RUDOLF</div> - <div class='line in4'>Swiss Family Robinson</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c003'> -</div> -<div class='chapter ph2'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c012'> - <div>The Southworth Series</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> -<hr class='c018'> - -<p class='c010'>Comprising ten of the most popular works of Mrs. -E. D. E. N. Southworth. Many mothers can remember -with what pleasure they pored over the captivating novels -of Mrs. Southworth when they were girls, and how impatiently -they waited from week to week for the instalments -of their favorite stories. They are read with the same -eagerness by the daughters of to-day, and will be as -eagerly read by their children’s children. They are -splendid stories of American life, manners, customs -and institutions.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Attractively bound in cloth, with colored picture inlay -on cover. Coated paper wrapper, printed in colors.</p> - -<hr class='c011'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>Price, 50 cents per volume, postpaid.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class='c011'> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>THE CHANGED BRIDES; Or, Winning Her Way.</div> - <div class='line'>THE BRIDE’S FATE; Sequel to “The Changed Brides.”</div> - <div class='line'>CRUEL AS THE GRAVE.</div> - <div class='line'>TRIED FOR HER LIFE; Sequel to “Cruel as the Grave.”</div> - <div class='line'>THE DISCARDED DAUGHTER; Or, The Children of the Isle.</div> - <div class='line'>THE HIDDEN HAND; Complete in one volume.</div> - <div class='line'>ISHMAEL; Or, In the Depths.</div> - <div class='line'>SELF-RAISED; Or, From the Depths. Sequel to “Ishmael.”</div> - <div class='line'>THE MISSING BRIDE; Or, Miriam, the Avenger.</div> - <div class='line'>VIVIA; Or, The Secret of Power.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c003'> -</div> -<div class='chapter ph2'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c012'> - <div>The L. T. Meade Series</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<hr class='c018'> - -<p class='c010'>The popularity of these charming tales for girls -increases as the years go by, and the present edition we -believe to be the best ever offered at a moderate price. -Thirty-nine titles—many of them copyrighted.</p> - -<p class='c010'>12 mo. Handsomely bound in cloth of bright colors -with beautiful picture inlay in full color on front cover. -Coated paper wrapper, printed in colors.</p> - -<hr class='c011'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>Price, 50 cents per volume, postpaid.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Bad Little Hannah</div> - <div class='line'>Bashful Fifteen</div> - <div class='line'>Betty: A Schoolgirl</div> - <div class='line'>Betty of the Rectory</div> - <div class='line'>Bevy of Girls, A</div> - <div class='line'>Bunch of Cherries, A</div> - <div class='line'>Children of Wilton Chase</div> - <div class='line'>Children’s Pilgrimage, The</div> - <div class='line'>Daddy’s Girl</div> - <div class='line'>Deb and the Duchess</div> - <div class='line'>Four On An Island</div> - <div class='line'>Gay Charmer, A</div> - <div class='line'>Girl in Ten Thousand, A</div> - <div class='line'>Girls, New and Old</div> - <div class='line'>Girls of Mrs. Pritchard’s School</div> - <div class='line'>Girls of St. Wodes, The</div> - <div class='line'>Girls of the True Blue</div> - <div class='line'>Good Luck</div> - <div class='line'>In Time of Roses</div> - <div class='line'>Light o’ the Morning</div> - <div class='line'>Little Mother to the Others, A</div> - <div class='line'>Madcap, A</div> - <div class='line'>Manor School, The</div> - <div class='line'>Merry Girls of England</div> - <div class='line'>Miss Nonentity</div> - <div class='line'>Modern Tom Boy, A</div> - <div class='line'>Out of the Fashion</div> - <div class='line'>Palace Beautiful, The</div> - <div class='line'>Polly: A New Fashioned Girl</div> - <div class='line'>Rebellion of Lil Carrington, The</div> - <div class='line'>Red Rose and Tiger Lily</div> - <div class='line'>Ring of Rubies, A</div> - <div class='line'>Sweet Girl Graduate, A</div> - <div class='line'>Temptation of Olive Latimer, The</div> - <div class='line'>Turquoise and Ruby</div> - <div class='line'>Very Naughty Girl, A</div> - <div class='line'>Wild Kitty</div> - <div class='line'>World of Girls, A</div> - <div class='line'>Young Mutineer, A</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c003'> -</div> -<div class='chapter ph2'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c012'> - <div>The Popular Novels of</div> - <div>MARY J. HOLMES</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> -<hr class='c018'> - -<p class='c010'>A new edition of the favorite works of this extremely -popular novelist, printed from new large type plates, on -fine book paper, and attractively bound in cloth. With -colored picture inlay on cover. Coated paper wrapper, -printed in colors.</p> - -<hr class='c011'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>Price, 50 cents per volume, postpaid.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class='c011'> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>TEMPEST AND SUNSHINE</div> - <div class='line'>LENA RIVERS</div> - <div class='line'>THE ENGLISH ORPHANS</div> - <div class='line'>HOMESTEAD ON THE HILLSIDE</div> - <div class='line'>MAGGIE MILLER</div> - <div class='line'>DORA DEANE</div> - <div class='line'>ROSAMOND</div> - <div class='line'>COUSIN MAUDE</div> - <div class='line'>MEADOW BROOK</div> - <div class='line'>DARKNESS AND DAYLIGHT</div> - <div class='line'>ETHELYN’S MISTAKE</div> - <div class='line'>BAD HUGH</div> - <div class='line'>ROSE MATHER</div> - <div class='line'>MARIAN GREY</div> - <div class='line'>MILLBANK</div> - <div class='line'>EDITH LYLE’S SECRET</div> - <div class='line'>FAMILY PRIDE</div> - <div class='line'>AIKENSIDE</div> - <div class='line'>MILDRED</div> - <div class='line'>THE LEIGHTON HOMESTEAD</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c003'> -</div> -<div class='chapter ph2'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c012'> - <div>A FEW OF</div> - <div>GROSSET & DUNLAP’S</div> - <div>Great Books at Little Prices</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> -<hr class='c018'> - -<p class='c019'>CY WHITTAKER’S PLACE. By Joseph C. Lincoln. -Illustrated by Wallace Morgan.</p> - -<p class='c010'>A Cape Cod story describing the amusing efforts of an elderly -bachelor and his two cronies to rear and educate a little -girl. Full of honest fun—a rural drama.</p> - -<p class='c019'>THE FORGE IN THE FOREST. By Charles G. D. -Roberts. Illustrated by H. Sandham.</p> - -<p class='c010'>A story of the conflict in Acadia after its conquest by the -British. A dramatic picture that lives and shines with the indefinable -charm of poetic romance.</p> - -<p class='c019'>A SISTER TO EVANGELINE. By Charles G. D. -Roberts. Illustrated by E. McConnell.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Being the story of Yvonne de Lamourie, and how she went -into exile with the villagers of Grand Prè. Swift action, -fresh atmosphere, wholesome purity, deep passion and searching -analysis characterize this strong novel.</p> - -<p class='c019'>THE OPENED SHUTTERS. By Clara Louise Burnham. -Frontispiece by Harrison Fisher.</p> - -<p class='c010'>A summer haunt on an island in Casco Bay is the background -for this romance. A beautiful woman, at discord with -life, is brought to realize, by her new friends, that she may -open the shutters of her soul to the blessed sunlight of joy by -casting aside vanity and self love. A delicately humorous -work with a lofty motive underlying it all.</p> - -<p class='c019'>THE RIGHT PRINCESS. By Clara Louise Burnham.</p> - -<p class='c010'>An amusing story, opening at a fashionable Long Island resort, -where a stately Englishwoman employs a forcible New -England housekeeper to serve in her interesting home. How -types so widely apart react on each others’ lives, all to ultimate -good, makes a story both humorous and rich in sentiment.</p> - -<p class='c019'>THE LEAVEN OF LOVE. By Clara Louise Burnham. -Frontispiece by Harrison Fisher.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At a Southern California resort a world-weary woman, young -and beautiful but disillusioned, meets a girl who has learned -the art of living—of tasting life in all its richness, opulence and -joy. The story hinges upon the change wrought in the soul -of the blasé woman by this glimpse into a cheery life.</p> - -<p class='c019'>QUINCY ADAMS SAWYER. A Picture of New -England Home Life. With illustrations by C. W. -Reed, and Scenes Reproduced from the Play.</p> - -<p class='c010'>One of the best New England stories ever written. It is -full of homely human interest * * * there is a wealth of New -England village character, scenes and incidents * * * forcibly, -vividly and truthfully drawn. Few books have enjoyed a -greater sale and popularity. Dramatized, it made the greatest -rural play of recent times.</p> - -<p class='c019'>THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF QUINCY -ADAMS SAWYER. By Charles Felton Pidgin. -Illustrated by Henry Roth.</p> - -<p class='c010'>All who love honest sentiment, quaint and sunny humor, -and homespun philosophy will find these “Further Adventures” -a book after their own heart.</p> - -<p class='c019'>HALF A CHANCE. By Frederic S. Isham. Illustrated -by Herman Pfeifer.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The thrill of excitement will keep the reader in a state of -suspense, and he will become personally concerned from the -start, as to the central character, a very real man who suffers, -dares—and achieves!</p> - -<p class='c019'>VIRGINIA OF THE AIR LANES. By Herbert -Quick. Illustrated by William R. Leigh.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The author has seized the romantic moment for the airship -novel, and created the pretty story of “a lover and his lass” -contending with an elderly relative for the monopoly of the -skies. An exciting tale of adventure in midair.</p> - -<p class='c019'>THE GAME AND THE CANDLE. By Eleanor M. -Ingram. Illustrated by P. D. Johnson.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The hero is a young American, who, to save his family from -poverty, deliberately commits a felony. Then follow his capture -and imprisonment, and his rescue by a Russian Grand -Duke. A stirring story, rich in sentiment.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c003'> -</div> -<div class='chapter ph2'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c012'> - <div>A FEW OF</div> - <div>GROSSET & DUNLAP’S</div> - <div>Great Books at Little Prices</div> - <div>NEW, CLEVER, ENTERTAINING.</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> -<hr class='c018'> - -<p class='c019'>GRET: The Story of a Pagan. By Beatrice Mantle. Illustrated -by C. M. Relyea.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The wild free life of an Oregon lumber camp furnishes the setting for this -strong original story. Gret is the daughter of the camp and is utterly content -with the wild life—until love comes. A fine book, unmarred by convention.</p> - -<p class='c019'>OLD CHESTER TALES. By Margaret Deland. Illustrated -by Howard Pyle.</p> - -<p class='c010'>A vivid yet delicate portrayal of characters in an old New England town.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Dr. Lavendar’s fine, kindly wisdom is brought to bear upon the lives of -all, permeating the whole volume like the pungent odor of pine, healthful -and life giving. “Old Chester Tales” will surely be among the books that -abide.</p> - -<p class='c019'>THE MEMOIRS OF A BABY. By Josephine Daskam. Illustrated -by F. Y. Cory.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The dawning intelligence of the baby was grappled with by its great aunt, -an elderly maiden, whose book knowledge of babies was something at which -even the infant himself winked. A delicious bit of humor.</p> - -<p class='c019'>REBECCA MARY. By Annie Hamilton Donnell. Illustrated -by Elizabeth Shippen Green.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The heart tragedies of this little girl with no one near to share them, are -told with a delicate art, a keen appreciation of the needs of the childish -heart and a humorous knowledge of the workings of the childish mind.</p> - -<p class='c019'>THE FLY ON THE WHEEL. By Katherine Cecil Thurston. -Frontispiece by Harrison Fisher.</p> - -<p class='c010'>An Irish story of real power, perfect in development and showing a true -conception of the spirited Hibernian character as displayed in the tragic as -well as the tender phases of life.</p> - -<p class='c019'>THE MAN FROM BRODNEY’S. By George Barr McCutcheon. -Illustrated by Harrison Fisher.</p> - -<p class='c010'>An island in the South Sea is the setting for this entertaining tale, and -an all-conquering hero and a beautiful princess figure in a most complicated -plot. One of Mr. McCutcheon’s best books.</p> - -<p class='c019'>TOLD BY UNCLE REMUS. By Joel Chandler Harris. Illustrated -by A. B. Frost, J. M. Conde and Frank Verbeck.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Again Uncle Remus enters the fields of childhood, and leads another -little boy to that non-locatable land called “Brer Rabbit’s Laughing -Place,” and again the quaint animals spring into active life and play their -parts, for the edification of a small but appreciative audience.</p> - -<p class='c019'>THE CLIMBER. By E. F. Benson. With frontispiece.</p> - -<p class='c010'>An unsparing analysis of an ambitious woman’s soul—a woman who -believed that in social supremacy she would find happiness, and who finds -instead the utter despair of one who has chosen the things that pass away.</p> - -<p class='c019'>LYNCH’S DAUGHTER. By Leonard Merrick. Illustrated by -Geo. Brehm.</p> - -<p class='c010'>A story of to-day, telling how a rich girl acquires ideals of beautiful and -simple living, and of men and love, quite apart from the teachings of her -father, “Old Man Lynch” of Wall St. True to life, clever in treatment.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c003'> -</div> -<div class='chapter ph2'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c012'> - <div>GROSSET & DUNLAP’S</div> - <div>DRAMATIZED NOVELS</div> - <div>A Few that are Making Theatrical History</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> -<hr class='c018'> - -<p class='c019'>MARY JANE’S PA. By Norman Way. Illustrated with scenes -from the play.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Delightful, irresponsible “Mary Jane’s Pa” awakes one morning to find -himself famous, and, genius being ill adapted to domestic joys, he wanders -from home to work out his own unique destiny. One of the most humorous -bits of recent fiction.</p> - -<p class='c019'>CHERUB DEVINE. By Sewell Ford.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Cherub,” a good hearted but not over refined young man is brought in -touch with the aristocracy. Of sprightly wit, he is sometimes a merciless -analyst, but he proves in the end that manhood counts for more than ancient -lineage by winning the love of the fairest girl in the flock.</p> - -<p class='c019'>A WOMAN’S WAY. By Charles Somerville. Illustrated with -scenes from the play.</p> - -<p class='c010'>A story in which a woman’s wit and self-sacrificing love save her husband -from the toils of an adventuress, and change an apparently tragic situation -into one of delicious comedy.</p> - -<p class='c019'>THE CLIMAX. By George C. Jenks.</p> - -<p class='c010'>With ambition luring her on, a young choir soprano leaves the little village -where she was born and the limited audience of St. Jude’s to train for the -opera in New York. She leaves love behind her and meets love more ardent -but not more sincere in her new environment. How she works, how she -studies, how she suffers, are vividly portrayed.</p> - -<p class='c019'>A FOOL THERE WAS. By Porter Emerson Browne. Illustrated -by Edmund Magrath and W. W. Fawcett.</p> - -<p class='c010'>A relentless portrayal of the career of a man who comes under the influence -of a beautiful but evil woman; how she lures him on and on, how he -struggles, falls and rises, only to fall again into her net, make a story of -unflinching realism.</p> - -<p class='c019'>THE SQUAW MAN. By Julie Opp Faversham and Edwin -Milton Royle. Illustrated with scenes from the play.</p> - -<p class='c010'>A glowing story, rapid in action, bright in dialogue with a fine courageous -hero and a beautiful English heroine.</p> - -<p class='c019'>THE GIRL IN WAITING. By Archibald Fyre. Illustrated -with scenes from the play.</p> - -<p class='c010'>A droll little comedy of misunderstandings, told with a light touch, a venturesome -spirit and an eye for human oddities.</p> - -<p class='c019'>The Scarlet Pimpernel. By Baroness Orczy. Illustrated -with scenes from the play.</p> - -<p class='c010'>A realistic story of the days of the French Revolution, abounding in -dramatic incident, with a young English soldier of fortune, daring, mysterious -as the hero.</p> - -<hr class='c011'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div><span class='sc'>Grosset & Dunlap, 526 West 26th St., New York</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c003'> -</div> -<div class='tnotes x-ebookmaker'> - -<div class='chapter ph2'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c012'> - <div>TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - - <ol class='ol_1 c002'> - <li>Silently corrected obvious typographical errors and variations in spelling. - - </li> - <li>Retained archaic, non-standard, and uncertain spellings as printed. - </li> - </ol> - -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DISCARDED DAUGHTER ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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. 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