Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-12-08

on neT. lie IN VAIN endeavored to speak.
! The words seemed 10 rattle in his throat,
but he could form no articulatc sound. -
He safe down. The more serious part
OF the audience remained in mute amaze
ment, while the laugh had become al
most universal among thc'young people.
Alter the lapse OF several minutes Nor
daunt again rose and, in n low and hur-
ried voice, muitcrcd something about the
loss of n part of his sermon, and hastily
apoIoglzng to the audience, abruptly
left the church. The confusion which
followed can scarcely be conceived. |
made my way to Cecilia as soon as pos
siblc. Her immoderate mirh convinc-
cd me that she knew more than any one
else Of the mystery. But | could get no
information from her, and disgustcd ut her
hcartlessness | left her and FASTENED to
Mordaunt. In vain ! Knocked at his
door and implored to be admitted. He
refused to allow me to see him. could
hear him pacing his apartment with steps
which betrayed his agitation. But it was
not until some hours had passed that |
was allowed entrance. His face was
dreadhlly pale, his eyes blood-shot, and
his whole appearance was that of man
Just recovering from an attack Of cpI!cp-
sy. The mystery was soon explained
In the anticipation of frolic Cecilia had
cut on, leaf of the sermon. Taken com
plctcly by surprise, Mordaunt entirely
lost his sell-possession. In vain he en-
deavored to regain the thread Of his dis
course. Overwhelmed by modification
and anguish for he well krcw that it
could be ascribed to no hand but Cecil
ia's) he was unable to frame a connect
ing link for his ideas and the consequence
was utter humiliation.
After long and ogitatng CONVERSE
ton between MS he rose to seek Cecilia
"Shall accompany you?" said !.
Tf you choose" was the reply "but
remember ] must see her alone"
When VIC arrived at the house took
n seat on the piazza with Mary, while
he, having requested private interview
with Miss Davenant, retired 10 the draw
ins-room.
What passed during the time they re-
maincd together never heard Mary
and myself were completely cngrosscd in
the discussion Of the painful circumstance
in which a thoughtless Jest had placed
both. | remarked with some surprise
that Mary seemed much agitated. and
spoke of her cousin with degree Of Sc
verify very foreign to her usual sweet
ness and gcntlcness. For moment n
suspicion that Mordaunt light have found
a more congenial spirit in her crossed my
mind, but the recollection of her uniform
tranquility during the progress ofhis love
affair with Cecilia, entirely destroyed the
probability it.
In few minutes we heard confused
murmur from the room. The low and
tremulous. tones of Mordaunt's voice
were distinctly heard, followed by the
accents of depreciation and cntrcaty from
the lips of Cecilia BY degrees the vol
COS we're raised. We heard Mordaunt
utter these words:
"I have loved you rs few men can
love, rs few women deserve to be loved; ];
but in proportion to the strength of my at
fection is now the force of my hatred. l
know that christian charity would con-
denim me for this, but cannot help it
You have humblcd me to the very dust,
tramplcd upon my feelings, ruined my
prospects, and crushed my spirit beneath
a weight of humiliation which never can
be shaken off, and at this moment the
poisonous adder is less loathsome to my
sight than the vain and selfish being who
could sacrifice her best affections to II
senscless Jest. Farewell"
In an instant he issued from tho room,
and Fastening down the steps ofthc piaz-
IN, scarcely allowed me time to overtake
him before he arrived at his own apart
ncnt. The next morning n note was
handed me from Morddunt, stating that
he had quilted the country forever. |
FASTENED to his lodgings, but he had left
them at day break, taking with him all
his baggage and none knew his dcs,ina-
ton. What were the feelings of Cecil
ia at this unforeseen event, never knew.
She loved Mordaunt as well as such n
gossamcr spirit could love, but she prob
ably soon forgot his loss and her folly
She Immediately left Princeton, and n
few months after ! heard of her marriage
with n southern planter.
Fifteen years passed away, during
which time, being deeply engaged in
professional duties, heard nothing ofmy
early friends. One afternoon convers-
ing with gentleman from England, the
discourse turned uponthc popular preach
ers of the day lie mentioned one who
had for some years, he said attracted the
largest audience in London.
Conc of our countrymcn too," added
he educated, believe, at Princeton y