The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-12-05

Yes, assure you, he thought it very
tlresome; he told me so when we were
coming out. And then the music = pursu-
ed Jessy the noise that they call music
Sir Edmund says he likes no music except
my guitar, or a flute on the water; and
like none except your playing on the organ,
or Charles Woodford's reading Milton and
bits of Hamlet
DO you call that music = asked Agnes,
( laughing. And yet continued she, it is
most truly so, with his rich Fastali like
voice, and his fine sense of sound; and to
you, who do not greatly love poetry for its
own sake, 1t is doubtless, a pleasure much
resembling in kind that of hearing the most
thrilling of melodies on the noblest of in
struments. ! myself have felt such a graft
fication in hearing that voice recite the vers-
es of Homer or of Sophocles in the original
Greek. Charles Woodford's reading is
music
1t is a music which you are neither of
you likely to hear again. interrupted Mr.
Molesworth, advancing suddenly towards
them; for he has been ungratefu, and I
have discarded him.
Agnes stood as if petriied: migrate
full oh, fa!ber'
You can't have discarded him, to be
sure, pnpa,' said Jessy, always good-natur
Ell /; poor Charles, what can he have done ?
Refused your hand, child cried the an
Cry parent refused to be my part,.er and
son-in-law. and fallen in love with another
lady /! What have you to say for him now p
Why, really, papa replied Jessy, Pm
mucb ohlirad IN bi,,, g..
hand than to you for offering it. like
Charles very well for cousin, but should
not like such husband at all so that, if
this refusal be the worst that has happened,
there's no great harm done.' And off the
gypsy ran declaring tsat she must put
on her habit, for she had promised to ride
with Sir Edmund and his sister, and expect
ed them every minute
The father and his favorite daughter re-
manned in the conservatory.
That heart is untouched, however, said
Mr.. Wordsworth, looking after her with
smile.
Untouched by Charles Woodford, un-
douhtedly,' replied Agnes, but has he
really refused my sister,
Absolutely
And does he love another p
He says SO, and believe him.
: Is he loved again?'
That he did not saw
Did he tell you the name of the lady,?
Yes
Do you know her''
Yes
Is she worthy of him p
Most worthy
Has he any hope of gaining her affec-
tions? Oh! he mus; he must What wo-
man could refuse him?'
He is determined not to try. The lady
whom he loves is above him in every way;
and much as he has counteracted my wish
es, II is an honorable part of Charles Wood
folds conduct, that he intends to leave his
affection unsupported by its object
Here ensued a short pause in the dia-
logue, during which Agnes appeared trying
to occupy herself with collecting the bios
SONS of a Cape jessamine, and watering a
favorite geranium bnt it would not do :
the subject was at her heart, and she could
not force her mind TO indifferent occupa-
tlons. She returned to her father, who had
been anxiously watching her motions, and
the varying expression of her countenance,
and resumed the conversation.
Father perhaps it is hardly maidenly
to avow so muchs but although you have
never in set words told me your intentions.
have yet seen and known, can hardly tell
how, all that your too kind partially to-
wards me has designed for your children.
YSu have mistaken me, dearest father,
seubly mistaken me; first, in thinking me
fit to fill a splendid place in society: next,
IN ipouiDinr that 1o-;.ol .,,oL
You meant to give Jessy and the lucrative
partnership to Charles Woodford. and de-
signed me and your large possessions for
our wealthy and titled neighbor. And with
some little change of persons these arrange
ments may still, for the most part hold good.
Sir Edmund mag still be your sUn-in-law
and your heir, for he loves Jessy, and Jessy
loves him. Charles Woodford may still be
your partner and your adopted son, for
nothing has CHANGED that need diminish
your affections or his merit. Marry him to
the woman he loves. She must he ambi-
tious indeed, if she he not content with such
destiny. And let me live on with you,
dear father, single and unwedded, with no
thought but to contribute to your comfort,
to cheer and brighten your declining years.
DO not let your too great fondness for ME
STAND in the way of their happiness. Make
me not So odous 10 them and to myself,
dear father! Let me live always with you,
and for you-always your own poor Agnesr
And, blushng at the earnestness with which
she had spoken, she bent her head over the
marble basin, whose water reflected the fair
image, as if she had really been the Gre
clan statue, to which, whilst he listened.
her fond fathers fancy had compared her:
Let me live singly with you, and marry
Charles to the woman whom he loves
Have you heard the name of the lady in
question? Have you formed any guess
who she may be ?
Not the slightest. imagined from what
you said that she was stranger to me.
Have ever seen her?'
You may see her-at least you NAV see
her reflection in the water at this very mo.
ment'; for he has had the infinite presump-
ton, the admirable good taste, to fall in love
with his cousin Agnesn
Fathern
And now, mine own sweetest! do you
still wish to live single with me?'
oh, father iatherr
COR do you desire that | should marry
Charles to the woman of his heart ?
Father dear fatberp
Choose, my Agnes 1t shall he as you
command. Speak freely. Do not cling Sc
around me, but speak y
'Oh, my dear father! Cannot we all live
together? cannot leave you. But poo!
Charles-surely, father, We may all live to.
gethsrn
And so it was settled and very few
months proved that love had coEtrived het
ter for Mr.. Wordsworth than he had done
! Il 4, L.