Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-05-30
MONTPELIER, FRIDAY, MAY 80, 1916.

yet so much are we the slaves Of habit, and SO DIFF
fcut is it to free the mind from long-indured pre-
JUDGES, that she felt only aggrieyed and wronged
by the turn affairs had taken. Her attention once n
wakened however, she was too acute an observer
not TO be convinced Of the truth of Edward Chur-
chilIs hints and after several hours passed in
vain efforts to assume gaity of manner, she found
herself alone, and at liberty to give vent to
her long suppressed feelings by bitter tears of
mortified vanity and wounded selflove. Ofall the
family Of Robarteses, none were more reioiccd at
the termination Of their Buxton campaion than
Sophia; who, i'll at ease, and wanting the sustain
ing influence Of self-respect, imagined herself
deadly injured, both by the Loves and Churcbllls.
and tried TO convince herself that 10 escape from
their society would be TO regain the case and con-
tentment she had lost.
When, however, some months had passed away,
and calm reflection succeeded to this tumult of
feeling, Sophia Robartes became wiser and happier
from her experience. Influenced by the sole desire
of obtaining good establishment, she had been
for a time mortified by the failure of her projects
but she had too much good sense not to draw a
useful lesson from the past. From the time of her
visit to Buxton the character of Sophia underwent
u gradual change. Having once had the courage
to lind herself IN the wrong, to look her errors in
the face, and acknowledge them us such. she
acquired strength to iorsake them. Thoroughly
ashamed OF her heartess conduct towards Charles
she endeavored, by respectful attention to his fam
lily when thrown into their society," to atone tor heI
past hauteur. Perhaps nothing tended more to con
firm and strengthen SoI hia's altered views thar
Witnessing the domestic happiness experienced by
her former lover and his charming Wife In Heller
she observed the rare union of true dignity ant
hrmness with an unusually conciliating address
and she found 1t both amusing and instructive {
observe the tact with which she contryed to slee
clear of undue familiarity on the one hand. and al
assumption OF superiority on the other With he
husbands relatives the young wife was universe
favorite whilst the qualities of her mind and sim
pie, lady-like manners caused her society TO b,
courted by the truly estimable and refined. Will
such standard, it was no wonder that Sophia Rob
artes became as superior In character, as she hat
ever been III personal or mental qualifications no
is it matter Of great surprise that Edward church,.
should, when again thrown into her society," fin
her charming girl, us unlike as possible to hi
Buxton Belle AS the chosen friend of his sister
Edward had many opportunities of familiar inter
course with Sophia; and he did not deem it he
least attraction that she bore him no i'll will for hi
former gallantry and subsequent neglect. Wit
the cordial appreciation of all his friends, Edwar
at length made Sophia an offer Of his hand ant
heart, which offer being considered by the youn.
lady's friends every way eligible, and by none NOR
so than by Sophia herself was duly and formal
accepted. The good doctor rejoiced in the happi
ness of his favorite child; Mrs Robares congratu
lated herself on the proper settlement OF one Of he
daughters; and her sisters were well pleased witt
the anticipated hustle and eclat of a wedding, am
the visits of the bride seen in the distance
"Pray, Sophia, if | may venture upon sue
delicate ground" asked Edward, on the eve of hi
marriage, "what have you done with your preiudi
ces against loves relations? Has it never occur
red to you that there is certainly fatality in thos
affairs which dooms you, after all, to become rel
alive of Miss Tamar's 2"
"With such an example before me of the powc
OF affection to conquer prejudice and overcome a
version, have not found it difficult to submit to m
fate" returned she archly.
"What do you mean z" asked Edward, colorin.
slightly, and with touch of embarrassment in hi
manner.
"My dear Edward" said Sophia, "you ono
thought me very foolish, proud and prejudiced; AM
so was but if my pride took one direction, hav
| been wrong in supposing that yours took another
and that the peculiarlties Of Miss lamar were no
more offensive to Inc than what you considered tn
assumption of myself and family to you?"
"Well, | confess, my dear little Sophia, that
did think there was "much ado about nothing F.;
but " all is well that ends well" and we may than
Miss lamar for our happiness. Dear old lady, i
it had not been for her, do believe you would hav
accepted Charles, and then what would have be
come OF poor unhappy me, to say nothing of Hell
en-" With this confession she was fan TO res
content; but years after her marriage, Sophi
| Churchill was heard to say that she owed much @
! her happiness wife to the severe but sautar
lesson which taught her the meanness and folly &
Sophia Robares's Flirtations.
]