Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1845-07-31

6ltl0n OF CulndTlHc WHO, HolH CHllunoou,
had always been willing to make any
sacrifice for peace; but she did not rec
olect that frequently these mild and yield
ing dispositions, where love is in the
case, becomes ungovernable, and that
you might as we'll expect to control the
winds of heaven as a very mild and yield
ing, but ION one point,) immoyabe young
lady.
Mrs Flemming knew. that the opinions
and wishes of Catharine's father, whom
she tcnderly loved, would have great
weight with her, and she had spent the
whole evening in eloquently portraying TO
him the advantages Of a wealthy alliance
for her. But instead of convincing him of
the utility Of such connection, the only
effect had been to lead him to say--,I
never thought, Caroline, that you were
mercenarY until tonight
Mrs L. took up the lamp to retire, per-
(cctly discouraged at her want of success
in convincing her husband, and perfectly
wretched at the disclosures that must be
made, if she should not succeed in her
present plans. Il will she exclaimed
as she entered her chamber, 'broach the
subject to Kate tomorrow, and see how
she feels. Perhaps TO save her mother
from disgrace she will try and love Mr.
Roberts,
Such were the reflections of Mrs Fem-
ming when she retired for the night
such were her reflections when she laid
her head upon her pillow Conscience
had ceased its upbraidings. She had
completely stiaed its voice, by thinking,
that the end to be answered sanctioned
the means, His own happiness in the
loss Of her husbands affection and good
opinion must be sacrificed forever, or her
daughter become the mistress and dispos-
or of immense wealth.
Mr. Flemming's views and feelings were
entirely different from his wife's. His
noble, generous nature would have scorn-
ed, for selfish purpose, to have sacri-
feed the happiness and peace of a child.
Wealth, he thought in matrimonial con-
nectlon, was very desirable acquisition
but he considered an amiable disposition
with sound morals and promising talents
far more important. A young man pos
essed of these, he supposed, with perse-
verance, mig rise not only to wealth,
but take high and commanding place in
society. These, he thought, his nephew
possessed in high degree, land it had, for
great length of time, given him salts
faction towltness his growing affection for
his daughter. 1t is not therefore strange
that he was disappointed, and astonished
at his wife's views and importantly. Will
ling y would he have lent his influence TO
have gra,ifed her in any way his judg-
ment approved, but he resolved in the
present case to be passive observer Of
her movements, and see what plans fe-
male ingenuity might invent to accom-
plsh a iayorIte object.
Mrs Flemming, when she arose in the
morning, resolved to see how far mild
means might effect he mind OF Catherine.
She intended to spread a gilded net be-
fore her eye, and, if possible, to entangle
her in it, For this purpose she repaired
10 her chamber about eleven o'clock, but
found 1t empty. Catharines desk was
open, and her papers scattered in disorder
as if she had been suddenly called away
Her mother opened number of letters,
written by Francis Davenport to her
daughter, and, her soul sckened at the
unalterable VOWS Of attachment they con-
tanned. She could command her feelings
no longer, but threw the letters from her.
and resolved that harsh means should &C.
compish what mildness could not.
Mrs Flemming fastened to the parlor
in search Of her daughter, and as she
opened the door beheld sight still more
revolving to her feelings The cage in
which were imprisoned the ravorites that
occupied so much of Catharne's care
and time, had been taken down and plac-
ed upon chair, in front of which she
was kneeling. Over her bent the fine
manly form of Francis Davenport who
seemed intent on the kind offices she was
performing for the little captives. Mrs
Flemming stood like a salute in the door,
and could hardly command sufficient po-
likeness to return the salutation Of Mr.
Davenport, who had just returned to the
city, after an absence ofihree weeks
Her conduct appeared perfectly unac-
countable to him, and the mystery was
not lessened when he heard her reply to