The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-12-12

II
fraternal love to listen to me with little tole
ration | began and gave her a minute, detailed
account of nv whole confidential connection
with Wallraven, commencing from our earliest
school DAYS; passing through our life at the pre-
paretory school through our college friendship;
including our joint visit to my guardians house
at Willow Hill, with the extraordinary scene in
his chamber; and lastly, my recent visit to Hick-
ory Hall, with the frightful occurrence in my
chamber in the dead Of the first night Of my ar
rival. | ended with implorng my sister, as she
valued her happiness not to risk it by marriage
with him. For any other good purpose than that
of doing my own duty and generating my own
conscience, might Just as well have been silent.
Regina heard NE through, though, as my story
progressed saw her lip curl, and curl, with
slowly whitening contempt; and when finished,
she arose with flashing eyes, and answered me
with blasting, consuming scorn, anger, and def
ance-accusiug me of degrading suspicions-de-
grading to myself and to no one else, Of reachery
to my friend--of-I know not what beside; and
expressing, with the air Of an empress, her high
est trust in Wolfgang Wallraven's unimpeachable
purity and honor Ia short, she replied to me az
any other naughty, hish-spirited womsn would
reply to aspersions cast upon the man shs
deigned TO accept.
| attempted a rejoinder; but rcsuming her
sovereign selfpossesson, with a gesture full OF
high command, she silently indicated her will to
leave the room; and | went to the door, unlocked,
and held it open while she swept majestically
through
felt myself relieved of most disagreeable
duty, which had been pressing upon me for some
time. though certainly placed in very unpleasant
position. Loving Wolfgang and Regina almost
with equal affection, and loving none others in
the world but them, | wished their happiness
above all things Could their union have seemed
Mkely-to secure their felicity, should have de-
sired il more than any other event But, from all
had seen and heard, feared that it would end
in misery TO both ; therefore | had sought to
~ a. :, 2S1 1sy attempting TO break "
had attained no better end than to deeply offend
both my friend and sister. One lesson learned,
that it is useless and absurd to interfere between
lovers who ysqlly love each other. ! determined,
however, to tell Wofgang all had said to Re
gina | could not conceal this from him, for
could not have anything approximating towards
treachery upon my conscience.
The dinner bell rang in the midst of my pain
full costations, and mechanically as matter OF
habit, sauntered down into the dining ROOM and
took my seat at the table
Soon the door opened, and Wallraven entered
with Regina on his arm, and they took their
places, which were first and second above mine,
Regina sitting between me and Wolfgang. by
nothing on Regina's fair, frosty brow, OF in her
usually calm, cold manner could perceive whether
she were still angry with me. Wolfgang looked
black as the muzze of loaded cannon; but
whether with anger, gloom, or both, could not
tell.
After dinner, n pair of horses were brought
around, and Wallraven invited Regina to ride,
to which she assented, and ] was left to my own
unpleasant company and thoughts for the rest of
the afternoon.
Very late in the afternoon they returned. Re-
gina went to her chamber TO change her riding
habit, and Wallraven came into our parlor, where
| was still sitting lie rang the bell, and, throw
ing his whip, cap, gloves, &c, TO the waiter who
entered, directed him to bring wine. approached
him.
Wallraven!0
| "Wenw
al have something offensive to say to your
"Out with it, manr'
"You will be angryw
-" If | Am, ! shall knock you down frat and for
/ give you afterwards
| THAT viii no Christian, but dangerous Nn;,
are engaged to my sister"
low do you know thatp
"She told mel
dwell, what then? yOu told me to win her If
| couldn
eyes butp--
"Wellp
circumstances have transpired since them
"You made no allowance for circumstances"
81 was wrong-hasty--ve indscrectp
aAh! well circumstances have TRANSFERRED
| To rhat circumstances do you allnde p
Among other thngs--the eUeas Of a night at
Hickory Hall"
Wallraven grew very pale, but commanded
himself
"Will you relate to me those events ~ he asked,
| in constrained voice
Certainly replied |, and detailed to him the
occurrences Of my first night Mt Hickory Hall
To my surprise, he looked infinitely relieved,
though the iargh was unnatural with which he
| said
"You cOnuot believe it possible that the turtle
soup and deviled partridges gave you horrible
nightmare, can you?"
"No truly cannot. What saw was real ~
Clarified, when next you visit Hickory Hail.
look into the library and on the third shelf in the
second arch, on the right hand of the chimney
piece, you will find Sir Walter SCOTS complete
works Select from among them his volume on
Demonology and read it with attention. think
it will do you good, said he, with calm, deliber-
ate manner.
"Wbat was about to say to you, Wolfgang,
was this | felt il to be my duty to my sister TO
inform her of all | know Of your history, as well
as to hint t&her all suspectp Aud looked,
expecting him to explode, lie was quiet as a
| bombshell untouched.
"Ah! you told her ~
"Yesn
"Wen7n
dwell, Wallraven, implored her, as she
valued her happiness, not to risk it by marrying
you. used every argument and entreaty in my
power to enforce or persuade her TO break with
you"-
"Ani the resultp-
"Was utterly unsuccessful
"No more than that 7"
ayes, much more I was totally defeated,
routed, blasted by the lightning Of her angry
scorn, and wonder that man OF me IL left to
tell the tale W
aha, Ia, ha, ha, ha! knew itp
al said everything | could say to your injury,
Wolfgapg, and having done SO, come to tell you
of it-not in defiance, bat in frankness."
"God bless you, Fairfield there' believe that
is the FIRST time in all my life, at least since my
angel mother went to Heaven, that have prayed
but happy love makes one grateful and devout.
God Bless you, Fairfield for you were true to your
sister, to my bride! my idoiized Regina You
were right to tell her all you knew, which was
nothing and all you suspect which was-some-
Thing kssl But, Fairfield, my dear fellow, having
made Nd my own mind to marry her, it is quite
settled Let your conscience rest for you can
not help il What is your eloquence to mpe,
when love her2 What is the power of all men
and devils over her, compared to mine, when she
loves met II is settled All earth and hell could
not part us now! II is settled. wrote TO my
father this noon. ] shall take my wife to Paris
Immediately after our marriage. intend to make
our home there for many, many years-perhaps
nreverl France is really the only hafciviized
nountrv in this barbarous world! Paris, only, 10
rail- enlightened or, beginning to be. Yes!
paris shall be our home Go with US, Fairfield,
will you not"
aNo, to that modern Sodom will never 20 J
Van Wallrayen, if know you will never like a