The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-03-14


Gordon was to be married in month and nc
one, as yet suspected it. 1t was now absolutely
necessary that the announcement of this approach
ing marriage should be made.
One morning Immediately after breakfast
Louis and Louse as usual left the house They
were to take the boat and have little voyage
Mrs Armstrong sailed ma iestcally into the draw.
ing-rOom, and seating herself in one of the high.
backed chairs near the front windows took out her
knottng and commenced work The door opened
and General Stuort-Gordon having screwed his
courage to the sticking place" stalked superbly
down the room, and, drawing a chair opposite to
that Of the dowager, sank into it, and-and--u
luckily forgot the specch--a piece Of the most
convincing logic and the most subduiDg eoquence
ever composed-that he had prepared to conquer
Mrs Armstrong with. He found nothing to say
but that which he had said a hundred times al
ready namely
"You perceive that those young people have
left us alone again, madam the cyclists the
-egotistsl They forget every one discovery
thing else-excCpt themselves, and t5e presence of
naturep
Happiness is selfish, sir, y replied the laconic
lady
Silence deep pause-a great sigh from Gen
eral Stuart Gordon, who breaks the spell by say
ing, pathetically-
at is dreadful thing to be alone, madam"
IL lS, sir.
"Ah! dreodjdr
Yes, sir
Silence again-another pause-expeclarcy on
the side of the lady-embarrassmen on tLe part
of the gentleman, who again finds courage to
speak in moving tones saying
"To go down the vale of years alone, Mrs.
Armstrong;
Certainly, sir
ais deplorable prospect -
Undoubtedly, General
"AhW
81 perfectly agree with your view Of the case,
Generaln
"To have no gentle female friend to smooth the
pillow of-the pillow of-of--o
Silence a third time-the lady out of patience
the gentleman out of courage
The lady at last comes TO his assistance
" | am surprised, General Stuart Gordon, that
you, who do not like the loneliness of your life,
should never think Of taking a consort.'
Madam oh y
"That you should never think of marrying y
Mrs, Armstrong, if presumed, if ] thought,
if hopedn-
"Well sirn
off dared to hopen
dwell siro
" In short, madam, have dared TO hope your
appreciation to my suit -
A pause.
listen, Sir y
ain one word, madam, hare selected lady ~
said General Stuart-GOrdon, in an earnest tone
Of voice, looking intently at the dowager, who
kept her eyes fixed upon her knotting.
" await your further explanation sirr
{" A lady of the finest intellect, of the highest
spirit, of the most dignifed manner -
"You are extravagant, fear, sir ~
"a lady in whose praise no terms Of admira-
tion could be thought extravagantp
"You are an enthusiast, General I"
"A lady worthy OF the highest honor y
"Your panegyric is embarrassing, sir ~
"A lady who has my whole hearts affection
my whole headS approvalP
A pause.
81 listen to you, sirp
"A lady who will be singularly acceptable to
my dear daughter-in-law-on bound to her by
the ties Of afection-one bound 10 her by the OBJ
legations Of gratitude-one whose care and in
struction has contributed 10 make Louise what
she is--one with whom il will delight Louise to