The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-12-19
For the National Era.
RY HALL: OR THE OUTCAST.
IN FOUR PARTS.
ny MRS. EMMA d. f. N soUTuwoRTH.
PART Iv.-Continued.
ROMANCE OF THE BLUE RIDGE.

PART Iv.-Continued.
II was thus that the hayward and erring, but
generous fellow ever defed even the greatest
faults of his betrothed felt, when he spoke that,
with all his eccentricities, he was so much better
than Regina as to be utterly blind to one thing
which was quite apparent to me, namely that as
some diseases infect the whole physical system,
so pride pervaded the whole mental and moral
being Of Regins Fairfield Pans was the life of
her love for Wsiraven. Had rot wolfgapg
Wallrayen been the eldest son and heir of an an
cient and immensely wealthy Virginia family,
living in her own old ancestral neighborhood-
had he not been singularly handsome in person.
graceful and dgnifed in manners, brilliant and
profound in conversation, and endowed with
genius that gave promise Of an illustrOus career
he never could have made so deep an impression
upon Regina Fairfeld's Imagination and heart
While seeing this, saw in every glance, tone
and gesture, of w olfgang that he must have wOr-
shipped her under any circumstances How pas
sionately fond Of her he was How entirely de-
voted to her ssrvicel How patient-he, the will
full, naughty, sarcastic Wolfgaug-how patent of
her arrogance, her cold exsctiOns 1t always
seemed to me that my beloved Regina walked in
the moral rIfisSn In Which she hSd o,eu thought
up, as if the world had been created for her use
and the people for her service. She accented the
most arduous and unremitting attention, and even
the munifcent marriage settlement, with such
real and sovereign noachaldnce, as slch mere
matter of course, deserving neither scknowledg
ment, gratitude, nor remembrance. And this re-
gal indifference, which would have grieved me
deeply, had been in Wallravens place, never
affected him in the least.
Their marriage day was at length liked for the
next Thursday fortnight. Bishop l. was
to perform the ceremony, Immediately after which
we were to set out for Hickory Hail.
Wallraven had intended to 20 Immediately to
Paris, but Regina had betrayed wish or rather
gayly expressed her Mill that they should, accord
ing to the wish of the old gentleman and the time
honored custom Of Virginia, spend the honeymoon
in retirement, at the patrimonal home of the
bridegroom, Hickory Hall
Wallraven hesitated, looked disturbed, made
know not what sort of excuse for opposing this
plan. Regina good-humoredly persisted in her
purpose. Wallraven expostulsted seriously. Re-
gina was charmingly immovable. For the first
time in their lives, Wallraven decidedly vetoed
her will, and gave it as his final determination,
for reasons of the utmost moment, to proceed to
Paris Wolfgang gave this decision in firm,
grave, though affectionate tone; but Regina be-
came extremely offended. Fmaliy-
Wallraven bowed his will to hers--fatall1
bowed his will to hers--and retired to his chamber
with gloomy brow, to write and accept his ia
theirs invitation, and prepare them to receive us
Wolfgang remained in his room all the fore
noon; and 80, when wished to speak to him
thinking that he had surely long finished his
letter. went to his door, and, according to our
usual familiar and unceremonious habit with each
other, without rapping, entered his room. He
was so closely engaged in writing-so absorbed,
in fact-that he did not perceive my entrance un-
til had approached the side Of his chair, and had
involuntarily seen that he had reached the fifth
page Of a foolscap letter. ] spoke to him. He
started thrust the letter into his writing desk and
turned around he looked paer, more gloomy,
than | had seen him look for six months, or more.
He told me that, in consequence Of the change
of plan, by which we were to go to Hickory Hall,
instead of abroad, bc had written, among other
things for his sister Constantia to come on and
be present at his marriage, inquiring of me, with
much interest, how supposed Miss Fairfield
would like Constan,ia. told him what thought,
namely--that Regina could not fail to admire
and love Miss Wallraven. lie seemed pleased,
and then reminded him Of an engagement he
had made to ride with me that afternoon. lie
smiled mournfully--said that it had escaped his
memory, but that he would soon be ready, &c.
From this time it was evident Wallraven's
cheerfulness was gone He had apparently pur-
chased peace with his bride at very dear and
dangerous rate His gloom deepened day by day,
or was varied only by ftful flashes of false gayety,
or spnsms OF sharp anxiety. These evil symp-
toms, however, were never betrayed except in the
absence Of Regina. In her presence he would
always resolu,ely command himself aud act gay
tranquility which was far from his real state Of
feeling. do not know whether Regina pene-
trated his mask or not. ESQ, she never permitted
me to see that she did.
She was certainly very much pleased with the
prospect Of going to Hickory Hall, and Of having
Coustautia Wallraven for a bridesmaid and
travelling companion. Smiling, she said to me
one day
ado you know, Ferdinand, what makes me so
wicked about this matter OF going to Hickory
Ilalll 1t is to see that fine old Virginia gentle
man. whom | shall love as father, and whose
love wish to win canno, besr the idea OF
going to France without ever setting eyes upon
him whom love to regard as a second father.
do not care IL the old Hall is tumbling down
There is a certain prestige Of old respectsbiiiy
about that dilspidated building, which does not
always surround smart looking new tenement,
however large and COSTLY
Then turning TO Wsllraven she said -
"Such an absurd mistake Of your highness, my
Black Prince that Of supposing that should be
shocked at the worn appearance Of the old house p
The day previous to her wcdding-day she came
into my room, smiling Silly and sinking softly in
a chair at my side, she said
"Oh Ferdinand, | am so we'll pleased. Wolf
gang has a letter from his father, and now II Is
certain that Miss Wsllraven will be with US this
evening, and attended hy~-whom do you suppose
her twin brother Constant Wolfgsngs younger
brother You never told me Of himp
al knew nothing abou, him. What queer
silent fellow your pani is, Regina wonder
how many other brothers and sisters, aunts, un-
cles and cousins, are to turn upp
"Oh, none This Constant, who is year
younger than Wolfgang, has been for twelve
months travelling in Europe, and has recently
returnedp
"Ah! and they come this eveningp