The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-05-16

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She aisrays sailed-her stately form, ample
robes, and slow gliding step, forcibly suggested
the idea Of frigate under full sail Louise arose
to meet her, but growing very weak, she sank
again into her seat Mrs. Armstrong approached
and offering her hand to Britannia, who rose re.
| specially to receive her, she said
am happy to see you, Mrs. Stuart Gordon
Permit me to offer you my best wishes for your
happiness in your new position
| Britannia curtsied sat down, and said hope
| you have been well since had the pleasure Of
seeing you last, Mrs. Armstrong
"Quite well, | am much obliged to you Your
| appearance saves me the necessity Of inquirine
asaAr health and eayas n,i, ~. .,iassrre
Of congratulating you upon the subjectn Then
turning to Louise, she said
"My daughterw
" My dear mother!n
They embraced-Louise sobbed
~ cannot say the same for Mrs Leuis-shs
does not loox well, said Mrs Armstrong, sitting
| down in her easy chair.
am sorry to admit that Mrs Louis does no,
enjoy good health. ! have no doubt, however
that meeting with you, madam, will restore her
Mrs. Armstrong looked at her daughter again
and with more scrutiny She was more than ever
impressed with the fearful change in Louise's up.
pesrance.
"Come here, my daughter, Mrs Stuart Cor
don, viii you excuse usl You will find some adj
mirable prints on yonder table | would have
an interview with my daughter"
"Oh! certainly, certainly, Mrs. Armstrong
am no stranger at Mont Crystaln
| Mrs. Armstrong left the room with her daugh.
ter. They went up stairs, into her chamber.
"Well, my child. you are looking around upon
| this room-what emotion does the view awaken
in your bosom 2"
"Oh! mother motherp exclaimed Louise,
throwing herself upon the bosom of her mother.
| They sat down upon lounge.
You are looking very thin and pale, Louisep
con- mother, | have suffered so much -
"a is Louis kind to you ~
7st5n 'rnosSgrrs GOOD as fieaye1i to- me '
"And General Stuart Gordon"
"Pets me like a pet kitten, mamma"
"And Mrs Stuart GordOn7p
"Treats me better than she treats herself
Nurses me as though were her baby, mamma"
" You are very happy, then ~
ooh no. mammal
"Why notp
ooh mamma this arrangement
at is very serious, then, on their part. They
speak of me with great aversion ~
"Oh, mo- dearest mamma there is no member
of the family who does not depore it, am sure
who would not do anything to heal the breach"
"You are looking rery pale, Louise, but per-
haps there is natural cause for this said the
dowager, taking her hand, and looking in her
face
"Maam?n
Mrs. Armstrong put question.
ooh no, mamma; no! mop replied Louise,
blushing like peony. No! no, mamma nothing
of the sort 1t was the parting with you, mamma,
without taking leave of you. twas the not hear
ing from you for so long, mamma. And you are
looking haggard, mamma you have been sickp
{" have been sick at heart, Louisep
"My dear motherp'
al have been alone, Louise
ooh my dear mother, if you knew how glad
should have been to have had you with Va, or to
have been with your
"But, Louise are you quite sure Of what you
tell me2n
ooh! very sure, dear mamma Please don't
ask me,n plead Louise, crimsouing with confusion.
I'VE will rejoin Mrs. Stuart-Gordon now
That was ell wished to ascertain" said the dow
ager, with diabolical smile, which was happily
lost upon her daughter.
"And, mamma, this misunderstanding shall bt
reconciled, shall ii not2"
"Yes, my daughter, as far as it lies in my
powern
ooh! thank you, dear, dear mamma. Now
now shall be happy again"
They went down stairs, and entered the Grim.
con drawing-room. Britannia was standing al
the table, looking over some prints. She turned
smilingly to meet the mother and daughter She
saw nothing in Mrs. Armstrong; face, always
cold and impossible but she saw in Lonise's ra-
diant eyes that peace was about to be proclaimed
aMrs. Stuart-G ordon, have you any engage
ment for tomorrow
"None, madam Mrs Louis and myself are
perfectly at your disposal tomorrow
aThen will waive ceremony, and dine at the
Isle of Rays tomorrow"
Britannia curtsed low, in acknowledgment of
this grace. Louise caught her mothers hand and
raised 1t to her lips.
awe shall be most happy to receive you,
madam said Britannia.
"Oh mamma! Louis and the General will be
so overjoyedw
Soon after, the ladies took their leave.
"a proud, presuming huzzy,n exclaimed Mrs.
Armstrong, as the carriage rolled away. allow
dare she, after ejecting my daughter from her
full position in that family--how dare she come
here, with her carriage and lveried servants, to
insult me and to triumph over met My cx-gov-
erness | hate her! hate her She blasts my
sight wish she were dead cannot bring
about her death, butt will see IL she does not
tramp from the Isle of Rays ! thiuk have the
Britannia, you shall tramp. We want no second
brood of children growing up in the Isle of
Raysn
The carriage of the Stuart-Gordons returned
to the Isle of Rays The level beams Of the set
ting sun were glincing aslant the island, ss the
carriage recrossing the bridge, wound on between
rows of cool shade trees around the circular road
that led up to the front entrance Of the Island
Palace The whole front Of crystal windows
flashed back in streams Of dazzling light the very
last rays Of the level sun, the carriage paused
before the portals.
General Stuart-Gord was standing, smiling,
on the marble steps, waiting to receive his ladies'
lie advanced to meet them as they alghted-
-aW Welcome home ladies p he said, gladly, as he
opened his arms, and, receiving them both in one
embrace, pressed them together TO his bosom.
g You are radiatiug beauty this evening, my isdy
Britannica he exclaimed, as Brightly, just per-
hitting him to touch her brow with his lips,
sprung eaily past him into the house. And you,
also. my little Louise ~ he added, OBTAINING her
in Lsy intended fight zone would say that
something highly agreeable had happened to you"
ooh there has. there has have seen moth
err dear motheri and 1t is all made up, and she
is coming here tomorrow, Are you not glad y
You have Just seen mother little darling
Well, then, come and kiss latherp
ooh, I will! will ! will give you the kiss
mother left upon my lips at parting II shalt be
a peace offering-a love Offering take It = and
| Louise clasped her arms around his neck and
pressed her lips fsrvently to his
| "You are sweet girl, Louisew
"But, oh did you hear me say that motner
was coming here tomorrow ~
ayes. love, | did and she shall have such a
welcome as shall make her forget everything I'M
pleasant that has passed between us; and now,
NV dear. must 20 and thank Brightly for having
taken YOU TO Mont Crystal so soonp
"Has Louis returned "
GNo, darling, not yet. Now run, and get
ready for dinner, or we shall have TO dine BY can
delight. Yes, we positively shall have TO de
.nnise hurried off 10 her room. Upon hel