The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-04-04

Somerville restrained conversation upon the sub
ject of the inheritance They discussed general
topies-the beauty of the spring splendor Of
the landscape stretching down before them, and
visible Mt great distance from this bleak height
Then they discussed Washington, Mr.. Jefferson,
Thomas Moore who was then there, and, in short,
everything but the business nearest the hearts
Of all General Stuart-Gordon perceived that
Frobisher's admiration Of Britannia grew by what
it fed on. And very soon he arose to take his
leave, rs this was only an experimental visit.
"You have seen Miss O'Riley, sir" said the
General, - soon as they were on the road.
Yes, sirn
aAnd you are pleased with her, no doubtD
Sir, feel that any praise Of mine of that
young lady, would be an impertinenoe. She is
without peerm
Both gentlemen now sunk into silence each oc-
cupied with his own thoughts. They reached
the Isle Of Rays in time for dinner. Jealous as
he was, General Stuart Gordon, with Virginian
hospitality, invited and pressed his Sister 10 De-
come hs e~est while be shenld remain In the
.neighborbood; and, after some hesitation, the
young man accepted his invitation, remarking
that nothing in America struck him more forcibly
than the resemblance between English country
life and Virginia country life. That it appeared
to him that the planters had retained in a great
degree, the domestic manners and customs of their
English fathers.
At dinner, the young stranger was presented
to Mr.. Stuart Gordon. Louise did not make
her appearance, nor did the young man see her
while he remained II would have saved him
from serious mistake and all parties from much
future sorrow, If he had
General Stuart Gordon was absent and taciturn
during the meal When the wine was placed
upoD the table, the General arose, and bidding
\ 10 mt in hio axrueaf h;uaa1f mn
the plea Of urgent business, and left the room In
truth, be could not stand his suspense any longer.
He must know what impression Frobisher had
made upon Britannia. He mounted his horse,
and rode rapidly up the ascent of the Crags IL
was Sunset when hcetarled ThsfaH sna Z. =
arisen before he was half way up the Crags, and
was flooding with silver glory the whole reful-
gent Landscape; but he did not psus. to look at
the river, rolling on in torrent of light between
the dark rocks, or as the Isle of Rays, with its
rivulets and waterfalls glanced in lines Of silver
light under the moonbeams. He saw neither the
glory of the heavens nor the sPleador of the earth
He saw nothing but the black shadow of the Crag
House high up before him, and he sped on to-
wards IT, The sweet notes Of the violin foated
out on the moonht air as he neared the house
Britannia, Susan, and the two women, were out
the porch, and George was playing the fiddle for
them. Brightly separated herself from the party,
and advanced into the silver light to meet him.
just as he had got down from his horse.
Il am very glad you came again-very glad
That stiff and formal call, this morning, could
scarcely be called visit. As you may Judge,
wanted to see you, also, after our comedy Of yes
terday evening" Somewhat startled by the
friendliness of her manner he drew her arm
within his own, and, instead of going on to the
house, be took her to walk down the Crags
Unn - ,lotI ID ,clr - 10
young Frobisher?n
ellis person and manners are fautless, and his
dress the perfection Of exquisite elegance "
"And his miad-his conversation-what do you
think of that, Britannica" =
ellis mind appears to be highly cultivated,
and his conversation at once profound and bril-
liant"
{" Oh, Heaven :" growled the General "Bri.
tannia, do you know that this young man-this
Adonis Of the faultless figure and face, and the
sssssa. dress and kHUS e shs
country with the design of marrying you
Without ever having seen me? Cool and
confident, that ~
"Nsy; he wished to see you, before deci-
dingn
"a prudent precaution, to ascertain il would
please him, and pass in good English society
Very fattering that, also
"He is very much pleased with you, Bril-
tannia ~
allow kind of him ~
"He admires you excessively"
aDoes he? 'Pll be at charges for looking
glass; and set up O. nights to admire myself"
"You are gay Britannia"
ooh look at the glorious heavens above, and
look at them again reflected in the waters below !;
see The Isle Of Rays coquetting with the moon
glancing back laugh for smile, and fash for beam
hear the cataract shouting rs it leaps into the
river, dasbing up millions Of diamond sparks see
the solemn dark rocks watching the play with
grave joy, like demure chaperones Of young folks
at a ball Oh, am glad and gay tonight
al would were-thisyoungm man, Britannia !"
Well what is it nowl
He huns and he bankers he frets and he cankers,
You never can please him, do a. that you can
He's peeysh and jealous of a. the young fellows"
sung Brightly, changing her manner to one Of
lightest merriment.
" Be serious, Britannia, for | ami"
"Instanter, sir am as serious as an owl J"
e. was about to say that this young man will
certainly propose to you'll"
Exactly Now we are going to rehearse
yesterdays scene over againlo
You are in one Of your hayward humors TO-
night, Britannia"
"Spesk, sir, if you please-i attend" said
Brightly, now really serious
~ wish, then, to set before you the claims this
young Frobsher has to your attention. You see
what his personal merits are, besides which he is
Wealthy He is promised the reversion Of the
title that you will bear he admires and wishes
to marry you Finally, he can place you near
the head of London society !"
Have you done, sir :"
"Yesn
q Al: hnnor mo
with the offer of his hand, should most respect
fully decline it -
"Why, Britannia 2"
"Why7 First, because am pledged ~
But release youo
"Secondly, then, because could not be proud
of him"
"Not proud of him-handsome, elegant, ac-
complished, and a member Of the English arts
tocracy?n
mo, | could not honor him in my heart. He
wants the pres,ige Of age, wisdom, name made
glorious by himself; he wants oil, In fact, that
most highly honor in you"
" But, Britannia, he may gain all this nay,
his sun may be rising TO its meridian glory while
mine will be declining" :,
Lastly, then, | must refuse him because
love another! ~
"Love another, Brightly Oh, Heaven"
ayes another love sou!p
Love me-at last, Brightly"
ayes, love you a iaa, my dearest and best
friend. Hearts are not won in day Bless me ."
and Brightly turned and dropped her head upon
his bosom lie folded her in his arms, murmuring
"My boon, my blessing, my comfort 40
bless-I bless thee!p
Having been duly apprized Of the intended
marriage, Mr. Frobisber set out for washington
the next day.
A month had now passed away, during which
no intercourse was held between Mont Crystal
and the Isle OF Rays The separation OF the
families was as complete as though the Atlantic
had frozen up between them. Louise, timid.
docile. pliable, and ever under the influence OF