The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-12-19


others from making advances to me. | have, with
all my independence, needed that sisterly rela-
ton. Generally, have been cold and strong
enough yet sometimes have felt myself sud
denly droop, with an utter weakness, for the want
Of some gentle woman friend whom | could love,
whom ! could trust. Now, in the failure of a
sister of my own, my husbands sister will become
ineKpressibly dear TO me at least feel as If it
would be 80. think it will be her own fault if
it be not 500
wondered to hear Regina speak so. II was
the first glimpse with one exception, that had
ever had of the heart within her cold bosom
Yes wondered, until remembered that under
the snow Of earliest spring the grain still germi-
mates unseen in the warm and genial soil.
That evening according to appointment, Mr..
and Miss Wallraven arrived, In the hustle of
their arrival, had little opportunity of making
observations. After supper, however, when we
were all-the three Wallravens, Regina, and my
seif-assembled in our parler, had every facil-
ity for studying my prospective relatives First,
| saw that Regina WAS more than satisfied with
the new brother and sister.
Constant Wallraven was nearly the fac smile
of Wolfgang-the same tall, slight, elegant figure,
the same naughty set of the head, the same light
gray blazing eyes, the same wilderness of slightly
curling, silky black hair, jet black eyebrows, and
long black lsshes. But he looked stronger, older,
and more settled than Wolfgang He looked as
if at time not far distant in the past he had
been just such chaotic assemblage Of discordant
elements as Wolfgang nor was; and as if some
mighty power had forcibly subdued the chaos
bringing out of it world of harmony, beauty,
and strength. Withal there was an expression
Of frankness, good humor, and health Of mind
and body, on his handsome face, which testified
that the Transforming pous, whatever II had been,
had not crushed, but dsnphaed him. Only by the
peri, ct repOse, perfect harmony of these antipa-
thetic elements of character betrayed in his fea-
lures and complexion, could one Judge Of the pre-
9,i:-..rs - dise;2GTs= r@e H",s.c c or:
in him now man who though still quite young,
had gained the great victory of his life; whose
manner Of existence and work was hencefprih de-
hneo, laiu out, and wen understood. '
felt instinctively a high respect for and a
strong attraction TO Constant Wallraven, as TO a
soul more exalted than my own.
Constantia was the same dark, majestic, SUI
perbly beautiful woman | had seen her by night at
Hickory Hall do not know that my artist taste
was ever so highly gratifed as by comparing these
two young girls Constantia and Regina, both so
perfectly beautiful yet 80 opposite in their forms
features, and complexion yes, and syle-though
both were of the queenly order. Constantias was
q natural dignity, Reginas conventional state-
ness Upon the whole, we were all well pleased
with each other and IL was on the stroke OF twelve
before we parted for the night.
Once or twice ! had observed an unwonted
thoughtfulness upon the usually clear, open coun-
tenance of my sister but that was so natural I'M
der the circumstances, that it made no impression
upon my mind. When had retired to my room,
however, and before had time to begin to take
off my dress, heard tap at my room door, and,
thinking that it was of course Wolfgang, babe
him come in. The door opened, and my sister
entered, and sunk softly down in her usual seat
near my dressing-tabl looked at her inquir-
ingly, anxiously. The stately gayety which had
distinguished her all the afternoon and evening
had quite gone, and the thoughtfulness that had
once or twice cloud-like, fitted past the sunshiny
snow of her countenance, was now settled into a
profound gloom.
MY dear Regina, you look so grave but then
this is a serious time to you"
To my establishment, she burst into tears, and
dropped her head upon my dressing table.
"Regina! my dear sister! what is thisl Tel
men But she sobbed on
Regina, you alarm and distress me! VIVA
is this %
But she sobbed on, and | sat down by her side
took her hand and pressed it, while waited 81
lenty for her to tell me the subject of her grief
| When her fit Of weeping had expended itself sh
lifted up her head, dried her eyes, and after re
naming silent and still for little while, sh,
said
"You think me now sentimental, maudlin
sickening feel that you do. ! am not that.
never was 30. You ought to know itO
81 do know it, my dearest sister and senti
mentality is the last fault should suspect you of
| know that you are strong, cool, and spirited
therefore | have been the more surprised and dis
tressed by your tears this night. | know that it
is natural-nny, generally inevitable-that girl
should drop some--not very bitter-tears on bid
ding good bye TO her maiden life and liberty but
had scarcely expected to see you do so, inasmuch as
you have less to regret and more to hope for than
most young ladies similarly situated-never,he-
less. suppose these natural tears must fall ~
said !, gently caressing her.
She replied, mockingly--
| "Ah! it is quite proper for bride to weep,
then Like the ring and the white kid gloves
it is an indispensable ingredient in the wedding
dish IL is understood and expected of us, in
Shorthand people would be shocked and disap-
pointed il il were omitted
"Regina-- sister, said |, tendery
"Ceyi0in'y! Half the trashy songs | learned
to sing at school were-not after my own taste,
the martial-but such mawkish ditties as the
Brides Adieu,' &cp
"Humph Wolgang's queerities are certainly
catching; that know Of my own experience"
said and dropped suddenly into short rev.
erie upon the contagion of resemblance between
persons of no oonsanguinity who love each other
and are constantly associated.
Feeling too deeply interested In my sisters
emotions to indulge, even for five minutes in this
tempting subject turned stole my arm around
her waist, and said, gently
"Regina, my dearest sister, tomorrow ] will
scarcely have a right to do this y and gathered
her to my bosom, and pressed my lips TO hers.
"To-morrow, certainly, shall have no right to
question your happiness, or the state Of your af.
fections do not, therefore, be proud or cold to-
wards hue. like your worse self; and do not be
sarcastic bitter or satirical towards me, for that
Is not like yourself Mt all. That you have caught
from Wolfgang; but, tell me, what has 30 deeply,
strongly moved you this EVENING" IL Is not an
imaginary grief nor n real one ifSigh that could
trouble you 30 much-what is IL, then p
She did not reply but remained in my lap with
her arms thrown up over my shoulders, and her
face over my bosom.
spoke again. ------
aYou have apparently less to alloy your hap.
piness than almost any other bride. You have
less to regret and more to hope for. You leave
no dear, familiar home, no honored father, no be-
loved mother, no dear sister wherefore should
you grieveW
81 leave you, my dearest brother. l~ave you,
the sole remnant Of our family circle leave
You, who stood to me for father, mother, sister,
home ~
"Yet leaving me, dearest Regina, should not
cost you sigh nay, it tiH not Dearly as we
have ever loved each other, we have not been to-
gether much therefore you will still remember
and love me, without throwing away sigh upon
my absence"
"Yesi so you have judged my hearti You
have studied me 80 Welt she replied almost bit
terly. "The one thing looked forward TO In life
was a reunion with my only brother, Ferdinand
and You know il was the main topic Of all my let
ters yet now you Judge me able TO part with
you for a long, indefinite time-perhsps forever
without pain ~