The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-03-28

| brHshnia arose from her seat giving him her
hand, and looking at Susan, said, quietly
any dear Miss Somerville, wish to converse
alone with General Stuart-Gordon for few min.
utes, if you will give me leave"
Susan smilingly arose, and left the room
Britannia reseated herself pointing out chair
on the opposite corner of the fireplace to the
General He took it, seated himself, and, draw.
ing up his portly form, and throwing one arm
over the back of the chair, addressed his compan-
ion as follows
"Wel Britannia ! said that was at YOUR
command, and, accordingly, when you summoned
me to your presence | lost no time in obeying
you, though could have wished, Britannia that
you had spared me the pain of this interview
at least for few days-at least until had in
some measure recovered from the shock Of this
most heavy blow, and regained a portion of my
calmness and self-control However. Britannia,
| am here, and ready to serve your All this
time, Britannia had sat quite still, looking down
\ upon nes OWN JeweYied nanns, tnst lay
one upon the other on her lap. She did not
speak, even now that be bad finished his sentence
Well, Britannia, what do you wish 10 do first
How can | assist you ? Tell me am quite at
your orders. Why do you net reply, Britain
MIA IN
Il do not wish anything done until after Sun
day. General" said Britannia. General Stuart
Gordon started-looked at her earnestly. SAT-
day was to have been their wedding day.
"Oh, Britannia But this alluson is thought
less or wanton on your part
"Wby General Have we not enough TO keep
us busy until Sunday After Sunday, can we
not take Baltimore and Washington in our route
and attend to this business?"
"Oh, Britannia, cease to torture me You
know that this is all changed l-all-all-allln
Then you do really mean to break with me,
General ?"
al do really mean to release you from your
engagement to myself, Britannia
"And upon what account2"
| Upon account of the new and brilliant posi-
J ton in which you will shortly find yourself
/ told you my reasons in my letter" Britannia
arose from her seat and, coming around, rested
her hand upon the back of his chair while she
asked, gravely-
-" My friend, why did you write that letter to
me 20
Brightly, Oh Brightly all is over You know
that feel 1t too well-too surely-too power
| fully ~
"My friend, this grows gerry serious. Explain
yourself" said Britannia, very gravey
britannia, my letter explained this Do not
| affect to misunderstood mel ~
Your Letter and your conversation, General
Stuart-Gordon, coincide perfectly--neither con-
tradicting the other. Bot, however, are unintel-
| lgble to me
allow! Do you not understand that by the
death of your great-grandfather, the aged Earl
of Clonmachnos, and by the previous demise of
every intervening heir, you are left sole heiress
of his titles and estates and that you are at this
moment, Countess of Clonmachnois in your own
right2 Do you not understand that On
eyes | understand, believe, and accept that,
as though it were of the thirty nine articles
of Christian faith ~ exclaimed Brightly, lifting
her eyes, cleaning with pride and mirth, to his
| fsce
"You do ~ exclaimed the General, irritated
and offended at her smile. 7Aen you under
stand that you may choose from the elite of
young sristocracy You understand that there
is now no necessity to sacrifice yourself to an ell
derby man, whom you cannot love!n Britain
MIA had kept her eyes steadily on him during this
sharp speech. At its close she drew her elegant
form up to it's proudest height, lifted her regal
head until her ringets, though dropping, scarce
ly reached her bosom, and said, lowly and slowly
"My position necessarily exposes me to many
humiliations, bat that which IL most aifiioult to
| bear Is a taunt from General Stuart Gordon y
All the chivalry of Virginia started in his veins
to reproach him for this rudeness. He arose, and
with stately suavity took her hand, bowed over
it, and said, gravely-
"Forgive me, madam. Make some allowance
for the many disturbances of my mind by this
sudden and grievous calamity-the loss of a
! treasure so nearly receivedn
I" Sir" said Britannia, ga girl who would
have accepted your hand from merely convenient
motives, is no treasure to be regretted ~
"But, Britannia, recollecti You said, your
SELF that you did not love me! ~ And his whole
frame shook as he wiped the perspiraton from
his brow.
"Nor do i as poets, painters, and players, un-
derstand the term. Nj friend, you are seriously
disturbed so seriously disturbed that Unjust for
get the injurious language you towards me-
and must try to re-assure you; let us understand
each other. Will you sit DOWN. ! have never
seen you so greatly moved. regret thsaexceed-
| ingly-regret that any circumstances should pos
sess the power of moving you So Sir! | be-
seech you, recover your self-possession-I scarce
| ly recognise General Stuart Gordon thus
"When | am about to lose you, Britannica"
"But you are not to lose me- my dearest
friendu
" But you never loved me, Britannia and now
as there exists no necessity for your sacrificing
yourself, you shall not do it ~
again You urge that point 80 srenuously
No; do not love you after the manner Of young
ladies who sigh over sentimental poetry, and die
over doleful ditties am incapable of the thing
Nor do lament my incapaciy for the capricious
and evanescent emotion but have very pro-
found friendship for you. General-a friendship
that have for no other human being-and very
high respect for you, respect that makes me,
with all my pride, regret that have the power Of
! moving you 30 and have to bring to mind
David, Solomon, Marc Antony, and all the
great heroes of antiquity, who in the grave au-
tumn Of their lives have thus forgotten their high
self-appreciation, in order to understand you,
| sir!n
at is because you love me not, while love you,
Britannica said General Stuart-G Gordon, press
ing her hand with grave tenderness - Brightly
| had hoped, by blessing your life with all my
| power, to have won your heart What can |
offer you that the world will not lay at your
feetf
Again that inexpheaJe cleaning smile of sup
pressed and self-mocking mirth puzzled and an
gered the General Rising with dignity, he said
"This has continued long enough, madam |
am at your service when you please to advise me
of any assistance can render You In this affair.
Good evening, madam Pray make my excuses
to Miss Somerville. Once more, good evening,
madam )" and bowling very low, General Stuart
Gordon raised his hat from the table, and was
passing out But just as his hand was laid upon
the lock Of the door, the jewelled fingers Of
Brightly fell upon his wrist. He turned around.
"WiIl you come back ~
At your command, madam"
"Will you sit downp
He replied by seating himself throwing him
self back, and preparing to listen to her
at is great thing to get character for in.
tegrity, fidelity, and magnanimity and should
like very well to own such q one" said Brightly,
as IL communing with herself; unfortunately
for the success Of my wish, this dear General con-
tends the crown Of generosity with me. Well
let him take itp Then turning to where Gene
raj Stuart G ordon sat in offended majesty, she
said
81 am Countess OF Clonmachnois in my own
right, am not :"
~ presume there can be no doubt Of the ques-
ton, madam f
"Of Castle Clopmachnois, A,hlone, county Of
Westmeath, Ireland.p
- Correct as q City Directory, madam -