The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-05-30
WHOLE NO. 17S.

ha'e 80 many blessings, we must reconcile our
selves TO this unpleasantry, considering, mean
while, that to be struck from the visiting list Of
Mrs Armstrong IL one Of the highest miseries
that could happen TO us. But, Brightly, my dear.
you are looking gloomy. What is the matter ~
81 am thinking of Louise-poor child that
whoever gains the victory. she must be the loser
and am wishing, If possible, that for her sake
a permanent peace could be Effected
I" wish 80, too -
Have you anything farther to say to me, my
dear SIR
"No, no! oh, mo- thought it right to put
you in possession Of the facts before you left
that is all. | did not myself however, consider
them rTy important except that they might have
given you unnecessary anxiety
Louis bowed and left the room.
"Hou have eaten no breakfast, my dear Brigh-
ty,n said the General
81 am thinking Of Louise and Louis They
love one another so fondly and they are both 80
gentle-poor children; and they should be so
happy; and sympathixe so much in their sffec-
tion for each other that | dread everything that
seriously threatens their pence.r
"Do not feel so much, my darling You did not
seem to think this very serious till now
"Nor did l. sir-for did not know until now
how great humiliation she had suffered how
lasting q cause of vengeance that will be 10 a
woman like herr
Yet Mrs. Armstrong will not dare to brave
public opinion by attempting to keep Louise from
her husband
Mrs. Armstrong will dare do anything she
pleases to do and Mrs. Armstrong would think
it very impertinent in public opinion to set in
Judgment on any of her actions, Take my know
ledge of her for thato
"Yet you did not seem to know her very well,
Brightly. She deceived yOu, as all Of us, in her
affected reconciliation
~ did not know her dHplicity, sir, certainly;
and it was the very last vice of which should
have suspected her. | knew her almost omnpo-
tence of will, her immutability of purpose; but
supposed her too naughty for duplicity; and a
woman like her resorting 10 duplicity, only
proves how deeply seated her desire Of vengeance
is and that alarms me the morss2 g.
ooh nonsense, my dear! Would you mike
me believe that Mrs. Armstrong is Lady Mac
bethl Come said he, going to the table and
pouring out cup of coffee" drink this, darling,
and discover for yourself what different aspect
affairs will wear after good cup of coffee -
Brighty's smile broke out like sunshine, ohas-
ing the shadow from her brow, as she received
the cup so affectonately rendered, and slipped its
contents.
"There, now, you shall have your song as
usual, before you go out, she said, rising gaiy,
and leading the way to the parlor--"A hunting
song of course, my dear Nimrod !"
"Of course my dear Brightly"
She played prelude, and commenced singing
an inspiring old song, of which the General was
very fond" Hank away bark away bark away
to the downsm the General standing at the back
of her chair, and joining in the chorus. At its
conclusion che would have left the piano, but the
General telling her that he should not go ont
until the return of Louis, she resumed her seat,
and played and sung several other pieces to fill
up the time, until the horse of Louis galloped
into the yard, and his step sounded in the hall.
He entered, pale and agitated.
DWELL, Louis7o anxiously exclaimed both the
General and Brightly.
Louis threw himself into chair. before speak
ing; then he said-"I have been denied admit
tancep
Certainly, we expected that. Indeed, we
sidered your visit merely as matter Of form-a
preliminary necessary before making formal de-
mand for the restitution of pour wife Now,
Louis you are to write to Mrs Armstrong, de-
mancing The return OF Louise"
"No," said Louis " shall first write to Louise
requesting her to come home'
DO no, then, my SON.
"Take my word for it, Louise will never get
your letter. said Britannia, "unless you take
some indirect and secret way Of getting it into
her hands"
POUNDS II would be relief at this moment
to swear Was ever a respectable family placed
in so awkward and ridiculous position before ~
"Louis, don't be d fool take no more conclia-
tory measures at all 1t is loss of time and labor.
Raise the devil about the ears Of that old Hecate
Get out writ Of habeas corpus! Sue for your
marital rights"
"Sue for my marital rights Saints and an
gels my father, but you have forgotten all that
is lovely in love, TO dream Of such thing Sue
for my marital rights Sue whom Sue LouiSe,
that gentle and tender Louise Sue her! Yes
Heaven knows IL ] could get admittance to her
dear presence, how | would sue her With
Bonded knee and uplifted hands and eyes, would
sue for the privilege Of passing my whole life
with her, of devoting my whole life to her That
is the manner in which would sue Louisew
"And you are right, my dear noble-hearted
Louis You would not shock her deicacy, or
wound her sensibities, by any other suit, at
least p
"May God mend the wits of oil poets, | say I
That's for your benefit Louis and for you, Miss
Brightly bright eyes bright hair bright lipsl
10 you run away Nay, ! implore you to do so
that may show Master Louis how long should
sit here, twisting my fingers, with my eyes on the
ground, in patient widowhood ~ exclaimed the
General, In half petulant, half caressing tone.
"No, am much obliged TO you, sir prefer
rot! Like Mrs. Armstrong, ! think that all
genes are decidedly vulgar unlike Mrs Arm
strong, cannot defy public opinion Then turning
10 Louis, she said" All beg Of you, Louis, is,
hat You will do nothing In haste. BE patient
for a little while DO not, above all things, let this
matter become public through any imprudence
Of yours Let the world believe, for the pres
ent that Louise is on visit to her mother.
Wait this cannot last. II Is preposterous 10
think that young husband and young wife, who
love each other tenderly, can be separated finally
by anything but death. All that IL to be feared
lscredt upon the family. That would be so
shocking Guard against that, Louis! Be pa
lient, and will do nil that can for you. All
will be well. Come, Louis, be cheerful
"Ah, madam II you did but know how this
treatment Of me by Louise pierces my heart ~
al do know II, dear Louis but you must not
blame Louise too severely. rule that would
apply TO any other woman will not apply TO her.
Louise has received peculiar education. II was
in consideration of that fact that ! applauded
your resolution Of not suing, otherwise than "a a
lover might. Louise loves you tenderly, and suf-
rers Is this separation from YOU hut she considers
hat her first duty Is obedience to her mother.
Thai duty has been impressed on her mind from
her infancy up. She knows nothing Of her duty
~ a wife; n.at has never been taught her"
"But one would suppose said Louis, " that
her natural instincts would enlghten her"
"Dear Louis, her mother has taught her TO
consider her mere Instincts as 30 many temptations
Of the evil one Louise has been taught bat one
Of the Ten Commandments, Honor thy father
and thy mother "-but not Love and honor thy
husband . she knows nothing Of that The
whole of the life Of Louise has been spent in
learning and practicing one lesson--fi lial honor
and obedience. II Is her idiosyncrasy-he mono
mania All her life she has been In the hands Of
her mother, and that mother has used that time
in obtaining and confirming An almost omnipotent
power over the heart Of her child. And at her
mothers command she win renounce her hus'
band, although her heart were TO break in the
~
But this Ia unnatural monstrousp
"Yeg, IL In unnatural monstrousl but IL is the