Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-05-22

I cusc for not again making his appearance
!, at Elseuheim until the day he was to Off
ciate at the ceremony, The demeanor Of
Emeline remained calm and placid; she
was obedient in all things; often she looked
{ grateful, and sometimes pleased. The On
ly peculiarly that was observed (and ID was
scarcely observed at the moment,) was her
occasionally being absent considerable
time from home alone. Inrepiy to qucs-
ton from one of her sisters, she begged
her not to interfere with or notice her long
solitary, and early walk; that required an
occasional escape from the hustle Of the
castle TO confer with her own thoughts
Il generally pay a visit to my cid nurse,
Wilhelmina, who you know, is properly a
retainer of the Altenbergs, and whose hap
piness at my approaching marriage with
the head Of TINT family, exceeds, | think,
even that ofany one else"
| Wilhelmina had become widow and a
mother about the time Of Emeline's birth;
and, with the permission ofthe A,enbergs,
she became her nurse. 1t was difficult to
say whethe, the good woman was more
fondly attached to her own little son or to
her foster child. Emeinc certainly pos
sessed unbounded sway over her. Moth
ing could rouse the feelings or sharpen the
intellect of the indolentl Wilhclmina
who was snugly settled in cottage on the
Elsenheim territory. except whatever rela-
ted to those two objects of her care Her
son had accompanied one Of the younger
Elsenheims on his travels, and she was at
present devoted heart and soul 10 Elnc-
line.
The castle Of fAltenberg, SO long without
a mistress, was also in full preparation to
receive the young and beautiful bride of its
lord; who, himself all hope and happiness,
with perceptions not sufficiently acute and
delicate to perceive aught in the meek and
evidently reluctant submission cf Emelinc
except the natural effect OF her t;mid and
rnaidculy feelings, spent the greater part Of
his timc at Elsenhcim, gazing on the treas
urc, few days were to make his own.
Emcline's sisters observed that. the day
previous to that fixed for the marriage, she
was peusive and irritable. She had taken
her carly walk as before, but, about twi-
light she managed toslip out again; and,
returning il short time, appeared more
pleased and cheerful than they had yet
seen her. She changed her dress; and
joined the family, met the count, who was
late in his visit, with more Of satisfaction
than she had ever testified. The evening
passed delightfully."-; and on parting, the
count iondly embraced his aflianccd bride.
The family We're summoned to an early
breakfast the following day.
"My morning walks are now over" said
Emeline smilngly, to her sister; "but
shall retire for an hour or two 10 the orato-
ry; and, whenever | am required to be
dressed you will find me there
About noon, the magnificent cquipagc Of
the count Of Altenberg drove up to the
gate, and the brothers alighted. Augustus
proc ecded straight to the chapel, and,
having robed in the vestry, took his station
with the other officiating priests. 1t was
the first time he had been III this chapel
since, four years past, hialself had enacted
the part OF bridegroom to the beautiful girl,
he was now about to bcstow upon another.
The chapel wasillum;nated and decorated
precisely in the same manner, and the
whole Of that scene Of painful mockery
presented itself strongly before him. He
remained absorbed in gloomy revery, a
chilling doubt, secret discomfort cling in
spite Of all his efforts, 10 his thoughts.
Why should he be denied the enjoyment
of the best, the purest affections of his be-
ingl The ideas, If not the worda Of our
sublime Milton, were present to his mind,
and he felt, for the first time, a secret ab-
horrenceof those hypocriles who "auserely
talk!"
''Deiaming as Impure what God declares.
Pure; and, commands to some. leaves FREQ 10 all.
He felt, that to this ill-udged attempt TO
force our imperfect ature on too lofty d
pinnacle, was owing its disgraceful fall a
mong this class Of men to which he belong
ed. Such an impracticablc elevation, he
began toregard as sort Of spiritual Babel,
which, Ike the Babel of yorc, lay crush
ed nits own weakness, folly, and prcsurnp-
ton.
Augustus heard the heavy carriages
thunder one after another through the paw
ed archway; the tramplng and neigbing,
ofhorses, an occasional note Of music, or
peal Of laughter net his ear. On sud
den, however these sounds ceased; an I'M
usual Stiffness rcigned around; md, some
what startled by tho contrast, Augustus
raised his head from the folds Of his robe
lie thought his clerical companions seem
ed surprised; distant doors We're banging,
and footsteps were hurrying TO and fro;
several menals, pale and alarmed, looked
into the chapeland disappeared. Atlength
came the sound ofmany voices in rage and
lamentation; crowd seemed approaching
the chapel the voices, mingled and confus-
ed, grew every moment louder, I'LL the
count rushed in Ike d madman. gnaslring
his teeth and tearing bis hair. followed by
the Baron Of Elsenheim. bis sons ard sew
eral other noblemen, all trying in vain to
appease him.
AT the proper time, the bridcwas sought
for in the oratory; two hours had elapsed,
and II was now no longer possible to con
ceal that there was no bride I'd be found
Thescene that ensured battles description.
Augustus al length, partly by force, part
" by entreaty, succeeded in conveying his
brother home. Tie wondering guests
slowly dispersed The baron, with the ie
male part ofhis family, shut himself up,
while his sons and vassals secured the sur
rounding country, threatening vengeance
and destruction to the unhappy girl, and
all who might be concerned in her flight.
Wilhelmina was pointed out by Eme-
lines sisters as an object Of suspicion; and
TO her cottage did her brothers first direct
their steps. She had already returned
from the castle. whittier she had gone ear
y, arranged in all her fnery, to assist at
the toilet Of the bride. They found her
seated on the floor, sobbing and crying
bitterly. She steadily disrlaimed all knoygl-