Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-05-22
u LYNCIIBURG, THURSDAY MORNING MAY 80 1851

his hands tightly over his breast, as il By
this external act, % suppress some strong
inward emotion
A light foots,ep reused him--he looked
up, and beheld Emeline Could two years
make such difference The bud OF
promise had, indeed, opened into surpass.
ing loveGnessl She was simply arraycd in
white; and a transparent veil half mingled
with, half shaded her profuse and glossy
ringlets When she entered, shewa pale
as marble, but as Augustus approached
to meet her, deep blush gradually stole
over her face and neck; she trembled ex-
ceedingly, and seemed scarcely able to
stand. He led. or rather supported her
to seat; and placing himself beside her,
struggled TO recall the set speech he had
made for the occasion.
II need not say. Emeline, with what sat
lslaction ] learned, on my arrival, the pro
jectcd Union between our families, how
warmly | sympathisc in the happiness of
my brother, and how grateful | feel TO you
for conferringit."
He paused. Enelne made no reply
The vivid but transient blush had vanish
ed, her eyes were fixed on the ground, and
she sat motionless.
Confirm all this with your own lips,
Emelne: let me hear from yourself that
you freely bestow your heart and hand on
my unfortunate brother; that you become
his wife, and--and my sister,
A deep sigh burst iromEmeline;shc look
ed up to him; her lips moved, but no word
found its way. Augustus felt inexpressi-
bly, shocked; he know not what to do or
say. AT length sudden burst Of tears re-
lieved the unhappy girl, and for few
minutes She wept IN silence.
Just l1caven!" exclaimed Augustus,
"cun it be thus l. this marriage, which
brings such happiness to us all, is it indeed
d sacrifice, painful sacrifice, 10 you,
Emelinc? Speak to me freely; explain to
me your motives and feelings, ifyou think
proper TO do So; il not, tell me at least hat
you wishF'
"The cloistorW She faintly answered.
"1hc cloisterw he repeated; ''bnt, sure
ly, Encline, you are at liberty to reject my
brothers suit from whatevcr motive, with
out devoting yourself to the cloistcr r.
She shook her head.
"You think, then, you do not love him
enough to become his wife r.
There is no one whom | coatd marry
that prefer to him."
Il am happy to hear that. Your aflec-
tons, then, are at leas. disengaged I"
She was silent
''lf so, Emcllne, let me advise you; you
are very young, and have always been
enthusiastically devout; you imagine that
the cloister alone leads from temptation
here 10 happiness hereafter; but, let me as
sure you, thai in the fullilnent Of the du-
ties Of your station, in cherishing the chastc
affections Of the wife and the mother, you
viii not be rendered less pure, or less ac-
ccptable, III the eyes Of Him, whom it is
and ought to he your chief desire to please.
Moreover, Encline, let nc warn you, that
ii, indeed, you rncditate the offer ofy your
sell, as q yelled and virgin votaress, 1t the
alter Of our holy religion; let me warn you,
that such an offering must be without
spot or blemish! Search well your heart,
Beware that you mistake not the secret
Of pride, Of disappointment, Of
revenge, Of any unworthy feeling, or of
any unhallowcd passion, for the voice of
Heaven calling you to itself! Beware"
He suddenly ceased for Emeline had
fallen on her knees at his feet
"Mercyr' she exclaimed, wnnging her
hands; 'probe not to the quick wounded
heart! coniess-I am a hypocrite, and
as unworthy to be the wife Of your broth
or, as 10 be the votaress Of Hcavenl"
The astonished Augustus raised her;
and, as he supported her in lis arms, her
head dropped on his shoulder, her light
perfumed tresses veilcd his check; slowly
and timidly she drew his hand to her lips,
and her warm tears iell on it as she mur-
murcd,-" have stood at the altar orce;
there was my faith plightcd, my hand
given, my love bestowed. Heaven may
irown, and earth forbid; but they revcr
can, they never shall be recalled -
The heart of Augustus throbbed wildly;
the best emotions Of his nature SO mingled
with lis human infirnity, that the very con
fines of good and evil seemed ccnfounded
The painful struggle was, however, soon
over He replaced her in her seat, and
paced the room with steps that every in
stant became less agi,ated: al last he paused
before her
"Emeinel"
But she dared not look up; hcrmnd, that,
for moment, had risen with extraordinary
power, young end susceptible, was now
sinking under the poignant humiliation Of
having outstepped the boundary prescrib-
ed to her sex; the veil had been Withdrawn
by her own hand, and she dreaded to
meet his gaze.
"Emeline!'' he repeated, il a calm Sc
we're tone, become the wife Of my brother
She bowed her head
"And |. will to the wars, to take up
the cross against the heretics. as my iorefa-
theirs did against the infidels. God bless
you, Emeline!' he continued, ina sottened
voice; "let us both strive, BY prayer and
penitence, TO atone for the guilty moment
tudl Hdo IidsotO utAN teli US ANU tuIu-
ing abruptly from her, be left the room
lie returned to her parents and his ex-
pecting brother, and thus reported the re-
suit OF his interview; Your daughter,
madam" he said to the baroness, "waits
but for you to fix the day which shall ce-
ment this nearer end dearerunion between
our two families, 50 long since united in
friendship. May add my request that the
day be fixed as early as posslblel wish
having been expressed that my councils,
humble as they are, should assist the suffer
Ing Catholic nobility against theirinturiated
and hereto peasantry in Suabia.'
Augustus was loaded with thanks: and
Emeline's sister Immediately flew to the
apartment in which she had been left
Fixed in the same seat, with her eyes on
the door through which Augustus had dis