The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-01-02

hu enemy a menu turks close Dcnlnd
The radiance Of thy planet: oh, be warned"
Colsrdgs.
The carriage drew up before the door Of IIick-
DRY Hall, the steps were let down, the door open
ed, and Wolfgang, alighting handed out Regina,
and leading her up the stone steps, presented her
to Mr.. Wallraven, who received her with stately
and sffecsioaste courtesy. We all followed "
turn, and were welcomed in the most cordia
manner.
Mr. Wallraven conducted Regina into the
house. | followed, with Miss Wallraven upon
my arm Constant and Wolfgang paused behind
an instant, and, as turned to look after them,
saw old John at the end of the portico, and saw
Wolfgang step quickly up to him, and heard him
inquire, rapidly, under his breath
as she sats?7
And the low reply
"All secure there, sirn
"That is well shall remember your care for
u.s. John"
TIE aa wsr. bowed in silence, aaa lYOifsnns
Immediately stepped after us. This little inter
lude had not occupied ten seconds.
We entered the Hall, and were each immed-
aieiy shown to our separate room Old John
took me into different chamber from that which
had occupied before, telling me, with slight
smile, that my former sleeping apartment had
been prepared for Mrs Wallraven, as it was the
most comfortable one in the house He then
went and ordered up my baggage, and in the
course of half an hour, with the help Of John,
had refreshed myself with a bath, shave, and a
change of dress. | then went down into the old
oak hall, which had been furnished up in honor
panelled wall had been rubbed, waved, and pol.
ished, until they shone with a mrror-like lustre
and the wide fireplace had been filled with cedar
branches, while on the mantelpiece and on the
window-sills were placed vases filled with white
lilies, Regina's favorite flowers.
found in the drawing.room, with Mr.. Wall
raven and Constant Mr. and Mrs. Davenport
and two young ladies, their cousins-all Of WHOM
had come over to Hickory Hall to meet our brida
party.
In few minutes, Wolfgang and Regina en-
tered, and 1t was evident her dazzling fairnes
and stately grace, her whole high, pure style o
beauty and of bearing, made what is called
great sensation though on small scale-name
ly, the small party met there to welcome her
Soon after the introductions were over, dinner
was announced Well this dinner was lik
most other Virginia country wedding dinners
more abundsnce than elegance, and more hospi
tality than ostentation. Soon AFTER nm early tea
the Davenport party took leave, previously invi
ing the Wailravens and myself to dine at th
parsonage the third day from that-an invitatio
which Wolfgang accepted In the name Of th
whole family When they were gone, we RI
turned from the portico, where we had bee
standing to see them of, and resntered the hall.
twas pleasant place in q summer evenin
twilight There were many windows, commanding
various sublime and beautiful views, and soft
warm, pleasant airs, and the sweet, vague musica
sounds came through them | noticed Wolfgsnl
and Regina seated at one Of the end windows, en-
joying the delicious hour, without conversation
or only conversing by seeking each others eyes
or by an occasional low tone.
When the full harvest moon arose, Mr.. Wall.
raven invited us all TO come out and walk, and
view the scenery by moonlight. With the same
stateness of an old school gentleman, he gave his
arm to Regina and led the way. Each member
of the family We'd with each other in assiduous
vet delicate attentions to our bride. We spent
an hour very pleasantly in strolling through the
beautiful and moonlit vale, and then returned to
the drawing-room, where refreshments were or
dered.
While we were standing around centre-table
in gay conversation, never before had seen any
member Of the family so cheerful as all were this
EVENING" old John appeared at the door with an
anxious expression upon his time-worn face Mr.
Wallrayen arose in haste and went out 10 him
Constantine turned pale, and Wolfgang glared at
the intruder with starting eyes and scowlng
brow. saw that some misfortune had occurred
or was about TO occur Mr. Wallraven closed the
door behind him while talking with the old man
while Wolfgang, as If lost to the sense Of other
presence continued to strain his gaze after them.
In moment, Mr.. Wallraven put his head In the
door, and beckOned Wolfgang. lie started up
and shot from the room, without word Of excuse
or apology, banging the door to after him Con-
slant and myself were left alone with the two
young ladies. Regina looked In surprise from
the brother to the sister, and then, with her ha-
bitual sef-possession and politeness, lowered the
blaze Of the solar lamp 90 as to throw soft light
upon the table, and, taking up an engraving,
made some critical remark upon its merits,
submitting It to Constantine judgment But
Constantia was pale, trembling, and dstraa,
and gave some reply wide Of the mark. Con-
slant, however, with defercntial Permit me,
madam took, and, with Regina, examined the pic
ture. Constant was pale and stern, and seemed
TO have mastered the betrayal Of strong emotion.
They criticised the picture, which was "The
Writing on the Wall" Regina, Constant, and
myself might have passed tolerabls hour, had II
not been been for Miss Wallraven's increasing
and extreme distress. She looked like second
CassaDdra, and would start and shudder, pale and
glare, as though in momeutary expectation of
some appalling sight Her anxiety became 50 in
tense that apparently she could endure il no lon
ger, but touched the bell and at the entrance Of a
servant ordered chamber lights, and, turning TO
Regina, said
"Mra Wallraven the clock Is on the stroke
Of twelve, and you have had fatIguing day. am
ready to show you your chamber
Regina arose, and, slightly bowling her Good
night" left the room followed by Constantia. !
soon after arose and retired 10 my own, which was
on the same floor with that Of Regins.
| know not what presentiment suddenly over
crept my mind, but, oppressed with vague and
terrible anxiety sought to rest In vain. Finally
returned TO the drawing-rOom. Constant was
gone. II was now empty. The room was so large
that the light upon the centre-sabe barely served
to make darkness visible, except In its immediate
vicinity. put up the light Of the lamp, and