Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-10-21

an offer. | am too humble and two unworthy
20 share the splendid destinies Of Thy brother.
Choose him bride more suited to his birth, and
more bcliting his exalted station"
"Not so, Athenas-thy beauty, thy virtue,
thy learning make thee his equal, and render
thee, in all respects, worthy 10 be monarch's
consort. have willed it, and thou must be
his BRIDE"
Then an expression of the deepest sorrow
passed over the features Of the maiden-She
went forward and bent lowly at the feet of the
Empress. "Lady, | entreat thy forgiveness,
but | cannot obey thy bidding. My heart is al
ready united to another"
Pulchera received this announcement with
the greatest apparent displeasure She re-
preached Ahenais for her ngratitude, and
threatened her with punishment and persecu-
ton, if she did not instantly renounce her love.
Finding reproaches and threats alike powerless
TO call forth this remuneration, she tried other
means She described her brother handsome,
wise, valiant and noble. She represented the
greatness, the pomp, the power his consort
would enioy-thc splendors that would surround
her, the tuXuries that would minister TO her COM
fort, and pictured all the charms of a regal sta
ton, in their most fascinating colors. But TO
all these temptations Athenais seemed insensi-
bic, and when Pulcheria had finished, she rose
and with look of dignity and voice that trem-
bled, said:
Danish me from your presence--send me
forth TO the world friendess and miserable as
when | sought your protect ion-torture my
spirit with cruel threats and reproache
me, if you will, but do not, dear lady, force me
TO renouncc my love. 1t were sacrilege TO tear
away the image that lives in my heart, and seek
TO place another in its shrine. Here, in thy
palace, met youth-humblc, homeless, friend
less as myself. The bond of sympathy united
us. He spoke kindly TO ears that had long been
accustomed to the words and tones Of harshness
what wonder that in those ears his voice be-
came music sweetcr than all other! What
wonder that when he breathed the accents Of
love, my soul responded in kindred strain? p
What wonder that, when he asked my affection,
it was given him freely and forever? With
sGch feelings, oh, Sovereign lady, can you ask
me 10 wed your imperial brother? No; that
union were misery TO us both. What is marri-
age without affection but bondage of the most
sad and insupportabc kind pa state Of servi-
tude that trammels not only the body, but the
mind, and destroys even the freedom of thought.
You tell me of the wealth, the splendorS, the
honors should enjoy; oh, these would but gild
the CALLING chains, and render them heavier still.
Think not, dear lady, am insensihlc to your
/ hlllIlCAN, LOT Wlle my HtaII COIlllllutS "
it will cherish with fervcnt gratitude the mem
ory of your favors; but the very evil tlat led me
to supplicate your bounty will drive me again
from your presence, an outcast alike from your
home and heart
A flood of passionate tears prevented the ut
terance Of Athenais, and she could say no more.
lThcodosius, who had been concealed in the
apartment, during the interview between his
sister and the young maiden, drank in every
word with eager car and delighted SOUL
As soon as AthenaiS was silent, lie emerged
from his place of concealmcnt, and sprang TO hel
feet:
Here let me kncel he said in impas sioneC
tones, here let me kncel and pour forth my
gratitude and my love. Know, excellent Athe
nais, that thy ange-ailecton is not given TO the
humble tutor, but TO Theodosus himself, ant
lofty as is his birth, exalted as is his station, h,
feels that he is scarce worthy Of the treasure h'
has obtained. Forgive, dear maiden, the strata
gem used TO gain thy heart, and believe mt
when say, my future life shall be study It
deserve the precious boom
Puchcra shared the happiness of her broth
er, and Athenas, bewildered, yet bleSt, testified
in smiles and tears, and wondering looks he
pleasure and surprise.
The nuptia!s wcrc soon after celebrated vii
regal pomp, amid the Joyous acclamatons Of tn
people; and thus the world beheld, what SCENE
more like a tale Of fiction than reality, humbl
maiden elevated by her virtues to the lofty hon
ors cC the Imperial throne.