The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-10-25
ROSA AND HER SUlT0RS.
TRANSLATED BY Ebert PIERCE.
CHAP. VIII.

llOSu UHI GtC IcJCSoof'
Christmas eve approached and with it in
creased activity in all the departments of the
merchants household, who were busily engaged
in making preparations for the approaching tes-
tival. The hostess had her hands quite full,
and consulted alternately her housekeeper, up
on whose Judgment she had great reliance, and
her prime iavorite, Mr.. Mannerstedt, to whom
the high distinction was awarded of being ad-
mittod to her sanctum, where all the little mys
tercs attendant upon her important affairs
were transacted. Numberless were the little
arrangements which Mannerstedt had to charge
himself with, for the Christmas amusements of
the children. However, he patiently submitted
to his fate, and allowed Madame Widen to dis
pose of his evenings as she thought best; and,
in return, had the pleasure of sitting opposite
Rosa at table, and occasionally of exchanging
a few words with her-a privilege which he
would gladly have purchased with an addition
al two hours of night watching.
And Rosa worked, too, almost night and day,
that everything might be ready. The Captain
appeared to have resolved to practice the ex-
traordnary piece of selfdenial of leaving her
in peace. During the last week, he made a
visit Of only few minutes, daily; and it would
have been most difficult for one who had seen
him at this period to have thought otherwise
than that he deemed himself at the gates of
Paradise, fitting on the light pinions Of hope
and love. If, however, they had seen him in
his chamber alone, the picture which presented
itself would have been somewhat different. 1t
seemed as if he had double existence, for
many anxious hours did he pace to and fro in
his apartment, biting his lips and twisting his
moustache rejecting upon the past, and the
swift lapse OF the two appointed months, and
then the finale of the drama.
oh, the devil fly away with such a finale {"
ne would mutter to himself "Those shame
less brutes of creditors-and mine, above all
oihcrs-are enough to drive a man crazy. Is
this proper behaviour for them? Not believe
oihcer's word? | cannot, at any rate, calcu-
late upon getting married for three or four
mOuths-nOt a day earlier, unless my next at
tempt to overcome the merchants disinclina-
ton succeeds better than that of Yesterday,
when all | received was, We will think about
1t, my dear Captain. Have you spoken with
your uncle yet? and what saws he?' Yes, the
nothing of the sort that my worthy father.in-
law expects. No. indeed; upon my soul, he
will take good care how he does that. Howey-
er, do feel little curious to know what he
will say, when the business cannot be arranged
ana the Captain, his nephew, has to make a
little eNtra-oiiicial tour, for having gambled
away no lnconslderable part Of the money ad-
vanced by him for the purchase of his commits
SION. Aye, aye! he will set heaven and earth
IN motiOn-not doubt of it. But perhaps he
may take it into his head to despse me so
thoroughly as not to say word Nav Heaven
forbid such misfortune! If he is silent,
may give up all hopes of an inheritance and of
marriage, and cannot survive that. No, no /!
mast set my brain at work, and try and find
out some remedy, or be ruined"
And then, amid all this confusion, the image
OF llilda, and thoughts of his own weak and
unworthy conduct towards her, would arise in
his mind.
That which panied him most however. was
the bitter assurance that Hilda managed to en-
dure his loss with such admirable patience.
hat was, in his opinion, what the fervent affec-
ton he had formerly, and even still, entertained
Tor ner, did not merit. But that was lust the
way with women-ungrateful, heartless, and
lnconstant They always were so. Hilda
formed no exception.
1t was on dull, but tolerably mild. Septem-
her afternoon, that Rosa Widen pulled the bell
Al the outer door of the Professors room. The
Old housekeeper, Madame Brun, opened it, and
conducted her to the inner door Of his own pc
GUITAR apartment.
Will disturb him, dear Madame Brun?"
asked Rosa, in low and timid voice.
Oh, no, miss; the Professor has had his
nap and Is in the best possible mood. 60 right
m-so in at once"
And so saying, Madame Brun left the little
'Ah; and, with her heart beating violently, Rosa
AhoGhed at the door of the Professors room.
"ho is there? Come in d" said the deep
voice Of Professor Ling.
Rosa quickly opened the door. and entered.
IL was the Professors writing room and study
unGhahged tor more than twenty years-dark
anu dusty with deep blue hangngs, and having
every corner stuffed and piled so full of books
%l' manuscripts, that there was hardly room
Tor chair
IoiesSor Ling was seated in an extremely
OulaSnloned easy-chair, before a large table
eo'ereu with dusty pamphlets and innumerable
craps Oh stray paper. He was enveloped in a
Iohs' gray gown, which he must have worn du
InF his nap. His feet we're clad in flannel
sycA'' and thrust into pair of old morocco
SlpperS. He wore red and white night.cap
~ A-s heac, and large pair of spectacles upon
As Rosa entered, the Professor arose as
quickly as his feet would allow. He extended
Ills hand in friendly way to his Young visiter.
and, IN tone uncommonly pleasing for him.
said: -'---'
Welcome, my dear child Do you come
alone? Surely Ferdinand is with you? The
,eIo" might have told me that you were going
l" honor me with visit"
Pray forgive me, dear sir, if l come mop
poTtunely," implored Rosa. Ferdinand is not
10 blame, for he knows nothing of my visit"
q food, very good, my child. You are all
'He more welcome, that your visit is on my &C
1Oun'' But now go into the parlor, and amuse
ioar'eh Tor while with what you can find.
= Is warm and cheerful there, and will come
immediately"
nGsa bowed, and went into the next room,
"uicn was larger, better furnished, and pleas
f'e'' 'han the other; it also contained a num-
~ u rare plants, which the Professor took
ma Pleasure In collecting about him; and
aHy other curiosities of all descriptions. Rosa
Nc! FOUND means to amuse herself
lea while, the Professor sounded a little
a1SI DeIl, which stood upon his writing table
To- SiAdame Brun, at its wellknown sound, has
@p 70 her masters room.
Old repaFe some extra good Coffee" said the
Gl gentleman, and serve it in the Gilt East
Cake, also" 1 ''s 00Nne u Soui Ni'e''
Ii, rT tnousekeeper left the room, to attend to
,er as now, Madame Brunl" called her mas
Wan .'g T, her, do not be in such hurry
are -, . l'tie, Madame Brun! Where the deuce
in nv NV az running to? Do you not see am here
coat o.. D,S morning gown? Bring me my blue
\ Sol IT, neip me into those boots Oh! oh