The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-10-11
VOL. TX.

Rosa also felt very little at her ease, and
there was slight degree of constraint in hel
tone, as she inquired
ais Mr.. Mannerstedt in such haste to-day p
"Not more than usual" he replied, as he
drew near, " was only afraid Of being trouble
some"
"Oh, not in the least assure you," smiled
Rosa, completely herself again "Mr. Manner
stedt is always welcome guest here"
Frank now put down his cap again, and
took q seat a short distance from the young
lady. A pause ensued, which awakened nc
agreeable sensations in either, and convinced
Rosa that their position towards each Other
was no longer, and could not again be, as il
had been. She also knew that it was her dut,
to conceal the true sentiments of her heart, anc
she soon succeeded in restoring an easy tone
to the conversation.
"Have you had no letter from your COCO
mother, Mr.. Mannerstedt?" inquired Rosa
well knowing that this was . subject which
would awaken Franks conversational powers.
"Alas no, Miss Widen," said the afflicted
son, with a sigh it is a source of great un
easiness to me, being without news so much
longer than usual. fear that things are very
bad, or else my dear mother certainly would
not leave me so long without some account o
herself, for that is all my happiness"
"Do not give up hope so soon," said Rosa
in kind and gentle tone, "who knows what
may have prevented her from writing? 1t is
possible that she is anxious that her letters
should not reach you before Christmas; we
have only ten days to wait for that, and then
you will be sure to hear"
May God grant that your prophecy prove
correct, for anything is better than this dread.
full uncertainty" said Mannerstedt, thanking
Rosa warmly with his looks, for her sympathy
for poor and solitary young man.
AT this moment, Rosa's mother, in rustling
silk gown, and hat gay with flowers, sailed
into the room.
"Rosa, my child, are you still sitting there ?
Now, upon my word, you will work till you are
i'll. have had such charming walk, and
paid several visits too. Good morning, Mr..
Mannerstedt; you must come this evening, and
assist me in a little business-come at half past
hve-I have something in my head which
must consult with you about"
Mannerstedt bowed, and took his cap, for he
knew that this was civil signal of dismissal,
as the lady did not seat herself. Just as he
reached the door, Madame Widen called after
him
"Mr. Mannerstedt, pray remember that you
are to dine with US on Christmas eve but now
pray excuse me, for l am very busy. Good
morning-good morning"
the steps.
Mrs. Widen now took her daughters arm,
and hurried her away, as quickly as possible,
into the maternal sanctum-a little cabinet
which but few were allowed to enter, and only
on important occasions, or on such occasions
as the lady herself deemed so. As soon as they
had entered the room, and Madame had care.
fully closed the door, she seated herself upon
the sofa, and bade Rosa take q chair beside
her.
"Now listen to me, Rosa, my dear GIRL" be-
gan the mother, in low, hesitating tone. al
know that you can be sharpsighted enough
when you like, and, with Gods blessing, 1 shall
not have lavished so much care and anxiety on
you for nothing; and - but here she alb
ruptly paused, and twisted her French glove
about most iudustriously, and considered how
to proceed with the rest of her speech.
Extremely surprised at this singular and
somewhat unexpected beginning, Rosa stead
tasty regarded her mothers wandering eyes,
and profted by the pause to inquire
In what particular does my dear mother
thing about the Christmas presents, I Believe
l have thought about them already"
ooh, no; no, my dear; nothing to do with
such trifes, replied Madame Widen, impatient
y, swinging about her glove.
"Well then, dear mamma, what is it?"
eyes, now just look, my dear Rosa" contin
ued her mother "to explain matters so that you
may understand them, requires more talent
than - but that is all one will try; and
so listen to what am to say. You know that
your father is rich, or at least well to do; and
you also know that sometimes matters 60 wrong.
We women, my dear child, do not understand
much about business. What mean to say is,
that, as times are, a merchant must have the
whole of his property out on speculation, to
keep up his credit; and something of the kind
is the case at present (of course, dear child,
this is in strict confdence) with your father. In
consequence of this, you perceive your portion
will not be so large as was intended. The Cap
tain's uncle, on the other hand, is q very rich
man, but very avaricious, almost misery; and
so have been arranging plan for you. We
cannot calculate upon his assistance without
some exertion on your part. To speak plainly,
Rosa, you must make yourself agreeable to
him, with your irresistible little ways-that is,
when you like it; it will be quite easy for you
love-fatter him Ettle-and tell him he leaves
himself to much dependent upon strangers
hands for the care of his precious person, in his
| old age; and that it would be so much pleasure
and happiness to you, if he would permit you
to devote your attentions to him; and that moth.
| ing could possibly make you so happy as to
| have him take up his abode with you and Fer
dinand and as much more as you find oppor
tunity for, in the course of your visit. And, that
| the object of your visit may appear more natu.
raj, you must give him, from your father and
! myself, a cordial invitation to spend Christmas
eve in our family circle, which will so soon be
! his also"
Rosa's ideas began to get confused; this lit
| tie communication of her mothers was most
| repugnant to her feelings, more especially be-
cause her own mother should have expressed q
wish, and given advice, from which her OWL
rectitude of feeling and delicacy recoiled. Al
to the slight and artful allusion to her fathers
affairs, Rosa surmised that this was only q
stratagem of her mothers, to gain her to heI
wishes for Rosa thought it utterly impossible
for both her mother and her father to appear
so entirely unconcerned, if he was in reality SC
much pressed for money, She had never seer
a frown on her fathers forehead, or one single
ominous expression in his eyes. She nigh
have thought otherwise, had she seen him a.
he sat before his desk in his counting house
calculating and meditating, and at times muir
muring low curses, as he paused in his work
II she had followed him to his chamber, anf
listened to his weary wanderinps to and fro
and seen him kick the poor, unfortunate dos
that crossed his path in one of his unguarde(
moments; and had she remarked, too, how hi
words were expelled, as it were, from his limos
soul-dark, bitter, evil words, which none say,
himself understood; and had she seen tn,
change in his countenance, as dinnertime an,
! the hour for meeting his family approached
how the brow grew smooth, and the eve smi
ling, the bearing as proud as usual, as if h
! never even thought such thing as bankruptc
possible; then, indeed, Rosa would have re
! garded her mothers words differently. Now
she passed them lightly by, and her attention