The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-11-08

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and kindly feelings for you.n
What can desire more?" said Frank, and, |
in spite of the happiness with which his heart |
was filled, sigh escaped his lips.
- have never ventured 10 hope so much. |
Oh, to possess in you friend, alone as l am
on the earth, is much-much; and my soul is
filed with the purest gratitude for this happi
ness"
He ceased speaking. Rosa, too, was silent.
her sensations were too powerful to be ex-
pressed In the only language which she felt sem
sible she could rightly use and it was fortu-
nate that, at this moment, couple of the chill
dren came dancing in, to beg from Rosa a de.
cision IN regard to little dispute which had
arisen between them. Shortly afterwards, Mad |
ame Widen returned; and it wss easy to see,
IN her radiant countenance, that the cards had
become propitious, or that Dame Bern, out of
commiseration for her chagrin, had made it ap
pear SO, and changed sadness into joy. She
gave directions, however, to have supper serv-
&c as soca as possible, in order to bring the te
dsors day To So end F--e~ -
When Manaerstedt had zone home, and pa
pa, mamma, and the little brothers and sisters,
hsd betaken themselves to their sleeping rooms,
Rosa seated herself at the piano, as she did not
wish to go to rest before her usual hour; but
before her fingers had touched the keys, she
caught sight of folded paper. Her heart beat
as she opened it. 1t contained the music and
songs which Frank had promised her; but, too
timid to give them to her himself, he had, be-
fore his departure, concealed them in place
where he knew she would quickly find them.
Rosa, with Joy, recognised the beautiful, soul
stirring melody, which Mannerstedt had COM
posed from the rich sentiments of his own
heart She Immediately practiced it; and how
lnexpressible was the pleasure she derived from
it! Twas long past midnight, ere she closed
the piano. Arising, she retired to her cham
Der, taking the songs with her, that she might
read the words over once more before she slept.
On the following day, as the family were
seated at the dinney table and the Captain as
well as Mannerstedt were present, the former
said to Madame Widen
My dear aunt, do help me persuade Rosa
to go to the ball this evening. / shall be in
despair, if she will not grant my wish"
"Will Rosa not go to the ball, then?" asked
her mother, rather sstonished. "What little
bit of obstinacy is this? You are quite we'll,
child, and, IN that case, young girl must find
pleasure and amusement on such occasions,
unless she wishes to max herself particular
exception to the general rule"
81 certainly do not wish that" replied Rosa
but l have had a severe tooth-ache all day,
and the pain would only be doubled if l had to
put on such thin clothes as are requisite for
ball and dancing would be intolerable to me-"
"Toothachel" said her mother, turning up
her nose. " Had you said headache, l should
have readily believed you, for you were playing
and hourishing away upon the piano all night.
l only know | could not sleep, and heartily
wished that the fit might not take you very
often, for in that case we must lock up tho
piano."
Madame Widen was evidently very angry,
as this was one of the few real cases in which
Rosa ever had to receive reproof She sat
there quite silently, with downcast eyes, while
a glowing blush suffused her cheeks, even to
her very temples.
At the first words which Madame Widen had
spoken about the piano, and extemporizing,
Mannerstedts and Rosa's eyes sought each
other. In his, glowed fire unusual and
animated, and violent flush overspread his
face, IS he saw how Rosa, with every sign of
deep and true emotion, hurriedly cast down her
eyes, instead of, as previously, freely and kind
ly meeting his own. Fortunately he was not
cbserved-all eyes were directed upon Rosa,
whose glowing cheeks were ascribed to her
mothers unusual severity.
AT last, the Merchant, with patriarchal dig
nifty, raised his voice.
"Dear Brigitta Marie you are too severe
you have forgotten in your younger days you
had your little caprices, too-all girls have, you
know-and Rosa's tooth-ache may 60 away by
evening. Do not you think yourself, my child,
that papa is right? Tell me- love-"
81 do not know, dear papa; but should l
feel better, l shall gladly show am not self
wilied or obstinate"
"Good, very good" said her father. "Now,
that is right. She'll come round. know that
my little Rosa will be reasonable"
All now arose, and adjourned to the coffee
table, in the drawing-room. Ferdinand seated
| b,poa1f beside md 70 boz
solved not to rest until she had promised him
to go to the ball. The Merchant and his wife
soon withdrew, to take their usual nap. Man
nerstedt, feeling disinclined to join tho children
in their play, as he had often done, was unwil-
ling to remain a witness of the Captains hap
piness; and, taking his leave, he fastened to
seek the solitude of his own little chamber
his kingdom. Here, undisturbed he could give
way to the dreams, hopes, and fears, which
again filed his bosom.
Rosa had not dared to ask him to remain;
and Captain Ferdinand was delighted, at length,
to be left alone with Rosa.
Il am really very sorry" he began, as soon
as Frank had taken his leave," most sincere
IL regret, dear Rosa that have been the cause
of your mothers reproof. Can you forgive
me?"
Most gladly" she replied, "though 1 wish
you had been satisfied with my refusal. l de-
sired to make proposal to you, instead of 60
ing to the ball, to pay a visit with me, which 1
ought to have made long ago."
"Where, my dear Rosa?" asked the Cap
tain.
"To your aunt, Mrs. Bcrgenskold; "your
cousin Hilda is very charming and accom-
plished girl, and l mean to become better &C
quainted with her."
Captain Ling passed his handkerchief over
his face with great energy, and coughed-but
said, in a perfectly Indifferent tone
"To Aunt Borgenskold, my dear? She and
the Professor do not live on the best possible
terms-indeed, they are not upon any terms
therefore, hardly know if it would be quite
proper"
Proper" repeated Rosa; ~ cannot look
upon it in any other light. Your cousin and /
may surely make acquaintance, even if her IA
ther and your uncle are not friendly: and it would
be very wrong in US to give the Professor credit
for being likely to disapprove such an innocent
proceeding. l am very anxious to meet Hilda;
/ think l have heard you used to visit her moth
er frequently"
ayes, formerly" replied the Captain, not
without emotion; formerly it was the case,
but it is so no longer; and if you insist upon
going there, Rosa, you must excuse me, for /
cannot accompany you.
"Ireally do not know how / can excuse you"
returned Rosa; at is only little bit of selfwill
in you, my dear Ferdinand and that is not be-
coming in gentleman"
at is no selfwill, my good Rosa" assumed
Ferdinand, who saw himself obliged to be frank,
in order to escape. at is not selfwill but
certain relations, which are too tender to touch
upon, make it my duty to refrain from visiting