The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-11-29

he had calculated how far he might CO. to
forward the plan which at first appeared to him
unreasonable but which now, he could not but
allow, had kind of distant CLEAN of probable
ity, if rightly managed; for Mr.. Garben had
shown himself more than usually marked in his
attentions to Rosa.
Il was clear that he was pleased with her !;
and the Merchant began to regard the possible
thought Of future alliance between the two
houses; and, therefore, Rosa's feelings were
urged to the uttermost; her tears streamed over
her fathers hand, while he caressingly wiped
them away, and added
81 see that you understand me, my child,
and you need by no means worry yourself with
self reproach; for, let our affairs turn out how
they may, the match with the Captain will be
broken off. He must make up his mind to it,
# / retract my promise, for see very plainly
that your union with him would be our COM
mon misfortune. He is an extremely light
minded, if not bad man, and have learned
vaIie.-s matters, from friend at the Residenz,
about him. However, we have no concern with
them now. Enough! AS soon as he returns,
l shall send him his dismissal. And now dry
your tears, my love; and you, Brigitta Marie,
be it your care to manage dinner, so that it
may last until the evening; then Rosa shall
play and sing, and the card-table will take up
self does not NEEDLE, there can be no question
about business to-day, and tomorrow we have
a large dinnerparty."
And, so saying, the Merchant gave his wife
and daughter one more look Of encouragement,
and then left them, to shu. himself up in the
solitude OF his chamber, aad devote himself
exclusively TO the consideration of the danger
which threatened him.
Madame Widen likewise went about her man
ifold important affairs; and when Rosa found
herself alone again. she burst into tears afresh,
and, signing, uttered these words
"Oh, how humilating, that l should be di-
rected TO endeavor to ensnare any mans heart
to-to-oh. how abomirable! How would not
Mannersiedt scorn me, could he only deem it
possible that l could lend myself to such mean
ness? / cannot obey. l will be polite and
friendly, as this morning; but as to spreading
net to catch him-no, it is impossible |"
! Rosa's train of thoughts here came to stop.
/ She leaned her head against the edge of the
| sofa, and fell into a state resembling lethargy;
but, with powerful effort, she vigorously threw
it off, and with all the energy of her will, turn
ed her thoughts to Ferdinand.
"What did his note say ?" she said. "Let
me read it once more"
! And taking the Captains note, which was
an answer to her own, she read as follows:
! "DEAREsT Rosa: ] am in the most afflicted
and hopeless of conditions, and the stranger
You speak of increases my uneasiness. / fear
that this may prove q dangerous visit for your
father. There are whispers afoat which terrify
/ me very much. AS it will be impossible for
you to find an opportunity to-day, and perhaps
even tornorroE, to give an hour to my uncle i
prefer to lirger out these few days of suspense
| in the country, convinced that you, Rosa, with
/ th., lo,o,
ment you have. to hasten TO the Professor, and
apply the whole power of your amiable persua-
sions, to endeavor to soften his not yet entirely
| callous heart If any one in the world is capa-
bic of doing it, you are the person, and you
alone. | shall pass these three days of absence
in killing anxiety. On Wednesday evening, !
hope to be back, and receive life or death from
your lips. FERDINAND
"Oh, how very sorry do feel for him I! -
sighed Rosa, as she refolded the note, and put
it away. "Iife from my lips Poor Ferdi-
nand, twill be but poor existence, truly. God
knows what / may have to announce, but
hardly venture to hope for much. On, could
I but get at the Professor before papa finds
an opportunity Of putting his new plan in ac-
ton This proposal has filled me with feel
ing which | cannot name. Had not all the
dark concurrences Of to-day forcibly brought ali
my anxieties for the future, as it were, to a
| focus, | might have even hailed such feeling
as q blessing: for when we are poor, many
/ things become changed. But what advantage
will that be here? For Ferdinand L had a.
least friendship, sympathy, ana cordial good
will bat this stranger is totally Indifferent TO
me. | would that my father had some other
| plan, or, rather that he would act openly with
! Mr.. Garben. However, will not allow myself
to be frightened. This night, when all has be
come still, will beseeeh him, on my knees, to
choose some other expedient."
"Rosa, Rosa!" said Caroline's voice, through
the halfopen door, mamma wants to know
are to arrange the table, mamma says"
81 am coming, little one," answered the elder
sister; and, blushing at her own inactivity
when all had their hands full, she fastened into
the dining hall.
When, a little after three o'clock, Mr.. Garben
made his appearance in Madame Widen's draw
ing-room, there was a party of gentlemen al
ready assembled, strewed in groups about the
apartment. AT dinner, politics were talked
and when they adjourned to coffee, at a sign
from her father, Rosa took Ter seat at the
piano. She Was so used to playing before com
pany, that all went off capitally. Garden, with
the silent admiration of connoisseur and a
lover of music, approached, and stationed him
self behind her chair.
When the last vibration Of the notes had
ceased, and the Burgomaster, with several other
gentlemen, had kindly expressed their thanks
Mr. GARDEN bent down, and politely said
Il should be most happy to hear some O.
those pure tones which spring from the heart
of Northern nightingale"
| Rosa blushed at his refined hattery, slightly
bowed, and replied
"Gladly; but BIZ. Garben will have only
himself to blame, should the nightingale deceive
his expectations"
81 will take my chance Of that" replied he
and drew back to the other end of the room
whittier the other gentlemen followed him.
Rosa did not prelude long any affectatior
was quite out of her way, and she soon struck
into the accompaniment Geizer's Freebooter
the glorious hnale hoated through the room
like spirits breath, and struck many soft
and tender chord in the hearts of her slen
listeners. The FIRST whose voice was heard
after she had finished, was Burgomaster B
"Upon my honor" said he. getting up. nMis.
Rosa sings the Freebooter better than m,
wife. You must practice that together. fol-
Aurora's piano is a far better one and it cos
me pretty penny, too-six hundred rix.dollar,
banco. What did Brother Widen give 70,
this? 2"
"Not much less" replied the gentleman ad
dressed, and Mrs. Widen loudly asserted "tha
Mr.. Mannerstedt, who, as ali the world knew
was so clever upon several instruments, ant
upon the piano especially, had often assured
her that Rosa's piano was twice, aye, tire,
times, as good one as that of the Burgomas
ter's lady,"
How could he say anything of the sort?
reioined the Burgomaster, scarlet, ne wa
giving an opinion about things he did not un
} derstand. But these boys think they under