The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-11-15


quickly continued-"M Ny warmest prayers shall
be constantly offered up for his and Rosa's hap
piness. The happiness of both must ever be
bound up in one, for the inviolability OF such a
union is sacred, sacred in itself-sacred against
every unpermitted wish which, under a serpent's
form, may essay to creep into its paradise OF
peace and innocence, and poison with its mere
breath the fresh and happy life within. o No
such wishes may not penetrate or find admit
lance there. They sleep silently for the rose
is even sacred to them, and only from afar and
in the rich world of memory may they venture
to rejoice in its glory"
Mannerstedts glance sought Rosa's eyes
they were cast down, but he saw tear pearl.
ing in the long silken lashes; his life would
have been cheap for the privilege of kissing it
away, but then he would have scorned himself,
and so perhaps would she; he thought upon
his mothers last bequest-her letter-and fed.
An hour later, two young girls, well furred
and yelled, were tripping arm in arm down Ha-
ven street; they stopped at the bose of Pro-
lessor Ling, and entered Do
"Come, come, dear Hilda," said Rosa Widen,
drawing Miss Borgenskold after her through
the little hall. :" must pay Uncle Ling a visit,
and you must come with me. feel assured,
indeed l will guaranty, that you will be wei.
come"
BE it upon your conscience, them" reioin-
ed Hilda, with faint smile, if he should be
uncivil. 1t is impossible for me 10 resist you,
even if am to suffer for it myself but / do
assure you, my good Rosa, that should feel
like sinking through the floor, if the Professor
should give me one of those sharp glances, with
that peculiar expression, which he can use when
he is inclined"
"No, no." said Rosa, "he will not do so.
Only come, and rely wholly upon me-"
The two girls entered the Professors study
it was empty; but Rosa boldly opened the door
leading to the little drawing room She held
Hilda. who was behind her, by the hand, and,
putting her head in through the passage, she
asked
"Can we come in, uncle?" She stood wait
ing his reply in the entrance; but thousand
treacherous clouds of crimson suffused her
cheeks and forehead, as her eyes discovered, be-
sides the Professor, the figure of another person
on the sofa, opposite the door-and that other
how could she ever have supposed she should
have met him here? Nevertheless, it was Man
nerstedt himself, who had come to pay visit
to the Professor, to tender him his warm and
grateful thanks for the bounteous aid which he
had afforded him.
Snow, then, child, what is it? Come in,
come in" cried the Professor; and one of his
sharp, quick glances turned first upon Rosa's
blushing cheeks, and then upon the young
teacher. But Mannerstedt had arisen, and,
with rapid turn, stood absorbed in admiring
beautiful vase. Professor Ling, however, I'M
derstood something about similar fits of adm-
ration, and if the veritable state of affairs was
not entirely clear to his comprehension, sus-
picion, OF which the first spark had been kin
died in his mind on the evening of the betroth
al was confirmed.
On that evening, his eyes had been fixed
with sympathy upon Mannerstedt, whom be
had never seen before, but of whose industry,
as well as poverty, he had heard frequently |;
and, during this slight survey, he had plainly
noticed the fire that flashed in the youths eye,
whenever he CHANGED to catch passing glance
of Rosa's white dress, as she fitted by.
The old mans silent conclusions, as usual,
found vent in a long-drawn hem; whereupon,
with the aid of his stick, he got up to welcome
the girls.
welcome, my child he kissed Rosa's
forehead" and you, too, Hilda. Hem! hem!'
I" My good, kind uncle" said Rosa, caressing-
ly, and stroking the Professors wrinkled cheeks,
II have ventured to assure Hilda that she
would be welcome here; and / am ready to die
with apprehension, lest she should not be So"
T" You little simpleton," said the Professor,
81 cannot really take the burden upon my con-
science of letting you die from any such dread
ful cause. Come here, Hilda, dear. There
now, is it right now? Well, well; you are both
of you welcome; and so now sit down. But
what the - Mr.. Mannerstedt, what makes
you stand there, gazing at that vase, or the
flowers in it, while we have such beautiful liv-
ing blossoms here for you to rejoice your eyes
with Come, turn round, and behave yourself,
and show your face to the ladies. Let them
see that you are not destitute of politeness, and
all that, which Ferdinand is everastingly chat
tering about"
The name of Ferdinand, in conjunction with
all the rest did not exactly answer the purpose
OF bringing the young peoples confused
thoughts into order again. Gradually, how
ever, they all recovered themselves, and Man
nerstedt managed to collect himself sufficiently
to engage them in a tolerably connected and
agreeable train Of conversation, to which the
Professor-tod day in an especially pleasant hu-
mor-contributed largely.
We ought to have some wine and biscuit,
and that sort of thing" said he, somewhat i'm.
patient at not seeing Madame Brun make her
appearance. His three guests certainly want
ed nothing of the kind, but their hosts will was
law; ard Hilda, who, in her earlier days, was
useful here as at home, arose quickly and,
with an "allow me, uncle" was out of the room
in a second, and soon returned with the desired
refreshments.
"Where is Madame Brun hiding herself?"
asked the Professor, feeling little embarrassed
at seeing Hida so completely at home again.
"She is busy in the kitchen, my dear uncle
She has only just returned from church," re-
piled Hida, beginning quietly and composedly
to hand round the plates, and play the hostess.
They were just beginning to enjoy the Pro-
fessor's excellent old Muscat, when the door
was suddenly thrown open, and Captain Ferdi-
nand came rafting to the room, booted, spurred,
sabred, and ready for the field.
"Now, then, what in Heavens name is the
matter?" exclaimed he, in astonishment, as he
beheld the bottles glasses, cakes, and the guests
who were sitting round the Professors large ia
BILE; for here the usual refreshment was merely
glass of water, or perhaps small beer.
But at the sight of Hilda, he turned pale
and his gaiety suddenly gave place to an artif-
cial and constrained tone, which he felt was
quite out of place; but he was incapable of re-
Stunning his usual composure. This little incl
dent put all parties out of tune. Hilda's proud
feellngs could not, however, be repressed by
the power Of the moment. With the most in
different tone, though not unkindly, she asked
"well, Ferdinand, in how many different
characters are you going to appear this even
"In none. excent NV ou,r - uo,,;o5 L.
griy.
he fancied that Hilda intended to say some
thing sarcastic, and had therefore brought mn
the subject of his costume. His misappreben.
sion of, and almost uncourteous answer to. her
question, made her blood course quickly through
her veins, and she retorted-
~ should fancy that would afford you quite
sufficient variety"
The Captain was in a perfect glow of rage,
grief and wine. and FAILING that ali THE e