The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-01-17
And, so saying, he left the room, and shut

himself up in his own apartment.
He possessed sufficient knowledge of Rosa's
character-of her tender, affectionate heart
to see very easily that the only means of attain
ing his end would be, not by admonitions to
her duty, bat by grand example of generosi
ty, and an appeal to her deep feelings of flial
affection. Rosa had by no means expected
such gentle and selfdenying tenderness; she
had made up her mind to a severe struggle
with her father; she stood mute at the course
he had taken. This strife between her love for
Mannerstedt and for her parents now began
to work upon her convictions. She felt that
two powers were contending in her heart, and
that, to whichever side victory might incline,
that heart must bleed. Then her mother came,
took her hand, pressed it to her fearful eyes,
and said, quietly and mildly
"My Rosa, my beloved child, I also will no
longer urge you. l will be silent-silent like
your noble and unfortunate father"
Madame Widen, who had instinctively divin-
ed her husbands purpose, endeavored to follow
his example. She withdrew, and left Rosa alone
with her reflections.
"This is dreadful" said the poor girl, sink
ing, weeping, on her knees. "Should I-must
n" she had not power to finish the sentence.
Mannerstedt's image in that sacred moment Of
parting-his joyful, steadfast faith in her truth
that look, full of love, and radiant with happi-
ness, which she had mst-all stepped between
her heart and the words she would have spo-
ken, and seemed to reproach her for praying
for strength to enable her to renounce him
who appeared to be the entire happiness, the
whole life, of her future hopes. How would
Mannerstedt act in such case?" she asked
herself "Would he sacrifice me in order to
rescue himself from evil, which is but nothing
in comparison with the price at which more
favored position is to be purchased? No, no."
replied the mighty feeling, which was FREEDOM
insnt in her soul. He would not do it-noble,
high-souled as he is, he never could consent
to break my heart to gain wealth for his pa
rents" She was confused, however, and con-
cluded to visit her old friend, the Professor.
He will at least sympathize with, if he cannot
comfort nor advise me-"
She put on her cloak, drew her bonnet deep
down over her face, and slipped, as lightly and
softly as possible, along the streets which lay
between their house and that of the Professor.
She soon reached it, and entered the study.
"What is the matter, my dear child ?" said
the old man, kindly, as he welcomed her with
the usual kiss upon the forehead, and observed
her tear-stained eyes. "What has happened,
dear? 1t is not very long since l let you know
how quickly and well Mannerstedt was going
on. Believe me, have my eye upon him, and
in two years, perhaps less, you will dwell as
my lady Rector in the good town of b,
and will rejoice with all your heart in your do
nestle happiness; for, with such brave, sensi-
ble fellow as Mannerstedt, a girl may hope for
small allowance of luck"
"Oh, my kind good Uncle Ling, how much
that is bitter and destructive to our hopes can
occur in two days-aye, in two hours even
and what may then be the case in two years
Our happiness is yet far enough off. / am
deeply, unspeakably distressed, and come to
you for comfort and counsel"
"Well, my dear child, what has happened
Let us hear all about it."
Rosa told him all ; her first decided feeling,
which led her to reject Gardens noble offer,
and the anguish and struggles, thousand
times more violent than the first, when she en-.
countered the high-mindsd generosity of her
father and mother.
"Oh, heavens" sobbed she where should
| take comfort not even on Mannerstedt's low
ing heart could l find it. Peace and comfort
were forever lost; for the reflection that my un.
, worthy selfshness had brought my father to
, the grave would be necessarily, day and night
before my eyes, and destroy every Joy which
lightened upon my path. l could not feel hap
py in them, for there would be sin upon my
heart"
"Calm yourself, for Heavens sake, my deal
; child" said the Professor caressingly passing
h;s band over the excited and sorrowful girls
glowing cheeks, DO not distress yourself thus
with imaginary ills; but listen to the voice Of
reason, and hear what have to sag. should
like to know what Mannerstedt would say if he
were to see you now, waverng as you are be
tween the duty of renouncing him, and tina,
which commands you not to resign your future
veal and your affection thus; for that affection
can be of no ordinary kind, which can esec,
such revolution in the heart and feelings Of
my own usually calm and rational Rosa"
"Aye, what would he say?" interrupted
Rosa and at the mere mention of the name
, which vas dearest to her upon earth, a ray Of
Joy beomed through her tears. "What would
he say, my kindest uncle 2" Snd a soft and
kindly expression spread over her features.
"Perhaps there may be something about il
, in this enclosure" said the old man, as he
smiinsly took out charming little note from
drawer in his writing table.
"What, from Mannerstedt?" cried Rosa
and her pale cheeks were at once snffused with
crimson, and the impetuous pulsation of her
} heart nearly took her breath away. ooh! ]
| knew mott did not believe-I could not have
, hoped that so soon." Rosa was quite in state
of confusion from Joy, and neither knew wha,
she hoped, nor what she believed and the Pro
fessor's smiling glance would have told her that
he knew it too, if she had only looked at him
but she had no time to think of that now hel
| whole heart, as well as her eye, was busy with
her ioyeF's letter, and, after kissing the seal al
least a dozen i.nes, in spite of the old mans
presence, she at length oPsIed it, and read as
follows:
MY ONLY BELOVED: AS / have just now
joyful news to communicate to our paternal
friend, namely, that / have got over my exam
} ination happily-concerning which he will tell
you all particulars-I cannot wait the usual
time for writing to you, for am too happy to
be capable of bearing my good fortune alone
True, the good Professor, on taking leave, told
me that | must only now and then enclose a
line for you in his letters but, for this once
must 10 disobedient. To write to him without
word of gfeating to you, without whispering
/, one word of affection ~ Jour heart, is what
feel impossible. Oh my Rosa, u you but knew
, how entirely and completely you fill my wGole
D soul passed my examination two months
earlier taan had intended; for my love, and
the assurance Of your own, gave me double.
r aye, three-fold energy; and the next promotion
5 to the masters grade will give nae the laurel.
: Meanwhile, the friendly genii of love and hope
Y viii weave the garland which, before two more
D summers have shed their golden rays over the
earth, l trust, with Gods assistance to wind
t about your white brow. ~ Rosa, oh could
, you bat conceive the blessedness. the inex
= pressble happiness, which the repetition O,
4; those two words has for me have now SO
: habituated myself to happiness and ioy thai
no thought of possible change can find room
e to creep into my paradise. No, am at peace
for rely upon your word as upon the assn
rance of Heaven, your heart is my temple, anc
. not a single thought can end an entrance there
which l cannot read in all its brightness ant