The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-01-31
TRANSLATED BY EBERT PIERCE.
CHAP. XX-Concluded.


And then her thoughts and fancies wandered
away to the period when Rosa, young and
admired widow, would have house of her
own, far exceeding everything that H had
ever yet witnessed in pomp and splendor, and
where she herself might rule supreme.
eyes, indeed, old man, it is not so bad, after
all, when / come to consider" said she, as her
husband entered "and we can hold our
tongues until he chooses to speak-of course we
can, and let him have his way but, of course,
you see, my dear Widen, what is going to take
place. | guessed it at once, and, though I
would not say anything to you about it, l have
long since been looking on quietly, and knew
that it would end in this way. Oh yes, al
ways thought So"
"End in what way, my dear Brigtta Marie
I really did not exactly understand what the
Professor meant"
never clear until have explained them to you.
Could you not see that he meant himself, when
he spoke of a sutton and did you not hear him
say that he had always been opposed to her
marrying the Captain? 1t is all very plain.
And when we consider Rosas frequent visits
to her old friend, and her joyous, happy face
when she returns-for the girl has a taste Of
her own, not much like anybody else-I think
there is evidence sufficient to establish the cred
Utility of my views. Now, you understand the
whole affair, do you not ?"
"No, most certainly l do not You must
nj Of III
me, but fear you are mistaken. If it had been
himself that he meant, he might have married
her at once l do not even think the matter
worthy of consideration"
"But, my dear Widen," complained the lady,
distrustfully, how can you be so selfwilled
Have I not been always sharp-sighted, and
have | not always seen very clearly into all
matters which lay within my sphere? You used
to place great reliance in you wife's judgment,
but times have changed"
"Yes, such is the common course of the
world"
At this short speech of her husband, she
found occasion to use a stock of sighs and
tears which she had ready when she chose to
feel that she had been insulted.
"My dear Brigitta Marie, what childshness,"
said he, in very kind manner. 81 am always
glad to believe what you say, and have not the
least doubt of your penetration and, as nothing
is impossible, you may after all, be right in this
instance; but be that as it may, my love, pray
remember to ask Rosa no questions of any
kind, and do not give her the least hint of your
ideas"
Some weeks after these events found Mr.
Widen seated in his contingencies convers-
inn Nv
about speculation which promised to be very
lucrative, and which the new firm was thinking
of undertaking. In this kind of commercial
clock-work, which the Professor had so happi-
ly succeeded in constructing, Mr.. Widen was
to be looked upon as soul, and Mr.. M as
the body, which diligently and zealously follow
ed all the movements of the ruling power. In
the next room were seated at their desks the
younger clerks, all engaged with their business
The whole house wore genuine commercial
appearance. The Merchants family occupied
the upper stories, and Mr.. M, being
bachelor, contented himself with the apart
ments on the ground floor, as they were near
est to the counting-hous Madame Widen had
again begun to look up, and saluted her old
acquaintance from the window as they passed,
with an air which seemed to say that she trust
cd once more to avenge herself for their past
Indifference
True, this residence was nothing in compari.
son with that in which she ONCE lived but it
was perfect Paradise compared with the lit
tie, low, dismal hut which she had Just left
and she felt well pleased, and even happy and
fortunate, in her new cheerful dwelling. But
Rosa was the most grateful and happy of all
the members of the family. Her warm graft.
tude towards her noble hearted old friend. and
her own sense of happiness Increased eyerv
day. She felt deeply and sensibly how much
she had 70 thank the Professor for his tender.
ness and care; and she felt assured that to
him she was indebted for the silence of her
parents in regard to Mr.. Gardens proposal
When she gave her father the letter in which
she declined his offer, he merely said, kindly
So, so, my girl, is it already finished ~
And Mrs. Widen added, with one of her
sweetest smiles
!" Heayen forbid that parents should be ."ol-
ism and unreasonable apough to wish to con. |
strain their children in such important mat. |
tiers and so this was the last of the affair.
And the other matters, in which the Profess |
or had recommended silence, were never hint. |
ed at by unsuitable questions and thus every |
thing was quiet as it should be. And who was |
more fortunate than Rosa? She lavished all |
the warmest and kindest efforts of her rich. |
young heart upon her old friend eyery day she
visited him several times, for the house thew
now occupied was next his. Every evening"
she made his tea, and never gave up irving rn.
til he acknowledged that it was done as we'll az |
when Hilda took care of him.
"Ah, Hilda," Rosa would often saw aJf.b.
were only here, then poor Ferdinand might be |