Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-08-20

'Then TO tablet said William.
Each guest took the arm of lady, and
the major who alone remained with Madame
Nugel, was obliged to offer her his arm.
| But, In passing BY the music-room to the
dining-hall, he perceived every one STOP
ping before great picture recently hung
upon the wall; it was the portrait banished
until now, and which represented Charlotte
in all the briIiancy Of youth. -.
.Who has placed this picture herel' ex-
claimed the major, with flashing eyes.
I,'replied Dorothea, mildly.
sAnd who permitted your
No one, my father; but it is St. 'Sylves-
ter's.'
'lt is true,' exclaimed all the guests, smi-
ling.
Loffen bit his lips.
'Do not fear, SIR said Madame Nugel,in
low voice; this portrait represents me
young, beautiful, happy; you see that no one
has recognized me-
The majer did not reply. They passed
into .he dining-room and everv one seated
themselves at the table.
Loffen was seated near Madame Nugal,to
whom Derothea had yielded her place, and
who was to do the honors of the dinner.
The major had decided 10 avoid scandal,
but aot to conceal his dissatisfaction He
showed it the more ope nly,as he felt, at the
bottom of his heart, less irritated than he
would have wished. He kept repeating to
himself that be was the playthlng ofa plot
arranged between Charlotte and his daugh-
ter, to interest his honor to render it USE
less, and to endeavor to keep up his indig-
nation, nevertheless, an unexpected soft
ness increased upon him. 1t was the first
time that ne had been too patient and too
gentle!
He decided at least to keep silence, which
might express his displeasure. Madame
Nugel did not attempt to interrupt it, but
the major could not escape her mute atten-
tions. Whatever he did, all his wants were
anticipated, all his desires satisfied; the
meats and the wines which he preferred
were offered to him, for Charlotte had for
cotton none of his tastes. For the first
time, indeed, for ffteeh years, he received
that experienced watchfulness of the wife
who has shared our life, and which even the
most tender daughter cannot replace.
The repast inished,a the companyswent
into the music-room. Loffen perceived that
the piano had descended as well as the por-
trait. 1t had Been opened, andby its side had
been arranged the majors desk. Dorothea |
brought his violin to him, and reminded him
that he had promised to let it be heard. |
Loffen glanced towards Madame Nugel, who
had approa ched the piano, and wished to re-
fuse; but Councillor Hoffman summoned
him to obey, exclaiming that it was st.
Sylvester's-he must then yield
The piece chosed by Dorothea was one of
the duos which her father had played for
nerly with Charlotte. The latter remem-
bered the variation AMI expression which
the major gave to his piece; e;therefore it was
played with peculiar beauty. Those who
knew the talent of Loffen had never observ-
ed in him such precision, such charms, and
such power. One might have said that the
two instruments understood one another.
When they were silent, all the listeners ap-
plauded, and Councillor Holman ,ra to the
performers.
'You must be a single soul in two bodies,'
he said, 'to have this harmony in the ex-
preston of the same sentiment
Loffen and Madame Nugel bowed with
embarrassment.
'Ah' you are made to understand others,
added the enthusiastic lover of music, pres
sing their hands Music is like an amana-
tion of hearts; and to play so harmoniously
is almost to love one another!'
Madame LNugsl smiled and blushed, and
wished to leave the piano; but Dorothea
begged her to sing one of the German airs
which she performed SO well. After little
resistance; she seated herself, and began
the old ballad of La Rose Bleue.'
AS Madame Nugel sung, all the resent
ment of the ma jor seemed 70 vanish, and an
indescribable emotion seized him. This
song he had heard the first time he saw
Charlotte; and afterwards, in the day OF
their union, she had repeated it thousand
times. The voice of Madame Nugel acted
upon him fairy, and rebuilt all the broken
edifce of his happiness. While listening
to her, he thought he saw that little house,
surrounded with vines, which they had H.
habited together at Prague; that garden, I
with its arbor of clcmatis and its border of {
violets. He imagined himself young, con- |
fding. joyous. 1t was like an appeal from !
all which had been tender and happy in his
past life.
Madame Nugelhad quilted the piano,and
had been some time in the same spot, with
her arms crossed and her head cast down.
She was interrupted in her reverie by the1
voices of William, who told her midnight
had just struck. He took Madame Nugels !
arm without remark, and turned towards the
temple with all the guests.
There is, in the solemn act which binds
forever upon earth two beings, and which
destines them to live for one another, a re- 1
ligious character which touches all hearts;
but es pecially to a parent the nuptial bene-
diction has something il it grave and touch I
ing. 1T is an abdication of all his rights
over the child he has brought up,anc whose
happiness he hereafter contides to another.
The emotions which the major had Just
experienced had particularly disposed him
to. tenderness; and he could not restrain
his tears when he heard the minister pro-
nounce the consecrated formula which gave
his daughter to William. By an involun-
tary movement, his looks sought Madame
Nugel; she had concealed her head In her
hands, anG was sobbing.
This sympathy of emotion entirely dis
PEELED all the resentment there was left in
the soul of the major.
After all, he thought, it is her mother.
This idea touched him. Her mother! and
she was there as stranger, under a false
name! Her mother! and her presence was
not even pure and complete joy to Dorothea,
for she remembered that the most sacred
ties might be broken, that all the happiness
dreamed by her and by William might end
in violation and hatred! The major felt hiE
heart oppressed as with remorse, and when
his daughter rose, holding Williams hand,
he cast down his eyes TO shun her look.