Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-02-06
MISS AVOSiA JONES.

THE NEW C~oMEDY-sECoND LOVE,
CONTINUED sscsess Of Us Young Virginia AetrssS
i: affords US great pleasure to record the most de-
oisive and brilliant triumph yet achieved by the gift
cd young artistic whose name appears at the head of
this article. On Wednesday evening the new comedy
Of "SSeond Love- was pu: upon the stage for the first
time in Virginia. Of this comedy but little was known
here, except that !: lad been played for sixty nights,
to large and delighted audiences. at Laura Keene's
Theatre in New York, aud was pronounced one Of the
most beautiful Of modern times. The plot is simple,
and tbs story one Of thrilling interest. Elinor Now
hrsy is q beautiful and lovely orphan girl, who has
been deprived of her sight by a severe fever. BY
.he gentlsness Of her nature and the sweetness OF her
disposition, she endears herself to all around her.
Her cousin, Ralph Thornhill, is q siinple-hsarted and
pure-minded young man, full Of honorable and gene
sohs impulses, who devotes himself entirely to the
service and protection of his afflicted cousin, with
whom no 10 deeply In love, but from whom he con-
oeals his passion.
News of the death of a wealthy old uncle in the
West or East Indies, who is reported to have left all
his vast fortune TO the afflicted Elinor, brings to the
villa in which she resides, a Col. Dangerheld, aAs
other cousin Of hers, who assumes the name Of Well.
don. and PROPOSES to be u painter. His relationship
he conoesls, and also all knowledge in reference to
the Supposed wealth of Elinor. He WOO, her, and
soon Hnds himself master of Der heart. Elinor at
this time believes herself to be poor, that the afec-
ton Of Weldon is sincere, and that he loves her for
hersel! alone. In a short time Ralph Thornhil re.
pairs to London to ascertain every thing in relation
20 the will which his uncle has sent over to England,
sod he there learns that his uncle made two wills-by
the arsf. giving all his estate to Elinor-by the SO.
coud, all bis estate to him. During the absence of
riage with Elnor. but be is put of until her cousin
Ra!ph's return. In the mean time Weldon receives
intelligence from London Of the second will made by
I'D Mowbrsy, leaving his fortune to Ralph, and at
once bic ardor abates. and he no longer desires to
hurry matters until he can ascertain exactly
how the property stands. In the mean time
Ralph returns, aud suppresses the second will
from the knowledge Of his cousin, but puts
tho will into her hands, with the assurance that she
10 the only heir Of her wealthy uncle. She now ex-
ults In the thought that she can repay the deep devo.
ton of Weldon, and ~rejoicss that he will not now
wed a po:.ioaless bride. She consents to marry him
at an early day. He then discloses to her that be is
Col. Dangerfeld, and her cousin. In the meantime,
poor Ralph. who has sacrificed everything for his
cousin, and has given her even his unole's large for.
tune, goes about almost broken hearted. BY the
arrival, however, of another cousin, Mildred Vernon,
some little suspicion is created 10 the mind Of Elinor
as to the honesty aud sincerity Of DauSer6eld's love.
Elnor iusroduesi Dangerdeld a. her a6aaeed aus
band to Mildred, aud . half suppressed scream re.
veais at onoe to Eliuor, that something's wrong. In
: truth, Dangerheld was engaged to Mildred before he
knew Eiinor;. but avarice getting the better Of his
e lose. b. had determined to possess himself, by mar.
riase with Elinor. Of the large fortune Of old Now
bray. A. time wears on, tue suspicious of Elinor in
regard to Mildred and Daugsraeld become more and
more confirmed. Dsugerfsld in vain endeavors to
ipll her suspicious by d~uplcity and ~falsshood, and
urres 9 speedy marriage, while q: the same time he
prccures the silence of Mildred, by the assurance that
his love for her IL unchanged. Elinor. however. By
the advice of ksr p.!sic:an, determines upon a
THO months tip, during which she refuses to
5e accompanied by any ono save her physician.
Her 'faitAtll Ftlo." ~ she calls her cousin Ralph,
~ho has never deserted her, begs to attend her upon
tie journey. She refuses. Ralph, however, secret.
" follows her, and returns with her, without her b.
log c~sre Of il. An operation 10 performed upon
her eyes during her absence and her sight is restored.
This, however, is concealed from all except her ply
stefan. When she reads her uncls's will she disoov-
ere the ses.-csi,y Of her cousin Ralph, and finds the
bequest of the whole property to him instead Of her.
She has before found out aud been surprised at the
discovery that Rslph too was 10 love with her. She
is now convinced Of the baseness Of Dapger6eld AID
the hde!ity Of Ralph. She assemblies ai the parties.
ehs makes Ralph reed t5s uW-bs deN se-bst sdl