The Winchester home journal. [volume] (Winchester, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1858-02-20

when her father, Sir Bernard Villiers, en-.
tered her boudoir, he found her weeping
over some letters, among which she en-
deavored to conceal miniature but
her fathers observant eye detected the
picture, though he affected not to notice it..
"You have unpleasant tidings in those
letters, dear Emily" Said Sir Bernard.
"The inspired recolections Of long
absent friend-a female friend, sir, it is a
weakness ! am ashamed Of" and she
wiped the tears away.
" | have come, dear Emily, to inform
you that Lieutenant Warwick, who so
presumptiously aspired to the honor Of
your hand, and whom you, in a moment
Of thoughtessness, encouraged, has com.
pleted his arrangements, and leaves
London for India tomorrow morning."
/" Indeed !" cried Emily.
He has requested permission to take
leave Of you, and as his absence is likely
to be Of some years. duratian, | saw no
improperly in granting his request. At.
tached as you are now TO the Earl Of
Castleton, conceive that the brief in.
terview he desires would not give yS
the slightest pain"
Oh-no!" murmured Emily. cit
will--give me-no PAIN
Immediately the Earl Of Castleton en-.
tered the room, and when he claspod the
hand ofhs destined bride and pressed it
to his lips, she involunlarily drew it back
with shudder; but Immediately recollect'
ting herself, she summoned smile to her
cheek, and extended again her hand,
gracefully bowling her head as the Earl
raised it to his lips, but she soon fell into
a reverie, and all the exertions of the Earl
could not disipate her gloom.
Lieutenant Warwick was announced.
Emily started, but Immediately resumed
her composure. He entered, and after
the interchange OF civilities, Sir Bernard
and the Earl returned TO their wine,
leaving Emily and Warwick alone to,
gether.
II presume." said the latter, "that
Miss Villers is acquainted with the ma.
ture Of my visit here this evening""
"Sr Bernard has informed me-" replied
Emily, carelessl y turning over some mu.
sic that laid upon the table before her,
"that dissatisfied with your own country,
and all that is in it, you are going to In.
dia, to seek qualification in new scenes,
among new friends"
at is my intention to visit India--to
forget if possible, the past"
at were well, Lieutenant Warwick, il
we could all forget what we have learned
to 'deSpise.'"
"And it were we'll, Miss Villers, if WE
could forget all that is bad and odlous ir
human charactes, that we might WORSHIP
the bright traits, the good dispositions, thu
kindness, the gentleness, the virtues O.
the heart without being disturbed by tht
sundden flashing Of evil qualities, assur
ing US that however high may be our dc
sires, we meet in this life but fraiI hu
manity, and nothing more"
A pause ensued. 1t was broken by
Emily observing. "It were afectaton il
me to say that am not conscious Of tht
aim of your remark. You imagine tha
have acted towards you harshly, unjust
ly, wickedly."
"Harshly and unj justly--mot wickedly
For did | deem you wicked, there would
have been no motive for my departure
from my native land"
81 do not understand you. Can they
be harsh and unjust who are not wicked?
"Assuredly. The wisest and best may
sometimes err; but such errors are venia
ones, md one word of contrltion wipes
them all away. Wickedness is system
attic. Error may sometimes assume tn
character of wickedness, and provoke re
sentiment; but that resentment; like
summers cloud, lowers above tho earth
breaks, and is seen no more"
"Do you think me wicked ?" said En-
lily.
Warwick arose, and putting forth hi
hand exclaitued, 81 came to say farewel
! have already trespassed too much upo
your indulgence"
"Lieutenant Warwick" exclaime
Emily, 81 will be answered. You Sc
me on the point Of marriage to ma
whom | detest-abhor. Ay, start-I te
you again detest that man, his corone
and all his wealth and splendor too.
tell you also--now, in this parting me
ment, when we see each other for the "a:
time on earth-that was driven to th
hated marriage by the conviction that yoa
Ernest, you, believed that | was wickec
that you despised and scorned me-"
81 was in anger--disappointed-de
ceived. When heard that you had cor
sented to this marriage | became madden
ed knew not what said. Even who
| wrote that letter more than ever love
you"
| "Indeed!"
"Had you reproved me for my hast
and folly, would have fallen at you
feet and begged your forgiveness"
"Indeed!" said Emily. "Let me the