Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-05-16
XVIII.
THE RETHRoTHAL,

| The BEIdhOIuaI~
Day after day, and week after week, passed BY
The drama of those lives, which we have under
taken to delineate, approached its catastrophe.
Innis and Honoria had scarcely met, and LORD
ERuthven was ut the young lady's side at all hour
of the day. In vain had the young lady gone te
her father and besought him with sobs and tear
to forego his purpose of giving her hand to Lord
Ruthven, who had formally proposed, and been
as formally accepted by the baronet. The reply Of
Sir Rein was mild but firm refusal, and at the
period of which we write, there was no more pos.
sibility of opposing the determination Of the baro.
net, than of reversing some great law Of nature
What could the young girl do? The authority
of parents was supreme, and the very thought Of
acting in de6nance of it, was regarded as mon.
strous crime Hearts were not free in those old
days. or if the natural sentiment Yas indulged the
obstacle to its qualification was insuperable. The
settled rule of social life was that the hand of q
young lady could be given only to thep person whom
her parents selected for her-she was not respon.
sible party to the contract. And this was the d.
rect result of the mode of thinking then in vogue
Marriage, with our proud old ancestors, was moi
the union of two loving hearts was the ALI.
ance of two 'houses." Did o young man of the
gentle class desire to marry one whom he low
ed, his parents straightway made inquiries on
the vital points of the lady social rank, posses
sions, general eligibility" The question of hel
personal attractions, her affection, and the pros
pect which her character afforded Of happy un
ion, scarcely entered into the affair. Much more
was the case when some old baron Of the planters
was expected to bestow his daughter on youth.
The suitor was compelled to undergo, q searching
criticism. His birth, his wealth, his family con.
nections, were investigated with the utmost care
and if the suitor was Objectionable upon any o.
these grounds, his suit was courteously denied.
If on the other hand, he was found "elgible, v
then the affair was speedily arranged. Did the
young lady object that she did not loye him,
that she did not respect him, that the union
was hateful thought to her? All this opposi.
ton was regarded as irrational, undutiful, rebel
lion against her parents, who were certainly as
well enabled to decide upon her course, as she
could be. Far betterable, indeed, to choose suit
able husband for her-unblinded as they were by
feeling, and acting with an eye single to their
daughters good in Life. So Agnes found herself
the bride of tho rich old Honorable Judge Wolfe,
and Constance, with her tender, loving heart, he1
soft blue eyes and golden hair became the wife Of
battered Colonel Dives, leaving her young lover to
die of despair, or sneer ut woman. So the thing
that is has been; and the fable will be narrated ol
many coming generations. But we wander from
our theme.
Sir Rezin had accepted Lord Ruthven, and in
spite of the prayers, and tears of his daughter, ad
hered obstinately to his resolution. And Honoria
submitted, with singular apathy, and something
strange in her demeanor, but none the less submit
ted. Her mother, silenced and subdued by the
iron will of the baronet, could only pray for her
daughter happiness could do nothing to ar
rest the consummation Of the sombre nuptials.
The effect Of these events upon Innis was pain
full to behold. In month he seemed to have
grown ten years older. ALI his buoyancy, his hope
full energy, his zest oflife had left him. He went
about with measured and mechanical step, spoke
very seldom and seemed to have lost some precious
thing of which he was in pursuit He no longer
opened his law books-study had grown hateful.
He never went into society," and the brilliant pa
geant of the capital went on around him, no more
needed than the idle mummery, the shadowy fig
ures Of dream. The youth seemed. to revolve
some crazy undertaking, and to be estimating the
chances of success.
Such was the condition of things when an event
occurred which was destined to arouse Innis from
his sombre apathy, and change the aspect Of af:
fairs.
XIX
1t was bleak, clear morning of January, and
Innis was stretched upon the couch before his fire,
in the dreary 'bachelor lodgings" which he occu'
pied, on Gloucester street, when knock at the
door aroused him from his gloomy reevrie.
"Come in !" he said, in loud stern voice, fol
misery had changed the whole bearing Of the youth
his very tones.
The door opened, but Innis did not turn his
head
"Welll'' was the brief, harsh greeting which he
gave the unseen visitor. ..
"a note, mas Edmund, from Sir Rein, )" came
in the familiar voice of old Robin, the grey-hared
major-domo of Haddon, who had accompanied
the family to Williamsburg; and respectfully ap
preaching the youth, he drew small waiter from
beneath his capacious coat, placed the note upon
lit, and handed it to Innis with bow that might
have done honor to the Grande Monarque himself
Such was old Robins view Of propriety, and moth
ing but stern necessity could have induced him tc
omit the waiter.
Innis took the note without rising, and opened
| it with gloomy surprise.
''Sir," it ran in the old formal style, eff you
will do me the honor to attend at Col. Carter
house, within the hour, I shall be much indebted
to you. An affair of great Importance, and the
most surprising character, renders your speedy
presence not only desirable, but absolutely neces
sary.
| ''Your friend and Ensman,
! "R. BRAND"
ITO EDMUND INNS, Esq.
Clos ter street.
The young man read the note twice, Intercepted
vainly the calmly courteous features Of old Robin
who stood respectfully awaiting further orders, anc
then took pen and wrote:
II will attend upon Sir Rein, at Col Carter s
within the hour.
Respectfully,
| ''EDMUND INNS"
This note the old major-domo, after exchanging
a few words with the youth, bore away, and Inni
returned to his sofa and his thoughts.
"What now2" he murmured, with sardoni
smile; 'here is a mystery that at other time
would certainly interest me. An affair of great i'm
..l aka IorIP P,.fh