Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-04-10
CHAPTER XIX.
RALPH MAKES A NEW PROPOSITION.

CHAPTER XIX.
RALPH MAKES NEW PROPOSITION.
Mr.. Harcourt could recover nothing for
Mrs. Ravenswood- fortune was total
wreck. He sold her house for her, paid large
sum still due on it, and also those debts of
which she had spoken to Doctor Eglinton ;
after which there was but mere pittance
left. The distinguished lawyer went to Avon
dale and had personal interview with Mrs.
Ravenswood, and was much struck with her
beauty and her graceful manners. But Mrs.
Ravenswood attributed the seeming interest
he displayed in her affairs to Doctor Egln-
tons influence.
"And who bought the house ?" inquired
Mrs. Ravenswood. "Such lovely place it
isl"
"A beautiful place." said Mr.. Harcourt.
"Did not tell you? Doctor Eglinton bought
it. He ran thesale up very high-for at least
three thousand more than expected; SEEM
ingly very anxious to secure it."
"Why, did not think he was sufficiently
well off to purchase such an establishment.
"He has splendid practice and makes
money very rapidly" said Mr.. Harcourt
"besides, has many influential, wealthy friends
who would lend him the money, if that were
necessary. He is to be married soon, be-
leve"
Florimond said nothing.
Several days after the lawyers visit, when
she was sitting solitary in her lonely chamber,
wrapped in gloomy thoughts and trying to
make up her mind what to do in such an un-
fortunate state of affairs, Berta entered with
beaming face, saying, uncle Ralph was be-
low and begged to see her for few moments.
Florimond shrauk from an interview which
she knew would be painful and embarrassing
to both parties, and yet she could hardly re-
fuse to see one, who lad proved such friend
to her. His appearance cut her to the heart.
He was pale and haggard, and all his brillian'
cy gone. He spoke to her sadly and gravely.
II have come," he said, "to see if | can be
of any service to you. You need some mas
culine head to assist you under your present
difficulties. Have you made any plans for
the future?"
II have not. 1t seems to me my brains are
paralyzed. I cannot think! 1t was all so
sudden but presume teaching, perhaps, will
suit me better than anything else"
"That is what I wished to know said
Ralph. 81 will endeavor to secure situation
for you. Pray put your mind at rest, for l
will certainly secure one, which at least will
support Berta and yourself in comfort" The
doctor was silent for moment, and seemed
to find some difficulty in giving utterance to
his next remark. At last he said
"Do you not require some ready money for
present purposes? Ifso, will you not borrow
from me? can furnish you with any amount
you would like, and you can repay me when
you draw your salary"
"Thank you, my kind FRIEND" said Flori-
mond, tears yelling into her eyes at this evil
dence of his delicacy and thoughtfulness for
her; "but 1 have quite enough for present
emergencies There is one great consolation,
at least, in this unfortunate matter, do not
owe dollar in the world. You must not
think that poverty will come so hard to me.
I have been poor once before, and now if you
are able to procure for me, even moderately
good situation, will be perfectly satisfied"
"You bear this reverse nobly," exclaimed
Ralph. Suddenly his face colored and his
whole manner changed.
"Florimond," he said, excitedly, Eve are
not even now, eternally separated, if you do
not so will it. There is an honorable mode of
arranging this matter, which will overcome
every obstacle to our union. In this State,
those who cannot live together in mutual hap
piness and peace, can be separated by the law
and allowed to form new and happier ties.
Now, if you were divorced from this husband
with whom you have not lived for years, you
may then, in all honor, become my wife"
"There are no just grounds for divorce,
said Florimond "the only fault had to find
with Albert cambridge was his coldness,
which arose from an entire want of affection,
and his proneness, like Theopompus and a
great many other people, to censure rather
than to praise. He never mis-used or ILL
treated ME indeed, he is too much of gen.
tleman for anything like personal violence. !"
"Nevertheless," spoke Ralph, quickly, now
excited to the highest pitch, "only say that
you are willing to obtain divorce and the
thing shall be accomplished. Nor shall you
be annoyed with unpleasant details The
matter shall be placed in the hands of COM
petent persons, who understand their business,
and will manage everything"
Florimond made gesture Of repugnance'
"And suppose" she asked, II now stood
before you divorced woman, what then ?"
"Then," he said, tenderly, "every obstacle
to our marriage would be removed, and you
would be mine."
"Not so," said Florimond, with firm deci-
sion; II would not marry you even then, be-
cause hold those VOWS made till death, can
not be set aside by the hand of man, but are
binding till death. have thought very deep,
ly on this subject thought on it for years,
and though know what you say is true, that
the world would not condemn me for such a
course of conduct, there is stern principle
within which .oould condemn me. And l
trust my
High instincts more than all the creeds.'
AS long as Albert cambridge lives, shall
never marry another; even we're at liberty
to do so, by being divorced from him."
"Your argument" said Ralph, gravely,