Morris tribune., 1881-02-10
LOVE AND LUXURY.
George Eliot.

LOVE AND LUXURY.
''If ever marry" Katie Yale used to say,
half in jest, half in earnest, IF ever 1
marry, the happy man, or the unhappy one,
if YOU please, ha! ha! shall be person
these three qualifications:
First, q fortune. :.
Second, good looks.
'And thirdly, common sense.
81 mention the fortune first, because
think it the most needful and desirable
qualification of the three. Although I
could never think of marrying fool, or
man whose ugliness I could be ashamed of;
still to talk sense for one and shine for the
other, with plenty of money, would be pre-
ferable to living obscurely with handsome,
intellectual inan-to whom economy might
be necessary"
do not know how much of this sentiment
came from Katie's heart. She undoubted-
" INDUCED in lofty ideas of station and
style-fer her education in the duties and
aims of life had been deficient, or rather
erroneous, but that she was capable OF deep
better feelings none doubted, who had ever
obtained even partial glimpse OF her true
woman's nature. ..-...
And the time arrived at length, when
Katie was to take that all-important step of
which she had spoken so lightly; when she
was to demonstrate to her friends low
much of her heart was in the words we
have quoted.
At the enchanting age of eighteen she
had many suitors; but as she never gave
serious thought. to more than two, we will
follow her example, discarding all except
those favored ones, and consider their rela-
tive claims.
If this were any other than true story,
should certainly use an artists privilege,
and aim to produce an effect by making a
strong contrast between these two favored
individuals. If I could have my way, one
should be poor hero; the other a wealthy
fool and somewhat of knave.
But the truth is:
Our poor genius was not much OF genius,
nor very poor, either. He was by profession
teacher of music, and he could live very
comfortably in exercise thereof without
the most distant hope, however, of ever at
tanning to wealth. Moreover, Francis Mi
not possessed excellent qualities, which en-
titled him to be called by discreet elderly
people fine character" by his companions
a "noble, good fellow" and by the ladies
generally darling"
Katie could not help loving Mr.. Frank,
and he knew it. He was certain she pre-
ferred his society even to that of Mr. Well
ington, whom alone he saw fit to honor
with the appellation of rival.
This Mr.. Wellington (his companions
called him the "duke",) was no idiot or
hump back, as could have wished him to
to be, in order to make a good story. On
the contrary he was a. man Of sense, educa-
! ton, good looks, and fine manners; and
IL III: 1 H. IL
as I could ever ascertain.
Besides this, his income was sufficient to
enable him to live superbly. Also, he was
! considered two or three degrees handsomer
than Mr.. F. Minot.
Therefore the only thing on which Frank
had to depend was the power he possessed
over Katie's sympathies and affections.
The uke"-although just the man for
her in every other sense, being blessed
with fortune. good looks, and common
sense-had never been able to draw these
out; and the amiably conceited Mr.. Frank
was not willing to believe that she would
suffer mere worldly considerations to con-
| troll the aspirations of her heart.
However she said to him, one day, when
| he pressed her to decide his fate-she said
| to him with sigh:
''Oh, Frank! I am sorry that we have
ever met!" -.
'Sorry?"
"Yes-for We must part now"
"Part?" repeated Frank, turning pale.
1t was evident he had not expected this.
"Yes-yes, said Katie, casting down hel
eyes with another piteous sigh. ..,
Frank sat by her side; he placed his arm
around her waist, without needing her fee
BILE resistance; he lowered his voice and
talked to her until she-the proud Katie
wept-wept bitterly.
Katie, said he, then, with burst of pas
sion, Il know you love me! But you are
mbitious-selfsh! Now if you
would have me leave you, say the word
and saIgg g." ,,,,,n,,r., x,.;. VOW teen,r-
go"
| you have decided" whispered Frank
"Ihave!"
"Then, love, FAREWELL" f@aS
| He took her hand, gazed a momeet ten.
derby and sorrowfully upon her beautiful
fearful face; then clasped her to his bosom
She permitted the embrace. She ever
gave way to the impulse of the instant, ant
twined her arms about his neck. But in s
moment her resolution came to her aid, anC
she pushed him from her with sigh.
] "Shall go?' he articulated.
| A feeble Eyes" fell from her quiverint
lips.
And an instant later she was lying upor
the sofa, sobbing and weeping passionatel.
| - alone.
To tear the tenacious root of love out o
| her heart had cost her more than she coult
have anticipated; and the certainty of .
golden life of luxury proved but q poo
consolation, it seemed, for the sacrifice sh'
| h;ta made. 48 ia
She lay long upon the sofa, sobbing ant
weeping passionately. Gradually her griet
| appeared to exhaust itself. Her breathing
came more regular and calm. Her tear
ceased to flow, and at length her eyes ant
cheeks were dry. Her head was pillowet
on her arm, and her face was half hidden II
4 a flood of beautiful curls.
The struggle was over. The agony wal
passed. She saw Mr.. Wellington enter ant
arose cheerfully to receive him. His man
ners pleased her; his station and fortune
fascinated her more. He offered her hi
hand. A kiss sealed the engagement-bu
it was not such kiss as Frank had giveI
her, and she could not repress sigh!
There was magnificent wedding. Splen
didly attired, dazzling the eye with every
thing around in the atmosphere Of fairyland
Katie gave her hand to the man her ambi
tion-not her love-had chosen!
But certainly ambition could not hay'
made better choice. Already she saw her
self surrounded bya magnificent court, o
which she was the acknowledged and ad
mired queen. The favors Of fortune were
showered upon her; she foated luxuriousl.
upon the smooth and CLASSY wave OF I
charmed life e fl'l ~
i Nothing was wanting, in the whole circl,
Of her outward existence, to adorn il ant
make it bright with happiness.
4 But she was not long In discovering tina
there was something wanting within he
own breast!
4 Her friends were numerous; her husban,
tender, kind and loving; but all the atten
tons and affections she enjoyed could no
fill her heart. *
j She had once felt its chords Of sympath,
moved by skillful touch; she had know
the heavenly charm Of their deep, leliciou
harmony; and now they were silent-mo
ltionless-- mufled, SO to speak, in silks AM
satins. These chords, still and soundless
her heart was dead; not the less 30 becaus
! it had been killed by golden shaft. Hav