"Yes! loath indeed: my soul is nerved to all,
Or fall'n too low to fear a farther fall."
BYRON.
"Well, be it as thou wilt."
SIR WALTER SCOTT.
Some few days after the meeting of Doctor Graham's friends at Clintown
the monotony of the little circle at Fern Vale was disturbed by the
arrival of a horseman with a letter for Miss Ferguson; who received into
her hand one of those intricately folded missives which at once proclaim
the correspondent to be of the fair sex, and proceeded to read the
following epistle:
"DEAREST KATE.--I'm having a few friends at Brompton on Friday week to
spend the day, and of course expect to see you and your brothers of the
number. I will take no excuse, you must come; and, if you can possibly
manage it, I would be delighted by your prolonging your visit for a
week or as long as you like. However, that I will leave to yourself.
Eleanor and Mrs. Rainsfield I expect with Tom, so that you will have
company on the road. We will do what we can to amuse you all day, and
you need not make yourself uneasy about the journey, for I will have
plenty of room in the house for you, as well as all my friends, and
Mr. Smithers will provide for the accommodation of the gentlemen. You
had better ride over on the Thursday, and the party will break up
comfortably on the Saturday morning. Tell your brothers that part of
the programme of the day's pleasures is a race, and as I know that
William at least is fond of racing, he might like to join in it. The
man that carries this will be able to tell him more about it than I
can, so I will leave him to gain all that information from him. With
warmest love, believe me, dearest Kate, your affectionate friend,
ELIZA SMITHERS.
"_Tuesday morning._
"_P. S._--Write me a reply by the bearer, and mind as you value my
friendship make no excuses."
The delighted girl had no intention of declining the invitation; for
when did a young and joyous creature in the zenith of youthful spirits
ever desire seclusion from the innocent enjoyments of life? She ran with
the open letter in her hand to her brother William (who was at the time
a short distance from the house giving instructions to some of his men),
and cried: "See, Will, here is an invitation from Mrs. Smithers to a
party at Brompton; you'll go, won't you, Will? I know you will; I'll go
and write an answer to say we will accept it."
"Don't be in such a violent hurry my little Diana; give me time to read
the letter," said her brother, "before you act as sponsor for me. There
is no necessity, my dear, to be so impatient; I dare say the messenger
will wait for a few minutes;" and then, after perusing it, he continued:
"For my part I will be delighted to go, though I'll first see what John
says. But, my Kitty! you should not run out in the sun with your head
uncovered; you will be spoiling your beautiful complexion and getting a
_coup de soliel_. Then your invitations to parties would be at an end;
be off now and put on a hat, and we will go look for John, and get his
decision on the question."
The affectionate mandate of her brother, was soon obeyed by Kate; and
the two went in search of John, to submit the note to his perusal. After
reading it, he expressed a disinclination to accept the invitation,
excusing himself that as they had determined to shortly start for New
England he had no wish to join the festivities; but to enable his
brother and sister to go to Brompton, he said he would delay his
departure until after their return.
Kate and William endeavoured in vain to dissuade him from this, but he
was inexorable; so it was at last arranged that they should join the
party without him, and Kate hastened to communicate the intelligence to
her friend, while William took the opportunity of eliciting from the
Brompton messenger all the information he could obtain respecting the
arrangements.
The reader may conjecture the motives that actuated John Ferguson in his
desire to keep aloof from Brompton. He was aware the marriage of Bob
Smithers and Eleanor Rainsfield was fixed for a period not very remote;
and, perceiving the object of the meet was to exhibit the young lady to
the admiring gaze, and introduce her to the notice of the friends of the
family as the affianced bride of Bob Smithers, he wished to avoid a
meeting which, he doubted not, would be irksome to the lady and painful
to himself, especially as he would be compelled to witness the triumph
of his rival, who, he believed, would take a malicious pleasure in
making him feel his defeat. He therefore resolved to absent himself from
a society where he was calculated to experience disappointment, rather
than pleasure; where for him there would be no enjoyment, except the
melancholy satisfaction of gazing on the features of the one he dearly
loved, but who so shortly was to be the bride of another. As his brother
and sister left him he resumed the occupation at which he had been
disturbed on their approach, and continued wrapt in his own gloomy
meditations, until he was aroused from his reverie by the cheerful voice
of Tom Rainsfield calling him by his name; when turning round he
perceived his friend standing at his side.
"Why, what on earth is the matter with you, John?" said Tom, as he gazed
upon the sorrowful features of the young man; "you look ill, wretchedly
ill; what ails you, man?"
"Nothing," replied John. "I never felt better in my life; I am not
ailing." But his looks belied his speech, for his pallid cheek bore the
stamp of a mental depression, and his haggard features the evidence of
sufferings other than corporeal; for, let the truth be told, the
consciousness that Eleanor was lost to him for ever, preyed upon his
mind; and, notwithstanding his repeated efforts to rally his drooping
spirits, a melancholy gloom had settled upon his brow, there giving
indication of the tumult of thought and feeling that had and still was
agitating his brain.
His passion for Eleanor Rainsfield, since the fire of love had first
entered his soul, had ever been the material of his dreams both by day
and night; she was the star of his destiny, the cynosure to which the
magnetic needle of his hopes always pointed, and to which his fondest
affections continually looked for guidance. He loved her madly, and had
half fancied, notwithstanding her avowment of a pre-engagement, that
some fortuitous circumstance might have transpired to break off that
connexion, and lead her to join her destinies with his. He believed he
was not altogether an indifferent object in her eyes, and the fates,
even though hitherto unpropitious, he had believed would have ultimately
favoured his cause. Thus he continued, even with his heart under a
prohibitory decree, to cherish the tender feeling for the lovely girl,
although his calmer nature told him there was no hope. He offered up his
mind a willing sacrifice to the pleasing though deadly poison, and
permitted his soul to be ravished by the wild delirium of his infatuated
love. He had, in fact, hoped against hope; but now, that he discovered
the creature he adored was irrevocably passing from him to become the
wife of another, life appeared to him a blank, and he felt no desire to
prolong an existence expatriated from the society of the only one who
made it dear to him. These were the feelings that had consumed the
spirits of the young man between the interval of his separation from his
sister and his meeting with Tom Rainsfield, and which had left such
indubitable marks of distress on his countenance that his friend had not
failed to detect them.
We say that John Ferguson was aware that the marriage of Bob Smithers
and Eleanor was settled. This he had heard some time previously, and the
tenor of Mrs. Smithers' note had confirmed it; while in his susceptive
imagination he pictured to himself the whole plan, needing no better
prompter than his fears. While there had been a shadow of hope, John had
borne with commendable fortitude the disappointment of unrequited
affection, and sustained the devastation of the consuming fire that was
burning within him without the possibility of egress. But now that the
barrier of his expectancy had been rudely broken down; that the
circumvallation of his breastine citadel had been razed to the ground,
and the delicate fabric of his heart exposed to the rough greeting of
the unfriendly blast, and the piercing shafts of despair, his spirit
sank under the assault, and left him crushed and almost demented.
"Why, man," said Tom, "you look the perfect picture of misery. I know,
or can guess, the cause of your grief; but never mind, cheer up, old
fellow! You know the old adage: 'The battle is never lost till it's
won;' so do not despair. Eleanor is not married yet, and, by Jove! she
won't be either; at least to Smithers; you mark my words."
"My dear fellow," said John, "do not destroy her happiness or peace of
mind by attempting to separate her from her betrothed. He is her choice,
and it is her pleasure to accept him; then what have I to complain of?
Pray, don't frustrate her marriage with Smithers out of any regard for
me; for I feel convinced any intrigue you may enter into to further such
an object would be distasteful to her."
"Not at all," replied his friend; "you mistake her, John, and me too,
and I may add yourself as well. Though Eleanor has given her consent to
this arrangement I know her heart is not with it. Do you think I would
be disappointing her, or making her miserable, by destroying a bond that
would only bind her in a state of abject misery for the entire period of
her life? Would I not rather be justified in rescuing her from such a
condition? Of course I would. Then that is the reason I object to her
marriage with Smithers; for I am certain she would never know a day's
happiness from the hour of her union with him. Two natures never were
more diametrically opposed to one another; the dove and the hawk might
as well be allied as she to him. She all purity, virtue, and innocence;
he all licentiousness, vice, and depravity, without the capacity to
appreciate so priceless a gem, and I believe without one feeling of
regard for her. No, by--I was going to swear; but, never mind, it cannot
be, and I say it shall not be; I'll prevent it yet, for I am sworn to
it."
"I fear, Tom," said John Ferguson, "you are disposed to judge too
harshly of Smithers; Eleanor evidently sees something in him that she
admires, or I imagine she would not accept him; so I would beg of you
again to leave her to the dictates of her own feelings. Much as I should
desire to be blessed by the possession of her hand, I would not attempt
it by an opposition to her own inclinations."
"Well, John," replied the other, "I am really surprised to hear you talk
so if you love Eleanor, as I am convinced you do. For her sake, as well
as for your own, you will save her from the misery of so unnatural an
alliance as this she meditates. It cannot but terminate unhappily, for I
am sure Smithers' treatment of her will be on a par with his general
conduct, selfish and brutal."
"Pray, don't imagine, my dear Tom," continued John Ferguson, "that I am
advocating his cause out of opposition to you, or of perverseness to my
own interests. I would consider it the _acme_ of human felicity to be
possessed of so inestimable a treasure as Eleanor Rainsfield; but, next
to the happiness of that possession, my desire is to see her happy.
Bearish as Smithers may be, and I believe is, it will be impossible for
him to witness the devotion of such a gentle heart as hers without being
warmed in the sunshine of her affection. He cannot but treat her with
love and respect, for her nature would command them even from the breast
of a savage."
"No doubt it would," said Tom, "but I believe that Bob Smithers has not
got the feelings of a savage except in his barbarity. But, come John,
this won't do; I can't see you perseveringly standing in your own light,
and, instead of arousing yourself to exertion, indulging in melancholy
reflections. You must be stimulated to work the release of that girl.
Why, man, you have lost her through your own supineness. Do you think if
I had loved a girl as you have Eleanor, that I would have cared about
all the Bob Smithers' in the colony. I would never have ceased my
importunities, until I had induced her to look favourably upon me, and
condemn her other suitor. You know the saying that the constant dropping
of water will wear away the stone; and if I had not worn a hole into her
heart, it is a wonder; especially if my rival was such a careless wooer
as Smithers; and when once I had got her to prefer me to him, Bob
Smithers, or Bob anybody else, might have gone to Jericho for me. I'll
bet I'd have soon choked him off; but, my dear fellow, let me see you
put a bright face upon the matter, and thrust your foot through 'Bob's
affair'; for I am convinced it does not require much to turn the scale
in your favour even now, notwithstanding all Eleanor's scruples. The
girl must be yours, so take heart."
A sickly smile was the only response Tom got from his friend for this
attempt to rally him, but he continued: "Well, look here, John, if you
don't exert yourself to avert what I consider a domestic calamity I
shall cease to consider you my friend. I never saw one who so
pertinaciously adhered to a despondency, without attempting to extricate
himself, as you. William tells me you have declined the invitation to
Brompton. Now, I must insist upon your going; I'll take you under my
especial care, and will engage to bring about something to your
advantage."
"I am extremely indebted to you for your sympathy, Tom," said his
friend; "but I regret I have a pre-engagement to start for New England
before that time; and I fear to delay my journey much longer as the
weather threatens to break."
"Now, you know that is all nonsense," said Tom; "I am going down to town
myself in a few days, and a day or two will make no more difference to
you than to me. I know the object of your refusal, so that excuse won't
serve. Why should you desire to avoid the Smitherses or ourselves? It is
true Bob has behaved to you in a most ungentlemanly manner, but you need
not notice him; the invitation comes from his brother and lady, and you
may be sure he will be compelled to treat you with civility. With regard
to our party, you need not be under any apprehension; Mrs. Rainsfield,
Eleanor, and myself will form our cavalcade, so you may anticipate no
unpleasantness by the chance of meeting my brother. While, if I judge
rightly, our going ought to be an inducement to you, for of course we
shall join to make one party on the road."
"I really can't go," said John.
"I'll hear of no objection," replied Tom; "you must go, unless you wish
to displease all of us by your moroseness. Besides, bear in mind that
your absence will give Bob Smithers an opportunity of glorying over your
defeat. If it is only to oppose him I would urge you to come; and make
yourself as agreeable to Eleanor as you can."
"I have already declined the invitation," said John, "and I doubt not
ere this the messenger has returned with Kate's reply; so it would be
unbecoming of me to go after my refusal."
"Moonshine!" exclaimed Tom. "Who would ever think of studying etiquette
with our friends in the bush? Besides your apology is a difficulty
easily remedied, for the man is going to stop at our place all night; so
we can get your sister to write another note, and I will take it over to
him, and exchange it for the one he has; we may therefore consider that
arranged, and that you go."
"I will go to please you," said John; "but I can assure you I have
little pleasure in the prospect."
"Well, you are a stubborn and ungrateful fellow," exclaimed Tom
Rainsfield. "I have a good mind to repeat that remark to Eleanor, unless
you promise me to make amends by being assiduously attentive to her,
despite all frowns of another."
"I fear," replied John, "that is a difficult task; however, I'll attempt
that also to please you."
"That's right, my dear fellow," cried Tom, "that's the first sensible
thing I have heard you utter for some time, and inclines me to entertain
some hopes of you yet. But come let us join your sister and William; we
will talk over our plans, and set the young lady to work on her letter."
The two young men then sauntered quietly up to the house, and Tom
Rainsfield taking the lead entered first, and addressed Kate Ferguson in
his lively manner as he did so.
"I have been successful, my dear Miss Ferguson," he said, "in making a
convert of John. I have overruled all his objections to join us, and he
has promised to accompany our party to Brompton. So we have to beg of
you to concoct another epistle for Mrs. Smithers, which I will be the
bearer of to the Brompton messenger, who is to remain at our place all
night."
Kate instantly sprang from her seat, and clapped her hands with delight;
then running to her brother threw her arms round his neck and kissed
him, gazing in his eyes as she said: "I am so delighted, dear John,
that you are coming with us. You have been looking so melancholy of late
that I have felt quite wretched to see you; but you will be pleased with
the visit, I know you will, and happy too; will you not, John?"
"Yes, my dear," he replied, "but am I not always happy?"
"I don't know," replied the affectionate girl; "but I hardly think you
are always so. Are you really happy now, John? You do not look so."
"But I am, my love," said he; "how could I be otherwise?"
"Of course not," said Tom; "I should like to know what fellow would not
be happy when he had a pair of delicate little arms affectionately flung
round his neck, a brace of luscious little ruby lips pouting to his, and
warbling the sweet music of affection, and with two lovely eyes peering
into his dull orbs. By Jove! the very thought of it ought to make him
happy; and it is my firm conviction that he has been showing all this
opposition just to be tempted in that way. I only wish I could induce
any little charmer to try the same experiment on me. I would be
incessantly wanting an application of the persuasive influence. Do you
desire me to join the party, Miss Ferguson?"
"Of course, we do," replied the young lady; "we couldn't well do without
you."
"Then I've determined not to go," replied Tom. "Neither Mrs. Rainsfield
nor Eleanor care much about my company, so I think I'll absent myself."
This palpable hit of Tom's was rewarded by a hearty laugh from John, and
a blush and an ejaculation of "you horrid man," from the damsel; who
pouted her lips, and attempted to frown, while she went to her little
writing-desk to pen a revised edition of her note of the morning. Her
anger, however, as Tom well knew, was only assumed and of short
duration, and after a few moments of attempted frigidity she said
smilingly: "You are really incorrigibly rude, Mr. Rainsfield, and you
may depend upon it I will tell Eleanor of your impertinence."
"My dear young lady," replied the delinquent, "that would be nothing new
to her; she is already fully acquainted with my peculiarities, and would
probably recommend you to try the effect of your balm."
"Why, you are getting worse than ever, you insolent fellow," cried Kate.
"I'll really get angry with you, and forbid you accompanying us, which I
am sure, notwithstanding your statement of indifference, would be a
severe punishment. But leave me alone a few minutes pray, until I write
my letter; and then I will expect you to apologize to me for your bad
behaviour."
"I will be as dumb as a dormouse," exclaimed Tom, "until you have
completed your task, so proceed; or, perhaps, you would like to employ
me as your amanuensis. I will be happy to be of service to you."
"Then be good enough to hold your tongue," said Kate, "you are not
fulfilling your promise of silence."
"No; but I am merely making a suggestion for your benefit," said Tom.
"You are positively dreadful," cried Kate; "you men, insolent fellows!
are continually talking of women's tongues; but, I declare, no woman
could have one that is kept so unceasingly occupied as yours, for you
give it no rest; even when you are requested to do so, and when you
actually make the attempt."
"You shall have no further cause to complain," said Tom; "I will be
silent until you finish your letter; that is, if you do not occupy as
much time as is necessary to pen a government dispatch. Ladies'
specimens of chirography are proverbially voluminous, are as vague as an
electioneering address, and require as much attention and time in their
composition and execution, as if each individual epistle was of the
greatest moment of their lives."
"Hush! for goodness sake," exclaimed Kate; "when will you stop? pray be
silent for a few minutes, and then you may talk as much as you like."
The desired truce was at length obtained, and the letter written and
handed to Tom for delivery.
"Now," said he, "where has William gone? we ought to have him here to
discuss plans; however, I daresay, you, Miss Ferguson, John, and I, can
manage. What I would propose is this; that you all come over to
Strawberry Hill the night before, and start thence the first thing in
the morning; for I fear that you, Miss Ferguson, will find that fifty
miles will be quite far enough to ride in one day, and Brompton is very
nearly that from our place."
"That proposition I should decidedly object to," said John; "it would
not be consistent to intrude ourselves upon your brother. The extra
distance between this and your place will be of little consequence,
especially as Kate is a good horsewoman, and I am sure will think
nothing of the distance."
"Very likely not," replied Tom; "but consider a young lady cannot be
expected to be ready for a journey so early as you would, and to do it
comfortably you should start from here at daybreak. Be reasonable now
for once, John, and if you won't come yourself let William bring your
sister over the day before, and leave her that night with Eleanor. You
can pick her up as you pass on Thursday morning, while we will join
company, and all proceed together. What do you say to that arrangement,
Miss Ferguson?"
"I should like it very much," replied Kate; "but I will do whatever John
wishes. If he does not desire me to stop at your house I will endeavour
to ride the whole distance in the day, though I must confess it is
rather a long ride."
"Of course it is," said Tom, "far too long for you, excellent equestrian
though you be; and, besides, I can't see what objection John can have to
your visiting us. You come as a guest to my sister-in-law; therefore,
my brother's quarrel with John should in no way prevent you from
sojourning with us. Waive all unpleasant feelings, John, and let your
sister stop with us for that night."
"I don't wish to detain her," replied John, "out of any ill-feeling
towards any member of your family; I am sure you are perfectly aware of
that; but from a feeling that it would be hardly proper under the
circumstances."
"There can be no impropriety in it," said Tom; "my sister-in-law would
be delighted with the arrangement; in fact, she herself proposed the
scheme to me this morning, when she received her invitation and heard
that you were expected to go too. To settle the matter, I'll bring her
over here on Thursday, and she will take Miss Ferguson back with her;
for I know very well you'll not attempt to dispute the question with
her. What do you say to _that_ arrangement, Miss Ferguson?"
"Oh, I should be so happy to join Eleanor," she exclaimed, "and stop
with her that night if John will let me."
"Of course, he'll let you," replied Tom; "he has no serious objection I
know, but is only opposing me because you are desirous of the adoption
of my scheme. He wants a little more of your lip salve, when I'll
guarantee he'll be softened."
"Now, you are mocking me," said Kate; "it is cruel of you to make fun of
my affection for my brother. I am almost determined not to have anything
farther to say to you; you are a hard-hearted unfeeling fellow."
"Pardon me, my dear young lady," cried Tom, "I was only attempting to do
faint justice to your insuperable power of fascination. One soft
embrace, similar to that I witnessed a short time ago, I am sure will
melt your inexorable brother, who is even worse to deal with, and
requires more coaxing than any 'stern parient' I ever saw."
"I'll be softened without that this time," said John, "as it is Mrs.
Rainsfield's desire that you should break your journey by starting from
her house, Kate, I have no desire to oppose your own wish; you may go if
you like, and William and I will join your party on Thursday morning."
The delighted girl again ran over to her brother, and sitting on his
knee, with her arms encircling his neck in an amatory embrace, leant her
head on his breast, and looked roguishly pleased from her dark blue eyes
at Tom, who sat in perfect raptures, gazing at the lovely seraph.
"Upon my life, Miss Ferguson, you'll be the death of me," he exclaimed;
"how do you imagine any mortal man can withstand such temptation? If I
witness another scene like that to-day, I'll lose my senses. I must be
off home, unless you wish to have the weight on your mind of being the
cause of rendering me a raving maniac."
"I think you are that already, sir," replied Kate; "for you are always
strange in your manner, and invariably accompany, in your addresses to
me, insults in your flattery." But the kind-hearted girl, thinking,
even in her playfulness, she had said something too harsh, came over and
stood by Tom's chair, and continued in a sweet and kindly voice and with
a smile beaming on her charming features: "But I will give you full
permission during our visit to Brompton, to say as many cruel things to
me as you like and I won't be angry. You may flatter me as much as you
please, and I'll pledge you my word I'll not believe you. So there will
be no occasion for you to take leave of your senses just at present."
"To live under the smile of your countenance," exclaimed Tom, "would be
a sufficient talisman against any evil spirit; so I fear none of their
machinations, and feel sufficiently armed against that demon lunacy;
towards whom, since I have known you, I have always had an irresistible
tendency."
"Then I should advise you," said Kate, "to instantly fly my presence."
"That, Miss Ferguson, would only have the effect of hastening an
exacerbation of my malady; my only hope for relief is in a continuance
of your smiles."
"Your case is certainly a most extraordinary one," said Kate; "you say
your only relief is from me, and yet I am the cause of your mental
subversion."
"It is not at all extraordinary, my dear young lady," said Tom; "but
perfectly consistent with the doctrines of pharmacology, both allopathic
and homeopathic, by the principle embodied in the doctrine of the
latter, viz., '_similia similibus curantur_.' If your smiles wound my
heart, they are the sweetest as well as the surest remedy to heal it;
and, if an exhibition of your specious favours almost drives me to
distraction, the balm whose curative powers is the most effective is a
permission to continue in the thraldom of your mellifluent bondage."
"Well, now, I declare you are a dreadful fellow," said Kate, "I did not
give you permission to flatter me until Thursday week, but you commence
now in spite of me."
"What! is he flirting again, my Kitty?" said William, as he burst into
the room. "Tom, we will have to send you, like your renowned namesake,
to Coventry. You will be spoiling our sister, cramming her poor little
head with your love speeches. She will be thinking of nothing else but
those little chubby-faced winged archers, whose destined occupation is
to traverse the globe with flambeau in hand, to ignite the inflammable
material of mortals' hearts. And instead of our finding substantial
meals, to satisfy the cravings of our hunger, we will some day be
expected to feed on the ambrosia of that little mischief-making deity.
Is John superintending your flirting, my turtle doves?"
A hearty laugh was the response of Tom Rainsfield to this sally; while
John replied that he had been too much amused at the farce to interrupt
it. Kate, however, took a different mode of explanation. She advanced
nimbly to her brother and saluted him; not in the way she had done to
John, but with an inoffensive titillation on his cheek with her downy
little hand; which she intended, as she said, for a slap for his
impertinence. "But tell me, Will," said she, "what made you rush in in
such a hurry; was it to frighten us?"
"Frighten you, my pet?" he replied. "No! I have got some fun to tell
you. A few minutes ago while I was down at the stock-yard I had a
letter put into my hands by young Sawyer; but as the missive is an
epistolary production somewhat unique I will read it to you for your
benefit. The orthography is not at all in harmony with any of the
lexicographers to whom it has been my fortune at any time to refer; but
in open violation of Dr. Johnson and all his colleagues. However, that
is a minor curiosity, and can be digested in detail."
"Well, read us the letter," replied his auditory, "or let us look at
it."
"Here it is," said William, as he commenced to read it; while we, to
give the reader a better conception of the production, crave pardon for
inserting it verbatim. The superscription is "Mr. Wm. Fuggishon, Esqe.
Farn Vail per barer," and the contents are:
"Weddingsday, Dare Sir, Exkuse the libety i take for to rite yer but
Capting Jones and me presints our comblemints and 'ave to say as how
weir agoing to 'ave a partey on nixt munday and wood be glad if you'd
cum as theril be golley sprey and lots of gents. be shuer and cum and
also yer syster cos we shal 'ave ladeys to at hour ouse, and theril be
no fears on her getting 'ome agin, cos I thinks you dosent drink so of
corse you'd not git drunk I am Mr. Fuggishon sir yours truly Mrs.
Capting Jones wat is to be or Mary ann Sawyer now.
"_P.S._--If you now any other frends as wood like to cum, bring em."
When the laughter that had followed the reading of this epistle had
somewhat subsided William said to his sister: "Now, Kitty, what do you
think of that invitation? my word! but we are going to have a gay time
of it up here; parties will be going the round of the country after
this. Of course, you will go to the Sawyers rejoicings, Kitty, and put
on your pretty, and good behaviour?"
"If I had not known you were joking, Will, I would be angry with you,"
exclaimed the indignant girl. "The impertinence of the horrid creatures
indeed!"
"But you know, Kate, 'I dosent drink,' as the prospective Mrs. Jones
affirms; consequently there is no fear of you, unless you too often
drink to the health of the happy couple."
"Don't talk nonsense, Will, but tell us how this affair has come about;
it is the first I have heard of a marriage in their family being
contemplated?" said Kate.
"Well, my little poppet," said William, "I will impart to you all the
information I have been able to glean, and which has been obtained from
Mr. Reuben Sawyer, the brother of the bride, and the bearer of the note
of invitation. It appears that a certain gentleman rejoicing in the name
of Jones, and honoured by the prefixed title of Captain (though from
whence, or in what service I know not), has by some means introduced
himself to the family of Sawyer, and made a conquest of the heart of the
younger female member. They are to be married at Alma on Sunday, thence
to return to the hall of the bride's father, and entertain their friends
on Monday. What the pecuniary arrangements are, I don't know; but I
strongly suspect they are to the advantage of the _soi-disant_ Captain,
of whom, by the bye, I imagine the Sawyer family know very little. It
strikes me it will turn out a sell for the girl, for I fully expect the
bridegroom will be discovered to be an impostor. I am convinced he has
assumed a title and garb to palm himself off on them as a gentleman,
while they have snatched at the bait."
"What a dreadful man he must be then," said Kate.
"Even so, Miss Kate," said Tom; "but there are numbers of such 'dreadful
men' prowling about in the colony; who appropriate and abandon as many
aliases and personate as many characters as would people a small town.
They have a convenient knack of falling in love with such girls as Miss
Mary Ann Sawyer, to whom they give a glowing account of all their
wealthy friends and genteel relations. Then before the effect dies out
they propose, are accepted, recommend a speedy marriage to prevent, as
they say, their relations from hearing and stopping the intended match,
and induce, too frequently, not only the girl, but her friends to fall
into their views; while they do not discover their error until the gay
Lothario takes leg-bail upon the first symptoms of an enquiry being made
after him by the victim of some previous matrimonial swindle."
"Well," said William, "I am inclined to accept the invitation for
myself. I would like to witness the fun, for fun I am sure there will
be; and I am authorised to invite any friends, so will make use of my
_carte blanche_ and ask you, Tom. What do you say, will you go? If you
will, we will go together. I would like to see their spread, and
attempts at doing the genteel thing; but, at the same time, I should
like to have some one to accompany me."
"Oh, I don't mind it at all," said Tom, "I'll join you with pleasure to
witness the feast. I expect it will be a rich sight, if not a rich feed.
Will you make one of us, John?"
"No," replied John, "I could not endure their disgusting affectation;
and I would find no pleasure in witnessing their gross fooleries. I will
remain at home, and take care of Kate; she will want some one to keep
her company, while you two roisterers are absent; and I am sure it will
be more congenial to both of us."
"Yes, it will indeed," said Kate; "I am glad you don't think of leaving
me all alone, John, and going to visit those horrid people."
"Well, we will make amends by giving you a graphic description of it
when we return," said William; "and, unless I am very much mistaken, it
will be of such a nature as will excite your risibility."
"Very well then," replied Kate, "I hope it will be funny; but whatever
you do, Will, pray don't give any of the creatures any encouragement to
come here, for I am sure I could not bear the sight of them in our
house."
"Never fear, _ma cher_," replied William, "our little tutelary angel
shall never be contaminated by the intercourse of our plebeian
neighbours; who must learn to consider, notwithstanding an officer has
married into their family, that they are only entitled to gaze at our
bright star, and that it is too much felicity to expect permission to be
graced by an admission within the circle of its rays."
"Don't talk any more nonsense, Will," replied his sister, "but be sure,
if any of those people make any proposition to come here, that you will
use all your endeavours to prevent them."