Yes! "Charley was Charley still!" The brothers were walking the
piazza, Monday morning; and John's smile and Arthur's laugh applauded
the quaint humor which came from his lips, as freely as respiration
of the air his lungs had inhaled. He was a consummate actor; and his
self-command balked the sharpest scrutiny when he chose; but his
spirits, this morning, were not feigned. Mrs. Dana, Emma and Laura made
their appearance, and at length, Charley's flow of talk could no longer
delay the inquiry "Where are Ida and Mr. Lacy?"
"'Brushing the dew upon the upland lawn.'" said Charley. "Gone to ride."
"When did they start?" asked John.
"Just as you shut your eyes for a second nap--luxurious citizen that
you are. 'When will they return?'--query the second.--You will see them
on the top of that hill in a minute."
They cantered down the avenue in gallant style. Ida was an expert
rider; and her escort appeared to as much advantage on horseback as on
foot.
"A handsome couple!" said Arthur.
Charley made no reply. "You do your teacher justice," he said, as Ida
leaped to the ground, barely touching Mr. Lacy's hand.
"And more could not be said for master or pupil;" she answered, saucily.
"Morning rides are wonderful cosmetics!" he whispered, following her
into the hall. She snapped her whip at him, but those mischievous eyes
were too searching, and she ran off "to change her dress."
"I am for a walk to the river. Who accompanies me?" said John Dana.
Ida held the taper at which he was kindling a cigar--his invariable
after-breakfast luxury--and the flame was paled by her vivid glow, as
Mr. Lacy said quietly, "I will, sir, with pleasure."
In an hour they returned, and the summons--"Mr. Dana's respects, and
if you please ma'am, he wants the pleasure of your company in the
drawing-room," robbed her of the last spark of self-possession. She
stopped at the door, to muster courage; but her guardian had heard her
step, and opened it from within. "I have no lecture for you," he said,
passing his arm assuringly around her. "This is an event, we fathers
have to bear, as best we may. I am fortunate that your choice has my
unqualified sanction. You have acted wisely, nobly, my daughter."
"_Dear_ Mr. Dana! I feared you would think me uncommunicative; but I
did not know it myself until within a day or two."
"I am advised of the incidents of your drama. Never try to convince me
again, that you are an unromantic young lady! What is your evidence,
Mr. Lacy?"
She had not seen, until this speech, that he was present. She bestowed
one look upon him, and the magnetic charm of his smile equallized her
nerves and thoughts. Mr. Dana would have left the room, but Morton
stayed him. In succinct and manly terms, he thanked him for the
expression of an esteem, it should be the study of his life to merit.
"I am aware, sir, that it is arrant boldness to ask more from your
kindness; but you engaged to intercede for me in another suit." Ida
looked up, hurriedly. The gentlemen smiled; and Mr. Lacy whispered a
sentence in her ear.
"Oh no! no!" she ejaculated, "too soon!"
"Why 'too soon?'" It was John Dana, who drew her away from her lover,
and pushed back the shadowing curls from her forehead. "Think of Mr.
Lacy and myself as old friends, and speak out the language of your own
warm heart. Why 'too soon,' Ida? Don't you know him well, enough?"
Another glance was the signal for another smile.
"Will you ever know him better?" asked Mr. Lacy.
"I think not," she replied.
"You don't like him well enough, then?" pursued Mr. Dana. The curls
drooped over her face, and she was mute.
"Perhaps you do not like the idea of resigning your freedom the very
day you gain it?"
"No, Mr. Dana! you _know_ that is not it."
"What then?" Mr. Lacy secured her disengaged hand. "If this proposal
distresses you, Ida, I revoke it without a murmur, and will abide your
convenience, or inclination patiently; but if it is a question of
expediency, you cannot suppose that Mr. Dana or myself would urge a
measure, we were not assured was reasonable and proper. Your dearest
friends are with you--what renders delay necessary or advisable?"
"But what will they say?"
"An odd inquiry from _you_! What potent 'they' do you mean?"
"Carry--Arthur--Mrs. Dana--Charley--all of them."
"Charley has been my abettor from the beginning. From him I learned
your locality; and he warranted me a friendly reception, if nothing
more. I should not have had the confidence to propose this immediate
union, if he had not favored my ardent wish. You trust in his judgment
in other matters--why not now? As for the rest of those you name--when
did they oppose anything you advocated?"
"But your friends--your mother?"
"Is prepared to love you as a daughter."
"She wishes me to decide, I see;" said John, dictatorially. "Therefore,
silencing all disputes--the fatted calf is slain--the neighbors are
bidden--and I, as this perverse maiden's lawful guardian--setting
my face, like a flint, against wasteful improvidence--decree an
occasion for the feast, instead of a feast for the occasion; and as
this must be, the sooner we are rid of the trouble the better. Not a
syllable, Miss Ross! you are still a minor; and I will indict you for
insubordination, if you are refractory. I am going to tell Jenny to air
my white vest for to-morrow evening."
Emma, Laura and Carry were in Mrs. Dana's apartment; and when the
clamour of amazement lulled, not a hand was raised in the negative.
"She deserves the best husband that can be given her;" said Carry, "and
from my knowledge of Mr. Lacy's character, I expect he is almost good
enough for her."
"He would have been my choice from among all the gentlemen of my
acquaintance," answered Mrs. Dana, "as she and Charley will _not_ make
a match."
"Ah, Jenny! did I not say you would have to abandon that air castle?"
said her husband. "It was the only essay at match-making I ever caught
you at."
"What is it, Laura?" inquired Carry, as her face brightened suddenly.
"I was thinking how strange we should have decorated the drawing-room
with white roses, when we were not expecting a wedding!"
The news spread like wild-fire over the plantation. "Young Mistis was
gwine to be married!" and never did tidings of a splendid victory
produce a grander jubilee. The Grants, Miss Betsey, and Will, as
sub-steward, had the programme of the performances and actors; but
with the crowd, the Lacy and Dana factions ran high, to the amusement
of the wise. Aunt Judy's climax was reported at the dinner-table by
Miss Betsey, who must have shared in the general delirium of pleasure,
as this is the only authentic record of her ever having spoken in
"company," unless "spoken to."
"'Well!' says Aunt Judy--says she--'Dany or Lacy--they's both mighty
fine, pretty-spoken gentlemen. Either on 'em 'll do; but it's been
a-runnin' in my head what a mussiful Providence 'tis, hur husband
happened along, jes' when the cake riz nicer than any I'se made since
ole Marster's weddin! And young Mis' too--poor, lone, sweet cretur! ah,
chillen! things _is_ ordered wonderful! wonderful!'"
"Don't blush, Ida! laughing suits the occasion better," said Carry, as
every mouth spread at this apropos anecdote; and she did laugh merrily,
as well as Mr. Lacy, who had tried to control his risibles until he
heard her.
Ellen Morris arrived that night, attended by her brother, and at
a feminine council, which sat until midnight, in the room of the
bride-elect, a list of attendants was drawn up--Emma and Charley, Laura
and Mr. Latham, Ellen and Mr. Thornton, who, she said, was certainly
coming next day,--and Miss Kingston, one of the neighbors, with Robert
Morris.
"Aunt Judy may well say, 'things is ordered wonderful!'" said Emma.
"Who thought of this, a week ago? and here everything is arranged, as
if expressly for a marriage. 'Not a screw loose or lacking!'"
"Ida will say it is a 'special Providence,'" said Mrs. Dana, "but Mr.
Lacy and Charley had a hand in it."
"Who moved them?" asked Ida. "Depend upon it, my theory is irrefutable,
because true. If a delusion, it is harmless and pleasant."
"You would make puppets of us;" said Ellen. "Chessmen--irresponsible
for their motions."
"No, indeed! We are children, obeying a Father's orders, no matter how
enigmatical; and having done our part, letting Him work out the answer
to the puzzle. A so-called ignorant woman once furnished the best
definition of Faith I ever heard;--'taking the Lord at his word.' It is
safer to believe, than to argue, Ellen."
Aunt Judy's aphorism was bandied about on Tuesday until it was
hacknied. Ida feared the appearance of her "Bubly Jock;" but her prime
counsellor, Will, his stalwart arms bared to the shoulder, to turn an
ice-cream churn, said confidently, that "she nor Miss Laura should be
pestered with him that evening. I've got his written bond to stay at
home, and eat the supper that will be sent to him. Mars' Charley and
Mr. Lacy's been to see him too. They came while I was there, 'on a
sociable visit,' they said, but before they went away, he was crying
like a child--they talked so beautiful!"
The bridal paraphernalia was laid in array, and Emma and Laura tying up
bouquets; Ida directing, but not permitted to assist.
"Ellen cannot find that arbor-vitae surely!" said Emma. "I wish she had
let me go!"
Ellen burst into the room, and flinging herself into a chair, laughed
immoderately. "What has happened?" cried a trio of voices.
"The wheel of luck has turned! It is a 'wonderful ordering' that brings
Josephine Read upon this, of all days in the year!"
"Josephine!" Ida seemed to behold a ghoul. She had invited her because
propriety demanded she should not slight the daughter of her former
guardian, after living in the house with her six years; then she was
fond of Anna Talbot, and a separate invitation was not to be thought
of. The possibility of her coming had not entered her mind. How could
she present herself at the door of her, whom she had denounced as her
mortal foe? Emma stood aghast, and Laura in bewilderment, at the dismay
depicted in the faces of her friends.
"I am sorry for you, Ida," continued Ellen; "and if I were a magician,
would whisk her off to Guinea in the time it would take me to say
'Presto!' but if you did not feel so badly, I would delight in her
spiteful rage, when she knows that she has come to your wedding--and
with Mr. Lacy! Oh! it is transporting!"
"Worse and worse!" said Ida, sorrowfully. "Unkind as she has been, I
would not wound her; and she will never be persuaded that the insult
was unpremeditated."
"'Insult!' forsooth! who is insulted, pray, but yourself, by the
intrusion of a woman, who has reviled and backbitten you, until the
town cried out against her evil tongue! Oh! the shamelessness of a
wicked gossip!"
"Where is she?" questioned Ida.
"In the north chamber. Anna Talbot, Messrs. Thornton and Villet came
with her."
"Charley said he asked them--and I am glad Anna is here--but oh!
Josephine! and I am _en dishabille_! Emma, will you run up to them? you
are at home."
"Willingly." The kind-hearted girl emptied her lap of the flowers.
"And explain everything," said Ida.
"Yes--make all right! Comfort yourself;" and away she flew.
Her face, upon her re-entrance, boded well for Ida's hopes.
"What did she say?" inquired the latter, anxiously.
"They were unpacking their trunks. Anna was very cordial--so was
Josephine--for her. 'We concluded yesterday, to come up,' said Anna.
'Pa made a point of it, and Ida's letter was so kind and polite, that
we finally determined to accept.'
"'And Mr. Thornton and M. Villet were so desirous to have some Richmond
girls here;' said Josephine."
"Aha!" interrupted Ellen.
Emma continued. "Anna did not notice her remark. 'The maid tells me Ida
is to be married;' she said, eagerly. 'What a trick she has played us!'
'The queerest part of the story is, that she is more surprised than any
body else,' I answered--'They have not been engaged a week! You know
the groom?'"
"'O yes! he is a noble fellow! I am rejoiced she is to marry him at
last.'"
"And what did Josephine say to this?" asked the inquisitive Ellen. "You
need not pretend you have told us all."
"Oh! nothing of consequence. She spoke very carelessly,--of his 'being
nothing extra,' and 'she is welcome to him,' with no symptoms of
unusual malice."
"Maybe she does not care now, having transferred her attentions to Mr.
Thornton. That harp will hang upon the willow, too, or my name is not
Ellen Morris!"
A note was handed Ida.
"'Ossa on Pelion piled!' from your countenance," said the volatile
bridesmaid.
Ida read it aloud. "Villet is with Thornton. Will your plans undergo
any alteration in consequence?
"M. L."
"Josephine is the loose screw, Emma spoke of. I would gladly add M.
Villet and Anna to my train--"
"Do it, and let her fret!" exclaimed Ellen.
"Oh, no!" said Emma, involuntarily.
"I cannot!" said Ida. She wrote upon the reverse of the billet--"Unless
you object, the original order will be preserved."
There were no happier beings present that evening, than the acting host
and hostess, and Carry and Arthur.
"I had resigned myself to Ida's perpetual spinsterdom," said Carry to
her schoolmates. "She rejected several good offers from no apparent
cause; and I imagined she had a prejudice against matrimony."
"She was very indifferent upon the subject;" said Anna. "She was a
mystery to many. But those deathless friendships between ladies and
gentlemen, are always suspicious, and I predicted how this one would
end."
"Charley is delighted;" said Carry.
"Is that surprising?" asked Josephine, with a dash of irony.
"Hush! Here they are!" said Anna.
The clergyman stepped into the centre of the room. The fourth couple
entered first.
"Only six attendants!" whispered Josephine, as Charley appeared
in the doorway. A freezing night shut her in! through it she saw
but two forms--a princely figure, his Antinous head erect in proud
happiness--and the hated, injured rival, to whose house, curiosity and
vanity had tempted her--the bridal veil falling in soft wreaths about
her;--his bride! his wife! for emulous groups flocked around them.
"Oh! how could you deceive me so?" cried Anna, catching Emma, as
Charley led her up. "Mr. Dana! we thought you were the bridegroom! The
servant said--'Mars' Charley Dana!' Didn't she, Josephine?"
The frozen lips thawed into a stiff "Yes."
"Ah! how foolish in me to forget that Molly espoused the 'Dana cause!'"
said Emma.
"And you believed the mistress would imitate the maid's example, Miss
Anna?" returned Charley. "Are you inconsolable that I am single yet?"
"No! overjoyed! A change has come over my desperate spirit, since I
discovered my mistake. Come Josephine! we must congratulate them."
Josephine was immovable. "I never pay congratulations."
"For decency's sake!" Charley heard Anna say, angrily. "Don't get into
one of your surly humors to-night! Very well! stay where you are!" and
she walked off with M. Villet.
"That sigh--what is its interpretation?" asked Mr. Lacy, of Ida, as
they were watching and enjoying the lively company, which had none of
the stiffness usual to weddings.
"Did I sigh? it was in thought--not in sadness, then."
"So I hoped. What was the weighty reflection?"
"I was running over the bridals and bridal-parties I have
attended--each marking some important epoch in my history. At Mrs.
Truman's--Ellen's sister--I met Lynn, and gained an insight into
Charley's character."
"Those were pleasant data. Carry's was next--was it not?"
His chosen wife though she was, she hung her head. He had to bend to
hear the faint accents. "I received a letter from you!"
"You may forget that. Go on."
"Mr. Read installed his new wife, and Lelia Arnold was her bridesmaid.
Must I forget her also?"
"As I do--yes!" an unclouded eye answering hers.
"Mrs. Morris had a party in honour of her nephew's marriage; and a
series of events succeeded, which occasioned me vexation and trouble;
but I was not the principal actor."
"And the secret of another, you are not empowered to reveal. Right! The
next?"
"Is this!"
"Out of three of the five you have mentioned, disaster and sorrow
have arisen. The proportion of joy in this woeful life is variously
estimated, from two-fifths to two-thirds. So we do no violence to
natural laws, in assuming this to be a white mile-stone."