The next morning I got up, restless and uneasy; and eleven o'clock
had scarcely struck when I reached the Bowsends' house. This time
both sisters were at home; and as I entered the drawing-room,
Arthurine advanced to meet me with a beautiful smile upon her face.
There was nevertheless a something in the expression of her
countenance that made me start. I pressed her hand. She looked
tenderly at me.
"I hope you have been amusing yourself these last two days," said I
after a moment's pause.
"Novelty has a certain charm," replied Arthurine. "Yet I certainly
never expected to become a disciple of Miss Fanny Wright," added she,
laughing.
"Really! I should have thought the transition from Tom and Jerry
rather an easy one."
"A little more respect for Tom and Jerry, whom _we_ patronize--that
is to say, Mr Moreland and our high mightiness," replied Arthurine,
trying, as I fancied, to conceal a certain confusion of manner under
a laugh.
"I should scarcely have thought my Arthurine would have become a
party to such a conspiracy against good taste," replied I gravely.
"_My_ Arthurine!" repeated she, laying a strong accent on the pronoun
possessive. "Only see what rights and privileges the gentleman is
usurping! We live in a free country, I believe?"
There was a mixture of jest and earnest in her charming countenance.
I looked enquiringly at her.
"Do you know," cried she, "I have taken quite a fancy to Moreland? He
is so good-natured, such a sterling character, and his roughness
wears off when one knows him well."
"And moreover," added I, "he has five hundred thousand dollars."
"Which are by no means the least of his recommendations. Only think
of the balls, Howard! I hope you will come to them. And then
Saratoga; next year London and Paris. Oh! it will be delightful."
"What, so far gone already?" said I, sarcastically.
"And poor Margaret is saved!" added she, throwing her arms round her
sister's neck, and kissing and caressing her. I hardly knew whether
to laugh or to cry.
"Then, I suppose, I may congratulate you?" said I, forcing a laugh,
and looking, I have no doubt, very like a fool.
You may so," replied Arthurine. "This morning Mr Moreland begged
permission to transfer his addresses from Margaret to your very
humble servant."
"And you?"--
"We naturally, in consideration of the petitioner's many amiable
qualities, have promised to take the request into our serious
consideration. For decorum's sake, you know, one must deliberate a
couple of days or so."
"Are you in jest or earnest, Arthurine?"
"Quite in earnest, Howard."
"Farewell, then!"
"'Fare-thee-well! and if for ever Still for ever fare-thee-well!'"
said Arthurine, in a half-laughing, half-sighing tone. The next
instant I had left the room.
On the stairs I met the beturbaned Mrs Bowsends, who led the way
mysteriously into the parlour.
"You have seen Arthurine?" said she. "What a dear, darling child!--is
she not? Oh! that girl is our joy and consolation. And Mr
Moreland--the charming Mr Moreland! Now that things are arranged so
delightfully, we can let Margaret have her own way a little."
"What I have heard is true, then?" said I.
"Yes; as an old friend I do not mind telling you--though it must
still remain a secret for a short time. Mr Moreland has made a formal
proposal to Arthurine."
I do not know what reply I made, before flinging myself out of the
room and house, and running down the street as if I had just escaped
from a lunatic asylum.
"Richards," cried I to my friend, "shall we start tomorrow?"
"Thank God!" exclaimed Richards. "So you are cured of the New York
fever? Start! Yes, by all means, before you get a relapse. You must
come with me to Virginia for a couple of months."
"I will so," was my answer.
As we were going down to the steam-boat on the following morning,
Staunton overtook us, breathless with speed and delight.
"Wish me joy!" cried he. "I am accepted!"
"And I jilted!" replied I with a laugh. "But I am not such a fool as
to make myself unhappy about a woman."
Light words enough, but my heart was heavy as I spoke them. Five
minutes later, we were on our way to Virginia.
* * * * *