MERCENARY LOVE.
With a smoother surface ran the stream of Eveline’s love. Mr. Pascal
met the full approval of all her friends, as well as of her own heart.
And yet, that stream contained some deep, dark places, and there were
hidden things therein. Though a contract for marriage was understood
to exist, it had never been formally made, and sometimes unpleasant
doubts would cross the maiden’s mind. Her lover had remained abroad a
very long time, and, since his return, had seemed, if there were really
any change in him, colder than before. Eveline tried to think that this
was not so, but still the impression haunted her every now and then,
and produced a feeling of disquietude.
Henry Pascal, as has been seen, was the son of a wealthy importer. His
father at first designed to introduce him into his counting-room, and
thoroughly educate him for a merchant. But, the young man showing no
taste for business, he changed his mind in regard to him, and placed
him in the office of an eminent practitioner at the bar. Here he
remained about a year, at the end of which period he knew very little
more of law than he did of physic. Not that he lacked ability; for
Pascal had a clear, strong mind. But he loved pleasure, and had no
incentive to study. His father’s great wealth took away all necessity
for him to strive for money; and eminence in any pursuit in life was
not a motive strong enough to induce him to devote himself with that
unwearied diligence necessary to success.
It was during the time that he was pretending to study law, that Henry
Pascal became interested in Eveline Townsend. To say that he loved
her, would, perhaps, be speaking too strongly. For, to love any thing
out of himself, was hardly possible. But she was very beautiful, and
of that he could feel proud--and she had a well-cultivated mind, and
winning manners. An attachment to her formed a kind of pursuit in life;
was an impulse in the aimless tenor of his existence. His friends, who
had become anxious for the young man, encouraged this preference for
Eveline, in the hope that it would awaken the dormant energies of his
mind. Disappointed in this, they met his expressed desire to go abroad
with approval, and Pascal started for Europe.
During his absence, his letters to Eveline came at regular periods,
and expressed just enough affection to keep the heart of the maiden
warm. His return was at a time when Mr. Townsend’s affairs were not
exhibiting the most prosperous state, and when rumor set down his
various losses at double the real amount. Old Mr. Pascal had his eye
upon the merchant. He had seen the prosperous career of many a man
checked, and a blight steel over his fortunes like a mildew, while no
adequate cause could be assigned therefor; and he had his suspicions,
from many little circumstances that transpired, that such a blight was
about falling upon the worldly prosperity of Mr. Townsend. With these
suspicions came the wish to have his son break off all intercourse with
Eveline. Immediately on his return, he introduced the subject to him,
and stated his fears.
“Is there any engagement existing between you?” he closed by asking.
“No verbal engagements,” replied his son.
“Very well, Henry. Then do not make any.”
“But the engagement is implied, father.”
“No engagement is implied. All contracts to be such must come into oral
or written expression. You may imply anything. Looking at a woman,
or dancing with her, may be construed into a marriage contract under
such a law. No, Henry, you are not engaged, and for the present, keep
yourself free.”
The young man promised to do so, but continued his visits as usual.
A few months after his return from Europe, the “Eldorado” speculation
took place, the facts of which, through the newspaper notoriety given
to the fraud, became pretty well known in mercantile circles.
“Henry, you must give up that girl!” said old Mr. Pascal, positively.
“Her father is going down hill as fast as he can go, and will not be
worth a dollar in five years. Forty thousand dollars swept away in a
single mad speculation! When a man begins to deal in imaginary western
cities, at such a rate, his case is hopeless.”
Henry made no reply. The idea of connecting himself in marriage with
the family of a ruined merchant, was by no means pleasant, but he had
become really attached to Eveline, and the thought of giving her up
disturbed him. As before, he continued his attentions, determined to
await the issue of events, and act with decision when circumstances
sufficiently strong to prompt to decided action should occur.
How utterly unconscious, all this time, was the happy-hearted maiden,
of the near approach of circumstances that threatened to destroy her
peace. Her lover came and went as before, and seemed to be the same.
He was her companion in public places, and sat by her side in private
circles. But still, and she often wondered at it, he never spoke of
marriage.
Thus progressed events, with the merchant and his family, toward a
great crisis.
After the repulse which had been given to Albertson, Eunice changed,
but the change developed no harsh features in her character. Like
a flower whose leaves have been slightly crushed, the odor thereof
was sweeter. To her father she was ever gentle in her manner, and
thoughtful of his comfort. This troubled him, and made him often repent
of the rudeness with which he had laid his hand upon a heart so full of
gentle impulses. Albertson did not attempt to visit her again, and when
he met her in company, maintained toward her a reserved and distant
manner corresponding with her own. But when they did thus meet, and
their eyes lingered in each other’s gaze for a few brief moments, a
long history of mutual love was told.