NEW-YORK
C。WILEY,3WALLSTREET
J。Seymour,printer1823
SouthernDistrictofNew-Yorkss。
BEITREMEMBERED,ThatonthethirteenthdayofJune,intheforty-seventhyearoftheIndependenceoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica,CharlesWiley,ofthesaidDistrict,hathdepositedinthisofficethetitleofaBook,therightwhereofheclaimsasproprietor,inthewordsandfiguresfollowing,towit:
"TalesforFifteen;orImaginationandHeart。
ByJaneMorgan。"
InconformitywiththeActofCongressoftheUnitedStatesentitled,"AnActfortheencouragementofLearning,bysecuringthecopiesofMaps,Charts,andBooks,totheauthorsandproprietorsofsuchcopies,duringthetimeshereinmentioned。"AndalsotoanAct,entitled,"anAct,supplementarytoanAct,fortheencouragementofLearning,bysecuringthecopiesofMaps,Charts,andBooks,totheauthorsandproprietorsofsuchcopies,duringthetimeshereinmentioned,andextendingthebenefitsthereoftotheartsofdesigning,engraving,andetchinghistoricalandotherprints。"
JAMESDILL,ClerkoftheSouthernDistrictofNew-YorkPREFACE
WHENtheauthoroftheselittletalescommencedthem,itwasherintentiontoformashortseriesofsuchstoriesas,itwashoped,mightnotbeentirelywithoutmoraladvantage;butunforeseencircumstanceshavepreventedtheircompletion,and,unwillingtodelaythepublicationanylonger,shecommitsthemtotheworldintheirpresentunfinishedstate,withoutanyflatteringanticipationsoftheirreception。Theyareintendedfortheperusalofyoungwomen,atthattenderagewhenthefeelingsoftheirnaturebegintoactonthemmostinsidiously,andwhentheirmindsareleastpreparedbyreasonandexperiencetocontendwiththeirpassions。
"Heart"wasintendedforamuchlongertale,andisunavoidablyincomplete;butitisunnecessarytopointoutdefectsthateventhejuvenilereaderwillsoondetect。Theauthoronlyhopesthatiftheydonogood,hertaleswill,atleast,donoharm。
IMAGINATION。
——-oOo——-
Ipraythee,gentlemortal,singagain:
Mineearismuchenamouredofthynote,Soismineeyeenthralledtothyshape;
Andthyfairvirtue’sforceperforcedothmoveme,Onthefirstview,tosay,toswear,Ilovethee。
MIDSUMMERNIGHT’SDREAM
{Shakespeare,"AMidsummerNight’sDream"ActIII,Scene1,lines137-141}
"DO——writetomeoften,mydearAnna!"saidtheweepingJuliaWarren,onparting,forthefirsttimesincetheiracquaintance,withtheyoungladywhomshehadhonouredwiththehighestplaceinheraffections。"ThinkhowdreadfullysolitaryandmiserableIshallbehere,withoutasinglecompanion,orasoultoconversewith,nowyouaretoberemovedtwohundredmilesintothewilderness。"
"Oh!trustme,mylove,Ishallnotforgetyounoworever,"repliedherfriend,embracingtheotherslightly,and,perhaps,ratherhastilyforsotenderanadieu;atthesametimeglancinghereyeonthefigureofayouth,whostoodinsilentcontemplationofthescene。"AnddoubtnotbutIshallsoontireyouwithmycorrespondence,especiallyasImorethansuspectitwillbesubjectedtothecriticismsofMr。CharlesWeston。"Assheconcluded,theyoungladycurtisiedtotheyouthinamannerthatcontradicted,byitsflattery,theforcedironyofherremark。
"Never,mydeargirl!"exclaimedMissWarrenwithextremefervour。"Theconfidenceofourfriendshipissacredwithme,andnothing,no,nothing,couldevertemptmetoviolatesuchatrust。Charlesisverykindandveryindulgenttoallmywhims,buthenevercouldobtainsuchaninfluenceovermeastobecomethedepositaryofmysecrets。Nothingbutafriend,likeyourself,candothat,mydearAnna。"
"Never!MissWarren,"saidtheyouthwithalipthatbetrayedbyitstremulousmotiontheinteresthetookinherspeech——"neverincludesalongperiodoftime。But,"headdedwithasmileofgood-
humouredpleasantry,"ifadmittedtosuchadistinction,Ishouldnotfeelmyselfcompetenttothetaskofcommentingonsomuchinnocenceandpurity,asIknowIshouldfindinyourcorrespondence。"
"Yes,"saidAnna,withalittleoftheenergyofherfriend’smanner,"youmaywithtruthsayso,Mr。
Weston。TheimaginationofmyJuliaisaspureas——
as————-"butturninghereyesfromthecountenanceofJuliatothatoftheyouth,rathersuddenly,theanimatedpleasureshesawdelineatedinhisexpressive,thoughplainfeatures,drovetheremainderofthespeechfromherrecollection。
"Asherheart!"criedCharlesWestonwithemphasis。
"Asherheart,Sir,"repeatedtheyoungladycoldly。
Thelastadieuswerehastilyexchanged,andAnnaMillerwashandedintoherfather’sgigbyCharlesWestoninprofoundsilence。MissEmmerson,themaidenauntofJulia,withdrewfromthedoor,whereshehadbeenconversingwithMr。Miller,andthetravellersdeparted。Juliafollowedthevehiclewithhereyesuntilitwashidbythetreesandshrubberythatcoveredthelawn,andthenwithdrewtoherroomtogiveventtoasorrowthathadsensiblytouchedheraffectionateheart,andinnotriflingdegreehauntedherlivelyimagination。
AsMissEmmersonbynomeansheldthegoodqualitiesoftheguest,whohadjustleftthem,insohighanestimationasdidherniece,sheproceededquietlyandwithgreatcomposureintheexerciseofherdailyduties;notintheleastsuspectingtherealdistressthat,fromavarietyofcauses,thissuddenseparationhadcausedtoherward。
Theonlysisterofthisgoodladyhaddiedingivingbirthtoafemaleinfant,andthefeverof1805had,withinaveryfewyearsofthedeathofthemother,deprivedtheyouthfulorphanofherremainingparent。Herfatherwasamerchant,justcommencingthefoundationsofwhatwould,intime,havebeenalargeestate;andasbothMissEmmersonandhersisterwerepossessedofgenteelindependencies,andtheaunthadlongdeclaredherintentionofremainingsingle,thefortuneofJulia,ifnotbrilliant,wasthoughtratherlargethanotherwise。MissEmmersonhadbeeneducatedimmediatelyafterthewaroftherevolution,andatatimewhentheintellectofthewomenofthiscountrybynomeansreceivedthatattentionitisthoughtnecessarytobestowonthemindsofthefuturemothersofourfamiliesatthepresenthour;
andwhen,indeed,thecountryitselfrequiredtoomuchofthecareofherrulersandpatriotstoadmitoftheconsiderationoflesserobjects。Withthebestofheartsandaffectionsdevotedtothewelfareofherniece,MissEmmersonhadearlydiscoveredherownincompetencytothelabouroffittingJuliafortheworldinwhichshewastolive,andshrunkwithtimidmodestyfromthearduoustaskofpreparingherself,byapplicationandstudy,forthissacredduty。Thefashionsofthedaywererapidlyrunningintotheattainmentofaccomplishmentsamongtheyoungofherownsex,andthepianofortewasalreadysendingforthitssonorousharmonyfromoneendoftheUniontotheother,whiletheglitteringusefulnessofthetambour-framewasdiscardedforthepalletandbrush。Thewallsofourmansionswerebeginningtogroanwiththesicklygreenofimaginaryfields,thatcaricaturedthebeautiesofnature;andskiesofsunnybrightness,thatmockedthegoldenhuesofevenanAmericansun。TheexperienceofMissEmmersonwentnofurtherthanthesimpleevolutionsofthecountrydance,orthedeliberateanddignifiedprocessionoftheminuet。Nowonder,therefore,thatherfacultieswerebewilderedbythecomplexmovementsofthecotillion:and,inshort,asthegoodladydailycontemplatedtheimprovementsofthefemaleyoutharoundher,shebecameeachhourmoreconvincedofherowninabilitytocontrol,orinanymannertosuperintend,theeducationofherorphanniece。
Juliawas,consequently,entrustedtothegovernmentofaselectboarding-school;and,aseventhemoralsofthedaywere,insomedegree,tincturedwiththeexistingfashions,hermindaswellashermannerswereabsolutelysubmittedtothediscretionofanhireling。NotwithstandingthiswillingconcessionofpoweronthepartofMissEmmerson,therewasnodeficiencyinabilitytojudgebetweenrightandwronginhercharacter;butthehomelynatureofhergoodsense,unassistedbyanyconfidenceinherownpowers,wasunabletocompetewiththedazzlingdisplayofaccomplishmentswhichmetherineveryhousewhereshevisited;andifshesometimesthoughtthatshecouldnotalwaysdiscovermuchoftheusefulamidthisexcessoftheagreeable,sheratherattributedthedeficiencytoherownignorancethantoanyerrorinthenewsystemofinstruction。Fromtheageofsixtothatofsixteen,JuliahadnoothercommunicationswithMissEmmersonthanthoseendearmentswhichneithercouldsuppress,andaconstantandassiduousattentiononthepartoftheaunttothehealthandattireofherniece。
{feverof1805=NewYorkCityhadsufferedamajorepidemicofyellowfeverinthesummerof1805;tambour-frame=acircularframeusedtoholdmaterialbeingembroidered}
MissEmmersonhadabrotherresidinginthecityofNew-York,whowasamanofeminenceatthebar,andwho,havingbeeneducatedfiftyyearsago,was,fromthatcircumstance,justsomuchsuperiortohissuccessorsofhisownsexbytwentyyears,ashissisterswerethelosersfromthesomecause。
ThefamilyofMr。Emmersonwaslarge,and,besidesseveralsons,hehadtwodaughters,oneofwhomremainedstillunmarriedinthehouseofherfather。
KatherineEmmersonwasbuteighteenmonthstheseniorofJuliaWarren;butherfatherhadadoptedadifferentcoursefromthatwhichwasordinarilypursuedwithgirlsofherexpectations。Hehadmarriedawomanofsense,andnowreapedtherichestblessingofsuchaconnexioninherabilitytosuperintendtheeducationofherdaughter。A
mother’scarewasemployedtocorrecterrorsthatamother’stendernesscouldonlydiscover;andintheplaceofgeneralsystems,andcomprehensivetheories,wassubstitutedthecloseandrigorouswatchfulnesswhichadaptedtheremedytothedisease;whichstudiedthedisposition;andwhichknewthefailingsormeritsofthepupil,andcouldbesttellwhentoreward,andhowtopunish。Theconsequenceswereeasilytobeseeninthemannersandcharacteroftheirdaughter。Heraccomplishments,evenwhereamasterhadbeenemployedintheirattainment,werenaturallydisplayed,andsuitedtoherpowers。Hermanners,insteadoftheartificialmovementsofprescribedrules,exhibitedthechasteanddelicatemodestyofrefinement,mingledwithgoodprinciples——suchaswerenotworninordertobeincharacterasawomanandalady,butweredeeplyseated,andformedpart,notonlyofherhabits,but,ifwemayusetheexpression,ofhernaturealso。MissEmmersonhadgoodsenseenoughtoperceivethevalueofsuchanacquaintanceforherward;but,unfortunatelyforherwishtoestablishanintimacybetweenhernieces,Juliahadalreadyformedafriendshipatschool,anddidnotconceiveherheartwaslargeenoughtoadmittwoatthesametimetoitssanctuary。HowmuchJuliawasmistakenthesequelofourtalewillshow。
SolongasAnnaMillerwastheinmateoftheschool,Juliawassatisfiedtoremainalso,butthefatherofAnnahavingdeterminedtoremovetoanestateintheinteriorofthecountry,hisdaughterwastakenfromschool;andwhilethearrangementsweremakingforthereceptionofthefamilyonthebanksoftheGennessee,Annawaspermittedtotaste,forashorttime,thepleasuresoftheworld,attheresidenceofMissEmmersononthebanksoftheHudson。
{Gennessee=GeneseeRiver,whichflowsnorththroughcentralNewYorkStatetoLakeOntario——atthetimeofCooper’sstoryitwasstillonthefrontierofsettlement}
CharlesWestonwasadistantrelativeofthegoodaunt,andwas,likeJulia,anorphan,whowasmoderatelyendowedwiththegoodsoffortune。Hewasastudentintheofficeofheruncle,andbeingagreatfavouritewithMissEmmerson,spentmanyofhisleisurehours,duringtheheatsofthesummer,intheretirementofhercountryresidence。
Whatevermightbethecomposureofthemaidenaunt,whileJuliawasweepinginherchamberoverthelongseparationthatwasnowtoexistbetweenherselfandherfriend,youngWestonbynomeansdisplayedthesamephilosophicindifference。Hepacedthehallofthebuildingwithrapidsteps,castmanyalongingglanceatthedoorofhiscousin’sroom,andthenrestedhimselfwithanapparentintentiontoreadthevolumeheheldinhishands;
nordidheinanydegreerecoverhiscomposureuntilJuliare-appearedonthelandingofthestairs,movingslowlytowardstheirbottom,when,takingonelonglookatherlovelyface,whichwasglowingwithyouthfulbeauty,andifpossiblemorecharmingfromthetracesoftearsinhereyes,hecoollypursuedhisstudies。Juliahadrecoveredhercomposure,andCharlesWestonfeltsatisfied。MissEmmersonandherniecetooktheirseatsquietlywiththeirworkatanopenwindowoftheparlour,andorderappearedtoberestoredinsomemeasuretothemansion。Afterpursuingtheirseveraloccupationsforsomeminuteswithasilencethathadlatelybeenastrangertothem,theauntobserved——
"Youappeartohavesomethingnewinhand,mylove。Surelyyoumustaboundwithtrimmings,andyetyouareworkinganotheralready?"
"ItisforAnnaMiller,"saidJuliawithaflushoffeeling。
"IwasinhopesyouwouldperformyourpromisetoyourcousinKatherine,nowMissMillerisgone,andmakeyourportionofthegarmentsfortheOrphanAsylum,"returnedMissEmmersongravely。
"Oh!cousinKatherinemustwait。IpromisedthistrimmingtoAnnatoremembermeby,andIwouldnotdisappointthedeargirlfortheworld。"
"ItisnotyourcousinKatherine,buttheOrphans,whowillhavetowait;andsurelyapromisetoarelationisassacredasonetoanacquaintance。"
"Acquaintance,aunt!"echoedtheniecewithdispleasure。"Donot,Ientreatyou,callAnnaanacquaintancemerely。Sheismyfriend——myverybestfriend,andIloveherassuch。"
"Thankyou,mydear,"saidtheauntdryly。
"Oh!Imeannothingdisrespectfultoyourself,dearaunt,"continuedJulia。"YouknowhowmuchIowetoyou,andoughttoknowthatIloveyouasamother。"
"AndwouldyoupreferMissMillertoamother,then?"
"Surelynotinrespect,ingratitude,inobedience;
butstillImayloveher,youknow。Indeed,thefeelingsaresoverydifferent,thattheydonotatallinterferewitheachother——inmyheartatleast。"
"No!"saidMissEmmerson,withalittlecuriosity——"I
wishyouwouldtryandexplainthisdifferencetome,thatImaycomprehendthedistinctionsthatyouarefondofmaking。"
"Why,nothingiseasier,dearaunt!"saidJuliawithanimation。"YouIlovebecauseyouarekindtome,attentivetomywants,considerateformygood;
affectionate,and——and——fromhabit——andyouaremyaunt,andtakecareofme。"
"Admirablereasons!"exclaimedCharlesWeston,whohadlaidasidehisbooktolistentothisconversation。
"TheyareforcibleonesImustadmit,"saidMissEmmerson,smilingaffectionatelyonherniece;"butnowfortheotherkindoflove。"
"Why,Annaismyfriend,youknow,"criedJulia,witheyessparklingwithenthusiasm。"Iloveher,becauseshehasfeelingscongenialwithmyown;
shehassomuchwit,issoamusing,sofrank,solikeagirloftalents——solike——likeeverythingI
admiremyself。"
"Itisapitythatonesohighlygiftedcannotfurnishherselfwithfrocks,"saidtheaunt,withalittlemorethanherordinarydrynessofmanner,"andsufferyoutoworkforthosewhowantthemmore。"
"Youforgetitisinordertorememberme,"saidJulia,inamannerthatspokeherownideasofthevalueofthegift。
"Onewouldthinksuchafriendshipwouldnotrequireanythingtoremindoneofitsexistence,"
returnedtheaunt。
"Why!itisnotthatshewillforgetmewithoutit,butthatshemayhavesomethingbyhertoremindherofme————-"saidJuliarapidly,butpausingasthecontradictionstruckevenherself。
"Iunderstandyouperfectly,mychild,"interruptedtheaunt,"merelyasanunnecessarysecurity,youmean。"
"Tomakeassurancedoublysure,"criedCharlesWestonwithalaugh。
"Oh!youlaugh,Mr。Weston,"saidJuliawithalittleanger;"butIhaveoftensaid,youwereincapableoffriendship。"
"Tryme!"exclaimedtheyouthfervently。"Donotcondemnmewithoutatrial。"
"HowcanI?"saidJulia,laughinginherturn。"Youarenotagirl。"
"Cangirlsthenonlyfeelfriendship?"inquiredCharles,takingtheseatwhichMissEmmersonhadrelinquished。
"Isometimesthinkso,"saidJulia,withherowngood-humouredsmile。"Youaretoogross——tooenvious——inshort,youneverseesuchfriendshipsbetweenmenasexistbetweenwomen。"
"Betweengirls,Iwillreadilyadmit,"returnedtheyouth。"Butletusexaminethisquestionafterthemannerofthecourts——"
"Nay,ifyoutalklawIshallquityou,"interruptedtheyoungladygaily。
"Certainlyonesolearnedinthesubjectneednotdreadacross-examination,"criedtheyouth,inherownmanner。
"Well,proceed,"criedthelady。"IhavedrivenauntMargaretfromthefield,andyouwillfarenobetter,Icanassureyou。"
"Men,yousay,aretoogrosstofeelapurefriendship;inthefirstplace,pleasetoexplainyourselfonthispoint。"
"WhyImean,thatyourfriendshipsaregenerallyinterested;thatitrequiresservicesandgoodofficestosupportit。"
{interested=notpure,havinganulteriormotive}
"Whilethatofwomendependson——"
"Feelingalone。"
"Butwhatexcitesthisfeeling?"askedCharleswithasmile。
"What?whysympathy——andaknowledgeofeachother’sgoodqualities。"
"ThenyouthinkMissMillerhasmoregoodqualitiesthanKatherineEmmerson,"saidWeston。
"WhendidIeversayso?"criedJuliainsurprise。
"Iinferitfromyourlovingherbetter,merely,"
returnedtheyoungmanwithalittleofMissEmmerson’sdryness。
"Itwouldbedifficulttocomparethem,"saidJuliaafteramoment’spause。"Katherineisintheworld,andhashadanopportunityofshowinghermerit;
thatAnnahasneverenjoyed。Katherineiscertainlyamostexcellentgirl,andIlikeherverymuch;butthereisnoreasontothinkthatAnnawillnotproveasfineayoungwomanasKatherine,whenputtothetrial。"
"Pray,"saidtheyounglawyerwithgreatgravity,"howmanyofthesebosom,theseconfidentialfriendscanayoungwomanhaveatthesametime?"
"One,onlyone——anymorethanshecouldhavetwolovers,"criedJuliaquickly。
"Whythendidyoufinditnecessarytotakethatonefromaset,thatwasuntriedinthepracticeofwell-doing,whensoexcellentasubjectasyourcousinKatherineoffered?"
"ButAnnaIknow,Ifeel,iseverythingthatisgoodandsincere,andoursympathiesdrewustogether。
KatherineIlovednaturally。"
"Hownaturally?"
"Isitnotnaturaltoloveyourrelatives?"saidJuliainsurprise。
"No,"wasthebriefanswer。
"Surely,CharlesWeston,youthinkmeasimpleton。
Doesnoteveryparentloveitschildbynaturalinstinct?"
"No:nomorethanyouloveanyofyouramusementsfrominstinct。Iftheparentwaspresentwithachildthathedidnotknowtobehisown,wouldinstinct,thinkyou,discovertheirvicinity?"
"Certainlynot,iftheyhadnevermetbefore;butthen,assoonasheknewittobehis,hewouldloveitfromnature。"
"Itisacomplicatedquestion,andonethatinvolvesathousandconnectedfeelings,"saidCharles。"Butalllove,atleastallloveoftheheart,springsfromthecausesyoumentionedtoyouraunt——goodoffices,adependenceoneachother,andhabit。"
"Yes,andnaturetoo,"saidtheyoungladyratherpositively;"andIcontend,thatnaturallore,andlovefromsympathy,aretwodistinctthings。"
"Verydifferent,Iallow,"saidCharles;"onlyIverymuchdoubtthedurabilityofthataffectionwhichhasnobetterfoundationthanfancy。"
"Youusesuchqueerterms,Charles,thatyoudonottreatthesubjectfairly。Callinginnateevidenceofworthbythenameoffancy,isnotcandid。"
"Now,indeed,yourowntermspuzzleme,"saidCharles,smiling。"Whatisinnateevidenceofworth?"
"Why,aconvictionthatanotherpossessesallthatyouesteemyourself,andisdiscoveredbycongenialfeelingsandnaturalsympathies。"
"Uponmyword,Julia,youarequiteacasuistonthissubject。Doeslove,then,betweenthesexesdependonthiscongenialsympathyandinnateevidence?"
"NowyoutalkonasubjectthatIdonotunderstand,"saidJulia,blushing;and,catchingupthehighlyprizedwork,sherantoherownroom,leavingtheyoungmaninastateofmingledadmirationandpity。
CHAPTERII。
ANanxiousfortnightwaspassedbyJuliaWarren,afterthisconversation,withoutbringinganytidingsfromherfriend。Shewatched,withfeverishrestlessness,eachsteam-boatthatpassedthedooronitsbusywaytowardsthemetropolis,andmettheservanteachdayatthegateofthelawnonhisreturnfromthecity;butitwasonlytoreceiveaddeddisappointments。AtlengthCharlesWestongood-naturedlyofferedhisownservices,laughinglydeclaring,thathisluckwasneverknowntofail。JuliaherselfhadwrittenseverallongepistlestoAnna,anditwasnowthepropertimethatsomeoftheseshouldbeanswered,independentlyofthethousandpromisesfromherfriendofwritingregularlyfromeverypost-officethatshemightpassonherroutetotheGennessee。
Butthehappymomenthadarrivedwhendisappointmentsweretocease。
Asusual,Juliawaswaitingwitheagerimpatienceatthegate,herlovelyformoccasionallyglidingfromtheshrubberytocatchaglimpseofthepassengersonthehighway,whenCharlesappearedridingatafullgalloptowardsthehouse;hiswholemannerannouncedsuccess,andJuliasprangintothemiddleoftheroadtotaketheletterwhichheextendedtowardsher。
"IknewIshouldbesuccessful,anditgivesmealmostasmuchpleasureasyourselfthatIhavebeenso,"saidtheyouth,dismountingfromhishorseandopeningthegatethathiscompanionmightpass。
"Thankyou——thankyou,dearCharles,"saidJuliakindly。"Inevercanforgethowgoodyouaretome——
howmuchyoulovetoobligenotonlyme,buteveryonearound。Excusemenow,Ihavethisdearlettertoreadanothertime,IwillthankyouasI
ought。"
Sosaying,Juliaranintothesummer-house,andfasteningitsdoor,gaveherselfuptothepleasureofreadingafirstletter。Notesandshortepistlesfromheraunt,withdiverslettersfromAnnawrittenslylyintheschool-roomandslippedintoherlap,shewasalreadywellacquaintedwith;butofreal,genuineletters,stampedbythepost-office,rumpledbythemail-bags,consecratedbythesteam-boat,thiswascertainlythefirst。This,indeed,wasarealletter:riversrolled,andvasttractsofcountrylay,betweenherselfanditswriter,andthatwriterwasafriendselectedonthetestimonyofinnateevidence。ItwasnecessaryforJuliatopauseandbreathebeforeshecouldopenherletter;andbythetimethiswasdone,herbusyfancyhadclothedbothepistleandwriterwithsomuchexcellence,thatshewaspreparedtoperusethecontentswitharespectborderingonenthusiasm:everywordmustbetrue——everyideapurityitself。Thatourreadersmayknowhowaccuratelysixteenandabrilliantfancyhadqualifiedhertojudge,weshallgivethemtheletterentire。
"Mydearestlove,"Oh,Julia!hereIam,andsuchaplace!——notown,nochurches,noBroadway,nothingthatcanmakelifedesirable;and,Imayadd,nofriend——nobodytoseeandtalkwith,butpapaandmamma,andahousefullofbrothersandsisters。Youcan’tthinkhowImissyou,everyminutemoreandmore;butI
amnotwithouthopesofpersuadingpatoletmespendthewinterwithyourauntintown。IdeclareitmakesmesickeverytimeIthinkofhersweethouseinPark-place。IfeverImarry,andbesureI
will,itshallbeamanwholivesinthecity,andnextdoortomyJulia。Oh!howcharmingthatwouldbe。Eachofustohaveoneofthosedelightfulnewhouses,withthenew-fashionedbasementstories;
wewouldruninandoutatallhoursoftheday,anditwouldbesoconvenienttolendandborroweachother’sthings。Idothinkthereisnopleasureunderheavenequaltothatofwearingthingsthatbelongtoyourfriend。Don’tyourememberhowfondIwasofwearingyourclothesatschool,thoughyouwerenotsofondofchangingasmyself;butthatwasnowonder,forpa’sstinginesskeptmesoshabbilydressed,thatIwasashamedtoletyoubeseeninthem。Oh,Julia!Ishallneverforgetthosehappyhours;noryouneither。Apropos——Ihopeyouhavenotforgotthefrockyoupromisedtoworkforme,torememberyouby。Ilongforitdreadfully,andhopeyouwillsenditbeforetherivershuts。IsupposeyouandCharlesWestondonothingbutrideroundamongthosebeautifulvillasontheisland,andtakecomfort。Idoenvyyouyourhappiness,Icantellyou;forIthinkanybeaubetterthannone,thoughMr。Westonisnottomytaste。Iamgoingtowriteyousixsheetsofpaper,forthereisnothingthatIsodelightinascommuningwithafriendatadistance,especiallysituatedasIamwithoutasoultosayawordto,unlessitbemyownsisters。Adieu,myever,everbelovedJulia——betomeasIamtoyou,afriendindeed,onetriedandnotfoundwanting。Inhaste,your"ANNA。
"Gennessee,June15,1816。
"P。S。Don’tforgettojogauntEmmerson’smemoryaboutaskingmetoPark-place。
"P。S。June25th。Nothavingyetsentmyletter,althoughIamsureyoumustbedyingwithanxietytohearhowwegeton,Imustadd,thatwehaveacompanionherethatwoulddelightyou——aMr。
EdwardStanley。Whatadelightfulname!andheisasdelightfulashisname:hiseye,hisnose,hiswholecountenance,areperfect。Inshort,Julia,heisjustsuchamanasweusedtodrawinourconversationatschool。Heisrich,andbrave,andsensible,andIdonothingbuttalktohimofyou。
Hesays,helongstoseeyou;knowsyoumustbehandsome;issureyouaresensible;andfeelsthatyouaregood。Oh!heisworthadozenCharlesWestons。ButyoumaygivemycomplimentstoMr。
Weston,thoughIdon’tsupposeheeverthinksitworthhiswhiletoremembersuchachickasme。I
shouldliketohearwhathesaysaboutme,andI
willtellyouallEdwardStanleysaysofyou。Oncemore,adieu。Yourlettersgotheresafeandindueseason。IletEdwardtakeapeepatthem。"
ThefirsttimeJuliareadthislettershewascertainlydisappointed。Itcontainednodescriptionsofthelovelysceneryofthewest。Themoonhadrisenandthesunhadsetonthelakesoftheinterior,andAnnahadsaidnotonewordofeither。
Butthethirdandfourthtimeofreadingbegantoaffordmorepleasure,andatthethirteenthperusalshepronounceditcharming。Therewasevidentlymuchtobeunderstood;vacuumsthatthefancycouldeasilyfill;and,beforeJuliahadleftthesummer-house,theletterwasextended,inherimagination,tothepromisedsixsheets。Shewalkedslowlythroughtheshrubberytowardsthehouse,musingonthecontentsofherletter,orratherwhatitmightbesupposedtocontain,andunconsciouslyrepeatingtoherselfinalowtone——
"Young,handsome,rich,andsensible——justasweusedtopaintinourconversation。Oh,howdelightful!"
"Delightfulindeed,topossessallthosefinequalities;andwhoisthehappyindividualthatissoblessed?"askedCharlesWeston,whohadbeenlingeringinthewalkswithanumbrellatoshieldheronherreturnfromanapproachingshower。
"Oh!"saidJulia,starting,"Ididnotknowyouwerenearme。IhavebeenreadingAnna’ssweetletter,"
pressingthepapertoherbosomasshespoke。
"Doubtlessyoumustbedonebythistime,Julia,and,"pointingtotheclouds,"youhadbetterhastentothehouse。Iknewyouwouldbeterrifiedatthelightningallalonebyyourselfinthatsummer-
house,soIcametoprotectyou。"
"Youareverygood,Charles,butdoesitlighten?"
saidJuliainterror,andhasteningherretreattothedwelling。
"Yourlettermusthaveinterestedyoudeeplynottohavenoticedthethunder——you,whoaresotimidandfearfuloftheflashes。"
"Foolishlyfearful,youwouldsay,ifyouwerenotafraidofhurtingmyfeelings,Iknow,"saidJulia。
"Itisanaturaldread,andthereforenottobelaughedat,"answeredCharlesmildly。
"Thenthereisnaturalfear,butnonaturallove,Mr。
Charles;nowyouarefinelycaught,"criedJuliaexultingly。
"Well,beitso。Withmefearisverynatural,andI
canalmostpersuademyselflovealso。"
"Ihopeyouarenotacoward,CharlesWeston。A
cowardlymanisverydespicable。Icouldneverloveacowardlyman,"saidJulia,laughing。
"Idon’tknowwhetherIamwhatyoucallacoward,"
saidCharlesgravely;"butwhenindangerIamalwaysafraid。"
Thewordswerehardlyutteredbeforeaflashoflightning,followedinstantlybyatremendouslyheavyclapofthunder,nearlystupifiedthemboth。
Thesuddennessoftheshockhad,foramoment,paralyzedtheenergyoftheyouth,whileJuliawasnearlyinsensible。Soonrecoveringhimself,however,Charlesdrewherafterhimintothehouse,intimetoescapeatorrentofrain。Thestormwassoonover,andtheirnaturalfearandsurprisewereasourceofmirthforJulia。Womenareseldomashamedoftheirfears,fortheirfrightisthoughttobefeminineendattractive;butmenarelesseasyundertheimputationofterror,asitisthoughttoindicateanabsenceofmanlyqualities。
"Oh!youwillnevermakeahero,Charles,"criedJulia,laughingheartily。"Itiswellyouchosethelawinsteadofthearmyasaprofession。"
"Idon’tknow,"saidtheyouth,alittlenettled,"I
thinkIcouldmustercouragetofaceabullet。"
"Butremember,thatyoushutyoureyes,andbentnearlydoubleattheflash——nowyouownedallthisyourself。"
"Atleasthewascandid,andacknowledgedhisinfirmities,"saidMissEmmerson,whohadbeenlistening。
"IthinkmostmenwouldhavedoneasIdid,atsoheavyandsosuddenaclapofthunder,andsoveryneartoo,"saidCharles,strivingtoconcealtheuneasinesshefelt。
"WhenapprehensionforJuliamusthaveincreasedyourterror,"saidtheauntkindly。
"Why,no——IratherbelieveIthoughtonlyofmyselfatthemoment,"returnedCharles;"butthen,Julia,youmustdomethejusticetosay,thatinstantlyI
thoughtofthedangerofyourtakingcoldanddrewyouintothehouse。"
"Oh!youranfromanotherclap,"saidJulia,laughingtillherdarkeyesflashedwithpleasure,andshakingherheaduntilherglossyhairfellinringletsoverhershoulders;"youwillnevermakeahero,Charles。"
"Doyouknowanyonewhowouldhavebehavedbetter,MissWarren?"saidtheyoungmanangrily。
"Yes——why——Idon’tknow。Yes,Ihaveheardofone,Ithink,"answeredJulia,slightlycolouring;"but,dearCharles,excusemylaughter,"shecontinued,holdingoutherhand;"ifyouarenotahero,youarevery,very,good。"
ButCharlesWeston,atthemoment,wouldratherbethoughtaherothanvery,very,good;he,therefore,rose,andaffectingasmile,endeavouredtosaysomethingtriflingasheretired。
"YouhavemortifiedCharles,"saidMissEmmerson,sosoonashewasoutofhearing。
"IamsureIhopenot,"saidJulia,withagooddealofanxiety;"heisthelastpersonIwouldwishtooffend,heissoverykind。"
"Noyoungmanoftwentyispleasedwithbeingthoughtnohero,"returnedtheaunt。
"Andyetallarenotso,"saidJulia,"Ihardlyknowwhatyoumeanbyahero;ifyoumeansuchmenasWashington,Greene,orWarren,allaresurelynotso。Thesewereheroesindeeds,butothersmaybeequallybrave。"
{Greene=NathanaelGreene(1742-1786),RevolutionaryGeneral;Warren=JosephWarren(1741-1775),Revolutionarywarhero,killedattheBattleofBunkerHill}
"Imeanbyahero,amanwhosecharacterisunstainedbyanylowordegeneratevices,orevenfeelings,"saidJulia,withalittlemorethanherordinaryenthusiasm;"whosecourageisasnaturalasitisdaring;whoisabovefear,exceptofdoingwrong;whosepersonisanindexofhismind,andwhosemindisfilledwithimagesofglory;that’swhatIcallahero,aunt。"
"Thenhemustbehandsomeaswellasvaliant,"
saidMissEmmerson,withasmilethatwashardlyperceptible。
"Whythatis——is——notabsolutelymaterial,"repliedJulia,blushing;"butonewouldwishtohavehimhandsometoo。"
"Oh!byallmeans;itwouldrenderhisvirtuesmorestriking。ButIthinkyouintimatedthatyouknewsuchabeing,"returnedMissEmmerson,fixinghermildeyesonJuliainamannerthatdenotedgreatinterest。
"DidI,"saidJulia,colouringscarlet;"Iamsure——I
haveforgotten——itmustbeamistake,surely,dearaunt。"
"VerypossiblyImisunderstoodyou,mydear,"saidMissEmmerson,risingandwithdrawingfromtheroom,inapparentindifferencetothesubject。
Juliacontinuedmusingonthedialoguewhichhadpassed,andsoonhadrecoursetotheletterofherfriend,thepostscriptofwhichwasall,however,thatshethoughtnecessarytoread:onthisshedweltuntiltheperiodswerelengthenedintoparagraphs,eachsyllableintowords,andeachletterintosyllables。AnnaMillerhadfurnishedtheoutlinesofapicture,thattheimaginationofJuliahadcompleted。ThenameofEdwardStanleywasrepeatedinternallysooftenthatshethoughtitthesweetestnameshehadeverheard。Hiseyes,hisnose,hiscountenance,wereavowedtobehandsome;andherfancysoongaveacolourandformtoeach。Hewassensible;howsensible,herfriendhadnotexpresslystated;butthenthepowersofAnna,greatastheyundoubtedlywere,couldnotcompassthemightyextentofsogiganticamind。Brave,too,Annahadcalledhim。Thisshemusthavelearntfromactsofdesperatecouragethathehadperformedinthewarwhichhadsorecentlyterminated;orperhapshemighthaveevendistinguishedhimselfinthepresenceofAnna,bysomeexploitofcoolanddetermineddaring。Herheartburnedtoknowalltheparticulars,buthowwasshetoinquirethem。Anna,dear,indiscreetgirl,hadalreadyshownherletters,andherdelicacyshrunkfromtheexposureofhercuriositytoitsobject。Afteramultitudeofexpedientshadbeenadoptedandrejectedasimpracticable,Juliaresortedtothecourseofcommittingherinquiriestopaper,mostsolemnlyenjoiningherfriendnevertoexposeherweaknesstoMr。Stanley。This,thoughtJulia,shenevercoulddo;itwouldbeunjusttome,andindelicateinher。SoJuliawroteasfollows,firstseekingherownapartment,andcarefullylockingthedoor,thatshemightdevoteherwholeattentiontofriendship,andherletter。
"DearestAnna,"Yourkindletterreach’dmeaftermanyananxioushourspentinexpectation,andrepaysmeten-foldforallmyuneasiness。Surely,Anna,thereisnoonethatcanwritehalfsoagreeablyasyourself。Iknowtheremustbealong——long——epistleformeontheroad,containingthosedescriptionsandincidentsyoupromisedtofavourmewith:howIlongtoreadthem,andtoshowthemtomyauntMargaret,who,Ibelieve,doesnotsuspectyoutobecapableofdoingthatwhichIknow,orratherfeel,youcan。
Knowingfromanythingbutfeelingandtheinnateevidenceofoursympathies,seemstomesomethinglikeheresyinfriendship。Oh,Anna!howcouldyoubesocruelastoshowmyletterstoanyone,andthattoagentlemanandastranger?I
neverwouldhaveservedyouso,noteventogoodCharlesWeston,whomIesteemsohighly,andwhoreallywantsneitherjudgmentnorgoodnature,thoughheisdreadfullydeficientinfancy。YetCharlesisamostexcellentyoungman,andIgavehimthecomplimentsyoudesired;hewassomuchflatteredbyyournoticethathecouldmakenoreply,thoughIdoubtnotheprizedthehonourasheought。Weareallveryhappyhere,onlyfortheabsenceofmyAnna;butsolongasmilesofwearyroadsandendlessriversrunbetweenus,perfecthappinesscanneverreigninthebreastofyourJulia。Anna,Iconjureyoubyallthesacreddelicacythatconsecratesourfriendship,nevertoshowthisletter,unlessyouwouldbreakmyheart:youneverwill,Iamcertain,andthereforeIwillwritetomyAnnaintheunreservedmannerinwhichweconversed,whenfate,lesscruelthanatpresent,sufferedustoliveinthesunshineofeachother’ssmiles。Youspeakofacertainpersoninyourletter,whom,forobviousreasons,IwillinfuturecallANTONIO。Youdescribehimwiththepartialityofafriend;buthowcanIdoubthisbeingworthyofallthatyousay,andmore——sensible,brave,rich,andhandsome。Fromhisname,Isuppose,ofcourse,heiswellconnected。Whataconstellationofattractionstocentreinoneman!Butyouhavenottoldmeall——hisage,hisfamily,hisprofession;
thoughIpresumehehasbornearmsintheserviceofhiscountry,andthathismanlybreastisalreadycoveredwiththescarsofhonour。Ah!Anna,"hejestsatscarswhoneverfeltawound。"But,mydearcreature,yousaythathetalksofme:whatunderthesuncanyoufindtosayofsuchapoorgirlasmyself?ThoughIsupposeyouhave,inthefondnessofaffection,describedmypersontohimalready。Iwonderifhelikesblackeyesandfaircomplexion。Youcan’tconceivewhatabloomthecountryhasgivenme;Ireallybegintolookmorelikeamilk-maidthanalady。Dear,goodauntMargarethasbeenquitesicksinceyouleftus,andfortwodaysIwashardlyoutofherroom;thishasputmebackalittleincolour,orIshouldbeasruddyasthemorn。Butnothingoughtevertotemptmetoneglectmyaunt,andIhopenothingeverwill。BeassuredthatIshallbeghertowriteyoutospendthewinterwithus,forIfeelalreadythatwithoutyoulifeisaperfectblank。Youindeedmusthavesomethingtoenlivenitwithalittleinyournewcompanions,buthereisnobody,justnow,butCharlesWeston。Yetheisanexcellentcompanion,anddoeseverythinghecantomakeusallhappyandcomfortable。Heigho!howIdowishIcouldseeyou,myAnna,andspendonesweethalfhourinthedearconfidenceofmutualsympathy。Butliequiet,mythrobbingheart,thedayapproacheswhenIshallmeetmyfriendagain,andmorethanreceivearewardforallourgriefs。Ah!Anna,neverbetrayyourJulia,andwritetomeFULLY,CONFIDINGLY,andoften。
"Yours,withallthetendernessoffriendshipthatisfoundedonmutualsympathy,congenialsouls,andinnateevidenceofworth。
JULIA。"
"P。S。IshouldliketoknowwhetherAntoniohasanyscarsinhisface,andwhatbattleshewasin。Onlythink,mydear,poorCharlesWestonwasfrightenedbyaclapofthunder——butCharleshasanexcellentheart。"
Thisletterwaswrittenandread,sealedandkissed,whenMissEmmersontappedgentlyatthedoorofhernieceandbeggedadmission。Juliaflewtoopenit,andreceivedherauntwiththeguilelesspleasureherpresenceevergaveher。Afewwordsofintroductorymatterwereexchanged,when,beingbothseatedattheirneedlesagain,MissEmmersonasked——
"Towhomhaveyoubeenwriting,mylove?"
"TomyAnna。"
"Doyourecollect,mychild,thatinwritingtoMissMiller,youarewritingtooneoutofyourownfamily,andwhoseinterestsaredifferentfromyours?"
"Idonotunderstandyou,aunt,"criedJuliainsurprise。
"Imeanthatyoushouldbeguardedinyourcorrespondence——tellnosecretsout"——
"TellnosecretstomyAnna!"exclaimedthenieceinaspeciesofhorror。"Thatwouldbeadeath-blowtoourfriendshipindeed。"
"Thenletitdie,"saidMissEmmerson,coolly;"theaffectionthatcannotsurvivethelossofsuchanexcitement,hadbetterbesufferedtoexpireassoonaspossible,oritmayraisefalseexpectations。"
"Why,dearaunt,indestroyingconfidenceofthisnature,youdestroythegreatobjectoffriendship。
Whoeverbeardofafriendshipwithoutsecrets?"
"Ineverhadasecretinmylife,"saidMissEmmersonsimply,"andyetIhavehadmanyafriend。"
"Well,"saidJulia,"yoursmusthavebeenqueerfriends;pray,dearaunt,nameoneortwoofthem。"
"Yourmotherwasmyfriend,"saidMissEmmerson,withstrongemotion,"andIhopeherdaughteralsoisone。"
"Me,mybelovedaunt!"criedJulia,throwingherselfintothearmsofMissEmmersonandburstingintotears;"Iammorethanafriend,Iamyourchild——
yourdaughter。"
"Whateverbethenameyougiveit,Julia,youareverynearanddeartome,"saidtheaunt,tenderlykissinghercharge:"buttellme,mylove,didyoueverfeelsuchemotioninyourintercoursewithMissMiller?"
ItwassometimebeforeJuliacouldreply;when,havingsuppressedtheburstofherfeelings,sheansweredwithasmile——
"Oh!thatquestionisnotfair。Youhavebroughtmeup;nursedmeinsickness;arekindandgoodtome;andtheideathatyoushouldsupposeIdidnotloveyou,wasdreadful——ButyouknowIdo。"
"Ifirmlybelieveso,mychild;itisyouthatIwouldhaveknowwhatitisthatyoulove:Iamsatisfiedformyself。Irepeat,didAnnaMillereverexcitesuchemotions?"
"Certainlynot:mylovetoyouisnatural;butmyfriendshipforAnnarestsonsympathy,andaperfectknowledgeofhercharacter。"
"Iamglad,however,thatyouknowhersowell,sinceyouaresointimate。Whattestimonyhaveyouofallthisexcellence?"
"Innateevidence。Iseeit——Ifeelit——Yes,thatisthebesttestimony——Ifeelhergoodqualities。Yes,myfriendshipforAnnaformsthespringofmyexistence;whileanyaccidentoreviltoyouwouldafflictmethesameasifdonetomyself——thisispurenature,youknow。"
"Iknowitispleasingtolearnit,comefromwhatitwill,"saidtheaunt,smiling,andrisingtowithdraw。
CHAPTERIII。
SEVERALdayspassedafterthisconversation,intheordinaryquietofawellregulatedfamily。
NotwithstandingthehouseofMissEmmersonstoodinthemidstofthenumberlessvillasthatadornManhattanIsland,thehabitsofitsmistresswereretiringanddomestic。Juliawasnotofanagetominglemuchinsociety,andAnnahadfurnishedherwithathemeforhermeditations,thatratherrenderedheraversefromtheconfusionofcompany。
HermindwasconstantlyemployedincanvassingthequalitiesoftheunseenAntonio。Herfriendhadfurnishedherwithacatalogueofhisperfectionsingross,whichheractivethoughtswerebusilyarrangingintoformandsubstance。Butlittlepractisedintheworldoritsdisappoinments{sic},thevisionarygirlhadalreadyfiguredtoherselfapersontosuitthesequalities,andtheanimalwasnolesspleasing,thanthemoralbeingofherfancy。
WhatprincipallydelightedJuliainthesecontemplationsontheacquaintanceofAnna,wasthestronginclinationhehadexpressedtoknowherself。Thisflatteredhertendencytobelieveinthestrengthofmutualsympathy,andtheefficacyofinnateevidenceofmerit。Inthemidstofthispleasingemploymentofherfancy,shereceivedasecondletterfromherfriend,inanswertotheonewehavealreadygiventoourreaders;itwascouchedinthefollowingwords:
"MyowndearJulia,myFriend,"IreceivedyourletterwiththepleasureIshallalwayshearfromyou,andamtrulyobligedtoyouforyourkindoffertomakeinterestwithyearaunttohavemespendthenextwinterintown。Tobewithyou,isthegreatestpleasureIhaveonearth;
besides,asIknowIcanwritetoyouasfreelyasI
think,onecanreadilytellwhatatiresomeplacethismustbetopassawinterin。Thereare,absolutely,butthreeyoungmeninthewholecountywhocanbethoughtinanymanneraspropermatchesforus;andonehasnochancehereofformingsuchanassociationastogiveagirlanopportunityofmeetingwithhercongenialspirit,sothatIhopeandtrustyourdesiretoseemewillcontinueasstrongasminewilleverbetoseemyJulia。YousaythatIhaveforgottentogiveyouthedescriptionofourjourneyandofthelakesthatI
promisedtosendyou。No,myJulia,Ihavenotforgottenthepromise,noryou;butthethoughtofenjoyingsuchhappinesswithoutyourdearcompany,hasbeentoopainfultodwellupon。Ofthisyoumayjudgeforyourself。Ourfirstjourneywasmadeinthesteam-boattoAlbany;sheisamovingworld。Thevesselploughsthroughthebillowywatersinonwardprogress,andthesoulisleftinsilentharmonytoenjoythechange。ThepassageoftheHighlandsismostdelightful。Figuretoyourself,myJulia,therushingwaters,lesseningfromtheirexpandedwidthtothedegeneracyofthestagnantpool——rocksriseonrocksinoverhangingmountains,untilthewearyeye,refusingitsnaturaloffice,yieldstothefancywhatitsfeeblepowerscanneverconquer。Cloudsimpendovertheirsummits,andthethoughtspiercethevastabyss。
Ah!Julia,thesearemomentsofawfulromance;
howthesoullongsfortheconsolationsoffriendship。Albanyisoneofthemostpicturesqueplacesintheworld;situatedmostdelightfullyonthebanksoftheHudson,whichheremeandersinsylvanbeautythroughmeadowsofever-greenanddesertislands。WordsarewantingtopaintthemelancholybeautiesoftheridetoSchenectady,throughgloomyforests,wherethesilverypinewavesinsolemngrandeurtothesighingsofEolus,whileBoreasthreatensinvaintheirfirm-rootedtrunks。Butthelakes!Ah!Julia——thelakes!ThemostbeautifulistheSeneca,namedafteraGrecianking。Thelimpidwater,ne’erruffledbytherudebreathingsofthewind,shineswithgoldentintstothehomageoftherisingsun,whilethelightbarkgallantlylashesthesurge,rockingbeforethepropellinggale,andforciblybringstotheappalledmindthefleetinghoursoftime。ButImustpause——
mypenrefusestodojusticetothesubject,andtheremainderwillfurnishushoursofconversationduringthetediousmomentsofthedelightfulvisittoPark-Place。YouspeakofAntonio——deargirl,withmethesecretishallowed。Heisyethere;hiswholethoughtsareofJulia——frommydescriptiononly,hehasdrawnyourpicture,whichisthemoststrikingintheworld;andnothingcantearthedearemblemfromhiskeeping。Hecalledhereyesterdayinhisphaeton,andinsistedonmyridingafewshortmilesinhiscompany:Iassented,forIknewitwastotalkofmyfriend。Healreadyfeelsyourworth,andhandedmethefollowingverses,whichhebeggedmetoofferasthesincerehomageofhisheart。Heintendsaccompanyingmyfatherandmetotownnextwinter——providedIgo。
"Oh!charmingimageofanartlessfair,"Whoseeyes,withlightning,firetheverysoul;
"Whosefaceportraysthemind,andebonhair"Givesgraceandharmonyuntothewhole。
"InvainIgazeentranc’d,invaindeplore"Theleaguesthatrollbetweenthemaidandme;
"LonelyIwanderonthedesertshore,"AndJulia’slovelyformcanneversee。
"Butfly,yefleetinghours,Ibegyefly,"AndbringthetimewhenAnnaseeksherfriend;
"Haste——Ohhaste,orEdwardsuremustdie。
"Arrive——andquicklyEdward’ssorrowsend。"
Iknowyouwillthinkwithme,thattheselinesarebeautiful,andmerelyafaintimageofhismanlyheart。Inthecourseofourride,duringwhichhedidnothingbutconverseonyourbeautyandmerit,hegavemeadetailednarrativeofhislife。Itwaslong,butIcandonolessthanfavouryouwithanabridgmentofit。EdwardStanleywasearlyleftanorphan:nofather’sguardianeyedirectedhisfootsteps;nomother’sfosteringcarecherishedhisinfancy。Hisestatewasprincely,andhisfamilynoble,beingawrongedbranchofanEnglishpotentate。Duringhisearlyyouthhehadtocontendagainstthemachinationsofamalignantuncle,whowouldhaverobbedhimofhislargepossessions,andlefthiminblackdespair,tohaveeatenthebreadofpenury。Hiscourageandunderstanding,however,conqueredthisdifficulty,andattheageoffourteenhewasquietlyadmittedtoanuniversity。Herehecontinuedpeacefullytowanderamidtheacademicbowers,untiltheblastofwarrunginhisears,andcalledhimtothefieldofhonour。Edwardwaseverforemostinthehourofdanger。Itwashisfatetomeettheenemyoften,andasoftendid"hepluckhonourfromthepale-
fac’dmoon。"HefoughtatChippewa——bledatthesideofthegallantLawrence-andnearlylaiddownhislifeontheensanguinedplainsofMarengo。Butitwouldbeafruitlesstasktoincludeallthescenesofhisdangerandhisglory。Thankstothekindfateswhichshieldthelivesofthebrave,heyetlivestoadoremyJulia。Thatyoumaybeashappyasyoudeserve,andhappierthanyourheart-
strickenfriend,istheconstantprayerofyourANNA。"
"P。S。Writemesoon,andmakemyverybestrespectstoyourexcellentaunt。ItwaslaughableenoughthatCharlesWestonshouldbeafraidofaflashoflightning。ImentionedittoAntonio,whocried,whilemanlyindignationcloudedhisbrow,’chillpenuryrepressedhisnoblerage,andfrozethegenialcurrentofthesoul。’However,saynothingtoCharlesaboutit,Ichargeyou。"
{Highlands=theHudsonHighlands,amountainousregioninPutnamandDutchessCounties,throughwhichtheHudsonRiverpassesinadeepandpicturesquegorge;Eolus=Godofthewinds;
Boreas=GodoftheNorthwind;Seneca=oneoftheFingerLakesincentralNewYorkState;Grecianking=boththeSenecasofantiquity,therhetorician(54BC-39AD)andhissonthephilosopher/statesman(4BC-65AD),were,ofcourse,Romans——inanycase,LakeSenecaisnamedaftertheSenecanationoftheIroquoisIndians;
Park-Place=alreadyin1816afashionablestreetinlowerManhattan;Chippewa=anAmericanarmydefeatedtheBritishatChippewa,inCanadanearNiagaraFalls,onJuly5,1814;Lawrence=CaptainJames("Don’tgiveuptheship!")Lawrence(1781-
1813)oftheU。S。FrigateChesapeakewaskilledonJune1,1813,ashisshipwascapturedbyH。M。S。
ShannonoutsideBostonharbor;Marengo=battlewonbyNapoleonagainsttheAustriansonJune14,1800——"Antonio’s"militarycareerwastrulyanamazingone!;pluckhonor……=slightlymisquotedfromShakespeare,"KingHenryIV,PartI,"ActI,Scene3,line202;chillpenury……=slightlymisquotedfromThomasGray,"ElegyinaCountryChurchyard"verse13}
Juliafairlygaspedforbreathasshereadthisepistle:herverysoulwasentrancedbythesong。
Whateverofseemingcontradictiontheremightbeintheletterofherfriend,heractivemindsoonreconciled。Shewasnowreallybeloved,andinamannermostgratefultoherheart——bythesolepowerofsympathyandcongenialfeelings。
WhatevermightbetheadorationofEdwardStanley,itwasmorethanequalledbytheadmirationofthisamiablegirl。Herverysoulseemedtohertobedevotedtohisworship;shethoughtofhimconstantly,andpicturedouthisvariousdistressesanddangers;sheweptathissufferings,andrejoicedinhisprosperity——andallthisintheshortspaceofonehour。Juliawasyetinthemidstofthistumultoffeeling,whenanotherletterwasplacedinherhands,andonopeningitshereadasfollows:
"DearJulia,"Ishouldhaverememberedmypromise,andcomeoutandspentaweekwithyou,hadnotoneofMary’slittleboysbeenquitesick;ofcourseIwenttoheruntilherecovered。ButifyouwillaskauntMargarettosendforme,Iwillcometomorrowwithgreatpleasure,forIamsureyoumustfinditsolitary,nowMissMillerhasleftyou。TellaunttosendbytheservantalistofsuchbooksasshewantsfromGoodrich’s,andIwillgetthemforher,orindeedanythingelsethatIcandoforheroryou。Givemylovetoaunt,andtellherthat,knowinghereyesarebeginningtofail,Ihaveworkedheracap,whichIshallbringwithme。
Mammadesiresherlovetoyouboth,andbelievemetobeaffectionatelyyourcousin,KATHERINEEMMERSON。"
Thiswaswellenough;butasitwasmerelyaletterofbusiness,oneperusal,andthatasomewhathastyone,wassufficient。Julialoveditswritermorethanshesuspectedherself,buttherewasnothinginhermannerorcharacterthatseemedcalculatedtoexcitestrongemotion。Inshort,allherexcellencesweresoevidentthatnothingwasleftdependentoninnateevidence;andourheroineseldomdweltwithpleasureonanycharacterthatdidnotgiveascopetoherimagination。Inwhateverlightsheviewedtheconductordispositionofhercousin,shewasmetbyobstinatefactsthatadmittedofnocavilnorofanyexaggeration。
Turningquickly,therefore,fromthisbarrencontemplationtoonebettersuitedtoherinclinations,Julia’sthoughtsresumedtheagreeablereveriefromwhichshehadbeenawakened。Shealsocouldpaint,andaftertwentytrialssheatlengthsketchedanoutlineofthefigureofamanthatansweredtoAnna’sdescription,andsatisfiedherowneye。Withoutbeingconsciousofthetheft,shehadcopiedfromaprintoftheApollo,andclotheditintheuniformwhichBonaparteissaidtohaveworn。Asmallscarwastracedonthecheekinsuchamannerthatalthoughitmightbefanciedastheravagesofabullet,itadmirablyansweredallthepurposesofadimple。Twoepaulettesgracedtheshouldersofthehero;andbeforethepicturewasdone,althoughitwassomewhatatvariancewithrepublicanprinciples,anaristocraticalstarglitteredonitsbreast。Hadhehisbirth-right,thoughtJulia,itwouldbethereinreality;andthisideaamplyjustifiedtheinnovation。Tothisimage,whichittookseveraldaystocomplete,certainverseswereaddressedalso,buttheywereneversubmittedtotheconfidenceofherfriend。Thewholesubjectwasnowbeginningtobetoosacredevenforsuchacommunication;andasthemindofJuliaeveryhourbecamemoreentrancedwithitsnewmaster,herdelicacyshrunkfromanexposureofherweakness:itwasgettingtooseriousforthelightcompositionsofepistolarycorrespondence。
Wefurnishacopyofthelines,astheymenotonlyindicativeofherfeelings,butmaygivethereadersomeideaofthepowersofherimagination。
"Belovedimageofagod-likemind,"InsacredprivacythypowerIfeel;
"Whatbrightperfectioninthyform’scombin’d!
"Howsuretoinjure,andhowkindtoheal。
"Thineeagleeyebedazzlese’enthebrain,"ThygallantbrowbespeaksthefrontofJove;
"Whilesmilesenchantme,tearsintorrentsrain,"Andeachseductivecharmimpelstolove。
"Ah!haplessmaid,whydaringdostthouprove"Thehiddendangersoftheurchin’sdart;
"Whyfixthineeyeonthis,thegodoflove,"Andheedlessthinktheetoretainthyheart!"
Thiswasbutoneoffiftysimilareffusions,inwhichJuliapouredforthhersoul。Theflamewaskeptalivebyfrequentlettersfromherfriend,inallofwhichshedweltwithraptureonthemomentoftheirre-union,andneverfailedtomentionAntonioinamannerthataddednewfueltothefirethatalreadybegantoconsumeJulia,and,insomedegree,toundermineherhealth,atleastshethoughtso。
InthemeantimeKatherineEmmersonpaidherpromisedvisittoherfriends,andourheroinewasinsomedegreedrawnfromhermusingsonloveandfriendship。Themannersofthisyoungladywereconspicuouslynatural;shehadaconfirmedhabitofcallingthingsbytheirrightnames,andneverdweltintheleastinsuperlatives。Heraffectionsseemedcenteredinthemembersofherownfamily;norhadsheevergivenJuliatheleastreasontobelieveshepreferredhertoherownsister,notwithstandingthatsisterwasmarried,andbeyondtheyearsofromance。YetJulialovedhercousin,andwashardlyevermelancholyoroutofspiritswheninhercompany。ThecheerfulandaffectionategoodhumourofKatherinewascatching,andallwerepleasedwithher,althoughbutfewdiscoveredthereason。CharlesWestonsoonforgothisdispleasure,andwiththeexceptionofJulia’shiddenuneasiness,thehousewasonequietsceneofpeacefulcontent。ThepartyweresittingattheirworkthedayafterthearrivalofKatherine,whenJuliathoughtitagoodopportunitytointimateherwishtohavethesocietyofherfriendduringtheensuingwinter。
"WhydidMr。Millergiveuphishouseintown,I
wonder?"saidJulia;"Iamsureitwasinconsideratetohisfamily。"
"Rathersay,mychild,thatitwasinconsiderationtohischildrenthathedidso,"observedMissEmmerson;"hisfinanceswouldnotbeartheexpense,andsufferhimtoprovideforhisfamilyafterhisdeath。"
"Iamsurealittlemoneymightbespentnow,toindulgehischildreninsociety,andtheywouldbesatisfiedwithlesshereafter,"continuedJulia。"Mr。
Millermustberich;andthink,aunt,hehassevengrownupdaughtersthathehasdraggedwithhimintothewilderness;onlythink,Katherine,howsolitarytheymustbe。"
"HadIsixsistersIcouldbesolitarynowhere,"saidKatherine,simply;"besides,IunderstandthatthecountrywhereMr。Millerresidesisbeautifulandpopulous。"
"Oh!therearemenandwomenenough,Idaresay,"
criedJulia;"andthefamilyislarge——eleveninthewhole;buttheymustfeelthewantoffriendsinsucharetiredplace。"
"What,withsixsisters!"saidKatherine,laughingandshakingherhead。
"Thereisadifferencebetweenasisterendafriend,youknow,"saidJulia,alittlesurprised。
"I——indeedIhaveyettolearnthat,"exclaimedtheother,inalittlemoreastonishment。
"Whyyoufeelaffectionforyoursistersfromnatureandhabit;butfriendshipisvoluntary,spontaneous,andamuchstrongerfeeling——friendshipisasentiment。"
"Andcannotonefeelthissentiment,asyoucallit,forasister?"askedKatherine,smiling。