[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
shook her head as she replied--
It is not romance, but truth that bids me speak. Oh! how much have I lived
within an hour! Miss Wharton, I was born under the burning sun of Georgia, and
my feelings seem to have imbibed its warmth--I have existed for passion only.
Say not so--say not so, I implore you, cried the agitated brother; think
how devoted has been your love to our aged father--how disinterested, how
tender your affection for me.
Yes, said Isabella, a smile of mild pleasure beaming on her countenance;
that is a reflection which may be taken to the very grave.
Neither Frances, nor her brother, interrupted her meditations, which
continued for several minutes; when, suddenly recollecting herself, she
continued--
I remain selfish even to the last; with me, Miss Wharton, America and her
liberties was my earliest passion, and-- again she paused, and Frances
thought it was the struggle of death that followed; but reviving, she
proceeded with a flush on her face that exceeded the bloom of health, Why
should I hesitate on the brink of the grave! Dunwoodie was my next and my
last. But, burying her face in her hands, it was a love that was unsought.
Page 60
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Isabella! exclaimed her brother, springing from the bed, and pacing the
floor in disorder.
See how dependent we become under the dominion of worldly pride, said the
dying maiden; it is painful to George to learn that one he loves, had not
feelings superior to her nature and education.
Say no more, whispered Frances; you distress us both--say no more, I
entreat you.
In justice to Dunwoodie I must speak; and for the same reason, my brother,
you must listen. In no act or work has Dunwoodie ever induced me to believe,
he wished me more than a friend-- nay--latterly, I have had the burning shame
of thinking that he avoided my presence.
Would he dare! said Singleton fiercely.
Peace, my brother, and listen, continued Isabella, rousing with an effort
that was final; here is the innocent, the justifiable cause. We are both
motherless--but that aunt--that mild, plain hearted, observing aunt, has given
you the victory. Oh! how much she loses, who loses a female guardian to her
youth. I have exhibited those feelings which you have been taught to repress.
After this, can I wish to live!
Isabella! my poor Isabella! you wander in your mind.
But one word more--for I feel that blood which ever flowed too swift,
rushing where nature never intended it to go. Woman must be sought, to be
prized--her life is one of concealed emotions; blessed are they whose early
impressions make the task free from hypocrisy, for such only can be happy with
men like--like--Dunwoodie; her voice failed and she sunk back on her pillow
in silence. The cry of Singleton brought the rest of the party to her bed
side, but death was already upon her countenance; her remaining strength just
sufficed to reach the hand of George, and pressing it to her bosom for a
moment, she relinquished her grasp, and, with a slight convulsion, expired.
Frances Wharton had thought that fate had done its worst, in endangering the
life of her brother, and destroying the reason of her sister, but the relief
that was conveyed by the dying declaration of Isabella, taught her that
another sorrow had aided in loading her heart with grief. She saw the whole
truth at a glance; nor was the manly delicacy of Dunwoodie s forbearance lost
upon her--every thing tended to raise him in her estimation; and for mourning
that duty and pride had induced her to strive to think less of him, she was
compelled to substitute regret that her own act had driven him from her in
sorrow, if not in desperation. It is not the nature of youth, however, to
despair, and Frances knew a secret joy in the midst of their distress, that
gave a new spring to her existence.
The sun broke forth, on the morning that succeeded this night of desolation,
in unclouded lustre, and seemed to mock the petty sorrows of those who
received his rays. Lawton had early ordered his steed, and was ready to mount
as the first burst of golden light broke over the hills. His orders were
already given, and the trooper threw his leg across the saddle in silence;
and, casting a glance of fierce chagrin at the narrow space that had favoured
the flight of the Skinner, he gave Roanoke the rein and moved slowly towards
the valley.
The stillness of death pervaded the road, nor was there a single vestige of
Page 61
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
the scenes of the night to tarnish the loveliness of a glorious morn. Struck
with the contrast between man and nature, the fearless trooper rode by each
pass of danger, regardless of what might happen, nor roused himself from his
musings, until the noble charger, proudly snuffing the morning air, greeted
his companions, as they stood patiently by the sides of their masters, who
composed the guard under sergeant Hollister.
Here, indeed, was sad evidence to be seen of the midnight fray, but the
trooper glanced his eye over it with the coolness of a veteran, and checked
his horse as he gained the spot selected by the cautious orderly, and slightly
returning his salute, inquired---
Have you seen any thing?
Nothing, sir, that we dare charge upon, returned Hollister, with a little
solemnity; but we mounted once at the report of distant fire arms.
Tis well, said Lawton, gloomily. Ah! Hollister, I would give the animal
I ride, to have had your single arm between the wretch who drew that triger
and these useless rocks, which overhang every bit of ground, as if they
grudged pasture to a single hoof.
The dragoons exchanged looks of surprise, and wondered what could have
occurred to tempt their leader to offer such a bribe.
Under the light of day, and charging man to man, tis but little I fear,
said the sergeant, with proud resolution; but I can t say that I m overfond
of fighting with them that neither steel nor lead can bring down.
What mean you, silly fellow? cried Lawton, frowning in disdain; none live
who can withstand either.
If there was life, it would be easy to take it, returned the other; but
blows and powder cannot injure him that has already been in the grave. I like
not the dark object that has been hovering in the skirt of the wood, since the
first dawn of day; and twice during the night the same was seen moving across
the fire-light--no doubt with evil intent.
Ha! said the trooper, is it yon ball of black at the foot of the
rock-maple, that you mean? By heaven! it moves.
Yes, and without mortal motion, said the sergeant, regarding it with awful
reverence; it glides along, but no feet have been seen by any who watch
here.
Had it wings, cried Lawton, it is mine; stand fast, until I join. The
words were hardly uttered, before Roanoke was flying across the plain, and
apparently verifying the boast of his master.
Those cursed rocks! ejaculated the trooper, as he saw the object of his
pursuit approaching the hill-side; but either from want of practice, or from
terror, it passed the obvious shelter they offered, and fled into the open
plain.
I have you, man or devil! shouted Lawton, whirling his sabre from its
scabbard. Halt, and take quarter.
His proposition was apparently acceded to, for at the sound of his powerful
voice, the figure sunk upon the ground, exhibiting a shapeless ball of black,
without life or motion.
Page 62
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
What have we here? cried Lawton, drawing up by its side; a gala suit of
the good maiden, Jeanette Peyton, wandering around its birth-place, or
searching in vain for its discomfited mistress? He leaned forward in his
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]