"Does thee like to have thy hair smoothed, my daughter? because I should love to do it for thee."
I said, I should like it very much, if she would let me sit before her, as I used to sit before my dear mother. She brought me a cricket, and I sat down and laid my head in her lap, where, for nearly an hour she pa.s.sed her smooth hand lovingly across my forehead and hair. At the same time she discoursed so sweetly, that the afternoon pa.s.sed too quickly away. If her conversation had not been so interesting, I should certainly have been lulled to sleep.
She told me of her daughter Elizabeth, who is soon to be married to a worthy young man every way approved by her parents, and the meeting.
"Is she to marry a Quaker?" I asked.
"Yes. He is now of our persuasion; but he was not educated so. He became a Friend by "convincement." The wedding is to take place in P----." And she invited us to be present, kindly offering me a seat in her carriage, if Frank could not spare the time to accompany me.
Before she went, she said something which sent the blood to my cheeks, but which makes me so happy I must tell you about it. I was sitting with my head in her lap, looking up into her kind face, when she remarked, "Thee has a kind, loving husband."
"O yes! I cannot think of one thing in which I should wish him to be different." She smiled a moment, and then said, "I am pleased thou art so well suited. Would thee like to hear what he said of thee?"
"O, please tell me!" I said, before I thought, and then my cheeks burned. I hid my face and added, "If you think it would be proper, and he would like it."
She laughed merrily at my embarra.s.sment, as she said: "I presume, dear, he has told thee the same, many times. He said, "If I had searched the world through, I couldn"t have found one so exactly suited to my idea of a true wife." He concluded, being quite warmed with his subject, "She is a perfect little darling, and I thank G.o.d for her every day of my life.""
O, mother, you can"t tell how happy she made me. I couldn"t lift up my head for a long time, for fear she would see the blissful tears. She kissed me tenderly, and when she left, my mind was fully determined on one point,--if I ever am sick and need a nurse, I shall desire of all others a Friend, if I can get one anything like her.
I know, dear mother, you will be glad that your Cora has not so far, disappointed the expectations of her husband.
_Friday, July 31st._
Miss Proctor is here, spending a few days with me. I enjoy her society exceedingly. As we sat together in my room, I did not like to spend the time in writing. This afternoon Caesar has driven her in the carriage to Lee Hall, and Pauline accompanied them.
I sent Lucy a magnificent bouquet, which Caesar made me for the occasion, with a little note expressing my affection and sympathy.
I had a call from Mrs. Jones this morning. Frank sent her here to see Miss Proctor, who is making some clothes for the children.
She appears truly humble and devout. Thomas has not tasted a drop of spirit since he recovered, and is now beginning to work. She took Miss Proctor"s advice very kindly with regard to neatness and economy; that her husband might feel that he had a respectable and decent home. She said, "I have now more heart about him than I have had for many years, because he distrusts himself and looks above for help and strength."
_Monday, August 3d._
Lucy Lee sent by Miss Proctor a note requesting me, if able, to call upon her in the course of a few days; and if unable, begging me to ask the Doctor to call. He went early this afternoon, when she showed him a letter, she had received from Allen, and asked him what she should do.
The letter stated that Allen, feeling a strong desire to know the character of the man, rumor had affianced to his Lucy, had placed himself in the way of one of Joseph"s a.s.sociates, an old schoolmate, who had told him some astonishing facts. These, Frank only related to me in brief, and, indeed, would have wholly kept from me if possible.
When Mr. Arnold was first introduced to Lucy, it had not occurred to her brother to force him upon her acquaintance. But when that gentleman told him of his love for his beautiful sister, and solicited his cooperation and influence in winning her hand, he had willingly consented, out of hatred to Allen. While, however, Arnold"s pa.s.sion increased, her aversion became every day more evident, until, in a fit of exasperation, he had made a contract with her brother, that on the day she became his wife, he, as her husband, would make over to him one half of his property. This contract Allen"s informant was called upon to witness.
The reason of Joseph"s cruel determination to force Lucy to a marriage with his friend was now evident. Allen begged her to be firm in refusing to be sold in so vile a manner.
The Doctor requested to see Joseph, being determined to appeal to his affection as a brother, and his honor as a gentleman, if, indeed, he had any such feelings. But he was informed that he had gone with Mr. Arnold to the city. Frank then advised her to embrace this favorable opportunity to impart to her father her decided refusal to marry Mr.
Arnold. With this advice poor Lucy, with a shudder, promised to comply.
She is too fearful.
_Tuesday, August 4th._
I long to hear from Lee Hall. If I do not in a day or two, I will try to persuade Frank to allow me to call there.
To-day we received wedding cards from Dr. and Mrs. Clapp. I shall take an early opportunity to visit them. We also received a letter from mother, and can you believe it? Frank almost refused to let me read it.
I felt so hurt, I could only say, "Dear husband, would you like me to conceal anything from you?"
Without another word, he read it aloud. Emily remains exactly as she was when they left; neither better nor worse; she talks, walks, and acts like an automaton.
Mother fears insanity. She says this state cannot last much longer,--a reaction must take place. She closed with the kindest messages to me, and particular inquiries about my health.
"Frank," I said, when he had finished, "will you please to do me a great favor?"
"Certainly, my love, I shall be most happy to do so."
"Well then, please write to mother at once, and ask her to bring Emily home. I know she longs to do so; and I am almost well now." He hesitated what to reply. "You have promised," I said.
"Well, be it so," he answered, "but I am convinced that it is not safe for a man to promise so blindly."
"_Blindly!--a wife!_ oh, Frank! I would promise to do any thing in the world, you might ask. I have such entire confidence in you, I _know_ you would not ask me to do wrong."
He looked very, _very_ much pleased and drew me to his side. "Dear Cora, you have unconsciously given me the strongest proof of entire love; but I do not deserve it, though I shall endeavor not to forfeit so precious a token of your affection. This is the feeling, sweet wife, we should cultivate toward our heavenly Father. He knows what is best for us; and it is safe for us to confide in him. He sometimes leads us through dangerous paths. Let us trust Him, though clouds gather and break over our heads."
_Thursday, August 6th._
We were aroused from sleep last night by a thundering knock at the door.
Frank threw up the window, when a man called out, "Doctor, won"t you come as quick as you can to Squire Lee"s. He"s had a fit, and they think he is dying." Frank dressed and was gone in a moment. I could not sleep, but lay revolving in my mind Lucy"s situation. I thought how I should love to offer her a home, where Allen Mansfield could come to see her. I went through all the marriage ceremony, thinking what a lovely bride Lucy would make when the heavy cloud had pa.s.sed away, and her heart was free from sorrow or care.
Frank did not return until after I was seated at the breakfast-table. He looked very serious and only shook his head in answer to the question, whether the old gentleman was better. "He will probably never be better." I was shocked. "And Lucy?" I inquired.
"She has pa.s.sed from one fainting to another."
"Horrible! But how is she now?" I really shuddered at the thought that she might not be living.
"She is conscious, but very much exhausted." After prayers he took my hand as he sat by me on the sofa. "Cora," he asked, "can you control your feelings?"
I quickly answered that I could, and would.
"Squire Lee received a letter from his son which so enraged him against his poor innocent daughter, that he sent for a lawyer to his office and disinherited her unless she would consent to marry Arnold, and that too without delay. With this legal doc.u.ment in his hand he summoned her into his presence, where with horrible oaths, he told her what he had done.
"She begged him to allow her to take care of him in his old age. She would promise never to see her dear Allen; but she could not consent to marry Arnold. She had rather die. She threw herself at his feet, when he cursed her and spurned her from him with scorn. A heavy fall caused Mrs.
Burns to rush into the room. She had followed her dear young mistress to the door and had heard all that pa.s.sed.
"The sweet girl was insensible. The kind woman rang for Jacob the porter; and they lifted her gently, and carried her to her bed. Her father soon after was seen going to his room.
"About eleven o"clock, one of the servants was pa.s.sing through the apartment next that which he occupied, when she was startled by loud snoring. She stopped to listen, when finding it continue, she hastily called the housekeeper, and together they entered the room. The Squire lay in what seemed to them a heavy slumber; but they could not arouse him. The sound was like the snorting of a brute, more than like the breathing of a human being.
"By this time they were thoroughly frightened, and sent in haste for the Doctor."