Loretto, or, The choice
page: 0 (TitlePage) [View Page 0 (TitlePage) ]-OR, THE CHOICE. A STORY, IN FOUR PARTS. BY GEORGE H. MLES, Esq., First stereotype edition-revised and enlarged by the Author. BALTIMORE: PUBLISHED BY HEIIAN & O'BRIEN, No. 82 BALTIMORE S8TREET. SO D oBY BOOKS ELI E nS GENERALLY. 1851. page: 0[View Page 0] Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year eighteen hundred and fifty, by HEDIAN & O'BRIEN, in the Clerk's office of the District Court of the State of Maryland. NEAR EMMTTSBURG, MD., THS LITTLE VOLUME IS INSCRIBED, IN GRATITUDE AND LOVE, BY THE AUTHOR. page: 0[View Page 0] / PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. Though ', Loretto" was written for a few who might recognize the scenes and, perhaps, the characters, yet a second edition is demanded. It is now enlarged by the insertion of some pages which, in' the first hurried publication, were omitted. f PREFATORY LETTER. REV. JOHN MCCAFFRrEY, D. D. MMy Dear Sir,-You live on classic ground, and may recollect a favorite walk of yours to a spot where two bee-martins were once attentive listeners to an unpublished poem: but we knew not,-nor did the birds-that we were then on the site of Loretto. The following story has been, already, so severely handled, that I am disposed to claim your protection. I have heard all sorts of hard things-that the book has no object in view-that Lel is a failure, Agnes an abstraction, Melville a flat, the Colonel intolerable, and!Mr. Almy incomprehensible. I have heard it said that it was full of sneaking little allusions, which only appeared on a second reading-that it was rather a treatise on music, than a transcript of Catholic life-that there were no good solid argu- ments in it, extracted from standard theological works, and adroitly diluted with courtesy and sweetened with sentiment, to suit a very fastidious public. I have heard it said that Gabriel was an awkward jumble of page: vi[View Page vi] Vi PREFATORY LETTER. Rolfe and Mignon, and that the Wanderer was intro- duced merely to supply the chiaro seuro, without giving the least insight into the character of Agnes. But I have heard some other things, which con- soled me for this; and which permit me to hope that the weight of your name will outweigh its faults. Baltimore, May 27th, 1851. "ORETTTO: OR, THE CHOICE. PART FIRST. CHAPTER I. THERE once was-where many may still re- member-a neat farm house, not large, but taste- fully built, with dormer windows projecting from the high, sharp roof and a double portico running around' it. It was a venerable house, rather emblematic of comfort than affluence, beautifully situated on the cleared slope of a well-wooded hill. In winter, it was somewhat dreary to those who passed and knew not the fireside joys within; but in summer, the birds and the flowers, the vines and- honeysuckles peopled with busy bees and festooning the porches, the rich herbage rolling over the fer- tile plain, until changing color in the distance, it grew blue as the vault it seemed to kiss, the page: 8-9[View Page 8-9] 8 LORETTO: elms, the oaks and the maples, all united to make Loretto-for so it was called--a little Eden. A clear, quick trout-stream ran through the lawn, to the north, giving that fine finish to the laidscape, which running water only can im- part. In the misty spring mornings at break of day, you could always see looming through the fog along this stream, an elderly man with a broad felt hat drawn over his cheeks to keep off the flies, dressed in a close-bodied grey coat and breeches of permanent pepper and salt. He wastall and portly, and though not abso- lutely lame, there was a decided. halt in his gait, injuring its grace, perhaps, but sparing its dig- nity. There he could always be found during the choicest hours of the legitimate season, with his rod fast in hand and all his tackle around him, fishing away with so much temper and so little skill, that rare indeed was it when the proprietor of Loretto breakfasted on trout of his own catching. But the Colonel never angled alone: in spite of old Isaac, he was far too wise for that. A bright faced mulatto boy named Charley was his inseparable companion in all these matinal ex- fi OR, THE CHOICE. cursions. From his own intuitive sagacity or internal organization, and from careful study of his master's mistakes, Charley had become an expert in the art in which his preceptor re- mained a bungler. Whilst the Colonel bustled about to the mortal terror of every fish within twenty yards of his fly, Charley, breathless in the bushes, patiently cast his wriggling earth- worm and drew out with a'quiet smile the unsus- pecting victims that dreaded the more tempting bait. The Colonel was never jealous. So com- pletely had he merged Charley's individuality in his own, that the idea of Charley's having caught a fish never entered into his specu- lations-it was perfectly ridiculous. Why Charley belonged to him quite as much as his own hair line-and what mattered it whether 'he used his tapering Ehglish tube, or his less elastic black boy as .a rod-for Charley was but a rod in the case-all the difference being that one was of foreign, the other of native origin. Over and over agaii, when not a trout had twirled his reel, and when a dozen noble prisoners floundered in the tin pan at the little fellow's heels, would the Colonel, eyeing the page: 10-11[View Page 10-11] 10 LORETTO:. speckled beauties as their clear scales glittered in the' sun, exclaim--"a h, you little rogues, you could not escape me!"-And so firmly was the Colonel persuaded of this, that to all the juries in the county he would have sworn that he had caught those fish. This was one of the Colonel's eccentricities-failing would be too hard a name for his innocent and confirmed delusion: and so fervently did he believe it, that Charley himself was to the full as certain of the proposition as his mr ster, and would have resented any insinuation of the truth as a most unfounded calumny. Through all the country round the proprietor of Loretto was a favorite: men, women and children celebrated the purity and benevolence of his character, and, as is frequently done, magnified even his peculiarities into virtues. At wedding, christening and wake he was the principal man in all the riighborhood; in all matters of etiquette, an oracle. If any doubt- ful point of precedence occurred, if any knotty question of honor arose, if any nice shade of interest was to be decided, on which the doubt- ful light of the law was unsolicited,-the Colo- nel was sure to be invoked; and. he gave his responses forth with so much sagacity, sin- cerity and pointed brevity, that his reputation rose with every decision and he stood arbitra- torpar excellence for the county. Even his title, the Colonel, was a mark rather of love and honor than of any military service past or present. True it was that in the late war he had been Captain of a company and that his knee had been stiffened by an enemy's ball,- but this had happened long ago, and his gal- lantry, though noticed in the prints of the day, was all unchronicled in history. The Colonel was a bachelor-but he did not live alone: his sister Mary divided with him the empire of Loretto. Mrs, Cleveland was under fifty-some ten years younger than her brother. She was a shade over the medium size of woman--rather slightly made, and her shoulders curved a little forward by age or care. Her hair, which she wore drawn straight from her forehead behind her ear, was in blended lines of black and white; her eye was large, calm and clear,-the expression of her face habitually sad and reserved. There were lines of thought and determination about her mouth, but smoothed and softened as if the hand of page: 12-13[View Page 12-13] Ii 12 O LORETTO: resignation had touched them. She had the true mother-look in which infant innocence first reposes, and which manly virtue most re- veres. Her brother loved her more than his life, and well was his love return'ed. She knew how to ward off his occasional fits of petulence and how to meet them, when, in spite of her, they came in momentary gustiness. Loretto was a happy house, anid especially happy when the third and last of the family left the convent school, whose small spire just rose above the neighboring woods,-when she left the good sisters and young friends with whom her youth had gone by like a sweet, sweet dream, to join her own family circle and spend the year-the whole year-winter and summer, aye, life itself, so it seemed, at Loretto. ' Agnes Cleveland had just completed her studies at the convent,--she had gone through the prescribed course brilliantly and well,-she had staid even a year beyond the required time-and now there was nothing more to be learned, nothing more to be gained by remain- ing. At least, so thought the world and the Colonel. She left school in the bright month of July with the blessing of all who knew her, with her tears falling fast on the load of honors she held with difficulty in both arms. She had always left before at the same season to spend the summer at home: but then it was different,- then it was only for the short vacation-then the future was to be but a repetition of the past, filled with the same well-known faces, en- deared by the same innocent pastimes, hal- lowed by the same tranquil pursuits, and sanc- tified by the same long, sweet prayers-by Mass in the morning, by Angelus at noon, by Litany at night. At first she did not feel the change so keenly. It was impossible to realize that there was no return to the convent-that her desk was to have-another occupant, her flower bed another mistress; but when the summer melted into gorgeous autumn and she still remained at Loretto, when she felt that her heart was to be changed before she could forget the girl and become a woman, her tears were less frequent indeed, but far more painful. She endeavored to conceal her sadness from- her mother and uncle, but itwas too plain. It puzzled and annoyed the Colonel--she had always been so cheerful, so free from all the 2 page: 14-15[View Page 14-15] " LORETTO: melancholy of thought, though thoughtful too He never inquired the cause, but his conjec. tures were multitudinous and incessant. It was a bright winter afternoon--the snow was lying deep and well beaten over the road just hardening after the mid-day thaw, as the sun went down without a cloud about him Agnes had returned with her mother from ves. pers at the convent chapel. They were sitting silently in the twilight before the generous wood fire that kept the parlor bright and warm The Colonel had gone to take an airing on horseback, as he phrased it, which, in other words, was a visit of benediction to the poor For many minutes they sat, each steadily gaz- ing into the fire, which sparkled and crackled as though it loved and welcomed them. "Agnes," said Mrs. Cleveland at last,withoul raising her eyes, "you must be unhappy." There was a long pause, and the fire burned loudly and the sigh of the wind was plainlj heard from without. "Are you not?" asked the mother; for the first time hazarding a look at her daughter. Agnes was leaning back in her chair; her head thrown forward almost on her breast; hei i OR, THE CHOICE. hands clasped and resting between her knees, her tears glancing down her cheeks. "Are you not?" repeated Mrs. Cleveland, touching her straightened arms. The touch was electric. Without a word, the young girl rose and cast herself on her mother's bosom. "I am! I am I' she sobbed again and again. "Oh, mother!" she said, "I love you, and yet I wish to leate you--I must leave you!" she added with more energy, kissing her parent's pale forehead as she spoke. "Leave me for what, Agnes?" said Mrs. Cleveland, smoothing her daughter's hair, which had fallen loose in her agitation. "For the convent!" "Louder and louder burned the fire, and louder was the sigh of the wind without. Mrs. Cleveland was not unprepared for this; she had long since read her daughter's heart. The habitual half-smile of quiet resignation played around her lips. Agnes was surprised at her calmness. "And you would really leave me then, my child?" resumed the mother; tenderly pressing the small hand she had taken in hers. page: 16-17[View Page 16-17] 16 LORETTO: "Leave you for God alone!" said Agnes; "for God alone, mother. Do not think me in- sensible to all your goodness ; do not doubt my love-you cannot, you do not doubt it! I have been unhappy because dreaded your opposi- tion, and knew the trial I was preparing for you; unhappy, because I was resisting an im- pulse which I recognized as from heaven, and which, in spite of every human obstacle I must obey!" Mrs. Cleveland was still unmoved, or if there was any change, it was only in her clear eye, in which the unshed tear hung and trembled; only in the slight movement of her lips, play- ing with a happier smile. "Have you spoken to your confessor?" she asked. "I have." "And-." "He cautioned me against obeying an im- pulse which might only be transient; advising me to consider it more maturely." "And I, my daughter, repeat his advice. Think not of me in your decision, but of your own immortal soul, of Him who will bne day judge it, and of your spotless Mother, who sits in heaven exalted above the angels. Please i OR, THE CHOICE. her, and you will not fail to please me. You are young, and a few months in society may undermine your purpose. But, my own Agnes, you must be happy now-you have not pained me, nor can you ever pain me, my child, so long as you hold the call of God your first duty." "Yes, mother, I will be happy-it will not cost an effort." "God bless you!" Mrs. Cleveland held her daughter closer to her heart, and Colonel Clev- erton entered the room. "A quarrel and a reconciliation, I take it, ladies," he said, as he threw an enormous over- coat into a 'corner and took off his spurs. "Whew! this hill's as cold as an iceberg, and would freeze a polar bear, but for a friend like this," and he thrust both hands into the cheer- ful blaze that rose joyously to hail his coming. But though apparently unobservant, the Colonel had his eyes about him, and saw that he was just in at the close of a scene. At tea he was struck with the altered manner of his niece. Her eyes would swim at times, but there was a world of joy in her face-of calm, deep, holy joy-joy that made him wonder. After the cloth was removed, she lit his cigar 2* page: 18-19[View Page 18-19] 18 L O R LORETTO: with a smile such as he had not seen for many a day. She played backgammon with him until after nine, and in the excitement of the game, her eyes glittered, her laugh rang, and she shook her hair from her temples as joyously as when he held her on his knee and gave her sweet things to win her love. And when the old mahogany clock struck ten, and she presented on one knee a brimming mug of brown October, "Agnes," said he, as the creaming ale touched his mouth, " thank God! you are yourself again." Before the tankard descended, Agnes had left the room. "Mary," began the old man, looking stead- fastly at his sister. "is that young girl in love with any one but me?" "Not that I am aware of." "You have had a conversation with her," he continued with the air of one who defies con- tradiction. "I have." "And you discovered the secret of her unhap- piness?" "Yes!" "May I know it?"-this almost amounted to a challenge. OR, THE CHOICE. "Yes, brother, you had better know it at once. Agnes wishes to return to the convent." The Colonel shuddered. "To spend another year there?" "To spend her life there!" "As a nun?" Yes!" (' Good God!" thundered the Colonel, bound- ing from his chair and knocking his stick with terrible emphasis against the floor. "Agnes a nun! And you permit it, sister!"The old man paced rapidly up and down the room, whilst the perspiration gathered in large drops on his fore- head. "You permit it! and sit there as con- tentedly as if she were going to a ball-and speak of it calmly-speak of it to me calNty- as if I had no heart-as if I could see the immo- lation of one of God's fairest creatures without a tear. Why it would make me weep to chain up one of my hounds for life--but this young flower, this Agnes-Madam, you are stone!" Mrs. Cleveland was silent. "Oh, I did not think it of her! muttered the Colonel, in vain attempting to arrest hs tears, "I did not think it of her. To leave her old uncle-I who have loved her-loved her as age page: 20-21[View Page 20-21] 20 LORETTO: alone can love youth-I who have made myself a boy for her these fifteen years-to leave her old uncle-oh, this is bad enough! But to leave her mother--- He stopped short and turned upon his sister with a flashing eye and heaving breast: ' Mary-is she not your child-your own, your only child-bone of your bone, flesh of your flesh-has she not your own image stamped upon her face-are you not a mother-and can you calmly see her cut down in her youth, her hopes and beauty blasted--can you calmly see her walking a willing fanatic into a dreary, lonely dungeon? Tell me, sister, can you see the axe descending on her neck, and smile like an Indian executioner? Tell me!-there is the same blood in our veins!"--- - "But not the same faith in our hearts." "And you consent then?" stammered the Colonel, pale with passion. "I do, brother, and hear me. There's nothing under heaven so dear to me as Agnes. I lived for her when I would have died without her. I have nothing else on earth to:love, save you, brother-save you, my best and first friend! But, if I find that I have nursed her for God and not for man-for the cloister and not for the cold, indecent, hollow-hearted ball-room,-- I tell you, brother, there's not a mother living, be she slave or be she queen, who will be as proud, as happy, as thankful as I." "Ah! you are leagued to kill me. Strike. I can bear no more!"He sank back in his chair. "Did woman ever marry with a fairer chance of happiness than I?" exclaimed Mrs. -Cleve- land, rising to her full height; whilst he face glowed. "Oh! I looked forward to a future such as few can fancy ;-and when I thought it in my reach, it turned to burning sand." "There are few such villains as-" "Hush! Man is too corrupt to be judged by his fellows. We need a more merciful tribunal," and she pointed above. The Coldhel paused a moment, then changed his tactics. "But this young creature, scarcely twenty, knows not her own mind; and I know of nothing more dangerous, more treacherous, more outrageously abominable, than to wrest this momentary inclination to her own destruction, before she has time- " , "She shall have time!"- "How long?" "One year." page: 22-23[View Page 22-23] 22 LORETTO: CHAPTER II. "ONE year!" muttered the Colonel to him- self, after Mrs. Cleveland had retired, drawing his capacious arm-chair closer to the fire as he spoke. His tears had dried, his face had cleared up, and presently his eye began to twinkle with a sly expression, as if some bright idea had suddenly crossed his mind. "One year, ch?" he repeated audibly, smooth- ing his thin white hair: then, emptying the mug of ale mechanically, he threw his feet heavily upon the fender, rubbed his hands until they tingled, and chuckled--"I have it! I have it!" The Colonel rose with that confident slow- ness with which a gentleman of the old school leaves the table, in the inspiration of the mo- ment, to bring forth with his own hand his best bottle for his best friend. He opened the front door cautiously and stepped tiptoe on the por- tico. He paused a moment; it was a clear winter night, the frost had polished the stars and their rays surrounded them like long eye- lashes of gold. The cold wind refreshed him, and he drank it in like water. s kL "Oh! my dear little pet," he thought, "they shall never coop you up here from the sight of those blessed fields among which you will ramble hereafter?" Then for the first time, feeling that it was freezing hard, he crept on-tiptoe to the door of a small room opening on the, porch. "Charley!" he whispered shrilly through the keyhole. In an instant came the answer, "Sir!" A turn, a sigh, a shake-the door was unbolted, and the little fellow's curly head appeared. "Charley! dress warm-saddle Fleetly for yourself, and come to the parlor. Do it quietly." The sagacious boy nodded, and the Colonel hobbled back. He took his immense writing desk from its time-honored green bag, unlocked it carefully, and selecting a quill, mended a pen with infinite pains. Charley re-appeared before the old gentleman had finished writing, and without saying a word, stood by the door. "Get closer tq the fire, my boy-closer-- warm up well," ejaculated the Colonel, looking to see that his commands were obeyed. "' There!" he continued, describing a flourish after his name, folded the letter and sealed it. page: 24-25[View Page 24-25] 24 LORETTO: "Are you warm Charley?" "Yes, sir." "Where's your great coat-eh? and com- fort-eh? Get them, you inconsiderate rascal! Do you think I want to freeze yqu on Fleetly's back, to be a Christmas snow-man for the chil- dren of the neighborhood?" Charley retired, and the Colonel directed the letter. "Now, you're all right-no, stop! your ear's out," and he fixed the comfort carefully, even tenderly, around tke boy's neck and head. "Take this letter to the post office, it must go at five by the morning mail. Be sure you drop it into the box and not the gutter, and mind you, Charley--not a word!" With a bow and a smile the trusty messenger departed. When he had gone, the Colonel again ensconced himself in his chair, and con- trary to custom, lit another cigar and replenished his mug. But he only drank half. He sat there until Charley returned after performing his task in half an hour. "Well-timed, my boy! Is the letter in?" A nod. "The horse attended to?" Another nod. "Keep close to the fire then, and drink this: drink, I say! it won't hurt you," said the Colonel, slapping him on the back. In a few minutes more they were both abed; but long after Charley was snoring, the Colonel kept tossing on his pillow, repeating- "My sister, we are playing a long game of chess, and I have just made the first move!" What the move was will soon appear. If any are interested in the game, let them follow: if placing the pieces has not been tedi- ous, the moves perchance may please, or, what is more, instruct. It may be supposed that the Colonel was a Protestant; he was not, however. He was a' Catholic, at least he had been a Catholic; but that was long ago, when his mother lived. By, neglecting his religious duties for forty years, he had imbibed all the prejudices of society, all the errors of humanitarianism-all the suggestions -of indifferentism; in short, he was utterly de- catholicized, and nothing more nor less than a thorough bred man of the world--living for time and not for eternity, loving his neighbor as the world understands it, but neglecting his God. page: 26-27[View Page 26-27] 26 La'RETTO; Agnes was up with the sun and at mass. Her heart bounded gladly and fervently as she walked home with the bloom of health, youth and piety on her cheeks. Summer never seemed fairer than that winter morning, and Ihe sun on the snow-clad hill tops told of brightness beyond its own, brightness beyond the grave. No birds were singing, but melody was all around her- no flowers were blowing, but the air was frag- 'rance, for her God was in her bosom, and her mother leaned on her arm. Breakfast and the Colonel were waiting for them at Loretto. The Colonel was a scrupu- lous observer of all the habits which bachelor- ship invents and cherishes. One of these, was to kiss his niece before coffee every morning, when he had the chance. But this time his embrace was more affectionate than it had ever been, and Agnes observed it. Christmas was drawing near. Confectioners' windows in the village were already bespangled with visions, that riveted the eyes and mois- tened-the mouths of troops of eager boys, who knew that the harvest of the year--the annual feast was coming. Agnes too- looked forward to it as a season of joy unbounded; for her gift OR, THE CHOICE. was to be the divine child himself who sancti- fied the day. Three days after the Colonel had written, an answer came. It was brief and satisfactory: "My Dear old Uncle, "Expect this evening yours, "ELLEN ALM Y." "Bless her bright young soul!" exclaimed the Colonel, pressing the paper to his heart. "Lel's the queen that will win this game!" That day was the longest the Colonel had ever spent: it seemed to him as though evening would never come. He examined his tackle, his guns, his razors; he whistled, he sang, read, wrote, walked, rode; but do what he would, the hours were ages. By a strong effort, he man- aged to conceal his anxiety from his sister and niece; still they might have noticed that he started at the sound of every sleigh-bell, and that he took a particular pleasure in standing at the window. He was singularly musical too, and there was scarce one ballad of the olden time from which the Colonel did not borrow a phrase in the course of the day. Evening came at last, and with it, Ellen. page: 28-29[View Page 28-29] 28 LOR ETTO: "Why, there's a sleigh at our gate," ex- claimed Agnes, rising and going to the window. "Who can it be?" said the Colonel, opening the door. Agnes followed him out on the porch. "Who- are they, Aggie-your eyes are better than mine?" "Strangers to me, a lady and gentleman." Presently they heard a sweet, clear voice- "Yes this is the place I' remember it now. Help me out, Mr. Melville; these country winds have quite starched my limbs, and I'm stiff as your cravat." - ".My Lel, I do verily believe!" cried the Colonel, rushing to meet her, as she leaped lightly from the sleigh. "Lel, Lel, is not this you?" "All that's left of me, uncle, and this is my very good friend Mr. George Melville, a young gentleman who can catch a trout, shoot a par- tridge, play all fours, and sing divinely. Take care how you hug me, uncle, I'm cold as an icicle, you'll break my bones, wait tili I get warm," and disengaging herself, she ran into the parlor and threw herself on her knees before the fire Mrs. Cleveland rose in amazement at this ab- rupt entry, and Ellen, enjoying her surprise, took off her bonnet, threw back her long golden curls, and still kneeling and laughing, s id: "Now, aunt Mary, take a good long look- don't you know me?" "Ellen Almy!" exclaimed Mrs. Cleveland, embracing her, as the Colonelentered, followed by Agnes and GeorgV Melville. Without a word, Ellen flew towards Agnes, and seizing her by the hand, ledreras close to the lamp on the table as she could get. There she stood, eyeing her from head to foot, so comi- cally, that Agnes could not keep from smiling. "So this is my little cousin with whom I played, and quarreled and made up ten years ago! Do you remember me, Agnes?"And the expression of her bright face suddenly changed, her eyes filled with tears, and she threw her arms around her cousin's neck. "They told me," she continued, raising her head from her friend's shoulder, " that you had grown up to be a sweet creature, with black -hair, black eyes, rosy cheeks and cherry lips- but I little expected to find such an absolute beauty." 3* page: 30-31[View Page 30-31] "Come, Ellen, no flattery here," interposed Mrs. Cleveland. Ellen, with a look of mock gravity and displeasure, walked slowly up to her aunt, and looking reproachfully into her eyes, replied: "Madam, you do me great injustice: in the hrst place, my name is Le], not Ellen--the world is full of Ellens, but there's only one Le], isn't there, uncle? Secondly, though my faults are as innumerable as your virtues, I have notto answer for' the sin of saying what I do not think." "But what we think is often flattery," re- plied her aunt. "Then, to please you, I'll stop saying what I think," and laughing more merrily than ever, she sprang upon the Colonel, saying, "Now that I am thawed, you may hug me as much, as you please;" and the old gentleman took her at her word. There was silence for a moment-Ellen, of course, was the first to break it,- "My goodness, Mr. Melville, excuse me; but indeed I forgot all about you; have you been in the room all this time? Permit me, sir-Ah, my friend, Mr. Melville-sweet name, D OR, THE CHOICE. ol isn't it? Mr. Melville, my cousin, Miss Agnes Cleveland, just from school, as that blush de- monstrates. I wish I could blush!" Even Mrs. Cleveland laughed at this-and before she had ceased, Charley appeared, and with his best bow announced supper. Ellen sat next to Agnes. "Oh, Aggie," she said, ' I feel so happy! Do you remember the long walk we took one first of May-the day I fell in the creek and scared off uncle's trout for a week? Do you remember the talk we had, whilst I sat on the grass drying off in the sun?" A smile played over Agnes's face as she answered; "I have not forgotten anything, Ellen-"' "Lel! I tell you!" cried her cousin. "You know we were talking. about the future that morning, and you said you'd marry a soldier- and H" ' Determined to have a circus rider." "That his neck might be broken as speedily as possible," suggested Melville. Lel eyed him meaningly across the table, and -said "Exactly! Aunt Mary, this is the same milk-toast you used to give us-where's the honey?" page: 32-33[View Page 32-33] 32 LORETTO: Charley brought it. When the brief meal was over, Agnes and her cousin, arm in arm, led the way to the par- lor. "Put your hand on the table, Ag-there yours is larger than mine, but its whiter too. Now, take off your shoe--what! your foot smaller than mine! I don't believe it. Let's see-mercy! Were you ever in Chjna?" "Flattering again?" said Mrs. Cleveland. "By no means," answered Ellen, "I was alluding to her teeth. ' In China none hold women sweet, Unless their snags are black as jet.' as old Prior says;" and she pointed (Agnes was laughing) to the ivory gleaming between her lips. "Lel," said the Colonel, from his arm-chair, "under what impulse or by what accident did you blunder on us, after a meditated, deliberate, and most unpardonable absence of nearly ten years?" "After excusing myself from the accusation, I'll answer the rest of the question. I was eight years old when I left here; five years were lost at boarding-school; two more wasted at a / OR, THE CHOICE. 33 preparatory academy for fashionable life; of course you could not expect me to interrupt my education merely to see you. Father wouldn't listen to it. Then, I was packed off to Europe for two years, to obtain a fine classical finish- and on my return, there were so many enter- tainments, that for two seasons I had not a moment to spare my ielatives and friends, without doing injustice to my multitudinous admirers. Isn't it so, Mr. Melville?" Melville drew a long breath, and answered " Yes." "Agnes, that was meant for a sigh," resumed the lively girl; "he is incorrigibly romantic. Well, uncle, one morning I found myself not fifty miles from here, on a wedding frolic-and as the sleighing was good, it struck me to com- fort your old eyes by my presence, especially as there is a chance. of the snow's melting and a ride back in the mud. Where shall we go to- night, Aggie?"' "To bed, I suppose," said Agnes, after see- ing the drift of the question. "Do you go to bed every night, Agnes?" u"Yes." i "But, before that? Oh, dear! Is there page: 34-35[View Page 34-35] 34 LORETTO: nothing to be seen about here? no sights-no rustic soirees-no qpera? How do you manage to exist between nine and twelve?" "By talking and sleeping." "No sleeping now," observed Melville sotto. voce to the Colonel.1 "A piano, as I live," went on Lel, disregard- ing the allusion to her loquacity, " strike a note i and I'm dumb. Come, Agnes, let me see how . you've been taught." Agnes at once consented and played a theme with variations by Herz. Lel was silent, ac- cording to promise; but hardly had the last note sounded, than she broke forth: "Cousin, do you call that playing? Listen to me!" She sat down to the instrument, and after a short prelude, began an adagio of Beetho- ven's. During the first bar, her face changed: as she wenton her eye seemed to catch the in- spiration of the music, the giddy, laughing girl fled before something nobler-she was another being., Agnds stood almost breathless beside her, surveying her cousin in joy and wonder. As the sublime melody rolled on, gathering strength from the deepening harmony, her tears started; and when the piece was over, unable i OR, THE CHOICE. w35 to restrain the impulse, she clasped Lel in her arms. She was too good, too pure not to per- ceive her own inferiority and rejoice in it. "My dear Lel," she said, "you have given me a lesson I. shall never forget!" "Imitate me in every thing, cousin, and you will be perfect," said Lel. Melville, whom the adagio had visibly af- fected, advanced to the piano. "Miss Almy," he said, " play that again, and I'm yours for ever." Lel looked at him till he laughed in spite of himself, and then, without discontinuing her gaze, began to sing John Anderson, my Joe John, whilst Melville retreated in dismay. The con- versation soon became general, and thus passed Lel's first evening at Loretto. page: 36-37[View Page 36-37] 36 LORETTO: CHAPTER III. Two new pieces are now in motion at Lo- retto, Ellen Almy and George Melville. In a few words, perhaps, we may bring them nearer to the eye. Lel-let us call her so, for it is a sweet name either in itself or from association,-was alyear i younger than Agies. The daughter of a wealthy merchant, with all the advantages of wealth and fashion, gifted with no ordinary share of personal beauty, and peculiarly endowed with that indescribable fascination of manner which has no name-Lel was a pet wherever she went. She was above envy and without a rival. What- ever she did became a law for thd satellites around her; scarcely had a new fancy struck her, before it was reduced to practice, and once realized, it grew into a fashion. Her actions and sayings were retailed at second-hand, and sought after with much avidity by all those who borrow from the fruitfulness of others to supply their own mental sterility. Of course Lel had been spoiled. Most per- .o sons only knew her as a light-hearted, flippant 3- OR, THE CHOIC-E. 37 girl, with wit enough to amuse others, but without prudence to govern herself. But those who looked beneath the transparent surface, could see a noble vein of deep feeling re- sponding firmly and healthfully to every genu- ine touch. Lel had much talent and more genius: she acquired without much difficulty what others had written, but rose without an effort to higher things of which they never dreamed. There are many in the world who resemble her, many we meet daily in the morn- ing and in the evening, who to the same levity unite a certain strength and elevation of char- acter; but there are few who equal her, few who combine such girlish merriment with such womanly worth. Lel's mother had been a Catholic, but she was dead, and her father being a Protestant, gave her a Protestant Episcopalian education. Of Catholics she knew little, save from stereoL type calumny, and from her own juvenile ob- servations in France, Spain and Italy. George Melville was near thirty. Early in life he was left lord of himself, sole heir to a large fortune. There was nothing remarkable in his person besides a high forehead? and a. 4 page: 38-39[View Page 38-39] 38 LORETTO:' bright eye; but all his friends considered him attractive. There+was more in him than was seen at first, much that was only perceptible to the few who knew him well. He had been a hard student all his life, and gave to the classics the long winter evenings so generally sacred to revelry and dissipation. He did not, how- ever, totally abstain from society, but carefully avoided becoming its slave. To strangers he was reserved and formal, with others cheerful and familiar. There was an air of close scru- tiny about him from which ninety-nine in a hundred shrank. Lel was not one of these; she defied both competition and scrutiny. She and Melville, though apparently diametrically opposite in taste and disposition, had been fast friends for more than a year, and it was rumored that they were engaged to be married. This was false, however, not one word of love hav- ing passed between them. The masses-the unreflecting and unfeeling list of visitors, won- dered at their intimacy; though surely it was not surprising that Melville should discover Lel's real value, or that she should prefer his intellectual gifts to the superficial endowments^ ,of the bulk of her acquaintances. "i4 OR, THE CHOICE. 39 "Charley!" cried the Colonel the next morn- ing, after breakfast, "saddle Fleetly for Mr. Melville and Lilly for Miss Agnes! Do you hear, my boy? Off with you, and bring them up in five minutes. Mind the girths, you ras- cal, there are two precious lives depending on the proper hole in a leather strap." "And you don't mean to order a horse for me," muttered Lel, pouting as she spoke; "am I to remain here for your special edification?" "You must not begrudge me an hour this morning," answered her uncle. "I will intro- duce you to the farm, my dear child, and coun- teract your excessive affectation by an infusion of rusticity." "Well," replied Lel, as Charley and the horses appeared, "I shall endeavor to profit by the manners of your turkeys, chickens, pigeons, pigs, cows; and I doubt not, but that after a diligent study of your sheep, I shall prove an absolute lamb. Farewell, mes amis!" she exclaimed as Agnes and Melville mounted, "Farewell!" she repeated as they galloped off, and turning to her uncle, looked him steadily and seriously in the face." Mrs Cleveland was sewing in the back parlor. page: 40-41[View Page 40-41] 40 LORETTO: I A peculiarly sly expression played around the corners of the Colonel's mouth, and he glanced stealthily towards the back parlor. "Now Lel," he said with great significance, "come to my sanctum, and I'll show you my tackle." The Colonel's Sanctum was a small room next his chamber. It contained all his sporting ; apparatus, all his curiosities, all his petty bache- lor contrivances, a large book-case crowded with Turf Registers and Treatises on Angling, heaped over noble editions of the English Es- sayists and the old English Dramatists. round table stood in the centre, covered with papers, heaped up in that glorious confusion which an author loves and a housekeeper hates. Two rocking chairs and a red lounge were the only seats. Lel took one chair, the Colonel the other. "Oh, uncle," said Lel, shaking her finger at him, "what a little lying hypocrite you have made me." "In a good cause, my queen," replied the old man. "You wrote me word that Agnes intended to i bury her beauty in a convent, and that I must OR, THE CHOICE. 41 come and prevent it. But what possessed you to insist on my dropping in as if by accident, with a lie on my lips? Oh, it-kills me to play the hypocrite! I was tempted in spite of your commands to salute Agnes by falling on her neck, and declaring that if she ever took the veil, it would have to go over my head too, all the priests in Christendom to the contrary not- withstanding." "Ha! ha!" laughed the Colonel% "very good, very good, my own sweet pet. But mark me, Lel, if her mother suspects us, we are gone. I tell you that Agnes Cleveland, in her cradle, was devoted to the cloister; and I know my sister well enough to assert that, if we show our hand, we lose the stake." "Very well, uncle, as you say. Oh, Lel, Lel, have you come to this! a snake in the grass-. a wily, subtle, deep, designing serpent. What would Melville say!" "Whatever he pleases," interposed the Colonel haughtily. "Listen, Lel, my plan is briefly this: while you stay, to consecrate all your energy, all your fascination, all your genius, to divert your cousin's mind from her present purpose, and spread out before her all page: 42-43[View Page 42-43] 42 LORETTO: the allurements of refined society. But do it gradually, smoothly, gently, do it so that the transition will be unfelt, so that her mother-" "Will have every reason to despise me!" cried Lel, springing to her feet. "Yet, it 1 must be done! The life I lead is bad enough, God'knows, but it's better than a convent." Lel said this mournfully. She was standing by the window, her. hand resting on a mag- nificent pair of antlers whose ample arms sus- tained a powder-flask, shot-pouch, bird-bag, - and quite a variety of old hats and caps adapted to all the seasons and every species of weather. The Colonel sat silently eyeing her, as if not a little puzzled. Lel looked out upon the snow-clad plain- upon the pale blue wintry sky, and fell into a revery, that strange compound of thought and feeling, which soothes and saddens too.' She was startled from it by a heavy hand on her shoulder. She turned; the Colonel stood be- side her; his cheeks were wet with tears, his upper lip was quivering. "Lel," he said, "if what I ask is painful, I ;: will not demand it; but-" the words died away in his throat. OR, THE CHOICE. 43 Lel dried his eyes and her own with her hand- kerchief. "Uncle!" she exclaimed impetu- ously, " the road to heaven is not by trampling on your heart, and Agnes must take another path! Your hand, uncle!"--They joined hands.-"I solemnly pledge 'myself to wean Agnes from her choice of a religious life if all the influence at my command can do it! I will tell her the story that enchanted me; I will reveal the beautiful visions that seemed to hover before me; I will tell her of thee raptures I have had and of the raptures I still expect. If she resists me, she's invincible!" "Bless you! bless you, Lel!" repeated the Colonel-putting back her hair and pressing her head to his bosom. Though for ten years he had rarely seen her, and then only for a day or two, as he travelled, yet, at that moment, she was almost as dear to him as Agnes. "You have given re new life, my child-there's vic- tory in your flashing face! Can you guess my next great move?" "Take Agnes home with me after Christmas?" "Eh? Have you fathomed your old uncle so soon? To be sure-go with you she must! Take her to every opera and every ball-" l page: 44-45[View Page 44-45] " LORETTO: "No, no," broke in Lel; "I shall carefully select from both, or you'll soon have her here by telegraph, more eager than ever for the con- vent." "Introduce her to the handsomest men-" "And disgust her at once." "Surround her with the most stylish women," "And sicken her completely." Well then," suggested the Colonel, taken sadly aback, "begin by accustoming her to 1 small tea-parties, where intelligence makes the absence of music and dancing unfelt." Lel fairly screamed and laughed till she reeled back again to the window. "Take her to a tea-party? My dear good for nothing old uncle, why you'd have us both back for the convent!" "Lel," said the Colonel, and stopped short. Lel turned, expecting something else; her bright eyes glittering from laughter, like violets dewy in the morning. "Lel-" He looked up, and catching her mischievous glance, inwardly admitted that he was only making himself ridiculous, and turning away to save his dignity, added, "Do just as you please, and be hanged to you!" OR, THE CHOICE. 45 "Tell me, uncle, and tell me truly, am I not the abler tactician on my own ground? Your conception of the game is a master-piece, but leave the details to me." "Right, right-you're always right." "I knew a young girl, situated just as Agnes is, who became a nun because her friends over- did it in trying to prevent her. 1 don't often praise myself--but I can manage the human heart as easily as I can a horse, provided I once get the reins." "We must not let her mother suspect; be prudent, Lel." Lel was looking out ,of the window instead of listening. "What fine buildings are those?" she asked. "The convent," replied the Colonel, suppress- ing a curse. "The convent!" said Lel, musing. "So it is, there's the old house; but there are so many new ones around it, it's not easily seen. Ah, me! I don't wonder Ag wants to stay there. Nonsense I they'd cut off all her beautiful black hair, and crimp her face up in a skull-cap, and set her to scrubbing floors and scouring pots. She san't go!" page: 46-47[View Page 46-47] " LORE:TTO: "She shan't!" responded the Colonel, "and now my sister, I cry, check!"- Thus plotted Lel and the Colonel, whilst Agnes, little suspecting what mischief they were hatching, rode gaily beside George Melville. Melville was much interested in his companion-- she was a new character to him: new, not only because the inexperienced school girl peeped from almost every sentence-or because her manners were artless and unvarnished by social attrition, though affable, striking and dignified by interior correctness and feeling; Melville had seen many such. It may have been this, in part,--but there was something else,-some- thing entirely new,' yet still suggesting things i which had passed for him, but which might come again,-something he admired, without knowing why,-something which repelled, while it attracted. The world has some redeeming points, and society might be worse: public opinion is yet sufficiently Christian to discountenance open crime. The thousands we meet have nothing :, to blush for-their names are stainless-their i eyes are bright and fearless, their/hopes are high, i there is no brand on the brow-the tribunal to j OR, THE CHOICE. 47 which they appeal acquits and commends; their belief in their own integrity, like a good con- science, makes them lovely and enchanting. But, oh! when God and not man affixes the seal of innocence, when the soul, pure in thought as well as in act, walks in the midst of "a thou- sand liveried angels," how different, how dif- ferent! Aye, Melville was a man of strong sense and true feeling-a keen, experienced ob- server, a tourist of more than half the world;- but he found Agnes a new character-one he had yet to read. At first he found it difficult to remove her embarrassment, and to converse as cordially as he wished. But the sun was bright, and the horses bounded along: long before their return, Melville had conquered the difficulty, and even reached that desirable point--seldom soon, and sometimes never gained-where people ex- change thoughts as well as words. "Aggie, dear," said Lel as they alighted, "do you know that you're just one half hour after dinner time?" page: 48-49[View Page 48-49] 48 LORETTO: CHAPTER IV. THE scene is still the same; but patience, reader, it will soon be changed. There are not E many spots, even in your fancy, superior to Loo j retto, poorly as our meagre description reflects' g its beauty. We might labor for hours to picture all its charms-to copy the fine prospect it com- manded, without making it a whit more enchant- g ing. Loretto had no waterfalls around it--no gloomy, splendid glens-no towering masses of rock cleaving the clouds in stern sublimity: but I every tree, every field, every outline of the un- dulating plain had a meaning; the place had a Genius-the indefinable spirit of beauty haunted X the spot. Let us spend a few more evenings there- they will not be lost-they are necessary to the sequel. Let us still linger around that bright, crackling, intelligent wood-fire, inspiriting that plain little parlor, before we are transported by ; Lel's magic to the coal-furnaces and sumptuous drawing-rooms of the city. Christmas is but j two days off and then we leave, not to return : till the forest trees are in leaf-the orchards OR, THE CHOICE. 49 heavy with fruit; not to ret n until the spring- flowers have passed awa and the busy bees have exhausted the honey-suckles wreathing the white porches of Loretto. "Why are you so sad, Lel?" said Mrs. Cleve- land. "Because I am going to leave you to-morrow." "To-morrow!" echoed Agnes. "To-morrow!" repeated the Colonel. "I must," said Lel, "or father will have all the alarm bells in town ringing for me, and all the constables in creation after Mr. Melville." "Are you tired of our solitude?" asked her aunt. "No, aunt; but I am sure Mr. Melville is heartily sick of yourrcountry monotony, and longs for the variable gaiety he has made essen- tial to his existence. Much as I wish to stay, I am not selfish enough to enjoy myself at his expense." "Is that your only reason?" said Melville. "Not the only one,-but still a sufficient one for a creature as considerative and self-sacrificino as I." "Lel!" gasped the Colonel, thumping the floor with his stick. ' Are you serious?" page: 50-51[View Page 50-51] 60 LORETTO: "As serious as I ever was, or ever expect to be." Do you love me, Lel?" i Yes." "Then stay." Can't, uncle '!" "Look'ee, my young girl, I am not used to contradiction." "Nor I either," retorted Lel. "Do you dare to follow your inclinations in spite of my commands?" "Dare'you pretend to command my inclina- tions? No man in Christendom can boast of that. Leaving Agnes is the hardest part of it. If only you and aunt Mary were in the case, I might get up a parting tear; but it would dry before it reached my mouth." "I assure you, Miss Almy," said Melville, "that sofar from wishing to go-" "Did you think me in earnest when I spoke of you?" replied Lel. "Oh, George Melville I George Melville! the cottage of Loretto is the tomb of your wit!" "Lel!" said Agnes, taking her hand and kneeling down before her--"Lel, I have been silent, because I did not believe you; because OR, THE CIOIrCE. 51 I don't, can't, and won't believe you. Meet me now with your wiid, wicked blue eye, aiad tell if you will not spend Christmas with us " Lel hesitated some seconds and then ieplied: "On one condition, Agnes, I will." "Name it! name it!" cried the Colonel, brightening like snow in the morning. "We grant it in advance." "That you accompany me home, Agnes," said Lel, leaning forward, and for the first time looking her cousin full in the face. There was an earnestness in Lel's manner that could, not be misinterpreted, and Agnes, taken by surprise, continued to gaze at her, not a little bewildered by the proposition. It was not long, however, before her eye wandered to her mother. Lel saw the glance, and dreading it, rose quick as lightning, and throwing her arms around Mrs. Cleveland's neck, exclaimed: "My dearest aunt, if you deny me this, we part for ever. N-ever again shall Lel's foot cross this time-honored threshhold--never again shall your toast and honey bless my lips-never again shall these arms, which a? statue mnight envy, be your necklace! I will Ilever play for you-- never sing for you--never dance for you--and, A page: 52-53[View Page 52-53] 652 .'LORETTO: what is more, I'll never pray for you. Still stern and unrelenting? Oh, aunt Mary, we will guard her as the apple of our eye---we'll have two dragons in special attendance-the wind shall be tempered to suit her-society decimated to please her, and-Listen, aunt Mary, the rose shall bloom brighter in her cheeks, her form shall be fuller and her step freer; and you shall have her back again, the same noble, beautiful, peer- less Agnes!" "This is all so sudden," said Mrs. Cleveland, "that I cannot possibly give you an answer to- night." "Give me an answer to-morrow-and remem- ber my threats!-they are not to be disregarded. And as for you, my veteran," continued Lel, leaping upon the Colonel-" if you do not use all your authority in my favor, I'll never call you uncle again!" "Can't spare Aggie!" muttered the Colonel, afraid to look up, lest his face should betray his thoughts. "Better spare her a month, Colonel, than lose her for ever," and she brought her face close to i his. "God bless you!" he whispered in her ear. OR, THE CHOICE. 53 "God forgive me!" she said in her heart, and adding aloud-"I will return in a moment," left the room laughing. She wecnt to her chamber, groping her way in the dark and blinded by her tears. She knelt in the clear moonlight at the foot of her bed. "Oh, God!" she said-for in moments of anguish we often think aloud-" can I lead this young angel forth from this holy solitude, to share with me the spurious honors, the tinsel trappings, I covet and despise? 'Shall I infect her with the fatal thirst for admiration and ex- citement which consumes' me?-I wilt not!"-- She started to her feet. "And yet--and yet- to wither in a convent-to drag out life, the miserable dupe of suicidal superstition. Could I stand by and see the fillets put on her neck, as the black robed executioner leads her to the shambles? No, Agnes, you shall try the world at least. If it does not sicken you, I think there is more of the nun in me than in you!" She leaned out of the window until the cold night air dried her tears; then carefully washed her eyes and returned to the parlor. "Come, Ag,--a truce to thought it's a bad companion. Don't sit there like a maid of mar- page: 54-55[View Page 54-55] 54 LORE-TTO: ble come closer to me. Uncle, let your stick alone,--I don't want a drum obligato. Don't breathe so hard, Mr. Melville." With this, Lel began the following song, as merrily as if she had not wept since childhood: "There was a time she rose to greet me. But what, alas, cared I!- For well I knew she flew to meet me, Yet met me with a sigh. I left her in her deep dejection, And laughed with merry men, What cared I for her true affection-- I did not love her then! But now I wander weak and weary, And what, alas, cares she! " ' I lost her love and life grew dreary-- I She scarce remembers me In vain, in vain I now implore her, She spurns my tearful vow: Too late, too late I now adore her-- She does not love me now!" As Lel concluded, she turned to Melville. She had sung with even more point than the ! words seemed to suggest-and the look she ' gave Melville, meant something too, whatever it i was. "I never heard that before," said Melville from his seat. OR, THE CHOICE. 55 o You'll hear it again, though," said Lel. "Who's the composer?" he asked. "Words and music perpetrated by your hum- ble servant. Now, sir, as the groves of Loretto are not yet honeyed by your voice, I abdicate in your favor. Agnes, ask him to sing--"I am a Wanderer," it is a wild diabolical thing, and hedelights in it." Melville, thus appealed to, did not wait for Agnes to ask him. "Begin-begin!" cried 'Lel, seating herself beside Mrs. Cleveland. "Let your articulation be-" She bit her lip and crossed her arn-g meekly over her breast. Melville was sing- ing :- "I am a wanderer! Far from home, far from her- The lady whom I left in tears, Whose tears still flow for me, The bride I have not seen for years, And never more may see! "Houseless and penniless, None to love, none to bless! Oh! wronged and wronging, let me rav- In death our tears are dried, I'll sleep as soundly in the grave, As ever at her side!" page: 56-57[View Page 56-57] 56 ' LORETTO: The wild ballad was followed by a dead silence -even Lel was hushed. Agnes was startled- the Colonel looked anxiously at Mrs. Cleveland, whose face was supported and concealed by-her hand. To Melville the long pause was painful; his powerful voice and the almost unearthly K music had produced an effect greater than he designed or wished. "A strange song that, Colonel Cleverton," he said, striking some 'chords carelessly; " and it came into my possession in a very singular way. I was reading a new overture of Mendelsohn's, J at a music store in London, when my attention was diverted by a conversation between the pro- prietor and a middle-aged gentleman who had entered. I could not remove my eyes from the stranger-he fascinated me. His dress was negligent, his coat old and faded-but his bear- ing proud and graceful. I cannot describe his head and face-you may have seen the same expression in a sculptor's ideal of manly power and beauty. It seemed as if disappointment or remorse had frozen from it every particle of joy; but there was left, a reckless disdain of j every thing human or superhuman, and the s \ W OR, THE CHOICE. 57 shadow of a great mind embittered by adversity and enfeebled by dissipation." Had Melville looked towards the corner where Mrs. Cleye'land sat, he would have paused; but observing that Agnes was listening intently, he continued: "He came to sell the song. As the pub- lisher was courteously returning it, I askled per- mission to glance at it. He assented coldly and with a smile of scorn almost insulting. The daring originality of every phrase-the wild tide of melody ihade me stare in astonishment at the stranger who claimed to be the author. The same withering smile was on his face. We were standingheside a piano, and without more ado, I sang it with all the feeling inspired by the novelty of the music and ,the man. It was my turn of triumph then. Before I had well finished, the stranger seized my hand-his thin cheeks flushed and a mist gathered in his eyes. "' You understand me,' he said. "'Will you sell me this song?' I asked. "The flush in his cheek deepened as he re- plied: "' Are you not an American?' / page: 58-59[View Page 58-59] 58 LORETTO: "bowed. "' Do you return to your country?' "' Yes.' "'Then honor me by accepting my song.' "He saluted me cordially, and brushing quickly by the publisher, would have gone with- out another word. Unwilling to part from him thus, I caught him by the arm. "'May I ask your name?' I said. "'I have none.' "'Stay, sir, I beg you, and let us enjoy one? hour of music together.' "' I no longer enjoy music,' he replied, with an accent that made me shfdder. "I gave him my card, saying, 'Pray, let us meet again.' "'In heaven, perhaps,' was the only answer, i and he stepped into the street, leaving me rooted to the floor in amazement. He remains a mys- tery to this day: I can see him now-the deep scar in his forehead ---- As if her heart had burst, a deep groan camre j from Mrs. Cleveland's breast. "Death and nKdnless!" muttered the Colonel, i tottering towards her; but Agnes anticipated him. OR, THE CHOICE. 59 "It is nothing, Agnes," whispered Mrs. Cleveland, recovering herself. "It will pass off in an instant-only a momentary faintness. A glass of water, my child!" The cloud on the Colonel's brow was terrible. "Could you not see," said Lel, aside to Mel- ville, " that every word you uttered was a dagger plunged into that woman's heart!" "More mystery-more mystery," said Mel- ville. "What have I done?" "God knows! But never sing that song again." ^ page: 60-61[View Page 60-61] 60 .LORETTO: CHAPTER V. As Charley was covering up the parlor-fire for the night, Agnes left Lel and went to her mother's chamber. She had never heard her father's name mentioned--she rarely thought of a father, and whenever she did, it, was only to offer up a fervent prayer for one who had died before she was old enough to know or to love him. But Melville's song, her uncle's frown, and her mother's anguish, had revealed a secret hitherto unsuspected;-her memory darted, like a ray of light, farther back into her life,--and it seemed to her that she had loved another before she loved the Colonel,--one who was all kindness-one who sang to her before she came to Loretto,-one who was with her day and night-one whom she suddenly missed and wept for. Was it her father-and was he alive? Unable to answer-unable to satisfy or , control her thousand vague conjectures,-she now sought her mother to escapethe torture of doubt. Agnes had seen little of the world- her observation had been limited to Loretto and the adjacent village; but her inexperience was OR, THE CHOIC!. 61 amply supplied by that keen, quick insight, which needs not the lamp of time or trial to read the book of human nature. Before Melville had concluded his narrative she suspected- when the deep groan interrupted him, she knew the truth. Mrs. Cleveland rose from her knees as Agnes entered, and they sat down together on the bed. The first look revealed their thoughts, and they embraced in silence. Much as Agnes wished to speak, it was long before her working lips' could pronounced the question she wished, yet feared to utter. At last, firmly and rapidly, the question came- ' Is my father living?" A flood of tears was the only reply; for the full heart must overflow before it speaks. But Mrs Cleveland had trained herself to resigna- in the school of the cross: the unspoken prayer sped from her uplifted eye and stilled her breast, and calmed her throbbing heart and poured light and sweetness-a over the waters of bitter- ness on her face. Agnes waited till all was calm, and then repeated, more firmly and dis- tinctly still-- "Is my father living?" 6 page: 62-63[View Page 62-63] 62 LORETTO: '7I know not!" She had controlled her emotion until then- that fair, young girl,--she had nerved herself to hear, unshrinking, whether he was alive or dead; but she was unprepared for this terrible an- nouncement-unprepared to remain longer in suspense-unprepared to hear from her mother's lips this fearful ignorance of her father's fate. The dark wavering line of sudden agony rose in her forehead, and she clasped her hands in supplication and terror: pale and motionless as death she sat, hereeyes fixed on her mother's crouching; as though she shrank from another word. "I can tell you nothing more, my child," Mrs. Clevelaad said, employing, as she spoke, all the arts of maternal love to heal the wound she had inflicted,--"I can tell nothing more. , Trust to God and pray for your father. We may meet again,-if not here-in heaven!" Aye, to those who live for this world with scarce a thought of the next--who centre all their hopes, fears, joys, sorrows, thoughts, pas- sions here-who look on death as the end of all-who know God only by reputation-who trust not his mercy in misfortune and ask not OR, THE CHOICe. 63 his blessing in prosperity-who in health or sickness fly to man as the sole companion, the sole comforter,-to these, indeed, a meeting in heaven means nothing;-but to those who look beyond the grave for their true home-who hail death as the end of exile, the beginning of life.- who hold the accidents of time light in com- parison with their lot in eternity-who stake not their happiness on human calculation, who exult when the world cries "Despair!"-who, amid change, and storm, and light, and dark- ness, preserve a correspondence fixed above- who, though in daily contact with man, are in constant communion with God, living to love in bliss hereafter, to these a. meeting in heaven is a promise they can realize, a blessing that takes the sting from parting, and they know not how to say-"Farewell for ever!" Years of consolation could not have imparted to Agnes the exquisite relief of that one word. "Yes, in heaven!" she said, again and again, and knelt with her mother, almost rejoicing. When Mrs. Cleveland was alone, her mind gradually wandered from the painful subject which had engrossed it, to the consideration of Lel's proposition. She had never parted from page: 64-65[View Page 64-65] " LORETTO: Agnes except to place her at the convent school, where all was harmony and peace-where the licensed pride and revelry of society found no footing. She mistrusted the influence of fash- ionable life on any pure, young heart-she was happy in her daughter's choice-she did not believe that temptation must be sought and van- quished before a decision is made. But she feared precipitation-she feared lest the strict seclusion in which Agnes had been brought up, might have misled her, by making habit seem vocation. She thought it better that her daugh- ter should see something of the world before she renounced it. She was not conscious of one spark of pride in her daughter's beauty, or of ambition to see it triumph in the arena of fashion,-she regarded marriage as a very ques- tionable blessing, and certainly aspired not to any brilliant alliance. But Mrs. Cleveland was a woman and a mother-she did not fully con- sider the danger of gazing on the pomp and splendor and magic in which the arch-demon steeps and gilds the orgies of his votaries,-it did not strike her that there was not the least occasion to witness or bid adieu to the pleasures Agnes could never share. She did not like to OR, THE CHOICE. 65 judge the world too harshy,-there were many pure, pious people in it, who lived as she did, apart from its excesses and in the enjoyment of its comforts; there were some who glided un- contaminated through all its dangerous mazes, guided by one faithful thread that brought them safely out. Lel was wild and light, but true- hearted and sensible withal:-a fortnight er a month could make no change in Agnes, unless such were the will of God, But Mrs. Cleve- land came to no conclusion of her own, except to leave the matter with Agnes and her con- fessor. Upon this delicate and all-important point, her own reasoning failed to satisfy her;- she felt that she needed advice in a question so dear to her-advice from those who were com- missioned to instruct. Her humility was equal to her firmness;--for her firmness proceeded not from self-reliance, but from reliance on God Agnes, younger in grief than her mother, re- mained awake long after the latter slept, tliink- ing a(f her father and watching Lel, who was slumbering so calmly beside her. With Agnes it was a night of almost ceaseless prayer,--of prayer more refreshing then than sleep. Pre- sently the taper grew pale in the dawn, and the I*y page: 66-67[View Page 66-67] " LORETTO: merry sunbeams tipped the, window curtains with gold-the domestics were astir-it was the morning of Christmas eve. "Now," cried Lel, "for another day at Lo- retto!" "I knew you did not mean to leave me," said Agnes. Lel drew back abashed, as she recollected her imperious, declaration of last night, and some moments elapsed before she added, with the arch gravity she could so well assume,- "Provided-Ag!-provided, I can thus pur- chase leave of absence for you." But the saving clause came too late. A word, a look, a blush, a pause, may defeat the subtlest schemes, even when nearly perfected; just, as the snapping of a twig betrays and foils the ambushed hunter when surest of his prey. Agnes remembered now some strange looks that had passed between Lel and the Colonel,- she remembered lmany of Lel's remarks, which implied a knowledge of her determination to embrace a religious life,-and after a rapid re- view of all that had lately happened, she felt sure that Lel had not come to Loretto without a purpose, or uninvited. OR, THE CHOICE. 67 Lel, confidant that she had parried suspicion, ascribed the evident tumult in her cousin's mind to Melville's song and the subsequent interview with her mother. Lel had heard her father al- lude vaguely to Mrs. Cleveland's misfortune, and guessed the nature of it. "Poor girl," she murmured- inaudibly,-" no wonder she is so thoughtful!" For once in her life, Lel was deceived. We have already indicated the process by which Agnes discovered, or thought she had discov- ered, a deliberate, premeditated plan: but she did not stop there. She loved Lel as she stood there before her, young, gifted, beautiful; the few days they had spent together had sufficed to endear them mutually to each other--like two sweet springs, they met and then flowed on together. Agnes required no assistance in de- tecting her cousin's virtues, no monitor to point out her imperfections. She knew her, as ifby inspiration. Agnes was not thinking of her father-but of her who stood before her, young, gifted, beautiful. A heroic purpose crossed her mind-the ardor of a missionary glowed in her cheeks, and if mortals are ever commissioned' to aid an angel guardian, Agnes felt the call. 4 ' page: 68-69[View Page 68-69] 68 LORETTO: Without presumption, but in hope and joy, she folded Lel to her heart, silently vowing- "You came to change me-Igo to change you!" Lel, at a loss to account for so much emotion and so little grief, could not help saying with a smile,- "Ag, I know you're unhappy, and yet you're not sad. Does Catholic sorrow differ from Pro- testant sorrow?" "It may perhaps: I know too little of your heresy to decide." "Then how do you know it's a heresy?" sug- gested Lel quickly and maliciously. "Because the church brands it heresy. I am not the judge." " Oh, Aggie, Aggie, how delightfully humble your church is!" "Humbler, though infallible, than you erring and culpable, individuals who presume to judge her." This was the first time, and then accidentally, that the two friends touched controversy-they had no relish for it. But having once crossed weapons playfully, the contest might have waxed warmer, had not the Colonel's sonorous voice, echoing up the stairs, terminatcd the battle thus: OR, THE CHOICE. 69 "Girls, are you ever coming down to break- fast!'" We need not tell how Lel redoubled her en- treaties,-how Melville delicately aided her to induce Mrs. Cleveland to consent at once to a brief separation from her daughter-or how-the Colonel threw all the influence of authoritative silence in Lel's favor, saying nothing on either side, but expressing by every limb, feature, mo- tion--"Let her go!" "I will decide to-night," was Mrs. Cleve- land's only answer to every appeal. In the afternoon, Agnes and her mother or- dered Charley to get ready their snug country wagon for the convent. "Lel," said Agnes, as she was stepping into the carriage, "the Litany will be sung at six, and I want you to hear it. You and Mr. Mel- ville can leave here at five and be in time." "Gone to consult her confessor," muttered the Colonel, as Charley flourished his whip- "he will never let her go." "Then," returned Lel, "there's but one thing left--Melville must challenge him." The Colonel was in no laughing humor. He did his best to content himself in the cottage, page: 70-71[View Page 70-71] 70 LORETTO: exhaustilg every position possible to the humnan body, and exploring every room in the house, without satisfaction "or repose. Fiinally, he caught up his gun and swore he would have a brace of partridges for supper. Lel and Mielville were left alone without ex- actly knowing what to do. A shade passed over the young girls brow, as she watched Mel- ville intently for a while, as he sat abstractedly gazing towards the convent. But her glad, gay look ston returned, and she said- "I wouder whether a little music will not keep us alive until five o'clock." For some piinutes she played without an aim, trifling with some pretty melodies that came first into her mind ; but presently higher thoughts began to dawn, and she blended into one sulp)erb whole a thousand fragments of fine ideas, some original, some remembered, until Melville him- self, often as he had witnessed these flights of genius, was fairly astounded. The cottage seemed to be alive with music, as Lel, forgetful of herself, of him and of all else, save tie beauty she was creating, lovelier than she had ever been, poured forth the unpremeditated strain. The movement was rapid but sad, 4. It OR, THE CHOICE. 71i though variable as an April morning, until there seemed to be an evident concentration on one idea; and then, gathering all her strength for the sublime theme, which she had been almost imperceptibly approaching, she dashed without pause or breathing into a fugue of John Sebas- tian Bach's. Every touch unfolded some ex- quisite passage in the master's life--and Mel- ville could see the fair-haired child of genius studying thorough-bass by moonlight, lest his jealous brother, catching the gleam of his lamp, should send him to the garret,-he could see him toiling on cheerfully through persecution and neglect, until in the full blaze of acknow- ledged superiority he rose like the day star from the mists of the horizon. "What do you think of that?" cried Lel, as evidently delighted as though another had per- formed, with tears still in her eyes. "I wish it had lasted forever!" was Melville's enthusiastic reply. J page: 72-73[View Page 72-73] 72: - LORETTO: CHAPTER VI. IT was quite dark when Lel and Melville en- tered the convent chapel. Lel was admitted, at Mrs. Cleveland's instance, through the private door. The tapers on the altar were not yet lit, and-the soft-light of a single lamp produced an effect more soiem- than darkness. A novice. showed hei to a pew, where she sat down in silence, Well pleased to have some moments for reflection: in a place so favorable to meditation. Melville was conducted to a recess on the right of the altar. He looked anxiously round for Agnes and her mother, but they were either invisible or absent. Had the folding doors of the sacristy;been open, he:would have seen the confessor of the convent sitting between Mrs, Cleveland and Agnes-and had he been a little nearer might have heard the end of a discus- sion, in which he was interested even more deeply than he imagined. The confessor was a middle aged man, tall and spare, slightly bald-his face marked with that beautiful character of meekness and benevo- lence which belongs to those, alone, who ever OR, THE CHOICE. 73 feel that the eye of God is on them. A life of piety and self-depial is marked by lines as legi- ble as the furrows which irreligion and profli- gacy plough: there needed not the surplice and the cassock to point him out as " a man of God." Mrs. Cleveland and Agnes, after receiving absolution, had called him into the sacristy and acquainted him with Lel's proposition. "I am somewhat afraid of this same Lel," he said, after they had sketched her character. I should not like to trust our rustic little Agnes with so accomplished a belle. Do you think it advisable, madam?" "I leave the matter entirely with you," Mrs. Cleveland replied. "And what says Agnes?" "I wish to go!" returned Agnes, grasping his hand. "You wish to go!" repeated the confessor, earnestly surveying his'youthful charge,-his voice faltering as he spoke, in astonishment and fear. "Yes!" cried Agnes, kneeling before him and meeting unflinchingly his reproving look. "Oh, father, I cannot tell you how beautiful a 7 1, page: 74-75[View Page 74-75] 74 LORETTO: soul is straying from heaven in that Lel whom you fear. I know she wishes to change my present purpose-I know she came here chiefly to alter my determination-I know she expects 7 my visit )o her to promote or accomplish her object. But I have found out that she is less attached to the world, than I am to the clois- ter-that she would sooner relinquish her idols, than I the veil In the struggle between us, the victory will be mine, not hers! For this, I wish to go!" The priest regarded her a while in silence, and then said with a smile of compassion and love- "Is this your only reason, my child?" "It is indeed! If there be in my heart one, lurking wish to see or share the pleasures I :have heard of, but never tasted,-if there be one spark of curiosity to know something of life's pageantry before I leave it-if there be any motive other than that I have mentioned, i !before heaven I am unconscious of it. "My child, my child, your motive is beauti- ful. But your generous design will plunge you into temptations, which it would be presump- tion to seek without a special call." J OR, THE CHOICE. 75 "t Father," said the young girl, her dark eye gleaming with radiance beyond that which men call beauty-"Father! it is not merely because I have been educated in a convent school, screened from conventional blandishments by the solitudes of Loretto, and accustomed from infancy to the impressive observances of this consecrated retreat, that I have determined to be a religious. I have heard my schoolmates picture their city homes and pastimes, in colors brighter perhaps than reality. The finger of God has pointed out my vocation, and my chpice is unalterably made. As I recognized his blessed hand when I first announced to you my fixed resolve--so do I now recognize his sacred voice,-and it bids me Go!" Agnes still knelt, her hands clasped, her face upturned to heaven, as if bearing witness to her truth. It was a beautiful group-the priest and the mother in tears-the daughter's lips parted with something holier than a smile. E "Yes," she fervently continued, kissing her confessor's hand, "Let me begin my mission "Come to me after the Angelus-bring your cousin and her friend: if I permit you then, page: 76-77[View Page 76-77] 76 LORETTO: remember,-it will be the exception, not the rule. One by one, the candles on the altar were lighted, and Melville could see Lel--kneeling or leaning forward, he knew not which; but still there was no sign of Agnes. Presently a sweet-toned bell began to ring--and then a rustling was heard, as a hundred girls, two by two, and a hundred sisters entered the chapel. Melyille had bestowed only a careless glance on the exquisite marble work of the altar, and was examining a fine painting in the gleam on the opposite wall, when two figures appeared through the side door of the sacristy and knelt in the front seat. It was Agnes! But never till then had Melville seen the expression at which he wondered,.kindled into such active power: it was as if a bud, already marked as the fairest in the garden, had burst into a flower more rare, more fragrant, more beautiful than all the promise of spring. The mellow light streamed full on her face, revealing the glory which invests the body, when, detached from earth without the bitterness of death, the soul mounts on the wings of faith to commune with its Redeemer. He could not turn away from ,' . ' OR, THE CHOICE. " the apparition--he feared lest it should disap- pear-it was so spiritual--so unreal-so an- gelical. Agnes knew not that any human eye was on her, for her own was on heaven:-but Lel knew it! The folding doors of the sacristy opened- the confessor, unattended, knelt before the blessed sacrament-the Litany of MARY began. With the deep swell of the organ, came a clear, soft voice, intoning those dear, dear, ever dear epithets, which the sanctity of ages has lovingly and humbly bestowed on the Virgin Mother of JESUS, whilst the choir responded in unison, "Orapro nobis!" , And when the chanting ceased, the convent bell again was heard-and the .dngelus went murmuring from the altar to the choir. The ceremony was over---too soon for Lel-too soon for Melville, upon whom it left an impression of profound sadness. Agnes had displayed so much penetration and resolution, that her confessor was more than half inclined to yield the point; but well knowing the seraphic shapes in which the subtle fiend deludes innocence, he deemed it more pru- dent to withhold a decision until he had seen Lel. 7* page: 78-79[View Page 78-79] 78 LORETTO: He had not long to wait before she entered with Agnes, followed by Melville and, Mrs. Cleveland. After the ordinary greetings of first acquaintance, he conducted them from the i sacristry to a room in a small brick house ad- joining the church, and bade them warm them- selves, whilst he placed wine and cake on the table. As Mrs. Cleveland approached to assist him, he whispered- "Is that young gentleman a relative?" "Engaged to my niece, I believe." "Ag-" said Lel, looking from the ceiling to the floor, and scrutinizing the window sashes -" were we not here once before?" "More than once," replied Agnes. "But you were not here thlen?" resumed Lel, appealing to the Confessor. "No, Mss Almy, or I should remember you.'" "And I should remember you, though I must have been a very little girl then. What has become of your predecessor-the old gentleman in spectacles-who looked like a prophet, and told me that I would one day be a better Cath- t olic than Agnes?" "Father Thomas," suggested Agnes. OR, THE CHOICE. 79 "Yes!" cried Lel, eagerly, as the name re- called his image more vividly. "He is enjoying, I trust, the full reward of his pious labors," answered the priest, " and perhaps praying now amidst the angels for the fulfilment of his prophecy. Miss Almy," he continued presenting her a glass of. wine- "there is a milk-white lamb amongst these hills whom we love and watch most tenderly,--and you have come to steal her from us." Lel was silent. "You have made her believe that our coun- try fields afford poor nourishment, and taught her to sigh for more alluring pastures." Lel was silent-Melville restless. "You would have her forsake the simple herbage that has hitherto sustained her, to crop the hot-house plants which may poison as soon as tasted." "You do her too much injustice," objected Melville. "Are you too in the conspiracy, Mr. Mel- ille? There are four against me then," re- orted the Confessor, looking from one to the hther. "As suppliants only-not extortioners," page: 80-81[View Page 80-81] 80 LORETTO: added Lel, turning away, as if to examine a proof engraving of the Last Supper. The good priest had at last made up his mind, and taking Agnes by the hand, he said-- "And for how long, my child, would you leave us?" "For a month." "Miss Almy, you must turn your back on me no longer. I own myself vanquished-and commit your cousin to your keeping for a month!" Melville bowed deeply, and thanked him cor- dially, whilst Agnes crossed over to Lel, who was still examining the picture. "Why, Lel!" exclaimed Agnes, completely tak'en by surprise, as Lel, who had been vainly struggling with her tears, fell weeping on her neck. "Strange-strange girl," murmured Melville to himself--"When shall I ever know her real character!" "Tears of joy, my child?" inquired the con- fessor, touched by her emotion. "No, sir!" cried Le, "tears of sorrow! I could not ask your consent, because in my in- most soul I did not wish it. Up to this OR, THE CHOICE. moment, I have labored incessantly to induce Agnes to accompany me home-but my heart failed me at the dawn of success; and were I not prevented by-" her promise to her nncle flashed actass her-" by-by violating every rule of propriety and respect, I would suppli- cate you now to retract your permission." "Which I should never do," said the priest, who saw the beautiful soul of which Agnes spoke, shining through the tears in Lel's eyes. "Place her not in my keeping!" continued Lel with mournful earetnestness- I am not worthy of so holy a charge!" "Then in God's keeping! I relieve you of responsibility," and from that moment the name of Ellen Aliy became an altar-word; 'and throughout that peaceful convent there were prayers offered up from many a pure heart for her peace and happiness. page: 82-83[View Page 82-83] %$ LORETTO: CHAPTER VIi. THAT night Lel had a dream. She dreamed that she was in the Convent Chapel, alone-at midnight; that as she was kneeling there, a lady, whose face was concealed by a white veil spangled with stars, appeared upon the altar. Slowly and noiselessly the figure moved to- wards her and stood over her-the veil was up- lifted-it was her Mother!-Not the pale, cold body she had seen in the coffin,-but the mild, warm, bright being, whose breast had once been her home-the living Mother of other days. She, dreamed that her Mother kissed her, say- ing-"I have come to life again--you are no longer motherless:-though invisible, I will be ever at your side, to hear your lowest whisper, and grant whatever a parent's love may bestow. Sleeping or waking, I shall watch over you-go where you will, I am with you,-and though years and years may pass before we meet again, remember that your Mother lives!" The figure receded to the altar, as if wafted back by unseen wings-a smile of more than mortal sweetness overspread her face-and from OR, THE CIOICE. 83 her hands and forehead streamed forth rays of glory, bathing the sanctuary in light. It was still her mother's form--but not her mother,-- not the mother who had died:-but One like her, only far more beautiful, far more powerful, aird in loving whom, she loved her parent too. It was still her mother, but more than her mother!- "O holy One, leave me not!" trembled on her lips, as the lovely vision seemed about to lose itself in excess of light: but in the effort to speak, she awoke with a Christmas sun beam- ing full on her face. It was nine o'clock. "I thought you were never going to wake," said Agnes. "Do you know that you have been crying in your sleep?" "Oh! I have had such a dream," sighed Lel, pressing the tears from her eyelids. "I dreamed that mymother was living and appeared to me: -how beautiful she was!-And now, 'that you smile--you remind me of the look she gave me as she vanished. A-- when I first woke and saw you kneeling there, I thought you were an angel." ' "I wish I were, Lel, if only to be your guar- dian." I page: 84-85[View Page 84-85] 84 L9RETTO: "What have you been doing to yourself this morning?" "Nothing. What do you mean?" "Have you been riding?"-pursued Lel, after a pause. "I rode to the Convent with mother." "What took you there so early?" "To go to Communion." "To Communion," murmured Lel, resting her cheek on her hand; then turning fondly to her friend, she said,--"Agnes, do you think that, if I had been to Communion, I should look as you do now? If I thought so, I might- -" ' "Do you really mean to go home with me to-morrow?" "Yes," replied Agnes, laughing. "Yes?" echoed Lel, adding sadly and slowly, "May I never hear music again, if I am not sorry for it!" The Colonel was getting ready for church. Christmas, he said, was one of the few festivals in the year, when it became imperative oil every thorough-bred gentleman to appear inl his pew, just to show that Christianity was a OR, THE CHOICE. 85 very good thing in its way, and to encourage the lower classes in their harmless devotions. There was a smack of vulgarity in staying home on such an occasion--it savored of false aris- tocracy :-men ought to concede something to the practice of their ancestors and the preju- dices of 'their neighbors-in short, he owed it to himself and the community to go to church. A landholder of liberal tastes and fine impulses was, of course, not required to hear mass as regularly as a daily laborer or a woman; but still it was incumbent on every admirer of the Gospel to make some public acknowledgment, once in a while, of his respect for Christianity and his want of sympathy with atheism. Be- sides this,;there was a drop of Catholic blood in the old man's heart, which ran thrilling through his veins at the sound of the- Christ- mas mass-bell, startling his well-contented con- science an instant from its slumbers. The Colonel had already bestowed an hour on his toilet, and with Charley's assistance, it was nearly complete. Touched by the keen edge of his favorite razor, his chin -was as smooth as an infant's-his hair was richly pow- dered-his white cravat tied in faultless sym- 8 f page: 86-87[View Page 86-87] O0 b UK L 0R E1 T TU metry. No wonder he stood before the glass, so complacently arranging his ruffles, whilst Charley brushed his best coat, for he was hale, hearty and handsome; and, with his well-turned limbs, his imposing carriage, his rich complex- ion, so peculiar to the gentleman epicure, his fine head and delicate hands, he was at that moment a study for an artist. "Brush it well, my boy," said the Colonel, anxious to be seen to all possible advantage; for he knew that his appearance in church was expected by all the parish; that his entrance could not in the nature of things be unob- served; that after service, every eye twould be on him. "Not a speck!" cried the old man-dili- gently examining the coat and taking a gold- piece from his waistcoast pocket. "Have you heard Mass, Charley?" "Yes, sir; three masses." "That's right." "And I went to communion with mistress." "You're a good boy, Charley"-giving him the gold-piece. "Why, yoUthow equal to a dancing-master or a Musc'ova duck. Now get OR, THE CHOICE. 87 my hat-I wish it were a few years younger- but it will do-it will do." "I never saw you look so well in my'life, sir," whispered Charley, timidly, as he dexter- ously applied the brush for the last time, and drew back to contemplate his master in humble admiration. "Ha! ha!" laughed the Colonel, not at all displeased; "I thank you for the Christmas- gift, :especially "-he internally concluded- "as it is not undeserved. Now, my boy, get the carriage. I will drive. I expect to find dinner and the presents comme il faut on my return!" "Comme ilfaut!" replied Charley, who had the words like a parrot. "Stop! my cane!"-another glance in the mirror, another rub of the chin, another pull at his waisthands, and the Colonel was ready for church. A Christmas Mass is always beautiful; beau- tiful in the Cathedral, where nave and aisle are crowded with the rich and poor, throngoin to hear "the glad tidingss"-where a thousand faces are beaming in reverent joy, as amid page: 88-89[View Page 88-89] 88 LORETTO: incense and immortal music the pontifical cere- monies proceed; beautiful in the country church, where a single priest intones the same unchanging service-where many a youth and maiden, many a father and mother, in the de- cline of life, who have walked six miles or more, fasting, are humbly expecting Commu- nion, with a holy earnestness, through which no trace of corporal fatigue is seen; but still more beautiful is it in a Convent Chapel, with the whole community assembled to hail the Na- tivity of the infant Jesus-one of :the glorious feasts for which they have renounced earth's meaner banquets-one of the blessed days which more than repay them for the brittle trin- kets they have resigned. Take the rapture of the queen of beauty, when the ball is at its height-take the exultation of a true-hearted patriot, or the feigned transports of a maud- lin politician on some time-honored national holliday-combine both, yet how poor, ww false, how feeble are they, if contrasted with the calm delight felt by a religious community, when celebrating the grand festivals of the Church! Christmas is not the time to pity the recluse; and even the Colonel, after an attentive OR, THE' CHOICE. 89 perusal of the blissful faces before him, won- dered how so much sweet content, so much ra- diant joy, could lurk beneath a sister's plain black cap, and had a better opinion of the cloister. The service was over; the small congrega- tion gathered round their pastor, who had a smile, a word, a blessing for all-for the aged men and women who shook his hands-for the young who blushed as he saluted them-for the urchins who clung, laughing, to his' cassock, begging for their pictures and their medals. \ Nor was the Colonel forgotten. Deeply as he bowed to the Confessor, he was careful to preserve the demeanor of one who was con- ferring quite as great an honor as he received. And oh! his air of inimitable, and well nigh imperceptible condescension, when patting his country friends familiarly on the shoulder, he said in measured syllables, as they approached him in regular file, "I expect you all at Loretto." During this scene, the Confessor had beck- oned Agnes into the sacristy to say a few part- ing words. When they came forth, Agnes was 8* page: 90-91[View Page 90-91] 90 LORETTO: T weeping, and Lel's keen eye could detect the ghost of a tear, as she called it, wandering over the good old father's cheek. , Good-bye!"It was soon said, but long remembered. What's that on the porch?" inquired Lel, as they neared Loretto; "and why are all these people following us?" The Colonel smiled sagaciously. Lel, still staring in amazement, continued, Uncle, upon my word, your cottage has been meta- morphosed into an admiral's flag-ship." She sprang from the carriage as soon as it ' stopped, and found a tall Christmas bush at, each end of the porch; whilst shawls, cloaks, comforts, blankets swung in festoons from the ropes connecting the columns. " What in the name of all that's most myste- rious is the meaning of this?;" ejaculated the bewildered girl. "Do you mean to have a fancy ball?" But the mystery was soon unravelled, as the vhole population of the district, young and old, sed to pour itself into Loretto. It was the Colonel's Christmas-gift to the neighborhood. OR, THE CHOICE. 91 The Colonel stood on the nicely graveled walk, his hand thrust blandly into his buff waist- coat, whilst Charley and Mrs. Cleveland un- robed the bushes for the children and presented. the more serviceable gifts-each was labeled-- to its owner. And here Charley and the Colo- nel reversed their position in the trout season; for during the distribution, the Colonel spoke of the crops, the weather, the county assizes, the European news, the scarcity of partridges, without seeming to have the slightest interest in what was going on-whilst Charley claimed all the thanks and smiles as pompously and pertinaciously as if he had been the real bene- factor. But in truth it wasa spectacle worth contemplating; reminding one of the times when such acts of benevolence were daily wit- nessed at the abbey gates, which are now in ruins, or closed to all who come in poverty instead of titled splendor. Whether through Charley or the Colonel, or Lel herself, it was soon ascertained that Agnes would leave in the morning for the city; and all their joy. was turned to sorrow. Tears clouded the eyes which had been brightly beam- ing, and she could scarcely pacify them by pro- page: 92-93[View Page 92-93] 92 LORETTO: mising a speedy return; for they loved her to jealousy and feared to lose her. Lel, perceiv- ing from the dark looks cast on her, that she had become an-object of suspicion and dislike, re- treated into the parlor, saying to Melville: "I shall be mobbed, if I remain." Nor did she venture forth until the crowd had dispersed, and Charley was taking down the bare ropes. t Well!" cried Lel, playing with her uncle's ruffle, "ifyou are not an original, there's no eccentricity ori the face of the earth. Am I in fairy-land? When shall I forget this memora- ble visit to Loretto?" "JVever!" whispered a low voice in her ear, and she felt her cousin's lips on her cheek. OR, THE CHOICE. 93 CHAPTER VIII. MRS. CLEVELAND, Melville and Agnes were at vespers: Lel and her uncle had the cottage to themselves. "What ails you, pet," said the Colonel; &"you are pale." "I have a head-ache," replied Lel. "Is that all! I have a homcepathic pill up stairs, that will cure you in five minutes." "Stop, uncle," said Lel, detaining him, "have you one that will cure the heart-ache too?" "Eh!" whispered the old gentleman, with a most knowing look, drawing closer to his niece, "Are you afflicted with the heart-ache? You. my rattling, prattling, romping, laughing, merry Inischief-making mistress? Come! I'll cure you in half an hour: put on your bonnet." "A walk!" cried Lel, who longed for the fresh air. Arm in arm, they sallied forth. The after- noon was as mild and brigh as spring, and the horizon was wrapped in a deep, mellow haze. They soon left the road for a path that wound f* page: 94-95[View Page 94-95] "ORETTO: up the hill; and here, for better walking, they had to part company. For a time, the Colenel led the way with more agility and ease than one would imagine-plying his stick with the dexterity of a Swiss mountaineer. Lel followed quietly, until near the summit-then at every step her eye and cheek grew brighter and brighter, and, passing her uncle with a bound, she sprang forward like a deer towards the high rock that crowned the hill. While he was still panting and puffiing up the ascent, Lel had climbed the rock: There she stood, balanced on a sharp splinter of stone, all glowing from the exercise, her bonnet dangling from her wrist, her hair breaking from its golden coil to sweep over her neck. "Now I can breathe !" she exclaimed, ex- tending her arms as if to embrace the free air, and glancing down on the wide circle beneath her,- "Now I can breathe !" The Colonel was by no means poetical, yet it cost him some minutes to persuade himself that the aerial figure before him so clearly marked against the flushing western sky, was his own niece Lel; and he could not help be- lieving that, had he been twenty years younger, OR, 'THE CHOICE. 95 he would have fled in terror, and reported the hill as sacred as Parnassus. "How's the heart-ache, Lel ?" he cried, climbing to her side. "Better!" "And the head-ache?" "Gone! But I am ruined, ruined, utterly ruined! I shall never love the city again--Lo. retto has poisoned my home-my heart is among these hills! See how the sun plunges into that gorge, making those bare trees beau- tiful--see how it runs a race with your trout stream, capering there through those velvet fields of young wheat!" "So ho !" shouted the Colonel, as she paused, "my young enthusiast, methinks I see you in your father's parlor, shaking off our dust from your feet, and solemnly vowing never again to visit our barbarous solitude. Isn't it so?" asked the Colonel, expecting an impas- sioned negative,-and he got it. "But," continued Lel, dropping her head, "in a few weeks I should forget you all, and have as keen a relish for morning calls and eve- ning balls as I had before. I should have no- thing on my conscience; and now and then a page: 96-97[View Page 96-97] 96 LORETTO: sweet recollection of the cottage, the convent or this hill might steal over me, and be a cor- dial for the heart-ache. But now- - coldly. "I have no authority to compel yiou to ing him steadily in the face, " you have powe to compel me to sacrifice myself to save you. "Then, far be it from me to exercise a power in which I can take so little pride or pleasure." "Let her stay, then, uncle, I beseech you. Tell her that, at the last moment, you cannot consent to part with her. Dear, dear uncle, do , this, and save her-save me! You may have her back a woman of the world--but never, never as she is now l" "Nonsense!" cried the Colonel. "Isn'tit a woman's business on earth to be a woman of theworld? o you want her tro be a woman of the sun, the moon, the stars? Doyou want wihhr Daderucldf OR, THE CHOICE. 97 her to stand apart from humanity, a cold, unfa- miliar, uninstructed, uncongenial thing-a be- ing out of place-an isolated unit? Give me a woman who possesses all the graces with which the refinement of centuries has adorned polite society,--whose words, motions, actions are tuned to ease and elegance,-who polishes her manners for the delight of all, and instructs her heart for the love of one! Such is a woman of the world, and honored be the title." "Such may be a woman of the world," said Lel; " but I would rather be a milk-maid, untu- tored and neglected, with one true friend to love me, than shine as a woman of the world from now till doomsday. Uncle, I have some experience, and I am inclined to think a wo- man of the world one of the humbugs of the day.' "What are you then?" rejoined the Colonel, tartly. "'As complete a humbug as ever existed: and yet I'm only an approximation to a woman of the world. Some years hence, if I remain single, my education shall be perfected: I shall then have condensed into this little body of mine the congregated graces of nineteen cen- 9 page: 98-99[View Page 98-99] 98 LORETTO: tures-I shall subdue impulse and be elegant by rule-fascinate my friends by my manners, and win a husband by my interior worth." "You misrepresent and mock me, girl," said the Colonel, sternly and sadly. "Then forgive me," said Lel, kissing him. "What I mean to say is this, that in the fash- ionable life to which I must introduce Agnes, there is such a decided preponderance of the bad and silly over the good and elegant, that she will lose more than she gains. I admit that I love the life I have been leading--that I would not willingly resign it ;-it is only at times that I feel, as now I do, the emptiness, the no- thingness of our pomp and etiquette,-but when the feeling comes, I despise myself." "Most unreasonably." "Perhaps so. But Agnes is not made for this world." "Is she made for a cUnnvent?" "It seems to me that she is made to spend her days at Loretto, and die as she closes your old eyes." "Lel," began the Colonel, with much hesita- tion, "be capdid. Have you not some other OR, THE CHOICE. 99 reason for wishing your cousin to remain here?" "None!" said Lel, as unsuspecting as a "None?" repeated the Colonel, with a searching gaze. "Look deep," said Lel, laughing, though her neck arched slightly, "look deep and read all you can see!" "I read," resumed the Colonel in a whisper, "that Agnes Cleveland is beautiful-that George Melville sees it--that Ellen Almy fears Lei's face was crimson in an instant, and then, pale as death, as she muttered indig- nantly-.... "Fear it!" and stood motionless, as if rooted to the rock. Then, with a flashing eye and quivering lip, she slowly raised her finger, and scanning the Colonel from head to foot until he fairly quailed, exclaimed, half in pity and half in anger,--- "Oh uncle,-uncle!" " I was jesting, Lel," he said, approaching You wer e " she cried, as the warm "'You were not!" she cried, as the warm page: 100-101[View Page 100-101] 100 LORETTO: blood rushed back to her cheeks. '-But let it pass." And without another syllable, she tied her bonnet on and descended the rock,-the Colonel following sadly and silently. Not a word passed between them, until they gained the road, though they walked side by side. The Colonel was breathing heavily, as if unusually fatigued, and he coughed almost incessantly. Lel, remarking it, slackened her pace to watch him as he passed her. She could not see his face well, for his head was deeply inclined; but she could see his hand, ever and anon, ner- vously applied to his eyes. Her very soul melted at the sight, and stealing close to his side, she laid her hand upon his shoulder. He started as if stung by a serpent, and catching the mer- ciful gleam of Lel's clear, loving eye, pressed her with a long sob to his bosom. "Oh, my child, my child forgive nme!" was all he could say. But this was enough, more than enough, for the generous girl. "I was a fool to mind you," she said, " and worse than a fool to fly at you like a blind bat." "I thought you a woman," he added, "but you are more than a woman!" OR, THE CHOICE. 101 "' Not more than a woman, uncle; only more than a woman of the world." Thus saying, she wound her arm around his, and sang for him until they reached the white palings of Loretto. Mrs. Cleveland, Agnes and Melville had re- turned from vespers and were grouped around the fire. But it was no longer the same cheer- ful group we have more than once described: a shadow had fallen on the hearth: the note of the crackling wood was more like a sigh- than a song. Lel made no attempt at merriment, she found the silence so much more grateful than conversation. Now and then a trivial question and answer was exchanged; but it meant nothing. Though leach saw that the other was thinking of the morrow, they knew that it required but a word to conjure up the parting scene too vividly; so, in mutual charity, they carefully avoided the subject. Agnes, her- self, seemed to frel the least. It may have been that she did not realize the coming sepa- ration-that to her, as to most young persons, there was a vague sense of pleasure in any 9* page: 102-103[View Page 102-103] 1U0 LORETTO: change-or that resignation ana hope rendered her calmer. Thus passed a very long hour. We cannot dwell on an evening like this: it is better imagined than described. After tea, Melville and the Colonel played chess, whilst Mrs. Cleveland sat between her daughter and her niece. She addressed herself chiefly to Lel, and, with all a mothor's tenderness and minuteness, described the course she wished her to observe towards Agnes: for though the separation was to be brief, it was the first expe- riment, and suggested a multitude of fears. And besides this, Agnes was peculiarly circum- stanced, and might feel no inclination to parti- cipate in the amusements which others found so delightful. She did not think it necessary to apprise Lel of her daughter's intention:- most likely, as Agnes believed, the Colonel had already told her. Lel trembled as the anxious mother spoke of the confidence she reposed in her judgment, sincerity and love,;-of the sacredness of the treasure she was about to entrust her with. Her sole reply was to press her aunt's hand to her lips, as Agnes and her mother rose to leave the room. We shall not follow them. It OR, \THE CH9ICE. 103 is well at times; like the ancient artist, to veil the workings of a parent's heart. Lel had a never-failing friend and comforter in the piano. At home, it served to chase away many a sad thought, and she found it equally valuable at Loretto. She opened it, instinctively, and began to play. Melville, by dint of constant watchfulness and reflection, had contrived to let the Colonel beat him. But, as mayhave been noticed, Lel's music laid a spell on him. His attention was entirely with- drawn from the game, and playing without pro- per precaution, he made such havoc with the old man's pieces as nearly to cost him the Colonel's good opinion. However, the night was wearing away-the piano was closed-the mimic armies slept peacefully in the same tent. Lel had scarcely entered her room, when she heard a tap at the door. It was the Colonel: he held in his hand a string of pearls which he threw around her neck. Many a lady would have received it, many rejected it as a bribe; but Lel, with truer feeling, recognized it as a peace offering, which it were false pride or cruelty to reject. page: 104-105[View Page 104-105] 104 LORETTO: "You have made' me a promise, Lel," he said, patting her on the head, "a promise which you repent. I release you from it, and trust all to your own good heart." Before she could reply, he had left the room* A load was taken from her heart-the thorn was plucked from her pillow-and long before Agnes left her mother, she was sleeping hap- pily. They breakfasted by candle-light, for the roads were bad, and they had to take the stage at seven. Charley's eyes swam as he handed the coffee around. "Charley," said the Colonel, "I believe you like Miss Agnes more than me." "No, I don't, sir," stammered the boy; "I'd cry more for her, but I'd do more for you." "Then be sure you are in time for the stage." "The carriage was at the door. "Not a minute to spare," cried the Colonel, tearing Agnes from her mother's arms. "You are not parting for a century. Let her go, sister, she's not going round Cape Horn. Good-by, Mel- OR, THE CHOICE. 105 ville, God bless you, sir: you know where to find us again. The trout will soon be at us-. fine place this in spring and summer-.much pleasanter than now-no comparison, I assure you. Do come-do come. Good-by, Lel- good-by, Agnes-be good girls. Take care of 'em, Melville. There you are:-Now, Char- ley, off we go. Good-by!" The whip cracked-thje carriage rolled away. The Colonel stood on the porch until they were out of sight, and then embracing her sister ten- derly, led her into the desolate parlor, and seat- ing himself by her side, whispered in his ear,- "Come, Mary, cheer up! We are not too old to be just as happy together now, as we have been for'many a year." END OF PART FIRST/ page: 106-107[View Page 106-107] 106 LORETTO: PART SECOND. CHAPTER I. IN the breakfast-room of a large house, in the most fashionable part of a large city, sat Lel's father. He had just taken tea alone, and was reading the evening paper by the light of a well modeled Carcel lamp. He was a middle aged man, small, but firmly knit; his keen grey eye, naturally quick, was so characterized by habit, that a stranger might honor him at sight for a shrewd, successful man of business. There was nothing repulsive either in his face or per- son; yet nothing positively attractive. He lacked the colonel's friendly air-his beaming smile of universal benevolence: in fact, there were no indications of philanthropy in Mr. Almy's appearance. Yet, on 'change, no one was more honored for his fairness and high- toned liberality; no one more respected for his accurate and extensive information; no one more envied for his uniform success. Whenever blamed, it was for too much in- OR, THE CHOICE. 107 dulgence to his friends, or too much bold- ness in his operations. Yet a very close observer might have taken him for a mixture of the miser and the cynic, artfully disguised be- neath a well contrived surface of self-sustaining dignity. He had acquired great command over his countenance, which, usually, was composed, not placid-there is a vast difference. But now, there seemed to be something painful'on his mind; for, at times, he dropped the paper and would lose himself in thoughts, from which he started with a sigh. During one of these reveries, a carriage stopped at the front door; he did not hear it. "Here we are, Agnes!" cried Lel. Agnes found herself before a stately dwell- ing, whose pillared entrance looked out upon a noble city stretching proudly away to the dis- tant river glittering in the moonlight. The door flew open, and Lel, darting into the breakfast- room, threw her arms around her father's neck. He kissed her gently-to Agnes it seemed coldly-on the forehead, and then welcomed Melville, so cordially, that our novice was sur- prised at the contrast. He had seen Agnes-- page: 108-109[View Page 108-109] few things escaped his quick vision-and, judg- ing from her plain dress: and timid bearing, thought her a waiting-maid, whom his eccen- tric child had imported from Loretto, until Lel thus undeceived him. "My dear father, there is the sweetest crea- ture that mortal eye ever rested on, in your niece, Agnes Cleveland." Mr. Almy took a good long look at her, then kissed her, saying: "You are most welcome, and we shall all try to make you happy." Accustomed to warmer language, Agnes felt her heart sink within her, yet she managed to smile a reply. At this moment, another was added to the group. No one saw him enter; yet there he stood amongst them. He was small, delicately made, very pale and spare, and for one so young, seemed to have suffered much hard treatment. He reminded Agnes of some one who was familiar to her; but the per- son she remembered, whoever it was, had a bright laughing face, and this stranger was sad almost to severity.: Still there was a striking resemblance, which increased as he smiled on her. What his relations were to the Almys, never clearly appeared; he was one of the household, with this peculiarity, that he disap- peared with Lel and was sure to return with her; but where he went, remained a mystery. "I knew you would be here to meet me," said Lel, taking his hand. "I was nearly prevented," he replied; and Agnes noticed that he spoke in a whisper. "My cousin Gabriel," resumed Lel, intro- dueing him to Agnes; "he rarely speaks above a whisper. You are now acquinted with the whole family." There was something interesting in Gabriel, which at once attached Agnes to him; and whenever he looked on her, she thought that his expression softened, thus increasing the likeness she had remarked. Mr. Almy was a little impatient of his presence, and seemed to consider it an intrusion; whilst Melville re- mained perfectly indifferent. Gabriel took no part in the conversation; and in the midst of it, would doze soundly for some minutes, then wake up andt dbze again. Once, as his head drooped, Agnes touched Lel. page: 110-111[View Page 110-111] "O LORETTO: \ "Poor fellow!" sighed Lel-" they say he has a disease of the heart. This drowsiness is one of the symptoms. But come: you must be tired, for I can hardly keep my eyes open. Ex- cuse us, gentlemen. Good-night!" Gabriel left the room with them. "Now for a chat, Melville," said Mr. Almy, producing a decanter of gin; "but first, what sort of a girl is my niece?" "A very superior woman, I assure you.". "Glad to hear it," said the' merchant; "I thought as much. Plain looking--eh?" 'Do you think so?" returned Melville, in unfeigned astonishment. "Well-ye---rather," pursued Mr. Almy, sipping his toddy. "If she can take a polish, though, she's in good hands now. Have you seen the news from Europe-confoundedly black!".-and no further allusion was made to Agnes. Mr. Almy had a sincere regard for Melville; [ she prized him for his generous nature, and re- ;spected him as a man of the purest honor. He -was never happier thaft when talking with -Melville-whose strong, lucid mind cast a dlight on every subject he touched, whether pt OR, THE CHOICE. 1" litical, social, moral or commercial. After the labors of the day, it was delightful for Mr. Almy thus to recreate himself and gradually reduce his excitable nerves to a pleasant repose, by the united efficacy of new ideas and old Schie- dam. However, Mr. Almy found very little en- tertainment or instruction in Melville that evening; he was often guilty of the most pro- voking inattention; the most absurd opinions; and he confessed that the train of his ideas, as often befell him in travelling, was off the track. As such dialogues are not very entertaining, we shift the scene, with this single remark: that Mr. Almy did not mention himself una- voidably once, and that Melville, though fami- liar with his opinions, was not admitted within the wl l-guarded circle of his feelings. Or more biefly and more intelligibly, they were rather companions than friends-in business and politics, communicative enough--but silent about themselves. "The Colonel has his sanctum, and this is mine," said Lel, as she ushered Agnes into a room communicating with her chamber. The room looked like Lel, and contained convenii page: 112-113[View Page 112-113] "2 'LORETTO: ences and embellishments enough to make most girls of fashion uninterruptedly happy. Yet it was here, on that tempting lounge, that Lel spent many a dismal hour. She was never so sad, as when she mused there all by herself, after breakfast or after an evening feast. Still, she loved her quiet sanctuary; for its very sad- ness was refreshing and salutary. Poor Agnes! the exquisite beauty and finish of the apartment only served to picture more vividly in contrast the plain parlor at Loretto. She struggled hard against it, but nature was too strong in her young heart, and she burst into tears. To Lel, crying was as natural as laughing; but Agnes rarely wept, and had parted from her mother with only a sigh. This natural, but sudden heart-break was thus so painful to Lel, that even the duty of consoling -that mainspring of the female heart-could not prevent her from mingling her tears with her cousin's. "No wonder you cry, Ag," she said- "there's no rejoicing fire here to welcome us with a merry volley, or to bark at our feet like a faithful dog; but instead of this, the hot air comes sneaking up through those miserable OR, THE CHOICE. 13 apertures, breathing a sickly heat, as if the winter had a fever. If I live to see to-morrow, I'll have a fire-place cut somewhere, though we have to run the chimney horizontally out of that window-" Lel soon succeeded in making Agnes laugh, and when she thought the danger of a relapse over, asked her with an air of inimitable droll- ery- "What do you think of my father?" This was too categorical for an answer. "Very unlike the Colonel, isn't ie?" Agnes assented. "Don't you find his manner cold and unpre- possessing?" "How can I answer you, Lel?" "By telling the truth." "But how can I know the truth in a glance?" "Poh! no evasion: Melville would call you a special pleader. Were you not disappointed in him?" "If you must have it," said Agnes, laughing, "I scarcely noticed him after Gabriel came into. the room." 10* page: 114-115[View Page 114-115] "4 - LORETTO: "Never mind Gabriel now. Answer me- - were you not disappointed?" "Yes--" "I knew you would be. If I had met such a man at Loretto, without knowing him, he would have congealed me into an icicle in five minutes." "How can you speak of your father so?" said Agnes. whose fine organ of reverence was shocked. "How can I speak of him otherwise?" re- turned Lel: "he's so much better than he looks, that I'm ashamed of his appearance. Agnes, I'll bet you all the hair on my head against a lock of yours, that you love him in less than a fortnight. I could make you love him now, if I were to enumerate all his acts of devotion to me: I've forgotten more than alfat I remember would compel your affection." ) "I am sure of it;" said Agnes earnestly. "Why," resumed Lel, warming as she spoke, "he was left a widower at thirty, all his habits and feelings inclined him to matrimony, and he could have chosen from the proudest and fair- est in the land-for he was young, rich and i gifted. But he did not marry-he repelled all 1i OR, THE CHOICE. 115 advances-Why?-because a wayward little girl was left him, love's odly legacy-because the spoiled child would have withered under a new mother--because he prized the young crea- ture's happiness above his own--because he loved his daughter better than himself. am that legacy, and I have seen the battle and the victory." "You have reason to love him," said Agnes. "Indeed I have!" exclaimed Lel with fervor. "But could I tell you how he abstained from all a bachelor's amusements to spend the long evenings with that motherless child,-how he appropriated her first affections to himself, in- stead of permitting them to fasten on a nurse as most men do and ever will do,-how he de- clined and still declines all invitations to clubs, diers, matches, and to all the amusements he oves, that he may stay at home and be what a father ought to be-oh, Agnes, the mere recital would enchant you!"- "Lel, dear Lel, I believe you." "I am not overdrawing the picture, Agnes nor am I blinded by filial love. I might talk till doomsday, without doing him justice, and when I begin to speak of him, I know not when to page: 116-117[View Page 116-117] "6 LORETTO: stop. But you must pardon me: I would not utter a syllable in his praise, if his hypocritical face did not compel me to give it the lie: it is eternally saying, ' here is a cold-blooded, calcu- lating speculator,' when it ought to say, 'here is a self-denying, generous, loving father.' I cannot account for the variance between his disposition and appearance : I have been trying for five years, but why his interior virtue has not some outward sign is still a riddle. Wh, mercy on me! my own little face is a passport to every body's confidence,-I hear more se- crets than any body in town, yet my heart is no more to be compared to my father's, than it is to your mother's." "I won't take your bet, Lel," said Agnes, embracing her friend; " you have made me love him already." "I don't want you to love him on my words -but on your own careful observation. I have great reliance on your sagacity, and you must assist me to explain the contradiction between his heart and his face. I have drawn all sorts of pictures of him, and with the same set offea- tures I can give the expression he ought to have,-the expression I hive somnatimes caught, % OR, THE CHOICE. 117 flashing an instant, then vanishing like a meteor." ? ' "Do you think he will like me?"--Agnes asked--." for I cannot study him to advantage unles he does." "He likes you already," cried Lel, "or he never would have said what he did." "He could not have said less." "But he might have said a great deal more and meant a great deal less." Here the conversation ceased, and Lel thought that Agnes must have fallen asleep on her knees, her prayers were so unreasonably long. . \ page: 118-119[View Page 118-119] "8 LORETTO: CHAPTER II, "WERE you ever at a concert, Ag?"' "Never." "Wouldn't you like to hear Beethoven's Symphony in C Minor?" "Yes!" cried Agnes, joyously, who, until introduced by Hel to the great master, had reve- renced him only as a mighty shade, standing afar off in the mist and majesty of distance like one of Ossian's heroes. "Come, then, we've no time to lose ;" and away they went to the boudoir, "What are you going to wear, Ag?" "Am I expected to wear any thing more?" "Why, you're not going in that dress-it doesn't fit." "It fits quite well enough; mother made it." "Yes, mothers can do a great many things for their daughters, but they can't make a dress." "Then I'll stay at home. I thought Beetho- ven might be heard without a ticket from a mantua-maker." OR, THE CHOICE. 119 "No; that's a necessary preliminary," re- plied Lel, without relaxing a muscle. "But I can fix you in three minutes. Look here," she continued, producing a cream-colored sack, or opera cloak, and rapidly passing it on her cou- sin's arms. "Now, a white japonica in your hair, and you'll do." "No-no," said Agnes, escaping from the sack. "I couldn't listen with this mealy shroud around me." "It is hard to civilize you savages," retorted Lel, partially vexed at the cool contempt with which Agnes disposed of her cloak. Whilst talking, she had made her own toilet as plain as possible, to avoid a contrast. "Just one flower in your hair," continued Lel. "No." "Aggie, my dear, dear Aggie, for my sake, just this teeny tiny bud," said Lel, kneeling in irresistible humility. "Well," and the flower rested lovingly on her dark hair. "Murder! murder!" screamed Lel, as Ag- nes began to put her bonnet on-" you irre- claimable barbarian!" page: 120-121[View Page 120-121] 120 LORETTO: "Are we going bareheaded?" "Of course we are! How else can we hear?" said Lel, casting down her eyes. "How else can we be seen? you would say. I will wear it!" "Then I'll stay at home!-Agnes, listen to me,-however much you may despise fashion, yet your good sense will teach you that con. formity to an innocent custom is better than unnecessary defiance. A bonnet in a concert room is as ridiculous as satin and tarlton in the country." "So be it, then," murmured Agnes, drop- ping her bonnet in despair. "That's a darling," cried Lel, kissing her and throwing a white nube over her cousin's shoulders. "There'll be a crowd; come, or father and Melville will suspect that mirror of detaining us." "Shall we walk or ride?" said Mr. Almy. "Oh walk, walk, by all means walk! What's :the use of wasting moonlight in a carriage," replied Lel, about to take her father's arm. "No, my dear," said Mr. Almy, offering his arm to Agnes, and giving her a large bouquet, "I prefer your cousin." ' OR, THE CHOICE. 121 Lel's entrance created almost universal com- motion. "There's Lel! There's Lel!" passed from mouth to mouth until every eye was on her. Every body seemed glad to see her--old ladies and young smiled a universal welcome. Up sprang a score of rejoicing beaux, and our party was soon advantageously seated in the most select quarter of the hall. Then another whisper-.- Who's that?" be- gan to circulate, as Agnes became the object of social curiosity. Hitherto we have seen Ag- nes only amongst her native hills, with a becom- ing background of stream and forest, of verdant wheat piercing the snow, of blue mountains meeting the sky in the distance. This may have made a difference; but alas! real beauty and conventional beauty are essentially differ- ent; the. wild flower transplanted to a garden may bloom as sweetly -as beside its parent brook,--but how few will stop to view it. One thing, however, is certain, that Agnes was not the person to take the house by storm; had she appeared unsupported by Lel she might not have occasioned a remark. Any one in the least familiar with fashionable life must have observed that beauty is entirely an arbitrary " page: 122-123[View Page 122-123] thing. It is ordained and given out by the rul- ing clique, that a certain debutante isbeautiful- beautiful in spite of the stars and all creation. Whoever dares to dispute the edict, is banished from the fairy land of the first circles; and thus the whole pack of timorous dependants and hoping outsiders swell the cry, until a duped community is musical with her praise. Or should some fair planet be spied in a lower sphere, which threatens to eclipse the reigning star, the innocent orb is so pelted and perse- cuted by all the satellites of the skies, that, shorn of her glory and her rays, she gladly de- scends beneath the horizon. Thus with Agnes -it required but a word from Lel to make her a paragon or a fright. They were rather inclined to like her, but not willing to hazard an opinion without a full in- vestigation of her claims. Her claims! Oh hollow, heartless mockery! She might have ' been as lovely as the master-piece of Grecian art-she might have spent her life in deeds of glowing charity-she might have possessed every virtue which adorns the soul, every grace which encircles the mind; yet without the bor- rowed attributes of birth and fortune-of for- OR, THJE C h0,ICU,., tune at least-her claims would have fallen to the ground, as unnoticed and unfruitful as the tears of poverty. Aye, more than' this: the very possession of these virtues would have di- minished her attraction; the narrow vision of the world below, deceived by the height of the column, mistakes elevation for littleness. There sat our young rustic, just as if she were in the quiet parlor at Loretto, unchanged, undazzled, unawed by the .splendor and bustle around her. She had thrown off Lel's nubee... she was averse to any ornament. In her novel position, it was difficult to be natural and at ease; few are proof against open embarrass- ment or a still more palpable effort to conceal it. But Agnes was not thinking of the impression she was to make-she was merely amused and entertained by her first glance at life. She was still the same Agnes that sat before the wood- fire. But Lel was in her element, a thousand times lovelier than she had ever been; her eyes fashed and sparkled like diamonds--and in all she said and did there was a grace and elegance of ac- tion never before revealed. Had Agnes been inclined to jealousy, there was ample cause for page: 124-125[View Page 124-125] 124 LORETTO: 'it: had Lel any defeat to revenge, she would have been amply repaid by her present triumph. "Ag," whispered Lel, " do you see that lady in the terrapin head-dress, with clusters of little eggs all over her hair, a dish for an epicure?- There she sits, looking right straight at you. She's coming here in a moment, to inquire who you are." Agnes had already perceived the unpleasant stare of the lady alluded to-who was, in fact, rendered so conspicuous by nature and art, that she might have been marked amongst a million. She had all the pride, mannerism and affecta- tion of wealth, without one symptom of good breeding. But her person, in spite of advanc- ing age, was good; and on the whole, she was rather a favorable specimen of metallic aris- tocracy. "You must secure her countenance," con- tinued Lel; " she is one of the crowned heads, without whose interference you will be cast into exile." "Ah, here comes Mrs. Hoity," muttered Mr. Almy to Melville, "for my niece's pedigree. I'll meet her." And, as the lady in question rose, like a queen from her throne, he boldly OR, THE CHOICE. 125 marched up the narrow avenue and intercepted her advance. Now, Mrs. Hoity was a widow, and had been accused of more than one design on Mr. Almy's independence. However this may be, she pro- fessed the most devoted friendship for Lel, who, with exemplary filial humility, conceived herself solely indebted to her father for the honor. "I wanted a word with your charming daugh- ter-but I fear I shall not have time, as I see the orchestra entering now. Pray tell me the name of that young stranger?" "Miss Agnes Cleveland." "Cleveland-Cleveland-who are the Cleve- lands?" inquired Mrs. Hoity. "Very good people, I believe. Her father's dead." "Ah! an heiress?" said the good lady, brightening up and casting an approving look on the debutant. "Yes,-her uncle has a snug little farm," replied Mr. Almy gravely. "A snug little farm!" echoed the other, with a dying smile. "* page: 126-127[View Page 126-127] 126 LORETTO: "Is thalt the sum and substance of her expec- tationrl?" "No-no," pursued Mr. Almy quietly, " she has very splendid expectations, I believe; but the bequest is unfortunately so limited, as to take effect only after her demise. The poor creature has every thing to hope from her own death, nothing from that of her friends." "Poor creature!" sighed Mrs. Hoity, who ac- tually thought that Mr. Almy was alluding to a peculiar will of some eccentric ancestor. "Is she related to you?" "No: a mere connection-a country cousin of Lel's," added Mr. Almy, in a meaning whis- per. Ahd with an arrogant toss of the head, a smile to Melville and Lel, a cold stare at Ag- nes, this admirable widow resumed her seat. "Have you scared off the cormorant?" whis- pered Melville. "Did you not see how she sailed away at the first snuff of poverty and vitality?" answered Mr. Almy, bending his head to indulge a laugh. "Father has killed you dead-Hoity's against you," said Lel. "I thank him sincerely," replied Agnes, and OR, THE CHOICE. 127 the concert began with an overture by Lind- paintner. "Pshaw!" muttered Lel, crushing the bill. "But we can talk, if the music will let us. Let us fancy ourselves on the walls of Troy : I'll be your Helen and point out the heroes and he- roines in the audience." "Soon done," suggested Melville. "Point where you will you'll find a Menelaus, or a Paris, or - "A Thersites," added Lel, giving him a most most malicious look. "Show me your friends first," said Agnes; "I do not care to see the others." "My friends?" returned Lel, with an expres- sion of blank surprise that convulsed her father and Melville with suppressed laughter, as, ris- ing deliberately from her seat, she carefully in- spected the room. "Melville," she said at last, "pu're taller than I, will you take a look round for my friends ---I can't find one." Happily the overture terminated at that in- stant, and the boisterous applause drowned the laugh they could no longer suppress. U page: 128-129[View Page 128-129] 128 LORETTO: After some mechanical waltzes of Lanner's, came the duett from Jessonda. "C Now," said Lel, " we'll listen, if the talking will let us. You'll see one of my friends now." "Well might she call that exquisite morsel a friend. Ever beautiful and ever new, growing dearer and nobler by familiarity, whoever has heard it when the heart was heavy with sorrow, when the brain was weary with thought, when hope itself refused to cheer; whoever has heard it then, will recognise it as a friend that whis- pered "though the sky is overcast, the stars are still as sweetly shining in their old places." But a group of young ladies and gentlemen near them, kept up such an incessant clatter, that Agnes could scarcely follow the music. An attempt was made to encore the piece, but it was vigorously hissed down for a new polka. "Huzza for the nineteenth century!" cried Lel, her eyes flashing fire. "The mind maybe marching onward, as they say, but it doesn't march to good music. This is awful!" "From the full house," observed Agnes, "I was inclined to think this a music-mad com- munity. OR, THE CHOICE. 129 "A musician-mad community," interposed Melville. "No, sir," resumed Lel, "a few come to lis- ten-and a few weak creatures to exchange smiles with the performers-which ought not to make a rational man jealous: but the great ma- jority come to see and to be seen." "You are too hard," said Mr. Almy; " that's only a collateral pleasure." "No, sir," replied Lel--" the principal attrac- tion." "Of course it is," said Melville;" " it is not surprising that the first principle and ground- work of society should be the mainspring of a concert." The C minor symphony shared the same fate, though insipidity itself was awed into silence by the sublime Adagio, which must always lay the spell of majesty on every human heart. In the meantime it had spread all over the room that Agnes was only " a country co in;" and when the- concert was over, and Mel was surrounded by herfriends, Agnes was as unno- ticed and unmolested as if the seal of her voca- tion, glowing on her forehead had been uni- versally intelligible. ef page: 130-131[View Page 130-131] 130 LORETTO: CHAPTER III. THERE may be many who no longer heed us because our unpretending story seems light and frivolous, because it is not sufficiently seasoned with moral reflections, because we have not thought proper to insert here and there a chap- ter of pointed theological discussion to balance the ingredients of love and folly which must necessarily appear in a faithful reflection of every day life. In all humility, we entreat their patience. We do not claim profound sagacity or varied experience ; but after all, there may be something beneath the glittering surface of Lo- retto, which even the good and wise need not utterly despise. At least we hope so. Our books of devotion, dictated by learned sanctity, are numerous and full of unction; our cate- chism is within reach of the poorest; our trea- tises on theology, our works of controversy are able to carry conviction to every man's door. In all our churches the words of faith, hope and charity are continually falling from anointed lips. Go listen there, ye who seek instruction, 1k OR, THE CHOICE. 131 ye orphans who pine for a mother! Waste not a moment over these pages in the hope of a sentimental conversion!--We only wish to show how the worm of the world may wither the fairest leaf on the tree of life; we only wish to caution the young, aye, and the old, against the siren songs they are singing around us- and to illustrate that there is nothing so little valued by society as the pleasures of religion, whilst nothing is less prized by religion than the pleasures of society. Those who have accompanied us from Lo- retto to the city, must have been attracted by love for the characters we have created, not by a relish excited by the common-place incidents through which they have passed. It is but jus- tice, then, to examine more minutely the mutual relations of our little group of friends-to ex- plain some things which have already been ob- scurely hinted--to reveal others which may not be suspected. Let us see what Lel thought that night. She was not given to jealousy, but for some time she had remarked a change in Melville's man- ter towards her. He was quite as attentive, quite as courteous, quite as agreeable; but he page: 132-133[View Page 132-133] 132 LORETTO: was no more the same to her-the indescribable something had passed away. But more than this, it seemed to her that Agnes alone called up in his face the very feeling she missed and no longer inspired. She feared that she loved him, but she would not believe it, and repelled the thought as an unworthy suggestion. Still she was a woman :-she felt her superiority to Agnes in the concert room, and perceiving, en- joyed it. But now that she was alone, now that the momentary triumph was over, now that her better nature had returned with darkness and silence, she abhorred herself for her weakness. For the first time in her life she had departed from her standard of feminine pride and mag- nanimity-she had raised her hand against a friend-her heart was bleeding to think that she had merited the Colonel's cruel suspicion. As for Agnes, she thought of the beautiful music she had heard, of Mr. Almy's kindness,- she reflected long on Lel's misfortune in hav- 1; ing so many acquaintances without one friend, and then fell asleep to dream of the Convent and her mother. Mr. A lmy, too, was thinking. He thought that Lel must soon be married to Melville, in OR, THE CHOICE. 133 whom she would have a protector worthy of her -that then he might feel at liberty to contract new obligations. He thought of the strength and purity displayed in Agnes,-of her perfect freedom from art and affectation, and became suddenly solicitous about his age and appear- ance. He congratulated himself on having pre- vented the threatened persecution of Mrs. Hoity and her tribe, and resolved to keep the young visitor at home, unmolested and to himself. Of course he acted from the. most disinterested motives; for it would be a fearful thing if this inexperienced girl were entrapped by the wiles of some artful adventurer. In short, it was much more prudent to pursue a Castilian strict- ness in her regard and save himself from all responsibility. Now, what thought Melville? We have not yet succeeded in clearly marking his character, which is more faintly drawn than that of his as- sociates. It is not easy to distinguish him from the multitude of real and fictitious youths in whom young ladies see a hero or a sage. We have said enough, though, to intimate that Mel- ville's charms were rather mental than physical, and that but forhis fortune, few in Lel's place 12 page: 134-135[View Page 134-135] 134 LORETTO: would have loved him. There was a time when Lel was all in all to him-when he thought of no one else and hoped for no one else. But it had passed away-passed away in spite of him! He would give worlds to recall it, but it would not come-it would not come! He felt that he was doing her injustice, that he was unjusti- fiably abandoning a position he had taken, that he had gone too far to retract, that perhaps he had inspired an attachment more permanent than his own: but reason and resolve alike failed to make him retrace the lost ground, over which his inclination once carried him so lightly. He had discovered Lel's noble nature, her firm- ness, her truth, and,he revered her in spite of her foibles. She was worthier of love than any he had met. But he met Agnes! Here is something higher and holier-the realization of his fondest hopes!-As he became better ac- quainted with her, Lel's imperfections were i magnified into faults, until he wondered how he could have been fascinated by such a giddy, tattling creature. Thus he fluctuated between self-reproach and self-congratulation. At the Concert he had seen Lel at every advantage, Agnes 'at every disadvantage, and though de- OR, THE CHOICE. 135 lighted by the brilliancypf the one, he was far more deeply moved by the noble repose of the other, His reflections naturally resolved themselves into this one point-that ho was still attached to Lel, but that his solemn duty to himself de- manded that he should obey his mature judg- ment instead of blindly pursuing his juvenile inclinations. No very serious consequences could arise, because Lel was too generous not to forgive him, too light-hearted not to forget him. The matter must soon be decided- things had a hypocritical aspect as they stood -he hated deception and procrastination-at all events he would ask Agnes to ride with him to-morrow afternoon. r . page: 136-137[View Page 136-137] 136 LORETTO: CHAPTER IV. IT was a bright cold day: Melville and Agnes had gone out on horseback: Mr. Almy and Lel were spending the afternoon at home. "Lel," said Mr. Almy, "I cannot tell you how much your cousin interests me. I have often followed little school, girls for squares to watch their faces. Sometimes I find amongst them one of those sweet young creatures won- dering sadly at the world, on whom the bung- ling earth has not laid a touch to spoil the pure handiwork of heaven. I have wept as I fol- lowed them, to think that they must live,-for they feel their exile. Agnes has one of these faces." "She is as happy as the day's long," said Lel. "Iappier than you or I, perhaps," continued Mr. Almy: "but ask her whether she is not languishing for her home there-above the blue ether that bars the eagle's eye, and her answer will be ' Yes!'" "I believe it would," returned Lel, mourn- fully. OR, THE CHOICE. 137 "Are we the tempters who must destroy this beautiful hope, by substituting for it a clinging to the world-a false devotion to the artificial life we are leading? Oh, Lel, Lel, when I think of the villains who approach you, who, steeped in iniquity to the lips, yet have the privilege of walking, talking, eating and dancing with you, I despise myself for per- mitting it. I had not the Christian firmness to prevent it-I lack the Roman heroism which should remedy it." Lel had often determined to inform her fa- ther of Agnes's choice of life, and of the agony it caused the Colonel. But in her heart, though she knew it not, she prayed that Agnes might adhere to her resolution, and not permit the false glare of a brilliant season to melt her he- roic promise. She trembled at the responsibil- ity of weaning the child of heaven from the breast from which it drew its first pure nour- ishment. She feared that her father, out of earnest sympathy for the Colonel, might em- ploy every art to win Agnes:to the world. This had kept her silent. But her father was speak- ing as he had never spoken before-his whole 12 page: 138-139[View Page 138-139] o13 . 4Bu. B - U. 1 frame was working as if he were giving vent to thoughts smothered for years. "Father," she began, "forgive my conceal- ing it: I should have told you at once-Agnes Cleveland is to be a nun!" "Of her own free choice?" "Yes-." H "Thank God!" cried Mr. Almy, and a light broke over his face, amid which Lel saw the expression he ought to have. "Thank God! But what is she doing here?" Lel hung her head. "Does her mother oppose it?" "No: her uncle does." "Tbe hoary old fool!" thundered Mr. Almy, clenching his hand. "And he sent her here to be reclaimed?" he added bitterly. "Yes!" said Lel-"and I am his instru- ment." "His instrument!" repeated Mr. Almy, breathing deeply and drawing back from his daughter with involuntary disdain-"His in- strument to seduce this vestal virgin from soli- tude and sanctity-his instrument to pervert the purest aspirations of the human soul-his instrument to deprive her of eternal joy for the sake of mortal life-and what a life!-No, no, Lel, I will not believe it-you are not sunk so low!" "I am." "Lel!" exclaimed Mr. Almy, grasping her arm, "I have been a cold, inconsiderate parent; I have but poorly played a father's part; I have neglected your soul, your immortal soul, be- cause I loved the world more than heaven. I shall not speak of this now-not now. I love you, though, with all the, love of which I am capable; you are dearer to me than all the earth. I would sacrifice fortune, health, life to save you from one hour of the suffering that is my daily portion,-but though I must love you thus to the day of my death, come what may, yet if you attempt, by any influence, direct or indi- rect, to clip the wings of this beautiful soul now flying to its Maker's bosom, I shall cease to re- spect you." "Oh, hear me, father. A good old man, with trembling hands and gray hair, knelt to me, and begged me, as I valued his peace and life, to prevent his chiid-for he loves her as his child-from taking this final step, without experience, without reflection, without trial." page: 140-141[View Page 140-141] 1tV L U i ATT U ' g "And is she to be sacrificed because he is old and foolish? Oh, Lel, the whisperings of God to a young heart undefiled by sin, and in con- .tl stant communion with him, trusting, living, ex- ulting in him alone, are worth ages of expe. rience. Fervent piety is more than wisdom, without which reflection is nothing. And as for trial,--are we to test her with acids like a lump of gold, when our very touch is enough to change her nature?" "I have not soiled her yet," said Lel, hurt at the insinuation; "but if you think me an unfit companion for her-" "I have touched your pride, my sweet Lel,"* said Mr. Almy, drawing her to his side. "My dear daughter, you have fine impulses, glowing sentiments, correct notions of right and wrong, as the world goes; you go to church pretty re- gularly, you say your prayers sometimes, you are a loving, dutiful child,-but oh, Lel! you are not what you might have been-what you might be had I done my duty, had I consulted your true interests, had I been true to your mother's dying charge!" At these last words, uttered in a hoarse whis- per, as if wrung by agony and remorse from his OR, THE CEOICE. 141 lips, the proud merchant staggered to a chair and buried his face in his hands, whilst Lel, pale and trembling, knelt before him. "Enough, enough--the fault is mine!' mur- mured the father: "ask me no more--not one word more as you value my repose. Will you. believe it, my daughter, that often when you were attracting all eyes an& winning all hearts, I have wished, prayed-aye, a thousand times prayed that you had died in your cradle, before your feet had left your mother's chamber, before your lips had left your mother's breast. It was a wicked wish-but I wished it--I still wish it!" "Why?" "Because I have a conscience!" said Mr. Almy, with bitter emphasis, and as he raised his eyes he encountered Gabriel's, who was smiling. "You come and go like a ghost," continued Mr. Almy, addressing him; "I am glad you come now with a smile. What's the matter?" "Tea is ready," whispered Gabriel, "and Miss Agnes and Mr. Melville are at the door." We shall employ the time they are spending at the tea-table by relating what hannened during the ride. page: 142-143[View Page 142-143] "2 LORETTO: Melville did not feel exactly happy as he pranced so gaily beside Agnes,-the future was not clear enough,-his hopes were too far from fulfilment;-yet he felt the charm of her pre. sence, and was happier than he would have been any where else. At times, indeed, when Agnes gave full reign to the spirited creature 1 that bore her, when, leaving the city behind, she flew into the country like an uncaged bird -or when, checking their horses, they paced slowly along some wooded ridge, conversing as freely and fondly as if they had been friends from childhood,-the sanguine young man flat- tered himself that the cold obstacles to his hap- piness were melting in the warm light of affection. Away they went, as fleetly as happiness, through the suburbs, over the main road, pass- ing from turnpike to turnpike by various wind- ing lanes, new to Agnes, but familiar to her companion. The horses stopped of their own accord beside a little ice-bound brook, and then walked most leisurely. The road was shut in by hills and trees, and wound gradually from a hollow up/to a high point of land, commanding a fine view of the city and the river beyond it. OR, THE CHOICE. 143 Melville smiled sadly-the intelligent animals were truer to the past than he. Yes, it was Lel's favorite ride! There had she been day after day with him-in spring when the first flowers were blooming, when the loving leaves stretched forth their tender cheeks to the soft kisses of the south winds, and decked the re- viving branches for wooing birds,-in summer, when the little brook babbled against the heat, when thirsting doves came to drink and peck there, when the flocks and herds slumbered in the cool shade of noble oaks, when the bearded wheat and tasseled corn waved in green and gold-in autumn when the mellow fruit glanced in beauty through the orchards, when every hill top and every bottom glowed in gorgeous livery of a thousand dyes, as if the numberless leaves had caught and held fast the colors of the sun- set clouds. The horses had always walked over that ground, and they respected it now. No wonder then Melville looked grave, no wonder he hung his head. He knew the very stones-they preached to him most powerfully of mortal inconstancy ;-and as memory after memory returned, with a load of looks, words page: 144-145[View Page 144-145] "4 LORETTO: and smiles, his heart smote him, and he felt like a traitor. Agnes was not entirely blind, yet up to this instant, she had never dreamed that Melville's attentions to her meant any thing more than common friendship. To a pure, unsuspecting intelligence, truth comes like inspiration. All at once it flashed upon her that Lel and Mel. ville stood a little further apart, and that she' herself stood between them. And then, put. ting this and that together, she rapidly came to a conclusion from which she recoiled, unwill- ing to believe it. When Melville looked up, he met her calm, dark eye searching his very soul, and he blushed and trembled like a truant school-boy. His embarrassment confirmed her suspicion, and a sentiment resembling aversion arose in her mind. It was but a transient sha- dow, yet, had he not looked away, he could have seen, for once, that gentle face adminis- tering a cold rebuke'. "Can we return by that road?" she asked, urging her horse to a full gallop. Melville muttered, -"Yes." "Let us take it, then; the sun will soon be down." OR, THE 'CHOICE. 145 There were pretty cottages strung along each side of the road, some on the Barn, some on the Gothic, but most on the Vandal order, with here and there a dwelling of much pretension, its deformity rendered more conspicuous by its size. Agnes kept her companion busy telling her the names and history of the owners. His answers were not very entertaining or satisfac- tory, and the good people described could hardly have recognized themselves in the med- ley he made of them. In short, he so con- f6unded their birth, marriages and deaths, that it must have been the most wonderful popula- tion on the face of the earth. He still felt that calm, dark eye searching his very soul, and half his replies were at random, until to his inex- pressible relief they reached the edge of the city, where she suspended her queries, to ob- serve the dirty, cramped, dingy hovels through which they were passing. "You must excuse my bringing you this very uninteresting route," said Melville. ," I scarcely know where we are. However, it is easy to escape these palaces of the sovereign people." 13 L page: 146-147[View Page 146-147] "6 LORETTO: "Excuse me,' replied Agnes, surprised and pained by this heartless sneer,-"excuse me if I find this the most interesting part of our ride." Melville saw how far he had committed him. self. Poor fellow! He was charitable or libe- ral to a fault; but, like all of us, in trying to appear to advantage, he only injured himself. "Palaces they maybe," she resumed, "of virtues that might put us, whom the poor need not envy, to the blush. Are these palaces ever visited by the rich-or are they avoided, as the Hindoo avoids a jungle which may conceal a lion?" "Perhaps they do conceal a lion," said Mel- tville. "A very lean one, then," returned Agnes, glancing at the meagre forms that were flitting around them. "Only the more desperate from hunger." "And whose fault is that?" cried the young girl, with a flashing eye. "Were half the mom ney that is squandered applied here, the danger would be over." "My fair friend is something of a social- vl8 .I OR, THE CHOICE 147 "No," she retorted with a smile. C If Christian charity were more in vogue, socialism, which only lives in its absence, would be'out of fashion." "It is their duty, as Christians, to bear and forbear." "Most unquestionably. But if we neglect the duty of relieving, are we to be surprised if they renounce the more difficult task of suffer- ing? A republic destitute of active Christian charity wants the first principle of life." At this moment they were attracted by a lit- tle boy, who, darting through the door of an ill-looking shed, trotted along by their horses, holding his tiny hands up to Agnes with a ges- ture not to be mistaken. He could not have been more than ten years old; he was bare- headed, and his light, flaxen hair curled over his temples and cheeks. Though his clothes were tattered and old, yet his face and hands were scrupulously clean. Agnes was enchanted with hirr as he followed her, looking' up with mild blue eyes from which his very soul ap- pealed. Young as he was, his smile was adorned with a touching mournfulness-it was like a star peering through a watery sky. f page: 148-149[View Page 148-149] "8 LORETTO: "What do you want, my boy?" said Agnes, stopping her horse. "Help for my father," murmured the child, blushing and hanging his head. "Perhaps his confusion should be construed into an admission of imposture," she whispered to Melville, and then continued-"What ails your father?" "He has been very sick." "Is he better?" "Oh yes, much better. He is getting well." "What does he want?" The child was silent. "Tell me!" said Agnes, in a tone of such heart-felt sympathy, that the little fellow won- dered, smiled and wept. "He never asks for any thing," answered the boy, shaking his head,-" he never asks for any thing." "Have you nothing to eat?" resumed Agnes. "Yes, we have bread and meat enough for a week; but father won't eat it, and if he doesn't eat, you know he must die." Here his tears flowed faster. "I thought-that if I could only get money enough to buy him some nice things to-night, he would be better in the morning. OR, THE CHOICE. 149 And when I saw you passing, something seemed say to me, 'there goes a lady who will give you some oranges and pine-apples and oysters.' For oh! you looked so good!"-cried the art- less child, looking into her eyes. "Flattery,-another proof of dishonesty. Shall we encourage this vagabond, Mr. Mel- ville?" reaching down to pat the boy's head as she spoke. "He attracts me strongly," whispered Mel- ville, taking out his purse. "In spite of his light hair and blue eyes, I think he slightly re- sembles you." "What is your name, my son "P said Agnes. "Clarence!" "Have you no other name?" "None." "Where is your father?" "In there," said the boy, pointing at the door from which he had issued. "Can I see him?" Again the round tears rolled over his soft cheeks-again his golden head inclined. With- out a word, he pressed her hand passionately to his lips, then gazed at her in mute reve-- rence. 13^* page: 150-151[View Page 150-151] 150 LORETTO: You are not in earnest, Miss Agnes," cried Melville, as she was about to dismount. "Indeed I am," and throwing him the reins, and giving her hand to the child, she sprang lightly from the saddle. Melville was instantly at her side. "My dear Miss Cleveland," he said, "I im- plore you not to expose yourself to the close atmosphere of these cells, where you know not how many forms of disease may be lurking. Remain here :-I will make an examination and see that the invalid is well nursed." So saying, he beckoned a man to hold the horses, and stepped before her. "We will go together," said Agnes, noticing Melville's concern for her and indifference to himself. But she could not be dissuaded by look, speech or gesture; for not only did she long to begin her mission at the bedside of suf- fering poverty, not only did she think of bath- ing the invalid's temples and mising his lips, but the man might be dying, an unshrived soul might be speeding to its last account! Clarence led the way with his little hand fast in hers. OR, THE CHOICE. 151 After ascending a narrow, crooked staircase, they entered a dismal chamber, uncarpeted and unpapered. They could scarcely see each other at first, for the room was badly lighted, and the broken windows were hung with blan- kets to nourish heat at the expense of light. The wretchedness of the scene, the imperfect ventilation, made Agnes dizzy, as, guided by Clarence, she approached a bed standing on a shabby piece of matting in one corner. "He is sound asleep," whispered the boy; "he has not slept before for three days and nights." "Give me a candle, if you have one," said Melville, drawing closer to the slumberer. Ag- nes shuddered-he was so still-his very breath- ing inaudible-it might be death! Clarence hastily drew a match across. the wall, and the last candle, revealing all the evi- dences of poverty and distress, deepened the wretchedness of the scene. Shading the light with his hand, Melville bent over the sick man. Agnes saw a mass of black hair-a forehead white as marble; she saw the closed eye, the motionless lips, and clasping her hands, knelt by the pillow; whilst Clarence, terrified at their page: 152-153[View Page 152-153] 152 LORETTO: deep silence, crept close to her side. She looked again, did not the thin nostril move?- did it not rise and fall regularly? She looked earnestly at Melville. "He is living," he said at last; " his pulse is weak, but true ; his breathing faint, but regular. My son," he continued, in a tone of unwonted tenderness, "your father will be much better when he wakes." "When will he wake?" asked Clarence, with tearful eyes. "Probably not before to-morrow." "But if he should not wake then?" "So much the better. Let him sleep on." Agnes turned to embrace the boy, and to her surprise found the mysterious Gabriel amongst them. How did you find us out?-' said Melville. "I saw the horses, at the door," whispered Gabriel. "This atmosphere is enough to kill any one," resumed Melville, examining the windows. Whilst he was improving the ventilation, Agnes moved about the room, like a sweet spirit, putting things in order. By her mere touch, the rubbish around her seemed to lose OR, THE CHOICE 153 its chaotic aspect. As we see a gentle, loving woman subduing the ruggedness of poverty by a smile, and reducing all to order, as if by the simple force of her presence, we are reminded of the Eternal Spirit that moved over the face of the waters, creating life and light and order by his breath alone. Gabriel had taken Clarence on his knees. One of his peculiarities was fondness for chil- dren which he could no control. He was never so happy as whe he had them in his arms. And they all loved him, and would run to meet him and cling to him like young vines around the prop by which they curl towards the sky. "Let us go, Miss Cleveland," said Melville. "Leave him?" cried Agnes, in surprise. "I will return and pass the night here; I have some skill in medicine. Th is no place foryou." Agnes felt that she had done Melville injus- tice, and a smile of gratitude and approval shone on her face. "But should he want a confessor?" "Leave that to me," interposed Gabriel. page: 154-155[View Page 154-155] 154' LORETTO: "The man is in no danger, I assure you," said Melville. "I shall return in half an hour," whispered Gabriel to the child. "Don't forget the oranges!" said Clarence. Gabriel smiled, and Agnes took the dear boy in her arms. ", When are you coming back?" asked Cla- rence, clinging to her. To-morrow morning early. Will you not go with me till then?" Clarence pointed to his father, and Agnes kissed his clear, sunny forehead. "Where do you sleep?" she said. He pointed to a chair at the head of the bed. Turning abruptly from him to hide her tears, she left the room. "Make no noise, mv son." said Melville. He looked round for GabrleI-but Gabriel had already disappeared. l OR, THE CHOICE. 155 CHAPTER V. As we have seen, Gabriel reached the house a minute before the equestrians: his celerity was so marvellous that he might be called ubi- quitous. At the tea-table Agnes acquainted Lel and her father with what had happened. Mr. Almy immediately ordered his carriage, and the girls busied themselves in gathering all the delicacies of the house into a goodly bundle. After this, they selected a good bed and abun- dant covering for Clarence. All was put into the carriage, in charge of Gabriel, who set out at once; Melville promising to follow soon. The stranger was still asleep: Clarence was sitting by his bed-side, thinking of the sweet looking lady who had been so kind to him. The poor boy had heard of angels, and in his soli- tude and sufferings he delighted to surround himself with those blessed creatures with whom he believed the air was peopled. They were his only playmates, and so vividly had he pic- tured them, that he knew them by different forms and names, and loved to sing to them by day and call them to share his pillow, when he page: 156-157[View Page 156-157] 156 LO RETO: was fortunate enough to have one. But Agnes seemed to him prettier than any of his invisible companions; and he was wondering whether some one of them had not stepped forth from the air to comfort and cheer him in mortal shape, as Gabriel entered the room. Without speaking, but smiling like another angel, this strange being spread the bed on the floor and made it up as nicely as a new cham- bermaid could have done. He then deposited the bundle in a corner, and took Clarence on his knee, drawing the chair away from the bed. "You see I have not forgotten the oranges," he whispered, pulling some of the golden fruit from his pocket. But Clarence was looking at the soft bed, the snow white sheets and spotless pillow-case. "Is that for me?" he murmured. "For you," replied Gabriel, kissing him, as the fair boy, leaning against his benefactor's breast, wept as if his heart would break. It was soon over: the tears of childhood are like April showers-for every drop-a flower, a smile. "What is your father's name?" resumed Ga- briel. OR, TIE CHOICE. 157 Clarence shook his head. "Where were you born?" "I do not know." "Is your mother dead?" ' I never saw my mother," sighed the mo- therless boy. "Where havye you been living?" "In England." "All your life?" "No," said the child after a pause, in which he seemed lost in thought. "I remember ano- ther land where the sun was warmer, where grapes and oranges grew on the hills. I re- member traveling far and crossing the water, and feeling cold, and finding different fruits and different people. I could not understand what they said. Then we crossed the water again, and found it still colder and every thing different again-it was England.' "How long were you there?" "Oh, a long time--three or four years." "Have you always been poor?" "Yes, always poor-but not so poor as now; father is sick so often." "t(What does your father do for a living?" I don't know." " page: 158-159[View Page 158-159] 158 LORETTO: "Does he work?' "I don't know. We travel about from city to city. He is with me nearly all day-puts me to bed at night-kisses me-tells me to go to sleep, and bids me good-by. When I wake in the morning, I find him lying beside me." "You spoke of a warmer land, whispered Gabriel. "Yes!" said the boy, eagerly, his eyes glis- tening with tears,--" a land where I wish to die. I should go to heaven if I died there, it seems to be so much nearer heaven than any other place on earth is." A land of hills and grapes! Are you a Catholic?" Clarence opened his jacket and showed a sl ver medal hanging over his white breast. "Your father too a Catholic?"- Yes: he hears me my prayers and takes m, with him to mass on Sundays." During the conversation, Gabriel had not fol gotten to refresh the child from the bundle an from his own deep, exhaustless pocket. 01 serving that the lids seemed to droop over tho: young eyes, he forbore any further questio ing. Soon the untasted apple dropped fro OR, THE CHOICE. 159 the boy s hands-he had fallen asleep on Ga- briel's bosom. "Sleep soundly, sweet child!" but as he spoke Clarence woke, gazing round for his father. "Undress, my boy, I will watch your father to-night." "Will you?" said Clarence, kissing his hand and looking into his eyes. "Yes, you will! I will trust you. Wake ine if he wants any thing." So saying he knelt and said his cus- tomary prayers with his head between Gabriel's knees; then timidly crept into his beautiful bed, and in an instant went sound asleep. Gabriel knelt some time over his' young charge, then rose and approached the sick man, on tiptoe. The invalid for the first time moved, his brow contracted, and a slight spasm passed over his face. Then growing more and more restless, he drew his arms from under the thick quilt, his head began to rock, and finally he turned on his side with his face to the wall, as if oppressed by Gabriel's presence. Gabriel still stood over him, with an expression of pe- page: 160-161[View Page 160-161] 160 LORETTO: placed his hand over the stranger's heart: a deep groan answered the touch. Melville's foot was on the staircase: Ga- briel fell back from the bed, and as he did so, the sick man returned to his former position and lay as quietly as before. "The carriage is at the door," said Melville ; "you had better return and report that all is going on well. I shall keep watch to-night." Scarcely had the door closed on Gabriel, than Melville, taking the candle from the hearth, approached the sufferer. With a trem- bling hand he pressed the matted hair back from the pale forehead. "Yes! it is he!"--Pale as the sleeper him- self, he replaced the candle, and throwing him- self in a chair, abandoned himself to the most harrowing thoughts. The scene itself, apart from association, was calculated to impress him deeply. There lay that beautiful boy, his che'ek resting on his hand, a calm smile playing around his half opened mouth :-there lay the father as stern and still as death. The wind sighed mournfully through the broken panes and loose sashes, and rustled along the tattered hangings. Melville was too much excited to think collect- OR, THE CHOICE. 161 edly, and the night seemed to him as endless as it does to a wounded soldier on the battle- field. The candle flickered in its socket--the formless shadows danced over the wall and ceiling. Twelve o'clock sounded, faintlytolled from afar ffthe unwearying wheel of sin and pleasure is spinning around--his brain is spin- ning too-he feels tempted to rush from the room into the open air. At first, anxious to gratify his curiosity, he wished the sleeper to wake,--it was too painful to watch that white, motionless form, alive, but giving no sign of life,--a stranger, and yet perhaps something more than a friend. But now, though not eas- ily daunted, he trembled lest he should awake -he prayed that he might sleep on till morning light. And yethe could not compose himself; in spite of his utmost efforts he paced up and down the room. He lit another candle brought by Gabriel-its clear light relieved the sepulchral aspect of the room his spirits rose-he laugh- ed at his childish dejection-and forced himself to hum over some of his favorite songs. His back was turned to the sleeper-there is a sud- den start--a motion in the bed!--The song froze on his lips--a chill went through his "* page: 162-163[View Page 162-163] 162 LORETTO: heart. Turning, as if he had been wrenched round by a hand of iron, he saw the figure sit- ting upright-he saw two unnaturally large eyes fixed upon him-it was as if a corpse had risen in the terror and 'majesty of death-as if the soul had returned from its last errand to drag the body after it. Melville, unable to speak, stood gazing at the spectral stranger-it was a pause of fearful silence: the apparition was the first to speak. "Who are you?"' sounded in a hollow voice. A friend," replied Melville, conquering his awe and advancing. "You must pardon this intrusion: it is kindly meant." "Where is Clarence?" continued the other, searching the room with a rolling eye. "Asleep at the foot of your bed." "Poor fellow, he has a hard time of it. Raise me-let me see him-" Melville raised him in his arms until the boy was in view. The stranger, clasping his hands in mute thankfulness over his breast, sank back on his meagre pillow and wept-aye, that stern man wept, and his face became as soft as a woman's. OR, THE CHOICE. 16 "Am I indebted to you for this?" he said feebly pressing Melville's hand. Melville shook his head and related the cir cumstances that led to his discovery, bringin Agnes forward in the beautiful relief she occu. pied in his own fancy. "And who is she---this angel of mercy?" Melville hesitated-he felt himself on dan- gerous ground--her name might excite an agi- tation fatal to the patient. "My sister," he replied. "And your name is-- "Melville." "Melville!" repeated the other, drawing his fingers across his forehead,.,-." Melville." "I think we have met before,' and as the stranger searched his features, he began-- "I am a wanderer!" "Indeed!--The music store in London?. Has that wretched, impious song served to con- Iect me in sympathy with any human being. Oh, Mr. Melville, I have changed since then! I am still a wanderer, still a prodigal, still a vil- lain, it may be,-but that boy has bettered me -saved me. These are almost the first tears I have shed since childhood: but long accus- #' page: 164-165[View Page 164-165] 164 LORETTO: tomed to hardship and neglect, your sister's kindness, at this moment, makes me wee might scorn it, if rendered to me al e, but to that child--Bless her! ble e asd theune bidden tears coursed do his wasted cheeks "Poor boy! he resumed,-" he leads a lonely life with me, and yet I have seen him, for hours at a time, playing and talking with in- visible companions--his angels, as he calls them. And who will say that those blessed spirits may not appear to a lonely, motherless boy, clad in baptismal innocence-that heaven may not minister to such a child, deprived of every earthly pleasure!" Much as Melville wished to hear more he begged his patient, who was already exhausted, to compose himself to sleep. He had prudently i brought some liquid nourishment, which he prevailed on him to take-there was no need of medicine; the man was well, and only re- quired care. Wheneverhe attempted to speak Melville imposed'silence by laying his finger or his lips, saying, "We will converse to-morrow. At last the wanderer's eyes closed-it wa no longer a dull stagnation of the body, but OR, THE CHOICE. 165 i calm, refreshing sleep. Melville was compara- tively happy-happy in the consciousness of doing good--happy that a new tie between him and Agnes was spun. But a task full of diffi- culty, requiring the greatest prudence and deli- cacy, was before him. Agnes had promised to return in the morning, and how to palm her off for his sister without awakening suspicion as strong as his own, he knew not. Lel, too, would be sure to call her cousin by name:- one word might cost the invalid his life. It was necessary to make a confidant of Lel: thus he hoped, by practicing a harmless piece of de- ception, to obviate the danger. He felt that he was adopting the best course under the circum- stances, and assured of the success of his plans, the night passed swiftly by. Gabriel came with the sun, bringing a gla- zier's box and a pair of window curtains: he * had a knack of doing every thing useful; and during the evening before, detecting the ab- sence of three entire panes of glass, he deter- mined to replace them himself. Melville could not repress a smile. as I "Do not go to work until he is wide awake," -a s his parting charge.r a was his parting charge. a page: 166-167[View Page 166-167] 166 LO ETTO: CHAPTER VI. AFTER a shower bath, a change of clothing, and a cup of coffee, Melville presented himself at Mr. Almy's door. The "royal merchant" was on his way to the counting house, but the young ladies were expecting him with their bonnets on, ready to start for the scene of dis- tress. Watching his opportunity, he drew Lel aside and whispered to her-"Call Agnes no- thing but cousin before the sick man." Lel stared at him in amazement. "Remember-' I am a wanderer!"' They exchanged a look of intelligence, and sepa- rated. "Do you think he will recover?" inquired Agnes. "He has recovered," rep med Melville; " all he wants is proper nourishment. His mind is a little disordered yet; for I noticed that he persisted in calling you my sister, and that my explanations, instead of correcting his unac- countable impression, only annoyed him. I think it better for you not to contradict him." OR, THE CHOICE. 167 "Of course not," said Agnes. "But let us start.' "Do you mean to walk?" said Melville. "Certainly," cried Lel. "I never ride when I can walk. If we walked longer, we'd wear longer-all of us." Gabriel had wrought a wondrous change: the broken panes are restored, the old ones washed :--instead of being obscured by dingy blankets and old clothes, the windows are now ornamented with neat green curtains-the floor is brushed and sprinkled with water..the chairs are symmetrically arranged-the trunk answers all the purposes of a sofa-GClarence's bed is prettily coiled up in one corner-the light fumes of a pastile are curling around the man- telpiece--there is an air of comfort and con. valescence. They found Gabriel washing his hands-the' stranger propped up in bed by pillows: he was quite as mush changed as the room. His long sleep and Gabriel's razor and linen had made him another man. He was playing with Cla- rence's long silken hair, as they entered. Clarence, who had been listening eagerly, no page: 168-169[View Page 168-169] 168 LORETTO: sooner recognized Agnes, than he flew to meet her like a young bird to its mother's beak. Already there may have been noticed in the stranger's manner what the world calls breed- ing. Lel and Agnes were surprised to find every appearance of gentility in the sufferer whom they came to relieve. Melville and Lel both saw that his eye was fixed on Agnes, and that although he turned from her when reply- ing to their inquiries about his health, it re- quired an effort to do so. "I know not how to thank you, Miss Mel- ville," he said,-" this little boy must do it for me. I am perhaps incapable of gratitude- certainly unable to express it, having rarely been called upon to feel it." Again they were surprised, not only at his language, but at the cultivated tone in which the words were uttered. "I know not," he continued, "why you are so kind to a friendless wanderer, nor will I ask: the only reward I can promise is the prayers of my child." "Reward enough for a Christian," said Ag- nes, patting the golden head that was leaning against her. OR, THE ChIOICE. 169 The stranger trembled-her voice, her look, her motion, all reminded him too painfully of one whom she resembled. A deep flush passed over his pale cheek, his bosom heaved, his eyes glowed an instant with the unnatural light of delirium, and after an inward struggle, the sha- dow of fixed, familiar agony overspread his fea- tures. Lel trembled too :-she feared lest they should discover the likeness which existed be- tween them, and which was growing stronger every moment--she knew not how they could be blind to a resemblance so evident to her. Agnes ascribed his emotion to mental weak- ness, and fearing that their presence might retard his recovery, would have gone; but she felt herself attracted to him by a mysterious, overpowering influence. She longed to stay and hear more from the singular man in whom she took such a strange interest ;-his face, his voice, his manner touched her heart ;-his evi- dent refinement of person and feeling, his mis- erable situation, inspired her with a wish to communicate more freely with him-a wish that was not altogether female curiosity. It seemed to he as if she could sit forever in the chair on which Clarence used to sleep,--sit 15 page: 170-171[View Page 170-171] 170 LORETTO 170 LORETTo: there forever and listen to him, pray for him, nurse him, and console him. In vain they endeavored to recall, by indiffer- ent questions, his former cheerfulnes and com- posure: something had passed within his soul which forbade it. His eye no longer sought Agnes, he seemed to avoid meeting hers-her presence oppressed him. "Let us be gone," whispered Lel. Agnes reluctantly assented: but first taking Clarence by the hand,- "Trust me with your child until this after- noon," she said; "I will return him safe." "Take him!" muttered the stranger--" take him!" and with a look that startled her, he pressed her hand to his lips. "He is wandering," whispered Lel. Clarence, blushing and hesitating, kissed his father good-by, and taking his ragged hat, fol- lowed the young ladies into the street. "Do not stay for me, Mr. Melville," said the stranger after after a long silence, "you have had no sleep. I am but a poor chorus-singer, unworthy your attention." "A chorus-singer in an opera?" inquired Melville. "Yes." "Where is your company?" "They left me here unablfe to follow them. Once it would have been otherwise, but I am "Can You obtain a support in this Way?" "Enough to live when I am well, enough to die when I am sick. I should be contented but for Clarence." "I might," "i it,." said Melville respectfully "I might possibly obtain for you more becoming and lucrative employment e I "No!" replied the stranger, with a touch of pride; ,",my present life is my free choice, or I could change it myself." There was a long pause. "Do you not love your sister?" he resumed. Melville could say yes,", with a clear con. science. "Then never let her marry--Who was that bright young creature with her?---.she is made for the world." "Miss Ellen Almy." "The merchant's daughter?" cried the other, page: 172-173[View Page 172-173] i2 Lo R E TT O : shuddering. Melville, internally lamenting his imprudence, nodded affirmatively. i Again the wa iderer's face grew dark,and with agony keener than before. it Leave me, Mr. Melville," he said-" think not harshy of my bluntness--but I must be Come to-night, my alone, I must be alone. !u e m friend--come alone." Clarence and his fair protectors htd reached the centre of the city. Arnea still held the boy by the hand, ane Lel, though sensible of the singular appearance they were making, had not the heart to remonstrate with her cousin. Whom shou'ld they meet but the queenly Mrs. Hoity, sweeping the pavement with her satin skirts. Glancing at Agnes with ineffable dis- dain, she threw a siqe leer to Lel, and when they had passed, indulged a hearty, well-fed laugh, and raising her hands in majestic depre- ciation, exclaimed, "La me! i o much for hav- ing country cousins. Were it not for Mr. A1- my's sake, I would positively decline dining with her to-day.'} Unterrified by the apparition, Agnes retained her hold until they reached a first class clothing store. Clarence was placed in the shopkeep- er's hands, and re-appeared in a handsome dress. Dress makes many a fool pass current, and many a monster; human. Few children in any station of life, though perfumed and petted from the cradle, could compare with Clarence in his new suit. Agnes did not see so great an alteration; but to Lel the transformation was little short of the miraculous. A handsome cloth cap completed his equipment. He bore his honors meekly and naturally, appearing just as much at ease and quite as unaffected and self-forgetting, as when adorn- ing his rags. "I He is made to be loved," thought Lel. "I wonder what his life will be! Now, Clarence," she continued aloud, "you must go home with us and take a ride. After dinner you shall go home." "Home!" sighed Agnes, opening the door and looking up at the clear blue skies. Lel threw a cloak over the child's shoulders, and ordered the bill to be sent home. page: 174-175[View Page 174-175] 174 LORETTO: CHAPTER VI Mr. ALIMY had invited the elite of the city, Mrs. Hoity amongst others, to dine with Agnes. We need not describe the various courses, or enumerate the delicacies provided by epicurean waiters: things exacting so much time and health are better forgotten than remembered. If Agnes was amazed at the profusion and ele- gance of the table, what shall we say of little Clarence, dazzled by the flashing decanters, and confounded by the majestic personages who appeared to be as much at home as wild pig- eons in an oak tree? Poor boy! his only hope was in Agnes. Mrs. Hoity, upon whom Clarence had made a favorable impression, at length deigned to ask Agnes, next whom she sat, the charming urchin's named. "I know not," was the reply, "but he is the ragged boy you passed this morning." The proud widow's face turned to deeper crimson, as she cooled her quivering lip in a glass of billowy champagne. It was insufferable to be in contact with such innate, unblushing OR, THE CHOICE. 175 vulgarity, and had not respect for Mr. Almy re- strained her, she would have left the table. Lel had guessed the conversation,-her eye sparkled with a wicked light, and, quick as thought, she interposed "It is only a habit he has of exchanging clothes with the first beggar he meets. He is the only sort of Mr. Melville's sister, who, you should remember, married Count De La Roche, now dead." "You could not deceive me, Miss Cleve- land," resumed Mrs. Hoity, with a bitter ac- cent. "I can always recognize blood." Agnes, surprised at Lel's bold falsehood, paid no attention to her neighbor's remark; but Mr. Almy and Melville could scarcely contain themselves. From that moment Clarence was Mrs. Hoity's idol; she overwhelmed him with her bland re- gards, throwing them across Agnes, who sat between then, in such a manner as to fan her cold by their rapid transmission. Agnes, un- mindful of jest and dainty, thought of the poor wanderer on his dingy bed--thought of the future awaiting the beautiful boy at her side, page: 176-177[View Page 176-177] 176 LORETTO: who looked as though he were realizing the wildest pageant of the Arabian Nights. She was glad when the ladies had permission to retire to the parlor, where they were to have some music from Lel. During the performance, Mrs. Hoity, whose love for music was not ex- cessive, employed herself in arranging Cla- rence's curls, smoothing and twisting them to greater symmetry. Once, with a praiseworthy gush of tenderness, she actually kissed him on the forehead. Clarence, whose soul was in the music, was annoyed and ashamed, especially as he wanted confidence in his patroness. It was growing dark-the ladies were pre- paring to leave as Melville appeared. "It is time for the boy to go home," he said. "We will take him," said Lel. "No, replied Melville, "his father begs to be excused until to-morrow: he was too much agitated this morning." "His father!" muttered Mrs. Hoity to her- self. "There is a mystery here: I have been deceived!"-But, 'haughty, as she was, she feared to resent an insult offered by the daugh- ter of him she coveted, and, smoothing her ruf- fled feathers as well as she could, she said good OR, THE CHOICE. 1" evenieng, without so much as a parting look to the young Count, who, a moment before, had been so high in her heart. "Oh! thou glorious sample of humanity!" laughed Lel, when they were alone. "I shall see you early to-morrow," said Ag- nes to Clarence. The child looked up in her face, as if they were parting forever. There is a presentiment of separation sometimes felt, without our being able to say why: we have no reason to fear, yet the event justifies the apprehension. It may be, that a young, sensitive soul is influenced and forewarned by certain signs, of which the mind takes no notice--or, noticing, rejects. Thus it was with Clarence: as he beheld her pure, loving face shining on him all he had ever known of a mother, he heard a voice saying- "Linger!-Linger! Years must pass before you meet again!" Agnes slipped into his pocket all that re- mained of her uncle's bounty: Lel increased the sum. Completely overcome; the boy seized their hands, and, kneeling before them, his up- lifted face pale with emotion and wet with tears, said in a firm voice,- "O God, reward them well!" page: 178-179[View Page 178-179] X78 LORETTO: It was ten o'clock--Melville had not yet re- turned-Lel and Agnes were playing chess- turned-Lei an *"O 'he sound of the cold hear, now and then the sound of revelry in the dining-room . At last it ceased, and Mr. Almy presented himself. "What's become of Melville?" he cried. , Hang the fellow! why did he cut us Just when we wanted him most ? Itisbad en ough for you ladies to retreat, without enticing after you our best men-our picked soldiers-our tenth legion." "Mr. Melville," said Lel, keeping her eye on the board, " went home with Clarence." n tWent to the devil!" muttered Mr. Almy, burying himself in a chair. Oh-excu se me, Miss Agnes," he added, seeing her astonish- ment--" his Satanic Majesty is a right respect- able fellow after all."bit Lel pressed ler foot on her cousin's, and bit her lip until it was white. "The idea," continued Mr. Almy, " the bare idea of leaving such wine for the sake of a wandering brat!--I could excuse him," waving his hand to Agnes, "if beauty had been the attraction; but to insult me in my own house out of charity-unnecessary, wanton, super- fluous charity--Lel! light my cigar!" ;J OR, THE CHOICE. 179 Agnes could see him, without turning her face. So completely was her uncle lost in the object before her, that she caught herself hop- ing that the real Mr. Almy would appear and expel the creature that aped him. They went on playing, Lel keeping her eye riveted on the board. Before the game was over, her father fell into a, deep, heavy sleep. "Come," whispered Lel, hearing his loud breathing and takinAgnes by the hand. They met Gabriel on the teps, but Lel paused not until she reached her room: then, locking the doorh she threw herself into Agnes's arms, sob- bing,- "Oh, my father!-my father!" page: 180-181[View Page 180-181] ! 1 LORET"O: A LORET'I O: CHAPTER VIII . AT break of day/ Gabriel repaired to the Wanderer's room :-it was empty-the olde trunk was no longer there--the beds were ten- antless--Clarence and his mysterious father had 4isappeared ! He played with the new green curtains, and looked through the clear new panes which he had inserted with so much care: it was work thrown away -love's labor fost. ' He waited half an hour--they came not. He inquired below, but learned nothing-. ur- muring a prayer, he glided from the room. el and Agnes were on the staircase. ," They have gone!" he whispered, and passed themn like a spirit. Two weeks have flown without tidings of the Wanderer and his beautiful boy. They made diligent search, but in vain. Melville, the last who saw him, said that he lefthim sitting up-that his departure was entirely unexpected -that he had no intelligence of his move- ments. The stranger had inade a deep impres- 1 sion upon Agnes-his pale face haunted her and appeared in all her dreams. Clarence, too, had become so dear to her, that she wept when she thought of him. She was heartily tired of the city, notwithstanding Lel's affection, Mr. Almy's kindness, and Melville's devotion. She longed for the solitude of Loretto,-for her mother, the-Colonel, the Convent. Nor was Lel happier. Alas, poor Lel!-that sweet singing bird was drooping in the cage:- light-hearted as she was, it did not require a mi- croscope to detect -the worm of grief lurking beneath the gaily tinted rind of merriment. She saw that Melville loved Agnes--she could not help seeing it. Vanity of vanities!-When the eye that once sought us, x no longer seeks,-- when the cheek that once glowed no longer blushes-when the lips that once blessed, no longer greet us--when the hand that once trem. bled in ours, is cold and steady,*--when the heart we held, like a juggler's ball has eluded our grasp,-.then, forsooth,.we are ready to die; the world is desolate, the skies- are sunless, there is no life on the plain, no light on the hills, and friendship itself is no longer welcome, because our pride is humbled, because a human 16 page: 182-183[View Page 182-183] 182 LORETTO: being has changed, though above us and around us, the unchanging love of God is beckoning on our souls to one who never disappoints, to to raptures that cannot pall. Alas, poor Lel! Bitterly, bitterly Tdid she feel it; yet she blamed him not, and least of all did she blame Agnes, the innocent cause of her sorrow.- The wounded pride that caused her pain, helped her to conceal it too. She had not to endure the shame, the degradation of being supplanted by an unworthy rival; his choice of Agnes dis- played an elevation of soul that went far to ex- ,cuse his fickleness. Yet the wound was deep- deeper than it seemed. She tried to heal it with music; but every chord was only musical of the past, of the blessed past, from which she was forever separated. How beautiful seemed that quiet Conventwhich the Colonel detested! Had religion a balm which even music could not bestow? Melville was in a tumult: he had had a con- versation with the Wanderer, which disturbed him--Mr. Almy, at Agnes's request, had in- formed him of her inteution to be a nun-she meant to return to Loretto in a week-her re- turn .would confirm her resolution-it was OR, THE CHOICE. necessary, though their acquaintance brief; to come to the point at once. 183 had been The moment at length arrived when he might speak: he and Agnes were alone together in the parlor, thanks to Lel, who, with feminine delicacy, guessing and respecting his purpose, had prevailed upon her father to take a long walk. It is hard to say whether these Veryparticular interviews are more embarrassing to the narra. tor, or the parties themselves. Melville, of course, like a popular orator, be- gan as far off from the real question as possible. However, after some Preliminary meandering, he innocently said, "You have some idea of entering a Con% vent?" "Who has told you so?" replied Agnes, smiling. "Mr. Almy. Is it so0?"-- Not exactly so, pursued Agnes, quietly; "'some idea of entering a Convent' does not express my deliberate, unalterable resolution to do it." page: 184-185[View Page 184-185] 184 LORETTO: Melville was frozen by her firm, unrelenting tone, but, summoning all his courage, he pro- ceeded: "Do you think, Miss Cleveland, that instead of leading a life useful to your fellow creatures, you are justified in immuring yourself in a cell, where you can be of no service to them?"- "What do you mean by ' useful to my fellow creatures?' " returned Agnes. "Is it by living as your friends in this city do?" "By taking your proper place in society to correct and adorn it." "You do me too much honor," said Agnes. "But if, instead of correcting and adorning it, I feel certain that it will infect and deform me?"- "How can you be certain of this?, "By the practice of my religion." "'Are there not some, at least, in the world, who by their virtues diminish its vices?"- "Certainly," she said; "but I am not one of the number." "How do you know that you are not?" "By the practice of my religion." He could not, for the life of him, help wishing her a heathen. OR, THE: CHOCE. 185 "Does the practice of your religion permit you to rob us of your good example?" "If the example I set in giving myself en- irely to God has no effect, I do not see how I could well be a pattern." "But do you give yourself entirely to God, when you sacrifice man?" "I sacrifice man! Why, Mr. Melville, a great statesman dies and is forgotten in three days: cannot I enter a Convent without slaugh- tering a hecatomb?" "But if all thought as you do, what would it end n? " Heaven!" cried Agnes, brightening as she spoke. "It appears to me that you people of the world are very hard upon those who wish to consecrate themselves to God, while you ex- act no account from the vast majorities, who belong neither to God nor man-- mean society. I tell you, Mr. Melville, that the motives which keep people in the world, are infinitely inferior to those which take them out of it into the clois- er. But to return : we are not all missionaries -it is enough to save ourselves without sav- ing our neighbors too. Our own salvation is the first point: we cannot attain that, without 16* page: 186-187[View Page 186-187] 186 LORETTO: praying for others, and prayers, believe me, do good. But if you really want profitable instruc- tion, instead of idle discussion, study Kempis on nature and grace." Melville shook his head sadly. "So much for a life of perpetual contempla- tion and prayer," continued Agnes; "it is surely a holy one;-nor do I see why I cannot embrace it, because the world don't choose to behave themselves. If I felt a special mission to reform them, it would be otherwise. But have you ever heard of a Sister of Charity?" Melville smiled. "You have heard of their prompt fearless- ness, When pestilence scares away your world- lings, -you have heard of their numberless acts of unrewarded benevolence,--but you never suspected that these virtues which attract atten- tion and applause, are insignificant when con- trasted with the heroism they display by volun- tary perseverance in obedience, year after year, until a sweet death repays them at last. If such a life is not useful to man, pray tell me what is? Most of the orders in our church are, what you would call, utilitarian. Have you any objection to my becoming a Sister of Charity?" OR, THE CHOICE. 187 "I can never believe," replied Melville, "that heaven exacts such a sacrifice from any of us." "Heaven always exacts a sacrifice--the sac- rifice of the body." "But not of the soul." "Of the soul!" said Agnes, clasping her hands. "Do I sacrifice my soul, when, by de- nying it every natural gratification, I flood it with the joys of grace?" Then, you enter a convent for the sake of pleasure." "For the pleasure of living for God and do- ing his holy will. You have changed your ground." "Must we lose you then?" pursued Mel- ville, forsaking argument for entreaty. "You will make me hate your religion!" "I ought to make you love it!" "And, for your sake, I hoped and still hope to love it," said Melville, seizing at the word. Oh, Agnes," he continued fervently, ", would heaven I had, known your determination sooner, or could change it now! I love you too well to lose you thus! From the mo- ment..." page: 188-189[View Page 188-189] 188 LORETTO: "Stop, sir!-Had I suspected your love, you should have known it sooner: but I never dreamed of it, until our horses stopped at the brook, the evening we found the stranger. Since then, I have done all in my power to dis- courage an affection so sudden, so hopeless, so unjust." "So unjust?" echoed Melville, half petrified. "Aye, so unjust," repeated Agnes. "Did you not once love Ellen Almy?" Melville hung his head. "Did you not let her see it?" He was silent. "Did you ever declare your love?" "Never!" cried Melville, grasping at a ray ol hope. "I was always deterred by her levity and apparent indifference." "I could not suppose you base enough," re sumed Agnes, "to break a solemn declaration to which the world attaches so much impor tance; it would cost you your standing as gI man of honor. But tell me, Mr. Melville, whe eyes and actions have attested an existing lov and inspired a return, are we at liberty to brea the bond because there is no verbal comipact?- It is unmanly and ungenerous, to say the least. t OR, THE CHOICE. 189 "She cannot love me!" said Melville, stung to the quick; " she is too reckless, too giddy, too fickle, to love any one longer than an hour." "You do her bitter injustice," replied Agnes, rising; "she is a woman whose love would en- rich a throne!-A light manner may accom- pany a strong, true heart, just as exterior dig- nity may hide a weak one. And you know it: you know that there is not beneath the sun a better, a purer, lovelier, loftier nature, than Ellen Almy's." "Is your resolution unalterable?" said Mel- ville, with an accent of despair. "Unalterable!" and wishing him good even- ing, she left him in no very enviable condition. page: 190-191[View Page 190-191] 190 LO RETTO: CHAPTER IX. ' I AM not surprised at it," said Mr. Almy to Lel, during their walk, dwelling upon a topic he had forced upon her attention, "I am not surprised at it, nor do I think the less of him. On the contrary, I honor him for it. True love of what is really lovely is so rare, that in any shape, almost, it is highly commendable. The bulk of mortals are blind to the infinite beauty and majesty of God; so the more nearly we ap- proach him, the more we are despised. In matches, where interest is out of question, chance and vanity predominate; and from the way in which innocence is seen to cleave to depravity, I am inclined to think there is a sneaking fondness for the devil in the best of us. No, no-I like Melville for this, it is a beauti- ful trait." "' Do you think she will accept him?" asked Lel. ," Accept him?" said her father, "She cares no more for him than I do for the glorious Mrs. Hoity. That girl's aim is above this world; she cannot live for man, without renouncing a OR, THE CHOICE 191 manifest vocation-and renouncing that, she would never be able to make a husband happy. Some are made to marry and some are not. I can't exactly express my meaning, but there's something in what I've said, depend upon it." "I think she would be happier with him, than in a Convent," suggested Lel, fully believ- ing it. "Nonsense! they would both be miserable. I'm some where in the neighborhood of a hid- den truth, but can't strike it fairly. Agnes married!-Ha!" and he laughed-"It's per- fectly ridiculous!-Why, she would lose her lustre like a cloud, when the sun, that clothed it in gold and purple, has set. Now, she is as much your superior as can be; though if any one were silly enough to put you both in a book, you would be the favorite by all odds.- Yet, let her marry, even I should cease to love her." "I don't understand you at all," said Lel, repeating his jumbled harrangue. ' I don't expect to be understood," returned Mr. Almy. "Oh, its a fine trait in Melville to love her! I thought the fellow an irreclaim- page: 192-193[View Page 192-193] 192 LORETTO: able infidel, but I've hopes of him now: I might even consent to let him have you.' "Would you ever have refused?" "Certainly, and most decidedly, unless I saw you were breaking your heart about it, which is too unfashionable for you to be guilty of. Why, the man's not a Christian." "Are you?" inquired Lel, with mock gravity. Mr. Almy, pressing her arm, earnestly replied "Your mother was!" Lel found Agnes in her room: the meeting was a painful one, but Agnes determined to make the best of it. "What do you think, Lel?-Mr. Melville has been trying to persuade me not to enter the Convent." "Did he succeed?" "( Not quite. After a long argument, he told me that he loved me." "Was not that convincing?" said Lel, avoid- ing her cousin's gaze. "So far from it," replied Aones, " that I fear I treated him rudely." I hope not: indeed he does not deserve it. He would make you happy." OR, THE CHOICE. 193 "No, my dearest Lel," said Agnes, embrac. ing her, "he would make you happy--not me." They had never before alluded to the subject, but they understood each other as well as if they had spoken volumes. Lel's eyes, already full, ran over.-Agnes had divined her secret--it was of no avail to conceal her grief. We must let those sacred moments pass in silence. "But, when you leave me, Agnes?-Tell me you will not leave me-I cannot live without you!" "Can you not return to Loretto with me?" "No,- no," said Lel; "I shall not leave rmy father again." "Yofu nce asked me to explain your father's face;" ret ned Agnes, anxious to divert her mind; "I (hink I can satisfy you now. People are apt to acquire that worst of all curses, afase conscience. When we get this, it answers all the purposes of innocence, and makes us attrac- tive; but when, though sinning on, we pre- serve a true conscience, self-condemnation makes us repulsive: wanting confidence in our- selves, we cannot obtain it from others. All 17 page: 194-195[View Page 194-195] 194 LORETTO: your father needs to render him benevolent looking, is a false conscience." "Yes, yes," said Lel, interested in any thing relating to her father,-"You are right. Mig- non dies and Felix stays with us:-now,I un- derstand Wilhelm Meister. Have you read it? Oh, Agnes, don't be a nun!-You have mind enough for any thing. If you'll only marry Mel- ville, so that I may have you near me, that I may run in and see you when I please, plague you, play for you, sing for you, I shall be happy. I'll love some one else, and marry just to keep you from being jealous, and then"-but her eyes again ran over as she spoke. "Won't you stay with me a week longer?" she resumed. "Make up your mind to return with me," replied Agnes. "No, no, I'll stay here: I shall have enough to laugh at in Mrs. Hoity, enough to work at in Listz, enough to idle at in new poems, and enough jo sleep at in the congressional de- bates. I understand my father now-blessings on your insight!-and come what may, I care not. Must I change my nature, because ano- ther has changed his mind, must I imitate his OR, THE CHOICE. 195 fickleness by playing false to nmyself?--Never while my name's Lel!" Words, words, words!-the eagle soars with. the arrow in its side-.the shaft must be in awhile, before the wing closes. Now for Melville. If we follow him to his rooms, we shall find him surrounded by comfort and elegance. His mantel-piece is adorned with choice castings brought from abroad, the walls are gemmed with rare paintings and en- gravings, selected with judgment and taste. But there he sits dejectedly before his grate: he tried to read--absurd; he tried to write--impossible; he tried to caress a noble Newfoundland dog, who appeared to have some sympathy for his master-contemptible. In the blank despair of the first shock, he felt like. poor Gloster, as if another Regan had plucked his eyes out, as if the curse of love had doomed him to wander, like VYathek, with his hand forever upon his heart. Too well remembering her manner, it seemed to him cold, disdainful, masculine ;-and flatter- ing himself that he had been wasting his sun- light on an obstinate icicle, he suffered from that page: 196-197[View Page 196-197] 196 LORETTO: worst arrow in Cupid's quiver-devotion to an unworthy object. But, before midnight, his senses partially returned. Had he not been been unjust to Lel,-had he not thus merited the rebuke so unmercifully administered by Ag. nes-had she not evinced her superiority of mind and feeling by detecting and reproving his inconstancy ?-But there was the rub !-Might not the knowledge of this-might not the sus. picion of a lingering affection for Lel, prevent her love ?-Alas ! what excuse will not the hu. man heart invent to shield itself from admitting that its want of success is its own fault! The windings, turnings, twistings of disappointed love, are too pitifully comic for analysis. A woman, in this condition, invites a tear,-a man, a laugh. Melville was not imaginative; his affections were always guided by his reason ;-yet Shak- speare himself could not have suffered more than he did then. A warm fancy is often mis- taken for a warm heart, because it has all the language of sorrow, when feeling is dumb. We shall try not to laugh at him, since he grew humbler towards morning. How could she love me, he said,-what have I to attract OR, THE CHOICE. 197 her, besides wealth, that gilded bait which a noble nature scorns?--I have no accomplish. ments, no social qualities, no beauty, no grace -I never have been loved--never will be- never will attempt to be again! If any body wants me, they must court me, propose, run off with me and marry me; otherwise, I and my dog for ever !-And he said all this, as seriously as could be, with a burning, beating forehead and a cold hand. Poor Melville ?--in enumerating his deficien- ciencies, he omitted "I have no religion ;" he did not consider the absence of this a blemish; and how few do, in all the written and unwrit- ten tragedy and comedy of human love. page: 198-199[View Page 198-199] CHAPTER X. MELVILLE felt like an orphan-worse than an orphan. Sensitive creature, he had not the courage to present himself at Mr. Almy's-his temerity and fickleness had deprived him of the society of that delightful house, his only home. To relieve his spiritual desolation, he was tempted to seek forgetfulness in the sparkling Lethe of dissipation. But Gabriel, the ever- present and all-seeing Gabriel, failed not to visit him in these moments of despondency, and whisper words of strength and consolation. This meek, benevolent being was the only link between him and the charming family from which he was for ever exiled. Some words that fell from the Wanderer kept perpetually recur- ring to him-"Do you love your sister Agnes? then never let her marry." What could the man mean? Did he mean any thing? When tiredfwith vain attempts to solve this difficult problem, he was naturally led to contemplate Lel, " the bright young creature who was made for the world"-and his meditations naerally OR, THE CHOICE. 199 i Oh, if Lel had only a little more of JAgnes in her!" One morning, as he was trying hard to read a newspaper,Mr. Almy presented himself, and slapping him on the shoulder as cordially as ever, said: "Melville, what in the deuce do you mean by treating me in this way? We are to have some music to-night-the German will be there, and if you don't come, beware of me in future." -Melville, greatly relieved, thankedhim, pro- mising punctual attendance, and the generous merchant departed. "What a happy man!" sighed Melville; "he does not seem to have a care on his mihd." At that moment there were cares enough on Mr. Almy's mind to break down three Mel- villes, unschooled in affliction. ; "Yes, I will go!" mused Melville, in sup- pressed heroics: "I will go, if only to show that I am calm: I will have no eyes to count the spasm of my mouth or note the changes of my cheek-and least of all shall Agnes be- hold the ruin she has made!"So saying, he finished his breakfast, Nith something of an appetite. . page: 200-201[View Page 200-201] VVK LV U 1 lu 'V "Do you mean to have a ball to-night? ' in- quired Agnes of Lel, as the were sitting toge. ther. "Tell me, frankly, for if you do, I shall not be present." "A ball! Nonsense," replied Lel; it will be nothing more than one of our old Thursday evenings, with a supper. Father made me put "musicale" in every invitation, that the ladies might dress decently, on your account." ! A waiter interrupted them with letters from the Colonel. They were models of brevity, if nothing. else: "DEAR AGNES,-All well, including Char- ley. We don't miss you more than we did when you were at the Convent. Respects to Almy. Ever yours, &c." "DEAR LEL,-How goes the game? .Are not your knights an overmatch for her bishops?" The cousins looked up at each other and smiled, without exchanging letters or making any comments on their contents. "Do you think Melville will come?" resumed Lel. Ofcourse he will," replied the other. OR, THE CHOICE. 201 "Now, mark me, Agnes-If I betray what I feel by the slightest symptom, I promise to en- ter the Convent with you. The storm in my heart, the thunder on my brow, the lightning in my eye, the rain on my cheeks, the gale on my lips, shall all be covered by a cloudless sky and sunshine without a shadow: and if you never saw a woman who looked as though she knew not grief, nor ever could know it, you shall see her counterfeit this evening in me!" av Dj page: 202-203[View Page 202-203] 202 LORETTO: CHAPTER XI. THE parlors are lighted-the lamps are glow- ing. Lel is in pink, Agnes in white, Mr. Almy in black. The guests are coming-the rustling of satin and silk begins-the room are filling. Close by the open piano, playing with his vio- loncello, known but unnoticed, sat a middle aged man, with true German impenetrability. Hard featured, thick-set, apathetic, he looked like any thing but a genius. Yet, to Agnes, Mr. Almy excepted, he was the most interesting person in the room. "t Shall we commence?" said Lel to the mu- sicians, as she took her seat. A moment's pause, and away they went at the first move- ment of Mendelssohn's first trio. Rapid and subtle as light, the earnest melody leaps from instrument to instrument, while unflagging and unceasing, the motherly piano underlies, con- nects and blends the whole. But when they reached the Adagio, a light overspread the Ger- man's broad face-his soul shone through its unworthy casing-the living notes seemed to ooze, like Bob Acre's courage, through his fin- OR, THE CHOICE. 203 gers' ends-his hand was endowed with tones more eloquent than speech. Who, that saw him then, anticipated such a close to so much ge- nius-so sudden, so piteous, so terrible! Like many before him of equal gifts, he has gone ignobly and unrewarded to the grave-his life wasted-his hopes blasted-his soul ne- glected. Like many who will follow him, he has withered, like an uprooted flower, in the hand that only prized it a moment, and cast it- off as soon as it began to droop. How few that loved to hear him, strove to help him 'Twas his own fault-sleep soundly, sweet world, sleep soundly! Yet never to be forgotten by some are those rare moments that come like wind from another clime, laden with choicer perfumes than ours I They will sometimes think of the master who sleeps far away from his fatherland, and, some- times, pray for him. No stone marks his grave -not a tear was shed for him! It is singular that those who neglected him in life, do not honor him in ashes; for if he did not live like a genius, surely he died like one. Again the spell of music was laid on Mel- ville. He could not remove his eyes from Lel, page: 204-205[View Page 204-205] 204 LORETTO: who appeared to float with the magic sounds, as if she were the muse who had first inspired the beauty she was reproducing. Who can say what passed in his heart-what years were re- vived and re-enjoyed iA those delightful and all- powerful minutes! Was there not a little more of ignes in her, than he had lately imagined? During the playful Scherzo, a child-like smile hovered around her mouth, and during the fairy- like finale, her eyes swam in dreamy lustre. It was over:-the rooms were full. Mr. Al- my's friends are there-sober looking men, with the weight of the world on their shoulders, their faces screwed up by habit, rather than marked by thought, with calculation lurking in the spotless folds of their white cravats. Lel's friends are there; fair young girls absorbed in their first impressions, whose brains seem to have been consumed in nourishing their culti- vated hair-others a little older, who rejoice in candle light as a blessed invention to contra- dict the lies which the garish sun might tell of them-others decidedly old, yet firmly per" suaded that dignity is superior to grace, amongst whom, let her not be forgotten, tow- ered the immortal Mrs. Hoity. f OR, THE CHOICE. 205 "If these people," thought Agnes, come here for music's sake, I am much mistaken." She was not mistaken. During the first piece they had given signs of enjoyment, if not of appreciation ; but their patience gave out in the second Trio, which was too elaborate to afford them even a pretext for a smile. They could have danced for joy when it died off like a shabby friend or a poor lover. But did they dance? Music of another kind was heard- music from bells, and clarionets, and flutes, and fid- dies. How infinitely inferior! how much more grateful! Like veterans answering the trumpeter, they fell into order-two quadrilles were instantane- ously formed. Agnes, professing her inability to dance, retreats behind Mr. Almy, and enters into conversation with the German. Lel kept her promise well. Light and graceful as a fawn, she glided through every figure; her face beaming, her eye sparkling, her arms waving. The life and soul of the room, her clear laugh rang like morning music on the hill tops, when shepherds and shepherdesses are greeting the rising sun. Not once did she falter; not once 18 page: 206-207[View Page 206-207] 206 LORETTO: did she droop; not once did she betray, by over-acting, that beneath all this there was a silent sorrow. But Melville, poor Melville, was not so sue- cessful. He could have stood any thing but Lel's merriment and indifference. but that broke him down. "I knew she never loved me," he muttered, "but now she despises me!" Dark as death, he moved over to the German, and through him renewed his acquaintance with Agnes. But Agnes was icy cold, and slid off with Mr. Almy. A desperate purpose crossed him, to break abruptly from the company; but this was too much like Sylvius, and he was too much of a gentleman. Then he resolved to devote himself to the prettiest and richest girl in the room: but his heart failed him. He couldn't talk-he could only look at Lel, la- menting that she was just as fickle as himself. All is bright, all is beautiful, all is joy, all is gladness! It is so dream-like, so enchanting, so alluring, so ensnaring! The world is doing its best-all its ornaments are on-all its rags are off! Eyes are glancing-cheeks are glow- ing whispers flowing! The walls shut out earth-the ceiling shuts out heaven! OR, THE CHOICE. 207 Agnes, Agpes, beware! A fatal stream is rushing by thee-its banks are blooming--its waters sweet! Beware! beware! Thy feet are in it; it will sweep thee out to a stormy sea! May not the ermine perish in the snow? May not the camel falter in the desert? For a time she remained alone with Mr. Al- my-it took them hours to see her beauty, but they gathered round her at last, arindshe stood the centre of a brilliant circle. Excited by conversation, her dark eye flashes, the rose mantles proudly in her cheek. Introduction follows introduction-. compliment follows com- pliment. Her praises are sounding through the room, in those terrible whispers which are meant to be heard. She is dealing with men and women of wit and information--boys and girls are listening in respectful silence. Then, all she had read and thought, came thrilling to her tongue, and gushed forth like the first wa- ters from a long sealed fountain. Lel trembled: she scarcely recognized the timid lily of Loretto in the splendid woman be- fore her. Where was Agnes? Was she dead -was the chrysalis soaring on these golden page: 208-209[View Page 208-209] 208 LORETTO: wings? Was she exchanging her immortal pinions for these fleeting feathers of an hour? Who could have guessed that all this was sleeping in Agnes, till the breath of admiration should awake it? Had she not known it? Had she not feared it? Yes! yes! But was she not enjoying, it? Does not the eaglet exult, when, trusting to its untried wing, it finds the air its own? "I knew it was in her," said Mr. Almy to kimrself; "I knew there was burning gold im- prisoned within that cold marble." The music is sounding-Mr. Almy, offering his arm to Agnes, leads the way to the supper room. All is bright, all is beautiful, all is joyous! The table is as luscious as a Moslem's para- dise! There are ices to cool the mouth and wines to fire the brain! Away with the past! Away with to-morrow! The blessings of a life-time are crowded in to-night. Oh! how dream-like-oh! how dove-like-r-oh! how. winning! / Agnes is still in the ascendant-she wields the sceptre of empire, as if she were born to it. Emulous youths are striving for her smiles and OR, THE CHOICE. 209 treasuring her words-transported merchants are unbending-in the buzz of admiration even jealousy is mute. "Oh," thought Lel, " could the Colonel see her now, how his old heart would leap for joy! Here is the woman of the world he wishes." Mothers are asking her expectations--daugh- ters her age. Sons are speculating on the state of her affections. Again the foaming wine kisses the rim of her glass-again she raises it! The flashing eye, the arched lip, the quivering nostril, the haughty brow, were all there! "Look," whispered Lel to Melville, "behold the Wanderer!" The Jikeness was painful: but as they looked, it vanished. The glass almost fell from her hand. Alone in a corner stands Gabriel--unnoticed until then. No longer smiling, his brow is sternly knit, though from his steady eye, which pierced her very soul, tears of anguish are fall- ing fast. Brushing his tears away, he quietly approached Mr. Almy and drew him into the passage. 18* page: 210-211[View Page 210-211] 210 LORET TO: What has happened to Agnes? The queen of the room is mute and sad. As the thunder- bolt shivers a blossoming tree, Gabriel's look had struck her to the ground. All she wanted from earth Awas a place to lie down and weep, alone, the rest of her life. But they are crowd- ing round her still-with a thousand questions, a thousand solicitations, a thousand persecu- tions. Where was the light that dazzled her? It is but a dismal flame that blisters! Where was the music that enchanted her? It is but sharp discord that offends. And now, from the supper room troop the gentlemen, in wine refulgent. The scene is changing fast from mirth to madness, from folly to revelry, from a parlor to a bar-room. Sickened, shamed and dispirited, Agnes rose to retire, but met Mr. Almy. White as her dress, he grasped her arm- "You are not going, Agnes?" Yes." "Stay, for God's sake!" and he mingled with the crowd. She watched him anxiously. His laugh still rang, but it was forced and hol- low-his jests were wild and bitter, rnd when he pledged his fellow merchants, he drank so OR, THE CHOICE. 2" deeply and stared so strangely, that they knew not what to make of him. Lel, whose heart was in her mouth, ventured to ask him what the matter was, for in spite of his utmost efforts to conceal his agitation, it was too apparent. "Nothing-nothing!" was his only answer, as he flitted like a spectre from group to group, bidding them enjoy themselves, in tones inspir- ing any thing but happiness. The company have gone-the last lingering drunkard has staggered off. Mr. Almy is lying on the sofa-Lel and Agnes are kneeling be- side him. ",Speak! speak! I can endure the worst!" cried Lel, raising him in her arms. "So can I!" said Mr. Almy, starting up and pacing the room. "So can I endure the worst!" He stood still and clutched the back of a chair convulsively-the veins swelled in his temples-a groan burst from his lips-his head fell on his breast. "Father!" screamed Lel, "in God's name speak, or I shall die!" page: 212-213[View Page 212-213] ?12 LORETTO: He seemed not to hear her: she repeated it again and again. He placed his hands on her shoulder-he threw back her hair from her face -he fixed his eyes on hers. There they re- mained gazing at each other, the one in terror, the other in vacant anguish. At last his tears rained down upon her uplifted face, and falling on her neck. he cried- " My daughter, I am a ruined merchant-I mustfail to-morrow !" CHAPTER XII. BRIGHT rose the sun of the morrow. The sun, that so often sympathizes with us, showed no concern then. 'Almy has failed, was in every mouth. Impossible, said some; strange, said others; very likely, said the wise ones, shrugging their shoulders with a knowing look. Oh! when a house is falling, how the world scampers off. "Away! away! Beware of the ruins!" Stand off, ye coward herd, the tiles are coming down remember Pyrrhus! Yet there are a few, be it said for the honor of hu- man nature, who step forward to solace with affection, if not to prop with courage. There are some who rejoice in having an opportunity to prove their magnanimity. They come with sweet words and bland manners, to fling some verdure around the ruins, and pardon the proud ingratitude which a reverse of fortune so often produces. Melville could not believe it. Yet he had noticed Mr. Almy's manner-his counterfeit gaiety-his pallor-his unnatural laugh. Could page: 214-215[View Page 214-215] 214 LORETTO: it be? He flew to learn the truth from the lips of his friend. Mr. Almy was in bed, breathing heavily-his pulse bounding like a lute-string. The report was true, for Le! and Agnes were in tears. The royal merchant held out his hand to Mel- ville, who pressed it fervently. Not a word was said, until Melville whispered- "Why did you not tell me last night?" It was useless," and the merchant shook his head. "The crash in England has done it. A hundred thousand will not cover me!" "Oh that you had told me last night!" re- peated Melville, burying his face in his hands. A generous purpose leaps forth like a meteor from the sky. Melville rose from his seat and silently pressed Lel's hand in his. Moments, moments, how ye govern years! He gazed awhile on her pale, tearful face, then hurried from the room. He hastened to the counting-house-the clerks were in consternation-heavy payments to be met that morning, and the master of the house in bed. Melville seated himself at the desk-it was like a rush on a bank, but he met it. He entered the store a rich man and left it OR, THE CHOICE. 215 penniless. But no one else had lost a cent; and, as he retraced his steps, he felt that he had a right to look Lel once more in the face, and he would not have taken millions for the feeling. Imagine Mr. Almy's surprise, when his head clerk appeared with a balance-sheet showing a trifle over all his liabilities. But alas! his notes had been protested; his credit, that regis of mercantile honor, was gone; his house was tainted. "Go on with the house he muttered!"What would he not have given to rise and take the helm! But his head was fastened to his pil- low, as with an iron bolt. He grew worse and worse. He must wrestle for his life with a malignant fever. Where was my lady Hoity then? Pained, beyond a doubt, but pained for herself, not for him. She kept at a prudent distance, lament- ing the fate which had deprived her of a certain prize; for, good woman, she fancied herself irresistible. Happily, her nature was of the most elastic constitution: she soon recovered from her misplaced attachment, and actually wondered how she could, in the name of come page: 216-217[View Page 216-217] 216 LORETTO: mon sense, have cared one fig for a merchant on the verge of bankruptcy. He was no beauty certainly;-he was addicted to gin and water too ;-his conversation was rather coarse, and his manners decidedly inelegant. She could not account for it; all his imperfections were so glaring. It must have been one of those mys- terious infatuations, produced by Lapland witches, or some other horrible cause. She determined to frown down a family which had always held a questionable position, and which was now consigned to merited obscurity. Wise Mrs. Hoity. Amidst all the sickness, loss and desolation, Gabriel moved about merrily. He had never been so happy: there was almost a glow on his white face, and his large eyes were radiant with joy. Lel never left her father's bedside: neither remonstrance nor entreaty could entice her away. There, through the long, long nights of delirium, she knelt, calm and tearless, watching every motion, noting every wild word muttered by the invalid. The most practiced nurse could not have attended him so tranquilly, so firmly, so judiciously. And when the crisis came; OR, THE CHOICE. 217 when the sick soul fluttered between life and death; when an hour might make her an or- phan, her hand was steady as she bound the ice to his forehead and wiped the water from his face. "Leave me, Agnes," she would say; "I Can do without you." Blit Agnes, equally inflexi- ble, kept her post. Many and bitter were her tears--bitterer as she thought of the dancing and music which ushered in the blow-the asp in Cleopatra's basket. She looked back upon her former self-confidence as wicked presump- tion; the hand of God had opened her eyes to her weakness; and in humility and sorrow, deeper than she had ever known, she threw herself in spirit at the foot of the cross, putting all her trust in Him who died there. There was something of more than mortal splendor in Gabriel's sweet smile as he moved about from Agnes to Lel, from Lel to her father. The physician was standing doubtfully over the fallen merchant- his finger on the thrilling pulse-his eye on his watch. "Is there danger?" asked Lel, firmly. "Tell me the truth," The man hesitated. 19 page: 218-219[View Page 218-219] 218 LORETTO: '"As you value a human soul, tell me the truth," she repeated, in a voice stern with emotion. "There is," was the faint reply. "But the case is far from being desperate." "Agnes," continued Lel, as firmly as before, though a tremor had passed over her, " send for whom you wish." At a sign from Agnes, Gabriel darted like an arrow through the door, followed by the physi- cian. Agnes fell on her knees, praying that, at least, an interval of consciousness might be granted. The priest was not long in answer- ing the sick call. "He is delirious," he said; "we must wait awhile; there is no immediate danger. You should have sent for me sooner; death is a pretty serious matter." Lel reproached herself for not having yielded to Agnes in the beginning: she thought it might irritate and terrify her father. Now, her only hope was in that diminutive old man, with short gray hair and small gray eyes. Oh for a mo- -ment's reason! "Pray for him! Pray for him!" said Lel to OR, THE CHOICE. 219 the priest, seizing his hand. They all knelt together. Had their united prayer been heard Was there not a change for the better? Had the body triumphed by its own force? Two days went by-two days of uncertainty and anguish, Lel left him not a moment. Firm, collected, unrepining, she seemed en- dowed with supernatural strength. But when her father once more recognized her; when he called her by name; when he answered her kiss; when he laced his shrunken fingers on her head and blesed her,-when the physician pronounced him out of danger,--then indeed she gave way, fainting in her cousin's arms-- then the overtasked body drooped and lan- guished-then her subdued spirit quailed-then came forth the torrent of tears from her burst- ing heart. It was a Sunday morning. Agnes was at mass. Melville found the merchant asleep. Lel, too, had fallen asleep on the lounge at the foot of the bed. Then could be seen the ravages which grief and watching had made. Her golden hair no longer met a bloom equal to its own on page: 220-221[View Page 220-221] ;22U LODETTO: her cheek; her eyes were hollow; her lips al- most bloodless. But amid the wreck was a loveliness, infinitely more touching than the glow of health and vigor-the loveliness which, like the flowers " on dreamland graves," only spring from tears. It was " the little more of lignes" that he had sighed for. In spite of himself, his eyes filled with tears. Lel, the weak mourner, was something precious and holy to him ;-with all his faults, he was one of the princely few to whom the loved are doubly endeared by poverty and affliction. He knelt at her feet-a half smile was on her face: he prayed that she might awake-forgive him all the past and promise him all the future. How infinitely nobler is she now, than when she sparkled pre-eminent on the crown of fash- ion! 1 And over this pure spring," he prayed, "Iet me be the tree that, taught by her to bloom, may shade and shelter her for ever with its arms!" OR, THE CHOICE. 221 CHAPTER XIII. WILL any of our readers imitate the good world, and abandon Mr. Almy because the house is falling? Heartily tired of a tedious tale, will they leave our frail creatures of an hour to take their chances with poverty, and remain perfectly indifferent to the result? But in books, if not in life, persons become so much more attractive in adversity--all our af- fections are enlisted-we wish we had it in our power to assist them--we would do any thing in the wide world--die for them, if necessary; for our sympathy costs us nothing beyond a tear, soon shed and sooner dried. Agnes had written to her mother for permis- sion to stay and nurse Mr. Almy and comfort Lel. We need not say that this permission was granted-nay, enjoined. The mother's heart was yearning for her daughter, and full of ten- der fears for her safety: but she wrote- "Stay, my child, and do your duty." Hers was the meek heroism of a self-denying heart-the heroism of which earth is silent and heaven musical. Agnes saw, with real plea- 19* page: 222-223[View Page 222-223] '2' LORETTO: sure, Melville's returning love for Lel;-she saw, with a smile, his complete indifference to herself. She had wounded his pride, deeply and bitterly; and wounded pride must revenge itself in some way, though it be in forgiveness. Melville, of course, felt no resentment; but he could not help thinking that Agnes had been too dictatorial--that, in short, she wanted that feminine gentleness which Lel possessed in such an eminent degree. She had spoken to him like a pedantic school girl, whose mouth was full of set phrases;-who firmly believed her wise stereotype sentences an answer to ev- ery argument,-revolving cannon adapted to repel, no matter what or where, the attack. He was tempted to laugh at the patronizing air with which she had referred him to Kempis on Nature and Grace: it could not have been in humility. And then the parrot-like repetition of-"By the practice of my religion,-by the practice of my religion," as if a person could be any wiser by a participation in the sacra- ments; as if God would give us light to know our vocation, when we employ all the means he has appointed to obtain his grace and direc- tion; as if a young heart could gather wisdom OR, THE CHOICE.. 223 and experience from constant self-examination and the confessional. But worse than this Agnes had been the cause of pain to-Lel: he could not forgive this. She had been the csuse of his own fickleness: he could not for- give this either. If any are disposed-and there must be many -to frown Melville down as an insignificant fellow, in spite of his generosity, we pray them to examine well their own hearts, before they pronounce sentence. There i a time when we think we love, and a time whe we do love. Melville only thought he loved Lel, for she was so gifted, so beautiful, that it was impossible to resist her fascination; but her levity and will- fulness kept him from being really in love. Is he to be despised for this? Millions have the recklessness, nobleness, selfishness, follly, call it what you will, to sacrifice wisdom for love; but not one in ten thousand can reverse the case. But there's very little love alib, and less that's worth mentioning. It was onl when Lel displayed that might of firmness and ffec- tion around her father's bedside,-it was only when she was an outcast from fashion and for- tune,-when her cheek was pale and wasted,- page: 224-225[View Page 224-225] 224 LORETTO: when she needed assistance and comfort,-- when others were deserting her,-when the house was falling ;-it was only then that Mel- ville began to love. Let him be honored for it: such things are rare. Mr. Almy was recovering very slowly: his constitution had been almost fatally shattered: the physician hoped to restore him by summer. He was well enough, however, to look into the affairs of his house and to resunle operations as well as could be done from his pillow. And it must be said, that his brother merchants, with scarce an exception, were ready to extend a helping hand. There is a touch of profes- sional pride in almost every department of life, which, though not a Christian virtue, is still a manly laurel, whose leaves adorn the desert through which we journey. How changed was Lel! A deeper change had taken place than Melville dreamed of-a change produced by suffering and Agnes. On the fly-leaf in her cousin's prayer-book Lel had written in pencil, these unpretending lines, which express more than we could do in as many pages: OR, THE CHOICE. 225 Who shall comfort, who shall cheer me, Who shall bid my sorrows cease? Is there not a spirit near me, Pointing to a land of peace? When the tender heart is shaken By the hands tyat blessedbefore, When by all the world forsaken, Is there nothing, nothing more? Who will shelter, who will love me, Who will dry the lonely tear? Is there not a voice above mo, Sweetly whispering, "I am near! I will ever watch beside thee, I will be thy faithful friend; Love me, and my love shall guide thee; Kneel, and let thy sorrows end!" Lel had music of her own for this-a simple, mournful melody, such as pious peasants dream of. She was humming it over, one evening at the close of spring, in her father's chamber. Mr. Almy was still unable to leave his room: he was sitting in an easy chair, near the open window that overlooked his garden, and he could once more see the blessed sun and feel the light south winds;--he could once more look out upon the green grass and gay flowers below. Agnes had gone to visit some pool people-the father and daughter were alone. ! page: 226-227[View Page 226-227] 226 LORETTO: "Come clorser to me, Lel," said Mr. Almy; "I will tell you a story." He took her hand in his. "You scarcely remember your mother; I have rarely spoken to you of her. Perhaps you thought I had forgotten her; but no, no-I re- -membered her too well for my own peace. She was the sweetest and best of human beings: I love Agnes, because she reminds me of her." The fallen merchant paused and pressed his daughter's hand more closely. "She was a pious, practical Catholic: she never missed mass, not even on the cold winter mornings when she had to go shivering through the streets before sunrise, whilst I clung to the warm blankets, pitying my good wife's fanat- icism. ," When her last, lingering illness came, she bore it without a murmur. I wish all the phi- losophers in the universe had seen the meek, patient, joyous fortitude of that Christian wo- man. I had been an infidel-at least, I took pride in passing for one-but my faith in athe- ism was shaken by the spectacle ; for I saw that visible support which humility obtains from hea- ven; I saw that the God in whom she trusted did not fail her. OR, THE CHOICE. 227 "She called me to her death-bed; she placed your hand in mine, as I hold it now, and charged me, with her last breath, to bring you up a Catholic!" i The merchant shuddered-he seemed not to see Lel-she was kneeling with her head on his lap, bathing his hands with her tears. "I made the promise, Lel-I made the pro- mise-and, O God, how have I kept it!-When I remember that solemn moment-the smile she gave, when on my knees I made the pledge she asked-that smile which was still on her face when they buried her-it seems like a frightful dream, that I could have broken my word, because I was sneered at, because I wished you to enjoy all the standard follies which Catholicity forbids,-because I had doomed you in my heart to be a brilliant wo- man of the world!-Am I not a villain? Go home with Agnes, and forget the coward trai- tor to his wife and his conscience, whom you have loved and honored as a kind, good parent." In a paroxysm of tears she sprang to his breast, and threw her arms around his neck. page: 228-229[View Page 228-229] 228 LORETTO: "And I thought I was making some amends by staying at home with you--by inventing amusements to make you happy-by indulging you to excess and accomplishing your mind and person! Can you forgive me? Can you forgive me my own, dear, injured, martyred child?" She pressed his head to her bosom, she gave him a long look of unutterable love. Oh! what are all the vows, the sighs, the caresses of chronicled lovers, to that holy kiss coming in mercy and love from a daughter's lips? "Hear me out," he resumed. "I studied Catholicity to justify'myself, by detecting its errors, and I found its truth. I feared to own it, even to myself:-I feared to confess it to the world-the confession would have injured my business, would have made me ridiculous; and so I risked my salvation and yours, for that bubble, human esteem, and sought to drown my conscience by nightly potations." "Thank God, you did not succeed!" cried Lel, embracing him again and again. "I did not succeed!" said Mr. Almy. "Ifc ever a man toiled for a false conscience, I did; OR, THE CHOICE. 229 but I did not get it, because an angel in heaven was praying for both of us!" Until then, the fallen merchant had not shed a tear; but they came, at last, blissful, blessed drops, that washed away the agony and shame of years. And amid them, though his face was white and haggard, though his eyes were sun- ken, though the lines on his high forehead were deeper, Lel saw the expression he ought to have --the very look she had dreamed of, and prayed for. He folded her to his heart, he dried his tears on her hair, and said, in a voice broken with emotion We will meet your mother in heaven!" Agnes, who had just entered the room, see- ing their agitation, was about to retire, when Mr. Almy called her back. "You are one of us, Agnes," he said. "Lel will tell you all that has passed between us. There was a time," he continued, smiling, "when I was foolish enough to think that you might be one of us in name as well as in spirit. But you have chosen the better part. How tired you must be of helping to nurse me, of gratifying all my whims, of hearing all my com- 20 page: 230-231[View Page 230-231] 230 LORETTO: plaints, of seeing all my misery. It is a shame for us to keep you here-we can do without you now-at least we have no right to expect you to remain, merely because we would miss you so much." "I scarcely expected," replied Agnes, to be dismissed so unceremoniously; but I am de- : termined not to go back to Loretto, until your daughter goes with me; and, abuse me as you please, I will not stir a step before she is ready." "It is hard," pursued Mr) Almy, "to keep from hating you, you make such large demands on my gratitude. As for Melville, I shall cer- tainly hate him, unless I become able to repay his magnanimous kindness. It is just like him: there never was a knight in all chivalry equal to him. I do believe he has given me every dollar he has, and is selling his pictures and trinkets to maintain himself from day to day. My house and furniture will bring something; and if I could get amongst my clerks once more, I might make a living yet, and do some- thing for Lel." "Never mind your clerks or me either," said Lel; " make up your mind to go to Loretto OR, THE CHOICE. 231 with Agnes as soon as you are able to move about. I will stay here and teach music-" "Under Mrs, Hoity's protection?" inter- posed her father. "Under God's protection!' cried Lel; "and with these little fingers will build you a cottage near the convent, where we may spend the rest of our lives together." "Will those little fingers pay off Melville, too?" said her father. "I am sure the fingers of her right hand alone would more than pay him," Agnes added. A blush passed over Lel's face, succeeded by the most painful thought. There was a struggle going on in that young heart, to which few so young, so impulsive, so capable of love, are equal. Melville had too much delicacy to declare himself, so soon after a refusal from Agnes; the misfortunes of her father, and her own altered position, in which a lover, equally generous, but less refined, would have seen an excuse for precipitation, only served to deter him from a step which might seem forced by compassion, or taken in the hope that if he had been fickle, she was poor and desolate enough page: 232-233[View Page 232-233] 2M3 LORETTO: now to forgive and gratefully welcome him back. "Was Gabriel with you?" said Mr. Almy to Agnes, breaking the awkward pause. "I have not seen him since morning," she replied. We must here remark a change in Mr. Almy towards Gabriel. Formerly, the proud mer- chant regarded him with ill-concealed aversion: he seemed to think him an impertinent intru- der, an officious busybody, always blundering and always out of place. Whenever he spoke to him, it was with a scowl, full of hatred, yet not unmingled with fear. But as soon as the fever left him, it was different: he loved to have Gabriel near him ; he welcomed his pale face to his bed-side, and was never happier than when Gabriel would come and sit by him and smile him to sleep. Perhaps the young man's kind- ness had won his heart, perhaps adversity had taught him forgiveness, perhaps there was ano- ther reason. Be this as it may, Mr. Almy and Gabriel were friends. This meek, benevolent creature had never resented the merchant's in- suits: at times, he would disappear for weeks and then return as humble, as charitable, as OR, THE CHOICE. 233 uncomplaining as ever. No wonder, then, he replied to advances so warmly made: he scarcely knew the meaning of revenge, and no one ever appealed to him in affliction without finding a friend. It is the bright month of June: Mr. Almy is nearly well. Again that good priest, that dimi- nutive old man, with short gray hair and small gray eyes, is in the house. He had been there more than once-he had brought books there- he had been alone with Mr. Almy, hours at a time. It is a Sunday morning in July-the bells are ringing for early mass-it is the feast of St. Vincent of Paul. The good priest is at the altar-and, at the communion railing, Agnes, Gabriel, Lel and Mr. Almy are kneeling side by side. There are two more stanzas pencilled in the prayer book. I have sought thee, I have found thee, Lamb of mercy, holy guest; Thy eternal love has bound thee Captive in a mortal breast. 20* page: 234-235[View Page 234-235] j/pW VJ U - - ' %f 1* mA Oh that I had sooner tasted Joys I never knew before, Oh had I the youth, I wasted, Back again, to live it o'er!- Oh that I had sooner known thee, Oh could I the past recall;-- Yet thou wilt not now disown me, Father of the Prodigal! To my breast, thy Son, descending, Sweetly there appeals for me; Let me then, thus humbly bending, Pledge the rest of life to thee!- Mr. Almy's conversion was by no means so great jn event as his failure. "It is very natural," observed Mrs. Hoity, "that a falling family should choose an unfash- ionable religion. And as for Lel," she said, "she would turn Turk or any thing else to please her father." Arid these wise remarks embodied the opinion of the world in general. In a few days, however, the world ceased to have an opinion; and Mr. Almy was permitted to go to his counting room, without being cross questioned or stared at. ^ The dwelling house and furniture were ad- vertised for public sale: Lel and Agnes were preparing to revisit Loretto. OR, THE CHOICE. 235 Melville determined to speak: it was Lel's last day in town-he could not part from her, witiout an explanation-she was so frail, so spirit-like, he might never see her again. The moment came-his elaborate excuses, his long professions all failed him. He knelt to the injured girl, and uttered the single word -"I love you!" Lel was calm and smiling: the struggle had taken place, the victory was gained before she went to communion. "You tell me that you love me," said Lel; "it may be, and my weak heart is willing to believe it. I thought so once before: you know how much I was mistaken. I need not say that the gift of your fortune to my impover- ished father, has not diminished my regard. If I do not admit that I love you, I confess that I shall never love another. But I cannot accept your addresses for a year, and not then"-her voice faltered-" unless you are a Catholic!" While the words were ringing in his ears, she hurried from the room and threw herself into Agnes's arms. Lel! Lel! thou tender girl, there is not a hero in history with a soul like thine. Yet the world has cast thee off-it page: 236-237[View Page 236-237] dUV JL U. :t i 1' U - has forgotten thee-even he, the first and last choice of thy heart, may forget the too, for thou hast renounced him. But weep not, weep not, Lel; the angels are around thee, and all the saints of heaven are smiling, as thy heavenly Father accepts and records the sacrifice thou hast made! And that night Lel had a dream-the same she had at Loretto. She dreamed that she was in the Convent chapel, alone-at midnight; that as she was kneeling there, a lady, whose face was concealed by a white veil spangled with stars, appeared upon the altar. Slowly and noiselessly the figure moved towards her and stood over her-the veil was uplifted-it was her Mother!--Not the pale, cold body she had seen in the coffin,-but the mild, warm, bright being whose breast had once been her home-the living Mother of other days. Still more radiant was her smile when she stooped and kissed' her, saying "JVow you are mine!" There is another figure on the altar-another Mother, but infinitely more beautiful, infinitely more tender; and from her hands and forehead are streaming rays of glory that bathe the sanc- tuary in light. And as she stood, a child ap- OR, THE CHOICE. 237 peared upon her breast, whose lustre eclipsed her own-a halo trembled around his head, and he stretched forth his little hands to the sleeper, and she awoke with a prayer on her lips and her heart full of joy and hope. The morning was just' beginning to break-- Agnes was kneeling over her friend, her face wet with tears. "What!" said Lel, glancing at her cousin's undisturbed bed-" have you been up all night?" "I have been thinking of my past presump- tion," replied Agnes; - it is enough to keep me awake. In the pride of my heart I came here, thinking that I was an angel commissioned to save and instruct you; I regarded you with a sort of compassion, lamenting that you had not the heart to love God as I did. Oh, Lel, our Father in heaven has vouchsafed me a glance into my own heart, and I tremble at the know- ledge af what evil I am capable. Had my edu- cation been like yours, I should be -a victim and a scourge. Even now, I might not relinquish human love, as you are doing. You have been dreaming sweetly: let me kiss this pure tem- ple, in which God is dwelling." page: 238-239[View Page 238-239] 38o LO R ET TO: "My own Agnes," said Lel, returning her embrace, "I owe all that I am to your exam- ple, and so does my father. Had my mother lived, I might have escaped many a sin, but I never would have been what you are. Dear, dear Agnes, you have more to contend with in one hour, than I in a life time!" The sun had risen, and the two friends went- forth to communion. Never had Lel felt such a transport of joy and peace; and if Agnes was pale with watching, her face was calmer and nobler than it had ever been. These are the morning walks that give health and bliss,-that lead to a country of perpetual green and unfad- ing flowers, where the spirit never sickens or languishes, where all is freshness, light and music. The carriage was at the door to perform its last family service--it was to be sold that morn- ing. Mr. Almy silently folded Agnes and Lel to his breast-mutely blessed them, and walked away, leaving them in charge of Melville. The old black coachman drew his rough sleeve across his eyes and drove off. Lel watched the old house-the old house where she was born, where her mother died, where she had first wept OR, THE CHOICE. 239 and smiled, where she had learned to love her father, where she had frolicked as a child, romped as a girl, danced as a woman;-the old house where she had first met Melville, and lost and regained him; where little Clarence had dined and wondered; where so many a match was made, so many a vow spoken and broken; where her little fingers had first tric- kled as aimlessly as rain drops over the piano; the old house immortal with Beethoven's So- Aatas and Mendelssohn's trios, where Handel, Hadyn, Mozart, Weber, Meyerbeer, Heller, Thalberg, Schuberth, Schulhoff, Listz, clustered like familiar genii around Aladdin's Lamp, awaiting the touch of its mistress; the old house endeared by so many years of joy, con- secrated by so many months of pain,-where. she had nursed her father, where she had heard his story, where they had taken together the first blessed draught at the well-spring of Ca- tholicity, where they had breakfasted after com- munion, where she had dreamed of her two mothers and the divine babe on the altar! She watched it with a swelling heart as long as it was in sight, for she loved it as if it lived. Gabriel met them at the cars. 1 page: 240-241[View Page 240-241] 240 LORETTO: "Do not leave my father," said Lel. "He does not need me now," whispered Gabriel. "I serve another master," he added, looking at Melville. Before leaving the carriage, Lel had taken a silver medal froIn her wrist and thrown it over Melville's neck. "Wear it," she said, "and say the prayer whenever you think of me. I shall be happy if I serve to remind you of heaven." The cars are gliding off. Farewell! At ten o'clock Melville wandered up to Mr. Aimy's-a red flag is waving from Lel's win- dow. He shuddered-his knees shook-the dreary, blank existence before him was worse than death. But he had a duty to perform; sad as it was, there was hope and consolation in it. Lel, he had not, but no other had her- and no other should have her piano! END OF PART SECOND. OR, THE CHOICE. 241 P A T T I R D. CHAPTER I. "I SAY, Charley," chuckled the Colonel, "these are fine birds-fine birds. I don't think I missed a single shot." The old gentleman had spent the afternoon woodcock shooting, and his bag was hand- somely filled. Though a poor angler, as we have seen, he was a capital shot; in fact he shot well enough to be called Colonel, without any other retension to the title. He was returning home, a little fatigued, but flushed with success, and longing for some good friends to partake of the supper he pro- mised himself that very night, when he saw a carriage passing along the road towards Lo- retto. He could see it plainly, though hidden from it by the woods. All at once the dogs, who were ranging ahead, set up a bark and scampered after the carriage. Neither Charley nor the Colonel could whistle them back. Away they went, like those faithful hounds in Bur- ger's ballad. 21 page: 242-243[View Page 242-243] 242 LORETTO:a "That's strange," muttered the Colonel. "I'll bet it's Miss Agnes!" shouted Charley. Taking fire at the suggestion, the Colonel bounded forward and cleared the fence, as though a bullet had never made a hole in his leg. Agnes ought to have written word the very day she meant to arrive, instead of leaving it uncertain. And now, my dear reader, you are again at Loretto. The forest trees are in leaf, the or- chards heavy with fruit, the spring flowers have passed away, and the busy bees have exhausted the honey-suckles wreathing the white porches. Agnes is in her mother's arms, and all those anxious moments, all those trembling fears, all those sleepless nights and weary days are for- gotten as the tearful widow strains to her heart her only child. What matters it that she is thinner and paler, that there is no longer a par- ticle of the girl in her face, that she is no lon- ger young? she had her back again, safe and sound, and in the joy of the moment she asked no more. Lel, too, was in her arms-no longer the thoughtless, merry girl; no longer buoyant with life, health and hope, darting here and there OR, THE CHOICE. 243 like a butterflyv; no longer the flattering teaze, the spoiled favorite of fashion; but Lel the mourner, Lel the Catholic. Yet, to the mo- ther's eye, Agnes had changed most: for Lel was happy in her faith, and her joyous soul, though rudely shaken, was still ready to leap up again, as the young tree resumes its place when the storm that bent it is over. It was not so with Agnes. Why?"When I left you," she said to her mother that night, "I felt sure of heaven: now, I do not." The Colonel embraced Lei and Agnes, and Agnes and Lel. He could not tell, for the life of him, which he loved most. They had come just in time for his woodcock; and Charley, with the big drops of delight dancing in his eyes, put forth all his skill on the precious birds. After tea, they took a walk down the road- Agnes with her mother, Lel with tne Colonel. L1l had never seen Loretto in summer: the hand of a fairy seemed to have passed over the place: all around her was beauty and repose. The lark was gliding lazily to bed--the night hawk was wheeling and darting through the air-the cows were soberly walking home "as page: 244-245[View Page 244-245] 244 L O R E T T O: if conscious of human affection"-the sheep were lying down in white groups for the night -the trees sighed in the evening wind; and the distant spire of the Convent was colored by thecrimson clouds on which the sun was still shining from beneath the horizon. There was a holy calm in Lel's breast, as beautiful and profound as the repose of the scene on which she gazed. "Why did not Almy come?" exclaimed the Colonel. "We would have made him a boy again." "Why could he not?" thought Lel; but she was silent. And when the stars stole out, when the whip- poor-will was heard in the woods-when the green frogs began their nightly serenade to their parent stream, our four friends betook themselves to the porch. Why didn't you bring Melville with you," said the Colonel, darting his cigar at a perse- vering gnat, " or some other young gentleman, instead of returning like two old maids?" "As we are," added Lel. "Nonsnsese!" sinpered the Colonel, con- founding his little persecutor with a prodigious OR, 'THE C HOI CE. 245 puff. "What do you think of the world, Ag- nes? rather a nice place after all-eh? Oh I have had my time in it!" "And so have I," said Agnes. "You ought to see more of it, my girl." "No, thank you, I have seen quite enough." "Why, you jade you, what have you seen in a month! It takes one years to see the world as it is in all its majestically accumulating glory and versatile interest. Poh!" continued the Colonel, " what have you seen?" "I have seen," returned Agnes, with pro- voking calmness, " that its standard of morality is not God's standard; that wealth and impu- dence are its virtues; poverty and modesty its vices; that money is its god, its grand govern- ing principle, to which all else is subservient; that happiness is measured by the purse, and. that a comfortable if not luxurious settlement in life is the grand goal, in the chase of which eternity is lost sight of." "Poh!" ejaculated the Colonel. "I have seen Catholics almost universally ashamed of the first principles of their faith, and artfully smoothing them over to attract their dissenting brethren. I have seen them 21* page: 246-247[View Page 246-247] 246 LORETTO: dressing so indecently, even when priests are invited, that their pastors are put to the blush." "That's the priests' fault," mumbled the Colonel. "I have seen," continued Agnes, smiling at the interruption, "that your happyr merry men and women are only so becase they have a false conscience, which has ceased to accuse them; I have seen all who have virtue enough to feel, living in perpetual fear of the temptations by which they are surrounded. I have seen that society is but a hollow farce, in which there is neither love nor friendship. I have seen the idol of a thousand worshipers left without a single friend when touched by poverty." The Colonel groaned and looked away from Lel. "And I have seen," said Agnes, taking her uncle's hand and modulating her voice to a whisper, " 1 have seen that, in spite of all this, the world is dazzlingly beautiful, winning, en- chanting. And oh, my dear, good uncle, it is not God that makes it so! I have felt its insi- dious fascination. I tell you, uncle, that I have been wandering along the brink of a precipice; O n OR, THE CHOICE. 247 that I could no more live in the world than can the moth live in the candle; that my only sal- vation is in that Convent!" The old man knocked the ashes carefully from his cigar, slowly brushed a tear from his eye and put his arm around Lel's neck. "Thank God, you are not a Catholic!" he exclaimed. "There are no Protestant con- vents to take you from me.' With tears streaming down her cheeks, Lel leaned her head on his shoulder. A horrible suspicion ran through the Colonel's mind. He raised her head in the clear moonlight, and mutely questioned her, with such a fearful, timidgaze, that her heart bled for him, as she said- "Yes, uncle, I am a Catholic!" The cigar fell from his hand--his cane rolled on the porch-his broad chest swelled as if his heart was bursting-had they both been dead at his feet, he could scarcely have shown more grief, than at this overthrow of all his plans, this defeat of his best diplomacy. "CHECK MATED!' he sobbed in uncontrolled agony-repulsed them sternly from his side- and then, spreading his arms, snatched them page: 248-249[View Page 248-249] 248 LORET TO: both to his bosom. "Check mated! Check mated!" One word: the sermon just preached by Ag- nes against the world has nothing new in it: Solomon put it all in a nutshell long ago: it will be found better expressed in every prayer book. To the Colonel, it was perfectly puer- ile, the same old song which saints and misan- thropists have been singing together from time immemorial. Only by constant meditation, do we comprehend that life is but a preparation for death; and unless this great truth is real- ized, where is the folly in living as if time were the main thing and eternity a trifle? The visi- ble present, though brief and bounded by the grave, is apt to be more important than the in- visible future. Without strong faith, men must live as they do; and all who reprove them for neglecting their souls, in over devotion to their bodies, will seem only fools, or very good peo- ple, who have not weighed well the difficulty of what they propose. Every day we witness the same spectacle-a' world, for whom God died upon the cross, devoting all their time, all their thoughts to obtain material comfort and avoid OR, THE CHOICE. 249 sorrow,-a prayer at night, an ejaculation in the morning-the rest of the day sacred to the body. We see this every day; we do not won- der at it it, is all right, all in the order of Providence: the only mystery is, that some weak, pious souls are absurd enough to quit the world and devote the greater part of their lives to religious exercises: this is the singular part of it. It would be an unnatural state of things, 'indeed, if all mankind were to make business secondary to religion, and spend as-much time in praising God, as they do in making money. Why, the best instructed, the most edifying Catholic parents, cannot help preferring an aus- picious alliance with man for their daughters, to an eternal ,union with god in the solitary cloister; and how can we expect the worldly minded Colonel, who has not seen a confes- sional for forty years, to consider the choice made by Agnes, as any thing else than a burn- ing shame, a living death? How many of us have realized, by prayer and meditation, that heaven is all and earth nothing? How many of us are truly sick of the vanity of life, much as we pretend to be, and do not sagely con- clude that our neighbors and ourselves are all page: 250-251[View Page 250-251] 250 LORETTO: doing our duty, taking our share of enjoyment with sufficient gratitude, and bearing our just proportion of affliction with exemplary resig- nation? There was a time when monasteries and cha. pels were as numerous as castles, when the Christian world seemed ambitious to live a Christian life, when self-denial and self-castiga. tion were honored, when the consecration of a Cathedral was of more moment than the open- ing of a rail-road, when there was something nobler than science and dearer than profit, when the security of government was in the humility of the people, when the security of the people was in the firmness and purity of the church-- when there was not, as now, a grandwork ot ignorance, pride and envy, which is either a withering master or a dangerous slave. Yes! there was a time when all this was, and when Agnes might not have been laughed at; but it was in the dark ages, reader, in those terrible nights before the sunlight of newspapers had illumined the earth. Must it be told that within a month after her return from the city, Agnes entered the con- vent as a candidate--that three months later, OR, THE CHOICB. 251 her long hair was cut to suit the brown cap of thk novice? Until her hair was cut, the Colo- nel had cherished a hope that she would repent her girlish haste; but when he saw the ruin caused by those envious shears, he could not help saying-"It is all over--all over!" And ye who have clung to Agnes, in the hope that she would be induced to marry Melville, or in- cline to Mr. Almy, or that some romantic young gentleman would appear upon the carpet, in- vested with every virtue and every grace, be- tween whom and our young novice, a sweet sympathy might be established, which should ultimately lead to better things than the clois- ter, and supply a chapter or two of delicious sentiment,-leave us, we beseech you,-for her CHOICE is made, though the vows are not yet taken. Yes! she is lost to the world! that sweet, beautiful girl, who laughed so merrily with her load of premiums in her arms; the milk white lamb amongst those green hills; the friend who had gone to change Lel, and who did change her, though she nearly perished in the effort; the kind protectress who had com- forted little Clarence and the Wanderer; the keen-sighted woman who had penetrated page: 252-253[View Page 252-253] 252 - 0RETLORETTO: the secret of Mr. Almy's face, who had con- quered Melville, and reigned supreme in the ball-room, eclipsing all the practiced belles of the season! She wdas lost to the world, that sweet, beautiful girl, who was so well fitted to delight and :adorni it,- lost before the first bkoom of youth- had passed from her cheeks, bef'ore experience liad dried the first bright wa- ters of- hope:and trust that are born in our hearts' lost before' there was any need to seek aEefuge from th'e ills of life in that last resource, a convent I I She is lost to the world, and what aiiatters it what. she has gained-what heaven has won!S6o thought the Colonel. 'Yet what was his 'love for Agnes, compared to 'her mother's-- -he mother who remembered her baptism, her first cries, her first words, her first- caresses; who had counted her first sniles and trieasured them in her heart; who remeri- bered every incident of her youth, her first lisp- inig prayers, her "first songs, her first visit to mass, her first corifdfsioni, her first communion, her confirmation :--hat was his bereavement tho hers? Agnreswas her only child, her only companion in prayer, her jewel, her treasure, her all on earth';-a thousand uncles could not OR, THE CHOICE. 253 have loved her as she did-their lives had been one,-and'now they are called upon to live apart. Oh, not apart! Who shall say apart! When they are repeating, day after day, and night after night, the same dear litanies, when they are appealing to the same saints, the same angels, the same Blessed Mother, the same Fa- ther, Son and Holy Ghost, when they are liv- ing together in God, who shall say they are liv- ing apart! And thus thought Mrs. Cleveland, and she missed not her daughter's long, dark hair; and if she shed floods of natural tears, it was not because her daughter was clad in the plain livery of heaven. And so thought Lel, and she was glad of the CHOICE, though she had now to sit and sew alone, though she had to walk alone, though she had to watch the sun rise and set, and play Beethoven, and listen to the birds and pluck wild flowers, and muse un- der the old oak trees without Agnes at her side. 22 page: 254-255[View Page 254-255] 254 LORETTO: CHAPTER II. WHO shall say what passed in Agnes's heart after that memorable Thursday evening? What visions of worldly happiness crowded on her soul, outshining and eclipsing the silent con- vent to which she had pledged herself? Before her first visit to the city she had wondered how others could be so thoughtless as to abandon themselves to the insignificant pleasures which she despised, and which had not brilliancy -enough even to tempt her, But on a sudden her soul had risen- up in arms against her. The -triumphs and the joys which had been contemp- tible now danced before her eyes in fearful -fascination. They beckoned her on through a lovely vista, opening into sunshine and soft splendor, where roses were blooming, where trees were bending over glittering fountains, dropping luscious, golden fruit. She had mea- sured herself with those who had sneered at the country girl; she had overtopped them and moved amongst them like a queen. She had perceived her superiority-it had been tacitly OR, THE CHOICE. 255 admitted-she saw a brilliant career before her -she had only to step forward and enjoy it. Was not this a temptation? We have writ. ten to no purpose, if Agnes is still considered a cold, calm, passionless creature. We have written to no purpose, if the likeness to her father has not been detected by more than Lel. Few minds could spin such glancing, silky webs for the winged soul; few hearts could feel the enchantment of fancy so deeply. Yet how little did she know this, when she knelt for her Confessor's permission to save Lel, feeling certain of her own salvation i She recalled the haughtiness with which she had referred Melville to Kempis on Nature and Grace, as if she were perfect in that sublime chapter. Oh Agnes, Agnes, was there not pride, presumption, in thy self-confidence? was there not too much contempt for others, whom thou didst believe weaker than thyself? She admitted it, in tears, before the cross. And the world-the world which thou hast scorned-is it not rather to be feared than dared? is it not rather to be pitied and prayed for, than spurned and denounced? Didst thou not exempt thyself from the censure which thou page: 256-257[View Page 256-257] 256 LORETTO: didst pass on that same world, and think thy- self better than the rest of mankind? Aye, even during the conversation witii the Colonel on the porch, when the moon was shining the evening of thy return, didst thou apply to thy- self the condemnation so liberally bestowed on thy neighbors? What would she not have given for that per- fect repose, that calm delight she felt before leaving Loretto! Would it never return? Yet why so covetous of spiritual enjoyment, so rest- less under that spiritual desolation with which the saints themselves are visited? But in the tumult of leaving her mother-and such a mo- ther!-there could not be that fullness of joy to which she had looked forward so eagerly. Not until the moment of parting, did Agnes know how much was due that meek, uncomplaining guardian of her youth. How imperfectly had she returned that mother's tender love-how often had she been wanting in affection-how little had she done to console, to amuse, to re- ward her for those early lessons of piety, with- out which her life might have been a warning! Oh no! it was not on entering the convent that the young candidate's soul was at rest. A OR, THE CHOICE. 257 week's retreat! She had proved her own noth- ingness; she had discovered that all her strength came from God; that, without humility, she was powerless; that the finger of heaven had pointed out her vocation, not as an honor due her virtue, but as a mercy granted to her wAeakness. She looked up with reverence and love to the old sisters around her, who were preparing to die as they had lived, and begged them to pray that, like them, she might perse- vere to the close. But that perfect repose, that calm delight, would not return That spiritual desolation would not pass away! As the tra- veler in the desert pants for the palm tree's shade and running waters-as the weary school- boy sighs for a Christmas holyday-as the wan- derer longs for the sweet home he left behind him, so Agnes had sighed and longed for the beginning of her religious life, as if every aspi- ration would then be instantaneously gratified, as if the unspeakable rapture of that moment would exceed all the transports of youth and innocence. But instead of this, it is a time of tears and trial-a time of doubt and fear, in which not one of these bright promises was ful- filled. Oh, could she fling herself once more 22* page: 258-259[View Page 258-259] 258 LORETTO: on her mother's breast and died! Is heaven so hard to win? Is it not easy to be a Sister of Charity? Courage, thou noble girl! The fervor that carried thee so joyously to communion when thou wast a girl; the devotion that led thee to the city to save thy young cou- sin--this is something-but something more must thou have to be a Sister of Charity. Let the long hours of meditation pass heavily; let thy thoughts wander painfully to thy dear mo- ther; let thy bosom ache even in the chapel; let thy pillow be steeped in nightly tears-a day of consolation may-come, when the sand in the hour-glass shall glide away unnoticed; when thy Blessed Mother in heaven shall absorb thy thoughts; when thy breast shall swell with joy before the altar; when thy pillow shall have no thorn. Whilst Agnes was thus advancing in the school of the cross, Lel undertook to accom- plish herself in all the departments of country life. She rose before the sun, and (gentle rea- der, wince not!) fed the chickens, pigeons, geese, ducks and turkeys; she learned that corn was planted and wheat sown ; she was initiated into the mysteries of milking, creaming, churn- OR, THE CHOICE. 259 ing,curds and cheese, and her rural ambition endeared her to every hand about the place, to the dairy-maid in particular. She knew the names of all the birds, and could distinguish them by their notes; the lark, the plover, the robin, the quail, the woodcock, the flicker, the blackbird, were no longer strangers, but familiar friends. She loved to take the shade with the reapers, at nooning, and laugh and jest with them; and there, with her green sun-bonnet cast carelessly aside, and her back against the rough tree, few would have recognized, in our Lel, the admitted leader of fashion, the reign- ing star of many a winter. Her daily rides, her daily rambles over the fields in search of new flowers, had embrowned her clear cheeks and forehead; and, cheered and re-invigorated by exercise and these inno- cent pastimes, the lightness, fullness, freshness of health returned, and her step was once more as free as air, and her fignre rounded to its for- mer symmetry. But if she loved to stray over the farm with the Colonel and listen to his piscatorial exploits, still more did she love to accompany Mrs. Cleveland through the neighborhood, until she, page: 260-261[View Page 260-261] 260 LORETTO: knew the road to every cottage that needed cha- rity. And the people testified their gratitude by saying she was another Agnes: they knew no higher compliment. There was another plea- sure: once a week, not oftener, she went with her aunt and uncle to see Agnes, and the two friends would visit that dear old Confessor who had made the name of Ellen Almy a household word in the Convent. And Lel wrote so many sweet, simple hymns, and was so good and kind, that the sisters loved her too, and their prayers were still offered up for her peace and happiness. And, twice a week, she received letters from her father-long letters-letters that she might read and read again, and then file away in her little desk, as so many treasures. He was well and doing well. He promised to come soon and spend a fortnight with her. Was she not happy? Did she never languish for that bril- liant circle which was still moving without her, and sigh for her place there? Never-never! If, at times, a fear would cross her mind, that the world might regain its fatal hold on her father, his next letter drove the thought away. True, she longed to be with him ; she begged OR, THE CHOICE. 261 him to let her return and stay at his side, no matter where he was, or what might happen; that her health was restored ; that she would be happier with him. But he forbade it, and she submitted. It was better to be away from Mel- ville, and she tried not to think of him, save when she prayed for that generous friend. Mrs. Cleveland could ill have spared this kind and loving girl; the Colonel could not have existed without her. The loss of Agnes did not grieve him long, for, with the facility of old age, he transferred his love to Lel, and thought that Agnes had never taken half the interest in his tackle, guns, and hounds that she did, and Charley, unconsciously following in his master's wake, boldly pronounced-out of his mistress's hearing, however-that Miss Lel was worth two of Miss Agnes. Most of our readers will side with Charley. But where is the Wanderer? page: 262-263[View Page 262-263] 262 LORETTO: CHAPTER III. ANY one, who has derived his chief pleasure from the society of one family, instead of rely. ing on himself or on the everlasting many, and has been suddenly deprived of this sole depend- ence, will sympathize with Melville. For years he had-seen Lel, almost daily, but he knew not, until they parted, that she was more than half his existence. He could easily understand why Lel should reject his addresses for a year, for he had given her reason to suspect his con- stancy; but not to hear him then, unless he was a Catholic, amazed and confounded him. He knew that the Catholic Church discouraged mixed marriages, and he would not have been surprised at such a declaration from an Italian peasant girl, but such bigotry in the high-bred, accomplished and beautiful Lel, was a mystery. Had she fallen a victim to those Jesuitical doc- trines by which the noblest minds in the world have been perverted? Had she stifled the sweet voice of nature in her soul, at the bid- ding of a black-gowned priest of Rome? It must be so! There is an insuperable barrier OR, THE CHOICE. 263 between them! Lel was in earnest: he could trust her word, as an infant trusts its mother's smile. There was no change in her love, and the knowledge of this was another pang, for he never could be a Catholic. It was out of the question-absurd-impossible. He had her piano-there was some comfort in that--and would sit for hours brooding over the finger-board, strumming fragments of Lel's favorite pieces: but the instrument was dead- the animating spirit was gone-gone for ever! In the evenings he was reasonably happy in Mr. Almy's society-they roomed together- but the long, cheerless days were almost in- supportable. Feeling the necessity of employ- ment to save himself from constant despond- ency, he resumed, with a view to practice, the study of medicine, in which he had already taken a diploma; not that he wanted money, for Mr. Almy had partially repaid him with alf the sales of the house and furniture. His gen- erosity to the Almys was known-Mr. Almy had taken no pains to conceal it--but this was not much to his credit with the world. The world is never well pleased when called on to admire virtues it does not practice. Indeed, page: 264-265[View Page 264-265] %64 LORETTO: Melville was looked upon as a tender-hearted, credulous mortal, who had been duped out of a large fortune by the wiles of an old merchant and the blandishments of an artful young girl. They respected him, however, for being pru. dent enough not to marry Lel, and detected in this wise resolve a glimmering of good sense amidst his folly. So powerfully had his insane behaviour operated on society, that his former intimates were disposed to cut his acquaint- ance, and it was only when they heard he still had something left, that their disgust melted into patronizing pity. Under these auspices, Melville might hope to start in his new profession with tolerable success. His manners were pleasing; his at. tainments considerable; and, with proper pat- ronage, he was still a desirable match. If the silly fellow would only give up the Almys, all might yet go well with him, and he might even aspire to Mrs. Hoity's occasional notice. This majestic and good hearted soul never met him without sneering at Lel, until he wished the portly widow a man, that he might dash her to the ground and set his foot on her neck. OR, THE CHOICE. 265 Once, in speaking of Lel, she said to him with a wink: "Poor little creature, how hard she tried to get you!" "It is false, madam," cried Melville, "I tried all I could to get her, and failed! I would give more for one hair of her head than for your parlor-full of the proudest and richest of this city." This reckless and unpardonable speech sealed Melville's fate. There was no hope in the up- per circles after that, and his practice must come from the lower classes. Melville found abundant occupation in his medical books; but occupation is not always consolation. There was a void in his bosom that pathology could not fill. .As for Gabriel, he was a poor companion, with his pale face and uneasy whisper. Almy was his main stay --for did not Lel write long letters to her father every week? and did not her father read some passages from rustic life to a very attentive listener? One evening, to Melville's consternation and regret, Mr. Almybrought home to tea, the dim- inutive old priest with short gray hair and small 23 page: 266-267[View Page 266-267] Lt0U LORETTO: gray eyes. Melville could scarcely salute himi with ordinary civility: he regarded him as the author of all his anguish, the thief who had stolen away his Lel. Mr. Almy had never seen such a bitter cloud on his room-mate's brow: there was something dangerous in it. Our friend, the priest, did not seem to notice it; or if he did, was not visibly moved by the gather. ing storm, having probably encountered rougher weather in his life-time. "1 have been trying," said Mr. Almy, "to make this young gentleman a Catholic, and as my success has not been very flattering, I am disposed to hand him over to you. He is a good scholar, and could easily read the fathers of the church." "Yes," said the old man, "very good read. ing. But you don't want to be a priest, do you, Mr. Melville?" "Not exactly, sir," replied Melville, haugh- tily. "No," said the other. Then, I think the little catechism would be better than the fath- ers. Do you know any thing about us, Mr. Melville?" OR, THE' CIICE. 267 "Something," returned Melville, with start- ling bitterness. "I know that you have ren- dered me hopelessly miserable, by depriving me of a blessing that I might now enjoy, bt for the heartless tyranny you exercise over all who are weak enough to admit your power." "Is that all you know?" asked the priest. "It is all I wish to know!" thundered MAel- ville, incensed at his antagonist's calmness. "Have you a right to plunge two, who love each other, into an abyss of despair, that the predilections of the pope may be gratified? I tell you, sir, that all the bishops in Christendom cannot love, as I do, that sweet victim of their superstition!" "You do seem to be quite in love," said the priest. "Had you a right," continued Melville, "to dissuade her from marrying me, because I was not in your communion? Have I ever done any thing unbecominng a man or a Christian? Am I not as honest as thousands who seek your confessional?" "These questions are rather hard to answer," began the other, with a smile. "I believe you are a very good man, though you are in a sad page: 268-269[View Page 268-269] 268 LORETTO: passion now. I claim a right to advise in all these cases, and hold myself accountable to God alone. I have been accused of being a match- maker, but this is the first time I have been upbraided as a match-breaker." "You mean to say, sir," answered Melville, "that you never had so much reason to save a young lady from such a villain as I!" "I mean to say nothing of the kind. How do I know whether you are a villain or not? All I know, is that you are not a Christian, and that Lel is too good for any heathen on the. face of the earth." "She is indeed," muttered Melville, white with rage. "If your persecution were con- fined to me alone, I could endure it, and console myself with despising you. But are you not well aware that you are exacting a sacrifice from her, which must be fatal to her hap- piness?" The old man, smiling in his face, replied- "Don't you think she can live without you?" so innocently, that Mr. Almy laughed outright. Goaded to madness, Melville turned on Mr. Almy, gasping between his teeth,-"I little ex- pected to be mocked by you." OR, THE CHOICE. 269 The significant emphasis of you, brought a deep blush to Mr. Almy's cheek, and he shaded his eyes with his hand. "Gentlemen," continued Melville, rising, " if you expect to make a convert of me by practic- ing upon my love, you are sadly mistaken. The game you are playing may break my heart, but it shall never make me the hypocritical proselyte of a faith I despise." So saying, he left the room, followed by Ga- briel. He went to his bed-room, and, trembling in every limb, threw himself on a chair. An even temper like his, when fully roused, is ter- rible: his lips were white as death; while his cheeks and forehead burned like fire. Lel would not have known him, as he sat there, glaring at the candle with a steady, glazed eye. "They shall find," he said, clenching his hand, "that I am not a lump of mere dough to be moulded according to the whim of a weak- minded girl, or a cold, calculating priest. And then, to be laughed at! By heaven, they shall see that my patience, like my fortune, has an end!" "He felt a hand laid on his shoulder: it was Gabriel's. 23* page: 270-271[View Page 270-271] 270 LORETTO: "Have you too come," he shouted, springing to his feet. "Have you followed me here, to heap insult on insult, and gloat over the shame of an injured man? Leave me!" and, seizing the youth by the throat, he strove to hurl him against the wall. Melville was a man of great strength, and the quivering sinews rose like whip-cords in his arms. But with all his power, doubled by nervous excitement, and put forth to the utmost, he could not force that pale youth an inch from his place, or wrench that white hand from his shoulder. Gabriel was another being. As a storm gath- ers in the sky, which has been tranquil all the summer, instead of that sweet, unchanging smile, there was a withering frown, before which the boldest might tremble. Melville quailed under his indignant eye. "You make me blush for you," said Gabriel, turning away from him. "Be calm!" '(Calm!" echoed Melville, with a harsh laugh. "Did you not see how that hoary old ] badger exulted over the wreck of the life which E he has blighted? Did you not hear him call t me a villain, and did you not hear that thank OR, THE CHOICE. 271 less merchant, for whom I have offered up my last cent, and for whom I would have staked my life-did you not hear him--Mr. Almy-her father-applaud his deliberate malice with a fiendish laugh?" "No!" said Gabriel, his breast heaving as he spoke. "But I heard you, without cause or provocation, insult a feeble old man, too wise and too weak to resent your abuse! I heard you, without cause or provocation, turn against a friend and upbraid him for receiving a favor, which you have canceled by this untimely and ungenerous boasting. If you hav a spark of manliness left, you should go down on your knees and beg pardon of that old man, whose heart is full of love for you, and of that friend who would have done as much or more for you, without making it a reproach and a theme of self-glorification!" Melville resumed his seat and leaned his head on the table. As Gabriel watched him, the frown vanished, the smile returned. Melville held his hand over his eyes: presently he stretched it out to Gabriel, who pressed it be- tween both of his--it was covered with tears. "Come closer to me!" said Melville. page: 272-273[View Page 272-273] 272 LORETTO: The smile on that strange being's face bright- ened as he advanced, and with feminine tender- ness threw his arm around the mourner's neck. Melville caught the pale stripling to his breast, and, as he did so, a load of sorrow seemed to glide from his heart, and he wept like a repent- anthoy. Happy are those who have a friend in whose arms they can indulge, without fear or shame, the outpouring of a wounded soul-- through whom the torrent of grief can pass away, which must else ravage the breast within which it is bound! Then, an hour suffices to dismiss the agony which years could not con- quer; and afterward the rainbow comes, and the sun of promise breaks forth, and the drops that have fallen turn to verdure and flowers! But one has seen the storm, and all may see the sunshine and wonder how it can be so. Such friends are few, but Gabriel was one of them. Melville turned from Gabriel to his dear piano, which was consecrated by all the blessed past; he thought that Lel sat there and watched him. He drew her medal from his breast and kissed it; then kneeling, for the first time, as he remembered his promise, he repeated aloud- OR, THE CHOICE. 273 "O JMary, conceived without sin, prayfor us who have recourse to thee!" When he rose he hesitated for an instant-it was but an instant--with his hand on the door, then disappeared. The old man had risen to go-his hat in one hand, his cane in the other. His small gray eyes began to twinkle, as Melville introduced himself, evidently with peaceful purposes. "I recall all that I have said-I knew not what I was saying," said Melville, pronounc- ing the words with difficulty. "I have played but a poor part before you, and beg you to for- give me and pray for me." Those small gray eyes began to twinkle more and more; perhaps a slight film overspread them. I He put down his hat, then his cane on top of it, and extending both arms, shook Mel- ville's hands warmly in his. "My dear friend," he said, "I forgive you and will continue to pray for you. You have lost a treasure, which I am glad to see you prize, and I confess that I am in part respon- sible for the loss. I am not surprised that you do not rank me amongst your friends, after an act of duty, which may well provoke one so page: 274-275[View Page 274-275] 274 LORETTO: uninstructed, as you are, in the first principles of our holy faith. Do come and see me. I will tell you all I know about the church which Lel has joined. Good night"-he took his hat and cane-"Good night; God bless you! Good night, Mr. Almy." And so this simple, pious man took leave of our two friends. They sat together in silence, which Melville first interrupted. "Almy, I'm a love-sick fool, and you must treat me as you would a spoiled child. But tell me one thing-do you approve of the stand which Lel has taken against me?" "I think she is right," replied Mr. Almy. "You must be well aware that there is no one to whom I would so gladly yield my daughter as to you. But I have experienced myself that complete confidence, without which married life is always more or less painful, cannot exist unless the parties practice the same faith. Men may talk as they please about common interests, tastes and affinities, but a common religion is the only enduring tie. So much for opin- ion. But our church refuses her blessing to a mixed marriage, and I should be sorry to OR, THE CHOICE. 275 see Lel make any contract without her bene- diction." "It is hard--it is hard," mused Melville. "I know it is: hard for you and hard for us all; but let us wear the badge of sorrow cheer. fully. Since I have been a Catholic, I have en- joyed a peace of mind, of which you have no conception, and of which I had none. Believe me, Melville, that Young, Shelley, and a host of others were groping afterthe Catholicity which the Schlegels found, and which Goethe was too proud, Walter Scott too timid to profess. The Catholic Church, in her unchanging grandeur, is worth any man's notice, and I recommend her to your careful study.". Melville was too much excited to sleep. Lel's happiness afflicted him. He wished her miser. able to convince him of her love. Yet what could make her happy. Had Catholicity a re- compense for every sacrifice it asked? He thought of the change in Mr. Almy; of the change il his face; of his abstinence from old Schiedam; of his tranquil. resignation. What had produced it? He thought of Agnes, as he first saw her, and as she left him; of that strangely beautiful expression, so different from page: 276-277[View Page 276-277] 276 LORETTO: all he had ever seen or fancied. Whence did she obtain it! He thoughtof Lel's heroic self. denial. Was it sheer fanaticism? With these questions he easily kept himself awake for hours, and then went to sleep, de- termining to find out what Agnes meant by the practice of her religion, and what Thomas a Kempis had to say in the chapter on Nature and Grace. OR, THE CHoIC E. 2" CHAPTER IV. OUR story has reached that placid point, when a year may be skipped, without our miss- ing much incident. Agnes is a pious novice, Lel a sweet country girl, Mr. Almy is regaining his mercantile importance. His fellow mer- chants had been civil so long as he needed their assistance, and were courteous when he did not. They could not but respect the industry, honesty, and ability which had almost restored him to his former position. It requires milch to reach the point from which Mr. Almy had fallen: it requires much more to regain it. But this "accomplished merchant had a fund of dauntless energy, which astonished even those who were best acquainted with his resources. No one could tell how he managed to rise so rapidly, but rise he did; and if Catholicity made the ascent more rugged, she doubled his strength, thus lightening the task. Must we see how Melville studied Catholic- ity? The converts to our faith, who publish neat little treatises or sweet little novels, the fruits of their experience, are perhaps sur. 24 page: 278-279[View Page 278-279] 278 LORETTO: prised that the reasons, so convincing to them, are so unsatisfactory to others. Do they ever remember that the grace of God came in some silent, unrecorded moment of humil- ity and contrition, and that their good inten- tions availed quite as much as their theological researches? We have seen, in the passage at arms with Mrs. Hoity, that Melville lost his first chance of being a fashionable practicioner. It did not grieve him much: he had never respected the illiterate, ill-bred, low-born, purse-proud aris- tocracy of his native city, and was glad of an opportunity to meet poverty at home. He might have been seen, one winter night, when Mr. Almy was in bed, seated before his office table, on which medical books and con- troversial works were piled alternately, like the spots on a chess-board. Melville had long been a free-thinker, and the prejudices of a life- time are not easily eradicated. Affluence and happiness are very favorable to skepticism, and infidelity had laid a strong hold on him. Nor must we suppose, from his reconciliation with the priest, that he was disposed to accept his kind offer of instruction. Having sufficient OR, THE CHOICE. 279 pride of intellect and some common sense, that most uncommon of all the senses, he had purchased quite a theological library, in which he was far enough advanced to admit a revela- tion; still considering himself the infallible interpreter. He was perusing a treatise on the- sufficiency of private judgment, when the bell rang. A little girl, poorly clad, was at the door. Is your mother worse?" he said. "Oh, yes, sir, father says she's dying.' Melville took his hat and followed her to a small frame house in an alley. He found the poor woman suffering from extreme nervous excitement, after morphine. Having done all he could to calm her, he directed that the ut- most silence should be observed, as the-least agitation would be fatal. The little girl whispered to her father, "there's Father John at the door." "Thank God!" muttered that honest Irish- man, whose faith was worthy of the isle that nursed him. Melville's ejaculation was slightly different He stepped into the front room to meet Father John-and Father John was no other than our friend, the diminutive old priest. page: 280-281[View Page 280-281] 280 LORETTO: "You cannot see her," whispered Melville. "Why not?" "Because the least excitement will kill her." "Excitement," said the priest; "I am going to compose, not to excite her." "I have often witnessed," returned Mel- ville, "the composing effect of religious cere- mony on the sick: it is too apt to compose them into the sleep of death." "Have you ever known, in your experience, Mr. Melville, a patient of yours injuriously agi- tated by the presence of a Catholic priest?" "Never," replied Melville, after a pause. "But if other ministers disturb, I do not see how you can fail to annoy." "We will talk about that another time," and, with this, he was about to enter the cham- ber, when Melville interposed. "Her life is hanging now by a thread," he muttered ; "will you insist on depriving her of her only chance-perfect quiet?" "She has been a pious woman," said Father John, his eyes flashing as he spoke, "and if her life is hanging by a thread, she shall have ex- treme unction!" OR, THE CHOICE. 281 "Aye, that she shall!" interposed the hus- band, who, overhearing the conversation, sud- denly presented himself. "She shall have it in spite of all the doctors on earth!" and darting a terrible look at Melville, as he spoke, the brawny laborer clenched his hands, until his finger nails were buried in the palms. Mel- ville, still more alarmed for his patient's sake at the prospect of a fray, resigned himself to the worst. He saw that poor woman's face lose its an- guish, as her confessor bent over her--he saw the oil applied-he saw her lips moving in prayer. When the rite was concluded, he felt her pulse-the nervousness had decreased, and before an hour she was asleep. And the good priest smiled to Melville and walked away with him, arm in arm. From this moment, his intimacy with Father John began: and before long he was called upon to witness many such scenes. The argu- ments for Catholicity are scattered thick around us, not only in books, but in every day life; and a physician, whose walks are amongst the lower classes, is surely the last who can put in the plea of invincible ignorance. When we 24* page: 282-283[View Page 282-283] 282 LORETTO: behold so many Catholics neglecting their reli- gion, and living, year after year, out of the church, we are disposed to think that others are kept from joining her, rather from love of sin, than want of knowledge. And with this remark, we leave Melville in the hands of Fa- ther John, instead of multiplying or repeating reasons, as if it were strange that men become Catholics and quite natural that they do not. But Melville was rising in his profession, and already his skill in surgery was mentioned hon- orably in the first circles. He had only to give up the Catholic Almys, and take a seat at the top of the ladder. Or, even with the Almys, for the royal merchant was emerging from the cloud, it might be done, if he avoided poor practice. In spite of all these allurements, the young man was blockhead enough never to re- fuse the petition of poverty, no matter how troublesome, how dangerous, how unprofitable; and this " groveling propensity," as Mrs. Hoity defined his charity, threw a singular light upon his theological researches. OR, THE CHOICE. 283 CHAPTER V. AGNES had been nearly two years in the con. vent: and for two years, Mrs. Cleveland, Lel and the Colonel, have continued to visit the young novice once a week. Lel and Melville had not met since that morning when the red flag was waving from her window. But she had seen her father often -he had spent whole weeks with her--deli- cious weeks of rambling, and riding, and love, and joy. The expression he ought to have was indelibly stamped upon his face, and a few days in the country always brought it out in such perfection, that she begged him to close his counting room and turn farmer. During her walks, she had noticed the pro- gress of a new dwelling house, built of good solid logs and handsomely weather-boarded. She heard that a rich gentleman from town was going to live in it, and she often wished that her father had such a home. For, when fin- ished it looked so neat and pretty, with its white walls glancing through the cherry trees around it. And from the porch, which fronted the page: 284-285[View Page 284-285] 2S4 LORETTO: south, a broad rich meadow swept down to a green strip of woodland; and above the tree tops, on the hills beyond, the yellow grain was waving: and looking to the west, you could see the sunset in the gap of the mountains, and the sun lingered longest there, and the after- glow too. The convent was not in sight, yet it was a beautiful place-the very place Lel would have chosen for her father. And near it was her favorite retreat, where the running stream had formed a deep pool under the roots of gigantic trees. It was a lovely spot, so shady, so cool, so still. There, on the grassy knoll, watching the motionless water lilies, or reading, or singing, or rolling smooth, white pebbles into the clear basin, she seemed to be apart from the rest of the world. She was sitting there, one summer afternoon, thinking of Agnes, who was to take the vows on that day week. Absorbed in thought, she knew not that any human eye was on her-she knew not that a man, tearful and smiling, was standing close behind her, watching her as she twisted the long grass between her fingers,- watching her golden hair as it floated in the OR, THE CHOICE. 285 wind. She knew not that the moment of all others had come, that, in another instant, the bright hopes of her youth, which bad faded, were to be revived; that her prayer had been heard, that- She heard her name pronounced by a voice that made her tremble, and, turning as she started to her feet, saw George Melville before her He took her cold hand and pressed it to his lips. "I am a Catholic, Lel," was all he said; and they knelt together on that green grass and thanked the God who had been so good to them. And a moment after that prayer of thanks- giving,-it seemed but a moment-she found herself in the parlor of that new house, pressed to her father's heart. What! could it be! Her own dear, long lost piano! She flew to it-- the lid was raised. One chord!-her heart gave way, and, leaning forward, she wept with her face buried in her arms. They went to Loretto to spend the night, and the Colonel, though a little jealous of Mel- ville, was the happiest of mortal men, alter- nately laughing, crying and coughing, until page: 286-287[View Page 286-287] "ORETTO: Mr. Almy suspected his sanity. Mrs. Cleve- land testified her pleasure by a blessing full of tenderness and love. And that evening, whilst the Colonel was chatting with Almy, Lel learned from Melville how her medal, Ga- briel and Father John had conquered his stub- bornness,-how he had been to confession and received absolution, and how he was permitted to make his first communion with her. He told her that her father had returned him more than half his advances, and had bought the farm and built the house, which he had rented, and which Lel was to name; that he had given up his practice in the city, to spend the rest of his life, if it were'the will of heaven, under the shadow of those blue mountains. And on the porch, between those pillars that could tell of so much joy and pain, it was or- dained by our little group of friends, that Mel- ville should make his first communion at the convent chapel on the morning Agnes took the vows, and that, after communion, a mar- riage should be solemnized between George Melville and a certain Ellen Almy. " So, Lel," said the Colonel, " it has come to this. You are going to give up the old man who has loved you so long, for that young scapegrace !" " And am I not serving you right?" replied Lel. " Did you not know perfectly well that Father was building that new house, and that he would be here to-day--and did you not tell George Melville where to find me-and did you not thus permit me to be surprised into saying all sorts of foolish things to him,-and after this, are you not a deceitful old dear, not fit to be trusted ?" "Ah, Melville, Melville," sighed the Colo- nel, "from the bottom of my heart I pity you! With a tongue so keen now, what will it be when sharpened on the matrimonial strap ?" "Blunt!" cried Mr. Almy, " if the strap is of the right sort." And thus, after the first deep calm and si- lence of re-union, the evening passed play- fully away; though under all those glittering bubbles, there was a strong current of deep feeling. For how could they help recalling that winter night, when the sleigh stopped at page: 288-289[View Page 288-289] 288 L0 TLORETTO: the gate, and the bright Christmas morning that followed, and the long, sweet evenings spent around the crackling wood fire; and all the changes which had come to pass since then! And how could they help thinking of Agnes, who was no longer there, with her long dark hair, and white temples, and calm, deep, powerful eye! OR, TH E CHOICE. 289 CHAPTER VI. THE carriage, driven by Charley, had left Lo- retto; the Convent bells were ringing for early mass, and Mr. Almy saw Agnes! As if it were a dream, she advanced from the Sisters and repeated the words which were to bind her to God. Oh God, how beautiful must the soul be when entering heaven! The plain- est face, when lit with sanctity, is sublime, and prince and peasant bow down before it, or if' they smite, it is in envy. No rouge shall ever tinge thy pale ckeek, Sister Agnes; no ring shall ever glitter on thy white hand; thy hair shall never be twined into lockets; thy foot shall never twinkle in the dance! Thou art the child of God, Sister Agnes! And who will dare to claim thee for the world, as thou kneelest there before the altar, or say that thou wert made for man? Who would snatch thee thence, thou young companion of the an- gels, as if thou wert to be pitied and saved? There is the likeness to God, which the chil- dren of earth have lost, and who would bid it vanish? 25 page: 290-291[View Page 290-291] 290 LORETTO: As if it were a dream, Lel and Melville ad- vanced. They too had made their choice and taken their vows. All had been to commu- nion, except the Colonel! A pang went through his heart; he thought of his innocent youth; his sister was next him in prayer-his niece, just consecrated to heaven, before him -a young infidel knelt reclaimed and regene- rated at his side! Tears of shame burned on his cheeks-he felt separated from all he loved by a terrible abyss. Repent, old man, thy heart is true, and kind, and warm-repent, while thou hast time! As the Colonel raised his eyes, he saw a stranger on his left: it was Gabriel, Silently they returned to Loretto; not a word was spoken, unless to welcome Gabriel, when he unexpectedly appeared at the church door to salute the bride. The day would have hung heavily had it not been for Gabriel. This strange being laughed and sang as he rode along, whilst the rest were in tears; he did not seem to comprehend or to share their depression. And when they reached Loretto, his face beamed so brightly, and there was such OR, THE CHOICE. 291 contagion in his smile, that even the Colonel's brow relaxed. The afternoon was spent in receiving the congratulations and presents f the neighbor- hood-presents which LeI, provided b'y the Colonel's foresight, was able to return with interest. When the sun was setting in the gap of the mountains, they might all have been seen on the porch of the new house. A table was spread in the dining-room with fruits and ices. "Come, Lel," said Mr. Almy, " it is time to give our local habitation a name." He drew a decanter from the cooler and wiped the dew drops from its polished surface. The glasses were filled and quaffed to Mrs. Melville. "Now for the name," said the Colonel, re- plenishing the bride's glass and his own. "Beat Loretto if you can!" "I cannot beat it, uncle," replied Lel; "I should be glad to equal it. I am not expe- rienced in giving names; and, as I have this' morning relinquished my right to command, I will only suggest a name, which you may page: 292-293[View Page 292-293] 292 LORETTO: reject or adopt at pleasure. Shall it be JMount Gabriel?" "MOUNT GABRIEL!" was echoed with one accord; and Gabriel, little dreaming that he was honored in the name, joined in the ap- plause that hailed the selection, and drained his glass without a blush. After a sufficient time had elapsed to admire the name which Lel had chosen, and to wish all imaginable peace and happiness to Mount Gabriel, Melville, pressing a fair hand that was resting in his, and looking at Gabriel, who sat next the Colonel, said, with a full 'heart and brimming eye: "There is one wio must not be forgotten to-night, and but for whom I should not have the treasure I now possess. Father John! May God reward that blameless priest!" "Charley!" whispered the Colonel. The boy stooped and drew a black bottle from a cooler, which, unnoticed by Mr. Almy, he had placed at his master's side. "I kept this bottle for another marriage," said the Colonel, " and it is worthy of this. Forty years has it lain in my cellar, the last rep- resentative of a noble stock. I have looked OR, THE CHOICE. 293 upon it as my own blood, as the liquid that kept me alive; and when it is gone I know that I must soon 1ollow. However-the time has come! Charly, bring the glasses!" With a tremblinghand the old man inclined the bottle, in silence that was only broken by the gurgling and trickling of the wine. When every glass was jeweled to the rim, he rose and leaned upon the back of his chair "I kept this bottle for another marriage," he began; "it cannot fulfil its destiny. Yet"-- the glass shook and ran over in his hand-" yet I have kept it for one, and to her must it still be pledged. I propose the memory of- "SISTER AGNES!" said Mr. Almy, as the Colonel, unable to utter the name, applied the glass to his lips. They rose in silence and sympathy-'"Sister JIgnes!" Before ten o'clock the new house had heard all about the past, and began to feel like a home: the chairs and matting looked nearly as kind and knowing as the old piano, which gave tone to every thing around it "Our cup of happiness is full," said Mr. Almy, and you might search the earth without finding a family in possession of that peace and J25* page: 294-295[View Page 294-295] 294 LORETTO: confidence we now enjoy. But there is one to whose happiness ours is nothing. Could we see the heart of Sister Agnes, blessed as we are, we might envy her." He was right. That depression, that spi- ritual desolation had passed away-that calm delight and loving trust had come-the aspi- rations of her young soul had been fulfilled, aye, more than fulfilled-she was sleeping the smiling sleep of baptismal innocence under the eye of God. "What an argument for the church was in her face this morning," said Melville. "And I am now convinced," he whispered in Lel's ear, "that I was seeking Catholicity when I sought .Agnes." The Colonel rose to go-Gabriel to accom- pany him. The old man had a necklace for Lel, more beautiful than the first, and as he threw it around her neck, he kissed her glow- ing forehead. "Is she not a daughter to be proud of," said Mr. Almy, drawing her to his side. "Oh, my dear Lel, if all our Catholic girls had faith and firmness enough to follow your ex- ample; or, if they were only taught to prefer OR, THE CHOICE. 295 an humble match in the church to a brilliant alliance out of it, how much misery would they escape, and how many a precious soul be saved!" Good night! The Colonel departed, fol- lowed by Charley and Gabriel. END OP PART THRD. 4 , page: 296-297[View Page 296-297] "ORETTO: PART FOURTH. CHAPTER I. WHO is that beautiful boy, with blue eyes and brown hair, who has lately come to Mount Ga- briel-who was a favorite wherever he went, and especially at Loretto-for Mrs. Cleveland had loved him at first sight, and was always seeking him, tempting him away from his sports to come and sit or walk with her? Have our readers recognized Clarence ? He is five yeara older than when he left us so suddenly and mysteriously ; but though much taller and his hair much darker, he is the same beautiful boy. His association with the Wanderer was care- fully concealed from Mrs. Cleveland; yet, in her conversations with the artless and unsus- pecting Clarence, she may have learned much they would not wish her to know. Melville never said, not even to Lel, or to the Colonel, or to Mr. Almy, how or why he was in posses- sion of the boy; yet it was clear enough that Melville was in the Wanderer's confidence, at least so far as Clarence was concerned. OR, THE CHOICE. There is another little stranger at Mount Ga- briel-a laughing, prattling little girl, just two years old, who is the image of Lel, and the de- light of all, whose name is Mary and whose nickname May. Mr. Almy had retired from business.i He had toiled at the oar longer than he intended, that he might escape the obligation he was un- der to Melville. But he felt the thirst for gain, the love of pomp returning. It was hard for a man like Mr. Almy to say--" I will stop work- ing to pay off Melville ; he wants nothing; it is pride, not justice in me, to make a point of set- tling the few thousands that remain-and I will live with him as if I owed him nothing !" But he did say it, and kept his word. There are very few who will comprehend his heroism and humility, and most will doubt whether any one could be really sorry to cancel a debt with a word, and exhange a lonely life of toil for the pure and sweet society of Mount Gabriel. Mr. Almy took charge of the farm, and with the few thousands he called his own, undertook to improve it. He had a genius for farming, as was proved by fle neatness of the out-houses and the productiveness of the fields; and lAs page: 298-299[View Page 298-299] 29s8 IORETTO: ample crops perhaps proved something more- that God's blessing had attended his humility. The expression he ought to have never left his face, and Gabriel's smile was scarcely sweeter than his, as he sat after sunset on the porch, before which the green meadow unrolled its soft carpet-as he sat there, singing and talk- ing to little May. Melville divided his time between practice and study. He had published a work, whose admitted authority had already lifted him to eminence. But, better than this, he was emi- nent in his own neighborhood, where his skill and charity were reverenced and sought. And Lel-our dear, bright Lel-Lel the Ca- tholic mother!-if there was a touch of mat- ronly reserve about her, she had the same light, joyous heart-if her eye did not glitter as proudly, it beamed more lovingly-and if She did not bound along like a fawn, she moved about with the easy dignity of a woman and the gentleness of a Christian wife. Number- less were the stories of her benevolence, which made Mount Gabriel a word of promise to all who knew her; and not only at the Convent OR, THE CHOICE. 299 A -q was her name a household word, but in every mountain hut and every cottage of the vale. The Colonel was failing fast. He had gained in flesh and color, but his activity was gone. His walks were shorter, his rides fewer, and he leaned more heavily on his stick. His fowling piece was cast aside, and even his tapering En- glish rods were neglected. Mrs. Cleveland, Lel, Almy, Melville, had solicited him so often to go to confession, that any allusion to the subject irritated him. Gabriel clung to him with unceasing devotion; but the Colonel had no love for him. There was something pain- fully mournful in Gabriel's smile--indeed he rarely smiled-his whisper was fainter than ever, almost inaudible. He would sit for hours, with his hand on his heart, at the Colo- nel's feet. And the old man, avoiding his earnest gaze, would think, with a sigh, that Almy must soon take his place in the neigh- borhood. But where is Agnes? page: 300-301[View Page 300-301] 300 I ORETTO: CHAPTER II. FAR to the south-a thousand miles away from Loretto-in a hospital, nursing the sick and the dying. She had not been there long, before a stran- ger came, far advanced in consumption: she was appointed to visit him. He was placed, at his request, in one of those cheerful little rooms which look out upon the street, and into which the sun peeps all day long. The stranger was seated near the window, watching the people passing merrily below, unmindful of the grave to which he was hasten- ing. He cast but a single glance at Agnes, as she entered with a cup of tea and spread the the table in silence with downcast eyes. But when the candle was lit, and he moved slowly from his seat to the chair she had just placed for him, their eyes met, and she found herself face to face with the Wanderer! He must have seen her tremble; he must have seen her cheek blanch and her eye dilate-but, though he wondered at her agitation, he did not recog- nize her, and she left the room. OR, THE CHOICE. 301 But her face remained with him and began to connect itself with another face, ever pre- sent to his mind. Her strange emotion strengthened the likeness. Surely he had seen her before-but where? The red spot on his cheek deepened-in vain he strove to calm himself-his hand shook, as he raised the untasted cup to his lips. There must have been some powerful memories at work within that wasted frame to nerve it so! He started up, rang the bell, and when Agnes re-appeared, the invalid, who had crept to his chair, was pacing the room with -a firm, steady step. "Tell me, sister," he began, holding the light to her face, "have I not seen you before? Were you not Miss Melville?" "You mistook my name, sir," replied Ag- nes; "it is not Melville, but Cleveland-Agnes Cleveland." The word had frozen him. He clutched her wrist-then reeling back, would have fallen, but for her quick support. She guided him to his bed. His hand was still onw her wrist-he spoke not-he scarcely seemed to breathe, but kept gazing into her 26 is . . page: 302-303[View Page 302-303] 302 L P. E T T: eyes, as if he had not power to end the long, fixed, terrible look. Oh heaven, how her young heart throbbed! Will he not end that awful silence and call her-"Daughter?" "Father!"-the word was trembling on her lips-she read the secret in his eye. She was leaning forward-she felt his breath on her cheek-she had almost touched his marble forehead! He turned from her with a groan, and, dropping her hand, buried his face in the pillow. Then came a fearful doubt across her mind -he might not be her father! She turned her face away-she pressed her hand against her heart-she signed the cross on her breast-and stood upright awhile, mo- tionless as a statue. She had not power to move-such was the recoil of disappointed hope-until, gathering all her strength, she broke the spell, as a river breaks its fetters of ice. One glance more at that prostrate, death-like figure, and she walked hastily to- wards the door. "Agnes! Agnes!"She turned. The voice went thrilling to her soul. She saw the Wan- derer bending towards her-his arms flung wide OR, THE 'CHOICE. 303 to receive her. Trembling and murmuring, her hands clasped and straining, she shrank cowering back against the wall. The figure danced before her eyes-it seemed as if she could never reach those outstretched arms-an iron chain seemed to hold herback. "Agnes! Agnes! behold your father!"One wild leap brought her to his bosom! And at last she said the word--"Father! Father!" page: 304-305[View Page 304-305] 304 L OR E T T O: CHAPTER III. THE night had passed-the morning sun was shining. "Yes, my child," said Mr. Cleveland, "I was once as good and guiltless as you are now. -At college I was noted for piety-my sole ambi- tion was to be a good priest. To this, how- ever, my parents would not listen, and I was forced into society. At first I loathed-at last I loved it. I became enamored of a young lady, who had no wealth and whose preten- sions were inferior to mine. I wished to marry her, but my parents sternly forbade the match, and I had reverence enough left to obey them." He paused for breath: it required all her attention to keep pace with the deep meaning he poured into every word. "Your .grandfather and your grandmother were good, worthy people; but, as I had some little eloquence, they wished me to shine at the bar. They were fashionable Catholics, and did not care to have their son a priest. But re- member, Agnes, I was more to blame in resigns ing, than they in opposing my vocation." OR, THE CHOICE. 305 He smiled--it was the first smile she had ever seen on his face. "Thank God! you are a Sister of Charity," he said, running his eye over her black habit. "Well," he resumed, "your--mother"-he bent his head reverently at the name-" was selected as a proper person for me, though a few years older, and I was married to her, at twenty-four. During the few years we lived happily together, I contrived to abandon my profession, spend my fortune and fall in debt. Your uncle, the Colonel, was my fast friend in all financial difficulties, and so loaded me with obligations that I hated him. Agnes, before I proceed, let me say that no human love can content the soul that, called to give itself en- tirely to God, refuses: it wanders on unsatis- fied for ever." And this was the truth which Mr. Almy could not reach, when he styled himself in the neighborhood of a hidden truth. A change came over the Wanderer's face-he no longer looked at his child-and turned away from her as he continued. "I found that I was still loved by the poor girl whom I unwillingly deserted-and I ceased 26* page: 306-307[View Page 306-307] 306 LORETTO: to love your mother, pure and beautiful as she was. I made no secret of my aversion, and was unmoved by her grief, her gentleness, her dignity. I was steeled even against your infant smiles and caresses. Your uncle, who had patiently endured my contempt of him, was maddened by my heart- less treatment of his sister-and once, when I insulted her in his presence; before I could defend myself, he felled me with his cane. Here is the scar," he said, lifting his black hair from his temple, and Agnes remembered Mel- ville's song and her mother's groan. "That blow sealed my fate! I will not ask you, my pure, noble girl, to follow me through my dark career of ingratitude and crime. It will soon be read against me, where all the liv- ing and the dead shall hear it!" He threw her arms from his neck. "Oh God!" he said, "that I should suffer this young innocent to approach me! Agnes, my lips are steeped in blasphemy, and I have let you kiss them; my head is bent with curses, and I have let you press it to your bosom ;. my hands are red with iniquity, and you have OR, THE CHOICE. 307 held them; I am an outcast, and you call met father!" He shuddered As he spoke. "There is but one redeeming trait to plead for me in the ear of God, and that is Clarence. For him, I relinquished the delight of death and despair. I taught him his prayers--I coun- terfeited virtue, that he might neier look on vice-and I sent him away, I yielded up my child, that he might not know my dark and bitter end." Agnes trembled-but she saw a solitary tear start from his eye-and in that single drop, there was comfort and hope! ' Why should I wish to be saved!" he cried. "It would be asking too much of heaven! I have been tempted, lately, to see if life will last me to Loretto, that I might again behold your mother. I know she would receive me-I know she would save me-but it is too much blessedness!" "Father!" whispered Agnes-but he was not listening. Oh Mary!" he said, "instead of branding me as a traitor, you have been filling heaven with prayers for me; you have offered up your page: 308-309[View Page 308-309] 308 LORETTO: virtues, like sweet victims to my sins; you have trained my daughter for her God; you have permitted her to love and embrace me; you have devoted your life to save me!" g "And not in vain!" cried Agnes, not in in- terrogation or entreaty, but in exulting accents of confidence and command, as, rising to her full height, she caught his hand, and, pointing to the crucifix on the wall, repeated- "Not in vain, my father!" He was awed by the sublimity of her attitude and expression. She had assumed his repent- ance, and the impossiblity of it no longer occurred. "You are young and sinless," he said,- "you know not how suffering and guilt, how years of srow received and inflicted, how scorn, and hatred, and want, and woe, and crime can harden the heart." "But I know," returned Agnes, "that hea- ven is merciful, and that its grace can penetrate the hardest heart, and that you have been peni- tent for years. Oh, my dear, long-lost father," she continued, falling at his feet-"when I first heard that you lived, and when your image returned from oblivion-when mother and I OR, THE CHOICE. 309 were weeping together, she promised that we should all meet in heaven,--and I dried my tears and believed)it. Tell me, father-shall it not be so?-can you disappoint her, without one effort to gratify?" That proud, thin lip quivered an instant: and then, and not till then, in the agony and rap- ture of repentance that followed, had Agnes truly found her father. W - Il ' , page: 310-311[View Page 310-311] 310 LORETTO: CHAPTER IV. THEY are journeying to the north-two Sis- ters and the Wanderer. Agnes had conquered --he had tasted the Lamb that redeems the world-he was on his way to Loretto. But will he reach it? His face is wan and wasted,. his shrunken limbs scarcely sustain his weight; hour after hour, that fatal cough, that incessant drain on life, continues. He makes no moanr no murmur, but humbly and patiently sits be- side his child, hearing the story of her life, or filling up the outlines of his own. And as Ag- nes listened, and watched his bright, splendid eye and beautiful head, she saw what power and strength had once been lodged in that crumbling wreck of genius and virtue. They are half way to Loretto. Oh, will he reach it! Alas, the Wanderer is in hisberth- he can no longer sit on deck beside his child- it oppresses him to speak-he can only smile and look at her. How could he endure the jolting stage and racking car! There was strong willland strong hope within that wasted frame! p' "O OR, THE CHOICE. 3" "Oh God!" he prayed-", grant me life, that I may see her once more, that I may hear the voice of pardon from her lips. I ask it not for my sake, but for hers! Let me see her again -let her see that her life of prayer has not been in vain-let her hear me bless her with my last breath!" The grace of God, and the determination to live, kept him alive. A carriage stood before the white palings of Loretto! They bore him in their arms through the porch into the parlor, where a couch was placed to receive him! He knew her as she bent over him-he knew her as she pressed back his hair and looked love and forgiveness into his eyes-he knew heiras she clasped his transparent, emaciated hands to her bosom-he knew her as the cry of delight, the name of heaven burst from her soul-it was Mary, his own Mary! The Wan- derer was in the arms of his wife! God of goodness, who hath measured thy mercy! He knew his poor Clarence-hie took his hand and placed it in hers and said- "Be a mother to him!" page: 312-313[View Page 312-313] 312 LORETTO: He knew the Colonel-they spoke not, but the Colonel stooped and kissed his white lips-- and the dying man smiled. He was left alone with the Confessor of the Convent! And then they all returned and knelt around him-and the Wanderer died, holding Agnes by the hand, with his head on Mary's bosom, and his eye fixed on Gabriel. They laid him in consecrated ground. And, day after dty, the Colonel would visit his grave -but, day after day, he postponed his repent- ance. He was hale and hearty-there was many a good, quiet year before him-he had time enough to make his peace and die as good a Catholic as any of them. The Wan- derer had profited by the last moment, and why should not he wait until then? Alas, old man, thy heart is true and kind and warm-the finger of God is beckoning thee on-make haste -prepare! Thou hast heard the voice of warning-cast off the mantle of pride and self-confidence, which wraps thee so warmly--repent, repent! OR, THE CHOICE. 313 CHAPTER V. THE snow is once more on the hills, and that bright crackling wood fire is again inspi- riting the quiet parlor of Loretto. The Colo- nel is dozing in his arm chair close to the piano that once belonged to Agnes. Mrs. Cleveland sits watching him, with a tenderness not un- mingled with anxiety. Her brother was her sole remaining care--the agony of years had passed away in her husband's happy death-he was no longer a horrible phantom walking the earth, but a repentant soul in the hands of God. And safe in the Convent, safe from the world, was her beautiful child, to plead with pure hands for her penitent father. Call her not sad-there is no sadness in the calm resig- nation of one, who, weary of earth, yet sub- missive to the will of God, waits patiently for heaven. A step in the portico roused her from a mo- mentary revery, and Mr. Almy entered, fol- lowed by LeD and Melville. The Colonel's head drooped heavily, and then he awoke. To Mr. Almy's salutation he made no reply, 27 v *, page: 314-315[View Page 314-315] 314 LORETTO: and just glanced at Melville-and then, as if fatigued even by that slight exertionhis eyes closed again. ' He is going!' sighed Lel, and then seating herself at his feet, she pressed his hand to her lips. At that instant Clarence came bounding in, glowing in youth and health, and with a merry laugh cast himself on his mother's neck -then, terminating the brief embrace which she wished to prolong, sprang towards the Colonel. The old man's eyes slowly parted, and something like a smile flickered on his lips, for he loved the boy. "Oh uncle! what a flock of partridges I saw! If I'd only had your gun, I could have killed twenty; they were all huddled up in the fence corner, just after you cross the wheat- field before you get to the lime kiln. And-" Clarence stopped short, for a tear began to trickle down the old man's cheek. He said not a word but drew the boy feebly to his breast. Lel, who, in joy and pain, always went in- stinctively to the piano, raised the lid, and after a few mournful chords, began the melody of 'Jesus Saviour of my Soul.' Moved by the OR; TH E CHOTCE. 315 exquisite hymn, or by its association with Ag- nes, the Colonel's tears flowed faster-yet he sat as still as death', until the last note had died away. Then he began to move in his chair-his pale cheek flushed-and a bright, wild light glittered in his eye. There was something uPnusual in the Colonel's manner, as he rose and smiled a greeting on Mr. Aliny and Melville in his blandest way. "It takes a good deal to wake me, Alrny-I am getting old-and my limbs are full of death- preceding pains and cramps,"--said the Colo- nel.-"But I think a walk will do me good. Come Clarence, let us see where those quails are hiding-we may have a chance at them to-morrow." It was Saturday afternoon about five o'clock, when Clarence and tie Colonel sallied forth- the sun was still bright, but had lost its power, and the road was crisping under their feet. The old man's pace was so rapid, that the boy almost thought he was walking with the ghost of him who had seemed so powerless in his chair. The Colonel's eyes were bent on the ground, but occasionally he raised them, and they rested ,.j page: 316-317[View Page 316-317] 316 LORETTO:.' awhile on the slender spire of the Convent, as it came nearer and nearer. "Now uncle," cried Clarence, as they passed the bridge--" come this way, and I'll show you the birds." But the old man raised his stick, and point- ing to the spire, replied--"Let's see your sister first!" They kept on their way in silence. In vain the ploughman bowed and the red-cheeked dairy maid curtsied to the Colonel as they passed :-he heeded them not-he saw them not-he knew them not. They were puppets -nothing more: things apparently near, but really at an infinite distance. Clarence, amazed at such unusual abstraction and discourtesy, began to suspect him of sudden insanity, and trembled. They reached the gate-they stood by the church. It was Saturday afternoon, and sweet voites were singing the Litany of Loretto. The Colonel paused awhile, as if to inhale the melody and the keen, fresh air. The sun was just behind the mountain, and all along the west the graceful outlines of those blue ridges were marked in crimson and gold. OR, THE CHOICE. 317 "The service is over," muttered the Colonel as the organ ceased. "Let us lose no time. They crossed the sloping terrace and rang the bell. "My niece," said the Colonel to the por- tress. "I wish to see her for a few minutes. Sister Agnes soon appeared, smiling. A year had changed her much-she was thinner and paler than before-but every feature and every action expressed perfect peace. Whatever had been the struggle, it was over-there was noth- ing left but the Sister of Charity-the meek ser- vant of God. From the moment she entered the room, the Colonel's eye never left her; and though she had not at first remarked his agita- tion, she soon saw that he was almost super- naturally excited. "Agnes," said the Colonel, "I am breaking to pieces-crumbling away-I cannot last much longer. I am going to leave you, Agnes -going to leave you forever. I am at the end of a long, unworthy life-and while I can yet speak, I have a duty to perform which I must now discharge. I cannot rest until I have said that my opposition to your choice was the mis- erable result of selfishness and folly-and that 27* page: 318-319[View Page 318-319] 318 LORETTO: I now thank God and bless you, for the defeat of my most unmanly schemes!" The old man rose from the chair, as if light- ened of some crushing weight. "But to leave you, Agnes-you whom I have loved so blindly, that I was envious even of Him, to whom your soul belonged. To part for all eternity from-No!-no!- Agnes-Ag- nes tell me, have I yet time to meet you in Heaven?" She said not a word-but grasped his hand and led him into the church.. There, on the cold marble aisle, knelt the old man, trembling and sobbing-his head bowed to the step of the sanctuary, whilst kneeling like an angel beside him, his Agnes whispered1- "Think not of me, but of God!" She left him an instant-and passed into the sacristy. A moment, and she re-appeared, fol- lowed by a figure in black-and 'the priest waited in the confessional. Three paces off stood the tribunal of remission and the minister of absolution! "Not now!" said the Colonel, shuddering, and refusing her mute petition. "Not now- to-morrow!" OR, THE CHOICE. 319 ' To-morrow may never come!" replied Ag- nes-"Falter not at the foot of the altar'!" -.: He rose and wavered-the Sisters were com- ing-"To-motrow--to-morrow--.I am unwor- thy now!"--and as the Confessor advanced towards' him, he shook off Agnes, who still clung to him-and left the church. "Father in Heaven be merciful!" said Ag- nes: but a cold chill passed through her heart, and she fell almost senseless on her knees. The Colonel walked more rapidly than be- fore, and as he passed the quiet graveyard, the leafless branches seemed to creak, "Like : thief in the night! Like a thief in the night!" Once more, he turned towards the Convent, and a figure like Gabriel's stood an instant in the road, beckoning him back. But he sighed to himself' to-morrow-to-morrow,' and at last the spire of the Convent sank behind the trees. Then the road grew dark at his feet-but when he looked up, the moon was shining, unpxo- faned by a single cloud, and all the stars were joyfully twinkling. 1 "Are you tired, uncle?"asked Clarence, as hey opened the white gate of Loretto. But page: 320-321[View Page 320-321] 320 LORETTO: before there was time for a reply, Gabriel over- took them. "So you have really been following me," said the Colonel. "I thought 1 caught a glimpse of you." Mrs. Cleveland, who had been anxiously watching in the porch, came to meet them. "Sister," said the Colonel--"I thought my- self a good, blameless man, but on reviewing my life, I find myself a traitor to my faith and a slave to sin. To-morrow shall find me once more in the bosom of the Catholic Church. One night of preparation is all I ask. I have been with Agnes!" The delirious strength that had hitherto sus- tained him began to give way, and he leaned heavily on his sister's arm. The secret was soon unfolded to Lel, Melville and Mr. Almy; and, revived by the happy group around him, the Colonel looked and felt better than he had done for many a day. Mrs. Cleveland was overwhelmed with joy at this sudden and unex- pected change, and the last open wound of her heart was healing. Gabriel alone was sad and restless. He sat in- a corner with Clarence, playing strange airs upon a guitar, with which OR, THE CHOICE. 321 he loved to give music lessons to the boy. They could distinguish, .at times, words like these- A woodman said to a snow-white flower "Lily, I'll pluck thee in an hour!" So merrily, merrily hied he on, And came in an hour-the lily was gone! And Gabriel sang other songs, nmurnful and slow--but the words were of some strange lan- guage, which none of them understood. After an hour, which passed in congratula- tion and prayer, the Colonel excused himself and retired to his room. Gabriel, unseen, glided in after him. Through the open window he could see the cross on the Convent spire gleaming in the moonlight: he remembered the morning that Lel stood at that same win- dow, when he tempted her to win Agnes to the world- to the world which he had exhausted- which left him nothing but tears and shame- which might separate him from Agnes eter- nally? Separation from Agnes was the poim of his contrition. He was tempted to return and complete at once the work he had be- gun-but it seemed so childlike and cow- ardly to be hurrying after a confessor as if page: 322-323[View Page 322-323] 322 LORETTO: afraid of darkness. So, with a resolute ef- fort, he closed the shutters, saying- -' To- morrow' The next morning he came not down to breakfast. They heard a shriek from Gabriel, and rushed to his room-the blood was gushing from the Colonel's nostrils-he was lying dead on the floor. / OR, THE CHOICE. 323 CH'APTER VI . OH what a change had come over Gabriel! His smile was gone--he shunned all company, even little Clarence, who was dearest to him. A sad, unearthly light: shone in his blue eye- he was worn away, almost to -a skeleton. He rarely spoke, but, when they questioned him, mournfully pointed to his heart-and they knew that the disease of which he had' often complained, if one so gentle could be said to complain, was carrying -him off. Once, they heard him singing a strange song, which Lei remembered. r I hear a sweet' voice, like the voice of a bird, The softest and sweetest that ever was heard, And it comes from the sky, from the blue, blessed sky, And it warbles-' Prepare, for the hour is nigh!" And that voice is meant for me--. Far away, far away, Ere another day, Shall I be! I see two sweet wings that are not of the earth, That shall bear me aloft to the land of my birth, Yes, two glittering wings of the purest white,. With each feather enshrined in a circle of light! . page: 324-325[View Page 324-325] Z4] LORETTO: OR, TH E CHOICE. And those wings are meant for me- Far away, far away, Ere another day, Shall I be! Oh! the blossoming stars are my playmates of yore, I shall walk the bright fields where I've sported before; And I know a sweetpot where the angels are, That is high above the highest star! And that spot is meant for me- Far away, far away, Ere another day, Shall I be! And, after singing this, he kissed little Clar- ence, and seemed stronger and more cheerful: and his old smile returned, and he went forth alone. ) The sun was down behind the gap in the mountain-the moon was shining on the porches of Loretto and Mount Gabriel,-yet the pale youth returned not. In the morning, they searched the fields and hills for him in vain; until, at last, guided by little Clarence, they found him dead on the Colonel's grave THE END.
