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Article LOVE'S MASK. ← Page 3 of 5 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Love's Mask.
heen her earliest passion , and this contention had heen but under the form of antipathy , a violent , and as it were , instinctive inclination . It even appeared to her remembrance no otherwise than as though she had always loved him . She smiled at the hostile onset she had conducted - she persuaded herself into a recollection ofthe pleasantcst feelings when he had disarmed her ; and that all she had attempted for the purpose of hurting or annoying himnow represented itself as merel harmless
, y expedients to attract his notice . She regretted their separation . She mourned the sleep into whicli she had fallen ; she hated the stupid dreamy habitude through which she had gained so insignificant a bridegroom ; she was perplexed and excited which ever way she viewed his position . Could any one have read the emotions of her heart , the most strict could not have blamed her , for in truth the intended bridegroom stood with the
no comparison neighbour for a moment when seen together . If you could not refuse a certain good opinion to the one , the other excited your fullest confidence . If the one appeared an agreeable acquaintance , it was impossible to know the other and not wish for him as an intimate associate ; and if you dwelt upon the higher sympathies and qualities of human nature , there was ground to doubt of the one where the other gave complete assurance . For such lineaments of character have
women a natural and peculiar tact , and they have reason as well as opportunity to cultivate it . The more the lovel y bride nourished such thoughts in her secret heart , so much the more did her passion increase . And while on the one hand , to discourage her , the opinion ofthe world—her pledge to her affianced bridegroom were so many ties of indissoluble obligation the reserved conduct of the
— youth , who conducted himself towards her with the affection of a tender brother , served only to increase its violence . Such being the posture of affairs , it seemed as though the spirit of her childhood returned upon her in all its splenetic violence , and now on a higher stage prepared itself for working to more serious ancl destructive purpose . She resolved on d ying , to punish the once hated , and now so violently loved , for his want of sympath y ; and since she could not himat least she would
possess , marry herself to his imagination to his repentance for ever . He should never be delivered from her dead image , should never cease to reproach himself that he had not recognised her sentiments , had not investi gated and appreciated them . ° This singular phrenzy accompanied her wherever she went ; she concealed it under various forms , and although her parents and friends perceived that there was something strange in her conduct
, no one was discerning enough to discover the real cause . Meanwhile friends , relations , and acquaintances busied themselves in contriving all manner of festivities ; a day never passed in which some new and unexpected pleasure was not arranged . Scarcely was there a lovely spot in the province that had not been prepared and decorated for the reception of the joyous guests . Our young soldier also wished , before his departure , to perform his part , and invited the affianced pair with an intimate familcircle to
y accompany him in an excursion on the water . The day at last arrived , and the party went on board a handsomel y decorated vessel . Away they sailed to the sounds of music up the broad river . The company , during the mid-day heat , had retired into the state cabin to amuse themselves with games of chance and skill . The younohost , not wishing to remain inactive , placed himself at the helm to re " heve the old skipper , who soon fell asleep . The bark glided merrily on
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Love's Mask.
heen her earliest passion , and this contention had heen but under the form of antipathy , a violent , and as it were , instinctive inclination . It even appeared to her remembrance no otherwise than as though she had always loved him . She smiled at the hostile onset she had conducted - she persuaded herself into a recollection ofthe pleasantcst feelings when he had disarmed her ; and that all she had attempted for the purpose of hurting or annoying himnow represented itself as merel harmless
, y expedients to attract his notice . She regretted their separation . She mourned the sleep into whicli she had fallen ; she hated the stupid dreamy habitude through which she had gained so insignificant a bridegroom ; she was perplexed and excited which ever way she viewed his position . Could any one have read the emotions of her heart , the most strict could not have blamed her , for in truth the intended bridegroom stood with the
no comparison neighbour for a moment when seen together . If you could not refuse a certain good opinion to the one , the other excited your fullest confidence . If the one appeared an agreeable acquaintance , it was impossible to know the other and not wish for him as an intimate associate ; and if you dwelt upon the higher sympathies and qualities of human nature , there was ground to doubt of the one where the other gave complete assurance . For such lineaments of character have
women a natural and peculiar tact , and they have reason as well as opportunity to cultivate it . The more the lovel y bride nourished such thoughts in her secret heart , so much the more did her passion increase . And while on the one hand , to discourage her , the opinion ofthe world—her pledge to her affianced bridegroom were so many ties of indissoluble obligation the reserved conduct of the
— youth , who conducted himself towards her with the affection of a tender brother , served only to increase its violence . Such being the posture of affairs , it seemed as though the spirit of her childhood returned upon her in all its splenetic violence , and now on a higher stage prepared itself for working to more serious ancl destructive purpose . She resolved on d ying , to punish the once hated , and now so violently loved , for his want of sympath y ; and since she could not himat least she would
possess , marry herself to his imagination to his repentance for ever . He should never be delivered from her dead image , should never cease to reproach himself that he had not recognised her sentiments , had not investi gated and appreciated them . ° This singular phrenzy accompanied her wherever she went ; she concealed it under various forms , and although her parents and friends perceived that there was something strange in her conduct
, no one was discerning enough to discover the real cause . Meanwhile friends , relations , and acquaintances busied themselves in contriving all manner of festivities ; a day never passed in which some new and unexpected pleasure was not arranged . Scarcely was there a lovely spot in the province that had not been prepared and decorated for the reception of the joyous guests . Our young soldier also wished , before his departure , to perform his part , and invited the affianced pair with an intimate familcircle to
y accompany him in an excursion on the water . The day at last arrived , and the party went on board a handsomel y decorated vessel . Away they sailed to the sounds of music up the broad river . The company , during the mid-day heat , had retired into the state cabin to amuse themselves with games of chance and skill . The younohost , not wishing to remain inactive , placed himself at the helm to re " heve the old skipper , who soon fell asleep . The bark glided merrily on