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Article THE MASON'S DAUGHTER. * ← Page 4 of 10 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Mason's Daughter. *
Manvers hesitated , but his spirit was proud ; the word of command , instead of request , had passed his lips , and he could not retract . " Captain Johnson , " said he , gravely and coolly , " I have expressed my desire that the subject may be dropped , and I expect a compliance therewith . Explanation 1 will give none . " " Then , " said Johnston , " no further restraint is necessary . I regret , Captain Manvers , that I must proceed in my narration .. ' " You know the
consequences , Captain Johnson , " said Manvers . Johnson bowed . " You will then , ' ' continued he , " refrain from pursuing the subject until we can settle this little affair to our mutual satisfaction ? " " Certainly ; most certainly , " returned the other , and he ceased speaking . The two contending parties each spoke in whispers to a friend , and then separated for their respective quarters . The rest of the officers remained discussing what had occurred ; all present marvelled at the vehemence
of the pet captain ' s speech for they never suspected his being interested in the subject of the talk . Some cigars were smoked , and some bets laid on the issue of the duel which must inevitably occur on the ensuing morning . The remaining members of the troop then slowl y meandered through the vaulted passages of the barracks to bed . Louisa in reference to whom this dispute had occurred , was but little known b y those who had so frequentlmade use of her name .
y Her beauty , which was of the first order , had alone rendered her celebrated beyond the walls of her own house , in which she was loved and respected . She was the only child of a man in business , in which he had , by honest industry , gained a hi gh reputation , and acquired some small property , though not adequate to his wishes . He was a widower ,
and bis whole soul was set upon the only living object of affection , which remained to him . It was for her he thought , for her he laboured , and for her , and on her , no expense within his means was too great to be lavished . Louisa had received an education above her sphere in life , and the incautious wishes and expressions of the overfond parent had led her to look for an alliance with those of a class higher than her own . After her education had been , according to the common term , finished
, and she had been left uncontrolled by a governess , these hopes and expectations led to a perusal of much of that trash which cumbers the shelves of the novel libraries ; and as there was no maternal hand to check this propensity , it was indulged to excess . Such a combination of circumstances had nearly led to the formation of a character highly dangerous to the possessor ; but the tendency to evil was counteracted by an extreme and almost child-like simplicitywhich imagined no eviland
, , was slow to receive its impressions . If she revelled in romance , it was in visions of innocence and high-mindedness , which bore no affinity to guilt . Nevertheless , there were points in such a mind as that of Louisa , which rendered her susceptible to the advances of a kindred spirit , and all foresaw that when she did love , it would be with surpassing fervour . Louisa was of course surrounded by admirers of her own class , but these she treated with every species of sliht which could induce them to desist
g from a suit which she had before told them was useless . One person only , whose name it is not necessary further to mention , was permitted to enjoy her society , and that was at the father ' s special request . This person possessed fortune and other requisites which would have made him an eligible match ; but though he enjoyed the entree of the house , he found no favour in the maiden ' s sight . Compelled by her father ' s request to receive-and tolerate his presence , she treated him on a fami-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Mason's Daughter. *
Manvers hesitated , but his spirit was proud ; the word of command , instead of request , had passed his lips , and he could not retract . " Captain Johnson , " said he , gravely and coolly , " I have expressed my desire that the subject may be dropped , and I expect a compliance therewith . Explanation 1 will give none . " " Then , " said Johnston , " no further restraint is necessary . I regret , Captain Manvers , that I must proceed in my narration .. ' " You know the
consequences , Captain Johnson , " said Manvers . Johnson bowed . " You will then , ' ' continued he , " refrain from pursuing the subject until we can settle this little affair to our mutual satisfaction ? " " Certainly ; most certainly , " returned the other , and he ceased speaking . The two contending parties each spoke in whispers to a friend , and then separated for their respective quarters . The rest of the officers remained discussing what had occurred ; all present marvelled at the vehemence
of the pet captain ' s speech for they never suspected his being interested in the subject of the talk . Some cigars were smoked , and some bets laid on the issue of the duel which must inevitably occur on the ensuing morning . The remaining members of the troop then slowl y meandered through the vaulted passages of the barracks to bed . Louisa in reference to whom this dispute had occurred , was but little known b y those who had so frequentlmade use of her name .
y Her beauty , which was of the first order , had alone rendered her celebrated beyond the walls of her own house , in which she was loved and respected . She was the only child of a man in business , in which he had , by honest industry , gained a hi gh reputation , and acquired some small property , though not adequate to his wishes . He was a widower ,
and bis whole soul was set upon the only living object of affection , which remained to him . It was for her he thought , for her he laboured , and for her , and on her , no expense within his means was too great to be lavished . Louisa had received an education above her sphere in life , and the incautious wishes and expressions of the overfond parent had led her to look for an alliance with those of a class higher than her own . After her education had been , according to the common term , finished
, and she had been left uncontrolled by a governess , these hopes and expectations led to a perusal of much of that trash which cumbers the shelves of the novel libraries ; and as there was no maternal hand to check this propensity , it was indulged to excess . Such a combination of circumstances had nearly led to the formation of a character highly dangerous to the possessor ; but the tendency to evil was counteracted by an extreme and almost child-like simplicitywhich imagined no eviland
, , was slow to receive its impressions . If she revelled in romance , it was in visions of innocence and high-mindedness , which bore no affinity to guilt . Nevertheless , there were points in such a mind as that of Louisa , which rendered her susceptible to the advances of a kindred spirit , and all foresaw that when she did love , it would be with surpassing fervour . Louisa was of course surrounded by admirers of her own class , but these she treated with every species of sliht which could induce them to desist
g from a suit which she had before told them was useless . One person only , whose name it is not necessary further to mention , was permitted to enjoy her society , and that was at the father ' s special request . This person possessed fortune and other requisites which would have made him an eligible match ; but though he enjoyed the entree of the house , he found no favour in the maiden ' s sight . Compelled by her father ' s request to receive-and tolerate his presence , she treated him on a fami-