CHAPTER II. THE winter was unusually cold, but it passed pleasantly away. Judge Mason having heard of the death of a near and only surviving relative, the family went into no gayety, but passed their evenings either at home or in neighborhoodvisiting; although generally there was a large circle gathered about their own fireside, of which George Watson was the life. Of a cultivated mind and fond of reading, he had many ways of making himself agreeable; these, together with his stories of the wild wood, his descriptions of the country through which he had passed-wound up as they always were with a rhapsody on some beautiful Indian, seen in some romantic place-added to the charm of his conversation; the latter episode, Nannie insisted, was for the especial benefit of the ladies, to excite in them pleasant feelings of envy and discontent, while the whole circle would often accuse him of Munchausening. Be this as it may, he always had a highly interested auditory; and, did there happen to be an unlucky ring at the bell announcing a visitor, who, it was feared, would not enter into the spirit of the hour, not a few pshaws" and "provokings" were uttered. All this added not a little to the self-appreciation of a gentleman who already had a proper estimate of his own powers; and, as vanity is a gentlemanly as well as ladylike vice, he preferred remaining at home and reigning over the little circle there to visiting abroad, although he was a marked and welcome visitor in all the society of the city. 66 Among the constant visitors at Judge Mason's was Mr. Peyton, the son of one of the judge's old friends, who had come to the city to attend to his law studies; he was looked upon as Nannie's admirer. Mr. Peyton was altogether Southern in feeling and character, ardent, impetuous, and full of that versatility of talent, which so often characterizes the Southerner; handsome in face and agreeable in manner, his conversation lent another charm to their evenings. This to Ellen was a most agreeable winter; time passed, and she forgot what of late had hung heavy upon her spirit, her father's declining health, and the necessity there would some day be of exertion to support the family. Judge Mason's annuity ended with his life; and, although it now afforded them a comfortable maintenance, it did nothing more, and was their only resource. Judge Mason, with mistaken pride, would not hear of his daughter's making any exertion to add to their income or provide for a future day; notwithstanding his great energy and strength of character, this was one of the things he could not meet with equanimity; he was willing to exert all his own powers, but could not think of his daughters doing so. Mrs. Mason was a most devoted mother, entirely taken up with the care of her grandchild, her house, and her church; and, although this state of affairs would sometimes intrude upon her, and cloud her kind face for a moment, she dismissed the subject when Ellen would allude to it, with a sigh, and "My dear child, sufficient unto the day is the evil.” Ellen had spoken to George of her abiding wish to put her talents and education to the service of the family; and, although he acknowledged the necessity there would one day be of making some exertion, he put the evil day off, for he had imbibed many of Judge Mason's ideas; he considered the wish highly honorable and proper in itself, and would have been among the first to commend it in another; but the thought that those dear to him should be obliged to make B this exertion touched his personal pride, and this was the great foible of his character. Nannie was willing to take part in any thing Ellen would suggest; but then Ellen must lead, and she saw that the time had not yet come; the subject was, therefore, dismissed for the present. In the mean time, Ellen performed her part of the household duties, read, sang, played, and improved herself in many ways-while Nannie coquetted, and George talked. One evening Mr. Clayton, an intimate, stepped in to spend the evening, and chat. Ellen and George, aside, were playing chess; while Nannie entertained the others with the news she had gathered in the course of her afternoon visits. "Sallie Graham and Captain Frost are to be married in a few days, and in a fortnight he sails on a three years' cruise to the Mediterranean—a pleasant prospect for a bride, is it not? Ellen, Fanny Gilman is to marry Mr. Slidell next week, and you know he is an Infidel.” "You must be mistaken, Nannie; the Gilmans are Pres byterians, after the strictest sect." "I had it from Mary Gordon, who is to be bridemaid." "Would you object to a man whose character stood as fair as Mr. Slidell's, Miss Ellen, because he happened to be so un fortunate in his convictions ?" "I most certainly should, Mr. Clayton." "Check." George pushed his chair back, thrust aside the board, and appeared about to speak. "I knew he could not resist a chance to talk," whispered Nannie. "I flatter myself I know womankind, Ellen-" "What boy does not who can raise a beard?" interrupted Nannie. He smiled, and went on: "and I would not trust you. You begin by trying to convert. There is something to rouse your interest, to pique your curiosity, to gratify your vanity (and these are great auxiliaries to love), in the thought of winning him, through love of you, to love heaven; the romance and poetry make it irresistible." ¿ "" Thank you for your estimate of the religious principle of the sex; it savors of that 'Sarcastic levity of tongue, The stinging of a heart,' Not the world, but a woman hath stung." 66 Yes, Fanny Gilman was an old flame," said Nannie. I am scathless there; but Miss Fanny runs a great risk, as does any woman who marries a professed Infidel. She will find that, imperceptibly, she adopts the opinions of the one loved; loses sight of the sin in her regard for the sinner; and nothing to a refined man is so revolting as an irreligious woman. Men like to look upward in their love; the superiority of the object is some excuse for the weakness of the feeling (as far as affection and religion are concerned.) Superiority of intellect in a wife or dependent a man never forgives. Just in proportion as we know ourselves to be sinners, do we desire our lady-loves to be saints. It is seldom that a vicious man loves a vicious woman; he winds his hopes about something purer than himself. We see this in Mr. Slidell, a man of high standing, though an avowed Infidel, yet who has selected as a companion for life a woman brought up in the most rigid observance of the very tenets he rejects." 66 'Slidell is a contradiction," said Mr. Clayton; "I never knew a beggar leave him unrelieved. His is not mere moneygiving charity, but the charity which giveth heart while it helpeth; which assisteth a failing credit and props a falling name, and stoppeth, when in haste, to speak a kind word to the outcast and the miserable." "Some men," remarked Ellen, "wishing to assert their independence of thought, are Infidels in speech, and Christians in heart and practice. I hope Mr. Slidell belongs to this class." 'Who was that sat in your pew last Sunday, Mr. Clay ton?" asked Nannie. "I do not know: why do you ask?" "Because he stared at me during the whole service." "There is no vanity in that, Nannie. you looking the while?" Pray, where were "Not at him, George, I can assure you, for it would puzzle me to describe him. I met his eye as I entered the pew, and after I was seated, I felt he was gazing at me. We each sat at the head of our respective pews, with only the divisionboard between us. I moved away from this, but still was conscious those eyes were upon me. The feeling became intolerable; and I turned suddenly, to assure myself it was not imagination, and, sure enough, those unmeaning eyes were fixed upon me, in any other than an admiring gaze. He made me feel uncomfortable all church time." "He was mesmerizing you, Nannie, depend upon it. But here comes Peyton. He is a believer in mesmerism, and I doubt not would like to have you for a subject. Good-evening, Peyton; we are discussing mesmerism, and Nannie is desirous of being put to sleep." Good-evening, ladies! I shall be most happy to oblige Miss Nannie, but I am fearful I shall have to exclaim with the poet 'My wreck of mind, and all my woes, And all my ills that day arose ; When on the fair Nannie's eyes, At first with hopeless, fond surprise, When my glance met her searching glance, As light leaves in the greenwood dance, "I might feel flattered had you condescended to dedicate your own verses to me, Mr. Peyton, but as it is, I 'go begging |