Fort Lafayette or, Love and Secession

old, when the latter proposed a stroll with Beverly, with whom he wished to converse in relation to his proposed marriage. As the beams of the unclouded sun had already chased away the morning dew

ve girl, her white hand, on which she leaned, buried among the raven tresses, was gazing fixedly into the depths of the clear sky, as if she sought to penetrate that azure veil, and find some hope realized among the mysteries of the space be

, my gentle nurse. I have come to thank you for more kindn

nd almost an effort, as if two impulses were struggling within her. But her pleasure to see him abroad again was

am very glad to see

has been the test of so much friendship, that I could almost be sinful enough to regret the returning health which makes me no longer a dep

contrast with the words. "But you are not strong yet, Mr. Wayne, and I must not let you l

way, but he detained her gently

owers awakens within me an inexpressible and calm delight. I shall be all the better for one tranquil h

n her face. She felt his gaze, but dared not return it, and her fair hea

n to be a bride, and in your path the kind Destinies will shower blessings. When they wreathe the orange blossoms in your hair, and you are led to the

oping yet lower w

ur virtues, and over your threshold many friends shall be welcomed, if I should never sit beside

drooped, but she answere

ich, Heaven knows, I have struggled against-alas, in vain! Do not turn from me. I would not breathe a word to you that in all honor you should not hear, although my heart seems

morr

o-morrow which I shall embrace. It will be like setting forth upon a journey thr

ut continued with an

ll not, sometimes, be tutored into silence. I see

n so low a tone that perhaps the words were

poken as one who is dying speaks with his fleeting breath; for evermore my lips shall be shackled against my heart

es

ppiest when I think that you ar

checked upon his lips, as if some new emo

ou not

lids, answered him as words could not have done. He was agitated and unner

a long silence, and when she had grown calmer, "a

rt, and I would die rat

ou lov

ht I lov

t grew big with an undefined awe, as if some vague danger were looming among the shadows of h

e woman that cannot love you without sin. Oh, save me from myself-from you-from the cruel wrong that I could even dream of against him to whom I have sworn my woman's faith. I am a child in your hands, Arthur, and in the face of the reproaching Providence above me, I feel-I feel that I am at your mercy. I feel that what you speak

her form bending closer and closer toward him, till her cheek was resting on his bosom, Arthur shuddered with intensity of feeling, and fro

mselves, they saw not one who stood with folded a

tion. Fear not. From this hour we part. Henceforth the

nelt beside him, and touched her lips to his hand in gratitude.

not A

nt cry of terror. She gasped and s

Hare who held

d upon Harold, as if awaiting his angry glance. But Harold looked only on the lifeless form he held, and parting the t

r both. Arthur, I have heard enough to know you would not do m

as she wakened from her trance, beheld them locked

and take counsel of time and meditation. They would not grieve Beverly with their secret, at least not for the present, when his sister was so ill prepared to bear remonstrance or reproof. Harold wrote a kind letter for Oriana, in which he released her from

y. However, Oriana, although pale and nervous, met them in the morning with more composure than the

en your heart is strong and firm. Do not look so wretched. A

composed, the tears would come, and her heart seem

ot desert me, do not cast me from you. I cannot bear to be s

ot talk of love; hereafter, perhaps, when time and absence shall teach us where to choose for happin

and whisper

are not. Oh, Harold

him. Farewell! be brave. We are good f

e carriage wheel, simply raised his hat to Oriana, as if in a parting salute. He would have given his right hand to