34. CHAPTER XXXIV.
WALTER RETURNS WITH VIRGINIA AND HIS AUNT TO PHILADELPHIA.
Colonel Oakdale was in high spirits. His casting vote had
defeated Roland's nomination; and the prominent men in the
opposition waited upon him at his boarding-house to felicitate
him upon his successful demonstration. They desired likewise
to make the acquaintance of Walter and Virginia; for
the colonel had, in a confidential way, made known to his
friends that the secret of the young man's persistence in remaining
in prison might find a solution in the approaching nuptials
of his daughter.
Hence there was a gay and brilliant company that night
assembled in the parlors of the boarding-house on F street.
The colonel's quarrel with the President was the theme of conversation
in all the political circles; and whenever it was mentioned,
it was likewise repeated that his daughter was to be
espoused by Walter Winkle, the brave young man who had
been imprisoned for an attempt to resent an insult. While
among the initiated it was understood that our hero, at the
moment of disaster, had the address to retrieve his fortune by
an original conception of the mind, which would never have
occurred to any one not gifted with some degree of genius.
Therefore the parlors where our party sojourned were
crowded with a constant succession of visitors. And so many
notes of congratulation, written on scented paper, were received
by Walter, from unknown friends, that Virginia really became
alarmed, and begged her father to permit her to return with
Miss Wilsome to Philadelphia the next day.
Walter sanctioned the proposition; and exhibiting the letter
from Sergeant Blore, declared his intention of setting out for
home the next morning.
The next day there was rejoicing among certain persons in
Washington when it was reported that young Winkle had left
the city, and did not intend to make any pause at Bladensburg.
The magistrate was greatly relieved by the intelligence, for he
had received a message from the White House to the effect
that the young lion was to be kept caged until he became perfectly
docile.
Arrived at Philadelphia, Walter conducted Virginia to her
aunt Nitre's.
“I am so rejoiced!” exclaimed Mrs. N., when she came into
the parlor, where our loving couple were laughing over the
recent events at Washington, and particularly at the proposition
of Miss Wilsome to have a game in prison. “Yes, I am
happy to see you both safely back again. Washington is a
terrible place. Never go there any more, Walter!”
“I must go when they elect me to Congress,” said Walter.
“But you are not to be a candidate, unless you pledge
yourself never to fight a duel,” said Virginia. “Recollect
your promise.”
“I recollect it—and will observe it. I promised never to
send another challenge.”
“Nor must you accept one.”
“Come in, doctor!” cried Mrs. N., hearing her husband
descending the stairs. “Here are none but friends.”
The doctor entered, and evinced the satisfaction he felt at
seeing the young people reconciled to each other, and safely returned
from Washington.
“I wanted the doctor to post off to Washington,” said Mrs.
N., “as soon as I saw the horrible paper; but he wouldn't!
Men have no feeling. He said his business would suffer; I
told him he had made money enough. He said his patients
would die; I told him he might save Walter's life. All would
not do. Men have no feeling, Walter.”
“Excuse me, madam,” said Walter, indignant at hearing
Mrs. N. always abusing her husband, and one of the best
husbands in the world—“but I think the doctor did perfectly
right. He could have done me no service, I am sure. There
were an abundance of friends who were willing to be my sureties
and release me from confinement—but—”
“Upon my word,” said Virginia, “it has never yet been
satisfactorily explained to me why you remained in prison when
you could have walked out.”
“It is a long tale,” said Walter. “But I was indifferent
to my fate unless restored—you know. I will tell you every
thing some day. I must bid you adieu, now, until I return
from Babbleton—”
“No, no!” exclaimed Mrs. N. “You don't know what the
colonel says in his letter to me.
I am to be the director of
your actions—”
“Eh?” said Walter.
“I mean that Virginia is to be under my control, and I
suppose you will not be rebellious.”
“After seeing my mother and my uncle, you may command
me. Till then, adieu.” After lingering a moment in
the hall with Virginia, Walter hastened away.
