17. XVII.
MOTHER AND DAUGHTER.
The two fond hearts thus beat together;
each pressed to each—but, alas!
it was more than probable that a stern
hand, that of no less a personage than
the resolute Colonel Brand, would thrust
them asunder.
Innis felt a chill invade his heart.
What possibility could there be of gaining
the colonel's consent to his union with
Honoria? She was his favorite daughter,
his darling and pride; she would
inherit from him princely possessions;
would he ever permit her to unite her
fortunes to those of the poor youth,
when she might command the homage
of the proudest and wealthiest in the
land?
These questions came to the youthful
heart, still trembling and agitated from
the sudden weight of happiness, and
Innis had an additional source of foreboding.
Would not his course be attributed
to the basest motives — nay,
would not Colonel Brand meet him on
the very threshold of Rivanna, with an
insult—with the charge that he had dishonorably
taken advantage of the freedom
accorded him by the family, to win
the affection of the young and beautiful
heiress? The face of the youth blushed
at the very idea of such an accusation.
What would be the result? Insult—
quarrel—bitterness beyond words; and,
as he pondered thus, he looked at Honoria.
There was no doubt in her face;
naught but unshrinking, unhesitating
love. Where the youth trembled, she,
the “weaker vessel,” was firm; love had
wrought this mystery.
“My poor darling,” said Innis, looking
at the girl with inexpressible pride
and tenderness, “I fear this day is the
beginning of much suffering for you,
but I love you so dearly!”
She inclined her head sidewise until
it touched his shoulder. Then she
looked up into his eyes, and said, smiling:
“You ought to know that that is
enough to console me for all, Edmund!”
An hour afterward, Honoria had
told her mother all. The good lady
shook her head sadly.
“My poor, poor child,” she said,
drawing her daughter to her heart, “I
feared this, and yet had not resolution
enough to interfere between this affection
on your part and Edmund's. He
is all that the noblest woman could wish,
and, were I able to control your fate, I
should not hesitate; but I am powerless.
You know your father's pride, and, I
must add, worldliness. He has resolved,
I fear, that you shall make a
grand match; and Edmund is so poor—
this terrible poverty!”
“It is nothing, mamma!” said Honoria,
with a blush and a smile. Her
mother smiled in reply, but it was rather
a sad smile.
“It is every thing with Colonel
Brand—or much, at least—but let us
hope for the best. You say that Edmund
would not permit you to bind
yourself. That is like him, and time
may change all. He may make his mark
in the colony, and that may reconcile
your father to the arrangement. I think,
now, that Edmund had better absent
himself for a short time.”
“Yes, indeed, mamma; I have already
given him his orders,” replied
Honoria, laughing.
Do not laugh at her laughter, reader.
She was a mere child, and so happy.
Innis left Rivanna on the same evening,
and the place seemed dark to Honoria.
For the first time, she felt how
dearly, how absorbingly she loved him.
Such had been the events of a single
day in the life of Honoria Brand. She
was happy beyond words; her young
life was flooded all at once with sunshine;
and the future seemed to contain
no cloud which could overshadow her
existence.
