University of Virginia Library

30. CHAPTER XXX.

Sebastian determined, on the way home, to find
Argus at once, and open the subject pending between
him and Virginia. For that purpose he went over
the house in search of him. Though there was a haze
of cigar smoke in the green room, and the glimmer of
a candle under his bedroom door, he was not to be
seen. Roxalana said that she had been left in the
dark concerning the general dispersion of the family,
that day, and supposed if anything was to happen
therefrom she should hear of it in good time. She
was glad to know of Tempe's visit to Virginia, and
surprised that Sebastian should have gone to Mr.
Brande's. What did he think of the house?”

“I felt it to be a bad place.”

“Did you comprehend Virginia's position? There
is something mysterious and doubtful going on with
her; I have felt so for some time.”

“I think her life will be happier shortly. Roxalana
you are attached to her?”

“Very much; she is a noble girl.”

“How is she noble?”

“You know she has been brought up by her father's
strict and narrow religious ideas, yet she is not
self-righteous; her father is also rich, yet her taste is
simple, and the capacity for self-denial is not deadened

in the least. Indeed, Sebastian, considering
that she is conventionally pious, rich and handsome,
you must agree with me, and think it remarkable
that she should possess traits which have nothing to
do with these facts, and which please those who are
also devoid of them; like me, for instance. That
you who sometimes feel strangely filled with reverence,—are
handsome, though your nose is a trifle too
large,—and, at least, have been rich, should not feel
a sympathy for her, or liking, is not strange.”

“Oh, my Roxalana, I have had such a day!”

“What have you been in pursuit of?”

“I was pursued, caught, and am extricating myself.”

“When you said, a short time since that you
needed me, I feared you had become unhappy. It is
not to be expected that you should find happiness in
this dull house, and with us plain, old people. But
I had the impression, when you came here, that you
had suffered so deeply from the causes which men
believe happiness springs from, you would not seek
them again; in short, I reckoned that like Argus
and myself, you had used up a portion of life,—one
lung say, and were contented to breathe through the
other. You are a young man, and I have made a
senseless mistake; grandmothers will err in their
judgment of men, because their memories are short.
You may be frank with me, tell me anything you
choose. I am as silent as a sponge, and as absorbing;
when you are ready to wring out all you have
confided,—I shall still be the same.”

He reflected whether he should deny himself the

sad pleasure of confession; whether they could not
together keep a secret, which should remain in their
minds, like a sword, the fall of which would cut
asunder the destinies of the whole family,—with
Virginia added! No. He would not add a burden
to the mind, so passive, yet so unreasonable in suffering.
After a short pause, during which she regarded
him affectionately, he clasped her hand, and
said:

“Did I say that I went for Tempe?”

“No; if you did go, I thank you.”

“Her absence tormented me.'

“Do you say so, Sebastian? Then the time has
come for me to interfere with her; I shall not permit
her to disquiet you in the least. It is enough for me
to be the witness of her vagaries. And yet, of late, I
have been somewhat encouraged in regard to Tempe,
her temper has seemed milder, her feelings better. It
is a sad thing to say, but my only child has never
given me the means of a day's happiness, since she
grew up.”

“But she will do so.”

“I should be thankful to be so convinced.”

“So I went after her, and found her, and then, the
something which has pursued me in the most stealthy
manner for quite a period, as I now recognize,
arrived at my very heart. I am agitated,—in conflict;
no, not in conflict—in a profound exaltation,
and I must give it a form in absolute, irremediable
acts.”

She did not understand him, and said so, telling

him to go on until she could, and remarking, mentally,
that it would be a great relief to him, to be rid
of his puzzling thoughts. He continued:

“Could I ever do anything better than to take
Tempe, if she will be so good, for my wife?”

Her eyes seemed turning to marble, they fixed
upon him so immovably. He smiled, drew back, and
said;

“Answer.”

Drawling, and hesitating, but making her words
most distinct, she replied:

“Sebastian, you astound me. Your mind is
astray. It will be impossible for me to comprehend
this idea.”

“What of that? I do not comprehend one hour
of my life. I am assailed, vanquished, changed, inspired,
and directed, by sensations as vital and necessary
as the Creator is; if they are blind, like chance,
what have I to do with that?'

“She is a child, and—a widow.”

“A child no longer and the widowhood”—Sebastian
snapped his fingers. Roxalana laughed till her
marble eyes glittered with tears; the best thing she
could do under the circumstances, for she was not
prepared to decide on a question which she felt must
be against the happiness of one or the other, whether
she said `Yes,' or `No.' Tempe could not make
Sebastian happy. Sebastian was perhaps necessary
to the wilful creature!

“Why in the world,” she said, “have you not
conversed with Tempe on this subject? It is not

the fashion here, for parents to marry their children.
We marry ourselves in this country, and so the idea
of family is disintegrated, like all our institutions.”

“How can you say this, Roxalana, when you have
the example of Miss Brande before you? She has
not dared to banish the man her father desires her
to marry. I still doubt whether she will marry—”
he stopped.

“I should like to know what kind of man Cyrus
Brande is? He is a pest to that girl. Why don't
she run away from him? I should be glad to
inform him of my opinion concerning his behavior
to her.”

“And you would protect her if she came to you?
But we are running wide of our discussion. Have I
your permission? By the way, I believe I have
money enough to serve us all, after our present way
of living.”

“Give me a little time to think over the matter;
probably I shall come to a reasonable conclusion.”

“My dear Roxalana, it is settled. Have no
uneasiness; it is good for me to be un—to have a
purpose, I mean. Now, I will wait for Argus.”