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05-the enemy conquered-第8章

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in his own mind; but his gentlemanly honor was at stake; so he

concluded to address the following letter to the father and mother

of Ambulinia; as his address in person he knew would only aggravate

the old gentleman; and perhaps his lady。







Cumming; Ga。; January 22; 1844



Mr。 and Mrs。 Valeer





Again I resume the pleasing task of addressing you; and once more beg

an immediate answer to my many salutations。  From every circumstance

that has taken place; I feel in duty bound to comply with my obligations;

to forfeit my word would be more than I dare do; to break my pledge;

and my vows that have been witnessed; sealed; and delivered in the

presence of an unseen Deity; would be disgraceful on my part; as well

as ruinous to Ambulinia。  I wish no longer to be kept in suspense

about this matter。  I wish to act gentlemanly in every particular。 

It is true; the promises I have made are unknown to any but Ambulinia;

and I think it unnecessary to here enumerate them; as they who

promise the most generally perform the least。  Can you for a moment

doubt my sincerity or my character?  My only wish is; sir; that you

may calmly and dispassionately look at the situation of the case;

and if your better judgment should dictate otherwise; my obligations

may induce me to pluck the flower that you so diametrically opposed。 

We have sword by the saintsby the gods of battle; and by that

faith whereby just men are made perfectto be united。  I hope;

my dear sir; you will find it convenient as well as agreeable

to give me a favorable answer; with the signature of Mrs。 Valeer;

as well as yourself。





With very great esteem;



your humble servant;



J。 I。 Elfonzo。







The moon and stars had grown pale when Ambulinia had retired

to rest。  A crowd of unpleasant thoughts passed through her bosom。 

Solitude dwelt in her chamberno sound from the neighboring

world penetrated its stillness; it appeared a temple of silence;

of repose; and of mystery。  At that moment she heard a still voice

calling her father。  In an instant; like the flash of lightning;

a thought ran through her mind that it must be the bearer

of Elfonzo's communication。  〃It is not a dream!〃 she said;

〃no; I cannot read dreams。  Oh!  I would to Heaven I was near

that glowing eloquencethat poetical languageit charms the

mind in an inexpressible manner; and warms the coldest heart。〃 

While consoling herself with this strain; her father rushed into

her room almost frantic with rage; exclaiming:  〃Oh; Ambulinia! 

Ambulinia!! undutiful; ungrateful daughter!  What does this mean? 

Why does this letter bear such heart…rending intelligence? 

Will you quit a father's house with this debased wretch; without a

place to lay his distracted head; going up and down the country;

with every novel object that many chance to wander through this region。 

He is a pretty man to make love known to his superiors; and you;

Ambulinia; have done but little credit to yourself by honoring

his visits。  Oh; wretchedness! can it be that my hopes of happiness

are forever blasted!  Will you not listen to a father's entreaties;

and pay some regard to a mother's tears。  I know; and I do pray that God

will give me fortitude to bear with this sea of troubles; and rescue

my daughter; my Ambulinia; as a brand from the eternal burning。〃 

〃Forgive me; father; oh! forgive thy child;〃 replied Ambulinia。 

〃My heart is ready to break; when I see you in this grieved state

of agitation。  Oh! think not so meanly of me; as that I mourn

for my own danger。  Father; I am only woman。  Mother; I am only

the templement of thy youthful years; but will suffer courageously

whatever punishment you think proper to inflict upon me; if you will

but allow me to comply with my most sacred promisesif you will but

give me my personal right and my personal liberty。  Oh; father! if

your generosity will but give me these; I ask nothing more。 

When Elfonzo offered me his heart; I gave him my hand; never to

forsake him; and now may the mighty God banish me before I leave him

in adversity。  What a heart must I have to rejoice in prosperity

with him whose offers I have accepted; and then; when poverty comes;

haggard as it may be; for me to trifle with the oracles of Heaven;

and change with every fluctuation that may interrupt our happiness

like the politician who runs the political gantlet for office one day;

and the next day; because the horizon is darkened a little; he is

seen running for his life; for fear he might perish in its ruins。 

Where is the philosophy; where is the consistency; where is the charity;

in conduct like this?  Be happy then; my beloved father; and forget me;

let the sorrow of parting break down the wall of separation and make

us equal in our feeling; let me now say how ardently I love you;

let me kiss that age…worn cheek; and should my tears bedew thy face;

I will wipe them away。  Oh; I never can forget you; no; never; never!〃



〃Weep not;〃 said the father; 〃Ambulinia。  I will forbid Elfonzo

my house; and desire that you may keep retired a few days。  I will

let him know that my friendship for my family is not linked together

by cankered chains; and if he ever enters upon my premises again;

I will send him to his long home。〃  〃Oh; father! let me entreat you

to be calm upon this occasion; and though Elfonzo may be the sport

of the clouds and winds; yet I feel assured that no fate will send

him to the silent tomb until the God of the Universe calls him

hence with a triumphant voice。〃



Here the father turned away; exclaiming:  〃I will answer his letter

in a very few words; and you; madam; will have the goodness to stay

at home with your mother; and remember; I am determined to protect

you from the consuming fire that looks so fair to your view。〃







Cumming; January 22; 1844。





SirIn regard to your request; I am as I ever have been; utterly opposed

to your marrying into my family; and if you have any regard for yourself;

or any gentlemanly feeling; I hope you will mention it to me no more;

but seek some other one who is not so far superior to you in standing。





W。 W。 Valeer。







When Elfonzo read the above letter; he became so much depressed

in spirits that many of his friends thought it advisable to use

other means to bring about the happy union。  〃Strange;〃 said he;

〃that the contents of this diminutive letter should cause me to have

such depressed feelings; but there is a nobler theme than this。  I know

not why my MILITARY TITLE is not as great as that of SQUIRE VALEER。 

For my life I cannot see that my ancestors are inferior to those

who are so bitterly opposed to my marriage with Ambulinia。  I know

I have seen huge mountains before me; yet; when I think that I know

gentlemen will insult me upon this delicate matter; should I become

angry at fools and babblers; who pride themselves in their impudence

and ignorance?  No。 My equals!  I know not where to find them。 

My inferiors!  I think it beneath me; and my superiors!  I think

it presumption; therefore; if this youthful heart is protected

by any of the divine rights; I never will betray my trust。〃



He was aware that Ambulinia had a confidence that was; indeed;

as firm and as resolute as she was beautiful and interesting。 

He hastened to the cottage of Louisa; who received him in her usual

mode of pleasantness; and informed him that Ambulinia had just that

moment left。  〃Is it possible?〃 said Elfonzo。  〃Oh; murdered hours! 

Why did she not remain and be the guardian of my secrets? 

But hasten and tell me how she has stood this trying scene;

and what are her future determinations。〃  〃You know;〃 said Louisa;

〃Major Elfonzo; that you have Ambulinia's first love; which is

of no small consequence。  She came here about twilight; and shed

many precious tears in consequence of her own fate with yours。 

We walked silently in yon little valley you see; where we spent

a momentary repose。  She seemed to be quite as determined as ever;

and before we left that beautiful spot she offered up a prayer

to Heaven for thee。〃  〃I will see her then;〃 replied Elfonzo;

〃though legions of enemies may oppose。  She is mine by foreordination

she is mine by prophesyshe is mine by her own free will; and I

will rescue her from the hands of her oppressors。  Will you not;

Miss Louisa; assist me in my capture?〃



〃I will certainly; by the aid of Divine Providence;〃 answered Louisa;

〃endeavor to break those slavish chains that bind the richest of prizes;

though allow me; Major; to entreat you to use no harsh means on this

important occasion; take a decided stand; and write freely to Ambulinia

upon this subject; and I will see that no intervening cause hinders

its passage to her。  God alone will save a mourning people。  Now is

the day and now is the hour to obey a command of such valuable worth。〃 

The Major felt himself grow stronger after this short interview

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