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The Major felt himself grow stronger after this short interview
with Louisa。 He felt as if he could whip his weight in wildcats
he knew he was master of his own feelings； and could now write
a letter that would bring this litigation to AN ISSUE。
Cumming； January 24； 1844。
Dear Ambulinia
We have now reached the most trying moment of our lives； we are
pledged not to forsake our trust； we have waited for a favorable hour
to come； thinking your friends would settle the matter agreeably
among themselves； and finally be reconciled to our marriage；
but as I have waited in vain； and looked in vain； I have determined
in my own mind to make a proposition to you； though you may think
it not in accord with your station； or compatible with your rank；
yet； 〃sub loc signo vinces。〃 You know I cannot resume my visits；
in consequence of the utter hostility that your father has to me；
therefore the consummation of our union will have to be sought
for in a more sublime sphere； at the residence of a respectable
friend of this village。 You cannot have an scruples upon this
mode of proceeding； if you will but remember it emanates from one
who loves you better than his own lifewho is more than anxious
to bid you welcome to a new and happy home。 Your warmest associates
say come； the talented； the learned； the wise； and the experienced
say come；all these with their friends say； come。 Viewing these；
with many other inducements； I flatter myself that you will come
to the embraces of your Elfonzo； for now is the time of your
acceptance of the day of your liberation。 You cannot be ignorant；
Ambulinia； that thou art the desire of my heart； its thoughts
are too noble； and too pure； to conceal themselves from you。
I shall wait for your answer to this impatiently； expecting that you
will set the time to make your departure； and to be in readiness
at a moment's warning to share the joys of a more preferable life。
This will be handed to you by Louisa； who will take a pleasure in
communicating anything to you that may relieve your dejected spirits；
and will assure you that I now stand ready； willing； and waiting
to make good my vows。
I am； dear Ambulinia； your
truly； and forever；
J。 I。 Elfonzo。
Louisa made it convenient to visit Mr。 Valeer's； though they
did not suspect her in the least the bearer of love epistles；
consequently； she was invited in the room to console Ambulinia；
where they were left alone。 Ambulinia was seated by a small table
her head resting on her handher brilliant eyes were bathed in tears。
Louisa handed her the letter of Elfonzo； when another spirit animated
her featuresthe spirit of renewed confidence that never fails
to strengthen the female character in an hour of grief and sorrow
like this； and as she pronounced the last accent of his name；
she exclaimed； 〃And does he love me yet！ I never will forget
your generosity； Louisa。 Oh； unhappy and yet blessed Louisa！ may you
never feel what I have feltmay you never know the pangs of love。
Had I never loved； I never would have been unhappy； but I turn to Him
who can save； and if His wisdom does not will my expected union；
I know He will give me strength to bear my lot。 Amuse yourself
with this little book； and take it as an apology for my silence；〃
said Ambulinia； 〃while I attempt to answer this volume of consolation。〃
〃Thank you；〃 said Louisa； 〃you are excusable upon this occasion；
but I pray you； Ambulinia； to be expert upon this momentous subject；
that there may be nothing mistrustful upon my part。〃 〃I will；〃
said Ambulinia； and immediately resumed her seat and addressed the
following to Elfonzo：
Cumming； Ga。； January 28； 1844。
Devoted Elfonzo
I hail your letter as a welcome messenger of faith； and can now
say truly and firmly that my feelings correspond with yours。
Nothing shall be wanting on my part to make my obedience your fidelity。
Courage and perseverance will accomplish success。 Receive this
as my oath； that while I grasp your hand in my own imagination；
we stand united before a higher tribunal than any on earth。
All the powers of my life； soul； and body； I devote to thee。
Whatever dangers may threaten me； I fear not to encounter them。
Perhaps I have determined upon my own destruction； by leaving
the house of the best of parents； be it so； I flee to you； I share
your destiny； faithful to the end。 The day that I have concluded
upon for this task is SABBATH next； when the family with the citizens
are generally at church。 For Heaven's sake let not that day
pass unimproved： trust not till tomorrow； it is the cheat of life
the future that never comesthe grave of many noble births
the cavern of ruined enterprise： which like the lightning's
flash is born； and dies； and perishes； ere the voice of him
who sees can cry； BEHOLD！ BEHOLD！！ You may trust to what I say；
no power shall tempt me to betray confidence。 Suffer me to add one
word more。
I will soothe thee； in all thy grief；
Beside the gloomy river；
And though thy love may yet be brief；
Mine is fixed forever。
Receive the deepest emotions of my heart for thy constant love；
and may the power of inspiration by thy guide； thy portion； and thy all。
In great haste；
Yours faithfully；
Ambulinia。
〃I now take my leave of you； sweet girl；〃 said Louisa； 〃sincerely
wishing you success on Sabbath next。〃 When Ambulinia's letter was
handed to Elfonzo； he perused it without doubting its contents。
Louisa charged him to make but few confidants； but like most young
men who happened to win the heart of a beautiful girl； he was so
elated with the idea that he felt as a commanding general on parade；
who had confidence in all； consequently gave orders to all。
The appointed Sabbath； with a delicious breeze and cloudless sky；
made its appearance。 The people gathered in crowds to the church
the streets were filled with neighboring citizens； all marching
to the house of worship。 It is entirely useless for me to attempt
to describe the feelings of Elfonzo and Ambulinia； who were silently
watching the movements of the multitude； apparently counting them as then
entered the house of God； looking for the last one to darken the door。
The impatience and anxiety with which they waited； and the bliss
they anticipated on the eventful day； is altogether indescribable。
Those that have been so fortunate as to embark in such a noble
enterprise know all its realities； and those who have not had this
inestimable privilege will have to taste its sweets before they can
tell to others its joys； its comforts； and its Heaven…born worth。
Immediately after Ambulinia had assisted the family off to church；
she took advantage of that opportunity to make good her promises。
She left a home of enjoyment to be wedded to one whose love had
been justifiable。 A few short steps brought her to the presence
of Louisa； who urged her to make good use of her time； and not
to delay a moment； but to go with her to her brother's house；
where Elfonzo would forever make her happy。 With lively speed；
and yet a graceful air； she entered the door and found herself
protected by the champion of her confidence。 The necessary
arrangements were fast making to have the two lovers united
everything was in readiness except the parson； and as they are
generally very sanctimonious on such occasions； the news got
to the parents of Ambulinia before the everlasting knot was tied；
and they both came running； with uplifted hands and injured feelings；
to arrest their daughter from an unguarded and hasty resolution。
Elfonzo desired to maintain his ground； but Ambulinia thought
it best for him to leave； to prepare for a greater contest。
He accordingly obeyed； as it would have been a vain endeavor for him
to have battled against a man who was armed with deadly weapons；
and besides； he could not resist the request of such a pure heart。
Ambulinia concealed herself in the upper story of the house； fearing
the rebuke of her father； the door was locked； and no chastisement
was now expected。 Esquire Valeer； whose pride was already touched；
resolved to preserve the dignity of his family。 He entered the house
almost exhausted； looking wildly for Ambulinia。 〃Amazed and astonished
indeed I am；〃 said he； 〃at a people who call themselves civilized；
to allow such behavior as this。 Ambulinia； Ambulinia！〃 he cried；
〃come to the calls of your first； your best； and your only friend。
I appeal to you； sir；〃 turning to the gentleman of the house；
〃to know where Ambulinia has gone； or where is she？〃 〃Do you mean
to insult me； sir； in my own house？〃 inquired the gentleman。
〃I will burst；〃 said Mr。 V。； 〃asunder every door in your dwelling；
in search of my daughter； if you do not speak quickly； and tell me
where she is。 I care nothing about that outcast rubbish of creation；