"Do not accept the offer, Florence," said her friend Carlotti.
A shade of disappointment went over the face of the fair girl, whohad just communicated the pleasing fact that she had received anoffer of marriage.
"You cannot be happy as the wife of Herman Leland," added Carlotti.
"How little do you know this heart," returned the fond girl.
"It is because I know it so well that I say what I do. If your lovebe poured out for Herman Leland, Florence, it will be as water onthe desert sand."
"Why do you affirm this, Carlotti?"
"A woman can truly love only the moral virtue of her husband."
"I do not clearly understand you."
"It is only genuine goodness of heart that conjoins in marriage."
"Well?"
"Just so far as selfish and evil affections find a place in the mindof either the husband or wife, will be the ratio of unhappiness inthe marriage state. If there be any truth in morals, or in thedoctrine of affinities, be assured that this is so. It is neitherintellectual attainments nor personal attractions that makehappiness in marriage. Far, very far from it. All depends upon thequality of the affections. If these be good, happiness will come asa natural consequence; but if they be evil, misery will inevitablyfollow so close a union."
"Then you affirm that Mr. Leland is an evil-minded man?"
"Neither of us know him well enough to say this positively,Florence. Judging from what little I have seen, I should call him aselfish man; and no selfish man can be a good man, for selfishnessis the basis of all evil."
"I am afraid you are prejudiced against him, Carlotti."
"If I have had any prejudices in the matter, Florence, they havebeen in his favour. Well-educated, refined in his manners, andvariously accomplished, he creates, on nearly all minds, afavourable impression. Such an impression did I at first feel. Butthe closer I drew near to him, the less satisfied did I feel with myfirst judgment. On at least two occasions, I have heard him speaklightly of religion."
"Of mere cant and sectarianism, perhaps."
"No; he once spoke lightly of a mother for making it a point torequire all her children to repeat their prayers before going tobed. On another occasion, he alluded to one of the sacraments of thechurch in a way that produced an inward shudder. From that time, Ihave looked at him with eyes from which the scales have beenremoved; and the more I seek to penetrate beneath the surface of hischaracter, the more do I see what repels me. Florence, dear, let meurge you, as one who tenderly loves you and earnestly desires to seeyou happy, to weigh the matter well ere you assent to thisproposal."
"I'm afraid, Carlotti," said Florence in reply to this, "that youhave let small causes influence your feelings toward Mr. Leland. Weall speak lightly, at times, even on subjects regarded assacred--not because we despise them, but from casualthoughtlessness. It was, no doubt, so with Mr. Leland on theoccasion to which you refer."
"We are rarely mistaken, Florence," replied Carlotti, "as to thereal sentiment involved in the words used by those with whom weconverse. Words are the expressions of thoughts, and these the formof affections. What a man really feels in reference to any subject,will generally appear in the tones of his voice, no matter whetherhe speak lightly or seriously. Depend upon it, this is so. It wasthe manner in which Leland spoke that satisfied me as to his realfeelings, more than the language he used. Judging him in this way, Iam well convinced that, in his heart, he despises religion; and noman who does this, can possibly make a right-minded woman happy."
The gentle warning of Carlotti was not wholly lost on Florence. Shehad great confidence in the judgment of her friend, and did not feelthat it would be right to wholly disregard her admonitions.
"What answer can I make?" said she, drawing a long sigh. "He urgesan early response to his suit."
"Duty to yourself, Florence, demands a time for consideration.Marriage is a thing of too vital moment to be decided uponhurriedly. Say to him in reply, that his offer is unexpected, andthat you cannot give an immediate answer, but will do so at theearliest possible moment."
"So cold a response may offend him."
"If it does, then he will exhibit a weakness of character unfittinghim to become the husband of a sensible woman. If he be reallyattracted by your good qualities, he will esteem you the more forthis act of prudence. He will understand that you set a high regardupon the marriage relation, and do not mean to enter into it unlessyou know well the person to whom you commit your happiness in thisworld, and, in all probability, the next."
"A coldly calculating spirit, Carlotti, that nicely weighs andbalances the merits and defects of one beloved, is, in my view,hardly consonant with true happiness in marriage. All have defectsof character. All are born with evil inclinations of one kind oranother. Love seeks only for good in the object of affection.Affinities of this kind are almost spontaneous in their birth. Welove more from impulse than from any clear appreciation ofcharacter--perceiving good qualities by a kind of instinct ratherthan searching for them."
"A doctrine, Florence," said Carlotti, "that has produced untoldmisery in the married life. As I said at first, it is only the moralvirtue of her husband that a woman can love--it is only this, as auniting principle, that can make two married partners one. Thequalities of all minds express themselves in words and actions, and,by a close observance of these latter, we may determine the natureof the former. We cannot perceive them with sufficient clearness toarrive at a sound judgment: the only safe method is to determine thecharacter of the tree by its fruits. Take sufficient time to arriveat a knowledge of Mr. Leland's character by observation, and thenyou can accept or reject him under the fullest assurance that youare acting wisely."
"Perhaps you are right," murmured Florence. "I will weigh carefullywhat you have said."
And she did so. Much to the disappointment of Mr. Leland, hereceived a reply from Florence asking a short time for reflection.
When Florence next met the young man, there was, as a naturalconsequence, some slight embarrassment on both sides. On separating,Florence experienced a certain unfavourable impression toward him,although she could not trace it to any thing he had said or done. Attheir next meeting, Leland's reserve had disappeared, and heexhibited a better flow of spirits. He was more off his guard thanusual, and said a good many things that rather surprised Florence.
Impatient of delay, Leland again pressed his suit; but Florence wasfurther than ever from being ready to give an answer. She was notprepared to reject him, and as little prepared to give a favourableanswer. Her request to be allowed further time for consideration,wounded his pride; and, acting under its influence, he determined tohave his revenge on her by suing for the hand of another maiden, andbearing her to the altar while she was hesitating over the offer hehad made. With this purpose in view, he penned a kind and politenote, approving her deliberation, and desiring her to take thefullest time for reflection. "Marriage," said he, in this note, "istoo serious a matter to be decided upon hastily. It is a life-union,and the parties who make it should be well satisfied that thereexists a mutual fitness for each other."
Two days passed after Florence received this note before seeing herfriend Carlotti. She then called upon her in order to have furtherconversation on the subject of the proposal she had received. Thetenor of this note had produced a favourable change in her feelings,and she felt strongly disposed to make a speedy termination of thedebate in her mind by accepting her attractive suitor.
"Are you not well?" was her first remark on seeing Carlotti, for herfriend looked pale and troubled.
"Not very well, dear," replied Carlotti, making an effort to assumea cheerful aspect.
The mind of Florence was too intent on the one interesting subjectthat occupied it to linger long on any other theme. But a short timeelapsed before she said, with a warmer glow on her cheeks--
"I believe I have made up my mind, Carlotti."
"About what?"
"The offer of Mr. Leland."
"Well, what is your decision?" Carlotti held her breath for ananswer.
"I will accept him."
Without replying, Carlotti arose, and going to a drawer, tooktherefrom a letter addressed to herself and handing it to Florence,said--
"Read that."
There was something ominous in the manner of Carlotti, which causedFlorence to become agitated. Her hands trembled as she unfolded theletter. It bore the date of the day previous, and read thus:--
"MY DEAR CARLOTTI: From the first moment I saw you, I felt that youwere the one destined to make me happy or miserable. Your image hasbeen present to me, sleeping or waking, ever since. I can turn in noway that it is not before me. The oftener I have met you, the morehave I been charmed by the gentleness, the sweetness, the purity,and excellence of your character. With you to walk through life bymy side, I feel that my feet would tread a flowery way; but ifheaven have not this blessing in store for me, I shall be, of allmen, most miserable. My heart is too full to write more. And have Inot said enough? Love speaks in brief but eloquent language. Dearyoung lady, let me hear from you speedily. I shall be wretched untilI know your decision. Heaven give my suit a favourable issue!
Yours, devotedly,
"HERMAN LELAND."
A deadly paleness overspread the countenance of Florence as theletter dropped from her hands; and she leaned back against herfriend to prevent falling to the floor. But, in a little while, sherecovered herself.
"And this to you?" said she, with a quivering lip, as she gazedearnestly into the face of her friend.
"Yes, Florence, that to me."
"Can I trust my own senses? Is there not some illusion? Let me lookat it again."
And Florence stooped for the letter, and fixed her eyes upon it oncemore. The language was plain, and the handwriting she knew too well.
"False-hearted!" she murmured, in a low and mournful voice, coveringher face and sobbing.
"Yes, Florence," said her friend, "he is false-hearted. How thankfulam I that you have escaped! Evidently in revenge for your prudentdeliberation, he has sought an alliance with another. Had that otherone accepted his heartless proposal, he would have met yourfavourable answer to his suit with insult."
For a long time, Florence wept on the bosom of her friend. Then herfeelings grew calmer, and her mind became clear.
"What an escape!" fell from her lips as she raised her head andturned her still pale face toward Carlotti. "Thanks, my wiserfriend, for your timely, yet gentle warning! Your eyes saw deeperthan mine."
"Yes, yes; you have made an escape!" said Carlotti. "With such aman, your life could only have been wretched."
"Have you answered his letter?" asked Florence.
"Not yet. But if you are inclined to do so, we will, on the samesheet of paper and under the same envelope, each decline the honourof an alliance. Such a rebuke he deserves, and we ought to give it."
And such a rebuke they gave.
A few months later, and Leland led to the altar a young lady reputedto be an heiress.
A year afterward, just on the eve of Florence's marriage to agentleman in every way worthy to take her happiness in his keeping,she sat alone with her fast friend Carlotti. They were conversing ofthe bright future.
"And for all this joy, in store for me, Carlotti," said Florence,leaning toward her friend and laying her hand affectionately on hercheek, "I am indebted to you."
"To me? How to me, dear?" asked Carlotti.
"You saved me from an alliance with Leland. Oh, into what an abyssof wretchedness would I have fallen! I heard to-day that, aftercruelly abusing poor Agnes in Charleston, where they removed, hefinally abandoned her. Can it be true?"
"It is, I believe, too true. Agnes came back to her friends lastweek, bringing with her a babe. I have not seen her; but those whohave tell me that her story of suffering makes the heart ache. Shelooks ten years older."
"Ah me!" sighed Florence. "Marriage--how much it involves! Even now,as I stand at its threshold, with so much that looks bright in thefuture, I tremble. Of Edward's excellent character and goodness ofheart, all bear testimony. He is every thing I could wish; but willI make him happy?"
"Not all you could wish," said Carlotti, seriously. "None areperfection here; and you must not expect this. You will find, inyour husband's character, faults. Anticipate this; but let theanticipation prepare you to bear with rather than be hurt when theyappear, and do not seek too soon to correct them. It is said by acertain deeply-seeing writer on spiritual themes, that when theangels come to try one, they explore his mind only to find the goodtherein, that they may excite it to activity. Be, then, yourhusband's angel; explore his mind for the good it contains, and seekto develop and strengthen it. Looking intently at what is good inhim, you will not be likely to see faults looming up and assuming amagnitude beyond their real dimensions. But when faults appear, asthey assuredly will, compare them with your own; and, as you wouldhave him exercise forbearance toward you, do you exerciseforbearance toward him. Be wise in your love, my friend. Wisdom andlove are married partners. If you separate them, neither is a safeguide. But if you keep them united, like a rower who pulls bothoars, you will glide swiftly forward in a smooth sea."
Florence bent her head as she listened, and every word of her friendmade its impression. Long after were they remembered and acted upon,and they saved her from hours of pain. Florence is a happy wife; buthow near did she come to making shipwreck of her love-freightedheart? There are times when, in thinking of it, she trembles.
THE END.
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