attractions had partially shone-from before her ; and
she stood forth a blushing, merry-hearted maiden , free
from all ill-timed prudery, and with great good- nature, a
well cultivated mind, and rich vein of wit, which she
was ever ready to apply to a good effect. He was now
on terms of great intimacy with her ; he read with her,
and accompanied her on the piano with his rich, manly
voice ; and often when Mr. Allenwood was confined to
his room with an attack of the gout, a complaint with
which he was much afflicted, would call for her on
Sundays, and attend her to church. It was on one of
these occasions that he poured into her ear his eager
tale of love, and wrung from her the acknowledgment
that his passion was ardently returned. A few weeks
afterward, with the consent of Mr. Allenwood, they
were united.
It was about two years after his marriage that Herbert Mordaunt was seated in a comfortably, and even elegantly furnished room of a private dwelling, situated in the most fashionable part of the town. Opposite him sat his happy Teresa, blooming as ever, but somewhat more staid and matronly ; whilst between them on the carpet, lay a lovely chesnut-haired child, which alternately caressed a pet kitten that it hugged closely in its arms, and held up its plump little hands to shield its fair brow from the heat of the fire that blazed cheerfully in the grate ; for it was a chill November day, and the wintry wind howled around the corners of the house, and down the chimney-flue. "Yes, dear ! to-morrow we will start for New York, and once there we will not leave till we have brought about the long-desired reconciliation between you and your parents," said Mrs. Mordaunt, resuming the conversation which had been broken off to observe the playful mood of the child. " You appear very sanguine, Teresa, but I very much fear that our dearest hopes will be dashed to the ground--that we shall find them inexorable; for once during my apprenticeship I called at their door, but was refused admission ; and since my residence here I have repeatedly written to them, but each time have my letters been returned unopened," replied Herbert Mordaunt. Surely when they come to hear how well you have prospered at your trade, and once set eyes on our dear little Charley, whom we have called after your father, and whose smiling face will plead eloquently in your behalf, surely then they will not- they cannot refuse to receive you again into favor," said the artless Mrs. Mordaunt. "I sincerely hope it may be so, Teresa, but nevertheless I have my misgivings." "Your mother, at least, whose enviable disposition I have so often heard you speak of in such commendatory terms, would receive you with open arms after so long an absence." VOL. II.- 11
81
"She was actuated by the impulse of the moment, and very likely would gladly welcome me back ; but my father is of too proud and stubborn a nature easily to retract when once he has- " They were here interrupted by a black waiter, who made his entrance saying-" Massa ! berry old gemmen at de door supplicate de ains." " Eh ? Bob ! a gentleman beggar ?" enquired Herbert Mordaunt, aware of his waiter's usual antipathy to that class of people. "Sartin, Sir ! he be not one o' de wulgar class o' beggin fokes !" "Well, Bob ! show him into the front-room, and let him know that I will attend him in a few minutes ; for his wants must be very urgent to drive him abroad in such weather as this." 66 Yes, Massa !" said Bob, leaving the room to do his master's bidding. After brushing his hair, and adjusting his cravat, Herbert Mordaunt proceeded to the front room, which he had no sooner entered, than exclaiming “ Oh, God ! it is my father !" he sprang forward and caught the old man in his arms ; and both father and son losing the power of utterance in the joy of the meeting, stood silently locked in each other's embrace. As soon as the first burst of feelings had subsided, Mr. Mordaunt extended his hand to his son, said " Farewell ! my boy, my much injured boy ; for the father that dealt so harshly with you, now suffers his just punishment, and must go sorrowing on his way till the brief space, which intervenes between him and the grave, shall have been completed !" "Oh ! no- no, father, this can never be ! you must not leave us ! stay with us and all that comforts or attention can do, you shall have," said Herbert Mordaunt ; and he was warmly seconded by the tears and entreaties of Mrs. Mordaunt, whom the unusual noise and sudden exclamation of her husband had now brought into the room . 66 Well, Herbert ! if you and this kind, forgiving angel," drawing Mrs. Mordaunt, who held him by the hand, to his bosom, "will have it so, then I must tarry with you ; but little did I expect that the child whom I turned from my door on account of his determination of being a mechanic, would become the stay and consoler of my old age, whilst my professional son, whom I pampered with high notions of family dignity, and whose every wish I indulged, reduced me to beggary !" said Mr. Mordaunt, and the big drops coursed down his cheeks, on which time and care had made sad impressions. As soon as Mr. Mordaunt had regained sufficient selfcommand, and was snugly seated by the fire, with little Charley on his knee, he related the history of his misfortunes, which was briefly as follows :-
