Cora and The Doctor; or, Revelations of A Physician's WifeLeslie, Madeline
General
Cora and The Doctor; or, Revelations of A Physician's Wife
Leslie, Madeline
Physicians -- Fiction
Emily began to urge her afflicted friend to hasten her departure. In
truth she says that she feared every moment a fresh outrage; and Lucy
left the room feebly, as if the weight of years had fallen upon her. She
wished to go through the house and take a sorrowful leave of the home of
her childhood, and more especially of the apartment where she had spent
two years in the society and care of her father; now hallowed by the
remembrance of his peaceful death. Mrs. Burns supported her on one side,
and Emily on the other, while she thus took her sad farewell of places
and objects so dear to her heart.
It was not the thought of leaving the gorgeously furnished parlors,
where the brilliant-hued carpets gave back no echo of the
foot-step--where were mirrors the height of the rooms--chandeliers where
the light was caught and reflected from innumerable hanging
crystals--crimson velvet lounges and divans whose outstretched arms
invited repose; it was not the thought of leaving these which
overpowered her. No; it was the nursery of her childhood,--the cradle of
her infancy--the closet, in which kneeling by her gentle mother, she had
first learned to pray--the private sitting-room where her willing ears
first drank in vows of affection from her Allen--the chamber in which
both father and mother had breathed out their souls to God. These were
the places and objects over which she yearned in agony of spirit as she
gazed her long _farewell_.
Then came her separation from the old servants who had many of them
remained for years solely out of affection for her. And who, when her
sorrow for herself was changed to care for her stricken father, had
shared her duties and attentions to him during the long period of his
sickness. She assured them she should never forget their faithfulness or
affection. Mrs. Burns, who had long been regarded as a friend and
companion, was to accompany her, and for the present to remain in the
house of her father-in-law. The rest crowded around her and wept aloud.
In the mean time the Doctor had taken advantage of their absence to
venture into the presence of Joseph; when he asked him if it was indeed
his intention to drive his only sister from her home.
The unnatural brother coldly replied, "she must leave, and the sooner
the better for all concerned."
Frank then begged for her the portraits of her parents.
"No, not an article shall she--" but seeing an awful look of
indignation on the Doctor's face he checked himself, and said, "well, I
won't object to that; they're no use to me. You may tell her she may
take them,--and stay," he added as Frank was leaving the room, "tell her
that she may send a servant for all her gewgaws and finery; I shall want
them out of the way."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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