For Woman's LoveSouthworth, Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte
General
For Woman's Love
Southworth, Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte
Fiction
There were yet two other exceptions to the family character of
worldliness and selfishness. There were Corona and Sylvanus Haught, a
sister and brother, orphan grand-children of Aaron Rockharrt, left him
by his deceased only daughter. Sylvanus, a fine, manly young fellow,
resembled his Uncle Clarence in person and in character, having the same
truthfulness, generosity and sincerity, but with a mocking spirit, which
turned evil into ridicule rather than into a subject of serious rebuke.
He was three years younger than his sister. Corona was a beautiful
brunette, tall, like all the Rockharrts, with a superbly developed form,
a fine head, adorned with a full suit of fine curly black hair, delicate
classic features, straight, low forehead, aquiline nose, a "Cupid's bow"
mouth, and finely curved chin. This was her wedding-day and she wore
her bridal dress of pure white satin, with veil of thread lace and
wreath of orange buds. Hers was the very triumph of a love match, for
she was about to wed one whom she had loved from earliest childhood, and
for whom she had waited long years.
Here was Corona Haught's great victory. She had seen his opponents, her
own family, bow down and worship her idol. Yet, at the culmination of
her triumph, on this her bridal day, why did she sit so pale and wan?
From her deep, sad reverie she was aroused by the entrance of her six
gay bridesmaids.
"Corona, love, good morning! Many happy returns, and so on!" said Flora
Fields, the first bridesmaid, coming up to the pale bride and kissing
her.
All the others followed the example, and then Miss Fields said:
"Cora, dear, 'the scene is set'--otherwise, the company are all
assembled in the drawing-room. Grandpapa and grandmamma are in their
seats of honor. The bishop, in his canonicals, is waiting; the groom and
his groomsmen are expectant. Are you ready?"
"I know getting married must be a serious, a solemn, even an awful thing
when it comes to the point. And most brides do look pale! But you--you
look ghastly! Come, take some composing spirits of lavender--do!"
"Yes; you may give me some. You will find the vial on the
dressing-table."
The restorative was administered, and then the "bevy of fair maids" left
the chamber and went down stairs.
There, in the great hall, they met the bridegroom and his six groomsmen;
for it was the custom of that time and place to have a groomsman for
each bridesmaid. The bridegroom and governor-elect was not a handsome
man--that was conceded even by his best friends--but he was tall and
muscular, with a look of strength, manliness and nobility that was
impressive. A son of the people truly, but with the brain of the ruler.
The whole rugged form and face assumed a gentleness and courtesy that
almost conferred grace and beauty upon him, as he advanced to greet his
bride.
Why did she shrink from him?
No one knew. It was only for a moment; and happily, he, in the
simplicity of a single, honest heart, had not seen the momentary
shudder.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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