Graham's Magazine, Vol. XXXI, No. 6, December 1847Various
General
Graham's Magazine, Vol. XXXI, No. 6, December 1847
Various
Literature -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals
Wilhelmine recovered her consciousness, only to sink into the most
alarming delirium. A burning fever attacked her, and during several days
her death was momentarily expected. But at last her youth triumphed over
this crisis, she recovered her health, and at the end of two months had
regained sufficient strength to walk a few steps in her chamber. She
passed before a mirror, and accidentally glanced at its image of
herself; what was her amazement at beholding a face whiter than
alabaster itself. She tried to close her eyes, but could not cease
regarding it. It was herself, these were indeed her features, but could
illness have produced a change so sudden and mysterious? Alas! this
paleness never departed more!
Her former intentions were irrevocably arrested, she resolved not to see
Edmond again, and the prayers of her lover and her mother were equally
unavailing. She consecrated herself solely to good works, and to those
exercises of piety and benevolence which her too exclusive affection for
M. de Gaser had for a time interrupted. She lived the life of a saint,
shedding blessings around her, and endeavoring to procure for others the
happiness she could no longer obtain for herself.
Wilhelmine’s appearance continued as she had seen it the first day of
her convalescence. She had now forsaken the world, and the world
speedily forgot her; but a small number of friends ceased not to offer
her pity and consolation. While still young, she was attacked by a
disease of languor, which left no room for hope, and ere long Wilhelmine
had reached her last hour. A few moments before her death she bade a
touching farewell to all her friends, and turning to Madame de Cernan,
she said—
“My mother, relate to them the particulars of my history; tell them to
beware of making rash vows; it is a vow which has killed me!”
My aunt shed tears as she concluded this recital, and I wept bitterly
over the mournful destiny of the pale lady. After the day I learned this
mournful chronicle, I evinced as much solicitude to avoid finding myself
in the vicinity of the portrait gallery as I had hitherto displayed
anxiety to visit its attractions. I could not pass before her picture
without my heart beating quicker at the remembrance of the sorrows of
Wilhelmine. It seemed to me as if I heard her speak her last words, and
I would repeat to myself as I glided in terror before her—“O! beware of
rash vows, for it is a vow which has killed me!”
* * * * *
[Illustration: Drawn by C. H. Bodmer. Eng^{d}. by Rawdon, Wright &
Hatch. A Skin Lodge of an Assiniboin Chief. Engraved Expressly for
Graham’s Magazine.]
* * * * *
AN ASSINIBOIN LODGE.
The travels of Prince Maximilian, of Wied, in the interior of North
America, give us an interesting account of the Assiniboin tribe of
Indians in the far west.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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