Graham's Magazine, Vol. XXXVI, No. 1, January 1850Various
General
Graham's Magazine, Vol. XXXVI, No. 1, January 1850
Various
Literature -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals
Have you ever seen a country Miss appear in a city, dressed and adorned,
according to the pattern of the last fashion plate of the city magazine,
and presenting a perfect burlesque upon the real fashion of the day?
Just in this way was the mind of poor Grace furnished after the
exaggerated patterns of the heroines of romance. Well, her “destiny”
came at last. Her father was a noted member of one of our innumerable
Christian denominations, and his house was a resort of all the traveling
preachers of that particular sect. Grace believed them all to be, as
indeed they ought to have been, holy and sincere men, and delighted to
sit at their feet, as Mary of old sat, at the feet of Him whom they
called Master. Finally, a young and handsome man appeared amongst the
preachers. Gifted with an abundance of self-esteem, confidence in his
own merits, and considerable oratorical talent, Mr. Blane was creating a
great excitement wherever he went. He was precisely the man to take
captive such a woman as poor Grace. And she did worship him, trembling
upon his words, and living upon his smile. And he paid her every
flattering attention, induced her to read for him, and went into rapture
with the magnificence of her selections, and the pathos and justness of
her delivery. He praised her own poetic effusions with expressions of
ardent delight; and gave admiring assent to all her romantic dreams of
life, death, and heaven.
And she had found the brother of her soul, the kindred spirit after whom
she had been yearning ever. In this vision of bliss two whole years
rolled away; and then this same perfect Mr. Blane—this idol of her
soul—this sun of her existence—this cynosure of all her hopes, aims
and aspirations—sat calmly down beside her, and told that before he had
seen her, he had plighted his faith to one less excellent, less
beautiful than herself, but nevertheless pious, gentle, and pure. That
the time had arrived when his vows must be redeemed; but knowing the
ethereal loveliness of her nature, that it could harbor no earthly
passions, he felt confident his marriage would occasion no jealousy in
her angelic soul; and that though another must be his wife—she must
remain his familiar spirit; and he hoped the dear communion which had
been theirs so long, might continue uninterrupted through life, and
through eternity.
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