The Cavaliers of Virginia, vol. 2 of 2: or, The Recluse of Jamestown; An historical romance of the Old DominionCaruthers, William Alexander
History
The Cavaliers of Virginia, vol. 2 of 2: or, The Recluse of Jamestown; An historical romance of the Old Dominion
Caruthers, William Alexander
Virginia -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775 -- Fiction
Whalley, his sister, and inform her that her child was dead. As an
inducement for me to be guilty of this deception, he informed me that
there was a young Cavalier, of good birth and connexions, who was
enamoured of his sister, but if the child was permitted to absorb her
affections, and remind her of her lost husband, they despaired of ever
seeing her married to Mr. Fairfax, and consequently of wiping out the
stigma upon their good name created by her first marriage. I was really
attached to the little boy, and fearful that they would take him by
force if I did not quietly yield, and being assured that I should watch
over him wherever he went, I consented to the plan. I waited on the
mother, and with well dissembled sorrow, told her of the death of her
darling boy. I thought at first that she would have gone distracted, but
the necessity of keeping her secret from her father and brothers, roused
her to the needful exertion. It was well that it was so, for I could not
have endured her heart-rending distress five minutes longer. The next
information I had of the unfortunate lady, was from the same young
gentleman, her brother, who came to inform me of the success of their
plans and thus relieve my conscience. His sister after a tedious delay
had married Mr. Fairfax, and sailed for the Capes of Virginia. He
assured me that the child should always be provided for, but that I must
change his name from Charles Whalley to some other, which I might choose
myself, so that he could never be able to trace his parentage. I was
firmly resolved, however, that the innocent babe should some day know
his real history. In the meantime I consented to all that the young
gentleman desired, and he left the usual supply and departed. I never
saw him again. The remittances for the support of the child were indeed
kept up for some time, but they at length became irregular, and less
frequent. My mind began to grow uneasy concerning the charge which I had
thus by a crime brought upon myself, and which I considered but a just
retribution for my evil deeds. Nor were my fears less anxious concerning
the future prospects of my innocent nursling. My health had well nigh
sunk under the accumulating load of poverty and unavailing regrets for
my wickedness, and I trust that I sincerely repented of the evil deed.
Providence at length directed to my humble dwelling one who appeared
indeed as one risen from the dead.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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