Love stories; New York (N.Y.) -- History -- 1775-1865 -- Fiction
"Arenta, you are tormenting yourself with anger and ill-will, and above
all with jealousy. In this way you are going to miss a deal of
pleasure. I advise you not to quarrel with Cornelia. She will be a
great resource. I myself am looking forward to the delightful change
Jacobus may have at Hyde Manor. It will make a new life for him, and
also for me. This afternoon something is vexing you. I shall take no
offence. You will regret your bad temper to-morrow."
To-morrow Arenta did regret; but people do not always say they are
sorry, when they feel so. She sat in the shadow of her window curtains
and watched the almost constant stream of visitors, and messengers, and
tradespeople at Doctor Moran's house; and she longed to have her hands
among the lovely things, and to give her opinion about the delightful
events sure to make the next few weeks full of interest and pleasure.
And after she had received a letter from Rem, she resolved to humble
herself that she might be exalted.
"Rem is already fortunate, and I can't help him by fighting his battle.
Forgetfulness, is the word. For this wrong can have no victory, and to
be forgotten, is the only hope for it. Beside, Cornelia had her full
share in my happiness, and I will not let myself be defrauded of my
share in her happiness--not for a few words--no! certainly not."
This reflection a few times reiterated resulted in the following note--
MY DEAR CORNELIA:
I want to say so much, that I cannot say anything but--forgive me. I am
shaken to pieces by my dreadful sufferings, and sometimes, I do not
know what I say, even to those I love. Blame my sad fortune for my bad
words, and tell me you long to forgive me, as I long to be forgiven.
Your ARENTA.
"That will be sufficient," she reflected; "and after all, Cornelia is a
sweet girl. I am her first and dearest friend, and I am determined to
keep my place. It has made me very angry to see those Van Dien girls,
and those Sherman girls, running in and out of the Moran house as if
they owned Cornelia. Well then, if I have had to eat humble pie, I have
had my say, and that takes the bitter taste out of my mouth--and a
sensible woman must look to her future. I dare warrant, Cornelia is now
answering my letter. I dare warrant, she will forgive me very sweetly."
She spent half-an-hour in such reflections, and then Cornelia entered
with a smiling face. She would not permit Arenta to say another word of
regret; she stifled all her self-reproaches in an embrace, and she took
her back with her to her own home. And no further repentance
embarrassed Arenta. She put her ready wit, and her clever hands to a
score of belated things; and snubbed and contradicted the Van Dien and
Sherman girls into a respectful obedience to her earlier friendship,
and wider experience. Everything that she directed, or took charge of,
went with an unmistakable vigour to completion; and even Madame Van
Heemskirk was delighted with her ability, and grateful for her
assistance.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account