FullReads

“Not Antonio!” echoed Julia, thrown a little off her guard–“I would pledge my life, aunt, that Antonio would have done as much, if not more, than Charles!”

“Why did he not, then?—It was his place to stop the carriage—why did he not?”

“It was his place,” said Julia, “to manage the horses, and you acknowledge that he did it well. Duties incurred, no matter how unworthy of us, must be discharged; and although we may be conscious that our merit or our birth entitles us to a different station from the one we fill, yet a noble mind will not cease to perform its duty, even in poverty and disgrace.”

Miss Emmerson listened in surprise; but as her niece often talked in a manner that she did not comprehend, she attributed it to the improvements in education, and was satisfied. But Julia had furnished herself with a clue to what had occasioned her some uneasiness. At one time she thought Antonio ought to have left carriage, horses, every thing, and flown to her rescue, as Charles had done; but now she saw that the probity of his soul forbade it. He had, doubtless, by secret means, induced the owner of the horses to entrust them to his keeping—and could he, a soldier, one used to trust and responsibility, forget his duty in the moment of need? Sooner would the sentinel quit his post unrelieved—sooner the gallant soldier turn his back on his enemy—or sooner would Antonio forget his Julia!

With this view of the propriety of his conduct, Julia was filled with the desire to let him know that she approved of what he had done. Surely, if any thing can be mortifying to a lover, thought our heroine, it must be to see a rival save the life of his mistress, while imperious duty chains him to another task.

Young as Julia was, she had already learnt, that it is not enough for our happiness that we have the consciousness of doing right, but it is necessary that others should think we have done so too.

Accordingly, early the following morning she arose, and wandered around the house, in hopes that chance would throw her lover in her way, and give her an opportunity of relieving his mind from the load of mortification under which she knew he must be labouring. It was seldom that our heroine had been in the public bar-room of a tavern–but, in gliding by the door, she caught a glimpse of Antonio in the bar; and, impelled by her feelings, she was near him before she had time to collect her scattered senses. To be with Antonio, and alone, Julia felt was dangerous; for his passion might bring on a declaration, and betray them both to the public and vulgar notice.–Anxious, therefore, to effect her object at once, she gently laid her hand on his arm–Antonio started and turned, while the glass in his hands fell, with its contents, untasted, on the floor.

“Rest easy, Antonio,” said Julia, in the gentlest possible tones; “to me your conduct is satisfactory, and your secret will never be exposed.” So saying, she turned quickly, and glided from the room.

“As I hope to be saved,” said Antonio, “I meant nothing wrong–but should have paid the landlord the moment he came in”–but Julia heard him not. Her errand was happily executed, and she was already by the side of her aunt. On entering the carriage, Julia noticed the eye of Antonio fixed on her with peculiar meaning, and she felt that her conduct had been appreciated.–From this time until the day of their arrival at the house of Mr. Miller, nothing material occurred. Antonio rose every hour in the estimation of Julia, and the young lady noticed a marked difference in her lover’s conduct towards her. A few miles before they reached the dwelling, Miss Emmerson observed

“To-morrow will be the twentieth of September; when I am to know who will be my companion for the winter, Miss Miller or Katherine.”