The Mask of the Red Death - Graham's Magazine, May 1842 — reading text

It was but a few days after the conversation just Had her nature been in the slightest degree tainted narrated that another of a different character took with selfishness, she might have reasonably mur- place between two of the parties interested. Edith mured against the heavy burdens which were laid was returning from a visit toa sick friend, just as upon her at so early anage. But Edith never thought evening was closing in; whenshe was met at her of herself. To contribute to the happiness of others door, by Edward Ellis. was her chief pleasure, and she seemed totally un- ‘© Come with me, Edith,” said Edward hurriedly, conscious of the value of her daily sacrifices. Ifany ‘‘ wrap your shawl about you, and walk with me on particularly disagreeable piece of work was to be the Battery.” done, it was always concluded that Edith would not ** Not now, Mr. Ellis,’ replied Edith, “it is quite refuse to undertake it; if any one was compelled to late, and little Madge is waiting for me to sing her to forego some anticipated pleasure, the lot was sure sleep.” to fall on Edith ; and in short the total absence of self- ‘‘Psha! Edith, youare always thinking of some ishness in her seemed to be the warrant for a double family matter; do you ever think of your own allowance of that ingredient in the characters of all wishes ?” around her. Have you never met, friend reader, ‘‘ Yes,” replied Edith, laughing, “‘ and I confess I with one of those kind, affectionate, ingenuous per- should prefer a pleasant walk with you to a warm sons who have the knack of doing every thing well, and noisy nursery.” and the tact of doing every thing kindly? and did you ‘Then come,”’ said Edward, drawing her arm 280 GRAHAM’S MAGAZINE. through his, ‘‘ I have something of great consequence Says we may both change long before I return, and to say to you.” that it'is best to be unfettered by any promise; then Edith looked surprised, but the expression of Ed- no harm can happen to either, and if you love me you ward’s countenance was anxious and troubled, so will wait my return, without requiring any engage- she offered no further opposition. They entered the ment to confirm your faith. Thus he argues and I Battery, and walked along the river side, for some can make no reply. I have no means of supporting minutes in perfect silence, before Edward could a wife, therefore I dare not ask you of your parents, summon courage to enter upon the subject nearest and my father’s caution deprives me of the only his thoughts. At length as they turned into a less comfort which hope might have afforded me in my frequented path, he abruptly exclaimed, ‘‘Do you exile.” know, Edith, that I am going away ?” Edith was deeply agitated, and her cheek grew Edith’s heart gave a sudden bound, and then every pale, as she murmured : “ You are right in obeying pulsation seemed as suddenly to cease, as with trem- your father, Edward ; happiness never yet waited on bling voice she uttered a faint exclamation of aston- one who was deficient in filial duty.” ishment. ** And is this all you can say, Edith,” exclaimed ‘You are surprised, Edith, I knew you would be Edward passionately. ‘Is this cold approval all I so, but have you no other feeling at this announce- can hope to receive from the object of my first and ment of my departure? Nay, turn not your sweet only love? Have not my every look and tone told face from me; Imust know whether your heart you how deeply I loved you, and can you let me responds to mine.” depart without one word of tenderness or regret? Edith blushed and trembled as she thus listened, Must I remember your gentle face but asa dream of for the first time, to the voice of passionate tender- boyhood ? Shall your low, sweet voice be but as the ness. Feelings which had long been growing up melody of by-gone years? May I not bear with me, unnoticed in her heart, and to which she had never in my banishment, a hope, faint and cold it may be as thought of giving a name—fancies, beautiful in their the winter sunbeam, yet lighting up my dreary path vagueness,—emotions undefined and undetermined, with something like a promise of future happiness? but still pleasant in the indulgence,—all the Edith I ask no plighted faith; I wish yon not to pledge me your hand till I can come forward and ‘countless things _ That keep young hearts forever glowing,”’ claim it openly ;but I would fain know whether my love is but as incense flung upon the winds. If you found in that instant their object and their aim. can offer no return to my affection, dearest, let me Edith had never thought of Edward as a lover, she at once know my fate, and with all the force of an had never looked into her heart to discover whether over-mastering will, shall my heart be silenced, if she really wished him to be such, but at the magic not subdued. Say that you love me not, Edith, and voice of affection, the mystery of her own heart was though the stream of my life must forever bear your revealed to her, its secret recesses were unveiled to image on its surface, yet you shall never know how her gaze, and she knew that his image had long been dark has been the shadow it has cast. Say that you there unconsciously enshrined. Her lover saw not love me not, and you shall never hear a murmur all her emotions in her expressive countenance, but from my lips, nor shall your peaceful existence be he read there no repulsive coldness, and as_ he saddened by the gloom which must ever pervade clasped the little hand, which lay on his arm, he said ; mine. You are silent Edith—you cannot bear to utter ‘¢ Listen to me, dear Edith ; my father informed the words which must condemn me to despair.” me, to-day, that he has made an arrangement with Ellis paused, and strove to read in Edith’s face, my uncle, (whom, as you know, has long resided at the feelings to which she could not give utterance. Smyrna,) by which Iam to become the junior partner But her eyes were bent upon the ground, while the in the house, and he has directed me to be ready in big tears fell like rain from beneath the drooping lids three weeks, to sailin one of his ships, now lading and in her flushed cheek he saw only displeasure. for that port. How long I shall be absent, is uncer- ‘“‘T was right, Edith,” said he, sadly, you do not tain, butas my uncle is desirous of returning to love me; forgive and forget my folly, but let us not America, I presume that it is intended I shall take his part in coldness.”’ He took her hand again, as he place abroad. Years, therefore, may elapse ere I spoke: ‘I perhaps deserve punishment for my self- again behold my native land, and I cannot depart ishness in thus asking the heart when I could not without telling you how dear you have long been to. claim the hand ; when I am gone, some happier lover my heart. Yetlet me not deceive you Edith: Ihave will perhaps ask both and then—” confessed to my father my affection for you,—he **He will be denied,” interrupted Edith, hastily, acknowledges your worth, and does not disapprove turning her agitated face towards her suitor. ‘This my choice, but he has positively forbidden me to is no time for maiden coyness, Edward ; your happi- form any engagement for the future. I am violating ness and mine are both at stake, and therefore I tell his commands in thus expressing my feelings to you, what till this moment was unknown even to you.” . myself, that my affections are in your keeping.” ‘‘ What are his objections, Edward?’ faltered the ‘* Dearest, dearest Edith, then am I supremely trembling girl. happy; I ask no more; let the only bond between **Oh itis the old story of over-prudent age; he us be the secret one of cherished love.”  EDITH PEMBERTON. 281 ‘** Not so, Edward; you have promised your father secure two most eligible offers. Caroline, at eighteen not to enter into any engagement, but lam bound by became the wife of a promising young lawyer, while no such restraints. You are, and must remain free Maria, who was nearly two years younger, married from all other bonds than those of feeling, but if it at the same time a prosperous merchant, who had will add to your happiness to be assured of my faith lately set up his carriage and, as he had no time to during your absence, I pledge you my word that my use it himself, wanted a wife to ride in it. Mrs. hand shall be yours whenever you come to claim it.” Pemberton was in ecstasies, for she had succeeded ‘‘ But your parents, Edith,—what will they say, if in all her plans. Edith was still at home, as a sort they find you clinging to a remembered lover, and of house keeper, head cook, chief nurse, etc. etc., perhaps rejecting some advantageous settlement ?” sharing every body’s labors and lightening every ‘* They willsuffer me to purste my own course, body’s troubles, while the two giddy girls who had Edward, and will be satisfied with any thing that resolved not to become useful as long as they could binds me to my childhood’s home. I am too much avoid the necessity of it, were respectably settled in the companion of my parents to be looked upon in their own homes. She was never tired of extolling the light of an intruder, when I prolong the period of the talents of one son-in-law, and the fine fortune of filial dependence.” the other, while she spoke of Edith as “that dear “Then be it so, dearest; bound by no outward good girl, who, I am happy to say, is a confirmed pledge, we will cherish our affection within our old maid, and will never leave her mother while hearts, and since we must part, you will still gladden she lives.”’ But this maneuvre did not discourage your quiet home with your sweet presence, while I several from seeking the hand of the gentle girl. will wander forth to win the fortune which can alone Her father wondered when she refused two of the secure me my future happiness.” most unexceptionable offers, and even her mother Three weeks after this interview, Edward Ellis felt almost sorry, when she declined the addresses sailed for Smyrna, and Mrs. Pemberton, as she wit- of an elderly widowef, endowed with a fortune of nessed the ill-disguised agitation of the lovers, was half a million, anda family of fine children. Buta compelled to acknowledge that “ after all, she really total want of congeniality of feeling in all her imme- believed, if Edward had staid, there would have been diate friends, had taught Edith a degree of reserve a match between him and Edith.”