Page:Adventures of Rachel Cunningham.djvu/14

 I hate all excuses, because, however well manufactured they are offered—Of that enough; at leas tforleast for [sic] me, and I think quite as much if not more than you expected from your runaway niece.

"Well; I took the liberty of jumping out of the window at night, and you took alarm at my flight next morning: you (as I guess,) condemned my conduct, but I applaud it still: you may contend that my choice was repulsive, but I consider that my judgment was both natural and correct; Mr. Haverley's face is nearly black I admit, but his heart is of the purest complexion that ever—but I am pursuing the very path of palliation I deprecate.

"We shall be at Bedford on Thursday next; prepare your best accommodation for us; price is no object, for my dear Orlando spares no expence where my desires prompt his liberality.

I am, dear aunt.

Your affecttonate niece,

(Signed) ."

Friday Evening, &c. Chester County,

The signature "Haverley," assumed in lieu of her real name "Cunningham," had the effect with her aunt she intended, of inducing a belief that her niece was lawfully united to the gentleman whose patronymick appellation she had, on this occasion, used; and under that impression Mrs. Wallingdon reserved the best suit of apartments expressly for their accommodation, highly felicitating herself in the contemplation of her fortunate relative, Rachel, being, as he thought, so happily married; for she (the aunt,) had learned the facts, that Mr. Orlando Haverley was by a white lady, the son of a wealthy black man. who had left him sole possessor of very extensive and immensely rich plantations.

Rachel had resolved, and the indulgent Orlando, well acquainted with her preremptoryperemptory [sic] disposition, and knowing it would be of no avail to oppose any objection to her purpose, although he would, (from modest feeling on her account, which she felt not for herself,) gladly have evaded, reluctantly yielded a seeming readiness to accord his assent to her wishes.