Page:Peterson's Magazine 1842, Volume I.pdf/171

142

as that lady also appeared on the scene, " you have proved true. And now," she continued, smiling meaningly, " I give my consent to your betrothal."

Beauchampe turned from one to the other in an astonishment which was depicted on every lineament of his face, until the ludicrousness of his looks plunged the whole party into laughter, in which he too finally joined. When their mirth had subsided Mrs. Wareham took on herself to explain the mystery, which was soon solved.

Miss Harper after her education had been completed had visited Paris, in order to perfect herself in the French language, under the charge of Mrs. Wareham, who was really her aunt. Of this visit abroad, however, Beauchampe was ignorant. The ladies were on their return to this country, by the way of London, when they visited the opera, in the manner we have narrated. The accident which happened to Mrs. Wareham had revealed to the ladies the fact that Mr. Beauchampe was none other than the individual to whom Edith had been betrothed. Eager to learn if he would love her for herself alone, the young lady, with her aunt's concurrence, had practised the innocent deception which resulted as we have detailed. It is necessary to state that immediately after Beauchampe sailed, the two ladies also took passage for America, where they arrived nearly a fortnight before the lover. The guardian of both entered at once into the scheme, and had played his part adroitly as we have seen. A month later witnessed the union of Edith and Beauchampe ; and neither ever regretted the happy chance which brought them together in London.

WORDS AT MIDNIGHT. BY W. WALLACE, AUTHOR OF " JERUSALEM,' " STAR LYRA," &c. &c. WOULD'ST thou mortal have a vision In the spectral noon of night ? Would'st thou view a form elysian Floating in its mystic light ? Pray thou could'st,-and that the same Brave dream that o'er me swiftly grew, Half in darknesss-half in flame, Would sweep before thec, brother, too. The Night had counted half her hours, And half her hours some could see Weltering ghost-like, ghost-like weltering In the past Eternity ; When a cloud around me closing Misty, painful swathed my eyes, And I heard a low, sweet music Like the voice of ParadiseSweetly singing, Silver-ringing From its hollow of the skies.

Sudden burst a sun-like glory Through that misty, painful shroud, And a lofty form of beauty Started from the open cloud. In his left hand shone a garlandIn his right a banner-fold (From its bright staff half unfurling) With a wierd-like sound unrolled : And I heard the scraph saying (While his brow a glitter wove, Such as never trembled, sparkled Round a seraph-brow before.) 86 Mortal on thy journey wendingTo the mystic ocean tending, Where the human wrecks are tostSome forever, ever lost; Mortal, what can save you, say! In Life's dark and treach'rous way? Learning from her dusty tome ? Science in her starry home ? Bravery such as heroes feel 'Mid the clash of crimson steel? Passion such as had its birth In the Eden-prime of Earth ? Farther ! Farther, mortal, look Than the light of star or book !. Farther than the Hero's powerHigher than the Passion bower! Deeper be your vision-scan! Worthier be the aim of man! Let your warnings, let your aim With angel-yearnings be the same ; Same as that which seraphs knowAh! too often lost below! 'T was writ in light by him of old ; Read it on this banner-fold." Slowly from its staff unrolling, Swayed that flag above my head, And these words with fear and trembling, In the night's dim noon I read. "Every duty in the plan God has given unto man, He who fills the earth-career, Will obey with smile or tear. Such his aim ! Bright his fame ! And his motto thus shall be, If he would for laurels sue, 'Only Virtue's bravery 'Mid my searches for the True!' " Then the cloud around me closing Once more misty swathed my eyes, And I heard a low, sweet music Like the voice of Paradise, Sweetly singing, Silver-ringing From its hollow of the skies. Like a star amid the tempest, Like the rainbow of a storm When it fades into the twilight, Vanished that seraphic form.