Page:The New Monthly Magazine - Volume 095.djvu/193

186 promise, that for twelve months, during which, he said, be was compelled to return to his own country, I would neither many, nor become engaged to any other. If, on his return at the expiration of that time, I still remained proof against his entreaties, he gave his word that he would trouble me no more.

"He left me, and already I half repented of my promise, for I saw that by my weakness I had only caused him additional pain, by allowing him to cherish a hope which could never be realised. For myself, I felt no sorrow at having promised to remain unengaged till his return. I had no preference, nor desire to form any; and of that part of the affair I scarcely thought. But what will not one short year effect! The baron returned to his own country, I went to live with my aunt; and there, Mary, I met with your father, Edward Atherton.

"He was cheerful, good-tempered, frank, and warm-hearted—a perfect contrast to the gloomy, revengeful young baron. He was on a visit at my aunt’s house, and we were thrown almost constantly into each others society. We rode, walked, read, and sang together. I soon perceived that Edward's sentiments towards me were stronger than those of common friendship; and I, on my part, felt that I also could know what it was to love. I don't think that he ever actually declared his affection for me, for he was aware of the circumstances in which I was placed; but we each of us knew what the other felt. Without ever being put into words, it was understood well: Edward was my accepted lover; and, if I did not exactly forget my promise to the baron, I endeavoured, whenever it occurred to my mind, to dismiss it for some more pleasing thought, or tried to stifle the reproaches of conscience with the flimsy excuse that, because I had not verbally betrothed myself, I was not really engaged.

"The twelve months had nearly expired, when Edward obtained an appointment at Naples, for which he had applied. It was imperative that he should leave England on the 1st of June at the very latest. Edward, though well born, was poor: the situation was too good not to be accepted; and he urged me to become his wife at once, and accompany him. I reminded him of my promise, and said that nothing must induce me to break it. He argued that I had done so already, in burning virtually engaged to him; and that it were far better the baron should come back to find that I was gone, than to hear from my own lips that I loved another. A stronger argument still was, that Edward would most probably not return to England for many years, and I might never see him again. My aunt was referred to, and joined her opinion to his entreaties; yet I believe I should have resisted all, had not Edward firmly declared, that if I would not accompany him, he would give up his appointment rather than leave me. I could not bear the thought of marring his prospects, andBut why seek to excuse or palliate my conduct? My love was enlisted on the side of my weakness, and I gave way; I broke my solemn promise, and consented to become Edward Atherton's wife. I only stipulated that the marriage should not take place until the last minute; that it should be delayed until the day before we sailed, which would only just leave us time to get on board, and which happened to he the very one on which my agreement with the baron would expire.

"The time came around, not, amidst all my happiness, without bringing