raught was not brightened with gilt leaves,
but really flavored with _curare_? The only drawback to my happiness
was Elsie's opposition to my engagement, and Mr. Carlyle's refusal to
allow me to acquaint Edith with my betrothal. He was so 'furiously
jealous of that yellow-haired woman whom his darling loved too well.'
It would be quite time enough to inform her of my happiness when I
returned to school. From the beginning, Elsie distrusted, disliked,
and eyed him suspiciously, but her expostulations and arguments only
strengthened his influence, and partially overthrew hers. One day Mr.
Carlyle sought me in great haste, and with considerable agitation
informed me that he had been unexpectedly summoned abroad. Business,
with the details of which he tenderly forbore to weary me, would
detain him many months in Europe, and he implored me to consent to
a private marriage before his departure. Mr. Wright was in very
feeble health, had been threatened with paralysis, and my ardent
lover would be too unendurably miserable separated from me, when
death might at any moment rob me of my guardian. I consented, and
hastened to obtain Mr. Wright's sanction. That day chanced to be one
of his despondent, hypochondriacal seasons, and after some persuasion
on my part, and much sophistry from his nephew, the weak old man
yielded. Then my lover pressed his advantage, and vowed he could
never leave me, that his young bride must accompany him to London,
that my mind would be too much engrossed by thoughts of him to permit
the possibility of my studying advantageously in his absence, and
that he would assume the responsibility of superintending and
perfecting his wife's education. Mr. Wright demurred; Mr. Carlyle
raved; I wept. Maurice clasped me in his arms, and in the midst of
my tears and pleadings, my guardian succumbed. It was arranged that
our marriage should take place within a fortnight, and that we
should immediately start to Europe. Poor Elsie!--truest, wisest,
best friend God ever gave me,--was enraged and distressed beyond
expression. She wept, wrung her hands, and falling on her knees
entreated me not to execute my insane purpose,--assured me I was a
lamb led to sacrifice, was the victim of an infamous scheme between
uncle and nephew to possess themselves of my estate, and she
exhausted argument and persuasion in attempting to recall my
wandering common sense. Much as I loved her, this bitter vituperation
of my idol incensed and