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Page 24
There were hours when she felt herself an exile, indeed; hours when
Ellen's young companions would flock to the cottage, and talk and laugh
over subjects in which it was impossible for Agnes to feel any interest;
it was then, more especially perhaps, she thought of home, and of the
educated and refined society in which she had been accustomed to mingle,
and realized more fully the wide gulf dividing her from those among whom
Providence had so mysteriously, as it seemed, placed her. But think not,
fair reader, such considerations were allowed to influence her conduct,
or render her manner haughty and disagreeable. It is true she was
treated with consideration and respect by the female part of the
community; they could not help looking upon her as a being of another
and higher sphere, and her presence had often the effect of checking the
tide of rude mirth, and of rendering their demeanor more quiet and
retired. But while she thus claimed their admiration and reverence, she
at the same time almost unconsciously won their affection, for on her
lip was ever the law of kindness, and the interest she took in their
humble pursuits, the ready counsel and sympathy in every case of
emergency and sorrow, endeared her deeply to them, and her efforts to
impart instruction were received with all the genuine gratitude of
unsophisticated Nature, so that these portions of her time, devoted to
the training of those uncultivated minds, were the ones which afforded
to Agnes the purest pleasure; seasons which she often recurred to in
other years, as being among the most agreeable in her experience.
But the dreary Winter at length gave place to smiling Spring, and Agnes
began to look forward anxiously for an opportunity of returning home.
She scarce allowed herself to dwell on the matter, so intense became her
anxiety as the time drew near for leaving the hospitable home which had
so long afforded her rude but safe protection.
The young sailor, Agnes's preserver, who had been long affianced to
Ellen, had just returned from a very successful sea-voyage.
In a few days they were to be united; a minister, who resided at some
distance in the interior of the country, being expected to visit them,
and perform the ceremony; and Agnes, much to the delight of Ellen, had
promised to officiate as bridesmaid. In a few weeks subsequent the
groomsman intended sailing to B----, and Agnes would then have an
opportunity of returning once more to her home.
CHAPTER XI.
"Captain,"--exclaimed a tall, slight young man, as he ascended the cabin
steps of a noble vessel, and, having gained the deck, stood gazing on
the expansive Atlantic stretched out before him,--"Captain," he eagerly
inquired, "this surely is not our destination," pointing at the same
time with his finger to a rude outline of land, now distinctly visible.
"No, indeed," said the Captain, good humoredly; "it would be but a poor
compliment to the stately city of B----, to take this rude coast, with
its sandy beaches, its rocky eminences, and fishermen's huts, for its
handsome dimensions. Nevertheless, poor as this little fishing
settlement looks, it is a very welcome sight just now, I assure you, as
our provisions are getting scarce, and as to the water, my cook tells me
he should have hardly enough to fill a tea-kettle for to-morrow's
breakfast."
"And so you intend putting in here for supplies?"
"Precisely so, though I see by your look you deem it not a very
probable place to obtain them. But this is not the first time I have
been obliged to put in here, and have always found a hearty welcome, and
obtained necessary supplies; not, perhaps, the very best of provisions,
but such as the place can afford; and I am well acquainted with one of
the fishermen, an emigrant from my native place, whose hospitality, and
that of his family, is unbounded; and whenever I happen to tarry here,
they do all in their power to make us comfortable."
"And how long do you expect to remain?" inquired Mr. Clifford.
"For a few days only, but long enough I trust to recover these two
sailors of mine, who have been complaining so much of late; and my
wife's health also is not as good as usual, accustomed though she has
been to long sea-voyages. You, too, Sir, I think," said the Captain,
"will be all the better for a taste of the land breeze, even though it
should not be laden with the balmy breath of flowers."
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