Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: October 20, 2025
The bridegroom gladly acquiescing, with a compliment to her womanly delicacy, the ceremony was performed in the presence of the bride's nearest relatives; an elegant repast was served, at which the Dorrance plate made an imposing show, and Clara turned her back upon the scenes and reminiscences of her past life to commence the world anew.
Parson Dorrance came one day to take Lizzy and Mercy over to his "Parish," as he called "The Cedars." They had often been with him there; and Mercy had been for a long time secretly hoping that he would ask her to help him in teaching the negroes. The day was one of those radiant and crystalline days peculiar to the New England autumn.
"My sister has alluded to our quartette-club," pursued Mr. Dorrance, turning from the caustic beauty to Mabel, without noticing the impertinent thrust. "It was the most successful thing of the kind I ever knew of, being composed of thoroughly-trained musicians amateurs, of course and practising nothing but classic music, the productions of the best masters.
Just as Parson Dorrance pronounced the last words, they were echoed by a laughing party who had come in search of him. "Yes, yes, only a question of time," they said; "and it is our time now, Parson. You must come with us. No monopoly of the Parson allowed, Mrs. Hunter," and they carried him off, joining hands around him and singing the old college song, "Gaudeamus igitur."
Her collected, urbane self once more, she took her husband's arm, and passed through the opening ranks of her friends, bowing to this side and that, with apologetic banter and graceful words of regret still very pale, but changed in no other respect. "A singular episode in an evening's entertainment," said Mr. Dorrance, leading Mabel to her stand in the re-forming set.
It was not long, moreover, before a thought and a hope, in which both these names were allied, crept into the heart of Lizzy Hunter. "Oh," she thought, "if only Uncle Dorrance would marry Mercy, how happy I should be, she would be, every one would be." No suspicion of the relation in which Mercy stood to Stephen White had ever crossed Mrs. Hunter's mind.
When Mercy told Parson Dorrance her intention of going away, his face changed as if some fierce spasm wrung him; but it was over in a second, and he said, "You are quite right, my child, quite right. It will be a great deal better for you in every way. This is no place for you now. You must have at least a year or two of travel and entire change."
Just from the purely selfish point of view, it seems to me a delight to live; and when you look at it from a higher point, and think how much each human being can do for those around him, why, then it is sublime. Look at Parson Dorrance, Lizzy! Just think of the sum of the happiness that man has created in this world! He isn't lonely. He couldn't think of such a thing."
Nothing could be farther removed from the absorbing consciousness which passionate love feels of its object, than was this sentiment she felt toward Parson Dorrance. If he had been a being from another planet, it could not have been more so. In fact, it was very much as if another planet had been added to her world, a planet which threw brilliant light into every dark corner of this one.
"Well, I couldn't exactly take such a wager," answered the Parson, "because you see I know the boys won't steal the fruit." Somewhat vexed at the obstinacy of the Parson's faith, his friend exclaimed, "I'd like to know how you can know that beforehand?" Parson Dorrance loved a joke. "Neighbor," said he, "I wish I could in honor have let you wager me on that. I've given the orchard to the boys.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking