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and ignorance？ No。 My equals！ I know not where to find them。
My inferiors！ I think it beneath me； and my superiors！ I think
it presumption； therefore； if this youthful heart is protected
by any of the divine rights； I never will betray my trust。〃
He was aware that Ambulinia had a confidence that was； indeed；
as firm and as resolute as she was beautiful and interesting。
He hastened to the cottage of Louisa； who received him in her usual
mode of pleasantness； and informed him that Ambulinia had just that
moment left。 〃Is it possible？〃 said Elfonzo。 〃Oh； murdered hours！
Why did she not remain and be the guardian of my secrets？
But hasten and tell me how she has stood this trying scene；
and what are her future determinations。〃 〃You know；〃 said Louisa；
〃Major Elfonzo； that you have Ambulinia's first love； which is
of no small consequence。 She came here about twilight； and shed
many precious tears in consequence of her own fate with yours。
We walked silently in yon little valley you see； where we spent
a momentary repose。 She seemed to be quite as determined as ever；
and before we left that beautiful spot she offered up a prayer
to Heaven for thee。〃 〃I will see her then；〃 replied Elfonzo；
〃though legions of enemies may oppose。 She is mine by foreordination
she is mine by prophesyshe is mine by her own free will； and I
will rescue her from the hands of her oppressors。 Will you not；
Miss Louisa； assist me in my capture？〃
〃I will certainly； by the aid of Divine Providence；〃 answered Louisa；
〃endeavor to break those slavish chains that bind the richest of prizes；
though allow me； Major； to entreat you to use no harsh means on this
important occasion； take a decided stand； and write freely to Ambulinia
upon this subject； and I will see that no intervening cause hinders
its passage to her。 God alone will save a mourning people。 Now is
the day and now is the hour to obey a command of such valuable worth。〃
The Major felt himself grow stronger after this short interview
with Louisa。 He felt as if he could whip his weight in wildcats
he knew he was master of his own feelings； and could now write
a letter that would bring this litigation to AN ISSUE。
Cumming； January 24； 1844。
Dear Ambulinia
We have now reached the most trying moment of our lives； we are
pledged not to forsake our trust； we have waited for a favorable hour
to come； thinking your friends would settle the matter agreeably
among themselves； and finally be reconciled to our marriage；
but as I have waited in vain； and looked in vain； I have determined
in my own mind to make a proposition to you； though you may think
it not in accord with your station； or compatible with your rank；
yet； 〃sub loc signo vinces。〃 You know I cannot resume my visits；
in consequence of the utter hostility that your father has to me；
therefore the consummation of our union will have to be sought
for in a more sublime sphere； at the residence of a respectable
friend of this village。 You cannot have an scruples upon this
mode of proceeding； if you will but remember it emanates from one
who loves you better than his own lifewho is more than anxious
to bid you welcome to a new and happy home。 Your warmest associates
say come； the talented； the learned； the wise； and the experienced
say come；all these with their friends say； come。 Viewing these；
with many other inducements； I flatter myself that you will come
to the embraces of your Elfonzo； for now is the time of your
acceptance of the day of your liberation。 You cannot be ignorant；
Ambulinia； that thou art the desire of my heart； its thoughts
are too noble； and too pure； to conceal themselves from you。
I shall wait for your answer to this impatiently； expecting that you
will set the time to make your departure； and to be in readiness
at a moment's warning to share the joys of a more preferable life。
This will be handed to you by Louisa； who will take a pleasure in
communicating anything to you that may relieve your dejected spirits；
and will assure you that I now stand ready； willing； and waiting
to make good my vows。
I am； dear Ambulinia； your
truly； and forever；
J。 I。 Elfonzo。
Louisa made it convenient to visit Mr。 Valeer's； though they
did not suspect her in the least the bearer of love epistles；
consequently； she was invited in the room to console Ambulinia；
where they were left alone。 Ambulinia was seated by a small table
her head resting on her handher brilliant eyes were bathed in tears。
Louisa handed her the letter of Elfonzo； when another spirit animated
her featuresthe spirit of renewed confidence that never fails
to strengthen the female character in an hour of grief and sorrow
like this； and as she pronounced the last accent of his name；
she exclaimed； 〃And does he love me yet！ I never will forget
your generosity； Louisa。 Oh； unhappy and yet blessed Louisa！ may you
never feel what I have feltmay you never know the pangs of love。
Had I never loved； I never would have been unhappy； but I turn to Him
who can save； and if His wisdom does not will my expected union；
I know He will give me strength to bear my lot。 Amuse yourself
with this little book； and take it as an apology for my silence；〃
said Ambulinia； 〃while I attempt to answer this volume of consolation。〃
〃Thank you；〃 said Louisa； 〃you are excusable upon this occasion；
but I pray you； Ambulinia； to be expert upon this momentous subject；
that there may be nothing mistrustful upon my part。〃 〃I will；〃
said Ambulinia； and immediately resumed her seat and addressed the
following to Elfonzo：
Cumming； Ga。； January 28； 1844。
Devoted Elfonzo
I hail your letter as a welcome messenger of faith； and can now
say truly and firmly that my feelings correspond with yours。
Nothing shall be wanting on my part to make my obedience your fidelity。
Courage and perseverance will accomplish success。 Receive this
as my oath； that while I grasp your hand in my own imagination；
we stand united before a higher tribunal than any on earth。
All the powers of my life； soul； and body； I devote to thee。
Whatever dangers may threaten me； I fear not to encounter them。
Perhaps I have determined upon my own destruction； by leaving
the house of the best of parents； be it so； I flee to you； I share
your destiny； faithful to the end。 The day that I have concluded
upon for this task is SABBATH next； when the family with the citizens
are generally at church。 For Heaven's sake let not that day
pass unimproved： trust not till tomorrow； it is the cheat of life
the future that never comesthe grave of many noble births
the cavern of ruined enterprise： which like the lightning's
flash is born； and dies； and perishes； ere the voice of him
who sees can cry； BEHOLD！ BEHOLD！！ You may trust to what I say；
no power shall tempt me to betray confidence。 Suffer me to add one
word more。
I wil