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no power shall tempt me to betray confidence。 Suffer me to add one
word more。
I will soothe thee； in all thy grief；
Beside the gloomy river；
And though thy love may yet be brief；
Mine is fixed forever。
Receive the deepest emotions of my heart for thy constant love；
and may the power of inspiration by thy guide； thy portion； and thy all。
In great haste；
Yours faithfully；
Ambulinia。
〃I now take my leave of you； sweet girl；〃 said Louisa； 〃sincerely
wishing you success on Sabbath next。〃 When Ambulinia's letter was
handed to Elfonzo； he perused it without doubting its contents。
Louisa charged him to make but few confidants； but like most young
men who happened to win the heart of a beautiful girl； he was so
elated with the idea that he felt as a commanding general on parade；
who had confidence in all； consequently gave orders to all。
The appointed Sabbath； with a delicious breeze and cloudless sky；
made its appearance。 The people gathered in crowds to the church
the streets were filled with neighboring citizens； all marching
to the house of worship。 It is entirely useless for me to attempt
to describe the feelings of Elfonzo and Ambulinia； who were silently
watching the movements of the multitude； apparently counting them as then
entered the house of God； looking for the last one to darken the door。
The impatience and anxiety with which they waited； and the bliss
they anticipated on the eventful day； is altogether indescribable。
Those that have been so fortunate as to embark in such a noble
enterprise know all its realities； and those who have not had this
inestimable privilege will have to taste its sweets before they can
tell to others its joys； its comforts； and its Heaven…born worth。
Immediately after Ambulinia had assisted the family off to church；
she took advantage of that opportunity to make good her promises。
She left a home of enjoyment to be wedded to one whose love had
been justifiable。 A few short steps brought her to the presence
of Louisa； who urged her to make good use of her time； and not
to delay a moment； but to go with her to her brother's house；
where Elfonzo would forever make her happy。 With lively speed；
and yet a graceful air； she entered the door and found herself
protected by the champion of her confidence。 The necessary
arrangements were fast making to have the two lovers united
everything was in readiness except the parson； and as they are
generally very sanctimonious on such occasions； the news got
to the parents of Ambulinia before the everlasting knot was tied；
and they both came running； with uplifted hands and injured feelings；
to arrest their daughter from an unguarded and hasty resolution。
Elfonzo desired to maintain his ground； but Ambulinia thought
it best for him to leave； to prepare for a greater contest。
He accordingly obeyed； as it would have been a vain endeavor for him
to have battled against a man who was armed with deadly weapons；
and besides； he could not resist the request of such a pure heart。
Ambulinia concealed herself in the upper story of the house； fearing
the rebuke of her father； the door was locked； and no chastisement
was now expected。 Esquire Valeer； whose pride was already touched；
resolved to preserve the dignity of his family。 He entered the house
almost exhausted； looking wildly for Ambulinia。 〃Amazed and astonished
indeed I am；〃 said he； 〃at a people who call themselves civilized；
to allow such behavior as this。 Ambulinia； Ambulinia！〃 he cried；
〃come to the calls of your first； your best； and your only friend。
I appeal to you； sir；〃 turning to the gentleman of the house；
〃to know where Ambulinia has gone； or where is she？〃 〃Do you mean
to insult me； sir； in my own house？〃 inquired the gentleman。
〃I will burst；〃 said Mr。 V。； 〃asunder every door in your dwelling；
in search of my daughter； if you do not speak quickly； and tell me
where she is。 I care nothing about that outcast rubbish of creation；
that mean； low…lived Elfonzo； if I can but obtain Ambulinia。
Are you not going to open this door？〃 said he。 〃By the Eternal
that made Heaven and earth！ I will go about the work instantly；
if this is not done！〃 The confused citizens gathered from all
parts of the village； to know the cause of this commotion。
Some rushed into the house； the door that was locked flew open；
and there stood Ambulinia； weeping。 〃Father； be still；〃 said she；
〃and I will follow thee home。〃 But the agitated man seized her；
and bore her off through the gazing multitude。 〃Father！〃 she exclaimed；
〃I humbly beg your pardonI will be dutifulI will obey thy commands。
Let the sixteen years I have lived in obedience to thee by my
future security。〃 〃I don't like to be always giving credit；
when the old score is not paid up； madam；〃 said the father。 The mother
followed almost in a state of derangement； crying and imploring
her to think beforehand； and ask advice from experienced persons；
and they would tell her it was a rash undertaking。 〃Oh！〃 said she；
〃Ambulinia； my daughter； did you know what I have suffered
did you know how many nights I have whiled away in agony；
in pain； and in fear； you would pity the sorrows of a heartbroken
mother。〃
〃Well； mother；〃 replied Ambulinia； 〃I know I have been disobedient；
I am aware that what I have done might have been done much better；
but oh！ what shall I do with my honor？ it is so dear to me；
I am pledged to Elfonzo。 His high moral worth is certainly worth
some attention； moreover； my vows； I have no doubt； are recorded
in the book of life； and must I give these all up？ must my fair
hopes be forever blasted？ Forbid it； father； oh！ forbid it； mother；
forbid it； Heaven。〃 〃I have seen so many beautiful skies overclouded；〃
replied the mother； 〃so many blossoms nipped by the frost；
that I am afraid to trust you to the care of those fair days；
which may be interrupted by thundering and tempestuous nights。
You no doubt think as I didlife's devious ways were strewn with
sweet…scented flowers； but ah！ how long they have lingered around me
and took their flight in the vivid hope that laughs at the drooping
victims it has murdered。〃 Elfonzo was moved at this sight。
The people followed on to see what was going to become of Ambulinia；
while he； with downcast looks； kept at a distance； until he saw
them enter the abode of the father； thrusting her； that was the
sigh of his soul； out of his presence into a solitary apartment；
when she exclaimed； 〃Elfonzo！ Elfonzo！ oh； Elfonzo！ where art thou；
with all thy heroes？ haste； oh！ haste； come thou to my relief。
Ride on the wings of the wind！ Turn thy force loose like a tempest；
and roll on thy army like a whirlwind； over this mountain of trouble
and confusion。 Oh； friends！ if any pity me； let your last efforts
throng upon the green hills； and come to the relief of Ambulinia；
who is guilty of nothing but innocent love。〃 Elfonzo