This had been to
them a source of great misgiving; and as a last resource they had
sent this letter enclosed to a friend, through whose kindness it
reached her.
The happy intelligence brought by this letter so overjoyed Franconia
that she could with difficulty restrain her feelings. Tears of
gladness coursed down her cheeks, as she rested her head on Mrs.
Rosebrook's bosom, saying, "Oh, how happy I am! Sweet is the
forgiveness which awaits us,--strong is the hope that through
darkness carries us into brighter prospects of the future." Her
parents were yet alive-happy and prosperous; her brother, again an
honourable man, and regretting that error which cost him many a
tear, was with them. How inscrutable was the will of an all-wise
Providence: but how just! To be ever sanguine, and hope for the
best, is a passion none should be ashamed of, she thought. Thus
elated in spirits she could not resist the temptation of seeking
them out, and enjoying the comforts of their parental roof.
But we must here inform the reader that M'Carstrow no longer acted
the part of a husband towards Franconia. His conduct as a debauchee
had driven her to seek shelter under the roof of Rosebrook's
cottage, while he, a degraded libertine, having wasted his living
among cast-out gamblers, mingled only with their despicable society.
Stripped of all arts and disguises, and presented in its best form,
the result of Franconia's marriage with Colonel M'Carstrow was but
one of those very many unhappy connections so characteristic of
southern life.
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