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 7>^^ 7>%^ and Romantic Love-Stcry of 
 Colonel and Mrs, Hutchinson, 
 
 n\ 
 

/*' 
 
 
 <:. . •. 
 
 THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY 
 OF COLONEL AND MRS. HUTCHINSON. 
 
 By J. ANTISELL ALLEN. 
 
 .... We shall not forgstall the gratification of intending readers of the 
 book by divulging the plot of the tale, but shall confine oiirselves to the 
 remark that, even if it were not a " true and romantic love - story," the 
 drama is so superb as a work of literary and poetic art that it could hardly 
 fail to command wide-spread favor.— [Newcastle (Eng.) Weekly Chronicle. 
 
 .... Mr. Allen seems to have been so much attracted by this touching 
 narrative, to have read and re-mad it so often, that each thought, and, in 
 some instances, even the very m' uld in which the sentences are cast have 
 become a part of himself. His " love-story" is certainly "romantic" enough 
 to suit the most ardent. All who have not had their tastes corrupted by 
 foul literatme must treasure the sweet picture of pure love which his pages 
 
 give We are not troubled in Mr. Allen's book with "the condition 
 
 of England question," neither do the janglings of theologians mar our 
 peace ; all is calm, pure, and restful, so that but for a stray modern word 
 n<,i-e and there-»-and they are but few — we might dream ourselves into the 
 bt lief that some saintly woman among Lucy Hutchinson's friends had 
 turned what she had seen and known into verse.— [The Academy, (London, 
 England.) 
 
 .... The romantic story of their perfect love, its hopes and fears and 
 disappointments, its triumph at last, and their joy and gratitude when 
 every hindrance to their union was removed, is told m this charming little 
 drama in poetry full of high thought and impassioned feeling. In these 
 days of voracious and indiscriminate novel-reading, when so much that is 
 base and vicious, frivolous and contemptible, is presented in the guise of 
 romance, such a book as this, in which new life is given to the beautiful 
 old story, and the pure and noble thoughts and emotions of pure and noble 
 natures are clothed with the music of verse, ought to have some good effect 
 on young readers, by showing them what trvie and blameless romance 
 really is, and thus helping them to distinguish the false Duessa from the 
 true. . . . —[The Mail, (Toronto.) 
 
 .... We would gladly quote some passages to illustrate the author's 
 poetic and dramatic skill, only that if we began, it would not be easy to 
 end. . . . —[The Gazette, (Montreal.) 
 
 It was quite worth a man's while to attempt not only to incture The 
 Trite and Romantic LovE-STORy op Colonel and Mrs. Hutchinson, 
 but to put it into form as a "drama in verse." The story is a noble one, for 
 it harmonises with a true conception of two noble lives made one. . . . 
 — [Leeds (England) Mercury. 
 
 JL 
 
.... A key to the romantic but tnie story told iu this exqulHite little 
 drama is given in a brief introduction, in itself ho charming that it may be 
 compared to a lovely porch leading into a beautiful garden. The story of 
 Colonel and MrH. Hutchinson is one of the noblest and sweetest to be found 
 in history or romance. . . . The romantic beginnings of their pure and 
 perfect love, their doubts and fenrs when obstacles seemed to rise uj) be- 
 tween them, their exalted bliss when the course of their true love at last 
 ran smooth, and their hearts, which were thenceforth to beat as one, were 
 opened to each other, form a beautiful idyl, told in the drama before us iu 
 rich and impassioned, but pure and elevated poetry, ♦.'led mth high 
 thoughts anci generous emotu)ns, all in harmony with the sweat old story 
 it enshrines. We would gladly quote many fine paspiges but our space i's 
 so limited.— [The Gl«be, (Toronto.) 
 
 .... Mr. Allen has taken the romantic aspects of this instance of love, 
 specially true and passionate, and thrown them into graceful and harmoni- 
 ous verse. The poem is dramatic in form, and the dialogue is arranged so 
 as to bring out, with great distinctness, the successive stages of the story. 
 Although in poetic form, the actual history has been carefully followed, so 
 that the plot has the merit of bringing us laco to face with passages fioui 
 the real biography of the hero and heroine. . . . The whole portrait shows 
 us the softer and more genial side of the life of the Puritan party. . . It is 
 one of the many good results of Mr. Allen's poem that he draws attention 
 again to this aspect of a great historical party. ... As a study of the inner 
 personal life of the times in question, the poem has a value peculiarly its 
 own. . . . The plot is simple enough, so simple that, apart from the graceful 
 and sometimes powerful verse in which it is developed, it would convey no 
 idea of the attractiveness of the poem. . . . —[Montreal Daily Star. 
 
 .... The story is simply and gracefully told, and though strange and 
 romantic, has the additional charm of being perfectly true. The perusal 
 of such a work cannot fail to interest the reader, and will claim his atten- 
 tion imtil the last page is finished. The effect of the story upon the mind 
 will be to elevate it, by showing that there has been, and can be, love, for 
 its own sake, in this world of ours. ... — [The Evangelical Churchman, 
 (Toronto). 
 
 Such are the titbits of commendation accorded my small attempt. 
 The dispraise— I prudently omit. 
 
 If, however, through my effort, any be brought to recognise the stuff 
 out of which the much-abused Puritan was made— the Pm-itan who, with 
 all his shortcomings, was ever the ardent and devoted lover of liberty iu 
 Church and Bealm, and, in almost everything, the most advanced thinker 
 of his age,— I shall feel that my labor has not been in vain. In hundreds 
 of households in England the Puritan gentleman and gentlewoman were 
 the very flower of English refined and cultured humanity ; and to their 
 discussions and musings and efforts we of to-day are deeply indebted for 
 the largeness of the libei-ty we enjoy. v i J. A. A. 
 
Y^ f^ /i^T^'^^i ^ t^r'^^^K 
 
 The True and Romantic Love-- 
 Story of Colonel and Mrs. 
 Hutchinson, 
 
 A DRAMA IN VERSE. 
 
 tie 
 be 
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 ■IHt 
 
 )re 
 
 In 
 
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 I is 
 
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 lUl- 
 
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 try. 
 
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 ?ith \ ,. . . 
 
 y iu ^ ' While this flower of grace was growing up against the dark background of 
 
 iker ^'^ Tower, a grave but gallant youth, full of every admirable quality, the son of 
 
 reds Sir Thomas Hutchinson of Owthorp, had come of age." 
 
 vera | Blackwood, July, 1882. 
 
 heir 
 
 L for 
 
 BY 
 
 J. ANTISELL ALLEN. 
 
 ILLIOT STOCK, 62, PATERNOSTER ROW, 
 LONDON, E.G. 
 
, y 
 
"•""^•i^PWBWi- 
 
 •ift 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 COLONEL and Mrs. Hutchinson, the hero and 
 heroine of our story, belong by birth to the class 
 of English gentry; he being the son of Sir Thomas 
 Hutchinson, a county magnate of ancient lineage, and 
 a Member of Parliament, and she the daughter of Sir 
 Allen Apsley, governor of the Tower of London— the 
 Apsleys of Apsley being one of the oldest Saxon families 
 of England, and some of their descendants to-day heads 
 of the noblest and most considerable English houses. 
 
 In the wars between Charles the First and his Parlia- 
 ment, (or, as Mrs. Hutchinson, in her own nervous and 
 incisive language, puts it, " when the just cause of God's 
 and England's rights came to be disputed with swords 
 against encroaching princes,") Colonel Hutchinson bore 
 a distinguished part, showing himself, under the most 
 trying circumstances, a man of indomitable courage, 
 prudence, energy, and honour, while in every effort, 
 difficulty, and trial, he was fully seconded by his equally 
 
 ■'■. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 noble and courageous wife. Indeed, throughout, they 
 were both of them too remarkable personages even in 
 this, the heroic age of English history, to be suffered to 
 pass into oblivion, so long as noble example and high 
 and generous qualities touch the affections and warm 
 and quicken the pulses of our life ; for a nobler, gentler, 
 and more loving, yet, withal, stronger, more resolute, 
 and energetic, nature than his it would be difficult to 
 imagine; and she was the equal consort of his virtue 
 and native force ; and as such " he loved her," as she 
 tells us, " better than his life, with inexpressible tender- 
 ness and kindness " from the beginning to the end ; 
 and, speaking of her own love to him, she adds, that 
 "as his shadow she waited on him everywhere, till he 
 was taken into that region of light which admits of 
 none, and then she vanished into nothing." Not so, 
 however, not as she thought; for she lives his equal, 
 embalmed for ever in her own noble work. 
 
 The courtship of our hero commenced not long after 
 his taking his degree at Cambridge, and was attended, 
 as narrated in my verse, by many difficulties ; but (as 
 Mrs. Hutchinson tells us) " he prosecuted his love with 
 so much discretion, duty, and honour, that at length, 
 through many difficulties, he accomplished his design." 
 Then she adds, " I shall pass by all the little amorous 
 relations, which if I would take pains to relate, would 
 make a true history of a more handsome management 
 of love than the best romances describe." But, says 
 
■r'..\ .,/•,•,■■■ !'■ 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 1 
 
 the Editor of these beautiful and instructive Memoirs, 
 " will not many regret that she passes so transiently 
 these scenes of tenderness and sentiment ? " In which 
 regret, I dare think, many a reader will join him. 
 
 Now, to bridge over this very gap in their history, 
 and to put in rhythmic form the whole tale of their 
 early mutual love, it is that I, let into the secret, have 
 resolved to take the reader into my confidence by 
 narrating the strange, romantic, and beautiful story of 
 his love and of their courtship, attended, as they were, 
 by great hazard and many obstacles. 
 
 But why not write it in plain prose ? I answer, that 
 the thoughts and sentiments of lovers of a high mental 
 order, however natural under the stimulus of glowing 
 affection, might, if uttered in the nudity of plain prose, 
 seem exaggerated or even ridiculous ; but expressed in 
 rhythmical language— the natural tongue of the highly 
 exalted emotions — they seem, to persons of even ordi- 
 nary refinement and feeling, the natural language of the 
 poetry of love. And hence it is that lovers so often 
 adopt verse as the fittest medium through which to 
 reach the loved one's ear and heart. 
 
 How closely (or not) I have kept to my text even in 
 the strangest and most romantic parts of my story, the 
 reader of these Memoirs must judge for himself. And 
 here let me say that, in this my little drama, I have 
 looked at the whole matter chiefly as an outsider, not 
 regarding it so much from a standpoint of my own, as 
 
 tr^gf.-rm<:!~^-»r-«»«;vo:v:A:-:-r-/?^a»>r?rM^^ 
 
 ..:^ 
 
.Y':^. 
 
 8 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 from the standpoint of the actors and the age of whom 
 and of which I have been writing. I hope I have not 
 been over- tedious, but I am unwilling to close this 
 introduction without quoting a few passages from an 
 able writer (July, 1882) in Blackwood. Of Colonel 
 Hutchinson, he says, " No finer gentleman than John 
 Hutchinson ever added ornament to an age." Again, 
 he speaks of him, when Governor of Nottingham, and 
 " still only twenty-eight," as " standing out from the 
 troubled background of petty plot and squabble, as a 
 great Titian portrait full of colour and life ; " and of her 
 as " this flower of grace growing up against the dark 
 background of the Tower ; " but destined yet to raise 
 to her beloved " such a monument as few of the 
 greatest of earthly heroes and sages have attained." 
 And then, " effacing herself altogether, as if she had 
 died with him, she is seen no more." 
 
 I s 
 
 II 
 
ERRATA. 
 
 Page 1 8 
 19 
 21 
 21 
 
 27 
 28 
 
 41 
 43 
 44 
 
 45 
 46 
 
 49 
 51 
 64 
 
 65 
 
 73 
 74 
 80 
 82 
 
 »> 
 
 M 
 » » 
 
 »» 
 J> 
 
 >> 
 >» 
 
 line 5,>r "due " read "clue or." 
 „ 3, ,, "honour" r^rt'rt'" harrow." 
 
 2, ,, " convincing " read " evincing." 
 I7i „ "her" ;w^/"our." 
 
 4, „ " lured " ;v<7^ " hued." 
 
 2, ?;/j«-^ " the " aficr "all. " 
 10, for " points " read " prints." 
 
 7, „ "transmitted" r^ar/ "transmuted." 
 
 23, „ " like " ;raa' " liker." 
 
 5, ,, " which "rm^/" while." 
 23, „ "love" r^«^/" lore." 
 
 20, ,, "continuous" r^aa"' conterminous." 
 
 21, ,, "Yet" read ''Get." 
 25, a/?^r " like " insert " : " (colon). 
 16, tfwiV "so." 
 
 7, /or "psychologies " read " psychologies." 
 r, , , " trembles " read ' ' trembled. " 
 
 3, ,, "vein" r^^ra^'rein." 
 
 4, af/er " saw them " imerf " , " (comma). 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 from the standpoint of the actors and the age of whom 
 and of '-/hich I have been writing. I hope I have not 
 
 Jifi^n f\X7£Xir f-Tki-l.*^.-- * 
 
 ■■'-i-i*-iw«i^ij»AKyt* *• 
 
 ':m0«>smsgls«^iimmtK't^t!imiie!wiua*fm>mim^. 
 
The True and Romantic Love-Story of 
 Colonel and Mrs. Hutchinson. 
 
 SCENE, NEAR HAMPTON COURT. 
 
 Enter Mr. Hutchinson, son of Sir Thomas Hutchin- 
 son, and the younger Miss Apsley, daughter of Sir 
 Allen Apsley. She is seen playing on the lute. 
 
 • Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 My little muse, I often hear you play. 
 
 And hear with pleasure ; but why thus alone ? 
 
 > - yb^/«i^r Miss Apsley. 
 
 My mother, gone to Wiltshire, left me here 
 To practise on the lute till her return. 
 
 ; . Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 Your house is in the neighbourhood, I learn. 
 
 .. ■ ^ J. >.»■... iff*^ 
 

 \ ' 
 
 10 THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 
 v , . Younger Miss Apsley. 
 
 It is ; some half-mile off: I often walk 
 
 Across the meadows to the dear old home ; * 
 
 It is so beautiful the whole way there, 
 
 With primrose banks and hedges crowned with may, 
 
 And perfumes sweet, while, high above, the lark 
 
 Cleaves the deep azure with his notes of joy. . ' ■ 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 Go you alone ? 
 
 y<?««^^r Miss Apsley. 
 
 ' •■ . " . 
 
 Sometimes : sometimes a friend 
 
 Goes thither with me. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 Pray, may I assume 
 This place of honour, and be ranked a friend ? 
 
 Younger Miss Apsley. 
 
 With pleasure, Sir ; I think you'll like the way. 
 
 \Exeunt, 
 
 Enter First ajid Second Gentleman. .' 
 First Gentleman. 
 
 'Tis said Miss Apsley's gone to be espoused 
 To somebody in Wiltshire. 
 
 ^^1 
 
 l iigw rwc i 
 
 ■ yniM i n m f * 
 
 i<»ii mj i rt i i» l »tB 
 

 COLONEL AND MRS. HUTCHINSON. ii 
 
 Second Gentleman. 
 
 Yes, I've heard. 
 
 First Gentleman. 
 
 But if she wed, the heart will first consent. 
 And there are few to whom that little fort, 
 Strong and well-fenced, will yield. 
 
 Second Gentl^^man. 
 
 Unless, indeed. 
 Her love and duty to her mother weigh 
 The balance down, and she surrender thus. 
 
 First Gentleman. 
 
 Yet so much spirit hath she, and a way 
 Of viewing things so different from those 
 One ever meets, that I doubt e'en if these, 
 In such a case as marriage, would prevail. 
 
 I doubt so too. 
 
 Second Gentleman. 
 
 First Gentleman. 
 Adieu : we sup at eight. 
 
 Enter Mr. Hutchinson and younger Miss Apsley. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 Pray, doth my little maiden feel disposed 
 
 For a walk homeward, through the flowery meads ? 
 
-Tj. ,. 
 
 SL. 
 
 12 r//E TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 
 Younger Miss Apsley. 
 
 With pleasure, Sir ; I'll fetch at once my hat. 
 
 [Having now got it, they walk on. 
 I feel so lonely here ; how much I long 
 For the return of my dear sister home, 
 If 'tis to be. Oh, she is fair and good ! 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 Why fear you, then, she may not soon return ? 
 
 K??^;/^(?/' Miss Apsley. 
 
 It is my Lady's earnest wish that she 
 Would wed a gentleman of her own shire, 
 An^ measures have been taken to that end. 
 
 :^ ; ■ .>. [They here efiter the Apsley house. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 Then we may look upon the thing as settled ? 
 
 Younger yiiss A.VSL-EY . 
 I cannot say yet. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson^ 
 
 Pray, whose books are these? 
 
 I [He sees some Latin books on the table, 
 
 V .^- V, iv; ^ ; You7iger Miss Apsley. 
 My sister's, her of whom I spake to you. 
 
 
 ^..C- 
 
 
COLONEL AND MRS. HUTCHINSON. 13 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 And is she fond of such? 
 
 Younger Miss Apsley. 
 
 Fond, do you ask ? 
 " Fond " hardly is the word ; when o'er each page 
 Of the rich volumes of the mighty dead- 
 Their great achievements and their wealth of thought, 
 With thirsty soul she leans, as if she must 
 Drink in and make the author's soul her own. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 'Tis truly wonderful what you relate. 
 
 Younger Miss Apsley. 
 
 But she is different from every one, 
 
 And only like herself; I thought, like you; 
 
 As once I saw you in exalted mood, 
 
 I deemed you like her then ; when some grand thought, 
 
 Flushing the cheek, had brightened in your eye, 
 
 And lighted every line with earnestness, 
 
 Lifting you high above your common self, 
 
 Then you looked like her in her grander moods. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 You pique my curiosity to seek 
 
 Some further knowledge on so fond a theme. 
 
 She's " good and fair," you say : pray tell me more, — 
 
 Her daily habits and her inner life, ' 
 
 ■ I 
 
! ; 
 
 ■■**• 
 
 14 , THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 
 Wherein it is she differs from the crowd 
 Of common mortals ? .. 
 
 yb/(?«^r Miss Apsley. ,* • 
 
 How you puzzle me ! 
 
 Do you feel never what you can't define ? 
 
 A thought so oft is imaged to my mind, 
 
 Whilst lacking power to limn it to the sense ; 
 
 I know what I believe, and though, perhaps, 
 
 E'en to myself its shape may not stand forth 
 
 In sharp, bold outline, if defined at all. 
 
 Yet feel I a persuasion strong as proof; 
 
 That she is of a finer clay and mould, 
 
 And from a higher pedestal of thought 
 
 Looks more profoundly, earnestly on life,— 
 
 A purer, nobler woman than her kind. ,; ' 
 
 For though she pours not in the world's dull ear 
 
 The deep, rich thoughts that form her inner life, 
 
 Yet noble character cannot lie hid ; 
 
 And though, alarmed, she shrinks from laying bare 
 
 Her deepest feelings even to her friends, 
 
 Yet ways and looks, a shrinking of the soul, 
 
 When on the delicate, well-cultured ear 
 
 Jars some false note : an earnestness that strikes ^ 
 
 Straight to the heart : the deepening of the tone, ■ 
 
 The frame dilating, the flushed cheek, bright eye, 
 
 When the great deeds of high-souled men are talked of; 
 
 The nicer shades of character, which show 
 
 To those familiar whose own hearts beat true, — 
 
 These thousand-fold repeated, like the threads ,' ■ ' s ^ 
 
 S)GS 
 
I 
 
 COLONEL AND MRS. HUTCHINSON. 
 
 That make the cable which holds migli^ ships,— 
 These, by the unconscious logic of the heart, 
 Impression many-plied twists into faith, 
 Which, though scarce capable of proof, yea, e'en 
 Of definition clear to those outside, 
 Yet to the esoteric sense is sure 
 As to the infant is its mother's love. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 Thou hast a sprightly fancy, lady fair, 
 And sympathy with goodness. 
 
 Younger Miss Apsley., 
 
 As the moon 
 Reflects the native splendour of the sun, 
 The mantle of her glory falls on me. 
 I simply gather fragments from her feast. 
 She, a vast river flecked with golden sands ; 
 I, a scant streamlet, nourished by her wealth. 
 Yet is she modest as a little child, 
 Her healthy nature changing into food 
 The lightest prattle of my lightest mood. 
 She sometimes says, I teach her,— she's so kind,— 
 And make her look more lovingly on life. 
 
 IS 
 
 \Exeunt. 
 
SCENE IN WILTSHIRE. 
 
 Elder Miss Apslev. 
 
 What dreams or does my bright-eyed sister now ? 
 
 How glad I would be to be at her side, 
 
 Not moping here in Wiltshire. Hark ! who calls ? 
 
 {Exit. 
 
 V 
 
 
 n 
 
 11 
 
^ 
 
 SCENE CHANGES TO NEAR HAMPTON 
 
 COURT. 
 
 A party of ladies and gentlemen are seen at Mr. Col- 
 man's. A song is being stmg, composed by one of the 
 gentlemen. 
 
 Fourth Gentleman (sings). 
 
 " Our life is a jumble of pleasures and pains, 
 
 O'er which, first and last, blind Fortuity reigns. 
 
 To-day, as they chance to her hand, she deals all 
 
 The heart covets most, while to-morrow we fall. 
 
 Through the lot she deals next with the same smiling air, 
 
 From the summits of bliss to the depths of despair. 
 
 'Tis a tangle of things, which however we try 
 
 With our skilfullest efforts, we fail to untie : 
 
 For whatever we do, or do not, to evoke 
 
 The pity of nature, the great final stroke 
 
 We cannot ward off ; or the sorrows that pave 
 
 The highway of mortals from birth to '^he grave ; 
 
 For however its death-pangs the crushed heart may feel. 
 
 We are ground none the less under destiny's wheel : 
 
r 
 
 i8 THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 
 ..*.■■'•' 
 And when, in distraction, we lose child and wife. 
 
 And the ties are all severed that linked us to life ; 
 
 When those we deemed friends once, prove false and 
 
 unkind. 
 
 And depression and madness take hold of the mind, 
 
 In our frenzied despair who-'dtw light brings frtojC 
 
 By which to unriddle this riddle of things ? " 
 
 Second Gentleman. 
 'Tis a most painful and depressing song. 
 
 First Gentleman. 
 
 'Twas written in an hour of blank despair. 
 When all Lucretius rushed upon the soul. 
 And swept away into blank, vacuous night 
 The everlasting pillars of this world. 
 But there's an answer to it in the house. 
 
 All. 
 Pray, let us hear it. Read it to us, please. 
 
 First Gentleman. 
 
 Since you desire it so, I'll read it to you. 
 
 [He reads. ,., 
 " Oh, yes, there are ties that God never would sever, 
 If life were intended to last us for ever, 
 And we were meant only for happiness here. 
 But He checkers life with full many a tear. 
 And distilling from evil an essence of good, ' 
 
 f?* 
 
 ■ f^^'^ 
 
 i^'.tgffi£i:iim 
 
 "~TtiiiiiJ»B i"""iriiii iiwiiriii ifTMiiiiririn 
 
COLONEL AND MRS. HUTCHINSON. 
 
 '9 
 
 Converts e'en the poison of pain into food : 
 
 For^Ie^the best guardian of man, knows the need 
 
 To n o n o u fthe nature while sowing the seed, 
 
 To deepen the feelings, which else were too light, 
 
 To strengthen the root in the damp and dark night 
 
 Of fear, pain, or sorrow ; enhancing the joy 
 
 Of those, from whose natures the slag of alloy 
 
 Has been purged in the furnace which He who knows 
 
 best 
 Hath kindled for each ere he enters his rest." — 
 
 A woman in this neighbourhood's believed 
 To've written it. 
 
 Second Gentleman. 
 Who? 
 
 ' I' 
 
 in 
 
 First Gentleman. 
 
 There are only two 
 Who "could be guilty of it," whereof one's 
 A lady now amongst us, or Miss Apsley. 
 
 [Exeunt all, talking excitedly on the subject of 
 the song and the ansioer to it — except Mr. 
 Hutchinson and First and Second 
 Gentleman. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 I scarcely can believe that song a woman's.* 
 
 * These, be it remembered, were "the dark ages " of woman's 
 intellect. Observe, too, the change of meaning of the word 
 "guilty." 
 
^ 
 
 20 THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 
 k 
 
 First Gentleman. 
 
 Yet is it, and Miss Apsley's : for though I, 
 
 Out of politeness to the rest, Lad named 
 
 Another, too, as possibly its author, 
 
 Yet am I confident 'twas writ by her : 
 
 She's such a gifted creature, who for sense 
 
 And intellect towers high above the plane 
 
 Of ordinary women, fenced apart 
 
 By native strength of character and will, 
 
 Yet of such rare simplicity and truth, 
 
 And sweetness and benignity, that all 
 
 With hearts to feel must love her for her worth. 
 
 ' 
 
 " Second Gentleman. 
 
 She's all, and more : [with children their fellow, 
 Chief romp and ring-leader in every sport. 
 Wild as the wildest when her spirit's up. 
 Facile, full-joyed, and entering with zest 
 Each crank and cranny of the childish heart].* 
 With maidens the most maidenly, discreet. 
 Bright, genial, gentle, modest, and devoid 
 Of every air and pedantry of wit : 
 
 * I beg Miss Apsley's pardon here. In this particular {i.e. in the 
 account given of her in the four and half lines enclosed within 
 brackets), I have not, I find on a reperusal of the Memoirs, been 
 portraying her as, histoiHcally, she was, but rather as, from her 
 general character, I had conceived of her ideally. And this vs^arns 
 us how unlike the historic reality may be the ideally-conceived 
 picture of any man with vi^hose writings and doings and character 
 
Tl 
 
 1 
 
 
 if 
 
 COLONEL AND MRS. HUTCHINSON 
 
 While in the high discouT«'ir(T? ^^ hook -learned 
 
 And deep-souled men^«»j«^e*»y ^ \jr looks, 
 
 So eloquent of meaning, that her soul, 
 
 Aglow with feeling, shows in every line 
 
 Of every feature ; and her words, though few, 
 
 Hit straight and home, and listening seniors turn 
 
 On the young maiden their approving looks. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 What you relate is wonderful indeed. 
 Nor can I be at rest until I've made 
 Acquaintance with her. 
 
 fl 
 
 21 
 
 M 
 
 Second Gentleman. 
 
 Strangle, then, the hope 
 Forthwith, for ever ; for such is her mood, 
 That she avoids all intercourse with men 
 As if plague-struck, and, in herself retired 
 Lives self-contained, with one and all f'i>V^^ 
 Refusing to participate her bliss. 
 And though I know not by what means this song 
 Hath stolen forth from her most jealous care, 
 
 we are not intimately acquainted. Let any man read the latest life 
 of (say) the Earl of Strafford, and when he has done so, let him 
 read the Earl's own letters and despatches, and ask himself if the 
 ideal statesman and the man of history be the same man. 
 
 Now, however, I have to do with the life and love-making of this 
 noble high-strung Puritan woman, an ornament alike of her age and 
 sex, and with those of her brave and high-souled husband. 
 
22 THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 
 Yet, like the violet that loves the shade, 
 Most femininely feminine she's one 
 Who shuns all notice of the vulgar world, 
 Contented, though unseen, to be and do. 
 
 [^:r«/«/ First rt!;/d? Seconl Gentleman. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson, alone. 
 
 Is it not wonderful, if but half tri:e ! 
 Strange that in her I almost seem to see 
 A being ever imaged by my heart, 
 Though hardly realized to consciousness ; 
 As if a dream of some one in a state 
 Of former being, lost to memory now. 
 But linked to sympathy's unsevered ties. 
 
 I must contrive some means of seeing her, 
 Or live unhappy. Oh that I could tear 
 From out my breast the image of her worth ! 
 And yet I would not. What a quenchless thirst 
 Of her perfections goads me on to quench 
 This burning fever that consumes my soul 
 In the refreshing fountain of her love ! 
 
 Yet why dream thus? Why feed the flame that 
 preys 
 Upon my vitals ? Why by dwelling on 
 Her pure, sweet nature in its heights and depths, 
 And rich- proportioned beauty, nurture that 
 Which yet may shroud my life in deepest gloom, 
 And leave me hopeless, objectless in life ? 
 
 \ 
 
 ■■MMIIIh 
 
 MriaMMMMBMlMMM 
 
 mmm 
 
Hi 
 
 ^^ 
 
 COLONEL AND MRS. HUTCHINSON. 
 
 23 
 
 The elder Miss Apsley, still in Wiltshire, is seen 
 standing alone in her room, in a musing, posture, and 
 with a troubled expression. 
 
 \ 
 
 Elder Miss Apsley. 
 
 I prize the kindness of the motive which 
 Prompts friends and mother. But am I to blame 
 If they feel pained when I refuse to accept 
 Whom they deem worthy of my hand and heart, — 
 Some suitor rich in office or in lands, 
 At whose approach, or memory, or name, 
 No pulse of mine beats quicker than its wont. 
 Among the crowd of courtiers none I found 
 Of noble bearing, manly sense and worth. 
 And yearning sympathy with all that's good. 
 And wise, and great, and true, and beautiful ; 
 And, therefore, no one who could bend this heart 
 From its sweet maiden loneliness to love. 
 
 And now, to please my mother, not myself, 
 I've hither come, to try if I could bring 
 My heart to think of love.— But 'tis in vain. 
 . To him, as to all others, it is dead. 
 
 Oh, that I might be suffered to enjoy 
 This lovely springtime of my life 'mid books, 
 And flowers, and verdure, and the songs of birds. 
 And the wild beauties of all natural things. 
 The trees, the stars, the ocean, and the sky. 
 And my poor musings on them ! Why not leave 
 
 ,-*'■ 
 
 •■«^^i.,>»*V^i»»V-'^^«'-'^?W "-^^rri^r/^ , . 
 
I^ 
 
 - ,♦ 
 
 1 ■ 
 
 24 TI/E TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 
 Me to my gentle sister and her songs, > ■ 
 And lively talk, and music, and sweet ways, — 
 And mother's converse ; far from routs and balls, 
 And farther still from lovers' pesterings, * 
 
 So painful, dreary, empty, commonplace \ 
 Leaving such things to those who can enjoy them ? 
 
 Are riches or position such a spring 
 Of ripe content, that they would have me wed 
 Where the soul's echo hath not waked to love ? 
 Shall I my nature fairly disallow, 
 The God-voice in the finer thoughts and tones. 
 Which, like sweet music, tremble through the heart ? 
 
 I know what's due to duty and the love 
 I owe my mother, and have, therefore, sought, 
 By every sacrifice of self, to meet 
 Her slightest wish, up to the very line 
 At which obedience melts into weak want 
 Of self-assertion and true dignity. 
 
 Shall I degrade myself ; do violence 
 To every feeling ; nay, more, wrong to him 
 To whom, with heart estranged, I pledge my 
 
 troth? — 
 'Twere terrible to think on't ! I descend 
 From the ethereal atmosphere of love, 
 The sweet romance and poetry of love, ,<- , 
 
 The blossom of our being, the pure fount , 
 Where self, unselfed, reflects another's soul, 
 Lives in his life, and through his senses feels 
 Lapped in a dream of purified content ; — 
 Descend from this ideal of the heart, ,; . , 
 
 ■'!''% 
 
 
 xi\m\nKtmkWi'k 
 
I 
 
 
 y 
 
 : • COLONEL AND MRS. HUTCHINSON 
 
 Limned by its Maker with so fine a touch, 
 
 To the profanity of lower aims ? — 
 
 'Twere prostitution of the soul to think on't ! 
 
 25 
 
 \Extt. 
 
 
 KsmmiiMiM^S^^tiZ''.. 
 
 i 
 
SCENE NEAR, HAMPTON COURT. 
 
 The younger Miss Apsley and Mr. Hutchinson are 
 seen conversing together, when she suddenly stopping 
 in her walk, and looking up at him. 
 
 Younger Miss kvsiJEY. 
 
 How is it that, begin what theme we will, 
 
 'Tis always sure somehow to end in hei ? , 
 
 The books, the flowers, the hills seem voiced with her. 
 
 And from all hedgerows she looks out on us. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson stooping to pick a flower, 
 but really to hide his embc rrassment. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 I'm fond of eloquence, and on this theme 
 My little orator exceeds herself. '' 
 
 Younger M.ISS KvsiaEN. 
 
 The eloquence is ofttimes in the ear. 
 And the poor speaker credit gains for what 
 
 <i.- 
 
 II 
 
 ■rnnii ifci<>ariiKy| 
 
I 
 
 COLONEL AND MRS. HUTCHINSON. 27 
 
 The fervid fancy of the hearer warms 
 
 In his own glowing heart, and beautifies. 
 
 You have not seen my sister, else I should ^ 
 
 Have deemed that mighty love hadJ^d^H^ thoughts — 
 
 As broken on that fatal prism— into 
 
 All forms of beauty that enchant the soul. 
 
 But love comes through the eye, and not the ear. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 Where learned you, sweet lady, this love's lore ? 
 
 Younger Miss Apsley. 
 
 From books and sister : for though wise and good, 
 And full of high and earnest thoughts, her heart, 
 All woman still, hath a rich, noble fount 
 Of simple, sweet, and beautiful romance, — 
 A goodly treasure, hid from vulgar gaze, 
 To be expended without stint on him 
 Who reigns sole monarch of her queenly heart. 
 , But I must practise now, and say, Adieu. 
 
 \Exit Younger Miss Apsley. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson, now alone, walking on in much 
 
 agitation. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 How St aige, how silly is this restlessness ! . 
 These fevered thoughts, these fancies of the brain ! 
 Love at first sight is rational to this, ^ 
 
 
1 
 
 28 THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 
 Love of the unseervg^ve as the spirit's ken 
 Pierces through all^arriers of sense, 
 And brings soul near to soul, in the divine, 
 Mysterious sympathy that wraps the world. 
 
 But is not this a figment of the brain 
 Fevered with thoughts, and driven to hard straits ? 
 What ! Reason, can'st thou not deliver me 
 From what seems plain unreason ? Fancy sick, 
 I wander lonely 'mid the crowds and din 
 Of men and women, thinking but of her, 
 Whom yet I have seen only in my dreams ; — 
 But there she's ever ) noble, maidenly, 
 A true, pure woman, full of her sweet thoughts, 
 And caring not to share them with the throng 
 Of uncongenial triflers. How unlike 
 The restless, gaudy butterflies that flit 
 Their little day, sipping each passing sweet. 
 With scarce one earnest thought of this great life. 
 
 \Exit. 
 
 The footboy of Lady Apsley is seen coming towards the 
 house which Mr. Hutchinson has just entered^ and 
 in which the younger Miss Apsley and several ladies 
 and gentlemen are at dinner . 
 
 ,' Footboy. 
 
 'Twill be rare fun if 1 perform with skill 
 
 The part assigned me. 'Twas so fortunate 
 
 There should have chanced a wedding at the house 
 
 • 
 
 
 ,^^^, ^.. ,..,.....,..^^.^ 
 
COLONEL AND MRS. HUTCHINSON. 
 
 29 
 
 '\-'t> 
 
 \ 
 
 My lady stayed at ; since it colour gives, 
 Through these bride-tokens, 
 
 [He lifts up the bridal laces, etc., to look at them. 
 
 To our cunning scheme 
 To have it thought Miss Apsley was the one 
 Who had been married,— 'twill be such a joke ! 
 
 {Here the Footboy knocks, and the door opens, 
 showing all the company at dinner. The 
 younger Miss Apsley seeing that it is her 
 mother's boy. , 
 
 Younger Miss Apsley. 
 Where is my lady ? Is Miss Apsley married ? 
 
 , . Footboy. 
 
 She only bade me, madam, give you these. 
 
 [Stniling knowingly, he gives her the bridal tokens. 
 
 Many voices. 
 
 Oh, then, she's married ! Married beyond doubt. 
 
 \At this Mr. Hutchinson turns ^'pale as ashes, 
 and feeling a faintness to seize on his spirits 
 in that extraordinary manner that finding 
 himself ready to sink at table,'' and seeing alt 
 eyes turned on him. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 Something there is amiss with me ; I must 
 
30 THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 
 Withdraw into the garden. The fresh air 
 Will speedily revive me. 
 
 [ The gentlemen help him in his endeavour to get away. 
 
 First Gentleman. 
 
 Oh, pray lean 
 Upon my shoulder. You seem deadly faint. 
 What can I do for you ? A. cold sweat breaks 
 From every pore ! Your lips are pale as death ! 
 
 [Exit FOOTBOY. 
 
 It is so passing strange what could have vexed 
 Your stomach, Sir, and passed the others by. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 I'll to my chamber now. 
 
 {Helped along, he gains his rooniy and throwing 
 himself on a couch. 
 
 I thank you much : 
 Pray leave me now : I would lie down awhile. 
 
 • First Gentleman. 
 
 We'll leave you, then, and hope you'll soon recover. 
 
 \Exmnt all, 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson [alone). 
 
 There's some enchantment surely in this place. 
 Now I recall that story of my friend, 
 How here, not long ago, a gentleman 
 Died out of love of one deceased, on whom. 
 
■ 
 
 COLONEL AND MRS. IIUTCIHNSON. 
 
 31 
 
 Though never seen, his soul with fondness hung, 
 From hearing her described, deplored, and praised; 
 Until at last he could hear but of her ; 
 And, where her footprint on the turf was cut, 
 Would go and kiss it, biding there all day. 
 Pining until he died of very love.* 
 
 \_Here in a rei'erte he pauses a little. 
 But this is madness ! Lord, deliver me ! 
 My soul, be quiet ! Yet she seemed the one 
 Fitted to realize my wildest dream. 
 To feast the fondest yearnings of my heart, 
 And flood my being with a tide of joy. 
 
 But 'tis pure folly ! Yet I feed the flame, 
 And feed it ever, that consumes my life. 
 
 God of mercy, pity my despair ! 
 
 1 am bewitched, distracted, stunned, undone, — 
 I, who was ever deemed, and deemed myself, 
 
 A strong, calm child of reason, drifted thus 
 By winds and waves of passion where they will ; 
 As when in dreamland we the danger see. 
 But lack the power of motion to escape. 
 
 Awake, my reason ! seize with force the helm. 
 And pilot into port this shattered bark. 
 'Tis weakness, folly, madness thus to love 
 One never fashioned to the eye of sense, 
 But only on the mirror of the mind. 
 I must shake off this nightmare of the soul, 
 And act with reason, as becomes a man. 
 
 * For the genuineness of this story, see the " Life of Colonel 
 Hutchinson." 
 
 |l 
 
 /, 
 
3a THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 
 « 
 
 Brave words, weak flesh ! Thy grace, Lord, Thy grace, 
 In this breakdown of will, in blank despair, 
 I turn to now, as what alone can save me. 
 
 Enter First and Second Gentleman. 
 
 First Gentleman. 
 
 You have not heard, you say, if he's recovered. 
 'Twas a most sudden and severe attack. 
 
 Second Gentleman. 
 Had we not better step upstairs to see him ? 
 
 First Gentleman. 
 I think, not yet ; meanwhile, we'll take a walk. 
 
 \Exit. 
 
 \Exeunt. 
 
 Enter Footboy in great glee, and not seeing Mr. Hutch- 
 inson in the distance. 
 
 Footboy. 
 
 In the confusion of the gent's attack ^ 
 
 Escaped I further questioning last night. 
 It was great fun, — it took so well with all. 
 
 [Mr. Hutchinson half hearitig but not under- 
 standing him. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 Come here, my lad. 
 
i * 
 
 COLONEL AND MKS. HUTCHINSON, 33 
 
 FOOTROV. 
 
 Glad, Sir, to see you well. 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 Now, tell me all about Miss Apsley's wedding. 
 
 Foot BOY. 
 
 Was't not enough to show the bridal tokens ? 
 The rest's a secret. 
 
 (Laughing a?td mysterious, he adds) 
 I was bid not tell. 
 ' [Mr. Hutchinson hauling him a crmvn piece. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 Here now, my lad, pray let me know the whole. 
 FooTBOY (smiling archly). 
 
 I did not say Miss Apsley 'twas was married. 
 The bride-tokens were of another lady, 
 Who chanced to have been married at the house, 
 And I was bid to tell no news, but give 'em,— 
 'Twas only meant to flutter all their hearts. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 You tell me truly, then,— she is not married ? . 
 
 Footboy. 
 Truly, Sir, no : it was the merest joke. 
 
 =_V''. '''■-_-J«»f-.!ii^>li*!== 
 
 I Mm 1 ' M M 
 
34 THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 A joke ! May I believe you ? Was't it indeed a joke ? 
 
 FOOTBOY. 
 
 True as the gospel, Sir, I do assure you. 
 That I speak truth you will yourself soon learn. 
 She will be here in a few days herself. 
 
 [ Kxit FOOTBOY. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson [alone). 
 
 My God. I thank Thee for this spring of joy, 
 Which in the wilderness of my despair 
 Wells up to bless me with refreshing hope ! 
 How bounds my heart with joy to think that yet 
 There is a chance of seeing, knowing, and— 
 O God !— of winning her ! Mayn't she be won ? 
 Het sister says, though earnest, studious, learned, 
 And shrir'iingly retiring from the world. 
 She hath a heart charged with a wealth of love,— 
 Mute music yet, until the hand that knows 
 Sweeps o'er the chords and wakes it into life. 
 
 I think my feelings are akin to hers. 
 And that I understand her spirit's thirst ; 
 But how I long with certainty to learn 
 If our souls mate, and nature marks her mine ! — 
 
 But how upon the thinnest edge of hope 
 I build up a whole pyramid of bliss. 
 
 \Exit. 
 
 *^^^ ^ rr ■ ^t^ ^; ■ .^?g ^ :r,r'^ " ^"J g^'r.yy!yT?"■^^.:■>■^'■^■' 
 

 COLONEL AND MRS. HUTCHINSON. ■ 35 
 
 Enter Miss Apsley the younger^ and Miss Colman. 
 Younger Miss Apsley. 
 
 Yes, Mr. Hutchinson has been invited: 
 'Twill be a grand affair. 
 
 Miss Colman. 
 
 I'm glad of it, 
 He's such a courtly handsome gentleman. 
 
 Younger Miss Apsley. 
 What pains the ladies take to win his love ! 
 
 Miss Colman. 
 
 Perhaps, his heart is elsewhere ; he appears 
 
 At times so absent, so absorbed in thought. 
 
 So unassailable by any shaft 
 
 Shot from the eye or lip of womankind, 
 
 That either he is different from all. 
 
 Or bears love's fatal arrow in his breast. 
 
 Younger Miss Apsley. 
 
 How this may be I know not ; when with me 
 He walks, he's never absent ; yet, in truth. 
 To no one is he more indifferent. 
 
 Miss Colman. 
 'Tis very odd ; I can't unriddle him. 
 
 ^^^iiMMi 
 
IJIIU..,L,^.> .,.„.. — -.v 
 
 1 
 
 36 THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 
 Younger Miss Apsley. ; 
 
 Therefore, beware ; you tread on slippery ground. 
 The men who puzzle us always interest, 
 And interest hath much that's kin to love. 
 
 [Exeunt laughing. 
 
 Enter Miss Apsley the elder, just come home. 
 Miss Apsley. 
 Returned ! Oh, joyful ! I must quick dispatch 
 A messenger to let my sweet one know 
 
 Her truant sister hath come back to her. 
 
 \Extt. 
 
 The younger Miss Apsley; next her Mr. Hutchinson 
 and on the other side Miss Colman and ladies and 
 gentlemen at dinner. 
 
 FOOTBOY. 
 
 Madam, I come at once to let you know 
 My Lady and Miss Apsley have arrived. 
 
 Younger Miss Apsley. 
 Oh, joyful message 1 I must go forthwith. 
 Mr. Hutchinson (aside). 
 
 'Twould look so very strange if I should leave 
 Just at this moment : yet, without me, she 
 On no account must go hence. Oh, my heart, 
 
 \\ ' '■ 
 
 ^m^ 
 
j;j.|UJ,llflHI».lii.K;Wil!(l i.J'TT'^ 
 
 COLONEL AND MRS. HUTCHINSON. 37 
 
 What a great leap it gave when first my ear 
 Caught the glad sound. What, what may happen now ? 
 The next few days, what hold they in reserve ? 
 Death of all hope, or happiness and her ? 
 
 (Then to younger Miss Apsley in a whisper.) ^ 
 
 Pray stay till dinner's ended : then will I i 
 
 See you safe home with pleasure. Pray, then, wait 
 Just one brief moment : 'twill be over soon. 
 
 Younger Miss Apsley. 
 Then, be it so, you are so ever kind. 
 
 (To Miss Colman.; 
 I long to see them so, and hear the news. 
 (To Mr. Hutchinson.; 
 You're eating nothing: what's the matter, pray? 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 If you are ready, now I'll go with you. 
 
 \Exetmt. 
 
 Enter First and Second Gentleman. 
 Second Gentleman. 
 Miss Apsley's come back, and still unmarried. 
 
 First Gentleman. 
 I'm glad she's come 
 
 'Wi :. 
 
 iiA.frr't----''^'^r"'?'-'*^''''*'r'''-^'''i^ifnfrrifM ■ .~»-~i^.i^^-''i:^ 
 
 ^At 
 
5'c-4^*>r»-"'-* •* * *^-»'»'^»" 
 
 38 THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOl E-STORY OF 
 
 Second Gentleman. 
 
 He did not reach, she found, 
 Her lofty standard. Men, Sir, are not made 
 To any women's order. She must pick 
 From vulgar clay her man, or e'en be picked : 
 For nature, prodigal of the common sort, 
 Is niggard ever of ideal men. 
 The heaven-born come but once in a long while, 
 Nor always, when they do, get angel mates. 
 One in one house should surely be enough. 
 Must all gifts drop into the lap of one. 
 To leave the rest of us a beggared rabble ? 
 
 First Gentleman. 
 You're cynical to-day ! . ^ 
 
 Second Gentleman. 
 
 I always am 
 When blows an east wind, or a twinge of gout 
 Preaches whole homilies on temperance. 
 But somehow I am glad that she's returned. 
 
 [Exeunt. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson is seen leaving Lady Apsley's house. 
 Lady Apsley and her younger daughter, "too, are 
 retiring, leaving the elder Miss Apsley alone in the 
 draiving-room. 
 
 Miss Apsley (alone). 
 What a fine, handsome, well-bred gentleman ! . ; 
 
 '--«iiuyiftMii£yKi);»i^ij»icd»^ 
 
 w^iifr^i^'"*'^ 
 
■*_J 
 
 i 
 
 . COLONEL AND MRS. HUTCHINSON. 39 
 
 What eyes and hair and shape and countenance ; 
 And graceful, noble mien ; a king of men ; 
 A captain to lead armies, or to sit 
 Among grave counsellors on State affairs ! 
 Upon that brow what lofty thought and power, 
 And in his eye what calmness and command ! 
 What dignity of bearing ! yet withal. 
 What simple, winning unaffectedness. 
 By matter, manner, voice, and countenance, 
 A true man, certainly ; or all signs fail, 
 
 And nature hath writ liar on herself. 
 On what a lofty eminence he stands 
 
 Above the young men one sees everywhere. 
 
 Sir Thomas must be proud of such a son. 
 
 But this is nonsense, I must quick to bed. 
 
 Enter Mr. Hutchinson, with his head bmt in profound 
 and earnest thought ; then, suddenly. 
 
 At last these eyes have seen her, and she's all 
 My brightest dreams had ever dimly shaped,— 
 A sweet, pure woman, modest, winning, fair, 
 And with a queenly negligence to please. 
 Yet pleasing ever— the fine native soul 
 Showing distinctly through the thin disguise. 
 Her sense direct and true ; her tastes refined ; 
 Her mind so polished, cultured, richly stored, 
 And taking lead from the sheer force of thought. 
 And yet no vanity and no pretence. 
 
 !■ 
 
 ... ,t^,..»ic^««^'s^jwr-:t^a"'ag3r^^ 
 
 ' — '" 
 
40 THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 
 What witchery of manner, and a smile 
 Of heaven's own sunlight, rippling o'er her face, 
 Kindling each feature, laughing in her eyes. 
 And what an affluence of noble thought ! 
 
 Oh, if she's fancy-free ! My God, how much 
 On the solution of that word may hang ! 
 But, oh, how slowly drag the creeping hours ; 
 And how, with love-stricken, impatient soul. 
 Long I again to feast these eyes on her. 
 
 \He pauses a moment. 
 
 And she may now be roaming in the woods, 
 
 Or, book in hand, upon the grassy turf 
 
 Be poring over the great works of men 
 
 Who wrote their names upon the centuries. 
 
 And, like the mighty pyramids, stand out 
 
 In grandeur 'mid the ruins of the past. 
 
 I must this instant go in quest of her. 
 
 {Exit. 
 
 The elder Miss Apsley is seen walking at an early hour 
 
 on the dewy lawn. 
 
 !■■. 
 
 Miss Apsley. 
 
 How beautiful the skies, the fields, the trees ! 
 The air, balm-freighted at this young spring hour, 
 Blows ruddy health into the pallid cheek. 
 How silent is all nature ; onlfWaked 
 By yonder solitary thrush, love crowned, 
 
 M 
 
COLONEL 4ND MRS. HUTCHINSON. 
 
 41 
 
 And pouring from the fulness of his heart 
 Sweet strains of son^ to cheer his Hstening mate. 
 
 l^She continues zualking on, swinging her hat care- 
 lessly by the ribbons in her hand ; when, 
 suddenly stopping, she picks the bud of a 
 moss-rose Just opening to the morning. 
 How beautiful is nature in her scale 
 Of vastness and minuteness equally ! — 
 From the blue heavens, with their hosts of stars, 
 To this sweet rosebud, starred with dew, just burst 
 It's mossy envelope, with flush of joy 
 And wild amaze. How fair as she unfolds 
 Her beauty and her fragrance to the sun ! 
 Who points a thousand kisses in return. 
 To swell her bosom with a riper joy. 
 
 Oh, England, thou art beautiful ! my heart 
 Thrills with affection when I think of thee, 
 Loved isle of flowers and verdure, sea-begirt. 
 Thou land of maidens fair, and stalwart sons, 
 Wh^jugpsk it is to tame and teach the waves 
 Of the great angry separating sea 
 To be the very highway of the world, 
 And make them minister to human needs. 
 And yours, fair maidens, by the witchery 
 Of gentle manners, and the charms of love. 
 To tame and teach the rougher sons of toil. 
 And, so, refine and beautify their lives. 
 
 Thou land of song and Shakespeare, whose rich soul 
 Ran o'er the gamut of all human things, 
 Great thinker and sweet singer of the world ! 
 
 1 
 
 
 ij 
 
:,■ ■ '< 
 
 42 THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 
 Land, too, of those the martyred saintly dead, 
 Who, when grim d.-aih 'twixt them and duty stood, 
 With flames and terrors armed, to bar the way, 
 In loyalty to truth the tyrant braved, 
 And hallowed, so, by constancy to death, 
 The soil of England, and bequeathed to us 
 The priceless heritage of their example, 
 To warm our souls to emulate their deeds. 
 And he has all those qualities that smell 
 Of English soil, which made our fathers feel 
 The very name of Englishman a sound 
 To stir their blood, and which they've handed down, 
 To stir ours too, and make us true and brave. 
 And such is he, a true-born Englishman, 
 With all their potence latent, till the spark 
 Of the occasion wakes it into life. 
 
 . \She naiv moves on. The younger Miss Apsley 
 is seen as she advances, in a bower formed 
 hy wild rose and eglantine, with her head 
 appearing through an opening in the thick 
 foliage. Miss Apsley with the rosebud still 
 in her hand. 
 
 Miss apsley. 
 
 Sweet sister, let me braid this in your hair. 
 
 \Still holding the rosebud, and looking down ad- 
 miringly at it. 
 How rich and delicate each folded leaf 
 
 
 ( 1 « IK-Wh'.'.! .-.f 
 
COLONEL AND MRS. HUTCHINSON. 
 
 4J 
 
 In texture, hue, and fragrance ! What a bend 
 
 And graceful sweep of beauty's seen throughout. 
 
 How rich the living tracery that climbs 
 
 The fretted columns of its outer court. 
 
 [Miss Apsley looking admiringly at her sister 
 peeping through the foliage ^ and struck with 
 the similitude. 
 
 A blushing fair one in a rose-wreathed bower, 
 
 Smiling, half mantled by a mass of green, 
 
 Transmitted by some fairy's wand to this. 
 
 [^Pointing to the rosebud. 
 
 My gentle rosebud, what if 'twere thy fate ! 
 
 [ While still weaving the rosebud in her sister's 
 hair, a rustling sound is heard, and, turn- 
 ing, a gentleman is seen approaching. 
 
 ii 
 
 Younger Miss Apsley. 
 I do believe 'tis Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 Good morning, ladies ; what a charming day. 
 
 Younger Miss Apsley. 
 Good morning, Sir ; I am so glad you're here. 
 
 Miss Apsley. 
 
 Good morning, Sir ; it is indeed most lovely. 
 
 The hedgerows crowned with blossoms, and the air 
 
 Vocal with song, and laden with rich scents. 
 
 ,,♦ ■-'•. 
 
44 THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 The hedges have put on their richest robes, 
 And birds are welcoming Miss Apsley home. 
 
 Miss Apsley (smiling). 
 
 I rather think they sang as sweetly when 
 
 I listened to their fellows far away. 
 
 [Mr. Hutchinson and Miss Apsley move on, 
 while the younger sister, picking some flowers, 
 remains somewhat to the rear. 
 
 Miss Apsley. 
 
 Most things have their owr interest, round which 
 Their feelings sweetly cluster, and, save there. 
 No gap is made, or soon it closes up. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 This hath its bright, if still its painful side. 
 How sweet to feel that all, or almost all, 
 Have some or one to take an interest 
 In their well-being, or that, more, entwines 
 The finest tendrils of the heart round theirs. 
 Yet sad to think that men are so absorbed 
 By their own narrow interest, that they lose 
 That large magnificence of thought and heart 
 Which brings them nearer, makes them like Him 
 Whose grasp of love takes in the universe. 
 
 miiimitimmmiik 
 
 Gi>iffiatMS»:»ikufe%>. 
 
 .L 
 
\v 
 
 \ \ 
 
 COLONEL AND MAS. HUTCHINSON. 
 
 4S 
 
 Miss Ai-sley. 
 
 And so are we the losers ; for what is't 
 That makes the bliss of earth or heaven, but love ? 
 'Tis e'en less blessed to receive than give : 
 And though who giv^es love gives a priceless gift, 
 He is himself the richer, which the soul, 
 Rich in all else, is poor that's poor in this ; 
 And he the wealthiest in soul-wealth, whose love 
 Is deepest, largest, likest love of God. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 There is a danger yet, that, since we are 
 Slight-natured at the best, our love a ray 
 Shot from the central and sole source of love, 
 It should by large diffusion fade and merge 
 Into thin general sentiment, and lose 
 Its rich, intense, distinctive character. 
 We need some special objects upon whom 
 To prove the verity of love by deeds. 
 And quicken, so, the passive sentiment. 
 Such is our nature, too, that we require 
 Some object of affection, upon whom 
 To pour the richest treasures of our love ; 
 Yet so that it may warmer radiate 
 Towards those outside in action, and expand 
 In circling waves until it gird the world. 
 
 Miss Apsley. 
 
 You teach a doctrine which, I fear, the world 
 Hath little heart to entertain ; and yet. 
 
 <ik_J 
 
 *9^-\ 
 
 :.it\^i^iMlf:aAiiiit'^it'i\'ii&\!i\itii(^:^^^ 
 
! !'■ 
 
 46 THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 
 Oh, what a paradise, could man but feel 
 
 For man, his brother, e'en the ties that bind 
 
 The members of one family in one, 
 
 Proving his love by deeds, lest it exhale 
 
 In useless, vague, and vapid sentiment ! I 
 
 Would love not grow thus, God bestowing more | 
 
 On " him that hath," until it sank to rest 
 
 Beyond the sky verge of the world of sense, 
 
 To shine in heaven with an intenser glow. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 And love is its own rich reward, as hate 
 
 Its own fell scourge, the vulture that strikes deep 
 
 Its beak into the vitals of mankind. 
 
 Miss Apsley. 
 
 True, and in other ways how much we lose. 
 What glorious thoughts are writ upon the world, 
 Had we the eyes to see, the souls to learn 
 The cryptograms of nature, and to read 
 The record of her doings, and her will ! 
 
 The younger Miss Apsley coniing up now. 
 Younger Miss Apsley. 
 
 Fearing you might have lost yourselves in depths 
 » , Of abstract love, I come to bring you back, 
 
 '^^ A thankless meddler, to poor common-place. 
 
 But, (addressing her sister) having eaten nothing, you 
 should now 
 
COLONEL AND MRS. HUTCHINSON. 47 
 
 Wend homeward and get somewhat to support 
 This clothes-horse of the body, else it may 
 Refuse to bear the lordly intellect 
 To heights unsoared to, and unsounded depths. 
 
 Miss Apsley. 
 
 You sunny-natured sister ! ever full 
 
 Of fun and raillery, how glad am I 
 
 To get back to your fun and wicked mirth. 
 
 Younger Miss Apsley. 
 
 And from all nuptial menacings ! But that, 
 Of course^ hath naught to do with our content. 
 
 \0n their return homeward Miss Apsley, seeing 
 some beautiful wildfloivers on a bank, steps 
 aside to pluck them. Whereupon Mr. 
 Hutchinson and the younger Miss Apsley 
 proceed together alone, w/ien asks 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 Your sister is not married ; is siie engaged ? 
 
 Younger Miss Apsley. 
 
 Hush ! no ; she is not. But some courtiers here 
 Were so importunate, and she wished so 
 To gratify her mother and her friends, 
 That she submitted to their every wish. 
 But feeling that, when so much was at stake, 
 She was not duty bound to yield her will 
 
 i 
 
 \r 
 
 V\ 
 
 
 ' I:fi 
 
 . V 
 
 iiiiliiiiiAaii 
 
. 48 THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 
 To friends, or even mother, she returned, . . 
 
 , ; ; • Heart whole and free, albeit much perplexed. 
 V • ■ :; But (looking at him earnestly) is it not strange? I talk to 
 
 ; ' you as to , 
 
 ' :''S'"-- A friend of years : but you have been so long ' , , 
 
 A true friend to me, and we've talked so much 
 
 About my sister, that I feel as if 
 
 I could confide all thoughts about her to you. 
 
 '*■'.,■ -,■■.. . ''• -^ " ' 
 
 \ Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 I ':, • ;' •; 
 
 r And you may do so, if I know myself. 
 
 ; " You say that she's perplexed ; pray tell me all. ' ' 
 
 I 
 
 (I 
 
 i 
 
 Younger Miss Apsley. 
 
 Where she loves not, she feels she cannot wed ; 
 Yet mother is not pleased, and she is such 
 A tender, gentle, pious, noble mother. 
 
 \Here Miss Apsley returns, holding up a beautiful 
 bouquet of flowers. 
 Oh, what a splendid bouquet ! Beautiful ! 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 A noble bunch. 'Tis beautiful, indeed. . ' 
 
 -'■'»■■_ 
 
 Miss Apsley. 
 
 What pity 'tis that they should ever fade. 
 
 That so much beauty's doomed to swift decay. / . . 
 
 ttmmHi 
 
COLONEL AND MRS. HUTCHINSON. 
 
 49 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson.. 
 
 Nature, great motb'^r of the living world, 
 Is only true to one love — ceaseless change, 
 And death reblooms in life, the affluent months 
 "With prodigal new loveliness unfold 
 Their rich variety of hue and form 
 To grace almost the circuit of the year. 
 
 Miss Apsley. 
 
 Our life hath too its ceaseless round of change, 
 Childhood, youth, manhood, and senility, 
 And then we drop into the silent grave. 
 And generations rise upon our dust, 
 And pass away in turn. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 Yet our life hath 
 A mightier significance, because 
 A discipline to fit us for the next, 
 And death the morning of our real life. 
 How blessed 'tis to know all ends not here, 
 But that the soul continuous with God 
 Lives through the boundless future, ever young. 
 'Tis wonderful how little we think on't. 
 
 i 
 
 Miss Apsley. 
 
 The present, with its cravings and its cares 
 
 Its interests, pleasures, passions, shuts out heaven, 
 
 in 
 
 !il 
 
 ■tan 
 
 .iMMili 
 
50 THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 
 And the poor chrysalis forgets his wings. 
 Habit determines most things in the world ; 
 We are its creatures, think and act by habit. 
 
 [Ilaving by this time arrived at Lady APbLEY*s, 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson and Miss Apsley enter; 
 
 while the younger Miss Apsley remains 
 
 outside. 
 
 Younger Miss Apsley. 
 
 Have I said too much ? Will he think I meant 
 More than I did mean ? Many, I fear, would. 
 But noble souls judge motives as they feel 
 The pulse of honour beating in themselves. 
 
 Yet are they not twin minds, and by the law 
 Of moral fitness mated, soul to soul, 
 And needing but propinquity to force 
 Attractive sympathy to consummate 
 The holy work of making twin souls one ? 
 But I shall leave it in the hands of Him 
 Who knows all, plans all, works all for our good. 
 
 \Exit. 
 
 Sir Thomas Hutchinson {alone). 
 
 My son : high time, indeed, that he was married. 
 What a surprise 'twill be, when he receives 
 My letter bidding him come back for this ! 
 And she's a maiden such as any man 
 Might well be proud of ; and the dowry, too, 
 Such as a prudent parent can approve. 
 
 iL 
 
t ■ 
 
 COLONEL AND MRS. HUTCHINSON. 
 
 He is, indeed, a fortune's favourite, 
 
 To have the whole thing cut and dry to hand, 
 
 Without a moment's trouble on his part, 
 
 But all provided by our loving care, 
 
 And he to enter in but, and enjoy. 
 
 And now that all is settled on both sides, 
 
 By them, and me, upon my son's account, 
 
 And but awaits the tying of the knot, 
 
 I look impatiently for his return. 
 
 51 
 
 Enter First and Second Gentleman. 
 Second Gentleman. 
 
 He's at her mother's constantly I know. 
 And in their daily walks they're somehow sure 
 To come together ; and her talk, all but 
 Dammed up to others, overflows to him. 
 
 First Gentleman. 
 
 It speaks her interest, and interest oft 
 
 Is love at birth, that in young hearts is fanned 
 
 Into a passion that absorbs the life ; 
 
 As straws that rotate first upon the edge. 
 
 Yet sucked at length into the maelstrom's heart. 
 
 Have you discovered any signs of love ? — 
 
 The eye is a strange tell-tale. 
 
 Second Gentleman. 
 
 I doubt if 
 She thinks of him save as a friend she trusts; 
 
 ill 
 
 m 
 
 \ 
 
 >^ V-. 
 
 nU*''^>0*l'|'>| *'' l**'* 
 
52 THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 
 Or dreams of love : but Jte may think of it, 
 And, ever near, hath opportunity 
 To pour all eager thoughts into her ear. 
 . Recall the interest he took in her 
 From our description ; how her image rose 
 Before his fancy, kindling the resolve 
 Of her acquaintance ; and though word or look 
 Is not on record, that could argue much, 
 Yet is their friendship of a kind that might 
 At any moment ripen into love. 
 
 First Gentleman. 
 
 When man and maiden with like souls are thrown 
 
 Together much, love, stealing in, is apt 
 
 To tie their young hearts with a true love's knot. 
 
 Their love, if love, will be of a high kind. 
 
 The love that's captive to each comely face, 
 
 That lightly kindles at each graceful form, 
 
 Is not the love that nature hath hived up 
 
 Within their breasts, and which they need scarce guard 
 
 For nature, ever careful of the work 
 
 On which her hand hath wrought with special care, 
 
 Hath herself taken that task upon herself. 
 
 Fencing their hearts with qualities so high. 
 
 That they are stirred scarce by the things that move 
 
 The lighter feelings of the common world. 
 
 Second Gentleman. 
 They are not demi-gods that you thus speaks 
 
; >'' ■-. 
 
 COLONEL AND MRS. HUTCIUNSON. 53 
 
 First Gentleman. 
 
 1 am not jealous, and I speak my mind. 
 He is a high-souled man,— I have observed him ; 
 And she a model of her sex, a rare 
 Accomplished, deep-souled, earnest noblewoman. 
 
 Second Gentleman. 
 
 Deep-souled and rare, no doubt ; but of the clay 
 Of which we common mortals are composed : 
 Rather self-conscious, stilted, stand-aloof, 
 Lofty, ungenial, wise beyond her years. 
 
 First Gentleman. 
 
 Pooh, pooh ! rehash the spite of envious dames 
 
 And jealous gendemen. I deem you are 
 
 In love with her yourself, and thus allow 
 
 Unworthy feelings to becloud your mind. 
 
 All have their frailties, some alloy of earth \ 
 
 But, with these drawbacks, bjth are sterling gold. 
 
 Pray take a glass of wine, 
 
 [Represents huu with one, which he drains ojff 
 Shake oif this chill. 
 Which threatens ague in so strong a mind. 
 If she love, or should love another, what ! 
 The world is wide enough : each had his chance. 
 Without foul play— I know it all— the game 
 Has gone against my friend. Another time, 
 When the true quarry shows, your hawk will fly 
 With stroke unerring, and bring down your bird. 
 
54 THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 
 , ... r Second Gentleman. 
 
 I do confess I did affect her much. 
 
 First Gentleman. 
 
 ^' Then bravely let your soul be just to her, 
 
 And, though a rival, also just to him. 
 Between them yet, so far as I can see, 
 ' There is no tie, save friendship and esteem ; , / 
 
 ; . Yet do I think 'tis like to be a match, 
 
 And matches, it is said, are made in heaven. — 
 What a bright morning ; let us take a stroll. 
 
 [Exeimt 
 
 ■ - ' Mr. H-jtchinson and Miss Apsley walking in the 
 garden. A servant brings him a letter^ which on 
 reading he turns deadly pale. Miss Apsley looks 
 . . much troubled, too. ".'/''"' 
 
 ■ '■'*■-*■•"■,■ ' . ' 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 No one is dead or ill ; but there is that ' 
 
 Within this letter which disturbs me much. \ 
 
 I must without delay my father see, 
 
 And hence must quit //«i'//(?ai-fl'«/ place until 
 
 {Breaks off suddeiily. 
 Yet who but God knows what the future holds? 
 But since I must immediately depart, 
 And dread farewells, please to excuse me to 
 
 — ^ — ^^^--.-, — — — .-^^■. 
 
COLONEL AND MRS, HUTCHINSON. 55 
 
 My Lady and your sister. Now adieu. 
 
 A Dieu, ^ Dieu, then : to whom else but Him ? 
 
 [He now hastens from the garden; Miss Apsley 
 
 moves slowly in the opposite direction towards 
 
 the house. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 My heart, give way not ! Oh, ye trembling knees, 
 Uphold me yet one moment ! And, you eyes, 
 Turn back not now, or you will all undo. 
 And I shall throw me at her feet. But, oh, 
 Why should I show her what is in my heart 
 Until I know if I may ask her love ? 
 
 Brave heart, good knees, firm eyes, one moment 
 more ! 
 But, heart, how weak thou art ! One little look ! 
 Just but one little look ! One look to see 
 If she is looking. Oh, thou traitor heart, 
 Think of Lot's wife ! One little look spoiled all. 
 Stop the sharp ears, hear not the prompting voice, 
 Of the weak heart. Do as Odusseus did ; 
 Or rather borrow, like the trembling Paul, 
 For weakness, strength ! Then courage take, my soul : 
 Be, be a Christian hero in God's name. 
 
 [Here seen to enter the inn yard in much per- 
 turbation : he addresses the ostler, 
 
 A coach and horses, Thomas, with all speed. 
 
 [Exeunt. 
 
 
 JL 
 
 'Vi 
 
56 THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 Miss Apsley in her room, very pale and trembling. 
 
 ' Miss Apsley. 
 What meant that letter with its dread contents, 
 Which o'er his features spread the hue of death ; 
 As if the blood, the outworks left, had rushed 
 To man the central fortress of the heart ? 
 
 [She appears lost in deep thought. 
 Could it be that^ But, if 'twere it, he loves, 
 And, if such bliss within the limit lie : 
 
 Of possibility, perhaps loves me. 
 
 He said in answer to my troubled looks, 
 " No one is dead or ill, bat I must see 
 Without delay my fatlier ; " adding this, 
 
 "And hence must quit this pleasant place until " ' 
 
 He called it " pleasant,'^ dwelling on the word 
 With lingering fondness seemingly, as if 
 He would convey, yet not convey, the thought. 
 That made it pleasant, leaving that to me, 
 An unsolved riddle. Oh that I could pluck 
 The heart out of it, and the future know ! ', 
 
 " Must quit," he said, "this pleasant place until " 
 
 And then broke off abruptly. Why break off? 
 
 Why not complete the sentence ? " Until " when ? . 
 
 " Until " to-morrow, or the knell of doom ? , t. 
 
 « Until " is meaningless, till informed by that 
 
 Which after comes. 'Tis a great hungry void, 
 
 In which conjecture myriad-fbid finds room, v . 
 
 And false and true on equal footing stand. 
 
 His last words were a prayer almost,—'* ^ Dieu ; " 
 
 rm>miiin'tv»mttt\i\\j»ttiii,imfiMimiiiMtii>mMa'it!mms* 
 
 _^ 
 
'* 
 
 COLONEL AND MRS. HUTCHINSON. 57 
 
 And without looking back — ah, that was hard — 
 Once, only once ; with long and rapid strides 
 He disappeared, and I was left alone, 
 Shivering and stunned with the great sudden blow, 
 And scarcely knew I how to reach my room. 
 My limbs had lost their power, and things appeared 
 To spin around me ; and the world, so bright 
 Ten minutes erst, to my poor burning brain 
 Grew into one long night of deepest gloom. 
 And here I'm now. O God, have pity on me ! 
 My heart feels breaking. Oh, my God, my God, 
 Shorten those fearful moments of suspense, 
 And bring him back to me, my own, my own. 
 Since Thou hast locked in love my heart in his ! 
 
 But why, in presence of his mighty grief. 
 Think of myself, of anything but him. 
 My darling with those wistful eyes so sad ! 
 My heart bleeds for thee, and my eyes are full 
 Of unshed tears, and my compassion's soft 
 As that of the young mother for her babe 
 Whose suffering is great, and in whose eyes 
 Pale death stands pitiless, prepared to strike. 
 While she in helpless agony looks on. 
 And memory recalls the smiles and ways 
 And artless sweet caressings of her child. 
 Whom she no more can warm in her great love. 
 Or take her sufferings upon herself. 
 
 And oh, my loved one, gladly would I take 
 Thy sorrows on myself. If I could ward 
 With more than mother's care thy precious life 
 
 ■''i 
 
 .III 
 
(yK 
 
 58 r//E TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 
 From suffering, I'd do it ; and rejoice 
 
 That I could shield thee from one passing pang. 
 
 [Exif. 
 
 Sir Thomas Hutchinson and his son are seen mr- 
 versing earnestly together. 
 
 Sir Thomas Hutchinson. 
 
 With beauty, means, position, and, withal, 
 The contract finished ! 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 Father, I cannot. 
 I love another, worthy of my love, — 
 How more than worthy ; and my heart is fixed, 
 Fixed beyond hope of change. I could not love 
 Another, having loved the angel whom 
 God hath, I trust, meant for my very own ; 
 And when you see her, you will think with me 
 She is a r'oman of a make of soul 
 Above tht. common ; living in a sphere 
 Of higher thought and feeling, nourished by 
 A richer aliment than of the earth. 
 
 It grieves me much to grieve you— oh, how much ! 
 But I cannot love and unlove at will. 
 
 Sir Thomas Hutchinson. 
 
 It disappoints me sadly ; but if she 
 
 Be all you say, and your heart's fixed on't 
 
 » •■■ff'ii-^r'fli iT'ilii i1>''-'i-'r'rtl',':rmm,'a'tt,-\'am'.-",\'riit^, A; 
 
uqi iMf|i|j|a^ii«||>iiUJ 
 
 COLONEL AND MRS. HUTCHINSON. 
 
 Beyond recall ; if other things combine 
 To make it all a parent can approve, 
 I must submit, and urge the true excuse. 
 Yet wish I much I had known this before. 
 But you've not told me who the lady is. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 Miss Apsley, daughter of the late Sir Allen, 
 Lieutenant of the Tower. Before I tell 
 My love to her, I tell it, Sir, to you. 
 
 Sir Thomas Hutchinson. 
 
 Of gentle blood, indeed ! Of this I'm glad, 
 And that you've been discreet and dutiful. 
 But how know you the lady will accept ? 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 I hope, I hope she will ; but till I made 
 My love known to my father, I would not 
 Make known my love to her and ask for hers ; 
 And for my duty I've a rich reward. 
 
 Sir Thomas Hutchinson. 
 
 Before I give to it my full consent, 
 Prudence enjoins the need of knowing more 
 Of matters which young ardent hearts o'erlook, 
 When love, the p , paints life all spring-time, 
 'Mid primrose banks in sunshine evermore. 
 But I shall not be overhard, if she 
 Be like what you, in your love's dream, believe. 
 
 59 
 
 w 
 
6o THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY Ot 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 With my whole soul, I thank you, nor shall soon 
 Forget the kindness you have shown in this. 
 1 know how hard it is to have our plans. 
 Prepared with care, and waiting but the crown 
 Of consummation, blasted in an hour 
 By him for whom, in love, they were designed. 
 
 Sir Thomas Hutchinson. 
 'Tis past, my son ; let's not recur to it. 
 
 % 
 
 Enter younger Miss Apslev in excitement. 
 Younger Miss Apsley. 
 
 " Why tarry so his chariot wheels ? " Oh, what 
 Can mean this lon^ delay? 'Tis now five days 
 Since his departure, and not e'en a line. 
 To say if he returns, or when ; or what 
 The cause of his departing. Better aught 
 Than this most wearing, torturing suspense. 
 I could just hate him ! Why not speak at once, 
 And let her know the worst. 'Twere better, yea. 
 To break the heart with a great sudden shock, 
 Than wear it slowly out with gnawing pain, 
 To kill at length as surely. Yet, when by 
 My better sense I'm ruled, I think not so. 
 But only when I look into those eyes. 
 And read the suffering imprinted there ; 
 
■y-rmr- 
 
 COLONEL AND MRS. J/UTCI/LXSON. 
 
 Vox hope, that feeds on scanty nourishment, 
 Dies not till starved outright, and blank despair 
 Closes all avenues, and walls in the soul 
 In utter hopeless darkness. 
 
 6i 
 
 Enter Footboy. 
 
 FOOTBOY. 
 
 Madam, please, 
 My lady wishes much to speak with you. 
 
 Younger Miss Apsley. 
 
 Please tell her ladyship I go at once. 
 
 [Exit Footboy, soon folloived by Miss Apsley. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson alone in the drawing-room at Lady 
 Apsley's, red and pale by turns, awaiting Miss 
 Apsley. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 In what a state of tremor wait I here ! 
 Where now is all the burning eloquence 
 With which the heart ran over as last night 
 I lay awake entranced, and longed for morn, 
 That I might pour my soul into her ear, 
 And show her how I loved her. But, alas, 
 Like a dry leaf upon a blasted oak. 
 That fluttering hangs, I tremble now to hear 
 
 {Her step is here heard upon the stairs. 
 
V. ) 
 
 :■) 
 
 62 THE TRUE AND ROMAN! IC LOVE-STORY OF 
 
 Her step descending ; and this coward heart 
 Beats like a frightened bird's ; and now I feel 
 
 [Her hand is on the door handle. 
 
 A deadly faintness creeping through my frame. 
 
 Would, oh, that I had seen her when last night 
 I came to tell her all, and from her lij^s 
 My sentence learn ; but v; ts, alas, debarred, 
 By her dear sister's dread to awake her then. 
 She had been suffering so the last few days 
 From sleeplessness, she said, and other ills, 
 And that she durst not awake her till refreshed 
 By the night's rest ; but that with early morn 
 She would be up, she knew, and glad to see me. 
 
 But now that she is coming, and her hand 
 Upon the very handle, all my strength 
 Is ebbing fast, and I feel faint and sink. 
 
 [As Miss Apsley enters, lie sinks, deadly pale, 
 into a chair. She, seeing him in such a state, 
 darts towards him, seizing both his hands ; 
 then rushes to pull the hell-rope, when his 
 alarm, lest she should ring it and bring in 
 the servatits and family, calling him in 
 some measure to himself, he cries — 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 Ring not the bell. Miss Apsley ; let no eyes 
 \ Save those, I trust, can pardon it, behold 
 
 This agony ot weakness. 
 
 m 
 
COLONEL AND MRS. HUTCHINSON. 63 
 
 Miss Apsley. 
 
 O my God ! ^ 
 Oh, let me go, I must this instant ring it — 
 You look so death-like — or my heart will break. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 No : ring it not, my angel. 
 
 [He starts in fright at the word he has dared to utter. 
 
 It is said ; 
 And I cannot recall it, and I would not. 
 The lips, however disciplined, sometimes 
 Will blurt the thought out which the heart is used to. 
 
 [He sees that she resents it not. 
 Now I feel better, now that it is spoke, 
 And that those eyes, so eloquent of truth. 
 Wear only pity ! Oh that it were love ! — 
 Such love, sweet angel, as I feel for thee. 
 Loved first, loved last, loved only, loved for aye. 
 
 Miss Apsley. 
 Oh, Mr. Hutchinson, in love with me I 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 " In love with " you ! " In love " is not the word. 
 When love's the very essence of the soul, 
 And it dreams, thinks, yea, only lives in love. 
 " In love with " you. The very air is charged 
 With your sole presence : yea, the turf your feet 
 Hath pressed, to me is hallowed evermore. 
 
 % 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 \ 
 
 :&lLkl^k:^].^^i^^i 
 
64 THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 
 The birds sing sweeter, and a healthier life 
 Pervades all being ; yea, the sun himself 
 Lights up the heavens with a rosier hue, 
 And sets more joyous, when my love is near. 
 
 Miss Apsley. 
 
 And I love you : love you with my whole heart. 
 
 \He clasps her in his arms and kisses 
 passionately. 
 
 her 
 
 ! ! 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 And now we're one ; now and for ever one, 
 Folded and locked in one life-long embrace. 
 Soul to soul wedded, heart to heart, and all, 
 Web and woof, knit into one seamless life. 
 
 \^He draws back, holding her at arm's length to 
 look into her eyes. 
 The blue empyrean with its crown of stars, 
 All nature in her holiday attire 
 Of perfumed beauty in her sweetest mood. 
 What are they to the beauty and the grace 
 Of heart and soul and person of my love ? 
 
 To heighten by comparison, all else 
 May be compared to her ; but the wide world, 
 With all the fairest, brightest things it holds. 
 Could shed no lustre on my peerless queen. 
 
 Thou to thyself art like the richest gem, 
 
 The sweetest flower, the noblest prize on earth. , . 
 
 (j 
 
COLONEL AND MRS. HUrCIHNSON. 
 
 65 
 
 Miss Apsley. 
 
 O dearer far than self and all the world, 
 With thirsty ear and soul I drink thy words, 
 Half-pained, half-ravished ; ravished to be loved 
 With such o'erflowing, boundless wealth of Icive ; 
 But pained to think that love is in the eye 
 Of the beholder, in his own rich heart, 
 In that fond idol of his own ideal, 
 Which like the halo round a saint-head, folds 
 The loved one in a robe all rainbow-hued. 
 
 Oh that the colours which your love lays on 
 May not rub out, by friction of the life, 
 And you behold the idol that you loved 
 An idol only, set up in a shrine 
 By the credulity that worshipped there. 
 
 \He smiles at the bare idea. 
 You smile incredulous ! — my loved one, smile. 
 It makes my heart so glad, I could not endure, 
 Whatever I may think or say, to lose 
 My darling's love. O God, my heart stands still 
 At the bare mention ; and my senses reel ; 
 And a cold, sickly faintness seizes me. 
 
 \She grows very pale. He clasps her in his arms^ 
 and fondly kisses her. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 Have no doubts, my belovbd, on that point ; 
 I've thought it all out, questioned myself on it ; 
 Put out my feelers, like a sceptic snail, 
 
 
66 
 
 THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 
 On every side, nor ever found a flaw 
 
 Which to my critic sense gave slightest pain. 
 
 I've marked the ways of women, and compared 
 
 Their ways and works and principles with yours, 
 
 And never changed a hair-breadth from the first. 
 
 I'm but too conscious of the littleness 
 
 Of the light souls of common womankind, 
 
 Not to be sure that she, my love, who deigns 
 
 To complement and crown my halting life, 
 
 Is of a finer, richer clay, and cast 
 
 In a far different and nobler mould. 
 
 You're too unconscious of your worth and power. 
 
 Perhaps, 'tis best. The grandest, richest minds 
 
 Are sometimes, too, the simplest, and know not 
 
 How great they are, but work and are content. 
 
 The mighty Shakespeare, in whose roomy brain 
 
 The whole world moved ; who knew us to the core ; 
 
 And painted life with such a free, bold hand. 
 
 Yet with a touch as delicate as bold, — 
 
 Think you he ever thought he stood alone, 
 
 The broadest, richest, clearest, calmest soul 
 
 The world had ever looked upon ? Far from't : 
 
 He was a workman in a work-day world, 
 
 Who did his work, and thought no more of it. 
 
 Miss Apsley. 
 
 How kind of you to proffer such excuse. 
 I see how 'twas : my mind was overwrought. 
 My happiness seemed too great to be true. 
 
I 
 
 COLONEL AND MRS. HUTCHINSON 
 
 Too great for this weak framework to support, 
 
 And changed almost to pain : but it is past. 
 
 'Twas but the cold turn of an ague-fit, 
 
 And shivering inly I grew pale with fear. 
 
 That you might wake and find my worth a dream. 
 
 But now I feel you love me for myself, 
 
 My very self — love me as I love you. 
 
 And nevermore, I hope, shall doubt intrude 
 
 To rob me of my joy. We are twin souls, 
 
 Struck at one mint, and fitted each to each. 
 
 Our love was, as our life, predestinate, 
 
 Sure, from the first, writ in the book of God, 
 
 That you be drawn with cords invisible, 
 
 And that in the long time we meet and love, 
 
 To bless, I trust, each other and the world. 
 
 We are the wards of Providence, and He 
 
 Who shaped our lives will shape them to the end. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 And now, my loved one, I am thine ; thou mine, 
 With all thy loveliness and wealth of soul. 
 My brain is all intoxicate : my heart 
 Wrapped in a wild delirium of delight. 
 And all the love of all the world condensed 
 Within the compass of this human heart. 
 Full, full to overflowing, is my cup. 
 
 Miss Apsley. 
 
 And mine is full, too ; it can hold no more. 
 My heart and all my pulses throb with joy. 
 
 67 
 
 
 :.'^" " 8 iii aB nra Site' 
 
68 THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 
 And, oh, to think such love was in reserve, 
 
 When 1 stood trembling on the very verge 
 
 Of that deep, yawning chasm, where buried lie 
 
 Such myriad bankrupt hopes ; and shuddermg looked 
 
 Into its hungry depths, nor could withdraw 
 
 My fascinated gaze : and all things looked 
 
 Wintry and ghast and horrible : but now 
 
 The sun is on the hill- tops of my soul. 
 
 And perfumed Spring, vocal with song, flower-crowned, 
 
 Enfolds the radiant world for evermore. 
 
 I walk on tiptoe. The whole round of earth 
 
 Holds not another happier than I. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 My love, my life, my beautiful, my all. 
 
 Say not, not so, my angel. There is one. 
 
 Oh, happier still, whom thy rich love hath dowered 
 
 With wealth of love that beggars all the world. 
 
 [Miss Apsley is here startled by hearing some one 
 calling. 
 
 Miss Apsley. 
 
 Oh, what can that be ? Yes ! I hear a voice 
 Of some one coming near, and must depart. 
 
 [Miss Apsley leaves with haste by the opposite 
 door; and Mr. Hutchinson by tJie open 
 i French-window, on to the verandah, and 
 
 thence to the lawn. . '• ' 
 
COLONEL AND MRS. HUTCHINSON 
 
 69 
 
 Enter Miss Apsley the younger, and Footboy. 
 
 Younger Miss Apsley. 
 
 Miss Colman ? Then, you take to her this book, 
 And tell her I'll be with ' very soon, 
 And take with me the not..gay as desired. 
 
 {Exit Footboy. 
 
 [She now proceeds, hat and shawl on, to enter the 
 room Mr. Hutchinson and Miss Apsley 
 had so abruptly quitted an instant before. 
 
 My mother and the footboy both affirm 
 That Mr. Hutchinson, although last night 
 He came to see my sister with such haste, 
 Yet has not come this morning 'Tis most strange. 
 My mother in her chamber overhead 
 Would certainly have heard the tramp of feet, 
 And voices, too, if he had come to her. 
 The footboy, too, scarce absent half-an-hour, 
 Tells me he has not seen him ; nor have I, 
 Though I left this "^v ^orty minutes since. 
 To get the book i nised to my friend ; 
 ■ So that 'tis cert - they have not yet met; 
 For, if they had, chey would not part so soon, 
 After so long an absence. This I'm sure of. 
 
 VPassing no7v out of the room and on to the lawn^ 
 
 she, somewhat si'^-^rised, beholds Mr. 
 
 Hutchinson alone, ^ s distance, sitting 
 
 in a garden-chair. 
 
 .,(, :j( >«w I Wtvn ■ w 'ife^-^ 
 
 iUfWlW ■**?*> ^=H'^ 
 
70 THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 Younger yiiss K^SL1L\. 
 
 What, here alone ! when, too, I cannot stay, 
 
 Having a call to make : but I will bring 
 
 My sister to you. Meanwhile pick a bunch 
 
 Of mossed-wreathed rosebuds and sweet eglantine, 
 
 And as in duty bound, present it to me, 
 
 When with her I return, that you may soar, 
 
 Untroubled by this madcap (powting to herself), who 
 
 spoils all. 
 Alone to all empyrean heights of thought. • 
 But what's the matter ? Whence this sprmg of joy, 
 This air of triumph, this exalted mien, 
 As if you stood great Coesar that flushed hour 
 In which on red Pharsalia's plains, the sun 
 Descending left him master of the world? 
 
 [Then in a pained and ifijtired to fie she adds. 
 
 The cause of this grand air I wholly fail 
 To apprehend. [Then aside she adds. 
 
 Nor do I love h\m for it. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 You mocking, laughing, wilful little sprite ! 
 Pray tell Miss Apsley, then, I wait her here. 
 
 [Then aside. 
 
 'Tis clear she is mistaken, and believes 
 I have not seen her sister, but I know- 
 Know it in every throb of heart and brain. 
 How she will laugh when we unriddle it. 
 
 [Exit younger Miss Apsley. 
 
!■,.:■; 
 
 COLONEL AND MRS. HUTCHINSON. 7i 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson {alone). 
 
 O God, she loves me ! oh the ecstacy 
 
 Of this blest hour, this morning of a life, 
 
 To be arched over with a heaven of love ! 
 
 Fly, fly, ye moments, till again I drink 
 
 Into my soul of souls these words of bliss, 
 
 Queen of my life, and hold thee to my heart. 
 
 And call thee mine.-0\ thought of rapture, mme ! 
 
 Sweet hallowed word, invented to distil 
 
 Into one drop the essence of all joys. 
 
 yExit. 
 
 Younger Miss Apsi.ev is seen passing through the drawing- 
 room in quest of her sister. Stopping suddenly with 
 head bent, and in sad, agitated tones, she says. 
 
 Younger Miss Apslev. 
 
 Is't right to cozen the poor tongue to speak 
 In cheery accents, when the heart is sore : 
 To look the lie, as when the frozen peak 
 Of some tall mountain counterfeits the fire 
 Of the great glowing orb that warms the world? 
 
 [Not finding her sister in the draiving-room, she 
 proceeds to her chamber, the door of which she 
 finds locked, and thinking that her sister 
 was too deeply wounded at the conduct and 
 absence of Mr. Hutchinson to allow her- 
 self to be seen, and so betray her emotion, 
 she speaks in a low voice from outside. 
 
 
72 THE TRUE AND ROMA.. TIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 
 My sister dear, I have a message for you. 
 
 {No answer returned. 
 
 My sister, do you hear me ? yes or no ? 
 
 Miss Apsley (/>/ a tremulous voice). 
 
 Yes, dearest, but I wish to be alone. 
 There are some matters which engage my thoughts, 
 And which I fain would think out quite alone. 
 After a little I will see you, dear. 
 
 Younger Miss Apsley. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson . . . {She tries to stifle her emotion. 
 
 He wishes me to say 
 He's in the garden. He would fain enjoy 
 A walk with you this morn, should you so please ; 
 He's picking flowers there for me for Miss Colman. 
 
 [Miss Apsley /r^;« within, with plain efforts to 
 calm down her agitation^ replies. 
 
 Miss Apsley. 
 
 Tell him, my dear, I'll see him presently, 
 But that I wish to be awhile alone, 
 As there are things to me of high concern. 
 On which I wish to gather up my thoughts. 
 
 {Exit younger Miss Apsley. 
 

 COLONEL AND MRS. HUTCHINSON. 
 
 73 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson is seen in a strange, pleased reverie among 
 the flower-beds on the lawn, but without a single flower 
 yet plucked, 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 I hardly can believe my happiness, 
 
 It is so great, so sudden. But the flowers ! 
 
 I wholly have forgotten them ; and here 
 
 She comes to claim them. Oh, what will she say? 
 
 Enter younger Miss Apslev. 
 Younger Miss Apslev. 
 
 My flowers 1 Ah, you've forgotten them, ingrate ! 
 
 What ! in a dream ! Why, what's the matter, pray ? 
 
 But I've no time for psychologies now, 
 
 Having immediately to see my friend, 
 
 And will not therefore plague you. But, Sir Knight, 
 
 Descend from your grand Pegasus, I pray, 
 
 To help a humble maiden in her task ; 
 
 But I must not forget— albeit some sprite. 
 
 From Lethe risen, seems to haunt this place - 
 
 How that my sister said she would be here 
 
 « After a little,'' but I saw her not. 
 
 Her door was locked, and she herself absorbed 
 
 By some near question, or some moving thought, 
 
 That filled her bosom ; for when first I called, 
 
 She answered not ; and when at length she spake, 
 
 Her voice, the echo of the soul intense. 
 
 '^i 
 
 f 
 
 
 .««?*■* 
 
 .. m.mm *» 
 
74 
 
 THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 
 And quivering with feeling, trembles so, 
 That one less used to it than I could see 
 No common feeling stirred it to its depths. 
 Thus you may see that she is in a frame 
 To sound the depths of things that move the soul, 
 But not — so far as I can reach to read 
 The thoughts that rise exultant in your breast- 
 To mate your spirit in its royal mood 
 Of grand, exuberant, overflowing life. 
 
 \Hehas meanwhile been picking the flowers, which 
 he now presents to her. 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 Thou fair, bright creature, sporting in the light, 
 And making all things brighter where thou art. 
 
 [^Then aside. 
 
 How wilt thou yet be sobered by great love, 
 Leaving thee tongue-tied, thought-tied to all else. 
 
 [Exit Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 Younger Miss Apslev. 
 
 Or where I am not ; and so, not shut out 
 The radiant glory of the full-orbed sun. 
 
 But oh, 1 can't divine what it all means ! 
 Something not common stirs within his breast. 
 This flush of countenance, this absent mood. 
 The eye bent inward on his own rapt thoughts. 
 And grand exultant air, as if he trod 
 
 ~tr- '^»'ffai*priia a mn m . i jii —m m ^ 
 
COLONEL AND MRS. HUTCHINSON. 
 
 7S 
 
 The common world beneath his lordly heel, 
 Betoken some deep movement of the soul. 
 Oh that it were as I have often hoped ! 
 For though it may not to herself have shaped 
 Itself into the form of conscious love, 
 Yet love— as morn so noiselessly steals in 
 Upon the world— hath stolen upon her heart, 
 Till her whole being's flooded with its waves. 
 Oh what will come of it, and what of her i 
 For since he left, what feverish unrest ! 
 A discontent of all which pleased her once : 
 A love of solitude, and of those haunts 
 Which they were wont together to frequent ; 
 A brooding eye on vacancy, as if 
 The soul reflected not external things. 
 But only the dear image of the past. 
 And held it there to feast the ravished sense, 
 Or to fill full her cup of misery. 
 
 Nor has his name escaped her since he left. 
 As if she feared to break down in the word. 
 Or that some tremble in the voice might draw 
 Attention .o her, or a blush suffuse 
 Her pallid cheek, and so, betray her heart. 
 
 And once I ^aw her crumple up that note, 
 And thrust it in her bosom, which he once 
 Had sent to her upon some classic theme, 
 With a few lines of interest towards the close, 
 And ending with the words, "your faithful friend," 
 And then his signature ; but which stepped not 
 Beyond the line of friendship and concern. 
 
 i 
 
 11 i 
 
 I -I 
 
76 THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 
 And now I know she wears it near her heart. 
 
 And when, these last t'.iree days, the door-bell rings, 
 She starts and flushes, and then locks her teeth 
 To hide her quivenng interest, and hangs 
 With eyes unmovcid u]>cn her book or work, 
 Until 'tis known at last that 'tis not he. 
 She hopes we see it not, but 'tis too plain. 
 Poor restless love-bird, how you miss your mate. 
 
 And oft, when fain she'd stifle it, the sigh 
 Bursts from the heart ; and I have marked at night 
 The lamp relighted, and have seen the page 
 They last had read together, folded down. 
 Where he had ceased the reading ; and the glove 
 Placed on it, which but yesterday she wore : 
 And Maro, taken from the dusty shelf, 
 Where long time it had lain, and the sad tale 
 Of love-lorn Dido re3 ' and read again ; 
 For though I turned back thrice the folded leaf, 
 So oft was it refolded ; and this morn 
 I marked the traces there of new-shed tears. 
 
 Yes, she loves him ; and, though he never spake 
 One word direct of love, he seemed to love her : 
 For love was iw his manner ; in his voice, 
 Which melted into music when with her ; 
 And his grand soul grew grander ; and his words 
 Broke high and full upon the shores of life ; 
 A.nd their hearts seemed to tremble on the verge 
 Of a confession of their mutual love ; 
 Yet the thin line was never passed by them. 
 Wtiat, if it were, because she feared to meet 
 
 IS, 
 
 i^^v«*.«<4m 
 
 iii g i'i x m 
 
COLONEL AND MRS. HUTCHINSON 
 
 77 
 
 His eyes this morning, lest she break down quite, 
 That her voice trembled so, or that she prayed 
 For strength to meet whatever might betide. 
 
 But men, they are so different ! and hence 
 His self-sufficiency ; his grand content 
 Which, while she pines uncertain, buoys him up. 
 Do we let more escape us ? Or have they 
 A sense of god-ship which we can't resist ? 
 
 Yet she is such a being of the skies, 
 In soul and form and feeling so divine, 
 A creature wove of sunbeams ; therefore one, 
 Lest such rare worth escaj.e him, to be wooed 
 With trembling apprehension. Yet he moves 
 On tip-toe confident, as if he felt — 
 If that, indeed, be what his mood implies — 
 That destiny had marked her for his own. 
 When he be pleased to intimate the wish. . 
 But what, if he dreams not at all of it ? 
 Oh, I could hate him, and not hate him, when 
 I think on this ; hate him and love him both. 
 But 'tis not like him, this triumphant air ! 
 Yet, oh, how much I'd give this hour to know, 
 That the sweet thought that gives his eyes their light 
 Was that my beautiful would be his bride. 
 
 But granting that he wished to win her love. 
 Why all this confidence, not knowing if 
 Capricious love would shuffle so the cards 
 As (0 deal out the highest trump to him. 
 
 Oh where is now the careless loy with which 
 We sisters rambled over hill and d'e, 
 
 
 
78 THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 
 
 And watched the swallows skimming o'er the meads, 
 
 Or stole upon the butterfly alight, 
 
 Or listened to the nightingale at eve, 
 
 Or gathered wild-flowers in the sunny brake. 
 
 Or viewed the glorious sunsets, while the lambs 
 
 Frisked round their mothers on the velvet sward, 
 
 Or watched the shadows chasing o'er the fields 
 
 Of golden autumn, or together sat 
 
 At eve in spring, beneath the pale green beech, 
 
 While she read to me, in her silvery tones, 
 
 Long glorious extracts from the mighty dead, 
 
 Of Greece and Rome ; and works of native growth, 
 
 Chaucer and Spencer, and the immortal bard 
 
 Whom nature for herself had made, to see 
 
 How looked her face reflected in his soul. 
 
 And to transmit the likeness to all times. 
 
 Above all, those of the great Hebrew stock, 
 
 Prophet and hero, statesman, thinker, bard. 
 
 Which like a broad-based pyramid still stands, 
 
 Unbroken and defiant of all time. 
 
 Oh, these were halcyon days, when, like the lark, 
 That warbled out his happiness to heaven. 
 Our spirits rose on wing of careless joy, 
 While at our feet in tufts the primrose bloomed, 
 Or violets peeped shyly from the shade. 
 
 Ah, what a contrast, the elastic step. 
 The beaming eye, the rippling, sunlit smile, 
 The flowing talk, the glory of these days. 
 Compared with her, whose introverted gaze, 
 Converged on one loved object, sees but him, . 
 
COLONEL AND MRS. HUTCHINSON. 
 
 79 
 
 Or listless moves, or silent sits and broods, 
 Or, when she talks, talks only from the lips, 
 Or stumbles in her words, and, ere she ends, 
 Forgets the very point she started from, 
 Nor can bring back her wandering thoughts to it, 
 And when she laughs she almost makes me weep, — 
 Like laughter in a sepulchre it seems. 
 It sounds so hollow, among dead men's bones ; 
 For when he left, he spoke no word of love, — 
 I read it in her eye, when she came in 
 From their last interview : and deeming him 
 A grand Apollo, who, from his proud heights 
 Might condescend to feel an interest 
 And form a friendship with an earth-born maid. 
 Nor dream of more than kindly sympathy ; 
 While her poor heart got netted o'er with love. 
 She weeps in secret, and scarce eats or sleeps. 
 And starts up in her dreams, and weeps again ; 
 The handkerchiefs she hid away this morn 
 Were soaked with tears, and the poor eyes all red. 
 And when he came last night, and looked 
 calm, — 
 But calmness, too, may be assumed, — and she, 
 Poor wounded bird, had just dropped off asleep, 
 I could not bring myself to tell her of it, 
 And so awake her from her one sweet sleep. 
 And when to-day I broke to her the news, 
 I durst not look into her eyes, but feigned 
 To pick up in her chamber this or that : 
 But casting in the glass a sidelong look, 
 
 so 
 
 If 
 
8o THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-. TORY OF 
 
 i! ^ 
 
 !<■; 
 
 I 
 
 t ■ 
 
 I caught the high excitement of her mood. 
 
 Yet when I whispered, through the fastened door, 
 
 He wished to see her, tightening in the vein 
 
 Of the wild feelings, she, with a forced calm, 
 
 Replied that she would see him presently. 
 
 And now, in fancy, I can see her facie — 
 
 The book was open at the page this morn-r— 
 
 All woeful, hanging o'er the blasted loves 
 
 Of Romeo and Juliet, resolved 
 
 To take the soundings of all depths of ill, 
 
 To drink her draught in spirit, dregs and all. 
 
 Before 'twas lifted to her lips to drain ; 
 
 To steel her heart for every shap'^ of woe. 
 
 But though 'tis long since, — for I've been away 
 An hour at least, — she still sits in her room. 
 Oh why is it that she will stay so lotig ? 
 Is't that she dreads the question to resolve, • 
 If yes or no. Great little words ! how much 
 Despair or joy do your brief sounds shut in ! 
 Yea, dreads it so that she had rather bear 
 The torture of suspense than dare the shock. 
 
 For now that he's returned, she well may feel 
 That she has neared a crisis, where the turn 
 Leads up to life, or downward to despair ; 
 That if his manner be, as be it must, 
 Courteous, considerate, sympathetic, kind, 
 But nothing more, Iter sun of hope hath set. 
 To rise no more upon a darkened world. 
 
 {Exit. 
 
I 
 
 COLONEL AND MRS. HUTCHINSON 
 
 8i 
 
 Enter Miss Colman. 
 
 Miss Colman. 
 
 She said she would be here soon ; but we lose, 
 By her delay, this beautiful spring morn. 
 
 J Enter younger Miss Afsley. 
 
 Younger Miss Apsley. 
 
 I'm sorry I have kept you waiting, dear : 
 But I have been unwillingly detained, 
 For, on my way here after getting this, 
 
 \She presents the bouquet. 
 
 Two gentlemen I met delayed me long. 
 
 * Miss Colman. 
 
 I thank you much, 'tis beautiful indeed. 
 And now I go to fetch my hat and gloves. 
 
 Younger Miss Apsley. 
 I will go with you. Then we'll take our walk. 
 
 \Exeunt. 
 
 i«ia3a!*..>ja£i. 
 
82 THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 
 Enter Mr. Hutchinson and Miss Apsley, taking have 
 of one another at the drawing-room door at Lady 
 Apsley's. • 
 
 y * Mr. Hutchinson. 
 
 And now, my darling, we must part again. 
 
 \He kisses her. Exeunt. 
 
 V. Enter First and Second Gentleman. 
 
 Second Gentleman. 
 
 We may, I think, regard the matter settled, 
 For twice since his return from his father — 
 Qler footboy saw theni^hid behind a tree)- 
 Have they been seen conversing earnestly, 
 With all that freedom and those tender signs 
 Which mark the intercourse of lovers only. 
 
 V First Gentleman. 
 
 Not well for you, but >ou must bear up under 't. 
 
 Second Gentleman. 
 
 I long had seen how 'twas, and had my mind 
 Made up to bear it, with what fortitude 
 A man can muster who was badly hurt. 
 Twas hard at first ; but I have learned to see 
 We scarcely should have fitted each to each ; 
 And incongruity in married life, 
 • With all its many jars, however slight, 
 
 ' 
 
 MilaiiHAidMMaifaiiHMaiMil. 
 
*^ 
 
 . 
 
 ': 
 
 r' 
 
 ll 
 
 COLOI^EL AS'D MRS. HUTCHINSON. 83 
 
 Grinds and wears down to merest commonplace 
 The deepest ingrained, most exalted love. 
 
 But I have met another, and to her, 
 Whose tastes and temper fit exactly mine, 
 I now am bound by every tie of love, 
 
 . First Gentleman. 
 
 And to your love for her. and love returned, 
 And wholly not, then, to philosophy, 
 May be attributed our perfect cure. 
 
 Second Gentleman. 
 1 know you are my friend, and tell you all. 
 
 First Gentleman. 
 
 I thought there must be something in the wind. 
 When you could view things in this prudent light ; 
 Now I can see how you can be so sane. 
 
 Philosophy is startling in its power 
 To cure a lover who is not in love. 
 So far, indeed, as my experience serves 
 There's nothing reconciles us to a loss 
 Like greater gain, — {aside) or real or imagined. 
 
 [He pours out a glass of wine for both. 
 I pledge you, dear philosophy, so able 
 To make us do the thing we like the best. 
 And yet thou art no fool, for thou persuad'st, 
 That what we like the best, is the best for us. 
 
 JflilitfMiliiraiiiMi tin ii 'iij-A'i'riiiiiiirfT'Viiiii' 
 
84 THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 
 But honestly, my friend, I'm pleased you're pleased, 
 And, on the whole, think you have chosen wisely. 
 
 \Exeunt. 
 
 i 
 
 Miss Apsley alone in her c/uimbet-, having had two 
 meetings with her lover that morning. 
 
 Miss Apsley (alone). 
 
 Is it a dream this ; or am I awake ? 
 
 " In love with me ; truly, in love with me ; " • 
 
 I am bewildered, " long in love with me ; " 
 
 Before he ever saw me e'en in love, 
 
 In love with the fair creature his own soul 
 
 Called into being and imagined me, 
 
 Which so enchanted him that when he saw 
 
 The blessed reality, he could not break 
 
 The strong enchantment, and, so, separate 
 
 Between me and the image in his soul. 
 
 Oh that he loved my very self! or, oh • ' 
 That I were that sweet angel of his dreams ! 
 Yet vows he that it is " my very self" — 
 Dear, cnerished thought, I cannot let it go — 
 " Myself and not another that he loves ; 
 •' My concrete self, this soul and face and form, 
 " Just as I am," he says, " and no poor ghost 
 " Of brain-born abstract qualities, but fne, 
 '• My own fresh genial self, touched into life . 
 
 " By the deft hand of nature, with the prnt 
 " Of her last kiss still warm upon my cheek " 
 I am ashamed ! Are men in love half-mad ? • 
 
i 
 
 COLONEL AND MUS. HUTCHINSON. 85 
 
 In a wild dream ? Then, may they ne'er awake ; 
 But if they should, shall we then have tu bear 
 The fierce recoil ? 
 
 Stript of the bright, warm hues, 
 In which his own rich poetry hath draped 
 This outward, inward nature, shall he yet 
 Wake to translate it into conunon prose. 
 O God, it cannot be ! I could not bear 
 To lose his love : to drop from earth to heaven. 
 Better for both of us he should dream on. 
 
 My darling, my soul's joy, so noble, good. 
 And pure, and true, and all the world to me. 
 To think that all this time he should have loved. 
 And I not know it, when I would have hugged 
 It to my bosom, warmed it in my heart. 
 And hid it in the inmost shrine of thought, 
 As the most precious jewel of the world. 
 
 O sacred bliss ! O ecstacy of love ! 
 Thou golden beam upon the crest of morn, 
 Flushing the orient of our life with joy, 
 And holding over us the golden bow 
 Of promise to continue to its close ! 
 
 And after all those tlreadful days and nights 
 Of torturing suspense, of doubts and fears, 
 To think that he is min ; and I am /us, 
 My own, my joy, my soul's soul, my life's life ! ' 
 
 One thing at least, sweet heart, I promise thee, — 
 Full, warm, devoted, changeless, holy love ; 
 And, twining round thy strength love's clinging arms, 
 Like oak and ivy we will ever grow. [£xi/. 
 
 4' 
 
86 THE TRUE AND ROMANTIC LOVE-STORY OF 
 
 Mr. Hutchinson alone in an testacy of delight, 
 Mk. Hutchinson. 
 
 O, subtle, permeating essence, Love ! 
 With what swift ease thou glid'st into the heart, 
 Steeping our being in a dreamy sense 
 Of holy rapture, thrilling every nerve 
 With new delight, and pulsing in the brain 
 With a wild fever of delirious joy. 
 
 But is't all true, or am I sense-deceived ? 
 Yet on this brain and heart each look and word • • 
 Is stamped in deepest lines, indelible, 
 And in that faithful chronicle I read. 
 And read again, and with new rapture dwell, 
 And ever dwell, with lingering fondness, on 
 The image of her sweetness ; on each smile, 
 And blush, and way of winning tenderness. 
 
 The fears, the hopes, the wild bewilderment 
 Of mutual love confessed, will ever flower 
 With all the freshness of a young romance. 
 The sweetest poem that was ever writ 
 By fervid child of genius, in his mood 
 Of highest inspiration of the heart. 
 What is it to this poem of my life ? 
 With its aroma fresh, the flower of love 
 Lives only in the garden of the heart, 
 Nor can the subtlest alchemy of thought 
 Transfuse its vital spirit, perfume, grace, 
 Into the vulgar vehicle of words. 
 
 Sweet angel ! is she not as good as fair, 
 
 , 
 

 , COLONEL AND MRS. HUTCHINSON. 
 
 And wise as good ; artless and frank as wise ; 
 
 And though adorned with rare and varied gifts 
 
 Of intellect and fancy, yet as if 
 
 A denizen of some far higher sphere ? 
 
 In her large heart our narrow interests found 
 
 No kindred aliment — her wider range 
 
 And subtler power of vision gender not 
 
 The giddy vanity that spoils all gifts. 
 
 But yet how rich in tri'.;ist womanhood ! 
 In the deep sympathy that deeper sees 
 Than intellect hath fathomed ; in the force 
 Of deepest, purest, self-forgetting love. 
 
 And she is mine, — this noble woman's mine ! 
 With all her graces, gifts, and tenderness ; 
 My own, my own for ti'er f Gracious God, 
 May I prove worthy as I prize Thy gift ! 
 
 87 
 
 * . I 
 
 By a Puritan who knew them, and outlived 
 
 them both. 
 
 And they lived nobly ! It was such a life 
 
 As the great creatures of the world have lived : 
 
 A life of earnest purpose and high aim, 
 
 And brave endeavour, and enduring love — 
 
 The love of lofty natures, which had struck, 
 
 Like the strong oak, its roots into the soil 
 
 Of the deep heart : and when the tempest howled, 
 
 And shook the trunk, it clung the tighter, till 
 
 Twas blasted by the lightnings. Then the sap 
 
 Dried up on one side, and the twin-soul lost 
 
11 COLONEL AND MRS. IIUTCnTNSiON. 
 
 The half it valued most ; but still endured 
 
 To live to raise a monument to him, 
 
 Her loved, her ail-but worshipped beautiful, 
 
 To last while men have hearts, and women tears : 
 
 And to herself, unconsciously, through him : 
 
 For all the love she lavished on his soul 
 
 Bends back its rays of radiance on herself. 
 
 It was a life fought bravely to the last, 
 Where conscience, magnetized by fear of God, 
 Kept trembling constant round the star of Right. 
 
 And their bright spirits, passed behind the veil. 
 Have left the ijrints of glory where they trod, 
 A legacy of blessing to the world. 
 
 If there were spots, 'twere spots upon the sun, 
 Lost 'mid the splendours of a whole bright life. 
 
 ■f 
 
1