  UNMASKING! A few mornings after the party, both Wallace and Francis had a long and confidential interview with Mr. Hazleton, which resulted in the penning of a letter by the former to Mrs. Churchill, not, however, without the consent of the blushing Alice. Mr. Hazleton then went in search of his wife, whom he found absorbed in reflections which, could he have read her heart’s frivolous page, he would have found not at all flattering to himself. “Ah, my dear Anna, I have news for you! Who would have thought young Wallace so much in love!” “Ha! why what is it, Mr. Hazleton?” demanded his lady, eagerly. “Why that he has this morning proposed.” “Indeed! and to you—I should have thought—but no matter, I am truly rejoiced at the dear girl’s good fortune—however, I think it would have been more proper if Wallace had spoken to me first.” “I don’t think so, my dear,” said Mr. Hazleton. “No, I dare say not,” replied the lady, evidently piqued; “it is to be sure a mark of respect to your—your years.” “On the contrary, I think it a mark of respect to Mrs. Churchill.” “Mrs. Churchill!” exclaimed Mrs. Hazleton, “what has Mrs. Churchill to do with Herman Wallace’s proposals for my daughter?” “Nothing at all—but a great deal to do with his proposals for her own.” “What! Alice Churchill! You don’t mean to say that Herman Wallace has made proposals of marriage to her!” “Certainly I do—and I have given my consent with all my heart, and I doubt not, from my representations, her mother will also give hers.” “He is a villain!” exclaimed Mrs. Hazleton. “Have all his devoted attentions come to this? My poor Julia! has he been trifling with her affections merely for his own amusement—and has he now the audacity to offer his hand to another!” “I thought you were aware, my dear,” said Mr. Hazleton, mildly, “that the affections of Julia were already given to a very deserving nephew of yours.” “Ridiculous, Mr. Hazleton! I should like to see Julia disposing of her affections without my consent. Pray, where did you hear this nonsense?” “From Julia herself,” answered Mr. Hazleton. “She would have made a confidante of you, Anna, but you would not listen to her. She has acknowledged to me, therefore, her long attachment for Frank Reeve, and has requested me to intercede with you to sanction their engagement.” “That I will never do,” cried Mrs. Hazleton, in a towering passion. “What!—consent to her marrying a poor midshipman? No, never!” “No matter if he is—he shall never marry Julia Ketchim!” “She loves him, my dear, sincerely,” interposed Mr. Hazleton. “It has been an attachment since childhood—would you break her heart?” “Yes, I would—before I would consent to her becoming his wife.” “But, my dear, will you not see your nephew, and let him plead his own cause? Do, my dear, reflect upon the consequences of what you are now doing.” “No, Mr. Hazleton—I tell you I will not see him, and I have already forbidden Julia. If it had not been for him, and for the artful machinations of your Mr. Hazleton could swallow a great deal, and he therefore swallowed this, though with something of a take-physic face. He then resumed: “Since such, then, is your firm decision, I feel more free to inform you that the friend of Mr. Wallace, Mr.?——” “Francis.” “The same—has also requested permission to pay his addresses to Julia.” “Ah, indeed!” and now Mrs. Hazleton began to look pleased again. “He is an old friend of Wallace,” continued Mr. Hazleton—“is of a good family—has great expectations, I am told—and, for my own part, I see no reasonable objection against encouraging his addresses—that is, if Julia herself can be persuaded.” “I shall take care of that, Mr. Hazleton. Thank Heaven! the Ninnybrains are no such obstinate people as some other people I could name. None of my family ever married against the wishes of their friends, as some other people’s friends have done! Julia will receive Mr. Francis—I shall command her to do so.” And as Julia had made up her mind to be henceforth very dutiful to ma’ma, she promised, like a good girl, to transfer all her affections from Cousin Frank to Mr. Francis, and most submissively and demurely consented to receive his visits. The wooing sped rapidly, and the happy day was already appointed for their nuptials, when Julia took an unaccountable freak in her head that she could not be married unless Cousin Frank was present at the ceremony! Mrs. Hazleton ridiculed—Julia insisted—and finally Mrs. Hazleton concluded to do the amiable, and wrote: “Dear Nephew— “I hear you have been in town some weeks. Am surprised you have not paid your respects to your aunt and cousin. Julia will be married to-morrow morning at half-past eleven. Shall be happy to see you. “Your affectionate aunt, “Anna Hazleton.” “To Mr. Francis Reeve.” How brightly dawned the morning—how lovely looked the fair young bride—how happy the bridegroom, dear reader mine, determine in your own mind. Every one seemed particularly happy, but no one more so than Mr. Hazleton—although several times, with a very grave face, he demanded of the blushing bride if Cousin Frank had not come yet? Alice, whose return home had only been postponed that she might be present at her friend’s wedding, stood by the side of Julia, while Wallace performed the same pleasing office for his friend. And now the priest has blessed them. Mrs. Hazleton has gracefully folded her daughter to her bosom, and turned her cheek modestly to the salute of her son-in-law. The carriage whirls to the door—tender adieus are interchanged, and with a “blush on her cheek and a tear in her eye,” Julia is borne off by the exulting bridegroom! As the carriage rolled from the door, Mrs. Hazleton sank down on the sofa, and folded her hands, and threw up her beautiful eyes complacently, exclaiming— “Thank Heaven! my duty to Julia is done—she is off my hands! She has certainly made a most eligible match—as Lady Lackwit, who married into the Ninnybrain family in the reign of George the Second, observed——how, a letter for me?—where did you get it, John?” “The postman just brought it, ma’am.” Mrs. Hazleton broke the seal and read: “Dear Aunt— “Your invitation to Julia’s wedding was received—was accepted. And you did not know me, dear aunt—nay, you would not know me! You could trust your daughter’s happiness to a stranger, but not to one whom she has known and loved from childhood! The fond hopes of years you could recklessly destroy, uncaring for the anguish you might inflict—or of your daughter’s peace of mind—wrecked perhaps forever! All this you could do. But to assure you that your child’s happiness will be safe in the hands of your chosen son-in-law, I gratefully acknowledge myself that happy person! “Your affectionate nephew and son, “Francis Reeve.” “P. S.—Julia sends her dutiful love.”
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