The Temptation! CHAPTER 4
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"You look troubled, dear," said Mr. Algeron, on meeting his wife, that evening. "Is anything the matter?"
"I feel troubled," was the reply in a serious voice. "The Marklands give the next party, and the invitations have already gone around."
"The Marklands? It isn't possible!" And a dark shadow passed over Mr. Algeron's face.
"Yes — it is too true. And, what is worse, we shall have to go. We cannot hold back, now. But my heart trembles for the consequences."
"It is now clear that we were wrong in not acting out our sober convictions in regard to Sidney Markland," Mr. Algeron said. "If we had excluded him, as he ought to have been excluded — he would never have had the opportunity which that occasion gave him, of ingratiating himself into Margaretta's good opinion, as he has too evidently done. There is no calculating, now, the consequences of that lack of resolution on our part, which prevented us from acting right from a clear conviction of right. It was our duty to have considered the well-being of society — to have acted for the general good as well as for our individual welfare — to have guarded our neighbor's household treasures, as well as our own. But, we were afraid to stand up, in the simple dignity of true principles — to do right for the sake of right. And upon our own heads, is threatened to be visited, the penalty of our lack of that moral courage which sustains everyone in true courses of action. How different was the conduct of Mr. and Mrs. Turner! Can either of us blame them for promptly withdrawing their daughter from an atmosphere poisoned by the breath of a man like young Markland? No! I, for one, honor their firmness, and approve their conduct!"
"But, perhaps, we are, after all, giving ourselves unnecessary fear," Mrs. Algeron suggested. "Henry Turner seems a good deal interested in Margaretta. I noticed that he was with her, on the night of the party, more than with anyone else; and you know he has called here twice since to see her."
"Yes — I know that. But Margaretta is young, and not capable of seeing far below the surface. The brilliant conversation and attractive manners of Markland will make a more ready impression upon her — than possibly can the calm, dignified, somewhat cold exterior of the other. I observed her closely at the party, and saw her eye brighten, and the whole expression of her face kindle with a new animation, when Markland came up to her and Henry Turner, and, with the ease and polite grace of a Chesterfield, took her away from him."
"And you say Margaretta seemed pleased?"
"Oh, yes! It appeared to me that she was like one passing from a frigid atmosphere, into a warm room."
Neither of the now unhappy parents of a fondly loved child, whom their own lack of firmness and failure to adhere to just principles of action had placed in imminent danger, spoke for some time. Each became lost in painful thought; and each was vainly searching about for some way of escape from the dilemma in which they found themselves. At length, Mr. Algeron said, respiring deeply as he spoke —
"There is but one way. And that is to imitate Mr. Turner. That he is right, all must admit — and all do admit, except such as feel a bearing of his conduct upon themselves or families, in some degree, intimate or remote."
"But that is impossible now," returned Mrs. Algeron, gloomily. "We gave the first party, and invited all the Markland family. They give the second. Now, with what kind of grace can we decline going to their house, on their son's account!"
"Do you wish to see your child the wife of Sidney Markland?" Mr. Algeron asked, with a sudden and bitter emphasis.
"No!" was the quick reply. "I would rather see her dead!"
"Then, is any sacrifice too dear which will save her from such a fate?"
"No! none that we have a right to make."
"Haven't we a right to stay away from all companies contaminated by Sidney's presence?"
"I suppose we have."
"Then let us be true to our trust. We have committed one error. Timely caution may prevent its proving a fatal one — fatal to our peace — fatal to the happiness of our child. Why should we hesitate a moment, when there is so much at stake?"
"We should not," was the half-reluctant admission of Mrs. Algeron.
"Then we must not. Let us meet all the trifling consequences of a firm adherence to a right course. The way of duty, is the only way of safety."
When excited, Mr. Algeron was a man who felt strongly and thought clearly. At other times, he was led by the general customs of the society in which he moved, and inclined to beinfluenced by the good opinions of others. He was now strongly excited by the vivid perception he had of his child's danger. But this excitement soon wore off, and he began to waver in his mind as to whether it would do for them to pass by the invitation of the Marklands. Finally, after much anxious thought and discussion, it was concluded to attend the party, with their daughter. But to let it be the last, if there were any appearances of too close an intimacy between the young couple.
In the mean time, the mother fully exposed to Margaretta the despicable character of Sidney Markland, as a guard against his advances. Little did they think, that even at the very time they were thus endeavoring to protect her from the fowler's snare — that she was entangled almost inextricably in its meshes! But it was, alas! too true. They had opened the door for the tempter to enter.
Fully aware of what they were doing, and, after reflection on the subject, they had deliberately said to the destroyer of innocence, "Come in among us!" And he had come. They hoped to guard their own child from his allurements. But she had been first won by them. And already her young heart had thrilled to words of tenderness and love. In vain, then, did Mrs. Algeron endeavor to paint Sidney Markland in his true colors. The heart of the daughter rejected the picture, as a counterfeit presentment of one who could not be thewretch her mother would gladly make her believe him to be. At the first disparaging allusions to him, she ventured a mild defense. But this she saw reasons to waive. Her silence, however, took nothing from her good opinion of her traduced lover — for such he had ventured to declare himself on their third meeting in Chestnut Street.
On the day previous to the evening on which the Marklands' party was to take place, Mr. Turner came into the store of Mr. Algeron, and asked for a private interview. As soon as he was alone with Mr. Algeron, he said,
"You must pardon me, my dear sir, for the liberty I am about to take. But I am a father, and, therefore, I feel with every father, and cannot see a maiden in danger and keep silent with a clear conscience."
"My dear sir! What do you mean?" exclaimed Mr. Algeron, with a look and tone of alarm.
"Are you aware that your daughter is to be found, almost every day, in Chestnut Street, in company with Sidney Markland?"
"Impossible!" ejaculated Mr. Algeron, turning pale.
"It is too true, sir. I have seen them together three times within the past week, myself, and have heard others allude to the fact. Were it my daughter, I would thank the man who told me, with my whole heart — and I have therefore done to you — just as I would wish to be done by."
"I can hardly believe it!" said Mr. Algeron, mournfully, as he laid his head upon his hands, in momentary bodily prostration from the sudden and painful shock occasioned by this distressing news, "that my daughter has thus deceived us. It is so unlike her. From her earliest years she has acted towards us without disguise."
"But have you had no reason to suspect that something was wrong?"
"We knew that the young man wished to visit her, for he has called some three or four times at our house. But since his first visit, we have not permitted Margaretta to see him. Strange! that in the course of a single evening, he should have made so indelible an impression upon her mind."
"He is, perhaps, one of the handsomest and most fascinating young men in this city. As much confidence as I have in my own daughter, I would no more trust her — young, innocent, and susceptible, in his company — than I would with a devil! He seems to possess the power of charming, like a serpent. It was because you invited him to your house, that I left it with my family, as soon as I discovered that he was there. And, even in the short time my child was present, he found his way to her side. Already had I made up my mind that I would mingle in no social circle where he was invited to come."
"Would to Heaven I had acted as wisely!" said Mr. Algeron, with bitterness. "I saw as clearly as you did, the necessity of excluding that young man, and all like him — but had not themoral courage to act out my clear convictions of right. Dearly, it seems, I am about to pay for my criminal weakness!"
When Mrs. Algeron, to whom her husband communicated, immediately, the painful news he had learned from Mr. Turner, opened the matter to Margaretta, the maiden replied only by a flood of tears, confirmatory of the truth of the allegation. But she made no effort to justify herself, nor could her mother extort from her a promise not to see the young man again. She was deeply distressed, but not penitent in regard to her conduct. The only thing she said, was in reply to a sweeping declaration in regard to Markland's character.
"He is not the wretch you would have me believe him, mother."
This was uttered in a firm tone of voice.
"He is without honor, principle, or any shade of moral honesty!" returned Mrs. Algeron, warmly.
"To me he is honest, mother — towards me, his intentions are honorable. I can judge him no farther."
There was, in the manner in which this was said, a something which caused Mrs. Algeron to cease further remonstrance. She felt that it would be worse than useless, and tend to confirm Margaretta in her mad infatuation. Leaving her alone in her chamber, she sought her husband and related to him the result of her interview. Never had either of them, in all their previous lives, found themselves in such a strait — never had any affliction which had befallen them, so utterly prostrated their mental energies — so deeply wounded them as this. And, added to their pain of mind, was the rebuking consciousness that they alone were to blame for the whole of this. That all the wretchedness which must inevitably be their daughter's portion, if she should finally wed, in spite of them, this profligate young man, who was altogether incapable of truly loving one like her — must be chargeable to them!
The only thing they could now do was to take such judicious courses, to prevent their daughter from again meeting young Markland, as seemed best calculated to effect that end, and trust to time to efface the impression he had made upon her feelings.
Of the brilliant company that graced the splendid parlor of the Marklands, neither themselves nor daughter formed a part. Sidney looked through the bright group of female loveliness, in vain for her whom he had determined to win. Her heart he already possessed, as he knew by her own frank confession. Her hand must next come. On that he had resolved. At first, he was attracted by her sweet beauty — then he was stimulated in the pursuit by the evident determination of Mr. and Mrs. Algeron to keep him from associating with her — and confirmed in this by her own innocent confessions of the truth in regard to both her own and her parents' feelings.
"The Algerons are not here, Kate," said he to his eldest sister, after the evening had more than half worn away, and he had become satisfied that they would not come.
"Sure enough, Sid! I wonder what can be the meaning of it?" Kate returned, in some surprise.
"I think I know," replied the young man, compressing his lips, and looking grave.
"Explain it to me."
"I will, tomorrow."
"Why not now?"
"It will take too much time; and besides, I wish to have a talk with you, alone, in regard to a matter in which I feel a deep interest."
"Does it concern Margaretta Algeron?"
"It does. But here comes two or three pretty chatterboxes, and I am in duty bound to entertain them. Tomorrow, I will have a long talk with you."
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