The Two Husbands CHAPTER 3
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"The old fashioned way of attaining eminence," Charles Wilton replied, assuming an attitude and speaking out truly the thoughts that were in his mind; "by plodding on with the emmet's patience, and storing up knowledge, grain by grain — brings not the hoped for reward, now. You must startle and surprise. The brilliant meteor attracts a thousand times more attention, than the brightest star that shines in the firmament."
"You are trifling, Charles."
"Never was more in earnest in my life. I have made up my mind to succeed; to be known and envied. And to gain the position of eminence I desire — I mean to take the surest way. The world will be deceived, and, therefore, they who would succeed must throw dust in people's eyes."
"Or, in other words, deceive them by pretension. Charles, let me warn you against any such unmanly, and, I must say, dishonest course. Be true to yourself and true to principle."
"I shall certainly be true to myself, Walter. For what do we toil over dry and musty law books in a confined office, months and years — if not to gain the power of rising in the world? I have served my dreary apprenticeship — I have learned the art and mystery, and now for the best and most certain mode of applying it."
"But, remember your responsibility to society. Your — "
Nonsense! What do I, or anyone else — care about society? My motto is, Every one for himself, and the devil take the leftovers. And that's the motto of the whole world."
"Not of the whole world, Charles."
"Yes, of the whole world, with, perhaps, the single, strange exception of Walter Gray. And he will be flung to the wall, and soon forgotten, I fear."
"You jest on a serious subject, Charles."
"I tell you, Walter, I am in earnest," Wilton replied with emphasis. "He who would be ahead, must get ahead in the best way possible. But I cannot linger here. It is now nearly night; and it will take me fully two hours to prepare myself to meet Miss Cara Linton. I must make a captive of the dashing maiden this very evening." And so saying, he turned, and left the office.
That evening, amid a mirthful and fashionable assemblage at Mrs. Merton's, was to be seen the showy Charles Wilton, with his easy, and even elegant manners, attracting almost as much attention as his vain heart could desire. And the quiet, sensible Walter Gray was there also, looking upon all things with a calm, philosophic aspect.
"Your friend Mr. Wilton is quite the center of attraction for the young ladies, this evening," remarked Jane Emory, who was leaning upon the arm of Walter Gray, and listening with an interest she scarcely dared confess to herself, to his occasional remarks, which indicated a mind active with true and healthful thought.
"And he seems to enjoy it," replied Walter, with a pleasant tone and smile.
"Almost too much so, it seems to me, for a man," his companion said, though with nothing censorious in her manner. She merely expressed a sentiment, without showing that it excited unkind feelings.
"Or for a woman, either," was the quick response.
"True. But if pleased with attentions, and even admiration — may we not be excused?"
"O, certainly. We may all be excused for our weaknesses; still they are weaknesses, after all."
"And therefore should not be encouraged."
"Certainly not. We should be governed by some higher end than the mere love of admiration — even admiration for good qualities."
"I admit the truth of what you say, and yet, the state is one to which I have not yet attained."
Walter Gray turned a look full of tender interest upon the maiden by his side, as she ceased speaking, and said in a tone that had in it much of tenderness,
"You express, Miss Emory, but the feeling which everyone has, who truly desires the attainment of true excellence of character. We have not this excellence, naturally, but it is within the compass of effort. Like you, I have had to regret the weaknesses and deficiencies of my own character. But, in self-government, as in everything else, my motto is, Persevere to the end. The same motto, or the same rule of action, clothed in other words, perhaps, I trust — nay, I am sure, rules in your mind."
For a few moments Jane did not reply. She feared to utter any form of words that would mislead. At length she said, modestly,
"I try to subdue in me what is evil, or that which seems to me to act in opposition to good principles."
Before Walter Gray, pleased with the answer, could frame in his mind a fitting reply — Charles Wilton, with Cara Linton on his arm, was thrown in front of them.
"Has Walter been edifying you with one of the Psalms of David, Miss Emory?" said Wilton, gaily. "One would think so from his solemn face, and the demure, thoughtful expression of yours."
Neither Walter nor his fair companion were what is called quick-witted; and both were so checked in their thoughts and feelings, that neither could, on the moment, fitly reply.
"O, I see how it is," the mirthful young man continued. "He has been reading you some of his moral homilies, and you are tired to death. Well, you must bear with him, Miss Emory, he will learn better after awhile." And the young man and his thoughtless companion turned away laughing.
For a few moments the disturbed thoughts of Walter and his fair friend, trembled upon the surface of their feelings, and then all was again as tranquil as the bosom of a quiet lake.
Enough has now been said, to give a fair idea of the ends which the two young men, we have introduced, set before them upon entering life. Let us now proceed to trace the effects of these ends; effects, which, as a necessary consequence, involved others as much as themselves.
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