This, she persisted, she
was the more ready and willing to do, because her daughter's
education having been some months completed, under the
best masters, there was now no anxiety on her account,
other than what might arise from her own sense of the
contemplated change.
Maria Heywood was accordingly summoned to the consultation
--made acquainted with her father's position, and the
necessity for his instant departure from that section of
the country--and finally told that with her it rested to
decide, not only whether he should go alone, but if they
accompanied him, whether it should be to Europe, or to
the Far West.
"Rest with me to decide!" exclaimed the warm-hearted girl
as she threw herself into her mother's arms. "Oh, how
good of you both thus to consult me, whose duty it is to
obey. But do not think that it is any privation for me
to leave this. I cannot claim the poor merit of the
sacrifice. I have no enjoyment in cities. Give me the
solitude of nature, books, and music, and I will live in
a wigwam without regret."
"Dear enthusiast," said Mrs. Heywood, pressing her fondly
to her heart; "I knew well in what spirit would be your
answer.
Pages:
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181