But Sophie's condition seemed steadily to improve, and, by the morning
of the 30th, the professor apprehended no danger but from imprudence.
That she should attend Abbie's party was, of course, out of the
question; but there was no longer any obstacle in the way of Cornelia's
availing herself of the entertainment, if she were so inclined.
Deadly and immitigable as woman's purpose is often represented to be, it
may, especially before she becomes thoroughly hardened to crime, be
swayed by shades of feeling or sentiment which would appear, to a man,
ridiculously trifling, and which, indeed, she could not herself explain
or calculate upon; and there is the more likelihood of this, in
proportion to the depth to which her emotions and affections are
involved in the affair. As to Cornelia, there are no means of
determining whether she ever wavered in her designs against her sister's
happiness, and her friend's constancy, or not; she, at any rate, decided
to go to the ball, and even condescended to accept Mr. Reynolds's tender
of his escort thither. There are a host of respectable motives always on
hand for such occasions, and Cornelia might be going either from a
curiosity to find out whether Bressant would return, and in order, if
so, to bring her sister the latest news; or, to obtain relief from the
monotony of home-life; or, to oblige Abbie, who counted upon her
appearance; or, to display her ball-dress, cut after the latest New-York
pattern; or, all these small matters may have been the wheels whereon
rolled the invisible car, but for which they would not have existed.
As she was attiring herself, Sophie, who was seated in her deep
invalid-chair, looking at her, was seized by an uncontrollable longing
to put on her wedding-dress, and satisfy her mind as to its being a good
fit. There it lay, upon the sofa, and nothing could be easier than just
to slip into it. Cornelia, absorbed in her own crowded thoughts, never
dreamed of opposing the idea, and lent all necessary assistance to carry
it out. It was not until Mr. Reynolds had sent up word that the sleigh
waited at the door, and, gathering up her cloak and tippet, she had
kissed Sophie, left her, and was hurrying down-stairs with rustling
skirts, that she realized that she had given her parting salute to one
dressed as a bride!