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diff --git a/13576-h/13576-h.htm b/13576-h/13576-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a0899d9 --- /dev/null +++ b/13576-h/13576-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,3037 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Poor Gentleman, by Hendrik Conscience</title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + P { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + } + HR { width: 33%; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + } + BODY{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .note {margin-left: 2em; margin-right: 2em; margin-bottom: 1em;} /* footnote */ + .blkquot {margin-left: 4em; margin-right: 4em;} /* block indent */ + .pagenum {position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right;} /* page numbers */ + .sidenote {width: 20%; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 1em; font-size: smaller; float: right; clear: right;} + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span {display: block; margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em;} + .poem .caesura {vertical-align: -200%;} + hr.full { width: 100%; } + a:link {color:#0000ff; + text-decoration:none} + link {color:#0000ff; + text-decoration:none} + a:visited {color:#0000ff; + text-decoration:none} + a:hover {color:#ff0000} + pre {font-size: 8pt;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13576 ***</div> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Poor Gentleman, by Hendrik Conscience</h1> + <hr class="full" /> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> + + <h1>THE POOR GENTLEMAN</h1> + <h4>BY</h4> + <h2>HENDRIK CONSCIENCE</h2> + <br /> + <h4>AUTHOR OF <i>THE CURSE OF THE VILLAGE</i>, <i>THE HAPPINESS OF + BEING RICH</i>, <i>VEVA</i>, <i>THE LION OF FLANDERS</i>, <i>COUNT + HUGO OF CRAENHOVE</i>, <i>WOODEN CLARA</i>, <i>RICKETICKETACK</i>, + <i>THE DEMON OF GOLD</i>, <i>THE VILLAGE INN-KEEPER</i>, <i>THE + CONSCRIPT</i>, <i>BLIND ROSA</i>, <i>THE AMULET</i>, <i>THE + MISER</i>, <i>THE FISHERMAN'S DAUGHTER</i>, ETC.</h4> + <br /> + + <h5>Translated Expressly for this Edition.</h5> + <br /> + <br /> + <hr style='width: 65%;' /> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> + <h3>CONTENTS</h3> + <br /> + <center> + <table border="0"><tr><td align="left"> + <!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. --> + <a href='#CHAPTER_I'><b>CHAPTER I.</b></a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_II'><b>CHAPTER II.</b></a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_III'><b>CHAPTER III.</b></a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_IV'><b>CHAPTER IV.</b></a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_V'><b>CHAPTER V.</b></a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_VI'><b>CHAPTER VI.</b></a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_VII'><b>CHAPTER VII.</b></a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_VIII'><b>CHAPTER VIII.</b></a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_IX'><b>CHAPTER IX.</b></a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_X'><b>CHAPTER X.</b></a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XI'><b>CHAPTER XI.</b></a><br /> + <!-- End Autogenerated TOC. --> + </td></tr></table> + </center> + <br /> + <br /> + <hr style='width: 65%;' /> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> + <a id="Preface_to_the_American_Edition" name='Preface_to_the_American_Edition'></a> + <h2>Preface to the American Edition.</h2> + <br /> + + <p>The story of "THE POOR GENTLEMAN," now given in our language for the first time, + is one of the series in which M. Conscience has delineated various grades of female + character in positions of trial. In "The Village Innkeeper" he has shown the weaker + traits of woman distracted between an inborn sense of propriety and a foolish + ambition for high, life. In the "Conscript" his heroine displays the nobler virtues + of uncorrupted humble life; and, with few characters, taken from the lowest walks, he + shows the triumph of honest, straightforward earnestness and pertinacious courage, + even when they are brought in conflict with authority. "The Poor Gentleman" closes + the series; and, selecting a heroine from the educated classes of his country-people + M. Conscience has demonstrated how superior a <i>genuine woman</i> becomes to all the + mishaps of fortune, and how successfully she subdues that imaginary <i>fate</i> + before which so many are seen to fall.</p> + <p>It would be difficult to describe this remarkable work without analyzing the tale + and criticizing its personages. This would anticipate the author and mar the interest + of his story. We must confine ourselves, therefore, to general remarks on its + structure and characteristics.</p> + <p><i>Pontmartin</i>, the distinguished French <i>feuilletonist</i>, says, in one of + his "Literary Chats," that these simple stories are "pearls set in Flemish + gold,—a gold which alchemysts seek for in alembics and furnaces, but which + Conscience has found in the inexhaustible veins of nature." "The Poor Gentleman," he + remarks, "is a tale of not more than a hundred and fifty pages; but I would not give + its shortest chapter for all the <i>romances</i> I ever read. The perplexed De + Vlierbeck—who ought to have had Caleb Balderstone for a servant—is one of + those characters that engrave themselves indelibly on our memory." In every trait and + detail the author has attained a photographic minuteness; which, while it is distinct + and sharp, never interferes with that motion, breadth, and picturesque effect that + impart life and reality to a story. Nor can we doubt that it will be read and re-read + as long as there is a particle of that feeling among us which installed the Vicar of + Wakefield, Paul and Virginia, the Crock of Gold, the Sketch-book, and the Tales of a + Traveller, among the heirlooms of every tasteful household. The "Tales of Flemish + Life" are additions to that rare stock of home-literature which is at once amiable + and gentle, simple and affectionate, familiar and tender, and which meets a quick + response from every honest heart and earnest spirit.</p> + <p>If it be objected that the stories are too short and sketchy for the praise that + has been bestowed on them, it may be answered that in their translation we have had + the best opportunity to observe the skill, power, and perception of character which + constitute their real merit. Simple as they seem, they are written with masterly art. + In design, elaborateness, tone, and finish, they resemble the works of the Flemish + School which have made us familiar with the Low Countries and their people through + the pictures of Ruysdael, Teniers, and Ostade. There is scarcely a leaf that does not + display some of those recondite or evanescent secrets of human nature which either + escape ordinary writers, or, when found by them, are spread out over volume instead + of being condensed into a page.</p> + <p><i>Baltimore, August</i>, 1856.</p> + <p>THE TRANSLATOR.</p> + <hr style='width: 65%;' /> + <a id="CHAPTER_I" name='CHAPTER_I'></a> + <h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> + <br /> + + <p>Near the end of July, 1842, an open <i>calèche</i> might have been seen + rolling along one of the three highways that lead from the frontiers of Holland + toward Antwerp. Although the vehicle had evidently been cleaned with the utmost care, + every thing about it betokened decay. Its joints were open, discolored, and + weather-beaten, and it swung from side to side on its springs like a rickety + skeleton. Its patched leathers shone in the sunshine with the oil that had been used + to freshen them, but the borrowed lustre could not hide the cracks and repairs with + which they were defaced. The door-handles and other parts of the vehicle that were + made of copper had been carefully polished, and the vestiges of silver-plating, still + visible in the creases of the ornaments, denoted a former richness which had been + almost entirely worn out by time and use.</p> + <p>The <i>calèche</i> was drawn by a stout, heavy horse, whose short and + lumbering gait intimated very clearly that he was oftener employed in the plough and + cart than in carrying his owner toward the capital.</p> + <p>A peasant-boy of seventeen or eighteen was perched on the driver's seat. He was in + livery; a tarnished gold band adorned his hat, and brass buttons glistened on his + coat; but the hat fell over his ears, and the coat was so large that the driver + seemed lost in it as in a bag. The garments had been worn by many of the lackey's + predecessors on the box, and, in a long series of years, had doubtless passed from + coachman to coachman till they descended to their present possessor.</p> + <p>The only person in the vehicle was a man about fifty years old. He was + unquestionably the master of both servant and cabriolet, for his look and deportment + commanded respect and consideration. With head depressed and moody air, he sat + motionless and dreamy in his seat till he heard the approach of other vehicles, when, + suddenly lifting his eyes, he would salute the strangers graciously and then + instantly relapse into his former attitude. A moment's glance at this person was + sufficient to excite an interest in him. His face, though hard and wrinkled, was so + regular and noble in its contour, his look so mild and yet so earnest and + penetrating, his broad brow so clear and lofty, that the most careless observer could + not doubt that he was endowed with the best qualities of human nature. Besides this, + there were unquestionable indications that he had been a sufferer. If a simple glance + at his features did not impress one with a conviction of this fact, it was confirmed + by the fringe of silvery hair that straggled over his temples, and the sombre, + melancholy fire that glimmered in his eyes like the last rays of expiring hope.</p> + <p>His dress was in perfect keeping with his physiognomy. It was of that neat and + simple style which always characterizes a man of the world who is governed by refined + and elegant tastes. His linen was spotlessly white, his cloth extremely fine, and his + well-brushed hat shone smartly in the sunshine. Occasionally, as some one passed on + the road, he might be seen to draw forth a handsome gold snuff-box and inhale a pinch + with so graceful an air that an observer would be convinced he belonged to the + highest classes of society. A malicious eye, it is true, might have discovered by + close inspection that the brush had been too familiar with his coat and worn it + threadbare, that his silk hat had been doctored to preserve its lustre and + smoothness, and that his gloves were elaborately darned. If an inquisitive critic + could have pried into the bottom of the vehicle, he would have detected a large crack + in the side of the left boot, beneath which a gray stocking had been carefully masked + with ink. Still, all these signs of poverty were so artfully concealed, and his dress + worn with so careless an air of opulence and ease, that every body might have + supposed the traveller did not put on better clothes only because he had a whim for + bad ones.</p> + <p>The <i>calèche</i> had rolled along rapidly for about two hours, when the + driver suddenly drew up at a small inn on the dike outside of the city of Antwerp. + The landlady and groom instantly sallied forth, and by their profound salutations and + civility exhibited their marked respect for a well-known stranger.</p> + <p>"It's a fine day, Monsieur Vlierbeck, isn't it?" said the dame; "yet it's a trifle + warm, however. Don't you think it would be well for the high-grounds if we had a + sprinkle more of rain, Monsieur Vlierbeck? Shall we give the horse some hay, Monsieur + Vlierbeck? But stay: I see, now, your coachman has brought his hay with him. Will you + take anything, Monsieur Vlierbeck?"</p> + <p>While the hostess was pouring forth this torrent of questions, Monsieur De + Vlierbeck got out of the vehicle, and, entering the house, addressed the most + flattering compliments to the dame about her good looks, inquired as to the health of + each of her children, and finished by apprizing her that he was obliged to be in town + instantly. Thereupon, shaking her cordially by the hand, yet with a condescending air + that marked and preserved the distance between them, he gave his orders to his + lackey, and, with a farewell bow, walked toward the bridge leading into the city.</p> + <p>At a solitary spot on the outer rampart Monsieur De Vlierbeck stopped, looked + round as if to see if any one was observing him, dusted his garments, brushed his hat + with a handkerchief, and then passed on through the Porte Rouge into the city of + Antwerp.</p> + <p>As he entered a town where he was likely to find himself constantly an object of + notice, he assumed a lofty carriage and self-satisfied air, which might have deceived + any one into the belief that he was the happiest man on earth. And yet—alas, + poor gentleman!—he was a prey to the profoundest agony! He was, perhaps, about + to suffer <i>humiliation</i>,—a humiliation that would cut him to the very + heart! But there was a being in the world whom he loved better than his life or + honor,—his only child, his daughter! For her—how frequently had he + already sacrificed his pride, how frequently had he suffered the pangs of martyrdom! + Still, so great a slave was he to this passionate love that every new endurance, + every new trial, raised him in his own estimation and exalted his pain into something + that ennobled and sanctified his very nature!</p> + <p>His heart beat violently as he entered deeper and deeper into the heart of the + city and approached the house he was about to visit. Soon after he stopped at a door, + and, as he pulled the bell, his hand trembled violently in spite of extraordinary + self-control; but as soon as a servant answered the summons he became master of + himself again.</p> + <p>"Is the notary in?" inquired the old gentleman. The servant replied affirmatively, + and, showing the visitor into a small room, went to apprize his master.</p> + <p>As soon as Monsieur De Vlierbeck was alone, he put his right foot over the left to + hide the rent in his boot, drew forth the gold snuff-box, and made ready to take a + pinch.</p> + <p>The notary came in. He was a spare, business-looking man, and was preparing to + salute his guest graciously, but no sooner did he perceive who it was than his face + grew dark and assumed that reserved air with which a cautious man arms himself when + he expects a request which he is predetermined to refuse. Instead, therefore, of + lavishing on Monsieur De Vlierbeck the compliments with which he habitually welcomed + his visitors, the notary confined himself to a few cold words of recognition and then + sat down silently in front of him.</p> + <p>Wounded and humbled by this ungracious reception, poor De Vlierbeck was seized + with a chill and became slightly pale; still, he managed to rally his nerves, as he + remarked, affably,—"Pray excuse me, sir; but, pressed by imperious necessity, I + have come once more to appeal to your kindness for a small service."</p> + <p>"What is it you wish of me?" answered the notary, tartly.</p> + <p>"I wish you to find another loan of a thousand <i>francs</i> for me,—or even + less,—secured by a mortgage on my property. I do not want all the money at + once, but I have especial need of two hundred <i>francs</i>, which I must ask the + favor of you to lend me to-day. I trust you will not deny me this trifling loan, + which will extricate me from the deepest embarrassment."</p> + <p>"A thousand <i>francs</i>, on mortgage?" growled the notary; "and who, pray, will + guarantee the interest? Your property is already mortgaged for more than it is + worth."</p> + <p>"Oh! you are mistaken, sir," exclaimed Monsieur De Vlierbeck, anxiously.</p> + <p>"Not the least in the world! By order of the persons who have already accommodated + you with money, I caused your property to be appraised at the very highest rates; and + the consequence is that your creditors will not get back their loans unless it shall + sell for an extraordinary price. Permit me to say, sir, that you have acted very + foolishly: had I been in your place, I would not have sacrificed all my fortune, and + my wife's too, to save a worthless fellow, even though he had been my brother!"</p> + <p>De Vlierbeck frowned, as a painful recollection shot through his mind, but said + nothing, though his hand grasped the golden snuff-box as if he would have crushed + it.</p> + <p>"By that imprudent act," continued the notary, "you have plunged yourself and your + child into absolute want; for you can no longer disguise it. For ten years—and + God knows at what cost—you have been able to keep the secret of your ruin; but + the inevitable hour is approaching, Monsieur De Vlierbeck, when you will be forced to + surrender every thing!"</p> + <p>De Vlierbeck riveted a look of doubt and agony on the notary as the latter + continued:—</p> + <p>"I must tell you frankly the condition of your affairs. Monsieur de Hoogebaen died + during his journey in Germany; his heirs found your bond for four thousand + <i>francs</i>, and have directed me <i>not</i> to renew it. If Monsieur Hoogebaen was + your friend his heirs certainly are not. During ten years you have failed to cancel + this debt, and have paid two thousand <i>francs</i> interest; so that, for your own + sake, it is time the transaction should be closed. Four months are still left, + Monsieur Vlierbeck, before the expiration of—"</p> + <p>"<i>Only</i> four months!" interrupted the poor gentleman, in a distressed tone; + "<i>only</i> four months, and then—oh, God!"</p> + <p>"Then your property will be sold according to law," said the notary, dryly, + finishing the sentence. "I can well understand, sir, that this is a painful prospect; + but, as it is a decree of fate that no one can control, you have nothing to do but + prepare to receive the blow. Let me offer to sell your estate as if you 'were leaving + the country.' By that means you will escape the mortification of a forced sale."</p> + <p>For several moments Monsieur De Vlierbeck remained silent, his face buried in his + hands, as if crushed by the notary's advice and callousness. At length he replied, + calmly but humbly,—</p> + <p>"Your counsel is, perhaps, wise and generous; yet I will not follow it. You know + that all my sacrifices, my painful life, my constant agony, have been patiently + endured for the sake of my only child. You alone know that all I do has but, one + purpose,—a purpose which I hold sacred. I have reason to believe that God is + about granting the earnest prayer I have daily offered for ten years. My daughter is + beloved by a rich gentleman, whose character I think I may confide in, and his family + appears to sympathize in all his views. <i>Four months!</i> it is but a short time, + alas! yet, ought I, by anticipating the legal period of a sale, to destroy all my + fond hopes? Ought I instantly to welcome misery for myself and my child when I see + the chance of sure relief from all we have suffered?"</p> + <p>"Then you want to <i>deceive</i> these people, whoever they may be? Do you not + suppose that by such a course of conduct you may make your daughter still more + wretched?"</p> + <p>At the word "<i>deceive</i>" the poor gentleman winced as if stung by an adder, + while a nervous thrill ran through his limbs and suffused his face with a blush of + shame.</p> + <p>"<i>Deceive!</i>" echoed he, bitterly; "oh, no! but I dare not, by a rash avowal + of my want, stifle the love that is growing up mutually. Whenever it becomes + necessary to be decided, I will make a loyal disclosure of my condition. If the + declaration ruin my hopes I will follow your advice. I will sell all I have; I will + quit the country and seek in some foreign land to maintain myself and my beloved + child by teaching." He stopped for a moment, as if swallowing his grief, and then + continued, in a lower tone, half speaking to himself, "And, yet, did I not promise my + dear wife on her death-bed—did I not promise it on the holy cross—that + our child should not undergo such a fate? Ten years of suffering—ten abject + years—have not sufficed to realize my promise; and now, at last, a feeble ray + of hope struggles into my sombre future—" He grasped the notary's hand, looked + wildly but earnestly into his eyes, and added, in suppliant tones, "Oh, my friend, + help me! help me in this last and trying effort; do not prolong my torture; grant my + prayer, and as long as I live I will bless my benefactor, the savior of my + child!"</p> + <p>The notary withdrew his hand as he answered, with some embarrassment, "Yet, + Monsieur De Vlierbeck, I cannot comprehend what all this has to do with the loan of a + thousand <i>francs</i>!"</p> + <p>De Vlierbeck thrust his rejected hand into his pocket as he replied, "Yes, sir, it + <i>is</i> ridiculous, is it not, to fall so low and to see one's happiness or misery + depend on things about which other persons may laugh? And yet, alas! so it is! The + young gentleman of whom I spoke to you is to dine with us to-morrow in company with + his uncle,—the uncle invited himself,—and we have absolutely <i>nothing + to give them!</i> Besides this, my child needs some trifles to appear decently before + the guests, and it is probable that the civility will be returned by an invitation + from them. Our isolation cannot long conceal our want. Sacrifices of all kinds have + already been made to prevent our being overwhelmed with mortification." As he uttered + these last words he drew forth his hand from his pocket with about two <i>francs</i> + in small change, which he held exposed on his palm before the notary. "And now, + behold," continued he, with a bitter smile,—"behold every cent I have in the + world; and to-morrow rich people are to dine at my house! If my poverty is betrayed + by any thing, farewell to my child's prospects! For God's sake, my good friend, be + generous, and help me!"</p> + <p>"A thousand <i>francs</i>!" muttered the notary, shaking his head; "I can't + deceive my clients, sir. What pledge can you give to secure the loan? You possess + nothing which is not already mortgaged beyond its value."</p> + <p>"A thousand! five hundred! two hundred!" cried De Vlierbeck. "Lend me, at least, + <i>something</i> to relieve me from this cruel difficulty!"</p> + <p>"I have no disposable funds," replied the notary, coldly. "In a fortnight perhaps + I may have some; but even then I could promise nothing positively."</p> + <p>"Then, for the sake of friendship, I beseech you, lend me some money + yourself!"</p> + <p>"I could never expect that you would return what I might lend," said the notary, + contemptuously; "and so it is an <i>alms</i> you ask of me?"</p> + <p>Poor De Vlierbeck trembled on his chair and became pale as ashes; his eyes flashed + wildly and his brow knotted with frowns. Yet he quickly curbed the unwonted + agitation, bowed his head, and sighed, resignedly, "ALMS! Alas! so be it! let me + drink the very dregs of this bitter cup: <i>it is for my child</i>!"</p> + <p>The notary went to a drawer and took from it some five-franc-pieces, which he + offered to his visitor. It is difficult to say whether the poor gentleman was wounded + by the actual receipt of charity, or whether the sum was too small to be useful; but, + without touching the money, he glanced angrily at the silver and fell back in his + chair, covering his face with his hands.</p> + <p>Just at this moment a servant entered, announcing another visitor; and, as soon as + the lackey left the apartment, Monsieur De Vlierbeck sprang from his chair, dashing + away the tears that had gathered in his eyes. The notary pointed to the money, which + he laid on the corner of the table; but the mortified guest turned away his head with + a gesture of repugnant refusal.</p> + <p>"Pardon my boldness, sir," said he, "but I have now only one favor to ask of + you"</p> + <p>"And it is—?"</p> + <p>"That you will keep my secret for my daughter's sake."</p> + <p>'Oh, as to that, make yourself easy. You know me well enough to be aware of my + discretion. Do you decline this trifling aid?"</p> + <p>"Thanks! thanks!" cried the gentleman, pushing away the notary's hand; and, + trembling as if seized by a sudden chill, he rushed from the room and the house + without waiting for the servant to open the door.</p> + <p>Utterly overcome by the terrible blow to his hopes, beside himself with + mortification, with his head hanging on his bosom and his eyes bent staringly on the + ground, the poor fellow ran about the streets for a considerable length of time + without knowing what he was about or whither he was going. At length the stern + conviction of want and duty partially aroused him from his feverish dream, and he + walked on rapidly in the direction of the gate of Borgenhout, till he found himself + entirely alone among the fortifications.</p> + <p>He had no sooner reached this solitary quarter than a terrible conflict seemed to + begin within him; his lips quivered and muttered incoherently, while his face + exhibited a thousand different expressions of suffering, shame, and hope. After a + while he drew forth from his pocket the golden snuff-box, looked long and sadly on + the armorial engravings that adorned it, and then fell into a reverie, from which he + suddenly aroused himself as if about taking a solemn resolution. With his eyes + intently fixed on the box, he began to obliterate the arms with his knife, as he + murmured, in a voice of tremulous emotion,—</p> + <p>"Remembrancer of my dear and excellent mother, protecting talisman that has so + long concealed my misery and which I invoked as a sacred shield whenever poverty was + on the eve of betraying me, last fragment of my ancestry, I must bid thee farewell; + and—alas! alas!—my own hand must profane and destroy thee! God grant that + the last service thou wilt ever render me may save us from overwhelming + humiliation!"</p> + <p>A tear trickled down his wan cheek as his voice became still; but he went on with + his task of obliteration till every trace of the crest and shield disappeared from + the emblazoned lid. After this he returned to the heart of the town and passed + through a number of small and lonely streets, glancing eagerly, but askance, at the + signs as he passed onward in his agitation.</p> + <p>An hour had certainly elapsed in this bootless wandering, when he entered a narrow + lane in the quarter of Saint André and uttered a sudden cry of joy as he + caught a glimpse of the object for which he was in search. His eye lighted on a sign + which bore the simple but ominous inscription—"SWORN PAWNBROKER." He passed by + the door and walked rapidly to the end of the lane; then, turning hastily, he + retraced his steps, hastening or lingering as he noticed any one passing in his + neighborhood, till at length he crept along the wall to the door, and, seeing the + thoroughfare almost empty, rushed into the house and disappeared.</p> + <p>After a considerable time De Vlierbeck came forth from the money-lender's and + quickly gained another street. There was a slight expression of satisfaction in his + eyes; but the bright blush that suffused his haggard cheeks gave token of the new + humiliation through which the sufferer had passed. Walking rapidly from street to + street, he soon reached a pastry-cook's, where he filled a basket with a stuffed + turkey, a pie, preserves, and various other smaller equipments for the table, and, + paying for his purchases, told the cook that he would send his servant for the + packages. Farther on he bought a couple of silver spoons and a pair of ear-rings from + a jeweller, and then proceeded on his way, probably to make additional acquisitions + for the proposed entertainment.</p> + <hr style='width: 65%;' /> + <a id="CHAPTER_II" name='CHAPTER_II'></a> + <h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> + <br /> + + <p>In our wild and thorny region of the North a brave and toilsome peasantry have + long been engaged in victorious conflict with the barren sleep to which nature seemed + to have condemned the soil. They have stirred up the sterile depths and watered them + with their sweat; they have summoned science and industry to their aid, drained + marshes, diverted the streamlets that descended toward the Meuse from the highlands + and put them in circulation through innumerable arteries to fatten and enrich the + land. What a glorious fight it was of man against matter! What a magnificent triumph + it has been to convert the unthrifty Campine<a id="FNanchor_A_1" + name='FNanchor_A_1'></a><a href='#Footnote_A_1'><sup>[A]</sup></a> into a fruitful + and luxurious region! Indeed, our descendants will hardly believe their own eyes when + in future times they shall behold grass-covered plains, flowery meadows, and fields + waving with grain, where the lingering patriarchs of our day may point out the sites + of burning sand-pits and barren moors!</p> + <a id="Footnote_A_1" name='Footnote_A_1'></a><a href='#FNanchor_A_1'>[A]</a> + <div class='note'> + <p>The Flemings have given the name of <i>Campine</i> to the vast uncultivated + spaces extending in the north of Belgium from the vicinity of Antwerp to Venloo. + The improvement of the <i>Campine,</i> undertaken on a large scale within some + years, has already produced the happiest results.</p> + </div> + <p>North of the city of Antwerp, toward the frontiers of Holland, there are but few + traces of this gradual improvement. It is only along highroads that the traveller + begins to observe the effect of liberal agriculture on the sandy soil, while, farther + on toward the heart of the region, every thing is still bare and uncultivated. As far + as the eye can penetrate, nothing is to be seen in that quarter but arid plains + thinly covered with stunted vegetation, while the horizon is bounded by that blue and + cloudy line which always marks the limit of a desert. Yet, as we journey over these + vast spaces, it is impossible not to observe, from time to time, that a clear and + slender rivulet meanders here and there over the moor, and that its verdant banks are + studded with vigorous plants and thrifty trees; while in many places the hardy sons + of toil who took advantage of the neighboring water, have opened their lonely farms, + built comfortable houses, and frequently gathered themselves together in neat and + thrifty villages.</p> + <p>In one of these spots, where meadow-land and pasturage have made agriculture + profitable, and by the side of an unfrequented road, there is a farm of considerable + size and value. The massive trees which spread their thick shade on every side attest + that the spot has been occupied and cultivated for several generations. Besides, the + ditches which surround it, and the stone bridge that leads to the principal gate, + justify the belief that the estate has some right to be considered a lordly demesne. + In the neighborhood it is known as GRINSELHOF. The entire front of the property is + covered by the homestead of the farmer, comprising his stables and granges; so that, + in fact, every thing in their rear is concealed by these edifices as well as by dense + thickets and hedges which are growing in all the wild luxuriance of nature. Indeed, + the dwelling of the proprietor was a mystery even to the farmer who worked the soil; + for its surrounding copses were an impenetrable veil to his eyes, beyond which + neither he nor his family were ever allowed to pass without special permission.</p> + <p>Within this lonely and sacred precinct, buried in foliage, was a large house, + called THE CHÂTEAU, inhabited by a gentleman and his daughter, who, without a + single servant, companion, or attendant, led the lonely lives of hermits. The + neighbors said that it was avarice or ill-humor that induced a person possessed of so + beautiful an estate to bury himself in such a solitude. The farmer who worked on the + property carefully avoided all explanations as to the conduct or purpose of the + proprietor, and sedulously respected the mysterious habits and fancies of his master. + His business prospered; for the soil was fertile and the rent low. Indeed, he was + grateful to his landlord, and, every Sunday, lent him a horse, which carried him and + his daughter, in their weather-beaten <i>calèche</i>, to the village church. + On great occasions the farmer's son performed the duty of lackey for the + proprietor.</p> + <p>It is an afternoon of one of the last days of July. The sun has nearly finished + his daily course, and is declining rapidly toward the horizon; still, his rays, + though less ardent than at noontide, are hot enough to make the air close and + stifling. At Grinselhof the last beams of the setting luminary play gayly over the + foliage, gilding the tree-tops with sparkling light, while, on the eastern side of + the dense foliage, the long, broad shadows begin to fall athwart the sward, and + prepare the groves for the gentle and refreshing breeze that springs up at + twilight.</p> + <p>Sadness and gloom hang over the sombre château and its grounds; a deathlike + silence weighs like a gravestone on the desolate scene; the birds are songless; the + wind is still; not a leaf stirs; and light alone seems to be living in that dreary + solitude. No one could observe the entire absence of noise, motion, and vitality, + without being impressed with the idea that nature had been suddenly plunged in a deep + and magic sleep.</p> + <p>Suddenly the foliage at the end of a thicket in the distance is seen to stir, + while a cloud of twittering birds, frightened from the herbage, flies rapidly across + the little path, which is immediately occupied by a young female dressed entirely in + white, who dashes from between the branches with a silken net in pursuit of a + butterfly. The beautiful apparition, with loose and streaming hair, seemed rather to + fly than run, as her light and rapid steps, full of eagerness and animation, scarcely + touched the earth while darting after the gaudy insect. How graceful she is, as, + halting for an instant beneath the coquettish moth, she looks up to behold its + gold-and-purple wings dancing round her head, mocking and playing with its gay + pursuer! She thinks she has caught it; but, alas! the edge of her net only touched + the butterfly's wings, and away it dashes, over hedge and copse, far, far beyond her + reach! How beautiful she is, as, in that golden light, warmed with exercise and + excitement, her eyes glistening, her lips parted, her graceful arms stretched upward, + she stands gazing, half pleased, half disappointed, after the departing insect, till + it is lost in the evening sky! Wind and sunshine have slightly tanned her delicate + cheeks, but their roses are only heightened into the glow of perfect health. Beneath + her high and polished brow, coal-black eyes shine through long and silken fringes, + while a chiselled mouth discloses rows of faultless pearls between lips which shame + the coral! Her stately head is framed in masses of long, curling hair; and, as the + locks are floated over her ivory shoulders by rapid motion, the proud and arching + lines of her swan-like neck are fully displayed in all their splendor. Her form is + lithe and supple, and its graceful contour is modestly marked by a snowy dress. As + she lifts her head and gazes at the sky, a poet might easily fancy her to be some + fanciful "being of the air," and convert her into the fairy queen of the solitary + realm!</p> + <p>For a long while this beautiful woman wandered about the paths of the lonely + garden, seemingly absorbed in reveries of various kinds. At times she was gay, at + times sad. At length she approached a bed of violets, which, from the training of the + plants, had evidently, been carefully tended, and, observing that they languished + under the intense heat of the past day, began to grieve over them.</p> + <p>"Alas! my dear little flowers, why did I neglect to water you yesterday? You are + very thirsty, are you not, my charming pets?"</p> + <p>For a moment or two she was quiet, still gazing at the violets, and then + continued, in the same dreamy tone:—</p> + <p>"But then, alas! since yesterday my mind has been so disturbed, so happy, + so—" Her eyes fell, and a blush crimsoned her cheeks, as she murmured, softly, + "GUSTAVE!"</p> + <p>Motionless as a statue, and absorbed in her enchanting dream, she forgot the poor + little violets, and, probably, the whole world.</p> + <p>"His image ever, ever before me! his voice ever ringing in my ears! Why try to + escape their fascination? Oh, God! what is this that is passing within me? My heart + trembles; sometimes my blood bounds wildly through my veins, and then again it creeps + and freezes; and yet how happy I am! what inexpressible joy fills my very soul!"</p> + <p>She was silent; then, seeming suddenly to rouse herself, she raised her head and + threw back the thick curls, as if anxious to disembarrass her mind of a haunting + thought.</p> + <p>"Wait, my dear flowers," said she, smiling, to the violets; "wait a moment: I will + comfort and refresh you."</p> + <p>With this she disappeared in the grove, and, in a short time, brought from it a + few twigs and leaves, which she arranged in a little trellis over the flower-beds, so + as to shadow the violets completely from the sun. After this she took a small + watering-pot and ran across the grass to a basin or tank in the middle of the garden, + around which a number of weeping-willows drooped their branches into the water. On + her arrival its surface was perfectly smooth; but hardly had her image been reflected + in the tank when it appeared to swarm with living creatures. Hundreds of gold-fishes, + of all colors, swam toward her with their mouths gaping from the water, as if the + poor little animals were trying to speak to her. Holding on by the trunk of the + nearest willow, she bent gracefully over the pond and tried to fill her watering-pot + without touching the gold-fish.</p> + <p>"Come, come; let me alone just now," said she, as she carefully avoided them; "I + haven't time to play with you; I will bring you your dinner after a while."</p> + <p>But the fish fluttered around the watering-pot until she withdrew it from the + tank; and, even after her departure, continued to crowd toward the bank she had + touched with her foot.</p> + <p>The young lady watered her flowers and replaced the pot gently on the ground; + then, retiring slowly to the solitary house, she returned after a while at the same + slow pace, and, throwing some crumbs to the fish, began to saunter slowly about the + garden-paths, inattentive to every thing but her own absorbing thoughts. At length + she reached a spot where a gigantic catalpa-tree overarched the garden and bent its + branches almost to the earth. A table and a couple of chairs stood beneath the fresh + and fragrant shade, and a book, inkstand, and embroidery-frame, gave token that the + retreat had not long been abandoned by the lady herself. She seated herself in one of + the chairs, took up the book, then the embroidery, let them fall one after another, + and finally leaned her beautiful head on her hand, like one who is weary in spirit + and anxious for rest.</p> + <p>For a while her large dreamy eyes were vaguely fixed, as if gazing into space; at + intervals a smile played around her mouth, and her lips moved as if talking with a + friend. Occasionally her drooping eyelids closed entirely; but the lashes quickly + reopened, only to fall more heavily than before, till at last a profound sleep or + intense reverie seemed to get possession of her mind and body.</p> + <p>But did she sleep? There is no doubt that her spirit watched and was happy; for a + pleasant expression constantly played over her features, and, if sometimes it became + serious, the joyous look quickly returned with all its radiance. She had long been + plunged by this happy dream into complete forgetfulness of real life, when a noise of + wheels and the neigh of a horse was heard at the gateway, disturbing the silence of + Grinselhof. Still the maiden was not aroused.</p> + <p>The old <i>calèche</i> returned from the city, drew up near the stable, and + the farmer and his wife ran out to salute their master and put up the horse. While + they were thus engaged, Monsieur De Vlierbeck got out of the vehicle and spoke to + them kindly, but in a voice so full of sadness that both looked at him with + astonishment. In fact, the gravity of this singular person never abandoned him even + in his most affable moods; but at that moment his physiognomy indicated a degree of + intense depression which was by no means habitual. He seemed altogether worn out with + fatigue, and his eyes, which were commonly so vivacious, drooped, dull and + languishing, beneath their heavy lids.</p> + <p>The horse was quickly put in the stable, and the young lackey, who had already + divested himself of his livery, took several baskets and packets from the vehicle, + carried them into the farm-house, and placed them on the table of the + antechamber.</p> + <p>"And now, Master John," said De Vlierbeck, approaching the farmer, "I shall have + need of you. There will be company to-morrow at Grinselhof. Monsieur Denecker and his + nephew dine here."</p> + <p>The farmer, perfectly stupefied by the announcement and scarcely able to believe + his own ears, looked at his master with staring eyes and gaping mouth, and, after a + moment's hesitation, stammered forth,—</p> + <p>"That large, rich gentleman, sir, who sits near you every Sunday at high + mass?"</p> + <p>"The same, John. Is there any thing surprising in it?"</p> + <p>"And young Monsieur Gustave, who spoke to <i>mademoiselle</i> in the churchyard + when church was over?"</p> + <p>"The same!"</p> + <p>"Oh, sir, they are such rich people! They have bought all the land around + Echelpoel. They have at least ten horses in the stable at their <i>château</i>, + without counting those they have in town. Their carriage is silver from top to + bottom."</p> + <p>"I know it; and it is exactly on that account that I desire to receive them in a + becoming manner. You must be ready; your wife and your son also. I shall call you + to-morrow morning very early. You will willingly lend a hand to help me, won't + you?"</p> + <p>"Certainly, certainly, sir; a word from you is enough. I am always happy to be + able to serve you in any way."</p> + <p>"Thank you for your kindness, John. We understand one another, my worthy fellow; + and so farewell till to-morrow."</p> + <p>Monsieur De Vlierbeck entered the farm-house, gave some orders to the young man in + relation to the things he had taken from the vehicle, and, passing through the + screening grove, walked on to Grinselhof.</p> + <p>As soon as he was out of the farmer's sight his physiognomy assumed a more serene + expression, and there was a smile on his lips as he cast his eyes around in search of + some one in the solitude of the garden At a turn of the path his eye fell suddenly on + the sleeping girl. How beautiful she was in her calm repose! The golden twilight + covered her with its bright reflection, and threw a rosy tint on every thing about + her. Thick curls strayed in beautiful disorder over her cheeks, and snowy flowers, + shaken from the catalpa's branches by the evening breeze, had fallen around her in + profusion. She still dreamed, and the happy smile yet rested on her features. De + Vlierbeck gazed earnestly at his sleeping child, and raised his eyes to heaven as he + said, tremulously,—"Thanks, Almighty Father! she is happy! Let my martyrdom be + prolonged; but may all my sufferings render thee compassionate for her!"</p> + <p>After this short and ardent ejaculation he threw himself into a chair, leaned his + arm carefully on the table, and, resting his hand on it, remained still as a statue. + For a long time he watched his sleeping child, while his face seemed to reflect each + emotion that flitted across the delicate features of the maiden. Suddenly a modest + blush overspread her brow, and her lips began to articulate. The old gentleman + watched her narrowly, and, although she had not spoken in connected sentences, he + caught one of those stray words which often betoken what is passing in a dreamer's + mind.</p> + <p>"'GUSTAVE!' She dreams of Gustave. May God be propitious to us! Ah, yes, my + child," exclaimed her father, "open thy heart to hope! Dream, dream; for who knows + what is in store for us? Yet, no!—let us not destroy these happy moments by + cold reality! Sleep, sleep! let thy soul enjoy the heavenly enchantment of love which + it is awakening!"</p> + <p>Monsieur De Vlierbeck continued for a while his quiet observation of the sleeper, + and then, rising, passed behind her chair and imprinted a long kiss on her + forehead.</p> + <p>Still half-dreaming, the sleeper slowly opened her eyes; and, the moment she + perceived who had awakened her, she sprang into her father's arms with a bound, and, + hanging round his neck, overwhelmed him with questions and kisses.</p> + <p>Vlierbeck gently disengaged himself from his daughter's embrace, as he remarked, + in a tone of raillery,—</p> + <p>"It seems altogether unnecessary, Lenora, to inquire what new beauties you have + discovered in Vondel's 'Lucifer.' You have not had time, I take it for granted, to + begin the comparison between this masterpiece of our native tongue and Milton's + 'Paradise Lost'?"</p> + <p>"Ah! father," murmured Lenora, "my mind is indeed strangely troubled. I do not + know what is the matter with me; I cannot even read with attention."</p> + <p>"Come, Lenora, my child, don't be sad. Sit down: I have something of importance to + tell you. You do not know why I went to town to-day, do you? It was because we are to + have company to dinner to-morrow!"</p> + <p>Lenora gazed at her father with an earnest and questioning look.</p> + <p>"It is Monsieur Denecker," continued he:—"the wealthy merchant, you know, + who sits near me at church and lives at the <i>château</i> of Echelpoel."</p> + <p>"Oh, yes! I remember him, father; he always speaks to me so kindly, and never + fails to help me from the carriage when we go to church."</p> + <p>"But your <i>eyes</i> ask, I see, Lenora, whether he is coming <i>alone</i>. + <i>Another</i> person will accompany him, my girl!"</p> + <p>"<i>Gustave!"</i> exclaimed the maiden, involuntarily and blushing.</p> + <p>"Exactly! Gustave will be here," replied Monsieur De Vlierbeck. "Don't tremble on + that account, Lenora; and don't become frightened because your innocent heart may + find itself opening to the dawn of new sensations. Between us, my child, there can be + no secret that my love will not discover."</p> + <p>His daughter's eyes looked inquiringly into his own, as if asking an explanation + of the enigma. But all of a sudden, as if a ray had darted unexpectedly into her + soul, she threw her arms around the old man's neck and hid her face in his bosom.</p> + <p>"Oh, father! beloved father," murmured she, "your kindness is unbounded!"</p> + <p>For some moments the old gentleman did not put aside the affectionate caresses of + his child; but by degrees his expression became gloomy; tears started into his eyes, + and he said, in broken tones,—</p> + <p>"Lenora, whatever may happen to us in life, thou wilt always love thy father thus, + wilt thou not?"</p> + <p>"Always, always, father!'</p> + <p>"Lenora, my child," continued he, with a sigh, "thy tender affection is my only + recompense and happiness here below: never deprive my soul of its consolation!"</p> + <p>The sad tone in which these words were uttered touched the maiden's heart so + deeply that she took her father's hands, without saying a syllable, and wept in + silence with her head in his bosom.</p> + <p>For a long time they remained thus motionless, absorbed by a feeling which was + neither joy nor sorrow but seemed to acquire its power and mastery by the mingling of + these opposite sentiments.</p> + <p>Monsieur De Vlierbeck's expression was the first to change. His features became + severe as he bent his head downward reproachfully. In truth, the strange words that + started the tears into his daughter's eyes had excited the reflection in his own mind + that another person was, perhaps, about to share his Lenora's love and probably to + separate him from her forever. He was ready for every sacrifice, were it even + infinitely greater, provided it contributed to the happiness of his child; yet the + very idea of separation caused his heart to bleed at every pore. By degrees he + stifled this selfish anxiety, and, striving to control himself, raised his daughter + with a kiss.</p> + <p>"Come, Lenora," said he, "be gay again! Isn't it a happy thing that our hearts can + sometimes get into the shade after they have been too much in the sunshine? Let us go + into the house. We have many arrangements to make in order to receive our guests + becomingly."</p> + <p>Lenora obeyed her father in silence, and followed him slowly, while the tears + still dropped from her beautiful eyes.</p> + <p>Some hours afterward Monsieur De Vlierbeck might have been seen seated in the + principal saloon of Grinselhof, near a little lamp, with his elbows on the table. The + apartment was dark and dreary, for the feeble rushlight illuminated but a single spot + and cast the distant and lofty ceiling into vague obscurity. The flickering flame + threw long and sombre shadows over the wall, while a line of old portraits in the + panels seemed to fix their stern and immovable eyes on the table. Amid the gloom + nothing came out with distinctness but the calm and noble face of the poor old + gentleman, who sat there, absorbed in his reflections, fixed as a statue.</p> + <p>At length, rising from his chair and cautiously walking on tiptoe to the end of + the room, he stopped and listened at the closed door. "She sleeps," said he, in a low + voice; and, raising his eyes to heaven, added, with a sigh, "may God protect her + rest!" Then, returning to the table, he took the lamp, and, opening a large safe + which was imbedded in the wall, he went down on his knees and drew forth some napkins + and a table-cloth, which he unfolded carefully to see whether they were torn or + stained. As he refolded the articles one after the other, a smile betokened that he + was pleased with his examination. Rising from this task, he went back to the table, + from the drawer of which he took a piece of buckskin and whiting. Mashing the latter + with a knife-handle, he began to rub and polish several silver forks and spoons which + were in a basket. The salt-cellars and other small articles of table-service, which + were mostly of the same metal, were all subjected to a similar process, and soon + glittered brightly in the feeble lamplight.</p> + <p>While he was engaged in this strange work, the soul of the poor old man was busy + with a thousand conflicting thoughts and recollections. He was constantly muttering + to himself; and many a tear escaped from his lids as he dreamed over the past and + repeated the names of the loved and lost!</p> + <p>"Poor brother!" ejaculated he; "but one man alone in the world knows what I have + done for thee, and yet that man accuses me of bad faith and ingratitude! And thou, + poor brother, art wandering in the icy solitudes of America, a prey perhaps to + sickness and suffering, while for months no kindly look is fixed upon thee in that + wilderness where thou earnest thy miserable wages! Son of a noble race! thou hast + become a slave to the stranger, and thy toil serves to amass the fortunes which + others are to enjoy! My love for thee has made me suffer martyrdom; but, as God is my + judge, my affection has remained entire,—untouched! May thy soul, O brother, + feel this aspiration of mine even in the isolation where thou art suffering; and may + the consciousness of my love be a balm for thy misery!"</p> + <p>The poor gentleman was absorbed for some time in painful meditation; but after a + while his dream seemed over, and he betook himself again to work. He placed all the + silver utensils side by side on the table, and, after carefully counting and + examining them, resumed his soliloquy:—</p> + <p>"Six forks! eight spoons! We shall be four at table: it will be necessary to be + careful; else it will easily be seen something is wanting. I think, however, it will + do. I must give very precise instructions to John's wife, for she is a clever woman, + and knows what she is about!"</p> + <p>As be uttered the last words he replaced the silver in the basket and locked it in + the safe; after which he took the lamp, and, leaving the saloon on tiptoe, descended + through a little door into a large vaulted cellar. Here he hunted about for a + considerable time amid stacks of empty bottles, and at last succeeded in finding what + he was in search of; but his face became extremely pale as he drew three bottles from + the sand.</p> + <p>"Good heavens! <i>only three bottles!</i>" exclaimed he; "three bottles of + <i>table</i>-wine! and Monsieur Denecker is such a connoisseur of vintages! What + shall I do if they ask for more when these three bottles are empty? I have it! I do + not drink, and Lenora drinks very little; so there will be <i>two</i> bottles for + Monsieur Denecker and <i>one</i> for his nephew! But, even at the worst, what is the + use of anxiety? Let <i>luck</i> settle it!"</p> + <p>With this De Vlierbeck went into the corners of the cellar, where he gathered from + the walls a quantity of cobwebs, which he wound artistically around the bottles and + covered with dust and sand.</p> + <p>On reaching the saloon he went to work with paste and paper to mend some rents in + the tapestry on the wall; and then, after passing nearly half an hour in brushing his + clothes and disguising their threadbare spots with water and ink, he came back to the + table and made preparations for a task which was still more singular than any he had + hitherto been engaged in. Taking from the drawer a silk thread, an awl, and a bit of + wax, he put his boot on his knees and began to mend the rents in the leather with the + skill of a cobbler! It will readily be supposed that this odd occupation stirred a + variety of emotions in the heart of the poor gentleman; violent twitches and spasms + passed over his face; his cheeks became red, then deadly pale; till at last, yielding + to a passionate impulse, he cut the silk, threw it on the table, and, with his hands + stretched toward the portraits, cried out, with struggling passion,—</p> + <p>"Yes! behold me,—behold me,—ye whose noble blood runs in my veins! + You, brave captain, who, fighting at the side of Egmont, at St. Quentin, gave your + life for your country,—you, statesman and ambassador, who, after the battle of + Pavia, rendered such eminent services to the Emperor Charles,—you, benefactor + of your race, who endowed so many hospitals and churches,—you, proud bishop, + who, as priest and scholar, defended so bravely your faith and your God,—behold + me, all of you, not only from that senseless canvas, but from the bosom of God where + you are at rest! He whom you have seen at the wretched task of mending his boots, and + who devotes his life to the concealment of his poverty,—he is your descendant, + your son! If the gaze of his fellow-men tortures him, before you at least he is not + ashamed of debasing toil! glorious ancestry! you have fought the foes of your native + land with sword and pen; but I,—I have to contend with unmerited shame and + mockery, without a hope of ultimate triumph or glory; my weary soul sinks under its + burden, and the world has nothing in store for me but scorn and contempt! And, yet, + have I ever stained your noble escutcheon? All that I have done is generous and + honest in the sight of God;—nay, the very fountain-head of my wo is love and + compassion! Yes, yes!—fix your glittering eyes on me; contemplate me in the + abyss of poverty where I am fallen! From the bottom of that pit I lift my brow boldly + toward you, and your silent glance does not force me to grovel in the earth with + shame! Here, in the presence of your noble images, I am alone with my soul, with my + conscience;—hero, no mortification can touch the being who, as gentleman, + Christian, brother, and father, has sacrificed himself to duty!"</p> + <p>His voice ceased; and for a few moments he stood still in the midnight silence, + looking at the antique portraits as the last echoes died away in the lofty apartment, + with his arms stretched toward the pictures as if invoking the beings they + represented.</p> + <p>"Poor, senseless creature," continued he, after a while, clasping his hands and + lifting them anew to heaven, "thy soul seeks deliverance in dreams! Yes; it is, + perhaps, a dream, an illusion! Yet, thanks, thanks to the Almighty that allows even a + dream to fortify me with courage and endurance! Enough: reality once more stares me + in the face; and yet I defy the mocking spectre which points to ruin and misery!"</p> + <p>"And then to-morrow,—to-morrow!" continued he; "wilt thou not tremble + beneath the glance of those who seek the secret of thy life? Yes; study well thy + part; have ready thy mask; go on bravely with thy cowardly farce! And now begone; thy + nightly task is done;—beg, beg from sleep the oblivion of what thou art and of + thy threatening future! <i>Sleep!</i> I tremble at the very thought of it! Father in + heaven, have mercy on us!"</p> + <hr style='width: 65%;' /> + <a id="CHAPTER_III" name='CHAPTER_III'></a> + <h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> + <br /> + + <p>At daybreak next morning everybody was busy at Grinselhof. John's wife and her + serving-maid scoured the corridor and staircase; the farmer cleaned his stable; his + son weeded the grass from the garden-walks. Very early in the day Lenora set matters + in order in the dining-room and arranged with artistic taste all the pretty things + she could find on the mantel-piece and tables. There was a degree of life and + activity about Grinselhof that had not been seen in that solitude for many a year, + and everybody went to work with alacrity, as if anxious to dispel the gloom that hung + so long over the lonely dwelling. In the midst of the industrious crowd Monsieur De + Vlierbeck might be seen moving about with words of encouragement and expressions of + satisfaction; nor did he manifest the slightest symptom of the anxiety that was + secretly gnawing his heart. A pleasant smile flattered his humble dependants, as he + gave them to understand that their labors would be greatly honored by the approval of + his expected guests.</p> + <p>The farmer and his spouse had never seen De Vlierbeck so pleasant and so gay; and, + as they sincerely loved their master, they were as much delighted by his joy as if + they had been preparing for a village fair in which they were to take part. They + never dreamed of pay for their generous toil, but derived their most grateful + recompense from the pleasure they imparted to the hermit and his child.</p> + <p>As soon as the principal preparations were completed, De Vlierbeck called his + daughter and gave the necessary instructions for the dinner. Lenora was to confine + herself to drilling the farmer's wife in serving the dishes with which she was not + familiar. The old cooking-apparatus was lighted; wood kindled and crackled in the + chimney; coals glistened in the grate; and high above the roof-tree, clouds of smoke + betokened the good cheer that was to adorn the tables. Baskets of game were opened; + stuffed poultry, savory pasties, and choice viands, were brought forth; dishes of + green peas, beans, and other vegetables, appeared; and the women were speedily in a + turmoil of stringing, shelling, cutting, washing, and stewing.</p> + <p>Lenora herself did not shun her part in these humble duties, and amused her + companions by the pleasant chat with which she whiled away the hours. The rustics, + who had rarely enjoyed an opportunity of seeing her so closely or of enjoying a + familiar conversation with the beauty, were of course delighted with her gay and + affable manners; nor could they avoid expressing their pleasure when a few notes of a + popular song happened to drop from Lenora's lips.</p> + <p>The servant-maid instantly rose, and whispered, loud enough to be heard by + Lenora,—</p> + <p>"Oh, pray, do beg <i>mademoiselle</i> to sing a verse or two of that song! I heard + it at a distance the other day; and it was so beautiful that, fool as I am, I + blubbered like a baby for half an hour behind the rose-bushes. And yet I think it was + rather her sweet voice than the words that made me cry."</p> + <p>"Oh, yes! do sing it for us; it would give us so much pleasure! Your voice is like + a nightingale's; and I remember too, that my poor mother—alas! she is long ago + in heaven—used to sing me to sleep with that blessed song. Pray, sing it for + us, <i>mademoiselle</i>.</p> + <p>"It's very long,"' said Lenora, smiling.</p> + <p>"But if you only sing averse or two; it is a holiday with us, you know, + <i>mademoiselle!</i>"</p> + <p>"Well," returned Lenora, musingly, "if it will make you happy why should I refuse? + Listen:—</p> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>"Beside a deep and rapid stream</span><br /> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>A lonely maiden sat;</span><br /> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>With sighs her snowy bosom heaved,</span><br /> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>And tears bedewed the ground!</span><br /> + <br /> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>"A noble walked along the bank</span><br /> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>And saw her bitter grief;</span><br /> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>And, as her tears overflowed his heart,</span><br /> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>It melted for the maid!"</span><br /> + <br /> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>'Speak, maiden, speak!' the wanderer + cried!</span><br /> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>'Why moan you here alone?'—</span><br /> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>'Ah, sir, an orphan-child am I,</span><br /> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>Whom God alone can save!</span><br /> + <br /> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>'Ah! seest thou not yon grassy mound</span><br /> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>There sleeps my mother dear.</span><br /> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>Behold yon rock, above the flood;</span><br /> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>There fell my father down!</span><br /> + <br /> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>'The whirling torrent bore him on;</span><br /> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>He struggled long in vain;</span><br /> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>My brother leaped to help his sire,</span><br /> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>And both together sank!</span><br /> + <br /> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>'And now I fly our silent hut,</span><br /> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>Where desolation dwells,</span><br /> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>To mourn upon this dreary bank,</span><br /> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>And watch the wave and grave!'</span><br /> + <br /> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>'No longer grieve,' the stranger said,</span><br /> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>'Thy heart shall ache no more;</span><br /> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>A father and a brother too</span><br /> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>To thee, poor lonely girl, I'll be!'</span><br /> + <br /> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>"He took her hand; he led her off;</span><br /> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>In garments rich he clad the maid;</span><br /> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>Before the altar promised love,</span><br /> + <span style='margin-left: 1em;'>And blessed her life in happy home!"<a + id="FNanchor_A_2" name='FNanchor_A_2'></a><a + href='#Footnote_A_2'><sup>[A]</sup></a></span><br /> + <br /> + <a id="Footnote_A_2" name='Footnote_A_2'></a><a href='#FNanchor_A_2'>[A]</a> + <div class='note'> + <p>This simple and popular ballad, known in the Campine as <i>The Orphan</i>, is + sung by all classes to an air which is full of touching melody.</p> + </div> + <p>As Lenora was about beginning the last verse of her song De Vlierbeck appeared on + the sill of the kitchen door, and the peasants instantly rose in alarm at the freedom + with which they were sitting in the presence of their young mistress, listening to + her songs; but the poor gentleman at once understood the meaning of her action, and + with a gesture of approval signaled them to be quiet. As the last words died on his + ear,—"I'm glad to see you amusing yourselves," said he; "but, now that the song + is ended, I want your services in another quarter, my good woman."</p> + <p>Followed by Bess, the farmer's wife, he ascended to the dining-room, where the + table-cloth was already laid and every thing in order for the reception of the + dishes. Bessy's son was already there in livery, with a napkin over his arm; and De + Vlierbeck immediately began to assign them their several tasks during the service of + dinner, and to repeat and drill them in their tasks till he was perfectly satisfied + with their performances.</p> + <p>The hour for dinner was at length near at hand. Every thing was ready in the + kitchen, and all were at their posts. Lenora, in full dress and with a palpitating + heart, lingered in her chamber; while her father, with a book which he appeared to be + reading, sat beneath the <i>catalpa</i> in the garden.</p> + <p>It was about two o'clock when a splendid equipage, drawn by a pair of superb + English horses, entered the demesne of Grinselhof and drew up in front of the portal. + De Vlierbeck welcomed his guests courteously, and Monsieur Denecker gave orders to + the coachman to return precisely at five o'clock, as matters of importance required + his presence in Antwerp before nightfall.</p> + <p>Denecker was a large, stout person, dressed rather extravagantly, but in a style + of studied carelessness which he evidently regarded as stylish. The expression of his + face, it must be owned, was rather vulgar, and exhibited a compound of cunning and + good-nature tempered by indifference. But Gustave, his nephew, belonged to an + entirely different class of persons. His tall figure was graceful and easy, his + countenance frank and manly, and his whole demeanor denoted refined manners and high + cultivation. Blue eyes and blonde hair imparted a poetic air to his head; but an + energetic glance and lofty brow took from it every expression of sentimental + weakness.</p> + <p>No sooner had De Vlierbeck presented his guests to Lenora, in the saloon, than + Denecker broke forth in exclamations of undisguised admiration—</p> + <p>"How charming, how beautiful she is! and yet so hidden in this Grinselhof of + yours, Monsieur de Vlierbeck! What a shame, sir! what a shame!"</p> + <p>In the mean time Gustave and Lenora had moved off to a short distance from the old + gentlemen, and were busy in a chat of their own, inaudible to the rest but evidently + interesting to themselves, for they were observed not only to blush but tremble. + Denecker, in fact, could not help observing the young people's emotion; and, as De + Vlierbeck passed down the saloon with him, remarked that the young beauty was + evidently turning his nephew's head. "He talks of her constantly," said he, "and I + don't know what may come of it; but I give you fair warning, Monsieur De Vlierbeck, + if you are unwilling to see something more than compliments between these children + you had better take time by the forelock. It will soon be too late to reason with + them; for my nephew, with all his calm gentleness, is not the man to retreat before + difficulties."</p> + <p>De Vlierbeck was secretly delighted by the merchant's counsels, but was too wise + to display anxiety.</p> + <p>"You are joking, Monsieur Denecker," said he: "I can't think there is a particle + of danger. They are both young, and there is nothing surprising in mutual attraction + under such circumstances. There can hardly be any thing serious in their intercourse. + But, come," added he, aloud; "I perceive that dinner is served; and so let us adjourn + to the table!" Gustave led in the blushing girl, and the elders followed admiringly + in their rear, while the merchant shook his finger coquettishly at his gallant + nephew. De Vlierbeck placed Monsieur Denecker opposite him at table, and made Gustave + the <i>vis-à-vis</i> of Lenora.</p> + <p>Bess brought in the dishes, while her son waited on the guests. The viands were + prepared with considerable skill, and Denecker took frequent occasion to express his + satisfaction with their exquisite flavor. In truth, he was rather surprised at the + sumptuousness of the repast; for he had been prepared to expect lenten fare in a + household which was renowned throughout the neighborhood for its austere economy.</p> + <p>In a short time the conversation became general; and Lenora astonished Monsieur + Denecker by the extent of her information and the admirable style in which she + expressed herself and did the honors of the table. But, notwithstanding her ease and + freedom while conversing with the uncle, an observer could not help detecting that + she was shy, if not absolutely embarrassed, when obliged to reply to some casual + remark of the nephew. Nor was Gustave more at ease than the maiden. In fact, they + were both happy at heart because fate had thrown them together; but they would have + been quite willing to enjoy that delicious silence which in love is often more + eloquent than in language.</p> + <p>In the mean while De Vlierbeck rattled away, with the ease of a man of the world, + on all subjects that might interest his guests; yet he listened, with equal good + manners, to Denecker's conversation, and now and then adroitly threw in such hints as + allowed him to speak learnedly upon commercial matters. The merchant was gratified by + his deferential civility, and was drawn toward his entertainer by a stronger bond + than that of mere social politeness.</p> + <p>Indeed, all went on swimmingly, and all were pleased with themselves. De Vlierbeck + was especially gratified to find that Bess and her boy performed their tasks so well, + and that the spoons and plates were so quickly washed and brought back that it was + impossible to notice the deficiency of their number. One thing alone began to worry + him. He saw with pain that while Denecker was busy with his food and chat he was + equally busy with the wine, and that glass after glass disappeared with more rapidity + than was agreeable to his supply. Besides this, Gustave, who was probably anxious for + some excuse to have a word with Lenora upon any pretext, constantly asked permission + to fill her glass; so that, very soon after the soup and meat had been disposed of, + the first bottle was entirely emptied.</p> + <p>Civility required that it should be immediately replaced; and, as De Vlierbeck + observed that the more Monsieur Denecker talked the more he drank, he thought he + might try whether less conversation would not moderate the merchant's thirst. But, + alas! he was disappointed; for at that moment Denecker introduced the topic of wine, + and, lauding the generous juice of the grape, expressed surprise at the extraordinary + sobriety of his host. With this he redoubled his attack on the bottle, and was in + some degree, though less vigorously, seconded by Gustave. De Vlierbeck's agony became + more and more intense as he saw the rosy fluid sink and sink in the second bottle, + until at length the last drop was drained into the merchant's glass.</p> + <p>"Yes," said Denecker, "your wine is both old and good; but I have always found, in + tasting liquors, that if we don't change them we lose their flavor. I take it for + granted that you have a first-rate cellar, if I may judge by your first samples; so I + propose that we now try a bottle of your <i>Château-margaux</i>; and, if we + have time, we can finish with a bottle of <i>hochheimer</i>. I never drink + <i>champagne</i>: it is a bad liquor for wine-drinkers."</p> + <p>As the last words fell from Denecker, poor De Vlierbeck grew deadly pale, as his + frightened spirit went rummaging through the cracks and crannies of his brain for + some inspiration or expedient which might extricate him from his deep perplexity.</p> + <p>"<i>Château-margaux?</i>" inquired he, with a calm smile. "Certainly, sir, + if you wish it." And then, turning to the lackey,—"John," said he, "bring a + bottle of <i>Château-margaux</i>: you will find it in the third cellar on the + left-hand side."</p> + <p>But the rustic stared at his master with gaping mouth, as if he had been addressed + in one of the dead languages. Seeing the predicament, and mastering it + rapidly,—</p> + <p>"Excuse me," said De Vlierbeck, rising; "he would not find it, I fear. I will be + back in a moment."</p> + <p>Rushing into the kitchen, he seized the third and last bottle and descended to the + cellar, where he stopped to draw breath and compose himself.</p> + <p>"<i>Château-margaux! hochheimer! champagne!</i>" exclaimed poor De + Vlierbeck, "and not another drop of wine in my house but what is in this last bottle + of claret! What <i>shall</i> I do? what <i>can</i> I do?" continued he, as he held + the cobwebbed bottle in one hand and stroked his chin with the other. "But no matter: + there's no time for reflection: the die is cast, and may God help me in my need!"</p> + <p>He ascended the stair, entered the dining-room with the corkscrew in the last + cork, and found that during his absence Lenora had ordered fresh glasses on the + table.</p> + <p>"This wine," said De Vlierbeck, holding the bottle knowingly to the light, "is at + least twenty years old, Monsieur Denecker, and I sincerely hope it will please your + palate." So saying, he filled the glasses of uncle and nephew, and gazed anxiously in + their faces for the verdict.</p> + <p>Denecker tasted the wine, drop by drop, like an epicure, and, shaking his head + disappointedly,—</p> + <p>"There's a mistake, doubtless," said he; "for it's the identical wine we had + before."</p> + <p>De Vlierbeck feigned surprise admirably, tasted the wine in turn, and + replied,—</p> + <p>"I <i>believe</i> you are right, and that I <i>have</i> made a mistake; yet, as + the bottle is opened and not bad, suppose we drink it before I make another descent + to the cellar' There's abundance of time."</p> + <p>"I've no objection," answered the merchant, "provided you help us, so as to get + through it the quicker." And so the column in the third and last bottle diminished + more rapidly than its predecessors, till two or three glasses alone remained at the + bottom to crown the festival.</p> + <p>Poor De Vlierbeck could no longer conceal his agitation. He tried to keep his eyes + off the fatal bottle; but a sort of fascination drew him back to it, and each time + with increased anxiety. That dreadful word '<i>Château-margaux</i>' rang in his + ears. His face blushed and grew pale, and a cold, clammy sweat stood in big beads on + his forehead. Yet he felt that he had not entirely exhausted his resources, and + resolved to fight the battle of humiliation to the end. He wiped his brow and cheeks, + coughed, and turned aside as if about to sneeze. By dint of these manoeuvres he + continued to conceal his nervousness till Denecker grasped the bottle to pour out its + last drop. As he clasped the neck, a chill seized the hysterical frame of the poor + gentleman, a deadly paleness overspread his features, and his head fell with a groan + against the tall back of the chair. Was it in truth a fainting-fit, or did the + sufferer take advantage of his emotion to play a part and escape the embarrassment of + his situation?</p> + <p>In a moment the whole party were on their feet, while Lenora screamed and ran to + her father.</p> + <p>"It's nothing," said De Vlierbeck, striving, after a minute or two, to rally + himself. "I am faint; the confined air of this room overcame me. Let me walk a while + in the garden and I will soon be better."</p> + <p>As he said this he staggered to his feet, and, supported by Lenora and Gustave, + moved toward the garden, followed by Denecker with an expression of the deepest + concern. A short rest in the open air beneath the shade of a noble chestnut-tree + quickly restored a faint color to De Vlierbeck's cheek and enabled him to + tranquillize their anxiety about his sudden attack.</p> + <p>"I will rest here a while out of doors," said he, "for fear the fit might return; + and perhaps a slow walk in the garden might hasten my recovery."</p> + <p>"It will do both of us good," answered Denecker; "and, besides, as I have to quit + you at five o'clock, I don't want to leave Grinselhof without seeing its garden. Let + us take a turn through your walks, and afterward we shall have time enough to finish + another bottle."</p> + <p>As he said this he passed Lenora's arm within his own, and, casting a coquettish + glance at Gustave, began their promenade. By degrees De Vlierbeck rallied + sufficiently to take part in the chat; and gardening, agriculture, sporting, and a + hundred different country topics, were fully discussed. Lenora recovered her spirits + and charmed their commercial guest by the mingled charms of her intellectual + cleverness and innocent gayety. Wild as a deer, she dared him to run a race with her, + and danced along the paths by his side full of mirth and sportiveness. In truth, + Denecker was altogether captivated by the ingenuous girl, and, as he looked on her + radiant face, could not help thinking that the future had some happy days in store + for his gallant nephew. After a while Lenora strayed off in advance with Gustave, + while the two elders lingered lazily along the path. Gustave was charmed with the + flowers, the plants, the gold-fish, which Lenora pointed out to him; nor was he at + all desirous to shorten their delicious flirtation by returning to the table. This + chimed precisely with the anxiety of De Vlierbeck, who employed every stratagem he + could conceive to keep his guest in the open air. He told stories, repeated jokes, + appealed to Denecker's commercial knowledge, and even quizzed him a little when he + found their conversation beginning to flag. In fact, he was rejoicing that five + o'clock, and, of course, the carriage, were rapidly approaching, when Denecker + suddenly recalled his nephew from a distant quarter of the garden where he was + strolling with Lenora.</p> + <p>"Come, Gustave; come," said he; "if you wish to drink a parting glass with us let + us get in, for the coach will be here in a moment."</p> + <p>De Vlierbeck instantly became pale as a sheet, and, trembling from head to foot, + stared silently at Denecker, who could no longer restrain his surprise at these + exhibitions.</p> + <p>"Are you ill, sir?" said he.</p> + <p>"My stomach is a singular one, Monsieur Denecker, and I suffer spasms if you even + mention <i>wine!</i> It is a strange malady; but—Oh, I hear your coach, + Monsieur Denecker; and there it is, drawing up, I see, at the gateway."</p> + <p>Of course Denecker spoke no more of wine; but, as he could not help noticing the + alacrity with which De Vlierbeck hailed the prospect of his departure, he would have + been deeply mortified, if not offended, had not the previous hospitality of his host + satisfied him of their welcome. He thought, perhaps, that he ought to attribute his + entertainer's conduct to some singular nervous disease which he masked under an + antipathy for wine; and accordingly he took leave with a warm and friendly + farewell.</p> + <p>"I have passed a delightful afternoon with you, Monsieur De Vlierbeck," said he. + "We have found ourselves, I am sure, extremely happy in your and your daughter's + charming society. It is a pleasure added to my life to have made your acquaintance; + and I hope that further intimacy may assure me your friendship. In the mean while, + let me thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind reception."</p> + <p>As he finished the sentence, Lenora and Gustave joined them.</p> + <p>"My nephew," continued Denecker, "will confess, as I have done, that he has spent + few happier hours than those that are just gone. I hope, Monsieur de Vlierbeck, that + you and your charming daughter will return our visit and dine with us. Yet I shall + have to ask your pardon for postponing the pleasure it will afford us till I return + from Frankfort, where I am summoned, the day after to-morrow, on urgent business. It + is probable I may be detained away a couple of months; but if my nephew should be + allowed to visit you in my absence let me hope he will be welcome."</p> + <p>De Vlierbeck reiterated his professions of delight at the new acquaintance; Lenora + was silent; and Denecker moved off toward the coach.</p> + <p>"But the parting glass, uncle!" exclaimed Gustave. "Let us go in for a moment and + drink it."</p> + <p>"No, no," said Denecker, interrupting him tartly. "I believe we would never get + hence at all if we listened to you. It is time to be off, and I can delay no longer. + Adieu!"</p> + <p>Gustave and Lenora exchanged a long and anxious look, full of regret at separation + and of hope for speedy reunion. In a moment the uncle and nephew were in the vehicle + and the spirited horses in motion; but, as long as the group was in sight at the + gate, a couple of white-gloved hands might have been seen waving farewells from the + coach-window.</p> + <hr style='width: 65%;' /> + <a id="CHAPTER_IV" name='CHAPTER_IV'></a> + <h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + <br /> + + <p>A few days after the departure of his uncle, Gustave paid a visit to Grinselhof. + He was received by Monsieur De Vlierbeck and his daughter with their usual kindness, + passed the greater part of an afternoon with them, and went home at nightfall to the + <i>château</i> of Echelpoel full of delightful recollections and hopes. Either + from a fear of disturbing the reserved habits of the old gentleman, or from a sense + of politeness, Gustave did not at first repeat his visits too frequently; but after a + couple of weeks the extreme cordiality of Vlierbeck dispelled all his scruples. The + ardent youth no longer resisted an impulse that drew him toward the bewitching girl, + nor did he allow a single day to roll by without passing the afternoon at Grinselhof. + The happy hours flew rapidly on the wings of love. He strolled with Lenora through + the shady walks of the old garden, listened to her father's observations on science + and art, drank in the delicious notes of his loved one's voice as it was breathed + forth in song, or, seated beneath the flowery and spreading catalpa, dreamed the + dream of happiness that was in store for him with her who was probably soon to become + his betrothed.</p> + <p>If the noble and beautiful face of the maiden had won his eye and enlisted his + feelings the moment he first beheld her in the village churchyard, <i>now</i>, that + he had become familiar with her character, his love grew so ardently absorbing that + the world seemed sad and dead if she were not present to shed the light of her joyous + spirit upon every thing around him. Neither religion nor poetry could conjure up an + angel more fascinating than his beloved. Indeed, though God had endowed her person + with all those feminine graces that adorned the first woman in Paradise, he had also + lavished on her a heart whose crystalline purity was never clouded, and whose + generosity burst forth with every emotion like a limpid spring.</p> + <p>But in all his interviews, Gustave had never yet been alone with Lenora. When he + visited her she never left the apartment where she commonly sat with her father, + unless the old gentleman expressed a wish that they should unite in a walk through + the garden; and, of course, he had never enjoyed an opportunity to breathe the love + that was rising to his lips. Still, he felt that it was altogether useless to express + by words what was passing in their hearts; for the kindness, the respect, the + affection, that shone in everybody's eyes, betokened the feeling which united them in + a mingled sentiment of attachment and hope.</p> + <p>Though Gustave entertained profound veneration for Lenora's father and really + loved him as a son, there was something which at times came like a cloud betwixt + himself and the old gentleman. What he heard outside of Grinselhof of De Vlierbeck's + extraordinary avarice had been fully realized since he became intimate at the house. + No one ever offered him a glass of wine or beer; he never received an invitation to + dinner or supper; and he frequently observed the trouble that was taken by the master + of the house to disguise his inhospitable economy.</p> + <p>Avarice is a passion which excites no other emotion than that of aversion or + contempt, because it is natural to believe that when so degrading a vice takes + possession of one's soul it destroys every spark of generosity and fills it with + meanness. Accordingly, Gustave had a long and fearful conflict with himself in order + to subdue this instinctive feeling and to convince his judgment that De Vlierbeck's + conduct was only a caprice which did not detract from the native dignity of his + character. And yet, had the young man known the truth, he would have seen that a pang + was hidden beneath every smile that flitted over the old man's face, and that the + nervous shudders which at times shook his frame were the results of a suppressed + agony that almost destroyed him. As he gazed on the happy face of Lenora and steeped + his soul in the intoxication of her love, he never dreamed that her father's life was + a prolonged punishment; that, day and night, a terrible future opened its vista + before him; and that each moment of his existence brought him nearer and nearer to a + dreadful catastrophe. He had not heard the inexorable sentence of the + notary:—"Four months more and your bond expires, when all you possess in this + world will be sold by the officers of justice to satisfy your creditors!"</p> + <p>Two of those fatal months had already expired!</p> + <p>If Monsieur De Vlierbeck appeared to encourage the young man's love, it was not + alone in consequence of his sympathy with his feelings. No: the + <i>dénouement</i> of his painful trial was to be developed within a defined + period; and, if it proved inauspicious, there was nothing but dishonor and moral + death for himself and child! Destiny was about to decide forever whether he was to + come out victorious from this ten years' conflict with poverty, or whether he was to + fall into the abyss of public contempt! These were the feelings that induced him to + conceal his true position more carefully than ever, and, while he watched over the + lovers like a guardian spirit, made him do nothing to check the rapid progress of + their passion.</p> + <p>As the time of his uncle's return approached, the two months seemed to Gustave to + have flown by like a pleasant dream; and, although he felt sure that his relative + would not oppose the union, he foresaw that he would not be allowed hereafter to + spend so much of his time away from business. Indeed, the very idea that he might be + obliged to pass considerable periods without seeing Lenora made him look for his + uncle's return with any thing but delight.</p> + <p>One day he contrived to whisper his fears and anticipations to Lenora, and, for + the first time since their acquaintance, saw tears gathering in her eyes. The girl's + emotion touched his heart so sensibly that he ventured timidly to take her hand, and + held it in his for a long time without uttering a word. De Vlierbeck, who had + overheard the remark, tried to comfort him, but his words did not seem to produce the + desired effect; and, after a short time, Gustave rose abruptly and took leave, though + his usual time of departure had not yet arrived. Lenora read in his expression that + some sudden revolution had occurred in her lover's mind, for his eyes glistened with + extraordinary animation. She strove eagerly to retain him by her side; but he + resisted her appeal pleasantly, and declared that nothing should unveil his secret + till the following day, when he would return to Grinselhof. De Vlierbeck, however, + was more familiar with the world than his daughter; and, imagining that lie had + penetrated the mystery of Gustave's conduct, many a pleasant dream hovered that night + around his pillow.</p> + <p>As the usual hour of Gustave's visit approached next day, De Vlierbeck's heart + beat high with hope; and when the visitor appeared, clad with unusual neatness and + care, the old gentleman welcomed him with more than ordinary warmth. After the + compliments of the day had been paid to his ladylove, Gustave expressed a desire for + a few moments' conversation with her father, who led him into an adjoining cabinet + and seated himself by his side.</p> + <p>"What is it you wish of me, my young friend?" said he, kindly.</p> + <p>Gustave was silent for a moment, as if endeavoring to rally his ideas, and then + spoke out in a manly way:—</p> + <p>"I am about, my dear sir, to speak to you in regard to a matter that concerns my + happiness; and, no matter what may be your decision, I am sure, from your kindness + upon all occasions, that you will pardon my boldness. I can hardly imagine that the + feeling—the irresistible feeling—I have entertained for Lenora from the + first moment I saw her, has escaped your penetrating eye. I ought probably to have + asked your consent long ago, before she obtained so complete a dominion over my + heart; but I have always secretly encouraged the belief that you read my soul and + wore not displeased with my motives."</p> + <p>Gustave was silent, awaiting the hoped-for words of encouragement; but De + Vlierbeck only looked at him with a gentle smile, and gave no other indication of his + pleasure. A motion of the hand, as if he wished the lover to go on with his + conversation, was the only sign he made in reply,</p> + <p>Gustave's resolution began to ebb at this discouraging by-play; but, summoning all + his energy for another attack, he continued:—</p> + <p>"Yes, sir, I have loved Lenora from my first sight of her; but what was then a + spark is now a flame. Don't think it is her loveliness alone that bewitched me. She + might indeed enchant the most insensible of mankind; but I found a far more glorious + treasure in the angelic heart of your daughter. Her virtue, the immaculate purity of + her soul, her gentle and magnanimous sentiments,—in a word, the prodigal gifts + of mind and body which God has lavished on her,—have increased my admiration to + love, my love to absolute idolatry! How dare I conceal my emotion from you any + longer? I cannot live without Lenora; the very thought of even a short temporary + separation from her overwhelms me with despair. I long to be with her every day, + every hour; I long to hear her voice and read my happiness in her eloquent eyes! I + know not what may be your decision; but, believe me, if it shall be adverse to my + hopes, I shall not long survive the blow. If your decree separate, me from my beloved + Lenora, life will no longer have a charm for me!"</p> + <p>Gustave uttered his romantic rhapsody—the rhapsody of most lovers—with + that genuine emotion which bespoke his sincerity, and touched the heart of De + Vlierbeck so deeply that he grasped his hand and implored him to be calm.</p> + <p>"Don't tremble so, my young friend," said the old gentleman. "I know very well + that you love Lenora, and that she is not insensible to your affection for her. But + what have you to propose to me?"</p> + <p>Gustave replied, dejectedly,—"If I still doubt your approval, after all the + marks of esteem you have given me, it is because I fear you do not consider me worthy + the happiness I have sought. I have no ancestral tree whose roots are buried in the + past; the good deeds of my forefathers do not shine in history; the blood that runs + in my veins comes from a common stock."</p> + <p>"Do you think," said De Vlierbeck, interrupting him, "that I was ignorant of all + this from the first day of our acquaintance? No Gustave; no matter what your lineage + may be, your own heart is generous and noble; and, had it not been so, I would never + have esteemed and treated you as my son."</p> + <p>"And so," exclaimed Gustave, catching at the last words with a burst of joyous + impatience, "you don't refuse me Lenora's hand?—you will interpose no + objection, provided my uncle gives his consent?"</p> + <p>"No," replied De Vlierbeck; "I shall not refuse it to you. On the contrary, it + will give me unbounded happiness to intrust the fate of my only child to your + keeping. And yet there is an obstacle of which you have no idea."</p> + <p>"An obstacle!" exclaimed Gustave, growing pale;—"an obstacle between Lenora + and me?"</p> + <p>"Be silent a moment," said De Vlierbeck, "and listen to the explanation I shall + give you. You think, Gustave, I suppose, that Grinselhof and all its dependencies + belong to us? It is not so: we are penniless. We are poorer far than the peasant who + rents our farming-land and lives yonder at the gate!"</p> + <p>Gustave looked doubtingly at De Vlierbeck, with so incredulous a smile that the + poor gentleman blushed, and trembled like an aspen.</p> + <p>"I see you do not believe me," continued he; "I see it in your smile and look. + Like the rest of them, you think me a miser, hiding my wealth and starving my child + and myself to amass riches,—a wretch who sacrifices every thing for + money,—a vagabond whom all ought to fear and despise!"</p> + <p>"Oh, pardon me, pardon me, sir!" interrupted Gustave, moved by the excitement of + the old man "I think nothing of the kind! My veneration for you is unbounded!"</p> + <p>"Nay, don't be frightened at my words, young man," continued De Vlierbeck, in a + calmer tone. "I make no accusations against you, Gustave. I only saw in your + incredulous smile that I had succeeded in masking my poverty even from you, and in + making you suppose that my economy was avarice. But it is needless for me to give you + any further explanation just now. Let it suffice you to know that what I say is + strictly, honestly true. I possess nothing,—nothing!"</p> + <p>"And now," added he, after a moment's silence on both sides, "let me give you a + piece of advice. Go home to-day without seeing Lenora; examine your soul calmly, and + see whether there are no secret emotions that may make you change your present views; + let a night pass, and if, to-morrow, Lenora, poor as you now know her to be, is still + dear to you,—if you still think you can be happy with her and can make her + happy,—seek your uncle and ask his consent. Here is my hand: if the day shall + ever come when I can offer it as a father's, it will be the happiest of my life!"</p> + <p>Although the revelation made by Monsieur De Vlierbeck was astonishing to Gustave, + the solemn tone in which he announced it convinced the lover of its truth. He was + silent for a moment; but soon a spark of enthusiasm began to glisten in his eye and + light up his face, as he exclaimed,—</p> + <p>"How can you ask me if I shall continue to love Lenora now that I know her to be + poor? It will be happiness enough for me to receive her as a wife, to be bound to her + by the eternal bonds of love, to be forever within her reach, and to receive my + happiness from her look and voice! What delight it will be for me to protect her and + know that I have the privilege of working for her! Palace or hovel; riches or + poverty, all are equally indifferent to me, provided her presence animates the spot! + A night's reflection, Monsieur De Vlierbeck, cannot change my resolution. Grant me + Lenora's hand, and I will thank you on my knees for the priceless gift!"</p> + <p>"And suppose I do," replied the old gentleman; "generosity and constancy are + natural to the ardent character of youth:—but your uncle?"</p> + <p>"My uncle!" murmured Gustave, with evident grief; "that is true; I need his + consent. All I possess or ever shall possess in the world depends on his affection + for me. I am the orphan son of his brother. He adopted me as his child and has + overwhelmed me with kindness. He has the right to decide my lot in life, and I must + obey him."</p> + <p>"And do you think that he, a merchant, who probably places a very high value on + money, because experience has taught him its value, will say, like you, 'Palace or + hovel, poverty or wealth, it makes no difference'?"</p> + <p>"Alas! I know not, Monsieur De Vlierbeck," said Gustave, droopingly. "But my uncle + is so good to me—so extraordinarily good—that I may rightly hope for his + consent. He will return to-morrow. When I embrace him I will declare all my wishes. I + will say my comfort, my happiness, my life, depend on his consent. I know that he + loves Lenora sincerely; for, before his departure, he even seemed to encourage my + pretensions to her hand. Your disclosures will undoubtedly surprise him; but my + prayers will conquer: believe it!"</p> + <p>Monsieur De Vlierbeck rose, to put an end to the conversation.</p> + <p>"Well, ask your uncle's consent," said he; "and, if your hopes are realized, let + him come here and consult about the marriage. Whatever may be the issue of this + affair, Gustave, you at least have always behaved toward us with the delicacy of a + generous youth. My esteem and friendship shall always be yours. Go now; quit + Grinselhof this time without seeing Lenora, for you ought not to meet her until this + affair is settled. I will tell her myself whatever I think proper for her to + know."</p> + <p>Half pleased, half sad,—his heart divided between joy and + anxiety,—Gustave bade farewell to Lenora's father and returned to + Echelpoel.</p> + <hr style='width: 65%;' /> + <a id="CHAPTER_V" name='CHAPTER_V'></a> + <h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> + <br /> + + <p>On the afternoon of the following day Monsieur De Vlierbeck was seated in his + parlor, his head resting on his hand. He seemed plunged in profound thought, for his + eyes were fixed on vacancy and his face exhibited by turns contentment and hope, + inquietude and anxiety.</p> + <p>Occasionally Lenora came into the apartment, and, seeming unusually restless, + wandered about from spot to spot, arranging and rearranging the little fancy articles + upon the tables, looking out of the window into the garden, and at last running + down-stairs suddenly as if she were pursued. No one who saw her could doubt that she + was nervously anxious about something; yet her expression was one of joy and hope. + Had she been able to penetrate her father's mind and behold the various emotions that + excited it, she would not perhaps have been so gay and blithesome; but poor De + Vlierbeck restrained himself with his habitual care in her presence, and smiled at + her impatience as if he too were confident of approaching happiness.</p> + <p>At length, tired of running about, Lenora seated herself by her father and fixed + her clear and questioning gaze on his face.</p> + <p>"Don't be so excited, my good child," said he. "We shall know nothing to-day; but + we may, perhaps, to-morrow. Moderate your joy, my daughter; if it please Heaven to + decide against your hope in this matter your grief will be more easily + conquered."</p> + <p>"Oh, no, father!" stammered Lenora; "God will grant my prayer; I feel it in my + heart. Don't be astonished, father, that I am full of joy, for I think I see Gustave + speaking to his uncle. I hear what he says, and Monsieur Denecker's replies; I see + him embrace Gustave and give his consent! Who can doubt, father, that I ought to + hope, when I know that Monsieur Denecker loved me and was always kind?"</p> + <p>"Would you be very happy, Lenora," asked De Vlierbeck, with a smile, "if Gustave + were betrothed to you?"</p> + <p>"Never to leave him!" cried Lenora,—"to love him,—to be the happiness + of his life, his consolation, his joy,—to enliven the solitude of Grinselhof by + our love!—ah! that, father, would be delight indeed; for then there would be + two of us to contribute to the pleasures of your life! Gustave would have more skill + than I to chase away the grief that sometimes clouds your brow; you could walk, talk, + or hunt with him; he would venerate and love you as a son and watch you with the + tenderest care; his only thought on earth would be to make you happy, because he + knows that your happiness is mine; and I—I, father, will recompense him for his + devotion by the gratitude of my heart, and love. Oh, yes, dear father! we shall live + together in a paradise of contentment!"</p> + <p>"Ingenuous girl!" exclaimed De Vlierbeck, with a sigh; "may the Lord hear your + prayer! But the world, my child, is governed by laws and customs of which you are + altogether ignorant. A wife must follow her husband wherever he goes. If Gustave + shall select another residence you must follow him and console yourself gradually at + the separation from your father. Under other circumstances, parting might be painful; + but solitude will not sadden me if I know you are happy, my child."</p> + <p>The startled maiden looked at her father with surprise as he uttered these words; + and, as he finished, her head fell heavily on her breast and tears streamed silently + from her eyes. Monsieur De Vlierbeck took her hand tenderly as he said, in faltering + words,—</p> + <p>"I feared, Lenora, that I would make you sad; but you must become accustomed to + the idea of our separation."</p> + <p>Lenora raised her head quickly as she replied, in a firm and resolute manner, + "What! could Gustave ever dream of our separation? To leave you at Grinselhof passing + your days in seclusion while I and my husband were in the world in the midst of + festivity? I should not have an instant's rest, wherever I might be; conscience would + cry aloud in my heart, 'Ungrateful and insensible child, thy father is abandoned to + suffering and solitude!' Yes, I love Gustave; he is dearer to me than life itself, + and I receive his hand as a blessing from God; but if he should say to me, 'Abandon + your father!'—if he left me no choice except you or him,—I would close my + eyes and reject him! I should be sad; I should suffer; perhaps even I should die; + but, father dear, I would die in your arms!"</p> + <p>She bent down her head for a moment as if oppressed by a dreadful thought; but, + raising her large eyes, liquid with tears, she fixed them on her father, as she + added,—</p> + <p>"You doubt Gustave's affection for you; you imagine him capable of filling your + life with sorrow,—of separating me from you! Oh, father, you do not know him; + you do not know how much he respects and loves you; you do not comprehend the warmth + of his generous and loving heart!"</p> + <p>De Vlierbeck bent over his child and impressed a kiss on her forehead, as he was + about to utter some words of consolation, when suddenly Lenora sprang from his arms + and pointed eagerly to the window, as if listening to approaching sounds.</p> + <p>The noise of wheels and the clatter of horses on the road soon gave Monsieur De + Vlierbeck to understand why his daughter had been so startled. His face assumed a + more animated expression, and, descending hurriedly, he reached the door as Monsieur + Denecker alighted from his coach.</p> + <p>The merchant seemed in exceedingly good humor; he grasped De Vlierbeck's hand, + expressing his delight at seeing him once more. "How goes it with you, my old friend? + It seems that rogue, my nephew, has taken advantage of my absence." And, although De + Vlierbeck ushered him into the saloon with all the formality imaginable, Denecker + slapped him familiarly on the shoulder, and continued,—</p> + <p>"Well! well! we were good friends from the beginning; and now I understand we are + to be regular gossips:—at least I hope so. That scamp hasn't bad taste, I must + confess. He would have to make a long search before he found a handsomer or more + amiable woman than Lenora. Look you, Monsieur De Vlierbeck, we must have a wedding + frolic that people will talk of twenty years hence!"</p> + <p>By this time they had got into the saloon and taken their seats; but De Vlierbeck, + nervous as he was, had considerable doubt as to the tone of Denecker's remarks, and + whether he was jesting or serious.</p> + <p>"It seems," continued Denecker, assuming a graver tone, "that Gustave is madly + impatient for this union, and begs me to hasten it. I have taken compassion on the + young fellow and left all the business of our house topsy-turvy to-day to arrange + matters with you. He tells me you have given your consent. That was kind of you, sir. + I thought a great deal of this affair during my journey, for I had observed that + Cupid's arrows had gone clean through and through the boy; yet I had fears about your + consent. Inequality of blood, old-fashioned ideas, might perhaps interfere."</p> + <p>"And so Gustave told you that I consented to his marriage with Lenora?" said the + old gentleman, paying no attention to Monsieur Denecker's remarks.</p> + <p>"Did he deceive me, sir?" said Denecker, with surprise.</p> + <p>"No; but did he communicate something else to you, which ought to strike you as of + equal importance?"</p> + <p>Denecker threw back his head with a laugh, as he replied,—</p> + <p>"What nonsense you made him believe! But, between us two, that passes for nothing. + He tells me that Grinselhof don't belong to you and that you are <i>poor</i>! I hope, + Monsieur De Vlierbeck, you have too good an opinion of my sense to imagine I have the + least faith in such a story?"</p> + <p>A shudder passed over the poor gentleman's frame. Denecker's good-humored + familiarity had made him believe that he knew and credited all, and nevertheless + responded to his nephew's hopes; but the last words he heard taught him that he must + again go over the sad recital of his misfortunes.</p> + <p>"Monsieur Denecker," said he, "do not entertain the least doubt, I beg you, in + regard to what I am about to say. I am willing instantly to consent that my daughter + shall become your nephew's wife; but I solemnly declare that I am + poor,—frightfully poor!"</p> + <p>"Come, come!" cried the merchant; "we knew long, long ago that you were mightily + fond of your money; but when you marry your <i>only</i> child you must open your + heart and your purse, my dear sir, and portion her according to your means. They + say—pardon me for repeating it—that you are <i>a miser</i>; but what a + shame it would be to let your only daughter leave your house unprovided for!"</p> + <p>Poor De Vlierbeck writhed on his chair as Denecker poured forth his incredulous + jokes. "For God's sake, sir," cried he, "spare me these bitter remarks. I declare, on + the word of a gentleman, that I possess <i>nothing</i> in the world!"</p> + <p>"Well!" cried the merchant, taking no heed of his remarks, and with a mocking + smile, "come; let us cipher the matter out on the table. You suppose, perhaps, that I + have come here to ask some great sacrifice of you: but no, De Vlierbeck, thank God, I + have no occasion to be so close in my calculations. Yet a marriage is a thing to + which there are always two parties, and it is just that each should bring something + into the common stock."</p> + <p>"Oh, God! oh, God!" muttered the poor gentleman, as he clenched his hands + convulsively.</p> + <p>"I propose to give my nephew one hundred thousand francs," continued Denecker; + "and if he wants to continue in business my credit will be worth as much more to him. + I have no wish that Lenora's portion shall equal his. Your high birth, and especially + your character, will make up what is wanting in her fortune; but what say you to the + half,—fifty thousand francs? You will consent to that, or I am much mistaken. + What say you? Is it a bargain?"</p> + <p>Pale and trembling, De Vlierbeck sat riveted to his chair; but at last, in a low, + melancholy voice,—</p> + <p>"Monsieur Denecker," said he, "this conversation kills me. I beg you to stop this + infliction. I repeat that I possess <i>nothing</i>; and, since you force me to speak + before you apprize me of your own intentions, know that Grinselhof and its + dependencies are mortgaged beyond their value! It is useless to inform you of the + origin of these debts. Let it suffice to repeat that I tell the truth; and I beg you, + without going further, now that you are informed of the state of my affairs, to + declare frankly what are your designs as to your nephew's marriage."</p> + <p>Although this declaration was made with that feverish energy which ought to have + satisfied Denecker of its truth, it nevertheless failed to convince him. A degree of + surprise displayed itself on the merchant's face; but he continued his observations + in the same incredulous tone:—</p> + <p>"Pardon me, De Vlierbeck, but it is impossible to believe you. I did not think you + were so hard in a bargain. Yet be it so: every man has his weakness; one is too + miserly, another too prodigal. Now, for my part, I confess that I am extremely + anxious to spare Gustave the anxiety of delay. Give your daughter twenty-five + thousand francs, with the understanding that the amount of her portion is to remain a + secret; for I don't want to be laughed at. Twenty-five thousand francs!—you + cannot say it is too much;—in fact, it is a trifle that will hardly pay for + their furniture. Be reasonable, my good sir, and let us shake hands on it!"</p> + <p>De Vlierbeck said nothing; but, rising abruptly from the table, opened a closet + with a trembling hand, and, taking from it a package of papers, threw them on the + table.</p> + <p>"There!" said he; "read; convince yourself."</p> + <p>Denecker took up the papers and began to examine them. As he went on, the + expression of his face gradually changed, and at times he raised his head and looked + upward, as if in deep thought. After he had been engaged for some time in this + disagreeable task, De Vlierbeck recommenced the conversation in a tone of cutting + irony:—</p> + <p>"Ah! you would not believe me, sir. Well, let your determination be founded on + those papers alone. It is right you should know every thing; for I have determined + never again to be tortured. Besides the evidences of debt which are before you, I owe + a bill of exchange for four thousand francs, which I cannot pay! You see now, + Monsieur Denecker, that I am worse than poor, for I have debts!"</p> + <p>"Alas! it is but too true," said the stupefied merchant; "you have indeed nothing! + I see by these documents that my notary is also yours; and, although I spoke to him + of your fortune, he left me unadvised, or, I should rather say, in error."</p> + <p>De Vlierbeck breathed more freely, for he felt as if a rock had fallen from his + breast. His face resumed its ordinary calmness; and, seating himself, he + continued:—</p> + <p>"Now, sir, if you have no longer any reason to doubt my poverty, let me ask what + are your intentions."</p> + <p>"My intentions?" replied the merchant; "my intentions are that we shall remain as + good friends as we were before; but, as to the marriage, that of course falls to the + ground. We will speak no more about it. What were <i>your</i> calculations, Monsieur + De Vlierbeck? I think I am just beginning to see a little clearly into this matter! + You imagined, I suppose, that you would make a good business out of it and sell your + merchandise as high as possible!"</p> + <p>"Sir," exclaimed De Vlierbeck, bounding from his chair in rage, "speak + respectfully of my daughter! Poor or rich, do not dare to forget who she is!"</p> + <p>"Don't get angry! don't get angry! Monsieur De Vlierbeck. I have no desire to + insult you. Far from it. Had your enterprise succeeded I would probably have admired + you; but <i>finesse</i> against <i>finesse</i> always makes a bad game! Permit me to + ask, since you are so touchy on the point of honor, if you have acted a very + honorable part in courting my nephew and allowing his passion to absorb him?"</p> + <p>De Vlierbeck bowed his head to conceal the blush that suffused his aged cheeks; + nor did he awake from his painful stupor till the merchant recalled him by the single + word,—</p> + <p>"Well?"</p> + <p>"Ah!" stammered De Vlierbeck, "have mercy on me! Love for my child, probably, led + me astray. God endowed her with all the gifts that can adorn a woman. I hoped that + her beauty, the purity of her soul, the nobility of her blood, were treasures quite + as precious as gold!"</p> + <p>"That is to say, for a gentleman, perhaps; but not for so common a person as a + merchant," interrupted Monsieur Denecker, with a sneer.</p> + <p>"Don't reproach me with having <i>courted</i> your nephew," continued De + Vlierbeck. "That is a word that wounds me deeply; for it is unjust. Their attachment + was reciprocal and in every way unstudied. I thanked God daily in my prayers that he + had cast in our path a savior for my child:—yes, a savior, I say; for Gustave + is an honorable youth, who would have made her happy not so much by money as by his + noble and generous character. Is it then so great a crime for a father who has + unfortunately become poor to hope that his child should escape want?"</p> + <p>"Certainly not," replied the merchant; "but every thing is in <i>success</i>; and + in that respect, Monsieur De Vlierbeck, your enterprise has been unfortunate. I am a + man who examines his goods twice before he buys, and it is difficult to pass apples + on me for lemons!"</p> + <p>This heartless, trafficking slang tortured the unfortunate bankrupt to such a + degree that he arose from his seat in a passion and began to pace the apartment.</p> + <p>"You have no consideration for my misfortunes, sir," said he. "You pretend that I + designed deceiving you; but was it <i>you</i> who discovered my poverty? Are you not + free to act as you please, after the disclosures that I have voluntarily given you? + And let me remark, sir, that if I listen humbly to your reproaches—if I even + acknowledge my fault—the sense of manhood is not dead in my soul. You talk of + 'merchandise' and 'goods,' as if you came here to buy something! You allude to my + Lenora, do you? All your wealth, sir, could not purchase her! and, if love is not + powerful enough in your eyes to obliterate the pecuniary inequality between us, know + that I am a De Vlierbeck, and that name, even in poverty, weighs more than all your + money!"</p> + <p>During this explosion his face kindled with indignation and his eyes shot forth + their fiery rays upon the merchant, who, alarmed by the loud words and animated + gestures of De Vlierbeck, regarded him with an air of stupefaction from the other + side of the apartment.</p> + <p>"Good God, sir," said he at last, "there is no need of so much violence and loud + talk! Each of us remains where he is; each keeps what he has, and the affair is at an + end. I have but one request to make of you, and it is that you will never again + receive my nephew,—or else—"</p> + <p>"Or else?" interrupted De Vlierbeck, passionately; "do you <i>dare</i> to threaten + me?" But, restraining himself almost instantly, he continued, with comparative + calmness, "Enough! Shall I call Monsieur Denecker's carriage?"</p> + <p>"If you please," replied the merchant. "We cannot do business together, it seems; + but that is no reason why we should become enemies."</p> + <p>"Well! well! we will stop short of that, sir. But this conversation annoys me; it + must end!" And, so saying, he led Monsieur Denecker to the door and bade him farewell + abruptly. Be Vlierbeck returned to the parlor, fell into his chair and covered his + brow with both hands, as a heavy groan burst from his breast, which heaved with + almost hysterical emotion. For a long time he remained silent and motionless; but + soon his hands fell heavily on his knees, a deathly paleness overspread his face, and + the room whirled around the heart-broken man.</p> + <p>Suddenly he heard footsteps in the chamber above, and, rousing himself by a strong + effort, "Oh, God! my poor child!" cried he; "my poor Lenora! She comes! my punishment + is not yet complete! I must break the heart of my own child; I must tear from it all + its hopes, blot out its dream, behold it withered up with grief! Oh that I could + escape this dreadful disclosure! Alas! What to say to her? how to explain it?"</p> + <p>A bitter smile contracted his lips as he continued, with bitter irony:—"Ah! + hide thy suffering, old man; rally thy strength; take courage! If thy heart is torn + and bleeding,—if despair devours thy soul,—oh, smile, still smile! Yes! + your life has been a continual farce! Yet, miserable abortion that thou art, what + canst thou do but submit, yield without a fight, and bow thy neck to the yoke like a + powerless slave? Begone, rebellious feeling! Be silent, and behold thy child!"</p> + <p>Lenora opened the door and ran to her father, her questioning eyes fixed on his + with a look of hope. All of poor De Vlierbeck's efforts to disguise his suffering + were unsuccessful, and Lenora soon read in his face that he was a prey to some + overwhelming sorrow. As he still obstinately kept silence, she began to tremble, and + asked, with feverish impatience,—</p> + <p>"Well, father,—well,—have you <i>nothing</i> to say to me?"</p> + <p>"Alas! my child," said he, sighing, "we are not happy. God tries us with heavy + blows. Let us bow before the will of the Almighty."</p> + <p>"What do you mean? what is there to fear?" said Lenora, beside herself. "Speak, + father! Has he <i>refused</i> his consent?"</p> + <p>"He has refused it, Lenora!"</p> + <p>"Oh, no! no!" cried the maiden; "it is impossible!"</p> + <p>"Refused it, because he possesses millions and we—nothing!"</p> + <p>"It is true, then? Gustave is hopelessly lost to me!—lost to me forever!</p> + <p>"Hopelessly!" echoed the father.</p> + <p>A sharp cry escaped Lenora as she tottered to the table and fell on it, weeping + bitterly.</p> + <p>De Vlierbeck arose and stood above his sobbing daughter, and, joining his uplifted + hands, exclaimed, in suppliant tones,—</p> + <p>"Oh, pity me, pity me, Lenora! In that fatal interview I have suffered all the + torments that could rack the heart of a parent; I have drunk the dregs of shame; I + have emptied the cup of humiliation; but all, all are nothing in comparison with thy + grief! Calm yourself, child of my love; let me see the sweet face I so love to look + on; let me regain my lost strength in thy holy resignation! Lenora! my head swims; I + shall die of despair!"</p> + <p>As he uttered these words he sank heavily into a chair, overpowered by emotion. + The sound of his fall seemed instantly to recall Lenora to herself, and, dashing the + tears from her eyes, she leaned her head on his shoulder to listen and assure herself + that he had not fainted.</p> + <p>"Never to see him more! to renounce his love forever! to lose the happiness I + dreamed of! Alas! alas!"</p> + <p>"Lenora! Lenora!" exclaimed her father, entreatingly!</p> + <p>"Oh, beloved father," sobbed the poor girl, "to lose Gustave <i>forever!</i> The + dreadful thought overwhelms me! While I am near you I will bless God for his + kindness; but my tears overpower me; oh! let me weep, let me weep, I beseech + you!"</p> + <p>De Vlierbeck pressed his daughter more closely to his heart, and respected her + affliction in silence.</p> + <p>The stillness of death reigned throughout the apartment, while they remained + locked in each other's arms until the very excess of grief relaxed their embrace and + opened their hearts to mutual consolation.</p> + <hr style='width: 65%;' /> + <a id="CHAPTER_VI" name='CHAPTER_VI'></a> + <h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + <br /> + + <p>Four days after Denecker had refused his consent to the marriage, a hired carriage + might have been Been drawing up carefully in a screen of wood that bordered a by-road + about half a league from Grinselhof. A young man got out of it, and, giving + directions to the coachman to await him at a neighboring inn, walked briskly across + the moor toward the old <i>château</i>. As soon as Grinselhof began to loom up + over the trees, he moved cautiously along behind the hedges and thickets, as if + seeking to avoid observation; and then, stealing across the bridge, he opened the + gate, passed through the dense copse that surrounded the house, and entered the + garden.</p> + <p>The first object that greeted his sight was Lenora, seated at her table beneath + the well-known catalpa, with her head resting on the board, evidently absorbed in + sorrow. Her back was turned toward him as he approached; and, although he advanced + with the utmost caution, the sound of his footsteps disturbed her in the intense + silence of the spot, and she leaped to her feet, while the name of Gustave broke in + surprised accents from her lips. She was evidently anxious to escape into the house; + but her lover threw himself on his knees, and, grasping her hand, poured forth a + passionate appeal:—</p> + <p>"Listen to me, Lenora! listen to me! If you fly and refuse me the consolation of + telling you with my last farewell, all I have suffered and all I hope, I will either + die here at your feet, or I will go hence forever, a broken-hearted wanderer over the + face of the earth! Listen to me! listen to me! Listen to me, Lenora, my sister, my + beloved, my betrothed! By our pure and holy love, I beseech you not to repulse + me!"</p> + <p>Though Lenora trembled in every limb, her features assumed an expression of + wounded pride, as she answered, with cold decision,—</p> + <p>"Your boldness surprises me, sir! You are indeed a daring man, to appear again at + Grinselhof after your uncle's insulting conduct to my father! He is ill in bed; his + soul is crushed by the outrage. Is this the reward of all my affection for you?"</p> + <p>"Oh, God! oh, God! Lenora, do I hear <i>you</i> accuse me? Alas! what have I done, + and what could I prevent?"</p> + <p>"There is nothing, sir, any longer, in common between us," said the girl. "If we + are not as rich as you, the blood that runs in our veins cannot suffer by comparison. + Arise! begone! I will see you no more!"</p> + <p>"Mercy! pity!" exclaimed Gustave, lifting his clasped hands toward her; "mercy, + Lenora, for I am innocent!"</p> + <p>The maiden dashed away the tears that began to start in her eyes, and, turning her + back on him, was about to depart.</p> + <p>"Cruel, cruel!" exclaimed Gustave, in broken tones. "Can you leave me without a + farewell?—without a word of consolation? Will you remain insensible to my grief + and deaf to my prayers? 'Tis well; I will submit to my lot, for <i>you</i> have + decided it! You, Lenora, my love, have sentenced me! I forgive you: be happy on earth + without me, and farewell forever!"</p> + <p>As he uttered those words his strength seemed utterly to fail him, and, sinking + into the chair which Lenora had quitted, his head and arms fell lifeless on the + table.</p> + <p>The determined girl had made a few steps in her retreat to the house, when she + suddenly halted on hearing the agonized tones of Gustave's farewell and the sudden + sound of his fall on the table. As she glanced backward at the convulsed frame of her + lover, a spasm that denoted the violent conflict between duty and affection passed + over her beautiful face; and, as her heart appeared gradually to conquer in the + fight, the tears began to pour in showers from her eyes. Step by step and slowly she + retraced the path to the table, and leaning over the sufferer, took one of his hands + tenderly in hers:—</p> + <p>"Are we not wretched, Gustave? Are we not wretched?"</p> + <p>At the touch of that gentle hand and the sound of that beloved voice, life seemed + once more to stir in his veins, and, raising his eyes languidly to hers, he gazed + mournfully into them as he half said, half sighed,—</p> + <p>"Lenora, dear Lenora, have you come back to me? Have you taken pity on my agony? + You do not <i>hate</i> me, do you?" "Is a love like ours extinguished in a day?" + returned Leonora, with a sigh.</p> + <p>"Oh, no, no!" cried Gustave aloud; "it is eternal! Is it not eternal, Lenora, and + omnipotent against every ill as long as the hearts beat in our bosoms?"</p> + <p>Lenora bowed her head and cast down her eyes.</p> + <p>"Do not imagine, Gustave," said she, solemnly, "that our separation causes me less + grief than it does you; and, if the assurance of my love can assuage the pangs of + absence, let it strengthen and encourage you. My lonely heart will keep your image + sacred in its holiest shrine; I will follow you in spirit wherever you go, and I will + love you till death shall fill up the gulf that separates us. We shall meet again + above, but never more on earth."</p> + <p>"You are mistaken, Lenora," cried Gustave, with a feeble expression of joy; "you + are mistaken! There is still hope; my uncle is not inexorable, and his compassionate + heart must yield to my despair."</p> + <p>"That may be," replied Lenora, in sad but resolute tones; "that may be, Gustave; + but my father's honor is inflexible. Leave me, Gustave; I have already disobeyed my + father's orders too long, and slighted my duty in remaining with a man who cannot + become my husband. Go now; for, if we should be surprised by some one, my poor, + wretched father would die of shame and anger."</p> + <p>"One moment more, beloved Lenora! Hear what I have to tell you. My uncle refused + me your hand; I wept, I besought him, but nothing could change his determination. In + despair I was transported beyond myself; I rebelled against my benefactor; and, + treating him like an ungrateful wretch, I said a thousand things for which I begged + his pardon on my knees when reason resumed her empire over my excited soul. My uncle + is goodness itself to me: he pardoned my sin; but he imposed the condition that I + should instantly undertake a journey with him to Italy, which he has long designed + making. He idly hopes that travel may obliterate your image from my mind; but think + not, Lenora, that I can ever forget you! A sudden thought flashed through my fancy, + and I accepted his terms with a secret joy. For months and months I will be alone + with my uncle; and, watching him ever with the love and gratitude I feel for all his + kindness, I will gradually wear away his objections, and, conquering his heart, + return, my love, to place the bridal wreath upon your brow, and claim you, before the + altar of God, as the companion of my choice!"</p> + <p>For an instant a gentle smile overspread the maiden's face, and her clear, earnest + gaze was full of rapture at the vision of future happiness; but the gleam disappeared + almost as quickly as it arose, and she answered him, with bitter sadness,—</p> + <p>"Alas! my dear friend, it is cruel to destroy this last hope of your heart; and + yet I must do it. Your uncle might consent; but my father—"</p> + <p>She faltered for an instant.</p> + <p>"Your father, Lenora? Your father would pardon all and receive me like a long-lost + son."</p> + <p>"No, no; believe it not, Gustave; for his honor has been too deeply wounded. As a + Christian he might pardon it; but as a gentleman he will never forget the + outrage."</p> + <p>"Oh, Lenora, you are unjust to your father. If I return with my uncle's consent, + and say to him, 'I will make your child happy; give her to me for my wife; I will + surround her path with all the joys a husband has ever bestowed on woman;'—if I + tell him this, think you he will deny me?"</p> + <p>Lenora cast down her eyes.</p> + <p>"You know his infinite goodness, Gustave," said she. "My happiness is his only + thought on earth; he will thank God and bless you."</p> + <p>"Yes, yes; he <i>will</i> consent," continued Gustave, with ardor; "and all is not + lost. A blessed ray lightens our future, and let it rekindle your hope, beloved of my + heart! Yield not to grief; let me go forth on this dreary journey, but let me bear + along with me the assurance that you await my return with trust in God. Remember me + in your prayers; utter my name as you stray through these lonely paths which + witnessed the dawn of our love and where for two months I drained the cup of perfect + bliss. The knowledge that I am not forgotten by you will sustain my heart and enable + me to endure the pangs of separation."</p> + <p>Lenora wept in silence. Her lover's eloquence had extinguished every spark of her + pride; and the rebellious heart which so lately was ready to cast off its rosy + fetters had no longer a place for any thing but love and sadness. Gustave saw that he + had conquered.</p> + <p>"I go, Lenora," said he, "strong in your affection. I quit my country and my loved + one with a confident hope. Whatever may happen to me, I will never be downcast. You + will think of me daily, Lenora, will you not?"</p> + <p>"Alas! I have promised my father that I will forget you!" sobbed the maiden, as + her hand trembled in his.</p> + <p>"<i>Forget</i> me!" exclaimed Gustave. "<i>Can</i> you force yourself to forget + me?"</p> + <p>"No, Gustave; NO!" said she, firmly, fixing her large eyes on him with an intense + and lingering gaze. "No: for the first time in my life I will disobey my father. I + feel that I have net the strength to keep my idle word. I cannot forget you: till the + last hour of my life I will love you; for it is my fate, and I cannot resist."</p> + <p>"Thanks, thanks, a thousand thanks, Lenora!" exclaimed Gustave, in a transport. + "Thy tender love strengthens me against destiny. Beloved of my heart, rest here under + the guardian eye of God. Thy image will follow me in my journey like a protecting + angel; in joy and grief, by day and night, in health and sickness, thou, Lenora, wilt + ever be present to me! This cruel separation wounds my heart beyond expression; but + duty commands, and I must obey. Farewell, farewell!"</p> + <p>He wrung her hands convulsively, and was gone.</p> + <p>"Gustave!" sobbed the poor girl, as she sank on the chair and allowed the pent-up + passion of her soul to burst forth in tears.</p> + <hr style='width: 65%;' /> + <a id="CHAPTER_VII" name='CHAPTER_VII'></a> + <h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + <br /> + + <p>Leonora secretly cherished in her heart the hope of a happy future; but she did + not hesitate to inform her father of Gustave's visit. De Vlierbeck heard her + listlessly, and gave no other reply but a bitter smile.</p> + <p>From that day Grinselhof became sadder and more solitary than ever. The old + gentleman might generally be seen seated in an arm-chair, resting his forehead on his + hand, while his eyes were fixed on the ground or on vacancy. The fatal day on which + the bond fell due was perhaps always present to his mind; nor could he banish the + thought of that frightful misery into which it would plunge his child and himself. + Lenora carefully concealed her own sufferings in order not to increase her father's + grief; and, although she fully sympathized with him, no effort was omitted on her + part to cheer the old man by apparent contentment. She did and said every thing that + her tender heart could invent to arouse the sufferer from his reveries; but all her + efforts were in vain: her father thanked her with a smile and caress; but the smile + was sad, the caress constrained and feeble.</p> + <p>If Lenora sometimes asked him, with tears, what was the cause of his depression, + he adroitly managed to avoid all explanations. For days together he wandered about + the loneliest paths of the garden, apparently anxious to escape the presence even of + his daughter. If she caught a glimpse of him at a distance, a fierce look of + irritation was perceptible on his face, while his arms were thrown about in rapid and + convulsive gesticulations. If she approached him with marks of love and devotion, he + scarcely replied to her affectionate words, but left the garden to bury himself in + the solitude of the house.</p> + <p>An entire month—a month of bitter sadness and unexpressed suffering on both + sides—passed in this way; and Lenora observed with increased anxiety the rapid + emaciation and pallor of her father, and the suddenness with which his once-lively + eye lost every spark of its wonted vivacity. It was about this time that a slight + change in the old gentleman's conduct convinced her that a secret—and perhaps a + terrible one—weighed on his heart. Every day or two he went to Antwerp in the + <i>calèche</i>, without informing her or any one else of the object of his + visit. He came back to Grinselhof late at night, seated himself at the supper-table + silent and resigned, and, persuading Lenora to go to bed, soon went off to his own + chamber. But his daughter was well aware that he did not retire to rest; for during + long hours of wakefulness she heard the floor creak as he paced his apartment with + restless steps.</p> + <p>Lenora was brave by nature, and her singular and solitary education had given her + a latent force of character that was almost masculine. By degrees the resolution to + make her father reveal his secret grew in her mind. And, although a feeling of + instinctive respect made her hesitate, a restless devotion to the author of her being + gradually overcame all scruples and emboldened her for the enterprise.</p> + <p>One day Monsieur De Vlierbeck set off very early for town. The morning wore away + heavily; and, toward the afternoon, Lenora wandered wearily about the desolate house, + with no companion but her sad reflections. At length she entered the apartment where + her father usually studied or wrote, and, after a good deal of hesitation, in which + her face and gestures displayed the anxiety of her purpose, opened the table-drawer, + and saw in it, unrolled, a written document. The paleness of death overspread her + countenance as she perused the paper and instantly closed the drawer. After this she + left the apartment hastily, and, returning to her chamber, sat down with hands + clasped on her knees and eyes fixed on the floor in a stare of wild surprise.</p> + <p>"<i>Sell Grinselhof!</i>" exclaimed she. "Sell Grinselhof! Why? Monsieur Denecker + insulted my father because we were not rich enough for him. What is this secret? and + what does it all mean? If it should be <i>true</i> that we are beggars! Oh, God! does + a ray of light penetrate my mind? is this the solution of the enigma and the cause of + my father's depression?"</p> + <p>For a long time she remained motionless in her chair, absorbed in reverie; but + gradually her face brightened, her lips moved, and her eyes glistened with + resolution. As she was endeavoring to fight bravely against misfortune, she suddenly + heard the wheels of her father's <i>calèche</i> returning to Grinselhof. She + ran down instantly to meet him; and as he drew up at the door she perceived the poor + sufferer buried in a corner of the vehicle, apparently deprived of all consciousness; + and, when he descended from the vehicle and she saw his expression distinctly, the + deadly pallor that covered his haggard cheeks almost made her sink to the earth with + anxiety. Indeed, she had neither heart nor strength to utter a word to him; but, + standing aside in silence, she allowed the old man to enter the house and bury + himself as usual in his chamber.</p> + <p>For some minutes she stood on the door-sill, undecided as to what she should do; + but by degrees her brow and cheeks began to redden, and the light of resolution shone + in her moistened eyes.</p> + <p>"Ought the feeling of respect to restrain me longer?" said she to herself; "shall + I let my father die without an effort? No! no! I must know all! I must tear the worm + from his heart; I must save him by my love!"</p> + <p>Without a moment's further delay, she ran rapidly through three or four chambers, + and came to the apartment where her father was seated with his elbows resting on the + table and his head buried in his hands. Throwing herself on her knees at his feet, + and with hands raised to him in supplication,—</p> + <p>"Have mercy on me, father!" exclaimed she; "have mercy on me, I beseech you on my + knees; tell me what it is that distresses you! I must know why it is that my father + buries himself in this solitude and seems to fly even from his child!"</p> + <p>"Lenora! thou last and only treasure that remainest to me on earth," replied De + Vlierbeck, in a broken voice, with despair in his wild gaze,—"thou hast + suffered, dreadfully, my child, hast thou not? Rest thy poor head in my bosom. A + terrible blow, my child, is about to fall on us!"</p> + <p>Lenora did not seem to pay any attention to these remarks, but, disengaging + herself from her father's embrace, replied, in firm and decided tones,—</p> + <p>"I have not come here, father, for consolation, but with the unalterable + determination to learn the cause of your suffering. I will not go away without + knowing what misfortune it is that has so long deprived me of your love. No matter + how much I may venerate you and respect your silence, the sense of duty is greater + even than veneration. I must—I <i>will</i>—know the secret of your + grief!"</p> + <p>"Thou deprived of thy father's love?" exclaimed De Vlierbeck, reproachfully and + with surprise;—love for thee, my adored child, is precisely the secret of my + grief. For ten years I have drained the bitter cup and prayed the Almighty to make + you happy; but, alas! my prayers have always been unheard!"</p> + <p>"Shall I be unhappy, then?" asked Lenora, without betraying the least emotion.</p> + <p>"Unhappy, because of the misery that awaits us," replied her father. "The blow + that is about to fall on our house destroys all that we possess. We must leave + Grinselhof."</p> + <p>The last words, which plainly confirmed her fears, seemed for a moment to appall + the girl; but she repressed her feelings, and answered him, with increased + courage,—</p> + <p>"You are not dying this slow death because ill-fortune has overtaken <i>you</i>, + my father; I know the unconquerable force of your character too well for that. No! + your heart is weak and yielding because <i>I</i> have to partake your poverty! Bless + you, bless you, for your affection! But, tell me, father, if I were offered all the + wealth of the world on condition that I would consent to see you suffer for a single + day, what think you I would answer?"</p> + <p>Dumb with surprise, the poor man looked proudly at his daughter, and a gentle + pressure of her hand was his sole reply.</p> + <p>"Ah!" continued she, "I would refuse all the treasures of earth and meet poverty + without a sigh. And you, father,—if they offered you all the gold of America + for your Lenora, what would you do?"</p> + <p>"How can you ask, child?" exclaimed her father; "do we sell our hearts' blood for + gold?"</p> + <p>"And so," continued the girl, "our Maker has left us that which is dearest to us + both in this world; why then should we mourn when we ought to be grateful for his + compassionate care? Take heart once more, dear father; no matter what may be our + future lot,—should we even be forced to take refuge in a hovel,—nothing + can harm us as long as we are not separated!"</p> + <p>Smiles, astonishment, admiration, and love, by turns flitted over the wan features + of the poor old man, who seemed altogether unnerved and disconcerted by the painful + <i>dénouement</i>. At length, after some moments of unbroken silence, he + clasped his hands, and, gazing intensely into her eyes through his starting + tears—</p> + <p>"Lenora, Lenora! my child!" he exclaimed, "thou art not of earth—thou art an + angel! The unselfish grandeur of thy soul unmans me completely!"</p> + <p>She saw she had conquered. The light of courage was rekindled again in her + father's eye, and his lofty brow was lifted once more under the sentiment of dignity + and self-devotion that struggled for life in his suffering heart. Lenora looked at + him with a heavenly smile, and exclaimed, rapturously,</p> + <p>"Up! up! father; come to my arms; away with grief! United in each other's love, + fate itself is powerless in our presence!"</p> + <p>Father and daughter sprang into each other's arms, and for a long while remained + speechless, wrapped in a tender embrace; then, seating themselves with their hands + interlocked, they were silent and absorbed, as if the world and its misery were + altogether forgotten.</p> + <p>"A new life—a new and refreshing current of blood—seems to have been + suddenly poured into my veins," said Monsieur De Vlierbeck. "Alas, Lenora, what a + sinner I have been! how wrong I was not to divulge all! But you must pardon me, + beloved child; you must pardon me. It was the fear of afflicting you—the hope + of finding some means of rescue, of escape—that sealed my lips. I did not know + you, my daughter; I did not know the inestimable treasure that God in his mercy had + lavished on me! But <i>now</i> you shall know all; I will no longer hide the secret + of my conduct and my grief. The fatal hour has come; the blow I desired to ward off + is about to fall and cannot be turned aside! Are you prepared, dear child, to hear + your father's story?"</p> + <p>Lenora, who was delighted to behold the calm and radiant smile that illuminated + the face of her heart-broken parent, answered him instantly, in caressing + tones,—</p> + <p>"Pour all your woes into my heart, dear father, and conceal nothing. The part I + have to perform must be based on complete knowledge of every thing; and you will feel + how much your confidence relieves your burdened soul."</p> + <p>"Take, then, your share of suffering, daughter," replied De Vlierbeck, "and help + me to bear my cross! I will disguise nothing. What I am about to disclose is indeed + lamentable; yet do not tremble and give way at the recital, for, if any thing should + move you, it must be the story of a father's torture. You will learn now, my child, + why Monsieur Denecker has had the hardihood to behave toward us as he has done."</p> + <p>He dropped her hand, but, without averting his eager gaze from her anxious eyes, + continued:—</p> + <p>"You were very young, Lenora, but gentle and loving as at present, and your + blessed mother found all her happiness centered in your care and comfort. We dwelt on + the lands of our forefathers; nothing disturbed the even tenor of our simple lives; + and, by proper economy, our moderate income sufficed to support us in a manner + becoming our rank and name.</p> + <p>"I had a younger brother, who was endowed with an excellent heart, but generous to + a fault and somewhat imprudent. He lived in town, and married a lady of noble family + who was no richer than himself. She was showy in her tastes and habits, and, I fear, + induced him to increase his revenue by adventurous means. There can be no doubt that + he speculated largely in the public funds. But probably you do not understand what + this means, my child. It is a species of <i>gambling</i>, by which a man may in a + moment gain millions; and yet it is a game that may, with equal rapidity, plunge him + into the depths of misery and reduce him as if by magic to the condition of a + beggar.</p> + <p>"At first, my brother was remarkably successful, and established himself in town + in a style of living that was the envy of our wealthiest citizens. He came to see us + frequently, bringing you, who were his godchild, a thousand beautiful presents, and + lavished his affection with testimonials of kindness which were proportioned to his + fortune. I spoke to him often about the dangerous character of his adventures, and + endeavored to convince him that it was unbecoming a gentleman to risk his property + upon the hazards of an hour; but, as continued success emboldened him more and more, + the passion for gambling made him deaf to all my appeals, all my advice.</p> + <p>"At last the evil hour came! The luck which had so long favored him became + inconstant; he lost a considerable portion of his gains, and saw his fortune + diminishing with every venture. Still, courage did not fail him; but, on the + contrary, he seemed to fight madly against fate, with the idle hope of forcing + fortune to turn once more in his favor. But, alas, it was a fatal delusion!</p> + <p>"One night—I tremble as I recall it—I was in my chamber and nearly + ready to retire; you were already in bed, and your mother was saying her prayers on + her knees beside your little couch. A tremendous storm raged without: hail beat in + torrents against the windows, and the wind howled in the chimneys and swayed the + trees as if it was about to blow down the house. The violence of the tempest began to + make me somewhat anxious, when suddenly the door-bell was pulled and the sound of + horses heard at the gate. In a moment the summons was answered by one of our + servants,—for we kept two then,—and a female rushed into the room, + throwing herself in tears at my feet. It was my brother's wife!</p> + <p>"Trembling with fright, I of course hastened to raise her; but she clung to my + knees, begging my assistance, imploring me, by every passionate appeal she could + think of, to save her husband's life, and convincing me by her sobs and distraction + that some frightful calamity was impending over my brother!</p> + <p>"Your mother joined me eagerly in my efforts to calm the sufferer, and by degrees + we managed to extract the cause of her singular conduct and unseasonable visit. My + brother—alas!—had lost all he possessed, and even more! His wife's story + was heart-rending; but its conclusion filled us with more anxiety for her husband + than his losses; for, overcome by the certainty of a dishonored name, haunted by the + reflection that law and justice would soon overtake him, my poor brother had made an + attempt upon his life! The hand of God had providentially guided his wife to the + apartment, where she surprised him at the fatal moment and snatched the deadly + instrument from his grasp! He was then locked up in a room; dumb, overcome, bowed + down to the earth, and guarded by two faithful friends. If any one on earth could + save him, it was surely his brother!</p> + <p>"Such was the wild appeal of my wretched sister-in-law, who, heedless of the + stormy night, had thrown herself into a coach and fled to me, through the tempest, as + her only hope for their salvation. There she was at my feet, bathed in tears, + sobbing, screaming, beseeching me to accompany her to town. <i>Could I—did + I</i>—hesitate? Your tender mother, who saw at once the frightful condition of + the family, and sympathized as woman's heart alone can do with human misery, eagerly + implored me not to lose a moment. 'Save him, save him!' exclaimed she; 'spare + nothing: I will consent to every thing you may think proper to do or sacrifice!'</p> + <p>"We flew back to town through the storm and darkness. You grow pale, Lenora, at + the very thought of it, for it was indeed frightful, and you can never know the + impression it made on me: these whitened hairs—whitened before their + time—are the records of that terrible night! But let me continue.</p> + <p>"It is needless to describe the wild despair in which I found my brother, or to + tell you how long I had to wrestle with his spirit in order to force a ray of hope + into his soul. There was but one means by which we could save his honor and life; + but—oh God!—at what a sacrifice! I was obliged to pledge all my property + as security for his debts. Nothing could be spared; our ancestral manor-lands, your + mother's marriage-portion, your moderate dowry,—all were ventured with the + certainty that the greater part would unquestionably be lost! On these hard + conditions my brother's honor might be saved; and, if that could be rescued, he was + willing to renounce the determination to escape shame by death. I must in justice say + that it was not he who demanded the sacrifice from me: on the contrary, he did not + suppose that I could or would make it; but I was satisfied in my mind that if I did + not settle his affairs, at all hazards, he would execute his criminal project against + his life. And yet—and yet, my child—<i>I hesitated!</i>"</p> + <p>"Father!" exclaimed Lenora, "<i>you did not refuse!</i>"</p> + <p>A happy smile beamed on his face as he met the questioning glance of his daughter + and answered, firmly,—</p> + <p>"I loved my brother, Lenora; but I loved <i>you</i>, my only child, much more. The + sacrifice demanded of me by his creditors insured misery for your mother and for + you!"</p> + <p>"Oh, God! oh, God!" sobbed Lenora.</p> + <p>"On one side my heart was distracted by this dreadful thought, while on the other + I was assailed by the despair that was present in the bankrupt's chamber; but + generosity conquered in the awful trial, and at daylight I sought out the principal + creditors and signed the documents that saved a brother's life and honor but gave up + my wife and child to want."</p> + <p>"Thank God!" gasped Lenora, as if she had been relieved from a horrible nightmare. + "Bless you, bless you, father, for your noble, generous conduct!"</p> + <p>She rose from her seat, and, passing her arms around his neck, gave him a glowing + kiss with as much solemnity as if she had been anxious to endue this mark of love + with all the fervor and sacredness of a benediction.</p> + <p>"Ah! but canst thou bless me, my child," said he, with eyes foil of gratitude, + "for an act that should implore thy pardon?"</p> + <p>"<i>My</i> pardon, father!" exclaimed Lenora, with surprise on all her features. + "Oh, had you done otherwise, what would I not have suffered in doubting the goodness + of my parent's heart! Now, now, I love you more than ever! <i>Pardon you</i>, father? + Is it a crime to save a brother's life when it is in your keeping?"</p> + <p>"Alas, Lenora, the world does not reason thus, and never forgives us for the guilt + of poverty. Reduced to that, we suffer humiliations which any one may observe in the + lives of multitudes of our nobles. Yes; society regards poverty as a crime, and it + treats us like outcasts. Our equals avoid us in order not to be confounded in our + misery; while peasants and tradesmen laugh at our misfortune as if it was a sort of + agreeable revenge. Happy, happy they to whom heaven has given an angel to pour + comfort and consolation into their hearts in hours of want and dejection! But listen, + my child!</p> + <p>"My brother was saved, and I concealed most carefully the assistance I had been to + him; he left the country and went with his wife to America, where, ever since, he has + worked hard and gained hardly enough to support a miserable existence. His wife died + during the voyage. And, as to ourselves, we no longer possess any thing; for + Grinselhof and our other lands were mortgaged for more than they were worth. Besides + this, I was forced to borrow from a gentleman of my acquaintance four thousand + <i>francs</i> upon my bond.</p> + <p>"When your mother heard of the sacrifices to which I was forced to submit, she + made no reproaches; at first she fully approved my conduct. But very soon we became + necessarily subjected to privations under which your mother's strength declined, + till, without a sigh or complaint, she began to fade away slowly from earth. It was a + dreadful situation; for, to conceal our ruin and save our ancestral name from + contempt, we were forced to part with the last ounce of our silver to pay the + interest on our debts. Gradually our horses and servants disappeared; the paths that + led to our neighbors soon became grass-grown; and we declined all social invitations, + so as to avoid the necessity of returning the compliment. A rumor about us began to + spread through the village and among the noble families that had formerly been on + terms of intimacy with us; and scandal declared that <i>avarice</i> had driven us to + a life of meanness and isolation! We joyously accepted the imputation, and even the + coldness with which our holiday friends accompanied it; it was a veil with which + society thought proper to cover us, and beneath its folds our poverty was safe from + scrutiny.</p> + <p>"But I am approaching scenes, my child, the recollection of which almost unnerves + me. My story has reached the most painful moment of my life, and I beseech you to + hear me calmly.</p> + <p>"Your poor mother wasted away to a skeleton; her sunken-eyes were hardly visible + in their deep sockets; a livid pallor suffused her cheeks. As I saw her + fading,—fading,—the wife whom I had loved more than life,—as I + gazed on those death-struck features and saw the fatal evidences each day clearer and + clearer,—I became nearly mad with despair and grief."</p> + <p>Lenora shuddered with emotion as her breast heaved convulsively under the sobs she + strove to repress. Her father stopped a moment, almost overcome by the recital; but, + rallying his courage quickly, he forced himself to go on with his sad + recollections:—</p> + <p>"Poor mother! she did nothing but weep! Every time she looked at her + child—her dear little Lenora—tears filled her eyes. Thy name was always + on her lips, as if she were forever addressing a prayer for thee to God in heaven! At + last the dreadful hour arrived when she heard the Almighty's voice summoning her + above. The clergyman performed the services for the dying; and you, my child, had + been taken from her arms and sent out of the house. It was midnight, and I was alone + with her whose icy lips had already imprinted on mine their last sad kiss. My heart + bled. Oh, God! how wretched—how wretched—were those parting hours! My + beloved wife lay there before me as if already a corpse, while the tears yet trickled + down her hollow cheeks and she strove to utter your name with her expiring breath. + Kneeling beside her, I implored God's mercy for her passing hour, and kissed away the + sweat of agony that stood upon her brow. Suddenly I thought I perceived an effort to + speak, and, bending my ear to her lips, she called me by name, and said, 'It is over, + my love, it is over; farewell! It has not pleased the Almighty to assuage my dying + hour, and I go with the conviction that my child will suffer want and wretchedness on + earth!'</p> + <p>"I know not what my love inspired me to say in that solemn moment; but I called + God to witness that you <i>should</i> escape suffering, and that your life should be + happy! A heavenly smile illuminated her eyes, and she believed my promise. With an + effort, she lifted her thin hands once more round my neck and drew my lips to hers. + But soon those wasted arms fell heavily on the bed;—my Margaret was + gone;—thy mother was no more!"</p> + <p>De Vlierbeck's head fell on his breast. Lenora's bosom heaved convulsively as she + took his hand without uttering a word; and, for a long time, nothing was heard in + that sad confessional but the sobs of the maiden and the sighs of her heart-broken + father.</p> + <p>"What I have yet to say," continued the poor gentleman, "is not so painful as what + I have already told you: it concerns only myself. Perhaps it would be better if I + said nothing about it; but I need a friend who possesses all my confidence and can + sympathize with me thoroughly in all I have undergone for the last ten years.</p> + <p>"Listen, then, Lenora. Your mother was no more; she was gone;—she who was my + last staff in life! I remained at Grinselhof alone with you, my child, and with my + promise,—a promise made to God and to the dead! What should I do to fulfil it? + Quit my hereditary estate? wander away seeking my fortune in foreign lands, and work + for our mutual support? That would not do, for it would have devoted you at once to + the chances of a wretched uncertainty. I could not think of such a course with any + degree of satisfaction; nor was it till after long and anxious reflection that a ray + of hope seemed to promise us both a happy future.</p> + <p>"I resolved to disguise our poverty more carefully than ever, and to devote my + time to the most elaborate cultivation of your mind. God made you beautiful in face + and person, Lenora; but your father was anxious to initiate you into the mysteries of + science and art, and, while he endowed you with a knowledge of the world, to make you + virtuous, pious, and modest. I desired to make you an accomplished woman, and I hoped + that the nobility of your blood, the charms of your beauty, the treasures of your + heart and intellect, would compensate in society for the portion that was denied you. + Thus was it, my child, that I thought in time, you would make a suitable alliance + which would restore you to the position you hold by birth. For ten years, Lenora, + this has been my occupation and my hope. What I had forgotten or never learned, I + studied at night to teach you next morning; I labored hard that I might not only + instruct you wisely but that you might acquire easily; and, at the same time, I + strove by every honest means to conceal from you every thing that could give a hint + or cause a suspicion by which your life might be shadowed. Oh, Lenora,—shall I + confess it?—I have suffered hunger and undergone the most cruel privations; I + have passed half my nights mending my clothes, working in the garden, studying and + practising in the dark, so as to hide our poverty from you and the world. But all + that was nothing; in the silence of night I was not forced to blush before any one. + By day I had to encounter all kinds of insults, and, with a bleeding heart, swallow + affront and humiliation."</p> + <p>Lenora looked at her father with eyes moistened by compassion. De Vlierbeck + pressed her hand, and continued:—</p> + <p>"Be not sad, Lenora; if the Lord's hand inflicted deep wounds with every blow, he + bestowed a balm which cured them. One little smile of thy gentle face was sufficient + to make me pour forth an ejaculation to Heaven: you, you at least were happy, and in + your happiness I saw the fulfilment of my promise!</p> + <p>"At length I thought that God himself had thrown in our path one who would save + you from threatening danger. A mutual inclination arose between Gustave and you, and + a marriage seemed the natural consequence. Under these circumstances I apprized + Monsieur Denecker, during his last visit, of the deplorable condition of my affairs; + but no sooner did I make the disclosure than he peremptorily refused his consent to + the union. As if this terrible blow, which withered all my hopes, had not been + sufficient to overwhelm me, I learned, almost at the same time, that the friend who + loaned me four thousand francs, with the right to renew my obligation to him every + year, had died in Germany, and that his heirs demanded the payment of the debt! I ran + all over town, rapped at every friendly door, ransacked heaven and earth in my + despair, to escape this last ignominy; but all my efforts were fruitless. To-morrow, + perhaps, a placard will be stuck on the door of Grinselhof, announcing the sale not + only of our estate but also of our furniture and of every trifling object that memory + and association have rendered dear to us. Honor requires that we shall surrender, to + public sale, every thing of the least value to pay our debts. If fate were kind + enough to allow us to satisfy every creditor it would be a great consolation, my + child, in our misery. Does not this fatal history break your heart?"</p> + <p>"Is that all which makes you despond, father? Have you no other grief? Does your + heart conceal no other secret from me?" asked Lenora.</p> + <p>"None, my child. You know every thing."</p> + <p>"I can very well understand," replied Lenora, gravely, "that others would consider + a blow like this as a frightful misfortune; but how can it affect us? You even appear + calm. Why, father, do you, like me, appear indifferent to the inexorable decree of + fate?"</p> + <p>"Because you have inspired me with courage and confidence, Lenora; because your + love is restored to me fully after a long constraint; because you let me hope that + you will not be unhappy. I know what you want to say, noble child, whom God has given + me as a shield against every ill! Well, I will encounter ruin without bowing my head, + and submit with resignation to the hand of God! Alas!" continued he, sadly, "who can + tell what sufferings are yet in store for us? We may be forced to wander about the + world,—to seek an asylum far from those we know and love,—to earn our + daily bread by the labor of our hands! Oh, Lenora, you know not how bitter is the + bread of misery,—of poverty!"</p> + <p>The maiden shuddered as she saw the cloud falling once more like a curtain over + her father's face. She grasped his hand tenderly, and, fixing her gaze intently on + his, said, in beseeching tones,—</p> + <p>"Oh, father! let not the happy smile that just now lighted your features depart + from them again! Believe me, we shall still be happy. Fancy yourself in the position + that awaits us: and what do you see in it so frightful? I have skill to do all that + woman can do; and then your instructions have made me able to instruct others in the + arts and sciences you have taught me. I shall be strong and active enough for both of + us, and God will bless my labor. Behold us, father, peacefully at home, with tranquil + hearts and always together in our neat apartment: we will love one another, set + misfortune at defiance, and live together in the heaven that our common sacrifice has + made! Oh, it seems to me, father, that the true happiness of our lives is only + beginning! How can you still give yourself up to despair when pleasure is in store + for us,—a pleasure such as few upon earth are permitted to enjoy?"</p> + <p>Monsieur De Vlierbeck looked at his daughter with rapture. Those enthusiastic but + gentle tones had so touched his heart, that noble courage had inspired him with so + much admiration, that tears of joy filled his eyes. With one hand he drew Lenora to + his bosom, and, placing the other on her forehead, he looked to heaven with religious + fervor. A silent prayer, a blessing on his child, an outpouring of thankfulness, + arose from his heart, like the sacred flame from an altar, toward the throne of Him + who had bestowed that angelic child!</p> + <hr style='width: 65%;' /> + <a id="CHAPTER_VIII" name='CHAPTER_VIII'></a> + <h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + <br /> + + <p>A few days afterward, as De Vlierbeck had predicted, the public sale of all their + property was inserted in the papers and placarded over the city and neighborhood. The + affair made some noise, and every one was astonished at the ruin of a person whom + they considered rich and miserly.</p> + <p>As the sale was stated to be in consequence of his departure from the country, the + gossips would have been unable to discover the genuine motive if the news had not + come from Antwerp that De Vlierbeck had resolved to pay his debts and was wretchedly + poor. The cause of his misfortune—that is to say, his liability for his + brother—was known, though all the circumstances were not fully understood.</p> + <p>As soon as the publication was made, the poor old gentleman led, if possible, a + more retired life than ever, in order to avoid explanations. Resigned to his fate, he + quietly awaited the day of sale; and, although his feelings often strove to master + his resolution, the constant care and encouragement of his noble-hearted daughter + enabled him to encounter the fatal hour with a degree of pride.</p> + <p>In the mean while he received a letter from Gustave at Rome, containing a few + lines for his child. The young man declared that absence from Lenora had only + increased his affection, and that his only consolation was the hope of future union + with her by the bonds of marriage. But in other respects the letter was not + encouraging. He said with pain that all his efforts to change his uncle's + determination had, up to that time, been fruitless. De Vlierbeck did not conceal from + Lenora that he no longer had a hope of her union with Gustave, and that she ought to + strive against this unhappy love in order to escape from greater disappointment. + Indeed, since her father's poverty had become publicly known, Lenora was convinced + that duty commanded her to renounce every hope; yet she could not help feeling + pleased and strengthened by the thought that Gustave still loved her, and that he, + whose memory filled her heart, dreamed of her in his distant home and mourned her + absence.</p> + <p>She kept her promises to him faithfully. How often did she pronounce his name in + the solitude of that garden! How often did she sigh beneath the catalpa, as if + anxious to trust the winds with a message of love to other lands! In her lonely walks + she repeated his tender words; and often did she stop musingly at some + well-remembered spot where he had blessed her with a tender word or look.</p> + <p>But poor De Vlierbeck was obliged to undergo additional pain; for, as if every + misfortune that could assail him was to be accumulated at that moment on his devoted + head, he received from America the news of his brother's death! The unfortunate + wanderer died of exhaustion in the wilderness near Hudson's Bay. The poor gentleman + wept long and bitterly for the loss of a brother whom he tenderly loved; but he was + soon and roughly turned aside to encounter the catastrophe of his own fate.</p> + <p>The day of sale arrived. Early in the morning Grinselhof was invaded by all sorts + of people, who, moved by curiosity or a desire to purchase, overran every nook and + corner of the house, examining the furniture and estimating its value.</p> + <p>De Vlierbeck had caused every thing that was to be sold to be carried into the + most spacious apartments, where, aided by his daughter, he passed the entire + preceding night in dusting, cleaning, and polishing the various articles, so that + they might prove more attractive to competitors. He had no personal interest in this + labor; for, his funded property having been sold some days before at great loss, it + was certain that the sale of all his remaining possessions would not exceed the + amount of his debts. It was a noble sentiment of honor and probity that compelled him + to sacrifice his rest for his creditors, so as to diminish as much as he could the + amount of their losses. It was clear that De Vlierbeck did not intend to prolong his + stay at Grinselhof after the sale; for among the articles to be offered were the only + two bedsteads in the house, with their bedding, and a large quantity of clothes + belonging to him and his daughter.</p> + <p>Very early in the day Lenora went to the farm-house, where she remained until all + was over. At ten o'clock the saloon was full of people. Nobles and gentlefolks of + both sexes were mixed up with brokers and second-hand dealers who had come to + Grinselhof with the hope of getting bargains. Peasants might be seen talking + together, in low voices, with surprise at Do Vlierbeck's ruin; and there were even + some who laughed openly and joked as the auctioneer read the terms of sale!</p> + <p>As the salesman put up a very handsome wardrobe, De Vlierbeck himself entered the + apartment and mingled with the bidders. His appearance caused a general movement in + the crowd; heads went together and men began to whisper, while the bankrupt was + stared at with insolent curiosity or with pity, but by the greater part with + indifference or derision. Yet, whatever malicious feeling existed in the assembly, it + did not last long; for the firm demeanor and imposing countenance of De Vlierbeck was + never on any occasion more instinct with that dignity which inspires respect. He was + poor; fortune had struck him a cruel blow; but in his manly look and calm features + there beamed a brave and independent soul which misfortune itself had been unable to + crush.</p> + <p>The auctioneer went on with the sale, assisted in his description of the various + articles by Monsieur De Vlierbeck, who informed the bidders of their origin, + antiquity, and value. Occasionally some gentleman of the neighborhood, who, in better + days, had been on good terms with Lenora's father, approached him with words of + sympathy; but he always managed to escape adroitly from these indiscreet attempts at + consolation. Whenever it was necessary for him to speak, he showed so much + self-command and composure that he was far above the idle <i>compassion</i> of that + careless crowd; yet if his countenance was calm and dignified, his heart was weighed + down by absorbing grief. All that had belonged to his ancestors—articles that + were emblazoned with the arms of his family and had been religiously preserved as + heirlooms for several centuries—were sold at contemptible rates and passed into + the hands of brokers. As each historical relic was placed on the table or held up by + the auctioneer, the links of his illustrious race seemed to break off and depart. + When the sale was nearly over, the <i>portraits</i> of the eminent men who had borne + the name of De Vlierbeck were taken down from the walls and placed upon the stand. + The first—that of the hero of St. Quentin—was knocked off to a dealer for + little more than three francs! In the sale of this portrait, and the laughable price + it brought, there was so much bitter irony that, for the first time, the agony that + had been so long torturing De Vlierbeck's heart began to exhibit its traces in his + countenance. No sooner had the hammer fallen, than, with downcast eyes and a sigh + that was inaudible even to his nearest neighbor, the stricken nobleman turned from + the crowd and left the saloon, so as not to witness the final sacrifice of the + remaining memorials that bound him to his race.</p> + <p>The sun was but an hour or two above the horizon. A deathlike silence had taken + the place of the noise, bustle, and vulgarity that ruled at Grinselhof during the + morning; the solitary garden-walks were deserted, the house-door and gate were + closed, and a stranger might have supposed that nothing had occurred to disturb the + usual quiet of the spot. Suddenly the door of the dwelling opened, and two persons + appeared upon the sill; one, a man advanced in life, the other, a pale and serious + woman. Each carried a small package and seemed ready for travel. Lenora was dressed + in a simple dark gown and bonnet, her neck covered by a small square handkerchief. De + Vlierbeck was buttoned up to the chin in a coarse black greatcoat, and wore a + threadbare cap whose large visor nearly masked his features. Although it was evident + that the homeless travellers had literally stripped themselves of all superfluities + and had determined to go forth with the merest necessaries of decency, there was + something in the manner in which they wore their humble costumes that distinctly + marked their birth and breeding. The old man's features were not changed; but it was + difficult to say whether they expressed pleasure, pain, or indifference. Lenora + seemed strong and resolute, although she was about to quit the place of her birth and + separate herself, perhaps forever, from all she had loved from infancy,—from + those aged groves beneath whose shadows the dawn of love first broke upon her + heart,—from that remembered tree at whose feet the timid avowal of Gustave's + passion had fallen on her ear. But a sense of duty possessed and ruled her heart. + Reason in her was not overmastered by sensibility; and, when she saw her father + tottering at her side, all her energy was rallied in the effort to sustain him.</p> + <p>They did not linger at the door, but, crossing the garden rapidly, directed their + steps toward the farm-house, which they entered to bid its occupants farewell. Bess + and her servant-maid were in the first apartment below.</p> + <p>"Mother Bess," said Monsieur De Vlierbeck, calmly, "we have come to bid you + good-by."</p> + <p>Bess stared a moment anxiously at the travellers, and, lifting her apron to her + eyes, left the apartment; while the servant-maid leaned her head against the + window-frame and began to sob as if her heart would break. In a short time Bess + returned with her husband, whom she had found in the barn.</p> + <p>"Alas! is it true, sir," said the farmer, in a stifled voice,—"is it true + that you are going to leave Grinselhof, and that, perhaps, we shall never see you + again?"</p> + <p>"Come, come, mother Bess," said the poor bankrupt, as he took and pressed her + hand; "don't weep on that account; you see we bear our lot with resignation."</p> + <p>Bess raised her head, threw her eyes once more over the humble dress of her old + master, and began to cry so violently that she could not utter a word. Her husband + strove manfully to repress his emotion; and, after an effort or two, addressed + Monsieur De Vlierbeck in a manly way:—</p> + <p>"May I ask the favor of you, sir, to let me say a word or two to you in + private?"</p> + <p>De Vlierbeck entered the adjoining room, where he was followed by the farmer, who + shut the door carefully.</p> + <p>"I hardly dare, sir," said he, "to mention my request; but will you pardon me if + it displeases you?"</p> + <p>"Speak out frankly, my friend," returned De Vlierbeck, with a smile.</p> + <p>"Look you, sir," stammered the tender-hearted laborer. "Every thing that I have + earned I owe to you. I had nothing when I married Bess; and yet, with your kindness, + we have managed to succeed. God's mercy and your favor have made us prosperous; while + you, our benefactors, have become unfortunate and are forced to wander away from + their home,—God knows where! You may be forced to suffer privations and want; + but that must not be: I would reproach myself as long as I live. Oh, sir!" continued + he, as his voice faltered and his eyes filled with tears, "all that I have on earth + is at your service!"</p> + <p>De Vlierbeck pressed the hard hand of the rustic with a trembling grasp, as he + replied,—</p> + <p>"You are a worthy man indeed, and I am, happy that it was once in my power to + protect and serve you; but I cannot accept your offer, my friend: keep what you have + earned by the sweat of your brow, and do not concern yourself for our future fate, + for, with God's help, we shall find means to live."</p> + <p>"Oh, sir," said the farmer, beseechingly, and clasping his hands in an attitude of + entreaty, "do not reject the trifle I offer you;"—he opened a drawer and + pointed to a small heap of silver.—"See!" said he; "that is not the hundredth + part of the good you have done us. Grant me this favor, I beseech you: take this + money, sir; and if it spare you a single suffering or trial I shall thank God for it + on my knees!"</p> + <p>Tears streamed down the wan and wrinkled cheeks of the poor gentleman as he + replied,—</p> + <p>"Thanks! thanks! my friend; but I must refuse it. All persuasion is useless. Let + us leave this room!"</p> + <p>"But, sir," cried the farmer, in astonishment, "where do you intend to go? Tell + me, for God's sake!"</p> + <p>"I cannot," replied Monsieur De Vlierbeck, "for I don't know myself; and, even if + I did, prudence would make me silent."</p> + <p>Uttering these words, he returned to the other room, where he found everybody in + tears. He saw at once that for his own sake as well as his daughter's he must end + these trying scenes; and accordingly, in a firm voice, he told her it was time to be + gone. There were a few more tender and eager pressures of hands, a few more + farewells, a few last looks at the old homestead and its surroundings, and the + bankrupt pair sallied forth with their bundles, and, passing the bridge just at + sunset, departed on foot across the desolate moor.</p> + <p>It is hard to bid farewell and quit the spots with which, even in a summer's + journey, we have formed agreeable associations: but harder far it is to bid adieu + forever to the home of our ancestors and the haunts of our youth. This dreadful trial + was passing in De Vlierbeck's heart. From a distant point on the road where the + domain of Grinselhof was masked by thickets, the wanderer turned his eyes once more + in the direction of the old <i>château</i>. Big tears stood in his eyes and + slowly rolled down his hollow cheeks as he stood there, silent and motionless, with + clasped hands, gazing into vacancy. But night was rapidly falling around the + wayfarers; and, recalling him to consciousness with a kiss, Lenora gently drew her + father from the spot till they disappeared in the windings of the wood.</p> + <hr style='width: 65%;' /> + <a id="CHAPTER_IX" name='CHAPTER_IX'></a> + <h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + <br /> + + <p>Monsieur De Vlierbeck had not been gone a week, when a letter addressed to him + from Italy reached the village post-office. The carrier inquired of Farmer John where + the old proprietor of Grinselhof had fixed his residence; but neither from him, the + notary, nor any one else in the neighborhood, could he discover the bankrupt's + retreat. The same fate awaited three or four other letters which followed the first + from Italy; and, indeed, nobody bothered himself any more about the wanderers except + the peasant, who every market-day pestered the country-folks from every quarter with + questions about his old master. But no one had seen or heard of him.</p> + <p>Four months passed slowly by, when one morning a handsome post-chaise stopped at + the door of our old acquaintance the notary and dropped a young gentleman in + travelling-costume.</p> + <p>"Where's your master?" said he impatiently to the servant, who excused the notary + under the plea of his present engagement with other visitors, but invited the + stranger to await his leisure in the parlor.</p> + <p>The youth was evidently disconcerted by the delay; for he paced the apartment with + rapid strides and seemed altogether absorbed by some anxiety or disappointment which + made him extremely restless. The notary's visitors seemed to be either very tedious + clients or engaged in very important business; for more than half an hour elapsed + before that functionary made his appearance. He came into the room ceremoniously, + prepared to measure his words and reception by his visitor's rank; but no sooner did + he perceive who it was than his calculating features relaxed into a professional + smile, and he advanced rapidly toward Gustave with outstretched hands.</p> + <p>"How are you, how are you, my dear sir?" said he. "I have been expecting you for + several days, and I am really happy to see you at last. I am greatly flattered by the + confidence you are disposed to place in me, and am ready, whenever you please, to + devote myself to your affairs. By-the-way, I suppose there is a will?"</p> + <p>A shadow passed over Gustave's brow and his face became serious as he took a + portfolio from his overcoat and drew forth a package of papers.</p> + <p>"I am pained, sir, at your loss," said the notary. "Your excellent uncle was my + friend, and I deplore his death more than that of any one else. It pleased God that + he should die far away from his home. But such, alas! is man's fate. We must console + ourselves by the reflection that we are all mortal. Your uncle was <i>very</i> fond + of you, and I suppose you have not been forgotten in his last moments?"</p> + <p>"You may see for yourself," said Gustave, as he placed the package on the + table.</p> + <p>The notary ran his eyes over the papers, and, as he perused them, his face + exhibited by turns surprise and satisfaction.</p> + <p>"Permit me," said he, "to congratulate you, Monsieur Gustave; these documents are + all in order and unassailable. Heir of all his fortune! Do you know, sir, that you + are more than a <i>millionaire</i>?"</p> + <p>"We will speak of that another time," said Gustave, interrupting him rather + sharply. "I called on you to-day to ask a favor."</p> + <p>"You have but to name it, sir."</p> + <p>"You were the notary of Monsieur De Vlierbeck?"</p> + <p>"I was."</p> + <p>"I heard from my uncle that Monsieur De Vlierbeck had become very poor. I have + reasons for desiring that his misfortunes may not be prolonged."</p> + <p>"Sir," said the notary, "I presume that you intend to do him an act of kindness; + and, in truth, it could not be bestowed on a worthier man, for I know the cause of + his ruin and sufferings. He was a victim of generosity and honor. He may have carried + these virtues to imprudence and even to madness; but he deserved a better fate."</p> + <p>"And now, sir," said Gustave, "I want you to let me know, with the least amount of + details possible, what I can do to assist De Vlierbeck without wounding his pride. I + know the condition of his affairs; for my uncle told me all about them. Among other + debts there was a bond for four thousand francs, which belongs to the heirs of + Hoogebaen: I want that bond <i>immediately</i>, even if I have to pay four times as + much as it is worth."</p> + <p>The notary stared at Gustave without replying.</p> + <p>"You seem disconcerted by my demand," said Gustave, somewhat anxiously.</p> + <p>"Not exactly," returned the notary; "but I do not altogether understand your + emotion, although I fear the news I must impart will affect you painfully. If my + anticipations are correct I have cause to be sorry for you, sir!"</p> + <p>"Explain yourself," cried Gustave, alarmed; "explain yourself, sir! Has death been + at Grinselhof? Is my last hope destroyed?"</p> + <p>"No, no," replied the notary, quickly; "don't tremble so; they both live, but they + have been stricken by a great misfortune."</p> + <p>"Well? well?" exclaimed Gustave, with questioning eagerness, rising from his + chair.</p> + <p>"Be calm, be calm, sir," said the notary, soothingly; "sit down and listen; it is + not so terrible as you may perhaps think, since fortune enables you to soften their + misery."</p> + <p>"Oh, God be thanked!" cried Gustave. "But let me beg you to hasten your + disclosures, for your slowness racks me!"</p> + <p>"Know, then," continued the notary, "that during your absence the bond in question + fell due. For many months De Vlierbeck made unavailing efforts to find money to honor + it at maturity; but all his property was mortgaged, and no one would assist him. In + order to escape the mortification of a forced sale, De Vlierbeck offered every thing + at public auction, even down to his furniture and clothes! The sale produced about + enough to pay his debts, and everybody was satisfied by the honorable conduct of De + Vlierbeck, who plunged himself into absolute beggary to save his name."</p> + <p>"And so he lives in the <i>château</i> of his family only as a tenant?"</p> + <p>"No; he has left it."</p> + <p>"And where does he reside, then? I want to see him instantly."</p> + <p>"I do not know."</p> + <p>"How?—you do not know?"</p> + <p>"Nobody knows where he dwells: he left the province without informing any one of + his designs."</p> + <p>"Alas!" cried Gustave, with profound emotion, "and is it so? Shall I be forced to + live longer without them?—without knowing what has become of them? Can you give + me no hint or clue to their residence? Does nobody, nobody know where they are?"</p> + <p>"Nobody," replied the notary. "The evening after their sale De Vlierbeck left + Grinselhof on foot and crossed the moor by some unknown road: I made efforts to + discover his retreat, but always without success."</p> + <p>As this sad news was imparted to Gustave he grew deadly pale, trembled violently, + and covered his forehead with his clasped hands, as if striving to conceal the big + tears that ran from his eyes. What the notary first told him of De Vlierbeck's + misfortunes had wounded his sensibility, though he was less struck by that recital, + because he had already become partially aware of the poor gentleman's embarrassment; + but the certainty that he could not <i>immediately</i> discover his beloved Lenora + and snatch her from want overwhelmed him with the bitterest anguish.</p> + <p>The notary fixed his eyes on the young man, shrugged his shoulders, and regarded + him with an expression of pity.</p> + <p>"You are young, sir," said he, "and, like most men at your time of life, + exaggerate both pain and pleasure. Your despair is unfounded; for it is easy in our + time to discover people whom we want to find. With a little money and diligence we + may be sure, in a few days, to discover Monsieur De Vlierbeck's retreat, even if he + has gone abroad to a foreign country. If you are willing to charge me with the + pursuit I will spare neither time nor trouble to bring you satisfactory news."</p> + <p>Gustave stared hopefully at the notary as he grasped his hand and replied, with a + smile of gratitude,—</p> + <p>"Oh, render me that inestimable service, sir! Spare no money; ransack heaven and + earth if it is necessary; but, in God's name, let me know, and let me know + <i>soon</i>, where De Vlierbeck and his daughter are hidden. It is impossible for me + to describe the sufferings of my heart or the ardor of my desire to find them. Let me + assure you that the first good news you bring will be more grateful to my soul than + if you had restored me to life."</p> + <p>"Fear nothing, sir," answered the notary. "My clerks shall write letters of + inquiry this very night in every direction. To-morrow morning early I will be off to + Brussels and secure assistance from the public offices. If you authorize me to spare + no expense the secret will disclose itself."</p> + <p>"And I," said Gustave,—"I will put the numerous correspondents of our house + under contribution, and nothing shall be omitted to detect their refuge, even if I + have to travel over Europe."</p> + <p>"Be of good cheer, then, Monsieur Gustave," said the notary; "for I doubt not we + shall soon attain our end. And, now that you are assured of my best services, I will + be gratified if you allow me to speak to you a moment quietly and seriously. I have + no right to ask what are your intentions, and still less the right to suppose that + those intentions can be any thing else than proper in every respect. May I inquire if + it is your design to marry Mademoiselle Lenora?"</p> + <p>"That is my irrevocable determination," replied the young man.</p> + <p>"Irrevocable?" said the notary. "Be it so! The confidence which your venerable + uncle was always pleased to repose in me, and my position as notary of the family, + impose on me the duty of setting before you coolly what you are about to do. You are + a <i>millionaire</i>; you have a name which in commerce alone represents an immense + capital. Monsieur De Vlierbeck is penniless; his ruin is generally known; and the + world, justly or unjustly, looks askance at a ruined man. With your fortune, with + your youth and person, you may obtain the hand of an heiress and double your + income!"</p> + <p>Gustave listened to the first words of this calculating essay with evident + impatience; but he soon turned away his eyes and began to fold up the papers and put + them in his portfolio. As the notary finished, he answered, quickly,—</p> + <p>"Well, well, I suppose you have done your duty, and I thank you; but we have had + enough of that. Tell me who owns Grinselhof now?"</p> + <p>The man of business appeared considerably disconcerted by the contemptuous + interruption of his visitor; yet he strove to conceal his mortification by a sorry + smile, as he replied,—</p> + <p>"I see, sir, that you have taken a firm stand and will do as you please. + Grinselhof was bought in by the mortgagees, for the price offered was below its + value."</p> + <p>"Who lives there?"</p> + <p>"It is uninhabited. No one goes to the country in winter."</p> + <p>"Can it be bought from its present proprietor?"</p> + <p>"Certainly. I am authorized to offer it to any one for the amount of the + mortgages."</p> + <p>"Then Grinselhof belongs to <i>me!</i> Be kind enough to inform the owners of it + at once!"</p> + <p>"Very well, sir. Consider Grinselhof as your property from this moment. If you + wish to visit it you will find the keys at the tenant's house."</p> + <p>Gustave took his hat and made ready to go, and, as he did so, pressed the notary's + hand with evident cordiality:—</p> + <p>"I am tired and need repose, for I feel somewhat overcome by the sad news you have + given me. May God help you in your efforts to fulfil your promises! My gratitude will + surpass all you can imagine. Farewell till to-morrow!"</p> + <hr style='width: 65%;' /> + <a id="CHAPTER_X" name='CHAPTER_X'></a> + <h2>CHAPTER X.</h2> + <p>Spring, gentle spring, had thrown aside the funeral garb of winter, and earth + awoke again to vigorous life. Grinselhof reappeared in all the splendor of its wild, + natural scenery; its majestic oaks displayed their verdant domes, its roses bloomed + as sweetly as of old, elder-blossoms filled the air with delicious odor, butterflies + fluttered through the garden, and every thicket was vocal with the song of birds.</p> + <p>Nothing seemed changed at Grinselhof: its roads, its paths, were still deserted, + and sad was the silence that reigned in its shadows. Yet immediately around the house + there was more life and movement than formerly. At the coach-house two grooms were + busy washing and polishing a new and fashionable coach; while the neigh of horses + resounded from the stable. A trim waiting-maid stood on the door-sill laughing and + joking with the lackeys, and a respectable old butler looked knowingly on the + group.</p> + <p>Suddenly the clear silvery ring of a bell was heard from the parlor, and the + waiting-maid ran in, exclaiming, "Good Heavens! there's Monsieur ringing for his + breakfast, and it is not ready yet!"</p> + <p>A few moments afterward she was seen mounting the staircase with a rich silver + salver covered with breakfast-things; and, entering the parlor, she placed them + silently on a table before a young gentleman who seemed entirely absorbed by his own + thoughts, and then instantly left the room without a word.</p> + <p>The young man began his meal with a careless, indifferent air, as if he either had + no appetite or did not know what he was about. The furniture of the apartment in + which he sat presented odd and striking contrasts to an observer. While some of the + articles were remarkable for the richness and elegance of their modern style, there + were chairs, tables, and cabinets whose sombre hue and elaborate carving denoted an + antiquity of several centuries. On the walls were numerous pictures, dimmed by smoke + and time, encased in frames that had lost half their ornaments and gilding. These + were portraits of warriors, statesmen, priests, and prelates. In the dim corners of + the canvas armorial bearings of the house of De Vlierbeck might be seen, and many of + the articles of furniture were embellished with the same blazonry.</p> + <p>We were told a while ago that a public sale at Grinselhof had dispersed among a + crowd of competitors every thing that belonged to Monsieur De Vlierbeck. How has it + come to pass that these portraits have returned to their old nails on walls which + they seemed to have abandoned forever?</p> + <p>The listless youth rose from the table, walked slowly about the room, stopped, + looked mournfully at the portraits, recommenced his walk, and approached an antique + casket placed on a bracket in the corner. He opened it with apparent indifference and + took out some simple jewelry,—a pair of ear-rings and a coral necklace. He + gazed long at these objects as he held them in his hand; a few tears fell on them, a + deep sigh escaped from his bosom, and he then replaced the jewels in their + casket.</p> + <p>Quitting the room, he descended to the court. Waiters and servant-maids saluted as + he passed: he acknowledged their civility by a silent nod and went forth to the most + secluded parts of the garden. Stopping at the foot of a wild chestnut-tree, he threw + himself on the ground, where he sat long in moody reverie until aroused by the + ringing voice of Bess, who approached him with a book in her hand:—</p> + <p>"Here, sir, is a book which Mademoiselle Lenora used to read. My goodman went + yesterday to market, where he found the farmer who bought it at the sale. After + market was over John accompanied the peasant home, and would not leave him till he + had bought the book back again. I suppose it is an excellent book, as Mademoiselle + used to love it so; and neither gold nor silver could ever get it from me if it + wasn't for you, sir. Husband says it is called LUCIFER'!"</p> + <p>While she was running on, Gustave seized the book eagerly and ran over its pages + without paying attention to what she said. "Thank you, thank you for your kind + attention, mother Bess!" said he. "You can't think how happy I am whenever I find any + thing that belonged to your mistress. Be assured that I will never forget your + goodness." After offering this expression of his thanks to the farmer's wife he + opened the book again and began to read without heeding her further. But the good + woman did not go away, and soon interrupted him with a question:—</p> + <p>"May I ask, sir, if you have any news yet of our young lady?"</p> + <p>Gustave shook his head. "Not the least scrap of news, mother Bess. My search has + been fruitless."</p> + <p>"That is unlucky, sir. God knows where she may be and what she is suffering. She + told me before she went away that she meant to work for her father; but one must have + learned to work very early in life to earn a living by one's hands. My heart almost + breaks when I think of it. Perhaps that good, sweet young lady is reduced to work for + other people and labors like a slave to get a mouthful of bread! I have been a + servant, sir, and I know what it is to work from morning until night for others. And + she,—she who is so beautiful, so clever, so kind! Oh, sir, it is terrible! I + can't help crying like a child, thinking of her miserable life!"</p> + <p>Gustave was overcome by the simple eloquence of the poor woman, and remained + silent.</p> + <p>"And then to think," continued Bess, "she might now be so happy! that she might + again become mistress of Grinselhof, where she was born and grew up! that her father + might pass his old days in quietness, and that they are now wandering about the world + poor, sick, abandoned outcasts! Oh, sir, it is sad to know that our benefactors are + unhappy, and to be able to do nothing for them but pray to God and hope for his + mercy!"</p> + <p>The simple-minded woman, without meaning it, had touched some tender strings in + Gustave's heart; and, as she saw the silent tears coursing their way down his cheeks, + she said, entreatingly,—</p> + <p>"Oh, pardon me, sir, for having grieved you so by my talk! but my heart is full, + and my feelings force their way without knowing it. If I have done wrong, I am sure + you are too kind to be angry with me for loving our young lady so much and bemoaning + her misfortune. Have you no orders for me to-day, sir?"</p> + <p>She was about to go, as Gustave raised his downcast eyes and, restraining his + tears, exclaimed,—</p> + <p>"I—angry with you, mother Bess?—and angry, too, because you show + affection for our poor Lenora? Oh, no, no! On the contrary, I bless you for it with + all my heart! The tears you betrayed from my heart have done me good; for I am very + unhappy. Life is a burden; and if God, in his mercy, would take me away from earth, I + would gladly die. All hope of seeing her again in this world is gone. Perhaps she is + awaiting me in the next!"</p> + <p>"Oh, sir! sir! how you talk!" cried the peasant-woman, in alarm. "No! no! that + cannot be!"</p> + <p>"You grieve, my good woman, and shed tears for her," continued Gustave, without + heeding the interruption; "but don't you see how <i>my</i> soul must be consumed with + despair? Alas! for months and months I have implored God for the happiness of seeing + her once more! I overcame all obstacles to our marriage, and I became almost mad with + joy and impatience as I flew like lightning to the home where I left her; and then my + only recompense, my only consolation, was to find her <i>gone</i> and the house of + her fathers a wilderness!—to know, alas! that she is poor, and, perhaps, + languishing in want!—to know that my noble-hearted and beloved Lenora sinks + under the weight of misfortune, and yet to be able to do nothing to relieve + her!—to be condemned to count in powerless despair her days of affliction, and + not even to be sure that suffering has not killed her!"</p> + <p>A profound silence followed this complaining outburst, and the peasant-woman, with + her head bent to the earth, sympathized with him truly, till, after a few moments, + she attempted to console the sufferer in her simple way:—</p> + <p>"Oh, sir, I understand only too well how much you endure! And yet why despair? Who + knows but we may receive some news of our dear young lady when we least expect it? + God is good; he will hear our prayers; and our joy for her return will make us forget + all our grief!"</p> + <p>"Oh that your prophecy might be realized, my good woman! But seven months have + already gone since they departed. During three of them a hundred persons have been + employed in seeking the wanderers. They have been sought for in every direction, and + not the slightest intelligence has been obtained; not a trace, not the least sign + that they are even alive! My reason tells me not to despair; but my heart magnifies + my ills and cries aloud that I have lost her!—lost her forever!"</p> + <p>He was about quitting the garden, when a noise attracted his attention as he + pointed toward the road leading to the <i>château</i>.</p> + <p>"Listen! Don't you hear something?" cried he.</p> + <p>"It is the gallop of a horse," answered Bess, without comprehending why the noise + so much startled her master.</p> + <p>"Poor fool!" said the young man to himself; "why am I so startled by the passing + of a horseman?"</p> + <p>"But see! see! he is coming into the avenue!" cried Bess, with increasing + interest. "Oh, God! I am sure it is a messenger with news! Heaven grant it may be + good!"</p> + <p>As she said this the rider passed through the gate at full gallop, and, drawing + rein at the door they had just reached, took a letter from his pocket and handed it + to the master of Grinselhof:—</p> + <p>"I come," said he, "from your notary, who ordered me to deliver you this letter + without a moment's delay."</p> + <p>Gustave broke the seal with a trembling hand, while Bess, smiling with hope, + followed all her master's movements with staring eyes.</p> + <p>As he read the first lines the anxious youth grew pale; but as he went on a tremor + ran through all his limbs, till with a hysterical laugh and clasped hands he + exclaimed,—</p> + <p>"Thanks! thanks! Oh, God! she is restored to me!"</p> + <p>"Oh, sir, sir," cried Bess, "is it good news?"</p> + <p>"Yes! yes! rejoice with me! Lenora lives! I know where she is!" answered Gustave, + half mad with delight, running into the house and calling all the servants. "Quick! + quick! Have out the travelling-carriage and the English horses! My trunk! my cloak! + Quick! fly!"</p> + <p>He carried forth with his own hands a number of things that were necessary for the + journey. His fleetest horses were attached to the vehicle; and, although they + strained their bits and pawed the ground as if impatient for the road, the postillion + lashed them fiercely as they dashed through the gateway.</p> + <p>In a moment, and almost as if by magic, the coach was on the road to Antwerp and + hidden from the staring crowd by a cloud of dust.</p> + <hr style='width: 65%;' /> + <a id="CHAPTER_XI" name='CHAPTER_XI'></a> + <h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + <br /> + + <p>Suppose that we too take a trip in fancy to Nancy, in France, in search of poor De + Vlierbeck and his daughter. Let us wind through an immense number of narrow streets + in the quarter known as the Old Town and at last halt at the door of an humble + cobbler. This is the place. Pass through the shop, mount the staircase; another story + yet; open that door, and here we are.</p> + <p>Every thing indicates poverty; but order and neatness preside over the room. The + curtains of the little bed are white as snow, the stove is polished with black-lead + till it shines, and the floor is sanded in Flemish style. Mignonette and violets + bloom in a box on the window-sill, and a bird chirps in its cage above them. A young + woman sits in front of the window; but she is so intent on the linen she is sewing + that no other sound is heard in the silent room but that made by the motion of her + hands as they guide the needle. She is dressed in the plainest garments; yet they are + cut and put on so gracefully that one may declare at a glance she is a lady.</p> + <p>Poor Lenora! And this was what fate had in store for thee! To hide thy noble birth + under the humble roof of a mechanic; to seek a refuge from insult and contempt far + from thy childhood's home; to work without relaxation; to fight against privation and + want, and to sink at last into shame and poverty, heart-broken by despair! Misery, + doubtless, has cast a yellow tinge upon thy cheeks and stolen its radiance from thy + glance. But no! thank God, it is not so! Thy heroic blood has strengthened thee + against fate, and thy beauty is even more ravishing than of old! If a cloistered life + has chastened thy roses, their tender bloom has only become more touching. Thy brow + has grown loftier and purer; thine eyes still glisten beneath their sweeping lashes; + and that well-remembered smile still hovers around thy coral lips!</p> + <p>Suddenly Lenora stopped working. Her hands rested on the work in her lap, her head + bent forward, her eyes were riveted dreamily on the ground, and her soul, wandering + perhaps to other lands, seemed to abandon itself on the current of a happy reverie. + After a while she placed the linen she had been sewing on a chair and got up slowly. + Leaning languidly on the window-frame, she gathered a few violets, played with them a + while, and then looked abroad at the sky over the roof-tops, as if longing to breathe + once more the fresh air and enjoy the spring. Soon her eyes fixed themselves + compassionately on the bird that hopped about its cage and ever and anon struck its + bill against the wires as if striving to get out.</p> + <p>"Why dost thou want to leave us, dear little bird?" said she, softly. "Why dost + thou wish to be gone, dear comforter of our sadness? Sing gayly to-day; father is + well again, and life is once more a pleasure. What is it makes thee flutter about so + wildly and pant in thy cage? Ah! is it not hard, dear little one, to be captive when + we know there are joy and freedom in the open air?—when we are born in the + fields and woods?—when we know that <i>there</i> alone are independence and + liberty. Like thee, poor bird, I am a child of nature; I too have been torn from my + birthplace; I too bemoan the solitudes where my childhood was passed! But has a + friend or lover been snatched from thee—as from me—forever? Dost thou + grieve for something more than space and freedom? Yet why do I ask? Thy love-season + has come round again, has it not? and love is the greatest blessing of thy little + life! I understand thee, poor bird! I will no longer be thy fate! Fly away, and God + help you! Begone, and enjoy the two greatest blessings of life! Ah, how thou singest + as thy wings bear thee away,—away to the sky and woods! Farewell! farewell!" As + she uttered these last words Lenora opened the cage-door and released the bird, which + darted away like an arrow. After this she resumed her work and sewed on with the same + zeal as before, till aroused by the sound of footsteps on the staircase.</p> + <p>"It is father! God grant he may have been lucky to-day!"</p> + <p>Monsieur De Vlierbeck entered the room with a roll of paper in his hand, and, + throwing himself languidly into a chair, seemed altogether worn out with fatigue. He + had become very thin; his eyes were sunk in their sockets, his cheeks were pale, and + his whole expression was changed and broken. It was very evident that sickness or + depression, or perhaps both, had made fearful ravages on his body as well as + spirits.</p> + <p>The poor old gentleman was wretchedly clad. It was evident that he had striven as + formerly to conceal his indigence, for there was not a stain or grain of dust on his + garments; but the stuff was threadbare and patched, and all his garments were too + large for his shrunken limbs.</p> + <p>Lenora looked at him a moment anxiously. "You do not feel ill, father, do + you?"</p> + <p>"No, Lenora," replied he; "but I am very wretched."</p> + <p>Lenora said nothing, but embraced him tenderly and then knelt down with his hand + in hers.</p> + <p>"Father," said she, "it is hardly a week since you were ill in bed: we prayed to + God for your restoration, and he listened to our prayers; you are cured, dear father, + and yet you give way anew at the first disappointment. You have not been successful + to-day, father? I see it in your face. Well, what of it? Why should it interfere with + our happiness? We have long learned how to fight against fate. Let us be strong and + look misery in the face with heads up: courage is wealth; and so, father dear, forget + your disappointment. Look at me. Am I sad? do I allow myself to be downcast and + despairing? I suffered and wept enough when you were ill; but, now that you are well + again, come what may, your Lenora will always thank God for his goodness!"</p> + <p>The poor old man smiled feebly at the courageous excitement of his daughter.</p> + <p>"Poor child!" said he; "I understand very well how you strive to appear strong in + order to keep me up. May heaven repay your love, dear angel whom God has given me! + your word and smile control me so completely that I may say a part of your soul + passes with them into mine. I came home just now quite heart-broken and half crazy + with despair; but you, my child, have restored me to myself again."</p> + <p>"That's right, father," said she, rising from her knees and sitting down on a + chair close beside him; "come, father, tell me now all your adventures to-day, and + afterward I will tell you something that will make you laugh."</p> + <p>"Alas, my child! I went to Monsieur Roncevaux's academy to resume my English + lessons; but during my sickness an Englishman was put in my place: we have lost our + best bit of bread."</p> + <p>"Well, how is it about Mademoiselle Pauline's German lesson?"</p> + <p>"Mademoiselle Pauline has gone to Strasburg and will not come back again. You see, + Lenora, that we are losing every thing at once; so, have I not cause to be anxious + and downcast? This news seems to overcome you, my child, strong as you are!"</p> + <p>In truth, Lenora was somewhat appalled by the dejecting words; but her father's + remark restored her self-possession, and she replied, with a forced smile,—</p> + <p>"I was thinking, father, of the pain these dismissals gave you, and they really + annoyed me Yet there are some things that ought to make me happy to-day. Yes, father, + I have some good news for you!"</p> + <p>"Indeed? You astonish me!"</p> + <p>Lenora pointed to the chair.</p> + <p>"Do you see that linen?" said she. "I have a dozen fine shirts to make out of it; + and when they are done there are as many more waiting for me. They pay me good wages, + and I think, from what they say, that in time there will be something better in store + for me. But as yet that is only a hope,—only a hope."</p> + <p>De Vlierbeck seemed particularly struck by the last remark of his daughter, as he + looked at her anxiously.</p> + <p>"Well! well! what is it that makes you so happy and hopeful?" said he.</p> + <p>Lenora took up her sewing again and went busily to work.</p> + <p>"You wouldn't guess it in a week, father! Do you know who gave me this work? It is + the rich lady who lives in the house with a court-yard, at the corner of our street. + She sent for me this morning, and I went to her while you were abroad. You are + surprised, father; are you not?"</p> + <p>"I am, indeed, Lenora. You are speaking of Madame De Royan, for whom you were + employed to embroider those handsome collars. How does she come to know you?"</p> + <p>"I really don't know. Perhaps the person who gave me her collars to embroider told + her who worked them: she must have spoken to her about your illness and our poverty, + for Madame De Royan knows more of us than you imagine.'</p> + <p>"Heavens! She does not know—"</p> + <p>"No! she knows nothing about our <i>name</i> or from whence we came."</p> + <p>"Go on, Lenora; you excite my curiosity. I see you want to teaze me to-day!"</p> + <p>"Well, father, if you are tired I will cut my story short. Madame De Royan + received me with great kindness, complimented me on my embroidery, asked me some + questions about our misfortunes, and consoled and encouraged me generously. 'Go, my + child!' said she, as she gave me the linen; 'work with a good will and be prudent: I + will protect you. I have a great deal of sewing to do,—enough for two months at + least. But that would not be enough; I mean to recommend you to all my friends, and I + mean to see that you are paid for your work in such a way that your father and + yourself shall be above want.' I took her hand and kissed it, for I was touched by + the delicacy with which she give me <i>work</i> and not <i>alms</i>! Madame De Royan + understood me, and, laying her hand kindly on my shoulder, 'Keep up your spirits, + Lenora,' said she; 'the time will come when you must take apprentices to help you, + and so by degrees you will become mistress of a shop.' Yes, father, that's what she + said; I know her words by heart."</p> + <p>With this she sprang to her father, embraced him, and added, with considerable + emotion,—</p> + <p>"What say you to it, father? Is it not good news? Who knows what may come to pass? + Apprentices,—a shop,—a store,—a servant: you will keep the books + and buy our goods, I will sit in the room and superintend the workwomen! How sweet it + is to be happy and to know that we owe all to the work of our hands! Then, father, + your promise will indeed be fulfilled, and then you may pass your old days + happily."</p> + <p>There was a look of such extreme serenity in Monsieur De Vlierbeck's face, an + expression of such vivid happiness was reflected from his wrinkled cheeks, that it + was evident he had allowed his daughter's story to bewitch him into entire + forgetfulness. But he soon found it out, and shook his head mournfully at the + enchantress:—</p> + <p>"Oh! Lenora, Lenora, you witch! how easily have you managed to seduce me! I + followed your words like a child, and I really believed in the happiness you + promised. But let us be serious. The shoemaker spoke to me again about the rent, and + asked me to pay it. We still owe him twenty francs, do we not?"</p> + <p>"Yes, twenty francs for rent, and about twelve francs to the grocer: that's all. + When the shirts are done we will give my wages on account to the shoemaker, and I + know he will be satisfied. The grocer is willing to give us longer credit. I received + two francs and a half for my last work. You see very well, father, that we are still + quite rich, and before a month is over will be out of debt entirely."</p> + <p>Poor De Vlierbeck seemed quite consoled; and a gleam of fortitude shone in his + black eyes as he approached the table, unrolling the paper he had brought with him on + his return.</p> + <p>"I have something to do too, Lenora. Professor Delsaux gave me some pieces of + music to copy for his pupils, which will give me four francs in a couple of days. And + now be quiet a while, my dear child; my nerves are so shattered that if we talk I + shall make mistakes and spoil the paper."</p> + <p>"I may sing, father; may I not?"</p> + <p>"Oh, yes; that won't annoy me: your song will please my ear without distracting my + attention."</p> + <p>The old gentleman went on writing, while Lenora, with a rich and joyous voice, + repeated all her songs and poured forth her heart in melody. She sewed meanwhile + diligently, and, from time to time, glanced at her father to see whether the cloud + had fallen again over his face and spirit.</p> + <p>They had been a considerable time engaged with their several occupations, when the + parish clock struck; and, putting down her work hastily, Lenora took a basket from + behind the stove and prepared to go out. Her father looked up with surprise as he + said,—</p> + <p>"What! <i>already</i>, Lenora?"</p> + <p>"It has just struck half-past eleven, father."</p> + <p>Without making any other remark, De Vlierbeck bent his head again over the + music-paper and continued his task.</p> + <p>Lenora soon returned from her walk with her basket full of potatoes and something + else tied up in a paper, which she hid beneath a napkin. Then, pouring some water in + a pot which she placed beside her chair, she began to sing, and threw in the potatoes + as she peeled them. After this she kindled a fire in the stove and set the pot of + potatoes to boil. After the fire burned well she put a skillet, with a little butter + and a good deal of vinegar, over the coals.</p> + <p>Up to this moment her father had not looked up nor intermitted his work; he saw + her getting dinner ready every day, and it was seldom that any variety of food + appeared on their table. But, hardly had the potatoes begun to boil, when an + agreeable perfume was diffused through the chamber. De Vlierbeck glanced up from his + writing, a little reproachfully, as he exclaimed,—</p> + <p>"What! meat on Friday, my child? you know very well we must be economical."</p> + <p>"Don't be angry, father," answered Lenora; "the doctor ordered it."</p> + <p>"You are trying to deceive me, are you not?"</p> + <p>"No, no; the doctor said you required meat at least three times a week, if we + could get it; it will do you more good than any thing else in restoring your + strength."</p> + <p>"And yet we are in debt, Lenora!"</p> + <p>"Come, come, father, let our debts alone, everybody will be paid and satisfied. + Don't trouble yourself about them any more: I'll answer for them all. And now be so + good as to take your papers off of the table, so that I can lay the cloth."</p> + <p>De Vlierbeck got up and did as he was asked. Lenora covered the deal-boards with a + snowy napkin and placed on it two plates and a dish of potatoes. It was indeed an + humble table, at which all was extremely common; yet every thing was so neat, fresh, + and savory, that a rich man might have sat down to it with appetite. They took their + places and asked a blessing on the meal; but, before the prayer was finished, Lenora + started suddenly and interrupted her father. With eyes staring toward the door and + head leaned forward, she listened eagerly, motioning her father with her hand to be + silent.</p> + <p>There was a sound of footsteps and voices on the staircase, and, as they + approached, Lenora thought she recognised the tones. She bounded to the door with a + sharp cry, and, closing it, leaned against the boards to prevent any one from + entering.</p> + <p>"For God's sake, child, what are you afraid of?" cried her father.</p> + <p>"GUSTAVE! GUSTAVE!" whispered Lenora, with pale and quivering lips. "He is there! + he is there! I hear him. Take away that table quickly. Of all the world he is the + last who should see our misery!"</p> + <p>De Vlierbeck's face grew dark, his head became erect and fierce, and his eyes + flashed with their ancient fire. Advancing silently to his daughter, he drew her from + the door. Lenora fled to a corner of the room, and covered her face, which was red + with mortification.</p> + <p>Suddenly the door opened, and a young man rushed into the chamber with an + exclamation of joy as he advanced, open-armed, toward the trembling girl, whom he + would have pressed to his breast had not the hand and look of her father arrested his + steps.</p> + <p>For a moment he stood like one stupefied, glancing from the wretched board to the + miserable dress of the old man and his daughter. The sight affected the intruder, for + he covered his eyes as he exclaimed, in subdued and despairing tones, "Oh, God! has + it come to this?"</p> + <p>But he did not allow himself to remain long under the influence either of his + feelings or of her father, and, advancing anew to Lenora, seized and pressed both her + hands ardently.</p> + <p>"Oh! look at me, Lenora! Let me see if thy heart has preserved the memory of our + love!"</p> + <p>Lenora's eyes met his at once and with affection. It was a look that completely + revealed her pure and constant soul.</p> + <p>"Oh, happiness!" cried Gustave, enthusiastically; "thou art still my dear and + tender Lenora! Thank God, no power on earth can ever separate me again from my + betrothed! Receive, receive the kiss of our union!"</p> + <p>He stretched his arms toward her. Lenora, trembling with agony and happiness, + stood downcast and blushing, as if awaiting the solemn kiss; but, before Gustave + could accomplish the act, De Vlierbeck was by his side, and, grasping his hand, held + him motionless.</p> + <p>"Monsieur Denecker," said her father, severely, "have the goodness to moderate + your transports. We are certainly glad to see you once more; but neither you nor I + can forget what we are. Respect our poverty!"</p> + <p>"What do you say?" cried Gustave. "<i>What you are!</i> You are my + friend,—my father. Lenora is my betrothed! Oh heaven! why look at me so + reproachfully?"</p> + <p>He seized the hand of Lenora again, and, drawing her toward her father, rapidly + continued:—</p> + <p>"Listen! My uncle died in Italy and left me heir of all his property. He commanded + me on his death-bed to marry Lenora. I have searched heaven and earth to find you. I + have suffered for many months all the torture that a nature like mine can endure; and + at length I have discovered you! I have come, sir, to ask the reward of my suffering. + I lay my fortune, heart, and life at your feet; and, in exchange, I implore the + happiness of leading Lenora to the altar. Grant me that favor, O my <i>father!</i> + Grinselhof awaits you. I bought it for you. Every thing is there again. The portraits + of your ancestors are in their places on the wall, and every thing that was dear to + you is restored. Come! let me watch your old days, your declining years, with the + veneration of a son! let me make you happy again;—oh, how happy!"</p> + <p>The old man's expression did not change, yet a tear moistened his eye.</p> + <p>"Ah!" continued Gustave, "nothing on earth can again separate me from + her,—not even a father's power; for I feel that God himself has given her to + me! Yet pardon me, father, for my rashness, and bestow your benediction!"</p> + <p>De Vlierbeck seemed to have utterly forgotten the young man and his transports; + for he stood with clasped hands and eyes raised to heaven, as if addressing his Maker + in fervent prayer. At length his words began to be heard distinctly:—</p> + <p>"Oh, Margaret! Margaret! rejoice on the bosom of God. My promise is + fulfilled;—thy child will be happy!"</p> + <p>Gustave and Lenora stood before him hand in hand; and, as he threw his arms around + the young man,—</p> + <p>"May Heaven bless you for your love!" continued he. "Make my child happy. She is + your wife!"</p> + <p>"Gustave, Gustave,—<i>my husband!</i>" exclaimed Lenora, as they threw + themselves into each other's arms, and the first kiss of love—the first + consecrated kiss—was exchanged on the breast of that happy father, who wept + over and blessed his children.</p> + <hr style='width: 45%;' /> + <p>And now, gentle reader, I must inform you that I have had my own reasons for + concealing the situation and even the true name of the <i>château</i> of DE + VLIERBECK. None of you will, therefore, ever know where Gustave and Lenora dwell. I + know Monsieur and Madame Denecker intimately, and have taken many a walk around + Grinselhof with two charming little children and their venerable <i>grandfather</i>. + I have often beheld the beautiful picture of peace, love, and domestic happiness that + is seen in that old house beneath the grim ancestral portraits or in the fresh air + under the trees. I will not say who told me the story of this family. Let it suffice + that I know all the persons who have played a part in it, and that I have often + chatted with Farmer John and Dame Bess while they poured forth their gossip about + "The Poor Gentleman" and his trials.</p> + <br /> + <br /> +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13576 ***</div> +</body> +</html> |