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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/37533.txt b/37533.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..cc10ec6 --- /dev/null +++ b/37533.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9492 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Bungay Castle: A Novel. v. 1/2, by Elizabeth Bonhote + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Bungay Castle: A Novel. v. 1/2 + +Author: Elizabeth Bonhote + +Release Date: September 25, 2011 [EBook #37533] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BUNGAY CASTLE: A NOVEL. V. 1/2 *** + + + + +Produced by ppcunningham from the library of San Francisco +State University + + + + +Transcriber's Note: + +This is a faithful transcription of the original 1796 printing +of this novel. All archaic words, alternative spellings, and +inconsistencies of grammatical form and fashion, have been +preserved. + + * * * * * + + + + +BUNGAY CASTLE: + +A NOVEL. + +BY MRS. BONHOTE. + +Author of the Parental Monitor, &c. + + +_In Two Volumes_ + + + Astonished at the voice he stood amaz'd, + And all around with inward horror gaz'd. + + ADDISON. + +VOL. I. + + +LONDON: +PRINTED FOR WILLIAM LANE, +AT THE +Minerva Press +LEADENHALL-STREET. +M.DCC.XCVI. + + + + +FRONTISPIECE + +[Illustration: Drawing of Bungay Castle] + + + + +BUNGAY CASTLE + + + + +TO +THE MOST NOBLE +CHARLES DUKE OF NORFOLK, +WHOSE URBANITY AND PHILANTHROPY +MUST EVER REFLECT +ADDITIONAL HONOURS +ON THE NAME OF +HOWARD; +BY WHOSE NOBLE FAMILY +BUNGAY CASTLE +WAS POSSESSED FOR MANY CENTURIES; +THE FOLLOWING PAGES +ARE RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED, +BY HIS GRACE'S MOST OBEDIENT, +AND VERY HUMBLE SERVANT, +ELIZ. BONHOTE. + +Bungay, 1797. + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +Castle-Building appears to have been the passion of all ages; while +some have been raising their fabrics on the most solid and lasting +foundations, others have been forming them in the air, where the +structure has been erected with infinitely less trouble, as their own +invention led them to wish, and very pleasant, no doubt, was the +delusion of the moment. + +It is now the prevailing taste to read wonderful tales of wonderful +castles; to recall them from the [* Missing words here ] +ages, and represent them as the novelist finds most suitable to the +circumstances of his tale. In times like these, every book that serves +to amuse the mind, and withdraw the attention from scenes of real +distress, without inflaming the passions, or corrupting the heart, +must surely be as acceptable to the reader as it may have been found +pleasant to the writer, and should exempt the latter from the severity +of criticism. Under the influence of this opinion, the Author of the +following sheets has been tempted to send them into the world. She +might, indeed, to evade the danger of having her work condemned, +pretend to have found it in some recess of her favourite ruins, or +to have discovered it artfully concealed in the bottom of an old +chest, in so defaced and mutilated a condition, as to have rendered +it a very difficult and laborious task to collect the fragments and +modernize the language: but the writer of these pages has not been +so fortunate; and, had she attempted to assert so marvellous a +circumstance, she could not have expected any miss of fifteen would +have been credulous enough to believe her. + +The thought of publishing a novel, under the title given to these +volumes, has long been her intention,--a thought which originated +from her living within the distance of twenty yards from those +venerable ruins, which still attract the attention of the stranger +and the curious. Often in early youth had she climbed their loftiest +summits, and listened with pleased and captivated attention to the +unaccountable tales related by the old and superstitious, and +considered as real by herself and her inexperienced companions.--In +one place, it was said the ghost of an ancient warrior, clad in armour, +took his nightly round to reconnoitre scenes endeared by many a tender +claim. In another, a lovely female form had been seen to glide along, +and was supposed to disappear on the very spot where it was imagined +her lover had fallen a victim to the contentions of the times. + + "Her face was like an April sky + Dimm'd by a scatt'ring cloud; + Her clay-cold lily hand, knee-high, + Held up her sable shroud." + +All these circumstances added strength to a romantic turn of mind, +which acquired additional force from a love of reading the old +romances, and this propensity for the marvellous was for some time +indulged in the midst of scenes which afforded ample scope for the +creative excursions of fancy. After having left her paternal dwelling +many years, she is again replaced in it by some of those changes +which so frequently occur in the progress of human life; and has +purchased the little spot of ground on which stands the principal part +of all that now remains of Bungay Castle, and which, though a mere +heap of unconnected ruins, are still so venerable as to excite, in +the feeling and thoughtful mind, a sympathetic regret at the +instability of human grandeur and the weakness of human strength. + +Among these ruins, once the property, and, in all probability, the +temporary residence, of the noble house of Norfolk, cottages are now +built, and inhabited by many poor families, and those very walls, +which perhaps sheltered royalty, are now the supporters of miserable +hovels. Such are the awful effects of time, and the unaccountable +revolutions it produces! + +But, were it in the Author's power as much as it is her inclination, +she would adorn their venerable remains with all the flowers of spring, +and the tempting treasures of autumn should surround them. The +jessamine and honey-suckle should clasp them in their embraces, and +the tendrils of the vine and the fig-tree should encircle and decorate +them with their luscious sweets. She would, on the loftiest corner of +their remains, build herself a little hut, in which she could sit and +contemplate the variegated scenes around. She would reverse the order +of things, and render them as lovely and beautiful in age, as they +were grand and magnificent before time had robbed them of those +envied and valuable properties which it cannot restore. + +Being again in the habit of spending many leisure hours in this +favourite spot, endeared to her for bringing to remembrance the +enlivening scenes of youth, and, having opportunities to pursue her +sedentary amusements, she determined to accomplish her design, seeing +no reason why Bungay Castle should not be as good a foundation for +the structure of a novel as any other edifice within or without the +kingdom. But, as so many ages are elapsed since this Castle was reared, +and since time and death have swept away with ruthless hand almost +every vestige of what it once was, she has to lament, and so perhaps +may her readers, that she was furnished for this employment with no +other materials than the scanty portion her own imagination afforded. +She has borrowed some real names, and she hopes the characters she +has introduced will be found neither disgusting nor unnatural. But, +as Solomon so many centuries ago declared, there was nothing _new_ +under the sun, she cannot surely be condemned for not producing new +characters, nor blamed if any contained in this work resemble those +of the present day; and, though in the reigns of our first sovereigns, +and many of their successors, the customs and manners of the people +were somewhat different, she is convinced the world was in many +instances just the same. The same virtues, vices, and passions, +degraded or ennobled human nature; and, though delicacy, sensibility, +and refinement might be less known, and not so frequently mentioned, +they no doubt retained as proper and powerful an influence over the +mind. Love too, that invincible and all-subduing passion, implanted +in the heart of man from the beginning of the world, was as generally +known and acknowledged by the king and the peasant, the hero and +the coward. + +This painfully leads to an observation, which, while it is humiliating, +has too much truth for its foundation to admit of dispute, that, +though the same vices which disgrace the present times were practised +in the earliest ages, more pains were then taken to conceal them from +public observation, and the conduct, of which the modern fine gentleman +or avowed debauchee will now proudly boast, would then have been +considered as sufficient to stamp the character with indelible infamy. +By our unfashionable progenitors modesty was distinguished and admired +as the most becoming ornament of woman; adultery was punished, and +seduction held in contempt; the artful betrayer of unsuspecting +innocence was pointed at by the finger of derision, and the victim +of baseness compelled to conceal her shame either in the shades of +retirement or the seclusion of a nunnery. We may justly lament, if +we are not permitted to condemn, that in this respect the present age +is not quite so sensitive, and may shed the tear of regret at being +so often forced to look down with pity, when we meet, at almost every +corner of our streets, the unblushing front of degraded beauty, and +our ears are shocked with the execrations of profligacy from lips +that in early life had been taught to speak a language as pure as +their own uncontaminated hearts. + +The author of these pages has not attempted to enter on the politics +of the past or present times. Had she ever cherished such a design, +the sentiments of one of the first* and most interesting writers this +age has produced, would instantly have determined her to decline her +intention, but she had ever thought that so heterogeneous a mixture +was not likely to please the taste of many readers, and that a novel +was never intended as a vehicle for politics, any farther than it +was necessary for the elucidation of the story. Firmly attached to +her King, perfectly satisfied with our laws and constitution, and +grateful to heaven for being permitted to live under so mild and just +a government. In a country where freedom and plenty have hitherto +taken their stations, and shed their most benign influence, she will +ever remain contented to leave politics and the affairs of state to +be settled by better, wiser, and more experienced heads. + +[Footnote:* Mr. Cumberland] + +Gentle reader, we will now enter upon a story, of whose origin you +are informed. If any, who sit down to read it with minds tortured by +mental or bodily diseases, should find a temporary relief from misery +or languor, the Author will consider it as a luxuriant reward for +her employment. If, on the contrary, they should be disappointed, or +dissatisfied, she sincerely wishes they may meet a more agreeable +entertainment from the next publication thrown in their way. + +To the Reviewers she takes this opportunity of publicly making her +acknowledgements for the liberality and candour they have invariably +shewn to her former publications; and, though she has never had the +satisfaction of being personally known to any one of them, she has +for many years considered them as friends. + + + + +CHAP. I + + +During the bloody period of the Barons' wars, when civil discord threw +her fire-brands around, to lay waste and make desolate the fertile +plains and fruitful fields of this long envied country; when the widow +mourned the husband torn from her embraces, and the orphan wandered +friendless and unprotected; when brother waged war against brother, +and the parent raised his arm to destroy the son he had reared and +cherished; when every castle was kept in a state of the most guarded +defence, lest it should be wrested from its owner by the ambition +and enmity of his neighbour:--then it was that _Bungay Castle_ reared +its proud towers and battlements aloft; while its massy walls stood +in gloomy and majestic grandeur, as if they could bid defiance to +every design formed against them by man, and to the more certain +influence of all-conquering time; so perfectly stupendous and strong +was this once-spacious edifice, it was not only an object of desire +to the proud and aspiring barons, but, it has been said, even to +contending kings. + +The noble and loyal lord of this castle, being called upon to fill +some important office in the service of the state, appointed Sir +Philip de Morney to be governor during his absence, and never had he +shewn the goodness of his heart and the excellence of his judgment +more than in the delegation of his power and authority over so +numerous a train of vassals and dependents to this his bosom friend. + +Sir Philip de Morney was a bold and hardy veteran: he was grown +grey in the service of his king and country; brave in the field, +just, merciful, and benevolent, in his dealings with all his +fellow-creatures,--possessed of an abundant fortune, he accepted this +important trust to oblige his friend, and promote the happiness of +those to whom he knew he was attached;--fond of an active and useful +life, he wished not to sink into indolence or obscurity, till the +infirmities of age should render him incapable of taking his share +in the busy scenes of that important period, in which, though the +pernicious doctrine of equality did not influence the minds of the +vulgar against their lawful sovereign, or the rights of the subject, +the ambition of the nobility, and the feuds and distraction of the +contending parties, produced scenes of misery equally distressing, +but happily not so extensive in their effects. + +Into Bungay Castle he removed with his whole family, and there for +some years found that happiness he had vainly sought in more +enlivening scenes; and there he tasted those serene and contented +pleasures he had been unable to procure in the world; though formed +to make a brilliant figure on its great stage, he had every endowment +of the mind for the true enjoyment of domestic life, uniting with +the most unshaken courage the gentlest philanthropy. He had married +at the age of thirty-five a lady much younger than himself, by whom +he had several children, and looked forward with the hope of being +the parent of a more numerous offspring, while, like the patriarchs +of old, he lived respected and revered in the bosom of his family. +Ah! little did he suspect the revolution ambition would one day make +in his mind. + +Lady de Morney was yet in the pride of life; her beauty unfaded, her +spirits lively, and her mind in its full vigour; her person was +lovely, her disposition amiable: sweetness, modesty, truth, and +fortitude, were the inmates of her bosom, and gave additional graces +to the ease and elegance of her manners; strictly exemplary in +performing the important duties of wife and mother, no complaints +were heard where she presided; no looks of discontent were seen on +the countenance of her dependents; time was neither abused nor found +a burden; her whole study and attention were employed to promote the +happiness of her husband, and to superintend the education of her +children; for the latter employment no one was more adequate than +herself,--her own example serving more than precept to enforce the +lessons of truth on the ductile mind of youth; her own gentleness +made them happy, while her conduct convinced them of the value and +dignity of virtue. + +She considered youth and innocence as the most valuable of earthly +treasures, and she was not more anxious to preserve the one in all +its native purity, than to teach them how to enjoy the other with +cheerfulness and gratitude: Having stored their minds with virtuous +precepts, best calculated to chain the attention, and which she +hoped would lay the most solid foundation for securing their future +happiness, she lived with her children in habits of the most +soothing and perfect friendship, and very seldom was under the +unpleasant necessity of assuming the stern authority of a +dictatorial parent. + +But, as no character on earth can be found without having some of +the weakness and frailty of erring mortality annexed to it, the +author does not mean to present Lady de Morney to their view as a +being entirely faultless. She was vain of her high birth, being allied +to nobility; and so partial to her eldest son, that she could scarcely +suffer him to be out of her sight; yet her partiality originated from +a circumstance so interesting and affecting to all who knew it, that, +though it might by some be considered as a weakness, it was by none +but herself condemned as a fault. When her son was in his infancy, +she was seized with a fever of so malignant a nature, as deprived +her for some weeks of her senses: during this distressing period of +her delirium, and in the absence of her nurse, she one day snatched +the infant from the arms of a young woman, his attendant, and, before +any one was aware of her design, ran out of the house, and with almost +incredible swiftness down a long gravel walk to the bottom of the +garden, and threw him into a lake, by which it was bounded. By the +fortunate and timely assistance of an old and faithful servant, who +was luckily at work near the spot, and who had hastened to it on +seeing his lady so unexpectedly make her appearance, the family were +alarmed, and the child providentially, but with difficulty, saved. + +This incident, of which she was unguardedly informed, made so forcible +an impression on the mind of this susceptible and affectionate parent, +as she could not shake off: it created an additional claim upon her +heart for every tender indulgence, and gave to every juvenile action +and good quality redoubled value. He had in a manner been raised from +death, rescued from a watery grave, into which her own, a mother's, +hand had hurled him; and yet he loved her, as her fond and plaintive +partiality led her often to imagine, better than the rest of her +children. She would sometimes embrace this darling son, and, with +all the enthusiasm of maternal tenderness, tremble at the horrid +remembrance of having so nearly deprived him of an existence that +added so much to the happiness of her own. To all her children Lady +de Morney was an indulgent parent; but for Edwin she felt that +indescribable fondness which not only threw a veil over his failings, +but robbed her of that fortitude and energy with which she acted on +all other occasions. So far from attempting to deny any request he +made, it was her study to prevent his wishes. She would at times +apologize to the rest of her children for the extreme affection +nature had implanted, and which she could not help cherishing for +their brother, but which she regretted as a weakness she was unable +to conquer. This conduct served to reconcile the young people to a +partiality which originated from so singular and awful an incident, +and, so far from shewing either envy or regret, it seemed to endear +their mother's favourite to their youthful and guileless hearts. +Another circumstance, which equally helped to reconcile them, was +the sweetness of Edwin's disposition, who as often availed himself +of his mother's indulgence to gratify and make them happy, as he did +to obtain any of her favours for himself. + +In a situation from which thousands of her sex and age would have +shrunk disgusted and affrighted, Lady de Morney was cheerful and +contented. The rooms were Gothic and gloomy, but her husband and +children enlivened every place they inhabited. She was at times +surrounded by and exposed to dangers; but her beloved De Morney and +his faithful people were ever near to protect and guard her. She was +the wife of a noble soldier, and she had acquired a fortitude almost +equal to his from the knowledge of his unfailing courage, which +gained energy from danger, and redoubled ardour from difficulty. + +The castle itself could boast few internal beauties, but her +children, whom she saw playful as youthful fawns, and happy as health, +innocence, and unbroken spirits, could make them, were treasures +inexhaustible: they beheld the rough implements of war without terror +or dismay, instructed by their father to consider them as the only +ornaments fitted for a soldier. The young De Morneys were taught the +use of arms as soon as they had learned to walk. + +Seldom were the Gothic gates of the castle unbarred to admit the +social friend or gay companion to the festive board; seldom did the +voice of mirth and jollity echo through the lofty rooms and vaulted +passages; but a sweet serenity supplied their place, which, having +lost during the absence of her husband, at an early period of her +marriage, Lady de Morney now felt the full value of possessing; and, +though secluded from the gaudy pleasure of a court, she felt herself +a gainer by the exchange in the balance of happiness.--Lady de Morney +had a sister, who was placed by the Lady Gundreda as superior in the +nunnery of Bungay; with her she spent many of her leisure hours: +between them the tenderest friendship strengthened the endearing ties +in which they were united by nature. + +The abbess was a pious, but yet she was a young and interesting +woman, of a benevolent and placid disposition; and, though she had +voluntarily secluded herself from the world, she was not so much +disgusted with its pleasures as she felt herself wounded by the +severity of its disappointments.--Early in life, death had deprived +her of a lover who had engaged her most animated and ardent affection, +and with whom she had indulged the fond hope of being united in the +indissoluble bands of Hymen; but adverse fate had ordained it +otherwise, and those virtues and good qualities which had made him +inexpressibly dear to her, rendered his loss the more exquisitely +painful. With him the world lost all its power to charm, and she +resolutely determined to fly that world for ever, and never to permit +another lover to displace the sainted Henry from her heart; she +therefore unreluctantly withdrew from the varying and busy scenes +of life,--not to avoid temptation, but to be able to indulge, in the +gloomy shades of a nunnery, the memory of a man, to whose worth and +constancy she deemed no sacrifice too great. Time served to convince +her of the wisdom of her choice; and, giving way to all the luxury +of a pure but romantic imagination, she encouraged the consoling +hope, that, if her regretted Henry were permitted to know what was +acting in this lower world, his spirit would be gratified by the +purity of her choice, and his heart convinced of the unabating +strength of her affection. She often flattered herself that her Henry +was deputed to watch her conduct, and would be the first to convey +her to the bright regions of immortality; yet, though thus severely +tried in the lessons of affliction, she troubled no one with a +repetion of her sorrows; and, though she often wept in all the +bitterness of anguish, her tears fell when no one observed them, and +only to the ear of her sympathizing sister did she venture to mention +a name so dear and so beloved. + +Young Edwin de Morney, whom we have already mentioned, was at this +period in his seventeenth year, and, notwithstanding the unbounded +indulgence of his mother, he had made a rapid proficiency in every +part of his education. Nature had been equally liberal of her favours +to his mind and person: his temper was good,--his manners and +conversation those of the gentleman and the scholar, and, with all +the interesting gaiety and natural cheerfulness of youth, he united +a benevolent and susceptible heart. + +His eldest sister, Roseline, was only one year younger than himself; +her form was small, but symmetry itself, every limb so nicely turned, +it would have been chosen by a statuary for the model of a Venus: +her face was beautiful in the extreme; her eyes expressive and +sparkling, and the smile which shewed itself was of that irresistible +kind as caught the attention and won the heart; and it would have +been difficult for a connoisseur in beauty to point out which feature +it was that had the greatest claim to admiration, while the unfading +and fascinating beauties of her polished mind, which was stored +with all the graces the best education could bestow, or the most +lively genius acquire, rendered her conversation as delightful as +her manners were captivating. She played on the lute, and warbled +her artless song in strains so sweet, as would have rivalled the +daughters of Italy. Her heart, unwounded by the barbed thorn of +affliction, and free from the entanglements of love, was like one +of the first days of infant-spring, which, enlivened by the bright +rays of an unclouded and all-cheering sun, serves not only to revive, +but to embellish the whole face of inanimate nature, just bursting +into life, and rendering all its sweetly modest beauties of redoubled +value to those who had lingered through a dreary winter, in eager +expectation of its approach. Lively as the birds which hovered round +the turrets of the castle, she entered gaily into all the youthful +sports of her brothers and sisters. To the little blooming Edeliza +she was particularly attached; and, though she saw her as beautiful +as herself, felt neither envy nor regret in the reflection. No modish +complaints filled her with imaginary terrors, and, as she had known +no sorrows, she thought it not only incumbent on her to shew her +gratitude to heaven and her parents, but to soften, by every +benevolent attention in her power, the miseries and misfortunes +of others. + +In those days, the education of young women was completed at a more +early period than in the present; and, if the manners were not +altogether so highly finished, or the mind so profusely decorated, +or rather fettered, with innumerable, and, to too many, useless +accomplishments, the time was undoubtedly more rationally employed, +and the fair sex less exposed to the allurements of flattery and the +dangers of temptation: though more retired in their habits, and +reserved in their manners, they were neither less susceptible of the +tender passions, nor less fervent or sincere in their attachments. + +Roseline had formed an early friendship with a young lady educated +in the Bungay nunnery, of which her aunt, fortunately for the young +people, was the superior. This sweet victim of ambition was designed +by a proud and haughty father for the monastic life, in order to +enable him to provide more liberally for the rest of the children. +She had not yet however entered on the year of her novitiate; but +it was soon to commence, and, at its awful close, she was to bid a +final adieu to that world, to which her heart had of late become too +tenderly and anxiously attached. As it approached, time seemed to +wing his flight with redoubled rapidity, and she felt a trembling +dread that her fortitude, like a false friend, would forsake her in +the hour of trial, and a trembling presentiment that the moment, +which shut her from the society at the castle, would exclude her +from every prospect of happiness; yet this repugnance to obey the +will of her parents was new to her mind:--she dared not investigate +the cause too nicely, lest she should find a subject for +self-condemnation. She found, with painful regret, a troublesome +guest was admitted to her bosom, and she was afraid, in attempting +to become more intimately acquainted with its prevailing influence, +she should permit the stranger to gain greater ascendancy. + +The youthful Madeline, on her first entrance into the nunnery, had +neither felt nor shewn any discontent: she had assumed the formal +and unbecoming habit without a sigh, and yielded to the rigid rules +prescribed with uncomplaining resignation; but, as time crept on +with solemn and leaden pace, unrelieved by any of the innocent +amusements of social life, only to repeat and bring forward the same +dull round of gloomy and mortifying scenes, not only repugnant to +the feelings of nature, but disgusting to the senses, she began to +think and to complain to the bosom of friendship, that those fetters, +put on by the rigid will of unfeeling parents, to be finally closed +by the iron laws of bigotry and superstition, were unjust and galling, +and the free-born soul of innocence and virtue drooped and pined +beneath the sacred walls by which it was inclosed;--how cruel to make +religion a pretext for such persecution and misery, and to counteract +the designs of the Creator, who never formed his creatures for +seclusion from that world in which he had profusely strewn so many +blessings for the enjoyment of rational and social beings! + +Roseline, by the urgency of her entreaties, frequently obtained +leave of the abbess for Madeline de Glanville to visit at the castle. +This favour was the more readily granted, from her having observed +with real regret that some secret grief preyed on the mind of her +young charge, which, though she could not help commiserating, she +did not choose to mention. Those days, which the fair Madeline spent +at the castle, were the happiest she had ever known; while there, +she was gay and cheerful as the youthful companions who studied to +amuse and entertain her. The song, the dance, the lute, drove from +her remembrance the gloomy nunnery in which she was condemned to +waste and linger out her future life. + +Sir Philip and Lady de Morney treated her with the tenderness and +indulgence of parents; the friendship and affection between her and +Roseline was mutual and sincere; for Edwin she felt, as she innocently +supposed, the fond regard of a sister. All the younger branches of +the De Morney family rejoiced to see her, and gladly assisted in +rendering her happy; and when the hour arrived for the unfortunate +Madeline to return to the nunnery, whilst she observed with secret +gratitude the gloom it threw on the countenances of her friends, it +gave additional pangs to the feelings of her own heart; her spirits +instantly deserted her, and tears of unfeigned regret marked the sad +moment of departure. When she re-entered her solitary cell, she would +sink into a despondency which the austere rules of the order was not +likely to conquer. + +The inhabitants of the castle and its environs were in themselves a +little commonwealth, which contained a vast variety of characters. +Men of different nations were met together, and, by the unaccountable +effects of accident, ambition, or necessity, brought into the same +habits, and lived cordially together, serving one master; and, united +by one cause and interest, the utmost harmony prevailed among them; +for Sir Philip de Morney was a just and active governor; gentle as +the lamb and forgiving as mercy to the virtuous or injured,--but a +terror and a stern master to the traitor or oppressor, whether friend +or foe: he knew the importance of his situation, and how much the +happiness of others depended on the careful and faithful discharge +of those duties belonging to his high station, and intrusted to him +by his noble friend the Earl of Norfolk; he therefore wisely and +justly determined not to be biassed nor misled, either by the +partiality or designs of other men, nor to suffer any prejudice to +gain ascendancy over his mind in the rewards he bestowed, or the +punishments which guilt would sometimes compel him to inflict. + + + + +CHAP. II + + +In the middle of a cold and inclement winter's night, when the wind +blew with uncontrolable force, and the snow, rain, and hail beat with +fury against the window, every instant breaking some of the few panes +which admitted a scanty light into the interior apartments, and +threatened to demolish those of the state-rooms, while nature +appeared to shudder at this unusual warring of the elements, the +centinels on guard were alarmed by a loud rapping at the western +gate, and the rumbling of a carriage, with the clattering of horses' +hoofs was distinctly heard. For some moments the people stood +irresolute; at length one of the soldiers roughly inquired who it +was wanted admittance at so unseasonable an hour, when only treason +or treachery could be suspected. + +A voice replied, "We are no traitors; we come with no hostile +intentions, but have brought dispatches of the utmost importance +to the governor, and must beg to be immediately admitted, as we are +in danger of perishing from fatigue and the severity of the weather." +This answer caused a general bustle; the governor was summoned, and +the troops, lodged within the interior parts of the castle, ordered +to arms before the gate was thrown open; nor were the strangers +permitted to enter till their number was ascertained, and the +soldiers prepared to oppose them should they have any bad designs +to accomplish by this strange and suspicious visit; but the alarm +soon subsided, and the soldiers almost tempted to laugh at their own +fears, when they saw a carriage draw up to the gate, guarded by about +twenty men, out of which they took a person who appeared quite +passive, and was so muffled up, that, in the hurry which was made +use of to convey him into the governor's apartment, it was impossible +to discover either his age or person. The governor, after reading +the dispatches, withdrew with the prisoner and two of the people, +who appeared to have the command and direction of this mysterious +expedition.-- + +Refreshments were ordered for the travellers, and beds made up for +them in the barracks; but the governor had a long conference with +the gentlemen before they separated. In the middle of the following +night they departed from the castle with as much secrecy, and as +little ceremony, as they had entered it, no one appearing desirous +to develop the cause which brought them, or daring to ask any +questions of the governor, in whose power alone it rested to satisfy +their inquiries, as at this time civil commotions and private feuds +between the contending nobles were continually arising to disturb +the peace of society, and involve the nation in accumulating +distresses; this strange visit was not only silently observed, but +in a few weeks scarcely recollected, even by those who had witnessed +it; and the guards, with only silent shrugs and significant looks, +thought it fastest, wisest, and best, to perform with exact attention +the discharge of their respective duties. + +At this period of our tale, the joyous festival of Christmas was +approaching--a festival which our old-fashioned forefathers welcomed +with every mark of grateful and benevolent hospitality; and its +arrival was beheld with as much complacent and cordial hilarity by +the rich and great, as it was with delight and impatience by the poor +and needy. While the holly and mistletoe decorated the kitchens, and +the innocent joke went round, as the blushing maidens received the +compliments and good wishes of the season, the loaded tables served +still more to exhilirate their spirits, and even the stranger and +the beggar were invited to taste the good things they enjoyed. + +The youthful inhabitants of the castle began to reckon with eager +and high-raised expectation the days, the hours, and even the minutes, +which must pass away before the lovely Madeline, who had obtained +permission of the abbess to spend the Christmas holidays at the +castle, could join their party. Various plans of pleasure were +formed, which they hoped would be productive of such amusements as +would amply gratify their own wishes, and those of their expected +visitors; for Agnes de Clifford, who was a boarder in the nunnery, +was to accompany Madeline, by whom and Roseline she was much beloved. +She was a lively interesting girl, about Miss de Morney's age, and, +next Madeline, held the highest place in her regard. + +In realty, the young people at the castle were as much confined as +those in the nunnery from any intercourse with the world, Sir Philip +de Morney having a decided aversion to the introducing young people +early into life; but by the urgent entreaties of his lady, he was +now prevailed upon to relax from the strictness he had observed +respecting his elder children, four of whom felt a wish for a more +enlarged society; and, as their father had no design of placing any +of them in a religious retirement, it began to be time for them to +know something of that world in which, in all probability, they must +take an active part. + +The holidays were spent in the utmost harmony; the festivity which +reigned in every part of the castle seemed to have banished sorrow +from its walls. The surgeon, captains, and lieutenants, were all of +their parties, and the evenings generally concluded with a dance: +their dependents were sometimes permitted to join the set, and the +good priest, Father Anselm, who attended the castle, would gladly +have been a partaker in their innocent amusements, had not the rigid +rules of his sacred order forbidden such relaxations. + +A few days before the young ladies were to return to the nunnery, +Madeline was taken ill, and her disorder increased so rapidly, it +was not only thought dangerous, but found impracticable to remove +her with safety. For some weeks her life was despaired of, and, when +immediate danger was over, she was left in so weak and languid a +state, that air and exercise were pronounced absolutely necessary +to effect a perfect recovery. This sentence was heard with secret +delight by the suffering Madeline, as she was certain it would +procure leave for her longer continuance at the castle, and the +permission, when obtained, had more efficacy in restoring her, than +all the medicines she had taken during her illness. Edwin and +Roseline, much as they had suffered from the alarming indisposition +of their loved companion, rejoiced that it had been productive of +an indulgence they had almost despaired of gaining. + +As the progress of her recovery was slow and precarious, many +symptoms of a decline being visible, every one was eager and anxious +to amuse the fair invalid, and none appeared more earnest in their +endeavours than Hubert de Willows, captain of the guard, a young man, +whose wit, vivacity, and unceasing good humour, had so strongly +recommended him to the favour and protection of the governor, as had +obtained him a constant invitation to his table. With a lively +imagination, he had a turn for satire, so pointed, that, while it +rendered him a most entertaining companion, kept many of his enemies +in awe, and he had the merit of never shewing his talents at the +expence of a friend, nor any worthy character; but he considered +vice and folly as fair game, against which he levelled his attacks. + +Arthur de Clavering, the acting surgeon, was allowed both judgment +and humanity. The practice of physic and surgery was then but +obscurely known, compared with the more enlightened practioners of +these days. De Clavering, however, patched up many a broken +constitution. People lived as long, and had fewer diseases, than has +been the lot of succeeding generations, but, whether this is owing +to chance or folly, I leave wiser heads to determine. + +Arthur de Clavering was rather an extraordinary character; his person +was neither tall nor short; of a thin habit; had a countenance so +pleasing, and eyes so penetrating, it was impossible not to be struck +with him, as something beyond the common race of mortals. He had been +abroad, had read much, was acquainted with both men and manners, had +a plain and rather awkward address, was singular in his expressions, +and formed his opinions with a justness and rapidity that astonished +those with whom he associated; told a number of good anecdotes with +a delicacy and humour peculiar to himself; public places and general +society he avoided so cautiously, that he was considered as a +misanthrope by those who did not know him intimately. + +Lieutenant de Huntingfield was a Humourous bachelor of forty: he +professed himself an admirer of the ladies, and pretended to lament +that the state of his finances would not permit him to take a wife +to his bosom, and increase the ancient family of the De Huntingfields, +which, he apprehended, if fortune proved averse to his accomplishing, +would become extinct. + +Among the rest of the officers was a Cambrian youth, who was a +general favourite in the castle. Hugh Camelford was gay, high +spirited, thoughtless, and extravagant; but with all so generous and +good humoured, it was impossible not to be pleased even with his +eccentricities; he rode good horses, gave good dinners, and was +always in good spirits. De Clavering and Hugh Camelford were the best +friends in the world. The doctor, as he was generally called, had +once, during some indisposition, advised him to be bled; but the +fiery youth would neither follow his advice nor submit to his +entreaties: he was then threatened with death for his obstinacy. + +"In Cot's cood time I am ready to die, (said the invalid;) but, if +ever I lose one drop of my Welch bloot, put in the service of my +country, may my coot name be plasted with the titles of poltroon +and coward!"--He saved his Welch blood, and recovered, and De +Clavering, though at first somewhat displeased, treated him as a +friend and brother ever afterwards. + +There was a still more singular character in the castle than any yet +described,--Alexander Elwyn. He was placed there as a school for +improvement in tactics and all the relative duties of a soldier: he +had good connexions, and a genteel allowance; but was a miser at +twenty. This sordid humour made him the butt of the garrison, and +De Willows, with the rest of the officers, vowed to laugh him out +of a habit as disgusting as it was unnatural and unnecessary. + +In a few weeks Madeline was so far recovered, as to be removed into +one of the state-apartments for the benefit of air; an adjoining room +was likewise fitted up for Roseline, to sleep near her friend during +her confinement. They generally parted from their attendants as soon +as the rest of the family retired. Being one night earnestly chatting +over some occurrence that had afforded them pleasure, they were +alarmed by footsteps under their apartment, and a low murmuring +sound of voices indistinctly reached their ears. Madeline was a good +deal frightened, but Roseline, who had great presence of mind, and +more courage, made, or rather appeared to make, very light of the +matter, telling her friend the rooms they occupied were, she knew, +connected with some passages and offices belonging to the castle, +and she doubted not but the noise proceeded from the people on duty. +This, in some degree, abated the fears of Madeline, till, after a +profound silence of half an hour, they heard a deep groan, followed +by the rattling of chains; at the same instant one of the windows +flew open with the greatest violence, and as instantly closed again, +which was followed by the bell at the corner of the room ringing +violently. + +Madeline gave a faint scream; Roseline jumped out of bed, and ran +for some water, supposing she would have a fainting fit; but she +gently put it aside, and with wild affright inquired what was the +matter, and what could occasion the unaccountable noises they had +heard. "The wind, and the people in some of the lower apartments; +no doubt, (replied her friend;) therefore I beg you would not +discompose yourself; if you do, you will compel me to disturb the +family, and that I am afraid would displease my father; and, in all +probability, Edwin would ridicule our childish fears, and the rest +of the gentlemen would laugh at us." + +This silenced Madeline, and Roseline continued: "I am totally +unacquainted with many parts of this castle. I have two of three +times wished to explore its secret passages, look at the dungeons, +and visit all its subterranean contrivances, but have been forbidden +by my father. Edwin did once promise to shew me how well we were +secured from outward danger by the immense strength of the +fortifications, and equally secure of a retreat, should the castle +be attacked; but he cautioned me not to give a hint of his design, +either to my father or mother, not to drop a word of his intentions +before my brothers or sisters. Eager as I was to have my curiosity +satisfied, your illness, my dear girl, and the pleasure we counted +of partaking during our visit, drove it from my mind; but I will take +the earliest opportunity of claiming my brother's promise." + +"Agreed, (cried Roseline;) you and I, my dear Madeline, have yet seen +too little of life to be weary of it, and I trust our hearts are both +too guiltless to have any fears of those supernatural appearances, of +which superstition and ignorance give such improbable accounts." + +"Yet I have heard strange tales of this castle being haunted, even +in the retired recess to which my adverse fate had in all +probability doomed me to spend my hapless days, and---" + +"You are too much inclined to believe them, (interrupted her friend;) +but, my dear Madeline, be assured of this,--if we had nothing more +to fear from the living than we have to apprehend from the dead, we +should be perfectly secure, and our lives would pass away in a more +serene and placid manner than the turbulent wills of our +fellow-mortals will allow. Hark! I am sure I hear the soft and distant +sound of a lute. I never yet knew a ghost that had a taste for +Mortal harmony." + +"I certainly hear music, (sighed Madeline;) from what place can it +proceed?--Surely it must be---" + +"The amusement, no doubt, of some one either on the ramparts or in +the cells; for you have fluttered my spirits so much, I cannot +determine from what part of the castle the sound can reach us: let +us, however, rest satisfied, that no ghosts would trouble themselves +to play a midnight serenade in order to terrify those who could never +have injured them. Let us wait till you are quite recovered before +we mention a word of the occurrences of this night; for, were my +father to hear of our alarm, we should be instantly removed into +other apartments, and should not then be able to accomplish our +purpose of exploring the intricate recesses of this castle. Good +night, Madeline; I hope the musician will not cease his harmony till +he has lulled us to repose." + +She then jumped into her own bed; but her spirits were not altogether +in that composed and courageous state she wished her friend to +imagine. She had heard strange stories of lights being seen, of +ghosts gliding along the ramparts, of noises being heard; but, as +she had not been told of a ghostly musician, she was inclined to hope +it would, by some means or other, be explained to her satisfaction. + +Till the rising sun, however, peeped over the hills which bounded +the view from her windows, she could not rest; she then sunk into +repose, and slept so soundly, that it was with difficulty her sister, +Edeliza, could convince her that the family waited breakfast till she +should be in the humour to join them. Madeline took her's in bed. +Roseline hurried on her clothes, and Lady de Morney tenderly inquired +if indisposition had prevented her rising at her usual hour. +complaining of not having slept till late satisfied all parties, and, +after a gentle reproof from Sir Philip, and a joke from Edwin for +hugging her pillow so long, the subject was dropped. + +The next day was fixed for Madeline to join the family at dinner, for +the first time since her long and alarming illness. De Clavering, De +Willows, and Hugh Camelford, were invited to be of the party on this +joyous occasion, and it was with the utmost difficulty that Edwin de +Morney could conceal the rapture he felt in his bosom at the thought +of seeing the fair nun once more among them. He had ventured, with +the consent of Roseline, to make her several stolen visits, and in +those moments of rapturous delight had discovered that Madeline de +Glanville reigned sole mistress of his heart. Too young for the +practice of deceit, too sanguine and inexperienced to think of the +consequence of loving one devoted to the service of her God, he +flattered himself the partial indulgence of his mother would enable +him to conquer any difficulties thrown in his way, wither by his +father, or the designs Madeline's parents had formed for her future +destination. He likewise cherished the sweet hope that Madeline would +not be averse to accept him as a lover. His own heart had taught him +to read the language of the eyes, and in her's he saw, or thought he +saw, joy sparkle at his approach, and a soft sadness overcloud them +at his departure. + +The party met at dinner. Madeline entered the room, leaning on the +supporting arm of Edwin, and followed by Roseline. Never, in the +full bloom of youth and health, had the fair invalid looked so +inexpressibly lovely. A faint blush tinged her cheek upon receiving +the congratulations of the company on her recovery. The doctor +humourously declared he was entitled to their thanks for the +resurrection of their friend. + +"A resurrection, methinks, it is in reality, (said de Willows;) 'for +the mortal seems to have put on immortality,' and to have brought +down from heaven the beauty and form of an angel." + +"Hey day! (cried Sir Philip;) why, good people, you all seem to be +taking vast pains to make my sweet nun believe a language you +yourselves do not seem perfectly to understand. That we are all glad +to see her restored to us I hope and trust she believes; but our +congratulations must convince her, notwithstanding your high-flown +compliments, that she is a mere mortal, like the rest of her sex." + +"Not exactly like some of them, (said the doctor;) for, if she were, +De Willows would not look at her as if he had a mind to seize the +precious morsel from mother-church." + +This sally produced a hearty laugh from all but Edwin and Lady de +Morney, who, seeing the conversation was become distressing to her +young friend, summoned them to sit down to dinner. + +"In Cot's name, (cried Camelford,) let us obey orders, for I feel +myself all mortal at sight of Sir-loin, who is as coot and +entertaining a knight as any on this side the Welch mountains." + +"Excellent, faith! (exclaimed De Clavering;) and you look at him +with as much pleasure as a goat would at a field of young grass, +or as Edwin at his sister Roseline." + +Edwin at this moment was gazing at Madeline with an earnestness +that struck the doctor, and he took this method of withdrawing his +attention from an object which he considered might prove dangerous +to the peace of his young friend, to whom he was most sincerely and +affectionately attached. + +The day was spent with all that serene harmony which attends the +society of friends. Madeline's return to the social party was like +that of one having been so long absent, that little hope was +entertained of ever meeting again. She retired to her room at an +early hour, accompanied by Roseline; and the progress of her recovery, +though slow, was so visible, as in a few days to remove all anxious +fears from every heart but that of the impassioned Edwin, that no +further danger was to be apprehended from the effects of the fever. + +For more than a week the young ladies heard nothing to disturb them. +They were lodged at a great distance from the rest of the family, +and Roseline, having informed her brother of Madeline's fears, he +had requested his mother to let him sleep in that wing of the castle, +lest Madeline should be taken ill in the night, and his sister under +the necessity of leaving her to call assistance. His request was +granted, at the same time he received his mother's commendations and +thanks for this prudent precaution. + + + + +CHAP. III + + +During the time that De Willows was cherishing an increasing affection +for Madeline, the youthful Edeliza, now in the sixteenth year, was in +a situation more distressing. She had long been accustomed to consider +De Willows in the light of a playfellow, and to be gratified by his +almost undivided attention, while to him her's was wholly confined. +With Camelford she would sometimes romp, if De Willows were absent, +but, as soon as he returned, she would fly to him, and complain of the +young lieutenant's having wearied her by playing too roughly. + +Love even with the inexperienced is generally quick-fighted. Edeliza +had observed, with a kind of trembling apprehension, and a fear she +knew not how to account for, the attentions De Willows paid to +Madeline. She was angry,--she was shocked,--thought her not half so +handsome as she once had been, and wondered what the gentlemen could +see to admire in so ghostly a figure; her brother, De Clavering, +Hugh Camelford, and Elwyn, might make as much fuss as they pleased +about the beautiful nun, as they chose to call her, that De Willows +should be so blind, so provoking, she could not bear to recollect; +however, as she would soon be obliged to return to the nunnery, she +hoped De Willows would then forget she had ever left it, and recover +his senses. + +Thus was the little blind god, who had been the delight and the +torment of all ages, beginning to play cross purposes at the castle, +and aiming his arrows at hearts too innocent to guard against or +repel their attacks. De Willows had ever admired Edeliza as a +beautiful and interesting child; he had been in the habit of seeing +her, from the time she was ten years old, every day; therefore her +progress towards womanhood had passed in a manner unperceived, and +he had indulged himself and his little favourite in the same fond +and playful endearments as had taken place from the first of their +meeting, and that without forming an idea of there being either +danger or impropriety in so doing. Had any one informed De Willows +that Edeliza was cherishing a growing affection for him, which, if +unreturned, would endanger her future peace, he would have treated +it as the idle chimera of their own whimsical brain; but, had he once +seriously supposed he was destroying her happiness, and planting the +thorn of anguish in her innocent bosom, his heart was so much the +seat of true honour, he would have stabbed in his own breast rather +than have acted unjustly by the daughter of his friend. + + It happened about this period that Sir Philip de Morney was obliged +to go to London in order to settle a law-suit which had been long +depending, and which had harassed his mind very much. De Huntingfield +was to take the command of the castle during his absence, being the +oldest officer in the place. De Willows, though of higher rank, was +too young to be entrusted with a charge of so much importance, and +gladly yielded the honour to one so much his superior in years. Sir +Philip departed with reluctance, took leave of his family with +tenderness, and promised to return the first moment after the affair +was settled.--Lady de Morney was reconciled to the temporary absence +of her husband by the important business which had called him away. + +The young friends, having slept for several nights undisturbed, had +almost lost all remembrance of their fears before the departure of +Sir Philip, whose absence happened very opportunely to gratify their +curiosity in visiting every part of the castle, Edwin having promised +to procure the keys, and accompany them. + +Two nights after Sir Philip's departure, having spent a cheerful +evening, they retired to rest in unusual good spirits, but were +awakened about midnight by a war of the elements, and what made the +scene more terrific, though it was in the depth of winter, the thunder +rolled in tremendous peals over their heads, the sturdy walls of the +castle appeared to shake from their centre to the battlements, and +the lightning flashed upon the walls, and gleamed along the vaulted +passages, as if to make horror visible. The young ladies dressed +themselves, and Edwin tapped at the door with a light, inviting +them to go down into one of the lower rooms, to which he would +accompany them. + +Cheered and revived by the sound of his voice, they readily agreed +to his proposal, and in a few minutes opened the door to admit +their conductor. They made as little noise as possible, fearful of +disturbing Lady de Morney, if she was not already alarmed by the +tempest; and, to prevent the possibility of doing so, they agreed +to go down a winding staircase that led through one of the towers, +and which was seldom used by the family. They crept slowly along, +when, in one part of it, which was rather wider than the rest, they +passed four steps, which led to a door in the wall, and which +appeared so well secured by locks and bars, as if it never was +intended to be opened. + +"For heaven's sake, (whispered Roseline,) to what room does that door +lead? I never saw it before." + +"I entreat you (said the trembling Madeline) not to stop in this +horrid place to ask questions, (for the humid and unwholesome dews +of night and noxious vapours hung on the walls.) Though I am not +afraid now Edwin is with us, yet I may take cold by staying here." + +Edwin pressed the hand which was resting on his arm to his throbbing +bosom, and hurried them into the room the family had left, and they +were all truly rejoiced to find an excellent fire still blazing on +the wide-extended hearth, round which they seated themselves, and +neither Madeline nor Edwin uttered a single complaint at having been +so unseasonably disturbed. + +The tempest having spent it fury, subsided by degrees into a calm, +and the party, entering into conversation, almost forgot it had ever +been. Roseline however repeated her question respecting the door they +had seen in their way down the staircase. Edwin assured her he knew +no more than herself to what place it belonged: he had heard that +the restless ghost of some one had been bound in the apartments to +which it led, and that orders had been given for it never to be +opened. He had once made some inquiries of his father, but was +desired by him never to ask any questions till he came to years of +maturity, nor to explore any of the secret passages or entrances +to the castle. + +"Then, surely, (said Madeline,) it would be extremely wrong to +disobey the commands of Sir Philip, merely to satisfy an idle and +perhaps blamable curiosity." + +"At the moment (interrupted Edwin) that I admire the complying +sweetness of the gentle Madeline, I must beg pardon for retaining +my own resolution of seeing those parts of the castle from which I +have been so long secluded. I am now arrived at an age that surely +deserves to be trusted, or I must be unfit to live in a situation +like this. My father's reasons for the secresy he has observed so +long, I am unacquainted with; but I will most assuredly avail myself +of his absence to gratify my curiosity. I know where the keys are +deposited, and in a night or two will begin my nocturnal search. If +you and Roseline are in the humour to accompany me, it is well; if +not, I shall certainly go by myself." + +"As that might be dangerous, (said Roseline, who rejoiced to find +him so resolute,) you must promise to take me along with you." + +To this he assented, and Madeline agreed, with some little confusion, +to be of the party, concluding, Sir Philip must be wrong in not +granting his son's request. This matter settled, they retired for +the rest of the night, to forget, in the arms of sleep, not only the +castle and the nunnery, but the whole world. + +The next night they were surprised by an unusual noise, that seemed +to be immediately under them. It appeared something like the rattling +of a carriage over stones. Groans too they thought they heard; and, +after dressing themselves, Roseline called her brother, to convince +him their alarms were not the effects of imagination. He heard the +same sounds, and, in looking round their apartment, and into an +adjoining closet, he discovered a trap-door, that was very curiously +concealed under a board, which slided over it. He attempted to lift +it up, but found it was secured by a lock which was hid in a small +projection of the wall. + +Finding it impossible to obtain a passage, they determined to defer +their search till the succeeding night, when Edwin promised to secure +the keys. He stayed with them till daylight dissipated their fears; +they then retired to repose; but sleep deserted their pillows. A +thousand vague conjectures occupied their minds, and Madeline, for +the first time in her life, wished herself absent from the castle: +that there was something to discover appeared beyond a doubt; but, +whether the discovery would serve to relieve or increase their +anxiety, was as hazardous as it was uncertain; however, as Roseline +and Edwin were resolute to make the attempt, she determined not to +oppose them. + +Edwin revolved in his mind how he might be able to find some clue to +guide him, and resolved to apply to an old soldier, whose whole life +had been spent in the castle, to give him some account respecting +it. He was fond of retracing past scenes, and, when once he began +talking, knew not when to stop. From him Edwin learned all he wanted +to be informed; by him he was told the use of the keys, and received +every necessary direction. The old man, considering himself honoured +by holding converse with the governor's son, told him every +circumstance he knew or could recollect. The next day was spent in +the same manner as usual. De Clavering was uncommonly facetious, +De Willows particularly cheerful, Hugh Camelford entertaining, and +De Huntingfield busy in the active duties of his important office. + +The afternoon being remarkably clear, mild, and serene, the whole +party agreed to ascend to the top of the castle, and walk on the +ramparts, for the benefit of air and exercise. Edeliza would not quit +the arm of De Willows, therefore Madeline was left uninterrupted to +the care of Edwin. + +The air was reviving, the prospect picturesque and interesting; for +notwithstanding the season, nature had still beauties to catch the +inquiring eye, and awaken the gratitude of innocent and cheerful +hearts. A few evergreens, scattered here and there among the leafless +trees afforded shelter to innumerable birds. The red breast warbled +his artless song, surrounded by a number of chirping sparrows, who +seemed gaily to flutter around, making a most uncommon bustle, which +was occasioned by a shower that had lately fallen. + +"Confound these impertinent noisy little devils! (said De Clavering,) +I wish I had my gun, and I would most assuredly put an end to some +of this clatter." + +"For shame, toctor, (cried Camelford;) what! would you testroy such +pretty harmless creatures as these? Rather save your ammunition for +the enemies of your king--that would be coot sport indeed!--then, +my man of mettle, we should be petter employed; but let the +sparrow-family lif, and enjoy their prating." + +"I believe you are nearly allied to that same family, (replied the +doctor,) and therefore I do not wonder at your being anxious to +preserve your relations." + +"Petter not provoke me, toctor. I am in a valiant humour just +now, and, as Cot shall pless me, I will not pocket an affront from +any one." + +"Pack it up in your knapsack, (replied the doctor drily,) and say, +as our Saviour did, when tempted, "Get thee behind me, Satan!"--for +really Hugh, I often think the devil has jumped into your skull, +and, by kicking about your brains, has made you so hot headed." + +"Then the best thing I can do (replied Camelford) would be to put +myself under your tirection to lay this same tevil, and by the time +you had trained me of all my Welch ploot, he would leave my lifeless +carcase to be poiled for your improvement; but avaunt, thou cataplasm +of cataplasms!--I defy thy incantations, plisters, and pleedings." + +"I believe the young dog will live the longer, (cried the doctor, +addressing De Willows,) but who among us will deny or defy the sweet +influence of these lilies and roses that are now blooming around us." + +"I do not pretend to any such philosophic apathy," replied De Willows. + +"If you did, your looks would betray you, (retorted Edwin.) To deny +the united influence of love and beauty is not the province of +a soldier." + +"Do all soldiers admire beauty, and fall in love?" inquired the +artless Edeliza, looking earnestly at De Willows. + +"I believe so, my sweet little girl, (he answered;) love and death +are alike inevitable." + +"But not equally dangerous, (said the laughing Roseline;) for I never +heard of any one dying of the wounds given by the little blind god, +though thousands fall victims to the more certain arrows sent from +the furnace of war." + +"By the crate Cot, (said Camelford,) I had rather tie by the wounds +of a pair of pright eyes than by those of a cannon, loaded by the +hands of an ugly tog, who like a putcher delights in ploot." + +"More fool you, (replied De Clavering;) the death in the one case +would be glorious and instantaneous,--in the other, foolish and +lingering,----" + +"Unless I applied to a toctor to put me out of my misery, and then +I should get rid of it in a trice." + +"A truce with your compliments, good folks, (said Roseline;) suppose +we endeavour to reconcile ourselves to the world, and all its strange +vagaries, by a dance in the great hall. This proposal met with +general approbation; to the great hall they descended, and, surrounded +by the rusty armour of their hardy forefathers, they enjoyed in the +mazy windings of the lively dance, a pleasure as innocent as it was +amusing, Lady de Morney herself being a gratified spectator of +the scene. + +This hall was decorated, if we may use the term, with a vast number +of suits of armour, belonging to the family of Norfolk. One, more +light and higher finished than the rest, appeared to have belonged +to a youth of Edwin's size. He was prevailed on to fit it; and, armed +cap-a-pie, strutted about in bold defiance, and threw down his +gauntlet, daring any one to single combat who should deny the palm +of beauty being due to the lady he should name. + +"Suppose I threw down my glove," said de Willows." + +"You would soon take it up again, (replied Edwin, somewhat +scornfully,) as I fancy our taste in beauty to be the same." + +De Willows coloured,--Madeline appeared uneasy,--and Edeliza declared +armour was the most frightful dress she ever saw, while the younger +part of the family jumped round their brother, and with eagerness +made many inquiries concerning the use of every part of his dress, +and requested their mother to let them wear some of the nodding +plumes which hung in lofty state around them. + +In the course of the evening, Edwin gave Madeline a hint to retire +early to her chamber, having obtained possession of the keys, and +gained such directions as could not fail to satisfy their curiosity +and guide them in their researches. Madeline silently acquiesced, +and imparted, with trembling impatience, the tidings to her friend. +She was thoughtful and absent the rest of the evening, and availed +herself of the earliest opportunity of withdrawing to her chamber. +Roseline very soon followed her, and, as soon as the family had +retired to rest, Edwin stole gently to their apartment. They had +anxiously expected his arrival, and therefore gave him immediate +admittance. + +Roseline rejoiced at seeing her brother, and eagerly inquired if he +was sure that he had the keys that would enable them to proceed. He +then produced a most enormous bunch, with a dark lantern, which was +to guide them through the intricate labyrinths of the castle, and +advised Madeline and his sister to guard against the damps of the +passages they had to go through, and to arm themselves with their +whole stock of resolution, lest their terror should betray him. + +Roseline assured him her fears were conquered by her strong desire +to explore the secrets of their habitation, and Madeline promised +not to let her apprehensions impede their progress. Edwin lighted +his candle, and with some difficulty unfastened the trap-door he had +discovered in their closet; but, on opening it, a kind of noxious +vapour ascended, that almost tempted them to give up their design. +A flight of broken brick steps, of amazing depth, carried them into +a narrow winding passage, in which it was impossible for more than one +person to move forward at once. + +Madeline caught hold of Edwin's coat, and Roseline followed her +with a lighted candle in her hand. For some time they groped along, +frequently stumbling over the stones which had fallen from the +mouldering walls, and trembling lest this passage should lead them +into danger. Edwin frequently stopped to encourage them to go on, +assuring them they had nothing to apprehend. By degrees the path +widened, and, on suddenly turning, they entered a kind of square, +round which were several doors, but so low, they did not seem made +to admit men but dwarfs. Going up to one of them, Edwin pushed it +open with his foot, and he was convinced they were the dungeons in +which prisoners of war were confined. Some contained only bedsteads, +iron rings, and fetters; in one of them they saw a human skull; in +another was a coffin, which appeared to have stood there for ages, +and with its silent inhabitant was falling to decay. + +They proceeded till they came to a door which was so thickly studded +over with nails, bolts, bars, and locks, this it impeded their +farther progress. Edwin would fain have attempted to open it, but +was prevented by his shivering and terrified companions. + +"Brother, (cried Roseline,) we have seen quite enough to satisfy us +for one night." + +"Another time, Edwin, (added Madeline,) I shall feel less +repugnance to proceed. But how do you know that door does not lead +to some apartment where the restless spirit of another discontented +ghost may be confined, by some potent spell, till released by the +intrusion of beings who now wander amid the gloomy scenes of life +as he once did?" + +"No such thing, (replied the intrepid and resolute Edwin;) that door +is an entrance to a subterraneous passage, which leads from this +castle to Mettingham, merely to give entrance to troops in any case +of emergency, or to cover the retreat of others that may want +to escape." + +"But, as it has not been used, either for the one purpose or the +other, since my father resided here, (said Roseline,) it may now be +a shelter for thieves and traitors; therefore, for heaven's sake, +let us now return to our apartment." + +Edwin, whose disposition was as amiable as his manners and person +were captivating, no longer contended with their wishes, but led +the way for them as he had done before, and, as he was a fine tall +youth, was obliged to stoop as he went along. + +Just as they came near the foot of the steps which led to their +apartment, they saw, or thought they saw, a faint light gleam across +a passage which led to another part of these gloomy habitations, and +they imagined they perceived the figure of some one disappear at +their approach. This alarmed the whole group, and they hurried up +the stairs as hastily as their fears would let them. Having cautiously +fastened the trap-door, they sat down to recover themselves, and +recollected with a degree of horror and disgust the gloomy scenes +they had visited; but the light, and the figure they had all caught +a transient view of, dwelt most forcibly on their minds. Madeline +declared she should never have sufficient resolution to re-visit +these abodes of terror, contrived by the stern hands of despotism +and ambition. + +"When we think, as we surely may, (said she,) with some degree of +certainty, how many poor souls have languished out a life of misery +in these gloomy cells, can we wonder if they are haunted by all they +have entombed? Shut out not only from the world, but from every +comfort, nature too recoils and shudders at the cruelties that may +have been practised on the poor victims thus buried in the bowels +of the earth." + +"All this may be very true, my sweet Madeline, (interrupted Edwin,) +but I am determined to re-visit them. Perhaps some poor sufferers +may still remain in the castle; if so, it would be delightful to +soften the rigours of their fate." + +"True, my dear brother, (cried Roseline, her eyes illumined with the +soft beams of genuine benevolence and philanthropy,) I will certainly +attend you." + +"To quiet the fears of our lovely friend, (said Edwin,) I will +request old Bertrand, who has lived in this castle from the time we +came into it, to accompany and direct us in our search after misery. +I am told too, (he added,) there is a passage which leads from this +castle into the chapel of your nunnery. If I can find it out, I shall +certainly pay you a visit, and steal you from your cell; for, my dear +Madeline, whatever may be the truth and the virtues of our holy +religion, it is doubtless one of its abuses to shut from the world +those lovely works of the creation best calculated to enliven and +adorn it. Can it be deemed a greater crime to doom a worthless, or, +suppose I say, and innocent, man, to languish in a dungeon, that it +is to compel an unfortunate female to waste her days in the austere +walls of a nunnery,--kneel to the unfeeling image of a saint,--watch +the midnight lamp,--seclude herself from all social enjoyments,--and +linger through life in solitary sadness without a friend, or a lover, +to cheer her on her way?" + +"Hush, for heaven's sake! (said the frightened Madeline;) if Father +Anselm heard you talk thus lightly and profanely of our holy religion, +I should be for ever debarred seeing you and Roseline again, for life +shut out from the world, and compelled to take the veil." + +"Never, by heaven! (cried Edwin, thrown entirely off his guard by +the tender confusion and agitation of Madeline:) you shall take no +vows but such as love and nature dictate. I would perish a thousand +times,--lose a thousand lives to preserve you from a fate that would +not only make you wretched, but me for ever miserable.--Roseline has +long known that you are dear to my heart. Say,--ease me of the +torturing suspense I this moment feel,--do you not find an advocate +in your bosom that will plead my cause?" + +Madeline trembled violently; her eyes were bent to the ground: She +would have fallen, had not Roseline flown to support her. She +attempted to speak, but the words died away inarticulately. + +"I see how it is, (cried Edwin impassionately;) the happy De Willows +has gained by his attentions what I have lost by disgusting you with +mine: you hate, you despise me. I will solicit my father to let me +join the army: I will for ever remove this detested object from your +sight, and pray that the portion of happiness I have lost may be +redoubled to you." + +Madeline, alarmed by the energy of this speech, was instantly roused +from the languor into which she had sunk. + +"I hate no one, (said she softly;) but Edwin, you forget it would +be a crime in me to love. If, indeed, that had not been the case,--if +I were at liberty----" + +"You would bless the happy De Willows with your hand." + +"Never!--De Willows I regard as a friend: as any thing more I never +did,--never could think of him. I am you know banished from all +intercourse with the world;--my sentence has been long pronounced; +from that sentence there can be no appeal. Would to heaven I had +submitted to it, and never quitted the retreat to which parental +authority consigned me! At this painful moment my own feelings +inflict my punishment." + +"Then you do not hate me? (cried Edwin, taking her hand.)--Only say +I am not quite indifferent to you, and I will endeavour to rest +satisfied, and ask no more; trusting that time may do much in my +favour; but, if you attempt to deprive me of all hope,--if you deny +me this innocent gratification, I will go to the wars." + +"Ah! why will you press me to discover what it would be better to +conceal?--why will you tempt me to swerve from my duty to my God and +my parents, and make me a perjured, and unworthy sacrifice?--You +have, I fear, taught my heart a lesson it ought never to have learned: +but it must be the hard task of my future life to atone for the crime +I have committed in having suffered a mortal to rival that God, who +alone should have occupied all my thoughts and wishes." + +Edwin threw himself at the feet of Madeline. His raptures were now +as unbounded as the conflict had been severe; and not till she sunk +fainting into the arms of her friend, could he be persuaded to quit +their apartment. + +Happy was it for the party that Roseline had not only a greater +share of prudence and understanding that most of her sex, but +likewise more fortitude than is usually their portion. She soon +recovered, her friend soothed her into some degree of composure, and +endeavoured to inspire her with hopes that some plan might be adopted +which would remove those difficulties that threatened to divide two +hearts love had united, and which appeared formed by nature to make +each other happy. Roseline well knew her father would not only be +displeased, but shocked, if he discovered this unfortunate attachment, +and she blamed herself for having been the innocent cause of +involving two people so dear to her in such a hopeless scene of +complicated distress. + +Notwithstanding the agonizing conflicts which had attended the +eclaircissement, the lovers felt a heavy burthen removed from their +hearts. Convinced of being mutually beloved, all other sorrows, all +other trials appeared light and trivial: they sunk into a more sweet +and peaceful slumber than they had long enjoyed,--dreamed of each +other, and arose the next morning with renovated spirits and +revived hopes. + +Madeline wished the hour was arrived they were to renew their midnight +ramble, and thought, if she should meet a thousand ghosts, she should +not fear them, while Edwin, who loved her so tenderly and sincerely, +was near to guard her. She was eager too, but scarcely durst +acknowledge to herself she _wished_ the passage might be found which +led to the chapel in her nunnery. + + + + +CHAP. IV. + + +If there be any so fastidious and unfeeling as to condemn and +deprecate the romantic hopes and flattering visions cherished in +he buoyant bosom of nineteen, I am sorry for them, and here avow, +I wish never entirely to forget the fascinating pleasure of such +air-built hopes. Should they be sometimes attended with danger to the +weak and frail, they are likewise accompanied with their advantages +to the good and virtuous, and often enable us to encounter trials +with a resolution and fortitude, which, at a more advanced period +of our lives, when time has weakened our bodily frame, and experience +deprived us of those gay illusions, we find it difficult and painful +to acquire.--The philosophy of nineteen, though not abstruse, is +flattering and conclusive; so much the more valuable; for, after all +the researches of philosophy, what are we taught to know, but that +man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upwards?--that we are merely +the pilgrims and passengers of a day,--that our resting place must +be found in a better, an unknown world,--that we must encounter +innumerable trials on our journey, and at last die and be forgotten, +even by those for whom we have toiled, and to whom we are most tenderly +attached?--Surely then we may be allowed to snatch, or steal, a few +of those innocent enjoyments just thrown in our way, to encourage our +fortitude, and clear our path from some of the briars and thorns with +which it is so profusely planted. + +Happy is it for those in the common walks of life, that all their +stock of philosophy is comprised in a few words, acquired without +study, and retained without taxing their time or burthening their +memory,--"it was my fate,--I could not run from it,--it was to be." +These trite sentences reconcile them to many distressing events, and +sometimes are their excuse for the frailties of their conduct. + +When the parties met at breakfast the next morning, any careful +observer might have discovered, by the confusion visible on the +countenance of Madeline,--the constraint in her manner of addressing +Edwin,--his more than usual vivacity, and the pale cheeks and swelled +eyes of Roseline, that something had occurred to produce the change; +but, suspicion not being a frequent gust at the castle, no such +discovery was made: every one employed themselves as usual, and in a +few hours universal cheerfulness seemed to prevail. + +The only observations made by Lady de Morney were, that her dear +Edwin looked remarkably well, was in charming spirits, and had dressed +himself better and more becomingly than usual. Madeline coloured, and +thought the same. Roseline smiled, and Edwin whispered something in the +ear of Madeline that prevented the roses fading on her cheek. + +The dress of Madeline, though to her particularly becoming, would +to thousands have been totally the reverse. It was the dress of the +order of Benedictines, to which she belonged, consisting of a black +robe, with a scapulary of the same. Under the robe, nuns, when +professed, wore a tunic of white undyed wool, and, when they went +to the choir, they had a cowl like that worn by the monks; but the +boarders, who were in what we may call a state of probation, were +allowed to wear a tunic of muslin or cambrick, and covered their heads +with a white veil. This dress, little suited to please the whimsical +taste of the present time, was, strange as it may appear, simple and +becoming, and proved the truth of the poet's observation, that + + ------Loveliness + Needs not the foreign aid of ornament, + But is, when unadorn'd, adorn'd the most. + +Madeline, in the habit of her order, was so captivating a figure, +that no one ever thought any alteration or change in it could have +added a charm to those bestowed on her by the partial hand of +nature. She was tall, and elegantly formed; the expression of her +countenance, blended with softness and dignity, conveying an idea +of superior virtue being united to superior loveliness. + +Just before dinner, the Doctor observed that Madeline looked pale: +having felt her pulse, he inquired what had given them cause to beat +so much out of time. + +"I must examine into this matter, (said he archly.) They are gallopping +along at a strange rate; either the head or the heart must occasion +this revolution in the system of my patient's usual habit. If it be +the disease of the heart, I must resign my place to a more able +practitioner.--Do not blush, my fair nun, but tell me whom you would +have called in." + +"I am perfectly satisfied with your advice, my good doctor, and at +this time believe I want a cook more than a physician, therefore +excuse me if I say you you entirely misunderstand my case." + +"Don't be too positive (said De Clavering) of my ignorance. You may +safely trust me with all your complaints,--even with those of the +heart; for I feel myself extremely interested that you should not +return to the nunnery with any additional one added to those you so +unfortunately brought away." + +"Ah! (said Madeline,) mentally, advice is now too late. I shall carry +back with me a more corroding, a more painful complaint than any I +ever knew before; yet, strange as it is, I would not be cured for +the world, as my being so would wound Edwin de Morney. + +Only Camelford was present when this little badinage passed between +the Doctor and his patient. He advised the former to lay aside his +wig, and take up the cowl, as the most certain method of discovering +the truth; "for, though the laties, (he added,) will not tell all +they think to you or I, they will not attempt to teceive their Cot." + +"If I thought putting on a cowl would transform me to a god, (said +De Clavering,) I would soon hazard the transformation, and then I +would place a shield before the heart of every fair daughter of +Britain, that should have the property of a talisman, to warn them +againsst the designs and insidious attention of young men, six feet +high, with black sparkling eyes, auburn hair, teeth of ivory, handsome +legs, and white hands." + +Madeline knew the portrait, and, rising to conceal her blushes, ran +hastily out of the room. + +Hugh Camelford burst into a violent fit of laughter, and told the +Doctor, "so far from being thought a Cot, the young laty certainly +took him for the tifel, having discovered his spells and clofen foot, +or perhaps for Tafy ap Jones, who, after tying for lof, was thrown +into the Red Sea, and had haunted all lof-sick maidens ever since, +poor discontented tifel!" + +"And that will be your fate, Hugh, (retorted the Doctor,) unless you +send home the Welch lass whom you betrayed, and then left to starve +with your son, a fat chubby boy, very like his father." + +"As I hope to escape the toctor and tamnation, (said the indignant +Hugh,) I never petrayed a lass in my whole life; therefore, you +cataplasm, you plister, you caustic of fire, pring no such scandals +on the coot name of Camelford, lest I take a little of your carnivorous +plood, and make you drink it!" + +The Doctor stole off laughing, and Camelford soon recovered his +good humour. + +A dance was proposed for the evening, and readily agreed to by the +young people, who determined to make the time pass as cheerfully as +possible during the absence of Sir Philip and the visit of Madeline. + +In those days dancing was the favourite amusement of the youth of +both sexes: rich and poor, young and old, one with another, mixed +in the animating dance:--complaints of weariness and fatigue were +seldom heard. This exercise was not only favourable to health, but +the roses it produced on the glowing cheek of youth rendered all +application to the borrowed ones of art totally unnecessary. Rouge +was then unknown, and no _Warren_ existed to abolish old women, by +giving the furrowed features of age an unfading bloom. The plain +jacket, with a small quantity of ribbon bound round a cambric cap, +were then thought becoming, and few ornaments were worn but on very +important and particular occasions; yet beauty was equally admired: +the same homage was paid to it, and it held in bondage as many +captives, without the adventitious aid of deception and extravagance. + +Another preservative of youth and health was their keeping better, +that is, earlier hours. Night was night, and dedicated to its original +purpose. Day was properly divided, and found of sufficient length for +all the useful employments of life. Few young ladies but had seen +the sun rise in all its glory, and found their hearts expanded by +the grand and awful sight; and, while they welcomed its reviving rays +from the portals of the east, it tended to raise their minds to that +God who made the sun, and who alone could number the stars by which +it was surrounded. + +A fine moon-light evening seldom passed unnoticed by these aspiring +worthies, eager after knowledge; for, having happily fewer amusements, +they had more time to attend to the instructive beauties of nature, +the study of which affords an inexhaustible source of pleasure and +surprise. Fearless of their complexions, they not only rambled but +worked in their gardens. Each had a little spot of ground marked out, +and it soon produced the desired effect; every one was emulous to +outshine the other in its cultivation, and Sir Philip or Lady de Morney +were often called upon as arbitrators to decide the superior beauty +of a rose, the size of a carnation, or the snowy tints of a lily. + +De Clavering had told them, that, under their feet, they often +trampled on plants, in the careful study of which might be found a +cure for every disease incident to the climate they inhabited, and +that in other climates the earth produced her treasures for the +same benevolent purpose; but the careless inattention of mankind +to this useful knowledge had rendered the profession of physic +absolutely necessary, and given men of learning and genius an +opportunity of displaying their talents in preserving the lives of +their fellow creatures. + +In consequence of these hints, all kinds of herbs were planted, and +their virtues put to the test by being applied to relieve the diseases +of their poor neighbours; and never did a high-bred town belle, at +making a conquest, or a hero, after obtaining a signal victory, exult +more, or feel greater delight than the having effected a cure produced +in the minds of these young practitioners. De Clavering was gratified +in giving them all the intelligence they requested, very often +inquired when they went their rounds to visit their patients, and +offered them his physical wig to give them consequence. + +In those days people lived much longer in the same number of years; +to rise between five and six o'clock, and breakfast at seven, was +their usual custom, the time of taking their meals differing as much +as their antique habits. Dinner was constantly on the table between +eleven and twelve, and supper regularly served at seven; tea was then +bu little used, Whether the introduction of that bewitching beverage +had been followed by the long catalogue of evils laid to its charge, +I am not able to determine; but, as I have known many weak +constitutions who have never felt any ill effects from taking it, +I am inclined to think it has not such dangerous properties as are +alledged against it by valetudinarians and their medical advisers. + +But what would the antediluvian souls, who compose my dramatis personae +say to the innovations made upon time in these day of delicate and +fashionable refinement? They would suppose the world turned topsy-turvy, +and be puzzled to know why the afternoon should be discarded, and what +part of the twenty-four hours to call night. + +The periodical times of taking refreshment are quite different to +what they formerly were, and contradictory to the practice of our +ancestors, who hoarded their time, and considered it as a treasure +of some value. We may now literally be said to turn day into night, +and night into day, while the want of time is the source of general +complaint. Our people of fashion, and many of no fashion at all, +breakfast at three in the afternoon, dine at seven, sip their tea +at eleven o'clock at night, and sup at four in the morning; whereas +Queen Elizabeth breakfasted at five or six in the morning, and dined +at eleven in the forenoon.--She and all her court went to bed with +the sun in summer, and at eight or nine o'clock in winter. + +The parliament, in the reign of Charles the First, went to prayers +at five or six in the morning, and the king dined at twelve; nay, +in the licentious reign of that merry monarch, his son, dinner at two +was thought a very late hour; for all public diversions were at an +end by six in the evening, and the ladies, after seeing a play, went +in their carriages to Hyde-Park. + +Whether it would not be greatly to the advantage of people in general +to revive some old customs, and return to the prudent habits of our +progenitors, will not admit of much dispute. Private families, in +these expensive times, would undoubtedly be benefited. Morning would +again become a theme for the poet, and poor day-light be brought into +fashion. Our parliament too would find more time to transact the +important business of the nation, on which they so eloquently +harangue. Possibly a good dinner would add weight to their arguments, +and the not being hungry would prevent their eagerness to adjourn. + +But one of its greatest evils, after that above mentioned, is felt +by servants, particularly the unhappy cook. She seldom sees the face +of day,--never enjoys the enlivening rays of the sun, and can scarcely +find time even to change her clothes till the night is too far advanced +to render the change necessary. It was formerly the custom for people +to walk after tea, and by doing so acquire a redoubled relish for +the variegated beauties of nature; but now the table makes its +appearance at so unseasonable an hour, and fashionable etiquette, +with the love of good cheer, detains them so long, that in fact it +appears the chief business of life to study every art and contrivance +how to destroy and squander, not how to improve our time; and, instead +of people's eating that they may live, they now live only to eat and +drink, that the senses, I presume, may be disabled from torturing them +with reproaches.--But to return to our tale. + +In the evening, as Edeliza was going down the dance, her eyes, with +those of Madeline, were attracted by the same object,--a plume of +white feathers, placed on a suit of armour, nodded, and the armour +moved. This had such an effect, Madeline screamed, and Edeliza, +throwing herself into the arms of De Willows, begged he would protect +her from the ghost. The dancing stopped, the whole party was alarmed, +and Lady de Morney very much surprised; but, on being informed what +had occasioned the bustle, Hugh Camelford flew to discover its cause, +and, jumping upon a long table, which was placed by the side of the +room for the accommodation of large parties on any particular +occasion, he without much ceremony caught hold of the haunted armour, +when, to the astonishment of the whole company there instantly +appeared,--gentle reader, be not alarmed!--not the ghost of a +murdered hero, nor forsaken maid,--but the youngest daughter of Sir +Philip de Morney, who skipping from her concealment upon the table, +and from thence to the floor, shook her head, decorated with a +profusion of flaxen hair, which curled in natural ringlets, and +laughed heartily at the fright she had occasioned. + +"Of all the chosts I ever saw, (said the delighted Hugh, catching +her up in his arms,) this is by much the prettiest and most +entertaining. I should like to be haunted by such an one all the +tays of my life." + +Lady de Morney called the little culprit, and, having severely +reproved her, ordered her to bed, to which she had been sent before +the party had began dancing, for some fault she had committed, but +had persuaded one of the servants to place her as before described, +that she might be a spectator, though she was not permitted to be a +partaker in the amusement. Lady de Morney reprimanded the servant; +and, had it not been for the general intercession of the company, +poor Birtha would have been a prisoner in her own apartment +some days. + +This incident, simple in itself, happened very unfortunately for +the two ladies, who had agreed to accompany Edwin in his subterranean +tour. They lingered till the last moment, and then withdrew with +visible reluctance; but determined, as soon as they reached their +own room, not to say a word to Edwin of their fears, as they knew +it would expose them to ridicule, if not to censure, and there was +not in the catalogue of human ills or evils any circumstance +Madeline would so much have dreaded as being thought meanly of by +Edwin de Morney. + +Within little more than an hour after the family had withdrawn, all +the servants retired to rest, they were joined by the sanguine and +spirited Edwin, accompanied by the ancient veteran, who, though +loaded with the heavy burthen of fourscore years, was still active +and hearty, his senses unimpaired, and his sturdy limbs still able +to carry with firmness their accustomed load. His grey locks hung +with silvered dignity upon his aged shoulders, and his eye retained +some of their former expression. He made a profound obeisance to +the ladies on his entrance, and was received with that condescending +affability which his years and long-tried faithfulness demanded. + +Edwin's manner of introducing him, flattered the old man's remaining +stock of vanity, and revived, in full force, the remembrance of his +former exploits, which, though they had not procured him preferment, +secured him attention and respect. + +"This is my friend Bertrand, (said Edwin, addressing Madeline +particularly on his entrance;) though you had some fears with only +such a stripling as myself for a leader, you can have none with so +experienced and brave a guide." + +The old man listened with delighted attention to this eulogium from +the lips of his dear young master, whom he had so often dandled on +his knee, whom he had been so fortunate as to snatch from a watery +grave, and for whom he retained a stronger affection than for any +other being on earth. Sir Philip had long maintained him in ease and +comfort, and excused him from every employment, but such as tended +to the preservation of his health. Both ladies held out their hands, +which he respectfully kissed, and preyed that heaven might bless and +reward them for their kindness to their old but grateful servant. + +"Now the ceremony of introducing you into the bed-chamber of these +fair ladies is over, 'tis time for us to think of proceeding, my +old friend, (said Edwin.) If you will assist me in unfastening the +trap-door, we will procure lights, and, putting ourselves under your +direction, follow wherever you are disposed to lead us. + + + + +CHAP. V. + + +It was the intention of Bertrand to open the door of the subterranean +passage, which communicated with Mettingham-castle; but, before they +proceeded par, something rushed past them several times: it was rapid, +and their candle threw so feeble a light on the walls which surrounded +them, that they could not discover what it was. + +They hurried on till they came to the square leading to the dungeons, +when their attention was arrested, and their fears increased by the +barking of a dog. They hesitated, looked with astonishment at each +other, and stopped, as if irresolute whether to return or proceed. +In the mean while, the little animal made its appearance, jumped and +capered about, as it it rejoiced at seeing them in its dreary +habitation, attached itself particularly to Roseline, and seemed to +recognize an old and beloved friend. + +Roseline took it up in her arms, kissed and caressed it; but how +to account for meeting with so beautiful, fond, and gentle a creature +was not only matter of surprise but wonder. + +"Are you sure, sister, (said Edwin, slily glancing a look at the +pale face and trembling lips of the terrified Madeline,)--are you +sure it is a real dog?--May it not be one of the ghosts, who, in +such various shapes, are said to haunt these gloomy regions, and +disturb the peaceful slumbers of young maidens, born perhaps two +hundred years after they had left the world?" + +This gentle reproof restored the roses to the fair cheek from which +fear had driven them, while Roseline declared it was really and truly +the prettiest dog she had ever seen. Bertrand had looked thoughtful, +agitated, and confused, from the moment it appeared. + +"This dog must have a master, (said Edwin,) and that master must be +somewhere near these cells." + +"Perhaps (said Bertrand) some daring villain may have found entrance +here, either with the hopes of plunder, or to accomplish designs +against the castle; let us therefore, for the present, give up +attempting to explore the passage; it might be dangerous to unfasten +a door which is now our security." + +"Had we not better call for help?" said the again-terrified Madeline. + +"Not for the world! (interrupted Edwin;)--how should we be able to +account to my mother for being in this place, without burthening her +mind with ten thousand suspicions? while, telling her our reasons +would most assuredly expose our venerable companion to the certain +displeasure of my father.--Do you (said he, addressing Bertrand) +know if there is any one a prisoner at this time?" + +The old man hesitated.--"I know but little--I apprehend it may be +so,--but I--I hope you will excuse my talking on a subject +that--that--" + +"It must assuredly be so, (said Roseline softly to her brother,) and +from that cause proceeded the noises which so repeatedly alarmed us." + +Again every one stood for a moment irresolute. Edwin, however, fearful +of bringing his father's anger on Bertrand, and scorning to tempt +the old man to betray and trust reposed in him, or any secret belonging +to another, instantly formed his resolution to act with the utmost +caution. He proposed to his sister and Madeline to return to their +apartment as soon as Bertrand had pointed out the passage which led +to the nunnery.--On being shewn the door which might one day enable +him to meet his Madeline, and open to give him a gleam of happiness, +Roseline snatched up the little dog, pressed him to her bosom, and +vowed to release him from captivity. + +As soon as they had reached their own apartment, Bertrand, after +promising eternal secrecy, took a respectful leave. Edwin accompanied +him to his room, then returned to his sister's and proposed instantly +renewing their search. + +"This is doing nothing, (said he;) all is still left to conjecture +and uncertainty." + +"If you mean to go again, (said Madeline,) why did you suffer Bertrand +to leave us?" + +"From respect to my father and regard to the old man, (he replied;) +for should we, my dear Madeline, make any discovery of consequence, +with us the secret will rest secure, and, should we be found out, on +ourselves alone will fall the displeasure of Sir Philip; but, by +this procedure, we empower no one either to betray his secrets or +our own. We will, however, carry back with us this little stranger, +(continued he, pointing to the dog, who was sleeping on a cushion +which Roseline had placed for him before the fire,) and, when we +set him down, we will follow wherever he may choose to lead us: If +he be attached to any miserable being confined in one of the cells +or dungeons, we may depend upon his returning to his usual habitation." + +Once more the trap-door was lifted up; once more the party descended +into regions like those of the grave, while the mouldering walls, +glittering with the dews of night, and rendered humid with the +unwholsome damps of the situation, hung loose and disjointed over +their heads, as if to threaten instant destruction. + +Turning into a passage which led to a contrary direction to that +they had before entered, and which was somewhat wider and less dismal +than the other, Roseline sat down the dog, who ran nimbly away, as +if well acquainted with the path. They followed with the utmost +caution, observing a profound silence. The dog went before them the +whole length of the passage, then turned suddenly down a few steps, +at the bottom of which a door stood half-open: he rushed in, and +appeared to them to stop at some distance. Instantly they heard him +growl and bark, and this determined them to proceed. + +They passed through two small apartments decently furnished, and, +just as they reached an inner door, at which the dog had demanded +admittance, they saw it slowly open, and a faint voice appeared to +chide the guiltless wanderer for his long, long absence, and then +to caress him with fondness. + +Edwin, knowing, if he hesitated to proceed, the fears of his +companions would increase by the delay, gently tapped at the door. +For a minute all was silent; he then gave some louder raps. The same +person very soon opened the door, of whom they had caught a transient +glimpse when he had granted admittance to the dog. He was evidently +alarmed, and in tremulous and terrified accents inquired who was +there,--what was the matter,--and what errand brought them? at the +same time brandishing a sword, which he had hastily snatched from a +chair which stood near him. + +"Whoever you are (continued he) that have found a way to this den +of misery, you may safely enter, unless you come to add farther +oppressions, and inflict additional woes on the head of an injured +and guiltless sufferer. If you come with such diabolical intentions, +be assured of this,--I will no longer be a passive or silent spectator +of such unheard of barbarity, but give up a life in his defence which +cruelty has rendered a worthless sacrifice. Forego then your designs, +and know he will not long be either a burthen or reproach to his +unnatural parent and sordid oppressors." + +"We come with no design to injure or oppress, (said Edwin.) We inhabit +this castle, and were led by the curiosity incidental to youth into +these horrid regions.--Chance conducted us into these apartments, +without knowing they were inhabited.--We wish not to alarm or interrupt +any one, but of this be assured, if you will inform us how we can +serve you, or render your situation more comfortable, we will gladly +contribute all in our power to do so. Your countenance does not appear +stamped with guilt, and your determination to protect the injured +speaks a noble mind." + +The sword was instantly laid down,--the door flew open,--and they +were requested to enter by one, who told them his life and courage +were only valuable so long as they would enable him to watch and +protect the best and most beloved of masters. + +Reader, guess, if it be possible, the surprise and astonishment of +our trembling and compassionate adventurers, when they beheld and +elegant young man, whose countenance was as prepossessing as his +situation was interesting, wrapped in a striped-satin morning-gown, +which reached to his feet, with his hair hanging in graceful ringlets, +and nearly concealing a face pale as death, lying on a kind of couch, +and to all appearance in the last stage of a consumption. + +On the entrance of Edwin, he took but little notice, but, on seeing +Roseline and her friend advance, he looked up, and attempted to rise, +but was not equal to the effort, and instantly sunk down in a state +of apparent insensibility. Roseline, more agitated and terrified by +the whole of this unaccountable and affecting scene than she would +have been at the sight of the ghost she had almost expected to meet, +flew to support him. She was assisted by Edwin and Madeline, and +their united endeavours soon restored the poor sufferer to life and +an imperfect sense of his situation. + +Having now no longer any fears, he fixed his large blue eyes on the +strangers,--wondered from whence they came,--how all this could +happen,--and to what blessed chance it was owing the he saw himself +attended and consoled by two celestial beings, for as such he actually +considered them; while the pure drops of genuine and the gentlest +pity fell softly on his emaciated hand, he raised the precious gems +of compassion to his lips, sighed deeply, then, looking earnestly +in the face of Roseline, with a smile of doubt and anguish once more +sunk down in a state of insensibility, unable to bear the weight of +his own agitated and contending feelings. + +The attendant, who had strictly observed the whole of this +extraordinary scene, now approached to assist in recovering his +master. Edwin hastened to his sister's apartment to procure proper +restoratives; they were applied with their usual success, and the +change they produced gave new life and spirits to all around, +particularly Roseline, who concluded they arrived merely to witness +his dying moments, and hear him breathe his last sigh. + +She was still supporting his languid head on her knee; his hand +rested on her arm, his eyes were fixed upon her face, his lips moved, +and the words "kind, consoling angel: were all they could understand. + +"What can this mean? (said Edwin;) who is your master?--who brought +him here? and of what crime has he been guilty that he is sentenced +to such a place as this?"-- + +"I am bound (replied the servant) by the most solemn oath to silence +and secresy. By complying with these conditions I obtained leave to +attend him. Were I at liberty to speak, I could a tale unfold would +tempt you to curse the world, and even detest those claims which bind +man to man. You would be ready to forego the ties of nature, and shun +society.--Time will, it must develop the whole of this mystery." + +"But my father!" said Edwin. + +"Your father, sir, like my dear unhappy master, is blameless and +innocent: he has been deceived like many others." + +"But why (cried Roseline) are you thus shut out from the world, and +banished society?--why, if innocent, is not this poor sufferer placed +in a situation more likely to restore him to health?--why thus cruelly +deprived not only of liberty, light, and air, but of every other +necessary comfort?" + +"A higher power has willed it should be so," said the stranger, whose +unreserved manner, superior language, honest and open countenance, +found an instant passport to their hearts, confirmed their belief, +and banished every suspicious doubt of his sincerity. + +"Are you involved in the crimes of which this gentleman is suspected?" +inquired Madeline. + +"No, madam; my only crime is my attachment to him. I am here by my +own voluntary choice, and were they to convey him a thousand fathoms +deeper in the earth, I would not, unless I were compelled, ever leave +him till his noble and guiltless soul was summoned to appear before +a more just and merciful tribunal than he has found on earth." + +"A thousand blessings on you! (cried Roseline, a tear trembling in +each expressive eye,) for shewing this care and god-like compassion +to one so helpless and oppressed.--Brother, surely we may, without +deserving reproach, unite our endeavours with those of this friendly +stranger, to soften the pangs of misery and death, be they inflicted +by whom they may." + +"You ought to do so, (cried the lovely Madeline, whose gentle spirit +was awakened into action by the scene before her.)--As fellow-creatures, +and the children of the same Almighty Parent, it is our duty to assist +each other; but we should do more, not remain coldly indifferent to +sufferings which, if we cannot entirely remove, we may in some measure +alleviate." + +"And we will do so! (cried the generous and animated Edwin.)--You too, +my honest fellow, (turning to the servant,) shall share in our kind +offices. You deserve the thanks of every good Christian, and to be +immortalized for your faithful attachment to one so helpless and unable +to reward you.--But how is this?" observing the invalid had sunk into +a gentle and quiet sleep; like the peaceful slumber of an infant. + +"This has been the case for some weeks. His spirits depressed by the +corroding anguish which preys upon his mind, his body has become a +victim to the conflict, and the soul of my master will soon, by +quitting this earthly tenement, escape the farther persecution of his +enemies. Much, much as I love him, I should rejoice at his release." + +The words trembled on his tongue, and the tear of manly compassion +rolled down his cheek. + +"Has he no one to attend him? (said Roseline, looking at him with +eyes that beamed with all the heavenly animation which at that moment +throbbed around her heart;) has he no advice?" + +"Only such as I can give him, madam. Poor and ignorant as I am, he +has never been allowed any other physician, or better tutor than +myself; but I trust, if the Almighty would again restore him to +health, he would now meet with those who would assist in performing +a task for which I was never calculated." + +"Has he no bed to sleep on?" cried Roseline, gently removing his +languid head upon a cushion that laid on a couch, without +awakening him. + +"There is one in the inner apartment, but this being the most +comfortable and airy room, he will not leave it." + +"I will fetch some pillows." + +She did so; they were instantly placed under his head. Still he +slept as if her were never to awake again. + +"In the morning, (said Roseline,) at the foot of the stairs, which +your will find by turning to the left, at the end of this passage, +I will leave some few trifles and comfortable cordials, which I hope +will be of service. + +"And tomorrow night, at about this time, you may expect us again, +(said Edwin.) I hope your master will then have shaken off this +death-like slumber, and be able to converse with us." + +"Perhaps he may, (replied Albert, the name of this faithful servant;) +but he never talks much. I had taught him to read, but they took +away our books, and since that time I am afraid he has lost the +remembrance of the little knowledge he had of reading. He has lately +learned to play a few simple tunes on the lute,--that sometimes +amuses him." + +"We will bring you some books, (said Roseline,) and surely, Edwin, +you and I can assist Albert in the delightful task of restoring by +friendship what has been lost by cruelty." + +Albert informed them they were regularly served with their meals, +but never saw the person who brought them, all intercourse with any +one being forbidden, to prevent the possibility of discovery or escape; +but, he said, they had better food and more indulgences than had been +allowed them in their former prison, which consisted only of one room. + +The party now retired with the utmost caution, lest they should +disturb the apparently-peaceful slumbers of the prisoner, and deprive +him of his only refuge from misery. + +Before they parted, Roseline and her brother, actuated by the same +generous feelings in behalf of this unfortunate young man, and his +equally unfortunate companion, satisfied, should there be found any +thing in their conduct to condemn, (which they could not bring +themselves to think,) in their present situation there was much to +pity, resolved to unite in their endeavours of relieving their +miseries, and softening the rigours of a confinement, of which they +knew not the cause; but they were told, the object who had most excited +their compassion was innocent, and therefore they determined to think +him so till his own conduct, or an explanation from any other quarter, +proved him otherwise. It is true, they had nothing on which to found +their belief but the word of a stranger, and him they found in the +humble capacity of a servant; but, though a stranger, he had, by his +simple, modest, and unaffected language, given ample proofs in their +opinion of his sincerity. + +They now left the cells, and retired instantly to bed,--dreamed of +the prisoner, and sometimes imagined they could distinguish his groans; +in fact, they thought and talked of him, and him only. + +Early in the morning, Roseline carried every little nicety she could +procure, and left them at the foot of the stairs,--then hurried back +to her room, not daring to stop and make inquiries, lest the person +who supplied the object of her pity with his daily food should discover +and betray her benevolent designs. + +Madeline was now making a rapid progress in her recovery, and was +every hour in fear of receiving a summons from the abbess to return +to the nunnery. Edwin participated in all her fears, and lamented, +in the language of tender affection, the cruel necessity which +compelled her to leave the castle, protesting neither walls nor vows +should long divide them, and swearing to release her from a situation, +which, though sanctioned by religion, only bigotry, superstition, and +priestcraft, could justify; which he knew would not only destroy +all his prospects of happiness, but, as he could not disbelieve the +fascinating hopes he had not absolutely been forbidden to cherish, +the happiness also of a beloved object, dearer to him than life, +without whom fortune, honour, prosperity, and youth, would be robbed +of all their value. + +The next day, accompanied by Bertrand, Edwin stole by another entrance +into the lower recesses of the castle, not mentioning a word of the +prisoner, and carefully avoiding that quarter in which he was confined. +They first explored the subterraneous passage, leading to the nunnery, +and found fewer impediments in their way than they expected. They +easily gained an entrance into the chapel, having fixed upon an hour +when they knew all the fathers and nuns would be engaged in their +cells. They found the opening under the organ, and in that part of the +chapel appropriated to the use of the nuns, the door being concealed +from observation by a very curious tomb, belonging to the ancient +family of De G--. + +They entered next the passage leading to Mettingham-castle, and +determined to see the whole of it. Here they met with many +difficulties: in some places huge stones had fallen from the +walls,--in others the arch-way was so low they were almost obliged +to crawl,--while toads, snakes, and various kinds of reptiles impeded +their progress; when, at length, they reached the end of this +wonderful labyrinth, the production of labour and art, they found +themselves close to the ballium of Mettingham-castle, and under a +strong machiolated and embattled gate. + +They now discovered another short passage, which was terminated by +a door that opened to the outer ballium, and through which the cavalry +could sally in any case of emergency. They ventured cautiously to look +around them. Edwin's mind, however, was chiefly occupied by one dear +object, and he secretly rejoiced at having found the means of escaping +with Madeline, should the obstinacy of her parents, or the ambition of +his own, leave him no other resource. + +He likewise, in the course of the day, but unaccompanied by any one, +opened the door on the stair-case leading to the South tower. He felt +a kind of repugnance at taking this step, but determined, as matters +were now circumstanced, to go through the whole of this unpleasant +business at once, that nothing might be left to conjecture. He also +recollected that it would not only put an end to that restless +curiosity which had long dwelt upon his mind, but enable him to judge +whether it would be possible to remove the dying prisoner into a more +airy and convenient room, without the hazard of a discovery. + +This wind of the castle he knew was totally unoccupied, as in his +boyish days he had frequently, and at all times gone that way to +the ramparts to lodge his playthings in a secret apartment in one +of the highest towers, and never in his peregrination had met with +a human being. + +On attempting first to open the door, he was a good deal startled +at the noise it occasioned, and was almost buried beneath the heap +of cobwebs and dirt which fell and enveloped him in a cloud of +dust.--Some birds too, that had here found a sage asylum, flew in +terror around him. Not willing to disturb them more than was necessary, +he unfastened a narrow casement, to give those opportunity of +escaping who wished to obtain their liberty. He then stole softly +and cautiously across the room to an opposite door, which opened +without any difficulty, and he entered a second apartment, much larger +and more commodious than the first. It was hung with ancient +tapestry, on which time and moth had made many depredations; but, +in some parts of it, the full-length figures remained perfect, and +the colours retained some of their beautiful shades. He soon discovered +that it represented the most striking and interesting scenes in the +well-known history of Hero and Leander, from his first seeing her, +in the temple of Venus, at Seftos, in Thrace, till the last closing +scene of their unfortunate loves. + +The figures of the lovers were fine, and in excellent preservation, +and the tapestry was of so superior a kind, that it gave as full +force and expression to the faces and drapery as the finest painting +could have conveyed. The temple, the palace, the turret, and the +Hellespont, upon whose waves the rising and setting sun were +alternately reflected, with the downy swan, in snowy dignity, which +was seen laving on its bosom were admirably depicted. + +The nurse, or attendant of the faithful Hero stood at full length +on the edge of the water, which gently undulated near the walls of +the palace, pointing to the waves, and as if in the act of telling +her fond, impatient mistress her lover was coming, while she, with +modest sweetness, seemed fearful of stealing a look at the element +which contained a treasure dearer to her soul that the whole of her +ambitious father's dominions. + +In another part, he saw the lifeless body of Leander, and the +despairing Hero in the act of throwing herself into the Hellespont, +which had unfortunately proved the grave of her lover. + +Edwin stood a long time, silently admiring this pathetic tale: it +had an instantaneous effect upon his feelings; it served to remind +him of the difficulties he should have to encounter in his attachment +to Madeline, and he could have kissed the senseless portrait of the +old Egyptian woman for her kind and faithful attentions to the +persecuted lovers. + +In the middle of the room stood a square table, on which were +carelessly spread a number of papers. Four massy silver candlesticks +were likewise placed upon it, each of which contained a wax-candle, +that had never been lighted, and an old writing, to which was annexed +a vast many seals, laid folded up under them. + +This he concluded was the mystic bond which held in captivity the +restless spirit it was supposed to confine. Edwin opened and attempted +to read it. In some parts the writing was defaced, and the whole of +the language so unintelligible, he very soon replaced it in its former +situation, imagining that, if the ghost was not to regain its liberty +till the bond could be read, it would rest in peace for ever, and +suffer others to do the same. + +In the chimney stood an antique grate, that had once been bright, +and still shewed some of its brilliant features through the rust by +which it was enveloped. A few chairs were standing here and there, +but they were falling to decay. He then opened another door, which +led him into a vaulted chamber, in which were placed the tattered +remains of a bed, that had been handsome, and could be repaired. A +book of devotion was lying upon it. The windows were high and narrow, +admitting but little light, notwithstanding which they were secured +by iron bars of immense thickness, so strongly, that, had they been +lower, it would have been impossible for the arm of the strongest +man to remove or shake them. + +This led him to conclude it was originally designed for the security +of prisoners of rank, its distance from the ground precluding any +communication with the people on guard; and he shuddered as he +recollected how many, like the poor prisoner in the cells, might +have lingered away their wretched existence in this very apartment, +in the hopeless expectation of meeting with a release. + +He next carefully searched in every part of the room, to discover +if there was not a more secret entrance, but found none.--He put the +key into his pocket, as he had before done that of the trap-door, +and in the morning, unobserved by Bertrand, had the precaution not +to lock the door of the subterraneous passage, leaving it well +secured by the bolts and bars which were on the inside. + +He now hastened to replace all the rest of the keys in the repository +from whence he had taken them, and was satisfied those he retained in +his own possession would not be missed by his father or any one else. + +After this he returned to join the family, and said not a word of +what he had seen, nor the plans which floated in his own mind, in +consequence of the morning peregrinations he had taken. + + + + +CHAP. VI. + + +In the course of the day, Roseline asked a thousand questions, with +apparent indifference, of De Clavering, respecting the nature of +consumptive cases, their symptoms, progress, &c. and how people ought +to manage themselves in regard to diet, who were confined in damp +regions of a dungeon, or immured in the narrow precincts of a prison; +to all which she received such plain, direct, and experienced answers, +as she cherished hopes would enable her, with the approbation of +heaven, to be the humble means of restoring to health, or a more +promising degree of convalescence, the interesting object whose +secret sufferings hap stimulated her to make these unusual inquiries; +and what gave new life and added energy to her benevolent hopes was +the arrival of a letter from Sir Philip to Lady de Morney, in which +he was reluctantly obliged to inform her that his stay in London was +unfortunately prolonged, and he was sorry to find his absence from +the castle was likely to be protracted a considerable length of time +from the slow progress of the law, and the difficulties thrown in +the way by his opponents. This account would have given her paid a +few days before; it was now a source of pleasure, which produced the +most sanguine expectations of preserving, under Providence, the life +of a fellow-creature, or, at least, of rendering its closing scene +less hopeless and more comfortable. + +A sensibility, like that which was lodged in the bosom of the artless +and innocent Roseline, I would wish all my sex to possess. So far +from tempting her to run from misery, it led her in search of it, +and, when found, it awakened every gentle passion of the mind into +immediate and resolute action; while the fictitious feeling, the +affected sensibility of a modern miss is confined to kicking, +fainting, or squalling at sight of a wretched object, and the little +they may really have will evaporate in the trouble of acting their +part so as to impose on the minds of others an unjust sense of their +own delicate and extreme compassion. + +How much might men as well as women add to the dignity of nature by +never attempting to destroy her! In the formation of man, God lent +his own image; how would it astonish, how would it excite the +indignation of the almost unenlightened savage, if he met with any +one so foolish as to suppose they could improve that image by the +ridiculous distortions and grimaces of affectation! and how would he +be diverted, could he see the devoted slaves of fashion so disguise +the human form, that the head is frequently increased to twice its +original size,--the waist sometimes dwindled to a span, at others +entirely lost; then again restored with such protuberances as even to +render the character suspected;--and at times our modern beaux and +belles are seen so completely in masquerade, that it is a matter of +some difficulty to distinguish on sex from the other,--a circumstance +that might be attended with ludidicrous, if not dangerous, consequences. + +As the spirits of Lady de Morney were much depressed by the receipt +of Sir Philip's letter, every one exerted themselves to amuse her. +They sung, they danced, and the tale went merrily round. De Willows +and De Clavering appeared unusually animated, and Hugh Camelford fared +the worse for their exertions. They roused the fiery blood of the brave +Cambrian, and then cooled it again by a well-turned compliment. They +likewise so powerfully assailed Elwyn to give a dinner he had long +promised them, that the following day was fixed for the treat, and his +apartments were prepared for the ladies, the gentlemen with one voice +agreeing not to go without them. They also entered into a confederacy +to drink till they had emptied the miser's last bottle, determining to +have one good frolic, as they despaired of ever obtaining a second +at his expence. + +Madeline received a few line from Agnes de Clifford, to inform her, +that, by what she could learn from one of the old nuns, the abbess +expected her return to the nunnery the following week, as father +Anselm had signified his disapprobation of her longer absence. This +gave great concern to the young people, which did not pass unobserved +by Lady de Morney, who gently blamed them, adding, as they had been +so long indulged with the company of their friend, they ought to +submit to the will of the father without repining or reluctance. + +After a day which appeared to Roseline the longest she had ever lived, +the hour arrived in which they were to revisit the dark abode of +misery and oppression. They found Albert impatiently waiting for +them in the passage, near the foot of the stairs, almost despairing +of their return. Every one carried something for the use and +gratification of the prisoner. Edwin was loaded with books; Madeline +with sweetmeats, wine, and cakes; Roseline with some white meats +and soup. She had likewise prepared a reviving mixture from a recipe +of De Clavering's extracted from a variety of healing herbs, admirably +calculated to restore health and spirits to the fragile frame of the +languid sufferer. + +Albert informed them that his master considered the whole of what +had passed the preceding evening as a dream;--had repeatedly +mentioned the good and consoling angels, who had condescended to +visit the couch of a wretch who, almost from his birth, had been an +outcast from society; and, notwithstanding he assured him he would +see them again, he could obtain no credit to his assertion, not +divert his mind from the idea that it was a warning from heaven, +merely to prepare him for a summons before its awful tribunal. + +"Hasten, my good friend, (said Roseline,) and undeceive him, by +letting him know we wait here to convince him, if he will receive +us, that we are mere mortals like himself." + +Albert did not stop for a second command to execute a commission he +eagerly wished. They followed him; the little dog ran out, and greeted +their arrival with every testimony of joy it was in its nature to +express, and they were requested to walk in the moment they reached +the door of the apartment. They were not only surprised, but highly +gratified at observing the visible change for the better which a few +hours had made in the countenance of their new friend, whose dependence +on their good offices, for many of the necessary comforts of life, +and total seclusion from the world, made very forcible claims on +their hearts. + +He arose on their entrance. Edwin flew to embrace him. Madeline held +out her hand, which he gently pressed between his; but, observing +that Roseline's was likewise extended, he dropped the hand of her +friend, and eagerly caught her's, as if he were afraid it should be +wrested from him. + +"I would fain tell you what I feel at this moment, (said he, +faintly and fearfully;) but I do not know a language to make myself +understood.--This I know, that yesterday I washed to die, and be +forgotten even by Albert; but now I think, if I could have you always +with me, (stealing a look at Roseline,) hear you talk, and see you +smile, I could be content to live for ever, even in this sad place. +If all other women are like you, how charming must be the world, in +which Albert says there are a vast many! I have often told him, and +he knows why, that I never should like a woman; (here he smiled +expressively on Albert.) I thought they were all very cruel and very +ugly creatures, therefore I concluded, when I first saw you, that +you were angels, or kind and celestial spirits, who came down from +heaven to receive my soul, and carry it to a place of rest." + +"Indeed, my good sir, (said Roseline,) you were never more mistaken. +We are like the generality of our sex, but much inferior to many. We +broke in upon you unexpectedly, and you judged merely from feelings +too highly raised, which originated from surprise, and were in part +confirmed by the effect they had on the susceptibility of your nature +and the seclusion of your situation.--I must now entreat you to take +a few spoonfuls of a mixture I have brought you. I am afraid it is not +very pleasant to the taste, but I hope and trust it will be conducive +to your recovery." + +She poured some into a tea-cup, and presented it to him; he drank it +immediately. They then produced the more grateful treat they had +brought with them; he at a little cake, and some sweetmeats, with an +avidity and greediness that shocked them,--said they were very fine, +and much better than the liquor. + +Edwin next gave him some books, which he opened with eagerness, seemed +vastly delighted with the prints, but shook his head on finding himself +unable to read their contents. He turned over a few of the leaves, and +seemed a good deal chagrined. Edwin explained their titles, and gave +him a few outlines of the works. + +"Albert can read them," said he. + +"I hope you will soon be able to read them yourself, (replied Edwin:) +we will join with Albert in instructing you." + +"Ah! (cried he, shaking his head,) you will soon grow weary of one +so ignorant, so dull as I am; (his eye glanced at Roseline.)--I +belong to no one,--I have no friend but poor Albert; he will not +leave me to die alone in such a place as this." + +"My dear sir, (said Albert,) talk not of dying the very first hour +you are beginning to live, I yet trust we shall see many happy years." + +He looked melancholy, whispered something they could not perfectly +understand, and appeared wholly lost in his own painful reflections. +Edwin again addressed him.--At hearing his voice he started, and +gazed on him with a wild and vacant stare, as if he had never seen +him before, looked at his dress, then at his own,--seemed struck by +the contrast, and a faint smile came over his features, but it was +the smile of internal sadness. + +It will not be thought superfluous, perhaps, if we stop a few moments, +in order to describe, as well as we are able, the face, person, and +dress, of this unfortunate young man. His complexion, from never having +been exposed to either air or sun, was whiter and more delicate that +that of Madeline: his large blue eyes were shaded by deeply-fringed +eye-lashes, and arched with eye-brows which the nicest pencil of the +painter could not have improved. His face was oval, his nose aquiline, +and his mouth so exquisitely formed, as to give grace and expression +to all the other features: he was much thinner, but some inches taller +than Edwin; yet the whole of his appearance shewed that confinement +and ill health had stolen, in their thievish and destroying progress, +many of the natural graces from his face and person: his hair waved +in careless ringlet over his forehead, and hung down some length on +his shoulders; he was still wrapped in a loose morning gown, wore +slippers, and his linen was of the finest texture. + +With some difficulty, but not without the assistance of Albert, they +drew him by degrees into something like conversation; but he did not +appear perfectly to understand all they said; and, when they mentioned +the days beginning to lengthen, the increasing and reviving influence +of the fun, the beaut of the moon and stars, he sighed,--wished he +could see and admire them as other men did, and inquired if they thought +any but himself and Albert were denied so many of the blessings which +he had been told God had given for the use and benefit of all his +creatures. Edwin replied, painful as it was to recollect, he had no +doubt but at that moment thousands of the fellow-mortals sustained +even greater hardships and deprivations than himself. + +"Must you and these sweet creatures ever do the same?" + +He hoped not, but fortune was so fickle in the favours she bestowed, +and every thing so uncertain, it was impossible to tell what might +or might not happen in the course of a few years. + +"It is surely very strange, (said the prisoner,) and I think those +people, whose hard hearts and hands contrived and made prisons, are +the most proper, indeed the only persons who should be forced to +inhabit them." + +This observation produced a general smile, which they hoped would +pass unnoticed, but it did not escape him, and he said, while a faint +colour flushed his cheek, he knew he was very ignorant; but he begged +they would not despise him for so great a misfortune. After this he +only ventured to ask a few questions, but at the moment of doing so +seemed to shrink into himself, and to be astonished at his own +temerity. This shyness and reserve they trusted would wear off, as +he became familiarized to their visits and conversation; they therefore +took no notice of his absence or timidity, but endeavoured by every +attention to draw him from his own painful and humiliating reflections, +and by a few well-timed praises strove to give him self-confidence. + +After staying as long as time and the nature of their visit would +permit, and giving proper directions to Albert in regard to the +medicines and nourishing restoratives they had brought with them, +they reluctantly arose to depart. Observing their design, he held his +hands before his eyes, to prevent his seeing them go, and exclaimed, +"Don't, don't leave me!--I cannot bear it. I never never shall see +you again:--you will forget me, you will leave me for ever!" + +His extreme agitation alarmed and affected them all. They knew not +how to go, and yet to stay longer might risk a discovery. + +"Speak, Roseline, (said Edwin,) and if possible quiet these +distressing apprehensions." + +Roseline, as soon as she could sufficiently command the tone of her +voice, took hold of his trembling hand, which was cold as death, +and gently intreated him to hear her with composure. He looked at +her with passive acquiescence, and she proceeded to assure him that +it was their united and determined intention to repeat their visits +as often as their own and his situation would permit: but that, for +his sake particularly, they were under the necessity of acting with +caution, and carefully guarding against the possibility of a +discovery.--If he were so much affected when they left him, they +must visit him less frequently than they wished. + +"Ah! no, no;--do not think of me, or what I may feel: that is of no +consequence, only say you will come again and again." + +"On my honour we will, and continue to do so while you remain an +involuntary resident in this castle." + +"I am satisfied, (said he, sighing inwardly as he spoke; then, +fixing his eyes on Roseline,)--if you would come every day,--talk +to me, and look at me thus gently,--if you would continue to pity +my weakness and pardon my ignorance, I should not think this a +prison but a paradise, and could be content to end my useless days +in this dungeon." + +This pathetic address Roseline could not acquire sufficient resolution +to answer, and, while her heart felt intolerably oppressed, the silent +rears, which stole softly down her cheek, explained the nature of her +feelings. Madeline, finding the scene was become too painful, rose, +and bade him god night. Roseline gently withdrew the hand which for +some moments had been clasped in his, and Edwin, seeing the necessity +of immediately retiring, tenderly bade him fare-well.-- + +Finding they were resolute to depart, he dropped on his knees by +the couch, and concealed his face in the pillow. They insisted on +Albert's not leaving his master, and hurried back to their own +apartment in a state of mind difficult to be described, carrying with +them a variety of feelings, which, though new and painful, they +wished should be retained in their remembrance. + +As it was now two hours beyond their usual time of going to bed, +the great clock having struck the aweful hour of twelve, Edwin, +without stopping to make any comments on the scene that had so +recently occurred, instantly took his leave. Madeline put on her +night-clothes, and, after talking a few minutes, sunk into the +lethean arms of sleep. Not so her friend; sleep deserted her pillow: +in vain she sought and wished for its approach, to obliterate new +and uncomfortable sensations. It was extremely odd that the image +of the prisoner haunted her imagination with such persevering +obstinacy, that, notwithstanding she closed her eyes, she could not +exclude him from her mental sight; and, what was still more strange +and unaccountable, though she saw he was less polished than those +with whom she was accustomed to associate, without education, and +entirely ignorant of the world,--a prisoner for she knew not what, +yet still she thought, and was extremely angry with herself for so +doing, the he was the handsomest man, and had the most prepossessing +and elegant form she had ever seen. His manners too!--could any +thing be more captivating than the manners of this uninformed son of +nature, whom cruelty and injustice had immured in the dungeons of her +father's castle! + +A few hours sleep might, and she trusted would, restore her to a more +just and rational way of thinking; if not, he who caused her judgement +to mislead her would perhaps be the means of its returning to its +proper function. + +We will now therefore leave her to try an experiment, which has often +produced as powerful an effect, and, stealing the mind by a temporary +oblivion from the objects of its sudden partiality, has likewise +stolen, by the dawn of the succeeding morning, all recollection of +woes, which, in a moment of unguarded susceptibility, had found a +passage to the heart. Whether it had this convenient soporific, and +be-numbing property on the mind of Roseline, we are not now at liberty +to declare; but, if it should not, we hope some of our readers will +make allowance for the unfashionable taste of a young lady, who lived +so many ages before themselves; who was unhacknied in the devious +paths of life, with a mind unvitiated by pride or the pangs of envy, +and who had seen little or nothing of the world beyond the precincts +of the castle she inhabited. + + + + +CHAP. VII. + + +The next day every one prepared with high glee for Elwyn's promised +treat, and puzzled themselves with various conjectures as to what +kind of feast the miser would set before them. Bertha and Hugh Camelford +were very busy after something which those who saw them concluded would +be productive of mirth or mischief, no two dispositions being more +likely to succeed in a cause for which their humorous talents were +calculated; while poor Elwyn, in secret but unavailing regret, lamented +too late his yielding folly, in having been prevailed on to comply +with what he termed a very foolish and unreasonable request, viz. for +so many people to dine at his expence: but this he wisely kept to +himself, well knowing, if the part understood his sentiments, it would +expose him to their whole artillery of wit and ridicule; he therefore +made all the preparations for an excellent dinner, but his caution, +busy looks, anxiety, and distress, promised a much higher entertainment +than his repast could afford. + +The company assembled at the proper time, and were seated in due form +and order, Lady de Morney at the head, and Elwyn at the bottom of +the table; when, having helped most of the party, Camelford requested +him to send him a slice of a large raised pie, which made a +distinguished figure. + +Bertha cried out with well-affected terror, "Don't touch it; I am sure +'tis enchanted; I saw the crust move." + +"Child, (cried Lady de Morney,) what do you mean?" + +"What I say, madam, for indeed it was lifted up." + +"Take care what you are apout, Elwyn, (said Camelford,) or, py Cot, +you may cut off the head of a conjurer, who has jumped into the pie +in honour of your feast." + +"Suppose we let De Clavering dissect him, (said De Willows;) he +is undoubtedly the best hand at cutting up his own species." + +De Clavering, who suspected some joke, cautiously raised up one side +of the crust, when, to the astonishment of the party, out jumped a +squirrel. Happy in having regained its liberty, it sprang across the +table, and immediately made its way into Edeliza's pocket, where it +was accustomed to fun for shelter. She was shocked at the danger from +which her favourite had escaped, caressed the little stranger, and +rejoiced at seeing it unhurt. + +Everyone was surprised and alarmed at the unexpected appearance of +poor Pug, while the terror of the master of the ceremonies was somewhat +increased, when he saw a dish of blanc mange, which one of the ladies +was beginning to help, fall, and a variety of the most beautiful +shapes dissolve into water. This produced a general and hearty laugh. + +"Fine teceptions these! (said Camelford.)--I suppose we shall find in +the rest of the pies life cats and togs, and see little Pertha turned +into a pillar of salt." As to Pug, he declared by Cot, Tavy Jones, and +the tifel, he never saw a coat run swifter on this belofed Welch mountains, +and he would pet fife hundred kineas he would not be peat if put in +podily fear. + +The dishes were removed, and those originally ordered now brought on +to fill their places, which, if not altogether productive of so much +mirth, served to gratify a more craving and imporunate sense.--Elwyn +however was highly provoked and mortified at the tricks which had been +played on him, and swore, if he could discover the perpetrator, he would +insist on an apology, or compel him to take a little cold iron. + +"That (said De Clavering) would be rendering your hospitality too +profuse. It would not only produce matter for conversation, but in +all probability furnish me with a job that might puzzle or improve me +in the art of surgery; and, as nature had entailed so many diseases +on us poor mortals, methinks no reasonable man would wish to +increase them." + +"But, were it not for the unreasonable, (said De Willows,) you gentlemen +of the lancet and gallipot would not find sufficient opportunities to +employ your genius, and give such proofs of your chirurgical skill +and abilities." + +"On my poor poty (said Hugh Camelford) I hope their apilities never will +be tried. Petter to eat squirrels, as Elwyn would have tempted us to do, +than be cutting up one another for pies and pasties!" + +De Huntingfield unfortunately whispered to Roseline that he never saw +her so unusually serious, adding, he supposed she was thinking of +matrimony, and advised her to begin her attacks against Elwyn, while +the generous and hospitable fit was upon him; for, if she permitted +it to evaporate, Plutus, in all probability would again render every +avenue to his heart inaccessible to the power of love. + +This remark brought the roses into her cheeks. She however denied +having formed any designs on one whose predominant passion set every +other at defiance, and declared herself perfectly guiltless of all +such hostile intentions. The hint however was sufficient to put her +upon her guard, and she exerted herself to prevent any further +observations of the like sort. + +Madeline, now satisfied that the heart of Edwin was as much the slave +of the tender passion as her own, and beat responsive to her every +wish, would have relished the cheerful scene, had she not, in the +very moment of enjoyment, recollected it was the last time, for +perhaps a long long tiresome period, that she should make one of +the happy party. + +Edwin, who guessed the nature of her feelings, sympathized too much +with her to be more at ease. De Clavering, who observed them both, +gave a humorous dissertation on the powers of sympathy, and execrated +its effects. The day however passed pleasantly, and the evening +concluded with a dance, in which the lively Bertha was permitted to +join, and had her favourite Hugh Camelford for a partner.--Edwin +withdrew with the ladies at an early hour. The rest of the gentlemen +returned with Elwyn to his apartment, much against his inclination, +and did not leave him till they had literally fulfilled their agreement +of emptying the miser's last bottle; then, consigning him to the care +of his servant, with difficulty found their way to their own rooms. + +Neither Edwin nor his sister however had forgotten their unfortunate +friends. The former had stolen an opportunity of conveying a few nice +things to the dungeon, had delivered them to Albert, and spent half +an hour with his master, promising to renew his visit in the evening, +accompanied by the ladies. This threw a gleam of joy over the +countenance of the prisoner, who assured him he would not again +distress them by shewing so much reluctance at parting. + +Albert was pressed by Edwin to enforce the necessity of his master's +endeavouring to recover all that he had lost of his reading, and by +that means acquire a proper and useful knowledge of the customs and +manners of the world, which would be absolutely essential to the +rendering it pleasant, should he ever obtain his freedom, and become +an active member of society. + +"I shall find but little trouble, sir, (replied this excellent servant,) +in doing that which my poor master has himself been so anxious to +accomplish ever since he saw you and the sweet ladies, who have made +our situation in comparison comfortable. Nature had kindly done much +for him, education scarcely any thing. Now I foresee all will be right; +he is roused from his lethargy of desponding misery, and laments his +own ignorance in language, that shew him truly sensible of it. He has +insisted on being better dressed against the evening, and the book has +not been five minutes out of his hand since you left him." + +"I will give you all the assistance in my power, (said Edwin,) and +fortunately at this time my father's absence renders the design less +hazardous. I have likewise another plan in my head, which I hope will +not only greatly contribute to his comfort, but do much towards the +more perfect re-establishment of his health, which I now begin to +think is not quite in the hopeless state the alarming situation in +which I first saw him led me to imagine." + +Edwin next inquired of Albert how his master's wardrobe was furnished. +"I recollect (said he) you mentioned his desire of changing his dress. +I can supply his with any thing he wants." + +"In that respect, sir, my master has no occasion to tax your bounty. +Toys and fine clothes were never denied, and for a long time they +had their influence, and served to amuse him." + +"Good God! (said Edwin,) that this mystery could be explained!" + +Albert shook his head, and immediately withdrew. + +In the evening, Edwin, his sister, and Madeline, visited the prisoner; +but, if they were surprised before at the happy alteration a few hours +had produced in his looks, how much more so were they now at observing +the still greater progress in the improvement both of his health and +spirits.--He was drest in the most fashionable stile of the times, +with an elegance and neatness that astonished them: every part of his +dress was such as was only worn by persons of the highest rank,--his +clothes richly trimmed, his stockings silk, and his shoes fastened +with gold clasps. + +At the approach of Roseline and her friend, his eyes sparkled with +delight. In fact, he appeared like one raised from the grave by a +miracle,--new fashioned and created. It was visible to all the party +that his chief attention was directed to Roseline. He watched her +every look, and the language of his artless soul was easily read in +every expressive and animated feature. + +They were now tolerably cheerful. His fear, reserve, and timidity, +began gradually to wear off. He even ventured to address a question +to Madeline, and to gaze with tender earnestness on her friend. Edwin, +with an arch smile, reminded them it would be time to retire, when +Roseline had given proper directions respecting her patient, from whose +rapid recovery he foretold she would reap such honours as would firmly +establish her reputation, as the first female physician in the world. + +"And as the best, the most gentle of her sex," added the prisoner, +blushing deeply as he ventured to express his gratitude.--"I owe +her more than life,--more than--" + +"A truce with your thanks, my good friend, (cried Roseline, now +blushing in her turn.) and prove, you value our endeavours to render +you more comfortable by taking the utmost care of yourself, and by +not permitting you mind to swell on any circumstance likely to agitate +and distress you." + +He promised to be directed by his friends, and to follow strictly +all their injunctions. Again they could not prevail on themselves +to leave him, till the night was pretty far advanced. On receiving a +promise from Edwin to visit him again the next morning, and one from +the ladies to be with him in the evening, he saw them depart without +any violent agitation; yet a visible gloom and reluctance pervaded +his features, not to be concealed by one who never had formed an idea +that it was either necessary or possible to disguise the feelings, +or disavow the sentiments of the heart. + +Happy state of unspotted unsuspecting integrity! when no pangs of +guilt harass and corrode the mind with unceasing anguish! We can +scarcely prevail upon ourselves (when we recollect it incorruptible +advantages) to think such an enviable portion of internal peace +dearly purchased even with the loss of liberty; for, amidst all his +sufferings, out hapless prisoner could not recall on action that hung +heavy on his mind, or that awakened the scorpion sting of a reproaching +conscience. His life might justly be compared to the spotless pages +of a book, whose leaves no blot had yet defiled, but which remained +properly prepared to receive the fairest and most lasting impressions. + +The expected summons for Madeline's return to the nunnery arrived. +However reluctant to obey so unwelcome a mandate, she was obliged +to comply. The parting between the lovers was attended with many +uncomfortable and unpleasant feelings.--Melancholy presentiments +were encouraged, which increased the distresses of the moment. She +could not leave the prisoner without shedding many tears. She even +envied his situation, and when she compared it with her own, it did +not appear so hopeless and solitary. He still retained on faithful +friend, and had lately met with others, who, if not so long known, +were equally attached to him: He would likewise see Edwin every day, +while she, immured in the hor d*val of a nunnery, as inimical to her +felicity as those by which he was surrounded had till then proved +to his, would be denied even the soothing influence of hope;--that +ignis fatuus of the mind had deserted its post, and left it open to +the sad encroachments of fruitless and unavailing regret.--Most severely +did she now condemn herself for every having quitted the holy asylum, +in which, if she had not found happiness, she had never felt such +conflicts as those she now endured. + +Lady de Morney and Roseline accompanied her to the nunnery, and +delivered her up to the maternal care of the abbess, and the protection +of father Anselm. They both appeared pleased and satisfied with her +ready compliance with their commands, and rejoiced to see her look so +well. They had suffered great anxiety on her account, and the father, +who had visited her frequently during her indisposition, and had +cherished bu few hopes of her recovery, now told her he trusted she +would not more wish to forsake their holy sanctuary, as he doubted +not her illness was a penance inflicted by Providence for leaving it +at a season so particularly appropriated to the sacred duties of +the church. + +Roseline, before she left the nunnery, accompanied Madeline to her cell, +the abbess having granted her this indulgence. Here they unobserved gave +way to the sad luxury of tears. They wept on each other's bosom, and the +sobbing Madeline, deaf to the soothing consolations of her sympathizing +friend, requested her to present Edwin with her grateful acknowledgements +for his many kind attentions, and which in the moment of parting she was +unable to express. She hoped he would not forget her, and begged his +sister to assure him, that, if she were compelled to take the veil, she +should retain his image in her heart, though her life were dedicated to +the service of her God. She likewise cautioned Roseline to beware, and +guard against the fly and dangerous intrusions of love, which brought +with them innumerable sorrows, and never to encourage hopes, as she had +done, which she feared would end in disappointment and misery. + +Roseline knew these hints alluded to the prisoner; the blush which +tinged her cheek convinced her friend she was perfectly understood. +Indeed, she had before ventured to tell her, that, in her attentions +to relieve the miseries she commiserated, she might become too tenderly +a sharer in them, and, in freeing the captive from his fetters, might +herself be enslaved. Roseline thanked her friend, but denied the caution +being necessary, and instantly tool her leave, in order to put an end +to a conversation which now became unpleasant, and gave her more pain +than she chose to acknowledge. + +The evening, as may be supposed, passed slowly and heavily at the +castle. Roseline felt unfeigned regret at the departure of her friend, +and Edwin found in her absence the deprivation of happiness; yet, as +it was unavoidable, he determined as much as possible to conceal his +distress from the prying eye of suspicion, and to employ every hour +he could command, in the service of the unfortunate prisoner, to whom +he felt himself irresistibly and unaccountably attached; but Edwin, +amidst his family at the castle, was not less internally wretched +than poor Madeline, counting her beads in her silent and solitary cell. + +At the usual time Roseline and her brother revisited the interesting +object of her compassion. He expressed such rapture at seeing them, +and made so many acknowledgements for their friendship, that their +minds became insensibly harmonized, and their attention engaged. + +Edwin now for the first time proposed removing his friend from the +dungeon to the haunted chamber, which no one dared to approach, and +which we before mentioned as having an entrance from the South tower. +Roseline obtained permission of her mother to keep possession of the +apartment into which she had accompanied Madeline; therefore they +thought his removal could be easily accomplished without any risk of +a discovery. It was agreed that Albert should attend the cells in +order to take away the provision regularly carried there. All these +matters settled, the following evening was appointed for the +accomplishment of their purpose, at the same time Edwin cherished +the most sanguine hopes that, with the assistance of Albert, and by +means of the subterraneous passage, he might sometimes obtain a +stolen interview with Madeline. + +The next night Edwin, his sister, and Albert, accompanied the prisoner +to his destined apartment; but to describe his gratitude and joy, at +finding himself in a situation so comfortable and airy, would be +impossible. Every thing was new and delightful, and in the morning, +when the light (which but dimly enlivened his chamber on his arrival) +broke in upon his astonished sight, his raptures were alarming, and +his faithful attendant, with the utmost difficulty, prevailed on him +to confine them within the bounds of moderation, and cautiously to +indulge himself in looking at objects so surprising, but to other +people so familiar, they they seldom could spare a moment to +contemplate them. + +When he viewed the sun, from one of the windows of his room, rising +in its utmost splendor, had not Albert prevented him, he had fallen +on his knees, and worshipped the brilliant luminary.--He observed +the birds with ecstacy, as they lightly skimmed through the boundless +regions of the air, and listened with a kind of throbbing agitation +as the lark warbled forth her morning oraisons, and, not till he had +shed tears, could he reduce his feelings to any degree of composure. +He admired the trees; his eyes rested on some of the distant hills, +and he told Albert he did not think the world had been so large and +fine a place. He next amused himself with looking round his apartment, +and at every little interval gave way to the effusions of genuine +transport. + +Can it be wondered that so helpless a being should feel, on +experiencing such a change, more than mere language could express! +Liberated from misery by the benevolence of strangers,--a thousand +comforts bestowed which he had despaired of ever tasting, his +gratitude was as unlimited as his joy, and I am sure all my readers +will pardon him for still continuing to think his benefactors more +than mortal; yet at times he could recollect, with a sigh of trembling +regret, the dangers to which they exposed themselves in order to make +him happy.--Their parents, too, might shut them in a dungeon for their +disobedience. These reflections fortunately abated the fervour of this +high wrought feelings, or in all probability he would have brought on +a return of those complaints which had so much interested his young +friends in his behalf.--In a few hours he became more composed, and +endeavoured to remark every thing around him with serenity. As he was +now situated, Edwin and his sister could see him several times a day +without inconvenience or danger, and, to guard against any surprise, +they had taken care to lock the door at the foot of the stairs, strongly +fastened it within-side, and concealed the key, that none of the family +might wander that way. + +In the evening, a new scene presented itself to the fight of the +prisoner, The moon and stars were pointed out to him by Edwin. At +first he mistook the moon for another sun, less brilliant, but as +beautiful. The stars he called little suns, and attempted to count +their number; and, while his eyes were raised in silent rapture to +the spangled firmament, he inquired why so much more pains had been +taken to decorate the heavens for the night, when mortals slept, than +for the day, when all nature was awake to wonder and adore. So delighted +was he with the sombre beauties of this all astonishing scene, that +it was with the utmost difficulty, after Edwin left him, that Albert +could prevail upon him to think of retiring to rest. No sooner however +was he convinced that his faithful attendant had lost in the arms of +sleep all remembrance of those scenes which kept him waking, than +her softly stole to the window, where he remained till the dews of +night and the cold blasts of an easterly wind drove him again to +his bed. + +The few necessary articles which had been allowed him in his former +abode were now removed to his present one, and such added as would +tend to his comfort and convevience. As his food in the dungeon had +been conveyed to him by means of a turning cupboard, his having vacated +it could not be known so long as Albert attended at the proper times +to receive it; and, Edwin having shewn him another secret way, which +led from under the stairs in the South tower to his old habitation, +he would be able to go as often as he pleased, without any danger +of being discovered. + +It was now two months after the prisoner's removal before Sir Philip +de Morney was able to fix a time for his return. A letter than arrived, +in which he mentioned, that, by the end of another fortnight, he hoped +to reach the castle. He informed Lady de Morney that he should bring +a friend with him for whom he had the highest regard, and he trusted +she would make such necessary preparations for his reception, as would +serve not only to prove the sincerity of his attachment, but the high +respect and esteem in which he was held by the rest of the family; +telling her it was no less a personage than Baron Fitzosbourne, +whose friendship had done him much honour, and in whose society +he found pleasure. + +Lady de Morney, who perfectly understood by her husband's letter, +how anxious he was that his friend should be received with the utmost +splendour and hospitality, gave such orders as she hoped would +please the one and gratify the other. + +In the mean while, the prisoner made such rapid improvements, as +astonished and delighted his youthful instructors. He was indefatigable +in storing his mind with all the knowledge the best authors could +impart. With returning health his memory regained its former power, +and all the natural and brilliant faculties of his mind recovered +their usual strength, and proved he was endowed with more than common +capacity and genius. His elegant form, animated features,--the serene, +ensnaring gentleness of his manners, and the mild sweetness of his +disposition, unfolded themselves by degrees, and endeared him beyond +expression to his friends. + +As a curious and rare plant, guarded by the active hand, and watched +by the careful eye of the gardener, raises or depresses his hopes at +first putting forth its tender blossoms, till a kind and congenial +season brings it to maturity, and its beauties, suddenly bursting +on the sight, prove an ample reward for his fostering care,--so did +the heart of Roseline expand and rejoice at every proof the prisoner +gave of the goodness of his disposition, and the superior excellence +of his understanding. + +It was clearly visible to Edwin and to Albert that a mutual passion +united the prisoner and Roseline, while every fleeting hour served more +and more to endear them to each other. Edwin, already entangled in +the toils of hopeless love, and enduring all the pangs of despair and +apprehension, trembled for the fate of a sister for whom he felt an +uncommon degree of fraternal affection, but to whom he could not +prevail on himself to mention a subject so delicate and distressing. The +prisoner made no attempt to conceal his ardent love for Roseline:--it +was an effort as far beyond his comprehension as his power, and, +though, he made no formal declaration, every word, look, and action, +betrayed the situation of his heart. Of the world he was totally +ignorant; of marriage he had not even thought,--that being a subject on +which they had never conversed, and his own situation, desperate and +hopeless as it was, now seldom engaged his attention. Roseline, and +Roseline alone, engrossed his every idea: while he saw her smile, and +heard the sound of her voice, he was contented and happy, and, when +she was absent, the wish, of rendering himself more worthy and better +able to converse with her, stimulated him to pay unremitting attention +to his own improvement, and the instructions he received; but, had he +been assured he should see her no more, he would have sunk into the +same apathy and indifference for life and its enjoyments from which +her kindness had drawn him. + +After Madeline had left the castle, and before the return of Sir Philip, +Edwin, at the utmost risk of discovery, which would have involved him +and the object of his regard in danger and difficulties, prevailed upon +her to grant him several interviews in the chapel of the nunnery. One +night, Albert, having agreed to accompany him through the subterranean +passage, the trembling nun met them at their entrance, and seated near +the tomb which concealed the door, listened to the vows of her +lover.--Equally reluctant to part, they sat longer than usual, and +heard footsteps in the chapel. Madelin rightly concluded it was one +of the friars come to say mass for the soul of a nun lately dead. When +the ceremony was ended he departed, and, as the door closed after him, +the resolution of Madeline revived. She knew if they had been discovered, +even the life of Edwin would not be secure, and that she should +instantly be compelled to take those vows from which there was no +release but death. + +Her own imprudence, and the danger to which her lover was exposed, +struck so forcibly upon her mind, that after he left her she could +scarcely acquire courage to return to the nunnery; and, as she passed +the aweful and silent receptacles of the dead, she was almost led to +think she heard a friendly voice warn her never again to be guilty +of so sacrilegious a crime. She glided quickly by the grave of the +nun who had been interred but a few days, and even imagined she could +perceive the earth move.--She had no sooner reached the cell, (into +which she hurried without daring to look to the right or to the left, +lest she should see the frowning spirit of some departed sister,) +than she fell on her knees, and earnestly intreated forgiveness of +the holy virgin. The next morning, far from finding her terrors abate, +they fained still greater ascendancy over her mind, by hearing that +father Anselm had been making inquiries about some footsteps he had +observed in the chapel when he went to early prayers. Recollecting +the unguarded warmth of Edwin's temper, and the eager tenderness with +which in an hour of yielding softness he prevailed upon her to indulge +him with these stolen interviews, she was fearful of acquainting him +that it was her determination to grant no more.--She wrote to her +friend Roseline, and entreated her to persuade her brother not to make +any attempts in future to see her in the chapel; but to them she left +the power of procuring as many opportunities as possible of meeting +without danger. She sincerely lamented being obliged to deprive herself +of the company of a lover to whom she was tenderly attached, and for +whose sake she was become an unwilling votary in the service of her God. + +This letter was instantly communicated to Edwin by his sister. He could +not at first be easily reconciled to a measure so repugnant to his +feelings; but Roseline adding her intreaties to those of Madeline, and +pointing out the necessity of it, he became more willing to observe +the greatest caution, and to practise the most rigid present self-denial, +in order to secure his future happiness. She reminded him this it was +now four months before Madeline would enter on her year of probation, +previous to which something might happen favourable to their wishes; +observing, that their mother could at any time prevail upon the abbess +to grant Madeline leave for visiting the castle. These arguments had +so much effect, that Edwin promised his sister to make no farther +clandestine attempts to see her friend, till all other means were +rendered impracticable. + +It happened about this time that Roseline was prevented, by a slight +indisposition, from visiting the prisoner for four or five days. At +first his alarm and distress were unspeakable. It was scarcely possible +to convince him that it was owing to ill health he did not see her, +and his restless impatience would have now betrayed the secret of his +heart, had it not before been discovered. He neither ate not slept; +all his spirits forsook him: the sun was no longer admired, the moon +and stars were deprived of their lustre. He wished to shun the light, +and, had all nature been lost in universal chaos, it had been a matter +of indifference now he saw not Roseline: he wondered what he could have +found to admire in any thing with which she was not connected. + +Albert observed his master was very busy with his pen, and, in removing +a portfolio from his writing table, papers containing the following +sonnets dropped on the floor. He read and copied them, and gave them to +Edwin the next time he saw him. + +Though they were written by one who had never drank at the Parnassian +fount, love had given such pathos to the language of taste and nature, +that he was charmed, and could not prevail on himself to with-hold +such a treasure from his sister, to whom in justice they belonged, +and who like another Iphigenia had in a manner raised a phoenix from +the same inanimate materials of which a Cymon had been formed. + +Roseline, as she read the interesting proofs of genius and affection, +which she wanted not to convince her she was sincerely beloved, shrunk +from the agitated and trembling feeling of her own heart, which too +well informed her he had nothing to fear from not meeting an equal +return of regard. Absence had been as painful to her as it had proved +to the prisoner, whom love had taught a lesson equally charming and +delightful. + + - - - - - - - + + SONNETS TO ROSELINE. + + - - - - - - - + + SONNET THE FIRST. + + Ah! what to me are birds or flow'rs, + The sun's most radiant light! + I pine away the ling'ring hours, + And sigh for endless night. + Come, Roseline, sweet maid, on roses borne, + Sweet as thyself,--unguarded by a thorn! + + - - - - - - + + SONNET THE SECOND. + + Fair Roseline, why didst thou chase the gloom + Which late envelop'd my benighted mind! + Why didst thou snatch me from a living tomb + To sigh my hopeless sorrows to the wind! + Why was I caught in love's bewitching snare,-- + Believ'd thee gentle, tender, kind, and fair! + + Now thou art absent, my desponding soul + Has lost its wonted pow'rs in sad despair; + Reason no more mu passion can controul; + Joy flies with thee, and nought remains but care. + The blessings thou hast giv'n no more have charms + And my rack'd mind is torn with wild alarms. + + With soothing words thou didst my cares beguile, + Taught me the page of learning to explore, + Banish'd despondence with a gentle smile,-- + Then left me solitary, sad, and poor. + Would'st thou return, and to my pray'r incline, + Methinks a dungeon's gloom would be divine! + + If I no more thy beauties must behold, + Death soon will free me from this painful smart; + If a proud rival win thee by his gold, + Soon will despair and anguish break my heart. + But, though all cares, all sorrows should be mine, + Heaven shower its brightest gifts on Roseline! + + - - - - - - + + SONNET THE THIRD + + No more for liberty I pine, + No more for freedom crave; + My heart, dear Roseline, is thine,-- + Thy fond, thy faithful slave. + + First taught by thee I own'd love's pow'r, + And yielded to my chain; + Sigh through each sad and cheerless hour, + Yet bless the pleasing pain. + + Sweet Roseline, my heart is thine, + It beats alone for thee; + In pity to my vows incline, + Or set the captive free. + + Like a poor bird, in his lone cage, + I pine and flutter round, + Sullen and sad, in fruitless rage, + Yet still in fetters bound. + + + + +CHAP. VIII. + + +Thus stood matters at the castle, when Sir Philip de Morney +returned, accompanied by his friend, Baron Fitzosbourne, who was +highly gratified by the cordial and respectful reception he met with. +Every one vying with each other in their endeavours to amuse him, +he assumed the most conciliating manners, appeared pleased and good +humoured, paid the most flattering attention to the young ladies, +and bestowed the warmest encomiums on their beauty and accomplishments; +at the same time admiring, or pretending to admire, the maturer graces +of the mother, who had given to the world a race of women fairer than +the first daughters of creation, and, to render the gift complete, +had stored their minds with a fund of knowledge that could put +philosophy to the blush at its own ignorance. + +Sir Philip assiduously courted the Baron, seemed to watch his looks, +and to make it his whole study to oblige him,--thought as he thought, +and, whatever he recommended, was sure to approve. Lady de Morney, +seeing her husband so anxious to please, followed his example, not +doubting but he had good and sufficient reasons for what he did. She +requested her children strictly to observe the same conduct, with +which request they all at first readily complied, and exerted +themselves to entertain their noble guest. Edwin was honoured with +particular marks of his favour and approbation: he promised his best +interest to obtain him promotion in the army, when he found that was +the profession for which he was designed. + +The Baron was nearly as old as his friend Sir Philip. In fact, they +had received the first rudiments of their education at the same +school, and under the same makers; and, though their pursuits were +alike, they had been thrown into a very different situations, but +ever retained a pleased remembrance of their boyish friendship, and +took every opportunity of keeping it alive, and serving each other. +The Baron, though large and robust, was neither clumsy not forbidding +in his appearance. His eyes were penetrating; he looked the warrior, +and seemed formed to command and be obeyed. He was tall, and had an +air of grandeur about him that bespoke the man of fashion: his voice +was not unpleasing; but he was rigid and austere with his servants and +dependants; and, though upon the whole they found him a generous master, +as he had nothing conciliating in his manner to them, they took every +opportunity of abusing him; for, though they durst not venture to +speak before him, they made themselves amends when they joined their +companions in the kitchen, by giving such traits of his character, +as not only shocked them, but made them feel with redoubled gratitude +the happy difference of their own situation. + +Roseline, while she was compelled to treat her father's visitor with +attention and respect, felt an invincible disgust whenever he addressed +her, and attempted to give specimens of his gallantry, which was often +the case; but, if he took hold of her hand, she shrunk from his touch +as she would from that of a snake, and trembled, she knew not why, if +she saw him looking earnestly at her face. + +Edeliza laughed at and detested him. She slily compare him with +De Willows, and wondered how nature could have contrived to form two +creatures so different from each other. Bertha wished to pull off +his ugly great wig, and to have it stuck upon one of the towers, +observing, that, if his frightful face were seen from another, no +enemy would ever come near them. How were they all struck with sorrow +when they found he was to spend the whole summer at the castle. +Roseline, with more earnestness than usual, questioned her mother +as to the truth of this report, but received only an evasive answer, +that the length of the Baron's stay depended on a circumstance not +yet determined. + +"I sincerely hope, my dear madam, whatever it may be, that it will +at least prove unfavourable to his continuance here. My father may, +and I dare say has, just reasons for esteeming him, though no one but +himself can discover them. Every one else dislikes him, and I shall +most truly rejoice when he takes himself away." + +"My dear girl, (said Lady de Morney,) consider the Baron's rank, and +the dignity of his character." + +"I do consider them (she replied) as the greatest misfortunes that +could happen to any one, unless accompanied with good humour and +humility; but I think it particularly hard that other must suffer +so many mortifications because the Baron is a great man." + +Again she was requested by her mother, who could scarcely forbear +smiling at the seriousness of her manner, to recollect that men of +his consequence could not bring themselves to act as if they were +upon a level with their inferiors. + +"The more is the pity, (said Roseline;) therefore, my good mother, +it would be unnecessary for me to consider any thing about the Baron's +importance, since he thinks so much and so highly of it himself: but +I do not see, for my part, why rank and fortune should tempt their +possessors to assume so much on merely accidental advantages; or why +people, distinguished as their favourites, should have a greater right +to think and act as they please than those less fortunate. We were +much happier and more cheerful before he came among us, and my father +more indulgent." + +"Your father (said Lady de Morney, with the utmost earnestness) is, +I have no doubt, perfectly satisfied that he is acting right, and +therefore you, Roseline, must be blameable in the presuming to call +his conduct in question. I insist, as you value his and my favour, +that you never again address me on this subject; and let me advise +you, if you with to be happy, to shew no disgust to the Baron, but +receive his attentions with politeness and good humour." + +On saying this, she withdrew, and left Roseline, struck dumb with +surprise, to form what conclusions she pleased. She knew not what to +think from this unusually strange and unpleasant conversation, and +could not comprehend either her father's or mother's reasons for being +so much attached to any one, whatever might be his ranks, who was so +little formed to excite any feelings but those of disgust in the +minds of those unfortunate people who whom he condescended to associate. +She saw and lamented that, since the Baron's arrival, neither +De Clavering, De Willows, nor Hugh Camelford, came without a formal +invitation from her father, while the reserve which prevailed in +their parties banished all that enlivening conversation that once +rendered them so pleasant. Her sisters too, the dear Edeliza, and +the sweet Bertha, were kept under so much restraint before this +great personage, they seemed almost afraid to speak. + +Roseline, to shake off for a time these uncomfortable reflections, +stole into the prisoner's room, in which she seldom failed to find +her brother: there she lost all remembrance of the Baron; and, in +conversing with friends so dear to her heart, progressively recovered +that native cheerfulness which was one of the most engaging features +of her character.--The sonnets, which her brother had so recently +given her, not only served to raise her spirits, but had made an +indelible impression on her mind. She smiled with something more +than even her usual complacency on this love-taught poet. Of his +tenderness and sincerity she could cherish no doubt. His honour and +worth it was equally impossible to suspect. No one knew them better,--no +one estimated them so highly as herself. To suppose he could be less +amiable, less deserving of her attachment, would have appeared to +her a crime of the most enormous magnitude. Thus did the fond effusions +of love throw a veil over the eyes of their artless votary, in order +to give a fair colouring, and to reconcile her to a conduct which, in +another, her prudence would have taught her to condemn; but thus it +is with too many erring mortals: when once they become the hood-winked +slaves of any predominant passion, they are not only regardless of the +world's opinion, but insensible to the secret admonitions of that +silent monitor, which they carry in their bosom. Roseline as first +acted merely from the generous impulse of pity and universal benevolence; +but, in so doing, she admitted a guest to dispute with them a place +in her breast, which neither time, reason, nor prudence, could banish +thence. + +Our artless heroine was unfortunately the darling child of sensibility, +and her mind so susceptible of the miseries and misfortunes of others, +that, from the moment she discovered them, they became her own. What +then must be the poignancy of her feelings, when she reflected on the +dependent, helpless, and unprovided state of a lover, dearer to her +than life!--who dared not disclose even his name,--whose blameless +conduct proved to her partial judgement that he suffered unjustly, and +whose virtues could alone reconcile her to herself for having risked +so much on his account, and entrusted her heart to the keeping of one +whose situation precluded hope,--who had declared he belonged to no +one,--a prisoner, a stranger, without fortune or friends: yet, think +as she would, these cruel circumstances, after the strictest +investigation, acted as a talisman in favour of her lover. + +The life, which she fancied, under Providence, she had been the +humble means of preserving, she concluded it was now her duty to +render happy; therefore, to deprive it of its value, by affecting an +indifference she did not feel, was as far from her power as her +inclination; yet there were moments when she recollected, with the +severest anguish, how much her brother, as well as herself, was acting +in opposition to the designs and will of her parent. To deceive such +parents was a thought which, in her most impassioned moments, she +could not dwell upon, but love and sensibility had woven their webs +so close around her heart, that she struggled in vain to disentangle +herself from the bewitching snare. + +Sensibility I have long thought, nine times out of ten, proves a +source of misery to the generous and benevolent, and as often is +merely the boast of the ignorant, who pretend to be overstocked with +the milk of human kindness, and whose feelings are equally excited +by the death of a husband or a lap-dog. I am satisfied there is no +blessing more earnestly to be wished for than a calm and composed +resignation to the events of this life, and all its complicated +concerns.--It appears rather an Irishism, that to be happy we must +become indifferent,--but so it is. + +Real sensibility is of all burthens the heaviest to bear. Long +experience and careful observation have convinced me too painfully +of this truth. A thousand and a thousand times I have shed torrents +of tears, and felt the most tormenting anxiety for those who would +have seen me with the most stoical apathy begging through the street +for bread. The pleasures attending high-raised sensibility are so +much over-balanced by the painful effects they produce, that I protest +I had rather be an oak, or a cabbage, than alive to such every-varying +and corrosive feelings, which act upon the human mind as slow poison +would upon the body. + +When Roseline was going to bed, the servant who attended her, and +who, from having lived some years in the family, was indulged in +the habit of conversing familiarly with the young ladies, determined +to get rid of a kind of confidential secret, which had been entrusted +to her by one of her fellow-servants. + +"Laws, Miss Roseline, (said she,) what think you that frightful old +Baron comed here for?--As I live I should not have dreamed of any +thing so ludicurst!"-- + +"Came for? (replied Roseline,)--why he came to see my father to be +sure;--what else could be his inducement for visiting this +stupid place?" + +"Ha, ha! I thought I should poze you, miss, (cried Audrey, drawing +herself up, and giggling at her own consequence,)--why, as sure as +you be borned and christened, he comed here to pick up a wife, if +he can meet with one to please his own superannuated meagrims; and +his man, Pedro, thinks as how a person I could name would suit him +to a tee, but I thinks otherwise.--Such an old frumpish piece of crazy +furniture, says I, will not suit any of the ladies that belongs to +the noble genitors of Bungay Castle and its henvirons. 'You my be +mistaken, dame, said the saucy fellow;--if they suit my master, my +master may suit them sure, for he is as rich,--as rich as Crasus." + +"For heaven's sake, (said Roseline,) what nonsense have you picked +up? You must not presume, Audrey, to speak of the Baron in so +disrespectful a manner. If my father and mother heard you, I am not +sure that you would be permitted to stay another night in the castle." + +"It would be a good story, indeed, (resumed the talkative Abigail,) +to turn away a servant for such an offence! As I have a soul, which, +by the goodness of father Anselm, I hope to get saved, my heart bleeds +for you, miss, and I could claw out his ugly, staring eyes for to go +for to think that you, who be so sweet tempered, and kind, and affabel, +to your unfeerors, should have to nurse his crazy old carcase.--'Tis +vexing to--" + +Roseline had started up in her bed as soon as she found herself so +strangely introduced with the Baron, and seeing that Audrey had taken +up the candle in order to leave the room, gently called her back, +and begged some explanation of what she had heard, which she declared +herself unable to comprehend. + +"Mayhap you are;--so much the better, (said Audrey.)--Less said is +soonest mended, as I have gone to the end of my line;--I may be +turned away if I assume to speak of the beautiful old Baron;--things +will all come out in time;--I can be spectful to my betters:--they +that link an old husband let them have him;--'tis no bread and butter +of mine.--Good night, miss;--the Baron is a fine old Gracian, and +will make his lady marvelly happy." + +Saying this, she left the room, and Roseline was too much displeased +to call her back a second time, but determined to question her still +farther the first opportunity. "The Baron came to the castle for a +wife!"--It was too ridiculous to be believed; but, if he did, he +could not possibly think of uniting himself with her! Servants were +ever prying into the secrets of their betters, or forming such stories +as only very ignorant people could think of inventing. + +She now went to sleep, forgot the Baron, and dreamed of the prisoner, +whom her fancy represented as being released from confinement, and +eager, with the consent of Sir Philip, to lead her in triumph to the +altar of Hymen. To the delusive excursions of the soul we will for +the present consign her; but, before we take leave of the inhabitants +of the castle for the night, we will just take a peep into the kitchen, +where, around a blazing fire, spread on a hearth four yards wide, were +seated several of the domestics, earnestly engaged in talking over +the affairs of the family, each of them drawing the character of their +master or mistress, as the humour of the moment dictated, and giving +their opinions of actions, the motives of which they knew so little, +that they were just as able without a fair and candid examination. + +Sir Philip, it was said, was become quite proud and penurious,--the +young ladies troublesome,--and Lady De Morney cross, whimsical, and +suspicious. Suddenly the door burst open, and a young man, who had +been for some time an assistant in the stables, tumbled into the +kitchen, and, with terror depicted on his countenance, exclaimed, "I +saw it,--I saw it!==I saw the light with my own eyes!--The ghost +followed me up to the door, and then vanished in a flash of fire!--Shut +the door, or it may get in!" + +This in a moment alarmed the whole set; they all crowded round the +terrified man, and with one voice eagerly inquired what ghost, what +lights he meant? and when and where he had seen them? After drinking +a copious draught of ale, he became able to satisfy the curiosity he +had excited, and told them, as he was coming from the stables, just +as he passed the gate of the inner ballium, and was within forty yards +of the South tower, he saw a light as plain as ever he had seen one +in his life, through one of the grated windows, and, after it had +disappeared a few seconds, it appeared again at a much lower window, +flashed upon the wall, and smelt like sulphur. At the moment it +vanished the second time, he saw something all in white, which he +thought glided past him, but, on looking behind him, it was there +also, and it had actually followed him till he fell into the kitchen. + +"Then, as sure as we are alive,(said one of the grooms,) Thomas has +seen the ghost of the lady who died for love of the young officer +that was put to death in the dungeons. I have heard my grandfather +say a thousand times he must have died innocent, for he was a bold +as a lion till his last gasp." + +"Well, (said one of the women-servants,) I shall be afraid to stir out +after dark, if these confounded ghosts are again found taking their +nightly rambles, and prying into every thing that is going forwards." + +"I always knew (said another) this castle was disturbed ever since +the great clock struck twelve twice in one night; for what on earth +could touch it at that time, if it had not been a spirit?" + +"Ah! (said a third,) no doubt there have been sad doings in the castle." + +"Not since we came to it, (replied an old grey-headed footman.) My +master has practised no deeds of darkness that would bring the dead +from their graves. As to what was done before our time, that can be +no business of ours, and I don't see how any ghost can have a right +to frighten and interrupt, either by day or night, those who were +never acquainted with it." + +"Christ Jesus preserve us! (cried on of the maids,) I verily thinks +I saw something glide past that door! Surely father Anselm should be +sent for to give them absolution:--There! did you not hear that rustling?" + +"I see and hear nothing, (said the before mentioned old servant,) +but what I wish neither to see not hear. You are all a parcel of +superstitious ignorant fools, and, if my master should once find +out what cowards you all are, he would soon compel you to give place +to a bolder set. Come, come, let us go to bed, and leave the ghosts +to do the same." + +The old man led the way with a candle in his hand; the rest followed, +clinging to each other like a flight of bees, not one of them daring +to be left behind; and the groom, who had really seen a light from +the tower inhabited by the prisoner, was to convinced he had seen a +ghost, that neither father Anselm, nor all the fathers in Christendom, +could have persuaded him to think the contrary; and so much had it +alarmed him, that his terrified imagination had mistake his own shadow +for the ghost following close at his heels, and it was with some +difficulty he could be prevailed upon by his fellow-servants to go +to bed, lest he should see it again. + +The next morning, when Audrey went to call her young lady, Roseline +requested she would forgive her for having spoken so angrily the +preceding evening, and with the most winning softness begged to be +informed what she meant by coupling her name with that of the Baron. + +Audrey, who had never before seen Roseline so much out of humour, +and had neither forgotten nor forgiven the affront of being prevented +from disclosing a secret which she had for several days found very +troublesome to keep, replied, "I couples no one; matches are made +in heaven, or in the church, or at wakes; but I think, for my part, +some are made in a much worser place, and so she will think too who +is tacked in hollybands with the old Baron." "But who do you think, +my good Audrey, will ever be so unfortunate?" "Why will you ax me +miss? I must not speak my senterments: we poor servants never knows +nothing; but this I do know for certain, if ever I marries, it shall +be to a young man, a pretty-looking man,--good humoured ones I +loves,--something like Mr. Camelfor;--not to an old crab, sowrer +than vinegar, who would not suffer me to see with my own dear eyes, +nor believe with my own natural senses,--a crotched paced toad, who +would shut me up for life; mayhap, if I liked a better or a younger +man than himself,--an accident I think that might happen." + +"But how should the Baron find out what you thought?" + +"By going to a negromancer. Such old cattle are to the full as cunning +as their black master, and might strike one dumb." + +"That, to be sure, (replied Roseline,) would be a heavy misfortune +to those who were fond of hearing the sound of their own voice in +preference to that of any other person." + +"For my part, (said Audrey,) voice or no voice, I verily thinks +something mendusly bad after all will happen to this crazy castle, +for Thomas last night saw lights in the South tower, and the ghost +of a young woman followed him in such a hurry, that, if he had not ran +as fast as a hound, it would have stamped upon his heels. It went away +like a sky-rocket, and the smell of sulphur almost _sifficated_ the +poor fellow, who will certainly have a _parletic_ stroke." + +Lady de Morney's bell now ringing, Audrey left the room, without +having said half so much as she intended to do about the ghost, or +unburthening her mind of a secret she heartily wished to reveal. + + + + +CHAP. IX. + + +When the family met at breakfast, the Baron appeared unusually affable, +and Sir Philip in high spirits. A walk was proposed to take a view +of the town, nunnery, and environs of the cattle. Roseline and her +sisters were requested to be of the party, and they were very soon +joined by De Clavering, De Willows, and Hugh Camelford. This little +promenade was so pleasant, that it seemed to harmonize every mind, +and to produce a redoubled and grateful relish for the early beauties +of the infant spring. + + "Already now the snow-drop dar'd appear, + The first pale blossom of th'unripened year, + As Flora's breath, by some transforming pow'r, + Had chang'd an icicle into a flow'r. + Its name and hue the scentless plant retains, + And Winter lingers in its icy veins." + +The Baron, who had politely offered the assistance of his arm to +Roseline, (which her father bade her accept,) whispered some very +fine things in her ear in praise of her shape, beauty, and +understanding,--told her it was a reproach on the taste and judgment +of his sex that so charming a female had not put on hymeneal +fetters;--it was a positive proof of the blindness of the god of love. + +"Surely you forget, my lord, (replied the blushing Roseline,) that +I have scarcely left off my leading strings, and am but just liberated +from the confinement of the school." + +Age, he told her, ought not to be reckoned by the number of years, +but by accomplishments and good qualities. + +"That kind of calculation (said De Clavering) would make your age, +Miss de Morney, more upon a par with the Baron's." + +"More upon a par, you mean, (added De Willows,) with our first +parent Adam." + +"What Atam? (cried Hugh Camelford, skipping to the side of Roseline, +and eagerly handing her over a little run of water they were obliged +to cross,)--what were you saying about our crate crandfather Atam? +I have often wished to see the old poy, and trink a pottle of pure +water with him from the pond in the carten of Eden." + +"Why so, sir?" said the stately and mortified Baron, who felt and +seemed to shrink from the contrast between the active and lively +gallantry of the giddy Cambrian and the slow and cautious efforts +of his own. + +"Why?--why? pecause he must be a prave fellow to venture matrimony +with the first woman he saw." + +"How the devil should he do otherwise than take the first, when there +was no other to choose!" said De Clavering. + +"The tevil however was even with him after all, (replied the +unthinking Camelford;)--the old poy had petter have peen quiet." + +"I do not see that, (said De Willows;) and, as the mischief was +productive of some good, surely we have no right to criticise with +severity that conduct which was forgiven by Being so much more +perfect than the creature he had created." + +"That is as much as to say, (rejoined Camelford,) that, when we +choose to play the fool, cofet our neighbor's wife or taughter, we +have only to plame our own imperfect nature, repent, and be forcifen." + +"That would be to trust our hopes of forgiveness upon a very sandy +foundation indeed, (said Sir Philip,) as determined guilt, or a +continuance in error, can have but little chance of immortal +happiness." + +"And for our mortal share of that same commodity, (replied the lively +Hugh,) we must not trust to matrimony, I fear, as I never heard married +people found their happiness puilt upon a rock." + +This speech produced a general laugh, but Sir Philip, who was by +no means pleased with the subject, said with a smile to the Baron, +"These young men think they know more than their forefathers." + +"By which means, (replied he,) they will most assuredly entail upon +themselves the mortification of knowing less." + +The conversation, during the rest of the walk, was confined to such +objects as occasionally presented themselves to observation. The +inhabitants of the town came to their doors to catch a look at the +party from the castle. To as many as were known by the governor he +spoke familiarly, as did the other gentlemen, and they concluded the +Baron must be some very great man, perhaps the king himself in +disguise, because he did not once condescend to address them. + +Roseline chatted with some young girls who came out to make their +best curtesies, while the Baron thought all these attentions paid +to such plebeian souls wonderfully troublesome. At dinner he scarcely +spoke five words, and De Willows was do disgusted with his forbidding +haughtiness, that the next day he presented to De Clavering the +following satire on pride, saying it was a tribute justly due to the +Baron for his supreme excellency in the display of that detestable +feature in his character. + + + Hell's first born exhalation sure is pride! + Who, with its sister, envy, would divide + The various blessings to poor mortals given. + By the kind bounty of indulgent heaven. + What at the last have kings to make them proud! + A gilded coffin and a satin shroud. + The lordly worm on these will quickly prey; + For worms, like kings, in turn will have their day. + What then is man who boasts his form and make? + A reptile's meal,--a worm's high-flavour'd steak, + The epicure, who caters like a slave, + Is but a pamper'd morsel for the grave. + + Envy's a canker of such subtle power, + It steals all pleasure from the gayest hour. + It is the deadly nightshade of the mind; + With secret poison all its arts refin'd; + And, when attended by it vile relation, + Would spread a plague destructive to a nation. + Then send these hags back to their native hell, + With fiends and evil spirits formed to dwell. + + No more on worth let man look down with scorn, + And frown on those not quite so highly born; + Nor, as the coaches rattle from his door, + Boast, like proud Haman, of not being poor! + Earth's doom'd to earth, all folly there must end,-- + Then read, and own the satirist a friend. + + +Madeline had been invited, and obtained permission of the abbess to +spend the following day at the castle. This gave additional vivacity +to the lively spirits of Edwin, who, with his sister, spent as much +time with the prisoner as they could steal, without exciting curiosity +of suspicion. Roseline gave them with some humour the ghost-story, +as imparted to her by Audrey, and cautioned Albert against having any +lights seen from the windows, lest it should be productive of such +inquiries as might lead to a discovery of the rooms being inhabited; +but, notwithstanding all her attempts to fly from herself, and conceal +from the observing eye of love her own internal conflicts, she was +almost tempted to throw aside the mask, and at once confess all +her apprehensions. + +How were these apprehensions heightened, when, in the afternoon, +her father told her in a whisper he wished to see her in his study +before the family assembled at breakfast, having some intelligence +of the most agreeable nature to impart, which he hoped and believed +would make her one of the happiest, as it could not fail to render +her one of the most envied of her sex. + +Roseline trembled, turned pale, and to the earliest opportunity of +withdrawing, not daring to trust Edwin with her fears, or risk +feeing the prisoner for some hours, lest her agitation should betray +suspicions of she knew not what, but in which her terrified imagination +confirmed all the hints her maid had given her.--Marry the Baron!--it +was a thought so unnatural, so repugnant to every wish, every feeling +of her heart,--so inimical to the ideas she had formed of happiness, +that it was not to be endured.--She wept, wrung her hands, recollected +herself, and again sunk into despondency; but at all events resolved +to acquire resolution to go through the interview with her father, +and give him such answers as should convince him an union with his +friend (if such was the painful subject he had to communicate) would +make her the veriest wretch on earth. Her heart was no longer in her +own possession, but that she must not dare to avow; all therefore that +she could determine was, to refuse the Baron, and to love the prisoner, +and him only, to the end of her life. + +These important points settled for the present, gave to her perturbed +spirits momentary relief, and enabled her to join the family without +creating any suspicion that they were unusually depressed; when, however, +she followed her brother into the prisoner's room, it was with the +utmost difficulty she maintained any command over her feelings; but, +unwilling to alarm of distress her unfortunate lover, till necessity +compelled her to acquaint him with her sorrows, the only difference +her painful struggles produced was an addition of gentle tenderness +to her manner; and, though she had often thought her affection could +admit of no increase, yet, at this moment, he was, if possible, still +move beloved, still more endeared by the ten thousand uncommon ties +which had so wonderfully tended to unite hearts that appeared to be +under the directing will of Providence. The next morning, previously +to seeing her father, Roseline once more ventured to question Audrey, +and so earnestly begged she would explain all she meant by the hints +she had given respecting the Baron, that poor Audrey, softened almost +to tears by seeing her young lady really distressed, no longer +remembered her former petulance, but readily complied with her request, +though, in fact, all she knew amounted to little more than she had +already told;--namely, that the Baron came to look for a wife to carry +home, and shut up in his old castle;--that the Baron's servant had +informed her he was in love with her young lady;--that Sir Philip +liked him for a son-in-law, and they were soon to be married:--"But, +Christ Jesus, miss! he is such an infamy man, he would no more mind +ordering one of his vassals to be thrown into a fiery furnace than +my master would killing a pig; and Pedro says, he ought to have been +put into the spettacle court fifty and fifty times, for his entregens +and fornications; for, before his first wife died--" + +"What then? (exclaimed Roseline,) has the Baron been married more +than once?" + +"Bless your heart, miss, he has killed two wives already, and the +Lord in his mercy shorten his days, that a third my never fall into +the clutches of such a manufactor!--Miss, I would not fortify my word +even to gain a gentleman for a husband; and, as I have a Christian +soul, which I hope father Anselm will keep out of purgatory, I have +told the truth, and only the truth; you must demonstrate with your +father, but don't go for to get me turned out of my place for wishing +to preserve you from being led to the haltar by such an old +imperial task-master." + +Roseline, too much alarmed to be as usual amused with the singular +oratory of her simple but well-meaning attendant, thanked her for +her good wishes, and promised never to mention the information she +had communicated. + +"Well, then, bless your sweet face! I'll be crucified but I'll municate +to you all I can pick up. Pedro is marvelly keen and clever, yet he +appears as innocent as the babe unborn, and for all he gets pretty +gleanings and pickings out of his old master, he hates him as heartily +as I hates fast-days and confessions; for you see, miss, one does not +like to tell tales of oneself, and, in my opinion, some of monks and +father confessors don't find in their hearts any ejection to +us pretty girls." + +Roseline, having dismissed her loquacious attendant, endeavoured to +acquire sufficient fortitude to meet her father with composure, and +to arm herself with resolution to withstand any attempts he might make +to compel her into measures from which every feeling of her heart +recoiled. She too well knew the warmth and obstinacy of her father's +temper, when he met with opposition in a favourite plan, not to dread +the contest. She now concluded, from many preceding circumstances, +that the Baron was brought to the castle for the horrid purpose of +becoming her husband, and unfortunately at this moment recollected +with redoubled tenderness the very great difference between him and +the man whom, by a chain of the most singular and interesting +circumstances, she had been led to regard with a degree of affection +she scarcely dared to investigate, and of which she knew not the full +force. Her brother, her dear Edwin, too, had formed an attachment +equally repugnant to the will and ambition of his father. The painful +recollection awakened her warmest sympathy, and increased her +own sorrows. + +"Ah! (she exclaimed,) how darkly overclouded is the prospect which +a few months back seemed so bright! Well, let the tempest come, let +the thunder burst on my defenceless head, I will--" + +Here she was interrupted by a summons to attend her father, which +she instantly arose to obey; but her trembling limbs were scarcely +able to support her, and she was obliged to rest several times before +she could sufficiently recover herself to appear in his presence, +without discovering the long and severe conflicts she had vainly +endeavoured to conquer. + +Sir Philip, on her entering the room, eagerly arose to meet her, and +either did not, or, what is more probable, would not seem to notice +her confusion. He tenderly took her hand, and led her to a chair; +then, seating himself by her, observed with a smile, that he doubted +not her curiosity had been excited, and told her he would have a kiss +before he would disclose the secret; "for the business (he continued) +which I have to negotiate with my sweet girl demands secresy." + +Roseline, afraid of trusting her voice, bowed in silence, but her +manner shewed she was all attention. + +"My dear girl, (said Sir Philip,) why all this apparent tremor? I +hope you are, and ever have been convinced that my first, my most +anxious wishes are to see my children happy."-- + +(Then, thought Roseline, you will not surely so much mistake the road +to happiness as to propose your friend to me for a husband.) + +"Baron Fitzosbourne has solicited me to intercede with you in his +behalf. Notwithstanding the greatness of his pretensions, he has even +condescended to entreat I would intercede with my dear Roseline, that +she will in due time permit him to lead her to the altar." + +Roseline, extremely agitated, made an attempt to speak, which Sir +Philip observing, said, "Attend to me a few moments longer, my dear; +I will then give you leave to express your joyful surprise at the +good fortune which awaits you.--My noble friend, from the very first +moment of seeing you, loved, and wished to make you his own: he, like +a man of honour, inquired if your heart was disengaged; I assured him +it was, for I knew you too well, my dear girl, to suppose you would +ever dispose of it without a father's sanction. Eager to possess a +treasure which had never strayed from its own spotless mansion, he +then requested my permission to become a candidate for your favour. +I readily and freely gave it, and encouraged him to hope he would +meet neither with caprice nor opposition; at the same time I candidly +told him, that, though my fortune was upon the whole considerable, +yet, as my family was large and still might increase, my daughter's +portions could be but small,--so very small, that I feared it would +prove an impediment to your union. He generously overlooked this +objection, and wishes only to gain your heart and hand; while the +share you would be entitled to have of your father's property he +requests may be given among the rest of my family, and he will make +an equal settlement upon you, as if you brought him a large fortune. +Indeed, so noble and disinterested were his proposals, that they both +gratified and astonished me: they are such as no parent could receive +with indifference,--no young woman refuse. The Baron has not only a +princely fortune, but a princely spirit, and such unbounded interest, +that my Roseline will not only secure rank and splendor to herself, +but will prove the fortunate means of obtaining them for her brothers +and sisters, and of making the last closing scenes of her parents' +days happier and freer from care than they have ever been." + +Ah! thought Roseline, and her own irretrievably wretched; for, among +all the treasures to be purchased by this unnatural union, happiness +is not included. She sighed deeply, and, without looking up, +remained silent. + +Sir Philip, rather alarmed at the alteration in her countenance, +which changed from being extremely flushed to the most deadly paleness; +and, observing a tear stealing down her cheeks, still appeared +determined to think he should find no difficulty in over-ruling any +little objection she might venture to make. He put one hand into her's, +and the other round her waist, and again addressing her, said, "He +did not wonder that an offer so splendid and noble should affect and +overpower a spirit humble and unassuming as her's. I always knew the +inestimable value of the Baron's friendship, and am equally sensible +of the rich prize I possess in a daughter; but I never dared to +cherish the grateful hope that I should live to see two persons on +whom I depended for so large a portion of my happiness united, or +that a child of De Morney's was to repay the noble Baron for his +generosity to her father." + +"For heaven's sake! my dear dear father, (cried the almost fainting +Roseline,) do not thus seem to misunderstand the nature of feelings +entitled to your tenderest pity.--I never, never can love the Baron!" + +Sir Philip hastily arose; fury flashed from his eyes; every feature +was beginning to be convulsed with passion, but he struggled against +the rage he wished to subdue, while she continued,--"Consider my +extreme youth; contrast it with the age of your friend;--can I be +a fit or eligible wife for a man older than my father?--Would not +that be to punish most severely the man for whom, so far from loving, +I have ever felt an invincible dislike, which sometimes I have thought, +if he stayed much longer at the castle, would increase to aversion." + +Sir Philip, who had neither expected to meet nor was prepared to +encounter an opposition so determined, was no longer able to keep +his passion within bounds. + +"Roseline, (cried he, striking his clenched fist on the table, and +looking with the wildness of a maniac,) dare not presume to cherish, +or to avow, a dislike which will not only plunge a dagger into your +mother's heart, but rob you of a father. What business can a girl +of your age have to like or dislike but as your parents shall +direct?--Give them up for ever, or accept the Baron!--How will you +reconcile yourself to become an alien to your family?--how relish +spending your days in a nunnery, instead of enjoying liberty and every +pleasure in the gay sunshine of a court, glittering with diamonds, +surrounded by admirers, equal in rank and superior in fortune to many +of our most ancient nobility?--Consider well before you determine. +To enable you to conquer your diffidence, or caprice, on month I +will give you;--one month I will allow to the struggles of maiden +bashfulness, or the wayward humour of your sex. Yet hear at once my +final resolution. If, during that period, you either alarm or disgust +the Baron by your folly or ignorance, so as to make him repent the +noble overtures he had made to secure an alliance with my family,--or +if you attempt to damp the ardour of his passion by your coldness,--if +at the end of that period you do not, without any visible reluctance, +accept him as a lover, and promise to give him your hand, I will +instantly send you into a convent of the severest order, and compel +you to take the veil." + +Roseline, overpowered by his manner, fell on the floor in a state +of insensibility.--Her father now saw he had gone too far; he was +alarmed; but, much as he felt himself distressed, he too well knew +what he was about, to call for assistance; he therefore, by the usual +methods, endeavoured to recover her as well as he could, and, as soon +as he saw her revive, soothed her hurried spirits with every fond +attention, addressed her by the tenderest appellations, and begged +her to have pity on him and on herself. + +Roseline, too much terrified to contend farther at that time, heard +him with silent despondency, and hoped the cruel contest would be +ended by her death; for, as she never before had fainted she imagined +it was a prelude to her dissolution. Sir Phillip, to reconcile her, +if possible, to his ambitious views, argued the matter with that +sophistry and art which in all ages have been practised with too much +success; assured her of every flattering indulgence that a youthful +heart could desire desire,--painted her future prospects in colours +most likely to captivate the attention and ensnare the senses; and +even went so far as to promise, till the end of the month, he would +not mention the Baron's name to her again, but insisted on her +receiving his attentions with complacency, and desired her not to +make a confidant of any one in a matter of so much importance: he +likewise informed her, he had forbidden her mother's talking to her +on the subject, and concluded this painful interview with telling +her, he trusted her gentleness, duty, and affection, would determine +her to oblige and gratify her anxious and tender father in the first +and most prevailing wishes of his heart. He recommended her to retire +to her own room, and promised to find a proper excuse for her absence. +After leading her to the door of his apartment, he embraced and left her. + +Sir Philip de Morney, though in many respects a kind father and a +good husband, was proud and aspiring. These passions, as he advanced +in years, gained additional ascendancy over his mind, and as he saw +his children approaching that period when it became necessary to +think of an establishment for them, he was more and more anxious to +see them placed among the great. + +His lady, equally attached to the fascinating influence of birth +and splendor, had neither inclination nor power to counteract his +designs, nor to dispute with him on a point to which her own wishes +tended. She was too partial, too fond of her children not to think +they were calculated to shine in the most exalted situations, and +that they deserved every blessing, every indulgence which rank of +fortune could bestow. She had married a man much older than herself, +and was happy; therefore she saw no reasonable objection in the +difference of age between her daughter and the Baron, whose birth +carried an irresistible passport to her heart. + +Sir Philip had talked the matter over with her, and, with that +prevailing influence he had ever retained, brought her not only to +consent to any measures he should find necessary to adopt in order +to carry his point, but obtained a solemn promise from her to conceal +from Edwin, and every one else, the sanguine establishment of their +daughter.--The fact was, Sir Philip had at different periods of his +life received many favours, and some of a pecuniary nature, from the +Baron, which had never been settled, and had it not been for the +assistance of the Baron's purse, he must have deeply mortgaged his +estates to carry on the law-suit, which, without the interest of his +friend, would at last have terminated against him. It was in +consequence of their unexpected meeting in town that he prevailed +upon him, with some difficulty, to return with him to the castle. + +What ensued was so much beyond the most flattering expectations he +had ever dared to cherish, that the feelings of the parent were +sacrificed to ambition, and he instantly determined to carry his point, +let the consequence be what it would; and, though he had observed, in +the whole of Roseline's behaviour to his friend, convincing proofs +of that dislike which she had in her interview with him avowed, yet +he did not despair of gaining his purpose: he was aware that he might +find some little opposition to his wishes, and therefore to guard as +cautiously as possible against disappointments, he had more than once +represented to the Baron the youth, inexperience, and extreme timidity, +of his daughter, and the terror she would feel at being separated from +a mother from whom she had never been absent. + +By such wary precautions as these he had prevailed upon his friend +to postpone making any proposals to Roseline, till he had paved the +way for a welcome reception. To such a plan a lover could not make +any reasonable objection, particularly one who wished to have as little +trouble as possible in the gratification of his desires.--Too proud, +haughty, and fastidious, to pay his court, or make any sacrifice to +the wayward humours of a young beauty, he secretly rejoiced that her +father would take the whole upon himself; and, knowing how agreeable +the offered alliance was to him, he had no fears but as soon as the +young lady's consent was asked, she would be happy to comply; he +therefore looked forwards with less impatience than he would have +done, had any doubts rested upon his mind. + + + + +CHAP. X. + + +No sooner had Roseline reached her own apartment, and fastened the +door, than she sunk on her knees, and having for some minutes given +way to the severity of her feelings by tears and lamentations, she +recovered sufficient resolution to supplicate her Maker to support +and direct her in this trying hour of distress. By degrees she became +more composed, and sat down to reflect on her situation with less +agitation and terror. Her father had promised her, and she knew his +promise would be held sacred, that she should indulged with one whole +month to determine whether she would or would not accept the Baron: +she was already determined, but she would avail herself of the few +weeks allowed her to struggle with her feelings, and preserve the +peace and tranquility of her family; besides, it was placing the +dreaded evil at some distance, and that to one so wretched was obtaining +a great deal. After the month was expired, (but to that dreadful moment +she had not yet acquired fortitude to look,) she should still persist +in her resolution; till then she would oblige her father all she could +by quietly receiving the Baron's attentions; but she was resolved not +to deceive him by appearing to receive them with pleasure. + +Madeline came to spend the day as had been proposed. Edwin found many +opportunities of renewing his vows, and of making some tender reproaches +for her not seeing him so often as he wished by the subterranean +passage, for which she assigned such prudent reasons, as served in +some degree to quiet his apprehensions, which, however, were rather +increased than abated by observing the marked and particular attention +which was paid by De Willows, who, it was but too visible, cherished +a growing passion in his bosom, which equally tortured Edeliza, Edwin, +Madeline, and himself. Roseline generously determined not to interrupt +the few hours of happiness and tranquillity which her friends seemed +to enjoy, by giving them the most distant hint of her own +internal misery. + +They took an opportunity of visiting the prisoner. Madeline was +received by him with the cordial affection of a brother, for she was +the adopted sister of his beloved Roseline,--the chosen friend of her +heart. With him they partook that soft intercourse of soul which gives +to the human mind its highest and most perfect enjoyment. Without fear +or restraint they addressed each other in the pure and unadulterated +language of genuine tenderness, indulging in the innocent and fond +endearments which the sincerity of virtuous love will claim, and with +which its purest votaries might comply without a blush. + +But how short and transitory appeared these fleeting moments (on +which she thought old time had bestowed an additional pair of wings) +to the agonized mind of the half-distracted Roseline! who, +notwithstanding her father's prohibition, determined in the course +of the month to inform her mother and brother of every circumstance +that had occurred. She dreaded, more than she would to stroke of +death, imparting to the unfortunate Walter (she had prevailed on Albert +to tell her his Christian name) that he ad a rival, who, authorised +by her father, would endeavour to separate them for ever; and more, +much more than for herself, she trembled for that hapless, persecuted, +unprotected lover, at whose bosom fate had already aimed some of its +most pointed arrows, whose life would be endangered, should her +partiality be discovered--that life on which her own seemed to depend: +his happiness, which was dearer to her than her own, rested with her +only to preserve; if they must be parted, the contest could not be +extended beyond the confines of the grave, and in the friendly grave +they should both find shelter. + +The visible change, which appeared the next morning in the countenance +and manners of Roseline, was such as those only who determined not +to see could have avoided observing. Edwin, who met her as she was +going to enter the breakfast-parlour, eagerly cried out, "For heaven's +sake, my dear sister, what, in the name of ill-luck, has happened to +you?--how long have you been ill?" + +With tender earnestness she begged him not to mention her altered +looks, promising to acquaint him with the cause the first convenient +opportunity. He agreed to comply with her request, and neither Sir +Philip nor Lady de Morney took any notice; and, when the Baron joined +the breakfast-party, every thing passed as usual. He was very attentive +to his fair enslaver, who, seeing her father's eye sternly fixed upon +her from the moment the Baron entered the room, dared not to repel +his odious gallantry with the coldness and contempt she knew not how +to suppress; but she thought it better to yield submissively to the +mortifications of the present hour, in order to secure to herself the +short respite from certain misery, which upon such painful conditions +had been allowed her. + +As soon as breakfast was ended, the Baron and Sir Philip ordered +their horses, and rode out to spend the day at some distance from +the castle. Lady de Morney withdrew to give directions respecting +some domestic arrangements, and the younger part of the family retired +to go on with their usual employments. Edwin followed his sister to +her own apartment, and eagerly requested her instantly to relieve his +mind from the anxiety he could not help feeling on her account, as +he was certain something unpleasant must have happened. + +Gratified by this proof of his tenderness and attention to her +happiness, Roseline, after a few painful struggles to suppress her +agitation, and having obtained a solemn promise from her brother, +that, however provoked, or whatever indignation he might feel when +he became acquainted with her internal and hopeless misery, he would +not betray by the most distant hint that she had disobeyed the +positive injuctions of her father, informed him, with many tears, +of the Baron's views in coming to the castle. + +Edwin had long suspected something would arise from the frequent +conferences of the Baron and his father, and the unusual reserve of +his mother. He had likewise observed, with some degree of surprise, +the very flattering and uncommon attentions paid to their noble +visitor; he therefore was not so much astonished as his sister expected +he would have been. He carefully avoided filling her mind with +unnecessary alarms at the moment he felt a thousand fears on her account, +and could not restrain his indignation at hearing a tale confirmed +which appeared too absurd almost to be believed. He tenderly embraced, +and vowed to protect her from such cruelty and oppression, should his +father continue obstinately to insist on her giving her hand to a +man she disliked. + +He had long known her extreme partiality for the prisoner, which, +though he could not approve, his own clandestine engagements with +Madeline prevented his attempting to condemn. They had innocently +and mutually assisted in bringing each other into situations which +threatened them with many sorrows; they must now in this trying moment +as resolutely determine to extricate themselves, and those they loved, +from distresses which otherwise would in all probability overwhelm +and destroy them. + +Edwin, at Roseline's earnest request, was to inform Walter of the +dangers which encompassed them, and of the formidable rival who had +appeared to interrupt their happiness; but she insisted on his +concealing from him the name of that rival, begging him not to give +a hint of his fortune or consequence. Eager to save her lover from +feeling such pangs as she herself had endured, she entreated he would +soften the sad tidings he conveyed, by assuring him he had nothing +to fear from herself, as her affection was equally tender and sincere. + +When Edwin had imparted the unwelcome news to the prisoner, though +he observed the strictest caution, and worded the heart-wounding +communication in language best calculated to sooth and quiet those +tormenting apprehensions, to which it would unavoidably give birth, +the effect it had on the unhappy sufferer was dreadful. His agonies +disclosed to the astonished Edwin the strength of an affection which, +while it alarmed him, demanded the utmost pity; and, at that moment, +had he possessed the power of disposing of the hand of his sister, he +would sooner have presented it to his unfortunate friend than to the +greatest monarch upon earth. + +Roseline dared not venture to see him for several succeeding hours, +and no sooner were his watchful and inpatient eyes gratified by her +entrance into his solitary apartment, than he hastily arose; and, +throwing himself at her feet, almost inarticulately entreated her +to pronounce his doom. + +"Tell me, (cried he,) if you, my only earthly treasure, must be +wrested from me for ever?--if I must not longer hear the soft sound of +that gentle voice, sweeter and more melodious than celestial music? I +can die without reproaching, but I cannot exist without seeing you; +and I will never, never live one hour after you have given your +hand to another.--Madness and torture are united in that +thought!--Let us fly,--let us leave this horrid castle!--The world +is all before us: love shall be our guide. Surely we can find one +little sacred spot that will shelter us from persecution and tyranny; +if not, we can wander, beg, and at last die, together." + +"Have patience, my generous, my beloved Walter, (cried the weeping +Roseline;)--I yet trust we shall not be reduced to the hard, the +degrading necessity of taking such desperate and improper steps to +preserve our faith unbroken. Be assured of this, and endeavour to +rest satisfied with a promise I will ever hold sacred,--that, while +our continue the unrivalled possessor of my heart, only actual force +shall compel me to give my had to your rival; and I think I may venture +to say, if I know any thing of my father's disposition, unkind as it +appears at present, he will never go to such unwarrantable and unnatural +lengths to gratify an ambition I never suspected had found place +in his mind." + +"Ah! (said the prisoner) you little know, you cannot suspect to what +lengths pride and ambition will carry unfeeling people. I am their +victim, and if I thought you were to suffer as I have done--" + +"Attempt not to think about it," interrupted Roseline. + +"Consent then to escape this very night. If we stop to deliberate +we are lost,--we are separated for ever! You know not what such love +as mine, when called into action, and blest with liberty, would +enable me to do, to preserve a treasure so dear and estimable. Albert +would go with us: with his direction and assistance, surely we could +procure sufficient from the bowels of the earth to support you in +ease and plenty, if not in affluence." + +The entrance of Albert luckily put an end to a conversation which +was become too tender and painful for Roseline any longer to have +kept up that appearance of composure which was absolutely necessary +to quiet the tormenting apprehensions of her lover; she therefore +immediately availed herself of the opportunity to quit his apartment, +and retired to her own. + +Within rather less than a week after Roseline's interview with her +father, the alteration which took place in her was such as could not +pass unobserved, but it was wholly imputed to indisposition. She +became much thinner; the rose of health was fled from a countenance +no longer marked with animation. She had no spirits, and was seldom +seen to smile; even the playful fondness of her sister Bertha ceased +to interest or entertain her. + +Lady de Morney, who was a tender mother, became alarmed, and imparted +her fears to Sir Philip, who endeavoured to laugh her out of them. + +"The poor child (said he) is only a little mother-sick. She is pining, +I suppose, at the thoughts of leaving mamma: you must therefore take +no notice, for I so well know that softness of your disposition, that +a few tears will mould you to her own wayward purposes, and deprive +you of all your resolution. The unfortunate girl will, to be sure, +be sadly hurt at becoming a baroness, and being placed in a situation +to which even the proudest ambition of her parents could not have +aspired. We, therefore, have only to remain silent spectators for a +time, and leave the natural vanity of her sex, united with the sanguine +wishes of youth, to operate for themselves. We will invite company to +the castle; I mean to give a ball in compliment to the Baron:--Roseline +will reign queen of the ceremony; assailed by flattery, softened by +music, exhilirated by exercise, she will forget to sigh in the midst +of gaiety, and cease to disapprove the Baron, when she begins to feel +that consequence which the being noticed by a man of his rank will +give to her." + +"Let us then try the experiment as soon as possible, (replied Lady +de Morney;) for I cannot help thinking, unless some change takes +place for the better, our sweet Roseline, instead of bridal finery, +will want only a winding sheet, and that she will be removed from +the castle to her grave." + +Sir Philip was displeased; he instantly left the room in order to +avoid returning an answer which he well knew would have been succeeded +by an altercation with his wife.--She saw he was angry, and therefore, +though she was extremely anxious on her daughter's account, she +determined for some time to remain a passive observer, let what would +be the consequence; but she did not experience that serenity of mind +at forming this resolution which she had done on some former occasions, +when she had sacrificed her own will to that of her husband; for, +aspiring as she was by nature, and much as she was always attached to +the gaudy trappings of grandeur and the alluring sounds of title, she +felt the life of her daughter, when put in competition with them, or +even the throne itself, was of infinitely more importance. + +De Huntingfield was at this time absent from the castle. Elwyn very +seldom mixed with his brother officers; Elwyn very seldom mixed with +his brother officers; therefore De Clavering, De Willows, and Hugh +Camelford, were ofter left to mess by themselves, the Baron not +appearing to like being much in their society. They were too young +and too pleasing in his opinion, and, as he could not help sometimes +making comparisons not much to his own advantage, it was natural for +him to think the young ladies might do the same. As the three +gentlemen were returning from a walk, they saw the Baron, Sir Philip, +his son, and daughters, going out for one. Observing the apparent +reluctant step and pale countenance of Roseline, as she walked by +the side of her stately and venerable over, and having picked up +some hints which had been dropped at different times of the projected +alliance, De Clavering, with some little indignation, exclaimed, "It +will never do;--I see it will never do:--the girl's spirits are too +low, her uncorrupted mind too pure, and her stomach too weak, to +digest so much pride and acid as that old fellow had in his composition. +His love seems to have operated on her feelings as being so nearly +allied to misery, that she has already caught the infection, and I +wish in the end it may not prove an incurable disease. Upon my soul +I do not wonder at it, for he acts upon my nerves like a torpedo, or +rather as the Greek fire did upon our armies, exciting both fear +and indignation." + +"By heaven! (said De Willows,) the folly and ambition of parents, +in respect to their children, are, in my opinion, the most unaccountable +of human absurdities. They form plans from their own passions and +feelings, and then expect that young people can adopt them at their +command, without making any allowance for the material difference +between the sentiments, opinions, and inclinations, of nineteen +and sixty." + +"Suppose we all talk to the covernor, and toss the Paron into the +rifer. A coot tucking might trive all the flames and darts of luf +out of his pody, and restore the poor cirl from the crave, to which +the toctor is for sending her like a tog, without giving time for +Christian burial!" + +"To argue, or contend with such characters (said De Clavering) would +be like opposing a fiddle against thunder, or a squirt against a +cataract in Switzerland." + +"Then, on my soul, (replied Camelford,) you must take the Paron's +pody under your own tirection. With your regimen, and a few of tevilish +experiments, you will, Cot willing, soon dispatch him and his luf +into another world." + +"That, indeed, Hugh, would prove an effectual cure; but, in respect +to the Baron, it would not be quite so easily accomplished; for I +look upon him still to possess a constitution that would set physic +and even the doctor himself at defiance.--He seems formed to wrestle +sturdily with death before he will be vanquished, or yield the contest." + +"If you can once lay hold of him, and kif him some of your pills +and potions, he would soon be clad to gif up the coast." + +"What, then, (said De Clavering) you think me more dangerous than +love?--That little, subtle, and revengeful god will one day bring +you upon your knees before his shrine for the affront put upon his +all subduing influence." + +"He had petter let me alone, (replied the Cambrian,) I am not so +plind as his tivine highness, and will nefer worship any cot put the +crate Cot of heaven. Eteliza has taught you petter, De Willows: That +girl's tell-tale eyes petray that luf has been pusy with more than +one person." + +De Clavering laughed at this unexpected attack upon his friend, who +felt a painful consciousness that Camelford had more reason for his +observation that he wished, the partiality of the artless Edeliza +being too visible to be longer mistaken. On his own part, he had, +from the first seeing Madeline, cherished an increasing affection +for her, while her uniform and unaffected coldness, with the preference +she had shewn to another, too well convinced him he had nothing to +hope; neither could he any longer affect to be blind to the mutual +attachment which subsisted between her and his friend Edwin, the +latter having made no attempt to deny it; but, being satisfied of +the honour of De Willows, had in part entrusted him with the wishes +he determined to encourage, notwithstanding the insurmountable, +obstacles that appeared to preclude the most distant ray of hope. + +"That same love, of which you are thinking and talking, (said +De Clavering,) has so many devilifications in its train, I am +determined to have nothing to do with it, till it becomes more rational, +and can be reduced into a regular system, by which we poor short-sighted +mortals may find directions how to act, without exposing ourselves +to ridicule or disappointment. I am inclined to think I shall one +day or other be tempted to marry, but it shall be to a woman who +will take care to keep such ear-wig sort of fellows as you at a proper +distance.--You tell fine tales, are all smoothness and deceit,--like +a snail can give a gloss to the path you crawl over, and then leave +such traces of your deceptive and invidious progress as cannot be +concealed. Let the subject of your next satire, De Willows, be the +male flirt,--an animal more dangerous than a tyger." + +"Why so?" asked De Willows, determined not to apply the hint which +he well knew was designed for him. + +"Can there (said De Clavering) be found a character more deserving +satire?--a thing that borrows the form of man to disgrace the name,--an +adept in mean stratagems and mischievous deceives.--insensible to +the admonitions of conscience,--well versed in all the practices of +refined cruelty,--working like a mole in the dark, in order more +effectually to ensnare the youthful heart of unsuspecting innocence, +and that merely to gratify the vicious vanity of the moment; and, +after he had sacrificed the health, happiness, and perhaps the life, +of a young woman, who, by her tender nature, he has beguiled of peace, +he laughs at her credulous folly, and boldly declares he had never +any thought of making her his wife. That there are such men, who, +under the sacred semblance of honour, can act thus despicably, I have, +in the form of one once dear to me as life, unhappily experienced, +and from that moment I became the friend and champion of the sex, +and in bold defiance to all such deceivers, I throw down my gauntlet." + +"How, in the name of Cot, came you to be so valiant, (cried Camelford,) +as to think of fighting tuels for other people's pranks?" + +"Because many of the fair sex are too gentle to vindicate themselves, +too artless for suspicion, and too lovely to fall a sacrifice, without +arming the hand of courage to avenge their injuries; for I think the +man, who can trifle with the peace of a fellow-creature, may be justly +compared to one of the exhalations of hell, sent to destroy and lay +waste the small portion of happiness allotted to our mortal pilgrimage." + +"You are warm, (said De Willows, confusedly;) perhaps I have +undesignedly given you pain, without knowing I interfered with the +wishes or pretensions of any one. On my honour, I never had any; but, +on a subject so important, I cannot speak coolly, or canvass it with +indifference. I will be frank, and own I admire Edeliza; and, were +her heart as much in my power as I fear it is in your's, no man with +impunity should wrest it from me." + +"Well said, my prave toctor, (cried Camelford;) little tan Cupit +must next take care of himself, or your will be after tissecting his +cotship; and, though the poor cot is as plind as a peetle, you will +be for couching his eyes, till he can see as clear as yourself." + +A servant came to invite them to sup with the governor and his party, +which luckily put an end to a conversation that was become unpleasant. +It made De Willows rather uncomfortable and small in his own opinion, +and compelled him to reflect more seriously on the subject than he +had ever done before. Of Madeline it was folly to think any longer. +If Edwin, who was beloved, dared not hope being blest with her hand, +without the interference of a miracle, what chance could there be of +his succeeding, for whom she felt only the coldest indifference? He +determined to take his heart severely to talk, and to--but it was +impossible for him at that moment to tell how he should dispose of +a heart which had received so many wounds, that it scarcely retained +any of its native mutilated form; but, on a more serious examination, +he found a something lurking in it that made him feel very reluctant +to give up his pleasant and interesting intercourse with the tender +and artless Edeliza, which long habit had rendered more necessary to +his happiness than he was aware of. + + + + +CHAP. XI. + + +The design of Sir Philip, in giving a ball, was this evening made +known, and the next day messages were sent out to invite the company +for that day week. Preparations were instantly begun, and new dresses +ordered. Madeline and Agnes de Clifford obtained leave to be of the +party, and several of the inhabitants of Bungay were highly pleased by +receiving invitations. Roseline, on whose account, as much as the +Baron's, it was given, was the least gratified. Any scene of +cheerfulness to her was become a scene of misery. Her spirits depressed +her mind, itself a chaos of contending passions, could not admit a +single ray of hope or comfort to chase away the gloom which there +prevailed. She no longer felt either pleasure or consolation in her +stolen interviews with her beloved Walter, which once afforded her such +indescribable satisfaction. + +They now saw each other with a tender despondence, which served to +deprive them of that resolution which could alone support them in +those trials which no longer appeared at a distance, and Roseline, +sinking under the burthen of her own sorrows, felt herself totally +unable to share in those which equally overpowered her unfortunate +lover, from whose prison she never went, but he concluded it was the +last time he should be indulged with seeing her. + +Walter heard of the ball, which was to be given in compliment to his +rival, with that kind of contempt and trembling indignation which a brave +officer feels at seeing some upstart stripling stepping over his head +to preferment, and, by dint of mere adventitious events, obtaining +authority to lead those whom he dared not have followed. It has always +been said that the sincerest love could not exist without hope. In this +instance, however, the assertion did not hold good; for, though hope was +lost, love maintained its empire, and, environed with despair, lost none +of that tender energy which had united two hearts under circumstances the +most alarming and distressing. + +The conduct of Sir Philip de Morney surprised all those who were let +into the secret of the projected alliance. The Baron's pride appeared +to have infected him with a mania of the same kind; and the unpleasant +change it produced was not more inimical to the happiness of others than +he soon found it proved to his own. He was now seldom greeted with the +smile of affection: he saw looks of distress, and heard the sigh of +discontent vibrate on his ear; and, whilst he condemned the obstinacy +of others, determined resolutely to persevere in his own. + +How much is it to be lamented, that, with all the knowledge he +acquires, man knows so little of himself! How astonishing that a +sudden and unexpected change in his prospects, or situation, should +instantaneously work so unaccountable a revolution in his feelings, +that he scarcely retains any recollection of his former +dispositions!--and, still more strange it appears, that, while +adversity serves to exalt the mind and purify the heart, prosperity +should harden and debase them. + +About forty of those who had been invited to the ball returned +answers that they would do themselves the honour of accepting the +invitation. Roseline became so much changed in her looks, appearance, +and manner, that at length the alteration struck the Baron, and he +mentioned it to Sir Philip. This produced a second warm altercation +between him and Roseline, which ended as the former had done, namely, +in the want of resolution, strength, and spirits, on her part, to +contend longer on a subject so painful to her feelings, and so +inimical to all her hopes of happiness; for Sir Philip now insisted, +and that with a degree of unfeeling ferocity, that she should give +her hand to the Baron within ten days after the month was expired +which he had so foolishly allowed her perverse folly and caprice. + +Of this interview Roseline said nothing to her brother or the +prisoner, but felt that her fortitude deserted her as time stole +away, and, with the deprivation of health and spirits, threatened to +leave her an uncontending and helpless victim to the authority she +began to doubt having power to resist. Still she determined, if +dragged by force to the altar, she would resolutely and openly, +before its sacred front, declare not only her unwillingness to become +the wife of the Baron, but her repugnance and aversion to the +monastic life. + +At length the anxiously-expected, the long wished for evening +arrived, and produced an assemblage of as much elegance, grace, wit, +and beauty, as had ever been collected together in so confined a +circle.--From the social town of Bungay some very lovely young women +made their first appearance at the castle, decorated to the utmost +advantage, and justly entitled to dispute the palm of beauty with +many found in the higher ranks. + +On this occasion, it is not to be doubted but they cherished hopes +that their charms would conquer some of the young officers appointed +to guard the fortress, on which the safety of themselves and the +town depended. + +From the earliest ages of the world, the old adage prevailed,--"None +but the brave deserve the fair," while the military dress, shining +sword, and becoming cockade, were ever found useful auxiliaries in +assisting their wearer to find easy access to the female heart. + +When dancing was ordered to begin, the Baron, arrayed most superbly, +took out Roseline, and led her to the upper end of the room. De Willows +followed, leading Edeliza, who was drest in the most becoming and +captivating stile, and looked so enchantingly beautiful, that he +wondered he had ever beheld her with indifference, or preferred another. +Her expressive eyes told a tale so correspondent to the feelings of his +own heart, as completed its conquest, and the captivity was found so +pleasing and easy, it never afterwards wished to regain its freedom. +Edwin danced with the gentle Madeline; Hugh Camelford with Bertha, and +the rest of the party disposed of themselves as their vanity or +inclination prompted. + +The dancing was begun with avidity and spirit, which some very excellent +music served to heighten and keep up. The Baron not ungracefully +exhibited his well-dressed person, and this great personage had the +satisfaction of seeing that the eyes of the company were chiefly fixed +upon him who had procured them this unexpected indulgence,--a +circumstance unusual in an age when expensive pleasures were confined to +the higher ranks of life, and by that means less coveted by those in +inferior stations, which certainly tended to the good of society in +general, as it served to render all parties contented with their lot. We +now often see, with pity and regret, if young people are thrown by +chance into a walk of life some degrees higher than their habitual one, +they seldom know how to return to their former humble path without +discontent and regret, which will too often lead them to sacrifice +virtue, and every real good, for the frivolous nonsense of the dress and +the parade of ceremony, while, to obtain the enjoyment of pleasures +destructive to time and real happiness, they will give up their peace of +mind, not repent the poor bargain they have made so long as they can +live in stile. + +Some few pitied, but a far greater number envied Roseline for having +made so important a conquest, and were surprised to see how little she +was animated amidst the exhilirating scene of gaiety and splendor, +wholly occupying the attention of one of the first barons in the +kingdom, whose smile by most people would be reckoned an honour, and +whose frown among many was destruction from which there was often no +appeal. + +Every rarity that could be procured was set before the party. +Hospitality and festivity went hand in hand, and, to a careless and +uninterested spectator, it would have seemed that universal happiness +prevailed; but it was far otherwise. Happiness is seldom found amidst +a crowd. In the more retired scenes of serene unambitious enjoyment, +we have a much better change of finding that rara avis, and of +retaining it in our possession, if possible to be found. + +Sir Philip de Morney was tormented with fears that the obstinacy of his +daughter would disappoint his ambition, while the tenderness of her +mother had so far subdued the influence of her pride, that, to see her +daughter restored to her former health and spirits, she would gladly +have yielded up the honour of an alliance with the Baron. + +The artless unaspiring Roseline, before she was brought into notice by +the proud attentions of her noble admirer, was a far happier being than +she found herself at the moment she was looked up to as an object of +envy; but the simple dress she had been accustomed to wear was more +conformable to her own unadulterated taste than the splendid habiliments +with which she was now loaded, and which the pride, or design, of her +father had procured to throw a veil over her senses, and tempt her to +purchase those still more brilliant at the expence of her peace; yet, +notwithstanding all the fascinating allurements with which she saw +herself surrounded, the court, adulation, and respect, paid to her, the +eagerness of the company to obtain a share in her notice, her heart +remained with Walter, the unknown stranger, who belonged to no one,--who +was without fortune, and deprived of that freedom which is the birthright +of the poorest peasant; nevertheless Walter, in a gloomy and solitary +prison, was an object more captivating and far more valuable in her eyes +than the lordly Baron in a stately castle. + +When they had danced about half an hour after supper, the Baron +apologized to Roseline for withdrawing to make some alteration in +his dress, which he found unpleasant. She felt herself gratified by +this temporary absence, and took the opportunity of chatting with +some of her young companions. Deeply engaged in conversation with +Madeline and Agnes de Clifford, she did not observe that her father +was suddenly called out of the room, and requested by the servant in +a whisper to hasten with the utmost speed to the apartment of his +friend. + +Too much surprised to inquire the cause, he instantly obeyed the +summons. On his entrance, I will leave my readers to guess how much he +must have been alarmed and shocked at seeing that friend extended on +the floor, with every appearance of death on his countenance. After +trying various methods to recover him without effect, he ordered one +of his people to call De Clavering to his assistance, who, by some +powerful and proper applications, soon produced signs of life, but it +was near an hour before any of sense returned. He neither seemed to +know where he was, not why he saw so many people about him. At length, +however, he recovered his recollection,--said he had been very ill +but found himself better, and requested to be left a few minutes in +private with Sir Philip de Morney, whom be beckoned to sit down by the +side of the bed on which he was laid. + +The room being cleared, and the door fastened, to prevent interruption, +the Baron grasped the hand of his friend, and in a hurried tone, at the +same time looking around him in terror, informed him that he had seen a +spirit. "It stood there!" pointing with his finger to a particular part +of the room. Sir Philip appeared incredulous, and his looks were not +misunderstood. + +"Believe me, (continued the Baron,) it was no delusion of the senses. +I actually saw the ghost of my first wife as surely as I now see you, +and as perfectly as ever I saw her when alive. She glided out of the +apartment the moment I entered it to change my dress, which I found +too heavy for dancing. She looked displeased, frowned sternly upon +me, and shook her head as she disappeared. Her countenance was as +blooming, and retained the same beauty and expression as when I led +her in triumph to the altar twenty years ago." + +"Surely, my lord, (said Sir Philip,) this supposed visionary appearance +must be the effects of the disorder which attacked you so violently, +that it led De Clavering, as well as myself, to tremble for your life." + +"Say rather, (replied the Baron,) and then you will say right, the +disorder was occasioned by the terror, which, in that moment, indeed +deprived me of my senses.--If I see you at this time, I then beheld +the face, form, and features, of my once-loved Isabella, of whom I was +deprived by death in the infancy of my happiness, six months after she +had given birth to a son, of whom the same inexorable tyrant robbed me +in the fourth year of my second marriage." + +Sir Philip found it was useless to contend with his friend on a subject +in which he so obstinately persevered; and, though he was satisfied +that the fright was merely the effect of disease, he though it wisest +to confine his disbelief to his own bosom, and drop the conversation as +soon as possible. He insisted on remaining with him the rest of the +night, and cherished hopes that by the morning this unaccountable +vagary would be forgotten, or only remembered as a sudden delirium, +occasioned perhaps by heat, and the unusual exercise in which he had +been engaged. His offer of sitting up was cordially accepted, and the +two gentlemen agreed it would be right and prudent to say as little +about the ghost as possible, Sir Philip secretly trembling left the +Baron's unfortunate whim should operate so powerfully upon his feelings +as to prevent his fulfilling at engagements with Roseline. + +This strange circumstance occasioned so much confusion and hurry in the +castle, that the party separated much earlier than they wished, and every +one accounted, as their own humour dictated, for the sudden indisposition +of the Baron. One or two, mortified by their pleasure being so +unseasonably curtailed, said the old man had better have gone to bed at +eight o'clock, or not have attempted dancing in a ball-room when he was +dancing on the verge of the grave. + +Sir Philip, with two servants, sat with the Baron during the night, +and in the morning De Clavering found him so much recovered, that he +advised him to get into the air, as that, with moderate exercise, he +ventured to pronounce would perfect his recovery, and he would have +nothing to fear from a relapse, if he kept himself composed; but +that same composure the Baron did not find quite so easy to acquire +as De Clavering imagined. + +The awful appearance he had seen was not one moment from his +remembrance: it still flitted before his mental sight, and his tortured +mind presented only Isabella to his view. She had frowned upon him, +shaken her head, and vanished with a look of anger and contempt: with +this regretted and beloved wife he had passed by far the happiest +moments of his life. She was the first, and indeed the only, woman he +had really loved, notwithstanding the world had unjustly branded him +with being an unkind and morose husband. It had in the respect dealt by +him with the same injustice it had done by a thousand others. The +delicate frame of Isabella was wasting in a rapid decline, from the +moment she became a mother. He had adored her, and watched her as his +richest treasure during the few months she had lingered with him, after +presenting him with a son; she expired in his arms, and the severest +pang she felt was being torn from them for ever. Why she should rise +from the grave, why she should frown upon him, who had loved her so +sincerely, he could neither comprehend nor reconcile to his feelings. + +With his second wife he had lived several years; but all the happiness +he had found in the course of them was not to be compared with that +which he had enjoyed with his gentle Isabella, in the short time he +had been indulged with the pleasure of calling her his own. + +By the second lady, he had several children, and it was the death of an +only surviving son, at the age of sixteen, on whom she had doted with an +almost unpardonable fondness, which had occasioned her own. + +Having been thus been deprived of two wives, and bereaved of his +childres, without having any near relations for whom he felt those +prevailing and powerful affections which could lead him to proctise +self-denial on their account, he justly considered himself at liberty +to endeavour to find happiness in the way to which his ideas of it were +annexed, and therefore made choice of the daughter of his friend, Sir +Philip, to share his fortune, and inherit such a part of it, as he +should find her worthy to possess, if she did not bring him those who +would have a more rightful claim to it. + +He had no sooner recovered the shock and terror which he had so awfully +and unaccountable experienced, than he determined to persevere, and +accelerate all the necessary preparations for the completion of his +marriage. + +He was now eager to quit Bungay-Castle, and to return with the most +convenient speed to his own, as he could not entirely divest himself of +apprehension, that he might receive another unpleasant visit from his +Isabella, whom, much as he had sincerely loved and admired when living, +he did not now wish should leave her grave to interrupt those pleasures +which he anticipated from the nature of his present engagements. + +Sir Philip, who from the first had suspected the Baron's alarm and +subsequent terror to have originated from a more natural (however +unaccountable) cause than that to which he so obstinately imputed it, +made all the inquiries he dared risk, without giving his reasons for so +doing; but, notwithstanding his most artful endeavours, the mystery +remained unexplained, and he was obliged to leave it to time, or +chance, to develope. + + +END OF VOL. I. + + + + + * * * * * + + + + +BUNGAY CASTLE: + +A NOVEL. + +BY MRS. BONHOTE. + +Author of the Parental Monitor, &c. + + +_In Two Volumes_ + + + Astonished at the voice he stood amaz'd, + And all around with inward horror gaz'd. + + ADDISON. + +VOL. II. + + +LONDON: +PRINTED FOR WILLIAM LANE, +AT THE +Minerva Press +LEADENHALL-STREET. +M.DCC.XCVI. + + + + +CHAP.I + + +Though every means had been made use of to render the ball given at +the castle pleasant and agreeable to all the party, they did not +succeed so well as we could wish. There were several of the company, +as it is to this day found but too customary on all such important +and interesting occasions, distressed, mortified, and discontented, +who returned to their habitations with more cares than they had +carried out, more pangs than they well knew how to bear, or than the +pleasure, if unalloyed, could have repaid. One or two young ladies +had actually fainted at seeing others better dressed and more noticed +than themselves. Another was wretched, and out of humour at observing +the Adonis, for whom she had long cherished the most romantic +affection, pay his whole attention to the beautiful Edeliza, who was +rendered wild by the gaiety, novelty, and splendour of the scene, +while her little head was nearly turned by the fine things said to +her, and the admiration she excited. + +Edwin secretly repined that, as soon as the evening closed, Madeline +would be again for an age, in the calculation of a lover's calendar, +secluded from his sight, and compelled to count her beads in the +cheerless and solitary cell of a nunnery, from which he knew not +whether it would be in the power of art or stratagem to deliver her, +and how dreadful would be the consequences both to himself and the +woman he loved far better than himself, should the project, which he +had long cherished in his enterprizing and enamoured heart, be +discovered! These distressing thoughts threw a cloud of despondency +over every surrounding scene, and in some degree deprived him of that +vivacity which had endeared him to his friends, and rendered his +society both pleasant and entertaining, while the cause of this +unaccountable revolution was suspected but by few. + +De Willows had never before felt himself so forcibly struck with the +charms of the fond and artless Edeliza, which blazed upon him with +unusual lustre, from the stile and manner in which she had adorned and +heightened her modest beauties by the artillery of a dress admirably +chosen to captivate; and so well did she succeed, aided by the little +blind god, under whose banners she had ventured to en**t, that a change +took place in the heart of her favourite, against whom alone her +designs were levelled, as sudden as it was to himself surprising. + +Madeline was almost forgotten, and as little regarded as his +grandmother would have been. Every thought, every wish now rested with +Edeliza,--the little girl whom he had so long considered and treated as +a mere playful child. He even felt himself angry with every gentleman +who paid her any attention, or appeared as well pleased with her as +himself, and his bosom actually throbbed with jealous indignation while +he observed her animated look and sparkling eye at the various +compliments addressed to her; but when she bestowed her smiles on +another it was agony.--Those enchanting smiles, those engaging looks, +till this ill-fated evening, had been wholly engrossed by himself, not, +till he knew the value of what he might lose, did he think he had +anything to fear;--the delusion was ended, and he felt himself engaged +in a new passion at the moment he was disengaged from an old one, +which, having never been cherished by hope, was the more easily subdued. + +He observed (for love, though said to be blind, is at times amazingly +clear sighted) that De Clavering, the insensible, the fastidious De +Clavering, appeared like himself, particularly attentive to Edeliza, +condescended to say some civil things, hovered as near to her as +possible, and followed her with an approving eye, as she gracefully +exhibited her light and elegant figure in the dance, which, in his +opinion, by no means proved him so indifferent to her charms as he had +pretended to be in some of their unreserved and confidential +conversations.--He had declared to De Huntingfield, as she glided past +them, that she had a mine of harmony in her head, a troop of Cupids +lying in ambush round her eyes and mouth, and an army of virtues +encamped for life within her bosom.--De Willows heard him, and was +convinced De Clavering had designs against his peace, and was as much +in love as himself. The same charms which had so much influence on him +might have made a captive of his friend. + +Thus, seriously in love, thus tortured by the sudden impulse of +jealousy, De Willows sullenly cursed the folly of giving balls, +execrated the misery of being obliged to mix with a crowd, and the +unpardonable levity of permitting young women of delicacy and fashion +to exhibit their beautiful persons and fine attitudes in the dance, to +amuse a parcel of unmeaning and designing fools, and wound those who +loved them,--while such robust amusements were only fit for Indian +girls or Hottentots. He almost determined never to go to another ball, +and to persuade Edeliza to form the same resolution. + +Thus, with doubts, fears, and jealousies, was marked the beginning of a +passion in the mind of De Willows, which ended but with life, and which +every succeeding day, month, and year, served to strengthen and confirm. + +The tragical tale of two lovers, who had been present at the ball, and +who seemed the happiest of the party, appeared to make a deep +impressions on all who heard it, and had so much influence on De +Willows, that he determined no part of his conduct should ever give a +moment's pain to the susceptible heart of Edeliza, if he should prove +so fortunate as to be entrusted with the precious deposit, and obtain +the consent of Sir Philip and Lady de Morney to bless him with the hand +of their lovely daughter. The tale we have alluded to, though +melancholy, being a real fact, we hope it will not be unacceptable to +our readers. + + + * * * * * + + +Mr. and Mrs. Blandeville were the respectacle parents of a numerous +family, whom they educated from the produce of a well established and +profitable business. They had several daughters; the eldest, who was +both lively and handsome, was unfortunately admired by a young +gentleman of the name of Narford. The attachment had been cherished by +both parties from the time they went to school, and so marked were the +attentions which, even at that early age, they had shewn to each other, +that it had often excited the jokes and ridicule of their young +companions, who were in the habit of frequently addressing the timid +and blushing Lucy by the name of Mrs. Narford. + +Her lover had the irreparable misfortune to lose both his parents +before any plan had been formed for his future establishment.--He was +likewise, unhappily for his interest, left to the care of inexperienced +and careless guardians, who permitted him, as his fortune was genteel, +to follow the bent of his own inclinations. His disposition being +lively in the extreme, led him into innumerable eccentricities, and his +juvenile indiscretions wasted a part of that fortune which should have +been kept for his maturer age. + +When his clerkship was just expired, (for he was articled to an +attorney,) he made application to the parents of Lucy for leave to +address their daughter. Mr. Blandeville was no stranger to some part of +the vices and follies of which he had been guilty, but, as he likewise +knew that enough of his fortune still remained to secure his daughter +as comfortable an establishment as she had any right to expect, he +promised, if his future conduct was irreproachable, that, when he was +fixed in life, and able to provide for a family, he would give him the +hand of his daughter, and from that period he had permission to visit +Lucy as a lover, and was received at Mr. Blandeville's house as one of +the family. + +Lovers, it is too well known, will say and promise any thing. This +observation was unhappily verified in the giddy and erring Narford, +who, though he sincerely loved the daughter of Mr. Blandeville, and +could not be ignorant that on his part he was equally beloved, very +soon broke his word, and ran into some glaring excesses, which could +not be long concealed from those whom it most materially concerned. The +gentle Lucy often ventured to reproach her lover, but his repentance +and promises of amendment very soon procured his forgiveness.--Not so +easily was the father to be softened. After repeatedly hearing of his +intemperance and consequent riots, he forbade him his house, and +prohibited his daughter from holding any further intercourse with one +so unworthy of her regard, who had given such frequent proofs of his +libertine disposition, had already wasted part of his property, and was +in a way to squander the whole. + +Unfortunately the prudent prohibition of the father was disregarded by +the daughter, whose attachment to the unthinking Narford neither his +vices nor follies had been able to conquer. She lamented his failings, +but she could not subdue that attachment which had from so early a +period of her life been implanted in her heart. From him only she had +heard the tale of love, and he alone had obtained any interest in her +affections. Love had bound her in his silken fetters, and she had not +power to shake them off. + +Many stolen interviews did the proscribed Narford obtain with his +believing and inexperienced mistress by means of that all-prevailing +traitor, gold, whose influence few of the needy children of dependence +can long withstand; nor could all the reproaches of a duteous and +uncorrupted heart prevent Lucy from listening to the beguiling flatterer. + +At the time they met at the Castle they had not been able to see each +other for some weeks, and the pleasure was as great as it was +unexpected. Their present situation was past sorrows were forgotten in +their mutual joy, and the young lady easily prevailed upon to accept +the hand of her lover for the evening, as she still hoped it was the +hand destined to guide her through life.--Too happy in enjoying the +society for which she languished to recollect the causes which had +prevented their more frequent intercourse,--her spirits exhilirated by +the gay and cheerful party, and the enlivening sounds of music, she +listened to his vows with believing tenderness, and in a fond conceding +moment unreluctantly agreed to his proposal of a private marriage:--the +day was fixed, and the hour for escape appointed. + +The plan once determined, they indulged themselves in all that innocent +fondness the prospect of being speedily united seemed to claim and +authorise, but their happiness was as unstable and visionary as their +plan. Some one that was present, either actuated by friendship to the +parents, or envious at seeing the exulting transports which sparkled in +the eyes of the lovers, and excited a suspicion of their design, +obtained sufficient intelligence from some broken sentences (conveyed +in rather loud whispers from the lips of Narford, who was too much +intoxicated with his unexpected success to be guarded by prudence) as +to betray their intention. + +The next day a letter was sent to Mr. Blandeville, to inform him of the +plan, that he might take such steps as would prevent the threatening +mischief. In consequence of this unpleasing intelligence, the young +lady was so strictly confined and closely watched, that it was +impossible she could either receive or send any letters without being +discovered, and Mr. Blandeville was too much enraged at finding the +disobedient trick his daughter would have played him, to relax on +moment in his rigour or care to prevent her eloping. + +Narford, in the mean time, not able either to see Lucy, or convey any +letter or message to her, became madly desperate, and ran into +innumerable excesses, which, in the opinion of the prudent and thinking +part of the world, justified the conduct of the lady's father, who +commanded her not to see him, nor attempt to leave her own apartment +till she could prevail upon herself to give him a solemn promise never +again to hold intercourse, by word or letter, with that base, +designing, and vile scoundrel, Narford. + +The mother and sisters were equally offended with the unfortunate +lover, whose conduct, previous to the time he had been forbidden the +house of Mr. Blandeville, had in too may respects been highly +blameable; but, as is frequently the case, what in his behaviour was +worthy of praise had been concealed, while every deviation from +prudence and rectitude was basely and maliciously exaggerated, Narford +not having the happy art of concealing his frailties, or making himself +friends, by that bewitching softness of manners which, in our more +polished days, will recommend the most libertine characters, and +procure them a favourable and cordial reception in polite and even +virtuous circles. + +After trying, by every art and stratagem to bribe, or elude, the +vigilance of Lucy's attendants, and making many attempts to soften the +displeasure of her parents, Narford, in a fit of despair and +intoxication, obtained by force an entrance into the house, and, +falling on his knees, in the most humiliating manner, and most +intelligible language he could command, begged they would permit him to +see and converse one hour with his beloved Lucy, who he had heard was +ill, and confined to her bed. + +Though Mr. Blandeville fortunately was not at home, his request was +peremptorily denied; but Mrs. Blandeville, somewhat softened by his +agony, which, in spite of her anger, she could not help commiserating, +promised, that, as soon as her daughter was in a state of +convalescence, he should be indulged with seeing her in the presence of +herself and one of her daughter; at the same time she could not help +gently reproaching him for the inconsistency and unpardonable levity of +his conduct, which not only compelled Mr. Blandeville to adopt these +severe measures, but had involved her whole family in distress, as well +as the unfortunate girl he pretended to love, and had attempted to draw +aside from the paths of duty. + +With great difficulty he was prevailed upon to leave the house, but not +before the sound of his voice had caught the ear of the unhappy Lucy. +She raised herself in the bed, and insisted on being informed what had +occurred to bring poor Narford, and why she had not seen him.--It was +now too late, (she added,) to run away; the danger of that was over; +therefore surely she might be allowed to speak peace to his mind, and +once more see him whom she had so long and so fondly loved, before the +hand of death should close her eyes for ever, and in that sad moment +shut out every bright ray of hope from his earthly prospects. + +On being made acquainted with what had passed, and told the manner in +which her lover forced his way into the house, she burst into tears, +and exclaimed, she should never see him more in this world; "but he +will not survive me long, (she continued.) I know he cannot live in +peace when I am gone, and I hope a happier, world." + +These conflicts brought on a return of fever, which a frame so +emaciated and weak as her's could not long sustain: it was succeeded by +a delirium. The grief she had long cherished had preyed upon a +constitution, always delicate, with so much violence as to render her +strength unequal to the contest. In a few days her life was pronounced +in the utmost danger, and hope was almost precluded. + +No sooner was this sentence made known, that it was recommended to Mr. +Blandeville to send for the lover of his daughter. At length he yielded +somewhat reluctantly to the proposal. Narford came, and was admitted +into the darkened apartment of the dying Lucy, who laid totally +insensible of what passed around her. He heard her call upon his name, +yet could not prevail upon her either to look at of speak to him.--Her +eyes, glazed and obscured by the shades of death, and robbed of their +former lustre, were no longer able to distinguish the beloved object +for whom they shed so many tears, but, fixed on vacancy, seemed still +bent in search of something they wished to behold. Her lips moved, and +she appeared as if holding a conversation with some one her disordered +imagination fancied near her. The unhappy young man was so much +shocked, that it was with the utmost difficulty he could confine his +agonizing feelings from breaking forth into loud lamentations.--Somewhat +recovering from the first stroke of seeing the ruins which grief had made +on her with whom he had rested all his hopes, in whom were centered all +his wishes, he knelt by her bedside, and, tenderly clasping between is +own the burning hand of his almost dying mistress, he softly begged she +would once more speak to her distracted Narford. + +The voice seemed to be understood; she suddenly turned her face towards +him, and feebly pressing his hand, in broken and hurried sentences said +something to him.--Only the words, "Dear Narford, we must part, and part +for ever!" were understood; and, after making a feeble effort to draw him +closer to her side, as if afraid he should leave her, she was seized with +convulsions, which obliged the terrified lover to quit the room. He +rushed out of the house in a state little less alarming than that in +which he had left the fair cause of his distress. + +The whole night he wandered before the habitation of the dying +Lucy,--for that she was dying the horrid scene he had witnessed, the +countenances of those around her, and his own feelings, too well +informed him. During the long and gloomy night, in which he remained +exposed to and unsheltered from the wind and storm, he frequently +stopped to listened at the door. All within was silent and cheerless as +the grave, and in every sound that reached his ear from without, he +imagined he could distinguish groans and sighs. Every object he could +see brought to his tortured imagination the distressing, the convulsed +figure of the once-animated and lovely Lucy, whose distorted features +and painful struggles were ever before his mental sight, there to remain +fixed as long as his existence should endure; for was it possible he +could ever forget or wish to lose the remembrance of that persecuted and +innocent sufferer, who died for the unworthy, the unfortunate Narford? + +At length the day broke. The sun arose with its usual splendor, but +appeared to him dark as Erebus. All nature wore one universal gloom, and +had all nature been at that moment annihilated, (as were his hopes,) the +change had been scarcely perceived; for Lucy, who gave to life its +brightest tints, and to all things animate or inanimate, grace, beauty, +and value, was seen no more!--No longer the soft tones of her voice +vibrated on his ear to lull his soul to peace, or, if seen, she had lost +all recollection of the poor forlorn wanderer, who now felt ten-fold +every pang she suffered. + +Late in the morning Narford saw a female servant slowly open the door. +He ran, or rather flew, to make his trembling inquiries. She was in +tears, and totally unable to tell him that it was over,--that the +loveliest of women, the favourite child of nature, was no longer the +victim of pain and sorrow, and that her freed spirit now soared beyond +the reach of persecution, "the mortal having put on immortality;" but +her emphatical silence unfolded the sad tale.--A freezing chilness ran +thrilling to his heart, and with a groan of despair he sunk upon his +parent earth. In that happy state of insensibility he was conveyed to +his lodgings by some people who were passing by, where we will for the +present leave him to the care of his sympathizing friends. + +This unfortunate young man, notwithstanding his unguarded conduct and +numerous eccentricities, was beloved by many for his generous +disposition, cheerfulness, and unceasing good humour. + +In the house of Mr. and Mrs. Blandeville all was distraction, despair, +and self-reproach. The illness and subsequent death of a beloved and +amiable child laid heavy at their hearts, and overwhelmed them like the +sudden bursting of a torrent; for, though prudence forbade them to unite +their daughter to a man whose conduct threatened her with many sorrows, +at the moment they wished to put an end to so unpromising an union, they +had no idea that any fatal consequences would have attended the +separation, and they too late regretted not having granted Narford's +request of being permitted to see their daughter at a more early stage +of her illness.--Mr. Blandeville drooped under his own painful +reflections, his wife felt more than she either could or wished to +express, and the younger part of the family were for a time inconsolable. + +The tale spread rapidly abroad, and in all its various shapes excited +the compassion of those who heard it. Lucy had been as generally beloved +as admired, and Narford, who had once appeared deserving of contempt, +was now the object of pity. Such are the rapid changes which take place +in the human mind. + +Mrs. Blandeville, unknown to the rest of the family, sent several times +to make inquiries after the unhappy Narford. The accounts she received +were as various as the melancholy changes which succeeded each other. He +was sometimes in a state of actual distraction,--at others in a sad and +silent despondency the most determined and alarming, refusing to take +his food, or to hold conversation with any one. + +At length the day for the interment of Lucy arrived. The procession, sad +and slow, was followed by almost every inhabitant of the town and +adjoining villages. A solemn dirge was sung as they went along, and a +number of young maidens joined in the chorus. Flowers were strewn into +and around the grave, as emblematical of the charming flower that like +themselves was untimely cut down, and doomed like them to wither and to +die. + +The service began;--the coffin was carefully let down into the grave, +and, just as the earth was thrown upon it, and the priest pronounced +that awful and humiliating sentence,--"Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, +dust to dust," a figure, with dishevelled hair, and a face pale as that +of the victim just deposited in her last sad resting place, rushed past +them all, and quick as lightening, before any one could suspect of think +of preventing his design, threw himself with the utmost violence into +the grave, and, clinging with agonizing frenzy to the coffin, cried out, +"I have found her now, and no one shall ever again tear her from me, for +she was mine,--mine by her own consent! Proceed, (added he, in a shrill +and distracted tone, for the surprise and confusion that this scene +occasioned had prevented the service going on,)--be quick, and hide me +in the friendly earth!--I come to sleep with Lucy:--this is our bridal +bed!--Why do you hesitate?--here I shall find rest for ever:--this is my +home, and here shall be my heaven!" + +The priest endeavoured to persuade him to quit the grave, and let the +ceremony be concluded, telling him, time and patience would, he hoped, +reconcile him to the will of heaven, and convince him that all things +were ordered for the best and the wisest purposes. + +"Avaunt, deceiver! (cried the enraged maniac.)--I tell you that Lucy was +unfairly robbed of life,--stolen from my arms, and forced into this +place, where I will watch by her and protect her from farther +violence;--therefore say no more, lest my daring hand should attempt to +pluck the sun from his orbit, or call upon the stars to fall upon your +head, and mine for permitting a star more brilliant than themselves to +fall.--Go on, I say,--bury me deep and sure!--I wish to become a worm, +that I may crawl to the side of Lucy.--She will own her poor distracted +Narford, even in that most loathsome and degraded form." + +It is impossible to describe the scene that followed. Many attempts were +made before the poor young man could be dragged from the grave of his +lamented mistress.--At length, he was forcibly taken out,--guarded, and +carried home by some of the weeping spectators. + +It was many months before any hopes of his recovery could be cherished. +His reason was still more endangered, and, from that period to the end +of his unfortunate life, he was deranged at times, and by his conduct +appeared as much a lunatic in his intervals of reason. He very soon +squandered all that remained of his fortune, and became a wanderer upon +the earth, never having a settled home, and seldom going into a bed. + +He was frequently absent so long, that his friends concluded he was no +more.--He would then return to those scenes which never failed to bring +on a renewal of his unfortunate malady, and would lay whole nights by +the side of Lucy's grave, talking to her with the fame ardour and +enthusiastic affection as if she had been living. + +At length Mr. Blandeville, whom he would, as frequently as he saw him in +his fits of insanity, attack with the most pointed and virulent abuse, +took compassion on his sufferings, and settled a sum of money upon him, +to be paid quarterly, sufficiently competent to procure him the +necessaries and many of the comforts of life; placing him in a family +who had been long attached to him, and who continued to take the utmost +care of him to the end of his wretched existence, and by every tender +attention softened, as much as it was in human power, those sorrows +which could only terminate in death. + + + + +CHAP. II. + + +A tale so sad and interesting as that we have recited soon found its way +to the inhabitants of the castle, particularly as De Clavering had been +called in to the assistance of the dying Lucy. + +The melancholy scene he witnessed, as we may imagine, made a lasting and +forcible impression upon a heart so tender and susceptible as his, and +he did not fail to make such comments upon it, as he hoped would have +some weight on the minds of those to whom they were addressed; but he +did not succeed in his design; for, whatever Sir Philip de Morney might +think, he chose, and took care to keep to himself, and the Baron not +even condescending to make any observations on a subject in which he did +not appear to feel the least interested, and which he considered as +being too romantic and childish to merit the attention of a person in +his high station. + +Lady de Morney and the young people wept for the fate of Narford and +Lucy, while the latter wondered any parents could be so cruel as to +separate such fond and faithful lovers. + +Notwithstanding the utmost pains had been taken to conceal the cause of +the Baron's sudden indisposition, it had in part transpired, owing, as +we may presume, to the irresistible propensity, and restless curiosity, +the Baron's servant felt to know all his master's secrets, and his great +eagerness to impart them when known. Some words, which had dropped from +the Baron to his friend Sir Philip, the evening of the alarm, just as +Pedro was ordered out of the room, unfortunately caught his ear, which +was instantaneously applied to the key-hole of the door to obtain +farther intelligence; and, though he could not so exactly understand the +story as to connect it with accuracy, he picked up enough of it to make +him desirous of knowing the whole; and, having heard the word ghost +uttered more than once with great emphasis, it gave him some suspicion +that his master's illness originated from a fright, and the more than +usual earnestness, with which he asserted the truth of what he had been +saying, confirmed Pedro in this opinion. + +Thus the half-formed tale was whispered under the most solemn promises +of secresy from one to another, till every servant in the family had +gleaned up something, without any one of them knowing what it meant. + +A few nights after, as Pedro was attending his master, when he was going +to bed, he determined to make one more effort to discover the whole +story, and try whether he could not prevail on the Baron to entrust him +with a secret he would have given some part of his wages to find out. He +opened this important business as follows. + +"I shall be heartily glad, my lord, when we get from this castle, and +return to your own." + +"Why so? (inquired his master:)--my friend, Sir Philip, is very +hospitable, and his family infinitely charming." + +"Yes, yes, I dare say, my lord, in your opinion the young ladies are +charming creatures, and I fancy they are not a whit less pleased with +your lordship." + +"Do you think so, Pedro? (said the Baron, in one of his most harmonious +tones, his pride and self-love being gratified by his servant's +observation.)--Why, indeed, I had never much reason to complain of the +ladies' coolness." + +"It would certainly be surprising if you had, my lord. A man of your +rank, fortune, and figure, is not very likely to meet with coldness; it +is only such a poor ugly dog as I am that must expect to be frowned +upon by the women." + +"Oh! then, Pedro, (said the Baron smiling,) a disappointment in love +makes you wish to quit this place." + +"No, my lord. I complain of nothing in the day; _that_ generally passes +off very well; but, in the night, there are so many cursed ghosts +clattering about, with such confounded nosies at their heels, both +within and without doors, that a man can neither sleep nor move with +comfort or security." + +"Psha! (replied the Baron,) let me hear of no such idle and improbable +tales.--I did not suppose you so great a fool or so dastardly a coward +as to mind the nonsense of women and children." + +"As to that, (said Pedro, nettled by the contemptuous manner of the +Baron, and the epithet of coward,) I have as much courage as most men +among _men_; but, when I am forced to mix with ghosts and evil spirits, +I want a little spice of the courage with which your lordship is so +bountifully endowed. I dare say, my lord, you never saw a ghost, and +were never frightened either by the living or the dead." + +"What should I be frightened at? (cried the Baron impatiently;) let me +hear no more such impertinent nonsense." + +"I hope (muttered Pedro) the next time they come, they will pay you +another visit. It is an honour due to your dignity, and we servants can +very well dispense with their company;" but this was said in so low a +voice, as he shut the door, that it was impossible to be understood by +the imperious master to whom it was addressed. "As much a coward as I +am, (continued he, as he went along,) I was never frightened into a fit +as some folks have been with all their boasted courage and great +knowledge." + +Notwithstanding the Baron was so much alarmed by the appearance of his +Isabella, that he could scarcely shake it from his mind a moment, and +remained in a state of anxiety and terror, yet it was impossible he +should be any longer blind to the dejection of Roseline, or insensible +of her cold indifference. If she met him with a smile, it was visibly +the smile of anguish. She sometimes appeared to avoid him, and more than +once had made an effort to leave him at the very instant he was +addressing her in one of his fondest and most impassioned speeches.--Sir +Philip was his friend; on him he had conferred many favours: it was both +his interest and inclination to bring about an union between him and his +daughter. It was possible he might have deceived him as to the real +situation of her heart;--the thought was too alarming to his feelings +and his pride to be easily got rid of. Roseline was often absent, and +that for several hours together: it looked suspicious. He would no +longer trust either the father or the daughter; but, with the assistance +of his man Pedro, who was a shrewd fellow at finding out a secret, he +would endeavour to discover whether he was not right in his conjecture +of having a rival. Sir Philip had certainly promised more for his +daughter than he supposed him authorised to do, or than the young lady +herself was able or willing to ratify: he determined therefore to get +rid of his doubts as soon as possible, and either obtain the prize he +had in view, or withdraw himself for ever from the castle. + +Audrey, who had in the mean while picked up a vague unconnected account +of what had happened in respect to the ghost, was eager to tell the +wonderful tale to Roseline, who, though incredulous as she had ever +appeared to all the marvellous tales she had imparted to her, ought to +be informed of this, she thought, as it was so connected with the +history of her intended husband. She luckily met her young lady on the +stairs, put her finger on her lips to imposed silence, and, with much +solemnity in her look and manner, beckoned her to follow her into the +gallery, when, stepping into the first room she came to, she thus +eagerly began. + +"Well, miss, it was as I said; the Baron is no better than he should be. +I have waited successfully these three days to tell you so; but you are +grown so preserved and so shy, a body can seldom catch a moment to speak +to you." + +"What is the matter, my good Audrey?" + +"Matter enough on my conscience, if one believes all one hears! Only +think, miss, of a ghost, that should have been minding its business at +the Baron's own castle, having taken the trouble of following him to +this upon some special business it had to municate. However, travelling +three or four hundred miles is nothing to a ghost, that can, as I have +heard, go at the rate of a thousand miles in a minute, either by land, +sea, or water, it matters not to them; but we could have expenced with +such visitors, God help us! for we have enow such that go with the +castle, and, 'tis said, must do so till the day of judgment." + +Roseline, who paid but little attention to Audrey's tales, smiled at +this, and gave her a sly look of incredulity, which convinced her of her +unbelief. This was a kind of claim upon her to confirm it more strongly. + +"Well, you may think as you please, Miss Roseline, the Baron was actilly +scared into a fit of arpaplexy at seeing his own wife, all in white, the +very moral of herself when alive; and, what is more, she held a knife +and a lighted a candle in her hand, and shewed him the wound in her +bosom which casioned her death; and she sneered at him, shaked her +ghostly head, grinned, and, as he was found upon the floor, 'tis +supposed she knocked him down, and then went away in a sky-rocket, or a +squib, or some such thing, as belong to those sort of hanimals; for the +noise she made at going off was so great and amendous, it broke the drum +of Pedro's ear, and left the Baron in a state of sensibility." + +"I would advise you, Audrey, (said Roseline,) not to give credit to such +improbable tales, and never again to repeat this which you have been +telling me." + +"'Tis genevin, miss, I assure you. I had it from Pedro's own mouth; so, +if you are determined to marry a man haunted by the ghost of another +wife, you must abide by the incision. She was certainly sent out of the +world unfairly, or why should she not rest in her grave as quietly as +other folks?" + +Roseline, much as she disliked the Baron as a lover, had too much +respect for her father's friend to permit her servant to speak of him so +freely, and to lay so dreadful a crime to his charge, which she +concluded, like the story of the ghost, was merely the invention of +evil-minded people.--She therefore reproved Audrey with a seriousness +that alarmed her, and assured her, if she ever again presumed to mention +Baron Fitzosbourne in terms so disrespectful and degrading, she would +instantly request her father to send her from the castle. + +The prating Abigail, finding her young lady really displeased, chose to +alter her tone.--To be sure she might have been wrong informed; the +world was a wicked place, and some people were sadly entreated in +it:--the Baron was a gentleman,--a powerful fine gentleman it was +successively hard to be belied;--no one could expence with that:--he was +a lord into the bargain, notwithstanding his methodicalness, had some +good qualities, and, for certain, was as fine a pice of 'tiquity as any +that hung up in the great hall, and looked as antic as the old walls +covered with ivory.--Roseline made no answer to this curious eulogium, +and Audrey very soon took herself away. + +The Baron was not long in determining how to proceed. He became resolute +to satisfy his doubts respecting his having a rival. It was neither +improbable, nor unlikely, that some of the young officers, stationed in +or about the castle, might have designs inimical to his. The lady +herself might have favoured their pretences unknown to her father; and, +if so, he should run some risk in making her his wife.--The thought was +too painful and degrading to be supported, and the critical situation of +affairs would not admit of longer deliberation. + +The month was on the very eve of terminating, at the expiration of which +Sir Philip had promised him the hand of his daughter; yet the young +lady was not more conciliating, or less coy and distant in her +behaviour to him, than she had been the first day of their meeting. +Pedro was summoned, and for some time was closeted with his master. He +was promised a liberal reward if he could get into the good graces of +the female servants, and make himself master of the young lady's +secrets; luckily for our heroine, she had not made a confidant of any +one of them. + +This Pedro undertook, as he had already began to make love to Audrey, +who, in her moments of conceding tenderness, had told him all she knew, +making some additions of her own; but the whole amounted to but little +more than--her young lady was strangely altered: it might be, her love +for the Baron had produced this change; but, for her part, she could not +think it possible for any one to like such an old frampled figure. + +The Baron next proposed that Pedro should accompany him, in taking a +ramble about the castle, after the family had retired to rest, to +reconnoitre the premises, and learn, if possible, from what quarter they +were most exposed to danger. He determined to explore all the secret +passages, for he could not help cherishing suspicions that lovers might +be admitted, and intrigues carried on, unknown to the most watchful and +careful parent; and to what but the prevailing influence of a favoured +rival could he impute the uncommon and increasing coldness of Roseline? + +It was not to be wondered at that the Baron was alarmed, for the conduct +of his daughter had not escaped the eyes of Sir Philip, who, chiefly +displeased with what he termed her obstinacy and caprice, in order to +compel her to his purpose, had, notwithstanding he promised to drop the +subject for a month, found it necessary to caution her to be more guarded +and respectful in her behaviour, at the same time assuring her he would +not survive the disappointment of his hopes, in seeing her united to his +friend; adding another horrid threat, that, if she betrayed his design, +in that moment she would terminate her father's existence. + +This dreadful sentence at once determined the fate of the unhappy +Roseline, and, having no alternative left, she instantly promised to give +her hand to the Baron, and sacrifice her own happiness to preserve the +life of her father, on which she knew that of her mother depended. Her +brothers and sisters too! how could she support the thought of depriving +them of a father's protection, and become herself a parricide!--Her own +sufferings would be but short;--their's might be continued through a long +and weary pilgrimage. + +Her father, satisfied with her promise, retired, and left her to recover +herself. Then it was she recollected her engagement, and thought of the +prisoner. Her resolution faltered, and reason tottered on its throne. + +The dreadful fate she was preparing for him,--the distress her loss and +inconstancy would inflict on the interesting object, dearer to her than +life, or ten thousand worlds, tortured her to distraction, and shook her +whole frame: the blood of life receded from her heart for a few moments, +and she fell to the earth. + +Soon however she recovered to a more perfect sense of her miseries: she +wrung her hands;--she would see her Walter;--she would continue to do so +till she became the property of him whom she detested, and could never +love, and who, she fervently prayed, might be deprived of claiming the +rights of a husband, by her being snatched from his embraces by the +friendly hand of death, a rival, which, if he did not fear, he could +neither injure not subdue; and she should have the delightful, the +soul-consoling satisfaction of descending to the grave a spotless victim +to her love of Walter. Her spirit would perhaps be permitted to guard him +from danger, and watch his footsteps, while he remained on earth, and in +heaven she could meet and claim him as her own. + +These thoughts, romantic as they appear in the eye of reason and +experience, had a wonderful effect upon her mind, and restored it in some +degree to its usual tone and composure. She became more resigned to her +fate, and to the above-mentioned determinations added another, namely, +that, before she became a wife, she would write to her unfortunate lover, +and explain the motives that had induced her to break her engagement with +him, sufficiently to exculpate her from blame, prevent his execrating and +hating the name of Roseline, and if possible still to preserve his +esteem. Edwin should be the messenger she would entrust with her letter. +These weighty matters settled in the only manner that could make them +conformable to the present state of her feelings, she resolved silently +and without complaining to yield to a sentence from which, however unjust +and arbitrary, she knew there could be appeal, no chance of a reprieve. + +Her determination and unconditional consent were soon made known to the +Baron by his delighted and exulting friend, who now ventured a few gentle +reproaches for the little confidence that had been placed in his word, and +the injustice which had been shewn to his zeal. The Baron received this +intelligence with unaffected pleasure,--apologized for his lover-like +doubts, which had originated from the superior merits of the beloved +object, and the disparity of years, which some ladies might have +considered as an objection to an union taking place. + +Superb dresses were to be ordered for the bride, new carriages built, +and the lawyers set to work with all possible expedition; for, as +Roseline had stipulated for no certain time being allowed her, to +prepare for the awful change which was to take place in the situation, +her father, eager to put it beyond the power of any earthly contingency +to disappoint his wishes, availed himself of the omission, and +determined to hurry matters as much as possible. In fact, the horror of +her father's vow had impressed itself so deeply on the mind of Roseline, +and introduced such a train of distracting images, as lessened the +apprehension of what might happen to herself. + +It was now publicly said, that the important event was very soon to take +place, and the joyous bustle which succeeded plainly shewed, the report +was not without foundation. The surprise and consternation of Edwin are +not to be described; he sought and obtained an interview with his +sister, who, without absolutely betraying her promise to her father, or +explaining how her consent had been extorted, said enough to convince +him that compulsion, in some shape or other, had been made use of to +force her into measures so entirely repugnant to her feelings, that he +feared would involve her in irretrievable wretchedness, and he took his +resolutions accordingly. + +The enamoured lover, after hearing such unexpected and pleasant +intelligence from his friend, requested an audience with the lovely +arbitress of his fate. He was accordingly admitted. + +Roseline made no attempt to deny having given her consent to become his +wife; but the freezing coldness of her manner, and the continued +dejection still visible on her artless and expressive countenance, +served to increase his doubts; and, so far was it from exciting his +compassion, it awakened his pride, confirmed his suspicions, and roused +them into action: but, as he had no clue to guide him, and could make no +discovery sufficiently conclusive to fix his jealously on any particular +object, he was under the necessity of trusting to chance, and his own +unremitting endeavours, to unravel the mystery he suspected. Actuated by +a sullen kind of resentment, he determined at all events to avail +himself of the power thrown into his hands to obtain his desires, +resolving, if ever he discovered she loved any man in preference to +himself, to sacrifice the detested object of her regard to the just +vengeance of an injured husband. + +A few nights after, a favourable opportunity presenting itself, the +restless Baron, accompanied by his man Pedro, who had undertaken to +conduct him about those parts of the castle contrived to defeat the +designs of men when they came with any hostile intentions, but which +might be favourable to those of an artful lover, began his silent +perambulation. + +After descending from the battlements, which he had cautiously pace +over, looking into every place he thought likely to conceal the rival he +expected to find, he returned by a different route, and accidentally +went down the winding stairs of the South tower. The door, leading to +the prisoner's apartment, he passed in silence, supposing it a +lodging-room belonging to the guards, or some of the domestics.--When, +however, he came to the bottom of the stairs; turning to look under a +kind of arch-way that seemed to communicate with some other apartments, +he was startled, and his doubts received farther confirmation from +seeing a door, which led to the dungeon, standing open,--a circumstance +that served to convince the Baron all was not right, as those places +were in general kept well secured, not only to guard against danger, but +to prevent their being seen, as it often happened the safety of the +castle depended entirely upon the secret contrivances for their internal +defence being unknown to all but the governor. + +It happened unfortunately, that Albert, who, after he knew the family +were in bed, had descended from his own room in order to fetch something +which his master wanted from his former habitation, not supposing he was +in danger of being followed by any one, had incautiously neglected to +shut this door after him. The Baron, not doubting but he was on the eve +of making some important discovery, ordered his man to guard the door, +to prevent any one escaping while he proceeded in his search. + +Albert, luckily hearing some one enter the passage after him, had +likewise his suspicions, though of a very different nature. He concluded +no one could come to that place with any good design, and trembled lest +some discovery had been made respecting the removal of his master, which +might expose him to farther persecutions, and bring on a renewal of his +former miseries. Whoever it might be, he determined, if possible, to +find out their intention. + +Edwin had acquainted him with every circumstance he knew in regard to +the distressing situation of his sister, and they had agreed not to +inform the unfortunate Walter of the impending storm which threatened +him with the deprivation of a treasure far dearer to him than his own +existence, and which they concluded would at one fatal blow rob him not +only of every hope that he had so long and fondly cherished, but even of +life itself. + +Albert was soon convinced that he person who had followed him was no +other than the haughty imperious Baron, the rival of his beloved master, +and the destroyer of that fabric on which he had rested his security for +happiness. He carried a lighted candle in one hand, and a drawn sword in +the other, and appeared wondrously curious about something which Albert, +not in the humour to put the most favourable construction on his +actions, concluded must be mischief.--Thus put upon his guard, he +cautiously locked the door which led to his master's former apartments, +and, as he was well acquainted with every avenue, each turning and +winding in the curious labyrinths of these cheerless regions, he had no +fears for his own safety, knowing that it was easy to elude the search +of one who was a stranger to them; but, as he did not suppose the Baron +(let the business which brought him there be what it might) came +entirely unattended, it behoved him to act with the utmost +circumspection. + +In a little time he observed the Baron had entered the damp unwholesome +square that was surrounded by the still more gloomy and unfriendly +habituations contrived to render life a worse punishment than the most +cruel death. He looked carefully into every on of them, and, coming to +that in which stood the coffin before mentioned in this narrative, and +seeing the black cloth, by which it had once been covered, now hanging +in mouldering and tattered fragments around it, a silent memento of that +destroying hand which spares neither the dead nor the living, urged, as +we may suppose, by one of those sudden irresistible impulses which we +are often actuated to obey against the dictates of sober reason, he +stept in, and in an attitude of thoughtful meditation, struck with the +horrid scenes which till now his eyes had never encountered, unknowing +what he did, he placed one foot on the top of the sad receptacle, on +which his looks were bent in serious reflection, when, awful and +dreadful to relate, a deep groan issued from the coffin, and a voice +exclaimed,--"Forbear, you hurt me!--you will crush my bones to powder!" + +The Baron started, and flew back so violently, that he struck his head +against the opposite wall.--A moment's reflection, however, served to +inspire him with more resolution, and to convince him that this could +not be real;--it must be the wild effects of his own distempered +imagination;--the dead were never heard to speak, and why a voice from +the grave should be sent to him he could not comprehend. He determined +therefore not to be alarmed, not driven from his purpose; when, in the +next instant, the same voice, as if it knew the thoughts which floated +in his mind, addressed him a second time in a rather louder and more +authoritative tone from another part of the dungeon, and warned him not +to interrupt the peaceful slumbers of the dead. Again called upon, it +could not be delusion. Some one,--a lover perhaps, was concealed in that +coffin, from which he was to be frightened like a school-boy. In an +instant, with one violent blow, he crushed the mouldring abode of its +insensible inhabitant to pieces, and a heap of bones were then presented +to his sight, which had once belonged to a creature like himself, +endowed perhaps with feelings more generous and humane than those which +dwelt in the bosom of the man who had thus insulted its humble remains. + +"Cause my bones to be decently put in the grave! (said the voice a +second time from the coffin,) and from me fear nothing, but tremble for +yourself!"--Now rendered desperate by terror, and shocked at the +recollection of the scene he had encountered, the Baron eagerly wished +to get from a situation so calculated to instill every kind of fear into +the mind, if unaccompanied by the still greater horrors which had so +wonderfully occurred to increase them; but, well knowing, if he were +discovered in such a situation, it must subject him to various +suspicions, among which those of a treasonable nature might probably be +numbered.--He determined to brave it out, and retire without making any +alarm, not doubting but an explanation would equally expose him to +censure and ridicule. + +As a last effort, however, he mustered courage enough to inquire in a +tremulous tone, "What is it I hear?--If a man, let him come forth, and +declare his wrongs; I will undertake to defend and right them." + +"Can the man (replied his mysterious companion, who now appeared to be +close to him) expect being believed when he offers to revenge wrongs of +which he never heard complaint? Can he who oppresses others, and is deaf +to the sufferings of innocence, think to purchase pardon by the +appearance of mercy?--Mend your own heart;--leave this castle:--then the +living and the dead will sleep in peace." + +The Baron now shook with terror; and called for no farther explanation, +but, as quickly as his trembling legs could carry him, began to explore +the same way back by which he had gained admittance. Just as he reached +the bottom of those stairs which Edwin and his fair companions had so +often descended to make their benevolent visits to the prisoner, his ear +was again arrested by the same invisible monitor. "Rob not this castle +of its treasure:--search to find one more dear, whom you may render +happy, who long has suffered imprisonment and wrongs." + +Again he stopped. The words vibrated on his ear, and then all was +silent. At length he proceeded in his miserable progress, and +distinguished the distant sound of footsteps, which he concluded were +the centinels on guard, and was soon afterwards revived by hearing the +watch proclaim the hour of night. He now eagerly rushed on-wards, and +found, thought Pedro had not deserted his post, he was fast locked in +the arms of sleep, and snoring as soundly as if his weary limbs had +rested on a bed of down. He was awakened by a hearty shake from his +master, and ordered to lead the way to his chamber. + +Pedro, glad to be released from an employment for which he had no great +relish, rejoiced at hearing the welcome mandate, and humbly inquired if +he had made any discovery. The answer he received was,--that all was +safe and quiet in the castle, and that he believed his fears and +suspicions had been hastily formed, and had no foundation. + +The Baron, however, was not exactly in that state of serenity and +composure of which he endeavoured to assume the appearance.--That +voice!--what could it mean?--from whom, and from what quarter could it +come?--It might be the echo of some one confined in a cell over his +head, or beneath his feet. It could not allude to him, or it might be a +contrivance to alarm him from his purpose; yet, if he mentioned it to +his friend, he would treat it as the delusion of a distempered fancy. + +All he could determine upon doing was to hasten the preparations for his +marriage, and, if Roseline should be over-ruled by her father, and give +him her hand with reluctance, the fault would bring it punishment upon +their own heads; but he still hoped that, when once she became his wife, +and saw herself surrounded with splendor, her coy airs would be done +away: she would set a proper value on his love and generosity, and as +Baroness Frizosbourne be the happiest of her sex.--With such consoling +and fallacious hopes he endeavoured to banish his doubts, and compose +himself to rest, and, soon forgetting Isabella, and the warning voice of +his invisible monitor, he sunk into the arms of sleep. + + + + +CHAP. III. + + +Not so soon, nor so easily, did the artless, the devoted Roseline lose +the remembrance of her heart-felt sorrows. Every hour, every moment, as +it fled, brought with it an increase of anguish to her agitated mind. +The most distant idea of an union with the Baron was scarcely to be +borne, as the certainty of it no longer admitted of a doubt, she shrunk +from her own reflections as she would have done from the stroke of +death. To be for ever torn from Walter--to see him no more,--no more to +converse with and soothe the sorrows of that oppressed and solitary +sufferer,--was by far a more insupportable trial than that she was +doomed to endure in her own mind and person. + +From the world and its unsatisfactory pleasures she could expect no +resource:--friends she had non whose power could remove her distresses: +her only hope therefore rested on death to release her from persecution, +and the reflection most tormenting to the giddy and happy children of +prosperity, who consider life as their greatest treasure, and over whose +minds a thought of its termination will throw a gloom in the midst of +their gayest moments, proved to our heroine her only consolation. She +now considered the shortness and uncertainty of life as its greatest +blessing, and feared that time, of whom she had often complained for +being so rapid and unmarked in its flight, would now torture her by +moving in a slow and sluggard pace to the close of her days. She +continued, as usual, to make her stolen visits to the prisoner as +opportunities presented themselves; but these visits were not longer +attended with the pleasure of satisfaction. In her own mind she formed a +resolution, even if the consequence should prove fatal to herself, to +attempt obtaining the freedom of the prisoner as soon as she had lost +her own. This she considered merely as an act of humanity and justice, +and would have thought no sacrifice too great, could she have restored +that peace of which she knew her loss would deprive him. + +Walter, notwithstanding much pains were taken to prevent his making any +discovery of what passed in the castle, observed so alarming an +alteration in the manners, countenance, and spirits, of Roseline, as led +him to puzzle himself with various conjectures respecting the cause; +but, as he had been often told by Albert many things occurred in the +world to harass and give uneasiness to those who were engaged in its +busy scenes, of which he could form no idea, being a stranger to their +nature, it was impossible for him to judge of their effect. He therefore +determined not to enter on a topic which might wound the feelings of +Roseline, and could not fail proportionably to distress himself; and as +he would, had it been in his power, have prevented her knowing the +slightest pang of sorrow, to her he resolutely remained silent on a +subject in which his heart was so much interested, as seldom to allow +his thinking on any other. To Albert, indeed, he ventured to make known +his tormenting apprehensions; but, as Albert was now guided by the +direction of Edwin, he only returned such evasive answers to his +questions and complaints, as just served to keep hope from sinking into +absolute despondency. + +Edwin had reposed an unbounded confidence in De Clavering, De Willows, +and Hugh Camelford, in regard to his sister, and without reserve +informed them of his own engagements with Madeline, who had received the +positive commands of her father to enter on the year of her noviciate. +His situation was now become desperate; the crisis had arrived which +admitted of no alternative. He must either give up the connexion, or +make some effort to secure the prize he had taken such unwearied pains +to obtain. His friends promised secresy and assistance in whatever way +he should find it convenient to put their sincerity to the test. He had +likewise separately introduced them into the apartment of the prisoner, +and if, before they saw him, they found themselves disposed to pity and +respect him, they were now actuated by the personal regard they could +not help feeling in his behalf, which his manners and understanding +failed not to inspire in such liberal minds. Hugh Camelford declared +himself ready to tie in his defence, and to encounter a host of tevils +to procure his freedom. + +Preparations were now began, and the day fixed for the wedding. The +marriage ceremony was to be performed in the chapel of the nunnery by +father Anselm, and, as Roseline made no effort to stop or postpone the +proceedings, none but the parties most intimately concerned had an idea +that she felt any reluctance to become a bride. + +Edeliza and Bertha were half wild with joy: they were to be met at the +altar by the abbess, Madeline, and Agnes Clifford; the two latter +intended to officiate as bride-maids with the Miss de Morneys.--To +describe the various feelings of the parties would fill a volume. +Suffice it then to say, that Lady de Morney, far from engaging in the +necessary arrangements with pleasure and alacrity, never looked at the +dejected countenance of her daughter without feeling a severe reproof +from the silent monitor which she, like every other mortal, carried in +her bosom. Sir Philip exulted in having managed matter so cleverly as to +carry his point (a point to which the necessity of his circumstances +reduced him) with less difficulty than he expected, and the Baron, +resting satisfied that no woman in her senses could dislike him, or be +insensible to the advantages that an union with a man of his rank and +character would procure her, determined no longer to encourage either +doubts or fears as to her shyness and reluctant compliance. It might, as +her father had asserted, proceed from her inexperience, her love for her +parents, and her ignorance of the world. In this delusion we must for +the present leave him, in order to return to those for whose happiness +we confess ourselves more interested. + +Roseline, who was obliged to confine her conflicts chiefly to her own +bosom, saw the preparations going forward with that settled and silent +despair, which, at the moment it evinced her fortitude, would have shewn +to those acquainted with the nature of her feelings that every hope was +precluded. + +Edeliza and Bertha were astonished that their sister could see the rich +clothes, and all the paraphernalia of her bridal dress, with such +indifference. The former secretly thought she should not be able to shew +so much composure if she were as soon to give her hand to her favourite +De Willows. + +The passion, which this young beauty had cherished in her innocent +bosom, had "grown with her growth, and strengthened with her strength," +and, lately encouraged to hop meeting an equal return from the +increasing attention of the beloved object, it remained no longer in her +power to conceal her partiality, and De Willows, attached and grateful +for being so flatteringly distinguished, only waited till the marriage +of her sister had taken place to make known his inclinations to Sir +Philip, not less anxious than his lovely enslaver to have his +pretensions authorised by the approbation and consent of her father; but +he was not without his fears that the ambition, which had of late taken +such full possession of the governor's mind, might disapprove his +aspiring to unite himself with a descendant of the De Morneys. + +The day before the marriage was to take place, Roseline made several +attempts to enter the prisoner's apartment without being able to +accomplish her purpose. At length she sent to speak with her brother +Edwin in her chamber, and begged of him never to forsake the dear, the +unhappy Walter, when she should be far distant. She then gave him a +letter to deliver to her unfortunate lover as soon as she had left the +castle. Of Madeline she proposed taking leave in person. On her +brother's affairs she dared not trust herself to converse, confessing +that her own distresses rendered her unable to talk, or even think, of +his being as wretched as herself. + +Edwin in reply said but little; his mind seemed agitated and employed on +something he did not appear inclined to communicate. He readily agreed +to comply with her request to accompany her for the last time to the +apartment of Walter. + +They found the solitary sufferer more composed and more cheerful than +they had seen him for some time; Albert too appeared lively and active. +Roseline was welcomed by her lover in a language far more expressive +than words, and as perfectly understood: his eyes rested on her pallid +and death-like countenance, with a fond, yet chastened delight, which +she thought she had never observed in them before; he took her hand, +pressed it to his lips, and looked up to her with that kind of adoration +which he would have felt in the presence of an angel. He did not seem to +notice the dejection which Roseline every moment expected would have +occasioned some tender inquiries. Edwin began to converse on indifferent +subjects; but the silent anguish he saw his sister vainly endeavouring +to conceal rendered him very unfit for the office he had undertaken. The +lovers were never less inclined to talk. The prisoner had taken the hand +of Roseline on her first entrance, and retained the willing captive +without its making one struggle to regain its freedom, till she was +startled by a tear that fell upon it. + +Nature, how powerful, how all-subduing, is thy simple but prevailing +influence! The tenderest speech could not have said half so much as this +precious and expressive tear.--Till this moment out heroine had +preserved the appearance of fortitude; but now the mask fell to the +ground, and she could no longer keep up the character of heroism she had +assumed. By a kind of convulsive pressure of his hand, he perceived she +noticed his silent agitations, and it acted with the rapidity of +electricity on feelings which he found could no longer be restrained. + +"My dear Walter, (said Roseline, giving him a look that penetrated to +his heart,) why will you thus distress yourself and me? You know not, +you can never know, how dear you are to the ill-fated Roseline de +Morney, whom ere long you will perhaps execrate, and wish you had never +seen; but forbear, in pity forbear to load me with a curse, that would +indeed destroy me." Suddenly recollecting herself, she added,--"Walter +will not be so unjust!--He will pity, pardon, and respect, her, who will +not be able to forgive herself if she make him wretched." + +"Wretched! (exclaimed the agitated lover,)--Can I ever be wretched while +you thus kindly condescend to sooth my sorrows,--thus generously confess +that I am dear to you, and possessed of your heart?--Can it be in the +power of fate to make be otherwise than blest?" + +It was too much. Roseline sunk on the bosom of her lover, and at that +moment secretly wished to breathe her last sigh, and yield up her +spotless life, in those arms which now perhaps for the last time +encircled her. + +The situation of Roseline caused a general alarm. Walter, frantic with +terror, clasped her tenderly to his heart, and called upon her to speak. +It was some time before she recovered, and Edwin, who saw the necessity +of putting an end to an interview so dangerous and painful, in a voice +between jest and earnest, exclaimed, "Indeed, my good friends, I have no +relish for seeing such scenes as these performed, particularly when they +do so little credit to the performers. These high-wrought feelings may +be very fine, but excuse me for saying they are very silly. Recollect, +my dear Walter, that our Roseline advances but slowly in her progress +towards convalesence; therefore, in her present state of weakness, an +interview like this must prove very prejudicial to her recovery." + +"Take her away, (cried Walter,) that I may not become a murderer; only +before we part, let me hear my pardon pronounced." + +He threw himself at the feet of his weeping mistress, who, giving him +her hand, said, with a convulsive sob, "There could be no doubt of +pardon where no offence had been committed." + +Edwin availed himself of this moment as the most favourable to withdraw. +He took the reluctant hand of his sister, and with a gentle compulsion +drew her away, saying, he would not tax his feelings by staying any +longer. + +Roseline, again, and almost unknowing what she did, grasped the hand of +her lover, and, in a voice too low to be perfectly understood, murmured +some tender admonitions, which we doubt not were intelligible to the ear +of love, but, to an indifferent person, they might as well have been +expressed in Arabic. + +Till the door shut Walter from her sight, her eyes were fixed immoveably +upon his face, with such a look of anguish, as may be earlier imagined +than described; and, when she could see him no longer, she thought the +deprivation of life would have been the greatest blessing heaven could +bestow on one so hopeless, and, had it not been for her father's +dreadful threat of destroying himself, she would have thrown herself at +the Baron's feet, and informed him how little she deserved to be his +wife who had bestowed her love upon another. + +Edwin accompanied his sister to her apartment, but had too much +consideration, too much respect for her sorrows, to break in upon +moments sad but precious. Happily however for this amiable unfortunate, +she was not long permitted to indulge her heart-breaking reflections in +solitude.--Her mother and sisters requested her presence to consult her +taste, and hear her opinion on some of the preparations going forwards. + +Sir Philip, from the time he had extorted her unwilling consent, had +carefully avoided another private interview, but had taken every +opportunity of caressing her in the presence of her friends, frequently +making use of various pretences to get the intended bridegroom out, in +order to draw off his attention from Roseline, constantly trembling lest +she should appeal to his generosity, or disgust him with her coldness. + +Prohibited by her father's cruel vow from applying to any one, she had +no alternative but to yield to her destiny, and combat her sorrows, +unconsoled and unsupported, except by her distracted brother, who was +unfortunately nearly as hopeless as herself. Thus environed with misery, +thus entangled in the subtle toils of cruelty and oppression, she was at +times led to think she should be less wretched if her fate were +determined, concluding, from the torturing sensation of her present +feelings, she could not long support them. + +The bustle, hurry, and confusion, which pervaded every department of the +castle, afforded non of its inhabitants much time for reflection or +conversation. Lady de Morney wished to question her daughter, but was +afraid of making the attempt.--She found it difficult however to obey +the mandate of her husband, which, though unnatural and unreasonable, +was absolute; therefore, after some few conflicts with herself, she +thought it better not to contend a point of so much consequence. + +She saw the internal wretchedness of her daughter with the tenderest +regret, and shuddered whenever she remarked her cold and freezing manner +as soon as the Baron approached to pay her those attentions due from a +lover. She took every opportunity of giving her approbation of her +conduct, and by a thousand nameless proofs of tenderness shewed a +commiserating sympathy, which did not pass unobserved by Roseline, who, +thought she received these marks of affections in silence, determined to +avail herself of her mother's tenderness by endeavouring to interest her +in favour of the man to whom she had given her heart. + +The dreaded morning came, but it came enveloped in a gloom which exactly +corresponded with the feelings, spirits, and prospects, of the mourning +bride. The sun arose invisible to mortal sight, as if unwilling to +witness a deed his brightest rays could not enliven. Dark lowering +clouds threatened to touch the turrets of the castle. The rain descended +in torrents. It appeared to the disconsolate Roseline that the very +heavens wept in pity to her sorrows; the thought was romantic, but it +was consoling. + +Melancholy, and even madness itself, are said to have their pleasures, +and the most wretched sometimes steal comfort from the delusions of +imagination. Happy is it that such resources are found to sweeten the +bitter draught so many are compelled to drink!-- + +Roseline submitted to be dressed as the taste of her attendants chose to +direct. She was silent and passive, and made no remarks on the elegance +of her attire, or the brilliancy of the ornaments with which she was +decorated. When summoned to breakfast she attempted no delay, and on her +entrance was met by the Baron, who addressed her in a very tender and +respectful speech, as he gallantly led her to her seat. She would have +assumed a smile had she been able to command her features. She would +have said something, but speech was denied. Indeed, non of the company +appeared in a humour to converse. Lady de Morney was sad and sick at +heart, and Sir Philip himself, in the very moment he saw the +gratification of his wishes in so fair a train to be realized, felt +neither satisfied nor happy. + + + + +CHAP. IV. + + +A message arrived from father Anselm to say he was ready, and waiting +their pleasure in the chapel of the nunnery. The carriages were instantly +order to the door. Roseline, more dead than alive, was handed into the +first, and followed by her mother and two sisters. The Baron was +accompanied by Sir Philip and Edwin in the second. They soon arrived at +the chapel, and were met there by the abbess, Madeline, and Agnes de +Clifford. Several of the friars and monks also attended. After stopping +a few moments to pay and received the proper compliments, the Baron took +the trembling hand of his intended bride, and led her to the alter. +Father Anselm opened his book, and began the awful ceremony, when the +whole party were thrown into the utmost consternation by the door, which +led from the subterranean passage to the castle, being suddenly burst +open, and Walter, with a drawn sword in his hand, his eyes flashing +fire, followed by Albert, instantly rushed up to the altar, and, calling +to father Anselm in a tone of frenzy, bade him desist or proceed at +his peril. + +"The hand of Roseline (he cried) is mine, and mine only! I come to claim +my affianced bride, and accursed be the wretch who shall attempt to +wrest her from me!" + +The Baron sunk down, exclaiming,--"Again that dreadful spectre!--Save +me, save me, from it!" + +The book dropped from the hands of the venerable priest, and the +terrified and astonished Roseline fainted in the arms of her mother, +while the countenance of every one assembled was marked with surprise +and consternation, but the attitude, the expressive face of Walter, as +he stood gazing on the party, caught every eye, and excited universal +admiration. His dress was scarlet, richly laced: in his hat he wore a +plume of white feathers, fastened by a clasp of diamonds, his tall +elegant form and fine turned limbs presenting a subject for the +statuary, which few could copy in a stile that would have done justice +to the original. + +Roseline for some minutes remained in a state of total insensibility, +but the Baron soon recovered sufficient recollection to look around him; +his eyes were again fixed on the prisoner with a look rather of +tenderness than displeasure. + +"Tell me, youth, (he cried,) whence comest thou?--to whom dost thou +belong? Those features are as familiar to my astonished sight as they +were once deeply engraved on my heart. Hadst thou worn any other +countenance but that of my once-loved Isabella, my sword ere now should +have taught thee to respect those sacred rites thou hast so rudely +interrupted, but that is the shield which still protects thee, and by +some invisible influence withholds my arm from punishing thy daring +intrusion. + +"Then hesitate no longer, my lord, to execute your proposed +vengeance!--(said Walter, gracefully bending one knee to the ground, and +baring his bosom, as if to receive the uplifted sword of the +Baron.)--Roseline is mine, and were there ten thousand swords ready to +pierce my bosom, I would thus publicly proclaim my right." + +"How!--what is the meaning of all this? (said the Baron, looking with +indignation at the astonished Sir Philip;)--truth appears to dwell on +the tongue of this youthful stranger.--But why have I been thus grossly +deceived?--why brought into this sacred place to be made a fool of by a +boy and a girl?" + +"You must inquire of that same boy, (replied his friend,) of whose very +honourable pretensions I never heard till this moment. Why do you +hesitate, my lord?--why vent your rage on me, when it would be more +justly and properly employed in punishing a madman who has dared to +dispute your claim to the hand of my daughter?" + +"His countenance still protects him, (said the Baron.)--Order some of +your people to take the youth into safe custody till this matter can be +investigated." + +Father Anselm now inquired if he might go on with the ceremony. + +"Not till I have been heard, (cried Walter,) though you tear me piece-meal, +shall you proceed!" + +Roseline had recovered, but she was still surrounded by her female +friends. The voice of Walter operated like a charm. She gently raised +her eyes to his face, and begged he would be patient; then, addressing +her father, entreated he would not permit any one to hurt him: "I, and I +alone, (said the generous maid,) ought to suffer.--My dear Walter, +(cried she,) contend no longer for me: think not of risking a life which +is too precious to be so madly thrown away. Let every circumstance which +led to the painful occurrences of this morning be openly and candidly +explained, and let us rest our cause on the justice and humanity of the +Baron, father Anselm, and Sir Philip de Morney. I wish not to make my +appeal before any other tribunal." + +The Baron, who now for the first time discovered Albert among the crowd, +(for the contest had brought all the inhabitants of the nunnery into the +chapel,) started as if he had seen a spectre. He became more agitated +than before, and requested they might return to the castle, than an +investigation of this strange business might instantly take place, for +his own heart informed him there was some awful mystery to be explained. + +Albert approached him: "My lord, (said he,) till this moment I have +supposed you cruel, unjust, and unfeeling: my heart reproaches me for my +injustice. I begin to see through the cloud which has too long enveloped +me. I suspect we have been equally deceived,--alike the dupes of +artifice and guilt." + +"Art thou not Albert? (exclaimed the Baron,)--the confidential servant +of the Lady Blanch, and the favourite of her brother?" + +"I am the same unfortunate person, my lord, (replied Albert;) and am not +only ready to account for my being here, but to give you all the +intelligence in my power respecting some very interesting circumstances +with which till this moment I never supposed you unacquainted. My dear +sir, (said he, turning to his agitated master,) endeavour to be more +composed:" for the countenance of Walter was too faithful an index to +his mind to enable him to conceal the conflicting passions which +tortured his bosom, and, while his attention was divided in observing +the Baron and Roseline, he seemed sinking beneath his own agonizing +emotions. + +Father Anselm, the lady abbess, and two bride-maids, were requested to +return with the party to the castle. A guard was ordered to take charge +of Walter and his servant, but he informed them the order might be +countermanded; for, being a prisoner, he had requested three gentlemen +from the castle to attend him, lest he should subject himself to the +suspicion of designing to escape. + +De Clavering, De Willows, and Camelford, were now summoned from the +passage, where they had impatiently waited to see how this strange and +unaccountable business would terminate. This occasioned further surprise +to Sir Philip, who restrained his rising displeasure with only desiring +them to take charge of the gentleman they had chosen to escort, and to +be ready to appear when called upon. + +Before Walter left the chapel, he approached the Baron, and presented +him his sword. "To you, my lord, (said he,) I am impelled to yield a +weapon which never yet was stained with human blood, and at this moment +I feel grateful joy that it was not aimed against your life. Most +ardently do I desire to prove myself deserving of your friendship, and +worthy of your esteem." + +The Baron returned his sword, and requested him to wear it. "You have +already obtained your wish, (said he, smiling,) and that I must confess +against my inclination; but there is something about you speaks a +language I find difficult to explain, and cannot comprehend." + +Every countenance was brightened up with hope and expectation at this +reply of the Baron, except that of Sir Philip de Morney. Even the cold +and frigid father Anselm, who, in his long seclusion from the world, +had, as it may naturally be supposed, lost many of those generous and +tender feelings which a more unrestrained intercourse with his +fellow-creatures would have helped to cherish, seemed animated and +enlivened. It was agreed that Walter and his friends, accompanied by +Edwin, should return the same way as they had entered, and the rest of +the party be conveyed in the carriages.--After proper apologies being +made to father Anselm, and some of his brethren, for the unnecessary +trouble they had so undesignedly occasioned, they returned to the +castle,--with what different feelings than those they carried with them +to the chapel I must leave my readers to imagine. + +No sooner were the party assembled in the drawing-room, than the Baron +requested that the young man and his servant might be summoned to give +some account of themselves, and explain their motive for their daring +and unprecedented proceedings; at the same time, observing in the +countenance of Sir Philip de Morney indignation, resentment, and +disappointment, he addressed him in the following words. + +"I should not, Sir Philip, presume to take the liberty I have now done, +did I not, from the nature of our intended connexion, consider myself as +authorised to act in this castle as if I were in my own. I am afraid +some very dark transactions have been carried on which it is necessary +should be investigated, and be brought to light. A mysterious cloud +hangs over us, which I am impatient to disperse. Woe be to that man who +has assisted to deceive me!" + +"If you doubt my honour in what has passed between us, (retorted Sir +Philip,) you do me injustice, and I shall, at any time and in any place, +be ready to meet you upon whatever terms you please. If my daughter has +deceived me,--if she has dared to encourage the hopes of an +adventurer,--a maniac,--a traitor,--let her remember that her crime will +not be her only punishment, nor will the sacrifice of her father's life +be a sufficient atonement for the disgrace and dishonour she has +entailed on the name of De Morney." + +Roseline burst into tears, in which she was joined by every one of her +female companions, who trembled lest some dreadful catastrophe should +close the heart-rending scenes of this eventful morning. + +"It may be happy for us both, (said the no longer haughty Baron, whose +complicated feelings had produced an instantaneous revolution among his +contending passions,) that at this moment I do not find myself inclined +to engage in any farther hostilities, till I am better satisfied the +affront and disappointment were intended for me. If I have been meanly +and wilfully deceived, my sword shall revenge me upon those, and those +only, who are found guilty, and dearly shall they atone for the +injustice they have practised; therefore, till matters are cleared up, I +am content to be silent on a subject which, I hesitate not to declare, +appears to me inexplicable." + +Roseline, who would have given the world to have obtained permission to +retire during the awful investigation which was going to take place, +dared not make an attempt to withdraw, as she saw by the eyes of her +father his rage and indignation were only kept from breaking out by the +determined manner and authoritative tone of the Baron, who did not +appear in a humour, notwithstanding his language spoke the spirit of +peace and candour, to put up with any contradiction. Again he expressed +the most restless impatience to be confronted with the parties, who had +so unaccountably deprived him of his young bride, by stopping the +marriage-ceremony. + +In a few moments the painful suspense was ended by the eager and +intrepid entrance of Walter, the three companions of his enterprise, and +his humble friend: they were desired to be seated. Walter and Albert, +however, continued standing, requesting they might be permitted to do +so, till they should be acquitted or condemned. The Baron instantly +called upon Albert to perform his promise, and, if he were really the +honest man he pretended to be, to step forwards, and without fear or +prevarication, before the present party, inform them who it was he +acknowledged as his master, and prove the justice of those claims which +he had made to the hand of his elected bride, and what were his +inducements for the preventing of a marriage, sanctioned by the lady's +own consent, and the unequivocal approbation of her parents." + +"I am happy, my lord, (replied Albert, in a firm, manly, and +unembarrassed, tone of voice,) to be thus generously and publicly called +upon. Unpractised in either guilt or deceit, and having nothing to fear +from my own self-reproaches, I hail this moment, awful as I own it +appears, as by far the happiest of my life. But, before we proceed any +farther in this important business, I must entreat your lordship to +perform an act of tender and atoning justice, for which I trust you will +find an approving advocate in your own heart, and require little farther +testimony than the receipt carried in a countenance which you have +already confessed has stamped its validity upon every tender feeling of +your soul. + +"My dear, dear sir, (continued he, addressing himself to the trembling +Walter,) throw yourself at the feet of the noble Baron; for, as sure as +you now live to claim that distinguished honour, you are his son, his +only lawful heir!--the darling offspring of the Lady Isabella +Fitzosbourne, who, to give you life, yielded up her own." + +Walter in an instant was at the feet of the Baron, and in another the +interested and astonished party saw them locked in each other's arms, at +the same moment the agitated Roseline sunk into those of her mother. In +a little time every one became more composed, and the Baron, resolutely +struggling to acquire a greater degree of firmness in order to obtain +farther information, exclaimed, in a tone of voice that evinced the +nature of his feelings, "You are, you must be my son!--Nature, at first +sight of you, asserted her just, her powerful claims: yes, you are the +precious gift of my sainted Isabella,--the only pledge of a love that +was pure and gentle as her own heart and mind! but how, where, by what +cruel policy and unfeeling hand have you thus long been concealed from +my sight?--how prevented from enjoying the advantages of your +birth-right, while I was tortured with the belief that death had robbed +my of my son?" + +"Of all these matters, my lord, Albert can fully inform you, (said +Walter.) He is much better able to explain them than I can possibly be, +who till this hour did not know I should ever be folded in a father's +arms; yet to me Albert has been a father, a friend, and a guardian. For +my sake he has voluntarily buried himself for years in the gloomy and +narrow confines of a dungeon; for my sake suffered the punishment of the +most atrocious offender without being guilty of a single crime. If you +therefore condescend to love and acknowledge me for a son, you will feel +for him the affection of a brother. To you, my lord, I am indebted for +life,--to this, my second father, I owe its preservation." + +"Generous man! (cried the enraptured Baron, who was charmed at hearing +the noble sentiments of his son,) come to my arms, and command my power +to serve you!" + +Albert would have knelt at his feet, but was prevented by a warm embrace +from putting his design in execution. Walter was now seated by the side +of his happy father, who, observing that his eye wandered in search of +something, with anxious tenderness, soon guessed the cause, and, +instantly rising from his chair, took his hand, and led him to the +weeping Roseline, who, smiling through her tears, instantly proved how +warmly she participated in the happiness. Walter, though the +acknowledged son of Baron Fitzosbourne, was still a son of nature: he +sunk at her feet, and in the unadulterated language of rapture and +affection, exclaimed.--"For a moment like this, who is there would not +suffer years of anguish! Look down, my gentle friend, my benefactress +and protecting angel,--my first, my last, and only love, and let me in +your smiles find a confirmation of my bliss! Let them convince me that +all I see and hear is real; for I am almost tempted to think it must +be the effects of enchantment, of the delusions of a distempered +imagination." + +Roseline, no longer awed by the presence of her father, no longer able +to conceal the joy which revelled in her bosom, gave him her hand, which +he instantly conveyed to his lips. Albert, who carefully watched every +change in the countenance of his beloved master, trembled for the +consequence of such new and high-wrought feelings, lest they should be +attended with danger to a mind which had so recently been sunk in a +state of the lowest dejection. With the approbation of the party, who +saw the necessity of the design, he prevailed upon him to retire for a +few minutes, in order to acquire sufficient fortitude to hear his own +story recited with composure. This request being seconded by his father +and Roseline, he immediately complied, leaving the company so much +charmed with the whole of his behaviour, through the interesting scene +we have described, and so captivated with his figure, good sense, and +sweetness of manners, that surprise was lost in admiration. As soon as +the two friends had withdrawn, (for, if ever any one deserved the name +of friend, that title belonged to the worthy Albert,) Sir Philip de +Morney approached the Baron, and with some little embarrassment +congratulated him on the wonderful discovery which had so recently and +unexpectedly taken place.--He then entered on his own defence, with the +candour and ease of one, who, if he had erred, it proceeded from +ignorance. + +"That I have undesignedly been made an agent in the diabolical injustice +practised against your son, by keeping him confined in this castle, I +beg your lordship's pardon, and entreat you would use your influence to +procure the forgiveness of him whom I have innocently injured. He was +brought to this place under a fictitious name, and, with the false +pretence of being at times deranged in his intellects, I was told he was +the illegitimate offspring of a person inimical to the plans of +government, and easily wrought upon by his associates to enter into any +scheme which the enemies of his country might throw in his way; at the +same time it was asserted that he was particularly disliked by a great +person in high office. All that was required of me was to keep him and +his servant in close confinement,--to suffer on one to see or converse +with them, and to convey no letters nor messages beyond the walls of the +castle. This request came from one with whom I looked upon as a +respectable character. He had previously obtained permission of the +noble owner of the castle for the use of its dungeons, but who, as well +as myself, must have been led into the practice of so glaring a piece of +tyranny by the designs and misrepresentations of those whose interest +led them to keep your lordship in ignorance of your son's being alive. +In justice I ought to inform you, that I was ordered to supply them +liberally with every necessary accommodation the nature of their +situation would admit, and was not restricted, if I found them quiet and +submissive, from allowing them some occasional indulgences. I take shame +to myself when I own, that, after I had seen them safely lodged in their +dungeon, and had forbidden any one attempting to go near or hold +conversation with them, I never visited them more than once, concluding +they were two dangerous and worthless people, who were receiving the +reward of their base actions, and contenting myself with only making +such inquiries as the duties of my situation imposed. Indeed I thought +very little about them, and waited with composure for the farther +explanation promised by my friend, when we met to settle the accounts +for their board, &c. How the youthful prisoner became acquainted with my +daughter, or by what means he obtained an introduction to her, I am to +this moment totally ignorant." + +"If it can be as well accounted for (said father Anselm) who for some +time had remained silent with surprise,) as you have accounted for the +part you were prevailed upon to act, I think the most rigid judge will +find but little to condemn." + +"I have no fears (replied the Baron) but their actions will stand quite +as clear; the sparkling eyes of my affianced bride are at this moment +telling tales of their own beguiling influence, and testifying by their +intelligent language that I am right in my conjectures. No wonder, as +she conquered the father, she should have wounded, and rendered the son +doubly at captive: but here comes the fortunate culprit. Let us hear his +defence before we venture to pronounce whether he is entitled to +forgiveness and an honourable acquittal, or merits condemnation for +daring to fall in love while sentenced to languish in a dungeon." + +Roseline, having now shaken off that languor and despondency which for +so many days had depressed the generous and active feelings of the +gentlest of human minds, impelled by justice and the unbounded affection +she had long felt for Walter, exclaimed, "If every virtue merits reward, +if every good and engaging quality be entitled to happiness, your son, +my lord, will be the happiest of men; for, to the long list of virtues +he inherits from his noble ancestors, you will find added all the +bounteous gifts which nature could bestow on her most distinguished +favourite." + +This artless eulogium was not made without a blush, and the rose which +blossomed on her cheek gave to her face an expression which, in the eyes +of the Baron, exceeded that of the most perfect beauty. Walter, followed +by Albert, now returned into the room. + +"Come here, young man, (said his father, in a tone of gratified +affection,) come and prove yourself worthy of the character I have heard +given of you by a very lovely historian. Sit down by me, and endeavour +to keep your mind free from agitation, and your spirits composed, while +our friend Albert gives us the promised narration, which is to establish +your claim to my name as firmly as your merits and conduct have already +done to my regard; for, though you played me a sly and mortifying trick +before I had the happiness of knowing you, I find in myself little +inclination to resent it. Take notice, however, that perhaps I shall not +be quite so favourably inclined to execute any deviations in future, +should a certain young lady be in the case." This was spoken in a tone +that proved the Baron was far from being dissatisfied at having found a +rival, so long as he had gained a son. + +General congratulations now took place, and the merry, good-humoured +Hugh Camelford, after jumping up and cutting a few capers in the true +stile of Cambrian hilarity, declared he could dance a fandango with his +cranmother; or the toctor, round the topmost pattlements of Pungay +Castle, for he never lifed a happier moment since he was porn. Every eye +spoke the same language, and De Clavering said, though he dreaded the +oyster-shell devilifications of a woman's mind, he had a pretty widow in +his eye, whom he should entreat to take care of him for life. Sir +Philip, with a smile, whispered Lady de Morney, telling her, he thought +after all women catered to best for themselves in the choice of their +husbands: for, prejudice out of the question, the Baron's son was +certainly the finest young man he had ever seen.--As all the party were +impatient to hear the tale Albert had to communicate, he was requested +to begin, which he did in the following manner. + + + + +CHAP. V. + + +"You cannot but recollect, my lord, (addressing himself to the Baron,) +that, when you married the Lady Blanch, I came into your family. I had +been brought up in her father's house, and from a boy was appointed to +attend her person, no one being allowed to command or employ me without +her permission. When all preliminaries were settled for your marriage +with my lady, I was informed that I was still to have the honour of +attending her; a favour so great, and voluntarily conferred, rendered me +not a little vain. You soon after married, and I became a resident in +your family: my lady still distinguishing me with her approbation, made +me grateful and happy, and, though I was frequently reproached by my +fellow-servants, with ill-humour and acrimony, for being so great a +favourite, I endeavoured all in my power to convince them, I wished not +to deprive them of any advantages they had enjoyed before I came among +them, and this in a little time made them more reconciled and obliging. + +My dear young master was then in his infancy, and my place not being one +of the busiest, I had many hours of leisure, which I was allowed to +dispose of as suited my inclination: these hours I chiefly spent in the +nursery, and, being remarkably fond of children, I soon became so +strongly attached to the young lord, that I often regretted the +necessity of leaving him, which I was sometimes obliged to do for weeks +and months together, either when your lordship took my lady to town, +paid visits to your friends, or went to any other of your estates; and +once, if you recollect, you were absent a long time, when you carried my +lady to Montpellier, whose declining health led you to adopt this plan +for her recovery, which the physicians said would perfectly restore that +bloom a slow and nervous fever had stolen from her, and alarmed every +friend who saw the ravages sickness had made in a countenance formed to +captivate.--Ah! that unfortunate excursion!--I have wished with an +aching heart a thousand and a thousand times it had never been made. + +During our absence my lady lost her fever, and gave birth to a son, who +very soon engrossed so much of her time and affection, that your +lordship had just reason to complain of the change it produced. There +was another change which you did not so soon discover. + +During our residence among a parcel of jabbering foreigners, my lady +learned to despise the blessed manners and customs of her native +country, and all those feelings which once made her so charming. We must +eat, drink, sleep, dress, and do every thing after the French fashion. I +was often reproved for retaining more than any of my fellow-servants my +clumsy English manners. She frequently expressed her satisfaction that +her son first saw the light on the Gallic shore, where, if she could +have persuaded your lordship, she would have continued to reside. + +After an absence of eighteen months, which appeared to me the length of +as many years, we returned to England, and found my young lord just +recovered from the small-pox, of a very bad sort, which had so much +altered him, that my lady believed, or rather affected to believe, that +your son had been changed during our absence, or that he might have +died, and some designing artful people had imposed their own offspring +upon you, to usurp his rights, and rob her little darling of his title +and estate. The boy she found in your castle could not be the sweet +creature she left:--_he_ was beautiful and finely formed;--_this_ was +ugly to a degree, robust, clumsy, and half an ideot. + +I know not what arts were used to make your lordship give any credit to +so fallacious and improbable a tale; but I observed, with unfeigned +regret, from that time your affection was continually decreasing, till +at last your son was seldom admitted to your presence, and never +indulged with those fond caresses which, previous to your departure from +England, were frequently and tenderly repeated. He was generally +dismissed with the epithets of beggar's brat, foundling, and ideot." + +"I feel deep contrition for yielding belief to such infernal tales, +(said the Baron,)--for being so long the dupe and tool of a designing +malicious woman, and neglecting the son of the most amiable and best of +wives. Ah! my Isabella! if you are permitted to look down on this lower +world,--if you are acquainted with the conduct of him to whom you +entrusted your virgin-heart, and made the chosen lord of your destiny, +how must you despise and detest the mean, the forgetful wretch, who +deserted the sacred, the precious charge you so tenderly committed to +his care! May my future penitence atone for the cruelty of my past +conduct, and my sainted Isabella intercede with her Creator for pardon +and forgiveness! Then may Fitzosbourne hope her spirit will in the grave +find a place of rest. No wonder my crimes have robbed her even of that +asylum." + +The tears of remorse stole down the Baron's cheeks, and he gave Walter a +look of tender regret, that said as much as volumes could have done. + +"I know to what your lordship alludes, (said Walter,) and I am happy +that it is in my power to remove a tormenting delusion from your mind, +which, all circumstances considered, I cannot be surprised, made so +forcible an impression on it. The striking likeness which I bear to my +ever-regretted mother had often been remarked to me by Albert, and was +undoubtedly designed to be the means of restoring me a father. + +Every one being impatient to hear the remainder of the prisoner's story, +the explanation was deferred, and Albert went on. + +"Before my young lord had recovered his former complexion, or his +features began to reassume some traits of what they had been, till +attacked and disguised by that baneful distemper, so often the grave of +beauty,--the enemy of love, I was one day summoned into my lady's +dressing-room. After desiring me to shut the door, and take care our +conversation was not overheard, she bade me sit down; I obeyed +reluctantly, as I never before had been allowed the honour of sitting in +her presence. She then inquired if I were in reality as much attached to +her as I had frequently pretended to be, and whether, if she should have +occasion to place a confidence in me, and require my assistance, she +might trust to my fidelity? + +"As to your life, my good Albert, (cried her ladyship, rising, and +putting her purse and picture into my hand, which she compelled me to +take,) I hope that will long be preserved to do me service. The request +I shall make will neither involve you in difficulties not danger; and if +you faithfully perform what will be asked of you, rely upon my word, it +will not only free you from labour and servitude, but be a certain means +of procuring you a comfortable independence for the rest of your +life,--an income that will enable you to marry the woman you love, with +whom you may live to see yourself surrounded with a numerous offspring. +(The picture was drawn in the most flattering colours,--the back ground +was no quite so pleasing.)--But you must, to obtain my good opinion, and +secure to yourself those enviable comforts, (continued her ladyship,) +unconditionally and without knowing the nature of the service required +of you, take a solemn and sacred oath never to betray, by thought, word +or deed, the confidence reposed in you. I will give you three days to +consider of my proposal, and at the end of that time shall expect your +answer." + +"I was now ordered to withdraw, which I immediately did, in a state of +mind not to be imagined. What could my lady mean?--what was the business +in which I was to be employed that demanded the solemn prelude of an +oath? Oaths were sacred things; they were not to be trifled with, and +were thought necessary only on the most important occasions. I next +recollected that I had known my lady from a child: she had ever been my +friend, had frequently given me good advice, and was religious, +generous, and charitable. It could not therefore be any wicked or unjust +action she wanted me to accomplish; _that_ was contrary to her nature. +What then had I to fear from taking an oath which could do no one any +harm, and might make my fortune? Independence was promised me. I was +young, sanguine, and aspiring, yet I had never dared to hope being +placed in a situation above that I at present enjoyed. The lure was +thrown out by a hand I could not resist, and I was caught by the +tempting bait, which I swallowed to the destruction of my own peace." + +"But, by your fortunately having done so, (exclaimed Walter,) my life +was repeatedly preserved to enjoy the present moment of exquisite +happiness and soul-enlivening hope."--He fixed his eyes tenderly on the +blushing Roseline, as he uttered this affecting exclamation. + +"When the appointed time was expired, (continued Albert,) I was admitted +to a second conference with my lady, and without making any terms, +being, as I thought, well assured I might safely rely on her virtue and +rectitude as trust to her generosity, I took the oath, which was tended +to me by father Paul, her confessor and domestic chaplain, to obey such +orders as were given me with secresy and fidelity, for which I was to +receive in quarterly payments eighty pounds a year, and to have clothes, +board, and every other necessary, allowed me.--Father Paul bore the +character of a just and pious man; therefore, had I retained any +reluctance, receiving the oath from so sacred and important a personage +would have rendered any doubts an unpardonable offence against our holy +church. In compliance with my earnest request to be informed what was +expected to be done by me, and when I was to enter on my task, father +Paul himself, after some little hesitation, opened the business. + +"Her ladyship (he said) was convinced, and he was of the same opinion, +that the child, (meaning my young lord,) which passed for the son of the +worthy and unsuspicious Baron, was in all probability the spurious +offspring of some low-born peasant, the fruit of an illicit and illegal +amour, imposed upon the noble family, for base and artful purposes, by +some designing wretch, after the death of the lawful heir, which, by +some very wonderful means, has so far been brought to light as to +confirm the fact. This child was so totally different from that left in +England, it could not possibly be the same. He was beautiful, sensible, +lively, and active; this was an ugly brat, dull, and stupid, and as much +the child of King Solomon as of the Baron.--It was become necessary for +the honour and comfort of the family to send it away: it was to be +removed into some distant and healthy country for change of air, and +placed with a country woman to be nursed. After he had been absent a few +months, I was to withdraw myself from the Baron's service, take the boy +from his ignorant nurse, and accompany him to whatever place I should be +directed. Till he came to a certain age, I was to have the occasional +assistance of a female in rearing him up, and was desired to do all I +could for the poor stupid creature, who, to be sure, in the eyes of +impartial justice, had not yet been guilty of a crime; but, to prevent +his being so, by monopolizing the rights of another, this plan was +adopted. + +"I was next commanded never to presume to give the most distant hint +either to himself or any one else, that he had ever been suspected, or +even thought of consequence,--never to mention the name of Fitzosbourne +to him, or to say that he or myself had resided in the family. When he +arrived at the age of fifteen, I might, if I were so inclined, give up +my task, and should have proper security for receiving my salary during +the rest of my life, even if the boy should luckily die before the age +fixed upon to release me from my engagements. If I chose the trouble, I +might teach him to read and write; but it was a matter of little +consequence:--the less such people knew, the better.--ignorance to them +was happiness, and knowledge only a burthen, of which it was better not +to be possessed. + +"I had been unwarily drawn into the snare from which I now wanted +judgement, courage, resolution, to disentangle myself. The influence and +unbounded power my lady ever held over me,--her consequence, and my +humble station, arose to my terrified imagination, and I dared not +venture to expostulate against a plan sanctioned by the Lady Blanch, and +approved by father Paul, with whom it was equally dangerous to contend. + +"Of the identity of the young lord I never cherished a doubt; and, if I +had, the restoration of his sweet features to their former beauty and +expression, which was now beginning to take place, would have banished +them as soon as they arose; yet the fear of offending kept me silent: +the oath I had taken hung over me with terror;--every struggle I made +with conscience was over-ruled by worldly motives. I would not be +perjured, but I consented to be ten times worse. Alas! I little +suspected, when I took that sacred, yet unhallowed oath, that I was +sentencing myself and a helpless innocent to years of hopeless +imprisonment,--to a kind of living death, and burthening my conscience +with the heavy crime of being the vile agent in assisting to rob the +best, the most amiable of all God's creatures of his title, a noble +estate, and even of that freedom which the poorest of his father's +vassals enjoyed." + +"Dear Albert, (cried Walter,) do not abuse yourself so unjustly: +represent not your actions in colours that do not belong to them. If I +suffered, you did the same; the barbarous hands which robbed me of +liberty, and the all-cheering light of heaven, deprived you also of +your's. Had it not been for your unremitting and watchful care, your +more than parental tenderness, I had long ere now been numbered with the +dead, and my existence and injuries lost in eternal oblivion." + +"My noble boy, (exclaimed the Baron,) there spoke the soul of your +angelic mother! Just so would she have shewn her grateful sense of +benefits received.--Go on, my friend, regard not the feelings you +excite; they are due to the sufferings of this injured youth, and to the +virtues of his generous guardian and protector." + +Albert proceeded.--"A plan so deeply laid and artfully contrived, +supported by such authority and power, succeeded but too well. I was, in +due time, form, and order, dismissed from your lordship's castle, and +very soon the precious charge was delivered into the hands of the +villain who had been aiding and abetting his ruin; but the degrading, +self-reproving feelings, the horrid conflicts I endured, in the moment +when the innocent victim ran joyfully into the arms of the Judas who had +betrayed him, shouting, jumping, and skipping with pleasure, to think I +was come to live with him, and be his nurse, were such as I would not +have encountered for ten thousand worlds, could I have foretold the +scorpion stings with which I found them armed at all points. It was +judged necessary that we should speedily remove from the house of the +poor, ignorant woman to whom my young lord had been entrusted, and under +whose fostering and maternal care he had entirely recovered his looks, +and found more happiness than in the habitation of greatness. I took +care she should not go unrewarded for her kindness, and received at the +expected time my instructions for our removal. + +"After a long and tiresome journey, we arrived at an old ruinated +castle, on the boarders of ----, and there I found a woman, who was +appointed to assist me in the care of my important charge. We had a +small, gloomy, and inconvenient apartment appropriated to our use; our +table was tolerably well supplied: we had plenty of what the country +afforded, were never denied any addition I requested should be made to +our wardrobe, and at times books and toys were sent unsolicited; my +salary was likewise punctually remitted me. + +"Here we lingered away some time, and were afterwards removed to two +places before we were brought hither, owing I suppose to some +circumstance that rendered our removal necessary, for the better +secreting of our persons. Long before the time expired in which my +engagement was to end, and I should be authorised to demand my freedom +and continued award, I found myself so strongly attached to my young +lord, felt such pity for his situation, and such corroding regret at +having lent my assistance to his cruel prosecutors, I could not support +the most distant idea of forsaking him, and would have suffered torture +rather than have left him in a state so desolate and unprotected. + +"I hinted in my letters, that, if any attempts were made to separate me +from my beloved charge, I should consider the oath which had hitherto +kept me faithful to their secret as no longer binding. I heard by +chance of the death of Lady Blanch, but never till very lately that she +had lost her son. I for some months cherished hopes that her death would +procure our liberty, and release me from my oath, but I was soon given +to understand, that to her brother she had discovered the secret; that, +in future, our remittances were to be sent by his order, and we were to +be guided by his direction. + +Finding things thus settled and arranged, after we had lived so many +years in confinement, I concluded that the whole plan had been contrived +and executed with your lordship's consent, and no longer doubted but it +was your wish that the son of the Lady Blanch should inherit your titles +and estates." + +"Good God! (exclaimed the Baron,) how awful and mysterious are they +dealings with us erring mortals! I was told, and supposed the tale was +true, that my poor boy died suddenly, in a few months after he was sent +from the castle, on the pretence that change of air was necessary. I +gave orders for his interment in our family-vault, went into mourning, +and knew not till this ever blessed day that a son of mine +existed.--Unhappy, mistaken, guilty Blanch!--the untimely fate of thy +darling boy is now fully and solemnly accounted for! It was doubtless +the just judgement of heaven for thy unpardonable crimes in depriving +the son of my Isabella first of his father's love, and then of his +protection. The agonies of thy dying moments are now explained: they +were the direful effects of unavailing contrition; for, when thou +wouldst have relieved thy mind of its heavy burthen, speech was denied +thee: I hope thy anguish, in those moments of terror, have in part +atoned for they unheard of cruelty. + +"Father Paul has found a shelter in the grave from my resentment; but +the man, I will not call him brother, who must have been tempted to take +an active part in this iniquitous business, in the hopes of obtaining +some of my fortune for his children, still lives to feel my anger. What +could induce one of his exalted rank to persecute and rob the innocent, +if from his sufferings and seclusion he had not expected to reap +considerable benefit!" + +"Perhaps the fear of punishment and exposure might prompt them to +continue the deception, (said Albert;) what occasioned our removal to +this castle I could never learn; it was sudden, and conducted with +secresy and caution, for we were guarded as if we had been prisoners of +state, owing, I presume, to some attack being made, or meditated, +against the castle we left; but, whatever was the cause, we had reason +to be thankful for the change it produced, as we had more liberty, and +better accommodation, than we had experienced in any other prison." + +"I shall ever reproach myself, (said Sir Philip,) for having been led +into an act of such unpardonable oppression, for which I can never stand +excused to my own heart. I trusted too implicitly to the account which +was given me, not doubting the honour or veracity of the parties +concerned. I must now entreat, the worthy narrator would proceed with +his story, for I own I am very impatient to know how the son of my +friend obtained an introduction to my daughter." + +"I trust, my father and indulgent friends will excuse my absence, (said +Roseline,) during a recital, that, in my present agitated state of mind, +would be too much for me to support." + +"No, no, no!" was echoed from every part of the room. Walter, rising, +and seating himself by the side of Roseline, whispered something in her +ear that instantly reconciled her to a compliance with the general +request of the company. + +Albert then proceeded, and gave an account of their first interesting +interview, and of the dangerous state to which long confinement and a +slow fever had reduced his master. He dwelt with delight on the tender +attentions of the charming Roseline to the poor, forlorn, helpless, and +dying prisoner; described her unremitting care, and mentioned with what +joy he marked their growing affection, which was soon visible to all the +parties but those most interested.--The friendship of Edwin was not +forgotten, nor were the polite and sisterly attentions of the gentle +Madeline passed over in silence. Nothing was omitted in the narrative +but the Baron's fright in the subterranean passage, and that for reasons +which will hereafter appear, he dared not venture to explain. + +"Your alarm, my lord, (continued Albert,) on the night the ball was +given by Sir Philip de Morney, and which occasioned so much bustle and +confusion, originated from a cause more natural than you, misled by +terror, could suppose. To explain things in their proper order, we must +go back to the day previous to that of the ball. + +"Miss De Morney and her brother had informed my master of what was +intended; in consequence of this intelligence, he became more restless +and wretched than I had ever seen him, and felt the miseries of his +situation so severely, that I trembled for the consequence so irritable +a state of mind might produce on a constitution sufficiently injured +already by the unsparing rigours of oppression and confinement. I +therefore, without giving him a hint of my intention, formed a plan in +my own mind to relieve his sufferings, little suspecting the surprising +and happy effects of which it would be productive, or once supposing, +that, in his successful rival, I should see Baron Fitzosbourne.--Never +was I so puzzled as in the moment I made that discovery, to conceal the +feelings by which it was attended, from giving any alarm to those which +had already harassed and half destroyed my dear master. + +Without much difficulty I prevailed on Mr. De Morney to procure me two +female dresses, telling him for what purpose they were intended. He was +a first astonished at the singularity of my request; but, finding no ill +consequences likely to attend it, readily complied, and with the +assistance of his sister the matter was easily accomplished. + +"We helped each other in putting on female attire as well as we could, +and took as much care as possible to make such an appearance as was not +likely to attract attention. At the time appointed we sallied forth in +our female habiliments, slipped through some of the forsaken apartments, +and joined without any suspicion a vast number of people who had +obtained permission to witness the festival, and see the company dance. + +"The eyes of my young lord were feasted by beholding the beloved object +who engrossed his every thought, and constituted his every wish, exhibit +her elegant person in the mazy windings of the dance, which till now he +had never seen. With a kind of saddened delight, he was soon convinced, +that, though her person was engaged, her heart appeared to have no share +in the pleasure which was legibly depicted on the countenance of her +youthful companions; but, on that which his eyes alone delighted to +mark, he saw a silent uncomplaining sadness, which, at the time it +wounded, cheered and revived his soul with the sweet hope that, had he +been present, had he been her envied partner, no sadness had clouded her +brow,--no regret found entrance to her bosom. + +"She frequently withdrew her eyes from the company to fix them on the +humble crowd, in which she concluded her lover was numbered. He likewise +felt his spirits relieved by the coldness and indifference with which he +saw she received every flattering attention that was paid her.--When he +had sufficiently satisfied his curiosity, and I observed he was weary of +being incommoded by the number of people which continued to increase, I +whispered him that I thought it time to retire, while the coast was +clear, and we could steal away undiscovered. + +"He desired me to go first, saying he would follow me in a few moments. +I instantly obeyed. My master, by taking a wrong turn, was passing +through your lordship's bedchamber as you entered it. He saw it was his +rival, and, in the instantaneous indignation of the moment, forgot every +thing but he resentment which was rankling in his bosom.--You perceived +him,--looked alarmed, and trembled: he frowned, and shook his head, +while the face on which you gazed with terror was flushed with passion. + +"On seeing you fall, unable to account for the cause, and fearful of +being discovered, he hurried out of the room, and hastened to inform me +of what had happened.--Hearing a vast bustle, I instantly disrobed my +master of his female attire, having already gotten rid of my own +disguise?--I was next day informed by Mr. De Morney that your lordship +had been alarmed by something in your own room, and was much indisposed. +I soon collected sufficient proof to be assured that it was the +appearance of your son which had occasioned this confusion, and imparted +enough of my sentiments to make myself understood. From that moment, +having no alternative, no other method to adopt, in order to bring about +a discovery, we agreed to enter the chapel, and these gentlemen, at the +request of their friend, hesitated not to be of the party." + +To confirm more fully, and to remove every doubt from the mind of the +Baron, Albert produced many of the clothes and trinkets which had been +sent by the Lady Blanch. The mark of a bunch of currants on the arm of +Walter, with which he was born, and which had been occasioned by one of +nature's strongest freaks, was perfectly recollected by the Baron, and +was a fact not to be controverted. + +So many corroborating and convincing testimonies of his identity would +have banished doubt, had any doubt remained; but truth and nature were +too prevailing to be disputed; the countenance of Walter was, +unsupported with farther evidence, sufficient to prove him the son of +the Lady Isabella. + +This narrative contained so many interesting circumstances, cold and +unfeeling must have been the heart which could have heard it with +disbelief or indifference: no such heart was enshrined in the bosom of +the delighted audience; every eye readily paid the tribute of a tear. +The conduct of Roseline and her brother was generally applauded and +admired; all were eager to praise, and De Clavering slily observed, +that, if any young lady should fall in his way who had a mind to study +the use of herbs, he should conclude she had something more in her head +than a wish to learn physic or botany. + +"Perhaps 'tis a sign of luf, (said Camelford,) when people pegin to +study potany, and that is the reason De Willows thinks so much apout it +himself; for I heard him in his sleep call out, that he must die, unless +some palm could be tiscovered to heal the wound in his heart, which was +as pig as a parn door." + +De Willows called him an incorrigible miscreant for betraying the +secrets he pilfered from his friend, and vowed to be revenged in his own +way. This little sally gave an enlivening turn to the conversation, but +it was not possible that a party, circumstanced as the present, should +be able to converse on any subject but that in which every heart was +interested: it had even bereaved father Anselm and the abbess of many +tears. + +Sir Philip de Morney avowed that the gentle and benevolent virtues of +his children made him blush at the failure of them in himself. The Baron +still shed tears, but they were tears more calculated to provoke envy +than excite compassion. He embraced his son again and again, led him to +Roseline, and entreated she would make the youth her captive for life, +and bestow on him the only treasure which could reward him for his long +confinement and uncomplaining fortitude. He called upon Sir Philip to +accept him for a brother instead of a son, saying, as he should now +certainly never think of marrying again, the settlements, with a few +alterations, might stand as they did. This proposal was too agreeable to +meet with any opposition. Upon Albert the Baron proposed settling an +annuity that would enable him to live in a stile equal to that of the +most respectable country gentleman; but this good man instantly declined +accepting the generous offer, declaring, that if they compelled him to +leave his dear young lord, and deprived him of the pleasure of attending +him, life would lose its value, and he should pine away the remainder of +his days in discontent and misery, though he were possessed of the most +unbounded affluence. + +"And I, (said Walter,) though blessed with my gentle and lovely +Roseline, should appear despicable in her eyes, and contemptible in my +own, could I ever consent that my preserver, friend, and preceptor, +should live under any roof but mine. I hope and trust he will permit me +to repay to his declining age the mighty debt I owe him for his tender +care, his unceasing attentions to my helpless and persecuted youth." + +Albert burst into tears, and, suddenly throwing himself at the feet of +Walter, found, in the eager and cordial embrace with which he raised +him, an ample reward for his long tried fidelity. + +Edeliza, Bertha, and their youthful companions, were no longer able to +confine their joy in silence. Bertha crept to the side of Walter, and +looked at him with an expression of countenance so good humoured and +arch, that he took her on his knee, and inquired if she would give him +leave to be her brother. + +"That I will! (said she.)--You are so tall and handsome, and by seeing +you I have found why my sister Roseline shed so many tears, had so many +fainting fits, and went about without singing the pretty songs she used +to do;--it was all owing to you;--therefore you must be very good, and +very entertaining, to make her love you better than she does Edeliza, +brother Edwin, or myself." + +Lady de Morney, father Anselm, the abbess, Madeline, and Agnes de +Clifford, were severally introduced. The abbess, as she expressed her +approbation of her niece's lover, told her sister that she saw in this +animated and expressive countenance a likeness of her regretted Henry. +De Clavering and the rest were not silent. Never can there be found a +happier party than were at that time assembled in Bungay-castle. The +gloom, which had so long enveloped them, disappeared with every +threatening cloud, and was succeeded by the brightest sunshine. Various +reports were in rapid circulation respecting the circumstances which had +so wonderfully concurred to promote and secure the happiness of Walter +and Roseline; and, while some were pitying, others blaming the bride +that should have been, the parties themselves were congratulating each +other on account of that very disappointment which had been productive +of joy as great as it was unexpected. + +Roseline, eager to disrobe herself of her bridal ornaments, which, in +spite of herself, carried her reflections back to the agonizing +conflicts she had endured when putting them on, retired with her young +friends, and then in the fulness of heart, as she embraced them with +delight, unmixed with self-reproach or doubt, informed them of her long +and tender attachment to the poor, helpless, and unknown prisoner. + +Edeliza declared he was almost as handsome as De Willows. "But not half +so merry and good humoured as Mr. Camelford, (said Bertha;) but I will +try to make him romp with me, and then perhaps I shall like him as well." + +Roseline smiled with complacency at her sister's artless observations, +in which she read the sentiments of hearts which had not yet learned the +art of concealing what they felt, and which already yielded to the +influence of the same blind god who had conducted her through such +varying scenes of hope, despair, and misery, to a prospect of the most +enviable happiness. + +The whole company were invited to spend the remainder of the day at the +Castle, notwithstanding the purpose for which they came had been +defeated. Father Anselm, who, though a very pious and rigid Catholic, +had no objection to good living, very readily accepted the invitation. +The doors of the Castle were ordered to be thrown open; every one that +chose was permitted to partake of the hospitality and good cheer, and, +though the company were disappointed of being at a wedding, it would +have been impossible for an indifferent spectator to imagine any matter +of such consequence could have happened, as mirth, pleasure, and +satisfaction, revelled in every eye, and every countenance was drest in +the serene and placid smiles of joy and contentment. + +Roseline was closeted half an hour with her mother and aunt; she +received their congratulations and caresses with that pure delight which +ever attends the heart when duty and affection are united. Lady de +Morney could not withhold her praises; yet once or twice gently adverted +to the dangers which might have arisen from the duplicity of her conduct +in concealing an attachment of so much importance to her future peace, +had not the holy virgin condescended to watch and guard her. The abbess +bestowed her most pious benediction on her lovely niece, who, she +pronounced, had acted under the influence of her guardian saint, and was +entitled to the ample reward which appeared to wait her acceptance. + + + + +CHAP. VI. + + +When the party met at dinner, the simple elegance of Roseline's engaging +figure, divested of those ornaments which a few hours before had been so +lavishly put on her by the fingers of taste, appeared far more +captivating: her eyes were illumined with an expression of joy and +satisfaction to which they had long been strangers; the change conveyed +a train of the most enchanting sensations to the heart of her admiring +lover, and did not pass unobserved by her friends. To Sir Philip they +carried a silent reproach for having so long robbed them of their +lustre. + +Roseline was seated between the Baron and his son, and, though this was +the first time Walter had ever dined with so large a party, or witnessed +the comforts of a plentiful table, laden with the rarities of art and +nature, he was neither awkward not embarrassed; for his friend Albert, +to fill up the heavy hours as they slowly crept away during their long +and tedious imprisonment, had described to him the manners and customs +of the world, among all ranks of people, with the utmost accuracy and +care, and by these means prepared him for scenes which must otherwise +have astonished, and in many instances alarmed, him. + +The good Albert was placed between De Clavering and De Willows, who took +this opportunity of shewing him their most flattering attention, and, in +consequence, he was encouraged to hold a very respectable part in the +conversation. As he had before given undeniable proofs of the goodness +of his heart, he now unfolded to the company the excellence of his +understanding, and convinced them, that, if the prisoner had been +educated amidst the bustle of the world, he could not have found a +better preceptor as to sound judgement and useful knowledge.--Thus +honoured and happy, he found in part a reward for the integrity and +humanity of his conduct, while the approving eye of his grateful master +spoke a language which conveyed a joy to his heart that is rarely felt, +and cannot be defined. + +Edwin and De Willows paid every attention to their fair enslavers, no +longer fearing the penetrating eyes of the governor, who was too much +taken up with the eclaircissement of the morning to suspect any other +lovers were present. + +After the company rose from the table, at the Baron's particular +request, they went to look into those dreary apartments to which the +prisoner had been consigned at his first coming to the castle. Edwin +produced the key of the trap-door, and conducted them down the same +stairs which he and his trembling companions had descended when they +were alarmed by the unusual noises they heard in the lower part of the +castle. Every minute circumstance was interesting to the company; but to +the Baron they were connected with a tale that awakened every feeling of +his heart. Few therefore can be at a loss to guess his sensations when +he entered the cold, gloomy, and unwholesome dungeon in which this +darling son, the child of his Isabella, had lingered so many months, and +was told by Albert, that it was far more comfortable and commodious than +the one he had been inclosed in many long and tedious years. + +The Baron shuddered with horror, sat down on the humble and uneasy couch +which had been Walter's only bed, during a long and dangerous +indisposition, and again called upon Albert to describe his first +interview with Roseline; the tale was again repeated, and lost none of +its effect by repetition.--Walter, the tear trembling in his eye as it +was fondly bent on Roseline, grasped her hand, and poured out the warm +effusions of his grateful and enamoured heart. + +To trace the progress of nature, unvitiated by false taste, and +uncorrupted by guilt, is, in my opinion, (said De Clavering,) the most +entertaining and instructive history we can read, and far more useful is +the language it contains than all the crabbed and unfeeling documents of +the most studious philosopher, who loses the gentle propensities of his +nature by snuffing up the dust of ancient libraries, till the spiders +have woven their cobweb-looms in his head, and left no space for nature +to creep in, and shew her unadulterated face; but, in my opinion, the +chief happiness, both of man and woman, consists in the knowledge and +practice of all the social affections." + +The Baron, struck with these observations, held out his hand to De +Clavering, requesting to be better acquainted with him, and apologizing +for his former neglect, which was chiefly owing to the singularity of +his situation, which made him behold every man younger than himself with +envy and suspicion; "but now (added he) I have resigned all my +pretensions to the prior claims of my son, wishing to atone for my past +errors, and to prove myself worthy the esteem of all those to whom he +owes an obligation." + +"To me lord, (replied De Clavering,) your son owes nothing: till a few +days back I knew not of his residence in the castle: to my respect and +esteem I considered him as having a just claim. From the first hour I +had the honour of being introduced to him, I felt a desire to serve him; +but all I ever did was to accompany him from the castle to the chapel, +for which I never expected to be pardoned by your lordship." + +"But, as his lordship offers you his friendship, (said the giddy and +spirited Hugh Camelford,) you had petter accept it now he in the the +humour. Lorts are not always in the mind to be coot friends with teath +and the toctor." + +This essay of elocution obtained the Baron's notice, and, by making +every one smile, succeeded to his wish. Camelford, thus encouraged, gave +way to the unbounded cheerfulness of his disposition, by again renewing +his attack upon his friend De Clavering, telling him it was high time +for him to be prushing away the cobwebs of old patchelorship, and pecome +a man of the world, otherwise no laty, maid, or witow, would undertake +the care of his old pones, and the pones of those he had pought out of +their craves. De Clavering, who seldom felt himself in the humour to be +displeased with his young friend, owned that he was as singular in his +sentiments as the ladies, he was afraid, might think him in his manners +and appearance. + +"You must endeavour to become more modern, and like one of us, (said De +Willows.) To be better known cannot fail to secure you a most favourable +reception." + +"A piece of advice I have often given him myself, (said Sir Philip.) To +make our progress through life with credit and advantage to ourselves, +we must so far become men of the world, as to seek for those favours it +is not willing to bestow unsought or unsolicited." + +"But, for a man to be able to get through it with uninterrupted success, +(replied De Clavering, I have sometimes thought he must be brought up a +rascal from the first. I own I should find so many places that would +tempt me to halt in my way, that I should certainly be prevented +reaching the envied and contested goal; for, before I would submit to +have my house crowded with a succession of what might be called good +company, I would take an inn, and, in the character of mine host, flay a +safer, and as pleasant a game. I should not then be under the necessity +of sacrificing my sentiments, or more of my time, than I found answered +the purpose of keeping house to accommodate all comers and goers." + +"What! (said Camelford,) would you be peat py a prother toctor, because +you would not apply a strengthening plaister of goot and smooth worts to +make it stick close? would you not gif the laties a healing cordial of +compliments ro reconcile them to their lofs of peauty, their lap-dog, or +their lofer? Fie, man, they would not suffer you to toctor their cat!" + +"What I might be tempted to do, or how far I might relax from my system, +to please the ladies, (replied De Clavering,) I cannot tell till I +become more _a man of the world,_ and feel myself more attached to many +of its customs: but this I do know, there are a set of patients to whom +I could not sacrifice my own sentiments to obtain the command of their +purses. For instance,--can a man, who has wasted his youth in vice and +debauchery, justly complain of a premature old age? or ought he to +excite the pity of any one who knew the source whence his miseries +originated? Can we sympathize with the man of business, who has brought +upon himself the torturing paroxysms of a fever by the disappointment of +some monopolizing plan, the success of which must have been productive +of distress and misery to many hundreds of their fellow-creatures. Can +the voluptuary and the drunkard think themselves entitled either to +flattery or compassion, when their sufferings have been occasioned by +eating till they gained a surfeit, or by drinking so hard as to make a +kind of turnpike-road from their stomachs to their bowels." + +"All in the way of business, (said Edwin.) Instead of quarrelling with +the cause, you have nothing more to do, my good friend, but to turn +their follies to your own account, and do as thousands have done before +you--make them contribute in some way or other to the good of the +community." + +"If we were disposed to quarrel with vice and folly every time we +encounter them, (said Camelford,) we should be engaged in a perpetual +contest, and should only ket proken pones and the plister of contention +for our pains." + +"True, (replied the venerable father Anselm, who till now had observed a +placid silence as he listened to the above conversation,) we should all +agree to make the same allowance for the failings and frailties of +others as we are inclined to do when we sit in judgement upon our own, +and rather strive to find excuses than causes to condemn; like the +blessed master we all unite to serve, whose precepts and practice were +calculated for the good and happiness of all mankind." + +"Just so would mine be, my dear father, (said De Clavering,) so far as +an erring mortal can be supposed to copy a divine original; but I would +not flatter people with a belief that I could feel for the miseries +entailed by vice as I would for those which originated from any other +cause. There are moments when I see the patient and virtuous sufferer +looking up to me for health and life, that I would compound with +pleasure to be any thing rather than what I am." + +"Rather (said Sir Philip) endeavour to rest satisfied with being what +you are,--the true Samaritan, the friendly physician, who assumes the +appearance of misanthropy, without having a grain of it in his +composition." + +"In order to conceal feelings that do ho-honour to his profession and to +human nature." + +The Baron, having looked at every thing, and asked innumerable +questions, the party next visited the rooms where Edwin and Roseline +risked so much in daring to remove Walter, and in which he had so long +remained undiscovered by the family. Here Walter himself described, in +his own artless manner, the delight he felt when he, for the first time, +saw the rising sun, and contemplated the brilliant scene which the moon +and stars presented to his astonished sight; he mentioned likewise his +rapture when first convinced that the fair Roseline felt for him a +mutual passion. He then described the conflicts he endured on the +morning when he knew she was really gone to give her hand to another, +and owned the miseries of that moment surpassed those of his whole life, +and, if thrown into a scale against them, would have weighed down all. +He then adverted to his feelings when he approached the altar, and to +the awe and respect he felt at sight of the Baron. + +In the evening it was proposed to take a ramble through the gardens +belonging to the castle, now profusely decorated with all the variegated +beauties of the soul-enlivening spring, which were on the eve of giving +place to the succeeding charms of summer. Here it was that the happy, +the grateful Walter met such a succession of wonders and delight as +rendered the scene doubly pleasing to those who partook in his raptures. + +Every flower, plant, and shrub, every tree, leaf, and vegetable, excited +his admiration and gratitude. The distant fields,--the rising +hills,--the water,--the numberless houses,--all were admired in turn, +and became the theme of his praise.--It was a charming world,--it was +the paradise of which he had read,--the very garden of Eden, such as our +first parents possessed, and Roseline the magnet which gave such sweet +attraction to all he saw, and all he should enjoy in it. + +So much was he delighted with the scene, it was not till the shades of +evening began to approach, and throw a gloom over the face of nature, +that even the gentle admonitions of Roseline could prevail upon him to +return to the castle. Like another Cymon, he found liberty too great a +blessing, too pleasing to be willing to part with it when once he had +tasted its soul-reviving influence. + +Many of the following days were spent in making excursions round the +country, and in shewing him every thing worthy of notice. He visited the +neighbouring towns and villages, looked into the churches, saw the sea, +and was conveyed on board a ship, whose wonderful construction, and the +vast world of waters on which it so majestically floated, awakened every +sensation of astonishment. He was next indulged by sailing on the river +Waveney in an open boat, rowed by some of our old English sailors, whose +rough and cheerful humour gratified and entertained him. + +A house was likewise procured for him: he soon learned to ride, and +became so fond of the exercise, that few days passed without his going +some miles about the country. His fine figure, expressive countenance, +and conciliating manner, his gentleness, and unceasing good humour, made +him an universal favourite, and all the inhabitants of Bungay welcomed +his appearance among them with every testimony of respect, joy, and +satisfaction. + +The Baron and his friend, Sir Philip, had many consultations respecting +the intended marriage of their children, whose youth and total ignorance +of the world, of which Walter could scarcely be called an inhabitant, +rendered it absolutely necessary that he should be properly introduced +at court, in order to have his birth made known, and his right and +titles ascertained. It was equally necessary that he should become more +conversant with the customs and manners of that world, on whose stage he +was now to make so distinguished a figure; and, as he had been prevented +seeing foreign countries, it was a duty the Baron thought incumbent upon +him to take care he should be well acquainted with his own, and +instructed in the value of its just and equitable laws, which, he had +cause to lament, were sometimes abused by the designs of artful and +wicked men, though the envy of every other nation in the world. + +When these designs were made known to Walter, the distress it produced +is not to be described. To be separated from Roseline!--the thought was +agony;--without seeing her every day, without being in the same place +with her, it was not to be borne. He should never be able to acquire any +knowledge unless the gentle maid, to whom he was indebted for life, was +near, and by her soul-enlivening presence animated his endeavours, while +in her smiles he should find a bright reward for the unwearied pains he +should not shrink from encountering for her sake. + +Roseline was not at all better reconciled to the plan, nor more at ease +than himself. She was apprehensive he might in the great world see some +one he like better than herself. She had heard men inconstant and prone +to change. The heart she had gained in the dungeon of Bungay-castle +might perchance, when engaged in the great world, surrounded by +pleasure, and besieged by the bright eyes of beauty, stray from her +bosom to that of a more lovely and accomplished mistress;--to a more +fond and faithful on it could not be entrusted; but, as no one, she +supposed, could refuse the attentions of Walter, she trembled at the +idea of being separated. + +These timid fears were not kept from the ear of her lover, who, in some +degree, quieted them with that persuasive eloquence which love never +fails to bestow on its faithful votaries. He inquired if she thought it +possible he could be so great a villain as to prefer the beauties of a +court to the lovely Roseline of Bungay-castle,--the gentle being who not +only preserved his life, but taught him to enjoy it, whose unwearied +attentions smoothed the bed of sickness, removed the veil of ignorance, +and gave to his unfortunate life the first bright moment it had ever +known. He vowed, if he thought any thing he might find in the world +could tempt him to forgive her, or love her less than he did at that +moment, he would voluntarily return to his dungeon, and never leave it +more: he earnestly and pathetically petitioned his father and Sir Philip +de Morney not to compel him to leave his adored Roseline till he was +blessed with calling her his own. + +With this request, however, they could not with prudence comply: it was +not only right, but absolutely necessary he should be publicly +acknowledged as the Baron's son before his marriage took place, to +prevent the establishment of his rights being subject to suspicion or +litigation. Against reasons so weighty and just there was no contending, +and therefore they were obliged to submit, though these untaught +children of simple nature yielded very reluctantly to a plan which was +to secure in their possession all those fascinating enjoyments which +the inhabitants of our busy world are continually pursuing, and to +obtain which, without any necessity of compulsion, they often make more +important sacrifices. + +Albert was no longer considered or treated as a servant. The Baron +generously determined, as soon as he reached town, to give such orders +to his attorney as should secure him a genteel independency; and, as he +was no longer distressed with the apprehension of being separated from +his beloved master, he enjoyed all the comforts, with a grateful heart +which the liberality of his benefactors bestowed, and met with that +unfeigned respect, from every one who knew the worth and integrity of +his character, to which he was so justly entitled. + +As Audrey was attending her young lady, in her apartment, after she had +been at the chapel to be married, and returned from thence without +becoming a bride, she, as it may be supposed, was too full of the +occurrences of the day to be silent on the subject every one was talking +about, but which she did not, on her part, by any means approve, knowing +what her own feelings would have been on a similar occasion. + +"Well, to be sure and certain, miss, (cried she,) the like of this was +never heard since the mencement of the world; for to go to church to be +married, to take the bride's groom in your hand, as a body may say, and +then to come back as you went, without being married at all! As I have a +vartuous and Christian soul to be saved, if I had been volved in such a +quandrary, I would never have left the chapel without a husband, young +or old, let what would have been the consequence.--People fleer and jeer +so about misventures of this kind, and asks one for bride's cake, and +talks so indellorcatly on this subject: however, don't fret, miss; it +seems you may be married still, but, for my part, I likes it best as +it is." + +"I think in this instance as you do, Audrey, (replied Roseline, with +difficulty keeping herself from offending the honest-hearted Abigail, by +bursting into a violent fit of laughter,) yet the Baron is certainly a +fine-looking old gentleman." + +"Fine feathers make fine birds, (said Audrey,) but as to his being +fine-looking, Christ Jesus, miss, to be sure master Cuford, the blind +god of love, has made you blinder than himself." + +Roseline could no longer preserve her gravity. + +"Blind, or not blind, (said she,) I assure you, Audrey, I thought the +Baron looked and talked like an angel after we returned from the chapel; +and, what is more, ugly as you think him, I love him dearly, and cannot +help looking at him with pleasure and delight." + +"To be sure, (said Audrey aside,) the disappointment has turned her +head, and arranged all her interlects.--As sure as God is true, miss, +(said she) you have taken strange vaggaries into your head: it was but +yesterday I thought you were going into a vapid recline, as I have heard +you mention, and now I verily thinks Bedlam will be your potion instead +of a husband." + +"As far as I know I am now in my proper senses, (cried Roseline, +laughing,) notwithstanding your prognostics, and taking so much pains to +convince me of the contrary." + +"Well, well, it may be so, miss, (replied the mortified damsel;) I know +but little of nostics; but this I do know, there is no recounting for +the humour of quality people. The young Baron however, it must be said, +if poor folks can see and judge, is to the full as good as his father. +Handsome as you think him, and though he cannot speak to make himself +understood, and do not know his right hand from his left, or the moon +from a green cheese or young gosling, he may soon be taught to know +what's what. He was monstrously frightened when he saw his father, and +took him for a negromancer it seems." + +"You have been strangely misinformed, Audrey, (interrupted Roseline,) +the young lord is neither so ignorant not so soon alarmed as you have +been taught to believe. I have known him long, and therefore, if you +will rely upon my word, I assure you he is one of the most amiable and +best of human beings." + +"Well, miss, (again continued Audrey,) I must think that your brain is +cracked, or that love has overset your understanding; for I am told by +Pedro, who knows every thing about every body, that, till this very +blessed day, the sweet young gentleman have been chained down in a +dungeon, and never looked upon the face of man, woman, or child, not +even the mother who bore him. It was tirely on his account, we all +thinks, that the bustle, fuss, and disturbations in the castle +riginated, and I dare say if the old Baron had refused to own him for a +son, we should every one of us have been witched into the Red Sea, and +drowned as the Gyptens were. I hope now, however, the spells will be +taken away, and we shall see only men and women, made of flesh and blood +like ourselves, for I hate ghosts." + +"Amen! (cried Roseline;) I trust we shall be very quiet and happy, and +that neither witches nor evil spirits will have any thing to do with us." + +"I say amen again, (replied Audrey,) for I always likes to pray whenever +I see any one else set about it. Thank God you escaped the claws of the +Baron: I verily thinks I could not have found courage enuf to have +married him myself." + +Roseline rejoiced when her prating attendant bade her good night, and +she hoped soon to forget in the arms of sleep both the painful and +pleasant events of the day; but she now found joy as great an enemy to +repose as grief had been the preceding night. To find her lover, the +acknowledged son of her intended husband; yet to have his consent,--the +consent of her parents to love Walter, and be beloved by him,--to know +he was restored to liberty, rank, and fortune, to the protection of a +father, and herself released from an engagement to which she never had +consented,--it was such a sudden, such an unexpected reverse of fortune, +as she could scarcely prevail upon herself to believe real. She had been +assured too she should one day be the wife of Walter,--be permitted to +live with him,--see him always, and without fear or controul be allowed +to study and contribute to his happiness;--it was rapture, it was +felicity far beyond her hopes. + +Having once entered on a train of thinking, so delightful to a fond +imagination, it effectually precluded sleep from shedding its poppies +over her pillow; besides, to have slept would have been for some hours +to have lost the pleasure of thinking of Walter. + +No sooner did she see the god of day break forth in all his glory from +the portals of the east, than she quitted her bed. Never before had she +observed the sun so brilliant,--never before had the face of nature +looked so charming: every tree which she saw wave its branches had +acquired new beauties, and even the sturdy and impenetrable walls of the +castle seemed to be wonderfully improved. + +With spirits harmonized by love and expectation, and a mind enlivened by +hope, she bent her knee in humble gratitude to that God who said, "Let +there be light, and it was so," With a heart truly sensible of the +blessings she enjoyed, and thankful for those she was permitted to +behold at a distance, she fervently prayed that neither Walter nor +herself might be tempted, in the midst of prosperity to forget the +useful lessons they had learned in the school of adversity. + + + +CHAP. VII. + + +As the dreaded day of separation drew near, the dejection which appeared +on the countenance of the lovers was too visible to escape the +observation of their friends.--The Baron felt himself particularly hurt: +his son had already endured so much misery by his neglect and +unpardonable compliance with the wishes of an artful and designing +mother-in-law, that, to inflict any farther mortifications or sufferings +on him, was in reality to inflict them more severely upon himself: he +therefore promised to return within six weeks, or two months, to unite +the young people. + +This period of time, reckoned in the usual way, was not long; but the +lovers are not guided by the same rules, nor can bring themselves to +calculate hours and days, weeks, and months, like other people. To +repeat the tender adieus, the fears, tears, cautions, and promises, of +everlasting truth, would perhaps be tiresome to some of our readers, as +it would be merely a repetition of the same fine and tender things which +have been said by ten thousand fond lovers, upon ten thousand +interesting occasions; suffice it then to say, the Baron and his son +departed from the castle at the appointed time, and left the +disconsolate Roseline in a state none could envy, and all were inclined +to pity; and so much was the heart of her lover afflicted at being the +cause of distressing her, he could not be prevailed upon to join in any +conversation, and scarcely looked up till he entered the great and busy +city of London, the noise and bustle of which drew him in some measure +from his reverie, which had been nearly as painful to his friends as to +himself, and the Baron, eager to disperse the gloom from the countenance +of his son, pointed out some of the most striking objects to engage his +attention, as they were whirled along to a very noble house in +---- square, where we must leave him for the present, in order to +return to the castle. + +From the moment of Walter's departure the disconsolate Roseline sunk +into so absolute a state of dejection, as not only distressed but +alarmed her friends. She shunned society, seldom joined in conversation, +and, if left a few moments by herself, fled to the apartments once +inhabited by her lover;--there, and there only, did she assume the +appearance of cheerfulness; every place in which she had seen him was +endeared to her remembrance. The chairs on which he had rested, the +table on which he had written, the window at which he had stood to +listen for her coming,--all were interesting objects, and loved by her +for his sake; and, in being deprived of seeing him, of hearing no longer +the sound of a voice so long endeared to her fond imagination, she felt +so total a deprivation of all that served to render life or fortune of +real value, that the determined in her own mind, if this regretted lover +should prove forgetful or inconstant, if he should return no more to the +castle, to end her days in his forsaken apartments; for what would be +the world to Roseline de Morney, if she should see Walter Fitzosbourne +no more? + +Pompey, the little dog, which she had seen the second time of going to +the dungeons, and which had been the favourite and faithful companion of +her lover during some years of his confinement, she would scarcely +permit to be out of her sight: to him she talked of his master, and in +caressing the grateful little animal felt pleasure and consolation. + +Sir Philip and Lady de Morney were distressed beyond measure at seeing +the despondency of their daughter, which they feared would put and end +to all their flattering hopes. They endeavoured by every soothing and +tender attention to reconcile her to this temporary separation, and in a +short time succeeded so far as to prevail upon her to resume her usual +employments. They advised her to dissipate her fears, and try to regain +her spirits for the sake of the lover whose absence she lamented, +reminding her how much it would harass and distress him, if, at his +return to the castle, he found she had brought upon herself an +indisposition which might still preclude him from enjoying her society. + +But their cares and anxieties were soon increased, and their minds +occupied and thrown into the utmost consternation, from a circumstance +more unaccountable, inexplicable, and alarming, than anything they had +ever encountered. + +Madeline had escaped from the nunnery, and Edwin had left the castle. No +one could tell what was become of them, but all supposed they were gone +off together.--A general confusion took place; messengers were sent in +pursuit of the fugitives, and a very considerable reward was offered to +any who would bring tidings of Madeline. Sir Philip de Morney joined in +the search, and sent out large parties of his men, in hopes they would +be able to discover the place of their concealment. + +Roseline, though less surprised, was extremely shocked at the dangerous +step her brother and his friend had ventured to take.--The abbess was +angry, the fathers enraged, and the youthful offenders threatened with +the utmost severity the laws could inflict, should they be found out. +Lady de Morney was wretched beyond description, and Roseline, who almost +lost the remembrance of her own sorrows at seeing the agonies of her +mother, and in fears for her brother, was alarmed at the return of every +messenger.--These affectionate relatives trembled lest they should bring +tidings of the unfortunate lovers. A week however elapsed, and no +discovery being made, Roseline secretly cherished hopes that they would +be able to escape their pursuers. + +She accompanied Sir Philip and Lady de Morney to the nunnery; they soon +removed the displeasure of the abbess, and dispersed the gloom, which +had long hung upon her brow, at their first entrance: they likewise +softened the asperity of father Anselm, and the rest of his brethren, +who had written to inform the father of Madeline of the occurrence which +had taken place, and had received an answer dictated by the spirit of +malice and revenge, vowing to renounce her for ever, unless she returned +to the nunnery, and instantly took the veil; at the same time adding +every thing that passion could suggest to rouse the vengeance of the +fathers for the indignity offered to their sacred order by the flight of +a wretch he never again would acknowledge as a daughter. + +This cruel and unfeeling letter operated directly contrary to what it +was intended, and awakened feelings in the bosoms of men who had long +been strangers to the world, and unpracticed in the habits of social +life,--too unpleasant to be encouraged. They felt a kind of trembling +horror at the denunciations of a parent against a daughter, whose +interesting features, sweetness of disposition, and gentleness of +temper, had endeared her to every one in the nunnery. + +Nearly a fortnight had now elapsed, and no tidings being heard of the +fugitives, Lady de Morney began to revive, and she cherished the +soul-reviving hope that her beloved Edwin would escape, and remain +undiscovered till a pardon could be procured for him and his fair +companion, for the crime they had committed in robbing their holy church +of a votary designed for its service; and she lingered with impatient +fondness to clasp her son and the lovely Madeline to her maternal bosom. +Sir Philip was much hurt by this affair; and, though he said very little +on the subject, it was very visible to every one that his mind was very +deeply wounded. + +It may now be necessary that we should give some account of the means +made use of to escape, and the cause which drove the young people to +take so desperate a step. + +The abbess, who felt an almost maternal regard for Madeline, had +observed with affectionate regret that there was something which preyed +deeply upon her spirits, but had not the least suspicion of the +affection which she cherished for her nephew; and, being too much +bigotted to her religion, too much attached to the habits of a monastic +life, to suppose any one could long remain unhappy after having given up +a world which she had voluntarily quitted and never regretted, she +confined her observations to her own bosom, and, in drawing her +conclusions, forgot the melancholy and distressing cause which had +determined her seclusion from the world. Time had likewise in some +degree blunted those tender feelings which would otherwise have taught +her to make more indulgent allowances for the feelings and conflicts of +nineteen, when sentenced by an arbitrary parent to the unsocial and +rigid rules of an order that precluded the soul-enlivening, the +enchanting influence of love. + +The abbess, on receiving a letter from the father of Madeline, with a +peremptory command for her instantly taking the veil, summoned her into +the presence of father Anselm and herself, and the letter was put into +her hand, without any kind of preface that could discover or soften its +contents.--The effect this horrid mandate had on the mind of their +youthful charge could not be concealed: she was instantly obliged to be +conveyed to her cell, and remained for some hours in a state that +threatened destraction. + +The alarming situation of Madeline distressed both the good father and +the sympathizing abbess; but, circumstanced as they were, they could +only pity; for they would have considered it as a crime of the most +sacrilegious nature to have assisted in depriving their holy institution +of a votary so likely to be an ornament and acquisition to is; and, as +the father of Madeline was determined she should embrace a monastic +life, they had neither any right nor inclination to contend against a +decision which operated so much in their favour, and would add so lovely +a sister to their society: they agreed therefore that it would be better +to take no notice, unless she herself should voluntarily impart the +cause of her distress. + +It is now become absolutely necessary to inform our readers that Edwin +had for some weeks conquered the fears of Madeline, and prevailed on her +to grant him frequent interviews in the chapel. He had also extorted a +promise from her, when matters came to the last extremity, to fly with +him, if her escape from the nunnery could be effected, in order to avoid +a fate which her love had taught her to think of all others the most +miserable, and to accept his vows instead of taking those which would +separate them for ever. + +On the one hand, happiness stood pourtrayed in its most captivating +colours;--on the other, wretchedness, solitary wretchedness grinned with +ghastly horror and meagre aspect. At her age, I am inclined to think, +few young ladies would have hesitated how to choose, particularly if, +like the artless and gentle Madeline, they had given away their heart to +an amiable and impassioned lover. + +Edwin, in his stolen visits to the chapel, had usually been accompanied +by his trusty friend Albert, and once or twice Walter had been of the +party. On the promises and intrepid firmness of Albert they rested their +security of not being discovered. Madeline's situation was likewise +become so alarming and distressing, she no longer yielded to those timid +fears which had formerly deterred her from meeting her lover. She found +herself so encompassed with dangers, that it required both resolution +and spirit to disengage herself from the fate which threatened her; and, +as no father time could be given either to deliberation of doubt, and no +alternative remained but to escape from the nunnery or take the veil, +she hesitated no longer, but met, fearlessly met her lover, in order to +settle a proper plan to secure the success of their design, which, as it +drew near being put in practice, appeared both hazardous and dangerous. + +Their meetings in the chapel were frequently interrupted by the friars +or nuns, who had generally some sacred duty to perform either for the +living or the dead, in the execution of which some of the fathers had +been extremely alarmed, and it was whispered throughout the sacred +walls, and by some means the report crept into the world, that the +chapel of the nunnery was disturbed by an invisible agent, which was +considered as a miracle in favour of its holy institution. + +It was an age of bigotry and superstition, when every plan was adopted +to impress on the minds of the people that reverence and awe which would +prevent their finding out the various arts made use of to impose on +their belief. Hence that reverence and enthusiasm for relics shewn in +almost every church and chapel, and applied to for aid on all important +occasions. + +Yet it sometimes happened that impositions were discovered, but the +power and influence of the priests prevented, as much as possible, +reports so dangerous gaining any credit, and the minds of the common +people were kept so much in awe by fear, and so hoodwinked by the +superstition, that thousands resorted daily to one repository or +another, in order to feast their eyes with its sacred treasures. + +"At Reading they shewed an angel's wing, that brought over the spear's +point which pierced our Saviour's side, and as many pieces of the cross +were found as joined together would have made a big cross. The rood of +grace, at Boxley, in Kent, had been much esteemed, and drawn many +pilgrims to it. It was observed to bow and roll its eyes, and look at +times well pleased or angry, which the credulous multitude, and even +some of the inferior priests, imputed to a divine power; but all this +was afterwards discovered to be a cheat, and it was brought up to St. +Paul's cross, and all the springs were openly shewed which governed its +several motions. + +"At Hales, in Gloucestershire, the blood of Christ was shewn in a phial, +and it was believed that none could see it who were in mortal sin; and +so, after good presents were made, the deluded pilgrims went away well +satisfied if they had seen it. This was the blood of a duck, renewed +every week, put in a phial, very thick on one side, as thin on the +other; and either side turned towards the pilgrims as the priests were +satisfied with their oblations.--Other relics were shewn as +follows:--God's coat, our Lady's smock, part of God's supper, our Lady's +girdle of Bruton; red silke, a solemne relic sent to women in travail; +the parings of St. Edmund's nails, relics for rain, for avoiding the +weeds growing in corn, &c. &c."--* + +[Footnote: *Vide Grofe's Antiquities, copies from an original letter +written by R. Layton.] + +It happened one night, when our young lovers were deeply engaged in a +most important and interesting conversation, in which they did not +recollect there were any other beings but themselves in the world, they +were terribly alarmed, and very near being discovered by the abrupt and +sudden entrance of father Anselm, and one of the monks, into the chapel. +They hastily approached the altar, being summoned to attend a dying +monk, and to perform the ceremonies which the necessity of the case +required. They were however informed by a voice, which appeared to rise +from the earth on which they stood, that they might return to the peace +of their cells, for the soul of their dying brother was in no danger of +being lost, their prayers and pious oraisons having already had a +salutary effect. + +It so happened, that the monk, having conquered the crisis of his +distemper, was sunk into a profound sleep at their return, which +promised a happy change in his favour. The whole society were summoned +into the chapel the next morning, and informed of this miraculous +communication. All the proper ceremonies were ostentatiously performed +which such an honourable attestation of their sincere piety required, +and the sick monk considered as worthy of canonization. + +A few nights after, a monk, who had forgotten to place one of the +consecrated vessels on the high altar, which father Anselm had +particularly requested should be left there against the following day, +on which the sacrament was to be administered with the utmost solemnity, +on recollecting the omission, rose from his bed, and stole softly into +the chapel to obey the orders he had received. This unfortunately was a +night on which the lovers had agreed to meet. Before he had reached the +altar, he was somewhat startled at seeing one of the oldest and most +austere of the nuns kneeling by the grave of a father lately deceased, +and with uplifted hands praying that pardon and peace might be extended +to his soul. + +The monk, when he came to the altar, instantly dropped on his knees +before it, unwilling the old nun should suppose he came upon a less +pious errand than herself; but he was soon frightened from his devotions +by a soft voice, which seemed to descend from behind a very fine +painting of the crucifixion.--He was desired to return to his cell, no +longer to act the hypocrite, and in future to perform more punctually +the duties of his office. + +The monk no sooner heard this alarming address, than he hurried out of +the chapel as fast as his gouty legs and the numerous infirmities of age +would permit him; but the nun, who was at too great a distance from the +monk to hear the cause of his terror, went on with those devotional +rights which a particular regard for the departed father rendered so +gratifying to the feelings of her pious and affectionate heart, that she +was in no hurry to conclude them; when the same mysterious agent, whose +voice appeared to rise from the grave of her deceased favourite, near +which she was so devoutly kneeling, shivering with age and cold, roughly +warned her to have done, advising her to go to rest and sleep in peace, +as he did, who no longer could be disturbed by her tongue of benefited +by her prayers. + +The poor frightened nun scampered off as fast as she could, muttering +something against the ingratitude of man, who, dead or alive, was +unworthy the attentions of her pious sex. Yet, as she crossed herself, +she secretly rejoiced at having, as she thought, obtained leave of +heaven and father John to abstain from such great and unreasonable +demands upon her oraisons in future.--She took care, however, the next +morning to inform the monk, with seeming exultation, of her being so +highly favoured as to hear a voice from heaven, which excused her from +praying at those hours appointed for mortals to be at rest. + +This was a night calculated to alarm the lovers; for no sooner had the +nun left the chapel, than another entered to fetch a solemn relic, to +send to a woman who was in travail, from the chest near which they were +seated. As she was looking for the precious treasure, they were +trembling at the danger they were in of being discovered; for there was +but just time to step into the tomb which led to the subterraneous +passage, when they were thus the third time disturbed.--The nun, as she +closed the chest, was addressed in the following words. + +"Wear Mary Magdalene's girdle twice a week:--place the scull of St. +Lawrence at the East corner of your cell, and live on bread and water +every fifth day; or neither you, nor your father-confessor will escape +purgatory." + +Down dropped the relic, and away ran the nun to repeat to her cher ami +the warning which had been given her; but, whether he was as much +terrified as herself we do not know, as the lovers very soon effected +their escape, and the voice was heard no more. + +No longer to puzzle our readers, excite their fears, or keep them in +suspense, respecting this miraculous voice, which had alarmed the Baron +in his visit to the cells, and had likewise been the occasion of much +surprise, and some exultation, to the pious inhabitants of the nunnery, +it is necessary to inform them that it proceeded from Albert, who was +himself a ventriloquist, or person possessed of the power of using a +kind of artificial hollow voice, in such a manner, as to make the sound +appear to come from any part of the room, where-ever he happened to be, +or from any animal that was present in it. + +This uncommon power, rarely known in that age, Albert had frequently +exercised to amuse and entertain the solitary hours of his master, in +his long and painful seclusion from the world, and afterwards to serve +him and his friend. + +It may not perhaps, in this place, be improper to mention, that, a few +years since, a person came to St. Edmund's Bury, in Suffolk, whose +uncommon and wonderful powers of throwing his voice to any distance, and +into whatever place he chose, alarmed some, and surprised all who +witnessed this strange and almost unaccountable phenomenon of nature; +therefore, in an age so much more prone to indulge the idle chimaeras of +superstition, so much under the dictatorial bigotry of priestcraft, it +is not to be wondered that a circumstance so uncommon should be +considered as miraculous, particularly among a set of men who had +recourse to such various arts, and took such wonderful pains to instill +into the minds of the people a firm and unshaken belief that miracles +were shewn on some important occasions, in order to confirm the truth of +the religion they professed. + + + + +CHAP. VIII. + + +By following the cautious directions of Albert, Madeline escaped from +the nunnery undiscovered, and, accompanied by her lover, lost, in the +happiness of the present moment, all remembrance of the trials she had +sustained, and all apprehensions of what she might encounter in future. +Edwin, from a principle of honour, did not inform his friends, De +Willows, De Clavering and Camelford, of his intention; the only tax he +levied on their friendship was to borrow a small sum of money of them to +supply present exigencies, and procure such accommodations on the road +as would be most agreeable and convenient to his fair companion. + +About midnight he led the trembling agitated maid, unattended by any +one but himself, to the entrance of the subterranean passage. With +difficulty and danger they made their way through this scene of +desolation and terror. Having opened the door which led them through the +same gloomy paths Edwin had formerly traced, they narrowly escaped being +discovered by the centinels who guarded Mettingham-Castle.--Alarmed at +their danger, they made not a moment's delay, but hurried on till they +came to a retired and almost unfrequented road, where they found a man +and horses waiting their arrival. These horses had been hired of a +countryman, who agreed to send for them the next morning to a +neighbouring town. + +Though money was undoubtedly very scarce in the age in which the +characters lived that furnished us with these memoirs, yet the +necessaries of life were all so cheap, and the people in general so +extremely hospitable, that it required but a moderate sum to procure +accommodations for a journey to the most distant part of the kingdom, +and, as there was then no marriage-act in force, the road to the temple +of Hymen was more frequented, because it was neither found so difficult +nor so thorny as it has been to too many of the present age. + +As to the vulgar and old-fashioned habits of eating and drinking, they +are matters in general but little thought of in expeditions under the +directions of a god who is too sublime to be satisfied with common food. +Our lovers felt so little inconvenience from either hunger or thirst, +that they determined to make no delays on their journey, but such as +were absolutely necessary. They were epicures only in love, and, till +they arrived in London, were perfectly satisfied with such repasts as +were to be procured from any of the humble cottages on the road, by +which prudent precaution they escaped undiscovered, notwithstanding the +clamour their elopement had occasioned. + +The morning after their arrival in London, a priest joined their hands +in marriage, and rendered indissoluble those tender ties which had long +united their hearts in love's most pleasing fetters. Too happy for +reflection to interrupt their nuptial joys, too inexperienced to look +forward to the consequences of an union thus inauspiciously commenced, +and too sanguine to think the fond delusions of love could end but with +life, they lived for many days in what might be called the delirium of +the senses: in each other they saw and possessed all that constituted +their ideas of pleasure. Madeline was the wife of the enamoured Edwin, +and he was blest.--Edwin was become the husband and protector of +Madeline, what then could she have to fear, for Edwin was the world +to her? + +Alas! what a pity that so few, so scarce, and so short, are the hours of +mortal happiness! and that the fallacious foundation on which we rest +such innumerable pleasing hopes, which present to our deluded +imaginations the most lovely and inviting prospects, should so soon fall +to the ground, and humble our air-built expectations in the dust! + +As long as their little fund of worldly wealth held out, our new married +lovers never recollected it must come to an end, or bestowed a thought +on what steps were to be taken to secure the continuance of that +felicity they had gone such daring lengths to obtain; but an empty purse +soon compelled them to recollect, that two people, however tender their +attachment, or superlative their abilities,--however lovely their +persons, or captivating their manners, require more substantial food +than the god of love will condescend to furnish them with. + +Accustomed to affluence, and not knowing what it was to be deprived even +of the luxuries of life, they shuddered at the poverty which stared them +in the face, and threatened them with absolute starvation: they blushed +too at their own inability to procure for themselves the common +necessaries of life, and felt some very uncomfortable sensations at +being in a stranger's house without the means of paying for their +lodging or accommodations. To declare their poverty they were ashamed, +and to make themselves and situation known was to run the risk of being +separated for ever, as Edwin had no doubt but Madeline would be torn +from him, and compelled to a monastic life, if discovered before his +friends were reconciled, and would use their interest to procure his +pardon. + +Luckily, Madeline, amidst her new born fears, recollected it would be no +difficult matter to find so great a man as Baron Fitzosbourne, and +accordingly Edwin, wrapped up and disguised as much as possible, sat off +to find his residence, and to obtain an interview with his two friends, +Walter and Albert. He fortunately found the latter at home, and in a few +hours was by him secretly admitted to Walter, who flew to embrace and +welcome him to his father's mansion, making a number of tender inquiries +after Roseline and the rest of his friends at the castle. He was both +shocked and astonished when informed of Edwin's distressed and perilous +situation, gently reproached him for not applying to him before, and for +not haven given him the slightest information of his intention before he +married. + +Edwin mad the best excuses he could for his reserve. Vague and +unsubstantial as they were, the generous Walter was soon reconciled to +his friend, put his purse into his hand, and insisted upon being +immediately introduced to his lovely bride. They returned with Edwin to +his lodgings, and found Madeline in a state of the most painful and +restless suspense, which their presence instantly dispersed. After the +compliments and congratulations were over, they sat down to consider +seriously what could be done, and what steps were most proper to be +taken to secure the persons of the new-married couple. Albert strenously +advised them not to attempt seeing the Baron in their present situation, +but to wait patiently till some plan could be adopted for their farther +safety. Walter promised in the mean time to supply them with money for +all necessary expences. + +The meeting of these friends was cordial and tender, and more cheerful +than could have been supposed. Walter repeatedly protested, +notwithstanding the difficulty and dangers with which they were +surrounded, that he envied more than he pitied them,--complained of his +own situation, as being more distressing and uncomfortable than their's, +and declared himself unable to support a much longer separation from +Roseline, without the deprivation of reason being added to that of all +his other enjoyments. + +On refection, it was thought better that Walter should make the +situation of the young couple known to the Baron without farther delay: +this he readily undertook; for, as the danger was great, rewards having +been offered for the person of Madeline, procrastination would have only +served to increase the difficulties they had to encounter. + +Walter succeeded in his embassy beyond his hopes, and soon prevailed +upon his father to comply with a plan they had thought of for the better +security of Madeline; namely, retiring secretly for the present to the +environs of one of the Baron's castles, at a great distance from the +metropolis, and concealing their real names and persons under the habits +of peasants. To this scheme the Baron readily agreed, and promised not +only to exert his utmost interest to procure a pardon for them both, but +instantly to write to Sir Philip and Lady de Morney to inform them of +their safety and situation, and intercede on their behalf. He likewise +called upon them the following day, presented them with a supply of cash +for present exitgencies, and sent them in one of his own carriages to +the place of their concealment, where we will for a short time leave +them, only observing they were as happy as our first parents before +their fall: they sometimes indeed recollected the danger of being +discovered, and trembled at the thought; but so much did they depend on +the friendship and power of the Baron to protect them, should the +dreadful misfortune ever befall them, that they determined not to let +uncertain apprehensions of what might happen in future prevent their +enjoying that portion of happiness which was now in their power, and the +author would wish every one who peruses these pages to adopt and +encourage the same useful philosophy. + +Walter, from the time of his arrival in London, till a few days previous +to his seeing Edwin, had been restless and uncomfortable. The first +master of the age had been procured to instruct him. He was presented to +his sovereign, and his introduction was attended with the most marked +and distinguished honours. + +Many fair ladies in the higher circles were lavish of their smiles, and +many parents would gladly have seen him added to the train of their +daughters' admirers, and, to lure him to their purpose, solicited his +friendship, and sent him repeated invitations to their houses. + +Pleasure courted him in a thousand varying forms, but he beheld her most +seducing blandishments with disgust and stoical indifference. Neither +the novelty of the scenes with which he was surrounded, the flattering +attentions of beauty, or the variety of amusements, of which he was in a +manner compelled to partake, could for one moment detach his mind from +the fascinating Roseline. With her dwelt every wish,--on her unshaken +tenderness rested his every hope of permanent felicity; and, to have +heard the sound of her enchanting voice, he would voluntarily have +bidden adieu to London, and all its pleasures.--If he attended to the +instructions of his masters, he was actuated by the same motives, and he +wished to be as wise as Plato, that he might be more worthy to possess a +treasure he estimated beyond the wealth of worlds.--Noble young +man!--would love operate on all youthful minds as it did on thine, it +would be entitled to universal praise, and might justly be called the +guardian-friend of innocence, the patron of every virtue. + +At length, both the Baron and Albert were not only surprised, but +alarmed at the visible alteration they observed in Walter, who often +absented himself, and when questioned where he had been, and how he had +been amusing himself, hesitated in his answers, and appeared at a loss +what to say. + +One evening the Baron particularly requested he would accompany him to +some public place; but he pleaded a prior engagement, and, on being +asked the nature of it, gave so trifling and unsatisfactory an answer, +that the Baron was seriously displeased, and left the room, telling him +he did not like to be treated with reserve, recommended him to recollect +how much he had already been made a dupe to mysterious transactions, and +not to forget that he had likewise been nearly a victim to artifice +before he knew guile in his own heart or person. + +As soon as he left the room, Albert approached his beloved master, and, +with a tear trembling in each eye, told him he was to blame, and begged +he would follow his father, and do away his displeasure, by going as he +requested. + +"My dear fellow, (cried Walter,) my father's anger I could bear unmoved, +because I do not feel myself deserving of it, but your gentle reproof +has in a moment found its way to my heart. Perhaps I may be to blame, +but surely, Albert, it is a little hard upon me to be compelled to stay +in this place without being sometimes allowed to amuse myself according +to my own inclination!" + +"What on earth (said Albert, with a sigh,) can on a sudden have made +this change in you, who so lately had an invincible objection to going +among strangers, lest you should fall into the snares that are so +frequently spread to entangle the unwary!--I thought----" + +"Allons, my dear fellow, (replied the impatient Walter,) don't just now +attempt to think;--you are a good creature:--but I can stay no longer +listen to you; I will hear you as early as you please in the morning. +Would to God my sweet Roseline had accompanied her brother to London!" + +"Would to heaven she had! (sighed Albert:) Here is something wrong going +forwards. I must be on my guard how I proceed, or my young master will +be drawn into some scrape that may lead to mischief, while the fair maid +of the castle may be left to wear the willow.--Now, or never, must be +the moment of action.--A thought has struck me;--it must be so." + +Away went Albert, and I hope none of my readers will have any objection +to accompany him in his friendly expedition. + +He instantly hurried out of the house, attended by a stout and faithful +servant.--They were so quick in their proceedings, that they very soon +perceived the object of their pursuit walking before them. After +following him through many streets, they saw him stop at a very +good-looking house, the door of which was opened by a servant in a rich +livery. Albert hesitated for a moment what to do:--to follow him would +have been both daring and imprudent, and, instead of setting matters to +rights, might have brought on greater difficulties; he therefore stepped +into a jeweller's shop nearly opposite the house into which the young +Fitzosbourne had entered, desiring his servant to keep a watchful eye. +He spent a few shillings, and then carelessly inquired of the shopkeeper +who it was inhabited the handsome house in which he saw so many lights. + +The man smiled, looked at him very earnestly, and then replied, "If I +did not think you were a stranger, sir, I should have supposed you were +joking with me, by asking that question, for I thought all the world had +known the Jezebel who lives there." + +"You have raised my curiosity to a higher pitch,(said Albert.) I have so +long been absent from this city, that I know but little of what has been +doing in it, and would thank you to answer my question with sincerity, +while I am looking over the things I want to purchase." + +"No man (replied the complaisant shopkeeper) is happier to please his +customers than I am, or more grateful for favours received; but, as one +person's money is as good as another's, and as I take a pretty round sum +every year from the fair inhabitants of that house, I have no business +to be telling of their frailties: however, if I can oblige you, sir, and +you will promise me to be secret, and not bring my name in question."---- + +Albert now became more and more eager to obtain the wished-for +intelligence, and not only promised all that he had requested, but to +reward him for his trouble, by recommending his shop to some friends who +had it greatly in their power to serve him. This at once put an end to +the honest jeweller's reserve; for, though he would not voluntarily have +told a scandalous tale of any one, yet he saw no objection to speaking +the truth when he could serve himself by so doing. + +"Please your honour, (he began, for he took it into his head at that +moment that Albert was a great man,) in that house lives the noted Mrs. +C----, who keeps so many fine young women, that all the fine young men +of the age are fond of obtaining admittance, though for that indulgence +they often sacrifice health, fortune, and even life itself. Ah! God +knows, I have seen sad doings, and many a one have I wished might escape +the plans laid for their destruction; but, if the devil himself were +to fall into her clutches, I think he would be puzzled to effect +his escape." + +"Has she many visitors just now?" interrupted Albert. + +"As to their number, that is impossible for me to ascertain; but of this +I am positive, she is never without some, and at this very time I think +there is something extraordinary going on, for one of her nymphs came +this morning to purchase a wedding-ring, and, on my joking her a little +on the subject, she said it was not for herself but Miss C----, +daughter to the old hag, who is a very lovely girl, and well known upon +the town. On my expressing myself happy to hear she was going to marry, +and become an honest woman, the girl burst into a violent fit of +laughter, and called me a puritanical hypocrite." + +"Let Catharine once become a wife, (said she,) and then we shall see who +will dare to call her virtue in question. She will, I hope, before +to-morrow night be married to the only son of one of the wealthiest +barons in the kingdom,--a young nobleman who knows so little of the +world, that it is absolutely necessary he should have a wife who can +instruct him, and I know no one better able to undertake the task than +the daughter of Mrs. C----." + +Albert with difficulty concealed his agitation at hearing this alarming +tale. Recovering himself, however, he inquired of his informer if he +recollected the name of the young gentleman.--After a moment's +hesitation, the jeweller replied, "the name was twice repeated, but it +ran so glibly off the lady's tongue, that I have since forgotten it." + +"Should you know it again?" asked Albert; who, on the jeweller's +answering that he thought he should, mentioned several, to all of which +a negative was given. At length Fitzosbourne was introduced.--"The very +person, (cried the jeweler;)--the Baron has but one son; and him, as +this girl told me, he has but lately found: but he is such an ideot, and +so easily imposed on, that, upon my soul, were I his father, I should +think him better lost than found." + +The jeweller might have gone on with his observations as long as he +pleased, had not his distressed auditor recollected the danger in which, +perhaps, his beloved young master was at that moment involved. He +started up, and, catching hold of his companion's hand, told him, he +must that moment go with him. The man drew back: Albert perceived the +folly of his abruptness, and, making some apologies, informed the +astonished jeweller, that the business on which he was going would admit +of no delay,--that if he would accompany him, lend his assistance, and +procure two or three spirited young men to be of the party, he should be +well rewarded for his trouble, and would have reason to bless the day +chance directed him to his shop. + +This promise was a sufficient temptation to a tradesman who had a large +family, little money, and few friends. He summoned some of his men from +an adjoining workshop, and, thus attended, Albert sallied into the +street. His servant, who was in waiting, informed his master a priest +had been just admitted into the house he was watching, and that he had +seen the young lord at the window with a beautiful woman hanging on his +arm, who appeared to be in tears. + +This intelligence made them hurry on.--Albert rapped at the door, +requesting the others to keep out of sight till he was secure of +obtaining admittance. A servant soon appeared; Albert inquired if his +mistress were at home. The fellow replied that his lady was then +particularly engaged, and could not be spoken to, adding, he might call +again in the morning. + +"The morning will not do, my friend; I must see your mistress this +evening, (said Albert;) my business is quite as particular, I believe, +as that in which she may be engaged, therefore make way, and let me +come in." + +The fellow attempted to shut the door, but the posse in waiting, on +being beckened by Albert, came to his assistance, and they all rushed +into the house. Albert, the jeweller, and the rest of the party, except +one, who was left to guard the fellow at the door, went as gently as +possible up a spacious staircase. They heard voices at a distance, and +were directed by the sound to a door of the apartment which contained +the party, who appeared to be engaged in a warm dispute. + +At times they could distinguish female voices, and very soon Albert +heard that of his beloved master exalted to its highest pitch. This at +once determined him to open the door, but he found it fastened within +side: he then loudly demanded admittance; a female scream was all the +answer he received. Again he called: some one then asked what he wanted, +adding, whoever it was that intruded on them so rudely must wait till +another opportunity. + +"Wait no longer, (cried Walter,) but force the door; I know not but my +life may be endangered." + +The door was instantly burst open. What a scene presented itself! +Walter, with a face pale as ashes, and apparently in the utmost +confusion, was endeavouring to disengage himself from the embraces of a +young woman, who had fallen at his feet, and clasped her arms around +him. The priest held a prayer-book in his hand, which was opened at the +matrimonial service.--A fierce looking man in a naval uniform, the old +procuress, and another of her nymphs completed the group. + +The instant Walter saw his friend enter the apartment, by a desperate +effort he disengaged himself from the syren who had held him captive, +flew to Albert, and brandishing his sword, called upon the wretch who +had endeavoured to inveigle him into a forced marriage to draw, and +receive the reward of his treachery; but Albert ordered the culprit to +be secured, and requested Walter not to stain the purity of his sword +with the blood of such a villain.--During this contest, the women and +the priest sneaked out of the room unobserved, and, though the strictest +search was made throughout the house, not a creature could be found in +it that belonged to the family, but the servant who admitted them, and +who had been prevented following the rest by the person left to guard him. + +Albert insisted, before he left the house, on sending for proper +officers to take the prisoners into custody; but Walter, who wished this +affair to be kept as secret as possible, entreated, with so much +earnestness, on the villain's making a promise of amendment, and leaving +the kingdom, to have him liberated, that his friend, after a little +hesitation, complied, on condition that the two fellows should be left +bound in different apartments till the vile mistress of the house, or +some of her associates, should venture to return. + +The honest jeweller was entreated to be secret, and promised an ample +recompense. His people were liberally paid, and Albert, with an exulting +heart, attended home his agitated friend, who, after recovering his +spirits in some degree, gave him the following account of the +circumstances which had drawn him into a situation that might have been +as fatal to his peace as they would have been disgraceful to his +character, had not his guardian-friend arrived in time to prevent the +threatened danger, the whole of which he was now convinced had been +planned for the purpose of drawing him into marriage, resting their +hopes of success on his ignorance of the world. + +"I take shame to myself, dear Albert, (said the grateful Walter,) for +not informing you this evening of my engagement, which you, who know the +strength of my attachment to the charming Roseline, will not suppose was +meant to be of the nature it proved. I knew not that the worthless +woman, whose daughter it has been my ill luck frequently to meet at +several public places, was of so despicable a character.--Chance, or, as +I now suspect, design, has likewise frequently thrown her in my way in +my morning rambles: but what induced me to visit at her mother's house, +was the having found her one evening in the passage of the play-house, +waiting the arrival of her carriage, in the greatest distress; and what +served to add to it was the behaviour of two or three young men, who +said some very rude things to her in my hearing, for which I chastised +them with my cane, and the frightened fair one fainted in my arms as +soon as I had driven them away. I supposed they had been led to insult +her by having made too free with the bottle; but they doubtless knew her +well enough to discover her designs against me. + +"When she recovered from the fit into which I imagined they had +terrified her, I could do no less than see her home; and, when I called +the next morning, I was introduced to her mother, whose unbounded +gratitude and flattering acknowledgments, for the trifling service I had +rendered her sweet and amiable daughter, overwhelmed me with confusion, +and convinced her I was a fool exactly suited to her purpose. + +Being always received with the utmost politeness, and seeing nothing in +the conduct or behaviour of either mother or daughter to excite +suspicion, I continued to call upon them whenever I chanced to pass that +way, and was in the humour to wish for conversation. They boasted of +being of an ancient family in the North of England, appeared to live in +credit and affluence, treated me with the utmost hospitality, and +pressed me so warmly to make them frequent visits, that I promised to +comply with their request, because I supposed by so doing I was removing +a weight of obligation from their minds which seemed to give them pain. + +Once or twice it happened when I called, that the young lady had walked +out, and the mother said a good deal about the mortification it would be +to her to be told at her return I had called upon them in her absence; +but this, till about two hours ago, I considered as being the effusions +of gratitude. + +"And how (inquired Albert) were you at length undeceived?" + +"By her mother," continued Walter, who, after some little hesitation, +with an appeal to my honour and humanity, to excuse the weakness of a +fond parent, informed me of the passion I unfortunately, and as she +feared undesignedly, had inspired in the bosom of her daughter, a +passion she much doubted she would never be able to subdue, adding, +that, just before my arrival, she had by mere force compelled her to +walk out for air, as she saw with heart-felt distress the ravages +despair had made in the constitution of her inestimable child. + +I lamented the consequences of my intro-troduction, and added, I would +no more venture into a family whose peace I had disturbed, acknowledged +a prior engagement, and was about to quit the house, when the old lady +entreated me earnestly not to adopt a measure so cruel and unjust: I +therefore promised to call again; and, receiving an invitation for this +evening, accepted it, but did not suppose them the kind of people they +have proved. + +"Had you no suspicion of their character?" asked Albert. + +"None, by heaven! (replied Walter.)--I never saw the least appearance of +indecency, or even levity, and heard no conversation that would have +offended the nice ear of a Roseline de Morney." + +"The scheme was deeply laid, (said Albert.)--Pray proceed; I am +impatient to know how you were received this evening." + +"First by the mother, (continued Walter, who appeared in the greatest +distress.--On my inquiring the cause, she said she had informed +Catharine of what had passed between us; that, on being told I was +engaged, she fainted several times, and, before she recovered, her +nephew, who was just returned from abroad, called at the house. This +young man, she said, had been long passionately attached to her; that on +seeing the situation of his cousin, he was necessarily informed of the +cause,--was now with her, and had so earnestly entreated to have the +honour of being introduced to me, that she could not find resolution to +deny his request.-- + +"I will confess to you, my dear Albert, I now began to suspect some +design was formed against me; but of what nature I was still at a loss +to conjecture. I luckily had put on my sword, and I determined, if they +attempted to confine or ill treat me, to sell my life as dearly as I +could. However, it was not my life they wanted; they had a more +ambitious and less dangerous scheme in view. In a little time, the lady, +drowned in tears, and with well-acted distress, entered the room, +accompanied by her cousin, as the mother had called him. The gentleman +chose to put on a fierce and threatening look, and swore I should do +justice to his charming cousin, whom he loved more than life, or that +moment settle the matter with him as a gentleman ought to do. + +I laid my hand on my sword: Catharine flew to me, fell at my feet, and +begged I would not terrify her to death by exposing a life so dear to +the risk of fighting with her cousin. She then lamented her weakness, +and entreated me to compassionate the sorrows in which I had +involved her. + +I loudly demanded what all this meant,--declared I had no design against +her heart, nor any desire to be favoured with her hand, my own having +been long engaged to the best and fairest of her sex, and to whom alone +all my wishes were confined. The gentleman again approached me; the lady +chose to fall into a fit, and was supported by her female accomplices. A +priest at that moment entered the room. + +"You are come in good time, (said the pretended cousin,) to assist us +in performing an act of justice." + +The young lady at that instant recovered, and, seeing her coming to me, +I flew to the window, with an intention of opening it to call for +assistance, and, on finding it fastened, had no longer any doubts of +their premeditated designs against my peace. I therefore shook off the +fair syren, (who had clasped her hands around my arm, and, with tears, +and all the blandishments of artful beauty, besought me to have +compassion on her sufferings,) and made an effort to get out at the +door; that was likewise fastened. I then eagerly inquired for what +base purpose I was thus forcibly detained, and what it was they wanted +with me. + +"Justice, (replied the bully;--justice only!--Reverend father, (said he, +addressing himself to the priest,) this fair damsel has been robbed of +her peace: her virgin fame must be lost in consequence, unless that +youth (pointed to me) will make her reparation, by giving her his hand +in marriage. It is to join them in holy wedlock we sent for you." + +"I was now enraged too much, (continued Walter,) to have longer any +command over my passion.--I drew my sword, and vowed to sacrifice any +one who should dare to prevent my leaving the infamous house into which +I had been so artfully and basely trepanned. + +The women now clung about me, while their bully endeavoured, but in +vain, to wrest my sword from me. He then commanded the priest to do his +office, and I know not, at that moment, what act of desperation I might +not have committed, had not you, my guardian friend and preserver, +luckily burst into the room, and prevented my ending that life in a +brothel which you protected so many years in a dungeon." + +Albert embraced his young lord with tears of gratified affection. + +"Long, very long, (cried he,) may your life be guarded from every +danger, and never experience a fate so disgraceful! I will inform the +Baron of what has passed: he will very soon bring these wretches to the +shame and punishment they so justly deserve." + +"Not for worlds, my good Albert, would I have the story transpire! (said +Walter.)--I already know enough of human nature to be satisfied that the +recital of it would not only bring my father's displeasure upon me, but +likewise the ridicule of the world. Be assured of this, I will never +again run the risk of being drawn into danger by forming an acquaintance +with people, however specious their appearance, without their being well +known to my father or yourself. All I beg of you is, to join with me in +interceding with the Baron for permission to return to Bungay-castle. I +will there wait his pleasure, without murmur or complaint, for the +accomplishment of all my wishes. With Roseline de Morney I cannot be +unhappy;--without her my soul can know no peace." + +Albert promised to do what he could with the Baron, but requested his +young lord not to be too sanguine in his hopes of prevailing on him to +consent to his leaving London, till the time was expired that he had +fixed for his stay, and on his promising not to offend him by disputing +his will as to the length of his continuance in town, he agreed to +conceal this unpleasant adventure from the Baron, strongly recommending +him to be more guarded in future, and never to let his own unsuspecting +nature lead him to conclude that the people he mixed with were as good +and as artless as himself. + + + + +CHAP. IX. + + +From the time Walter became more and more dissatisfied with his +situation. He no longer contended with the Baron respecting the length +of his stay, or refused to accompany him whenever he was requested to +any public amusement or private party. But he became so restless and +internally wretched, that it became impossible to conceal entirely how +much he was distressed.--He wrote many letters to Roseline. The +following is a copy of that which he sent a few days after his being so +fortunately saved by Albert from the diabolical plan laid to render him +miserable during life, and at the same time would have made the innocent +Roseline as unhappy as himself. + + +My ever dear and charming Roseline, + +I cannot live much longer in this detestable place, where the women are +artful, the men base and designing. I am pointed at as being a fit dupe +for vice to ensnare: my ignorance often leads me into error, and my own +unsuspecting disposition exposes me to ridicule. If I must learn to be +like the people with whom I often associate here, I shall grow in a +little time so weary of existence, that I shall only wish it preserved +on your account. + +The immense distance between this place and the castle you inhabit +renders it doubly detestable. It is a scene of bustle, confusion, and +design; its amusements are all frivolous and trifling; its pleasures are +joyless, unsocial, and unsatisfactory, and I a mere cypher, dull and +alone, amidst a crowd of beings, for whom I feel neither respect nor +friendship. In fact, I am never more alone than when I am surrounded by +hundreds of people, not one of whom cares for my happiness. I had rather +be with you in one of the gloomiest dungeons of Bungay-castle than in +the palace of our king, unless you were by my side. + +I have seen a great many young ladies that are called beauties; but I +think none of them half so beautiful as my gentle Roseline; neither do +they appear so good humoured, nor is their dress so becoming, though +they wear as many diamonds as you did on the fortunate morning you went +to be married to my father. And would you think it?--one of them +actually endeavoured to draw me to marry her; though I repeatedly told +her I could love no woman but you. + +I have neither spirits nor appetite; I can neither laugh nor sing, and, +if the Baron have a mind to make me polite,--if he wish me to acquire +knowledge,--if he de desirous I should become what he calls an useful +member of society, he must no longer keep us separate. It is your +company only that could give a charm to that of other people, and, if I +could see you, I should love the world for your sake. I shall die, dear +Roseline, unless they permit me to come to you. + +Madeline, though she wept, was happy, and looked handsomer than ever; +and Edwin,--ah! how I envied your brother Edwin! He may be thankful he +was not the son of a Baron, compelled like me to go through the tiresome +drudgery of unmeaning ceremonies, and all the disgusting and nonsensical +forms which they tell me belong to a rank.--I am sure rank would be more +valuable and happier without them, and dignity far more pleasant to its +possessors, if they could divest themselves of pride. + +Commend be cordially to your parents.--Tell your sisters I love them as +a brother, and make my respects to De Clavering, De Willows, and the +honest Cambrian, to whom I hope one day to be of service. + +Sweet Roseline, think of me, dream of me, and love no one but me. My +father is very kind, very indulgent, and Albert very good, for he will +hear me talk of you for hours together; but neither the Baron nor Albert +can guess at the sufferings they inflict on me by this tedious absence +from you, to whom I am indebted for life, hope, and happiness. + + Your's forever, + + WALTER FITZOSBOURNE + + +When the above mentioned letter reached the hands of the dejected +Roseline, it alarmed and distressed her. It was however accompanied by +one from the Baron to Sir Philip had no longer any fears but his friend +would succeed in procuring a pardon for the fugitives. Again the family +of De Morney were restored to their accustomed cheerfulness, and their +friends admitted as usual; and, though Roseline shed some tears over the +fond impassioned letter of Walter, they were tears of grateful +tenderness, and she took care that her sighs and unceasing regret for +the absence of her lover should be concealed from those to whom they +would have given pain. Edeliza too was no longer under the unpleasant +necessity of concealing her love for the worthy De Willows. The heart of +Sir Philip was softened by the trials he had encountered, and all the +parent was awakened in his soul. He therefore consented to the union of +his second daughter taking place as soon as her lover could command an +income sufficient to maintain a wife and family; and, as he had many +friends in power, every one cherished hopes of his soon obtaining some +distinguished preferment. + +Audrey, who was still a great favourite with her young lady, was now +solely retained to attend her person, and wholly at her command. She +considered herself therefore of some consequence, and gave herself airs +accordingly. She did not choose to mix with the common class of +servants,--truly a lady's maid's place was a place of too much +extinction to permit any familiarity with infeerors.--No sooner did +Audrey see the family restored to their usual good humour, than she +herself became more lively and chatty than ever, and all her fears of +ghosts and hobgoblins were lost in her own self-importance and +newly-acquired dignity. She afforded high entertainment not only to her +fellow-servants, but to all the rest of the family, and, to make her +character appear more ridiculous, her dress was as absurd as her +sentiments. + +Whenever chance threw Mrs. Audrey in their way, it was become a matter +of course to enter into conversation with her, and the vain Abigail was +too proud of this flattering distinction not to make the most of it. + +De Clavering, who was fond of the humorous, laughed at the absurdities +of Audrey, and took every opportunity of shewing her off. One day, while +he was sitting with Roseline in the apartment to which Walter had been +removed, when released from his dungeon, Audrey came abruptly into the +room, bringing in her arms the little dog frequently mentioned in the +foregoing pages. She laid him on the lap of his fond mistress, and +exclaimed, "There, madam, take the little wandering rascal. I have been +in a fine quandrary about him, and have had a blessed rambulation to +find him, and drag him from his low-bred wulger companions. To my +thinks, he is as great a rake as the king himself, God bless his +majesty; but the young Baron ought to have given him a better eddication +than to keep company with his infeerors." + +"I am sure, Audrey, (said De Clavering,) you are much indebted to the +young rascal, as you call him; for the rambulation you complain of has +given so fine a glow to your complexion, so much animation to each +expressive feature, that may I die if I did not take you at first for a +painted lady, and, had I met you in the passage, am afraid I should have +been tempted to see whether those roses so fascinating and so blooming +were borrowed or natural." + +"Don't talk to me of hannimation or fansenation, (cried Audrey, +indignantly drawing herself up several inches higher;) I can assure you, +Mr. Doctor, I don't choose to be consulted. I neither buys, borrows, nor +covets, roses; I neither wants to tempt or be tempted by any one; but if +I was by chance to captify a sweetheart, I dares to say I should soon +become pale enough; for I thinks love is as bad as a 'potticary's shop." + +"I hope I have not offended you, Mrs. Audrey, (said De Clavering, +laughing,) I only meant to be civil, and pay the tribute due to the +bloom I observed upon your countenance." + +"Fended or not, (replied Audrey,) it little matters. Servants, some +folks thinks, must not look like other people, and their blooms must be +suspected truly. However, as father Anselm often says, God made up +all.--You might as well have been silent as to the matter of my looks. I +don't want or wish gentlemen 'poticarys to ax me questions, or trouble +their heads about me." + +"You would not have been half so angry with Camelford, (said De +Clavering,) had he said ten times as much to you as I have done, or had +he he kissed you as often as I once saw him, when you ran to him under +the mulberry tree." + +"I don't think she would, (said Roseline, smiling,) for I know our +friend Hugh is a great favourite with every female in the family." + +"Wery vell, miss, (replied Audrey, blushing as red as scarlet at the +story of the mulberry-tree,) you have a mind I see to join with the +malicious doctor to dash and confound me; but I defy his satarical +talons, and can ashure you, miss, though Mr. Camelfor is so cetious and +merry, he never proffered to kiss me more than half a dozen times in +his life." + +"Take care how you reckon, Audrey, cried De Clavering, humourously,) +remember I saw you under the mulberry-tree." + +"Well, what if you did?--You might as well have said nothing about it, +(replied Audrey.)--I was frightened almost into highsterricks by an ugly +black cat jumping from a lylac bush, and I ran to Mr. Camelfor without +knowing what I did, and he was so civil and perlite, God bless his +good-humoured heart, one must have been a savage to quarrel with him for +a civil kiss or two: he does not fleer or jeer people about their looks, +or tells what he sees them doing." + +Neither Roseline nor De Clavering could any longer refrain from +laughing, and Camelford that moment entering the room, Audrey was so +much displeased, and in so great a hurry to be gone, that, in running to +the door, she almost beat down her favourite. + +"Fat, in the name of Cot, (cried Hugh,) is the matter with the girl? She +has as many freaks and fancies in her head as a mountain coat, and is as +frolicksome too." + +"You had better follow her, and make your inquiries, (said De +Clavering;) I am satisfied the damsel would tell you what brought on +her present disorder sooner than any body else." + +"I am no toctor, (said Camelford,) therefore don't be playing tricks +upon me, by sending me after the tamsel, and pringing little Pertha's +anger upon me, which, may I tie in a titch, if I how how to bear." + +"Oh! if you are enlisted under petticoat government, (replied De +Clavering,) I give you up as incurable,--a deserter from the thorny +paths of glory, and foresee the sword will be changed into a distaff or +a ploughshare." + +"Luf (cried Camelford) must not be apused; it is the best stimulus to +crate and noble actions, the parent of pold atchievements; but of that +same luf you know nothing: there is no heart in your pody, and you are +mortified to think you cannot find a nostrum to cure the disease in +others: you must therefore be caught in luf's snares, in order to learn +the nature of those treadful tribulations it brings upon a man. May I go +to the tevil in a high wind, if I had not as lief face a canon's mouth +as meet the fire of Pertha's pright eyes, when they look indignantly +upon me!" + +"Don't talk so much of the devil, Hugh, (interrupted De Clavering,) but +request him to do you the favour of kicking about your brains a little, +till they return to a more useful station in your pericranium: in my +opinion, you are in a fair way of becoming fist for the government under +which you think yourself enlisted." + +"May the vengeance of all womankind fall upon you! (cried +Camelford:)--may you be tragged apout like a tancing pear, to make +sport!--may you lead asses in the tark regions of Peelzebub, for your +plasphemies against woman! and may--" + +But all his farther denunciations and wishes for vengeance on De +Clavering were now interrupted by a loud screaming. Soon the door was +thrown open, and in bounced Audrey, her cap on one side, and her face as +pale as ashes. + +"I have seen him, (she exclaimed,) with my own dear eyes!--his ghost, or +happorition!" + +"Whose cost? (cried Camelford;) where is it?--I will teach a cost to +frighten a pretty cirl, and trive her tistracted." + +The manner and appearance of Audrey were such as served to confirm the +suspicion in the mind of Roseline, and even De Clavering, till, offended +by the supposition of her being insane, she called out in her usual +peculiar stile, "Thank God! some folks are no more a lunatic than other +folks. I have all my seven senses as perfect as ever I had in my +life;--but, Christ Jasus, these are sad times, when one is not allowed +to believe their own precious eyes.--Down dropped his horse, poor beast, +all in a foam, and down tumbled the young Baron arter him, as dead as my +my dear great grandmother." + +"Who are you talking of? (cried Roseline, rising with the utmost +emotion.)--Is the Baron?--is Walter?--is he dead?" + +"He only died for a few minutes, (answered Audrey, and then he came +to himself--" + +She had time for no more. Roseline heard the well known step of her +lover.--Walter rushed into the room, threw himself at her feet, and the +next instant caught her in his arms. + +"This moment (cried he) is that for which my heart has languished! this +is a reward for all my fatigue, all my fears and anxieties!--Look up, +smile upon me, and say, my sweet Roseline, that my return gives to you +an almost equal pleasure as myself; but, first, let me inform you that I +have left London without the knowledge and permission of my father." + +That Roseline rejoiced to see her lover her eyes informed him, but for a +few minutes surprise and agitation kept her silent. Sir Philip, Lady de +Morney, and the whole family, were soon assembled in the apartment to +which Walter had been directed by Audrey. + +The young Baron, it may be supposed, found a cordial reception, and it +is not to be doubted but _that_ he met with from the fair object of his +affection was such as amply repaid him for his fatigue, and in his own +mind even, for the risk he had hazarded of disobliging his father. This +step, however, was owing to a hint dropped by the Baron, that it would +be agreeable and convenient, to himself, and necessary for many reasons +to his son, that they should prolong their stay in town for some weeks +beyond what had been proposed, or intended on their departure from the +castle. + +On this plan being opposed by Walter, the Baron not only appeared +displeased, but resolute to carry his point. A circumstance so +distressing to his son rendered him equally determined not to submit to +such arbitrary, and, in his opinion, cruel authority; therefore, early +the next morning he sat off, without being attended by a servant, or +informing any one to what part of the globe he meant to go, and the next +day reached Bungay-castle in the manner before described. + +Sir Philip de Morney, on learning these alarming circumstances from his +daughter, immediately sent off an express to inform the Baron of his +son's unexpected arrival, and of his apprehensions that the step he had +so unguardedly taken would bring his displeasure upon himself and +family, whom he seriously assured him knew nothing of his intention. + +Walter, in his conversations with Roseline, told her, he found himself +so disgusted with the customs and manners of the world, and met with so +few people in it to whom he could attach himself, or for whom he felt +either respect or affection, that he determined no longer to be detained +from her in whose care his happiness was intrusted, and with whom alone +he was satisfied it could rest secure. + +"And, as you condescended, (he continued,) to love and attend to me when +immured in a dungeon,--kindly smiled on me, and endeavoured to instruct +me when enveloped in ignorance, and was my friend when I appeared to +have no claims,--a solitary outcast from society, I thought you would +not be very much displeased if I forsook the world for you, who gave up +more, much more, for me, and quitted its gayest and most cheerful scenes +for the solitary gloom of a prison. + +"Whatever I may still want of polish, address, and what fashionable +people stile politeness, love and my gentle Roseline can easily teach +me. From a world that I neither like nor approve, I could learn but +little, while the chosen mistress of my heart may at her pleasure make +me any thing she wishes. With her, and for her amusement, I may be +sometimes tempted to live in a crowd; without her, the world itself is +only a wide extended dungeon." + +Roseline, at hearing this impassioned language from lips which, she was +satisfied, knew no guile, was too much gratified to express all she +felt. She smiled on him through her tears, and, in the softest language +affection could dictate, gently chid him for being so impetuous as to +run the risk of disobliging his father on her account, expressing a few +timid apprehensions that the Baron might be offended with her as being +the innocent cause of his son's proving refractory to his wishes; yet +she could not help secretly rejoicing in the strength of his attachment, +on which all her happiness depended. + +Every thing was done by the family to give this amiable and singular +lover a reception not only suitable to his elevated rank, but +satisfactory to his feelings,--such an one as the sincerity of his +regard for Roseline demanded and deserved, while the joy which appeared +upon the animated countenances of the lovers convinced every one who saw +them, that they had fixed their hopes of felicity on a basis which the +hand of death only could shake from its foundations. + +Walter, in his moments of unreserve, expressed his surprise, dislike, +and contempt, of many things, persons, and customs, which he met with in +the high circles to which he had been introduced, and concluded with +wishing that the Baron could be prevailed upon to excuse his farther +attendance, adding, it was his determined plan, so far as it met the +approbation of his beloved Roseline, to spend as much of his time as the +nature of his situation would permit in the placid bosom of retirement, +in which he hoped to make himself as useful and worthy a member of +the commonwealth as he should be if engaged in more bustling and +busy scenes. + +"One would think (said De Clavering, who happened to be present when +this conversation occurred) that the young Baron had been educated by +some of our wise and ancient philosophers, and, taught by their +precepts, was convinced by them that happiness was too timid and modest +to be found in the confines of a court, or the splendors of a ball-room. +It reminds me of Enthymenes, who, speaking of the pleasures of solitude +to a man of the world, makes the following observations. + + + "You are compelled to a continual restraint in your dress, demeanour, + actions, and words:--your festivals are so magnificent, and our's so + mirthful!--your pleasures so superficial and so transient, and our's so + real and so constant! Have you ever in your rich apartments breathed an + air so fresh as that which we respire in the verdant arbour?--or can + your entertainments, sometimes so sumptuous, compare with the bowls of + milk which we have just drawn, or those delicious fruits we have + gathered with our hands? + + "Ah! if happiness be only the health of the soul, must it not be + found in those places, where a just proportion ever reigns between our + wants and our desires, where motion is constantly followed by rest, + and where our affections are always *accompapanied by tranquillity, + breathe a free air, and enjoy the splendor of heaven.--From these + kind of comparisons we may judge which are the true riches that nature + designed for men." + +"Such were the opinions and sentiments of Enthymenes, and such I find +are those of De Clavering, (replied Walter,) or he would not have +retained and repeated them with so much facility and satisfaction.--Were +my fate united with that of Miss de Morney, and had I two such friends +as De Clavering and Albert, to direct my conduct and enlarge the small +portion of knowledge I have yet been able to acquire, I should think +myself the most fortunate as well as the happiest of mankind, having +already experienced a long series of oppression from the baneful arts +and stratagems of ambition, I have learned to despise it, and, in the +gloomy and trying hour of adversity, have been taught, that fortitude, +with humility and untainted honour, can harmonize, but can never degrade +the most exalted stations, and, while they are the brightest jewels that +could adorn a crown, they enrich and ennoble the lowest peasant." + +In a few days, the Baron, accompanied by Albert, arrived at the castle. +The frown which appeared upon his brow, at his first entrance, was +instantly dispersed when the trembling Roseline sunk at his feet, and +entreated him to pardon the eccentric flight of her lover, of which, as +she was the cause, if his displeasure continued, it would inflict equal +distress upon herself as upon his son. + +To resist so fair a supplicant was not in the Baron's power. He tenderly +raised her from the ground, and the next morning embraced her lover. The +utmost harmony and a general cheerfulness soon prevailed, and, before +the parties separated for the night, the Baron candidly and generously +acknowledged, that, at the same age, and under the same circumstances as +his son, he believed he should have acted as he had done. "And upon the +whole, (said he,) I was not very sorry when the obstinate sighing boy +took himself away; for I was grown weary of having to introduce, and +make such frequent apologies for so absent, lifeless, and refractory +a being." + +What served to reconcile matters the sooner was, that Albert, after the +sudden disappearance of his young lord, had informed his father of Mrs. +C---'s infamous stratagem to draw him into a marriage with her artful +and abandoned daughter. He was so much enraged at hearing the lengths +to which these wretches had dared to go, that strict search was made +after them, but without effect. + +Walter, too, told Roseline of the designs which had been formed to +entrap him, and, while she looked at him with increased delight, she +secretly rejoiced that he had left a place which harboured a set of +people who gloried to destroy the peace of their fellow-creatures. + +To make the happiness of the friendly party more perfectly complete, the +Baron informed Sir Philip and Lady de Morney that he hoped very soon to +procure a pardon for Edwin and Madeline, and to be able to restore them +to their protection. + +Preparations for the marriage very soon began, the Baron humourously +observing, that, till his son was again deprived of his freedom, there +would be no knowing how to secure, or what to do with him, and declaring +he should be very glad to delegate the care of him to one whom he had no +doubt would supply his place much to the advantage of the charge he was +ready and willing to give up. + +Every appendage, that wealth could purchase,--rank require,--or youth +and ambition wish to possess,--was liberally provided to grace the +nuptials of Walter Fitzosbourne and the happy Roseline de Morney. + +Ah! how different were the feelings,--how delightful the prospects of +the intended bride, on this occasion, to what they had been on a former +one, when she prepared with such agonizing terrors to give her hand to +the Baron!--yet, though she could now think of approaching the altar +without reluctance, she could not entirely divest herself of those timid +fears which every gentle and virtuous female must experience when she +recollects the number of new duties upon which she is going to enter, +and that, from the moment she becomes a wife, her happiness, no longer +dependent on herself or parents, rests only on the man to whom she has +given her hand. + +Walter seemed to tread on air; he was all vivacity and joy, and appeared +to have assumed a new character. The world, and every thing belonging to +it, wore a different aspect:--all, all was charming. He wondered how he +could ever have felt disgust, or cherished discontent. To his father he +was attentive and affectionate,--to his friends cordial and +complacent,--to his Roseline all that an affectionate lover could or +ought to be. + +Albert was almost as happy and joyous as his master. The Baron, serene, +grateful, and contented, while Sir Philip and Lady de Morney, who found +their own consequence and comforts so much increased by this fortunate +and splendid alliance, united in blessing the hour which sent their +intended son-in-law a prisoner to Bungay-castle. + + + + +CHAP. X. + + +At length the happy day arrived which was appointed for the +celebration of these long expected nuptials. We presume that the +morning, to the world in general, was exactly like what other +mornings had been, and that the sun shone without any perceptible +brilliancy being added to its rays, except in the eyes of the now +happy lovers. + +The company assembled in the breakfast-room, and for some time waited +for Roseline. She soon made her appearance, led by her beloved +Walter, who had stolen unobserved to the chamber-door of his +mistress, to chide her for so long delaying his happiness. On this +occasion he was splendidly attired, and the bride, elegantly but +simply dressed, wanted not the borrowed aid of ornament, but, arrayed +in maiden bashfulness and artless purity, appeared all native +loveliness. + +As she received the congratulations of her friends, a tear, which +stole from her expressive eye as it trembled to escape, appeared to +spotless harbinger of gratified affection, struggling to conquer the +becoming fears of unaffected modesty. + +As soon as breakfast was over, they were accompanied to the chapel of +the nunnery by a numerous train of friends and dependents. On their +arrival, they were met by the Lady Abbess, the venerable and worthy +Father Anselm, and almost all the inhabitants of the nunnery, who +were allowed to assemble in the chapel on this joyous occasion, while +every face wore the appearance of cheerfulness. + +A select party went back with them to the castle, where all who chose +were permitted to partake of the happiness, and share in the social +satisfaction which universally prevailed. + +Mutual congratulations and good wishes were exchanged. Sir Philip and +Lady de Morney, happy as they were in the completion of their +ambition, could not restrain the sigh of heart-felt regret at the +thoughts of soon being separated from their beloved daughter. + +Roseline was some time before she recovered her usual serenity, till +Edeliza, on observing her shed a tear as she looked at her mother, +said to her, in a whisper,--"I cannot imagine, my dear sister, why +you should weep. I do not think I should be so dejected if I were +married to De Willows,--though he never said half so many fine things +to me as the young Baron has done to you." + +Roseline, smiling, pressed the hand of her sister, and, returning +her whisper, assured her she was indeed the most enviable of her +sex:-- but (added she) it requires more fortitude than I possess to +support such happiness as mine with equanimity and composure; and +the natural regret I cannot help feeling at leaving this place, and +soon being separated from the best and tenderest of mothers, convinces +me that Providence never intended we should enjoy bliss without alloy." + +The next day the party sat off in new and splendid carriages, attended +by a numerous retinue of servants, for the Baron's castle in the +North of England. Their grand cavalcade brought a number of people +to take a farewell look of the lovely bride, whose departure was +generally regretted; and she was followed by the good wishes of all +who ever had the pleasure of enjoying her society. + +Sir Philip and Lady de Morney, her two sisters, De Willows, +De Clavering, and Hugh Camelford accompanied her. Audrey had likewise +the honour of attending her lady as fille de chambre, and never felt +herself of such infinite consequence as she did when handed into the +travelling carriage by the Baron's gentleman, who did her the honour +to assist in packing her up to the chin amidst the boxes and luggage +entrusted to her care. + +The party travelled slowly and pleasantly, stopping to see every +thing on their route that was worthy observation; and, as they were +now in the humour to be easily pleased, they were consequently amused +and gratified with almost every thing they saw.--It is a kind of +humour so extremely convenient, that I hope we shall be excused for +recommending the adoption of it to travellers of all countries and +denominations,--good humour, and serenity of mind, being the best +companions at home, are equally eligible to carry with us when we +go abroad. + +On their arrival at Fitzosbourne-castle, they received a considerable +increase to their happiness by meeting Edwin and Madeline in perfect +health and good spirits.--Sir Philip and Lady de Morney's cup of +joy was filled to the brim, when they found themselves folded in the +arms of their long absent children, for whole lives they had so often, +and indeed at this very moment inwardly trembled. + +The happy bride of the exulting Walter felt such a torrent of added +felicity, on being folded in the arms of her brother and Madeline, +that she was very near fainting. Observing this, the Baron, to call +off their attention, desired them to permit him to come in for +some share of their embraces, and in his turn to welcome them to +Fitzosbourne-castle. This had the effect it was designed to produce, +and the cordial welcome every one received from the Baron gave +additional satisfaction to the hours thus marked with joy, happiness, +and love. + +After they had taken some refreshment, Edwin surprised them all by +approaching the Baron, and in the most submissive manner begging him +to pardon the liberty he had taken in introducing a guest to the +castle, whom, as yet, he knew not of being there,--a guest old and +weak, but who was, he hoped, slowly recovering from an attack of +illness so severe, as to have threatened his life, and which, in all +probability, would have terminated his mortal existence, but for the +unremitting attention he received from the Baron's domestics. + +"No apology is necessary upon such an occasion, (said the Baron.) +Had my people been wanting in care to any one who required their +assistance, I should have instantly dismissed them.--When may I be +introduced to your friend? (added he.)--I am impatient to assure him +that this house, and all that it contains, are much at his service." + +"Pray, my dear Edwin, (said Lady de Morney,) who is the person for +whom you have ventured to tax the Baron's hospitality thus largely, +and for whom you appear so much interested?" + +"The father of this lady, (replied he, taking the hand of Madeline, +and leading her to his mother.)--To her I will refer you for an +account of our meeting, and the revolution it has fortunately +produced in our favour. + +Madeline was instantly called upon to gratify the curiosity of the +company, and, without any delay, informed them, that Edwin and +herself having one day agreed to take a ramble, they told the people +with whom they lodged that they should not return till the evening. + +Disguising themselves more than usual, so as to avoid the possibility +of being discovered, they sat off; and, being tempted by the extreme +fineness of the day, wandered till they came to the great road which +led to a large town, not five miles distant. + +"In fact, (said the blushing narrator,) my dear Edwin, was grown +weary of solitude, and wished perhaps to see more faces than those +which he met in the obscure little cottage to which we were confined." + +Every one smiled,--Edwin looked confused,--and Madeline thus proceeded. + +"We had not walked more than half a mile in the great road, before +the number of people we met, and the curiosity our strange appearance +excited, determined us to choose a more private walk; but, just as +we were going to turn into a lane which led to a neighbouring village, +our attention was caught, and our design prevented by a carriage +being overturned within a hundred paces of us. + +"The horses, proving restive, had drawn it up a high bank, which +occasioned the accident. One of the servants, seeing Edwin, beckened +him, and begged him to assist in the lifting it up, and liberating +his master from his perilous situation. He immediately ran off, +telling me to sit down on the bank till his return. + +"Thinking, however, that I might possibly be of some service, I walked +slowly forwards; but guess my terror, when, just as we arrived at +the carriage, they were dragging from it a man to all appearance dead. + +"I instantly flew to lend my assistance; but no sooner did I +distinguish his person, than I was nearly as lifeless as himself.--It +was my father,--my father dying on the road! The sight, however +terrifying to my fears and torturing to my feelings, gave me strength, +and inspired me with fortitude to help in preserving the life of +the author of my being. + +"I took an opportunity to inform my dear Edwin who it was that claimed +our care and attention. After chafing his temples, and rubbing his +emaciated hands, some faint signs of life reanimated our endeavours. + +"We found, by the conversation of the servants, that their master +had been recommended to try what change of air and travelling might +do, as medicine had failed in removing a disease which had long +preyed upon his constitution, and which had been increased by some +domestic sorrow. + +"Alas! of that sorrow I knew myself to be the cause, and the tears, +which I shed upon his almost lifeless hand, as I saw him extended at +my feet, atoned I hope, in some measure, for the grief I had inflicted. + +"When life was more perfectly restored, we moved him upon a grass plat, +till the carriage and horses could be got ready.--He took no notice +of any one, and appeared to be totally insensible of the accident, +and of every thing around him.--This at once determined us to intrude +on the Baron's goodness, and convey him to this castle. + +"Having dispatched a messenger for the best advice we could procure, +one of his attendants and myself accompanied him in the carriage. +His head rested on my bosom, but he knew me not, nor once attempted +to speak. On our arrival here, we found every thing prepared for our +reception, Edwin having taken one of the horses, and rode full speed +to inform the Baron's servants a sick gentleman was coming, for whom +he requested their care and assistance. + +"My father was taken from the carriage, and instantly put to bed. +Two medical gentlemen very soon arrived, who, on examining the state +of their patient, from the violence of the contusion and the total +deprivation of sense in which they found him, seemed to think there +was a concussion of the brain. They assured us, however, that his +life would not be endangered by the accident, but said, they saw +he was far advanced in decline, from which they apprehended more +fatal consequences. + +"We continued our disguise, and, as our real names were totally unknown +in this neighborhood, having passed for a Mr. and Mrs. Danbury, we +were under no apprehensions of being discovered, should my father +recover his senses. After remaining in the most painful state of +suspense many days, he began to take notice of those who attended +him, but made no inquiries after his own servants, how he came into +a strange place, or the accident which had befallen him. One day, as +I was sitting by him, and holding his head, which I had been rubbing +with vinegar, he looked earnestly at me. + +"If I did not think, if I did not know it was impossible, (said he, +in hurried accents, looking first at me, and then at Edwin, who was +standing at the foot of the bed,) I should almost be tempted to +believe that the hand which has so gently given me relief was the +hand of Madeline de Glanville, and that face the face I once fondly +doated upon; but it cannot be!--I am a poor, wandering, old man, whose +eyes must be closed by strangers, and I deserve it should be so. I +once had a daughter, but I banished her my sight:--I had a son, but +he perhaps is no longer an inhabitant of this world." + +Here he stopped, and burst into a violent flood of tears. By a sign +from Edwin I understood he wished me to take this favourable opportunity +of making the discovery, for which he knew I languished. Falling +therefore, on my knees, in the most supplicating attitude, and pressing +his hand to my lips, I exclaimed: + +"I am your daughter,--your Madeline, and there is the amiable, the +beloved husband for whom I dared to disobey my father, and for whom +at this moment I stand a trembling victim to the just laws of my +country and my religion!" + +The scene which followed it is not in my power to describe. Suffice +it to say, that, from that interesting period, my father has not +only been reconciled, but renovated with health and strength. He +frequently laments the obstinacy which reduced us to the necessity +of taking such steps to prevent our separation. He has written letters +to every one he knows that has any interest with the higher powers +of the church, but his hopes of success are rested upon Lord +Fitzosbourne, to whom he is impatient to pay his respects." + +"This moment I am ready to attend him, (said the Baron:) the father +of Madeline is entitled to every attention that has, or can be +shewn him." + +After his lordship's visit had been paid, the rest of the party +followed of course, and a general harmony prevailed. Mr. de Glanville +was instantly placed wholly under the care of De Clavering, and soon +obtained as perfect a state of convalescence as the nature of his +constitutional habits would admit. + +Now again hospitality and festivity took their turn to reign, and +the happy and distinguished Walter, after languishing so many years +in misery and confinement, found himself in the situation for which +nature had designed him. + +Restored to his rank in the bosom of affluence, and surrounded by +tender and admiring friends, he soon lost that timid shyness which +had once rendered averse to society, and discontented with the world. +United to the only woman he had ever loved, and possessed of domains +more extensive and fertile than those of many a petty prince, with +a mind calculated to promote the happiness of his fellow-creatures, +he was beloved by all, and envied by many. + +In a few months a full and free pardon was procured for Edwin and +Madeline, and Mr. de Glanville, having recovered, contrary to the +expectation of every one, from the indisposition which threatened +him with death at the time his daughter escaped from the Bungay nunnery, +on being convinced she had made so respectable and worthy a choice, +gave her a considerable portion, and afterwards, having the fears +of his son's death realized, she inherited his whole estate. Edwin +also rose to high rank in the army, and was an honour to his country. + +Edeliza was happily married in due time to her beloved De Willows, +and, about six years after, the worthy Hugh Camelford led the blooming +and unreluctant Bertha to the altar.--To these young men the Baron +uniformly remained a bountiful and steady patron, and Sir Philip and +Lady de Morney lived many years to be grateful and happy spectators +of the felicity and prosperity of their children. + +The Baron and his son became so sincerely attached to De Clavering +during his visit at Fitzosbourne-castle, that, in compliance with +their urgent and repeated entreaties, he consented to remain in +their neighborhood. + +He very soon afterwards married a lady of respectability and fortune, +and his practice became so extensive, and so much esteemed, that his +superior knowledge proved a general blessing, of which many hundreds +of this fellow-creatures in a few years experienced the benefit. + +The Baron was highly delighted with the society of De Clavering, and +it was with the utmost reluctance he ever consented to his being +a day absent from the neighborhood. + +It was the intention of the Baron, after he had seen his son fixed, +and his household properly established, to have resided in another +of his castles, about twenty miles distant, but neither Walter nor +Roseline would consent to the proposal. + +They reminded the Baron of the long and cruel separation which had +divided him from his son in the early part of his life, and so earnestly +entreated him not to interrupt their happiness, by withdrawing himself +from their society, and refusing to reside with them, that, pleased +and gratified by the tenderness with which the request was mutually +urged, he yielded to their persuasions, and a proper suite of rooms, +with a large retinue of servants, were set apart for the immediate +use of the Baron. + +He continued to live with them many years, without any interruption +to his happiness; and, in seeing the harmony and felicity they enjoyed, +surrounded by a number of lovely and healthy grand-children, he found, +amidst the increasing infirmities of old age, sufficient attractions +in life to make it pleasant and desirable, while the cordial affection +and exemplary conduct of his son, joined to the endearing attentions +of the gentle and beloved Roseline, made him remember with joy and +gratitude the day in which he saw their hands united. + +Albert never left his beloved master, but was as faithfully attached +to his children as he had been to himself. He had apartments +appropriated to his use, a servant to attend him, and met, in the +kind and unceasing attentions of his grateful friends, the just reward +of his long tried fidelity. + +Often, in the dreary winter evenings, having drawn all the younger +part of the family around him, he would recite the incidents of his +life from the period of his confinement with Walter. To the young +Fitzosbournes it was a high treat to hear Albert tell the tale of +their beloved father's life. + +Sometimes he would excite their wonder, and entertain them with the +surprising effect of his double voice; and, when he became a very +old man, he was as much beloved for what he had been, as he was +respected for his age, grey hairs, and universal philanthropy. + +Though many overtures were made by the worthless brother of the +Lady Isabella to bring about a reconciliation, neither the Baron nor +his son could ever be prevailed upon to see him, and it was with some +difficulty the former was persuaded to give up bringing him to justice +for the crime he had committed. + +The good abbess and the venerable father Anselm had the pleasure of +seeing their favourite Madeline as happy in the arms of her worthy +husband, as they had hoped she would have been in the bosom of their +church. Walter and his Roseline paid them many visits before they +were removed from their exemplary calling on earth to receive the +reward of their purity and virtue in the regions of immortality. + +The hero and heroine of our tale retained the virtues of their +youth, the gentleness of their manners, and the sweetness of their +dispositions to the end of their lives; and, what may be thought rare +and singular, they never lost their humility, tenderness, and unbounded +affection for each other; but when age, that grave of beauty, had robbed +them of those outward graces, which nature with an unsparing hand +had bestowed upon their youth, love maintained its empire in their +faithful bosoms, and survived every change, till death summoned them +to meet the bright and unfailing recompense of a life spent in the +practice of religion, justice, and virtue. + + +FINIS. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Bungay Castle: A Novel. v. 1/2, by +Elizabeth Bonhote + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BUNGAY CASTLE: A NOVEL. V. 1/2 *** + +***** This file should be named 37533.txt or 37533.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/7/5/3/37533/ + +Produced by ppcunningham from the library of San Francisco +State University + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. 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