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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:15:09 -0700 |
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diff --git a/510-h/510-h.htm b/510-h/510-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..15361a4 --- /dev/null +++ b/510-h/510-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,4845 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Purcell Papers, Volume II. by JOSEPH SHERIDAN LE FANU + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + --> +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Purcell Papers, by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu + +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: The Purcell Papers + Volume II. (of III.) + +Author: Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu + +Release Date: May 24, 2008 [EBook #510] +Last Updated: November 30, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PURCELL PAPERS *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE PURCELL PAPERS. + </h1> + <h2> + BY THE LATE <br /> JOSEPH SHERIDAN LE FANU, + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h4> + IN THREE VOLUMES. + </h4> + <h2> + VOL. II. + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto"> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> PASSAGE IN THE SECRET HISTORY OF AN IRISH + COUNTESS. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> THE BRIDAL OF CARRIGVARAH. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> STRANGE EVENT IN THE LIFE OF SCHALKEN THE + PAINTER. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> SCRAPS OF HIBERNIAN BALLADS. </a> + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PASSAGE IN THE SECRET HISTORY OF AN IRISH COUNTESS. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Being a Fifth Extract from the Legacy of the late Francis + Purcell, P.P. of Drumcoolagh. +</pre> + <p> + The following paper is written in a female hand, and was no doubt + communicated to my much-regretted friend by the lady whose early history + it serves to illustrate, the Countess D——. She is no more—she + long since died, a childless and a widowed wife, and, as her letter sadly + predicts, none survive to whom the publication of this narrative can prove + 'injurious, or even painful.' Strange! two powerful and wealthy families, + that in which she was born, and that into which she had married, have + ceased to be—they are utterly extinct. + </p> + <p> + To those who know anything of the history of Irish families, as they were + less than a century ago, the facts which immediately follow will at once + suggest THE NAMES of the principal actors; and to others their publication + would be useless—to us, possibly, if not probably, injurious. I + have, therefore, altered such of the names as might, if stated, get us + into difficulty; others, belonging to minor characters in the strange + story, I have left untouched. + </p> + <p> + My dear friend,—You have asked me to furnish you with a detail of + the strange events which marked my early history, and I have, without + hesitation, applied myself to the task, knowing that, while I live, a kind + consideration for my feelings will prevent your giving publicity to the + statement; and conscious that, when I am no more, there will not survive + one to whom the narrative can prove injurious, or even painful. + </p> + <p> + My mother died when I was quite an infant, and of her I have no + recollection, even the faintest. By her death, my education and habits + were left solely to the guidance of my surviving parent; and, as far as a + stern attention to my religious instruction, and an active anxiety evinced + by his procuring for me the best masters to perfect me in those + accomplishments which my station and wealth might seem to require, could + avail, he amply discharged the task. + </p> + <p> + My father was what is called an oddity, and his treatment of me, though + uniformly kind, flowed less from affection and tenderness than from a + sense of obligation and duty. Indeed, I seldom even spoke to him except at + meal-times, and then his manner was silent and abrupt; his leisure hours, + which were many, were passed either in his study or in solitary walks; in + short, he seemed to take no further interest in my happiness or + improvement than a conscientious regard to the discharge of his own duty + would seem to claim. + </p> + <p> + Shortly before my birth a circumstance had occurred which had contributed + much to form and to confirm my father's secluded habits—it was the + fact that a suspicion of MURDER had fallen upon his younger brother, + though not sufficiently definite to lead to an indictment, yet strong + enough to ruin him in public opinion. + </p> + <p> + This disgraceful and dreadful doubt cast upon the family name, my father + felt deeply and bitterly, and not the less so that he himself was + thoroughly convinced of his brother's innocence. The sincerity and + strength of this impression he shortly afterwards proved in a manner which + produced the dark events which follow. Before, however, I enter upon the + statement of them, I ought to relate the circumstances which had awakened + the suspicion; inasmuch as they are in themselves somewhat curious, and, + in their effects, most intimately connected with my after-history. + </p> + <p> + My uncle, Sir Arthur T——n, was a gay and extravagant man, and, + among other vices, was ruinously addicted to gaming; this unfortunate + propensity, even after his fortune had suffered so severely as to render + inevitable a reduction in his expenses by no means inconsiderable, + nevertheless continued to actuate him, nearly to the exclusion of all + other pursuits; he was, however, a proud, or rather a vain man, and could + not bear to make the diminution of his income a matter of gratulation and + triumph to those with whom he had hitherto competed, and the consequence + was, that he frequented no longer the expensive haunts of dissipation, and + retired from the gay world, leaving his coterie to discover his reasons as + best they might. + </p> + <p> + He did not, however, forego his favourite vice, for, though he could not + worship his great divinity in the costly temples where it was formerly his + wont to take his stand, yet he found it very possible to bring about him a + sufficient number of the votaries of chance to answer all his ends. The + consequence was, that Carrickleigh, which was the name of my uncle's + residence, was never without one or more of such visitors as I have + described. + </p> + <p> + It happened that upon one occasion he was visited by one Hugh Tisdall, a + gentleman of loose habits, but of considerable wealth, and who had, in + early youth, travelled with my uncle upon the Continent; the period of his + visit was winter, and, consequently, the house was nearly deserted + excepting by its regular inmates; it was therefore highly acceptable, + particularly as my uncle was aware that his visitor's tastes accorded + exactly with his own. + </p> + <p> + Both parties seemed determined to avail themselves of their suitability + during the brief stay which Mr. Tisdall had promised; the consequence was, + that they shut themselves up in Sir Arthur's private room for nearly all + the day and the greater part of the night, during the space of nearly a + week, at the end of which the servant having one morning, as usual, + knocked at Mr. Tisdall's bedroom door repeatedly, received no answer, and, + upon attempting to enter, found that it was locked; this appeared + suspicious, and, the inmates of the house having been alarmed, the door + was forced open, and, on proceeding to the bed, they found the body of its + occupant perfectly lifeless, and hanging half-way out, the head downwards, + and near the floor. One deep wound had been inflicted upon the temple, + apparently with some blunt instrument which had penetrated the brain; and + another blow, less effective, probably the first aimed, had grazed the + head, removing some of the scalp, but leaving the skull untouched. The + door had been double-locked upon the INSIDE, in evidence of which the key + still lay where it had been placed in the lock. + </p> + <p> + The window, though not secured on the interior, was closed—a + circumstance not a little puzzling, as it afforded the only other mode of + escape from the room; it looked out, too, upon a kind of courtyard, round + which the old buildings stood, formerly accessible by a narrow doorway and + passage lying in the oldest side of the quadrangle, but which had since + been built up, so as to preclude all ingress or egress; the room was also + upon the second story, and the height of the window considerable. Near the + bed were found a pair of razors belonging to the murdered man, one of them + upon the ground, and both of them open. The weapon which had inflicted the + mortal wound was not to be found in the room, nor were any footsteps or + other traces of the murderer discoverable. + </p> + <p> + At the suggestion of Sir Arthur himself, a coroner was instantly summoned + to attend, and an inquest was held; nothing, however, in any degree + conclusive was elicited; the walls, ceiling, and floor of the room were + carefully examined, in order to ascertain whether they contained a + trap-door or other concealed mode of entrance—but no such thing + appeared. + </p> + <p> + Such was the minuteness of investigation employed, that, although the + grate had contained a large fire during the night, they proceeded to + examine even the very chimney, in order to discover whether escape by it + were possible; but this attempt, too, was fruitless, for the chimney, + built in the old fashion, rose in a perfectly perpendicular line from the + hearth to a height of nearly fourteen feet above the roof, affording in + its interior scarcely the possibility of ascent, the flue being smoothly + plastered, and sloping towards the top like an inverted funnel, promising, + too, even if the summit were attained, owing to its great height, but a + precarious descent upon the sharp and steep-ridged roof; the ashes, too, + which lay in the grate, and the soot, as far as it could be seen, were + undisturbed, a circumstance almost conclusive of the question. + </p> + <p> + Sir Arthur was of course examined; his evidence was given with clearness + and unreserve, which seemed calculated to silence all suspicion. He stated + that, up to the day and night immediately preceding the catastrophe, he + had lost to a heavy amount, but that, at their last sitting, he had not + only won back his original loss, but upwards of four thousand pounds in + addition; in evidence of which he produced an acknowledgment of debt to + that amount in the handwriting of the deceased, and bearing the date of + the fatal night. He had mentioned the circumstance to his lady, and in + presence of some of the domestics; which statement was supported by THEIR + respective evidence. + </p> + <p> + One of the jury shrewdly observed, that the circumstance of Mr. Tisdall's + having sustained so heavy a loss might have suggested to some ill-minded + persons accidentally hearing it, the plan of robbing him, after having + murdered him in such a manner as might make it appear that he had + committed suicide; a supposition which was strongly supported by the + razors having been found thus displaced, and removed from their case. Two + persons had probably been engaged in the attempt, one watching by the + sleeping man, and ready to strike him in case of his awakening suddenly, + while the other was procuring the razors and employed in inflicting the + fatal gash, so as to make it appear to have been the act of the murdered + man himself. It was said that while the juror was making this suggestion + Sir Arthur changed colour. + </p> + <p> + Nothing, however, like legal evidence appeared against him, and the + consequence was that the verdict was found against a person or persons + unknown; and for some time the matter was suffered to rest, until, after + about five months, my father received a letter from a person signing + himself Andrew Collis, and representing himself to be the cousin of the + deceased. This letter stated that Sir Arthur was likely to incur not + merely suspicion, but personal risk, unless he could account for certain + circumstances connected with the recent murder, and contained a copy of a + letter written by the deceased, and bearing date, the day of the week, and + of the month, upon the night of which the deed of blood had been + perpetrated. Tisdall's note ran as follows: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'DEAR COLLIS, + + 'I have had sharp work with Sir Arthur; he tried some of his stale + tricks, but soon found that <i>I</i> was Yorkshire too: it would not + do—you understand me. We went to the work like good ones, head, + heart and soul; and, in fact, since I came here, I have lost no time. I + am rather fagged, but I am sure to be well paid for my hardship; I never + want sleep so long as I can have the music of a dice-box, and + wherewithal to pay the piper. As I told you, he tried some of his queer + turns, but I foiled him like a man, and, in return, gave him more than + he could relish of the genuine DEAD KNOWLEDGE. + + 'In short, I have plucked the old baronet as never baronet was plucked + before; I have scarce left him the stump of a quill; I have got promissory + notes in his hand to the amount of—if you like round numbers, say, + thirty thousand pounds, safely deposited in my portable strong-box, alias + double-clasped pocket-book. I leave this ruinous old rat-hole early on + to-morrow, for two reasons—first, I do not want to play with Sir + Arthur deeper than I think his security, that is, his money, or his + money's worth, would warrant; and, secondly, because I am safer a hundred + miles from Sir Arthur than in the house with him. Look you, my worthy, I + tell you this between ourselves—I may be wrong, but, by G—, I + am as sure as that I am now living, that Sir A—— attempted to + poison me last night; so much for old friendship on both sides. + + 'When I won the last stake, a heavy one enough, my friend leant his + forehead upon his hands, and you'll laugh when I tell you that his head + literally smoked like a hot dumpling. I do not know whether his agitation + was produced by the plan which he had against me, or by his having lost so + heavily—though it must be allowed that he had reason to be a little + funked, whichever way his thoughts went; but he pulled the bell, and + ordered two bottles of champagne. While the fellow was bringing them he + drew out a promissory note to the full amount, which he signed, and, as + the man came in with the bottles and glasses, he desired him to be off; he + filled out a glass for me, and, while he thought my eyes were off, for I + was putting up his note at the time, he dropped something slyly into it, + no doubt to sweeten it; but I saw it all, and, when he handed it to me, I + said, with an emphasis which he might or might not understand: + + '"There is some sediment in this; I'll not drink it." + + '"Is there?" said he, and at the same time snatched it from my hand and + threw it into the fire. What do you think of that? have I not a tender + chicken to manage? Win or lose, I will not play beyond five thousand + to-night, and to-morrow sees me safe out of the reach of Sir Arthur's + champagne. So, all things considered, I think you must allow that you are + not the last who have found a knowing boy in + +'Yours to command, + +'HUGH TISDALL.' +</pre> + <p> + Of the authenticity of this document I never heard my father express a + doubt; and I am satisfied that, owing to his strong conviction in favour + of his brother, he would not have admitted it without sufficient inquiry, + inasmuch as it tended to confirm the suspicions which already existed to + his prejudice. + </p> + <p> + Now, the only point in this letter which made strongly against my uncle, + was the mention of the 'double-clasped pocket-book' as the receptacle of + the papers likely to involve him, for this pocket-book was not + forthcoming, nor anywhere to be found, nor had any papers referring to his + gaming transactions been found upon the dead man. However, whatever might + have been the original intention of this Collis, neither my uncle nor my + father ever heard more of him; but he published the letter in Faulkner's + newspaper, which was shortly afterwards made the vehicle of a much more + mysterious attack. The passage in that periodical to which I allude, + occurred about four years afterwards, and while the fatal occurrence was + still fresh in public recollection. It commenced by a rambling preface, + stating that 'a CERTAIN PERSON whom CERTAIN persons thought to be dead, + was not so, but living, and in full possession of his memory, and moreover + ready and able to make GREAT delinquents tremble.' It then went on to + describe the murder, without, however, mentioning names; and in doing so, + it entered into minute and circumstantial particulars of which none but an + EYE-WITNESS could have been possessed, and by implications almost too + unequivocal to be regarded in the light of insinuation, to involve the + 'TITLED GAMBLER' in the guilt of the transaction. + </p> + <p> + My father at once urged Sir Arthur to proceed against the paper in an + action of libel; but he would not hear of it, nor consent to my father's + taking any legal steps whatever in the matter. My father, however, wrote + in a threatening tone to Faulkner, demanding a surrender of the author of + the obnoxious article. The answer to this application is still in my + possession, and is penned in an apologetic tone: it states that the + manuscript had been handed in, paid for, and inserted as an advertisement, + without sufficient inquiry, or any knowledge as to whom it referred. + </p> + <p> + No step, however, was taken to clear my uncle's character in the judgment + of the public; and as he immediately sold a small property, the + application of the proceeds of which was known to none, he was said to + have disposed of it to enable himself to buy off the threatened + information. However the truth might have been, it is certain that no + charges respecting the mysterious murder were afterwards publicly made + against my uncle, and, as far as external disturbances were concerned, he + enjoyed henceforward perfect security and quiet. + </p> + <p> + A deep and lasting impression, however, had been made upon the public + mind, and Sir Arthur T——n was no longer visited or noticed by + the gentry and aristocracy of the county, whose attention and courtesies + he had hitherto received. He accordingly affected to despise these + enjoyments which he could not procure, and shunned even that society which + he might have commanded. + </p> + <p> + This is all that I need recapitulate of my uncle's history, and I now + recur to my own. Although my father had never, within my recollection, + visited, or been visited by, my uncle, each being of sedentary, + procrastinating, and secluded habits, and their respective residences + being very far apart—the one lying in the county of Galway, the + other in that of Cork—he was strongly attached to his brother, and + evinced his affection by an active correspondence, and by deeply and + proudly resenting that neglect which had marked Sir Arthur as unfit to mix + in society. + </p> + <p> + When I was about eighteen years of age, my father, whose health had been + gradually declining, died, leaving me in heart wretched and desolate, and, + owing to his previous seclusion, with few acquaintances, and almost no + friends. + </p> + <p> + The provisions of his will were curious, and when I had sufficiently come + to myself to listen to or comprehend them, surprised me not a little: all + his vast property was left to me, and to the heirs of my body, for ever; + and, in default of such heirs, it was to go after my death to my uncle, + Sir Arthur, without any entail. + </p> + <p> + At the same time, the will appointed him my guardian, desiring that I + might be received within his house, and reside with his family, and under + his care, during the term of my minority; and in consideration of the + increased expense consequent upon such an arrangement, a handsome annuity + was allotted to him during the term of my proposed residence. + </p> + <p> + The object of this last provision I at once understood: my father desired, + by making it the direct, apparent interest of Sir Arthur that I should die + without issue, while at the same time he placed me wholly in his power, to + prove to the world how great and unshaken was his confidence in his + brother's innocence and honour, and also to afford him an opportunity of + showing that this mark of confidence was not unworthily bestowed. + </p> + <p> + It was a strange, perhaps an idle scheme; but as I had been always brought + up in the habit of considering my uncle as a deeply-injured man, and had + been taught, almost as a part of my religion, to regard him as the very + soul of honour, I felt no further uneasiness respecting the arrangement + than that likely to result to a timid girl, of secluded habits, from the + immediate prospect of taking up her abode for the first time in her life + among total strangers. Previous to leaving my home, which I felt I should + do with a heavy heart, I received a most tender and affectionate letter + from my uncle, calculated, if anything could do so, to remove the + bitterness of parting from scenes familiar and dear from my earliest + childhood, and in some degree to reconcile me to the measure. + </p> + <p> + It was during a fine autumn that I approached the old domain of + Carrickleigh. I shall not soon forget the impression of sadness and of + gloom which all that I saw produced upon my mind; the sunbeams were + falling with a rich and melancholy tint upon the fine old trees, which + stood in lordly groups, casting their long, sweeping shadows over rock and + sward. There was an air of neglect and decay about the spot, which + amounted almost to desolation; the symptoms of this increased in number as + we approached the building itself, near which the ground had been + originally more artificially and carefully cultivated than elsewhere, and + whose neglect consequently more immediately and strikingly betrayed + itself. + </p> + <p> + As we proceeded, the road wound near the beds of what had been formally + two fish-ponds, which were now nothing more than stagnant swamps, + overgrown with rank weeds, and here and there encroached upon by the + straggling underwood; the avenue itself was much broken, and in many + places the stones were almost concealed by grass and nettles; the loose + stone walls which had here and there intersected the broad park were, in + many places, broken down, so as no longer to answer their original purpose + as fences; piers were now and then to be seen, but the gates were gone; + and, to add to the general air of dilapidation, some huge trunks were + lying scattered through the venerable old trees, either the work of the + winter storms, or perhaps the victims of some extensive but desultory + scheme of denudation, which the projector had not capital or perseverance + to carry into full effect. + </p> + <p> + After the carriage had travelled a mile of this avenue, we reached the + summit of rather an abrupt eminence, one of the many which added to the + picturesqueness, if not to the convenience of this rude passage. From the + top of this ridge the grey walls of Carrickleigh were visible, rising at a + small distance in front, and darkened by the hoary wood which crowded + around them. It was a quadrangular building of considerable extent, and + the front which lay towards us, and in which the great entrance was + placed, bore unequivocal marks of antiquity; the time-worn, solemn aspect + of the old building, the ruinous and deserted appearance of the whole + place, and the associations which connected it with a dark page in the + history of my family, combined to depress spirits already predisposed for + the reception of sombre and dejecting impressions. + </p> + <p> + When the carriage drew up in the grass-grown court yard before the + hall-door, two lazy-looking men, whose appearance well accorded with that + of the place which they tenanted, alarmed by the obstreperous barking of a + great chained dog, ran out from some half-ruinous out-houses, and took + charge of the horses; the hall-door stood open, and I entered a gloomy and + imperfectly lighted apartment, and found no one within. However, I had not + long to wait in this awkward predicament, for before my luggage had been + deposited in the house, indeed, before I had well removed my cloak and + other wraps, so as to enable me to look around, a young girl ran lightly + into the hall, and kissing me heartily, and somewhat boisterously, + exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + 'My dear cousin, my dear Margaret—I am so delighted—so out of + breath. We did not expect you till ten o'clock; my father is somewhere + about the place, he must be close at hand. James—Corney—run + out and tell your master—my brother is seldom at home, at least at + any reasonable hour—you must be so tired—so fatigued—let + me show you to your room—see that Lady Margaret's luggage is all + brought up—you must lie down and rest yourself—Deborah, bring + some coffee—up these stairs; we are so delighted to see you—you + cannot think how lonely I have been—how steep these stairs are, are + not they? I am so glad you are come—I could hardly bring myself to + believe that you were really coming—how good of you, dear Lady + Margaret.' + </p> + <p> + There was real good-nature and delight in my cousin's greeting, and a kind + of constitutional confidence of manner which placed me at once at ease, + and made me feel immediately upon terms of intimacy with her. The room + into which she ushered me, although partaking in the general air of decay + which pervaded the mansion and all about it, had nevertheless been fitted + up with evident attention to comfort, and even with some dingy attempt at + luxury; but what pleased me most was that it opened, by a second door, + upon a lobby which communicated with my fair cousin's apartment; a + circumstance which divested the room, in my eyes, of the air of solitude + and sadness which would otherwise have characterised it, to a degree + almost painful to one so dejected in spirits as I was. + </p> + <p> + After such arrangements as I found necessary were completed, we both went + down to the parlour, a large wainscoted room, hung round with grim old + portraits, and, as I was not sorry to see, containing in its ample grate a + large and cheerful fire. Here my cousin had leisure to talk more at her + ease; and from her I learned something of the manners and the habits of + the two remaining members of her family, whom I had not yet seen. + </p> + <p> + On my arrival I had known nothing of the family among whom I was come to + reside, except that it consisted of three individuals, my uncle, and his + son and daughter, Lady T——n having been long dead. In addition + to this very scanty stock of information, I shortly learned from my + communicative companion that my uncle was, as I had suspected, completely + retired in his habits, and besides that, having been so far back as she + could well recollect, always rather strict, as reformed rakes frequently + become, he had latterly been growing more gloomily and sternly religious + than heretofore. + </p> + <p> + Her account of her brother was far less favourable, though she did not say + anything directly to his disadvantage. From all that I could gather from + her, I was led to suppose that he was a specimen of the idle, + coarse-mannered, profligate, low-minded 'squirearchy'—a result which + might naturally have flowed from the circumstance of his being, as it + were, outlawed from society, and driven for companionship to grades below + his own—enjoying, too, the dangerous prerogative of spending much + money. + </p> + <p> + However, you may easily suppose that I found nothing in my cousin's + communication fully to bear me out in so very decided a conclusion. + </p> + <p> + I awaited the arrival of my uncle, which was every moment to be expected, + with feelings half of alarm, half of curiosity—a sensation which I + have often since experienced, though to a less degree, when upon the point + of standing for the first time in the presence of one of whom I have long + been in the habit of hearing or thinking with interest. + </p> + <p> + It was, therefore, with some little perturbation that I heard, first a + slight bustle at the outer door, then a slow step traverse the hall, and + finally witnessed the door open, and my uncle enter the room. He was a + striking-looking man; from peculiarities both of person and of garb, the + whole effect of his appearance amounted to extreme singularity. He was + tall, and when young his figure must have been strikingly elegant; as it + was, however, its effect was marred by a very decided stoop. His dress was + of a sober colour, and in fashion anterior to anything which I could + remember. It was, however, handsome, and by no means carelessly put on; + but what completed the singularity of his appearance was his uncut, white + hair, which hung in long, but not at all neglected curls, even so far as + his shoulders, and which combined with his regularly classic features, and + fine dark eyes, to bestow upon him an air of venerable dignity and pride, + which I have never seen equalled elsewhere. I rose as he entered, and met + him about the middle of the room; he kissed my cheek and both my hands, + saying: + </p> + <p> + 'You are most welcome, dear child, as welcome as the command of this poor + place and all that it contains can make you. I am most rejoiced to see you—truly + rejoiced. I trust that you are not much fatigued—pray be seated + again.' He led me to my chair, and continued: 'I am glad to perceive you + have made acquaintance with Emily already; I see, in your being thus + brought together, the foundation of a lasting friendship. You are both + innocent, and both young. God bless you—God bless you, and make you + all that I could wish.' + </p> + <p> + He raised his eyes, and remained for a few moments silent, as if in secret + prayer. I felt that it was impossible that this man, with feelings so + quick, so warm, so tender, could be the wretch that public opinion had + represented him to be. I was more than ever convinced of his innocence. + </p> + <p> + His manner was, or appeared to me, most fascinating; there was a mingled + kindness and courtesy in it which seemed to speak benevolence itself. It + was a manner which I felt cold art could never have taught; it owed most + of its charm to its appearing to emanate directly from the heart; it must + be a genuine index of the owner's mind. So I thought. + </p> + <p> + My uncle having given me fully to understand that I was most welcome, and + might command whatever was his own, pressed me to take some refreshment; + and on my refusing, he observed that previously to bidding me good-night, + he had one duty further to perform, one in whose observance he was + convinced I would cheerfully acquiesce. + </p> + <p> + He then proceeded to read a chapter from the Bible; after which he took + his leave with the same affectionate kindness with which he had greeted + me, having repeated his desire that I should consider everything in his + house as altogether at my disposal. It is needless to say that I was much + pleased with my uncle—it was impossible to avoid being so; and I + could not help saying to myself, if such a man as this is not safe from + the assaults of slander, who is? I felt much happier than I had done since + my father's death, and enjoyed that night the first refreshing sleep which + had visited me since that event. + </p> + <p> + My curiosity respecting my male cousin did not long remain unsatisfied—he + appeared the next day at dinner. His manners, though not so coarse as I + had expected, were exceedingly disagreeable; there was an assurance and a + forwardness for which I was not prepared; there was less of the vulgarity + of manner, and almost more of that of the mind, than I had anticipated. I + felt quite uncomfortable in his presence; there was just that confidence + in his look and tone which would read encouragement even in mere + toleration; and I felt more disgusted and annoyed at the coarse and + extravagant compliments which he was pleased from time to time to pay me, + than perhaps the extent of the atrocity might fully have warranted. It + was, however, one consolation that he did not often appear, being much + engrossed by pursuits about which I neither knew nor cared anything; but + when he did appear, his attentions, either with a view to his amusement or + to some more serious advantage, were so obviously and perseveringly + directed to me, that young and inexperienced as I was, even <i>I</i> could + not be ignorant of his preference. I felt more provoked by this odious + persecution than I can express, and discouraged him with so much vigour, + that I employed even rudeness to convince him that his assiduities were + unwelcome; but all in vain. + </p> + <p> + This had gone on for nearly a twelve-month, to my infinite annoyance, when + one day as I was sitting at some needle-work with my companion Emily, as + was my habit, in the parlour, the door opened, and my cousin Edward + entered the room. There was something, I thought, odd in his manner—a + kind of struggle between shame and impudence—a kind of flurry and + ambiguity which made him appear, if possible, more than ordinarily + disagreeable. + </p> + <p> + 'Your servant, ladies,' he said, seating himself at the same time; 'sorry + to spoil your tete-a-tete, but never mind, I'll only take Emily's place + for a minute or two; and then we part for a while, fair cousin. Emily, my + father wants you in the corner turret. No shilly-shally; he's in a hurry.' + She hesitated. 'Be off—tramp, march!' he exclaimed, in a tone which + the poor girl dared not disobey. + </p> + <p> + She left the room, and Edward followed her to the door. He stood there for + a minute or two, as if reflecting what he should say, perhaps satisfying + himself that no one was within hearing in the hall. + </p> + <p> + At length he turned about, having closed the door, as if carelessly, with + his foot; and advancing slowly, as if in deep thought, he took his seat at + the side of the table opposite to mine. + </p> + <p> + There was a brief interval of silence, after which he said: + </p> + <p> + 'I imagine that you have a shrewd suspicion of the object of my early + visit; but I suppose I must go into particulars. Must I?' + </p> + <p> + 'I have no conception,' I replied, 'what your object may be.' + </p> + <p> + 'Well, well,' said he, becoming more at his ease as he proceeded, 'it may + be told in a few words. You know that it is totally impossible—quite + out of the question—that an offhand young fellow like me, and a + good-looking girl like yourself, could meet continually, as you and I have + done, without an attachment—a liking growing up on one side or + other; in short, I think I have let you know as plain as if I spoke it, + that I have been in love with you almost from the first time I saw you.' + </p> + <p> + He paused; but I was too much horrified to speak. He interpreted my + silence favourably. + </p> + <p> + 'I can tell you,' he continued, 'I'm reckoned rather hard to please, and + very hard to HIT. I can't say when I was taken with a girl before; so you + see fortune reserved me——' + </p> + <p> + Here the odious wretch wound his arm round my waist. The action at once + restored me to utterance, and with the most indignant vehemence I released + myself from his hold, and at the same time said: + </p> + <p> + 'I have not been insensible, sir, of your most disagreeable attentions—they + have long been a source of much annoyance to me; and you must be aware + that I have marked my disapprobation—my disgust—as + unequivocally as I possibly could, without actual indelicacy.' + </p> + <p> + I paused, almost out of breath from the rapidity with which I had spoken; + and without giving him time to renew the conversation, I hastily quitted + the room, leaving him in a paroxysm of rage and mortification. As I + ascended the stairs, I heard him open the parlour-door with violence, and + take two or three rapid strides in the direction in which I was moving. I + was now much frightened, and ran the whole way until I reached my room; + and having locked the door, I listened breathlessly, but heard no sound. + This relieved me for the present; but so much had I been overcome by the + agitation and annoyance attendant upon the scene which I had just gone + through, that when my cousin Emily knocked at my door, I was weeping in + strong hysterics. + </p> + <p> + You will readily conceive my distress, when you reflect upon my strong + dislike to my cousin Edward, combined with my youth and extreme + inexperience. Any proposal of such a nature must have agitated me; but + that it should have come from the man whom of all others I most loathed + and abhorred, and to whom I had, as clearly as manner could do it, + expressed the state of my feelings, was almost too overwhelming to be + borne. It was a calamity, too, in which I could not claim the sympathy of + my cousin Emily, which had always been extended to me in my minor + grievances. Still I hoped that it might not be unattended with good; for I + thought that one inevitable and most welcome consequence would result from + this painful eclaircissment, in the discontinuance of my cousin's odious + persecution. + </p> + <p> + When I arose next morning, it was with the fervent hope that I might never + again behold the face, or even hear the name, of my cousin Edward; but + such a consummation, though devoutly to be wished, was hardly likely to + occur. The painful impressions of yesterday were too vivid to be at once + erased; and I could not help feeling some dim foreboding of coming + annoyance and evil. + </p> + <p> + To expect on my cousin's part anything like delicacy or consideration for + me, was out of the question. I saw that he had set his heart upon my + property, and that he was not likely easily to forego such an acquisition—possessing + what might have been considered opportunities and facilities almost to + compel my compliance. + </p> + <p> + I now keenly felt the unreasonableness of my father's conduct in placing + me to reside with a family of all whose members, with one exception, he + was wholly ignorant, and I bitterly felt the helplessness of my situation. + I determined, however, in case of my cousin's persevering in his + addresses, to lay all the particulars before my uncle, although he had + never in kindness or intimacy gone a step beyond our first interview, and + to throw myself upon his hospitality and his sense of honour for + protection against a repetition of such scenes. + </p> + <p> + My cousin's conduct may appear to have been an inadequate cause for such + serious uneasiness; but my alarm was caused neither by his acts nor words, + but entirely by his manner, which was strange and even intimidating to + excess. At the beginning of the yesterday's interview there was a sort of + bullying swagger in his air, which towards the end gave place to the + brutal vehemence of an undisguised ruffian—a transition which had + tempted me into a belief that he might seek even forcibly to extort from + me a consent to his wishes, or by means still more horrible, of which I + scarcely dared to trust myself to think, to possess himself of my + property. + </p> + <p> + I was early next day summoned to attend my uncle in his private room, + which lay in a corner turret of the old building; and thither I + accordingly went, wondering all the way what this unusual measure might + prelude. When I entered the room, he did not rise in his usual courteous + way to greet me, but simply pointed to a chair opposite to his own. This + boded nothing agreeable. I sat down, however, silently waiting until he + should open the conversation. + </p> + <p> + 'Lady Margaret,' at length he said, in a tone of greater sternness than I + thought him capable of using, 'I have hitherto spoken to you as a friend, + but I have not forgotten that I am also your guardian, and that my + authority as such gives me a right to control your conduct. I shall put a + question to you, and I expect and will demand a plain, direct answer. Have + I rightly been informed that you have contemptuously rejected the suit and + hand of my son Edward?' + </p> + <p> + I stammered forth with a good deal of trepidation: + </p> + <p> + 'I believe—that is, I have, sir, rejected my cousin's proposals; and + my coldness and discouragement might have convinced him that I had + determined to do so.' + </p> + <p> + 'Madam,' replied he, with suppressed, but, as it appeared to me, intense + anger, 'I have lived long enough to know that COLDNESS and discouragement, + and such terms, form the common cant of a worthless coquette. You know to + the full, as well as I, that COLDNESS AND DISCOURAGEMENT may be so + exhibited as to convince their object that he is neither distasteful or + indifferent to the person who wears this manner. You know, too, none + better, that an affected neglect, when skilfully managed, is amongst the + most formidable of the engines which artful beauty can employ. I tell you, + madam, that having, without one word spoken in discouragement, permitted + my son's most marked attentions for a twelvemonth or more, you have no + right to dismiss him with no further explanation than demurely telling him + that you had always looked coldly upon him; and neither your wealth nor + your LADYSHIP' (there was an emphasis of scorn on the word, which would + have become Sir Giles Overreach himself) 'can warrant you in treating with + contempt the affectionate regard of an honest heart.' + </p> + <p> + I was too much shocked at this undisguised attempt to bully me into an + acquiescence in the interested and unprincipled plan for their own + aggrandisement, which I now perceived my uncle and his son to have + deliberately entered into, at once to find strength or collectedness to + frame an answer to what he had said. At length I replied, with some + firmness: + </p> + <p> + 'In all that you have just now said, sir, you have grossly misstated my + conduct and motives. Your information must have been most incorrect as far + as it regards my conduct towards my cousin; my manner towards him could + have conveyed nothing but dislike; and if anything could have added to the + strong aversion which I have long felt towards him, it would be his + attempting thus to trick and frighten me into a marriage which he knows to + be revolting to me, and which is sought by him only as a means for + securing to himself whatever property is mine.' + </p> + <p> + As I said this, I fixed my eyes upon those of my uncle, but he was too old + in the world's ways to falter beneath the gaze of more searching eyes than + mine; he simply said: + </p> + <p> + 'Are you acquainted with the provisions of your father's will?' + </p> + <p> + I answered in the affirmative; and he continued: + </p> + <p> + 'Then you must be aware that if my son Edward were—which God forbid—the + unprincipled, reckless man you pretend to think him'—(here he spoke + very slowly, as if he intended that every word which escaped him should be + registered in my memory, while at the same time the expression of his + countenance underwent a gradual but horrible change, and the eyes which he + fixed upon me became so darkly vivid, that I almost lost sight of + everything else)—'if he were what you have described him, think you, + girl, he could find no briefer means than wedding contracts to gain his + ends? 'twas but to gripe your slender neck until the breath had stopped, + and lands, and lakes, and all were his.' + </p> + <p> + I stood staring at him for many minutes after he had ceased to speak, + fascinated by the terrible serpent-like gaze, until he continued with a + welcome change of countenance: + </p> + <p> + 'I will not speak again to you upon this—topic until one month has + passed. You shall have time to consider the relative advantages of the two + courses which are open to you. I should be sorry to hurry you to a + decision. I am satisfied with having stated my feelings upon the subject, + and pointed out to you the path of duty. Remember this day month—not + one word sooner.' + </p> + <p> + He then rose, and I left the room, much agitated and exhausted. + </p> + <p> + This interview, all the circumstances attending it, but most particularly + the formidable expression of my uncle's countenance while he talked, + though hypothetically, of murder, combined to arouse all my worst + suspicions of him. I dreaded to look upon the face that had so recently + worn the appalling livery of guilt and malignity. I regarded it with the + mingled fear and loathing with which one looks upon an object which has + tortured them in a nightmare. + </p> + <p> + In a few days after the interview, the particulars of which I have just + related, I found a note upon my toilet-table, and on opening it I read as + follows: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'MY DEAR LADY MARGARET, + 'You will be perhaps surprised to +see a strange face in your room to-day. I have dismissed your Irish +maid, and secured a French one to wait upon you—a step rendered +necessary by my proposing shortly to visit the Continent, with all my +family. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +'Your faithful guardian, + +'ARTHUR T——N.' +</pre> + <p> + On inquiry, I found that my faithful attendant was actually gone, and far + on her way to the town of Galway; and in her stead there appeared a tall, + raw-boned, ill-looking, elderly Frenchwoman, whose sullen and presuming + manners seemed to imply that her vocation had never before been that of a + lady's-maid. I could not help regarding her as a creature of my uncle's, + and therefore to be dreaded, even had she been in no other way suspicious. + </p> + <p> + Days and weeks passed away without any, even a momentary doubt upon my + part, as to the course to be pursued by me. The allotted period had at + length elapsed; the day arrived on which I was to communicate my decision + to my uncle. Although my resolution had never for a moment wavered, I + could not shake of the dread of the approaching colloquy; and my heart + sunk within me as I heard the expected summons. + </p> + <p> + I had not seen my cousin Edward since the occurrence of the grand + eclaircissment; he must have studiously avoided me—I suppose from + policy, it could not have been from delicacy. I was prepared for a + terrific burst of fury from my uncle, as soon as I should make known my + determination; and I not unreasonably feared that some act of violence or + of intimidation would next be resorted to. + </p> + <p> + Filled with these dreary forebodings, I fearfully opened the study door, + and the next minute I stood in my uncle's presence. He received me with a + politeness which I dreaded, as arguing a favourable anticipation + respecting the answer which I was to give; and after some slight delay, he + began by saying: + </p> + <p> + 'It will be a relief to both of us, I believe, to bring this conversation + as soon as possible to an issue. You will excuse me, then, my dear niece, + for speaking with an abruptness which, under other circumstances, would be + unpardonable. You have, I am certain, given the subject of our last + interview fair and serious consideration; and I trust that you are now + prepared with candour to lay your answer before me. A few words will + suffice—we perfectly understand one another.' + </p> + <p> + He paused, and I, though feeling that I stood upon a mine which might in + an instant explode, nevertheless answered with perfect composure: + </p> + <p> + 'I must now, sir, make the same reply which I did upon the last occasion, + and I reiterate the declaration which I then made, that I never can nor + will, while life and reason remain, consent to a union with my cousin + Edward.' + </p> + <p> + This announcement wrought no apparent change in Sir Arthur, except that he + became deadly, almost lividly pale. He seemed lost in dark thought for a + minute, and then with a slight effort said: + </p> + <p> + 'You have answered me honestly and directly; and you say your resolution + is unchangeable. Well, would it had been otherwise—would it had been + otherwise—but be it as it is—I am satisfied.' + </p> + <p> + He gave me his hand—it was cold and damp as death; under an assumed + calmness, it was evident that he was fearfully agitated. He continued to + hold my hand with an almost painful pressure, while, as if unconsciously, + seeming to forget my presence, he muttered: + </p> + <p> + 'Strange, strange, strange, indeed! fatuity, helpless fatuity!' there was + here a long pause. 'Madness INDEED to strain a cable that is rotten to the + very heart—it must break—and then—all goes.' + </p> + <p> + There was again a pause of some minutes, after which, suddenly changing + his voice and manner to one of wakeful alacrity, he exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + 'Margaret, my son Edward shall plague you no more. He leaves this country + on to-morrow for France—he shall speak no more upon this subject—never, + never more—whatever events depended upon your answer must now take + their own course; but, as for this fruitless proposal, it has been tried + enough; it can be repeated no more.' + </p> + <p> + At these words he coldly suffered my hand to drop, as if to express his + total abandonment of all his projected schemes of alliance; and certainly + the action, with the accompanying words, produced upon my mind a more + solemn and depressing effect than I believed possible to have been caused + by the course which I had determined to pursue; it struck upon my heart + with an awe and heaviness which WILL accompany the accomplishment of an + important and irrevocable act, even though no doubt or scruple remains to + make it possible that the agent should wish it undone. + </p> + <p> + 'Well,' said my uncle, after a little time, 'we now cease to speak upon + this topic, never to resume it again. Remember you shall have no farther + uneasiness from Edward; he leaves Ireland for France on to-morrow; this + will be a relief to you. May I depend upon your HONOUR that no word + touching the subject of this interview shall ever escape you?' + </p> + <p> + I gave him the desired assurance; he said: + </p> + <p> + 'It is well—I am satisfied—we have nothing more, I believe, to + say upon either side, and my presence must be a restraint upon you, I + shall therefore bid you farewell.' + </p> + <p> + I then left the apartment, scarcely knowing what to think of the strange + interview which had just taken place. + </p> + <p> + On the next day my uncle took occasion to tell me that Edward had actually + sailed, if his intention had not been interfered with by adverse + circumstances; and two days subsequently he actually produced a letter + from his son, written, as it said, ON BOARD, and despatched while the ship + was getting under weigh. This was a great satisfaction to me, and as being + likely to prove so, it was no doubt communicated to me by Sir Arthur. + </p> + <p> + During all this trying period, I had found infinite consolation in the + society and sympathy of my dear cousin Emily. I never in after-life formed + a friendship so close, so fervent, and upon which, in all its progress, I + could look back with feelings of such unalloyed pleasure, upon whose + termination I must ever dwell with so deep, yet so unembittered regret. In + cheerful converse with her I soon recovered my spirits considerably, and + passed my time agreeably enough, although still in the strictest + seclusion. + </p> + <p> + Matters went on sufficiently smooth, although I could not help sometimes + feeling a momentary, but horrible uncertainty respecting my uncle's + character; which was not altogether unwarranted by the circumstances of + the two trying interviews whose particulars I have just detailed. The + unpleasant impression which these conferences were calculated to leave + upon my mind, was fast wearing away, when there occurred a circumstance, + slight indeed in itself, but calculated irresistibly to awaken all my + worst suspicions, and to overwhelm me again with anxiety and terror. + </p> + <p> + I had one day left the house with my cousin Emily, in order to take a + ramble of considerable length, for the purpose of sketching some favourite + views, and we had walked about half a mile when I perceived that we had + forgotten our drawing materials, the absence of which would have defeated + the object of our walk. Laughing at our own thoughtlessness, we returned + to the house, and leaving Emily without, I ran upstairs to procure the + drawing-books and pencils, which lay in my bedroom. + </p> + <p> + As I ran up the stairs I was met by the tall, ill-looking Frenchwoman, + evidently a good deal flurried. + </p> + <p> + 'Que veut, madame?' said she, with a more decided effort to be polite than + I had ever known her make before. + </p> + <p> + 'No, no—no matter,' said I, hastily running by her in the direction + of my room. + </p> + <p> + 'Madame,' cried she, in a high key, 'restez ici, s'il vous plait; votre + chambre n'est pas faite—your room is not ready for your reception + yet.' + </p> + <p> + I continued to move on without heeding her. She was some way behind me, + and feeling that she could not otherwise prevent my entrance, for I was + now upon the very lobby, she made a desperate attempt to seize hold of my + person: she succeeded in grasping the end of my shawl, which she drew from + my shoulders; but slipping at the same time upon the polished oak floor, + she fell at full length upon the boards. + </p> + <p> + A little frightened as well as angry at the rudeness of this strange + woman, I hastily pushed open the door of my room, at which I now stood, in + order to escape from her; but great was my amazement on entering to find + the apartment preoccupied. + </p> + <p> + The window was open, and beside it stood two male figures; they appeared + to be examining the fastenings of the casement, and their backs were + turned towards the door. One of them was my uncle; they both turned on my + entrance, as if startled. The stranger was booted and cloaked, and wore a + heavy broad-leafed hat over his brows. He turned but for a moment, and + averted his face; but I had seen enough to convince me that he was no + other than my cousin Edward. My uncle had some iron instrument in his + hand, which he hastily concealed behind his back; and coming towards me, + said something as if in an explanatory tone; but I was too much shocked + and confounded to understand what it might be. He said something about + 'REPAIRS—window—frames—cold, and safety.' + </p> + <p> + I did not wait, however, to ask or to receive explanations, but hastily + left the room. As I went down the stairs I thought I heard the voice of + the Frenchwoman in all the shrill volubility of excuse, which was met, + however, by suppressed but vehement imprecations, or what seemed to me to + be such, in which the voice of my cousin Edward distinctly mingled. + </p> + <p> + I joined my cousin Emily quite out of breath. I need not say that my head + was too full of other things to think much of drawing for that day. I + imparted to her frankly the cause of my alarms, but at the same time as + gently as I could; and with tears she promised vigilance, and devotion, + and love. I never had reason for a moment to repent the unreserved + confidence which I then reposed in her. She was no less surprised than I + at the unexpected appearance of Edward, whose departure for France neither + of us had for a moment doubted, but which was now proved by his actual + presence to be nothing more than an imposture, practised, I feared, for no + good end. + </p> + <p> + The situation in which I had found my uncle had removed completely all my + doubts as to his designs. I magnified suspicions into certainties, and + dreaded night after night that I should be murdered in my bed. The + nervousness produced by sleepless nights and days of anxious fears + increased the horrors of my situation to such a degree, that I at length + wrote a letter to a Mr. Jefferies, an old and faithful friend of my + father's, and perfectly acquainted with all his affairs, praying him, for + God's sake, to relieve me from my present terrible situation, and + communicating without reserve the nature and grounds of my suspicions. + </p> + <p> + This letter I kept sealed and directed for two or three days always about + my person, for discovery would have been ruinous, in expectation of an + opportunity which might be safely trusted, whereby to have it placed in + the post-office. As neither Emily nor I were permitted to pass beyond the + precincts of the demesne itself, which was surrounded by high walls formed + of dry stone, the difficulty of procuring such an opportunity was greatly + enhanced. + </p> + <p> + At this time Emily had a short conversation with her father, which she + reported to me instantly. + </p> + <p> + After some indifferent matter, he had asked her whether she and I were + upon good terms, and whether I was unreserved in my disposition. She + answered in the affirmative; and he then inquired whether I had been much + surprised to find him in my chamber on the other day. She answered that I + had been both surprised and amused. + </p> + <p> + 'And what did she think of George Wilson's appearance?' + </p> + <p> + 'Who?' inquired she. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh, the architect,' he answered, 'who is to contract for the repairs of + the house; he is accounted a handsome fellow.' + </p> + <p> + 'She could not see his face,' said Emily, 'and she was in such a hurry to + escape that she scarcely noticed him.' + </p> + <p> + Sir Arthur appeared satisfied, and the conversation ended. + </p> + <p> + This slight conversation, repeated accurately to me by Emily, had the + effect of confirming, if indeed anything was required to do so, all that I + had before believed as to Edward's actual presence; and I naturally + became, if possible, more anxious than ever to despatch the letter to Mr. + Jefferies. An opportunity at length occurred. + </p> + <p> + As Emily and I were walking one day near the gate of the demesne, a lad + from the village happened to be passing down the avenue from the house; + the spot was secluded, and as this person was not connected by service + with those whose observation I dreaded, I committed the letter to his + keeping, with strict injunctions that he should put it without delay into + the receiver of the town post-office; at the same time I added a suitable + gratuity, and the man having made many protestations of punctuality, was + soon out of sight. + </p> + <p> + He was hardly gone when I began to doubt my discretion in having trusted + this person; but I had no better or safer means of despatching the letter, + and I was not warranted in suspecting him of such wanton dishonesty as an + inclination to tamper with it; but I could not be quite satisfied of its + safety until I had received an answer, which could not arrive for a few + days. Before I did, however, an event occurred which a little surprised + me. + </p> + <p> + I was sitting in my bedroom early in the day, reading by myself, when I + heard a knock at the door. + </p> + <p> + 'Come in,' said I; and my uncle entered the room. + </p> + <p> + 'Will you excuse me?' said he. 'I sought you in the parlour, and thence I + have come here. I desired to say a word with you. I trust that you have + hitherto found my conduct to you such as that of a guardian towards his + ward should be.' + </p> + <p> + I dared not withhold my consent. + </p> + <p> + 'And,' he continued, 'I trust that you have not found me harsh or unjust, + and that you have perceived, my dear niece, that I have sought to make + this poor place as agreeable to you as may be.' + </p> + <p> + I assented again; and he put his hand in his pocket, whence he drew a + folded paper, and dashing it upon the table with startling emphasis, he + said: + </p> + <p> + 'Did you write that letter?' + </p> + <p> + The sudden and tearful alteration of his voice, manner, and face, but, + more than all, the unexpected production of my letter to Mr. Jefferies, + which I at once recognised, so confounded and terrified me, that I felt + almost choking. + </p> + <p> + I could not utter a word. + </p> + <p> + 'Did you write that letter?' he repeated with slow and intense emphasis.' + You did, liar and hypocrite! You dared to write this foul and infamous + libel; but it shall be your last. Men will universally believe you mad, if + I choose to call for an inquiry. I can make you appear so. The suspicions + expressed in this letter are the hallucinations and alarms of moping + lunacy. I have defeated your first attempt, madam; and by the holy God, if + ever you make another, chains, straw, darkness, and the keeper's whip + shall be your lasting portion!' + </p> + <p> + With these astounding words he left the room, leaving me almost fainting. + </p> + <p> + I was now almost reduced to despair; my last cast had failed; I had no + course left but that of eloping secretly from the castle, and placing + myself under the protection of the nearest magistrate. I felt if this were + not done, and speedily, that I should be MURDERED. + </p> + <p> + No one, from mere description, can have an idea of the unmitigated horror + of my situation—a helpless, weak, inexperienced girl, placed under + the power and wholly at the mercy of evil men, and feeling that she had it + not in her power to escape for a moment from the malignant influences + under which she was probably fated to fall; and with a consciousness that + if violence, if murder were designed, her dying shriek would be lost in + void space; no human being would be near to aid her, no human + interposition could deliver her. + </p> + <p> + I had seen Edward but once during his visit, and as I did not meet with + him again, I began to think that he must have taken his departure—a + conviction which was to a certain degree satisfactory, as I regarded his + absence as indicating the removal of immediate danger. + </p> + <p> + Emily also arrived circuitously at the same conclusion, and not without + good grounds, for she managed indirectly to learn that Edward's black + horse had actually been for a day and part of a night in the castle + stables, just at the time of her brother's supposed visit. The horse had + gone, and, as she argued, the rider must have departed with it. + </p> + <p> + This point being so far settled, I felt a little less uncomfortable: when + being one day alone in my bedroom, I happened to look out from the window, + and, to my unutterable horror, I beheld, peering through an opposite + casement, my cousin Edward's face. Had I seen the evil one himself in + bodily shape, I could not have experienced a more sickening revulsion. + </p> + <p> + I was too much appalled to move at once from the window, but I did so soon + enough to avoid his eye. He was looking fixedly into the narrow quadrangle + upon which the window opened. I shrank back unperceived, to pass the rest + of the day in terror and despair. I went to my room early that night, but + I was too miserable to sleep. + </p> + <p> + At about twelve o'clock, feeling very nervous, I determined to call my + cousin Emily, who slept, you will remember, in the next room, which + communicated with mine by a second door. By this private entrance I found + my way into her chamber, and without difficulty persuaded her to return to + my room and sleep with me. We accordingly lay down together, she + undressed, and I with my clothes on, for I was every moment walking up and + down the room, and felt too nervous and miserable to think of rest or + comfort. + </p> + <p> + Emily was soon fast asleep, and I lay awake, fervently longing for the + first pale gleam of morning, reckoning every stroke of the old clock with + an impatience which made every hour appear like six. + </p> + <p> + It must have been about one o'clock when I thought I heard a slight noise + at the partition-door between Emily's room and mine, as if caused by + somebody's turning the key in the lock. I held my breath, and the same + sound was repeated at the second door of my room—that which opened + upon the lobby—the sound was here distinctly caused by the + revolution of the bolt in the lock, and it was followed by a slight + pressure upon the door itself, as if to ascertain the security of the + lock. + </p> + <p> + The person, whoever it might be, was probably satisfied, for I heard the + old boards of the lobby creak and strain, as if under the weight of + somebody moving cautiously over them. My sense of hearing became + unnaturally, almost painfully acute. I suppose the imagination added + distinctness to sounds vague in themselves. I thought that I could + actually hear the breathing of the person who was slowly returning down + the lobby. At the head of the staircase there appeared to occur a pause; + and I could distinctly hear two or three sentences hastily whispered; the + steps then descended the stairs with apparently less caution. I now + ventured to walk quickly and lightly to the lobby-door, and attempted to + open it; it was indeed fast locked upon the outside, as was also the + other. + </p> + <p> + I now felt that the dreadful hour was come; but one desperate expedient + remained—it was to awaken Emily, and by our united strength to + attempt to force the partition-door, which was slighter than the other, + and through this to pass to the lower part of the house, whence it might + be possible to escape to the grounds, and forth to the village. + </p> + <p> + I returned to the bedside and shook Emily, but in vain. Nothing that I + could do availed to produce from her more than a few incoherent words—it + was a death-like sleep. She had certainly drank of some narcotic, as had I + probably also, spite of all the caution with which I had examined + everything presented to us to eat or drink. + </p> + <p> + I now attempted, with as little noise as possible, to force first one + door, then the other—but all in vain. I believe no strength could + have effected my object, for both doors opened inwards. I therefore + collected whatever movables I could carry thither, and piled them against + the doors, so as to assist me in whatever attempts I should make to resist + the entrance of those without. I then returned to the bed and endeavoured + again, but fruitlessly, to awaken my cousin. It was not sleep, it was + torpor, lethargy, death. I knelt down and prayed with an agony of + earnestness; and then seating myself upon the bed, I awaited my fate with + a kind of terrible tranquillity. + </p> + <p> + I heard a faint clanking sound from the narrow court which I have already + mentioned, as if caused by the scraping of some iron instrument against + stones or rubbish. I at first determined not to disturb the calmness which + I now felt, by uselessly watching the proceedings of those who sought my + life; but as the sounds continued, the horrible curiosity which I felt + overcame every other emotion, and I determined, at all hazards, to gratify + it. I therefore crawled upon my knees to the window, so as to let the + smallest portion of my head appear above the sill. + </p> + <p> + The moon was shining with an uncertain radiance upon the antique grey + buildings, and obliquely upon the narrow court beneath, one side of which + was therefore clearly illuminated, while the other was lost in obscurity, + the sharp outlines of the old gables, with their nodding clusters of ivy, + being at first alone visible. + </p> + <p> + Whoever or whatever occasioned the noise which had excited my curiosity, + was concealed under the shadow of the dark side of the quadrangle. I + placed my hand over my eyes to shade them from the moonlight, which was so + bright as to be almost dazzling, and, peering into the darkness, I first + dimly, but afterwards gradually, almost with full distinctness, beheld the + form of a man engaged in digging what appeared to be a rude hole close + under the wall. Some implements, probably a shovel and pickaxe, lay beside + him, and to these he every now and then applied himself as the nature of + the ground required. He pursued his task rapidly, and with as little noise + as possible. + </p> + <p> + 'So,' thought I, as, shovelful after shovelful, the dislodged rubbish + mounted into a heap, 'they are digging the grave in which, before two + hours pass, I must lie, a cold, mangled corpse. I am THEIRS—I cannot + escape.' + </p> + <p> + I felt as if my reason was leaving me. I started to my feet, and in mere + despair I applied myself again to each of the two doors alternately. I + strained every nerve and sinew, but I might as well have attempted, with + my single strength, to force the building itself from its foundation. I + threw myself madly upon the ground, and clasped my hands over my eyes as + if to shut out the horrible images which crowded upon me. + </p> + <p> + The paroxysm passed away. I prayed once more, with the bitter, agonised + fervour of one who feels that the hour of death is present and inevitable. + When I arose, I went once more to the window and looked out, just in time + to see a shadowy figure glide stealthily along the wall. The task was + finished. The catastrophe of the tragedy must soon be accomplished. + </p> + <p> + I determined now to defend my life to the last; and that I might be able + to do so with some effect, I searched the room for something which might + serve as a weapon; but either through accident, or from an anticipation of + such a possibility, everything which might have been made available for + such a purpose had been carefully removed. I must then die tamely and + without an effort to defend myself. + </p> + <p> + A thought suddenly struck me—might it not be possible to escape + through the door, which the assassin must open in order to enter the room? + I resolved to make the attempt. I felt assured that the door through which + ingress to the room would be effected, was that which opened upon the + lobby. It was the more direct way, besides being, for obvious reasons, + less liable to interruption than the other. I resolved, then, to place + myself behind a projection of the wall, whose shadow would serve fully to + conceal me, and when the door should be opened, and before they should + have discovered the identity of the occupant of the bed, to creep + noiselessly from the room, and then to trust to Providence for escape. + </p> + <p> + In order to facilitate this scheme, I removed all the lumber which I had + heaped against the door; and I had nearly completed my arrangements, when + I perceived the room suddenly darkened by the close approach of some + shadowy object to the window. On turning my eyes in that direction, I + observed at the top of the casement, as if suspended from above, first the + feet, then the legs, then the body, and at length the whole figure of a + man present himself. It was Edward T——n. + </p> + <p> + He appeared to be guiding his descent so as to bring his feet upon the + centre of the stone block which occupied the lower part of the window; + and, having secured his footing upon this, he kneeled down and began to + gaze into the room. As the moon was gleaming into the chamber, and the + bed-curtains were drawn, he was able to distinguish the bed itself and its + contents. He appeared satisfied with his scrutiny, for he looked up and + made a sign with his hand, upon which the rope by which his descent had + been effected was slackened from above, and he proceeded to disengage it + from his waist; this accomplished, he applied his hands to the + window-frame, which must have been ingeniously contrived for the purpose, + for, with apparently no resistance, the whole frame, containing casement + and all, slipped from its position in the wall, and was by him lowered + into the room. + </p> + <p> + The cold night wind waved the bed-curtains, and he paused for a moment—all + was still again—and he stepped in upon the floor of the room. He + held in his hand what appeared to be a steel instrument, shaped something + like a hammer, but larger and sharper at the extremities. This he held + rather behind him, while, with three long, tip-toe strides, he brought + himself to the bedside. + </p> + <p> + I felt that the discovery must now be made, and held my breath in + momentary expectation of the execration in which he would vent his + surprise and disappointment. I closed my eyes—there was a pause, but + it was a short one. I heard two dull blows, given in rapid succession: a + quivering sigh, and the long-drawn, heavy breathing of the sleeper was for + ever suspended. I unclosed my eyes, and saw the murderer fling the quilt + across the head of his victim: he then, with the instrument of death still + in his hand, proceeded to the lobby-door, upon which he tapped sharply + twice or thrice. A quick step was then heard approaching, and a voice + whispered something from without. Edward answered, with a kind of chuckle, + 'Her ladyship is past complaining; unlock the door, in the devil's name, + unless you're afraid to come in, and help me to lift the body out of the + window.' + </p> + <p> + The key was turned in the lock—the door opened—and my uncle + entered the room. + </p> + <p> + I have told you already that I had placed myself under the shade of a + projection of the wall, close to the door. I had instinctively shrunk + down, cowering towards the ground on the entrance of Edward through the + window. When my uncle entered the room he and his son both stood so very + close to me that his hand was every moment upon the point of touching my + face. I held my breath, and remained motionless as death. + </p> + <p> + 'You had no interruption from the next room?' said my uncle. + </p> + <p> + 'No,' was the brief reply. + </p> + <p> + 'Secure the jewels, Ned; the French harpy must not lay her claws upon + them. You're a steady hand, by G——! not much blood—eh?' + </p> + <p> + 'Not twenty drops,' replied his son, 'and those on the quilt.' + </p> + <p> + 'I'm glad it's over,' whispered my uncle again. 'We must lift the—the + THING through the window, and lay the rubbish over it.' + </p> + <p> + They then turned to the bedside, and, winding the bed-clothes round the + body, carried it between them slowly to the window, and, exchanging a few + brief words with some one below, they shoved it over the window-sill, and + I heard it fall heavily on the ground underneath. + </p> + <p> + 'I'll take the jewels,' said my uncle; 'there are two caskets in the lower + drawer.' + </p> + <p> + He proceeded, with an accuracy which, had I been more at ease, would have + furnished me with matter of astonishment, to lay his hand upon the very + spot where my jewels lay; and having possessed himself of them, he called + to his son: + </p> + <p> + 'Is the rope made fast above?' + </p> + <p> + 'I'm not a fool—to be sure it is,' replied he. + </p> + <p> + They then lowered themselves from the window. I now rose lightly and + cautiously, scarcely daring to breathe, from my place of concealment, and + was creeping towards the door, when I heard my cousin's voice, in a sharp + whisper, exclaim: 'Scramble up again! G—d d——n you, + you've forgot to lock the room-door!' and I perceived, by the straining of + the rope which hung from above, that the mandate was instantly obeyed. + </p> + <p> + Not a second was to be lost. I passed through the door, which was only + closed, and moved as rapidly as I could, consistently with stillness, + along the lobby. Before I had gone many yards, I heard the door through + which I had just passed double-locked on the inside. I glided down the + stairs in terror, lest, at every corner, I should meet the murderer or one + of his accomplices. + </p> + <p> + I reached the hall, and listened for a moment to ascertain whether all was + silent around; no sound was audible. The parlour windows opened on the + park, and through one of them I might, I thought, easily effect my escape. + Accordingly, I hastily entered; but, to my consternation, a candle was + burning in the room, and by its light I saw a figure seated at the + dinner-table, upon which lay glasses, bottles, and the other + accompaniments of a drinking-party. Two or three chairs were placed about + the table irregularly, as if hastily abandoned by their occupants. + </p> + <p> + A single glance satisfied me that the figure was that of my French + attendant. She was fast asleep, having probably drank deeply. There was + something malignant and ghastly in the calmness of this bad woman's + features, dimly illuminated as they were by the flickering blaze of the + candle. A knife lay upon the table, and the terrible thought struck me—'Should + I kill this sleeping accomplice in the guilt of the murderer, and thus + secure my retreat?' + </p> + <p> + Nothing could be easier—it was but to draw the blade across her + throat—the work of a second. An instant's pause, however, corrected + me. 'No,' thought I, 'the God who has conducted me thus far through the + valley of the shadow of death, will not abandon me now. I will fall into + their hands, or I will escape hence, but it shall be free from the stain + of blood. His will be done.' + </p> + <p> + I felt a confidence arising from this reflection, an assurance of + protection which I cannot describe. There was no other means of escape, so + I advanced, with a firm step and collected mind, to the window. I + noiselessly withdrew the bars and unclosed the shutters—I pushed + open the casement, and, without waiting to look behind me, I ran with my + utmost speed, scarcely feeling the ground under me, down the avenue, + taking care to keep upon the grass which bordered it. + </p> + <p> + I did not for a moment slack my speed, and I had now gained the centre + point between the park-gate and the mansion-house. Here the avenue made a + wider circuit, and in order to avoid delay, I directed my way across the + smooth sward round which the pathway wound, intending, at the opposite + side of the flat, at a point which I distinguished by a group of old + birch-trees, to enter again upon the beaten track, which was from thence + tolerably direct to the gate. + </p> + <p> + I had, with my utmost speed, got about half way across this broad flat, + when the rapid treading of a horse's hoofs struck upon my ear. My heart + swelled in my bosom as though I would smother. The clattering of galloping + hoofs approached—I was pursued—they were now upon the sward on + which I was running—there was not a bush or a bramble to shelter me—and, + as if to render escape altogether desperate, the moon, which had hitherto + been obscured, at this moment shone forth with a broad clear light, which + made every object distinctly visible. + </p> + <p> + The sounds were now close behind me. I felt my knees bending under me, + with the sensation which torments one in dreams. I reeled—I stumbled—I + fell—and at the same instant the cause of my alarm wheeled past me + at full gallop. It was one of the young fillies which pastured loose about + the park, whose frolics had thus all but maddened me with terror. I + scrambled to my feet, and rushed on with weak but rapid steps, my sportive + companion still galloping round and round me with many a frisk and fling, + until, at length, more dead than alive, I reached the avenue-gate and + crossed the stile, I scarce knew how. + </p> + <p> + I ran through the village, in which all was silent as the grave, until my + progress was arrested by the hoarse voice of a sentinel, who cried: 'Who + goes there?' I felt that I was now safe. I turned in the direction of the + voice, and fell fainting at the soldier's feet. When I came to myself; I + was sitting in a miserable hovel, surrounded by strange faces, all + bespeaking curiosity and compassion. + </p> + <p> + Many soldiers were in it also: indeed, as I afterwards found, it was + employed as a guard-room by a detachment of troops quartered for that + night in the town. In a few words I informed their officer of the + circumstances which had occurred, describing also the appearance of the + persons engaged in the murder; and he, without loss of time, proceeded to + the mansion-house of Carrickleigh, taking with him a party of his men. But + the villains had discovered their mistake, and had effected their escape + before the arrival of the military. + </p> + <p> + The Frenchwoman was, however, arrested in the neighbourhood upon the next + day. She was tried and condemned upon the ensuing assizes; and previous to + her execution, confessed that 'SHE HAD A HAND IN MAKING HUGH TISDAL'S + BED.' She had been a housekeeper in the castle at the time, and a kind of + chere amie of my uncle's. She was, in reality, able to speak English like + a native, but had exclusively used the French language, I suppose to + facilitate her disguise. She died the same hardened wretch which she had + lived, confessing her crimes only, as she alleged, that her doing so might + involve Sir Arthur T——n, the great author of her guilt and + misery, and whom she now regarded with unmitigated detestation. + </p> + <p> + With the particulars of Sir Arthur's and his son's escape, as far as they + are known, you are acquainted. You are also in possession of their after + fate—the terrible, the tremendous retribution which, after long + delays of many years, finally overtook and crushed them. Wonderful and + inscrutable are the dealings of God with His creatures. + </p> + <p> + Deep and fervent as must always be my gratitude to heaven for my + deliverance, effected by a chain of providential occurrences, the failing + of a single link of which must have ensured my destruction, I was long + before I could look back upon it with other feelings than those of + bitterness, almost of agony. + </p> + <p> + The only being that had ever really loved me, my nearest and dearest + friend, ever ready to sympathise, to counsel, and to assist—the + gayest, the gentlest, the warmest heart—the only creature on earth + that cared for me—HER life had been the price of my deliverance; and + I then uttered the wish, which no event of my long and sorrowful life has + taught me to recall, that she had been spared, and that, in her stead, <i>I</i> + were mouldering in the grave, forgotten and at rest. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE BRIDAL OF CARRIGVARAH. + </h2> + <p> + Being a Sixth Extract from the Legacy of the late Francis Purcell, P. P. + of Drumcoolagh. + </p> + <p> + In a sequestered district of the county of Limerick, there stood my early + life, some forty years ago, one of those strong stone buildings, half + castle, half farm-house, which are not unfrequent in the South of Ireland, + and whose solid masonry and massive construction seem to prove at once the + insecurity and the caution of the Cromwellite settlers who erected them. + At the time of which I speak, this building was tenanted by an elderly + man, whose starch and puritanic mien and manners might have become the + morose preaching parliamentarian captain, who had raised the house and + ruled the household more than a hundred years before; but this man, though + Protestant by descent as by name, was not so in religion; he was a strict, + and in outward observances, an exemplary Catholic; his father had returned + in early youth to the true faith, and died in the bosom of the church. + </p> + <p> + Martin Heathcote was, at the time of which I speak, a widower, but his + house-keeping was not on that account altogether solitary, for he had a + daughter, whose age was now sufficiently advanced to warrant her father in + imposing upon her the grave duties of domestic superintendence. + </p> + <p> + This little establishment was perfectly isolated, and very little intruded + upon by acts of neighbourhood; for the rank of its occupants was of that + equivocal kind which precludes all familiar association with those of a + decidedly inferior rank, while it is not sufficient to entitle its + possessors to the society of established gentility, among whom the nearest + residents were the O'Maras of Carrigvarah, whose mansion-house, + constructed out of the ruins of an old abbey, whose towers and cloisters + had been levelled by the shot of Cromwell's artillery, stood not half a + mile lower upon the river banks. + </p> + <p> + Colonel O'Mara, the possessor of the estates, was then in a declining + state of health, and absent with his lady from the country, leaving at the + castle, his son young O'Mara, and a kind of humble companion, named Edward + Dwyer, who, if report belied him not, had done in his early days some + PECULIAR SERVICES for the Colonel, who had been a gay man—perhaps + worse—but enough of recapitulation. + </p> + <p> + It was in the autumn of the year 17— that the events which led to + the catastrophe which I have to detail occurred. I shall run through the + said recital as briefly as clearness will permit, and leave you to + moralise, if such be your mood, upon the story of real life, which I even + now trace at this distant period not without emotion. + </p> + <p> + It was upon a beautiful autumn evening, at that glad period of the season + when the harvest yields its abundance, that two figures were seen + sauntering along the banks of the winding river, which I described as + bounding the farm occupied by Heathcote; they had been, as the rods and + landing-nets which they listlessly carried went to show, plying the + gentle, but in this case not altogether solitary craft of the fisherman. + One of those persons was a tall and singularly handsome young man, whose + dark hair and complexion might almost have belonged to a Spaniard, as + might also the proud but melancholy expression which gave to his + countenance a character which contrasts sadly, but not uninterestingly, + with extreme youth; his air, as he spoke with his companion, was marked by + that careless familiarity which denotes a conscious superiority of one + kind or other, or which may be construed into a species of contempt; his + comrade afforded to him in every respect a striking contrast. He was + rather low in stature—a defect which was enhanced by a broad and + square-built figure—his face was sallow, and his features had that + prominence and sharpness which frequently accompany personal deformity—a + remarkably wide mouth, with teeth white as the fangs of a wolf, and a pair + of quick, dark eyes, whose effect was heightened by the shadow of a heavy + black brow, gave to his face a power of expression, particularly when + sarcastic or malignant emotions were to be exhibited, which features + regularly handsome could scarcely have possessed. + </p> + <p> + 'Well, sir,' said the latter personage, 'I have lived in hall and abbey, + town and country, here and abroad for forty years and more, and should + know a thing or two, and as I am a living man, I swear I think the girl + loves you.' + </p> + <p> + 'You are a fool, Ned,' said the younger. + </p> + <p> + 'I may be a fool,' replied the first speaker, 'in matters where my own + advantage is staked, but my eye is keen enough to see through the flimsy + disguise of a country damsel at a glance; and I tell you, as surely as I + hold this rod, the girl loves you.' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh I this is downright headstrong folly,' replied the young fisherman. + 'Why, Ned, you try to persuade me against my reason, that the event which + is most to be deprecated has actually occurred. She is, no doubt, a pretty + girl—a beautiful girl—but I have not lost my heart to her; and + why should I wish her to be in love with me? Tush, man, the days of + romance are gone, and a young gentleman may talk, and walk, and laugh with + a pretty country maiden, and never breathe aspirations, or vows, or sighs + about the matter; unequal matches are much oftener read of than made, and + the man who could, even in thought, conceive a wish against the honour of + an unsuspecting, artless girl, is a villain, for whom hanging is too + good.' + </p> + <p> + This concluding sentence was uttered with an animation and excitement, + which the mere announcement of an abstract moral sentiment could hardly + account for. + </p> + <p> + 'You are, then, indifferent, honestly and in sober earnest, indifferent to + the girl?' inquired Dwyer. + </p> + <p> + 'Altogether so,' was the reply. + </p> + <p> + 'Then I have a request to make,' continued Dwyer, 'and I may as well urge + it now as at any other time. I have been for nearly twenty years the + faithful, and by no means useless, servant of your family; you know that I + have rendered your father critical and important services——' + he paused, and added hastily: 'you are not in the mood—I tire you, + sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'Nay,' cried O'Mara, 'I listen patiently—proceed.' + </p> + <p> + 'For all these services, and they were not, as I have said, few or + valueless, I have received little more reward than liberal promises; you + have told me often that this should be mended—I'll make it easily + done—I'm not unreasonable—I should be contented to hold + Heathcote's ground, along with this small farm on which we stand, as full + quittance of all obligations and promises between us.' + </p> + <p> + 'But how the devil can I effect that for you; this farm, it is true, I, or + my father, rather, may lease to you, but Heathcote's title we cannot + impugn; and even if we could, you would not expect us to ruin an honest + man, in order to make way for YOU, Ned.' + </p> + <p> + 'What I am,' replied Dwyer, with the calmness of one who is so accustomed + to contemptuous insinuations as to receive them with perfect indifference, + 'is to be attributed to my devotedness to your honourable family—but + that is neither here nor there. I do not ask you to displace Heathcote, in + order to made room for me. I know it is out of your power to do so. Now + hearken to me for a moment; Heathcote's property, that which he has set + out to tenants, is worth, say in rents, at most, one hundred pounds: half + of this yearly amount is assigned to your father, until payment be made of + a bond for a thousand pounds, with interest and soforth. Hear me patiently + for a moment and I have done. Now go you to Heathcote, and tell him your + father will burn the bond, and cancel the debt, upon one condition—that + when I am in possession of this farm, which you can lease to me on what + terms you think suitable, he will convey over his property to me, + reserving what life-interest may appear fair, I engaging at the same time + to marry his daughter, and make such settlements upon her as shall be + thought fitting—he is not a fool—the man will close with the + offer.' + </p> + <p> + O'Mara turned shortly upon Dwyer, and gazed upon him for a moment with an + expression of almost unmixed resentment. + </p> + <p> + 'How,' said he at length, 'YOU contract to marry Ellen Heathcote? the + poor, innocent, confiding, light-hearted girl. No, no, Edward Dwyer, I + know you too well for that—your services, be they what they will, + must not, shall not go unrewarded—your avarice shall be appeased—but + not with a human sacrifice! Dwyer, I speak to you without disguise; you + know me to be acquainted with your history, and what's more, with your + character. Now tell me frankly, were I to do as you desire me, in cool + blood, should I not prove myself a more uncompromising and unfeeling + villain than humanity even in its most monstrous shapes has ever yet given + birth to?' + </p> + <p> + Dwyer met this impetuous language with the unmoved and impenetrable + calmness which always marked him when excitement would have appeared in + others; he even smiled as he replied: (and Dwyer's smile, for I have seen + it, was characteristically of that unfortunate kind which implies, as + regards the emotions of others, not sympathy but derision). + </p> + <p> + 'This eloquence goes to prove Ellen Heathcote something nearer to your + heart than your great indifference would have led me to suppose.' + </p> + <p> + There was something in the tone, perhaps in the truth of the insinuation, + which at once kindled the quick pride and the anger of O'Mara, and he + instantly replied: + </p> + <p> + 'Be silent, sir, this is insolent folly.' + </p> + <p> + Whether it was that Dwyer was more keenly interested in the success of his + suit, or more deeply disappointed at its failure than he cared to express, + or that he was in a less complacent mood than was his wont, it is certain + that his countenance expressed more emotion at this direct insult than it + had ever exhibited before under similar circumstances; for his eyes + gleamed for an instant with savage and undisguised ferocity upon the young + man, and a dark glow crossed his brow, and for the moment he looked about + to spring at the throat of his insolent patron; but the impulse whatever + it might be, was quickly suppressed, and before O'Mara had time to detect + the scowl, it had vanished. + </p> + <p> + 'Nay, sir,' said Dwyer, 'I meant no offence, and I will take none, at your + hands at least. I will confess I care not, in love and soforth, a single + bean for the girl; she was the mere channel through which her father's + wealth, if such a pittance deserves the name, was to have flowed into my + possession—'twas in respect of your family finances the most + economical provision for myself which I could devise—a matter in + which you, not I, are interested. As for women, they are all pretty much + alike to me. I am too old myself to make nice distinctions, and too ugly + to succeed by Cupid's arts; and when a man despairs of success, he soon + ceases to care for it. So, if you know me, as you profess to do, rest + satisfied "caeteris paribus;" the money part of the transaction being + equally advantageous, I should regret the loss of Ellen Heathcote just as + little as I should the escape of a minnow from my landing-net.' + </p> + <p> + They walked on for a few minutes in silence, which was not broken till + Dwyer, who had climbed a stile in order to pass a low stone wall which lay + in their way, exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + 'By the rood, she's here—how like a philosopher you look.' + </p> + <p> + The conscious blood mounted to O'Mara's cheek; he crossed the stile, and, + separated from him only by a slight fence and a gate, stood the subject of + their recent and somewhat angry discussion. + </p> + <p> + 'God save you, Miss Heathcote,' cried Dwyer, approaching the gate. + </p> + <p> + The salutation was cheerfully returned, and before anything more could + pass, O'Mara had joined the party. + </p> + <p> + My friend, that you may understand the strength and depth of those + impetuous passions, that you may account for the fatal infatuation which + led to the catastrophe which I have to relate, I must tell you, that + though I have seen the beauties of cities and of courts, with all the + splendour of studied ornament about them to enhance their graces, + possessing charms which had made them known almost throughout the world, + and worshipped with the incense of a thousand votaries, yet never, nowhere + did I behold a being of such exquisite and touching beauty, as that + possessed by the creature of whom I have just spoken. At the moment of + which I write, she was standing near the gate, close to which several + brown-armed, rosy-cheeked damsels were engaged in milking the peaceful + cows, who stood picturesquely grouped together. She had just thrown back + the hood which is the graceful characteristic of the Irish girl's attire, + so that her small and classic head was quite uncovered, save only by the + dark-brown hair, which with graceful simplicity was parted above her + forehead. There was nothing to shade the clearness of her beautiful + complexion; the delicately-formed features, so exquisite when taken + singly, so indescribable when combined, so purely artless, yet so meet for + all expression. She was a thing so very beautiful, you could not look on + her without feeling your heart touched as by sweet music. Whose lightest + action was a grace—whose lightest word a spell—no limner's + art, though ne'er so perfect, could shadow forth her beauty; and do I dare + with feeble words try to make you see it?(1) Providence is indeed no + respecter of persons, its blessings and its inflictions are apportioned + with an undistinguishing hand, and until the race is over, and life be + done, none can know whether those perfections, which seemed its goodliest + gifts, many not prove its most fatal; but enough of this. + </p> + <p> + (1) Father Purcell seems to have had an admiration for the beauties of + nature, particularly as developed in the fair sex; a habit of mind which + has been rather improved upon than discontinued by his successors from + Maynooth.—ED. + </p> + <p> + Dwyer strolled carelessly onward by the banks of the stream, leaving his + young companion leaning over the gate in close and interesting parlance + with Ellen Heathcote; as he moved on, he half thought, half uttered words + to this effect: + </p> + <p> + 'Insolent young spawn of ingratitude and guilt, how long must I submit to + be trod upon thus; and yet why should I murmur—his day is even now + declining—and if I live a year, I shall see the darkness cover him + and his for ever. Scarce half his broad estates shall save him—but I + must wait—I am but a pauper now—a beggar's accusation is + always a libel—they must reward me soon—and were I independent + once, I'd make them feel my power, and feel it SO, that I should die the + richest or the best avenged servant of a great man that has ever been + heard of—yes, I must wait—I must make sure of something at + least—I must be able to stand by myself—and then—and + then—' He clutched his fingers together, as if in the act of + strangling the object of his hatred. 'But one thing shall save him—but + one thing only—he shall pay me my own price—and if he acts + liberally, as no doubt he will do, upon compulsion, why he saves his + reputation—perhaps his neck—the insolent young whelp yonder + would speak in an humbler key if he but knew his father's jeopardy—but + all in good time.' + </p> + <p> + He now stood upon the long, steep, narrow bridge, which crossed the river + close to Carrigvarah, the family mansion of the O'Maras; he looked back in + the direction in which he had left his companion, and leaning upon the + battlement, he ruminated long and moodily. At length he raised himself and + said: + </p> + <p> + 'He loves the girl, and WILL love her more—I have an opportunity of + winning favour, of doing service, which shall bind him to me; yes, he + shall have the girl, if I have art to compass the matter. I must think + upon it.' + </p> + <p> + He entered the avenue and was soon lost in the distance. + </p> + <p> + Days and weeks passed on, and young O'Mara daily took his rod and net, and + rambled up the river; and scarce twelve hours elapsed in which some of + those accidents, which invariably bring lovers together, did not secure + him a meeting of longer or shorter duration, with the beautiful girl whom + he so fatally loved. + </p> + <p> + One evening, after a long interview with her, in which he had been almost + irresistibly prompted to declare his love, and had all but yielded himself + up to the passionate impulse, upon his arrival at home he found a letter + on the table awaiting his return; it was from his father to the following + effect: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'To Richard O'Mara. + 'September, 17—, L——m, England. + + 'MY DEAR SON,— + 'I have just had a severe attack of +my old and almost forgotten enemy, the gout. This I regard as a good +sign; the doctors telling me that it is the safest development of +peccant humours; and I think my chest is less tormenting and oppressed +than I have known it for some years. My chief reason for writing to you +now, as I do it not without difficulty, is to let you know my pleasure +in certain matters, in which I suspect some shameful, and, indeed, +infatuated neglect on your part, "quem perdere vult deus prius +dementat:" how comes it that you have neglected to write to Lady Emily +or any of that family? the understood relation subsisting between you is +one of extreme delicacy, and which calls for marked and courteous, nay, +devoted attention upon your side. Lord —— is already offended; beware +what you do; for as you will find, if this match be lost by your fault +or folly, by —— I will cut you off with a shilling. I am not in the +habit of using threats when I do not mean to fulfil them, and that you +well know; however I do not think you have much real cause for alarm in +this case. Lady Emily, who, by the way, looks if possible more charming +than ever, is anything but hard-hearted, at least when YOU solicit; but +do as I desire, and lose no time in making what excuse you may, and +let me hear from you when you can fix a time to join me and your mother +here. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +'Your sincere well-wisher and father, + +'RICHARD O'MARA.' +</pre> + <p> + In this letter was inclosed a smaller one, directed to Dwyer, and + containing a cheque for twelve pounds, with the following words: + </p> + <p> + 'Make use of the enclosed, and let me hear if Richard is upon any wild + scheme at present: I am uneasy about him, and not without reason; report + to me speedily the result of your vigilance. + </p> + <p> + 'R. O'MARA.' + </p> + <p> + Dwyer just glanced through this brief, but not unwelcome, epistle; and + deposited it and its contents in the secret recesses of his breeches + pocket, and then fixed his eyes upon the face of his companion, who sat + opposite, utterly absorbed in the perusal of his father's letter, which he + read again and again, pausing and muttering between whiles, and apparently + lost in no very pleasing reflections. At length he very abruptly + exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + 'A delicate epistle, truly—and a politic—would that my tongue + had been burned through before I assented to that doubly-cursed contract. + Why, I am not pledged yet—I am not; there is neither writing, nor + troth, nor word of honour, passed between us. My father has no right to + pledge me, even though I told him I liked the girl, and would wish the + match. 'Tis not enough that my father offers her my heart and hand; he has + no right to do it; a delicate woman would not accept professions made by + proxy. Lady Emily! Lady Emily! with all the tawdry frippery, and finery of + dress and demeanour—compare HER with—— Pshaw! + Ridiculous! How blind, how idiotic I have been.' + </p> + <p> + He relapsed into moody reflections, which Dwyer did not care to disturb, + and some ten minutes might have passed before he spoke again. When he did, + it was in the calm tone of one who has irrevocably resolved upon some + decided and important act. + </p> + <p> + 'Dwyer,' he said, rising and approaching that person, 'whatever god or + demon told you, even before my own heart knew it, that I loved Ellen + Heathcote, spoke truth. I love her madly—I never dreamed till now + how fervently, how irrevocably, I am hers—how dead to me all other + interests are. Dwyer, I know something of your disposition, and you no + doubt think it strange that I should tell to you, of all persons, SUCH a + secret; but whatever be your faults, I think you are attached to our + family. I am satisfied you will not betray me. I know——' + </p> + <p> + 'Pardon me,' said Dwyer, 'if I say that great professions of confidence + too frequently mark distrust. I have no possible motive to induce me to + betray you; on the contrary, I would gladly assist and direct whatever + plans you may have formed. Command me as you please; I have said enough.' + </p> + <p> + 'I will not doubt you, Dwyer,' said O'Mara; 'I have taken my resolution—I + have, I think, firmness to act up to it. To marry Ellen Heathcote, + situated as I am, were madness; to propose anything else were worse, were + villainy not to be named. I will leave the country to-morrow, cost what + pain it may, for England. I will at once break off the proposed alliance + with Lady Emily, and will wait until I am my own master, to open my heart + to Ellen. My father may say and do what he likes; but his passion will not + last. He will forgive me; and even were he to disinherit me, as he + threatens, there is some property which must descend to me, which his will + cannot affect. He cannot ruin my interests; he SHALL NOT ruin my + happiness. Dwyer, give me pen and ink; I will write this moment.' + </p> + <p> + This bold plan of proceeding for many reasons appeared inexpedient to + Dwyer, and he determined not to consent to its adoption without a + struggle. + </p> + <p> + 'I commend your prudence,' said he, 'in determining to remove yourself + from the fascinating influence which has so long bound you here; but + beware of offending your father. Colonel O'Mara is not a man to forgive an + act of deliberate disobedience, and surely you are not mad enough to ruin + yourself with him by offering an outrageous insult to Lady Emily and to + her family in her person; therefore you must not break off the understood + contract which subsists between you by any formal act—hear me out + patiently. You must let Lady Emily perceive, as you easily may, without + rudeness or even coldness of manner, that she is perfectly indifferent to + you; and when she understands this to be the case, it she possesses either + delicacy or spirit, she will herself break off the engagement. Make what + delay it is possible to effect; it is very possible that your father, who + cannot, in all probability, live many months, may not live as many days if + harassed and excited by such scenes as your breaking off your engagement + must produce.' + </p> + <p> + 'Dwyer,' said O'Mara, 'I will hear you out—proceed.' + </p> + <p> + 'Besides, sir, remember,' he continued, 'the understanding which we have + termed an engagement was entered into without any direct sanction upon + your part; your father has committed HIMSELF, not YOU, to Lord ——. + Before a real contract can subsist, you must be an assenting party to it. + I know of no casuistry subtle enough to involve you in any engagement + whatever, without such an ingredient. Tush! you have an easy card to + play.' + </p> + <p> + 'Well,' said the young man, 'I will think on what you have said; in the + meantime, I will write to my father to announce my immediate departure, in + order to join him.' + </p> + <p> + 'Excuse me,' said Dwyer, 'but I would suggest that by hastening your + departure you but bring your dangers nearer. While you are in this country + a letter now and then keeps everything quiet; but once across the Channel + and with the colonel, you must either quarrel with him to your own + destruction, or you must dance attendance upon Lady Emily with such + assiduity as to commit yourself as completely as if you had been thrice + called with her in the parish church. No, no; keep to this side of the + Channel as long as you decently can. Besides, your sudden departure must + appear suspicious, and will probably excite inquiry. Every good end likely + to be accomplished by your absence will be effected as well by your + departure for Dublin, where you may remain for three weeks or a month + without giving rise to curiosity or doubt of an unpleasant kind; I would + therefore advise you strongly to write immediately to the colonel, stating + that business has occurred to defer your departure for a month, and you + can then leave this place, if you think fit, immediately, that is, within + a week or so.' + </p> + <p> + Young O'Mara was not hard to be persuaded. Perhaps it was that, + unacknowledged by himself, any argument which recommended his staying, + even for an hour longer than his first decision had announced, in the + neighbourhood of Ellen Heathcote, appeared peculiarly cogent and + convincing; however this may have been, it is certain that he followed the + counsel of his cool-headed follower, who retired that night to bed with + the pleasing conviction that he was likely soon to involve his young + patron in all the intricacies of disguise and intrigue—a + consummation which would leave him totally at the mercy of the favoured + confidant who should possess his secret. + </p> + <p> + Young O'Mara's reflections were more agitating and less satisfactory than + those of his companion. He resolved upon leaving the country before two + days had passed. He felt that he could not fairly seek to involve Ellen + Heathcote in his fate by pledge or promise, until he had extricated + himself from those trammels which constrained and embarrassed all his + actions. His determination was so far prudent; but, alas! he also resolved + that it was but right, but necessary, that he should see her before his + departure. His leaving the country without a look or a word of parting + kindness interchanged, must to her appear an act of cold and heartless + caprice; he could not bear the thought. + </p> + <p> + 'No,' said he, 'I am not child enough to say more than prudence tells me + ought to say; this cowardly distrust of my firmness I should and will + contemn. Besides, why should I commit myself? It is possible the girl may + not care for me. No, no; I need not shrink from this interview. I have no + reason to doubt my firmness—none—none. I must cease to be + governed by impulse. I am involved in rocks and quicksands; and a + collected spirit, a quick eye, and a steady hand, alone can pilot me + through. God grant me a safe voyage!' + </p> + <p> + The next day came, and young O'Mara did not take his fishing-rod as usual, + but wrote two letters; the one to his father, announcing his intention of + departing speedily for England; the other to Lady Emily, containing a cold + but courteous apology for his apparent neglect. Both these were despatched + to the post-office that evening, and upon the next morning he was to leave + the country. + </p> + <p> + Upon the night of the momentous day of which we have just spoken, Ellen + Heathcote glided silently and unperceived from among the busy crowds who + were engaged in the gay dissipation furnished by what is in Ireland + commonly called a dance (the expenses attendant upon which, music, etc., + are defrayed by a subscription of one halfpenny each), and having drawn + her mantle closely about her, was proceeding with quick steps to traverse + the small field which separated her from her father's abode. She had not + walked many yards when she became aware that a solitary figure, muffled in + a cloak, stood in the pathway. It approached; a low voice whispered: + </p> + <p> + 'Ellen.' + </p> + <p> + 'Is it you, Master Richard?' she replied. + </p> + <p> + He threw back the cloak which had concealed his features. + </p> + <p> + 'It is I, Ellen, he said; 'I have been watching for you. I will not delay + you long.' + </p> + <p> + He took her hand, and she did not attempt to withdraw it; for she was too + artless to think any evil, too confiding to dread it. + </p> + <p> + 'Ellen,' he continued, even now unconsciously departing from the rigid + course which prudence had marked out; 'Ellen, I am going to leave the + country; going to-morrow. I have had letters from England. I must go; and + the sea will soon be between us.' + </p> + <p> + He paused, and she was silent. + </p> + <p> + 'There is one request, one entreaty I have to make,' he continued; 'I + would, when I am far away, have something to look at which belonged to + you. Will you give me—do not refuse it—one little lock of your + beautiful hair?' + </p> + <p> + With artless alacrity, but with trembling hand, she took the scissors, + which in simple fashion hung by her side, and detached one of the long and + beautiful locks which parted over her forehead. She placed it in his hand. + </p> + <p> + Again he took her hand, and twice he attempted to speak in vain; at length + he said: + </p> + <p> + 'Ellen, when I am gone—when I am away—will you sometimes + remember, sometimes think of me?' + </p> + <p> + Ellen Heathcote had as much, perhaps more, of what is noble in pride than + the haughtiest beauty that ever trod a court; but the effort was useless; + the honest struggle was in vain; and she burst into floods of tears, + bitterer than she had ever shed before. + </p> + <p> + I cannot tell how passions rise and fall; I cannot describe the impetuous + words of the young lover, as pressing again and again to his lips the + cold, passive hand, which had been resigned to him, prudence, caution, + doubts, resolutions, all vanished from his view, and melted into nothing. + 'Tis for me to tell the simple fact, that from that brief interview they + both departed promised and pledged to each other for ever. + </p> + <p> + Through the rest of this story events follow one another rapidly. + </p> + <p> + A few nights after that which I have just mentioned, Ellen Heathcote + disappeared; but her father was not left long in suspense as to her fate, + for Dwyer, accompanied by one of those mendicant friars who traversed the + country then even more commonly than they now do, called upon Heathcote + before he had had time to take any active measures for the recovery of his + child, and put him in possession of a document which appeared to contain + satisfactory evidence of the marriage of Ellen Heathcote with Richard + O'Mara, executed upon the evening previous, as the date went to show; and + signed by both parties, as well as by Dwyer and a servant of young + O'Mara's, both these having acted as witnesses; and further supported by + the signature of Peter Nicholls, a brother of the order of St. Francis, by + whom the ceremony had been performed, and whom Heathcote had no difficulty + in recognising in the person of his visitant. + </p> + <p> + This document, and the prompt personal visit of the two men, and above + all, the known identity of the Franciscan, satisfied Heathcote as fully as + anything short of complete publicity could have done. And his conviction + was not a mistaken one. + </p> + <p> + Dwyer, before he took his leave, impressed upon Heathcote the necessity of + keeping the affair so secret as to render it impossible that it should + reach Colonel O'Mara's ears, an event which would have been attended with + ruinous consequences to all parties. He refused, also, to permit Heathcote + to see his daughter, and even to tell him where she was, until + circumstances rendered it safe for him to visit her. + </p> + <p> + Heathcote was a harsh and sullen man; and though his temper was anything + but tractable, there was so much to please, almost to dazzle him, in the + event, that he accepted the terms which Dwyer imposed upon him without any + further token of disapprobation than a shake of the head, and a gruff wish + that 'it might prove all for the best.' + </p> + <p> + Nearly two months had passed, and young O'Mara had not yet departed for + England. His letters had been strangely few and far between; and in short, + his conduct was such as to induce Colonel O'Mara to hasten his return to + Ireland, and at the same time to press an engagement, which Lord ——, + his son Captain N——, and Lady Emily had made to spend some + weeks with him at his residence in Dublin. + </p> + <p> + A letter arrived for young O'Mara, stating the arrangement, and requiring + his attendance in Dublin, which was accordingly immediately afforded. + </p> + <p> + He arrived, with Dwyer, in time to welcome his father and his + distinguished guests. He resolved to break off his embarrassing connection + with Lady Emily, without, however, stating the real motive, which he felt + would exasperate the resentment which his father and Lord —— + would no doubt feel at his conduct. + </p> + <p> + He strongly felt how dishonourably he would act if, in obedience to + Dwyer's advice, he seemed tacitly to acquiesce in an engagement which it + was impossible for him to fulfil. He knew that Lady Emily was not capable + of anything like strong attachment; and that even if she were, he had no + reason whatever to suppose that she cared at all for him. + </p> + <p> + He had not at any time desired the alliance; nor had he any reason to + suppose the young lady in any degree less indifferent. He regarded it now, + and not without some appearance of justice, as nothing more than a kind of + understood stipulation, entered into by their parents, and to be + considered rather as a matter of business and calculation than as + involving anything of mutual inclination on the part of the parties most + nearly interested in the matter. + </p> + <p> + He anxiously, therefore, watched for an opportunity of making known his + feelings to Lord ——, as he could not with propriety do so to + Lady Emily; but what at a distance appeared to be a matter of easy + accomplishment, now, upon a nearer approach, and when the immediate + impulse which had prompted the act had subsided, appeared so full of + difficulty and almost inextricable embarrassments, that he involuntarily + shrunk from the task day after day. + </p> + <p> + Though it was a source of indescribable anxiety to him, he did not venture + to write to Ellen, for he could not disguise from himself the danger which + the secrecy of his connection with her must incur by his communicating + with her, even through a public office, where their letters might be + permitted to lie longer than the gossiping inquisitiveness of a country + town would warrant him in supposing safe. + </p> + <p> + It was about a fortnight after young O'Mara had arrived in Dublin, where + all things, and places, and amusements; and persons seemed thoroughly + stale, flat, and unprofitable, when one day, tempted by the unusual + fineness of the weather, Lady Emily proposed a walk in the College Park, a + favourite promenade at that time. She therefore with young O'Mara, + accompanied by Dwyer (who, by-the-by, when he pleased, could act the + gentleman sufficiently well), proceeded to the place proposed, where they + continued to walk for some time. + </p> + <p> + 'Why, Richard,' said Lady Emily, after a tedious and unbroken pause of + some minutes, 'you are becoming worse and worse every day. You are growing + absolutely intolerable; perfectly stupid! not one good thing have I heard + since I left the house.' + </p> + <p> + O'Mara smiled, and was seeking for a suitable reply, when his design was + interrupted, and his attention suddenly and painfully arrested, by the + appearance of two figures, who were slowly passing the broad walk on which + he and his party moved; the one was that of Captain N——, the + other was the form of—Martin Heathcote! + </p> + <p> + O'Mara felt confounded, almost stunned; the anticipation of some impending + mischief—of an immediate and violent collision with a young man whom + he had ever regarded as his friend, were apprehensions which such a + juxtaposition could not fail to produce. + </p> + <p> + 'Is Heathcote mad?' thought he. 'What devil can have brought him here?' + </p> + <p> + Dwyer having exchanged a significant glance with O'Mara, said slightly to + Lady Emily: + </p> + <p> + 'Will your ladyship excuse me for a moment? I have a word to say to + Captain N——, and will, with your permission, immediately + rejoin you.' + </p> + <p> + He bowed, and walking rapidly on, was in a few moments beside the object + of his and his patron's uneasiness. + </p> + <p> + Whatever Heathcote's object might be, he certainly had not yet declared + the secret, whose safety O'Mara had so naturally desired, for Captain N—— + appeared in good spirits; and on coming up to his sister and her + companion, he joined them for a moment, telling O'Mara, laughingly, that + an old quiz had come from the country for the express purpose of telling + tales, as it was to be supposed, of him (young O'Mara), in whose + neighbourhood he lived. + </p> + <p> + During this speech it required all the effort which it was possible to + exert to prevent O'Mara's betraying the extreme agitation to which his + situation gave rise. Captain N——, however, suspected nothing, + and passed on without further delay. + </p> + <p> + Dinner was an early meal in those days, and Lady Emily was obliged to + leave the Park in less than half an hour after the unpleasant meeting + which we have just mentioned. + </p> + <p> + Young O'Mara and, at a sign from him, Dwyer having escorted the lady to + the door of Colonel O'Mara's house, pretended an engagement, and departed + together. + </p> + <p> + Richard O'Mara instantly questioned his comrade upon the subject of his + anxiety; but Dwyer had nothing to communicate of a satisfactory nature. He + had only time, while the captain had been engaged with Lady Emily and her + companion, to say to Heathcote: + </p> + <p> + 'Be secret, as you value your existence: everything will be right, if you + be but secret.' + </p> + <p> + To this Heathcote had replied: 'Never fear me; I understand what I am + about.' + </p> + <p> + This was said in such an ambiguous manner that it was impossible to + conjecture whether he intended or not to act upon Dwyer's exhortation. The + conclusion which appeared most natural, was by no means an agreeable one. + </p> + <p> + It was much to be feared that Heathcote having heard some vague report of + O'Mara's engagement with Lady Emily, perhaps exaggerated, by the + repetition, into a speedily approaching marriage, had become alarmed for + his daughter's interest, and had taken this decisive step in order to + prevent, by a disclosure of the circumstances of his clandestine union + with Ellen, the possibility of his completing a guilty alliance with + Captain N——'s sister. If he entertained the suspicions which + they attributed to him, he had certainly taken the most effectual means to + prevent their being realised. Whatever his object might be, his presence + in Dublin, in company with Captain N——, boded nothing good to + O'Mara. + </p> + <p> + They entered ——'s tavern, in Dame Street, together; and there, + over a hasty and by no means a comfortable meal, they talked over their + plans and conjectures. Evening closed in, and found them still closeted + together, with nothing to interrupt, and a large tankard of claret to + sustain their desultory conversation. + </p> + <p> + Nothing had been determined upon, except that Dwyer and O'Mara should + proceed under cover of the darkness to search the town for Heathcote, and + by minute inquiries at the most frequented houses of entertainment, to + ascertain his place of residence, in order to procuring a full and + explanatory interview with him. They had each filled their last glass, and + were sipping it slowly, seated with their feet stretched towards a bright + cheerful fire; the small table which sustained the flagon of which we have + spoken, together with two pair of wax candles, placed between them, so as + to afford a convenient resting-place for the long glasses out of which + they drank. + </p> + <p> + 'One good result, at all events, will be effected by Heathcote's visit,' + said O'Mara. 'Before twenty-four hours I shall do that which I should have + done long ago. I shall, without reserve, state everything. I can no longer + endure this suspense—this dishonourable secrecy—this apparent + dissimulation. Every moment I have passed since my departure from the + country has been one of embarrassment, of pain, of humiliation. To-morrow + I will brave the storm, whether successfully or not is doubtful; but I had + rather walk the high roads a beggar, than submit a day longer to be made + the degraded sport of every accident—the miserable dependent upon a + successful system of deception. Though PASSIVE deception, it is still + unmanly, unworthy, unjustifiable deception. I cannot bear to think of it. + I despise myself, but I will cease to be the despicable thing I have + become. To-morrow sees me free, and this harassing subject for ever at + rest.' + </p> + <p> + He was interrupted here by the sound of footsteps heavily but rapidly + ascending the tavern staircase. The room door opened, and Captain N——, + accompanied by a fashionably-attired young man, entered the room. + </p> + <p> + Young O'Mara had risen from his seat on the entrance of their unexpected + visitants; and the moment Captain N—— recognised his person, + an evident and ominous change passed over his countenance. He turned + hastily to withdraw, but, as it seemed, almost instantly changed his mind, + for he turned again abruptly. + </p> + <p> + 'This chamber is engaged, sir,' said the waiter. + </p> + <p> + 'Leave the room, sir,' was his only reply. + </p> + <p> + 'The room is engaged, sir,' repeated the waiter, probably believing that + his first suggestion had been unheard. + </p> + <p> + 'Leave the room, or go to hell!' shouted Captain N——; at the + same time seizing the astounded waiter by the shoulder, he hurled him + headlong into the passage, and flung the door to with a crash that shook + the walls. 'Sir,' continued he, addressing himself to O'Mara, 'I did not + hope to have met you until to-morrow. Fortune has been kind to me—draw, + and defend yourself.' + </p> + <p> + At the same time he drew his sword, and placed himself in an attitude of + attack. + </p> + <p> + 'I will not draw upon YOU,' said O'Mara. 'I have, indeed, wronged you. I + have given you just cause for resentment; but against your life I will + never lift my hand.' + </p> + <p> + 'You are a coward, sir,' replied Captain N——, with almost + frightful vehemence, 'as every trickster and swindler IS. You are a + contemptible dastard—a despicable, damned villain! Draw your sword, + sir, and defend your life, or every post and pillar in this town shall + tell your infamy.' + </p> + <p> + 'Perhaps,' said his friend, with a sneer, 'the gentleman can do better + without his honour than without his wife.' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes,' shouted the captain, 'his wife—a trull—a common——' + </p> + <p> + 'Silence, sir!' cried O'Mara, all the fierceness of his nature roused by + this last insult—'your object is gained; your blood be upon your own + head.' At the same time he sprang across a bench which stood in his way, + and pushing aside the table which supported the lights, in an instant + their swords crossed, and they were engaged in close and deadly strife. + </p> + <p> + Captain N—— was far the stronger of the two; but, on the other + hand, O'Mara possessed far more skill in the use of the fatal weapon which + they employed. But the narrowness of the room rendered this advantage + hardly available. + </p> + <p> + Almost instantly O'Mara received a slight wound upon the forehead, which, + though little more than a scratch, bled so fast as to obstruct his sight + considerably. + </p> + <p> + Those who have used the foil can tell how slight a derangement of eye or + of hand is sufficient to determine a contest of this kind; and this + knowledge will prevent their being surprised when I say, that, spite of + O'Mara's superior skill and practice, his adversary's sword passed twice + through and through his body, and he fell heavily and helplessly upon the + floor of the chamber. + </p> + <p> + Without saying a word, the successful combatant quitted the room along + with his companion, leaving Dwyer to shift as best he might for his fallen + comrade. + </p> + <p> + With the assistance of some of the wondering menials of the place, Dwyer + succeeded in conveying the wounded man into an adjoining room, where he + was laid upon a bed, in a state bordering upon insensibility—the + blood flowing, I might say WELLING, from the wounds so fast as to show + that unless the bleeding were speedily and effectually stopped, he could + not live for half an hour. + </p> + <p> + Medical aid was, of course, instantly procured, and Colonel O'Mara, though + at the time seriously indisposed, was urgently requested to attend without + loss of time. He did so; but human succour and support were all too late. + The wound had been truly dealt—the tide of life had ebbed; and his + father had not arrived five minutes when young O'Mara was a corpse. His + body rests in the vaults of Christ Church, in Dublin, without a stone to + mark the spot. + </p> + <p> + The counsels of the wicked are always dark, and their motives often beyond + fathoming; and strange, unaccountable, incredible as it may seem, I do + believe, and that upon evidence so clear as to amount almost to + demonstration, that Heathcote's visit to Dublin—his betrayal of the + secret—and the final and terrible catastrophe which laid O'Mara in + the grave, were brought about by no other agent than Dwyer himself. + </p> + <p> + I have myself seen the letter which induced that visit. The handwriting is + exactly what I have seen in other alleged specimens of Dwyer's penmanship. + It is written with an affectation of honest alarm at O'Mara's conduct, and + expresses a conviction that if some of Lady Emily's family be not informed + of O'Mara's real situation, nothing could prevent his concluding with her + an advantageous alliance, then upon the tapis, and altogether throwing off + his allegiance to Ellen—a step which, as the writer candidly + asserted, would finally conduce as inevitably to his own disgrace as it + immediately would to her ruin and misery. + </p> + <p> + The production was formally signed with Dwyer's name, and the postscript + contained a strict injunction of secrecy, asserting that if it were + ascertained that such an epistle had been despatched from such a quarter, + it would be attended with the total ruin of the writer. + </p> + <p> + It is true that Dwyer, many years after, when this letter came to light, + alleged it to be a forgery, an assertion whose truth, even to his dying + hour, and long after he had apparently ceased to feel the lash of public + scorn, he continued obstinately to maintain. Indeed this matter is full of + mystery, for, revenge alone excepted, which I believe, in such minds as + Dwyer's, seldom overcomes the sense of interest, the only intelligible + motive which could have prompted him to such an act was the hope that + since he had, through young O'Mara's interest, procured from the colonel a + lease of a small farm upon the terms which he had originally stipulated, + he might prosecute his plan touching the property of Martin Heathcote, + rendering his daughter's hand free by the removal of young O'Mara. This + appears to me too complicated a plan of villany to have entered the mind + even of such a man as Dwyer. I must, therefore, suppose his motives to + have originated out of circumstances connected with this story which may + not have come to my ear, and perhaps never will. + </p> + <p> + Colonel O'Mara felt the death of his son more deeply than I should have + thought possible; but that son had been the last being who had continued + to interest his cold heart. Perhaps the pride which he felt in his child + had in it more of selfishness than of any generous feeling. But, be this + as it may, the melancholy circumstances connected with Ellen Heathcote had + reached him, and his conduct towards her proved, more strongly than + anything else could have done, that he felt keenly and justly, and, to a + certain degree, with a softened heart, the fatal event of which she had + been, in some manner, alike the cause and the victim. + </p> + <p> + He evinced not towards her, as might have been expected, any unreasonable + resentment. On the contrary, he exhibited great consideration, even + tenderness, for her situation; and having ascertained where his son had + placed her, he issued strict orders that she should not be disturbed, and + that the fatal tidings, which had not yet reached her, should be withheld + until they might be communicated in such a way as to soften as much as + possible the inevitable shock. + </p> + <p> + These last directions were acted upon too scrupulously and too long; and, + indeed, I am satisfied that had the event been communicated at once, + however terrible and overwhelming the shock might have been, much of the + bitterest anguish, of sickening doubts, of harassing suspense, would have + been spared her, and the first tempestuous burst of sorrow having passed + over, her chastened spirit might have recovered its tone, and her life + have been spared. But the mistaken kindness which concealed from her the + dreadful truth, instead of relieving her mind of a burden which it could + not support, laid upon it a weight of horrible fears and doubts as to the + affection of O'Mara, compared with which even the certainty of his death + would have been tolerable. + </p> + <p> + One evening I had just seated myself beside a cheerful turf fire, with + that true relish which a long cold ride through a bleak and shelterless + country affords, stretching my chilled limbs to meet the genial influence, + and imbibing the warmth at every pore, when my comfortable meditations + were interrupted by a long and sonorous ringing at the door-bell evidently + effected by no timid hand. + </p> + <p> + A messenger had arrived to request my attendance at the Lodge—such + was the name which distinguished a small and somewhat antiquated building, + occupying a peculiarly secluded position among the bleak and heathy hills + which varied the surface of that not altogether uninteresting district, + and which had, I believe, been employed by the keen and hardy ancestors of + the O'Mara family as a convenient temporary residence during the sporting + season. + </p> + <p> + Thither my attendance was required, in order to administer to a deeply + distressed lady such comforts as an afflicted mind can gather from the + sublime hopes and consolations of Christianity. + </p> + <p> + I had long suspected that the occupant of this sequestered, I might say + desolate, dwelling-house was the poor girl whose brief story we are + following; and feeling a keen interest in her fate—as who that had + ever seen her DID NOT?—I started from my comfortable seat with more + eager alacrity than, I will confess it, I might have evinced had my duty + called me in another direction. + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes I was trotting rapidly onward, preceded by my guide, who + urged his horse with the remorseless rapidity of one who seeks by the + speed of his progress to escape observation. Over roads and through bogs + we splashed and clattered, until at length traversing the brow of a wild + and rocky hill, whose aspect seemed so barren and forbidding that it might + have been a lasting barrier alike to mortal sight and step, the lonely + building became visible, lying in a kind of swampy flat, with a broad + reedy pond or lake stretching away to its side, and backed by a farther + range of monotonous sweeping hills, marked with irregular lines of grey + rock, which, in the distance, bore a rude and colossal resemblance to the + walls of a fortification. + </p> + <p> + Riding with undiminished speed along a kind of wild horse-track, we turned + the corner of a high and somewhat ruinous wall of loose stones, and making + a sudden wheel we found ourselves in a small quadrangle, surmounted on two + sides by dilapidated stables and kennels, on another by a broken stone + wall, and upon the fourth by the front of the lodge itself. + </p> + <p> + The whole character of the place was that of dreary desertion and decay, + which would of itself have predisposed the mind for melancholy + impressions. My guide dismounted, and with respectful attention held my + horse's bridle while I got down; and knocking at the door with the handle + of his whip, it was speedily opened by a neatly-dressed female domestic, + and I was admitted to the interior of the house, and conducted into a + small room, where a fire in some degree dispelled the cheerless air, which + would otherwise have prevailed to a painful degree throughout the place. + </p> + <p> + I had been waiting but for a very few minutes when another female servant, + somewhat older than the first, entered the room. She made some apology on + the part of the person whom I had come to visit, for the slight delay + which had already occurred, and requested me further to wait for a few + minutes longer, intimating that the lady's grief was so violent, that + without great effort she could not bring herself to speak calmly at all. + As if to beguile the time, the good dame went on in a highly communicative + strain to tell me, amongst much that could not interest me, a little of + what I had desired to hear. I discovered that the grief of her whom I had + come to visit was excited by the sudden death of a little boy, her only + child, who was then lying dead in his mother's chamber. + </p> + <p> + 'And the mother's name?' said I, inquiringly. + </p> + <p> + The woman looked at me for a moment, smiled, and shook her head with the + air of mingled mystery and importance which seems to say, 'I am + unfathomable.' I did not care to press the question, though I suspected + that much of her apparent reluctance was affected, knowing that my doubts + respecting the identity of the person whom I had come to visit must soon + be set at rest, and after a little pause the worthy Abigail went on as + fluently as ever. She told me that her young mistress had been, for the + time she had been with her—that was, for about a year and a half—in + declining health and spirits, and that she had loved her little child to a + degree beyond expression—so devotedly that she could not, in all + probability, survive it long. + </p> + <p> + While she was running on in this way the bell rang, and signing me to + follow, she opened the room door, but stopped in the hall, and taking me a + little aside, and speaking in a whisper, she told me, as I valued the life + of the poor lady, not to say one word of the death of young O'Mara. I + nodded acquiescence, and ascending a narrow and ill-constructed staircase, + she stopped at a chamber door and knocked. + </p> + <p> + 'Come in,' said a gentle voice from within, and, preceded by my + conductress, I entered a moderately-sized, but rather gloomy chamber. + </p> + <p> + There was but one living form within it—it was the light and + graceful figure of a young woman. She had risen as I entered the room; but + owing to the obscurity of the apartment, and to the circumstance that her + face, as she looked towards the door, was turned away from the light, + which found its way in dimly through the narrow windows, I could not + instantly recognise the features. + </p> + <p> + 'You do not remember me, sir?' said the same low, mournful voice. 'I am—I + WAS—Ellen Heathcote.' + </p> + <p> + 'I do remember you, my poor child,' said I, taking her hand; 'I do + remember you very well. Speak to me frankly—speak to me as a friend. + Whatever I can do or say for you, is yours already; only speak.' + </p> + <p> + 'You were always very kind, sir, to those—to those that WANTED + kindness.' + </p> + <p> + The tears were almost overflowing, but she checked them; and as if an + accession of fortitude had followed the momentary weakness, she continued, + in a subdued but firm tone, to tell me briefly the circumstances of her + marriage with O'Mara. When she had concluded the recital, she paused for a + moment; and I asked again: + </p> + <p> + 'Can I aid you in any way—by advice or otherwise?' + </p> + <p> + 'I wish, sir, to tell you all I have been thinking about,' she continued. + 'I am sure, sir, that Master Richard loved me once—I am sure he did + not think to deceive me; but there were bad, hard-hearted people about + him, and his family were all rich and high, and I am sure he wishes NOW + that he had never, never seen me. Well, sir, it is not in my heart to + blame him. What was <i>I</i> that I should look at him?—an ignorant, + poor, country girl—and he so high and great, and so beautiful. The + blame was all mine—it was all my fault; I could not think or hope he + would care for me more than a little time. Well, sir, I thought over and + over again that since his love was gone from me for ever, I should not + stand in his way, and hinder whatever great thing his family wished for + him. So I thought often and often to write him a letter to get the + marriage broken, and to send me home; but for one reason, I would have + done it long ago: there was a little child, his and mine—the + dearest, the loveliest.' She could not go on for a minute or two. 'The + little child that is lying there, on that bed; but it is dead and gone, + and there is no reason NOW why I should delay any more about it.' + </p> + <p> + She put her hand into her breast, and took out a letter, which she opened. + She put it into my hands. It ran thus: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'DEAR MASTER RICHARD, + 'My little child is dead, and your +happiness is all I care about now. Your marriage with me is displeasing +to your family, and I would be a burden to you, and in your way in the +fine places, and among the great friends where you must be. You ought, +therefore, to break the marriage, and I will sign whatever YOU wish, or +your family. I will never try to blame you, Master Richard—do not think +it—for I never deserved your love, and must not complain now that I +have lost it; but I will always pray for you, and be thinking of you +while I live.' +</pre> + <p> + While I read this letter, I was satisfied that so far from adding to the + poor girl's grief, a full disclosure of what had happened would, on the + contrary, mitigate her sorrow, and deprive it of its sharpest sting. + </p> + <p> + 'Ellen,' said I solemnly, 'Richard O'Mara was never unfaithful to you; he + is now where human reproach can reach him no more.' + </p> + <p> + As I said this, the hectic flush upon her cheek gave place to a paleness + so deadly, that I almost thought she would drop lifeless upon the spot. + </p> + <p> + 'Is he—is he dead, then?' said she, wildly. + </p> + <p> + I took her hand in mine, and told her the sad story as best I could. She + listened with a calmness which appeared almost unnatural, until I had + finished the mournful narration. She then arose, and going to the bedside, + she drew the curtain and gazed silently and fixedly on the quiet face of + the child: but the feelings which swelled at her heart could not be + suppressed; the tears gushed forth, and sobbing as if her heart would + break, she leant over the bed and took the dead child in her arms. + </p> + <p> + She wept and kissed it, and kissed it and wept again, in grief so + passionate, so heartrending, as to draw bitter tears from my eyes. I said + what little I could to calm her—to have sought to do more would have + been a mockery; and observing that the darkness had closed in, I took my + leave and departed, being favoured with the services of my former guide. + </p> + <p> + I expected to have been soon called upon again to visit the poor girl; but + the Lodge lay beyond the boundary of my parish, and I felt a reluctance to + trespass upon the precincts of my brother minister, and a certain degree + of hesitation in intruding upon one whose situation was so very peculiar, + and who would, I had no doubt, feel no scruple in requesting my attendance + if she desired it. + </p> + <p> + A month, however, passed away, and I did not hear anything of Ellen. I + called at the Lodge, and to my inquiries they answered that she was very + much worse in health, and that since the death of the child she had been + sinking fast, and so weak that she had been chiefly confined to her bed. I + sent frequently to inquire, and often called myself, and all that I heard + convinced me that she was rapidly sinking into the grave. + </p> + <p> + Late one night I was summoned from my rest, by a visit from the person who + had upon the former occasion acted as my guide; he had come to summon me + to the death-bed of her whom I had then attended. With all celerity I made + my preparations, and, not without considerable difficulty and some danger, + we made a rapid night-ride to the Lodge, a distance of five miles at + least. We arrived safely, and in a very short time—but too late. + </p> + <p> + I stood by the bed upon which lay the once beautiful form of Ellen + Heathcote. The brief but sorrowful trial was past—the desolate + mourner was gone to that land where the pangs of grief, the tumults of + passion, regrets and cold neglect, are felt no more. I leant over the + lifeless face, and scanned the beautiful features which, living, had + wrought such magic on all that looked upon them. They were, indeed, much + wasted; but it was impossible for the fingers of death or of decay + altogether to obliterate the traces of that exquisite beauty which had so + distinguished her. As I gazed on this most sad and striking spectacle, + remembrances thronged fast upon my mind, and tear after tear fell upon the + cold form that slept tranquilly and for ever. + </p> + <p> + A few days afterwards I was told that a funeral had left the Lodge at the + dead of night, and had been conducted with the most scrupulous secrecy. It + was, of course, to me no mystery. + </p> + <p> + Heathcote lived to a very advanced age, being of that hard mould which is + not easily impressionable. The selfish and the hard-hearted survive where + nobler, more generous, and, above all, more sympathising natures would + have sunk for ever. + </p> + <p> + Dwyer certainly succeeded in extorting, I cannot say how, considerable and + advantageous leases from Colonel O'Mara; but after his death he disposed + of his interest in these, and having for a time launched into a sea of + profligate extravagance, he became bankrupt, and for a long time I totally + lost sight of him. + </p> + <p> + The rebellion of '98, and the events which immediately followed, called + him forth from his lurking-places, in the character of an informer; and I + myself have seen the hoary-headed, paralytic perjurer, with a scowl of + derision and defiance, brave the hootings and the execrations of the + indignant multitude. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + STRANGE EVENT IN THE LIFE OF SCHALKEN THE PAINTER. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Being a Seventh Extract from the Legacy of the late Francis + Purcell, P. P. of Drumcoolagh. +</pre> + <p> + You will no doubt be surprised, my dear friend, at the subject of the + following narrative. What had I to do with Schalken, or Schalken with me? + He had returned to his native land, and was probably dead and buried, + before I was born; I never visited Holland nor spoke with a native of that + country. So much I believe you already know. I must, then, give you my + authority, and state to you frankly the ground upon which rests the + credibility of the strange story which I am, about to lay before you. + </p> + <p> + I was acquainted, in my early days, with a Captain Vandael, whose father + had served King William in the Low Countries, and also in my own unhappy + land during the Irish campaigns. I know not how it happened that I liked + this man's society, spite of his politics and religion: but so it was; and + it was by means of the free intercourse to which our intimacy gave rise + that I became possessed of the curious tale which you are about to hear. + </p> + <p> + I had often been struck, while visiting Vandael, by a remarkable picture, + in which, though no connoisseur myself, I could not fail to discern some + very strong peculiarities, particularly in the distribution of light and + shade, as also a certain oddity in the design itself, which interested my + curiosity. It represented the interior of what might be a chamber in some + antique religious building—the foreground was occupied by a female + figure, arrayed in a species of white robe, part of which is arranged so + as to form a veil. The dress, however, is not strictly that of any + religious order. In its hand the figure bears a lamp, by whose light alone + the form and face are illuminated; the features are marked by an arch + smile, such as pretty women wear when engaged in successfully practising + some roguish trick; in the background, and, excepting where the dim red + light of an expiring fire serves to define the form, totally in the shade, + stands the figure of a man equipped in the old fashion, with doublet and + so forth, in an attitude of alarm, his hand being placed upon the hilt of + his sword, which he appears to be in the act of drawing. + </p> + <p> + 'There are some pictures,' said I to my friend, 'which impress one, I know + not how, with a conviction that they represent not the mere ideal shapes + and combinations which have floated through the imagination of the artist, + but scenes, faces, and situations which have actually existed. When I look + upon that picture, something assures me that I behold the representation + of a reality.' + </p> + <p> + Vandael smiled, and, fixing his eyes upon the painting musingly, he said: + </p> + <p> + 'Your fancy has not deceived you, my good friend, for that picture is the + record, and I believe a faithful one, of a remarkable and mysterious + occurrence. It was painted by Schalken, and contains, in the face of the + female figure, which occupies the most prominent place in the design, an + accurate portrait of Rose Velderkaust, the niece of Gerard Douw, the first + and, I believe, the only love of Godfrey Schalken. My father knew the + painter well, and from Schalken himself he learned the story of the + mysterious drama, one scene of which the picture has embodied. This + painting, which is accounted a fine specimen of Schalken's style, was + bequeathed to my father by the artist's will, and, as you have observed, + is a very striking and interesting production.' + </p> + <p> + I had only to request Vandael to tell the story of the painting in order + to be gratified; and thus it is that I am enabled to submit to you a + faithful recital of what I heard myself, leaving you to reject or to allow + the evidence upon which the truth of the tradition depends, with this one + assurance, that Schalken was an honest, blunt Dutchman, and, I believe, + wholly incapable of committing a flight of imagination; and further, that + Vandael, from whom I heard the story, appeared firmly convinced of its + truth. + </p> + <p> + There are few forms upon which the mantle of mystery and romance could + seem to hang more ungracefully than upon that of the uncouth and clownish + Schalken—the Dutch boor—the rude and dogged, but most cunning + worker in oils, whose pieces delight the initiated of the present day + almost as much as his manners disgusted the refined of his own; and yet + this man, so rude, so dogged, so slovenly, I had almost said so savage, in + mien and manner, during his after successes, had been selected by the + capricious goddess, in his early life, to figure as the hero of a romance + by no means devoid of interest or of mystery. + </p> + <p> + Who can tell how meet he may have been in his young days to play the part + of the lover or of the hero—who can say that in early life he had + been the same harsh, unlicked, and rugged boor that, in his maturer age, + he proved—or how far the neglected rudeness which afterwards marked + his air, and garb, and manners, may not have been the growth of that + reckless apathy not unfrequently produced by bitter misfortunes and + disappointments in early life? + </p> + <p> + These questions can never now be answered. + </p> + <p> + We must content ourselves, then, with a plain statement of facts, or what + have been received and transmitted as such, leaving matters of speculation + to those who like them. + </p> + <p> + When Schalken studied under the immortal Gerard Douw, he was a young man; + and in spite of the phlegmatic constitution and unexcitable manner which + he shared, we believe, with his countrymen, he was not incapable of deep + and vivid impressions, for it is an established fact that the young + painter looked with considerable interest upon the beautiful niece of his + wealthy master. + </p> + <p> + Rose Velderkaust was very young, having, at the period of which we speak, + not yet attained her seventeenth year, and, if tradition speaks truth, + possessed all the soft dimpling charms of the fail; light-haired Flemish + maidens. Schalken had not studied long in the school of Gerard Douw, when + he felt this interest deepening into something of a keener and intenser + feeling than was quite consistent with the tranquillity of his honest + Dutch heart; and at the same time he perceived, or thought he perceived, + flattering symptoms of a reciprocity of liking, and this was quite + sufficient to determine whatever indecision he might have heretofore + experienced, and to lead him to devote exclusively to her every hope and + feeling of his heart. In short, he was as much in love as a Dutchman could + be. He was not long in making his passion known to the pretty maiden + herself, and his declaration was followed by a corresponding confession + upon her part. + </p> + <p> + Schalken, however, was a poor man, and he possessed no counterbalancing + advantages of birth or position to induce the old man to consent to a + union which must involve his niece and ward in the strugglings and + difficulties of a young and nearly friendless artist. He was, therefore, + to wait until time had furnished him with opportunity, and accident with + success; and then, if his labours were found sufficiently lucrative, it + was to be hoped that his proposals might at least be listened to by her + jealous guardian. Months passed away, and, cheered by the smiles of the + little Rose, Schalken's labours were redoubled, and with such effect and + improvement as reasonably to promise the realisation of his hopes, and no + contemptible eminence in his art, before many years should have elapsed. + </p> + <p> + The even course of this cheering prosperity was, however, destined to + experience a sudden and formidable interruption, and that, too, in a + manner so strange and mysterious as to baffle all investigation, and throw + upon the events themselves a shadow of almost supernatural horror. + </p> + <p> + Schalken had one evening remained in the master's studio considerably + longer than his more volatile companions, who had gladly availed + themselves of the excuse which the dusk of evening afforded, to withdraw + from their several tasks, in order to finish a day of labour in the + jollity and conviviality of the tavern. + </p> + <p> + But Schalken worked for improvement, or rather for love. Besides, he was + now engaged merely in sketching a design, an operation which, unlike that + of colouring, might be continued as long as there was light sufficient to + distinguish between canvas and charcoal. He had not then, nor, indeed, + until long after, discovered the peculiar powers of his pencil, and he was + engaged in composing a group of extremely roguish-looking and grotesque + imps and demons, who were inflicting various ingenious torments upon a + perspiring and pot-bellied St. Anthony, who reclined in the midst of them, + apparently in the last stage of drunkenness. + </p> + <p> + The young artist, however, though incapable of executing, or even of + appreciating, anything of true sublimity, had nevertheless discernment + enough to prevent his being by any means satisfied with his work; and many + were the patient erasures and corrections which the limbs and features of + saint and devil underwent, yet all without producing in their new + arrangement anything of improvement or increased effect. + </p> + <p> + The large, old-fashioned room was silent, and, with the exception of + himself, quite deserted by its usual inmates. An hour had passed—nearly + two—without any improved result. Daylight had already declined, and + twilight was fast giving way to the darkness of night. The patience of the + young man was exhausted, and he stood before his unfinished production, + absorbed in no very pleasing ruminations, one hand buried in the folds of + his long dark hair, and the other holding the piece of charcoal which had + so ill executed its office, and which he now rubbed, without much regard + to the sable streaks which it produced, with irritable pressure upon his + ample Flemish inexpressibles. + </p> + <p> + 'Pshaw!' said the young man aloud, 'would that picture, devils, saint, and + all, were where they should be—in hell!' + </p> + <p> + A short, sudden laugh, uttered startlingly close to his ear, instantly + responded to the ejaculation. + </p> + <p> + The artist turned sharply round, and now for the first time became aware + that his labours had been overlooked by a stranger. + </p> + <p> + Within about a yard and a half, and rather behind him, there stood what + was, or appeared to be, the figure of an elderly man: he wore a short + cloak, and broad-brimmed hat with a conical crown, and in his hand, which + was protected with a heavy, gauntlet-shaped glove, he carried a long ebony + walking-stick, surmounted with what appeared, as it glittered dimly in the + twilight, to be a massive head of gold, and upon his breast, through the + folds of the cloak, there shone what appeared to be the links of a rich + chain of the same metal. + </p> + <p> + The room was so obscure that nothing further of the appearance of the + figure could be ascertained, and the face was altogether overshadowed by + the heavy flap of the beaver which overhung it, so that not a feature + could be discerned. A quantity of dark hair escaped from beneath this + sombre hat, a circumstance which, connected with the firm, upright + carriage of the intruder, proved that his years could not yet exceed + threescore or thereabouts. + </p> + <p> + There was an air of gravity and importance about the garb of this person, + and something indescribably odd, I might say awful, in the perfect, + stone-like movelessness of the figure, that effectually checked the testy + comment which had at once risen to the lips of the irritated artist. He + therefore, as soon as he had sufficiently recovered the surprise, asked + the stranger, civilly, to be seated, and desired to know if he had any + message to leave for his master. + </p> + <p> + 'Tell Gerard Douw,' said the unknown, without altering his attitude in the + smallest degree, 'that Mynher Vanderhauseny of Rotterdam, desires to speak + with him to-morrow evening at this hour, and, if he please, in this room, + upon matters of weight—that is all. Good-night.' + </p> + <p> + The stranger, having finished this message, turned abruptly, and, with a + quick but silent step, quitted the room, before Schalken had time to say a + word in reply. + </p> + <p> + The young man felt a curiosity to see in what direction the burgher of + Rotterdam would turn on quitting the studio, and for that purpose he went + directly to the window which commanded the door. + </p> + <p> + A lobby of considerable extent intervened between the inner door of the + painter's room and the street entrance, so that Schalken occupied the post + of observation before the old man could possibly have reached the street. + </p> + <p> + He watched in vain, however. There was no other mode of exit. + </p> + <p> + Had the old man vanished, or was he lurking about the recesses of the + lobby for some bad purpose? This last suggestion filled the mind of + Schalken with a vague horror, which was so unaccountably intense as to + make him alike afraid to remain in the room alone and reluctant to pass + through the lobby. + </p> + <p> + However, with an effort which appeared very disproportioned to the + occasion, he summoned resolution to leave the room, and, having + double-locked the door and thrust the key in his pocket, without looking + to the right or left, he traversed the passage which had so recently, + perhaps still, contained the person of his mysterious visitant, scarcely + venturing to breathe till he had arrived in the open street. + </p> + <p> + 'Mynher Vanderhausen,' said Gerard Douw within himself, as the appointed + hour approached, 'Mynher Vanderhausen of Rotterdam! I never heard of the + man till yesterday. What can he want of me? A portrait, perhaps, to be + painted; or a younger son or a poor relation to be apprenticed; or a + collection to be valued; or—pshaw I there's no one in Rotterdam to + leave me a legacy. Well, whatever the business may be, we shall soon know + it all.' + </p> + <p> + It was now the close of day, and every easel, except that of Schalken, was + deserted. Gerard Douw was pacing the apartment with the restless step of + impatient expectation, every now and then humming a passage from a piece + of music which he was himself composing; for, though no great proficient, + he admired the art; sometimes pausing to glance over the work of one of + his absent pupils, but more frequently placing himself at the window, from + whence he might observe the passengers who threaded the obscure by-street + in which his studio was placed. + </p> + <p> + 'Said you not, Godfrey,' exclaimed Douw, after a long and fruitless gaze + from his post of observation, and turning to Schalken—'said you not + the hour of appointment was at about seven by the clock of the Stadhouse?' + </p> + <p> + 'It had just told seven when I first saw him, sir,' answered the student. + </p> + <p> + 'The hour is close at hand, then,' said the master, consulting a horologe + as large and as round as a full-grown orange. 'Mynher Vanderhausen, from + Rotterdam—is it not so?' + </p> + <p> + 'Such was the name.' + </p> + <p> + 'And an elderly man, richly clad?' continued Douw. + </p> + <p> + 'As well as I might see,' replied his pupil; 'he could not be young, nor + yet very old neither, and his dress was rich and grave, as might become a + citizen of wealth and consideration.' + </p> + <p> + At this moment the sonorous boom of the Stadhouse clock told, stroke after + stroke, the hour of seven; the eyes of both master and student were + directed to the door; and it was not until the last peal of the old bell + had ceased to vibrate, that Douw exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + 'So, so; we shall have his worship presently—that is, if he means to + keep his hour; if not, thou mayst wait for him, Godfrey, if you court the + acquaintance of a capricious burgomaster. As for me, I think our old + Leyden contains a sufficiency of such commodities, without an importation + from Rotterdam.' + </p> + <p> + Schalken laughed, as in duty bound; and after a pause of some minutes, + Douw suddenly exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + 'What if it should all prove a jest, a piece of mummery got up by Vankarp, + or some such worthy! I wish you had run all risks, and cudgelled the old + burgomaster, stadholder, or whatever else he may be, soundly. I would + wager a dozen of Rhenish, his worship would have pleaded old acquaintance + before the third application.' + </p> + <p> + 'Here he comes, sir,' said Schalken, in a low admonitory tone; and + instantly, upon turning towards the door, Gerard Douw observed the same + figure which had, on the day before, so unexpectedly greeted the vision of + his pupil Schalken. + </p> + <p> + There was something in the air and mien of the figure which at once + satisfied the painter that there was no mummery in the case, and that he + really stood in the presence of a man of worship; and so, without + hesitation, he doffed his cap, and courteously saluting the stranger, + requested him to be seated. + </p> + <p> + The visitor waved his hand slightly, as, if in acknowledgment of the + courtesy, but remained standing. + </p> + <p> + 'I have the honour to see Mynher Vanderhausen, of Rotterdam?' said Gerard + Douw. + </p> + <p> + 'The same,' was the laconic reply of his visitant. + </p> + <p> + 'I understand your worship desires to speak with me,' continued Douw, 'and + I am here by appointment to wait your commands.' + </p> + <p> + 'Is that a man of trust?' said Vanderhausen, turning towards Schalken, who + stood at a little distance behind his master. + </p> + <p> + 'Certainly,' replied Gerard. + </p> + <p> + 'Then let him take this box and get the nearest jeweller or goldsmith to + value its contents, and let him return hither with a certificate of the + valuation.' + </p> + <p> + At the same time he placed a small case, about nine inches square, in the + hands of Gerard Douw, who was as much amazed at its weight as at the + strange abruptness with which it was handed to him. + </p> + <p> + In accordance with the wishes of the stranger, he delivered it into the + hands of Schalken, and repeating HIS directions, despatched him upon the + mission. + </p> + <p> + Schalken disposed his precious charge securely beneath the folds of his + cloak, and rapidly traversing two or three narrow streets, he stopped at a + corner house, the lower part of which was then occupied by the shop of a + Jewish goldsmith. + </p> + <p> + Schalken entered the shop, and calling the little Hebrew into the + obscurity of its back recesses, he proceeded to lay before him + Vanderhausen's packet. + </p> + <p> + On being examined by the light of a lamp, it appeared entirely cased with + lead, the outer surface of which was much scraped and soiled, and nearly + white with age. This was with difficulty partially removed, and disclosed + beneath a box of some dark and singularly hard wood; this, too, was + forced, and after the removal of two or three folds of linen, its contents + proved to be a mass of golden ingots, close packed, and, as the Jew + declared, of the most perfect quality. + </p> + <p> + Every ingot underwent the scrutiny of the little Jew, who seemed to feel + an epicurean delight in touching and testing these morsels of the glorious + metal; and each one of them was replaced in the box with the exclamation: + </p> + <p> + 'Mein Gott, how very perfect! not one grain of alloy—beautiful, + beautiful!' + </p> + <p> + The task was at length finished, and the Jew certified under his hand the + value of the ingots submitted to his examination to amount to many + thousand rix-dollars. + </p> + <p> + With the desired document in his bosom, and the rich box of gold carefully + pressed under his arm, and concealed by his cloak, he retraced his way, + and entering the studio, found his master and the stranger in close + conference. + </p> + <p> + Schalken had no sooner left the room, in order to execute the commission + he had taken in charge, than Vanderhausen addressed Gerard Douw in the + following terms: + </p> + <p> + 'I may not tarry with you to-night more than a few minutes, and so I shall + briefly tell you the matter upon which I come. You visited the town of + Rotterdam some four months ago, and then I saw in the church of St. + Lawrence your niece, Rose Velderkaust. I desire to marry her, and if I + satisfy you as to the fact that I am very wealthy—more wealthy than + any husband you could dream of for her—I expect that you will + forward my views to the utmost of your authority. If you approve my + proposal, you must close with it at once, for I cannot command time enough + to wait for calculations and delays.' + </p> + <p> + Gerard Douw was, perhaps, as much astonished as anyone could be by the + very unexpected nature of Mynher Vanderhausen's communication; but he did + not give vent to any unseemly expression of surprise, for besides the + motives supplied by prudence and politeness, the painter experienced a + kind of chill and oppressive sensation, something like that which is + supposed to affect a man who is placed unconsciously in immediate contact + with something to which he has a natural antipathy—an undefined + horror and dread while standing in the presence of the eccentric stranger, + which made him very unwilling to say anything which might reasonably prove + offensive. + </p> + <p> + 'I have no doubt,' said Gerard, after two or three prefatory hems, 'that + the connection which you propose would prove alike advantageous and + honourable to my niece; but you must be aware that she has a will of her + own, and may not acquiesce in what WE may design for her advantage.' + </p> + <p> + 'Do not seek to deceive me, Sir Painter,' said Vanderhausen; 'you are her + guardian—she is your ward. She is mine if YOU like to make her so.' + </p> + <p> + The man of Rotterdam moved forward a little as he spoke, and Gerard Douw, + he scarce knew why, inwardly prayed for the speedy return of Schalken. + </p> + <p> + 'I desire,' said the mysterious gentleman, 'to place in your hands at once + an evidence of my wealth, and a security for my liberal dealing with your + niece. The lad will return in a minute or two with a sum in value five + times the fortune which she has a right to expect from a husband. This + shall lie in your hands, together with her dowry, and you may apply the + united sum as suits her interest best; it shall be all exclusively hers + while she lives. Is that liberal?' + </p> + <p> + Douw assented, and inwardly thought that fortune had been extraordinarily + kind to his niece. The stranger, he thought, must be both wealthy and + generous, and such an offer was not to be despised, though made by a + humourist, and one of no very prepossessing presence. + </p> + <p> + Rose had no very high pretensions, for she was almost without dowry; + indeed, altogether so, excepting so far as the deficiency had been + supplied by the generosity of her uncle. Neither had she any right to + raise any scruples against the match on the score of birth, for her own + origin was by no means elevated; and as to other objections, Gerard + resolved, and, indeed, by the usages of the time was warranted in + resolving, not to listen to them for a moment. + </p> + <p> + 'Sir,' said he, addressing the stranger, 'your offer is most liberal, and + whatever hesitation I may feel in closing with it immediately, arises + solely from my not having the honour of knowing anything of your family or + station. Upon these points you can, of course, satisfy me without + difficulty?' + </p> + <p> + 'As to my respectability,' said the stranger, drily, 'you must take that + for granted at present; pester me with no inquiries; you can discover + nothing more about me than I choose to make known. You shall have + sufficient security for my respectability—my word, if you are + honourable: if you are sordid, my gold.' + </p> + <p> + 'A testy old gentleman,' thought Douw; 'he must have his own way. But, all + things considered, I am justified in giving my niece to him. Were she my + own daughter, I would do the like by her. I will not pledge myself + unnecessarily, however.' + </p> + <p> + 'You will not pledge yourself unnecessarily,' said Vanderhausen, strangely + uttering the very words which had just floated through the mind of his + companion; 'but you will do so if it IS necessary, I presume; and I will + show you that I consider it indispensable. If the gold I mean to leave in + your hands satisfy you, and if you desire that my proposal shall not be at + once withdrawn, you must, before I leave this room, write your name to + this engagement.' + </p> + <p> + Having thus spoken, he placed a paper in the hands of Gerard, the contents + of which expressed an engagement entered into by Gerard Douw, to give to + Wilken Vanderhausen, of Rotterdam, in marriage, Rose Velderkaust, and so + forth, within one week of the date hereof. + </p> + <p> + While the painter was employed in reading this covenant, Schalken, as we + have stated, entered the studio, and having delivered the box and the + valuation of the Jew into the hands of the stranger, he was about to + retire, when Vanderhausen called to him to wait; and, presenting the case + and the certificate to Gerard Douw, he waited in silence until he had + satisfied himself by an inspection of both as to the value of the pledge + left in his hands. At length he said: + </p> + <p> + 'Are you content?' + </p> + <p> + The painter said he would fain have an other day to consider. + </p> + <p> + 'Not an hour,' said the suitor, coolly. + </p> + <p> + 'Well, then,' said Douw, 'I am content; it is a bargain.' + </p> + <p> + 'Then sign at once,' said Vanderhausen; 'I am weary.' + </p> + <p> + At the same time he produced a small case of writing materials, and Gerard + signed the important document. + </p> + <p> + 'Let this youth witness the covenant,' said the old man; and Godfrey + Schalken unconsciously signed the instrument which bestowed upon another + that hand which he had so long regarded as the object and reward of all + his labours. + </p> + <p> + The compact being thus completed, the strange visitor folded up the paper, + and stowed it safely in an inner pocket. + </p> + <p> + 'I will visit you to-morrow night, at nine of the clock, at your house, + Gerard Douw, and will see the subject of our contract. Farewell.' And so + saying, Wilken Vanderhausen moved stiffly, but rapidly out of the room. + </p> + <p> + Schalken, eager to resolve his doubts, had placed himself by the window in + order to watch the street entrance; but the experiment served only to + support his suspicions, for the old man did not issue from the door. This + was very strange, very odd, very fearful. He and his master returned + together, and talked but little on the way, for each had his own subjects + of reflection, of anxiety, and of hope. + </p> + <p> + Schalken, however, did not know the ruin which threatened his cherished + schemes. + </p> + <p> + Gerard Douw knew nothing of the attachment which had sprung up between his + pupil and his niece; and even if he had, it is doubtful whether he would + have regarded its existence as any serious obstruction to the wishes of + Mynher Vanderhausen. + </p> + <p> + Marriages were then and there matters of traffic and calculation; and it + would have appeared as absurd in the eyes of the guardian to make a mutual + attachment an essential element in a contract of marriage, as it would + have been to draw up his bonds and receipts in the language of chivalrous + romance. + </p> + <p> + The painter, however, did not communicate to his niece the important step + which he had taken in her behalf, and his resolution arose not from any + anticipation of opposition on her part, but solely from a ludicrous + consciousness that if his ward were, as she very naturally might do, to + ask him to describe the appearance of the bridegroom whom he destined for + her, he would be forced to confess that he had not seen his face, and, if + called upon, would find it impossible to identify him. + </p> + <p> + Upon the next day, Gerard Douw having dined, called his niece to him, and + having scanned her person with an air of satisfaction, he took her hand, + and looking upon her pretty, innocent face with a smile of kindness, he + said: + </p> + <p> + 'Rose, my girl, that face of yours will make your fortune.' Rose blushed + and smiled. 'Such faces and such tempers seldom go together, and, when + they do, the compound is a love-potion which few heads or hearts can + resist. Trust me, thou wilt soon be a bride, girl. But this is trifling, + and I am pressed for time, so make ready the large room by eight o'clock + to-night, and give directions for supper at nine. I expect a friend + to-night; and observe me, child, do thou trick thyself out handsomely. I + would not have him think us poor or sluttish.' + </p> + <p> + With these words he left the chamber, and took his way to the room to + which we have already had occasion to introduce our readers—that in + which his pupils worked. + </p> + <p> + When the evening closed in, Gerard called Schalken, who was about to take + his departure to his obscure and comfortless lodgings, and asked him to + come home and sup with Rose and Vanderhausen. + </p> + <p> + The invitation was of course accepted, and Gerard Douw and his pupil soon + found themselves in the handsome and somewhat antique-looking room which + had been prepared for the reception of the stranger. + </p> + <p> + A cheerful wood-fire blazed in the capacious hearth; a little at one side + an oldfashioned table, with richly-carved legs, was placed—destined, + no doubt, to receive the supper, for which preparations were going + forward; and ranged with exact regularity, stood the tall-backed chairs, + whose ungracefulness was more than counterbalanced by their comfort. + </p> + <p> + The little party, consisting of Rose, her uncle, and the artist, awaited + the arrival of the expected visitor with considerable impatience. + </p> + <p> + Nine o'clock at length came, and with it a summons at the street-door, + which, being speedily answered, was followed by a slow and emphatic tread + upon the staircase; the steps moved heavily across the lobby, the door of + the room in which the party which we have described were assembled slowly + opened, and there entered a figure which startled, almost appalled, the + phlegmatic Dutchmen, and nearly made Rose scream with affright; it was the + form, and arrayed in the garb, of Mynher Vanderhausen; the air, the gait, + the height was the same, but the features had never been seen by any of + the party before. + </p> + <p> + The stranger stopped at the door of the room, and displayed his form and + face completely. He wore a dark-coloured cloth cloak, which was short and + full, not falling quite to the knees; his legs were cased in dark purple + silk stockings, and his shoes were adorned with roses of the same colour. + The opening of the cloak in front showed the under-suit to consist of some + very dark, perhaps sable material, and his hands were enclosed in a pair + of heavy leather gloves which ran up considerably above the wrist, in the + manner of a gauntlet. In one hand he carried his walking-stick and his + hat, which he had removed, and the other hung heavily by his side. A + quantity of grizzled hair descended in long tresses from his head, and its + folds rested upon the plaits of a stiff ruff, which effectually concealed + his neck. + </p> + <p> + So far all was well; but the face!—all the flesh of the face was + coloured with the bluish leaden hue which is sometimes produced by the + operation of metallic medicines administered in excessive quantities; the + eyes were enormous, and the white appeared both above and below the iris, + which gave to them an expression of insanity, which was heightened by + their glassy fixedness; the nose was well enough, but the mouth was + writhed considerably to one side, where it opened in order to give egress + to two long, discoloured fangs, which projected from the upper jaw, far + below the lower lip; the hue of the lips themselves bore the usual + relation to that of the face, and was consequently nearly black. The + character of the face was malignant, even satanic, to the last degree; + and, indeed, such a combination of horror could hardly be accounted for, + except by supposing the corpse of some atrocious malefactor, which had + long hung blackening upon the gibbet, to have at length become the + habitation of a demon—the frightful sport of Satanic possession. + </p> + <p> + It was remarkable that the worshipful stranger suffered as little as + possible of his flesh to appear, and that during his visit he did not once + remove his gloves. + </p> + <p> + Having stood for some moments at the door, Gerard Douw at length found + breath and collectedness to bid him welcome, and, with a mute inclination + of the head, the stranger stepped forward into the room. + </p> + <p> + There was something indescribably odd, even horrible, about all his + motions, something undefinable, that was unnatural, unhuman—it was + as if the limbs were guided and directed by a spirit unused to the + management of bodily machinery. + </p> + <p> + The stranger said hardly anything during his visit, which did not exceed + half an hour; and the host himself could scarcely muster courage enough to + utter the few necessary salutations and courtesies: and, indeed, such was + the nervous terror which the presence of Vanderhausen inspired, that very + little would have made all his entertainers fly bellowing from the room. + </p> + <p> + They had not so far lost all self-possession, however, as to fail to + observe two strange peculiarities of their visitor. + </p> + <p> + During his stay he did not once suffer his eyelids to close, nor even to + move in the slightest degree; and further, there was a death-like + stillness in his whole person, owing to the total absence of the heaving + motion of the chest, caused by the process of respiration. + </p> + <p> + These two peculiarities, though when told they may appear trifling, + produced a very striking and unpleasant effect when seen and observed. + Vanderhausen at length relieved the painter of Leyden of his inauspicious + presence; and with no small gratification the little party heard the + street-door close after him. + </p> + <p> + 'Dear uncle,' said Rose, 'what a frightful man! I would not see him again + for the wealth of the States!' + </p> + <p> + 'Tush, foolish girl!' said Douw, whose sensations were anything but + comfortable. 'A man may be as ugly as the devil, and yet if his heart and + actions are good, he is worth all the pretty-faced, perfumed puppies that + walk the Mall. Rose, my girl, it is very true he has not thy pretty face, + but I know him to be wealthy and liberal; and were he ten times more ugly——' + </p> + <p> + 'Which is inconceivable,' observed Rose. + </p> + <p> + 'These two virtues would be sufficient,' continued her uncle, 'to + counterbalance all his deformity; and if not of power sufficient actually + to alter the shape of the features, at least of efficacy enough to prevent + one thinking them amiss.' + </p> + <p> + 'Do you know, uncle,' said Rose, 'when I saw him standing at the door, I + could not get it out of my head that I saw the old, painted, wooden figure + that used to frighten me so much in the church of St. Laurence of + Rotterdam.' + </p> + <p> + Gerard laughed, though he could not help inwardly acknowledging the + justness of the comparison. He was resolved, however, as far as he could, + to check his niece's inclination to ridicule the ugliness of her intended + bridegroom, although he was not a little pleased to observe that she + appeared totally exempt from that mysterious dread of the stranger which, + he could not disguise it from himself, considerably affected him, as also + his pupil Godfrey Schalken. + </p> + <p> + Early on the next day there arrived, from various quarters of the town, + rich presents of silks, velvets, jewellery, and so forth, for Rose; and + also a packet directed to Gerard Douw, which, on being opened, was found + to contain a contract of marriage, formally drawn up, between Wilken + Vanderhausen of the Boom-quay, in Rotterdam, and Rose Velderkaust of + Leyden, niece to Gerard Douw, master in the art of painting, also of the + same city; and containing engagements on the part of Vanderhausen to make + settlements upon his bride, far more splendid than he had before led her + guardian to believe likely, and which were to be secured to her use in the + most unexceptionable manner possible—the money being placed in the + hands of Gerard Douw himself. + </p> + <p> + I have no sentimental scenes to describe, no cruelty of guardians, or + magnanimity of wards, or agonies of lovers. The record I have to make is + one of sordidness, levity, and interest. In less than a week after the + first interview which we have just described, the contract of marriage was + fulfilled, and Schalken saw the prize which he would have risked anything + to secure, carried off triumphantly by his formidable rival. + </p> + <p> + For two or three days he absented himself from the school; he then + returned and worked, if with less cheerfulness, with far more dogged + resolution than before; the dream of love had given place to that of + ambition. + </p> + <p> + Months passed away, and, contrary to his expectation, and, indeed, to the + direct promise of the parties, Gerard Douw heard nothing of his niece, or + her worshipful spouse. The interest of the money, which was to have been + demanded in quarterly sums, lay unclaimed in his hands. He began to grow + extremely uneasy. + </p> + <p> + Mynher Vanderhausen's direction in Rotterdam he was fully possessed of. + After some irresolution he finally determined to journey thither—a + trifling undertaking, and easily accomplished—and thus to satisfy + himself of the safety and comfort of his ward, for whom he entertained an + honest and strong affection. + </p> + <p> + His search was in vain, however. No one in Rotterdam had ever heard of + Mynher Vanderhausen. + </p> + <p> + Gerard Douw left not a house in the Boom-quay untried; but all in vain. No + one could give him any information whatever touching the object of his + inquiry; and he was obliged to return to Leyden, nothing wiser than when + he had left it. + </p> + <p> + On his arrival he hastened to the establishment from which Vanderhausen + had hired the lumbering though, considering the times, most luxurious + vehicle which the bridal party had employed to convey them to Rotterdam. + From the driver of this machine he learned, that having proceeded by slow + stages, they had late in the evening approached Rotterdam; but that before + they entered the city, and while yet nearly a mile from it, a small party + of men, soberly clad, and after the old fashion, with peaked beards and + moustaches, standing in the centre of the road, obstructed the further + progress of the carriage. The driver reined in his horses, much fearing, + from the obscurity of the hour, and the loneliness of the road, that some + mischief was intended. + </p> + <p> + His fears were, however, somewhat allayed by his observing that these + strange men carried a large litter, of an antique shape, and which they + immediately set down upon the pavement, whereupon the bridegroom, having + opened the coach-door from within, descended, and having assisted his + bride to do likewise, led her, weeping bitterly and wringing her hands, to + the litter, which they both entered. It was then raised by the men who + surrounded it, and speedily carried towards the city, and before it had + proceeded many yards the darkness concealed it from the view of the Dutch + charioteer. + </p> + <p> + In the inside of the vehicle he found a purse, whose contents more than + thrice paid the hire of the carriage and man. He saw and could tell + nothing more of Mynher Vanderhausen and his beautiful lady. This mystery + was a source of deep anxiety and almost of grief to Gerard Douw. + </p> + <p> + There was evidently fraud in the dealing of Vanderhausen with him, though + for what purpose committed he could not imagine. He greatly doubted how + far it was possible for a man possessing in his countenance so strong an + evidence of the presence of the most demoniac feelings, to be in reality + anything but a villain; and every day that passed without his hearing from + or of his niece, instead of inducing him to forget his fears, on the + contrary tended more and more to exasperate them. + </p> + <p> + The loss of his niece's cheerful society tended also to depress his + spirits; and in order to dispel this despondency, which often crept upon + his mind after his daily employment was over, he was wont frequently to + prevail upon Schalken to accompany him home, and by his presence to + dispel, in some degree, the gloom of his otherwise solitary supper. + </p> + <p> + One evening, the painter and his pupil were sitting by the fire, having + accomplished a comfortable supper, and had yielded to that silent + pensiveness sometimes induced by the process of digestion, when their + reflections were disturbed by a loud sound at the street-door, as if + occasioned by some person rushing forcibly and repeatedly against it. A + domestic had run without delay to ascertain the cause of the disturbance, + and they heard him twice or thrice interrogate the applicant for + admission, but without producing an answer or any cessation of the sounds. + </p> + <p> + They heard him then open the hall-door, and immediately there followed a + light and rapid tread upon the staircase. Schalken laid his hand on his + sword, and advanced towards the door. It opened before he reached it, and + Rose rushed into the room. She looked wild and haggard, and pale with + exhaustion and terror; but her dress surprised them as much even as her + unexpected appearance. It consisted of a kind of white woollen wrapper, + made close about the neck, and descending to the very ground. It was much + deranged and travel-soiled. The poor creature had hardly entered the + chamber when she fell senseless on the floor. With some difficulty they + succeeded in reviving her, and on recovering her senses she instantly + exclaimed, in a tone of eager, terrified impatience: + </p> + <p> + 'Wine, wine, quickly, or I'm lost!' + </p> + <p> + Much alarmed at the strange agitation in which the call was made, they at + once administered to her wishes, and she drank some wine with a haste and + eagerness which surprised them. She had hardly swallowed it, when she + exclaimed, with the same urgency: + </p> + <p> + 'Food, food, at once, or I perish!' + </p> + <p> + A considerable fragment of a roast joint was upon the table, and Schalken + immediately proceeded to cut some, but he was anticipated; for no sooner + had she become aware of its presence than she darted at it with the + rapacity of a vulture, and, seizing it in her hands she tore off the flesh + with her teeth and swallowed it. + </p> + <p> + When the paroxysm of hunger had been a little appeased, she appeared + suddenly to become aware how strange her conduct had been, or it may have + been that other more agitating thoughts recurred to her mind, for she + began to weep bitterly and to wring her hands. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh! send for a minister of God,' said she; 'I am not safe till he comes; + send for him speedily.' + </p> + <p> + Gerard Douw despatched a messenger instantly, and prevailed on his niece + to allow him to surrender his bedchamber to her use; he also persuaded her + to retire to it at once and to rest; her consent was extorted upon the + condition that they would not leave her for a moment. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh that the holy man were here!' she said; 'he can deliver me. The dead + and the living can never be one—God has forbidden it.' + </p> + <p> + With these mysterious words she surrendered herself to their guidance, and + they proceeded to the chamber which Gerard Douw had assigned to her use. + </p> + <p> + 'Do not—do not leave me for a moment,' said she. 'I am lost for ever + if you do.' + </p> + <p> + Gerard Douw's chamber was approached through a spacious apartment, which + they were now about to enter. Gerard Douw and Schalken each carried a was + candle, so that a sufficient degree of light was cast upon all surrounding + objects. They were now entering the large chamber, which, as I have said, + communicated with Douw's apartment, when Rose suddenly stopped, and, in a + whisper which seemed to thrill with horror, she said: + </p> + <p> + 'O God! he is here—he is here! See, see—there he goes!' + </p> + <p> + She pointed towards the door of the inner room, and Schalken thought he + saw a shadowy and ill-defined form gliding into that apartment. He drew + his sword, and raising the candle so as to throw its light with increased + distinctness upon the objects in the room, he entered the chamber into + which the shadow had glided. No figure was there—nothing but the + furniture which belonged to the room, and yet he could not be deceived as + to the fact that something had moved before them into the chamber. + </p> + <p> + A sickening dread came upon him, and the cold perspiration broke out in + heavy drops upon his forehead; nor was he more composed when he heard the + increased urgency, the agony of entreaty, with which Rose implored them + not to leave her for a moment. + </p> + <p> + 'I saw him,' said she. 'He's here! I cannot be deceived—I know him. + He's by me—he's with me—he's in the room. Then, for God's + sake, as you would save, do not stir from beside me!' + </p> + <p> + They at length prevailed upon her to lie down upon the bed, where she + continued to urge them to stay by her. She frequently uttered incoherent + sentences, repeating again and again, 'The dead and the living cannot be + one—God has forbidden it!' and then again, 'Rest to the wakeful—sleep + to the sleep-walkers.' + </p> + <p> + These and such mysterious and broken sentences she continued to utter + until the clergyman arrived. + </p> + <p> + Gerard Douw began to fear, naturally enough, that the poor girl, owing to + terror or ill-treatment, had become deranged; and he half suspected, by + the suddenness of her appearance, and the unseasonableness of the hour, + and, above all, from the wildness and terror of her manner, that she had + made her escape from some place of confinement for lunatics, and was in + immediate fear of pursuit. He resolved to summon medical advice as soon as + the mind of his niece had been in some measure set at rest by the offices + of the clergyman whose attendance she had so earnestly desired; and until + this object had been attained, he did not venture to put any questions to + her, which might possibly, by reviving painful or horrible recollections, + increase her agitation. + </p> + <p> + The clergyman soon arrived—a man of ascetic countenance and + venerable age—one whom Gerard Douw respected much, forasmuch as he + was a veteran polemic, though one, perhaps, more dreaded as a combatant + than beloved as a Christian—of pure morality, subtle brain, and + frozen heart. He entered the chamber which communicated with that in which + Rose reclined, and immediately on his arrival she requested him to pray + for her, as for one who lay in the hands of Satan, and who could hope for + deliverance—only from heaven. + </p> + <p> + That our readers may distinctly understand all the circumstances of the + event which we are about imperfectly to describe, it is necessary to state + the relative position of the parties who were engaged in it. The old + clergyman and Schalken were in the anteroom of which we have already + spoken; Rose lay in the inner chamber, the door of which was open; and by + the side of the bed, at her urgent desire, stood her guardian; a candle + burned in the bedchamber, and three were lighted in the outer apartment. + </p> + <p> + The old man now cleared his voice, as if about to commence; but before he + had time to begin, a sudden gust of air blew out the candle which served + to illuminate the room in which the poor girl lay, and she, with hurried + alarm, exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + 'Godfrey, bring in another candle; the darkness is unsafe.' + </p> + <p> + Gerard Douw, forgetting for the moment her repeated injunctions in the + immediate impulse, stepped from the bedchamber into the other, in order to + supply what she desired. + </p> + <p> + 'O God I do not go, dear uncle!' shrieked the unhappy girl; and at the + same time she sprang from the bed and darted after him, in order, by her + grasp, to detain him. + </p> + <p> + But the warning came too late, for scarcely had he passed the threshold, + and hardly had his niece had time to utter the startling exclamation, when + the door which divided the two rooms closed violently after him, as if + swung to by a strong blast of wind. + </p> + <p> + Schalken and he both rushed to the door, but their united and desperate + efforts could not avail so much as to shake it. + </p> + <p> + Shriek after shriek burst from the inner chamber, with all the piercing + loudness of despairing terror. Schalken and Douw applied every energy and + strained every nerve to force open the door; but all in vain. + </p> + <p> + There was no sound of struggling from within, but the screams seemed to + increase in loudness, and at the same time they heard the bolts of the + latticed window withdrawn, and the window itself grated upon the sill as + if thrown open. + </p> + <p> + One LAST shriek, so long and piercing and agonised as to be scarcely + human, swelled from the room, and suddenly there followed a death-like + silence. + </p> + <p> + A light step was heard crossing the floor, as if from the bed to the + window; and almost at the same instant the door gave way, and, yielding to + the pressure of the external applicants, they were nearly precipitated + into the room. It was empty. The window was open, and Schalken sprang to a + chair and gazed out upon the street and canal below. He saw no form, but + he beheld, or thought he beheld, the waters of the broad canal beneath + settling ring after ring in heavy circular ripples, as if a moment before + disturbed by the immersion of some large and heavy mass. + </p> + <p> + No trace of Rose was ever after discovered, nor was anything certain + respecting her mysterious wooer detected or even suspected; no clue + whereby to trace the intricacies of the labyrinth and to arrive at a + distinct conclusion was to be found. But an incident occurred, which, + though it will not be received by our rational readers as at all + approaching to evidence upon the matter, nevertheless produced a strong + and a lasting impression upon the mind of Schalken. + </p> + <p> + Many years after the events which we have detailed, Schalken, then + remotely situated, received an intimation of his father's death, and of + his intended burial upon a fixed day in the church of Rotterdam. It was + necessary that a very considerable journey should be performed by the + funeral procession, which, as it will readily be believed, was not very + numerously attended. Schalken with difficulty arrived in Rotterdam late in + the day upon which the funeral was appointed to take place. The procession + had not then arrived. Evening closed in, and still it did not appear. + </p> + <p> + Schalken strolled down to the church—he found it open—notice + of the arrival of the funeral had been given, and the vault in which the + body was to be laid had been opened. The official who corresponds to our + sexton, on seeing a well-dressed gentleman, whose object was to attend the + expected funeral, pacing the aisle of the church, hospitably invited him + to share with him the comforts of a blazing wood fire, which, as was his + custom in winter time upon such occasions, he had kindled on the hearth of + a chamber which communicated, by a flight of steps, with the vault below. + </p> + <p> + In this chamber Schalken and his entertainer seated themselves, and the + sexton, after some fruitless attempts to engage his guest in conversation, + was obliged to apply himself to his tobacco-pipe and can to solace his + solitude. + </p> + <p> + In spite of his grief and cares, the fatigues of a rapid journey of nearly + forty hours gradually overcame the mind and body of Godfrey Schalken, and + he sank into a deep sleep, from which he was awakened by some one shaking + him gently by the shoulder. He first thought that the old sexton had + called him, but HE was no longer in the room. + </p> + <p> + He roused himself, and as soon as he could clearly see what was around + him, he perceived a female form, clothed in a kind of light robe of + muslin, part of which was so disposed as to act as a veil, and in her hand + she carried a lamp. She was moving rather away from him, and towards the + flight of steps which conducted towards the vaults. + </p> + <p> + Schalken felt a vague alarm at the sight of this figure, and at the same + time an irresistible impulse to follow its guidance. He followed it + towards the vaults, but when it reached the head of the stairs, he paused; + the figure paused also, and, turning gently round, displayed, by the light + of the lamp it carried, the face and features of his first love, Rose + Velderkaust. There was nothing horrible, or even sad, in the countenance. + On the contrary, it wore the same arch smile which used to enchant the + artist long before in his happy days. + </p> + <p> + A feeling of awe and of interest, too intense to be resisted, prompted him + to follow the spectre, if spectre it were. She descended the stairs—he + followed; and, turning to the left, through a narrow passage, she led him, + to his infinite surprise, into what appeared to be an oldfashioned Dutch + apartment, such as the pictures of Gerard Douw have served to immortalise. + </p> + <p> + Abundance of costly antique furniture was disposed about the room, and in + one corner stood a four-post bed, with heavy black-cloth curtains around + it; the figure frequently turned towards him with the same arch smile; and + when she came to the side of the bed, she drew the curtains, and by the + light of the lamp which she held towards its contents, she disclosed to + the horror-stricken painter, sitting bolt upright in the bed, the livid + and demoniac form of Vanderhausen. Schalken had hardly seen him when he + fell senseless upon the floor, where he lay until discovered, on the next + morning, by persons employed in closing the passages into the vaults. He + was lying in a cell of considerable size, which had not been disturbed for + a long time, and he had fallen beside a large coffin which was supported + upon small stone pillars, a security against the attacks of vermin. + </p> + <p> + To his dying day Schalken was satisfied of the reality of the vision which + he had witnessed, and he has left behind him a curious evidence of the + impression which it wrought upon his fancy, in a painting executed shortly + after the event we have narrated, and which is valuable as exhibiting not + only the peculiarities which have made Schalken's pictures sought after, + but even more so as presenting a portrait, as close and faithful as one + taken from memory can be, of his early love, Rose Velderkaust, whose + mysterious fate must ever remain matter of speculation. + </p> + <p> + The picture represents a chamber of antique masonry, such as might be + found in most old cathedrals, and is lighted faintly by a lamp carried in + the hand of a female figure, such as we have above attempted to describe; + and in the background, and to the left of him who examines the painting, + there stands the form of a man apparently aroused from sleep, and by his + attitude, his hand being laid upon his sword, exhibiting considerable + alarm: this last figure is illuminated only by the expiring glare of a + wood or charcoal fire. + </p> + <p> + The whole production exhibits a beautiful specimen of that artful and + singular distribution of light and shade which has rendered the name of + Schalken immortal among the artists of his country. This tale is + traditionary, and the reader will easily perceive, by our studiously + omitting to heighten many points of the narrative, when a little + additional colouring might have added effect to the recital, that we have + desired to lay before him, not a figment of the brain, but a curious + tradition connected with, and belonging to, the biography of a famous + artist. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + SCRAPS OF HIBERNIAN BALLADS. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Being an Eighth Extract from the Legacy of the late Francis + Purcell, P. P. of Drumcoolagh. +</pre> + <p> + I have observed, my dear friend, among other grievous misconceptions + current among men otherwise well-informed, and which tend to degrade the + pretensions of my native land, an impression that there exists no such + thing as indigenous modern Irish composition deserving the name of poetry—a + belief which has been thoughtlessly sustained and confirmed by the + unconscionable literary perverseness of Irishmen themselves, who have + preferred the easy task of concocting humorous extravaganzas, which + caricature with merciless exaggeration the pedantry, bombast, and blunders + incident to the lowest order of Hibernian ballads, to the more pleasurable + and patriotic duty of collecting together the many, many specimens of + genuine poetic feeling, which have grown up, like its wild flowers, from + the warm though neglected soil of Ireland. + </p> + <p> + In fact, the productions which have long been regarded as pure samples of + Irish poetic composition, such as 'The Groves of Blarney,' and 'The + Wedding of Ballyporeen,' 'Ally Croker,' etc., etc., are altogether + spurious, and as much like the thing they call themselves 'as I to + Hercules.' + </p> + <p> + There are to be sure in Ireland, as in all countries, poems which deserve + to be laughed at. The native productions of which I speak, frequently + abound in absurdities—absurdities which are often, too, provokingly + mixed up with what is beautiful; but I strongly and absolutely deny that + the prevailing or even the usual character of Irish poetry is that of + comicality. No country, no time, is devoid of real poetry, or something + approaching to it; and surely it were a strange thing if Ireland, + abounding as she does from shore to shore with all that is beautiful, and + grand, and savage in scenery, and filled with wild recollections, vivid + passions, warm affections, and keen sorrow, could find no language to + speak withal, but that of mummery and jest. No, her language is imperfect, + but there is strength in its rudeness, and beauty in its wildness; and, + above all, strong feeling flows through it, like fresh fountains in rugged + caverns. + </p> + <p> + And yet I will not say that the language of genuine indigenous Irish + composition is always vulgar and uncouth: on the contrary, I am in + possession of some specimens, though by no means of the highest order as + to poetic merit, which do not possess throughout a single peculiarity of + diction. The lines which I now proceed to lay before you, by way of + illustration, are from the pen of an unfortunate young man, of very humble + birth, whose early hopes were crossed by the untimely death of her whom he + loved. He was a self-educated man, and in after-life rose to high + distinctions in the Church to which he devoted himself—an act which + proves the sincerity of spirit with which these verses were written. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'When moonlight falls on wave and wimple, + And silvers every circling dimple, + That onward, onward sails: + When fragrant hawthorns wild and simple + Lend perfume to the gales, + And the pale moon in heaven abiding, + O'er midnight mists and mountains riding, + Shines on the river, smoothly gliding + Through quiet dales, + + 'I wander there in solitude, + Charmed by the chiming music rude + Of streams that fret and flow. + For by that eddying stream SHE stood, + On such a night I trow: + For HER the thorn its breath was lending, + On this same tide HER eye was bending, + And with its voice HER voice was blending + Long, long ago. + + Wild stream! I walk by thee once more, + I see thy hawthorns dim and hoar, + I hear thy waters moan, + And night-winds sigh from shore to shore, + With hushed and hollow tone; + But breezes on their light way winging, + And all thy waters heedless singing, + No more to me are gladness bringing— + I am alone. + + 'Years after years, their swift way keeping, + Like sere leaves down thy current sweeping, + Are lost for aye, and sped— + And Death the wintry soil is heaping + As fast as flowers are shed. + And she who wandered by my side, + And breathed enchantment o'er thy tide, + That makes thee still my friend and guide— + And she is dead.' +</pre> + <p> + These lines I have transcribed in order to prove a point which I have + heard denied, namely, that an Irish peasant—for their author was no + more—may write at least correctly in the matter of measure, + language, and rhyme; and I shall add several extracts in further + illustration of the same fact, a fact whose assertion, it must be allowed, + may appear somewhat paradoxical even to those who are acquainted, though + superficially, with Hibernian composition. The rhymes are, it must be + granted, in the generality of such productions, very latitudinarian + indeed, and as a veteran votary of the muse once assured me, depend wholly + upon the wowls (vowels), as may be seen in the following stanza of the + famous 'Shanavan Voicth.' + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + '"What'll we have for supper?" + Says my Shanavan Voicth; + "We'll have turkeys and roast BEEF, + And we'll eat it very SWEET, + And then we'll take a SLEEP," + Says my Shanavan Voicth.' +</pre> + <p> + But I am desirous of showing you that, although barbarisms may and do + exist in our native ballads, there are still to be found exceptions which + furnish examples of strict correctness in rhyme and metre. Whether they be + one whit the better for this I have my doubts. In order to establish my + position, I subjoin a portion of a ballad by one Michael Finley, of whom + more anon. The GENTLEMAN spoken of in the song is Lord Edward Fitzgerald. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'The day that traitors sould him and inimies bought him, + The day that the red gold and red blood was paid— + Then the green turned pale and thrembled like the dead leaves in +Autumn, And the heart an' hope iv Ireland in the could grave was +laid. + + 'The day I saw you first, with the sunshine fallin' round ye, + My heart fairly opened with the grandeur of the view: + For ten thousand Irish boys that day did surround ye, + An' I swore to stand by them till death, an' fight for you. + + 'Ye wor the bravest gentleman, an' the best that ever stood, + And your eyelid never thrembled for danger nor for dread, + An' nobleness was flowin' in each stream of your blood— + My bleasing on you night au' day, an' Glory be your bed. + + 'My black an' bitter curse on the head, an' heart, an' hand, + That plotted, wished, an' worked the fall of this Irish hero +bold; God's curse upon the Irishman that sould his native land, + An' hell consume to dust the hand that held the thraitor's +gold.' +</pre> + <p> + Such were the politics and poetry of Michael Finley, in his day, perhaps, + the most noted song-maker of his country; but as genius is never without + its eccentricities, Finley had his peculiarities, and among these, perhaps + the most amusing was his rooted aversion to pen, ink, and paper, in + perfect independence of which, all his compositions were completed. It is + impossible to describe the jealousy with which he regarded the presence of + writing materials of any kind, and his ever wakeful fears lest some + literary pirate should transfer his oral poetry to paper—fears which + were not altogether without warrant, inasmuch as the recitation and + singing of these original pieces were to him a source of wealth and + importance. I recollect upon one occasion his detecting me in the very act + of following his recitation with my pencil and I shall not soon forget his + indignant scowl, as stopping abruptly in the midst of a line, he sharply + exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + 'Is my pome a pigsty, or what, that you want a surveyor's ground-plan of + it?' + </p> + <p> + Owing to this absurd scruple, I have been obliged, with one exception, + that of the ballad of 'Phaudhrig Crohoore,' to rest satisfied with such + snatches and fragments of his poetry as my memory could bear away—a + fact which must account for the mutilated state in which I have been + obliged to present the foregoing specimen of his composition. + </p> + <p> + It was in vain for me to reason with this man of metres upon the + unreasonableness of this despotic and exclusive assertion of copyright. I + well remember his answer to me when, among other arguments, I urged the + advisability of some care for the permanence of his reputation, as a + motive to induce him to consent to have his poems written down, and thus + reduced to a palpable and enduring form. + </p> + <p> + 'I often noticed,' said he, 'when a mist id be spreadin', a little brier + to look as big, you'd think, as an oak tree; an' same way, in the dimmness + iv the nightfall, I often seen a man tremblin' and crassin' himself as if + a sperit was before him, at the sight iv a small thorn bush, that he'd + leap over with ase if the daylight and sunshine was in it. An' that's the + rason why I think it id be better for the likes iv me to be remimbered in + tradition than to be written in history.' + </p> + <p> + Finley has now been dead nearly eleven years, and his fame has not + prospered by the tactics which he pursued, for his reputation, so far from + being magnified, has been wholly obliterated by the mists of obscurity. + </p> + <p> + With no small difficulty, and no inconsiderable manoeuvring, I succeeded + in procuring, at an expense of trouble and conscience which you will no + doubt think but poorly rewarded, an accurate 'report' of one of his most + popular recitations. It celebrates one of the many daring exploits of the + once famous Phaudhrig Crohoore (in prosaic English, Patrick Connor). I + have witnessed powerful effects produced upon large assemblies by Finley's + recitation of this poem which he was wont, upon pressing invitation, to + deliver at weddings, wakes, and the like; of course the power of the + narrative was greatly enhanced by the fact that many of his auditors had + seen and well knew the chief actors in the drama. + </p> + <p> + 'PHAUDHRIG CROHOORE. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Oh, Phaudhrig Crohoore was the broth of a boy, + And he stood six foot eight, + And his arm was as round as another man's thigh, + 'Tis Phaudhrig was great,— + And his hair was as black as the shadows of night, + And hung over the scars left by many a fight; + And his voice, like the thunder, was deep, strong, and loud, + And his eye like the lightnin' from under the cloud. + And all the girls liked him, for he could spake civil, + And sweet when he chose it, for he was the divil. + An' there wasn't a girl from thirty-five undher, + Divil a matter how crass, but he could come round her. + But of all the sweet girls that smiled on him, but one + Was the girl of his heart, an' he loved her alone. + An' warm as the sun, as the rock firm an' sure, + Was the love of the heart of Phaudhrig Crohoore; + An' he'd die for one smile from his Kathleen O'Brien, + For his love, like his hatred, was sthrong as the lion. + + 'But Michael O'Hanlon loved Kathleen as well + As he hated Crohoore—an' that same was like hell. + But O'Brien liked HIM, for they were the same parties, + The O'Briens, O'Hanlons, an' Murphys, and Cartys— + An' they all went together an' hated Crohoore, + For it's many the batin' he gave them before; + An' O'Hanlon made up to O'Brien, an' says he: + "I'll marry your daughter, if you'll give her to me." + And the match was made up, an' when Shrovetide came on, + The company assimbled three hundred if one: + There was all the O'Hanlons, an' Murphys, an' Cartys, + An' the young boys an' girls av all o' them parties; + An' the O'Briens, av coorse, gathered strong on day, + An' the pipers an' fiddlers were tearin' away; + There was roarin', an' jumpin', an' jiggin', an' flingin', + An' jokin', an' blessin', an' kissin', an' singin', + An' they wor all laughin'—why not, to be sure?— + How O'Hanlon came inside of Phaudhrig Crohoore. + An' they all talked an' laughed the length of the table, + Atin' an' dhrinkin' all while they wor able, + And with pipin' an' fiddlin' an' roarin' like tundher, + Your head you'd think fairly was splittin' asundher; + And the priest called out, "Silence, ye blackguards, agin!" + An' he took up his prayer-book, just goin' to begin, + An' they all held their tongues from their funnin' and bawlin', + So silent you'd notice the smallest pin fallin'; + + An' the priest was just beg'nin' to read, whin the door + Sprung back to the wall, and in walked Crohoore— + Oh! Phaudhrig Crohoore was the broth of a boy, + Ant he stood six foot eight, + An' his arm was as round as another man's thigh, + 'Tis Phaudhrig was great— + An' he walked slowly up, watched by many a bright eye, + As a black cloud moves on through the stars of the sky, + An' none sthrove to stop him, for Phaudhrig was great, + Till he stood all alone, just apposit the sate + Where O'Hanlon and Kathleen, his beautiful bride, + Were sitting so illigant out side by side; + An' he gave her one look that her heart almost broke, + An' he turned to O'Brien, her father, and spoke, + An' his voice, like the thunder, was deep, sthrong, and loud, + An' his eye shone like lightnin' from under the cloud: + "I didn't come here like a tame, crawlin' mouse, + But I stand like a man in my inimy's house; + In the field, on the road, Phaudhrig never knew fear, + Of his foemen, an' God knows he scorns it here; + + So lave me at aise, for three minutes or four, + To spake to the girl I'll never see more." + An' to Kathleen he turned, and his voice changed its tone, + For he thought of the days when he called her his own, + An' his eye blazed like lightnin' from under the cloud + On his false-hearted girl, reproachful and proud, + An' says he: "Kathleen bawn, is it thrue what I hear, + That you marry of your free choice, without threat or fear? + If so, spake the word, an' I'll turn and depart, + Chated once, and once only by woman's false heart." + Oh! sorrow and love made the poor girl dumb, + An' she thried hard to spake, but the words wouldn't come, + For the sound of his voice, as he stood there fornint her, + Wint could on her heart as the night wind in winther. + An' the tears in her blue eyes stood tremblin' to flow, + And pale was her cheek as the moonshine on snow; + Then the heart of bould Phaudhrig swelled high in its place, + For he knew, by one look in that beautiful face, + + That though sthrangers an' foemen their pledged hands might +sever, Her true heart was his, and his only, for ever. + An' he lifted his voice, like the agle's hoarse call, + An' says Phaudhrig, "She's mine still, in spite of yez all!" + Then up jumped O'Hanlon, an' a tall boy was he, + An' he looked on bould Phaudhrig as fierce as could be, + An' says he, "By the hokey! before you go out, + Bould Phaudhrig Crohoore, you must fight for a bout." + Then Phaudhrig made answer: "I'll do my endeavour," + An' with one blow he stretched bould O'Hanlon for ever. + In his arms he took Kathleen, an' stepped to the door; + And he leaped on his horse, and flung her before; + An' they all were so bother'd, that not a man stirred + Till the galloping hoofs on the pavement were heard. + Then up they all started, like bees in the swarm, + An' they riz a great shout, like the burst of a storm, + An' they roared, and they ran, and they shouted galore; + But Kathleen and Phaudhrig they never saw more. + + 'But them days are gone by, an' he is no more; + An' the green-grass is growin' o'er Phaudhrig Crohoore, + For he couldn't be aisy or quiet at all; + As he lived a brave boy, he resolved so to fall. + And he took a good pike—for Phaudhrig was great— + And he fought, and he died in the year ninety-eight. + An' the day that Crohoore in the green field was killed, + A sthrong boy was sthretched, and a sthrong heart was stilled.' +</pre> + <p> + It is due to the memory of Finley to say that the foregoing ballad, though + bearing throughout a strong resemblance to Sir Walter Scott's 'Lochinvar,' + was nevertheless composed long before that spirited production had seen + the light. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Purcell Papers, by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PURCELL PAPERS *** + +***** This file should be named 510-h.htm or 510-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/5/1/510/ + +Produced by Judith Boss and Charles Keller + +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. 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