CHAPTERXXV
THEFLIGHT。
ONoncegainingthewharf,DevenantandClotellefoundnodifficultyinsecuringanimmediatepassagetoFrance。Thefinepacket-shipUticalaydownthebay,andonlyawaitedthereturnofthelighterthatnighttocompletehercargoandlistofpassengers,ereshedeparted。TheyoungFrenchmanthereforetookhisprizeonboard,andstartedfortheship。
DaylightwasjustmakingitsappearancethenextmorningwhentheUticaweighedanchorandturnedherprowtowardthesea。Inthecourseofthreehours,thevessel,withoutspreadsails,wasrapidlyflyingfromland。Everythingappearedtobeauspicious。
Theskieswerebeautifullyclear,andtheseacalm,withasunthatdazzledthewholescene。Butcloudssoonbegantochaseeachotherthroughtheheavensandtheseabecamerough。ItwasthenthatClotellefeltthattherewashopeofescaping。Shehadhithertokeptinthecabin,butnowsheexpressedawishtocomeondeck。Thehangingcloudswerenarrowingthehorizontoaspan,andgloomilyminglingwiththerisingsurges。Theoldandgrave-lookingseamenshooktheirweather-wiseheadsasifforetellingastorm。
AsClotellecameondeck,shestrainedhereyesinvaintocatchafarewellviewofhernativeland。Withasmileonhercountenance,butwithhereyesfilledwithtears,shesaid,——
\"Farewell,farewelltothelandofmybirth,andwelcome,welcome,yedarkbluewaves。IcarenotwhereIgo,soitis’Whereatyrantnevertrod,Whereaslavewasneverknown,ButwherenatureworshipsGod,Ifinthewildernessalone。’\"
Devenantstoodbyherside,seemingproudofhisfuturewife,withhisfaceinaglowathissuccess,whileoverhisnoblebrowclusteringlocksofglossyblackhairwerehangingincarelessringlets。Hisfinely-cut,classicfeaturesworetheaspectofonepossessedwithalargeandnobleheart。
OncemorethebeautifulClotellewhisperedintheearofherlover,——
\"Away,away,o’erlandandsea,Americaisnownohomeforme。\"
Thewindsincreasedwithnightfall,andimpenetrablegloomsurroundedtheship。Theprospectwastoouncheering,eventopersonsinlove。TheattentionwhichDevenantpaidtoClotelle,althoughshehadbeenregisteredontheship’spassengerlistashissister,causedmorethanonetolookuponhisasanagreeabletravellingcompanion。Histall,slenderfigureandfinecountenancebespokeforhimatfirstsightone’sconfidence。ThathewassincerelyanddeeplyenamoredofClotelleallcouldsee。
Theweatherbecamestillmoresqually。Thewindrushedthroughthewhite,foamingwaves,andtheshipgroanedwithitsownwildandungovernablelabors,whilenothingcouldbeseenbutthewildwasteofwaters。Thescenewasindeedoneoffearfulsublimity。
Daycameandwentwithoutanyabatementofthestorm。Despairwasnowoneverycountenance。Occasionallyavividflashoflightningwouldbreakforthandilluminatetheblackandboilingsurgesthatsurroundedthevessel,whichwasnowscuddingbeforetheblastunderbarepoles。
Afterfivedaysofmostintenselystormyweather,theseasettleddownintoadeadcalm,andthepassengersflockedondeck。Duringthelastthreedaysofthestorm,Clotellehadbeensounwellastobeunabletoraiseherhead。Herpalefaceandquiveringlipsandlanguidappearancemadeherlookasifeverypulsationhadceased。Hermagnificentlargeandsofteyes,fringedwithlashesasdarkasnight,gaveheranangelicappearance。TheunreservedattentionofDevenant,evenwhensea-sickhimself,didmuchtoincreasethelittlelovethattheatfirstdistrustfulgirlhadplacedinhim。Theheartmustalwayshavesomeobjectonwhichtocentreitsaffections,andClotellehavinglostallhopeofeveragainseeingJerome,itwasbutnaturalthatsheshouldnowtransferherlovetoonewhowassogreatlybefriendingher。AtfirstsherespectedDevenantforthelovehemanifestedforher,andforhisapparentwillingnesstomakeanysacrificeforherwelfare。True,thiswasanadventureuponwhichshehadriskedherall,andshouldherheartbefoiledinthissearchforhiddentreasures,heraffectionswouldbeshipwreckedforever。Shefeltundergreatobligationstothemanwhohadthuseffectedherescape,andthatnobleactalonewouldentitlehimtoherlove。
Eachdaybecamemorepleasantasthenobleshipspedonwardamidtherippledspray。Thewhistlingofthebreezethroughtheriggingwasmusictotheear,andbroughtgladnesstotheheartofeveryoneonboard。Atlast,thelongsuspensewasbrokenbytheappearanceofland,atwhichallheartsleapedforjoy。ItwasabeautifulmorninginOctober。Thesunhadjustrisen,andskyandearthwerestillbathedinhissoft,rosyglow,whentheUticahauledintothedockatBordeaux。Thesplendidstreets,beautifulbridges,glitteringequipages,andsmilingcountenancesofthepeople,gaveeverythingahappyappearance,afteravoyageoftwenty-ninedaysonthedeep,deepsea。
Aftergettingtheirbaggageclearedfromthecustom-houseandgoingtoahotel,Devenantmadeimmediatearrangementsforthemarriage。
Clotelle,onarrivingatthechurchwheretheceremonywastotakeplace,wascompletelyoverwhelmedatthespectacle。Shehadneverbeheldascenesogorgeousasthis。Themagnificentdressesofthepriestsandchoristers,thedeepandsolemnvoices,theelevatedcrucifix,theburningtapers,thesplendidlydecoratedaltar,thesweet-smellingincense,madetheoccasiontrulyanimposingone。Attheconclusionoftheceremony,theloudandsolemnpealsoftheorgan’sswellinganthemwerelosttoallinthecontemplationoftheinterestingscene。
ThehappycouplesetoutatonceforDunkirk,theresidenceofthebridegroom’sparents。Buttheirstaytherewasshort,fortheyhadscarcelycommencedvisitingthenumerousfriendsofthehusbandereorderscameforhimtoproceedtoIndiatojointhatportionoftheFrencharmythenstationedthere。
InduecourseoftimetheyleftforIndia,passingthroughParisandLyons,takingshipatMarseilles。InthemetropolisofFrance,theyspentaweek,wherethehusbandtookdelightinintroducinghiswifetohisbrotherofficersintheFrencharmy,andwherethenewly-marriedcouplewereintroducedtoLouisPhillippe,thenKingofFrance。Inallofthesepositions,Clotellesustainedherselfinamostladylikemanner。
AtLyons,theyvisitedthevastfactoriesandotherpublicworks,andallwaspleasurewiththem。ThevoyagefromMarseillestoCalcuttawasverypleasant,astheweatherwasexceedinglyfine。
OnarrivinginIndia,CaptainDevenantandladywerereceivedwithhonors——theformerforhisheroicbraveryinmorethanonebattle,andthelatterforherfascinatingbeautyandpleasingmanners,andthefactthatshewasconnectedwithonewhowasageneralfavoritewithallwhohadhisacquaintance。ThiswasindeedagreatchangeforClotelle。Sixmonthshadnotelapsedsinceherexposureintheslave-marketofNewOrleans。Thislifeisastage,andweareindeedallactors。
CHAPTERXXVI
THEHEROOFANIGHT。
MOUNTEDonafasthorse,withtheQuaker’ssonforaguide,JeromepressedforwardwhileUncleJosephwasdetainingtheslave-catchersatthebarn-door,throughwhichthefugitivehadjustescaped。
Whenoutofpresentdanger,fearingthatsuspicionmightbearousedifhecontinuedontheroadinopenday,Jeromeburiedhimselfinathick,darkforestuntilnightfall。Withayearningheart,hesawthesplendorofthesettingsunlingeringonthehills,asifloathtofadeawayandbelostinthemoresombrehuesoftwilight,which,risingfromtheeast,wasslowlystealingovertheexpanseofheaven,bearingsilenceandrepose,whichshouldcoverhisflightfromaneighborhoodtohimsofullofdangers。
Wearilyandalone,withnothingbutthehopeofsafetybeforehimtocheerhimonhisway,thepoorfugitiveurgedhistiredandtremblinglimbsforwardforseveralnights。Thenewsuitofclotheswithwhichhehadprovidedhimselfwhenhemadehisescapefromhiscaptors,andthetwentydollarswhichtheyoungQuakerhadslippedintohishand,whenbiddinghim\"Faretheewell,\"
wouldenablehimtoappeargenteellyassoonashedaredtotravelbydaylight,andwouldthusfacilitatehisprogresstowardfreedom,ItwaslateintheeveningwhenthefugitiveslavearrivedatasmalltownonthebanksofLakeErie,wherehewastoremainovernight。Howstrangewerehisfeelings!WhilehisheartthrobbedforthatfreedomandsafetywhichCanadaalonecouldfurnishtothewhip-scarredslave,ontheAmericancontinent,histhoughtswerewithClotelle。Wasshestillinprison,andifso,whatwouldbeherpunishmentforaidinghimtoescapefromprison?Wouldheeverbeholdheragain?Thesewerethethoughtsthatfollowedhimtohispillow,hauntedhiminisdreams,andawakenedhimfromhisslumbers。
ThealarmoffirearousedtheinmatesofthehotelinwhichJeromehadsoughtshelterforthenightfromthedeepsleepintowhichtheyhadfallen。Thewholevillagewasburiedinslumber,andthebuildingwashalfconsumedbeforethefrightenedinhabitantshadreachedthesceneoftheconflagration。Thewindwashigh,andtheburningemberswerewaftedlikesomanyrocketsthroughthesky。
Thewholetownwaslightedup,andthecriesofwomenandchildreninthestreetsmadethesceneaterrificone。Jeromeheardthealarm,andhastilydressinghimself,hewentforthandhastenedtowardtheburningbuilding。
\"There,——thereinthatroominthesecondstory,ismychild!\"
exclaimedawoman,wringingherhands,andimploringsomeonetogototherescueofherlittleone。
Thebroadsheetsoffirewereflyinginthedirectionofthechamberinwhichthechildwassleeping,andallhopeofitsbeingsavedseemedgone。Occasionallythewindwouldliftthepallofsmoke,andshowthattheworkofdestructionwasnotyetcomplete。
Atlastalongladderwasbrought,andoneendplacedunderthewindowoftheroom。Amomentmoreandabystandermountedtheladderand。ascendedinhastetothewindow。Thesmokemethimasheraisedthesash,andhecriedout,\"Allislost!\"andreturnedtothegroundwithoutenteringtheroom。
Anothersweepofthewindshowedthatthedestroyingelementhadnotyetmadeitsfinalvisittothatpartofthedoomedbuilding。
Themother,seeingthatallhopeofagainmeetingherchildinthisworldwasgone,wrungherhandsandseemedinconsolablewithgrief。
Atthisjuncture,amanwasseentomounttheladder,andascendwithgreatrapidity。Alleyeswereinstantlyturnedtothefigureofthisunknownindividualasitdisappearedinthecloudofsmokeescapingfromthewindow。Thosewhoamomentbeforehadbeenremovingfurniture,aswellastheidlerswhohadcongregatedattheringingofthebells,assembledatthefootoftheladder,andawaitedwithbreathlesssilencethereappearanceofthestranger,who,regardlessofhisownsafety,hadthusriskedhislifetosaveanother’s。Threecheersbrokethestillnessthathadfallenonthecompany,asthebravemanwasseencomingthroughthewindowandslowlydescendingtotheground,holdingunderonearmtheinanimateformofthechild。Anothercheer,andthenanother,madethewelkinring,asthestranger,withhairburnedandeyebrowscloselysinged,faintedatthefootoftheladder。Butthechildwassaved。
ThestrangerwasJerome。Assoonasherevived,heshrunkfromeveryeye,asifhefearedtheywouldtakefromhimthefreedomwhichhehadgonethroughsomuchtoobtain。
Thenextday,thefugitivetookavessel,andthefollowingmorningfoundhimselfstandingonthefreesoilofCanada。Ashisfootpressedtheshore,hethrewhimselfuponhisface,kissedtheearth,andexclaimed,\"OGod!IthanktheethatIamafreeman。\"
CHAPTERXXVII
TRUEFREEDOM。
THEhistoryoftheAfricanraceisGod’silluminatedclock,setinthedarksteepleoftime。Thenegrohasbeenmadethehewerofwoodandthedrawerofwaterfornearlyallothernations。ThepeopleoftheUnitedStates,however,willhaveanaccounttosettlewithGod,owingtotheirtreatmentofthenegro,whichwillfarsurpasstherestofmankind。
Jerome,onreachingCanada,feltforthefirsttimethatpersonalfreedomwhichGodintendedthatallwhoborehisimageshouldenjoy。Thatsameforgetfulnessofselfwhichhadalwayscharacterizedhimnowcausedhimtothinkofothers。Thethoughtsofdearonesinslaverywerecontinuallyinhismind,andaboveallothers,Clotelleoccupiedhisthoughts。Nowthathewasfree,hecouldbetterappreciateherconditionasaslave。AlthoughJeromemet,onhisarrivalinCanada,numberswhohadescapedfromtheSouthernStates,heneverthelessshrankfromallsociety,particularlythatoffemales。Thesoft,silver-graytintsontheleavesofthetrees,withtheirsnow-spottedtrunks,andabitingair,warnedthenew-bornfreemanthathewasinanotherclimate。
Jeromesoughtwork,andsoonfoundit;andarrangedwithhisemployerthatthelattershouldgotoNatchezinsearchofClotelle。ThegoodScotchman,forwhomthefugitivewaslaboring,freelyofferedtogodownandpurchasethegirl,ifshecouldbebought,andletJeromepayhiminwork。Withsuchaprospectoffuturehappinessinview,thisinjureddescendantofoutragedandbleedingAfricawentdailytohistoilwithanenergyhithertounknowntohim。Butoh,howvainarethehopesofman!
CHAPTERXXVIII
FAREWELLTOAMERICA。
THREEmonthshadelapsed,fromthetimethefugitivecommencedworkforMr。Streeter,whenthatgentlemanreturnedfromhisSouthernresearch,andinformedJeromethatParsonWilsonhadsoldClotelle,andthatshehadbeensenttotheNewOrleansslave-market。
ThisintelligencefellwithcrushingweightupontheheartofJerome,andhenowfeltthatthelastchainwhichboundhimtohisnativelandwassevered。HethereforedeterminedtoleaveAmericaforever。Hisnearestanddearestfriendshadoftenbeenfloggedinhisverypresence,andhehadseenhismothersoldtothenegro-trader。Anonlysisterhadbeentornfromhimbythesoul-driver;hehadhimselfbeensoldandresold,andbeencompelledtosubmittothemostdegradingandhumiliatinginsults;
andnowthatthewomanuponwhomhisheartdoted,andwithoutwhomlifewasaburden,hadbeentakenawayforever,hefeltitadutytohateallmankind。
IfthereisonethingmorethananothercalculatedtomakeonehateanddetestAmericanslavery,itistowitnessthemeetingsbetweenfugitivesandtheirfriendsinCanada。Jeromehadbeheldsomeofthesescenes。Thewifewho,afteryearsofseparation,hadescapedfromherprison-houseandfollowedherhusbandhadtoldherstorytohim。Hehadseenthenewly-arrivedwiferushintothearmsofthehusband,whosedarkfaceshehadnotlookeduponforlong,wearyyears。Sometoldofhowasisterhadbeenill-usedbytheoverseer;othersofahusband’sbeingwhippedtodeathforhavingattemptedtoprotecthiswife。Hehadsatinthelittlelog-hut,bythefireside,andheardtalesthatcausedhishearttobleed;
andhisbosomswelledwithjustindignationwhenhethoughtthattherewasnoremedyforsuchatrociousacts。Itwaswithsuchfeelingsthatheinformedhisemployerthatheshouldleavehimattheexpirationofamonth。
InvaindidMr。StreetertrytopersuadeJerometoremainwithhim;
andlate,inthemonthofFebruary,thelatterfoundhimselfonboardasmallvesselloadedwithpine-lumber,descendingtheSt。
Lawrence,boundforLiverpool。Thebark,thoughanoldone,was,nevertheless,consideredseaworthy,andthefugitivewasworkinghiswayout。Asthevessellefttheriverandgainedtheopensea,theblackmanappearedtorejoiceattheprospectofleavingacountryinwhichhisrighttomanhoodhadbeendeniedhim,andhishappinessdestroyed。
Thewindwasproudlyswellingthewhitesails,andthelittlecraftplungingintothefoamingwaves,withthelandfastrecedinginthedistance,whenJeromemountedapileoflumbertotakealastfarewellofhisnativeland。Withtearsglisteninginhiseyes,andwithquiveringlips,heturnedhisgazetowardtheshoresthatwerefastfadinginthedimdistance,andsaid,——
\"ThoughforcedfrommynativelandbythetyrantsoftheSouth,I
hopeIshallsomedaybeabletoreturn。Withallherfaults,I
lovemycountrystill。\"
CHAPTERXXIX
ASTRANGERINASTRANGELAND。
THErainwasfallingonthedirtypavementsofLiverpoolasJeromeleftthevesselafterherarrival。Passingthecustom-house,hetookacab,andproceededtoBrown’sHotel,ClaytonSquare。
FindingnoemploymentinLiverpool,Jeromedeterminedtogointotheinteriorandseekforwork。He,therefore,calledforhisbill,andmadereadyforhisdeparture。AlthoughbutfourdaysattheAlbion,hefoundthehotelchargeslargerthanheexpected;
butastrangergenerallycountsonbeing\"fleeced\"intravellingthroughtheOldWorld,andespeciallyinGreatBritain。Afterpayinghisbill,hewasaboutleavingtheroom,whenoneoftheservantspresentedhimselfwithalowbow,andsaid,——
\"Somethingforthewaiter,sir?\"
\"IthoughtIhadpaidmybill,\"repliedtheman,somewhatsurprisedatthispolitedun。
\"Iamthewaiter,sir,andgetsonlywhatstrangersseefittogiveme。\"
Takingfromhispockethisnearlyemptypurse,Jeromehandedthemanahalf-crown;buthehadhardlyrestoredittohispocket,beforehiseyefellonanothermaninthewaitingcostume。
\"Whatdoyouwant?\"heasked。
\"Whateveryourhonorseesfittogiveme,sir。Iamthetotherwaiter。\"
Thepursewasagaintakenfromthepocket,andanotherhalf-crownhandedout。Steppingoutintothehall,hesawstandingthereagood-lookingwoman,inawhiteapron,whomadeaveryprettycourtesy。
\"What’syourbusiness?\"heinquired。
\"Iamthechambermaid,sir,andlooksafterthegentlemen’sbeds。\"
Outcamethepurseagain,andwasrelievedofanotherhalf-crown;
whereuponanothergirl,withafascinatingsmile,tooktheplaceoftheonewhohadjustreceivedherfee。
\"Whatdoyouwant?\"demandedthenowhalf-angryJerome。
\"Please,sir,Iamthetotherchambermaid。\"
Findingiteasiertogiveshillingsthanhalf-crowns,Jeromehandedthewomanashilling,andagainrestoredhispursetohispocket,gladthatanotherwomanwasnottobeseen。
Scarcelyhadhecommencedcongratulatinghimself,however,beforethreemenmadetheirappearance,oneafteranother。
\"Whathaveyoudoneforme?\"heaskedofthefirst。
\"Iamtheboots,sir。\"
Thepursecameoutoncemore,andashillingwasdepositedintheservant’shand。
\"WhatdoIoweyou?\"heinquiredofthesecond。
\"Itookyourhonor’slettertothepost,yesterday,sir。\"
Anothershillingleftthepurse。
\"InthenameoftheLord,whatamIindebtedtoyoufor?\"demandedJerome,nowentirelyoutofpatience,turningtothelastofthetrio。
\"Itoldyervershipvottimeitvas,thismorning。\"
\"Well!\"exclaimedtheindignantman,\"askherewhato’clockitis,andyouhavegottopayforit。\"
Hepaidthislastdemandwithasixpence,regrettingthathehadnotcommencedwithsixpencesinsteadofhalf-crowns。
Havingclearedoffalldemandsinthehouse,hestartedfortherailwaystation;buthadscarcelyreachedthestreet,beforehewasaccostedbyanoldmanwithabroominhishand,who,withanexceedinglylowbow,said,——
\"Iishere,yerlordship。\"
\"Ididnotsendforyou;whatisyourbusiness?\"demandedJerome。
\"Iisthemanwhatopenedyourlordship’scab-door,whenyourlordshipcametothehouseonMondaylast,andIknowyourhonorwon’tallowapoormantostarve。\"
Puttingasixpenceintheoldman’shand,Jeromeoncemorestartedforthedepot。HavingobtainedlettersofintroductiontopersonsinManchester,hefoundnodifficultyingettingasituationinalargemanufacturinghousethere。Althoughthesalarywassmall,yetthesituationwasamuchbetteronethanhehadhopedtoobtain。Hiscompensationasout-doorclerkenabledhimtoemployamantoteachhimatnight,and,bycontinuedstudyandattentiontobusiness,hewassoonpromoted。
Afterthreeyearsinhisnewhome,Jeromewasplacedinastillhigherposition,wherehissalaryamountedtofifteenhundreddollarsayear。Thedrinking,smoking,andotherexpensivehabits,whichtheclerksusuallyindulgedin,hecarefullyavoided。
Beingfondofpoetry,heturnedhisattentiontoliterature。
Johnson’s\"LivesofthePoets,\"thewritingsofDryden,Addison,Pope,Clarendon,andotherauthorsofcelebrity,hereadwithattention。Theknowledgewhichhethuspickedupduringhisleisurehoursgavehimagreatadvantageovertheotherclerks,andcausedhisemployerstorespecthimfarmorethananyotherintheirestablishment。Soeagerwashetoimprovethetimethathedeterminedtoseehowmuchhecouldreadduringtheunemployedtimeofnightandmorning,andhissuccesswasbeyondhisexpectations。
CHAPTERXXX
NEWFRIENDS。
BROKENdowninhealth,aftertenyearsofcloseconfinementinhissituation,Jeromeresolvedtogiveitup,andtherebyreleasehimselffromanemploymentwhichseemedcalculatedtosendhimtoaprematuregrave。
ItwasonabeautifulmorninginsummerthathestartedforScotland,havingmadeuphismindtotravelforhishealth。AftervisitingEdinburghandGlasgow,heconcludedtospendafewdaysintheoldtownofPerth,withafriendwhoseacquaintancehehadmadeinManchester。DuringtheseconddayofhisstayinPerth,whilecrossingthemainstreet,Jeromesawapony-chaisecomingtowardhimwithgreatspeed。Alady,whoappearedtobetheonlyoccupantofthevehicle,wasusingherutmoststrengthtostopthefrightenedhorses。Thefootman,inhisfright,hadleapedfrombehindthecarriage,andwasfollowingwiththecrowd。Withthatself-forgetfulnesswhichwasoneofhischiefcharacteristics,Jeromethrewhimselfbeforethehorsestostopthem;and,seizingthehigh-spiritedanimalsbythebit,astheydashedbyhim,hewasdraggedseveralrodsbeforetheirspeedwaschecked,whichwasnotaccomplisheduntiloneofthehorseshadfallentotheground,withtheheroicmanstrugglingbeneathhim。
Allpresentweresatisfiedthatthisdaringactalonehadsavedthelady’slife,forthechaisemustinevitablyhavebeendashedinpieces,hadthehorsesnotbeenthussuddenlycheckedintheirmadcareer。
Onthemorningfollowingthisperilousadventure,Col。G————calledatJerome’stemporaryresidence,and,afterexpressinghisadmirationforhisnobledaring,andthankinghimforhavingsavedhisdaughter’slife,invitedhimtovisithimathiscountryresidence。Thisinvitationwaspromptlyacceptedinthespiritinwhichitwasgiven;andthreedaysafter,Jeromefoundhimselfattheprincelyresidenceofthefatheroftheladyforwhosesafetyhehadriskedhisownlife。Thehousewassurroundedbyfinetrees,andasweetlittlestreamranmurmuringatthefoot,whilebedsofflowersoneveryhandshedtheirodorsonthesummerair。Itwas,indeed,apleasantplacetospendthewarmweather,andthecolonelandhisfamilygaveJeromeamostcordialwelcome。
MissG。showedespecialattentiontothestranger。Hehadnotintendedremaininglongerthanthefollowingday:butthefamilyinsistedonhistakingpartinafox-huntthatwastocomeoffonthemorningofthethirdday。Wishingtowitnessasceneasinterestingasthechaseusuallyprovestobe,hedecidedtoremain。
Fifteenpersons,fiveofwhomwereladies,wereonthegroundattheappointedhour。MissG。was,ofcourse,oneoftheparty。InvainJeromeendeavoredtoexcusehimselffromjoininginthechase。Hispleaofill-healthwasonlymetbysmilesfromtheyoungladies,andthereplythataridewouldeffectacure。
Dressedinascarletcoatandhighboots,withthelow,roundcapworninthechase,Jeromemountedahigh-spiritedhorse,whipinhand,andmadehimselfoneoftheparty。InAmerica,ridingisanecessity;inEngland,itisapleasure。Youngmenandwomenattendriding-schoolinourfatherland,andconsiderthattheyarestudyingascience。Jeromewasnorider。Hehadnotbeenonhorsebackformorethantenyears,andassoonashemounted,everyonesawthathewasanovice,andasmilewasonthecountenanceofeachmemberofthecompany。
Theblowingofthehorn,andassemblingofthehounds,andfinallythereleaseofthefoxfromhiscloseprison,werethesignalsforthechasetocommence。Thefirsthalf-milethelittleanimaltookhiscourseoverabeautifulfieldwheretherewasneitherhedgenorditch。Thusfarthechasewasenjoyedbyall,evenbytheAmericanrider,whowasbetterfittedtowitnessthescenethantotakepartinit。
WeleftJeromeinourlastreluctantlyengagedinthechase;andthoughthefirstmileorsoofthepursuit,whichwasoversmoothmeadow-land,hadhadanexhilaratingeffectuponhismind,andtendedsomewhattorelievehimoftheembarrassmentconsequentuponhisposition,heneverthelessstillfeltthathewasfarfrombeinginhisproperelement。Besides,thefoxhadnowmadeforadenseforestwhichlaybefore,andhesawdifficultiesinthatdirectionwhichtohimappearedinsurmountable。
Awaywentthehuntsmen,overstonewalls,highfences,anddeepditches。Jeromesawtheladiesevenleadingthegentlemen,butthiscouldnotinspirehim。Theyclearedthefences,fourandfivefeethighwithperfectease,showingtheywerequiteathomeinthesaddle。ButalasforthepoorAmerican!Ashisfinesteedcameuptothefirstfence,andwasabouttomaketheleap,Jeromepulledatthebridle,andcriedatthetopofhisvoice,\"Whoa!
whoa!whoa!\"thehorseatthesametimecaperingabout,andappearingdeterminedtokeepupwiththeotheranimals。
Awaydashedthehuntsmen,followingthehounds,andallweresoonlosttotheviewoftheircoloredcompanion。Jeromerodeupanddownthefieldlookingforagateorbars,thathemightgetthroughwithoutriskinghisneck。Finding,however,thatallhopeofagaincatchingupwiththepartywasoutofthequestion,hedeterminedtoreturntothehouse,underapleaofsuddenillness,andbackheaccordinglywent。
\"Ihopenoaccidenthashappenedtoyourhonor,\"saidthegroom,ashemetourheroatthegate。
\"Aslightdizziness,\"wastheanswer。
Oneoftheservants,withoutbeingordered,wentatonceforthefamilyphysician。Ashamedtoownthathisreturnwasowingtohisinabilitytoride,Jeromeresolvedtofeignsickness。Thedoctorcame,felthispulse,examinedhistongue,andpronouncedhimasickman。Heimmediatelyorderedatepidbath,andsentforacoupleofleeches。
Seeingthingstakingsuchaseriousturn,theAmericanbegantoregrettheparthewasplaying;fortherewasnofuninbeingrubbedandleechedwhenonewasinperfecthealth。Hehadgonetoofartorecede,however,andsosubmittedquietlytothedirectionsofthedoctor;and,afterfollowingtheinjunctionsgivenbythatlearnedEsculapius,wasputtobed。
Shortlyafter,thesoundofthehornsandtheyelpofthehoundsannouncedthatthepoorfoxhadtakenthebacktrack,andwasrepassingnearthehouse。Eventhepleasureofwitnessingthebeautifulsightfromthewindowwasdeniedtoourhero;forthephysicianhadorderedthathemustbekeptinperfectquiet。
Thechasewasatlastover,andthehuntsmenallin,sympathizingwiththeirlostcompanion。Afterninedaysofsweating,blisteringandleeching,Jeromelefthisbedconvalescent,butmuchreducedinfleshandstrength。Thiswashisfirstandlastattempttofollowthefoxandhounds。
Duringhisfortnight’sstayatColonelG。’s,Jeromespentmostofhistimeinthemagnificentlibrary。Claudedidnotwatchwithmoreinteresteverycoloroftheskies,thetrees,thegrass,andthewater,tolearnfromnature,thandidthissonofadespisedracesearchbookstoobtainthatknowledgewhichhisearlylifeasaslavehaddeniedhim。
CHAPTERXXXI
THEMYSTERIOUSMEETING。
AFTERmorethanafortnightspentinthehighlandsofScotland,JeromepassedhastilythroughLondononhiswaytothecontinent。
Itwastowardsunset,onawarmdayinOctober,shortlyafterhisarrivalinFrance,that,afterstrollingsomedistancefromtheHoteldeLeon,intheoldandpicturesquetownofDunkirk,heenteredaburialground——suchplacesbeingalwaysfavoritewalkswithhim——andwanderedaroundamongthesilentdead。Allnaturearoundwashushedinsilence,andseemedtopartakeofthegeneralmelancholythathungoverthequietresting-placeofthedeparted。
Eventhebirdsseemedimbuedwiththespiritoftheplace,fortheyweresilent,eitherflyingnoiselesslyoverthegraves,orjumpingaboutinthetallgrass。Aftertracingthevariousinscriptionsthattoldthecharactersandconditionsofthedeceased,andviewingthemoundsbeneathwhichthedustofmortalityslumbered,hearrivedatasecludedspotnearwhereanagedweepingwillowboweditsthickfoliagetotheground,asthoughanxioustohidefromthescrutinizinggazeofcuriositythegravebeneathit。Jeromeseatedhimselfonamarbletombstone,andcommencedreadingfromabookwhichhehadcarriedunderhisarm。
Itwasnowtwilight,andhehadreadbutafewminuteswhenheobservedalady,attiredindeepblack,andleadingaboy,apparentlysomefiveorsixyearsold,cominguponeofthebeautiful,windingpaths。Asthelady’sveilwasdrawncloselyoverherface,hefeltsomewhatatlibertytoeyehermoreclosely。Whilethusengaged,theladygaveaslightscream,andseemedsuddenlytohavefallenintoafaintingcondition。Jeromesprangfromhisseat,andcaughtherintimetosaveherfromfallingtotheground。
Atthismomentanelderlygentleman,alsodressedinblack,wasseenapproachingwithahurriedstep,whichseemedtoindicatethathewasinsomewayconnectedwiththelady。Theoldmancameup,andinratheraconfusedmannerinquiredwhathadhappened,andJeromeexplainedmattersaswellashewasabletodoso。
Aftertakingupthevinaigrette,whichhadfallenfromherhand,andholdingthebottleashorttimetoherface,theladybegantorevive。Duringallthistime,theveilhadstillpartlycoveredthefaceofthefairone,sothatJeromehadscarcelyseenit。Whenshehadsofarrecoveredastobeabletolookaroundher,sheraisedherselfslightly,andagainscreamedandswooned。TheoldmannowfeelingsatisfiedthatJerome’sdarkcomplexionwastheimmediatecauseofthecatastrophe,saidinasomewhatpetulanttone,——
\"Iwillbeglad,sir,ifyouwillleaveusalone。\"
Thelittleboyatthisjuncturesetupaloudcry,andamidthegeneralconfusion,Jeromeleftthegroundandreturnedtohishotel。
Whileseatedatthewindowofhisroomlookingoutuponthecrowdedstreet,witheverynowandthenthestrangesceneinthegraveyardvividlybeforehim,Jeromesuddenlythoughtofthebookhehadbeenreading,and,rememberingthathehadleftitonthetombstone,wherehedroppeditwhencalledtothelady’sassistance,hedeterminedtoreturnforitatonce。
Afterawalkofsometwentyminutes,hefoundhimselfagainintheburial-groundandonthespotwherehehadbeenanhourbefore。Thepensivemoonwasalreadyup,anditssoftlightwassleepingonthelittlepondatthebackofthegrounds,whilethestarsseemedsmilingattheirownsparklingraysgleamingupfromthebeautifulsheetofwater。
Jeromesearchedinvainforhisbook;itwasnowheretobefound。
Nothing,savethebouquetthattheladyhaddroppedandwhichlayhalf-buriedinthegrass,fromhavingbeentroddenupon,indicatedthatanyonehadbeentherethatevening。Thestillnessofdeathreignedovertheplace;eventhelittlebirds,thathadbeforebeentwitteringandflyingabout,hadretiredforthenight。
Takingupthebunchofflowers,Jeromereturnedtohishotel。
\"Whatcanthismean?\"hewouldaskhimself;\"andwhyshouldtheytakemybook?\"Thesequestionsheputtohimselfagainandagainduringhiswalk。Hissleepwasbrokenmorethanoncethatnight,andhewelcomedtheearlydawnasitmadeitsappearance。
CHAPTERXXXII
THEHAPPYMEETING。
AFTERpassingasleeplessnight,andhearingtheclockstrikesix,Jerometookfromhistableabook,andthusendeavoredtopassawaythehoursbeforebreakfast-time。Whilethusengaged,aservantenteredandhandedhimanote。Hastilytearingitopen,Jeromereadasfollows:——
\"Sir,——IoweyouanapologyfortheabruptmannerinwhichI
addressedyoulastevening,andtheinconveniencetowhichyouweresubjectedbysomeofmyhousehold。Ifyouwillhonoruswithyourpresenceto-dayatfouro’clock,Ishallbemosthappytogiveyouduesatisfaction。Myservantwillbewaitingwiththecarriageathalf-pastthree。
Iam,sir,yours,&c,J。DEVENANT。
JEROMEFLETCHER,Esq。\"
Whothisgentlemanwas,andhowhehadfoundouthisnameandthehotelatwhichhewasstopping,werealikemysteriestoJerome。
Andthisnoteseemedtohispuzzledbrainlikeachallenge。
\"Satisfaction?\"Hehadnotaskedforsatisfaction。However,heresolvedtoaccepttheinvitation,and,ifneedbe,meettheworst。Atanyrate,thismostmysteriousandcomplicatedaffairwouldbeexplained。
TheclockonaneighboringchurchhadscarcelyfinishedstrikingthreewhenaservantannouncedtoJeromethatacarriagehadcalledforhim。Inafewminutes,hewasseatedinasumptuousbarouche,drawnbyapairofbeautifuliron-grays,androllingoverasplendidgravelroadentirelyshadedbytrees,whichappearedtohavebeentheaccumulatedgrowthofmanycenturies。
Thecarriagesoonstoppedatalowvilla,whichwascompletelyemboweredintrees。
Jeromealighted,andwasshownintoasuperbroom,withthewallsfinelydecoratedwithsplendidtapestry,andtheceilingsexquisitelyfrescoed。ThewallswerehungwithfinespecimensfromthehandsofthegreatItalianmasters,andonebyaGermanartist,representingabeautifulmonkishlegendconnectedwiththe\"HolyCatharine,\"anillustriousladyofAlexandria。High-backedchairsstoodaroundtheroom,richcurtainsofcrimsondamaskhunginfoldsoneithersideofthewindow,andabeautiful,rich,Turkeycarpetcoveredthefloor。Inthecentreoftheroomstoodatablecoveredwithbooks,inthemidstofwhichwasavaseoffreshflowers,loadingtheatmospherewiththeirodors。Afaintlight,togetherwiththequietofthehour,gavebeautybeyonddescriptiontothewholescene。Ahalf-opendoorshowedafinemarblefloortoanadjoiningroom,withpictures,statues,andantiquatedsofas,andflower-potsfilledwithrareplantsofeverykindanddescription。
Jeromehadscarcelyrunhiseyesoverthebeautiesoftheroomwhentheelderlygentlemanwhomhehadmetonthepreviouseveningmadehisappearance,followedbythelittleboy,andintroducedhimselfasMr。Devenant。Amomentmoreandalady,abeautifulbrunette,dressedinblack,withlongblackcurlshangingoverhershoulders,enteredtheroom。Herdark,brighteyesflashedasshecaughtthefirstsightofJerome。Thegentlemanimmediatelyaroseontheentranceofthelady,andMr。DevenantwasintheactofintroducingthestrangerwhenheobservedthatJeromehadsunkbackuponthesofa,inafaintvoiceexclaiming,——
\"Itisshe!\"
Afterthis,allwasdarkanddreary。Howlongheremainedinthiscondition,itwasforotherstotell。Theladykneltbyhissideandwept;andwhenhecameto,hefoundhimselfstretcheduponthesofawithhisbootsoffandhisheadrestinguponapillow。Byhissidesattheoldman,withthesmelling-bottleinonehandandaglassofwaterintheother,whilethelittleboystoodatthefootofthesofa。AssoonasJeromehadsofarrecoveredastobeabletospeak,hesaid,——
\"WhereamI,andwhatdoesallthismean?\"
\"Waitawhile,\"repliedtheoldman,\"andIwilltellyouall。\"
Afterthelapseofsometenminutes,Jeromearosefromthesofa,adjustedhisapparel,andsaid,——
\"Iamnowreadytohearanythingyouhavetosay。\"
\"YouwereborninAmerica?\"saidtheoldman。
\"Iwas,\"hereplied。
\"AndyouknewagirlnamedClotelle,\"continuedtheoldman。
\"Yes,andIlovedherasIcanlovenoneother。\"
\"Theladywhomyoumetsomysteriouslylasteveningwasshe,\"saidMr。Devenant。
Jeromewassilent,butthefountainofmingledgriefandjoystoleoutfrombeneathhiseyelashes,andglistenedlikepearlsuponhisebonycheeks。
Atthisjuncture,theladyagainenteredtheroom。Withanenthusiasmthatcanbebetterimaginedthandescribed,Jeromesprangfromthesofa,andtheyrushedintoeachother’sarms,tothegreatsurpriseoftheoldgentlemanandlittleAutoine,andtotheamusementoftheservantswhohadcreptup,onebyoneandwerehidbehindthedoorsorloiteringinthehall。Whentheyhadgivenventtotheirfeelingsandsufficientlyrecoveredtheirpresenceofmind,theyresumedtheirseats。
\"Howdidyoufindoutmynameandaddress?\"inquiredJerome。
\"Afteryouhadleftthegrave-yard,\"repliedClotelle,\"ourlittleboysaid,’Oh,mamma!ifthereain’tabook!’Iopenedthebook,andsawyournamewritteninit,andalsofoundacardoftheHoteldeLeon。Papawishedtoleavethebook,andsaiditwasonlyafancyofminethatIhadeverseenyoubefore;butIwasperfectlyconvincedthatyouweremyowndearJerome。\"
Assheutteredthelastwords,tears——thesweetbrighttearsthatlovealonecanbringforth——bedewedhercheeks。
\"Areyoumarried?\"nowinquiredClotelle,withapalpitatingheartandtremblingvoice。
\"No,Iamnot,andneverhavebeen,\"wasJerome’sreply。
\"Then,thankGod!\"sheexclaimed,inbrokenaccents。
Itwasthenthathopegleamedupamidthecrushedandbrokenflowersofherheart,andabrightflashdartedforthlikeasunbeam。
\"Areyousinglenow?\"askedJerome。
\"Yes,Iam,\"wastheanswer。
\"Thenyouwillbemineafterall?\"saidhewithasmile。
Herdark,richhairhadpartlycomedown,andhungstillmorelooselyoverhershouldersthanwhenshefirstappeared;andhereyes,nowfullofanimationandvivacity,andhersweet,harmonious,andwell-modulatedvoice,togetherwithhermodesty,self-possession,andengagingmanners,madeClotelleappearlovelybeyonddescription。Althoughpasttheagewhenmenoughttothinkofmatrimony,yetthescenebeforeMr。Devenantbroughtvividlytohismindthetimewhenhewasyoungandhadalovingbosomcompanionliving,andtearswerewipedfromtheoldman’seyes。A
newworldseemedtounfolditselfbeforetheeyesofthehappylovers,andtheywerecompletelyabsorbedincontemplatingthefuture。Furnishedbynaturewithadispositiontostudy,andamemorysoretentivethatallwhoknewherweresurprisedattheeasewithwhichsheacquiredhereducationandgeneralinformation,Clotellemightnowbetermedamostaccomplishedlady。AfterhermarriagewithyoungDevenant,theyproceededtoIndia,wherethehusband’sregimentwasstationed。Soonaftertheirarrival,however,abattlewasfoughtwiththenatives,inwhichseveralofficersfell,amongwhomwasCaptainDevenant。Thefatheroftheyoungcaptainbeingthereatthetime,tookhisdaughter-in-lawandbroughtherbacktoFrance,wheretheytookuptheirabodeattheoldhomestead。
OldMr。Devenantwaspossessedofalargefortune,allofwhichheintendedforhisdaughter-in-lawandheronlychild。
AlthoughClotellehadmarriedyoungDevenant,shehadnotforgottenherfirstlove,andherfather-in-lawnowwillinglygavehisconsenttohermarriagewithJerome。Jeromefeltthattopossessthewomanofhislove,evenatthatlatehour,wascompensationenoughfortheyearsthathehadbeenseparatedfromher,andClotellewantednobetterevidenceofhisloveforherthanthefactofhishavingremainedsolongunmarried。Itwasindeedarareinstanceofdevotionandconstancyinaman,andtheyoungwidowgratefullyappreciatedit。
ItwaslateintheeveningwhenJeromeledhisintendedbridetothewindow,andthemagnificentmoonlightilluminatedthecountenanceofthelovelyClotelle,whileinwardsunshine,emanatingfromamindatease,andherownvirtuousthoughts,gavebrightnesstohereyesandmadeherappearaveryangel。ThiswasthefirsteveningthatJeromehadbeeninhercompanysincethenightwhen,toeffecthisescapefromprison,shedisguisedherselfinmaleattire。Howdifferentthescenenow。Freeinsteadofslaves,wealthyinsteadofpoor,andontheeveofaneventthatseemedlikelytoresultinalifeofhappinesstoboth。
CHAPTERXXXIII
THEHAPPYDAY。
ITwasabrightdayinthelatterpartofOctoberthatJeromeandClotellesetoutforthechurch,wherethemarriageceremonywastobeperformed。Theclear,bracingairaddedbuoyancytoeverymovement,andthesunpoureditsbrilliantraysthroughthedeeply-stainedwindows,asthehappycoupleenteredthesanctuary,followedbyoldMr。Devenant,whoseform,boweddownwithage,attractedalmostasmuchattentionfromtheassemblyasdidthecouplemoreparticularlyinterested。
Astheceremonieswerefinishedandthepriestpronouncedthebenedictiononthenewly-marriedpair,ClotellewhisperedintheearofJerome,——
\"’Nopowerindeathshalltearournamesapart,Asnoneinlifecouldrendtheefrommyheart。’\"
Asmilebeamedoneveryfaceasthewedding-partyleftthechurchandenteredtheircarriage。Whatahappyday,aftertenyears’
separation,when,bothheartshavingbeenblightedforatime,theyarebroughttogetherbythehandofabeneficentandkindProvidence,andunitedinholywedlock。
EverythingbeingarrangedforaweddingtourextendinguptheRhine,thepartysetoutthesamedayforAntwerp。TherearemanyriversofgreaterlengthandwidththantheRhine。OurMississippiwouldswallowuphalfadozenRhines。TheHudsonisgrander,theTiber,thePo,andtheMinclomoreclassic;theThamesandSeinebearupontheirwatersgreateramountsofwealthandcommerce;theNileandtheEuphrateshaveagreaterantiquity;butforacombinationofinterestinghistoricalincidentsandnaturalscenery,theRhinesurpassesthemall。NaturehassoordaineditthatthosewhotravelinthevalleyoftheRhineshallseetheriver,forthereneverwillbearailroaduponitsbanks。Somountainousisthelandthatitwouldhavetobeoneseriesoftunnels。Everythreeorfourmilesfromthetimeyouenterthisgloriousriver,hills,dales,castles,andcragspresentthemselvesasthesteamerglidesonward。
Theirfirstresting-placeforanylengthoftimewasatCoblentz,atthemouthofthe\"BlueMoselle,\"themostinterestingplaceontheriver。FromCoblentztheywenttoBrussels,wheretheyhadthegreatestattentionpaidthem。Besidesbeingprovidedwithlettersofintroduction,Jerome’scomplexionsecuredforhimmoredeferencethanisusuallyawardedtotravellers。
HavinglettersofintroductiontoM。Deceptiax,thegreatlacemanufacturer,thatgentlemanreceivedthemwithdistinguishedhonors,andgavethemasplendidsoiree,atwhichtheeliteofthecitywereassembled。Thesumptuously-furnishedmansionwaslavishlydecoratedfortheoccasion,andeverypreparationmadethatcouldaddtothenoveltyorinterestoftheevent。
Jerome,withhisbeautifulbride,nextvisitedCologne,thelargestandwealthiestcityonthebanksoftheRhine。TheCathedralofCologneisthemostsplendidstructureofthekindinEurope,andJeromeandClotelleviewedwithinterestthebeautifularchesandcolumnsofthisstupendousbuilding,whichstrikeswithawethebeholder,ashegazesatitsunequalledsplendor,surrounded,asitis,byvillas,cottages,andpalace-likemansions,withtheenchantingRhinewindingthroughthevine-coveredhills。
Afterstrollingovermilesandmilesofclassicground。andvisitingcastles,whoselegendsandtraditionshavegiventhemanenduringfame,ourdelightedtravellersstartedforGeneva,biddingthepicturesquebanksoftheRhinearegretfulfarewell。
Beingmuchinterestedinliterature,andawarethatGenevawasnotedforhavingbeenthecityofrefugetothevictimsofreligiousandpoliticalpersecution,Jeromearrangedtostayhereforsomedays。HewasprovidedwithaletterofintroductiontoM。
deStee,whohadbeenafellow-soldierofMr。DevenantintheEastIndiawars,andtheywereinvitedtomakehishousetheirhomeduringtheirsojourn。Onthesideofanoblemountain,whosebaseiskissedbythewavesofLakeGeneva,andwhoseslopesaredeckedwithverduretotheutmostpeakofitsrockycrown,issituatedthedelightfulcountryresidenceofthiswealthy,retiredFrenchofficer。Awindingroad,withfrequentclimbsandbrakes,leadsfromthevalleytothisenchantingspot,theairandsceneryofwhichcannotbesurpassedintheworld。
CHAPTERXXXIV
CLOTELLEMEETSHERFATHER。
THEcloudsthathadskirtedtheskyduringthedaybrokeatlast,andtherainfellintorrents,asJeromeandClotelleretiredforthenight,inthelittletownofFerney,onthebordersofLakeLeman。Thepealsofthunder,andflashesofvividlightening,whichseemedtoleapfrommountaintomountainandfromcragtocrag,reverberatingamongthesurroundinghills,foretoldaheavystorm。
\"IwouldwewerebackatGeneva,\"saidClotelle,assheheardgroansissuingfromanadjoiningroom。Thesounds,atfirstfaint,grewlouderandlouder,plainlyindicatingthatsomepersonwassufferingextremepain。
\"Ididnotlikethishotel,much,whenwecamein,\"IsaidJerome,relightingthelamp,whichhadbeenaccidentallyextinguished。
\"NorI,\"returnedClotelle。
Theshrieksincreased,andanoccasional\"She’sdead!\"\"Ikilledher!\"\"No,sheisnotdead!\"andsuch-likeexpressions,wouldbeheardfromtheperson,whoseemedtobederanged。
Thethundergrewlouder,andtheflashesoflightningmorevivid,whilethenoisefromthesick-roomseemedtoincrease。
AsJeromeopenedthedoor,tolearn,ifpossible,thecauseofthecriesandgroans,hecoulddistinguishthewords,\"She’sdead!
yes,she’sdead!butIdidnotkillher。Shewasmychild!myowndaughter。Ilovedher,andyetIdidnotprotecther。\"
\"Whoeverheis,\"saidJerome,\"he’scrack-brained;somerobber,probably,fromthemountains。\"
Thestormcontinuedtorage,andtheloudpealsofthunderandsharpflashesoflightening,togetherwiththeshrieksandmoansofthemaniacintheadjoiningroom,madethenightafearfulone。
Thelonghoursworeslowlyaway,butneitherJeromenorhiswifecouldsleep,andtheyaroseatanearlyhourinthemorning,orderedbreakfast,andresolvedtoreturntoGeneva。
\"Iamsorry,sir,thatyouweresomuchdisturbedbythesickmanlastnight,\"saidthelandlord,ashehandedJeromehisbill。\"I
shouldbegladifhewouldgetabletogoaway,ordie,forhe’sadealoftroubletome。Severalpersonshaveleftmyhouseonhisaccount。\"
\"Whereishefrom?\"inquiredJerome。
\"He’sfromtheUnitedStates,andhasbeenhereaweekto-day,andhasbeencrazyeversince。\"
\"Hashenofriendswithhim?\"askedtheguest。
\"No,heisalone,\"wasthereply。
Jeromerelatedtohiswifewhathehadlearnedfromthelandlord,respectingthesickman,andtheintelligenceimpressedhersostrongly,thatsherequestedhimtomakefurtherinquiriesconcerningthestranger。
Hethereforeconsultedthebookinwhichguestsusuallyregistertheirnames,and,tohisgreatsurprise,foundthattheAmerican’snamewasHenryLinwood,andthathewasfromRichmond,Va。
ItwaswithfeelingsoftrepidationthatClotelleheardtheseparticularsfromthelipsofherhusband。
\"Wemustseethispoorman,whoeverheis,\"saidshe,asJeromefinishedthesentence。
Thelandlordwasgladtohearthathisguestsfeltsomeinterestinthesickman,andpromisedthattheinvalid’sroomshouldbegotreadyfortheirreception。
Theclockinthehallwasjuststrikingten,asJeromepassedthroughandenteredthesickman’schamber。Stretcheduponamattress,withbothhandstightlyboundtothebedstead,thefriendlessstrangerwasindeedapitifulsight。Hisdark,dishevelledhairprematurelygray,hislong,unshavenbeard,andthewildnessoftheeyeswhichglanceduponthemastheyopenedthedoorandentered,causedthefainthopewhichhadsosuddenlyriseninClotelle’sheart,tosink,andshefeltthatthismancouldclaimnokindredwithher。Certainly,heborenoresemblancetothemanwhomshehadcalledherfather,andwhohadfondlydandledheronhiskneeinthosehappydaysofchildhood。
\"Help!\"criedthepoorman,asJeromeandhiswifewalkedintotheroom。Hiseyesglared,andshriekaftershriekbrokeforthfromhisparchedandfeveredlips。
\"No,Ididnotkillmydaughter!——Ididnot!sheisnotdead!Yes,sheisdead!butIdidnotkillher——poorgirlLook!thatisshe!
No,itcannotbe!shecannotcomehere!itcannotbemypoorClotelle。\"
Atthesoundofherownname,comingfromthemaniac’slips,Clotellegaspedforbreath,andherhusbandsawthatshehadgrowndeadlypale。Itseemedevidenttohimthatthemanwaseitherguiltyofsometerribleact,orimaginedhimselftobe。Hiseyeballsrolledintheirsockets,andhisfeaturesshowedthathewasundergoing\"thetorturesofthatinwardhell,\"whichseemedtosethiswholebrainonfire。
Afterrecoveringherself-possessionandstrength,Clotelleapproachedthebedside,andlaidhersofthanduponthestranger’shotandfeveredbrow。
Onelong,loudshriekrangoutontheair,andapiercingcry,\"Itisshe!——-Yes,itisshe!Isee,Isee!Ah!no,itisnotmydaughter!Shewouldnotcometomeifshecould!\"brokeforthfromhim。
\"Iamyourdaughter,\"saidClotelle,asshepressedherhandkerchieftoherface,andsobbedaloud。
Likeballsoffire,thepoorman’seyesrolledandglareduponthecompany,whilelargedropsofperspirationrandownhispaleandemaciatedface。Strangeasthesceneappeared,allpresentsawthatitwasindeedameetingbetweenafatherandhislong-lostdaughter。Jeromenoworderedallpresenttoleavetheroom,exceptthenurse,andeveryeffortwasatoncemadetoquietthesufferer。Whencalm,ajoyoussmilewouldilluminatethesickman’sface,andastrangelightbeaminhiseyes,asheseemedtorealizethatshewhostoodbeforehimwasindeedhischild。
FortwolongdaysandnightsdidClotellewatchatthebedsideofherfatherbeforehecouldspeaktoherintelligently。Sometimes,inhisinsanefits,hewouldraveinthemostfrightfulmanner,andthen,inafewmoments,wouldbeaseasilygovernedasachild。Atlast,however,afteralongandapparentlyrefreshingsleep,heawokesuddenlytoafullconsciousnessthatitwasindeedhisdaughterwhowaswatchingsopatientlybyhisside。
ThepresenceofhislongabsentchildhadasoothingeffectuponMr。Linwood,andhenowrecoveredrapidlyfromthesadandalmosthopelessconditioninwhichshehadfoundhim。Whenabletoconverse,withoutdangerofarelapse,hetoldClotelleofhisfruitlesseffortstoobtainaclewtoherwhereaboutsafteroldMrs。Millerhadsoldhertotheslave-trader。Inanswertohisdaughter’sinquiriesabouthisfamilyaffairsuptothetimethatheleftAmerica,hesaid,——
\"Iblamedmywifeforyourbeingsoldandsentaway,forIthoughtsheandhermotherwereactingincollusion;ButIafterwardsfoundthatIhadblamedherwrongfully。Poorwoman!sheknewthatIlovedyourmother,andfeelingherselfforsaken,shegrewmelancholyanddiedinadeclinethreeyearsago。\"
Herebothfatheranddaughterweptatthethoughtofotherdays。
Whentheyhadrecoveredtheircomposure,Mr。Linwoodwentonagain:
\"OldMrs。Miller,\"saidhe,\"afterthedeathofGertrude,awarethatshehadcontributedmuchtowardherunhappiness,tooktothefreeuseofintoxicatingdrinks,andbecamethemostbrutalcreaturethateverlived。Shewhippedherslaveswithouttheslightestprovocation,andseemedtotakedelightininventingnewtortureswithwhichtopunishthem。Onenightlastwinter,afterhavingfloggedoneofherslavesnearlytodeath,shereturnedtoherroom,andbysomemeansthebeddingtookfire,andthehousewasinflamesbeforeanyonewasawakened。Therewasnooneinthebuildingatthetimebuttheoldwomanandtheslaves,andalthoughthelattermighthavesavedtheirmistress,theymadenoattempttodoso。Thus,afterafrightfulcareerofmanyyears,thishard-heartedwomandiedamostmiserabledeath,unlamentedbyasingleperson。\"
Clotellewipedthetearsfromhereyes,asherfatherfinishedthisstory,for,althoughMrs。Millerhadbeenhergreatestenemy,sheregrettedtolearnthatherendhadbeensuchasadone。
\"Mypeaceofminddestroyed,\"resumedthefather,\"andbrokedowninhealth,myphysicianadvisedmetotravel,withthehopeorecruitingmyself,andIsailedfromNewYorktwomonthsago。\"
BeingbroughtupinAmerica,andhavingalltheprejudiceagainstcolorwhichcharacterizeshiswhitefellow-countrymen,Mr。Linwoodverymuchregrettedthathisdaughter,althoughherselftincturedwithAfricanblood,shouldhavemarriedablackman,andhedidnotfailtoexpresstoherhisdislikeofherhusband’scomplexion。
\"Imarriedhim,\"saidClotelle,\"becauseIlovedhim。Whyshouldthewhitemanbeesteemedasbetterthantheblack?Ifindnodifferenceinmenonaccountoftheircomplexion。OneofthecardinalprinciplesofChristianityandfreedomistheequalityandbrotherhoodofman。\"
EverydayMr。LinwoodbecamemoreandmorefamiliarwithJerome,andeventuallytheywereonthemostintimateterms。
FifteendaysfromthetimethatClotellewasintroducedintoherfather’sroom,theyleftFerneyforGeneva。ManyweretheexcursionsClotellemadeundertheshadowsofMontBlanc,andwithherhusbandandfatherforcompanions;shewasnowintheenjoymentofpleasureshithertounknown。
CHAPTERXXXV
THEFATHER’SRESOLVE。
AWAREthatherfatherwasstillaslave-owner,Clotelledeterminedtouseallherpersuasivepowertoinducehimtosetthemfree,andinthiseffortshefoundasubstantialsupporterinherhusband。
\"Ihavealwaystreatedmyslaveswell,\"saidMr。LinwoodtoJerome,asthelatterexpressedhisabhorrenceofthesystem;\"andmyneighbors,too,aregenerallygoodmen;forslaveryin。
VirginiaisnotlikeslaveryintheotherStates,\"continuedtheproudsonoftheOldDominion。
\"Theirrighttobefree,Mr。Linwood,\"saidJerome,\"istakenfromthem,andtheyhavenosecurityfortheircomfort,butthehumanityandgenerosityofmen,whohavebeentrainedtoregardthemnotasbrethren,butasmereproperty。Humanityandgenerosityare,atbest,butpoorguarantiesfortheprotectionofthosewhocannotasserttheirrights,andoverwhomlawthrowsnoprotection。\"
ItwaswithpleasurethatClotelleobtainedfromherfatherapromisethathewouldliberateallhisslavesonhisreturntoRichmond。Inabeautifullittlevilla,situatedinapleasantspot,fringedwithhoaryrocksandthickdarkwoods,withinsightofthedeepbluewatersofLakeLeman,Mr。Linwood,hisdaughter,andherhusband,tookuptheirresidenceforashorttime。Formorethanthreeweeks,thislittlepartyspenttheirtimeinvisitingthebirth-placeofRousseau,andtheformerabodesofByron,Gibbon,Voltaire,DeStael,Shelley,andotherliterarycharacters。
WecanscarcelycontemplateavisittoamorehistoricandinterestingplacethanGenevaanditsvicinity。Here,Calvin,thatgreatluminaryintheChurch,livedandruledforyears;here,Voltaire,themightygenius,wholaidthefoundationoftheFrenchRevolution,andwhoboasted,\"WhenIshakemywig,Ipowderthewholerepublic,\"governedinthehigherwalksoflife。
Fameisgenerallytherecompense,notoftheliving,butofthedead,——notalwaysdotheyreapandgatherintheharvestwhosowtheseed;theflameofitsaltaristoooftenkindledfromtheashesofthegreat。Adistinguishedcritichasbeautifullysaid,\"Thesoundwhichthestreamofhighthought,carrieddowntofutureages,makes,asitflows——deep,distant,murmuringevermore,likethewatersofthemightyocean。\"Noreputationcanbecalledgreatthatwillnotendurethistest。ThedistinguishedmenwhohadlivedinGenevatransfusedtheirspirit,bytheirwritings,intothespiritofotherloversofliteratureandeverythingthattreatedofgreatauthors。JeromeandClotellelingeredlonginandaboutthehauntsofGenevaandLakeLeman。
Anautumnsunsentdownherbrightrays,andbathedeveryobjectinhergloriouslight,asClotelle,accompaniedbyherhusbandandfathersetoutonefinemorningonherreturnhometoFrance。
Throughoutthewholeroute,Mr。LinwoodsawbythedeferencepaidtoJerome,whoseblackcomplexionexcitedastonishmentinthosewhomethim,thattherewasnohatredtothemaninEurope,onaccountofhiscolor;thatwhatiscalledprejudiceagainstcoloristheoffspringoftheinstitutionofslavery;andhefeltashamedofhisowncountrymen,whenhethoughtofthecomplexionasdistinctions,madeintheUnitedStates,andresolvedtodedicatetheremainderofhislifetotheeradicationofthisunrepublicanandunchristianfeelingfromthelandofhisbirth,onhisreturnhome。
AfterastayoffourweeksatDunkirk,thehomeoftheFletchers,Mr。LinwoodsetoutforAmerica,withthefulldeterminationoffreeinghisslaves,andsettlingtheminoneoftheNorthernStates,andthentoreturntoFrancetoendhisdaysinthesocietyofhisbeloveddaughter。
THEEND。
NOTE。——TheauthoroftheforegoingtalewasformerlyaKentuckyslave。Ifitservestorelievethemonotonyofcamp-lifetothesoldiersoftheUnion,andthereforeofLiberty,andatthesametimekindlestheirzealinthecauseofuniversalemancipation,theobjectbothofitsauthorandpublisherwillbegained。J。R。