HefoundMissVereseatedbythewindowofherdressing-room,herheadrecliningonherhand,andeithersunkinslumber,orsodeeplyengagedinmeditation,thatshedidnothearthenoisehemadeathisentrance。Heapproachedwithhisfeaturescomposedtoadeepexpressionofsorrowandsympathy,and,sittingdownbesideher,solicitedherattentionbyquietlytakingherhand,amotionwhichhedidnotfailtoaccompanywithadeepsigh。
\"Myfather!\"saidIsabella,withasortofstart,whichexpressedatleastasmuchfear,asjoyoraffection。
\"Yes,Isabella,\"saidVere,\"yourunhappyfather,whocomesnowasapenitenttocraveforgivenessofhisdaughterforaninjurydonetoherintheexcessofhisaffection,andthentotakeleaveofherforever。\"
\"Sir?Offencetometakeleaveforever?Whatdoesallthismean?\"saidMissVere。
\"Yes,Isabella,Iamserious。Butfirstletmeaskyou,haveyounosuspicionthatImayhavebeenprivytothestrangechancewhichbefellyouyesterdaymorning?\"
\"You,sir?\"answeredIsabella,stammeringbetweenaconsciousnessthathehadguessedherthoughtsjustly,andtheshameaswellasfearwhichforbadehertoacknowledgeasuspicionsodegradingandsounnatural。
\"Yes!\"hecontinued,\"yourhesitationconfessesthatyouentertainedsuchanopinion,andIhavenowthepainfultaskofacknowledgingthatyoursuspicionshavedonemenoinjustice。
Butlistentomymotives。InanevilhourIcountenancedtheaddressesofSirFrederickLangley,conceivingitimpossiblethatyoucouldhaveanypermanentobjectionstoamatchwheretheadvantageswere,inmostrespects,onyourside。Inaworse,I
enteredwithhimintomeasurescalculatedtorestoreourbanishedmonarch,andtheindependenceofmycountry。Hehastakenadvantageofmyunguardedconfidence,andnowhasmylifeathisdisposal。\"
\"Yourlife,sir?\"saidIsabella,faintly。
\"Yes,Isabella,\"continuedherfather,\"thelifeofhimwhogavelifetoyou。SosoonasIforesawtheexcessesintowhichhisheadlongpassion(for,todohimjustice,Ibelievehisunreasonableconductarisesfromexcessofattachmenttoyou)waslikelytohurryhim,Iendeavoured,byfindingaplausiblepretextforyourabsenceforsomeweeks,toextricatemyselffromthedilemmainwhichIamplaced。ForthispurposeIwished,incaseyourobjectionstothematchcontinuedinsurmountable,tohavesentyouprivatelyforafewmonthstotheconventofyourmaternalauntatParis。ByaseriesofmistakesyouhavebeenbroughtfromtheplaceofsecrecyandsecuritywhichIhaddestinedforyourtemporaryabode。Fatehasbaffledmylastchanceofescape,andIhaveonlytogiveyoumyblessing,andsendyoufromthecastlewithMr。Ratcliffe,whonowleavesit;
myownfatewillsoonbedecided。\"
\"GoodHeaven,sir!canthisbepossible?\"exclaimedIsabella。
\"O,whywasIfreedfromtherestraintinwhichyouplacedme?
orwhydidyounotimpartyourpleasuretome?\"
\"Thinkaninstant,Isabella。WouldyouhavehadmeprejudiceinyouropinionthefriendIwasmostdesirousofserving,bycommunicatingtoyoutheinjuriouseagernesswithwhichhepursuedhisobject?CouldIdosohonourably,havingpromisedtoassisthissuit?——Butitisallover,IandMareschalhavemadeupourmindstodielikemen;itonlyremainstosendyoufromhenceunderasafeescort。\"
\"Greatpowers!andistherenoremedy?\"saidtheterrifiedyoungwoman。
\"None,mychild,\"answeredVere,gently,\"unlessonewhichyouwouldnotadviseyourfathertoadopt——tobethefirsttobetrayhisfriends。\"
\"O,no!no!\"sheanswered,abhorrentlyyethastily,asiftorejectthetemptationwhichthealternativepresentedtoher。
\"Butistherenootherhope——throughflight——throughmediation——throughsupplication?——IwillbendmykneetoSirFrederick!\"
\"Itwouldbeafruitlessdegradation;heisdeterminedonhiscourse,andIamequallyresolvedtostandthehazardofmyfate。
Ononeconditiononlyhewillturnasidefromhispurpose,andthatconditionmylipsshallneveruttertoyou。\"
\"Nameit,Iconjureyou,mydearfather!\"exclaimedIsabella。
\"WhatCANheaskthatweoughtnottogrant,topreventthehideouscatastrophewithwhichyouarethreatened?\"
\"That,Isabella,\"saidVere,solemnly,\"youshallneverknow,untilyourfather’sheadhasrolledonthebloodyscaffold;then,indeed,youwilllearntherewasonesacrificebywhichhemighthavebeensaved。\"
\"Andwhynotspeakitnow?\"saidIsabella;\"doyoufearIwouldflinchfromthesacrificeoffortuneforyourpreservation?orwouldyoubequeathmethebitterlegacyoflife-longremorse,sooftasIshallthinkthatyouperished,whilethereremainedonemodeofpreventingthedreadfulmisfortunethatoverhangsyou?\"
\"Then,mychild,\"saidVere,\"sinceyoupressmetonamewhatI
wouldathousandtimesratherleaveinsilence,Imustinformyouthathewillacceptforransomnothingbutyourhandinmarriage,andthatconferredbeforemidnightthisveryevening!\"
\"Thisevening,sir?\"saidtheyounglady,struckwithhorrorattheproposal——\"andtosuchaman!——Aman?——amonster,whocouldwishtowinthedaughterbythreateningthelifeofthefather——itisimpossible!\"
\"Yousayright,mychild,\"answeredherfather,\"itisindeedimpossible;norhaveIeithertherightorthewishtoexactsuchasacrifice——Itisthecourseofnaturethattheoldshoulddieandbeforgot,andtheyoungshouldliveandbehappy。\"
\"Myfatherdie,andhischildcansavehim!——butno——no——mydearfather,pardonme,itisimpossible;youonlywishtoguidemetoyourwishes。Iknowyourobjectiswhatyouthinkmyhappiness,andthisdreadfultaleisonlytoldtoinfluencemyconductandsubduemyscruples。\"
\"Mydaughter,\"repliedEllieslaw,inatonewhereoffendedauthorityseemedtostrugglewithparentalaffection,\"mychildsuspectsmeofinventingafalsetaletoworkuponherfeelings!
EventhisImustbear,andevenfromthisunworthysuspicionI
mustdescendtovindicatemyself。YouknowthestainlesshonourofyourcousinMareschal——markwhatIshallwritetohim,andjudgefromhisanswer,ifthedangerinwhichwestandisnotreal,andwhetherIhavenotusedeverymeanstoavertit。\"
Hesatedown,wroteafewlineshastily,andhandedthemtoIsabella,who,afterrepeatedandpainfulefforts,clearedhereyesandheadsufficientlytodiscerntheirpurport。
\"Dearcousin,\"saidthebillet,\"Ifindmydaughter,asI
expected,indespairattheuntimelyandprematureurgencyofSirFrederickLangley。Shecannotevencomprehendtheperilinwhichwestand,orhowmuchweareinhispower——Useyourinfluencewithhim,forHeaven’ssake,tomodifyproposals,totheacceptanceofwhichIcannot,andwillnot,urgemychildagainstallherownfeelings,aswellasthoseofdelicacyandpropriety,andobligeyourlovingcousin,——R。V。\"
Intheagitationofthemoment,whenherswimmingeyesanddizzybraincouldhardlycomprehendthesenseofwhatshelookedupon,itisnotsurprisingthatMissVereshouldhaveomittedtoremarkthatthisletterseemedtorestherscruplesratherupontheformandtimeoftheproposedunion,thanonarooteddisliketothesuitorproposedtoher。Mr。Vererangthebell,andgavethelettertoaservanttobedeliveredtoMr。Mareschal,and,risingfromhischair,continuedtotraversetheapartmentinsilenceandingreatagitationuntiltheanswerwasreturned。Heglanceditover,andwrungthehandofhisdaughterashegaveittoher。
Thetenorwasasfollows:——
\"Mydearkinsman,Ihavealreadyurgedtheknightonthepointyoumention,andIfindhimasfixedasCheviot。Iamtrulysorrymyfaircousinshouldbepressedtogiveupanyofhermaidenlyrights。SirFrederickconsents,however,toleavethecastlewithmetheinstanttheceremonyisperformed,andwewillraiseourfollowersandbeginthefray。Thusthereisgreathopethebridegroommaybeknockedontheheadbeforeheandthebridecanmeetagain,soBellhasafairchancetobeLadyLangleyATRESBONMARCHE。Fortherest,Icanonlysay,thatifshecanmakeuphermindtotheallianceatall——itisnotimeformeremaidenceremony——myprettycousinmustneedsconsenttomarryinhaste,orweshallallrepentatleisure,orratherhaveverylittleleisuretorepent;whichisallatpresentfromhimwhorestsyouraffectionatekinsman,——R。M。\"
\"P。S。——TellIsabellathatIwouldrathercuttheknight’sthroatafterall,andendthedilemmathatway,thanseeherconstrainedtomarryhimagainstherwill。\"
WhenIsabellahadreadthisletter,itdroppedfromherhand,andshewould,atthesametime,havefallenfromherchair,hadshenotbeensupportedbyherfather。
\"MyGod,mychildwilldie!\"exclaimedVere,thefeelingsofnatureovercoming,eveninHISbreast,thesentimentsofselfishpolicy;\"lookup,Isabella——lookup,mychild——comewhatwill,youshallnotbethesacrifice——IwillfallmyselfwiththeconsciousnessIleaveyouhappy——Mychildmayweeponmygrave,butsheshallnot——notinthisinstance——reproachmymemory。\"Hecalledaservant。——\"Go,bidRatcliffecomehitherdirectly。\"
Duringthisinterval,MissVerebecamedeadlypale,clenchedherhands,pressingthepalmsstronglytogether,closedhereyes,anddrewherlipswithstrongcompression,asifthesevereconstraintwhichsheputuponherinternalfeelingsextendedeventohermuscularorganization。Thenraisingherhead,anddrawinginherbreathstronglyereshespoke,shesaid,withfirmness,——\"Father,Iconsenttothemarriage。\"
\"Youshallnot——youshallnot,——mychild——mydearchild——youshallnotembracecertainmiserytofreemefromuncertaindanger。\"
SoexclaimedEllieslaw;and,strangeandinconsistentbeingsthatweare!heexpressedtherealthoughmomentaryfeelingsofhisheart。
\"Father,\"repeatedIsabella,\"Iwillconsenttothismarriage。\"
\"No,mychild,no——notnowatleast——wewillhumbleourselvestoobtaindelayfromhim;andyet,Isabella,couldyouovercomeadislikewhichhasnorealfoundation,think,inotherrespects,whatamatch!——wealth——rank——importance。\"
\"Father!\"reiteratedIsabella,\"Ihaveconsented。\"
Itseemedasifshehadlostthepowerofsayinganythingelse,orevenofvaryingthephrasewhich,withsucheffort,shehadcompelledherselftoutter。
\"Heavenblessthee,mychild!——Heavenblessthee!——AnditWILL
blesstheewithriches,withpleasure,withpower。\"
MissVerefaintlyentreatedtobeleftbyherselffortherestoftheevening。
\"ButwillyounotreceiveSirFrederick?\"saidherfather,anxiously。
\"Iwillmeethim,\"shereplied,\"Iwillmeethim——whenImust,andwhereImust;butsparemenow。\"
\"Beitso,mydearest;youshallknownorestraintthatIcansaveyoufrom。DonotthinktoohardlyofSirFrederickforthis,——itisanexcessofpassion。\"
Isabellawavedherhandimpatiently。
\"Forgiveme,mychild——Igo——Heavenblessthee。Ateleven——ifyoucallmenotbefore——atelevenIcometoseekyou。\"
\"WhenheleftIsabellashedroppeduponherknees——\"HeavenaidmetosupporttheresolutionIhavetaken——Heavenonlycan——O,poorEarnscliff!whoshallcomforthim?andwithwhatcontemptwillhepronouncehername,wholistenedtohimto-dayandgaveherselftoanotheratnight!Butlethimdespiseme——bettersothanthatheshouldknowthetruth——lethimdespiseme;ifitwillbutlessenhisgrief,Ishouldfeelcomfortinthelossofhisesteem。\"
Sheweptbitterly;attemptinginvain,fromtimetotime,tocommencetheprayerforwhichshehadsunkonherknees,butunabletocalmherspiritssufficientlyfortheexerciseofdevotion。Assheremainedinthisagonyofmind,thedoorofherapartmentwasslowlyopened。
CHAPTERXV。
Thedarksomecavetheyenter,wheretheyfoundThewofulman,lowsittingontheground,Musingfullsadlyinhissullenmind。FAERYQUEEN。
TheintruderonMissVere’ssorrowswasRatcliffe。Ellieslawhad,intheagitationofhismind,forgottentocountermandtheorderhehadgiventocallhimthither,sothatheopenedthedoorwiththewords,\"Yousentforme,Mr。Vere。\"Thenlookingaround——\"MissVere,alone!ontheground!andintears!\"
\"Leaveme——leaveme,Mr。Ratcliffe,\"saidtheunhappyyounglady。
\"Imustnotleaveyou,\"saidRatcliffe;\"Ihavebeenrepeatedlyrequestingadmittancetotakemyleaveofyou,andhavebeenrefused,untilyourfatherhimselfsentforme。Blamemenot,ifIamboldandintrusive;Ihaveadutytodischargewhichmakesmeso。\"
\"Icannotlistentoyou——Icannotspeaktoyou,Mr。Ratcliffe;
takemybestwishes,andforGod’ssakeleaveme。\"
\"Tellmeonly,\"saidRatcliffe,\"isittruethatthismonstrousmatchistogoforward,andthisverynight?IheardtheservantsproclaimitasIwasonthegreatstaircase——Iheardthedirectionsgiventoclearoutthechapel。\"
\"Spareme,Mr。Ratcliffe,\"repliedthelucklessbride;\"andfromthestateinwhichyouseeme,judgeofthecrueltyofthesequestions。\"
\"Married?toSirFrederickLangley?andthisnight?Itmustnotcannot——shallnotbe。\"
\"ItMUSTbe,Mr。Ratcliff,ormyfatherisruined。\"
\"Ah!Iunderstand,\"answeredRatcliffe;\"andyouhavesacrificedyourselftosavehimwho——Butletthevirtueofthechildatoneforthefaultsofthefatheritisnotimetorakethemup。——WhatCANbedone?Timepresses——Iknowbutoneremedy——withfour-and-
twentyhoursImightfindmany——MissVere,youmustimploretheprotectionoftheonlyhumanbeingwhohasitinhispowertocontrolthecourseofeventswhichthreatenstohurryyoubeforeit。\"
\"Andwhathumanbeing,\"answeredMissVere,\"hassuchpower?\"
\"StartnotwhenInamehim,\"saidRatcliffe,comingnearher,andspeakinginalowbutdistinctvoice。\"ItishewhoiscalledElshendertheRecluseofMucklestane-Moor。\"
\"Youaremad,Mr。Ratcliffe,oryoumeantoinsultmymiserybyanill-timedjest!\"
\"Iamasmuchinmysenses,younglady,\"answeredheradviser,\"asyouare;andIamnoidlejester,farlesswithmisery,leastofallwithyourmisery。Isweartoyouthatthisbeing(whoisotherfarthanwhatheseems)actuallypossessesthemeansofredeemingyoufromthishatefulunion。\"
\"Andofinsuringmyfather’ssafety?\"
\"Yes!eventhat,\"saidRatcliffe,\"ifyoupleadhiscausewithhim——yethowtoobtainadmittancetotheRecluse!\"
\"Fearnotthat,\"saidMissVere,suddenlyrecollectingtheincidentoftherose;\"Irememberhedesiredmetocalluponhimforaidinmyextremity,andgavemethisflowerasatoken。Ereitfadedawayentirely,Iwouldneed,hesaid,hisassistance:
isitpossiblehiswordscanhavebeenaughtbuttheravingsofinsanity?\"
\"Doubtitnotfearitnot——butaboveall,\"saidRatcliffe,\"letuslosenotime——areyouatliberty,andunwatched?\"
\"Ibelieveso,\"saidIsabella:\"butwhatwouldyouhavemetodo?\"
\"Leavethecastleinstantly,\"saidRatcliffe,\"andthrowyourselfatthefeetofthisextraordinaryman,whoincircumstancesthatseemtoarguetheextremityofthemostcontemptiblepoverty,possessesyetanalmostabsoluteinfluenceoveryourfate。——
Guestsandservantsaredeepintheircarouse——theleaderssittinginconclaveontheirtreasonableschemes——myhorsestandsreadyinthestable——Iwillsaddleoneforyou,andmeetyouatthelittlegarden-gate——O,letnodoubtofmyprudenceorfidelitypreventyourtakingtheonlystepinyourpowertoescapethedreadfulfatewhichmustattendthewifeofSirFrederickLangley!\"
\"Mr。Ratcliffe,\"saidMissVere,\"youhavealwaysbeenesteemedamanofhonourandprobity,andadrowningwretchwillalwayscatchatthefeeblesttwig,——Iwilltrustyou——Iwillfollowyouradvice——Iwillmeetyouatthegarden-gate。\"
Sheboltedtheouter-doorofherapartmentassoonasMr。
Ratcliffelefther,anddescendedtothegardenbyaseparatestairofcommunicationwhichopenedtoherdressing-room。Onthewayshefeltinclinedtoretracttheconsentshehadsohastilygiventoaplansohopelessandextravagant。Butasshepassedinherdescentaprivatedoorwhichenteredintothechapelfromtheback-stair,sheheardthevoiceofthefemale-servantsastheywereemployedinthetaskofcleaningit。
\"Married!andtosaebadaman——Ewhow,sirs!onythingratherthanthat。\"
\"Theyareright——theyareright,\"saidMissVere,\"anythingratherthanthat!\"
Shehurriedtothegarden。Mr。Ratcliffewastruetohisappointment——thehorsesstoodsaddledatthegarden-gate,andinafewminutestheywereadvancingrapidlytowardsthehutoftheSolitary。
Whilethegroundwasfavourable,thespeedoftheirjourneywassuchastopreventmuchcommunication;butwhenasteepascentcompelledthemtoslackentheirpace,anewcauseofapprehensionoccurredtoMissVere’smind。
\"Mr。Ratcliffe,\"shesaid,pullingupherhorse’sbridle,\"letusprosecutenofartherajourney,whichnothingbuttheextremeagitationofmymindcanvindicatemyhavingundertaken——Iamwellawarethatthismanpassesamongthevulgarasbeingpossessedofsupernaturalpowers,andcarryingonanintercoursewithbeingsofanotherworld;butIwouldhaveyouawareIamneithertobeimposedonbysuchfollies,nor,wereItobelieveintheirexistence,durstI,withmyfeelingsofreligion,applytothisbeinginmydistress。\"
\"Ishouldhavethought,MissVere,\"repliedRatcliffe,\"mycharacterandhabitsofthinkingweresowellknowntoyou,thatyoumighthaveheldmeexculpatedfromcreditinginsuchabsurdity。\"
\"Butinwhatothermode,\"saidIsabella,\"canabeing,somiserablehimselfinappearance,possessthepowerofassistingme?\"
\"MissVere。\"saidRatcliffe,afteramomentarypause,\"Iamboundbyasolemnoathofsecrecy——Youmust,withoutfartherexplanation,besatisfiedwithmypledgedassurance,thathedoespossessthepower,ifyoucaninspirehimwiththewill;andthat,Idoubtnot,youwillbeabletodo。\"
\"Mr。Ratcliffe,\"saidMissVere,\"youmayyourselfbemistaken;
youaskanunlimiteddegreeofconfidencefromme。\"
\"Recollect,MissVere,\"hereplied,\"thatwhen,inyourhumanity,youaskedmetointerferewithyourfatherinfavourofHaswellandhisruinedfamily——whenyourequestedmetoprevailonhimtodoathingmostabhorrenttohisnature——toforgiveaninjuryandremitapenalty——Istipulatedthatyoushouldaskmenoquestionsconcerningthesourcesofmyinfluence——Youfoundnoreasontodistrustmethen,donotdistrustmenow。\"
\"Buttheextraordinarymodeoflifeofthisman,\"saidMissVere;
\"hisseclusion——hisfigure——thedeepnessofmis-anthropywhichheissaidtoexpressinhislanguage——Mr。Ratcliffe,whatcanI
thinkofhimifhereallypossessesthepowersyouascribetohim?\"
\"Thisman,younglady,wasbredaCatholic,asectwhichaffordsathousandinstancesofthosewhohaveretiredfrompowerandaffluencetovoluntaryprivationsmorestricteventhanhis。\"
\"Butheavowsnoreligiousmotive,\"repliedMissVere。
\"No,\"repliedRatcliffe;\"disgustwiththeworldhasoperatedhisretreatfromitwithoutassumingtheveilofsuperstition。ThusfarImaytellyou——hewasborntogreatwealth,whichhisparentsdesignedshouldbecomegreaterbyhisunionwithakinswoman,whomforthatpurposetheybredupintheirownhouse。
Youhaveseenhisfigure;judgewhattheyoungladymusthavethoughtofthelottowhichshewasdestined——Yet,habituatedtohisappearance,sheshowednoreluctance,andthefriendsof——ofthepersonwhomIspeakof,doubtednotthattheexcessofhisattachment,thevariousacquisitionsofhismind,hismanyandamiablequalities,hadovercomethenaturalhorrorwhichhisdestinedbridemusthaveentertainedatanexteriorsodreadfullyinauspicious。\"
\"Anddidtheyjudgetruly?\"saidIsabella。
\"Youshallhear。He,atleast,wasfullyawareofhisowndeficiency;thesenseofithauntedhimlikeaphantom。’Iam,’
washisownexpressiontome,——Imeantoamanwhomhetrusted,——
’Iam,inspiteofwhatyouwouldsay,apoormiserableoutcast,fittertohavebeensmotheredinthecradlethantohavebeenbroughtuptoscaretheworldinwhichIcrawl。’Thepersonwhomheaddressedinvainendeavouredtoimpresshimwiththeindifferencetoexternalformwhichisthenaturalresultofphilosophy,orentreathimtorecallthesuperiorityofmentaltalentstothemoreattractiveattributesthataremerelypersonal。’Ihearyou,’hewouldreply;’butyouspeakthevoiceofcold-bloodedstoicism,or,atleast,offriendlypartiality。
Butlookateverybookwhichwehaveread,thoseexceptedofthatabstractphilosophywhichfeelsnoresponsivevoiceinournaturalfeelings。Isnotpersonalform,suchasatleastcanbetoleratedwithouthorroranddisgust,alwaysrepresentedasessentialtoourideasofafriend,farmorealover?Isnotsuchamis-shapenmonsterasIam,excluded,bytheveryfiatofNature,fromherfairestenjoyments?Whatbutmywealthpreventsall——perhapsevenLetitia,oryou——fromshunningmeassomethingforeigntoyournature,andmoreodious,bybearingthatdistortedresemblancetohumanitywhichweobserveintheanimaltribesthataremorehatefultomanbecausetheyseemhiscaricature?’\"
\"Yourepeatthesentimentsofamadman,\"saidMissVere。
\"No,\"repliedherconductor,\"unlessamorbidandexcessivesensibilityonsuchasubjectcanbetermedinsanity。\"YetI
willnotdenythatthisgoverningfeelingandapprehensioncarriedthepersonwhoentertainedit,tolengthswhichindicatedaderangedimagination。Heappearedtothinkthatitwasnecessaryforhim,byexuberant,andnotalwayswell-choseninstancesofliberality,andevenprofusion,tounitehimselftothehumanrace,fromwhichheconceivedhimselfnaturallydissevered。Thebenefitswhichhebestowed,fromadispositionnaturallyphilanthropicalinanuncommondegree,wereexaggeratedbytheinfluenceofthegoadingreflection,thatmorewasnecessaryfromhimthanfromothers,——lavishinghistreasuresasiftobribemankindtoreceivehimintotheirclass。Itisscarcelynecessarytosay,thatthebountywhichflowedfromasourcesocapriciouswasoftenabused,andhisconfidencefrequentlybetrayed。Thesedisappointments,whichoccurtoall,moreorless,andmosttosuchasconferbenefitswithoutjustdiscrimination,hisdiseasedfancysetdowntothehatredandcontemptexcitedbyhispersonaldeformity。——ButIfatigueyou,MissVere?\"
\"No,bynomeans;I——Icouldnotpreventmyattentionfromwanderinganinstant;prayproceed。\"
\"Hebecameatlength,\"continuedRatcliffe,\"themostingeniousself-tormentorofwhomIhaveeverheard;thescoffoftherabble,andthesneeroftheyetmorebrutalvulgarofhisownrank,wastohimagonyandbreakingonthewheel。Heregardedthelaughofthecommonpeoplewhomhepassedonthestreet,andthesuppressedtitter,oryetmoreoffensiveterror,oftheyounggirlstowhomhewasintroducedincompany,asproofsofthetruesensewhichtheworldentertainedofhim,asaprodigyunfittobereceivedamongthemontheusualtermsofsociety,andasvindicatingthewisdomofhispurposeinwithdrawinghimselffromamongthem。Onthefaithandsincerityoftwopersonsalone,heseemedtorelyimplicitly——onthatofhisbetrothedbride,andofafriendeminentlygiftedinpersonalaccomplishments,whoseemed,andindeedprobablywas,sincerelyattachedtohim。Heoughttohavebeensoatleast,forhewasliterallyloadedwithbenefitsbyhimwhomyouarenowabouttosee。Theparentsofthesubjectofmystorydiedwithinashortspaceofeachother。
Theirdeathpostponedthemarriage,forwhichthedayhadbeenfixed。Theladydidnotseemgreatlytomournthisdelay,——
perhapsthatwasnottohavebeenexpected;butsheintimatednochangeofintention,when,afteradecentinterval,aseconddaywasnamedfortheirunion。ThefriendofwhomIspokewasthenaconstantresidentattheHall。Inanevilhour,attheearnestrequestandentreatyofthisfriend,theyjoinedageneralparty,wheremenofdifferentpoliticalopinionsweremingled,andwheretheydrankdeep。Aquarrelensued;thefriendoftheReclusedrewhisswordwithothers,andwasthrowndownanddisarmedbyamorepowerfulantagonist。TheyfellinthestruggleatthefeetoftheRecluse,who,maimedandtruncatedashisformappears,possesses,nevertheless,greatstrength,aswellasviolentpassions。Hecaughtupasword,piercedtheheartofhisfriend’santagonist,wastried,andhislife,withdifficulty,redeemedfromjusticeattheexpenseofayear’scloseimprisonment,thepunishmentofmanslaughter。Theincidentaffectedhimmostdeeply,themorethatthedeceasedwasamanofexcellentcharacter,andhadsustainedgrossinsultandinjuryerehedrewhissword。Ithink,fromthatmoment,Iobserved——I
begpardon——Thefitsofmorbidsensibilitywhichhadtormentedthisunfortunategentleman,wererenderedhenceforthmoreacutebyremorse,whichhe,ofallmen,wasleastcapableofhavingincurred,orofsustainingwhenitbecamehisunhappylot。Hisparoxysmsofagonycouldnotbeconcealedfromtheladytowhomhewasbetrothed;anditmustbeconfessedtheywereofanalarmingandfearfulnature。Hecomfortedhimself,that,attheexpiryofhisimprisonment,hecouldformwithhiswifeandfriendasociety,encircledbywhichhemightdispensewithmoreextensivecommunicationwiththeworld。Hewasdeceived;beforethattermelapsed,hisfriendandhisbetrothedbrideweremanandwife。Theeffectsofashocksodreadfulonanardenttemperament,adispositionalreadysouredbybitterremorse,andloosenedbytheindulgenceofagloomyimaginationfromtherestofmankind,Icannotdescribetoyou;itwasasifthelastcableatwhichthevesselrodehadsuddenlyparted,andleftherabandonedtoallthewildfuryofthetempest。Hewasplacedundermedicalrestraint。Asatemporarymeasurethismighthavebeenjustifiable;buthishard-heartedfriend,who,inconsequenceofhismarriage,wasnowhisnearestally,prolongedhisconfinement,inordertoenjoythemanagementofhisimmenseestates。Therewasonewhoowedhisalltothesufferer,anhumblefriend,butgratefulandfaithful。Byunceasingexertion,andrepeatedinvocationofjustice,heatlengthsucceededinobtaininghispatron’sfreedom,andreinstatementinthemanagementofhisownproperty,towhichwassoonaddedthatofhisintendedbride,whohavingdiedwithoutmaleissue,herestatesrevertedtohim,asheirofentail。Butfreedomandwealthwereunabletorestoretheequipoiseofhismind;totheformerhisgriefmadehimindifferent——thelatteronlyservedhimasfarasitaffordedhimthemeansofindulginghisstrangeandwaywardfancy。HehadrenouncedtheCatholicreligion,butperhapssomeofitsdoctrinescontinuedtoinfluenceamind,overwhichremorseandmisanthropynowassumed,inappearance,anunboundedauthority。Hislifehassincebeenthatalternatelyofapilgrimandahermit,sufferingthemostsevereprivations,notindeedinasceticdevotion,butinabhorrenceofmankind。Yetnoman’swordsandactionshavebeenatsuchawidedifference,norhasanyhypocriticalwretcheverbeenmoreingeniousinassigninggoodmotivesforhisvileactions,thanthisunfortunateinreconcilingtohisabstractprinciplesofmisanthropy,aconductwhichflowsfromhisnaturalgenerosityandkindnessoffeeling。\"
\"Still,Mr。Ratcliffe——stillyoudescribetheinconsistenciesofamadman。\"
\"Bynomeans,\"repliedRatcliffe。\"Thattheimaginationofthisgentlemanisdisordered,Iwillnotpretendtodispute;Ihavealreadytoldyouthatithassometimesbrokenoutintoparoxysmsapproachingtorealmentalalienation。ButitisofhiscommonstateofmindthatIspeak;itisirregular,butnotderanged;
theshadesareasgradualasthosethatdividethelightofnoondayfrommidnight。Thecourtierwhoruinshisfortunefortheattainmentofatitlewhichcandohimnogood,orpowerofwhichhecanmakenosuitableorcreditableuse,themiserwhohoardshisuselesswealth,andtheprodigalwhosquandersit,areallmarkedwithacertainshadeofinsanity。Tocriminalswhoareguiltyofenormities,whenthetemptation,toasobermind,bearsnoproportiontothehorroroftheact,ortheprobabilityofdetectionandpunishment,thesameobservationapplies;andeveryviolentpassion,aswellasanger,maybetermedashortmadness。\"
\"Thismaybeallgoodphilosophy,Mr。Ratcliffe,\"answeredMissVere;\"but,excuseme,itbynomeansemboldensmetovisit,atthislatehour,apersonwhoseextravaganceofimaginationyouyourselfcanonlypalliate。\"
\"Rather,then,\"saidRatcliffe,\"receivemysolemnassurances,thatyoudonotincurtheslightestdanger。ButwhatIhavebeenhithertoafraidtomentionforfearofalarmingyouis,thatnowwhenwearewithinsightofhisretreat,forIcandiscoveritthroughthetwilight,Imustgonofartherwithyou;youmustproceedalone。\"
\"Alone?——Idarenot。\"
\"Youmust,\"continuedRatcliffe;\"Iwillremainhereandwaitforyou。\"
\"Youwillnot,then,stirfromthisplace,\"saidMissVere\"yetthedistanceissogreat,youcouldnothearmewereItocryforassistance。\"
\"Fearnothing,\"saidherguide;\"orobserve,atleast,theutmostcautioninstiflingeveryexpressionoftimidity。Rememberthathispredominantandmostharassingapprehensionarisesfromaconsciousnessofthehideousnessofhisappearance。Yourpathliesstraightbesideyonhalf-fallenwillow;keeptheleftsideofit;themarshliesontheright。Farewellforatime。
Remembertheevilyouarethreatenedwith,andletitovercomeatonceyourfearsandscruples。\"
\"Mr。Ratcliffe,\"saidIsabella,\"farewell;ifyouhavedeceivedonesounfortunateasmyself,youhaveforeverforfeitedthefaircharacterforprobityandhonourtowhichIhavetrusted。\"
\"Onmylife——onmysoul,\"continuedRatcliffe,raisinghisvoiceasthedistancebetweenthemincreased,\"youaresafe——perfectlysafe。\"
CHAPTERXVI。
——’TwastimeandgriefsThatframedhimthus:Time,withhisfairerhand,Offeringthefortunesofhisformerdays,Theformermanmaymakehim。——Bringustohim,Andchanceitasitmay。OLDPLAY。
ThesoundsofRatcliffe’svoicehaddiedonIsabella’sear;butasshefrequentlylookedback,itwassomeencouragementtohertodiscernhisformnowdarkeninginthegloom。Ere,however,shewentmuchfarther,shelosttheobjectintheincreasingshade。ThelastglimmerofthetwilightplacedherbeforethehutoftheSolitary。Shetwiceextendedherhandtothedoor,andtwiceshewithdrewit;andwhenshedidatlengthmaketheeffort,theknockdidnotequalinviolencethethrobofherownbosom。Hernexteffortwaslouder;herthirdwasreiterated,forthefearofnotobtainingtheprotectionfromwhichRatcliffepromisedsomuch,begantooverpowertheterrorsofhispresencefromwhomshewastorequestit。Atlength,asshestillreceivednoanswer,sherepeatedlycalledupontheDwarfbyhisassumedname,andrequestedhimtoanswerandopentoher。
\"Whatmiserablebeingisreduced,\"saidtheappallingvoiceoftheSolitary,\"toseekrefugehere?Gohence;whentheheath-
fowlneedshelter,theyseekitnotinthenestofthenight-
raven。\"
\"Icometoyou,father,\"saidIsabella,\"inmyhourofadversity,evenasyouyourselfcommanded,whenyoupromisedyourheartandyourdoorshouldbeopentomydistress;butIfear——\"
\"Ha!\"saidtheSolitary,\"thenthouartIsabellaVere?Givemeatokenthatthouartshe。\"
\"Ihavebroughtyoubacktherosewhichyougaveme;ithasnothadtimetofadeerethehardfateyouforetoldhascomeuponme!\"
\"Andifthouhastthusredeemedthypledge,\"saidtheDwarf,\"I
willnotforfeitmine。Theheartandthedoorthatareshutagainsteveryotherearthlybeing,shallbeopentotheeandtothysorrows。\"
Sheheardhimmoveinhishut,andpresentlyafterwardsstrikealight。Onebyone,boltandbarwerethenwithdrawn,theheartofIsabellathrobbinghigherastheseobstaclestotheirmeetingweresuccessivelyremoved。Thedooropened,andtheSolitarystoodbeforeher,hisuncouthformandfeaturesilluminatedbytheironlampwhichheheldinhishand。
\"Enter,daughterofaffliction,\"hesaid,——\"enterthehouseofmisery。\"
Sheentered,andobserved,withaprecautionwhichincreasedhertrepidation,thattheRecluse’sfirstact,aftersettingthelampuponthetable,wastoreplacethenumerousboltswhichsecuredthedoorofhishut。Sheshrunkassheheardthenoisewhichaccompaniedthisominousoperation,yetrememberedRatcliffe’scaution,andendeavouredtosuppressallappearanceofapprehension。Thelightofthelampwasweakanduncertain;buttheSolitary,withouttakingimmediatenoticeofIsabella,otherwisethanbymotioninghertositdownonasmallsettlebesidethefireplace,madehastetokindlesomedryfurze,whichpresentlycastablazethroughthecottage。Woodenshelves,whichboreafewbooks,somebundlesofdriedherbs,andoneortwowoodencupsandplatters,wereononesideofthefire;ontheotherwereplacedsomeordinarytoolsoffield-labour,mingledwiththoseusedbymechanics。Wherethebedshouldhavebeen,therewasawoodenframe,strewedwithwitheredmossandrushes,thecouchoftheascetic。Thewholespaceofthecottagedidnotexceedtenfeetbysixwithinthewalls;anditsonlyfurniture,besideswhatwehavementioned,wasatableandtwostoolsformedofroughdeals。
WithinthesenarrowprecinctsIsabellanowfoundherselfenclosedwithabeing,whosehistoryhadnothingtoreassureher,andthefearfulconformationofwhosehideouscountenanceinspiredanalmostsuperstitiousterror。Heoccupiedtheseatoppositetoher,anddroppinghishugeandshaggyeyebrowsoverhispiercingblackeyes,gazedatherinsilence,asifagitatedbyavarietyofcontendingfeelings。OntheothersidesateIsabella,paleasdeath,herlonghairuncurledbytheeveningdamps,andfallingoverhershouldersandbreast,asthewetstreamersdroopfromthemastwhenthestormhaspassedaway,andleftthevesselstrandedonthebeach。TheDwarffirstbrokethesilencewiththesudden,abrupt,andalarmingquestion,——\"Woman,whatevilfatehasbroughttheehither?\"
\"Myfather’sdanger,andyourowncommand,\"sherepliedfaintly,butfirmly。
\"Andyouhopeforaidfromme?\"
\"Ifyoucanbestowit,\"shereplied,stillinthesametoneofmildsubmission。
\"AndhowshouldIpossessthatpower?\"continuedtheDwarf,withabittersneer;\"Isminetheformofaredresserofwrongs?Isthisthecastleinwhichonepowerfulenoughtobesuedtobyafairsuppliantislikelytoholdhisresidence?Ibutmockedthee,girl,whenIsaidIwouldrelievethee。\"
\"ThenmustIdepart,andfacemyfateasIbestmay!\"
\"No!\"saidtheDwarf,risingandinterposingbetweenherandthedoor,andmotioningtohersternlytoresumeherseat——\"No!youleavemenotinthisway;wemusthavefartherconference。Whyshouldonebeingdesireaidofanother?Whyshouldnoteachbesufficienttoitself?Lookroundyou——I,themostdespisedandmostdecrepitonNature’scommon,haverequiredsympathyandhelpfromnoone。Thesestonesareofmyownpiling;theseutensilsI
framedwithmyownhands;andwiththis\"——andhelaidhishandwithafiercesmileonthelongdaggerwhichhealwaysworebeneathhisgarment,andunsheatheditsofarthatthebladeglimmeredclearinthefire-light——\"withthis,\"hepursued,ashethrusttheweaponbackintothescabbard,\"Ican,ifnecessary,defendthevitalsparkenclosedinthispoortrunk,againstthefairestandstrongestthatshallthreatenmewithinjury。\"
ItwaswithdifficultyIsabellarefrainedfromscreamingoutaloud;butsheDIDrefrain。
\"This,\"continuedtheRecluse,\"isthelifeofnature,solitary,self-sufficing,andindependent。Thewolfcallsnotthewolftoaidhiminforminghisden;andthevultureinvitesnotanothertoassistherinstrikingdownherprey。\"
\"Andwhentheyareunabletoprocurethemselvessupport,\"saidIsabella,judiciouslythinkingthathewouldbemostaccessibletoargumentcouchedinhisownmetaphoricalstyle,\"whatthenistobefallthem?\"
\"Letthemstarve,die,andbeforgotten;itisthecommonlotofhumanity。\"
\"Itisthelotofthewildtribesofnature,\"saidIsabella,\"butchieflyofthosewhoaredestinedtosupportthemselvesbyrapine,whichbrooksnopartner;butitisnotthelawofnatureingeneral;eventhelowerordershaveconfederaciesformutualdefence。Butmankind——theracewouldperishdidtheyceasetoaideachother。——Fromthetimethatthemotherbindsthechild’shead,tillthemomentthatsomekindassistantwipesthedeath-
dampfromthebrowofthedying,wecannotexistwithoutmutualhelp。All,therefore,thatneedaid,haverighttoaskitoftheirfellow-mortals;noonewhohasthepowerofgrantingcanrefuseitwithoutguilt。\"
\"Andinthissimplehope,poormaiden,\"saidtheSolitary,\"thouhastcomeintothedesert,toseekonewhosewishitwerethattheleaguethouhastspokenofwerebrokenforever,andthat,inverytruth,thewholeraceshouldperish?Wertthounotfrightened?\"
\"Misery,\"saidIsabella,firmly,\"issuperiortofear。\"
\"Hastthounothearditsaidinthymortalworld,thatIhaveleaguedmyselfwithotherpowers,deformedtotheeyeandmalevolenttothehumanraceasmyself?Hastthounotheardthis——Anddostthouseekmycellatmidnight?\"
\"TheBeingIworshipsupportsmeagainstsuchidlefears,\"saidIsabella;buttheincreasingagitationofherbosombeliedtheaffectedcouragewhichherwordsexpressed。
\"Ho!ho!\"saidtheDwarf,\"thouvauntestthyselfaphilosopher?
Yet,shouldstthounothavethoughtofthedangerofintrustingthyself,youngandbeautiful,inthepowerofonesospitedagainsthumanity,astoplacehischiefpleasureindefacing,destroying,anddegradingherfairestworks?\"
Isabella,muchalarmed,continuedtoanswerwithfirmness,\"Whateverinjuriesyoumayhavesustainedintheworld,youareincapableofrevengingthemononewhoneverwrongedyou,nor,wilfully,anyother。\"
\"Ay,but,maiden,\"hecontinued,hisdarkeyesflashingwithanexpressionofmalignitywhichcommunicateditselftohiswildanddistortedfeatures,\"revengeisthehungrywolf,whichasksonlytotearfleshandlapblood。Thinkyouthelamb’spleaofinnocencewouldbelistenedtobyhim?\"
\"Man!\"saidIsabella,rising,andexpressingherselfwithmuchdignity,\"Ifearnotthehorribleideaswithwhichyouwouldimpressme。Icastthemfrommewithdisdain。Beyoumortalorfiend,youwouldnotofferinjurytoonewhosoughtyouasasuppliantinherutmostneed。Youwouldnot——youdurstnot。\"
\"Thousay’sttruly,maiden,\"rejoinedtheSolitary;\"Idarenot——Iwouldnot。Begonetothydwelling。Fearnothingwithwhichtheythreatenthee。Thouhastaskedmyprotection——thoushaltfinditeffectual。\"
\"But,father,thisverynightIhaveconsentedtowedthemanthatIabhor,orImustputthesealtomyfather’sruin。\"
\"Thisnight?——atwhathour?\"
\"Eremidnight。\"
\"Andtwilight,\"saidtheDwarf,\"hasalreadypassedaway。Butfearnothing,thereisampletimetoprotectthee。\"
\"Andmyfather?\"continuedIsabella,inasupplianttone。