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+Project Gutenberg's Dilemmas of Pride, (Vol 3 of 3), by Margracia Loudon
+
+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: Dilemmas of Pride, (Vol 3 of 3)
+
+Author: Margracia Loudon
+
+Release Date: January 24, 2011 [EBook #35058]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DILEMMAS OF PRIDE, (VOL 3 OF 3) ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Heather Clark, Mary Meehan and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from images generously made available
+by The Internet Archive)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                         DILEMMAS OF PRIDE.
+
+                         BY MARGRACIA LOUDON
+
+                      THE AUTHOR OF FIRST LOVE.
+
+    IN THREE VOLUMES.
+
+    VOL. III.
+
+    LONDON:
+
+    BULL AND CHURTON, HOLLES STREET.
+
+    1833.
+
+
+
+
+DILEMMAS OF PRIDE.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+
+We shall here pause for a few moments to give a slight sketch of the
+principal agent employed by Geoffery in this part of the business, and
+indeed in the conduct of the whole affair.
+
+In Arden, the neighbouring county town, there lived a solicitor, who,
+unfortunately for the honour of humanity and his own especial calling,
+was without exception, the most thorough-paced villain unhanged; nay,
+many have been hanged who were not half as bad; for this man was not
+only without remorse of conscience, but also without remorse of heart.
+His only reason for committing more robberies than murders was, that the
+former crime was in general more profitable than the latter; but as to
+who died the lingering death of a broken heart, he cared not, so long as
+he gained a few pounds by the transaction.
+
+He was known for a mean contemptible fellow, and consequently possessed
+but little of the confidence of the higher orders, so that when he could
+catch a gentleman to plunder, it was a sort of prize in the lottery to
+him; but unfortunate tradesmen in a little way, were his natural prey:
+to such, when perishing in the gulf of misery, he pretended to stretch a
+helping hand, but with that very hand assisted in the work of
+destruction, and finally possessed himself of the wreck of their
+fortunes. This fellow, by name Fips, had long been Geoffery Arden's
+right-hand man, and for all his services had invariably been one way or
+other payed out of Sir Willoughby's pocket. Such was the fitting
+coadjutor to whom Geoffery applied for that assistance which the present
+momentous occasion demanded, as the following interview will show
+without absolutely committing himself.
+
+Fips, who had just dined, was seated in an old-fashioned black-bottomed
+mahogany arm-chair, which he filled, or rather over-filled, in much the
+same manner as a feather-bed tucked into the same piece of furniture
+would have done; and had there been a cord tied round the centre of the
+said bed as a convenient mode of carriage, it would have bisected its
+yielding rotundity, just as the single middle button of Mr. Fips's
+waistcoat did that of the wearer.
+
+With a hand so fat that it could scarcely grasp the decanter, yet
+trembling from habitual excess, Fips was helping himself to the last
+glass of the bottle of port with which he had followed up liberal
+potations of brandy and water, not water and brandy, swallowed during
+dinner; while the flabby cheeks, double chin, and bottle-nose of the
+sot, his health being none of the best, partook more of the purple hue
+than of the lively living red. Beside him sat his only daughter and sole
+domestic companion, Miss Fips. She was about six-and-twenty, and but for
+the showy vulgarity of her dress, the unshrinking boldness of her
+demeanour, and the rouge with which she unnecessarily heightened her
+complexion, she would have been extremely handsome, her figure being
+well made and showy, though on rather a large scale; her hair redundant,
+black, and glossy, and dressed in numberless gigantic bows, which sat _à
+merveille_, the tresses of which they were formed being strong in
+texture as a horse's mane; her eyes were large, dark and bold; her
+features regular--lips full--teeth large but good--and skin, though
+coarse, of a snowy white.
+
+"Ha, Fips, how are ye?" said Geoffery entering. He next made his
+salutations to the lady, with a marked effort of gallantry in his
+manner.--"So you have been making merry alone, I see, old fellow," he
+added, turning again to Fips; "and I am just come in time for the empty
+bottle."
+
+"Never mind, we'll have it changed for a full one. Come, sit ye down.
+Deb, go send us in a bottle of claret. Strange news afloat, Mr. Arden!"
+he added, as Deborah disappeared.
+
+"Stranger perhaps than you imagine, Fips," replied Geoffery with well
+affected solemnity. "Indeed, the only conclusion at which it is possible
+to arrive, after an impartial review of the circumstances," he pursued,
+lowering his voice, "is too horrible to be thought of. For myself, I am
+as you will allow very painfully situated. If a '_most foul and
+unnatural murder_' has been committed, it would be dastardly and
+contemptible in me, the nearest in blood, to suffer the murderer to
+escape, merely from a want of activity and decision in seeking out and
+bringing together sufficient evidence. Yet on the other hand, should my
+cousin, as I _sincerely_ hope he may, prove innocent, it might appear
+invidious in me, the next heir, to have evinced what, though but a
+respect for justice, might be misconstrued into a too great willingness
+to find him guilty." Here the entrance of the claret and the consequent
+discussion of its merits for a time interrupted the conversation.
+
+"The object of my visit," said Geoffery, when the wine had been
+pronounced excellent, "is to crave once more that which I have so often
+before found useful--your friendly advice and assistance. What in fact I
+at present stand most in need of, is a friend whose disinterested
+exertions should ensure the ends of justice being answered, without my
+appearing to take an active part in this truly shocking affair."
+
+"Humph," said Fips, who by all this as perfectly understood as though it
+had been said in as many words, that the secret service required of him,
+and for which, if successful, he should no doubt be munificently
+rewarded, was to hang Sir Alfred Arden, whether innocent or guilty; and
+by so doing, give Geoffery, who was the inevitable heir, by a strict
+male entail, possession of the title and estates.
+
+Geoffery proceeded to give Fips an account of the circumstances
+connected with the melancholy event, in a manner ingeniously calculated
+to exhibit those features of the case most susceptible of exaggeration
+or misrepresentation; he also recapitulated his own examination of the
+several servants, thus giving Fips an opportunity of judging what
+witnesses might, if necessary, be found most available.
+
+"For that matter," he added, "if you could find an opportunity yourself
+of conversing with these people, it might be desirable; you would
+understand the subject more fully."
+
+Something was next said of the impropriety of suffering the public mind,
+and, through so all-pervading a medium, future judges and juries to be
+_prejudiced_ by the _general high_ character and seeming amiability of
+Sir Alfred, for such qualities were no palliation of the crime, if
+indeed, as he feared there could be no doubt, it had been committed.
+
+There was another point of infinite importance, which was, that the
+business should not be allowed to pass over without any investigation,
+as might be the case, if, for one reason or other, every one thought it
+necessary to be supine. He would himself be glad, if possible, to avoid
+taking an active part, yet something must be done; he should never
+forgive himself if the time for investigation were allowed to pass by,
+and the waves of oblivion to close over so shocking a transaction.
+While, on the other hand, if Sir Alfred were perfectly innocent, which,
+notwithstanding appearances, he should still be too happy to find the
+case, it would be the most cruel injustice to him, not to wipe out this
+foul stain from his reputation by a full and fair inquiry. He would have
+little reason to thank the friends, who, from false delicacy, had
+suffered the proper occasion for so doing to pass over. At the same time
+it was very desirable that the necessary steps should be taken with the
+greatest possible delicacy; no one should appear to entertain a
+suspicion until the force of evidence should compel conviction.
+
+"This is the line of conduct," continued Geoffery, "which I mean to
+observe with Sir Alfred, who, I know, has himself at present no
+apprehension that any suspicions are afloat. He gives out, it seems, and
+expects the public to believe, that his brother died of a fit of
+apoplexy. The Doctor, it is true, did allow that the symptoms were such
+as might have attended a sudden seizure of the kind."
+
+To keep his unsuspecting kinsman as long as possible in the dark by this
+pretended delicacy, was, as we have said, a part of Geoffery's hellish
+plot. He had contrived, under the mask of sympathy, to put a few
+important questions to Alfred, and the answers to these had been such,
+as very materially to increase his hopes of ultimate success. But he
+knew that if Alfred were informed that such a surmise, as that of his
+having wilfully murdered his poor brother, had found a place in the mind
+of any being upon earth, he would of course immediately come forward,
+and court the fullest investigation. And though it did not follow that
+even this must clear him, his avoiding inquiry, as Geoffery knew he
+would continue to do, while under his present impression, would furnish,
+when connected with the circumstances that must come out in evidence, a
+strong presumption of guilt.
+
+"Humph! humph!" uttered from time to time with the intonation of a fat
+pig wallowing in mud, had been the cautious comment of the sagacious Mr.
+Fips, during this lengthened tirade, except indeed that an involuntary
+exclamation of "No! That's good!" had broken from him on the mention of
+the piece of paper marked "_Poison_" having fallen from within the
+breast of Sir Alfred's waistcoat, and again, "That's better still,"
+accompanied by a resounding stroke of his clenched hand on the table,
+when Geoffery came to his having himself seen the missing packet of
+arsenic in Sir Alfred's escritoire.
+
+"I am always happy to oblige you, Mr. Arden," at length commenced Mr.
+Fips; "but after all, this is a kind of thing which cannot be said to be
+much in the way of my business; without, indeed, it could be contrived
+that I was to be attorney for the prosecution; for that there will be a
+prosecution there can be no doubt from what you tell me. I had heard all
+before, certainly in the way of report, but I had no idea it could be at
+all true;--I had no notion you had so good a case."
+
+Geoffery undertook to arrange that Fips should be the attorney employed.
+"You have often, Fips," he continued, "conducted business for me in the
+most liberal and friendly manner, when it was not in my power to
+remunerate your services as they merited; should I however have the
+misfortune--for misfortune I must call it, taking all the circumstances
+into consideration--to succeed to the Arden estates on the _present_
+occasion, to repay amply all your past _disinterested_ friendship shall
+be my first care. You shall not only have the agency, which is no
+trifle, but a handsome annuity beside; and that not only for your own
+life, but also secured to your daughter; unless indeed, means can be
+devised," he added, smiling, "of identifying her interest with those of
+the owner of the estates themselves. I have hitherto been deterred," he
+added with an affectation of great candour, "from mentioning this
+subject by my poverty, and consequent inability to marry; but my
+admiration of Miss Fips, I think you must have seen."
+
+Fips was of course profuse in his thanks for the intended honour; not
+that he felt unbounded confidence in the sincerity of the _soi-disant_
+lover, of whose pride and ambition he was perfectly aware: he did not
+however despair, considering the present aspect of affairs of having his
+client in a short time so completely in his power, as to be able to
+enforce the fulfilment of any hopes which the latter might at present
+think it good policy to hold out. And having now a sufficient "spur" of
+self-interest "to prick the sides of his intent," he entered into the
+business in good earnest, took down notes of hints to be followed up,
+reports to be circulated, persons to be called upon, and especially an
+embassy of a most delicate nature to the coroner.
+
+That functionary was to be requested on the part of Mr. Geoffery Arden,
+to make use of the information which he felt it his imperative duty to
+convey to him, without noticing Mr. Arden's interference, in
+consideration of the very painful situation in which the latter found
+himself placed; and in short, come forward in his official capacity as
+feeling himself called upon so to do, by the nature of the reports which
+had gone abroad. After this preamble, Mr. Fips was to inform the coroner
+at length of every suspicious circumstance; to indicate to him where the
+missing paper of arsenic was to be found; and to request that he would
+require the attendance of the medical gentlemen, and enforce the opening
+of the body, which had hitherto been resisted. All this was followed up
+with hypocritical declarations, that as nothing short of the most
+positive proofs could induce Mr. Geoffery Arden to believe his cousin
+guilty, he could not, though feeling investigation a duty, endure the
+idea of standing forward his accuser, while there remained a possibility
+of his being proved innocent.
+
+Each time Fips had occasion to speak, whether in question or reply,
+while thus receiving his instructions, he would commit some seeming
+inadvertency of expression, almost removing the flimsy veil from the
+nature of the services required of him; and whenever he did this, he
+would look full in Geoffery's face. But that wary tactician as often
+dropped his eyelids, and replied, with hypocritical calmness, in the
+same key of caution in which he had commenced.
+
+At length Fips pronounced it time for him to go out; and by the third
+effort, succeeding in disengaging himself from his arm-chair; then, with
+some difficulty bringing together the lower buttons and button-holes of
+his waistcoat, which, while in a sitting position, gaped full half a
+yard asunder, he departed, telling Geoffery, he might if he pleased, now
+that he had talked business with him over a glass of wine, take the
+opportunity of the hour or two he should be absent, to talk love to his
+daughter, over a cup of tea.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+
+As Colonel Trump says, "There is nothing forbidding to any man, about a
+fine woman." Geoffery, therefore, now that he had placed more serious
+concerns in such excellent hands, had no objection to the recreation of
+a _tête-a-tête_ on the footing of a received lover, with a young woman,
+whose personal attractions were above mediocrity, and whose modesty was
+not likely to be troublesome; while from her inferiority of station, her
+ideas of the high honour conferred on her by the gentleman's addresses
+were calculated to smooth the way to advances, which an equal might have
+thought impertinent, or at least premature.
+
+When, therefore, Mr. Fips returned, after an absence of full two hours,
+he found the candle-wicks ominously long, and neither the tea-things nor
+the lover sent away.
+
+Yet Geoffery had not the most distant thought of making Miss Fips his
+wife; unless, indeed, circumstances compelled him so entirely to commit
+himself to Mr. Fips, as to be completely in his power, and so make it a
+matter of prudence to secure his secrecy, by what, with too many, is the
+only infallible bond of good faith, identity of interest. But, if on the
+other hand, he should be so fortunate as not to be obliged to make use
+of Fips, more than as a tool, with which to work up the material in the
+way of extraordinary combinations of circumstances that fate seemed so
+liberally to have provided; and that, by the operation of those so
+worked, he should succeed in obtaining what had so long been the object,
+though for many years back the hopeless one, of his ambition--the Arden
+estates, Fips having nothing more to bring against him than surmises
+that the acquisition was not disagreeable to him--he should set at
+nought the tears of Miss Fips, and merely keep Fips's tongue at bay,
+with the agency _at will_: and as that was a thing which some one must
+have, it was an excellent way of securing the fellow's services first,
+and even his good behaviour afterwards, on very reasonable terms. For
+the present, however, while all was yet at stake; while there was no
+saying what villany might be necessary to carry him through; it was
+highly politic, to give Fips, at the outset, a motive, which would make
+him ready to perform any service that might be required of him.
+
+Geoffery's calculations were perfectly just: Fips had indeed been
+indefatigable; and, during the two hours he had been out, had not only
+performed his delicate mission to the coroner, with consummate skill;
+but had contrived to drop in at innumerable houses, and, on pretext of
+asking the news, to give circulation to many evil reports and wicked
+surmises. He gossiped away, in particular, about there having existed
+but little cordiality between the brothers of late, in consequence of an
+unfortunate rivalship; in which, too, he said it must be confessed that
+Sir Alfred was very ill-treated. And the lady was an heiress too; so
+that Sir Alfred being a younger brother, the match was a great object to
+him. He had been accepted, in fact (the lawyer declared that he had it
+on the best authority), when Sir Willoughby, most ungenerously
+interfered, and by the strength of his purse, carried off the prize.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+
+In consequence of the message of Geoffery, as conveyed by his
+unprincipled tool, Mr. Fips, together with the reports already in
+circulation, the coroner felt it his duty to visit Arden in his official
+capacity.
+
+Alfred had hitherto, as we have stated, indulged his mournful feelings,
+by remaining entirely secluded.
+
+He had given the necessary orders for the funeral, on that scale of
+magnificence, which the rank, but still more the immense fortune of the
+deceased called for; and was beginning to flatter himself, that his
+endeavours to prevent the idea of a suicide becoming prevalent had been
+successful, and that there would be no unpleasant interference.
+
+On being apprized, however, of the arrival of the coroner, he again felt
+some uneasiness on this head.
+
+He knew that the suspicion he had himself so long entertained, of
+Willoughby's liability to derangement, had been ever buried in his own
+bosom. He even knew, strange as it may seem that such should be the
+privilege granted to affection, that his brother, though he loved him
+better than any one else in the world, had never been half so odd and
+inconsistent in temper, towards any one, as towards himself; and still
+more, that even latterly, since the actual presence of derangement had
+to Alfred been clearly evident, yet, from the turn it had taken, of
+seemingly exuberant spirits, it had been apparent only to the anxious,
+watchful, constant companion, which was himself; and was not of a nature
+to be seen through by the careless apprehensions of servants, during
+merely casual attendance; but, on the contrary, was rather calculated to
+convey to them the idea that their master enjoyed more than his usual
+health and spirits. Altogether, then, it rested on his own single,
+unsupported evidence, to prove that his brother had been deranged, and
+was therefore entitled to Christian burial. He was probably not aware,
+how much the admission of insanity in those cases, is, in general,
+matter of form. And little did he think, that it was his own life and
+reputation which were at stake, and that the preservation of the one,
+and the restoration of the other, rested also on his own single,
+unsupported evidence: nay, that every thing he had ever generously or
+kindly done, to hide the infirmities, or spare the feelings of others,
+would now be ranged in evidence against himself.
+
+The coroner, in consequence of the secret information with which he had
+been supplied, came provided with a warrant to search for the missing
+packet of poison. His first step was, to demand Sir Alfred's keys; his
+next, a request to be shown Sir Alfred's escritoire; on opening which,
+he drew forth, to the evident horror of all present, the paper of
+arsenic. He held it on the open palm of his extended hand, for some
+moments; looking round, as he did so, with a countenance of great
+solemnity, and, to do him justice, of sorrow. Then, delivering the
+packet into safe keeping, he proceeded, by virtue of his official
+authority, to require that the body of the deceased should be opened.
+
+So slow was Alfred in suspecting the truth, that he still believed the
+coroner's sole view was to ascertain whether or not his brother had put
+a period to his own existence. He was, however, now obliged to submit to
+the required examination, the result of which was, a unanimous opinion
+on the part of the medical men present, that Sir Willoughby had died
+from the effects of poison, probably arsenic, but that this point might
+be placed beyond a doubt, the contents of the stomach were reserved to
+be subjected to the proper tests.
+
+The coroner then holding his inquest in the very library in which the
+melancholy event had taken place, the servants, and all persons
+connected or supposed to be connected with the affair were severally
+examined. Doctor Harman, on being required so to do, produced the fatal
+scrap of paper which he had seen fall from within the breast of Sir
+Alfred's waistcoat, and the actual arsenic which, by the test of
+reduction he had obtained from the sediment in the glass that Sir Alfred
+had attempted to rinse in his presence. The packet of arsenic was
+examined: it was perceived that a portion of its outer envelope had been
+torn away, the torn part was compared with the piece so seen to fall
+from the breast of Sir Alfred. The fitting together of every
+irregularity of the sundered portions, the texture of the material, the
+peculiar characters, being those of print yet done with a pen, in which
+the two words, "_Arsenic, Poison_," were distinctly legible, the one on
+the one part, the other on the other, all clearly proved the smaller
+piece of paper to have once been a part of that which still contained
+the arsenic. The answers of the persons examined then went on to prove
+the various facts of the glasses having been wiped the moment before
+they were brought in--of the impossibility from the situation of the
+arsenic, of any portion of it having fallen accidentally into either of
+them--of Sir Alfred having been seen in the afternoon coming from the
+saddle-room alone--of his previous knowledge where the arsenic lay--of
+the brothers having supped together, and no third person having entered
+the room from the time the tray had been carried in, till the alarm had
+been given by Sir Alfred, and Sir Willoughby found in the agonies of
+death--of the order for antidotes--the attempt to rinse the glass, &c.
+&c. &c.--and, finally, of Sir Alfred's having since refused to allow the
+body to be opened.
+
+Although it was easily evident to all, but Sir Alfred himself, that the
+tendency of this examination was to prove him the wilful murderer of his
+brother, so remote was the apprehension of such a suspicion from his
+pure, exalted, and preoccupied thoughts, that he was long, indeed, in
+comprehending the nature of the proceedings. When, however, it became no
+longer possible to avoid drawing from all that was passing, the too
+evident conclusion to which every question and reply directly led, his
+horror was little short of that with which he would have contemplated
+the actual commission of the crime, had some fiend possessed the power
+of requiring of him such a service.
+
+We shall not make any attempt to describe the outraged feelings of our
+hero on this afflicting occasion; but simply state the result of the
+proceedings, which was, that the coroner felt it his painful duty to
+commit Sir Alfred.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+The committal of Sir Alfred Arden for the murder of his twin brother
+occupied, of course, the attention of the whole country, and became for
+a time, almost the sole topic of conversation. The very enormity of the
+crime would, with many, have been a sufficient reason for disbelieving
+the guilt of the accused; particularly when his amiable temper, gentle
+manners, and honourable character were taken into consideration; but the
+malignity which was layed at the root of the story at its earliest
+promulgation, accompanied the ramifications of report in every
+direction. Surmises were ingeniously mingled with facts; motives
+confidently attributed to the simplest and most innocent actions, as
+well as to those which unfortunately had a suspicious appearance; and
+ready-made opinions, prejudging the case, were artfully scattered
+abroad, to be picked up by the many who wanted the power or the habit of
+thinking for themselves.
+
+Thus, though the personal friends of our hero flocked around him,
+offering him their utmost support, and refusing to give credit to any
+allegations derogatory to his honour, still among the indifferent and
+the slightly acquainted, an almost universal cry of consternation and
+horror was got up. People moralized about the temptation of great
+riches, quoted scripture to the same effect, but said the passage ought
+to have been translated, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye
+of a needle than for a _man who covets_ riches to enter into the kingdom
+of God." Others, in a more sentimental strain, spoke of the parties
+being not only brothers, but twin brothers; and dwelt upon the great
+affection Sir Willoughby had always shown to Sir Alfred! recounted every
+exaggerated particular of the rivalship; descanted on jealousy, and
+repeated from history, ancient and modern, numberless instances of
+crimes of the blackest die, of which that passion, from the commencement
+of the world to the present day, had been the fruitful source.
+
+Here the report of Sir Alfred having been very ill-treated in the
+business, had its effect; and was adduced, though not, of course, in
+extenuation of such a crime; yet, as accounting for it on principles
+which experience acknowledged.
+
+What passion so savage as revenge; what revenge so dire as that which is
+born of jealousy!
+
+Mr. Fips, as a perfectly disinterested person, had, on one pretext or
+other, contrived to have some conversation with most of Sir Willoughby's
+servants, and in the course of such conversation, to insinuate the
+suggestions, and induce the replies, that best suited his purpose; while
+with long words, long faces, and terrific-sounding technicalities, he
+managed to arouse their selfish fears, to a degree which banished all
+better feelings. Then he would shake his head, and allowing his double
+chin to hang with hypocritical despondency, most devoutly hope that poor
+Sir Alfred might be found innocent. "In that case," he would add, "it
+will go hard with some of you, for the poison did not get into the glass
+without hands; and more likely, I say, to be by any other hands, than
+those of his own brother." By arts like these, instead of the
+affectionate respect for our hero, the indignant rejection of the idea
+of its being possible that he could have committed such a crime, which
+had else been the spontaneous sentiments of all the household, some were
+unconsciously rendered almost willing to hear their once beloved young
+master proved guilty, as the only means of clearing and saving
+themselves. Such thoughts, however, naturally produced an inward
+discontent, that, in its turn, gave to their outward demeanour a
+sullenness and gloom, which had a most baneful effect on the judgments
+of all with whom they came in contact; for it seemed to those who knew
+not how it had been produced, to indicate a secret conviction of the
+guilt of their master.
+
+A thousand times each day was the butler asked by some one of the party
+assembled in the housekeeper's room at Arden, if he were sure the
+glasses were quite clean when he took them into the library. Of course
+he always declared they were, on which, another of the conclave, in a
+stage whisper, and with a face of mystery, would follow it up, by
+saying,
+
+"Well, and from that, till we were all called in to see him in the
+agonies of death, there was no one near the room but their two selves."
+
+"And wasn't the sediment the Doctor found in the bottom of the glass,
+arsenic?" observed a third.
+
+"And didn't he offer to rinse the glass?" a fourth would ask; "and what
+could that be for?"
+
+"And so fond of one another as they used to be when they were boys!"
+ejaculated a fifth.
+
+"It's never been for the estate," said one of the women, and the rest of
+the female committee agreed with her, that it was owing to both brothers
+fixing their fancy on the same lady, and that Sir Alfred, that was the
+handsomest gentleman of the two by far, could not abide being turned off
+for him that had the fortune. There was many a young man, they observed,
+that had been the death of the girl that he was fond of, sooner than she
+should leave him, to go with another.
+
+"And to give it to him at supper-time, too," said the gardener, who was
+a great politician, "thinking it would be put into the newspaper 'found
+dead in his bed,' and so hear no more of it."
+
+The old butler could not endure all this, and was so irritated by it,
+that he would have quitted the house, but that Lady Arden was expected.
+Poor Lewin, who had long been failing, was overwhelmed by the blow; he
+became almost childish, at least quite lost his memory, for though he
+wept incessantly, he scarcely seemed to know why--sometimes speaking of
+Sir Willoughby as still alive, and sometimes of both brothers as already
+dead. While at other times, he would attempt to play on the harp, as
+though nothing had happened, and seem to think it a great hardship,
+when, from respect to decorum, he was checked by the other servants.
+
+Whenever this occurred, he would sit for hours sounding, one by one,
+single strings, as if by stealth, with the silent tears of wounded
+vanity rolling down his cheeks, fancying, poor old man, that it was his
+music that was despised.
+
+Thus, ever ready to poison joy, or add bitterness to grief, _Pride_,
+that arch enemy of our peace, still survives, when the mind is else a
+wreck.
+
+_Pride_ is surely that evil spirit portrayed in scripture as "wandering
+to and fro, seeking whom he may devour;" that is, whom he may make
+wicked--whom he may make miserable; deceiving even the generous of
+heart, by exalting them in their own opinion, till their _pride_
+requires of others a homage which the _pride_ of others will not yield;
+and so, resenting the supposed deficiency, they cease to be in charity
+with all men.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+
+Lady Arden was in town, and busied in preparations for the marriage of
+Madeline, when Alfred's letter, announcing the sudden death of Sir
+Willoughby, reached her. The signs and trappings of approaching
+festivity were, of course, changed for those of mourning. But who shall
+describe the consternation of this affectionate mother, when the
+astounding intelligence was brought to her, that her child, her darling,
+her favourite, now her only son, was actually committed to a felon's
+prison, accused of the murder of his brother.
+
+It was some moments before her comprehension could grasp the whole
+extent of the horrors connected with such an intimation. She was
+bewildered, she seemed to be in a trance; yet, through it all, her own
+perfect knowledge of the utter impossibility of such an accusation
+having the slightest foundation in truth, was a kind of upholding to her
+spirit, inasmuch as it appeared also impossible to her mind, that any
+being could give reception to such a thought. Unable to speak
+connectedly, she alternated the expressions, "No, no----Oh no,"
+continually, while looking round her with a strange wild eye, that
+seemed to flash, yet saw not.
+
+The want she felt was to be with her son; but though she moved rapidly,
+and often turned quite round, she was incapable, at the time, of
+distinguishing the door from the windows of the apartment she was in.
+
+It was only by the kind intervention of Mrs. Dorothea, that Lady Arden's
+wishes were at length understood, and accomplished.
+
+Mrs. Dorothea was in town for the purpose of being present at Madeline's
+wedding; which was so far fortunate, as she was, on the present
+occasion, a great support to her afflicted sister-in-law; and kindly
+accompanied her on her journey to Arden.
+
+On entering the town. Lady Arden was asked where she would choose to go.
+"Where?" she repeated, "Take me where he is."
+
+She was driven to the gates of the gaol; she looked at them, and at Mrs.
+Dorothea.
+
+When last she had passed through the streets of Arden, the triumphal
+arches and laurel wreaths, the remnants of the previous day's
+rejoicings, for the coming of age of her twin sons, were not yet taken
+down.--Now, one son lay a quarter of a mile distant, within the stately
+mansion of his fathers, a yet unburied corse;--she waited at the door of
+a common prison for admittance to the other.
+
+Mrs. Dorothea's eyes met hers, but neither spoke. Becoming suddenly
+collected, Lady Arden alighted from the carriage with a firm step, and
+entered the dismal precincts as proudly as though the portals of a
+palace had received her.
+
+Alfred had been warned of her approach. He stood breathless, and with a
+beating heart. Without a word uttered on either side, they rushed into
+each other's arms. In continued silence the mother held the son to her
+bosom, as though she felt, instinctively, that it was his natural
+sanctuary.
+
+Though at first melted by the tenderest sorrow, in the embraces of his
+parent, our hero soon assumed a noble firmness. He had already passed
+eight-and-forty hours in solitary reflection on his extraordinary fate.
+
+"I do not ask you, mother," he said, "not weep, for we have a common
+cause of sorrow in the untimely and sudden death of my poor brother: but
+add not one tear for me; believe me, there is not, there cannot be, a
+shadow of danger in the position in which I stand; although public
+opinion, I am told, is against me. Is it not," he added, in an altered
+tone, "a degrading view of human nature, to see that so many individuals
+should be found ready to believe such a crime possible? As to the result
+of a fair and open trial, however, I repeat it, I have no fears!
+
+"In a land professing to prefer mercy before judgment; in a land with
+laws so constituted, that lest an error should be committed on the side
+of severity, the criminal, whom all know to be guilty, is allowed to
+escape unpunished, if but a technicality of legal proof be wanting; in a
+land, one of the boasts of which is, that no man is required to prove
+his own innocence, but that all are by law innocent until proved guilty;
+in such a land it must be quite impossible that, on mere appearances,
+they should strip of honour and of life one whose thoughts were never
+visited by the conception of a crime! Nay, I speak it not in unchristian
+pride, but, compared with that of which they would accuse me, I feel
+that I am innocent indeed!"
+
+After a long pause, during which they had gazed silently in each other's
+faces, Alfred, as a sort of effort to converse, said, "How much we are
+struck with the merest common-places, when they happen to suit our own
+individual case: 'innocent as the babe unborn,' now seems to me a
+beautiful expression."
+
+Lady Arden felt much comforted by the firmness of her son;--his views
+were her own; though within the walls of a prison, and surrounded with
+every practical proof of the peril in which he stood, she could not look
+at Alfred, his lofty carriage, the nobleness of his brow, and force her
+imagination to associate with him the idea of a condemned criminal--it
+seemed a thing impossible! "No!" she haughtily exclaimed, "acquitted he
+must be, but how have they dared to accuse him?"
+
+Alfred now explained the hitherto unexpressed fears, which he had so
+long entertained, respecting his brother's state of mind, and went into
+all the particulars of his late return to Arden, and subsequent death.
+As he drew up in array the extraordinary circumstances, inexplicable to
+any one but himself, on which the accusation against him was founded,
+Lady Arden felt a pang of terror paralyse her heart, but as his simple
+explanations followed, she would exclaim, "Is not that sufficient? Is
+not that sufficient?"
+
+"In the mouth of an impartial witness, such explanations would be
+all-sufficient," he replied, "but remember I am the person accused."
+
+"Accused!" she repeated, then gazed with a mother's rapturous love, on
+the guileless expression of his parted lip, as to comfort her he tried
+to smile, she fondly poured forth expressions of endearment.
+
+"Alfred, my child! my mild, my innocent, my beautiful Alfred! my gentle,
+my affectionate, my noble Alfred!" She paused, and, by the working of
+her features, terrible thoughts seemed to pass in view before her.
+
+"Oh, impossible!" she suddenly exclaimed, clasping him with convulsive
+agony to her breast, "quite impossible! But if they are so mad," she
+added, in a hurried tone of subdued agony, "they shall saw these arms
+asunder before they take him from me!" He was too much affected to
+reply. Again she looked at him in silence for a time, then added, almost
+fiercely,
+
+"There must be means, and I will find them! What! allow them to murder
+him! No--no--I rave, my son. Dreams of horror belong to these
+walls----but I have no fears--no fears--no fears--I say I have no
+fears--it is quite, quite impossible!" Even while reiterating that she
+had no fears, her voice had faltered, and now she burst into a passion
+of tears, which the effort to brave her feelings quickly changed to an
+hysterical affection.
+
+This became so serious, and lasted so long, that she was obliged to be
+carried home, and conveyed to bed, where the kindhearted Mrs. Dorothea,
+took the post of friendship beside her pillow.
+
+Yet this was, by no means, the most agonizing period of this season of
+trial. The situation was too novel to be comprehended in its full
+extent. There was, as yet, more of incredulous amazement, and of proud
+defiance of the accuser, than of despair or even of apprehension in the
+feelings both of Lady Arden and of Alfred. They were both at present
+more indignant that such an outrage had been offered, and that
+submission to insulting and degrading forms was still necessary, than
+seriously alarmed as to future consequences.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+
+In the parlour to which we have already been introduced, sat Mr.
+Fips--over his wine it must be confessed, yet apparently uniting the
+_utile et dulce_, for beside his bottle of port stood an ink-bottle;
+amid walnut-shells and remnants of biscuit lay sundry long-shaped folded
+papers, and though he held a glass in his hand, from which he sipped
+from time to time, there was a pen behind his ear; his wig was pushed on
+one side and Geoffery was his companion.
+
+"Should we not subpoena Lady Arden?" asked Fips.
+
+"By all means," replied Geoffery, "her evidence will be of great
+importance: we can prove by it, that Sir Alfred had actually made
+proposals to and been accepted by Lady Caroline, the very day before his
+brother came to town: and also, that he felt his disappointment much
+more bitterly than was generally supposed."
+
+Here Geoffery repeated the particulars of a conversation on the subject,
+which it may be remembered he once overheard, between Lady Arden and her
+son. And Fips took down notes, for suggesting questions to counsel.
+
+"Do you think," he said, "there would be any use in sending subpoenas
+to Lady Palliser and her daughter?"
+
+"No, on the contrary, I have reason to suspect, some circumstances might
+come out on their examination, rather calculated to raise a doubt in the
+minds of jurors; I am therefore better pleased that they are on the
+continent."
+
+"When did they go abroad?"
+
+"A short time before the death of Sir Willoughby; immediately after his
+return to Arden."
+
+"Are they likely to be brought forward on the other side, think you?"
+
+"I should say not: from the conversations I have had with Sir Alfred, I
+should think that he was not at all aware that their evidence could be
+of the slightest service to him."
+
+"You seem to have more reasons for thinking so, Mr. Arden," said Fips,
+"than you have been pleased to confide to me. Now 'tis well and wisely
+said, that a man, for his own sake, should have no secrets either from
+his doctor or his lawyer. That, however, is your look out; I can only
+serve you to the best of my ability, as far as my information goes."
+
+"Which is quite as far as mine, I assure you Fips. It was merely my own
+surmise, that Sir Willoughby might not have been quite as well received
+latterly as his vanity had, at first, led him to believe he should be.
+Now, I naturally thought that such an idea being promulgated, might
+suggest the possibility of Sir Willoughby's having taken the poison
+himself; which idea, though not amounting to evidence on either side,
+might, as I said before, raise doubts in the minds of a jury, calculated
+to bias their judgments, and so defeat the ends of justice."
+
+"I thought," observed Fips, sulkily, for he fancied he saw that Geoffery
+was playing an underhand game, "I understood you to have said, you had
+reasons for your opinion."
+
+"Yes, so I have--those I have just stated."
+
+He had others, however, which he had not stated, because, as we have
+said, he did not wish to put himself absolutely in Fips's power, unless
+there should be no other means of gaining his end.
+
+"His sisters too," continued Geoffery, "and his aunt Mrs. Dorothea, can
+be produced to prove so far, that Sir Alfred, before the appearance of
+his brother on the stage, was an assiduous, and believed himself to be a
+favoured lover. I do not mean to say, that either this or Lady Arden's
+evidence would be any proof of Sir Alfred's guilt; but, by adding the
+incentives of jealousy and revenge to that of mere avarice, it makes his
+having committed the crime much less improbable, and must therefore
+influence, more or less, the minds of the jury."
+
+When the various subjects under discussion were arranged and the bottle
+of port finished, Mr. Fips repaired to his office--for he was a labourer
+at his vocation, late, as well as early--while Geoffery, whom the
+strains of a female voice, accompanied by a pianoforte, had been long
+inviting to the drawing-room, repaired thither.
+
+Miss Fips, as the only child of Mr. Fips, was destined to be the
+receiver of stolen goods to a large amount; or, in other words, to
+inherit all the money her father had scraped together. She had therefore
+been sent to a London boarding-school, to receive an education
+proportionate to her fortune. Her Italian singing-master, called her
+voice a made one. He had found it impossible to give her either ear or
+taste; while the unshrinking audacity with which she caricatured a
+_bravura_, gave to her performance the semblance of having been got up
+on purpose for a burlesque: a stranger would seriously have thought,
+that the most polite thing they could do was to stand by and laugh
+openly. Her shakes were shudders, and seemed to have been produced by a
+sort of second-sight view of some approaching horror, invisible to all
+beside. Her prolonged notes resembled the howls of a chained dog, on a
+moonlight night; while her abrupt changes, and impassioned passages,
+were the starts and yells of a maniac.
+
+Without somewhat of the grace of natural timidity, the most splendid
+performance could scarcely please; with what feeling then, but that of
+unqualified disgust, could such a display as we have just described have
+been witnessed; while Geoffery, who had the part of a lover not only of
+music, but of the lady to maintain, was thereby called upon to enact
+raptures.
+
+Fips's wife had died, in giving birth to this only child. Fips was then
+a poor clerk. When the child began to require the aid of a first school,
+he lodged in a garret, and dined in a cellar, that he might be able to
+defray the expense. Yet, strange to say, notwithstanding this seeming
+noble self-denial, his was not a worthy nor a genuine affection; he was
+incapable of such. In the first place, he was naturally a man of
+parsimonious habits, and imbued with a prudent sense of the necessity of
+giving to persons unprovided for, at least an education, that they might
+be able to do something for themselves. The sentiment, however, which he
+mistook for affection, was little better than gratified vanity. The
+child happened to be very beautiful; to which his attention was
+particularly drawn, by the circumstance of his being often obliged, for
+want of mother or nurse-maid, to walk out with it himself. When he did
+so, almost every one they met would turn to look or to make some comment
+as they passed. Sometimes, groups would stop and speak to the child;
+kiss it, ask it to shake hands, &c. On such occasions Fips would stop
+also, and becoming imboldened, desire his little girl to look up, and
+show its pretty eyes; to laugh, and show its pretty teeth; then, its
+pretty mouth, its rosy lips, its lovely colour, its beautiful skin, its
+pretty curls, its pretty foot, would each in succession form a topic for
+eulogy, till the poor child was hardened into little better than a
+hawked-about show while Fips, to whom his little girl, through the
+medium of gratified vanity, otherwise _pride_, thus became a source of
+pleasure, fancied himself a fond father. As the child grew, Fips having
+no principles himself could not impart any. Meanwhile, his fortunes also
+grew rapidly, not without suspicions that he had found out by-ways to
+the attainment of riches, which he would have been very sorry to have
+pointed out to a fellow-traveller. The possession of wealth, in the
+course of time, suggested the necessity for the fashionable
+finishing-school already mentioned.
+
+The orders were given, that no pains or expense should be spared in
+making Miss Fips highly accomplished. These accomplishments, in all
+their various stages, became at each vacation the subjects of new
+displays; till at length the young lady came home the perfect singer of
+Italian bravuras, performance of which we have just witnessed; and
+furthermore imbued with a thorough contempt for her vulgar, and except
+in the chicanery of the law, ignorant father. Of this contempt she made
+no secret; but on the contrary, laughed at his opinions and scoffed at
+his authority, on the plea of being herself a much better judge of every
+thing, save, as she expressed it, of musty parchments.
+
+All men, besides a natural dislike to milliners' bills, let them be ever
+so clumsy in every thing else, have a sort of notion of what is becoming
+to women in dress.
+
+Fips, accordingly, on one occasion ventured to hint to his daughter,
+that she looked as handsome again when she had not half so many fine
+things on. She was at the moment just equipped to step forth into the
+streets of a country town, dressed in a bright green silk pelisse,
+extremely short, to display the pretty foot and ancle; her stockings
+were of open-work embroidery, the slippers scarlet, the hat (not bonnet)
+yellow crape, adorned with white blond and pink ostrich feathers tipped
+with scarlet. She also wore, flung across one shoulder, and hung over
+the contrary arm, a long flying canary-coloured scarf, and held
+perpendicularly above her head, that it might neither conceal nor
+derange its trappings, a conspicuous-sized, canopy-shaped, lilac
+parasol, deeply bordered with a gold-coloured net-work fringe, and
+tasseled at every point. Chains, ear-rings, bracelets, brooches, clasps,
+watch, and reticule, were of course none of them forgotten; while the
+very backs of the canary-coloured kid gloves were embroidered with lilac
+and gold.
+
+Fips's remark was received with a sneer, and "I beg, sir, you'll mind
+your parchments, and give me leave to be the best judge of my dress."
+
+"Well, well, my dear, follow your own way."
+
+"That I shall, sir, you may rest assured."
+
+Such a figure as we have described, walking the streets alone, with a
+bold erect carriage, it may be believed, drew a good deal of attention,
+particularly at assize-time, when there were many strangers and young
+barristers in the town, and such of course were the occasions on which
+Miss Fips was fondest of making a display. Her generally walking alone,
+at least until she had picked up two or three young men, proceeded from
+a combination of circumstances: in the first place, Fips had little time
+for recreation, and if he had had more, his dutiful daughter would not
+have been fond of appearing with so unwieldly and unsightly a companion.
+As to other young women, Miss Fips, proud of her beauty, and the fortune
+she was taught to expect, treated those in her own sphere with
+impertinence, while it was very improbable that ladies in a sphere above
+her would be induced to take by the hand an inferior, whose natural
+boldness rendered her vulgarity and bad taste so conspicuous. Though we
+have used the expression natural boldness, it is most probable that the
+unprepossessing quality we have thus described, was in this instance
+both produced and strengthened into second nature by that most baneful
+and unsexing of lessons to a young female, early _personal_ display.
+
+The remaining traits in the character of this young woman, together with
+what we have already said, are quite in accordance with a favourite
+theory of ours, that want of personal modesty is more than a presumption
+both of want of heart and want of taste or genius; because it is a proof
+of the absence of that susceptibility--that acuteness of moral
+perception, the presence of which is indispensable to the mental process
+by which both the powers of genius and the capability of loving are
+developed, almost, we might say, created in the human mind.
+
+Flattery too, with the want of early control, had made the temper of
+Miss Fips violent and insolent in the extreme. From the time of her
+return from school there was no peace in the house, and little, as far
+as their own set went, in the town. She quarrelled with the
+neighbours--insulted the boarder clerks--and scolded the servants; and
+when Fips was too busy with his own, if not more amiable, at least more
+important avocations, to join her in pouring forth invectives against
+whoever had provoked her ire, she would stand over his desk and scold
+himself; or interrupted in a like tempestuous manner, the quiet
+enjoyment of his bottle of port, his only recreation, till his life
+became a perfect burden to him.
+
+Still he toiled on--her aggrandizement being the sole object of his
+labours; nay, he entered eagerly into projects which he could not but be
+aware must condemn his soul to perdition, to secure to her a marriage
+above her sphere, and add wealth to wealth still for her! And why?
+Because his daughter, undutiful and disrespectful though she was,
+happened to be the part and portion of himself, in which his vanity, his
+ambition, his _pride_ had centered; and his selfishness, when he
+remembered that he could not carry his riches with him to the grave,
+sought in her a sort of immortality, at least a prolongation of
+existence. Yet did this unprincipled being sanctify to himself, (strange
+sophistry) many a sin, by the belief that he was the fondest of fathers,
+and did every thing for the love of his only child.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+
+The death of Sir Willoughby occurred within so short a period of the
+assizes, that the immediate approach of Alfred's trial gave to the whole
+terrific transaction the character of a sudden and awful thunder-storm.
+
+Lady Arden and her son, desirous of supporting each other, mutually
+acted a part painful to both, incessantly concealing their feelings, and
+denying themselves the solace of unreserved intercourse: whatever their
+separate thoughts were, neither would confess to the other that they had
+any apprehensions as to the result of the approaching trial. And yet the
+conduct of their legal advisers was by no means calculated to inspire
+confidence. These gentlemen looked extremely grave, asked both Alfred
+and Lady Arden many questions, and seemed much disappointed at their
+replies. They were agreed in opinion that the chain of circumstantial
+evidence was unbroken--almost irresistible; and that the only defence
+which could be set up was the insanity, and consequently possible
+suicide of Sir Willoughby.
+
+While the idea of his being insane, never having been entertained by any
+one but Sir Alfred, nor even by Sir Alfred himself suggested to any one,
+till after he, Sir Alfred, was actually accused of the murder, it was to
+be feared the plea would not even be listened to. And yet the idea of
+Sir Willoughby's having wilfully taken poison, while in possession of
+his right mind, was still more unlikely to be heard, from his very
+advantageous circumstances at all times, and the peculiarly happy
+prospects he at that particular crisis enjoyed. The combinations and
+coincidences too of trivial events were no less untoward; for all of
+those, and they were many, which told against our hero, could be
+established by a host of creditable witnesses; whilst the few which were
+in his favour were known to no human being but himself; nor had he even
+spoken of them to any one, until, as in the former plea, after he had
+been accused. Alfred had a faint and rather confused remembrance of
+having said something of his motives to Geoffery, in the first moments
+of affliction. He mentioned this to his lawyers. They had a conference
+with Mr. Arden on the subject. He replied, but without entering into any
+explanation, that if they chose to put him in the witness box, he should
+esteem himself happy, if any thing he could say with truth, should have
+any tendency to exculpate his cousin. He was accordingly subpoened,
+and was the only witness for the defence.
+
+The plea of Sir Alfred's amiable and honourable character rendering it
+highly improbable that he should have committed such a crime; though it
+must be felt by all, and with his immediate circle of friends and
+intimates, was all sufficient, could not weigh one feather as evidence.
+We had, unhappily, instances of persons previously of unblemished
+character, departing from that character in practice, when strongly
+tempted by passion, revenge, or avarice; and in this case all these
+incentives seemed to have been united.
+
+Opinions so alarming, were of course not distinctly stated by the
+lawyers, either to Lady Arden, or to Alfred. To have done so, would have
+been an unnecessary degree of cruelty. But such were the sentiments they
+entertained, and much of which could be implied, not only from their
+whole demeanor, but, as we have already said, both from the anxious
+questions they put, and the evasive answers they gave. All this had a
+fearful effect on the feelings of Lady Arden: concealed agony, and
+constant fever, were devouring the vital energies, while her mind laid
+waste, as it were, by so immeasurable, so incomprehensible a calamity,
+seemed defenceless against the superstitious impressions and wild images
+of horror which wearied her spirit and aggravated her sufferings, by the
+ceaseless importunity with which they blended themselves unbidden with
+the wretched realities of the hour.
+
+The presence of Geoffery too, which she was occasionally compelled to
+endure, was terrible to her feelings. She literally shuddered as she
+looked on the man who was destined, should her most horrible
+apprehensions be realized, to fill the place of both her sons. And
+notwithstanding the subdued air of solemnity and sorrow he
+hypocritically assumed in her presence, she found it impossible to
+divest herself of the idea that she could detect triumph lurking in the
+depths of his sinister eye; and that his hard spare lips were more than
+usually compressed, to prevent the corners of his mouth from curling
+with a fiendish joy; for of such a feeling she did inwardly accuse him.
+With what thoughts would she have viewed him, could she have known that
+he was, through his secret emissaries, labouring at the very moment to
+fix upon the innocent Alfred that horrible accusation, of which he alone
+could have proved him innocent; but this was a degree of wickedness of
+which she was incapable of conceiving the idea. She could not suspect
+even Geoffery of such.
+
+With the gentlemen of the country too, Geoffery attempted to act a part
+which in fact he greatly over-acted. He sought every opportunity to
+dwell at great length on the painful and delicate situation in which he
+was placed. He sincerely hoped, he said, that Sir Alfred might be fully
+cleared of so revolting an accusation; yet he confessed he could not
+himself see how the distinct chain of circumstantial evidence, which had
+already appeared, was to be got over. He hoped, however, that something
+favourable might come out on the trial, and most especially he hoped
+that he might not be called upon to take any part whatever. Yet, if it
+was indeed possible that Sir Alfred was guilty, he could not wish to see
+him escape the just punishment his aggravated crime would, in that case,
+so fully merit; nay, such he declared was his indignation when he took
+this view of the subject, that if it were not fortunately the duty of
+the crown to prosecute, he should feel himself called upon--nay, bound
+to do so; bound to sacrifice every private feeling towards the offender,
+and as the nearest male relative of poor Sir Willoughby, stand forward
+the avenger of his untimely end. Yet as he had, he might say, the
+misfortune to be the next heir to the property, he considered it a happy
+circumstance that he was not obliged to act, what some might consider an
+invidious part. He used the expression misfortune, for it certainly
+would be a misfortune to inherit a venerable family property through the
+medium of a catastrophe so awful, and what was even worse, so
+disgraceful; in fact, should the affair so terminate, it was more than
+probable that he should become almost an exile from the family mansion,
+at least for many years; he did not know indeed that he should ever be
+able to bring himself to live at Arden.
+
+These indelicate communications, though murmured in an under tone, and
+given as much as possible the air of individual confidences, were, from
+time to time, forced on as many hearers as Geoffery could obtain; for it
+was not all who would listen to him--many, and those some of the leading
+men of the country, were indignant at the attempt to bring such an
+accusation against our hero.
+
+The funeral of Sir Willoughby was naturally delayed by the committal of
+Alfred, under whose authority the preparations had been proceeding. No
+one seemed aware what was to be done, or whose orders were to be given
+and received. Geoffery indeed was disposed to take upon himself the
+command, as well as the part of chief mourner, in Alfred's place, but
+this Lady Arden arrived in time to prevent.
+
+When appealed to, she clasped her hands and raised her eyes to heaven
+for a few moments, as if she there sought counsel, then with admirable
+dignity and presence of mind, she ordered that the solemn preparations
+should stand still till the necessary forms of law having been gone
+through, her son should be at liberty to take his place at the head of
+his brother's grave; inferring thus, by her reply, that there existed
+not a doubt of Alfred's innocence being established.
+
+Accordingly, in pursuance of these commands, the remains of her eldest
+son still lay in state at Arden, when the anxious day arrived on which
+her younger son was to stand at the bar of justice, arraigned for the
+murder of his brother.
+
+While thus Lady Arden proudly strove to have it thought, nay, if
+possible to think herself, that she had no fears for Alfred; how, but by
+the absorbing nature of her fears for him was the blunted state of her
+feelings on all other subjects to be accounted for. The death of
+Willoughby, had it come alone, with what deep sorrow would it have
+afflicted her; and how greatly would that sorrow have been aggravated,
+by but a suspicion that he had committed the awful act of suicide; yet
+to have that suspicion proved beyond a doubt, was now the only hope of
+her existence; while the simple fact of Willoughby's death was driven by
+the exigences of the hour from its natural position in her mind, and
+viewed as it were in the distance of memory, like a sorrow long gone by,
+solemnly but calmly. Were Alfred safe, his honour and his precious life
+rescued from the frightful peril they were in, her heart told her that
+all grief would be forgotten, and joy unspeakable would be her portion.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+
+The night before the trial, Lady Arden, by especial favour and kind
+connivance, passed in the prison of her son. She knelt at the side of
+the bed, on which she had insisted on his laying himself, and, if
+possible, sleeping, in order that he might obtain strength and composure
+for the task which awaited him.
+
+After many last words and repeated affectionate entreaties, that he
+would try the effect of silence and stillness, at length, with a hand
+fondly clasped in both his mother's, he did sleep, though but for a
+short time, as calmly as an infant. Lady Arden, in the position in which
+she knelt, shaded from his countenance the immediate glare of the lamp
+which stood on a small table behind her. Sufficient light, however,
+still rested on his sleeping features to give to her fond gaze all their
+loveliness. The perfect beauty they always possessed, the more than
+common share of a mother's love she had ever borne him, the enthusiasm
+of every feeling naturally exerted by his impending peril, altogether
+called up such emotions, that she seemed to look on the face of an
+angel; while fast falling tears unconsciously inundated her cheeks, as
+memory pourtrayed the infant years of this her darling son;--the smiling
+babe sleeping in her bosom; the laughing child playing at her feet. Then
+followed pictures of his boyish sports and gleeful hours, till her heart
+bled; then traits of docile obedience and dutiful affection; and, as he
+grew in years, of that gentle, noble, self-immolating nature, so
+peculiarly his own. All these were remembered with tender yearnings
+which no words can describe. A fearful idea next presented itself, that
+such beings were but lent to earth: they were not destined to sojourn
+with us; in a moment of agony and terror to those left behind, they were
+caught up again, and absorbed by that all-perfect spirit of which they
+were but emanations. Such thoughts gave, for a time, a character of
+wildness to the fervour of her prayers; confusion of every faculty
+followed; she became unconscious of the purport of the words she rapidly
+uttered; and then her lips ceased to move: a silent statue, with hands
+and eyes uplifted, one solitary thought possessed her being; it was,
+that in her helplessness she knelt at the foot-stool of Him who had
+restored to life the widow's son when he was already dead, and had given
+him back to his mother. Her son was still alive; the mercy that had
+restored surely could preserve. Alfred smiled in his sleep, and gently
+pressing the hand which still held his, suddenly opened his eyes with an
+expression which showed that for a second he knew not where he was.
+Short was the respite: in a moment more, the shade of pain which passed
+over his brow, and the look of anxious, kind inquiry which followed, as
+his eye met that of his mother, proved that consciousness had returned.
+
+Morning was near; and though there were still many lingering hours of
+suspense to get through, sleep was thought of no more--conversation was
+renewed--every minute particular again enumerated--Alfred's defence
+reconsidered.
+
+His language, the expression of his countenance as he spoke, had again
+the effect of awaking a proud confidence in the mind of Lady Arden, that
+it was impossible for any one to believe him guilty. As for Alfred
+himself, his confidence was still based on the firm belief that, on full
+investigation, what called itself justice, could not so fearfully err as
+that life should be forfeited on false grounds.
+
+Thus supported, both, as the time approached, instead of sinking, seemed
+to acquire supernatural strength. To part, when the unavoidable moment
+came, was indeed a severe pang. But this over, Lady Arden's demeanor,
+among the numerous friends who flocked around to offer her their
+countenance, attendance and support on the terrible occasion, was calm,
+dignified, noble, almost haughty.
+
+Though, of course, no one in her presence volunteered to pronounce, in
+so many words, a fear or even a doubt respecting the result of Alfred's
+trial, the expression of many a countenance did so; while also the very
+excess of almost reverential consideration for himself seemed to infer
+such a feeling; and she could not forgive any one, however kind and
+well-meaning, who did not spurn with unequivocal contempt, as the breath
+of pestilential slander, the thought of an accusation against her son.
+Such an accusation, too! and against such a son!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+
+In consequence of the intense interest naturally excited by the
+approaching trial, the court-house was, as may be supposed, crowded to
+excess.
+
+There was a pause, however, at the precise moment we are describing in
+the public business; for a cause having been just concluded, the judge
+had absented himself for a few minutes. Persons were in the mean time
+handing across the green table, stuck at the end of long, slight, white
+wands, which seemed to be split at the point for the purpose, notes,
+letters, and folded papers, to the various individuals who sat round,
+out of reach of communication by any other means; some, indeed, employed
+the still less ceremonious mode of flinging across the table little
+folded notes, not larger than butterflies, of which a pretty constant
+flight was thus kept up. The personages round this table we may mention,
+for the benefit of those not conversant with the inside of a
+court-house, were principally barristers in their wigs and gowns. The
+few eminent ones, who had any thing to do, had clerks seated at their
+elbows, and all had beside them large green or purple baize or serge
+bags, purporting to contain papers, but in many instances, suspected of
+harbouring more sandwiches than briefs. Beside the counsel for the
+crown, whose business it was to conduct the prosecution of Sir Alfred
+Arden, sat wedged with difficulty into the limited space allotted him,
+and anxiously poring over his documents, Mr. Fips. A little above, and
+immediately behind him, in the lowest row of seats appropriated to
+spectators, sat Geoffery Arden, with Miss Fips, whose style of dress, if
+possible, was more extravagantly absurd, and indecorously showy than
+usual, which, together with the incessant swinging of her hat and
+feathers, made her a most conspicuous figure. Indeed she and her
+paraphernalia might be said to act most effectually the part of a flying
+flag, pointing out to the spectators in general where this group of
+principal characters were to be found.
+
+It had been weighed by Lady Arden and her many friends, whether her
+ladyship should await in an adjacent retired room, communicating by a
+private door with the gallery, or how; or where she had better be placed
+to be ready to appear with least exertion, when called upon for her
+evidence. She had herself, however, decided that the suspense of not
+hearing and knowing what was going on, even at every step, would be more
+impossible to endure, than any agony however hard to bear, to which
+being present throughout could subject her. She was therefore already
+placed in the corner of the gallery, nearest the witness box, but
+purposely so surrounded by a group of her own most particular friends,
+as to be effectually screened from general observation. With her
+ladyship was Mrs. Dorothea, Lady Darlingford, and Madeline, all of whom
+had been subpoened as witnesses.
+
+The judge now returning into court, took his seat on the bench, with an
+air of even more than usual solemnity. The prisoner was called to the
+bar.
+
+"Do not, do not look!" said Mrs. Dorothea, bending across, and
+interposing herself between Lady Arden and the view of the dock. But
+Lady Arden had already covered her face, naturally shrinking from the
+fearful trial of seeing her son enter.
+
+Alfred appeared. He was aware that a great portion of those present must
+be persons well known to him. He had no reason to shrink from the
+scrutinizing gaze of any one. With quiet dignity, therefore, on his
+first entrance, he looked all round the court, and few were found who
+had callousness to resist his mild, calm, clear eye, the expression of
+which was rather an appeal to the better feelings of humanity than that
+angry defiance of his accusers, which his circumstances might have
+almost justified; and which, perhaps, even he would have experienced,
+had not solemn and tender regret for the fact itself of his brother's
+untimely death, softened and subdued his feelings. Such was the
+immediate effect, both of his countenance and his noble bearing in every
+respect, as far removed from guilty hardness as from guilty fear, that
+many who had on hearsay condemned now in their hearts acquitted him.
+
+We speak chiefly of the impression made on persons in Sir Alfred's own
+sphere in life; that, however, which was produced upon a much larger
+body, the respectable yeomanry of the county, and tradesmen of the town,
+was in general very different. Among these a doctrine had been artfully
+promulgated, which though in itself perfectly just, was in this
+instance, well calculated to prejudice the judgment, namely, that if
+gentlemen will commit crimes worthy of ignominious punishment it is the
+duty of those in whose hands the administration of justice is entrusted,
+to show them that there is not one law for the rich and another for the
+poor. It is not because a gentleman can get ninety thousand a-year by
+murdering his brother that he is to be allowed to do so with impunity,
+when a poor man, who sees his wife and children starving and steals a
+sheep to feed them, must be hanged!
+
+This popular proposition, in the abstract so perfectly just, Fips had at
+the very first given out, as a sort of text to preach from, to one or
+two vulgar, vehement, levelling friends of his own; and from that moment
+affected himself, as became the attorney who was to conduct the
+prosecution, the most prudent taciturnity possible.
+
+Possessed, then, with these abstract ideas, and doggedly determined to
+apply them in the present case, the class of persons alluded to saw in
+the beautiful serenity of our hero's aspect no better feeling than a
+confidence, which they were determined to show him was ill-founded, that
+his rank in life was almost a guarantee against his suffering the
+extremity of the law.
+
+The indictment was now read aloud, and poor Alfred heard himself
+accused, with awful solemnity, of the wilful murder of his brother, Sir
+Willoughby Arden, by maliciously and feloniously administering to him a
+certain portion of arsenic, in some wine and water. The prisoner, of
+course, pleaded not guilty; and the counsel for the prosecution,
+abstaining from opening the case by a speech to the jury, proceeded to
+call and examine witnesses. The first of these were the servants who had
+been hastily called into the room by Alfred when Sir Willoughby was
+dying. They swore to the deceased being insensible, and in convulsions
+when they entered the room, to his having been apparently in perfect
+health at and after dinner; to Alfred's having, in his first alarm,
+called aloud for antidotes against poison, naming arsenic in particular.
+Dr. Harman was next examined. He proved, that at the time he arrived Sir
+Willoughby was quite dead; that he believed his death to have been
+occasioned by poison--that poison arsenic. He then under-went a tedious
+cross-examination, as to the tests of arsenic. He had made poisons much
+his study. He had attended the opening of the body. The state of the
+stomach denoted the presence of some corrosive stimulant. Arsenic is a
+corrosive stimulant. He had applied to the contents of the stomach
+several tests, such as sulphate of copper, ammoniacal sulphate of
+copper, nitrate of silver; ammoniacal nitrate of silver; and
+sulphuretted hydrogen gas; the results of all denoted the presence of
+arsenic; there was an immense precipitate of arsenic, quite enough to
+kill a man. Being asked, had not every test which had been tried for the
+last century and half been said to be fallacious, he replied, that if
+this were true of the tests separately, yet, when the results of three
+were uniform, no chemist could have a doubt, but that he had also had
+recourse to the infallible test of reduction, by which he had obtained
+crystals of white arsenic. Had he not said that a fit might have been
+attended by similar symptoms? He had. What, then, had confirmed him in
+his belief, that the deceased had died by the effects of poison? Inward
+appearances, on the body being opened, and an examination of the
+contents of the stomach.
+
+Parts of this gentleman's evidence were supported by that of several
+other medical men.
+
+Some judiciously put questions then drew from the reluctant Doctor the
+fact of Alfred's attempt to rinse the glass, in which a sediment of
+arsenic was subsequently found, and his having, when the Doctor
+interfered, made no attempt to explain conduct so extraordinary. On
+this, a kind of murmur passed round the court; almost every face looked
+shocked, and many shook their heads, as though they had whispered their
+next neighbour, "He must, I fear, be guilty!"
+
+The conviction was still stronger, and the horror still greater, when
+Dr. Harman, so evidently an unwilling witness, literally compelled by
+stern justice to dole out that portion of the sad truth each question
+extracted from him; when he, with a solemn voice, a cheek pale with
+emotion, and a moistened eye, described the time and manner, when, as
+the prisoner was in the act of bending forward, he had distinctly seen
+glide from within the breast of his waistcoat and fall to the ground, a
+piece of paper marked poison, and which was found, on being lifted up,
+to contain among its folds a few remaining grains of arsenic. He here
+produced, being called on so to do, the piece of paper described. The
+packet of arsenic being missed on the morning after Sir Willoughby's
+death, from where it had lain on the previous day, was next proved by
+several servants. That the prisoner knew where it lay was also proved.
+The groom then swore to having seen the prisoner coming alone from the
+saddle-room (a place he was not in the habit of frequenting) with a
+similar packet in his hand. Next was proved the subsequent finding of a
+packet of arsenic by the Coroner, in a locked escritoire of the
+prisoner's, and of which the prisoner kept the keys about his person.
+The packet of arsenic was now produced in court, and identified on oath
+by several servants. The piece of paper which Dr. Harman had seen fall
+from within the waistcoat of the prisoner, was here shown to the Judge,
+and handed from one to another of the Jury, together with the packet,
+from the outer covering of which, it was evident to all eyes, that the
+smaller piece had been torn, apparently as the readiest vehicle which
+offered, for carrying away a portion of the poison. The reluctance of
+the prisoner to permit the body of the deceased to be opened, was proved
+by several medical gentlemen, as well as by other persons his not, in
+short, yielding this point till compelled so to do by the authority of
+the Coroner.
+
+The servants of the house, and such persons as had seen Sir Willoughby
+since his return to Arden were next strictly examined, and
+cross-examined, respecting his health, spirits, and sanity. All swore
+without hesitation, that up to the last moment on which each had held
+communication with him he had been in good health, in excellent spirits,
+and perfectly sane. The elderly squire, who, it may be remembered, had
+met the brothers out riding, on the day of the evening on which the
+death of Sir Willoughby took place, having chanced, when the sudden
+demise became known, to mention the meeting, together with the nature of
+the conversation which had passed, Mr. Fips in his diligence and zeal
+had made him out and sent him a subpoena.
+
+This gentleman was next examined, and his evidence proved that Sir
+Willoughby, a few hours before his death had been in high health and
+spirits, and had spoken freely of his intended marriage and projected
+tour. This seemed conclusive. After hearing such evidence from a
+respectable and disinterested witness, it appeared quite impossible to
+believe that Sir Willoughby, a few hours subsequent to this
+conversation, should have sought to put a period to his own existence.
+Many persons were questioned as to whether the prisoner had expressed
+any doubt of the sanity of his brother, or any suspicion of his having
+taken poison, previous to the time of the accusation of his having
+administered the poison to his brother, having been brought home to
+himself on the coroner's inquest; no one had heard him express an
+opinion of the kind before the time alluded to, except indeed any
+inference might be drawn of a secret knowledge that poison had been
+taken or administered, from his having, in the first moments of
+confusion, called anxiously for antidotes against the effects of
+arsenic. The counsel for the prosecution argued, that this told against
+the prisoner. It proved a guilty knowledge of the fact, that arsenic had
+been swallowed. A feeling of remorse seemed to have induced the effort
+to save his brother's life, even at the risk of exposure; but no sooner
+was Sir Willoughby dead, than the prisoner makes every effort to conceal
+that poison had been taken. For the acuteness of this remark, the
+counsel was indebted to a marginal note annexed to his brief by Mr.
+Fips. As a matter of form, persons were next examined as to the amount
+of the property to which the prisoner, by the death of his brother
+became sole heir.
+
+When the enormous sum was sworn to, many a one sighed involuntarily to
+think, from how many anxious cares one year's income of such estates
+would relieve them.
+
+Lady Arden's evidence being the next required, and every consideration
+being granted to her ladyship's feelings, the Judge had humanely sent a
+message round to request that Lady Arden might not be hurried.
+
+A pause therefore ensued, during which were wrought up to the highest
+pitch, expectation, compassion, and that strange curiosity incident to
+human nature, to see how others can endure when suffering is extreme.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+
+At length, in the midst of perfect stillness, without one preparatory
+sound or movement, Lady Arden stood in the witness box, wrapped in the
+deep mourning in which the death of her elder son had enveloped her.
+
+The blood ran cold in the veins of all present. A tear startled into
+almost every eye; while some of those who were themselves mothers, were
+moved by a sympathy so heart-rending, that unconsciously they groaned
+aloud.
+
+So pure, so natural, so easily understood are the feelings of the
+parent, that every class could enter into them. Nor did the kindly
+commiseration of the crowd diminish, when they had leisure to mark the
+matronly beauty of her countenance; pride and disdain of the insult
+offered to the hitherto unsullied honour of her son, struggling with
+agony kindled in her eye, while her cheek was blanched, and her lips
+parched: and then the strong resemblance her every feature bore to those
+of her son! her favourite child! the prisoner at the bar: while
+evidently conscious where he stood, her eye quivered beneath its lid,
+longing yet dreading to turn upon him. She could no longer resist--she
+looked down at her son--he looked up at her--their eyes met.
+
+To comfort and encourage her he tried almost to smile: it was rather a
+radiance from within shining for a moment through all the nobleness of
+his countenance, in honour of the dutiful love he bore her; and then a
+pang passed across his brow, that he should be to her a source of
+suffering. She sank on a chair considerately placed behind her, and for
+a few seconds hid her face; lest, however, emotion should be construed
+into fear, and fear into acquiescence in the accusation against her son,
+she aroused herself and again stood prepared to reply. The judge, from a
+feeling of respect, took upon himself a considerable part of the duty of
+putting the necessary questions to her ladyship. He did so in the
+mildest and most considerate manner, and in a tone of kindly sympathy
+which did credit to his heart--the counsel of course assisting, and
+assisted himself as hitherto, by the marginal notes to his brief,
+supplied by Mr. Fips. These had the effect of drawing from her ladyship
+the purport of the confidential conversation overheard by Geoffery,
+which, with the remainder of Lady Arden's evidence, clearly proved the
+following points; namely--that both brothers had been attached to the
+same lady--that Alfred had been accepted previously to the arrival of
+his brother--that subsequently he had been discarded and his brother
+accepted--that he had felt his disappointment more deeply than he had
+suffered to appear--that he had ascribed the fickleness of the lady to
+mercenary motives--and that he was in the habit of animadverting
+frequently on the unfortunate situation of younger brothers without
+fortune, and therefore without pretensions.
+
+In reply to another series of questions, she was compelled to confess,
+she had never apprehended that derangement might at any time be the
+consequence of the injury Sir Willoughby had in childhood received on
+his head--that she had never perceived any symptoms of derangement about
+her eldest son--that Alfred had never mentioned to her any apprehensions
+of the kind till after the present accusation had been brought against
+himself--that in his letter, announcing the sudden death of his brother,
+he had ascribed it to a fit of apoplexy, and made no mention of poison
+under any circumstances being the supposed cause, or expressed a
+suspicion either of insanity or suicide--and lastly, that Sir Willoughby
+at the time of his demise was in full possession of a large unencumbered
+property, and in expectation of being married to the woman of his
+choice, a lady also possessed of large estates, and who, in company with
+her mother, he was very shortly to have joined in a tour of pleasure on
+the continent.
+
+The evidence of Lady Darlingford, Madeline, and Mrs. Dorothea, were
+taken in succession, and though not so full, went to prove the same
+points as that of Lady Arden. This closed the prosecution, and the
+prisoner was now called upon for his defence.
+
+Who shall describe the throb of his mother's heart, when the first
+sounds from those loved lips broke the stillness of the expectant court.
+The tones of that voice were harmony itself; they had ever been music to
+her ear--what were they now? Oh, how strange is the mingling of agony
+with the thrill of love!
+
+A momentary convulsion passed over the mother's features, followed by a
+silent flood of tears; yet, with that self-command which dire necessity
+alone can teach, no sob that might be heard, no sigh escaped her.
+
+Alfred spoke with solemnity of the melancholy impression which had often
+visited his own mind respecting the possibility of his brother becoming
+at some time insane; but confessed, that he had never mentioned his
+fears to any one. He spoke of a strangeness of temper as the foundation
+of the apprehensions to which he alluded; but confessed, that its
+ebullitions were confined to private interviews with himself. He spoke
+of the state of excitement under which Sir Willoughby laboured on his
+last return to Arden; but confessed, that to all less interested
+observers than himself, the manner to which he alluded was calculated to
+appear but the result of his brother being at the time in particularly
+high spirits. He spoke of a great inequality of humour which had
+latterly excited his alarm; but confessed, that this inequality had
+appeared only in their private interviews. At every but, the solemnity
+of the judge's countenance deepened, and the jury looked at each other
+with an expression that seemed to say--"That won't do."
+
+Alfred proceeded to state how both the packet of arsenic, and the torn
+piece of paper marked poison, had come into his possession, and his
+reasons for removing and securing the former;--of his having
+subsequently concealed the latter about his own person, he had he said,
+from the state of his feelings at the time no recollection.
+
+The judge frowned involuntarily at the vagueness of such a defence.
+
+"People," whispered Mr. Fips to his neighbour, "are not to get off for
+committing murder, because they have short memories."
+
+Alfred went on to say, that of the attempt to rinse the glass, he had a
+faint remembrance; that the impulse which guided his hand at the moment,
+must have been (as far as the thoughts of a season of sudden affliction,
+such as that to which he alluded, could be defined) a desire to conceal
+the suicide, which he feared had been committed; and that the same
+motive, strengthened by the frequently-expressed wishes of the deceased
+on the subject, had caused him to oppose, as long as possible, the
+examination of his lamented brother's remains.
+
+The testimony of the witnesses had increased the feeling against the
+prisoner, while these unsupported attempts at explanation seemed, to
+such as were disposed to judge him harshly, but so many ingenious
+subterfuges, invented after accusation, to meet each point, and created,
+accordingly, in their minds, a strong sense of disgust, arising from the
+frightfully powerful contrast between the amiable motives laid claim to,
+and the horrible crime of which they still believed him guilty.
+
+The judge demanded to know if the prisoner had, previously to being
+himself accused of the murder of the deceased, confided to any person
+his alleged belief, that a suicide had been committed, with the reasons
+he had now stated to the court for wishing to suppress that supposed
+fact?
+
+He had alluded to the subject in conversation with Mr. Geoffery Arden.
+
+Here Geoffery, the sole evidence for the defence was called to the
+witness-box.
+
+Did he remember any conversation of the nature referred to?
+
+There was only one occasion on which he could call to mind Sir Alfred
+having made allusion to the cause of Sir Willoughby's death.
+
+He was requested to state minutely what had passed on that occasion.
+
+About half an hour after Sir Willoughby had expired, he had followed Sir
+Alfred to the bed-chamber of the deceased, where he had found him
+reclining his face against the bed, apparently in a state of great
+mental suffering. He had made some attempts to calm his agitation, but
+without success; when, however, he was about to retire, Sir Alfred had
+looked up suddenly, and asked him if the Doctor had not said, that
+symptoms similar to those which had attended the dying moments of his
+brother, might have been occasioned by a fit of apoplexy. On being
+answered in the affirmative, he had added hastily, "Let it be so
+supposed then, and discourage all further inquiry;" he then again hid
+his face.
+
+Had nothing more passed?
+
+Nothing with which he could charge his memory.
+
+"Bad memories are the fashion," whispered Fips, with a grin of triumph,
+and a grunt of approbation.
+
+Here the prisoner's counsel cross-examined Geoffery in the closest and
+ablest manner, but could not draw from him that part of the conversation
+in which Alfred had expressed a fear of Christian burial being denied,
+and his mother's affliction increased, should the suicide be suspected.
+Thus mutilated, the evidence of the sole witness for the defence, told
+rather against than for the prisoner's cause, but, as there had been no
+third person present, the case was without remedy.
+
+The judge asked if the prisoner had any other witnesses to call, or any
+thing more to say in his own defence; and on receiving a negative to
+both questions, looked disappointed. After a short pause, he commenced
+his charge to the jury, in the course of which he clearly and ably
+recapitulated the whole of the evidence.
+
+This occupied between two and three hours, so that lights became at
+length necessary, though at his lordship's desk only, for the sake of
+referring to written notes, the imperfect remains of the daylight being
+sufficient for all other purposes.
+
+The feelings of the court were now much excited; the solemn voice of the
+judge had for some time been the only sound heard, while the partial
+illumination at such a crisis had great effect, rendering more than
+ordinarily conspicuous the figure of his lordship; his costume so
+strongly associated in our minds with the idea of his being the
+arbitrator of life and death; his countenance, which happened to be
+peculiarly striking, and, in particular, the flash of his eye, which was
+very remarkable; his manner, too, was impressive, the tones of his voice
+fine, and his diction clear and forcible; his expositions on points of
+law, were luminous even to the humblest apprehensions. He told the jury,
+that on such points it was his business to dictate to them, and theirs
+to be implicitly guided by his dictum. To decide what facts were proved
+in evidence, and the degree of credibility due to such evidence, was, he
+told them, their province; and in deliberating on a case which had
+naturally excited so intense an interest in the neighbourhood, his
+lordship entreated that the jury would dismiss from their consideration
+all they might have previously heard, or even thought on the subject,
+and confine their whole attention to the evidence delivered in court
+this day.
+
+Much, he remarked, had been often and eloquently said respecting the
+extreme fallibility of circumstantial evidence; but where all the
+circumstances agreed, such might, in his opinion, be even more
+conclusive than positive testimony: for, in the one case, we deduced the
+fact from known facts, and therefore knew it as it were of our own
+knowledge; while in the other case, we staked our belief on the veracity
+of a witness or witnesses, which, though generally believed to be
+credible, might by possibility be otherwise. In the present instance, he
+was sorry to say, that the painful duty of his office compelled him to
+point out to their attention, that the chain of circumstantial evidence
+seemed more than commonly strong and connected, while every link was
+supported by the testimony of a host of, at least credible, and in many
+instances more than credible, since they were unwilling witnesses:
+still, it was for them to decide whether all the circumstances did
+agree, and whether the evidence in support of each circumstance was
+undoubted; for, if they felt a doubt, it was their duty to give the
+prisoner the benefit of that doubt. It was unfortunately a case so
+ultimately connected with the most powerful and agitating feelings, that
+it was difficult in the extreme to confine the attention to the naked
+force of evidence. He again, therefore, entreated those on whom the
+ultimate responsibility of the verdict rested, to lay aside their
+feelings, and use only their judgments.
+
+His own feelings were, he confessed, powerfully interested by the
+defence of the prisoner; yet, he felt it there again his painful duty,
+to point out that there was neither circumstance nor fact, brought
+forward in the whole of that defence, based on any evidence whatever;
+that all rested on the unsupported assertions of the accused party. That
+the plea attempted to be set up, of Sir Willoughby's insanity, was not
+only unsustained by evidence, but that the very contrary had been
+proved, on the testimony of those most intimately acquainted and closely
+connected with the deceased. While there was at least negative proof,
+that even the prisoner had never expressed such an opinion, till after
+it became necessary to meet the accusation against himself. And lastly,
+that the prosperous and peculiarly happy circumstances, in which the
+late Sir Willoughby Arden was placed at the time of his sudden demise,
+made it wholly incredible, that, being in possession of his reason, he
+should of his own will, have taken the poison. It had been proved in
+evidence, that Sir Willoughby had been in perfect health, at and for
+some time after dinner--that he had supped in company with the prisoner
+only--that the remains of arsenic had been found in one of the
+glasses--that Sir Willoughby had died immediately after supper--that his
+death had been occasioned by arsenic--that the prisoner had attempted to
+rinse the glass in which the remains of arsenic were afterwards
+found--that a packet containing arsenic had lain on a certain morning,
+in a certain apartment--that the prisoner had been seen to come from
+that apartment alone, in the afternoon; that it was not an apartment
+usually inhabited or visited by the prisoner--that there was evidence
+the prisoner was aware the packet of arsenic lay there--that the said
+packet was missed the next morning, from the said apartment--that the
+said packet was subsequently found in a locked escritoire of the
+prisoner's, to which he alone had access--that a torn piece of paper,
+visibly a portion of the outer cover of the said packet of arsenic, had
+been seen, by a witness whose respectability and credibility were beyond
+a doubt, fall from within the breast of the waistcoat of the
+prisoner--that the prisoner had resisted the opening of the body--that
+Dr. Harman's opinion the deceased had died by the effects of poison,
+would not have amounted to evidence, had the body not been opened--and
+finally that the defence rested entirely on the unsubstantiated
+assertions of the prisoner himself. As probable motives could not become
+subjects of proof, though much had been said of them on the trial, he
+would say nothing of them here: they were all calculated to awaken
+feelings for, or against the prisoner; and once more, he entreated the
+jury to dismiss every thing but evidence from their minds, and give
+their verdict accordingly. He then told them distinctly what verdict it
+was their duty to their country to give, if they considered these facts
+proved, and what verdict was due to humanity, and the prisoner, if they
+still felt a doubt.
+
+From the circumstance we have already mentioned, of candles being placed
+on the desk of the judge only, the twilight-like sort of obscurity
+which, by the time his lordship approached the conclusion of his charge,
+had stolen over the rest of the court-house, added much to the solemn
+effect of this most anxious part of the proceedings. The forms of the
+jurymen, but dimly discerned, leaning over with painful eagerness, to
+catch, as it were, the very thoughts of the judge; their eyes glancing
+in the distant light, as they removed them, from time to time, from his
+countenance, to look round on each other; and when he ceased speaking,
+the pause that followed--and then--the verdict, which issuing as it now
+did, from the gloom in which the whole group was wrapped, sounded more
+awfully, more like the condensed, irrecoverable decision of the
+_judicial twelve_, than when, in the broad light of day, the foreman,
+though in his official capacity in fact the voice of all, still looks
+the individual.
+
+The single word pronounced was--Guilty!!!
+
+As though the whole assembly had hitherto held their breath, a sort of
+universal gasp was distinctly heard; and during the moment, the judge
+was preparing to pronounce the awful sentence of the law, a movement was
+observable in the part of the gallery where Lady Arden, though not
+visible, was known to be.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+
+From the first our hero had, as we have already said, many friends whom
+no appearances, however strong, could induce to believe him guilty of
+the crime of which he was accused. It seemed, however, to be universally
+expected that he would be acquitted; and while this was the belief,
+there were some who said that in the face of such evidence it would be a
+great shame, and that when men of rank offended against the laws, they
+ought more especially to be made public examples of.
+
+No sooner, however, was he actually condemned, than almost every one was
+shocked; the tide of public opinion, with but few exceptions, turned in
+his favour; nay, a sort of tumult arose around the court-house, and in
+the streets adjacent. We must, however, return to the feelings of those
+more immediately concerned.
+
+The dismay of Lady Arden was as complete as it was astounding; she
+seemed as totally unprepared for the event, as though the possibility of
+a fatal result to the trial had never been anticipated. Her excitement
+was terrible; the pallid cheek was gone, and burning spots of crimson
+had succeeded, while the lustre of her eye was rendered supernatural by
+a restless sense of the necessity for instant action! There was as yet,
+none of the quiescence of desolation; she neither lay nor even sat; she
+stood, yet standing wrote, and with her own hand, though in strange,
+large characters, unlike her own, a powerful and heart-rending appeal to
+royalty itself. "Time! time! at least!" was the prayer of her petition;
+"The day of truth may dawn," she said, "when it is too late! Let not my
+child be judicially murdered during the frightful darkness of
+misjudgment."
+
+Lord Darlingford, who enjoyed the private friendship of his Majesty, set
+out with this letter to carry it himself to the foot of the throne;
+while applications were also being made through the proper official
+channels. Thus was the early part of the night occupied. The latter
+portion was spent in deep and secret consultation with Mr. Edwards, now
+the chaplain of the gaol, but formerly the private tutor of Willoughby
+and Alfred when boys. So thorough was this gentleman's knowledge of our
+hero's character, and so entire his conviction of his innocence, that he
+had been from the first resolved, should it become necessary, to use
+every facility which his sacred and confidential office gave him, to
+favour an escape. Indeed his feeling was, that he should be an accessary
+to murder, did he omit any means in his power to save the life of our
+hero. He had accordingly, before the trial, as a matter of precaution
+against the worst, made a journey to *****, and without giving his name,
+and of course without assigning his object, got Mrs. ****, the famous
+modeller in wax, to make a mask or model of his countenance, so perfect
+a resemblance, both of him and of life, that there was nothing wanting
+to make the deception complete, but the play of feature requisite in
+conversation. The object of the present anxious conference was to mature
+the plan of how and when, with least fear of detection, our hero should,
+aided by this disguise, attempt to personate Mr. Edwards, and so pass
+out of the gaol, while he, Mr. Edwards, remained in his stead. Nothing
+could of course have tempted Alfred to contemplate an escape previously
+to his trial, to which alone he looked for the justification of his
+aspersed character, while the difficulty--nay, the almost impossibility
+of escape after condemnation, was awful to contemplate. No friend or
+relative would now be admitted to the prisoner, except by a special
+order, and in presence of a turnkey, while the difficulty was increased
+by the new regulation to prevent suicide, of locking up two other
+prisoners for minor offences with the person condemned to suffer death;
+so that they were thus never even for a moment alone. The chaplain, no
+doubt, had the privilege of conferring with Alfred without witness; on
+his appearing, therefore, it was a matter of course to remove the other
+two prisoners. By virtue of the same privilege the chaplain could
+dismiss the turnkey, not only out of sight, but out of hearing for half
+an hour, or an hour, at pleasure; and on these circumstances was every
+hope founded. It was also customary for Mr. Edwards on quitting
+prisoners, merely to bolt them in himself, and go away, without waiting
+the reappearance of the turnkey. This at first sight appears an
+irregular proceeding, and would seem to offer another facility; it was,
+however, the duty of the dismissed turnkey to be in waiting at the foot
+of the stairs, or in some passage by the way. Alfred, indeed, in the
+perfect disguise proposed, might (as Mr. Edwards) pass him unobstructed,
+but then it became the man's further duty, on seeing the chaplain go by,
+to return instantly to the condemned cell, and replace there the two men
+appointed to remain with the prisoner. It was thus evident that every
+thing depended either on gaining over this one turnkey, or on his being
+dilatory in the performance of this last specified duty; for, except the
+deception was thus quickly discovered, by the immediate return of this
+man to the cell, and the alarm consequently given before Alfred got
+clear of the gates, neither any other of the turnkeys, nor the porter,
+so long as they believed him to be Mr. Edwards, would think of
+interfering with his passing out. These were the facilities. Then again
+the difficulties were, that nothing could be attempted during daylight,
+and the lock-up hour varied with the season, so as to be always before
+dark. During the preparations for the night, too, all persons connected
+with the prison were peculiarly vigilant, and on the alert. Mr. Edwards
+would certainly be at liberty to remain with the prisoner some time
+after dark if he chose; but then, his departure would be so anxiously
+waited for, and the identity of the prisoner so promptly looked to by
+those whose business it was to make final arrangements for the night,
+that any attempt to escape at that hour must, to a certainty, be
+discovered before the prisoner could get clear of the gates.
+
+A morning escape, therefore, before daylight, would be the least
+impossible, as the governor would not then be up, and probably but one
+or two of the turnkeys would be stirring; while, even those, with the
+dangers, as it were, of the night over, and the day before them, would
+be less fearful, and consequently less vigilant. The difficulty in this
+case was, that the chaplain's visiting the prisoner at so early an hour
+on any day _but_ that of the execution, would excite so great suspicion,
+that it was necessary to put off the attempt until the last morning. To
+this Lady Arden was strenuously opposed: to her it appeared like
+wilfully casting away every chance, every hope, but the one--and--should
+that fail--oh, it was maddening to contemplate the alternative!!!
+
+He did not mean, Mr. Edwards argued, to leave it to the last, if so
+doing could be avoided; if any prior opportunity of escape could
+possibly be obtained it should be seized; but a rash or unsuccessful
+attempt would but close the door against all future hope, and therefore
+be much worse than none. To arguments such as these, Lady Arden's
+judgment was compelled to yield, though her feelings were still strongly
+opposed to the miserable idea of waiting in supineness, and seeing the
+terrible hour approach--her son, still in the hands of his murderers!
+and to think, that should the attempt at last fail when that hour
+arrived, they would then have a right--to----"A right----oh, no!" she
+exclaimed, suddenly interrupting herself: then with vehement enthusiasm
+she proceeded, "No! not were he, in truth, the veriest of
+criminals--man--weak, short-sighted, mortal man, whose own frail tenure
+is but a breath of air, and a few drops of blood--what right has he,
+with impious hands, to take away that mysterious gift of life which
+Heaven, for his own inscrutable ends, has given?"
+
+And although it was strongly excited feelings on her own individual case
+which awakened such thoughts in Lady Arden's mind, perhaps she was
+right;--perhaps, if even the murderer's bloody hands were but fettered,
+and the law itself declared it dared not break into the sacred citadel
+of life;--that it dared not prematurely dissolve the mystic union
+betwixt body and soul, formed by heaven, and incomprehensible to mortal
+ken:--perhaps were there no such thing as legal murder, sanctioning, at
+least, the act--reconciling the imagination to the fact of a violent
+death by human hands--the slayer of man would become, in the eyes of his
+fellow men, so utterly a monster, so thoroughly a fiend, that the crime
+of murder would disappear from the face of the earth.
+
+Ere, however, such a happy age can arrive, not only must salutary laws
+bind, or civilization change the secret assassin; but rapine, calling
+itself conquest, must be banished from the world; and the murderer of
+tens of thousands, to gild a sceptre, or gem a crown, cease to be held
+on high, with laurel wreaths encircling his brow.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+
+The next day, which was Saturday, Lady Arden, by means of an order from
+the sheriff, obtained an interview with her son; but it was short and
+unsatisfactory, and a turnkey was necessarily present.
+
+It was her wish to have remained entirely in the prison, but the
+permission could not be obtained. Yet her manner was not characterized
+by the lingering of tenderness; instinct or desperation seemed at this
+crisis to have awakened in her bosom a fierceness foreign to her
+habitual nature. Her attitude, her countenance implied the frantic
+conception, that she could afford personal protection to her son: and,
+unconsciously directed by the same impulse, she even stood between
+Alfred and the door of the prison. Shortly, however, she was obliged to
+depart.
+
+Mr. Edwards's visits were as late, as early, and as frequent as usage
+would permit. His ingenuity was constantly employed; his vigilance on
+the ceaseless watch; but the night of Saturday wore away, and the
+morning of Sunday dawned, and no opportunity of making an attempt at
+escape affording the slightest prospect of success, had offered. During
+the long, wretched day of suspense and agony nothing could be done.
+Another interview, if possible more heart-rending than the last, had
+been granted to Lady Arden, and evening was again approaching, while no
+accounts had yet come from Lord Darlingford. At length a letter did
+arrive by express. It did not say, in so many words, that he had failed
+in his mission; it even spoke of continued efforts: but it strenuously
+recommended that the escape should be attempted at all hazards. Such a
+letter, to the feelings of the parties interested, amounted to a
+repetition of the sentence of condemnation.
+
+There was now but the one solitary hope left for every thought to cling
+around; while it appeared to be reduced in probability to the straw at
+which the drowning man catches: for what the two preceding nights had
+offered no opportunity of accomplishing, there seemed but little chance
+should be compassed on this last remaining one. The evening, too, was
+already gone, and the lock-up completed; nay, the night itself was on
+the wane; so that now, all seemed to depend on Mr. Edwards's early visit
+to the prison, the one last hour before dawn, on the thus fast
+approaching morning of the Monday, the day fixed for the execution.
+
+Some hours after midnight, a desperate storm of thunder, hail and rain
+came on. And strange it was, that the roaring elements should thus seem,
+as it were, to sanction the legendary belief, already mentioned, as
+prevalent among the ignorant persons of the neighbourhood, that all
+events disastrous to a member of the Arden family were accompanied, or
+preceded, by terrible tempests. And, however irrational such an idea,
+many inhabitants of Arden, as they lay in their beds that awful night,
+and were suddenly awakened by the thunder, ere they slept again,
+shuddered involuntarily at the thought, that the old superstition was
+being at the very moment fulfilled.
+
+The storm continued, and between five and six in the morning was still
+raging. Rejoicing in the din, the confusion, and the prospect of
+prolonged darkness it afforded, Mr. Edwards wended his way through its
+fury towards the gates of the gaol. He entered, and proceeded to the
+condemned cell. From his coming so early it was supposed that he meant
+to pray and converse with the prisoner for some hours. In a much shorter
+time, however, than was expected, the porter saw him, as he supposed,
+approaching, with a somewhat hasty step, along the passage, to take his
+departure. It was Alfred: but the disguise was perfect; and the porter
+had no suspicion. A moment more and he must have passed safely out--when
+a sudden cry was heard--"Stop the prisoner! Stop the prisoner!" And the
+turnkeys, running and breathless, appeared in pursuit.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+
+During a night of such awful importance, fear and hope both, as its
+hours advanced, mounting towards their climax, it will be readily
+believed that Lady Arden had not attempted to seek repose.
+
+Regardless of the searching wind and driving rain which beat against
+her face and bosom, the blinding flashes of the lightning, and the
+thunder's deafening roar, she leaned from the open window of her
+sleeping-apartment, and though the darkness was still impenetrable,
+continued to gaze with intense anxiety, now in the direction of the town
+of Arden, and now in that of the ruined castle; while Mrs. Dorothea,
+Lady Darlingford, and Madeline stood behind her, trembling with the
+combined effect of fear and cold, and shrinking from each fresh
+accession of the storm's fury, against which they were less defended by
+the panoply of a fevered mind.
+
+If Lady Arden was at all conscious of the raving of the tempest, it was
+rather calculated to yield her satisfaction than otherwise, for it was
+highly favourable to the attempt she knew was even then being made for
+Alfred's escape.
+
+The window at which she now stood, was the same from which, with an
+almost prophetic melancholy, she had looked on the night of the festival
+for the coming of age of her sons. "The pitiless pelting of the storm,"
+too, was such as it had been on that night--but here the parallel
+ceases: changed indeed was all beside!
+
+From time to time she inquired the hour--waited--inquired again--again
+waited--and again inquired. "Go, my dear child, go, at any rate," she
+said at length, looking anxiously at Madeline, who immediately left the
+room; but in about a quarter of an hour returned, accompanied by Mr.
+Cameron. He was dripping with wet--covered with mud--and out of breath.
+Madeline during her short absence, bad been watching for him at a glass
+door which opened from a little boudoir into the lawn; she had just
+admitted him, and led him up stairs by a back way. On his entering the
+apartment, the door was cautiously closed by Mrs. Dorothea.
+
+Lady Arden laid her hand on his arm and looked in his face.
+
+"He is safe," he replied, "quite safe for the present."
+
+She sank on her knees, and some seconds were devoted to silent, fervent
+thanksgiving; when being still unable to articulate, she once more
+looked up at Mr. Cameron and motioned him to proceed.
+
+"The alarm was given," he continued, "before he was quite clear of the
+gates; but the cry being, 'Stop the prisoner!' and his appearance being
+that of Mr. Edwards, the porter did not interfere with his passing out.
+The turnkeys, it would seem, had not the presence of mind to say at the
+first, 'Stop Mr. Edwards!' and once outside the gate, the din of the
+tempest and the darkness with which, though it was past six in the
+morning, still exceeded that of most midnights, rendered it
+comparatively easy to baffle pursuit. He soon joined me, where we had
+appointed, beneath the great beech-tree; for had he been closely
+followed, he was to have climbed the trunk and concealed himself among
+the branches, while I was to have darted forward, and so led his
+pursuers astray: but finding ourselves unmolested as soon as the coast
+was clear, we proceeded with all speed to the castle. I have lodged him
+safely in the eagle's nest, and am come from thence this moment."
+
+"Thank heaven!" ejaculated from time to time, was the only interruption.
+Mr. Cameron's account had met with, "He is so well wrapped up," he
+added, good naturedly endeavouring to offer what consolation he could;
+"and the turret is so small and the ivy so thick about it that he will
+be perfectly dry, and I do not think he will even feel it cold."
+
+"We can see the exact spot from this place," exclaimed Lady Arden,
+rising eagerly and leaning from the window. "The eagle's nest looks this
+way."
+
+"Were it not so dark," replied Cameron, also leaning out, "I think you
+might, the turret is certainly on this side of the building."
+
+"There!" she cried, as a vivid flash gave the remarkable rock, with its
+crown of towers to their view; while the flickering movement of the
+lightning seemed, as it were, to lift this principal object from its
+distant position in the landscape, hold it for a second close to their
+sight, then drop it into the impenetrable abyss, over which the thunder
+now rolled in darkness.
+
+"That is it!" continued Lady Arden, her outstretched finger also for the
+moment rendered visible; "you mean that small projecting tower, which is
+called the eagle's nest, do you not?"
+
+"Yes, that little turret, jutting-out from the side of the highest of
+the great towers near the top, and appearing from here not larger than a
+hand lantern. He must, I should think," he added, "from his present
+position discern the light in this window."
+
+"Ah, my poor Alfred!" exclaimed the anxious mother. Another flash made
+the group of ruins and small projecting turret again for a second
+visible; "if he could have been with us here!" she continued: but the
+loud thunder rolled, and the hurricane, as her voice issued from her
+lips, swept its sounds away unheard! The next moment of comparative
+quiet Mr. Cameron said, in reply to the portion of the sentence he had
+caught--
+
+"It would have been unwise; for, had he been in this house, some of the
+servants must have known, or at least have suspected the fact; now the
+secret of his place of concealment is known only to ourselves."
+
+"You are right--you are right! And we know that there is a fell tiger
+couching for the prey."
+
+"Perhaps we judge him harshly," replied Cameron. "I think, however," he
+added, "that we have adopted altogether the very best possible course.
+But for the extraordinary state of the atmosphere, there should be
+already some daylight, so that any attempt to quit the neighbourhood
+before evening again closes in would be madness. Nothing can be more
+complete, nor at the same time more comfortable, than the place of
+concealment we have selected; a spot, too, on which you can keep a
+constant watch without causing any suspicion, the only accessible
+approach to the ruins being visible from this very window."
+
+While he yet spoke, the grey morning began to dawn. The storm was now
+gradually lessening, for though the last flash of the lightning had been
+vivid, the last roll of the thunder had been distant, and the rain had
+fallen somewhere else. As the dim light increased, therefore, the park,
+which in fact bounded the whole prospect, presented a most extraordinary
+aspect; so dense a white, low laying, and still moving mist, covered
+every ordinary object, that, as far as the eye could reach the landscape
+resembled one vast ocean, terminated only by the horizon; while the
+ruined castle crowning its rocky eminence, being by its great elevation
+lifted above the fog, appeared alone on the surface of this seeming sea,
+like the solitary Ark of the Covenant, riding on the waters of the
+Deluge!
+
+Such, at least, was the sublime idea it suggested to the imagination of
+Lady Arden, while viewing it with the grateful feelings of the moment,
+as the refuge of her child.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+
+We shall not enter into tedious details of the measures taken to pursue,
+or endeavours to discover the prisoner, nor yet of the surmises thrown
+out that his escape had been connived at. Neither shall we claim the
+sympathy of our readers, for the disappointment of those who flocked to
+Arden to witness the expected execution; but rather, confining our
+attention to the more interesting persons of our narrative, go on to
+say, that through the long hours of that day, whatever were the varied
+occupations of others, the eye of Lady Arden still kept watch on that
+lonely turret which held her son, and which (hence its title of the
+eagle's nest) projecting from the side of the highest of the elevated
+group of towers, seemed to have its dwelling among the clouds. So
+conspicuous an object had it become in her sight, that though, as Mr.
+Cameron said, it appeared in the distance but a speck, not larger than a
+hand lantern, and was completely enveloped with ivy, yet the most
+unreasonable dread assailed her lest it should draw the attention and
+excite the suspicion of every creature who passed by. If but a wandering
+mendicant crossed the park, her heart would cease to beat the while, and
+her anxious gaze follow the form, till the pathway leading to the rock
+on which the castle stood was left behind. Nor did she withdraw
+affection's eye, nor cease to be the guardian spirit of the spot, till
+the shadows of evening closing round, shut out the ruins from her view.
+
+Alfred had now, she knew, commenced his journey. Her devoted affection
+would have led her to accompany her son, but such a step would hamper
+his flight, and endanger his safety. Even a farewell interview was not
+to be thought of.
+
+In utter desolation of spirit, therefore, our unhappy hero, even at the
+moment we are describing, rapidly descended the height on which the
+castle stood, and strode across the wide extent of park, thus
+abdicating, as it were, the princely domain of his forefathers, with
+scarcely a consciousness of where he was, or what his purpose; and when,
+after pursuing his journey for a time, he became capable of any approach
+to reflection, his thoughts were all of wretchedness. An exile, an
+outlaw, dishonoured, beggared, disguised, he was quitting his native
+land, probably for ever; unless, indeed, he should be pursued and
+dragged back, to suffer an ignominious death. He was, it is true, in the
+very act of escaping for the present this last, and in the estimation of
+most people worst, because irremediable ill; but accompanying this
+reflection were sensations which, perhaps, he could not himself have
+defined. For, since his sentence had been pronounced, notwithstanding
+the anxious efforts still making in his behalf, he had been strenuously
+preparing his mind for the most fatal issue, and, with the assistance of
+the pious Mr. Edwards, endeavouring to wean his affections from things
+below and to centre all his hopes in heaven. However little understood
+such feelings may be by those who are engaged in the busy whirl of
+terrestrial concerns, to those who have lately stood on the brink of the
+grave, they possess an awful reality not soon to be forgotten.
+
+Compared with views of peace, and rest, and hope so obtained, there was,
+as a counterpoise to the mere instinct of self preservation, a strong
+sense of distaste to the weary pilgrimage of life renewed; nor will this
+seem overstrained, when we remember under what circumstances it was
+renewed; when we contemplate the universal blight which had fallen upon
+the fair spring of all his earthly prospects.
+
+At an early hour the next morning, the melancholy ceremony of
+Willoughby's funeral, which had been so long delayed in the hope of his
+brother being able to take with honour his place of chief mourner, was
+at length obliged to be performed in all the hopeless misery of present
+circumstances. Immediately after the conclusion of the dismal
+solemnities the family set out for London.
+
+Lady Arden had determined to remain in England till every effort had
+been made to obtain the reprieve of her son; but, if all failed, to join
+him under a feigned name at Geneva, the place at which they had
+appointed to meet; and become, for the remainder of her sojourn upon
+earth, the kind companion and solace of his wanderings.
+
+Two of her daughters were already married; Mr. Cameron had generously
+declared his unaltered determination to become the husband of Madeline;
+Lady Arden had that morning consigned to the grave the remains of poor
+Willoughby; Alfred alone, therefore, now claimed all her care, all her
+tenderness, all the consolation her maternal affection could bestow.
+
+How the affair would have concluded had not our hero made his escape,
+remains enveloped in mystery; that circumstance might have been supposed
+to supersede the necessity for a reprieve. It was, however, generally
+believed, that Lady Arden had received an assurance that there should be
+no efforts made to pursue her son, or to require him at the hands of
+foreign powers, but that unless some circumstances in his favour came to
+light, it would be necessary for him to live abroad, and remain unknown.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+
+How our hero made his way to, and through France, he never afterwards
+could clearly call to mind.
+
+Every perception was turned inward; while some mysterious spell seemed
+endued with the power of compelling his thoughts to go again and again
+the torturing round of remembrances, every one equally fraught with
+wretchedness. The miserable end of poor Willoughby--never could that
+heart-rending scene be erased from his memory--the devotion of his fond
+parent--such a thought might have soothed; but had he not been, and was
+he not still doomed to be, to her a source of unparalleled suffering.
+Then there was another being, whose idea he dreaded to approach--and she
+had once, for one short period, been all his dream of bliss.
+
+There was certainly but little to draw him from his absorbing
+reflections in the dull and monotonous plains of Burgundy and French
+Compté. In due time, however, he left these behind him, and began to
+ascend the heights above Poligni; but he felt not the invigorating
+influence of the mountain air. He travelled on through the magnificent
+scenery of the great military road; yet scarcely saw its precipices, its
+waterfalls, its forests of beech and pine. At length the magnificent
+lake itself opened to his view; stretching from Geneva to Chillon, and
+reflecting, as in an immense mirror, the surrounding Alps with their
+fleecy region of eternal snows, their glacier cliffs, glittering in the
+sun-beams, their dark blue zone of wood, rock, precipice, and torrent;
+and their smiling fertile base. He completed the winding descent of the
+Jura, commanding the whole way to the very verge of the lake, a full
+view of the fairy scenery, the fertile slopes, the glowing vine-yards,
+the cornfields, orchards, gardens, towns, villages and villas; the
+wooded brows, tranquil vales, and sparkling streams, of the enchanting
+Pays de Vaud; yet he felt no pleasurable sensations arise: if the
+splendour of effect in some measure aroused him, it was rather to a
+state of more active suffering than before; as though the wilderness
+within were rendered more desolate by comparison with the paradise
+without.
+
+He now proceeded by a beautiful drive along the water's edge to the
+gates of Geneva; and here found the usually vexatious delays, respecting
+passports, &c., peculiarly annoying, from the degrading consciousness of
+disguise.
+
+When he succeeded in effecting his entrance, and had retired to rest,
+excessive fatigue, both of mind and body, brought sleep; but no sooner
+had his weary eyelids closed, than horrors assailed him.
+
+The Rhone flowed with a rapid pace beneath the very street and house in
+which he had taken up his abode for the night. The pleasing murmur of
+its waters became to his dreaming fancy the tumult of the congregated
+multitude, around the foot of the scaffold, on which, with that
+extraordinary certitude which sometimes accompanies the visions of
+disordered slumber, he thought he was about to suffer an ignominious
+death.
+
+The agony of the moment awoke him, and he slept no more. But he felt a
+stronger and more grateful sense than he had hitherto done, of the
+blessing of having been preserved from such a fate; and even hope, under
+the healing influence of a thankful spirit, in some sort revived. The
+foul blot might be yet removed; he might yet be restored to the love and
+respect of all good men; he might yet, though he could never more know
+happiness himself, cease to be a source of misery to the best of
+parents.
+
+Fearful, that among the many English at Geneva, there might be some to
+whom he was personally known, he remained in the house the whole of the
+following day. In the evening, however, tempted by the balmy air, the
+weather being unusually fine for the season, he determined to go on the
+lake; a situation, in which he should of course be less liable than on
+shore to meeting other persons near enough for recognition.
+
+He did so accordingly. The sun had, a short time since, sunk behind the
+Jura, while a lingering beam still crowned, as with a regal circlet, the
+stately brows of that monarch of the scene, Mont Blanc. The hour was
+calm and beautiful; the shores were fairy land; the lake a sea of gold;
+while its shining surface was dotted with numerous vessels of every
+description, gliding along so smoothly, that but for the changes which
+gradually became apparent in their relative positions, they might have
+seemed to have stood still.
+
+One of these in particular, with a spell-like power, drew the attention
+of our hero, possibly from unconscious sympathy with human misery, as it
+seemed to be in some sort the scene of sorrow or of suffering, for
+beneath an awning, a portion of the curtains of which were drawn aside,
+was partly visible a couch, or bed, on which was laid a recumbent form,
+to all appearance motionless; while the other figures in the boat were
+evidently only the attendants on this principal one.
+
+The boatman, observing the direction of our hero's eyes, began to tell
+him in French, a tale possessing much of the sentimental, of which that
+language, when it does not degenerate into affectation, is so good a
+vehicle. He expatiated on the youth, the beauty, and the apparent
+wealth, forlorn state, of this mysterious lady of the lake who was
+dying, he said, in a foreign land, surrounded by strangers and servants
+and without one friend or relative near to receive her last sigh.
+
+It was by order of the physician, he added, of whose practice he, by the
+way, by no means seemed to approve, that she was brought out thus on the
+lake at all hours, and almost all weathers, more, 'tis to be feared, to
+give notoriety to the doctor than health to the patient.
+
+While he was speaking, the boat which contained the invalid began to
+come towards them, on its way to the place of landing. At the same
+moment a slight breeze arose, and lifting the curtains of the awning on
+both sides simultaneously, kept them straight out, with a gently fanning
+movement, like the extended wings of some gigantic bird. Its appearance
+thus remarkable, its progress barely perceptible, it continued drawing
+nearer and nearer while the narrator went on, winding up his story by
+saying, the report was, that this beautiful lady had two suitors in her
+own country, who were brothers; and that the one had murdered the other
+for jealousy, but his crime being discovered, he had been brought to
+trial, and executed: so that the poor young lady might well be
+disconsolate, having thus lost both her lovers. By this time the
+approaching boat had come so close, that in passing, it slightly grazed
+that in which our hero sat.
+
+Alfred's gaze had for some time been intense; his cheek now blanched;
+unconsciously he grasped the arm of the boatman.
+
+Pale, beautiful, to all appearance lifeless, the form which lay beneath
+the uplifted awning in the passing boat was that of Caroline. The eyes
+were closed, but the faultless features, in their angel-like expression,
+were still unchanged, presenting a model of perfect loveliness reposing
+in the sleep of death: while the silent attendants, with their
+common-place, though solemn visages, looked like the rough stone figures
+of mourning mutes coarsely carved around some Parian marble monument.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+
+To account for the appearance of our heroine under such peculiar
+circumstances, we must look back to secondary events, which latterly we
+have not had leisure to notice.
+
+Immediately after poor Willoughby's abrupt departure from Montague
+House, Lady Palliser and her daughter had set out on their continental
+tour, in which it was supposed by the friends on both sides, that he was
+shortly to join them. During their journey, they had either not chanced
+to meet with, or at least not happened to read with any degree of
+attention an English newspaper. One, however, was laid on their
+breakfast table the morning after their arrival at Geneva; it was that
+which contained a summary of Alfred's trial, conviction, and
+condemnation to an ignominious death, for the wilful murder of his
+brother. From the circumstances of Lady Palliser being out of England,
+on the constant move, and consequently not associating with any one, her
+ladyship had not heard before even of such an accusation having been
+brought against our hero, yet she glanced over the account of the
+terrific affair with a countenance perfectly unmoved; and when she had
+finished the statements, merely handed the paper across the table to
+Caroline saying, in the most careless tone imaginable,
+
+"It was very fortunate that you were not married to either of them."
+
+Caroline, wondering what her mother could mean, took the paper in
+silence, and began to read the part indicated by the manner of folding.
+Lady Palliser sipped her coffee without even a look of inquiry towards
+her daughter; but had there been any one present to have noted the
+emotions marked on the countenance of Caroline, they would have seen
+first, a faint glow as the names met her sight; then the gradual
+retiring of the same; then the unconscious parting of the lips and
+holding of the breath; next a quickened respiration, a flickering
+colour, and a countenance full of indignant expression.
+
+Soon after this profound attention seemed to still every pulse, for the
+paper which before had visibly vibrated with each throb of the heart, no
+longer stirred, while every vestige of the lines of life retired even
+from the lips: the eyes alone moved, as eagerly they traced, from margin
+to margin, line after line. Suddenly a rush of crimson covered the face
+and neck, a piercing cry escaped the lips, and Caroline fell senseless
+to the floor, having become again pale as a corpse.
+
+It was some hours before she showed any returning signs of life, and
+when she again opened her eyes it was evident, from their piteous
+expression, that consciousness, whether of woe or weal was gone.
+
+Subsequently, however, though she still noticed no other object, she
+manifested such strong symptoms of terror at the approach of Lady
+Palliser, that the medical attendant thought fit to recommend her
+ladyship not to enter the apartment.
+
+Lady Palliser, from whom patient attendance on sickness or suffering was
+not at any rate much to be expected, soon began to get exceedingly tired
+of the whole affair. She was also provoked that her daughter's name
+should, however blamelessly, be implicated with that of a family on whom
+such disgrace had fallen; for though Alfred's escape was by this time
+known, the stigma was still the same; he was still under sentence of
+death--he was still believed to be a murderer. Caroline's sudden illness
+too had made matters worse; for its supposed cause had got abroad, and
+having spread from the English to the natives, became the universal
+topic of conversation with high and low. That this would be still more
+the case in England her ladyship was well aware; she determined
+therefore not to return thither till the business should be in a great
+measure forgotten; in the mean time to proceed on her tour, leaving her
+daughter, who was unable to travel, at Geneva, with of course a suitable
+establishment of sick-nurses and servants, and attended, unluckily, by
+some medical personage who had acquired a questionable reputation nobody
+knew how, and whose opinion therefore Lady Palliser, with her usual
+whimsical irrationality, chose to consider the best _medical advice_
+within reach; and to whose care, without weighing the subject further,
+she accordingly committed the reason and the life of her only child.
+Whether her ladyship would have taken the unfeeling step of proceeding
+on her journey, had her presence afforded consolation to the suffering
+Caroline, it is impossible to say; but, as her sage adviser still
+recommended her to refrain from seeing his patient, she appeared to
+consider herself at liberty to follow her own devices.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+
+Having thus explained how it happened that our heroine was found at
+Geneva in the forlorn state described, we must now return to Alfred. He
+followed the apparition of Caroline, saw her couch lifted from the boat
+to a kind of carriage which was in waiting on the shore, landed himself
+immediately, and though incapable of plan or purpose, pursued the
+carriage. It stopped at a villa at a little distance. He saw Caroline
+lifted out, and carried into the house. Impelled by an uncontrollable
+impulse, and too much agitated to think of forms, he entered the hall
+with the servants, of whom he made some incoherent inquiries. They
+seemed scarcely to comprehend him. A person passed hastily in almost at
+the moment and entered a sitting-room which opened into the hall, and
+into which the couch with the invalid had just been carried.
+
+"It is the doctor, sir," said a servant, with a puzzled air, which
+seemed to infer, he can probably answer you better than I can.
+
+Alfred followed eagerly to the door of the room, and stood there some
+seconds in breathless anxiety. It opened--the _soi-disant_ doctor was
+coming out, but drew back, as it were, to make way for our hero; who,
+from his evident and pitiable agitation, and his eager inquiries, he
+seemed to take for granted, was some one of the lady's near relations
+arrived at last, and of course entitled to enter the apartment of the
+invalid. Laying apparently asleep on a sofa visible from the door,
+Alfred could now discern Caroline: yet, though at the time in no state
+of mind for reflection, he so far felt himself unauthorized in his
+intrusion as to give an air of hesitation to his manner.
+
+"You can come in, sir," said the doctor, "there is no danger, I am sorry
+to say," he added with pompous solemnity, "of waking the patient."
+
+On hearing these alarming words, Alfred rushed to the side of the couch
+in so wild a manner, that the doctor, quite aghast, followed, and laying
+his hand on his arm, said, "You mistake me, sir: there is no reason to
+expect immediate dissolution; my meaning was, that you need not be
+apprehensive of interrupting the slumbers of the patient; her state
+being unhappily, not natural sleep, but a species of trance, becoming, I
+feel it, notwithstanding, my painful duty to say from its prolonged
+duration and the daily diminution of bodily strength, every hour more
+and more hopeless. From, in fact, the first moment of her sudden seizure
+up to the present time, she has not shed one tear, spoken one word; nor,
+as we have reason to believe, though in this constant state of apparent
+unconsciousness, ever actually slept; for, at any startling or unusual
+sound, her eyes have been observed to open, though but for a second."
+
+While the doctor, who was fond of hearing himself talk, had been thus
+holding forth, Alfred had stood gazing on the pale unconscious sufferer,
+in an agony of grief and compassion.
+
+Pity is itself a gentle, an endearing sentiment; but when claimed by a
+being we already love, who shall paint the going forth of the whole
+soul, in the blended sympathy! If there is an earthly feeling pure from
+self, worthy of heaven, it is this! Had Alfred encountered Caroline in
+health, amid scenes of pleasure and of gaiety, himself free from the
+disgrace and ruin which now attached to him; nay, with a knowledge that
+her seeming want of truth had been but obedience to the tyrannical
+commands of a parent; that her heart was still his; that, in short,
+every obstacle to their union was removed by the death of poor
+Willoughby;--how soon, in such a case, he might have been able to have
+separated thoughts of her and of happiness from the heart-rending
+remembrance of his brother; at what distant period of time he could, in
+short, have sought a paradise on the very shore where that brother had
+become a wreck, it is impossible to say. But when instead of all this,
+her idea was presented to his mind under circumstances so new, so
+terrible, so far removed from selfish joy, which, when mingled with
+thoughts of Willoughby, would have seemed almost a sacrilege; then it
+was that an overwhelming interest in her fate took possession of his
+whole soul unresisted, consisting of fears, not of hopes; and that soul
+full of misery, was almost paralysed by the memory and presence of
+sorrow. He continued to gaze, till a sense of the most appalling dread,
+despite the assurance of the doctor that there was no immediate danger,
+crept over his heart, so much did the perfect stillness of the lovely
+features resemble that of death. His terror momentarily increased--he
+bent--he knelt--he listened in breathless anguish, till the throbbing of
+his own pulses might have been heard, but he could catch no sound of
+respiration. He looked up with a sort of despairing yet questioning
+expression in the doctor's face.
+
+"I by no means," said the authority so appealed to, "apprehend, as I
+have already stated, any immediate danger. This species of trance has
+continued without intermission, ever since the first rash communication
+of the fatal intelligence." Then, fond of hearing himself talk, and
+possibly believing that he spoke to a near relative, acquainted of
+course with all the circumstances, he continued to exhibit his powers of
+oratory thus:
+
+"The shock was, I fear, altogether too much for any sensitive mind; what
+with the abrupt mode of communication, and the manner of the gentleman's
+death, so terrible--murdered they say, by his own twin brother!"
+
+"No, sir!" exclaimed Alfred, starting up with sudden fierceness, and
+grasping the doctor's arm, "he was not murdered by his brother; and
+that," he added, with an altered tone and manner, clasping his hands,
+and raising his eyes to heaven, "when her spirit awakes in the realms of
+the blessed it will know."
+
+The conversation up to this point had been conducted in the mysterious
+whispers of a sick room, but Alfred's voice, from excess of excitement,
+in the last sentence unconsciously assumed its natural key. As he
+concluded his apostrophy to Heaven, his eyes, which had been uplifted in
+the fervour of devotional feeling fell again on Caroline. Her's were
+wide open, and fixed on him, with an almost wild expression of terror
+and bewilderment!
+
+In a moment more, the crimson rash had, for a second, crossed her brow;
+the piercing cry escaped her lips, and she had fallen again into that
+totally inanimate state, which had characterised her first seizure, and
+distinguished it from the sleep-like trance in which she had
+subsequently lain.
+
+All was instant confusion and dismay. Alfred, almost wild with terror,
+raised the drooping head which had slid from the pillow, supported the
+fair cheek against his bosom; and chafed, now the temples, now the
+hands, mechanically, endeavouring to obey the directions of the doctor,
+while his own hands trembled, till they could scarcely perform the task
+assigned them.
+
+The doctor himself, too, seemed much alarmed, and somewhat taken by
+surprize; he tried all the means of restoring animation he could think
+of, but in vain. At length he began to look very serious indeed. To
+Alfred's frantic adjurations, half question, half entreaty, as though
+the doctor's words could reverse the decree of fate, he replied
+repeatedly, and with decision, that all was over. "There is not now," he
+added, "the strength to rally there had been at the time of the first
+attack."
+
+A mournful silence followed: all, as with one consent, discontinued
+their efforts. The doctor folded his arms. The very attendants stood for
+a considerable time quite motionless.
+
+Alfred was kneeling beside the couch, in the attitude he had taken,
+while striving to render assistance to her, who was now no more. At
+length the nurses, anxious in their officious zeal to perform the duties
+they considered their province, drew near, removed the head of Caroline
+from his supporting shoulder, and laid it on the centre of the pillow,
+then withdrew the hand he still grasped in his, and arranging the
+delicate fingers, placed it by her side; while the doctor approaching,
+raised our hero, and led him from the room, attempting, as he did so,
+the usual common-places of conversation: it was an event which had been
+expected for some time. There was so little hope of ultimate recovery,
+that it might be considered a happy release; for even had her life been
+preserved, her faculties could never have been restored.
+
+As for our hero, he heard him not; all his thoughts, discoloured and
+distorted by late events, were desperate. "It was well," he inwardly
+ejaculated, "yes, it was well--life was misery--death a refuge--why
+should any one desire to live?"
+
+The doctor, the while, led Alfred through the hall, assisted him into
+his (the doctor's) carriage, which stood at the door, and begged to know
+whither he desired to be driven. The question had to be repeated more
+than once before a murmur, from which something like the address was at
+length collected, could be drawn from Alfred.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+
+The movement of the carriage, and the necessity of descending from it,
+having aroused Alfred from the first paralysing effects of his grief, he
+now paced his apartment rapidly, and continued to do so almost the whole
+of the night; too much absorbed by his miserable reflections, to be
+conscious of the bodily fatigue he was thus incurring. Yet it was
+impossible to be still! Was she indeed dead?--was the question, he again
+and again, asked himself. Then, with indescribable agony, he recalled
+the bewildered terror of those dear eyes during the single moment they
+had met his. How short was the period which had since elapsed; she was
+then in life--was it possible! could she be already gone for ever? A
+lingering feeling, in some sort allied to hope, though altogether
+irrational, still struggled with his despair. It is after waiting in
+vain, as it were, for a reprieve from fate, that sorrow for the dead
+seems gradually to reach its climax. It is not in the first hour of
+bereavement that we can comprehend our wretchedness; so difficult is it
+to believe, that in a few short moments, the great, the awful change,
+has taken place and eternity for a fellow-mortal, who trod the path of
+earth with us but now, commenced. Then would he view, with stern
+despair, the mysterious union, by which his own fate, the fate of poor
+Willoughby, and that of Caroline, seemed linked together in misery.
+
+"But she is now at rest," he would add, and after dwelling for a time on
+this idea, gentler emotions would arise; and he would strain his mental
+vision to behold the shadowy regions of that "bourn whence no traveller
+returns," as though tenderness thus sought for some locality in which to
+picture to itself the cherished image of the being beloved.
+
+Night passed away, and morning came, but its light brought with it the
+unsufferable thought, that even now the busy preparations of the living,
+to rid themselves of the dead, were in all probability being
+commenced!--Once more--yes, once more, he must behold her! And then he
+would think of his poor mother, and patiently await his own release. As
+he formed this resolve, he was crossing his apartment, to descend into
+the street and hasten back to the villa, when the door flew open and
+Lady Arden entered.
+
+"Alfred! my son," she exclaimed, "you are justified!" unable to
+articulate further, she wept passionately, but her tears flowed over a
+countenance radiant with joy.
+
+As the words, "you are justified," sounded in the ear of Alfred, relief
+from ignominy swelled his heart with a proud and worthy satisfaction,
+which, under any other circumstances, would have taken the lead even of
+his affections. But now, instead of eagerly inquiring what had occurred,
+he said, with solemn tenderness, while affectionately returning the
+maternal embrace, "I am not ungrateful to Heaven, or to you."
+
+Lady Arden gazed at the mournful expression of his countenance, and
+added anxiously, and somewhat doubtingly, "When time, my son, shall have
+passed a healing hand over the sorrow you feel for your poor brother, I
+shall see you, I trust, yourself again; and for my sake--and for the
+sake of others who love you, quite--quite--happy--at last. For this
+misery," she added, speaking slowly, and still watching in vain for the
+dawning of pleasurable feeling on his still and saddened features; "this
+misery has been all occasioned by the tyranny of Lady Palliser;--she
+whom you both loved has ever been, and is still faithful to you.--She
+confided in poor Willoughby at the last, and entreated him to shelter
+her from the anger of her mother, by withdrawing his addresses. He
+obeyed her wish--but--his mind lost its balance in the effort. There is
+hope then--surely there is hope--that Heaven will deal mercifully with
+him who had not reason for his guide when he sinned."
+
+Alfred looked in her face while she spoke. When she ceased, his lips
+attempted to move but no sound proceeded from them. Every power, mental
+and physical, had been strained beyond frail Nature's capability of
+endurance. His head rested, and he sunk on a sofa in nearly a swooning
+state.
+
+At this moment the doctor most opportunely entered.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+
+While the Doctor is exerting his skill in the endeavour to revive our
+hero, we shall go back and give some account of the events which led to
+the fortunate result proclaimed by Lady Arden on her entrance.
+
+We have already mentioned that at an early hour the morning after Alfred
+quitted his place of concealment in the ruins, the long-delayed funeral
+of Willoughby took place; immediately after which the family set out for
+London.
+
+Geoffery, though he knew himself to be a suspected and unwelcome guest,
+yet had thought it necessary, for appearance sake, to attend. He had
+done so, and spent some hours subsequently at Fips's, awaiting the
+departure of Lady Arden and suite from the mansion, upon which it was
+his intention to take immediately formal possession of a place of which
+he had so long desired to be the master. The last of the carriages
+containing the family party had passed about an hour, when Geoffery
+mounted his horse and was riding through the principal street of Arden
+on his way to the park, on the adjacent woods of which he was so much
+engaged looking with exulting _pride_, that he did not perceive a waggon
+laden with household furniture which happened to be passing, till it
+came so near that to avoid it he was obliged to ride close to the
+foot-path.
+
+There chanced to be advancing at the moment, along the said foot-path, a
+decrepid old man, a sort of village miser; who, though suspected of
+possessing secret hoards, lived alone in a hovel--denied himself the
+necessaries of life--and looked like a beggar. This man had enjoyed for
+many years, as a sort of privilege, the almost exclusive sale, at the
+moderate charge, as he expressed it, of one halfpenny each, of all
+murders, trials, last dying speeches, ballads, valentines, &c. &c. &c.
+
+"A full and true account of the trial and conviction of Sir Alfred
+Arden, for the cruel and most unnatural murder of his brother, the late
+Sir Willoughby Arden;" and also of his miraculous escape from prison on
+the morning on which he was to have been executed, had been prepared for
+this species of sale; but from respect to the feelings of the family had
+not hitherto been publicly hawked about. As all its members, however,
+with the exception of Geoffery, whose sentiments were tolerably well
+understood, had that morning taken their departure, such delicacy was no
+longer deemed necessary. Accordingly, the ancient ballad-monger, fearful
+of being anticipated in his market, was commencing operations. He had
+just vociferated, "Interesting account, &c. &c." and at the precise
+moment that Geoffery, in making way for the waggon rode close to the
+foot-path, was in the act of raising his arm to display on high his
+large-lettered merchandize, when his hand coming in contact with the
+nose of Geoffery's horse the glaring white appearance, and sudden
+rustling noise of the unfurled paper so startled the animal, that he
+backed, plunged, and reared up against the waggon, entangling Geoffery
+amongst the legs and arms of the tables and chairs with which it was
+heaped, and which, lifting him from his saddle, let him down so close to
+one of the wheels, that it went over his head and crushed it to atoms.
+He was taken up and carried into an adjacent public house, of course
+quite dead; while almost every one who had been in the street at the
+time of the accident, crowded immediately into the common room where he
+was laid.
+
+It so happened that the master of the house had once incurred very ugly
+suspicions respecting picking of pockets; this was a point therefore on
+which he was now particularly jealous of his honour. When the spectators
+therefore had satisfied themselves as to the nature and extent of the
+injuries received by the deceased, and were about to disperse, mine host
+uplifted his voice, and requested that some one would remain to examine
+the contents of the gentleman's pockets, that his house might come to no
+discredit in the business.
+
+Accordingly, two persons consented to do so, one an apothecary, who had
+been called in to pronounce whether or not a person who had been
+guillotined by a waggon wheel, were quite dead; the other, Mr. Danvers,
+High Sheriff for the county. He had attended the funeral, and was
+passing through the town on his way home. He was the warm friend of Lady
+Arden, and felt a strong persuasion of Alfred's innocence.
+
+The money in Geoffery's purse was counted, and a pocket-book found which
+was opened, to ascertain whether it contained bank-notes; Here Mr.
+Danvers perceived a letter, the address and memoranda on the outer fold
+of which rivetted his whole attention. They were in the late Sir
+Willoughby Arden's hand-writing, and ran thus--"To my dear brother,
+Alfred Arden, containing my dying requests to him, together with my
+reasons for having resolved to put a period to my existence."
+
+It was very evident that this letter, though open, had never reached Sir
+Alfred's hands, or it must have been brought forward on the trial; there
+seemed therefore to be no doubt that Geoffery Arden, however it had come
+into his possession, had suppressed it with the most diabolical
+intentions. To hasten therefore immediately with the precious document,
+in pursuit of Lady Arden, and lay the affair in due form before the
+Secretary of State for the Home Department, seemed to be the obvious
+course, and was accordingly adopted by Mr. Danvers with all possible
+speed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+
+The packet found by Mr. Danvers was the same which, it may be
+remembered, was lifted from a table in Willoughby's apartment by
+Geoffery, while Alfred, to meet whose eye it had been thus conspicuously
+placed by his poor brother, was too much absorbed in grief to notice
+what was passing.
+
+The peculiar circumstances attendant on the death-scene, and the certain
+knowledge thus obtained, that poison had been taken, and would,
+therefore, on opening the body be found, suggested to Geoffery's evil
+mind the first faint glimpses of the diabolical scheme which so many
+after circumstances so unexpectedly favoured. Had there been a fire in
+his apartment that night, he would for security have certainly burnt the
+packet; but it fortunately happened that there was not, and so agitated
+and occupied was his mind in the contemplation of the very possibility
+of compassing at once the hideous crime and enormous gain, which he was
+balancing one against the other, that the idea of destroying the
+dangerous document by means of his candle never once occurred to him.
+Accordingly, when he had sufficiently considered its contents, he placed
+it in his pocket-book. After this, he more than once took it out, with
+the intention of consigning it to the flames, but when in the very act
+his hand was stayed by more than one consideration. In the first place,
+there was a kind of bequest to himself; and if the accusations against
+Alfred came to nothing, he should want the sum very much; then he
+sometimes felt a dread, that by a bare possibility, he might
+himself,--as having a remote contingent interest in the death of
+Willoughby, and having arrived too that very night at Arden,--be accused
+of being an accomplice of Alfred's; and in either case this packet laid
+down in some of the apartments, would be picked up, and being supposed
+to have hitherto merely lain unnoticed, both clear himself of all
+suspicion and secure his bequest; for though this bequest was not left
+in a binding form, he had no doubt that Alfred would religiously make it
+good. No place, however, seemed safe enough for keeping this important
+document but about his own person, and accordingly he so disposed of it;
+which serves to account for its being found in the manner described.
+
+The packet itself presented a melancholy picture of poor Willoughby's
+disordered state of mind, brought down somewhat in the form of a
+journal, and with a kind of method mingled with its wildness to the very
+evening of his death. In proof of the strange blending of rational
+considerations, there was a sort of distribution of his personal
+property; for besides the bequest to Geoffery, already alluded to, there
+were kind gifts to his sisters, his mother, his aunt Dorothea, and to
+several old servants and pensioners.
+
+Alfred, however, was his main object; the tenor of the whole letter
+breathed the most devoted tenderness towards him, mingled with a
+madman's notion, that he was about to perform an heroic act, in removing
+the obstacles to his happiness. It entreated Alfred not to grieve for
+him--he was only flying a misery he could not endure; seeking a resting
+place he longed to find. Why should not all those who remained behind be
+happy--quite happy, and never think of him who could so well be
+spared--who never should have been born--who seemed to have been called
+into existence but to stand in the way of others, and be himself
+wretched!
+
+"Yet I know that you will grieve for me, Alfred," it continued, "and the
+thought of how much you will grieve sometimes makes me shrink from
+seeking the rest I long for. But it will be for a time only, and then
+you too will be happy. Yes, you must be happy, Alfred!"
+
+Caroline's letter was inclosed in the packet, and some comments made, in
+a strain of forced, unnatural calmness, on Lady Palliser's cruel policy.
+While the whole, which seemed to have been written at many different
+periods, concluded with a sort of separate part, dated the day of the
+evening of his death; detailing minutely how he had at length possessed
+himself of some arsenic, and declaring his intention of that very
+evening putting an end to the harrassing struggles of his mind, which he
+here describe wildly, as pursuing him every where--goading him
+on--hunting him down--making rest or peace on earth impossible.
+
+"Forgive me, then, dear Alfred," he concluded; "forgive my quitting you
+thus; for I am weary, and long to sleep, though it were in the grave!
+Except that short moment when I closed my eyes on your kind bosom, I
+have not slept I know not when."
+
+This, the dying memorial of poor Willoughby, was but a melancholy
+vehicle for joyful intelligence to Lady Arden. In her mind, however, at
+such a moment, there was room but for one idea--Alfred was safe! Even
+her pride in him, which had mingled with despair, was forgotten in
+tenderness.
+
+She left all the care of his public justification, with the necessary
+forms for his restoration to his right, in the hands of Mr. Danvers and
+Lord Darlingford; and though, as a precaution lest Alfred should lose
+one moment of the relief of mind such intelligence was calculated to
+bestow, she had dispatched, at the first instant, an express, bearing in
+her own writing the three words, "You are justified." Nevertheless she
+had followed her own messenger with so much expedition, that she
+overtook him at the gates of Geneva, awaiting their being opened; and
+thus became, as we have seen, the first to announce to her exiled son
+the happy change which had taken place in his circumstances.
+
+While her ladyship was thus occupied, the townspeople of Arden,
+impatient to display the returning tide of their affection and respect
+towards their young landlord, were illuminating every pane of glass they
+possessed, and lighting bonfires on every rising ground in the
+neighbourhood, in honour of his acquittal; while at the same time their
+indignation against Geoffery knew no bounds. His motive in suppressing
+and concealing Alfred's letter spoke for itself; and so strong was the
+general feeling of abhorrence which it excited, that the night after he
+was buried, his body was disinterred by the mob, and placed on a gibbet
+on the road-side, between Arden and Arden Park. His coadjutor, too, Mr.
+Fips, was blamed even more than he deserved, if that indeed were
+possible: that is to say, he was universally believed to have been a
+party to the suppression of Willoughby's packet; a belief engendered,
+and, in a great measure justified, by his being Geoffery's right-hand
+man on all occasions, and still more by the active part he had taken
+previously to and on the trial, as well as by his own general villany of
+character.
+
+Accordingly, during the illuminations for Alfred's acquittal, the mob
+began by smashing every window in Fips's house; and hatred of Gripe, as
+he was called, being a common cause, those who had commenced the attack
+were soon joined by so many who had a personal feeling of revenge,
+founded on a lively remembrance of ruin entailed on themselves and their
+families by his means, that before morning they literally left not one
+stone, or rather one brick, upon another of Fips's dwelling; while
+himself and his daughter narrowly escaped with their lives, without
+being able to carry with them a single paper, or a vestige of property
+of any kind. What was of value found plenty of customers, who thought it
+no robbery to take back a little of their own; and as to the parchments,
+&c., a sagacious ringleader proposed that they should all be emptied out
+at the foot of the market cross; that so, when there was light in the
+morning, every one might come and choose his own. Thus did many a man
+get back his documents without being compelled to pay the unjust and
+enormous bill for which they were held as security; whilst every thing
+in the shape of bill, book, or account standing against any individual,
+was carefully consigned to the flames. All the town, in short, felt it
+more or less a blessing that the hornet's nest had been destroyed. As to
+the authorities, they had themselves, some of them, felt the gripe of
+Mr. Fips in their day: after, therefore, every step _they_ judged proper
+was duly taken to discover who had been the perpetrators of the late
+riots, it was decided, at a public meeting held for the purpose--"That
+the very _unjustifiable_ outrages which had been committed on the night
+of the -- of ----, 18--, could not be _brought home to any particular
+individuals_."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+
+It was evening; a cheerful mixture of twilight and firelight filled the
+apartment in which our hero lay, slowly recovering from a brain fever of
+many weeks duration.
+
+He had been long delirious, and as yet had not recognised the friends
+who were around him, or been conscious of any event which had occurred
+since the morning on which Lady Arden had arrived at Geneva. But his
+crisis was now past, and much was expected from the peaceful and
+profound sleep he had enjoyed for nearly the whole, both of the last
+night and of the last day. A group of itinerant musicians had stopped
+beneath his window, and were performing some simple strain, which,
+though possibly conducive to his awaking just at that moment, fell on
+his half conscious ear with indescribable sweetness. Gradually his eyes
+began to open: at first but in an imperceptible degree; yet, through the
+still veiling lashes he now saw confusedly, visions, as of angels,
+hovering around his pillow. While a countenance which bent over his,
+watching, as it were, his slumbers, seemed to grow each moment brighter
+and brighter, till, for one second, he distinctly beheld (or did he
+dream), the face of Caroline! It disappeared instantly, and was
+succeeded by that of his sister Madeline; but the shadow of a form
+glided round the curtain which the eye of Alfred anxiously followed.
+
+It was Caroline; she had gone to announce to Lady Arden Alfred's
+awaking.
+
+Lady Arden had been also ill herself, and was not yet able to bear much
+fatigue: she had, therefore, lain down while Caroline and Madeline
+cheered each other's watch in the sick chamber. The music in the street
+had alarmed our youthful nursetenders, lest it should awake their
+charge: they had raised their taper fingers, and thus asked each other
+by signal, whether they should send to have it stopped; while, as a
+preliminary movement, Caroline had glided to the bedside to note its
+effect upon the sleeper. She had stood a few seconds, marking as well as
+the imperfect light would permit, that his eyeballs seemed to move
+tremulously beneath their lids. Anxious to ascertain the point, she had
+bent closer and closer to the pillow; when, Alfred's eyes opening as we
+have described, she had disappeared.
+
+Madeline, as she took the place of the apparition, which had thus
+quickly vanished, found Alfred making a feeble effort to draw aside the
+opposite curtain. But he was quite unequal to the task.
+
+"It was--it was she--" he faintly murmured, "Was it not? tell me,
+Madeline!"
+
+"Yes it was, dear Alfred, but you must not speak! she is quite well."
+
+Fortunately, his extreme bodily weakness did not admit of any very
+violent paroxysm of feeling. His recollections of the past too, were as
+yet but confused; so that the overpowering intelligence that Caroline
+was still living--was near him--was kindly attending him in sickness,
+came not upon him at once in its full force, but grew with his growing
+perceptions.
+
+"Where is she gone, Madeline?" he at length breathed, in a scarcely
+audible whisper.
+
+"Only to my mother's room," replied Madeline, in accents scarcely
+louder.
+
+"And tell me where we are?" he added, after another pause.
+
+"At Geneva, dearest Alfred. But you must not speak."
+
+"At Geneva!" he repeated, then lay still a very long time, as if
+endeavouring to recall past events: and she noted with alarm, that pale
+though he was, after his long illness, a faint flush, was overspreading
+his brow. He feebly grasped her arm, and looked in her face with an
+earnestness of expression which she perfectly understood.
+
+"No! no!" she replied, "she was only ill--faint--but she is now quite
+well, but indeed, you must not speak, dearest Alfred."
+
+"Madeline! is all this true?"
+
+"Yes, quite true: and now, dear Alfred, you must lay still till the
+doctor comes."
+
+He tried to obey her for a time.
+
+"I cannot, Madeline," he at length whispered, and then, though
+much exhausted, he continued in broken accents, "the desire--to
+know--how--it has all happened--will hurt me more--than listening to
+your--sweet--voice.--So tell me all--and then--I will be composed."
+
+Madeline, judging that of the two it was better he should listen to her
+than persist in endeavouring to speak himself, replied in the softest of
+whispers, shading the light of the fire from his face:
+
+"Why, when my mother saw that she had both you and Caroline to nurse,
+she wrote to us to come here. But, by the time we came, we found dear
+Caroline so much recovered, that she was nursing both you and my mother,
+who had then become ill herself from fatigue. But she is now quite well
+again," she added, seeing Alfred look around. "And she has written to
+Lady Palliser, and obtained her permission for Caroline to stay with us
+while we remain abroad, that she may travel home with our party. And
+now, indeed, I will not speak another word, so you must lay still."
+
+Here the appearance of Lady Arden, and Aunt Dorothea, and soon after of
+the doctor, relieved Madeline from the difficult task of keeping her
+refractory patient in order.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+
+From day to day, as Alfred became stronger and less unfit for prolonged
+conversation, his kind parent had detailed to him all the interesting
+particulars attendant on the illness and recovery of our heroine.
+
+Her deep swoon had not, either at the first or second time of seizure,
+been a mere common faint; but had, on both occasions, more especially
+the last, partaken of the nature of those trances in which persons have
+been known to present for days so completely the appearance of death, as
+to have been carried by grieving relations to the grave; yet to have
+subsequently recovered, and lived for many years. Whether a more skilful
+doctor might, in Caroline's case, have detected the difference, we
+cannot pretend to say.
+
+Soon after Alfred had been led away from what he then believed to be the
+chamber of death, the doctor had also taken his departure. When,
+however, he returned at an early hour in the morning, to give some
+necessary orders preparatory to the funeral, he was, to his great
+surprise, met on the steps by a messenger, who was just coming out to
+inform him that the patient had exhibited signs of returning life.
+
+He entered the sick chamber, administered restoratives, &c., &c., and in
+a short time had the satisfaction of seeing Caroline open her eyes
+while, instead of closing them again almost instantly, as on former
+occasions, she now, though too feeble to move her head on the pillow,
+looked all round the apartment with evident anxiety, then fixed her gaze
+on the door, as if watching for some expected sight or sound.
+
+It was to announce the pleasing intelligence of the revival of his
+patient, that the doctor entered Alfred's apartment at the critical
+juncture described.
+
+His communications ultimately led to Lady Arden giving to Caroline every
+moment and every thought she could spare from Alfred. While the kind
+attentions of such a friend, with the explanations which of course
+followed, supplied at once the soothings of considerate regard and the
+motive to live; and thus, with the assistance of some rational medical
+adviser, called in by Lady Arden, wrought a recovery which, to those
+unacquainted with the particulars, seemed almost miraculous.
+
+But though Caroline, from the time of the first seisure caused by the
+communication of the fatal intelligence, up to that of the second,
+occasioned by the unexpected apparition of Alfred, had lain in a state
+supposed to border on insensibility; her actual state, during the period
+alluded to, had been rather that passive of despair, characteristic of a
+being so gentle by nature, so friendless by circumstances, that her
+mind, overwhelmed and unsupported, was incapable of an effort, and had
+sought a sort of refuge from the agony of carrying its burden of
+wretchedness through the ordinary round of life in this total inaction,
+this entire quiessence, this living death, while awaiting that actual
+dissolution, which, though she had not the wilfulness nor the wickedness
+to accelerate, she hoped would soon arrive. She spoke not, wept not, and
+the light of day being oppressive to her broken spirit, opened not her
+eyes, except when some sudden or startling sound caused the instinctive
+movement. At such times they met no object to awaken kindly
+associations, or call the affections back to life; the faces they beheld
+around were those of strangers, the very nurses and servants in
+attendance having been hired for this occasion, Lady Palliser having
+taken with her those she had brought from England. Poor Caroline's eyes,
+therefore, languidly closed again without noticing any object.
+
+The general impression on the minds of the persons by whom Caroline was
+surrounded was, that the shock her mind had received was occasioned by
+the intelligence that the gentleman to whom she was engaged to be
+married had been murdered. The subsequent accounts, therefore, of the
+escape of the murderer, it never accrued to them that it could be any
+consolation to her to be informed of. On the contrary, they would have
+judged it highly imprudent to have forced any circumstances connected
+with the fatal subject on her consideration. Had there been an
+affectionate or intimate friend in attendance they might have better
+understood the feelings of the sufferer. But none such was near. Poor
+Caroline, therefore, up to the moment that the suddenly-elevated voice
+of Alfred caused her to open her eyes, and beheld him standing beside
+her couch, remained under the frightful impression (though in her own
+heart confident of his innocence), that he had suffered an ignominious
+death for the murder of his brother.
+
+From total want of energy she sometimes waved from her, and, at other
+times took no notice of, any food presented to her; but being too meekly
+submissive in her nature, for the wilful resolve of committing suicide
+by abstinence, she did not offer any resistance to the efforts of the
+nurses to preserve life by administering, from time to time, a spoonful
+of liquid-jelly, whey, or gruel.
+
+Between mental suffering, therefore, and want of proper sustenance, her
+physical strength was thus, from day to day, gradually giving way. As
+for our friend the doctor, he was in too great request to run in and run
+out again; had making discoveries, therefore, been his fort, which it
+was not, he could not have spared the time: so that poor Caroline, but
+for Alfred's visit to Geneva, might have faded away from apparent into
+real death, ere any chance had conveyed to her the escape, and finally
+the acquittal of our hero.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+
+Alfred's recovery after this period was rapid, which enabled Lady Arden
+to remove shortly to a beautiful villa, situated on the borders of the
+lake, amid the romantic enchantments of the Pays de Vaud; and
+commanding, on the opposite banks, the bold and majestic scenery of the
+Savoy mountains, with their snow-clad tops and stupendous cliffs,
+thousands of perpendicular feet in height.
+
+It was in this spot, itself an earthly paradise, that our gentle heroine
+enjoyed the first really happy days she had ever known. No longer the
+solitary unloved object of her mother's capricious tyranny, she seemed
+to be already one of the kind and united family, in the bosom of which
+she had thus found a shelter,--already to form the very centre of a
+little circle of affectionate friends. For though, in the exciting
+moment of necessity, poor Caroline had been able to render some
+assistance to others, at least had been willing to think so, she was not
+yet strong herself; so that, as Alfred got quite well, she became the
+especial object of the care and indulgence of all. The attentions, the
+anxieties, the precautions for her health and comfort, of not only Lady
+Arden, but also of kind Mrs. Dorethea, were truly parental; while
+Madeline's companionship supplied to her that dear, familiar tie, she
+had never known before--that of a sister: and Alfred was brother, lover,
+friend--all in one. In every ramble his arm was her support; in every
+excursion, he it was who led the mule, or shared the seat, whatever
+vehicle she occupied afforded; and sweet was the murmur of the
+waterfall, the music of his voice commended; and beautiful the beauty in
+the landscape, towards which a beam from his eye led the responsive
+light of hers.
+
+Sometimes, on calm and lovely evenings, our little party would indulge
+in the quiet luxury of taking their seats in a pleasure boat, which
+formed a part of their present establishment; and sailing about for
+hours on the smooth and shining surface of the lake; while the
+stupendous mountains that rose around, like insuperable barriers against
+the world without, and the cloudless sky that canopied the whole, gave
+to feelings which were, in fact, those of the highest excitement,
+induced by the late relief from wretchedness, a sense of repose, a
+semblance of stability, calculated to add to present enjoyment the too
+flattering belief, that it could last for ever.
+
+Among scenes such as these, many happy months glided away; yet such was
+the delicate respect and mournful tenderness with which poor Willoughby
+was remembered, by both Alfred and Caroline, that the mention of love,
+in express terms, seemed to be, as by mutual consent, delayed. Alfred,
+indeed, would sometimes use, in speaking of futurity, the _we_--that
+promissory note of affianced love--and feel an indescribable thrill of
+delight in marking the conscious blush which his inadvertence was sure
+to excite on Caroline's fair cheek. Nor was the tender, the endearing
+thought, ever for a moment absent from his mind, that it was her secret
+attachment to him, the belief of his accusation, his terrible death,
+which had brought her, in the early morning of her days, to the dark
+portal of the tomb.
+
+It was in moments of perfect calm, such as we have been describing, when
+either sailing on the smooth lake, or strolling with Mrs. Dorothea along
+its lovely margin, while the young people were occupied with each other,
+that Lady Arden would shudder involuntarily, when in imagination she
+contemplated, as from an immeasurable height, the frightful abyss of
+wretchedness into which she had been plunged so lately; and the horrors
+of which, from their stunning effect at the time, already seemed shadowy
+and indistinct, like the remembrance of some terrific dream!
+
+"Yet such things have been," she would say, turning suddenly to Mrs.
+Dorothea, "and here I am, still in being! Would it not appear, that when
+the causes of suffering become extreme, confusion of spirit is sent in
+mercy to the succour of mortal weakness; as though such agony, as the
+soul can conceive when in full possession of its powers, were reserved
+to be the awful portion of the impenitent sinner after judgment! In our
+present state we know nothing perfectly--not even misery!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+
+We have hitherto neglected to mention, that in the correspondence held
+with Lady Palliser, her ladyship's consent to the future union of her
+daughter with our hero was duly sought and obtained.
+
+Indeed Lady Palliser considered, that Caroline's name had been so
+provokingly mixed up with that horrible business, as she always
+designated the late afflictions of the Arden family, that marrying her
+to the remaining brother was now absolutely indispensable, as well as
+one which would prove an excellent practical explanation of the whole
+affair, and save her the trouble of saying an immensity about it, beside
+the risk of being neither understood nor believed. Now, too, that the
+title and estates were Alfred's, she had no very particular objection to
+him: that is to say, he was just as good now as his brother had
+been--though neither were matches such as Caroline might have expected,
+had she not made an egregious fool of herself. As to her ladyship's
+silly anger with our hero, for daring to admire her daughter more than
+herself, it had long since been forgotten amid myriads of more brilliant
+conquests.
+
+Previously, however, to the return to England of our travelling party,
+Lady Palliser died after a very short illness, having taken cold at some
+royal fête, which, when already far from well, she had imprudently
+quitted her bed to attend.
+
+This new mourning made it nearly two years after the death of poor
+Willoughby before the marriage of Caroline and Alfred was celebrated:
+that of Madeline with Mr. Cameron, who through all the troubles of the
+family had been faithful, took place as soon as the mourning for her
+brother was over.
+
+Prior, however, to these events, and prior also to the return from
+abroad of the Arden family, Miss Fips, all her flyers and streamers of
+black crape, nay, her very parasol black, reappeared upon the stage,
+calling herself Mrs. Arden, and declaring that she had been privately
+married to the late Geoffery Arden; of which alleged fact, however, she
+failed to produce any satisfactory proof, save and except a son and
+heir, on whose behalf she claimed whatever property was left by the
+deceased.
+
+This impudent and dishonest attempt of Miss Fips's not only failed in
+its object, but produced an effect as little expected as desired, either
+by herself or her father; eventually proving the cause of bringing to
+light circumstances and letters, sufficient to induce a strict
+examination into the nature of the services rendered by Mr. Fips to
+Geoffery Arden. While in the course of the investigation thus brought
+about, it was clearly proved, that the said Mr. Fips had been one of the
+parties engaged in a foul and nefarious conspiracy against the life and
+property of Sir Alfred Arden.
+
+When Fips saw how the matter was likely to end, he, by way of precaution
+against the heavy fine which constitutes a part of the punishment for
+conspiracy, made over, by a fraudulent, antedated settlement, his whole
+property to his daughter, with a secret understanding, that she was not
+to avail herself of the gift during his life. On the expiration of his
+period of imprisonment, however, he found that Miss Fips had possessed
+herself of every shilling, married, and gone abroad. He was now to make
+his election between begging and going on the parish; for since his late
+misfortunes, the infirmities of age--a broken constitution, failing
+sight, and a trembling hand--had increased so rapidly upon him, that, to
+say nothing of want of character, he could not get employment even as a
+copying-clerk in any office. Of the two remaining alternatives, then, he
+was less ashamed to beg among strangers than to claim his right of
+parish at Arden, where he well knew the deserved abhorrence in which he
+was held. Thither, however, in the character of a vagrant, he was
+finally passed, without his own consent; and in the workhouse of Arden
+parish he died by his own hand, having been driven at last to cut his
+throat, in a paroxysm of despair and ineffectual rage, brought on by the
+ceaseless revilings, reproaches, and scoffings of his companions; many
+of whom, but too justly, laid their ruin at the door of his dishonesty
+and ruthless oppression.
+
+Caroline and Alfred, after the cloudy morning of their life cleared up,
+enjoyed sunshine to its close. But this we need have scarcely mentioned;
+for all the ladies will say, "Who could avoid being happy with Alfred?"
+while the gentlemen will, no doubt, be disposed to pay a similar
+compliment to Caroline.
+
+Lady Darlingford made an excellent, respectable, and respectful wife.
+The first season she appeared in London after her marriage, Lord
+Nelthorpe, her early lover, who by this time was separated from his
+lady, had the presumption to offer her some insidious compliments,
+indicative of continued admiration. They, however, as well as himself,
+were received with the scorn they merited.
+
+Louisa and Henry Lyndsey soon began to experience the inconveniences of
+poverty; yet, when both happened to be in good humour, they could still
+think love better than riches. When, however, any thing ruffled the
+temper of either--and where there are difficulties (unless people are
+angels, or very good Christians), this will too often be the
+case--Louisa would think of, at least, if not regret, the sacrifices she
+had made; and Henry would recollect, with indignant resentment, that
+Louisa would, in all probability, have jilted him, but for the decided
+step he had taken.
+
+These sentiments, after being at first only thought, might at last have
+been expressed; and so led, in time, to recrimination, and much
+unhappiness. Fortunately, however, an opportune act of liberality on the
+part of Alfred, by placing them in easy circumstances, before their
+dispositions became soured, prevented so miserable a result.
+
+Madeline, it might be thought, had at least secured wealth. But in the
+course of years, she became a widow; and having in early life married an
+old man for his money, when no longer young herself, she married a young
+one for love, who married her for her money, he being one of the unhappy
+younger brother species, and therefore without a shilling of his own.
+Having also a taste for extravagance, acquired in childhood under the
+parental roof, and, moreover, a fashionable passion for gambling, he
+soon contrived to run through her splendid settlement, and at length
+found a dwelling for himself within the rules of the King's Bench.
+
+Aunt Dorothea, who, though getting very old (somewhere about eighty-five
+or eighty-six), was still living at home, gave her favourite niece a
+home at Rosefield Cottage, which finally she willed to her with what
+little property else she possessed; but secured all in the hands of
+trustees, to preserve it from the extravagant husband.
+
+Mr. Salter senior died, and Mr. Salter junior married; on which the
+Misses Salter found themselves constrained, by their limited
+circumstances, to betake themselves to a small lodging, where, if we may
+be excused the twofold contradiction in terms, they lived _together_ in
+_single blessedness_ the remainder of their days, as _miserable_ as bad
+tempers, aggravated by discomfort and disappointment, could make them.
+They seemed to have but one object in life, which was mutually to thwart
+each other, and as they could afford but one sleeping apartment (the
+single dressing-glass of which, by-the-by, was a constant bone of
+contention), and one sitting-room, each of the smallest possible
+dimensions--they had neither means nor opportunity of flying from each
+other's ill-humour. The one, too, had a pet dog, while the other
+espoused the cause of the cat of the lodging-house; so that these
+respective representatives not only furnished a never-failing subject of
+quarrel, but whenever there happened to be a moment of truce between
+their principals, supplied themselves an underplot in excellent keeping
+with the leading drama. For, invariably on making their first appearance
+on their own peculiar stage, the rug before the fire, they saluted each
+other with a snarl, and a snap, a spit, and a claw in the face; after
+which, to do them justice, they did not keep _at it, at it_, like
+their betters, but lay down quietly, and went to sleep; puss in general
+persisting, notwithstanding a remonstrance or so from pug, on picking
+her steps in among his feet, and laying her back on his warm bosom; thus
+wisely making herself as comfortable as circumstances would permit.
+
+Why is man called, by way of distinction, _a rational animal_? Man, who,
+of all creatures in creation knows the least how to be happy, while
+happiness is the end and aim of all.
+
+    Oh, happiness! our being's end and aim!
+    Good, pleasure, ease, content, whate'er thy name:
+    That something still which prompts th' eternal sigh,
+    For which we bear to live, or dare to die;
+
+           *       *       *       *       *
+
+    Plant of celestial seed! if dropp'd below,
+    Say in what mortal soil thou deign'st to grow?
+
+           *       *       *       *       *
+
+    Fix'd to no spot is happiness sincere;
+    'Tis no where to be found, or every where.
+
+Why, then, is happiness so rare? Because ere it can be possessed, every
+virtue must be ours and we must be wise withal, gentle, patient, lowly,
+meek; nor at the idle suggestions of vanity, immolate life's realities
+on the imaginary altars of _Pride_.
+
+    Know then this truth, enough for man to know,
+    Virtue, alone, is happiness below.
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Dilemmas of Pride, (Vol 3 of 3), by 
+Margracia Loudon
+
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+<pre>
+
+Project Gutenberg's Dilemmas of Pride, (Vol 3 of 3), by Margracia Loudon
+
+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: Dilemmas of Pride, (Vol 3 of 3)
+
+Author: Margracia Loudon
+
+Release Date: January 24, 2011 [EBook #35058]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DILEMMAS OF PRIDE, (VOL 3 OF 3) ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Heather Clark, Mary Meehan and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from images generously made available
+by The Internet Archive)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+
+
+<h1>DILEMMAS OF PRIDE.</h1>
+
+<h2>BY MARGRACIA LOUDON</h2>
+
+<h3>THE AUTHOR OF FIRST LOVE.</h3>
+
+
+<h3>IN THREE VOLUMES.</h3>
+
+<h3>VOL. III.</h3>
+
+<h3>LONDON:</h3>
+
+<h3>BULL AND CHURTON, HOLLES STREET.</h3>
+
+<h3>1833.</h3>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CONTENTS</h2>
+<!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. -->
+<p>
+<a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV.</a><br />
+</p>
+<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. -->
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>DILEMMAS OF PRIDE.</h2>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+
+<p>We shall here pause for a few moments to give a slight sketch of the
+principal agent employed by Geoffery in this part of the business, and
+indeed in the conduct of the whole affair.</p>
+
+<p>In Arden, the neighbouring county town, there lived a solicitor, who,
+unfortunately for the honour of humanity and his own especial calling,
+was without exception, the most thorough-paced villain unhanged; nay,
+many have been hanged who were not half as bad; for this man was not
+only without remorse of conscience, but also without remorse of heart.
+His only reason for committing more robberies than murders was, that the
+former crime was in general more profitable than the latter; but as to
+who died the lingering death of a broken heart, he cared not, so long as
+he gained a few pounds by the transaction.</p>
+
+<p>He was known for a mean contemptible fellow, and consequently possessed
+but little of the confidence of the higher orders, so that when he could
+catch a gentleman to plunder, it was a sort of prize in the lottery to
+him; but unfortunate tradesmen in a little way, were his natural prey:
+to such, when perishing in the gulf of misery, he pretended to stretch a
+helping hand, but with that very hand assisted in the work of
+destruction, and finally possessed himself of the wreck of their
+fortunes. This fellow, by name Fips, had long been Geoffery Arden's
+right-hand man, and for all his services had invariably been one way or
+other payed out of Sir Willoughby's pocket. Such was the fitting
+coadjutor to whom Geoffery applied for that assistance which the present
+momentous occasion demanded, as the following interview will show
+without absolutely committing himself.</p>
+
+<p>Fips, who had just dined, was seated in an old-fashioned black-bottomed
+mahogany arm-chair, which he filled, or rather over-filled, in much the
+same manner as a feather-bed tucked into the same piece of furniture
+would have done; and had there been a cord tied round the centre of the
+said bed as a convenient mode of carriage, it would have bisected its
+yielding rotundity, just as the single middle button of Mr. Fips's
+waistcoat did that of the wearer.</p>
+
+<p>With a hand so fat that it could scarcely grasp the decanter, yet
+trembling from habitual excess, Fips was helping himself to the last
+glass of the bottle of port with which he had followed up liberal
+potations of brandy and water, not water and brandy, swallowed during
+dinner; while the flabby cheeks, double chin, and bottle-nose of the
+sot, his health being none of the best, partook more of the purple hue
+than of the lively living red. Beside him sat his only daughter and sole
+domestic companion, Miss Fips. She was about six-and-twenty, and but for
+the showy vulgarity of her dress, the unshrinking boldness of her
+demeanour, and the rouge with which she unnecessarily heightened her
+complexion, she would have been extremely handsome, her figure being
+well made and showy, though on rather a large scale; her hair redundant,
+black, and glossy, and dressed in numberless gigantic bows, which sat <i>à
+merveille</i>, the tresses of which they were formed being strong in
+texture as a horse's mane; her eyes were large, dark and bold; her
+features regular&mdash;lips full&mdash;teeth large but good&mdash;and skin, though
+coarse, of a snowy white.</p>
+
+<p>"Ha, Fips, how are ye?" said Geoffery entering. He next made his
+salutations to the lady, with a marked effort of gallantry in his
+manner.&mdash;"So you have been making merry alone, I see, old fellow," he
+added, turning again to Fips; "and I am just come in time for the empty
+bottle."</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind, we'll have it changed for a full one. Come, sit ye down.
+Deb, go send us in a bottle of claret. Strange news afloat, Mr. Arden!"
+he added, as Deborah disappeared.</p>
+
+<p>"Stranger perhaps than you imagine, Fips," replied Geoffery with well
+affected solemnity. "Indeed, the only conclusion at which it is possible
+to arrive, after an impartial review of the circumstances," he pursued,
+lowering his voice, "is too horrible to be thought of. For myself, I am
+as you will allow very painfully situated. If a '<i>most foul and
+unnatural murder</i>' has been committed, it would be dastardly and
+contemptible in me, the nearest in blood, to suffer the murderer to
+escape, merely from a want of activity and decision in seeking out and
+bringing together sufficient evidence. Yet on the other hand, should my
+cousin, as I <i>sincerely</i> hope he may, prove innocent, it might appear
+invidious in me, the next heir, to have evinced what, though but a
+respect for justice, might be misconstrued into a too great willingness
+to find him guilty." Here the entrance of the claret and the consequent
+discussion of its merits for a time interrupted the conversation.</p>
+
+<p>"The object of my visit," said Geoffery, when the wine had been
+pronounced excellent, "is to crave once more that which I have so often
+before found useful&mdash;your friendly advice and assistance. What in fact I
+at present stand most in need of, is a friend whose disinterested
+exertions should ensure the ends of justice being answered, without my
+appearing to take an active part in this truly shocking affair."</p>
+
+<p>"Humph," said Fips, who by all this as perfectly understood as though it
+had been said in as many words, that the secret service required of him,
+and for which, if successful, he should no doubt be munificently
+rewarded, was to hang Sir Alfred Arden, whether innocent or guilty; and
+by so doing, give Geoffery, who was the inevitable heir, by a strict
+male entail, possession of the title and estates.</p>
+
+<p>Geoffery proceeded to give Fips an account of the circumstances
+connected with the melancholy event, in a manner ingeniously calculated
+to exhibit those features of the case most susceptible of exaggeration
+or misrepresentation; he also recapitulated his own examination of the
+several servants, thus giving Fips an opportunity of judging what
+witnesses might, if necessary, be found most available.</p>
+
+<p>"For that matter," he added, "if you could find an opportunity yourself
+of conversing with these people, it might be desirable; you would
+understand the subject more fully."</p>
+
+<p>Something was next said of the impropriety of suffering the public mind,
+and, through so all-pervading a medium, future judges and juries to be
+<i>prejudiced</i> by the <i>general high</i> character and seeming amiability of
+Sir Alfred, for such qualities were no palliation of the crime, if
+indeed, as he feared there could be no doubt, it had been committed.</p>
+
+<p>There was another point of infinite importance, which was, that the
+business should not be allowed to pass over without any investigation,
+as might be the case, if, for one reason or other, every one thought it
+necessary to be supine. He would himself be glad, if possible, to avoid
+taking an active part, yet something must be done; he should never
+forgive himself if the time for investigation were allowed to pass by,
+and the waves of oblivion to close over so shocking a transaction.
+While, on the other hand, if Sir Alfred were perfectly innocent, which,
+notwithstanding appearances, he should still be too happy to find the
+case, it would be the most cruel injustice to him, not to wipe out this
+foul stain from his reputation by a full and fair inquiry. He would have
+little reason to thank the friends, who, from false delicacy, had
+suffered the proper occasion for so doing to pass over. At the same time
+it was very desirable that the necessary steps should be taken with the
+greatest possible delicacy; no one should appear to entertain a
+suspicion until the force of evidence should compel conviction.</p>
+
+<p>"This is the line of conduct," continued Geoffery, "which I mean to
+observe with Sir Alfred, who, I know, has himself at present no
+apprehension that any suspicions are afloat. He gives out, it seems, and
+expects the public to believe, that his brother died of a fit of
+apoplexy. The Doctor, it is true, did allow that the symptoms were such
+as might have attended a sudden seizure of the kind."</p>
+
+<p>To keep his unsuspecting kinsman as long as possible in the dark by this
+pretended delicacy, was, as we have said, a part of Geoffery's hellish
+plot. He had contrived, under the mask of sympathy, to put a few
+important questions to Alfred, and the answers to these had been such,
+as very materially to increase his hopes of ultimate success. But he
+knew that if Alfred were informed that such a surmise, as that of his
+having wilfully murdered his poor brother, had found a place in the mind
+of any being upon earth, he would of course immediately come forward,
+and court the fullest investigation. And though it did not follow that
+even this must clear him, his avoiding inquiry, as Geoffery knew he
+would continue to do, while under his present impression, would furnish,
+when connected with the circumstances that must come out in evidence, a
+strong presumption of guilt.</p>
+
+<p>"Humph! humph!" uttered from time to time with the intonation of a fat
+pig wallowing in mud, had been the cautious comment of the sagacious Mr.
+Fips, during this lengthened tirade, except indeed that an involuntary
+exclamation of "No! That's good!" had broken from him on the mention of
+the piece of paper marked "<i>Poison</i>" having fallen from within the
+breast of Sir Alfred's waistcoat, and again, "That's better still,"
+accompanied by a resounding stroke of his clenched hand on the table,
+when Geoffery came to his having himself seen the missing packet of
+arsenic in Sir Alfred's escritoire.</p>
+
+<p>"I am always happy to oblige you, Mr. Arden," at length commenced Mr.
+Fips; "but after all, this is a kind of thing which cannot be said to be
+much in the way of my business; without, indeed, it could be contrived
+that I was to be attorney for the prosecution; for that there will be a
+prosecution there can be no doubt from what you tell me. I had heard all
+before, certainly in the way of report, but I had no idea it could be at
+all true;&mdash;I had no notion you had so good a case."</p>
+
+<p>Geoffery undertook to arrange that Fips should be the attorney employed.
+"You have often, Fips," he continued, "conducted business for me in the
+most liberal and friendly manner, when it was not in my power to
+remunerate your services as they merited; should I however have the
+misfortune&mdash;for misfortune I must call it, taking all the circumstances
+into consideration&mdash;to succeed to the Arden estates on the <i>present</i>
+occasion, to repay amply all your past <i>disinterested</i> friendship shall
+be my first care. You shall not only have the agency, which is no
+trifle, but a handsome annuity beside; and that not only for your own
+life, but also secured to your daughter; unless indeed, means can be
+devised," he added, smiling, "of identifying her interest with those of
+the owner of the estates themselves. I have hitherto been deterred," he
+added with an affectation of great candour, "from mentioning this
+subject by my poverty, and consequent inability to marry; but my
+admiration of Miss Fips, I think you must have seen."</p>
+
+<p>Fips was of course profuse in his thanks for the intended honour; not
+that he felt unbounded confidence in the sincerity of the <i>soi-disant</i>
+lover, of whose pride and ambition he was perfectly aware: he did not
+however despair, considering the present aspect of affairs of having his
+client in a short time so completely in his power, as to be able to
+enforce the fulfilment of any hopes which the latter might at present
+think it good policy to hold out. And having now a sufficient "spur" of
+self-interest "to prick the sides of his intent," he entered into the
+business in good earnest, took down notes of hints to be followed up,
+reports to be circulated, persons to be called upon, and especially an
+embassy of a most delicate nature to the coroner.</p>
+
+<p>That functionary was to be requested on the part of Mr. Geoffery Arden,
+to make use of the information which he felt it his imperative duty to
+convey to him, without noticing Mr. Arden's interference, in
+consideration of the very painful situation in which the latter found
+himself placed; and in short, come forward in his official capacity as
+feeling himself called upon so to do, by the nature of the reports which
+had gone abroad. After this preamble, Mr. Fips was to inform the coroner
+at length of every suspicious circumstance; to indicate to him where the
+missing paper of arsenic was to be found; and to request that he would
+require the attendance of the medical gentlemen, and enforce the opening
+of the body, which had hitherto been resisted. All this was followed up
+with hypocritical declarations, that as nothing short of the most
+positive proofs could induce Mr. Geoffery Arden to believe his cousin
+guilty, he could not, though feeling investigation a duty, endure the
+idea of standing forward his accuser, while there remained a possibility
+of his being proved innocent.</p>
+
+<p>Each time Fips had occasion to speak, whether in question or reply,
+while thus receiving his instructions, he would commit some seeming
+inadvertency of expression, almost removing the flimsy veil from the
+nature of the services required of him; and whenever he did this, he
+would look full in Geoffery's face. But that wary tactician as often
+dropped his eyelids, and replied, with hypocritical calmness, in the
+same key of caution in which he had commenced.</p>
+
+<p>At length Fips pronounced it time for him to go out; and by the third
+effort, succeeding in disengaging himself from his arm-chair; then, with
+some difficulty bringing together the lower buttons and button-holes of
+his waistcoat, which, while in a sitting position, gaped full half a
+yard asunder, he departed, telling Geoffery, he might if he pleased, now
+that he had talked business with him over a glass of wine, take the
+opportunity of the hour or two he should be absent, to talk love to his
+daughter, over a cup of tea.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+
+<p>As Colonel Trump says, "There is nothing forbidding to any man, about a
+fine woman." Geoffery, therefore, now that he had placed more serious
+concerns in such excellent hands, had no objection to the recreation of
+a <i>tête-a-tête</i> on the footing of a received lover, with a young woman,
+whose personal attractions were above mediocrity, and whose modesty was
+not likely to be troublesome; while from her inferiority of station, her
+ideas of the high honour conferred on her by the gentleman's addresses
+were calculated to smooth the way to advances, which an equal might have
+thought impertinent, or at least premature.</p>
+
+<p>When, therefore, Mr. Fips returned, after an absence of full two hours,
+he found the candle-wicks ominously long, and neither the tea-things nor
+the lover sent away.</p>
+
+<p>Yet Geoffery had not the most distant thought of making Miss Fips his
+wife; unless, indeed, circumstances compelled him so entirely to commit
+himself to Mr. Fips, as to be completely in his power, and so make it a
+matter of prudence to secure his secrecy, by what, with too many, is the
+only infallible bond of good faith, identity of interest. But, if on the
+other hand, he should be so fortunate as not to be obliged to make use
+of Fips, more than as a tool, with which to work up the material in the
+way of extraordinary combinations of circumstances that fate seemed so
+liberally to have provided; and that, by the operation of those so
+worked, he should succeed in obtaining what had so long been the object,
+though for many years back the hopeless one, of his ambition&mdash;the Arden
+estates, Fips having nothing more to bring against him than surmises
+that the acquisition was not disagreeable to him&mdash;he should set at
+nought the tears of Miss Fips, and merely keep Fips's tongue at bay,
+with the agency <i>at will</i>: and as that was a thing which some one must
+have, it was an excellent way of securing the fellow's services first,
+and even his good behaviour afterwards, on very reasonable terms. For
+the present, however, while all was yet at stake; while there was no
+saying what villany might be necessary to carry him through; it was
+highly politic, to give Fips, at the outset, a motive, which would make
+him ready to perform any service that might be required of him.</p>
+
+<p>Geoffery's calculations were perfectly just: Fips had indeed been
+indefatigable; and, during the two hours he had been out, had not only
+performed his delicate mission to the coroner, with consummate skill;
+but had contrived to drop in at innumerable houses, and, on pretext of
+asking the news, to give circulation to many evil reports and wicked
+surmises. He gossiped away, in particular, about there having existed
+but little cordiality between the brothers of late, in consequence of an
+unfortunate rivalship; in which, too, he said it must be confessed that
+Sir Alfred was very ill-treated. And the lady was an heiress too; so
+that Sir Alfred being a younger brother, the match was a great object to
+him. He had been accepted, in fact (the lawyer declared that he had it
+on the best authority), when Sir Willoughby, most ungenerously
+interfered, and by the strength of his purse, carried off the prize.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+
+<p>In consequence of the message of Geoffery, as conveyed by his
+unprincipled tool, Mr. Fips, together with the reports already in
+circulation, the coroner felt it his duty to visit Arden in his official
+capacity.</p>
+
+<p>Alfred had hitherto, as we have stated, indulged his mournful feelings,
+by remaining entirely secluded.</p>
+
+<p>He had given the necessary orders for the funeral, on that scale of
+magnificence, which the rank, but still more the immense fortune of the
+deceased called for; and was beginning to flatter himself, that his
+endeavours to prevent the idea of a suicide becoming prevalent had been
+successful, and that there would be no unpleasant interference.</p>
+
+<p>On being apprized, however, of the arrival of the coroner, he again felt
+some uneasiness on this head.</p>
+
+<p>He knew that the suspicion he had himself so long entertained, of
+Willoughby's liability to derangement, had been ever buried in his own
+bosom. He even knew, strange as it may seem that such should be the
+privilege granted to affection, that his brother, though he loved him
+better than any one else in the world, had never been half so odd and
+inconsistent in temper, towards any one, as towards himself; and still
+more, that even latterly, since the actual presence of derangement had
+to Alfred been clearly evident, yet, from the turn it had taken, of
+seemingly exuberant spirits, it had been apparent only to the anxious,
+watchful, constant companion, which was himself; and was not of a nature
+to be seen through by the careless apprehensions of servants, during
+merely casual attendance; but, on the contrary, was rather calculated to
+convey to them the idea that their master enjoyed more than his usual
+health and spirits. Altogether, then, it rested on his own single,
+unsupported evidence, to prove that his brother had been deranged, and
+was therefore entitled to Christian burial. He was probably not aware,
+how much the admission of insanity in those cases, is, in general,
+matter of form. And little did he think, that it was his own life and
+reputation which were at stake, and that the preservation of the one,
+and the restoration of the other, rested also on his own single,
+unsupported evidence: nay, that every thing he had ever generously or
+kindly done, to hide the infirmities, or spare the feelings of others,
+would now be ranged in evidence against himself.</p>
+
+<p>The coroner, in consequence of the secret information with which he had
+been supplied, came provided with a warrant to search for the missing
+packet of poison. His first step was, to demand Sir Alfred's keys; his
+next, a request to be shown Sir Alfred's escritoire; on opening which,
+he drew forth, to the evident horror of all present, the paper of
+arsenic. He held it on the open palm of his extended hand, for some
+moments; looking round, as he did so, with a countenance of great
+solemnity, and, to do him justice, of sorrow. Then, delivering the
+packet into safe keeping, he proceeded, by virtue of his official
+authority, to require that the body of the deceased should be opened.</p>
+
+<p>So slow was Alfred in suspecting the truth, that he still believed the
+coroner's sole view was to ascertain whether or not his brother had put
+a period to his own existence. He was, however, now obliged to submit to
+the required examination, the result of which was, a unanimous opinion
+on the part of the medical men present, that Sir Willoughby had died
+from the effects of poison, probably arsenic, but that this point might
+be placed beyond a doubt, the contents of the stomach were reserved to
+be subjected to the proper tests.</p>
+
+<p>The coroner then holding his inquest in the very library in which the
+melancholy event had taken place, the servants, and all persons
+connected or supposed to be connected with the affair were severally
+examined. Doctor Harman, on being required so to do, produced the fatal
+scrap of paper which he had seen fall from within the breast of Sir
+Alfred's waistcoat, and the actual arsenic which, by the test of
+reduction he had obtained from the sediment in the glass that Sir Alfred
+had attempted to rinse in his presence. The packet of arsenic was
+examined: it was perceived that a portion of its outer envelope had been
+torn away, the torn part was compared with the piece so seen to fall
+from the breast of Sir Alfred. The fitting together of every
+irregularity of the sundered portions, the texture of the material, the
+peculiar characters, being those of print yet done with a pen, in which
+the two words, "<i>Arsenic, Poison</i>," were distinctly legible, the one on
+the one part, the other on the other, all clearly proved the smaller
+piece of paper to have once been a part of that which still contained
+the arsenic. The answers of the persons examined then went on to prove
+the various facts of the glasses having been wiped the moment before
+they were brought in&mdash;of the impossibility from the situation of the
+arsenic, of any portion of it having fallen accidentally into either of
+them&mdash;of Sir Alfred having been seen in the afternoon coming from the
+saddle-room alone&mdash;of his previous knowledge where the arsenic lay&mdash;of
+the brothers having supped together, and no third person having entered
+the room from the time the tray had been carried in, till the alarm had
+been given by Sir Alfred, and Sir Willoughby found in the agonies of
+death&mdash;of the order for antidotes&mdash;the attempt to rinse the glass, &amp;c.
+&amp;c. &amp;c.&mdash;and, finally, of Sir Alfred's having since refused to allow the
+body to be opened.</p>
+
+<p>Although it was easily evident to all, but Sir Alfred himself, that the
+tendency of this examination was to prove him the wilful murderer of his
+brother, so remote was the apprehension of such a suspicion from his
+pure, exalted, and preoccupied thoughts, that he was long, indeed, in
+comprehending the nature of the proceedings. When, however, it became no
+longer possible to avoid drawing from all that was passing, the too
+evident conclusion to which every question and reply directly led, his
+horror was little short of that with which he would have contemplated
+the actual commission of the crime, had some fiend possessed the power
+of requiring of him such a service.</p>
+
+<p>We shall not make any attempt to describe the outraged feelings of our
+hero on this afflicting occasion; but simply state the result of the
+proceedings, which was, that the coroner felt it his painful duty to
+commit Sir Alfred.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+
+<p>The committal of Sir Alfred Arden for the murder of his twin brother
+occupied, of course, the attention of the whole country, and became for
+a time, almost the sole topic of conversation. The very enormity of the
+crime would, with many, have been a sufficient reason for disbelieving
+the guilt of the accused; particularly when his amiable temper, gentle
+manners, and honourable character were taken into consideration; but the
+malignity which was layed at the root of the story at its earliest
+promulgation, accompanied the ramifications of report in every
+direction. Surmises were ingeniously mingled with facts; motives
+confidently attributed to the simplest and most innocent actions, as
+well as to those which unfortunately had a suspicious appearance; and
+ready-made opinions, prejudging the case, were artfully scattered
+abroad, to be picked up by the many who wanted the power or the habit of
+thinking for themselves.</p>
+
+<p>Thus, though the personal friends of our hero flocked around him,
+offering him their utmost support, and refusing to give credit to any
+allegations derogatory to his honour, still among the indifferent and
+the slightly acquainted, an almost universal cry of consternation and
+horror was got up. People moralized about the temptation of great
+riches, quoted scripture to the same effect, but said the passage ought
+to have been translated, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye
+of a needle than for a <i>man who covets</i> riches to enter into the kingdom
+of God." Others, in a more sentimental strain, spoke of the parties
+being not only brothers, but twin brothers; and dwelt upon the great
+affection Sir Willoughby had always shown to Sir Alfred! recounted every
+exaggerated particular of the rivalship; descanted on jealousy, and
+repeated from history, ancient and modern, numberless instances of
+crimes of the blackest die, of which that passion, from the commencement
+of the world to the present day, had been the fruitful source.</p>
+
+<p>Here the report of Sir Alfred having been very ill-treated in the
+business, had its effect; and was adduced, though not, of course, in
+extenuation of such a crime; yet, as accounting for it on principles
+which experience acknowledged.</p>
+
+<p>What passion so savage as revenge; what revenge so dire as that which is
+born of jealousy!</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Fips, as a perfectly disinterested person, had, on one pretext or
+other, contrived to have some conversation with most of Sir Willoughby's
+servants, and in the course of such conversation, to insinuate the
+suggestions, and induce the replies, that best suited his purpose; while
+with long words, long faces, and terrific-sounding technicalities, he
+managed to arouse their selfish fears, to a degree which banished all
+better feelings. Then he would shake his head, and allowing his double
+chin to hang with hypocritical despondency, most devoutly hope that poor
+Sir Alfred might be found innocent. "In that case," he would add, "it
+will go hard with some of you, for the poison did not get into the glass
+without hands; and more likely, I say, to be by any other hands, than
+those of his own brother." By arts like these, instead of the
+affectionate respect for our hero, the indignant rejection of the idea
+of its being possible that he could have committed such a crime, which
+had else been the spontaneous sentiments of all the household, some were
+unconsciously rendered almost willing to hear their once beloved young
+master proved guilty, as the only means of clearing and saving
+themselves. Such thoughts, however, naturally produced an inward
+discontent, that, in its turn, gave to their outward demeanour a
+sullenness and gloom, which had a most baneful effect on the judgments
+of all with whom they came in contact; for it seemed to those who knew
+not how it had been produced, to indicate a secret conviction of the
+guilt of their master.</p>
+
+<p>A thousand times each day was the butler asked by some one of the party
+assembled in the housekeeper's room at Arden, if he were sure the
+glasses were quite clean when he took them into the library. Of course
+he always declared they were, on which, another of the conclave, in a
+stage whisper, and with a face of mystery, would follow it up, by
+saying,</p>
+
+<p>"Well, and from that, till we were all called in to see him in the
+agonies of death, there was no one near the room but their two selves."</p>
+
+<p>"And wasn't the sediment the Doctor found in the bottom of the glass,
+arsenic?" observed a third.</p>
+
+<p>"And didn't he offer to rinse the glass?" a fourth would ask; "and what
+could that be for?"</p>
+
+<p>"And so fond of one another as they used to be when they were boys!"
+ejaculated a fifth.</p>
+
+<p>"It's never been for the estate," said one of the women, and the rest of
+the female committee agreed with her, that it was owing to both brothers
+fixing their fancy on the same lady, and that Sir Alfred, that was the
+handsomest gentleman of the two by far, could not abide being turned off
+for him that had the fortune. There was many a young man, they observed,
+that had been the death of the girl that he was fond of, sooner than she
+should leave him, to go with another.</p>
+
+<p>"And to give it to him at supper-time, too," said the gardener, who was
+a great politician, "thinking it would be put into the newspaper 'found
+dead in his bed,' and so hear no more of it."</p>
+
+<p>The old butler could not endure all this, and was so irritated by it,
+that he would have quitted the house, but that Lady Arden was expected.
+Poor Lewin, who had long been failing, was overwhelmed by the blow; he
+became almost childish, at least quite lost his memory, for though he
+wept incessantly, he scarcely seemed to know why&mdash;sometimes speaking of
+Sir Willoughby as still alive, and sometimes of both brothers as already
+dead. While at other times, he would attempt to play on the harp, as
+though nothing had happened, and seem to think it a great hardship,
+when, from respect to decorum, he was checked by the other servants.</p>
+
+<p>Whenever this occurred, he would sit for hours sounding, one by one,
+single strings, as if by stealth, with the silent tears of wounded
+vanity rolling down his cheeks, fancying, poor old man, that it was his
+music that was despised.</p>
+
+<p>Thus, ever ready to poison joy, or add bitterness to grief, <i>Pride</i>,
+that arch enemy of our peace, still survives, when the mind is else a
+wreck.</p>
+
+<p><i>Pride</i> is surely that evil spirit portrayed in scripture as "wandering
+to and fro, seeking whom he may devour;" that is, whom he may make
+wicked&mdash;whom he may make miserable; deceiving even the generous of
+heart, by exalting them in their own opinion, till their <i>pride</i>
+requires of others a homage which the <i>pride</i> of others will not yield;
+and so, resenting the supposed deficiency, they cease to be in charity
+with all men.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+
+
+<p>Lady Arden was in town, and busied in preparations for the marriage of
+Madeline, when Alfred's letter, announcing the sudden death of Sir
+Willoughby, reached her. The signs and trappings of approaching
+festivity were, of course, changed for those of mourning. But who shall
+describe the consternation of this affectionate mother, when the
+astounding intelligence was brought to her, that her child, her darling,
+her favourite, now her only son, was actually committed to a felon's
+prison, accused of the murder of his brother.</p>
+
+<p>It was some moments before her comprehension could grasp the whole
+extent of the horrors connected with such an intimation. She was
+bewildered, she seemed to be in a trance; yet, through it all, her own
+perfect knowledge of the utter impossibility of such an accusation
+having the slightest foundation in truth, was a kind of upholding to her
+spirit, inasmuch as it appeared also impossible to her mind, that any
+being could give reception to such a thought. Unable to speak
+connectedly, she alternated the expressions, "No, no&mdash;&mdash;Oh no,"
+continually, while looking round her with a strange wild eye, that
+seemed to flash, yet saw not.</p>
+
+<p>The want she felt was to be with her son; but though she moved rapidly,
+and often turned quite round, she was incapable, at the time, of
+distinguishing the door from the windows of the apartment she was in.</p>
+
+<p>It was only by the kind intervention of Mrs. Dorothea, that Lady Arden's
+wishes were at length understood, and accomplished.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Dorothea was in town for the purpose of being present at Madeline's
+wedding; which was so far fortunate, as she was, on the present
+occasion, a great support to her afflicted sister-in-law; and kindly
+accompanied her on her journey to Arden.</p>
+
+<p>On entering the town. Lady Arden was asked where she would choose to go.
+"Where?" she repeated, "Take me where he is."</p>
+
+<p>She was driven to the gates of the gaol; she looked at them, and at Mrs.
+Dorothea.</p>
+
+<p>When last she had passed through the streets of Arden, the triumphal
+arches and laurel wreaths, the remnants of the previous day's
+rejoicings, for the coming of age of her twin sons, were not yet taken
+down.&mdash;Now, one son lay a quarter of a mile distant, within the stately
+mansion of his fathers, a yet unburied corse;&mdash;she waited at the door of
+a common prison for admittance to the other.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Dorothea's eyes met hers, but neither spoke. Becoming suddenly
+collected, Lady Arden alighted from the carriage with a firm step, and
+entered the dismal precincts as proudly as though the portals of a
+palace had received her.</p>
+
+<p>Alfred had been warned of her approach. He stood breathless, and with a
+beating heart. Without a word uttered on either side, they rushed into
+each other's arms. In continued silence the mother held the son to her
+bosom, as though she felt, instinctively, that it was his natural
+sanctuary.</p>
+
+<p>Though at first melted by the tenderest sorrow, in the embraces of his
+parent, our hero soon assumed a noble firmness. He had already passed
+eight-and-forty hours in solitary reflection on his extraordinary fate.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not ask you, mother," he said, "not weep, for we have a common
+cause of sorrow in the untimely and sudden death of my poor brother: but
+add not one tear for me; believe me, there is not, there cannot be, a
+shadow of danger in the position in which I stand; although public
+opinion, I am told, is against me. Is it not," he added, in an altered
+tone, "a degrading view of human nature, to see that so many individuals
+should be found ready to believe such a crime possible? As to the result
+of a fair and open trial, however, I repeat it, I have no fears!</p>
+
+<p>"In a land professing to prefer mercy before judgment; in a land with
+laws so constituted, that lest an error should be committed on the side
+of severity, the criminal, whom all know to be guilty, is allowed to
+escape unpunished, if but a technicality of legal proof be wanting; in a
+land, one of the boasts of which is, that no man is required to prove
+his own innocence, but that all are by law innocent until proved guilty;
+in such a land it must be quite impossible that, on mere appearances,
+they should strip of honour and of life one whose thoughts were never
+visited by the conception of a crime! Nay, I speak it not in unchristian
+pride, but, compared with that of which they would accuse me, I feel
+that I am innocent indeed!"</p>
+
+<p>After a long pause, during which they had gazed silently in each other's
+faces, Alfred, as a sort of effort to converse, said, "How much we are
+struck with the merest common-places, when they happen to suit our own
+individual case: 'innocent as the babe unborn,' now seems to me a
+beautiful expression."</p>
+
+<p>Lady Arden felt much comforted by the firmness of her son;&mdash;his views
+were her own; though within the walls of a prison, and surrounded with
+every practical proof of the peril in which he stood, she could not look
+at Alfred, his lofty carriage, the nobleness of his brow, and force her
+imagination to associate with him the idea of a condemned criminal&mdash;it
+seemed a thing impossible! "No!" she haughtily exclaimed, "acquitted he
+must be, but how have they dared to accuse him?"</p>
+
+<p>Alfred now explained the hitherto unexpressed fears, which he had so
+long entertained, respecting his brother's state of mind, and went into
+all the particulars of his late return to Arden, and subsequent death.
+As he drew up in array the extraordinary circumstances, inexplicable to
+any one but himself, on which the accusation against him was founded,
+Lady Arden felt a pang of terror paralyse her heart, but as his simple
+explanations followed, she would exclaim, "Is not that sufficient? Is
+not that sufficient?"</p>
+
+<p>"In the mouth of an impartial witness, such explanations would be
+all-sufficient," he replied, "but remember I am the person accused."</p>
+
+<p>"Accused!" she repeated, then gazed with a mother's rapturous love, on
+the guileless expression of his parted lip, as to comfort her he tried
+to smile, she fondly poured forth expressions of endearment.</p>
+
+<p>"Alfred, my child! my mild, my innocent, my beautiful Alfred! my gentle,
+my affectionate, my noble Alfred!" She paused, and, by the working of
+her features, terrible thoughts seemed to pass in view before her.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, impossible!" she suddenly exclaimed, clasping him with convulsive
+agony to her breast, "quite impossible! But if they are so mad," she
+added, in a hurried tone of subdued agony, "they shall saw these arms
+asunder before they take him from me!" He was too much affected to
+reply. Again she looked at him in silence for a time, then added, almost
+fiercely,</p>
+
+<p>"There must be means, and I will find them! What! allow them to murder
+him! No&mdash;no&mdash;I rave, my son. Dreams of horror belong to these
+walls&mdash;&mdash;but I have no fears&mdash;no fears&mdash;no fears&mdash;I say I have no
+fears&mdash;it is quite, quite impossible!" Even while reiterating that she
+had no fears, her voice had faltered, and now she burst into a passion
+of tears, which the effort to brave her feelings quickly changed to an
+hysterical affection.</p>
+
+<p>This became so serious, and lasted so long, that she was obliged to be
+carried home, and conveyed to bed, where the kindhearted Mrs. Dorothea,
+took the post of friendship beside her pillow.</p>
+
+<p>Yet this was, by no means, the most agonizing period of this season of
+trial. The situation was too novel to be comprehended in its full
+extent. There was, as yet, more of incredulous amazement, and of proud
+defiance of the accuser, than of despair or even of apprehension in the
+feelings both of Lady Arden and of Alfred. They were both at present
+more indignant that such an outrage had been offered, and that
+submission to insulting and degrading forms was still necessary, than
+seriously alarmed as to future consequences.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+
+
+<p>In the parlour to which we have already been introduced, sat Mr.
+Fips&mdash;over his wine it must be confessed, yet apparently uniting the
+<i>utile et dulce</i>, for beside his bottle of port stood an ink-bottle;
+amid walnut-shells and remnants of biscuit lay sundry long-shaped folded
+papers, and though he held a glass in his hand, from which he sipped
+from time to time, there was a pen behind his ear; his wig was pushed on
+one side and Geoffery was his companion.</p>
+
+<p>"Should we not subp&oelig;na Lady Arden?" asked Fips.</p>
+
+<p>"By all means," replied Geoffery, "her evidence will be of great
+importance: we can prove by it, that Sir Alfred had actually made
+proposals to and been accepted by Lady Caroline, the very day before his
+brother came to town: and also, that he felt his disappointment much
+more bitterly than was generally supposed."</p>
+
+<p>Here Geoffery repeated the particulars of a conversation on the subject,
+which it may be remembered he once overheard, between Lady Arden and her
+son. And Fips took down notes, for suggesting questions to counsel.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think," he said, "there would be any use in sending subp&oelig;nas
+to Lady Palliser and her daughter?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, on the contrary, I have reason to suspect, some circumstances might
+come out on their examination, rather calculated to raise a doubt in the
+minds of jurors; I am therefore better pleased that they are on the
+continent."</p>
+
+<p>"When did they go abroad?"</p>
+
+<p>"A short time before the death of Sir Willoughby; immediately after his
+return to Arden."</p>
+
+<p>"Are they likely to be brought forward on the other side, think you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I should say not: from the conversations I have had with Sir Alfred, I
+should think that he was not at all aware that their evidence could be
+of the slightest service to him."</p>
+
+<p>"You seem to have more reasons for thinking so, Mr. Arden," said Fips,
+"than you have been pleased to confide to me. Now 'tis well and wisely
+said, that a man, for his own sake, should have no secrets either from
+his doctor or his lawyer. That, however, is your look out; I can only
+serve you to the best of my ability, as far as my information goes."</p>
+
+<p>"Which is quite as far as mine, I assure you Fips. It was merely my own
+surmise, that Sir Willoughby might not have been quite as well received
+latterly as his vanity had, at first, led him to believe he should be.
+Now, I naturally thought that such an idea being promulgated, might
+suggest the possibility of Sir Willoughby's having taken the poison
+himself; which idea, though not amounting to evidence on either side,
+might, as I said before, raise doubts in the minds of a jury, calculated
+to bias their judgments, and so defeat the ends of justice."</p>
+
+<p>"I thought," observed Fips, sulkily, for he fancied he saw that Geoffery
+was playing an underhand game, "I understood you to have said, you had
+reasons for your opinion."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, so I have&mdash;those I have just stated."</p>
+
+<p>He had others, however, which he had not stated, because, as we have
+said, he did not wish to put himself absolutely in Fips's power, unless
+there should be no other means of gaining his end.</p>
+
+<p>"His sisters too," continued Geoffery, "and his aunt Mrs. Dorothea, can
+be produced to prove so far, that Sir Alfred, before the appearance of
+his brother on the stage, was an assiduous, and believed himself to be a
+favoured lover. I do not mean to say, that either this or Lady Arden's
+evidence would be any proof of Sir Alfred's guilt; but, by adding the
+incentives of jealousy and revenge to that of mere avarice, it makes his
+having committed the crime much less improbable, and must therefore
+influence, more or less, the minds of the jury."</p>
+
+<p>When the various subjects under discussion were arranged and the bottle
+of port finished, Mr. Fips repaired to his office&mdash;for he was a labourer
+at his vocation, late, as well as early&mdash;while Geoffery, whom the
+strains of a female voice, accompanied by a pianoforte, had been long
+inviting to the drawing-room, repaired thither.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Fips, as the only child of Mr. Fips, was destined to be the
+receiver of stolen goods to a large amount; or, in other words, to
+inherit all the money her father had scraped together. She had therefore
+been sent to a London boarding-school, to receive an education
+proportionate to her fortune. Her Italian singing-master, called her
+voice a made one. He had found it impossible to give her either ear or
+taste; while the unshrinking audacity with which she caricatured a
+<i>bravura</i>, gave to her performance the semblance of having been got up
+on purpose for a burlesque: a stranger would seriously have thought,
+that the most polite thing they could do was to stand by and laugh
+openly. Her shakes were shudders, and seemed to have been produced by a
+sort of second-sight view of some approaching horror, invisible to all
+beside. Her prolonged notes resembled the howls of a chained dog, on a
+moonlight night; while her abrupt changes, and impassioned passages,
+were the starts and yells of a maniac.</p>
+
+<p>Without somewhat of the grace of natural timidity, the most splendid
+performance could scarcely please; with what feeling then, but that of
+unqualified disgust, could such a display as we have just described have
+been witnessed; while Geoffery, who had the part of a lover not only of
+music, but of the lady to maintain, was thereby called upon to enact
+raptures.</p>
+
+<p>Fips's wife had died, in giving birth to this only child. Fips was then
+a poor clerk. When the child began to require the aid of a first school,
+he lodged in a garret, and dined in a cellar, that he might be able to
+defray the expense. Yet, strange to say, notwithstanding this seeming
+noble self-denial, his was not a worthy nor a genuine affection; he was
+incapable of such. In the first place, he was naturally a man of
+parsimonious habits, and imbued with a prudent sense of the necessity of
+giving to persons unprovided for, at least an education, that they might
+be able to do something for themselves. The sentiment, however, which he
+mistook for affection, was little better than gratified vanity. The
+child happened to be very beautiful; to which his attention was
+particularly drawn, by the circumstance of his being often obliged, for
+want of mother or nurse-maid, to walk out with it himself. When he did
+so, almost every one they met would turn to look or to make some comment
+as they passed. Sometimes, groups would stop and speak to the child;
+kiss it, ask it to shake hands, &amp;c. On such occasions Fips would stop
+also, and becoming imboldened, desire his little girl to look up, and
+show its pretty eyes; to laugh, and show its pretty teeth; then, its
+pretty mouth, its rosy lips, its lovely colour, its beautiful skin, its
+pretty curls, its pretty foot, would each in succession form a topic for
+eulogy, till the poor child was hardened into little better than a
+hawked-about show while Fips, to whom his little girl, through the
+medium of gratified vanity, otherwise <i>pride</i>, thus became a source of
+pleasure, fancied himself a fond father. As the child grew, Fips having
+no principles himself could not impart any. Meanwhile, his fortunes also
+grew rapidly, not without suspicions that he had found out by-ways to
+the attainment of riches, which he would have been very sorry to have
+pointed out to a fellow-traveller. The possession of wealth, in the
+course of time, suggested the necessity for the fashionable
+finishing-school already mentioned.</p>
+
+<p>The orders were given, that no pains or expense should be spared in
+making Miss Fips highly accomplished. These accomplishments, in all
+their various stages, became at each vacation the subjects of new
+displays; till at length the young lady came home the perfect singer of
+Italian bravuras, performance of which we have just witnessed; and
+furthermore imbued with a thorough contempt for her vulgar, and except
+in the chicanery of the law, ignorant father. Of this contempt she made
+no secret; but on the contrary, laughed at his opinions and scoffed at
+his authority, on the plea of being herself a much better judge of every
+thing, save, as she expressed it, of musty parchments.</p>
+
+<p>All men, besides a natural dislike to milliners' bills, let them be ever
+so clumsy in every thing else, have a sort of notion of what is becoming
+to women in dress.</p>
+
+<p>Fips, accordingly, on one occasion ventured to hint to his daughter,
+that she looked as handsome again when she had not half so many fine
+things on. She was at the moment just equipped to step forth into the
+streets of a country town, dressed in a bright green silk pelisse,
+extremely short, to display the pretty foot and ancle; her stockings
+were of open-work embroidery, the slippers scarlet, the hat (not bonnet)
+yellow crape, adorned with white blond and pink ostrich feathers tipped
+with scarlet. She also wore, flung across one shoulder, and hung over
+the contrary arm, a long flying canary-coloured scarf, and held
+perpendicularly above her head, that it might neither conceal nor
+derange its trappings, a conspicuous-sized, canopy-shaped, lilac
+parasol, deeply bordered with a gold-coloured net-work fringe, and
+tasseled at every point. Chains, ear-rings, bracelets, brooches, clasps,
+watch, and reticule, were of course none of them forgotten; while the
+very backs of the canary-coloured kid gloves were embroidered with lilac
+and gold.</p>
+
+<p>Fips's remark was received with a sneer, and "I beg, sir, you'll mind
+your parchments, and give me leave to be the best judge of my dress."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, well, my dear, follow your own way."</p>
+
+<p>"That I shall, sir, you may rest assured."</p>
+
+<p>Such a figure as we have described, walking the streets alone, with a
+bold erect carriage, it may be believed, drew a good deal of attention,
+particularly at assize-time, when there were many strangers and young
+barristers in the town, and such of course were the occasions on which
+Miss Fips was fondest of making a display. Her generally walking alone,
+at least until she had picked up two or three young men, proceeded from
+a combination of circumstances: in the first place, Fips had little time
+for recreation, and if he had had more, his dutiful daughter would not
+have been fond of appearing with so unwieldly and unsightly a companion.
+As to other young women, Miss Fips, proud of her beauty, and the fortune
+she was taught to expect, treated those in her own sphere with
+impertinence, while it was very improbable that ladies in a sphere above
+her would be induced to take by the hand an inferior, whose natural
+boldness rendered her vulgarity and bad taste so conspicuous. Though we
+have used the expression natural boldness, it is most probable that the
+unprepossessing quality we have thus described, was in this instance
+both produced and strengthened into second nature by that most baneful
+and unsexing of lessons to a young female, early <i>personal</i> display.</p>
+
+<p>The remaining traits in the character of this young woman, together with
+what we have already said, are quite in accordance with a favourite
+theory of ours, that want of personal modesty is more than a presumption
+both of want of heart and want of taste or genius; because it is a proof
+of the absence of that susceptibility&mdash;that acuteness of moral
+perception, the presence of which is indispensable to the mental process
+by which both the powers of genius and the capability of loving are
+developed, almost, we might say, created in the human mind.</p>
+
+<p>Flattery too, with the want of early control, had made the temper of
+Miss Fips violent and insolent in the extreme. From the time of her
+return from school there was no peace in the house, and little, as far
+as their own set went, in the town. She quarrelled with the
+neighbours&mdash;insulted the boarder clerks&mdash;and scolded the servants; and
+when Fips was too busy with his own, if not more amiable, at least more
+important avocations, to join her in pouring forth invectives against
+whoever had provoked her ire, she would stand over his desk and scold
+himself; or interrupted in a like tempestuous manner, the quiet
+enjoyment of his bottle of port, his only recreation, till his life
+became a perfect burden to him.</p>
+
+<p>Still he toiled on&mdash;her aggrandizement being the sole object of his
+labours; nay, he entered eagerly into projects which he could not but be
+aware must condemn his soul to perdition, to secure to her a marriage
+above her sphere, and add wealth to wealth still for her! And why?
+Because his daughter, undutiful and disrespectful though she was,
+happened to be the part and portion of himself, in which his vanity, his
+ambition, his <i>pride</i> had centered; and his selfishness, when he
+remembered that he could not carry his riches with him to the grave,
+sought in her a sort of immortality, at least a prolongation of
+existence. Yet did this unprincipled being sanctify to himself, (strange
+sophistry) many a sin, by the belief that he was the fondest of fathers,
+and did every thing for the love of his only child.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+
+
+<p>The death of Sir Willoughby occurred within so short a period of the
+assizes, that the immediate approach of Alfred's trial gave to the whole
+terrific transaction the character of a sudden and awful thunder-storm.</p>
+
+<p>Lady Arden and her son, desirous of supporting each other, mutually
+acted a part painful to both, incessantly concealing their feelings, and
+denying themselves the solace of unreserved intercourse: whatever their
+separate thoughts were, neither would confess to the other that they had
+any apprehensions as to the result of the approaching trial. And yet the
+conduct of their legal advisers was by no means calculated to inspire
+confidence. These gentlemen looked extremely grave, asked both Alfred
+and Lady Arden many questions, and seemed much disappointed at their
+replies. They were agreed in opinion that the chain of circumstantial
+evidence was unbroken&mdash;almost irresistible; and that the only defence
+which could be set up was the insanity, and consequently possible
+suicide of Sir Willoughby.</p>
+
+<p>While the idea of his being insane, never having been entertained by any
+one but Sir Alfred, nor even by Sir Alfred himself suggested to any one,
+till after he, Sir Alfred, was actually accused of the murder, it was to
+be feared the plea would not even be listened to. And yet the idea of
+Sir Willoughby's having wilfully taken poison, while in possession of
+his right mind, was still more unlikely to be heard, from his very
+advantageous circumstances at all times, and the peculiarly happy
+prospects he at that particular crisis enjoyed. The combinations and
+coincidences too of trivial events were no less untoward; for all of
+those, and they were many, which told against our hero, could be
+established by a host of creditable witnesses; whilst the few which were
+in his favour were known to no human being but himself; nor had he even
+spoken of them to any one, until, as in the former plea, after he had
+been accused. Alfred had a faint and rather confused remembrance of
+having said something of his motives to Geoffery, in the first moments
+of affliction. He mentioned this to his lawyers. They had a conference
+with Mr. Arden on the subject. He replied, but without entering into any
+explanation, that if they chose to put him in the witness box, he should
+esteem himself happy, if any thing he could say with truth, should have
+any tendency to exculpate his cousin. He was accordingly subp&oelig;ned,
+and was the only witness for the defence.</p>
+
+<p>The plea of Sir Alfred's amiable and honourable character rendering it
+highly improbable that he should have committed such a crime; though it
+must be felt by all, and with his immediate circle of friends and
+intimates, was all sufficient, could not weigh one feather as evidence.
+We had, unhappily, instances of persons previously of unblemished
+character, departing from that character in practice, when strongly
+tempted by passion, revenge, or avarice; and in this case all these
+incentives seemed to have been united.</p>
+
+<p>Opinions so alarming, were of course not distinctly stated by the
+lawyers, either to Lady Arden, or to Alfred. To have done so, would have
+been an unnecessary degree of cruelty. But such were the sentiments they
+entertained, and much of which could be implied, not only from their
+whole demeanor, but, as we have already said, both from the anxious
+questions they put, and the evasive answers they gave. All this had a
+fearful effect on the feelings of Lady Arden: concealed agony, and
+constant fever, were devouring the vital energies, while her mind laid
+waste, as it were, by so immeasurable, so incomprehensible a calamity,
+seemed defenceless against the superstitious impressions and wild images
+of horror which wearied her spirit and aggravated her sufferings, by the
+ceaseless importunity with which they blended themselves unbidden with
+the wretched realities of the hour.</p>
+
+<p>The presence of Geoffery too, which she was occasionally compelled to
+endure, was terrible to her feelings. She literally shuddered as she
+looked on the man who was destined, should her most horrible
+apprehensions be realized, to fill the place of both her sons. And
+notwithstanding the subdued air of solemnity and sorrow he
+hypocritically assumed in her presence, she found it impossible to
+divest herself of the idea that she could detect triumph lurking in the
+depths of his sinister eye; and that his hard spare lips were more than
+usually compressed, to prevent the corners of his mouth from curling
+with a fiendish joy; for of such a feeling she did inwardly accuse him.
+With what thoughts would she have viewed him, could she have known that
+he was, through his secret emissaries, labouring at the very moment to
+fix upon the innocent Alfred that horrible accusation, of which he alone
+could have proved him innocent; but this was a degree of wickedness of
+which she was incapable of conceiving the idea. She could not suspect
+even Geoffery of such.</p>
+
+<p>With the gentlemen of the country too, Geoffery attempted to act a part
+which in fact he greatly over-acted. He sought every opportunity to
+dwell at great length on the painful and delicate situation in which he
+was placed. He sincerely hoped, he said, that Sir Alfred might be fully
+cleared of so revolting an accusation; yet he confessed he could not
+himself see how the distinct chain of circumstantial evidence, which had
+already appeared, was to be got over. He hoped, however, that something
+favourable might come out on the trial, and most especially he hoped
+that he might not be called upon to take any part whatever. Yet, if it
+was indeed possible that Sir Alfred was guilty, he could not wish to see
+him escape the just punishment his aggravated crime would, in that case,
+so fully merit; nay, such he declared was his indignation when he took
+this view of the subject, that if it were not fortunately the duty of
+the crown to prosecute, he should feel himself called upon&mdash;nay, bound
+to do so; bound to sacrifice every private feeling towards the offender,
+and as the nearest male relative of poor Sir Willoughby, stand forward
+the avenger of his untimely end. Yet as he had, he might say, the
+misfortune to be the next heir to the property, he considered it a happy
+circumstance that he was not obliged to act, what some might consider an
+invidious part. He used the expression misfortune, for it certainly
+would be a misfortune to inherit a venerable family property through the
+medium of a catastrophe so awful, and what was even worse, so
+disgraceful; in fact, should the affair so terminate, it was more than
+probable that he should become almost an exile from the family mansion,
+at least for many years; he did not know indeed that he should ever be
+able to bring himself to live at Arden.</p>
+
+<p>These indelicate communications, though murmured in an under tone, and
+given as much as possible the air of individual confidences, were, from
+time to time, forced on as many hearers as Geoffery could obtain; for it
+was not all who would listen to him&mdash;many, and those some of the leading
+men of the country, were indignant at the attempt to bring such an
+accusation against our hero.</p>
+
+<p>The funeral of Sir Willoughby was naturally delayed by the committal of
+Alfred, under whose authority the preparations had been proceeding. No
+one seemed aware what was to be done, or whose orders were to be given
+and received. Geoffery indeed was disposed to take upon himself the
+command, as well as the part of chief mourner, in Alfred's place, but
+this Lady Arden arrived in time to prevent.</p>
+
+<p>When appealed to, she clasped her hands and raised her eyes to heaven
+for a few moments, as if she there sought counsel, then with admirable
+dignity and presence of mind, she ordered that the solemn preparations
+should stand still till the necessary forms of law having been gone
+through, her son should be at liberty to take his place at the head of
+his brother's grave; inferring thus, by her reply, that there existed
+not a doubt of Alfred's innocence being established.</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly, in pursuance of these commands, the remains of her eldest
+son still lay in state at Arden, when the anxious day arrived on which
+her younger son was to stand at the bar of justice, arraigned for the
+murder of his brother.</p>
+
+<p>While thus Lady Arden proudly strove to have it thought, nay, if
+possible to think herself, that she had no fears for Alfred; how, but by
+the absorbing nature of her fears for him was the blunted state of her
+feelings on all other subjects to be accounted for. The death of
+Willoughby, had it come alone, with what deep sorrow would it have
+afflicted her; and how greatly would that sorrow have been aggravated,
+by but a suspicion that he had committed the awful act of suicide; yet
+to have that suspicion proved beyond a doubt, was now the only hope of
+her existence; while the simple fact of Willoughby's death was driven by
+the exigences of the hour from its natural position in her mind, and
+viewed as it were in the distance of memory, like a sorrow long gone by,
+solemnly but calmly. Were Alfred safe, his honour and his precious life
+rescued from the frightful peril they were in, her heart told her that
+all grief would be forgotten, and joy unspeakable would be her portion.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+
+
+<p>The night before the trial, Lady Arden, by especial favour and kind
+connivance, passed in the prison of her son. She knelt at the side of
+the bed, on which she had insisted on his laying himself, and, if
+possible, sleeping, in order that he might obtain strength and composure
+for the task which awaited him.</p>
+
+<p>After many last words and repeated affectionate entreaties, that he
+would try the effect of silence and stillness, at length, with a hand
+fondly clasped in both his mother's, he did sleep, though but for a
+short time, as calmly as an infant. Lady Arden, in the position in which
+she knelt, shaded from his countenance the immediate glare of the lamp
+which stood on a small table behind her. Sufficient light, however,
+still rested on his sleeping features to give to her fond gaze all their
+loveliness. The perfect beauty they always possessed, the more than
+common share of a mother's love she had ever borne him, the enthusiasm
+of every feeling naturally exerted by his impending peril, altogether
+called up such emotions, that she seemed to look on the face of an
+angel; while fast falling tears unconsciously inundated her cheeks, as
+memory pourtrayed the infant years of this her darling son;&mdash;the smiling
+babe sleeping in her bosom; the laughing child playing at her feet. Then
+followed pictures of his boyish sports and gleeful hours, till her heart
+bled; then traits of docile obedience and dutiful affection; and, as he
+grew in years, of that gentle, noble, self-immolating nature, so
+peculiarly his own. All these were remembered with tender yearnings
+which no words can describe. A fearful idea next presented itself, that
+such beings were but lent to earth: they were not destined to sojourn
+with us; in a moment of agony and terror to those left behind, they were
+caught up again, and absorbed by that all-perfect spirit of which they
+were but emanations. Such thoughts gave, for a time, a character of
+wildness to the fervour of her prayers; confusion of every faculty
+followed; she became unconscious of the purport of the words she rapidly
+uttered; and then her lips ceased to move: a silent statue, with hands
+and eyes uplifted, one solitary thought possessed her being; it was,
+that in her helplessness she knelt at the foot-stool of Him who had
+restored to life the widow's son when he was already dead, and had given
+him back to his mother. Her son was still alive; the mercy that had
+restored surely could preserve. Alfred smiled in his sleep, and gently
+pressing the hand which still held his, suddenly opened his eyes with an
+expression which showed that for a second he knew not where he was.
+Short was the respite: in a moment more, the shade of pain which passed
+over his brow, and the look of anxious, kind inquiry which followed, as
+his eye met that of his mother, proved that consciousness had returned.</p>
+
+<p>Morning was near; and though there were still many lingering hours of
+suspense to get through, sleep was thought of no more&mdash;conversation was
+renewed&mdash;every minute particular again enumerated&mdash;Alfred's defence
+reconsidered.</p>
+
+<p>His language, the expression of his countenance as he spoke, had again
+the effect of awaking a proud confidence in the mind of Lady Arden, that
+it was impossible for any one to believe him guilty. As for Alfred
+himself, his confidence was still based on the firm belief that, on full
+investigation, what called itself justice, could not so fearfully err as
+that life should be forfeited on false grounds.</p>
+
+<p>Thus supported, both, as the time approached, instead of sinking, seemed
+to acquire supernatural strength. To part, when the unavoidable moment
+came, was indeed a severe pang. But this over, Lady Arden's demeanor,
+among the numerous friends who flocked around to offer her their
+countenance, attendance and support on the terrible occasion, was calm,
+dignified, noble, almost haughty.</p>
+
+<p>Though, of course, no one in her presence volunteered to pronounce, in
+so many words, a fear or even a doubt respecting the result of Alfred's
+trial, the expression of many a countenance did so; while also the very
+excess of almost reverential consideration for himself seemed to infer
+such a feeling; and she could not forgive any one, however kind and
+well-meaning, who did not spurn with unequivocal contempt, as the breath
+of pestilential slander, the thought of an accusation against her son.
+Such an accusation, too! and against such a son!</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2>
+
+
+<p>In consequence of the intense interest naturally excited by the
+approaching trial, the court-house was, as may be supposed, crowded to
+excess.</p>
+
+<p>There was a pause, however, at the precise moment we are describing in
+the public business; for a cause having been just concluded, the judge
+had absented himself for a few minutes. Persons were in the mean time
+handing across the green table, stuck at the end of long, slight, white
+wands, which seemed to be split at the point for the purpose, notes,
+letters, and folded papers, to the various individuals who sat round,
+out of reach of communication by any other means; some, indeed, employed
+the still less ceremonious mode of flinging across the table little
+folded notes, not larger than butterflies, of which a pretty constant
+flight was thus kept up. The personages round this table we may mention,
+for the benefit of those not conversant with the inside of a
+court-house, were principally barristers in their wigs and gowns. The
+few eminent ones, who had any thing to do, had clerks seated at their
+elbows, and all had beside them large green or purple baize or serge
+bags, purporting to contain papers, but in many instances, suspected of
+harbouring more sandwiches than briefs. Beside the counsel for the
+crown, whose business it was to conduct the prosecution of Sir Alfred
+Arden, sat wedged with difficulty into the limited space allotted him,
+and anxiously poring over his documents, Mr. Fips. A little above, and
+immediately behind him, in the lowest row of seats appropriated to
+spectators, sat Geoffery Arden, with Miss Fips, whose style of dress, if
+possible, was more extravagantly absurd, and indecorously showy than
+usual, which, together with the incessant swinging of her hat and
+feathers, made her a most conspicuous figure. Indeed she and her
+paraphernalia might be said to act most effectually the part of a flying
+flag, pointing out to the spectators in general where this group of
+principal characters were to be found.</p>
+
+<p>It had been weighed by Lady Arden and her many friends, whether her
+ladyship should await in an adjacent retired room, communicating by a
+private door with the gallery, or how; or where she had better be placed
+to be ready to appear with least exertion, when called upon for her
+evidence. She had herself, however, decided that the suspense of not
+hearing and knowing what was going on, even at every step, would be more
+impossible to endure, than any agony however hard to bear, to which
+being present throughout could subject her. She was therefore already
+placed in the corner of the gallery, nearest the witness box, but
+purposely so surrounded by a group of her own most particular friends,
+as to be effectually screened from general observation. With her
+ladyship was Mrs. Dorothea, Lady Darlingford, and Madeline, all of whom
+had been subp&oelig;ned as witnesses.</p>
+
+<p>The judge now returning into court, took his seat on the bench, with an
+air of even more than usual solemnity. The prisoner was called to the
+bar.</p>
+
+<p>"Do not, do not look!" said Mrs. Dorothea, bending across, and
+interposing herself between Lady Arden and the view of the dock. But
+Lady Arden had already covered her face, naturally shrinking from the
+fearful trial of seeing her son enter.</p>
+
+<p>Alfred appeared. He was aware that a great portion of those present must
+be persons well known to him. He had no reason to shrink from the
+scrutinizing gaze of any one. With quiet dignity, therefore, on his
+first entrance, he looked all round the court, and few were found who
+had callousness to resist his mild, calm, clear eye, the expression of
+which was rather an appeal to the better feelings of humanity than that
+angry defiance of his accusers, which his circumstances might have
+almost justified; and which, perhaps, even he would have experienced,
+had not solemn and tender regret for the fact itself of his brother's
+untimely death, softened and subdued his feelings. Such was the
+immediate effect, both of his countenance and his noble bearing in every
+respect, as far removed from guilty hardness as from guilty fear, that
+many who had on hearsay condemned now in their hearts acquitted him.</p>
+
+<p>We speak chiefly of the impression made on persons in Sir Alfred's own
+sphere in life; that, however, which was produced upon a much larger
+body, the respectable yeomanry of the county, and tradesmen of the town,
+was in general very different. Among these a doctrine had been artfully
+promulgated, which though in itself perfectly just, was in this
+instance, well calculated to prejudice the judgment, namely, that if
+gentlemen will commit crimes worthy of ignominious punishment it is the
+duty of those in whose hands the administration of justice is entrusted,
+to show them that there is not one law for the rich and another for the
+poor. It is not because a gentleman can get ninety thousand a-year by
+murdering his brother that he is to be allowed to do so with impunity,
+when a poor man, who sees his wife and children starving and steals a
+sheep to feed them, must be hanged!</p>
+
+<p>This popular proposition, in the abstract so perfectly just, Fips had at
+the very first given out, as a sort of text to preach from, to one or
+two vulgar, vehement, levelling friends of his own; and from that moment
+affected himself, as became the attorney who was to conduct the
+prosecution, the most prudent taciturnity possible.</p>
+
+<p>Possessed, then, with these abstract ideas, and doggedly determined to
+apply them in the present case, the class of persons alluded to saw in
+the beautiful serenity of our hero's aspect no better feeling than a
+confidence, which they were determined to show him was ill-founded, that
+his rank in life was almost a guarantee against his suffering the
+extremity of the law.</p>
+
+<p>The indictment was now read aloud, and poor Alfred heard himself
+accused, with awful solemnity, of the wilful murder of his brother, Sir
+Willoughby Arden, by maliciously and feloniously administering to him a
+certain portion of arsenic, in some wine and water. The prisoner, of
+course, pleaded not guilty; and the counsel for the prosecution,
+abstaining from opening the case by a speech to the jury, proceeded to
+call and examine witnesses. The first of these were the servants who had
+been hastily called into the room by Alfred when Sir Willoughby was
+dying. They swore to the deceased being insensible, and in convulsions
+when they entered the room, to his having been apparently in perfect
+health at and after dinner; to Alfred's having, in his first alarm,
+called aloud for antidotes against poison, naming arsenic in particular.
+Dr. Harman was next examined. He proved, that at the time he arrived Sir
+Willoughby was quite dead; that he believed his death to have been
+occasioned by poison&mdash;that poison arsenic. He then under-went a tedious
+cross-examination, as to the tests of arsenic. He had made poisons much
+his study. He had attended the opening of the body. The state of the
+stomach denoted the presence of some corrosive stimulant. Arsenic is a
+corrosive stimulant. He had applied to the contents of the stomach
+several tests, such as sulphate of copper, ammoniacal sulphate of
+copper, nitrate of silver; ammoniacal nitrate of silver; and
+sulphuretted hydrogen gas; the results of all denoted the presence of
+arsenic; there was an immense precipitate of arsenic, quite enough to
+kill a man. Being asked, had not every test which had been tried for the
+last century and half been said to be fallacious, he replied, that if
+this were true of the tests separately, yet, when the results of three
+were uniform, no chemist could have a doubt, but that he had also had
+recourse to the infallible test of reduction, by which he had obtained
+crystals of white arsenic. Had he not said that a fit might have been
+attended by similar symptoms? He had. What, then, had confirmed him in
+his belief, that the deceased had died by the effects of poison? Inward
+appearances, on the body being opened, and an examination of the
+contents of the stomach.</p>
+
+<p>Parts of this gentleman's evidence were supported by that of several
+other medical men.</p>
+
+<p>Some judiciously put questions then drew from the reluctant Doctor the
+fact of Alfred's attempt to rinse the glass, in which a sediment of
+arsenic was subsequently found, and his having, when the Doctor
+interfered, made no attempt to explain conduct so extraordinary. On
+this, a kind of murmur passed round the court; almost every face looked
+shocked, and many shook their heads, as though they had whispered their
+next neighbour, "He must, I fear, be guilty!"</p>
+
+<p>The conviction was still stronger, and the horror still greater, when
+Dr. Harman, so evidently an unwilling witness, literally compelled by
+stern justice to dole out that portion of the sad truth each question
+extracted from him; when he, with a solemn voice, a cheek pale with
+emotion, and a moistened eye, described the time and manner, when, as
+the prisoner was in the act of bending forward, he had distinctly seen
+glide from within the breast of his waistcoat and fall to the ground, a
+piece of paper marked poison, and which was found, on being lifted up,
+to contain among its folds a few remaining grains of arsenic. He here
+produced, being called on so to do, the piece of paper described. The
+packet of arsenic being missed on the morning after Sir Willoughby's
+death, from where it had lain on the previous day, was next proved by
+several servants. That the prisoner knew where it lay was also proved.
+The groom then swore to having seen the prisoner coming alone from the
+saddle-room (a place he was not in the habit of frequenting) with a
+similar packet in his hand. Next was proved the subsequent finding of a
+packet of arsenic by the Coroner, in a locked escritoire of the
+prisoner's, and of which the prisoner kept the keys about his person.
+The packet of arsenic was now produced in court, and identified on oath
+by several servants. The piece of paper which Dr. Harman had seen fall
+from within the waistcoat of the prisoner, was here shown to the Judge,
+and handed from one to another of the Jury, together with the packet,
+from the outer covering of which, it was evident to all eyes, that the
+smaller piece had been torn, apparently as the readiest vehicle which
+offered, for carrying away a portion of the poison. The reluctance of
+the prisoner to permit the body of the deceased to be opened, was proved
+by several medical gentlemen, as well as by other persons his not, in
+short, yielding this point till compelled so to do by the authority of
+the Coroner.</p>
+
+<p>The servants of the house, and such persons as had seen Sir Willoughby
+since his return to Arden were next strictly examined, and
+cross-examined, respecting his health, spirits, and sanity. All swore
+without hesitation, that up to the last moment on which each had held
+communication with him he had been in good health, in excellent spirits,
+and perfectly sane. The elderly squire, who, it may be remembered, had
+met the brothers out riding, on the day of the evening on which the
+death of Sir Willoughby took place, having chanced, when the sudden
+demise became known, to mention the meeting, together with the nature of
+the conversation which had passed, Mr. Fips in his diligence and zeal
+had made him out and sent him a subp&oelig;na.</p>
+
+<p>This gentleman was next examined, and his evidence proved that Sir
+Willoughby, a few hours before his death had been in high health and
+spirits, and had spoken freely of his intended marriage and projected
+tour. This seemed conclusive. After hearing such evidence from a
+respectable and disinterested witness, it appeared quite impossible to
+believe that Sir Willoughby, a few hours subsequent to this
+conversation, should have sought to put a period to his own existence.
+Many persons were questioned as to whether the prisoner had expressed
+any doubt of the sanity of his brother, or any suspicion of his having
+taken poison, previous to the time of the accusation of his having
+administered the poison to his brother, having been brought home to
+himself on the coroner's inquest; no one had heard him express an
+opinion of the kind before the time alluded to, except indeed any
+inference might be drawn of a secret knowledge that poison had been
+taken or administered, from his having, in the first moments of
+confusion, called anxiously for antidotes against the effects of
+arsenic. The counsel for the prosecution argued, that this told against
+the prisoner. It proved a guilty knowledge of the fact, that arsenic had
+been swallowed. A feeling of remorse seemed to have induced the effort
+to save his brother's life, even at the risk of exposure; but no sooner
+was Sir Willoughby dead, than the prisoner makes every effort to conceal
+that poison had been taken. For the acuteness of this remark, the
+counsel was indebted to a marginal note annexed to his brief by Mr.
+Fips. As a matter of form, persons were next examined as to the amount
+of the property to which the prisoner, by the death of his brother
+became sole heir.</p>
+
+<p>When the enormous sum was sworn to, many a one sighed involuntarily to
+think, from how many anxious cares one year's income of such estates
+would relieve them.</p>
+
+<p>Lady Arden's evidence being the next required, and every consideration
+being granted to her ladyship's feelings, the Judge had humanely sent a
+message round to request that Lady Arden might not be hurried.</p>
+
+<p>A pause therefore ensued, during which were wrought up to the highest
+pitch, expectation, compassion, and that strange curiosity incident to
+human nature, to see how others can endure when suffering is extreme.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2>
+
+
+<p>At length, in the midst of perfect stillness, without one preparatory
+sound or movement, Lady Arden stood in the witness box, wrapped in the
+deep mourning in which the death of her elder son had enveloped her.</p>
+
+<p>The blood ran cold in the veins of all present. A tear startled into
+almost every eye; while some of those who were themselves mothers, were
+moved by a sympathy so heart-rending, that unconsciously they groaned
+aloud.</p>
+
+<p>So pure, so natural, so easily understood are the feelings of the
+parent, that every class could enter into them. Nor did the kindly
+commiseration of the crowd diminish, when they had leisure to mark the
+matronly beauty of her countenance; pride and disdain of the insult
+offered to the hitherto unsullied honour of her son, struggling with
+agony kindled in her eye, while her cheek was blanched, and her lips
+parched: and then the strong resemblance her every feature bore to those
+of her son! her favourite child! the prisoner at the bar: while
+evidently conscious where he stood, her eye quivered beneath its lid,
+longing yet dreading to turn upon him. She could no longer resist&mdash;she
+looked down at her son&mdash;he looked up at her&mdash;their eyes met.</p>
+
+<p>To comfort and encourage her he tried almost to smile: it was rather a
+radiance from within shining for a moment through all the nobleness of
+his countenance, in honour of the dutiful love he bore her; and then a
+pang passed across his brow, that he should be to her a source of
+suffering. She sank on a chair considerately placed behind her, and for
+a few seconds hid her face; lest, however, emotion should be construed
+into fear, and fear into acquiescence in the accusation against her son,
+she aroused herself and again stood prepared to reply. The judge, from a
+feeling of respect, took upon himself a considerable part of the duty of
+putting the necessary questions to her ladyship. He did so in the
+mildest and most considerate manner, and in a tone of kindly sympathy
+which did credit to his heart&mdash;the counsel of course assisting, and
+assisted himself as hitherto, by the marginal notes to his brief,
+supplied by Mr. Fips. These had the effect of drawing from her ladyship
+the purport of the confidential conversation overheard by Geoffery,
+which, with the remainder of Lady Arden's evidence, clearly proved the
+following points; namely&mdash;that both brothers had been attached to the
+same lady&mdash;that Alfred had been accepted previously to the arrival of
+his brother&mdash;that subsequently he had been discarded and his brother
+accepted&mdash;that he had felt his disappointment more deeply than he had
+suffered to appear&mdash;that he had ascribed the fickleness of the lady to
+mercenary motives&mdash;and that he was in the habit of animadverting
+frequently on the unfortunate situation of younger brothers without
+fortune, and therefore without pretensions.</p>
+
+<p>In reply to another series of questions, she was compelled to confess,
+she had never apprehended that derangement might at any time be the
+consequence of the injury Sir Willoughby had in childhood received on
+his head&mdash;that she had never perceived any symptoms of derangement about
+her eldest son&mdash;that Alfred had never mentioned to her any apprehensions
+of the kind till after the present accusation had been brought against
+himself&mdash;that in his letter, announcing the sudden death of his brother,
+he had ascribed it to a fit of apoplexy, and made no mention of poison
+under any circumstances being the supposed cause, or expressed a
+suspicion either of insanity or suicide&mdash;and lastly, that Sir Willoughby
+at the time of his demise was in full possession of a large unencumbered
+property, and in expectation of being married to the woman of his
+choice, a lady also possessed of large estates, and who, in company with
+her mother, he was very shortly to have joined in a tour of pleasure on
+the continent.</p>
+
+<p>The evidence of Lady Darlingford, Madeline, and Mrs. Dorothea, were
+taken in succession, and though not so full, went to prove the same
+points as that of Lady Arden. This closed the prosecution, and the
+prisoner was now called upon for his defence.</p>
+
+<p>Who shall describe the throb of his mother's heart, when the first
+sounds from those loved lips broke the stillness of the expectant court.
+The tones of that voice were harmony itself; they had ever been music to
+her ear&mdash;what were they now? Oh, how strange is the mingling of agony
+with the thrill of love!</p>
+
+<p>A momentary convulsion passed over the mother's features, followed by a
+silent flood of tears; yet, with that self-command which dire necessity
+alone can teach, no sob that might be heard, no sigh escaped her.</p>
+
+<p>Alfred spoke with solemnity of the melancholy impression which had often
+visited his own mind respecting the possibility of his brother becoming
+at some time insane; but confessed, that he had never mentioned his
+fears to any one. He spoke of a strangeness of temper as the foundation
+of the apprehensions to which he alluded; but confessed, that its
+ebullitions were confined to private interviews with himself. He spoke
+of the state of excitement under which Sir Willoughby laboured on his
+last return to Arden; but confessed, that to all less interested
+observers than himself, the manner to which he alluded was calculated to
+appear but the result of his brother being at the time in particularly
+high spirits. He spoke of a great inequality of humour which had
+latterly excited his alarm; but confessed, that this inequality had
+appeared only in their private interviews. At every but, the solemnity
+of the judge's countenance deepened, and the jury looked at each other
+with an expression that seemed to say&mdash;"That won't do."</p>
+
+<p>Alfred proceeded to state how both the packet of arsenic, and the torn
+piece of paper marked poison, had come into his possession, and his
+reasons for removing and securing the former;&mdash;of his having
+subsequently concealed the latter about his own person, he had he said,
+from the state of his feelings at the time no recollection.</p>
+
+<p>The judge frowned involuntarily at the vagueness of such a defence.</p>
+
+<p>"People," whispered Mr. Fips to his neighbour, "are not to get off for
+committing murder, because they have short memories."</p>
+
+<p>Alfred went on to say, that of the attempt to rinse the glass, he had a
+faint remembrance; that the impulse which guided his hand at the moment,
+must have been (as far as the thoughts of a season of sudden affliction,
+such as that to which he alluded, could be defined) a desire to conceal
+the suicide, which he feared had been committed; and that the same
+motive, strengthened by the frequently-expressed wishes of the deceased
+on the subject, had caused him to oppose, as long as possible, the
+examination of his lamented brother's remains.</p>
+
+<p>The testimony of the witnesses had increased the feeling against the
+prisoner, while these unsupported attempts at explanation seemed, to
+such as were disposed to judge him harshly, but so many ingenious
+subterfuges, invented after accusation, to meet each point, and created,
+accordingly, in their minds, a strong sense of disgust, arising from the
+frightfully powerful contrast between the amiable motives laid claim to,
+and the horrible crime of which they still believed him guilty.</p>
+
+<p>The judge demanded to know if the prisoner had, previously to being
+himself accused of the murder of the deceased, confided to any person
+his alleged belief, that a suicide had been committed, with the reasons
+he had now stated to the court for wishing to suppress that supposed
+fact?</p>
+
+<p>He had alluded to the subject in conversation with Mr. Geoffery Arden.</p>
+
+<p>Here Geoffery, the sole evidence for the defence was called to the
+witness-box.</p>
+
+<p>Did he remember any conversation of the nature referred to?</p>
+
+<p>There was only one occasion on which he could call to mind Sir Alfred
+having made allusion to the cause of Sir Willoughby's death.</p>
+
+<p>He was requested to state minutely what had passed on that occasion.</p>
+
+<p>About half an hour after Sir Willoughby had expired, he had followed Sir
+Alfred to the bed-chamber of the deceased, where he had found him
+reclining his face against the bed, apparently in a state of great
+mental suffering. He had made some attempts to calm his agitation, but
+without success; when, however, he was about to retire, Sir Alfred had
+looked up suddenly, and asked him if the Doctor had not said, that
+symptoms similar to those which had attended the dying moments of his
+brother, might have been occasioned by a fit of apoplexy. On being
+answered in the affirmative, he had added hastily, "Let it be so
+supposed then, and discourage all further inquiry;" he then again hid
+his face.</p>
+
+<p>Had nothing more passed?</p>
+
+<p>Nothing with which he could charge his memory.</p>
+
+<p>"Bad memories are the fashion," whispered Fips, with a grin of triumph,
+and a grunt of approbation.</p>
+
+<p>Here the prisoner's counsel cross-examined Geoffery in the closest and
+ablest manner, but could not draw from him that part of the conversation
+in which Alfred had expressed a fear of Christian burial being denied,
+and his mother's affliction increased, should the suicide be suspected.
+Thus mutilated, the evidence of the sole witness for the defence, told
+rather against than for the prisoner's cause, but, as there had been no
+third person present, the case was without remedy.</p>
+
+<p>The judge asked if the prisoner had any other witnesses to call, or any
+thing more to say in his own defence; and on receiving a negative to
+both questions, looked disappointed. After a short pause, he commenced
+his charge to the jury, in the course of which he clearly and ably
+recapitulated the whole of the evidence.</p>
+
+<p>This occupied between two and three hours, so that lights became at
+length necessary, though at his lordship's desk only, for the sake of
+referring to written notes, the imperfect remains of the daylight being
+sufficient for all other purposes.</p>
+
+<p>The feelings of the court were now much excited; the solemn voice of the
+judge had for some time been the only sound heard, while the partial
+illumination at such a crisis had great effect, rendering more than
+ordinarily conspicuous the figure of his lordship; his costume so
+strongly associated in our minds with the idea of his being the
+arbitrator of life and death; his countenance, which happened to be
+peculiarly striking, and, in particular, the flash of his eye, which was
+very remarkable; his manner, too, was impressive, the tones of his voice
+fine, and his diction clear and forcible; his expositions on points of
+law, were luminous even to the humblest apprehensions. He told the jury,
+that on such points it was his business to dictate to them, and theirs
+to be implicitly guided by his dictum. To decide what facts were proved
+in evidence, and the degree of credibility due to such evidence, was, he
+told them, their province; and in deliberating on a case which had
+naturally excited so intense an interest in the neighbourhood, his
+lordship entreated that the jury would dismiss from their consideration
+all they might have previously heard, or even thought on the subject,
+and confine their whole attention to the evidence delivered in court
+this day.</p>
+
+<p>Much, he remarked, had been often and eloquently said respecting the
+extreme fallibility of circumstantial evidence; but where all the
+circumstances agreed, such might, in his opinion, be even more
+conclusive than positive testimony: for, in the one case, we deduced the
+fact from known facts, and therefore knew it as it were of our own
+knowledge; while in the other case, we staked our belief on the veracity
+of a witness or witnesses, which, though generally believed to be
+credible, might by possibility be otherwise. In the present instance, he
+was sorry to say, that the painful duty of his office compelled him to
+point out to their attention, that the chain of circumstantial evidence
+seemed more than commonly strong and connected, while every link was
+supported by the testimony of a host of, at least credible, and in many
+instances more than credible, since they were unwilling witnesses:
+still, it was for them to decide whether all the circumstances did
+agree, and whether the evidence in support of each circumstance was
+undoubted; for, if they felt a doubt, it was their duty to give the
+prisoner the benefit of that doubt. It was unfortunately a case so
+ultimately connected with the most powerful and agitating feelings, that
+it was difficult in the extreme to confine the attention to the naked
+force of evidence. He again, therefore, entreated those on whom the
+ultimate responsibility of the verdict rested, to lay aside their
+feelings, and use only their judgments.</p>
+
+<p>His own feelings were, he confessed, powerfully interested by the
+defence of the prisoner; yet, he felt it there again his painful duty,
+to point out that there was neither circumstance nor fact, brought
+forward in the whole of that defence, based on any evidence whatever;
+that all rested on the unsupported assertions of the accused party. That
+the plea attempted to be set up, of Sir Willoughby's insanity, was not
+only unsustained by evidence, but that the very contrary had been
+proved, on the testimony of those most intimately acquainted and closely
+connected with the deceased. While there was at least negative proof,
+that even the prisoner had never expressed such an opinion, till after
+it became necessary to meet the accusation against himself. And lastly,
+that the prosperous and peculiarly happy circumstances, in which the
+late Sir Willoughby Arden was placed at the time of his sudden demise,
+made it wholly incredible, that, being in possession of his reason, he
+should of his own will, have taken the poison. It had been proved in
+evidence, that Sir Willoughby had been in perfect health, at and for
+some time after dinner&mdash;that he had supped in company with the prisoner
+only&mdash;that the remains of arsenic had been found in one of the
+glasses&mdash;that Sir Willoughby had died immediately after supper&mdash;that his
+death had been occasioned by arsenic&mdash;that the prisoner had attempted to
+rinse the glass in which the remains of arsenic were afterwards
+found&mdash;that a packet containing arsenic had lain on a certain morning,
+in a certain apartment&mdash;that the prisoner had been seen to come from
+that apartment alone, in the afternoon; that it was not an apartment
+usually inhabited or visited by the prisoner&mdash;that there was evidence
+the prisoner was aware the packet of arsenic lay there&mdash;that the said
+packet was missed the next morning, from the said apartment&mdash;that the
+said packet was subsequently found in a locked escritoire of the
+prisoner's, to which he alone had access&mdash;that a torn piece of paper,
+visibly a portion of the outer cover of the said packet of arsenic, had
+been seen, by a witness whose respectability and credibility were beyond
+a doubt, fall from within the breast of the waistcoat of the
+prisoner&mdash;that the prisoner had resisted the opening of the body&mdash;that
+Dr. Harman's opinion the deceased had died by the effects of poison,
+would not have amounted to evidence, had the body not been opened&mdash;and
+finally that the defence rested entirely on the unsubstantiated
+assertions of the prisoner himself. As probable motives could not become
+subjects of proof, though much had been said of them on the trial, he
+would say nothing of them here: they were all calculated to awaken
+feelings for, or against the prisoner; and once more, he entreated the
+jury to dismiss every thing but evidence from their minds, and give
+their verdict accordingly. He then told them distinctly what verdict it
+was their duty to their country to give, if they considered these facts
+proved, and what verdict was due to humanity, and the prisoner, if they
+still felt a doubt.</p>
+
+<p>From the circumstance we have already mentioned, of candles being placed
+on the desk of the judge only, the twilight-like sort of obscurity
+which, by the time his lordship approached the conclusion of his charge,
+had stolen over the rest of the court-house, added much to the solemn
+effect of this most anxious part of the proceedings. The forms of the
+jurymen, but dimly discerned, leaning over with painful eagerness, to
+catch, as it were, the very thoughts of the judge; their eyes glancing
+in the distant light, as they removed them, from time to time, from his
+countenance, to look round on each other; and when he ceased speaking,
+the pause that followed&mdash;and then&mdash;the verdict, which issuing as it now
+did, from the gloom in which the whole group was wrapped, sounded more
+awfully, more like the condensed, irrecoverable decision of the
+<i>judicial twelve</i>, than when, in the broad light of day, the foreman,
+though in his official capacity in fact the voice of all, still looks
+the individual.</p>
+
+<p>The single word pronounced was&mdash;Guilty!!!</p>
+
+<p>As though the whole assembly had hitherto held their breath, a sort of
+universal gasp was distinctly heard; and during the moment, the judge
+was preparing to pronounce the awful sentence of the law, a movement was
+observable in the part of the gallery where Lady Arden, though not
+visible, was known to be.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2>
+
+
+<p>From the first our hero had, as we have already said, many friends whom
+no appearances, however strong, could induce to believe him guilty of
+the crime of which he was accused. It seemed, however, to be universally
+expected that he would be acquitted; and while this was the belief,
+there were some who said that in the face of such evidence it would be a
+great shame, and that when men of rank offended against the laws, they
+ought more especially to be made public examples of.</p>
+
+<p>No sooner, however, was he actually condemned, than almost every one was
+shocked; the tide of public opinion, with but few exceptions, turned in
+his favour; nay, a sort of tumult arose around the court-house, and in
+the streets adjacent. We must, however, return to the feelings of those
+more immediately concerned.</p>
+
+<p>The dismay of Lady Arden was as complete as it was astounding; she
+seemed as totally unprepared for the event, as though the possibility of
+a fatal result to the trial had never been anticipated. Her excitement
+was terrible; the pallid cheek was gone, and burning spots of crimson
+had succeeded, while the lustre of her eye was rendered supernatural by
+a restless sense of the necessity for instant action! There was as yet,
+none of the quiescence of desolation; she neither lay nor even sat; she
+stood, yet standing wrote, and with her own hand, though in strange,
+large characters, unlike her own, a powerful and heart-rending appeal to
+royalty itself. "Time! time! at least!" was the prayer of her petition;
+"The day of truth may dawn," she said, "when it is too late! Let not my
+child be judicially murdered during the frightful darkness of
+misjudgment."</p>
+
+<p>Lord Darlingford, who enjoyed the private friendship of his Majesty, set
+out with this letter to carry it himself to the foot of the throne;
+while applications were also being made through the proper official
+channels. Thus was the early part of the night occupied. The latter
+portion was spent in deep and secret consultation with Mr. Edwards, now
+the chaplain of the gaol, but formerly the private tutor of Willoughby
+and Alfred when boys. So thorough was this gentleman's knowledge of our
+hero's character, and so entire his conviction of his innocence, that he
+had been from the first resolved, should it become necessary, to use
+every facility which his sacred and confidential office gave him, to
+favour an escape. Indeed his feeling was, that he should be an accessary
+to murder, did he omit any means in his power to save the life of our
+hero. He had accordingly, before the trial, as a matter of precaution
+against the worst, made a journey to *****, and without giving his name,
+and of course without assigning his object, got Mrs. ****, the famous
+modeller in wax, to make a mask or model of his countenance, so perfect
+a resemblance, both of him and of life, that there was nothing wanting
+to make the deception complete, but the play of feature requisite in
+conversation. The object of the present anxious conference was to mature
+the plan of how and when, with least fear of detection, our hero should,
+aided by this disguise, attempt to personate Mr. Edwards, and so pass
+out of the gaol, while he, Mr. Edwards, remained in his stead. Nothing
+could of course have tempted Alfred to contemplate an escape previously
+to his trial, to which alone he looked for the justification of his
+aspersed character, while the difficulty&mdash;nay, the almost impossibility
+of escape after condemnation, was awful to contemplate. No friend or
+relative would now be admitted to the prisoner, except by a special
+order, and in presence of a turnkey, while the difficulty was increased
+by the new regulation to prevent suicide, of locking up two other
+prisoners for minor offences with the person condemned to suffer death;
+so that they were thus never even for a moment alone. The chaplain, no
+doubt, had the privilege of conferring with Alfred without witness; on
+his appearing, therefore, it was a matter of course to remove the other
+two prisoners. By virtue of the same privilege the chaplain could
+dismiss the turnkey, not only out of sight, but out of hearing for half
+an hour, or an hour, at pleasure; and on these circumstances was every
+hope founded. It was also customary for Mr. Edwards on quitting
+prisoners, merely to bolt them in himself, and go away, without waiting
+the reappearance of the turnkey. This at first sight appears an
+irregular proceeding, and would seem to offer another facility; it was,
+however, the duty of the dismissed turnkey to be in waiting at the foot
+of the stairs, or in some passage by the way. Alfred, indeed, in the
+perfect disguise proposed, might (as Mr. Edwards) pass him unobstructed,
+but then it became the man's further duty, on seeing the chaplain go by,
+to return instantly to the condemned cell, and replace there the two men
+appointed to remain with the prisoner. It was thus evident that every
+thing depended either on gaining over this one turnkey, or on his being
+dilatory in the performance of this last specified duty; for, except the
+deception was thus quickly discovered, by the immediate return of this
+man to the cell, and the alarm consequently given before Alfred got
+clear of the gates, neither any other of the turnkeys, nor the porter,
+so long as they believed him to be Mr. Edwards, would think of
+interfering with his passing out. These were the facilities. Then again
+the difficulties were, that nothing could be attempted during daylight,
+and the lock-up hour varied with the season, so as to be always before
+dark. During the preparations for the night, too, all persons connected
+with the prison were peculiarly vigilant, and on the alert. Mr. Edwards
+would certainly be at liberty to remain with the prisoner some time
+after dark if he chose; but then, his departure would be so anxiously
+waited for, and the identity of the prisoner so promptly looked to by
+those whose business it was to make final arrangements for the night,
+that any attempt to escape at that hour must, to a certainty, be
+discovered before the prisoner could get clear of the gates.</p>
+
+<p>A morning escape, therefore, before daylight, would be the least
+impossible, as the governor would not then be up, and probably but one
+or two of the turnkeys would be stirring; while, even those, with the
+dangers, as it were, of the night over, and the day before them, would
+be less fearful, and consequently less vigilant. The difficulty in this
+case was, that the chaplain's visiting the prisoner at so early an hour
+on any day <i>but</i> that of the execution, would excite so great suspicion,
+that it was necessary to put off the attempt until the last morning. To
+this Lady Arden was strenuously opposed: to her it appeared like
+wilfully casting away every chance, every hope, but the one&mdash;and&mdash;should
+that fail&mdash;oh, it was maddening to contemplate the alternative!!!</p>
+
+<p>He did not mean, Mr. Edwards argued, to leave it to the last, if so
+doing could be avoided; if any prior opportunity of escape could
+possibly be obtained it should be seized; but a rash or unsuccessful
+attempt would but close the door against all future hope, and therefore
+be much worse than none. To arguments such as these, Lady Arden's
+judgment was compelled to yield, though her feelings were still strongly
+opposed to the miserable idea of waiting in supineness, and seeing the
+terrible hour approach&mdash;her son, still in the hands of his murderers!
+and to think, that should the attempt at last fail when that hour
+arrived, they would then have a right&mdash;to&mdash;&mdash;"A right&mdash;&mdash;oh, no!" she
+exclaimed, suddenly interrupting herself: then with vehement enthusiasm
+she proceeded, "No! not were he, in truth, the veriest of
+criminals&mdash;man&mdash;weak, short-sighted, mortal man, whose own frail tenure
+is but a breath of air, and a few drops of blood&mdash;what right has he,
+with impious hands, to take away that mysterious gift of life which
+Heaven, for his own inscrutable ends, has given?"</p>
+
+<p>And although it was strongly excited feelings on her own individual case
+which awakened such thoughts in Lady Arden's mind, perhaps she was
+right;&mdash;perhaps, if even the murderer's bloody hands were but fettered,
+and the law itself declared it dared not break into the sacred citadel
+of life;&mdash;that it dared not prematurely dissolve the mystic union
+betwixt body and soul, formed by heaven, and incomprehensible to mortal
+ken:&mdash;perhaps were there no such thing as legal murder, sanctioning, at
+least, the act&mdash;reconciling the imagination to the fact of a violent
+death by human hands&mdash;the slayer of man would become, in the eyes of his
+fellow men, so utterly a monster, so thoroughly a fiend, that the crime
+of murder would disappear from the face of the earth.</p>
+
+<p>Ere, however, such a happy age can arrive, not only must salutary laws
+bind, or civilization change the secret assassin; but rapine, calling
+itself conquest, must be banished from the world; and the murderer of
+tens of thousands, to gild a sceptre, or gem a crown, cease to be held
+on high, with laurel wreaths encircling his brow.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2>
+
+
+<p>The next day, which was Saturday, Lady Arden, by means of an order from
+the sheriff, obtained an interview with her son; but it was short and
+unsatisfactory, and a turnkey was necessarily present.</p>
+
+<p>It was her wish to have remained entirely in the prison, but the
+permission could not be obtained. Yet her manner was not characterized
+by the lingering of tenderness; instinct or desperation seemed at this
+crisis to have awakened in her bosom a fierceness foreign to her
+habitual nature. Her attitude, her countenance implied the frantic
+conception, that she could afford personal protection to her son: and,
+unconsciously directed by the same impulse, she even stood between
+Alfred and the door of the prison. Shortly, however, she was obliged to
+depart.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Edwards's visits were as late, as early, and as frequent as usage
+would permit. His ingenuity was constantly employed; his vigilance on
+the ceaseless watch; but the night of Saturday wore away, and the
+morning of Sunday dawned, and no opportunity of making an attempt at
+escape affording the slightest prospect of success, had offered. During
+the long, wretched day of suspense and agony nothing could be done.
+Another interview, if possible more heart-rending than the last, had
+been granted to Lady Arden, and evening was again approaching, while no
+accounts had yet come from Lord Darlingford. At length a letter did
+arrive by express. It did not say, in so many words, that he had failed
+in his mission; it even spoke of continued efforts: but it strenuously
+recommended that the escape should be attempted at all hazards. Such a
+letter, to the feelings of the parties interested, amounted to a
+repetition of the sentence of condemnation.</p>
+
+<p>There was now but the one solitary hope left for every thought to cling
+around; while it appeared to be reduced in probability to the straw at
+which the drowning man catches: for what the two preceding nights had
+offered no opportunity of accomplishing, there seemed but little chance
+should be compassed on this last remaining one. The evening, too, was
+already gone, and the lock-up completed; nay, the night itself was on
+the wane; so that now, all seemed to depend on Mr. Edwards's early visit
+to the prison, the one last hour before dawn, on the thus fast
+approaching morning of the Monday, the day fixed for the execution.</p>
+
+<p>Some hours after midnight, a desperate storm of thunder, hail and rain
+came on. And strange it was, that the roaring elements should thus seem,
+as it were, to sanction the legendary belief, already mentioned, as
+prevalent among the ignorant persons of the neighbourhood, that all
+events disastrous to a member of the Arden family were accompanied, or
+preceded, by terrible tempests. And, however irrational such an idea,
+many inhabitants of Arden, as they lay in their beds that awful night,
+and were suddenly awakened by the thunder, ere they slept again,
+shuddered involuntarily at the thought, that the old superstition was
+being at the very moment fulfilled.</p>
+
+<p>The storm continued, and between five and six in the morning was still
+raging. Rejoicing in the din, the confusion, and the prospect of
+prolonged darkness it afforded, Mr. Edwards wended his way through its
+fury towards the gates of the gaol. He entered, and proceeded to the
+condemned cell. From his coming so early it was supposed that he meant
+to pray and converse with the prisoner for some hours. In a much shorter
+time, however, than was expected, the porter saw him, as he supposed,
+approaching, with a somewhat hasty step, along the passage, to take his
+departure. It was Alfred: but the disguise was perfect; and the porter
+had no suspicion. A moment more and he must have passed safely out&mdash;when
+a sudden cry was heard&mdash;"Stop the prisoner! Stop the prisoner!" And the
+turnkeys, running and breathless, appeared in pursuit.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2>
+
+
+<p>During a night of such awful importance, fear and hope both, as its
+hours advanced, mounting towards their climax, it will be readily
+believed that Lady Arden had not attempted to seek repose.</p>
+
+<p>Regardless of the searching wind and driving rain which beat against
+her face and bosom, the blinding flashes of the lightning, and the
+thunder's deafening roar, she leaned from the open window of her
+sleeping-apartment, and though the darkness was still impenetrable,
+continued to gaze with intense anxiety, now in the direction of the town
+of Arden, and now in that of the ruined castle; while Mrs. Dorothea,
+Lady Darlingford, and Madeline stood behind her, trembling with the
+combined effect of fear and cold, and shrinking from each fresh
+accession of the storm's fury, against which they were less defended by
+the panoply of a fevered mind.</p>
+
+<p>If Lady Arden was at all conscious of the raving of the tempest, it was
+rather calculated to yield her satisfaction than otherwise, for it was
+highly favourable to the attempt she knew was even then being made for
+Alfred's escape.</p>
+
+<p>The window at which she now stood, was the same from which, with an
+almost prophetic melancholy, she had looked on the night of the festival
+for the coming of age of her sons. "The pitiless pelting of the storm,"
+too, was such as it had been on that night&mdash;but here the parallel
+ceases: changed indeed was all beside!</p>
+
+<p>From time to time she inquired the hour&mdash;waited&mdash;inquired again&mdash;again
+waited&mdash;and again inquired. "Go, my dear child, go, at any rate," she
+said at length, looking anxiously at Madeline, who immediately left the
+room; but in about a quarter of an hour returned, accompanied by Mr.
+Cameron. He was dripping with wet&mdash;covered with mud&mdash;and out of breath.
+Madeline during her short absence, bad been watching for him at a glass
+door which opened from a little boudoir into the lawn; she had just
+admitted him, and led him up stairs by a back way. On his entering the
+apartment, the door was cautiously closed by Mrs. Dorothea.</p>
+
+<p>Lady Arden laid her hand on his arm and looked in his face.</p>
+
+<p>"He is safe," he replied, "quite safe for the present."</p>
+
+<p>She sank on her knees, and some seconds were devoted to silent, fervent
+thanksgiving; when being still unable to articulate, she once more
+looked up at Mr. Cameron and motioned him to proceed.</p>
+
+<p>"The alarm was given," he continued, "before he was quite clear of the
+gates; but the cry being, 'Stop the prisoner!' and his appearance being
+that of Mr. Edwards, the porter did not interfere with his passing out.
+The turnkeys, it would seem, had not the presence of mind to say at the
+first, 'Stop Mr. Edwards!' and once outside the gate, the din of the
+tempest and the darkness with which, though it was past six in the
+morning, still exceeded that of most midnights, rendered it
+comparatively easy to baffle pursuit. He soon joined me, where we had
+appointed, beneath the great beech-tree; for had he been closely
+followed, he was to have climbed the trunk and concealed himself among
+the branches, while I was to have darted forward, and so led his
+pursuers astray: but finding ourselves unmolested as soon as the coast
+was clear, we proceeded with all speed to the castle. I have lodged him
+safely in the eagle's nest, and am come from thence this moment."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank heaven!" ejaculated from time to time, was the only interruption.
+Mr. Cameron's account had met with, "He is so well wrapped up," he
+added, good naturedly endeavouring to offer what consolation he could;
+"and the turret is so small and the ivy so thick about it that he will
+be perfectly dry, and I do not think he will even feel it cold."</p>
+
+<p>"We can see the exact spot from this place," exclaimed Lady Arden,
+rising eagerly and leaning from the window. "The eagle's nest looks this
+way."</p>
+
+<p>"Were it not so dark," replied Cameron, also leaning out, "I think you
+might, the turret is certainly on this side of the building."</p>
+
+<p>"There!" she cried, as a vivid flash gave the remarkable rock, with its
+crown of towers to their view; while the flickering movement of the
+lightning seemed, as it were, to lift this principal object from its
+distant position in the landscape, hold it for a second close to their
+sight, then drop it into the impenetrable abyss, over which the thunder
+now rolled in darkness.</p>
+
+<p>"That is it!" continued Lady Arden, her outstretched finger also for the
+moment rendered visible; "you mean that small projecting tower, which is
+called the eagle's nest, do you not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, that little turret, jutting-out from the side of the highest of
+the great towers near the top, and appearing from here not larger than a
+hand lantern. He must, I should think," he added, "from his present
+position discern the light in this window."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, my poor Alfred!" exclaimed the anxious mother. Another flash made
+the group of ruins and small projecting turret again for a second
+visible; "if he could have been with us here!" she continued: but the
+loud thunder rolled, and the hurricane, as her voice issued from her
+lips, swept its sounds away unheard! The next moment of comparative
+quiet Mr. Cameron said, in reply to the portion of the sentence he had
+caught&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"It would have been unwise; for, had he been in this house, some of the
+servants must have known, or at least have suspected the fact; now the
+secret of his place of concealment is known only to ourselves."</p>
+
+<p>"You are right&mdash;you are right! And we know that there is a fell tiger
+couching for the prey."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps we judge him harshly," replied Cameron. "I think, however," he
+added, "that we have adopted altogether the very best possible course.
+But for the extraordinary state of the atmosphere, there should be
+already some daylight, so that any attempt to quit the neighbourhood
+before evening again closes in would be madness. Nothing can be more
+complete, nor at the same time more comfortable, than the place of
+concealment we have selected; a spot, too, on which you can keep a
+constant watch without causing any suspicion, the only accessible
+approach to the ruins being visible from this very window."</p>
+
+<p>While he yet spoke, the grey morning began to dawn. The storm was now
+gradually lessening, for though the last flash of the lightning had been
+vivid, the last roll of the thunder had been distant, and the rain had
+fallen somewhere else. As the dim light increased, therefore, the park,
+which in fact bounded the whole prospect, presented a most extraordinary
+aspect; so dense a white, low laying, and still moving mist, covered
+every ordinary object, that, as far as the eye could reach the landscape
+resembled one vast ocean, terminated only by the horizon; while the
+ruined castle crowning its rocky eminence, being by its great elevation
+lifted above the fog, appeared alone on the surface of this seeming sea,
+like the solitary Ark of the Covenant, riding on the waters of the
+Deluge!</p>
+
+<p>Such, at least, was the sublime idea it suggested to the imagination of
+Lady Arden, while viewing it with the grateful feelings of the moment,
+as the refuge of her child.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2>
+
+
+<p>We shall not enter into tedious details of the measures taken to pursue,
+or endeavours to discover the prisoner, nor yet of the surmises thrown
+out that his escape had been connived at. Neither shall we claim the
+sympathy of our readers, for the disappointment of those who flocked to
+Arden to witness the expected execution; but rather, confining our
+attention to the more interesting persons of our narrative, go on to
+say, that through the long hours of that day, whatever were the varied
+occupations of others, the eye of Lady Arden still kept watch on that
+lonely turret which held her son, and which (hence its title of the
+eagle's nest) projecting from the side of the highest of the elevated
+group of towers, seemed to have its dwelling among the clouds. So
+conspicuous an object had it become in her sight, that though, as Mr.
+Cameron said, it appeared in the distance but a speck, not larger than a
+hand lantern, and was completely enveloped with ivy, yet the most
+unreasonable dread assailed her lest it should draw the attention and
+excite the suspicion of every creature who passed by. If but a wandering
+mendicant crossed the park, her heart would cease to beat the while, and
+her anxious gaze follow the form, till the pathway leading to the rock
+on which the castle stood was left behind. Nor did she withdraw
+affection's eye, nor cease to be the guardian spirit of the spot, till
+the shadows of evening closing round, shut out the ruins from her view.</p>
+
+<p>Alfred had now, she knew, commenced his journey. Her devoted affection
+would have led her to accompany her son, but such a step would hamper
+his flight, and endanger his safety. Even a farewell interview was not
+to be thought of.</p>
+
+<p>In utter desolation of spirit, therefore, our unhappy hero, even at the
+moment we are describing, rapidly descended the height on which the
+castle stood, and strode across the wide extent of park, thus
+abdicating, as it were, the princely domain of his forefathers, with
+scarcely a consciousness of where he was, or what his purpose; and when,
+after pursuing his journey for a time, he became capable of any approach
+to reflection, his thoughts were all of wretchedness. An exile, an
+outlaw, dishonoured, beggared, disguised, he was quitting his native
+land, probably for ever; unless, indeed, he should be pursued and
+dragged back, to suffer an ignominious death. He was, it is true, in the
+very act of escaping for the present this last, and in the estimation of
+most people worst, because irremediable ill; but accompanying this
+reflection were sensations which, perhaps, he could not himself have
+defined. For, since his sentence had been pronounced, notwithstanding
+the anxious efforts still making in his behalf, he had been strenuously
+preparing his mind for the most fatal issue, and, with the assistance of
+the pious Mr. Edwards, endeavouring to wean his affections from things
+below and to centre all his hopes in heaven. However little understood
+such feelings may be by those who are engaged in the busy whirl of
+terrestrial concerns, to those who have lately stood on the brink of the
+grave, they possess an awful reality not soon to be forgotten.</p>
+
+<p>Compared with views of peace, and rest, and hope so obtained, there was,
+as a counterpoise to the mere instinct of self preservation, a strong
+sense of distaste to the weary pilgrimage of life renewed; nor will this
+seem overstrained, when we remember under what circumstances it was
+renewed; when we contemplate the universal blight which had fallen upon
+the fair spring of all his earthly prospects.</p>
+
+<p>At an early hour the next morning, the melancholy ceremony of
+Willoughby's funeral, which had been so long delayed in the hope of his
+brother being able to take with honour his place of chief mourner, was
+at length obliged to be performed in all the hopeless misery of present
+circumstances. Immediately after the conclusion of the dismal
+solemnities the family set out for London.</p>
+
+<p>Lady Arden had determined to remain in England till every effort had
+been made to obtain the reprieve of her son; but, if all failed, to join
+him under a feigned name at Geneva, the place at which they had
+appointed to meet; and become, for the remainder of her sojourn upon
+earth, the kind companion and solace of his wanderings.</p>
+
+<p>Two of her daughters were already married; Mr. Cameron had generously
+declared his unaltered determination to become the husband of Madeline;
+Lady Arden had that morning consigned to the grave the remains of poor
+Willoughby; Alfred alone, therefore, now claimed all her care, all her
+tenderness, all the consolation her maternal affection could bestow.</p>
+
+<p>How the affair would have concluded had not our hero made his escape,
+remains enveloped in mystery; that circumstance might have been supposed
+to supersede the necessity for a reprieve. It was, however, generally
+believed, that Lady Arden had received an assurance that there should be
+no efforts made to pursue her son, or to require him at the hands of
+foreign powers, but that unless some circumstances in his favour came to
+light, it would be necessary for him to live abroad, and remain unknown.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2>
+
+
+<p>How our hero made his way to, and through France, he never afterwards
+could clearly call to mind.</p>
+
+<p>Every perception was turned inward; while some mysterious spell seemed
+endued with the power of compelling his thoughts to go again and again
+the torturing round of remembrances, every one equally fraught with
+wretchedness. The miserable end of poor Willoughby&mdash;never could that
+heart-rending scene be erased from his memory&mdash;the devotion of his fond
+parent&mdash;such a thought might have soothed; but had he not been, and was
+he not still doomed to be, to her a source of unparalleled suffering.
+Then there was another being, whose idea he dreaded to approach&mdash;and she
+had once, for one short period, been all his dream of bliss.</p>
+
+<p>There was certainly but little to draw him from his absorbing
+reflections in the dull and monotonous plains of Burgundy and French
+Compté. In due time, however, he left these behind him, and began to
+ascend the heights above Poligni; but he felt not the invigorating
+influence of the mountain air. He travelled on through the magnificent
+scenery of the great military road; yet scarcely saw its precipices, its
+waterfalls, its forests of beech and pine. At length the magnificent
+lake itself opened to his view; stretching from Geneva to Chillon, and
+reflecting, as in an immense mirror, the surrounding Alps with their
+fleecy region of eternal snows, their glacier cliffs, glittering in the
+sun-beams, their dark blue zone of wood, rock, precipice, and torrent;
+and their smiling fertile base. He completed the winding descent of the
+Jura, commanding the whole way to the very verge of the lake, a full
+view of the fairy scenery, the fertile slopes, the glowing vine-yards,
+the cornfields, orchards, gardens, towns, villages and villas; the
+wooded brows, tranquil vales, and sparkling streams, of the enchanting
+Pays de Vaud; yet he felt no pleasurable sensations arise: if the
+splendour of effect in some measure aroused him, it was rather to a
+state of more active suffering than before; as though the wilderness
+within were rendered more desolate by comparison with the paradise
+without.</p>
+
+<p>He now proceeded by a beautiful drive along the water's edge to the
+gates of Geneva; and here found the usually vexatious delays, respecting
+passports, &amp;c., peculiarly annoying, from the degrading consciousness of
+disguise.</p>
+
+<p>When he succeeded in effecting his entrance, and had retired to rest,
+excessive fatigue, both of mind and body, brought sleep; but no sooner
+had his weary eyelids closed, than horrors assailed him.</p>
+
+<p>The Rhone flowed with a rapid pace beneath the very street and house in
+which he had taken up his abode for the night. The pleasing murmur of
+its waters became to his dreaming fancy the tumult of the congregated
+multitude, around the foot of the scaffold, on which, with that
+extraordinary certitude which sometimes accompanies the visions of
+disordered slumber, he thought he was about to suffer an ignominious
+death.</p>
+
+<p>The agony of the moment awoke him, and he slept no more. But he felt a
+stronger and more grateful sense than he had hitherto done, of the
+blessing of having been preserved from such a fate; and even hope, under
+the healing influence of a thankful spirit, in some sort revived. The
+foul blot might be yet removed; he might yet be restored to the love and
+respect of all good men; he might yet, though he could never more know
+happiness himself, cease to be a source of misery to the best of
+parents.</p>
+
+<p>Fearful, that among the many English at Geneva, there might be some to
+whom he was personally known, he remained in the house the whole of the
+following day. In the evening, however, tempted by the balmy air, the
+weather being unusually fine for the season, he determined to go on the
+lake; a situation, in which he should of course be less liable than on
+shore to meeting other persons near enough for recognition.</p>
+
+<p>He did so accordingly. The sun had, a short time since, sunk behind the
+Jura, while a lingering beam still crowned, as with a regal circlet, the
+stately brows of that monarch of the scene, Mont Blanc. The hour was
+calm and beautiful; the shores were fairy land; the lake a sea of gold;
+while its shining surface was dotted with numerous vessels of every
+description, gliding along so smoothly, that but for the changes which
+gradually became apparent in their relative positions, they might have
+seemed to have stood still.</p>
+
+<p>One of these in particular, with a spell-like power, drew the attention
+of our hero, possibly from unconscious sympathy with human misery, as it
+seemed to be in some sort the scene of sorrow or of suffering, for
+beneath an awning, a portion of the curtains of which were drawn aside,
+was partly visible a couch, or bed, on which was laid a recumbent form,
+to all appearance motionless; while the other figures in the boat were
+evidently only the attendants on this principal one.</p>
+
+<p>The boatman, observing the direction of our hero's eyes, began to tell
+him in French, a tale possessing much of the sentimental, of which that
+language, when it does not degenerate into affectation, is so good a
+vehicle. He expatiated on the youth, the beauty, and the apparent
+wealth, forlorn state, of this mysterious lady of the lake who was
+dying, he said, in a foreign land, surrounded by strangers and servants
+and without one friend or relative near to receive her last sigh.</p>
+
+<p>It was by order of the physician, he added, of whose practice he, by the
+way, by no means seemed to approve, that she was brought out thus on the
+lake at all hours, and almost all weathers, more, 'tis to be feared, to
+give notoriety to the doctor than health to the patient.</p>
+
+<p>While he was speaking, the boat which contained the invalid began to
+come towards them, on its way to the place of landing. At the same
+moment a slight breeze arose, and lifting the curtains of the awning on
+both sides simultaneously, kept them straight out, with a gently fanning
+movement, like the extended wings of some gigantic bird. Its appearance
+thus remarkable, its progress barely perceptible, it continued drawing
+nearer and nearer while the narrator went on, winding up his story by
+saying, the report was, that this beautiful lady had two suitors in her
+own country, who were brothers; and that the one had murdered the other
+for jealousy, but his crime being discovered, he had been brought to
+trial, and executed: so that the poor young lady might well be
+disconsolate, having thus lost both her lovers. By this time the
+approaching boat had come so close, that in passing, it slightly grazed
+that in which our hero sat.</p>
+
+<p>Alfred's gaze had for some time been intense; his cheek now blanched;
+unconsciously he grasped the arm of the boatman.</p>
+
+<p>Pale, beautiful, to all appearance lifeless, the form which lay beneath
+the uplifted awning in the passing boat was that of Caroline. The eyes
+were closed, but the faultless features, in their angel-like expression,
+were still unchanged, presenting a model of perfect loveliness reposing
+in the sleep of death: while the silent attendants, with their
+common-place, though solemn visages, looked like the rough stone figures
+of mourning mutes coarsely carved around some Parian marble monument.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2>
+
+
+<p>To account for the appearance of our heroine under such peculiar
+circumstances, we must look back to secondary events, which latterly we
+have not had leisure to notice.</p>
+
+<p>Immediately after poor Willoughby's abrupt departure from Montague
+House, Lady Palliser and her daughter had set out on their continental
+tour, in which it was supposed by the friends on both sides, that he was
+shortly to join them. During their journey, they had either not chanced
+to meet with, or at least not happened to read with any degree of
+attention an English newspaper. One, however, was laid on their
+breakfast table the morning after their arrival at Geneva; it was that
+which contained a summary of Alfred's trial, conviction, and
+condemnation to an ignominious death, for the wilful murder of his
+brother. From the circumstances of Lady Palliser being out of England,
+on the constant move, and consequently not associating with any one, her
+ladyship had not heard before even of such an accusation having been
+brought against our hero, yet she glanced over the account of the
+terrific affair with a countenance perfectly unmoved; and when she had
+finished the statements, merely handed the paper across the table to
+Caroline saying, in the most careless tone imaginable,</p>
+
+<p>"It was very fortunate that you were not married to either of them."</p>
+
+<p>Caroline, wondering what her mother could mean, took the paper in
+silence, and began to read the part indicated by the manner of folding.
+Lady Palliser sipped her coffee without even a look of inquiry towards
+her daughter; but had there been any one present to have noted the
+emotions marked on the countenance of Caroline, they would have seen
+first, a faint glow as the names met her sight; then the gradual
+retiring of the same; then the unconscious parting of the lips and
+holding of the breath; next a quickened respiration, a flickering
+colour, and a countenance full of indignant expression.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after this profound attention seemed to still every pulse, for the
+paper which before had visibly vibrated with each throb of the heart, no
+longer stirred, while every vestige of the lines of life retired even
+from the lips: the eyes alone moved, as eagerly they traced, from margin
+to margin, line after line. Suddenly a rush of crimson covered the face
+and neck, a piercing cry escaped the lips, and Caroline fell senseless
+to the floor, having become again pale as a corpse.</p>
+
+<p>It was some hours before she showed any returning signs of life, and
+when she again opened her eyes it was evident, from their piteous
+expression, that consciousness, whether of woe or weal was gone.</p>
+
+<p>Subsequently, however, though she still noticed no other object, she
+manifested such strong symptoms of terror at the approach of Lady
+Palliser, that the medical attendant thought fit to recommend her
+ladyship not to enter the apartment.</p>
+
+<p>Lady Palliser, from whom patient attendance on sickness or suffering was
+not at any rate much to be expected, soon began to get exceedingly tired
+of the whole affair. She was also provoked that her daughter's name
+should, however blamelessly, be implicated with that of a family on whom
+such disgrace had fallen; for though Alfred's escape was by this time
+known, the stigma was still the same; he was still under sentence of
+death&mdash;he was still believed to be a murderer. Caroline's sudden illness
+too had made matters worse; for its supposed cause had got abroad, and
+having spread from the English to the natives, became the universal
+topic of conversation with high and low. That this would be still more
+the case in England her ladyship was well aware; she determined
+therefore not to return thither till the business should be in a great
+measure forgotten; in the mean time to proceed on her tour, leaving her
+daughter, who was unable to travel, at Geneva, with of course a suitable
+establishment of sick-nurses and servants, and attended, unluckily, by
+some medical personage who had acquired a questionable reputation nobody
+knew how, and whose opinion therefore Lady Palliser, with her usual
+whimsical irrationality, chose to consider the best <i>medical advice</i>
+within reach; and to whose care, without weighing the subject further,
+she accordingly committed the reason and the life of her only child.
+Whether her ladyship would have taken the unfeeling step of proceeding
+on her journey, had her presence afforded consolation to the suffering
+Caroline, it is impossible to say; but, as her sage adviser still
+recommended her to refrain from seeing his patient, she appeared to
+consider herself at liberty to follow her own devices.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2>
+
+
+<p>Having thus explained how it happened that our heroine was found at
+Geneva in the forlorn state described, we must now return to Alfred. He
+followed the apparition of Caroline, saw her couch lifted from the boat
+to a kind of carriage which was in waiting on the shore, landed himself
+immediately, and though incapable of plan or purpose, pursued the
+carriage. It stopped at a villa at a little distance. He saw Caroline
+lifted out, and carried into the house. Impelled by an uncontrollable
+impulse, and too much agitated to think of forms, he entered the hall
+with the servants, of whom he made some incoherent inquiries. They
+seemed scarcely to comprehend him. A person passed hastily in almost at
+the moment and entered a sitting-room which opened into the hall, and
+into which the couch with the invalid had just been carried.</p>
+
+<p>"It is the doctor, sir," said a servant, with a puzzled air, which
+seemed to infer, he can probably answer you better than I can.</p>
+
+<p>Alfred followed eagerly to the door of the room, and stood there some
+seconds in breathless anxiety. It opened&mdash;the <i>soi-disant</i> doctor was
+coming out, but drew back, as it were, to make way for our hero; who,
+from his evident and pitiable agitation, and his eager inquiries, he
+seemed to take for granted, was some one of the lady's near relations
+arrived at last, and of course entitled to enter the apartment of the
+invalid. Laying apparently asleep on a sofa visible from the door,
+Alfred could now discern Caroline: yet, though at the time in no state
+of mind for reflection, he so far felt himself unauthorized in his
+intrusion as to give an air of hesitation to his manner.</p>
+
+<p>"You can come in, sir," said the doctor, "there is no danger, I am sorry
+to say," he added with pompous solemnity, "of waking the patient."</p>
+
+<p>On hearing these alarming words, Alfred rushed to the side of the couch
+in so wild a manner, that the doctor, quite aghast, followed, and laying
+his hand on his arm, said, "You mistake me, sir: there is no reason to
+expect immediate dissolution; my meaning was, that you need not be
+apprehensive of interrupting the slumbers of the patient; her state
+being unhappily, not natural sleep, but a species of trance, becoming, I
+feel it, notwithstanding, my painful duty to say from its prolonged
+duration and the daily diminution of bodily strength, every hour more
+and more hopeless. From, in fact, the first moment of her sudden seizure
+up to the present time, she has not shed one tear, spoken one word; nor,
+as we have reason to believe, though in this constant state of apparent
+unconsciousness, ever actually slept; for, at any startling or unusual
+sound, her eyes have been observed to open, though but for a second."</p>
+
+<p>While the doctor, who was fond of hearing himself talk, had been thus
+holding forth, Alfred had stood gazing on the pale unconscious sufferer,
+in an agony of grief and compassion.</p>
+
+<p>Pity is itself a gentle, an endearing sentiment; but when claimed by a
+being we already love, who shall paint the going forth of the whole
+soul, in the blended sympathy! If there is an earthly feeling pure from
+self, worthy of heaven, it is this! Had Alfred encountered Caroline in
+health, amid scenes of pleasure and of gaiety, himself free from the
+disgrace and ruin which now attached to him; nay, with a knowledge that
+her seeming want of truth had been but obedience to the tyrannical
+commands of a parent; that her heart was still his; that, in short,
+every obstacle to their union was removed by the death of poor
+Willoughby;&mdash;how soon, in such a case, he might have been able to have
+separated thoughts of her and of happiness from the heart-rending
+remembrance of his brother; at what distant period of time he could, in
+short, have sought a paradise on the very shore where that brother had
+become a wreck, it is impossible to say. But when instead of all this,
+her idea was presented to his mind under circumstances so new, so
+terrible, so far removed from selfish joy, which, when mingled with
+thoughts of Willoughby, would have seemed almost a sacrilege; then it
+was that an overwhelming interest in her fate took possession of his
+whole soul unresisted, consisting of fears, not of hopes; and that soul
+full of misery, was almost paralysed by the memory and presence of
+sorrow. He continued to gaze, till a sense of the most appalling dread,
+despite the assurance of the doctor that there was no immediate danger,
+crept over his heart, so much did the perfect stillness of the lovely
+features resemble that of death. His terror momentarily increased&mdash;he
+bent&mdash;he knelt&mdash;he listened in breathless anguish, till the throbbing of
+his own pulses might have been heard, but he could catch no sound of
+respiration. He looked up with a sort of despairing yet questioning
+expression in the doctor's face.</p>
+
+<p>"I by no means," said the authority so appealed to, "apprehend, as I
+have already stated, any immediate danger. This species of trance has
+continued without intermission, ever since the first rash communication
+of the fatal intelligence." Then, fond of hearing himself talk, and
+possibly believing that he spoke to a near relative, acquainted of
+course with all the circumstances, he continued to exhibit his powers of
+oratory thus:</p>
+
+<p>"The shock was, I fear, altogether too much for any sensitive mind; what
+with the abrupt mode of communication, and the manner of the gentleman's
+death, so terrible&mdash;murdered they say, by his own twin brother!"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir!" exclaimed Alfred, starting up with sudden fierceness, and
+grasping the doctor's arm, "he was not murdered by his brother; and
+that," he added, with an altered tone and manner, clasping his hands,
+and raising his eyes to heaven, "when her spirit awakes in the realms of
+the blessed it will know."</p>
+
+<p>The conversation up to this point had been conducted in the mysterious
+whispers of a sick room, but Alfred's voice, from excess of excitement,
+in the last sentence unconsciously assumed its natural key. As he
+concluded his apostrophy to Heaven, his eyes, which had been uplifted in
+the fervour of devotional feeling fell again on Caroline. Her's were
+wide open, and fixed on him, with an almost wild expression of terror
+and bewilderment!</p>
+
+<p>In a moment more, the crimson rash had, for a second, crossed her brow;
+the piercing cry escaped her lips, and she had fallen again into that
+totally inanimate state, which had characterised her first seizure, and
+distinguished it from the sleep-like trance in which she had
+subsequently lain.</p>
+
+<p>All was instant confusion and dismay. Alfred, almost wild with terror,
+raised the drooping head which had slid from the pillow, supported the
+fair cheek against his bosom; and chafed, now the temples, now the
+hands, mechanically, endeavouring to obey the directions of the doctor,
+while his own hands trembled, till they could scarcely perform the task
+assigned them.</p>
+
+<p>The doctor himself, too, seemed much alarmed, and somewhat taken by
+surprize; he tried all the means of restoring animation he could think
+of, but in vain. At length he began to look very serious indeed. To
+Alfred's frantic adjurations, half question, half entreaty, as though
+the doctor's words could reverse the decree of fate, he replied
+repeatedly, and with decision, that all was over. "There is not now," he
+added, "the strength to rally there had been at the time of the first
+attack."</p>
+
+<p>A mournful silence followed: all, as with one consent, discontinued
+their efforts. The doctor folded his arms. The very attendants stood for
+a considerable time quite motionless.</p>
+
+<p>Alfred was kneeling beside the couch, in the attitude he had taken,
+while striving to render assistance to her, who was now no more. At
+length the nurses, anxious in their officious zeal to perform the duties
+they considered their province, drew near, removed the head of Caroline
+from his supporting shoulder, and laid it on the centre of the pillow,
+then withdrew the hand he still grasped in his, and arranging the
+delicate fingers, placed it by her side; while the doctor approaching,
+raised our hero, and led him from the room, attempting, as he did so,
+the usual common-places of conversation: it was an event which had been
+expected for some time. There was so little hope of ultimate recovery,
+that it might be considered a happy release; for even had her life been
+preserved, her faculties could never have been restored.</p>
+
+<p>As for our hero, he heard him not; all his thoughts, discoloured and
+distorted by late events, were desperate. "It was well," he inwardly
+ejaculated, "yes, it was well&mdash;life was misery&mdash;death a refuge&mdash;why
+should any one desire to live?"</p>
+
+<p>The doctor, the while, led Alfred through the hall, assisted him into
+his (the doctor's) carriage, which stood at the door, and begged to know
+whither he desired to be driven. The question had to be repeated more
+than once before a murmur, from which something like the address was at
+length collected, could be drawn from Alfred.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2>
+
+
+<p>The movement of the carriage, and the necessity of descending from it,
+having aroused Alfred from the first paralysing effects of his grief, he
+now paced his apartment rapidly, and continued to do so almost the whole
+of the night; too much absorbed by his miserable reflections, to be
+conscious of the bodily fatigue he was thus incurring. Yet it was
+impossible to be still! Was she indeed dead?&mdash;was the question, he again
+and again, asked himself. Then, with indescribable agony, he recalled
+the bewildered terror of those dear eyes during the single moment they
+had met his. How short was the period which had since elapsed; she was
+then in life&mdash;was it possible! could she be already gone for ever? A
+lingering feeling, in some sort allied to hope, though altogether
+irrational, still struggled with his despair. It is after waiting in
+vain, as it were, for a reprieve from fate, that sorrow for the dead
+seems gradually to reach its climax. It is not in the first hour of
+bereavement that we can comprehend our wretchedness; so difficult is it
+to believe, that in a few short moments, the great, the awful change,
+has taken place and eternity for a fellow-mortal, who trod the path of
+earth with us but now, commenced. Then would he view, with stern
+despair, the mysterious union, by which his own fate, the fate of poor
+Willoughby, and that of Caroline, seemed linked together in misery.</p>
+
+<p>"But she is now at rest," he would add, and after dwelling for a time on
+this idea, gentler emotions would arise; and he would strain his mental
+vision to behold the shadowy regions of that "bourn whence no traveller
+returns," as though tenderness thus sought for some locality in which to
+picture to itself the cherished image of the being beloved.</p>
+
+<p>Night passed away, and morning came, but its light brought with it the
+unsufferable thought, that even now the busy preparations of the living,
+to rid themselves of the dead, were in all probability being
+commenced!&mdash;Once more&mdash;yes, once more, he must behold her! And then he
+would think of his poor mother, and patiently await his own release. As
+he formed this resolve, he was crossing his apartment, to descend into
+the street and hasten back to the villa, when the door flew open and
+Lady Arden entered.</p>
+
+<p>"Alfred! my son," she exclaimed, "you are justified!" unable to
+articulate further, she wept passionately, but her tears flowed over a
+countenance radiant with joy.</p>
+
+<p>As the words, "you are justified," sounded in the ear of Alfred, relief
+from ignominy swelled his heart with a proud and worthy satisfaction,
+which, under any other circumstances, would have taken the lead even of
+his affections. But now, instead of eagerly inquiring what had occurred,
+he said, with solemn tenderness, while affectionately returning the
+maternal embrace, "I am not ungrateful to Heaven, or to you."</p>
+
+<p>Lady Arden gazed at the mournful expression of his countenance, and
+added anxiously, and somewhat doubtingly, "When time, my son, shall have
+passed a healing hand over the sorrow you feel for your poor brother, I
+shall see you, I trust, yourself again; and for my sake&mdash;and for the
+sake of others who love you, quite&mdash;quite&mdash;happy&mdash;at last. For this
+misery," she added, speaking slowly, and still watching in vain for the
+dawning of pleasurable feeling on his still and saddened features; "this
+misery has been all occasioned by the tyranny of Lady Palliser;&mdash;she
+whom you both loved has ever been, and is still faithful to you.&mdash;She
+confided in poor Willoughby at the last, and entreated him to shelter
+her from the anger of her mother, by withdrawing his addresses. He
+obeyed her wish&mdash;but&mdash;his mind lost its balance in the effort. There is
+hope then&mdash;surely there is hope&mdash;that Heaven will deal mercifully with
+him who had not reason for his guide when he sinned."</p>
+
+<p>Alfred looked in her face while she spoke. When she ceased, his lips
+attempted to move but no sound proceeded from them. Every power, mental
+and physical, had been strained beyond frail Nature's capability of
+endurance. His head rested, and he sunk on a sofa in nearly a swooning
+state.</p>
+
+<p>At this moment the doctor most opportunely entered.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2>
+
+
+<p>While the Doctor is exerting his skill in the endeavour to revive our
+hero, we shall go back and give some account of the events which led to
+the fortunate result proclaimed by Lady Arden on her entrance.</p>
+
+<p>We have already mentioned that at an early hour the morning after Alfred
+quitted his place of concealment in the ruins, the long-delayed funeral
+of Willoughby took place; immediately after which the family set out for
+London.</p>
+
+<p>Geoffery, though he knew himself to be a suspected and unwelcome guest,
+yet had thought it necessary, for appearance sake, to attend. He had
+done so, and spent some hours subsequently at Fips's, awaiting the
+departure of Lady Arden and suite from the mansion, upon which it was
+his intention to take immediately formal possession of a place of which
+he had so long desired to be the master. The last of the carriages
+containing the family party had passed about an hour, when Geoffery
+mounted his horse and was riding through the principal street of Arden
+on his way to the park, on the adjacent woods of which he was so much
+engaged looking with exulting <i>pride</i>, that he did not perceive a waggon
+laden with household furniture which happened to be passing, till it
+came so near that to avoid it he was obliged to ride close to the
+foot-path.</p>
+
+<p>There chanced to be advancing at the moment, along the said foot-path, a
+decrepid old man, a sort of village miser; who, though suspected of
+possessing secret hoards, lived alone in a hovel&mdash;denied himself the
+necessaries of life&mdash;and looked like a beggar. This man had enjoyed for
+many years, as a sort of privilege, the almost exclusive sale, at the
+moderate charge, as he expressed it, of one halfpenny each, of all
+murders, trials, last dying speeches, ballads, valentines, &amp;c. &amp;c. &amp;c.</p>
+
+<p>"A full and true account of the trial and conviction of Sir Alfred
+Arden, for the cruel and most unnatural murder of his brother, the late
+Sir Willoughby Arden;" and also of his miraculous escape from prison on
+the morning on which he was to have been executed, had been prepared for
+this species of sale; but from respect to the feelings of the family had
+not hitherto been publicly hawked about. As all its members, however,
+with the exception of Geoffery, whose sentiments were tolerably well
+understood, had that morning taken their departure, such delicacy was no
+longer deemed necessary. Accordingly, the ancient ballad-monger, fearful
+of being anticipated in his market, was commencing operations. He had
+just vociferated, "Interesting account, &amp;c. &amp;c." and at the precise
+moment that Geoffery, in making way for the waggon rode close to the
+foot-path, was in the act of raising his arm to display on high his
+large-lettered merchandize, when his hand coming in contact with the
+nose of Geoffery's horse the glaring white appearance, and sudden
+rustling noise of the unfurled paper so startled the animal, that he
+backed, plunged, and reared up against the waggon, entangling Geoffery
+amongst the legs and arms of the tables and chairs with which it was
+heaped, and which, lifting him from his saddle, let him down so close to
+one of the wheels, that it went over his head and crushed it to atoms.
+He was taken up and carried into an adjacent public house, of course
+quite dead; while almost every one who had been in the street at the
+time of the accident, crowded immediately into the common room where he
+was laid.</p>
+
+<p>It so happened that the master of the house had once incurred very ugly
+suspicions respecting picking of pockets; this was a point therefore on
+which he was now particularly jealous of his honour. When the spectators
+therefore had satisfied themselves as to the nature and extent of the
+injuries received by the deceased, and were about to disperse, mine host
+uplifted his voice, and requested that some one would remain to examine
+the contents of the gentleman's pockets, that his house might come to no
+discredit in the business.</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly, two persons consented to do so, one an apothecary, who had
+been called in to pronounce whether or not a person who had been
+guillotined by a waggon wheel, were quite dead; the other, Mr. Danvers,
+High Sheriff for the county. He had attended the funeral, and was
+passing through the town on his way home. He was the warm friend of Lady
+Arden, and felt a strong persuasion of Alfred's innocence.</p>
+
+<p>The money in Geoffery's purse was counted, and a pocket-book found which
+was opened, to ascertain whether it contained bank-notes; Here Mr.
+Danvers perceived a letter, the address and memoranda on the outer fold
+of which rivetted his whole attention. They were in the late Sir
+Willoughby Arden's hand-writing, and ran thus&mdash;"To my dear brother,
+Alfred Arden, containing my dying requests to him, together with my
+reasons for having resolved to put a period to my existence."</p>
+
+<p>It was very evident that this letter, though open, had never reached Sir
+Alfred's hands, or it must have been brought forward on the trial; there
+seemed therefore to be no doubt that Geoffery Arden, however it had come
+into his possession, had suppressed it with the most diabolical
+intentions. To hasten therefore immediately with the precious document,
+in pursuit of Lady Arden, and lay the affair in due form before the
+Secretary of State for the Home Department, seemed to be the obvious
+course, and was accordingly adopted by Mr. Danvers with all possible
+speed.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2>
+
+
+<p>The packet found by Mr. Danvers was the same which, it may be
+remembered, was lifted from a table in Willoughby's apartment by
+Geoffery, while Alfred, to meet whose eye it had been thus conspicuously
+placed by his poor brother, was too much absorbed in grief to notice
+what was passing.</p>
+
+<p>The peculiar circumstances attendant on the death-scene, and the certain
+knowledge thus obtained, that poison had been taken, and would,
+therefore, on opening the body be found, suggested to Geoffery's evil
+mind the first faint glimpses of the diabolical scheme which so many
+after circumstances so unexpectedly favoured. Had there been a fire in
+his apartment that night, he would for security have certainly burnt the
+packet; but it fortunately happened that there was not, and so agitated
+and occupied was his mind in the contemplation of the very possibility
+of compassing at once the hideous crime and enormous gain, which he was
+balancing one against the other, that the idea of destroying the
+dangerous document by means of his candle never once occurred to him.
+Accordingly, when he had sufficiently considered its contents, he placed
+it in his pocket-book. After this, he more than once took it out, with
+the intention of consigning it to the flames, but when in the very act
+his hand was stayed by more than one consideration. In the first place,
+there was a kind of bequest to himself; and if the accusations against
+Alfred came to nothing, he should want the sum very much; then he
+sometimes felt a dread, that by a bare possibility, he might
+himself,&mdash;as having a remote contingent interest in the death of
+Willoughby, and having arrived too that very night at Arden,&mdash;be accused
+of being an accomplice of Alfred's; and in either case this packet laid
+down in some of the apartments, would be picked up, and being supposed
+to have hitherto merely lain unnoticed, both clear himself of all
+suspicion and secure his bequest; for though this bequest was not left
+in a binding form, he had no doubt that Alfred would religiously make it
+good. No place, however, seemed safe enough for keeping this important
+document but about his own person, and accordingly he so disposed of it;
+which serves to account for its being found in the manner described.</p>
+
+<p>The packet itself presented a melancholy picture of poor Willoughby's
+disordered state of mind, brought down somewhat in the form of a
+journal, and with a kind of method mingled with its wildness to the very
+evening of his death. In proof of the strange blending of rational
+considerations, there was a sort of distribution of his personal
+property; for besides the bequest to Geoffery, already alluded to, there
+were kind gifts to his sisters, his mother, his aunt Dorothea, and to
+several old servants and pensioners.</p>
+
+<p>Alfred, however, was his main object; the tenor of the whole letter
+breathed the most devoted tenderness towards him, mingled with a
+madman's notion, that he was about to perform an heroic act, in removing
+the obstacles to his happiness. It entreated Alfred not to grieve for
+him&mdash;he was only flying a misery he could not endure; seeking a resting
+place he longed to find. Why should not all those who remained behind be
+happy&mdash;quite happy, and never think of him who could so well be
+spared&mdash;who never should have been born&mdash;who seemed to have been called
+into existence but to stand in the way of others, and be himself
+wretched!</p>
+
+<p>"Yet I know that you will grieve for me, Alfred," it continued, "and the
+thought of how much you will grieve sometimes makes me shrink from
+seeking the rest I long for. But it will be for a time only, and then
+you too will be happy. Yes, you must be happy, Alfred!"</p>
+
+<p>Caroline's letter was inclosed in the packet, and some comments made, in
+a strain of forced, unnatural calmness, on Lady Palliser's cruel policy.
+While the whole, which seemed to have been written at many different
+periods, concluded with a sort of separate part, dated the day of the
+evening of his death; detailing minutely how he had at length possessed
+himself of some arsenic, and declaring his intention of that very
+evening putting an end to the harrassing struggles of his mind, which he
+here describe wildly, as pursuing him every where&mdash;goading him
+on&mdash;hunting him down&mdash;making rest or peace on earth impossible.</p>
+
+<p>"Forgive me, then, dear Alfred," he concluded; "forgive my quitting you
+thus; for I am weary, and long to sleep, though it were in the grave!
+Except that short moment when I closed my eyes on your kind bosom, I
+have not slept I know not when."</p>
+
+<p>This, the dying memorial of poor Willoughby, was but a melancholy
+vehicle for joyful intelligence to Lady Arden. In her mind, however, at
+such a moment, there was room but for one idea&mdash;Alfred was safe! Even
+her pride in him, which had mingled with despair, was forgotten in
+tenderness.</p>
+
+<p>She left all the care of his public justification, with the necessary
+forms for his restoration to his right, in the hands of Mr. Danvers and
+Lord Darlingford; and though, as a precaution lest Alfred should lose
+one moment of the relief of mind such intelligence was calculated to
+bestow, she had dispatched, at the first instant, an express, bearing in
+her own writing the three words, "You are justified." Nevertheless she
+had followed her own messenger with so much expedition, that she
+overtook him at the gates of Geneva, awaiting their being opened; and
+thus became, as we have seen, the first to announce to her exiled son
+the happy change which had taken place in his circumstances.</p>
+
+<p>While her ladyship was thus occupied, the townspeople of Arden,
+impatient to display the returning tide of their affection and respect
+towards their young landlord, were illuminating every pane of glass they
+possessed, and lighting bonfires on every rising ground in the
+neighbourhood, in honour of his acquittal; while at the same time their
+indignation against Geoffery knew no bounds. His motive in suppressing
+and concealing Alfred's letter spoke for itself; and so strong was the
+general feeling of abhorrence which it excited, that the night after he
+was buried, his body was disinterred by the mob, and placed on a gibbet
+on the road-side, between Arden and Arden Park. His coadjutor, too, Mr.
+Fips, was blamed even more than he deserved, if that indeed were
+possible: that is to say, he was universally believed to have been a
+party to the suppression of Willoughby's packet; a belief engendered,
+and, in a great measure justified, by his being Geoffery's right-hand
+man on all occasions, and still more by the active part he had taken
+previously to and on the trial, as well as by his own general villany of
+character.</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly, during the illuminations for Alfred's acquittal, the mob
+began by smashing every window in Fips's house; and hatred of Gripe, as
+he was called, being a common cause, those who had commenced the attack
+were soon joined by so many who had a personal feeling of revenge,
+founded on a lively remembrance of ruin entailed on themselves and their
+families by his means, that before morning they literally left not one
+stone, or rather one brick, upon another of Fips's dwelling; while
+himself and his daughter narrowly escaped with their lives, without
+being able to carry with them a single paper, or a vestige of property
+of any kind. What was of value found plenty of customers, who thought it
+no robbery to take back a little of their own; and as to the parchments,
+&amp;c., a sagacious ringleader proposed that they should all be emptied out
+at the foot of the market cross; that so, when there was light in the
+morning, every one might come and choose his own. Thus did many a man
+get back his documents without being compelled to pay the unjust and
+enormous bill for which they were held as security; whilst every thing
+in the shape of bill, book, or account standing against any individual,
+was carefully consigned to the flames. All the town, in short, felt it
+more or less a blessing that the hornet's nest had been destroyed. As to
+the authorities, they had themselves, some of them, felt the gripe of
+Mr. Fips in their day: after, therefore, every step <i>they</i> judged proper
+was duly taken to discover who had been the perpetrators of the late
+riots, it was decided, at a public meeting held for the purpose&mdash;"That
+the very <i>unjustifiable</i> outrages which had been committed on the night
+of the &mdash; of &mdash;&mdash;, 18&mdash;, could not be <i>brought home to any particular
+individuals</i>."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h2>
+
+
+<p>It was evening; a cheerful mixture of twilight and firelight filled the
+apartment in which our hero lay, slowly recovering from a brain fever of
+many weeks duration.</p>
+
+<p>He had been long delirious, and as yet had not recognised the friends
+who were around him, or been conscious of any event which had occurred
+since the morning on which Lady Arden had arrived at Geneva. But his
+crisis was now past, and much was expected from the peaceful and
+profound sleep he had enjoyed for nearly the whole, both of the last
+night and of the last day. A group of itinerant musicians had stopped
+beneath his window, and were performing some simple strain, which,
+though possibly conducive to his awaking just at that moment, fell on
+his half conscious ear with indescribable sweetness. Gradually his eyes
+began to open: at first but in an imperceptible degree; yet, through the
+still veiling lashes he now saw confusedly, visions, as of angels,
+hovering around his pillow. While a countenance which bent over his,
+watching, as it were, his slumbers, seemed to grow each moment brighter
+and brighter, till, for one second, he distinctly beheld (or did he
+dream), the face of Caroline! It disappeared instantly, and was
+succeeded by that of his sister Madeline; but the shadow of a form
+glided round the curtain which the eye of Alfred anxiously followed.</p>
+
+<p>It was Caroline; she had gone to announce to Lady Arden Alfred's
+awaking.</p>
+
+<p>Lady Arden had been also ill herself, and was not yet able to bear much
+fatigue: she had, therefore, lain down while Caroline and Madeline
+cheered each other's watch in the sick chamber. The music in the street
+had alarmed our youthful nursetenders, lest it should awake their
+charge: they had raised their taper fingers, and thus asked each other
+by signal, whether they should send to have it stopped; while, as a
+preliminary movement, Caroline had glided to the bedside to note its
+effect upon the sleeper. She had stood a few seconds, marking as well as
+the imperfect light would permit, that his eyeballs seemed to move
+tremulously beneath their lids. Anxious to ascertain the point, she had
+bent closer and closer to the pillow; when, Alfred's eyes opening as we
+have described, she had disappeared.</p>
+
+<p>Madeline, as she took the place of the apparition, which had thus
+quickly vanished, found Alfred making a feeble effort to draw aside the
+opposite curtain. But he was quite unequal to the task.</p>
+
+<p>"It was&mdash;it was she&mdash;" he faintly murmured, "Was it not? tell me,
+Madeline!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes it was, dear Alfred, but you must not speak! she is quite well."</p>
+
+<p>Fortunately, his extreme bodily weakness did not admit of any very
+violent paroxysm of feeling. His recollections of the past too, were as
+yet but confused; so that the overpowering intelligence that Caroline
+was still living&mdash;was near him&mdash;was kindly attending him in sickness,
+came not upon him at once in its full force, but grew with his growing
+perceptions.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is she gone, Madeline?" he at length breathed, in a scarcely
+audible whisper.</p>
+
+<p>"Only to my mother's room," replied Madeline, in accents scarcely
+louder.</p>
+
+<p>"And tell me where we are?" he added, after another pause.</p>
+
+<p>"At Geneva, dearest Alfred. But you must not speak."</p>
+
+<p>"At Geneva!" he repeated, then lay still a very long time, as if
+endeavouring to recall past events: and she noted with alarm, that pale
+though he was, after his long illness, a faint flush, was overspreading
+his brow. He feebly grasped her arm, and looked in her face with an
+earnestness of expression which she perfectly understood.</p>
+
+<p>"No! no!" she replied, "she was only ill&mdash;faint&mdash;but she is now quite
+well, but indeed, you must not speak, dearest Alfred."</p>
+
+<p>"Madeline! is all this true?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, quite true: and now, dear Alfred, you must lay still till the
+doctor comes."</p>
+
+<p>He tried to obey her for a time.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot, Madeline," he at length whispered, and then, though
+much exhausted, he continued in broken accents, "the desire&mdash;to
+know&mdash;how&mdash;it has all happened&mdash;will hurt me more&mdash;than listening to
+your&mdash;sweet&mdash;voice.&mdash;So tell me all&mdash;and then&mdash;I will be composed."</p>
+
+<p>Madeline, judging that of the two it was better he should listen to her
+than persist in endeavouring to speak himself, replied in the softest of
+whispers, shading the light of the fire from his face:</p>
+
+<p>"Why, when my mother saw that she had both you and Caroline to nurse,
+she wrote to us to come here. But, by the time we came, we found dear
+Caroline so much recovered, that she was nursing both you and my mother,
+who had then become ill herself from fatigue. But she is now quite well
+again," she added, seeing Alfred look around. "And she has written to
+Lady Palliser, and obtained her permission for Caroline to stay with us
+while we remain abroad, that she may travel home with our party. And
+now, indeed, I will not speak another word, so you must lay still."</p>
+
+<p>Here the appearance of Lady Arden, and Aunt Dorothea, and soon after of
+the doctor, relieved Madeline from the difficult task of keeping her
+refractory patient in order.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII.</h2>
+
+
+<p>From day to day, as Alfred became stronger and less unfit for prolonged
+conversation, his kind parent had detailed to him all the interesting
+particulars attendant on the illness and recovery of our heroine.</p>
+
+<p>Her deep swoon had not, either at the first or second time of seizure,
+been a mere common faint; but had, on both occasions, more especially
+the last, partaken of the nature of those trances in which persons have
+been known to present for days so completely the appearance of death, as
+to have been carried by grieving relations to the grave; yet to have
+subsequently recovered, and lived for many years. Whether a more skilful
+doctor might, in Caroline's case, have detected the difference, we
+cannot pretend to say.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after Alfred had been led away from what he then believed to be the
+chamber of death, the doctor had also taken his departure. When,
+however, he returned at an early hour in the morning, to give some
+necessary orders preparatory to the funeral, he was, to his great
+surprise, met on the steps by a messenger, who was just coming out to
+inform him that the patient had exhibited signs of returning life.</p>
+
+<p>He entered the sick chamber, administered restoratives, &amp;c., &amp;c., and in
+a short time had the satisfaction of seeing Caroline open her eyes
+while, instead of closing them again almost instantly, as on former
+occasions, she now, though too feeble to move her head on the pillow,
+looked all round the apartment with evident anxiety, then fixed her gaze
+on the door, as if watching for some expected sight or sound.</p>
+
+<p>It was to announce the pleasing intelligence of the revival of his
+patient, that the doctor entered Alfred's apartment at the critical
+juncture described.</p>
+
+<p>His communications ultimately led to Lady Arden giving to Caroline every
+moment and every thought she could spare from Alfred. While the kind
+attentions of such a friend, with the explanations which of course
+followed, supplied at once the soothings of considerate regard and the
+motive to live; and thus, with the assistance of some rational medical
+adviser, called in by Lady Arden, wrought a recovery which, to those
+unacquainted with the particulars, seemed almost miraculous.</p>
+
+<p>But though Caroline, from the time of the first seisure caused by the
+communication of the fatal intelligence, up to that of the second,
+occasioned by the unexpected apparition of Alfred, had lain in a state
+supposed to border on insensibility; her actual state, during the period
+alluded to, had been rather that passive of despair, characteristic of a
+being so gentle by nature, so friendless by circumstances, that her
+mind, overwhelmed and unsupported, was incapable of an effort, and had
+sought a sort of refuge from the agony of carrying its burden of
+wretchedness through the ordinary round of life in this total inaction,
+this entire quiessence, this living death, while awaiting that actual
+dissolution, which, though she had not the wilfulness nor the wickedness
+to accelerate, she hoped would soon arrive. She spoke not, wept not, and
+the light of day being oppressive to her broken spirit, opened not her
+eyes, except when some sudden or startling sound caused the instinctive
+movement. At such times they met no object to awaken kindly
+associations, or call the affections back to life; the faces they beheld
+around were those of strangers, the very nurses and servants in
+attendance having been hired for this occasion, Lady Palliser having
+taken with her those she had brought from England. Poor Caroline's eyes,
+therefore, languidly closed again without noticing any object.</p>
+
+<p>The general impression on the minds of the persons by whom Caroline was
+surrounded was, that the shock her mind had received was occasioned by
+the intelligence that the gentleman to whom she was engaged to be
+married had been murdered. The subsequent accounts, therefore, of the
+escape of the murderer, it never accrued to them that it could be any
+consolation to her to be informed of. On the contrary, they would have
+judged it highly imprudent to have forced any circumstances connected
+with the fatal subject on her consideration. Had there been an
+affectionate or intimate friend in attendance they might have better
+understood the feelings of the sufferer. But none such was near. Poor
+Caroline, therefore, up to the moment that the suddenly-elevated voice
+of Alfred caused her to open her eyes, and beheld him standing beside
+her couch, remained under the frightful impression (though in her own
+heart confident of his innocence), that he had suffered an ignominious
+death for the murder of his brother.</p>
+
+<p>From total want of energy she sometimes waved from her, and, at other
+times took no notice of, any food presented to her; but being too meekly
+submissive in her nature, for the wilful resolve of committing suicide
+by abstinence, she did not offer any resistance to the efforts of the
+nurses to preserve life by administering, from time to time, a spoonful
+of liquid-jelly, whey, or gruel.</p>
+
+<p>Between mental suffering, therefore, and want of proper sustenance, her
+physical strength was thus, from day to day, gradually giving way. As
+for our friend the doctor, he was in too great request to run in and run
+out again; had making discoveries, therefore, been his fort, which it
+was not, he could not have spared the time: so that poor Caroline, but
+for Alfred's visit to Geneva, might have faded away from apparent into
+real death, ere any chance had conveyed to her the escape, and finally
+the acquittal of our hero.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2>
+
+
+<p>Alfred's recovery after this period was rapid, which enabled Lady Arden
+to remove shortly to a beautiful villa, situated on the borders of the
+lake, amid the romantic enchantments of the Pays de Vaud; and
+commanding, on the opposite banks, the bold and majestic scenery of the
+Savoy mountains, with their snow-clad tops and stupendous cliffs,
+thousands of perpendicular feet in height.</p>
+
+<p>It was in this spot, itself an earthly paradise, that our gentle heroine
+enjoyed the first really happy days she had ever known. No longer the
+solitary unloved object of her mother's capricious tyranny, she seemed
+to be already one of the kind and united family, in the bosom of which
+she had thus found a shelter,&mdash;already to form the very centre of a
+little circle of affectionate friends. For though, in the exciting
+moment of necessity, poor Caroline had been able to render some
+assistance to others, at least had been willing to think so, she was not
+yet strong herself; so that, as Alfred got quite well, she became the
+especial object of the care and indulgence of all. The attentions, the
+anxieties, the precautions for her health and comfort, of not only Lady
+Arden, but also of kind Mrs. Dorethea, were truly parental; while
+Madeline's companionship supplied to her that dear, familiar tie, she
+had never known before&mdash;that of a sister: and Alfred was brother, lover,
+friend&mdash;all in one. In every ramble his arm was her support; in every
+excursion, he it was who led the mule, or shared the seat, whatever
+vehicle she occupied afforded; and sweet was the murmur of the
+waterfall, the music of his voice commended; and beautiful the beauty in
+the landscape, towards which a beam from his eye led the responsive
+light of hers.</p>
+
+<p>Sometimes, on calm and lovely evenings, our little party would indulge
+in the quiet luxury of taking their seats in a pleasure boat, which
+formed a part of their present establishment; and sailing about for
+hours on the smooth and shining surface of the lake; while the
+stupendous mountains that rose around, like insuperable barriers against
+the world without, and the cloudless sky that canopied the whole, gave
+to feelings which were, in fact, those of the highest excitement,
+induced by the late relief from wretchedness, a sense of repose, a
+semblance of stability, calculated to add to present enjoyment the too
+flattering belief, that it could last for ever.</p>
+
+<p>Among scenes such as these, many happy months glided away; yet such was
+the delicate respect and mournful tenderness with which poor Willoughby
+was remembered, by both Alfred and Caroline, that the mention of love,
+in express terms, seemed to be, as by mutual consent, delayed. Alfred,
+indeed, would sometimes use, in speaking of futurity, the <i>we</i>&mdash;that
+promissory note of affianced love&mdash;and feel an indescribable thrill of
+delight in marking the conscious blush which his inadvertence was sure
+to excite on Caroline's fair cheek. Nor was the tender, the endearing
+thought, ever for a moment absent from his mind, that it was her secret
+attachment to him, the belief of his accusation, his terrible death,
+which had brought her, in the early morning of her days, to the dark
+portal of the tomb.</p>
+
+<p>It was in moments of perfect calm, such as we have been describing, when
+either sailing on the smooth lake, or strolling with Mrs. Dorothea along
+its lovely margin, while the young people were occupied with each other,
+that Lady Arden would shudder involuntarily, when in imagination she
+contemplated, as from an immeasurable height, the frightful abyss of
+wretchedness into which she had been plunged so lately; and the horrors
+of which, from their stunning effect at the time, already seemed shadowy
+and indistinct, like the remembrance of some terrific dream!</p>
+
+<p>"Yet such things have been," she would say, turning suddenly to Mrs.
+Dorothea, "and here I am, still in being! Would it not appear, that when
+the causes of suffering become extreme, confusion of spirit is sent in
+mercy to the succour of mortal weakness; as though such agony, as the
+soul can conceive when in full possession of its powers, were reserved
+to be the awful portion of the impenitent sinner after judgment! In our
+present state we know nothing perfectly&mdash;not even misery!"</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2>
+
+
+<p>We have hitherto neglected to mention, that in the correspondence held
+with Lady Palliser, her ladyship's consent to the future union of her
+daughter with our hero was duly sought and obtained.</p>
+
+<p>Indeed Lady Palliser considered, that Caroline's name had been so
+provokingly mixed up with that horrible business, as she always
+designated the late afflictions of the Arden family, that marrying her
+to the remaining brother was now absolutely indispensable, as well as
+one which would prove an excellent practical explanation of the whole
+affair, and save her the trouble of saying an immensity about it, beside
+the risk of being neither understood nor believed. Now, too, that the
+title and estates were Alfred's, she had no very particular objection to
+him: that is to say, he was just as good now as his brother had
+been&mdash;though neither were matches such as Caroline might have expected,
+had she not made an egregious fool of herself. As to her ladyship's
+silly anger with our hero, for daring to admire her daughter more than
+herself, it had long since been forgotten amid myriads of more brilliant
+conquests.</p>
+
+<p>Previously, however, to the return to England of our travelling party,
+Lady Palliser died after a very short illness, having taken cold at some
+royal fête, which, when already far from well, she had imprudently
+quitted her bed to attend.</p>
+
+<p>This new mourning made it nearly two years after the death of poor
+Willoughby before the marriage of Caroline and Alfred was celebrated:
+that of Madeline with Mr. Cameron, who through all the troubles of the
+family had been faithful, took place as soon as the mourning for her
+brother was over.</p>
+
+<p>Prior, however, to these events, and prior also to the return from
+abroad of the Arden family, Miss Fips, all her flyers and streamers of
+black crape, nay, her very parasol black, reappeared upon the stage,
+calling herself Mrs. Arden, and declaring that she had been privately
+married to the late Geoffery Arden; of which alleged fact, however, she
+failed to produce any satisfactory proof, save and except a son and
+heir, on whose behalf she claimed whatever property was left by the
+deceased.</p>
+
+<p>This impudent and dishonest attempt of Miss Fips's not only failed in
+its object, but produced an effect as little expected as desired, either
+by herself or her father; eventually proving the cause of bringing to
+light circumstances and letters, sufficient to induce a strict
+examination into the nature of the services rendered by Mr. Fips to
+Geoffery Arden. While in the course of the investigation thus brought
+about, it was clearly proved, that the said Mr. Fips had been one of the
+parties engaged in a foul and nefarious conspiracy against the life and
+property of Sir Alfred Arden.</p>
+
+<p>When Fips saw how the matter was likely to end, he, by way of precaution
+against the heavy fine which constitutes a part of the punishment for
+conspiracy, made over, by a fraudulent, antedated settlement, his whole
+property to his daughter, with a secret understanding, that she was not
+to avail herself of the gift during his life. On the expiration of his
+period of imprisonment, however, he found that Miss Fips had possessed
+herself of every shilling, married, and gone abroad. He was now to make
+his election between begging and going on the parish; for since his late
+misfortunes, the infirmities of age&mdash;a broken constitution, failing
+sight, and a trembling hand&mdash;had increased so rapidly upon him, that, to
+say nothing of want of character, he could not get employment even as a
+copying-clerk in any office. Of the two remaining alternatives, then, he
+was less ashamed to beg among strangers than to claim his right of
+parish at Arden, where he well knew the deserved abhorrence in which he
+was held. Thither, however, in the character of a vagrant, he was
+finally passed, without his own consent; and in the workhouse of Arden
+parish he died by his own hand, having been driven at last to cut his
+throat, in a paroxysm of despair and ineffectual rage, brought on by the
+ceaseless revilings, reproaches, and scoffings of his companions; many
+of whom, but too justly, laid their ruin at the door of his dishonesty
+and ruthless oppression.</p>
+
+<p>Caroline and Alfred, after the cloudy morning of their life cleared up,
+enjoyed sunshine to its close. But this we need have scarcely mentioned;
+for all the ladies will say, "Who could avoid being happy with Alfred?"
+while the gentlemen will, no doubt, be disposed to pay a similar
+compliment to Caroline.</p>
+
+<p>Lady Darlingford made an excellent, respectable, and respectful wife.
+The first season she appeared in London after her marriage, Lord
+Nelthorpe, her early lover, who by this time was separated from his
+lady, had the presumption to offer her some insidious compliments,
+indicative of continued admiration. They, however, as well as himself,
+were received with the scorn they merited.</p>
+
+<p>Louisa and Henry Lyndsey soon began to experience the inconveniences of
+poverty; yet, when both happened to be in good humour, they could still
+think love better than riches. When, however, any thing ruffled the
+temper of either&mdash;and where there are difficulties (unless people are
+angels, or very good Christians), this will too often be the
+case&mdash;Louisa would think of, at least, if not regret, the sacrifices she
+had made; and Henry would recollect, with indignant resentment, that
+Louisa would, in all probability, have jilted him, but for the decided
+step he had taken.</p>
+
+<p>These sentiments, after being at first only thought, might at last have
+been expressed; and so led, in time, to recrimination, and much
+unhappiness. Fortunately, however, an opportune act of liberality on the
+part of Alfred, by placing them in easy circumstances, before their
+dispositions became soured, prevented so miserable a result.</p>
+
+<p>Madeline, it might be thought, had at least secured wealth. But in the
+course of years, she became a widow; and having in early life married an
+old man for his money, when no longer young herself, she married a young
+one for love, who married her for her money, he being one of the unhappy
+younger brother species, and therefore without a shilling of his own.
+Having also a taste for extravagance, acquired in childhood under the
+parental roof, and, moreover, a fashionable passion for gambling, he
+soon contrived to run through her splendid settlement, and at length
+found a dwelling for himself within the rules of the King's Bench.</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Dorothea, who, though getting very old (somewhere about eighty-five
+or eighty-six), was still living at home, gave her favourite niece a
+home at Rosefield Cottage, which finally she willed to her with what
+little property else she possessed; but secured all in the hands of
+trustees, to preserve it from the extravagant husband.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Salter senior died, and Mr. Salter junior married; on which the
+Misses Salter found themselves constrained, by their limited
+circumstances, to betake themselves to a small lodging, where, if we may
+be excused the twofold contradiction in terms, they lived <i>together</i> in
+<i>single blessedness</i> the remainder of their days, as <i>miserable</i> as bad
+tempers, aggravated by discomfort and disappointment, could make them.
+They seemed to have but one object in life, which was mutually to thwart
+each other, and as they could afford but one sleeping apartment (the
+single dressing-glass of which, by-the-by, was a constant bone of
+contention), and one sitting-room, each of the smallest possible
+dimensions&mdash;they had neither means nor opportunity of flying from each
+other's ill-humour. The one, too, had a pet dog, while the other
+espoused the cause of the cat of the lodging-house; so that these
+respective representatives not only furnished a never-failing subject of
+quarrel, but whenever there happened to be a moment of truce between
+their principals, supplied themselves an underplot in excellent keeping
+with the leading drama. For, invariably on making their first appearance
+on their own peculiar stage, the rug before the fire, they saluted each
+other with a snarl, and a snap, a spit, and a claw in the face; after
+which, to do them justice, they did not keep <i>at it, at it</i>, like
+their betters, but lay down quietly, and went to sleep; puss in general
+persisting, notwithstanding a remonstrance or so from pug, on picking
+her steps in among his feet, and laying her back on his warm bosom; thus
+wisely making herself as comfortable as circumstances would permit.</p>
+
+<p>Why is man called, by way of distinction, <i>a rational animal</i>? Man, who,
+of all creatures in creation knows the least how to be happy, while
+happiness is the end and aim of all.</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i8">Oh, happiness! our being's end and aim!<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">Good, pleasure, ease, content, whate'er thy name:<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">That something still which prompts th' eternal sigh,<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">For which we bear to live, or dare to die;<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i8">Plant of celestial seed! if dropp'd below,<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">Say in what mortal soil thou deign'st to grow?<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i8">Fix'd to no spot is happiness sincere;<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">'Tis no where to be found, or every where.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Why, then, is happiness so rare? Because ere it can be possessed, every
+virtue must be ours and we must be wise withal, gentle, patient, lowly,
+meek; nor at the idle suggestions of vanity, immolate life's realities
+on the imaginary altars of <i>Pride</i>.</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i8">Know then this truth, enough for man to know,<br /></span>
+<span class="i8">Virtue, alone, is happiness below.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+<h3>THE END.</h3>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Dilemmas of Pride, (Vol 3 of 3), by 
+Margracia Loudon
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+Project Gutenberg's Dilemmas of Pride, (Vol 3 of 3), by Margracia Loudon
+
+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: Dilemmas of Pride, (Vol 3 of 3)
+
+Author: Margracia Loudon
+
+Release Date: January 24, 2011 [EBook #35058]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DILEMMAS OF PRIDE, (VOL 3 OF 3) ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Heather Clark, Mary Meehan and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from images generously made available
+by The Internet Archive)
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+
+
+
+
+
+
+                         DILEMMAS OF PRIDE.
+
+                         BY MARGRACIA LOUDON
+
+                      THE AUTHOR OF FIRST LOVE.
+
+    IN THREE VOLUMES.
+
+    VOL. III.
+
+    LONDON:
+
+    BULL AND CHURTON, HOLLES STREET.
+
+    1833.
+
+
+
+
+DILEMMAS OF PRIDE.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+
+We shall here pause for a few moments to give a slight sketch of the
+principal agent employed by Geoffery in this part of the business, and
+indeed in the conduct of the whole affair.
+
+In Arden, the neighbouring county town, there lived a solicitor, who,
+unfortunately for the honour of humanity and his own especial calling,
+was without exception, the most thorough-paced villain unhanged; nay,
+many have been hanged who were not half as bad; for this man was not
+only without remorse of conscience, but also without remorse of heart.
+His only reason for committing more robberies than murders was, that the
+former crime was in general more profitable than the latter; but as to
+who died the lingering death of a broken heart, he cared not, so long as
+he gained a few pounds by the transaction.
+
+He was known for a mean contemptible fellow, and consequently possessed
+but little of the confidence of the higher orders, so that when he could
+catch a gentleman to plunder, it was a sort of prize in the lottery to
+him; but unfortunate tradesmen in a little way, were his natural prey:
+to such, when perishing in the gulf of misery, he pretended to stretch a
+helping hand, but with that very hand assisted in the work of
+destruction, and finally possessed himself of the wreck of their
+fortunes. This fellow, by name Fips, had long been Geoffery Arden's
+right-hand man, and for all his services had invariably been one way or
+other payed out of Sir Willoughby's pocket. Such was the fitting
+coadjutor to whom Geoffery applied for that assistance which the present
+momentous occasion demanded, as the following interview will show
+without absolutely committing himself.
+
+Fips, who had just dined, was seated in an old-fashioned black-bottomed
+mahogany arm-chair, which he filled, or rather over-filled, in much the
+same manner as a feather-bed tucked into the same piece of furniture
+would have done; and had there been a cord tied round the centre of the
+said bed as a convenient mode of carriage, it would have bisected its
+yielding rotundity, just as the single middle button of Mr. Fips's
+waistcoat did that of the wearer.
+
+With a hand so fat that it could scarcely grasp the decanter, yet
+trembling from habitual excess, Fips was helping himself to the last
+glass of the bottle of port with which he had followed up liberal
+potations of brandy and water, not water and brandy, swallowed during
+dinner; while the flabby cheeks, double chin, and bottle-nose of the
+sot, his health being none of the best, partook more of the purple hue
+than of the lively living red. Beside him sat his only daughter and sole
+domestic companion, Miss Fips. She was about six-and-twenty, and but for
+the showy vulgarity of her dress, the unshrinking boldness of her
+demeanour, and the rouge with which she unnecessarily heightened her
+complexion, she would have been extremely handsome, her figure being
+well made and showy, though on rather a large scale; her hair redundant,
+black, and glossy, and dressed in numberless gigantic bows, which sat _a
+merveille_, the tresses of which they were formed being strong in
+texture as a horse's mane; her eyes were large, dark and bold; her
+features regular--lips full--teeth large but good--and skin, though
+coarse, of a snowy white.
+
+"Ha, Fips, how are ye?" said Geoffery entering. He next made his
+salutations to the lady, with a marked effort of gallantry in his
+manner.--"So you have been making merry alone, I see, old fellow," he
+added, turning again to Fips; "and I am just come in time for the empty
+bottle."
+
+"Never mind, we'll have it changed for a full one. Come, sit ye down.
+Deb, go send us in a bottle of claret. Strange news afloat, Mr. Arden!"
+he added, as Deborah disappeared.
+
+"Stranger perhaps than you imagine, Fips," replied Geoffery with well
+affected solemnity. "Indeed, the only conclusion at which it is possible
+to arrive, after an impartial review of the circumstances," he pursued,
+lowering his voice, "is too horrible to be thought of. For myself, I am
+as you will allow very painfully situated. If a '_most foul and
+unnatural murder_' has been committed, it would be dastardly and
+contemptible in me, the nearest in blood, to suffer the murderer to
+escape, merely from a want of activity and decision in seeking out and
+bringing together sufficient evidence. Yet on the other hand, should my
+cousin, as I _sincerely_ hope he may, prove innocent, it might appear
+invidious in me, the next heir, to have evinced what, though but a
+respect for justice, might be misconstrued into a too great willingness
+to find him guilty." Here the entrance of the claret and the consequent
+discussion of its merits for a time interrupted the conversation.
+
+"The object of my visit," said Geoffery, when the wine had been
+pronounced excellent, "is to crave once more that which I have so often
+before found useful--your friendly advice and assistance. What in fact I
+at present stand most in need of, is a friend whose disinterested
+exertions should ensure the ends of justice being answered, without my
+appearing to take an active part in this truly shocking affair."
+
+"Humph," said Fips, who by all this as perfectly understood as though it
+had been said in as many words, that the secret service required of him,
+and for which, if successful, he should no doubt be munificently
+rewarded, was to hang Sir Alfred Arden, whether innocent or guilty; and
+by so doing, give Geoffery, who was the inevitable heir, by a strict
+male entail, possession of the title and estates.
+
+Geoffery proceeded to give Fips an account of the circumstances
+connected with the melancholy event, in a manner ingeniously calculated
+to exhibit those features of the case most susceptible of exaggeration
+or misrepresentation; he also recapitulated his own examination of the
+several servants, thus giving Fips an opportunity of judging what
+witnesses might, if necessary, be found most available.
+
+"For that matter," he added, "if you could find an opportunity yourself
+of conversing with these people, it might be desirable; you would
+understand the subject more fully."
+
+Something was next said of the impropriety of suffering the public mind,
+and, through so all-pervading a medium, future judges and juries to be
+_prejudiced_ by the _general high_ character and seeming amiability of
+Sir Alfred, for such qualities were no palliation of the crime, if
+indeed, as he feared there could be no doubt, it had been committed.
+
+There was another point of infinite importance, which was, that the
+business should not be allowed to pass over without any investigation,
+as might be the case, if, for one reason or other, every one thought it
+necessary to be supine. He would himself be glad, if possible, to avoid
+taking an active part, yet something must be done; he should never
+forgive himself if the time for investigation were allowed to pass by,
+and the waves of oblivion to close over so shocking a transaction.
+While, on the other hand, if Sir Alfred were perfectly innocent, which,
+notwithstanding appearances, he should still be too happy to find the
+case, it would be the most cruel injustice to him, not to wipe out this
+foul stain from his reputation by a full and fair inquiry. He would have
+little reason to thank the friends, who, from false delicacy, had
+suffered the proper occasion for so doing to pass over. At the same time
+it was very desirable that the necessary steps should be taken with the
+greatest possible delicacy; no one should appear to entertain a
+suspicion until the force of evidence should compel conviction.
+
+"This is the line of conduct," continued Geoffery, "which I mean to
+observe with Sir Alfred, who, I know, has himself at present no
+apprehension that any suspicions are afloat. He gives out, it seems, and
+expects the public to believe, that his brother died of a fit of
+apoplexy. The Doctor, it is true, did allow that the symptoms were such
+as might have attended a sudden seizure of the kind."
+
+To keep his unsuspecting kinsman as long as possible in the dark by this
+pretended delicacy, was, as we have said, a part of Geoffery's hellish
+plot. He had contrived, under the mask of sympathy, to put a few
+important questions to Alfred, and the answers to these had been such,
+as very materially to increase his hopes of ultimate success. But he
+knew that if Alfred were informed that such a surmise, as that of his
+having wilfully murdered his poor brother, had found a place in the mind
+of any being upon earth, he would of course immediately come forward,
+and court the fullest investigation. And though it did not follow that
+even this must clear him, his avoiding inquiry, as Geoffery knew he
+would continue to do, while under his present impression, would furnish,
+when connected with the circumstances that must come out in evidence, a
+strong presumption of guilt.
+
+"Humph! humph!" uttered from time to time with the intonation of a fat
+pig wallowing in mud, had been the cautious comment of the sagacious Mr.
+Fips, during this lengthened tirade, except indeed that an involuntary
+exclamation of "No! That's good!" had broken from him on the mention of
+the piece of paper marked "_Poison_" having fallen from within the
+breast of Sir Alfred's waistcoat, and again, "That's better still,"
+accompanied by a resounding stroke of his clenched hand on the table,
+when Geoffery came to his having himself seen the missing packet of
+arsenic in Sir Alfred's escritoire.
+
+"I am always happy to oblige you, Mr. Arden," at length commenced Mr.
+Fips; "but after all, this is a kind of thing which cannot be said to be
+much in the way of my business; without, indeed, it could be contrived
+that I was to be attorney for the prosecution; for that there will be a
+prosecution there can be no doubt from what you tell me. I had heard all
+before, certainly in the way of report, but I had no idea it could be at
+all true;--I had no notion you had so good a case."
+
+Geoffery undertook to arrange that Fips should be the attorney employed.
+"You have often, Fips," he continued, "conducted business for me in the
+most liberal and friendly manner, when it was not in my power to
+remunerate your services as they merited; should I however have the
+misfortune--for misfortune I must call it, taking all the circumstances
+into consideration--to succeed to the Arden estates on the _present_
+occasion, to repay amply all your past _disinterested_ friendship shall
+be my first care. You shall not only have the agency, which is no
+trifle, but a handsome annuity beside; and that not only for your own
+life, but also secured to your daughter; unless indeed, means can be
+devised," he added, smiling, "of identifying her interest with those of
+the owner of the estates themselves. I have hitherto been deterred," he
+added with an affectation of great candour, "from mentioning this
+subject by my poverty, and consequent inability to marry; but my
+admiration of Miss Fips, I think you must have seen."
+
+Fips was of course profuse in his thanks for the intended honour; not
+that he felt unbounded confidence in the sincerity of the _soi-disant_
+lover, of whose pride and ambition he was perfectly aware: he did not
+however despair, considering the present aspect of affairs of having his
+client in a short time so completely in his power, as to be able to
+enforce the fulfilment of any hopes which the latter might at present
+think it good policy to hold out. And having now a sufficient "spur" of
+self-interest "to prick the sides of his intent," he entered into the
+business in good earnest, took down notes of hints to be followed up,
+reports to be circulated, persons to be called upon, and especially an
+embassy of a most delicate nature to the coroner.
+
+That functionary was to be requested on the part of Mr. Geoffery Arden,
+to make use of the information which he felt it his imperative duty to
+convey to him, without noticing Mr. Arden's interference, in
+consideration of the very painful situation in which the latter found
+himself placed; and in short, come forward in his official capacity as
+feeling himself called upon so to do, by the nature of the reports which
+had gone abroad. After this preamble, Mr. Fips was to inform the coroner
+at length of every suspicious circumstance; to indicate to him where the
+missing paper of arsenic was to be found; and to request that he would
+require the attendance of the medical gentlemen, and enforce the opening
+of the body, which had hitherto been resisted. All this was followed up
+with hypocritical declarations, that as nothing short of the most
+positive proofs could induce Mr. Geoffery Arden to believe his cousin
+guilty, he could not, though feeling investigation a duty, endure the
+idea of standing forward his accuser, while there remained a possibility
+of his being proved innocent.
+
+Each time Fips had occasion to speak, whether in question or reply,
+while thus receiving his instructions, he would commit some seeming
+inadvertency of expression, almost removing the flimsy veil from the
+nature of the services required of him; and whenever he did this, he
+would look full in Geoffery's face. But that wary tactician as often
+dropped his eyelids, and replied, with hypocritical calmness, in the
+same key of caution in which he had commenced.
+
+At length Fips pronounced it time for him to go out; and by the third
+effort, succeeding in disengaging himself from his arm-chair; then, with
+some difficulty bringing together the lower buttons and button-holes of
+his waistcoat, which, while in a sitting position, gaped full half a
+yard asunder, he departed, telling Geoffery, he might if he pleased, now
+that he had talked business with him over a glass of wine, take the
+opportunity of the hour or two he should be absent, to talk love to his
+daughter, over a cup of tea.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+
+As Colonel Trump says, "There is nothing forbidding to any man, about a
+fine woman." Geoffery, therefore, now that he had placed more serious
+concerns in such excellent hands, had no objection to the recreation of
+a _tete-a-tete_ on the footing of a received lover, with a young woman,
+whose personal attractions were above mediocrity, and whose modesty was
+not likely to be troublesome; while from her inferiority of station, her
+ideas of the high honour conferred on her by the gentleman's addresses
+were calculated to smooth the way to advances, which an equal might have
+thought impertinent, or at least premature.
+
+When, therefore, Mr. Fips returned, after an absence of full two hours,
+he found the candle-wicks ominously long, and neither the tea-things nor
+the lover sent away.
+
+Yet Geoffery had not the most distant thought of making Miss Fips his
+wife; unless, indeed, circumstances compelled him so entirely to commit
+himself to Mr. Fips, as to be completely in his power, and so make it a
+matter of prudence to secure his secrecy, by what, with too many, is the
+only infallible bond of good faith, identity of interest. But, if on the
+other hand, he should be so fortunate as not to be obliged to make use
+of Fips, more than as a tool, with which to work up the material in the
+way of extraordinary combinations of circumstances that fate seemed so
+liberally to have provided; and that, by the operation of those so
+worked, he should succeed in obtaining what had so long been the object,
+though for many years back the hopeless one, of his ambition--the Arden
+estates, Fips having nothing more to bring against him than surmises
+that the acquisition was not disagreeable to him--he should set at
+nought the tears of Miss Fips, and merely keep Fips's tongue at bay,
+with the agency _at will_: and as that was a thing which some one must
+have, it was an excellent way of securing the fellow's services first,
+and even his good behaviour afterwards, on very reasonable terms. For
+the present, however, while all was yet at stake; while there was no
+saying what villany might be necessary to carry him through; it was
+highly politic, to give Fips, at the outset, a motive, which would make
+him ready to perform any service that might be required of him.
+
+Geoffery's calculations were perfectly just: Fips had indeed been
+indefatigable; and, during the two hours he had been out, had not only
+performed his delicate mission to the coroner, with consummate skill;
+but had contrived to drop in at innumerable houses, and, on pretext of
+asking the news, to give circulation to many evil reports and wicked
+surmises. He gossiped away, in particular, about there having existed
+but little cordiality between the brothers of late, in consequence of an
+unfortunate rivalship; in which, too, he said it must be confessed that
+Sir Alfred was very ill-treated. And the lady was an heiress too; so
+that Sir Alfred being a younger brother, the match was a great object to
+him. He had been accepted, in fact (the lawyer declared that he had it
+on the best authority), when Sir Willoughby, most ungenerously
+interfered, and by the strength of his purse, carried off the prize.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+
+In consequence of the message of Geoffery, as conveyed by his
+unprincipled tool, Mr. Fips, together with the reports already in
+circulation, the coroner felt it his duty to visit Arden in his official
+capacity.
+
+Alfred had hitherto, as we have stated, indulged his mournful feelings,
+by remaining entirely secluded.
+
+He had given the necessary orders for the funeral, on that scale of
+magnificence, which the rank, but still more the immense fortune of the
+deceased called for; and was beginning to flatter himself, that his
+endeavours to prevent the idea of a suicide becoming prevalent had been
+successful, and that there would be no unpleasant interference.
+
+On being apprized, however, of the arrival of the coroner, he again felt
+some uneasiness on this head.
+
+He knew that the suspicion he had himself so long entertained, of
+Willoughby's liability to derangement, had been ever buried in his own
+bosom. He even knew, strange as it may seem that such should be the
+privilege granted to affection, that his brother, though he loved him
+better than any one else in the world, had never been half so odd and
+inconsistent in temper, towards any one, as towards himself; and still
+more, that even latterly, since the actual presence of derangement had
+to Alfred been clearly evident, yet, from the turn it had taken, of
+seemingly exuberant spirits, it had been apparent only to the anxious,
+watchful, constant companion, which was himself; and was not of a nature
+to be seen through by the careless apprehensions of servants, during
+merely casual attendance; but, on the contrary, was rather calculated to
+convey to them the idea that their master enjoyed more than his usual
+health and spirits. Altogether, then, it rested on his own single,
+unsupported evidence, to prove that his brother had been deranged, and
+was therefore entitled to Christian burial. He was probably not aware,
+how much the admission of insanity in those cases, is, in general,
+matter of form. And little did he think, that it was his own life and
+reputation which were at stake, and that the preservation of the one,
+and the restoration of the other, rested also on his own single,
+unsupported evidence: nay, that every thing he had ever generously or
+kindly done, to hide the infirmities, or spare the feelings of others,
+would now be ranged in evidence against himself.
+
+The coroner, in consequence of the secret information with which he had
+been supplied, came provided with a warrant to search for the missing
+packet of poison. His first step was, to demand Sir Alfred's keys; his
+next, a request to be shown Sir Alfred's escritoire; on opening which,
+he drew forth, to the evident horror of all present, the paper of
+arsenic. He held it on the open palm of his extended hand, for some
+moments; looking round, as he did so, with a countenance of great
+solemnity, and, to do him justice, of sorrow. Then, delivering the
+packet into safe keeping, he proceeded, by virtue of his official
+authority, to require that the body of the deceased should be opened.
+
+So slow was Alfred in suspecting the truth, that he still believed the
+coroner's sole view was to ascertain whether or not his brother had put
+a period to his own existence. He was, however, now obliged to submit to
+the required examination, the result of which was, a unanimous opinion
+on the part of the medical men present, that Sir Willoughby had died
+from the effects of poison, probably arsenic, but that this point might
+be placed beyond a doubt, the contents of the stomach were reserved to
+be subjected to the proper tests.
+
+The coroner then holding his inquest in the very library in which the
+melancholy event had taken place, the servants, and all persons
+connected or supposed to be connected with the affair were severally
+examined. Doctor Harman, on being required so to do, produced the fatal
+scrap of paper which he had seen fall from within the breast of Sir
+Alfred's waistcoat, and the actual arsenic which, by the test of
+reduction he had obtained from the sediment in the glass that Sir Alfred
+had attempted to rinse in his presence. The packet of arsenic was
+examined: it was perceived that a portion of its outer envelope had been
+torn away, the torn part was compared with the piece so seen to fall
+from the breast of Sir Alfred. The fitting together of every
+irregularity of the sundered portions, the texture of the material, the
+peculiar characters, being those of print yet done with a pen, in which
+the two words, "_Arsenic, Poison_," were distinctly legible, the one on
+the one part, the other on the other, all clearly proved the smaller
+piece of paper to have once been a part of that which still contained
+the arsenic. The answers of the persons examined then went on to prove
+the various facts of the glasses having been wiped the moment before
+they were brought in--of the impossibility from the situation of the
+arsenic, of any portion of it having fallen accidentally into either of
+them--of Sir Alfred having been seen in the afternoon coming from the
+saddle-room alone--of his previous knowledge where the arsenic lay--of
+the brothers having supped together, and no third person having entered
+the room from the time the tray had been carried in, till the alarm had
+been given by Sir Alfred, and Sir Willoughby found in the agonies of
+death--of the order for antidotes--the attempt to rinse the glass, &c.
+&c. &c.--and, finally, of Sir Alfred's having since refused to allow the
+body to be opened.
+
+Although it was easily evident to all, but Sir Alfred himself, that the
+tendency of this examination was to prove him the wilful murderer of his
+brother, so remote was the apprehension of such a suspicion from his
+pure, exalted, and preoccupied thoughts, that he was long, indeed, in
+comprehending the nature of the proceedings. When, however, it became no
+longer possible to avoid drawing from all that was passing, the too
+evident conclusion to which every question and reply directly led, his
+horror was little short of that with which he would have contemplated
+the actual commission of the crime, had some fiend possessed the power
+of requiring of him such a service.
+
+We shall not make any attempt to describe the outraged feelings of our
+hero on this afflicting occasion; but simply state the result of the
+proceedings, which was, that the coroner felt it his painful duty to
+commit Sir Alfred.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+The committal of Sir Alfred Arden for the murder of his twin brother
+occupied, of course, the attention of the whole country, and became for
+a time, almost the sole topic of conversation. The very enormity of the
+crime would, with many, have been a sufficient reason for disbelieving
+the guilt of the accused; particularly when his amiable temper, gentle
+manners, and honourable character were taken into consideration; but the
+malignity which was layed at the root of the story at its earliest
+promulgation, accompanied the ramifications of report in every
+direction. Surmises were ingeniously mingled with facts; motives
+confidently attributed to the simplest and most innocent actions, as
+well as to those which unfortunately had a suspicious appearance; and
+ready-made opinions, prejudging the case, were artfully scattered
+abroad, to be picked up by the many who wanted the power or the habit of
+thinking for themselves.
+
+Thus, though the personal friends of our hero flocked around him,
+offering him their utmost support, and refusing to give credit to any
+allegations derogatory to his honour, still among the indifferent and
+the slightly acquainted, an almost universal cry of consternation and
+horror was got up. People moralized about the temptation of great
+riches, quoted scripture to the same effect, but said the passage ought
+to have been translated, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye
+of a needle than for a _man who covets_ riches to enter into the kingdom
+of God." Others, in a more sentimental strain, spoke of the parties
+being not only brothers, but twin brothers; and dwelt upon the great
+affection Sir Willoughby had always shown to Sir Alfred! recounted every
+exaggerated particular of the rivalship; descanted on jealousy, and
+repeated from history, ancient and modern, numberless instances of
+crimes of the blackest die, of which that passion, from the commencement
+of the world to the present day, had been the fruitful source.
+
+Here the report of Sir Alfred having been very ill-treated in the
+business, had its effect; and was adduced, though not, of course, in
+extenuation of such a crime; yet, as accounting for it on principles
+which experience acknowledged.
+
+What passion so savage as revenge; what revenge so dire as that which is
+born of jealousy!
+
+Mr. Fips, as a perfectly disinterested person, had, on one pretext or
+other, contrived to have some conversation with most of Sir Willoughby's
+servants, and in the course of such conversation, to insinuate the
+suggestions, and induce the replies, that best suited his purpose; while
+with long words, long faces, and terrific-sounding technicalities, he
+managed to arouse their selfish fears, to a degree which banished all
+better feelings. Then he would shake his head, and allowing his double
+chin to hang with hypocritical despondency, most devoutly hope that poor
+Sir Alfred might be found innocent. "In that case," he would add, "it
+will go hard with some of you, for the poison did not get into the glass
+without hands; and more likely, I say, to be by any other hands, than
+those of his own brother." By arts like these, instead of the
+affectionate respect for our hero, the indignant rejection of the idea
+of its being possible that he could have committed such a crime, which
+had else been the spontaneous sentiments of all the household, some were
+unconsciously rendered almost willing to hear their once beloved young
+master proved guilty, as the only means of clearing and saving
+themselves. Such thoughts, however, naturally produced an inward
+discontent, that, in its turn, gave to their outward demeanour a
+sullenness and gloom, which had a most baneful effect on the judgments
+of all with whom they came in contact; for it seemed to those who knew
+not how it had been produced, to indicate a secret conviction of the
+guilt of their master.
+
+A thousand times each day was the butler asked by some one of the party
+assembled in the housekeeper's room at Arden, if he were sure the
+glasses were quite clean when he took them into the library. Of course
+he always declared they were, on which, another of the conclave, in a
+stage whisper, and with a face of mystery, would follow it up, by
+saying,
+
+"Well, and from that, till we were all called in to see him in the
+agonies of death, there was no one near the room but their two selves."
+
+"And wasn't the sediment the Doctor found in the bottom of the glass,
+arsenic?" observed a third.
+
+"And didn't he offer to rinse the glass?" a fourth would ask; "and what
+could that be for?"
+
+"And so fond of one another as they used to be when they were boys!"
+ejaculated a fifth.
+
+"It's never been for the estate," said one of the women, and the rest of
+the female committee agreed with her, that it was owing to both brothers
+fixing their fancy on the same lady, and that Sir Alfred, that was the
+handsomest gentleman of the two by far, could not abide being turned off
+for him that had the fortune. There was many a young man, they observed,
+that had been the death of the girl that he was fond of, sooner than she
+should leave him, to go with another.
+
+"And to give it to him at supper-time, too," said the gardener, who was
+a great politician, "thinking it would be put into the newspaper 'found
+dead in his bed,' and so hear no more of it."
+
+The old butler could not endure all this, and was so irritated by it,
+that he would have quitted the house, but that Lady Arden was expected.
+Poor Lewin, who had long been failing, was overwhelmed by the blow; he
+became almost childish, at least quite lost his memory, for though he
+wept incessantly, he scarcely seemed to know why--sometimes speaking of
+Sir Willoughby as still alive, and sometimes of both brothers as already
+dead. While at other times, he would attempt to play on the harp, as
+though nothing had happened, and seem to think it a great hardship,
+when, from respect to decorum, he was checked by the other servants.
+
+Whenever this occurred, he would sit for hours sounding, one by one,
+single strings, as if by stealth, with the silent tears of wounded
+vanity rolling down his cheeks, fancying, poor old man, that it was his
+music that was despised.
+
+Thus, ever ready to poison joy, or add bitterness to grief, _Pride_,
+that arch enemy of our peace, still survives, when the mind is else a
+wreck.
+
+_Pride_ is surely that evil spirit portrayed in scripture as "wandering
+to and fro, seeking whom he may devour;" that is, whom he may make
+wicked--whom he may make miserable; deceiving even the generous of
+heart, by exalting them in their own opinion, till their _pride_
+requires of others a homage which the _pride_ of others will not yield;
+and so, resenting the supposed deficiency, they cease to be in charity
+with all men.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+
+Lady Arden was in town, and busied in preparations for the marriage of
+Madeline, when Alfred's letter, announcing the sudden death of Sir
+Willoughby, reached her. The signs and trappings of approaching
+festivity were, of course, changed for those of mourning. But who shall
+describe the consternation of this affectionate mother, when the
+astounding intelligence was brought to her, that her child, her darling,
+her favourite, now her only son, was actually committed to a felon's
+prison, accused of the murder of his brother.
+
+It was some moments before her comprehension could grasp the whole
+extent of the horrors connected with such an intimation. She was
+bewildered, she seemed to be in a trance; yet, through it all, her own
+perfect knowledge of the utter impossibility of such an accusation
+having the slightest foundation in truth, was a kind of upholding to her
+spirit, inasmuch as it appeared also impossible to her mind, that any
+being could give reception to such a thought. Unable to speak
+connectedly, she alternated the expressions, "No, no----Oh no,"
+continually, while looking round her with a strange wild eye, that
+seemed to flash, yet saw not.
+
+The want she felt was to be with her son; but though she moved rapidly,
+and often turned quite round, she was incapable, at the time, of
+distinguishing the door from the windows of the apartment she was in.
+
+It was only by the kind intervention of Mrs. Dorothea, that Lady Arden's
+wishes were at length understood, and accomplished.
+
+Mrs. Dorothea was in town for the purpose of being present at Madeline's
+wedding; which was so far fortunate, as she was, on the present
+occasion, a great support to her afflicted sister-in-law; and kindly
+accompanied her on her journey to Arden.
+
+On entering the town. Lady Arden was asked where she would choose to go.
+"Where?" she repeated, "Take me where he is."
+
+She was driven to the gates of the gaol; she looked at them, and at Mrs.
+Dorothea.
+
+When last she had passed through the streets of Arden, the triumphal
+arches and laurel wreaths, the remnants of the previous day's
+rejoicings, for the coming of age of her twin sons, were not yet taken
+down.--Now, one son lay a quarter of a mile distant, within the stately
+mansion of his fathers, a yet unburied corse;--she waited at the door of
+a common prison for admittance to the other.
+
+Mrs. Dorothea's eyes met hers, but neither spoke. Becoming suddenly
+collected, Lady Arden alighted from the carriage with a firm step, and
+entered the dismal precincts as proudly as though the portals of a
+palace had received her.
+
+Alfred had been warned of her approach. He stood breathless, and with a
+beating heart. Without a word uttered on either side, they rushed into
+each other's arms. In continued silence the mother held the son to her
+bosom, as though she felt, instinctively, that it was his natural
+sanctuary.
+
+Though at first melted by the tenderest sorrow, in the embraces of his
+parent, our hero soon assumed a noble firmness. He had already passed
+eight-and-forty hours in solitary reflection on his extraordinary fate.
+
+"I do not ask you, mother," he said, "not weep, for we have a common
+cause of sorrow in the untimely and sudden death of my poor brother: but
+add not one tear for me; believe me, there is not, there cannot be, a
+shadow of danger in the position in which I stand; although public
+opinion, I am told, is against me. Is it not," he added, in an altered
+tone, "a degrading view of human nature, to see that so many individuals
+should be found ready to believe such a crime possible? As to the result
+of a fair and open trial, however, I repeat it, I have no fears!
+
+"In a land professing to prefer mercy before judgment; in a land with
+laws so constituted, that lest an error should be committed on the side
+of severity, the criminal, whom all know to be guilty, is allowed to
+escape unpunished, if but a technicality of legal proof be wanting; in a
+land, one of the boasts of which is, that no man is required to prove
+his own innocence, but that all are by law innocent until proved guilty;
+in such a land it must be quite impossible that, on mere appearances,
+they should strip of honour and of life one whose thoughts were never
+visited by the conception of a crime! Nay, I speak it not in unchristian
+pride, but, compared with that of which they would accuse me, I feel
+that I am innocent indeed!"
+
+After a long pause, during which they had gazed silently in each other's
+faces, Alfred, as a sort of effort to converse, said, "How much we are
+struck with the merest common-places, when they happen to suit our own
+individual case: 'innocent as the babe unborn,' now seems to me a
+beautiful expression."
+
+Lady Arden felt much comforted by the firmness of her son;--his views
+were her own; though within the walls of a prison, and surrounded with
+every practical proof of the peril in which he stood, she could not look
+at Alfred, his lofty carriage, the nobleness of his brow, and force her
+imagination to associate with him the idea of a condemned criminal--it
+seemed a thing impossible! "No!" she haughtily exclaimed, "acquitted he
+must be, but how have they dared to accuse him?"
+
+Alfred now explained the hitherto unexpressed fears, which he had so
+long entertained, respecting his brother's state of mind, and went into
+all the particulars of his late return to Arden, and subsequent death.
+As he drew up in array the extraordinary circumstances, inexplicable to
+any one but himself, on which the accusation against him was founded,
+Lady Arden felt a pang of terror paralyse her heart, but as his simple
+explanations followed, she would exclaim, "Is not that sufficient? Is
+not that sufficient?"
+
+"In the mouth of an impartial witness, such explanations would be
+all-sufficient," he replied, "but remember I am the person accused."
+
+"Accused!" she repeated, then gazed with a mother's rapturous love, on
+the guileless expression of his parted lip, as to comfort her he tried
+to smile, she fondly poured forth expressions of endearment.
+
+"Alfred, my child! my mild, my innocent, my beautiful Alfred! my gentle,
+my affectionate, my noble Alfred!" She paused, and, by the working of
+her features, terrible thoughts seemed to pass in view before her.
+
+"Oh, impossible!" she suddenly exclaimed, clasping him with convulsive
+agony to her breast, "quite impossible! But if they are so mad," she
+added, in a hurried tone of subdued agony, "they shall saw these arms
+asunder before they take him from me!" He was too much affected to
+reply. Again she looked at him in silence for a time, then added, almost
+fiercely,
+
+"There must be means, and I will find them! What! allow them to murder
+him! No--no--I rave, my son. Dreams of horror belong to these
+walls----but I have no fears--no fears--no fears--I say I have no
+fears--it is quite, quite impossible!" Even while reiterating that she
+had no fears, her voice had faltered, and now she burst into a passion
+of tears, which the effort to brave her feelings quickly changed to an
+hysterical affection.
+
+This became so serious, and lasted so long, that she was obliged to be
+carried home, and conveyed to bed, where the kindhearted Mrs. Dorothea,
+took the post of friendship beside her pillow.
+
+Yet this was, by no means, the most agonizing period of this season of
+trial. The situation was too novel to be comprehended in its full
+extent. There was, as yet, more of incredulous amazement, and of proud
+defiance of the accuser, than of despair or even of apprehension in the
+feelings both of Lady Arden and of Alfred. They were both at present
+more indignant that such an outrage had been offered, and that
+submission to insulting and degrading forms was still necessary, than
+seriously alarmed as to future consequences.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+
+In the parlour to which we have already been introduced, sat Mr.
+Fips--over his wine it must be confessed, yet apparently uniting the
+_utile et dulce_, for beside his bottle of port stood an ink-bottle;
+amid walnut-shells and remnants of biscuit lay sundry long-shaped folded
+papers, and though he held a glass in his hand, from which he sipped
+from time to time, there was a pen behind his ear; his wig was pushed on
+one side and Geoffery was his companion.
+
+"Should we not subpoena Lady Arden?" asked Fips.
+
+"By all means," replied Geoffery, "her evidence will be of great
+importance: we can prove by it, that Sir Alfred had actually made
+proposals to and been accepted by Lady Caroline, the very day before his
+brother came to town: and also, that he felt his disappointment much
+more bitterly than was generally supposed."
+
+Here Geoffery repeated the particulars of a conversation on the subject,
+which it may be remembered he once overheard, between Lady Arden and her
+son. And Fips took down notes, for suggesting questions to counsel.
+
+"Do you think," he said, "there would be any use in sending subpoenas
+to Lady Palliser and her daughter?"
+
+"No, on the contrary, I have reason to suspect, some circumstances might
+come out on their examination, rather calculated to raise a doubt in the
+minds of jurors; I am therefore better pleased that they are on the
+continent."
+
+"When did they go abroad?"
+
+"A short time before the death of Sir Willoughby; immediately after his
+return to Arden."
+
+"Are they likely to be brought forward on the other side, think you?"
+
+"I should say not: from the conversations I have had with Sir Alfred, I
+should think that he was not at all aware that their evidence could be
+of the slightest service to him."
+
+"You seem to have more reasons for thinking so, Mr. Arden," said Fips,
+"than you have been pleased to confide to me. Now 'tis well and wisely
+said, that a man, for his own sake, should have no secrets either from
+his doctor or his lawyer. That, however, is your look out; I can only
+serve you to the best of my ability, as far as my information goes."
+
+"Which is quite as far as mine, I assure you Fips. It was merely my own
+surmise, that Sir Willoughby might not have been quite as well received
+latterly as his vanity had, at first, led him to believe he should be.
+Now, I naturally thought that such an idea being promulgated, might
+suggest the possibility of Sir Willoughby's having taken the poison
+himself; which idea, though not amounting to evidence on either side,
+might, as I said before, raise doubts in the minds of a jury, calculated
+to bias their judgments, and so defeat the ends of justice."
+
+"I thought," observed Fips, sulkily, for he fancied he saw that Geoffery
+was playing an underhand game, "I understood you to have said, you had
+reasons for your opinion."
+
+"Yes, so I have--those I have just stated."
+
+He had others, however, which he had not stated, because, as we have
+said, he did not wish to put himself absolutely in Fips's power, unless
+there should be no other means of gaining his end.
+
+"His sisters too," continued Geoffery, "and his aunt Mrs. Dorothea, can
+be produced to prove so far, that Sir Alfred, before the appearance of
+his brother on the stage, was an assiduous, and believed himself to be a
+favoured lover. I do not mean to say, that either this or Lady Arden's
+evidence would be any proof of Sir Alfred's guilt; but, by adding the
+incentives of jealousy and revenge to that of mere avarice, it makes his
+having committed the crime much less improbable, and must therefore
+influence, more or less, the minds of the jury."
+
+When the various subjects under discussion were arranged and the bottle
+of port finished, Mr. Fips repaired to his office--for he was a labourer
+at his vocation, late, as well as early--while Geoffery, whom the
+strains of a female voice, accompanied by a pianoforte, had been long
+inviting to the drawing-room, repaired thither.
+
+Miss Fips, as the only child of Mr. Fips, was destined to be the
+receiver of stolen goods to a large amount; or, in other words, to
+inherit all the money her father had scraped together. She had therefore
+been sent to a London boarding-school, to receive an education
+proportionate to her fortune. Her Italian singing-master, called her
+voice a made one. He had found it impossible to give her either ear or
+taste; while the unshrinking audacity with which she caricatured a
+_bravura_, gave to her performance the semblance of having been got up
+on purpose for a burlesque: a stranger would seriously have thought,
+that the most polite thing they could do was to stand by and laugh
+openly. Her shakes were shudders, and seemed to have been produced by a
+sort of second-sight view of some approaching horror, invisible to all
+beside. Her prolonged notes resembled the howls of a chained dog, on a
+moonlight night; while her abrupt changes, and impassioned passages,
+were the starts and yells of a maniac.
+
+Without somewhat of the grace of natural timidity, the most splendid
+performance could scarcely please; with what feeling then, but that of
+unqualified disgust, could such a display as we have just described have
+been witnessed; while Geoffery, who had the part of a lover not only of
+music, but of the lady to maintain, was thereby called upon to enact
+raptures.
+
+Fips's wife had died, in giving birth to this only child. Fips was then
+a poor clerk. When the child began to require the aid of a first school,
+he lodged in a garret, and dined in a cellar, that he might be able to
+defray the expense. Yet, strange to say, notwithstanding this seeming
+noble self-denial, his was not a worthy nor a genuine affection; he was
+incapable of such. In the first place, he was naturally a man of
+parsimonious habits, and imbued with a prudent sense of the necessity of
+giving to persons unprovided for, at least an education, that they might
+be able to do something for themselves. The sentiment, however, which he
+mistook for affection, was little better than gratified vanity. The
+child happened to be very beautiful; to which his attention was
+particularly drawn, by the circumstance of his being often obliged, for
+want of mother or nurse-maid, to walk out with it himself. When he did
+so, almost every one they met would turn to look or to make some comment
+as they passed. Sometimes, groups would stop and speak to the child;
+kiss it, ask it to shake hands, &c. On such occasions Fips would stop
+also, and becoming imboldened, desire his little girl to look up, and
+show its pretty eyes; to laugh, and show its pretty teeth; then, its
+pretty mouth, its rosy lips, its lovely colour, its beautiful skin, its
+pretty curls, its pretty foot, would each in succession form a topic for
+eulogy, till the poor child was hardened into little better than a
+hawked-about show while Fips, to whom his little girl, through the
+medium of gratified vanity, otherwise _pride_, thus became a source of
+pleasure, fancied himself a fond father. As the child grew, Fips having
+no principles himself could not impart any. Meanwhile, his fortunes also
+grew rapidly, not without suspicions that he had found out by-ways to
+the attainment of riches, which he would have been very sorry to have
+pointed out to a fellow-traveller. The possession of wealth, in the
+course of time, suggested the necessity for the fashionable
+finishing-school already mentioned.
+
+The orders were given, that no pains or expense should be spared in
+making Miss Fips highly accomplished. These accomplishments, in all
+their various stages, became at each vacation the subjects of new
+displays; till at length the young lady came home the perfect singer of
+Italian bravuras, performance of which we have just witnessed; and
+furthermore imbued with a thorough contempt for her vulgar, and except
+in the chicanery of the law, ignorant father. Of this contempt she made
+no secret; but on the contrary, laughed at his opinions and scoffed at
+his authority, on the plea of being herself a much better judge of every
+thing, save, as she expressed it, of musty parchments.
+
+All men, besides a natural dislike to milliners' bills, let them be ever
+so clumsy in every thing else, have a sort of notion of what is becoming
+to women in dress.
+
+Fips, accordingly, on one occasion ventured to hint to his daughter,
+that she looked as handsome again when she had not half so many fine
+things on. She was at the moment just equipped to step forth into the
+streets of a country town, dressed in a bright green silk pelisse,
+extremely short, to display the pretty foot and ancle; her stockings
+were of open-work embroidery, the slippers scarlet, the hat (not bonnet)
+yellow crape, adorned with white blond and pink ostrich feathers tipped
+with scarlet. She also wore, flung across one shoulder, and hung over
+the contrary arm, a long flying canary-coloured scarf, and held
+perpendicularly above her head, that it might neither conceal nor
+derange its trappings, a conspicuous-sized, canopy-shaped, lilac
+parasol, deeply bordered with a gold-coloured net-work fringe, and
+tasseled at every point. Chains, ear-rings, bracelets, brooches, clasps,
+watch, and reticule, were of course none of them forgotten; while the
+very backs of the canary-coloured kid gloves were embroidered with lilac
+and gold.
+
+Fips's remark was received with a sneer, and "I beg, sir, you'll mind
+your parchments, and give me leave to be the best judge of my dress."
+
+"Well, well, my dear, follow your own way."
+
+"That I shall, sir, you may rest assured."
+
+Such a figure as we have described, walking the streets alone, with a
+bold erect carriage, it may be believed, drew a good deal of attention,
+particularly at assize-time, when there were many strangers and young
+barristers in the town, and such of course were the occasions on which
+Miss Fips was fondest of making a display. Her generally walking alone,
+at least until she had picked up two or three young men, proceeded from
+a combination of circumstances: in the first place, Fips had little time
+for recreation, and if he had had more, his dutiful daughter would not
+have been fond of appearing with so unwieldly and unsightly a companion.
+As to other young women, Miss Fips, proud of her beauty, and the fortune
+she was taught to expect, treated those in her own sphere with
+impertinence, while it was very improbable that ladies in a sphere above
+her would be induced to take by the hand an inferior, whose natural
+boldness rendered her vulgarity and bad taste so conspicuous. Though we
+have used the expression natural boldness, it is most probable that the
+unprepossessing quality we have thus described, was in this instance
+both produced and strengthened into second nature by that most baneful
+and unsexing of lessons to a young female, early _personal_ display.
+
+The remaining traits in the character of this young woman, together with
+what we have already said, are quite in accordance with a favourite
+theory of ours, that want of personal modesty is more than a presumption
+both of want of heart and want of taste or genius; because it is a proof
+of the absence of that susceptibility--that acuteness of moral
+perception, the presence of which is indispensable to the mental process
+by which both the powers of genius and the capability of loving are
+developed, almost, we might say, created in the human mind.
+
+Flattery too, with the want of early control, had made the temper of
+Miss Fips violent and insolent in the extreme. From the time of her
+return from school there was no peace in the house, and little, as far
+as their own set went, in the town. She quarrelled with the
+neighbours--insulted the boarder clerks--and scolded the servants; and
+when Fips was too busy with his own, if not more amiable, at least more
+important avocations, to join her in pouring forth invectives against
+whoever had provoked her ire, she would stand over his desk and scold
+himself; or interrupted in a like tempestuous manner, the quiet
+enjoyment of his bottle of port, his only recreation, till his life
+became a perfect burden to him.
+
+Still he toiled on--her aggrandizement being the sole object of his
+labours; nay, he entered eagerly into projects which he could not but be
+aware must condemn his soul to perdition, to secure to her a marriage
+above her sphere, and add wealth to wealth still for her! And why?
+Because his daughter, undutiful and disrespectful though she was,
+happened to be the part and portion of himself, in which his vanity, his
+ambition, his _pride_ had centered; and his selfishness, when he
+remembered that he could not carry his riches with him to the grave,
+sought in her a sort of immortality, at least a prolongation of
+existence. Yet did this unprincipled being sanctify to himself, (strange
+sophistry) many a sin, by the belief that he was the fondest of fathers,
+and did every thing for the love of his only child.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+
+The death of Sir Willoughby occurred within so short a period of the
+assizes, that the immediate approach of Alfred's trial gave to the whole
+terrific transaction the character of a sudden and awful thunder-storm.
+
+Lady Arden and her son, desirous of supporting each other, mutually
+acted a part painful to both, incessantly concealing their feelings, and
+denying themselves the solace of unreserved intercourse: whatever their
+separate thoughts were, neither would confess to the other that they had
+any apprehensions as to the result of the approaching trial. And yet the
+conduct of their legal advisers was by no means calculated to inspire
+confidence. These gentlemen looked extremely grave, asked both Alfred
+and Lady Arden many questions, and seemed much disappointed at their
+replies. They were agreed in opinion that the chain of circumstantial
+evidence was unbroken--almost irresistible; and that the only defence
+which could be set up was the insanity, and consequently possible
+suicide of Sir Willoughby.
+
+While the idea of his being insane, never having been entertained by any
+one but Sir Alfred, nor even by Sir Alfred himself suggested to any one,
+till after he, Sir Alfred, was actually accused of the murder, it was to
+be feared the plea would not even be listened to. And yet the idea of
+Sir Willoughby's having wilfully taken poison, while in possession of
+his right mind, was still more unlikely to be heard, from his very
+advantageous circumstances at all times, and the peculiarly happy
+prospects he at that particular crisis enjoyed. The combinations and
+coincidences too of trivial events were no less untoward; for all of
+those, and they were many, which told against our hero, could be
+established by a host of creditable witnesses; whilst the few which were
+in his favour were known to no human being but himself; nor had he even
+spoken of them to any one, until, as in the former plea, after he had
+been accused. Alfred had a faint and rather confused remembrance of
+having said something of his motives to Geoffery, in the first moments
+of affliction. He mentioned this to his lawyers. They had a conference
+with Mr. Arden on the subject. He replied, but without entering into any
+explanation, that if they chose to put him in the witness box, he should
+esteem himself happy, if any thing he could say with truth, should have
+any tendency to exculpate his cousin. He was accordingly subpoened,
+and was the only witness for the defence.
+
+The plea of Sir Alfred's amiable and honourable character rendering it
+highly improbable that he should have committed such a crime; though it
+must be felt by all, and with his immediate circle of friends and
+intimates, was all sufficient, could not weigh one feather as evidence.
+We had, unhappily, instances of persons previously of unblemished
+character, departing from that character in practice, when strongly
+tempted by passion, revenge, or avarice; and in this case all these
+incentives seemed to have been united.
+
+Opinions so alarming, were of course not distinctly stated by the
+lawyers, either to Lady Arden, or to Alfred. To have done so, would have
+been an unnecessary degree of cruelty. But such were the sentiments they
+entertained, and much of which could be implied, not only from their
+whole demeanor, but, as we have already said, both from the anxious
+questions they put, and the evasive answers they gave. All this had a
+fearful effect on the feelings of Lady Arden: concealed agony, and
+constant fever, were devouring the vital energies, while her mind laid
+waste, as it were, by so immeasurable, so incomprehensible a calamity,
+seemed defenceless against the superstitious impressions and wild images
+of horror which wearied her spirit and aggravated her sufferings, by the
+ceaseless importunity with which they blended themselves unbidden with
+the wretched realities of the hour.
+
+The presence of Geoffery too, which she was occasionally compelled to
+endure, was terrible to her feelings. She literally shuddered as she
+looked on the man who was destined, should her most horrible
+apprehensions be realized, to fill the place of both her sons. And
+notwithstanding the subdued air of solemnity and sorrow he
+hypocritically assumed in her presence, she found it impossible to
+divest herself of the idea that she could detect triumph lurking in the
+depths of his sinister eye; and that his hard spare lips were more than
+usually compressed, to prevent the corners of his mouth from curling
+with a fiendish joy; for of such a feeling she did inwardly accuse him.
+With what thoughts would she have viewed him, could she have known that
+he was, through his secret emissaries, labouring at the very moment to
+fix upon the innocent Alfred that horrible accusation, of which he alone
+could have proved him innocent; but this was a degree of wickedness of
+which she was incapable of conceiving the idea. She could not suspect
+even Geoffery of such.
+
+With the gentlemen of the country too, Geoffery attempted to act a part
+which in fact he greatly over-acted. He sought every opportunity to
+dwell at great length on the painful and delicate situation in which he
+was placed. He sincerely hoped, he said, that Sir Alfred might be fully
+cleared of so revolting an accusation; yet he confessed he could not
+himself see how the distinct chain of circumstantial evidence, which had
+already appeared, was to be got over. He hoped, however, that something
+favourable might come out on the trial, and most especially he hoped
+that he might not be called upon to take any part whatever. Yet, if it
+was indeed possible that Sir Alfred was guilty, he could not wish to see
+him escape the just punishment his aggravated crime would, in that case,
+so fully merit; nay, such he declared was his indignation when he took
+this view of the subject, that if it were not fortunately the duty of
+the crown to prosecute, he should feel himself called upon--nay, bound
+to do so; bound to sacrifice every private feeling towards the offender,
+and as the nearest male relative of poor Sir Willoughby, stand forward
+the avenger of his untimely end. Yet as he had, he might say, the
+misfortune to be the next heir to the property, he considered it a happy
+circumstance that he was not obliged to act, what some might consider an
+invidious part. He used the expression misfortune, for it certainly
+would be a misfortune to inherit a venerable family property through the
+medium of a catastrophe so awful, and what was even worse, so
+disgraceful; in fact, should the affair so terminate, it was more than
+probable that he should become almost an exile from the family mansion,
+at least for many years; he did not know indeed that he should ever be
+able to bring himself to live at Arden.
+
+These indelicate communications, though murmured in an under tone, and
+given as much as possible the air of individual confidences, were, from
+time to time, forced on as many hearers as Geoffery could obtain; for it
+was not all who would listen to him--many, and those some of the leading
+men of the country, were indignant at the attempt to bring such an
+accusation against our hero.
+
+The funeral of Sir Willoughby was naturally delayed by the committal of
+Alfred, under whose authority the preparations had been proceeding. No
+one seemed aware what was to be done, or whose orders were to be given
+and received. Geoffery indeed was disposed to take upon himself the
+command, as well as the part of chief mourner, in Alfred's place, but
+this Lady Arden arrived in time to prevent.
+
+When appealed to, she clasped her hands and raised her eyes to heaven
+for a few moments, as if she there sought counsel, then with admirable
+dignity and presence of mind, she ordered that the solemn preparations
+should stand still till the necessary forms of law having been gone
+through, her son should be at liberty to take his place at the head of
+his brother's grave; inferring thus, by her reply, that there existed
+not a doubt of Alfred's innocence being established.
+
+Accordingly, in pursuance of these commands, the remains of her eldest
+son still lay in state at Arden, when the anxious day arrived on which
+her younger son was to stand at the bar of justice, arraigned for the
+murder of his brother.
+
+While thus Lady Arden proudly strove to have it thought, nay, if
+possible to think herself, that she had no fears for Alfred; how, but by
+the absorbing nature of her fears for him was the blunted state of her
+feelings on all other subjects to be accounted for. The death of
+Willoughby, had it come alone, with what deep sorrow would it have
+afflicted her; and how greatly would that sorrow have been aggravated,
+by but a suspicion that he had committed the awful act of suicide; yet
+to have that suspicion proved beyond a doubt, was now the only hope of
+her existence; while the simple fact of Willoughby's death was driven by
+the exigences of the hour from its natural position in her mind, and
+viewed as it were in the distance of memory, like a sorrow long gone by,
+solemnly but calmly. Were Alfred safe, his honour and his precious life
+rescued from the frightful peril they were in, her heart told her that
+all grief would be forgotten, and joy unspeakable would be her portion.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+
+The night before the trial, Lady Arden, by especial favour and kind
+connivance, passed in the prison of her son. She knelt at the side of
+the bed, on which she had insisted on his laying himself, and, if
+possible, sleeping, in order that he might obtain strength and composure
+for the task which awaited him.
+
+After many last words and repeated affectionate entreaties, that he
+would try the effect of silence and stillness, at length, with a hand
+fondly clasped in both his mother's, he did sleep, though but for a
+short time, as calmly as an infant. Lady Arden, in the position in which
+she knelt, shaded from his countenance the immediate glare of the lamp
+which stood on a small table behind her. Sufficient light, however,
+still rested on his sleeping features to give to her fond gaze all their
+loveliness. The perfect beauty they always possessed, the more than
+common share of a mother's love she had ever borne him, the enthusiasm
+of every feeling naturally exerted by his impending peril, altogether
+called up such emotions, that she seemed to look on the face of an
+angel; while fast falling tears unconsciously inundated her cheeks, as
+memory pourtrayed the infant years of this her darling son;--the smiling
+babe sleeping in her bosom; the laughing child playing at her feet. Then
+followed pictures of his boyish sports and gleeful hours, till her heart
+bled; then traits of docile obedience and dutiful affection; and, as he
+grew in years, of that gentle, noble, self-immolating nature, so
+peculiarly his own. All these were remembered with tender yearnings
+which no words can describe. A fearful idea next presented itself, that
+such beings were but lent to earth: they were not destined to sojourn
+with us; in a moment of agony and terror to those left behind, they were
+caught up again, and absorbed by that all-perfect spirit of which they
+were but emanations. Such thoughts gave, for a time, a character of
+wildness to the fervour of her prayers; confusion of every faculty
+followed; she became unconscious of the purport of the words she rapidly
+uttered; and then her lips ceased to move: a silent statue, with hands
+and eyes uplifted, one solitary thought possessed her being; it was,
+that in her helplessness she knelt at the foot-stool of Him who had
+restored to life the widow's son when he was already dead, and had given
+him back to his mother. Her son was still alive; the mercy that had
+restored surely could preserve. Alfred smiled in his sleep, and gently
+pressing the hand which still held his, suddenly opened his eyes with an
+expression which showed that for a second he knew not where he was.
+Short was the respite: in a moment more, the shade of pain which passed
+over his brow, and the look of anxious, kind inquiry which followed, as
+his eye met that of his mother, proved that consciousness had returned.
+
+Morning was near; and though there were still many lingering hours of
+suspense to get through, sleep was thought of no more--conversation was
+renewed--every minute particular again enumerated--Alfred's defence
+reconsidered.
+
+His language, the expression of his countenance as he spoke, had again
+the effect of awaking a proud confidence in the mind of Lady Arden, that
+it was impossible for any one to believe him guilty. As for Alfred
+himself, his confidence was still based on the firm belief that, on full
+investigation, what called itself justice, could not so fearfully err as
+that life should be forfeited on false grounds.
+
+Thus supported, both, as the time approached, instead of sinking, seemed
+to acquire supernatural strength. To part, when the unavoidable moment
+came, was indeed a severe pang. But this over, Lady Arden's demeanor,
+among the numerous friends who flocked around to offer her their
+countenance, attendance and support on the terrible occasion, was calm,
+dignified, noble, almost haughty.
+
+Though, of course, no one in her presence volunteered to pronounce, in
+so many words, a fear or even a doubt respecting the result of Alfred's
+trial, the expression of many a countenance did so; while also the very
+excess of almost reverential consideration for himself seemed to infer
+such a feeling; and she could not forgive any one, however kind and
+well-meaning, who did not spurn with unequivocal contempt, as the breath
+of pestilential slander, the thought of an accusation against her son.
+Such an accusation, too! and against such a son!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+
+In consequence of the intense interest naturally excited by the
+approaching trial, the court-house was, as may be supposed, crowded to
+excess.
+
+There was a pause, however, at the precise moment we are describing in
+the public business; for a cause having been just concluded, the judge
+had absented himself for a few minutes. Persons were in the mean time
+handing across the green table, stuck at the end of long, slight, white
+wands, which seemed to be split at the point for the purpose, notes,
+letters, and folded papers, to the various individuals who sat round,
+out of reach of communication by any other means; some, indeed, employed
+the still less ceremonious mode of flinging across the table little
+folded notes, not larger than butterflies, of which a pretty constant
+flight was thus kept up. The personages round this table we may mention,
+for the benefit of those not conversant with the inside of a
+court-house, were principally barristers in their wigs and gowns. The
+few eminent ones, who had any thing to do, had clerks seated at their
+elbows, and all had beside them large green or purple baize or serge
+bags, purporting to contain papers, but in many instances, suspected of
+harbouring more sandwiches than briefs. Beside the counsel for the
+crown, whose business it was to conduct the prosecution of Sir Alfred
+Arden, sat wedged with difficulty into the limited space allotted him,
+and anxiously poring over his documents, Mr. Fips. A little above, and
+immediately behind him, in the lowest row of seats appropriated to
+spectators, sat Geoffery Arden, with Miss Fips, whose style of dress, if
+possible, was more extravagantly absurd, and indecorously showy than
+usual, which, together with the incessant swinging of her hat and
+feathers, made her a most conspicuous figure. Indeed she and her
+paraphernalia might be said to act most effectually the part of a flying
+flag, pointing out to the spectators in general where this group of
+principal characters were to be found.
+
+It had been weighed by Lady Arden and her many friends, whether her
+ladyship should await in an adjacent retired room, communicating by a
+private door with the gallery, or how; or where she had better be placed
+to be ready to appear with least exertion, when called upon for her
+evidence. She had herself, however, decided that the suspense of not
+hearing and knowing what was going on, even at every step, would be more
+impossible to endure, than any agony however hard to bear, to which
+being present throughout could subject her. She was therefore already
+placed in the corner of the gallery, nearest the witness box, but
+purposely so surrounded by a group of her own most particular friends,
+as to be effectually screened from general observation. With her
+ladyship was Mrs. Dorothea, Lady Darlingford, and Madeline, all of whom
+had been subpoened as witnesses.
+
+The judge now returning into court, took his seat on the bench, with an
+air of even more than usual solemnity. The prisoner was called to the
+bar.
+
+"Do not, do not look!" said Mrs. Dorothea, bending across, and
+interposing herself between Lady Arden and the view of the dock. But
+Lady Arden had already covered her face, naturally shrinking from the
+fearful trial of seeing her son enter.
+
+Alfred appeared. He was aware that a great portion of those present must
+be persons well known to him. He had no reason to shrink from the
+scrutinizing gaze of any one. With quiet dignity, therefore, on his
+first entrance, he looked all round the court, and few were found who
+had callousness to resist his mild, calm, clear eye, the expression of
+which was rather an appeal to the better feelings of humanity than that
+angry defiance of his accusers, which his circumstances might have
+almost justified; and which, perhaps, even he would have experienced,
+had not solemn and tender regret for the fact itself of his brother's
+untimely death, softened and subdued his feelings. Such was the
+immediate effect, both of his countenance and his noble bearing in every
+respect, as far removed from guilty hardness as from guilty fear, that
+many who had on hearsay condemned now in their hearts acquitted him.
+
+We speak chiefly of the impression made on persons in Sir Alfred's own
+sphere in life; that, however, which was produced upon a much larger
+body, the respectable yeomanry of the county, and tradesmen of the town,
+was in general very different. Among these a doctrine had been artfully
+promulgated, which though in itself perfectly just, was in this
+instance, well calculated to prejudice the judgment, namely, that if
+gentlemen will commit crimes worthy of ignominious punishment it is the
+duty of those in whose hands the administration of justice is entrusted,
+to show them that there is not one law for the rich and another for the
+poor. It is not because a gentleman can get ninety thousand a-year by
+murdering his brother that he is to be allowed to do so with impunity,
+when a poor man, who sees his wife and children starving and steals a
+sheep to feed them, must be hanged!
+
+This popular proposition, in the abstract so perfectly just, Fips had at
+the very first given out, as a sort of text to preach from, to one or
+two vulgar, vehement, levelling friends of his own; and from that moment
+affected himself, as became the attorney who was to conduct the
+prosecution, the most prudent taciturnity possible.
+
+Possessed, then, with these abstract ideas, and doggedly determined to
+apply them in the present case, the class of persons alluded to saw in
+the beautiful serenity of our hero's aspect no better feeling than a
+confidence, which they were determined to show him was ill-founded, that
+his rank in life was almost a guarantee against his suffering the
+extremity of the law.
+
+The indictment was now read aloud, and poor Alfred heard himself
+accused, with awful solemnity, of the wilful murder of his brother, Sir
+Willoughby Arden, by maliciously and feloniously administering to him a
+certain portion of arsenic, in some wine and water. The prisoner, of
+course, pleaded not guilty; and the counsel for the prosecution,
+abstaining from opening the case by a speech to the jury, proceeded to
+call and examine witnesses. The first of these were the servants who had
+been hastily called into the room by Alfred when Sir Willoughby was
+dying. They swore to the deceased being insensible, and in convulsions
+when they entered the room, to his having been apparently in perfect
+health at and after dinner; to Alfred's having, in his first alarm,
+called aloud for antidotes against poison, naming arsenic in particular.
+Dr. Harman was next examined. He proved, that at the time he arrived Sir
+Willoughby was quite dead; that he believed his death to have been
+occasioned by poison--that poison arsenic. He then under-went a tedious
+cross-examination, as to the tests of arsenic. He had made poisons much
+his study. He had attended the opening of the body. The state of the
+stomach denoted the presence of some corrosive stimulant. Arsenic is a
+corrosive stimulant. He had applied to the contents of the stomach
+several tests, such as sulphate of copper, ammoniacal sulphate of
+copper, nitrate of silver; ammoniacal nitrate of silver; and
+sulphuretted hydrogen gas; the results of all denoted the presence of
+arsenic; there was an immense precipitate of arsenic, quite enough to
+kill a man. Being asked, had not every test which had been tried for the
+last century and half been said to be fallacious, he replied, that if
+this were true of the tests separately, yet, when the results of three
+were uniform, no chemist could have a doubt, but that he had also had
+recourse to the infallible test of reduction, by which he had obtained
+crystals of white arsenic. Had he not said that a fit might have been
+attended by similar symptoms? He had. What, then, had confirmed him in
+his belief, that the deceased had died by the effects of poison? Inward
+appearances, on the body being opened, and an examination of the
+contents of the stomach.
+
+Parts of this gentleman's evidence were supported by that of several
+other medical men.
+
+Some judiciously put questions then drew from the reluctant Doctor the
+fact of Alfred's attempt to rinse the glass, in which a sediment of
+arsenic was subsequently found, and his having, when the Doctor
+interfered, made no attempt to explain conduct so extraordinary. On
+this, a kind of murmur passed round the court; almost every face looked
+shocked, and many shook their heads, as though they had whispered their
+next neighbour, "He must, I fear, be guilty!"
+
+The conviction was still stronger, and the horror still greater, when
+Dr. Harman, so evidently an unwilling witness, literally compelled by
+stern justice to dole out that portion of the sad truth each question
+extracted from him; when he, with a solemn voice, a cheek pale with
+emotion, and a moistened eye, described the time and manner, when, as
+the prisoner was in the act of bending forward, he had distinctly seen
+glide from within the breast of his waistcoat and fall to the ground, a
+piece of paper marked poison, and which was found, on being lifted up,
+to contain among its folds a few remaining grains of arsenic. He here
+produced, being called on so to do, the piece of paper described. The
+packet of arsenic being missed on the morning after Sir Willoughby's
+death, from where it had lain on the previous day, was next proved by
+several servants. That the prisoner knew where it lay was also proved.
+The groom then swore to having seen the prisoner coming alone from the
+saddle-room (a place he was not in the habit of frequenting) with a
+similar packet in his hand. Next was proved the subsequent finding of a
+packet of arsenic by the Coroner, in a locked escritoire of the
+prisoner's, and of which the prisoner kept the keys about his person.
+The packet of arsenic was now produced in court, and identified on oath
+by several servants. The piece of paper which Dr. Harman had seen fall
+from within the waistcoat of the prisoner, was here shown to the Judge,
+and handed from one to another of the Jury, together with the packet,
+from the outer covering of which, it was evident to all eyes, that the
+smaller piece had been torn, apparently as the readiest vehicle which
+offered, for carrying away a portion of the poison. The reluctance of
+the prisoner to permit the body of the deceased to be opened, was proved
+by several medical gentlemen, as well as by other persons his not, in
+short, yielding this point till compelled so to do by the authority of
+the Coroner.
+
+The servants of the house, and such persons as had seen Sir Willoughby
+since his return to Arden were next strictly examined, and
+cross-examined, respecting his health, spirits, and sanity. All swore
+without hesitation, that up to the last moment on which each had held
+communication with him he had been in good health, in excellent spirits,
+and perfectly sane. The elderly squire, who, it may be remembered, had
+met the brothers out riding, on the day of the evening on which the
+death of Sir Willoughby took place, having chanced, when the sudden
+demise became known, to mention the meeting, together with the nature of
+the conversation which had passed, Mr. Fips in his diligence and zeal
+had made him out and sent him a subpoena.
+
+This gentleman was next examined, and his evidence proved that Sir
+Willoughby, a few hours before his death had been in high health and
+spirits, and had spoken freely of his intended marriage and projected
+tour. This seemed conclusive. After hearing such evidence from a
+respectable and disinterested witness, it appeared quite impossible to
+believe that Sir Willoughby, a few hours subsequent to this
+conversation, should have sought to put a period to his own existence.
+Many persons were questioned as to whether the prisoner had expressed
+any doubt of the sanity of his brother, or any suspicion of his having
+taken poison, previous to the time of the accusation of his having
+administered the poison to his brother, having been brought home to
+himself on the coroner's inquest; no one had heard him express an
+opinion of the kind before the time alluded to, except indeed any
+inference might be drawn of a secret knowledge that poison had been
+taken or administered, from his having, in the first moments of
+confusion, called anxiously for antidotes against the effects of
+arsenic. The counsel for the prosecution argued, that this told against
+the prisoner. It proved a guilty knowledge of the fact, that arsenic had
+been swallowed. A feeling of remorse seemed to have induced the effort
+to save his brother's life, even at the risk of exposure; but no sooner
+was Sir Willoughby dead, than the prisoner makes every effort to conceal
+that poison had been taken. For the acuteness of this remark, the
+counsel was indebted to a marginal note annexed to his brief by Mr.
+Fips. As a matter of form, persons were next examined as to the amount
+of the property to which the prisoner, by the death of his brother
+became sole heir.
+
+When the enormous sum was sworn to, many a one sighed involuntarily to
+think, from how many anxious cares one year's income of such estates
+would relieve them.
+
+Lady Arden's evidence being the next required, and every consideration
+being granted to her ladyship's feelings, the Judge had humanely sent a
+message round to request that Lady Arden might not be hurried.
+
+A pause therefore ensued, during which were wrought up to the highest
+pitch, expectation, compassion, and that strange curiosity incident to
+human nature, to see how others can endure when suffering is extreme.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+
+At length, in the midst of perfect stillness, without one preparatory
+sound or movement, Lady Arden stood in the witness box, wrapped in the
+deep mourning in which the death of her elder son had enveloped her.
+
+The blood ran cold in the veins of all present. A tear startled into
+almost every eye; while some of those who were themselves mothers, were
+moved by a sympathy so heart-rending, that unconsciously they groaned
+aloud.
+
+So pure, so natural, so easily understood are the feelings of the
+parent, that every class could enter into them. Nor did the kindly
+commiseration of the crowd diminish, when they had leisure to mark the
+matronly beauty of her countenance; pride and disdain of the insult
+offered to the hitherto unsullied honour of her son, struggling with
+agony kindled in her eye, while her cheek was blanched, and her lips
+parched: and then the strong resemblance her every feature bore to those
+of her son! her favourite child! the prisoner at the bar: while
+evidently conscious where he stood, her eye quivered beneath its lid,
+longing yet dreading to turn upon him. She could no longer resist--she
+looked down at her son--he looked up at her--their eyes met.
+
+To comfort and encourage her he tried almost to smile: it was rather a
+radiance from within shining for a moment through all the nobleness of
+his countenance, in honour of the dutiful love he bore her; and then a
+pang passed across his brow, that he should be to her a source of
+suffering. She sank on a chair considerately placed behind her, and for
+a few seconds hid her face; lest, however, emotion should be construed
+into fear, and fear into acquiescence in the accusation against her son,
+she aroused herself and again stood prepared to reply. The judge, from a
+feeling of respect, took upon himself a considerable part of the duty of
+putting the necessary questions to her ladyship. He did so in the
+mildest and most considerate manner, and in a tone of kindly sympathy
+which did credit to his heart--the counsel of course assisting, and
+assisted himself as hitherto, by the marginal notes to his brief,
+supplied by Mr. Fips. These had the effect of drawing from her ladyship
+the purport of the confidential conversation overheard by Geoffery,
+which, with the remainder of Lady Arden's evidence, clearly proved the
+following points; namely--that both brothers had been attached to the
+same lady--that Alfred had been accepted previously to the arrival of
+his brother--that subsequently he had been discarded and his brother
+accepted--that he had felt his disappointment more deeply than he had
+suffered to appear--that he had ascribed the fickleness of the lady to
+mercenary motives--and that he was in the habit of animadverting
+frequently on the unfortunate situation of younger brothers without
+fortune, and therefore without pretensions.
+
+In reply to another series of questions, she was compelled to confess,
+she had never apprehended that derangement might at any time be the
+consequence of the injury Sir Willoughby had in childhood received on
+his head--that she had never perceived any symptoms of derangement about
+her eldest son--that Alfred had never mentioned to her any apprehensions
+of the kind till after the present accusation had been brought against
+himself--that in his letter, announcing the sudden death of his brother,
+he had ascribed it to a fit of apoplexy, and made no mention of poison
+under any circumstances being the supposed cause, or expressed a
+suspicion either of insanity or suicide--and lastly, that Sir Willoughby
+at the time of his demise was in full possession of a large unencumbered
+property, and in expectation of being married to the woman of his
+choice, a lady also possessed of large estates, and who, in company with
+her mother, he was very shortly to have joined in a tour of pleasure on
+the continent.
+
+The evidence of Lady Darlingford, Madeline, and Mrs. Dorothea, were
+taken in succession, and though not so full, went to prove the same
+points as that of Lady Arden. This closed the prosecution, and the
+prisoner was now called upon for his defence.
+
+Who shall describe the throb of his mother's heart, when the first
+sounds from those loved lips broke the stillness of the expectant court.
+The tones of that voice were harmony itself; they had ever been music to
+her ear--what were they now? Oh, how strange is the mingling of agony
+with the thrill of love!
+
+A momentary convulsion passed over the mother's features, followed by a
+silent flood of tears; yet, with that self-command which dire necessity
+alone can teach, no sob that might be heard, no sigh escaped her.
+
+Alfred spoke with solemnity of the melancholy impression which had often
+visited his own mind respecting the possibility of his brother becoming
+at some time insane; but confessed, that he had never mentioned his
+fears to any one. He spoke of a strangeness of temper as the foundation
+of the apprehensions to which he alluded; but confessed, that its
+ebullitions were confined to private interviews with himself. He spoke
+of the state of excitement under which Sir Willoughby laboured on his
+last return to Arden; but confessed, that to all less interested
+observers than himself, the manner to which he alluded was calculated to
+appear but the result of his brother being at the time in particularly
+high spirits. He spoke of a great inequality of humour which had
+latterly excited his alarm; but confessed, that this inequality had
+appeared only in their private interviews. At every but, the solemnity
+of the judge's countenance deepened, and the jury looked at each other
+with an expression that seemed to say--"That won't do."
+
+Alfred proceeded to state how both the packet of arsenic, and the torn
+piece of paper marked poison, had come into his possession, and his
+reasons for removing and securing the former;--of his having
+subsequently concealed the latter about his own person, he had he said,
+from the state of his feelings at the time no recollection.
+
+The judge frowned involuntarily at the vagueness of such a defence.
+
+"People," whispered Mr. Fips to his neighbour, "are not to get off for
+committing murder, because they have short memories."
+
+Alfred went on to say, that of the attempt to rinse the glass, he had a
+faint remembrance; that the impulse which guided his hand at the moment,
+must have been (as far as the thoughts of a season of sudden affliction,
+such as that to which he alluded, could be defined) a desire to conceal
+the suicide, which he feared had been committed; and that the same
+motive, strengthened by the frequently-expressed wishes of the deceased
+on the subject, had caused him to oppose, as long as possible, the
+examination of his lamented brother's remains.
+
+The testimony of the witnesses had increased the feeling against the
+prisoner, while these unsupported attempts at explanation seemed, to
+such as were disposed to judge him harshly, but so many ingenious
+subterfuges, invented after accusation, to meet each point, and created,
+accordingly, in their minds, a strong sense of disgust, arising from the
+frightfully powerful contrast between the amiable motives laid claim to,
+and the horrible crime of which they still believed him guilty.
+
+The judge demanded to know if the prisoner had, previously to being
+himself accused of the murder of the deceased, confided to any person
+his alleged belief, that a suicide had been committed, with the reasons
+he had now stated to the court for wishing to suppress that supposed
+fact?
+
+He had alluded to the subject in conversation with Mr. Geoffery Arden.
+
+Here Geoffery, the sole evidence for the defence was called to the
+witness-box.
+
+Did he remember any conversation of the nature referred to?
+
+There was only one occasion on which he could call to mind Sir Alfred
+having made allusion to the cause of Sir Willoughby's death.
+
+He was requested to state minutely what had passed on that occasion.
+
+About half an hour after Sir Willoughby had expired, he had followed Sir
+Alfred to the bed-chamber of the deceased, where he had found him
+reclining his face against the bed, apparently in a state of great
+mental suffering. He had made some attempts to calm his agitation, but
+without success; when, however, he was about to retire, Sir Alfred had
+looked up suddenly, and asked him if the Doctor had not said, that
+symptoms similar to those which had attended the dying moments of his
+brother, might have been occasioned by a fit of apoplexy. On being
+answered in the affirmative, he had added hastily, "Let it be so
+supposed then, and discourage all further inquiry;" he then again hid
+his face.
+
+Had nothing more passed?
+
+Nothing with which he could charge his memory.
+
+"Bad memories are the fashion," whispered Fips, with a grin of triumph,
+and a grunt of approbation.
+
+Here the prisoner's counsel cross-examined Geoffery in the closest and
+ablest manner, but could not draw from him that part of the conversation
+in which Alfred had expressed a fear of Christian burial being denied,
+and his mother's affliction increased, should the suicide be suspected.
+Thus mutilated, the evidence of the sole witness for the defence, told
+rather against than for the prisoner's cause, but, as there had been no
+third person present, the case was without remedy.
+
+The judge asked if the prisoner had any other witnesses to call, or any
+thing more to say in his own defence; and on receiving a negative to
+both questions, looked disappointed. After a short pause, he commenced
+his charge to the jury, in the course of which he clearly and ably
+recapitulated the whole of the evidence.
+
+This occupied between two and three hours, so that lights became at
+length necessary, though at his lordship's desk only, for the sake of
+referring to written notes, the imperfect remains of the daylight being
+sufficient for all other purposes.
+
+The feelings of the court were now much excited; the solemn voice of the
+judge had for some time been the only sound heard, while the partial
+illumination at such a crisis had great effect, rendering more than
+ordinarily conspicuous the figure of his lordship; his costume so
+strongly associated in our minds with the idea of his being the
+arbitrator of life and death; his countenance, which happened to be
+peculiarly striking, and, in particular, the flash of his eye, which was
+very remarkable; his manner, too, was impressive, the tones of his voice
+fine, and his diction clear and forcible; his expositions on points of
+law, were luminous even to the humblest apprehensions. He told the jury,
+that on such points it was his business to dictate to them, and theirs
+to be implicitly guided by his dictum. To decide what facts were proved
+in evidence, and the degree of credibility due to such evidence, was, he
+told them, their province; and in deliberating on a case which had
+naturally excited so intense an interest in the neighbourhood, his
+lordship entreated that the jury would dismiss from their consideration
+all they might have previously heard, or even thought on the subject,
+and confine their whole attention to the evidence delivered in court
+this day.
+
+Much, he remarked, had been often and eloquently said respecting the
+extreme fallibility of circumstantial evidence; but where all the
+circumstances agreed, such might, in his opinion, be even more
+conclusive than positive testimony: for, in the one case, we deduced the
+fact from known facts, and therefore knew it as it were of our own
+knowledge; while in the other case, we staked our belief on the veracity
+of a witness or witnesses, which, though generally believed to be
+credible, might by possibility be otherwise. In the present instance, he
+was sorry to say, that the painful duty of his office compelled him to
+point out to their attention, that the chain of circumstantial evidence
+seemed more than commonly strong and connected, while every link was
+supported by the testimony of a host of, at least credible, and in many
+instances more than credible, since they were unwilling witnesses:
+still, it was for them to decide whether all the circumstances did
+agree, and whether the evidence in support of each circumstance was
+undoubted; for, if they felt a doubt, it was their duty to give the
+prisoner the benefit of that doubt. It was unfortunately a case so
+ultimately connected with the most powerful and agitating feelings, that
+it was difficult in the extreme to confine the attention to the naked
+force of evidence. He again, therefore, entreated those on whom the
+ultimate responsibility of the verdict rested, to lay aside their
+feelings, and use only their judgments.
+
+His own feelings were, he confessed, powerfully interested by the
+defence of the prisoner; yet, he felt it there again his painful duty,
+to point out that there was neither circumstance nor fact, brought
+forward in the whole of that defence, based on any evidence whatever;
+that all rested on the unsupported assertions of the accused party. That
+the plea attempted to be set up, of Sir Willoughby's insanity, was not
+only unsustained by evidence, but that the very contrary had been
+proved, on the testimony of those most intimately acquainted and closely
+connected with the deceased. While there was at least negative proof,
+that even the prisoner had never expressed such an opinion, till after
+it became necessary to meet the accusation against himself. And lastly,
+that the prosperous and peculiarly happy circumstances, in which the
+late Sir Willoughby Arden was placed at the time of his sudden demise,
+made it wholly incredible, that, being in possession of his reason, he
+should of his own will, have taken the poison. It had been proved in
+evidence, that Sir Willoughby had been in perfect health, at and for
+some time after dinner--that he had supped in company with the prisoner
+only--that the remains of arsenic had been found in one of the
+glasses--that Sir Willoughby had died immediately after supper--that his
+death had been occasioned by arsenic--that the prisoner had attempted to
+rinse the glass in which the remains of arsenic were afterwards
+found--that a packet containing arsenic had lain on a certain morning,
+in a certain apartment--that the prisoner had been seen to come from
+that apartment alone, in the afternoon; that it was not an apartment
+usually inhabited or visited by the prisoner--that there was evidence
+the prisoner was aware the packet of arsenic lay there--that the said
+packet was missed the next morning, from the said apartment--that the
+said packet was subsequently found in a locked escritoire of the
+prisoner's, to which he alone had access--that a torn piece of paper,
+visibly a portion of the outer cover of the said packet of arsenic, had
+been seen, by a witness whose respectability and credibility were beyond
+a doubt, fall from within the breast of the waistcoat of the
+prisoner--that the prisoner had resisted the opening of the body--that
+Dr. Harman's opinion the deceased had died by the effects of poison,
+would not have amounted to evidence, had the body not been opened--and
+finally that the defence rested entirely on the unsubstantiated
+assertions of the prisoner himself. As probable motives could not become
+subjects of proof, though much had been said of them on the trial, he
+would say nothing of them here: they were all calculated to awaken
+feelings for, or against the prisoner; and once more, he entreated the
+jury to dismiss every thing but evidence from their minds, and give
+their verdict accordingly. He then told them distinctly what verdict it
+was their duty to their country to give, if they considered these facts
+proved, and what verdict was due to humanity, and the prisoner, if they
+still felt a doubt.
+
+From the circumstance we have already mentioned, of candles being placed
+on the desk of the judge only, the twilight-like sort of obscurity
+which, by the time his lordship approached the conclusion of his charge,
+had stolen over the rest of the court-house, added much to the solemn
+effect of this most anxious part of the proceedings. The forms of the
+jurymen, but dimly discerned, leaning over with painful eagerness, to
+catch, as it were, the very thoughts of the judge; their eyes glancing
+in the distant light, as they removed them, from time to time, from his
+countenance, to look round on each other; and when he ceased speaking,
+the pause that followed--and then--the verdict, which issuing as it now
+did, from the gloom in which the whole group was wrapped, sounded more
+awfully, more like the condensed, irrecoverable decision of the
+_judicial twelve_, than when, in the broad light of day, the foreman,
+though in his official capacity in fact the voice of all, still looks
+the individual.
+
+The single word pronounced was--Guilty!!!
+
+As though the whole assembly had hitherto held their breath, a sort of
+universal gasp was distinctly heard; and during the moment, the judge
+was preparing to pronounce the awful sentence of the law, a movement was
+observable in the part of the gallery where Lady Arden, though not
+visible, was known to be.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+
+From the first our hero had, as we have already said, many friends whom
+no appearances, however strong, could induce to believe him guilty of
+the crime of which he was accused. It seemed, however, to be universally
+expected that he would be acquitted; and while this was the belief,
+there were some who said that in the face of such evidence it would be a
+great shame, and that when men of rank offended against the laws, they
+ought more especially to be made public examples of.
+
+No sooner, however, was he actually condemned, than almost every one was
+shocked; the tide of public opinion, with but few exceptions, turned in
+his favour; nay, a sort of tumult arose around the court-house, and in
+the streets adjacent. We must, however, return to the feelings of those
+more immediately concerned.
+
+The dismay of Lady Arden was as complete as it was astounding; she
+seemed as totally unprepared for the event, as though the possibility of
+a fatal result to the trial had never been anticipated. Her excitement
+was terrible; the pallid cheek was gone, and burning spots of crimson
+had succeeded, while the lustre of her eye was rendered supernatural by
+a restless sense of the necessity for instant action! There was as yet,
+none of the quiescence of desolation; she neither lay nor even sat; she
+stood, yet standing wrote, and with her own hand, though in strange,
+large characters, unlike her own, a powerful and heart-rending appeal to
+royalty itself. "Time! time! at least!" was the prayer of her petition;
+"The day of truth may dawn," she said, "when it is too late! Let not my
+child be judicially murdered during the frightful darkness of
+misjudgment."
+
+Lord Darlingford, who enjoyed the private friendship of his Majesty, set
+out with this letter to carry it himself to the foot of the throne;
+while applications were also being made through the proper official
+channels. Thus was the early part of the night occupied. The latter
+portion was spent in deep and secret consultation with Mr. Edwards, now
+the chaplain of the gaol, but formerly the private tutor of Willoughby
+and Alfred when boys. So thorough was this gentleman's knowledge of our
+hero's character, and so entire his conviction of his innocence, that he
+had been from the first resolved, should it become necessary, to use
+every facility which his sacred and confidential office gave him, to
+favour an escape. Indeed his feeling was, that he should be an accessary
+to murder, did he omit any means in his power to save the life of our
+hero. He had accordingly, before the trial, as a matter of precaution
+against the worst, made a journey to *****, and without giving his name,
+and of course without assigning his object, got Mrs. ****, the famous
+modeller in wax, to make a mask or model of his countenance, so perfect
+a resemblance, both of him and of life, that there was nothing wanting
+to make the deception complete, but the play of feature requisite in
+conversation. The object of the present anxious conference was to mature
+the plan of how and when, with least fear of detection, our hero should,
+aided by this disguise, attempt to personate Mr. Edwards, and so pass
+out of the gaol, while he, Mr. Edwards, remained in his stead. Nothing
+could of course have tempted Alfred to contemplate an escape previously
+to his trial, to which alone he looked for the justification of his
+aspersed character, while the difficulty--nay, the almost impossibility
+of escape after condemnation, was awful to contemplate. No friend or
+relative would now be admitted to the prisoner, except by a special
+order, and in presence of a turnkey, while the difficulty was increased
+by the new regulation to prevent suicide, of locking up two other
+prisoners for minor offences with the person condemned to suffer death;
+so that they were thus never even for a moment alone. The chaplain, no
+doubt, had the privilege of conferring with Alfred without witness; on
+his appearing, therefore, it was a matter of course to remove the other
+two prisoners. By virtue of the same privilege the chaplain could
+dismiss the turnkey, not only out of sight, but out of hearing for half
+an hour, or an hour, at pleasure; and on these circumstances was every
+hope founded. It was also customary for Mr. Edwards on quitting
+prisoners, merely to bolt them in himself, and go away, without waiting
+the reappearance of the turnkey. This at first sight appears an
+irregular proceeding, and would seem to offer another facility; it was,
+however, the duty of the dismissed turnkey to be in waiting at the foot
+of the stairs, or in some passage by the way. Alfred, indeed, in the
+perfect disguise proposed, might (as Mr. Edwards) pass him unobstructed,
+but then it became the man's further duty, on seeing the chaplain go by,
+to return instantly to the condemned cell, and replace there the two men
+appointed to remain with the prisoner. It was thus evident that every
+thing depended either on gaining over this one turnkey, or on his being
+dilatory in the performance of this last specified duty; for, except the
+deception was thus quickly discovered, by the immediate return of this
+man to the cell, and the alarm consequently given before Alfred got
+clear of the gates, neither any other of the turnkeys, nor the porter,
+so long as they believed him to be Mr. Edwards, would think of
+interfering with his passing out. These were the facilities. Then again
+the difficulties were, that nothing could be attempted during daylight,
+and the lock-up hour varied with the season, so as to be always before
+dark. During the preparations for the night, too, all persons connected
+with the prison were peculiarly vigilant, and on the alert. Mr. Edwards
+would certainly be at liberty to remain with the prisoner some time
+after dark if he chose; but then, his departure would be so anxiously
+waited for, and the identity of the prisoner so promptly looked to by
+those whose business it was to make final arrangements for the night,
+that any attempt to escape at that hour must, to a certainty, be
+discovered before the prisoner could get clear of the gates.
+
+A morning escape, therefore, before daylight, would be the least
+impossible, as the governor would not then be up, and probably but one
+or two of the turnkeys would be stirring; while, even those, with the
+dangers, as it were, of the night over, and the day before them, would
+be less fearful, and consequently less vigilant. The difficulty in this
+case was, that the chaplain's visiting the prisoner at so early an hour
+on any day _but_ that of the execution, would excite so great suspicion,
+that it was necessary to put off the attempt until the last morning. To
+this Lady Arden was strenuously opposed: to her it appeared like
+wilfully casting away every chance, every hope, but the one--and--should
+that fail--oh, it was maddening to contemplate the alternative!!!
+
+He did not mean, Mr. Edwards argued, to leave it to the last, if so
+doing could be avoided; if any prior opportunity of escape could
+possibly be obtained it should be seized; but a rash or unsuccessful
+attempt would but close the door against all future hope, and therefore
+be much worse than none. To arguments such as these, Lady Arden's
+judgment was compelled to yield, though her feelings were still strongly
+opposed to the miserable idea of waiting in supineness, and seeing the
+terrible hour approach--her son, still in the hands of his murderers!
+and to think, that should the attempt at last fail when that hour
+arrived, they would then have a right--to----"A right----oh, no!" she
+exclaimed, suddenly interrupting herself: then with vehement enthusiasm
+she proceeded, "No! not were he, in truth, the veriest of
+criminals--man--weak, short-sighted, mortal man, whose own frail tenure
+is but a breath of air, and a few drops of blood--what right has he,
+with impious hands, to take away that mysterious gift of life which
+Heaven, for his own inscrutable ends, has given?"
+
+And although it was strongly excited feelings on her own individual case
+which awakened such thoughts in Lady Arden's mind, perhaps she was
+right;--perhaps, if even the murderer's bloody hands were but fettered,
+and the law itself declared it dared not break into the sacred citadel
+of life;--that it dared not prematurely dissolve the mystic union
+betwixt body and soul, formed by heaven, and incomprehensible to mortal
+ken:--perhaps were there no such thing as legal murder, sanctioning, at
+least, the act--reconciling the imagination to the fact of a violent
+death by human hands--the slayer of man would become, in the eyes of his
+fellow men, so utterly a monster, so thoroughly a fiend, that the crime
+of murder would disappear from the face of the earth.
+
+Ere, however, such a happy age can arrive, not only must salutary laws
+bind, or civilization change the secret assassin; but rapine, calling
+itself conquest, must be banished from the world; and the murderer of
+tens of thousands, to gild a sceptre, or gem a crown, cease to be held
+on high, with laurel wreaths encircling his brow.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+
+The next day, which was Saturday, Lady Arden, by means of an order from
+the sheriff, obtained an interview with her son; but it was short and
+unsatisfactory, and a turnkey was necessarily present.
+
+It was her wish to have remained entirely in the prison, but the
+permission could not be obtained. Yet her manner was not characterized
+by the lingering of tenderness; instinct or desperation seemed at this
+crisis to have awakened in her bosom a fierceness foreign to her
+habitual nature. Her attitude, her countenance implied the frantic
+conception, that she could afford personal protection to her son: and,
+unconsciously directed by the same impulse, she even stood between
+Alfred and the door of the prison. Shortly, however, she was obliged to
+depart.
+
+Mr. Edwards's visits were as late, as early, and as frequent as usage
+would permit. His ingenuity was constantly employed; his vigilance on
+the ceaseless watch; but the night of Saturday wore away, and the
+morning of Sunday dawned, and no opportunity of making an attempt at
+escape affording the slightest prospect of success, had offered. During
+the long, wretched day of suspense and agony nothing could be done.
+Another interview, if possible more heart-rending than the last, had
+been granted to Lady Arden, and evening was again approaching, while no
+accounts had yet come from Lord Darlingford. At length a letter did
+arrive by express. It did not say, in so many words, that he had failed
+in his mission; it even spoke of continued efforts: but it strenuously
+recommended that the escape should be attempted at all hazards. Such a
+letter, to the feelings of the parties interested, amounted to a
+repetition of the sentence of condemnation.
+
+There was now but the one solitary hope left for every thought to cling
+around; while it appeared to be reduced in probability to the straw at
+which the drowning man catches: for what the two preceding nights had
+offered no opportunity of accomplishing, there seemed but little chance
+should be compassed on this last remaining one. The evening, too, was
+already gone, and the lock-up completed; nay, the night itself was on
+the wane; so that now, all seemed to depend on Mr. Edwards's early visit
+to the prison, the one last hour before dawn, on the thus fast
+approaching morning of the Monday, the day fixed for the execution.
+
+Some hours after midnight, a desperate storm of thunder, hail and rain
+came on. And strange it was, that the roaring elements should thus seem,
+as it were, to sanction the legendary belief, already mentioned, as
+prevalent among the ignorant persons of the neighbourhood, that all
+events disastrous to a member of the Arden family were accompanied, or
+preceded, by terrible tempests. And, however irrational such an idea,
+many inhabitants of Arden, as they lay in their beds that awful night,
+and were suddenly awakened by the thunder, ere they slept again,
+shuddered involuntarily at the thought, that the old superstition was
+being at the very moment fulfilled.
+
+The storm continued, and between five and six in the morning was still
+raging. Rejoicing in the din, the confusion, and the prospect of
+prolonged darkness it afforded, Mr. Edwards wended his way through its
+fury towards the gates of the gaol. He entered, and proceeded to the
+condemned cell. From his coming so early it was supposed that he meant
+to pray and converse with the prisoner for some hours. In a much shorter
+time, however, than was expected, the porter saw him, as he supposed,
+approaching, with a somewhat hasty step, along the passage, to take his
+departure. It was Alfred: but the disguise was perfect; and the porter
+had no suspicion. A moment more and he must have passed safely out--when
+a sudden cry was heard--"Stop the prisoner! Stop the prisoner!" And the
+turnkeys, running and breathless, appeared in pursuit.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+
+During a night of such awful importance, fear and hope both, as its
+hours advanced, mounting towards their climax, it will be readily
+believed that Lady Arden had not attempted to seek repose.
+
+Regardless of the searching wind and driving rain which beat against
+her face and bosom, the blinding flashes of the lightning, and the
+thunder's deafening roar, she leaned from the open window of her
+sleeping-apartment, and though the darkness was still impenetrable,
+continued to gaze with intense anxiety, now in the direction of the town
+of Arden, and now in that of the ruined castle; while Mrs. Dorothea,
+Lady Darlingford, and Madeline stood behind her, trembling with the
+combined effect of fear and cold, and shrinking from each fresh
+accession of the storm's fury, against which they were less defended by
+the panoply of a fevered mind.
+
+If Lady Arden was at all conscious of the raving of the tempest, it was
+rather calculated to yield her satisfaction than otherwise, for it was
+highly favourable to the attempt she knew was even then being made for
+Alfred's escape.
+
+The window at which she now stood, was the same from which, with an
+almost prophetic melancholy, she had looked on the night of the festival
+for the coming of age of her sons. "The pitiless pelting of the storm,"
+too, was such as it had been on that night--but here the parallel
+ceases: changed indeed was all beside!
+
+From time to time she inquired the hour--waited--inquired again--again
+waited--and again inquired. "Go, my dear child, go, at any rate," she
+said at length, looking anxiously at Madeline, who immediately left the
+room; but in about a quarter of an hour returned, accompanied by Mr.
+Cameron. He was dripping with wet--covered with mud--and out of breath.
+Madeline during her short absence, bad been watching for him at a glass
+door which opened from a little boudoir into the lawn; she had just
+admitted him, and led him up stairs by a back way. On his entering the
+apartment, the door was cautiously closed by Mrs. Dorothea.
+
+Lady Arden laid her hand on his arm and looked in his face.
+
+"He is safe," he replied, "quite safe for the present."
+
+She sank on her knees, and some seconds were devoted to silent, fervent
+thanksgiving; when being still unable to articulate, she once more
+looked up at Mr. Cameron and motioned him to proceed.
+
+"The alarm was given," he continued, "before he was quite clear of the
+gates; but the cry being, 'Stop the prisoner!' and his appearance being
+that of Mr. Edwards, the porter did not interfere with his passing out.
+The turnkeys, it would seem, had not the presence of mind to say at the
+first, 'Stop Mr. Edwards!' and once outside the gate, the din of the
+tempest and the darkness with which, though it was past six in the
+morning, still exceeded that of most midnights, rendered it
+comparatively easy to baffle pursuit. He soon joined me, where we had
+appointed, beneath the great beech-tree; for had he been closely
+followed, he was to have climbed the trunk and concealed himself among
+the branches, while I was to have darted forward, and so led his
+pursuers astray: but finding ourselves unmolested as soon as the coast
+was clear, we proceeded with all speed to the castle. I have lodged him
+safely in the eagle's nest, and am come from thence this moment."
+
+"Thank heaven!" ejaculated from time to time, was the only interruption.
+Mr. Cameron's account had met with, "He is so well wrapped up," he
+added, good naturedly endeavouring to offer what consolation he could;
+"and the turret is so small and the ivy so thick about it that he will
+be perfectly dry, and I do not think he will even feel it cold."
+
+"We can see the exact spot from this place," exclaimed Lady Arden,
+rising eagerly and leaning from the window. "The eagle's nest looks this
+way."
+
+"Were it not so dark," replied Cameron, also leaning out, "I think you
+might, the turret is certainly on this side of the building."
+
+"There!" she cried, as a vivid flash gave the remarkable rock, with its
+crown of towers to their view; while the flickering movement of the
+lightning seemed, as it were, to lift this principal object from its
+distant position in the landscape, hold it for a second close to their
+sight, then drop it into the impenetrable abyss, over which the thunder
+now rolled in darkness.
+
+"That is it!" continued Lady Arden, her outstretched finger also for the
+moment rendered visible; "you mean that small projecting tower, which is
+called the eagle's nest, do you not?"
+
+"Yes, that little turret, jutting-out from the side of the highest of
+the great towers near the top, and appearing from here not larger than a
+hand lantern. He must, I should think," he added, "from his present
+position discern the light in this window."
+
+"Ah, my poor Alfred!" exclaimed the anxious mother. Another flash made
+the group of ruins and small projecting turret again for a second
+visible; "if he could have been with us here!" she continued: but the
+loud thunder rolled, and the hurricane, as her voice issued from her
+lips, swept its sounds away unheard! The next moment of comparative
+quiet Mr. Cameron said, in reply to the portion of the sentence he had
+caught--
+
+"It would have been unwise; for, had he been in this house, some of the
+servants must have known, or at least have suspected the fact; now the
+secret of his place of concealment is known only to ourselves."
+
+"You are right--you are right! And we know that there is a fell tiger
+couching for the prey."
+
+"Perhaps we judge him harshly," replied Cameron. "I think, however," he
+added, "that we have adopted altogether the very best possible course.
+But for the extraordinary state of the atmosphere, there should be
+already some daylight, so that any attempt to quit the neighbourhood
+before evening again closes in would be madness. Nothing can be more
+complete, nor at the same time more comfortable, than the place of
+concealment we have selected; a spot, too, on which you can keep a
+constant watch without causing any suspicion, the only accessible
+approach to the ruins being visible from this very window."
+
+While he yet spoke, the grey morning began to dawn. The storm was now
+gradually lessening, for though the last flash of the lightning had been
+vivid, the last roll of the thunder had been distant, and the rain had
+fallen somewhere else. As the dim light increased, therefore, the park,
+which in fact bounded the whole prospect, presented a most extraordinary
+aspect; so dense a white, low laying, and still moving mist, covered
+every ordinary object, that, as far as the eye could reach the landscape
+resembled one vast ocean, terminated only by the horizon; while the
+ruined castle crowning its rocky eminence, being by its great elevation
+lifted above the fog, appeared alone on the surface of this seeming sea,
+like the solitary Ark of the Covenant, riding on the waters of the
+Deluge!
+
+Such, at least, was the sublime idea it suggested to the imagination of
+Lady Arden, while viewing it with the grateful feelings of the moment,
+as the refuge of her child.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+
+We shall not enter into tedious details of the measures taken to pursue,
+or endeavours to discover the prisoner, nor yet of the surmises thrown
+out that his escape had been connived at. Neither shall we claim the
+sympathy of our readers, for the disappointment of those who flocked to
+Arden to witness the expected execution; but rather, confining our
+attention to the more interesting persons of our narrative, go on to
+say, that through the long hours of that day, whatever were the varied
+occupations of others, the eye of Lady Arden still kept watch on that
+lonely turret which held her son, and which (hence its title of the
+eagle's nest) projecting from the side of the highest of the elevated
+group of towers, seemed to have its dwelling among the clouds. So
+conspicuous an object had it become in her sight, that though, as Mr.
+Cameron said, it appeared in the distance but a speck, not larger than a
+hand lantern, and was completely enveloped with ivy, yet the most
+unreasonable dread assailed her lest it should draw the attention and
+excite the suspicion of every creature who passed by. If but a wandering
+mendicant crossed the park, her heart would cease to beat the while, and
+her anxious gaze follow the form, till the pathway leading to the rock
+on which the castle stood was left behind. Nor did she withdraw
+affection's eye, nor cease to be the guardian spirit of the spot, till
+the shadows of evening closing round, shut out the ruins from her view.
+
+Alfred had now, she knew, commenced his journey. Her devoted affection
+would have led her to accompany her son, but such a step would hamper
+his flight, and endanger his safety. Even a farewell interview was not
+to be thought of.
+
+In utter desolation of spirit, therefore, our unhappy hero, even at the
+moment we are describing, rapidly descended the height on which the
+castle stood, and strode across the wide extent of park, thus
+abdicating, as it were, the princely domain of his forefathers, with
+scarcely a consciousness of where he was, or what his purpose; and when,
+after pursuing his journey for a time, he became capable of any approach
+to reflection, his thoughts were all of wretchedness. An exile, an
+outlaw, dishonoured, beggared, disguised, he was quitting his native
+land, probably for ever; unless, indeed, he should be pursued and
+dragged back, to suffer an ignominious death. He was, it is true, in the
+very act of escaping for the present this last, and in the estimation of
+most people worst, because irremediable ill; but accompanying this
+reflection were sensations which, perhaps, he could not himself have
+defined. For, since his sentence had been pronounced, notwithstanding
+the anxious efforts still making in his behalf, he had been strenuously
+preparing his mind for the most fatal issue, and, with the assistance of
+the pious Mr. Edwards, endeavouring to wean his affections from things
+below and to centre all his hopes in heaven. However little understood
+such feelings may be by those who are engaged in the busy whirl of
+terrestrial concerns, to those who have lately stood on the brink of the
+grave, they possess an awful reality not soon to be forgotten.
+
+Compared with views of peace, and rest, and hope so obtained, there was,
+as a counterpoise to the mere instinct of self preservation, a strong
+sense of distaste to the weary pilgrimage of life renewed; nor will this
+seem overstrained, when we remember under what circumstances it was
+renewed; when we contemplate the universal blight which had fallen upon
+the fair spring of all his earthly prospects.
+
+At an early hour the next morning, the melancholy ceremony of
+Willoughby's funeral, which had been so long delayed in the hope of his
+brother being able to take with honour his place of chief mourner, was
+at length obliged to be performed in all the hopeless misery of present
+circumstances. Immediately after the conclusion of the dismal
+solemnities the family set out for London.
+
+Lady Arden had determined to remain in England till every effort had
+been made to obtain the reprieve of her son; but, if all failed, to join
+him under a feigned name at Geneva, the place at which they had
+appointed to meet; and become, for the remainder of her sojourn upon
+earth, the kind companion and solace of his wanderings.
+
+Two of her daughters were already married; Mr. Cameron had generously
+declared his unaltered determination to become the husband of Madeline;
+Lady Arden had that morning consigned to the grave the remains of poor
+Willoughby; Alfred alone, therefore, now claimed all her care, all her
+tenderness, all the consolation her maternal affection could bestow.
+
+How the affair would have concluded had not our hero made his escape,
+remains enveloped in mystery; that circumstance might have been supposed
+to supersede the necessity for a reprieve. It was, however, generally
+believed, that Lady Arden had received an assurance that there should be
+no efforts made to pursue her son, or to require him at the hands of
+foreign powers, but that unless some circumstances in his favour came to
+light, it would be necessary for him to live abroad, and remain unknown.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+
+How our hero made his way to, and through France, he never afterwards
+could clearly call to mind.
+
+Every perception was turned inward; while some mysterious spell seemed
+endued with the power of compelling his thoughts to go again and again
+the torturing round of remembrances, every one equally fraught with
+wretchedness. The miserable end of poor Willoughby--never could that
+heart-rending scene be erased from his memory--the devotion of his fond
+parent--such a thought might have soothed; but had he not been, and was
+he not still doomed to be, to her a source of unparalleled suffering.
+Then there was another being, whose idea he dreaded to approach--and she
+had once, for one short period, been all his dream of bliss.
+
+There was certainly but little to draw him from his absorbing
+reflections in the dull and monotonous plains of Burgundy and French
+Compte. In due time, however, he left these behind him, and began to
+ascend the heights above Poligni; but he felt not the invigorating
+influence of the mountain air. He travelled on through the magnificent
+scenery of the great military road; yet scarcely saw its precipices, its
+waterfalls, its forests of beech and pine. At length the magnificent
+lake itself opened to his view; stretching from Geneva to Chillon, and
+reflecting, as in an immense mirror, the surrounding Alps with their
+fleecy region of eternal snows, their glacier cliffs, glittering in the
+sun-beams, their dark blue zone of wood, rock, precipice, and torrent;
+and their smiling fertile base. He completed the winding descent of the
+Jura, commanding the whole way to the very verge of the lake, a full
+view of the fairy scenery, the fertile slopes, the glowing vine-yards,
+the cornfields, orchards, gardens, towns, villages and villas; the
+wooded brows, tranquil vales, and sparkling streams, of the enchanting
+Pays de Vaud; yet he felt no pleasurable sensations arise: if the
+splendour of effect in some measure aroused him, it was rather to a
+state of more active suffering than before; as though the wilderness
+within were rendered more desolate by comparison with the paradise
+without.
+
+He now proceeded by a beautiful drive along the water's edge to the
+gates of Geneva; and here found the usually vexatious delays, respecting
+passports, &c., peculiarly annoying, from the degrading consciousness of
+disguise.
+
+When he succeeded in effecting his entrance, and had retired to rest,
+excessive fatigue, both of mind and body, brought sleep; but no sooner
+had his weary eyelids closed, than horrors assailed him.
+
+The Rhone flowed with a rapid pace beneath the very street and house in
+which he had taken up his abode for the night. The pleasing murmur of
+its waters became to his dreaming fancy the tumult of the congregated
+multitude, around the foot of the scaffold, on which, with that
+extraordinary certitude which sometimes accompanies the visions of
+disordered slumber, he thought he was about to suffer an ignominious
+death.
+
+The agony of the moment awoke him, and he slept no more. But he felt a
+stronger and more grateful sense than he had hitherto done, of the
+blessing of having been preserved from such a fate; and even hope, under
+the healing influence of a thankful spirit, in some sort revived. The
+foul blot might be yet removed; he might yet be restored to the love and
+respect of all good men; he might yet, though he could never more know
+happiness himself, cease to be a source of misery to the best of
+parents.
+
+Fearful, that among the many English at Geneva, there might be some to
+whom he was personally known, he remained in the house the whole of the
+following day. In the evening, however, tempted by the balmy air, the
+weather being unusually fine for the season, he determined to go on the
+lake; a situation, in which he should of course be less liable than on
+shore to meeting other persons near enough for recognition.
+
+He did so accordingly. The sun had, a short time since, sunk behind the
+Jura, while a lingering beam still crowned, as with a regal circlet, the
+stately brows of that monarch of the scene, Mont Blanc. The hour was
+calm and beautiful; the shores were fairy land; the lake a sea of gold;
+while its shining surface was dotted with numerous vessels of every
+description, gliding along so smoothly, that but for the changes which
+gradually became apparent in their relative positions, they might have
+seemed to have stood still.
+
+One of these in particular, with a spell-like power, drew the attention
+of our hero, possibly from unconscious sympathy with human misery, as it
+seemed to be in some sort the scene of sorrow or of suffering, for
+beneath an awning, a portion of the curtains of which were drawn aside,
+was partly visible a couch, or bed, on which was laid a recumbent form,
+to all appearance motionless; while the other figures in the boat were
+evidently only the attendants on this principal one.
+
+The boatman, observing the direction of our hero's eyes, began to tell
+him in French, a tale possessing much of the sentimental, of which that
+language, when it does not degenerate into affectation, is so good a
+vehicle. He expatiated on the youth, the beauty, and the apparent
+wealth, forlorn state, of this mysterious lady of the lake who was
+dying, he said, in a foreign land, surrounded by strangers and servants
+and without one friend or relative near to receive her last sigh.
+
+It was by order of the physician, he added, of whose practice he, by the
+way, by no means seemed to approve, that she was brought out thus on the
+lake at all hours, and almost all weathers, more, 'tis to be feared, to
+give notoriety to the doctor than health to the patient.
+
+While he was speaking, the boat which contained the invalid began to
+come towards them, on its way to the place of landing. At the same
+moment a slight breeze arose, and lifting the curtains of the awning on
+both sides simultaneously, kept them straight out, with a gently fanning
+movement, like the extended wings of some gigantic bird. Its appearance
+thus remarkable, its progress barely perceptible, it continued drawing
+nearer and nearer while the narrator went on, winding up his story by
+saying, the report was, that this beautiful lady had two suitors in her
+own country, who were brothers; and that the one had murdered the other
+for jealousy, but his crime being discovered, he had been brought to
+trial, and executed: so that the poor young lady might well be
+disconsolate, having thus lost both her lovers. By this time the
+approaching boat had come so close, that in passing, it slightly grazed
+that in which our hero sat.
+
+Alfred's gaze had for some time been intense; his cheek now blanched;
+unconsciously he grasped the arm of the boatman.
+
+Pale, beautiful, to all appearance lifeless, the form which lay beneath
+the uplifted awning in the passing boat was that of Caroline. The eyes
+were closed, but the faultless features, in their angel-like expression,
+were still unchanged, presenting a model of perfect loveliness reposing
+in the sleep of death: while the silent attendants, with their
+common-place, though solemn visages, looked like the rough stone figures
+of mourning mutes coarsely carved around some Parian marble monument.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+
+To account for the appearance of our heroine under such peculiar
+circumstances, we must look back to secondary events, which latterly we
+have not had leisure to notice.
+
+Immediately after poor Willoughby's abrupt departure from Montague
+House, Lady Palliser and her daughter had set out on their continental
+tour, in which it was supposed by the friends on both sides, that he was
+shortly to join them. During their journey, they had either not chanced
+to meet with, or at least not happened to read with any degree of
+attention an English newspaper. One, however, was laid on their
+breakfast table the morning after their arrival at Geneva; it was that
+which contained a summary of Alfred's trial, conviction, and
+condemnation to an ignominious death, for the wilful murder of his
+brother. From the circumstances of Lady Palliser being out of England,
+on the constant move, and consequently not associating with any one, her
+ladyship had not heard before even of such an accusation having been
+brought against our hero, yet she glanced over the account of the
+terrific affair with a countenance perfectly unmoved; and when she had
+finished the statements, merely handed the paper across the table to
+Caroline saying, in the most careless tone imaginable,
+
+"It was very fortunate that you were not married to either of them."
+
+Caroline, wondering what her mother could mean, took the paper in
+silence, and began to read the part indicated by the manner of folding.
+Lady Palliser sipped her coffee without even a look of inquiry towards
+her daughter; but had there been any one present to have noted the
+emotions marked on the countenance of Caroline, they would have seen
+first, a faint glow as the names met her sight; then the gradual
+retiring of the same; then the unconscious parting of the lips and
+holding of the breath; next a quickened respiration, a flickering
+colour, and a countenance full of indignant expression.
+
+Soon after this profound attention seemed to still every pulse, for the
+paper which before had visibly vibrated with each throb of the heart, no
+longer stirred, while every vestige of the lines of life retired even
+from the lips: the eyes alone moved, as eagerly they traced, from margin
+to margin, line after line. Suddenly a rush of crimson covered the face
+and neck, a piercing cry escaped the lips, and Caroline fell senseless
+to the floor, having become again pale as a corpse.
+
+It was some hours before she showed any returning signs of life, and
+when she again opened her eyes it was evident, from their piteous
+expression, that consciousness, whether of woe or weal was gone.
+
+Subsequently, however, though she still noticed no other object, she
+manifested such strong symptoms of terror at the approach of Lady
+Palliser, that the medical attendant thought fit to recommend her
+ladyship not to enter the apartment.
+
+Lady Palliser, from whom patient attendance on sickness or suffering was
+not at any rate much to be expected, soon began to get exceedingly tired
+of the whole affair. She was also provoked that her daughter's name
+should, however blamelessly, be implicated with that of a family on whom
+such disgrace had fallen; for though Alfred's escape was by this time
+known, the stigma was still the same; he was still under sentence of
+death--he was still believed to be a murderer. Caroline's sudden illness
+too had made matters worse; for its supposed cause had got abroad, and
+having spread from the English to the natives, became the universal
+topic of conversation with high and low. That this would be still more
+the case in England her ladyship was well aware; she determined
+therefore not to return thither till the business should be in a great
+measure forgotten; in the mean time to proceed on her tour, leaving her
+daughter, who was unable to travel, at Geneva, with of course a suitable
+establishment of sick-nurses and servants, and attended, unluckily, by
+some medical personage who had acquired a questionable reputation nobody
+knew how, and whose opinion therefore Lady Palliser, with her usual
+whimsical irrationality, chose to consider the best _medical advice_
+within reach; and to whose care, without weighing the subject further,
+she accordingly committed the reason and the life of her only child.
+Whether her ladyship would have taken the unfeeling step of proceeding
+on her journey, had her presence afforded consolation to the suffering
+Caroline, it is impossible to say; but, as her sage adviser still
+recommended her to refrain from seeing his patient, she appeared to
+consider herself at liberty to follow her own devices.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+
+Having thus explained how it happened that our heroine was found at
+Geneva in the forlorn state described, we must now return to Alfred. He
+followed the apparition of Caroline, saw her couch lifted from the boat
+to a kind of carriage which was in waiting on the shore, landed himself
+immediately, and though incapable of plan or purpose, pursued the
+carriage. It stopped at a villa at a little distance. He saw Caroline
+lifted out, and carried into the house. Impelled by an uncontrollable
+impulse, and too much agitated to think of forms, he entered the hall
+with the servants, of whom he made some incoherent inquiries. They
+seemed scarcely to comprehend him. A person passed hastily in almost at
+the moment and entered a sitting-room which opened into the hall, and
+into which the couch with the invalid had just been carried.
+
+"It is the doctor, sir," said a servant, with a puzzled air, which
+seemed to infer, he can probably answer you better than I can.
+
+Alfred followed eagerly to the door of the room, and stood there some
+seconds in breathless anxiety. It opened--the _soi-disant_ doctor was
+coming out, but drew back, as it were, to make way for our hero; who,
+from his evident and pitiable agitation, and his eager inquiries, he
+seemed to take for granted, was some one of the lady's near relations
+arrived at last, and of course entitled to enter the apartment of the
+invalid. Laying apparently asleep on a sofa visible from the door,
+Alfred could now discern Caroline: yet, though at the time in no state
+of mind for reflection, he so far felt himself unauthorized in his
+intrusion as to give an air of hesitation to his manner.
+
+"You can come in, sir," said the doctor, "there is no danger, I am sorry
+to say," he added with pompous solemnity, "of waking the patient."
+
+On hearing these alarming words, Alfred rushed to the side of the couch
+in so wild a manner, that the doctor, quite aghast, followed, and laying
+his hand on his arm, said, "You mistake me, sir: there is no reason to
+expect immediate dissolution; my meaning was, that you need not be
+apprehensive of interrupting the slumbers of the patient; her state
+being unhappily, not natural sleep, but a species of trance, becoming, I
+feel it, notwithstanding, my painful duty to say from its prolonged
+duration and the daily diminution of bodily strength, every hour more
+and more hopeless. From, in fact, the first moment of her sudden seizure
+up to the present time, she has not shed one tear, spoken one word; nor,
+as we have reason to believe, though in this constant state of apparent
+unconsciousness, ever actually slept; for, at any startling or unusual
+sound, her eyes have been observed to open, though but for a second."
+
+While the doctor, who was fond of hearing himself talk, had been thus
+holding forth, Alfred had stood gazing on the pale unconscious sufferer,
+in an agony of grief and compassion.
+
+Pity is itself a gentle, an endearing sentiment; but when claimed by a
+being we already love, who shall paint the going forth of the whole
+soul, in the blended sympathy! If there is an earthly feeling pure from
+self, worthy of heaven, it is this! Had Alfred encountered Caroline in
+health, amid scenes of pleasure and of gaiety, himself free from the
+disgrace and ruin which now attached to him; nay, with a knowledge that
+her seeming want of truth had been but obedience to the tyrannical
+commands of a parent; that her heart was still his; that, in short,
+every obstacle to their union was removed by the death of poor
+Willoughby;--how soon, in such a case, he might have been able to have
+separated thoughts of her and of happiness from the heart-rending
+remembrance of his brother; at what distant period of time he could, in
+short, have sought a paradise on the very shore where that brother had
+become a wreck, it is impossible to say. But when instead of all this,
+her idea was presented to his mind under circumstances so new, so
+terrible, so far removed from selfish joy, which, when mingled with
+thoughts of Willoughby, would have seemed almost a sacrilege; then it
+was that an overwhelming interest in her fate took possession of his
+whole soul unresisted, consisting of fears, not of hopes; and that soul
+full of misery, was almost paralysed by the memory and presence of
+sorrow. He continued to gaze, till a sense of the most appalling dread,
+despite the assurance of the doctor that there was no immediate danger,
+crept over his heart, so much did the perfect stillness of the lovely
+features resemble that of death. His terror momentarily increased--he
+bent--he knelt--he listened in breathless anguish, till the throbbing of
+his own pulses might have been heard, but he could catch no sound of
+respiration. He looked up with a sort of despairing yet questioning
+expression in the doctor's face.
+
+"I by no means," said the authority so appealed to, "apprehend, as I
+have already stated, any immediate danger. This species of trance has
+continued without intermission, ever since the first rash communication
+of the fatal intelligence." Then, fond of hearing himself talk, and
+possibly believing that he spoke to a near relative, acquainted of
+course with all the circumstances, he continued to exhibit his powers of
+oratory thus:
+
+"The shock was, I fear, altogether too much for any sensitive mind; what
+with the abrupt mode of communication, and the manner of the gentleman's
+death, so terrible--murdered they say, by his own twin brother!"
+
+"No, sir!" exclaimed Alfred, starting up with sudden fierceness, and
+grasping the doctor's arm, "he was not murdered by his brother; and
+that," he added, with an altered tone and manner, clasping his hands,
+and raising his eyes to heaven, "when her spirit awakes in the realms of
+the blessed it will know."
+
+The conversation up to this point had been conducted in the mysterious
+whispers of a sick room, but Alfred's voice, from excess of excitement,
+in the last sentence unconsciously assumed its natural key. As he
+concluded his apostrophy to Heaven, his eyes, which had been uplifted in
+the fervour of devotional feeling fell again on Caroline. Her's were
+wide open, and fixed on him, with an almost wild expression of terror
+and bewilderment!
+
+In a moment more, the crimson rash had, for a second, crossed her brow;
+the piercing cry escaped her lips, and she had fallen again into that
+totally inanimate state, which had characterised her first seizure, and
+distinguished it from the sleep-like trance in which she had
+subsequently lain.
+
+All was instant confusion and dismay. Alfred, almost wild with terror,
+raised the drooping head which had slid from the pillow, supported the
+fair cheek against his bosom; and chafed, now the temples, now the
+hands, mechanically, endeavouring to obey the directions of the doctor,
+while his own hands trembled, till they could scarcely perform the task
+assigned them.
+
+The doctor himself, too, seemed much alarmed, and somewhat taken by
+surprize; he tried all the means of restoring animation he could think
+of, but in vain. At length he began to look very serious indeed. To
+Alfred's frantic adjurations, half question, half entreaty, as though
+the doctor's words could reverse the decree of fate, he replied
+repeatedly, and with decision, that all was over. "There is not now," he
+added, "the strength to rally there had been at the time of the first
+attack."
+
+A mournful silence followed: all, as with one consent, discontinued
+their efforts. The doctor folded his arms. The very attendants stood for
+a considerable time quite motionless.
+
+Alfred was kneeling beside the couch, in the attitude he had taken,
+while striving to render assistance to her, who was now no more. At
+length the nurses, anxious in their officious zeal to perform the duties
+they considered their province, drew near, removed the head of Caroline
+from his supporting shoulder, and laid it on the centre of the pillow,
+then withdrew the hand he still grasped in his, and arranging the
+delicate fingers, placed it by her side; while the doctor approaching,
+raised our hero, and led him from the room, attempting, as he did so,
+the usual common-places of conversation: it was an event which had been
+expected for some time. There was so little hope of ultimate recovery,
+that it might be considered a happy release; for even had her life been
+preserved, her faculties could never have been restored.
+
+As for our hero, he heard him not; all his thoughts, discoloured and
+distorted by late events, were desperate. "It was well," he inwardly
+ejaculated, "yes, it was well--life was misery--death a refuge--why
+should any one desire to live?"
+
+The doctor, the while, led Alfred through the hall, assisted him into
+his (the doctor's) carriage, which stood at the door, and begged to know
+whither he desired to be driven. The question had to be repeated more
+than once before a murmur, from which something like the address was at
+length collected, could be drawn from Alfred.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+
+The movement of the carriage, and the necessity of descending from it,
+having aroused Alfred from the first paralysing effects of his grief, he
+now paced his apartment rapidly, and continued to do so almost the whole
+of the night; too much absorbed by his miserable reflections, to be
+conscious of the bodily fatigue he was thus incurring. Yet it was
+impossible to be still! Was she indeed dead?--was the question, he again
+and again, asked himself. Then, with indescribable agony, he recalled
+the bewildered terror of those dear eyes during the single moment they
+had met his. How short was the period which had since elapsed; she was
+then in life--was it possible! could she be already gone for ever? A
+lingering feeling, in some sort allied to hope, though altogether
+irrational, still struggled with his despair. It is after waiting in
+vain, as it were, for a reprieve from fate, that sorrow for the dead
+seems gradually to reach its climax. It is not in the first hour of
+bereavement that we can comprehend our wretchedness; so difficult is it
+to believe, that in a few short moments, the great, the awful change,
+has taken place and eternity for a fellow-mortal, who trod the path of
+earth with us but now, commenced. Then would he view, with stern
+despair, the mysterious union, by which his own fate, the fate of poor
+Willoughby, and that of Caroline, seemed linked together in misery.
+
+"But she is now at rest," he would add, and after dwelling for a time on
+this idea, gentler emotions would arise; and he would strain his mental
+vision to behold the shadowy regions of that "bourn whence no traveller
+returns," as though tenderness thus sought for some locality in which to
+picture to itself the cherished image of the being beloved.
+
+Night passed away, and morning came, but its light brought with it the
+unsufferable thought, that even now the busy preparations of the living,
+to rid themselves of the dead, were in all probability being
+commenced!--Once more--yes, once more, he must behold her! And then he
+would think of his poor mother, and patiently await his own release. As
+he formed this resolve, he was crossing his apartment, to descend into
+the street and hasten back to the villa, when the door flew open and
+Lady Arden entered.
+
+"Alfred! my son," she exclaimed, "you are justified!" unable to
+articulate further, she wept passionately, but her tears flowed over a
+countenance radiant with joy.
+
+As the words, "you are justified," sounded in the ear of Alfred, relief
+from ignominy swelled his heart with a proud and worthy satisfaction,
+which, under any other circumstances, would have taken the lead even of
+his affections. But now, instead of eagerly inquiring what had occurred,
+he said, with solemn tenderness, while affectionately returning the
+maternal embrace, "I am not ungrateful to Heaven, or to you."
+
+Lady Arden gazed at the mournful expression of his countenance, and
+added anxiously, and somewhat doubtingly, "When time, my son, shall have
+passed a healing hand over the sorrow you feel for your poor brother, I
+shall see you, I trust, yourself again; and for my sake--and for the
+sake of others who love you, quite--quite--happy--at last. For this
+misery," she added, speaking slowly, and still watching in vain for the
+dawning of pleasurable feeling on his still and saddened features; "this
+misery has been all occasioned by the tyranny of Lady Palliser;--she
+whom you both loved has ever been, and is still faithful to you.--She
+confided in poor Willoughby at the last, and entreated him to shelter
+her from the anger of her mother, by withdrawing his addresses. He
+obeyed her wish--but--his mind lost its balance in the effort. There is
+hope then--surely there is hope--that Heaven will deal mercifully with
+him who had not reason for his guide when he sinned."
+
+Alfred looked in her face while she spoke. When she ceased, his lips
+attempted to move but no sound proceeded from them. Every power, mental
+and physical, had been strained beyond frail Nature's capability of
+endurance. His head rested, and he sunk on a sofa in nearly a swooning
+state.
+
+At this moment the doctor most opportunely entered.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+
+While the Doctor is exerting his skill in the endeavour to revive our
+hero, we shall go back and give some account of the events which led to
+the fortunate result proclaimed by Lady Arden on her entrance.
+
+We have already mentioned that at an early hour the morning after Alfred
+quitted his place of concealment in the ruins, the long-delayed funeral
+of Willoughby took place; immediately after which the family set out for
+London.
+
+Geoffery, though he knew himself to be a suspected and unwelcome guest,
+yet had thought it necessary, for appearance sake, to attend. He had
+done so, and spent some hours subsequently at Fips's, awaiting the
+departure of Lady Arden and suite from the mansion, upon which it was
+his intention to take immediately formal possession of a place of which
+he had so long desired to be the master. The last of the carriages
+containing the family party had passed about an hour, when Geoffery
+mounted his horse and was riding through the principal street of Arden
+on his way to the park, on the adjacent woods of which he was so much
+engaged looking with exulting _pride_, that he did not perceive a waggon
+laden with household furniture which happened to be passing, till it
+came so near that to avoid it he was obliged to ride close to the
+foot-path.
+
+There chanced to be advancing at the moment, along the said foot-path, a
+decrepid old man, a sort of village miser; who, though suspected of
+possessing secret hoards, lived alone in a hovel--denied himself the
+necessaries of life--and looked like a beggar. This man had enjoyed for
+many years, as a sort of privilege, the almost exclusive sale, at the
+moderate charge, as he expressed it, of one halfpenny each, of all
+murders, trials, last dying speeches, ballads, valentines, &c. &c. &c.
+
+"A full and true account of the trial and conviction of Sir Alfred
+Arden, for the cruel and most unnatural murder of his brother, the late
+Sir Willoughby Arden;" and also of his miraculous escape from prison on
+the morning on which he was to have been executed, had been prepared for
+this species of sale; but from respect to the feelings of the family had
+not hitherto been publicly hawked about. As all its members, however,
+with the exception of Geoffery, whose sentiments were tolerably well
+understood, had that morning taken their departure, such delicacy was no
+longer deemed necessary. Accordingly, the ancient ballad-monger, fearful
+of being anticipated in his market, was commencing operations. He had
+just vociferated, "Interesting account, &c. &c." and at the precise
+moment that Geoffery, in making way for the waggon rode close to the
+foot-path, was in the act of raising his arm to display on high his
+large-lettered merchandize, when his hand coming in contact with the
+nose of Geoffery's horse the glaring white appearance, and sudden
+rustling noise of the unfurled paper so startled the animal, that he
+backed, plunged, and reared up against the waggon, entangling Geoffery
+amongst the legs and arms of the tables and chairs with which it was
+heaped, and which, lifting him from his saddle, let him down so close to
+one of the wheels, that it went over his head and crushed it to atoms.
+He was taken up and carried into an adjacent public house, of course
+quite dead; while almost every one who had been in the street at the
+time of the accident, crowded immediately into the common room where he
+was laid.
+
+It so happened that the master of the house had once incurred very ugly
+suspicions respecting picking of pockets; this was a point therefore on
+which he was now particularly jealous of his honour. When the spectators
+therefore had satisfied themselves as to the nature and extent of the
+injuries received by the deceased, and were about to disperse, mine host
+uplifted his voice, and requested that some one would remain to examine
+the contents of the gentleman's pockets, that his house might come to no
+discredit in the business.
+
+Accordingly, two persons consented to do so, one an apothecary, who had
+been called in to pronounce whether or not a person who had been
+guillotined by a waggon wheel, were quite dead; the other, Mr. Danvers,
+High Sheriff for the county. He had attended the funeral, and was
+passing through the town on his way home. He was the warm friend of Lady
+Arden, and felt a strong persuasion of Alfred's innocence.
+
+The money in Geoffery's purse was counted, and a pocket-book found which
+was opened, to ascertain whether it contained bank-notes; Here Mr.
+Danvers perceived a letter, the address and memoranda on the outer fold
+of which rivetted his whole attention. They were in the late Sir
+Willoughby Arden's hand-writing, and ran thus--"To my dear brother,
+Alfred Arden, containing my dying requests to him, together with my
+reasons for having resolved to put a period to my existence."
+
+It was very evident that this letter, though open, had never reached Sir
+Alfred's hands, or it must have been brought forward on the trial; there
+seemed therefore to be no doubt that Geoffery Arden, however it had come
+into his possession, had suppressed it with the most diabolical
+intentions. To hasten therefore immediately with the precious document,
+in pursuit of Lady Arden, and lay the affair in due form before the
+Secretary of State for the Home Department, seemed to be the obvious
+course, and was accordingly adopted by Mr. Danvers with all possible
+speed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+
+The packet found by Mr. Danvers was the same which, it may be
+remembered, was lifted from a table in Willoughby's apartment by
+Geoffery, while Alfred, to meet whose eye it had been thus conspicuously
+placed by his poor brother, was too much absorbed in grief to notice
+what was passing.
+
+The peculiar circumstances attendant on the death-scene, and the certain
+knowledge thus obtained, that poison had been taken, and would,
+therefore, on opening the body be found, suggested to Geoffery's evil
+mind the first faint glimpses of the diabolical scheme which so many
+after circumstances so unexpectedly favoured. Had there been a fire in
+his apartment that night, he would for security have certainly burnt the
+packet; but it fortunately happened that there was not, and so agitated
+and occupied was his mind in the contemplation of the very possibility
+of compassing at once the hideous crime and enormous gain, which he was
+balancing one against the other, that the idea of destroying the
+dangerous document by means of his candle never once occurred to him.
+Accordingly, when he had sufficiently considered its contents, he placed
+it in his pocket-book. After this, he more than once took it out, with
+the intention of consigning it to the flames, but when in the very act
+his hand was stayed by more than one consideration. In the first place,
+there was a kind of bequest to himself; and if the accusations against
+Alfred came to nothing, he should want the sum very much; then he
+sometimes felt a dread, that by a bare possibility, he might
+himself,--as having a remote contingent interest in the death of
+Willoughby, and having arrived too that very night at Arden,--be accused
+of being an accomplice of Alfred's; and in either case this packet laid
+down in some of the apartments, would be picked up, and being supposed
+to have hitherto merely lain unnoticed, both clear himself of all
+suspicion and secure his bequest; for though this bequest was not left
+in a binding form, he had no doubt that Alfred would religiously make it
+good. No place, however, seemed safe enough for keeping this important
+document but about his own person, and accordingly he so disposed of it;
+which serves to account for its being found in the manner described.
+
+The packet itself presented a melancholy picture of poor Willoughby's
+disordered state of mind, brought down somewhat in the form of a
+journal, and with a kind of method mingled with its wildness to the very
+evening of his death. In proof of the strange blending of rational
+considerations, there was a sort of distribution of his personal
+property; for besides the bequest to Geoffery, already alluded to, there
+were kind gifts to his sisters, his mother, his aunt Dorothea, and to
+several old servants and pensioners.
+
+Alfred, however, was his main object; the tenor of the whole letter
+breathed the most devoted tenderness towards him, mingled with a
+madman's notion, that he was about to perform an heroic act, in removing
+the obstacles to his happiness. It entreated Alfred not to grieve for
+him--he was only flying a misery he could not endure; seeking a resting
+place he longed to find. Why should not all those who remained behind be
+happy--quite happy, and never think of him who could so well be
+spared--who never should have been born--who seemed to have been called
+into existence but to stand in the way of others, and be himself
+wretched!
+
+"Yet I know that you will grieve for me, Alfred," it continued, "and the
+thought of how much you will grieve sometimes makes me shrink from
+seeking the rest I long for. But it will be for a time only, and then
+you too will be happy. Yes, you must be happy, Alfred!"
+
+Caroline's letter was inclosed in the packet, and some comments made, in
+a strain of forced, unnatural calmness, on Lady Palliser's cruel policy.
+While the whole, which seemed to have been written at many different
+periods, concluded with a sort of separate part, dated the day of the
+evening of his death; detailing minutely how he had at length possessed
+himself of some arsenic, and declaring his intention of that very
+evening putting an end to the harrassing struggles of his mind, which he
+here describe wildly, as pursuing him every where--goading him
+on--hunting him down--making rest or peace on earth impossible.
+
+"Forgive me, then, dear Alfred," he concluded; "forgive my quitting you
+thus; for I am weary, and long to sleep, though it were in the grave!
+Except that short moment when I closed my eyes on your kind bosom, I
+have not slept I know not when."
+
+This, the dying memorial of poor Willoughby, was but a melancholy
+vehicle for joyful intelligence to Lady Arden. In her mind, however, at
+such a moment, there was room but for one idea--Alfred was safe! Even
+her pride in him, which had mingled with despair, was forgotten in
+tenderness.
+
+She left all the care of his public justification, with the necessary
+forms for his restoration to his right, in the hands of Mr. Danvers and
+Lord Darlingford; and though, as a precaution lest Alfred should lose
+one moment of the relief of mind such intelligence was calculated to
+bestow, she had dispatched, at the first instant, an express, bearing in
+her own writing the three words, "You are justified." Nevertheless she
+had followed her own messenger with so much expedition, that she
+overtook him at the gates of Geneva, awaiting their being opened; and
+thus became, as we have seen, the first to announce to her exiled son
+the happy change which had taken place in his circumstances.
+
+While her ladyship was thus occupied, the townspeople of Arden,
+impatient to display the returning tide of their affection and respect
+towards their young landlord, were illuminating every pane of glass they
+possessed, and lighting bonfires on every rising ground in the
+neighbourhood, in honour of his acquittal; while at the same time their
+indignation against Geoffery knew no bounds. His motive in suppressing
+and concealing Alfred's letter spoke for itself; and so strong was the
+general feeling of abhorrence which it excited, that the night after he
+was buried, his body was disinterred by the mob, and placed on a gibbet
+on the road-side, between Arden and Arden Park. His coadjutor, too, Mr.
+Fips, was blamed even more than he deserved, if that indeed were
+possible: that is to say, he was universally believed to have been a
+party to the suppression of Willoughby's packet; a belief engendered,
+and, in a great measure justified, by his being Geoffery's right-hand
+man on all occasions, and still more by the active part he had taken
+previously to and on the trial, as well as by his own general villany of
+character.
+
+Accordingly, during the illuminations for Alfred's acquittal, the mob
+began by smashing every window in Fips's house; and hatred of Gripe, as
+he was called, being a common cause, those who had commenced the attack
+were soon joined by so many who had a personal feeling of revenge,
+founded on a lively remembrance of ruin entailed on themselves and their
+families by his means, that before morning they literally left not one
+stone, or rather one brick, upon another of Fips's dwelling; while
+himself and his daughter narrowly escaped with their lives, without
+being able to carry with them a single paper, or a vestige of property
+of any kind. What was of value found plenty of customers, who thought it
+no robbery to take back a little of their own; and as to the parchments,
+&c., a sagacious ringleader proposed that they should all be emptied out
+at the foot of the market cross; that so, when there was light in the
+morning, every one might come and choose his own. Thus did many a man
+get back his documents without being compelled to pay the unjust and
+enormous bill for which they were held as security; whilst every thing
+in the shape of bill, book, or account standing against any individual,
+was carefully consigned to the flames. All the town, in short, felt it
+more or less a blessing that the hornet's nest had been destroyed. As to
+the authorities, they had themselves, some of them, felt the gripe of
+Mr. Fips in their day: after, therefore, every step _they_ judged proper
+was duly taken to discover who had been the perpetrators of the late
+riots, it was decided, at a public meeting held for the purpose--"That
+the very _unjustifiable_ outrages which had been committed on the night
+of the -- of ----, 18--, could not be _brought home to any particular
+individuals_."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+
+It was evening; a cheerful mixture of twilight and firelight filled the
+apartment in which our hero lay, slowly recovering from a brain fever of
+many weeks duration.
+
+He had been long delirious, and as yet had not recognised the friends
+who were around him, or been conscious of any event which had occurred
+since the morning on which Lady Arden had arrived at Geneva. But his
+crisis was now past, and much was expected from the peaceful and
+profound sleep he had enjoyed for nearly the whole, both of the last
+night and of the last day. A group of itinerant musicians had stopped
+beneath his window, and were performing some simple strain, which,
+though possibly conducive to his awaking just at that moment, fell on
+his half conscious ear with indescribable sweetness. Gradually his eyes
+began to open: at first but in an imperceptible degree; yet, through the
+still veiling lashes he now saw confusedly, visions, as of angels,
+hovering around his pillow. While a countenance which bent over his,
+watching, as it were, his slumbers, seemed to grow each moment brighter
+and brighter, till, for one second, he distinctly beheld (or did he
+dream), the face of Caroline! It disappeared instantly, and was
+succeeded by that of his sister Madeline; but the shadow of a form
+glided round the curtain which the eye of Alfred anxiously followed.
+
+It was Caroline; she had gone to announce to Lady Arden Alfred's
+awaking.
+
+Lady Arden had been also ill herself, and was not yet able to bear much
+fatigue: she had, therefore, lain down while Caroline and Madeline
+cheered each other's watch in the sick chamber. The music in the street
+had alarmed our youthful nursetenders, lest it should awake their
+charge: they had raised their taper fingers, and thus asked each other
+by signal, whether they should send to have it stopped; while, as a
+preliminary movement, Caroline had glided to the bedside to note its
+effect upon the sleeper. She had stood a few seconds, marking as well as
+the imperfect light would permit, that his eyeballs seemed to move
+tremulously beneath their lids. Anxious to ascertain the point, she had
+bent closer and closer to the pillow; when, Alfred's eyes opening as we
+have described, she had disappeared.
+
+Madeline, as she took the place of the apparition, which had thus
+quickly vanished, found Alfred making a feeble effort to draw aside the
+opposite curtain. But he was quite unequal to the task.
+
+"It was--it was she--" he faintly murmured, "Was it not? tell me,
+Madeline!"
+
+"Yes it was, dear Alfred, but you must not speak! she is quite well."
+
+Fortunately, his extreme bodily weakness did not admit of any very
+violent paroxysm of feeling. His recollections of the past too, were as
+yet but confused; so that the overpowering intelligence that Caroline
+was still living--was near him--was kindly attending him in sickness,
+came not upon him at once in its full force, but grew with his growing
+perceptions.
+
+"Where is she gone, Madeline?" he at length breathed, in a scarcely
+audible whisper.
+
+"Only to my mother's room," replied Madeline, in accents scarcely
+louder.
+
+"And tell me where we are?" he added, after another pause.
+
+"At Geneva, dearest Alfred. But you must not speak."
+
+"At Geneva!" he repeated, then lay still a very long time, as if
+endeavouring to recall past events: and she noted with alarm, that pale
+though he was, after his long illness, a faint flush, was overspreading
+his brow. He feebly grasped her arm, and looked in her face with an
+earnestness of expression which she perfectly understood.
+
+"No! no!" she replied, "she was only ill--faint--but she is now quite
+well, but indeed, you must not speak, dearest Alfred."
+
+"Madeline! is all this true?"
+
+"Yes, quite true: and now, dear Alfred, you must lay still till the
+doctor comes."
+
+He tried to obey her for a time.
+
+"I cannot, Madeline," he at length whispered, and then, though
+much exhausted, he continued in broken accents, "the desire--to
+know--how--it has all happened--will hurt me more--than listening to
+your--sweet--voice.--So tell me all--and then--I will be composed."
+
+Madeline, judging that of the two it was better he should listen to her
+than persist in endeavouring to speak himself, replied in the softest of
+whispers, shading the light of the fire from his face:
+
+"Why, when my mother saw that she had both you and Caroline to nurse,
+she wrote to us to come here. But, by the time we came, we found dear
+Caroline so much recovered, that she was nursing both you and my mother,
+who had then become ill herself from fatigue. But she is now quite well
+again," she added, seeing Alfred look around. "And she has written to
+Lady Palliser, and obtained her permission for Caroline to stay with us
+while we remain abroad, that she may travel home with our party. And
+now, indeed, I will not speak another word, so you must lay still."
+
+Here the appearance of Lady Arden, and Aunt Dorothea, and soon after of
+the doctor, relieved Madeline from the difficult task of keeping her
+refractory patient in order.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+
+From day to day, as Alfred became stronger and less unfit for prolonged
+conversation, his kind parent had detailed to him all the interesting
+particulars attendant on the illness and recovery of our heroine.
+
+Her deep swoon had not, either at the first or second time of seizure,
+been a mere common faint; but had, on both occasions, more especially
+the last, partaken of the nature of those trances in which persons have
+been known to present for days so completely the appearance of death, as
+to have been carried by grieving relations to the grave; yet to have
+subsequently recovered, and lived for many years. Whether a more skilful
+doctor might, in Caroline's case, have detected the difference, we
+cannot pretend to say.
+
+Soon after Alfred had been led away from what he then believed to be the
+chamber of death, the doctor had also taken his departure. When,
+however, he returned at an early hour in the morning, to give some
+necessary orders preparatory to the funeral, he was, to his great
+surprise, met on the steps by a messenger, who was just coming out to
+inform him that the patient had exhibited signs of returning life.
+
+He entered the sick chamber, administered restoratives, &c., &c., and in
+a short time had the satisfaction of seeing Caroline open her eyes
+while, instead of closing them again almost instantly, as on former
+occasions, she now, though too feeble to move her head on the pillow,
+looked all round the apartment with evident anxiety, then fixed her gaze
+on the door, as if watching for some expected sight or sound.
+
+It was to announce the pleasing intelligence of the revival of his
+patient, that the doctor entered Alfred's apartment at the critical
+juncture described.
+
+His communications ultimately led to Lady Arden giving to Caroline every
+moment and every thought she could spare from Alfred. While the kind
+attentions of such a friend, with the explanations which of course
+followed, supplied at once the soothings of considerate regard and the
+motive to live; and thus, with the assistance of some rational medical
+adviser, called in by Lady Arden, wrought a recovery which, to those
+unacquainted with the particulars, seemed almost miraculous.
+
+But though Caroline, from the time of the first seisure caused by the
+communication of the fatal intelligence, up to that of the second,
+occasioned by the unexpected apparition of Alfred, had lain in a state
+supposed to border on insensibility; her actual state, during the period
+alluded to, had been rather that passive of despair, characteristic of a
+being so gentle by nature, so friendless by circumstances, that her
+mind, overwhelmed and unsupported, was incapable of an effort, and had
+sought a sort of refuge from the agony of carrying its burden of
+wretchedness through the ordinary round of life in this total inaction,
+this entire quiessence, this living death, while awaiting that actual
+dissolution, which, though she had not the wilfulness nor the wickedness
+to accelerate, she hoped would soon arrive. She spoke not, wept not, and
+the light of day being oppressive to her broken spirit, opened not her
+eyes, except when some sudden or startling sound caused the instinctive
+movement. At such times they met no object to awaken kindly
+associations, or call the affections back to life; the faces they beheld
+around were those of strangers, the very nurses and servants in
+attendance having been hired for this occasion, Lady Palliser having
+taken with her those she had brought from England. Poor Caroline's eyes,
+therefore, languidly closed again without noticing any object.
+
+The general impression on the minds of the persons by whom Caroline was
+surrounded was, that the shock her mind had received was occasioned by
+the intelligence that the gentleman to whom she was engaged to be
+married had been murdered. The subsequent accounts, therefore, of the
+escape of the murderer, it never accrued to them that it could be any
+consolation to her to be informed of. On the contrary, they would have
+judged it highly imprudent to have forced any circumstances connected
+with the fatal subject on her consideration. Had there been an
+affectionate or intimate friend in attendance they might have better
+understood the feelings of the sufferer. But none such was near. Poor
+Caroline, therefore, up to the moment that the suddenly-elevated voice
+of Alfred caused her to open her eyes, and beheld him standing beside
+her couch, remained under the frightful impression (though in her own
+heart confident of his innocence), that he had suffered an ignominious
+death for the murder of his brother.
+
+From total want of energy she sometimes waved from her, and, at other
+times took no notice of, any food presented to her; but being too meekly
+submissive in her nature, for the wilful resolve of committing suicide
+by abstinence, she did not offer any resistance to the efforts of the
+nurses to preserve life by administering, from time to time, a spoonful
+of liquid-jelly, whey, or gruel.
+
+Between mental suffering, therefore, and want of proper sustenance, her
+physical strength was thus, from day to day, gradually giving way. As
+for our friend the doctor, he was in too great request to run in and run
+out again; had making discoveries, therefore, been his fort, which it
+was not, he could not have spared the time: so that poor Caroline, but
+for Alfred's visit to Geneva, might have faded away from apparent into
+real death, ere any chance had conveyed to her the escape, and finally
+the acquittal of our hero.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+
+Alfred's recovery after this period was rapid, which enabled Lady Arden
+to remove shortly to a beautiful villa, situated on the borders of the
+lake, amid the romantic enchantments of the Pays de Vaud; and
+commanding, on the opposite banks, the bold and majestic scenery of the
+Savoy mountains, with their snow-clad tops and stupendous cliffs,
+thousands of perpendicular feet in height.
+
+It was in this spot, itself an earthly paradise, that our gentle heroine
+enjoyed the first really happy days she had ever known. No longer the
+solitary unloved object of her mother's capricious tyranny, she seemed
+to be already one of the kind and united family, in the bosom of which
+she had thus found a shelter,--already to form the very centre of a
+little circle of affectionate friends. For though, in the exciting
+moment of necessity, poor Caroline had been able to render some
+assistance to others, at least had been willing to think so, she was not
+yet strong herself; so that, as Alfred got quite well, she became the
+especial object of the care and indulgence of all. The attentions, the
+anxieties, the precautions for her health and comfort, of not only Lady
+Arden, but also of kind Mrs. Dorethea, were truly parental; while
+Madeline's companionship supplied to her that dear, familiar tie, she
+had never known before--that of a sister: and Alfred was brother, lover,
+friend--all in one. In every ramble his arm was her support; in every
+excursion, he it was who led the mule, or shared the seat, whatever
+vehicle she occupied afforded; and sweet was the murmur of the
+waterfall, the music of his voice commended; and beautiful the beauty in
+the landscape, towards which a beam from his eye led the responsive
+light of hers.
+
+Sometimes, on calm and lovely evenings, our little party would indulge
+in the quiet luxury of taking their seats in a pleasure boat, which
+formed a part of their present establishment; and sailing about for
+hours on the smooth and shining surface of the lake; while the
+stupendous mountains that rose around, like insuperable barriers against
+the world without, and the cloudless sky that canopied the whole, gave
+to feelings which were, in fact, those of the highest excitement,
+induced by the late relief from wretchedness, a sense of repose, a
+semblance of stability, calculated to add to present enjoyment the too
+flattering belief, that it could last for ever.
+
+Among scenes such as these, many happy months glided away; yet such was
+the delicate respect and mournful tenderness with which poor Willoughby
+was remembered, by both Alfred and Caroline, that the mention of love,
+in express terms, seemed to be, as by mutual consent, delayed. Alfred,
+indeed, would sometimes use, in speaking of futurity, the _we_--that
+promissory note of affianced love--and feel an indescribable thrill of
+delight in marking the conscious blush which his inadvertence was sure
+to excite on Caroline's fair cheek. Nor was the tender, the endearing
+thought, ever for a moment absent from his mind, that it was her secret
+attachment to him, the belief of his accusation, his terrible death,
+which had brought her, in the early morning of her days, to the dark
+portal of the tomb.
+
+It was in moments of perfect calm, such as we have been describing, when
+either sailing on the smooth lake, or strolling with Mrs. Dorothea along
+its lovely margin, while the young people were occupied with each other,
+that Lady Arden would shudder involuntarily, when in imagination she
+contemplated, as from an immeasurable height, the frightful abyss of
+wretchedness into which she had been plunged so lately; and the horrors
+of which, from their stunning effect at the time, already seemed shadowy
+and indistinct, like the remembrance of some terrific dream!
+
+"Yet such things have been," she would say, turning suddenly to Mrs.
+Dorothea, "and here I am, still in being! Would it not appear, that when
+the causes of suffering become extreme, confusion of spirit is sent in
+mercy to the succour of mortal weakness; as though such agony, as the
+soul can conceive when in full possession of its powers, were reserved
+to be the awful portion of the impenitent sinner after judgment! In our
+present state we know nothing perfectly--not even misery!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+
+We have hitherto neglected to mention, that in the correspondence held
+with Lady Palliser, her ladyship's consent to the future union of her
+daughter with our hero was duly sought and obtained.
+
+Indeed Lady Palliser considered, that Caroline's name had been so
+provokingly mixed up with that horrible business, as she always
+designated the late afflictions of the Arden family, that marrying her
+to the remaining brother was now absolutely indispensable, as well as
+one which would prove an excellent practical explanation of the whole
+affair, and save her the trouble of saying an immensity about it, beside
+the risk of being neither understood nor believed. Now, too, that the
+title and estates were Alfred's, she had no very particular objection to
+him: that is to say, he was just as good now as his brother had
+been--though neither were matches such as Caroline might have expected,
+had she not made an egregious fool of herself. As to her ladyship's
+silly anger with our hero, for daring to admire her daughter more than
+herself, it had long since been forgotten amid myriads of more brilliant
+conquests.
+
+Previously, however, to the return to England of our travelling party,
+Lady Palliser died after a very short illness, having taken cold at some
+royal fete, which, when already far from well, she had imprudently
+quitted her bed to attend.
+
+This new mourning made it nearly two years after the death of poor
+Willoughby before the marriage of Caroline and Alfred was celebrated:
+that of Madeline with Mr. Cameron, who through all the troubles of the
+family had been faithful, took place as soon as the mourning for her
+brother was over.
+
+Prior, however, to these events, and prior also to the return from
+abroad of the Arden family, Miss Fips, all her flyers and streamers of
+black crape, nay, her very parasol black, reappeared upon the stage,
+calling herself Mrs. Arden, and declaring that she had been privately
+married to the late Geoffery Arden; of which alleged fact, however, she
+failed to produce any satisfactory proof, save and except a son and
+heir, on whose behalf she claimed whatever property was left by the
+deceased.
+
+This impudent and dishonest attempt of Miss Fips's not only failed in
+its object, but produced an effect as little expected as desired, either
+by herself or her father; eventually proving the cause of bringing to
+light circumstances and letters, sufficient to induce a strict
+examination into the nature of the services rendered by Mr. Fips to
+Geoffery Arden. While in the course of the investigation thus brought
+about, it was clearly proved, that the said Mr. Fips had been one of the
+parties engaged in a foul and nefarious conspiracy against the life and
+property of Sir Alfred Arden.
+
+When Fips saw how the matter was likely to end, he, by way of precaution
+against the heavy fine which constitutes a part of the punishment for
+conspiracy, made over, by a fraudulent, antedated settlement, his whole
+property to his daughter, with a secret understanding, that she was not
+to avail herself of the gift during his life. On the expiration of his
+period of imprisonment, however, he found that Miss Fips had possessed
+herself of every shilling, married, and gone abroad. He was now to make
+his election between begging and going on the parish; for since his late
+misfortunes, the infirmities of age--a broken constitution, failing
+sight, and a trembling hand--had increased so rapidly upon him, that, to
+say nothing of want of character, he could not get employment even as a
+copying-clerk in any office. Of the two remaining alternatives, then, he
+was less ashamed to beg among strangers than to claim his right of
+parish at Arden, where he well knew the deserved abhorrence in which he
+was held. Thither, however, in the character of a vagrant, he was
+finally passed, without his own consent; and in the workhouse of Arden
+parish he died by his own hand, having been driven at last to cut his
+throat, in a paroxysm of despair and ineffectual rage, brought on by the
+ceaseless revilings, reproaches, and scoffings of his companions; many
+of whom, but too justly, laid their ruin at the door of his dishonesty
+and ruthless oppression.
+
+Caroline and Alfred, after the cloudy morning of their life cleared up,
+enjoyed sunshine to its close. But this we need have scarcely mentioned;
+for all the ladies will say, "Who could avoid being happy with Alfred?"
+while the gentlemen will, no doubt, be disposed to pay a similar
+compliment to Caroline.
+
+Lady Darlingford made an excellent, respectable, and respectful wife.
+The first season she appeared in London after her marriage, Lord
+Nelthorpe, her early lover, who by this time was separated from his
+lady, had the presumption to offer her some insidious compliments,
+indicative of continued admiration. They, however, as well as himself,
+were received with the scorn they merited.
+
+Louisa and Henry Lyndsey soon began to experience the inconveniences of
+poverty; yet, when both happened to be in good humour, they could still
+think love better than riches. When, however, any thing ruffled the
+temper of either--and where there are difficulties (unless people are
+angels, or very good Christians), this will too often be the
+case--Louisa would think of, at least, if not regret, the sacrifices she
+had made; and Henry would recollect, with indignant resentment, that
+Louisa would, in all probability, have jilted him, but for the decided
+step he had taken.
+
+These sentiments, after being at first only thought, might at last have
+been expressed; and so led, in time, to recrimination, and much
+unhappiness. Fortunately, however, an opportune act of liberality on the
+part of Alfred, by placing them in easy circumstances, before their
+dispositions became soured, prevented so miserable a result.
+
+Madeline, it might be thought, had at least secured wealth. But in the
+course of years, she became a widow; and having in early life married an
+old man for his money, when no longer young herself, she married a young
+one for love, who married her for her money, he being one of the unhappy
+younger brother species, and therefore without a shilling of his own.
+Having also a taste for extravagance, acquired in childhood under the
+parental roof, and, moreover, a fashionable passion for gambling, he
+soon contrived to run through her splendid settlement, and at length
+found a dwelling for himself within the rules of the King's Bench.
+
+Aunt Dorothea, who, though getting very old (somewhere about eighty-five
+or eighty-six), was still living at home, gave her favourite niece a
+home at Rosefield Cottage, which finally she willed to her with what
+little property else she possessed; but secured all in the hands of
+trustees, to preserve it from the extravagant husband.
+
+Mr. Salter senior died, and Mr. Salter junior married; on which the
+Misses Salter found themselves constrained, by their limited
+circumstances, to betake themselves to a small lodging, where, if we may
+be excused the twofold contradiction in terms, they lived _together_ in
+_single blessedness_ the remainder of their days, as _miserable_ as bad
+tempers, aggravated by discomfort and disappointment, could make them.
+They seemed to have but one object in life, which was mutually to thwart
+each other, and as they could afford but one sleeping apartment (the
+single dressing-glass of which, by-the-by, was a constant bone of
+contention), and one sitting-room, each of the smallest possible
+dimensions--they had neither means nor opportunity of flying from each
+other's ill-humour. The one, too, had a pet dog, while the other
+espoused the cause of the cat of the lodging-house; so that these
+respective representatives not only furnished a never-failing subject of
+quarrel, but whenever there happened to be a moment of truce between
+their principals, supplied themselves an underplot in excellent keeping
+with the leading drama. For, invariably on making their first appearance
+on their own peculiar stage, the rug before the fire, they saluted each
+other with a snarl, and a snap, a spit, and a claw in the face; after
+which, to do them justice, they did not keep _at it, at it_, like
+their betters, but lay down quietly, and went to sleep; puss in general
+persisting, notwithstanding a remonstrance or so from pug, on picking
+her steps in among his feet, and laying her back on his warm bosom; thus
+wisely making herself as comfortable as circumstances would permit.
+
+Why is man called, by way of distinction, _a rational animal_? Man, who,
+of all creatures in creation knows the least how to be happy, while
+happiness is the end and aim of all.
+
+    Oh, happiness! our being's end and aim!
+    Good, pleasure, ease, content, whate'er thy name:
+    That something still which prompts th' eternal sigh,
+    For which we bear to live, or dare to die;
+
+           *       *       *       *       *
+
+    Plant of celestial seed! if dropp'd below,
+    Say in what mortal soil thou deign'st to grow?
+
+           *       *       *       *       *
+
+    Fix'd to no spot is happiness sincere;
+    'Tis no where to be found, or every where.
+
+Why, then, is happiness so rare? Because ere it can be possessed, every
+virtue must be ours and we must be wise withal, gentle, patient, lowly,
+meek; nor at the idle suggestions of vanity, immolate life's realities
+on the imaginary altars of _Pride_.
+
+    Know then this truth, enough for man to know,
+    Virtue, alone, is happiness below.
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Dilemmas of Pride, (Vol 3 of 3), by
+Margracia Loudon
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