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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/36107-8.txt b/36107-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a1206ea --- /dev/null +++ b/36107-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4961 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Trevethlan: (Vol 2 of 3), by William Davy Watson + +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: Trevethlan: (Vol 2 of 3) + A Cornish Story. + +Author: William Davy Watson + +Release Date: May 14, 2011 [EBook #36107] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TREVETHLAN: (VOL 2 OF 3) *** + + + + +Produced by Chris Curnow, 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) + + + + + + + + + + TREVETHLAN: + + A Cornish Story. + + BY WILLIAM DAVY WATSON, ESQ. + + BARRISTER-AT-LAW. + + + IN THREE VOLUMES. + VOL. II. + + LONDON: + SMITH, ELDER AND CO., 65, CORNHILL. + 1848. + + London: + Printed by STEWART and MURRAY, + Old Bailey. + + + + +TREVETHLAN. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + Pur' è soave cosa, a chi del tutto + Non è privo di senso, il patrio nido: + Che diè Natura al nascimento umano, + Verso il caro paese, ov' altri è nato, + Un non so che di non inteso affetto, + Che sempre vive, è non invecchia mai. + + Guarini. + + +Once more we stand on the shore of Mount's Bay. Far behind we have left +the whirl and tumult of the metropolis, and we hear only the hoarse roar +of the surges, driven by the last winds of January to beat against the +granite at our feet. When last we looked over the same waters, the +yellow leaves were falling from the trees, and the little waves rippled +musically upon the rock, while the voice of mourning was heard in our +halls. Yet if the year was declining, there was beauty in the decay; if +the season was sad, there was hope amidst the sorrow. We return to find +the fields desolate, and the sea tempestuous, and our house still +forlorn. The face of nature is gloomy and cold, and hope has vanished +from our fireside. + +Such might be among the first reflections of the orphans of Trevethlan, +as they gazed from the windows of the castle over the well-known +landscape. They had come home, not as children from school to holiday, +exulting in freedom and buoyant with hope, to exchange coercion for +caresses; nor as older pupils, having learnt the value of time, merely +to modify the routine of occupation, and gladden parental affection with +their progress and prudence; nor yet as those who, having entered on the +labour of life, know that the bow must not always be bent, and rejoice +to seek relaxation around the hearth where they were nursed. Far deeper +than any of these were the emotions of the sister, and dark and stern +were the thoughts of the brother. + +Helen's letter had fallen upon Polydore like a thunderbolt. She had, +indeed, in previous communications somewhat ruffled his serenity by +indistinct references to the new solicitude she detected in Randolph; +but the worthy chaplain readily explained all similar hints by the +novelty of his old pupil's situation. "He will become used to it before +long, Mr. Griffith," Polydore would say, when the steward ventured to +remind him of their difference of opinion respecting the orphans' +scheme. "'Tis only the roughness of a first meeting with the world. The +points will be soon rubbed smooth. There's a great difference between +the Temple and Trevethlan Castle." In reply to which sort of remark, +Griffith could only shrug his shoulders, and hope it might all turn out +well in the end. + +So when the missive arrived, in which Helen announced that her brother +had proclaimed their real name, and abandoned his career, and that they +should follow the letter without delay, Polydore was struck with sudden +consternation. The steward was too delicate to show that he felt no +similar surprise in the chaplain's presence, but to his wife he avowed +that he was not in the least astonished. "A Trevethlan conceal his +name!" he exclaimed. "It's not in the blood. No, Charlotte Griffith; if +we are poor, we are also proud. The secret would be always on the tip of +his tongue. Why, suppose he quarrelled? Not unlikely, I can tell you, in +one of our house. D'ye think, Mrs. Griffith, Randolph Trevethlan would +go out as Mr. Morton? Pooh! pooh!" + +Mrs. Griffith rather shuddered at the idea, but she remembered sundry +anecdotes of the picture gallery which forbade her to impeach the +justice of her husband's position. Whatever were the cause of the +return, she rejoiced at the effect, and spread the same feeling among +all the little household, by her orders to prepare for the reception of +her young master and mistress. + +So they came. It was early in the afternoon when their chaise rattled +round the green of the hamlet; but a cold sleet drove along upon the +wind, and kept the villagers within doors. The folk hurried to their +windows only in time to see that the carriage had passed, but the +extreme rarity of such a visitation drew forth a few of the curious to +gaze after the chaise, as it wound more slowly up the ascent of the +base-court. Randolph lay back in his corner, gloomy and foreboding; but +Helen leant forward to catch the first glimpse of an old familiar face. +And Jeffrey was duly on the watch; he caught sight of the carriage as it +began the ascent; he soon recognized his young lady's face at the +window; the gates flew open under his hand; before the travellers had +alighted at the hall-door, he had run the old flag to the top of its +staff, and a faint cheer from the hamlet greeted the appearance of the +well-known signal. The orphans were at home. + +Anxieties and forebodings vanished for a season in the warmth of +welcome. The time for questions and explanations was not arrived. +Everything seemed in exactly the same order as when the brother and +sister left; and were it not for the difference of the seasons--were it +not that a fire crackled cheerfully in the great chimney, and that +patches of snow lay on the bed of mignionette, they might have supposed +a night only had elapsed since their departure. But the change in +themselves told that the interval had been fraught with momentous +consequences for each of them. + +When the first hurry of congratulation was over, Helen retired for some +confidential talk with Mrs. Griffith, and her brother accompanied the +chaplain in a walk round the castle. Yes, every thing remained exactly +as it was. In the library, even the volume which Randolph was reading +with his instructor, "Cicero on the Art of Divination," remained on the +table, as if closed but yesterday, and the subject brought a passing +cloud upon his brow. The portraits in the picture-gallery showed the +recent care of Mrs. Griffith. + +"My mother's likeness is not here, Mr. Riches?" Randolph said abruptly, +as they passed along. + +The chaplain, greatly surprised, shook his head in silence. + +They ascended to the battlements, and faced the inclemency of the +weather. The ancient pieces of ordnance showed signs of that diligence +on the part of old Jeffrey, to which Polydore had alluded in a recent +letter to Hampstead. More dangerous they, perchance, to the defender +than the foe. + +"Is there really so much alarm in the country, my dear sir?" Randolph +asked. "Are our good Jeffrey's perilous precautions in any way +warranted?" + +"_It fama per urbes_--you know the rest," the chaplain answered. "We +will speak of it by and by." + +They descended to the court-yard. If the castle was unchanged, its +scanty retainers were as little altered. At the great gateway Randolph +found Jeffrey pacing up and down under the arch in demi-military style, +while an old-fashioned brass blunderbuss rested against the wall. + +"God bless you! Master Randolph," said the old man, taking the offered +hand between both of his; "and welcome back. And thanks be to Him, that +if so be these walls must fall to the riff-raff from Castle Dinas, why, +fall they will around a Trevethlan. But the day shall not come, +while"--he caught up his piece, and suddenly discharged it in the +air--"the evening gun, Master Randolph. A little too soon, and not like +that as was fired in the old time. But it just serves maybe to frighten +the rascals, and let 'em know old Jeffrey is awake." + +Randolph thanked the trusty warder for his zeal, and expressed a hope +that his forebodings might not be realized; but the sentry shook his +head dolefully, and reloaded his gun, saying, "Ye might as well just +keep your pistols handy, Master Randolph." + +Already, even in this short perambulation, the chaplain was greatly +struck by the change which he observed in his former pupil. The +stripling, meditative and gentle, had become a man, haughty and +impassioned. The disposition, of old plastic as wax, was now at once +obstinate and capricious. The change was marked in the imperiousness of +Randolph's bearing, in the curl of his lip, and the abruptness of his +speech. There was no want of his former respect or affection; but it was +plain that henceforth he acted on his own impulse, and was not to be +swayed by those who might surround him. "Is it for good or for evil?" +the chaplain asked himself, when Randolph parted from him to descend to +the beach, and intimated that he wished to be alone. "Pray Heaven for +good, or surely my life has been wasted." + +It was becoming dusky. The sleet had passed over, and the sky was +cloudless; but the blast still whistled along the sea, and brought great +waves to break on the well-known promontory of rock. Randolph stood on +the point, heedless of the wind and spray, and gave vent to the emotions +which were struggling within his bosom. + +"For what am I here?" he said. "Why have I come to my home? To bury +myself amidst these gray walls, and watch the gradual ebbing of all the +springs of existence? To die in sullen desolation, and find a lonely +grave in yonder churchyard? Hope it not, Esther Pendarrel. Not so easily +quenched is the fire within me: it may ravage all around it, but it will +not smoulder away, consuming only myself. But I must be alone. My sweet +sister must not be scathed by my waywardness. She will rest here, while +I go forth to achieve the one purpose of my heart. Our scheme has broken +to pieces, but my pledge remains. Alas, that my father should bind me by +so fatal an undertaking! Yet, if Esther loved--if Esther loved---- + +"And thou, too, whom I never knew, of whom no trace remains in my +memory, my mother! Would that thou hadst not been summoned hence so +soon! Would that I had felt thy softening influence, and he learnt of +thee to be merciful! Why have I thought of thee so often of late? Why +has that veiled shape glided through my dreams? Wilt thou not reveal +thyself to thy son? Visit me, oh my mother! fling aside the veil that +hides thy face, and be a light to my soul in the darkness that surrounds +it." + +The muser dwelt long on this invocation, pacing to and fro on the narrow +strip of rock. It was the first time he had given expression to an idea +which for some while had been lurking among his thoughts. At last he +looked round the sky, and saw the mild radiance of the evening star. + +"Beautiful planet!" he said, "which fancy chose for the arbiter of my +fate, is _she_ also beholding thee? Smile upon her, fair planet, and +remind her of me. Teach her to think of me, even as thou hast taught me +to remember her." + +Tranquillized by the reflection, Randolph returned through the deepening +twilight to the castle, and joined his sister and the chaplain in a +small parlour, occupying a turret that overlooked the sea. It was a +favourite room. There, in the evening, Polydore described at some length +the state of the adjacent country. "Discontent," he said, "was very +general; not only among the miners, who thought they did not earn a just +share of their labour's produce, but also among the agricultural +population, who complained that wages were too low in proportion to the +price of provisions. And social dissatisfaction had partly assumed the +aspect of political disaffection. Agitators, strangers to the district, +were said to have gone about among the people. Minor outrages had not +been very rare, and expressions had been reported nearly equivalent to +the 'Guerre aux Châteaux' of the great French Revolution. Musters of men +in military array were said to have been held on the moorlands. Rumours +flew about of the landing of arms on different parts of the coast. But +all," Polydore concluded, "is vague and shadowy. I believe there is +great exaggeration abroad. Positive, however, it is, that a patrol of +cavalry occasionally dashes at speed by a lonely cottage, and that the +coast-guard display unwonted activity. Behold the confirmation of my +words!" + +For while they were being uttered, his hearers might see a long line of +fire rise into the air from the shore of the bay near Mousehole, +denoting the flight of a rocket. + +"That is the way they amuse us almost every night," continued the +chaplain. "'Tis too dark, I suppose, to see anything afloat. Let us put +the candles in the shade, and look." + +So said, so done. Fruitlessly, for they could discover nothing on the +dark waters. But while they were gazing across the bay, a faint, rushing +sound fell on their ear, above the noise of the sea; and, turning +hastily, they perceived the last sparks of a second rocket, which had +been fired from their own coast. + +"Yes, that is the way," Polydore repeated. "Of old, the folks would just +have wished the smuggler luck, and perhaps turned out in hope to run a +keg or so; but they seem to think there's more in these signals now." + +"And you feel no alarm yourself, my dear sir?" Helen inquired. + +"None, Helen," replied the chaplain. "I may be mistaken, but I do not +expect to see Jeffrey's blunderbuss brought into action; and I have a +trust which never yet proved wanting." + +So saying, Polydore rang the bell, a summons which speedily assembled +all the household for family prayer, according to old usage; and when +the rite was over, the members sought their respective resting-places, +and silence reigned in the castle. + +But Randolph could not sleep. Throwing a cloak around him, and shading +his lamp with his hand, he proceeded with the stealthy step of one who +dreads he knows not what, along the desolate corridors to the state +apartments. Through their faded grandeur he wandered on, until he +reached the great chamber which was the scene of his father's death. He +placed his light so that only a faint glimmer fell upon the bed, and +leant against one of the pillars, and resumed his reverie of the +afternoon with such vividness of imagination, that he fancied he again +beheld the bright eyes of the dying man, and heard the injunctions which +seemed now to separate him from what he held dearest upon earth. But his +reverie had not terminated with those gloomy forebodings, nor did his +dream. A frail and slender form, veiled in gossamer-like drapery, bent +dimly over the couch for a short space and floated away, beckoning him +to follow. It rested a moment in the doorway, for he had only obeyed the +sign with his eyes. But when he hastily seized the lamp, it flitted fast +before him, fading and fading away, until it disappeared entirely as he +crossed the threshold of his own chamber. He flung himself on his bed, +and closed his eyes for sleep; and as the last gleam of consciousness +vanished, a face which he appeared to have known in days long past, meek +and lovely,--that of a woman, in her morning of beauty,--bent down upon +his, and kissed his lips. + +The kiss seemed yet fresh upon them when he woke, and found the sun +shining gaily into the apartment. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + The intelligible forms of ancient poets, + The fair humanities of old religion, + The Power, the Beauty, and the Majesty, + That had their haunts in dale, or piny mountain, + Or forest by slow stream, or pebbly spring, + Or chasms and watery depths--all these have vanished. + They live no longer in the faith of reason. + + Coleridge. _Piccolomini._ + + +The hamlet of Trevethlan nestled snugly under the slope, at the summit +of which stood the castle, and was screened by the rising ground from +the sea breezes. It surrounded a green of limited extent, which was only +separated from the base-court by the gate Michael Sinson opened for Mrs. +Pendarrel's carriage, when that lady was returning from her frustrated +attack. On the right, a small wicket led into the churchyard, so full of +trees that, except at the present season, the church itself could +scarcely be seen. This was a plain edifice, with no pretensions to +beauty, deriving all its picturesqueness from the ivy with which it was +overgrown. Opposite to it, across the green, a beam projecting from the +front of an old-fashioned house, supported the escutcheon of the lords +of the village, and, by its inscription, promised good entertainment to +man and beast. But the inn had shared the fortunes of the castle: the +windows of the wings, which advanced with scalloped gables beyond the +centre, were blocked up with boards, and the middle part only appeared +to be now occupied. But Dame Miniver, the hostess, had inherited the +savings of more prosperous days. She was a trim, bustling widow woman, +tidy and rosy, notable and talkative, whose only sighs were divided +between the good-man who slept on the other side of the green, and the +splendour which had departed from the castle on the cliff. She never +fretted because her stables now held none but a few farm horses, nor +because there were no longer any swaggering lackeys to come and crack a +bottle of the port, some of which might still be slumbering in her +cellars. She would hardly have been a Cornish woman if she did not know +how to exchange a wink with the good fellow who had a keg of hollands or +brandy to dispose of; and it pleased her mightily to treat a revenue man +with a drop of the spirits that had been run under his very nose. + +The other habitations surrounding the green were of various sizes, some +with small gardens in front, some neat, and some neglected,--almost all +thatched and whitewashed. A sleepy, listless air hung about the place. A +stranger wandering accidentally into it, would feel at once that it had +known better days; the children might seem to play with less liveliness +than usual, and the very geese to waddle over the grass with a lazy +gait. He would fancy the gossips at the cottage doors to be inanimate in +their chat, and might himself be yielding to a sense of drowsiness, when +the sight of Dame Miniver, in her neat brown silk gown, and snow-white +apron, looking complacently at the visitor, with an inviting smile that +was irresistible, would recall his fleeting spirits, and guide his steps +to the friendly shelter of the Trevethlan Arms. + +The late owner of the castle, it has already been said, was extremely +unpopular with his tenantry, for some time both before and after his +marriage. Proud themselves of the family upon which they had depended +beyond the memory of man, they hated to see it stripped, acre by acre, +of its broad lands, and so impoverished as to be unable to afford them +the old advantages. Remembering the current prophecy, they loathed a +match which seemed to harbinger its fulfilment, and at the same time +rendered it next to impossible for Pendarrel to come to Trevethlan, +although the reverse might happen on several contingencies. But after +the death of poor Margaret, and when an infant son and daughter stood in +the way of any such consummation, and their lord came often among them, +haughty indeed, but not unkind; poor, but still generous; and they could +not avoid seeing the melancholy written in his face, and recollected his +reported courtship, years before, of Esther Pendarrel, and thought of +the kinsman who had sold his name; their animosity gradually melted into +compassion, and a deep and sullen hatred grew up among them against the +house of Pendarrel and everything connected with it. + +The discontent now pervading the country had not spared Trevethlan. It +was true, that if the sentiment--war to the mansions--were diffused at +all in the village, it had no reference to the castle. There was not a +man on the estate but was ready to die in defence of the towers on the +cliff. But other feelings might be entertained towards some of their +neighbours. Hitherto they had exhausted their animosity in conflicts +arising at wrestling-matches and country fairs, but now there were +symptoms discoverable of more dangerous hostilities. + +And the movement was encouraged by the absence of the young master. The +villagers regretted, without blaming, a departure which was intended, +they hoped, in some way or other, to restore prosperity to the family. +But it removed a check which might have soothed their exasperation. And +in like manner the return of the orphans would probably turn aside any +ideas of immediate violence, if such had really gained any footing in +the hamlet. + +On the evening of their arrival, some of the notables met to discuss +things in general, around the fire in Dame Miniver's hall. There were +farmer Colan, and Germoe the tailor of the hamlet, and Breage whose wife +kept the shop where everything was sold, and, among divers others, +Edward Owen, Sinson's unsuccessful rival for the affections of pretty +Mercy Page. Owen, formerly one of the best-conducted men in the hamlet, +was now sulky and perverse, and Mercy had obtained no slight odium by +her too great fidelity to one who was regarded as a deserter. She little +thought her old lover had been lately in the neighbourhood, and she was +even now meditating an excursion to inquire after him, in one of those +mysterious modes, which were yet resorted to occasionally by the lovers +of the far-west. + +"A health to our squire!" cried Colan, filling a cup of cyder, "and to +our bonny young lady, and welcome back to Trevethlan." + +"Faith," said Owen, "they're not come back to do much good to +Trevethlan, I reckon. There's none of the fortune come with 'em as folks +used to talk about, or they'd never ha' gone through the town with a +rubbishy old chay from Helston." + +"Small blame to Squire Randolph," observed Germoe, "that he don't throw +away the little he's left, like our poor master before him. And, for my +part, I'd rather have him among us, poor though he may be, than away +nobody knows where. + + 'The place is bare, when the lord's not there.' + +There'll be more smiles in Trevethlan than there's been this many a +day." + +"Then there's not much to smile about," Owen replied; "and the best +maybe the squire could do, were to take back some of that's been stolen +from him. There's many a lad ready to strike a blow for Trevethlan." + +"Wild talk, Edward," said Breage; "wild talk, and nothing but it. We +live by the law now-a-days." + +"And there's a pleasanter way," observed Dame Miniver. "Miss Mildred of +Pendar'l 's as pretty a lady as ever stepped, and she might bring the +squire all his land again, and fulfil the saying quite agreeable, + + 'Pendar'l and Trevethlan will own one name.'" + +"There's too much ill blood atween the houses," Colan said. "A deal too +much. Didn't the lady of Pendar'l turn the late squire away? And didn't +our young master send her back from his gate with a flea in her ear? +Don't ye recollect how Jeffrey chuckled about it? The young folks have +ne'er seen one another, Mrs. Miniver." + +"How d'ye know?" the hostess asked. "And trust me, if meet they did, +there'd meet a couple predestinated to fall in love. In all the old +tales that ever I read, the true gentleman falls in love with the wrong +lady. But, of course, they must meet, or they haven't the chance, and +somehow they always do meet." + +"Well," said Germoe, "I'll wager the day ne'er dawns that sees that +match. The saying'll not hold good in our time--mark my words." + +"There's a deal of wisdom in those old sayings," quoth Mistress Miniver. +"Ay, and in others too. Mind ye not how old Maud Basset foretold a +fortune for her child, and the gipsy crossed it, and both came out as +true as gospel? Those sayings are not to be looked down upon, Master +Germoe." + +"If ever that saying comes true in my time," muttered Owen, "and not on +our side, there'll be a tale told of Pendar'l--that's all I know." + +But the remark excited no attention, and from such predictions the +company slid by degrees into the kindred and fascinating subject of +preternatural visitations, a wide field in that remote district of the +west; and they drew their seats closer round the fire, and dropped their +voices, until they almost frightened one another into a reluctance to +separate on their different ways homeward. + +They would, perhaps, have expressed themselves in a more discontented +manner, if they had known the intention with which Randolph sought the +home of his fathers: he has himself obscurely intimated it, in his +soliloquy by the sea. To persuade his sister to remain in those old +halls, under the guardianship of Polydore Riches; to return himself to +London, to obtain, in spite of all obstacles, an interview with Mildred +Pendarrel; to extract from her the confession which he was convinced she +was ready to make; to exchange mutual vows; to look round the world for +the path which he might cut to honour and fortune; to return and claim +his bride, who by that time would be her own mistress--such was the +scheme upon which he was at present resolved. It was a wild outline, and +he did not trouble himself to fill up the details. Young and ardent, he +looked straight to the summit of his ambition, and recked nothing of the +ravines which separated the various intervening ridges. + +But with all his determination he hesitated to disclose his idea to +Helen. He felt that to her he was everything. Until quite recently they +had always shared one another's thoughts. He trembled at the anguish he +should inflict by such a separation. And so he deferred the confidence +from time to time, persuading himself that it would best be made on the +very eve of his departure, until this was indefinitely postponed by +intelligence that Pendarrel Hall was being prepared for the immediate +reception of its mistress. + +In the meanwhile his sister and he renewed their former acquaintance +with the good folks of the hamlet, and to external appearance resumed +the way in which they had lived before the late Mr. Trevethlan's death. +It was a quiet, dreamy sort of life, of which a faint sketch was given +in the outset of this narrative. They were born in a land of romance; +the whole region was classic ground. From King Arthur's castle of +Tintagel in the north-east, to Merlin's stone in Mount's Bay, respecting +which an old prophecy-- + + "There shall land on the stone Merlyn + Those shall burn Paul's, Penzance, and Newlyn," + +was said to be fulfilled by some stragglers from the Spanish Armada, +every field might be supposed the scene of some chivalrous exploit, or +magical enchantment, or superstitious sacrifice. There dwelt the last of +the British druids: their strange monuments were still standing on the +wild moors and in the cultivated domains, on the desolate carns and +among the crags of the sea-shore. Such was the oracular stone at Castle +Trereen,--at that time not forced from its resting-place by sacrilegious +hands, and requiring no chain to keep it from _logging_ too far. Such +was Lanyon Quoit, a cromlech on the moorland beyond Madron, and not very +far from the battle-field, where the Saxon Athelstan finally defeated +the Britons, and drove them to perish of hunger in the caves of Pendeen. +The curious stranger still marks their strong fortresses, Castle Chun +and Castle Dinas, occupying the highest ground between Mount's Bay and +the Irish Sea; he may read the name of their chieftain, Rialobran, on +his tombstone, Mên Skryfa, now prostrate among the herbage; and he may +note the sanguinary nature of the struggle, in the title which it gained +for the Land's End, of Penvonlas, or the Headland of Blood. + +And, again, the customs of the country still kept alive some faint +memorials of those heathen times, and of the accommodating spirit of the +earliest Christian missionaries. To such an origin is ascribed the +salutation of the orchards at Christmas, already referred to: the +mistletoe of the apple was not so sacred as that of the oak, but neither +was it despicable. And the bonfires of St. John's Eve were said to tell +of the days when the cromlechs of Cam Brey were surrounded by a mystic +grove, and the officiating priests hurried their human victims through +purifying flames to the blood-stained altar. + +Nor was the land less indebted for romantic associations to those +fabulous historians, who peopled Britain with royalty, beauty, chivalry, +and faery, and assigned to Cornwall the honour of producing the renowned +Sir Tristan. Not a few hours were whiled away at Trevethlan Castle in +discoursing of their marvellous adventures, their strange wandering +towns of Camelot and Caerleon, and the general phantasmagoric character +of their narratives. They plotted out the kingdom in an imaginary map, +and whatever scenery they required, they regarded as existing and well +known. Did they want a lake, from whence should issue a hand bearing a +magic sword, they troubled not themselves with any mention of its +landmarks: a forest perilous arose wherever they willed: a bridge to be +defended, and therefore a stream, was always ready in the champion's +path: you were introduced to a fountain as if you had drunk at it all +your life. Undoubting faith in their own story was one of their most +powerful fascinations: it transferred itself to their hearers, and a +tale, which modern exactness would make incoherent and incredible, +became credible from its very indistinctness. The Round Table romances +present us with a fantastic Britain, which we may conceive to be still +in being, like the paradise of Irem in the desert of Aden, and which the +second-sight of imagination may yet conjure up in all its pristine +glory. + +Many of those old tomes, quartos and folios, whose florid binding +attested their high estimation by early possessors, enriched the shelves +of the castle library; and few of its proprietors were deterred from +exploring their contents, by the mystic black-letter and antiquated +French in which the stories were told. Under Polydore's guidance, +Randolph and Helen had become acquainted with much of this legendary +lore; and even their father sometimes deigned to take part in a +conversation arising out of it. + +But it was in vain now that Helen, in the hope of chasing away the cloud +which hung continually upon her brother's brow, strove to recall his +attention to these studies of the old time. The down had been brushed +from the butterfly's wing. She strolled with him along the beach, and +she sat with him in Merlin's Cave, in spite of the wintry weather; but +it was impossible to bring back the mood in which he listened to +"Trevethlan's farewell," on the eve of their departure for London. He +was fond of roaming through the desolate state rooms, rapt in deep +meditation, and only roused when the wind, rushing through some crevice, +waved the tapestry of the walls with a rustling sound, and made the dim +figures portrayed upon it seem for a moment endued with life. Sometimes +he would be found in the picture-gallery, gazing earnestly on the +portrait of his father, and seeming, by the expression of his +countenance, eager to evoke from the mimic lips an answer to some +question which was struggling in his breast. His old teacher noted his +moodiness with anxiety, but in silence, and made no attempt to forestall +the explanation, which he felt sure must come of itself before long. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + The heart, surrendered to the ruling power + Of some ungoverned passion every hour, + Finds, by degrees, the truths that once bore sway + And all their deep impression wear away: + So coin grows smooth in traffic current passed, + Till Cæsar's image is effaced at last. + + Cowper. + + +The mistress of Pendarrel Hall never visited it without experiencing a +renewal of many an ancient spring of grief. There were not a few spots +in the park, sequestered from the more frequented paths, which she could +not look upon without bitter regret, yet which she was always sure to +explore within a few days of her arrival, so much of pensive pleasure +mingled with the pain. But the influence of such reminiscences was of +short duration, and the temporary weakness was soon succeeded by that +permanent animosity to the owners of Trevethlan Castle, which had become +the ruling passion of her life. She would climb an eminence in the +neighbourhood, from which the old gray towers were visible, and think, +with fresh exasperation, of the obstinacy or the pride which still +detained them from her grasp. + +But now she came to her home, with a fond belief that the enemy was at +last delivered into her hand. Previously, there seemed no limit to the +contention. Now, a few weeks must decide it. Michael Sinson had returned +to town before the departure of his patroness, had matured his plans, +had obtained her sanction to carrying them out, and had been introduced +by her husband to his highly-respected solicitor, Mr. Truby. That +gentleman could only assure his client, after a careful perusal of +Sinson's statement, that, if it did not break down in court, there could +be no doubt whatever that Mr. Randolph Trevethlan would be held to be an +intruder upon the castle property, and that immediate possession would +be given to him, Mr. Trevethlan Pendarrel. And, as Michael vouched for +the perfect soundness of his evidence, Mr. Truby received directions to +commence proceedings forthwith. "Let the suit be pressed forward," Mrs. +Pendarrel said, "with the utmost possible despatch." + +That matter settled, she left London with her daughter; her husband +gladly making his official duties a plea for remaining in May Fair. Yet +Esther was not altogether at her ease. Plain and straightforward as was +Sinson's story, and completely as it destroyed the validity of the late +Mr. Trevethlan's marriage, she still suspected there was some unseen +flaw. She often thought of Mr. Truby's qualification--if the case did +not break down in court. Who was this very important witness that Sinson +had so opportunely discovered? And then, as the notion of fraud stole +into her mind, she asked herself, what would be the motive; with what +object could Sinson have devised his scheme? And again she questioned +herself, with some alarm, as to the extent to which she had authorized +the proceedings of her protégé. She had communicated with him once or +twice by letter. And the uneasiness expressed in these reflections was +somewhat increased by Michael's recent demeanour. He wore a look of +intelligence, and assumed an air of importance, seeming to discover a +consciousness of some hidden power. A sense of superiority appeared to +mingle with his fawning subserviency, such as might mark the carriage of +Luke in Massinger's play. But Mrs. Pendarrel soon wrapped herself in her +pride, and forgot all her suspicions. + +To be sure, that pride rather revolted from the mode of proceeding. An +action-at-law was but a bad substitute for a raid of the olden time. The +bailiff with a slip of parchment was an indifferent representative of a +"plump of spears." The court was but a poor arena, compared to the +lists. But for this there was no help. The inconvenient civilization of +modern times precluded a resort to that picturesque method of settling +the question. And Mrs. Pendarrel owned to herself that her husband was +but ill-qualified to head a foray. She recollected the pretences by +which he had obtained her hand, and confessed that he would cut a bitter +figure in "Doe on the demise of Pendarrel against Trevethlan," than in a +cartel of mortal defiance. + +Yet had she good cause to tremble. She had only discerned one-half of +Sinson's character, his malice against the Trevethlans. She employed him +in a manner which gratified that feeling, and she supposed her pecuniary +favours were sufficient to make him her own. But he was far from being a +slave, like an eastern mute, or a messenger of the Vehm-Gericht, who +would answer in humble submission, "to hear is to obey:" he had his own +game to play beside that of his mistress, and well would it be for her +if she did not lose more than she won by his cunning finesse. + +His disposition had been nourished by his whole life. His early years +were spent in the most abject servility. He fawned upon his young +cousin, the heir of Trevethlan, like a spaniel. To obtain his +partiality, and to be admitted to his society, he was ready to lick the +dust under his feet. And at the same time he thought, or was persuaded +by his grandmother, that the ties of blood made such distinction a +matter of right rather than of favour. So very early in life he acquired +ideas much above his real station, and pined for a position for which he +was not born. + +When Randolph's father ejected the young rustic from the castle, this +aspiring ambition seemed to be nipped in the bud. The disappointment was +very severe, and his fanatical grandmother changed it into hatred. +Having been urgent in inducing her daughter to accept the offered +elevation, she heard of the treatment portrayed in poor Margaret's +fading cheek with wrath, and regarded her death as a murder to be +avenged. So she trained Michael as the instrument of retribution, and +made his personal spite the basis of a deep-rooted animosity against all +the house of Trevethlan. + +With such feelings he presented himself to Mrs. Pendarrel, and was +received into her service. And well pleased he was to find that his +first duties implied more or less of hostility towards his former +playmate. He entered upon the task with a zeal inspired by hatred. The +departure of the orphans from their home seemed to deprive him of his +occupation, but in fact widened its sphere. The summons to London +extended the bounds of the young peasant's ambition. He had profited +well by the early instructions of Polydore Riches; he was of good +figure, with a handsome, if unprepossessing face; a short residence in +the metropolis changed his rusticity into assurance; and his natural +abilities qualified him to play many parts, and in some degree to seem a +gentleman. + +His progress was quickened by the glimpse he caught of Miss Pendarrel at +his first arrival in town. It developed a series of sensations in his +mind, only partially excited before by the rural charms of Mercy Page, +and made him feel the inferiority of his station with tenfold +bitterness. He thought vaguely of Sir Richard Whittington and Sir Ralph +Osborne, and longed for the opportunity of making a rapid fortune. With +this idea, he bought a ticket in the lottery. + +And as he advanced in the confidence of his patroness, a new prospect +opened before him. He fancied he saw the means of obtaining a control +over her, by which he could bend her to his will, whenever the time +came. So that he reached his end, he cared not for the road. And in this +case every passion of his heart concurred in urging him forward. +Circumstances favoured his desires even beyond his expectations, and the +period was approaching to strike the final blow. + +Sinson's connection with the wretched spendthrift, Everope, has already +been traced. He destined that individual to play an important part in +his plot. The miserable man hung back at every step, and ended by +clearing it. Michael's money supplied him with dissipation, and in +dissipation he drowned remorse. But the trip into the country nearly +rescued him from his betrayer's clutches; it had given him time for +reflection such as he had not had for many a day; and when on their +return, Sinson laid open his further demands, he encountered a +resistance so obstinate that he almost thought his previous labour had +been thrown away. But threats and temptations did their work, and +Everope finally agreed to take the step, which Sinson promised should be +the last required of him. And now Michael remained in town, instead of +at once accompanying his patroness to Pendarrel, in order to furnish Mr. +Truby with information, and to take heed that his reluctant dupe did not +slip through his fingers. + +The second week in February had scarcely begun, when Esther arrived in +Cornwall. Well might Gertrude warn Mildred that she underrated the +difficulties of her position. Mrs. Pendarrel treated her with the most +tender consideration, but with great art made her constantly feel that +the marriage was a settled thing, without ever affording her an +opportunity of protesting. Her assent was continually implied, yet in +such a way that she could not contradict the inference. Her situation +became embarrassing and irksome. It was ungenerous, she thought, to take +such an advantage of maidenly scruples. She felt that a web was being +spun round her, reducing her to a sort of chrysalis, from which it was +every day harder to escape, but from which she was resolved a fly should +issue, by no means like what was expected. + +For she entertained no fear about the final result. If her mother chose +to go on, wilfully blind, from day to day, without permitting her eyes +to be opened, on her must rest the blame of any éclat. The remembrance +of her cousin was deeply imprinted on her heart, and sustained its +courage. Night after night, before retiring to rest, she drew aside the +curtains of her window to look for the bright planet which he had +associated with his destiny, saddened when it was hidden by clouds or +dimmed by mist, happy when its rays beamed pure and clear into her +chamber. + +There were no guests staying at the hall, but numbers of casual visitors +called to pay their respects, and hoped perhaps for an invitation to the +wedding. And notes, of all shapes and sizes, requested the honour ... at +dinner and at dance. And a gay life would Mildred's have been, but that +she was so pre-occupied. For her mother accepted nearly all the +proffered hospitality, and returned it with liberal profusion. And at +every one of these festive meetings, Mildred could see that in the +compliments Mrs. Pendarrel received, and in her furtive and complacent +answers, she had no small portion. + +One source of comfort she had, that Melcomb was not in the country. She +had not to endure his odious addresses. But her mother had issued cards +for a grand entertainment at rather a distant date, when she hoped to +crowd her house with everybody who was the least presentable in all West +Kerrier, and to that high festival Mildred feared he would come, an +undesired guest, and be in some way exhibited as her accepted suitor to +the assembled multitude. But the day was yet far off. + +And it was with pleasure she learnt that Randolph and his sister had +returned to their ancestral home. Much speculation was afloat concerning +them; and though people generally knew the family disagreement, and +refrained from alluding to them in Mrs. Pendarrel's presence, slight +hints fell inadvertently at times; and some mean minds, little knowing +the nature of her they addressed, uttered a passing sarcasm upon their +poverty, with the notion that it would be agreeable. But to Mildred the +mere mention of their name was a source of interest; and in her rural +walks she would sometimes inquire concerning them of the country folk, +and speculate on the possibility of meeting Randolph on her way. + +To her mother their presence was not equally agreeable. She was far from +anxious for any such rencontre. She too well remembered the emotion +displayed by Mildred at Mrs. Winston's. She learnt, with regret, that +the orphans did not lead so absolutely sequestered a life as before +their father's death; but availed themselves of the removal of the +restriction which then confined their walks to the precincts of the +castle and the sea coast, and made themselves in some measure acquainted +with the wild scenery surrounding their native bay. She did not like the +idea of being so near them, just at the time when Sinson's machinations +were about to explode. And with a different interest she heard of the +state of feeling manifested pretty openly by the tenantry of Trevethlan, +and desired her protégé to come to Pendarrel as soon as he should be +released from attendance on Mr. Truby. She wished to have more precise +information of what passed in the castle and its dependent hamlet, and +summoned her retainer to resume his original occupation. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + Tu ne quæsieris, scire nefas, quem mihi, quem tibi + Finem Di dederint, Leuconoc; nec Babylonios + Tentaris numeros. Ut melius, quidquid erit, pati! + + Hor. + + Seek not to know, it is not given, + The end for us ordained by Heaven; + Nor be by fortune-tellers lured: + What can't be cured, is best endured. + + +Madron church-town, the mother of the thriving port of Penzance, is a +small irregular hamlet, situated on an eminence overlooking its +well-grown offspring, and the salt marshes which skirt the coast in the +direction of Marazion. It is approached by a steep and winding road, but +the prospect from the churchyard will well repay the labour of the way. +And many a pilgrim, when he turns from the landscape spread beneath to +the memorials at his feet, and feels the breeze from the sea breathe +lightly over his cheek, will be mournfully reminded how many have sought +a refuge on that genial shore from our English destroyer, beguiling +themselves and those dear to them, with the hope of eluding his pursuit, +but sinking, nevertheless, under his ruthless embrace; for on the +tombstones round him the stranger will read of other strangers, from far +distant places, with names unknown to Cornwall, once graced, he may +imagine, with youth and beauty, of whose history it is there written +that they "came to Penzance for the benefit of their health." Those +simple words, repeated on every side, tell the melancholy end of many a +romance. + +Up the hill, on an early day in February, a trim country girl was +climbing with a step that betokened some indecision of purpose. She was +dressed in a dark blue frock, short and full in the skirt, and a red +cloak of scanty dimensions, which hung over one shoulder and under the +other arm. She was hot, and carried her bonnet, decked with some of the +first primroses of the year, in her hand, while her black hair hung +round a pair of bright eyes of the same colour, and cheeks always red, +and now redder than usual. A very pretty rustic was Mercy Page. + +It is some four miles from Marazion to Madron, and further still from +Trevethlan; but that is not much for a Cornish maiden. Mercy had walked +all the way. But she had not walked with the free quick step usual to +her, nor did their wonted open smile play round her provoking lips. Her +look was anxious, and her pace uncertain. And now that she was toiling +up the hill, and perhaps approaching her destination, she not +unfrequently stopped, and with her finger in the corner of her mouth, +tried to scrutinize herself, while she seemed to be regarding the +prospect. For Mercy had a kind of idea that she was on her way to do +what was at least foolish, if not wrong, and she had always been a very +good girl. + +But with all this hesitation, she still advanced. She crossed Madron +churchyard, and went out of her way to drop a flower on the grave of a +cousin who lay there, making a longer pause on the occasion than any +which had previously interrupted her walk. However, she proceeded at +last, and soon turned aside from the main road by a tiny streamlet. She +followed the rivulet's course, as it wound along beneath a bank covered +in the summer with broom, gorse, and heather, from amidst which, here +and there, a graceful silver birch flung its long tresses on the breeze, +until she arrived at a sort of bay or inlet, where the trees grew more +thickly, and in the very depth of which lay, still, silent, and dark, +encircled by rude stone-work, a well of water, the source of the +streamlet which had guided the maiden's steps--St. Madron's Well. + +Mercy cast a sharp glance before her, and was glad to see that there was +no person near the fountain. She went up to it herself, and bent over +the mirror-like surface, and might see her image rising dimly to meet +the salute. Could that limpid water tell a maiden's fortune? Was it +conscious of the reflection of her features? Could it read their gentle +lines, and foreshow by any ripple of its own, the destiny of her who +looked upon it? And was such inquiry sanctioned by the saint who had +blessed the fountain? Was it not profane so to forestall futurity? Such +questions flitted vaguely through Mercy's bosom while she gazed into the +tranquil well. An expression of awe stole over her face; and when, as +she changed her position, a straggling briar which had caught her cloak +twitched it, she started like a guilty thing, and turned suddenly with a +flush on her cheeks and forehead, deeper even than that called forth by +exercise. She did not smile on discovering the source of her alarm, but +began to search among the pebbles of the brook for some smoother and +rounder than common. Having collected two or three of this description, +she returned to the fountain, and from trembling fingers, and with eyes +half afraid to watch the result, dropped one of the stones into the +water. There was a little splash, and then the circling wavelets grew +larger and larger, and broke against the sides of the well, and a new +ripple arose from each point of contact, and the undulations crossed one +another in every direction, and became fainter and fainter, until the +surface once more motionless, again presented the maiden with the +semblance of her own pretty features, just as she saw them before the +disturbance. + +Was Mercy any the wiser? She drew a long breath, and murmured to +herself, "he is not----" She had heard that if the well were unruffled, +the oracle pronounced the person inquired of to be dead. The oracle, it +may be presumed, was generally favourable to hope. But Mercy wished to +learn much more than this; and those changing and intermingling ripples +had to her been as hieroglyphics to the eyes of the profane. She dropped +another of her pebbles into the well. Again the same sight, and the same +disappointment. Vainly did Mercy try to shape the little waves into +words, or letters, or symbols. She could not make out even a "yes" or a +"no." Once more she tried the experiment, and becoming more +enthusiastic, pressed the pebble to her lips before she let it fall. + +Still it was all the same. The oracle was dumb. Mercy was inclined to +revile St. Madron. She had grown excited; felt reconciled to the +practice of the black art, and ventured on a step, which, when she +started from home, she vowed to herself nothing should induce her to +take. + +There was a cottage, or rather a hovel, which the maiden had passed on +her way to the well, and which she had shunned. The bank formed one of +its sides, and it was hard to say where the ground ended and the +dwelling began. The walls were built of rough stones, the interstices +between them being filled with moss, which had accepted the employment +willingly, and grown and flourished. The roof also was of turf, and thus +the abode had a vegetable aspect, and looked like an unusually large +clump of green, such as one sees often on a moist common, tempting one's +foot to press it, or suggesting the idea of an unpleasantly soft pillow. +This was the nest of Dame Gudhan, the self-constituted priestess of St. +Madron's Well. She was a toothless, deformed, ugly old woman, who lived +with her cat, which she had succeeded in training to poach, and bring +the game it killed home to be cooked, instead of wasting it raw in the +open field. Friend she had none but pussy, but she enjoyed a high +reputation as a witch; and many a girl travelled many a mile to +ascertain from Dame Gudhan the colour of her future's hair and eyes, and +all his other good qualities. + +Now the sibyl had observed the detour which Mercy made to avoid passing +near her hut, and observed it with due professional pique. To consult +the spirit of the well without the assistance of its minister was to +defraud the latter of her rightful perquisite, and depreciate the +science of witchcraft. So, whenever Dame Gudhan perceived a timid +devotee steal furtively to the well, she would lie in wait for her +return, and favour her with unsought predictions of a nature less +agreeable than strong. Eying Mercy from the door of her den, the old hag +thought her appearance indicated one quite able to afford a fee, and +proportionate to the idea was the sibylline wrath. But in order to +increase her anger to the proper pitch, Dame Gudhan trod hard upon her +cat's tail; and the animal, resenting the affront, inflicted a long +scratch upon its mistress's shin. Thereupon ensued a hideous war; a +yelling as of the evil demons with which the pythoness pretended to be +familiar; unintelligible to vulgar ears; requiring an interpreter from +the oyster-quays. It may be supposed the witch had the best of the +argument, for after a while, pussy issued from the hovel with her tail +trailing behind her, and trotted off in a crest-fallen fashion, stopping +now and then to look round sulkily, and shake her whiskers with impotent +spite. + +Dame Gudhan speedily followed grimalkin, tottering along on a stick, and +muttering to herself, chewing her rage as a horse champs the bit. She +encountered Mercy at the opening which led to the well. + +"Didst read he would be hung, lass?" she squealed, while all the muscles +of her yellow wrinkled visage twitched frightfully. "Didst read he would +be hung?" + +With all her heart Mercy wished herself safe back at Trevethlan. + +"Dost tremble?" continued Dame Gudhan. "What wilt do when the day comes? +There's murder in thy face--a red spot on thy brow." + +Poor Mercy gasped for breath, and leaned against the bank. She had +thrust her hand into her pocket, but was too much agitated to find what +she wanted. The old crone divined her intention. + +"Na," she screamed. "The spirit won't be bought. The cord's about thy +neck, and the gibbet's reared for him. The tree grows no more in the +wood. It is felled, and hewn, and squared. The hemp is reaped, and beat, +and spun. In an evil day came ye to the blessed well, and passed by Dame +Gudhan without seeking her advice. Said is said." + +By this time Mercy had succeeded in producing a little purse of red +leather with a steel clasp. Her fingers shook very much as she opened +it, and tendered Dame Gudhan a bright new shilling, its sole contents. +The hag was satisfied with the effect of her fierce prophecy--one she +had often vented on like occasions, and looked at the coin with greedy +eyes, chattering her teeth, and smacking her lips. + +"That was his new-year's gift, I reckon," she said. + +She was wrong, and the mistake restored Mercy's fleeting courage. + +"Take it, dame," said the maiden. + +"Ye'll lack a new ribbon at Sithney fair. And what for? Said is said." + +It was a fine instance of conscientious scruples, that affected +reluctance of the old woman to receive the maiden's money. + +"Take it, dame," Mercy repeated. + +"The spirit never lies," said the hag, taking the shilling; "but he +sometimes explains his words. Come ye back to the well. Said is said. +We'll ask him what it means." + +So saying, she hobbled on her stick up the little dell. Mercy looked +after her doubtfully, and was more than inclined to walk rapidly away; +but, yielding to the fascination which commonly attends inquiries like +hers, she at last followed the old crone, and overtook her at the well. + +"Now, lass," said the enchantress, "an evil rede I read ye but now, and +evil it may be. But forewarned is forearmed. Ye need na be frightened. +And so ye saw nought in the dark water. Ye could na hear his voice. Ye +kenned na whether he laughed or frowned, or promised or threatened. +Smooth and still, deep and dark. Reach me thy hand. Stand by my side, +and when I press thy fingers, then drop the pebble." + +Injunctions which the maiden obeyed with tremulous emotion. The old hag +knelt down by the fountain-side, and bent over the water until she +nearly touched it with her lips, mumbling some incantation. Suddenly she +squeezed Mercy's hand in her grasp, and the maiden let fall the pebble +which she held in the other. At the sound of the splash the witch raised +her head a little, and seemed to scan the ripples which circled on the +surface of the well. It was only for a moment, and then she started to +her feet, dashed a handful of water in Mercy's face, and screamed: + +"Wash it off, wash it off. The spirit never lies. Said is said. Away, +lass; away." + +She waved Mercy off, and the maiden retreated backwards before her, step +by step, until she reached the lower end of the ravine, unable to remove +her eyes from those of the fortune-teller. On the open ground Dame +Gudhan passed her without uttering another word, and hobbled quickly +away to her wretched abode, taking no notice of her cat, which had now +returned home, and appeared disposed to make up the late quarrel by +purring and rubbing against the old woman's wounded shin. + +Mercy, exhausted and terrified, watched her until she disappeared within +her dwelling, and then, feeling relieved from her presence, and moved by +a sudden impulse, she dropped on her knees and implored, in her own +homely manner, the forgiveness of Heaven for what she had just done. She +rose somewhat tranquillized, and took her way homeward with a quick +step. + +Fortune-tellers, unlike Dame Gudhan, generally give good tidings, and in +the few cases where it is otherwise, they are disbelieved. Were it not +so, the trade would be ruined. People forebode quite sufficient evil for +themselves, and seek a conjuror for comfort, not for aggravation of +their uneasiness. A strange fatuity it is that prompts such attempts to +raise the veil which hides the future! Were the object accomplished life +would be valueless; its interest would be gone; there would be nothing +left to live for, and we should be unable to die; we should be fatalists +by experience. The impatient reader, who peruses the last chapter of the +novel first, has still to learn in what manner the author educes his +catastrophe; but the miserable victim of foresight would be acquainted, +not only with the close, but with all the incidents of his coming +career. And difficult it is to see how human strength could bear up +against such a certainty, where the vision was of ill. So the inquirer +is apt to discredit the information which he came to seek, when it +proves to be unfavourable to his desires. + +Mercy Page, already fortified by her silent prayer, soon regained her +ordinary cheerfulness. Her spirits rose as she walked, and she tripped +lightly along, in happy forgetfulness of Dame Gudhan's frightful +denunciations. So she passed under the pretty hamlet of Gulvall, with +its picturesque church-tower peeping forth from the embosoming trees, +and descended to the hard sands of the sea-shore. For the tide was out, +and the beach afforded a short cut to Marazion. Blithely and briskly the +maiden sped over the ribbed plain, until she saw in the distance, +advancing to meet her, a figure which she recognized. + +At that moment there was no individual, perhaps, whom Mercy less desired +to see than Edward Owen, her discarded suitor. The woman cannot be worth +winning who takes pleasure in rejecting an honest admirer, and Mercy was +not a village coquette. She sincerely regretted that Owen's attachment +could only be a source of sorrow to himself. She deplored it the more, +because the disappointment seemed to have driven the lover into some +irregular courses. Now Mercy had sought St. Madron's Well with a vague +idea of confirming her belief in the fidelity of a more favoured suitor; +and, passing by the rude shock of her interview with Dame Gudhan, it was +not on her return from such an errand that she was pleased to meet his +rival. Meet him, however, she must, and did. + +"A bright evening to you, Mercy," Owen said, as they approached one +another; "though bright there is nothing for me. And where mayst have +been this fine afternoon?" + +It was an awkward question for the girl. She answered it with another. + +"Where are you going, Edward, with the sun behind St. Paul's, and your +back to Trevethlan? It should not be a long walk ye are starting on. +Better maybe to turn back with me, and walk home together." + +"Mercy," said the young man, "there was a time when my heart would have +jumped at the word. It is gone. I have other thoughts now. Where am I +going? By Castle Dinas to St. Ives. There will be some talk in the +country before long." + +"What for, Edward?" Mercy asked. "They tell me I have scorned you into +wild ways. I never scorned you, Edward. It is not fair of you to bring +such a saying upon me. I wish to like you, and I thank you for liking +me, but I do not like sulky love." + +"My love's anyhow honest," said Owen, "and that's more than you can say +of...." + +"Now shame on you," cried the girl, interrupting him. "Will you say +slander of a man behind his back? And to me, too, that know it is +slander? And is that the way to change my mind?" + +"I have no hopes of that, Mercy," answered the rustic. "And, for your +sake, I hope Michael's a better man than I think. Remember the evening +under the thorns on the cliff. It is for you and not for me I say it. +And methinks you haven't heard much of Michael since he went away to +London." + +"Then I didn't ask your advice, Mr. Edward," said Mercy, "and you may as +well keep it till I do. I dare say I can take care of myself. And very +likely Michael has quite plenty to do in London without the writing of +letters. And I expect he'll be down here before long, for I hear say +that Pendar'l's getting ready for the ladies, if they're not there +already. And then you can tell him what you think, like a man. So I wish +you a good evening." + +"Good evening, Mercy," returned the young man, sadly, and they proceeded +on their respective ways. + +Ready as the maiden was to defend her lover to another, she could not so +easily excuse him to herself. And the anxiety, for the relief of which +she had made her pilgrimage to St. Madron's Well, had come back before +she reached her mother's cottage at Trevethlan, darkened rather than +alleviated by the result of the expedition. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + Di, majorum umbris tenuem et sine pondere terram, + Spirantesque crocos, et in urnà perpetuum ver, + Qui præceptorem sancti voluere parentis + Esse loco. + + Juvenal. + + + Light lie the earth upon the shades of those, + Flowers deck their graves, Spring dwell with their repose, + Of old who deemed the teacher should supply + The parent's holy rule, heart, hand, and eye. + + +Meantime Michael Sinson's scheme was ripening into action. The plot +matured in the metropolis was about to break on the towers of +Trevethlan. Two gentlemen crossed one another in the hurry of Lincoln's +Inn, and stopped to exchange a cordial greeting and a little chat. + +"By the by, Winter," said Mr. Truby, as they were parting, "we're +bringing ejectment against a client of yours." + +"Indeed!" exclaimed the second lawyer, "and who may that be?" + +"Oh, the parties are old antagonists," answered the first. "It's by no +means the first time we've met. Doc d Pendarrel _v._ Trevethlan. Clerk +gone down to serve declaration and notice. You'll hear of it in a post +or two." + +"Good Heaven!" thought Mr. Winter, as he proceeded on his way; "what new +calamity is this? Is not that hapless family even yet sufficiently +broken? Poor Morton! Now I will wager this comes in some way out of that +mad scheme." + +And indeed it might well seem that nothing was needed to increase the +gloom that invested Trevethlan Castle. It was lonely and desolate in the +lifetime of its late possessor, but there was then at least the buoyancy +of youth to relieve the dreary monotony; and now, even that had +vanished. So far was Helen from being able to restore anything like +cheerfulness to her brother, that she herself became infected by his +sombre moodiness. Strange was the contrast between those dimly latticed +Gothic apartments, and the light and lively saloons of Pendarrel: the +wanderer in the former almost dreading to break the silence with his +footfall, and the latter ringing with careless laughter and mirthful +conversation. Polydore Riches himself could with difficulty preserve his +ever-hopeful equanimity; and Griffith often reproached himself to his +wife for the facility with which he consented to that ill-omened visit +to the metropolis: while the few domestics began to fear moving about +singly after dusk, and to whisper of mysterious sounds heard, and sights +seen, in the darkening corridors. + +Such tales spread outside the castle, and were improved upon in their +progress. It became rumoured that the spirit of the unhappy Margaret +wandered through its halls in the silence of night, and harassed the +children she was not permitted to love in her lifetime. The villagers +began to look upon Randolph as the easterns do upon one possessed of the +evil eye, and rather shunned than courted his familiarity. And some of +the older folk recalled his father's marriage, and began to ask +themselves, was it after all only a mockery? Then, indeed, would poor +Margaret have cause to seek vengeance for the deceit by which she was +beguiled. And so they went on stringing story upon story, until in the +rush of the night wind they heard the wailings and howlings which in +days long gone were said to portend disaster to the house of Trevethlan. + +Randolph was entirely unconscious of the popular mysticism, and too much +absorbed in his own feelings to have heeded it in any case. Every day he +went forth to the outskirts of the park of Pendarrel, and roamed round +its circuit, in the hope of meeting Mildred; and every day that he +returned disappointed, made him more restless and reserved. Such an +excursion at last led him by Wilderness Gate, and it happened that Maud +Basset was sunning herself there as he passed. + +"Randolph Trevethlan," she cried, as he went by; and he turned, and she +came out to the plot of grass to meet him. + +"Randolph Trevethlan," she repeated, "son of a murdered mother, there's +a dark hour at hand for thy house, but not darker than is due. I see it +written on thy brow. I heard it in the screams that came down on the +wind of the night. Say they her spirit is abroad in the towers where her +bliss was made her bane? Ay, he is dead, but he shall answer it in his +son." + +The wildness of the old crone's language suited Randolph's humour. She +came quite close to him and looked up in his face. + +"Hast seen her?" she asked, lowering her voice to a whisper, "hast seen +her, grandson Randolph? Thou knowest who I mean--thy mother, boy. My +Margaret, my winsome Margaret. They tell me she's been seen in the +castle. 'Tis long, long sin' I saw her myself. They said she grew pale +and pale, but they wouldna let me come nigh. And is it true they say? +Hast seen her, grandson Randolph?" + +"Ay, it is true, indeed," he answered, in a bewildered manner. "I have +seen her indeed." + +There was the trunk of a large tree lying on the grass close beside +them. The old woman took his hand and drew him to a seat upon it. He had +neither the power nor the wish to resist. + +"Now I can see thee," Maud said. "Thou'st grown so tall; but art not +like the gleesome lad that used to sport with my Michael. Woe's me! And +how did she look? Said she aught to thee?" + +"She hung over my bed with a sweet smiling face, and she bent down and +kissed my lips." + +"A sweet smiling face!" Maud echoed; "that was hers indeed, my own +Margaret. And she smiled on thee, and kissed thee! Then she doth not +hate thee?" + +"Why should she, Maud?" + +"Art thou not his son? and did he not murder her?" exclaimed the crone, +in her former harsh manner. "Who said there was no marriage? He! he! +Surely thou wilt defend her fame, Randolph Trevethlan?" + +"With my life," he answered. + +"What's this I'm saying?" again Maud cried, checking herself. "There's a +dark hour at hand for thy house, I tell thee. God give thee the strength +to bear it!" + +And she faltered away as quickly as she could, passed through the gate, +and entered the lodge, leaving Randolph still seated, motionless, upon +the timber. + +Old Maud Basset was deeply versed in all the wild superstitions which +still lingered among the Cornubians. She knew the presages which +foretold sorrow or death to different old houses. Here, the fall of one +of the trees in the avenue was the harbinger of dole; there, ancient +logs of timber rose to the surface of the pool in the park before a +coming vacancy at the family board. She could tell, too, how drowned +persons broke the stillness of night by hailing their own names; of the +candle borne by unseen hands in the track of a future funeral; of many a +kind of unholy augury; of evil spirits who led wayfarers astray, and +precipitated them from the summit of their carns; and in particular of +Tregagel, condemned for his many ill deeds to empty the fathomless pool +of Dosmary by means of a limpet shell with a hole in it. + +The incoherence of the old woman's speech, and her half-uttered +predictions, tallied very exactly with some of the feelings which had of +late been familiar to Randolph. Mildred, indeed, still occupied by far +the greatest portion of them; but his thoughts not unfrequently wandered +from her to the dream which had visited him the first night of his +return to the castle, and the fair face which had been pressed to his +own. That the features so revealed were those of his mother he never +doubted, and he felt a restless desire to learn something of the parent +whom he had lost before he was three years' old. But to whom should he +apply for information? Where could he find the sympathy which such a +topic demanded? The long silence that had been observed respecting it, +within the castle, must, he thought, have been the effect, in part, of a +deficiency of interest, and therefore he was reluctant to open his +wishes, even to the chaplain. And without the walls he knew no one to +confer with on such a subject. So he was at once fascinated by old +Maud's sudden allusion to her child, and answered her questions from the +recollections of his dream. + +But what did she mean by her reiterated reference to Margaret's death, +and her dark announcement of coming calamity? The latter, indeed, +harmonized but too well with his own gloomy forebodings--"Who said there +was no marriage?--Thou wilt defend her fame?" What was the meaning of +such ominous insinuations? Randolph mused on them, without quitting the +posture in which Maud had left him, until they became so oppressive, +that he resolved to learn all the story from Polydore, without delay. + +In the dusk of the evening, he walked with the chaplain in the +picture-gallery of the castle. The dim light which came through the high +Gothic windows, gave strange and unintended expression to some of the +portraits, and left others in such deep shadow that they could hardly be +discerned, while the vaulted ceiling hung indistinct over head. Randolph +paused at length before the likeness of his father. It was painted when +Henry Trevethlan was in the prime of youth, and presented the aspect of +a man very different indeed from the cold and stern personage with whom +his son was acquainted. + +"What changed that countenance, Mr. Riches?" Randolph asked. "What swept +away the ardour and enthusiasm which beam from all those lineaments? +From what he told me himself, in his dying hour, I framed a tale of +hopeless attachment, of love striving to forget itself in ruin. Was it +so? Did Esther Pendarrel indeed break my poor father's heart, after +trifling with its affection? Methinks, he was not a man to be made a +mock of. Yet the mocker has prevailed." + +"Randolph," Polydore answered, with a deep sigh, "your speech brings +back days of sorrow, which I would were forgotten. But that was all past +before I became a resident here. From the steward only, and from popular +report, did I learn the intimacy which once subsisted between your +father and Mrs. Pendarrel. It was in a thoughtless hour, if all that's +said be true, that she crushed his last hopes by wedding. And so, by +this time, she knows, perhaps, too well." + +"Did she love him, then, Mr. Riches?" Randolph inquired quickly. + +"Nay," said the chaplain, "that is a question which I cannot answer. But +sure I am, that if one spark of feeling yet lives in her heart, as I +would fain believe, she must be visited with deep remorse as often as +she looks back upon the ruin wrought by her girlish levity. May you, my +dear Randolph, never know the pangs of affection unrequited, or requited +only to be broken. And, if such sad lot be yours, may Heaven teach you +to bear up against it, nor hide misery in the show of defiance." + +"'Tis well for her," Randolph mused aloud, having scarcely heard +Polydore's last words, "'tis very well for her, if indeed she loved. For +so is no account between us. But if it be otherwise, if, out of +wilfulness or vanity, she broke the heart that adored her, then let her +look to her own. Not unscathed shall she go down to the grave. Does not +the vow lie heavy on my soul?" + +"Oh, Randolph, Randolph!" Polydore exclaimed; "what words are these?" + +But the young man heeded him not, and, taking his arm, led him several +times up and down the long gallery in silence, and at last drew him to +one of the windows, from which they looked forth upon the sea. The white +crests of the waves were still visible in the increasing darkness. + +"Pardon me, Mr. Riches," Randolph said, "if I recall days that are gone, +and which are recollected only with pain. But these are topics which +have been forbidden, which I can no longer resist approaching, on which +I must be informed. My father's marriage, my mother.... How came it +about? How did she die? Strange tales have fallen upon my ears----" + +The chaplain was much distressed. "What!" thought he, "will they not let +poor Margaret rest even in her grave? Do they bear their foul scandal to +her son? And is it for me to tell him the story of his father's fault?" + +"Speak, Mr. Riches," said Randolph, with some impatience; "let me hear +all the truth of the history." + +"You know not what you ask," Polydore answered sadly. "Margaret Basset +could not resist the influence which made her the seeming mistress of +this castle. I could not approve--I went away. The marriage was strictly +private. The people were very jealous. Some said--be patient--that it +was not duly performed. I know that it was. I had some slight +acquaintance with Mr. Ashton the clergyman; he was murdered shortly +after the ceremony, and the witness disappeared. The rumours spread; but +they died away when you were born. You can imagine the details." + +"How did she die?" Randolph asked again. + +"You know your father, Randolph," the chaplain replied. "Cannot you +conceive the position was too much for her? And her kindred were +imprudent. She pined away. But she was an angel. We all loved her. If +the devotion of those around her could have made up for the affection +which should hallow her situation, surely she were living now." + +His hearer mused again for some time in silence, thinking of his dream; +and it produced its usual effect of soothing his excitement, and +tranquillizing his spirits. + +"Come, Mr. Riches," he said, "let us seek my sister. We must not leave +her desolate too long." + +But the chaplain laid his hand on his old pupil's arm, saying: + +"One moment, Randolph; let me detain you one moment. Let me play the +master again. What we have been discoursing of will be best forgotten. +And oh! let it not be remembered in one fatal sense! Let not these sad +events be the foundation of evils yet to come! You spoke of a vow. Such +are often wrongly demanded and rashly given. Pride lingers on the bed of +death, and bequeaths itself to its successors. Vengeance, unappeased, +requires satisfaction by the hands of its heir. So hatred is handed down +for ever, and rancour and strife made perpetual. Pray Heaven the vow you +speak of requires none of these things! Pray Heaven, that if haply it +do, it will be revoked and forgotten!" + +"A parent's curse," said Randolph in a hollow voice, "is a terrible +thing." + +"To him!" the chaplain exclaimed. "To him it is, indeed, a terrible +thing, and to his children, if it impels them into wrong-doing. There is +no power in man to curse, my dear pupil, and surely Heaven is deaf to +all such imprecations." + +Alas! Polydore might as well have reasoned with the foaming waves +beneath him. Randolph listened in respectful silence, but entirely +unconvinced. As law is silent amid the din of arms, so is reason in the +conflict of passions. Few sources have been more fruitful of evil than +the pledges extorted by the dying. The giver succumbs absolutely to an +obligation he ought never to have undertaken, allows himself no +discretionary power, yields nothing to the alteration of circumstances, +and acts as if the behest were imposed by certain foreknowlege and +unerring wisdom. There is no absolution from a death-bed promise, and no +chancery to qualify its mischievous engagements. + +This conversation was little adapted to restore Polydore Riches to his +old equanimity. Gentle and simple-hearted, he was ill-calculated to +wrestle with the stormy passions which had desolated his late patron's +life, and now threatened shipwreck to the happiness of his pupil. He +mourned for the day when, in pride and confidence, neglecting the +worldly-wisdom of the more prudent steward, he enthusiastically bade the +brother and sister go forth on their way, and foretold for them a +prosperous career, and a joyful return. He almost blamed himself for not +having given them more adequate preparation for the struggle of life, +and attributed their failure to his own deficiency. Yet surely never did +teacher better answer the desire of those ancients, lauded by the Roman +poet in the lines which head this chapter. Polydore had nothing +wherewith to reproach himself. + +But the discourse had also revived his own particular griefs, recalling, +as it did, the days when he paid his first vows of love to Rose +Griffith, and won her timid consent, only to see her wither away. A +pensive melancholy was visible upon his countenance when he returned +with Randolph through the gloomy galleries to the apartments over the +little flower-garden. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + "Guare wheag, yw guare teag." + + _Cornish Proverb._ + + + "Fair play is good play." + + Polwhele. + + +Many of the villagers of Trevethlan were desirous of celebrating the +return of their young master by some kind of holiday. They remembered +how in the old time there were several festivals in the course of the +year, kept with high revelry on the green of the hamlet, countenanced by +the presence of the lords, and graced by that of the ladies, of its +ancient castle. But when ruin fell upon the late possessor, and +desolation encompassed his dwelling, the sports diminished in spirit, +and the peasantry sought in the neighbouring villages the merriment +which no longer enlivened their own. The succession of a young heir, +however, seemed to warrant an attempt to revive the much-regretted +pastimes, and the idea, when once started, found a staunch supporter in +the laughter-loving landlady of the "Trevethlan Arms." Indeed she +undertook to roast a sheep, and broach a hogshead of cider, as the +foundation of a free feast; and the liberality being met with similar +offers from other quarters, the hamlet was in a position to offer +tolerably profuse hospitality to all comers. + +Valentine's day was fixed upon for the revel; and several evenings +before it came, some of the villagers met at Dame Miniver's, to arrange +the programme of the sports. And it was finally decided to revive the +old game of hurling, by challenging Pendarrel to play them home and home +across the country, as the principal event of the frolic. The +determination, however, was not unopposed. + +"Are ye sure, neighbours," said our acquaintance Germoe, the tailor, +"that this challenge will be agreeable on the hill? Ye know what we +spoke of only the other night. There's no love lost between the hall and +the castle." + +"The very cause for why to play out the quarrel," said Edward Owen. "And +as to the castle, I warrant the young squire'll be none displeased to +hear we've given Pendar'l a beating. I say play." + +"But in such case," urged farmer Colan, "playing often turns to +fighting." + +"And what then?" Owen asked again, who took great interest in the +meditated match, from a vague hope of encountering his rival in the +hostile ranks,--"what then, I say? Have we not thrashed them before? +'Tis ill nursing a quarrel." + +"Ay, ay, lad," said Mrs. Miniver aside to the last speaker, "I know +where thy cap's set. She's a proud minx, and an' I were thee----. But, +neighbours, how long has Trevethlan been afraid of Pendar'l?" + +A true woman's question, and one which settled the matter off-hand. +There was no further hesitation as to despatching the challenge. The +tailor's hint concerning the castle had, however, more foundation than +was supposed; for Randolph much regretted the resolution of his +dependents. But he did not learn it until the invitation had been sent +and accepted, and it was then impossible to retreat. + +On the other side, the match received the formal sanction of Mrs. +Pendarrel, who had been at the park a day or two when the proposal +arrived. Remembering that her retainers far outnumbered those of +Trevethlan, she rather rejoiced at the prospect of humiliating her +adversary, and graciously promised to provide the silver-plated ball +with which the game should be played. + +The village green was "home" for the players of Trevethlan. Early in the +appointed holiday it was thronged with busy, noisy groups, and presented +an extremely lively aspect, strikingly at variance with its recent +tranquillity, and with the sombre gravity of the castle, where there +were no symptoms of participation in the frolics of the day. Reverend +elders occupied the bench round the old chestnut in front of the inn, +and discoursed of the matches of their youth, before the harmony of +Trevethlan and Pendarrel was interrupted, and when the open doors of the +castle proffered unbounded hospitality. Stalwart youths, girded for the +sport, strolled about in knots, plotting devices for carrying off the +ball, arranging plans for watching the enemy's home, cracking jests with +the maidens who idled in the throng, in their Sunday frocks and smartest +ribbands, and extorting half promises of reward in the evening for +prowess displayed in the day. Dame Miniver had ample cause for +satisfaction with the result of her liberality. + +Mrs. Pendarrel permitted her side to make the lawn before her house +their home. Refreshments of all kinds were distributed among the crowd +there collected with a bounteous hand. The lady herself descended among +her tenants, leaning on the arm of her daughter, speaking to old +acquaintance, everywhere bestowing encouragement. Even Mildred was +excited by the liveliness of the scene. It was a fine genial day, with a +warm breeze blowing, which kept the trees in constant motion, and gave +life to the company beneath their leafless branches. + +Michael Sinson, only just arrived from London, was to lead the forces of +Pendarrel. So his patroness, aware of his former reputation, desired; so +his vanity, as well as his duty, prompted. He was active in the throng, +assigning their stations to his mates, providing for all the chances of +the struggle, but glancing ever and anon on the fair young form that +glided through the rustic assembly like a being from another sphere. +Little thought he that morning of the rosy-cheeked girl whom he had once +pretended to love, and who now walked among the maidens of Trevethlan, +with a sympathy divided between her sweetheart and her home. + +The goals were not much more than two miles apart, a short distance in a +match "to the country;" but this circumstance prevented the interference +of horsemen, diminished the opportunities for artifice, and made the +contest depend more on the personal skill and prowess of the players. In +a longer game the ball might be thrown into the hands of a mounted +partizan, who would trust to the speed of his horse to carry it home in +triumph; or again into the keeping of a rustic, selected for his simple +appearance, who would trudge tranquilly along the high road seemingly +unconscious of his valuable charge, while the hurlers on both sides +sought the prize with great animation; until the news of the crafty +bearer's arrival at his destination told the victory of his friends, and +both parties repaired to the winning quarters to laugh over the trick, +and fight the battle anew, in a high jollification. + +There was a meadow situated on an eminence about midway between +Trevethlan and Pendarrel, between which and either goal no obstacle +intervened to turn aside the play. Here it was arranged the ball should +be thrown up, and hither Mrs. Pendarrel and Mildred repaired to behold +the commencement of the game. The players chosen to begin stood in an +irregular ring on the hill, and amongst them Sinson and Owen, the +opposing generals, the latter of whom regarded the former with looks +which indicated more ill-will than befitted the occasion, but which +Michael observed with contemptuous indifference. + +And now Mildred has tossed the new apple of discord, a wooden ball, some +three inches in diameter, covered with silver, and bearing the motto +which heads this chapter, as the trophy, to remain in the possession of +the victors of the day, into the middle of the ring, and a dozen men are +on the ground, struggling to obtain a hold of the prize. Rolling over +and over, twisting, tangled like a coil of snakes, they writhe and +struggle in intricate confusion. Where is the ball? Who shall discern it +in so close a conflict? See, a combatant shakes himself clear of +competitors, rises in the midst, springs over them, and bounds away in +the direction of Pendarrel, cheered by the partizans of the hall. Not +long shall the cheering endure: an opponent bars his career: him the +holder of the ball thrusts aside, "butts" with his closed fist. Reprisal +in like fashion is against the rules. But there is another, and another, +one at a time, for so it is ordained. Nor are the holder's friends +inactive: they screen him round, and strive to keep off his adversaries. +And thus he makes some way, but may not even clear the field. His vigour +fails at last under repeated attacks; he has no longer strength to butt; +"hold," he must cry, in token of surrender, and deal the ball to be +seized by fresher hands: a stouter heart, he thinks, 't were hard to +find. + +Again the first struggle is renewed, but the crowd is not so great, nor +does it last so long. This time the ball is borne swiftly back in the +direction of Trevethlan. Light of foot is the holder, but his speed +shall not avail him long. At the very hedge of the field he is +encountered; he may not pass the barrier; he tries another point, again +to be defeated; he, too, must shout the word of submission, and recover +breath for a renewed onset. + +And thus, with varied fortune, the game proceeds, continually growing +wider in its scene. The ball is borne in succession towards either goal, +far away from the field where the game began. It seems the lady of +Pendarrel reckoned without her host, for there are many volunteers in +the play, and they, with proper heroism, have chosen the weaker side. +She and her daughter have retired to the hall, but the country is still +alive with the excitement of the game, and the woods and the sky are +vocal with the cries of the rival partizans, as they mark the course of +the ball with shouts of "Ware east," "Ware west." + +An old writer compares the ball used in this game to an evil demon; for, +says he, no sooner does a player become possessed of it than he acts as +if he were possessed of a devil; flying like a madman over the country, +bursting through hedges, bounding over ditches, rushing furiously +against all opponents, heedless of everything but his progress towards +home. When suddenly, having been obliged at last to surrender, he +becomes once more tranquil and peaceable, as though the evil spirit had +then left him, and entered his successor, who instantly commences a like +impetuous career. + +Many a possession of this kind was witnessed in the match between +Pendarrel and Trevethlan. Once the former hamlet seemed almost on the +point of victory. The holder had disencumbered himself of all who had +been active in the field, and was dashing triumphantly homewards, when +he met the reserve especially stationed to prevent a surprise. At the +same moment Owen bounded up to rally his forces. The game was rescued, +and renewed with increased vigour on both hands. Step by step the path +of the holder, now on this side and now on that, was contested in every +way permitted by the laws of the game. Passion grew hotter, and ever and +anon rose cries of "foul." The leaders, who had hitherto rather directed +the fray than engaged in it personally, now rushed into the thick of the +fight. The partizans of Trevethlan gained ground in their turn. The +chestnut on their green was already in sight. Owen himself held the +ball. The road, for the fight had descended from the fields into the +highway, was thronged with the combatants. The maidens of the village, +approached the end of the green, and joined in the animating cries. Owen +had repelled many an antagonist, when Michael Sinson met him face to +face. It was what he had long wished for, and he was delighted when, as +he always affirmed and as was sturdily maintained by all his partizans, +his opponent butted him unfairly. The excitement of the game and +personal exasperation united to give force to the blow which sent his +rival staggering away. The next moment Owen stood on the grass of the +hamlet, and flung the ball high into the air, while loud and reiterated +shouts proclaimed the victory of Trevethlan, and were heard, perhaps not +without some satisfaction, within the walls of the castle. + +Whatever ill-blood might have been generated in the heat of the +engagement, rapidly subsided when it was over. It had been gallantly +fought, and discomfiture was only less honourable than success. Victor +and vanquished met in friendly groups on the green, formed parties for +the athletic sports of the country, or sought partners for the dance +which would terminate the amusements of the day, while the landlady of +the Trevethlan Arms was finishing her preparations for the feast, and +the children were continually increasing a pile of combustibles in front +of the inn, destined to blaze after nightfall in celebration of the +holiday. + +There was, however, one breast in which disappointed rage still rankled. +Michael Sinson rose after the fall he received from Owen, to hear the +acclamations hailing his conqueror, and to feel an aggravation of his +animosity, not so much against his rival, as against Trevethlan, its +master, and its inhabitants. He looked angrily at the jocund doings on +the green, and then turned to bear the tidings of his defeat to his +patroness. But he had not proceeded many steps, when a light hand was +laid upon his arm, and a sharp glance round showed him the rosy cheeks +and black eyes of Mercy Page. + +"Why, Michael," said the maiden, "is this the welcome ye learn to give +in London? Is this the way ye would leave Mercy to seek for a partner at +a village revel? What if we have won the match, is it a cause for +shame?" + +"Pish!" Sinson said, sulkily. "Go to your Edward Owen. He is the hero of +the day. Let him be your partner." + +"Then it's not heroes, nor none such I care for," pursued the wilful +girl. "I'm no sure I'm glad that our side's won. Come now, Michael, +what's to fret for?" + +Sinson cast his sinister eyes upon Mercy's face. It was very pretty, +even in reproach, and besides, he thought she might be of use to him. + +"May-be," said he, "I shall be back in the evening. But now I must take +the news to Pendarrel." + +With which ungracious saying, Mercy was forced to content herself, and +return, pouting, to her mirthful companions, while Michael pursued his +way to Wilderness Lodge. + +His old grandmother asked him concerning the game, and on being surlily +informed of its result, muttered something about a judgment on such +sacrilegious doings, which her dutiful grandson did not hear, and if he +had, would have laughed at. His patroness learned the news with an air +of indifference, which to him appeared at variance with her previous +interest in the match; and as he left her presence, he could not help +saying, that Trevethlan should yet pay dearly for the morning's victory. + +Meantime the feast was spread in a low, long barn at the Trevethlan +Arms, and the board was crowded by adherents of both parties with right +west-country appetites. Lads and lasses ate to their heart's content. +Dame Miniver's sheep was declared to make very excellent mutton, and no +one quarrelled with the quality of her cider. The guests from Pendarrel +honoured the health of the squire of Trevethlan, and the company who +were at home paid due respect to the lord and lady of the strangers. So +"all went merry as a marriage bell." The relics of dinner were reserved +to furnish forth a supper, and the company resumed their morning sports, +exhilarating themselves with copious libations of the juice of the +apple, and occasionally with a dram of whisky or Hollands, which was, +probably, still indebted to his Majesty's customs. + +On the whole, the frolic proceeded in perfect good-humour; but +occasionally a dispute arose respecting the final contest between Owen +and Sinson, which threatened for a moment or more to interrupt the +general harmony. No serious quarrel had arisen, however, before daylight +died away, and the shadow of night called for the lighting of the +bonfire. But when the crackling logs flung a ruddy glow over the green, +and the white smoke went circling away on the breeze, and the village +musicians, a fiddle and clarionet, who on Sunday led the choir in +church, became more energetic in their strains, then the fun began to +grow fast and furious, and practical jokes continually endangered the +peace of the green. As the boys and girls danced wild country measures +around the blazing pile, a few of their comrades distributed at each end +of a long and stout cord, would single a couple from the throng, catch +them in the snare, and running adroitly round and round in opposite +directions, bind the unlucky pair in a noose to which they would not +have objected, perhaps, in a gentler and quieter assembly, but which +here exposed them to many a shout of rustic laughter. Or, again, running +rapidly along the green with the cord trailing loose between them, the +same confederates would trip up the heels of all in their way--a jest +not always accepted with perfect equanimity. + +In the midst of these rough gambols, and when no small portion of the +folks had somewhat exceeded the bounds of sobriety, Michael Sinson made +his appearance on the green, himself flushed with festive doings at +Pendarrel. He spoke and laughed with some of his acquaintance, and +sought his neglected flame, Mercy Page. She sat on a stool at her +mother's cottage-gate, having steadily refused every invitation to take +an active part in the dance, relying on the half-promise she had +received from Michael. As for her rejected lover, the hero of the day, +he seemed to challenge her jealousy by dancing vigorously with half the +girls on the green, and ostentatiously parading his partners in Mercy's +sight; without, however, succeeding in his object, by awaking her +indignation. + +Sinson soon discovered his too faithful beauty, and led her, willing +enough, for a romping dance around the bonfire. But they had tripped +together for a very short time, when the rope was swept round them, and +in a twinkling they were fast enveloped in its coils. Michael grew +furious with rage. He recollected having once boasted to Mercy of +rescuing her from a similar disaster. His wrath was far from diminished +when he perceived Owen active in endeavouring to procure his release. +When those efforts succeeded, he fixed a quarrel upon his rescuer, on +the old ground of the foul play at the hurling-match. Mischief was +meant, and mischief came. In a very few minutes the whole green was the +scene of a furious conflict; the parties which had met in the morning in +friendly rivalry, and broken bread together cheerfully in the afternoon, +now proceeding to break one another's heads without the slightest +reserve. The girls ran crying to their homes; the bonfire was trodden +under foot; and so, in confusion and uproar, terminated the sports at +Trevethlan. + +The battle might be considered in its end as drawn. But it was said that +individual cries were heard in the fray, to the effect that the heir of +the castle was about to claim his own, and that they would have tidings +of him at Pendarrel before many weeks had gone by. If the bonfire at +Trevethlan was extinguished in tumult, some of the hamlet would dance by +the light of a greater. No one seemed to know what such words meant, but +some folks remembered them when the heat of the struggle was past. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + "Whether it be + Bestial oblivion, or some craven scruple + Of thinking too precisely on the event-- + A thought, which, quartered, hath but one part wisdom, + And ever three parts coward--I do not know + Why yet I live to say, _This thing 's to do_." + + Shakspeare. + + +Randolph had not renewed, on returning to the castle, the instructions +he formerly gave to Jeffrey respecting the non-admission of strangers. +But as yet there had been no visitors. The family had been so long +isolated, that it was a matter of discussion among the neighbouring +gentry to call or not to call; and no sheep had as yet chosen to head +the flock. But the very morning of the sports described in the last +chapter, word was brought that a gentleman wished to see Mr. Trevethlan. +Randolph desired he might be shown into a parlour, and went to meet him. + +"Have the honour to address Mr. Trevethlan, I presume," the stranger +said. "My name, Stiles; in the employment of Messrs. Truby and Company, +solicitors, Chancery-lane, London. Have the honour to deliver this +declaration in ejectment. Will take the liberty to read the notice--'Mr. +Randolph Trevethlan'"---- + +"It is unnecessary, sir," said Randolph, with an external calmness at +which he afterwards marvelled. "I have been a student of the law, and +understand the proceeding." + +"Beg pardon, sir," said Mr. Stiles; "more regular to read it. Very +short. 'Mr. Randolph Trevethlan'"---- + +And the clerk read the notice without further interruption. Randolph +took the paper, rang the bell, desired the servant to provide Mr. Stiles +with some refreshment, wished him good-morning, and withdrew. + +He was, as he said, perfectly familiar with the nature of the law-suit +which this visit commenced. And as the reader is doubtless acquainted +with it through the medium of a very clever and popular story, it will +be unnecessary to pursue its details here. As soon as Randolph was +alone, he glanced down the document, and, with a kind of wild glee, +perceived that his real opponent in the action was Philip Trevethlan +Pendarrel. He rubbed his hands together, rumpling the paper between +them, and almost exulting in the strife which was at hand. + +"So," said he aloud, "there are two games begun to-day. One will be +played out before night; the other will last sometime longer. But we'll +make it as short as we can. And now to action. Our stake is a little +higher than that of the villagers yonder. They play for broken heads, +and we for broken hearts. Faites vos devoirs, preux chevaliers." + +With these hasty words Randolph immediately sought the chaplain and +steward, and begged them to come and assist at a council of war. Nor was +Helen omitted, for after one moment's hesitation, her brother thought +she had better know the worst at once. As soon as the little circle was +completed, Randolph produced the hostile missive, requested that he +might not be interrupted, and read it from end to end with a fierce +gravity of accent. Helen was entirely bewildered, Polydore was rather +perplexed, the steward was thunderstruck. + +"What does it mean?" said Helen. "Roe, and Doe, and Mr. Pendarrel! What +does it all mean?" + +"It is some kind of law proceeding, is it not?" said the chaplain. + +"It is the beginning of an action of ejectment," said Mr. Griffith. +"That is, Mr. Pendarrel claims some portion of our estates. Methinks he +has had enough already." + +Randolph was silent. + +"I imagined that all litigation had been closed long ago," Polydore +remarked. + +"Will it be a source of trouble?" Helen asked, looking anxiously at her +brother. + +"I cannot for the life of me understand what it means," said Griffith, +who had been reflecting. "Is it possible that in all those numerous +deeds, some bit of land has been included which has never been +surrendered? But it cannot be--they're too sharp." + +"Trouble yourself with no vain questions, Mr. Griffith," Randolph +exclaimed abruptly. "This is brought for the castle, and hamlet, and +_all_ our property." + +"To deprive us----," Helen began. + +"Ay, Helen, to deprive us of everything," her brother continued. "Some +personal trinkets, a few bits of old furniture, perhaps our wardrobes, +may be spared--that is, if we can pay the expenses of the proceeding. +But our home, and our lands, and our friends, from all those we are to +be parted for ever." + +Helen wept; more at her brother's manner than the fate announced in his +words. + +"Randolph," said the chaplain, with a sternness, which in him was +extremely rare, "be calm. You are unkind to your sister, and unjust to +us. You know that nothing but your own conduct can deprive you of your +friends, and I apprehend that even the rest does not necessarily +follow." + +"Sister, dearest," Randolph whispered, "I did not mean it. Mr. Riches, I +beg pardon. I am, perhaps, scarcely myself. But I feel convinced that +nothing less is intended than an attack on the castle. It is well to +provide against the worst." + +"I think Mr. Trevethlan must be right," said the steward very seriously. +"On turning the matter over, I can see no other explanation than an +attempt to upset our title in general. But what can be the alleged flaw +I am wholly at a loss to conceive." + +"One cannot learn that till the trial, Mr. Griffith," Randolph observed. + +"And is it possible," asked Helen, who had dried her eyes, "that the +attempt can be successful? Can we be obliged to abandon Trevethlan?" + +"Not for ever, my sister," answered Randolph. "The word slipped from my +tongue. But they may obtain a temporary victory. We may be surprised at +the first trial. It is for that I wished to prepare you. It is also a +reason why I am resolved the affair shall, on our side, be hurried +forward as fast as possible. We will try at the very next assizes, if it +is feasible, and so, within a month, we shall know our true position. I +shall write to Mr. Winter, and send him this notice immediately; and Mr. +Griffith will have the goodness to communicate with him also. Say +everything you can imagine, my good sir. Suggest the wildest +difficulties. Perhaps Mr. Riches can think of something. We will be +forearmed if we can. But despatch--despatch above everything." + +Randolph had recovered both his composure and his energy. Riches and +Griffith were again surprised at the decision with which he spoke. They +now quitted the room, and the brother and sister were left alone. + +"Helen," the former said, "this may be a very painful business. From the +nature of the proceeding, we are kept in ignorance of the grounds of the +attack, and when they are disclosed we may be taken by surprise, and +unable to show their weakness. And in that case there would be a verdict +against us, and for a time--note me, my dear sister, only for a time--we +should be deprived of everything that is ours, to our very name. So, +Helen, we must be prepared for a season of calamity." + +"They cannot deprive me of you, Randolph," she said, "and the rest they +may take." + +"Nay," said the brother, "I hope they may not. There is some deep plot +laid against us, which may prove successful at first. Dark hints, +foreboding threats, have been whispered to me. I seem to see some +shapeless danger. It is now like the smoke which rose from the +fisherman's casket. It may take the form of the Afrite. But trust me, my +sister, we shall find a spell to charm it again into its prison." + +"Would, Randolph," Helen exclaimed, "I could find some spell to charm +you into old ways! Why are you not as before we went to London? Whence +has come all the change? Little else should I heed, if you were as you +used to be." + +"And all the glories of our race! Fie, Helen! Go to Mrs. Griffith, and +take a lesson in the picture-gallery." + +He had smiled as he began; but his last word suggested a host of recent +associations, and his tone was gloomy again, as he said he would go and +write his letters. + +Of these, the first was to Mr. Winter. Randolph referred him to the +document which he enclosed, requested him to communicate with Messrs. +Truby, and to take upon himself the whole conduct of the action. And, in +the most urgent terms, he desired the lawyer to bring it to an issue +with the utmost despatch. Some surprise, he said, was evidently +intended. It was just within the sphere of possibility, that by delay +they might find a clue to the plot. Never mind that. It was at least as +possible they might not, and they might as well learn it from their +adversaries. Beaten at first, they would triumph in the end. At the same +time, they would of course go into court prepared, as far as they could +be, to meet every possible objection that could be imagined. He would be +obliged by Mr. Winter retaining Mr. Seymour Rereworth as his junior +counsel. + +Randolph had signed his letter, and laid down his pen. He read carefully +over what he had written, caught up the quill again, and added-- + +"P.S.--It is my father's marriage that is attacked." + +With quick and trembling fingers he folded the missive, sealed and +directed it. So much was done. + +Then he wrote to Rereworth, who had been called to the bar the preceding +term, and intended to join the western circuit at the coming assizes. +The letter was as follows:-- + + "MY DEAR REREWORTH, + + "An action has just been commenced against me, in which I have + requested Winter to offer you a brief. If you will not object + to hold it, I shall rejoice; but if, under the circumstances, + you feel the slightest reluctance, pray decline without + hesitation. Do not think that a refusal would vex me. + + "It is ejectment, brought by Mr. Pendarrel, and, I have no + doubt, for all the property which is left me here. There can be + only three grounds for the claim. First, they may set up some + will or deed, which would be forged. Secondly, they may impeach + the marriage of my grandfather (Mr. Pendarrel's half brother), + which is very unlikely. Thirdly, they may attack my father's; + which, I write it with shame and sorrow, is what I believe they + mean to do. + + "Winter is acquainted with all the circumstances of that + unhappy union. I have written to him; but I could not dwell + upon the subject. To you I would hint, that it is among my + maternal relations that a clue to the plot will probably be + found. They have, perhaps, had reason to complain, and they + have passion enough to seek revenge. + + "I levy a tax upon your friendship in asking you to engage in a + cause which, you will at once see, involves many personal + considerations, and must produce great pain. Do not, I again + say, consider yourself in any way bound to pay it; and believe + me, whatever be your decision, to be, my dear Rereworth, + + "Still faithfully yours, + + "RANDOLPH TREVETHLAN." + +These letters, together with one from Mr. Griffith, were despatched to +their destination that afternoon. Griffith wrote at much greater length +than his master, refreshing Mr. Winter's memory as to many points in the +family history. In particular, he detailed all the facts relating to the +marriage of Margaret Basset. For it was impossible not to be struck by +the idea that this action might be an attempt to give effect to the +vulgar rumours. And Griffith remembered, with some anxiety, that the +only witness to the ceremony, at present available, was old Maud Basset, +and that it was not quite certain which way her testimony might incline. +On the other hand, the steward found pleasure in thinking that they +could raise so strong a presumption in favour of the marriage, from Mr. +Trevethlan's own conduct, and from the conviction of all his household, +as could only be shaken by evidence of the most peremptory description. + +The temporary excitement which had strung Randolph's nerves and restored +his composure while he wrote his letters, died away when they were +finished. The sport with which all the country was alive, precluded him +from his usual excursion. He ascended with Helen to the roof of the +watch-tower, which commanded a very extensive view of the scene of +action, and looked listlessly upon the animated landscape. The shouts of +the contending parties came up to the brother and sister, now near and +now distant, now from the hollow of a dell, now from the ridge of an +upland. Sometimes the holder of the ball led the conflict full in their +sight; sometimes it disappeared in the intricacy of a thicket; sometimes +it approached, and Trevethlan seemed to be winning; then it receded, and +victory appeared to favour Pendarrel. Immediately below them, at the +foot of the base-court was the village-green, gay with the bright +ribands and merry laughter of the country girls. Helen partly forgot the +cares of the new law-suit, in gazing on the jocund landscape. + +"I wonder, Randolph," she said, "whether Mercy Page's sweetheart is in +the game to-day. The poor little girl's been quite fretting about him, +ever since he went away to London; and she owned to me, the other day, +she had been to drop a pebble in Madron Well, and that wretched dame +Gudhan frightened her half out of her wits." + +"Who is Mercy's sweetheart?" her brother asked. + +"Oh, it is Michael Sinson. He is in the service of Mrs. Pendarrel." +Helen had answered before she recollected the morning's communication. + +"Ha! indeed!" Randolph exclaimed. + +"And Polydore tells me that Edward Owen is just as peevish for her +sake," the sister continued, "as she for her absent swain's. And he goes +much among the discontented, and attends the night meetings, all out of +love. So you see there's quite a little romance in the hamlet; Romeo and +Juliet _en paysan_." + +"Of old," Randolph said, mechanically, for his thoughts were otherwise +engaged, "he would have gone on the high road." + +Helen, perplexed, looked in her brother's face, and saw the abstraction +in which he was absorbed. She turned her attention on the game, which +was now approaching its close. A dense throng appeared in the lane which +debouched at the further end of the green, shouting, struggling, and +fighting, till at last the victor of the day bounded to the goal, and +threw up the ball in triumph. The acclamations which hailed his success +roused Randolph from his reverie. + +"See, brother," said Helen, "we have won. Let it be an omen for us." + +"Ah!" he replied, smiling fondly upon her, and reverting to an idea she +had suggested, "I wish we believed such things. I would consult St. +Madron myself. As it is, I have written to consult our friend Rereworth. +But the game is over: let us go down." + +Helen was pleased to hear that Randolph was in correspondence with one +whom she had liked in his visits to Hampstead, and also at the +expression of his face, and the cheerful accent with which he spoke. But +it was only one of the fluctuations of the barometer in a storm. + +He had exulted at first receiving the notice of action, because it gave +him what he had wished for,--a personal quarrel with the Pendarrels. +Before it he never felt quite satisfied with himself. He had his +misgivings concerning his reception of that first letter of condolence. +He desired a right to make reprisals on his own account. Anything that +would render his union with Esther's daughter a greater triumph over +herself, was acceptable to his perverse temper. + +But this froward feeling was short-lived. Randolph remembered Mildred's +position, and reflected that if she loved him, as he believed, +everything that widened the breach between him and her family would be a +source of misery to herself. In the pursuit of his selfish revenge, he +had entirely forgotten the suffering it would inflict upon his mistress. +He was precluded from seeking her as the friend of those who should be +dear to her; and it was not, surely, for him to exult in any +exasperation of their hostility. + +And then he thought of the law-suit almost in despair. It seemed that +Esther Pendarrel, not content with breaking his father's heart, and +driving him to ruin, was proceeding after his death to defame his +memory: pretending that, he had imposed upon his family by a fictitious +marriage: seeking to have his children stripped of their name, and made +infamous in the eyes of the world. The mother of her whom Randolph +loved, was trying to degrade him to a position in which his alliance +would be a disgrace. + +And his own mother, whom he only knew by that strange dream, yet +regarded with the fondest affection, whose fame he had but recently +declared he would defend with his life,--her good name was also to be +sacrificed to satisfy the vengeance of this haughty woman. What! were +these the things in which he had exulted? That the breach which his +father had provided one means--dubious and remote indeed, but still a +means of healing--should be rendered irremediable for ever! For who +could pardon an attack like this? + +Of the action itself, and its consequences, Randolph took little heed. +To think of it would only be to perplex himself concerning the precise +artifice which was to be used at the trial: he was content to wait till +it came. Nevertheless, he noted Helen's chance information respecting +Michael Sinson's employment, but Griffith had already mentioned it to +Mr. Winter. + +Late in the evening the steward brought an account of the fray which +terminated the village sports, to the little turret-room where Polydore +was sitting with his old pupils. Jeffrey had been down on the green, +participating in the evening revels; but the careful warder returned to +his post as soon as anger took the place of amusement. And so fitful was +Randolph's mood that he now heard even of this disturbance with regret, +as he fancied it might introduce some fresh element of discord into the +family feud. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + "Era già l'ora che volge 'l disio + A' naviganti, e'ntenerisce il cuore, + Lo di ch'han detto a' dolci amici addio, + E che lo nuovo peregrin d' amore + Punge, se ode squilla di lontano, + Che paja 'l giorno pianger che si muore." + + Dante. + + +Mercy Page was an old acquaintance of Helen's, and was wont to bring her +all the gossip of the village, intermingled with her own little +adventures. And so she told Miss Helen the story of her pilgrimage to +Madron Well, and the fierce denunciations of Dame Gudhan. And the young +lady, after smilingly chiding her for her simple proceeding, taught her +to smile also at the ill words of the pythoness. But now Mercy thought +she had the laugh on her side, for she had heard the twilight tales +about the castle, and availed herself of the familiarity which Helen +allowed her, to inquire concerning them at head-quarters. + +"D' ye know, Miss Helen," she asked, "what they're saying about the +green yonder? How there's a pale lady all in white, that walks through +the castle by night, and fleers you and Mr. Randolph sadly?" + +"All I can say, Mercy," Helen answered, with a smile, "is that I have +met no lady answering that description, either by night or by day." + +"They tell it so in whispers," the fair rustic continued; "I cannot well +say what is the story. It's something about somebody that some one +murdered a very long while ago." + +"Ah, Mercy, people are always fond of a ghost story," Helen said. "And +so I hear Michael was in the game the other day. You had a merry dance +at last, I expect." + +"Then, Miss Helen," said the girl, "I don't well know what's come over +Michael. He's very different from before he went to London." + +Helen sighed, thinking Michael was not the only one who had been so +altered. And in truth, Mercy was quite right. If her old lover pretended +to court her now, it was in a spirit very opposite to that which +animated him before his employment by Mrs. Pendarrel. His object was +twofold; to make use of the unsuspecting maiden as a spy within the +castle, and to achieve one of those conquests which he had heard boasted +of as great exploits in the society he frequented in town. But love is +frequently as blind to the qualities of its object as the attachment of +animals, and Mercy was as ignorant of Michael's intentions, as the +faithful dog in the story, that his master was a murderer. + +In truth, Sinson was exceedingly anxious to know what was passing in +Trevethlan Castle. He felt a feverish curiosity to discover what was +there thought of the law-suit which was just commenced. Certain himself, +that the case which he had submitted to Mr. Truby was unassailable, he +was still nervously desirous to learn in what manner his opponents +prepared to resist it. What did they guess? What did they suspect? What +line of investigation did they pursue? The proceedings were like a duel +in the dark. Neither party knew anything of his adversary's moves. A +stab in the back was perfectly legitimate. And so Sinson, naturally +imputing to others the conduct from which he would not shrink himself, +trembled lest he might be over-reached after all, and find his artifices +recoil upon their deviser. + +And upon this cast he had set all his desires. Upon the result of this +trial depended the issue of all his weary manoeuvring. It would either +place him in a position to demand his own terms, or it would leave him +unable to obtain any. His victory would be complete, or his ruin total. +But so far, although he was eager for news of his opponents, he +entertained no doubt whatsoever of his own triumph. + +Meantime, he trusted chiefly to Mercy for intelligence of what passed at +the castle, and she told him all she knew, with the most innocent +frankness. Trembling at shadows, he had been really alarmed at the tale +of poor Margaret's apparition. Aware of what was in contemplation, and +like all his race prone to superstition, he did not conceive there was +anything so very improbable in such a visitation, and he felt that it +would not be for the orphans that its warning was intended. He was glad +to hear from Mercy that the story was unfounded. + +Sinson was also much perturbed by the conduct of his grandmother. She +had not forgotten the hint he threw out respecting her favourite's +marriage. It was true, she only referred to it to excuse what he had +said, but the wild language and fierce predictions in which she +indulged, continually troubled him. And, besides, she was the only +witness now to be found who was present at the wedding; and although her +opposition could in no degree frustrate his scheme, her concurrence +would have gone some way to promote it. + +But he now endeavoured to hug himself in his security, and to pass the +interval before the trial as tranquilly as he might. He chose for +himself a pleasanter pastime than espionage upon Trevethlan Castle, and +watched with unwearying diligence the steps of Miss Pendarrel. Little +did Mildred think, as she pursued her meditative way among the +unfrequented thickets of the park, or strolled through the fields and +lanes beyond it, or wandered along the cliffs of the sea-shore, that her +path was always dogged by the stealthy foot, and her form watched by the +sinister eyes of Michael Sinson. Always at a convenient distance, ready +to slip behind a tree, or to skulk under a bank, if she chanced +accidentally to turn her head, the crafty observer lurked around her +course. Many a time he set out with the intention of coming forth at +some sequestered spot, and accosting the object of his chase, but he +always let the opportunity slip by. A kind of awe fettered his limbs, +and restrained his tongue, when he would have advanced and addressed the +unsuspecting maiden. There was a proud security about her which he felt +it impossible to invade, a serene confidence which he dared not ruffle. +He hated his timidity; he said, it should not be so next time; and when +the next time came, he again deferred his intended appearance. + +It happened, one fine mild afternoon, that Mildred quitted the park by +Wilderness Gate, and bent her steps to that thorn-shaded portion of the +cliff which was the scene of Michael's interview with Mercy Page, +immediately before his first departure for the metropolis. Here she +paced backwards and forwards, amongst the leafless hawthorns, often +pausing to gaze over the sea, and musing rather sadly of her forlorn +situation at home, where she had no one to confide in, no one to share +her emotion, and where every day seemed to draw her nearer to a +precipice, which she was yet resolved to shun. Thus she was looking over +the water, whose transparency assumed the hue of the weeds growing at +the bottom, pink, blue, and green, and watching the vessels in the bay, +when a step sounded on the turf by her side, and she looked round, and +recognised her cousin, Randolph Trevethlan. + +"Mildred," he said, in a voice which trembled with excitement, "do you +know me, Mildred?" + +He might read the answer in the hot flush upon her cheeks and forehead. + +"Will you acknowledge the impostor who sought you in disguise?" he +continued rapidly; "will you remember him who was shamed in your sight? +Me, the avowed enemy of your house, who should have met any belonging to +it in defiance and hate, yet came masked to your side to seek an +interest in your heart? For it was so. I loved you deeply, devotedly I +loved you, before that evening. So I love you now, and shall love you +for ever. From the first time my eyes met yours, in that echoing scene +of music and of light, I loved you, fervently as when I moved by your +side in those glittering saloons, fervently as I do now, and shall do, +till my heart has ceased to beat. And it was for me, Randolph +Trevethlan, to creep covertly to your presence, and woo you--for I did +woo you--woo you to be mine! And will you remember me now? Will you hear +me--not seek to palliate a deception which I loathe, not ask for +forgiveness which I despise--but will you hear me lay my love at your +feet, and, oh Mildred! at least not trample on it?" + +The vehemence with which he had spoken at first softened into tenderness +in his last words. Mildred continued to walk slowly by his side, unable +to speak, scarcely knowing what she did, with her eyes bent down, and +her hands clasped before her. + +"Hear me," Randolph said, in tones of passionate supplication. "Do you +know the life I have led? In yon lone castle by the sea, isolated from +the world, ignorant of my race, with nothing to love? Yet discontented, +pining, dreaming of love? Do you know how I came forth, madly +enthusiastic, to seek for fortune and fame? How still I felt my +desolation? Was not the world a blank to me? Was I not alone? Yet how +should you know it? I knew it not myself. Not till my eyes met yours +knew I the yearnings of my heart. The truth flashed upon me in an +instant. To see you and to love you, in your love to find the key to my +life, to vow for you to live and die--it was a moment's work. I knew not +who you were. Did I heed that? What acquaintance is needed for love? +Alas! I knew you too soon. The daughter of my father's destroyer, the +child of her whom I was pledged to hate, she it was I was destined to +love." + +Mildred cast an imploring glance into his face. + +"It is vain," he said. "It is hopeless. Even now, at this very hour, she +seeks to drive me from my home: from my name: my sister and me to be +outcasts on earth: shunned and despised: children without a father. +Think you there can be anything but hate between her and me?" + +"My mother," Mildred faltered. + +"It is our curse," said Randolph. "Did not my father imprecate the wrath +of Heaven upon me, if I held communion with her or hers? I love you, +Mildred, and the curse has fallen. And you love me," he cried in wild +rapture, flinging his arm around her, and folding her to his side, "you +love me, let the curse prevail." + +She did not shrink from his embrace, and for some distance they +proceeded in silence. He pressed her to a seat on a bank of turf. + +"Speak, dearest," he whispered, "let me hear that you love me. I feel it +in the beating of your heart. I read it in your face. Will you not let +me hear it from your lips?" + +She hid her face against his breast. There was another long silence. + +"Dearest," at length Randolph murmured, "there can be little of joy for +our love except in itself. Shall we not have faith in each other to +support us? Will you not be mine, whatever betide,--will you not be +mine, dearest Mildred?" + +"I am yours, Randolph," she said, "yours for ever, and only yours." + +He pressed a kiss upon her lips. + +"I must go home," she whispered, "I must go home." + +"Yes, we must part," the lover answered; "I know it. See," he continued, +"it is my star. Smiling on us, Mildred, as that evening. Believe me, +dearest, we shall not be parted for ever." + +And in a calmer mood, with more of hope and less of agitation, Randolph +rose, and supporting Mildred on his arm, accompanied her a short +distance on her way. They parted with a silent pressure of hands. + +The lovers were scarcely out of sight when Michael Sinson emerged from a +lair he had made himself near the spot where they rested, glared +fiercely in the direction they had gone, and advanced to the edge of the +cliff. The evening was mild enough for May; twilight was stealing slowly +over the tranquil sea; in the west, the star of love, alone in the sky, +was following the sun to sink behind the waves. It was, indeed, the soft +hour so sweetly described by the poet of the divine drama, reminding the +mariner of his latest farewell, and soothing the pilgrim of love with +the knell of parting day. But none of this tender influence was felt by +the man who stood, panting, on the cliff that overhung the waters. Fury, +envy, and malice, contended within him. Why could not he do this? Why, +in the many times he had followed her steps, had he never dared to +approach her? What spell had been upon him? Had she shrunk at all from +the arm which enfolded her? Had she recoiled from the embrace? Might it +not have been the same with him? The same blood was in his veins as in +Randolph's. Whence came the accursed timidity which held him back? And +what did they say? Why could he not hear as well as see? Was there any +fascination in Trevethlan's tongue? + +And it was he, whom he had learned to hate from his boyhood, his +mother's sister's son, whose father cast aside the peasant relatives +with contempt; he it was who, in one moment, in a first interview it +might be, had achieved a triumph which Michael, with all his +opportunities, had never ventured to attempt. But let him look to it. +Ruin and shame were impending over his head. It would soon be seen which +of them was the better born. The emptiness of his rival's happiness +would speedily be discovered. Poverty-stricken and dishonoured, Margaret +Basset's son might not be so successful a suitor as the heir of +Trevethlan. + +Successful! Had he been successful? Had she listened to him with favour? +Michael felt that she had. But she would not long exult in her love. She +little thought of the chain that was preparing for her. Melcomb, indeed! +She need not fear the shallow coxcomb. There was another sort of wooer +behind. But for the present her mother must know the liberties taken by +the bird. The door of the cage would probably be fastened. + +Some such train of ideas flew rapidly through Sinson's perturbed fancy, +as he stood a few minutes on the verge of the cliff. He soon turned +hastily, and hurried straight across the country to Pendarrel Hall, +where he arrived before the young lady who had excited his emotion. He +sought its mistress without much ceremony. + +"Pray, sir," said she, on seeing him, "what rudeness is this? Did I +desire your attendance?" + +"No, ma'am," he answered, cringing and trembling. "I beg pardon, ma'am; +but I thought you might like to know that Miss Mildred has just met Mr. +Trevethlan." + +"Well, sir!" Esther said, preserving a composure which bewildered the +informant. + +"It may be nothing, ma'am, of course," Sinson continued. "But clasping +arms, and hands pressed, and lips meeting...." + +"Be silent, sir!" exclaimed Mrs. Pendarrel, "and leave the room. I want +no tales about Mr. Trevethlan." + +In increased astonishment, Michael obeyed. Mildred entered the apartment +not very long after. + +"My dear Mildred," her mother said, "you should not stay out so late. +These February evenings are damp and unhealthy; and besides, dear, you +take too long walks. I should be glad if you would confine yourself to +the garden. Take a carriage, my love, if you wish for a longer +excursion." + +Mildred understood her mother well, and knew that this was a command. +But amid the rapturous, though confused sensations, with which her heart +was thrilling, she did not even notice the coincidence of the injunction +with the scene through which she had passed not an hour before. She +thought she should be happy at last. She had found a stay to uphold her +in the times which she feared were at hand. She had pledged her word, +plighted her troth. There was a home ready for her, if her own were made +desolate--a haven to receive her, if the storm rose higher than she +could bear. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + Quand on est honnête homme, ou ne veut rien devoir + A ce que des parens ont sur nous du pouvoir. + On répugne à se faire immoler ce qu'on aime, + Et l'on veut n'obtenir un coeur que de lui-même. + Ne poussez pas ma mère à vouloir, par son choix, + Exercer sur mes voeux la rigueur de ses droits. + Otez-moi votre amour, et portez à quelqu'autre + Les hommages d'un coeur aussi cher que le votre. + + Moliere. + + +So the days passed on; and in due course arrived the one fixed by Mrs. +Pendarrel for her great entertainment. March was coming in like a lamb +when the appointed morning dawned, the festival having been postponed to +nearly the time of the county assizes, for the convenience of Mr. +Pendarrel, who was always summoned on the grand jury. Mildred no longer +contemplated it with her old alarm, but rather hoped it might afford her +an opportunity of coming to an explanation with her suitor of Tolpeden, +and so relieve her at once and for ever from his unwelcome addresses. As +for Michael Sinson, he had gone to London again. + +A very busy day was that at the Hall. Not only the suite of saloons, +opening by French windows on a terrace, whence a few steps descended to +a lawn diversified by clumps of flowering shrubs, but also, under favour +of the genial season, the lawn itself and the neighbouring alleys were +prepared for the entertainment of the company. Coloured lamps were +dispersed among the bushes, and festoons of the same were hung from +branch to branch of the trees which in summer shaded the gravel walks. +Arrangements were made also for a display of fireworks. In short, the +hostess provided amusement for a very miscellaneous assembly, looking +beyond the gaiety of the evening to the maintenance of political +influence, and having swept with her invitations half the hundred of +West Kerrier. + +Her obsequious consort arrived in the course of the day, quitting the +cares of office to show civility to his adherents. Unwillingly, indeed, +he came, for he hated the country, and would gladly have deferred his +visit until the assizes. But his wife required his presence, perhaps, +for ulterior views. There was another guest for whom Mildred might hope +in vain: no Gertrude was there to gladden her with sisterly affection. + +Twilight had scarcely deepened into night when the earliest of the +company made their appearance. A worthy civic dignitary from a +neighbouring borough, with his wife, and his sons and his daughters, +walked in dismay through the splendour of the drawing-rooms to pay his +respects to his excellent representative. Alas! that free and +independent elector, if, indeed, he survived the shock, has now wept +long for his dearly-beloved franchise. As Napoleon has been imagined in +shadowy pomp reviewing a spectral army on the plain of Waterloo, may we +not fancy that the latest burgesses of Grampound or Old Sarum are +summoned from their tombs by the dissolution of a Parliament, meet again +in the ruined town-hall, or on the desolate mound, stretch their +skeleton hands for the well-remembered compliment, elect a truly British +member, partake of an unsubstantial feast, and sink again into their +last sleep, in the manner recorded of Bibo, with the honest conviction +that, as men and as Englishmen, they have that day done their duty? The +mockery would be no greater than of old. + +Let not the worthy alderman be disconcerted. Some one must be first at a +party, but the intervals between that arrival, and the next, and the +next, are always brief, and they become shorter and shorter, until the +stream is continuous, and the scattered groups which had been +scrutinizing each other are blended together in one great crowd. So it +was now: a host of people speedily followed the Pentreaths. There was +Sir Simon Rogers, portly and pompous, whose history might be read in the +colour of his nose. He was still seeking a successor to the dairy-maid. +There was Mr. Hitchins, who had made his fortune by a lucky boring for +tin, with his scientific daughter, who, having been down her father's +mine, inflicted the descent upon all her partners. To dance with her was +almost literally to fall into a pit. There were the Misses Eildon, +antiquarian and antiquated. There were sea-board parsons of the old +school, who might have called on their congregations to give them a fair +start for the wreck. Tres, Rosses, and Pols, Lans, Caers, and Pens, +abounded. There was plenty of beauty and plenty of sense. And the throng +was illustrated by a few uniforms from the troops on duty in the +neighbourhood, still flushed with the glory of the war. + +Music lent its inspiration to the throng, and the crowded saloons were +all animation. Country dances and quadrilles followed each other in +endless succession; and the non-dancing community sauntered to and fro, +seeking friends and acquaintance, exchanging compliments and sarcasms, +making engagements, indulging in scandal, eternally talking and +contributing to the buzz which at a little distance almost overpowered +the orchestra. But the prevailing confusion of tongues was slightly +stilled when an attendant announced "Mr. Melcomb." + +Mildred had remained by her mother's side. She thought there had been +something a little peculiar in the observation bestowed upon herself. In +the lull which for a moment followed Melcomb's appearance, she supposed +she detected its origin. She might read it perhaps more plainly in the +faces of two or three worthy dames near her, who, as soon as they heard +the name, looked at her with all their might. She passed through the +ordeal triumphantly. + +Meantime, Melcomb made his way through the press with much show of +good-humour and condescension, until he reached the family group. He +shook hands warmly with Mrs. Pendarrel, and inflicted a tender pressure +on the passive fingers which Mildred extended to receive his salute. +Then he fell into what appeared to be a very entertaining conversation +with the mother and daughter, and at last led Mildred away to mix in the +mazes of the dance. + +But although she sustained her part with great spirit, there were not a +few quidnuncs, both male and female, who set the young lady down as +having anything but her heart in it. Shrewd matrons, thanking their +stars that none of their daughters were likely to fall in love with a +rake, doubted very much whether Miss Pendarrel was quite pleased with +the parental choice. Knowing fathers, congratulating themselves that +none of their sons were gamblers, speculated on the grounds of +selection. + +"They say he's totally ruined," said Mr. Langorel the surgeon, to Mr. +Quitch the lawyer. + +"Quite, my dear sir. Never heard of anything so complete in all my +experience. Know nothing about it professionally, of course. Break off +this match, and in a week there would not be a rag left in Tolpeden +House, nor a stick in the park." + +"What can make them fix on such a fellow?" asked the man of nostrums. + +"Well, there's the land to add to the domain," answered the man of +deeds. "Extraordinary woman, my dear sir. Covets her neighbour's land +like the czar of Russia. The owner goes with it, and diminishes the +value, and therefore the cost. And have you not heard what's even now in +the wind? Trevethlan Castle----" And mysteriously whispering, the +professionals passed on. + +"Don't tell me, my dear Mrs. Bonfoy," mumbled the ancient Mrs. Memoirs, +"I am old enough--I never disguise the fact, Mrs. Bonfoy--old enough to +recollect the mother's marriage. She married in spite, and she spites +her children." + +"Is he so very bad?" asked Mrs. Bonfoy. "I only believe half what the +world says." + +"Believe only a hundredth, my dear madam," answered Mrs. Memoirs, "of +what it says of him, and you will believe enough to--but no matter." + +"Then what can be the reason----?" + +"Ah, my dear madam! Tolpeden Park." + +"Poor Mrs. Melcomb!" + +"Ah!" + +Such were the comments, and such the sighs, with which the expected +marriage was canvassed in the drawing-rooms of Pendarrel. Its mistress +had taken care that the intelligence should be widely diffused, and in +all Kerrier there was probably no one who was not cognizant that the +match was a settled thing, except the lady whom it chiefly concerned, +and the inmates of Trevethlan Castle. Mildred read the news in the faces +and the demeanour of the company. Experience enabled her to control her +emotion, and she met her destined lord in a manner fully satisfactory +both to him and to her mother. The curious of the guests were surprised +and disappointed. No scene occurred to gratify their love of scandal. +But Mildred's calm deportment concealed a strong resolution. That very +night she would have an explanation with Melcomb, and repeat her +determination never to be his wife. + +She danced with him, and walked with him, and answered his lively +badinage with cold civility, continually watching for an opportunity to +explain herself. She long watched in vain. As the rooms grew warm, the +guests gradually resorted to the lawn and shrubberies, now lighted by +the coloured rays of myriad lamps. Thither Melcomb also directed the +steps of his partner, who went with pleasure, in the hope that in those +less crowded scenes she might obtain the chance which she desired. She +even permitted her cavalier to lead her into one of the more sequestered +walks, always with the same design. But still she was always foiled. +Melcomb maintained such an uninterrupted flow of small-talk, that she +could hardly insert a word. It seemed as if he almost divined her +intention. Whenever she began a sentence, he stopped her at the first +word, assenting beforehand to what he chose to assume she was about to +say. And some of the company, observing what seemed the close intimacy +of the unhappy couple, were inclined to throw aside their previous +suspicions, and to conclude that, after all, the marriage might be one +of inclination. Some of the dowagers complimented Mrs. Pendarrel on the +cordial affection of her daughter and intended son-in-law, and the wily +mother stored up those expressions of sympathy for future use. + +At length the discharge of a cannon summoned the admirers of pyrotechny +to witness a display of their art. There was a platform and scaffolding +erected for the exhibition at the extremity of the lawn. The company +thronged around the front, and waited for the show. Nor was it long in +commencing. Rockets rushed into the sky, leaving a fiery train behind +them, and flinging showers of coloured stars from the highest point of +their flight. Bengal lights cast a lurid glare on the trees, and the +house, and the faces of the crowd. Wheels of endless variety, and +devices of rare skill, excited the admiration, and demanded the applause +of the gazers. And the former reached its height, and the latter became +loudest, when the final emblem, a true lover's knot surrounded by +similar symbols, became visible in lines of fire, beneath a bouquet of +rockets and a salvo of cannon. + +"Happy will be the day, dear Miss Pendarrel," said Melcomb, forgetting +for an instant his prudence, "when that symbol shall become a reality." + +"That day," Mildred said, "will never come." + +The coxcomb bit his lips, but immediately relapsed into his former +persiflage. + +From the fireworks, the company went to supper; and after having duly +honoured the viands and the wines, returned to the enjoyment of the +dance with renewed spirits. Sir Roger de Coverley closed the night's +entertainment; and day was already visible in the east before the latest +of the party, among whom was Melcomb, arrived at their homes. + +The fortitude, which had sustained Mildred during the evening, vanished +with the last of the guests. She had designed to come to an explanation +with her mother before she slept; but she now felt quite unequal to the +task. Lassitude of body increased depression of mind. In sad, almost in +solemn accents, she bade her mother and father good night, and retired +to rest. + +Mrs. Pendarrel, in her secret self, was by no means so well satisfied +with her daughter's behaviour, as she pretended to her guests. She had +already discovered in Mildred a firmness of character, resembling, if +not equalling, her own; and she was rather afraid that this night's +tranquillity foreboded a stormy morrow. However, she was not a woman to +be easily daunted, and she did not suffer her anxiety to disturb her +slumbers. + +The day following a party is always dismal. One may remember the second +scene in Hogarth's Marriage à la Mode. But the revelry of the night had +not disordered the pleasant morning-room, where Mildred presided over +the breakfast equipage. It was again a beautiful day. Light clouds were +moving gently across the sky; the budding trees were waving in a soft +west wind; there was that seeming exuberance of life in the appearance +of nature, which is always so exhilarating. + +Little influence, however, did it produce on either of the three +personages who sat at breakfast. Mr. Pendarrel was engaged in a very +prosaic and business-like attack on a dindon aux truffes, a relic of the +past night. And he preferred the metropolitan parks to any country lawns +and groves. As soon as he had appeased his appetite, or his gourmandism, +he went to look to the economy of the establishment. His wife, who +enjoyed a true relish for rural pleasures, noted her daughter's +quivering eyelids, and trembling fingers, with the consciousness that a +scene was coming, in which she might find her part more difficult than +she had flattered herself. She had dismissed the breakfast things, and +was herself about to leave the room, when Mildred, who was leaning +against the side of the window, and gazing wistfully on the garden, +turned and arrested her steps. + +"Mother," she said, "I must speak with you." + +"And what have you to say, Mildred," asked Mrs. Pendarrel, with a +freezing smile, "which requires so formal an introduction?" + +"I did not know, mother," Mildred replied, "that the party, last night, +was to be dedicated, in any way, to my ... my honour. If I had, I would +not have been present." + +"You will be present, Miss Pendarrel," Esther said, "wherever your +father and I choose you to be present." + +"Indeed, mother, sorry I am to say it," answered the daughter, +mournfully, "I will not, except as a captive. The company shall see my +bondage." + +"Mildred, let me hear no more of this folly," exclaimed Mrs. Pendarrel. +"Captive! Bondage! What romance have you been reading lately?" + +"No romance, mother, but myself. Scarcely a month has passed since I +told Mr. Melcomb, and you, mother, that I would never be his wife. Do +you fancy that month has changed my mind?" + +"Twelve hours have not passed, Mildred," said Esther, in the stern tone +she could so well adopt, "since here, in the face of half Kerrier, you +accepted Mr. Melcomb as your acknowledged suitor. Pshaw, child! Do you +think words are the only way of making an engagement? Are you a baby? +Why, a hundred people complimented me on the affair last night, and +expressed their satisfaction at your evident happiness. And will you +dare to tell me, now, that you were acting a lie all that time?" + +"Mother, mother!" cried Mildred, "spare such words. You know they are +undeserved. So does he. I repeated my determination to him last night." + +"What!" Mrs. Pendarrel exclaimed; "but it is no matter. Your faith, your +father's, and mine, are alike involved in the fulfilment of this +contract, and nothing can prevent it." + +"Yes, mother," Mildred said, "I can, and I will." + +"You are mistaken in the extent of your abilities, child," Esther said, +ironically. "Note me,--I have fixed the day. I have written to your +sister. I expect the lawyer here with the writings every day. He has +some other business to do for us at the assizes. You will find nerve to +sign, I expect. Away with this foolish childishness, Mildred." + +"May my hand wither if it takes the pen! Mother, you know my +resolution." + +With which words Mildred opened the window and passed into the garden. + +"So," thought Mrs. Pendarrel, "another check from the house of +Trevethlan! I foresaw it all when she trembled on my arm, when she +called him her 'cousin.' And they have met! They will rue the day. +Beggared and degraded, he might still have maintained his heart, but he +has thrown even that to the winds. And what will become of her?--what +will become of her?" + +A question to which there was very little hope of any favourable answer. +The cautious mother had carefully abstained from the least allusion to +Mildred's meeting with Randolph, because she knew that by so doing she +would probably convert resistance into attack. She recognised in her +daughter some of her own spirit, and she trembled to drive her to +extremity. Let them await the issue of the coming trial at Bodmin: let +them see what became of this intrusive "cousin," before taking any steps +which might indicate a suspicion of Mildred's real attachment. + +Her daughter strolled sometime listlessly in the garden, in that vacuity +of mind which nearly resembles despair. She was like one walking in her +sleep. But there were pleasant influences around her. The breeze fell +lightly on her cheek, and wafted the dark hair from her forehead. She +bent to meet it, like a bird. It came from the sea. Did it remind +Mildred of the hawthorns on the cliff? She passed from her saunter on +the lawn to her own apartment, and opened her heart in a letter to Mrs. +Winston. For some time her pen coquetted with country trifles, as if the +writer were trying to escape from an unpleasant topic which nevertheless +forced itself into notice, and at last banished every other. + + "It has all come true, my dearest sister," she wrote, "all your + prediction has come true. Quiet among my flowers and books, + _our_ books, Gertrude, I was beginning to forget it. All the + people paid us their visits and their compliments, and we duly + returned them, and of _him_ I saw and heard nothing. But you + know all about it, for mamma told me she had written to you. It + seems he was only to come to our party last night. Everybody we + know, with many we can hardly be said to know, was here,--he + among the rest; although I had not heard he was in the country, + and only learned it from the announcement of his name. I + believe I bore it like Gertrude's sister; but oh! dearest, how + shall I tell you of my feelings when I saw that every one + regarded us as engaged? I hate that _us_. And this morning + mamma says my character is compromised. And I am in open and + avowed rebellion. + + "But this is not all, Gertrude, dear, that I have to tell you. + I wish you to guess a little. I have seen our cousin, Mr. + Trevethlan, who was at your party, you know. There is the first + chapter of my romance. You are coming here soon, and then you + shall know more. Till then, and always, believe me, your most + affectionate sister, + + "MILDRED PENDARREL." + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + Here, a bold, artful, surly, savage race-- + Who, only skilled to take the finny tribe, + The yearly dinner, or septennial bribe, + Wait on the shore, and as the waves run high, + On the lost vessel bend their eager eye, + Which to their coast directs its venturous way-- + Theirs, or the ocean's, miserable prey. + + Crabbe. + + +"Did you hear what they're saying in the village yonder, Master +Randolph?" old Jeffrey asked, as Trevethlan was passing through the +gate, on the day after the party. "All the grand doings at Pendar'l?" + +Randolph started a little. + +"I saw the light in the sky," the warder continued, "and was thinking +whose stacks had been fired this time, only it didn't last long now. And +they tell me 'twas the squibs and things that were let off to entertain +the company like." + +"Then there was a party at Pendarrel last night?" Randolph said, in an +inquiring tone. + +"A party! Indeed I should say there was," Jeffrey answered. "Why, sir, +all the country was there from far and wide; all but ours from +Trevethlan! And Squire Melcomb of Tolpeden, over the hill yonder, that +the folks say is to marry Miss Mildred." + +Randolph smiled. "What," said he; "is that so publicly known?" + +"It seems like it," Jeffrey said. "But there's strife on foot between +our people and Pendar'l. There's a deal of grumbling and threatening +down there on the green. They do say as the wedding is fixed for quite +soon." + +Randolph asked no more, but proceeded on his way. He had not got far +from the gates when he met the unrequited lover, Edward Owen. The rustic +seemed desirous to say something, for he lingered after making his +salute. + +"What is it, Edward?" his master asked, "what is the matter?" + +"Why, sir, then the folks are just wanting to know what this law-suit is +about. You see, sir, we think Pendar'l ha' got quite enough as was ours, +and we ought to have some back, rather than give up any more. And the +country's a little unquiet just now, and there's no saying exactly what +may happen." + +"And I am sorry to hear, Edward," Randolph said, "that you have been +concerned in the disquiet. It will lead to no good." + +"Sir," answered Owen, colouring, "you do not know how I have been urged +on. And, for the others, there's a deal wrong in the country at this +time." + +"But this is not the way to right it, Owen," his master observed. "No +good will be done by these night-meetings, and threats, and violence. It +is not the way to set things right. You cannot frighten people into +doing what you wish. And if you are mixed up with these wrong-doers, you +will get into mischief. You will be led further than you meant to go." + +Owen muttered some words, either of contrition or of discontent, and +pursued his way. It was true that the ferment in the country had +considerably increased. The labouring population met almost every night +on some point of the moorlands, and although no outrage of much +consequence had yet been perpetrated by these mobs, they yet kept up a +continual feeling of alarm. + +Nor was the danger by any means chimerical. If hitherto no greater +mischief had occurred, it was probably rather from the want of +sufficient daring in a leader, than of any good will among the mass. And +this requisite seemed now likely to be supplied, by an event which +happened on the hill-side between Lelant and St. Ives. + +A small river there expands into a creek, the shores of which rise +rapidly from the water's edge, sometimes cultivated, and sometimes +waste, frequently chequered with trees, occasionally broken by masses of +rock--always rugged and picturesque. High upon one of the untilled +portions, under the shelter of a ledge of slate, stood a low, straggling +cottage, constructed of _cob_, and thatched with fern, of which the +whitewashed front by day, and a light in the window by night, were +visible far out at sea. On the over-hanging rock was a spot showing +signs of fire, that commonest and simplest of signals, in by-gone years +too often used in these western districts to lure mariners to their +destruction; when the skipper, navigating by the fallacious beacon, was +startled by the cry of "breakers ahead!" confounded by the crash of his +ship's striking, and overpowered by a horde of lawless depredators, +unaccustomed in their thirst for plunder, to respect life. But the +fierceness of the wreckers, if it still tainted the blood of the +peasantry, quailed under the law; and their organ of acquisitiveness now +led them to the milder occupation of smuggling. If, in these days, a +fire ever burned on the rock in question, it was a friendly warning +concerning the fate of some brandy or Hollands, supposed to lurk under +the broad lug-sails which the telescope had detected in the offing, and +coveted with much zest in many a dwelling on the shore. + +This cottage was the abode of Gabriel Denis, a man whose stalwart form +and firm step showed that fifty years sat light upon him; while his +swarthy, weather-beaten visage, grizzled hair, and resolute eye, told of +a life, which hardship and peril had familiarised with endurance and +boldness. Some few years before the opening of this narrative, on a dark +and stormy night, when a rich landing of spirits and tobacco repaid the +country-folks about Zennor for the want of sleep, Denis was found in the +morning to have been left behind by the smart schooner which had run +boldly under the cliffs in the gloom, and which was then almost beyond +the range of glasses. His desertion did not, however, seem to be +unexpected by himself, for there were several chests left with him, and +also an olive-complexioned woman, whom it appeared he called wife, and a +girl about ten years old, whom he styled daughter. + +Denis knew very well that there was no danger of a smuggler's being +betrayed by the people, yet for some time he lived with great privacy, +and thereby attracted the attention which he wished to avoid. In the +dusk of evening he used to wander far over the country, and was known +not unfrequently to cross the isthmus from St. Ives to Marazion, and +stroll along the beach, or over the cliffs, in the direction of +Trevethlan Castle. He seemed to listen attentively to the gossip of all +the folks about him, and sometimes let fall a remark which indicated a +previous acquaintance with the locality. And at such times he would +glance round the company as if in search of a recognition. + +At length, assured perhaps of his situation, he obtained possession of +the cottage we have described, and retired thither with his wife and +child. He was evidently deeply attached to the dark-featured woman, and +watched all who approached her with extreme jealousy. She was still very +handsome, but passionate in temper to excess, and also quick to take +affront, partly, perhaps, because she was but imperfectly acquainted +with the English language. It required all her husband's watchfulness to +avoid perpetual quarrels. + +For it was soon discovered that the whitewashed cottage contained a +store of those liquors which seem to lead mankind into temptation, +universal and irresistible. Now a man, known _sub rosá_ to retail +smuggled spirits, was not likely to enjoy a perfectly quiet life; a +drinking-bout often ends in a battle; Bacchus is the herald of Mars. And +whenever such a tumult arose, Gabriel's wife was sure to be vocal in the +fray. But Denis possessed a right powerful arm, and knew how to use it: +and his customers learned to listen patiently to the strange jargon of +Felipa, in wholesome fear of the iron hand of her spouse. + +Gabriel's house had become a rendezvous for some of the agitators of the +district, who were wont to assemble there at nightfall, and discuss +their schemes of outrage under the inspiration of Nantz and Schiedam. +Hitherto, these had proved almost wholly abortive; but, as Owen vaguely +intimated to the owner of Trevethlan, they now assumed a more +threatening aspect, and some inhabitants of that hamlet were foremost +among the violent. There had been much question concerning the law-suit +between their master and the squire of Pendarrel. Its existence had +become generally known, not only by the service of numerous summonses to +attend the trial, but also by placards, offering liberal rewards for any +information respecting the supposed murder of Mr. Ashton, and the +disappearance of Wyley, the missing witness to Margaret Basset's +marriage. The rumours regarding that mysterious union, already revived, +were stimulated anew by these demonstrations: and the agitation and +discontent of the surrounding population were quickened by an indistinct +apprehension of some new calamity impending over the family, to which, +in spite of everything, they were still strongly attached. + +Denis himself had kept aloof from the deliberations, usually held on the +turf in front of his dwelling. All he desired was to maintain his wife +and child as quietly as he might, on the proceeds of his illicit +traffic. But at last, on the very eve of the assizes which were to +develope the plot against Trevethlan Castle, the smuggler was doomed to +lose his occupation, under circumstances which might have well nigh +maddened any man, and much more, one whose life had been like that of +Gabriel Denis. Long suspicious, the revenue officers had become at +length certain, and swooped upon their prey. The victim blockaded his +abode, as best he could, and opposed a gallant resistance to the +oppressors. But they were sure of their game, and the defence was +fruitless. Yet Denis struggled with them still, when they had effected +an entrance: and then, overpowered by numbers, he had the mortification +to see the officers, acting evidently on some traitor's information, +immediately detect the secret door which led to a natural cave in the +rock behind the cottage, and haul forth from that receptacle divers kegs +of the precious fluids intended to recreate the lieges of the +neighbourhood, but destined for their sovereign's storehouse at Lelant. + +Gabriel, in sulky silence, had given up all resistance. But not so his +wife. Enraged beyond control, and heedless of her husband's +remonstrances, she threw herself furiously upon the captors. It is +always difficult to struggle with a woman. Felipa had snatched a pistol +from the belt of one of the officers, and in the effort to disarm her, +the weapon exploded, and laid her lifeless on the ground. A moment's +pause of sorrow and surprise followed, during which Gabriel's little +girl threw herself, with loud cries, upon her mother's body, and he +himself, after one wild look of despair, flew up the hill-side like the +wind. + +The officers recovered, and gave chase, but to no effect. The smuggler +got clear off. There was nothing to be done but to secure the seizure, +and remove the body of the unfortunate victim. The little girl +accompanied the train. + +The news of the transaction flew far and fast. But it did not prevent +the conspirators--if the word is not above their deserts--from resorting +to their usual haunt the same evening. They lay, six or seven in number, +in various attitudes on the turf in front of the ruined cottage, in the +irresolute and objectless mood of which many a plot has perished. +Agreeing in a desire, either for wanton mischief or for their +neighbours' goods, they could not make up their minds how to begin. The +cowardice, which always attends the doing of wrong, lay heavy on their +hearts, and made their hands powerless. + +But Gabriel Denis came down the hill and joined the criminal divan. +Trained in a lawless life, burning with the desire for revenge, heedless +of the manner, he brought into the assembly the passion and energy for +which it had before sought in vain. He listened awhile to the incoherent +gabble of the agitators, and then startled their indecision by a direct +proposition of his own. His speech was cold, and his words were few; yet +there was not a man who heard him, but knew that he meant what he said. +And when the little party dispersed, it was with a confident feeling, +that the next meeting of their adherents at Castle Dinas would not +terminate in the same inoffensive manner as previous musters of the same +nature. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + Peace, brother, be not over-exquisite + To cast the fashion of uncertain evils; + For grant they be so, while they rest unknown, + What need a man forestall his date of grief, + And run to meet what he would most avoid? + + Milton. + + +The summonses referred to in the last chapter had been very widely +distributed among all those of the tenantry of Trevethian, who had been +cotemporaries of poor Margaret Basset. They were, in fact, issued almost +at random, in order that the defendant in the trial might have at hand +every possible means of rebutting his adversary's case. But they were +not confined to the dependents of the castle: old Maud Basset and her +daughter, Cecily, also received subpoenas, and Michael Sinson was +greatly startled by being served with one himself. + +Mr. Winter had offered some early opposition to Randolph's desire to +hurry on the matter without delay. His experience taught him to look +with hope to the discovery of a clue to the plaintiff's intentions, and +he would gladly have avoided the risk even of a temporary defeat. There +was, too, ample reason for postponement, in the chance, however slight +it might be, of finding the missing witness, Wyley; and in the short +space, there would otherwise intervene, for ascertaining as much as +possible of the clergyman, Mr. Ashton. All these considerations, +however, gave way to the urgency with which Randolph insisted on +despatch. And as there is a way, even in law, where there is a will, and +the other side were at least as anxious for an issue, the cause was +brought to a condition, for trying at the assizes which were now +commencing. + +It may not be uninteresting to the reader, to see the exact position, +stripped of technicalities, in which the parties stood at going into +court. The question between them was one of inheritance merely, and of a +very simple kind. Randolph's great grandfather left two sons by +different marriages, Arthur, the eldest, and Philip, the present +claimant of the property at stake. Arthur was the father of only one +son, Henry. It will be seen, therefore, that in default of any will, and +of Henry's dying without family, the estates would revert to Philip. +There was no will to interfere, for Henry, in his, merely appointed +guardians of his children, and made no bequests. He considered it a +matter of course that the children would inherit. And so they would, if +the marriage of which they were the offspring, were legal. But if this +marriage were not duly performed, or the children supposititious, Philip +would become heir to the property. + +It was, therefore, almost self-evident, that the claimant's case would +rest upon the insufficiency of Randolph's father's marriage. So to this +point was directed the main attention of his legal advisers. But every +presumption was in favour of its perfect legality. All the dark +suggestions which subtilty could imagine, vanished one after another, in +the light thrown upon them by Henry Trevethlan's own conduct. If there +were a fraud, it must have been without his cognizance, for it would +have defeated his supposed object. But if he were not privy, what motive +could be ascribed to any other party? It was impossible, for obvious +reasons, to impute anything of the kind to the friends of the bride. +Baffled in every conjecture, Mr. Winter could only take means for +procuring the presence of everybody, who, by any remote contingency, +might be able to contribute to the overthrow of the claimant's case. + +For in this sort of action the parties meet at the trial totally +ignorant of each other's intentions. For instance, in this case the +claim might be made, either under an alleged will, or a sale and +conveyance of the property, or on the ground that the holder was not the +legitimate heir. And supposing the first case, the defendant might say, +either that the will was forged, or was made when the testator was of +unsound mind, or was revoked by a later. So wide is the field for +surprise. And consequently it frequently happens, that the title to a +disputed estate is very far from established by a single verdict; but +that in a series of trials, the parties alternately upset one another's +successive positions, until the ground is exhausted, and the matter +finally set at rest. + +We have seen that the approach of the contest caused great excitement in +the hamlet of Trevethlan. It was an agitation not unmixed with shadowy +dread. The presentiments and forebodings which had long afforded a theme +for the village guidance, were discussed more anxiously than ever. The +old people recollected every little coincidence attending a death in the +family, or the severance of an estate, and detected something parallel +at the present time. Some aged folks listened at night for the wailing +cries which ought to echo around the old grey towers on the eve of a +calamity; and when none such mingled with the gentle sighing of the west +wind, they interpreted this very softness into a sign, declared the +unnatural warmth of the season was a certain token of ill, and +remembered some similar year when disaster visited the castle. Of +course, this state of feeling reacted within its walls, and revived the +terrors of the domestics. In spite of Helen's contradiction to Mercy +Page, the wiseacres of the hamlet insisted on peopling the gloomy +galleries with visitors from another world, and some of the more eager +occasionally watched the windows at night, in the hope of being +terrified and having a story to tell. + +It had been well if these night-fancies were all that disturbed the +people. But not a few of them were speculating already on what should be +done, in case the forebodings were verified by the result. And here, had +it been known, was a veritable cause for alarm. Randolph himself would, +perhaps, have trembled, if he had been aware what his dependents were +meditating, as they supposed for his advantage, but at all events for +their own satisfaction. + +For some time after his interview with Mildred, the gloom and moroseness +which beset him previously, had vanished. Strong in the hope and trust +inspired by that meeting, he became frank and unreserved in his +intercourse with the villagers, lively and agreeable in his circle at +home. Helen and Polydore rejoiced at the change, without knowing its +origin. It showed itself in the smile with which he heard Jeffrey's +announcement of Miss Pendarrel's approaching marriage. "Simple people!" +he might think, "how little you know on the subject!" But as the day of +trial came quite near, some of his former agitation naturally returned: +he shunned the conversation of the peasants, and became once more +abstracted and silent at home. Again did the rustics note the gloom upon +his brow, and whisper among their other prognostications that their +master's doom was written in his face; but he should not fall unavenged. + +Nor was Michael Sinson more at his ease. He had gone to London before +the party at Pendarrel, to consult Mr. Truby, and to see his bondman, +Everope. It was essential that he should maintain his influence over the +latter unbroken, and keep him well prepared for the part he was to play. +He was greatly startled himself by being summoned as a witness for the +defendant. He had intended, indeed, to go down to the assizes, but he +did not mean to appear. He should remain in the background, while his +creature did his work. He trembled to think of the confessions into +which he might be driven or led by the searching questions of counsel; +but still more he alarmed himself by imagining that his opponents had +obtained some clue to his design, and that some strange exposure awaited +him in court. He was, however, now so deeply involved, that he could +only strengthen himself with his old hopes, and abide the issue in +patience. + +His aged grandmother was at least as much perplexed as himself. Ever +since her favourite Michael had dropped his dark hint in her ear +respecting the marriage, she had harped upon the subject in her muttered +soliloquies, and ruminated upon it as she swung to and fro in her +rocking-chair. And in the confusion of her ideas she fancied, on +receiving her summons, that there was a plot on foot by which the +Trevethlans desired to free themselves from the connection with her +family, and willingly transferred to Randolph the passing reproaches +with which at times she upbraided Michael Sinson. It was idle to reason +with her. + +"Ay, Squire Trevethlan," she cried to him one day, as he was strolling +in the neighbourhood of her lodge, in the vain hope of quieting his +renewed anxiety by another meeting with Mildred. "The son steps worthily +in the path of the father! And so thou wouldst be quit of the peasant +blood, wouldst thou? Wouldst disown thy kindred? But na, na,--the ties +are too strong. It's none so easy to break a mother's memory. My +Margaret was fit for the wife of a king, and more than fit to be the +mother of such as thee." + +"Who has been talking to you now, dame?" Randolph asked. "Who has been +putting these notions in your head? Did I ever wish to disown her? Would +I not give anything to bring her back? Would I not love her and honour +her? And did I not tell you I had seen her, and she smiled upon me? She +has come often since, and always with the same sweet smile." + +He fancied the old woman had been tampered with, and wished to know the +particulars. + +"I dinna believe thee," Maud answered; "I dinna believe it at all: and +they say she has walked in the castle indeed, but no with a smiling +face. She came to warn thee, grandson Randolph. And well she might. Well +she might wander there, where she was let to pine and pine, and no one +of all her own people let to come nigh her. And most of all now, when +her own son would put her out of her rightful place. Shame upon him!" + +"'Tis because I am her son," Randolph expostulated, "that you should not +believe these tales, Dame Basset. What! do you not know that if she were +not my father's wife, the castle and everything we have pass away from +my sister and me? And have we not asked you to come to the trial to +speak for us, and prove the marriage? Who is it has put these stories in +your head?" + +"I cannot understand it at all," the old woman answered. "Why should I +speak yon for thy side? Why shouldst thou come to me? Have not thy +people put me and mine out from among them? I cannot understand it at +all." + +"But at least, dame," Randolph urged, "you will say it was a good +marriage?" + +"Every one knows that," she said. "Let me see the one that denies it. +But go, go. Said I not there was a dark hour at hand for thy house? It +is near, near. I said it was written in thy face. It is clearer and +plainer now. Thou beguiled me with that tale of her smile, but I heard +the rights o't since. There'll never be peace 'twixt thine and mine." + +And so saying, she retreated into the lodge, and left Randolph, puzzled, +but not annoyed by her unfounded suspicions. Her words were so far +satisfactory, that they showed how strong was her confidence in the +validity of the marriage. + +At the opening of the assizes, Polydore Riches and the steward went to +Bodmin to be in constant communication with Winter and his counsel. The +worthy lawyer had himself already made a flying visit to Trevethlan, for +the purpose of investigating the evidence a little more closely. He was +rather dismayed on finding at every turn that the rumours current at the +time of the marriage were still so fresh in the memory of the people. +"Faith!" said he to himself, "we have wasted our subpoenas pretty +freely! Why, there's scarcely a person out of the castle I shall dare to +call!" Moreover, he had been disheartened somewhat by the intelligence +he had gained respecting Mr. Ashton, as it seemed to show that there +were but few qualities in his character to prevent him from being a +party to a trick, provided it were profitable to himself. The placards +offering a reward for news of Wyley had called forth no information. + +Randolph persisted, against the advice of the chaplain, in attending the +trial himself. He was resolved to hear the case against him from the +lips of the witnesses. Polydore was grieved, thinking that if the issue +was favourable the trifling delay in communicating it would be +unimportant, and if it were adverse, its effect might be softened. +Besides which, there might be incidents in the proceedings of a painful +nature, from which the defendant had better be away. But a wilful man +must have his way, and Randolph would not be overruled. + +The evening before his departure he sat with Helen, feverish and +excited, in their favourite turret-room, overlooking the sea. The +delightful weather still continued, and they kept the window open long +after dark. + +"Do you remember, Helen," the brother asked, "how we were sitting here, +side by side, as we are now, when there came that letter, insulting us +with the offer of alms?" + +"Dear Randolph," Helen answered, "you know I would have thought +differently of that letter. But why should I remember it now?" + +"Because, my sister, to-morrow's trial may place us in need of alms," he +replied. "I do not know why it is, but from the very first I have +thought we should be beaten in this suit. I have been haunted ever by +the idea that the pittance which I then disdained might become necessary +to us. It seems to me a natural consequence of the refusal. Are they so +proud? it was said--they shall be humbled." + +"But we shall not, Randolph," his sister said. She was saddened by the +bitterness with which he spoke. "We shall not be humbled. Not in the +sense you mean. We shall not have to seek assistance. The schemes which +we plotted for the restoration of our house, may they not be revived to +minister to our necessities? See, when that letter came, you asked, why +have we desponded. And shall we despond now? Believe me, my brother, I +am prepared for the worst." + +"If that were all," Randolph said, "if poverty and the loss of our dear +home were all, bitter as it would be, it might be borne. But our father +or our mother, the one or the other, will be defamed, and our name +dishonoured. Helen, if this suit goes against us, and I survive the day, +it will only be to brand our opponents with the villany by which they +win, not with any notion of supporting a life I shall abhor." + +He disengaged himself from her arm as he finished speaking, and leant +against a division of the open window. But she followed him, and laid +her hand upon his shoulder. + +"And me, Randolph," she said; "you are a man; but what will become of +me?" + +"Of you, dearest!" he exclaimed. "Did you ever think, my sister, of her +I mentioned but now? She died before you had left your cradle. Scarcely +as a baby even could you know her. But I was nearly three years old. And +the memory has dwelt secretly in my breast, and it has come back to me +of late. I have seen her face in my dreams, sometimes smiling and +sometimes sorrowful, but always full of love. I have thought she came to +implore me to protect what was her only dowry, her good name, or to +console me and make me hopeful under a passing misfortune. And then, +when I remember the attack which is to be made to-morrow, my heart +burns, and I say what I do not mean. But you, dearest! I shall live to +be with you, whatever may befall." + +And so saying, he bent down and kissed his sister. + +"Do you see that bright planet?" he continued. "I have called it my +star. It has shone on some of the happiest moments of my life. A +childish fancy, sister, but it pleases me. The sight of it, clear and +unclouded as it is now, breathes promise of joy to my heart. Trust me, +sister, whatever may happen in this cause, there is comfort in store for +us yet." + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + _King John_. Our strong possession, and our right, for us. + + _Elinor_. Your strong possession, much more than your right; + Or else it must go wrong with you, and me: + So much my conscience whispers in your ear, + Which none but Heaven, and you, and I, shall hear. + + Shakspeare. + + +Early the following day, Randolph sprang into the carriage which was to +convey him to Bodmin, where his fate would, for the present at least, be +decided. He bade his sister good-bye in a cheerful voice, but with a +gloomy countenance, and she staid at the hall-door until the gates had +closed upon his way. The carriage rattled down the descent of the +base-court, and round the village green; and the few rustics, who met it +with respectful salutes, shook their heads doubtfully as they looked +after it, and foreboded no joyful return. + +But the sun was shining bright and warm; the hedges were bursting +prematurely into leaf; the birds were singing merrily; all the +influences of nature concurred to raise the spirits of the wayfarer, and +inspire him with hope. He became interested in the journey, and his +presentiments of evil vanished away. + +In the evening Randolph entered the precincts of the county town, and +was driven to the hotel, where he had appointed to meet Polydore Riches; +and glad he was to escape from the bustle and noise of the busy town to +the parlour engaged by the chaplain. He was also glad to find that +Polydore, anticipating his wishes, had provided against any visits. He +did not even desire to see Rereworth. + +The next morning, after a slight and hasty breakfast, he took the +chaplain's arm, and proceeded through the lively and crowded streets to +the court-house. No one knew him, and he passed along entirely unheeded. +But the cause had excited very considerable interest. The story of the +quarrel between Mrs. Pendarrel and her early suitor was by no means +forgotten, and the rumour of her new attack upon Trevethlan Castle had +attracted no little attention. The circumstances of its late owner's +marriage were recalled to mind, and regarded with various kinds of +criticism. The lovers of scandal flocked to the court-house in hope of +gratifying their spleen, and the vague reports that were circulated +respecting the grounds of the plaintiff's claim promised amusement to +the admirers of piquant private history. People in general remembered +how large a portion of the hereditary estates of Trevethlan had passed +under the sway of the rival house, and looked perhaps with trembling +pity on the last relic of the old domain; and even the peasantry might +feel an interest in the fulfilment of the popular prophecy. So all these +feelings combined to swell the assemblage which crowded the court. +Polydore introduced his old pupil to a seat on the bench; from thence +Randolph exchanged a grave bow with Seymour Rereworth, and took his +place with a countenance whose constrained tranquillity was very much at +variance with the emotion which it concealed. + +Shortly afterwards the judge made his appearance, and the rumour which +had pervaded the crowd gradually subsided. There were some questions +asked, and points decided, respecting a cause which had been tried the +preceding day; and, as soon as this conversation was finished, the clerk +of assize, in a low methodical tone, read from his cause-list, Doe d +Pendarrel _v._ Trevethlan; counsel on each side nodded; a jury was sworn +well and truly to try the issue between the parties; the plaintiff's +junior briefly described the nature of the action, and amidst perfect +silence, his leader rose to state the case he should lay before the +court. + +He began by lamenting the painful duty which devolved upon him on the +present occasion, and begging the jury to forget whatever they might +have heard of previous disputes between the families whose names +appeared in this record. It was too frequently the case, in suits of +this nature, that the parties were nearly connected. Passing from this +introduction, he observed that in such actions they had also frequently +to inquire into a long and tedious pedigree, or to make a fatiguing +investigation of documentary evidence. No task of the kind awaited them +here. The case he had to present was exceedingly short and simple, and +rested mainly on the testimony of a single witness. And however +extraordinary the story which this witness would tell, he was sorry to +say that it was strongly confirmed by the conduct and circumstances of +him whom it impeached. The action was brought to obtain possession of +Trevethlan Castle and the surrounding domain. The jury were probably +aware that the real claimant in the cause, Mr. Philip Trevethlan +Pendarrel, had assumed the last name in addition to his own, on his +marriage with an heiress of large fortune in the county. He now +preferred his claim as the younger son of Hugh Trevethlan, Esquire, of +Trevethlan Castle, from whom the defendant also deduced his title; so +that it would be unnecessary to go any further back. Having established +the claimant's birth, it would, however, become requisite to show that +there were now no lawful descendants of his elder brother, or rather +half brother, Arthur Trevethlan, the alleged grandfather of the +defendant. Now it was admitted that from this Arthur, the estates in +question descended legally to his son Henry; but with the latter, it was +maintained the succession in that line terminated. They would observe +that Henry, the late possessor, only died towards the close of the +previous year, which would account for no steps having been taken +sooner. Now it was well known that, for many years before his death, all +intercourse between him and his uncle, the claimant, had entirely +ceased; and that in fact they were not on those terms of friendship +which should exist between such near relations. It was also known that +for a long time the late Mr. Trevethlan lived a very retired life at his +castle, and never went into society at all. Further, he had fully +attained the age of forty before there was any rumour or pretence that +he had contracted a marriage. But about this time, it is suggested that +if he died without offspring, the estates would either revert to the +relative from whom he was alienated, or he must bequeath them to a +stranger; and the jury would readily perceive the feelings which would +be excited by either alternative. Accordingly, in order to avoid them +both, it would seem that Mr. Trevethlan then contemplated matrimony, and +that a certain ceremony was performed between him and one Margaret +Basset, the daughter of a small farmer upon his estate. The defendant in +this action is the son of this Margaret Basset. "Now, gentlemen," +continued the counsel, "I need not unpleasantly press upon your +attention the circumstances under which the late Mr. Trevethlan might +have found it convenient to repudiate this pretended marriage. They did +not arise, and the marriage was not repudiated. Neither, so far as we +can learn, was it ever confirmed in a legal manner:--it was never +properly registered. The only mention of it in the parish records occurs +in the account of the christening of the defendant, who is described (I +read from an attested copy) as the 'son of Henry and Margaret +Trevethlan, who were married by special licence, in this parish, by the +Reverend Theodore Ashton, on the 3rd of September, in the previous year, +in the presence of ---- Wyley, and of Maud Basset.' This entry is signed +Henry Trevethlan, Margaret Trevethlan, Maud Basset. The questions +naturally arise,--where is the signature of the officiating +clergyman?--where is that of the witness Wyley? And the answer to these +inquiries is found in the real history of the circumstances attending +this alleged marriage. The ceremony was performed in private, within the +castle, but without the presence even of any of the household; within +twenty-fours afterwards, the clergyman alleged to have performed it +disappeared, and was supposed to be murdered. The only male witness also +vanished; and the only other witness was the mother of the pretended +bride, who is still living, and will probably be called before you by my +learned friend." + +Here the speaker was interrupted by a scuffle in the court, and the +shrill voice of Maud Basset. "He lies!" she screamed. "My Margaret _was_ +married. Let me see the one who says the contrary." But the old woman +was speedily removed. + +"Gentlemen," the counsel resumed, "both you and I can understand and +sympathize with the feeling which prompted that interruption. I was +describing the mysterious privacy with which this pretended marriage +was--I will not say solemnized--but performed. It is perhaps generally +supposed that the poor old woman who interrupted me is the sole survivor +of those who were present at the scene; but it is not so. We shall +to-day produce another. We shall call before you the person who acted +the part of the clergyman:--not Mr. Ashton, gentlemen, nor a clergyman +at all." + +There was a great sensation in the court at these words. And if any one +among the audience had then looked at Randolph, he could not fail to +have been struck by the ghastly rigidity of his features. But all were +too deeply interested by the announcement which they had heard to attend +to anything else. + +The plaintiff's counsel proceeded to say that he need not anticipate the +details this witness would relate;--they would completely overthrow any +claim founded upon this alleged marriage. It would be for his learned +friends to show any subsequent ground for their title, if such they had. +But unless they did so, he should confidently look for a verdict at the +hands of the jury; and, as he should undoubtedly have another +opportunity of addressing them, he would not now trouble them at greater +length. + +A considerable rumour pervaded the court at the close of this speech, +but soon yielded to the low calls for order. There followed some +technical evidence respecting Mr. Pendarrel's descent, and the deaths of +his brother and nephew, of no particular interest, and then the leader +who had addressed the jury, re-awakened attention by desiring the crier +to call Lewis Everope. Rereworth looked at the spendthrift, as he +quietly took the oath, with utter astonishment, not knowing what to +think. The examination began. + +"What are you, Mr. Everope?" + +"I belong to no profession, but have been nominally a student of the +law." + +"You were educated at ---- University, I believe, sir?" + +The witness uttered an intimation of assent. + +"Were you acquainted, while there, with a gentleman named +Ashton,--Theodore Ashton?" + +"I was." + +"How long is this ago? To a year or two?" + +"Twenty-three or four years. I do not exactly recollect." + +"Mr. Ashton was your senior, I believe?" + +"Considerably. In fact our acquaintance was very slight." + +"What became of him afterwards, do you know?" + +"He took orders, and quitted the University." + +"Did you ever see him after you had left college?" + +"I did." + +"Be so good as to tell the jury under what circumstances." + +"I was making a pedestrian tour through the western part of this county, +and met him unexpectedly in the neighbourhood of Marazion." + +"What year was this? And month? Do you remember?" + +The witness mentioned those of Henry Trevethlan's marriage. + +"Did you visit Mr. Ashton at his then residence?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, I believe that was no great distance from Trevethlan Castle. Tell +the jury anything that passed between you and your friend, having +reference to that building or its inhabitants." + +"I naturally asked Mr. Ashton some question respecting it, and he told +me there was a strange story on foot about its owner, who wished to play +the trick attempted by Thornhill, in the Vicar of Wakefield. He had +applied to Ashton on the subject, but the latter told him, that if he +performed the ceremony, the result would be the same as in the tale. But +Ashton was to have a considerable fee, and he asked me to personate him, +representing that the affair was only a joke, and that, if there were +any family, Mr. Trevethlan would certainly confirm it legally. And I +being young, and not at the time aware of the consequences, ultimately +consented to what he proposed." + +"Well, sir, and what followed?" + +"Ashton said he could arrange for the affair to take place the next +day----" + +"What day was that?" + +"It was the third of September. Ashton instructed me how to present +myself at the castle in his name. No one who would be present, he said, +knew him, except Mr. Trevethlan, who expected something of the kind, and +I looked considerably older than I was. And an intended witness to the +wedding would conduct me." + +"And what happened afterwards?" + +"I went to the castle with the witness in question, and Mr. Trevethlan +introduced himself to me without any remark, and presented a young woman +as his intended bride. There was also another woman present, who, he +said, was her mother. Mr. Trevethlan produced a document, which he +stated to be a licence for a special marriage, but I did not look at it; +and read the marriage service as fast as I could from a prayer-book +which was given me. When it was over, Mr. Trevethlan handed me a sum of +money, which I delivered to Ashton, and quitted the neighbourhood +without delay, for I did not like my part in the business." + +"I should think not," said the counsel. "Pray, sir, do you recollect any +particular incident at this ceremony?" + +"Only, that in my confusion I dropped the ring, and the bride's mother +muttered something which I did not hear." + +"You have not mentioned the name of the bride?" + +"Margaret Basset." + +"You were not in holy orders at that time?" + +"Neither then nor since." + +The plaintiff's counsel here sat down, and Rereworth's leader rose. The +cross-examination was very long and severe. + +"So, sir," it began, "do you know that you have just confessed yourself +guilty of felony?" + +"I know it now," Everope said, "but I did not know it at the time." + +"And you might have been transported for fourteen years?" + +"So I am told." + +Counsel then ran him hard and fast through all the details of the scene +he had described. Asked for descriptions of the castle, of the room, of +the persons. Turned back upon his own family. Where were they at the +time? How did he correspond with them? Where were they now? He was on +bad terms with them. How was that? He said he was of no profession. Was +he a man of private fortune? How did he live? Who paid his expenses in +coming here? What did he expect beyond? Then suddenly round again. Where +did he sleep the night before the mock-marriage? At Marazion? What was +the name of the inn? Where did he go afterwards? From what place did he +come? Then abruptly, did he know Michael Sinson? How long had he been +acquainted with him? What intercourse had been between them? Had Michael +promised him anything for coming here? Again back to his career at the +university; his subsequent life; his present circumstances. And once +more to Trevethlan Castle; again to describe the almost incredible +proceeding to which he had so distinctly sworn, and all the +circumstances of his intimacy with Ashton. + +But this cross-questioning failed in materially shaking Everope's +evidence in chief. He was forced into a considerable exposure of +himself; but, perhaps, even after making the allowance which he claimed +for youth and inexperience, the mere avowal of his participation in so +detestable a plot was sufficiently damning, without any aggravation. It +was evidently not improbable that, at so distant a time, he might not +well remember the details of the scene. Only once did he seem likely to +be overturned. + +"Have you ever been in the neighbourhood since?" he was asked. + +"Once." + +"And when was that?" + +"About six weeks ago." + +"Were you alone?" + +"No, I was with Michael Sinson, whom you have mentioned." + +"Indeed! And why did you come? You need not hesitate." + +"I came to refresh my memory," Everope answered boldly. + +"And to good purpose," counsel said, "for it has been very convenient." + +But the leader was on the point of sitting down, when Rereworth gave him +a slip of paper, and he asked one more question. + +"Pray, sir, are you personally acquainted with the defendant in this +action?" + +"No," Everope said. + +"It is I!" Randolph exclaimed, rising from his seat, and fixing the +spendthrift. + +"Order, order," was murmured, and the interrupter, who drew the +attention of every one in court, sat down. It was a few moments before +the excitement occasioned by this incident had subsided. There was a +general stir to obtain a second look of the unknown possessor of +Trevethlan Castle. + +"Morton!" the witness had meantime exclaimed, showing signs of confusion +for the first time. + +"You do know him, then?" said the counsel, and sat down. + +But the question did not seem to be advantageous to the defendant's +interest. + +"What do you know of Mr. Trevethlan?" Everope's former examiner asked, +having heard his exclamation. + +"I knew that gentleman slightly in the Temple by the name of Morton, as +a student for the bar." + +The re-examination was short. Some additional formal evidence was given; +and the only other material witness on this side was the coroner, who +proved the circumstances of the supposed murder of Mr. Ashton, and the +disappearance of Wyley. With this evidence, the case for the plaintiff, +of which we have only reported the portion on which the jury would have +eventually to form their judgment, was closed; and the court adjourned +for a short period. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + Ah, Richard, with the eyes of heavy mind, + I see thy glory, like a shooting star, + Fall to the base earth from the firmament. + Thy sun sets weeping in the lowly west, + Witnessing storms to come, war, and unrest; + Thy friends are fled to wait upon thy foes, + And crossly to thy good all fortune goes. + + Shakspeare. + + +Randolph Trevethlan never stirred from his seat during the suspension of +the proceedings. When they were resumed, his counsel argued at some +length, that even if the tale which they had heard were true, the +marriage so contracted would be valid, and that therefore the plaintiff +had failed in making out his case. The other side were stopped in their +reply by the judge, who said, that while the court would listen with +patience to any argument intended to save an innocent woman from the +effect of a fraudulent marriage, that could not be considered the point +in question here; the imputed object being to interfere with the rights +of the heir presumptive by securing a family; and that, therefore, +without expressing any opinion upon what might be considered an +undecided point, he should not stop the case. So Rereworth's leader +proceeded to address the jury for the defence. + +He began by a skilful and minute analysis of Everope's narrative, in +which he exhibited its incredibility in a strong light, and heightened +it by a continual reference to the worthlessness of the witness's +character as exposed by himself. He pointed out his connection with +Michael Sinson, a person in the employment of the claimant's family, and +a nephew of the late Mrs. Trevethlan. From him, therefore, Everope could +have obtained all the particulars which he pretended to know of his own +experience. He would be called before the court, and the jury would +judge whether the tale had not been concocted between the two. Sinson +had motives of his own for hostility to the family of Trevethlan, which +would be heard from his own lips. He did not impute to the claimant any +cognizance of the fraud, by which he maintained the claim had been +attempted to be established. Departing from this point, he said he +should show, by indisputable evidence, that the late Mr. Trevethlan +never contemplated the baseness which had been attributed to him, could +not possibly have suspected any flaw in his marriage, and always treated +Margaret as his lawful wife, and his children as lawfully born; for, +first, he strongly desired that his own chaplain would perform the +ceremony, as they would hear from that gentleman himself; secondly, if, +as suggested by the plaintiff, his object had been to make sure of +barring the present claim, he would have caused the marriage to be +repeated before the birth of his first child; and thirdly, if he had had +any suspicion that his children would not inherit by descent, he would +have assuredly provided for them by will. But although his estates +belonged to him in fee, he had bequeathed them nothing, dying, as it +might be said, intestate; he had always treated Margaret as his wife, +and had never expressed the slightest doubt of the perfect formality of +his marriage. By his own conduct he had thus defeated the very design +which was imputed to him, and his own alleged proceedings would have +brought about that result which he was said to have sought to avoid, the +succession, namely, of the present claimant. In the face of so much +incoherency, was it possible, for one moment, to entertain so incredible +a tale as that which had been heard from a witness of so very +disreputable a character? If such testimony could prevail, no household +would be safe. + +Now, he should produce the licence under which the marriage took place; +he should--despite the incident which Everope had stated as occurring, +and which he had probably learned from Michael Sinson--call before them +Maud Basset, the mother of Margaret, the only known surviving witness of +the ceremony, and she would tell them--they had heard her exclamation in +court--that it was a good marriage; he should also call several members +of the household of Trevethlan Castle, who would swear they always +regarded it as such; and he should show that the children had been +christened as the lawful offspring of Henry and Margaret Trevethlan; and +again he repeated, that if the unsupported and monstrous testimony of a +single individual of bad reputation were permitted to countervail so +strong a chain of presumption no union could be secure, and any of his +hearers would be liable to have his children disinherited and their +names stigmatized by any villain who would forswear himself for hire. + +Let the jury consider the story they had heard. That a gentleman of high +character and station, under circumstances entirely different from those +in Goldsmith's famous story, wishing to form a marriage which he might +either affirm or repudiate subsequently, should dare to apply to a +stranger, a clergyman of the church, to assist him in so nefarious a +design,--that this clergyman, far from expressing any indignation, +should merely suggest a little difficulty,--that, by a coincidence +sufficiently remarkable, this Everope, discarded by his family, living +by his wits, should at that very time encounter his old college +acquaintance,--that to him Ashton should immediately relate the +business, and invite his co-operation,--that this precocious villain +should at once accept the mission,--that Mr. Trevethlan should receive +him without question or surprise,--that he should perform the impious +mockery he had described,--that, needy and profligate, he should keep so +valuable a secret for so long a time,--that at length, by another +singular coincidence, he should fall in with a dependent of the family +to whom it was so important; should tell the story apparently as an +excellent joke; should for the first time become aware of its worth, and +should sell himself to give the evidence they had heard to-day--Yes: +indignation had diverted him from the picture he was drawing to the real +motive under which the witness acted. + +But let the jurors turn from this view of the subject to the one he +should now present to them. Let them see Mr. Trevethlan, when, for +reasons entirely beside the question at issue, he had decided on +marrying a person of inferior station, applying to his chaplain, as a +matter of course, to perform the ceremony. Let them see him, on that +gentleman's declining, preferring the same desire to this Mr. Ashton, +then resident in the neighbourhood. Let them suppose the ceremony to +have been really and duly performed by him, as it appears recorded in +the register of baptisms. Let them recollect the disappearance of +Ashton, and of Wyley, the witness. Let them see how two children were +borne by Mrs. Trevethlan, and duly christened by the chaplain of the +castle. Let them then turn to the conduct of her relations. Let them +imagine the hopes raised, the desires excited by their great connection. +Let them note one of these relatives permitted to hang about the castle +as a sort of companion to the young heir. Let them suppose certain +presumption to grow up, and to be suddenly checked by the expulsion of +all the race. Let them conceive the consequent exasperation, and +heighten it by an unfounded suspicion that the exalted peasant-woman was +ill-used. Let them consider such feelings as still rankling when Michael +Sinson enters the service of the claimant in this action. Let them think +of him as actuated both by hope of reward and desire of revenge, +devising this subtile scheme, and seeking only an agent to accomplish +it. Let them find him meeting the ruined scoundrel, whom they had heard +that day, and he thought they would have little difficulty in +unravelling the dark plot, which was now, for the first time, publicly +developed against the well-being, the happiness, and the good fame of an +old and distinguished and honourable family. + +At the close of this address, Michael Sinson was called into the +witness-box, and examined by Rereworth. + +"You are a relation, I believe, of the late Mrs. Trevethlan?" + +"A nephew of the late Margaret Basset." + +The witness was then led on, by further questions, to describe the hopes +excited in his family by the marriage now in dispute; the manner in +which he was allowed to hang about Trevethlan Castle; the offence which +his demeanour gave to its owner, and the expulsion of his relations from +their farm. Fencing with his examiner, he at first affected to treat +this circumstance with indifference, but was forced by degrees into a +confession of his bitter and rankling mortification. + +"And so, sir," Rereworth suddenly asked, "all your family considered +this marriage to be perfectly good?" + +"It was for their interest," Sinson said, stammering. + +"For their interest, sir!" Seymour exclaimed indignantly. "Why, sir, was +not Mrs. Trevethlan's good name at stake?" + +"My poor relative has been dead for a long time," the witness answered. + +"And it is her nephew who comes forward to shame her in her grave! You +are now in the service of Mr. Pendarrel, the real claimant in this +action?" + +"Of Mrs. Pendarrel." + +The answer produced a slight titter in the court. + +"What does Mrs. Pendarrel pay you for getting up her case?" + +Sinson hesitated for some time, and made no answer. + +"Do you hear, sir?" Rereworth continued. "What is to be your hire for +slandering your mother's sister?" + +The plaintiff's counsel interposed, and protested against his learned +friend's so discrediting his own witness. + +"I consider," the witness said, having recovered himself, "that my +unfortunate relative was deceived in the business. It was no fault of +hers." + +Rereworth now turned to Michael's connection with Everope. Asked how the +acquaintance began; how long it had lasted; how the spendthrift came to +communicate the story which he told in court; what Sinson knew of his +habits and associates; whether he provided him with a maintenance? Then +he reverted to the journey into Cornwall, of which Everope had given so +frank an explanation; and concluded by again questioning the witness +respecting any expectation of reward which he entertained or had held +forth as the consequence of success in this action. + +"Do you expect any reward at all, sir?" Michael was asked, in +cross-examination. "Have any promises been made to you?" + +"No," he answered, "I have been only doing my duty, and expect nothing." + +"And have you, in fact, held out any expectations to the witness +Everope?" + +"None whatever." + +"Well, sir, is it not matter of notoriety that there was great doubt +about this pretended marriage?" + +"Certainly. It has been thrown in my teeth a hundred times." + +Little profit had this witness brought to the defendant. Maud Basset, +who had been detained out of court since her interruption of the +proceedings, was now summoned into the box. + +"You are the mother of the late Mrs. Trevethlan, madam?" + +"Sure and I am. Of my own Margaret. But I dinna understand it at all." + +"You recollect your daughter's marriage, Mrs. Basset?" + +"And a proud day was that for me," the old woman replied, "when the +squire asked for her to be his wife. But my Margaret was fit to be a +queen. Woe's me that he beguiled me, that she should be married only to +be murdered." + +"You were present at the marriage, I believe, madam?" + +"Of course I was. Where else should her mother be? And he all so cold +and stately like, and she weeping and crying so. I might have known what +would come of it. I saw it all with my own eyes." + +"Do you remember the name of the clergyman, Mrs. Basset?" + +"Ashton it was--Theodore Ashton. The same as I saw it written at the +christening of her child. Woe's me! 'twas the last time almost I saw +her." + +"And you believe it was a good marriage?" + +"Where's he that says it was not? My Michael? Na, na; 'tis some of them +that murdered her. But they cannot get quit of the blood. The young +squire would break the connection, would he? Na, na; it was a good +marriage, and the ties are too strong." + +"Pray, madam," the plaintiff's leader now asked, "did anything +particular happen on this occasion?" + +"I dinna understand it at all." + +"Did you not notice something ... about the ring?" + +"Well, the minister was nervous-like, and dropped it, and I said it was +no a sign of luck. But I dinna understand it at all." + +"Did you know the person whom you call minister, madam?" + +"Know him! he was living like at Dame Sennor's, away on the cliff. So +they told me." + +"Where is Mrs. Sennor now? Is she here?" + +"Why, sir, Dame Sennor's been dead and gone this many a year." + +"Had you ever seen the minister before the ceremony?" + +"I canna say that I had. But he married my Margaret, and that I am well +certain." + +"How long did your daughter survive afterwards, madam?" + +"A little better than three years. But it was a long time sin' I had +seen her." + +"You used the word 'murdered.' What did you mean, ma'am?" + +"Her bliss was made her bane," Maud answered fiercely. "The squire broke +her heart, and none of hers were let to come nigh her." + +Neither side, it may be observed, chose to confront the old woman with +Everope, and inquire concerning her recognition of him. But the judge +now desired him to stand forward. + +"Look at that person, madam," said his lordship. "Can you say whether +that is the man who performed this marriage?" + +"Well, I canna tell at all," was the reply. "It's three-and-twenty years +agone, and my eyes grow dimly like. I canna tell at all." + +Polydore Riches was the next witness. He proved Mr. Trevethlan's urgent +request to him to perform the ceremony, and his refusal; that Margaret +had always been treated as the mistress of the castle; and that her +children had been by him duly christened as the offspring of Henry and +Margaret Trevethlan. He also deposed to the behaviour of her relations; +to the anger it produced in Mr. Trevethlan; to their banishment from the +castle, and their undisguised mortification. In cross-examination he +stated, as his reason for refusing to celebrate the union, that he +disapproved both of itself and of its manner. + +"I must ask you, Mr. Riches, were there not rumours very prevalent soon +after the alleged marriage, that it had not been duly performed?" + +The question was objected to, but allowed, and the chaplain acknowledged +that it was so. + +"Did you know this Theodore Ashton, Mr. Riches?" + +"Very slightly indeed." + +"Are you aware of anything in his character which might make the conduct +imputed to him to-day not improbable?" + +This question was also objected to, and not pressed. + +"Would you have remained an hour in the castle, Mr. Riches," Rereworth +then asked; "had you suspected there was anything fraudulent in the +marriage?" + +"Most certainly I would not." + +Griffith and his wife corroborated the evidence of the chaplain, but +were also obliged to admit the popular rumours. The licence for the +marriage, and also Mr. Trevethlan's will were put in evidence, and then +with some other testimony of less consequence, the case for the defence +closed. The plaintiff's counsel rose to reply. + +In the first place, he begged the jury to disabuse their minds of the +imputations which his learned friend had dexterously cast upon some of +the evidence in the case. It was rather strange that he should have to +defend a witness on the other side, but he was sure they would agree +with him, that any indignation on the part of young Sinson would be more +than justified, by conduct such as had been vaguely hinted at by his +grandmother; and would be properly uncontrollable if the family +participated in the popular idea, that the marriage was fraudulent. +Their reasons for concealing such suspicions from the pretended bride's +mother were evident enough. Her strong feeling was alone an explanation. +Then as to Everope, not the least portion of his learned friend's +insinuations had been borne out. Whatever might be that person's +circumstances, he maintained that no slur had been thrown upon the +honesty of his testimony. Now let them look at the presumptions raised +for the defence, and see how easily they could be made to tally with the +truth of the plaintiff's case. First, there was Mr. Trevethlan's request +to his chaplain; why, he would know beforehand, from that gentleman's +character, that he would refuse to perform the ceremony. He ran no risk +in making the demand, and had it been acceded to, it might have been +evaded. Then as to the establishment of Margaret as his wife, it was a +mere matter of course, even if it were but temporary. And with regard to +his recognition of her children, that was the object of the entire +scheme. But it was urged, that he had himself defeated this object. So +men often did. Mr. Trevethlan might have feared to expose his conduct at +the pretended marriage; he might suppose that the disappearance of +Ashton and Wyley would prevent the fraud from being discovered; or he +might even, as had been done here to-day, attempt to prove that the +mock-marriage was valid. The penalty which hung over the real performer +of the ceremony would prevent that person from coming forward. As to the +omission in the will, it was probably the effect of long tranquillity +and habit. True, the inmates of the castle declared their positive +belief in the absence of any deceit; but the jury, and he did not mean +it offensively, would recollect their prejudices, and also that even +they were compelled to allow that the same feeling did not exist outside +the castle walls. Admitting everything that had been proved for the +defence, there was nothing inconsistent with the story related by +Everope, and confirmed they would recollect by Maud Basset's statement +with respect to the ring. And he confidently looked to the jury, not to +allow the mere opinions and presumptions of interested parties to +outweigh the clear and positive declaration of an indifferent stranger. + +Such is a brief narrative of the arguments and evidence adduced on each +side, in a trial which in fact occupied many hours. The judge now +proceeded to sum up the whole for the consideration of the jury. The +court had been densely crowded all day, and the excitement of the +audience ran very high. + +Whatever difficulty, his lordship gravely remarked, there might be in +this case, arose from the deplorable manner in which the late Mr. +Trevethlan had caused his marriage to be solemnised, supposing for a +moment that it was a marriage. He fully agreed with the reverend +witness, Mr. Riches, in entirely condemning such a mode of celebration. +Marriages should be performed in public. But the plaintiff denied that +there had been any marriage at all, and produced an individual, who +swore that not being in holy orders, he took upon himself to read the +matrimonial service from the Prayer-book, and falsely and illegally to +pronounce Henry Trevethlan and Margaret Basset to be man and wife. If +the jury believed that witness, they must return a verdict for the +plaintiff, for it was not pretended that there had been any other +performance of the rite, than that to which this account would apply. On +the other hand, they had heard the evidence adduced to show, that Mr. +Trevethlan had always considered his marriage as valid, and that it had +been likewise so regarded by all who were connected with his family. But +then, again, it would seem that in the neighbourhood a very different +opinion had prevailed. Unquestionably the circumstances were mysterious, +and he could not but imagine that further evidence would be discovered +before very long. With that, however, they had nothing to do. They had +to compare a plain and positive story with a strong presumption, and if +they were unable to disbelieve the former, to return a verdict, as he +had said before, for the plaintiff. + +His lordship then went minutely through the evidence on both sides, not +sparing the character of Everope, who, he remarked, would certainly have +been transported if he had been discovered to have really acted as he +confessed, within a certain time now unfortunately elapsed; and, +finally, he desired the jury to consider their verdict. + +They requested permission to retire; and while they were absent, the +excitement of the audience rose to the highest pitch. There was a +general buzz of conversation. Every one was speculating on the result. +Bets were offered and taken freely. The bar were discussing the judge's +charge, and its tendency. Not a few people moved from their places to +try to obtain another sight of the defendant. None of the claimant's +family were in court. Randolph, perfectly unconscious of the attention +he attracted, sat like a statue. His leading counsel looked anxious, and +Rereworth lent his forehead on his hands, and seemed to pore over his +brief. + +"Silence! order!" proclaimed the return of the jury; and the demand did +not require to be repeated. + +"For the plaintiff," the foreman said, in answer to the question of the +clerk of assize. + +"May we have immediate possession, my lord?" counsel asked. + +The judge shook his head. + +There was a rush from the court. It was all over. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + Thou hast it now, King, Cawdor, Glamis, all; + As the weird women promised; and I fear + Thou play'dst most foully for't: yet it was said, + It should not stand in thy posterity; + But that myself should be the root, and father + Of many kings. + + Shakspeare. + + +That there was much talk, and not a little difference of opinion in the +various coteries of Bodmin that night, respecting the issue of the day's +proceedings, needs hardly be told. In such cases the crowd can hardly be +said to follow fortune and hate the fallen. The jury comes from among +it; there is plenty of food for vanity in running down the verdict, and +showing how much more rationally matters would have gone if _I_ had been +one of the twelve. The first gush of popular feeling is generally +against the decision in a doubtful case. So here, if there were plenty +of suspicion attaching to Henry Trevethlan's marriage, there were also +good grounds for discrediting the testimony of Everope. If, on the one +hand, scandalized gossips expressed their horror at such clandestine +unions, on the other, there was a general cry of indignation at the +witness's effrontery. If some people dwelt upon Maud Basset's hints that +her daughter was ill-used, others maintained that the mother could not +have been deceived at the wedding. If the popular rumours were cited in +support of the verdict, they were met by the authority of Polydore +Riches. In short, "there was a great deal to be said on both sides." +People had an opportunity of showing their discernment, and the majority +were apt to flatter their own shrewdness by dissenting from the jury. + +He whom it most concerned, was already far from their councils. Randolph +left the court immediately on hearing the judgment, with the idea that +what had happened was exactly what he had expected, walked hurriedly to +his hotel, and ordered out his chaise. Polydore came up to him, and took +his hand, and besought him to stay, without extracting a single word in +reply. When the chaise drove up, his old pupil merely ejaculated--"I +must take the news to Helen. This is the last night either of us sleeps +in Trevethlan castle,"--sprang into the vehicle, desired to be driven +very fast, and was whirled away, leaving the good chaplain in a state of +utter dismay. + +Mr. Riches had, however, to rouse himself subsequently, to attend a +conference which Winter had arranged for rather a late hour, and at +which the counsel for the defendant and Griffith were to assist. The +result of the meeting was unsatisfactory. The only practical suggestion +was to track Everope's career as closely as possible. It was just within +the bounds of probability that they might be able to overthrow that +remarkable pedestrian tour; or they might light on other facts tending +to elucidate his connection with Michael Sinson; or at least might +further damnify his general character. But it was admitted that to +chance they must look as their best friend. Time or fortune might bring +to knowledge the fate of Mr. Ashton, supposing that he had not been +murdered; or again, the missing Wyley might be discovered. Yet of what +avail could this last contingency prove, since the witness might have +been deceived in the same way as the mother? For the present, there +appeared to be no clue to the maze. If the parties would only quarrel, +there might indeed be an exposure; but they seemed to be too deeply +involved in one another's safety for this event to be at all likely. + +Sinson took very good care, in the disquietude of his suspicious temper, +that his bondman should not be left in the way of temptation. He started +with Everope for London, within a few hours of the termination of the +trial. In that wretched man remorse seemed for a time to be dead. +Hitherto, in the midst of his lowest depravity, he had always +experienced compunctious visitings; he had been always haunted by a +sense of forfeited respectability; and had frequently felt a feeble +desire to reform. But now, although startled for a moment by the +identity of Morton with the defendant, he gladly accepted his position +as irremediable, and was looking eagerly for the reward which should +furnish him with the means of forgetting it. + +But it behoved Michael to keep a strong hold on him for a short time. A +very short time, Sinson thought, in the first flush of his triumph, +would be sufficient. A few days might put him in possession of all his +desires: after that, what became of Everope, or what disclosures he +might choose to make, would be a matter of second-rate consequence. +Michael felt a kind of admiration for his victim, when he remembered how +successfully he had encountered that searching cross-examination. But he +could not allow so much ability to run too loose, and resolved to hold +him in by drawing his purse-strings very tight, until his own game was +perfectly secure. + +That it would soon be so, he did not feel the least doubt. He had been +playing for weeks and weeks; he had kept his eye steadily fixed upon one +event; all his calculations terminated in one result; he had taught +himself completely to ignore all unfavourable chances; supposing he had +any confidants, he would have regarded their suggestion of difficulty as +an insult; he might be thought to fancy that the book of fate lay open +before him, and all he read was his own triumph. + +And his patroness, she who, in the halls of Pendarrel, was pursuing a +line of policy totally at variance with that of her protégé, little +dreaming that what seemed to be her victory was intended to be his, +utterly unconscious of the price about to be demanded for it--how would +she receive the news? Her husband, engaged all day in hearing the +details of petty felonies, was discharged with the rest of his +colleagues at its close, and retired to recreate himself in their +company at a well-served board. There he received the intelligence of +the verdict, and accepted the felicitations of his friends. Thence, +knowing the penalty which would otherwise await him at home, he withdrew +for a little space to indite a despatch for his wife; and then, having +entrusted the missive to a trusty rider, with injunctions to lose no +time on the road, he was able to rejoin his friends before the decanters +had completed their first round. + +So the news was ready for the mistress of Pendarrel by breakfast-time. +In the first flush of exultation she made her daughter a partner in it. + +"Mildred, my love, I give you joy. You are heiress of Trevethlan +Castle." + +But the young lady regarded her mother with a countenance in which there +were no signs of joy, and the for once imprudent parent bit her lip. + +"And my cousins," Mildred said, "are ruined." + +"They are no cousins of yours, child," said her mother, not yet having +regained perfect presence of mind; "nor of any one else. Nor are they +ruined. I shall take good care of that." + +Mrs. Pendarrel would very gladly have recalled the remark which had +excited her daughter's sympathy, in order to convey the information in a +tone of less unqualified satisfaction. But she forgot her wariness in +the pride occasioned by the success of all her long machinations. + + "Pendar'l and Trevethlan would own one name." + +And that name would be Pendarrel. Nay, more; the name of Trevethlan +would vanish from the earth. The family would sink into oblivion. If he +who had slighted her could rise from his grave, and see the ruin which +had followed his scorn; could see how his towers had passed into the +hands of his foe; how his fame was blighted, and his children +dishonoured; were there not ample satisfaction for all the long misery +his contempt had inflicted? "No!" Esther was compelled to answer, as +that eternal spring of bitter waters burst forth amidst the sweet flood +of revenge. "No, nothing can compensate me for the sorrow which +conscience whispers has been due to my own arrogance; nothing can atone +for the wreck of that happiness, which, but for my own presumption, +might have been mine." + +Reflections like these, however, were soon crushed, and Mrs. Pendarrel +had quite sufficient employment on her hands. Since the night of her +great party, she had been assiduously pressing forward the preparations +for Mildred's marriage. Perfectly heedless of the attitude assumed by +the young lady, she was arranging all the details of the affair with +maternal diligence, and had gone so far as to select the persons who +were to be present at the ceremony. Mr. Truby had been himself to the +Hall to receive final instructions respecting the settlements. Melcomb +was an assiduous visitor, but by no means solicitous for _tête-à-têtes_ +with his intended bride. To him the marriage was become nearly a matter +of life and death. It was true the gossips at Mrs. Pendarrel's party had +somewhat exaggerated his embarrassments; but his creditors were growing +very importunate, and impatiently awaiting the day when the possession +of his wife's fortune would enable him to satisfy their most pressing +demands: a purpose to which he had undertaken it should be devoted. Let +it be rumoured that the match was broken off, and it might not be very +long before Tolpeden Park suffered the outrages alluded to by Mr. +Quitch. So Melcomb disguised whatever inward anxiety he might feel, +under a smooth brow and a smiling face, and evaded his mistress's +repugnance as best he might. + +Mildred's remonstrances had subsided into passive resistance. She was +generally silent and calm. The irksomeness of her situation was greatly +aggravated; but, at the same time, her spirit was sustained by the +memory which she cherished in her heart of the scene under the hawthorns +of the cliff. Trusting that some accident might even yet frustrate her +mother's intentions, she allowed her to proceed without protest, acting +on her sister's advice, to postpone éclat to the latest possible period. +She felt that she had deceived no one, and, if scandal came, it would be +no fault of hers. + +But had Esther been fully aware of all that was fermenting in the young +lady's mind, she would, indeed, have bit her lips hard, rather than let +slip that intimation respecting Trevethlan Castle. The idea of flight +had occurred to the reluctant maiden more than once; coming, however, +only to be dismissed. But if her lover were really ruined, if he to whom +she had plighted herself were an exile from house and home, forlorn and +outcast, then it was not unlikely Mildred might think that her vow as +well as her affection bade her seek him, at once to share and to console +his sorrow. + +So Mrs. Pendarrel's hasty exclamation brought distress and anxiety to +her daughter, and imparted a certain consistency to a notion which had +previously been shadowy as a dream. Mildred wrote a long letter to her +sister, partly lifting the veil from the emotions which agitated her, +and dwelling more strongly than she had ever done before, upon the +disquietude she felt at the mode in which the match was being hurried +forward. + +But it was not from this communication that Mrs. Winston would learn the +result of the law-suit. She was at a party, when she overheard an +allusion to it from a bystander. He was a barrister, who had been +present at the trial, and who, having finished his business at the +assizes, had returned with speed to London. She knew the person he was +conversing with, joined them, and learned all the particulars. She had +before talked the affair over, and was fully aware of the consequences +to the orphans of Trevethlan. She immediately quitted the assembly, went +home, and interrupted her husband in his studies. A brilliant creature +she was, glowing in all the lustre and maturity of thirty summers, and +now adorned with everything that could be imagined to enhance her +beauty. So she swept to Mr. Winston's side, and laid her hand lightly +upon his shoulder. And, with all his love of ease and philosophy, his +indolence and affected apathy, he was really proud of his wife, and +gratified whenever she came to him with a request. So, if there were a +little impatience in his mind, when he looked up from his book into her +face, it vanished immediately in admiration, and was succeeded by +pleasure when he found she had come to consult him. + +"So soon home, Gertrude," he said. "And why? I trust nothing is the +matter." + +She related what she had heard respecting the law-suit. + +"And now," she concluded, "what will become of my unhappy cousins?" + +"I think, my dear," her husband said, after some reflection,--"I think +there could be no harm, considering all the circumstances, there could +be no harm, I imagine, in begging Miss Trevethlan to make our house her +home. I do not believe this verdict will stand. But, at all events, we +might invite Miss Trevethlan to stay with us; at any rate for a time. +She might be as private as she pleased. What do you say, my dear? You +might write to her...." + +He had laid his open volume upon his knee. What he suggested was +precisely what Mrs. Winston desired. So much coldness had attended all +her intercourse with her mother, since their last discussion about +Mildred's marriage, that she took no heed of any objection from that +quarter. She answered her husband by bending down and touching his cheek +with her lips. He thought she had never looked so beautiful before, and +threw away his book. + +That evening was the beginning of a new era in Gertrude's life. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + Desdichada fué la hora, + Desdichado fué aquel dia + En que naci y heredé + La tau grande senoria; + Pues lo habia de perder + Todo junto y en un dia. + + Roman. Espan. + + +Late in the night, or early in the morning that followed the trial at +Bodmin, any watcher at Trevethlan would be startled by the gallop of +horses and the rattle of wheels, as the chaise which bore Randolph to +his lost home dashed round the green of the hamlet. The bell rung loud +at the castle-gate, and old Jeffrey roused himself from his slumbers, +and having looked to the state of his blunderbus, descended leisurely to +learn who sought admission at that untimely hour. His master's voice +impatiently ordered him to open the gate; and, with a wonder that +impeded his duty, he obeyed. Delay again occurred before Randolph +obtained entrance to the great hall; and when he did, the white face +upon which fell the glare of the trembling handmaiden's lamp, might +remind her of those sheeted spectres which were said to glide at that +hour through the desolate corridors. He bade her leave him a light, and +she fled, scared, back to the couch from which she had unwillingly +risen. + +Randolph strode with irregular steps up and down the vaulted hall. +Perhaps, had Griffith been there, the worthy steward would have +remembered the day when his late master paced it in the like manner, +after his furious ride from Pendarrel. He might recollect the same +fierce passion in his eye--the same dark scowl upon his forehead, as +those which now burnt and loured in the face of his son. Nor were it +very easy to say which had sustained the greatest provocation: the +father, led on and enchained in a deep attachment, only to feel himself +the sport of a wayward girl's vanity; or the son, who found the same +girl, now a woman, triumphing in that father's dishonour, and exulting +over the ruin of his house. And that was not all, for the disgrace +descended: the good name, which had been handed down from generation to +generation, almost from beyond the memory of man, with him, +Randolph--what?--was changed into an inheritance of shame. And he too +loved. He loved the child of his destroyer. He had sometimes rejoiced in +the idea of wreaking the vengeance bequeathed to him, by stealing her +from her mother. For she also loved him, and had vowed to be his. And +now;--what was to happen now? Ruin, privation, poverty, he might have +invited her to share, while honour was unstained. But could he ask her +to join the fortunes of one who had not even a name to offer her? The +reputed offspring of fraud and sin? Never, while there remained a shadow +in which calumny might wrap itself--never, while there was a suspicion +upon which envy might pretend to believe the tale related that +day--could he accept the fulfilment of his beloved one's promise. + +And what hope was there? Had he not swept the dark horizon again and +again in search of the faintest ray of light, and failed to discover +any? And if his vision, sharpened by despair, could discover none, whose +could? Had he not listened to every syllable of the foul tale, with the +ears of one who sought a flaw in his death-warrant? And had he been able +to discover any? Then if he were deaf, who could hear? + +And this was the story with which he must greet his sister in the +morning. For delay, dalliance with chance was out of the question. As he +had told Polydore Riches, not another night should the castle find him +beneath its roof. Speedy possession! It had been refused, but they might +take it. He would not remain where his very name seemed to mock him. + +Therefore he and Helen were in fact houseless. Well, they would again +seek their old quarters near the metropolis. They still possessed a few +months' maintenance. Afterwards, let what would happen, it would not +much matter. + +These bitter thoughts occupied Randolph when the grey light of day-break +stole through the lofty casements, and reminded him of the necessity of +repose. He sought his own chamber. The sea lay beneath him, calm and +still, but without its usual tranquillising influence. Dressed as he was +he flung himself upon his bed, and sheer exhaustion brought some fitful +slumber. + +The sun was shining bright into the room, when he finally awoke. His +morning orisons, never neglected, inspired him with something like +resignation. He would not, indeed, remain a day at the castle, but he +would only go to London to be near head-quarters, and avail himself of +the best assistance in unveiling the iniquity by which for a season he +had been defeated. And, animated by this determination, he met his +sister at breakfast with a countenance which told plainly enough what +had happened, but at the same time was not utterly devoid of hope; one, +"wherein appeared, obscure, some glimpse of joy." + +"It is against us, my brother," Helen said, when the repast was over. + +"Ay, Helen," he answered. "We are outcasts upon earth, from our home, +and from our name. There is nothing left us but to say farewell. We may +as well say it immediately. Can you be ready to depart this very day?" + +He saw that his sister's eyes were filled with tears. + +"It is sudden, dearest," he said; "but it is better so. I cannot stay +here, while a taint rests upon my name. We can travel to-day, and what +we want may follow us. And it will not be 'a farewell for ever.'" + +He smiled as he spoke, but he could win no corresponding glance from +Helen. They separated to make the necessary preparations for departure. + +It was not much past noon, when the friends arrived whom Randolph had +left at Bodmin. They united in protesting against the projected journey. +But argument was vain. Randolph had completed his plan. He should go +straight to his old quarters at Hampstead; that is, if he found them +unoccupied; should put himself in close communication with Winter and +his friend Rereworth; and follow up an inquiry into the evidence given +at the trial with untiring energy. If such investigation were +fruitless--but he was not inclined to accept that alternative--he need +hardly say, that not for an hour would he waive his claim to the name of +Trevethlan, and that therefore he had no notion of resuming his old +disguise. He had no objection to Griffith remaining at the castle as +long as the law would permit, but he earnestly pressed the chaplain to +follow him to the metropolis. + +"You will be such a support to my sister, Mr. Riches," he urged. "I +shall be much away from her. Engaged in business; unable to sustain her +in this great change. Do come, my dear sir, and help your old pupils in +their extremity." + +Polydore was not one to resist such an entreaty, and assented. Yet, +perhaps, Randolph might have been prevailed upon at least to defer his +departure, but for an invitation to do so from another quarter. A note +reached the castle from Mrs. Pendarrel, in which that lady expressed her +hope that its present occupants would put themselves to no +inconvenience; that the demand for immediate possession was +unauthorized, and that every accommodation would be granted with +pleasure. This polite missive, it may be presumed, was in partial +fulfilment of the intention Esther expressed to her daughter, of +assisting her adversaries in their fall. But it was too much like that +which she caused her husband to write in the opening of this narrative, +to be received as a favour, and only served to provoke Randolph into a +fresh burst of rage, and make him eager for the vehicle which should +bear them away from all such insults. + +Before it came, however, he could not resist guiding his sister to a +last visit to the haunt of their childhood, Merlin's Cave. And there for +no little space they sat in silence, thinking over the happiness of +by-gone days. The day was even warmer than those which had preceded it, +but it was close and heavy. The sea lay before the orphans, perfectly +smooth, sleeping in its might; and there was no breath of air to waft +aside the lightest bubble it might leave upon the rock; but some round +massive clouds were rising one behind another in the south-western +horizon, which might indicate the coming of a storm. + +"Farewell to Trevethlan!" Randolph said. "Let me hear our old song once +more." + +And Helen sang the ancestral ditty, but with an accent very different +from that she gave it on the eve of their previous journey to the +metropolis. + + "Farewell to Trevethlan! A farewell for ever! + Farewell to the towers that stand by the sea!" + +"Remember, Helen," her brother said, "how you checked me when I told you +your song was of ill omen. And believe me now, when I say that, like +Reginald, we shall live to see a joyful revolution." + +Ill news flies fast. The intelligence of the verdict had spread in the +hamlet, and its immediate effect was exaggerated by the villagers. The +coming departure of their young master and mistress also travelled from +the castle to the green, and added to the excitement. Groups collected +both of sorrowing women and of threatening men. The lapse of time only +increased the numbers and the exasperation of the tenantry. The people +speedily forgot all those rumours concerning their late lord's marriage, +which of old gratified their envy, and which had probably contributed in +no small degree to the result of the trial. They only considered the +event of the day; that the last representative of the family with which +they had been connected for centuries was now to be driven from his +home, by a deserter who had sold himself to a rival house; and many +among them resolved, that if they could prevent it, by right or wrong, +it should not be so that "Pendar'l and Trevethlan should own one name." + +"And so ye were right after all, dame," said farmer Colan to the +landlady of the Trevethlan Arms. "The old saying's come true with a +vengeance. But there's no Miss Mildred in the case." + +"And Madam Pendarrel's not come to Trevethlan yet, farmer," was the +answer. "And there's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip." + +"There's like to be a slip here," cried a voice in the crowd, "such as +she little knows." + +"It's a curious sort of day for the season," said Breage. "So warm and +heavy. I should say there was some prognostication in the air." + +"Ay, there'll be a storm before long, I reckon, neighbours," said +Germoe. + +"Faith, then, there will," muttered another speaker; "and a storm some +people don't expect." + +"There always is a storm," observed the general merchant, "along with +misfortune at the castle. It comes as a token." + +"Then it comes too late," quoth Mrs. Miniver. "It is after the +misfortune this time. Who knows what came of Michael Sinson?" + +A low groan ran through the throng, and filled the eyes of Mercy Page +with tears. + +"What'll his old grandame say," asked farmer Colan, "when she +understands the rights of the matter?" + +"She never will understand," answered the hostess. "She'll close her +ears, and say it is all along of squire Randolph. Don't ye mind how she +met him at the late master's burying? And how she says that her Margaret +was murdered?" + +"'T is a strange thing," remarked the village tailor, "that nothing ever +turned up about the parson's murder." + +"He never was murdered," said Breage; "if he had, there'd have been a +sign. I don't believe as he was murdered." + +The appearance of an empty carriage, winding its way round the green, +put an end to these gossiping speculations, and concentrated the +scattered groups of rustics into one compact crowd about the gate +leading into the base-court of the castle. A moody silence succeeded to +the previous animation, and all eyes followed the vehicle up the ascent, +until it vanished from sight through the arched portal. Even the +mirthful Mrs. Miniver then became serious for once, and waited among her +neighbours in rueful anxiety for the re-appearance of the carriage. + +We pass lightly over the adieux within the inner court. Polydore Riches, +having resigned himself to what was inevitable, made them as brief as +possible. Randolph had steeled his heart against any display of feeling, +and Helen endeavoured to imitate her brother's fortitude. The steward +found comfort in hope; but his wife could not restrain her sorrow at +such a parting, and retired to the picture-gallery to try to forget the +present disaster, in calling to mind the past glories of the family to +which she was so deeply attached. Old Jeffrey flung open the gates, and +dashed a tear surlily from his eye as the carriage passed under the +arch. But when the family flag was seen slowly and lingeringly to +descend from its high place, a wailing cry arose from the crowd upon the +green, which made Randolph's heart swell in his breast, and brought the +tears she had resolved not to shed into Helen's eyes. + +The carriage soon reached the bottom of the descent. The people thronged +to the gate, and pressed against it, and loudly declared that it should +not be opened. Not so would they allow their young master and mistress +to be taken from them. There was considerable confusion, and cries were +uttered expressive of the villagers' determination. The driver, +perplexed, looked round for instructions. The situation was becoming +embarrassing. + +"We will bid our friends farewell on foot, Helen," her brother +whispered, "and thank them for their good-will." + +And, so saying, he threw open his door of the carriage, sprang out, +lowered the steps himself, and assisted his sister to alight. She leant +upon his arm, and they advanced to meet the crowd, which divided before +them with great respect. Shaking hands very cordially with those who +were nearest them, and expressing confident hopes that their absence +would not be long, they made their way across the green, while the +carriage proceeded by the road. But the people soon divined their +intention, and closed upon their path, and endeavoured to delay their +progress, clasping their hands, and pouring benedictions upon their +heads. It was a more trying leave-taking than that within the castle. +But at length, after many and many a salute, they reached the end of the +village, re-ascended their carriage amid renewed effusions of +attachment, and were borne rapidly from the sight of their sorrowing +adherents. + +Sorrow, however, was not the only emotion excited by their departure. +Not a few imprecations, fiercely directed against the house that had +disinherited them, arose among their dependents as the carriage finally +disappeared. + +END OF VOLUME II. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Trevethlan: (Vol 2 of 3), by William Davy Watson + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TREVETHLAN: (VOL 2 OF 3) *** + +***** This file should be named 36107-8.txt or 36107-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/6/1/0/36107/ + +Produced by Chris Curnow, 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) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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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: Trevethlan: (Vol 2 of 3) + A Cornish Story. + +Author: William Davy Watson + +Release Date: May 14, 2011 [EBook #36107] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TREVETHLAN: (VOL 2 OF 3) *** + + + + +Produced by Chris Curnow, 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>TREVETHLAN:</h1> + +<h3>A Cornish Story.</h3> + +<h2>BY WILLIAM DAVY WATSON, <span class="smcap">Esq.</span></h2> + +<h3>BARRISTER-AT-LAW.</h3> + + +<h3>IN THREE VOLUMES.<br /> +VOL. II.</h3> + +<h3>LONDON:<br /> +SMITH, ELDER AND CO., 65, CORNHILL.<br /> +1848.</h3> + +<h3>London:<br /> +Printed by <span class="smcap">Stewart</span> and <span class="smcap">Murray</span>,<br /> +Old Bailey.</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 /> +</p> +<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. --> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>TREVETHLAN.</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Pur' è soave cosa, a chi del tutto<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Non è privo di senso, il patrio nido:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Che diè Natura al nascimento umano,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Verso il caro paese, ov' altri è nato,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Un non so che di non inteso affetto,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Che sempre vive, è non invecchia mai.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4"><span class="smcap">Guarini.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>Once more we stand on the shore of Mount's Bay. Far behind we have left +the whirl and tumult of the metropolis, and we hear only the hoarse roar +of the surges, driven by the last winds of January to beat against the +granite at our feet. When last we looked over the same waters, the +yellow leaves were falling from the trees, and the little waves rippled +musically upon the rock, while the voice of mourning was heard in our +halls. Yet if the year was declining, there was beauty in the decay; if +the season was sad, there was hope amidst the sorrow. We return to find +the fields desolate, and the sea tempestuous, and our house still +forlorn. The face of nature is gloomy and cold, and hope has vanished +from our fireside.</p> + +<p>Such might be among the first reflections of the orphans of Trevethlan, +as they gazed from the windows of the castle over the well-known +landscape. They had come home, not as children from school to holiday, +exulting in freedom and buoyant with hope, to exchange coercion for +caresses; nor as older pupils, having learnt the value of time, merely +to modify the routine of occupation, and gladden parental affection with +their progress and prudence; nor yet as those who, having entered on the +labour of life, know that the bow must not always be bent, and rejoice +to seek relaxation around the hearth where they were nursed. Far deeper +than any of these were the emotions of the sister, and dark and stern +were the thoughts of the brother.</p> + +<p>Helen's letter had fallen upon Polydore like a thunderbolt. She had, +indeed, in previous communications somewhat ruffled his serenity by +indistinct references to the new solicitude she detected in Randolph; +but the worthy chaplain readily explained all similar hints by the +novelty of his old pupil's situation. "He will become used to it before +long, Mr. Griffith," Polydore would say, when the steward ventured to +remind him of their difference of opinion respecting the orphans' +scheme. "'Tis only the roughness of a first meeting with the world. The +points will be soon rubbed smooth. There's a great difference between +the Temple and Trevethlan Castle." In reply to which sort of remark, +Griffith could only shrug his shoulders, and hope it might all turn out +well in the end.</p> + +<p>So when the missive arrived, in which Helen announced that her brother +had proclaimed their real name, and abandoned his career, and that they +should follow the letter without delay, Polydore was struck with sudden +consternation. The steward was too delicate to show that he felt no +similar surprise in the chaplain's presence, but to his wife he avowed +that he was not in the least astonished. "A Trevethlan conceal his +name!" he exclaimed. "It's not in the blood. No, Charlotte Griffith; if +we are poor, we are also proud. The secret would be always on the tip of +his tongue. Why, suppose he quarrelled? Not unlikely, I can tell you, in +one of our house. D'ye think, Mrs. Griffith, Randolph Trevethlan would +go out as Mr. Morton? Pooh! pooh!"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Griffith rather shuddered at the idea, but she remembered sundry +anecdotes of the picture gallery which forbade her to impeach the +justice of her husband's position. Whatever were the cause of the +return, she rejoiced at the effect, and spread the same feeling among +all the little household, by her orders to prepare for the reception of +her young master and mistress.</p> + +<p>So they came. It was early in the afternoon when their chaise rattled +round the green of the hamlet; but a cold sleet drove along upon the +wind, and kept the villagers within doors. The folk hurried to their +windows only in time to see that the carriage had passed, but the +extreme rarity of such a visitation drew forth a few of the curious to +gaze after the chaise, as it wound more slowly up the ascent of the +base-court. Randolph lay back in his corner, gloomy and foreboding; but +Helen leant forward to catch the first glimpse of an old familiar face. +And Jeffrey was duly on the watch; he caught sight of the carriage as it +began the ascent; he soon recognized his young lady's face at the +window; the gates flew open under his hand; before the travellers had +alighted at the hall-door, he had run the old flag to the top of its +staff, and a faint cheer from the hamlet greeted the appearance of the +well-known signal. The orphans were at home.</p> + +<p>Anxieties and forebodings vanished for a season in the warmth of +welcome. The time for questions and explanations was not arrived. +Everything seemed in exactly the same order as when the brother and +sister left; and were it not for the difference of the seasons—were it +not that a fire crackled cheerfully in the great chimney, and that +patches of snow lay on the bed of mignionette, they might have supposed +a night only had elapsed since their departure. But the change in +themselves told that the interval had been fraught with momentous +consequences for each of them.</p> + +<p>When the first hurry of congratulation was over, Helen retired for some +confidential talk with Mrs. Griffith, and her brother accompanied the +chaplain in a walk round the castle. Yes, every thing remained exactly +as it was. In the library, even the volume which Randolph was reading +with his instructor, "Cicero on the Art of Divination," remained on the +table, as if closed but yesterday, and the subject brought a passing +cloud upon his brow. The portraits in the picture-gallery showed the +recent care of Mrs. Griffith.</p> + +<p>"My mother's likeness is not here, Mr. Riches?" Randolph said abruptly, +as they passed along.</p> + +<p>The chaplain, greatly surprised, shook his head in silence.</p> + +<p>They ascended to the battlements, and faced the inclemency of the +weather. The ancient pieces of ordnance showed signs of that diligence +on the part of old Jeffrey, to which Polydore had alluded in a recent +letter to Hampstead. More dangerous they, perchance, to the defender +than the foe.</p> + +<p>"Is there really so much alarm in the country, my dear sir?" Randolph +asked. "Are our good Jeffrey's perilous precautions in any way +warranted?"</p> + +<p>"<i>It fama per urbes</i>—you know the rest," the chaplain answered. "We +will speak of it by and by."</p> + +<p>They descended to the court-yard. If the castle was unchanged, its +scanty retainers were as little altered. At the great gateway Randolph +found Jeffrey pacing up and down under the arch in demi-military style, +while an old-fashioned brass blunderbuss rested against the wall.</p> + +<p>"God bless you! Master Randolph," said the old man, taking the offered +hand between both of his; "and welcome back. And thanks be to Him, that +if so be these walls must fall to the riff-raff from Castle Dinas, why, +fall they will around a Trevethlan. But the day shall not come, +while"—he caught up his piece, and suddenly discharged it in the +air—"the evening gun, Master Randolph. A little too soon, and not like +that as was fired in the old time. But it just serves maybe to frighten +the rascals, and let 'em know old Jeffrey is awake."</p> + +<p>Randolph thanked the trusty warder for his zeal, and expressed a hope +that his forebodings might not be realized; but the sentry shook his +head dolefully, and reloaded his gun, saying, "Ye might as well just +keep your pistols handy, Master Randolph."</p> + +<p>Already, even in this short perambulation, the chaplain was greatly +struck by the change which he observed in his former pupil. The +stripling, meditative and gentle, had become a man, haughty and +impassioned. The disposition, of old plastic as wax, was now at once +obstinate and capricious. The change was marked in the imperiousness of +Randolph's bearing, in the curl of his lip, and the abruptness of his +speech. There was no want of his former respect or affection; but it was +plain that henceforth he acted on his own impulse, and was not to be +swayed by those who might surround him. "Is it for good or for evil?" +the chaplain asked himself, when Randolph parted from him to descend to +the beach, and intimated that he wished to be alone. "Pray Heaven for +good, or surely my life has been wasted."</p> + +<p>It was becoming dusky. The sleet had passed over, and the sky was +cloudless; but the blast still whistled along the sea, and brought great +waves to break on the well-known promontory of rock. Randolph stood on +the point, heedless of the wind and spray, and gave vent to the emotions +which were struggling within his bosom.</p> + +<p>"For what am I here?" he said. "Why have I come to my home? To bury +myself amidst these gray walls, and watch the gradual ebbing of all the +springs of existence? To die in sullen desolation, and find a lonely +grave in yonder churchyard? Hope it not, Esther Pendarrel. Not so easily +quenched is the fire within me: it may ravage all around it, but it will +not smoulder away, consuming only myself. But I must be alone. My sweet +sister must not be scathed by my waywardness. She will rest here, while +I go forth to achieve the one purpose of my heart. Our scheme has broken +to pieces, but my pledge remains. Alas, that my father should bind me by +so fatal an undertaking! Yet, if Esther loved—if Esther loved——</p> + +<p>"And thou, too, whom I never knew, of whom no trace remains in my +memory, my mother! Would that thou hadst not been summoned hence so +soon! Would that I had felt thy softening influence, and he learnt of +thee to be merciful! Why have I thought of thee so often of late? Why +has that veiled shape glided through my dreams? Wilt thou not reveal +thyself to thy son? Visit me, oh my mother! fling aside the veil that +hides thy face, and be a light to my soul in the darkness that surrounds +it."</p> + +<p>The muser dwelt long on this invocation, pacing to and fro on the narrow +strip of rock. It was the first time he had given expression to an idea +which for some while had been lurking among his thoughts. At last he +looked round the sky, and saw the mild radiance of the evening star.</p> + +<p>"Beautiful planet!" he said, "which fancy chose for the arbiter of my +fate, is <i>she</i> also beholding thee? Smile upon her, fair planet, and +remind her of me. Teach her to think of me, even as thou hast taught me +to remember her."</p> + +<p>Tranquillized by the reflection, Randolph returned through the deepening +twilight to the castle, and joined his sister and the chaplain in a +small parlour, occupying a turret that overlooked the sea. It was a +favourite room. There, in the evening, Polydore described at some length +the state of the adjacent country. "Discontent," he said, "was very +general; not only among the miners, who thought they did not earn a just +share of their labour's produce, but also among the agricultural +population, who complained that wages were too low in proportion to the +price of provisions. And social dissatisfaction had partly assumed the +aspect of political disaffection. Agitators, strangers to the district, +were said to have gone about among the people. Minor outrages had not +been very rare, and expressions had been reported nearly equivalent to +the 'Guerre aux Châteaux' of the great French Revolution. Musters of men +in military array were said to have been held on the moorlands. Rumours +flew about of the landing of arms on different parts of the coast. But +all," Polydore concluded, "is vague and shadowy. I believe there is +great exaggeration abroad. Positive, however, it is, that a patrol of +cavalry occasionally dashes at speed by a lonely cottage, and that the +coast-guard display unwonted activity. Behold the confirmation of my +words!"</p> + +<p>For while they were being uttered, his hearers might see a long line of +fire rise into the air from the shore of the bay near Mousehole, +denoting the flight of a rocket.</p> + +<p>"That is the way they amuse us almost every night," continued the +chaplain. "'Tis too dark, I suppose, to see anything afloat. Let us put +the candles in the shade, and look."</p> + +<p>So said, so done. Fruitlessly, for they could discover nothing on the +dark waters. But while they were gazing across the bay, a faint, rushing +sound fell on their ear, above the noise of the sea; and, turning +hastily, they perceived the last sparks of a second rocket, which had +been fired from their own coast.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is the way," Polydore repeated. "Of old, the folks would just +have wished the smuggler luck, and perhaps turned out in hope to run a +keg or so; but they seem to think there's more in these signals now."</p> + +<p>"And you feel no alarm yourself, my dear sir?" Helen inquired.</p> + +<p>"None, Helen," replied the chaplain. "I may be mistaken, but I do not +expect to see Jeffrey's blunderbuss brought into action; and I have a +trust which never yet proved wanting."</p> + +<p>So saying, Polydore rang the bell, a summons which speedily assembled +all the household for family prayer, according to old usage; and when +the rite was over, the members sought their respective resting-places, +and silence reigned in the castle.</p> + +<p>But Randolph could not sleep. Throwing a cloak around him, and shading +his lamp with his hand, he proceeded with the stealthy step of one who +dreads he knows not what, along the desolate corridors to the state +apartments. Through their faded grandeur he wandered on, until he +reached the great chamber which was the scene of his father's death. He +placed his light so that only a faint glimmer fell upon the bed, and +leant against one of the pillars, and resumed his reverie of the +afternoon with such vividness of imagination, that he fancied he again +beheld the bright eyes of the dying man, and heard the injunctions which +seemed now to separate him from what he held dearest upon earth. But his +reverie had not terminated with those gloomy forebodings, nor did his +dream. A frail and slender form, veiled in gossamer-like drapery, bent +dimly over the couch for a short space and floated away, beckoning him +to follow. It rested a moment in the doorway, for he had only obeyed the +sign with his eyes. But when he hastily seized the lamp, it flitted fast +before him, fading and fading away, until it disappeared entirely as he +crossed the threshold of his own chamber. He flung himself on his bed, +and closed his eyes for sleep; and as the last gleam of consciousness +vanished, a face which he appeared to have known in days long past, meek +and lovely,—that of a woman, in her morning of beauty,—bent down upon +his, and kissed his lips.</p> + +<p>The kiss seemed yet fresh upon them when he woke, and found the sun +shining gaily into the apartment.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The intelligible forms of ancient poets,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The fair humanities of old religion,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Power, the Beauty, and the Majesty,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That had their haunts in dale, or piny mountain,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or forest by slow stream, or pebbly spring,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or chasms and watery depths—all these have vanished.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">They live no longer in the faith of reason.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4"><span class="smcap">Coleridge.</span> <i>Piccolomini.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>The hamlet of Trevethlan nestled snugly under the slope, at the summit +of which stood the castle, and was screened by the rising ground from +the sea breezes. It surrounded a green of limited extent, which was only +separated from the base-court by the gate Michael Sinson opened for Mrs. +Pendarrel's carriage, when that lady was returning from her frustrated +attack. On the right, a small wicket led into the churchyard, so full of +trees that, except at the present season, the church itself could +scarcely be seen. This was a plain edifice, with no pretensions to +beauty, deriving all its picturesqueness from the ivy with which it was +overgrown. Opposite to it, across the green, a beam projecting from the +front of an old-fashioned house, supported the escutcheon of the lords +of the village, and, by its inscription, promised good entertainment to +man and beast. But the inn had shared the fortunes of the castle: the +windows of the wings, which advanced with scalloped gables beyond the +centre, were blocked up with boards, and the middle part only appeared +to be now occupied. But Dame Miniver, the hostess, had inherited the +savings of more prosperous days. She was a trim, bustling widow woman, +tidy and rosy, notable and talkative, whose only sighs were divided +between the good-man who slept on the other side of the green, and the +splendour which had departed from the castle on the cliff. She never +fretted because her stables now held none but a few farm horses, nor +because there were no longer any swaggering lackeys to come and crack a +bottle of the port, some of which might still be slumbering in her +cellars. She would hardly have been a Cornish woman if she did not know +how to exchange a wink with the good fellow who had a keg of hollands or +brandy to dispose of; and it pleased her mightily to treat a revenue man +with a drop of the spirits that had been run under his very nose.</p> + +<p>The other habitations surrounding the green were of various sizes, some +with small gardens in front, some neat, and some neglected,—almost all +thatched and whitewashed. A sleepy, listless air hung about the place. A +stranger wandering accidentally into it, would feel at once that it had +known better days; the children might seem to play with less liveliness +than usual, and the very geese to waddle over the grass with a lazy +gait. He would fancy the gossips at the cottage doors to be inanimate in +their chat, and might himself be yielding to a sense of drowsiness, when +the sight of Dame Miniver, in her neat brown silk gown, and snow-white +apron, looking complacently at the visitor, with an inviting smile that +was irresistible, would recall his fleeting spirits, and guide his steps +to the friendly shelter of the Trevethlan Arms.</p> + +<p>The late owner of the castle, it has already been said, was extremely +unpopular with his tenantry, for some time both before and after his +marriage. Proud themselves of the family upon which they had depended +beyond the memory of man, they hated to see it stripped, acre by acre, +of its broad lands, and so impoverished as to be unable to afford them +the old advantages. Remembering the current prophecy, they loathed a +match which seemed to harbinger its fulfilment, and at the same time +rendered it next to impossible for Pendarrel to come to Trevethlan, +although the reverse might happen on several contingencies. But after +the death of poor Margaret, and when an infant son and daughter stood in +the way of any such consummation, and their lord came often among them, +haughty indeed, but not unkind; poor, but still generous; and they could +not avoid seeing the melancholy written in his face, and recollected his +reported courtship, years before, of Esther Pendarrel, and thought of +the kinsman who had sold his name; their animosity gradually melted into +compassion, and a deep and sullen hatred grew up among them against the +house of Pendarrel and everything connected with it.</p> + +<p>The discontent now pervading the country had not spared Trevethlan. It +was true, that if the sentiment—war to the mansions—were diffused at +all in the village, it had no reference to the castle. There was not a +man on the estate but was ready to die in defence of the towers on the +cliff. But other feelings might be entertained towards some of their +neighbours. Hitherto they had exhausted their animosity in conflicts +arising at wrestling-matches and country fairs, but now there were +symptoms discoverable of more dangerous hostilities.</p> + +<p>And the movement was encouraged by the absence of the young master. The +villagers regretted, without blaming, a departure which was intended, +they hoped, in some way or other, to restore prosperity to the family. +But it removed a check which might have soothed their exasperation. And +in like manner the return of the orphans would probably turn aside any +ideas of immediate violence, if such had really gained any footing in +the hamlet.</p> + +<p>On the evening of their arrival, some of the notables met to discuss +things in general, around the fire in Dame Miniver's hall. There were +farmer Colan, and Germoe the tailor of the hamlet, and Breage whose wife +kept the shop where everything was sold, and, among divers others, +Edward Owen, Sinson's unsuccessful rival for the affections of pretty +Mercy Page. Owen, formerly one of the best-conducted men in the hamlet, +was now sulky and perverse, and Mercy had obtained no slight odium by +her too great fidelity to one who was regarded as a deserter. She little +thought her old lover had been lately in the neighbourhood, and she was +even now meditating an excursion to inquire after him, in one of those +mysterious modes, which were yet resorted to occasionally by the lovers +of the far-west.</p> + +<p>"A health to our squire!" cried Colan, filling a cup of cyder, "and to +our bonny young lady, and welcome back to Trevethlan."</p> + +<p>"Faith," said Owen, "they're not come back to do much good to +Trevethlan, I reckon. There's none of the fortune come with 'em as folks +used to talk about, or they'd never ha' gone through the town with a +rubbishy old chay from Helston."</p> + +<p>"Small blame to Squire Randolph," observed Germoe, "that he don't throw +away the little he's left, like our poor master before him. And, for my +part, I'd rather have him among us, poor though he may be, than away +nobody knows where.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'The place is bare, when the lord's not there.'<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>There'll be more smiles in Trevethlan than there's been this many a +day."</p> + +<p>"Then there's not much to smile about," Owen replied; "and the best +maybe the squire could do, were to take back some of that's been stolen +from him. There's many a lad ready to strike a blow for Trevethlan."</p> + +<p>"Wild talk, Edward," said Breage; "wild talk, and nothing but it. We +live by the law now-a-days."</p> + +<p>"And there's a pleasanter way," observed Dame Miniver. "Miss Mildred of +Pendar'l 's as pretty a lady as ever stepped, and she might bring the +squire all his land again, and fulfil the saying quite agreeable,</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'Pendar'l and Trevethlan will own one name.'"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"There's too much ill blood atween the houses," Colan said. "A deal too +much. Didn't the lady of Pendar'l turn the late squire away? And didn't +our young master send her back from his gate with a flea in her ear? +Don't ye recollect how Jeffrey chuckled about it? The young folks have +ne'er seen one another, Mrs. Miniver."</p> + +<p>"How d'ye know?" the hostess asked. "And trust me, if meet they did, +there'd meet a couple predestinated to fall in love. In all the old +tales that ever I read, the true gentleman falls in love with the wrong +lady. But, of course, they must meet, or they haven't the chance, and +somehow they always do meet."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Germoe, "I'll wager the day ne'er dawns that sees that +match. The saying'll not hold good in our time—mark my words."</p> + +<p>"There's a deal of wisdom in those old sayings," quoth Mistress Miniver. +"Ay, and in others too. Mind ye not how old Maud Basset foretold a +fortune for her child, and the gipsy crossed it, and both came out as +true as gospel? Those sayings are not to be looked down upon, Master +Germoe."</p> + +<p>"If ever that saying comes true in my time," muttered Owen, "and not on +our side, there'll be a tale told of Pendar'l—that's all I know."</p> + +<p>But the remark excited no attention, and from such predictions the +company slid by degrees into the kindred and fascinating subject of +preternatural visitations, a wide field in that remote district of the +west; and they drew their seats closer round the fire, and dropped their +voices, until they almost frightened one another into a reluctance to +separate on their different ways homeward.</p> + +<p>They would, perhaps, have expressed themselves in a more discontented +manner, if they had known the intention with which Randolph sought the +home of his fathers: he has himself obscurely intimated it, in his +soliloquy by the sea. To persuade his sister to remain in those old +halls, under the guardianship of Polydore Riches; to return himself to +London, to obtain, in spite of all obstacles, an interview with Mildred +Pendarrel; to extract from her the confession which he was convinced she +was ready to make; to exchange mutual vows; to look round the world for +the path which he might cut to honour and fortune; to return and claim +his bride, who by that time would be her own mistress—such was the +scheme upon which he was at present resolved. It was a wild outline, and +he did not trouble himself to fill up the details. Young and ardent, he +looked straight to the summit of his ambition, and recked nothing of the +ravines which separated the various intervening ridges.</p> + +<p>But with all his determination he hesitated to disclose his idea to +Helen. He felt that to her he was everything. Until quite recently they +had always shared one another's thoughts. He trembled at the anguish he +should inflict by such a separation. And so he deferred the confidence +from time to time, persuading himself that it would best be made on the +very eve of his departure, until this was indefinitely postponed by +intelligence that Pendarrel Hall was being prepared for the immediate +reception of its mistress.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile his sister and he renewed their former acquaintance +with the good folks of the hamlet, and to external appearance resumed +the way in which they had lived before the late Mr. Trevethlan's death. +It was a quiet, dreamy sort of life, of which a faint sketch was given +in the outset of this narrative. They were born in a land of romance; +the whole region was classic ground. From King Arthur's castle of +Tintagel in the north-east, to Merlin's stone in Mount's Bay, respecting +which an old prophecy—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"There shall land on the stone Merlyn<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Those shall burn Paul's, Penzance, and Newlyn,"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>was said to be fulfilled by some stragglers from the Spanish Armada, +every field might be supposed the scene of some chivalrous exploit, or +magical enchantment, or superstitious sacrifice. There dwelt the last of +the British druids: their strange monuments were still standing on the +wild moors and in the cultivated domains, on the desolate carns and +among the crags of the sea-shore. Such was the oracular stone at Castle +Trereen,—at that time not forced from its resting-place by sacrilegious +hands, and requiring no chain to keep it from <i>logging</i> too far. Such +was Lanyon Quoit, a cromlech on the moorland beyond Madron, and not very +far from the battle-field, where the Saxon Athelstan finally defeated +the Britons, and drove them to perish of hunger in the caves of Pendeen. +The curious stranger still marks their strong fortresses, Castle Chun +and Castle Dinas, occupying the highest ground between Mount's Bay and +the Irish Sea; he may read the name of their chieftain, Rialobran, on +his tombstone, Mên Skryfa, now prostrate among the herbage; and he may +note the sanguinary nature of the struggle, in the title which it gained +for the Land's End, of Penvonlas, or the Headland of Blood.</p> + +<p>And, again, the customs of the country still kept alive some faint +memorials of those heathen times, and of the accommodating spirit of the +earliest Christian missionaries. To such an origin is ascribed the +salutation of the orchards at Christmas, already referred to: the +mistletoe of the apple was not so sacred as that of the oak, but neither +was it despicable. And the bonfires of St. John's Eve were said to tell +of the days when the cromlechs of Cam Brey were surrounded by a mystic +grove, and the officiating priests hurried their human victims through +purifying flames to the blood-stained altar.</p> + +<p>Nor was the land less indebted for romantic associations to those +fabulous historians, who peopled Britain with royalty, beauty, chivalry, +and faery, and assigned to Cornwall the honour of producing the renowned +Sir Tristan. Not a few hours were whiled away at Trevethlan Castle in +discoursing of their marvellous adventures, their strange wandering +towns of Camelot and Caerleon, and the general phantasmagoric character +of their narratives. They plotted out the kingdom in an imaginary map, +and whatever scenery they required, they regarded as existing and well +known. Did they want a lake, from whence should issue a hand bearing a +magic sword, they troubled not themselves with any mention of its +landmarks: a forest perilous arose wherever they willed: a bridge to be +defended, and therefore a stream, was always ready in the champion's +path: you were introduced to a fountain as if you had drunk at it all +your life. Undoubting faith in their own story was one of their most +powerful fascinations: it transferred itself to their hearers, and a +tale, which modern exactness would make incoherent and incredible, +became credible from its very indistinctness. The Round Table romances +present us with a fantastic Britain, which we may conceive to be still +in being, like the paradise of Irem in the desert of Aden, and which the +second-sight of imagination may yet conjure up in all its pristine +glory.</p> + +<p>Many of those old tomes, quartos and folios, whose florid binding +attested their high estimation by early possessors, enriched the shelves +of the castle library; and few of its proprietors were deterred from +exploring their contents, by the mystic black-letter and antiquated +French in which the stories were told. Under Polydore's guidance, +Randolph and Helen had become acquainted with much of this legendary +lore; and even their father sometimes deigned to take part in a +conversation arising out of it.</p> + +<p>But it was in vain now that Helen, in the hope of chasing away the cloud +which hung continually upon her brother's brow, strove to recall his +attention to these studies of the old time. The down had been brushed +from the butterfly's wing. She strolled with him along the beach, and +she sat with him in Merlin's Cave, in spite of the wintry weather; but +it was impossible to bring back the mood in which he listened to +"Trevethlan's farewell," on the eve of their departure for London. He +was fond of roaming through the desolate state rooms, rapt in deep +meditation, and only roused when the wind, rushing through some crevice, +waved the tapestry of the walls with a rustling sound, and made the dim +figures portrayed upon it seem for a moment endued with life. Sometimes +he would be found in the picture-gallery, gazing earnestly on the +portrait of his father, and seeming, by the expression of his +countenance, eager to evoke from the mimic lips an answer to some +question which was struggling in his breast. His old teacher noted his +moodiness with anxiety, but in silence, and made no attempt to forestall +the explanation, which he felt sure must come of itself before long.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The heart, surrendered to the ruling power<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of some ungoverned passion every hour,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Finds, by degrees, the truths that once bore sway<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And all their deep impression wear away:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So coin grows smooth in traffic current passed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Till Cæsar's image is effaced at last.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4"><span class="smcap">Cowper.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>The mistress of Pendarrel Hall never visited it without experiencing a +renewal of many an ancient spring of grief. There were not a few spots +in the park, sequestered from the more frequented paths, which she could +not look upon without bitter regret, yet which she was always sure to +explore within a few days of her arrival, so much of pensive pleasure +mingled with the pain. But the influence of such reminiscences was of +short duration, and the temporary weakness was soon succeeded by that +permanent animosity to the owners of Trevethlan Castle, which had become +the ruling passion of her life. She would climb an eminence in the +neighbourhood, from which the old gray towers were visible, and think, +with fresh exasperation, of the obstinacy or the pride which still +detained them from her grasp.</p> + +<p>But now she came to her home, with a fond belief that the enemy was at +last delivered into her hand. Previously, there seemed no limit to the +contention. Now, a few weeks must decide it. Michael Sinson had returned +to town before the departure of his patroness, had matured his plans, +had obtained her sanction to carrying them out, and had been introduced +by her husband to his highly-respected solicitor, Mr. Truby. That +gentleman could only assure his client, after a careful perusal of +Sinson's statement, that, if it did not break down in court, there could +be no doubt whatever that Mr. Randolph Trevethlan would be held to be an +intruder upon the castle property, and that immediate possession would +be given to him, Mr. Trevethlan Pendarrel. And, as Michael vouched for +the perfect soundness of his evidence, Mr. Truby received directions to +commence proceedings forthwith. "Let the suit be pressed forward," Mrs. +Pendarrel said, "with the utmost possible despatch."</p> + +<p>That matter settled, she left London with her daughter; her husband +gladly making his official duties a plea for remaining in May Fair. Yet +Esther was not altogether at her ease. Plain and straightforward as was +Sinson's story, and completely as it destroyed the validity of the late +Mr. Trevethlan's marriage, she still suspected there was some unseen +flaw. She often thought of Mr. Truby's qualification—if the case did +not break down in court. Who was this very important witness that Sinson +had so opportunely discovered? And then, as the notion of fraud stole +into her mind, she asked herself, what would be the motive; with what +object could Sinson have devised his scheme? And again she questioned +herself, with some alarm, as to the extent to which she had authorized +the proceedings of her protégé. She had communicated with him once or +twice by letter. And the uneasiness expressed in these reflections was +somewhat increased by Michael's recent demeanour. He wore a look of +intelligence, and assumed an air of importance, seeming to discover a +consciousness of some hidden power. A sense of superiority appeared to +mingle with his fawning subserviency, such as might mark the carriage of +Luke in Massinger's play. But Mrs. Pendarrel soon wrapped herself in her +pride, and forgot all her suspicions.</p> + +<p>To be sure, that pride rather revolted from the mode of proceeding. An +action-at-law was but a bad substitute for a raid of the olden time. The +bailiff with a slip of parchment was an indifferent representative of a +"plump of spears." The court was but a poor arena, compared to the +lists. But for this there was no help. The inconvenient civilization of +modern times precluded a resort to that picturesque method of settling +the question. And Mrs. Pendarrel owned to herself that her husband was +but ill-qualified to head a foray. She recollected the pretences by +which he had obtained her hand, and confessed that he would cut a bitter +figure in "Doe on the demise of Pendarrel against Trevethlan," than in a +cartel of mortal defiance.</p> + +<p>Yet had she good cause to tremble. She had only discerned one-half of +Sinson's character, his malice against the Trevethlans. She employed him +in a manner which gratified that feeling, and she supposed her pecuniary +favours were sufficient to make him her own. But he was far from being a +slave, like an eastern mute, or a messenger of the Vehm-Gericht, who +would answer in humble submission, "to hear is to obey:" he had his own +game to play beside that of his mistress, and well would it be for her +if she did not lose more than she won by his cunning finesse.</p> + +<p>His disposition had been nourished by his whole life. His early years +were spent in the most abject servility. He fawned upon his young +cousin, the heir of Trevethlan, like a spaniel. To obtain his +partiality, and to be admitted to his society, he was ready to lick the +dust under his feet. And at the same time he thought, or was persuaded +by his grandmother, that the ties of blood made such distinction a +matter of right rather than of favour. So very early in life he acquired +ideas much above his real station, and pined for a position for which he +was not born.</p> + +<p>When Randolph's father ejected the young rustic from the castle, this +aspiring ambition seemed to be nipped in the bud. The disappointment was +very severe, and his fanatical grandmother changed it into hatred. +Having been urgent in inducing her daughter to accept the offered +elevation, she heard of the treatment portrayed in poor Margaret's +fading cheek with wrath, and regarded her death as a murder to be +avenged. So she trained Michael as the instrument of retribution, and +made his personal spite the basis of a deep-rooted animosity against all +the house of Trevethlan.</p> + +<p>With such feelings he presented himself to Mrs. Pendarrel, and was +received into her service. And well pleased he was to find that his +first duties implied more or less of hostility towards his former +playmate. He entered upon the task with a zeal inspired by hatred. The +departure of the orphans from their home seemed to deprive him of his +occupation, but in fact widened its sphere. The summons to London +extended the bounds of the young peasant's ambition. He had profited +well by the early instructions of Polydore Riches; he was of good +figure, with a handsome, if unprepossessing face; a short residence in +the metropolis changed his rusticity into assurance; and his natural +abilities qualified him to play many parts, and in some degree to seem a +gentleman.</p> + +<p>His progress was quickened by the glimpse he caught of Miss Pendarrel at +his first arrival in town. It developed a series of sensations in his +mind, only partially excited before by the rural charms of Mercy Page, +and made him feel the inferiority of his station with tenfold +bitterness. He thought vaguely of Sir Richard Whittington and Sir Ralph +Osborne, and longed for the opportunity of making a rapid fortune. With +this idea, he bought a ticket in the lottery.</p> + +<p>And as he advanced in the confidence of his patroness, a new prospect +opened before him. He fancied he saw the means of obtaining a control +over her, by which he could bend her to his will, whenever the time +came. So that he reached his end, he cared not for the road. And in this +case every passion of his heart concurred in urging him forward. +Circumstances favoured his desires even beyond his expectations, and the +period was approaching to strike the final blow.</p> + +<p>Sinson's connection with the wretched spendthrift, Everope, has already +been traced. He destined that individual to play an important part in +his plot. The miserable man hung back at every step, and ended by +clearing it. Michael's money supplied him with dissipation, and in +dissipation he drowned remorse. But the trip into the country nearly +rescued him from his betrayer's clutches; it had given him time for +reflection such as he had not had for many a day; and when on their +return, Sinson laid open his further demands, he encountered a +resistance so obstinate that he almost thought his previous labour had +been thrown away. But threats and temptations did their work, and +Everope finally agreed to take the step, which Sinson promised should be +the last required of him. And now Michael remained in town, instead of +at once accompanying his patroness to Pendarrel, in order to furnish Mr. +Truby with information, and to take heed that his reluctant dupe did not +slip through his fingers.</p> + +<p>The second week in February had scarcely begun, when Esther arrived in +Cornwall. Well might Gertrude warn Mildred that she underrated the +difficulties of her position. Mrs. Pendarrel treated her with the most +tender consideration, but with great art made her constantly feel that +the marriage was a settled thing, without ever affording her an +opportunity of protesting. Her assent was continually implied, yet in +such a way that she could not contradict the inference. Her situation +became embarrassing and irksome. It was ungenerous, she thought, to take +such an advantage of maidenly scruples. She felt that a web was being +spun round her, reducing her to a sort of chrysalis, from which it was +every day harder to escape, but from which she was resolved a fly should +issue, by no means like what was expected.</p> + +<p>For she entertained no fear about the final result. If her mother chose +to go on, wilfully blind, from day to day, without permitting her eyes +to be opened, on her must rest the blame of any éclat. The remembrance +of her cousin was deeply imprinted on her heart, and sustained its +courage. Night after night, before retiring to rest, she drew aside the +curtains of her window to look for the bright planet which he had +associated with his destiny, saddened when it was hidden by clouds or +dimmed by mist, happy when its rays beamed pure and clear into her +chamber.</p> + +<p>There were no guests staying at the hall, but numbers of casual visitors +called to pay their respects, and hoped perhaps for an invitation to the +wedding. And notes, of all shapes and sizes, requested the honour ... at +dinner and at dance. And a gay life would Mildred's have been, but that +she was so pre-occupied. For her mother accepted nearly all the +proffered hospitality, and returned it with liberal profusion. And at +every one of these festive meetings, Mildred could see that in the +compliments Mrs. Pendarrel received, and in her furtive and complacent +answers, she had no small portion.</p> + +<p>One source of comfort she had, that Melcomb was not in the country. She +had not to endure his odious addresses. But her mother had issued cards +for a grand entertainment at rather a distant date, when she hoped to +crowd her house with everybody who was the least presentable in all West +Kerrier, and to that high festival Mildred feared he would come, an +undesired guest, and be in some way exhibited as her accepted suitor to +the assembled multitude. But the day was yet far off.</p> + +<p>And it was with pleasure she learnt that Randolph and his sister had +returned to their ancestral home. Much speculation was afloat concerning +them; and though people generally knew the family disagreement, and +refrained from alluding to them in Mrs. Pendarrel's presence, slight +hints fell inadvertently at times; and some mean minds, little knowing +the nature of her they addressed, uttered a passing sarcasm upon their +poverty, with the notion that it would be agreeable. But to Mildred the +mere mention of their name was a source of interest; and in her rural +walks she would sometimes inquire concerning them of the country folk, +and speculate on the possibility of meeting Randolph on her way.</p> + +<p>To her mother their presence was not equally agreeable. She was far from +anxious for any such rencontre. She too well remembered the emotion +displayed by Mildred at Mrs. Winston's. She learnt, with regret, that +the orphans did not lead so absolutely sequestered a life as before +their father's death; but availed themselves of the removal of the +restriction which then confined their walks to the precincts of the +castle and the sea coast, and made themselves in some measure acquainted +with the wild scenery surrounding their native bay. She did not like the +idea of being so near them, just at the time when Sinson's machinations +were about to explode. And with a different interest she heard of the +state of feeling manifested pretty openly by the tenantry of Trevethlan, +and desired her protégé to come to Pendarrel as soon as he should be +released from attendance on Mr. Truby. She wished to have more precise +information of what passed in the castle and its dependent hamlet, and +summoned her retainer to resume his original occupation.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Tu ne quæsieris, scire nefas, quem mihi, quem tibi<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Finem Di dederint, Leuconoc; nec Babylonios<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Tentaris numeros. Ut melius, quidquid erit, pati!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4"><span class="smcap">Hor.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Seek not to know, it is not given,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The end for us ordained by Heaven;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nor be by fortune-tellers lured:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">What can't be cured, is best endured.<br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>Madron church-town, the mother of the thriving port of Penzance, is a +small irregular hamlet, situated on an eminence overlooking its +well-grown offspring, and the salt marshes which skirt the coast in the +direction of Marazion. It is approached by a steep and winding road, but +the prospect from the churchyard will well repay the labour of the way. +And many a pilgrim, when he turns from the landscape spread beneath to +the memorials at his feet, and feels the breeze from the sea breathe +lightly over his cheek, will be mournfully reminded how many have sought +a refuge on that genial shore from our English destroyer, beguiling +themselves and those dear to them, with the hope of eluding his pursuit, +but sinking, nevertheless, under his ruthless embrace; for on the +tombstones round him the stranger will read of other strangers, from far +distant places, with names unknown to Cornwall, once graced, he may +imagine, with youth and beauty, of whose history it is there written +that they "came to Penzance for the benefit of their health." Those +simple words, repeated on every side, tell the melancholy end of many a +romance.</p> + +<p>Up the hill, on an early day in February, a trim country girl was +climbing with a step that betokened some indecision of purpose. She was +dressed in a dark blue frock, short and full in the skirt, and a red +cloak of scanty dimensions, which hung over one shoulder and under the +other arm. She was hot, and carried her bonnet, decked with some of the +first primroses of the year, in her hand, while her black hair hung +round a pair of bright eyes of the same colour, and cheeks always red, +and now redder than usual. A very pretty rustic was Mercy Page.</p> + +<p>It is some four miles from Marazion to Madron, and further still from +Trevethlan; but that is not much for a Cornish maiden. Mercy had walked +all the way. But she had not walked with the free quick step usual to +her, nor did their wonted open smile play round her provoking lips. Her +look was anxious, and her pace uncertain. And now that she was toiling +up the hill, and perhaps approaching her destination, she not +unfrequently stopped, and with her finger in the corner of her mouth, +tried to scrutinize herself, while she seemed to be regarding the +prospect. For Mercy had a kind of idea that she was on her way to do +what was at least foolish, if not wrong, and she had always been a very +good girl.</p> + +<p>But with all this hesitation, she still advanced. She crossed Madron +churchyard, and went out of her way to drop a flower on the grave of a +cousin who lay there, making a longer pause on the occasion than any +which had previously interrupted her walk. However, she proceeded at +last, and soon turned aside from the main road by a tiny streamlet. She +followed the rivulet's course, as it wound along beneath a bank covered +in the summer with broom, gorse, and heather, from amidst which, here +and there, a graceful silver birch flung its long tresses on the breeze, +until she arrived at a sort of bay or inlet, where the trees grew more +thickly, and in the very depth of which lay, still, silent, and dark, +encircled by rude stone-work, a well of water, the source of the +streamlet which had guided the maiden's steps—St. Madron's Well.</p> + +<p>Mercy cast a sharp glance before her, and was glad to see that there was +no person near the fountain. She went up to it herself, and bent over +the mirror-like surface, and might see her image rising dimly to meet +the salute. Could that limpid water tell a maiden's fortune? Was it +conscious of the reflection of her features? Could it read their gentle +lines, and foreshow by any ripple of its own, the destiny of her who +looked upon it? And was such inquiry sanctioned by the saint who had +blessed the fountain? Was it not profane so to forestall futurity? Such +questions flitted vaguely through Mercy's bosom while she gazed into the +tranquil well. An expression of awe stole over her face; and when, as +she changed her position, a straggling briar which had caught her cloak +twitched it, she started like a guilty thing, and turned suddenly with a +flush on her cheeks and forehead, deeper even than that called forth by +exercise. She did not smile on discovering the source of her alarm, but +began to search among the pebbles of the brook for some smoother and +rounder than common. Having collected two or three of this description, +she returned to the fountain, and from trembling fingers, and with eyes +half afraid to watch the result, dropped one of the stones into the +water. There was a little splash, and then the circling wavelets grew +larger and larger, and broke against the sides of the well, and a new +ripple arose from each point of contact, and the undulations crossed one +another in every direction, and became fainter and fainter, until the +surface once more motionless, again presented the maiden with the +semblance of her own pretty features, just as she saw them before the +disturbance.</p> + +<p>Was Mercy any the wiser? She drew a long breath, and murmured to +herself, "he is not——" She had heard that if the well were unruffled, +the oracle pronounced the person inquired of to be dead. The oracle, it +may be presumed, was generally favourable to hope. But Mercy wished to +learn much more than this; and those changing and intermingling ripples +had to her been as hieroglyphics to the eyes of the profane. She dropped +another of her pebbles into the well. Again the same sight, and the same +disappointment. Vainly did Mercy try to shape the little waves into +words, or letters, or symbols. She could not make out even a "yes" or a +"no." Once more she tried the experiment, and becoming more +enthusiastic, pressed the pebble to her lips before she let it fall.</p> + +<p>Still it was all the same. The oracle was dumb. Mercy was inclined to +revile St. Madron. She had grown excited; felt reconciled to the +practice of the black art, and ventured on a step, which, when she +started from home, she vowed to herself nothing should induce her to +take.</p> + +<p>There was a cottage, or rather a hovel, which the maiden had passed on +her way to the well, and which she had shunned. The bank formed one of +its sides, and it was hard to say where the ground ended and the +dwelling began. The walls were built of rough stones, the interstices +between them being filled with moss, which had accepted the employment +willingly, and grown and flourished. The roof also was of turf, and thus +the abode had a vegetable aspect, and looked like an unusually large +clump of green, such as one sees often on a moist common, tempting one's +foot to press it, or suggesting the idea of an unpleasantly soft pillow. +This was the nest of Dame Gudhan, the self-constituted priestess of St. +Madron's Well. She was a toothless, deformed, ugly old woman, who lived +with her cat, which she had succeeded in training to poach, and bring +the game it killed home to be cooked, instead of wasting it raw in the +open field. Friend she had none but pussy, but she enjoyed a high +reputation as a witch; and many a girl travelled many a mile to +ascertain from Dame Gudhan the colour of her future's hair and eyes, and +all his other good qualities.</p> + +<p>Now the sibyl had observed the detour which Mercy made to avoid passing +near her hut, and observed it with due professional pique. To consult +the spirit of the well without the assistance of its minister was to +defraud the latter of her rightful perquisite, and depreciate the +science of witchcraft. So, whenever Dame Gudhan perceived a timid +devotee steal furtively to the well, she would lie in wait for her +return, and favour her with unsought predictions of a nature less +agreeable than strong. Eying Mercy from the door of her den, the old hag +thought her appearance indicated one quite able to afford a fee, and +proportionate to the idea was the sibylline wrath. But in order to +increase her anger to the proper pitch, Dame Gudhan trod hard upon her +cat's tail; and the animal, resenting the affront, inflicted a long +scratch upon its mistress's shin. Thereupon ensued a hideous war; a +yelling as of the evil demons with which the pythoness pretended to be +familiar; unintelligible to vulgar ears; requiring an interpreter from +the oyster-quays. It may be supposed the witch had the best of the +argument, for after a while, pussy issued from the hovel with her tail +trailing behind her, and trotted off in a crest-fallen fashion, stopping +now and then to look round sulkily, and shake her whiskers with impotent +spite.</p> + +<p>Dame Gudhan speedily followed grimalkin, tottering along on a stick, and +muttering to herself, chewing her rage as a horse champs the bit. She +encountered Mercy at the opening which led to the well.</p> + +<p>"Didst read he would be hung, lass?" she squealed, while all the muscles +of her yellow wrinkled visage twitched frightfully. "Didst read he would +be hung?"</p> + +<p>With all her heart Mercy wished herself safe back at Trevethlan.</p> + +<p>"Dost tremble?" continued Dame Gudhan. "What wilt do when the day comes? +There's murder in thy face—a red spot on thy brow."</p> + +<p>Poor Mercy gasped for breath, and leaned against the bank. She had +thrust her hand into her pocket, but was too much agitated to find what +she wanted. The old crone divined her intention.</p> + +<p>"Na," she screamed. "The spirit won't be bought. The cord's about thy +neck, and the gibbet's reared for him. The tree grows no more in the +wood. It is felled, and hewn, and squared. The hemp is reaped, and beat, +and spun. In an evil day came ye to the blessed well, and passed by Dame +Gudhan without seeking her advice. Said is said."</p> + +<p>By this time Mercy had succeeded in producing a little purse of red +leather with a steel clasp. Her fingers shook very much as she opened +it, and tendered Dame Gudhan a bright new shilling, its sole contents. +The hag was satisfied with the effect of her fierce prophecy—one she +had often vented on like occasions, and looked at the coin with greedy +eyes, chattering her teeth, and smacking her lips.</p> + +<p>"That was his new-year's gift, I reckon," she said.</p> + +<p>She was wrong, and the mistake restored Mercy's fleeting courage.</p> + +<p>"Take it, dame," said the maiden.</p> + +<p>"Ye'll lack a new ribbon at Sithney fair. And what for? Said is said."</p> + +<p>It was a fine instance of conscientious scruples, that affected +reluctance of the old woman to receive the maiden's money.</p> + +<p>"Take it, dame," Mercy repeated.</p> + +<p>"The spirit never lies," said the hag, taking the shilling; "but he +sometimes explains his words. Come ye back to the well. Said is said. +We'll ask him what it means."</p> + +<p>So saying, she hobbled on her stick up the little dell. Mercy looked +after her doubtfully, and was more than inclined to walk rapidly away; +but, yielding to the fascination which commonly attends inquiries like +hers, she at last followed the old crone, and overtook her at the well.</p> + +<p>"Now, lass," said the enchantress, "an evil rede I read ye but now, and +evil it may be. But forewarned is forearmed. Ye need na be frightened. +And so ye saw nought in the dark water. Ye could na hear his voice. Ye +kenned na whether he laughed or frowned, or promised or threatened. +Smooth and still, deep and dark. Reach me thy hand. Stand by my side, +and when I press thy fingers, then drop the pebble."</p> + +<p>Injunctions which the maiden obeyed with tremulous emotion. The old hag +knelt down by the fountain-side, and bent over the water until she +nearly touched it with her lips, mumbling some incantation. Suddenly she +squeezed Mercy's hand in her grasp, and the maiden let fall the pebble +which she held in the other. At the sound of the splash the witch raised +her head a little, and seemed to scan the ripples which circled on the +surface of the well. It was only for a moment, and then she started to +her feet, dashed a handful of water in Mercy's face, and screamed:</p> + +<p>"Wash it off, wash it off. The spirit never lies. Said is said. Away, +lass; away."</p> + +<p>She waved Mercy off, and the maiden retreated backwards before her, step +by step, until she reached the lower end of the ravine, unable to remove +her eyes from those of the fortune-teller. On the open ground Dame +Gudhan passed her without uttering another word, and hobbled quickly +away to her wretched abode, taking no notice of her cat, which had now +returned home, and appeared disposed to make up the late quarrel by +purring and rubbing against the old woman's wounded shin.</p> + +<p>Mercy, exhausted and terrified, watched her until she disappeared within +her dwelling, and then, feeling relieved from her presence, and moved by +a sudden impulse, she dropped on her knees and implored, in her own +homely manner, the forgiveness of Heaven for what she had just done. She +rose somewhat tranquillized, and took her way homeward with a quick +step.</p> + +<p>Fortune-tellers, unlike Dame Gudhan, generally give good tidings, and in +the few cases where it is otherwise, they are disbelieved. Were it not +so, the trade would be ruined. People forebode quite sufficient evil for +themselves, and seek a conjuror for comfort, not for aggravation of +their uneasiness. A strange fatuity it is that prompts such attempts to +raise the veil which hides the future! Were the object accomplished life +would be valueless; its interest would be gone; there would be nothing +left to live for, and we should be unable to die; we should be fatalists +by experience. The impatient reader, who peruses the last chapter of the +novel first, has still to learn in what manner the author educes his +catastrophe; but the miserable victim of foresight would be acquainted, +not only with the close, but with all the incidents of his coming +career. And difficult it is to see how human strength could bear up +against such a certainty, where the vision was of ill. So the inquirer +is apt to discredit the information which he came to seek, when it +proves to be unfavourable to his desires.</p> + +<p>Mercy Page, already fortified by her silent prayer, soon regained her +ordinary cheerfulness. Her spirits rose as she walked, and she tripped +lightly along, in happy forgetfulness of Dame Gudhan's frightful +denunciations. So she passed under the pretty hamlet of Gulvall, with +its picturesque church-tower peeping forth from the embosoming trees, +and descended to the hard sands of the sea-shore. For the tide was out, +and the beach afforded a short cut to Marazion. Blithely and briskly the +maiden sped over the ribbed plain, until she saw in the distance, +advancing to meet her, a figure which she recognized.</p> + +<p>At that moment there was no individual, perhaps, whom Mercy less desired +to see than Edward Owen, her discarded suitor. The woman cannot be worth +winning who takes pleasure in rejecting an honest admirer, and Mercy was +not a village coquette. She sincerely regretted that Owen's attachment +could only be a source of sorrow to himself. She deplored it the more, +because the disappointment seemed to have driven the lover into some +irregular courses. Now Mercy had sought St. Madron's Well with a vague +idea of confirming her belief in the fidelity of a more favoured suitor; +and, passing by the rude shock of her interview with Dame Gudhan, it was +not on her return from such an errand that she was pleased to meet his +rival. Meet him, however, she must, and did.</p> + +<p>"A bright evening to you, Mercy," Owen said, as they approached one +another; "though bright there is nothing for me. And where mayst have +been this fine afternoon?"</p> + +<p>It was an awkward question for the girl. She answered it with another.</p> + +<p>"Where are you going, Edward, with the sun behind St. Paul's, and your +back to Trevethlan? It should not be a long walk ye are starting on. +Better maybe to turn back with me, and walk home together."</p> + +<p>"Mercy," said the young man, "there was a time when my heart would have +jumped at the word. It is gone. I have other thoughts now. Where am I +going? By Castle Dinas to St. Ives. There will be some talk in the +country before long."</p> + +<p>"What for, Edward?" Mercy asked. "They tell me I have scorned you into +wild ways. I never scorned you, Edward. It is not fair of you to bring +such a saying upon me. I wish to like you, and I thank you for liking +me, but I do not like sulky love."</p> + +<p>"My love's anyhow honest," said Owen, "and that's more than you can say +of...."</p> + +<p>"Now shame on you," cried the girl, interrupting him. "Will you say +slander of a man behind his back? And to me, too, that know it is +slander? And is that the way to change my mind?"</p> + +<p>"I have no hopes of that, Mercy," answered the rustic. "And, for your +sake, I hope Michael's a better man than I think. Remember the evening +under the thorns on the cliff. It is for you and not for me I say it. +And methinks you haven't heard much of Michael since he went away to +London."</p> + +<p>"Then I didn't ask your advice, Mr. Edward," said Mercy, "and you may as +well keep it till I do. I dare say I can take care of myself. And very +likely Michael has quite plenty to do in London without the writing of +letters. And I expect he'll be down here before long, for I hear say +that Pendar'l's getting ready for the ladies, if they're not there +already. And then you can tell him what you think, like a man. So I wish +you a good evening."</p> + +<p>"Good evening, Mercy," returned the young man, sadly, and they proceeded +on their respective ways.</p> + +<p>Ready as the maiden was to defend her lover to another, she could not so +easily excuse him to herself. And the anxiety, for the relief of which +she had made her pilgrimage to St. Madron's Well, had come back before +she reached her mother's cottage at Trevethlan, darkened rather than +alleviated by the result of the expedition.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Di, majorum umbris tenuem et sine pondere terram,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Spirantesque crocos, et in urnà perpetuum ver,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Qui præceptorem sancti voluere parentis<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Esse loco.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4"><span class="smcap">Juvenal.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Light lie the earth upon the shades of those,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Flowers deck their graves, Spring dwell with their repose,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of old who deemed the teacher should supply<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The parent's holy rule, heart, hand, and eye.<br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>Meantime Michael Sinson's scheme was ripening into action. The plot +matured in the metropolis was about to break on the towers of +Trevethlan. Two gentlemen crossed one another in the hurry of Lincoln's +Inn, and stopped to exchange a cordial greeting and a little chat.</p> + +<p>"By the by, Winter," said Mr. Truby, as they were parting, "we're +bringing ejectment against a client of yours."</p> + +<p>"Indeed!" exclaimed the second lawyer, "and who may that be?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, the parties are old antagonists," answered the first. "It's by no +means the first time we've met. Doc d Pendarrel <i>v.</i> Trevethlan. Clerk +gone down to serve declaration and notice. You'll hear of it in a post +or two."</p> + +<p>"Good Heaven!" thought Mr. Winter, as he proceeded on his way; "what new +calamity is this? Is not that hapless family even yet sufficiently +broken? Poor Morton! Now I will wager this comes in some way out of that +mad scheme."</p> + +<p>And indeed it might well seem that nothing was needed to increase the +gloom that invested Trevethlan Castle. It was lonely and desolate in the +lifetime of its late possessor, but there was then at least the buoyancy +of youth to relieve the dreary monotony; and now, even that had +vanished. So far was Helen from being able to restore anything like +cheerfulness to her brother, that she herself became infected by his +sombre moodiness. Strange was the contrast between those dimly latticed +Gothic apartments, and the light and lively saloons of Pendarrel: the +wanderer in the former almost dreading to break the silence with his +footfall, and the latter ringing with careless laughter and mirthful +conversation. Polydore Riches himself could with difficulty preserve his +ever-hopeful equanimity; and Griffith often reproached himself to his +wife for the facility with which he consented to that ill-omened visit +to the metropolis: while the few domestics began to fear moving about +singly after dusk, and to whisper of mysterious sounds heard, and sights +seen, in the darkening corridors.</p> + +<p>Such tales spread outside the castle, and were improved upon in their +progress. It became rumoured that the spirit of the unhappy Margaret +wandered through its halls in the silence of night, and harassed the +children she was not permitted to love in her lifetime. The villagers +began to look upon Randolph as the easterns do upon one possessed of the +evil eye, and rather shunned than courted his familiarity. And some of +the older folk recalled his father's marriage, and began to ask +themselves, was it after all only a mockery? Then, indeed, would poor +Margaret have cause to seek vengeance for the deceit by which she was +beguiled. And so they went on stringing story upon story, until in the +rush of the night wind they heard the wailings and howlings which in +days long gone were said to portend disaster to the house of Trevethlan.</p> + +<p>Randolph was entirely unconscious of the popular mysticism, and too much +absorbed in his own feelings to have heeded it in any case. Every day he +went forth to the outskirts of the park of Pendarrel, and roamed round +its circuit, in the hope of meeting Mildred; and every day that he +returned disappointed, made him more restless and reserved. Such an +excursion at last led him by Wilderness Gate, and it happened that Maud +Basset was sunning herself there as he passed.</p> + +<p>"Randolph Trevethlan," she cried, as he went by; and he turned, and she +came out to the plot of grass to meet him.</p> + +<p>"Randolph Trevethlan," she repeated, "son of a murdered mother, there's +a dark hour at hand for thy house, but not darker than is due. I see it +written on thy brow. I heard it in the screams that came down on the +wind of the night. Say they her spirit is abroad in the towers where her +bliss was made her bane? Ay, he is dead, but he shall answer it in his +son."</p> + +<p>The wildness of the old crone's language suited Randolph's humour. She +came quite close to him and looked up in his face.</p> + +<p>"Hast seen her?" she asked, lowering her voice to a whisper, "hast seen +her, grandson Randolph? Thou knowest who I mean—thy mother, boy. My +Margaret, my winsome Margaret. They tell me she's been seen in the +castle. 'Tis long, long sin' I saw her myself. They said she grew pale +and pale, but they wouldna let me come nigh. And is it true they say? +Hast seen her, grandson Randolph?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, it is true, indeed," he answered, in a bewildered manner. "I have +seen her indeed."</p> + +<p>There was the trunk of a large tree lying on the grass close beside +them. The old woman took his hand and drew him to a seat upon it. He had +neither the power nor the wish to resist.</p> + +<p>"Now I can see thee," Maud said. "Thou'st grown so tall; but art not +like the gleesome lad that used to sport with my Michael. Woe's me! And +how did she look? Said she aught to thee?"</p> + +<p>"She hung over my bed with a sweet smiling face, and she bent down and +kissed my lips."</p> + +<p>"A sweet smiling face!" Maud echoed; "that was hers indeed, my own +Margaret. And she smiled on thee, and kissed thee! Then she doth not +hate thee?"</p> + +<p>"Why should she, Maud?"</p> + +<p>"Art thou not his son? and did he not murder her?" exclaimed the crone, +in her former harsh manner. "Who said there was no marriage? He! he! +Surely thou wilt defend her fame, Randolph Trevethlan?"</p> + +<p>"With my life," he answered.</p> + +<p>"What's this I'm saying?" again Maud cried, checking herself. "There's a +dark hour at hand for thy house, I tell thee. God give thee the strength +to bear it!"</p> + +<p>And she faltered away as quickly as she could, passed through the gate, +and entered the lodge, leaving Randolph still seated, motionless, upon +the timber.</p> + +<p>Old Maud Basset was deeply versed in all the wild superstitions which +still lingered among the Cornubians. She knew the presages which +foretold sorrow or death to different old houses. Here, the fall of one +of the trees in the avenue was the harbinger of dole; there, ancient +logs of timber rose to the surface of the pool in the park before a +coming vacancy at the family board. She could tell, too, how drowned +persons broke the stillness of night by hailing their own names; of the +candle borne by unseen hands in the track of a future funeral; of many a +kind of unholy augury; of evil spirits who led wayfarers astray, and +precipitated them from the summit of their carns; and in particular of +Tregagel, condemned for his many ill deeds to empty the fathomless pool +of Dosmary by means of a limpet shell with a hole in it.</p> + +<p>The incoherence of the old woman's speech, and her half-uttered +predictions, tallied very exactly with some of the feelings which had of +late been familiar to Randolph. Mildred, indeed, still occupied by far +the greatest portion of them; but his thoughts not unfrequently wandered +from her to the dream which had visited him the first night of his +return to the castle, and the fair face which had been pressed to his +own. That the features so revealed were those of his mother he never +doubted, and he felt a restless desire to learn something of the parent +whom he had lost before he was three years' old. But to whom should he +apply for information? Where could he find the sympathy which such a +topic demanded? The long silence that had been observed respecting it, +within the castle, must, he thought, have been the effect, in part, of a +deficiency of interest, and therefore he was reluctant to open his +wishes, even to the chaplain. And without the walls he knew no one to +confer with on such a subject. So he was at once fascinated by old +Maud's sudden allusion to her child, and answered her questions from the +recollections of his dream.</p> + +<p>But what did she mean by her reiterated reference to Margaret's death, +and her dark announcement of coming calamity? The latter, indeed, +harmonized but too well with his own gloomy forebodings—"Who said there +was no marriage?—Thou wilt defend her fame?" What was the meaning of +such ominous insinuations? Randolph mused on them, without quitting the +posture in which Maud had left him, until they became so oppressive, +that he resolved to learn all the story from Polydore, without delay.</p> + +<p>In the dusk of the evening, he walked with the chaplain in the +picture-gallery of the castle. The dim light which came through the high +Gothic windows, gave strange and unintended expression to some of the +portraits, and left others in such deep shadow that they could hardly be +discerned, while the vaulted ceiling hung indistinct over head. Randolph +paused at length before the likeness of his father. It was painted when +Henry Trevethlan was in the prime of youth, and presented the aspect of +a man very different indeed from the cold and stern personage with whom +his son was acquainted.</p> + +<p>"What changed that countenance, Mr. Riches?" Randolph asked. "What swept +away the ardour and enthusiasm which beam from all those lineaments? +From what he told me himself, in his dying hour, I framed a tale of +hopeless attachment, of love striving to forget itself in ruin. Was it +so? Did Esther Pendarrel indeed break my poor father's heart, after +trifling with its affection? Methinks, he was not a man to be made a +mock of. Yet the mocker has prevailed."</p> + +<p>"Randolph," Polydore answered, with a deep sigh, "your speech brings +back days of sorrow, which I would were forgotten. But that was all past +before I became a resident here. From the steward only, and from popular +report, did I learn the intimacy which once subsisted between your +father and Mrs. Pendarrel. It was in a thoughtless hour, if all that's +said be true, that she crushed his last hopes by wedding. And so, by +this time, she knows, perhaps, too well."</p> + +<p>"Did she love him, then, Mr. Riches?" Randolph inquired quickly.</p> + +<p>"Nay," said the chaplain, "that is a question which I cannot answer. But +sure I am, that if one spark of feeling yet lives in her heart, as I +would fain believe, she must be visited with deep remorse as often as +she looks back upon the ruin wrought by her girlish levity. May you, my +dear Randolph, never know the pangs of affection unrequited, or requited +only to be broken. And, if such sad lot be yours, may Heaven teach you +to bear up against it, nor hide misery in the show of defiance."</p> + +<p>"'Tis well for her," Randolph mused aloud, having scarcely heard +Polydore's last words, "'tis very well for her, if indeed she loved. For +so is no account between us. But if it be otherwise, if, out of +wilfulness or vanity, she broke the heart that adored her, then let her +look to her own. Not unscathed shall she go down to the grave. Does not +the vow lie heavy on my soul?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Randolph, Randolph!" Polydore exclaimed; "what words are these?"</p> + +<p>But the young man heeded him not, and, taking his arm, led him several +times up and down the long gallery in silence, and at last drew him to +one of the windows, from which they looked forth upon the sea. The white +crests of the waves were still visible in the increasing darkness.</p> + +<p>"Pardon me, Mr. Riches," Randolph said, "if I recall days that are gone, +and which are recollected only with pain. But these are topics which +have been forbidden, which I can no longer resist approaching, on which +I must be informed. My father's marriage, my mother.... How came it +about? How did she die? Strange tales have fallen upon my ears——"</p> + +<p>The chaplain was much distressed. "What!" thought he, "will they not let +poor Margaret rest even in her grave? Do they bear their foul scandal to +her son? And is it for me to tell him the story of his father's fault?"</p> + +<p>"Speak, Mr. Riches," said Randolph, with some impatience; "let me hear +all the truth of the history."</p> + +<p>"You know not what you ask," Polydore answered sadly. "Margaret Basset +could not resist the influence which made her the seeming mistress of +this castle. I could not approve—I went away. The marriage was strictly +private. The people were very jealous. Some said—be patient—that it +was not duly performed. I know that it was. I had some slight +acquaintance with Mr. Ashton the clergyman; he was murdered shortly +after the ceremony, and the witness disappeared. The rumours spread; but +they died away when you were born. You can imagine the details."</p> + +<p>"How did she die?" Randolph asked again.</p> + +<p>"You know your father, Randolph," the chaplain replied. "Cannot you +conceive the position was too much for her? And her kindred were +imprudent. She pined away. But she was an angel. We all loved her. If +the devotion of those around her could have made up for the affection +which should hallow her situation, surely she were living now."</p> + +<p>His hearer mused again for some time in silence, thinking of his dream; +and it produced its usual effect of soothing his excitement, and +tranquillizing his spirits.</p> + +<p>"Come, Mr. Riches," he said, "let us seek my sister. We must not leave +her desolate too long."</p> + +<p>But the chaplain laid his hand on his old pupil's arm, saying:</p> + +<p>"One moment, Randolph; let me detain you one moment. Let me play the +master again. What we have been discoursing of will be best forgotten. +And oh! let it not be remembered in one fatal sense! Let not these sad +events be the foundation of evils yet to come! You spoke of a vow. Such +are often wrongly demanded and rashly given. Pride lingers on the bed of +death, and bequeaths itself to its successors. Vengeance, unappeased, +requires satisfaction by the hands of its heir. So hatred is handed down +for ever, and rancour and strife made perpetual. Pray Heaven the vow you +speak of requires none of these things! Pray Heaven, that if haply it +do, it will be revoked and forgotten!"</p> + +<p>"A parent's curse," said Randolph in a hollow voice, "is a terrible +thing."</p> + +<p>"To him!" the chaplain exclaimed. "To him it is, indeed, a terrible +thing, and to his children, if it impels them into wrong-doing. There is +no power in man to curse, my dear pupil, and surely Heaven is deaf to +all such imprecations."</p> + +<p>Alas! Polydore might as well have reasoned with the foaming waves +beneath him. Randolph listened in respectful silence, but entirely +unconvinced. As law is silent amid the din of arms, so is reason in the +conflict of passions. Few sources have been more fruitful of evil than +the pledges extorted by the dying. The giver succumbs absolutely to an +obligation he ought never to have undertaken, allows himself no +discretionary power, yields nothing to the alteration of circumstances, +and acts as if the behest were imposed by certain foreknowlege and +unerring wisdom. There is no absolution from a death-bed promise, and no +chancery to qualify its mischievous engagements.</p> + +<p>This conversation was little adapted to restore Polydore Riches to his +old equanimity. Gentle and simple-hearted, he was ill-calculated to +wrestle with the stormy passions which had desolated his late patron's +life, and now threatened shipwreck to the happiness of his pupil. He +mourned for the day when, in pride and confidence, neglecting the +worldly-wisdom of the more prudent steward, he enthusiastically bade the +brother and sister go forth on their way, and foretold for them a +prosperous career, and a joyful return. He almost blamed himself for not +having given them more adequate preparation for the struggle of life, +and attributed their failure to his own deficiency. Yet surely never did +teacher better answer the desire of those ancients, lauded by the Roman +poet in the lines which head this chapter. Polydore had nothing +wherewith to reproach himself.</p> + +<p>But the discourse had also revived his own particular griefs, recalling, +as it did, the days when he paid his first vows of love to Rose +Griffith, and won her timid consent, only to see her wither away. A +pensive melancholy was visible upon his countenance when he returned +with Randolph through the gloomy galleries to the apartments over the +little flower-garden.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Guare wheag, yw guare teag."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4"><i>Cornish Proverb.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Fair play is good play."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4"><span class="smcap">Polwhele.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>Many of the villagers of Trevethlan were desirous of celebrating the +return of their young master by some kind of holiday. They remembered +how in the old time there were several festivals in the course of the +year, kept with high revelry on the green of the hamlet, countenanced by +the presence of the lords, and graced by that of the ladies, of its +ancient castle. But when ruin fell upon the late possessor, and +desolation encompassed his dwelling, the sports diminished in spirit, +and the peasantry sought in the neighbouring villages the merriment +which no longer enlivened their own. The succession of a young heir, +however, seemed to warrant an attempt to revive the much-regretted +pastimes, and the idea, when once started, found a staunch supporter in +the laughter-loving landlady of the "Trevethlan Arms." Indeed she +undertook to roast a sheep, and broach a hogshead of cider, as the +foundation of a free feast; and the liberality being met with similar +offers from other quarters, the hamlet was in a position to offer +tolerably profuse hospitality to all comers.</p> + +<p>Valentine's day was fixed upon for the revel; and several evenings +before it came, some of the villagers met at Dame Miniver's, to arrange +the programme of the sports. And it was finally decided to revive the +old game of hurling, by challenging Pendarrel to play them home and home +across the country, as the principal event of the frolic. The +determination, however, was not unopposed.</p> + +<p>"Are ye sure, neighbours," said our acquaintance Germoe, the tailor, +"that this challenge will be agreeable on the hill? Ye know what we +spoke of only the other night. There's no love lost between the hall and +the castle."</p> + +<p>"The very cause for why to play out the quarrel," said Edward Owen. "And +as to the castle, I warrant the young squire'll be none displeased to +hear we've given Pendar'l a beating. I say play."</p> + +<p>"But in such case," urged farmer Colan, "playing often turns to +fighting."</p> + +<p>"And what then?" Owen asked again, who took great interest in the +meditated match, from a vague hope of encountering his rival in the +hostile ranks,—"what then, I say? Have we not thrashed them before? +'Tis ill nursing a quarrel."</p> + +<p>"Ay, ay, lad," said Mrs. Miniver aside to the last speaker, "I know +where thy cap's set. She's a proud minx, and an' I were thee——. But, +neighbours, how long has Trevethlan been afraid of Pendar'l?"</p> + +<p>A true woman's question, and one which settled the matter off-hand. +There was no further hesitation as to despatching the challenge. The +tailor's hint concerning the castle had, however, more foundation than +was supposed; for Randolph much regretted the resolution of his +dependents. But he did not learn it until the invitation had been sent +and accepted, and it was then impossible to retreat.</p> + +<p>On the other side, the match received the formal sanction of Mrs. +Pendarrel, who had been at the park a day or two when the proposal +arrived. Remembering that her retainers far outnumbered those of +Trevethlan, she rather rejoiced at the prospect of humiliating her +adversary, and graciously promised to provide the silver-plated ball +with which the game should be played.</p> + +<p>The village green was "home" for the players of Trevethlan. Early in the +appointed holiday it was thronged with busy, noisy groups, and presented +an extremely lively aspect, strikingly at variance with its recent +tranquillity, and with the sombre gravity of the castle, where there +were no symptoms of participation in the frolics of the day. Reverend +elders occupied the bench round the old chestnut in front of the inn, +and discoursed of the matches of their youth, before the harmony of +Trevethlan and Pendarrel was interrupted, and when the open doors of the +castle proffered unbounded hospitality. Stalwart youths, girded for the +sport, strolled about in knots, plotting devices for carrying off the +ball, arranging plans for watching the enemy's home, cracking jests with +the maidens who idled in the throng, in their Sunday frocks and smartest +ribbands, and extorting half promises of reward in the evening for +prowess displayed in the day. Dame Miniver had ample cause for +satisfaction with the result of her liberality.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Pendarrel permitted her side to make the lawn before her house +their home. Refreshments of all kinds were distributed among the crowd +there collected with a bounteous hand. The lady herself descended among +her tenants, leaning on the arm of her daughter, speaking to old +acquaintance, everywhere bestowing encouragement. Even Mildred was +excited by the liveliness of the scene. It was a fine genial day, with a +warm breeze blowing, which kept the trees in constant motion, and gave +life to the company beneath their leafless branches.</p> + +<p>Michael Sinson, only just arrived from London, was to lead the forces of +Pendarrel. So his patroness, aware of his former reputation, desired; so +his vanity, as well as his duty, prompted. He was active in the throng, +assigning their stations to his mates, providing for all the chances of +the struggle, but glancing ever and anon on the fair young form that +glided through the rustic assembly like a being from another sphere. +Little thought he that morning of the rosy-cheeked girl whom he had once +pretended to love, and who now walked among the maidens of Trevethlan, +with a sympathy divided between her sweetheart and her home.</p> + +<p>The goals were not much more than two miles apart, a short distance in a +match "to the country;" but this circumstance prevented the interference +of horsemen, diminished the opportunities for artifice, and made the +contest depend more on the personal skill and prowess of the players. In +a longer game the ball might be thrown into the hands of a mounted +partizan, who would trust to the speed of his horse to carry it home in +triumph; or again into the keeping of a rustic, selected for his simple +appearance, who would trudge tranquilly along the high road seemingly +unconscious of his valuable charge, while the hurlers on both sides +sought the prize with great animation; until the news of the crafty +bearer's arrival at his destination told the victory of his friends, and +both parties repaired to the winning quarters to laugh over the trick, +and fight the battle anew, in a high jollification.</p> + +<p>There was a meadow situated on an eminence about midway between +Trevethlan and Pendarrel, between which and either goal no obstacle +intervened to turn aside the play. Here it was arranged the ball should +be thrown up, and hither Mrs. Pendarrel and Mildred repaired to behold +the commencement of the game. The players chosen to begin stood in an +irregular ring on the hill, and amongst them Sinson and Owen, the +opposing generals, the latter of whom regarded the former with looks +which indicated more ill-will than befitted the occasion, but which +Michael observed with contemptuous indifference.</p> + +<p>And now Mildred has tossed the new apple of discord, a wooden ball, some +three inches in diameter, covered with silver, and bearing the motto +which heads this chapter, as the trophy, to remain in the possession of +the victors of the day, into the middle of the ring, and a dozen men are +on the ground, struggling to obtain a hold of the prize. Rolling over +and over, twisting, tangled like a coil of snakes, they writhe and +struggle in intricate confusion. Where is the ball? Who shall discern it +in so close a conflict? See, a combatant shakes himself clear of +competitors, rises in the midst, springs over them, and bounds away in +the direction of Pendarrel, cheered by the partizans of the hall. Not +long shall the cheering endure: an opponent bars his career: him the +holder of the ball thrusts aside, "butts" with his closed fist. Reprisal +in like fashion is against the rules. But there is another, and another, +one at a time, for so it is ordained. Nor are the holder's friends +inactive: they screen him round, and strive to keep off his adversaries. +And thus he makes some way, but may not even clear the field. His vigour +fails at last under repeated attacks; he has no longer strength to butt; +"hold," he must cry, in token of surrender, and deal the ball to be +seized by fresher hands: a stouter heart, he thinks, 't were hard to +find.</p> + +<p>Again the first struggle is renewed, but the crowd is not so great, nor +does it last so long. This time the ball is borne swiftly back in the +direction of Trevethlan. Light of foot is the holder, but his speed +shall not avail him long. At the very hedge of the field he is +encountered; he may not pass the barrier; he tries another point, again +to be defeated; he, too, must shout the word of submission, and recover +breath for a renewed onset.</p> + +<p>And thus, with varied fortune, the game proceeds, continually growing +wider in its scene. The ball is borne in succession towards either goal, +far away from the field where the game began. It seems the lady of +Pendarrel reckoned without her host, for there are many volunteers in +the play, and they, with proper heroism, have chosen the weaker side. +She and her daughter have retired to the hall, but the country is still +alive with the excitement of the game, and the woods and the sky are +vocal with the cries of the rival partizans, as they mark the course of +the ball with shouts of "Ware east," "Ware west."</p> + +<p>An old writer compares the ball used in this game to an evil demon; for, +says he, no sooner does a player become possessed of it than he acts as +if he were possessed of a devil; flying like a madman over the country, +bursting through hedges, bounding over ditches, rushing furiously +against all opponents, heedless of everything but his progress towards +home. When suddenly, having been obliged at last to surrender, he +becomes once more tranquil and peaceable, as though the evil spirit had +then left him, and entered his successor, who instantly commences a like +impetuous career.</p> + +<p>Many a possession of this kind was witnessed in the match between +Pendarrel and Trevethlan. Once the former hamlet seemed almost on the +point of victory. The holder had disencumbered himself of all who had +been active in the field, and was dashing triumphantly homewards, when +he met the reserve especially stationed to prevent a surprise. At the +same moment Owen bounded up to rally his forces. The game was rescued, +and renewed with increased vigour on both hands. Step by step the path +of the holder, now on this side and now on that, was contested in every +way permitted by the laws of the game. Passion grew hotter, and ever and +anon rose cries of "foul." The leaders, who had hitherto rather directed +the fray than engaged in it personally, now rushed into the thick of the +fight. The partizans of Trevethlan gained ground in their turn. The +chestnut on their green was already in sight. Owen himself held the +ball. The road, for the fight had descended from the fields into the +highway, was thronged with the combatants. The maidens of the village, +approached the end of the green, and joined in the animating cries. Owen +had repelled many an antagonist, when Michael Sinson met him face to +face. It was what he had long wished for, and he was delighted when, as +he always affirmed and as was sturdily maintained by all his partizans, +his opponent butted him unfairly. The excitement of the game and +personal exasperation united to give force to the blow which sent his +rival staggering away. The next moment Owen stood on the grass of the +hamlet, and flung the ball high into the air, while loud and reiterated +shouts proclaimed the victory of Trevethlan, and were heard, perhaps not +without some satisfaction, within the walls of the castle.</p> + +<p>Whatever ill-blood might have been generated in the heat of the +engagement, rapidly subsided when it was over. It had been gallantly +fought, and discomfiture was only less honourable than success. Victor +and vanquished met in friendly groups on the green, formed parties for +the athletic sports of the country, or sought partners for the dance +which would terminate the amusements of the day, while the landlady of +the Trevethlan Arms was finishing her preparations for the feast, and +the children were continually increasing a pile of combustibles in front +of the inn, destined to blaze after nightfall in celebration of the +holiday.</p> + +<p>There was, however, one breast in which disappointed rage still rankled. +Michael Sinson rose after the fall he received from Owen, to hear the +acclamations hailing his conqueror, and to feel an aggravation of his +animosity, not so much against his rival, as against Trevethlan, its +master, and its inhabitants. He looked angrily at the jocund doings on +the green, and then turned to bear the tidings of his defeat to his +patroness. But he had not proceeded many steps, when a light hand was +laid upon his arm, and a sharp glance round showed him the rosy cheeks +and black eyes of Mercy Page.</p> + +<p>"Why, Michael," said the maiden, "is this the welcome ye learn to give +in London? Is this the way ye would leave Mercy to seek for a partner at +a village revel? What if we have won the match, is it a cause for +shame?"</p> + +<p>"Pish!" Sinson said, sulkily. "Go to your Edward Owen. He is the hero of +the day. Let him be your partner."</p> + +<p>"Then it's not heroes, nor none such I care for," pursued the wilful +girl. "I'm no sure I'm glad that our side's won. Come now, Michael, +what's to fret for?"</p> + +<p>Sinson cast his sinister eyes upon Mercy's face. It was very pretty, +even in reproach, and besides, he thought she might be of use to him.</p> + +<p>"May-be," said he, "I shall be back in the evening. But now I must take +the news to Pendarrel."</p> + +<p>With which ungracious saying, Mercy was forced to content herself, and +return, pouting, to her mirthful companions, while Michael pursued his +way to Wilderness Lodge.</p> + +<p>His old grandmother asked him concerning the game, and on being surlily +informed of its result, muttered something about a judgment on such +sacrilegious doings, which her dutiful grandson did not hear, and if he +had, would have laughed at. His patroness learned the news with an air +of indifference, which to him appeared at variance with her previous +interest in the match; and as he left her presence, he could not help +saying, that Trevethlan should yet pay dearly for the morning's victory.</p> + +<p>Meantime the feast was spread in a low, long barn at the Trevethlan +Arms, and the board was crowded by adherents of both parties with right +west-country appetites. Lads and lasses ate to their heart's content. +Dame Miniver's sheep was declared to make very excellent mutton, and no +one quarrelled with the quality of her cider. The guests from Pendarrel +honoured the health of the squire of Trevethlan, and the company who +were at home paid due respect to the lord and lady of the strangers. So +"all went merry as a marriage bell." The relics of dinner were reserved +to furnish forth a supper, and the company resumed their morning sports, +exhilarating themselves with copious libations of the juice of the +apple, and occasionally with a dram of whisky or Hollands, which was, +probably, still indebted to his Majesty's customs.</p> + +<p>On the whole, the frolic proceeded in perfect good-humour; but +occasionally a dispute arose respecting the final contest between Owen +and Sinson, which threatened for a moment or more to interrupt the +general harmony. No serious quarrel had arisen, however, before daylight +died away, and the shadow of night called for the lighting of the +bonfire. But when the crackling logs flung a ruddy glow over the green, +and the white smoke went circling away on the breeze, and the village +musicians, a fiddle and clarionet, who on Sunday led the choir in +church, became more energetic in their strains, then the fun began to +grow fast and furious, and practical jokes continually endangered the +peace of the green. As the boys and girls danced wild country measures +around the blazing pile, a few of their comrades distributed at each end +of a long and stout cord, would single a couple from the throng, catch +them in the snare, and running adroitly round and round in opposite +directions, bind the unlucky pair in a noose to which they would not +have objected, perhaps, in a gentler and quieter assembly, but which +here exposed them to many a shout of rustic laughter. Or, again, running +rapidly along the green with the cord trailing loose between them, the +same confederates would trip up the heels of all in their way—a jest +not always accepted with perfect equanimity.</p> + +<p>In the midst of these rough gambols, and when no small portion of the +folks had somewhat exceeded the bounds of sobriety, Michael Sinson made +his appearance on the green, himself flushed with festive doings at +Pendarrel. He spoke and laughed with some of his acquaintance, and +sought his neglected flame, Mercy Page. She sat on a stool at her +mother's cottage-gate, having steadily refused every invitation to take +an active part in the dance, relying on the half-promise she had +received from Michael. As for her rejected lover, the hero of the day, +he seemed to challenge her jealousy by dancing vigorously with half the +girls on the green, and ostentatiously parading his partners in Mercy's +sight; without, however, succeeding in his object, by awaking her +indignation.</p> + +<p>Sinson soon discovered his too faithful beauty, and led her, willing +enough, for a romping dance around the bonfire. But they had tripped +together for a very short time, when the rope was swept round them, and +in a twinkling they were fast enveloped in its coils. Michael grew +furious with rage. He recollected having once boasted to Mercy of +rescuing her from a similar disaster. His wrath was far from diminished +when he perceived Owen active in endeavouring to procure his release. +When those efforts succeeded, he fixed a quarrel upon his rescuer, on +the old ground of the foul play at the hurling-match. Mischief was +meant, and mischief came. In a very few minutes the whole green was the +scene of a furious conflict; the parties which had met in the morning in +friendly rivalry, and broken bread together cheerfully in the afternoon, +now proceeding to break one another's heads without the slightest +reserve. The girls ran crying to their homes; the bonfire was trodden +under foot; and so, in confusion and uproar, terminated the sports at +Trevethlan.</p> + +<p>The battle might be considered in its end as drawn. But it was said that +individual cries were heard in the fray, to the effect that the heir of +the castle was about to claim his own, and that they would have tidings +of him at Pendarrel before many weeks had gone by. If the bonfire at +Trevethlan was extinguished in tumult, some of the hamlet would dance by +the light of a greater. No one seemed to know what such words meant, but +some folks remembered them when the heat of the struggle was past.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i8">"Whether it be<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Bestial oblivion, or some craven scruple<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of thinking too precisely on the event—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A thought, which, quartered, hath but one part wisdom,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And ever three parts coward—I do not know<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Why yet I live to say, <i>This thing 's to do</i>."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4"><span class="smcap">Shakspeare</span>.<br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>Randolph had not renewed, on returning to the castle, the instructions +he formerly gave to Jeffrey respecting the non-admission of strangers. +But as yet there had been no visitors. The family had been so long +isolated, that it was a matter of discussion among the neighbouring +gentry to call or not to call; and no sheep had as yet chosen to head +the flock. But the very morning of the sports described in the last +chapter, word was brought that a gentleman wished to see Mr. Trevethlan. +Randolph desired he might be shown into a parlour, and went to meet him.</p> + +<p>"Have the honour to address Mr. Trevethlan, I presume," the stranger +said. "My name, Stiles; in the employment of Messrs. Truby and Company, +solicitors, Chancery-lane, London. Have the honour to deliver this +declaration in ejectment. Will take the liberty to read the notice—'Mr. +Randolph Trevethlan'"——</p> + +<p>"It is unnecessary, sir," said Randolph, with an external calmness at +which he afterwards marvelled. "I have been a student of the law, and +understand the proceeding."</p> + +<p>"Beg pardon, sir," said Mr. Stiles; "more regular to read it. Very +short. 'Mr. Randolph Trevethlan'"——</p> + +<p>And the clerk read the notice without further interruption. Randolph +took the paper, rang the bell, desired the servant to provide Mr. Stiles +with some refreshment, wished him good-morning, and withdrew.</p> + +<p>He was, as he said, perfectly familiar with the nature of the law-suit +which this visit commenced. And as the reader is doubtless acquainted +with it through the medium of a very clever and popular story, it will +be unnecessary to pursue its details here. As soon as Randolph was +alone, he glanced down the document, and, with a kind of wild glee, +perceived that his real opponent in the action was Philip Trevethlan +Pendarrel. He rubbed his hands together, rumpling the paper between +them, and almost exulting in the strife which was at hand.</p> + +<p>"So," said he aloud, "there are two games begun to-day. One will be +played out before night; the other will last sometime longer. But we'll +make it as short as we can. And now to action. Our stake is a little +higher than that of the villagers yonder. They play for broken heads, +and we for broken hearts. Faites vos devoirs, preux chevaliers."</p> + +<p>With these hasty words Randolph immediately sought the chaplain and +steward, and begged them to come and assist at a council of war. Nor was +Helen omitted, for after one moment's hesitation, her brother thought +she had better know the worst at once. As soon as the little circle was +completed, Randolph produced the hostile missive, requested that he +might not be interrupted, and read it from end to end with a fierce +gravity of accent. Helen was entirely bewildered, Polydore was rather +perplexed, the steward was thunderstruck.</p> + +<p>"What does it mean?" said Helen. "Roe, and Doe, and Mr. Pendarrel! What +does it all mean?"</p> + +<p>"It is some kind of law proceeding, is it not?" said the chaplain.</p> + +<p>"It is the beginning of an action of ejectment," said Mr. Griffith. +"That is, Mr. Pendarrel claims some portion of our estates. Methinks he +has had enough already."</p> + +<p>Randolph was silent.</p> + +<p>"I imagined that all litigation had been closed long ago," Polydore +remarked.</p> + +<p>"Will it be a source of trouble?" Helen asked, looking anxiously at her +brother.</p> + +<p>"I cannot for the life of me understand what it means," said Griffith, +who had been reflecting. "Is it possible that in all those numerous +deeds, some bit of land has been included which has never been +surrendered? But it cannot be—they're too sharp."</p> + +<p>"Trouble yourself with no vain questions, Mr. Griffith," Randolph +exclaimed abruptly. "This is brought for the castle, and hamlet, and +<i>all</i> our property."</p> + +<p>"To deprive us——," Helen began.</p> + +<p>"Ay, Helen, to deprive us of everything," her brother continued. "Some +personal trinkets, a few bits of old furniture, perhaps our wardrobes, +may be spared—that is, if we can pay the expenses of the proceeding. +But our home, and our lands, and our friends, from all those we are to +be parted for ever."</p> + +<p>Helen wept; more at her brother's manner than the fate announced in his +words.</p> + +<p>"Randolph," said the chaplain, with a sternness, which in him was +extremely rare, "be calm. You are unkind to your sister, and unjust to +us. You know that nothing but your own conduct can deprive you of your +friends, and I apprehend that even the rest does not necessarily +follow."</p> + +<p>"Sister, dearest," Randolph whispered, "I did not mean it. Mr. Riches, I +beg pardon. I am, perhaps, scarcely myself. But I feel convinced that +nothing less is intended than an attack on the castle. It is well to +provide against the worst."</p> + +<p>"I think Mr. Trevethlan must be right," said the steward very seriously. +"On turning the matter over, I can see no other explanation than an +attempt to upset our title in general. But what can be the alleged flaw +I am wholly at a loss to conceive."</p> + +<p>"One cannot learn that till the trial, Mr. Griffith," Randolph observed.</p> + +<p>"And is it possible," asked Helen, who had dried her eyes, "that the +attempt can be successful? Can we be obliged to abandon Trevethlan?"</p> + +<p>"Not for ever, my sister," answered Randolph. "The word slipped from my +tongue. But they may obtain a temporary victory. We may be surprised at +the first trial. It is for that I wished to prepare you. It is also a +reason why I am resolved the affair shall, on our side, be hurried +forward as fast as possible. We will try at the very next assizes, if it +is feasible, and so, within a month, we shall know our true position. I +shall write to Mr. Winter, and send him this notice immediately; and Mr. +Griffith will have the goodness to communicate with him also. Say +everything you can imagine, my good sir. Suggest the wildest +difficulties. Perhaps Mr. Riches can think of something. We will be +forearmed if we can. But despatch—despatch above everything."</p> + +<p>Randolph had recovered both his composure and his energy. Riches and +Griffith were again surprised at the decision with which he spoke. They +now quitted the room, and the brother and sister were left alone.</p> + +<p>"Helen," the former said, "this may be a very painful business. From the +nature of the proceeding, we are kept in ignorance of the grounds of the +attack, and when they are disclosed we may be taken by surprise, and +unable to show their weakness. And in that case there would be a verdict +against us, and for a time—note me, my dear sister, only for a time—we +should be deprived of everything that is ours, to our very name. So, +Helen, we must be prepared for a season of calamity."</p> + +<p>"They cannot deprive me of you, Randolph," she said, "and the rest they +may take."</p> + +<p>"Nay," said the brother, "I hope they may not. There is some deep plot +laid against us, which may prove successful at first. Dark hints, +foreboding threats, have been whispered to me. I seem to see some +shapeless danger. It is now like the smoke which rose from the +fisherman's casket. It may take the form of the Afrite. But trust me, my +sister, we shall find a spell to charm it again into its prison."</p> + +<p>"Would, Randolph," Helen exclaimed, "I could find some spell to charm +you into old ways! Why are you not as before we went to London? Whence +has come all the change? Little else should I heed, if you were as you +used to be."</p> + +<p>"And all the glories of our race! Fie, Helen! Go to Mrs. Griffith, and +take a lesson in the picture-gallery."</p> + +<p>He had smiled as he began; but his last word suggested a host of recent +associations, and his tone was gloomy again, as he said he would go and +write his letters.</p> + +<p>Of these, the first was to Mr. Winter. Randolph referred him to the +document which he enclosed, requested him to communicate with Messrs. +Truby, and to take upon himself the whole conduct of the action. And, in +the most urgent terms, he desired the lawyer to bring it to an issue +with the utmost despatch. Some surprise, he said, was evidently +intended. It was just within the sphere of possibility, that by delay +they might find a clue to the plot. Never mind that. It was at least as +possible they might not, and they might as well learn it from their +adversaries. Beaten at first, they would triumph in the end. At the same +time, they would of course go into court prepared, as far as they could +be, to meet every possible objection that could be imagined. He would be +obliged by Mr. Winter retaining Mr. Seymour Rereworth as his junior +counsel.</p> + +<p>Randolph had signed his letter, and laid down his pen. He read carefully +over what he had written, caught up the quill again, and added—</p> + +<p>"P.S.—It is my father's marriage that is attacked."</p> + +<p>With quick and trembling fingers he folded the missive, sealed and +directed it. So much was done.</p> + +<p>Then he wrote to Rereworth, who had been called to the bar the preceding +term, and intended to join the western circuit at the coming assizes. +The letter was as follows:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>"<span class="smcap">My dear Rereworth</span>,</p> + +<p>"An action has just been commenced against me, in which I have +requested Winter to offer you a brief. If you will not object +to hold it, I shall rejoice; but if, under the circumstances, +you feel the slightest reluctance, pray decline without +hesitation. Do not think that a refusal would vex me.</p> + +<p>"It is ejectment, brought by Mr. Pendarrel, and, I have no +doubt, for all the property which is left me here. There can be +only three grounds for the claim. First, they may set up some +will or deed, which would be forged. Secondly, they may impeach +the marriage of my grandfather (Mr. Pendarrel's half brother), +which is very unlikely. Thirdly, they may attack my father's; +which, I write it with shame and sorrow, is what I believe they +mean to do.</p> + +<p>"Winter is acquainted with all the circumstances of that +unhappy union. I have written to him; but I could not dwell +upon the subject. To you I would hint, that it is among my +maternal relations that a clue to the plot will probably be +found. They have, perhaps, had reason to complain, and they +have passion enough to seek revenge.</p> + +<p>"I levy a tax upon your friendship in asking you to engage in a +cause which, you will at once see, involves many personal +considerations, and must produce great pain. Do not, I again +say, consider yourself in any way bound to pay it; and believe +me, whatever be your decision, to be, my dear Rereworth,</p> + +<p>"Still faithfully yours,</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Randolph Trevethlan.</span>"</p></blockquote> + +<p>These letters, together with one from Mr. Griffith, were despatched to +their destination that afternoon. Griffith wrote at much greater length +than his master, refreshing Mr. Winter's memory as to many points in the +family history. In particular, he detailed all the facts relating to the +marriage of Margaret Basset. For it was impossible not to be struck by +the idea that this action might be an attempt to give effect to the +vulgar rumours. And Griffith remembered, with some anxiety, that the +only witness to the ceremony, at present available, was old Maud Basset, +and that it was not quite certain which way her testimony might incline. +On the other hand, the steward found pleasure in thinking that they +could raise so strong a presumption in favour of the marriage, from Mr. +Trevethlan's own conduct, and from the conviction of all his household, +as could only be shaken by evidence of the most peremptory description.</p> + +<p>The temporary excitement which had strung Randolph's nerves and restored +his composure while he wrote his letters, died away when they were +finished. The sport with which all the country was alive, precluded him +from his usual excursion. He ascended with Helen to the roof of the +watch-tower, which commanded a very extensive view of the scene of +action, and looked listlessly upon the animated landscape. The shouts of +the contending parties came up to the brother and sister, now near and +now distant, now from the hollow of a dell, now from the ridge of an +upland. Sometimes the holder of the ball led the conflict full in their +sight; sometimes it disappeared in the intricacy of a thicket; sometimes +it approached, and Trevethlan seemed to be winning; then it receded, and +victory appeared to favour Pendarrel. Immediately below them, at the +foot of the base-court was the village-green, gay with the bright +ribands and merry laughter of the country girls. Helen partly forgot the +cares of the new law-suit, in gazing on the jocund landscape.</p> + +<p>"I wonder, Randolph," she said, "whether Mercy Page's sweetheart is in +the game to-day. The poor little girl's been quite fretting about him, +ever since he went away to London; and she owned to me, the other day, +she had been to drop a pebble in Madron Well, and that wretched dame +Gudhan frightened her half out of her wits."</p> + +<p>"Who is Mercy's sweetheart?" her brother asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it is Michael Sinson. He is in the service of Mrs. Pendarrel." +Helen had answered before she recollected the morning's communication.</p> + +<p>"Ha! indeed!" Randolph exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"And Polydore tells me that Edward Owen is just as peevish for her +sake," the sister continued, "as she for her absent swain's. And he goes +much among the discontented, and attends the night meetings, all out of +love. So you see there's quite a little romance in the hamlet; Romeo and +Juliet <i>en paysan</i>."</p> + +<p>"Of old," Randolph said, mechanically, for his thoughts were otherwise +engaged, "he would have gone on the high road."</p> + +<p>Helen, perplexed, looked in her brother's face, and saw the abstraction +in which he was absorbed. She turned her attention on the game, which +was now approaching its close. A dense throng appeared in the lane which +debouched at the further end of the green, shouting, struggling, and +fighting, till at last the victor of the day bounded to the goal, and +threw up the ball in triumph. The acclamations which hailed his success +roused Randolph from his reverie.</p> + +<p>"See, brother," said Helen, "we have won. Let it be an omen for us."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" he replied, smiling fondly upon her, and reverting to an idea she +had suggested, "I wish we believed such things. I would consult St. +Madron myself. As it is, I have written to consult our friend Rereworth. +But the game is over: let us go down."</p> + +<p>Helen was pleased to hear that Randolph was in correspondence with one +whom she had liked in his visits to Hampstead, and also at the +expression of his face, and the cheerful accent with which he spoke. But +it was only one of the fluctuations of the barometer in a storm.</p> + +<p>He had exulted at first receiving the notice of action, because it gave +him what he had wished for,—a personal quarrel with the Pendarrels. +Before it he never felt quite satisfied with himself. He had his +misgivings concerning his reception of that first letter of condolence. +He desired a right to make reprisals on his own account. Anything that +would render his union with Esther's daughter a greater triumph over +herself, was acceptable to his perverse temper.</p> + +<p>But this froward feeling was short-lived. Randolph remembered Mildred's +position, and reflected that if she loved him, as he believed, +everything that widened the breach between him and her family would be a +source of misery to herself. In the pursuit of his selfish revenge, he +had entirely forgotten the suffering it would inflict upon his mistress. +He was precluded from seeking her as the friend of those who should be +dear to her; and it was not, surely, for him to exult in any +exasperation of their hostility.</p> + +<p>And then he thought of the law-suit almost in despair. It seemed that +Esther Pendarrel, not content with breaking his father's heart, and +driving him to ruin, was proceeding after his death to defame his +memory: pretending that, he had imposed upon his family by a fictitious +marriage: seeking to have his children stripped of their name, and made +infamous in the eyes of the world. The mother of her whom Randolph +loved, was trying to degrade him to a position in which his alliance +would be a disgrace.</p> + +<p>And his own mother, whom he only knew by that strange dream, yet +regarded with the fondest affection, whose fame he had but recently +declared he would defend with his life,—her good name was also to be +sacrificed to satisfy the vengeance of this haughty woman. What! were +these the things in which he had exulted? That the breach which his +father had provided one means—dubious and remote indeed, but still a +means of healing—should be rendered irremediable for ever! For who +could pardon an attack like this?</p> + +<p>Of the action itself, and its consequences, Randolph took little heed. +To think of it would only be to perplex himself concerning the precise +artifice which was to be used at the trial: he was content to wait till +it came. Nevertheless, he noted Helen's chance information respecting +Michael Sinson's employment, but Griffith had already mentioned it to +Mr. Winter.</p> + +<p>Late in the evening the steward brought an account of the fray which +terminated the village sports, to the little turret-room where Polydore +was sitting with his old pupils. Jeffrey had been down on the green, +participating in the evening revels; but the careful warder returned to +his post as soon as anger took the place of amusement. And so fitful was +Randolph's mood that he now heard even of this disturbance with regret, +as he fancied it might introduce some fresh element of discord into the +family feud.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">"Era già l'ora che volge 'l disio<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A' naviganti, e'ntenerisce il cuore,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Lo di ch'han detto a' dolci amici addio,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">E che lo nuovo peregrin d' amore<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Punge, se ode squilla di lontano,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Che paja 'l giorno pianger che si muore."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4"><span class="smcap">Dante</span>.<br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>Mercy Page was an old acquaintance of Helen's, and was wont to bring her +all the gossip of the village, intermingled with her own little +adventures. And so she told Miss Helen the story of her pilgrimage to +Madron Well, and the fierce denunciations of Dame Gudhan. And the young +lady, after smilingly chiding her for her simple proceeding, taught her +to smile also at the ill words of the pythoness. But now Mercy thought +she had the laugh on her side, for she had heard the twilight tales +about the castle, and availed herself of the familiarity which Helen +allowed her, to inquire concerning them at head-quarters.</p> + +<p>"D' ye know, Miss Helen," she asked, "what they're saying about the +green yonder? How there's a pale lady all in white, that walks through +the castle by night, and fleers you and Mr. Randolph sadly?"</p> + +<p>"All I can say, Mercy," Helen answered, with a smile, "is that I have +met no lady answering that description, either by night or by day."</p> + +<p>"They tell it so in whispers," the fair rustic continued; "I cannot well +say what is the story. It's something about somebody that some one +murdered a very long while ago."</p> + +<p>"Ah, Mercy, people are always fond of a ghost story," Helen said. "And +so I hear Michael was in the game the other day. You had a merry dance +at last, I expect."</p> + +<p>"Then, Miss Helen," said the girl, "I don't well know what's come over +Michael. He's very different from before he went to London."</p> + +<p>Helen sighed, thinking Michael was not the only one who had been so +altered. And in truth, Mercy was quite right. If her old lover pretended +to court her now, it was in a spirit very opposite to that which +animated him before his employment by Mrs. Pendarrel. His object was +twofold; to make use of the unsuspecting maiden as a spy within the +castle, and to achieve one of those conquests which he had heard boasted +of as great exploits in the society he frequented in town. But love is +frequently as blind to the qualities of its object as the attachment of +animals, and Mercy was as ignorant of Michael's intentions, as the +faithful dog in the story, that his master was a murderer.</p> + +<p>In truth, Sinson was exceedingly anxious to know what was passing in +Trevethlan Castle. He felt a feverish curiosity to discover what was +there thought of the law-suit which was just commenced. Certain himself, +that the case which he had submitted to Mr. Truby was unassailable, he +was still nervously desirous to learn in what manner his opponents +prepared to resist it. What did they guess? What did they suspect? What +line of investigation did they pursue? The proceedings were like a duel +in the dark. Neither party knew anything of his adversary's moves. A +stab in the back was perfectly legitimate. And so Sinson, naturally +imputing to others the conduct from which he would not shrink himself, +trembled lest he might be over-reached after all, and find his artifices +recoil upon their deviser.</p> + +<p>And upon this cast he had set all his desires. Upon the result of this +trial depended the issue of all his weary manœuvring. It would either +place him in a position to demand his own terms, or it would leave him +unable to obtain any. His victory would be complete, or his ruin total. +But so far, although he was eager for news of his opponents, he +entertained no doubt whatsoever of his own triumph.</p> + +<p>Meantime, he trusted chiefly to Mercy for intelligence of what passed at +the castle, and she told him all she knew, with the most innocent +frankness. Trembling at shadows, he had been really alarmed at the tale +of poor Margaret's apparition. Aware of what was in contemplation, and +like all his race prone to superstition, he did not conceive there was +anything so very improbable in such a visitation, and he felt that it +would not be for the orphans that its warning was intended. He was glad +to hear from Mercy that the story was unfounded.</p> + +<p>Sinson was also much perturbed by the conduct of his grandmother. She +had not forgotten the hint he threw out respecting her favourite's +marriage. It was true, she only referred to it to excuse what he had +said, but the wild language and fierce predictions in which she +indulged, continually troubled him. And, besides, she was the only +witness now to be found who was present at the wedding; and although her +opposition could in no degree frustrate his scheme, her concurrence +would have gone some way to promote it.</p> + +<p>But he now endeavoured to hug himself in his security, and to pass the +interval before the trial as tranquilly as he might. He chose for +himself a pleasanter pastime than espionage upon Trevethlan Castle, and +watched with unwearying diligence the steps of Miss Pendarrel. Little +did Mildred think, as she pursued her meditative way among the +unfrequented thickets of the park, or strolled through the fields and +lanes beyond it, or wandered along the cliffs of the sea-shore, that her +path was always dogged by the stealthy foot, and her form watched by the +sinister eyes of Michael Sinson. Always at a convenient distance, ready +to slip behind a tree, or to skulk under a bank, if she chanced +accidentally to turn her head, the crafty observer lurked around her +course. Many a time he set out with the intention of coming forth at +some sequestered spot, and accosting the object of his chase, but he +always let the opportunity slip by. A kind of awe fettered his limbs, +and restrained his tongue, when he would have advanced and addressed the +unsuspecting maiden. There was a proud security about her which he felt +it impossible to invade, a serene confidence which he dared not ruffle. +He hated his timidity; he said, it should not be so next time; and when +the next time came, he again deferred his intended appearance.</p> + +<p>It happened, one fine mild afternoon, that Mildred quitted the park by +Wilderness Gate, and bent her steps to that thorn-shaded portion of the +cliff which was the scene of Michael's interview with Mercy Page, +immediately before his first departure for the metropolis. Here she +paced backwards and forwards, amongst the leafless hawthorns, often +pausing to gaze over the sea, and musing rather sadly of her forlorn +situation at home, where she had no one to confide in, no one to share +her emotion, and where every day seemed to draw her nearer to a +precipice, which she was yet resolved to shun. Thus she was looking over +the water, whose transparency assumed the hue of the weeds growing at +the bottom, pink, blue, and green, and watching the vessels in the bay, +when a step sounded on the turf by her side, and she looked round, and +recognised her cousin, Randolph Trevethlan.</p> + +<p>"Mildred," he said, in a voice which trembled with excitement, "do you +know me, Mildred?"</p> + +<p>He might read the answer in the hot flush upon her cheeks and forehead.</p> + +<p>"Will you acknowledge the impostor who sought you in disguise?" he +continued rapidly; "will you remember him who was shamed in your sight? +Me, the avowed enemy of your house, who should have met any belonging to +it in defiance and hate, yet came masked to your side to seek an +interest in your heart? For it was so. I loved you deeply, devotedly I +loved you, before that evening. So I love you now, and shall love you +for ever. From the first time my eyes met yours, in that echoing scene +of music and of light, I loved you, fervently as when I moved by your +side in those glittering saloons, fervently as I do now, and shall do, +till my heart has ceased to beat. And it was for me, Randolph +Trevethlan, to creep covertly to your presence, and woo you—for I did +woo you—woo you to be mine! And will you remember me now? Will you hear +me—not seek to palliate a deception which I loathe, not ask for +forgiveness which I despise—but will you hear me lay my love at your +feet, and, oh Mildred! at least not trample on it?"</p> + +<p>The vehemence with which he had spoken at first softened into tenderness +in his last words. Mildred continued to walk slowly by his side, unable +to speak, scarcely knowing what she did, with her eyes bent down, and +her hands clasped before her.</p> + +<p>"Hear me," Randolph said, in tones of passionate supplication. "Do you +know the life I have led? In yon lone castle by the sea, isolated from +the world, ignorant of my race, with nothing to love? Yet discontented, +pining, dreaming of love? Do you know how I came forth, madly +enthusiastic, to seek for fortune and fame? How still I felt my +desolation? Was not the world a blank to me? Was I not alone? Yet how +should you know it? I knew it not myself. Not till my eyes met yours +knew I the yearnings of my heart. The truth flashed upon me in an +instant. To see you and to love you, in your love to find the key to my +life, to vow for you to live and die—it was a moment's work. I knew not +who you were. Did I heed that? What acquaintance is needed for love? +Alas! I knew you too soon. The daughter of my father's destroyer, the +child of her whom I was pledged to hate, she it was I was destined to +love."</p> + +<p>Mildred cast an imploring glance into his face.</p> + +<p>"It is vain," he said. "It is hopeless. Even now, at this very hour, she +seeks to drive me from my home: from my name: my sister and me to be +outcasts on earth: shunned and despised: children without a father. +Think you there can be anything but hate between her and me?"</p> + +<p>"My mother," Mildred faltered.</p> + +<p>"It is our curse," said Randolph. "Did not my father imprecate the wrath +of Heaven upon me, if I held communion with her or hers? I love you, +Mildred, and the curse has fallen. And you love me," he cried in wild +rapture, flinging his arm around her, and folding her to his side, "you +love me, let the curse prevail."</p> + +<p>She did not shrink from his embrace, and for some distance they +proceeded in silence. He pressed her to a seat on a bank of turf.</p> + +<p>"Speak, dearest," he whispered, "let me hear that you love me. I feel it +in the beating of your heart. I read it in your face. Will you not let +me hear it from your lips?"</p> + +<p>She hid her face against his breast. There was another long silence.</p> + +<p>"Dearest," at length Randolph murmured, "there can be little of joy for +our love except in itself. Shall we not have faith in each other to +support us? Will you not be mine, whatever betide,—will you not be +mine, dearest Mildred?"</p> + +<p>"I am yours, Randolph," she said, "yours for ever, and only yours."</p> + +<p>He pressed a kiss upon her lips.</p> + +<p>"I must go home," she whispered, "I must go home."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we must part," the lover answered; "I know it. See," he continued, +"it is my star. Smiling on us, Mildred, as that evening. Believe me, +dearest, we shall not be parted for ever."</p> + +<p>And in a calmer mood, with more of hope and less of agitation, Randolph +rose, and supporting Mildred on his arm, accompanied her a short +distance on her way. They parted with a silent pressure of hands.</p> + +<p>The lovers were scarcely out of sight when Michael Sinson emerged from a +lair he had made himself near the spot where they rested, glared +fiercely in the direction they had gone, and advanced to the edge of the +cliff. The evening was mild enough for May; twilight was stealing slowly +over the tranquil sea; in the west, the star of love, alone in the sky, +was following the sun to sink behind the waves. It was, indeed, the soft +hour so sweetly described by the poet of the divine drama, reminding the +mariner of his latest farewell, and soothing the pilgrim of love with +the knell of parting day. But none of this tender influence was felt by +the man who stood, panting, on the cliff that overhung the waters. Fury, +envy, and malice, contended within him. Why could not he do this? Why, +in the many times he had followed her steps, had he never dared to +approach her? What spell had been upon him? Had she shrunk at all from +the arm which enfolded her? Had she recoiled from the embrace? Might it +not have been the same with him? The same blood was in his veins as in +Randolph's. Whence came the accursed timidity which held him back? And +what did they say? Why could he not hear as well as see? Was there any +fascination in Trevethlan's tongue?</p> + +<p>And it was he, whom he had learned to hate from his boyhood, his +mother's sister's son, whose father cast aside the peasant relatives +with contempt; he it was who, in one moment, in a first interview it +might be, had achieved a triumph which Michael, with all his +opportunities, had never ventured to attempt. But let him look to it. +Ruin and shame were impending over his head. It would soon be seen which +of them was the better born. The emptiness of his rival's happiness +would speedily be discovered. Poverty-stricken and dishonoured, Margaret +Basset's son might not be so successful a suitor as the heir of +Trevethlan.</p> + +<p>Successful! Had he been successful? Had she listened to him with favour? +Michael felt that she had. But she would not long exult in her love. She +little thought of the chain that was preparing for her. Melcomb, indeed! +She need not fear the shallow coxcomb. There was another sort of wooer +behind. But for the present her mother must know the liberties taken by +the bird. The door of the cage would probably be fastened.</p> + +<p>Some such train of ideas flew rapidly through Sinson's perturbed fancy, +as he stood a few minutes on the verge of the cliff. He soon turned +hastily, and hurried straight across the country to Pendarrel Hall, +where he arrived before the young lady who had excited his emotion. He +sought its mistress without much ceremony.</p> + +<p>"Pray, sir," said she, on seeing him, "what rudeness is this? Did I +desire your attendance?"</p> + +<p>"No, ma'am," he answered, cringing and trembling. "I beg pardon, ma'am; +but I thought you might like to know that Miss Mildred has just met Mr. +Trevethlan."</p> + +<p>"Well, sir!" Esther said, preserving a composure which bewildered the +informant.</p> + +<p>"It may be nothing, ma'am, of course," Sinson continued. "But clasping +arms, and hands pressed, and lips meeting...."</p> + +<p>"Be silent, sir!" exclaimed Mrs. Pendarrel, "and leave the room. I want +no tales about Mr. Trevethlan."</p> + +<p>In increased astonishment, Michael obeyed. Mildred entered the apartment +not very long after.</p> + +<p>"My dear Mildred," her mother said, "you should not stay out so late. +These February evenings are damp and unhealthy; and besides, dear, you +take too long walks. I should be glad if you would confine yourself to +the garden. Take a carriage, my love, if you wish for a longer +excursion."</p> + +<p>Mildred understood her mother well, and knew that this was a command. +But amid the rapturous, though confused sensations, with which her heart +was thrilling, she did not even notice the coincidence of the injunction +with the scene through which she had passed not an hour before. She +thought she should be happy at last. She had found a stay to uphold her +in the times which she feared were at hand. She had pledged her word, +plighted her troth. There was a home ready for her, if her own were made +desolate—a haven to receive her, if the storm rose higher than she +could bear.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Quand on est honnête homme, ou ne veut rien devoir<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A ce que des parens ont sur nous du pouvoir.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">On répugne à se faire immoler ce qu'on aime,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Et l'on veut n'obtenir un cœur que de lui-même.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ne poussez pas ma mère à vouloir, par son choix,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Exercer sur mes vœux la rigueur de ses droits.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Otez-moi votre amour, et portez à quelqu'autre<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Les hommages d'un cœur aussi cher que le votre.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4"><span class="smcap">Moliere</span>.<br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>So the days passed on; and in due course arrived the one fixed by Mrs. +Pendarrel for her great entertainment. March was coming in like a lamb +when the appointed morning dawned, the festival having been postponed to +nearly the time of the county assizes, for the convenience of Mr. +Pendarrel, who was always summoned on the grand jury. Mildred no longer +contemplated it with her old alarm, but rather hoped it might afford her +an opportunity of coming to an explanation with her suitor of Tolpeden, +and so relieve her at once and for ever from his unwelcome addresses. As +for Michael Sinson, he had gone to London again.</p> + +<p>A very busy day was that at the Hall. Not only the suite of saloons, +opening by French windows on a terrace, whence a few steps descended to +a lawn diversified by clumps of flowering shrubs, but also, under favour +of the genial season, the lawn itself and the neighbouring alleys were +prepared for the entertainment of the company. Coloured lamps were +dispersed among the bushes, and festoons of the same were hung from +branch to branch of the trees which in summer shaded the gravel walks. +Arrangements were made also for a display of fireworks. In short, the +hostess provided amusement for a very miscellaneous assembly, looking +beyond the gaiety of the evening to the maintenance of political +influence, and having swept with her invitations half the hundred of +West Kerrier.</p> + +<p>Her obsequious consort arrived in the course of the day, quitting the +cares of office to show civility to his adherents. Unwillingly, indeed, +he came, for he hated the country, and would gladly have deferred his +visit until the assizes. But his wife required his presence, perhaps, +for ulterior views. There was another guest for whom Mildred might hope +in vain: no Gertrude was there to gladden her with sisterly affection.</p> + +<p>Twilight had scarcely deepened into night when the earliest of the +company made their appearance. A worthy civic dignitary from a +neighbouring borough, with his wife, and his sons and his daughters, +walked in dismay through the splendour of the drawing-rooms to pay his +respects to his excellent representative. Alas! that free and +independent elector, if, indeed, he survived the shock, has now wept +long for his dearly-beloved franchise. As Napoleon has been imagined in +shadowy pomp reviewing a spectral army on the plain of Waterloo, may we +not fancy that the latest burgesses of Grampound or Old Sarum are +summoned from their tombs by the dissolution of a Parliament, meet again +in the ruined town-hall, or on the desolate mound, stretch their +skeleton hands for the well-remembered compliment, elect a truly British +member, partake of an unsubstantial feast, and sink again into their +last sleep, in the manner recorded of Bibo, with the honest conviction +that, as men and as Englishmen, they have that day done their duty? The +mockery would be no greater than of old.</p> + +<p>Let not the worthy alderman be disconcerted. Some one must be first at a +party, but the intervals between that arrival, and the next, and the +next, are always brief, and they become shorter and shorter, until the +stream is continuous, and the scattered groups which had been +scrutinizing each other are blended together in one great crowd. So it +was now: a host of people speedily followed the Pentreaths. There was +Sir Simon Rogers, portly and pompous, whose history might be read in the +colour of his nose. He was still seeking a successor to the dairy-maid. +There was Mr. Hitchins, who had made his fortune by a lucky boring for +tin, with his scientific daughter, who, having been down her father's +mine, inflicted the descent upon all her partners. To dance with her was +almost literally to fall into a pit. There were the Misses Eildon, +antiquarian and antiquated. There were sea-board parsons of the old +school, who might have called on their congregations to give them a fair +start for the wreck. Tres, Rosses, and Pols, Lans, Caers, and Pens, +abounded. There was plenty of beauty and plenty of sense. And the throng +was illustrated by a few uniforms from the troops on duty in the +neighbourhood, still flushed with the glory of the war.</p> + +<p>Music lent its inspiration to the throng, and the crowded saloons were +all animation. Country dances and quadrilles followed each other in +endless succession; and the non-dancing community sauntered to and fro, +seeking friends and acquaintance, exchanging compliments and sarcasms, +making engagements, indulging in scandal, eternally talking and +contributing to the buzz which at a little distance almost overpowered +the orchestra. But the prevailing confusion of tongues was slightly +stilled when an attendant announced "Mr. Melcomb."</p> + +<p>Mildred had remained by her mother's side. She thought there had been +something a little peculiar in the observation bestowed upon herself. In +the lull which for a moment followed Melcomb's appearance, she supposed +she detected its origin. She might read it perhaps more plainly in the +faces of two or three worthy dames near her, who, as soon as they heard +the name, looked at her with all their might. She passed through the +ordeal triumphantly.</p> + +<p>Meantime, Melcomb made his way through the press with much show of +good-humour and condescension, until he reached the family group. He +shook hands warmly with Mrs. Pendarrel, and inflicted a tender pressure +on the passive fingers which Mildred extended to receive his salute. +Then he fell into what appeared to be a very entertaining conversation +with the mother and daughter, and at last led Mildred away to mix in the +mazes of the dance.</p> + +<p>But although she sustained her part with great spirit, there were not a +few quidnuncs, both male and female, who set the young lady down as +having anything but her heart in it. Shrewd matrons, thanking their +stars that none of their daughters were likely to fall in love with a +rake, doubted very much whether Miss Pendarrel was quite pleased with +the parental choice. Knowing fathers, congratulating themselves that +none of their sons were gamblers, speculated on the grounds of +selection.</p> + +<p>"They say he's totally ruined," said Mr. Langorel the surgeon, to Mr. +Quitch the lawyer.</p> + +<p>"Quite, my dear sir. Never heard of anything so complete in all my +experience. Know nothing about it professionally, of course. Break off +this match, and in a week there would not be a rag left in Tolpeden +House, nor a stick in the park."</p> + +<p>"What can make them fix on such a fellow?" asked the man of nostrums.</p> + +<p>"Well, there's the land to add to the domain," answered the man of +deeds. "Extraordinary woman, my dear sir. Covets her neighbour's land +like the czar of Russia. The owner goes with it, and diminishes the +value, and therefore the cost. And have you not heard what's even now in +the wind? Trevethlan Castle——" And mysteriously whispering, the +professionals passed on.</p> + +<p>"Don't tell me, my dear Mrs. Bonfoy," mumbled the ancient Mrs. Memoirs, +"I am old enough—I never disguise the fact, Mrs. Bonfoy—old enough to +recollect the mother's marriage. She married in spite, and she spites +her children."</p> + +<p>"Is he so very bad?" asked Mrs. Bonfoy. "I only believe half what the +world says."</p> + +<p>"Believe only a hundredth, my dear madam," answered Mrs. Memoirs, "of +what it says of him, and you will believe enough to—but no matter."</p> + +<p>"Then what can be the reason——?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, my dear madam! Tolpeden Park."</p> + +<p>"Poor Mrs. Melcomb!"</p> + +<p>"Ah!"</p> + +<p>Such were the comments, and such the sighs, with which the expected +marriage was canvassed in the drawing-rooms of Pendarrel. Its mistress +had taken care that the intelligence should be widely diffused, and in +all Kerrier there was probably no one who was not cognizant that the +match was a settled thing, except the lady whom it chiefly concerned, +and the inmates of Trevethlan Castle. Mildred read the news in the faces +and the demeanour of the company. Experience enabled her to control her +emotion, and she met her destined lord in a manner fully satisfactory +both to him and to her mother. The curious of the guests were surprised +and disappointed. No scene occurred to gratify their love of scandal. +But Mildred's calm deportment concealed a strong resolution. That very +night she would have an explanation with Melcomb, and repeat her +determination never to be his wife.</p> + +<p>She danced with him, and walked with him, and answered his lively +badinage with cold civility, continually watching for an opportunity to +explain herself. She long watched in vain. As the rooms grew warm, the +guests gradually resorted to the lawn and shrubberies, now lighted by +the coloured rays of myriad lamps. Thither Melcomb also directed the +steps of his partner, who went with pleasure, in the hope that in those +less crowded scenes she might obtain the chance which she desired. She +even permitted her cavalier to lead her into one of the more sequestered +walks, always with the same design. But still she was always foiled. +Melcomb maintained such an uninterrupted flow of small-talk, that she +could hardly insert a word. It seemed as if he almost divined her +intention. Whenever she began a sentence, he stopped her at the first +word, assenting beforehand to what he chose to assume she was about to +say. And some of the company, observing what seemed the close intimacy +of the unhappy couple, were inclined to throw aside their previous +suspicions, and to conclude that, after all, the marriage might be one +of inclination. Some of the dowagers complimented Mrs. Pendarrel on the +cordial affection of her daughter and intended son-in-law, and the wily +mother stored up those expressions of sympathy for future use.</p> + +<p>At length the discharge of a cannon summoned the admirers of pyrotechny +to witness a display of their art. There was a platform and scaffolding +erected for the exhibition at the extremity of the lawn. The company +thronged around the front, and waited for the show. Nor was it long in +commencing. Rockets rushed into the sky, leaving a fiery train behind +them, and flinging showers of coloured stars from the highest point of +their flight. Bengal lights cast a lurid glare on the trees, and the +house, and the faces of the crowd. Wheels of endless variety, and +devices of rare skill, excited the admiration, and demanded the applause +of the gazers. And the former reached its height, and the latter became +loudest, when the final emblem, a true lover's knot surrounded by +similar symbols, became visible in lines of fire, beneath a bouquet of +rockets and a salvo of cannon.</p> + +<p>"Happy will be the day, dear Miss Pendarrel," said Melcomb, forgetting +for an instant his prudence, "when that symbol shall become a reality."</p> + +<p>"That day," Mildred said, "will never come."</p> + +<p>The coxcomb bit his lips, but immediately relapsed into his former +persiflage.</p> + +<p>From the fireworks, the company went to supper; and after having duly +honoured the viands and the wines, returned to the enjoyment of the +dance with renewed spirits. Sir Roger de Coverley closed the night's +entertainment; and day was already visible in the east before the latest +of the party, among whom was Melcomb, arrived at their homes.</p> + +<p>The fortitude, which had sustained Mildred during the evening, vanished +with the last of the guests. She had designed to come to an explanation +with her mother before she slept; but she now felt quite unequal to the +task. Lassitude of body increased depression of mind. In sad, almost in +solemn accents, she bade her mother and father good night, and retired +to rest.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Pendarrel, in her secret self, was by no means so well satisfied +with her daughter's behaviour, as she pretended to her guests. She had +already discovered in Mildred a firmness of character, resembling, if +not equalling, her own; and she was rather afraid that this night's +tranquillity foreboded a stormy morrow. However, she was not a woman to +be easily daunted, and she did not suffer her anxiety to disturb her +slumbers.</p> + +<p>The day following a party is always dismal. One may remember the second +scene in Hogarth's Marriage à la Mode. But the revelry of the night had +not disordered the pleasant morning-room, where Mildred presided over +the breakfast equipage. It was again a beautiful day. Light clouds were +moving gently across the sky; the budding trees were waving in a soft +west wind; there was that seeming exuberance of life in the appearance +of nature, which is always so exhilarating.</p> + +<p>Little influence, however, did it produce on either of the three +personages who sat at breakfast. Mr. Pendarrel was engaged in a very +prosaic and business-like attack on a dindon aux truffes, a relic of the +past night. And he preferred the metropolitan parks to any country lawns +and groves. As soon as he had appeased his appetite, or his gourmandism, +he went to look to the economy of the establishment. His wife, who +enjoyed a true relish for rural pleasures, noted her daughter's +quivering eyelids, and trembling fingers, with the consciousness that a +scene was coming, in which she might find her part more difficult than +she had flattered herself. She had dismissed the breakfast things, and +was herself about to leave the room, when Mildred, who was leaning +against the side of the window, and gazing wistfully on the garden, +turned and arrested her steps.</p> + +<p>"Mother," she said, "I must speak with you."</p> + +<p>"And what have you to say, Mildred," asked Mrs. Pendarrel, with a +freezing smile, "which requires so formal an introduction?"</p> + +<p>"I did not know, mother," Mildred replied, "that the party, last night, +was to be dedicated, in any way, to my ... my honour. If I had, I would +not have been present."</p> + +<p>"You will be present, Miss Pendarrel," Esther said, "wherever your +father and I choose you to be present."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, mother, sorry I am to say it," answered the daughter, +mournfully, "I will not, except as a captive. The company shall see my +bondage."</p> + +<p>"Mildred, let me hear no more of this folly," exclaimed Mrs. Pendarrel. +"Captive! Bondage! What romance have you been reading lately?"</p> + +<p>"No romance, mother, but myself. Scarcely a month has passed since I +told Mr. Melcomb, and you, mother, that I would never be his wife. Do +you fancy that month has changed my mind?"</p> + +<p>"Twelve hours have not passed, Mildred," said Esther, in the stern tone +she could so well adopt, "since here, in the face of half Kerrier, you +accepted Mr. Melcomb as your acknowledged suitor. Pshaw, child! Do you +think words are the only way of making an engagement? Are you a baby? +Why, a hundred people complimented me on the affair last night, and +expressed their satisfaction at your evident happiness. And will you +dare to tell me, now, that you were acting a lie all that time?"</p> + +<p>"Mother, mother!" cried Mildred, "spare such words. You know they are +undeserved. So does he. I repeated my determination to him last night."</p> + +<p>"What!" Mrs. Pendarrel exclaimed; "but it is no matter. Your faith, your +father's, and mine, are alike involved in the fulfilment of this +contract, and nothing can prevent it."</p> + +<p>"Yes, mother," Mildred said, "I can, and I will."</p> + +<p>"You are mistaken in the extent of your abilities, child," Esther said, +ironically. "Note me,—I have fixed the day. I have written to your +sister. I expect the lawyer here with the writings every day. He has +some other business to do for us at the assizes. You will find nerve to +sign, I expect. Away with this foolish childishness, Mildred."</p> + +<p>"May my hand wither if it takes the pen! Mother, you know my +resolution."</p> + +<p>With which words Mildred opened the window and passed into the garden.</p> + +<p>"So," thought Mrs. Pendarrel, "another check from the house of +Trevethlan! I foresaw it all when she trembled on my arm, when she +called him her 'cousin.' And they have met! They will rue the day. +Beggared and degraded, he might still have maintained his heart, but he +has thrown even that to the winds. And what will become of her?—what +will become of her?"</p> + +<p>A question to which there was very little hope of any favourable answer. +The cautious mother had carefully abstained from the least allusion to +Mildred's meeting with Randolph, because she knew that by so doing she +would probably convert resistance into attack. She recognised in her +daughter some of her own spirit, and she trembled to drive her to +extremity. Let them await the issue of the coming trial at Bodmin: let +them see what became of this intrusive "cousin," before taking any steps +which might indicate a suspicion of Mildred's real attachment.</p> + +<p>Her daughter strolled sometime listlessly in the garden, in that vacuity +of mind which nearly resembles despair. She was like one walking in her +sleep. But there were pleasant influences around her. The breeze fell +lightly on her cheek, and wafted the dark hair from her forehead. She +bent to meet it, like a bird. It came from the sea. Did it remind +Mildred of the hawthorns on the cliff? She passed from her saunter on +the lawn to her own apartment, and opened her heart in a letter to Mrs. +Winston. For some time her pen coquetted with country trifles, as if the +writer were trying to escape from an unpleasant topic which nevertheless +forced itself into notice, and at last banished every other.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"It has all come true, my dearest sister," she wrote, "all your +prediction has come true. Quiet among my flowers and books, +<i>our</i> books, Gertrude, I was beginning to forget it. All the +people paid us their visits and their compliments, and we duly +returned them, and of <i>him</i> I saw and heard nothing. But you +know all about it, for mamma told me she had written to you. It +seems he was only to come to our party last night. Everybody we +know, with many we can hardly be said to know, was here,—he +among the rest; although I had not heard he was in the country, +and only learned it from the announcement of his name. I +believe I bore it like Gertrude's sister; but oh! dearest, how +shall I tell you of my feelings when I saw that every one +regarded us as engaged? I hate that <i>us</i>. And this morning +mamma says my character is compromised. And I am in open and +avowed rebellion.</p> + +<p>"But this is not all, Gertrude, dear, that I have to tell you. +I wish you to guess a little. I have seen our cousin, Mr. +Trevethlan, who was at your party, you know. There is the first +chapter of my romance. You are coming here soon, and then you +shall know more. Till then, and always, believe me, your most +affectionate sister,</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Mildred Pendarrel</span>."</p></blockquote> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Here, a bold, artful, surly, savage race—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Who, only skilled to take the finny tribe,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The yearly dinner, or septennial bribe,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wait on the shore, and as the waves run high,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">On the lost vessel bend their eager eye,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Which to their coast directs its venturous way—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Theirs, or the ocean's, miserable prey.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4"><span class="smcap">Crabbe</span>.<br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>"Did you hear what they're saying in the village yonder, Master +Randolph?" old Jeffrey asked, as Trevethlan was passing through the +gate, on the day after the party. "All the grand doings at Pendar'l?"</p> + +<p>Randolph started a little.</p> + +<p>"I saw the light in the sky," the warder continued, "and was thinking +whose stacks had been fired this time, only it didn't last long now. And +they tell me 'twas the squibs and things that were let off to entertain +the company like."</p> + +<p>"Then there was a party at Pendarrel last night?" Randolph said, in an +inquiring tone.</p> + +<p>"A party! Indeed I should say there was," Jeffrey answered. "Why, sir, +all the country was there from far and wide; all but ours from +Trevethlan! And Squire Melcomb of Tolpeden, over the hill yonder, that +the folks say is to marry Miss Mildred."</p> + +<p>Randolph smiled. "What," said he; "is that so publicly known?"</p> + +<p>"It seems like it," Jeffrey said. "But there's strife on foot between +our people and Pendar'l. There's a deal of grumbling and threatening +down there on the green. They do say as the wedding is fixed for quite +soon."</p> + +<p>Randolph asked no more, but proceeded on his way. He had not got far +from the gates when he met the unrequited lover, Edward Owen. The rustic +seemed desirous to say something, for he lingered after making his +salute.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Edward?" his master asked, "what is the matter?"</p> + +<p>"Why, sir, then the folks are just wanting to know what this law-suit is +about. You see, sir, we think Pendar'l ha' got quite enough as was ours, +and we ought to have some back, rather than give up any more. And the +country's a little unquiet just now, and there's no saying exactly what +may happen."</p> + +<p>"And I am sorry to hear, Edward," Randolph said, "that you have been +concerned in the disquiet. It will lead to no good."</p> + +<p>"Sir," answered Owen, colouring, "you do not know how I have been urged +on. And, for the others, there's a deal wrong in the country at this +time."</p> + +<p>"But this is not the way to right it, Owen," his master observed. "No +good will be done by these night-meetings, and threats, and violence. It +is not the way to set things right. You cannot frighten people into +doing what you wish. And if you are mixed up with these wrong-doers, you +will get into mischief. You will be led further than you meant to go."</p> + +<p>Owen muttered some words, either of contrition or of discontent, and +pursued his way. It was true that the ferment in the country had +considerably increased. The labouring population met almost every night +on some point of the moorlands, and although no outrage of much +consequence had yet been perpetrated by these mobs, they yet kept up a +continual feeling of alarm.</p> + +<p>Nor was the danger by any means chimerical. If hitherto no greater +mischief had occurred, it was probably rather from the want of +sufficient daring in a leader, than of any good will among the mass. And +this requisite seemed now likely to be supplied, by an event which +happened on the hill-side between Lelant and St. Ives.</p> + +<p>A small river there expands into a creek, the shores of which rise +rapidly from the water's edge, sometimes cultivated, and sometimes +waste, frequently chequered with trees, occasionally broken by masses of +rock—always rugged and picturesque. High upon one of the untilled +portions, under the shelter of a ledge of slate, stood a low, straggling +cottage, constructed of <i>cob</i>, and thatched with fern, of which the +whitewashed front by day, and a light in the window by night, were +visible far out at sea. On the over-hanging rock was a spot showing +signs of fire, that commonest and simplest of signals, in by-gone years +too often used in these western districts to lure mariners to their +destruction; when the skipper, navigating by the fallacious beacon, was +startled by the cry of "breakers ahead!" confounded by the crash of his +ship's striking, and overpowered by a horde of lawless depredators, +unaccustomed in their thirst for plunder, to respect life. But the +fierceness of the wreckers, if it still tainted the blood of the +peasantry, quailed under the law; and their organ of acquisitiveness now +led them to the milder occupation of smuggling. If, in these days, a +fire ever burned on the rock in question, it was a friendly warning +concerning the fate of some brandy or Hollands, supposed to lurk under +the broad lug-sails which the telescope had detected in the offing, and +coveted with much zest in many a dwelling on the shore.</p> + +<p>This cottage was the abode of Gabriel Denis, a man whose stalwart form +and firm step showed that fifty years sat light upon him; while his +swarthy, weather-beaten visage, grizzled hair, and resolute eye, told of +a life, which hardship and peril had familiarised with endurance and +boldness. Some few years before the opening of this narrative, on a dark +and stormy night, when a rich landing of spirits and tobacco repaid the +country-folks about Zennor for the want of sleep, Denis was found in the +morning to have been left behind by the smart schooner which had run +boldly under the cliffs in the gloom, and which was then almost beyond +the range of glasses. His desertion did not, however, seem to be +unexpected by himself, for there were several chests left with him, and +also an olive-complexioned woman, whom it appeared he called wife, and a +girl about ten years old, whom he styled daughter.</p> + +<p>Denis knew very well that there was no danger of a smuggler's being +betrayed by the people, yet for some time he lived with great privacy, +and thereby attracted the attention which he wished to avoid. In the +dusk of evening he used to wander far over the country, and was known +not unfrequently to cross the isthmus from St. Ives to Marazion, and +stroll along the beach, or over the cliffs, in the direction of +Trevethlan Castle. He seemed to listen attentively to the gossip of all +the folks about him, and sometimes let fall a remark which indicated a +previous acquaintance with the locality. And at such times he would +glance round the company as if in search of a recognition.</p> + +<p>At length, assured perhaps of his situation, he obtained possession of +the cottage we have described, and retired thither with his wife and +child. He was evidently deeply attached to the dark-featured woman, and +watched all who approached her with extreme jealousy. She was still very +handsome, but passionate in temper to excess, and also quick to take +affront, partly, perhaps, because she was but imperfectly acquainted +with the English language. It required all her husband's watchfulness to +avoid perpetual quarrels.</p> + +<p>For it was soon discovered that the whitewashed cottage contained a +store of those liquors which seem to lead mankind into temptation, +universal and irresistible. Now a man, known <i>sub rosá</i> to retail +smuggled spirits, was not likely to enjoy a perfectly quiet life; a +drinking-bout often ends in a battle; Bacchus is the herald of Mars. And +whenever such a tumult arose, Gabriel's wife was sure to be vocal in the +fray. But Denis possessed a right powerful arm, and knew how to use it: +and his customers learned to listen patiently to the strange jargon of +Felipa, in wholesome fear of the iron hand of her spouse.</p> + +<p>Gabriel's house had become a rendezvous for some of the agitators of the +district, who were wont to assemble there at nightfall, and discuss +their schemes of outrage under the inspiration of Nantz and Schiedam. +Hitherto, these had proved almost wholly abortive; but, as Owen vaguely +intimated to the owner of Trevethlan, they now assumed a more +threatening aspect, and some inhabitants of that hamlet were foremost +among the violent. There had been much question concerning the law-suit +between their master and the squire of Pendarrel. Its existence had +become generally known, not only by the service of numerous summonses to +attend the trial, but also by placards, offering liberal rewards for any +information respecting the supposed murder of Mr. Ashton, and the +disappearance of Wyley, the missing witness to Margaret Basset's +marriage. The rumours regarding that mysterious union, already revived, +were stimulated anew by these demonstrations: and the agitation and +discontent of the surrounding population were quickened by an indistinct +apprehension of some new calamity impending over the family, to which, +in spite of everything, they were still strongly attached.</p> + +<p>Denis himself had kept aloof from the deliberations, usually held on the +turf in front of his dwelling. All he desired was to maintain his wife +and child as quietly as he might, on the proceeds of his illicit +traffic. But at last, on the very eve of the assizes which were to +develope the plot against Trevethlan Castle, the smuggler was doomed to +lose his occupation, under circumstances which might have well nigh +maddened any man, and much more, one whose life had been like that of +Gabriel Denis. Long suspicious, the revenue officers had become at +length certain, and swooped upon their prey. The victim blockaded his +abode, as best he could, and opposed a gallant resistance to the +oppressors. But they were sure of their game, and the defence was +fruitless. Yet Denis struggled with them still, when they had effected +an entrance: and then, overpowered by numbers, he had the mortification +to see the officers, acting evidently on some traitor's information, +immediately detect the secret door which led to a natural cave in the +rock behind the cottage, and haul forth from that receptacle divers kegs +of the precious fluids intended to recreate the lieges of the +neighbourhood, but destined for their sovereign's storehouse at Lelant.</p> + +<p>Gabriel, in sulky silence, had given up all resistance. But not so his +wife. Enraged beyond control, and heedless of her husband's +remonstrances, she threw herself furiously upon the captors. It is +always difficult to struggle with a woman. Felipa had snatched a pistol +from the belt of one of the officers, and in the effort to disarm her, +the weapon exploded, and laid her lifeless on the ground. A moment's +pause of sorrow and surprise followed, during which Gabriel's little +girl threw herself, with loud cries, upon her mother's body, and he +himself, after one wild look of despair, flew up the hill-side like the +wind.</p> + +<p>The officers recovered, and gave chase, but to no effect. The smuggler +got clear off. There was nothing to be done but to secure the seizure, +and remove the body of the unfortunate victim. The little girl +accompanied the train.</p> + +<p>The news of the transaction flew far and fast. But it did not prevent +the conspirators—if the word is not above their deserts—from resorting +to their usual haunt the same evening. They lay, six or seven in number, +in various attitudes on the turf in front of the ruined cottage, in the +irresolute and objectless mood of which many a plot has perished. +Agreeing in a desire, either for wanton mischief or for their +neighbours' goods, they could not make up their minds how to begin. The +cowardice, which always attends the doing of wrong, lay heavy on their +hearts, and made their hands powerless.</p> + +<p>But Gabriel Denis came down the hill and joined the criminal divan. +Trained in a lawless life, burning with the desire for revenge, heedless +of the manner, he brought into the assembly the passion and energy for +which it had before sought in vain. He listened awhile to the incoherent +gabble of the agitators, and then startled their indecision by a direct +proposition of his own. His speech was cold, and his words were few; yet +there was not a man who heard him, but knew that he meant what he said. +And when the little party dispersed, it was with a confident feeling, +that the next meeting of their adherents at Castle Dinas would not +terminate in the same inoffensive manner as previous musters of the same +nature.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Peace, brother, be not over-exquisite<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To cast the fashion of uncertain evils;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For grant they be so, while they rest unknown,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">What need a man forestall his date of grief,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And run to meet what he would most avoid?<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4"><span class="smcap">Milton</span>.<br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>The summonses referred to in the last chapter had been very widely +distributed among all those of the tenantry of Trevethian, who had been +cotemporaries of poor Margaret Basset. They were, in fact, issued almost +at random, in order that the defendant in the trial might have at hand +every possible means of rebutting his adversary's case. But they were +not confined to the dependents of the castle: old Maud Basset and her +daughter, Cecily, also received subpœnas, and Michael Sinson was +greatly startled by being served with one himself.</p> + +<p>Mr. Winter had offered some early opposition to Randolph's desire to +hurry on the matter without delay. His experience taught him to look +with hope to the discovery of a clue to the plaintiff's intentions, and +he would gladly have avoided the risk even of a temporary defeat. There +was, too, ample reason for postponement, in the chance, however slight +it might be, of finding the missing witness, Wyley; and in the short +space, there would otherwise intervene, for ascertaining as much as +possible of the clergyman, Mr. Ashton. All these considerations, +however, gave way to the urgency with which Randolph insisted on +despatch. And as there is a way, even in law, where there is a will, and +the other side were at least as anxious for an issue, the cause was +brought to a condition, for trying at the assizes which were now +commencing.</p> + +<p>It may not be uninteresting to the reader, to see the exact position, +stripped of technicalities, in which the parties stood at going into +court. The question between them was one of inheritance merely, and of a +very simple kind. Randolph's great grandfather left two sons by +different marriages, Arthur, the eldest, and Philip, the present +claimant of the property at stake. Arthur was the father of only one +son, Henry. It will be seen, therefore, that in default of any will, and +of Henry's dying without family, the estates would revert to Philip. +There was no will to interfere, for Henry, in his, merely appointed +guardians of his children, and made no bequests. He considered it a +matter of course that the children would inherit. And so they would, if +the marriage of which they were the offspring, were legal. But if this +marriage were not duly performed, or the children supposititious, Philip +would become heir to the property.</p> + +<p>It was, therefore, almost self-evident, that the claimant's case would +rest upon the insufficiency of Randolph's father's marriage. So to this +point was directed the main attention of his legal advisers. But every +presumption was in favour of its perfect legality. All the dark +suggestions which subtilty could imagine, vanished one after another, in +the light thrown upon them by Henry Trevethlan's own conduct. If there +were a fraud, it must have been without his cognizance, for it would +have defeated his supposed object. But if he were not privy, what motive +could be ascribed to any other party? It was impossible, for obvious +reasons, to impute anything of the kind to the friends of the bride. +Baffled in every conjecture, Mr. Winter could only take means for +procuring the presence of everybody, who, by any remote contingency, +might be able to contribute to the overthrow of the claimant's case.</p> + +<p>For in this sort of action the parties meet at the trial totally +ignorant of each other's intentions. For instance, in this case the +claim might be made, either under an alleged will, or a sale and +conveyance of the property, or on the ground that the holder was not the +legitimate heir. And supposing the first case, the defendant might say, +either that the will was forged, or was made when the testator was of +unsound mind, or was revoked by a later. So wide is the field for +surprise. And consequently it frequently happens, that the title to a +disputed estate is very far from established by a single verdict; but +that in a series of trials, the parties alternately upset one another's +successive positions, until the ground is exhausted, and the matter +finally set at rest.</p> + +<p>We have seen that the approach of the contest caused great excitement in +the hamlet of Trevethlan. It was an agitation not unmixed with shadowy +dread. The presentiments and forebodings which had long afforded a theme +for the village guidance, were discussed more anxiously than ever. The +old people recollected every little coincidence attending a death in the +family, or the severance of an estate, and detected something parallel +at the present time. Some aged folks listened at night for the wailing +cries which ought to echo around the old grey towers on the eve of a +calamity; and when none such mingled with the gentle sighing of the west +wind, they interpreted this very softness into a sign, declared the +unnatural warmth of the season was a certain token of ill, and +remembered some similar year when disaster visited the castle. Of +course, this state of feeling reacted within its walls, and revived the +terrors of the domestics. In spite of Helen's contradiction to Mercy +Page, the wiseacres of the hamlet insisted on peopling the gloomy +galleries with visitors from another world, and some of the more eager +occasionally watched the windows at night, in the hope of being +terrified and having a story to tell.</p> + +<p>It had been well if these night-fancies were all that disturbed the +people. But not a few of them were speculating already on what should be +done, in case the forebodings were verified by the result. And here, had +it been known, was a veritable cause for alarm. Randolph himself would, +perhaps, have trembled, if he had been aware what his dependents were +meditating, as they supposed for his advantage, but at all events for +their own satisfaction.</p> + +<p>For some time after his interview with Mildred, the gloom and moroseness +which beset him previously, had vanished. Strong in the hope and trust +inspired by that meeting, he became frank and unreserved in his +intercourse with the villagers, lively and agreeable in his circle at +home. Helen and Polydore rejoiced at the change, without knowing its +origin. It showed itself in the smile with which he heard Jeffrey's +announcement of Miss Pendarrel's approaching marriage. "Simple people!" +he might think, "how little you know on the subject!" But as the day of +trial came quite near, some of his former agitation naturally returned: +he shunned the conversation of the peasants, and became once more +abstracted and silent at home. Again did the rustics note the gloom upon +his brow, and whisper among their other prognostications that their +master's doom was written in his face; but he should not fall unavenged.</p> + +<p>Nor was Michael Sinson more at his ease. He had gone to London before +the party at Pendarrel, to consult Mr. Truby, and to see his bondman, +Everope. It was essential that he should maintain his influence over the +latter unbroken, and keep him well prepared for the part he was to play. +He was greatly startled himself by being summoned as a witness for the +defendant. He had intended, indeed, to go down to the assizes, but he +did not mean to appear. He should remain in the background, while his +creature did his work. He trembled to think of the confessions into +which he might be driven or led by the searching questions of counsel; +but still more he alarmed himself by imagining that his opponents had +obtained some clue to his design, and that some strange exposure awaited +him in court. He was, however, now so deeply involved, that he could +only strengthen himself with his old hopes, and abide the issue in +patience.</p> + +<p>His aged grandmother was at least as much perplexed as himself. Ever +since her favourite Michael had dropped his dark hint in her ear +respecting the marriage, she had harped upon the subject in her muttered +soliloquies, and ruminated upon it as she swung to and fro in her +rocking-chair. And in the confusion of her ideas she fancied, on +receiving her summons, that there was a plot on foot by which the +Trevethlans desired to free themselves from the connection with her +family, and willingly transferred to Randolph the passing reproaches +with which at times she upbraided Michael Sinson. It was idle to reason +with her.</p> + +<p>"Ay, Squire Trevethlan," she cried to him one day, as he was strolling +in the neighbourhood of her lodge, in the vain hope of quieting his +renewed anxiety by another meeting with Mildred. "The son steps worthily +in the path of the father! And so thou wouldst be quit of the peasant +blood, wouldst thou? Wouldst disown thy kindred? But na, na,—the ties +are too strong. It's none so easy to break a mother's memory. My +Margaret was fit for the wife of a king, and more than fit to be the +mother of such as thee."</p> + +<p>"Who has been talking to you now, dame?" Randolph asked. "Who has been +putting these notions in your head? Did I ever wish to disown her? Would +I not give anything to bring her back? Would I not love her and honour +her? And did I not tell you I had seen her, and she smiled upon me? She +has come often since, and always with the same sweet smile."</p> + +<p>He fancied the old woman had been tampered with, and wished to know the +particulars.</p> + +<p>"I dinna believe thee," Maud answered; "I dinna believe it at all: and +they say she has walked in the castle indeed, but no with a smiling +face. She came to warn thee, grandson Randolph. And well she might. Well +she might wander there, where she was let to pine and pine, and no one +of all her own people let to come nigh her. And most of all now, when +her own son would put her out of her rightful place. Shame upon him!"</p> + +<p>"'Tis because I am her son," Randolph expostulated, "that you should not +believe these tales, Dame Basset. What! do you not know that if she were +not my father's wife, the castle and everything we have pass away from +my sister and me? And have we not asked you to come to the trial to +speak for us, and prove the marriage? Who is it has put these stories in +your head?"</p> + +<p>"I cannot understand it at all," the old woman answered. "Why should I +speak yon for thy side? Why shouldst thou come to me? Have not thy +people put me and mine out from among them? I cannot understand it at +all."</p> + +<p>"But at least, dame," Randolph urged, "you will say it was a good +marriage?"</p> + +<p>"Every one knows that," she said. "Let me see the one that denies it. +But go, go. Said I not there was a dark hour at hand for thy house? It +is near, near. I said it was written in thy face. It is clearer and +plainer now. Thou beguiled me with that tale of her smile, but I heard +the rights o't since. There'll never be peace 'twixt thine and mine."</p> + +<p>And so saying, she retreated into the lodge, and left Randolph, puzzled, +but not annoyed by her unfounded suspicions. Her words were so far +satisfactory, that they showed how strong was her confidence in the +validity of the marriage.</p> + +<p>At the opening of the assizes, Polydore Riches and the steward went to +Bodmin to be in constant communication with Winter and his counsel. The +worthy lawyer had himself already made a flying visit to Trevethlan, for +the purpose of investigating the evidence a little more closely. He was +rather dismayed on finding at every turn that the rumours current at the +time of the marriage were still so fresh in the memory of the people. +"Faith!" said he to himself, "we have wasted our subpœnas pretty +freely! Why, there's scarcely a person out of the castle I shall dare to +call!" Moreover, he had been disheartened somewhat by the intelligence +he had gained respecting Mr. Ashton, as it seemed to show that there +were but few qualities in his character to prevent him from being a +party to a trick, provided it were profitable to himself. The placards +offering a reward for news of Wyley had called forth no information.</p> + +<p>Randolph persisted, against the advice of the chaplain, in attending the +trial himself. He was resolved to hear the case against him from the +lips of the witnesses. Polydore was grieved, thinking that if the issue +was favourable the trifling delay in communicating it would be +unimportant, and if it were adverse, its effect might be softened. +Besides which, there might be incidents in the proceedings of a painful +nature, from which the defendant had better be away. But a wilful man +must have his way, and Randolph would not be overruled.</p> + +<p>The evening before his departure he sat with Helen, feverish and +excited, in their favourite turret-room, overlooking the sea. The +delightful weather still continued, and they kept the window open long +after dark.</p> + +<p>"Do you remember, Helen," the brother asked, "how we were sitting here, +side by side, as we are now, when there came that letter, insulting us +with the offer of alms?"</p> + +<p>"Dear Randolph," Helen answered, "you know I would have thought +differently of that letter. But why should I remember it now?"</p> + +<p>"Because, my sister, to-morrow's trial may place us in need of alms," he +replied. "I do not know why it is, but from the very first I have +thought we should be beaten in this suit. I have been haunted ever by +the idea that the pittance which I then disdained might become necessary +to us. It seems to me a natural consequence of the refusal. Are they so +proud? it was said—they shall be humbled."</p> + +<p>"But we shall not, Randolph," his sister said. She was saddened by the +bitterness with which he spoke. "We shall not be humbled. Not in the +sense you mean. We shall not have to seek assistance. The schemes which +we plotted for the restoration of our house, may they not be revived to +minister to our necessities? See, when that letter came, you asked, why +have we desponded. And shall we despond now? Believe me, my brother, I +am prepared for the worst."</p> + +<p>"If that were all," Randolph said, "if poverty and the loss of our dear +home were all, bitter as it would be, it might be borne. But our father +or our mother, the one or the other, will be defamed, and our name +dishonoured. Helen, if this suit goes against us, and I survive the day, +it will only be to brand our opponents with the villany by which they +win, not with any notion of supporting a life I shall abhor."</p> + +<p>He disengaged himself from her arm as he finished speaking, and leant +against a division of the open window. But she followed him, and laid +her hand upon his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"And me, Randolph," she said; "you are a man; but what will become of +me?"</p> + +<p>"Of you, dearest!" he exclaimed. "Did you ever think, my sister, of her +I mentioned but now? She died before you had left your cradle. Scarcely +as a baby even could you know her. But I was nearly three years old. And +the memory has dwelt secretly in my breast, and it has come back to me +of late. I have seen her face in my dreams, sometimes smiling and +sometimes sorrowful, but always full of love. I have thought she came to +implore me to protect what was her only dowry, her good name, or to +console me and make me hopeful under a passing misfortune. And then, +when I remember the attack which is to be made to-morrow, my heart +burns, and I say what I do not mean. But you, dearest! I shall live to +be with you, whatever may befall."</p> + +<p>And so saying, he bent down and kissed his sister.</p> + +<p>"Do you see that bright planet?" he continued. "I have called it my +star. It has shone on some of the happiest moments of my life. A +childish fancy, sister, but it pleases me. The sight of it, clear and +unclouded as it is now, breathes promise of joy to my heart. Trust me, +sister, whatever may happen in this cause, there is comfort in store for +us yet."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2"><i>King John</i>. Our strong possession, and our right, for us.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2"><i>Elinor</i>. Your strong possession, much more than your right;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or else it must go wrong with you, and me:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So much my conscience whispers in your ear,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Which none but Heaven, and you, and I, shall hear.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4"><span class="smcap">Shakspeare</span>.<br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>Early the following day, Randolph sprang into the carriage which was to +convey him to Bodmin, where his fate would, for the present at least, be +decided. He bade his sister good-bye in a cheerful voice, but with a +gloomy countenance, and she staid at the hall-door until the gates had +closed upon his way. The carriage rattled down the descent of the +base-court, and round the village green; and the few rustics, who met it +with respectful salutes, shook their heads doubtfully as they looked +after it, and foreboded no joyful return.</p> + +<p>But the sun was shining bright and warm; the hedges were bursting +prematurely into leaf; the birds were singing merrily; all the +influences of nature concurred to raise the spirits of the wayfarer, and +inspire him with hope. He became interested in the journey, and his +presentiments of evil vanished away.</p> + +<p>In the evening Randolph entered the precincts of the county town, and +was driven to the hotel, where he had appointed to meet Polydore Riches; +and glad he was to escape from the bustle and noise of the busy town to +the parlour engaged by the chaplain. He was also glad to find that +Polydore, anticipating his wishes, had provided against any visits. He +did not even desire to see Rereworth.</p> + +<p>The next morning, after a slight and hasty breakfast, he took the +chaplain's arm, and proceeded through the lively and crowded streets to +the court-house. No one knew him, and he passed along entirely unheeded. +But the cause had excited very considerable interest. The story of the +quarrel between Mrs. Pendarrel and her early suitor was by no means +forgotten, and the rumour of her new attack upon Trevethlan Castle had +attracted no little attention. The circumstances of its late owner's +marriage were recalled to mind, and regarded with various kinds of +criticism. The lovers of scandal flocked to the court-house in hope of +gratifying their spleen, and the vague reports that were circulated +respecting the grounds of the plaintiff's claim promised amusement to +the admirers of piquant private history. People in general remembered +how large a portion of the hereditary estates of Trevethlan had passed +under the sway of the rival house, and looked perhaps with trembling +pity on the last relic of the old domain; and even the peasantry might +feel an interest in the fulfilment of the popular prophecy. So all these +feelings combined to swell the assemblage which crowded the court. +Polydore introduced his old pupil to a seat on the bench; from thence +Randolph exchanged a grave bow with Seymour Rereworth, and took his +place with a countenance whose constrained tranquillity was very much at +variance with the emotion which it concealed.</p> + +<p>Shortly afterwards the judge made his appearance, and the rumour which +had pervaded the crowd gradually subsided. There were some questions +asked, and points decided, respecting a cause which had been tried the +preceding day; and, as soon as this conversation was finished, the clerk +of assize, in a low methodical tone, read from his cause-list, Doe d +Pendarrel <i>v.</i> Trevethlan; counsel on each side nodded; a jury was sworn +well and truly to try the issue between the parties; the plaintiff's +junior briefly described the nature of the action, and amidst perfect +silence, his leader rose to state the case he should lay before the +court.</p> + +<p>He began by lamenting the painful duty which devolved upon him on the +present occasion, and begging the jury to forget whatever they might +have heard of previous disputes between the families whose names +appeared in this record. It was too frequently the case, in suits of +this nature, that the parties were nearly connected. Passing from this +introduction, he observed that in such actions they had also frequently +to inquire into a long and tedious pedigree, or to make a fatiguing +investigation of documentary evidence. No task of the kind awaited them +here. The case he had to present was exceedingly short and simple, and +rested mainly on the testimony of a single witness. And however +extraordinary the story which this witness would tell, he was sorry to +say that it was strongly confirmed by the conduct and circumstances of +him whom it impeached. The action was brought to obtain possession of +Trevethlan Castle and the surrounding domain. The jury were probably +aware that the real claimant in the cause, Mr. Philip Trevethlan +Pendarrel, had assumed the last name in addition to his own, on his +marriage with an heiress of large fortune in the county. He now +preferred his claim as the younger son of Hugh Trevethlan, Esquire, of +Trevethlan Castle, from whom the defendant also deduced his title; so +that it would be unnecessary to go any further back. Having established +the claimant's birth, it would, however, become requisite to show that +there were now no lawful descendants of his elder brother, or rather +half brother, Arthur Trevethlan, the alleged grandfather of the +defendant. Now it was admitted that from this Arthur, the estates in +question descended legally to his son Henry; but with the latter, it was +maintained the succession in that line terminated. They would observe +that Henry, the late possessor, only died towards the close of the +previous year, which would account for no steps having been taken +sooner. Now it was well known that, for many years before his death, all +intercourse between him and his uncle, the claimant, had entirely +ceased; and that in fact they were not on those terms of friendship +which should exist between such near relations. It was also known that +for a long time the late Mr. Trevethlan lived a very retired life at his +castle, and never went into society at all. Further, he had fully +attained the age of forty before there was any rumour or pretence that +he had contracted a marriage. But about this time, it is suggested that +if he died without offspring, the estates would either revert to the +relative from whom he was alienated, or he must bequeath them to a +stranger; and the jury would readily perceive the feelings which would +be excited by either alternative. Accordingly, in order to avoid them +both, it would seem that Mr. Trevethlan then contemplated matrimony, and +that a certain ceremony was performed between him and one Margaret +Basset, the daughter of a small farmer upon his estate. The defendant in +this action is the son of this Margaret Basset. "Now, gentlemen," +continued the counsel, "I need not unpleasantly press upon your +attention the circumstances under which the late Mr. Trevethlan might +have found it convenient to repudiate this pretended marriage. They did +not arise, and the marriage was not repudiated. Neither, so far as we +can learn, was it ever confirmed in a legal manner:—it was never +properly registered. The only mention of it in the parish records occurs +in the account of the christening of the defendant, who is described (I +read from an attested copy) as the 'son of Henry and Margaret +Trevethlan, who were married by special licence, in this parish, by the +Reverend Theodore Ashton, on the 3rd of September, in the previous year, +in the presence of —— Wyley, and of Maud Basset.' This entry is signed +Henry Trevethlan, Margaret Trevethlan, Maud Basset. The questions +naturally arise,—where is the signature of the officiating +clergyman?—where is that of the witness Wyley? And the answer to these +inquiries is found in the real history of the circumstances attending +this alleged marriage. The ceremony was performed in private, within the +castle, but without the presence even of any of the household; within +twenty-fours afterwards, the clergyman alleged to have performed it +disappeared, and was supposed to be murdered. The only male witness also +vanished; and the only other witness was the mother of the pretended +bride, who is still living, and will probably be called before you by my +learned friend."</p> + +<p>Here the speaker was interrupted by a scuffle in the court, and the +shrill voice of Maud Basset. "He lies!" she screamed. "My Margaret <i>was</i> +married. Let me see the one who says the contrary." But the old woman +was speedily removed.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen," the counsel resumed, "both you and I can understand and +sympathize with the feeling which prompted that interruption. I was +describing the mysterious privacy with which this pretended marriage +was—I will not say solemnized—but performed. It is perhaps generally +supposed that the poor old woman who interrupted me is the sole survivor +of those who were present at the scene; but it is not so. We shall +to-day produce another. We shall call before you the person who acted +the part of the clergyman:—not Mr. Ashton, gentlemen, nor a clergyman +at all."</p> + +<p>There was a great sensation in the court at these words. And if any one +among the audience had then looked at Randolph, he could not fail to +have been struck by the ghastly rigidity of his features. But all were +too deeply interested by the announcement which they had heard to attend +to anything else.</p> + +<p>The plaintiff's counsel proceeded to say that he need not anticipate the +details this witness would relate;—they would completely overthrow any +claim founded upon this alleged marriage. It would be for his learned +friends to show any subsequent ground for their title, if such they had. +But unless they did so, he should confidently look for a verdict at the +hands of the jury; and, as he should undoubtedly have another +opportunity of addressing them, he would not now trouble them at greater +length.</p> + +<p>A considerable rumour pervaded the court at the close of this speech, +but soon yielded to the low calls for order. There followed some +technical evidence respecting Mr. Pendarrel's descent, and the deaths of +his brother and nephew, of no particular interest, and then the leader +who had addressed the jury, re-awakened attention by desiring the crier +to call Lewis Everope. Rereworth looked at the spendthrift, as he +quietly took the oath, with utter astonishment, not knowing what to +think. The examination began.</p> + +<p>"What are you, Mr. Everope?"</p> + +<p>"I belong to no profession, but have been nominally a student of the +law."</p> + +<p>"You were educated at —— University, I believe, sir?"</p> + +<p>The witness uttered an intimation of assent.</p> + +<p>"Were you acquainted, while there, with a gentleman named +Ashton,—Theodore Ashton?"</p> + +<p>"I was."</p> + +<p>"How long is this ago? To a year or two?"</p> + +<p>"Twenty-three or four years. I do not exactly recollect."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Ashton was your senior, I believe?"</p> + +<p>"Considerably. In fact our acquaintance was very slight."</p> + +<p>"What became of him afterwards, do you know?"</p> + +<p>"He took orders, and quitted the University."</p> + +<p>"Did you ever see him after you had left college?"</p> + +<p>"I did."</p> + +<p>"Be so good as to tell the jury under what circumstances."</p> + +<p>"I was making a pedestrian tour through the western part of this county, +and met him unexpectedly in the neighbourhood of Marazion."</p> + +<p>"What year was this? And month? Do you remember?"</p> + +<p>The witness mentioned those of Henry Trevethlan's marriage.</p> + +<p>"Did you visit Mr. Ashton at his then residence?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Well, I believe that was no great distance from Trevethlan Castle. Tell +the jury anything that passed between you and your friend, having +reference to that building or its inhabitants."</p> + +<p>"I naturally asked Mr. Ashton some question respecting it, and he told +me there was a strange story on foot about its owner, who wished to play +the trick attempted by Thornhill, in the Vicar of Wakefield. He had +applied to Ashton on the subject, but the latter told him, that if he +performed the ceremony, the result would be the same as in the tale. But +Ashton was to have a considerable fee, and he asked me to personate him, +representing that the affair was only a joke, and that, if there were +any family, Mr. Trevethlan would certainly confirm it legally. And I +being young, and not at the time aware of the consequences, ultimately +consented to what he proposed."</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, and what followed?"</p> + +<p>"Ashton said he could arrange for the affair to take place the next +day——"</p> + +<p>"What day was that?"</p> + +<p>"It was the third of September. Ashton instructed me how to present +myself at the castle in his name. No one who would be present, he said, +knew him, except Mr. Trevethlan, who expected something of the kind, and +I looked considerably older than I was. And an intended witness to the +wedding would conduct me."</p> + +<p>"And what happened afterwards?"</p> + +<p>"I went to the castle with the witness in question, and Mr. Trevethlan +introduced himself to me without any remark, and presented a young woman +as his intended bride. There was also another woman present, who, he +said, was her mother. Mr. Trevethlan produced a document, which he +stated to be a licence for a special marriage, but I did not look at it; +and read the marriage service as fast as I could from a prayer-book +which was given me. When it was over, Mr. Trevethlan handed me a sum of +money, which I delivered to Ashton, and quitted the neighbourhood +without delay, for I did not like my part in the business."</p> + +<p>"I should think not," said the counsel. "Pray, sir, do you recollect any +particular incident at this ceremony?"</p> + +<p>"Only, that in my confusion I dropped the ring, and the bride's mother +muttered something which I did not hear."</p> + +<p>"You have not mentioned the name of the bride?"</p> + +<p>"Margaret Basset."</p> + +<p>"You were not in holy orders at that time?"</p> + +<p>"Neither then nor since."</p> + +<p>The plaintiff's counsel here sat down, and Rereworth's leader rose. The +cross-examination was very long and severe.</p> + +<p>"So, sir," it began, "do you know that you have just confessed yourself +guilty of felony?"</p> + +<p>"I know it now," Everope said, "but I did not know it at the time."</p> + +<p>"And you might have been transported for fourteen years?"</p> + +<p>"So I am told."</p> + +<p>Counsel then ran him hard and fast through all the details of the scene +he had described. Asked for descriptions of the castle, of the room, of +the persons. Turned back upon his own family. Where were they at the +time? How did he correspond with them? Where were they now? He was on +bad terms with them. How was that? He said he was of no profession. Was +he a man of private fortune? How did he live? Who paid his expenses in +coming here? What did he expect beyond? Then suddenly round again. Where +did he sleep the night before the mock-marriage? At Marazion? What was +the name of the inn? Where did he go afterwards? From what place did he +come? Then abruptly, did he know Michael Sinson? How long had he been +acquainted with him? What intercourse had been between them? Had Michael +promised him anything for coming here? Again back to his career at the +university; his subsequent life; his present circumstances. And once +more to Trevethlan Castle; again to describe the almost incredible +proceeding to which he had so distinctly sworn, and all the +circumstances of his intimacy with Ashton.</p> + +<p>But this cross-questioning failed in materially shaking Everope's +evidence in chief. He was forced into a considerable exposure of +himself; but, perhaps, even after making the allowance which he claimed +for youth and inexperience, the mere avowal of his participation in so +detestable a plot was sufficiently damning, without any aggravation. It +was evidently not improbable that, at so distant a time, he might not +well remember the details of the scene. Only once did he seem likely to +be overturned.</p> + +<p>"Have you ever been in the neighbourhood since?" he was asked.</p> + +<p>"Once."</p> + +<p>"And when was that?"</p> + +<p>"About six weeks ago."</p> + +<p>"Were you alone?"</p> + +<p>"No, I was with Michael Sinson, whom you have mentioned."</p> + +<p>"Indeed! And why did you come? You need not hesitate."</p> + +<p>"I came to refresh my memory," Everope answered boldly.</p> + +<p>"And to good purpose," counsel said, "for it has been very convenient."</p> + +<p>But the leader was on the point of sitting down, when Rereworth gave him +a slip of paper, and he asked one more question.</p> + +<p>"Pray, sir, are you personally acquainted with the defendant in this +action?"</p> + +<p>"No," Everope said.</p> + +<p>"It is I!" Randolph exclaimed, rising from his seat, and fixing the +spendthrift.</p> + +<p>"Order, order," was murmured, and the interrupter, who drew the +attention of every one in court, sat down. It was a few moments before +the excitement occasioned by this incident had subsided. There was a +general stir to obtain a second look of the unknown possessor of +Trevethlan Castle.</p> + +<p>"Morton!" the witness had meantime exclaimed, showing signs of confusion +for the first time.</p> + +<p>"You do know him, then?" said the counsel, and sat down.</p> + +<p>But the question did not seem to be advantageous to the defendant's +interest.</p> + +<p>"What do you know of Mr. Trevethlan?" Everope's former examiner asked, +having heard his exclamation.</p> + +<p>"I knew that gentleman slightly in the Temple by the name of Morton, as +a student for the bar."</p> + +<p>The re-examination was short. Some additional formal evidence was given; +and the only other material witness on this side was the coroner, who +proved the circumstances of the supposed murder of Mr. Ashton, and the +disappearance of Wyley. With this evidence, the case for the plaintiff, +of which we have only reported the portion on which the jury would have +eventually to form their judgment, was closed; and the court adjourned +for a short period.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ah, Richard, with the eyes of heavy mind,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I see thy glory, like a shooting star,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fall to the base earth from the firmament.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thy sun sets weeping in the lowly west,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Witnessing storms to come, war, and unrest;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thy friends are fled to wait upon thy foes,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And crossly to thy good all fortune goes.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4"><span class="smcap">Shakspeare.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>Randolph Trevethlan never stirred from his seat during the suspension of +the proceedings. When they were resumed, his counsel argued at some +length, that even if the tale which they had heard were true, the +marriage so contracted would be valid, and that therefore the plaintiff +had failed in making out his case. The other side were stopped in their +reply by the judge, who said, that while the court would listen with +patience to any argument intended to save an innocent woman from the +effect of a fraudulent marriage, that could not be considered the point +in question here; the imputed object being to interfere with the rights +of the heir presumptive by securing a family; and that, therefore, +without expressing any opinion upon what might be considered an +undecided point, he should not stop the case. So Rereworth's leader +proceeded to address the jury for the defence.</p> + +<p>He began by a skilful and minute analysis of Everope's narrative, in +which he exhibited its incredibility in a strong light, and heightened +it by a continual reference to the worthlessness of the witness's +character as exposed by himself. He pointed out his connection with +Michael Sinson, a person in the employment of the claimant's family, and +a nephew of the late Mrs. Trevethlan. From him, therefore, Everope could +have obtained all the particulars which he pretended to know of his own +experience. He would be called before the court, and the jury would +judge whether the tale had not been concocted between the two. Sinson +had motives of his own for hostility to the family of Trevethlan, which +would be heard from his own lips. He did not impute to the claimant any +cognizance of the fraud, by which he maintained the claim had been +attempted to be established. Departing from this point, he said he +should show, by indisputable evidence, that the late Mr. Trevethlan +never contemplated the baseness which had been attributed to him, could +not possibly have suspected any flaw in his marriage, and always treated +Margaret as his lawful wife, and his children as lawfully born; for, +first, he strongly desired that his own chaplain would perform the +ceremony, as they would hear from that gentleman himself; secondly, if, +as suggested by the plaintiff, his object had been to make sure of +barring the present claim, he would have caused the marriage to be +repeated before the birth of his first child; and thirdly, if he had had +any suspicion that his children would not inherit by descent, he would +have assuredly provided for them by will. But although his estates +belonged to him in fee, he had bequeathed them nothing, dying, as it +might be said, intestate; he had always treated Margaret as his wife, +and had never expressed the slightest doubt of the perfect formality of +his marriage. By his own conduct he had thus defeated the very design +which was imputed to him, and his own alleged proceedings would have +brought about that result which he was said to have sought to avoid, the +succession, namely, of the present claimant. In the face of so much +incoherency, was it possible, for one moment, to entertain so incredible +a tale as that which had been heard from a witness of so very +disreputable a character? If such testimony could prevail, no household +would be safe.</p> + +<p>Now, he should produce the licence under which the marriage took place; +he should—despite the incident which Everope had stated as occurring, +and which he had probably learned from Michael Sinson—call before them +Maud Basset, the mother of Margaret, the only known surviving witness of +the ceremony, and she would tell them—they had heard her exclamation in +court—that it was a good marriage; he should also call several members +of the household of Trevethlan Castle, who would swear they always +regarded it as such; and he should show that the children had been +christened as the lawful offspring of Henry and Margaret Trevethlan; and +again he repeated, that if the unsupported and monstrous testimony of a +single individual of bad reputation were permitted to countervail so +strong a chain of presumption no union could be secure, and any of his +hearers would be liable to have his children disinherited and their +names stigmatized by any villain who would forswear himself for hire.</p> + +<p>Let the jury consider the story they had heard. That a gentleman of high +character and station, under circumstances entirely different from those +in Goldsmith's famous story, wishing to form a marriage which he might +either affirm or repudiate subsequently, should dare to apply to a +stranger, a clergyman of the church, to assist him in so nefarious a +design,—that this clergyman, far from expressing any indignation, +should merely suggest a little difficulty,—that, by a coincidence +sufficiently remarkable, this Everope, discarded by his family, living +by his wits, should at that very time encounter his old college +acquaintance,—that to him Ashton should immediately relate the +business, and invite his co-operation,—that this precocious villain +should at once accept the mission,—that Mr. Trevethlan should receive +him without question or surprise,—that he should perform the impious +mockery he had described,—that, needy and profligate, he should keep so +valuable a secret for so long a time,—that at length, by another +singular coincidence, he should fall in with a dependent of the family +to whom it was so important; should tell the story apparently as an +excellent joke; should for the first time become aware of its worth, and +should sell himself to give the evidence they had heard to-day—Yes: +indignation had diverted him from the picture he was drawing to the real +motive under which the witness acted.</p> + +<p>But let the jurors turn from this view of the subject to the one he +should now present to them. Let them see Mr. Trevethlan, when, for +reasons entirely beside the question at issue, he had decided on +marrying a person of inferior station, applying to his chaplain, as a +matter of course, to perform the ceremony. Let them see him, on that +gentleman's declining, preferring the same desire to this Mr. Ashton, +then resident in the neighbourhood. Let them suppose the ceremony to +have been really and duly performed by him, as it appears recorded in +the register of baptisms. Let them recollect the disappearance of +Ashton, and of Wyley, the witness. Let them see how two children were +borne by Mrs. Trevethlan, and duly christened by the chaplain of the +castle. Let them then turn to the conduct of her relations. Let them +imagine the hopes raised, the desires excited by their great connection. +Let them note one of these relatives permitted to hang about the castle +as a sort of companion to the young heir. Let them suppose certain +presumption to grow up, and to be suddenly checked by the expulsion of +all the race. Let them conceive the consequent exasperation, and +heighten it by an unfounded suspicion that the exalted peasant-woman was +ill-used. Let them consider such feelings as still rankling when Michael +Sinson enters the service of the claimant in this action. Let them think +of him as actuated both by hope of reward and desire of revenge, +devising this subtile scheme, and seeking only an agent to accomplish +it. Let them find him meeting the ruined scoundrel, whom they had heard +that day, and he thought they would have little difficulty in +unravelling the dark plot, which was now, for the first time, publicly +developed against the well-being, the happiness, and the good fame of an +old and distinguished and honourable family.</p> + +<p>At the close of this address, Michael Sinson was called into the +witness-box, and examined by Rereworth.</p> + +<p>"You are a relation, I believe, of the late Mrs. Trevethlan?"</p> + +<p>"A nephew of the late Margaret Basset."</p> + +<p>The witness was then led on, by further questions, to describe the hopes +excited in his family by the marriage now in dispute; the manner in +which he was allowed to hang about Trevethlan Castle; the offence which +his demeanour gave to its owner, and the expulsion of his relations from +their farm. Fencing with his examiner, he at first affected to treat +this circumstance with indifference, but was forced by degrees into a +confession of his bitter and rankling mortification.</p> + +<p>"And so, sir," Rereworth suddenly asked, "all your family considered +this marriage to be perfectly good?"</p> + +<p>"It was for their interest," Sinson said, stammering.</p> + +<p>"For their interest, sir!" Seymour exclaimed indignantly. "Why, sir, was +not Mrs. Trevethlan's good name at stake?"</p> + +<p>"My poor relative has been dead for a long time," the witness answered.</p> + +<p>"And it is her nephew who comes forward to shame her in her grave! You +are now in the service of Mr. Pendarrel, the real claimant in this +action?"</p> + +<p>"Of Mrs. Pendarrel."</p> + +<p>The answer produced a slight titter in the court.</p> + +<p>"What does Mrs. Pendarrel pay you for getting up her case?"</p> + +<p>Sinson hesitated for some time, and made no answer.</p> + +<p>"Do you hear, sir?" Rereworth continued. "What is to be your hire for +slandering your mother's sister?"</p> + +<p>The plaintiff's counsel interposed, and protested against his learned +friend's so discrediting his own witness.</p> + +<p>"I consider," the witness said, having recovered himself, "that my +unfortunate relative was deceived in the business. It was no fault of +hers."</p> + +<p>Rereworth now turned to Michael's connection with Everope. Asked how the +acquaintance began; how long it had lasted; how the spendthrift came to +communicate the story which he told in court; what Sinson knew of his +habits and associates; whether he provided him with a maintenance? Then +he reverted to the journey into Cornwall, of which Everope had given so +frank an explanation; and concluded by again questioning the witness +respecting any expectation of reward which he entertained or had held +forth as the consequence of success in this action.</p> + +<p>"Do you expect any reward at all, sir?" Michael was asked, in +cross-examination. "Have any promises been made to you?"</p> + +<p>"No," he answered, "I have been only doing my duty, and expect nothing."</p> + +<p>"And have you, in fact, held out any expectations to the witness +Everope?"</p> + +<p>"None whatever."</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, is it not matter of notoriety that there was great doubt +about this pretended marriage?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly. It has been thrown in my teeth a hundred times."</p> + +<p>Little profit had this witness brought to the defendant. Maud Basset, +who had been detained out of court since her interruption of the +proceedings, was now summoned into the box.</p> + +<p>"You are the mother of the late Mrs. Trevethlan, madam?"</p> + +<p>"Sure and I am. Of my own Margaret. But I dinna understand it at all."</p> + +<p>"You recollect your daughter's marriage, Mrs. Basset?"</p> + +<p>"And a proud day was that for me," the old woman replied, "when the +squire asked for her to be his wife. But my Margaret was fit to be a +queen. Woe's me that he beguiled me, that she should be married only to +be murdered."</p> + +<p>"You were present at the marriage, I believe, madam?"</p> + +<p>"Of course I was. Where else should her mother be? And he all so cold +and stately like, and she weeping and crying so. I might have known what +would come of it. I saw it all with my own eyes."</p> + +<p>"Do you remember the name of the clergyman, Mrs. Basset?"</p> + +<p>"Ashton it was—Theodore Ashton. The same as I saw it written at the +christening of her child. Woe's me! 'twas the last time almost I saw +her."</p> + +<p>"And you believe it was a good marriage?"</p> + +<p>"Where's he that says it was not? My Michael? Na, na; 'tis some of them +that murdered her. But they cannot get quit of the blood. The young +squire would break the connection, would he? Na, na; it was a good +marriage, and the ties are too strong."</p> + +<p>"Pray, madam," the plaintiff's leader now asked, "did anything +particular happen on this occasion?"</p> + +<p>"I dinna understand it at all."</p> + +<p>"Did you not notice something ... about the ring?"</p> + +<p>"Well, the minister was nervous-like, and dropped it, and I said it was +no a sign of luck. But I dinna understand it at all."</p> + +<p>"Did you know the person whom you call minister, madam?"</p> + +<p>"Know him! he was living like at Dame Sennor's, away on the cliff. So +they told me."</p> + +<p>"Where is Mrs. Sennor now? Is she here?"</p> + +<p>"Why, sir, Dame Sennor's been dead and gone this many a year."</p> + +<p>"Had you ever seen the minister before the ceremony?"</p> + +<p>"I canna say that I had. But he married my Margaret, and that I am well +certain."</p> + +<p>"How long did your daughter survive afterwards, madam?"</p> + +<p>"A little better than three years. But it was a long time sin' I had +seen her."</p> + +<p>"You used the word 'murdered.' What did you mean, ma'am?"</p> + +<p>"Her bliss was made her bane," Maud answered fiercely. "The squire broke +her heart, and none of hers were let to come nigh her."</p> + +<p>Neither side, it may be observed, chose to confront the old woman with +Everope, and inquire concerning her recognition of him. But the judge +now desired him to stand forward.</p> + +<p>"Look at that person, madam," said his lordship. "Can you say whether +that is the man who performed this marriage?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I canna tell at all," was the reply. "It's three-and-twenty years +agone, and my eyes grow dimly like. I canna tell at all."</p> + +<p>Polydore Riches was the next witness. He proved Mr. Trevethlan's urgent +request to him to perform the ceremony, and his refusal; that Margaret +had always been treated as the mistress of the castle; and that her +children had been by him duly christened as the offspring of Henry and +Margaret Trevethlan. He also deposed to the behaviour of her relations; +to the anger it produced in Mr. Trevethlan; to their banishment from the +castle, and their undisguised mortification. In cross-examination he +stated, as his reason for refusing to celebrate the union, that he +disapproved both of itself and of its manner.</p> + +<p>"I must ask you, Mr. Riches, were there not rumours very prevalent soon +after the alleged marriage, that it had not been duly performed?"</p> + +<p>The question was objected to, but allowed, and the chaplain acknowledged +that it was so.</p> + +<p>"Did you know this Theodore Ashton, Mr. Riches?"</p> + +<p>"Very slightly indeed."</p> + +<p>"Are you aware of anything in his character which might make the conduct +imputed to him to-day not improbable?"</p> + +<p>This question was also objected to, and not pressed.</p> + +<p>"Would you have remained an hour in the castle, Mr. Riches," Rereworth +then asked; "had you suspected there was anything fraudulent in the +marriage?"</p> + +<p>"Most certainly I would not."</p> + +<p>Griffith and his wife corroborated the evidence of the chaplain, but +were also obliged to admit the popular rumours. The licence for the +marriage, and also Mr. Trevethlan's will were put in evidence, and then +with some other testimony of less consequence, the case for the defence +closed. The plaintiff's counsel rose to reply.</p> + +<p>In the first place, he begged the jury to disabuse their minds of the +imputations which his learned friend had dexterously cast upon some of +the evidence in the case. It was rather strange that he should have to +defend a witness on the other side, but he was sure they would agree +with him, that any indignation on the part of young Sinson would be more +than justified, by conduct such as had been vaguely hinted at by his +grandmother; and would be properly uncontrollable if the family +participated in the popular idea, that the marriage was fraudulent. +Their reasons for concealing such suspicions from the pretended bride's +mother were evident enough. Her strong feeling was alone an explanation. +Then as to Everope, not the least portion of his learned friend's +insinuations had been borne out. Whatever might be that person's +circumstances, he maintained that no slur had been thrown upon the +honesty of his testimony. Now let them look at the presumptions raised +for the defence, and see how easily they could be made to tally with the +truth of the plaintiff's case. First, there was Mr. Trevethlan's request +to his chaplain; why, he would know beforehand, from that gentleman's +character, that he would refuse to perform the ceremony. He ran no risk +in making the demand, and had it been acceded to, it might have been +evaded. Then as to the establishment of Margaret as his wife, it was a +mere matter of course, even if it were but temporary. And with regard to +his recognition of her children, that was the object of the entire +scheme. But it was urged, that he had himself defeated this object. So +men often did. Mr. Trevethlan might have feared to expose his conduct at +the pretended marriage; he might suppose that the disappearance of +Ashton and Wyley would prevent the fraud from being discovered; or he +might even, as had been done here to-day, attempt to prove that the +mock-marriage was valid. The penalty which hung over the real performer +of the ceremony would prevent that person from coming forward. As to the +omission in the will, it was probably the effect of long tranquillity +and habit. True, the inmates of the castle declared their positive +belief in the absence of any deceit; but the jury, and he did not mean +it offensively, would recollect their prejudices, and also that even +they were compelled to allow that the same feeling did not exist outside +the castle walls. Admitting everything that had been proved for the +defence, there was nothing inconsistent with the story related by +Everope, and confirmed they would recollect by Maud Basset's statement +with respect to the ring. And he confidently looked to the jury, not to +allow the mere opinions and presumptions of interested parties to +outweigh the clear and positive declaration of an indifferent stranger.</p> + +<p>Such is a brief narrative of the arguments and evidence adduced on each +side, in a trial which in fact occupied many hours. The judge now +proceeded to sum up the whole for the consideration of the jury. The +court had been densely crowded all day, and the excitement of the +audience ran very high.</p> + +<p>Whatever difficulty, his lordship gravely remarked, there might be in +this case, arose from the deplorable manner in which the late Mr. +Trevethlan had caused his marriage to be solemnised, supposing for a +moment that it was a marriage. He fully agreed with the reverend +witness, Mr. Riches, in entirely condemning such a mode of celebration. +Marriages should be performed in public. But the plaintiff denied that +there had been any marriage at all, and produced an individual, who +swore that not being in holy orders, he took upon himself to read the +matrimonial service from the Prayer-book, and falsely and illegally to +pronounce Henry Trevethlan and Margaret Basset to be man and wife. If +the jury believed that witness, they must return a verdict for the +plaintiff, for it was not pretended that there had been any other +performance of the rite, than that to which this account would apply. On +the other hand, they had heard the evidence adduced to show, that Mr. +Trevethlan had always considered his marriage as valid, and that it had +been likewise so regarded by all who were connected with his family. But +then, again, it would seem that in the neighbourhood a very different +opinion had prevailed. Unquestionably the circumstances were mysterious, +and he could not but imagine that further evidence would be discovered +before very long. With that, however, they had nothing to do. They had +to compare a plain and positive story with a strong presumption, and if +they were unable to disbelieve the former, to return a verdict, as he +had said before, for the plaintiff.</p> + +<p>His lordship then went minutely through the evidence on both sides, not +sparing the character of Everope, who, he remarked, would certainly have +been transported if he had been discovered to have really acted as he +confessed, within a certain time now unfortunately elapsed; and, +finally, he desired the jury to consider their verdict.</p> + +<p>They requested permission to retire; and while they were absent, the +excitement of the audience rose to the highest pitch. There was a +general buzz of conversation. Every one was speculating on the result. +Bets were offered and taken freely. The bar were discussing the judge's +charge, and its tendency. Not a few people moved from their places to +try to obtain another sight of the defendant. None of the claimant's +family were in court. Randolph, perfectly unconscious of the attention +he attracted, sat like a statue. His leading counsel looked anxious, and +Rereworth lent his forehead on his hands, and seemed to pore over his +brief.</p> + +<p>"Silence! order!" proclaimed the return of the jury; and the demand did +not require to be repeated.</p> + +<p>"For the plaintiff," the foreman said, in answer to the question of the +clerk of assize.</p> + +<p>"May we have immediate possession, my lord?" counsel asked.</p> + +<p>The judge shook his head.</p> + +<p>There was a rush from the court. It was all over.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Thou hast it now, King, Cawdor, Glamis, all;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">As the weird women promised; and I fear<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thou play'dst most foully for't: yet it was said,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It should not stand in thy posterity;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But that myself should be the root, and father<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of many kings.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4"><span class="smcap">Shakspeare.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>That there was much talk, and not a little difference of opinion in the +various coteries of Bodmin that night, respecting the issue of the day's +proceedings, needs hardly be told. In such cases the crowd can hardly be +said to follow fortune and hate the fallen. The jury comes from among +it; there is plenty of food for vanity in running down the verdict, and +showing how much more rationally matters would have gone if <i>I</i> had been +one of the twelve. The first gush of popular feeling is generally +against the decision in a doubtful case. So here, if there were plenty +of suspicion attaching to Henry Trevethlan's marriage, there were also +good grounds for discrediting the testimony of Everope. If, on the one +hand, scandalized gossips expressed their horror at such clandestine +unions, on the other, there was a general cry of indignation at the +witness's effrontery. If some people dwelt upon Maud Basset's hints that +her daughter was ill-used, others maintained that the mother could not +have been deceived at the wedding. If the popular rumours were cited in +support of the verdict, they were met by the authority of Polydore +Riches. In short, "there was a great deal to be said on both sides." +People had an opportunity of showing their discernment, and the majority +were apt to flatter their own shrewdness by dissenting from the jury.</p> + +<p>He whom it most concerned, was already far from their councils. Randolph +left the court immediately on hearing the judgment, with the idea that +what had happened was exactly what he had expected, walked hurriedly to +his hotel, and ordered out his chaise. Polydore came up to him, and took +his hand, and besought him to stay, without extracting a single word in +reply. When the chaise drove up, his old pupil merely ejaculated—"I +must take the news to Helen. This is the last night either of us sleeps +in Trevethlan castle,"—sprang into the vehicle, desired to be driven +very fast, and was whirled away, leaving the good chaplain in a state of +utter dismay.</p> + +<p>Mr. Riches had, however, to rouse himself subsequently, to attend a +conference which Winter had arranged for rather a late hour, and at +which the counsel for the defendant and Griffith were to assist. The +result of the meeting was unsatisfactory. The only practical suggestion +was to track Everope's career as closely as possible. It was just within +the bounds of probability that they might be able to overthrow that +remarkable pedestrian tour; or they might light on other facts tending +to elucidate his connection with Michael Sinson; or at least might +further damnify his general character. But it was admitted that to +chance they must look as their best friend. Time or fortune might bring +to knowledge the fate of Mr. Ashton, supposing that he had not been +murdered; or again, the missing Wyley might be discovered. Yet of what +avail could this last contingency prove, since the witness might have +been deceived in the same way as the mother? For the present, there +appeared to be no clue to the maze. If the parties would only quarrel, +there might indeed be an exposure; but they seemed to be too deeply +involved in one another's safety for this event to be at all likely.</p> + +<p>Sinson took very good care, in the disquietude of his suspicious temper, +that his bondman should not be left in the way of temptation. He started +with Everope for London, within a few hours of the termination of the +trial. In that wretched man remorse seemed for a time to be dead. +Hitherto, in the midst of his lowest depravity, he had always +experienced compunctious visitings; he had been always haunted by a +sense of forfeited respectability; and had frequently felt a feeble +desire to reform. But now, although startled for a moment by the +identity of Morton with the defendant, he gladly accepted his position +as irremediable, and was looking eagerly for the reward which should +furnish him with the means of forgetting it.</p> + +<p>But it behoved Michael to keep a strong hold on him for a short time. A +very short time, Sinson thought, in the first flush of his triumph, +would be sufficient. A few days might put him in possession of all his +desires: after that, what became of Everope, or what disclosures he +might choose to make, would be a matter of second-rate consequence. +Michael felt a kind of admiration for his victim, when he remembered how +successfully he had encountered that searching cross-examination. But he +could not allow so much ability to run too loose, and resolved to hold +him in by drawing his purse-strings very tight, until his own game was +perfectly secure.</p> + +<p>That it would soon be so, he did not feel the least doubt. He had been +playing for weeks and weeks; he had kept his eye steadily fixed upon one +event; all his calculations terminated in one result; he had taught +himself completely to ignore all unfavourable chances; supposing he had +any confidants, he would have regarded their suggestion of difficulty as +an insult; he might be thought to fancy that the book of fate lay open +before him, and all he read was his own triumph.</p> + +<p>And his patroness, she who, in the halls of Pendarrel, was pursuing a +line of policy totally at variance with that of her protégé, little +dreaming that what seemed to be her victory was intended to be his, +utterly unconscious of the price about to be demanded for it—how would +she receive the news? Her husband, engaged all day in hearing the +details of petty felonies, was discharged with the rest of his +colleagues at its close, and retired to recreate himself in their +company at a well-served board. There he received the intelligence of +the verdict, and accepted the felicitations of his friends. Thence, +knowing the penalty which would otherwise await him at home, he withdrew +for a little space to indite a despatch for his wife; and then, having +entrusted the missive to a trusty rider, with injunctions to lose no +time on the road, he was able to rejoin his friends before the decanters +had completed their first round.</p> + +<p>So the news was ready for the mistress of Pendarrel by breakfast-time. +In the first flush of exultation she made her daughter a partner in it.</p> + +<p>"Mildred, my love, I give you joy. You are heiress of Trevethlan +Castle."</p> + +<p>But the young lady regarded her mother with a countenance in which there +were no signs of joy, and the for once imprudent parent bit her lip.</p> + +<p>"And my cousins," Mildred said, "are ruined."</p> + +<p>"They are no cousins of yours, child," said her mother, not yet having +regained perfect presence of mind; "nor of any one else. Nor are they +ruined. I shall take good care of that."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Pendarrel would very gladly have recalled the remark which had +excited her daughter's sympathy, in order to convey the information in a +tone of less unqualified satisfaction. But she forgot her wariness in +the pride occasioned by the success of all her long machinations.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"Pendar'l and Trevethlan would own one name."</p></blockquote> + +<p>And that name would be Pendarrel. Nay, more; the name of Trevethlan +would vanish from the earth. The family would sink into oblivion. If he +who had slighted her could rise from his grave, and see the ruin which +had followed his scorn; could see how his towers had passed into the +hands of his foe; how his fame was blighted, and his children +dishonoured; were there not ample satisfaction for all the long misery +his contempt had inflicted? "No!" Esther was compelled to answer, as +that eternal spring of bitter waters burst forth amidst the sweet flood +of revenge. "No, nothing can compensate me for the sorrow which +conscience whispers has been due to my own arrogance; nothing can atone +for the wreck of that happiness, which, but for my own presumption, +might have been mine."</p> + +<p>Reflections like these, however, were soon crushed, and Mrs. Pendarrel +had quite sufficient employment on her hands. Since the night of her +great party, she had been assiduously pressing forward the preparations +for Mildred's marriage. Perfectly heedless of the attitude assumed by +the young lady, she was arranging all the details of the affair with +maternal diligence, and had gone so far as to select the persons who +were to be present at the ceremony. Mr. Truby had been himself to the +Hall to receive final instructions respecting the settlements. Melcomb +was an assiduous visitor, but by no means solicitous for <i>tête-à-têtes</i> +with his intended bride. To him the marriage was become nearly a matter +of life and death. It was true the gossips at Mrs. Pendarrel's party had +somewhat exaggerated his embarrassments; but his creditors were growing +very importunate, and impatiently awaiting the day when the possession +of his wife's fortune would enable him to satisfy their most pressing +demands: a purpose to which he had undertaken it should be devoted. Let +it be rumoured that the match was broken off, and it might not be very +long before Tolpeden Park suffered the outrages alluded to by Mr. +Quitch. So Melcomb disguised whatever inward anxiety he might feel, +under a smooth brow and a smiling face, and evaded his mistress's +repugnance as best he might.</p> + +<p>Mildred's remonstrances had subsided into passive resistance. She was +generally silent and calm. The irksomeness of her situation was greatly +aggravated; but, at the same time, her spirit was sustained by the +memory which she cherished in her heart of the scene under the hawthorns +of the cliff. Trusting that some accident might even yet frustrate her +mother's intentions, she allowed her to proceed without protest, acting +on her sister's advice, to postpone éclat to the latest possible period. +She felt that she had deceived no one, and, if scandal came, it would be +no fault of hers.</p> + +<p>But had Esther been fully aware of all that was fermenting in the young +lady's mind, she would, indeed, have bit her lips hard, rather than let +slip that intimation respecting Trevethlan Castle. The idea of flight +had occurred to the reluctant maiden more than once; coming, however, +only to be dismissed. But if her lover were really ruined, if he to whom +she had plighted herself were an exile from house and home, forlorn and +outcast, then it was not unlikely Mildred might think that her vow as +well as her affection bade her seek him, at once to share and to console +his sorrow.</p> + +<p>So Mrs. Pendarrel's hasty exclamation brought distress and anxiety to +her daughter, and imparted a certain consistency to a notion which had +previously been shadowy as a dream. Mildred wrote a long letter to her +sister, partly lifting the veil from the emotions which agitated her, +and dwelling more strongly than she had ever done before, upon the +disquietude she felt at the mode in which the match was being hurried +forward.</p> + +<p>But it was not from this communication that Mrs. Winston would learn the +result of the law-suit. She was at a party, when she overheard an +allusion to it from a bystander. He was a barrister, who had been +present at the trial, and who, having finished his business at the +assizes, had returned with speed to London. She knew the person he was +conversing with, joined them, and learned all the particulars. She had +before talked the affair over, and was fully aware of the consequences +to the orphans of Trevethlan. She immediately quitted the assembly, went +home, and interrupted her husband in his studies. A brilliant creature +she was, glowing in all the lustre and maturity of thirty summers, and +now adorned with everything that could be imagined to enhance her +beauty. So she swept to Mr. Winston's side, and laid her hand lightly +upon his shoulder. And, with all his love of ease and philosophy, his +indolence and affected apathy, he was really proud of his wife, and +gratified whenever she came to him with a request. So, if there were a +little impatience in his mind, when he looked up from his book into her +face, it vanished immediately in admiration, and was succeeded by +pleasure when he found she had come to consult him.</p> + +<p>"So soon home, Gertrude," he said. "And why? I trust nothing is the +matter."</p> + +<p>She related what she had heard respecting the law-suit.</p> + +<p>"And now," she concluded, "what will become of my unhappy cousins?"</p> + +<p>"I think, my dear," her husband said, after some reflection,—"I think +there could be no harm, considering all the circumstances, there could +be no harm, I imagine, in begging Miss Trevethlan to make our house her +home. I do not believe this verdict will stand. But, at all events, we +might invite Miss Trevethlan to stay with us; at any rate for a time. +She might be as private as she pleased. What do you say, my dear? You +might write to her...."</p> + +<p>He had laid his open volume upon his knee. What he suggested was +precisely what Mrs. Winston desired. So much coldness had attended all +her intercourse with her mother, since their last discussion about +Mildred's marriage, that she took no heed of any objection from that +quarter. She answered her husband by bending down and touching his cheek +with her lips. He thought she had never looked so beautiful before, and +threw away his book.</p> + +<p>That evening was the beginning of a new era in Gertrude's life.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Desdichada fué la hora,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Desdichado fué aquel dia<br /></span> +<span class="i0">En que naci y heredé<br /></span> +<span class="i0">La tau grande senoria;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Pues lo habia de perder<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Todo junto y en un dia.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4"><span class="smcap">Roman. Espan</span>.<br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>Late in the night, or early in the morning that followed the trial at +Bodmin, any watcher at Trevethlan would be startled by the gallop of +horses and the rattle of wheels, as the chaise which bore Randolph to +his lost home dashed round the green of the hamlet. The bell rung loud +at the castle-gate, and old Jeffrey roused himself from his slumbers, +and having looked to the state of his blunderbus, descended leisurely to +learn who sought admission at that untimely hour. His master's voice +impatiently ordered him to open the gate; and, with a wonder that +impeded his duty, he obeyed. Delay again occurred before Randolph +obtained entrance to the great hall; and when he did, the white face +upon which fell the glare of the trembling handmaiden's lamp, might +remind her of those sheeted spectres which were said to glide at that +hour through the desolate corridors. He bade her leave him a light, and +she fled, scared, back to the couch from which she had unwillingly +risen.</p> + +<p>Randolph strode with irregular steps up and down the vaulted hall. +Perhaps, had Griffith been there, the worthy steward would have +remembered the day when his late master paced it in the like manner, +after his furious ride from Pendarrel. He might recollect the same +fierce passion in his eye—the same dark scowl upon his forehead, as +those which now burnt and loured in the face of his son. Nor were it +very easy to say which had sustained the greatest provocation: the +father, led on and enchained in a deep attachment, only to feel himself +the sport of a wayward girl's vanity; or the son, who found the same +girl, now a woman, triumphing in that father's dishonour, and exulting +over the ruin of his house. And that was not all, for the disgrace +descended: the good name, which had been handed down from generation to +generation, almost from beyond the memory of man, with him, +Randolph—what?—was changed into an inheritance of shame. And he too +loved. He loved the child of his destroyer. He had sometimes rejoiced in +the idea of wreaking the vengeance bequeathed to him, by stealing her +from her mother. For she also loved him, and had vowed to be his. And +now;—what was to happen now? Ruin, privation, poverty, he might have +invited her to share, while honour was unstained. But could he ask her +to join the fortunes of one who had not even a name to offer her? The +reputed offspring of fraud and sin? Never, while there remained a shadow +in which calumny might wrap itself—never, while there was a suspicion +upon which envy might pretend to believe the tale related that +day—could he accept the fulfilment of his beloved one's promise.</p> + +<p>And what hope was there? Had he not swept the dark horizon again and +again in search of the faintest ray of light, and failed to discover +any? And if his vision, sharpened by despair, could discover none, whose +could? Had he not listened to every syllable of the foul tale, with the +ears of one who sought a flaw in his death-warrant? And had he been able +to discover any? Then if he were deaf, who could hear?</p> + +<p>And this was the story with which he must greet his sister in the +morning. For delay, dalliance with chance was out of the question. As he +had told Polydore Riches, not another night should the castle find him +beneath its roof. Speedy possession! It had been refused, but they might +take it. He would not remain where his very name seemed to mock him.</p> + +<p>Therefore he and Helen were in fact houseless. Well, they would again +seek their old quarters near the metropolis. They still possessed a few +months' maintenance. Afterwards, let what would happen, it would not +much matter.</p> + +<p>These bitter thoughts occupied Randolph when the grey light of day-break +stole through the lofty casements, and reminded him of the necessity of +repose. He sought his own chamber. The sea lay beneath him, calm and +still, but without its usual tranquillising influence. Dressed as he was +he flung himself upon his bed, and sheer exhaustion brought some fitful +slumber.</p> + +<p>The sun was shining bright into the room, when he finally awoke. His +morning orisons, never neglected, inspired him with something like +resignation. He would not, indeed, remain a day at the castle, but he +would only go to London to be near head-quarters, and avail himself of +the best assistance in unveiling the iniquity by which for a season he +had been defeated. And, animated by this determination, he met his +sister at breakfast with a countenance which told plainly enough what +had happened, but at the same time was not utterly devoid of hope; one, +"wherein appeared, obscure, some glimpse of joy."</p> + +<p>"It is against us, my brother," Helen said, when the repast was over.</p> + +<p>"Ay, Helen," he answered. "We are outcasts upon earth, from our home, +and from our name. There is nothing left us but to say farewell. We may +as well say it immediately. Can you be ready to depart this very day?"</p> + +<p>He saw that his sister's eyes were filled with tears.</p> + +<p>"It is sudden, dearest," he said; "but it is better so. I cannot stay +here, while a taint rests upon my name. We can travel to-day, and what +we want may follow us. And it will not be 'a farewell for ever.'"</p> + +<p>He smiled as he spoke, but he could win no corresponding glance from +Helen. They separated to make the necessary preparations for departure.</p> + +<p>It was not much past noon, when the friends arrived whom Randolph had +left at Bodmin. They united in protesting against the projected journey. +But argument was vain. Randolph had completed his plan. He should go +straight to his old quarters at Hampstead; that is, if he found them +unoccupied; should put himself in close communication with Winter and +his friend Rereworth; and follow up an inquiry into the evidence given +at the trial with untiring energy. If such investigation were +fruitless—but he was not inclined to accept that alternative—he need +hardly say, that not for an hour would he waive his claim to the name of +Trevethlan, and that therefore he had no notion of resuming his old +disguise. He had no objection to Griffith remaining at the castle as +long as the law would permit, but he earnestly pressed the chaplain to +follow him to the metropolis.</p> + +<p>"You will be such a support to my sister, Mr. Riches," he urged. "I +shall be much away from her. Engaged in business; unable to sustain her +in this great change. Do come, my dear sir, and help your old pupils in +their extremity."</p> + +<p>Polydore was not one to resist such an entreaty, and assented. Yet, +perhaps, Randolph might have been prevailed upon at least to defer his +departure, but for an invitation to do so from another quarter. A note +reached the castle from Mrs. Pendarrel, in which that lady expressed her +hope that its present occupants would put themselves to no +inconvenience; that the demand for immediate possession was +unauthorized, and that every accommodation would be granted with +pleasure. This polite missive, it may be presumed, was in partial +fulfilment of the intention Esther expressed to her daughter, of +assisting her adversaries in their fall. But it was too much like that +which she caused her husband to write in the opening of this narrative, +to be received as a favour, and only served to provoke Randolph into a +fresh burst of rage, and make him eager for the vehicle which should +bear them away from all such insults.</p> + +<p>Before it came, however, he could not resist guiding his sister to a +last visit to the haunt of their childhood, Merlin's Cave. And there for +no little space they sat in silence, thinking over the happiness of +by-gone days. The day was even warmer than those which had preceded it, +but it was close and heavy. The sea lay before the orphans, perfectly +smooth, sleeping in its might; and there was no breath of air to waft +aside the lightest bubble it might leave upon the rock; but some round +massive clouds were rising one behind another in the south-western +horizon, which might indicate the coming of a storm.</p> + +<p>"Farewell to Trevethlan!" Randolph said. "Let me hear our old song once +more."</p> + +<p>And Helen sang the ancestral ditty, but with an accent very different +from that she gave it on the eve of their previous journey to the +metropolis.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Farewell to Trevethlan! A farewell for ever!<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Farewell to the towers that stand by the sea!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"Remember, Helen," her brother said, "how you checked me when I told you +your song was of ill omen. And believe me now, when I say that, like +Reginald, we shall live to see a joyful revolution."</p> + +<p>Ill news flies fast. The intelligence of the verdict had spread in the +hamlet, and its immediate effect was exaggerated by the villagers. The +coming departure of their young master and mistress also travelled from +the castle to the green, and added to the excitement. Groups collected +both of sorrowing women and of threatening men. The lapse of time only +increased the numbers and the exasperation of the tenantry. The people +speedily forgot all those rumours concerning their late lord's marriage, +which of old gratified their envy, and which had probably contributed in +no small degree to the result of the trial. They only considered the +event of the day; that the last representative of the family with which +they had been connected for centuries was now to be driven from his +home, by a deserter who had sold himself to a rival house; and many +among them resolved, that if they could prevent it, by right or wrong, +it should not be so that "Pendar'l and Trevethlan should own one name."</p> + +<p>"And so ye were right after all, dame," said farmer Colan to the +landlady of the Trevethlan Arms. "The old saying's come true with a +vengeance. But there's no Miss Mildred in the case."</p> + +<p>"And Madam Pendarrel's not come to Trevethlan yet, farmer," was the +answer. "And there's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip."</p> + +<p>"There's like to be a slip here," cried a voice in the crowd, "such as +she little knows."</p> + +<p>"It's a curious sort of day for the season," said Breage. "So warm and +heavy. I should say there was some prognostication in the air."</p> + +<p>"Ay, there'll be a storm before long, I reckon, neighbours," said +Germoe.</p> + +<p>"Faith, then, there will," muttered another speaker; "and a storm some +people don't expect."</p> + +<p>"There always is a storm," observed the general merchant, "along with +misfortune at the castle. It comes as a token."</p> + +<p>"Then it comes too late," quoth Mrs. Miniver. "It is after the +misfortune this time. Who knows what came of Michael Sinson?"</p> + +<p>A low groan ran through the throng, and filled the eyes of Mercy Page +with tears.</p> + +<p>"What'll his old grandame say," asked farmer Colan, "when she +understands the rights of the matter?"</p> + +<p>"She never will understand," answered the hostess. "She'll close her +ears, and say it is all along of squire Randolph. Don't ye mind how she +met him at the late master's burying? And how she says that her Margaret +was murdered?"</p> + +<p>"'T is a strange thing," remarked the village tailor, "that nothing ever +turned up about the parson's murder."</p> + +<p>"He never was murdered," said Breage; "if he had, there'd have been a +sign. I don't believe as he was murdered."</p> + +<p>The appearance of an empty carriage, winding its way round the green, +put an end to these gossiping speculations, and concentrated the +scattered groups of rustics into one compact crowd about the gate +leading into the base-court of the castle. A moody silence succeeded to +the previous animation, and all eyes followed the vehicle up the ascent, +until it vanished from sight through the arched portal. Even the +mirthful Mrs. Miniver then became serious for once, and waited among her +neighbours in rueful anxiety for the re-appearance of the carriage.</p> + +<p>We pass lightly over the adieux within the inner court. Polydore Riches, +having resigned himself to what was inevitable, made them as brief as +possible. Randolph had steeled his heart against any display of feeling, +and Helen endeavoured to imitate her brother's fortitude. The steward +found comfort in hope; but his wife could not restrain her sorrow at +such a parting, and retired to the picture-gallery to try to forget the +present disaster, in calling to mind the past glories of the family to +which she was so deeply attached. Old Jeffrey flung open the gates, and +dashed a tear surlily from his eye as the carriage passed under the +arch. But when the family flag was seen slowly and lingeringly to +descend from its high place, a wailing cry arose from the crowd upon the +green, which made Randolph's heart swell in his breast, and brought the +tears she had resolved not to shed into Helen's eyes.</p> + +<p>The carriage soon reached the bottom of the descent. The people thronged +to the gate, and pressed against it, and loudly declared that it should +not be opened. Not so would they allow their young master and mistress +to be taken from them. There was considerable confusion, and cries were +uttered expressive of the villagers' determination. The driver, +perplexed, looked round for instructions. The situation was becoming +embarrassing.</p> + +<p>"We will bid our friends farewell on foot, Helen," her brother +whispered, "and thank them for their good-will."</p> + +<p>And, so saying, he threw open his door of the carriage, sprang out, +lowered the steps himself, and assisted his sister to alight. She leant +upon his arm, and they advanced to meet the crowd, which divided before +them with great respect. Shaking hands very cordially with those who +were nearest them, and expressing confident hopes that their absence +would not be long, they made their way across the green, while the +carriage proceeded by the road. But the people soon divined their +intention, and closed upon their path, and endeavoured to delay their +progress, clasping their hands, and pouring benedictions upon their +heads. It was a more trying leave-taking than that within the castle. +But at length, after many and many a salute, they reached the end of the +village, re-ascended their carriage amid renewed effusions of +attachment, and were borne rapidly from the sight of their sorrowing +adherents.</p> + +<p>Sorrow, however, was not the only emotion excited by their departure. +Not a few imprecations, fiercely directed against the house that had +disinherited them, arose among their dependents as the carriage finally +disappeared.</p> + +<h3>END OF VOLUME II.</h3> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Trevethlan: (Vol 2 of 3), by William Davy Watson + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TREVETHLAN: (VOL 2 OF 3) *** + +***** This file should be named 36107-h.htm or 36107-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/6/1/0/36107/ + +Produced by Chris Curnow, 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) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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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: Trevethlan: (Vol 2 of 3) + A Cornish Story. + +Author: William Davy Watson + +Release Date: May 14, 2011 [EBook #36107] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TREVETHLAN: (VOL 2 OF 3) *** + + + + +Produced by Chris Curnow, 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) + + + + + + + + + + TREVETHLAN: + + A Cornish Story. + + BY WILLIAM DAVY WATSON, ESQ. + + BARRISTER-AT-LAW. + + + IN THREE VOLUMES. + VOL. II. + + LONDON: + SMITH, ELDER AND CO., 65, CORNHILL. + 1848. + + London: + Printed by STEWART and MURRAY, + Old Bailey. + + + + +TREVETHLAN. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + Pur' e soave cosa, a chi del tutto + Non e privo di senso, il patrio nido: + Che die Natura al nascimento umano, + Verso il caro paese, ov' altri e nato, + Un non so che di non inteso affetto, + Che sempre vive, e non invecchia mai. + + Guarini. + + +Once more we stand on the shore of Mount's Bay. Far behind we have left +the whirl and tumult of the metropolis, and we hear only the hoarse roar +of the surges, driven by the last winds of January to beat against the +granite at our feet. When last we looked over the same waters, the +yellow leaves were falling from the trees, and the little waves rippled +musically upon the rock, while the voice of mourning was heard in our +halls. Yet if the year was declining, there was beauty in the decay; if +the season was sad, there was hope amidst the sorrow. We return to find +the fields desolate, and the sea tempestuous, and our house still +forlorn. The face of nature is gloomy and cold, and hope has vanished +from our fireside. + +Such might be among the first reflections of the orphans of Trevethlan, +as they gazed from the windows of the castle over the well-known +landscape. They had come home, not as children from school to holiday, +exulting in freedom and buoyant with hope, to exchange coercion for +caresses; nor as older pupils, having learnt the value of time, merely +to modify the routine of occupation, and gladden parental affection with +their progress and prudence; nor yet as those who, having entered on the +labour of life, know that the bow must not always be bent, and rejoice +to seek relaxation around the hearth where they were nursed. Far deeper +than any of these were the emotions of the sister, and dark and stern +were the thoughts of the brother. + +Helen's letter had fallen upon Polydore like a thunderbolt. She had, +indeed, in previous communications somewhat ruffled his serenity by +indistinct references to the new solicitude she detected in Randolph; +but the worthy chaplain readily explained all similar hints by the +novelty of his old pupil's situation. "He will become used to it before +long, Mr. Griffith," Polydore would say, when the steward ventured to +remind him of their difference of opinion respecting the orphans' +scheme. "'Tis only the roughness of a first meeting with the world. The +points will be soon rubbed smooth. There's a great difference between +the Temple and Trevethlan Castle." In reply to which sort of remark, +Griffith could only shrug his shoulders, and hope it might all turn out +well in the end. + +So when the missive arrived, in which Helen announced that her brother +had proclaimed their real name, and abandoned his career, and that they +should follow the letter without delay, Polydore was struck with sudden +consternation. The steward was too delicate to show that he felt no +similar surprise in the chaplain's presence, but to his wife he avowed +that he was not in the least astonished. "A Trevethlan conceal his +name!" he exclaimed. "It's not in the blood. No, Charlotte Griffith; if +we are poor, we are also proud. The secret would be always on the tip of +his tongue. Why, suppose he quarrelled? Not unlikely, I can tell you, in +one of our house. D'ye think, Mrs. Griffith, Randolph Trevethlan would +go out as Mr. Morton? Pooh! pooh!" + +Mrs. Griffith rather shuddered at the idea, but she remembered sundry +anecdotes of the picture gallery which forbade her to impeach the +justice of her husband's position. Whatever were the cause of the +return, she rejoiced at the effect, and spread the same feeling among +all the little household, by her orders to prepare for the reception of +her young master and mistress. + +So they came. It was early in the afternoon when their chaise rattled +round the green of the hamlet; but a cold sleet drove along upon the +wind, and kept the villagers within doors. The folk hurried to their +windows only in time to see that the carriage had passed, but the +extreme rarity of such a visitation drew forth a few of the curious to +gaze after the chaise, as it wound more slowly up the ascent of the +base-court. Randolph lay back in his corner, gloomy and foreboding; but +Helen leant forward to catch the first glimpse of an old familiar face. +And Jeffrey was duly on the watch; he caught sight of the carriage as it +began the ascent; he soon recognized his young lady's face at the +window; the gates flew open under his hand; before the travellers had +alighted at the hall-door, he had run the old flag to the top of its +staff, and a faint cheer from the hamlet greeted the appearance of the +well-known signal. The orphans were at home. + +Anxieties and forebodings vanished for a season in the warmth of +welcome. The time for questions and explanations was not arrived. +Everything seemed in exactly the same order as when the brother and +sister left; and were it not for the difference of the seasons--were it +not that a fire crackled cheerfully in the great chimney, and that +patches of snow lay on the bed of mignionette, they might have supposed +a night only had elapsed since their departure. But the change in +themselves told that the interval had been fraught with momentous +consequences for each of them. + +When the first hurry of congratulation was over, Helen retired for some +confidential talk with Mrs. Griffith, and her brother accompanied the +chaplain in a walk round the castle. Yes, every thing remained exactly +as it was. In the library, even the volume which Randolph was reading +with his instructor, "Cicero on the Art of Divination," remained on the +table, as if closed but yesterday, and the subject brought a passing +cloud upon his brow. The portraits in the picture-gallery showed the +recent care of Mrs. Griffith. + +"My mother's likeness is not here, Mr. Riches?" Randolph said abruptly, +as they passed along. + +The chaplain, greatly surprised, shook his head in silence. + +They ascended to the battlements, and faced the inclemency of the +weather. The ancient pieces of ordnance showed signs of that diligence +on the part of old Jeffrey, to which Polydore had alluded in a recent +letter to Hampstead. More dangerous they, perchance, to the defender +than the foe. + +"Is there really so much alarm in the country, my dear sir?" Randolph +asked. "Are our good Jeffrey's perilous precautions in any way +warranted?" + +"_It fama per urbes_--you know the rest," the chaplain answered. "We +will speak of it by and by." + +They descended to the court-yard. If the castle was unchanged, its +scanty retainers were as little altered. At the great gateway Randolph +found Jeffrey pacing up and down under the arch in demi-military style, +while an old-fashioned brass blunderbuss rested against the wall. + +"God bless you! Master Randolph," said the old man, taking the offered +hand between both of his; "and welcome back. And thanks be to Him, that +if so be these walls must fall to the riff-raff from Castle Dinas, why, +fall they will around a Trevethlan. But the day shall not come, +while"--he caught up his piece, and suddenly discharged it in the +air--"the evening gun, Master Randolph. A little too soon, and not like +that as was fired in the old time. But it just serves maybe to frighten +the rascals, and let 'em know old Jeffrey is awake." + +Randolph thanked the trusty warder for his zeal, and expressed a hope +that his forebodings might not be realized; but the sentry shook his +head dolefully, and reloaded his gun, saying, "Ye might as well just +keep your pistols handy, Master Randolph." + +Already, even in this short perambulation, the chaplain was greatly +struck by the change which he observed in his former pupil. The +stripling, meditative and gentle, had become a man, haughty and +impassioned. The disposition, of old plastic as wax, was now at once +obstinate and capricious. The change was marked in the imperiousness of +Randolph's bearing, in the curl of his lip, and the abruptness of his +speech. There was no want of his former respect or affection; but it was +plain that henceforth he acted on his own impulse, and was not to be +swayed by those who might surround him. "Is it for good or for evil?" +the chaplain asked himself, when Randolph parted from him to descend to +the beach, and intimated that he wished to be alone. "Pray Heaven for +good, or surely my life has been wasted." + +It was becoming dusky. The sleet had passed over, and the sky was +cloudless; but the blast still whistled along the sea, and brought great +waves to break on the well-known promontory of rock. Randolph stood on +the point, heedless of the wind and spray, and gave vent to the emotions +which were struggling within his bosom. + +"For what am I here?" he said. "Why have I come to my home? To bury +myself amidst these gray walls, and watch the gradual ebbing of all the +springs of existence? To die in sullen desolation, and find a lonely +grave in yonder churchyard? Hope it not, Esther Pendarrel. Not so easily +quenched is the fire within me: it may ravage all around it, but it will +not smoulder away, consuming only myself. But I must be alone. My sweet +sister must not be scathed by my waywardness. She will rest here, while +I go forth to achieve the one purpose of my heart. Our scheme has broken +to pieces, but my pledge remains. Alas, that my father should bind me by +so fatal an undertaking! Yet, if Esther loved--if Esther loved---- + +"And thou, too, whom I never knew, of whom no trace remains in my +memory, my mother! Would that thou hadst not been summoned hence so +soon! Would that I had felt thy softening influence, and he learnt of +thee to be merciful! Why have I thought of thee so often of late? Why +has that veiled shape glided through my dreams? Wilt thou not reveal +thyself to thy son? Visit me, oh my mother! fling aside the veil that +hides thy face, and be a light to my soul in the darkness that surrounds +it." + +The muser dwelt long on this invocation, pacing to and fro on the narrow +strip of rock. It was the first time he had given expression to an idea +which for some while had been lurking among his thoughts. At last he +looked round the sky, and saw the mild radiance of the evening star. + +"Beautiful planet!" he said, "which fancy chose for the arbiter of my +fate, is _she_ also beholding thee? Smile upon her, fair planet, and +remind her of me. Teach her to think of me, even as thou hast taught me +to remember her." + +Tranquillized by the reflection, Randolph returned through the deepening +twilight to the castle, and joined his sister and the chaplain in a +small parlour, occupying a turret that overlooked the sea. It was a +favourite room. There, in the evening, Polydore described at some length +the state of the adjacent country. "Discontent," he said, "was very +general; not only among the miners, who thought they did not earn a just +share of their labour's produce, but also among the agricultural +population, who complained that wages were too low in proportion to the +price of provisions. And social dissatisfaction had partly assumed the +aspect of political disaffection. Agitators, strangers to the district, +were said to have gone about among the people. Minor outrages had not +been very rare, and expressions had been reported nearly equivalent to +the 'Guerre aux Chateaux' of the great French Revolution. Musters of men +in military array were said to have been held on the moorlands. Rumours +flew about of the landing of arms on different parts of the coast. But +all," Polydore concluded, "is vague and shadowy. I believe there is +great exaggeration abroad. Positive, however, it is, that a patrol of +cavalry occasionally dashes at speed by a lonely cottage, and that the +coast-guard display unwonted activity. Behold the confirmation of my +words!" + +For while they were being uttered, his hearers might see a long line of +fire rise into the air from the shore of the bay near Mousehole, +denoting the flight of a rocket. + +"That is the way they amuse us almost every night," continued the +chaplain. "'Tis too dark, I suppose, to see anything afloat. Let us put +the candles in the shade, and look." + +So said, so done. Fruitlessly, for they could discover nothing on the +dark waters. But while they were gazing across the bay, a faint, rushing +sound fell on their ear, above the noise of the sea; and, turning +hastily, they perceived the last sparks of a second rocket, which had +been fired from their own coast. + +"Yes, that is the way," Polydore repeated. "Of old, the folks would just +have wished the smuggler luck, and perhaps turned out in hope to run a +keg or so; but they seem to think there's more in these signals now." + +"And you feel no alarm yourself, my dear sir?" Helen inquired. + +"None, Helen," replied the chaplain. "I may be mistaken, but I do not +expect to see Jeffrey's blunderbuss brought into action; and I have a +trust which never yet proved wanting." + +So saying, Polydore rang the bell, a summons which speedily assembled +all the household for family prayer, according to old usage; and when +the rite was over, the members sought their respective resting-places, +and silence reigned in the castle. + +But Randolph could not sleep. Throwing a cloak around him, and shading +his lamp with his hand, he proceeded with the stealthy step of one who +dreads he knows not what, along the desolate corridors to the state +apartments. Through their faded grandeur he wandered on, until he +reached the great chamber which was the scene of his father's death. He +placed his light so that only a faint glimmer fell upon the bed, and +leant against one of the pillars, and resumed his reverie of the +afternoon with such vividness of imagination, that he fancied he again +beheld the bright eyes of the dying man, and heard the injunctions which +seemed now to separate him from what he held dearest upon earth. But his +reverie had not terminated with those gloomy forebodings, nor did his +dream. A frail and slender form, veiled in gossamer-like drapery, bent +dimly over the couch for a short space and floated away, beckoning him +to follow. It rested a moment in the doorway, for he had only obeyed the +sign with his eyes. But when he hastily seized the lamp, it flitted fast +before him, fading and fading away, until it disappeared entirely as he +crossed the threshold of his own chamber. He flung himself on his bed, +and closed his eyes for sleep; and as the last gleam of consciousness +vanished, a face which he appeared to have known in days long past, meek +and lovely,--that of a woman, in her morning of beauty,--bent down upon +his, and kissed his lips. + +The kiss seemed yet fresh upon them when he woke, and found the sun +shining gaily into the apartment. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + The intelligible forms of ancient poets, + The fair humanities of old religion, + The Power, the Beauty, and the Majesty, + That had their haunts in dale, or piny mountain, + Or forest by slow stream, or pebbly spring, + Or chasms and watery depths--all these have vanished. + They live no longer in the faith of reason. + + Coleridge. _Piccolomini._ + + +The hamlet of Trevethlan nestled snugly under the slope, at the summit +of which stood the castle, and was screened by the rising ground from +the sea breezes. It surrounded a green of limited extent, which was only +separated from the base-court by the gate Michael Sinson opened for Mrs. +Pendarrel's carriage, when that lady was returning from her frustrated +attack. On the right, a small wicket led into the churchyard, so full of +trees that, except at the present season, the church itself could +scarcely be seen. This was a plain edifice, with no pretensions to +beauty, deriving all its picturesqueness from the ivy with which it was +overgrown. Opposite to it, across the green, a beam projecting from the +front of an old-fashioned house, supported the escutcheon of the lords +of the village, and, by its inscription, promised good entertainment to +man and beast. But the inn had shared the fortunes of the castle: the +windows of the wings, which advanced with scalloped gables beyond the +centre, were blocked up with boards, and the middle part only appeared +to be now occupied. But Dame Miniver, the hostess, had inherited the +savings of more prosperous days. She was a trim, bustling widow woman, +tidy and rosy, notable and talkative, whose only sighs were divided +between the good-man who slept on the other side of the green, and the +splendour which had departed from the castle on the cliff. She never +fretted because her stables now held none but a few farm horses, nor +because there were no longer any swaggering lackeys to come and crack a +bottle of the port, some of which might still be slumbering in her +cellars. She would hardly have been a Cornish woman if she did not know +how to exchange a wink with the good fellow who had a keg of hollands or +brandy to dispose of; and it pleased her mightily to treat a revenue man +with a drop of the spirits that had been run under his very nose. + +The other habitations surrounding the green were of various sizes, some +with small gardens in front, some neat, and some neglected,--almost all +thatched and whitewashed. A sleepy, listless air hung about the place. A +stranger wandering accidentally into it, would feel at once that it had +known better days; the children might seem to play with less liveliness +than usual, and the very geese to waddle over the grass with a lazy +gait. He would fancy the gossips at the cottage doors to be inanimate in +their chat, and might himself be yielding to a sense of drowsiness, when +the sight of Dame Miniver, in her neat brown silk gown, and snow-white +apron, looking complacently at the visitor, with an inviting smile that +was irresistible, would recall his fleeting spirits, and guide his steps +to the friendly shelter of the Trevethlan Arms. + +The late owner of the castle, it has already been said, was extremely +unpopular with his tenantry, for some time both before and after his +marriage. Proud themselves of the family upon which they had depended +beyond the memory of man, they hated to see it stripped, acre by acre, +of its broad lands, and so impoverished as to be unable to afford them +the old advantages. Remembering the current prophecy, they loathed a +match which seemed to harbinger its fulfilment, and at the same time +rendered it next to impossible for Pendarrel to come to Trevethlan, +although the reverse might happen on several contingencies. But after +the death of poor Margaret, and when an infant son and daughter stood in +the way of any such consummation, and their lord came often among them, +haughty indeed, but not unkind; poor, but still generous; and they could +not avoid seeing the melancholy written in his face, and recollected his +reported courtship, years before, of Esther Pendarrel, and thought of +the kinsman who had sold his name; their animosity gradually melted into +compassion, and a deep and sullen hatred grew up among them against the +house of Pendarrel and everything connected with it. + +The discontent now pervading the country had not spared Trevethlan. It +was true, that if the sentiment--war to the mansions--were diffused at +all in the village, it had no reference to the castle. There was not a +man on the estate but was ready to die in defence of the towers on the +cliff. But other feelings might be entertained towards some of their +neighbours. Hitherto they had exhausted their animosity in conflicts +arising at wrestling-matches and country fairs, but now there were +symptoms discoverable of more dangerous hostilities. + +And the movement was encouraged by the absence of the young master. The +villagers regretted, without blaming, a departure which was intended, +they hoped, in some way or other, to restore prosperity to the family. +But it removed a check which might have soothed their exasperation. And +in like manner the return of the orphans would probably turn aside any +ideas of immediate violence, if such had really gained any footing in +the hamlet. + +On the evening of their arrival, some of the notables met to discuss +things in general, around the fire in Dame Miniver's hall. There were +farmer Colan, and Germoe the tailor of the hamlet, and Breage whose wife +kept the shop where everything was sold, and, among divers others, +Edward Owen, Sinson's unsuccessful rival for the affections of pretty +Mercy Page. Owen, formerly one of the best-conducted men in the hamlet, +was now sulky and perverse, and Mercy had obtained no slight odium by +her too great fidelity to one who was regarded as a deserter. She little +thought her old lover had been lately in the neighbourhood, and she was +even now meditating an excursion to inquire after him, in one of those +mysterious modes, which were yet resorted to occasionally by the lovers +of the far-west. + +"A health to our squire!" cried Colan, filling a cup of cyder, "and to +our bonny young lady, and welcome back to Trevethlan." + +"Faith," said Owen, "they're not come back to do much good to +Trevethlan, I reckon. There's none of the fortune come with 'em as folks +used to talk about, or they'd never ha' gone through the town with a +rubbishy old chay from Helston." + +"Small blame to Squire Randolph," observed Germoe, "that he don't throw +away the little he's left, like our poor master before him. And, for my +part, I'd rather have him among us, poor though he may be, than away +nobody knows where. + + 'The place is bare, when the lord's not there.' + +There'll be more smiles in Trevethlan than there's been this many a +day." + +"Then there's not much to smile about," Owen replied; "and the best +maybe the squire could do, were to take back some of that's been stolen +from him. There's many a lad ready to strike a blow for Trevethlan." + +"Wild talk, Edward," said Breage; "wild talk, and nothing but it. We +live by the law now-a-days." + +"And there's a pleasanter way," observed Dame Miniver. "Miss Mildred of +Pendar'l 's as pretty a lady as ever stepped, and she might bring the +squire all his land again, and fulfil the saying quite agreeable, + + 'Pendar'l and Trevethlan will own one name.'" + +"There's too much ill blood atween the houses," Colan said. "A deal too +much. Didn't the lady of Pendar'l turn the late squire away? And didn't +our young master send her back from his gate with a flea in her ear? +Don't ye recollect how Jeffrey chuckled about it? The young folks have +ne'er seen one another, Mrs. Miniver." + +"How d'ye know?" the hostess asked. "And trust me, if meet they did, +there'd meet a couple predestinated to fall in love. In all the old +tales that ever I read, the true gentleman falls in love with the wrong +lady. But, of course, they must meet, or they haven't the chance, and +somehow they always do meet." + +"Well," said Germoe, "I'll wager the day ne'er dawns that sees that +match. The saying'll not hold good in our time--mark my words." + +"There's a deal of wisdom in those old sayings," quoth Mistress Miniver. +"Ay, and in others too. Mind ye not how old Maud Basset foretold a +fortune for her child, and the gipsy crossed it, and both came out as +true as gospel? Those sayings are not to be looked down upon, Master +Germoe." + +"If ever that saying comes true in my time," muttered Owen, "and not on +our side, there'll be a tale told of Pendar'l--that's all I know." + +But the remark excited no attention, and from such predictions the +company slid by degrees into the kindred and fascinating subject of +preternatural visitations, a wide field in that remote district of the +west; and they drew their seats closer round the fire, and dropped their +voices, until they almost frightened one another into a reluctance to +separate on their different ways homeward. + +They would, perhaps, have expressed themselves in a more discontented +manner, if they had known the intention with which Randolph sought the +home of his fathers: he has himself obscurely intimated it, in his +soliloquy by the sea. To persuade his sister to remain in those old +halls, under the guardianship of Polydore Riches; to return himself to +London, to obtain, in spite of all obstacles, an interview with Mildred +Pendarrel; to extract from her the confession which he was convinced she +was ready to make; to exchange mutual vows; to look round the world for +the path which he might cut to honour and fortune; to return and claim +his bride, who by that time would be her own mistress--such was the +scheme upon which he was at present resolved. It was a wild outline, and +he did not trouble himself to fill up the details. Young and ardent, he +looked straight to the summit of his ambition, and recked nothing of the +ravines which separated the various intervening ridges. + +But with all his determination he hesitated to disclose his idea to +Helen. He felt that to her he was everything. Until quite recently they +had always shared one another's thoughts. He trembled at the anguish he +should inflict by such a separation. And so he deferred the confidence +from time to time, persuading himself that it would best be made on the +very eve of his departure, until this was indefinitely postponed by +intelligence that Pendarrel Hall was being prepared for the immediate +reception of its mistress. + +In the meanwhile his sister and he renewed their former acquaintance +with the good folks of the hamlet, and to external appearance resumed +the way in which they had lived before the late Mr. Trevethlan's death. +It was a quiet, dreamy sort of life, of which a faint sketch was given +in the outset of this narrative. They were born in a land of romance; +the whole region was classic ground. From King Arthur's castle of +Tintagel in the north-east, to Merlin's stone in Mount's Bay, respecting +which an old prophecy-- + + "There shall land on the stone Merlyn + Those shall burn Paul's, Penzance, and Newlyn," + +was said to be fulfilled by some stragglers from the Spanish Armada, +every field might be supposed the scene of some chivalrous exploit, or +magical enchantment, or superstitious sacrifice. There dwelt the last of +the British druids: their strange monuments were still standing on the +wild moors and in the cultivated domains, on the desolate carns and +among the crags of the sea-shore. Such was the oracular stone at Castle +Trereen,--at that time not forced from its resting-place by sacrilegious +hands, and requiring no chain to keep it from _logging_ too far. Such +was Lanyon Quoit, a cromlech on the moorland beyond Madron, and not very +far from the battle-field, where the Saxon Athelstan finally defeated +the Britons, and drove them to perish of hunger in the caves of Pendeen. +The curious stranger still marks their strong fortresses, Castle Chun +and Castle Dinas, occupying the highest ground between Mount's Bay and +the Irish Sea; he may read the name of their chieftain, Rialobran, on +his tombstone, Men Skryfa, now prostrate among the herbage; and he may +note the sanguinary nature of the struggle, in the title which it gained +for the Land's End, of Penvonlas, or the Headland of Blood. + +And, again, the customs of the country still kept alive some faint +memorials of those heathen times, and of the accommodating spirit of the +earliest Christian missionaries. To such an origin is ascribed the +salutation of the orchards at Christmas, already referred to: the +mistletoe of the apple was not so sacred as that of the oak, but neither +was it despicable. And the bonfires of St. John's Eve were said to tell +of the days when the cromlechs of Cam Brey were surrounded by a mystic +grove, and the officiating priests hurried their human victims through +purifying flames to the blood-stained altar. + +Nor was the land less indebted for romantic associations to those +fabulous historians, who peopled Britain with royalty, beauty, chivalry, +and faery, and assigned to Cornwall the honour of producing the renowned +Sir Tristan. Not a few hours were whiled away at Trevethlan Castle in +discoursing of their marvellous adventures, their strange wandering +towns of Camelot and Caerleon, and the general phantasmagoric character +of their narratives. They plotted out the kingdom in an imaginary map, +and whatever scenery they required, they regarded as existing and well +known. Did they want a lake, from whence should issue a hand bearing a +magic sword, they troubled not themselves with any mention of its +landmarks: a forest perilous arose wherever they willed: a bridge to be +defended, and therefore a stream, was always ready in the champion's +path: you were introduced to a fountain as if you had drunk at it all +your life. Undoubting faith in their own story was one of their most +powerful fascinations: it transferred itself to their hearers, and a +tale, which modern exactness would make incoherent and incredible, +became credible from its very indistinctness. The Round Table romances +present us with a fantastic Britain, which we may conceive to be still +in being, like the paradise of Irem in the desert of Aden, and which the +second-sight of imagination may yet conjure up in all its pristine +glory. + +Many of those old tomes, quartos and folios, whose florid binding +attested their high estimation by early possessors, enriched the shelves +of the castle library; and few of its proprietors were deterred from +exploring their contents, by the mystic black-letter and antiquated +French in which the stories were told. Under Polydore's guidance, +Randolph and Helen had become acquainted with much of this legendary +lore; and even their father sometimes deigned to take part in a +conversation arising out of it. + +But it was in vain now that Helen, in the hope of chasing away the cloud +which hung continually upon her brother's brow, strove to recall his +attention to these studies of the old time. The down had been brushed +from the butterfly's wing. She strolled with him along the beach, and +she sat with him in Merlin's Cave, in spite of the wintry weather; but +it was impossible to bring back the mood in which he listened to +"Trevethlan's farewell," on the eve of their departure for London. He +was fond of roaming through the desolate state rooms, rapt in deep +meditation, and only roused when the wind, rushing through some crevice, +waved the tapestry of the walls with a rustling sound, and made the dim +figures portrayed upon it seem for a moment endued with life. Sometimes +he would be found in the picture-gallery, gazing earnestly on the +portrait of his father, and seeming, by the expression of his +countenance, eager to evoke from the mimic lips an answer to some +question which was struggling in his breast. His old teacher noted his +moodiness with anxiety, but in silence, and made no attempt to forestall +the explanation, which he felt sure must come of itself before long. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + The heart, surrendered to the ruling power + Of some ungoverned passion every hour, + Finds, by degrees, the truths that once bore sway + And all their deep impression wear away: + So coin grows smooth in traffic current passed, + Till Caesar's image is effaced at last. + + Cowper. + + +The mistress of Pendarrel Hall never visited it without experiencing a +renewal of many an ancient spring of grief. There were not a few spots +in the park, sequestered from the more frequented paths, which she could +not look upon without bitter regret, yet which she was always sure to +explore within a few days of her arrival, so much of pensive pleasure +mingled with the pain. But the influence of such reminiscences was of +short duration, and the temporary weakness was soon succeeded by that +permanent animosity to the owners of Trevethlan Castle, which had become +the ruling passion of her life. She would climb an eminence in the +neighbourhood, from which the old gray towers were visible, and think, +with fresh exasperation, of the obstinacy or the pride which still +detained them from her grasp. + +But now she came to her home, with a fond belief that the enemy was at +last delivered into her hand. Previously, there seemed no limit to the +contention. Now, a few weeks must decide it. Michael Sinson had returned +to town before the departure of his patroness, had matured his plans, +had obtained her sanction to carrying them out, and had been introduced +by her husband to his highly-respected solicitor, Mr. Truby. That +gentleman could only assure his client, after a careful perusal of +Sinson's statement, that, if it did not break down in court, there could +be no doubt whatever that Mr. Randolph Trevethlan would be held to be an +intruder upon the castle property, and that immediate possession would +be given to him, Mr. Trevethlan Pendarrel. And, as Michael vouched for +the perfect soundness of his evidence, Mr. Truby received directions to +commence proceedings forthwith. "Let the suit be pressed forward," Mrs. +Pendarrel said, "with the utmost possible despatch." + +That matter settled, she left London with her daughter; her husband +gladly making his official duties a plea for remaining in May Fair. Yet +Esther was not altogether at her ease. Plain and straightforward as was +Sinson's story, and completely as it destroyed the validity of the late +Mr. Trevethlan's marriage, she still suspected there was some unseen +flaw. She often thought of Mr. Truby's qualification--if the case did +not break down in court. Who was this very important witness that Sinson +had so opportunely discovered? And then, as the notion of fraud stole +into her mind, she asked herself, what would be the motive; with what +object could Sinson have devised his scheme? And again she questioned +herself, with some alarm, as to the extent to which she had authorized +the proceedings of her protege. She had communicated with him once or +twice by letter. And the uneasiness expressed in these reflections was +somewhat increased by Michael's recent demeanour. He wore a look of +intelligence, and assumed an air of importance, seeming to discover a +consciousness of some hidden power. A sense of superiority appeared to +mingle with his fawning subserviency, such as might mark the carriage of +Luke in Massinger's play. But Mrs. Pendarrel soon wrapped herself in her +pride, and forgot all her suspicions. + +To be sure, that pride rather revolted from the mode of proceeding. An +action-at-law was but a bad substitute for a raid of the olden time. The +bailiff with a slip of parchment was an indifferent representative of a +"plump of spears." The court was but a poor arena, compared to the +lists. But for this there was no help. The inconvenient civilization of +modern times precluded a resort to that picturesque method of settling +the question. And Mrs. Pendarrel owned to herself that her husband was +but ill-qualified to head a foray. She recollected the pretences by +which he had obtained her hand, and confessed that he would cut a bitter +figure in "Doe on the demise of Pendarrel against Trevethlan," than in a +cartel of mortal defiance. + +Yet had she good cause to tremble. She had only discerned one-half of +Sinson's character, his malice against the Trevethlans. She employed him +in a manner which gratified that feeling, and she supposed her pecuniary +favours were sufficient to make him her own. But he was far from being a +slave, like an eastern mute, or a messenger of the Vehm-Gericht, who +would answer in humble submission, "to hear is to obey:" he had his own +game to play beside that of his mistress, and well would it be for her +if she did not lose more than she won by his cunning finesse. + +His disposition had been nourished by his whole life. His early years +were spent in the most abject servility. He fawned upon his young +cousin, the heir of Trevethlan, like a spaniel. To obtain his +partiality, and to be admitted to his society, he was ready to lick the +dust under his feet. And at the same time he thought, or was persuaded +by his grandmother, that the ties of blood made such distinction a +matter of right rather than of favour. So very early in life he acquired +ideas much above his real station, and pined for a position for which he +was not born. + +When Randolph's father ejected the young rustic from the castle, this +aspiring ambition seemed to be nipped in the bud. The disappointment was +very severe, and his fanatical grandmother changed it into hatred. +Having been urgent in inducing her daughter to accept the offered +elevation, she heard of the treatment portrayed in poor Margaret's +fading cheek with wrath, and regarded her death as a murder to be +avenged. So she trained Michael as the instrument of retribution, and +made his personal spite the basis of a deep-rooted animosity against all +the house of Trevethlan. + +With such feelings he presented himself to Mrs. Pendarrel, and was +received into her service. And well pleased he was to find that his +first duties implied more or less of hostility towards his former +playmate. He entered upon the task with a zeal inspired by hatred. The +departure of the orphans from their home seemed to deprive him of his +occupation, but in fact widened its sphere. The summons to London +extended the bounds of the young peasant's ambition. He had profited +well by the early instructions of Polydore Riches; he was of good +figure, with a handsome, if unprepossessing face; a short residence in +the metropolis changed his rusticity into assurance; and his natural +abilities qualified him to play many parts, and in some degree to seem a +gentleman. + +His progress was quickened by the glimpse he caught of Miss Pendarrel at +his first arrival in town. It developed a series of sensations in his +mind, only partially excited before by the rural charms of Mercy Page, +and made him feel the inferiority of his station with tenfold +bitterness. He thought vaguely of Sir Richard Whittington and Sir Ralph +Osborne, and longed for the opportunity of making a rapid fortune. With +this idea, he bought a ticket in the lottery. + +And as he advanced in the confidence of his patroness, a new prospect +opened before him. He fancied he saw the means of obtaining a control +over her, by which he could bend her to his will, whenever the time +came. So that he reached his end, he cared not for the road. And in this +case every passion of his heart concurred in urging him forward. +Circumstances favoured his desires even beyond his expectations, and the +period was approaching to strike the final blow. + +Sinson's connection with the wretched spendthrift, Everope, has already +been traced. He destined that individual to play an important part in +his plot. The miserable man hung back at every step, and ended by +clearing it. Michael's money supplied him with dissipation, and in +dissipation he drowned remorse. But the trip into the country nearly +rescued him from his betrayer's clutches; it had given him time for +reflection such as he had not had for many a day; and when on their +return, Sinson laid open his further demands, he encountered a +resistance so obstinate that he almost thought his previous labour had +been thrown away. But threats and temptations did their work, and +Everope finally agreed to take the step, which Sinson promised should be +the last required of him. And now Michael remained in town, instead of +at once accompanying his patroness to Pendarrel, in order to furnish Mr. +Truby with information, and to take heed that his reluctant dupe did not +slip through his fingers. + +The second week in February had scarcely begun, when Esther arrived in +Cornwall. Well might Gertrude warn Mildred that she underrated the +difficulties of her position. Mrs. Pendarrel treated her with the most +tender consideration, but with great art made her constantly feel that +the marriage was a settled thing, without ever affording her an +opportunity of protesting. Her assent was continually implied, yet in +such a way that she could not contradict the inference. Her situation +became embarrassing and irksome. It was ungenerous, she thought, to take +such an advantage of maidenly scruples. She felt that a web was being +spun round her, reducing her to a sort of chrysalis, from which it was +every day harder to escape, but from which she was resolved a fly should +issue, by no means like what was expected. + +For she entertained no fear about the final result. If her mother chose +to go on, wilfully blind, from day to day, without permitting her eyes +to be opened, on her must rest the blame of any eclat. The remembrance +of her cousin was deeply imprinted on her heart, and sustained its +courage. Night after night, before retiring to rest, she drew aside the +curtains of her window to look for the bright planet which he had +associated with his destiny, saddened when it was hidden by clouds or +dimmed by mist, happy when its rays beamed pure and clear into her +chamber. + +There were no guests staying at the hall, but numbers of casual visitors +called to pay their respects, and hoped perhaps for an invitation to the +wedding. And notes, of all shapes and sizes, requested the honour ... at +dinner and at dance. And a gay life would Mildred's have been, but that +she was so pre-occupied. For her mother accepted nearly all the +proffered hospitality, and returned it with liberal profusion. And at +every one of these festive meetings, Mildred could see that in the +compliments Mrs. Pendarrel received, and in her furtive and complacent +answers, she had no small portion. + +One source of comfort she had, that Melcomb was not in the country. She +had not to endure his odious addresses. But her mother had issued cards +for a grand entertainment at rather a distant date, when she hoped to +crowd her house with everybody who was the least presentable in all West +Kerrier, and to that high festival Mildred feared he would come, an +undesired guest, and be in some way exhibited as her accepted suitor to +the assembled multitude. But the day was yet far off. + +And it was with pleasure she learnt that Randolph and his sister had +returned to their ancestral home. Much speculation was afloat concerning +them; and though people generally knew the family disagreement, and +refrained from alluding to them in Mrs. Pendarrel's presence, slight +hints fell inadvertently at times; and some mean minds, little knowing +the nature of her they addressed, uttered a passing sarcasm upon their +poverty, with the notion that it would be agreeable. But to Mildred the +mere mention of their name was a source of interest; and in her rural +walks she would sometimes inquire concerning them of the country folk, +and speculate on the possibility of meeting Randolph on her way. + +To her mother their presence was not equally agreeable. She was far from +anxious for any such rencontre. She too well remembered the emotion +displayed by Mildred at Mrs. Winston's. She learnt, with regret, that +the orphans did not lead so absolutely sequestered a life as before +their father's death; but availed themselves of the removal of the +restriction which then confined their walks to the precincts of the +castle and the sea coast, and made themselves in some measure acquainted +with the wild scenery surrounding their native bay. She did not like the +idea of being so near them, just at the time when Sinson's machinations +were about to explode. And with a different interest she heard of the +state of feeling manifested pretty openly by the tenantry of Trevethlan, +and desired her protege to come to Pendarrel as soon as he should be +released from attendance on Mr. Truby. She wished to have more precise +information of what passed in the castle and its dependent hamlet, and +summoned her retainer to resume his original occupation. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + Tu ne quaesieris, scire nefas, quem mihi, quem tibi + Finem Di dederint, Leuconoc; nec Babylonios + Tentaris numeros. Ut melius, quidquid erit, pati! + + Hor. + + Seek not to know, it is not given, + The end for us ordained by Heaven; + Nor be by fortune-tellers lured: + What can't be cured, is best endured. + + +Madron church-town, the mother of the thriving port of Penzance, is a +small irregular hamlet, situated on an eminence overlooking its +well-grown offspring, and the salt marshes which skirt the coast in the +direction of Marazion. It is approached by a steep and winding road, but +the prospect from the churchyard will well repay the labour of the way. +And many a pilgrim, when he turns from the landscape spread beneath to +the memorials at his feet, and feels the breeze from the sea breathe +lightly over his cheek, will be mournfully reminded how many have sought +a refuge on that genial shore from our English destroyer, beguiling +themselves and those dear to them, with the hope of eluding his pursuit, +but sinking, nevertheless, under his ruthless embrace; for on the +tombstones round him the stranger will read of other strangers, from far +distant places, with names unknown to Cornwall, once graced, he may +imagine, with youth and beauty, of whose history it is there written +that they "came to Penzance for the benefit of their health." Those +simple words, repeated on every side, tell the melancholy end of many a +romance. + +Up the hill, on an early day in February, a trim country girl was +climbing with a step that betokened some indecision of purpose. She was +dressed in a dark blue frock, short and full in the skirt, and a red +cloak of scanty dimensions, which hung over one shoulder and under the +other arm. She was hot, and carried her bonnet, decked with some of the +first primroses of the year, in her hand, while her black hair hung +round a pair of bright eyes of the same colour, and cheeks always red, +and now redder than usual. A very pretty rustic was Mercy Page. + +It is some four miles from Marazion to Madron, and further still from +Trevethlan; but that is not much for a Cornish maiden. Mercy had walked +all the way. But she had not walked with the free quick step usual to +her, nor did their wonted open smile play round her provoking lips. Her +look was anxious, and her pace uncertain. And now that she was toiling +up the hill, and perhaps approaching her destination, she not +unfrequently stopped, and with her finger in the corner of her mouth, +tried to scrutinize herself, while she seemed to be regarding the +prospect. For Mercy had a kind of idea that she was on her way to do +what was at least foolish, if not wrong, and she had always been a very +good girl. + +But with all this hesitation, she still advanced. She crossed Madron +churchyard, and went out of her way to drop a flower on the grave of a +cousin who lay there, making a longer pause on the occasion than any +which had previously interrupted her walk. However, she proceeded at +last, and soon turned aside from the main road by a tiny streamlet. She +followed the rivulet's course, as it wound along beneath a bank covered +in the summer with broom, gorse, and heather, from amidst which, here +and there, a graceful silver birch flung its long tresses on the breeze, +until she arrived at a sort of bay or inlet, where the trees grew more +thickly, and in the very depth of which lay, still, silent, and dark, +encircled by rude stone-work, a well of water, the source of the +streamlet which had guided the maiden's steps--St. Madron's Well. + +Mercy cast a sharp glance before her, and was glad to see that there was +no person near the fountain. She went up to it herself, and bent over +the mirror-like surface, and might see her image rising dimly to meet +the salute. Could that limpid water tell a maiden's fortune? Was it +conscious of the reflection of her features? Could it read their gentle +lines, and foreshow by any ripple of its own, the destiny of her who +looked upon it? And was such inquiry sanctioned by the saint who had +blessed the fountain? Was it not profane so to forestall futurity? Such +questions flitted vaguely through Mercy's bosom while she gazed into the +tranquil well. An expression of awe stole over her face; and when, as +she changed her position, a straggling briar which had caught her cloak +twitched it, she started like a guilty thing, and turned suddenly with a +flush on her cheeks and forehead, deeper even than that called forth by +exercise. She did not smile on discovering the source of her alarm, but +began to search among the pebbles of the brook for some smoother and +rounder than common. Having collected two or three of this description, +she returned to the fountain, and from trembling fingers, and with eyes +half afraid to watch the result, dropped one of the stones into the +water. There was a little splash, and then the circling wavelets grew +larger and larger, and broke against the sides of the well, and a new +ripple arose from each point of contact, and the undulations crossed one +another in every direction, and became fainter and fainter, until the +surface once more motionless, again presented the maiden with the +semblance of her own pretty features, just as she saw them before the +disturbance. + +Was Mercy any the wiser? She drew a long breath, and murmured to +herself, "he is not----" She had heard that if the well were unruffled, +the oracle pronounced the person inquired of to be dead. The oracle, it +may be presumed, was generally favourable to hope. But Mercy wished to +learn much more than this; and those changing and intermingling ripples +had to her been as hieroglyphics to the eyes of the profane. She dropped +another of her pebbles into the well. Again the same sight, and the same +disappointment. Vainly did Mercy try to shape the little waves into +words, or letters, or symbols. She could not make out even a "yes" or a +"no." Once more she tried the experiment, and becoming more +enthusiastic, pressed the pebble to her lips before she let it fall. + +Still it was all the same. The oracle was dumb. Mercy was inclined to +revile St. Madron. She had grown excited; felt reconciled to the +practice of the black art, and ventured on a step, which, when she +started from home, she vowed to herself nothing should induce her to +take. + +There was a cottage, or rather a hovel, which the maiden had passed on +her way to the well, and which she had shunned. The bank formed one of +its sides, and it was hard to say where the ground ended and the +dwelling began. The walls were built of rough stones, the interstices +between them being filled with moss, which had accepted the employment +willingly, and grown and flourished. The roof also was of turf, and thus +the abode had a vegetable aspect, and looked like an unusually large +clump of green, such as one sees often on a moist common, tempting one's +foot to press it, or suggesting the idea of an unpleasantly soft pillow. +This was the nest of Dame Gudhan, the self-constituted priestess of St. +Madron's Well. She was a toothless, deformed, ugly old woman, who lived +with her cat, which she had succeeded in training to poach, and bring +the game it killed home to be cooked, instead of wasting it raw in the +open field. Friend she had none but pussy, but she enjoyed a high +reputation as a witch; and many a girl travelled many a mile to +ascertain from Dame Gudhan the colour of her future's hair and eyes, and +all his other good qualities. + +Now the sibyl had observed the detour which Mercy made to avoid passing +near her hut, and observed it with due professional pique. To consult +the spirit of the well without the assistance of its minister was to +defraud the latter of her rightful perquisite, and depreciate the +science of witchcraft. So, whenever Dame Gudhan perceived a timid +devotee steal furtively to the well, she would lie in wait for her +return, and favour her with unsought predictions of a nature less +agreeable than strong. Eying Mercy from the door of her den, the old hag +thought her appearance indicated one quite able to afford a fee, and +proportionate to the idea was the sibylline wrath. But in order to +increase her anger to the proper pitch, Dame Gudhan trod hard upon her +cat's tail; and the animal, resenting the affront, inflicted a long +scratch upon its mistress's shin. Thereupon ensued a hideous war; a +yelling as of the evil demons with which the pythoness pretended to be +familiar; unintelligible to vulgar ears; requiring an interpreter from +the oyster-quays. It may be supposed the witch had the best of the +argument, for after a while, pussy issued from the hovel with her tail +trailing behind her, and trotted off in a crest-fallen fashion, stopping +now and then to look round sulkily, and shake her whiskers with impotent +spite. + +Dame Gudhan speedily followed grimalkin, tottering along on a stick, and +muttering to herself, chewing her rage as a horse champs the bit. She +encountered Mercy at the opening which led to the well. + +"Didst read he would be hung, lass?" she squealed, while all the muscles +of her yellow wrinkled visage twitched frightfully. "Didst read he would +be hung?" + +With all her heart Mercy wished herself safe back at Trevethlan. + +"Dost tremble?" continued Dame Gudhan. "What wilt do when the day comes? +There's murder in thy face--a red spot on thy brow." + +Poor Mercy gasped for breath, and leaned against the bank. She had +thrust her hand into her pocket, but was too much agitated to find what +she wanted. The old crone divined her intention. + +"Na," she screamed. "The spirit won't be bought. The cord's about thy +neck, and the gibbet's reared for him. The tree grows no more in the +wood. It is felled, and hewn, and squared. The hemp is reaped, and beat, +and spun. In an evil day came ye to the blessed well, and passed by Dame +Gudhan without seeking her advice. Said is said." + +By this time Mercy had succeeded in producing a little purse of red +leather with a steel clasp. Her fingers shook very much as she opened +it, and tendered Dame Gudhan a bright new shilling, its sole contents. +The hag was satisfied with the effect of her fierce prophecy--one she +had often vented on like occasions, and looked at the coin with greedy +eyes, chattering her teeth, and smacking her lips. + +"That was his new-year's gift, I reckon," she said. + +She was wrong, and the mistake restored Mercy's fleeting courage. + +"Take it, dame," said the maiden. + +"Ye'll lack a new ribbon at Sithney fair. And what for? Said is said." + +It was a fine instance of conscientious scruples, that affected +reluctance of the old woman to receive the maiden's money. + +"Take it, dame," Mercy repeated. + +"The spirit never lies," said the hag, taking the shilling; "but he +sometimes explains his words. Come ye back to the well. Said is said. +We'll ask him what it means." + +So saying, she hobbled on her stick up the little dell. Mercy looked +after her doubtfully, and was more than inclined to walk rapidly away; +but, yielding to the fascination which commonly attends inquiries like +hers, she at last followed the old crone, and overtook her at the well. + +"Now, lass," said the enchantress, "an evil rede I read ye but now, and +evil it may be. But forewarned is forearmed. Ye need na be frightened. +And so ye saw nought in the dark water. Ye could na hear his voice. Ye +kenned na whether he laughed or frowned, or promised or threatened. +Smooth and still, deep and dark. Reach me thy hand. Stand by my side, +and when I press thy fingers, then drop the pebble." + +Injunctions which the maiden obeyed with tremulous emotion. The old hag +knelt down by the fountain-side, and bent over the water until she +nearly touched it with her lips, mumbling some incantation. Suddenly she +squeezed Mercy's hand in her grasp, and the maiden let fall the pebble +which she held in the other. At the sound of the splash the witch raised +her head a little, and seemed to scan the ripples which circled on the +surface of the well. It was only for a moment, and then she started to +her feet, dashed a handful of water in Mercy's face, and screamed: + +"Wash it off, wash it off. The spirit never lies. Said is said. Away, +lass; away." + +She waved Mercy off, and the maiden retreated backwards before her, step +by step, until she reached the lower end of the ravine, unable to remove +her eyes from those of the fortune-teller. On the open ground Dame +Gudhan passed her without uttering another word, and hobbled quickly +away to her wretched abode, taking no notice of her cat, which had now +returned home, and appeared disposed to make up the late quarrel by +purring and rubbing against the old woman's wounded shin. + +Mercy, exhausted and terrified, watched her until she disappeared within +her dwelling, and then, feeling relieved from her presence, and moved by +a sudden impulse, she dropped on her knees and implored, in her own +homely manner, the forgiveness of Heaven for what she had just done. She +rose somewhat tranquillized, and took her way homeward with a quick +step. + +Fortune-tellers, unlike Dame Gudhan, generally give good tidings, and in +the few cases where it is otherwise, they are disbelieved. Were it not +so, the trade would be ruined. People forebode quite sufficient evil for +themselves, and seek a conjuror for comfort, not for aggravation of +their uneasiness. A strange fatuity it is that prompts such attempts to +raise the veil which hides the future! Were the object accomplished life +would be valueless; its interest would be gone; there would be nothing +left to live for, and we should be unable to die; we should be fatalists +by experience. The impatient reader, who peruses the last chapter of the +novel first, has still to learn in what manner the author educes his +catastrophe; but the miserable victim of foresight would be acquainted, +not only with the close, but with all the incidents of his coming +career. And difficult it is to see how human strength could bear up +against such a certainty, where the vision was of ill. So the inquirer +is apt to discredit the information which he came to seek, when it +proves to be unfavourable to his desires. + +Mercy Page, already fortified by her silent prayer, soon regained her +ordinary cheerfulness. Her spirits rose as she walked, and she tripped +lightly along, in happy forgetfulness of Dame Gudhan's frightful +denunciations. So she passed under the pretty hamlet of Gulvall, with +its picturesque church-tower peeping forth from the embosoming trees, +and descended to the hard sands of the sea-shore. For the tide was out, +and the beach afforded a short cut to Marazion. Blithely and briskly the +maiden sped over the ribbed plain, until she saw in the distance, +advancing to meet her, a figure which she recognized. + +At that moment there was no individual, perhaps, whom Mercy less desired +to see than Edward Owen, her discarded suitor. The woman cannot be worth +winning who takes pleasure in rejecting an honest admirer, and Mercy was +not a village coquette. She sincerely regretted that Owen's attachment +could only be a source of sorrow to himself. She deplored it the more, +because the disappointment seemed to have driven the lover into some +irregular courses. Now Mercy had sought St. Madron's Well with a vague +idea of confirming her belief in the fidelity of a more favoured suitor; +and, passing by the rude shock of her interview with Dame Gudhan, it was +not on her return from such an errand that she was pleased to meet his +rival. Meet him, however, she must, and did. + +"A bright evening to you, Mercy," Owen said, as they approached one +another; "though bright there is nothing for me. And where mayst have +been this fine afternoon?" + +It was an awkward question for the girl. She answered it with another. + +"Where are you going, Edward, with the sun behind St. Paul's, and your +back to Trevethlan? It should not be a long walk ye are starting on. +Better maybe to turn back with me, and walk home together." + +"Mercy," said the young man, "there was a time when my heart would have +jumped at the word. It is gone. I have other thoughts now. Where am I +going? By Castle Dinas to St. Ives. There will be some talk in the +country before long." + +"What for, Edward?" Mercy asked. "They tell me I have scorned you into +wild ways. I never scorned you, Edward. It is not fair of you to bring +such a saying upon me. I wish to like you, and I thank you for liking +me, but I do not like sulky love." + +"My love's anyhow honest," said Owen, "and that's more than you can say +of...." + +"Now shame on you," cried the girl, interrupting him. "Will you say +slander of a man behind his back? And to me, too, that know it is +slander? And is that the way to change my mind?" + +"I have no hopes of that, Mercy," answered the rustic. "And, for your +sake, I hope Michael's a better man than I think. Remember the evening +under the thorns on the cliff. It is for you and not for me I say it. +And methinks you haven't heard much of Michael since he went away to +London." + +"Then I didn't ask your advice, Mr. Edward," said Mercy, "and you may as +well keep it till I do. I dare say I can take care of myself. And very +likely Michael has quite plenty to do in London without the writing of +letters. And I expect he'll be down here before long, for I hear say +that Pendar'l's getting ready for the ladies, if they're not there +already. And then you can tell him what you think, like a man. So I wish +you a good evening." + +"Good evening, Mercy," returned the young man, sadly, and they proceeded +on their respective ways. + +Ready as the maiden was to defend her lover to another, she could not so +easily excuse him to herself. And the anxiety, for the relief of which +she had made her pilgrimage to St. Madron's Well, had come back before +she reached her mother's cottage at Trevethlan, darkened rather than +alleviated by the result of the expedition. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + Di, majorum umbris tenuem et sine pondere terram, + Spirantesque crocos, et in urna perpetuum ver, + Qui praeceptorem sancti voluere parentis + Esse loco. + + Juvenal. + + + Light lie the earth upon the shades of those, + Flowers deck their graves, Spring dwell with their repose, + Of old who deemed the teacher should supply + The parent's holy rule, heart, hand, and eye. + + +Meantime Michael Sinson's scheme was ripening into action. The plot +matured in the metropolis was about to break on the towers of +Trevethlan. Two gentlemen crossed one another in the hurry of Lincoln's +Inn, and stopped to exchange a cordial greeting and a little chat. + +"By the by, Winter," said Mr. Truby, as they were parting, "we're +bringing ejectment against a client of yours." + +"Indeed!" exclaimed the second lawyer, "and who may that be?" + +"Oh, the parties are old antagonists," answered the first. "It's by no +means the first time we've met. Doc d Pendarrel _v._ Trevethlan. Clerk +gone down to serve declaration and notice. You'll hear of it in a post +or two." + +"Good Heaven!" thought Mr. Winter, as he proceeded on his way; "what new +calamity is this? Is not that hapless family even yet sufficiently +broken? Poor Morton! Now I will wager this comes in some way out of that +mad scheme." + +And indeed it might well seem that nothing was needed to increase the +gloom that invested Trevethlan Castle. It was lonely and desolate in the +lifetime of its late possessor, but there was then at least the buoyancy +of youth to relieve the dreary monotony; and now, even that had +vanished. So far was Helen from being able to restore anything like +cheerfulness to her brother, that she herself became infected by his +sombre moodiness. Strange was the contrast between those dimly latticed +Gothic apartments, and the light and lively saloons of Pendarrel: the +wanderer in the former almost dreading to break the silence with his +footfall, and the latter ringing with careless laughter and mirthful +conversation. Polydore Riches himself could with difficulty preserve his +ever-hopeful equanimity; and Griffith often reproached himself to his +wife for the facility with which he consented to that ill-omened visit +to the metropolis: while the few domestics began to fear moving about +singly after dusk, and to whisper of mysterious sounds heard, and sights +seen, in the darkening corridors. + +Such tales spread outside the castle, and were improved upon in their +progress. It became rumoured that the spirit of the unhappy Margaret +wandered through its halls in the silence of night, and harassed the +children she was not permitted to love in her lifetime. The villagers +began to look upon Randolph as the easterns do upon one possessed of the +evil eye, and rather shunned than courted his familiarity. And some of +the older folk recalled his father's marriage, and began to ask +themselves, was it after all only a mockery? Then, indeed, would poor +Margaret have cause to seek vengeance for the deceit by which she was +beguiled. And so they went on stringing story upon story, until in the +rush of the night wind they heard the wailings and howlings which in +days long gone were said to portend disaster to the house of Trevethlan. + +Randolph was entirely unconscious of the popular mysticism, and too much +absorbed in his own feelings to have heeded it in any case. Every day he +went forth to the outskirts of the park of Pendarrel, and roamed round +its circuit, in the hope of meeting Mildred; and every day that he +returned disappointed, made him more restless and reserved. Such an +excursion at last led him by Wilderness Gate, and it happened that Maud +Basset was sunning herself there as he passed. + +"Randolph Trevethlan," she cried, as he went by; and he turned, and she +came out to the plot of grass to meet him. + +"Randolph Trevethlan," she repeated, "son of a murdered mother, there's +a dark hour at hand for thy house, but not darker than is due. I see it +written on thy brow. I heard it in the screams that came down on the +wind of the night. Say they her spirit is abroad in the towers where her +bliss was made her bane? Ay, he is dead, but he shall answer it in his +son." + +The wildness of the old crone's language suited Randolph's humour. She +came quite close to him and looked up in his face. + +"Hast seen her?" she asked, lowering her voice to a whisper, "hast seen +her, grandson Randolph? Thou knowest who I mean--thy mother, boy. My +Margaret, my winsome Margaret. They tell me she's been seen in the +castle. 'Tis long, long sin' I saw her myself. They said she grew pale +and pale, but they wouldna let me come nigh. And is it true they say? +Hast seen her, grandson Randolph?" + +"Ay, it is true, indeed," he answered, in a bewildered manner. "I have +seen her indeed." + +There was the trunk of a large tree lying on the grass close beside +them. The old woman took his hand and drew him to a seat upon it. He had +neither the power nor the wish to resist. + +"Now I can see thee," Maud said. "Thou'st grown so tall; but art not +like the gleesome lad that used to sport with my Michael. Woe's me! And +how did she look? Said she aught to thee?" + +"She hung over my bed with a sweet smiling face, and she bent down and +kissed my lips." + +"A sweet smiling face!" Maud echoed; "that was hers indeed, my own +Margaret. And she smiled on thee, and kissed thee! Then she doth not +hate thee?" + +"Why should she, Maud?" + +"Art thou not his son? and did he not murder her?" exclaimed the crone, +in her former harsh manner. "Who said there was no marriage? He! he! +Surely thou wilt defend her fame, Randolph Trevethlan?" + +"With my life," he answered. + +"What's this I'm saying?" again Maud cried, checking herself. "There's a +dark hour at hand for thy house, I tell thee. God give thee the strength +to bear it!" + +And she faltered away as quickly as she could, passed through the gate, +and entered the lodge, leaving Randolph still seated, motionless, upon +the timber. + +Old Maud Basset was deeply versed in all the wild superstitions which +still lingered among the Cornubians. She knew the presages which +foretold sorrow or death to different old houses. Here, the fall of one +of the trees in the avenue was the harbinger of dole; there, ancient +logs of timber rose to the surface of the pool in the park before a +coming vacancy at the family board. She could tell, too, how drowned +persons broke the stillness of night by hailing their own names; of the +candle borne by unseen hands in the track of a future funeral; of many a +kind of unholy augury; of evil spirits who led wayfarers astray, and +precipitated them from the summit of their carns; and in particular of +Tregagel, condemned for his many ill deeds to empty the fathomless pool +of Dosmary by means of a limpet shell with a hole in it. + +The incoherence of the old woman's speech, and her half-uttered +predictions, tallied very exactly with some of the feelings which had of +late been familiar to Randolph. Mildred, indeed, still occupied by far +the greatest portion of them; but his thoughts not unfrequently wandered +from her to the dream which had visited him the first night of his +return to the castle, and the fair face which had been pressed to his +own. That the features so revealed were those of his mother he never +doubted, and he felt a restless desire to learn something of the parent +whom he had lost before he was three years' old. But to whom should he +apply for information? Where could he find the sympathy which such a +topic demanded? The long silence that had been observed respecting it, +within the castle, must, he thought, have been the effect, in part, of a +deficiency of interest, and therefore he was reluctant to open his +wishes, even to the chaplain. And without the walls he knew no one to +confer with on such a subject. So he was at once fascinated by old +Maud's sudden allusion to her child, and answered her questions from the +recollections of his dream. + +But what did she mean by her reiterated reference to Margaret's death, +and her dark announcement of coming calamity? The latter, indeed, +harmonized but too well with his own gloomy forebodings--"Who said there +was no marriage?--Thou wilt defend her fame?" What was the meaning of +such ominous insinuations? Randolph mused on them, without quitting the +posture in which Maud had left him, until they became so oppressive, +that he resolved to learn all the story from Polydore, without delay. + +In the dusk of the evening, he walked with the chaplain in the +picture-gallery of the castle. The dim light which came through the high +Gothic windows, gave strange and unintended expression to some of the +portraits, and left others in such deep shadow that they could hardly be +discerned, while the vaulted ceiling hung indistinct over head. Randolph +paused at length before the likeness of his father. It was painted when +Henry Trevethlan was in the prime of youth, and presented the aspect of +a man very different indeed from the cold and stern personage with whom +his son was acquainted. + +"What changed that countenance, Mr. Riches?" Randolph asked. "What swept +away the ardour and enthusiasm which beam from all those lineaments? +From what he told me himself, in his dying hour, I framed a tale of +hopeless attachment, of love striving to forget itself in ruin. Was it +so? Did Esther Pendarrel indeed break my poor father's heart, after +trifling with its affection? Methinks, he was not a man to be made a +mock of. Yet the mocker has prevailed." + +"Randolph," Polydore answered, with a deep sigh, "your speech brings +back days of sorrow, which I would were forgotten. But that was all past +before I became a resident here. From the steward only, and from popular +report, did I learn the intimacy which once subsisted between your +father and Mrs. Pendarrel. It was in a thoughtless hour, if all that's +said be true, that she crushed his last hopes by wedding. And so, by +this time, she knows, perhaps, too well." + +"Did she love him, then, Mr. Riches?" Randolph inquired quickly. + +"Nay," said the chaplain, "that is a question which I cannot answer. But +sure I am, that if one spark of feeling yet lives in her heart, as I +would fain believe, she must be visited with deep remorse as often as +she looks back upon the ruin wrought by her girlish levity. May you, my +dear Randolph, never know the pangs of affection unrequited, or requited +only to be broken. And, if such sad lot be yours, may Heaven teach you +to bear up against it, nor hide misery in the show of defiance." + +"'Tis well for her," Randolph mused aloud, having scarcely heard +Polydore's last words, "'tis very well for her, if indeed she loved. For +so is no account between us. But if it be otherwise, if, out of +wilfulness or vanity, she broke the heart that adored her, then let her +look to her own. Not unscathed shall she go down to the grave. Does not +the vow lie heavy on my soul?" + +"Oh, Randolph, Randolph!" Polydore exclaimed; "what words are these?" + +But the young man heeded him not, and, taking his arm, led him several +times up and down the long gallery in silence, and at last drew him to +one of the windows, from which they looked forth upon the sea. The white +crests of the waves were still visible in the increasing darkness. + +"Pardon me, Mr. Riches," Randolph said, "if I recall days that are gone, +and which are recollected only with pain. But these are topics which +have been forbidden, which I can no longer resist approaching, on which +I must be informed. My father's marriage, my mother.... How came it +about? How did she die? Strange tales have fallen upon my ears----" + +The chaplain was much distressed. "What!" thought he, "will they not let +poor Margaret rest even in her grave? Do they bear their foul scandal to +her son? And is it for me to tell him the story of his father's fault?" + +"Speak, Mr. Riches," said Randolph, with some impatience; "let me hear +all the truth of the history." + +"You know not what you ask," Polydore answered sadly. "Margaret Basset +could not resist the influence which made her the seeming mistress of +this castle. I could not approve--I went away. The marriage was strictly +private. The people were very jealous. Some said--be patient--that it +was not duly performed. I know that it was. I had some slight +acquaintance with Mr. Ashton the clergyman; he was murdered shortly +after the ceremony, and the witness disappeared. The rumours spread; but +they died away when you were born. You can imagine the details." + +"How did she die?" Randolph asked again. + +"You know your father, Randolph," the chaplain replied. "Cannot you +conceive the position was too much for her? And her kindred were +imprudent. She pined away. But she was an angel. We all loved her. If +the devotion of those around her could have made up for the affection +which should hallow her situation, surely she were living now." + +His hearer mused again for some time in silence, thinking of his dream; +and it produced its usual effect of soothing his excitement, and +tranquillizing his spirits. + +"Come, Mr. Riches," he said, "let us seek my sister. We must not leave +her desolate too long." + +But the chaplain laid his hand on his old pupil's arm, saying: + +"One moment, Randolph; let me detain you one moment. Let me play the +master again. What we have been discoursing of will be best forgotten. +And oh! let it not be remembered in one fatal sense! Let not these sad +events be the foundation of evils yet to come! You spoke of a vow. Such +are often wrongly demanded and rashly given. Pride lingers on the bed of +death, and bequeaths itself to its successors. Vengeance, unappeased, +requires satisfaction by the hands of its heir. So hatred is handed down +for ever, and rancour and strife made perpetual. Pray Heaven the vow you +speak of requires none of these things! Pray Heaven, that if haply it +do, it will be revoked and forgotten!" + +"A parent's curse," said Randolph in a hollow voice, "is a terrible +thing." + +"To him!" the chaplain exclaimed. "To him it is, indeed, a terrible +thing, and to his children, if it impels them into wrong-doing. There is +no power in man to curse, my dear pupil, and surely Heaven is deaf to +all such imprecations." + +Alas! Polydore might as well have reasoned with the foaming waves +beneath him. Randolph listened in respectful silence, but entirely +unconvinced. As law is silent amid the din of arms, so is reason in the +conflict of passions. Few sources have been more fruitful of evil than +the pledges extorted by the dying. The giver succumbs absolutely to an +obligation he ought never to have undertaken, allows himself no +discretionary power, yields nothing to the alteration of circumstances, +and acts as if the behest were imposed by certain foreknowlege and +unerring wisdom. There is no absolution from a death-bed promise, and no +chancery to qualify its mischievous engagements. + +This conversation was little adapted to restore Polydore Riches to his +old equanimity. Gentle and simple-hearted, he was ill-calculated to +wrestle with the stormy passions which had desolated his late patron's +life, and now threatened shipwreck to the happiness of his pupil. He +mourned for the day when, in pride and confidence, neglecting the +worldly-wisdom of the more prudent steward, he enthusiastically bade the +brother and sister go forth on their way, and foretold for them a +prosperous career, and a joyful return. He almost blamed himself for not +having given them more adequate preparation for the struggle of life, +and attributed their failure to his own deficiency. Yet surely never did +teacher better answer the desire of those ancients, lauded by the Roman +poet in the lines which head this chapter. Polydore had nothing +wherewith to reproach himself. + +But the discourse had also revived his own particular griefs, recalling, +as it did, the days when he paid his first vows of love to Rose +Griffith, and won her timid consent, only to see her wither away. A +pensive melancholy was visible upon his countenance when he returned +with Randolph through the gloomy galleries to the apartments over the +little flower-garden. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + "Guare wheag, yw guare teag." + + _Cornish Proverb._ + + + "Fair play is good play." + + Polwhele. + + +Many of the villagers of Trevethlan were desirous of celebrating the +return of their young master by some kind of holiday. They remembered +how in the old time there were several festivals in the course of the +year, kept with high revelry on the green of the hamlet, countenanced by +the presence of the lords, and graced by that of the ladies, of its +ancient castle. But when ruin fell upon the late possessor, and +desolation encompassed his dwelling, the sports diminished in spirit, +and the peasantry sought in the neighbouring villages the merriment +which no longer enlivened their own. The succession of a young heir, +however, seemed to warrant an attempt to revive the much-regretted +pastimes, and the idea, when once started, found a staunch supporter in +the laughter-loving landlady of the "Trevethlan Arms." Indeed she +undertook to roast a sheep, and broach a hogshead of cider, as the +foundation of a free feast; and the liberality being met with similar +offers from other quarters, the hamlet was in a position to offer +tolerably profuse hospitality to all comers. + +Valentine's day was fixed upon for the revel; and several evenings +before it came, some of the villagers met at Dame Miniver's, to arrange +the programme of the sports. And it was finally decided to revive the +old game of hurling, by challenging Pendarrel to play them home and home +across the country, as the principal event of the frolic. The +determination, however, was not unopposed. + +"Are ye sure, neighbours," said our acquaintance Germoe, the tailor, +"that this challenge will be agreeable on the hill? Ye know what we +spoke of only the other night. There's no love lost between the hall and +the castle." + +"The very cause for why to play out the quarrel," said Edward Owen. "And +as to the castle, I warrant the young squire'll be none displeased to +hear we've given Pendar'l a beating. I say play." + +"But in such case," urged farmer Colan, "playing often turns to +fighting." + +"And what then?" Owen asked again, who took great interest in the +meditated match, from a vague hope of encountering his rival in the +hostile ranks,--"what then, I say? Have we not thrashed them before? +'Tis ill nursing a quarrel." + +"Ay, ay, lad," said Mrs. Miniver aside to the last speaker, "I know +where thy cap's set. She's a proud minx, and an' I were thee----. But, +neighbours, how long has Trevethlan been afraid of Pendar'l?" + +A true woman's question, and one which settled the matter off-hand. +There was no further hesitation as to despatching the challenge. The +tailor's hint concerning the castle had, however, more foundation than +was supposed; for Randolph much regretted the resolution of his +dependents. But he did not learn it until the invitation had been sent +and accepted, and it was then impossible to retreat. + +On the other side, the match received the formal sanction of Mrs. +Pendarrel, who had been at the park a day or two when the proposal +arrived. Remembering that her retainers far outnumbered those of +Trevethlan, she rather rejoiced at the prospect of humiliating her +adversary, and graciously promised to provide the silver-plated ball +with which the game should be played. + +The village green was "home" for the players of Trevethlan. Early in the +appointed holiday it was thronged with busy, noisy groups, and presented +an extremely lively aspect, strikingly at variance with its recent +tranquillity, and with the sombre gravity of the castle, where there +were no symptoms of participation in the frolics of the day. Reverend +elders occupied the bench round the old chestnut in front of the inn, +and discoursed of the matches of their youth, before the harmony of +Trevethlan and Pendarrel was interrupted, and when the open doors of the +castle proffered unbounded hospitality. Stalwart youths, girded for the +sport, strolled about in knots, plotting devices for carrying off the +ball, arranging plans for watching the enemy's home, cracking jests with +the maidens who idled in the throng, in their Sunday frocks and smartest +ribbands, and extorting half promises of reward in the evening for +prowess displayed in the day. Dame Miniver had ample cause for +satisfaction with the result of her liberality. + +Mrs. Pendarrel permitted her side to make the lawn before her house +their home. Refreshments of all kinds were distributed among the crowd +there collected with a bounteous hand. The lady herself descended among +her tenants, leaning on the arm of her daughter, speaking to old +acquaintance, everywhere bestowing encouragement. Even Mildred was +excited by the liveliness of the scene. It was a fine genial day, with a +warm breeze blowing, which kept the trees in constant motion, and gave +life to the company beneath their leafless branches. + +Michael Sinson, only just arrived from London, was to lead the forces of +Pendarrel. So his patroness, aware of his former reputation, desired; so +his vanity, as well as his duty, prompted. He was active in the throng, +assigning their stations to his mates, providing for all the chances of +the struggle, but glancing ever and anon on the fair young form that +glided through the rustic assembly like a being from another sphere. +Little thought he that morning of the rosy-cheeked girl whom he had once +pretended to love, and who now walked among the maidens of Trevethlan, +with a sympathy divided between her sweetheart and her home. + +The goals were not much more than two miles apart, a short distance in a +match "to the country;" but this circumstance prevented the interference +of horsemen, diminished the opportunities for artifice, and made the +contest depend more on the personal skill and prowess of the players. In +a longer game the ball might be thrown into the hands of a mounted +partizan, who would trust to the speed of his horse to carry it home in +triumph; or again into the keeping of a rustic, selected for his simple +appearance, who would trudge tranquilly along the high road seemingly +unconscious of his valuable charge, while the hurlers on both sides +sought the prize with great animation; until the news of the crafty +bearer's arrival at his destination told the victory of his friends, and +both parties repaired to the winning quarters to laugh over the trick, +and fight the battle anew, in a high jollification. + +There was a meadow situated on an eminence about midway between +Trevethlan and Pendarrel, between which and either goal no obstacle +intervened to turn aside the play. Here it was arranged the ball should +be thrown up, and hither Mrs. Pendarrel and Mildred repaired to behold +the commencement of the game. The players chosen to begin stood in an +irregular ring on the hill, and amongst them Sinson and Owen, the +opposing generals, the latter of whom regarded the former with looks +which indicated more ill-will than befitted the occasion, but which +Michael observed with contemptuous indifference. + +And now Mildred has tossed the new apple of discord, a wooden ball, some +three inches in diameter, covered with silver, and bearing the motto +which heads this chapter, as the trophy, to remain in the possession of +the victors of the day, into the middle of the ring, and a dozen men are +on the ground, struggling to obtain a hold of the prize. Rolling over +and over, twisting, tangled like a coil of snakes, they writhe and +struggle in intricate confusion. Where is the ball? Who shall discern it +in so close a conflict? See, a combatant shakes himself clear of +competitors, rises in the midst, springs over them, and bounds away in +the direction of Pendarrel, cheered by the partizans of the hall. Not +long shall the cheering endure: an opponent bars his career: him the +holder of the ball thrusts aside, "butts" with his closed fist. Reprisal +in like fashion is against the rules. But there is another, and another, +one at a time, for so it is ordained. Nor are the holder's friends +inactive: they screen him round, and strive to keep off his adversaries. +And thus he makes some way, but may not even clear the field. His vigour +fails at last under repeated attacks; he has no longer strength to butt; +"hold," he must cry, in token of surrender, and deal the ball to be +seized by fresher hands: a stouter heart, he thinks, 't were hard to +find. + +Again the first struggle is renewed, but the crowd is not so great, nor +does it last so long. This time the ball is borne swiftly back in the +direction of Trevethlan. Light of foot is the holder, but his speed +shall not avail him long. At the very hedge of the field he is +encountered; he may not pass the barrier; he tries another point, again +to be defeated; he, too, must shout the word of submission, and recover +breath for a renewed onset. + +And thus, with varied fortune, the game proceeds, continually growing +wider in its scene. The ball is borne in succession towards either goal, +far away from the field where the game began. It seems the lady of +Pendarrel reckoned without her host, for there are many volunteers in +the play, and they, with proper heroism, have chosen the weaker side. +She and her daughter have retired to the hall, but the country is still +alive with the excitement of the game, and the woods and the sky are +vocal with the cries of the rival partizans, as they mark the course of +the ball with shouts of "Ware east," "Ware west." + +An old writer compares the ball used in this game to an evil demon; for, +says he, no sooner does a player become possessed of it than he acts as +if he were possessed of a devil; flying like a madman over the country, +bursting through hedges, bounding over ditches, rushing furiously +against all opponents, heedless of everything but his progress towards +home. When suddenly, having been obliged at last to surrender, he +becomes once more tranquil and peaceable, as though the evil spirit had +then left him, and entered his successor, who instantly commences a like +impetuous career. + +Many a possession of this kind was witnessed in the match between +Pendarrel and Trevethlan. Once the former hamlet seemed almost on the +point of victory. The holder had disencumbered himself of all who had +been active in the field, and was dashing triumphantly homewards, when +he met the reserve especially stationed to prevent a surprise. At the +same moment Owen bounded up to rally his forces. The game was rescued, +and renewed with increased vigour on both hands. Step by step the path +of the holder, now on this side and now on that, was contested in every +way permitted by the laws of the game. Passion grew hotter, and ever and +anon rose cries of "foul." The leaders, who had hitherto rather directed +the fray than engaged in it personally, now rushed into the thick of the +fight. The partizans of Trevethlan gained ground in their turn. The +chestnut on their green was already in sight. Owen himself held the +ball. The road, for the fight had descended from the fields into the +highway, was thronged with the combatants. The maidens of the village, +approached the end of the green, and joined in the animating cries. Owen +had repelled many an antagonist, when Michael Sinson met him face to +face. It was what he had long wished for, and he was delighted when, as +he always affirmed and as was sturdily maintained by all his partizans, +his opponent butted him unfairly. The excitement of the game and +personal exasperation united to give force to the blow which sent his +rival staggering away. The next moment Owen stood on the grass of the +hamlet, and flung the ball high into the air, while loud and reiterated +shouts proclaimed the victory of Trevethlan, and were heard, perhaps not +without some satisfaction, within the walls of the castle. + +Whatever ill-blood might have been generated in the heat of the +engagement, rapidly subsided when it was over. It had been gallantly +fought, and discomfiture was only less honourable than success. Victor +and vanquished met in friendly groups on the green, formed parties for +the athletic sports of the country, or sought partners for the dance +which would terminate the amusements of the day, while the landlady of +the Trevethlan Arms was finishing her preparations for the feast, and +the children were continually increasing a pile of combustibles in front +of the inn, destined to blaze after nightfall in celebration of the +holiday. + +There was, however, one breast in which disappointed rage still rankled. +Michael Sinson rose after the fall he received from Owen, to hear the +acclamations hailing his conqueror, and to feel an aggravation of his +animosity, not so much against his rival, as against Trevethlan, its +master, and its inhabitants. He looked angrily at the jocund doings on +the green, and then turned to bear the tidings of his defeat to his +patroness. But he had not proceeded many steps, when a light hand was +laid upon his arm, and a sharp glance round showed him the rosy cheeks +and black eyes of Mercy Page. + +"Why, Michael," said the maiden, "is this the welcome ye learn to give +in London? Is this the way ye would leave Mercy to seek for a partner at +a village revel? What if we have won the match, is it a cause for +shame?" + +"Pish!" Sinson said, sulkily. "Go to your Edward Owen. He is the hero of +the day. Let him be your partner." + +"Then it's not heroes, nor none such I care for," pursued the wilful +girl. "I'm no sure I'm glad that our side's won. Come now, Michael, +what's to fret for?" + +Sinson cast his sinister eyes upon Mercy's face. It was very pretty, +even in reproach, and besides, he thought she might be of use to him. + +"May-be," said he, "I shall be back in the evening. But now I must take +the news to Pendarrel." + +With which ungracious saying, Mercy was forced to content herself, and +return, pouting, to her mirthful companions, while Michael pursued his +way to Wilderness Lodge. + +His old grandmother asked him concerning the game, and on being surlily +informed of its result, muttered something about a judgment on such +sacrilegious doings, which her dutiful grandson did not hear, and if he +had, would have laughed at. His patroness learned the news with an air +of indifference, which to him appeared at variance with her previous +interest in the match; and as he left her presence, he could not help +saying, that Trevethlan should yet pay dearly for the morning's victory. + +Meantime the feast was spread in a low, long barn at the Trevethlan +Arms, and the board was crowded by adherents of both parties with right +west-country appetites. Lads and lasses ate to their heart's content. +Dame Miniver's sheep was declared to make very excellent mutton, and no +one quarrelled with the quality of her cider. The guests from Pendarrel +honoured the health of the squire of Trevethlan, and the company who +were at home paid due respect to the lord and lady of the strangers. So +"all went merry as a marriage bell." The relics of dinner were reserved +to furnish forth a supper, and the company resumed their morning sports, +exhilarating themselves with copious libations of the juice of the +apple, and occasionally with a dram of whisky or Hollands, which was, +probably, still indebted to his Majesty's customs. + +On the whole, the frolic proceeded in perfect good-humour; but +occasionally a dispute arose respecting the final contest between Owen +and Sinson, which threatened for a moment or more to interrupt the +general harmony. No serious quarrel had arisen, however, before daylight +died away, and the shadow of night called for the lighting of the +bonfire. But when the crackling logs flung a ruddy glow over the green, +and the white smoke went circling away on the breeze, and the village +musicians, a fiddle and clarionet, who on Sunday led the choir in +church, became more energetic in their strains, then the fun began to +grow fast and furious, and practical jokes continually endangered the +peace of the green. As the boys and girls danced wild country measures +around the blazing pile, a few of their comrades distributed at each end +of a long and stout cord, would single a couple from the throng, catch +them in the snare, and running adroitly round and round in opposite +directions, bind the unlucky pair in a noose to which they would not +have objected, perhaps, in a gentler and quieter assembly, but which +here exposed them to many a shout of rustic laughter. Or, again, running +rapidly along the green with the cord trailing loose between them, the +same confederates would trip up the heels of all in their way--a jest +not always accepted with perfect equanimity. + +In the midst of these rough gambols, and when no small portion of the +folks had somewhat exceeded the bounds of sobriety, Michael Sinson made +his appearance on the green, himself flushed with festive doings at +Pendarrel. He spoke and laughed with some of his acquaintance, and +sought his neglected flame, Mercy Page. She sat on a stool at her +mother's cottage-gate, having steadily refused every invitation to take +an active part in the dance, relying on the half-promise she had +received from Michael. As for her rejected lover, the hero of the day, +he seemed to challenge her jealousy by dancing vigorously with half the +girls on the green, and ostentatiously parading his partners in Mercy's +sight; without, however, succeeding in his object, by awaking her +indignation. + +Sinson soon discovered his too faithful beauty, and led her, willing +enough, for a romping dance around the bonfire. But they had tripped +together for a very short time, when the rope was swept round them, and +in a twinkling they were fast enveloped in its coils. Michael grew +furious with rage. He recollected having once boasted to Mercy of +rescuing her from a similar disaster. His wrath was far from diminished +when he perceived Owen active in endeavouring to procure his release. +When those efforts succeeded, he fixed a quarrel upon his rescuer, on +the old ground of the foul play at the hurling-match. Mischief was +meant, and mischief came. In a very few minutes the whole green was the +scene of a furious conflict; the parties which had met in the morning in +friendly rivalry, and broken bread together cheerfully in the afternoon, +now proceeding to break one another's heads without the slightest +reserve. The girls ran crying to their homes; the bonfire was trodden +under foot; and so, in confusion and uproar, terminated the sports at +Trevethlan. + +The battle might be considered in its end as drawn. But it was said that +individual cries were heard in the fray, to the effect that the heir of +the castle was about to claim his own, and that they would have tidings +of him at Pendarrel before many weeks had gone by. If the bonfire at +Trevethlan was extinguished in tumult, some of the hamlet would dance by +the light of a greater. No one seemed to know what such words meant, but +some folks remembered them when the heat of the struggle was past. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + "Whether it be + Bestial oblivion, or some craven scruple + Of thinking too precisely on the event-- + A thought, which, quartered, hath but one part wisdom, + And ever three parts coward--I do not know + Why yet I live to say, _This thing 's to do_." + + Shakspeare. + + +Randolph had not renewed, on returning to the castle, the instructions +he formerly gave to Jeffrey respecting the non-admission of strangers. +But as yet there had been no visitors. The family had been so long +isolated, that it was a matter of discussion among the neighbouring +gentry to call or not to call; and no sheep had as yet chosen to head +the flock. But the very morning of the sports described in the last +chapter, word was brought that a gentleman wished to see Mr. Trevethlan. +Randolph desired he might be shown into a parlour, and went to meet him. + +"Have the honour to address Mr. Trevethlan, I presume," the stranger +said. "My name, Stiles; in the employment of Messrs. Truby and Company, +solicitors, Chancery-lane, London. Have the honour to deliver this +declaration in ejectment. Will take the liberty to read the notice--'Mr. +Randolph Trevethlan'"---- + +"It is unnecessary, sir," said Randolph, with an external calmness at +which he afterwards marvelled. "I have been a student of the law, and +understand the proceeding." + +"Beg pardon, sir," said Mr. Stiles; "more regular to read it. Very +short. 'Mr. Randolph Trevethlan'"---- + +And the clerk read the notice without further interruption. Randolph +took the paper, rang the bell, desired the servant to provide Mr. Stiles +with some refreshment, wished him good-morning, and withdrew. + +He was, as he said, perfectly familiar with the nature of the law-suit +which this visit commenced. And as the reader is doubtless acquainted +with it through the medium of a very clever and popular story, it will +be unnecessary to pursue its details here. As soon as Randolph was +alone, he glanced down the document, and, with a kind of wild glee, +perceived that his real opponent in the action was Philip Trevethlan +Pendarrel. He rubbed his hands together, rumpling the paper between +them, and almost exulting in the strife which was at hand. + +"So," said he aloud, "there are two games begun to-day. One will be +played out before night; the other will last sometime longer. But we'll +make it as short as we can. And now to action. Our stake is a little +higher than that of the villagers yonder. They play for broken heads, +and we for broken hearts. Faites vos devoirs, preux chevaliers." + +With these hasty words Randolph immediately sought the chaplain and +steward, and begged them to come and assist at a council of war. Nor was +Helen omitted, for after one moment's hesitation, her brother thought +she had better know the worst at once. As soon as the little circle was +completed, Randolph produced the hostile missive, requested that he +might not be interrupted, and read it from end to end with a fierce +gravity of accent. Helen was entirely bewildered, Polydore was rather +perplexed, the steward was thunderstruck. + +"What does it mean?" said Helen. "Roe, and Doe, and Mr. Pendarrel! What +does it all mean?" + +"It is some kind of law proceeding, is it not?" said the chaplain. + +"It is the beginning of an action of ejectment," said Mr. Griffith. +"That is, Mr. Pendarrel claims some portion of our estates. Methinks he +has had enough already." + +Randolph was silent. + +"I imagined that all litigation had been closed long ago," Polydore +remarked. + +"Will it be a source of trouble?" Helen asked, looking anxiously at her +brother. + +"I cannot for the life of me understand what it means," said Griffith, +who had been reflecting. "Is it possible that in all those numerous +deeds, some bit of land has been included which has never been +surrendered? But it cannot be--they're too sharp." + +"Trouble yourself with no vain questions, Mr. Griffith," Randolph +exclaimed abruptly. "This is brought for the castle, and hamlet, and +_all_ our property." + +"To deprive us----," Helen began. + +"Ay, Helen, to deprive us of everything," her brother continued. "Some +personal trinkets, a few bits of old furniture, perhaps our wardrobes, +may be spared--that is, if we can pay the expenses of the proceeding. +But our home, and our lands, and our friends, from all those we are to +be parted for ever." + +Helen wept; more at her brother's manner than the fate announced in his +words. + +"Randolph," said the chaplain, with a sternness, which in him was +extremely rare, "be calm. You are unkind to your sister, and unjust to +us. You know that nothing but your own conduct can deprive you of your +friends, and I apprehend that even the rest does not necessarily +follow." + +"Sister, dearest," Randolph whispered, "I did not mean it. Mr. Riches, I +beg pardon. I am, perhaps, scarcely myself. But I feel convinced that +nothing less is intended than an attack on the castle. It is well to +provide against the worst." + +"I think Mr. Trevethlan must be right," said the steward very seriously. +"On turning the matter over, I can see no other explanation than an +attempt to upset our title in general. But what can be the alleged flaw +I am wholly at a loss to conceive." + +"One cannot learn that till the trial, Mr. Griffith," Randolph observed. + +"And is it possible," asked Helen, who had dried her eyes, "that the +attempt can be successful? Can we be obliged to abandon Trevethlan?" + +"Not for ever, my sister," answered Randolph. "The word slipped from my +tongue. But they may obtain a temporary victory. We may be surprised at +the first trial. It is for that I wished to prepare you. It is also a +reason why I am resolved the affair shall, on our side, be hurried +forward as fast as possible. We will try at the very next assizes, if it +is feasible, and so, within a month, we shall know our true position. I +shall write to Mr. Winter, and send him this notice immediately; and Mr. +Griffith will have the goodness to communicate with him also. Say +everything you can imagine, my good sir. Suggest the wildest +difficulties. Perhaps Mr. Riches can think of something. We will be +forearmed if we can. But despatch--despatch above everything." + +Randolph had recovered both his composure and his energy. Riches and +Griffith were again surprised at the decision with which he spoke. They +now quitted the room, and the brother and sister were left alone. + +"Helen," the former said, "this may be a very painful business. From the +nature of the proceeding, we are kept in ignorance of the grounds of the +attack, and when they are disclosed we may be taken by surprise, and +unable to show their weakness. And in that case there would be a verdict +against us, and for a time--note me, my dear sister, only for a time--we +should be deprived of everything that is ours, to our very name. So, +Helen, we must be prepared for a season of calamity." + +"They cannot deprive me of you, Randolph," she said, "and the rest they +may take." + +"Nay," said the brother, "I hope they may not. There is some deep plot +laid against us, which may prove successful at first. Dark hints, +foreboding threats, have been whispered to me. I seem to see some +shapeless danger. It is now like the smoke which rose from the +fisherman's casket. It may take the form of the Afrite. But trust me, my +sister, we shall find a spell to charm it again into its prison." + +"Would, Randolph," Helen exclaimed, "I could find some spell to charm +you into old ways! Why are you not as before we went to London? Whence +has come all the change? Little else should I heed, if you were as you +used to be." + +"And all the glories of our race! Fie, Helen! Go to Mrs. Griffith, and +take a lesson in the picture-gallery." + +He had smiled as he began; but his last word suggested a host of recent +associations, and his tone was gloomy again, as he said he would go and +write his letters. + +Of these, the first was to Mr. Winter. Randolph referred him to the +document which he enclosed, requested him to communicate with Messrs. +Truby, and to take upon himself the whole conduct of the action. And, in +the most urgent terms, he desired the lawyer to bring it to an issue +with the utmost despatch. Some surprise, he said, was evidently +intended. It was just within the sphere of possibility, that by delay +they might find a clue to the plot. Never mind that. It was at least as +possible they might not, and they might as well learn it from their +adversaries. Beaten at first, they would triumph in the end. At the same +time, they would of course go into court prepared, as far as they could +be, to meet every possible objection that could be imagined. He would be +obliged by Mr. Winter retaining Mr. Seymour Rereworth as his junior +counsel. + +Randolph had signed his letter, and laid down his pen. He read carefully +over what he had written, caught up the quill again, and added-- + +"P.S.--It is my father's marriage that is attacked." + +With quick and trembling fingers he folded the missive, sealed and +directed it. So much was done. + +Then he wrote to Rereworth, who had been called to the bar the preceding +term, and intended to join the western circuit at the coming assizes. +The letter was as follows:-- + + "MY DEAR REREWORTH, + + "An action has just been commenced against me, in which I have + requested Winter to offer you a brief. If you will not object + to hold it, I shall rejoice; but if, under the circumstances, + you feel the slightest reluctance, pray decline without + hesitation. Do not think that a refusal would vex me. + + "It is ejectment, brought by Mr. Pendarrel, and, I have no + doubt, for all the property which is left me here. There can be + only three grounds for the claim. First, they may set up some + will or deed, which would be forged. Secondly, they may impeach + the marriage of my grandfather (Mr. Pendarrel's half brother), + which is very unlikely. Thirdly, they may attack my father's; + which, I write it with shame and sorrow, is what I believe they + mean to do. + + "Winter is acquainted with all the circumstances of that + unhappy union. I have written to him; but I could not dwell + upon the subject. To you I would hint, that it is among my + maternal relations that a clue to the plot will probably be + found. They have, perhaps, had reason to complain, and they + have passion enough to seek revenge. + + "I levy a tax upon your friendship in asking you to engage in a + cause which, you will at once see, involves many personal + considerations, and must produce great pain. Do not, I again + say, consider yourself in any way bound to pay it; and believe + me, whatever be your decision, to be, my dear Rereworth, + + "Still faithfully yours, + + "RANDOLPH TREVETHLAN." + +These letters, together with one from Mr. Griffith, were despatched to +their destination that afternoon. Griffith wrote at much greater length +than his master, refreshing Mr. Winter's memory as to many points in the +family history. In particular, he detailed all the facts relating to the +marriage of Margaret Basset. For it was impossible not to be struck by +the idea that this action might be an attempt to give effect to the +vulgar rumours. And Griffith remembered, with some anxiety, that the +only witness to the ceremony, at present available, was old Maud Basset, +and that it was not quite certain which way her testimony might incline. +On the other hand, the steward found pleasure in thinking that they +could raise so strong a presumption in favour of the marriage, from Mr. +Trevethlan's own conduct, and from the conviction of all his household, +as could only be shaken by evidence of the most peremptory description. + +The temporary excitement which had strung Randolph's nerves and restored +his composure while he wrote his letters, died away when they were +finished. The sport with which all the country was alive, precluded him +from his usual excursion. He ascended with Helen to the roof of the +watch-tower, which commanded a very extensive view of the scene of +action, and looked listlessly upon the animated landscape. The shouts of +the contending parties came up to the brother and sister, now near and +now distant, now from the hollow of a dell, now from the ridge of an +upland. Sometimes the holder of the ball led the conflict full in their +sight; sometimes it disappeared in the intricacy of a thicket; sometimes +it approached, and Trevethlan seemed to be winning; then it receded, and +victory appeared to favour Pendarrel. Immediately below them, at the +foot of the base-court was the village-green, gay with the bright +ribands and merry laughter of the country girls. Helen partly forgot the +cares of the new law-suit, in gazing on the jocund landscape. + +"I wonder, Randolph," she said, "whether Mercy Page's sweetheart is in +the game to-day. The poor little girl's been quite fretting about him, +ever since he went away to London; and she owned to me, the other day, +she had been to drop a pebble in Madron Well, and that wretched dame +Gudhan frightened her half out of her wits." + +"Who is Mercy's sweetheart?" her brother asked. + +"Oh, it is Michael Sinson. He is in the service of Mrs. Pendarrel." +Helen had answered before she recollected the morning's communication. + +"Ha! indeed!" Randolph exclaimed. + +"And Polydore tells me that Edward Owen is just as peevish for her +sake," the sister continued, "as she for her absent swain's. And he goes +much among the discontented, and attends the night meetings, all out of +love. So you see there's quite a little romance in the hamlet; Romeo and +Juliet _en paysan_." + +"Of old," Randolph said, mechanically, for his thoughts were otherwise +engaged, "he would have gone on the high road." + +Helen, perplexed, looked in her brother's face, and saw the abstraction +in which he was absorbed. She turned her attention on the game, which +was now approaching its close. A dense throng appeared in the lane which +debouched at the further end of the green, shouting, struggling, and +fighting, till at last the victor of the day bounded to the goal, and +threw up the ball in triumph. The acclamations which hailed his success +roused Randolph from his reverie. + +"See, brother," said Helen, "we have won. Let it be an omen for us." + +"Ah!" he replied, smiling fondly upon her, and reverting to an idea she +had suggested, "I wish we believed such things. I would consult St. +Madron myself. As it is, I have written to consult our friend Rereworth. +But the game is over: let us go down." + +Helen was pleased to hear that Randolph was in correspondence with one +whom she had liked in his visits to Hampstead, and also at the +expression of his face, and the cheerful accent with which he spoke. But +it was only one of the fluctuations of the barometer in a storm. + +He had exulted at first receiving the notice of action, because it gave +him what he had wished for,--a personal quarrel with the Pendarrels. +Before it he never felt quite satisfied with himself. He had his +misgivings concerning his reception of that first letter of condolence. +He desired a right to make reprisals on his own account. Anything that +would render his union with Esther's daughter a greater triumph over +herself, was acceptable to his perverse temper. + +But this froward feeling was short-lived. Randolph remembered Mildred's +position, and reflected that if she loved him, as he believed, +everything that widened the breach between him and her family would be a +source of misery to herself. In the pursuit of his selfish revenge, he +had entirely forgotten the suffering it would inflict upon his mistress. +He was precluded from seeking her as the friend of those who should be +dear to her; and it was not, surely, for him to exult in any +exasperation of their hostility. + +And then he thought of the law-suit almost in despair. It seemed that +Esther Pendarrel, not content with breaking his father's heart, and +driving him to ruin, was proceeding after his death to defame his +memory: pretending that, he had imposed upon his family by a fictitious +marriage: seeking to have his children stripped of their name, and made +infamous in the eyes of the world. The mother of her whom Randolph +loved, was trying to degrade him to a position in which his alliance +would be a disgrace. + +And his own mother, whom he only knew by that strange dream, yet +regarded with the fondest affection, whose fame he had but recently +declared he would defend with his life,--her good name was also to be +sacrificed to satisfy the vengeance of this haughty woman. What! were +these the things in which he had exulted? That the breach which his +father had provided one means--dubious and remote indeed, but still a +means of healing--should be rendered irremediable for ever! For who +could pardon an attack like this? + +Of the action itself, and its consequences, Randolph took little heed. +To think of it would only be to perplex himself concerning the precise +artifice which was to be used at the trial: he was content to wait till +it came. Nevertheless, he noted Helen's chance information respecting +Michael Sinson's employment, but Griffith had already mentioned it to +Mr. Winter. + +Late in the evening the steward brought an account of the fray which +terminated the village sports, to the little turret-room where Polydore +was sitting with his old pupils. Jeffrey had been down on the green, +participating in the evening revels; but the careful warder returned to +his post as soon as anger took the place of amusement. And so fitful was +Randolph's mood that he now heard even of this disturbance with regret, +as he fancied it might introduce some fresh element of discord into the +family feud. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + "Era gia l'ora che volge 'l disio + A' naviganti, e'ntenerisce il cuore, + Lo di ch'han detto a' dolci amici addio, + E che lo nuovo peregrin d' amore + Punge, se ode squilla di lontano, + Che paja 'l giorno pianger che si muore." + + Dante. + + +Mercy Page was an old acquaintance of Helen's, and was wont to bring her +all the gossip of the village, intermingled with her own little +adventures. And so she told Miss Helen the story of her pilgrimage to +Madron Well, and the fierce denunciations of Dame Gudhan. And the young +lady, after smilingly chiding her for her simple proceeding, taught her +to smile also at the ill words of the pythoness. But now Mercy thought +she had the laugh on her side, for she had heard the twilight tales +about the castle, and availed herself of the familiarity which Helen +allowed her, to inquire concerning them at head-quarters. + +"D' ye know, Miss Helen," she asked, "what they're saying about the +green yonder? How there's a pale lady all in white, that walks through +the castle by night, and fleers you and Mr. Randolph sadly?" + +"All I can say, Mercy," Helen answered, with a smile, "is that I have +met no lady answering that description, either by night or by day." + +"They tell it so in whispers," the fair rustic continued; "I cannot well +say what is the story. It's something about somebody that some one +murdered a very long while ago." + +"Ah, Mercy, people are always fond of a ghost story," Helen said. "And +so I hear Michael was in the game the other day. You had a merry dance +at last, I expect." + +"Then, Miss Helen," said the girl, "I don't well know what's come over +Michael. He's very different from before he went to London." + +Helen sighed, thinking Michael was not the only one who had been so +altered. And in truth, Mercy was quite right. If her old lover pretended +to court her now, it was in a spirit very opposite to that which +animated him before his employment by Mrs. Pendarrel. His object was +twofold; to make use of the unsuspecting maiden as a spy within the +castle, and to achieve one of those conquests which he had heard boasted +of as great exploits in the society he frequented in town. But love is +frequently as blind to the qualities of its object as the attachment of +animals, and Mercy was as ignorant of Michael's intentions, as the +faithful dog in the story, that his master was a murderer. + +In truth, Sinson was exceedingly anxious to know what was passing in +Trevethlan Castle. He felt a feverish curiosity to discover what was +there thought of the law-suit which was just commenced. Certain himself, +that the case which he had submitted to Mr. Truby was unassailable, he +was still nervously desirous to learn in what manner his opponents +prepared to resist it. What did they guess? What did they suspect? What +line of investigation did they pursue? The proceedings were like a duel +in the dark. Neither party knew anything of his adversary's moves. A +stab in the back was perfectly legitimate. And so Sinson, naturally +imputing to others the conduct from which he would not shrink himself, +trembled lest he might be over-reached after all, and find his artifices +recoil upon their deviser. + +And upon this cast he had set all his desires. Upon the result of this +trial depended the issue of all his weary manoeuvring. It would either +place him in a position to demand his own terms, or it would leave him +unable to obtain any. His victory would be complete, or his ruin total. +But so far, although he was eager for news of his opponents, he +entertained no doubt whatsoever of his own triumph. + +Meantime, he trusted chiefly to Mercy for intelligence of what passed at +the castle, and she told him all she knew, with the most innocent +frankness. Trembling at shadows, he had been really alarmed at the tale +of poor Margaret's apparition. Aware of what was in contemplation, and +like all his race prone to superstition, he did not conceive there was +anything so very improbable in such a visitation, and he felt that it +would not be for the orphans that its warning was intended. He was glad +to hear from Mercy that the story was unfounded. + +Sinson was also much perturbed by the conduct of his grandmother. She +had not forgotten the hint he threw out respecting her favourite's +marriage. It was true, she only referred to it to excuse what he had +said, but the wild language and fierce predictions in which she +indulged, continually troubled him. And, besides, she was the only +witness now to be found who was present at the wedding; and although her +opposition could in no degree frustrate his scheme, her concurrence +would have gone some way to promote it. + +But he now endeavoured to hug himself in his security, and to pass the +interval before the trial as tranquilly as he might. He chose for +himself a pleasanter pastime than espionage upon Trevethlan Castle, and +watched with unwearying diligence the steps of Miss Pendarrel. Little +did Mildred think, as she pursued her meditative way among the +unfrequented thickets of the park, or strolled through the fields and +lanes beyond it, or wandered along the cliffs of the sea-shore, that her +path was always dogged by the stealthy foot, and her form watched by the +sinister eyes of Michael Sinson. Always at a convenient distance, ready +to slip behind a tree, or to skulk under a bank, if she chanced +accidentally to turn her head, the crafty observer lurked around her +course. Many a time he set out with the intention of coming forth at +some sequestered spot, and accosting the object of his chase, but he +always let the opportunity slip by. A kind of awe fettered his limbs, +and restrained his tongue, when he would have advanced and addressed the +unsuspecting maiden. There was a proud security about her which he felt +it impossible to invade, a serene confidence which he dared not ruffle. +He hated his timidity; he said, it should not be so next time; and when +the next time came, he again deferred his intended appearance. + +It happened, one fine mild afternoon, that Mildred quitted the park by +Wilderness Gate, and bent her steps to that thorn-shaded portion of the +cliff which was the scene of Michael's interview with Mercy Page, +immediately before his first departure for the metropolis. Here she +paced backwards and forwards, amongst the leafless hawthorns, often +pausing to gaze over the sea, and musing rather sadly of her forlorn +situation at home, where she had no one to confide in, no one to share +her emotion, and where every day seemed to draw her nearer to a +precipice, which she was yet resolved to shun. Thus she was looking over +the water, whose transparency assumed the hue of the weeds growing at +the bottom, pink, blue, and green, and watching the vessels in the bay, +when a step sounded on the turf by her side, and she looked round, and +recognised her cousin, Randolph Trevethlan. + +"Mildred," he said, in a voice which trembled with excitement, "do you +know me, Mildred?" + +He might read the answer in the hot flush upon her cheeks and forehead. + +"Will you acknowledge the impostor who sought you in disguise?" he +continued rapidly; "will you remember him who was shamed in your sight? +Me, the avowed enemy of your house, who should have met any belonging to +it in defiance and hate, yet came masked to your side to seek an +interest in your heart? For it was so. I loved you deeply, devotedly I +loved you, before that evening. So I love you now, and shall love you +for ever. From the first time my eyes met yours, in that echoing scene +of music and of light, I loved you, fervently as when I moved by your +side in those glittering saloons, fervently as I do now, and shall do, +till my heart has ceased to beat. And it was for me, Randolph +Trevethlan, to creep covertly to your presence, and woo you--for I did +woo you--woo you to be mine! And will you remember me now? Will you hear +me--not seek to palliate a deception which I loathe, not ask for +forgiveness which I despise--but will you hear me lay my love at your +feet, and, oh Mildred! at least not trample on it?" + +The vehemence with which he had spoken at first softened into tenderness +in his last words. Mildred continued to walk slowly by his side, unable +to speak, scarcely knowing what she did, with her eyes bent down, and +her hands clasped before her. + +"Hear me," Randolph said, in tones of passionate supplication. "Do you +know the life I have led? In yon lone castle by the sea, isolated from +the world, ignorant of my race, with nothing to love? Yet discontented, +pining, dreaming of love? Do you know how I came forth, madly +enthusiastic, to seek for fortune and fame? How still I felt my +desolation? Was not the world a blank to me? Was I not alone? Yet how +should you know it? I knew it not myself. Not till my eyes met yours +knew I the yearnings of my heart. The truth flashed upon me in an +instant. To see you and to love you, in your love to find the key to my +life, to vow for you to live and die--it was a moment's work. I knew not +who you were. Did I heed that? What acquaintance is needed for love? +Alas! I knew you too soon. The daughter of my father's destroyer, the +child of her whom I was pledged to hate, she it was I was destined to +love." + +Mildred cast an imploring glance into his face. + +"It is vain," he said. "It is hopeless. Even now, at this very hour, she +seeks to drive me from my home: from my name: my sister and me to be +outcasts on earth: shunned and despised: children without a father. +Think you there can be anything but hate between her and me?" + +"My mother," Mildred faltered. + +"It is our curse," said Randolph. "Did not my father imprecate the wrath +of Heaven upon me, if I held communion with her or hers? I love you, +Mildred, and the curse has fallen. And you love me," he cried in wild +rapture, flinging his arm around her, and folding her to his side, "you +love me, let the curse prevail." + +She did not shrink from his embrace, and for some distance they +proceeded in silence. He pressed her to a seat on a bank of turf. + +"Speak, dearest," he whispered, "let me hear that you love me. I feel it +in the beating of your heart. I read it in your face. Will you not let +me hear it from your lips?" + +She hid her face against his breast. There was another long silence. + +"Dearest," at length Randolph murmured, "there can be little of joy for +our love except in itself. Shall we not have faith in each other to +support us? Will you not be mine, whatever betide,--will you not be +mine, dearest Mildred?" + +"I am yours, Randolph," she said, "yours for ever, and only yours." + +He pressed a kiss upon her lips. + +"I must go home," she whispered, "I must go home." + +"Yes, we must part," the lover answered; "I know it. See," he continued, +"it is my star. Smiling on us, Mildred, as that evening. Believe me, +dearest, we shall not be parted for ever." + +And in a calmer mood, with more of hope and less of agitation, Randolph +rose, and supporting Mildred on his arm, accompanied her a short +distance on her way. They parted with a silent pressure of hands. + +The lovers were scarcely out of sight when Michael Sinson emerged from a +lair he had made himself near the spot where they rested, glared +fiercely in the direction they had gone, and advanced to the edge of the +cliff. The evening was mild enough for May; twilight was stealing slowly +over the tranquil sea; in the west, the star of love, alone in the sky, +was following the sun to sink behind the waves. It was, indeed, the soft +hour so sweetly described by the poet of the divine drama, reminding the +mariner of his latest farewell, and soothing the pilgrim of love with +the knell of parting day. But none of this tender influence was felt by +the man who stood, panting, on the cliff that overhung the waters. Fury, +envy, and malice, contended within him. Why could not he do this? Why, +in the many times he had followed her steps, had he never dared to +approach her? What spell had been upon him? Had she shrunk at all from +the arm which enfolded her? Had she recoiled from the embrace? Might it +not have been the same with him? The same blood was in his veins as in +Randolph's. Whence came the accursed timidity which held him back? And +what did they say? Why could he not hear as well as see? Was there any +fascination in Trevethlan's tongue? + +And it was he, whom he had learned to hate from his boyhood, his +mother's sister's son, whose father cast aside the peasant relatives +with contempt; he it was who, in one moment, in a first interview it +might be, had achieved a triumph which Michael, with all his +opportunities, had never ventured to attempt. But let him look to it. +Ruin and shame were impending over his head. It would soon be seen which +of them was the better born. The emptiness of his rival's happiness +would speedily be discovered. Poverty-stricken and dishonoured, Margaret +Basset's son might not be so successful a suitor as the heir of +Trevethlan. + +Successful! Had he been successful? Had she listened to him with favour? +Michael felt that she had. But she would not long exult in her love. She +little thought of the chain that was preparing for her. Melcomb, indeed! +She need not fear the shallow coxcomb. There was another sort of wooer +behind. But for the present her mother must know the liberties taken by +the bird. The door of the cage would probably be fastened. + +Some such train of ideas flew rapidly through Sinson's perturbed fancy, +as he stood a few minutes on the verge of the cliff. He soon turned +hastily, and hurried straight across the country to Pendarrel Hall, +where he arrived before the young lady who had excited his emotion. He +sought its mistress without much ceremony. + +"Pray, sir," said she, on seeing him, "what rudeness is this? Did I +desire your attendance?" + +"No, ma'am," he answered, cringing and trembling. "I beg pardon, ma'am; +but I thought you might like to know that Miss Mildred has just met Mr. +Trevethlan." + +"Well, sir!" Esther said, preserving a composure which bewildered the +informant. + +"It may be nothing, ma'am, of course," Sinson continued. "But clasping +arms, and hands pressed, and lips meeting...." + +"Be silent, sir!" exclaimed Mrs. Pendarrel, "and leave the room. I want +no tales about Mr. Trevethlan." + +In increased astonishment, Michael obeyed. Mildred entered the apartment +not very long after. + +"My dear Mildred," her mother said, "you should not stay out so late. +These February evenings are damp and unhealthy; and besides, dear, you +take too long walks. I should be glad if you would confine yourself to +the garden. Take a carriage, my love, if you wish for a longer +excursion." + +Mildred understood her mother well, and knew that this was a command. +But amid the rapturous, though confused sensations, with which her heart +was thrilling, she did not even notice the coincidence of the injunction +with the scene through which she had passed not an hour before. She +thought she should be happy at last. She had found a stay to uphold her +in the times which she feared were at hand. She had pledged her word, +plighted her troth. There was a home ready for her, if her own were made +desolate--a haven to receive her, if the storm rose higher than she +could bear. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + Quand on est honnete homme, ou ne veut rien devoir + A ce que des parens ont sur nous du pouvoir. + On repugne a se faire immoler ce qu'on aime, + Et l'on veut n'obtenir un coeur que de lui-meme. + Ne poussez pas ma mere a vouloir, par son choix, + Exercer sur mes voeux la rigueur de ses droits. + Otez-moi votre amour, et portez a quelqu'autre + Les hommages d'un coeur aussi cher que le votre. + + Moliere. + + +So the days passed on; and in due course arrived the one fixed by Mrs. +Pendarrel for her great entertainment. March was coming in like a lamb +when the appointed morning dawned, the festival having been postponed to +nearly the time of the county assizes, for the convenience of Mr. +Pendarrel, who was always summoned on the grand jury. Mildred no longer +contemplated it with her old alarm, but rather hoped it might afford her +an opportunity of coming to an explanation with her suitor of Tolpeden, +and so relieve her at once and for ever from his unwelcome addresses. As +for Michael Sinson, he had gone to London again. + +A very busy day was that at the Hall. Not only the suite of saloons, +opening by French windows on a terrace, whence a few steps descended to +a lawn diversified by clumps of flowering shrubs, but also, under favour +of the genial season, the lawn itself and the neighbouring alleys were +prepared for the entertainment of the company. Coloured lamps were +dispersed among the bushes, and festoons of the same were hung from +branch to branch of the trees which in summer shaded the gravel walks. +Arrangements were made also for a display of fireworks. In short, the +hostess provided amusement for a very miscellaneous assembly, looking +beyond the gaiety of the evening to the maintenance of political +influence, and having swept with her invitations half the hundred of +West Kerrier. + +Her obsequious consort arrived in the course of the day, quitting the +cares of office to show civility to his adherents. Unwillingly, indeed, +he came, for he hated the country, and would gladly have deferred his +visit until the assizes. But his wife required his presence, perhaps, +for ulterior views. There was another guest for whom Mildred might hope +in vain: no Gertrude was there to gladden her with sisterly affection. + +Twilight had scarcely deepened into night when the earliest of the +company made their appearance. A worthy civic dignitary from a +neighbouring borough, with his wife, and his sons and his daughters, +walked in dismay through the splendour of the drawing-rooms to pay his +respects to his excellent representative. Alas! that free and +independent elector, if, indeed, he survived the shock, has now wept +long for his dearly-beloved franchise. As Napoleon has been imagined in +shadowy pomp reviewing a spectral army on the plain of Waterloo, may we +not fancy that the latest burgesses of Grampound or Old Sarum are +summoned from their tombs by the dissolution of a Parliament, meet again +in the ruined town-hall, or on the desolate mound, stretch their +skeleton hands for the well-remembered compliment, elect a truly British +member, partake of an unsubstantial feast, and sink again into their +last sleep, in the manner recorded of Bibo, with the honest conviction +that, as men and as Englishmen, they have that day done their duty? The +mockery would be no greater than of old. + +Let not the worthy alderman be disconcerted. Some one must be first at a +party, but the intervals between that arrival, and the next, and the +next, are always brief, and they become shorter and shorter, until the +stream is continuous, and the scattered groups which had been +scrutinizing each other are blended together in one great crowd. So it +was now: a host of people speedily followed the Pentreaths. There was +Sir Simon Rogers, portly and pompous, whose history might be read in the +colour of his nose. He was still seeking a successor to the dairy-maid. +There was Mr. Hitchins, who had made his fortune by a lucky boring for +tin, with his scientific daughter, who, having been down her father's +mine, inflicted the descent upon all her partners. To dance with her was +almost literally to fall into a pit. There were the Misses Eildon, +antiquarian and antiquated. There were sea-board parsons of the old +school, who might have called on their congregations to give them a fair +start for the wreck. Tres, Rosses, and Pols, Lans, Caers, and Pens, +abounded. There was plenty of beauty and plenty of sense. And the throng +was illustrated by a few uniforms from the troops on duty in the +neighbourhood, still flushed with the glory of the war. + +Music lent its inspiration to the throng, and the crowded saloons were +all animation. Country dances and quadrilles followed each other in +endless succession; and the non-dancing community sauntered to and fro, +seeking friends and acquaintance, exchanging compliments and sarcasms, +making engagements, indulging in scandal, eternally talking and +contributing to the buzz which at a little distance almost overpowered +the orchestra. But the prevailing confusion of tongues was slightly +stilled when an attendant announced "Mr. Melcomb." + +Mildred had remained by her mother's side. She thought there had been +something a little peculiar in the observation bestowed upon herself. In +the lull which for a moment followed Melcomb's appearance, she supposed +she detected its origin. She might read it perhaps more plainly in the +faces of two or three worthy dames near her, who, as soon as they heard +the name, looked at her with all their might. She passed through the +ordeal triumphantly. + +Meantime, Melcomb made his way through the press with much show of +good-humour and condescension, until he reached the family group. He +shook hands warmly with Mrs. Pendarrel, and inflicted a tender pressure +on the passive fingers which Mildred extended to receive his salute. +Then he fell into what appeared to be a very entertaining conversation +with the mother and daughter, and at last led Mildred away to mix in the +mazes of the dance. + +But although she sustained her part with great spirit, there were not a +few quidnuncs, both male and female, who set the young lady down as +having anything but her heart in it. Shrewd matrons, thanking their +stars that none of their daughters were likely to fall in love with a +rake, doubted very much whether Miss Pendarrel was quite pleased with +the parental choice. Knowing fathers, congratulating themselves that +none of their sons were gamblers, speculated on the grounds of +selection. + +"They say he's totally ruined," said Mr. Langorel the surgeon, to Mr. +Quitch the lawyer. + +"Quite, my dear sir. Never heard of anything so complete in all my +experience. Know nothing about it professionally, of course. Break off +this match, and in a week there would not be a rag left in Tolpeden +House, nor a stick in the park." + +"What can make them fix on such a fellow?" asked the man of nostrums. + +"Well, there's the land to add to the domain," answered the man of +deeds. "Extraordinary woman, my dear sir. Covets her neighbour's land +like the czar of Russia. The owner goes with it, and diminishes the +value, and therefore the cost. And have you not heard what's even now in +the wind? Trevethlan Castle----" And mysteriously whispering, the +professionals passed on. + +"Don't tell me, my dear Mrs. Bonfoy," mumbled the ancient Mrs. Memoirs, +"I am old enough--I never disguise the fact, Mrs. Bonfoy--old enough to +recollect the mother's marriage. She married in spite, and she spites +her children." + +"Is he so very bad?" asked Mrs. Bonfoy. "I only believe half what the +world says." + +"Believe only a hundredth, my dear madam," answered Mrs. Memoirs, "of +what it says of him, and you will believe enough to--but no matter." + +"Then what can be the reason----?" + +"Ah, my dear madam! Tolpeden Park." + +"Poor Mrs. Melcomb!" + +"Ah!" + +Such were the comments, and such the sighs, with which the expected +marriage was canvassed in the drawing-rooms of Pendarrel. Its mistress +had taken care that the intelligence should be widely diffused, and in +all Kerrier there was probably no one who was not cognizant that the +match was a settled thing, except the lady whom it chiefly concerned, +and the inmates of Trevethlan Castle. Mildred read the news in the faces +and the demeanour of the company. Experience enabled her to control her +emotion, and she met her destined lord in a manner fully satisfactory +both to him and to her mother. The curious of the guests were surprised +and disappointed. No scene occurred to gratify their love of scandal. +But Mildred's calm deportment concealed a strong resolution. That very +night she would have an explanation with Melcomb, and repeat her +determination never to be his wife. + +She danced with him, and walked with him, and answered his lively +badinage with cold civility, continually watching for an opportunity to +explain herself. She long watched in vain. As the rooms grew warm, the +guests gradually resorted to the lawn and shrubberies, now lighted by +the coloured rays of myriad lamps. Thither Melcomb also directed the +steps of his partner, who went with pleasure, in the hope that in those +less crowded scenes she might obtain the chance which she desired. She +even permitted her cavalier to lead her into one of the more sequestered +walks, always with the same design. But still she was always foiled. +Melcomb maintained such an uninterrupted flow of small-talk, that she +could hardly insert a word. It seemed as if he almost divined her +intention. Whenever she began a sentence, he stopped her at the first +word, assenting beforehand to what he chose to assume she was about to +say. And some of the company, observing what seemed the close intimacy +of the unhappy couple, were inclined to throw aside their previous +suspicions, and to conclude that, after all, the marriage might be one +of inclination. Some of the dowagers complimented Mrs. Pendarrel on the +cordial affection of her daughter and intended son-in-law, and the wily +mother stored up those expressions of sympathy for future use. + +At length the discharge of a cannon summoned the admirers of pyrotechny +to witness a display of their art. There was a platform and scaffolding +erected for the exhibition at the extremity of the lawn. The company +thronged around the front, and waited for the show. Nor was it long in +commencing. Rockets rushed into the sky, leaving a fiery train behind +them, and flinging showers of coloured stars from the highest point of +their flight. Bengal lights cast a lurid glare on the trees, and the +house, and the faces of the crowd. Wheels of endless variety, and +devices of rare skill, excited the admiration, and demanded the applause +of the gazers. And the former reached its height, and the latter became +loudest, when the final emblem, a true lover's knot surrounded by +similar symbols, became visible in lines of fire, beneath a bouquet of +rockets and a salvo of cannon. + +"Happy will be the day, dear Miss Pendarrel," said Melcomb, forgetting +for an instant his prudence, "when that symbol shall become a reality." + +"That day," Mildred said, "will never come." + +The coxcomb bit his lips, but immediately relapsed into his former +persiflage. + +From the fireworks, the company went to supper; and after having duly +honoured the viands and the wines, returned to the enjoyment of the +dance with renewed spirits. Sir Roger de Coverley closed the night's +entertainment; and day was already visible in the east before the latest +of the party, among whom was Melcomb, arrived at their homes. + +The fortitude, which had sustained Mildred during the evening, vanished +with the last of the guests. She had designed to come to an explanation +with her mother before she slept; but she now felt quite unequal to the +task. Lassitude of body increased depression of mind. In sad, almost in +solemn accents, she bade her mother and father good night, and retired +to rest. + +Mrs. Pendarrel, in her secret self, was by no means so well satisfied +with her daughter's behaviour, as she pretended to her guests. She had +already discovered in Mildred a firmness of character, resembling, if +not equalling, her own; and she was rather afraid that this night's +tranquillity foreboded a stormy morrow. However, she was not a woman to +be easily daunted, and she did not suffer her anxiety to disturb her +slumbers. + +The day following a party is always dismal. One may remember the second +scene in Hogarth's Marriage a la Mode. But the revelry of the night had +not disordered the pleasant morning-room, where Mildred presided over +the breakfast equipage. It was again a beautiful day. Light clouds were +moving gently across the sky; the budding trees were waving in a soft +west wind; there was that seeming exuberance of life in the appearance +of nature, which is always so exhilarating. + +Little influence, however, did it produce on either of the three +personages who sat at breakfast. Mr. Pendarrel was engaged in a very +prosaic and business-like attack on a dindon aux truffes, a relic of the +past night. And he preferred the metropolitan parks to any country lawns +and groves. As soon as he had appeased his appetite, or his gourmandism, +he went to look to the economy of the establishment. His wife, who +enjoyed a true relish for rural pleasures, noted her daughter's +quivering eyelids, and trembling fingers, with the consciousness that a +scene was coming, in which she might find her part more difficult than +she had flattered herself. She had dismissed the breakfast things, and +was herself about to leave the room, when Mildred, who was leaning +against the side of the window, and gazing wistfully on the garden, +turned and arrested her steps. + +"Mother," she said, "I must speak with you." + +"And what have you to say, Mildred," asked Mrs. Pendarrel, with a +freezing smile, "which requires so formal an introduction?" + +"I did not know, mother," Mildred replied, "that the party, last night, +was to be dedicated, in any way, to my ... my honour. If I had, I would +not have been present." + +"You will be present, Miss Pendarrel," Esther said, "wherever your +father and I choose you to be present." + +"Indeed, mother, sorry I am to say it," answered the daughter, +mournfully, "I will not, except as a captive. The company shall see my +bondage." + +"Mildred, let me hear no more of this folly," exclaimed Mrs. Pendarrel. +"Captive! Bondage! What romance have you been reading lately?" + +"No romance, mother, but myself. Scarcely a month has passed since I +told Mr. Melcomb, and you, mother, that I would never be his wife. Do +you fancy that month has changed my mind?" + +"Twelve hours have not passed, Mildred," said Esther, in the stern tone +she could so well adopt, "since here, in the face of half Kerrier, you +accepted Mr. Melcomb as your acknowledged suitor. Pshaw, child! Do you +think words are the only way of making an engagement? Are you a baby? +Why, a hundred people complimented me on the affair last night, and +expressed their satisfaction at your evident happiness. And will you +dare to tell me, now, that you were acting a lie all that time?" + +"Mother, mother!" cried Mildred, "spare such words. You know they are +undeserved. So does he. I repeated my determination to him last night." + +"What!" Mrs. Pendarrel exclaimed; "but it is no matter. Your faith, your +father's, and mine, are alike involved in the fulfilment of this +contract, and nothing can prevent it." + +"Yes, mother," Mildred said, "I can, and I will." + +"You are mistaken in the extent of your abilities, child," Esther said, +ironically. "Note me,--I have fixed the day. I have written to your +sister. I expect the lawyer here with the writings every day. He has +some other business to do for us at the assizes. You will find nerve to +sign, I expect. Away with this foolish childishness, Mildred." + +"May my hand wither if it takes the pen! Mother, you know my +resolution." + +With which words Mildred opened the window and passed into the garden. + +"So," thought Mrs. Pendarrel, "another check from the house of +Trevethlan! I foresaw it all when she trembled on my arm, when she +called him her 'cousin.' And they have met! They will rue the day. +Beggared and degraded, he might still have maintained his heart, but he +has thrown even that to the winds. And what will become of her?--what +will become of her?" + +A question to which there was very little hope of any favourable answer. +The cautious mother had carefully abstained from the least allusion to +Mildred's meeting with Randolph, because she knew that by so doing she +would probably convert resistance into attack. She recognised in her +daughter some of her own spirit, and she trembled to drive her to +extremity. Let them await the issue of the coming trial at Bodmin: let +them see what became of this intrusive "cousin," before taking any steps +which might indicate a suspicion of Mildred's real attachment. + +Her daughter strolled sometime listlessly in the garden, in that vacuity +of mind which nearly resembles despair. She was like one walking in her +sleep. But there were pleasant influences around her. The breeze fell +lightly on her cheek, and wafted the dark hair from her forehead. She +bent to meet it, like a bird. It came from the sea. Did it remind +Mildred of the hawthorns on the cliff? She passed from her saunter on +the lawn to her own apartment, and opened her heart in a letter to Mrs. +Winston. For some time her pen coquetted with country trifles, as if the +writer were trying to escape from an unpleasant topic which nevertheless +forced itself into notice, and at last banished every other. + + "It has all come true, my dearest sister," she wrote, "all your + prediction has come true. Quiet among my flowers and books, + _our_ books, Gertrude, I was beginning to forget it. All the + people paid us their visits and their compliments, and we duly + returned them, and of _him_ I saw and heard nothing. But you + know all about it, for mamma told me she had written to you. It + seems he was only to come to our party last night. Everybody we + know, with many we can hardly be said to know, was here,--he + among the rest; although I had not heard he was in the country, + and only learned it from the announcement of his name. I + believe I bore it like Gertrude's sister; but oh! dearest, how + shall I tell you of my feelings when I saw that every one + regarded us as engaged? I hate that _us_. And this morning + mamma says my character is compromised. And I am in open and + avowed rebellion. + + "But this is not all, Gertrude, dear, that I have to tell you. + I wish you to guess a little. I have seen our cousin, Mr. + Trevethlan, who was at your party, you know. There is the first + chapter of my romance. You are coming here soon, and then you + shall know more. Till then, and always, believe me, your most + affectionate sister, + + "MILDRED PENDARREL." + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + Here, a bold, artful, surly, savage race-- + Who, only skilled to take the finny tribe, + The yearly dinner, or septennial bribe, + Wait on the shore, and as the waves run high, + On the lost vessel bend their eager eye, + Which to their coast directs its venturous way-- + Theirs, or the ocean's, miserable prey. + + Crabbe. + + +"Did you hear what they're saying in the village yonder, Master +Randolph?" old Jeffrey asked, as Trevethlan was passing through the +gate, on the day after the party. "All the grand doings at Pendar'l?" + +Randolph started a little. + +"I saw the light in the sky," the warder continued, "and was thinking +whose stacks had been fired this time, only it didn't last long now. And +they tell me 'twas the squibs and things that were let off to entertain +the company like." + +"Then there was a party at Pendarrel last night?" Randolph said, in an +inquiring tone. + +"A party! Indeed I should say there was," Jeffrey answered. "Why, sir, +all the country was there from far and wide; all but ours from +Trevethlan! And Squire Melcomb of Tolpeden, over the hill yonder, that +the folks say is to marry Miss Mildred." + +Randolph smiled. "What," said he; "is that so publicly known?" + +"It seems like it," Jeffrey said. "But there's strife on foot between +our people and Pendar'l. There's a deal of grumbling and threatening +down there on the green. They do say as the wedding is fixed for quite +soon." + +Randolph asked no more, but proceeded on his way. He had not got far +from the gates when he met the unrequited lover, Edward Owen. The rustic +seemed desirous to say something, for he lingered after making his +salute. + +"What is it, Edward?" his master asked, "what is the matter?" + +"Why, sir, then the folks are just wanting to know what this law-suit is +about. You see, sir, we think Pendar'l ha' got quite enough as was ours, +and we ought to have some back, rather than give up any more. And the +country's a little unquiet just now, and there's no saying exactly what +may happen." + +"And I am sorry to hear, Edward," Randolph said, "that you have been +concerned in the disquiet. It will lead to no good." + +"Sir," answered Owen, colouring, "you do not know how I have been urged +on. And, for the others, there's a deal wrong in the country at this +time." + +"But this is not the way to right it, Owen," his master observed. "No +good will be done by these night-meetings, and threats, and violence. It +is not the way to set things right. You cannot frighten people into +doing what you wish. And if you are mixed up with these wrong-doers, you +will get into mischief. You will be led further than you meant to go." + +Owen muttered some words, either of contrition or of discontent, and +pursued his way. It was true that the ferment in the country had +considerably increased. The labouring population met almost every night +on some point of the moorlands, and although no outrage of much +consequence had yet been perpetrated by these mobs, they yet kept up a +continual feeling of alarm. + +Nor was the danger by any means chimerical. If hitherto no greater +mischief had occurred, it was probably rather from the want of +sufficient daring in a leader, than of any good will among the mass. And +this requisite seemed now likely to be supplied, by an event which +happened on the hill-side between Lelant and St. Ives. + +A small river there expands into a creek, the shores of which rise +rapidly from the water's edge, sometimes cultivated, and sometimes +waste, frequently chequered with trees, occasionally broken by masses of +rock--always rugged and picturesque. High upon one of the untilled +portions, under the shelter of a ledge of slate, stood a low, straggling +cottage, constructed of _cob_, and thatched with fern, of which the +whitewashed front by day, and a light in the window by night, were +visible far out at sea. On the over-hanging rock was a spot showing +signs of fire, that commonest and simplest of signals, in by-gone years +too often used in these western districts to lure mariners to their +destruction; when the skipper, navigating by the fallacious beacon, was +startled by the cry of "breakers ahead!" confounded by the crash of his +ship's striking, and overpowered by a horde of lawless depredators, +unaccustomed in their thirst for plunder, to respect life. But the +fierceness of the wreckers, if it still tainted the blood of the +peasantry, quailed under the law; and their organ of acquisitiveness now +led them to the milder occupation of smuggling. If, in these days, a +fire ever burned on the rock in question, it was a friendly warning +concerning the fate of some brandy or Hollands, supposed to lurk under +the broad lug-sails which the telescope had detected in the offing, and +coveted with much zest in many a dwelling on the shore. + +This cottage was the abode of Gabriel Denis, a man whose stalwart form +and firm step showed that fifty years sat light upon him; while his +swarthy, weather-beaten visage, grizzled hair, and resolute eye, told of +a life, which hardship and peril had familiarised with endurance and +boldness. Some few years before the opening of this narrative, on a dark +and stormy night, when a rich landing of spirits and tobacco repaid the +country-folks about Zennor for the want of sleep, Denis was found in the +morning to have been left behind by the smart schooner which had run +boldly under the cliffs in the gloom, and which was then almost beyond +the range of glasses. His desertion did not, however, seem to be +unexpected by himself, for there were several chests left with him, and +also an olive-complexioned woman, whom it appeared he called wife, and a +girl about ten years old, whom he styled daughter. + +Denis knew very well that there was no danger of a smuggler's being +betrayed by the people, yet for some time he lived with great privacy, +and thereby attracted the attention which he wished to avoid. In the +dusk of evening he used to wander far over the country, and was known +not unfrequently to cross the isthmus from St. Ives to Marazion, and +stroll along the beach, or over the cliffs, in the direction of +Trevethlan Castle. He seemed to listen attentively to the gossip of all +the folks about him, and sometimes let fall a remark which indicated a +previous acquaintance with the locality. And at such times he would +glance round the company as if in search of a recognition. + +At length, assured perhaps of his situation, he obtained possession of +the cottage we have described, and retired thither with his wife and +child. He was evidently deeply attached to the dark-featured woman, and +watched all who approached her with extreme jealousy. She was still very +handsome, but passionate in temper to excess, and also quick to take +affront, partly, perhaps, because she was but imperfectly acquainted +with the English language. It required all her husband's watchfulness to +avoid perpetual quarrels. + +For it was soon discovered that the whitewashed cottage contained a +store of those liquors which seem to lead mankind into temptation, +universal and irresistible. Now a man, known _sub rosa_ to retail +smuggled spirits, was not likely to enjoy a perfectly quiet life; a +drinking-bout often ends in a battle; Bacchus is the herald of Mars. And +whenever such a tumult arose, Gabriel's wife was sure to be vocal in the +fray. But Denis possessed a right powerful arm, and knew how to use it: +and his customers learned to listen patiently to the strange jargon of +Felipa, in wholesome fear of the iron hand of her spouse. + +Gabriel's house had become a rendezvous for some of the agitators of the +district, who were wont to assemble there at nightfall, and discuss +their schemes of outrage under the inspiration of Nantz and Schiedam. +Hitherto, these had proved almost wholly abortive; but, as Owen vaguely +intimated to the owner of Trevethlan, they now assumed a more +threatening aspect, and some inhabitants of that hamlet were foremost +among the violent. There had been much question concerning the law-suit +between their master and the squire of Pendarrel. Its existence had +become generally known, not only by the service of numerous summonses to +attend the trial, but also by placards, offering liberal rewards for any +information respecting the supposed murder of Mr. Ashton, and the +disappearance of Wyley, the missing witness to Margaret Basset's +marriage. The rumours regarding that mysterious union, already revived, +were stimulated anew by these demonstrations: and the agitation and +discontent of the surrounding population were quickened by an indistinct +apprehension of some new calamity impending over the family, to which, +in spite of everything, they were still strongly attached. + +Denis himself had kept aloof from the deliberations, usually held on the +turf in front of his dwelling. All he desired was to maintain his wife +and child as quietly as he might, on the proceeds of his illicit +traffic. But at last, on the very eve of the assizes which were to +develope the plot against Trevethlan Castle, the smuggler was doomed to +lose his occupation, under circumstances which might have well nigh +maddened any man, and much more, one whose life had been like that of +Gabriel Denis. Long suspicious, the revenue officers had become at +length certain, and swooped upon their prey. The victim blockaded his +abode, as best he could, and opposed a gallant resistance to the +oppressors. But they were sure of their game, and the defence was +fruitless. Yet Denis struggled with them still, when they had effected +an entrance: and then, overpowered by numbers, he had the mortification +to see the officers, acting evidently on some traitor's information, +immediately detect the secret door which led to a natural cave in the +rock behind the cottage, and haul forth from that receptacle divers kegs +of the precious fluids intended to recreate the lieges of the +neighbourhood, but destined for their sovereign's storehouse at Lelant. + +Gabriel, in sulky silence, had given up all resistance. But not so his +wife. Enraged beyond control, and heedless of her husband's +remonstrances, she threw herself furiously upon the captors. It is +always difficult to struggle with a woman. Felipa had snatched a pistol +from the belt of one of the officers, and in the effort to disarm her, +the weapon exploded, and laid her lifeless on the ground. A moment's +pause of sorrow and surprise followed, during which Gabriel's little +girl threw herself, with loud cries, upon her mother's body, and he +himself, after one wild look of despair, flew up the hill-side like the +wind. + +The officers recovered, and gave chase, but to no effect. The smuggler +got clear off. There was nothing to be done but to secure the seizure, +and remove the body of the unfortunate victim. The little girl +accompanied the train. + +The news of the transaction flew far and fast. But it did not prevent +the conspirators--if the word is not above their deserts--from resorting +to their usual haunt the same evening. They lay, six or seven in number, +in various attitudes on the turf in front of the ruined cottage, in the +irresolute and objectless mood of which many a plot has perished. +Agreeing in a desire, either for wanton mischief or for their +neighbours' goods, they could not make up their minds how to begin. The +cowardice, which always attends the doing of wrong, lay heavy on their +hearts, and made their hands powerless. + +But Gabriel Denis came down the hill and joined the criminal divan. +Trained in a lawless life, burning with the desire for revenge, heedless +of the manner, he brought into the assembly the passion and energy for +which it had before sought in vain. He listened awhile to the incoherent +gabble of the agitators, and then startled their indecision by a direct +proposition of his own. His speech was cold, and his words were few; yet +there was not a man who heard him, but knew that he meant what he said. +And when the little party dispersed, it was with a confident feeling, +that the next meeting of their adherents at Castle Dinas would not +terminate in the same inoffensive manner as previous musters of the same +nature. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + Peace, brother, be not over-exquisite + To cast the fashion of uncertain evils; + For grant they be so, while they rest unknown, + What need a man forestall his date of grief, + And run to meet what he would most avoid? + + Milton. + + +The summonses referred to in the last chapter had been very widely +distributed among all those of the tenantry of Trevethian, who had been +cotemporaries of poor Margaret Basset. They were, in fact, issued almost +at random, in order that the defendant in the trial might have at hand +every possible means of rebutting his adversary's case. But they were +not confined to the dependents of the castle: old Maud Basset and her +daughter, Cecily, also received subpoenas, and Michael Sinson was +greatly startled by being served with one himself. + +Mr. Winter had offered some early opposition to Randolph's desire to +hurry on the matter without delay. His experience taught him to look +with hope to the discovery of a clue to the plaintiff's intentions, and +he would gladly have avoided the risk even of a temporary defeat. There +was, too, ample reason for postponement, in the chance, however slight +it might be, of finding the missing witness, Wyley; and in the short +space, there would otherwise intervene, for ascertaining as much as +possible of the clergyman, Mr. Ashton. All these considerations, +however, gave way to the urgency with which Randolph insisted on +despatch. And as there is a way, even in law, where there is a will, and +the other side were at least as anxious for an issue, the cause was +brought to a condition, for trying at the assizes which were now +commencing. + +It may not be uninteresting to the reader, to see the exact position, +stripped of technicalities, in which the parties stood at going into +court. The question between them was one of inheritance merely, and of a +very simple kind. Randolph's great grandfather left two sons by +different marriages, Arthur, the eldest, and Philip, the present +claimant of the property at stake. Arthur was the father of only one +son, Henry. It will be seen, therefore, that in default of any will, and +of Henry's dying without family, the estates would revert to Philip. +There was no will to interfere, for Henry, in his, merely appointed +guardians of his children, and made no bequests. He considered it a +matter of course that the children would inherit. And so they would, if +the marriage of which they were the offspring, were legal. But if this +marriage were not duly performed, or the children supposititious, Philip +would become heir to the property. + +It was, therefore, almost self-evident, that the claimant's case would +rest upon the insufficiency of Randolph's father's marriage. So to this +point was directed the main attention of his legal advisers. But every +presumption was in favour of its perfect legality. All the dark +suggestions which subtilty could imagine, vanished one after another, in +the light thrown upon them by Henry Trevethlan's own conduct. If there +were a fraud, it must have been without his cognizance, for it would +have defeated his supposed object. But if he were not privy, what motive +could be ascribed to any other party? It was impossible, for obvious +reasons, to impute anything of the kind to the friends of the bride. +Baffled in every conjecture, Mr. Winter could only take means for +procuring the presence of everybody, who, by any remote contingency, +might be able to contribute to the overthrow of the claimant's case. + +For in this sort of action the parties meet at the trial totally +ignorant of each other's intentions. For instance, in this case the +claim might be made, either under an alleged will, or a sale and +conveyance of the property, or on the ground that the holder was not the +legitimate heir. And supposing the first case, the defendant might say, +either that the will was forged, or was made when the testator was of +unsound mind, or was revoked by a later. So wide is the field for +surprise. And consequently it frequently happens, that the title to a +disputed estate is very far from established by a single verdict; but +that in a series of trials, the parties alternately upset one another's +successive positions, until the ground is exhausted, and the matter +finally set at rest. + +We have seen that the approach of the contest caused great excitement in +the hamlet of Trevethlan. It was an agitation not unmixed with shadowy +dread. The presentiments and forebodings which had long afforded a theme +for the village guidance, were discussed more anxiously than ever. The +old people recollected every little coincidence attending a death in the +family, or the severance of an estate, and detected something parallel +at the present time. Some aged folks listened at night for the wailing +cries which ought to echo around the old grey towers on the eve of a +calamity; and when none such mingled with the gentle sighing of the west +wind, they interpreted this very softness into a sign, declared the +unnatural warmth of the season was a certain token of ill, and +remembered some similar year when disaster visited the castle. Of +course, this state of feeling reacted within its walls, and revived the +terrors of the domestics. In spite of Helen's contradiction to Mercy +Page, the wiseacres of the hamlet insisted on peopling the gloomy +galleries with visitors from another world, and some of the more eager +occasionally watched the windows at night, in the hope of being +terrified and having a story to tell. + +It had been well if these night-fancies were all that disturbed the +people. But not a few of them were speculating already on what should be +done, in case the forebodings were verified by the result. And here, had +it been known, was a veritable cause for alarm. Randolph himself would, +perhaps, have trembled, if he had been aware what his dependents were +meditating, as they supposed for his advantage, but at all events for +their own satisfaction. + +For some time after his interview with Mildred, the gloom and moroseness +which beset him previously, had vanished. Strong in the hope and trust +inspired by that meeting, he became frank and unreserved in his +intercourse with the villagers, lively and agreeable in his circle at +home. Helen and Polydore rejoiced at the change, without knowing its +origin. It showed itself in the smile with which he heard Jeffrey's +announcement of Miss Pendarrel's approaching marriage. "Simple people!" +he might think, "how little you know on the subject!" But as the day of +trial came quite near, some of his former agitation naturally returned: +he shunned the conversation of the peasants, and became once more +abstracted and silent at home. Again did the rustics note the gloom upon +his brow, and whisper among their other prognostications that their +master's doom was written in his face; but he should not fall unavenged. + +Nor was Michael Sinson more at his ease. He had gone to London before +the party at Pendarrel, to consult Mr. Truby, and to see his bondman, +Everope. It was essential that he should maintain his influence over the +latter unbroken, and keep him well prepared for the part he was to play. +He was greatly startled himself by being summoned as a witness for the +defendant. He had intended, indeed, to go down to the assizes, but he +did not mean to appear. He should remain in the background, while his +creature did his work. He trembled to think of the confessions into +which he might be driven or led by the searching questions of counsel; +but still more he alarmed himself by imagining that his opponents had +obtained some clue to his design, and that some strange exposure awaited +him in court. He was, however, now so deeply involved, that he could +only strengthen himself with his old hopes, and abide the issue in +patience. + +His aged grandmother was at least as much perplexed as himself. Ever +since her favourite Michael had dropped his dark hint in her ear +respecting the marriage, she had harped upon the subject in her muttered +soliloquies, and ruminated upon it as she swung to and fro in her +rocking-chair. And in the confusion of her ideas she fancied, on +receiving her summons, that there was a plot on foot by which the +Trevethlans desired to free themselves from the connection with her +family, and willingly transferred to Randolph the passing reproaches +with which at times she upbraided Michael Sinson. It was idle to reason +with her. + +"Ay, Squire Trevethlan," she cried to him one day, as he was strolling +in the neighbourhood of her lodge, in the vain hope of quieting his +renewed anxiety by another meeting with Mildred. "The son steps worthily +in the path of the father! And so thou wouldst be quit of the peasant +blood, wouldst thou? Wouldst disown thy kindred? But na, na,--the ties +are too strong. It's none so easy to break a mother's memory. My +Margaret was fit for the wife of a king, and more than fit to be the +mother of such as thee." + +"Who has been talking to you now, dame?" Randolph asked. "Who has been +putting these notions in your head? Did I ever wish to disown her? Would +I not give anything to bring her back? Would I not love her and honour +her? And did I not tell you I had seen her, and she smiled upon me? She +has come often since, and always with the same sweet smile." + +He fancied the old woman had been tampered with, and wished to know the +particulars. + +"I dinna believe thee," Maud answered; "I dinna believe it at all: and +they say she has walked in the castle indeed, but no with a smiling +face. She came to warn thee, grandson Randolph. And well she might. Well +she might wander there, where she was let to pine and pine, and no one +of all her own people let to come nigh her. And most of all now, when +her own son would put her out of her rightful place. Shame upon him!" + +"'Tis because I am her son," Randolph expostulated, "that you should not +believe these tales, Dame Basset. What! do you not know that if she were +not my father's wife, the castle and everything we have pass away from +my sister and me? And have we not asked you to come to the trial to +speak for us, and prove the marriage? Who is it has put these stories in +your head?" + +"I cannot understand it at all," the old woman answered. "Why should I +speak yon for thy side? Why shouldst thou come to me? Have not thy +people put me and mine out from among them? I cannot understand it at +all." + +"But at least, dame," Randolph urged, "you will say it was a good +marriage?" + +"Every one knows that," she said. "Let me see the one that denies it. +But go, go. Said I not there was a dark hour at hand for thy house? It +is near, near. I said it was written in thy face. It is clearer and +plainer now. Thou beguiled me with that tale of her smile, but I heard +the rights o't since. There'll never be peace 'twixt thine and mine." + +And so saying, she retreated into the lodge, and left Randolph, puzzled, +but not annoyed by her unfounded suspicions. Her words were so far +satisfactory, that they showed how strong was her confidence in the +validity of the marriage. + +At the opening of the assizes, Polydore Riches and the steward went to +Bodmin to be in constant communication with Winter and his counsel. The +worthy lawyer had himself already made a flying visit to Trevethlan, for +the purpose of investigating the evidence a little more closely. He was +rather dismayed on finding at every turn that the rumours current at the +time of the marriage were still so fresh in the memory of the people. +"Faith!" said he to himself, "we have wasted our subpoenas pretty +freely! Why, there's scarcely a person out of the castle I shall dare to +call!" Moreover, he had been disheartened somewhat by the intelligence +he had gained respecting Mr. Ashton, as it seemed to show that there +were but few qualities in his character to prevent him from being a +party to a trick, provided it were profitable to himself. The placards +offering a reward for news of Wyley had called forth no information. + +Randolph persisted, against the advice of the chaplain, in attending the +trial himself. He was resolved to hear the case against him from the +lips of the witnesses. Polydore was grieved, thinking that if the issue +was favourable the trifling delay in communicating it would be +unimportant, and if it were adverse, its effect might be softened. +Besides which, there might be incidents in the proceedings of a painful +nature, from which the defendant had better be away. But a wilful man +must have his way, and Randolph would not be overruled. + +The evening before his departure he sat with Helen, feverish and +excited, in their favourite turret-room, overlooking the sea. The +delightful weather still continued, and they kept the window open long +after dark. + +"Do you remember, Helen," the brother asked, "how we were sitting here, +side by side, as we are now, when there came that letter, insulting us +with the offer of alms?" + +"Dear Randolph," Helen answered, "you know I would have thought +differently of that letter. But why should I remember it now?" + +"Because, my sister, to-morrow's trial may place us in need of alms," he +replied. "I do not know why it is, but from the very first I have +thought we should be beaten in this suit. I have been haunted ever by +the idea that the pittance which I then disdained might become necessary +to us. It seems to me a natural consequence of the refusal. Are they so +proud? it was said--they shall be humbled." + +"But we shall not, Randolph," his sister said. She was saddened by the +bitterness with which he spoke. "We shall not be humbled. Not in the +sense you mean. We shall not have to seek assistance. The schemes which +we plotted for the restoration of our house, may they not be revived to +minister to our necessities? See, when that letter came, you asked, why +have we desponded. And shall we despond now? Believe me, my brother, I +am prepared for the worst." + +"If that were all," Randolph said, "if poverty and the loss of our dear +home were all, bitter as it would be, it might be borne. But our father +or our mother, the one or the other, will be defamed, and our name +dishonoured. Helen, if this suit goes against us, and I survive the day, +it will only be to brand our opponents with the villany by which they +win, not with any notion of supporting a life I shall abhor." + +He disengaged himself from her arm as he finished speaking, and leant +against a division of the open window. But she followed him, and laid +her hand upon his shoulder. + +"And me, Randolph," she said; "you are a man; but what will become of +me?" + +"Of you, dearest!" he exclaimed. "Did you ever think, my sister, of her +I mentioned but now? She died before you had left your cradle. Scarcely +as a baby even could you know her. But I was nearly three years old. And +the memory has dwelt secretly in my breast, and it has come back to me +of late. I have seen her face in my dreams, sometimes smiling and +sometimes sorrowful, but always full of love. I have thought she came to +implore me to protect what was her only dowry, her good name, or to +console me and make me hopeful under a passing misfortune. And then, +when I remember the attack which is to be made to-morrow, my heart +burns, and I say what I do not mean. But you, dearest! I shall live to +be with you, whatever may befall." + +And so saying, he bent down and kissed his sister. + +"Do you see that bright planet?" he continued. "I have called it my +star. It has shone on some of the happiest moments of my life. A +childish fancy, sister, but it pleases me. The sight of it, clear and +unclouded as it is now, breathes promise of joy to my heart. Trust me, +sister, whatever may happen in this cause, there is comfort in store for +us yet." + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + _King John_. Our strong possession, and our right, for us. + + _Elinor_. Your strong possession, much more than your right; + Or else it must go wrong with you, and me: + So much my conscience whispers in your ear, + Which none but Heaven, and you, and I, shall hear. + + Shakspeare. + + +Early the following day, Randolph sprang into the carriage which was to +convey him to Bodmin, where his fate would, for the present at least, be +decided. He bade his sister good-bye in a cheerful voice, but with a +gloomy countenance, and she staid at the hall-door until the gates had +closed upon his way. The carriage rattled down the descent of the +base-court, and round the village green; and the few rustics, who met it +with respectful salutes, shook their heads doubtfully as they looked +after it, and foreboded no joyful return. + +But the sun was shining bright and warm; the hedges were bursting +prematurely into leaf; the birds were singing merrily; all the +influences of nature concurred to raise the spirits of the wayfarer, and +inspire him with hope. He became interested in the journey, and his +presentiments of evil vanished away. + +In the evening Randolph entered the precincts of the county town, and +was driven to the hotel, where he had appointed to meet Polydore Riches; +and glad he was to escape from the bustle and noise of the busy town to +the parlour engaged by the chaplain. He was also glad to find that +Polydore, anticipating his wishes, had provided against any visits. He +did not even desire to see Rereworth. + +The next morning, after a slight and hasty breakfast, he took the +chaplain's arm, and proceeded through the lively and crowded streets to +the court-house. No one knew him, and he passed along entirely unheeded. +But the cause had excited very considerable interest. The story of the +quarrel between Mrs. Pendarrel and her early suitor was by no means +forgotten, and the rumour of her new attack upon Trevethlan Castle had +attracted no little attention. The circumstances of its late owner's +marriage were recalled to mind, and regarded with various kinds of +criticism. The lovers of scandal flocked to the court-house in hope of +gratifying their spleen, and the vague reports that were circulated +respecting the grounds of the plaintiff's claim promised amusement to +the admirers of piquant private history. People in general remembered +how large a portion of the hereditary estates of Trevethlan had passed +under the sway of the rival house, and looked perhaps with trembling +pity on the last relic of the old domain; and even the peasantry might +feel an interest in the fulfilment of the popular prophecy. So all these +feelings combined to swell the assemblage which crowded the court. +Polydore introduced his old pupil to a seat on the bench; from thence +Randolph exchanged a grave bow with Seymour Rereworth, and took his +place with a countenance whose constrained tranquillity was very much at +variance with the emotion which it concealed. + +Shortly afterwards the judge made his appearance, and the rumour which +had pervaded the crowd gradually subsided. There were some questions +asked, and points decided, respecting a cause which had been tried the +preceding day; and, as soon as this conversation was finished, the clerk +of assize, in a low methodical tone, read from his cause-list, Doe d +Pendarrel _v._ Trevethlan; counsel on each side nodded; a jury was sworn +well and truly to try the issue between the parties; the plaintiff's +junior briefly described the nature of the action, and amidst perfect +silence, his leader rose to state the case he should lay before the +court. + +He began by lamenting the painful duty which devolved upon him on the +present occasion, and begging the jury to forget whatever they might +have heard of previous disputes between the families whose names +appeared in this record. It was too frequently the case, in suits of +this nature, that the parties were nearly connected. Passing from this +introduction, he observed that in such actions they had also frequently +to inquire into a long and tedious pedigree, or to make a fatiguing +investigation of documentary evidence. No task of the kind awaited them +here. The case he had to present was exceedingly short and simple, and +rested mainly on the testimony of a single witness. And however +extraordinary the story which this witness would tell, he was sorry to +say that it was strongly confirmed by the conduct and circumstances of +him whom it impeached. The action was brought to obtain possession of +Trevethlan Castle and the surrounding domain. The jury were probably +aware that the real claimant in the cause, Mr. Philip Trevethlan +Pendarrel, had assumed the last name in addition to his own, on his +marriage with an heiress of large fortune in the county. He now +preferred his claim as the younger son of Hugh Trevethlan, Esquire, of +Trevethlan Castle, from whom the defendant also deduced his title; so +that it would be unnecessary to go any further back. Having established +the claimant's birth, it would, however, become requisite to show that +there were now no lawful descendants of his elder brother, or rather +half brother, Arthur Trevethlan, the alleged grandfather of the +defendant. Now it was admitted that from this Arthur, the estates in +question descended legally to his son Henry; but with the latter, it was +maintained the succession in that line terminated. They would observe +that Henry, the late possessor, only died towards the close of the +previous year, which would account for no steps having been taken +sooner. Now it was well known that, for many years before his death, all +intercourse between him and his uncle, the claimant, had entirely +ceased; and that in fact they were not on those terms of friendship +which should exist between such near relations. It was also known that +for a long time the late Mr. Trevethlan lived a very retired life at his +castle, and never went into society at all. Further, he had fully +attained the age of forty before there was any rumour or pretence that +he had contracted a marriage. But about this time, it is suggested that +if he died without offspring, the estates would either revert to the +relative from whom he was alienated, or he must bequeath them to a +stranger; and the jury would readily perceive the feelings which would +be excited by either alternative. Accordingly, in order to avoid them +both, it would seem that Mr. Trevethlan then contemplated matrimony, and +that a certain ceremony was performed between him and one Margaret +Basset, the daughter of a small farmer upon his estate. The defendant in +this action is the son of this Margaret Basset. "Now, gentlemen," +continued the counsel, "I need not unpleasantly press upon your +attention the circumstances under which the late Mr. Trevethlan might +have found it convenient to repudiate this pretended marriage. They did +not arise, and the marriage was not repudiated. Neither, so far as we +can learn, was it ever confirmed in a legal manner:--it was never +properly registered. The only mention of it in the parish records occurs +in the account of the christening of the defendant, who is described (I +read from an attested copy) as the 'son of Henry and Margaret +Trevethlan, who were married by special licence, in this parish, by the +Reverend Theodore Ashton, on the 3rd of September, in the previous year, +in the presence of ---- Wyley, and of Maud Basset.' This entry is signed +Henry Trevethlan, Margaret Trevethlan, Maud Basset. The questions +naturally arise,--where is the signature of the officiating +clergyman?--where is that of the witness Wyley? And the answer to these +inquiries is found in the real history of the circumstances attending +this alleged marriage. The ceremony was performed in private, within the +castle, but without the presence even of any of the household; within +twenty-fours afterwards, the clergyman alleged to have performed it +disappeared, and was supposed to be murdered. The only male witness also +vanished; and the only other witness was the mother of the pretended +bride, who is still living, and will probably be called before you by my +learned friend." + +Here the speaker was interrupted by a scuffle in the court, and the +shrill voice of Maud Basset. "He lies!" she screamed. "My Margaret _was_ +married. Let me see the one who says the contrary." But the old woman +was speedily removed. + +"Gentlemen," the counsel resumed, "both you and I can understand and +sympathize with the feeling which prompted that interruption. I was +describing the mysterious privacy with which this pretended marriage +was--I will not say solemnized--but performed. It is perhaps generally +supposed that the poor old woman who interrupted me is the sole survivor +of those who were present at the scene; but it is not so. We shall +to-day produce another. We shall call before you the person who acted +the part of the clergyman:--not Mr. Ashton, gentlemen, nor a clergyman +at all." + +There was a great sensation in the court at these words. And if any one +among the audience had then looked at Randolph, he could not fail to +have been struck by the ghastly rigidity of his features. But all were +too deeply interested by the announcement which they had heard to attend +to anything else. + +The plaintiff's counsel proceeded to say that he need not anticipate the +details this witness would relate;--they would completely overthrow any +claim founded upon this alleged marriage. It would be for his learned +friends to show any subsequent ground for their title, if such they had. +But unless they did so, he should confidently look for a verdict at the +hands of the jury; and, as he should undoubtedly have another +opportunity of addressing them, he would not now trouble them at greater +length. + +A considerable rumour pervaded the court at the close of this speech, +but soon yielded to the low calls for order. There followed some +technical evidence respecting Mr. Pendarrel's descent, and the deaths of +his brother and nephew, of no particular interest, and then the leader +who had addressed the jury, re-awakened attention by desiring the crier +to call Lewis Everope. Rereworth looked at the spendthrift, as he +quietly took the oath, with utter astonishment, not knowing what to +think. The examination began. + +"What are you, Mr. Everope?" + +"I belong to no profession, but have been nominally a student of the +law." + +"You were educated at ---- University, I believe, sir?" + +The witness uttered an intimation of assent. + +"Were you acquainted, while there, with a gentleman named +Ashton,--Theodore Ashton?" + +"I was." + +"How long is this ago? To a year or two?" + +"Twenty-three or four years. I do not exactly recollect." + +"Mr. Ashton was your senior, I believe?" + +"Considerably. In fact our acquaintance was very slight." + +"What became of him afterwards, do you know?" + +"He took orders, and quitted the University." + +"Did you ever see him after you had left college?" + +"I did." + +"Be so good as to tell the jury under what circumstances." + +"I was making a pedestrian tour through the western part of this county, +and met him unexpectedly in the neighbourhood of Marazion." + +"What year was this? And month? Do you remember?" + +The witness mentioned those of Henry Trevethlan's marriage. + +"Did you visit Mr. Ashton at his then residence?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, I believe that was no great distance from Trevethlan Castle. Tell +the jury anything that passed between you and your friend, having +reference to that building or its inhabitants." + +"I naturally asked Mr. Ashton some question respecting it, and he told +me there was a strange story on foot about its owner, who wished to play +the trick attempted by Thornhill, in the Vicar of Wakefield. He had +applied to Ashton on the subject, but the latter told him, that if he +performed the ceremony, the result would be the same as in the tale. But +Ashton was to have a considerable fee, and he asked me to personate him, +representing that the affair was only a joke, and that, if there were +any family, Mr. Trevethlan would certainly confirm it legally. And I +being young, and not at the time aware of the consequences, ultimately +consented to what he proposed." + +"Well, sir, and what followed?" + +"Ashton said he could arrange for the affair to take place the next +day----" + +"What day was that?" + +"It was the third of September. Ashton instructed me how to present +myself at the castle in his name. No one who would be present, he said, +knew him, except Mr. Trevethlan, who expected something of the kind, and +I looked considerably older than I was. And an intended witness to the +wedding would conduct me." + +"And what happened afterwards?" + +"I went to the castle with the witness in question, and Mr. Trevethlan +introduced himself to me without any remark, and presented a young woman +as his intended bride. There was also another woman present, who, he +said, was her mother. Mr. Trevethlan produced a document, which he +stated to be a licence for a special marriage, but I did not look at it; +and read the marriage service as fast as I could from a prayer-book +which was given me. When it was over, Mr. Trevethlan handed me a sum of +money, which I delivered to Ashton, and quitted the neighbourhood +without delay, for I did not like my part in the business." + +"I should think not," said the counsel. "Pray, sir, do you recollect any +particular incident at this ceremony?" + +"Only, that in my confusion I dropped the ring, and the bride's mother +muttered something which I did not hear." + +"You have not mentioned the name of the bride?" + +"Margaret Basset." + +"You were not in holy orders at that time?" + +"Neither then nor since." + +The plaintiff's counsel here sat down, and Rereworth's leader rose. The +cross-examination was very long and severe. + +"So, sir," it began, "do you know that you have just confessed yourself +guilty of felony?" + +"I know it now," Everope said, "but I did not know it at the time." + +"And you might have been transported for fourteen years?" + +"So I am told." + +Counsel then ran him hard and fast through all the details of the scene +he had described. Asked for descriptions of the castle, of the room, of +the persons. Turned back upon his own family. Where were they at the +time? How did he correspond with them? Where were they now? He was on +bad terms with them. How was that? He said he was of no profession. Was +he a man of private fortune? How did he live? Who paid his expenses in +coming here? What did he expect beyond? Then suddenly round again. Where +did he sleep the night before the mock-marriage? At Marazion? What was +the name of the inn? Where did he go afterwards? From what place did he +come? Then abruptly, did he know Michael Sinson? How long had he been +acquainted with him? What intercourse had been between them? Had Michael +promised him anything for coming here? Again back to his career at the +university; his subsequent life; his present circumstances. And once +more to Trevethlan Castle; again to describe the almost incredible +proceeding to which he had so distinctly sworn, and all the +circumstances of his intimacy with Ashton. + +But this cross-questioning failed in materially shaking Everope's +evidence in chief. He was forced into a considerable exposure of +himself; but, perhaps, even after making the allowance which he claimed +for youth and inexperience, the mere avowal of his participation in so +detestable a plot was sufficiently damning, without any aggravation. It +was evidently not improbable that, at so distant a time, he might not +well remember the details of the scene. Only once did he seem likely to +be overturned. + +"Have you ever been in the neighbourhood since?" he was asked. + +"Once." + +"And when was that?" + +"About six weeks ago." + +"Were you alone?" + +"No, I was with Michael Sinson, whom you have mentioned." + +"Indeed! And why did you come? You need not hesitate." + +"I came to refresh my memory," Everope answered boldly. + +"And to good purpose," counsel said, "for it has been very convenient." + +But the leader was on the point of sitting down, when Rereworth gave him +a slip of paper, and he asked one more question. + +"Pray, sir, are you personally acquainted with the defendant in this +action?" + +"No," Everope said. + +"It is I!" Randolph exclaimed, rising from his seat, and fixing the +spendthrift. + +"Order, order," was murmured, and the interrupter, who drew the +attention of every one in court, sat down. It was a few moments before +the excitement occasioned by this incident had subsided. There was a +general stir to obtain a second look of the unknown possessor of +Trevethlan Castle. + +"Morton!" the witness had meantime exclaimed, showing signs of confusion +for the first time. + +"You do know him, then?" said the counsel, and sat down. + +But the question did not seem to be advantageous to the defendant's +interest. + +"What do you know of Mr. Trevethlan?" Everope's former examiner asked, +having heard his exclamation. + +"I knew that gentleman slightly in the Temple by the name of Morton, as +a student for the bar." + +The re-examination was short. Some additional formal evidence was given; +and the only other material witness on this side was the coroner, who +proved the circumstances of the supposed murder of Mr. Ashton, and the +disappearance of Wyley. With this evidence, the case for the plaintiff, +of which we have only reported the portion on which the jury would have +eventually to form their judgment, was closed; and the court adjourned +for a short period. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + Ah, Richard, with the eyes of heavy mind, + I see thy glory, like a shooting star, + Fall to the base earth from the firmament. + Thy sun sets weeping in the lowly west, + Witnessing storms to come, war, and unrest; + Thy friends are fled to wait upon thy foes, + And crossly to thy good all fortune goes. + + Shakspeare. + + +Randolph Trevethlan never stirred from his seat during the suspension of +the proceedings. When they were resumed, his counsel argued at some +length, that even if the tale which they had heard were true, the +marriage so contracted would be valid, and that therefore the plaintiff +had failed in making out his case. The other side were stopped in their +reply by the judge, who said, that while the court would listen with +patience to any argument intended to save an innocent woman from the +effect of a fraudulent marriage, that could not be considered the point +in question here; the imputed object being to interfere with the rights +of the heir presumptive by securing a family; and that, therefore, +without expressing any opinion upon what might be considered an +undecided point, he should not stop the case. So Rereworth's leader +proceeded to address the jury for the defence. + +He began by a skilful and minute analysis of Everope's narrative, in +which he exhibited its incredibility in a strong light, and heightened +it by a continual reference to the worthlessness of the witness's +character as exposed by himself. He pointed out his connection with +Michael Sinson, a person in the employment of the claimant's family, and +a nephew of the late Mrs. Trevethlan. From him, therefore, Everope could +have obtained all the particulars which he pretended to know of his own +experience. He would be called before the court, and the jury would +judge whether the tale had not been concocted between the two. Sinson +had motives of his own for hostility to the family of Trevethlan, which +would be heard from his own lips. He did not impute to the claimant any +cognizance of the fraud, by which he maintained the claim had been +attempted to be established. Departing from this point, he said he +should show, by indisputable evidence, that the late Mr. Trevethlan +never contemplated the baseness which had been attributed to him, could +not possibly have suspected any flaw in his marriage, and always treated +Margaret as his lawful wife, and his children as lawfully born; for, +first, he strongly desired that his own chaplain would perform the +ceremony, as they would hear from that gentleman himself; secondly, if, +as suggested by the plaintiff, his object had been to make sure of +barring the present claim, he would have caused the marriage to be +repeated before the birth of his first child; and thirdly, if he had had +any suspicion that his children would not inherit by descent, he would +have assuredly provided for them by will. But although his estates +belonged to him in fee, he had bequeathed them nothing, dying, as it +might be said, intestate; he had always treated Margaret as his wife, +and had never expressed the slightest doubt of the perfect formality of +his marriage. By his own conduct he had thus defeated the very design +which was imputed to him, and his own alleged proceedings would have +brought about that result which he was said to have sought to avoid, the +succession, namely, of the present claimant. In the face of so much +incoherency, was it possible, for one moment, to entertain so incredible +a tale as that which had been heard from a witness of so very +disreputable a character? If such testimony could prevail, no household +would be safe. + +Now, he should produce the licence under which the marriage took place; +he should--despite the incident which Everope had stated as occurring, +and which he had probably learned from Michael Sinson--call before them +Maud Basset, the mother of Margaret, the only known surviving witness of +the ceremony, and she would tell them--they had heard her exclamation in +court--that it was a good marriage; he should also call several members +of the household of Trevethlan Castle, who would swear they always +regarded it as such; and he should show that the children had been +christened as the lawful offspring of Henry and Margaret Trevethlan; and +again he repeated, that if the unsupported and monstrous testimony of a +single individual of bad reputation were permitted to countervail so +strong a chain of presumption no union could be secure, and any of his +hearers would be liable to have his children disinherited and their +names stigmatized by any villain who would forswear himself for hire. + +Let the jury consider the story they had heard. That a gentleman of high +character and station, under circumstances entirely different from those +in Goldsmith's famous story, wishing to form a marriage which he might +either affirm or repudiate subsequently, should dare to apply to a +stranger, a clergyman of the church, to assist him in so nefarious a +design,--that this clergyman, far from expressing any indignation, +should merely suggest a little difficulty,--that, by a coincidence +sufficiently remarkable, this Everope, discarded by his family, living +by his wits, should at that very time encounter his old college +acquaintance,--that to him Ashton should immediately relate the +business, and invite his co-operation,--that this precocious villain +should at once accept the mission,--that Mr. Trevethlan should receive +him without question or surprise,--that he should perform the impious +mockery he had described,--that, needy and profligate, he should keep so +valuable a secret for so long a time,--that at length, by another +singular coincidence, he should fall in with a dependent of the family +to whom it was so important; should tell the story apparently as an +excellent joke; should for the first time become aware of its worth, and +should sell himself to give the evidence they had heard to-day--Yes: +indignation had diverted him from the picture he was drawing to the real +motive under which the witness acted. + +But let the jurors turn from this view of the subject to the one he +should now present to them. Let them see Mr. Trevethlan, when, for +reasons entirely beside the question at issue, he had decided on +marrying a person of inferior station, applying to his chaplain, as a +matter of course, to perform the ceremony. Let them see him, on that +gentleman's declining, preferring the same desire to this Mr. Ashton, +then resident in the neighbourhood. Let them suppose the ceremony to +have been really and duly performed by him, as it appears recorded in +the register of baptisms. Let them recollect the disappearance of +Ashton, and of Wyley, the witness. Let them see how two children were +borne by Mrs. Trevethlan, and duly christened by the chaplain of the +castle. Let them then turn to the conduct of her relations. Let them +imagine the hopes raised, the desires excited by their great connection. +Let them note one of these relatives permitted to hang about the castle +as a sort of companion to the young heir. Let them suppose certain +presumption to grow up, and to be suddenly checked by the expulsion of +all the race. Let them conceive the consequent exasperation, and +heighten it by an unfounded suspicion that the exalted peasant-woman was +ill-used. Let them consider such feelings as still rankling when Michael +Sinson enters the service of the claimant in this action. Let them think +of him as actuated both by hope of reward and desire of revenge, +devising this subtile scheme, and seeking only an agent to accomplish +it. Let them find him meeting the ruined scoundrel, whom they had heard +that day, and he thought they would have little difficulty in +unravelling the dark plot, which was now, for the first time, publicly +developed against the well-being, the happiness, and the good fame of an +old and distinguished and honourable family. + +At the close of this address, Michael Sinson was called into the +witness-box, and examined by Rereworth. + +"You are a relation, I believe, of the late Mrs. Trevethlan?" + +"A nephew of the late Margaret Basset." + +The witness was then led on, by further questions, to describe the hopes +excited in his family by the marriage now in dispute; the manner in +which he was allowed to hang about Trevethlan Castle; the offence which +his demeanour gave to its owner, and the expulsion of his relations from +their farm. Fencing with his examiner, he at first affected to treat +this circumstance with indifference, but was forced by degrees into a +confession of his bitter and rankling mortification. + +"And so, sir," Rereworth suddenly asked, "all your family considered +this marriage to be perfectly good?" + +"It was for their interest," Sinson said, stammering. + +"For their interest, sir!" Seymour exclaimed indignantly. "Why, sir, was +not Mrs. Trevethlan's good name at stake?" + +"My poor relative has been dead for a long time," the witness answered. + +"And it is her nephew who comes forward to shame her in her grave! You +are now in the service of Mr. Pendarrel, the real claimant in this +action?" + +"Of Mrs. Pendarrel." + +The answer produced a slight titter in the court. + +"What does Mrs. Pendarrel pay you for getting up her case?" + +Sinson hesitated for some time, and made no answer. + +"Do you hear, sir?" Rereworth continued. "What is to be your hire for +slandering your mother's sister?" + +The plaintiff's counsel interposed, and protested against his learned +friend's so discrediting his own witness. + +"I consider," the witness said, having recovered himself, "that my +unfortunate relative was deceived in the business. It was no fault of +hers." + +Rereworth now turned to Michael's connection with Everope. Asked how the +acquaintance began; how long it had lasted; how the spendthrift came to +communicate the story which he told in court; what Sinson knew of his +habits and associates; whether he provided him with a maintenance? Then +he reverted to the journey into Cornwall, of which Everope had given so +frank an explanation; and concluded by again questioning the witness +respecting any expectation of reward which he entertained or had held +forth as the consequence of success in this action. + +"Do you expect any reward at all, sir?" Michael was asked, in +cross-examination. "Have any promises been made to you?" + +"No," he answered, "I have been only doing my duty, and expect nothing." + +"And have you, in fact, held out any expectations to the witness +Everope?" + +"None whatever." + +"Well, sir, is it not matter of notoriety that there was great doubt +about this pretended marriage?" + +"Certainly. It has been thrown in my teeth a hundred times." + +Little profit had this witness brought to the defendant. Maud Basset, +who had been detained out of court since her interruption of the +proceedings, was now summoned into the box. + +"You are the mother of the late Mrs. Trevethlan, madam?" + +"Sure and I am. Of my own Margaret. But I dinna understand it at all." + +"You recollect your daughter's marriage, Mrs. Basset?" + +"And a proud day was that for me," the old woman replied, "when the +squire asked for her to be his wife. But my Margaret was fit to be a +queen. Woe's me that he beguiled me, that she should be married only to +be murdered." + +"You were present at the marriage, I believe, madam?" + +"Of course I was. Where else should her mother be? And he all so cold +and stately like, and she weeping and crying so. I might have known what +would come of it. I saw it all with my own eyes." + +"Do you remember the name of the clergyman, Mrs. Basset?" + +"Ashton it was--Theodore Ashton. The same as I saw it written at the +christening of her child. Woe's me! 'twas the last time almost I saw +her." + +"And you believe it was a good marriage?" + +"Where's he that says it was not? My Michael? Na, na; 'tis some of them +that murdered her. But they cannot get quit of the blood. The young +squire would break the connection, would he? Na, na; it was a good +marriage, and the ties are too strong." + +"Pray, madam," the plaintiff's leader now asked, "did anything +particular happen on this occasion?" + +"I dinna understand it at all." + +"Did you not notice something ... about the ring?" + +"Well, the minister was nervous-like, and dropped it, and I said it was +no a sign of luck. But I dinna understand it at all." + +"Did you know the person whom you call minister, madam?" + +"Know him! he was living like at Dame Sennor's, away on the cliff. So +they told me." + +"Where is Mrs. Sennor now? Is she here?" + +"Why, sir, Dame Sennor's been dead and gone this many a year." + +"Had you ever seen the minister before the ceremony?" + +"I canna say that I had. But he married my Margaret, and that I am well +certain." + +"How long did your daughter survive afterwards, madam?" + +"A little better than three years. But it was a long time sin' I had +seen her." + +"You used the word 'murdered.' What did you mean, ma'am?" + +"Her bliss was made her bane," Maud answered fiercely. "The squire broke +her heart, and none of hers were let to come nigh her." + +Neither side, it may be observed, chose to confront the old woman with +Everope, and inquire concerning her recognition of him. But the judge +now desired him to stand forward. + +"Look at that person, madam," said his lordship. "Can you say whether +that is the man who performed this marriage?" + +"Well, I canna tell at all," was the reply. "It's three-and-twenty years +agone, and my eyes grow dimly like. I canna tell at all." + +Polydore Riches was the next witness. He proved Mr. Trevethlan's urgent +request to him to perform the ceremony, and his refusal; that Margaret +had always been treated as the mistress of the castle; and that her +children had been by him duly christened as the offspring of Henry and +Margaret Trevethlan. He also deposed to the behaviour of her relations; +to the anger it produced in Mr. Trevethlan; to their banishment from the +castle, and their undisguised mortification. In cross-examination he +stated, as his reason for refusing to celebrate the union, that he +disapproved both of itself and of its manner. + +"I must ask you, Mr. Riches, were there not rumours very prevalent soon +after the alleged marriage, that it had not been duly performed?" + +The question was objected to, but allowed, and the chaplain acknowledged +that it was so. + +"Did you know this Theodore Ashton, Mr. Riches?" + +"Very slightly indeed." + +"Are you aware of anything in his character which might make the conduct +imputed to him to-day not improbable?" + +This question was also objected to, and not pressed. + +"Would you have remained an hour in the castle, Mr. Riches," Rereworth +then asked; "had you suspected there was anything fraudulent in the +marriage?" + +"Most certainly I would not." + +Griffith and his wife corroborated the evidence of the chaplain, but +were also obliged to admit the popular rumours. The licence for the +marriage, and also Mr. Trevethlan's will were put in evidence, and then +with some other testimony of less consequence, the case for the defence +closed. The plaintiff's counsel rose to reply. + +In the first place, he begged the jury to disabuse their minds of the +imputations which his learned friend had dexterously cast upon some of +the evidence in the case. It was rather strange that he should have to +defend a witness on the other side, but he was sure they would agree +with him, that any indignation on the part of young Sinson would be more +than justified, by conduct such as had been vaguely hinted at by his +grandmother; and would be properly uncontrollable if the family +participated in the popular idea, that the marriage was fraudulent. +Their reasons for concealing such suspicions from the pretended bride's +mother were evident enough. Her strong feeling was alone an explanation. +Then as to Everope, not the least portion of his learned friend's +insinuations had been borne out. Whatever might be that person's +circumstances, he maintained that no slur had been thrown upon the +honesty of his testimony. Now let them look at the presumptions raised +for the defence, and see how easily they could be made to tally with the +truth of the plaintiff's case. First, there was Mr. Trevethlan's request +to his chaplain; why, he would know beforehand, from that gentleman's +character, that he would refuse to perform the ceremony. He ran no risk +in making the demand, and had it been acceded to, it might have been +evaded. Then as to the establishment of Margaret as his wife, it was a +mere matter of course, even if it were but temporary. And with regard to +his recognition of her children, that was the object of the entire +scheme. But it was urged, that he had himself defeated this object. So +men often did. Mr. Trevethlan might have feared to expose his conduct at +the pretended marriage; he might suppose that the disappearance of +Ashton and Wyley would prevent the fraud from being discovered; or he +might even, as had been done here to-day, attempt to prove that the +mock-marriage was valid. The penalty which hung over the real performer +of the ceremony would prevent that person from coming forward. As to the +omission in the will, it was probably the effect of long tranquillity +and habit. True, the inmates of the castle declared their positive +belief in the absence of any deceit; but the jury, and he did not mean +it offensively, would recollect their prejudices, and also that even +they were compelled to allow that the same feeling did not exist outside +the castle walls. Admitting everything that had been proved for the +defence, there was nothing inconsistent with the story related by +Everope, and confirmed they would recollect by Maud Basset's statement +with respect to the ring. And he confidently looked to the jury, not to +allow the mere opinions and presumptions of interested parties to +outweigh the clear and positive declaration of an indifferent stranger. + +Such is a brief narrative of the arguments and evidence adduced on each +side, in a trial which in fact occupied many hours. The judge now +proceeded to sum up the whole for the consideration of the jury. The +court had been densely crowded all day, and the excitement of the +audience ran very high. + +Whatever difficulty, his lordship gravely remarked, there might be in +this case, arose from the deplorable manner in which the late Mr. +Trevethlan had caused his marriage to be solemnised, supposing for a +moment that it was a marriage. He fully agreed with the reverend +witness, Mr. Riches, in entirely condemning such a mode of celebration. +Marriages should be performed in public. But the plaintiff denied that +there had been any marriage at all, and produced an individual, who +swore that not being in holy orders, he took upon himself to read the +matrimonial service from the Prayer-book, and falsely and illegally to +pronounce Henry Trevethlan and Margaret Basset to be man and wife. If +the jury believed that witness, they must return a verdict for the +plaintiff, for it was not pretended that there had been any other +performance of the rite, than that to which this account would apply. On +the other hand, they had heard the evidence adduced to show, that Mr. +Trevethlan had always considered his marriage as valid, and that it had +been likewise so regarded by all who were connected with his family. But +then, again, it would seem that in the neighbourhood a very different +opinion had prevailed. Unquestionably the circumstances were mysterious, +and he could not but imagine that further evidence would be discovered +before very long. With that, however, they had nothing to do. They had +to compare a plain and positive story with a strong presumption, and if +they were unable to disbelieve the former, to return a verdict, as he +had said before, for the plaintiff. + +His lordship then went minutely through the evidence on both sides, not +sparing the character of Everope, who, he remarked, would certainly have +been transported if he had been discovered to have really acted as he +confessed, within a certain time now unfortunately elapsed; and, +finally, he desired the jury to consider their verdict. + +They requested permission to retire; and while they were absent, the +excitement of the audience rose to the highest pitch. There was a +general buzz of conversation. Every one was speculating on the result. +Bets were offered and taken freely. The bar were discussing the judge's +charge, and its tendency. Not a few people moved from their places to +try to obtain another sight of the defendant. None of the claimant's +family were in court. Randolph, perfectly unconscious of the attention +he attracted, sat like a statue. His leading counsel looked anxious, and +Rereworth lent his forehead on his hands, and seemed to pore over his +brief. + +"Silence! order!" proclaimed the return of the jury; and the demand did +not require to be repeated. + +"For the plaintiff," the foreman said, in answer to the question of the +clerk of assize. + +"May we have immediate possession, my lord?" counsel asked. + +The judge shook his head. + +There was a rush from the court. It was all over. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + Thou hast it now, King, Cawdor, Glamis, all; + As the weird women promised; and I fear + Thou play'dst most foully for't: yet it was said, + It should not stand in thy posterity; + But that myself should be the root, and father + Of many kings. + + Shakspeare. + + +That there was much talk, and not a little difference of opinion in the +various coteries of Bodmin that night, respecting the issue of the day's +proceedings, needs hardly be told. In such cases the crowd can hardly be +said to follow fortune and hate the fallen. The jury comes from among +it; there is plenty of food for vanity in running down the verdict, and +showing how much more rationally matters would have gone if _I_ had been +one of the twelve. The first gush of popular feeling is generally +against the decision in a doubtful case. So here, if there were plenty +of suspicion attaching to Henry Trevethlan's marriage, there were also +good grounds for discrediting the testimony of Everope. If, on the one +hand, scandalized gossips expressed their horror at such clandestine +unions, on the other, there was a general cry of indignation at the +witness's effrontery. If some people dwelt upon Maud Basset's hints that +her daughter was ill-used, others maintained that the mother could not +have been deceived at the wedding. If the popular rumours were cited in +support of the verdict, they were met by the authority of Polydore +Riches. In short, "there was a great deal to be said on both sides." +People had an opportunity of showing their discernment, and the majority +were apt to flatter their own shrewdness by dissenting from the jury. + +He whom it most concerned, was already far from their councils. Randolph +left the court immediately on hearing the judgment, with the idea that +what had happened was exactly what he had expected, walked hurriedly to +his hotel, and ordered out his chaise. Polydore came up to him, and took +his hand, and besought him to stay, without extracting a single word in +reply. When the chaise drove up, his old pupil merely ejaculated--"I +must take the news to Helen. This is the last night either of us sleeps +in Trevethlan castle,"--sprang into the vehicle, desired to be driven +very fast, and was whirled away, leaving the good chaplain in a state of +utter dismay. + +Mr. Riches had, however, to rouse himself subsequently, to attend a +conference which Winter had arranged for rather a late hour, and at +which the counsel for the defendant and Griffith were to assist. The +result of the meeting was unsatisfactory. The only practical suggestion +was to track Everope's career as closely as possible. It was just within +the bounds of probability that they might be able to overthrow that +remarkable pedestrian tour; or they might light on other facts tending +to elucidate his connection with Michael Sinson; or at least might +further damnify his general character. But it was admitted that to +chance they must look as their best friend. Time or fortune might bring +to knowledge the fate of Mr. Ashton, supposing that he had not been +murdered; or again, the missing Wyley might be discovered. Yet of what +avail could this last contingency prove, since the witness might have +been deceived in the same way as the mother? For the present, there +appeared to be no clue to the maze. If the parties would only quarrel, +there might indeed be an exposure; but they seemed to be too deeply +involved in one another's safety for this event to be at all likely. + +Sinson took very good care, in the disquietude of his suspicious temper, +that his bondman should not be left in the way of temptation. He started +with Everope for London, within a few hours of the termination of the +trial. In that wretched man remorse seemed for a time to be dead. +Hitherto, in the midst of his lowest depravity, he had always +experienced compunctious visitings; he had been always haunted by a +sense of forfeited respectability; and had frequently felt a feeble +desire to reform. But now, although startled for a moment by the +identity of Morton with the defendant, he gladly accepted his position +as irremediable, and was looking eagerly for the reward which should +furnish him with the means of forgetting it. + +But it behoved Michael to keep a strong hold on him for a short time. A +very short time, Sinson thought, in the first flush of his triumph, +would be sufficient. A few days might put him in possession of all his +desires: after that, what became of Everope, or what disclosures he +might choose to make, would be a matter of second-rate consequence. +Michael felt a kind of admiration for his victim, when he remembered how +successfully he had encountered that searching cross-examination. But he +could not allow so much ability to run too loose, and resolved to hold +him in by drawing his purse-strings very tight, until his own game was +perfectly secure. + +That it would soon be so, he did not feel the least doubt. He had been +playing for weeks and weeks; he had kept his eye steadily fixed upon one +event; all his calculations terminated in one result; he had taught +himself completely to ignore all unfavourable chances; supposing he had +any confidants, he would have regarded their suggestion of difficulty as +an insult; he might be thought to fancy that the book of fate lay open +before him, and all he read was his own triumph. + +And his patroness, she who, in the halls of Pendarrel, was pursuing a +line of policy totally at variance with that of her protege, little +dreaming that what seemed to be her victory was intended to be his, +utterly unconscious of the price about to be demanded for it--how would +she receive the news? Her husband, engaged all day in hearing the +details of petty felonies, was discharged with the rest of his +colleagues at its close, and retired to recreate himself in their +company at a well-served board. There he received the intelligence of +the verdict, and accepted the felicitations of his friends. Thence, +knowing the penalty which would otherwise await him at home, he withdrew +for a little space to indite a despatch for his wife; and then, having +entrusted the missive to a trusty rider, with injunctions to lose no +time on the road, he was able to rejoin his friends before the decanters +had completed their first round. + +So the news was ready for the mistress of Pendarrel by breakfast-time. +In the first flush of exultation she made her daughter a partner in it. + +"Mildred, my love, I give you joy. You are heiress of Trevethlan +Castle." + +But the young lady regarded her mother with a countenance in which there +were no signs of joy, and the for once imprudent parent bit her lip. + +"And my cousins," Mildred said, "are ruined." + +"They are no cousins of yours, child," said her mother, not yet having +regained perfect presence of mind; "nor of any one else. Nor are they +ruined. I shall take good care of that." + +Mrs. Pendarrel would very gladly have recalled the remark which had +excited her daughter's sympathy, in order to convey the information in a +tone of less unqualified satisfaction. But she forgot her wariness in +the pride occasioned by the success of all her long machinations. + + "Pendar'l and Trevethlan would own one name." + +And that name would be Pendarrel. Nay, more; the name of Trevethlan +would vanish from the earth. The family would sink into oblivion. If he +who had slighted her could rise from his grave, and see the ruin which +had followed his scorn; could see how his towers had passed into the +hands of his foe; how his fame was blighted, and his children +dishonoured; were there not ample satisfaction for all the long misery +his contempt had inflicted? "No!" Esther was compelled to answer, as +that eternal spring of bitter waters burst forth amidst the sweet flood +of revenge. "No, nothing can compensate me for the sorrow which +conscience whispers has been due to my own arrogance; nothing can atone +for the wreck of that happiness, which, but for my own presumption, +might have been mine." + +Reflections like these, however, were soon crushed, and Mrs. Pendarrel +had quite sufficient employment on her hands. Since the night of her +great party, she had been assiduously pressing forward the preparations +for Mildred's marriage. Perfectly heedless of the attitude assumed by +the young lady, she was arranging all the details of the affair with +maternal diligence, and had gone so far as to select the persons who +were to be present at the ceremony. Mr. Truby had been himself to the +Hall to receive final instructions respecting the settlements. Melcomb +was an assiduous visitor, but by no means solicitous for _tete-a-tetes_ +with his intended bride. To him the marriage was become nearly a matter +of life and death. It was true the gossips at Mrs. Pendarrel's party had +somewhat exaggerated his embarrassments; but his creditors were growing +very importunate, and impatiently awaiting the day when the possession +of his wife's fortune would enable him to satisfy their most pressing +demands: a purpose to which he had undertaken it should be devoted. Let +it be rumoured that the match was broken off, and it might not be very +long before Tolpeden Park suffered the outrages alluded to by Mr. +Quitch. So Melcomb disguised whatever inward anxiety he might feel, +under a smooth brow and a smiling face, and evaded his mistress's +repugnance as best he might. + +Mildred's remonstrances had subsided into passive resistance. She was +generally silent and calm. The irksomeness of her situation was greatly +aggravated; but, at the same time, her spirit was sustained by the +memory which she cherished in her heart of the scene under the hawthorns +of the cliff. Trusting that some accident might even yet frustrate her +mother's intentions, she allowed her to proceed without protest, acting +on her sister's advice, to postpone eclat to the latest possible period. +She felt that she had deceived no one, and, if scandal came, it would be +no fault of hers. + +But had Esther been fully aware of all that was fermenting in the young +lady's mind, she would, indeed, have bit her lips hard, rather than let +slip that intimation respecting Trevethlan Castle. The idea of flight +had occurred to the reluctant maiden more than once; coming, however, +only to be dismissed. But if her lover were really ruined, if he to whom +she had plighted herself were an exile from house and home, forlorn and +outcast, then it was not unlikely Mildred might think that her vow as +well as her affection bade her seek him, at once to share and to console +his sorrow. + +So Mrs. Pendarrel's hasty exclamation brought distress and anxiety to +her daughter, and imparted a certain consistency to a notion which had +previously been shadowy as a dream. Mildred wrote a long letter to her +sister, partly lifting the veil from the emotions which agitated her, +and dwelling more strongly than she had ever done before, upon the +disquietude she felt at the mode in which the match was being hurried +forward. + +But it was not from this communication that Mrs. Winston would learn the +result of the law-suit. She was at a party, when she overheard an +allusion to it from a bystander. He was a barrister, who had been +present at the trial, and who, having finished his business at the +assizes, had returned with speed to London. She knew the person he was +conversing with, joined them, and learned all the particulars. She had +before talked the affair over, and was fully aware of the consequences +to the orphans of Trevethlan. She immediately quitted the assembly, went +home, and interrupted her husband in his studies. A brilliant creature +she was, glowing in all the lustre and maturity of thirty summers, and +now adorned with everything that could be imagined to enhance her +beauty. So she swept to Mr. Winston's side, and laid her hand lightly +upon his shoulder. And, with all his love of ease and philosophy, his +indolence and affected apathy, he was really proud of his wife, and +gratified whenever she came to him with a request. So, if there were a +little impatience in his mind, when he looked up from his book into her +face, it vanished immediately in admiration, and was succeeded by +pleasure when he found she had come to consult him. + +"So soon home, Gertrude," he said. "And why? I trust nothing is the +matter." + +She related what she had heard respecting the law-suit. + +"And now," she concluded, "what will become of my unhappy cousins?" + +"I think, my dear," her husband said, after some reflection,--"I think +there could be no harm, considering all the circumstances, there could +be no harm, I imagine, in begging Miss Trevethlan to make our house her +home. I do not believe this verdict will stand. But, at all events, we +might invite Miss Trevethlan to stay with us; at any rate for a time. +She might be as private as she pleased. What do you say, my dear? You +might write to her...." + +He had laid his open volume upon his knee. What he suggested was +precisely what Mrs. Winston desired. So much coldness had attended all +her intercourse with her mother, since their last discussion about +Mildred's marriage, that she took no heed of any objection from that +quarter. She answered her husband by bending down and touching his cheek +with her lips. He thought she had never looked so beautiful before, and +threw away his book. + +That evening was the beginning of a new era in Gertrude's life. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + Desdichada fue la hora, + Desdichado fue aquel dia + En que naci y herede + La tau grande senoria; + Pues lo habia de perder + Todo junto y en un dia. + + Roman. Espan. + + +Late in the night, or early in the morning that followed the trial at +Bodmin, any watcher at Trevethlan would be startled by the gallop of +horses and the rattle of wheels, as the chaise which bore Randolph to +his lost home dashed round the green of the hamlet. The bell rung loud +at the castle-gate, and old Jeffrey roused himself from his slumbers, +and having looked to the state of his blunderbus, descended leisurely to +learn who sought admission at that untimely hour. His master's voice +impatiently ordered him to open the gate; and, with a wonder that +impeded his duty, he obeyed. Delay again occurred before Randolph +obtained entrance to the great hall; and when he did, the white face +upon which fell the glare of the trembling handmaiden's lamp, might +remind her of those sheeted spectres which were said to glide at that +hour through the desolate corridors. He bade her leave him a light, and +she fled, scared, back to the couch from which she had unwillingly +risen. + +Randolph strode with irregular steps up and down the vaulted hall. +Perhaps, had Griffith been there, the worthy steward would have +remembered the day when his late master paced it in the like manner, +after his furious ride from Pendarrel. He might recollect the same +fierce passion in his eye--the same dark scowl upon his forehead, as +those which now burnt and loured in the face of his son. Nor were it +very easy to say which had sustained the greatest provocation: the +father, led on and enchained in a deep attachment, only to feel himself +the sport of a wayward girl's vanity; or the son, who found the same +girl, now a woman, triumphing in that father's dishonour, and exulting +over the ruin of his house. And that was not all, for the disgrace +descended: the good name, which had been handed down from generation to +generation, almost from beyond the memory of man, with him, +Randolph--what?--was changed into an inheritance of shame. And he too +loved. He loved the child of his destroyer. He had sometimes rejoiced in +the idea of wreaking the vengeance bequeathed to him, by stealing her +from her mother. For she also loved him, and had vowed to be his. And +now;--what was to happen now? Ruin, privation, poverty, he might have +invited her to share, while honour was unstained. But could he ask her +to join the fortunes of one who had not even a name to offer her? The +reputed offspring of fraud and sin? Never, while there remained a shadow +in which calumny might wrap itself--never, while there was a suspicion +upon which envy might pretend to believe the tale related that +day--could he accept the fulfilment of his beloved one's promise. + +And what hope was there? Had he not swept the dark horizon again and +again in search of the faintest ray of light, and failed to discover +any? And if his vision, sharpened by despair, could discover none, whose +could? Had he not listened to every syllable of the foul tale, with the +ears of one who sought a flaw in his death-warrant? And had he been able +to discover any? Then if he were deaf, who could hear? + +And this was the story with which he must greet his sister in the +morning. For delay, dalliance with chance was out of the question. As he +had told Polydore Riches, not another night should the castle find him +beneath its roof. Speedy possession! It had been refused, but they might +take it. He would not remain where his very name seemed to mock him. + +Therefore he and Helen were in fact houseless. Well, they would again +seek their old quarters near the metropolis. They still possessed a few +months' maintenance. Afterwards, let what would happen, it would not +much matter. + +These bitter thoughts occupied Randolph when the grey light of day-break +stole through the lofty casements, and reminded him of the necessity of +repose. He sought his own chamber. The sea lay beneath him, calm and +still, but without its usual tranquillising influence. Dressed as he was +he flung himself upon his bed, and sheer exhaustion brought some fitful +slumber. + +The sun was shining bright into the room, when he finally awoke. His +morning orisons, never neglected, inspired him with something like +resignation. He would not, indeed, remain a day at the castle, but he +would only go to London to be near head-quarters, and avail himself of +the best assistance in unveiling the iniquity by which for a season he +had been defeated. And, animated by this determination, he met his +sister at breakfast with a countenance which told plainly enough what +had happened, but at the same time was not utterly devoid of hope; one, +"wherein appeared, obscure, some glimpse of joy." + +"It is against us, my brother," Helen said, when the repast was over. + +"Ay, Helen," he answered. "We are outcasts upon earth, from our home, +and from our name. There is nothing left us but to say farewell. We may +as well say it immediately. Can you be ready to depart this very day?" + +He saw that his sister's eyes were filled with tears. + +"It is sudden, dearest," he said; "but it is better so. I cannot stay +here, while a taint rests upon my name. We can travel to-day, and what +we want may follow us. And it will not be 'a farewell for ever.'" + +He smiled as he spoke, but he could win no corresponding glance from +Helen. They separated to make the necessary preparations for departure. + +It was not much past noon, when the friends arrived whom Randolph had +left at Bodmin. They united in protesting against the projected journey. +But argument was vain. Randolph had completed his plan. He should go +straight to his old quarters at Hampstead; that is, if he found them +unoccupied; should put himself in close communication with Winter and +his friend Rereworth; and follow up an inquiry into the evidence given +at the trial with untiring energy. If such investigation were +fruitless--but he was not inclined to accept that alternative--he need +hardly say, that not for an hour would he waive his claim to the name of +Trevethlan, and that therefore he had no notion of resuming his old +disguise. He had no objection to Griffith remaining at the castle as +long as the law would permit, but he earnestly pressed the chaplain to +follow him to the metropolis. + +"You will be such a support to my sister, Mr. Riches," he urged. "I +shall be much away from her. Engaged in business; unable to sustain her +in this great change. Do come, my dear sir, and help your old pupils in +their extremity." + +Polydore was not one to resist such an entreaty, and assented. Yet, +perhaps, Randolph might have been prevailed upon at least to defer his +departure, but for an invitation to do so from another quarter. A note +reached the castle from Mrs. Pendarrel, in which that lady expressed her +hope that its present occupants would put themselves to no +inconvenience; that the demand for immediate possession was +unauthorized, and that every accommodation would be granted with +pleasure. This polite missive, it may be presumed, was in partial +fulfilment of the intention Esther expressed to her daughter, of +assisting her adversaries in their fall. But it was too much like that +which she caused her husband to write in the opening of this narrative, +to be received as a favour, and only served to provoke Randolph into a +fresh burst of rage, and make him eager for the vehicle which should +bear them away from all such insults. + +Before it came, however, he could not resist guiding his sister to a +last visit to the haunt of their childhood, Merlin's Cave. And there for +no little space they sat in silence, thinking over the happiness of +by-gone days. The day was even warmer than those which had preceded it, +but it was close and heavy. The sea lay before the orphans, perfectly +smooth, sleeping in its might; and there was no breath of air to waft +aside the lightest bubble it might leave upon the rock; but some round +massive clouds were rising one behind another in the south-western +horizon, which might indicate the coming of a storm. + +"Farewell to Trevethlan!" Randolph said. "Let me hear our old song once +more." + +And Helen sang the ancestral ditty, but with an accent very different +from that she gave it on the eve of their previous journey to the +metropolis. + + "Farewell to Trevethlan! A farewell for ever! + Farewell to the towers that stand by the sea!" + +"Remember, Helen," her brother said, "how you checked me when I told you +your song was of ill omen. And believe me now, when I say that, like +Reginald, we shall live to see a joyful revolution." + +Ill news flies fast. The intelligence of the verdict had spread in the +hamlet, and its immediate effect was exaggerated by the villagers. The +coming departure of their young master and mistress also travelled from +the castle to the green, and added to the excitement. Groups collected +both of sorrowing women and of threatening men. The lapse of time only +increased the numbers and the exasperation of the tenantry. The people +speedily forgot all those rumours concerning their late lord's marriage, +which of old gratified their envy, and which had probably contributed in +no small degree to the result of the trial. They only considered the +event of the day; that the last representative of the family with which +they had been connected for centuries was now to be driven from his +home, by a deserter who had sold himself to a rival house; and many +among them resolved, that if they could prevent it, by right or wrong, +it should not be so that "Pendar'l and Trevethlan should own one name." + +"And so ye were right after all, dame," said farmer Colan to the +landlady of the Trevethlan Arms. "The old saying's come true with a +vengeance. But there's no Miss Mildred in the case." + +"And Madam Pendarrel's not come to Trevethlan yet, farmer," was the +answer. "And there's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip." + +"There's like to be a slip here," cried a voice in the crowd, "such as +she little knows." + +"It's a curious sort of day for the season," said Breage. "So warm and +heavy. I should say there was some prognostication in the air." + +"Ay, there'll be a storm before long, I reckon, neighbours," said +Germoe. + +"Faith, then, there will," muttered another speaker; "and a storm some +people don't expect." + +"There always is a storm," observed the general merchant, "along with +misfortune at the castle. It comes as a token." + +"Then it comes too late," quoth Mrs. Miniver. "It is after the +misfortune this time. Who knows what came of Michael Sinson?" + +A low groan ran through the throng, and filled the eyes of Mercy Page +with tears. + +"What'll his old grandame say," asked farmer Colan, "when she +understands the rights of the matter?" + +"She never will understand," answered the hostess. "She'll close her +ears, and say it is all along of squire Randolph. Don't ye mind how she +met him at the late master's burying? And how she says that her Margaret +was murdered?" + +"'T is a strange thing," remarked the village tailor, "that nothing ever +turned up about the parson's murder." + +"He never was murdered," said Breage; "if he had, there'd have been a +sign. I don't believe as he was murdered." + +The appearance of an empty carriage, winding its way round the green, +put an end to these gossiping speculations, and concentrated the +scattered groups of rustics into one compact crowd about the gate +leading into the base-court of the castle. A moody silence succeeded to +the previous animation, and all eyes followed the vehicle up the ascent, +until it vanished from sight through the arched portal. Even the +mirthful Mrs. Miniver then became serious for once, and waited among her +neighbours in rueful anxiety for the re-appearance of the carriage. + +We pass lightly over the adieux within the inner court. Polydore Riches, +having resigned himself to what was inevitable, made them as brief as +possible. Randolph had steeled his heart against any display of feeling, +and Helen endeavoured to imitate her brother's fortitude. The steward +found comfort in hope; but his wife could not restrain her sorrow at +such a parting, and retired to the picture-gallery to try to forget the +present disaster, in calling to mind the past glories of the family to +which she was so deeply attached. Old Jeffrey flung open the gates, and +dashed a tear surlily from his eye as the carriage passed under the +arch. But when the family flag was seen slowly and lingeringly to +descend from its high place, a wailing cry arose from the crowd upon the +green, which made Randolph's heart swell in his breast, and brought the +tears she had resolved not to shed into Helen's eyes. + +The carriage soon reached the bottom of the descent. The people thronged +to the gate, and pressed against it, and loudly declared that it should +not be opened. Not so would they allow their young master and mistress +to be taken from them. There was considerable confusion, and cries were +uttered expressive of the villagers' determination. The driver, +perplexed, looked round for instructions. The situation was becoming +embarrassing. + +"We will bid our friends farewell on foot, Helen," her brother +whispered, "and thank them for their good-will." + +And, so saying, he threw open his door of the carriage, sprang out, +lowered the steps himself, and assisted his sister to alight. She leant +upon his arm, and they advanced to meet the crowd, which divided before +them with great respect. Shaking hands very cordially with those who +were nearest them, and expressing confident hopes that their absence +would not be long, they made their way across the green, while the +carriage proceeded by the road. But the people soon divined their +intention, and closed upon their path, and endeavoured to delay their +progress, clasping their hands, and pouring benedictions upon their +heads. It was a more trying leave-taking than that within the castle. +But at length, after many and many a salute, they reached the end of the +village, re-ascended their carriage amid renewed effusions of +attachment, and were borne rapidly from the sight of their sorrowing +adherents. + +Sorrow, however, was not the only emotion excited by their departure. +Not a few imprecations, fiercely directed against the house that had +disinherited them, arose among their dependents as the carriage finally +disappeared. + +END OF VOLUME II. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Trevethlan: (Vol 2 of 3), by William Davy Watson + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TREVETHLAN: (VOL 2 OF 3) *** + +***** This file should be named 36107.txt or 36107.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/6/1/0/36107/ + +Produced by Chris Curnow, 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) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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