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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3c152a5 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #69056 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/69056) diff --git a/old/69056-0.txt b/old/69056-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 820842c..0000000 --- a/old/69056-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4489 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of John de Lancaster; vol. II., by -Richard Cumberland - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: John de Lancaster; vol. II. - -Author: Richard Cumberland - -Release Date: September 27, 2022 [eBook #69056] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Sonya Schermann, Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was - produced from images generously made available by The - Internet Archive) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JOHN DE LANCASTER; VOL. -II. *** - - - - - - JOHN DE LANCASTER. - - VOLUME II. - - - - - JOHN DE LANCASTER. - - A NOVEL. - - BY - - _RICHARD CUMBERLAND, ESQ._ - - IN THREE VOLUMES. - - VOL. II. - - - _LONDON_: - - PRINTED FOR LACKINGTON, ALLEN, AND CO. - TEMPLE OF THE MUSES, - FINSBURY-SQUARE. - - 1809. - - - Harding and Wright, Printers, St. John’s Square. - - - - - JOHN DE LANCASTER. - - - - - BOOK THE FIRST. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -_The Experiment, as resolved upon by Mr. Philip De Lancaster, is made._ - - -When Philip’s confidential interview with Colonel Wilson was concluded, -he directly bent his course to the chamber of David Williams. It was a -station equally well adapted to the studies of the poet, the astronomer -or the musician, for it was in the high road to the stars, at the very -top of the loftiest turret of Kray-Castle, and far enough exalted above -every living thing, that grovelled on the earth. It is to be lamented -that the fine prospect it commanded was no recommendation of it to blind -David, but the advantages it might have offered to him of inhaling the -refreshing breezes in their greatest purity would have compensated in -part, had it not so happened, that its only casement was not made to -open. - -When Philip, whom the love of prospect never could have tempted to -ascend this winding staircase, had with infinite pains landed himself in -David’s airey, the twilight was drawing on, and the sun sinking red -towards his chamber in the west. He found the minstrel seated in his -only chair with his harp between his knees, and on the table before him -his pitcher, which, though of a capacious girth, had been drained of its -contents. - -Philip having accosted him and made known his errand in few words, the -old man rose from his seat, and stood with his left hand resting on his -harp, whilst his right was pressed respectfully on his breast--Be it, he -replied, as the son of my patron hath commanded! When David Williams -shall hesitate to obey the heir of this castle, and the descendant of -the ever-honoured De Lancasters, this heart must have forfeited its -duty, and this hand forgotten its accustomed office. Although my brain -is even now in travail and only waits the mollifying aid of another jug -to bring forth, behold me ready! Speak the word only for my son David to -bear my harp, and lead me to the apartment of the lady your spouse, I -will incontinently set forward. - -Thank you, my old friend, cried Philip! You do it with good will, and -that is every thing. But what think you of the experiment? Do you hold -with my father in opinion that by the melody of the harp you can drive -the evil spirit out of Mrs. De Lancaster? - -Who drove the evil spirit out of Saul, replied the minstrel? - -You have said it sure enough, rejoined Philip; but we must proceed -cautiously, and not give her too much of it. A short strain, and -something in her own way, of the pensive cast--You have the name, the -instrument and the art of the royal minstrel, but recollect the peril he -was in, and be aware how you proceed too far in stirring up and -stimulating the passions. - -Thus having said, he departed, whilst the hoary-headed enthusiast seized -his harp, and full of the muse called amain for his son to lead him. - -Whilst this was passing in the turret, Cecilia with our young hero had -paid an evening visit to Mrs. De Lancaster in her apartment. She was -more than fancifully ill, for her sunken eyes and hectic looks too -plainly indicated a constitution breaking up. Her spirits however were -just now in that kind of nervous flutter, which carries a resemblance to -gaiety, and she was more than ordinarily communicative and disposed to -talk. - -Their conversation turned upon the preparations making for the -approaching festival--You will look in upon us I hope, said Cecilia; and -if you apprehend the company will be too much for you, I’ll have the -latticed gallery in the hall kept private, where nobody will molest you. -There will be music, sister, and I flatter myself you have no dislike to -that. - -None, replied Mrs. De Lancaster, to music, properly so called, but -infinite dislike and horror for trumpets and cudgel-playing, and noisy -bawling drunkards, who shout over their cups, and rattle them on the -table by way of applause: these are generally the accompaniments of a -Welch carousal. - -You have none such to expect with us, believe me, said Cecilia. We shall -not make it a Saint David’s day, take my word for it. - -No, cried the invalid, one such as I experienced, when this poor thing -was hurried into the world, has been one too many, and left me more to -struggle with than I shall ever overcome--and here her spirits sunk, and -her countenance assumed a melancholy cast, whilst she turned her languid -eyes upon her son. - -I am sorry to hear you talk thus, the gentle Cecilia replied: I was in -hopes, that now when all the troubles of that time are over, you would -have looked back to that day as a day of happiness and comfort. I am -persuaded that your son will never give you cause to regret what you -suffered for his sake; and now that he is in train to receive an -excellent education, what may we not expect from the brilliancy of his -talents, and the virtues of his heart? - -Yes, yes, she cried with a desponding sigh, I know what I am to expect -from the education he will receive. Every thing I dare say they will -teach him but humility and that discernment, which might constitute his -happiness. He will split upon the rock, that was so fatal to his -wretched mother, and they, on whom his destiny depends, will immolate -another victim to ambitious fortune and the pride of family. - -John’s ready apprehension caught the words, understood their meaning, -and in that instant he resolved to bring them to an explanation, -whenever opportunity might favour his design. She had spoken these words -with a degree of energy, that apparently exhausted her--Poor fellow, she -now said in a faint voice, and reached out her hand, as if inviting him -to approach; he sprung from his seat, respectfully received her hand and -pressed it to his lips--Am I not to blame, she said, addressing herself -to Cecilia, for thus indulging my affection for an object, from whom I -must so soon be parted? - -No, my dear sister, replied Cecilia; you are only to blame for -indulging those melancholy thoughts. Exert yourself for the recovery of -your health and spirits; seek amusement in the company of your friends, -resort to air and exercise in the place of medicine and confinement, and -you may live to see all your apprehensions vanish, and your son made -happy, (so may Heaven grant it!) to the completion of your warmest -wishes. - -Ah my kind comforter, said the mother, I know full well that medicine -cannot cure my complaints nor exertion restore my spirits. I am sensible -it is not worth my while to seek for a recovery any where, for sure -enough it is no where to be found; yet I will acknowledge to you, that -unless I were obstinately resolved to devote myself to death, I must not -meet another winter in this country. The soft climates of Lisbon or the -South of France may give me a few more weeks; and though I have long -ceased from enjoying life, I am not reconciled in my conscience to the -neglect of any reasonable means for prolonging it. Besides, as I have -all the disposition in the world not to disturb Mr. De Lancaster’s -repose with certain ceremonials, in which he might think it incumbent on -him to take a part, I shall only trouble him to attend upon me to the -sea-side, and leave it to other people in another country to follow me -to the grave. I perceive myself exactly treading in the steps of my poor -mother, and can easily foresee where they will lead me. When she was at -my time of life, (as I well recollect,) she was affected just in the -same manner as I am. My father talked to her as you talk now to me: he -was a kind and tender husband, which, allow me to observe, was one more -comfort in her lot than I have to boast of. She had no child but me, and -I was about John’s age when I saw her for the last time. She was not in -the habit of bestowing any extraordinary caresses upon me, and I seldom -was admitted to her, for her spirits did not allow of it. Upon this last -meeting however she was extremely kind to me, and the circumstance is -the more strongly impressed upon my memory on account of a very singular -occurrence, which I can sometimes reflect upon till I fancy myself in -her very situation, and hearing the same sounds, as seemed to summon my -poor mother to her death-bed. - -Of what sort were those sounds? Cecilia asked--Of the most seraphic -sort, Mrs. De Lancaster replied, as she described them; such as we may -conceive the angels to excite, when they waft a soul into bliss. - -By one of those extraordinary coincidences, that sometimes occur, it so -chanced, that in the very moment, whilst Mrs. De Lancaster, was -describing these strains, heard by her mother before death, David -Williams, who had planted himself in the adjoining gallery, gave a -flourish on his harp. It was not one of those imposing preludes, that -are calculated to display the execution of the master; it was rather -meant to invite attention by its melody, than to arrest it by its -violence. - -Hark! cried Mrs. De Lancaster; do you hear those sounds?--It is only -David Williams, Cecilia replied, going to serenade us. If you wish it -to be stopped, I’ll tell him--Upon no account, answered the other, I am -convinced these things do not happen by chance; and whether the music is -produced by natural or supernatural means, I entreat you not to attempt -at interrupting it. - -Immediately a symphony was played most exquisitely sweet and melodious: -the minstrel never was in a happier moment; young John in the mean time -kept hold of his mother’s hand, whilst the strain swelled and sunk at -times in cadence so enchanting, as might remind Mrs. De Lancaster of -those seraphic airs, which were supposed to have visited her dying -mother, especially when the following words were distinctly heard, as -the blind minstrel chanted them forth to the accompaniment of his harp. - - “What art thou, Death; that we should fear - The shadow of a shade? - What’s in thy name, that meets the ear, - Of which to be afraid? - - Thou art not care, thou art not pain, - But thou art rest and peace: - ’Tis thou can’st make our terrors vain, - And bid our torments cease. - - Thy hand can draw the rankling thorn - From out the wounded breast; - Thy curtain screens the wretch forlorn, - Thy pallet gives him rest. - - Misfortune’s sting, Affliction’s throes, - Detraction’s pois’nous breath, - The world itself and all its woes - Are swallow’d up in death.” - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -_Mr. De Lancaster discourses upon the Tactics of the Ancients._ - - -Whilst David Williams was chanting the extemporaneous lay, with which we -concluded the foregoing chapter, the door between him and Mrs. De -Lancaster was ajar; the gallery, in which he was playing, was admirably -disposed for music, and every note came to the ear, mellowed by the -distance without being lost in its passage. The strain was of a -character so simple, and the harmony so pure and flowing in it’s course, -without any of those capricious and false ornaments, which are too often -resorted to, that both the movement and the matter were intelligible to -the hearers, till at the close it burst into such a display of -execution, as called forth all the powers of the instrument, and set off -the art of the master in its highest style of excellence. - -When Mrs. De Lancaster perceived that the performance was concluded, -John was told to open the door, and upon his entering the gallery, the -old minstrel was discovered sitting in deep meditation, with his arms -folded round his harp, and his head resting upon the frame of it, whilst -his white locks, long and flowing, hung profusely over his forehead, and -entirely shaded his countenance. He had placed himself opposite to an -antique bow-window, through which a ruddy gleam from the descending sun -directly smote upon his figure, and threw it into tints, that would have -been a study for Rembrandt or Bassan. - -The mother and aunt of our hero, who had now joined him in the gallery, -stood for a while contemplating the striking effect, which his attitude -produced. At length Mrs. De Lancaster said--We are obliged to you, Mr. -Williams, for your very charming music: may I ask who is the author of -it? - -He, who is the author of my being, he replied, rising up and shaking the -locks from off his forehead; He, that endowed me with a soul, inspired -me with the love of harmony, and what He inspires, I with all humble -devotion endeavour to express. - -Can you repeat those passages again? - -Lady I cannot. It was not from memory that I played them, and having -played them, I no longer keep them in remembrance. When the approaching -festival shall call on me for my exertions, I hope to produce something -more worthy of your commendation. - -Did you come hither of your own accord? - -I never come to ladies’ chambers of my own accord. - -To whom beside yourself am I indebted for this entertainment? - -The son of my patron, your spouse, commanded me to play to you. - -Did he so? said Mrs. De Lancaster. I will trouble you no further. She -then wished Cecilia a good night, pressed the hand of her son in token -of a farewel, and turned into her chamber. - -Whilst this was passing above stairs, the venerable chief of the De -Lancasters was sitting and conversing over his coffee with Colonel -Wilson and his sons Henry and Edward; for the elder of these brothers, -who was captain of a troop of dragoons, had taken advantage of a few -days furlough to pay a visit to his father before he joined his regiment -in Ireland. Henry was an amiable and well-informed young man, and had -the character of being a very gallant and good officer. De Lancaster -loved a soldier, and was fond of talking to every man upon professional -topics: Henry was highly entertained with the singularity of his -character, and had won the old gentleman’s heart by listening to his -dissertations with the most flattering attention, asking questions and -throwing in remarks occasionally, which proved him to have taken a -lively interest in the subject under discussion, and to be a hearer to -the heart’s content of his communicative host. - -Robert De Lancaster had been calling to mind the several passages, that -occurred to him in the grammarians, respecting ancient tactics, and had -gone back to the Trojan war for the purpose of remarking to Captain -Henry, that it did not appear that the Greeks had any cavalry in the -besieging army, except the horses, which they harnessed to their -chariots: that even in the battle of Marathon there were no horse in the -Athenian army, and that it was not till they repulsed Xerxes and were at -peace, that they raised any body of cavalry, and then only three -hundred. - -Henry let him proceed without interruption till he got amongst the Roman -cohorts, who, he informed him, did not use saddles till they copied them -from the Germans, and as for stirrups, they had no word, that answered -to them in their language. He remarked that Franciscus Philelphus, who -lived in the time of the fathers, had indeed coined the word _Stapeda_ -to express a stirrup, but Budæus in after times had improved upon it by -substituting the compound term of _Subex pedancus_, which he clearly -preferred, and for which he gave Budæus all due credit. - -Mr. De Lancaster seemed very candidly disposed to recommend the fashion -of riding without saddle or stirrups, though he himself used both in -their greatest amplitude and richest splendor; the seat of the one being -of blue velvet, and the materials of the other brass proudly gilt. He -even doubted if the Numidians were not the best models for cavalry, -forasmuch as they made use neither of saddle nor bridle, but turned and -stopped their horses with their canes or switches, whilst the Teutonic -horsemen were so adroit in shifting from horse to horse, that they -oftentimes charged their enemy double-mounted; nay, they could manage -four, as Homer witnesses, and he (Mr. De Lancaster) had authority to say -that one of their kings named Teutobocchus, was so excellent a rider, -that he could keep six horses alternately under him, and bring them all -into action at the same time, which he conceived was a very great -advantage to that warlike monarch in a charge. He begged however to be -understood as saying this under correction of the captain’s better -judgment, and seemed to wait in expectation of his decision upon the -reference. - -The captain properly observed, that, if King Teutobocchus had a horse -killed under him, he certainly had his choice of five yet left; but if -he was killed himself he stood the chance of leaving six without a rider -to fall into the enemy’s hands; so that much might be said on both -sides. - -This answer, which decided neither for nor against King Teutobocchus and -his six chargers, left De Lancaster at liberty to hold to his opinion, -and proceed with his discourse, which now went back to the Romans, who, -till they used saddles, always vaulted on their steeds, training the -young recruits to the practice by drilling them upon wooden horses, till -they were able to mount and dismount upon either side with all their -accoutrements, in which manœuvre the great Pompey was said to be so -expert, as to perform it at full speed, drawing and returning his sword -at the same time with the utmost expedition and correctness. After the -barbarous introduction of saddles Mr. De Lancaster acknowledged that the -Roman horseman was forced to mount either by the aid of the hand, or by -practising his horse to kneel. He took notice that the sword-belt slung -over the shoulder was conformable to ancient custom, but he doubted -whether the sword ought not to be slung on the right side, as the Romans -wore it, and not of so enormous a length, as it was carried to by the -present fashion. He confessed that the Roman trooper with his massy -spear, a shield slung to his horse’s side, a case of three or four stout -javelins with broad blades, and with his helmet and coat of mail, must -have been a cumbrous load upon his charger, and he admitted that his -movements and evolutions could not be very rapid. Speaking of the -standards of the cavalry, he said they were very generally of purple -with the name of the commander worked in gold; though he was aware they -afterwards introduced the figure of the dragon, richly embroidered after -the fashion of the Asiatics. That the devices they wore on their helmets -were of various sorts, according to the fancy of the wearer, but plumes -of peacock’s feathers could only be mounted on the crests of generals of -the highest rank and description. Pyrrhus’s crest was distinguished by -the horns of the goat curiously modelled in fine gold. - -He informed his hearers, that when the Roman cavalry were ordered to the -charge, the chief trumpeter, whose station was beside the general, -sounded to make ready; this was answered by the band posted near the -eagles, and when the horse were going down all the trumpets in the army -sounded together, whilst the soldiers shouted out the word for battle, -and that word, though not precisely recorded, he had reason to believe -was FERI! answering to our _Strike home!_ A chorus so tremendous, that -Cato says--The cry of our soldiers is more terrifying to the enemy than -their swords. As for the Greeks, it is well known, he observed, that -they came down to the charge shrieking out their insulting ALALAGMOS! Of -this cry Pân was the inventor, and the terror it created was thence -called Panic: the same Greeks had their Pæan before battle, called the -Aggressive Pæan, and another after battle, called the Pæan of Victory. - -With respect to what we call specifically--_the word_ or parolle--that -was given out by the general at pleasure, and was alway of some cheering -and auspicious import--as that of Cæsar, which he made use of in his -African campaign, FELICITAS! that of Brutus, LIBERTAS! that of Augustus, -APOLLO! whilst Cyrus gave out with the signal for battle--JUPITER -SOCIUS, DUX, SERVATOR! _Jupiter, our comrade, our leader, our -preserver!_ - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -_Mr. De Lancaster relates some curious Properties peculiar to certain -Islands._ - - -Mr. De Lancaster had brought his dissertation to a conclusion, when -Philip entered the room: he had been told by David Williams what effect -his experiment had produced, and as it had brought Mrs. De Lancaster out -of her chamber, he had begun to apprehend greater consequences from its -operation, than he was either prepared to encounter, or disposed to -wish, till upon meeting Mr. Llewellyn he was informed by that sagacious -gentleman, that the surprise, into which his patient had been thrown by -the unexpected serenade of David’s harp had proved extremely prejudicial -to her health, and that he thought it of the last consequence to her -life, never to expose her to such dangerous experiments again--I cannot -for my soul conceive, said that learned sage, what expectations you -could form from such a ridiculous chimæra, but to hurry her into fits, -which you have done, and to drive her out of her senses which very -possibly you may do. If I am thus to be interrupted in the management of -her case, how am I to be answerable for her life? - -Thus rebuffed by the anti-musical doctor, Philip sought refuge in the -society of the company below stairs from the persecution of those above. -He sate silent and dull, but as this was nothing extraordinary on his -part, nobody concerned themselves about him. - -Mr. De Lancaster asked Captain Wilson in what province of Ireland his -regiment was quartered, and upon being answered that it was in Munster, -he gravely observed, that he would then be upon the spot, where, if so -disposed, he might enquire into the truth of the extraordinary -properties recorded by Giraldus Cambrensis of a certain island in the -aforesaid province which, if related by any other than a historian of -his established character for veracity and research, might have -staggered all credulity. - -Upon Henry’s desiring to be informed what those properties were--he -replied, I premised that they were extraordinary, and I own to you they -require confirmation, for Giraldus deliberately tells us, that there is -an island in that province, known in his time, and in fact from the time -of Saint Patrick, into which no woman, nor any female creature living, -could enter. - -Well done, Giraldus! cried the colonel, that is an interesting discovery -for married men. - -A blessed one--said Philip in an under voice. - -I hardly think I shall be able to find it, said the captain, and if I -do, I don’t believe I shall chuse it for my head quarters. - -It is fitter for a hermitage or a monkish convent, Edward observed. - -Hold, cried De Lancaster, I have Giraldus on the table, and here he -tells us of an island, where no woman can be delivered of a child. - -Pooh! said the colonel, he is an old woman himself, and can be delivered -of nothing but lies. - -Hold, resumed the expounder of Giraldus; here is another island, which -is partly inhabited by good, and partly by evil spirits. - -All islands are alike for that, said the colonel. - -Have a little patience; we have not done yet with Giraldus’s islands, -for here is one, where dead bodies cannot putrefy; and look! here is -another, that outgoes all the others, where nobody can ever die--Mark -his words--_Nemo unquam moritur, unquam mortuus fuit, vel morte naturali -mori potuit_. - -Excellent Giraldus! exclaimed the colonel; if he does but make out his -immortal island to be that which women cannot enter, the grand -desideratum is obtained. - -He does not say that, replied De Lancaster. - -Then he had better have said nothing about it, Philip cried out from his -corner, for fear our wives should find it out. - -At this instant our hero John made his appearance with a most flaming -and tremendous sketch of David Williams, playing on his harp at -sun-down, as he had seen him in the gallery. This was the first unlucky -start of John’s genius in the branch of portrait-painting, and though it -was in the grand gusto of Michael Angelo, it was not quite so good as -Michael Angelo would have made it, though John had bestowed as much red -ink upon it as would have served a merchant’s clerk for a twelve-month. - -At the sight of that red ink, so profusely squandered, Philip betrayed -no small alarm, and demanded where he got it. John had found a bottle of -it upon the chimney-piece in his father’s bedroom. - -It is not ink, cried Philip; it is the blood of Saint Januarius, and you -have ruined me. - -The vehemence of Philip’s exclamation, and the horror of his -countenance, were too ridiculous to be withstood, and even the gravity -of the grandfather was not proof against the laugh. - -Hollah! friend John, cried the colonel, you have drawn a devil in the -blood of a saint. - -John demanded how long the saint had been dead; and the colonel -answered at a guess, that it was not much more than a thousand years, -but the monks could bring his blood to life again, when they had -occasion for a vial of red ink. - -You may make a laughing matter of it, said Philip, but I got it with -considerable difficulty, and not at the price of red ink, assure -yourself. - -And what was the use of it, when you had got it, said the colonel? - -Sir, replied poor Philip with much solemnity--It has various uses: it is -a preservative against storms by sea or land; against thunder and -lightning; it guards your house from fire, keeps off evil spirits, and -prevents or cures diseases. - -And so it may still, said the old gentleman, for the sight of John’s -drawing brings to my recollection the famous recipe, which John De -Gaddesden has bequeathed to us for those, who may be seized with that -terrible disorder the small-pox, and I believe I can give it to you in -his own, or very nearly his own, words--“after the eruption of the small -pox, says that ancient and learned leech, cause the whole body of your -patient to be wrapt in scarlet, or in any other red envelope, and -command every thing about the couch of the sick person to be made red, -for this will be found an excellent and speedy cure. It was in this -manner, he adds, I treated the son of the noble King Edward the Second -of England, when he had the small pox, and I cured him without leaving -any marks.”--This being granted, my grandson’s performance, although not -eminently meritorious for its art, may yet be turned to beneficial -purposes, and Saint Januarius may share the credit of them with John De -Gaddesden. - -Philip, who perceived he was not likely to receive any redress, walked -away to meditate in silence over the loss of his miraculous vial. John -was called up to his mother’s apartment, and when there admitted, Betty -was ordered to retire, and she addressed him as will be found in the -following chapter. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -_Our Hero has an Interview with his Mother._ - - -When John had entered his mother’s chamber, and presented himself to -her, she said--As I know that I must prepare myself to meet that -summons, from which no mortal is exempt, sit down by me, and hear what I -have to say; for whilst my senses hold I wish to communicate to you some -particulars, which it imports you to be apprised of, and as they are of -a secret nature, I must rely upon your discretion for understanding what -is due to the confidence, that I am about to repose in you. I suspect -you have been informed by the soldier, who died in this house, of my -attachment to his master Captain Jones--(’Tis very well: I understand -your signal)--He has told you, and I tell you now again, that my whole -life has been embittered by the disappointment and affliction, which I -endured, when rigid honour on his part, and over-ruling duty on mine, -tore me from the arms of that beloved man, and threw me into those of -your unfeeling father. Great as my affection was for Captain Jones, and -implicit as my trust, yet I take it on my soul to assure you, that our -connection was in the strictest sense correctly pure, and after I was -married I never had the fortitude to speak to him, or even see his face. -I state this to you, my dear child, not only that you may have it in -your power conscientiously to put to silence and dismiss all -insinuations against my honour, but also more especially to arm your -mind for ever against those alarming fancies, that might else occur to -you, if in any future period of time the charms, the virtues and -endowments of the daughter should engage your heart, as those of the -father captivated mine. - -This angelic girl, (for as such she is represented to me) now lives -with Mrs. Jennings at Denbigh, who has the care of her education, and -on whom my father has settled an annuity for that purpose. I have -bequeathed to Amelia Jones two thousand pounds by will, which is the -only sum I can at present call my own; but if, by the will of -providence, your grandfather should be suddenly taken off before I die, -whatever I may in that case inherit from him I shall leave entirely to -you, and recommend this interesting relict of my lamented friend to your -bounty and protection. And now before I reveal to you the wish, that -lies deepest at my heart, let me furnish you with the means of being -known to her. This case contains a miniature of her father in enamel, -admirably painted, and on the reverse of it under a crystal there is a -lock of his hair. Dear as this relic has been, and still is, to me, -alas! I never more must look upon it, I could not bear it, and must now -endeavour to employ my thoughts in other meditations; take it, my son, -and as your gift present it to Amelia; she will thank you; and if her -gentle character should gain an early interest in your youthful heart, -think of your wretched mother, and resolve against the fatal sacrifice, -that I have made to fortune and connections: what are they, if your -choice goes not with them? what but misery, entailed upon you by the -base surrender of your own natural rights? Ah! my poor child, could I -but cherish a consoling hope, that you will summon courage to assert -those natural rights, and resolutely shun the torrent of those sordid -importunities, that will assail you, I could die in peace. - -Live then, replied our hero, live, my mother, in that confirmed -assurance, and believe nothing can shake my fixt determination to follow -my free choice in that event, which must decide my happiness for life. -Fortune I do not want, and for that idle pride, which pedigree entails -on some, who have no other merit, I despise it; all are my equals, who -are not debased in character and conduct: as for Amelia Jones, (forgive -me, madam) being my father’s son, and she the daughter of parents by -their virtues ennobled, I look up to her as my superior; and when I have -the happiness to present to her this valuable relic of her father, I can -well believe my second visit will confirm the impression I received upon -my first. - -What do you tell me? Have you visited and seen Amelia? - -I should have told you that before, but was afraid the circumstances, -that produced that interview, might agitate and discompose your spirits. - -No, no, relate them. If Amelia gave the impression you describe, ’tis -all I wish, ’tis all I pray for. - -She appeared, he replied, in loveliness of person, mind and manners to -merit their description, who report her to you as an angelic girl. My -plea for visiting her was to deliver into her hands the wedding ring, -worn by her mother, and sent to her by her father in the care of the -poor soldier, his servant, who on his death-bed entrusted it to me. In -the execution of this delicate commission I was so dazzled, and my -senses were so engrossed by the appearance of an object, beautiful and -impressive beyond my expectations, that the abrupt and awkward manner, -in which I introduced my business, occasioned a surprise on her part, -which for a time overthrew her spirits and deprived me of her company. -In the mean time whilst I was contemplating her father’s portrait, which -hung opposite to me, and in a kind of rhapsody, that I could not -controul, pledging my protection to his lovely daughter, behold, she -stood beside me; and before I could recollect myself I had clasped her -in my arms. Shocked at myself for an action so audacious, I fled out of -the house, and by a note to Mrs. Jennings endeavoured to apologize and -asked forgiveness: it was granted to me on the part of Amelia, but Mrs. -Jennings by her answer to my note imposed upon me the severe condition -of forbearing to intrude upon her charge in the like manner any more. -This I have hitherto obeyed; how then shall I fulfil your orders, and -present this relic to Amelia? - -You must write to Mrs. Jennings, state what your commission is, and ask -leave to wait upon her charge. When you have done this, shew me your -letter, and, if I am able, I will add a postscript. Now, my dear son, -beloved of my heart, farewel! my feeble spirits can no longer bear the -agitation this discourse has caused. I am not used to joy; it overcomes -me--send assistance to me! - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -_Preparations for celebrating the Assembly of the Minstrels at Kray -Castle._ - - -The day was now come, when the assembly of the minstrels was to be -celebrated at Kray Castle. Every body was alert: the great hall showed -like an arsenal, hung round with trophies of armour, and decorated with -the banners of the family, upon which the emblem of the winged harp held -its station paramount. - -The natives, whether inhabitants of mountain or of vale, flocked from -all parts to the spectacle. No minstrel, who had any ambition to -distinguish himself, neglected the invitation. The domestics of the -castle were arrayed in their gala liveries of orange-tawney, new for the -occasion. All hands were busy in the kitchen, which was of conventual -size, and the savory steam ascended to the vaulted roof in clouds of -stomach-stirring odour. The cellar, though provided with a double tier -of potent ordnance, was formidably menaced by the numbers of the -assailants. Cecilia, the moving spring of all operations, had taken her -measures so providently, and given out her orders with such precision, -that all things went on in their respective departments with consummate -regularity. - -Mrs. De Lancaster, still languid, though in spirits less depressed, was -incapable of taking any share in the festivities of the day, and -confined herself to her apartment. The worthy old colonel had put -himself in full uniform for the occasion, and Captain Henry Wilson, -brilliant as if accoutred for a review, appeared as if he had been -mailed in glittering sheets of silver. A ditto suit of melancholy -bottle-green sufficed for Philip’s unambitious taste. - -These with the venerable senior of the family had assembled in the great -saloon, when the Reverend Edward Wilson, leading our young hero by the -hand, presented him to his grandfather with the following address--I -have the honour, sir, to introduce my pupil to you, and am most happy in -assuring you, that I have already witnessed such encouraging instances -both of his application and of his talents, as far exceed the promise of -my most sanguine hopes. If my instructions can keep pace with the -rapidity of his comprehension, it will not be very long before he will -have exhausted all I shall wish to teach him as a reader of the -classics. His own naturally strong understanding, and the inborn virtues -of his heart, will leave me little else to do, save only to repress a -certain ebullition of courageous spirit, which, though it be a quality, -that ought to be found in every gentleman’s character, should not be -called forth upon every frivolous occasion. - -The old man sighed, cast a tender look upon his grandson, kissed him on -each cheek, and turning aside to the preceptor, said in a whisper, I -will talk to him on this subject. - -A dealer in minute descriptions would here find some employment about -the dress and person of our hero, as well as of his aunt Cecilia, -hitherto unnoticed; but as elegance and perfect neatness were all that -she aimed at, and her nephew imitated, simplicity, as I understand it, -is not liable to description, and it would be loss of labour to attempt -it. - -The equipage of Sir Owen ap Owen was now discovered in approach. There -had been a sensible falling off in the accustomed intercourse between -the houses of De Lancaster and Owen since the accession of the Spanish -widow and her son to the family of the baronet. Some little sparring -upon points of county politics had occurred to threaten rather than to -effect an actual breach between them. This visit therefore was regarded -by the worthy host of the castle as a conciliatory advance on the part -of his old friend and neighbour, whom of course he welcomed with all -possible cordiality. - -Sir Owen’s constitution was completely broken down; he walked with -difficulty through the hall, leaning on De Lancaster’s arm, who saw with -concern the change, that had been wrought in his once sturdy frame. -Philip not being disposed to quit his corner, Captain Henry Wilson -ushered in Mrs. David Owen, who having made her Spanish salutations to -the company, took her seat upon the sopha, and gave the captain to -understand that there was room for him to sit beside her. She made an -excuse for her son, that he was out with the hounds, and had not -returned, but would pay his compliments to Mr. De Lancaster in the -course of the afternoon: she turned a look upon her bottle-green lover, -which was not very expressive of complacency, and immediately played off -her best graces on the captain: she took notice of his uniform, and -complimented him by observing it was quite as brilliant as that of the -Spanish guards--If we, who wear it, are quite as brave, the captain -courteously replied, our finery will be well bestowed. She addressed -herself to Cecilia, and observed that Master John, as she called him, -was very much grown. He had taken his seat beside his godfather Sir -Owen, who, when he had recovered his breath, said to De Lancaster--We -are come, my good sir, to pay our compliments to you on this occasion, -and have brought Ap-Rees with us to give you a specimen of his art, -which you will understand, but I do not. Rachel, as you see, has set -herself out in all her finery to do grace to your festival, but you must -take a plain man in a plain coat, for I am too ill to thrust my crazy -carcase into a fresh doublet, and shall hardly shift my rigging till I -change it for a suit of sheep’s wool only. - -De Lancaster shook his head, turned an eye of pity on his friend, but -made no answer. - -Sir Owen had now taken his godson by the hand, and was asking him why he -did not go out with the hounds--I wait, John replied, till I can see -you in the field, mounted on your favourite horse Glendowr; then I shall -turn out with pleasure--Ah! my dear boy, cried Sir Owen, never, never -again in this life shall I find myself upon the back of Glendowr. I can -only look at him through the window, when he is led out to amuse me. He -is the best horse and the best hunter in England: Lamprey was his sire, -and Lamprey belonged to Sir William Morgan of Tredegar. I am torn to -pieces for Glendowr, but a sack of money would not buy him: nephew David -spells hard to borrow him, but I won’t lend him to David of all men -living, for he is cruel to his horses, and abuses the fine creature, -that carries him; but I will lend him to you, John, freely and -willingly, for you are merciful, and will use him well; nay, I could -find it in my heart to give him to you out and out. - -Upon no account, John exclaimed, would I take him, whilst it can afford -you, my dear sir, a moment’s pleasure to look at him. - -Well, well! that’s handsome, he replied. Wait the going of a few short -weeks, and you’ll find him in my will. - -There is something more than meets the eye in this circumstance of the -horse, or we should not have inserted it. - -The guests in the mean time were coming in, and at an early hour the -castle-bell rang out for dinner. At this instant the heir of the Owens -made his appearance in his hunting uniform, and booted. He apologised -for this by saying he had not quitted the saddle, that he might be in -time to pay his compliments to Mr. De Lancaster within the hour, that -was specified on his card. All this was very well, and Mr. David Owen -was most courteously welcomed by Mr. De Lancaster and the inmates of his -family. John made his bow, and Mr. Owen fell in with the company, who -were now summoned to the dinner room, and took his seat at table. - -Hospitality without parade, and festivity without excess was the -character of an entertainment projected and conducted by the presiding -genius of Cecilia De Lancaster. - -Mr. David Owen assumed a certain consequential style and carriage, which -strongly indicated, that he knew himself as the heir of his uncle’s -title and estate, and that he saw the hour at hand, which was to put him -in possession of both. A set of vulgar companions, who frequented his -uncle’s table, had blown him up with flattery, whilst they were sapping -the constitution of poor Sir Owen with their sottish debaucheries, -which, if Mrs. David Owen took no ostensible measures to encourage, she -certainly used no efforts to prevent: of her maternal authority she made -no use, nor indeed could any be made, for it was completely dispensed -with. Nature in the meanwhile had not done much for the young gentleman, -and education very little; yet he was not without talents of a certain -sort, and whenever opportunity offered for employing them, diffidence -never stood in his way. He had the cunning of a Jew, and the haughtiness -of a Spaniard: ridicule was his passion, and mimicry, particularly of -his uncle, what he most excelled in. He had black piercing eyes, an -aquiline nose and Moorish complexion, a high shrill voice, and when he -wrinkled up his features into a smile, it was the grin of malice and -derision. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -_Occurrences at Kray Castle during the Assembly of the Minstrels._ - - -When the repast was over, and the glass had cheerfully, yet temperately, -circulated, the doors of the great hall were thrown open: a scaffolding -containing seats for the company, and a stage for the performers had -been prepared, and the audience was full. Old De Lancaster, encircled by -his guests, made the central figure of the assembly, and his entrance -was hailed by a chorus of harps, joining in the popular air--_Of a -noble race was Shenkin_. - -When this was past, the names of six selected minstrels were announced. -Each of these was of high celebrity in his art, and the respectability -of the audience called on them for their best exertions. When four of -this number had now acquitted themselves with great credit, and the -plaudits of the hearers seemed to have been pretty equally bestowed -amongst them, there remained only Robin Ap-Rees, the famous harper of -Penruth Abbey, and David Williams of Kray Castle as yet unheard. In -these celebrated performers there existed a high spirit of emulation, -and the opinions of the country were divided between them: Though rivals -in art, they were brothers in misfortune, for both were bereft of -sight--_Blind Thamyris and blind Mœonides_. - -After a pause of some minutes, Ap-Rees presented himself to the -spectators, led, like Tiresias, by his young and blooming daughter, and -followed by his son, carrying his harp. The interesting group so touched -all hearts, and set all hands in motion, that the hall rung with their -plaudits. He was a tall thin man with stooping shoulders, bald head, -pale visage, of a pensive cast, and habited in a long black mantle of -thin stuff bound about with a rose-coloured sash of silk, richly fringed -with silver, and on his breast, appending to a ribbon of pale blue, hung -a splendid medal of honour. - -Before he took the seat, that was provided for him, he stopped and made -a profound obeisance to the company: his daughter in the meantime, -modest, timid and unprepared for such a scene, not venturing to -encounter the eyes of the spectators, when she had placed her father in -his seat, no longer able to struggle with her sensibility, sunk into his -arms, trembling and on the point to faint: her brother stood aghast and -helpless: the ladies manifested their alarm by screams, and the men were -rising from their seats, when our hero, whose only monitor was his -heart, leapt on the stage and sprung to her relief: she revived, and he -gallantly conducted her to a seat, where she was no longer exposed to -the observation of the company who cheered him with a loud applause. - -Silence being restored, Ap-Rees began to tune his harp. He paused, as if -waiting for the inspiration of his muse; his bosom yet laboured with the -recent agitation of his spirits, when at length he threw his hand over -the strings, and began the symphony. His song was the tale of ancient -days: he took for his theme the religious legend of the famous knight -Sir Owen, one of the ancestors of his present patron. The legend is -detailed at length by Matthew Paris in his history, page 86, edited by -Doctor Watts in the year 1640, and few can be found better calculated to -call forth all the powers of poetry and music: The date is that of the -reign of King Stephen, and in the wars of that period Sir Owen had very -valorously distinguished himself. When Ap-Rees described his hero -entering the tremendous cave amidst the wailings of the tormented, and -beset by the infernal spirits, who assailed his constancy by every -horrible device their malice could suggest, so striking were the -effects, so contrasted the transitions of his harmony, that he seemed -almost to realize those fearful yellings, groanings and thunderings -recorded in the story. When he advanced to that period, where the -fortitude of the knight baffles all the efforts of the dæmons, the -movement, which had before been turbulent, irregular and excursive, -became solemn, flowing and majestic; but when in conclusion Sir Owen, -triumphant over his assailants, puts them to general rout, and the -gloomy cave in an instant is converted into a bright and blooming -paradise, the minstrel with such art adapted his melody to the scene -described, and so tranquillizing was the sweetness of his strain, that -at the close he left his hearers still impressed with those delightful -sensations, which Milton describes Adam to have felt, whilst the voice -of the communicative angel was yet dwelling on his ear. - -At length De Lancaster rose up, and addressing himself to the minstrel, -testified his high admiration of the excellent performance he had -witnessed, observing that it had been particularly gratifying to him to -listen to a poem, founded on the magnanimous behaviour of a truly -Christian knight, who was enrolled amongst the many heroes, which the -ancient and illustrious house of his friend and countryman Sir Owen ap -Owen might justly boast of. - -This speech was followed by a thundering applause, the exulting minstrel -made his valedictory obeisance, and withdrew. - -Sir Owen in the meantime whispered his friend De Lancaster, that he had -never read the story, but he was told it was put down in a book and of -course he conceived it must be all true. - -David Williams now remained to ascend the stage and close the -entertainment. He was ushered in, habited in a loose vest or mantle of -white cloth with open sleeves, which he had tucked up, leaving his arms -bare: it was bound about his waist with a broad belt of orange-tawney -silk, and upon his breast he wore a medal, on which the device of the -winged harp was conspicuously displayed: a fillet of the same colour -with his belt confined his white locks, and when he had arranged himself -in his seat and begun to touch his harp, all was silence and attentive -expectation. - -At length, rolling his sightless eyeballs in a kind of poetic phrensy, -he began his song from Noah: he sung the destructive visitation of the -general deluge: he chanted the praises of King Samothes, and the -splendor of his court; he then took a martial strain, and, smiting his -harp with all the fire of an enthusiast, sung the triumphs of the giant -son of Neptune, who entailed the trident of his father on his new-named -Albion to all posterity. The animating subject seized the passions of -the hearers, and the applause was loud and clamourous. - -When this subsided, the minstrel chose a melancholy theme; his head -drooped upon his harp, and his fingers moved languidly over the strings, -whilst in a slow and mournful strain he chanted the sad fate of Bladud-- - - “Fallen from his towring flight, - “And weltring in his blood.--” - -During the movement all were silent, when at once the harp was heard to -break forth into a melody of the most gay and joyous character, inviting -all present to festivity and good fellowship, and invoking blessings on -the hospitable and time-honoured house of De Lancaster. - -The harp now ceased, and the several minstrels, as well those, who had -attended and were unheard, as those, who had performed, being assembled -on the platform, the venerable patron and projector of the entertainment -stood up in his place, and addressed himself to speak as follows-- - -Gentlemen, who have so highly gratified us with your excellent -performances, and you also, who, if time had permitted, would have -increased that gratification; masters and professors of that science, -which is at once so dignified and so delightful, I offer you on the -part of all here present the tribute of our unanimous acknowledgments, -and our unqualified approbation and applause. We beg you will be pleased -to share our praises amongst you; we do not presume to apportion them -according to your respective merits. And now friends, neighbours and -countrymen, who have done me the honour to accept any invitation to this -our domestic eistedfodd, you have heard the lay of our minstrel David -Williams, and although, for brevity’s sake, he took it up from the -deluge only, yet, if you do not already know, you ought now to be -informed, that this unconquered soil whereon we dwell, was in times -antecedent to that visitation as fully peopled, and arts and sciences -were as happily cultivated here as within any spot upon the habitable -globe. If therefore in the recitation of the lay, which I allude to, -mention of that early time was omitted to be made, it was not because -records are wanting of sufficient authenticity to illuminate the -subject, forasmuch as not a few of those, who lived before the flood, -have spoken for themselves, and their words and works have descended to -us through the lapse of ages. Witness those treatises upon natural -magic, which Ham the son of Noah, when in the ark with his father, -possessed himself of, and having bequeathed them to his son Misraim, -were afterwards made public to the great edification of the repeopled -world. Nay, gentlemen, let me assure you, there are those, who trace the -origin of the Chrysopeia, or art of making gold, even up to Adam -himself, who in a tract of his own composing (after the fall we will -suppose) expounds that curious process. - -I lay this before you, friends and countrymen, knowing that there are -few amongst you, who do not trace your pedigrees up to the ante-diluvian -ages, and I rest what I have said upon sound authorities that you, being -true and ancient Britons, may have wherewithal to defend your -derivations from your father Adam, if any there may be, obstinate and -absurd enough to dispute them. - -I shall now trespass on your time no longer, than whilst I express my -hope that you, my gallant countrymen, who have held the tenure of this -soil from ages so remote, will persevere to defend it through ages yet -to come from all invaders foreign and domestic. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -_Harmony of Sounds does not always ensure Harmony of Souls._ - - -Whilst these performances were going on, Mr. David Owen, sullen and -unsocial, had planted himself on a bench as far apart from the principal -gentry as he could, and obstinately resisted all solicitations to take a -seat more suitable to his rank, and more respectful to the company there -assembled. Mr. De Lancaster however, as a mark of his attention, had -desired his son Philip to place himself by his side, and take care that -nothing was omitted, that could add to his entertainment or -accommodation. Nothing could be more acceptable to Philip than a -commission of this sort, which consigned him to a post, where he might -sit unseeing and unseen, and happily enjoy a complete vacation from -thought, whilst his sulky neighbour, wearied with his morning’s chace, -and little interested by what was going forward, fell asleep. - -The bustle however, which Nancy Ap Rees had occasioned when she led her -father on the stage, caused the drowsy gentleman to open his eyes just -as our John De Lancaster was sallying to her assistance--That youngster -of yours, said David, methinks is very officious. I am weary of this -mummery. Can’t we slip aside, and repose ourselves in a quiet room till -this tiresome business is all over? I believe you find as little -amusement in it as I do. - -I find none at all, Philip replied, and rising up, cried, now is the -moment, follow me. - -When the assembly had broken up, and the gentry were filing off to the -collation, that was set out for them in the great parlour, Mr. David -Owen and his umbra in the bottle green were missing. It was suspected -they had retired to Philip’s private room, and our hero John was -dispatched to find them. This discovery was soon made, and his message -as soon delivered. Philip set out upon the summons, when young Owen, -instead of following him out of the room, which he seemed prepared to -do, shut the door, and turning to John, who was civilly attending upon -him, said to him in his ironical and sneering way--Upon my word, young -gentleman, you have made a very capital display of your agility before -the company in jumping on the stage, and shewing off your gallantry -towards a young wench, who is in the high situation of daughter to our -old blind harper, and a domestic in our family. - -Sir, replied the youth, I considered her situation in no other light -than as she seemed to want assistance, and in tendering that, I trust I -have not offended Mr. David Owen. - -Oh, by no means, replied the other in the same taunting tone; you -afforded me an opportunity of admiring you in the amiable attitude of -succouring a distressed and fainting damsel--besides, give me leave to -observe, that such a heavy load of music without a little dancing -between whiles would have been absolutely insupportable, and I felt -myself unspeakably obliged to you for the relief, which your elegant -performance so seasonably afforded; and if my respect for the ladies -present had not bound me to silence, I should have requested you to -have repeated that delightful rigadoon with Miss Nancy Ap Rees for my -particular entertainment. - -There are no ladies here present, cried the gallant youth, stepping up -to him; so, if you are in the same humour still, your respect need not -stop you: but let me remind you, Mr. Owen, that it is no mark of courage -to insult me under the sanction of a roof, where the laws of hospitality -forbid me to resent it. Take your opportunity of playing off your -spiteful jests upon me in any other place, and you shall find me, though -your inferior in the art of ridicule, at least your equal in the spirit -of a gentleman. I know you can throw dirt and bespatter very -ingeniously, and enjoy the mischief as a joke, without remorse for the -pain and injury it inflicts. - -At this moment Edward Wilson entered the room, and from the last words, -which he had heard, and the angry countenance of his pupil, guessing -what had passed--John De Lancaster, he cried, recollect yourself! - -Aye, sir, resumed the demy-Spaniard, now more pale and sallow with his -rage, teach your schoolboy better manners, and warn him how he carries -himself so unbecomingly towards one, who is every way his superior. - -Tell me first, said Wilson, in what my pupil has offended you; and as -you are his superior in age, avail yourself of that advantage by stating -your dispute calmly and dispassionately, and let me fairly judge between -you. - -No, sir, replied the haughty youth, I shall state nothing, nor let any -man be judge over me; least of all a gentleman in your predicament, Mr. -Wilson, whose judgment I can pretty well guess at. Let your angry boy -make up his story as he likes, and you may believe it, or not, as you -like. I care not. Into this house I will never enter more with my good -will. - -In that respect, said Wilson, you must do as you see fit; but command -yourself at present, and that you may not disturb the harmony of the -night, let me recommend it to you to join the company. - -And if I do, sir, resumed the insolent, give me leave to tell you that -wherever and whenever I sit down at table with any one, that bears the -name of De Lancaster, I shall consider myself as in company with my -inferior. - -Hold! You forget yourself, cried the reverend Mr. Wilson; you are much -too lofty; and if you do not speedily correct that pride yourself, -somebody will be found to do it for you. - -Go, go! said Owen, don’t tutor me, tutor your schoolboy, and let him -think himself well off, that he has escaped chastisement. - -Chastisement! exclaimed John, and put himself before the door; you dare -as well eat fire, as repeat that to me in another place. - -As John was saying this, David Owen, who was making for the door, put -him aside, rather roughly, with his hand, and walked out of the room in -that kind of strutting style, which a braggart finds it convenient to -assume on his departure, when he feels the time is come, that -counterfeited courage will no longer serve his purpose. - -Was not that a blow, cried John, eagerly arresting Wilson, as he was -about to follow? Has not that Jew-born miscreant given me a blow? - -What ails you? Are you mad? It was no blow. - -It makes my flesh burn where his hand was on me. Indeed, indeed! I feel -it as a blow. I’m sure he struck me. Why should you deny it? I thought -you had been my friend. - -I am your friend, said Wilson, looking him stedfastly in the face, and -if you do not consider me as such because I did not suffer you to -disgrace the hospitality of your grandfather by a fray with one of his -guests, you do not judge of me with truth and candour, but in the heat -of passion and resentment. - -Disarmed, and brought to instant recollection by this temperate -remonstrance, the brave youth cried out--I’m wrong, I’m wrong! I pray -you to forgive me. You are my friend, and I depend upon you: but call it -what you will--a push, a touch--the spite and malice of the action gives -it the cast and character of a blow; and to put up with a blow from -David Owen, what could there be in life so disgraceful, what in death so -dreadful as that? - -John, John, said Wilson gravely and authoritatively, I must remind you -in what charge I stand towards you, and by what duty you are bound to -me: I tell you once again, it was no blow. You put yourself between him -and the door; he could not pass you otherwise than he did. Come, come, -you must reform this angry spirit; it savours of revenge; and to carry -such an inmate in your bosom, would be neither for your reputation, nor -repose. There is however one species of revenge, in which I will assist -you, I mean the revenge of virtue, the triumph of a good and noble -character over an ignoble and an evil one: that victory if you can -obtain (and it shall be my study to point out the road to it) you will -then establish a fair title to that superiority over David Owen, which -he now vainly arrogates over you. Come then, my dear John, let us -henceforward set about that honourable task in earnest, and in the mean -time treat his insolence only with contempt. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -_Our Hero goes to Glen-Morgan, and pays a Visit to Mrs. Jennings at -Denbigh._ - - -Lawyer Davis (universally so called) was an active honourable little -fellow in great request, and would ride further for a few shillings in -the prosecution of his business, than some physicians will for as many -pounds. He was a light weight, was always well-mounted, and travelled by -the compass with extraordinary expedition. In the early morning of the -day, immediately following the festival at Kray Castle, he called upon -our hero John with an invitation from his grandfather at Glen-Morgan to -come over to him upon particular business, and Davis did not disguise -from him that it was for the purpose of communicating to him the -disposal of his effects by will. - -To a summons so important there was neither prohibition nor delay. John -however in a short interview with his mother suggested to her the -opportunity, that now offered for presenting to Amelia the miniature of -her father, with which he was entrusted. Mrs. De Lancaster had no -objection to his making an excursion to Denbigh, and allowed him to use -her name for his introduction to Miss Jones, but the proposal of writing -to Mrs. Jennings had been laid aside. Lawyer Davis was to go with him, -and John under such a swift-sailing convoy soon found himself safe -moored by the side of his grandfather. - -John, said the good old man, I have been putting down a few items in -the only work of mine, that will ever descend to posterity, and as you -have a concern in the purport of it, I think it is but right you should -know what it is. In this paper, which is my last will and testament, and -which friend Davis has translated out of English into law, I have -bequeathed my estates real and personal to your mother independantly of -her husband for her life, and after her decease to you and your heirs, -executors and assigns, for ever. So God bless you with it! I for one -shan’t hold it from you long. However take notice, I have not forgotten -certain friends and dependants, who will have claims upon you; and as I -have not been notoriously uncharitable in my life, I have not quite -overlooked that duty at my death. I shall not turn out rich in money, -for the labouring poor have been so confoundedly pinched, that they -would not let me gratify the rascally passion, which I naturally had to -be a miser. There is Dame Jennings will come upon you for an annuity, -and that little witch Amelia Jones is down in black and white for -another. I could not help it. They were both too good, and one of them -too pretty, too innocent, and too helpless to be left to the wide world; -I could not go out of it in peace, and leave them to starve in poverty: -you must think, John, that would not do; would it? No, no; I was forced -to take care of them for the sake of an easy conscience, or in other -words (do you see) for my own sake; else I should not have done it for -the mere pleasure of giving away; for I have no pleasure in it. As a -proof of that, look you, here is a hundred guineas in a canvas purse; I -took from the greasy pocket of a drover for twenty head of scabby -cattle, that were neither use nor ornament to me. I cheated the poor -fellow, or rather I should say, let him cheat himself; for I took what -he offered. Now here’s a case in point, if you don’t take and rid me of -it, it will lie upon my conscience, and what with that and the gout -together, I shall get no sleep. - -You know, my dear generous grandfather, said John, I don’t want money. - -Perhaps not; but I want sleep, replied the grandfather; therefore take -it, if you love me, and dispose of it as you like. John made no further -opposition, but received the present. - -It so chanced that in the evening a certain Jew, Israel Lyons by name, -who was in the practice of travelling about the country at stated -periods with his portable stock in trade, came to the house. He had the -character of a fair-dealing man, and was well known to the principal -families in those parts. Israel either bought or sold, and was a trader -in all respects conformable to the occasions of those, to whom he -resorted. Old Morgan having retired to his chamber, John, according to -custom, had stepped aside to pay a kind visit to Mrs. Richards and the -old butler, whilst Israel was descanting upon the excellence of a pair -of spectacles, which the good lady was cheapening; these were soon -purchased and paid for without any cheapening at all, and in the mean -time our hero’s eyes were caught by the attraction of a rich and elegant -gold chain of curious workmanship, which Israel displayed with address -and eloquence, at least proportioned to its merit. It instantly -occurred to John that this brilliant chain would admirably become the -beautiful neck of Amelia, and be a fit and apposite appendage to the -miniature picture of her father, which he was about to present to her. A -speedy transfer of the aforesaid chain was accordingly made by Mr. -Israel Lyons, who had no kind of difficulty in parting from it for value -received in ready cash upon terms of his own proposing; and thus it came -to pass, that the present, which John hesitated to receive, was, as it -now turned out, most opportunely bestowed. - -The next morning brought our young De Lancaster to the door of Mrs. -Jennings; he was admitted to that lady, but Amelia was not present. When -he had communicated the object of his visit, and signified that he -waited on Miss Jones with the entire approbation, and in fact by the -immediate desire of his mother, Mrs. Jennings paused, and after a few -moments recollection, said--I should very much wish, Mr. De Lancaster, -that Amelia Jones, agitated as I am sure she will be upon the sight of -this most interesting present, might with your permission be allowed to -receive it in the first instance through my hands; that so she may have -time to recollect herself, before she undertakes to pay her -acknowledgments to Mrs. De Lancaster through you, and to you in person; -and I hope, sir, you will believe that I can have no other inducement -for proposing this to you, except that of my consideration for the -feelings of the young and sensitive creature, who is under my immediate -charge. - -To this appeal our hero instantly, replied--As I promised my mother -that I would deliver this token of her affection into Miss Jones’s -hands, I confess I wished to have fulfilled my promise; but your -authority supersedes those wishes on my part, and with all possible -respect for your superior judgment, I beg you will transmit this pacquet -to Miss Jones in the way you think best: I am only the bearer of it, and -shall intrude no further--Having risen from his seat whilst he was -uttering these words, he had no sooner made an end of speaking, than he -bolted out of the room with a rapidity, that precluded all reply--Never -will I enter those doors again, he exclaimed as he stepped into the -street, whilst that dragon is within them.-- - -We make no comment on this hasty proceeding of our disappointed hero: -some of our readers perhaps will find a plea for it; we offer none. The -good lady whose caution had given cause for it, (if any cause there -was) had by the sudden departure of her visitor been precluded from -making any of those efforts for detaining him, which politeness might -else have dictated. He had passed her windows before she had -sufficiently recovered her surprise to attempt at explanation, and she -had now to reflect how far it was, or was not, incumbent upon her to -relate the incident with all its circumstances to Amelia. In her sense -of the responsible situation, in which she stood towards the families of -De Lancaster and Morgan, she conceived it highly behoved her to be -extremely careful how she gave them any grounds to accuse her of -favouring interviews, that in course of time might lead to an -attachment, which she had reason to apprehend might involve her in much -trouble, if considered by those families as originating in her house. - -When she had weighed these circumstances in her mind, she found so many -reasons, that justified her reserve towards young De Lancaster, that she -no longer regretted the interruption she had given to a second -interview, which would probably have excited some sensations, and drawn -out some expressions on the part of Amelia, which she by no means was -disposed to encourage. She now took up the pacquet, and entering the -room, where Amelia, unconscious of what had been passing, was employed -upon her studies--My dear child, she said, I have a present for you from -Mrs. Philip De Lancaster, which I am sure you will very highly value, -being a miniature portrait of your father, which that lady has long had -in her possession, and now kindly bestows it upon you--Bless me, -exclaimed Amelia, how very kind that is in Mrs. De Lancaster! What a -good and generous lady she must be. In the meantime she eagerly -proceeded to open the pacquet, which inclosed two shagreen cases, and -instantly taking that, which evidently contained the miniature of her -father, rapturously exclaimed--Oh, what an exquisite, what an admirable -resemblance; how lovely, how divine is the expression of this -countenance! I can look on this with more delight than I can on the -portrait below stairs; for here I behold him happy and in health; there -he appears so melancholy and dejected, that I can hardly ever look upon -it without tears--But what in the name of wonder is this, said she, -opening the case, in which the gold chain was contained? Bless me! can -this fine thing be intended for me? Did Mrs. De Lancaster give me this -also? - -I suppose so, said Mrs. Jennings: at least I know nothing to the -contrary. - -But who brought it? demanded Amelia; and thus interrogated, Mrs. -Jennings was constrained to answer, that it was brought and delivered to -her by young De Lancaster himself. - -Oh then I am sure this chain at least is his present, said the -enraptured girl, (her face flushing, and her eyes glistening with joy) -why didn’t you call me down instantly to pay my thanks to him? Come, -madam! why do we keep him waiting? - -Hold, my dear. The gentleman is not waiting: he is gone. - -Gone! exclaimed Amelia! you astonish me; you alarm me. Is it possible -Mr. De Lancaster could bring me these fine presents, these inestimable -presents, and go away without seeing me? Ah dear madam, tell me at once -without disguise where is he gone; why is he gone? - -Have patience, my dear child, and you shall hear--It was by no means my -wish that he should go without your seeing him, and paying him your -acknowledgments so justly due; but as I did not know to what degree you -might be affected by the sight of your father’s picture, I thought it on -all accounts adviseable to desire Mr. De Lancaster would allow me to be -the bearer of the pacquet to you; for which I assured him I had no other -motive but consideration and regard for your repose; upon which he gave -me the pacquet, expressed himself disappointed, and before I could -answer, left the house. - -In anger-- - -I suspect it. - -Ah madam, madam, where then is my repose, which you so cautiously -consulted? Gone for ever. I might have been the happiest of human -beings, I am now the most miserable. Much as I adore the memory of my -father, infinitely as I prize this relique, which presents me with his -image, and dear to me as this token of Mr. De Lancaster’s favour would -have been, yet as he wished to give it to me, and that small, that -trifling gratification was denied to him, never will I wear it, touch -it, look upon it more, till I receive it from his hands, and am assured -of his forgiveness. - -Having said this, she burst into tears, and what Mrs. Jennings suggested -for her consolation would not be very interesting to relate. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -_A Hasty Retreat. Meditations by the Way._ - - -When a hasty youth is mounted on a hasty horse, who can foresee where -the spur of passion will transport him? The patience of an ass, or the -obstinacy of a mule might either weary out his anger, or so divert it, -as to give him some chance for recollection; but John and his steed were -in the same humour for a start at score, and it seemed equally -indifferent to both which way they bent their course, so they did but -agree to outrun discretion. They soon left Denbigh behind them, and as -Glen Morgan did not just then occur to the rider, and old Ben could not -come up within earshot to remind him of it, where they might have gone -is mere matter of conjecture, but certainly not to Kray Castle, had not -that inextinguishable spark of humanity, which John cherished in his -bosom, given him a memento, that a generous animal ought not to suffer -merely because a hot-headed rider had got astride upon his back. - -The impulse of pity, that now struck upon the heart of John, was -instantaneous. He stopped his horse, dismounted, relieved him by -slackening the stricture of his girths, turned his nostrils to the wind, -wiped the sweat from his face and ears, caressed him and in his heart -asked pardon for the unreasonable fatigue he had exposed him to. Whilst -this was passing Ben came panting up: what he had in mind to say is lost -to the world, forasmuch as being rather pursey, Ben had not breath to -utter it; besides which, the offender having now recollected himself, -had prevented his curiosity at the same time that he softened his -remonstrance, by apologising for his excursion, confessing that he had -forgotten himself, and did not know why he came there, nor where he was. - -’Tis very well then that I can tell you whereabouts you are, Ben -replied. - -Well! and where am I? John demanded. - -Out of your road, said Ben, quite and clean; that’s where you are, and -so I would have told you in good time, hadn’t you gallopped on at such a -pelting rate, that I couldn’t get up to you: And now may I ask without -offence where it is your pleasure to go next? - -Home, to the Castle--was the answer. - -Then we must not travel quite so fast if you please, said Ben; for the -road is somewhat difficult to hit off, and not over smooth besides. - -Lead the way! John replied: go your own pace, and I’ll follow--This -point being adjusted, conversation ceased, and our young hero began to -meditate as follows-- - -That I have cause to feel and resent the treatment I have received is an -opinion that I still persist in, but I am conscious of the folly I have -been guilty of in suffering myself to be hurried into such ridiculous -excesses, as I have now been giving way to. Of this I am most heartily -ashamed; but after being denied access to Amelia, when coming by my -mother’s authority, and bringing her present in my hand as my -introduction, I hold myself justified in resolving never more to enter -Mrs. Jennings’s doors, nor subject myself to be considered by that -precise repulsive lady as an unwelcome and obnoxious visitor. If there -was no collusion between the governess and her charge, (and I confess -there does not appear to have been any such) I certainly have no reason -to be offended with Amelia, who perhaps may have felt some portion of -that disappointment, which fell so heavily upon me. All that I have -promised and solemnly pledged myself to do in her behalf, I will -faithfully fulfil; but I will not allow Mrs. Jennings to misinterpret my -attentions and suspect that I am governed by any motives with regard to -the lovely and engaging orphan under her care, which are not simply -directed to her service, and strictly consistent with the purest honour: -She shall not therefore be alarmed in future by any assiduities on my -part, which it shall be possible for her to misconstrue and suspect. -Heaven knows I have need enough of instruction, and to my studies under -the direction of my excellent preceptor I will henceforward so totally -devote myself, that if there was any early preference forming at my -heart, which time and opportunity might have ripened into positive -attachment, it is now the moment for me to suppress it, and by -application to acquirements, in which I am so glaringly deficient, give -them all my thoughts, and let no wandering wishes turn them from the -tract, they ought to follow and persist in. - -Whilst our young heart-wounded hero was arguing himself into this wise -resolution, and proposing to derive profit from disappointment, he came -within sight of a cottage, whose lonely and desolate situation seemed -ill accordant with the neatness and studied comfort of every thing -about it. Two women were sitting at their needle-work in the little -garden in the front of it, and he was already near enough to distinguish -the features of the youngest before she had started from her seat, and -ran into the house. He was so struck with the resemblance, that she bore -to the daughter of Sir Owen’s minstrel, blind Ap-Rees, of whom we have -made former mention, that he stopped, and put that question to the -elderly dame, who kept her seat: the dame at first did not think fit to -answer, but upon the question being respectfully urged a second -time--Whether that young person was, or was not, Nancy Ap-Rees, she -briefly replied--That young person is my daughter, and my name is not -Ap-Rees. - -Then I am mistaken, said John, and rode on. - -Satisfied with this answer, which at the present time made but a slight -impression on his thoughts, he proceeded homewards, following his guide -step by step through all the sinuosities of a craggy road, ruminating -upon what had passed at Denbigh, at some times accusing, and at others -acquitting himself for his conduct upon that occasion. He formed a wild -and fanciful conception of those brilliant lights, that science would in -time unfold; but whilst he was enjoying this platonic vision, the -sylph-like image of Amelia would recur to his imagination in the -captivating attitude of standing at his elbow, as once she had been -seen, when, taken by surprise, he caught her in his arms, and -rapturously pressed her to his heart. Thus advancing onwards, though -not conscious of progression, he was at length recalled to recollection -by the sight of Kray Castle, and his reverie dispersed. - - * * * * * - -The awful character of the time, in which we now live, calls upon every -writer to be cautious how he appeals to the passions of mankind. The -novelist, who is professedly a writer of this description, has no -arbitrary power, independant of morality, over the characters he -exhibits merely because they are fictions of his own inventing: he has -duties, which he is bound to observe, and cannot violate without -offence. - -Under this impression, I endeavour to conduct my fable, studious to make -that amiable, which I strive to make attractive; and although, in -obedience to nature, I must mingle shade with light, I flatter myself -that vice of my devising will have no allurements to attach the unwary, -nor virtue be pourtrayed with those romantic attributes, which, bearing -no similitude to real life, leave no impression on the reader’s mind, -nor can be turned to any moral use. - - END OF THE FIRST BOOK. - - - - - BOOK THE SECOND. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -_Sir Owen ap Owen on his Death-Bed takes leave of Mr. De Lancaster._ - - -There was an apartment in one of the turrets of Kray Castle, which -commanded a fine view of the park and country, bounded by the sea: here -it was that young De Lancaster commenced a course of application to his -studies under the instruction of his excellent preceptor, to which he -devoted himself with so determined a passion for improvement, that it -was not long before he had made a progress in the learned languages, -that would have qualified him to pass muster with most young scholars of -his standing. - -Nature had endowed him with a strong and retentive memory, and parts -rather solid than brilliant: he had great industry, a ready apprehension -and a mind turned to enquiry. Few temptations were now sufficiently -alluring to detach him from his books; so grateful to him were the -lectures of his instructor, and so delectable the acquisition of -knowledge, that he sought no pleasures, and seemed to regret all -avocations. His volatility of spirit had now in a great degree subsided; -he became cautious in the company of his seniors, and more disposed to -listen than to talk. The neighbours did not think him mended by his -studies, and the servants, who had been the companions of his puerile -sports, pronounced that he was spoilt. - -An unatoned insult still rankled at his heart, and he shunned the sight -of David Owen, not because he feared him, but because he doubted his -own self-command upon the meeting. That arrogant young man had now taken -a decided character; was a loud talker and a bold assertor, and, being -under no restraint, gave himself all the latitude, which the actual -possession of what he was only presumptive heir to, could have -emboldened him to assume. - -As for Sir Owen, he was now in the last stage of a decline, never -stirred from his chamber, and was considered by all about him as a man, -who had not many days to live. In this extremity he dispatched a -messenger to Kray Castle to request an interview with his old friend De -Lancaster, who immediately put himself in order to obey the summons. As -soon as his arrival was announced, Sir Owen dismissed his attendants, -and received his worthy visitor alone in his chamber. After the -customary enquiries had passed, the baronet delivered himself as -follows-- - -I have asked this favour of you, my good friend and neighbour, because I -perceive myself going out of the world, and, having great esteem and -respect for you, I would willingly bid you farewell before I am gone. I -have thought very little about death till it has come upon me as it were -at once; all I know of the matter is that we must all die, and so, you -see, I must take my turn, as others have done before, and every one must -do after me. If it had been my good fortune to have made myself -acceptable to your amiable daughter, I might have lived to enjoy, as you -do now, a healthy old age; but when a man has neither wife nor family -nor friend at hand to jog his memory upon occasion, he will be apt to -forget himself at times, and by going too fast come the sooner to his -journey’s end. That has been my case, friend De Lancaster, and how could -it be otherwise. I have none of those resources that you have; if my -house was full of books, they would be of no use to me; I should not -read one of them; I never had a turn that way. Time was I took delight -in hunting my own hounds; that, you know, is a rational and -gentlemanlike amusement, but when I could no longer follow it up, you -must think, I was fain to fall upon other means for making away with my -time: every man must do that; and what is so natural as to fly to the -pleasure of the table, when we can no longer enjoy the sports of the -field? So long as I could do both, and take them in their turns, all -things went well with me. If a country gentleman like me takes a cup too -much over night, he rides it off the next morning, and there’s an end of -it; but when he is reduced to the helpless situation, in which you now -see me, what is to be done? Life becomes a burden, and the sooner we are -quit of it, the better. - -In truth, my good friend, said De Lancaster, I cannot wonder, if a life, -that furnishes no intellectual enjoyments, becomes burdensome: and since -it must be resigned when the disposer of our fate sees fit, it is happy -for us, when called upon to quit this world, if we find upon reflection -that the pleasures of it are not worthy of our regret. - -I have had no pleasure in it, replied the dying man, since these people -came out of Spain to molest me. Had your daughter heard reason, when I -first proposed to her, I might have had a son and heir of my own, -British born, and, had that been the case, this mongrel of my brother’s -fathering, half Jew and half Spaniard, might have been a pedlar, and -hawked buckles and buttons about the country to his dying day, for what -I had cared: But that is over, and, except the few personals I have -willed away to huntsman and other of my friends, together with a -keep-sake to your daughter, and my favourite horse Glendowr to my -godson, all the real property I am possessed of must go to David by -entail, and a despicable David he will be, take my word for it.-- - -He would have said more, and struggled hard for speech, but his efforts -had already exhausted him, and he sunk back in his chair. Robert de -Lancaster rung the bell; the attendants came upon the summons: The good -man cast a pitying look for the last time upon his dying friend and -departed. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -_Sir Owen ap Owen Dies._ - - -The next day Sir Owen died, and upon the opening of his will there was -found a bequest to Cecilia De Lancaster of a valuable brilliant diamond, -which he used to display upon his finger on certain days of ceremony, -and a remembrance to his godson John of his favourite hunter Owen -Glendowr. After a proper interval, during which the interment took -place, upon enquiry being made for these tokens, answer was given that -no diamond ring, as described in the will, could be found, and as for -the horse, they might take him away when they would; Sir David Owen saw -no reason why he should find stable room for him, and had ordered him to -be turned out upon the heath. - -Galled by this insolent message, our hero with young Williams and two or -three domestics of the castle set out upon the search, and having -traversed the waste for a considerable time, at length discovered the -poor animal, laying in an obscure dell, hamstrung and dead. - -When young De Lancaster cast his eyes upon the carcase of this fine -animal, and saw the wounds, that had been inflicted on him, it was with -the utmost difficulty he could command himself so far as to abstain from -any animadversions, that might indicate to the people with him, that his -suspicions pointed at Sir David Owen. He caused them to collect and -pile a heap of stones to mark the spot. He sate upon his horse in -melancholy silence, whilst this work was going on, and having imposed -like forbearance on his party, and completed what he was about, he bade -them follow him, and took his course to the castle. - -Whilst this was going on consultation was held at the castle with the -family lawyer upon the circumstance of the diamond ring. In the -discussion of this delicate question the man of law and the man of -learning did not quite agree upon the means to be pursued; but as Davis, -although a pertinacious lawyer, had generally more resources at his -command than he chose all at once to call out, a compromise was made for -time, and the deliberation brought no other point to a conclusion, -except that it was agreed upon to deliberate further on some future -occasion. - -John now arrived and in his grandfather’s hearing simply related his -adventure in search of the horse. Mr. De Lancaster was much less -reserved upon this subject than he had been on that of the ring. He even -declared that the wretch, who had been guilty of so barbarous and -malevolent an action was not fit to live: he would give twice the value -of the animal to discover the perpetrator, and Davis immediately -proposed to issue hand bills, offering a liberal reward for that -discovery. To this measure the old gentleman in the warmth of his -resentment gave no opposition, and one hundred pounds was determined -upon as the premium for information. - -As soon as our young hero found himself alone with his friend and tutor -Wilson, he avowed the most unreserved suspicion of Sir David Owen--Could -there be any doubt, he demanded, if the wretch, who would not give the -horse the shelter of his stable, could have been any other than the -contriver, if not the actual perpetrator, of the cruelty, that had been -practised upon him? was there any name too bad for such a spiteful -rascal; he would post him upon every whipping post and stocks, in every -ale-house, barber’s shop and blacksmith’s shed throughout the county: he -would set a hundred men to work, and erect a pyramid of stones upon the -horse’s grave, that should perpetuate his infamy to ages. - -Heyday, exclaimed Wilson; you are very fertile in devising methods of -revenge, and seem to forget, that you have neither yet brought -conviction to the criminal, or, if you had, that the law will put the -power of punishment into your hands; can you not recollect how much more -noble it is, how much more becoming of a christian and a gentleman, to -forgive than to revenge a wrong? I must wonder where you found that -bitterness of spirit, that would prompt you to entail a never ending -animosity upon your respective families. Can you suppose your -grandfather, your aunt or your parents could be reconciled to such a -proceeding? Certainly not. I am persuaded therefore you will dismiss all -meditations of so revengeful a nature, and wait the event of the -measures, which Davis has in hand for discovering the offender, and in -the meantime, recollect that if you cannot absolutely avoid entertaining -a suspicion, you can at least abstain from publishing it. - -I have abstained, he replied, except towards you to whom I open all my -heart; but as I am persuaded that the perpetrator of this scandalous -action, if ever he is traced to conviction, will be found in the person -of him, whom I suspect, before that happens I wish you would contrive to -take or send me out of the way; for unless I were to imprison myself in -the castle, I might chance to cross upon that unworthy gentleman in my -excursions, and indeed, my good sir, I am far from sure, that I should -be capable of that self command and forbearance, which you recommend to -me. - -It is to be presumed the substance of this conversation was reported at -head quarters, for the next morning John was summoned before his -grandfather and his aunt in the library, when the former of these -addressed him in the following terms. - -John De Lancaster and my grandson, attend to what I am about to say to -you--I would have you to understand and remember that revenge is not -amongst the attributes of a hero, or the virtues of a christian. It -behoves me therefore to caution you against it: I hold it as my -indispensible duty to apprise you of what is expected from a gentleman -of your pure and unpolluted descent through successive generations from -times of the remotest antiquity to the present moment, in which you are -standing before me, the last and only hope, whereon I rest my fortune -and my name. You conceive yourself injured and affronted by a rash and -inconsiderate young man, your senior by some few years, who now inherits -the title and estate of my late friend and neighbour Sir Owen ap Owen: -upon this suspicion, for it amounts to nothing more, you meditate -revenge. Are you quite convinced you can with honour own yourself -affronted by him? I will not speak degradingly of any person’s family, -whether it be Spanish, or whether it be Jewish; but to one, or to the -other, of these we must resort for the pedigree of Sir David’s mother. I -draw no inference from this; I leave it with you for your consideration. -Recollect yourself however, my dear child; compute your age, your -strength, and, if there were no other bar to your resentment, how are -you to execute it? Puerile resentment--What is that? A boyish scuffle it -may be; an interchange perhaps of blows; and what is the result of -blows?--Eternal enmity--Can the spirit of a De Lancaster endure a blow? -Impossible. Sacred and inviolable as the oath of the young Hannibal -against Rome, would be his resolution to avenge himself upon the giver -of that blow. - -Ah, sir, sir! exclaimed Cecilia, are you not going from your point, and -justifying what you truly said was not fitting either for a hero or a -christian? I beg you will allow me to send my nephew out of the room, -for I have something to impart to you, that I would not wish him to -hear. - -John, who knew too well what his aunt alluded to, instantly left the -room; but the words were irrevocable; the fatal authority, so congenial -with his feeling, had sunk into his heart never to be eradicated. - -As soon as he was gone Cecilia apologized to her father for the -interruption she had been guilty of; she said, that knowing, as she did, -that her nephew had for a considerable time past harboured resentment -against young Owen for a blow, she could not but regret that he should -hear a justification of his resentment from such high authority as she -feared would outweigh any thing, that his tutor could advise against it. - -Whether this remark, which was confessedly not very politic on the part -of poor alarmed Cecilia, or the consciousness of having overshot his -argument, piqued and disconcerted the good old man, certain it is he did -not receive his daughter’s apology with his usual suavity and candour, -but coldly answered that he was not bound to revoke his opinions merely -because they might not chance to conform with those of Mr. Wilson; and -least of all, said he, should I have suspected that you, Cecilia, who -have ever shewn such deference to my authority, should be alarmed lest -it might outweigh that of any other person. - -Heaven forbid, cries Cecilia, that I should ever fail to reverence that -wisdom, which I am of an age to comprehend, but which a youth like my -nephew may misconceive and construe not according to reason and its true -sense, but according to the bent and impulse of his own passions. - -You are right, said De Lancaster, recovering his complacency, you are -right, my dear child, and I am sorry that I alluded to the example of -young Hannibal, as I have ever disapproved of Hanno for bringing him at -so early an age to the altar, and implanting hatred and revenge in his -heart by a solemn oath for ever. All this while take notice, I am an -enemy to blows; I never struck your brother Philip in my life, nor -should allow of his striking my grandson John; at the same time there -are blows, that inflict no disgrace; the blows for instance, that are -received in battle, when combating the enemies of our country, where the -hero, although bleeding with his wounds, spares the life of the -opponent, who asks it of him and submits himself to his mercy. I shall -speak upon this more at large to my grandson, and define to him the -several characters and descriptions of blows in such a manner, as may -enable him to distinguish which may be passed over, and which may not; -copying the example of the Sage Chiron the Centaur, who, when tutoring -his pupil young Achilles upon the nature of blows, put a whip into his -hand, and set him astride on his own back, threatening at the same time -to kick him off without mercy, if he ventured to make use of it. - -With submission to your better judgment, said Cecilia, smiling at the -ridiculousness of the allusion, I should conceive it may be well to -postpone this lecture till our young Achilles is more able to understand -it, and in the meantime, till this matter of the ham-strung horse is -cleared up, to send him out of harm’s way with his tutor Mr. Wilson, who -meditates to pay a visit to his parish, and has, as you well know, -repairs and improvements to superintend at his parsonage house, where -your people are at work for his accommodation. - -Your advice is excellent, my dear Cecilia, cried De Lancaster, rising -from his seat, and shall be strictly followed: Let John be off with the -lark to-morrow morning, and no fear but, in the peaceful mansion of the -christian teacher of forgiveness, he will recover his tranquillity, and -consign all injuries to oblivion. - -It was not many minutes after this conversation had passed, when Mr. De -Lancaster, addressing himself to his friend Wilson, said--I perceive, my -good colonel, that the knowledge, which a man gets in his library is of -very little use to himself or others in the world at large: I suspect -that I have been reading every thing to no purpose, whilst Cecilia, who -has read scarce any thing, is wiser than I am. - -Aye my good sir, replied Wilson, ’tis even so: we must carry our grey -hairs to school, and learn wisdom of our children. If we would wish to -know what the world is about, we must not enquire of those, who are out -of it, but of those, who are in it. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -_Our Hero sets out upon a Visit to his Tutor at his Parsonage House. -Occurrences by the Way._ - - -In a fine autumnal morning, whilst the sun was mounting in the clear -horizon, the Reverend Mr. Wilson and his pupil took their departure from -the castle. They had not less than twenty Welch computed miles to -traverse over a romantic country before they reached the parsonage house -at Shells, now prepared for their reception. What were the prospects, -that opened upon them by the way, how wild, how various, how sublime, we -shall not study to describe, though all the requisites of mountain, wood -and water are at our command, and court us to employ them. If these -beautiful objects lost their effect upon our hero John, it was in great -part owing to another beautiful object, not then present, which greatly -occupied his thoughts, as the immediate scene of his meditation just -then laid at Denbigh, where the young Amelia, unseen but not forgotten, -still kept possession of his heart. The point, towards which he was -shaping his course, would bring him nearer to Denbigh by more than half -the distance between that place and Kray Castle, and though his mind was -not perfectly at peace with respect to Mrs. Jennings, he felt every -tender sentiment for her unoffending charge, and cherished a fond hope -that some happy opportunity might occur to repay him for the -disappointment he had met with and the long absence he had endured. - -Whilst our young hero, wholly occupied in these meditations, was -incautiously riding along a slippery path in his descent from the -heights, his horse’s footing failed him and he fell upon his knees: -being an active horseman he lost neither his seat nor his temper, but it -brought other ideas to his recollection, and turning to his companion he -calmly observed, that had his favourite Glendowr been under him, nothing -of that sort could have happened--and what a treasure, added he, have I -been defrauded of? what kind of heart must that man have who could turn -a fine animal, that had been cloathed and pampered in the stable, naked -on a barren heath, only because an uncle, who had left him every think -else, had bequeathed this one token of his remembrance to me as his -godson? - -At this instant lawyer Davis rode up to them on a brisk gallop, and -saluting them as he reined in his horse, cried out--Well met, -gentlemen; I thought I kenn’d you as I crossed the hill, and hastened to -give you the intelligence, that I am carrying to the castle, of my -having got such information, as will secure ample damages for the loss -of Sir Owen’s legacy of the horse, and expose to the world one of the -basest and most rascally transactions, that was ever brought to light. - -As Davis uttered these words young John De Lancaster turned a look upon -Mr. Wilson that could not fail to be understood, and desired Davis to -relate the particulars--They are soon told, he replied, for the informer -Joe Johnson, who was feeder to Sir Owen’s hounds, has deposed, that by -the express order of his present master the young baronet betook the -horse called Owen Glendowr out of the stable in the evening of the 12th -instant, and accompanied by the said Sir David led him to a bye spot on -the mountain, where in a dell they contrived by ropes to cast, and then -and there to hamstring him by deep incisions on the sinews of his legs, -leaving the poor mangled animal to expire in tortures. Johnson describes -his reluctance to obey commands of so barbarous a nature, but his master -was peremptory, and had caused him to be plied with liquor till he was -so intoxicated, that unless Sir David himself had assisted in the act, -he could not have executed it. - -Davis having related these particulars, addressing himself to Mr. Edward -Wilson, added--’Tis a villainous business, reverend sir, a very -villainous business, and if old Mr. De Lancaster shall think fit to -bring it into court, I would not be in Sir David’s case for his estate. -Mr. De Lancaster will do no such thing, said Wilson, that you may rely -upon--No, no, cried John, ’tis not a case to be settled in that way: I’m -satisfied my grandfather will not resort to the law, nor accept of any -compensation for the injury I have suffered from Sir David Owen and his -dog-kennel accomplice. The man, who degrades his character by an action -of that sort, puts his person out of the reach of a gentleman’s -resentment. - -This said, the conference broke off: the companions proceeded on their -way, and Davis shaped his course towards the mansion of De Lancaster. - -When there arrived and admitted to an audience in the library, he stated -facts rather more circumstantially from the chair than he had done from -the saddle, and having concluded, the old gentleman remained silent for -some time, pondering in his mind the measures he should take: at length, -breaking forth in a tone, that bespoke his resolution formed, he -said--Davis, we must save this wretched young man, if it be possible. -He, who has dabbled in the blood of an animal, may be wrought by -desperation to attempt the life of a fellow creature: he is young, and -may be turned to better thoughts; I am old, and must not be extreme in -justice: Furthermore, I must confess to you, Davis, that I am not quite -reconciled to the means we have taken for eliciting this information -from a scoundrel dog-feeder by the lure of a reward. Your law, I know, -allows it; but your law and my conscience do not always harmonize. This -very fellow, whom we have paid for confessing the act, was probably -paid also for committing it: that is a traffic in iniquity, which I am -sorry to have countenanced. However I will write to Mrs. David Owen, who -in her twofold capacity of mother and guardian, seems the properest -person to recall this young offender to a due contrition for his -offence. - -I should doubt that, Davis replied; I am much afraid, worthy sir, you -would not mend your chance by that appeal; for I have another unlucky -evidence in my possession of a damned Jew’s trick in the article of the -diamond ring-- - -Speak to the point, friend Davis, said the old gentleman, but spare your -expletives; for oaths are not ornaments to an honest man’s discourse-- - -I ask pardon, rejoined Davis; but really, sir, when one hears of such -scandalous practices, as are carried on in that family between mother -and son, it is enough to make a parson swear-- - -I should hope not, said De Lancaster; but what do you allude to?-- - -Why you must know, replied the lawyer, I had my suspicions that all was -not right in the going of the diamond ring, bequeathed to Madam Cecilia, -and reported _non est inventus_; so it came into my mind, that it might -not be amiss to put the old proverb into practice, and set a thief to -catch a thief-- - -Speak, if you please, without a proverb, said the good old man; I shall -comprehend you better; for in my opinion, Mr. Davis, when our -conversation is to turn upon thieves, the sooner it is concluded, so -that we may dismiss them from our thoughts, the better it will be for us -both. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -_The Humanity of De Lancaster is not permitted to obtain its End._ - - -Our readers will recollect a certain Jew pedlar, Israel Lyons by name, -of whom we have heretofore made mention: this man was in the habit of -employing Davis as his man of business for collecting debts, and -enforcing payments. In the course of his late circuit he had called upon -him, and consulted him upon a secret transaction he had engaged in with -Mrs. Owen respecting a diamond ring of considerable value, which he was -to dispose of in Holland on her account, and for which he had deposited -security in her hands. Upon the production of this ring Davis instantly -recognised it to be the very ring devised to Cecilia by Sir Owen in his -will. Lyons, who immediately saw the danger of his negotiation in its -proper light, readily consented to accompany Davis to Kray Castle for -the purpose of more fully identifying the ring, and to this it was that -Davis alluded, when he was answered by De Lancaster, as was related in -the preceding chapter. He now shewed the ring to that gentleman, who no -sooner cast his eyes upon it, than he said--Put it by! I am satisfied. - -So was not Davis, but importunately demanded how he was to proceed--Not -at all, replied De Lancaster, not at all. I am neither prepared to blast -the heir of the Owens for the consideration of a horse, which I can -replace from my own stable, nor the mother of that heir for a bauble, -which I desire you will return to the pedlar, and take care that I have -no concern with dog-feeders, or with Jews. - -Davis, struck with astonishment, exclaimed--This is above my -comprehension; it must be as you please; but you will give me leave to -take care of myself, and keep out of the scrape of compromising felony. - -With these words he departed, and a servant, entering the room at the -same moment, announced the names of three gentlemen, who solicited a -private conference with Mr. De Lancaster; they were persons of -respectability in the county, but not in the habit of visiting at the -castle, being of the opposite party in politics, and zealously attached -to the interests of the ancient house of Owen. - -The venerable owner of Kray Castle met them at the door of his -apartment, and received them with all possible courtesy and respect. -When they were seated, Sir Arthur Floyd (a name not new to the reader of -this history) opened the business as follows-- - -We wait upon you, Mr. De Lancaster, as friends of the lately deceased -Sir Owen ap Owen, and in virtue of the regard, in which we hold his -memory, are solicitous to preserve the like good opinion of the -successor to his estate and title. A report, which, if true, would stamp -indelible disgrace upon his character, has reached us, relative to his -treatment of a certain favourite horse, which our departed friend -bequeathed to your grandson; we know you lived on terms of friendship -with Sir Owen, and we trust you will participate in our motives, when we -request you (who must of course be acquainted with the particulars, we -are anxious to be informed of) to say whether or not there is any -foundation for the report we allude to. - -Gentlemen, said De Lancaster, it is a fact that the horse, which you -describe as a favourite of my late friend, was bequeathed by him to my -grandson John. - -And is your grandson now in possession of that horse? In plainer terms, -is the horse alive? This question was not put by Sir Arthur Floyd, and -Mr. De Lancaster, turning to him, with some discomposure demanded, if it -were expected of him to answer all manner of interrogatories in a case, -which he was desirous of dismissing from his thoughts. - -To this Sir Arthur Floyd replied, that with all imaginable respect for -his character as a gentleman of the highest honour, they did expect of -him to answer all such questions, as might be honourably put to him in -the matter of a charge so fatal to the reputation of Sir David Owen, if -true; so injurious, if false. We presume also to remind you, sir, that -where the name of De Lancaster is attached to a report, it is such an -authority as no man can dispute, and of course no man ought to doubt. -Upon a point of honour therefore, which by consequence affects yourself -not less than it does us, we conjure you to tell us plainly whether the -horse be dead or living. - -The horse is dead; in that state he was found by my grandson and his -servant on the heath. - -You will permit us to ask, said one of the party, if there were not -marks of violence upon the carcase; in short, sir, was not the horse -hamstrung upon all his legs? - -I am told he was. - -Was there any enquiry made as to the perpetrator, or perpetrators, of -that butchery? - -I am constrained to say there was. Lawyer Davis made enquiry. - -And when lawyer Davis traced out the perpetrators of that most shameful -act, have the goodness to inform us whether he did, or did not, find -evidence to implicate Sir David Owen as a party in the act itself. - -Let lawyer Davis answer that himself, replied De Lancaster in a firm -tone of voice; I decline it, and you must excuse me. - -We shall refer ourselves to lawyer Davis, said the spokesman, and we -hope you will permit your grandson and his servant to attend on the -occasion. If we find Sir David Owen guilty on the charge, this will be -no country for him to live in; at least he cannot live in it with us. In -the mean time we thank you, worthy sir, for your very handsome reception -of us, and shall be ever forward to bear testimony to your candour and -delicacy towards the character of a most unhappy young man, if our fears -prove true. We are sensible, Mr. De Lancaster, you could have said much -more, and we know that it was honour alone, that extorted from you what -you did say, and generosity, that suppressed what you did not say. - -The party were now rising to take their leave, when the old gentleman -entreated their patience for a few minutes--we have been discoursing, he -said, upon a very unpleasant subject. The young man, who now wears the -title of my departed friend, is just entering on the world, and being -native of another country, and not educated amongst us, may perhaps have -been betrayed into some irregularities, that cannot stand a rigid -scrutiny; I will venture therefore to submit to you, whether it may not -be advisable to let this affair pass over without any further -investigation, assured as you may be, that the charge shall never be -stirred by me, or any one of my family. - -To this Sir Arthur Floyd made answer as follows--What you have now -proposed to us, Mr. De Lancaster, is a proof of that candour and -benignity, which have ever marked your character; but you know full well -what has long been the state of party interests in this county, and to -which side we have hitherto adhered; you must also be aware that the day -is not far off, when probably we must again declare ourselves: It -behoves us therefore to be made secure of the honour and character of -that gentleman, young although he is, on whom that consequence and -leading interest have devolved, which we have been accustomed to look up -to. We must therefore in our own justification decline your generous -proposal, which we are convinced you would not have made, had you not -been satisfied, or suspicious at least, of the young man’s criminality. - -This said they rose, and with much courteous ceremony on both sides took -their leave, and departed. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -_Philip De Lancaster sets out upon his Travels._ - - -When De Lancaster had reseated himself in his chair, and devoted a few -minutes to meditation, the door of his library was opened, and our young -hero respectfully approached him to receive his welcome and embrace. - -What brings thee hither, John De Lancaster? said the grandfather. - -My father sent for me. - -That’s true; that’s true. He would take his leave of you before he sets -out upon his journey to the south of France. An opinion has prevailed -that your mother must winter in a warmer climate, and your father is -going to make preparations for her residence at Montpelier. Upon these -occasions I do not chuse to interpose: he will follow his own fancy, and -that is about as likely to lead him to Jerusalem as to Montpelier: and -your mother, John, your mother, never will go hence but to her grave. -Nature is in absolute decay; her vital powers are exhausted, and -Llewellyn either knows her inability to undertake the journey, or is -blockhead enough to believe it practicable, and knows nothing of his -business. You will say, why do I not dissuade your father from setting -out upon this fruitless journey? I answer, because it is not worth my -while; for whom does it concern in what spot of earth upon this -habitable globe a listless creature doses out unprofitable time? Let him -go, let him go; I rest no further hopes on him. The tree, which -emblematically bears the fortunes of my house, is withering at the top, -dead in its middle branches, whilst there is yet one scyon, that has -life and vigour: Yes, my child, I am passing away; thy father is gone -by, but thou, with the blessing of providence, art springing up and -bursting into bloom, I have thy tutor’s testimony strongly vouched in -thy favour, and with rapture I contemplate the auspicious promise of -those dawning virtues, which in the riper character of the man will be -the ornament and safe-guard of our ancient stock. And now, John, I must -apprise thee of an affair, that will put those virtues to the test. Some -neighbouring gentlemen, who are amongst the chief supporters of the Owen -interest, have this morning been with me to enquire into the -circumstances of Sir David’s treatment of you in the matter of the horse -bequeathed to you by your godfather; and they are determined to call -upon you and Davis for your evidence, that they may sift it to the -bottom. - -With all my heart, cried John, the colour mounting to his cheeks. I -desire nothing better than to meet Sir David Owen face to face, and -depose what I know of that rascally transaction in the most public -manner before all his friends, be they who they may. - -Hold, hold, my child, said De Lancaster, you must not forget how much -modesty and forbearance become your years. You must put all angry -thoughts aside, when you are called upon to speak the truth without -prejudice or animosity; and that you may be kept in mind of that duty, I -shall desire your worthy tutor to accompany you to that discussion. - -I hope you will not think that necessary, John replied, for if I have -nothing to do but to speak the truth, I trust I do not want a tutor to -teach me that. - -Go then, said De Lancaster; be it as thou sayest! for I perceive the -spirit of my race, which has passed over thy father, descends upon thee. -Go, when thou art called for; but remember, truth must not be told with -aggravation, nor in our resort to justice must we gratify revenge. - -At this moment Mr. Philip De Lancaster walked into the room, and -addressing himself after his cool manner to his son--You are come just -in time, he said, for I have taken leave of your mother, and have -nothing to do but to pay my duty to my father, and set out upon my -journey. I leave you in the care of such good friends, that you stand in -no need of any advice from me; and, if you did, I know not what else I -could say to you, but to recommend it to you to be a good boy, to pay -attention to your tutor, to carry yourself dutifully to your -grandfather, mother and aunt, to recollect that you are but a child in -age and understanding, and in a word to mind your book and say your -prayers. Now go up to your mother; she expects you in her bed chamber; -tread softly, (do you mind) and be careful of alarming her, for, though -she bore parting from me with perfect tranquillity, the least noise will -shake her nerves, and throw her into tremors. - -I shall observe your caution, sir, the youth replied; but if it is your -pleasure that I should attend upon you again before you take your -departure, I will simply pay my duty to my mother, and wait upon you to -your carriage. - -No, no, child, cried the father, there is no occasion for that ceremony. -I don’t wish any body to attend upon me to my carriage, but the -servant, that goes with me. - -The disappointed youth cast a parting look of sensibility on his father, -bowed respectfully and left the room. - -I perceive, son Philip, said the old gentleman, that, nearly allied as -you are to my grandson John, you are not acquainted with his manly -character, when you talk to him as to a child--but of this we will say -no more--so long as I have life his education will be my care, and at my -death it will be found I have not been less careful of his interest. You -are now going to the continent, and I sincerely wish you health and a -pleasant tour; but if you calculate upon Mrs. De Lancaster’s chance of -ever reaching Montpelier, I greatly fear you will be disappointed, and I -therefore recommend it to you to postpone providing an establishment -for her there or elsewhere, till you are further advised from us. Your -equipage I see is waiting, and nothing remains for me, but to bid you -heartily farewell. - -This said, they both rose, embraced and parted never to meet again. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -_Dark Doings at the Abbey of Penruth._ - - -When long disease hath sapped the vital powers, and death creeps on by -painless slow approaches, the mind is oftentimes observed to assume a -dignified composure, and even an elevation of sentiment, which did not -appear to belong to it in the body’s better health: so it was with the -mother of our hero. She was reposing on her couch with Cecilia sitting -by her side, and when her son approached raised herself up to receive -him--I am delighted to see you, my dear child, she said, and I hope your -grandfather will consent to your residing in the castle for the very -short time I have yet to live: though I have little strength to hold -discourse with you, yet it is a consolation to know you are within my -call, and that, so long as sight is not taken from me, I may gratify -that sense--nay, my beloved son, don’t shed a tear for me--rather -rejoice that I am drawing near to the end of a dull journey, joyless at -the best, and not less wearisome to others than to myself. I have parted -from your father: if he persuades himself that I shall follow him, it is -a harmless delusion; if he does not, it is a commodious plea to escape -a trouble, and exchange a melancholy scene for an amusing one; at all -events, whatever object he may have in view, I hope that you, who have -never experienced his care, will have no occasion to lament his absence. - -To this John made some answer not necessary to record, when by a signal -from his aunt understanding that his mother stood in need of silence and -repose, he took the hint and quietly departed. The project of his -passing a few weeks with Mr. Wilson at the parsonage was now laid aside, -and in compliance with his mother’s wishes, he resumed his station and -his studies at the castle, holding himself ever ready to obey her -summons, when she wished to see him. - -The next morning brought Sir Arthur Floyd once more to the castle. He -came to ask the favour of young De Lancaster’s company at his own house, -and that he would allow his servant Williams to attend together with -lawyer Davis, who would provide himself with the deposition of Sir -David’s feeder. It was matter of no small regret to the good old man -that these gentlemen were so resolute to persist in their investigation -of this odious business, but having pledged his word, he would not -retract it, and young John who had not all those repugnant feelings, -which his grandfather had, was speedily equipped, and having put himself -under the convoy of Sir Arthur Floyd, soon found himself in his -conductor’s house, and greeted with all possible politeness by the -gentlemen there assembled. Sir David Owen was not yet arrived, and some -began to doubt if he would attend the meeting. At length he was -discovered coming down the avenue, followed by his huntsman and his -groom, himself and his attendants being in the uniform of the hunt. - -Upon his entering the room, where the company had assembled, he either -did not see, or chose to take no notice of De Lancaster: but observing -to the gentlemen, that having understood them to be called together for -the purpose of arranging the rules and regulations of the union-hunt, he -expected to have found them in their proper colours, and wished to be -informed if any thing had occurred to give them dissatisfaction. - -We naturally expect that question from you, said Sir Arthur Floyd, and -are prepared to answer, that until you can vindicate yourself from a -charge, that is made against you, we are and ought to be dissatisfied, -and therefore it is we do not shew our colours, till we are convinced by -you we need not be ashamed to wear them. - -How am I to convince you of that, gentlemen, but by wearing them myself? -However as you insinuate, that a charge is made against me, let me know -the nature of that charge, and who it is, that presumes to circulate any -thing to my discredit. - -Hear me with patience, Sir Arthur replied, and I will state it to you -without aggravation. You are suspected to have mal-treated the favourite -horse Glendowr, which your uncle left by will to this young gentleman, -Mr. John De Lancaster, here present. - -I see that he is present, but I do not see the right by which he meets -the members of a hunt, that he has no concern with. He is here however; -such is your pleasure, and I presume he is here for some purpose, best -known to yourselves. I am suspected, it seems: what answer can I give to -that? Can you substantiate any charge against me? If you can, state it. - -This it is, said Sir Arthur, rising from his seat--The horse, that -consistently with the manners of a gentleman, ought to have been -delivered according to the purport of your uncle’s will, or at least -carefully retained in your stable, was unhandsomely turned out upon the -mountain, and there found hamstrung in every leg, most barbarously and -feloniously mangled, and dying dead upon the ground. - -Who found him there? - -I found him, young De Lancaster replied; I and my servant found him -there, and in that very condition, which you have heared described. - -Well, if you did, what is all that to me? - -It is to you, rejoined Sir Arthur Floyd, if the deposition of your own -menial servant, charging you as the instigator to, and accomplice in, -that barbarous act, cannot be done away. This man is now waiting with -Mr. Davis the attorney, ready to substantiate his averment upon oath, -and I am the magistrate, that will administer it to him, if you so -require. - -Not I, not I, exclaimed the haughty culprit: I will not condescend to -answer to a charge, that is evidenced by a dog-feeder, contrived, -abetted and encouraged by a mercenary attorney. I came to meet you here -as brother sportsmen, I find you what I will not say. As for that -attorney, whom I know to be in the pay and employ of my enemy, I hold -him as a wretch too despicable for any notice on my own account; let -him propagate and pursue his charge against me as he will, I care not; -but I accuse him, and will have him prosecuted to the utmost rigour of -the law, as the slanderer and defamer of my innocent and injured mother. - -Davis, who had entered the room, unseen of young Owen, and planted -himself behind his chair, now stept forward, and demanded to know of -what he was accused. It was not immediately that the arrogance of this -hardened youth, thus taken by surprise, could recover from his -embarrassment; at length, after some hesitation, being again called upon -to explain himself, he turned to Davis with an assumed air of bravery, -and said--I am given to understand you have not scrupled to affix upon -my mother Mrs. Owen the abominable scandal of having secreted a -valuable diamond ring, which appears in my uncle’s will as a legacy to -Mrs. Cecilia De Lancaster; but which ring after the minutest search is -no where to be found. This I aver to be a libel of the grossest sort. - -And so it would be, I confess, said Davis, were I not provided with -evidence to prove that this same valuable diamond ring was found by Mrs. -Owen, and by her consigned to the Jew Israel Lyons, under the seal of -secresy, and upon security by him given for the value, to be by him -taken out of the kingdom and sold in Holland on her account and for her -emolument. I have the ring here in my hand ready to produce, the very -ring, which was bequeathed by your uncle, and which you say could not be -found amongst the effects of the deceased. Bear witness for me, -gentlemen, I am compelled to produce this article in my own defence, and -do not voluntarily disobey the positive injunctions of my worthy patron -Mr. De Lancaster, who honourably commanded me to stifle the discovery, -and put up with any injuries, rather than expose the parties to shame, -so much more care had that good gentleman for them than they have had -for themselves; but thus accused, and forced on my defence, what could I -do but what I now have done? - -To this no answer was attempted: astonishment seized the company: Sir -David Owen started from his seat, and glancing a malicious look upon our -young hero as he passed him--I’ll not forget you, sir, he cried: the -time will come when you shall hear of this. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -_Events consequential of the Meeting at Sir Arthur Floyd’s. The last -Chapter of the Second Book._ - - -As soon as the convicted baronet had made his hasty exit, the parties -present in their court of honour on the spot unanimously adjudged him -infamous, and with one voice voted him unworthy of their acquaintance. -The question was stirred if any notice should be taken of the ring, -produced by Davis in his own defence. To this it was objected, that as -it had no concern with the case immediately before them, it was -conceived advisable to pass it over, and leave Mr. De Lancaster to act -as he saw fit. They had heard with indignation the insolent menace, -which Owen had thrown out as he was leaving the room, and they -unanimously besought our hero to treat it with its due contempt; Sir -Arthur Floyd in particular insisted upon his right, as master of the -house, to take all such affronts upon himself: John made his -acknowledgment to the speaker with a respectful bow, but offered no -reply. - -When he called for his horse to return to the castle, they were six in -number, all principal supporters of the Owen interest, who mounted at -the same time, and having escorted him every step of the way to his -home, rode with him into the castle court, where the venerable host, -summoned by the tolling of his porter’s bell, presented himself to bid -them welcome at the great hall door: his orange-tawney livery-men stood -behind him in their files, and he ushered them into the saloon, where -they were received in form by Cecilia, who was there attending with -Colonel Wilson and his son Edward, the preceptor of their companion -John. - -When all introductory ceremonials were over, Sir Arthur Floyd, their -spokesman as before, recounted briefly what had passed, and the -resolution they had taken of abandoning an unworthy connection, and for -the future giving their support decidedly in favour of the house of -Lancaster, whenever opportunity presented itself of demonstrating their -attachment. - -To this De Lancaster made answer, that the honour they conferred upon -him, was at once so unexpected and so unmerited, that he felt himself -ill prepared to find expressions, that might do justice to his -feelings.--My holdings, he said, in this county, it is well known are -not of yesterday; they have devolved upon me through a series of -ancestors, in whose steps I have endeavoured to tread, and to whose -politics and opinions, (as far as I could guess what they would have -been in these times by what they appear to have been in their own) I -have steadily adhered. Little as I know of the secrets of government, I -may have been in error; but if I have been pertinacious in opinion, I -trust I have never been found illiberal or unneighbourly to those -honourable gentlemen, who differed from me. I lived in friendship with -Sir Owen, and we never suffered politics to damp the harmony of our -social hours. I lamented his death; but the disgrace, that has fallen on -his family in the person of his successor, is to me extremely grievous: -I fear it has gone too far to be entirely remedied, but some alleviation -may perhaps be thought of, if in addition to the honour you have -already shewn me, you will be pleased to confirm our friendly contract -by consenting to partake my homely meal. - -The hospitality of Kray Castle was in no danger of being put out of -countenance by any want of preparation; the guests sate down to a -plenteous board, and the genius of Cecilia added elegance to abundance. -What the benevolence of De Lancaster could obtain for Sir David Owen -amounted only to a general promise, that the affair should be allowed to -sleep, and no further notice taken of any thing, that passed during the -discussion at Sir Arthur Floyd’s. - -It is to be presumed that De Lancaster was punctilious in returning the -visit of every gentleman, who had dined with him at the castle. On these -occasions he was constantly accompanied by his grandson, so that the -old state coach and fat horses were for a time in more than ordinary -requisition. - -Whilst they were upon a visit at Sir Arthur Floyd’s a very beautiful -horse, which was purposely led out of the stable, attracted every body’s -notice, and particularly that of our young hero, who ran out of doors to -have a nearer view of him. A little stable-boy was mounted on his back, -and put him through his paces on the lawn before the house: the -gentleness of the fine animal was as much to be admired as the beauty. -John was asked if he would back him; the proposal was immediately -accepted, and as there was a fine expanse of lawn for John’s equestrian -performances, he took a considerable circuit, and having given a very -handsome specimen of his jockeyship, returned in perfect raptures with -the horse, pronouncing him to be incomparably the best he had ever -mounted, his lamented favourite Glendowr alone excepted. The horse was -put into the stable, and nothing more passed upon the subject at that -time. - -In the evening John returned with his grandfather to the castle, when -upon stepping out of the coach, a letter was put into his hand, that had -the signature of the several gentlemen of the new coalition, and was to -the following purport-- - - “Dear Sir, - - As you seemed pleased with the horse, which we invited you to make - trial of, we have taken the liberty of putting him into your - stable, and jointly request that you will not refuse to gratify us - by your acceptance of him. When we tell you he is full brother to - Glendowr, we flatter ourselves we cannot better recommend him to - you, and when we assure you, that we can no otherwise be reconciled - to the disgrace of our late connection with Sir David Owen, except - by your allowing us to present you with this token of our esteem, - we trust you will not mortify us by a refusal. - - We have the honour to be, - &c. &c.” - -Though John was highly delighted with this present, he did not consider -himself secure in the possession of it, till he had submitted the letter -to his grandfather. The good old man was under no difficulty as to his -decision, for luckily this was one of the few questions, that in his -contemplation did not wear two faces; so that he said at once, applying -himself to his friend Colonel Wilson--I see no reason why my grandson -should decline this very handsome compliment. - -There is no reason, said the colonel. - -And why is there none? rejoined the other: why, but because a horse, or -a sword, is by all the rules of chivalry, a present of honour, which it -is no degradation to accept, though it were tendered to a general or a -prince? - -I conceive it degrades no man to accept a present from a friend. - -I am not sure of that. Friendship can sanctify many things, but not all. -An equipoise of favours is essential to friendship, but an overweight -throws it out of its balance: it then becomes patronage, and the party -obliged incurs a debt, which although it be the debt of gratitude, -entails a duty upon him, and is not of the true spirit of friendship. -Therefore it is that a king can hardly have a real friend--“Gods, how I -should love Augustus, said a certain Roman, if he were not Cæsar.” The -anecdote is to the point of my remark. - -I dare say it is, said the Colonel, but I cannot exactly understand how -it applies to the point in question. - -If you allude to the question whether my grandson John should accept the -horse, that is settled; there cannot be two opinions in that case: -favours of that sort are not to be refused. - -I rejoice to hear it, rejoined the colonel, for I consider it as an -earnest of future favours, when my friend John shall be of age to take -the duties of our county member on himself, unanimously chosen. - -Ah my good friend, said the old man and sighed, that day is distant, and -that chance is doubtful: in the meantime my all depends upon a single -stake, and though your worthy son is he of all mankind, in whom I can -repose the fullest trust, yet in the life of that beloved youth, on whom -I rest my hopes, there is a period yet to pass full of alarm and danger. -John has an ardent spirit, and I fear is much more likely to resent -affronts than treat them with contempt. If this malicious Owen is to -live amongst us, and persist in his unworthy practices, I can foresee -the time must come, when my brave boy will bring him to account. Who can -prevent it? not the donors of his horse; their handsome present may -repair his loss, but will it make atonement for the insult he has -received? What can I do? I am not the man to talk to him: young as he -is, he has possessed himself of my sentiments, and I cannot retract -what I have said. Talk to him yourself; you are a soldier, and upon a -point of honour no man can speak with more authority: try if you can -persuade him to think as you do. - -Were I to do that, my good sir, replied the colonel, I fear your -grandson would not derive security of person from the rules of practice, -that men of my profession are compelled to follow; but I can hold my -tongue, and that is quite as much as I will undertake for in any case, -where the honour of your family is brought into question. I love your -gallant boy; every body loves him; but what I would not say to my own -son, I could not say to him. I am however inclined to believe that Sir -David Owen will in no future time find resolution to insult your -grandson; but, if he does, I cannot find resolution to dissuade him -from taking proper notice of it. - -Well! let it pass, resumed De Lancaster. My boy must take his fate. I -had no right to look for other sentiments from you, and if they are, as -I suspect, irreconcilable to reason and religion, we are both of us I -fear in the same condemnation. - - * * * * * - -If in the long course of my literary labours I had been less studious to -adhere to nature and simplicity, I am perfectly convinced I should have -stood higher in estimation with the purchasers of copy rights, and -probably been read and patronized by my contemporaries in the proportion -of ten to one. To acquire a popularity of name, which might set the -speculating publishers upon out-bidding one another for an embryo work -(perhaps in meditation only) seems to be as proud and enviable a -pre-eminence as human genius can arrive at: but if that pre-eminence has -been acquired by a fashion of writing, that luckily falls in with the -prevailing taste for the romantic and unnatural, that writer, whosoever -he may be, has only made his advantage of the present hour, and -forfeited his claim, upon the time to come: having paid this tribute to -popularity, he certainly may enjoy the profits of deception, and take -his chance for being marked out by posterity (whenever a true taste for -nature shall revive) as the misleader and impostor of the age he lived -in. - -The circulation of a work is propagated by the cry of the many; its -perpetuity is established by the fiat of the few. If we have no concern -for our good name after we have left this world, how do we greatly -differ from the robber and assassin?--But this is nothing but an old -man’s prattle. Nobody regards it--We will return to our history. - - - END OF THE SECOND BOOK. - - - - - BOOK THE THIRD. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -_The Mother of our Hero, being at the Point of Death, takes her last -Farewell of her Father-in-law._ - - -The order of our history requires us to attend upon the worthy -grandfather of our hero to the death-bed of his daughter-in-law, who had -expressed a wish to see him. She took his hand, and pressing it to her -heart, said--I thank you, sir, for this and all the proofs of kindness, -which you have uniformly been pleased to show me, though I am conscious -it has never been my happy lot to contribute to your comforts, or to -reflect either grace or ornament upon your family, even in the slightest -degree. Of your son my husband I forbear to speak; when he took his -departure, and left me on the plea of providing a retreat for me upon -the continent, I was too well apprised of my situation not to know that -we should meet no more, and under that impression I took leave of him -for ever. I have given an heir to your name and family, for whose dear -sake, from his birth to the present moment, my agitated heart, though I -have laboured to appear composed, has secretly been racked with sad -forebodings. I am a woman, sir, and those presentiments, which your -strong sense would spurn, sink deep in my weak mind-- - -Here her speech failed her; her breath fluttered, and quitting the hand -of De Lancaster, she snatched at the sheet, as if convulsion had began -to seize her. Cecilia was at hand, but tears had furnished the relief, -which she was advancing to administer, and the subject, which this short -alarm had interrupted, was resumed as follows-- - -My seeming dereliction of that darling child must have degraded me in -your opinion; you could not fail to think me void of those affections, -which are natural to a mother, and despised me for my seeming -insensibility. Alas, how very different was the state of my too fond, -too feeling heart! But there were reasons, over-ruling reasons--I cannot -tell them now--They will come to your knowledge--Let the charge lie by, -till the defence can meet it. It would have blessed me to have seen my -father; but he cannot come to me, and when I go to him, it will be only -in my body’s passage to its grave. He has kindly anticipated my wishes, -by leaving my dear son sole heir of his estate. Though it is but little -that I have to devise, yet I have made a will; for so much in it as -concerns my son, I trust he will fulfil the obligations I impose upon -him. If he shall live to be of age, and you survive, (which Heaven in -mercy grant) to see that day, all may be well: I leave him in your care; -I have done so always, and have kept my word; I have not made him that -disgustful thing, a mother’s favourite son. Ah sir, correct the errors -of his youth, but control not the affections of his heart. If, -overlooking rank and fortune, they should honourably and worthily be -fixt on merit in obscurity, do not I implore you--it is my last, my -dying petition--do not oppose his choice. There is an humble being in -the world, lovely and full of promise--oh, if she--if she should-- - -Whilst these words were yet upon her lips, she sunk down upon her bed -as one, whose life had left her in that moment. Whilst Cecilia and the -women in attendance were busied in assisting her, De Lancaster stood in -deep and pensive meditation with his eyes fixed upon her pallid -countenance, and as the tear dropt upon his aged cheek, he said to his -daughter--Your endeavours to restore her will be fruitless: and, if an -easy death is what we helpless mortals ought to wish for, ’tis hardly to -be hoped you may. - -This said, he withdrew, and turning into the gallery discovered John -alone, and intent upon the perusal of a paper, which upon seeing his -grandfather he hastily folded up and thrust into his pocket. - -John, I would speak to you, said the old gentleman, and bidding him sit -down, addressed him in these words--Young as you are, you are not now -to learn what a precarious tenure we frail mortals hold in any thing on -this side death, to which we all must come. - -I understand you, sir; you come to tell me of my mother’s death. - -Not altogether so; but if I did, I can believe your excellent preceptor -has prepared you to meet misfortune as becomes you. Methinks you hardly -can have glanced your eye upon a single page in any moral book, that -does not give you lessons of that sort. Even your pagan poets, whilst -with idle levity they counsel you to devote your time to pleasure, give -you at least fair warning of its shortness. - -True, sir, but we have better masters than they are, to whom we may -apply. I am aware that there are no hopes for my poor mother; and it is -nothing strange that she should die, who for years past can hardly have -been said to live: but that my father, seeing her condition, could leave -her almost in the article of death, is matter of astonishment to me. - -Such is his nature, John; and whether we must call it the defect of head -or heart is more than I can tell. He is gone however, whither I know -not, and she, poor soul, who has known little happiness on earth, is -going where alone it can be sought. Her last care was for -you.--Something there was, some wish that seemed to weigh upon her -heart; but in her effort to express it, nature failed her, and she -fainted. - -That--that indeed--cried John, was most unfortunate. Did she let fall no -words to guide conjecture? - -Her words, De Lancaster replied, I am perfect in--“There was an humble -being in the world, lovely and full of promise--Oh, if she--if she -should”--There she stopt. - -It is enough! John cried. I’ll wait here with your leave till I am -permitted to pay my last sad duty to a parent, whom I have known but at -the close of life. - -As Mr. De Lancaster was rising to depart, it occurred to him to enquire -about the paper, which John had so hastily thrust into his pocket--Let -me know, he said, what you were reading so attentively when I entered -the gallery. It seemed a letter, and by the eagerness with which you put -it up, I suspect it may contain some interesting matter: If so, John, -you hardly will conceal it from me. - -Certainly not, replied the youth, if you command me to produce it; but -I am sorry that you noticed it, for it will only bring to your -recollection a subject totally unworthy of your thoughts at any time, -especially in a moment like the present. It is, as you supposed, a -letter; an insolent one you may well believe, for it comes from Sir -David Owen; but as he has quitted the country, I hope you will not ask -to see the favour he has bestowed on me at parting. - -Grandson, resumed De Lancaster, I am become too much a party in the -subject you allude to, not to be interested in whatever correspondence -you may hold with that dishonourable young man; therefore let me see -what he has written to you. - -This authoritative order was instantly obeyed; the letter was delivered, -and De Lancaster read as follows-- - - “You have begun very early in life, young gentleman, to take a - decided part against me and my family, and you are not to wonder, - if henceforward and for ever I shall be found to act with - reciprocal hostility towards you and your’s. - - “You have arraigned my character in the matter of the horse, and - the oldest and firmest friends of my house have been spirited away - by your grandfather to desert me, and attach themselves to him--Do - you flatter yourself I can forget this? Are you weak enough to - suppose I will forgive it? - - “By the right I have over the cattle in my keeping I turned that - horse out of my stables, and I am free to own it was no - recommendation to me, that you assumed to have a claim to him, - which claim you neglected, or was ashamed, to make. - - “As for the ring, which your attorney was instructed to demand, my - mother, who is not obliged, nor expected to recognise what she - never saw, has nothing to do with the charge: she has nevertheless - given it up to your said attorney, and your aunt is at liberty to - wear it; my consolation is, she can wear no ring of my uncle’s - giving but as a legatee. - - “As I am not a native of your island, I am leaving it without - regret. Don’t persuade yourself however that I shall forget what - has passed, or forfeit any opportunity of avenging my injured - honour. - - David ap Owen.” - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -_The Mother of our Hero dies._ - - -De Lancaster having read the letter, inserted in our preceding chapter, -and for a few moments pondered on the contents of it, was about to put -it into his pocket, when his grandson eagerly requested that he would -allow him to keep possession of it--Of what use can it be to you?, said -the old gentleman. - -It will remind me, John replied, that I owe the writer of it an answer. - -And what sort of answer would you wish to give him? - -Exactly such an one, as becomes your grandson. - -And what is so becoming as forgiveness? - -The writer does not seem to be of that opinion. - -Who cares for his opinion, cried De Lancaster? An inconsiderate, rash, -intemperate boy--Let me rather recommend to you the opinion and example -of Pisistratus, who, when supreme in Athens, where every man’s life was -in his power, had the magnanimity to forgive the brutal insult of -Thrasippus, who, when heated with wine, after venting all the foulest -words his malice could suggest, turned upon Pisistratus, as he was -graciously soliciting him to resume his seat at the table, and vented -his filthy rheum in his face: here is a noble instance of forbearance -for you, my dear John: imitate Pisistratus! - -Then I must be endowed with the power of Pisistratus, John replied, -before I can aspire to emulate his forbearance: you must also allow Sir -David Owen the plea of drunkenness and of course the loss of reason. If -under these circumstances I had the power of condemning him to death as -an atonement for his insolence, certainly I should not exercise that -power, as it could be no proof of an honourable spirit to revenge myself -upon a defenceless man? and when my word was to decide for life or -death, I should conceive no choice was left to me but to forgive. I can -honour Pisistratus very highly for his royal magnanimity, but I suspect, -my dear grandfather, I must wait till I am a king before I can save -myself from the imputation of cowardice by quoting his example. If I -could suppose myself too great to be dishonoured by an insult, I hope I -should be too generous to be gratified by revenging it. - -Grandson, said the old man, (vainly endeavouring to repress his -feelings) I perceive you are too subtle to be caught by sophistry. You -distinguish rightly: the instance I adduced does not apply to the case -in question. Here is your letter; take it, but recollect that your -honour is not yet called upon to notice its contents. Mere malice only -merits your contempt; reserve your spirit for a worthier cause, and may -providence in its mercy grant you length of days! for if you, who seem -born to give the brightest lustre to a name of no mean note, should in -the blossom of your virtues prematurely fall, and I survive to mourn the -extinction of my hopes, and the loss of one so infinitely dear, what -will it avail me that the last sun, which went down in my horizon, threw -a gleam of light, that glittered as it sunk to rise no more? - -A signal now given by Cecilia summoned our young hero into his mother’s -chamber. A life passed without pleasure was now about to close in a -death without pain. Though the power of speech was lost, her actions -indicated that she possessed her senses to the last. In her expiring -moments she had grasped the hand of her son so fast in her’s, that it -would have required a stronger effort than he was disposed to make for -disengaging it from her hold, and it was not till several sad minutes -had gone by, when the convulsive nerve relaxed, and the maternal -pressure was no longer felt. - -John now withdrew from this melancholy scene, and, retiring to his -chamber, devoted himself for a while to solitary sorrow. - -As the deceased had signified a wish to Cecilia, that her remains might -be deposited in the family vault at Glen Morgan, orders were given to -that effect. By what fit messenger to impart the mournful event to the -good old man, who had now lost his only child, was matter of debate till -the Reverend Mr. Wilson offered himself for that errand; this being -adjusted, he set out and was instructed to say that Mr. De Lancaster -with Cecilia, John and Colonel Wilson would accompany the hearse to the -place of burial. Poor old Morgan, now perfectly disabled by the gout, -received the intelligence, for which he was prepared, with becoming -resignation, and a fitter person than Edward Wilson to reconcile him to -that dispensation no where could be found--You see, sir, said the old -man to Wilson, the miserable state I am in, and can witness how -impossible it was for me to have paid the last sad duty of a father to -my dying child. I ought not, and I will not, lament that her exhausted -spirit is at length released, for I know too well that existence has -been burdensome to her, who is no more; but I must ever painfully -reflect, that there was a period in her life, when, had she been open -and sincere in her appeal, I think I was not capable of forcing her to -marry against her inclination: no, let me hope I never was that -tyrant--but alas! that time can never be recalled--She is dead, and he, -that was her choice, is dead, and I, that might, and would, have made -them happy, still languish at the end of life, only to mourn their loss. - -Not so, said Wilson, not exactly so; I have a precious relique in my -care, that’s worth your living for. - -That’s true, that’s true, cried Morgan. Whilst my grandson John -survives, De Lancaster and I, let death come when it will, may truly -say--_Non toti morimur_. - -As the worthy old man emphatically dealt out this scrap of Latin, which -Seneca and his memory had supplied him with, the animation it inspired -was visible to Edward Wilson, who had kept his eyes upon him: one of -those faint fleeting smiles with which even pain and sorrow will at -times be seen to greet a cheering recollection, passed over his -countenance, as he dwelt upon the thought of his beloved grandson, and -Edward was not backward to prolong and heighten the consolatory impulse -by indulging him with various anecdotes to the honour of his pupil, and -fixing his attention on a pleasant topic, which is a secret in _the art -of healing_, that some practitioners either don’t seem to know, or are -not willing to make use of. - -It was now in Morgan’s power to circulate his orders to his trusty -house-keeper and butler for the mansion to be prepared, and all things -needful to be put in readiness against the arrival of the family from -Kray Castle. Neither was it omitted to provide an apartment for the -young Amelia, who together with Mrs. Jennings was invited to be present -at the funeral of her patroness and friend. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -_The Scene changes to Glen-Morgan._ - - -When the appointed morning came, and the hearse with its attendant -mourners issued from the portal of the court of Kray Castle, the tenants -of De Lancaster presented themselves in a body and fell in respectfully -and silently in rear of the cavalcade; but when Sir Arthur Floyd and the -party of gentlemen, who had dined at the castle attached themselves to -the train, following the coach, in which De Lancaster was seated, till -they came to the last verge of his domain, where the tenants dispersed, -and they approached to pay their valedictory respects, the venerable old -man, overcome even to tears by the unexpected compliment, and, bowing -from the window of his coach, had only strength to say--Gentlemen, I -thank you from my heart! you have conferred an honour and a favour upon -me and mine, which I never shall forget. - -When they arrived upon the lands of Glen Morgan, though yet at some -distance from the house, they were again met and escorted by the tenants -and retainers of that ancient and opulent family, till they arrived at -the place of their destination. - -Here Mr. De Lancaster, by the persuasion of his daughter, consented to -repose after the fatigue and agitation of the journey, whilst Cecilia -and her nephew, as chief mourners, followed the body to the church, -there to consign it with all solemnity to the vault, where the remains -of the Morgans had been deposited for many generations. - -The crowd, which such a spectacle could not fail to bring together, were -not so engrossed by their sorrow as to prevent them from bestowing their -attention on the countenance of the youthful heir, and dull indeed must -have been the eye, which had not discerned that spirit of innate -benevolence, which not all the clouds of sorrow could obscure. Our hero -had now advanced into his eighteenth year; he was tall of stature, erect -in person and of manly growth and proportion. When he led his aunt from -the church, after the solemnity was concluded, and the people, who lined -his passage to the coach, uncovered and in respectful silence paid their -homage, he stopped, looked round, and in a manner at once the most -graceful and most gracious, returned their salutation. It was a look, -set off with such an action, as spoke comfort to the poor, and gave -assurance to all beholders of a kind and noble nature. What sensations -it conveyed to the feeling bosom of the approving Cecilia, is easier to -conceive than to describe: it was not overlooked by Amelia, who beheld -it through her tears, and the interesting glance was not rendered the -less impressive by the tender medium, through which it made its passage -to her heart. - -She was leaning on the arm of Mrs. Jennings; conscious that she had no -place in that awful ceremony, she had modestly stood at distance from -those who had; and, it was now for the first time that our hero’s eyes -had been directed towards her. She did not put it in the power of the -chief mourners to offer her a seat in their coach, but carefully avoided -being noticed by them, and walked with Mrs. Jennings from the church to -the house. When there arrived, she did not enter by the hall, but -through the offices, and by a private staircase retired to her chamber, -conducted by the house-keeper. - -Cecilia also, after she had paid her respects to the father of the -deceased, repaired to the apartment appointed for her, and dispatched a -servant to Mrs. Jennings and Amelia, requesting the favour of their -company. In a very few minutes the former of these ladies presented -herself, leading by the hand her elegant and lovely charge in deep -mourning, for which Mrs. Jennings took immediate occasion to apologize, -and hoped she should not give offence to any of the family by having so -done. Whilst this was passing, her timid pupil had drawn back, and held -her handkerchief to her eyes at once to hide her tears and her -confusion. - -Madam, (said Cecilia in that melodious tone, which charmed all ears) you -have judged correctly right in this particular, as I doubt not but you -have in every other, that has reference to this young lady, who is most -fortunate in being under your protection. Of the propriety of her -wearing mourning there can be no doubt, were it only on account of the -interest she has in Mrs. De Lancaster’s will, where her name will be -found attached to a legacy of two thousand pounds. - -Bless me, cried Mrs. Jennings, that is beyond all expectation, and I’m -afraid-- - -Hold, if you please, said Cecilia (taking Mrs. Jennings by the hand, as -if to apologize for the interruption) and let us sit down, for we keep -this young lady standing, who, if I am not mistaken, has occasion for -repose.--When they were seated, Cecilia proceeded to say, that the -bequest to Miss Jones, which you are pleased to consider as above your -expectation, was only limited, as I have occasion to know, to the sum of -two thousand pounds because the deceased was not possessed of disposable -property sufficient to meet her wishes for making a more ample provision -for the amiable young lady here present; and this, she added, will be -put out of doubt by a particular and very urgent clause in the said -will, in which she recommends and appeals in the most solemn manner to -her son to bear in mind those earnest wishes, which she had imparted to -him, and not forget the promises, which he had made--And now, madam, as -the full purport of this article, which to you may appear mysterious, is -to me and to my nephew also perfectly clear, this amiable young lady may -be assured, that the wishes of the testator in their most extended sense -will be fulfilled by him, to whom they are bequeathed, if Heaven shall -in its mercy grant him life. - -If the sensibility of the soul has power without the use of words to -convey its meaning, the look and action, which Amelia now directed to -Cecilia De Lancaster, could not be misunderstood: neither were they, -for that excellent lady, who in that species of eloquence was herself -inferior to none, needed no interpreter, and immediately said--Put -yourself to no exertions, Miss Jones, but withdraw for a time, till you -can recover your spirits, for I readily comprehend both what you feel, -and what you wish to say. If you find yourself disposed to pass a little -time in private, I will undertake for your apology to the company below -stairs. - -This said, Amelia rose, made a respectfull obeisance, and withdrew: -Cecilia had given Mrs. Jennings intimation that she wished to be in -private with her, and immediately, resuming her seat, said--That young -lady does you great credit, madam; I declare to you I never yet -contemplated any thing more elegant in manners, or more interesting in -person. I understand she has been some years under your tuition, and as -I am intimately acquainted with Mrs. De Lancaster’s motives for that -anxious attachment to her future fortune, which she manifests in her -will, you will not think me too officious, if I request to be informed -of the plan, which you may have adopted, or in your judgment would -advise, for the further education of this young creature, whose beauty -and attraction at this critical time of life demand no common degree of -care and attention. - -Therein, madam, replied Mrs. Jennings, I must refer to better judgment -than my own, and solicit to be ruled by your instruction and advice. I -am a solitary woman, and having no other influence or authority over her -than what her prudence and good will voluntarily concede to me, I must -confess I am not in myself sufficient to encounter every species of -danger, that may possibly occur to alarm me for her sake, and permit me -to add for the sake of one other person also, whom I fear I have too far -offended ever to be forgiven. - -If you allude to my nephew, said Cecilia, I beg of you to be explicit. - -I own it is to him that I allude, she replied, and as his resentment is -now of so long standing, I have reason to fear I shall never be -forgiven. I confess to you, madam, that when I thought I had discovered -an attachment forming between your nephew and my humble charge, I -considered it as my duty to stop it in its beginning, and prevent their -interviews. This I did, when he last came to my house, and wished to see -Amelia Jones for the purpose of presenting to her a miniature picture -of her father, sent by Mrs. De Lancaster, to which he had added a rich -and elegant chain of gold, which I believe was of his own procuring. -Upon my hesitating to give him immediate admission to Amelia, he left my -house in displeasure, and from that time to this neither myself, nor -Amelia to my knowledge, have either seen him, or been noticed by him in -the slightest degree. If, unfortunately for her, she is involved in an -offence, of which I alone was guilty, you see, madam, how improper it -will be for her, but more especially for me, to remain any longer in -this house, where we must consider ourselves unwelcome to young Mr. De -Lancaster at least, and probably to others, whom I need not name. I -should add, that for Amelia’s sake it behoves us to be gone, as she, -poor child, is distressed by his displeasure to a degree, which, as you -have witnessed, renders her unfit to appear even in your presence, who -are all condescension and benevolence. This being the case, is it for me -to advise what is further to be done for Miss Jones’s education? Am I, -in short, any longer the proper person to conduct it? I humbly conceive -I am not. - -To this Cecilia answered--As I draw conclusions from what you have been -stating very different from what you seem to apprehend, I think your -taking Amelia away from us at this time would be the most unadvisable -measure you could adopt and the most irreconcilable to her interest. The -motives, upon which you have hitherto acted towards my nephew, are -certainly very honourable; but you need not pursue them any further; at -least, not with the same degree of rigour. Assure Miss Jones from me, -that she has not the least occasion to be alarmed; let her act as her -own good sense and discretion shall dictate, and I am persuaded you will -not find it necessary to lay any restraint upon her conduct. You will -endeavour therefore to detach her from her solitude and her sorrows as -speedily as you can, and convince her that she will find none but -friends in our circle, regardful of her interests, and anxious for her -happiness. - -Mrs. Jennings having made her acknowledgments for these kind assurances, -respectfully withdrew, and hastened to communicate intelligence so -consolatory to her beloved charge, happy to find herself in a great -degree relieved from an anxious responsibility, which had put her upon -assuming a reserve, much more rigid and punctilious than was natural to -her character. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -_Occurrences at Glen Morgan._ - - -In the evening of this very day, after all the melancholy duties -incidental to it had been discharged, John De Lancaster detached himself -from the company, and striking into a gloomy walk of unclipt yew trees, -appertaining to what by courtesy was called the pleasure ground, at the -extremity of it surprised Amelia, solitary and unconscious of his -approach, reposing herself on a seat under the shade of a tree, whose -branches through their openings gave a glimpse of her figure, which -might well have escaped any eyes but those of a lover. - -Upon discovering him as he approached, the timid damsel started from her -seat, and was preparing to withdraw, when with that gentle action, which -more resembles intercession than compulsion having induced her to resume -her seat, he said--It has been a long and tedious banishment, to which -your governess condemned me: and since my good fortune has now thrown an -opportunity in my way, which I have ardently wished for, and of which I -may honourably avail myself, don’t think me too importunate, if I -solicit you to give me a hearing whilst I discharge my conscience of a -duty, that I owe to the parent, whom we have this day followed to the -grave. Perhaps Miss Jones, you are not apprised by what solemn -obligations I am bound to consider your honour, interest and happiness -unalienably connected and interwoven with my own. How dear you were to -my departed mother I well know; what I professed to you in our first and -only interview I religiously bear in mind: I have every impression of -your merit, every sensibility of your charms both of mind and person, -that our very short acquaintance could inspire, and by the sacred -solemnity of this day I swear to you, that, if Heaven grants me life, I -will live to your service. - -Mr. De Lancaster, she replied, though I cannot at this moment find -expressions for my gratitude, I hope you will believe, that, if I felt -it less, I could express it better. It is indeed a very long time since -you honoured me with your visit, and of course this is the very first -instant I can profit by for returning my most heart-felt thanks for your -invaluable present, which by some misunderstanding on the part of Mrs. -Jennings I have till now unhappily been deprived of doing. As I did not -know that you had been the bearer of that kind present till after you -had left the house, I must not presume to judge of your reasons for -resenting the reception, that you met with from the lady, under whose -care I am; but I may venture to assure you, it was never her intention -to give offence to Mr. De Lancaster, and I must leave it with yourself -to reflect, whether it is consistent with your idea of what is just and -right to harbour a lasting resentment for an unpremeditated trespass. - -If you judge me by appearances, Miss Jones, he replied, I may suffer in -your good opinion; but in absenting myself from Mrs. Jennings’s house I -conceive I only acted as every man of honour ought to act towards a -lady, who gave him clearly to understand that his visits were unwelcome. -You may not have been informed that the very first time I waited upon -you at Denbigh she intimated this to me most pointedly by letter, and -when a second time I was not suffered to deliver into your hands what I -had in charge to give you from my mother, judge if I could so -misunderstand either her or myself, as ever to intrude again, and -provoke her to give me a more explicit dismission. - -Alas, sir, replied Amelia, how it came to pass, that Mrs. Jennings so -misjudged the case I know not; but that she is incapable of a designed -affront I am perfectly persuaded. You well know the situation, in which -we jointly stand towards the families of De Lancaster and Morgan, which -meet and centre in your single person; and I think you cannot fail to -find good reason on our part, why we should not wilfully fail in respect -towards those, upon whose bounty we subsist. - -Ah lovely Amelia, exclaimed the enamoured youth, when you humble -yourself to speak of obligations to my family in these terms, you compel -me to declare to you, that I have no higher ambition at my heart, nor is -there any prouder honour I can aspire to, than to render myself in time -not totally unworthy of a place in your esteem: you must suffer me to -tell you, that such was the impression I received upon the sight of you, -when I was bearer of the token, which the poor soldier was entrusted -with, and so ardent was my desire to avail myself of the introduction, -which my departed mother’s commission for the second time afforded me, -that the unexpected cold reception I encountered from your governess was -such a cutting disappointment, that I could not conquer my ungovernable -temper, and was driven to commit a thousand wild extravagancies, that -upon reflection I am ashamed of: therefore it was, that upon -self-examination discovering my unworthiness, and want of education to -correct my errors, I avoided all society but of my teacher and my books, -and laboured diligently to retrieve the time, that I had lost. How far I -may have succeeded time must show: all I can say for myself is, that I -have not been sparing of my efforts, and if henceforward I may be -favoured with access to you, I shall have an object in my view, whose -approbation, if I can deserve it and obtain it, will be the highest -reward this world can give me, and the one great blessing of my life. - -He had, whilst he was addressing her in these emphatic words, taken her -hand in his, and she now for sometime, without attempting to withdraw -it, sate silent, meditative, with her eyes fixt upon the ground, and her -face suffused with blushes. - -The terms, in which she had heard herself addressed, were such as could -not be misunderstood; it is natural also to suppose they could not be -unwelcome: they certainly demanded an answer, but how to shape that -answer between the extremes of too much and too little sensibility was -to the modest, unassuming, diffident Amelia an embarassment that her -inexperience was not qualified to surmount. She had however made an -effort to attempt some general acknowledgments, better graced and easier -to be understood by the look and action that accompanied them than by -the language, when the sudden approach of Cecilia in an instant -dispelled both the pleasure and the pain of this unfinished explanation, -and gave her to understand that Mr. De Lancaster had something to impart -to her, and was anxiously expecting the pleasure of her company. - -Upon the word she rose, bowed respectful obedience to the summons, and -turned a look upon the party, she was now constrained to leave, so -marked with feeling and so fraught with mind, that our hero must have -been dull indeed had he needed any comment to explain its meaning. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -_Our Heroine has an Interview with the Grandfather of our Hero._ - - -When the young and lovely orphan, whom our history will no longer -overlook, was admitted to the presence of the venerable De Lancaster, no -third person being there but the lady who introduced her, she had so far -composed her spirits as to make her first approaches, and receive his -compliments, under no other agitation than what served to set off the -modest graces of her person and deportment to the best advantage: he led -her to a chair, and placed himself by her side. After a pause of some -short continuance, during which he had kept his eyes admiringly upon -her, he turned to Cecilia, and said--I see you were resolved I should -enjoy the pleasure of a surprise, for though you described in part what -I was to expect, your description was far short of the original. I have -seen my brother Morgan’s portrait of Miss Jones’s father, and I can -trace a likeness. - -You would do that better, said Cecilia, in a miniature, which perhaps -Amelia has about her. - -Amelia answered that she had not the miniature in her possession. - -Let it pass, rejoined De Lancaster; we have matter of more moment to -discourse upon. You will understand, Miss Jones, that by the will of the -deceased lady, who had your interest so much at heart, you become -invested with a claim upon us of a twofold nature: the one portion of my -daughter-in-law’s bequest to you is easily satisfied, for it is set -down in the shape of a specific sum; the other and the greater portion, -being undefined, is an obligation, that can never be fairly said to -terminate so long as any thing shall remain undone on the part of my -grandson, which, according to his interpretation of his mother’s wishes, -may seem necessary for your honour and advantage to be further done. -John however is yet under age: on whom then, but on me, during his -minority, does that obligation in its full extent devolve? I acknowledge -it; I embrace it voluntarily; I will execute it religiously. You are my -charge; you are my child, and in trust for my grandson I receive you -into my adoption. - -Amelia, half-rising from her seat, and pressing her claspt hands upon -her bosom, bowed her head and wept. De Lancaster proceeded. - -How then am I to fulfil this duty. Surely not by deputy, not by -assignment: I must not suffer you to live at distance; you must -discharge yourself as speedily as may be from your residence at Denbigh. -Retain if you see fit, Mrs. Jennings as a friend attached to you, but -look to my Cecilia for those instructions, which are to regulate your -morals, and that example, which is to form your manners. Henceforward I -expect that you will regard Kray Castle as your proper home. - -With this benevolent, but authoritative, invitation Mr. De Lancaster -concluded, when Cecilia, rightly conceiving, that a creature, young and -modest as Amelia, might find it difficult to suit her answer to a speech -and speaker of such a style and character, kindly interposed by asking -her in a familiar manner, whether she thought she could pass her time -as much to her content at Kray Castle as at Denbigh. - -Ah madam, she replied, I have good reason to be contented with the way -in which I pass my time at Denbigh, but I trust I need not say how much -I feel the honour of being asked to Kray Castle, which of course would -be so high a treat to me. I must acknowledge to you notwithstanding, -that as I know of nothing, that can intitle me to the kindness you are -pleased to show me, I am fearful and alarmed, lest by stepping out of my -obscurity I should be suspected of conceiving myself to be any other -than what I really am, an orphan hitherto supported upon charity, and -now at once provided for in a way, that offers comforts, which my -parents did not possess, and affluence, which they had not to bequeath. - -Here the good old man eagerly interposing, turned a kind approving smile -upon Amelia, and said--There is a grace, my good child, in humility, -which well befits your sex, your situation and your time of life; but -don’t be more humble than the descendant of a good and ancient family -ought to be; for the dignity of the stock is not to be degraded by the -eventual sterility of any one of the branches. When we invite you to -partake of the society of our family, you may be sure it is a pleasure, -that we are desirous to enjoy: If you therefore are pleased to consider -our solicitation as a civility, how much more cause have we to set down -your compliance as a favour? I must ever think, that when my guest -brings with him the recommendatory properties of good birth, good -manners, sense and morals, he brings with him into my company what does -me honour, let him be as bare of money as hard fate may make him. You -seem to think that your ambition should be bounded by the specific sum -bequeathed to you in the will of our newly-deceased friend, and rightly -you would think, had nothing else been devised by the testatrix; but as -this is not the case, and as the mother in her will lays further -commands upon the son, don’t suppose, because your moderation may -conceive that much is done, that he will think there is no more to do. - -As Mr. De Lancaster was addressing these words to the fair and gentle -creature that was seated by his side, the person, to whom they alluded, -at that instant entered the room. There are lights favourable and -unfavourable, in which every human being will at different times be -seen; this was decidedly one of the happiest moments, which an artist -could have seized for modelling, or a sensitive young damsel for -contemplating, our hero John De Lancaster. As Amelia was rising from her -seat upon his entrance, the address, with which he hastened to replace -her, and the gracefulness of the action, which accomplished it, were in -the very best style of good breeding and politeness, as they were then -understood and practised: as they are now better understood and more -easily practised, no elegant lady would take the trouble to rise, and if -an awkward miss attempted it, no elegant gentleman would be at the pains -to prevent her; ease is the grand desideratum of modern life; and no -one makes a compliment of what every one helps himself to without -ceremony. - -The Wilsons, father and son, now joined the company, and whilst they -drew off to the party of the senior De Lancaster, John took his seat -between Amelia and his aunt, being thereunto invited by the latter. - -I have been soliciting Miss Jones to pass some time with us at the -castle, said Cecilia. - -I am happy to hear it, John replied, and I hope you have prevailed. I -understand you go home to-morrow, and I must deny myself the -gratification of attending upon you, for I feel it indispensably -incumbent upon me to devote some few days to my grandfather Morgan, and -to sundry things, which he wishes to be done in consequence of the -mournful event, that brought us hither; of course so long as I can -afford any consolation to that good and generous heart, which pain and -sorrow conspire to oppress, I must wait till I am released, and in the -mean while pace the solitary yew-tree walk without the hope of again -enjoying that delightful vision, which I once most luckily chanced upon, -but was speedily deprived of. I presume Miss Jones will be of your party -to-morrow. - -That must be at her option, Cecilia observed; there will be room in the -coach, as our worthy Colonel stays a few days longer with Mr. Morgan. -Then turning to Amelia, she took her hand, and with a smile, that seemed -prepared to welcome an excuse, said to her in a whisper--How do you -stand disposed, my dear? Will you go with my father and me to-morrow, or -wait a few days till Colonel Wilson and my nephew can attend upon you? - -I should naturally be most happy to go when you do, madam, (said Amelia -blushing) but-- - -Aye, resumed Cecilia, you would like that best no doubt, but what, my -dear? Something stands in the way of it--you are not ready I dare -say--that is it; is it not? - -Yes, madam, it is. I have nothing with me here: all my things are at -Denbigh; and I am persuaded Mrs. Jennings will expect me to go with her, -and there will be a good deal to do. - -I am persuaded there will be a good deal, repeated Cecilia; about as -much to do, as will fill up your time till the coach shall return for -the colonel and this gentleman, if we could suppose he would prefer it -to his horse, which in fact would be to suppose he would do that which -he has never done yet: our coach and crawling cattle move too slow for -him. - -Not in all cases, my dear aunt, believe me--Not in your case, for -instance, unless they were conveying me to you; then they would be slow -indeed--If they were conveying you with me, and were it possible that my -poor company could content you, they could not spin out time, so -pleasantly engaged, too long. - -Upon my word, nephew John, that is a very handsome compliment; but you -are seated between two ladies, and I suspect, whilst you were saying it -to one, you intended it for the other. - -Excuse me, madam, that was not the case: It would indeed have been -correctly true, had I ventured to have addressed it to the other lady; -but till I can gain her confidence by my conduct, I will not court her -good opinion by my compliments. - -As he spake these words, Amelia, struck with the turn he had given to -Cecilia’s raillery, raised her bright eyes, and for the first time -fixing them without a blush steadily upon him, said with an energy, that -seemed to carry her beyond herself--You answer nobly, sir! My father -would have honoured you for that sentiment. - -This said, she rose from her seat, and with her rose the company; the -venerable old butler having given notice that the hour was come, when, -according to family custom (then very generally honoured and observed) -they were called upon to offer up their praises and petitions to the -Author of their being, and Dispenser of their blessings. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -_Mr. De Lancaster and Cecilia return to Kray Castle. An Explanation -takes place between Mrs. Jennings and our Hero John; they are -reconciled._ - - -The next morning saw the equipage of De Lancaster bear away the father -and the daughter not with that speed, which the emblem of the expanded -wings might be construed to betoken, but reverently and deliberately -with that slow and easy motion, which neither hurried the passengers out -of their equilibrium, nor the well-fed cattle out of their accustomed -amble, which was specifically neither walk, trot nor stand-still, though -something seemingly allied to each. In fact the gentry of those days had -not found out the necessity of being in a hurry, when they had nothing -to do that called for expedition. - -The numberless things, that Amelia had to do at Denbigh when she did not -wish to leave Glen-Morgan, unluckily occurred to Mrs. Jennings, when if -they had slipped her memory, the omission would have been most readily -forgiven; but that provident lady saw so many things needful for herself -and for her charge, that suit was instantly made for the chariot and -horses, and Mrs. Richards the house-keeper was requested to obtain that -order from her master. Mrs. Richards admitted the necessity of a visit -to Denbigh on the part of Mrs. Jennings, for she saw the pressing claims -of crapes and gauzes in their true and proper force, but having probably -discovered in the expressive features of the young Amelia, then standing -beside her, something that to her conception indicated disappointment, -she good-naturedly cried out--Don’t take this dear child from us, just -when she is beginning to get acquainted and make friends with the family -from Kray Castle. - -Why surely, said Mrs. Jennings, you forget that the only lady of that -family is gone away this morning, and you would not I suppose think it -proper for Amelia to stay here without me. - -I can’t see what should harm her if she did, the dame made answer. My -poor good master and the colonel have either lost their limbs, or lost -the use of limbs, and as for the young folks, when they are happy in -each other, and innocently so, I always think it is a thousand pities to -part them. - -Ah Mrs. Richards, it would be a delightful task indeed, if I had only -to provide the means of making my Amelia happy; for her wishes are so -pure and so prudent, that she deserves to be gratified in them; but -circumstanced as she is, and limited as I am, there are many things, -innocent in themselves, that she must not risk, and many mere -appearances that she must avoid. I dare say her own good understanding -convinces her how necessary it often is to sacrifice what is pleasant -for the sake of what is prudent. - -Oh yes; I’m perfectly convinced of that, Amelia said and drew a -sigh--Aye, cried the unconverted dame who pleaded on the side that -pleases best, just so would the poor lady, that we buried yesterday, -have said, and just so she did say; she was a slave to appearances; she -sacrificed every thing to what is called prudence, and only lived to be -a melancholy example how much happier and better she would have been -had she taken counsel of her own heart, and not of other people’s -heads--And thus having wound up her climax and her opinion in the same -moment the good dame with that significant jerk and toss of the head, -which is the veriest unequivocal and not to be mistaken stamp of -self-content, faced about and trotted off in quick time to a kind of -march, that to a musical ear would have marked a measure considerably -above _moderato_, and a firmness in the tread characteristic of one, who -walked by authority, and kept right onwards without check or turning. - -I perceive, my dear Amelia, said Mrs. Jennings, that if I persist to do -what I consider to be my duty with respect to you, I shall have every -body’s voice against me; but, thank Heaven, you will soon be under the -protection of the lady of Kray Castle, and then my responsibility will -cease. - -I trust, replied Amelia, you have not found me impatient to throw off -your government, and till that happens, I hope you will not dismiss me -from your care. Here the dialogue was interrupted by the coming in of -John De Lancaster and the Reverend Mr. Wilson. Mrs. Jennings immediately -availed herself of the opportunity for requesting a few minutes private -conversation with our hero, and, this being granted, she delivered -herself as follows-- - -I am sensible, Mr. De Lancaster, that I incurred your displeasure by the -manner, in which I received the honour of your visit, when you last -called upon me in Denbigh. Undoubtedly I ought to have presented Amelia -Jones to you without a moment’s hesitation, that you might have given -into her hands the invaluable relick, you had in charge for her. For -this omission I most heartily ask your pardon, and assure you that I had -no intention to offend, but erred in judgment, when in my over-care to -guard Amelia from the effect of any sudden agitation upon the opening of -that pacquet, I very unadvisedly took the delivery of it upon myself. - -What you have already said, replied De Lancaster, is apology more than -sufficient for an oversight on your part, especially as it proceeded -from so considerate a motive; but I am afraid, Madam, my abrupt -departure is not so easily to be excused, and I can only say, that if we -are to exchange forgiveness, I shall have much to sue for, and very -little to bestow. However let me hope that Miss Jones has not been -molested by our misunderstanding, but has the miniature, and thinks it, -as it appeared to me, a very admirable painting. - -Sir, resumed Mrs. Jennings, I am sorry to say that the error I -committed, in taking the delivery of the present out of your hands, has -very much molested Miss Jones; and the chief reason for my hastening to -Denbigh is, that I may restore to you the pacquet, which is still in my -keeping, in the hope, that you will condescend to fulfil your first -intention, and with your own hands bestow it upon her, who from her -respect for you and for the express conditions attached to your delivery -of it, has scrupulously denied herself even the pleasure of a sight of -it. - -You surprize me and delight me, cried our hero in a tone of exultation. -’Tis an instance of so refined and delicate a sense of honour in the -young lady, whom you have educated, as recommends her to my warmest -veneration and esteem. Don’t let me lose an hour, that can be employed -for her relief, and as you tell me that you are hastening home, where -you have the pacquet in your keeping, I will mount my horse and be ready -at your door to hand you out of your carriage, and in your presence, if -such shall be your pleasure, make a transfer of the relick to the lovely -person, who is so properly intitled to it. - -Ah sir, cried Mrs. Jennings, you are infinitely kind, and will not only -take a heavy load from off my heart, but give delight to that beloved -child, whose disappointment has been very great. - -Say to her then, said John, that I am gone to make myself ready to -attend upon her, for I hear the chariot coming up to the door. Tell her -that it is to her I owe the conscious gratification of being able to say -with truth, I have never disobeyed any one command of my departed -mother, and say moreover that to save her from disappointment and guard -her from danger is another command delivered to me by the same -authority, and intitled to be treated with the same obedience.--But why -do I trouble you with this idle talk? Say nothing to your lovely charge -for me: What have I to do with professions? Let me earn her good opinion -by my actions--Farewell! Your chariot waits. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -_Our Hero accompanies Amelia and Mrs. Jennings to Denbigh. Past Mistakes -are set to rights in a very natural and agreeable Manner._ - - -The fine and valuable horse, which Sir Arthur Floyd and his friends had -so handsomely presented to young John De Lancaster, and in whose noble -veins ran the full blood of the mal-treated massacred Glendowr, was in -constant attendance upon our hero, wherever he went, and no other hero -was in the habit of riding him. When the ladies had set off for Denbigh, -this favourite animal was by John’s order led out to the great hall-door -for him to mount: The beauty of his form, the spirit of his eye and the -elegance of his action having drawn a party of admirers, male and -female about him, the poor old gouty grandfather at the instigation and -by the advice of Madam Richards, whose voice was as an oracle in Glen -Morgan, was wheeled into the hall and drawn out upon the landing-place -before the portal to see his grandson in the saddle. It was indeed a -spectacle well worth a lame man’s trouble to contemplate. The -consciousness, which the fine animal seemed to entertain of his own -dignity, and the sensibility with which he appeared to feel the caresses -of his master, were noticed by the grandfather, who had been a famous -sportsman in his time, and gave him great delight. John put his horse -into graceful action, bowed respectfully to the old gentleman and rode -off. - -At about two miles distance from Denbigh he overtook the chariot. The -light and nimble tread of his horse upon the mossy turf gave no notice -of his approach: the ladies were engaged upon an interesting topick, and -his name was on the lips of Amelia in the very moment when he rode up to -the window, and, as it happened, on the side where she was seated: In -the sudden emotion, which the sight of him occasioned, the start she -gave, and the action that accompanied it, covered her with blushes; for -she was conscious of having betrayed more joy and transport on the -occasion than it is required of prudent young ladies to discover when -they meet young men of their acquaintance on the road. Her’s was not the -age however nor yet the nature, that could counterfeit tranquillity and -indifference; so that when her eyes were directed towards him, they gave -him clearly to perceive and know how welcome to her sight he was. He -himself also was too much enraptured with what he contemplated to be -either very able or very eager to help her out of her embarrassment; in -a short time however she had recollected herself quite sufficiently to -be extremely charmed with the beauty of his horse, extremely -apprehensive of his danger when he came too near, and extremely happy -when he came so very close to the window, that her fair hand could reach -not only to caress and fondle that fine animal, but to display its own -fair self to the owner of the animal, who, probably, was not so devoid -of common sense, and incapable of observation, as not to know pretty -nearly what proportion of those endearments were properly addressed to -the horse, what virtually bestowed upon himself. - -Upon his arrival at Mrs. Jennings’s house, the reception which John now -met was very unlike what he had before experienced. The cases containing -the miniature picture and the gold chain were delivered to him. Mrs. -Jennings quitted the room, and upon his finding himself alone with -Amelia, he began as follows-- - -I confess to you, Miss Jones, I feel myself very highly gratified by the -handsome manner, in which you have declined taking this pledge of my -poor mother’s affection and regard for you, till I could have an -opportunity of delivering it into your hands agreeably to her particular -instruction and desire. I am sensible it is a refinement, that very many -people would not feel, but happily for me you did, and the melancholy -event, that has since occurred, naturally makes me the more desirous of -adhering strictly to what she gave me in command: this I now do, when I -have the honour of presenting to you, as a token of her very sincere -esteem, this miniature of your father; what the other case contains is -simply a chain, which I hope you will accept from me, though it has -neither the same intrinsic value as a relick, nor the same ideal value -as a memorial of the donor. - -Pardon me, exclaimed Amelia, eagerly interposing, what the other case -contains is a gift not only very beautiful in itself, but infinitely -valuable to me for the giver’s sake. - -Oh! that I might believe you, cried the enraptured youth. - -Indeed you may, she naturally replied. I prize it as your gift above all -computation. - -Nay, now, enchantress, he exclaimed, if your beauty and your kindness -overcome my reason, you must either pardon my transports, or escape out -of my company. To be told that you will prize this trifle, because it is -my gift, is such a favour as can only be repaid by tendering to you my -heart--my life--myself--my every thing--and, saying this, he pressed the -unreluctant damsel to his bosom, accompanying each fond endearing phrase -with tender but respectful delicate caresses. - -As soon as he had released her from his arms he led her to a chair, kept -her hand in his, and seated himself by her: she was not in the least -abashed, did not betray any extraordinary agitation, nor studied to -avoid his eyes; for real purity is not suspicious--Amelia, he cried, I -know the sacred nature of the responsibility I have incurred by giving -way to the raptures, which your charms inspired. Your father’s picture -hangs before me; I well remember the apostrophe I made to it; you do not -want the presence of Mrs. Jennings to guarantee my good behaviour; your -very best duenna is my honour. That mother, who is scarcely cold in her -shrowd, with her dying breath bequeathed you to my honour, my protection -and my constant care through life. These are my duties; they are such as -a brother, as a guardian or a father might engage in: I don’t commence -my execution of them after the way of either of these, but, availing -myself of the first favourable opportunity, and snatching at the first -kind expression, which your politeness prompts you to address to me, I -instantly throw my unprivileged arms about your chaste and beauteous -person with all the ardour of a lover--All this is true: I felt that -ardour, and I feel that love--Let me now ask you, Does the declaration -of that love offend you? - -Oh, no, no, no. - -And may I hope in time to merit a return of love? - -You merit it already, and you have it--But hold! restrain yourself. -Don’t make it such a wonder that I speak the truth; but as I have -answered fairly, hear me now in my turn, calmly, patiently, I pray you; -for I verily believe, that upon the candour, with which you shall treat -the sincere confession and appeal I am now about to make to you, the -happiness of my life in future will depend. - -Speak freely; I am all attention. I will not deceive you. - -What I have said is true: I have full cause to love you: such as you are -in every early excellence of mind and person, it would be out of nature -if I did not. I can well believe it to be against rule for a young girl -like me to make this frank confession: It seems so; and perhaps it was -not quite in rule for me to suffer you to embrace me, whilst you uttered -those emphatic, tender words; I could not help it: you embraced me once -before; I could not help it then. The arms of no man since my father -died ever embraced me, yours alone excepted. The delight, which those -endearments gave me in both cases, I am not ashamed to own; for it was -pure: but I should be sorry to indulge in that delight, however pure, -which cannot be permanent; and would not wish to hear those fond -rapturous words repeated, to which if I affixed a serious meaning, I -must be the vainest and the weakest of all human beings. In one word, my -dear sir, you, who are destined to so high a lot, must show some pity -for a lowly creature that looks up to you with love and admiration, and -must absolutely promise me to fill up your time at Glen Morgan, whilst I -in obedience to Mr. De Lancaster’s commands pay a short visit of respect -at Kray Castle. - -If you think that I ought to be at Glen Morgan when you are at Kray -Castle, John replied, I much doubt if I ought to be where I am at this -moment; but why my lovely Amelia should mistrust either her own power, -or my principle, I cannot tell. - -You must not disappoint the expectation of your friends; you must not do -what is unbecoming of your situation. - -That’s true, my sweet Amelia; that is very true: I must not disgrace -myself by any mean and infamous action: you would not like me if I did -that; would you, Amelia? - -Surely not. - -I must not, for instance, make vehement protestations to an ingenuous, -honourable, accomplished girl, draw her on to confess that I am not -disagreeable to her, prevail upon her to endure my hypocritical -caresses, and then turn my back upon her, and forsake her; would not -that be scandalous? - -It would not be right. - -It would be rascally: for suppose I was to say to her thus--because I -abound in money myself, I won’t marry you unless you abound also; what -sort of a reason would that be? Or again, because I am a plain -gentleman, and you are quite as well born as myself, in short, in every -respect my equal, therefore I must seek for something higher--_I must -not disappoint the expectation of my friends; I must not do what is -unbecoming of my situation_--How would that sound? What kind of opinion -would you form of a man, who should act and argue in that way? You would -despise him, Amelia; you would say to him in earnest what you say to me -in jest--Don’t let us meet, if it be possible to avoid it: should I come -to visit your family, take care not to be at home--Ah Amelia, Amelia, if -so you wished to have disposed of me, why did not you contrive to make -your visit to Kray Castle, as my aunt proposed to you, when you knew I -could not be there? - -Nay, that is not a fair question, she replied: why do I think these -minutes happier than any I have passed, since last we met in this room -together?--Here the conversation no longer turned upon interrogatories: -it was not of the nature of argumentation or discussion; it would elude -short-hand; for the pauses, when no words were interchanged, were -employed in contemplating the miniature, affixing it to the chain, and -adjusting it to the pearly neck of the fair possessor, which, with other -businesses of not less moment, occupied the thoughts of the parties, -till Mrs. Jennings made her entrance, and announced to John De Lancaster -that a young man, who called himself the son of Ap Rees, the minstrel of -Penruth, was waiting and extremely urgent to be admitted; a wish, that -was immediately complied with. - -The agony of the young man’s mind was visible in his countenance. It -was with some difficulty that our hero recognized him; but in the same -moment that he recalled him to his memory, he received him in the -kindest manner, put him at his ease and made him sit down--I saw you -ride into town, said the poor fellow, and I traced you to this house: I -was a long time doubtful about venturing to ask for you; but you have an -excellent character for kindness and benevolence to your inferiors, and -the story of the poor soldier, who died in your house, encouraged me to -believe, that the pity you bestowed upon a traveller and a stranger, you -would not withhold from an ancient Briton and a neighbour: Besides, sir, -I remember when my father Robin Ap Rees performed at Kray Castle, and -sister and I came upon the platform in the great hall with him--Yes, -sure enough, I remember how good you was to my poor Nancy, when shame -overcame her, and she was like to faint--Ah, sir, worse shame has -overcome her now: the direst villain breathing has undone her: she is -crazed; she has attempted her own life; she is dying: that Jew David -Owen is her murderer: but I’ll follow him through the world; he is out -of the law’s reach, but not out of mine: as soon as I have laid poor -Nancy in her grave, I’ll after him across the seas, and when, or -wheresoever I can light upon him, that moment shall be his last. - -Stop, friend, said John De Lancaster, you let your passion run away with -you, and don’t know what you are saying. I can guess the injury, that -has been done to your sister, but what are the facts, that so -particularly criminate Sir David Owen? Recite them simply, if you -please; give me nothing but the truth exactly stated; no invective, Mr. -Ap Rees, no aggravation. - -Why, you must know, sir, said the appellant, that after the old -baronet’s death father wished for Nancy to go out to service; so there -came a lady to the Abbey to visit Sir David, or Sir David’s mother, I -can’t say which: she seemed to be mightily taken with Nancy, and being a -single lady hired her to be about her person, promising to educate and -take care of her. She seemed a motherly kind of person, sure enough, and -very affable. So when the lady’s own chariot drove up to the door, and -Nancy was told to step into it with her mistress, father thought, and so -did I, that it was a famous thing for his daughter--Alas, a-day! There -is no looking into people’s hearts. Little did we think, that it was -all a deep-laid plot to ruin a poor Innocent. - -Proceed with your narrative, John repeated, and don’t digress into -comments and remarks, that, if you want my assistance, only prevent me -from tendering it to you by taking up my time unprofitably, and puzzling -my understanding. - -I ask your pardon, sir, Ap Rees replied; I should have gone on to say, -that after two days travelling my sister was set down at a lone cottage, -where she believed herself at a considerable distance from the Abbey, -when in fact the tour she had taken was projected purposely to deceive -her into that persuasion. After a few days passed in perfect solitude -Sir David Owen appeared as a visitor to the lady of the cottage, when -by their joint contrivances, too horrible to relate, they first -succeeded in depriving my unhappy sister of her reason, and then -accomplished their infernal triumph over her innocence. In this state of -mental derangement she was kept for some time, not totally devoid of -short intervals of recollection, in one of which she thinks she saw you, -sir; but probably it was only her fancy, for there is no road, that -could have led you to the house. - -I have reason to believe she is not mistaken, John replied! but no -matter. I can now anticipate in some degree the tragic end of your -afflicting narrative. Sir David Owen has left the kingdom, and made no -provision for your sister’s comfort--she is destitute, distracted, -dying--your father is old, blind and broken-hearted, and you are young, -torn with rage, burning for revenge, and perhaps not in a capacity to -furnish those medical and immediate aids, which the pitiable situation -of your suffering sister unintermittingly demands. I take all that upon -myself: I’ll do it instantly without delay: The victim of man’s villainy -shall not want a friend. Nancy Ap Rees, the blushing Innocent, whom I -supported in my arms, and was insulted for my officiousness, shall now, -in the last stage of her distress, and to the last moment of her life, -find my unqualified and full support: therefore lead me to her directly -wheresoever she is--If in town, let us hasten to her on foot; if out of -town, I have horses ready for myself and you--set out at once! - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -_Our Hero visits the Daughter of Robin Ap Rees in her Distress._ - - -As our hero was following Ap Rees to the street door of Mrs. Jennings’s -house, Amelia met him in the passage. I am going with this young man, he -said, upon a matter of business, that may keep me some time--but why are -you alarmed, Amelia? there is no cause for it, I assure you: I only go -to serve a friend--I am satisfied, she replied, I ask no questions; -farewell! - -In a poor little tenement, the habitation of a widow-woman, in the -outskirts of the town, young Robin Ap Rees had a lodging room, and in -that room there was a bed, wherein our benevolent young hero -horror-struck beheld an emaciated delirious creature, bound down with -straps; the ruin of a beauteous form; the wreck, which villainy had made -of reason; a modest unsoiled maiden once, whose purity nothing but -poisonous drugs could overthrow; a spectacle to rend the heart of man, -and make an angel weep. - -I cannot stand it, John exclaimed. Open the window: give me air, or I -shall sink outright. - -A voice was heard, that in a feeble but shrill tone murmured out--I know -you--John had turned away from what he could not bear to look upon; he -now again directed his eyes towards the object, that addressed him, and -burst into an agony of tears. - -Can man do this and live, he cried; can Heaven see this, and spare him? - -I wish they would not tie me down, the poor creature said. I will be -very quiet, whilst you are with me. - -Release her, he exclaimed: she has not strength to hurt herself--They -obeyed him instantly; the brother and the poor woman of the house set -her free: she smiled upon them, and bowed her head in acknowledgment for -the favour. There, there, said John, you see the terror of her looks -subsides: I now discern an emanation of her former self. Nancy, my girl, -compose yourself; be comforted! you say you know me: I am John De -Lancaster, and come to comfort you, to clear your character, to restore -you (with God’s leave) to health and happiness, and to sooth the sorrows -of your father, whom you shall shortly see: again I say, compose -yourself. I am your friend, and will not desert you, nor suffer you to -be ill treated any longer. - -God will reward you, she said: God knows my injuries; your generous -nature would be shocked to hear them. If I may see my father and receive -his blessing, I will die content. - -You shall see your father: I will send for him directly. - -Thank you! ’tis kind in you. I saw you ride by on your horse: I called -after you, but you did not hear me. I am sure they did something to -disorder my brain; it is not possible I could have devised such -sinfulness else; no, no, it is not possible. - -Doctor Roberts, (locally so intitled) now entered the chamber; he came -opportunely, for the unhealed gashes on poor Nancy’s arms were bleeding -afresh, and required the skill of a surgeon to stop them. The county of -Denbigh, not then extremely fertile in men of medical celebrity, -decidedly conferred the palm of pre-eminence on Doctor Roberts, and, in -addition to the character of ability in his profession, he had, and -merited to have, universal credit for benevolence and humanity: not to -the diseased alone, but also to the distressed, his help was ready, and -his hand was open. - -He had attended on this piteous object at the suit of her unhappy -brother; he had staunched the bleeding of her self-inflicted wounds, and -had found it necessary to prescribe coercion, and to tie down her hands. -An idea that her blood was poisoned had impressed her with the -persuasion that to let it out was an act of duty, and the instant that -she found her hands at liberty, she employed them in that office. The -Doctor now stopped the bleeding, and provided against a repetition of -it. When this was done, he attended to the anxious enquiries of John De -Lancaster, with whose character and connections he was perfectly well -acquainted. It was his opinion that the patient could not survive above -two days: her pulse indicated approaching dissolution; nature was -exhausted; the whole mass of her blood was broken; in fact it was -absolutely poisoned by the inordinate infusion of pernicious stimulants, -which had been insidiously administered in her diet and her drink for -the most abominable purposes: of this he was convinced not only by her -own evidence, but by symptomatic proofs, in which he could not be -mistaken; in short he was certain, that when her death took place a jury -of surgeons upon opening the body would confirm the fact, and this of -course he recommended as a measure due to justice. - -With the same view he advised that her deposition should be taken -without loss of time in a legal manner, which he believed her competent -to give, especially now that the loss of blood had cleared her -intellect, though at the same time it might conspire to hasten her -dissolution. - -In conformity to this advice measures were immediately taken, and David -Williams was dispatched to Kray Castle with the following letter from -John to his grand-father. - - “Most dear and honoured sir, - - “I have been present at a scene of the most afflicting nature: - Nancy Ap Rees, the daughter of blind Robin, is dying in consequence - of practices too horrible to be described, that have been employed - against her for purposes the most diabolical. When you call to mind - the wretch, who has lately disappeared, it will spare me the pain - of committing his detestable name to the same paper, that is graced - with your’s, and signed with mine. - - “Alas, my beloved grand-father, how deeply do I regret that it - should have been my lot so early in life, and for so long a portion - of it, to have been in any degree implicated with a miscreant, who, - after being convicted of the most disgraceful and unmanly conduct - in various instances, has by gradations in cruelty proceeded to the - extreme of all atrocity, and effected the violation of an innocent - and virtuous girl by means, that amount, as I conceive, to actual - murder. - - “As the brother of this unhappy victim now on her death-bed, and by - intervals only possessed of her reason, has resorted to me in his - distress, how could I, a descendant of the De Lancasters and - grandson of the best and most benevolent of mankind, have been - worthy of my name, had I shrunk from the duties of humanity, - however irksome it may be to me, that any part of the trouble, - which ought to be all my own, should devolve upon you, without whom - I am nothing. - - “The first thing I require of you is to send me over money, fully - sufficient to satisfy in a liberal manner all incidental expences - attending the care of this poor creature, whilst she has life; to - provide for the interment of her remains after death, and the - effectual prosecution of the wretch, and his accomplice or - accomplices, who to the crime of violation have added that of - poisoning her pure blood with drugs of the most inflammatory and - deadly nature. - - “By my servant David Williams, who is the bearer of this, you will - immediately send me over one hundred pounds, and as the presence of - old Robin Ap Rees is earnestly expected by his dying child, you - will be pleased to give order for his safe and speedy conveyance - under care of some one of your household, who will prudently - prepare him for the meeting, happy in this one instance, that his - sight at least cannot be shocked by the sad and piteous spectacle, - that would else have awaited him. - - “With these requisitions convinced that your benignant candour will - comply, I remain with all true devotion, &c. &c. - - “JOHN DE LANCASTER.” - -Whilst John withdrew to write this letter Doctor Roberts had been -wholly occupied in his endeavours to keep life in his patient, who by -successive faintings now sunk so fast, that De Lancaster only came back -in time to see her eyes close for ever. - -It was now so evident that the deceased had by her own act brought on -immediate dissolution, that it became a doubt with Doctor Roberts, -whether any satisfactory proofs could be adduced of her having died -precisely by poisonous drugs, inasmuch as it was not possible for him to -depose upon oath, though in opinion he was persuaded, that it was not in -the power of medicine to have saved her, had she abstained from all -self-violence. - -Of the particular means used for the imposing those pernicious drugs -upon her there was no such specification, as could be producible -evidence in a court of justice; for no words had been taken down from -the mouth of the deceased, and the fact of her insanity being -incontrovertible, very little credit would be legally attached to the -wanderings of a suicide, known to have been deprived of her reason: it -was therefore judged advisable to waive the process, that had been in -meditation, and not expose her miserable remains to an operation, which -even John revolted from, whilst her brother in the most earnest manner -besought them to dispense with it. - -In these resolutions and opinions the debating parties were the more -confirmed by the following letter, which young Williams brought with him -on his return from Kray Castle-- - -“Your conduct, my beloved grandson, has my unqualified approbation, and -your commands are punctually fulfilled. David Williams brings the sum -you call for, and Ben my groom, a discreet and steady man, has -instructions for the safe conveyance of Robin Ap Rees from Penruth Abbey -to you at Denbigh. - -“I am no lawyer, but it is clear to me, that if the drugs, which have -been given with evil intent, can be proved to have been the actual, sole -and immediate cause of death, it is a positive murder: if on the -contrary it be true, as stated by your messenger, that the poor -distracted creature was driven by desperation to the fatal act of -opening her own veins, the case becomes more than doubtful, provided it -shall turn out upon evidence, that her death has been accelerated -thereby; for who is to say that life is not to be saved, though a -physician may despair of it? Neither is it to be supposed, that the mild -spirit of our laws will be so interpreted by judge and jury upon a trial -for life, that out of two possible constructions that in preference -shall be proceeded upon, which bears hardest against the prisoner at the -bar. - -“I would have you therefore be extremely guarded in your investigation -of this intricate and complicated case, and take especial care to give -no handle to a censorious world to insinuate that you are actuated by a -prejudiced and hostile mind in consequence of what has passed between -you and the person, upon whom the charge will bear, if it is seriously -brought forward: recollect withal that the _good Samaritan_ contented -himself with relieving the man, who had fallen amongst thieves, but did -not busy himself either in the pursuit, or use means for the detection -of them. - -“I am entirely with you in your just abhorrence of those direful -practices, that have effected the ruin, and probably the death, of the -much-injured object, in whose cause you honourably stand forth; but -temper your benevolence with caution, and remember that on your life -depends all that is valuable in this world to - -CENTER -“Your affectionate -“ROBERT DE LANCASTER.” - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - - -_Proceedings at Denbigh in consequence of the Death of Ap Rees’s -Daughter. Our Hero retires to Glen Morgan. The Address of the blind -Minstrel of Penruth to the People concludes the Volume._ - - -Upon the arrival of old Robin Ap Rees in the forenoon of the day -succeeding that, in which his daughter died, he required to be led to -the chamber, where her corpse was laid out. There had been some stir in -the town about the manner of her death, for the story had in part got -abroad, and the name of Sir David Owen began to be circulated with such -comments, as seemed to indicate a propensity in the town’s-folk to take -the cause into their own hands, and administer tumultuous justice in -their own mob-way. - -This was by all means to be avoided, and when it was understood that old -Robin meant to be present at the funeral of his daughter, it was judged -highly expedient that he should be cautioned and prevailed upon to -employ his influence for the purpose not of aggravating, but allaying, -the dangerous indignation of the inhabitants; for Robin Ap Rees was a -popular character, and not meanly endowed with that species of -eloquence, which is competent to disturb or to preserve the peace of the -community. - -It was also thought advisable, that our hero John De Lancaster, whose -good deeds every tongue had trumpeted, should withdraw himself from the -spot, where commotion was apprehended: this without difficulty he was -persuaded to do; his grandfather’s letter favouring that measure: he -accordingly set out with Mrs. Jennings and Amelia for Glen Morgan, -having committed every thing, in which he had concern, to the conduct -and discretion of his excellent friend and preceptor Mr. Wilson, who had -come over most opportunely for all parties on this critical occasion. - -Whilst all affairs, that prudence could provide for, were going on at -Denbigh under the management of the wise divine and worthy doctor, John -in the retired and shady walks of Glen Morgan was enjoying the society -of his beloved Amelia, and listening to the praises she bestowed upon -him. - -I could wish, he said to her as they were sauntering under the -yew-trees, that you would not be so ingenious in describing actions -better than they are: they can only be appreciated according to the -worthiness of the motives, that have inspired them. You will allow, that -where money is laid out without inconvenience or regret, pecuniary -donations require but little effort, and of course imply but little -merit. If I give so secretly that no one can discover me, it is plain I -take a secret pleasure in the act of giving; but if I know that my -munificence, or my active services, can purchase the approbation of an -angel, that will bless and praise me for the deed, what does it prove -but that I have been industrious to obtain a reward, that is worthy of -my pains, and can only claim the credit of having found out something, -that is better than money, and more gratifying than indolence? How then -can you be perfectly assured that I did not exert myself in the case of -poor Nancy Ap Rees from the desire, which I must naturally have, of -recommending myself to you? - -Whilst conversation of this sort was carried on in shady walks and -groves propitious to the cause of love, the seniors of the family, lame -Morgan and lame Wilson, who mustered only one effective leg between -them, kept house, and whil’d away the lagging hours partly in talk, and -partly in such humble resources as human nature is fain to resort to, -when age and decrepitude conspire to narrow our enjoyments, and, -shutting out all hope of future pleasure, confine us to the recollection -only of the past. - -When you and I, said Morgan, were as young as my grandson John, I am -afraid, friend Wilson, we were neither of us altogether as worthy or as -wise. I can answer for one; and when our acquaintance commenced as -brother ensigns in Barrel’s regiment, I doubt we were not quite such -sturdy champions in the cause of virtue, as he now is, or as we ought -then to have been. I recollect when you turned out for me as second in -my affair with Cornet Flanagan, it was a foolish quarrel for a very -worthless cause; but no matter! those days are over and we are now old -fellows. You held on in the army, performed honourable service, received -honourable wounds and are at length laid up with an honourable, though -in my opinion not a very adequate, compensation: I quitted upon the -peace; came into possession of an ample property, led an idle, useless -and luxurious life, made my neighbours welcome, and kept the bottle -moving till the gout laid hold of me, and I could not move myself. What -a sorry figure in the calendar of antient British worthies shall I make? -A mere man of straw, without one ear of corn, save only a few grains of -good will in a bye-corner of my heart for an old friend like you, and -perhaps here and there for another of like honest nature with -yourself.--And now, Wilson, listen to me.--When I talk of my affairs my -steward has just now satisfied me, that I am confoundedly given to -involuntary lying; for I am considerably richer than I have believed or -represented myself to be.--John will have my land and house and all that -he can find about it, but, by the L--d, I won’t leave him a shilling of -my ready money. He won’t want it and others will--You for instance: you -have a son in the army, a son in the church, and I know you don’t -abound: you have a small invalided government, and a small patrimonial -lot of barren land--What then? I have left you a bit of money in my -will: ’tis true I shan’t keep it from you long at all events, for I am -brushing off after my poor daughter: give me the pleasure, brother -soldier, before I die, of telling me in what way a moderate sum can be -of service to you. - -The tear that stood on Wilson’s manly cheek when it became his turn to -make reply, witnessed his grateful feelings for the good old man--Live -only, my dear sir, he said, live and be happy as your benevolence can -make you; I ask no more, and nothing can I receive beyond the sincere -gratification it now affords me to find myself thus honoured in your -friendship, and assured of your esteem. - -Well, well! I know you for a sturdy soldier, the old gentleman replied; -so take your course: ’tis not the first time you have served me thus. -Perhaps ’tis natural to a mind like your’s to find that kind of -arrogance in money, which establishes a sort of patronage in the giver, -not quite consistent with your sense of independant friendship; and if -such be your construction of the case, wait, my good fellow, till the -time shall come, when I can have no use for what I bestow, and you no -longer any motive for declining to receive it-- - - Death shall soon furnish that conclusive plea, - Which ends the contest betwixt you and me. - -Whilst time passed in this manner at Glen Morgan the interment of poor -Nancy Ap Rees, as regulated by the Reverend Mr. Wilson, took place at -Denbigh. A great concourse of people assembled; the whole corps of -harpers from all the neighbouring parts attended in honour of their -illustrious compatriot, and formed themselves in his train as he -followed the bearers of the coffin, led by his son. The minstrels of -Kray Castle and Glen Morgan, in their professional habits, and -distinguishable by the attributes of their respective patrons, both men -of eminence in their art and favourites of the muse, were present and -attracted general notice and respect. - -As it was known that the venerable father of the deceased purposed to -speak to the people after the solemn service was concluded, the body was -no sooner committed to the earth than the crowd formed themselves into a -circle, of which he became the centre, and, having passed the word for -silence, heard themselves addressed, as follows. - -Friends and my countrymen!--A dark old man, whose eyes no ray of light -hath visited these threescore years, stands here beside the grave of his -new-buried child, and wishes you to hear with patience a few plain and -pacifying words, to which, amidst the sorrows of his heart, he feels -himself in conscience bound to pray you for your own sakes to attend. - -My station in the family of the deceased Sir Owen Ap Owen is well known -to all: from my youth up I have fulfilled the duties of his household -minstrel, and though it becomes me to speak modestly of my services, let -me hope they have been such, as do not disgrace the patronage of that -worthy master and his ancient venerable house. In the course of my -servitude having taken to wife a daughter of the celebrated Owen Gwynn, -whose name yet lives amongst us, I became the father of two children, -the elder of whom, a son, stands now at my side, the sharer of my -sorrows and the staff of my declining age: the younger, a daughter dear -to my sad heart as the blood that visits it, lies low at my feet in the -narrow chamber, whither we must all repair. - -Friends, I beseech you, move me not to unfold the dreadful dealings, -that conspired the death of this most innocent and much injured child. -Be satisfied to know her wrongs are not within the reach of human -justice; God will avenge them; God will not permit the violator to -escape unpunished. Why should I name him? he is not of us; he was not -born of unmixed British blood! he is gone, self-banished, fled, and -never will he dare to return amongst us, and abide the perilous -inquisition, that awaits him. - -Be patient therefore, my dear countrymen! stir not a hand in my redress, -and reverence the tombs of Penruth Abbey, where sleep the fathers and -the heroes of your ancient race: account yourselves rather so far -fortunate as you are henceforth rescued from a wretch without humanity, -an alien to your nation, one who respects no laws divine or human, so -void of honour, so abandoned of all virtue, so surrendered to all -villainy, that, when the purity of my child repulsed his guilty passion, -he scrupled not to make her mind a ruin, and levelled the defences of -her reason in order to accomplish the destruction of her innocence--And -now, my friends, you, who are fathers, will dismiss your fears; he, that -has destroyed my peace, cannot harm you--_My_ daughter dies, that -_your’s_ may be in safety. - -Here I should end, for he, of whom you all expect to hear, seeks not the -praise of men, and modestly requires me to conceal the wondrous -bounties, he has heaped upon me: but I cannot obey him; I will speak his -praise, and in the ears of this assembly declare aloud, that to the -charity of John, the young De Lancaster, sole heir of his paternal and -maternal houses, I owe as much as man can owe to man--a grave for my -child, a patron for my cause and an asylum for my age--Heaven’s best of -blessings light upon his heart!--I have said.” - - -END OF THE SECOND VOLUME. - -Harding and Wright, Printers, St. John’s Square. - - -Typographical errors corrected by the etext transcriber: - -it to be stoped=> it to be stopped {pg 13} - -and Mrs. De Lancastar=> and Mrs. De Lancaster {pg 15} - -that I coudn’t get=> that I couldn’t get {pg 97} - -these addresed him=> these addressed him {pg 118} - -you are two subtle=> you are too subtle {pg 123} - -advisable to wave the=> advisable to waive the {pg 275} - -all villiany=> all villainy {pg 291} - - - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JOHN DE LANCASTER; VOL. -II. *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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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II., by Richard Cumberland</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world 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 <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: John de Lancaster; vol. II.</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Richard Cumberland</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: September 27, 2022 [eBook #69056]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: Sonya Schermann, Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JOHN DE LANCASTER; VOL. II. ***</div> -<hr class="full" /> - -<p class="figcenter"> -<a href="images/cover.jpg"> -<img src="images/cover.jpg" -height="550" alt="[The image of -the book's cover is unavailable.]" /></a> -</p> - -<p class="cb"><span class="big">JOHN DE LANCASTER.</span><br /><br /> -<img src="images/bar.png" -width="90" -alt="————" /><br /><br /> -VOLUME II.</p> - -<div class="blk"> -<table style="border: 2px black solid;margin:1em auto; -max-width:50%; -padding:1%;"> -<tr><td class="c">Contents.<br /> -<a href="#JOHN_DE_LANCASTER">JOHN DE LANCASTER.</a><br /><br /> -<a href="#BOOK_THE_FIRST">BOOK THE FIRST.</a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_I-a">CHAPTER I., </a> -<a href="#CHAPTER_II-a"> II., </a> -<a href="#CHAPTER_III-a"> III., </a> -<a href="#CHAPTER_IV-a"> IV., </a> -<a href="#CHAPTER_V-a"> V., </a> -<a href="#CHAPTER_VI-a"> VI., </a> -<a href="#CHAPTER_VII-a"> VII., </a> -<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII-a"> VIII., </a> -<a href="#CHAPTER_IX-a"> IX. </a><br /><br /> -<a href="#BOOK_THE_SECOND">BOOK THE SECOND. </a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_I-b"> I., </a> -<a href="#CHAPTER_II-b"> II., </a> -<a href="#CHAPTER_III-b"> III., </a> -<a href="#CHAPTER_IV-b"> IV., </a> -<a href="#CHAPTER_V-b"> V., </a> -<a href="#CHAPTER_VI-b"> VI., </a> -<a href="#CHAPTER_VII-b"> VII. </a><br /><br /> -<a href="#BOOK_THE_THIRD">BOOK THE THIRD. </a><br /> -<a href="#CHAPTER_I-c"> I., </a> -<a href="#CHAPTER_II-c"> II., </a> -<a href="#CHAPTER_III-c"> III., </a> -<a href="#CHAPTER_IV-c"> IV., </a> -<a href="#CHAPTER_V-c"> V., </a> -<a href="#CHAPTER_VI-c"> VI., </a> -<a href="#CHAPTER_VII-c"> VII. </a> -<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII-c"> VIII. </a> -<a href="#CHAPTER_IX-c"> IX. </a> -<br /><br />Some typographical errors have been corrected; -<a href="#transcrib">a list follows the text</a>.<br /> -(etext transcriber's note)</td></tr> -</table> -</div> - -<div class="blk"> -<h1>JOHN DE LANCASTER.</h1> - -<p class="c">A NOVEL.<br /> -<br /> -BY<br /> -<br /> -<i>RICHARD CUMBERLAND, ESQ.</i><br /> -<br /> -IN THREE VOLUMES.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="hrt" /> -<p class="c"> -VOL. II.</p> -<hr class="hrb" /> - -<p class="c"><i>LONDON</i>:<br /> -<br /> -PRINTED FOR LACKINGTON, ALLEN, AND CO.<br /> -<br /> -TEMPLE OF THE MUSES,<br /> -<br /> -FINSBURY-SQUARE.<br /> -———<br /> -1809.<br /> -</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_1">{1}</a></span>  </p> - -<p class="c">Harding and Wright, Printers, St. John’s Square.<br /><br /><br /> -<a id="JOHN_DE_LANCASTER"></a><span class="big"><b>JOHN DE LANCASTER.</b></span></p> - - -<h2><a id="BOOK_THE_FIRST"></a>BOOK THE FIRST.</h2> - -<h3><a id="CHAPTER_I-a"></a>CHAPTER I.<br /><br /> -<i>The Experiment, as resolved upon by Mr. Philip De Lancaster, is made.</i></h3> - -<p><span class="smcap">When</span> Philip’s confidential interview with Colonel Wilson was concluded, -he directly bent his course to the chamber of David Williams. It was a -station equally well adapted to the studies of the poet, the astronomer -or the musician, for it was in the high road to the stars, at the very -top of the loftiest turret of Kray-Castle, and far enough exalted above -every living thing, that grovelled<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_2">{2}</a></span> on the earth. It is to be lamented -that the fine prospect it commanded was no recommendation of it to blind -David, but the advantages it might have offered to him of inhaling the -refreshing breezes in their greatest purity would have compensated in -part, had it not so happened, that its only casement was not made to -open.</p> - -<p>When Philip, whom the love of prospect never could have tempted to -ascend this winding staircase, had with infinite pains landed himself in -David’s airey, the twilight was drawing on, and the sun sinking red -towards his chamber in the west. He found the minstrel seated in his -only chair with his harp between his knees, and on the table before him -his pitcher, which, though of a capacious girth, had been drained of its -contents.</p> - -<p>Philip having accosted him and made<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_3">{3}</a></span> known his errand in few words, the -old man rose from his seat, and stood with his left hand resting on his -harp, whilst his right was pressed respectfully on his breast—Be it, he -replied, as the son of my patron hath commanded! When David Williams -shall hesitate to obey the heir of this castle, and the descendant of -the ever-honoured De Lancasters, this heart must have forfeited its -duty, and this hand forgotten its accustomed office. Although my brain -is even now in travail and only waits the mollifying aid of another jug -to bring forth, behold me ready! Speak the word only for my son David to -bear my harp, and lead me to the apartment of the lady your spouse, I -will incontinently set forward.</p> - -<p>Thank you, my old friend, cried Philip! You do it with good will, and -that is every thing. But what think you<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_4">{4}</a></span> of the experiment? Do you hold -with my father in opinion that by the melody of the harp you can drive -the evil spirit out of Mrs. De Lancaster?</p> - -<p>Who drove the evil spirit out of Saul, replied the minstrel?</p> - -<p>You have said it sure enough, rejoined Philip; but we must proceed -cautiously, and not give her too much of it. A short strain, and -something in her own way, of the pensive cast—You have the name, the -instrument and the art of the royal minstrel, but recollect the peril he -was in, and be aware how you proceed too far in stirring up and -stimulating the passions.</p> - -<p>Thus having said, he departed, whilst the hoary-headed enthusiast seized -his harp, and full of the muse called amain for his son to lead him.</p> - -<p>Whilst this was passing in the turret,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_5">{5}</a></span> Cecilia with our young hero had -paid an evening visit to Mrs. De Lancaster in her apartment. She was -more than fancifully ill, for her sunken eyes and hectic looks too -plainly indicated a constitution breaking up. Her spirits however were -just now in that kind of nervous flutter, which carries a resemblance to -gaiety, and she was more than ordinarily communicative and disposed to -talk.</p> - -<p>Their conversation turned upon the preparations making for the -approaching festival—You will look in upon us I hope, said Cecilia; and -if you apprehend the company will be too much for you, I’ll have the -latticed gallery in the hall kept private, where nobody will molest you. -There will be music, sister, and I flatter myself you have no dislike to -that.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_6">{6}</a></span></p> - -<p>None, replied Mrs. De Lancaster, to music, properly so called, but -infinite dislike and horror for trumpets and cudgel-playing, and noisy -bawling drunkards, who shout over their cups, and rattle them on the -table by way of applause: these are generally the accompaniments of a -Welch carousal.</p> - -<p>You have none such to expect with us, believe me, said Cecilia. We shall -not make it a Saint David’s day, take my word for it.</p> - -<p>No, cried the invalid, one such as I experienced, when this poor thing -was hurried into the world, has been one too many, and left me more to -struggle with than I shall ever overcome—and here her spirits sunk, and -her countenance assumed a melancholy cast, whilst she turned her languid -eyes upon her son.</p> - -<p>I am sorry to hear you talk thus, the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_7">{7}</a></span> gentle Cecilia replied: I was in -hopes, that now when all the troubles of that time are over, you would -have looked back to that day as a day of happiness and comfort. I am -persuaded that your son will never give you cause to regret what you -suffered for his sake; and now that he is in train to receive an -excellent education, what may we not expect from the brilliancy of his -talents, and the virtues of his heart?</p> - -<p>Yes, yes, she cried with a desponding sigh, I know what I am to expect -from the education he will receive. Every thing I dare say they will -teach him but humility and that discernment, which might constitute his -happiness. He will split upon the rock, that was so fatal to his -wretched mother, and they, on whom his destiny depends, will im<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_8">{8}</a></span>molate -another victim to ambitious fortune and the pride of family.</p> - -<p>John’s ready apprehension caught the words, understood their meaning, -and in that instant he resolved to bring them to an explanation, -whenever opportunity might favour his design. She had spoken these words -with a degree of energy, that apparently exhausted her—Poor fellow, she -now said in a faint voice, and reached out her hand, as if inviting him -to approach; he sprung from his seat, respectfully received her hand and -pressed it to his lips—Am I not to blame, she said, addressing herself -to Cecilia, for thus indulging my affection for an object, from whom I -must so soon be parted?</p> - -<p>No, my dear sister, replied Cecilia; you are only to blame for -indulging<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_9">{9}</a></span> those melancholy thoughts. Exert yourself for the recovery of -your health and spirits; seek amusement in the company of your friends, -resort to air and exercise in the place of medicine and confinement, and -you may live to see all your apprehensions vanish, and your son made -happy, (so may Heaven grant it!) to the completion of your warmest -wishes.</p> - -<p>Ah my kind comforter, said the mother, I know full well that medicine -cannot cure my complaints nor exertion restore my spirits. I am sensible -it is not worth my while to seek for a recovery any where, for sure -enough it is no where to be found; yet I will acknowledge to you, that -unless I were obstinately resolved to devote myself to death, I must not -meet another winter in this country. The soft climates of<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_10">{10}</a></span> Lisbon or the -South of France may give me a few more weeks; and though I have long -ceased from enjoying life, I am not reconciled in my conscience to the -neglect of any reasonable means for prolonging it. Besides, as I have -all the disposition in the world not to disturb Mr. De Lancaster’s -repose with certain ceremonials, in which he might think it incumbent on -him to take a part, I shall only trouble him to attend upon me to the -sea-side, and leave it to other people in another country to follow me -to the grave. I perceive myself exactly treading in the steps of my poor -mother, and can easily foresee where they will lead me. When she was at -my time of life, (as I well recollect,) she was affected just in the -same manner as I am. My father talked to her as you talk now to me: he -was a kind and<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_11">{11}</a></span> tender husband, which, allow me to observe, was one more -comfort in her lot than I have to boast of. She had no child but me, and -I was about John’s age when I saw her for the last time. She was not in -the habit of bestowing any extraordinary caresses upon me, and I seldom -was admitted to her, for her spirits did not allow of it. Upon this last -meeting however she was extremely kind to me, and the circumstance is -the more strongly impressed upon my memory on account of a very singular -occurrence, which I can sometimes reflect upon till I fancy myself in -her very situation, and hearing the same sounds, as seemed to summon my -poor mother to her death-bed.</p> - -<p>Of what sort were those sounds? Cecilia asked—Of the most seraphic -sort,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_12">{12}</a></span> Mrs. De Lancaster replied, as she described them; such as we may -conceive the angels to excite, when they waft a soul into bliss.</p> - -<p>By one of those extraordinary coincidences, that sometimes occur, it so -chanced, that in the very moment, whilst Mrs. De Lancaster, was -describing these strains, heard by her mother before death, David -Williams, who had planted himself in the adjoining gallery, gave a -flourish on his harp. It was not one of those imposing preludes, that -are calculated to display the execution of the master; it was rather -meant to invite attention by its melody, than to arrest it by its -violence.</p> - -<p>Hark! cried Mrs. De Lancaster; do you hear those sounds?—It is only -David Williams, Cecilia replied, going to<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_13">{13}</a></span> serenade us. If you wish it -to be stopped, I’ll tell him—Upon no account, answered the other, I am -convinced these things do not happen by chance; and whether the music is -produced by natural or supernatural means, I entreat you not to attempt -at interrupting it.</p> - -<p>Immediately a symphony was played most exquisitely sweet and melodious: -the minstrel never was in a happier moment; young John in the mean time -kept hold of his mother’s hand, whilst the strain swelled and sunk at -times in cadence so enchanting, as might remind Mrs. De Lancaster of -those seraphic airs, which were supposed to have visited her dying -mother, especially when the following words were distinctly heard, as -the blind minstrel chanted them forth to the accompaniment of his harp.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_14">{14}</a></span></p> - -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">“What art thou, Death; that we should fear<br /></span> -<span class="i2">The shadow of a shade?<br /></span> -<span class="i0">What’s in thy name, that meets the ear,<br /></span> -<span class="i2">Of which to be afraid?<br /></span> -</div><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">Thou art not care, thou art not pain,<br /></span> -<span class="i2">But thou art rest and peace:<br /></span> -<span class="i0">’Tis thou can’st make our terrors vain,<br /></span> -<span class="i2">And bid our torments cease.<br /></span> -</div><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">Thy hand can draw the rankling thorn<br /></span> -<span class="i2">From out the wounded breast;<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Thy curtain screens the wretch forlorn,<br /></span> -<span class="i2">Thy pallet gives him rest.<br /></span> -</div><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">Misfortune’s sting, Affliction’s throes,<br /></span> -<span class="i2">Detraction’s pois’nous breath,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">The world itself and all its woes<br /></span> -<span class="i2">Are swallow’d up in death.”<br /></span> -<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_15">{15}</a></span></div></div> -</div> - -<h3><a id="CHAPTER_II-a"></a>CHAPTER II.<br /><br /> -<i>Mr. De Lancaster discourses upon the Tactics of the Ancients.</i></h3> - -<p><span class="smcap">Whilst</span> David Williams was chanting the extemporaneous lay, with which we -concluded the foregoing chapter, the door between him and Mrs. De -Lancaster was ajar; the gallery, in which he was playing, was admirably -disposed for music, and every note came to the ear, mellowed by the -distance without being lost in its passage. The strain was of a -character so simple, and the harmony so pure and flowing in it’s course, -without any of those capricious and false ornaments, which are too often -resorted to, that both the movement and the matter were intelligible to -the hearers, till at the close it burst into such a dis<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_16">{16}</a></span>play of -execution, as called forth all the powers of the instrument, and set off -the art of the master in its highest style of excellence.</p> - -<p>When Mrs. De Lancaster perceived that the performance was concluded, -John was told to open the door, and upon his entering the gallery, the -old minstrel was discovered sitting in deep meditation, with his arms -folded round his harp, and his head resting upon the frame of it, whilst -his white locks, long and flowing, hung profusely over his forehead, and -entirely shaded his countenance. He had placed himself opposite to an -antique bow-window, through which a ruddy gleam from the descending sun -directly smote upon his figure, and threw it into tints, that would have -been a study for Rembrandt or Bassan.</p> - -<p>The mother and aunt of our hero,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_17">{17}</a></span> who had now joined him in the gallery, -stood for a while contemplating the striking effect, which his attitude -produced. At length Mrs. De Lancaster said—We are obliged to you, Mr. -Williams, for your very charming music: may I ask who is the author of -it?</p> - -<p>He, who is the author of my being, he replied, rising up and shaking the -locks from off his forehead; He, that endowed me with a soul, inspired -me with the love of harmony, and what He inspires, I with all humble -devotion endeavour to express.</p> - -<p>Can you repeat those passages again?</p> - -<p>Lady I cannot. It was not from memory that I played them, and having -played them, I no longer keep them in remembrance. When the approaching -festival shall call on me for my exer<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_18">{18}</a></span>tions, I hope to produce something -more worthy of your commendation.</p> - -<p>Did you come hither of your own accord?</p> - -<p>I never come to ladies’ chambers of my own accord.</p> - -<p>To whom beside yourself am I indebted for this entertainment?</p> - -<p>The son of my patron, your spouse, commanded me to play to you.</p> - -<p>Did he so? said Mrs. De Lancaster. I will trouble you no further. She -then wished Cecilia a good night, pressed the hand of her son in token -of a farewel, and turned into her chamber.</p> - -<p>Whilst this was passing above stairs, the venerable chief of the De -Lancasters was sitting and conversing over his coffee with Colonel -Wilson and his sons Henry and Edward; for the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_19">{19}</a></span> elder of these brothers, -who was captain of a troop of dragoons, had taken advantage of a few -days furlough to pay a visit to his father before he joined his regiment -in Ireland. Henry was an amiable and well-informed young man, and had -the character of being a very gallant and good officer. De Lancaster -loved a soldier, and was fond of talking to every man upon professional -topics: Henry was highly entertained with the singularity of his -character, and had won the old gentleman’s heart by listening to his -dissertations with the most flattering attention, asking questions and -throwing in remarks occasionally, which proved him to have taken a -lively interest in the subject under discussion, and to be a hearer to -the heart’s content of his communicative host.</p> - -<p>Robert De Lancaster had been call<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_20">{20}</a></span>ing to mind the several passages, that -occurred to him in the grammarians, respecting ancient tactics, and had -gone back to the Trojan war for the purpose of remarking to Captain -Henry, that it did not appear that the Greeks had any cavalry in the -besieging army, except the horses, which they harnessed to their -chariots: that even in the battle of Marathon there were no horse in the -Athenian army, and that it was not till they repulsed Xerxes and were at -peace, that they raised any body of cavalry, and then only three -hundred.</p> - -<p>Henry let him proceed without interruption till he got amongst the Roman -cohorts, who, he informed him, did not use saddles till they copied them -from the Germans, and as for stirrups, they had no word, that answered -to them in their language. He remarked<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_21">{21}</a></span> that Franciscus Philelphus, who -lived in the time of the fathers, had indeed coined the word <i>Stapeda</i> -to express a stirrup, but Budæus in after times had improved upon it by -substituting the compound term of <i>Subex pedancus</i>, which he clearly -preferred, and for which he gave Budæus all due credit.</p> - -<p>Mr. De Lancaster seemed very candidly disposed to recommend the fashion -of riding without saddle or stirrups, though he himself used both in -their greatest amplitude and richest splendor; the seat of the one being -of blue velvet, and the materials of the other brass proudly gilt. He -even doubted if the Numidians were not the best models for cavalry, -forasmuch as they made use neither of saddle nor bridle, but turned and -stopped their horses with their canes or switches, whilst the Teutonic -horsemen were so adroit in shift<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_22">{22}</a></span>ing from horse to horse, that they -oftentimes charged their enemy double-mounted; nay, they could manage -four, as Homer witnesses, and he (Mr. De Lancaster) had authority to say -that one of their kings named Teutobocchus, was so excellent a rider, -that he could keep six horses alternately under him, and bring them all -into action at the same time, which he conceived was a very great -advantage to that warlike monarch in a charge. He begged however to be -understood as saying this under correction of the captain’s better -judgment, and seemed to wait in expectation of his decision upon the -reference.</p> - -<p>The captain properly observed, that, if King Teutobocchus had a horse -killed under him, he certainly had his choice of five yet left; but if -he was killed himself he stood the chance of leaving six without a rider -to fall into the enem<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_23">{23}</a></span>y’s hands; so that much might be said on both -sides.</p> - -<p>This answer, which decided neither for nor against King Teutobocchus and -his six chargers, left De Lancaster at liberty to hold to his opinion, -and proceed with his discourse, which now went back to the Romans, who, -till they used saddles, always vaulted on their steeds, training the -young recruits to the practice by drilling them upon wooden horses, till -they were able to mount and dismount upon either side with all their -accoutrements, in which manœuvre the great Pompey was said to be so -expert, as to perform it at full speed, drawing and returning his sword -at the same time with the utmost expedition and correctness. After the -barbarous introduction of saddles Mr. De Lancaster acknowledged that the -Roman horse<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_24">{24}</a></span>man was forced to mount either by the aid of the hand, or by -practising his horse to kneel. He took notice that the sword-belt slung -over the shoulder was conformable to ancient custom, but he doubted -whether the sword ought not to be slung on the right side, as the Romans -wore it, and not of so enormous a length, as it was carried to by the -present fashion. He confessed that the Roman trooper with his massy -spear, a shield slung to his horse’s side, a case of three or four stout -javelins with broad blades, and with his helmet and coat of mail, must -have been a cumbrous load upon his charger, and he admitted that his -movements and evolutions could not be very rapid. Speaking of the -standards of the cavalry, he said they were very generally of purple -with the name of the commander worked in gold;<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_25">{25}</a></span> though he was aware they -afterwards introduced the figure of the dragon, richly embroidered after -the fashion of the Asiatics. That the devices they wore on their helmets -were of various sorts, according to the fancy of the wearer, but plumes -of peacock’s feathers could only be mounted on the crests of generals of -the highest rank and description. Pyrrhus’s crest was distinguished by -the horns of the goat curiously modelled in fine gold.</p> - -<p>He informed his hearers, that when the Roman cavalry were ordered to the -charge, the chief trumpeter, whose station was beside the general, -sounded to make ready; this was answered by the band posted near the -eagles, and when the horse were going down all the trumpets in the army -sounded together, whilst the soldiers shouted out the word for battle,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_26">{26}</a></span> -and that word, though not precisely recorded, he had reason to believe -was <small>FERI!</small> answering to our <i>Strike home!</i> A chorus so tremendous, that -Cato says—The cry of our soldiers is more terrifying to the enemy than -their swords. As for the Greeks, it is well known, he observed, that -they came down to the charge shrieking out their insulting <small>ALALAGMOS!</small> Of -this cry Pân was the inventor, and the terror it created was thence -called Panic: the same Greeks had their Pæan before battle, called the -Aggressive Pæan, and another after battle, called the Pæan of Victory.</p> - -<p>With respect to what we call specifically—<i>the word</i> or parolle—that -was given out by the general at pleasure, and was alway of some cheering -and auspicious import—as that of Cæsar, which<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_27">{27}</a></span> he made use of in his -African campaign, <span class="smcap">Felicitas!</span> that of Brutus, <span class="smcap">Libertas!</span> that of Augustus, -<span class="smcap">Apollo!</span> whilst Cyrus gave out with the signal for battle—<span class="smcap">Jupiter -socius, dux, servator!</span> <i>Jupiter, our comrade, our leader, our -preserver!</i></p> - -<h3><a id="CHAPTER_III-a"></a>CHAPTER III.<br /><br /> -<i>Mr. De Lancaster relates some curious Properties peculiar to certain -Islands.</i></h3> - -<p><span class="smcap">Mr. De Lancaster</span> had brought his dissertation to a conclusion, when -Philip entered the room: he had been told by David Williams what effect -his experiment had produced, and as it had brought Mrs. De Lancaster out -of her chamber, he had begun to apprehend greater consequences from its -operation,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_28">{28}</a></span> than he was either prepared to encounter, or disposed to -wish, till upon meeting Mr. Llewellyn he was informed by that sagacious -gentleman, that the surprise, into which his patient had been thrown by -the unexpected serenade of David’s harp had proved extremely prejudicial -to her health, and that he thought it of the last consequence to her -life, never to expose her to such dangerous experiments again—I cannot -for my soul conceive, said that learned sage, what expectations you -could form from such a ridiculous chimæra, but to hurry her into fits, -which you have done, and to drive her out of her senses which very -possibly you may do. If I am thus to be interrupted in the management of -her case, how am I to be answerable for her life?</p> - -<p>Thus rebuffed by the anti-musical<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_29">{29}</a></span> doctor, Philip sought refuge in the -society of the company below stairs from the persecution of those above. -He sate silent and dull, but as this was nothing extraordinary on his -part, nobody concerned themselves about him.</p> - -<p>Mr. De Lancaster asked Captain Wilson in what province of Ireland his -regiment was quartered, and upon being answered that it was in Munster, -he gravely observed, that he would then be upon the spot, where, if so -disposed, he might enquire into the truth of the extraordinary -properties recorded by Giraldus Cambrensis of a certain island in the -aforesaid province which, if related by any other than a historian of -his established character for veracity and research, might have -staggered all credulity.</p> - -<p>Upon Henry’s desiring to be informed<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_30">{30}</a></span> what those properties were—he -replied, I premised that they were extraordinary, and I own to you they -require confirmation, for Giraldus deliberately tells us, that there is -an island in that province, known in his time, and in fact from the time -of Saint Patrick, into which no woman, nor any female creature living, -could enter.</p> - -<p>Well done, Giraldus! cried the colonel, that is an interesting discovery -for married men.</p> - -<p>A blessed one—said Philip in an under voice.</p> - -<p>I hardly think I shall be able to find it, said the captain, and if I -do, I don’t believe I shall chuse it for my head quarters.</p> - -<p>It is fitter for a hermitage or a monkish convent, Edward observed.</p> - -<p>Hold, cried De Lancaster, I have Gi<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_31">{31}</a></span>raldus on the table, and here he -tells us of an island, where no woman can be delivered of a child.</p> - -<p>Pooh! said the colonel, he is an old woman himself, and can be delivered -of nothing but lies.</p> - -<p>Hold, resumed the expounder of Giraldus; here is another island, which -is partly inhabited by good, and partly by evil spirits.</p> - -<p>All islands are alike for that, said the colonel.</p> - -<p>Have a little patience; we have not done yet with Giraldus’s islands, -for here is one, where dead bodies cannot putrefy; and look! here is -another, that outgoes all the others, where nobody can ever die—Mark -his words—<i>Nemo unquam moritur, unquam mortuus fuit, vel morte naturali -mori potuit</i>.</p> - -<p>Excellent Giraldus! exclaimed the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_32">{32}</a></span> colonel; if he does but make out his -immortal island to be that which women cannot enter, the grand -desideratum is obtained.</p> - -<p>He does not say that, replied De Lancaster.</p> - -<p>Then he had better have said nothing about it, Philip cried out from his -corner, for fear our wives should find it out.</p> - -<p>At this instant our hero John made his appearance with a most flaming -and tremendous sketch of David Williams, playing on his harp at -sun-down, as he had seen him in the gallery. This was the first unlucky -start of John’s genius in the branch of portrait-painting, and though it -was in the grand gusto of Michael Angelo, it was not quite so good as -Michael Angelo would have made it, though John had bestowed as<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_33">{33}</a></span> much red -ink upon it as would have served a merchant’s clerk for a twelve-month.</p> - -<p>At the sight of that red ink, so profusely squandered, Philip betrayed -no small alarm, and demanded where he got it. John had found a bottle of -it upon the chimney-piece in his father’s bedroom.</p> - -<p>It is not ink, cried Philip; it is the blood of Saint Januarius, and you -have ruined me.</p> - -<p>The vehemence of Philip’s exclamation, and the horror of his -countenance, were too ridiculous to be withstood, and even the gravity -of the grandfather was not proof against the laugh.</p> - -<p>Hollah! friend John, cried the colonel, you have drawn a devil in the -blood of a saint.</p> - -<p>John demanded how long the saint<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_34">{34}</a></span> had been dead; and the colonel -answered at a guess, that it was not much more than a thousand years, -but the monks could bring his blood to life again, when they had -occasion for a vial of red ink.</p> - -<p>You may make a laughing matter of it, said Philip, but I got it with -considerable difficulty, and not at the price of red ink, assure -yourself.</p> - -<p>And what was the use of it, when you had got it, said the colonel?</p> - -<p>Sir, replied poor Philip with much solemnity—It has various uses: it is -a preservative against storms by sea or land; against thunder and -lightning; it guards your house from fire, keeps off evil spirits, and -prevents or cures diseases.</p> - -<p>And so it may still, said the old gentleman, for the sight of John’s -drawing brings to my recollection the famous re<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_35">{35}</a></span>cipe, which John De -Gaddesden has bequeathed to us for those, who may be seized with that -terrible disorder the small-pox, and I believe I can give it to you in -his own, or very nearly his own, words—“after the eruption of the small -pox, says that ancient and learned leech, cause the whole body of your -patient to be wrapt in scarlet, or in any other red envelope, and -command every thing about the couch of the sick person to be made red, -for this will be found an excellent and speedy cure. It was in this -manner, he adds, I treated the son of the noble King Edward the Second -of England, when he had the small pox, and I cured him without leaving -any marks.”—This being granted, my grandson’s performance, although not -eminently meritorious for its art, may yet be turned to beneficial -purposes, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_36">{36}</a></span> Saint Januarius may share the credit of them with John De -Gaddesden.</p> - -<p>Philip, who perceived he was not likely to receive any redress, walked -away to meditate in silence over the loss of his miraculous vial. John -was called up to his mother’s apartment, and when there admitted, Betty -was ordered to retire, and she addressed him as will be found in the -following chapter.</p> - -<h3><a id="CHAPTER_IV-a"></a>CHAPTER IV.<br /><br /> -<i>Our Hero has an Interview with his Mother.</i></h3> - -<p><span class="smcap">When</span> John had entered his mother’s chamber, and presented himself to -her, she said—As I know that I must<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_37">{37}</a></span> prepare myself to meet that -summons, from which no mortal is exempt, sit down by me, and hear what I -have to say; for whilst my senses hold I wish to communicate to you some -particulars, which it imports you to be apprised of, and as they are of -a secret nature, I must rely upon your discretion for understanding what -is due to the confidence, that I am about to repose in you. I suspect -you have been informed by the soldier, who died in this house, of my -attachment to his master Captain Jones—(’Tis very well: I understand -your signal)—He has told you, and I tell you now again, that my whole -life has been embittered by the disappointment and affliction, which I -endured, when rigid honour on his part, and over-ruling duty on mine, -tore me from the arms of that beloved man, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_38">{38}</a></span> threw me into those of -your unfeeling father. Great as my affection was for Captain Jones, and -implicit as my trust, yet I take it on my soul to assure you, that our -connection was in the strictest sense correctly pure, and after I was -married I never had the fortitude to speak to him, or even see his face. -I state this to you, my dear child, not only that you may have it in -your power conscientiously to put to silence and dismiss all -insinuations against my honour, but also more especially to arm your -mind for ever against those alarming fancies, that might else occur to -you, if in any future period of time the charms, the virtues and -endowments of the daughter should engage your heart, as those of the -father captivated mine.</p> - -<p>This angelic girl, (for as such she is represented to me) now lives -with<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_39">{39}</a></span> Mrs. Jennings at Denbigh, who has the care of her education, and -on whom my father has settled an annuity for that purpose. I have -bequeathed to Amelia Jones two thousand pounds by will, which is the -only sum I can at present call my own; but if, by the will of -providence, your grandfather should be suddenly taken off before I die, -whatever I may in that case inherit from him I shall leave entirely to -you, and recommend this interesting relict of my lamented friend to your -bounty and protection. And now before I reveal to you the wish, that -lies deepest at my heart, let me furnish you with the means of being -known to her. This case contains a miniature of her father in enamel, -admirably painted, and on the reverse of it under a crystal there is a -lock of his hair. Dear as this relic has been, and still is, to me,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_40">{40}</a></span> -alas! I never more must look upon it, I could not bear it, and must now -endeavour to employ my thoughts in other meditations; take it, my son, -and as your gift present it to Amelia; she will thank you; and if her -gentle character should gain an early interest in your youthful heart, -think of your wretched mother, and resolve against the fatal sacrifice, -that I have made to fortune and connections: what are they, if your -choice goes not with them? what but misery, entailed upon you by the -base surrender of your own natural rights? Ah! my poor child, could I -but cherish a consoling hope, that you will summon courage to assert -those natural rights, and resolutely shun the torrent of those sordid -importunities, that will assail you, I could die in peace.</p> - -<p>Live then, replied our hero, live, my<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_41">{41}</a></span> mother, in that confirmed -assurance, and believe nothing can shake my fixt determination to follow -my free choice in that event, which must decide my happiness for life. -Fortune I do not want, and for that idle pride, which pedigree entails -on some, who have no other merit, I despise it; all are my equals, who -are not debased in character and conduct: as for Amelia Jones, (forgive -me, madam) being my father’s son, and she the daughter of parents by -their virtues ennobled, I look up to her as my superior; and when I have -the happiness to present to her this valuable relic of her father, I can -well believe my second visit will confirm the impression I received upon -my first.</p> - -<p>What do you tell me? Have you visited and seen Amelia?</p> - -<p>I should have told you that before,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_42">{42}</a></span> but was afraid the circumstances, -that produced that interview, might agitate and discompose your spirits.</p> - -<p>No, no, relate them. If Amelia gave the impression you describe, ’tis -all I wish, ’tis all I pray for.</p> - -<p>She appeared, he replied, in loveliness of person, mind and manners to -merit their description, who report her to you as an angelic girl. My -plea for visiting her was to deliver into her hands the wedding ring, -worn by her mother, and sent to her by her father in the care of the -poor soldier, his servant, who on his death-bed entrusted it to me. In -the execution of this delicate commission I was so dazzled, and my -senses were so engrossed by the appearance of an object, beautiful and -impressive beyond my expectations, that the abrupt and awkward manner, -in which I introduced<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_43">{43}</a></span> my business, occasioned a surprise on her part, -which for a time overthrew her spirits and deprived me of her company. -In the mean time whilst I was contemplating her father’s portrait, which -hung opposite to me, and in a kind of rhapsody, that I could not -controul, pledging my protection to his lovely daughter, behold, she -stood beside me; and before I could recollect myself I had clasped her -in my arms. Shocked at myself for an action so audacious, I fled out of -the house, and by a note to Mrs. Jennings endeavoured to apologize and -asked forgiveness: it was granted to me on the part of Amelia, but Mrs. -Jennings by her answer to my note imposed upon me the severe condition -of forbearing to intrude upon her charge in the like manner any more. -This I have hitherto obeyed; how then shall<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_44">{44}</a></span> I fulfil your orders, and -present this relic to Amelia?</p> - -<p>You must write to Mrs. Jennings, state what your commission is, and ask -leave to wait upon her charge. When you have done this, shew me your -letter, and, if I am able, I will add a postscript. Now, my dear son, -beloved of my heart, farewel! my feeble spirits can no longer bear the -agitation this discourse has caused. I am not used to joy; it overcomes -me—send assistance to me!</p> - -<h3><a id="CHAPTER_V-a"></a>CHAPTER V.<br /><br /> -<i>Preparations for celebrating the Assembly of the Minstrels at Kray -Castle.</i></h3> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> day was now come, when the assembly of the minstrels was to be -cele<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_45">{45}</a></span>brated at Kray Castle. Every body was alert: the great hall showed -like an arsenal, hung round with trophies of armour, and decorated with -the banners of the family, upon which the emblem of the winged harp held -its station paramount.</p> - -<p>The natives, whether inhabitants of mountain or of vale, flocked from -all parts to the spectacle. No minstrel, who had any ambition to -distinguish himself, neglected the invitation. The domestics of the -castle were arrayed in their gala liveries of orange-tawney, new for the -occasion. All hands were busy in the kitchen, which was of conventual -size, and the savory steam ascended to the vaulted roof in clouds of -stomach-stirring odour. The cellar, though provided with a double tier -of potent ordnance, was formidably menaced by the num<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_46">{46}</a></span>bers of the -assailants. Cecilia, the moving spring of all operations, had taken her -measures so providently, and given out her orders with such precision, -that all things went on in their respective departments with consummate -regularity.</p> - -<p>Mrs. De Lancaster, still languid, though in spirits less depressed, was -incapable of taking any share in the festivities of the day, and -confined herself to her apartment. The worthy old colonel had put -himself in full uniform for the occasion, and Captain Henry Wilson, -brilliant as if accoutred for a review, appeared as if he had been -mailed in glittering sheets of silver. A ditto suit of melancholy -bottle-green sufficed for Philip’s unambitious taste.</p> - -<p>These with the venerable senior of the family had assembled in the great -saloon, when the Reverend Edward Wilson,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_47">{47}</a></span> leading our young hero by the -hand, presented him to his grandfather with the following address—I -have the honour, sir, to introduce my pupil to you, and am most happy in -assuring you, that I have already witnessed such encouraging instances -both of his application and of his talents, as far exceed the promise of -my most sanguine hopes. If my instructions can keep pace with the -rapidity of his comprehension, it will not be very long before he will -have exhausted all I shall wish to teach him as a reader of the -classics. His own naturally strong understanding, and the inborn virtues -of his heart, will leave me little else to do, save only to repress a -certain ebullition of courageous spirit, which, though it be a quality, -that ought to be found in every gentleman’s cha<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_48">{48}</a></span>racter, should not be -called forth upon every frivolous occasion.</p> - -<p>The old man sighed, cast a tender look upon his grandson, kissed him on -each cheek, and turning aside to the preceptor, said in a whisper, I -will talk to him on this subject.</p> - -<p>A dealer in minute descriptions would here find some employment about -the dress and person of our hero, as well as of his aunt Cecilia, -hitherto unnoticed; but as elegance and perfect neatness were all that -she aimed at, and her nephew imitated, simplicity, as I understand it, -is not liable to description, and it would be loss of labour to attempt -it.</p> - -<p>The equipage of Sir Owen ap Owen was now discovered in approach. There -had been a sensible falling off in the accustomed intercourse between -the houses<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_49">{49}</a></span> of De Lancaster and Owen since the accession of the Spanish -widow and her son to the family of the baronet. Some little sparring -upon points of county politics had occurred to threaten rather than to -effect an actual breach between them. This visit therefore was regarded -by the worthy host of the castle as a conciliatory advance on the part -of his old friend and neighbour, whom of course he welcomed with all -possible cordiality.</p> - -<p>Sir Owen’s constitution was completely broken down; he walked with -difficulty through the hall, leaning on De Lancaster’s arm, who saw with -concern the change, that had been wrought in his once sturdy frame. -Philip not being disposed to quit his corner, Captain Henry Wilson -ushered in Mrs. David Owen, who having made her Spanish salutations to<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_50">{50}</a></span> -the company, took her seat upon the sopha, and gave the captain to -understand that there was room for him to sit beside her. She made an -excuse for her son, that he was out with the hounds, and had not -returned, but would pay his compliments to Mr. De Lancaster in the -course of the afternoon: she turned a look upon her bottle-green lover, -which was not very expressive of complacency, and immediately played off -her best graces on the captain: she took notice of his uniform, and -complimented him by observing it was quite as brilliant as that of the -Spanish guards—If we, who wear it, are quite as brave, the captain -courteously replied, our finery will be well bestowed. She addressed -herself to Cecilia, and observed that Master John, as she called him, -was very much grown. He had taken his seat<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_51">{51}</a></span> beside his godfather Sir -Owen, who, when he had recovered his breath, said to De Lancaster—We -are come, my good sir, to pay our compliments to you on this occasion, -and have brought Ap-Rees with us to give you a specimen of his art, -which you will understand, but I do not. Rachel, as you see, has set -herself out in all her finery to do grace to your festival, but you must -take a plain man in a plain coat, for I am too ill to thrust my crazy -carcase into a fresh doublet, and shall hardly shift my rigging till I -change it for a suit of sheep’s wool only.</p> - -<p>De Lancaster shook his head, turned an eye of pity on his friend, but -made no answer.</p> - -<p>Sir Owen had now taken his godson by the hand, and was asking him why he -did not go out with the hounds—I<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_52">{52}</a></span> wait, John replied, till I can see -you in the field, mounted on your favourite horse Glendowr; then I shall -turn out with pleasure—Ah! my dear boy, cried Sir Owen, never, never -again in this life shall I find myself upon the back of Glendowr. I can -only look at him through the window, when he is led out to amuse me. He -is the best horse and the best hunter in England: Lamprey was his sire, -and Lamprey belonged to Sir William Morgan of Tredegar. I am torn to -pieces for Glendowr, but a sack of money would not buy him: nephew David -spells hard to borrow him, but I won’t lend him to David of all men -living, for he is cruel to his horses, and abuses the fine creature, -that carries him; but I will lend him to you, John, freely and -willingly, for you are merciful, and will use him well; nay, I could -find it in<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_53">{53}</a></span> my heart to give him to you out and out.</p> - -<p>Upon no account, John exclaimed, would I take him, whilst it can afford -you, my dear sir, a moment’s pleasure to look at him.</p> - -<p>Well, well! that’s handsome, he replied. Wait the going of a few short -weeks, and you’ll find him in my will.</p> - -<p>There is something more than meets the eye in this circumstance of the -horse, or we should not have inserted it.</p> - -<p>The guests in the mean time were coming in, and at an early hour the -castle-bell rang out for dinner. At this instant the heir of the Owens -made his appearance in his hunting uniform, and booted. He apologised -for this by saying he had not quitted the saddle, that he might be in -time to pay his compliments to Mr. De Lancaster within the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_54">{54}</a></span> hour, that -was specified on his card. All this was very well, and Mr. David Owen -was most courteously welcomed by Mr. De Lancaster and the inmates of his -family. John made his bow, and Mr. Owen fell in with the company, who -were now summoned to the dinner room, and took his seat at table.</p> - -<p>Hospitality without parade, and festivity without excess was the -character of an entertainment projected and conducted by the presiding -genius of Cecilia De Lancaster.</p> - -<p>Mr. David Owen assumed a certain consequential style and carriage, which -strongly indicated, that he knew himself as the heir of his uncle’s -title and estate, and that he saw the hour at hand, which was to put him -in possession of both. A set of vulgar companions, who frequented his -uncle’s table, had blown<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_55">{55}</a></span> him up with flattery, whilst they were sapping -the constitution of poor Sir Owen with their sottish debaucheries, -which, if Mrs. David Owen took no ostensible measures to encourage, she -certainly used no efforts to prevent: of her maternal authority she made -no use, nor indeed could any be made, for it was completely dispensed -with. Nature in the meanwhile had not done much for the young gentleman, -and education very little; yet he was not without talents of a certain -sort, and whenever opportunity offered for employing them, diffidence -never stood in his way. He had the cunning of a Jew, and the haughtiness -of a Spaniard: ridicule was his passion, and mimicry, particularly of -his uncle, what he most excelled in. He had black piercing eyes, an -aquiline nose and Moorish complexion, a high shrill<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_56">{56}</a></span> voice, and when he -wrinkled up his features into a smile, it was the grin of malice and -derision.</p> - -<h3><a id="CHAPTER_VI-a"></a>CHAPTER VI.<br /><br /> -<i>Occurrences at Kray Castle during the Assembly of the Minstrels.</i></h3> - -<p><span class="smcap">When</span> the repast was over, and the glass had cheerfully, yet temperately, -circulated, the doors of the great hall were thrown open: a scaffolding -containing seats for the company, and a stage for the performers had -been prepared, and the audience was full. Old De Lancaster, encircled by -his guests, made the central figure of the assembly, and his entrance -was hailed by a chorus<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_57">{57}</a></span> of harps, joining in the popular air—<i>Of a -noble race was Shenkin</i>.</p> - -<p>When this was past, the names of six selected minstrels were announced. -Each of these was of high celebrity in his art, and the respectability -of the audience called on them for their best exertions. When four of -this number had now acquitted themselves with great credit, and the -plaudits of the hearers seemed to have been pretty equally bestowed -amongst them, there remained only Robin Ap-Rees, the famous harper of -Penruth Abbey, and David Williams of Kray Castle as yet unheard. In -these celebrated performers there existed a high spirit of emulation, -and the opinions of the country were divided between them: Though rivals -in art, they were brothers in misfortune, for both<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_58">{58}</a></span> were bereft of -sight—<i>Blind Thamyris and blind Mœonides</i>.</p> - -<p>After a pause of some minutes, Ap-Rees presented himself to the -spectators, led, like Tiresias, by his young and blooming daughter, and -followed by his son, carrying his harp. The interesting group so touched -all hearts, and set all hands in motion, that the hall rung with their -plaudits. He was a tall thin man with stooping shoulders, bald head, -pale visage, of a pensive cast, and habited in a long black mantle of -thin stuff bound about with a rose-coloured sash of silk, richly fringed -with silver, and on his breast, appending to a ribbon of pale blue, hung -a splendid medal of honour.</p> - -<p>Before he took the seat, that was provided for him, he stopped and made -a profound obeisance to the company: his daughter in the meantime, -modest, ti<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_59">{59}</a></span>mid and unprepared for such a scene, not venturing to -encounter the eyes of the spectators, when she had placed her father in -his seat, no longer able to struggle with her sensibility, sunk into his -arms, trembling and on the point to faint: her brother stood aghast and -helpless: the ladies manifested their alarm by screams, and the men were -rising from their seats, when our hero, whose only monitor was his -heart, leapt on the stage and sprung to her relief: she revived, and he -gallantly conducted her to a seat, where she was no longer exposed to -the observation of the company who cheered him with a loud applause.</p> - -<p>Silence being restored, Ap-Rees began to tune his harp. He paused, as if -waiting for the inspiration of his muse; his bosom yet laboured with the -recent agitation of his spirits, when at length he<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_60">{60}</a></span> threw his hand over -the strings, and began the symphony. His song was the tale of ancient -days: he took for his theme the religious legend of the famous knight -Sir Owen, one of the ancestors of his present patron. The legend is -detailed at length by Matthew Paris in his history, page 86, edited by -Doctor Watts in the year 1640, and few can be found better calculated to -call forth all the powers of poetry and music: The date is that of the -reign of King Stephen, and in the wars of that period Sir Owen had very -valorously distinguished himself. When Ap-Rees described his hero -entering the tremendous cave amidst the wailings of the tormented, and -beset by the infernal spirits, who assailed his constancy by every -horrible device their malice could suggest, so striking were the -effects, so contrasted the transitions<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_61">{61}</a></span> of his harmony, that he seemed -almost to realize those fearful yellings, groanings and thunderings -recorded in the story. When he advanced to that period, where the -fortitude of the knight baffles all the efforts of the dæmons, the -movement, which had before been turbulent, irregular and excursive, -became solemn, flowing and majestic; but when in conclusion Sir Owen, -triumphant over his assailants, puts them to general rout, and the -gloomy cave in an instant is converted into a bright and blooming -paradise, the minstrel with such art adapted his melody to the scene -described, and so tranquillizing was the sweetness of his strain, that -at the close he left his hearers still impressed with those delightful -sensations, which Milton describes Adam to have felt, whilst the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_62">{62}</a></span> voice -of the communicative angel was yet dwelling on his ear.</p> - -<p>At length De Lancaster rose up, and addressing himself to the minstrel, -testified his high admiration of the excellent performance he had -witnessed, observing that it had been particularly gratifying to him to -listen to a poem, founded on the magnanimous behaviour of a truly -Christian knight, who was enrolled amongst the many heroes, which the -ancient and illustrious house of his friend and countryman Sir Owen ap -Owen might justly boast of.</p> - -<p>This speech was followed by a thundering applause, the exulting minstrel -made his valedictory obeisance, and withdrew.</p> - -<p>Sir Owen in the meantime whispered his friend De Lancaster, that he had<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_63">{63}</a></span> -never read the story, but he was told it was put down in a book and of -course he conceived it must be all true.</p> - -<p>David Williams now remained to ascend the stage and close the -entertainment. He was ushered in, habited in a loose vest or mantle of -white cloth with open sleeves, which he had tucked up, leaving his arms -bare: it was bound about his waist with a broad belt of orange-tawney -silk, and upon his breast he wore a medal, on which the device of the -winged harp was conspicuously displayed: a fillet of the same colour -with his belt confined his white locks, and when he had arranged himself -in his seat and begun to touch his harp, all was silence and attentive -expectation.</p> - -<p>At length, rolling his sightless eyeballs in a kind of poetic phrensy, -he began his song from Noah: he sung the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_64">{64}</a></span> destructive visitation of the -general deluge: he chanted the praises of King Samothes, and the -splendor of his court; he then took a martial strain, and, smiting his -harp with all the fire of an enthusiast, sung the triumphs of the giant -son of Neptune, who entailed the trident of his father on his new-named -Albion to all posterity. The animating subject seized the passions of -the hearers, and the applause was loud and clamourous.</p> - -<p>When this subsided, the minstrel chose a melancholy theme; his head -drooped upon his harp, and his fingers moved languidly over the strings, -whilst in a slow and mournful strain he chanted the sad fate of Bladud—</p> - -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">“Fallen from his towring flight,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">“And weltring in his blood.—”<br /></span> -</div></div> -</div> - -<p>During the movement all were silent,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_65">{65}</a></span> when at once the harp was heard to -break forth into a melody of the most gay and joyous character, inviting -all present to festivity and good fellowship, and invoking blessings on -the hospitable and time-honoured house of De Lancaster.</p> - -<p>The harp now ceased, and the several minstrels, as well those, who had -attended and were unheard, as those, who had performed, being assembled -on the platform, the venerable patron and projector of the entertainment -stood up in his place, and addressed himself to speak as follows—</p> - -<p>Gentlemen, who have so highly gratified us with your excellent -performances, and you also, who, if time had permitted, would have -increased that gratification; masters and professors of that science, -which is at once so dignified and so delightful, I offer you on the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_66">{66}</a></span> -part of all here present the tribute of our unanimous acknowledgments, -and our unqualified approbation and applause. We beg you will be pleased -to share our praises amongst you; we do not presume to apportion them -according to your respective merits. And now friends, neighbours and -countrymen, who have done me the honour to accept any invitation to this -our domestic eistedfodd, you have heard the lay of our minstrel David -Williams, and although, for brevity’s sake, he took it up from the -deluge only, yet, if you do not already know, you ought now to be -informed, that this unconquered soil whereon we dwell, was in times -antecedent to that visitation as fully peopled, and arts and sciences -were as happily cultivated here as within any spot upon the habitable -globe. If therefore in the recitation of<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_67">{67}</a></span> the lay, which I allude to, -mention of that early time was omitted to be made, it was not because -records are wanting of sufficient authenticity to illuminate the -subject, forasmuch as not a few of those, who lived before the flood, -have spoken for themselves, and their words and works have descended to -us through the lapse of ages. Witness those treatises upon natural -magic, which Ham the son of Noah, when in the ark with his father, -possessed himself of, and having bequeathed them to his son Misraim, -were afterwards made public to the great edification of the repeopled -world. Nay, gentlemen, let me assure you, there are those, who trace the -origin of the Chrysopeia, or art of making gold, even up to Adam -himself, who in a tract of his own composing (after the fall we<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_68">{68}</a></span> will -suppose) expounds that curious process.</p> - -<p>I lay this before you, friends and countrymen, knowing that there are -few amongst you, who do not trace your pedigrees up to the ante-diluvian -ages, and I rest what I have said upon sound authorities that you, being -true and ancient Britons, may have wherewithal to defend your -derivations from your father Adam, if any there may be, obstinate and -absurd enough to dispute them.</p> - -<p>I shall now trespass on your time no longer, than whilst I express my -hope that you, my gallant countrymen, who have held the tenure of this -soil from ages so remote, will persevere to defend it through ages yet -to come from all invaders foreign and domestic.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_69">{69}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a id="CHAPTER_VII-a"></a>CHAPTER VII.<br /><br /> -<i>Harmony of Sounds does not always ensure Harmony of Souls.</i></h3> - -<p><span class="smcap">Whilst</span> these performances were going on, Mr. David Owen, sullen and -unsocial, had planted himself on a bench as far apart from the principal -gentry as he could, and obstinately resisted all solicitations to take a -seat more suitable to his rank, and more respectful to the company there -assembled. Mr. De Lancaster however, as a mark of his attention, had -desired his son Philip to place himself by his side, and take care that -nothing was omitted, that could add to his entertainment or -accommodation. Nothing could be more acceptable to Philip than a -commission of this sort, which consigned him to a post, where he<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_70">{70}</a></span> might -sit unseeing and unseen, and happily enjoy a complete vacation from -thought, whilst his sulky neighbour, wearied with his morning’s chace, -and little interested by what was going forward, fell asleep.</p> - -<p>The bustle however, which Nancy Ap Rees had occasioned when she led her -father on the stage, caused the drowsy gentleman to open his eyes just -as our John De Lancaster was sallying to her assistance—That youngster -of yours, said David, methinks is very officious. I am weary of this -mummery. Can’t we slip aside, and repose ourselves in a quiet room till -this tiresome business is all over? I believe you find as little -amusement in it as I do.</p> - -<p>I find none at all, Philip replied, and rising up, cried, now is the -moment, follow me.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_71">{71}</a></span></p> - -<p>When the assembly had broken up, and the gentry were filing off to the -collation, that was set out for them in the great parlour, Mr. David -Owen and his umbra in the bottle green were missing. It was suspected -they had retired to Philip’s private room, and our hero John was -dispatched to find them. This discovery was soon made, and his message -as soon delivered. Philip set out upon the summons, when young Owen, -instead of following him out of the room, which he seemed prepared to -do, shut the door, and turning to John, who was civilly attending upon -him, said to him in his ironical and sneering way—Upon my word, young -gentleman, you have made a very capital display of your agility before -the company in jumping on the stage, and shewing off your gallantry -towards a young wench, who is in the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_72">{72}</a></span> high situation of daughter to our -old blind harper, and a domestic in our family.</p> - -<p>Sir, replied the youth, I considered her situation in no other light -than as she seemed to want assistance, and in tendering that, I trust I -have not offended Mr. David Owen.</p> - -<p>Oh, by no means, replied the other in the same taunting tone; you -afforded me an opportunity of admiring you in the amiable attitude of -succouring a distressed and fainting damsel—besides, give me leave to -observe, that such a heavy load of music without a little dancing -between whiles would have been absolutely insupportable, and I felt -myself unspeakably obliged to you for the relief, which your elegant -performance so seasonably afforded; and if my respect for the ladies -present had not bound me to<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_73">{73}</a></span> silence, I should have requested you to -have repeated that delightful rigadoon with Miss Nancy Ap Rees for my -particular entertainment.</p> - -<p>There are no ladies here present, cried the gallant youth, stepping up -to him; so, if you are in the same humour still, your respect need not -stop you: but let me remind you, Mr. Owen, that it is no mark of courage -to insult me under the sanction of a roof, where the laws of hospitality -forbid me to resent it. Take your opportunity of playing off your -spiteful jests upon me in any other place, and you shall find me, though -your inferior in the art of ridicule, at least your equal in the spirit -of a gentleman. I know you can throw dirt and bespatter very -ingeniously, and enjoy the mischief as a joke, without remorse for the -pain and injury it inflicts.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_74">{74}</a></span></p> - -<p>At this moment Edward Wilson entered the room, and from the last words, -which he had heard, and the angry countenance of his pupil, guessing -what had passed—John De Lancaster, he cried, recollect yourself!</p> - -<p>Aye, sir, resumed the demy-Spaniard, now more pale and sallow with his -rage, teach your schoolboy better manners, and warn him how he carries -himself so unbecomingly towards one, who is every way his superior.</p> - -<p>Tell me first, said Wilson, in what my pupil has offended you; and as -you are his superior in age, avail yourself of that advantage by stating -your dispute calmly and dispassionately, and let me fairly judge between -you.</p> - -<p>No, sir, replied the haughty youth, I shall state nothing, nor let any -man be judge over me; least of all a gentleman<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_75">{75}</a></span> in your predicament, Mr. -Wilson, whose judgment I can pretty well guess at. Let your angry boy -make up his story as he likes, and you may believe it, or not, as you -like. I care not. Into this house I will never enter more with my good -will.</p> - -<p>In that respect, said Wilson, you must do as you see fit; but command -yourself at present, and that you may not disturb the harmony of the -night, let me recommend it to you to join the company.</p> - -<p>And if I do, sir, resumed the insolent, give me leave to tell you that -wherever and whenever I sit down at table with any one, that bears the -name of De Lancaster, I shall consider myself as in company with my -inferior.</p> - -<p>Hold! You forget yourself, cried the reverend Mr. Wilson; you are much<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_76">{76}</a></span> -too lofty; and if you do not speedily correct that pride yourself, -somebody will be found to do it for you.</p> - -<p>Go, go! said Owen, don’t tutor me, tutor your schoolboy, and let him -think himself well off, that he has escaped chastisement.</p> - -<p>Chastisement! exclaimed John, and put himself before the door; you dare -as well eat fire, as repeat that to me in another place.</p> - -<p>As John was saying this, David Owen, who was making for the door, put -him aside, rather roughly, with his hand, and walked out of the room in -that kind of strutting style, which a braggart finds it convenient to -assume on his departure, when he feels the time is come, that -counterfeited courage will no longer serve his purpose.</p> - -<p>Was not that a blow, cried John, ea<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_77">{77}</a></span>gerly arresting Wilson, as he was -about to follow? Has not that Jew-born miscreant given me a blow?</p> - -<p>What ails you? Are you mad? It was no blow.</p> - -<p>It makes my flesh burn where his hand was on me. Indeed, indeed! I feel -it as a blow. I’m sure he struck me. Why should you deny it? I thought -you had been my friend.</p> - -<p>I am your friend, said Wilson, looking him stedfastly in the face, and -if you do not consider me as such because I did not suffer you to -disgrace the hospitality of your grandfather by a fray with one of his -guests, you do not judge of me with truth and candour, but in the heat -of passion and resentment.</p> - -<p>Disarmed, and brought to instant recollection by this temperate -remonstrance, the brave youth cried out<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_78">{78}</a></span>—I’m wrong, I’m wrong! I pray -you to forgive me. You are my friend, and I depend upon you: but call it -what you will—a push, a touch—the spite and malice of the action gives -it the cast and character of a blow; and to put up with a blow from -David Owen, what could there be in life so disgraceful, what in death so -dreadful as that?</p> - -<p>John, John, said Wilson gravely and authoritatively, I must remind you -in what charge I stand towards you, and by what duty you are bound to -me: I tell you once again, it was no blow. You put yourself between him -and the door; he could not pass you otherwise than he did. Come, come, -you must reform this angry spirit; it savours of revenge; and to carry -such an inmate in your bosom, would be neither for your reputation, nor -repose. There is<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_79">{79}</a></span> however one species of revenge, in which I will assist -you, I mean the revenge of virtue, the triumph of a good and noble -character over an ignoble and an evil one: that victory if you can -obtain (and it shall be my study to point out the road to it) you will -then establish a fair title to that superiority over David Owen, which -he now vainly arrogates over you. Come then, my dear John, let us -henceforward set about that honourable task in earnest, and in the mean -time treat his insolence only with contempt.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_80">{80}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a id="CHAPTER_VIII-a"></a>CHAPTER VIII.<br /><br /> -<i>Our Hero goes to Glen-Morgan, and pays a Visit to Mrs. Jennings at -Denbigh.</i></h3> - -<p><span class="smcap">Lawyer Davis</span> (universally so called) was an active honourable little -fellow in great request, and would ride further for a few shillings in -the prosecution of his business, than some physicians will for as many -pounds. He was a light weight, was always well-mounted, and travelled by -the compass with extraordinary expedition. In the early morning of the -day, immediately following the festival at Kray Castle, he called upon -our hero John with an invitation from his grandfather at Glen-Morgan to -come over to him upon particular business, and Davis did not dis<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_81">{81}</a></span>guise -from him that it was for the purpose of communicating to him the -disposal of his effects by will.</p> - -<p>To a summons so important there was neither prohibition nor delay. John -however in a short interview with his mother suggested to her the -opportunity, that now offered for presenting to Amelia the miniature of -her father, with which he was entrusted. Mrs. De Lancaster had no -objection to his making an excursion to Denbigh, and allowed him to use -her name for his introduction to Miss Jones, but the proposal of writing -to Mrs. Jennings had been laid aside. Lawyer Davis was to go with him, -and John under such a swift-sailing convoy soon found himself safe -moored by the side of his grandfather.</p> - -<p>John, said the good old man, I have been putting down a few items in -the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_82">{82}</a></span> only work of mine, that will ever descend to posterity, and as you -have a concern in the purport of it, I think it is but right you should -know what it is. In this paper, which is my last will and testament, and -which friend Davis has translated out of English into law, I have -bequeathed my estates real and personal to your mother independantly of -her husband for her life, and after her decease to you and your heirs, -executors and assigns, for ever. So God bless you with it! I for one -shan’t hold it from you long. However take notice, I have not forgotten -certain friends and dependants, who will have claims upon you; and as I -have not been notoriously uncharitable in my life, I have not quite -overlooked that duty at my death. I shall not turn out rich in money, -for the labouring poor have been so confound<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_83">{83}</a></span>edly pinched, that they -would not let me gratify the rascally passion, which I naturally had to -be a miser. There is Dame Jennings will come upon you for an annuity, -and that little witch Amelia Jones is down in black and white for -another. I could not help it. They were both too good, and one of them -too pretty, too innocent, and too helpless to be left to the wide world; -I could not go out of it in peace, and leave them to starve in poverty: -you must think, John, that would not do; would it? No, no; I was forced -to take care of them for the sake of an easy conscience, or in other -words (do you see) for my own sake; else I should not have done it for -the mere pleasure of giving away; for I have no pleasure in it. As a -proof of that, look you, here is a hundred guineas in a canvas purse; I -took from the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_84">{84}</a></span> greasy pocket of a drover for twenty head of scabby -cattle, that were neither use nor ornament to me. I cheated the poor -fellow, or rather I should say, let him cheat himself; for I took what -he offered. Now here’s a case in point, if you don’t take and rid me of -it, it will lie upon my conscience, and what with that and the gout -together, I shall get no sleep.</p> - -<p>You know, my dear generous grandfather, said John, I don’t want money.</p> - -<p>Perhaps not; but I want sleep, replied the grandfather; therefore take -it, if you love me, and dispose of it as you like. John made no further -opposition, but received the present.</p> - -<p>It so chanced that in the evening a certain Jew, Israel Lyons by name, -who was in the practice of travelling about the country at stated -periods with<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_85">{85}</a></span> his portable stock in trade, came to the house. He had the -character of a fair-dealing man, and was well known to the principal -families in those parts. Israel either bought or sold, and was a trader -in all respects conformable to the occasions of those, to whom he -resorted. Old Morgan having retired to his chamber, John, according to -custom, had stepped aside to pay a kind visit to Mrs. Richards and the -old butler, whilst Israel was descanting upon the excellence of a pair -of spectacles, which the good lady was cheapening; these were soon -purchased and paid for without any cheapening at all, and in the mean -time our hero’s eyes were caught by the attraction of a rich and elegant -gold chain of curious workmanship, which Israel displayed with address -and eloquence, at least proportioned to its merit. It in<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_86">{86}</a></span>stantly -occurred to John that this brilliant chain would admirably become the -beautiful neck of Amelia, and be a fit and apposite appendage to the -miniature picture of her father, which he was about to present to her. A -speedy transfer of the aforesaid chain was accordingly made by Mr. -Israel Lyons, who had no kind of difficulty in parting from it for value -received in ready cash upon terms of his own proposing; and thus it came -to pass, that the present, which John hesitated to receive, was, as it -now turned out, most opportunely bestowed.</p> - -<p>The next morning brought our young De Lancaster to the door of Mrs. -Jennings; he was admitted to that lady, but Amelia was not present. When -he had communicated the object of his visit, and signified that he -waited on Miss Jones with the entire approbation, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_87">{87}</a></span> in fact by the -immediate desire of his mother, Mrs. Jennings paused, and after a few -moments recollection, said—I should very much wish, Mr. De Lancaster, -that Amelia Jones, agitated as I am sure she will be upon the sight of -this most interesting present, might with your permission be allowed to -receive it in the first instance through my hands; that so she may have -time to recollect herself, before she undertakes to pay her -acknowledgments to Mrs. De Lancaster through you, and to you in person; -and I hope, sir, you will believe that I can have no other inducement -for proposing this to you, except that of my consideration for the -feelings of the young and sensitive creature, who is under my immediate -charge.</p> - -<p>To this appeal our hero instantly, replied—As I promised my mother -that<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_88">{88}</a></span> I would deliver this token of her affection into Miss Jones’s -hands, I confess I wished to have fulfilled my promise; but your -authority supersedes those wishes on my part, and with all possible -respect for your superior judgment, I beg you will transmit this pacquet -to Miss Jones in the way you think best: I am only the bearer of it, and -shall intrude no further—Having risen from his seat whilst he was -uttering these words, he had no sooner made an end of speaking, than he -bolted out of the room with a rapidity, that precluded all reply—Never -will I enter those doors again, he exclaimed as he stepped into the -street, whilst that dragon is within them.—</p> - -<p>We make no comment on this hasty proceeding of our disappointed hero: -some of our readers perhaps will find a plea for it; we offer none. The -good lady<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_89">{89}</a></span> whose caution had given cause for it, (if any cause there -was) had by the sudden departure of her visitor been precluded from -making any of those efforts for detaining him, which politeness might -else have dictated. He had passed her windows before she had -sufficiently recovered her surprise to attempt at explanation, and she -had now to reflect how far it was, or was not, incumbent upon her to -relate the incident with all its circumstances to Amelia. In her sense -of the responsible situation, in which she stood towards the families of -De Lancaster and Morgan, she conceived it highly behoved her to be -extremely careful how she gave them any grounds to accuse her of -favouring interviews, that in course of time might lead to an -attachment, which she had reason to apprehend might involve her in much -trouble,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_90">{90}</a></span> if considered by those families as originating in her house.</p> - -<p>When she had weighed these circumstances in her mind, she found so many -reasons, that justified her reserve towards young De Lancaster, that she -no longer regretted the interruption she had given to a second -interview, which would probably have excited some sensations, and drawn -out some expressions on the part of Amelia, which she by no means was -disposed to encourage. She now took up the pacquet, and entering the -room, where Amelia, unconscious of what had been passing, was employed -upon her studies—My dear child, she said, I have a present for you from -Mrs. Philip De Lancaster, which I am sure you will very highly value, -being a miniature portrait of your father, which that lady has long had -in her possession,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_91">{91}</a></span> and now kindly bestows it upon you—Bless me, -exclaimed Amelia, how very kind that is in Mrs. De Lancaster! What a -good and generous lady she must be. In the meantime she eagerly -proceeded to open the pacquet, which inclosed two shagreen cases, and -instantly taking that, which evidently contained the miniature of her -father, rapturously exclaimed—Oh, what an exquisite, what an admirable -resemblance; how lovely, how divine is the expression of this -countenance! I can look on this with more delight than I can on the -portrait below stairs; for here I behold him happy and in health; there -he appears so melancholy and dejected, that I can hardly ever look upon -it without tears—But what in the name of wonder is this, said she, -opening the case, in which the gold chain was contained? Bless me! can<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_92">{92}</a></span> -this fine thing be intended for me? Did Mrs. De Lancaster give me this -also?</p> - -<p>I suppose so, said Mrs. Jennings: at least I know nothing to the -contrary.</p> - -<p>But who brought it? demanded Amelia; and thus interrogated, Mrs. -Jennings was constrained to answer, that it was brought and delivered to -her by young De Lancaster himself.</p> - -<p>Oh then I am sure this chain at least is his present, said the -enraptured girl, (her face flushing, and her eyes glistening with joy) -why didn’t you call me down instantly to pay my thanks to him? Come, -madam! why do we keep him waiting?</p> - -<p>Hold, my dear. The gentleman is not waiting: he is gone.</p> - -<p>Gone! exclaimed Amelia! you astonish me; you alarm me. Is it possible -Mr. De Lancaster could bring me these<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_93">{93}</a></span> fine presents, these inestimable -presents, and go away without seeing me? Ah dear madam, tell me at once -without disguise where is he gone; why is he gone?</p> - -<p>Have patience, my dear child, and you shall hear—It was by no means my -wish that he should go without your seeing him, and paying him your -acknowledgments so justly due; but as I did not know to what degree you -might be affected by the sight of your father’s picture, I thought it on -all accounts adviseable to desire Mr. De Lancaster would allow me to be -the bearer of the pacquet to you; for which I assured him I had no other -motive but consideration and regard for your repose; upon which he gave -me the pacquet, expressed himself disappointed, and before I could -answer, left the house.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_94">{94}</a></span></p> - -<p>In anger—</p> - -<p>I suspect it.</p> - -<p>Ah madam, madam, where then is my repose, which you so cautiously -consulted? Gone for ever. I might have been the happiest of human -beings, I am now the most miserable. Much as I adore the memory of my -father, infinitely as I prize this relique, which presents me with his -image, and dear to me as this token of Mr. De Lancaster’s favour would -have been, yet as he wished to give it to me, and that small, that -trifling gratification was denied to him, never will I wear it, touch -it, look upon it more, till I receive it from his hands, and am assured -of his forgiveness.</p> - -<p>Having said this, she burst into tears, and what Mrs. Jennings suggested -for her consolation would not be very interesting to relate.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_95">{95}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a id="CHAPTER_IX-a"></a>CHAPTER IX.<br /><br /> -<i>A Hasty Retreat. Meditations by the Way.</i></h3> - -<p><span class="smcap">When</span> a hasty youth is mounted on a hasty horse, who can foresee where -the spur of passion will transport him? The patience of an ass, or the -obstinacy of a mule might either weary out his anger, or so divert it, -as to give him some chance for recollection; but John and his steed were -in the same humour for a start at score, and it seemed equally -indifferent to both which way they bent their course, so they did but -agree to outrun discretion. They soon left Denbigh behind them, and as -Glen Morgan did not just then occur to the rider, and old Ben could not -come up within earshot to remind him of it, where they might have gone -is mere matter of con<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_96">{96}</a></span>jecture, but certainly not to Kray Castle, had not -that inextinguishable spark of humanity, which John cherished in his -bosom, given him a memento, that a generous animal ought not to suffer -merely because a hot-headed rider had got astride upon his back.</p> - -<p>The impulse of pity, that now struck upon the heart of John, was -instantaneous. He stopped his horse, dismounted, relieved him by -slackening the stricture of his girths, turned his nostrils to the wind, -wiped the sweat from his face and ears, caressed him and in his heart -asked pardon for the unreasonable fatigue he had exposed him to. Whilst -this was passing Ben came panting up: what he had in mind to say is lost -to the world, forasmuch as being rather pursey, Ben had not breath to -utter it; besides which, the offender having now<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_97">{97}</a></span> recollected himself, -had prevented his curiosity at the same time that he softened his -remonstrance, by apologising for his excursion, confessing that he had -forgotten himself, and did not know why he came there, nor where he was.</p> - -<p>’Tis very well then that I can tell you whereabouts you are, Ben -replied.</p> - -<p>Well! and where am I? John demanded.</p> - -<p>Out of your road, said Ben, quite and clean; that’s where you are, and -so I would have told you in good time, hadn’t you gallopped on at such a -pelting rate, that I couldn’t get up to you: And now may I ask without -offence where it is your pleasure to go next?</p> - -<p>Home, to the Castle—was the answer.</p> - -<p>Then we must not travel quite so fast if you please, said Ben; for the -road is<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_98">{98}</a></span> somewhat difficult to hit off, and not over smooth besides.</p> - -<p>Lead the way! John replied: go your own pace, and I’ll follow—This -point being adjusted, conversation ceased, and our young hero began to -meditate as follows—</p> - -<p>That I have cause to feel and resent the treatment I have received is an -opinion that I still persist in, but I am conscious of the folly I have -been guilty of in suffering myself to be hurried into such ridiculous -excesses, as I have now been giving way to. Of this I am most heartily -ashamed; but after being denied access to Amelia, when coming by my -mother’s authority, and bringing her present in my hand as my -introduction, I hold myself justified in resolving never more to enter -Mrs. Jennings’s doors, nor subject myself to be consider<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_99">{99}</a></span>ed by that -precise repulsive lady as an unwelcome and obnoxious visitor. If there -was no collusion between the governess and her charge, (and I confess -there does not appear to have been any such) I certainly have no reason -to be offended with Amelia, who perhaps may have felt some portion of -that disappointment, which fell so heavily upon me. All that I have -promised and solemnly pledged myself to do in her behalf, I will -faithfully fulfil; but I will not allow Mrs. Jennings to misinterpret my -attentions and suspect that I am governed by any motives with regard to -the lovely and engaging orphan under her care, which are not simply -directed to her service, and strictly consistent with the purest honour: -She shall not therefore be alarmed in future by any assiduities on my -part, which it shall be<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_100">{100}</a></span> possible for her to misconstrue and suspect. -Heaven knows I have need enough of instruction, and to my studies under -the direction of my excellent preceptor I will henceforward so totally -devote myself, that if there was any early preference forming at my -heart, which time and opportunity might have ripened into positive -attachment, it is now the moment for me to suppress it, and by -application to acquirements, in which I am so glaringly deficient, give -them all my thoughts, and let no wandering wishes turn them from the -tract, they ought to follow and persist in.</p> - -<p>Whilst our young heart-wounded hero was arguing himself into this wise -resolution, and proposing to derive profit from disappointment, he came -within sight of a cottage, whose lonely and desolate situation seemed -ill accordant<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_101">{101}</a></span> with the neatness and studied comfort of every thing -about it. Two women were sitting at their needle-work in the little -garden in the front of it, and he was already near enough to distinguish -the features of the youngest before she had started from her seat, and -ran into the house. He was so struck with the resemblance, that she bore -to the daughter of Sir Owen’s minstrel, blind Ap-Rees, of whom we have -made former mention, that he stopped, and put that question to the -elderly dame, who kept her seat: the dame at first did not think fit to -answer, but upon the question being respectfully urged a second -time—Whether that young person was, or was not, Nancy Ap-Rees, she -briefly replied—That young person is my daughter, and my name is not -Ap-Rees.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_102">{102}</a></span></p> - -<p>Then I am mistaken, said John, and rode on.</p> - -<p>Satisfied with this answer, which at the present time made but a slight -impression on his thoughts, he proceeded homewards, following his guide -step by step through all the sinuosities of a craggy road, ruminating -upon what had passed at Denbigh, at some times accusing, and at others -acquitting himself for his conduct upon that occasion. He formed a wild -and fanciful conception of those brilliant lights, that science would in -time unfold; but whilst he was enjoying this platonic vision, the -sylph-like image of Amelia would recur to his imagination in the -captivating attitude of standing at his elbow, as once she had been -seen, when, taken by surprise, he caught her in his arms, and -rap<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_103">{103}</a></span>turously pressed her to his heart. Thus advancing onwards, though -not conscious of progression, he was at length recalled to recollection -by the sight of Kray Castle, and his reverie dispersed.</p> - -<p class="figcenter"><img src="images/bar.png" -width="90" -alt="————" /></p> - -<p>The awful character of the time, in which we now live, calls upon every -writer to be cautious how he appeals to the passions of mankind. The -novelist, who is professedly a writer of this description, has no -arbitrary power, independant of morality, over the characters he -exhibits merely because they are fictions of his own inventing: he has -duties, which he is bound to observe, and cannot violate without -offence.</p> - -<p>Under this impression, I endeavour to conduct my fable, studious to make -that amiable, which I strive to make at<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_104">{104}</a></span>tractive; and although, in -obedience to nature, I must mingle shade with light, I flatter myself -that vice of my devising will have no allurements to attach the unwary, -nor virtue be pourtrayed with those romantic attributes, which, bearing -no similitude to real life, leave no impression on the reader’s mind, -nor can be turned to any moral use.</p> - -<p class="fint"> -END OF THE FIRST BOOK.<br /> -<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_105">{105}</a></span></p> - -<h2><a id="BOOK_THE_SECOND"></a>BOOK THE SECOND.</h2> - -<h3><a id="CHAPTER_I-b"></a>CHAPTER I.<br /><br /> -<i>Sir Owen ap Owen on his Death-Bed takes leave of Mr. De Lancaster.</i></h3> - -<p><span class="smcap">There</span> was an apartment in one of the turrets of Kray Castle, which -commanded a fine view of the park and country, bounded by the sea: here -it was that young De Lancaster commenced a course of application to his -studies under the instruction of his excellent preceptor, to which he -devoted himself with so determined a passion for improvement, that it -was not long before he had made a progress in the learned languages, -that would have qualified him to pass muster with most young scholars of -his standing.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_106">{106}</a></span></p> - -<p>Nature had endowed him with a strong and retentive memory, and parts -rather solid than brilliant: he had great industry, a ready apprehension -and a mind turned to enquiry. Few temptations were now sufficiently -alluring to detach him from his books; so grateful to him were the -lectures of his instructor, and so delectable the acquisition of -knowledge, that he sought no pleasures, and seemed to regret all -avocations. His volatility of spirit had now in a great degree subsided; -he became cautious in the company of his seniors, and more disposed to -listen than to talk. The neighbours did not think him mended by his -studies, and the servants, who had been the companions of his puerile -sports, pronounced that he was spoilt.</p> - -<p>An unatoned insult still rankled at his heart, and he shunned the sight -of<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_107">{107}</a></span> David Owen, not because he feared him, but because he doubted his -own self-command upon the meeting. That arrogant young man had now taken -a decided character; was a loud talker and a bold assertor, and, being -under no restraint, gave himself all the latitude, which the actual -possession of what he was only presumptive heir to, could have -emboldened him to assume.</p> - -<p>As for Sir Owen, he was now in the last stage of a decline, never -stirred from his chamber, and was considered by all about him as a man, -who had not many days to live. In this extremity he dispatched a -messenger to Kray Castle to request an interview with his old friend De -Lancaster, who immediately put himself in order to obey the summons. As -soon as his arrival was announced, Sir Owen dismissed his attendants, -and<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_108">{108}</a></span> received his worthy visitor alone in his chamber. After the -customary enquiries had passed, the baronet delivered himself as -follows—</p> - -<p>I have asked this favour of you, my good friend and neighbour, because I -perceive myself going out of the world, and, having great esteem and -respect for you, I would willingly bid you farewell before I am gone. I -have thought very little about death till it has come upon me as it were -at once; all I know of the matter is that we must all die, and so, you -see, I must take my turn, as others have done before, and every one must -do after me. If it had been my good fortune to have made myself -acceptable to your amiable daughter, I might have lived to enjoy, as you -do now, a healthy old age; but when a man has neither wife nor family -nor friend at hand to jog<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_109">{109}</a></span> his memory upon occasion, he will be apt to -forget himself at times, and by going too fast come the sooner to his -journey’s end. That has been my case, friend De Lancaster, and how could -it be otherwise. I have none of those resources that you have; if my -house was full of books, they would be of no use to me; I should not -read one of them; I never had a turn that way. Time was I took delight -in hunting my own hounds; that, you know, is a rational and -gentlemanlike amusement, but when I could no longer follow it up, you -must think, I was fain to fall upon other means for making away with my -time: every man must do that; and what is so natural as to fly to the -pleasure of the table, when we can no longer enjoy the sports of the -field? So long as I could do both, and take them in their turns,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_110">{110}</a></span> all -things went well with me. If a country gentleman like me takes a cup too -much over night, he rides it off the next morning, and there’s an end of -it; but when he is reduced to the helpless situation, in which you now -see me, what is to be done? Life becomes a burden, and the sooner we are -quit of it, the better.</p> - -<p>In truth, my good friend, said De Lancaster, I cannot wonder, if a life, -that furnishes no intellectual enjoyments, becomes burdensome: and since -it must be resigned when the disposer of our fate sees fit, it is happy -for us, when called upon to quit this world, if we find upon reflection -that the pleasures of it are not worthy of our regret.</p> - -<p>I have had no pleasure in it, replied the dying man, since these people -came out of Spain to molest me. Had your daughter heard reason, when I -first pro<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_111">{111}</a></span>posed to her, I might have had a son and heir of my own, -British born, and, had that been the case, this mongrel of my brother’s -fathering, half Jew and half Spaniard, might have been a pedlar, and -hawked buckles and buttons about the country to his dying day, for what -I had cared: But that is over, and, except the few personals I have -willed away to huntsman and other of my friends, together with a -keep-sake to your daughter, and my favourite horse Glendowr to my -godson, all the real property I am possessed of must go to David by -entail, and a despicable David he will be, take my word for it.—</p> - -<p>He would have said more, and struggled hard for speech, but his efforts -had already exhausted him, and he sunk back in his chair. Robert de -Lancaster rung the bell; the attendants came upon the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_112">{112}</a></span> summons: The good -man cast a pitying look for the last time upon his dying friend and -departed.</p> - -<h3><a id="CHAPTER_II-b"></a>CHAPTER II.<br /><br /> -<i>Sir Owen ap Owen Dies.</i></h3> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> next day Sir Owen died, and upon the opening of his will there was -found a bequest to Cecilia De Lancaster of a valuable brilliant diamond, -which he used to display upon his finger on certain days of ceremony, -and a remembrance to his godson John of his favourite hunter Owen -Glendowr. After a proper interval, during which the interment took -place, upon enquiry being made for these tokens, answer was given that -no diamond ring, as described in the will, could<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_113">{113}</a></span> be found, and as for -the horse, they might take him away when they would; Sir David Owen saw -no reason why he should find stable room for him, and had ordered him to -be turned out upon the heath.</p> - -<p>Galled by this insolent message, our hero with young Williams and two or -three domestics of the castle set out upon the search, and having -traversed the waste for a considerable time, at length discovered the -poor animal, laying in an obscure dell, hamstrung and dead.</p> - -<p>When young De Lancaster cast his eyes upon the carcase of this fine -animal, and saw the wounds, that had been inflicted on him, it was with -the utmost difficulty he could command himself so far as to abstain from -any animadversions, that might indicate to the people with him, that his -suspicions pointed at<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_114">{114}</a></span> Sir David Owen. He caused them to collect and -pile a heap of stones to mark the spot. He sate upon his horse in -melancholy silence, whilst this work was going on, and having imposed -like forbearance on his party, and completed what he was about, he bade -them follow him, and took his course to the castle.</p> - -<p>Whilst this was going on consultation was held at the castle with the -family lawyer upon the circumstance of the diamond ring. In the -discussion of this delicate question the man of law and the man of -learning did not quite agree upon the means to be pursued; but as Davis, -although a pertinacious lawyer, had generally more resources at his -command than he chose all at once to call out, a compromise was made for -time, and the deliberation brought no other point to a conclusion, -except that it was agreed<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_115">{115}</a></span> upon to deliberate further on some future -occasion.</p> - -<p>John now arrived and in his grandfather’s hearing simply related his -adventure in search of the horse. Mr. De Lancaster was much less -reserved upon this subject than he had been on that of the ring. He even -declared that the wretch, who had been guilty of so barbarous and -malevolent an action was not fit to live: he would give twice the value -of the animal to discover the perpetrator, and Davis immediately -proposed to issue hand bills, offering a liberal reward for that -discovery. To this measure the old gentleman in the warmth of his -resentment gave no opposition, and one hundred pounds was determined -upon as the premium for information.</p> - -<p>As soon as our young hero found himself alone with his friend and tutor<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_116">{116}</a></span> -Wilson, he avowed the most unreserved suspicion of Sir David Owen—Could -there be any doubt, he demanded, if the wretch, who would not give the -horse the shelter of his stable, could have been any other than the -contriver, if not the actual perpetrator, of the cruelty, that had been -practised upon him? was there any name too bad for such a spiteful -rascal; he would post him upon every whipping post and stocks, in every -ale-house, barber’s shop and blacksmith’s shed throughout the county: he -would set a hundred men to work, and erect a pyramid of stones upon the -horse’s grave, that should perpetuate his infamy to ages.</p> - -<p>Heyday, exclaimed Wilson; you are very fertile in devising methods of -revenge, and seem to forget, that you have neither yet brought -conviction to the criminal, or, if you had, that the law<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_117">{117}</a></span> will put the -power of punishment into your hands; can you not recollect how much more -noble it is, how much more becoming of a christian and a gentleman, to -forgive than to revenge a wrong? I must wonder where you found that -bitterness of spirit, that would prompt you to entail a never ending -animosity upon your respective families. Can you suppose your -grandfather, your aunt or your parents could be reconciled to such a -proceeding? Certainly not. I am persuaded therefore you will dismiss all -meditations of so revengeful a nature, and wait the event of the -measures, which Davis has in hand for discovering the offender, and in -the meantime, recollect that if you cannot absolutely avoid entertaining -a suspicion, you can at least abstain from publishing it.</p> - -<p>I have abstained, he replied, except to<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_118">{118}</a></span>wards you to whom I open all my -heart; but as I am persuaded that the perpetrator of this scandalous -action, if ever he is traced to conviction, will be found in the person -of him, whom I suspect, before that happens I wish you would contrive to -take or send me out of the way; for unless I were to imprison myself in -the castle, I might chance to cross upon that unworthy gentleman in my -excursions, and indeed, my good sir, I am far from sure, that I should -be capable of that self command and forbearance, which you recommend to -me.</p> - -<p>It is to be presumed the substance of this conversation was reported at -head quarters, for the next morning John was summoned before his -grandfather and his aunt in the library, when the former of these -addressed him in the following terms.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_119">{119}</a></span></p> - -<p>John De Lancaster and my grandson, attend to what I am about to say to -you—I would have you to understand and remember that revenge is not -amongst the attributes of a hero, or the virtues of a christian. It -behoves me therefore to caution you against it: I hold it as my -indispensible duty to apprise you of what is expected from a gentleman -of your pure and unpolluted descent through successive generations from -times of the remotest antiquity to the present moment, in which you are -standing before me, the last and only hope, whereon I rest my fortune -and my name. You conceive yourself injured and affronted by a rash and -inconsiderate young man, your senior by some few years, who now inherits -the title and estate of my late friend and neighbour Sir Owen ap Owen: -upon this suspicion, for it<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_120">{120}</a></span> amounts to nothing more, you meditate -revenge. Are you quite convinced you can with honour own yourself -affronted by him? I will not speak degradingly of any person’s family, -whether it be Spanish, or whether it be Jewish; but to one, or to the -other, of these we must resort for the pedigree of Sir David’s mother. I -draw no inference from this; I leave it with you for your consideration. -Recollect yourself however, my dear child; compute your age, your -strength, and, if there were no other bar to your resentment, how are -you to execute it? Puerile resentment—What is that? A boyish scuffle it -may be; an interchange perhaps of blows; and what is the result of -blows?—Eternal enmity—Can the spirit of a De Lancaster endure a blow? -Impossible. Sacred and inviolable as the oath of the young Hannibal -against<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_121">{121}</a></span> Rome, would be his resolution to avenge himself upon the giver -of that blow.</p> - -<p>Ah, sir, sir! exclaimed Cecilia, are you not going from your point, and -justifying what you truly said was not fitting either for a hero or a -christian? I beg you will allow me to send my nephew out of the room, -for I have something to impart to you, that I would not wish him to -hear.</p> - -<p>John, who knew too well what his aunt alluded to, instantly left the -room; but the words were irrevocable; the fatal authority, so congenial -with his feeling, had sunk into his heart never to be eradicated.</p> - -<p>As soon as he was gone Cecilia apologized to her father for the -interruption she had been guilty of; she said, that knowing, as she did, -that her nephew<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_122">{122}</a></span> had for a considerable time past harboured resentment -against young Owen for a blow, she could not but regret that he should -hear a justification of his resentment from such high authority as she -feared would outweigh any thing, that his tutor could advise against it.</p> - -<p>Whether this remark, which was confessedly not very politic on the part -of poor alarmed Cecilia, or the consciousness of having overshot his -argument, piqued and disconcerted the good old man, certain it is he did -not receive his daughter’s apology with his usual suavity and candour, -but coldly answered that he was not bound to revoke his opinions merely -because they might not chance to conform with those of Mr. Wilson; and -least of all, said he, should I have suspected that you, Cecilia, who -have ever<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_123">{123}</a></span> shewn such deference to my authority, should be alarmed lest -it might outweigh that of any other person.</p> - -<p>Heaven forbid, cries Cecilia, that I should ever fail to reverence that -wisdom, which I am of an age to comprehend, but which a youth like my -nephew may misconceive and construe not according to reason and its true -sense, but according to the bent and impulse of his own passions.</p> - -<p>You are right, said De Lancaster, recovering his complacency, you are -right, my dear child, and I am sorry that I alluded to the example of -young Hannibal, as I have ever disapproved of Hanno for bringing him at -so early an age to the altar, and implanting hatred and revenge in his -heart by a solemn oath for ever. All this while take notice, I am an -enemy to blows; I never struck your<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_124">{124}</a></span> brother Philip in my life, nor -should allow of his striking my grandson John; at the same time there -are blows, that inflict no disgrace; the blows for instance, that are -received in battle, when combating the enemies of our country, where the -hero, although bleeding with his wounds, spares the life of the -opponent, who asks it of him and submits himself to his mercy. I shall -speak upon this more at large to my grandson, and define to him the -several characters and descriptions of blows in such a manner, as may -enable him to distinguish which may be passed over, and which may not; -copying the example of the Sage Chiron the Centaur, who, when tutoring -his pupil young Achilles upon the nature of blows, put a whip into his -hand, and set him astride on his own back, threatening at the same time -to kick him<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_125">{125}</a></span> off without mercy, if he ventured to make use of it.</p> - -<p>With submission to your better judgment, said Cecilia, smiling at the -ridiculousness of the allusion, I should conceive it may be well to -postpone this lecture till our young Achilles is more able to understand -it, and in the meantime, till this matter of the ham-strung horse is -cleared up, to send him out of harm’s way with his tutor Mr. Wilson, who -meditates to pay a visit to his parish, and has, as you well know, -repairs and improvements to superintend at his parsonage house, where -your people are at work for his accommodation.</p> - -<p>Your advice is excellent, my dear Cecilia, cried De Lancaster, rising -from his seat, and shall be strictly followed: Let John be off with the -lark to-morrow morning, and no fear but, in the peace<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_126">{126}</a></span>ful mansion of the -christian teacher of forgiveness, he will recover his tranquillity, and -consign all injuries to oblivion.</p> - -<p>It was not many minutes after this conversation had passed, when Mr. De -Lancaster, addressing himself to his friend Wilson, said—I perceive, my -good colonel, that the knowledge, which a man gets in his library is of -very little use to himself or others in the world at large: I suspect -that I have been reading every thing to no purpose, whilst Cecilia, who -has read scarce any thing, is wiser than I am.</p> - -<p>Aye my good sir, replied Wilson, ’tis even so: we must carry our grey -hairs to school, and learn wisdom of our children. If we would wish to -know what the world is about, we must not enquire of those, who are out -of it, but of those, who are in it.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_127">{127}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a id="CHAPTER_III-b"></a>CHAPTER III.<br /><br /> -<i>Our Hero sets out upon a Visit to his Tutor at his Parsonage House. -Occurrences by the Way.</i></h3> - -<p><span class="smcap">In</span> a fine autumnal morning, whilst the sun was mounting in the clear -horizon, the Reverend Mr. Wilson and his pupil took their departure from -the castle. They had not less than twenty Welch computed miles to -traverse over a romantic country before they reached the parsonage house -at Shells, now prepared for their reception. What were the prospects, -that opened upon them by the way, how wild, how various, how sublime, we -shall not study to describe, though all the requisites of mountain, wood -and water are at our command, and court us to employ them. If these<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_128">{128}</a></span> -beautiful objects lost their effect upon our hero John, it was in great -part owing to another beautiful object, not then present, which greatly -occupied his thoughts, as the immediate scene of his meditation just -then laid at Denbigh, where the young Amelia, unseen but not forgotten, -still kept possession of his heart. The point, towards which he was -shaping his course, would bring him nearer to Denbigh by more than half -the distance between that place and Kray Castle, and though his mind was -not perfectly at peace with respect to Mrs. Jennings, he felt every -tender sentiment for her unoffending charge, and cherished a fond hope -that some happy opportunity might occur to repay him for the -disappointment he had met with and the long absence he had endured.</p> - -<p>Whilst our young hero, wholly occu<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_129">{129}</a></span>pied in these meditations, was -incautiously riding along a slippery path in his descent from the -heights, his horse’s footing failed him and he fell upon his knees: -being an active horseman he lost neither his seat nor his temper, but it -brought other ideas to his recollection, and turning to his companion he -calmly observed, that had his favourite Glendowr been under him, nothing -of that sort could have happened—and what a treasure, added he, have I -been defrauded of? what kind of heart must that man have who could turn -a fine animal, that had been cloathed and pampered in the stable, naked -on a barren heath, only because an uncle, who had left him every think -else, had bequeathed this one token of his remembrance to me as his -godson?</p> - -<p>At this instant lawyer Davis rode up to them on a brisk gallop, and -saluting<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_130">{130}</a></span> them as he reined in his horse, cried out—Well met, -gentlemen; I thought I kenn’d you as I crossed the hill, and hastened to -give you the intelligence, that I am carrying to the castle, of my -having got such information, as will secure ample damages for the loss -of Sir Owen’s legacy of the horse, and expose to the world one of the -basest and most rascally transactions, that was ever brought to light.</p> - -<p>As Davis uttered these words young John De Lancaster turned a look upon -Mr. Wilson that could not fail to be understood, and desired Davis to -relate the particulars—They are soon told, he replied, for the informer -Joe Johnson, who was feeder to Sir Owen’s hounds, has deposed, that by -the express order of his present master the young baronet betook the -horse called Owen Glendowr out of the stable in the evening of the 12th -in<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_131">{131}</a></span>stant, and accompanied by the said Sir David led him to a bye spot on -the mountain, where in a dell they contrived by ropes to cast, and then -and there to hamstring him by deep incisions on the sinews of his legs, -leaving the poor mangled animal to expire in tortures. Johnson describes -his reluctance to obey commands of so barbarous a nature, but his master -was peremptory, and had caused him to be plied with liquor till he was -so intoxicated, that unless Sir David himself had assisted in the act, -he could not have executed it.</p> - -<p>Davis having related these particulars, addressing himself to Mr. Edward -Wilson, added—’Tis a villainous business, reverend sir, a very -villainous business, and if old Mr. De Lancaster shall think fit to -bring it into court, I would not be in Sir David’s case for his estate. -Mr.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_132">{132}</a></span> De Lancaster will do no such thing, said Wilson, that you may rely -upon—No, no, cried John, ’tis not a case to be settled in that way: I’m -satisfied my grandfather will not resort to the law, nor accept of any -compensation for the injury I have suffered from Sir David Owen and his -dog-kennel accomplice. The man, who degrades his character by an action -of that sort, puts his person out of the reach of a gentleman’s -resentment.</p> - -<p>This said, the conference broke off: the companions proceeded on their -way, and Davis shaped his course towards the mansion of De Lancaster.</p> - -<p>When there arrived and admitted to an audience in the library, he stated -facts rather more circumstantially from the chair than he had done from -the saddle, and having concluded, the old gentleman<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_133">{133}</a></span> remained silent for -some time, pondering in his mind the measures he should take: at length, -breaking forth in a tone, that bespoke his resolution formed, he -said—Davis, we must save this wretched young man, if it be possible. -He, who has dabbled in the blood of an animal, may be wrought by -desperation to attempt the life of a fellow creature: he is young, and -may be turned to better thoughts; I am old, and must not be extreme in -justice: Furthermore, I must confess to you, Davis, that I am not quite -reconciled to the means we have taken for eliciting this information -from a scoundrel dog-feeder by the lure of a reward. Your law, I know, -allows it; but your law and my conscience do not always harmonize. This -very fellow, whom we have paid for confessing the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_134">{134}</a></span> act, was probably -paid also for committing it: that is a traffic in iniquity, which I am -sorry to have countenanced. However I will write to Mrs. David Owen, who -in her twofold capacity of mother and guardian, seems the properest -person to recall this young offender to a due contrition for his -offence.</p> - -<p>I should doubt that, Davis replied; I am much afraid, worthy sir, you -would not mend your chance by that appeal; for I have another unlucky -evidence in my possession of a damned Jew’s trick in the article of the -diamond ring—</p> - -<p>Speak to the point, friend Davis, said the old gentleman, but spare your -expletives; for oaths are not ornaments to an honest man’s discourse—</p> - -<p>I ask pardon, rejoined Davis; but really, sir, when one hears of such -scan<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_135">{135}</a></span>dalous practices, as are carried on in that family between mother -and son, it is enough to make a parson swear—</p> - -<p>I should hope not, said De Lancaster; but what do you allude to?—</p> - -<p>Why you must know, replied the lawyer, I had my suspicions that all was -not right in the going of the diamond ring, bequeathed to Madam Cecilia, -and reported <i>non est inventus</i>; so it came into my mind, that it might -not be amiss to put the old proverb into practice, and set a thief to -catch a thief—</p> - -<p>Speak, if you please, without a proverb, said the good old man; I shall -comprehend you better; for in my opinion, Mr. Davis, when our -conversation is to turn upon thieves, the sooner it is concluded, so -that we may dismiss them from our thoughts, the better it will be for us -both.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_136">{136}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a id="CHAPTER_IV-b"></a>CHAPTER IV.<br /><br /> -<i>The Humanity of De Lancaster is not permitted to obtain its End.</i></h3> - -<p><span class="smcap">Our</span> readers will recollect a certain Jew pedlar, Israel Lyons by name, -of whom we have heretofore made mention: this man was in the habit of -employing Davis as his man of business for collecting debts, and -enforcing payments. In the course of his late circuit he had called upon -him, and consulted him upon a secret transaction he had engaged in with -Mrs. Owen respecting a diamond ring of considerable value, which he was -to dispose of in Holland on her account, and for which he had deposited -security in her hands. Upon the production of this ring Davis instantly -recognised it to be the very ring devised to Cecilia by Sir Owen in his -will. Lyons, who<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_137">{137}</a></span> immediately saw the danger of his negotiation in its -proper light, readily consented to accompany Davis to Kray Castle for -the purpose of more fully identifying the ring, and to this it was that -Davis alluded, when he was answered by De Lancaster, as was related in -the preceding chapter. He now shewed the ring to that gentleman, who no -sooner cast his eyes upon it, than he said—Put it by! I am satisfied.</p> - -<p>So was not Davis, but importunately demanded how he was to proceed—Not -at all, replied De Lancaster, not at all. I am neither prepared to blast -the heir of the Owens for the consideration of a horse, which I can -replace from my own stable, nor the mother of that heir for a bauble, -which I desire you will return to the pedlar, and take care that I have<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_138">{138}</a></span> -no concern with dog-feeders, or with Jews.</p> - -<p>Davis, struck with astonishment, exclaimed—This is above my -comprehension; it must be as you please; but you will give me leave to -take care of myself, and keep out of the scrape of compromising felony.</p> - -<p>With these words he departed, and a servant, entering the room at the -same moment, announced the names of three gentlemen, who solicited a -private conference with Mr. De Lancaster; they were persons of -respectability in the county, but not in the habit of visiting at the -castle, being of the opposite party in politics, and zealously attached -to the interests of the ancient house of Owen.</p> - -<p>The venerable owner of Kray Castle<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_139">{139}</a></span> met them at the door of his -apartment, and received them with all possible courtesy and respect. -When they were seated, Sir Arthur Floyd (a name not new to the reader of -this history) opened the business as follows—</p> - -<p>We wait upon you, Mr. De Lancaster, as friends of the lately deceased -Sir Owen ap Owen, and in virtue of the regard, in which we hold his -memory, are solicitous to preserve the like good opinion of the -successor to his estate and title. A report, which, if true, would stamp -indelible disgrace upon his character, has reached us, relative to his -treatment of a certain favourite horse, which our departed friend -bequeathed to your grandson; we know you lived on terms of friendship -with Sir Owen, and we trust you will participate in our motives, when we -request you (who must of course be ac<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_140">{140}</a></span>quainted with the particulars, we -are anxious to be informed of) to say whether or not there is any -foundation for the report we allude to.</p> - -<p>Gentlemen, said De Lancaster, it is a fact that the horse, which you -describe as a favourite of my late friend, was bequeathed by him to my -grandson John.</p> - -<p>And is your grandson now in possession of that horse? In plainer terms, -is the horse alive? This question was not put by Sir Arthur Floyd, and -Mr. De Lancaster, turning to him, with some discomposure demanded, if it -were expected of him to answer all manner of interrogatories in a case, -which he was desirous of dismissing from his thoughts.</p> - -<p>To this Sir Arthur Floyd replied, that with all imaginable respect for -his character as a gentleman of the highest<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_141">{141}</a></span> honour, they did expect of -him to answer all such questions, as might be honourably put to him in -the matter of a charge so fatal to the reputation of Sir David Owen, if -true; so injurious, if false. We presume also to remind you, sir, that -where the name of De Lancaster is attached to a report, it is such an -authority as no man can dispute, and of course no man ought to doubt. -Upon a point of honour therefore, which by consequence affects yourself -not less than it does us, we conjure you to tell us plainly whether the -horse be dead or living.</p> - -<p>The horse is dead; in that state he was found by my grandson and his -servant on the heath.</p> - -<p>You will permit us to ask, said one of the party, if there were not -marks of violence upon the carcase; in short, sir, was not the horse -hamstrung upon all his legs?<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_142">{142}</a></span></p> - -<p>I am told he was.</p> - -<p>Was there any enquiry made as to the perpetrator, or perpetrators, of -that butchery?</p> - -<p>I am constrained to say there was. Lawyer Davis made enquiry.</p> - -<p>And when lawyer Davis traced out the perpetrators of that most shameful -act, have the goodness to inform us whether he did, or did not, find -evidence to implicate Sir David Owen as a party in the act itself.</p> - -<p>Let lawyer Davis answer that himself, replied De Lancaster in a firm -tone of voice; I decline it, and you must excuse me.</p> - -<p>We shall refer ourselves to lawyer Davis, said the spokesman, and we -hope you will permit your grandson and his servant to attend on the -occasion. If we find Sir David Owen guilty on the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_143">{143}</a></span> charge, this will be -no country for him to live in; at least he cannot live in it with us. In -the mean time we thank you, worthy sir, for your very handsome reception -of us, and shall be ever forward to bear testimony to your candour and -delicacy towards the character of a most unhappy young man, if our fears -prove true. We are sensible, Mr. De Lancaster, you could have said much -more, and we know that it was honour alone, that extorted from you what -you did say, and generosity, that suppressed what you did not say.</p> - -<p>The party were now rising to take their leave, when the old gentleman -entreated their patience for a few minutes—we have been discoursing, he -said, upon a very unpleasant subject. The young man, who now wears the -title of my departed friend, is just entering on the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_144">{144}</a></span> world, and being -native of another country, and not educated amongst us, may perhaps have -been betrayed into some irregularities, that cannot stand a rigid -scrutiny; I will venture therefore to submit to you, whether it may not -be advisable to let this affair pass over without any further -investigation, assured as you may be, that the charge shall never be -stirred by me, or any one of my family.</p> - -<p>To this Sir Arthur Floyd made answer as follows—What you have now -proposed to us, Mr. De Lancaster, is a proof of that candour and -benignity, which have ever marked your character; but you know full well -what has long been the state of party interests in this county, and to -which side we have hitherto adhered; you must also be aware that the day -is not far off, when probably we must again declare ourselves: It -behoves us<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_145">{145}</a></span> therefore to be made secure of the honour and character of -that gentleman, young although he is, on whom that consequence and -leading interest have devolved, which we have been accustomed to look up -to. We must therefore in our own justification decline your generous -proposal, which we are convinced you would not have made, had you not -been satisfied, or suspicious at least, of the young man’s criminality.</p> - -<p>This said they rose, and with much courteous ceremony on both sides took -their leave, and departed.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_146">{146}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a id="CHAPTER_V-b"></a>CHAPTER V.<br /><br /> -<i>Philip De Lancaster sets out upon his Travels.</i></h3> - -<p><span class="smcap">When</span> De Lancaster had reseated himself in his chair, and devoted a few -minutes to meditation, the door of his library was opened, and our young -hero respectfully approached him to receive his welcome and embrace.</p> - -<p>What brings thee hither, John De Lancaster? said the grandfather.</p> - -<p>My father sent for me.</p> - -<p>That’s true; that’s true. He would take his leave of you before he sets -out upon his journey to the south of France. An opinion has prevailed -that your mother must winter in a warmer climate, and your father is -going to make preparations for her residence at Montpelier. Upon these -occasions I do not chuse to interpose: he will follow his own fancy, and -that is about as likely to lead him to<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_147">{147}</a></span> Jerusalem as to Montpelier: and -your mother, John, your mother, never will go hence but to her grave. -Nature is in absolute decay; her vital powers are exhausted, and -Llewellyn either knows her inability to undertake the journey, or is -blockhead enough to believe it practicable, and knows nothing of his -business. You will say, why do I not dissuade your father from setting -out upon this fruitless journey? I answer, because it is not worth my -while; for whom does it concern in what spot of earth upon this -habitable globe a listless creature doses out unprofitable time? Let him -go, let him go; I rest no further hopes on him. The tree, which -emblematically bears the fortunes of my house, is withering at the top, -dead in its middle branches, whilst there is yet one scyon, that has -life and vigour: Yes, my child, I am passing<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_148">{148}</a></span> away; thy father is gone -by, but thou, with the blessing of providence, art springing up and -bursting into bloom, I have thy tutor’s testimony strongly vouched in -thy favour, and with rapture I contemplate the auspicious promise of -those dawning virtues, which in the riper character of the man will be -the ornament and safe-guard of our ancient stock. And now, John, I must -apprise thee of an affair, that will put those virtues to the test. Some -neighbouring gentlemen, who are amongst the chief supporters of the Owen -interest, have this morning been with me to enquire into the -circumstances of Sir David’s treatment of you in the matter of the horse -bequeathed to you by your godfather; and they are determined to call -upon you and Davis for your evidence, that they may sift it to the -bottom.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_149">{149}</a></span></p> - -<p>With all my heart, cried John, the colour mounting to his cheeks. I -desire nothing better than to meet Sir David Owen face to face, and -depose what I know of that rascally transaction in the most public -manner before all his friends, be they who they may.</p> - -<p>Hold, hold, my child, said De Lancaster, you must not forget how much -modesty and forbearance become your years. You must put all angry -thoughts aside, when you are called upon to speak the truth without -prejudice or animosity; and that you may be kept in mind of that duty, I -shall desire your worthy tutor to accompany you to that discussion.</p> - -<p>I hope you will not think that necessary, John replied, for if I have -nothing to do but to speak the truth, I trust I do not want a tutor to -teach me that.</p> - -<p>Go then, said De Lancaster; be it as<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_150">{150}</a></span> thou sayest! for I perceive the -spirit of my race, which has passed over thy father, descends upon thee. -Go, when thou art called for; but remember, truth must not be told with -aggravation, nor in our resort to justice must we gratify revenge.</p> - -<p>At this moment Mr. Philip De Lancaster walked into the room, and -addressing himself after his cool manner to his son—You are come just -in time, he said, for I have taken leave of your mother, and have -nothing to do but to pay my duty to my father, and set out upon my -journey. I leave you in the care of such good friends, that you stand in -no need of any advice from me; and, if you did, I know not what else I -could say to you, but to recommend it to you to be a good boy, to pay -attention to your tutor, to carry yourself dutifully to your -grand<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_151">{151}</a></span>father, mother and aunt, to recollect that you are but a child in -age and understanding, and in a word to mind your book and say your -prayers. Now go up to your mother; she expects you in her bed chamber; -tread softly, (do you mind) and be careful of alarming her, for, though -she bore parting from me with perfect tranquillity, the least noise will -shake her nerves, and throw her into tremors.</p> - -<p>I shall observe your caution, sir, the youth replied; but if it is your -pleasure that I should attend upon you again before you take your -departure, I will simply pay my duty to my mother, and wait upon you to -your carriage.</p> - -<p>No, no, child, cried the father, there is no occasion for that ceremony. -I don’t wish any body to attend upon me<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_152">{152}</a></span> to my carriage, but the -servant, that goes with me.</p> - -<p>The disappointed youth cast a parting look of sensibility on his father, -bowed respectfully and left the room.</p> - -<p>I perceive, son Philip, said the old gentleman, that, nearly allied as -you are to my grandson John, you are not acquainted with his manly -character, when you talk to him as to a child—but of this we will say -no more—so long as I have life his education will be my care, and at my -death it will be found I have not been less careful of his interest. You -are now going to the continent, and I sincerely wish you health and a -pleasant tour; but if you calculate upon Mrs. De Lancaster’s chance of -ever reaching Montpelier, I greatly fear you will be disappointed, and I -therefore recommend<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_153">{153}</a></span> it to you to postpone providing an establishment -for her there or elsewhere, till you are further advised from us. Your -equipage I see is waiting, and nothing remains for me, but to bid you -heartily farewell.</p> - -<p>This said, they both rose, embraced and parted never to meet again.</p> - -<h3><a id="CHAPTER_VI-b"></a>CHAPTER VI.<br /><br /> -<i>Dark Doings at the Abbey of Penruth.</i></h3> - -<p><span class="smcap">When</span> long disease hath sapped the vital powers, and death creeps on by -painless slow approaches, the mind is oftentimes observed to assume a -dignified composure, and even an elevation of sentiment, which did not -appear to belong to it in the body’s better health:<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_154">{154}</a></span> so it was with the -mother of our hero. She was reposing on her couch with Cecilia sitting -by her side, and when her son approached raised herself up to receive -him—I am delighted to see you, my dear child, she said, and I hope your -grandfather will consent to your residing in the castle for the very -short time I have yet to live: though I have little strength to hold -discourse with you, yet it is a consolation to know you are within my -call, and that, so long as sight is not taken from me, I may gratify -that sense—nay, my beloved son, don’t shed a tear for me—rather -rejoice that I am drawing near to the end of a dull journey, joyless at -the best, and not less wearisome to others than to myself. I have parted -from your father: if he persuades himself that I shall follow him, it is -a harmless delusion; if he does<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_155">{155}</a></span> not, it is a commodious plea to escape -a trouble, and exchange a melancholy scene for an amusing one; at all -events, whatever object he may have in view, I hope that you, who have -never experienced his care, will have no occasion to lament his absence.</p> - -<p>To this John made some answer not necessary to record, when by a signal -from his aunt understanding that his mother stood in need of silence and -repose, he took the hint and quietly departed. The project of his -passing a few weeks with Mr. Wilson at the parsonage was now laid aside, -and in compliance with his mother’s wishes, he resumed his station and -his studies at the castle, holding himself ever ready to obey her -summons, when she wished to see him.</p> - -<p>The next morning brought Sir Arthur Floyd once more to the castle. He<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_156">{156}</a></span> -came to ask the favour of young De Lancaster’s company at his own house, -and that he would allow his servant Williams to attend together with -lawyer Davis, who would provide himself with the deposition of Sir -David’s feeder. It was matter of no small regret to the good old man -that these gentlemen were so resolute to persist in their investigation -of this odious business, but having pledged his word, he would not -retract it, and young John who had not all those repugnant feelings, -which his grandfather had, was speedily equipped, and having put himself -under the convoy of Sir Arthur Floyd, soon found himself in his -conductor’s house, and greeted with all possible politeness by the -gentlemen there assembled. Sir David Owen was not yet arrived, and some -began to doubt if he would attend the meeting.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_157">{157}</a></span> At length he was -discovered coming down the avenue, followed by his huntsman and his -groom, himself and his attendants being in the uniform of the hunt.</p> - -<p>Upon his entering the room, where the company had assembled, he either -did not see, or chose to take no notice of De Lancaster: but observing -to the gentlemen, that having understood them to be called together for -the purpose of arranging the rules and regulations of the union-hunt, he -expected to have found them in their proper colours, and wished to be -informed if any thing had occurred to give them dissatisfaction.</p> - -<p>We naturally expect that question from you, said Sir Arthur Floyd, and -are prepared to answer, that until you can vindicate yourself from a -charge, that is made against you, we are and ought to<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_158">{158}</a></span> be dissatisfied, -and therefore it is we do not shew our colours, till we are convinced by -you we need not be ashamed to wear them.</p> - -<p>How am I to convince you of that, gentlemen, but by wearing them myself? -However as you insinuate, that a charge is made against me, let me know -the nature of that charge, and who it is, that presumes to circulate any -thing to my discredit.</p> - -<p>Hear me with patience, Sir Arthur replied, and I will state it to you -without aggravation. You are suspected to have mal-treated the favourite -horse Glendowr, which your uncle left by will to this young gentleman, -Mr. John De Lancaster, here present.</p> - -<p>I see that he is present, but I do not see the right by which he meets -the members of a hunt, that he has no concern<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_159">{159}</a></span> with. He is here however; -such is your pleasure, and I presume he is here for some purpose, best -known to yourselves. I am suspected, it seems: what answer can I give to -that? Can you substantiate any charge against me? If you can, state it.</p> - -<p>This it is, said Sir Arthur, rising from his seat—The horse, that -consistently with the manners of a gentleman, ought to have been -delivered according to the purport of your uncle’s will, or at least -carefully retained in your stable, was unhandsomely turned out upon the -mountain, and there found hamstrung in every leg, most barbarously and -feloniously mangled, and dying dead upon the ground.</p> - -<p>Who found him there?</p> - -<p>I found him, young De Lancaster replied; I and my servant found him -there,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_160">{160}</a></span> and in that very condition, which you have heared described.</p> - -<p>Well, if you did, what is all that to me?</p> - -<p>It is to you, rejoined Sir Arthur Floyd, if the deposition of your own -menial servant, charging you as the instigator to, and accomplice in, -that barbarous act, cannot be done away. This man is now waiting with -Mr. Davis the attorney, ready to substantiate his averment upon oath, -and I am the magistrate, that will administer it to him, if you so -require.</p> - -<p>Not I, not I, exclaimed the haughty culprit: I will not condescend to -answer to a charge, that is evidenced by a dog-feeder, contrived, -abetted and encouraged by a mercenary attorney. I came to meet you here -as brother sportsmen, I find you what I will not say. As for that -attorney, whom I know to be in the pay and employ of my enemy, I hold -him<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_161">{161}</a></span> as a wretch too despicable for any notice on my own account; let -him propagate and pursue his charge against me as he will, I care not; -but I accuse him, and will have him prosecuted to the utmost rigour of -the law, as the slanderer and defamer of my innocent and injured mother.</p> - -<p>Davis, who had entered the room, unseen of young Owen, and planted -himself behind his chair, now stept forward, and demanded to know of -what he was accused. It was not immediately that the arrogance of this -hardened youth, thus taken by surprise, could recover from his -embarrassment; at length, after some hesitation, being again called upon -to explain himself, he turned to Davis with an assumed air of bravery, -and said—I am given to understand you have not scrupled to affix upon -my mother Mrs.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_162">{162}</a></span> Owen the abominable scandal of having secreted a -valuable diamond ring, which appears in my uncle’s will as a legacy to -Mrs. Cecilia De Lancaster; but which ring after the minutest search is -no where to be found. This I aver to be a libel of the grossest sort.</p> - -<p>And so it would be, I confess, said Davis, were I not provided with -evidence to prove that this same valuable diamond ring was found by Mrs. -Owen, and by her consigned to the Jew Israel Lyons, under the seal of -secresy, and upon security by him given for the value, to be by him -taken out of the kingdom and sold in Holland on her account and for her -emolument. I have the ring here in my hand ready to produce, the very -ring, which was bequeathed by your uncle, and which you say could not be -found amongst the effects of the de<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_163">{163}</a></span>ceased. Bear witness for me, -gentlemen, I am compelled to produce this article in my own defence, and -do not voluntarily disobey the positive injunctions of my worthy patron -Mr. De Lancaster, who honourably commanded me to stifle the discovery, -and put up with any injuries, rather than expose the parties to shame, -so much more care had that good gentleman for them than they have had -for themselves; but thus accused, and forced on my defence, what could I -do but what I now have done?</p> - -<p>To this no answer was attempted: astonishment seized the company: Sir -David Owen started from his seat, and glancing a malicious look upon our -young hero as he passed him—I’ll not forget you, sir, he cried: the -time will come when you shall hear of this.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_164">{164}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a id="CHAPTER_VII-b"></a>CHAPTER VII.<br /><br /> -<i>Events consequential of the Meeting at Sir Arthur Floyd’s. The last -Chapter of the Second Book.</i></h3> - -<p><span class="smcap">As</span> soon as the convicted baronet had made his hasty exit, the parties -present in their court of honour on the spot unanimously adjudged him -infamous, and with one voice voted him unworthy of their acquaintance. -The question was stirred if any notice should be taken of the ring, -produced by Davis in his own defence. To this it was objected, that as -it had no concern with the case immediately before them, it was -conceived advisable to pass it over, and leave Mr. De Lancaster to act -as he saw fit. They had heard with indignation the insolent menace, -which Owen had thrown out as he was leaving the room,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_165">{165}</a></span> and they -unanimously besought our hero to treat it with its due contempt; Sir -Arthur Floyd in particular insisted upon his right, as master of the -house, to take all such affronts upon himself: John made his -acknowledgment to the speaker with a respectful bow, but offered no -reply.</p> - -<p>When he called for his horse to return to the castle, they were six in -number, all principal supporters of the Owen interest, who mounted at -the same time, and having escorted him every step of the way to his -home, rode with him into the castle court, where the venerable host, -summoned by the tolling of his porter’s bell, presented himself to bid -them welcome at the great hall door: his orange-tawney livery-men stood -behind him in their files, and he ushered them into the saloon, where -they were<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_166">{166}</a></span> received in form by Cecilia, who was there attending with -Colonel Wilson and his son Edward, the preceptor of their companion -John.</p> - -<p>When all introductory ceremonials were over, Sir Arthur Floyd, their -spokesman as before, recounted briefly what had passed, and the -resolution they had taken of abandoning an unworthy connection, and for -the future giving their support decidedly in favour of the house of -Lancaster, whenever opportunity presented itself of demonstrating their -attachment.</p> - -<p>To this De Lancaster made answer, that the honour they conferred upon -him, was at once so unexpected and so unmerited, that he felt himself -ill prepared to find expressions, that might do justice to his -feelings.—My holdings, he said, in this county, it is well known are -not<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_167">{167}</a></span> of yesterday; they have devolved upon me through a series of -ancestors, in whose steps I have endeavoured to tread, and to whose -politics and opinions, (as far as I could guess what they would have -been in these times by what they appear to have been in their own) I -have steadily adhered. Little as I know of the secrets of government, I -may have been in error; but if I have been pertinacious in opinion, I -trust I have never been found illiberal or unneighbourly to those -honourable gentlemen, who differed from me. I lived in friendship with -Sir Owen, and we never suffered politics to damp the harmony of our -social hours. I lamented his death; but the disgrace, that has fallen on -his family in the person of his successor, is to me extremely grievous: -I fear it has gone too far to be entirely remedied, but some alleviation -may perhaps be thought of, if<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_168">{168}</a></span> in addition to the honour you have -already shewn me, you will be pleased to confirm our friendly contract -by consenting to partake my homely meal.</p> - -<p>The hospitality of Kray Castle was in no danger of being put out of -countenance by any want of preparation; the guests sate down to a -plenteous board, and the genius of Cecilia added elegance to abundance. -What the benevolence of De Lancaster could obtain for Sir David Owen -amounted only to a general promise, that the affair should be allowed to -sleep, and no further notice taken of any thing, that passed during the -discussion at Sir Arthur Floyd’s.</p> - -<p>It is to be presumed that De Lancaster was punctilious in returning the -visit of every gentleman, who had dined with him at the castle. On these -occasions he was constantly accompanied by his<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_169">{169}</a></span> grandson, so that the -old state coach and fat horses were for a time in more than ordinary -requisition.</p> - -<p>Whilst they were upon a visit at Sir Arthur Floyd’s a very beautiful -horse, which was purposely led out of the stable, attracted every body’s -notice, and particularly that of our young hero, who ran out of doors to -have a nearer view of him. A little stable-boy was mounted on his back, -and put him through his paces on the lawn before the house: the -gentleness of the fine animal was as much to be admired as the beauty. -John was asked if he would back him; the proposal was immediately -accepted, and as there was a fine expanse of lawn for John’s equestrian -performances, he took a considerable circuit, and having given a very -handsome specimen of his jockeyship, returned in perfect raptures with -the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_170">{170}</a></span> horse, pronouncing him to be incomparably the best he had ever -mounted, his lamented favourite Glendowr alone excepted. The horse was -put into the stable, and nothing more passed upon the subject at that -time.</p> - -<p>In the evening John returned with his grandfather to the castle, when -upon stepping out of the coach, a letter was put into his hand, that had -the signature of the several gentlemen of the new coalition, and was to -the following purport—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"><p class="indd2"> -“Dear Sir,<br /> -</p> - -<p>As you seemed pleased with the horse, which we invited you to make -trial of, we have taken the liberty of putting him into your -stable, and jointly request that you will not refuse to gratify us -by your acceptance of him.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_171">{171}</a></span> When we tell you he is full brother to -Glendowr, we flatter ourselves we cannot better recommend him to -you, and when we assure you, that we can no otherwise be reconciled -to the disgrace of our late connection with Sir David Owen, except -by your allowing us to present you with this token of our esteem, -we trust you will not mortify us by a refusal.</p> - -<p class="c"> -We have the honour to be,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 8em;">&c. &c.”</span> -</p> -</div> - -<p>Though John was highly delighted with this present, he did not consider -himself secure in the possession of it, till he had submitted the letter -to his grandfather. The good old man was under no difficulty as to his -decision, for luckily this was one of the few questions, that in his -contemplation did not wear two<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_172">{172}</a></span> faces; so that he said at once, applying -himself to his friend Colonel Wilson—I see no reason why my grandson -should decline this very handsome compliment.</p> - -<p>There is no reason, said the colonel.</p> - -<p>And why is there none? rejoined the other: why, but because a horse, or -a sword, is by all the rules of chivalry, a present of honour, which it -is no degradation to accept, though it were tendered to a general or a -prince?</p> - -<p>I conceive it degrades no man to accept a present from a friend.</p> - -<p>I am not sure of that. Friendship can sanctify many things, but not all. -An equipoise of favours is essential to friendship, but an overweight -throws it out of its balance: it then becomes patronage, and the party -obliged incurs a debt, which although it be the debt of gratitude, -entails a duty upon him, and is not<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_173">{173}</a></span> of the true spirit of friendship. -Therefore it is that a king can hardly have a real friend—“Gods, how I -should love Augustus, said a certain Roman, if he were not Cæsar.” The -anecdote is to the point of my remark.</p> - -<p>I dare say it is, said the Colonel, but I cannot exactly understand how -it applies to the point in question.</p> - -<p>If you allude to the question whether my grandson John should accept the -horse, that is settled; there cannot be two opinions in that case: -favours of that sort are not to be refused.</p> - -<p>I rejoice to hear it, rejoined the colonel, for I consider it as an -earnest of future favours, when my friend John shall be of age to take -the duties of our county member on himself, unanimously chosen.</p> - -<p>Ah my good friend, said the old man and sighed, that day is distant, and -that<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_174">{174}</a></span> chance is doubtful: in the meantime my all depends upon a single -stake, and though your worthy son is he of all mankind, in whom I can -repose the fullest trust, yet in the life of that beloved youth, on whom -I rest my hopes, there is a period yet to pass full of alarm and danger. -John has an ardent spirit, and I fear is much more likely to resent -affronts than treat them with contempt. If this malicious Owen is to -live amongst us, and persist in his unworthy practices, I can foresee -the time must come, when my brave boy will bring him to account. Who can -prevent it? not the donors of his horse; their handsome present may -repair his loss, but will it make atonement for the insult he has -received? What can I do? I am not the man to talk to him: young as he -is, he has possessed himself of my sentiments, and I<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_175">{175}</a></span> cannot retract -what I have said. Talk to him yourself; you are a soldier, and upon a -point of honour no man can speak with more authority: try if you can -persuade him to think as you do.</p> - -<p>Were I to do that, my good sir, replied the colonel, I fear your -grandson would not derive security of person from the rules of practice, -that men of my profession are compelled to follow; but I can hold my -tongue, and that is quite as much as I will undertake for in any case, -where the honour of your family is brought into question. I love your -gallant boy; every body loves him; but what I would not say to my own -son, I could not say to him. I am however inclined to believe that Sir -David Owen will in no future time find resolution to insult your -grandson; but, if he does, I cannot find<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_176">{176}</a></span> resolution to dissuade him -from taking proper notice of it.</p> - -<p>Well! let it pass, resumed De Lancaster. My boy must take his fate. I -had no right to look for other sentiments from you, and if they are, as -I suspect, irreconcilable to reason and religion, we are both of us I -fear in the same condemnation.</p> - -<p class="figcenter"><img src="images/bar.png" -width="90" -alt="————" /></p> - -<p>If in the long course of my literary labours I had been less studious to -adhere to nature and simplicity, I am perfectly convinced I should have -stood higher in estimation with the purchasers of copy rights, and -probably been read and patronized by my contemporaries in the proportion -of ten to one. To acquire a popularity of name, which might set<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_177">{177}</a></span> the -speculating publishers upon out-bidding one another for an embryo work -(perhaps in meditation only) seems to be as proud and enviable a -pre-eminence as human genius can arrive at: but if that pre-eminence has -been acquired by a fashion of writing, that luckily falls in with the -prevailing taste for the romantic and unnatural, that writer, whosoever -he may be, has only made his advantage of the present hour, and -forfeited his claim, upon the time to come: having paid this tribute to -popularity, he certainly may enjoy the profits of deception, and take -his chance for being marked out by posterity (whenever a true taste for -nature shall revive) as the misleader and impostor of the age he lived -in.</p> - -<p>The circulation of a work is propagated by the cry of the many; its -perpetuity is established by the fiat of the few.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_178">{178}</a></span> If we have no concern -for our good name after we have left this world, how do we greatly -differ from the robber and assassin?—But this is nothing but an old -man’s prattle. Nobody regards it—We will return to our history.</p> - -<p class="fint">END OF THE SECOND BOOK.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_179">{179}</a></span></p> - -<h2><a id="BOOK_THE_THIRD"></a>BOOK THE THIRD.</h2> - -<h3><a id="CHAPTER_I-c"></a>CHAPTER I.<br /><br /> -<i>The Mother of our Hero, being at the Point of Death, takes her last -Farewell of her Father-in-law.</i></h3> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> order of our history requires us to attend upon the worthy -grandfather of our hero to the death-bed of his daughter-in-law, who had -expressed a wish to see him. She took his hand, and pressing it to her -heart, said—I thank you, sir, for this and all the proofs of kindness, -which you have uniformly been pleased to show me, though I am conscious -it has never been my happy lot to contribute to your comforts, or to -reflect either grace or ornament upon your family, even in the slightest -degree.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_180">{180}</a></span> Of your son my husband I forbear to speak; when he took his -departure, and left me on the plea of providing a retreat for me upon -the continent, I was too well apprised of my situation not to know that -we should meet no more, and under that impression I took leave of him -for ever. I have given an heir to your name and family, for whose dear -sake, from his birth to the present moment, my agitated heart, though I -have laboured to appear composed, has secretly been racked with sad -forebodings. I am a woman, sir, and those presentiments, which your -strong sense would spurn, sink deep in my weak mind—</p> - -<p>Here her speech failed her; her breath fluttered, and quitting the hand -of De Lancaster, she snatched at the sheet, as if convulsion had began -to seize her. Cecilia was at hand, but tears had<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_181">{181}</a></span> furnished the relief, -which she was advancing to administer, and the subject, which this short -alarm had interrupted, was resumed as follows—</p> - -<p>My seeming dereliction of that darling child must have degraded me in -your opinion; you could not fail to think me void of those affections, -which are natural to a mother, and despised me for my seeming -insensibility. Alas, how very different was the state of my too fond, -too feeling heart! But there were reasons, over-ruling reasons—I cannot -tell them now—They will come to your knowledge—Let the charge lie by, -till the defence can meet it. It would have blessed me to have seen my -father; but he cannot come to me, and when I go to him, it will be only -in my body’s passage to its grave. He has kindly anticipated my wishes, -by leaving my dear son sole heir<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_182">{182}</a></span> of his estate. Though it is but little -that I have to devise, yet I have made a will; for so much in it as -concerns my son, I trust he will fulfil the obligations I impose upon -him. If he shall live to be of age, and you survive, (which Heaven in -mercy grant) to see that day, all may be well: I leave him in your care; -I have done so always, and have kept my word; I have not made him that -disgustful thing, a mother’s favourite son. Ah sir, correct the errors -of his youth, but control not the affections of his heart. If, -overlooking rank and fortune, they should honourably and worthily be -fixt on merit in obscurity, do not I implore you—it is my last, my -dying petition—do not oppose his choice. There is an humble being in -the world, lovely and full of promise—oh, if she—if she should—</p> - -<p>Whilst these words were yet upon her<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_183">{183}</a></span> lips, she sunk down upon her bed -as one, whose life had left her in that moment. Whilst Cecilia and the -women in attendance were busied in assisting her, De Lancaster stood in -deep and pensive meditation with his eyes fixed upon her pallid -countenance, and as the tear dropt upon his aged cheek, he said to his -daughter—Your endeavours to restore her will be fruitless: and, if an -easy death is what we helpless mortals ought to wish for, ’tis hardly to -be hoped you may.</p> - -<p>This said, he withdrew, and turning into the gallery discovered John -alone, and intent upon the perusal of a paper, which upon seeing his -grandfather he hastily folded up and thrust into his pocket.</p> - -<p>John, I would speak to you, said the old gentleman, and bidding him sit -down,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_184">{184}</a></span> addressed him in these words—Young as you are, you are not now -to learn what a precarious tenure we frail mortals hold in any thing on -this side death, to which we all must come.</p> - -<p>I understand you, sir; you come to tell me of my mother’s death.</p> - -<p>Not altogether so; but if I did, I can believe your excellent preceptor -has prepared you to meet misfortune as becomes you. Methinks you hardly -can have glanced your eye upon a single page in any moral book, that -does not give you lessons of that sort. Even your pagan poets, whilst -with idle levity they counsel you to devote your time to pleasure, give -you at least fair warning of its shortness.</p> - -<p>True, sir, but we have better masters than they are, to whom we may -apply. I am aware that there are no hopes for<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_185">{185}</a></span> my poor mother; and it is -nothing strange that she should die, who for years past can hardly have -been said to live: but that my father, seeing her condition, could leave -her almost in the article of death, is matter of astonishment to me.</p> - -<p>Such is his nature, John; and whether we must call it the defect of head -or heart is more than I can tell. He is gone however, whither I know -not, and she, poor soul, who has known little happiness on earth, is -going where alone it can be sought. Her last care was for -you.—Something there was, some wish that seemed to weigh upon her -heart; but in her effort to express it, nature failed her, and she -fainted.</p> - -<p>That—that indeed—cried John, was most unfortunate. Did she let fall no -words to guide conjecture?<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_186">{186}</a></span></p> - -<p>Her words, De Lancaster replied, I am perfect in—“There was an humble -being in the world, lovely and full of promise—Oh, if she—if she -should”—There she stopt.</p> - -<p>It is enough! John cried. I’ll wait here with your leave till I am -permitted to pay my last sad duty to a parent, whom I have known but at -the close of life.</p> - -<p>As Mr. De Lancaster was rising to depart, it occurred to him to enquire -about the paper, which John had so hastily thrust into his pocket—Let -me know, he said, what you were reading so attentively when I entered -the gallery. It seemed a letter, and by the eagerness with which you put -it up, I suspect it may contain some interesting matter: If so, John, -you hardly will conceal it from me.</p> - -<p>Certainly not, replied the youth, if you<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_187">{187}</a></span> command me to produce it; but -I am sorry that you noticed it, for it will only bring to your -recollection a subject totally unworthy of your thoughts at any time, -especially in a moment like the present. It is, as you supposed, a -letter; an insolent one you may well believe, for it comes from Sir -David Owen; but as he has quitted the country, I hope you will not ask -to see the favour he has bestowed on me at parting.</p> - -<p>Grandson, resumed De Lancaster, I am become too much a party in the -subject you allude to, not to be interested in whatever correspondence -you may hold with that dishonourable young man; therefore let me see -what he has written to you.</p> - -<p>This authoritative order was instantly obeyed; the letter was delivered, -and De Lancaster read as follows<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_188">{188}</a></span>—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"><p>“You have begun very early in life, young gentleman, to take a -decided part against me and my family, and you are not to wonder, -if henceforward and for ever I shall be found to act with -reciprocal hostility towards you and your’s.</p> - -<p>“You have arraigned my character in the matter of the horse, and -the oldest and firmest friends of my house have been spirited away -by your grandfather to desert me, and attach themselves to him—Do -you flatter yourself I can forget this? Are you weak enough to -suppose I will forgive it?</p> - -<p>“By the right I have over the cattle in my keeping I turned that -horse out of my stables, and I am free to own it was no -recommendation to me, that you assumed to have a claim to him, -which claim you neglected, or was ashamed, to make.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_189">{189}</a></span></p> - -<p>“As for the ring, which your attorney was instructed to demand, my -mother, who is not obliged, nor expected to recognise what she -never saw, has nothing to do with the charge: she has nevertheless -given it up to your said attorney, and your aunt is at liberty to -wear it; my consolation is, she can wear no ring of my uncle’s -giving but as a legatee.</p> - -<p>“As I am not a native of your island, I am leaving it without -regret. Don’t persuade yourself however that I shall forget what -has passed, or forfeit any opportunity of avenging my injured -honour.</p> - -<p class="r"> -David ap Owen.”<br /> -</p></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_190">{190}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a id="CHAPTER_II-c"></a>CHAPTER II.<br /><br /> -<i>The Mother of our Hero dies.</i></h3> - -<p><span class="smcap">De Lancaster</span> having read the letter, inserted in our preceding chapter, -and for a few moments pondered on the contents of it, was about to put -it into his pocket, when his grandson eagerly requested that he would -allow him to keep possession of it—Of what use can it be to you?, said -the old gentleman.</p> - -<p>It will remind me, John replied, that I owe the writer of it an answer.</p> - -<p>And what sort of answer would you wish to give him?</p> - -<p>Exactly such an one, as becomes your grandson.</p> - -<p>And what is so becoming as forgiveness?</p> - -<p>The writer does not seem to be of that opinion.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_191">{191}</a></span></p> - -<p>Who cares for his opinion, cried De Lancaster? An inconsiderate, rash, -intemperate boy—Let me rather recommend to you the opinion and example -of Pisistratus, who, when supreme in Athens, where every man’s life was -in his power, had the magnanimity to forgive the brutal insult of -Thrasippus, who, when heated with wine, after venting all the foulest -words his malice could suggest, turned upon Pisistratus, as he was -graciously soliciting him to resume his seat at the table, and vented -his filthy rheum in his face: here is a noble instance of forbearance -for you, my dear John: imitate Pisistratus!</p> - -<p>Then I must be endowed with the power of Pisistratus, John replied, -before I can aspire to emulate his forbearance: you must also allow Sir -David Owen the plea of drunkenness and of course<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_192">{192}</a></span> the loss of reason. If -under these circumstances I had the power of condemning him to death as -an atonement for his insolence, certainly I should not exercise that -power, as it could be no proof of an honourable spirit to revenge myself -upon a defenceless man? and when my word was to decide for life or -death, I should conceive no choice was left to me but to forgive. I can -honour Pisistratus very highly for his royal magnanimity, but I suspect, -my dear grandfather, I must wait till I am a king before I can save -myself from the imputation of cowardice by quoting his example. If I -could suppose myself too great to be dishonoured by an insult, I hope I -should be too generous to be gratified by revenging it.</p> - -<p>Grandson, said the old man, (vainly endeavouring to repress his -feelings) I<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_193">{193}</a></span> perceive you are too subtle to be caught by sophistry. You -distinguish rightly: the instance I adduced does not apply to the case -in question. Here is your letter; take it, but recollect that your -honour is not yet called upon to notice its contents. Mere malice only -merits your contempt; reserve your spirit for a worthier cause, and may -providence in its mercy grant you length of days! for if you, who seem -born to give the brightest lustre to a name of no mean note, should in -the blossom of your virtues prematurely fall, and I survive to mourn the -extinction of my hopes, and the loss of one so infinitely dear, what -will it avail me that the last sun, which went down in my horizon, threw -a gleam of light, that glittered as it sunk to rise no more?</p> - -<p>A signal now given by Cecilia summoned our young hero into his mothe<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_194">{194}</a></span>r’s -chamber. A life passed without pleasure was now about to close in a -death without pain. Though the power of speech was lost, her actions -indicated that she possessed her senses to the last. In her expiring -moments she had grasped the hand of her son so fast in her’s, that it -would have required a stronger effort than he was disposed to make for -disengaging it from her hold, and it was not till several sad minutes -had gone by, when the convulsive nerve relaxed, and the maternal -pressure was no longer felt.</p> - -<p>John now withdrew from this melancholy scene, and, retiring to his -chamber, devoted himself for a while to solitary sorrow.</p> - -<p>As the deceased had signified a wish to Cecilia, that her remains might -be deposited in the family vault at Glen Morgan, orders were given to -that effect.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_195">{195}</a></span> By what fit messenger to impart the mournful event to the -good old man, who had now lost his only child, was matter of debate till -the Reverend Mr. Wilson offered himself for that errand; this being -adjusted, he set out and was instructed to say that Mr. De Lancaster -with Cecilia, John and Colonel Wilson would accompany the hearse to the -place of burial. Poor old Morgan, now perfectly disabled by the gout, -received the intelligence, for which he was prepared, with becoming -resignation, and a fitter person than Edward Wilson to reconcile him to -that dispensation no where could be found—You see, sir, said the old -man to Wilson, the miserable state I am in, and can witness how -impossible it was for me to have paid the last sad duty of a father to -my dying child. I ought not, and I will not, lament that<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_196">{196}</a></span> her exhausted -spirit is at length released, for I know too well that existence has -been burdensome to her, who is no more; but I must ever painfully -reflect, that there was a period in her life, when, had she been open -and sincere in her appeal, I think I was not capable of forcing her to -marry against her inclination: no, let me hope I never was that -tyrant—but alas! that time can never be recalled—She is dead, and he, -that was her choice, is dead, and I, that might, and would, have made -them happy, still languish at the end of life, only to mourn their loss.</p> - -<p>Not so, said Wilson, not exactly so; I have a precious relique in my -care, that’s worth your living for.</p> - -<p>That’s true, that’s true, cried Morgan. Whilst my grandson John -survives, De Lancaster and I, let death come when it<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_197">{197}</a></span> will, may truly -say—<i>Non toti morimur</i>.</p> - -<p>As the worthy old man emphatically dealt out this scrap of Latin, which -Seneca and his memory had supplied him with, the animation it inspired -was visible to Edward Wilson, who had kept his eyes upon him: one of -those faint fleeting smiles with which even pain and sorrow will at -times be seen to greet a cheering recollection, passed over his -countenance, as he dwelt upon the thought of his beloved grandson, and -Edward was not backward to prolong and heighten the consolatory impulse -by indulging him with various anecdotes to the honour of his pupil, and -fixing his attention on a pleasant topic, which is a secret in <i>the art -of healing</i>, that some practitioners either don’t seem to know, or are -not willing to make use of.</p> - -<p>It was now in Morgan’s power to cir<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_198">{198}</a></span>culate his orders to his trusty -house-keeper and butler for the mansion to be prepared, and all things -needful to be put in readiness against the arrival of the family from -Kray Castle. Neither was it omitted to provide an apartment for the -young Amelia, who together with Mrs. Jennings was invited to be present -at the funeral of her patroness and friend.</p> - -<h3><a id="CHAPTER_III-c"></a>CHAPTER III.<br /><br /> -<i>The Scene changes to Glen-Morgan.</i></h3> - -<p><span class="smcap">When</span> the appointed morning came, and the hearse with its attendant -mourners issued from the portal of the court of Kray Castle, the tenants -of De Lancaster presented themselves in a body and fell in respectfully -and silently in rear of the cavalcade; but when Sir Arthur Floyd and the -party of gentlemen, who<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_199">{199}</a></span> had dined at the castle attached themselves to -the train, following the coach, in which De Lancaster was seated, till -they came to the last verge of his domain, where the tenants dispersed, -and they approached to pay their valedictory respects, the venerable old -man, overcome even to tears by the unexpected compliment, and, bowing -from the window of his coach, had only strength to say—Gentlemen, I -thank you from my heart! you have conferred an honour and a favour upon -me and mine, which I never shall forget.</p> - -<p>When they arrived upon the lands of Glen Morgan, though yet at some -distance from the house, they were again met and escorted by the tenants -and retainers of that ancient and opulent family, till they arrived at -the place of their destination.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_200">{200}</a></span></p> - -<p>Here Mr. De Lancaster, by the persuasion of his daughter, consented to -repose after the fatigue and agitation of the journey, whilst Cecilia -and her nephew, as chief mourners, followed the body to the church, -there to consign it with all solemnity to the vault, where the remains -of the Morgans had been deposited for many generations.</p> - -<p>The crowd, which such a spectacle could not fail to bring together, were -not so engrossed by their sorrow as to prevent them from bestowing their -attention on the countenance of the youthful heir, and dull indeed must -have been the eye, which had not discerned that spirit of innate -benevolence, which not all the clouds of sorrow could obscure. Our hero -had now advanced into his eighteenth year; he was tall of stature, erect -in person and of manly<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_201">{201}</a></span> growth and proportion. When he led his aunt from -the church, after the solemnity was concluded, and the people, who lined -his passage to the coach, uncovered and in respectful silence paid their -homage, he stopped, looked round, and in a manner at once the most -graceful and most gracious, returned their salutation. It was a look, -set off with such an action, as spoke comfort to the poor, and gave -assurance to all beholders of a kind and noble nature. What sensations -it conveyed to the feeling bosom of the approving Cecilia, is easier to -conceive than to describe: it was not overlooked by Amelia, who beheld -it through her tears, and the interesting glance was not rendered the -less impressive by the tender medium, through which it made its passage -to her heart.</p> - -<p>She was leaning on the arm of Mrs.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_202">{202}</a></span> Jennings; conscious that she had no -place in that awful ceremony, she had modestly stood at distance from -those who had; and, it was now for the first time that our hero’s eyes -had been directed towards her. She did not put it in the power of the -chief mourners to offer her a seat in their coach, but carefully avoided -being noticed by them, and walked with Mrs. Jennings from the church to -the house. When there arrived, she did not enter by the hall, but -through the offices, and by a private staircase retired to her chamber, -conducted by the house-keeper.</p> - -<p>Cecilia also, after she had paid her respects to the father of the -deceased, repaired to the apartment appointed for her, and dispatched a -servant to Mrs. Jennings and Amelia, requesting the favour of their -company. In a very<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_203">{203}</a></span> few minutes the former of these ladies presented -herself, leading by the hand her elegant and lovely charge in deep -mourning, for which Mrs. Jennings took immediate occasion to apologize, -and hoped she should not give offence to any of the family by having so -done. Whilst this was passing, her timid pupil had drawn back, and held -her handkerchief to her eyes at once to hide her tears and her -confusion.</p> - -<p>Madam, (said Cecilia in that melodious tone, which charmed all ears) you -have judged correctly right in this particular, as I doubt not but you -have in every other, that has reference to this young lady, who is most -fortunate in being under your protection. Of the propriety of her -wearing mourning there can be no doubt, were it only on account of the -interest she has in Mrs. De Lancas<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_204">{204}</a></span>ter’s will, where her name will be -found attached to a legacy of two thousand pounds.</p> - -<p>Bless me, cried Mrs. Jennings, that is beyond all expectation, and I’m -afraid—</p> - -<p>Hold, if you please, said Cecilia (taking Mrs. Jennings by the hand, as -if to apologize for the interruption) and let us sit down, for we keep -this young lady standing, who, if I am not mistaken, has occasion for -repose.—When they were seated, Cecilia proceeded to say, that the -bequest to Miss Jones, which you are pleased to consider as above your -expectation, was only limited, as I have occasion to know, to the sum of -two thousand pounds because the deceased was not possessed of disposable -property sufficient to meet her wishes for making a more ample provision -for the amiable young lady here present;<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_205">{205}</a></span> and this, she added, will be -put out of doubt by a particular and very urgent clause in the said -will, in which she recommends and appeals in the most solemn manner to -her son to bear in mind those earnest wishes, which she had imparted to -him, and not forget the promises, which he had made—And now, madam, as -the full purport of this article, which to you may appear mysterious, is -to me and to my nephew also perfectly clear, this amiable young lady may -be assured, that the wishes of the testator in their most extended sense -will be fulfilled by him, to whom they are bequeathed, if Heaven shall -in its mercy grant him life.</p> - -<p>If the sensibility of the soul has power without the use of words to -convey its meaning, the look and action, which Amelia now directed to -Cecilia De Lan<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_206">{206}</a></span>caster, could not be misunderstood: neither were they, -for that excellent lady, who in that species of eloquence was herself -inferior to none, needed no interpreter, and immediately said—Put -yourself to no exertions, Miss Jones, but withdraw for a time, till you -can recover your spirits, for I readily comprehend both what you feel, -and what you wish to say. If you find yourself disposed to pass a little -time in private, I will undertake for your apology to the company below -stairs.</p> - -<p>This said, Amelia rose, made a respectfull obeisance, and withdrew: -Cecilia had given Mrs. Jennings intimation that she wished to be in -private with her, and immediately, resuming her seat, said—That young -lady does you great credit, madam; I declare to you I never yet -contemplated any thing more elegant in<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_207">{207}</a></span> manners, or more interesting in -person. I understand she has been some years under your tuition, and as -I am intimately acquainted with Mrs. De Lancaster’s motives for that -anxious attachment to her future fortune, which she manifests in her -will, you will not think me too officious, if I request to be informed -of the plan, which you may have adopted, or in your judgment would -advise, for the further education of this young creature, whose beauty -and attraction at this critical time of life demand no common degree of -care and attention.</p> - -<p>Therein, madam, replied Mrs. Jennings, I must refer to better judgment -than my own, and solicit to be ruled by your instruction and advice. I -am a solitary woman, and having no other influence or authority over her -than what her prudence and good will voluntarily<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_208">{208}</a></span> concede to me, I must -confess I am not in myself sufficient to encounter every species of -danger, that may possibly occur to alarm me for her sake, and permit me -to add for the sake of one other person also, whom I fear I have too far -offended ever to be forgiven.</p> - -<p>If you allude to my nephew, said Cecilia, I beg of you to be explicit.</p> - -<p>I own it is to him that I allude, she replied, and as his resentment is -now of so long standing, I have reason to fear I shall never be -forgiven. I confess to you, madam, that when I thought I had discovered -an attachment forming between your nephew and my humble charge, I -considered it as my duty to stop it in its beginning, and prevent their -interviews. This I did, when he last came to my house, and wished to see -Amelia Jones for the purpose of present<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_209">{209}</a></span>ing to her a miniature picture -of her father, sent by Mrs. De Lancaster, to which he had added a rich -and elegant chain of gold, which I believe was of his own procuring. -Upon my hesitating to give him immediate admission to Amelia, he left my -house in displeasure, and from that time to this neither myself, nor -Amelia to my knowledge, have either seen him, or been noticed by him in -the slightest degree. If, unfortunately for her, she is involved in an -offence, of which I alone was guilty, you see, madam, how improper it -will be for her, but more especially for me, to remain any longer in -this house, where we must consider ourselves unwelcome to young Mr. De -Lancaster at least, and probably to others, whom I need not name. I -should add, that for Amelia’s sake it behoves us to<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_210">{210}</a></span> be gone, as she, -poor child, is distressed by his displeasure to a degree, which, as you -have witnessed, renders her unfit to appear even in your presence, who -are all condescension and benevolence. This being the case, is it for me -to advise what is further to be done for Miss Jones’s education? Am I, -in short, any longer the proper person to conduct it? I humbly conceive -I am not.</p> - -<p>To this Cecilia answered—As I draw conclusions from what you have been -stating very different from what you seem to apprehend, I think your -taking Amelia away from us at this time would be the most unadvisable -measure you could adopt and the most irreconcilable to her interest. The -motives, upon which you have hitherto acted towards my nephew, are -certainly very honour<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_211">{211}</a></span>able; but you need not pursue them any further; at -least, not with the same degree of rigour. Assure Miss Jones from me, -that she has not the least occasion to be alarmed; let her act as her -own good sense and discretion shall dictate, and I am persuaded you will -not find it necessary to lay any restraint upon her conduct. You will -endeavour therefore to detach her from her solitude and her sorrows as -speedily as you can, and convince her that she will find none but -friends in our circle, regardful of her interests, and anxious for her -happiness.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Jennings having made her acknowledgments for these kind assurances, -respectfully withdrew, and hastened to communicate intelligence so -consolatory to her beloved charge, happy to find herself in a great -degree relieved<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_212">{212}</a></span> from an anxious responsibility, which had put her upon -assuming a reserve, much more rigid and punctilious than was natural to -her character.</p> - -<h3><a id="CHAPTER_IV-c"></a>CHAPTER IV.<br /><br /> -<i>Occurrences at Glen Morgan.</i></h3> - -<p><span class="smcap">In</span> the evening of this very day, after all the melancholy duties -incidental to it had been discharged, John De Lancaster detached himself -from the company, and striking into a gloomy walk of unclipt yew trees, -appertaining to what by courtesy was called the pleasure ground, at the -extremity of it surprised Amelia, solitary and unconscious of his -approach, reposing herself on a seat under the shade of a tree, whose -branches<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_213">{213}</a></span> through their openings gave a glimpse of her figure, which -might well have escaped any eyes but those of a lover.</p> - -<p>Upon discovering him as he approached, the timid damsel started from her -seat, and was preparing to withdraw, when with that gentle action, which -more resembles intercession than compulsion having induced her to resume -her seat, he said—It has been a long and tedious banishment, to which -your governess condemned me: and since my good fortune has now thrown an -opportunity in my way, which I have ardently wished for, and of which I -may honourably avail myself, don’t think me too importunate, if I -solicit you to give me a hearing whilst I discharge my conscience of a -duty, that I owe to the parent, whom we have this day followed to the -grave. Perhaps Miss Jones, you are<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_214">{214}</a></span> not apprised by what solemn -obligations I am bound to consider your honour, interest and happiness -unalienably connected and interwoven with my own. How dear you were to -my departed mother I well know; what I professed to you in our first and -only interview I religiously bear in mind: I have every impression of -your merit, every sensibility of your charms both of mind and person, -that our very short acquaintance could inspire, and by the sacred -solemnity of this day I swear to you, that, if Heaven grants me life, I -will live to your service.</p> - -<p>Mr. De Lancaster, she replied, though I cannot at this moment find -expressions for my gratitude, I hope you will believe, that, if I felt -it less, I could express it better. It is indeed a very long time since -you honoured me with your<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_215">{215}</a></span> visit, and of course this is the very first -instant I can profit by for returning my most heart-felt thanks for your -invaluable present, which by some misunderstanding on the part of Mrs. -Jennings I have till now unhappily been deprived of doing. As I did not -know that you had been the bearer of that kind present till after you -had left the house, I must not presume to judge of your reasons for -resenting the reception, that you met with from the lady, under whose -care I am; but I may venture to assure you, it was never her intention -to give offence to Mr. De Lancaster, and I must leave it with yourself -to reflect, whether it is consistent with your idea of what is just and -right to harbour a lasting resentment for an unpremeditated trespass.</p> - -<p>If you judge me by appearances, Miss Jones, he replied, I may suffer in -your<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_216">{216}</a></span> good opinion; but in absenting myself from Mrs. Jennings’s house I -conceive I only acted as every man of honour ought to act towards a -lady, who gave him clearly to understand that his visits were unwelcome. -You may not have been informed that the very first time I waited upon -you at Denbigh she intimated this to me most pointedly by letter, and -when a second time I was not suffered to deliver into your hands what I -had in charge to give you from my mother, judge if I could so -misunderstand either her or myself, as ever to intrude again, and -provoke her to give me a more explicit dismission.</p> - -<p>Alas, sir, replied Amelia, how it came to pass, that Mrs. Jennings so -misjudged the case I know not; but that she is incapable of a designed -affront I am perfectly persuaded. You well know the situation, in which -we jointly stand to<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_217">{217}</a></span>wards the families of De Lancaster and Morgan, which -meet and centre in your single person; and I think you cannot fail to -find good reason on our part, why we should not wilfully fail in respect -towards those, upon whose bounty we subsist.</p> - -<p>Ah lovely Amelia, exclaimed the enamoured youth, when you humble -yourself to speak of obligations to my family in these terms, you compel -me to declare to you, that I have no higher ambition at my heart, nor is -there any prouder honour I can aspire to, than to render myself in time -not totally unworthy of a place in your esteem: you must suffer me to -tell you, that such was the impression I received upon the sight of you, -when I was bearer of the token, which the poor soldier was entrusted -with, and so ardent was my desire to avail myself<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_218">{218}</a></span> of the introduction, -which my departed mother’s commission for the second time afforded me, -that the unexpected cold reception I encountered from your governess was -such a cutting disappointment, that I could not conquer my ungovernable -temper, and was driven to commit a thousand wild extravagancies, that -upon reflection I am ashamed of: therefore it was, that upon -self-examination discovering my unworthiness, and want of education to -correct my errors, I avoided all society but of my teacher and my books, -and laboured diligently to retrieve the time, that I had lost. How far I -may have succeeded time must show: all I can say for myself is, that I -have not been sparing of my efforts, and if henceforward I may be -favoured with access to you, I shall have an object in my view, whose -approbation, if I can<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_219">{219}</a></span> deserve it and obtain it, will be the highest -reward this world can give me, and the one great blessing of my life.</p> - -<p>He had, whilst he was addressing her in these emphatic words, taken her -hand in his, and she now for sometime, without attempting to withdraw -it, sate silent, meditative, with her eyes fixt upon the ground, and her -face suffused with blushes.</p> - -<p>The terms, in which she had heard herself addressed, were such as could -not be misunderstood; it is natural also to suppose they could not be -unwelcome: they certainly demanded an answer, but how to shape that -answer between the extremes of too much and too little sensibility was -to the modest, unassuming, diffident Amelia an embarassment that her -inexperience was not qualified to surmount. She had however made<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_220">{220}</a></span> an -effort to attempt some general acknowledgments, better graced and easier -to be understood by the look and action that accompanied them than by -the language, when the sudden approach of Cecilia in an instant -dispelled both the pleasure and the pain of this unfinished explanation, -and gave her to understand that Mr. De Lancaster had something to impart -to her, and was anxiously expecting the pleasure of her company.</p> - -<p>Upon the word she rose, bowed respectful obedience to the summons, and -turned a look upon the party, she was now constrained to leave, so -marked with feeling and so fraught with mind, that our hero must have -been dull indeed had he needed any comment to explain its meaning.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_221">{221}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a id="CHAPTER_V-c"></a>CHAPTER V.<br /><br /> -<i>Our Heroine has an Interview with the Grandfather of our Hero.</i></h3> - -<p><span class="smcap">When</span> the young and lovely orphan, whom our history will no longer -overlook, was admitted to the presence of the venerable De Lancaster, no -third person being there but the lady who introduced her, she had so far -composed her spirits as to make her first approaches, and receive his -compliments, under no other agitation than what served to set off the -modest graces of her person and deportment to the best advantage: he led -her to a chair, and placed himself by her side. After a pause of some -short continuance, during which he had kept his eyes admiringly upon -her, he turned to Cecilia, and said—I see you were resolved<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_222">{222}</a></span> I should -enjoy the pleasure of a surprise, for though you described in part what -I was to expect, your description was far short of the original. I have -seen my brother Morgan’s portrait of Miss Jones’s father, and I can -trace a likeness.</p> - -<p>You would do that better, said Cecilia, in a miniature, which perhaps -Amelia has about her.</p> - -<p>Amelia answered that she had not the miniature in her possession.</p> - -<p>Let it pass, rejoined De Lancaster; we have matter of more moment to -discourse upon. You will understand, Miss Jones, that by the will of the -deceased lady, who had your interest so much at heart, you become -invested with a claim upon us of a twofold nature: the one portion of my -daughter-in-law’s bequest to you is easily satisfied,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_223">{223}</a></span> for it is set -down in the shape of a specific sum; the other and the greater portion, -being undefined, is an obligation, that can never be fairly said to -terminate so long as any thing shall remain undone on the part of my -grandson, which, according to his interpretation of his mother’s wishes, -may seem necessary for your honour and advantage to be further done. -John however is yet under age: on whom then, but on me, during his -minority, does that obligation in its full extent devolve? I acknowledge -it; I embrace it voluntarily; I will execute it religiously. You are my -charge; you are my child, and in trust for my grandson I receive you -into my adoption.</p> - -<p>Amelia, half-rising from her seat, and pressing her claspt hands upon -her bosom, bowed her head and wept. De Lancaster proceeded.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_224">{224}</a></span></p> - -<p>How then am I to fulfil this duty. Surely not by deputy, not by -assignment: I must not suffer you to live at distance; you must -discharge yourself as speedily as may be from your residence at Denbigh. -Retain if you see fit, Mrs. Jennings as a friend attached to you, but -look to my Cecilia for those instructions, which are to regulate your -morals, and that example, which is to form your manners. Henceforward I -expect that you will regard Kray Castle as your proper home.</p> - -<p>With this benevolent, but authoritative, invitation Mr. De Lancaster -concluded, when Cecilia, rightly conceiving, that a creature, young and -modest as Amelia, might find it difficult to suit her answer to a speech -and speaker of such a style and character, kindly interposed by asking -her in a familiar manner, whe<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_225">{225}</a></span>ther she thought she could pass her time -as much to her content at Kray Castle as at Denbigh.</p> - -<p>Ah madam, she replied, I have good reason to be contented with the way -in which I pass my time at Denbigh, but I trust I need not say how much -I feel the honour of being asked to Kray Castle, which of course would -be so high a treat to me. I must acknowledge to you notwithstanding, -that as I know of nothing, that can intitle me to the kindness you are -pleased to show me, I am fearful and alarmed, lest by stepping out of my -obscurity I should be suspected of conceiving myself to be any other -than what I really am, an orphan hitherto supported upon charity, and -now at once provided for in a way, that offers comforts, which my -parents did not possess, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_226">{226}</a></span> affluence, which they had not to bequeath.</p> - -<p>Here the good old man eagerly interposing, turned a kind approving smile -upon Amelia, and said—There is a grace, my good child, in humility, -which well befits your sex, your situation and your time of life; but -don’t be more humble than the descendant of a good and ancient family -ought to be; for the dignity of the stock is not to be degraded by the -eventual sterility of any one of the branches. When we invite you to -partake of the society of our family, you may be sure it is a pleasure, -that we are desirous to enjoy: If you therefore are pleased to consider -our solicitation as a civility, how much more cause have we to set down -your compliance as a favour? I must ever think, that when my guest<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_227">{227}</a></span> -brings with him the recommendatory properties of good birth, good -manners, sense and morals, he brings with him into my company what does -me honour, let him be as bare of money as hard fate may make him. You -seem to think that your ambition should be bounded by the specific sum -bequeathed to you in the will of our newly-deceased friend, and rightly -you would think, had nothing else been devised by the testatrix; but as -this is not the case, and as the mother in her will lays further -commands upon the son, don’t suppose, because your moderation may -conceive that much is done, that he will think there is no more to do.</p> - -<p>As Mr. De Lancaster was addressing these words to the fair and gentle -creature that was seated by his side, the person, to whom they alluded, -at that in<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_228">{228}</a></span>stant entered the room. There are lights favourable and -unfavourable, in which every human being will at different times be -seen; this was decidedly one of the happiest moments, which an artist -could have seized for modelling, or a sensitive young damsel for -contemplating, our hero John De Lancaster. As Amelia was rising from her -seat upon his entrance, the address, with which he hastened to replace -her, and the gracefulness of the action, which accomplished it, were in -the very best style of good breeding and politeness, as they were then -understood and practised: as they are now better understood and more -easily practised, no elegant lady would take the trouble to rise, and if -an awkward miss attempted it, no elegant gentleman would be at the pains -to prevent her; ease is the grand desideratum of<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_229">{229}</a></span> modern life; and no -one makes a compliment of what every one helps himself to without -ceremony.</p> - -<p>The Wilsons, father and son, now joined the company, and whilst they -drew off to the party of the senior De Lancaster, John took his seat -between Amelia and his aunt, being thereunto invited by the latter.</p> - -<p>I have been soliciting Miss Jones to pass some time with us at the -castle, said Cecilia.</p> - -<p>I am happy to hear it, John replied, and I hope you have prevailed. I -understand you go home to-morrow, and I must deny myself the -gratification of attending upon you, for I feel it indispensably -incumbent upon me to devote some few days to my grandfather Morgan, and -to sundry things, which he wishes to be done in consequence of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_230">{230}</a></span> -mournful event, that brought us hither; of course so long as I can -afford any consolation to that good and generous heart, which pain and -sorrow conspire to oppress, I must wait till I am released, and in the -mean while pace the solitary yew-tree walk without the hope of again -enjoying that delightful vision, which I once most luckily chanced upon, -but was speedily deprived of. I presume Miss Jones will be of your party -to-morrow.</p> - -<p>That must be at her option, Cecilia observed; there will be room in the -coach, as our worthy Colonel stays a few days longer with Mr. Morgan. -Then turning to Amelia, she took her hand, and with a smile, that seemed -prepared to welcome an excuse, said to her in a whisper—How do you -stand disposed, my dear? Will you go with my father and me to-morrow, or -wait a<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_231">{231}</a></span> few days till Colonel Wilson and my nephew can attend upon you?</p> - -<p>I should naturally be most happy to go when you do, madam, (said Amelia -blushing) but—</p> - -<p>Aye, resumed Cecilia, you would like that best no doubt, but what, my -dear? Something stands in the way of it—you are not ready I dare -say—that is it; is it not?</p> - -<p>Yes, madam, it is. I have nothing with me here: all my things are at -Denbigh; and I am persuaded Mrs. Jennings will expect me to go with her, -and there will be a good deal to do.</p> - -<p>I am persuaded there will be a good deal, repeated Cecilia; about as -much to do, as will fill up your time till the coach shall return for -the colonel and this gentleman, if we could suppose he would prefer it -to his horse, which in fact would<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_232">{232}</a></span> be to suppose he would do that which -he has never done yet: our coach and crawling cattle move too slow for -him.</p> - -<p>Not in all cases, my dear aunt, believe me—Not in your case, for -instance, unless they were conveying me to you; then they would be slow -indeed—If they were conveying you with me, and were it possible that my -poor company could content you, they could not spin out time, so -pleasantly engaged, too long.</p> - -<p>Upon my word, nephew John, that is a very handsome compliment; but you -are seated between two ladies, and I suspect, whilst you were saying it -to one, you intended it for the other.</p> - -<p>Excuse me, madam, that was not the case: It would indeed have been -correctly true, had I ventured to have addressed it to the other lady; -but till I can gain her confidence by my conduct, I<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_233">{233}</a></span> will not court her -good opinion by my compliments.</p> - -<p>As he spake these words, Amelia, struck with the turn he had given to -Cecilia’s raillery, raised her bright eyes, and for the first time -fixing them without a blush steadily upon him, said with an energy, that -seemed to carry her beyond herself—You answer nobly, sir! My father -would have honoured you for that sentiment.</p> - -<p>This said, she rose from her seat, and with her rose the company; the -venerable old butler having given notice that the hour was come, when, -according to family custom (then very generally honoured and observed) -they were called upon to offer up their praises and petitions to the -Author of their being, and Dispenser of their blessings.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_234">{234}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a id="CHAPTER_VI-c"></a>CHAPTER VI.<br /><br /> -<i>Mr. De Lancaster and Cecilia return to Kray Castle. An Explanation -takes place between Mrs. Jennings and our Hero John; they are -reconciled.</i></h3> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> next morning saw the equipage of De Lancaster bear away the father -and the daughter not with that speed, which the emblem of the expanded -wings might be construed to betoken, but reverently and deliberately -with that slow and easy motion, which neither hurried the passengers out -of their equilibrium, nor the well-fed cattle out of their accustomed -amble, which was specifically neither walk, trot nor stand-still, though -something seemingly allied to each. In fact the gentry of those days had -not found out the necessity of being in a<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_235">{235}</a></span> hurry, when they had nothing -to do that called for expedition.</p> - -<p>The numberless things, that Amelia had to do at Denbigh when she did not -wish to leave Glen-Morgan, unluckily occurred to Mrs. Jennings, when if -they had slipped her memory, the omission would have been most readily -forgiven; but that provident lady saw so many things needful for herself -and for her charge, that suit was instantly made for the chariot and -horses, and Mrs. Richards the house-keeper was requested to obtain that -order from her master. Mrs. Richards admitted the necessity of a visit -to Denbigh on the part of Mrs. Jennings, for she saw the pressing claims -of crapes and gauzes in their true and proper force, but having probably -discovered in the expressive features of the young Amelia, then standing -beside her, something that<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_236">{236}</a></span> to her conception indicated disappointment, -she good-naturedly cried out—Don’t take this dear child from us, just -when she is beginning to get acquainted and make friends with the family -from Kray Castle.</p> - -<p>Why surely, said Mrs. Jennings, you forget that the only lady of that -family is gone away this morning, and you would not I suppose think it -proper for Amelia to stay here without me.</p> - -<p>I can’t see what should harm her if she did, the dame made answer. My -poor good master and the colonel have either lost their limbs, or lost -the use of limbs, and as for the young folks, when they are happy in -each other, and innocently so, I always think it is a thousand pities to -part them.</p> - -<p>Ah Mrs. Richards, it would be a delightful task indeed, if I had only -to<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_237">{237}</a></span> provide the means of making my Amelia happy; for her wishes are so -pure and so prudent, that she deserves to be gratified in them; but -circumstanced as she is, and limited as I am, there are many things, -innocent in themselves, that she must not risk, and many mere -appearances that she must avoid. I dare say her own good understanding -convinces her how necessary it often is to sacrifice what is pleasant -for the sake of what is prudent.</p> - -<p>Oh yes; I’m perfectly convinced of that, Amelia said and drew a -sigh—Aye, cried the unconverted dame who pleaded on the side that -pleases best, just so would the poor lady, that we buried yesterday, -have said, and just so she did say; she was a slave to appearances; she -sacrificed every thing to what is called prudence, and only lived to be -a melan<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_238">{238}</a></span>choly example how much happier and better she would have been -had she taken counsel of her own heart, and not of other people’s -heads—And thus having wound up her climax and her opinion in the same -moment the good dame with that significant jerk and toss of the head, -which is the veriest unequivocal and not to be mistaken stamp of -self-content, faced about and trotted off in quick time to a kind of -march, that to a musical ear would have marked a measure considerably -above <i>moderato</i>, and a firmness in the tread characteristic of one, who -walked by authority, and kept right onwards without check or turning.</p> - -<p>I perceive, my dear Amelia, said Mrs. Jennings, that if I persist to do -what I consider to be my duty with respect to you, I shall have every -body’s voice against me; but, thank Heaven, you<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_239">{239}</a></span> will soon be under the -protection of the lady of Kray Castle, and then my responsibility will -cease.</p> - -<p>I trust, replied Amelia, you have not found me impatient to throw off -your government, and till that happens, I hope you will not dismiss me -from your care. Here the dialogue was interrupted by the coming in of -John De Lancaster and the Reverend Mr. Wilson. Mrs. Jennings immediately -availed herself of the opportunity for requesting a few minutes private -conversation with our hero, and, this being granted, she delivered -herself as follows—</p> - -<p>I am sensible, Mr. De Lancaster, that I incurred your displeasure by the -manner, in which I received the honour of your visit, when you last -called upon me in Denbigh. Undoubtedly I ought to have presented Amelia -Jones to you<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_240">{240}</a></span> without a moment’s hesitation, that you might have given -into her hands the invaluable relick, you had in charge for her. For -this omission I most heartily ask your pardon, and assure you that I had -no intention to offend, but erred in judgment, when in my over-care to -guard Amelia from the effect of any sudden agitation upon the opening of -that pacquet, I very unadvisedly took the delivery of it upon myself.</p> - -<p>What you have already said, replied De Lancaster, is apology more than -sufficient for an oversight on your part, especially as it proceeded -from so considerate a motive; but I am afraid, Madam, my abrupt -departure is not so easily to be excused, and I can only say, that if we -are to exchange forgiveness, I shall have much to sue for, and very -little to bestow. However let me hope<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_241">{241}</a></span> that Miss Jones has not been -molested by our misunderstanding, but has the miniature, and thinks it, -as it appeared to me, a very admirable painting.</p> - -<p>Sir, resumed Mrs. Jennings, I am sorry to say that the error I -committed, in taking the delivery of the present out of your hands, has -very much molested Miss Jones; and the chief reason for my hastening to -Denbigh is, that I may restore to you the pacquet, which is still in my -keeping, in the hope, that you will condescend to fulfil your first -intention, and with your own hands bestow it upon her, who from her -respect for you and for the express conditions attached to your delivery -of it, has scrupulously denied herself even the pleasure of a sight of -it.</p> - -<p>You surprize me and delight me, cried our hero in a tone of exultation. -’Tis an instance of so refined and delicate a<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_242">{242}</a></span> sense of honour in the -young lady, whom you have educated, as recommends her to my warmest -veneration and esteem. Don’t let me lose an hour, that can be employed -for her relief, and as you tell me that you are hastening home, where -you have the pacquet in your keeping, I will mount my horse and be ready -at your door to hand you out of your carriage, and in your presence, if -such shall be your pleasure, make a transfer of the relick to the lovely -person, who is so properly intitled to it.</p> - -<p>Ah sir, cried Mrs. Jennings, you are infinitely kind, and will not only -take a heavy load from off my heart, but give delight to that beloved -child, whose disappointment has been very great.</p> - -<p>Say to her then, said John, that I am gone to make myself ready to -attend upon her, for I hear the chariot coming<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_243">{243}</a></span> up to the door. Tell her -that it is to her I owe the conscious gratification of being able to say -with truth, I have never disobeyed any one command of my departed -mother, and say moreover that to save her from disappointment and guard -her from danger is another command delivered to me by the same -authority, and intitled to be treated with the same obedience.—But why -do I trouble you with this idle talk? Say nothing to your lovely charge -for me: What have I to do with professions? Let me earn her good opinion -by my actions—Farewell! Your chariot waits.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_244">{244}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a id="CHAPTER_VII-c"></a>CHAPTER VII.<br /><br /> -<i>Our Hero accompanies Amelia and Mrs. Jennings to Denbigh. Past Mistakes -are set to rights in a very natural and agreeable Manner.</i></h3> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> fine and valuable horse, which Sir Arthur Floyd and his friends had -so handsomely presented to young John De Lancaster, and in whose noble -veins ran the full blood of the mal-treated massacred Glendowr, was in -constant attendance upon our hero, wherever he went, and no other hero -was in the habit of riding him. When the ladies had set off for Denbigh, -this favourite animal was by John’s order led out to the great hall-door -for him to mount: The beauty of his form, the spirit of his eye and the -elegance of his action having drawn a<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_245">{245}</a></span> party of admirers, male and -female about him, the poor old gouty grandfather at the instigation and -by the advice of Madam Richards, whose voice was as an oracle in Glen -Morgan, was wheeled into the hall and drawn out upon the landing-place -before the portal to see his grandson in the saddle. It was indeed a -spectacle well worth a lame man’s trouble to contemplate. The -consciousness, which the fine animal seemed to entertain of his own -dignity, and the sensibility with which he appeared to feel the caresses -of his master, were noticed by the grandfather, who had been a famous -sportsman in his time, and gave him great delight. John put his horse -into graceful action, bowed respectfully to the old gentleman and rode -off.</p> - -<p>At about two miles distance from Denbigh he overtook the chariot. The<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_246">{246}</a></span> -light and nimble tread of his horse upon the mossy turf gave no notice -of his approach: the ladies were engaged upon an interesting topick, and -his name was on the lips of Amelia in the very moment when he rode up to -the window, and, as it happened, on the side where she was seated: In -the sudden emotion, which the sight of him occasioned, the start she -gave, and the action that accompanied it, covered her with blushes; for -she was conscious of having betrayed more joy and transport on the -occasion than it is required of prudent young ladies to discover when -they meet young men of their acquaintance on the road. Her’s was not the -age however nor yet the nature, that could counterfeit tranquillity and -indifference; so that when her eyes were directed towards him, they gave -him clearly to perceive and know<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_247">{247}</a></span> how welcome to her sight he was. He -himself also was too much enraptured with what he contemplated to be -either very able or very eager to help her out of her embarrassment; in -a short time however she had recollected herself quite sufficiently to -be extremely charmed with the beauty of his horse, extremely -apprehensive of his danger when he came too near, and extremely happy -when he came so very close to the window, that her fair hand could reach -not only to caress and fondle that fine animal, but to display its own -fair self to the owner of the animal, who, probably, was not so devoid -of common sense, and incapable of observation, as not to know pretty -nearly what proportion of those endearments were properly addressed to -the horse, what virtually bestowed upon himself.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_248">{248}</a></span></p> - -<p>Upon his arrival at Mrs. Jennings’s house, the reception which John now -met was very unlike what he had before experienced. The cases containing -the miniature picture and the gold chain were delivered to him. Mrs. -Jennings quitted the room, and upon his finding himself alone with -Amelia, he began as follows—</p> - -<p>I confess to you, Miss Jones, I feel myself very highly gratified by the -handsome manner, in which you have declined taking this pledge of my -poor mother’s affection and regard for you, till I could have an -opportunity of delivering it into your hands agreeably to her particular -instruction and desire. I am sensible it is a refinement, that very many -people would not feel, but happily for me you did, and the melancholy -event, that has since occurred, naturally<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_249">{249}</a></span> makes me the more desirous of -adhering strictly to what she gave me in command: this I now do, when I -have the honour of presenting to you, as a token of her very sincere -esteem, this miniature of your father; what the other case contains is -simply a chain, which I hope you will accept from me, though it has -neither the same intrinsic value as a relick, nor the same ideal value -as a memorial of the donor.</p> - -<p>Pardon me, exclaimed Amelia, eagerly interposing, what the other case -contains is a gift not only very beautiful in itself, but infinitely -valuable to me for the giver’s sake.</p> - -<p>Oh! that I might believe you, cried the enraptured youth.</p> - -<p>Indeed you may, she naturally replied. I prize it as your gift above all -computation.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_250">{250}</a></span></p> - -<p>Nay, now, enchantress, he exclaimed, if your beauty and your kindness -overcome my reason, you must either pardon my transports, or escape out -of my company. To be told that you will prize this trifle, because it is -my gift, is such a favour as can only be repaid by tendering to you my -heart—my life—myself—my every thing—and, saying this, he pressed the -unreluctant damsel to his bosom, accompanying each fond endearing phrase -with tender but respectful delicate caresses.</p> - -<p>As soon as he had released her from his arms he led her to a chair, kept -her hand in his, and seated himself by her: she was not in the least -abashed, did not betray any extraordinary agitation, nor studied to -avoid his eyes; for real purity is not suspicious—Amelia, he cried, I -know the sacred nature of the responsi<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_251">{251}</a></span>bility I have incurred by giving -way to the raptures, which your charms inspired. Your father’s picture -hangs before me; I well remember the apostrophe I made to it; you do not -want the presence of Mrs. Jennings to guarantee my good behaviour; your -very best duenna is my honour. That mother, who is scarcely cold in her -shrowd, with her dying breath bequeathed you to my honour, my protection -and my constant care through life. These are my duties; they are such as -a brother, as a guardian or a father might engage in: I don’t commence -my execution of them after the way of either of these, but, availing -myself of the first favourable opportunity, and snatching at the first -kind expression, which your politeness prompts you to address to me, I -instantly throw my unprivileged arms about your chaste<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_252">{252}</a></span> and beauteous -person with all the ardour of a lover—All this is true: I felt that -ardour, and I feel that love—Let me now ask you, Does the declaration -of that love offend you?</p> - -<p>Oh, no, no, no.</p> - -<p>And may I hope in time to merit a return of love?</p> - -<p>You merit it already, and you have it—But hold! restrain yourself. -Don’t make it such a wonder that I speak the truth; but as I have -answered fairly, hear me now in my turn, calmly, patiently, I pray you; -for I verily believe, that upon the candour, with which you shall treat -the sincere confession and appeal I am now about to make to you, the -happiness of my life in future will depend.</p> - -<p>Speak freely; I am all attention. I will not deceive you.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_253">{253}</a></span></p> - -<p>What I have said is true: I have full cause to love you: such as you are -in every early excellence of mind and person, it would be out of nature -if I did not. I can well believe it to be against rule for a young girl -like me to make this frank confession: It seems so; and perhaps it was -not quite in rule for me to suffer you to embrace me, whilst you uttered -those emphatic, tender words; I could not help it: you embraced me once -before; I could not help it then. The arms of no man since my father -died ever embraced me, yours alone excepted. The delight, which those -endearments gave me in both cases, I am not ashamed to own; for it was -pure: but I should be sorry to indulge in that delight, however pure, -which cannot be permanent; and would not wish to hear those fond -rapturous words repeated, to<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_254">{254}</a></span> which if I affixed a serious meaning, I -must be the vainest and the weakest of all human beings. In one word, my -dear sir, you, who are destined to so high a lot, must show some pity -for a lowly creature that looks up to you with love and admiration, and -must absolutely promise me to fill up your time at Glen Morgan, whilst I -in obedience to Mr. De Lancaster’s commands pay a short visit of respect -at Kray Castle.</p> - -<p>If you think that I ought to be at Glen Morgan when you are at Kray -Castle, John replied, I much doubt if I ought to be where I am at this -moment; but why my lovely Amelia should mistrust either her own power, -or my principle, I cannot tell.</p> - -<p>You must not disappoint the expectation of your friends; you must not do -what is unbecoming of your situation.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_255">{255}</a></span></p> - -<p>That’s true, my sweet Amelia; that is very true: I must not disgrace -myself by any mean and infamous action: you would not like me if I did -that; would you, Amelia?</p> - -<p>Surely not.</p> - -<p>I must not, for instance, make vehement protestations to an ingenuous, -honourable, accomplished girl, draw her on to confess that I am not -disagreeable to her, prevail upon her to endure my hypocritical -caresses, and then turn my back upon her, and forsake her; would not -that be scandalous?</p> - -<p>It would not be right.</p> - -<p>It would be rascally: for suppose I was to say to her thus—because I -abound in money myself, I won’t marry you unless you abound also; what -sort of a reason would that be? Or again, because I am a plain -gentleman, and you are<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_256">{256}</a></span> quite as well born as myself, in short, in every -respect my equal, therefore I must seek for something higher—<i>I must -not disappoint the expectation of my friends; I must not do what is -unbecoming of my situation</i>—How would that sound? What kind of opinion -would you form of a man, who should act and argue in that way? You would -despise him, Amelia; you would say to him in earnest what you say to me -in jest—Don’t let us meet, if it be possible to avoid it: should I come -to visit your family, take care not to be at home—Ah Amelia, Amelia, if -so you wished to have disposed of me, why did not you contrive to make -your visit to Kray Castle, as my aunt proposed to you, when you knew I -could not be there?</p> - -<p>Nay, that is not a fair question, she replied: why do I think these -minutes<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_257">{257}</a></span> happier than any I have passed, since last we met in this room -together?—Here the conversation no longer turned upon interrogatories: -it was not of the nature of argumentation or discussion; it would elude -short-hand; for the pauses, when no words were interchanged, were -employed in contemplating the miniature, affixing it to the chain, and -adjusting it to the pearly neck of the fair possessor, which, with other -businesses of not less moment, occupied the thoughts of the parties, -till Mrs. Jennings made her entrance, and announced to John De Lancaster -that a young man, who called himself the son of Ap Rees, the minstrel of -Penruth, was waiting and extremely urgent to be admitted; a wish, that -was immediately complied with.</p> - -<p>The agony of the young man’s mind<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_258">{258}</a></span> was visible in his countenance. It -was with some difficulty that our hero recognized him; but in the same -moment that he recalled him to his memory, he received him in the -kindest manner, put him at his ease and made him sit down—I saw you -ride into town, said the poor fellow, and I traced you to this house: I -was a long time doubtful about venturing to ask for you; but you have an -excellent character for kindness and benevolence to your inferiors, and -the story of the poor soldier, who died in your house, encouraged me to -believe, that the pity you bestowed upon a traveller and a stranger, you -would not withhold from an ancient Briton and a neighbour: Besides, sir, -I remember when my father Robin Ap Rees performed at Kray Castle, and -sister and I came upon the platform in the great hall with<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_259">{259}</a></span> him—Yes, -sure enough, I remember how good you was to my poor Nancy, when shame -overcame her, and she was like to faint—Ah, sir, worse shame has -overcome her now: the direst villain breathing has undone her: she is -crazed; she has attempted her own life; she is dying: that Jew David -Owen is her murderer: but I’ll follow him through the world; he is out -of the law’s reach, but not out of mine: as soon as I have laid poor -Nancy in her grave, I’ll after him across the seas, and when, or -wheresoever I can light upon him, that moment shall be his last.</p> - -<p>Stop, friend, said John De Lancaster, you let your passion run away with -you, and don’t know what you are saying. I can guess the injury, that -has been done to your sister, but what are the facts, that so -particularly criminate Sir David<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_260">{260}</a></span> Owen? Recite them simply, if you -please; give me nothing but the truth exactly stated; no invective, Mr. -Ap Rees, no aggravation.</p> - -<p>Why, you must know, sir, said the appellant, that after the old -baronet’s death father wished for Nancy to go out to service; so there -came a lady to the Abbey to visit Sir David, or Sir David’s mother, I -can’t say which: she seemed to be mightily taken with Nancy, and being a -single lady hired her to be about her person, promising to educate and -take care of her. She seemed a motherly kind of person, sure enough, and -very affable. So when the lady’s own chariot drove up to the door, and -Nancy was told to step into it with her mistress, father thought, and so -did I, that it was a famous thing for his daughter—Alas, a-day! There -is no looking into peopl<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_261">{261}</a></span>e’s hearts. Little did we think, that it was -all a deep-laid plot to ruin a poor Innocent.</p> - -<p>Proceed with your narrative, John repeated, and don’t digress into -comments and remarks, that, if you want my assistance, only prevent me -from tendering it to you by taking up my time unprofitably, and puzzling -my understanding.</p> - -<p>I ask your pardon, sir, Ap Rees replied; I should have gone on to say, -that after two days travelling my sister was set down at a lone cottage, -where she believed herself at a considerable distance from the Abbey, -when in fact the tour she had taken was projected purposely to deceive -her into that persuasion. After a few days passed in perfect solitude -Sir David Owen appeared as a visitor to the lady of the cottage, when<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_262">{262}</a></span> -by their joint contrivances, too horrible to relate, they first -succeeded in depriving my unhappy sister of her reason, and then -accomplished their infernal triumph over her innocence. In this state of -mental derangement she was kept for some time, not totally devoid of -short intervals of recollection, in one of which she thinks she saw you, -sir; but probably it was only her fancy, for there is no road, that -could have led you to the house.</p> - -<p>I have reason to believe she is not mistaken, John replied! but no -matter. I can now anticipate in some degree the tragic end of your -afflicting narrative. Sir David Owen has left the kingdom, and made no -provision for your sister’s comfort—she is destitute, distracted, -dying—your father is old, blind and broken-hearted, and you are young, -torn<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_263">{263}</a></span> with rage, burning for revenge, and perhaps not in a capacity to -furnish those medical and immediate aids, which the pitiable situation -of your suffering sister unintermittingly demands. I take all that upon -myself: I’ll do it instantly without delay: The victim of man’s villainy -shall not want a friend. Nancy Ap Rees, the blushing Innocent, whom I -supported in my arms, and was insulted for my officiousness, shall now, -in the last stage of her distress, and to the last moment of her life, -find my unqualified and full support: therefore lead me to her directly -wheresoever she is—If in town, let us hasten to her on foot; if out of -town, I have horses ready for myself and you—set out at once!<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_264">{264}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a id="CHAPTER_VIII-c"></a>CHAPTER VIII.<br /><br /> -<i>Our Hero visits the Daughter of Robin Ap Rees in her Distress.</i></h3> - -<p><span class="smcap">As</span> our hero was following Ap Rees to the street door of Mrs. Jennings’s -house, Amelia met him in the passage. I am going with this young man, he -said, upon a matter of business, that may keep me some time—but why are -you alarmed, Amelia? there is no cause for it, I assure you: I only go -to serve a friend—I am satisfied, she replied, I ask no questions; -farewell!</p> - -<p>In a poor little tenement, the habitation of a widow-woman, in the -outskirts of the town, young Robin Ap Rees had a lodging room, and in -that room there was a bed, wherein our<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_265">{265}</a></span> benevolent young hero -horror-struck beheld an emaciated delirious creature, bound down with -straps; the ruin of a beauteous form; the wreck, which villainy had made -of reason; a modest unsoiled maiden once, whose purity nothing but -poisonous drugs could overthrow; a spectacle to rend the heart of man, -and make an angel weep.</p> - -<p>I cannot stand it, John exclaimed. Open the window: give me air, or I -shall sink outright.</p> - -<p>A voice was heard, that in a feeble but shrill tone murmured out—I know -you—John had turned away from what he could not bear to look upon; he -now again directed his eyes towards the object, that addressed him, and -burst into an agony of tears.</p> - -<p>Can man do this and live, he cried; can Heaven see this, and spare him?<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_266">{266}</a></span></p> - -<p>I wish they would not tie me down, the poor creature said. I will be -very quiet, whilst you are with me.</p> - -<p>Release her, he exclaimed: she has not strength to hurt herself—They -obeyed him instantly; the brother and the poor woman of the house set -her free: she smiled upon them, and bowed her head in acknowledgment for -the favour. There, there, said John, you see the terror of her looks -subsides: I now discern an emanation of her former self. Nancy, my girl, -compose yourself; be comforted! you say you know me: I am John De -Lancaster, and come to comfort you, to clear your character, to restore -you (with God’s leave) to health and happiness, and to sooth the sorrows -of your father, whom you shall shortly see: again I say, compose -yourself. I am your friend, and will not<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_267">{267}</a></span> desert you, nor suffer you to -be ill treated any longer.</p> - -<p>God will reward you, she said: God knows my injuries; your generous -nature would be shocked to hear them. If I may see my father and receive -his blessing, I will die content.</p> - -<p>You shall see your father: I will send for him directly.</p> - -<p>Thank you! ’tis kind in you. I saw you ride by on your horse: I called -after you, but you did not hear me. I am sure they did something to -disorder my brain; it is not possible I could have devised such -sinfulness else; no, no, it is not possible.</p> - -<p>Doctor Roberts, (locally so intitled) now entered the chamber; he came -opportunely, for the unhealed gashes on poor Nancy’s arms were bleeding -afresh, and required the skill of a surgeon to<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_268">{268}</a></span> stop them. The county of -Denbigh, not then extremely fertile in men of medical celebrity, -decidedly conferred the palm of pre-eminence on Doctor Roberts, and, in -addition to the character of ability in his profession, he had, and -merited to have, universal credit for benevolence and humanity: not to -the diseased alone, but also to the distressed, his help was ready, and -his hand was open.</p> - -<p>He had attended on this piteous object at the suit of her unhappy -brother; he had staunched the bleeding of her self-inflicted wounds, and -had found it necessary to prescribe coercion, and to tie down her hands. -An idea that her blood was poisoned had impressed her with the -persuasion that to let it out was an act of duty, and the instant that -she found her hands at liberty, she employed them in that office. The -Doctor<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_269">{269}</a></span> now stopped the bleeding, and provided against a repetition of -it. When this was done, he attended to the anxious enquiries of John De -Lancaster, with whose character and connections he was perfectly well -acquainted. It was his opinion that the patient could not survive above -two days: her pulse indicated approaching dissolution; nature was -exhausted; the whole mass of her blood was broken; in fact it was -absolutely poisoned by the inordinate infusion of pernicious stimulants, -which had been insidiously administered in her diet and her drink for -the most abominable purposes: of this he was convinced not only by her -own evidence, but by symptomatic proofs, in which he could not be -mistaken; in short he was certain, that when her death took place a jury -of surgeons upon opening the body<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_270">{270}</a></span> would confirm the fact, and this of -course he recommended as a measure due to justice.</p> - -<p>With the same view he advised that her deposition should be taken -without loss of time in a legal manner, which he believed her competent -to give, especially now that the loss of blood had cleared her -intellect, though at the same time it might conspire to hasten her -dissolution.</p> - -<p>In conformity to this advice measures were immediately taken, and David -Williams was dispatched to Kray Castle with the following letter from -John to his grand-father.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"><p class="indd2"> -“Most dear and honoured sir,<br /> -</p> - -<p>“I have been present at a scene of the most afflicting nature: -Nancy Ap Rees, the daughter of blind Robin, is dying in consequence -of practices too horrible to be described, that have been<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_271">{271}</a></span> employed -against her for purposes the most diabolical. When you call to mind -the wretch, who has lately disappeared, it will spare me the pain -of committing his detestable name to the same paper, that is graced -with your’s, and signed with mine.</p> - -<p>“Alas, my beloved grand-father, how deeply do I regret that it -should have been my lot so early in life, and for so long a portion -of it, to have been in any degree implicated with a miscreant, who, -after being convicted of the most disgraceful and unmanly conduct -in various instances, has by gradations in cruelty proceeded to the -extreme of all atrocity, and effected the violation of an innocent -and virtuous girl by means, that amount, as I conceive, to actual -murder.</p> - -<p>“As the brother of this unhappy victim now on her death-bed, and by -<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_272">{272}</a></span>intervals only possessed of her reason, has resorted to me in his -distress, how could I, a descendant of the De Lancasters and -grandson of the best and most benevolent of mankind, have been -worthy of my name, had I shrunk from the duties of humanity, -however irksome it may be to me, that any part of the trouble, -which ought to be all my own, should devolve upon you, without whom -I am nothing.</p> - -<p>“The first thing I require of you is to send me over money, fully -sufficient to satisfy in a liberal manner all incidental expences -attending the care of this poor creature, whilst she has life; to -provide for the interment of her remains after death, and the -effectual prosecution of the wretch, and his accomplice or -accomplices, who to the crime of violation have added that of -poisoning her pure<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_273">{273}</a></span> blood with drugs of the most inflammatory and -deadly nature.</p> - -<p>“By my servant David Williams, who is the bearer of this, you will -immediately send me over one hundred pounds, and as the presence of -old Robin Ap Rees is earnestly expected by his dying child, you -will be pleased to give order for his safe and speedy conveyance -under care of some one of your household, who will prudently -prepare him for the meeting, happy in this one instance, that his -sight at least cannot be shocked by the sad and piteous spectacle, -that would else have awaited him.</p> - -<p>“With these requisitions convinced that your benignant candour will -comply, I remain with all true devotion, &c. &c.</p> - -<p class="r"> -“<span class="smcap">John De Lancaster</span>.”<br /> -</p></div> - -<p>Whilst John withdrew to write this<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_274">{274}</a></span> letter Doctor Roberts had been -wholly occupied in his endeavours to keep life in his patient, who by -successive faintings now sunk so fast, that De Lancaster only came back -in time to see her eyes close for ever.</p> - -<p>It was now so evident that the deceased had by her own act brought on -immediate dissolution, that it became a doubt with Doctor Roberts, -whether any satisfactory proofs could be adduced of her having died -precisely by poisonous drugs, inasmuch as it was not possible for him to -depose upon oath, though in opinion he was persuaded, that it was not in -the power of medicine to have saved her, had she abstained from all -self-violence.</p> - -<p>Of the particular means used for the imposing those pernicious drugs -upon her there was no such specification, as<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_275">{275}</a></span> could be producible -evidence in a court of justice; for no words had been taken down from -the mouth of the deceased, and the fact of her insanity being -incontrovertible, very little credit would be legally attached to the -wanderings of a suicide, known to have been deprived of her reason: it -was therefore judged advisable to waive the process, that had been in -meditation, and not expose her miserable remains to an operation, which -even John revolted from, whilst her brother in the most earnest manner -besought them to dispense with it.</p> - -<p>In these resolutions and opinions the debating parties were the more -confirmed by the following letter, which young Williams brought with him -on his return from Kray Castle<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_276">{276}</a></span>—</p> - -<p>“Your conduct, my beloved grandson, has my unqualified approbation, and -your commands are punctually fulfilled. David Williams brings the sum -you call for, and Ben my groom, a discreet and steady man, has -instructions for the safe conveyance of Robin Ap Rees from Penruth Abbey -to you at Denbigh.</p> - -<p>“I am no lawyer, but it is clear to me, that if the drugs, which have -been given with evil intent, can be proved to have been the actual, sole -and immediate cause of death, it is a positive murder: if on the -contrary it be true, as stated by your messenger, that the poor -distracted creature was driven by desperation to the fatal act of -opening her own veins, the case becomes more than doubtful, provided it -shall turn out upon evidence, that her death has been accelerated -thereby; for who is to say that life is<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_277">{277}</a></span> not to be saved, though a -physician may despair of it? Neither is it to be supposed, that the mild -spirit of our laws will be so interpreted by judge and jury upon a trial -for life, that out of two possible constructions that in preference -shall be proceeded upon, which bears hardest against the prisoner at the -bar.</p> - -<p>“I would have you therefore be extremely guarded in your investigation -of this intricate and complicated case, and take especial care to give -no handle to a censorious world to insinuate that you are actuated by a -prejudiced and hostile mind in consequence of what has passed between -you and the person, upon whom the charge will bear, if it is seriously -brought forward: recollect withal that the <i>good Samaritan</i> contented -himself with relieving the man, who had fallen amongst thieves, but did -not busy him<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_278">{278}</a></span>self either in the pursuit, or use means for the detection -of them.</p> - -<p>“I am entirely with you in your just abhorrence of those direful -practices, that have effected the ruin, and probably the death, of the -much-injured object, in whose cause you honourably stand forth; but -temper your benevolence with caution, and remember that on your life -depends all that is valuable in this world to</p> - -<p class="c"> -<span style="margin-left: 2em;">“Your affectionate</span><br /> -“<span class="smcap">Robert De Lancaster</span>.”<br /> -<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_279">{279}</a></span></p> - -<h3><a id="CHAPTER_IX-c"></a>CHAPTER IX.<br /><br /> -<i>Proceedings at Denbigh in consequence of the Death of Ap Rees’s -Daughter. Our Hero retires to Glen Morgan. The Address of the blind -Minstrel of Penruth to the People concludes the Volume.</i></h3> - -<p><span class="smcap">Upon</span> the arrival of old Robin Ap Rees in the forenoon of the day -succeeding that, in which his daughter died, he required to be led to -the chamber, where her corpse was laid out. There had been some stir in -the town about the manner of her death, for the story had in part got -abroad, and the name of Sir David Owen began to be circulated with such -comments, as seemed to indicate a propensity in the town’s-folk to take -the cause into their own hands, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_280">{280}</a></span> administer tumultuous justice in -their own mob-way.</p> - -<p>This was by all means to be avoided, and when it was understood that old -Robin meant to be present at the funeral of his daughter, it was judged -highly expedient that he should be cautioned and prevailed upon to -employ his influence for the purpose not of aggravating, but allaying, -the dangerous indignation of the inhabitants; for Robin Ap Rees was a -popular character, and not meanly endowed with that species of -eloquence, which is competent to disturb or to preserve the peace of the -community.</p> - -<p>It was also thought advisable, that our hero John De Lancaster, whose -good deeds every tongue had trumpeted, should withdraw himself from the -spot, where commotion was apprehended:<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_281">{281}</a></span> this without difficulty he was -persuaded to do; his grandfather’s letter favouring that measure: he -accordingly set out with Mrs. Jennings and Amelia for Glen Morgan, -having committed every thing, in which he had concern, to the conduct -and discretion of his excellent friend and preceptor Mr. Wilson, who had -come over most opportunely for all parties on this critical occasion.</p> - -<p>Whilst all affairs, that prudence could provide for, were going on at -Denbigh under the management of the wise divine and worthy doctor, John -in the retired and shady walks of Glen Morgan was enjoying the society -of his beloved Amelia, and listening to the praises she bestowed upon -him.</p> - -<p>I could wish, he said to her as they were sauntering under the -yew-trees, that you would not be so ingenious in<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_282">{282}</a></span> describing actions -better than they are: they can only be appreciated according to the -worthiness of the motives, that have inspired them. You will allow, that -where money is laid out without inconvenience or regret, pecuniary -donations require but little effort, and of course imply but little -merit. If I give so secretly that no one can discover me, it is plain I -take a secret pleasure in the act of giving; but if I know that my -munificence, or my active services, can purchase the approbation of an -angel, that will bless and praise me for the deed, what does it prove -but that I have been industrious to obtain a reward, that is worthy of -my pains, and can only claim the credit of having found out something, -that is better than money, and more gratifying than indolence? How then -can you be perfectly assured<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_283">{283}</a></span> that I did not exert myself in the case of -poor Nancy Ap Rees from the desire, which I must naturally have, of -recommending myself to you?</p> - -<p>Whilst conversation of this sort was carried on in shady walks and -groves propitious to the cause of love, the seniors of the family, lame -Morgan and lame Wilson, who mustered only one effective leg between -them, kept house, and whil’d away the lagging hours partly in talk, and -partly in such humble resources as human nature is fain to resort to, -when age and decrepitude conspire to narrow our enjoyments, and, -shutting out all hope of future pleasure, confine us to the recollection -only of the past.</p> - -<p>When you and I, said Morgan, were as young as my grandson John, I am -afraid, friend Wilson, we were neither of us altogether as worthy or as -wise. I<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_284">{284}</a></span> can answer for one; and when our acquaintance commenced as -brother ensigns in Barrel’s regiment, I doubt we were not quite such -sturdy champions in the cause of virtue, as he now is, or as we ought -then to have been. I recollect when you turned out for me as second in -my affair with Cornet Flanagan, it was a foolish quarrel for a very -worthless cause; but no matter! those days are over and we are now old -fellows. You held on in the army, performed honourable service, received -honourable wounds and are at length laid up with an honourable, though -in my opinion not a very adequate, compensation: I quitted upon the -peace; came into possession of an ample property, led an idle, useless -and luxurious life, made my neighbours welcome, and kept the bottle -moving till the gout laid hold<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_285">{285}</a></span> of me, and I could not move myself. What -a sorry figure in the calendar of antient British worthies shall I make? -A mere man of straw, without one ear of corn, save only a few grains of -good will in a bye-corner of my heart for an old friend like you, and -perhaps here and there for another of like honest nature with -yourself.—And now, Wilson, listen to me.—When I talk of my affairs my -steward has just now satisfied me, that I am confoundedly given to -involuntary lying; for I am considerably richer than I have believed or -represented myself to be.—John will have my land and house and all that -he can find about it, but, by the L—d, I won’t leave him a shilling of -my ready money. He won’t want it and others will—You for instance: you -have a son in the army, a<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_286">{286}</a></span> son in the church, and I know you don’t -abound: you have a small invalided government, and a small patrimonial -lot of barren land—What then? I have left you a bit of money in my -will: ’tis true I shan’t keep it from you long at all events, for I am -brushing off after my poor daughter: give me the pleasure, brother -soldier, before I die, of telling me in what way a moderate sum can be -of service to you.</p> - -<p>The tear that stood on Wilson’s manly cheek when it became his turn to -make reply, witnessed his grateful feelings for the good old man—Live -only, my dear sir, he said, live and be happy as your benevolence can -make you; I ask no more, and nothing can I receive beyond the sincere -gratification it now affords me to find myself thus honoured in your -friendship, and assured of your esteem.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_287">{287}</a></span></p> - -<p>Well, well! I know you for a sturdy soldier, the old gentleman replied; -so take your course: ’tis not the first time you have served me thus. -Perhaps ’tis natural to a mind like your’s to find that kind of -arrogance in money, which establishes a sort of patronage in the giver, -not quite consistent with your sense of independant friendship; and if -such be your construction of the case, wait, my good fellow, till the -time shall come, when I can have no use for what I bestow, and you no -longer any motive for declining to receive it—</p> - -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">Death shall soon furnish that conclusive plea,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Which ends the contest betwixt you and me.<br /></span> -</div></div> -</div> - -<p>Whilst time passed in this manner at Glen Morgan the interment of poor -Nancy Ap Rees, as regulated by the Reverend Mr. Wilson, took place at -Denbigh. A great concourse of people<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_288">{288}</a></span> assembled; the whole corps of -harpers from all the neighbouring parts attended in honour of their -illustrious compatriot, and formed themselves in his train as he -followed the bearers of the coffin, led by his son. The minstrels of -Kray Castle and Glen Morgan, in their professional habits, and -distinguishable by the attributes of their respective patrons, both men -of eminence in their art and favourites of the muse, were present and -attracted general notice and respect.</p> - -<p>As it was known that the venerable father of the deceased purposed to -speak to the people after the solemn service was concluded, the body was -no sooner committed to the earth than the crowd formed themselves into a -circle, of which he became the centre, and, having passed the word for -silence, heard themselves addressed, as follows.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_289">{289}</a></span></p> - -<p>Friends and my countrymen!—A dark old man, whose eyes no ray of light -hath visited these threescore years, stands here beside the grave of his -new-buried child, and wishes you to hear with patience a few plain and -pacifying words, to which, amidst the sorrows of his heart, he feels -himself in conscience bound to pray you for your own sakes to attend.</p> - -<p>My station in the family of the deceased Sir Owen Ap Owen is well known -to all: from my youth up I have fulfilled the duties of his household -minstrel, and though it becomes me to speak modestly of my services, let -me hope they have been such, as do not disgrace the patronage of that -worthy master and his ancient venerable house. In the course of my -servitude having taken to wife a daughter of the celebrated Owen<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_290">{290}</a></span> Gwynn, -whose name yet lives amongst us, I became the father of two children, -the elder of whom, a son, stands now at my side, the sharer of my -sorrows and the staff of my declining age: the younger, a daughter dear -to my sad heart as the blood that visits it, lies low at my feet in the -narrow chamber, whither we must all repair.</p> - -<p>Friends, I beseech you, move me not to unfold the dreadful dealings, -that conspired the death of this most innocent and much injured child. -Be satisfied to know her wrongs are not within the reach of human -justice; God will avenge them; God will not permit the violator to -escape unpunished. Why should I name him? he is not of us; he was not -born of unmixed British blood! he is gone, self-banished, fled, and -never will he dare to return amongst us, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_291">{291}</a></span> abide the perilous -inquisition, that awaits him.</p> - -<p>Be patient therefore, my dear countrymen! stir not a hand in my redress, -and reverence the tombs of Penruth Abbey, where sleep the fathers and -the heroes of your ancient race: account yourselves rather so far -fortunate as you are henceforth rescued from a wretch without humanity, -an alien to your nation, one who respects no laws divine or human, so -void of honour, so abandoned of all virtue, so surrendered to all -villainy, that, when the purity of my child repulsed his guilty passion, -he scrupled not to make her mind a ruin, and levelled the defences of -her reason in order to accomplish the destruction of her innocence—And -now, my friends, you, who are fathers, will dismiss your fears; he, that -has destroyed my peace, cannot<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_292">{292}</a></span> harm you—<i>My</i> daughter dies, that -<i>your’s</i> may be in safety.</p> - -<p>Here I should end, for he, of whom you all expect to hear, seeks not the -praise of men, and modestly requires me to conceal the wondrous -bounties, he has heaped upon me: but I cannot obey him; I will speak his -praise, and in the ears of this assembly declare aloud, that to the -charity of John, the young De Lancaster, sole heir of his paternal and -maternal houses, I owe as much as man can owe to man—a grave for my -child, a patron for my cause and an asylum for my age—Heaven’s best of -blessings light upon his heart!—I have said.”</p> - -<p class="fint">END OF THE SECOND VOLUME.<br /><br /><br /> -Harding and Wright, Printers, St. John’s Square.</p> - -<table style="padding:2%;border:3px dotted gray;" id="transcrib"> -<tr><th>Typographical errors corrected by the etext transcriber:</th></tr> -<tr><td> - -<p class="c">it to be stoped=> it to be stopped {pg 13}</p> - -<p class="c">and Mrs. De Lancastar=> and Mrs. De Lancaster {pg 15}</p> - -<p class="c">that I coudn’t get=> that I couldn’t get {pg 97}</p> - -<p class="c">these addresed him=> these addressed him {pg 118}</p> - -<p class="c">you are two subtle=> you are too subtle {pg 123}</p> - -<p class="c">advisable to wave the=> advisable to waive the {pg 275}</p> - -<p class="c">all villiany=> all villainy {pg 291}</p> -</td></tr> -</table> - -<hr class="full" /> -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JOHN DE LANCASTER; VOL. 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