Pelham — Complete
Page 85
CHAPTER LXXXV.
The main interest of my adventures--if, indeed, I may flatter myselfthat they ever contained any--is now over; the mystery is explained, theinnocent acquitted, and the guilty condemned. Moreover, all obstaclesbetween the marriage of the unworthy hero, with the peerless heroine,being removed, it would be but an idle prolixity to linger over thepreliminary details of an orthodox and customary courtship. Nor is itfor me to dilate upon the exaggerated expressions of gratitude, inwhich the affectionate heart of Glanville found vent for my fortunateexertions on his behalf. He was not willing that any praise to whichI might be entitled for them, should be lost. He narrated to LadyGlanville and Ellen my adventures with the comrades of the worthy Job;from the lips of the mother, and the eyes of the dear sister, came mysweetest addition to the good fortune which had made me the instrumentof Glanville's safety, and acquittal. I was not condemned to a longprotraction of that time, which, if it be justly termed the happiest ofour lives, we, (viz. all true lovers) through that perversity common tohuman nature, most ardently wish to terminate.
On that day month which saw Glanville's release, my bridals wereappointed. Reginald was even more eager than myself in pressing for anearly day: firmly persuaded that his end was rapidly approaching, hismost prevailing desire was to witness our union. This wish, and theinterest he took in our happiness, gave him an energy and animationwhich impressed us with the deepest hopes for his ultimate recovery;and the fatal disease to which he was a prey, nursed the fondness ofour hearts by the bloom of cheek, and brightness of eye, with which itveiled its desolating and gathering progress.
From the eventful day on which I had seen Lady Roseville, in--Street,we had not met. She had shut herself up in her splendid home, and thenewspapers teemed with regret, at the reported illness and certainseclusion of one, whose fetes and gaieties had furnished them with theirbrightest pages. The only one admitted to her was Ellen. To her, shehad for some time made no secret of her attachment--and of her the dailynews of Sir Reginald's health was ascertained. Several times, when ata late hour, I left Glanville's apartments, I passed the figure ofa woman, closely muffled, and apparently watching before hiswindows--which, owing to the advance of summer, were never closed--tocatch, perhaps, a view of his room, or a passing glimpse of hisemaciated and fading figure. If that sad and lonely vigil was kept byher whom I suspected, deep, indeed, and mighty, was the love, whichcould so humble the heart, and possess the spirit, of the haughty andhigh-born Countess of Roseville.
I turn to a very different personage in this veritable histoire. Myfather and mother were absent, at Lady H.'s, when my marriage was fixed;to both of them I wrote for their approbation of my choice. From LadyFrances I received the answer which I subjoin:--
"My dearest Son,
"Your father desires me to add his congratulations to mine, upon theelection you have made. I shall hasten to London, to be present at theceremony. Although you must not be offended with me, if I say, that withyour person, accomplishments, birth, and (above all) high ton, you mighthave chosen among the loftiest, and wealthiest families in the country,yet I am by no means displeased or disappointed with your futurewife, to say nothing of the antiquity of her name. (The Glanvillesintermarried with the Pelhams, in the reign of Henry II.) It is agreat step to future distinction to marry a beauty, especially one socelebrated as Miss Glanville--perhaps it is among the surest ways to thecabinet. The forty thousand pounds which you say Miss Glanville is toreceive, makes, to be sure, but a slender income; though, when addedto your own, it would have been a great addition to the Glenmorrisproperty, if your uncle--I have no patience with him--had not marriedagain.
"However, you will lose no time in getting into the House--at allevents, the capital will ensure your return for a borough, and maintainyou comfortably, till you are in the administration; when of courseit matters very little what your fortune may be--tradesmen will be toohappy to have your name in their books; be sure, therefore, that themoney is not tied up. Miss Glanville must see that her own interest, aswell as yours, is concerned in your having the unfettered disposal ofa fortune, which, if restricted, you would find it impossible to liveupon. Pray, how is Sir Reginald Glanville? Is his cough as bad as ever?He has no entailed property, I think?
"Will you order Stonor to have the house ready for us on Friday, whenI shall return home in time for dinner? Let me again congratulate you,most sincerely, on your choice. I always thought you had more commonsense, as well as genius, than any young man, I ever knew: you haveshown it in this important step. Domestic happiness, my dearest Henry,ought to be peculiarly sought for by every Englishman, however elevatedhis station; and when I reflect upon Miss Glanville's qualifications,and her renommee as a belle celebree, I have no doubt of your possessingthe felicity you deserve. But be sure that the fortune is not settledaway from you; poor Sir Reginald is not (I believe) at all covetous orworldly, and will not therefore insist upon the point.
"God bless you, and grant you every happiness.
"Ever, my dear Henry,
"Your very affectionate Mother,
"F. Pelham."
"P.S. I think it will be better to give out that Miss Glanville haseighty thousand pounds. Be sure, therefore, that you do not contradictme."
The days, the weeks flew away. Ah, happy days! yet, I do not regretwhile I recal you! He that loves much, fears even in his best foundedhopes. What were the anxious longings for a treasure--in my view only,not in my possession--to the deep joy of finding it for ever my own!The day arrived--I was yet at my toilet, and Bedos, in the greatestconfusion (poor fellow, he was as happy as myself), when a letterwas brought me, stamped with the foreign post-mark. It was from theexemplary Job Jonson; and though I did not even open it on that day, yetit shall be more favoured by the reader--viz. if he will not pass over,without reading, the following effusion--
"Rue des Moulins, No.__, Paris.
"Honoured Sir,
"I arrived in Paris safely, and reading in the English papers the fullsuccess of our enterprise, as well as in the Morning Post of the--th,your approaching marriage with Miss Glanville, I cannot refrain from theliberty of congratulating you upon both, as well as of reminding you ofthe exact day on which the first quarter of my annuity will be paid--itis the--of--; for, I presume, your honour kindly made me a presentof the draft for one hundred pounds, in order to pay my travellingexpenses.
"I find that the boys are greatly incensed against me; but as Dawson wastoo much bound by his oath, to betray a tittle against them, I trustI shall, ultimately, pacify the club, and return to England. A truepatriot, Sir, never loves to leave his native country. Even were Icompelled to visit Van Diemen's land, the ties of birth-place would beso strong as to induce me to seize the first opportunity of returning.I am not, your honour, very fond of the French--they are an idle,frivolous, penurious, poor nation. Only think, Sir, the other day I sawa gentleman of the most noble air secrete something at a cafe, whichcould not clearly discern; as he wrapped it carefully in paper, beforehe placed it in his pocket, I judged that it was a silver cream ewer,at least; accordingly, I followed him out, and from pure curiosity--Ido assure your honour, it was from no other motive--I transferred thispurloined treasure to my own pocket. You will imagine, Sir, the interestwith which I hastened to a lonely spot in the Tuileries, and carefullytaking out the little packet, unfolded paper by paper, till I came--yes,Sir, till I came to--five lumps of sugar! Oh, the French are a meanpeople--a very mean people--I hope I shall soon be able to return toEngland. Meanwhile, I am going into Holland, to see how those richburghers spend their time and their money. I suppose poor Dawson, aswell as the rascal Thornton, will be hung before you receive this--theydeserve it richly--it is such fellows who disgrace the profession. He isbut a very poor bungler who is forced to cut throats as well as pockets.And now, your honour, wishing you all happiness with your lady,
"I beg to remain,
"Your very obedient humble Servant,
"Ferdinand De Courcy, etc."
/>
Struck with the joyous countenance of my honest valet, as I took mygloves and hat from his hand, I could not help wishing to bestow uponhim a similar blessing to that I was about to possess. "Bedos," said I,"Bedos, my good fellow, you left your wife to come to me; you shall notsuffer by your fidelity: send for her--we will find room for her in ourfuture establishment."
The smiling face of the Frenchman underwent a rapid change. "Mafoi," said he, in his own tongue; "Monsieur is too good. An excess ofhappiness hardens the heart; and so, for fear of forgetting my gratitudeto Providence, I will, with Monsieur's permission, suffer my adored wifeto remain where she is."
After so pious a reply, I should have been worse than wicked had Ipressed the matter any farther.
I found all ready at Berkeley-square. Lady Glanville is one of thosegood persons, who think a marriage out of church is no marriage at all;to church, therefore, we went. Although Sir Reginald was now so reducedthat he could scarcely support the least fatigue, he insisted on givingEllen away. He was that morning, and had been, for the last two or threedays, considerably better, and our happiness seemed to grow less selfishin our increasing hope of his recovery.
When we returned from church, our intention was to set off immediatelyto--Hall, a seat which I had hired for our reception. On re-entering thehouse, Glanville called me aside--I followed his infirm and tremuloussteps into a private apartment.
"Pelham," said he, "we shall never meet again! no matter--you are nowhappy, and I shall shortly be so. But there is one office I have yet torequest from your friendship; when I am dead, let me be buried by herside, and let one tombstone cover both."
I pressed his hand, and, with tears in my eyes, made him the promise herequired.
"It is enough," said he; "I have no farther business with life. Godbless you, my friend--my brother; do not let a thought of me cloud yourhappiness."
He rose, and we turned to quit the room; Glanville was leaning onmy arm; when we had moved a few paces towards the door, he stoppedabruptly. Imagining that the pause proceeded from pain or debility, Iturned my eyes upon his countenance--a fearful and convulsive change wasrapidly passing over it--his eyes stared wildly upon vacancy.
"Merciful God--is it--can it be?" he said, in a low inward tone. At thatmoment, I solemnly declare, whether from my sympathy with his feelings,or from some more mysterious and undefinable cause, my whole frameshuddered from limb to limb. I saw nothing--I heard nothing; but I felt,as it were, within me some awful and ghostly presence, which had powerto curdle my blood into ice, and cramp my sinews into impotence; it wasas if some preternatural and shadowy object darkened across the mirrorof my soul--as if, without the medium of the corporeal senses, a spiritspake to, and was answered by, a spirit.
The moment was over. I felt Glanville's hand relax its grasp upon myarm--he fell upon the floor--I raised him--a smile of ineffable serenityand peace was upon his lips; his face was as the face of an angel, butthe spirit had passed away!