Delphi Complete Works of the Brontes

by Bronte Sisters

  As the little man finished his story a person dressed in blue & gold uniform bustled through the surrounding crowd of listners & touching the narrator with a sort of official staff which he carried in his hand said “He arrests him in the name of the Emperor.”

  “what for?” asked the little man.

  “what for!” reiterated a voice at the other end of the hall “he’ll let him know what for. What’s the meaning of that scandalous anecdote he should like to know, to the Bastile with him instantly incessantly,”

  all eyes were turned towards the deliverer of this peremptory mandate, & lo! the identical Emperor himself in his accustomed green surtout and violet couloured pantaloons stood surrounded by about twenty gens d’armes engaged in continued and uninterrupted snuff- takingf: every one’s attention was now attracted towards le grand Napoleon and le pauvre petit conteur de sirnettes?’ was hurried off to the Bastile without further notice or compassion, as it was now getting very late & the Inn was all bustle & confusion in consequence of the excitement occasioned among the guests by the arrival of the illustrious visitor. Bud & Gifford to whom the Emperor was no novelty, thought proper to take their departure. They walked down the first street together & then as their roads lay in opposite directions separated for the night.

  CHAPTER THE SECOND

  A bright & balmy summer’s morning ushered in the first celebration of the African Olympic Games.’* At an early hour (as the newspapers say) the amphitheatre was crowded almost to suffocation in every part except the open area a square mile in magnitude allotted to the combatants & those Private seats which were reserved for the accommodation of the nobility & other persons of distinction.

  the scene of the Games was not exactly then what it is now. the houses which surround it on three sides were at that time but newly built; some indeed were but half finished & a few had only the foundations dug. the lofty hill called Fredericks Crag which completes the circle on the fourth side & whose summit above the seats is at the present day covered with Gardens & splendid private dwellings was then a sombre forest whose ancient echos were as yet unviolated by the sound of the woodcutter’s axe. the stumps of a few recently felled trees likewise appeared in the midst of the newly cleared arena but it is a question in my opinion whether by the vast improvements which have since taken place in the neighbourhood of the amphitheatre the scene has not lost in picturesque variety what it has gained in grandeur & perfect finish. On that memorable morning the tall magnificent trees waving their still dewy arms now towards the blue sky which seemed not far above them & now over the heads of as many peoples, nations,

  tongues & kindreds as Nebuchadzezzar’s decree called together on the plains of Dura” Hung into the prospect a woodland wildness & sylvan sublimity which in my opinion would be a more potent & higher charm than any of the artificial forms of beauty our great city has created in their stead are capable of infusing.

  After an hour of anxious expectation the distant sound of musical instruments announced the approach of the principal personages. Bravey advanced slowly & majestically followed by a brilliant train of noblesf. his tall & imposing person was set of to the best advantage by an ample robe of purple splendidly wrought with gold, he took his seat on the president’s throne amidst bursts of universal applause, after him came Lady Emily Charlesworth his neice. the flutes & softer instruments of the musicians breathed a dulcet welcome as the fair Re- warder of victors with a graceful rather than stately tread moved towards her decorated seat, her form was exquisitely elegant though not above the middle size & as she lifted her long white veil to acknowledge the thunderous applause of the multitude a countenance was revealed such as painters & poets love to immagine but which is seldom seen in actual life, the features were soft and delicate the general complexion transparently fair but tinged on the cheeks & lips with a clear healthy crimson hue which gave an idea of vigour & healthy freshness, her eyes dark, bright & full of animation flashed from under their long lashes & finely pencilled brows an arch, laughing, playful light, which though it might not perhaps have suited well in a heroine of romance yet added to her countenance a most fascinating though indescribable charm. At first as she removed her veil & met the gaze of more than a million admiring eyes a blush mantled on her beautiful cheeks. She bowed timidly though gracefully & her white hand trembled with agitation as she waved it in reply to their greeting, but she soon regained her composure, the scene before her awoke feelings of a highjer nature in her susceptible mind.

  the blue & silent sky, the wild dark forest & the broad glimpse of mountainous country opening far beyond, tinged by the violet hues of distance contrasted with the mighty assemblage of living & moving beings, the Great city & the boundless sea beyondf. these circumstances together with the sound of the music which now in subdued &

  solemn but most inspiring tones accompanied the heralds as they summoned the charioteers who were to contest the first prize to approach, could not but kindle in every bosom admiration for the simple sublimity of Nature & the commanding magnificence of Art.

  Three chariots now drew up round the Starting Post. In the first sat a little man with a head of fiery red hair & a pair of keen malicious black eyes which kept squinting round the arena & regarding every one on whom their distorted glances chanced to fall with a kind of low blackguard expression which accorded well with the rest of his appearance & equipments.’ His chariot was rather out of character when compared with the gorgeousness of all surrounding objects being in fact neither more nor less than a common spring cart drawn by four of those long eared & proverbially obstinate animals called asses whom he alternately held in check by means of a rough straw rope bridle or goaded forward with the assistance of a black thorn staff pointed at one end. the occupier of the second chariot was a fashionable dandified gentleman in pink silk jacket & white pantaloons whose whole attention seemed absorbed by the management of his four handsome bay chargers, his name was Major Hawkins at that time a celebrated Hero of the Turf & ring, but it was the third & last charioteer who excited the most general attention. He was a tall & very handsome young man whose symmetrical form appeared to the utmost advantage as he stood upright on his small light car gallantly reining in the proud prancing steeds that seemed by their loud snorting & the haughty elevation of their stately arched necks to be conscious of their master’s superiority over the other combatants, the countenance of this gentleman was as I have said handsome, his features were regularly formed & his forehead was lofty, though not very open, but there was in the expression of his blue & sparkling but sinister eyes & of the smile that ever played round his deceitful looking mouth a spirit of deep restless villainy which warned the penetrating observer that all was not as fair within as without, while his pallid cheek & somewhat haggard air bespoke at once the profligate the gambler & perhaps the Drunkard. Such is the description as well as my poor pen can express it of Colonel the Honourable Alexander Augustus Percy.

  All being now ready the signal for starting broke from a silver trumpet stationed near the President’s throne, the three chariots shot off bravely with the swiftness of arrows running nearly abreast of each other till near the middle of the course, When to the surprise of all the little red-headed gentleman with the asses got ahead of the other two & by dint of a most vigorous system of pricking reached the Gaol two minutes before them. No pen or pencil can give an adequate picture of the deep subdued rage which glowed in Colonel Percy’s eye & covered his pale cheek & forehead with a dark red flush of anger, he threw one glance of concentrated malignity on the fortunate winner & then throwing the reins to a groom who stood near in attendance leapt from his chariot & mingled with the crowd.

  it is not my intention to give a full & detailed account of all that took place on this memorable day. I shall merely glance at the transactions which followed & then proceed to topics more nearly connected with my tale.

  the sports of Horse-racing, wrestling, & bull-fighting followed in all of which Colonel Percy was engaged, in
the first his favourite horse Tornado carried away the gold chaplet from ten of the most renowned steeds in Verdopolis; in the second he himself sucessively overcame five powerful antagonists, & in the third when every one else turned in dismay from a mighty red bull of the Byson breed after it had ripped up ten horses & gored their riders to death he mounted Tornado & with a red crest waving from his Hussars cap & a scarlet cloak depending from his shoulders rode courageously into the middle of the amphitheatre, the Combat for a long time was dubious but at length by a well aimed stroke his lance drank the huge monster’s heart’s blood & it fell bellowing to the earth which was crimsoned with its gore.

  The last prize now remained to be tried for, it was that of Archery, here too Colonel Percy presented himself as a competitor, the mark was a tall white wand set at the distance of sixty feet, twenty noble members of the Archer’s Association all accounted Marksmen of the first order contended for this prize, but the arrows of all fell either more or less wide of the mark. It now became Colonel Percy’s turn, he advanced & discharged a carefully directed arrow which though it came much nearer than any of the rest failed also in hitting the appointed mark. The Heralds now according to an established form demanded if there were any one amongst the spectators who would undertake to shame the unsuccessful archers. A dead silence followed this demand for none thought themselves qualified to attempt an enterprise apparently so impracticable & the President proceeded to adjudge the prize to him whose arrow had come nearest in default of a better.

  he had scarcely uttered the words when a young man of a form as noble & majestic as that which the ancients attributed to Appollo advanced from the crowd, his dress & appearance I have described before for it was that identical stranger who on the previous night had arrived at the Genii’s Inn but now instead of the green bonnet & plume which he then wore a steel helmet covered his head & the visor being closed entirely concealed his features.’

  “My Lord” said he approaching the President’s throne, “will you permit me the honour of discharging a single arrow before you & the fair rewarder of Victors? I delayed my request till now that I might not deprive Colonel Percy of the prize which justly falls to his lot.”

  Bravey readily gave his consent & the stranger stationing himself twenty feet further off than the appointed distance, unslung the bow & quiver which hung at his shoulder chose an arrow tightened his string & ere another second had elapsed the splintering of the white wand proclaimed his triumph and skill. A loud thundering cheer rose from the thousands gazing round & when it had subsided Bravey rising from his seat declared that he rescinded his former decision regarding the prize & awarded it to the successful stranger. All eyes now turned to Colonel Percy, but no symptom of mortification or anger appeared either in his countenance or behaviour, on the contrary he turned imediately to the Unknown & with the most friendly cordiality of manner congratulated him on his good fortune. His civilities were received however with a cold & haughty courtesy which told that they were unwelcome as effectually as the most prompt & decided rejection of them could have done. Still the Colonel did not seem piqued but continued to converse with his unsocial conqueror in the free & unembarrassed strain which was natural to him as a man of the world.

  “Upon my word” observed Ensign Bud who with his friend Gifford (for he had persuaded the old Gentleman to accompany him to see the Games) was seated in the front row of seats “Upon my word I believe the Colonel has some fiendish scheme of Revenge in his mind or he would never put on that smooth quiet face”

  “Doubtless “ returned Gifford “but who is that fantastically arrayed foreignerf? methinks I have heard a voice like his before though where or when I cannot for my life call to mind”.

  Bud was about to reply but he was prevented by the loud summons of the heralds & the sudden rich swell of music which burst grandly forth as the victors advanced to the foot of the throne & one by one knelt before lady Emily Charlesworth from whose hands they were to receive their recompense, first came the carroty-locked hero of the cart & asses.

  “Sir” said the lady as she strove vainly to suppress the smile which his odd appearance excited “you have this day gained a miraculous victory over one of the most gallant & high-born gentlemen of Ver- dopolis & are well worthy of the golden wreath which I thus twine round your illustrious temples.”

  “Thank you madam” replied he bowing low “the Colonel’s certainly a rum’un but I’ve matched him well to day & if you knew all you’d say so too”

  “I do not doubt your ability to match any man” she replied laughing “& the Colonel in my opinion has no reason to be ashamed of his defeat since it was effected by such a consummate master in the art of over-reaching as you appear to be.”

  he thanked her again & with another low bow gave place to Colonel Percy.

  As he the claimer of three crowns knelt gracefully at her feet & whispered some flattering compliment in an undertone lady Emily seemed visibly embarrassed. She did not blush but her forehead before so open & smiling grew dark & sad. For a moment she sat silent as if scarcely knowing how to address him but almost immediately regaining her self possession said in a soft yet firm voice while with her slender & jewelled fingers she bound the garland among his thickly clustered light brown curls.

  “It gives me pleasure to be the instrument of rewarding one who has found his equal in three ardent contests. I trust our City will have s able a champion in every succeeding anniversary of the African Olympic Games”

  “Fair lady” replied the Colonel “your approbation would be worth more to me than the transitory applause of ten thousand times the number that have shouted at my trivial exploits to day”