The Complete Northanger Horrid Novel Collection (9 Books of Gothic Romance and Horror)

by Eliza Parsons

  "Yet how gallant you was," returned the other: "I wish Reiberg had been here, to have shared your politeness."

  "Pray be sparing of your jeers," said the Count; 'they may be premature.—You are not certain that your conjectures are right."

  The Baron, having once entertained the idea, seemed to be every moment more strongly confirmed in his judgment, and rallied the Count most unmercifully on his politeness to the fair sex.

  In a short time, Ferdinand returned, having equipped the man with an old suit of clothes, that fitted him tolerably.

  "Now," said he, smiling, "allow me to introduce the metamorphosed lady as the late Count Wolfran's valet."

  "Is it possible," they both cried; "for Heaven's sake, how have you been so fortunate as to meet with him?"

  "I know not," replied Ferdinand very gravely, "whether I can deem it as any piece of good fortune; for the meeting has been productive of strange scenes, and I am in a very perplexing predicament; but I will repeat the circumstances to you, and you will be the more competent to advise me. Mean time, permit this man to retire into your kitchen; when his presence is necessary, I will call him.—Go," said he to the valet, "keep your own secret, and wait my orders."

  The man bowed, and withdrew.

  "What!" cried the Baron, "do you permit him to be at liberty?"

  "Keep your surprise for my story," answered he, "and then judge according to the circumstances that will appear before you."

  He then entered upon all the events of the day; described Fatima's extraordinary assurance and menaces, and the astonishment that overcame him, and impeded him from making any efforts to stop or to pursue her.

  "Her wickedness," added he, "is so complete, that I am confident there is nothing she would leave undone, no perjuries she would scruple at, to be revenged on those who interfere to the prejudice of her schemes. Where, or with whom she is gone, I know not, or whether I ought to inform Heli of the particulars I have related to you. Have you heard of him to-day; has the Baron produced the servant who made the discoveries?"

  "Yes," replied the Count; 'the man was carried this morning before the magistrate, and, as his story was partly corroborated by Heli, and many particulars confirmed by Louisa, on whom the magistrate waited to take her information, orders were given to discharge the men who kept Heli in custody: Your innocence was declared, and fresh orders sent forth to search for Fatima and the valet, on account of the robbery.—How they have contrived to hide themselves, and yet venture at a place so public as the pleasurable little Island of Pratt, I can't conceive; but I think it very probable Fatima will be discovered."

  "Though she justly deserves punishment," returned Ferdinand, "I must hope she will elude the search.—I am sorry, indeed, she is possessed of the jewels; but she is so profligate a creature, that I am persuaded she will derive but little benefit from the possession.—Mean time, what is to be done with this valet of the Count's: If he is discovered, we shall not be able to serve him, because his guilt is clearly proved; yet I think he deserves consideration, for the fellow seems penitent; followed me without reluctance, and certainly proved, by their conversation, that he had some principle—a conscience that resisted the idea, and was proof against the persuasion of committing a murder."

  "What you say is very true," said the Count; "and I have other reasons for wishing he may escape punishment; the story of Count Wolfran will not bear an investigation." Ferdinand took the hint: This fellow had been present at the marriage of Louisa; had entered into all his master's schemes against her; the whole would therefore come before the public; himself and his friends exposed; the deceit and indignity put upon the Countess would be brought forward, to the mortification of her and young Reiberg. In short, he saw the most painful consequences would ensue, should this man be taken up; and how to aid his escape now, seemed a very difficult affair, without risque or reflection to themselves.

  "I think," said the Baron, after a little pause, "I can manage this matter.—The description of his person, with the particular orders for seizing him, can hardly take place 'till to-morrow; I want to send an express to my steward in Bavaria: If he sets off immediately this night with credentials from me, he will precede the orders for his arrest, which are not likely to extend far beyond the city. I will give orders to my steward to employ him upon my estate, to use him well, but to keep a watchful eye upon him 'till my return; what think you of this scheme?"

  "Let us hear him," said Ferdinand, and called for his servant.—He appeared with a confused and mortified air.—Ferdinand told him of the orders given for his apprehension; explained to him the magnitude of his guilt in the bad actions he had been guilty of, and privy to, for his late master; and then repeated the Baron's noble and generous offer to preserve him from shame and death:—"An offer," said he, "so inconsistent with prudence, in trusting to a reformation of your life, that it must appear wonderful to you, and for which you are indebted solely to a few words I heard you say to Fatima, which makes us hope you are not quite abandoned; and if we can save a guilty being to atone for his past offences, and by penitence and good behaviour, to deserve forgiveness from Heaven, we are willing to run the chance in your favour—What say you?"

  "My Lords," said the man, throwing himself at their feet, "I humbly thank your goodness: I have been a very wicked wretch; I had a very bad master; and I was too ready to obey him, and join in bad actions; but if your Lordships will please to trust me, in return for a life saved, I will devote it to you, and as faithfully obey a good master, as I too well served a wicked one."

  "Rise," said the Baron; "your words please me, and I will trust you; within two hours you shall set off; I am only apprehensive the servants may recollect his person."

  "My Lord," said he, "fearful that I might be known, I have had my handkerchief to my face, complaining of a violent tooth-ache, and only two servants have seen me at all."

  "That's well," returned the Baron; "retire to the antechamber, until all is ready."—The Baron bid his servants instantly to get a horse at the door, as he was going to send Mr. Ferdinand's new servant off with an express.—Mean time, among them, they contrived a small parcel of linen; got him boots and a great coat, and being furnished with money for the journey, and letters from the Baron, he was soon on horseback, and lost no time in pursuing his journey; doubtless no less anxious to get beyond the environs of Vienna, than they were to have him.

  This whole business, from the return of Ferdinand, had been planned and executed in about three hours, and he felt great relief to his mind, and a heavy weight taken from his spirits, when the man was gone.

  CHAPTER III

  "Now, then," said Ferdinand, "I begin to breathe; and unless Fatima should be apprehended, the preceding circumstances may as well remain untold to Heli."

  His friends were of the same opinion, and then mentioned to him the little resentment Mr. D'Alenberg had expressed, and his subsequent uneasiness.

  "I expect him every moment," said the Baron; "for I would not send him word of your return, whilst we had so much business in hand; but I am persuaded his anxiety for your safety will bring him here very shortly."

  The Baron was right; for in less than a quarter of an hour afterwards, Mr. D'Alenberg was announced. On entering the room, the first object that met his eyes was Ferdinand, who rose to receive him.

  "What a truant you are," exclaimed he, embracing him.—"I hope you can well account for your absence, or I know not what punishment you do not deserve, for giving so much uneasiness to your friends."

  "A consciousness of that," replied Ferdinand, "would be as severe a one as you can wish, since I never yet gave a pain to the bosom of a friend, that did not tenfold wound my own."

  "I believe you" returned the other;—"and therefore, without being impertinently inquisitive, or arrogating to myself the power of punishing you, for depriving us of a comfortable breakfast, I shall only say that I am glad to see you returned in safety."

  "Most cordially, Sir, I thank you; b
ut I should ill deserve your indulgence, if I held any reserves to you."

  He then briefly recapitulated the events which had happened, down to the conclusion of them, just before Mr. D'Alenberg had entered the house.

  "This has indeed been a busy day," said that gentleman; "for the young Baron has had an infinity of perplexities on his hands to procure Heli's freedom, and the grant of an indulgence to the man who made a confession.

  "He is under a gentle restraint at present; and if, at the expiration of three weeks, Fatima and the Count's valet cannot be found, he is to have his liberty, when the Baron has promised to provide for him; though, for my own part," continued Mr. D'Alenberg, "I think it is showing too much indulgence to vice, to set them on a footing with honest men."

  "Not if they repent, my dear Sir," said Ferdinand; "you will allow it possible, I hope, that a wicked person may, from conviction, repent of his crimes; and if the world is merciless, if no good humane man holds out a hand to help the humble and contrite spirit; if they are shunned, reprobated, and despised, where can they seek for shelter, from the sting of conscience, and the scorn of the world? Desperate, wretched and undone; renounced by the good, they are driven—they are compelled to return to the society of the wicked.—Hopeless, enraged, and disappointed, a hundred to one but they grow more wicked, more abandoned, than in their first career; and are lost, perhaps, body and soul, because the too fastidious, or uncharitable good man, conceives it an abomination to show mercy to the sinner, or stretch forth his hand to drag him from the vortex of vice, into which he is sinking."

  "You are right my young monitor," said Mr. D'Alenberg; "I acknowledge my error; your system is consistent with humanity and our duty; and whether our endeavours to reform the wicked succeed or not, the consciousness of having performed that duty, is a sufficient recompense to us, and over-pays all our trouble. You see I am your convert at least, and will remember your short lesson as long as I live.

  "But to return to ourselves, I must inform you, two fair ladies think themselves extremely neglected, and I fancy you will find it difficult to exculpate a gallant young man who has proved so very ungallant as not to pay his devoirs to a young lady that has come post here to see her friends."

  "If I have been deficient in those duties, I, Sir, am the sufferer; and the circumstances that has impeded my attendance on the ladies, will, I hope, acquit me in your eyes. Doubtless, my friend, the Count has made his peace there, and then my presence or absence can be of little consequence."

  The moment these words escaped from the lips of Ferdinand, he would have given the world to have recalled them, apprehensive that he had betrayed the Count's secret, and the confidence of Louisa.

  Mr. D'Alenberg looked at him with a keen and penetrating eye; the Count, with much surprise, and was for a moment silent.

  "I take shame to myself," said he at last, 'that I have not performed a duty gratitude, respect, and esteem, claimed from me; but in truth, the business of the day, your unexpected elopement this morning, and a variety of perplexing thoughts, totally unqualified me for paying visits. You see, therefore, that you have not only been guilty of omissions yourself, but are the cause of other people's deficiencies."

  The Count spoke the last words with a gay air, that a little reconciled Ferdinand to himself for the petulancy of his answer to Mr. D'Alenberg, which he sought to cover by saying, "To-morrow, Sir, I hope we shall have the honour of waiting upon the ladies, and apologizing for our seeming neglect."

  "Very well," replied he, "I shall so report it, that you may receive a tolerable welcome; and now that I see you safe, I bid you good evening; remember to come early, as I wish to confer with you respecting Louisa's affairs."

  Mr. D'Alenberg having left them, the Baron expressed some surprise at the absence of his son.—He had scarcely spoken before he entered, and was rejoiced to see Ferdinand.—He said that he had been with Heli, who was in a very gloomy way for the loss of his riches: Fortunately they had not stripped his person; he had a snuff-box of value, a watch, and two rings, that were in his pocket; the whole might be worth about eight hundred Louis d'ors; but this, he said, was a trifle; what could he do with a sum like that.

  "I then," continued Reiberg, 'told him of the generous intentions the Count and Ferdinand had adopted.—I saw he was by no means grateful; and the interpreter told me, that he peremptorily declined all favours from them.—I did not urge the point, from an idea, that when he is in better health, his temper may lose its present ferocity. The women servants had called there, under some apprehensions at having concealed themselves in a small cottage on one side of the wood, and two days being elapsed, they prevailed upon a man and woman to accompany them back.

  "The poor creatures were rejoiced to find their little property untouched; one of these he discharged; the other, with the interpreter, remains; I have promised to send an honest jeweller to him tomorrow; for he is resolved to dispose of his property, and lodge the money in safe hands; and when he is well, he intends to give up the cottage, and lodge with the interpreter. So much for Heli." The gentlemen retired at an early hour, with a strict injunction to Ferdinand, not to steal away at day-break again.

  The next morning, when they met at breakfast, all seemed to have recovered their spirits, except Ferdinand; his looks denoted a mind ill at ease; he eat little, and soon left them to write letters, previous to their purposed visit to Mr. D'Alenberg.

  He wrote to Mr. Dunloff, to Ernest, and a short epistle to his brother; he mentioned, that he hoped, in a fortnight or three weeks, he should revisit Suabia; that however earnestly he wished to be at Baden, and see his dear children, the painful remembrance of past scenes, made him dread an interview that must renew all his sorrows.

  Having a little relieved his mind by communicating his thoughts, he rejoined his friends, and prepared to accompany them.

  They soon arrived at the Doctor's, who had kindly accommodated them all.—Mr. D'Alenberg was ready to introduce them;—the two Barons, as strangers, were first announced; but when the Count and Ferdinand approached Miss D'Alenberg, the latter observed her emotions; she blushed, turned pale, trembled, and, with difficulty, replied to the compliment the Count made her; he, guessing at the situation of her heart, felt extremely for her and the Count; to relieve both, he advanced, and paid his respects;—congratulated himself on the happiness of seeing her; and then turning to Louisa, "I rejoice, my amiable friend, to see you so perfectly recovered."

  "I am, indeed," said she, "much better in health, and cannot be otherwise than happy, when blessed with the society of my friends and benefactors."

  The two Barons were charmed with the ladies, and Mr. D'Alenberg, studious to avoid any retrospection to unpleasant scenes, entered into a spirited conversation on Germanic affairs; the peace concluded with the Turks, the Emperor's schemes in favour of his daughter, Maria Theresa, and such themes as carried them out of their own concerns.

  But on talking more fully about the late war, Louisa cried out, "will you forgive me, gentlemen, for interrupting your politics, I long to hear the story of our friends" captivity, and how they amused themselves in Turkey."

  "Our amusements, Madam," said the Count, "were very limited; but Ferdinand had certainly the advantage of me, and therefore is best qualified to gratify your curiosity."

  "Will you have the goodness to indulge us, Sir," asked Miss D'Alenberg, in a voice so low and tremulous, that it touched Ferdinand, who passed the momentary thought, "What an amazing alteration between Miss D'Alenberg and Louisa! the ladies seem to have changed characters."

  Then addressing himself to her—"There is so little to entertain you, Madam, in the relation, that it is soon made; for no great variety could be thrown into a life of confinement;" he very readily obeyed her, however, and gave a brief recital of particulars, which have been already noticed.

  When he had concluded, the ladies thanked him; Louisa observed archly, "You were peculiarly unfortunate, in not being noticed by some Turkish beauty, who mi
ght have broken your chains, and become a partner in your flight.—What a pretty romantic tale is here spoiled for want of a lady to embellish it."

  "You will recollect, Madam," answered he, 'that I never was permitted to walk, but when Heli was with me; and the side where the ladies resided, was far distant from the apartments I inhabited; therefore I cannot, with any plausibility, violate truth, by boasting of ladies" favours; indeed I have no obligations of that kind."

  "How!" returned she; "are you so vain as to consider our friendship and good opinion so entirely your due, that it confers neither favour nor obligation?" "Pardon me, Madam, to deserve the friendship of two such ladies, would be my highest ambition; and to obtain it, I must consider as an honour that will gratify my vainest wishes."

  "You have extorted a compliment, my dear Louisa," said Miss D'Alenberg, "and now I hope are satisfied."

  Ferdinand ought to have replied to this "extorted," but he was out of spirits, and gladly availed himself of some trivial observation of young Reiberg's, to change the subject. This evasion passed not unobserved, which, with the melancholy air of his countenance, made them feel great compassion for him.

  For his part, he was not sorry when the visit ended; Mr. D'Alenberg was requested by the Baron to accompany them back to dinner, as the ladies were engaged in making preparations for their appearance in public the next day, Louisa's health being much restored, and company and amusement being indeed indispensables towards removing the dejection of Miss D'Alenberg's spirits.

  In their walk home, Ferdinand and the Count being together, the former remarked how thin and pale Miss D'Alenberg was grown.

  "She is much altered," added he; "yet I think her more captivating than ever:—There is something so interesting in the softness of her looks, and the melody of her voice."

  "You are partial to melancholy beauties," said the Count, smiling.—"I remember you admired Louisa much when she was sorrowful, and apparently declining into her grave; now, that the goddess, health, deigns to revisit, she seems to have lost her estimation with you."