Was all the world could give. Oh!—
————how could you betray
This tender heart, which, with an instant fondness,
Lay lull'd between your bosom, and there slept
Secure of injur'd faith. I can forgive
A foe, but not a mistress and a friend;
Treason is there in its most horrid shape
Where trust is greatest, and the soul resign'd
Is stabb'd by her own guards.
"I could only restrain myself till the narrative was concluded. The tempest in my bosom then broke forth, and, rushing into the next room, with the gripe, the fury of a lion, I seized the narrator, and bid him, as he valued his existence, instantly prove or disprove the truth of his assertions."
"'By what right (cried he), do you desire this?'
"'By the right of Lausane,' vociferated I, in a voice of thunder.
"'Lausane! (repeated he, looking steadily upon me); ah! 'tis but too true; I now recollect your features. Well, it can't be help'd; the mischief is out, and there's an end of it. If it will give you any satisfaction, master, I will solemnly swear, that what I have told my friend Josephe here, I heard from Blanche, and she, I am sure, would not utter a falsehood; people seldom commit a sin without intending to derive some benefit from it; and what could accrue to her by defaming her mistress? I will also swear, that I met your brother this morning ascending the Alps; and that, while I was at the cottage of my godfather, Blanche told me that you had left home, and that her lady had lain in two days after your departure of a fine boy, who had been removed by her to a neighbouring cottage.'
"'Ere I go in quest of vengeance (I cried, relinquishing my hold), I will ascertain whether the Count has left the castle.'
"I muffled myself up in a large cloak, and directly hastened to it. I thought my heart would have burst my bosom while waiting to have my enquiry answered.
"'My young Lord, (said the porter) departed this morning, attended but by one servant; where he is gone, or when he will return is not known.'
"'Never will he return to these walls,' exclaimed I inwardly as I turned from them.
"I re-entered the cottage merely to procure a horse from Josephe, in order to expedite my journey to the foot of the Alps; he tried to make me delay it, and endeavoured to allay my fury; I cursed him for the effort.
"'You only aggravate the poor gentleman's feelings (said Claude to him); Lord! who can wonder at his being enraged at the vile imposition practised upon him? for my part, I think him so injured, that I am determined he shall have my services, if he will accept them, to the last drop of my blood; I would assist him in punishing his perfidious brother.'
"I extended my hand. I accept your proffered services (cried I); not to punish my deceiver, but to trace out for me every minute particular of his guilt, ere my vengeance falls upon him.
"He accordingly accompanied me to the Alps. We travelled with almost incredible expedition, and the second evening I found myself near that spot which but the day before I had thought of as a paradise. Unable to support the sight of it, I stopped, and, seating myself in the cavity of a rock, desired Claude to proceed, and gather what particulars he could from Blanche concerning the visit of the Count; charging him, at the same time, carefully to conceal my return from her, also my knowledge of the base deceit which had been practised on me, lest her regard for her mistress should make her inform her of the whole, and thus, in all probability, by putting her and my betrayer upon their guard, baffle the revenge I meant to take—a revenge which to hear of will make you tremble! I resolved on murdering my brother! after which it was my determination to hasten to the castle, acquaint the Earl with the baseness of his daughter, and terminate my existence in her sight.
"To his own ingenuity I left Claude to account for his unexpected return to the Alps; the minutes seemed hours till he came back to me.
"At length he appeared, and with a face full of importance—'Well, master (said he), I have seen Blanche. I shall not tire you by mentioning the excuses I made to her for my sudden appearance; suffice it to say, they were received in the manner I wished.'
"'The Count,' cried I impatiently.
"'Arrived a few hours ago (said he), and is now in the chamber of Lady Geraldine, to which he was privately conducted by Blanche, who, in consequence of her lady's letter, was on the watch for him.
"'She assigned a reason for what appeared so strange to us, namely, his having requested you to return home. He told Lady Geraldine he did so, fearful that, if you longer continued in the vicinity of Montmorenci Castle, you would discover his absence from it, and well knowing that here he could be concealed from you. He is now about leaving her for the night.'
"'And whither does he go?' cried I, starting from my seat.
"'He is to lodge in the cottage where his child is, (replied Claude); it stands upon yonder acclivity, and this is the way to it.'
"'Enough (said I), retire.'
"He began to entreat permission to remain with me, but I hastily interrupted him. "I must not be opposed (cried I); my conversation with my brother will not admit of witnesses. farewell! retire to repose, and accept of my thanks and purse for your services."
"'Neither, master (replied he); what I did was not from interested motives, but a pure wish of having perfidy punished.'
"I flung away the purse he had rejected, and motioned him to depart.
"The moment he was out of sight, I drew forth a dagger with which I always travelled, the one which the father of Elvira had given me, and the same with which I had attempted my life in the forest of Montmorenci; and, stationing myself behind a projecting fragment of rock, impatiently watched for my destined victim. The place in which I stood, seemed particularly adapted for a scene of horror: it was a little gloomy vale, sunk between stupendous mountains, bleak and bare of vegetation, crowned with snow, and full of frightful cavities, through which the wind grumbled with a dreadful violence. At last Lord Philippe appeared. Notwithstanding the detestation with which I then regarded him, never had he appeared so interesting to me; his pace was mournful and slow; and ever and anon he paused, and looked back, as if, inspired by some prophetic spirit, he was bidding what he knew would be a last adieu to the mansion he had quitted. As he drew near, I saw his cheek was pale, and the traces of tears upon it:—tears, said I, which he has shed over his Geraldine, at the relation of the dangers she has passed.
"When he was within a yard of my concealment, I sprung out. He started back astonished, and surveyed me for a minute with that kind of expression which seemed to say he could scarcely credit the evidence of his eyes; then approaching me with extended arms, he exclaimed, 'Ah, my brother! what—'
"I interrupted him; 'I disclaim the title (cried I, stepping up to him, and rudely seizing his arm); villain! I am well acquainted with thy perfidy; and this to thy heart to reward thee for it!'"
Madeline at those words instinctively caught hold of her father. She panted for breath, and her changing colour showed her strong emotions.
"My fears were but too just (said St. Julian); I was almost convinced my tale of horror would overcome your gentle nature."
"No, no (cried Madeline, after the pause of a few minutes), my fortitude will not again droop, for I have now surely heard the worst; go on therefore, my dearest father."
"The unhappy Philippe instantly fell, (resumed St. Julian); he writhed for a moment in agony, and then expired with a deep groan.
"There is something dreadful in the sight of human blood to a heart not entirely callous. As his flowed at my feet, a faintness stole over me, and I leaned for support against the projecting fragment which had before concealed me. The scene in the forest of Montmorenci rushed upon my recollection. 'He could not bear to behold my blood (said I), and yet I spilled his without mercy!—Mercy! (repeated I starting), what mercy should I have extended to him who preserved my life but to entail dishonour upon it? I have taken but a just revenge (continued I)'; and my spirits were reanima
ted by the idea.
"Casting a look of savage triumph upon the body, I darted across it, and fled almost with the velocity of lightning towards the castle. As I was entering the court, I met a holy man, who lived in a neighbouring monastery, the confessor of the Earl and his family, coming out; I would have pushed by him, but he caught my arm.
"'Alas, my son! (said he, in an accent of pity) your disordered looks too plainly prove your knowledge of the sad event which has happened in the castle during your absence. How unfortunate that you could not be found yesterday when your brother wrote to inform you of it, and request your company hither; your presence might have mitigated his transports.'
"A convulsive laugh broke from me at the idea of deception having also been practised upon the old man; yet, at the next instant, it struck me as something strange that he should know of my brother's visit to the castle.
"'You speak enigmatically, holy father (said I); I know nothing of any letter my brother wrote, nor of any sad event that——.'
"I suddenly paused;—the dying groan of Philippe again, me—thought, sounded in my ear, and stopped my utterance.
"'If the meaning of my words is incomprehensible (said the monk, regarding me with mingled horror and surprise), so is also the meaning of your looks: explain what has disordered you.'
"'First say (cried I), what you know about my brother's visit to the castle; explain the reason of it.'
"'Concealment is no longer necessary (said he); the Count came to the castle to receive the last sigh of his wife.'
"'His wife!' repeated I, starting and staring wildly.
"'Yes, the lovely Elenora.'
"'Elenora the wife of Philippe! no, 'tis not to be believed (exclaimed I); I see (endeavouring to shake him from me) you are but a sanctified villain, and in league with the rest to deceive me!'
"'I know not what you mean (said he); I know nothing of any deceit that has been practised on you. Elenora was, by the holy cross I swear, (and he touched that which hung beside him the wife of your brother.)'
"I could no longer doubt his truth; a confused idea of treachery, of a snare having been spread to involve my unhappy brother and self in destruction, darted into my mind; all hell seemed opening to my view; I grew giddy, and would have fallen, but for the supporting arm of the monk.
"'You are ill (said he); let me call for assistance.'
"'No (replied I, exerting myself), I am now better. Tell me, ere I enter the castle, what has happened since my departure from it; and why the marriage of the Count with Elenora was concealed from me.'
"'It never was the wish of your brother to have it concealed from you,' said the monk, sitting down on the pavement, where I had seated myself unable to stand.
"''Tis now near a twelvemonth (continued he), since it took place; the ceremony was performed by me. The accident which introduced your brother to the castle you already know: almost from the first moment he and Lady Elenora beheld each other, they became mutually enamoured; the watchful eyes of a parent easily discovered their attachment; and the Earl soon demanded an explanation of your brother's intentions.
"'It was his most ardent wish, the Count said, to be united to Lady Elenora; but it was a wish, he candidly confessed, which he durst not reveal to his father, whose avarice and ambition he knew, notwithstanding his extravagant partiality for him, would forbid his union with any one who could not increase the consequence, and add to the opulence of his house.
"'Upon hearing this, the Earl, though gently, blamed him for having encouraged a tenderness for his daughter, and explicitly desired him to leave the castle. The Count, instead of promising to do so, fell at his feet, and besought him not to banish him from the woman he adored. 'Suffer me to marry her (cried he), and whilst my father lives to conceal my marriage.'
"'The pride and rectitude of the Earl for a long time resisted this entreaty; but the repeated solicitations of the half-distracted St. Julian, and the tears of his daughter, at length extorted a consent to their union.
"'On St. Julian's return to the habitation of his father, he met with you. Soon after that meeting, he planned a scheme for again visiting his lovely bride; you were the companion of his journey. Ere your appearance at the castle, the family were apprised of your intended visit and connexion with him.
"'In his letter to the Earl, acquainting him with those particulars, he also said—'Against the loveliness of your Elenora I have guarded my Lausane, by informing him she was already engaged; but to the beauties of Geraldine I hope he will be as susceptible, as I wish her to be to his merits.'
"'You came; and his wishes were accomplished by the attachment that grew between you.
"'The Count mentioned to Lord Dunlere his intention of revealing his marriage to you; but the Earl opposed it. A long intercourse with the world had rendered him suspicious; and he feared your knowing of the affair, lest you should betray it to the Marquis, from a hope of benefiting by the resentment you would excite against your brother: 'and little pleasure (added he), should I derive from having one daughter enriched at the expense of the other.'
"'Though the Count would not act in opposition to him, he resented the suspicion he harboured of you. 'In doubting the honour of Lausane (said he), you are guilty of the greatest injustice; no nature can be more noble, more pure than his; and I am confident he would sooner lose his life than harm me.'
"'Oh, Philippe!' I groaned aloud.
"The monk looked earnestly at me. 'You are ill my son,' said he.
"'Dear father (cried I), do not mind me; I am all impatience for you to go on.'
"'About the time you were married to Lady Geraldine, the Count beheld a prospect of an increase to his felicity; Elenora was with child. In pursuance of the Earl's advice, it was settled that when the period for her confinement arrived, your brother, pretending illness, should invite you to see him, and keep you away till she was recovered. It was also settled, that the child should be nursed at a neighbouring cottage, and when weaned, be brought back to the castle as the deserted orphan of some poor peasant.
"'About ten days ago, almost immediately after your departure, Elenora lay in of a lovely boy. She continued as well as could be expected for a few days; a violent fever then seized her, and in a short time her life was despaired of. She retained her senses, and, sensible of her danger, begged her husband might be sent for, that she might have the pleasure of presenting her child to him, and breathing her last sigh in his arms.
"'An express was accordingly dispatched; Geraldine and I met him upon his arrival: on not seeing you, as she expected, with him, she wildly demanded where you were. He replied, that the moment he had finished perusing the Earl's letter, he had sent it to you with a few lines, imploring your pardon for having had any concealment from you, and requesting your immediate attendance; but, to his great mortification, you were absent from the cottage; nor did the owner of it expect you back for a considerable time, as you had told him, he said, that you were going out upon a long ramble; to wait for your return was therefore, in his situation, impossible.
"'He was conducted to the chamber of his Elenora; the agonies of death had already seized her; and he arrived but in time to receive the last sigh of her fleeting spirit. She has been dead some hours, but it is only a few minutes ago since he could be torn from her remains; nor could he have then been forced from them, but by the mention of his child; he is gone to weep over the poor babe, and I am now about following him.'
"You will wonder, no doubt, my dearest Madeline, how I could listen with calmness to this recital; you will wonder that I did not start into instant madness, and with a desperate hand, terminate my wretched existence; but horror had frozen up my blood, and suspended every faculty; my silence astonished the monk, and he looked steadily at me. At length I spoke—'Father (said I, in a hollow voice), do you not believe that evil spirits are sometimes let loose upon this world, to plague the sons of men, and tempt them to destruction?'
"'Heaven forbid I should think so (he r
eplied); the Almighty has declared his creatures never shall be tempted beyond their strength; 'tis not the ministers of darkness, but their own impetuous passions which hurry them to destruction.'
"I started up; 'farewell! (I cried); remember me in your prayers, and bid Geraldine not forget me in her orisons.'
"'Whither are you going?' said he.
"'To join my brother,' replied I.
"No doubt I looked wild. He seized my arm—
"'Your brother!' repeated he.
"'Yes, to accompany his soul in its flight from this world.—His soul! (I repeated, starting and shrieking aloud with agony) Oh, no! heaven opens to receive his spirit, but the deepest abyss in hell now yawns for mine!'
"'Some dreadful mystery lurks beneath those words (cried he); tell me, my son, what has distressed you?'
"'To tell you my distress is useless, since you cannot relieve it.'
"'Though not able to remove, I might at least be able to mitigate it,' said he.
"'No; except you could re-animate the dead;—except you could raise Philippe from the bloody turf, and bid him live again!'
"I tried to disengage myself, but he held me fast: in the conflict my strength and senses failed, and I fell fainting to the earth.
"When I recovered, I found myself in the hall of the castle, supported by my wife and the monk, and surrounded by the domestics, amidst whom the Earl stood. The minute I regained my senses, the monk dismissed the servants, and none remained with me but Geraldine, her father, and himself.
"He then besought me to reveal the cause of my distress. Geraldine and the Earl joined in his supplication. I raised my head from his shoulder, and withdrew myself from the arms of my wife. I knelt down; the fury of my soul had subsided.—
"'Oh! my friends (I cried, while tears gushed from me), I am unworthy of your tenderness—I am unworthy of the light of heaven—I am the destroyer of your peace—the murderer of my brother!'
The Complete Northanger Horrid Novel Collection (9 Books of Gothic Romance and Horror) Page 317
