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

by Eliza Parsons

  Before she had been introduced to him, her imagination had suggested that he was much older, and that he possessed more gravity, and dignity of deportment. She was therefore not a little surprised when she beheld a tall, graceful figure, of an insinuating and fashionable address, apparently not more than forty; for the spirit and vivacity of his countenance, when actuated by gaiety and good humour, counteracted the effects of time, and his whole behaviour, when solicitous to please, assisted in carrying on the deception. To the Signora he was polite and attentive; but when he addressed Laurette, there was an air of tenderness in his manners which he did not attempt to disguise, and which it was impossible not to understand.

  The apprehensions that Enrico had suggested were now communicated to her own heart; the temporary vivacity that had enlivened her features soon vanished, and was succeeded by a kind of thoughtful and tender dejection, which, so far from detracting from the natural graces of her person, bestowed an additional delicacy and softness.

  The Marchese, who watched every change of expression with undeviating assiduity, imputed this pensive cast of character to perpetual retirement, and dwelt with energy upon the advantages arising from an unrestrained intercourse with the world. This sentiment was warmly applauded by the Signora, who, by enlarging upon the subject, endeavoured to place her favourite persuasion in the most favourable light; for if she had a weakness, it was certainly that of possessing too great an attachment to the fashionable elegances of life, which had lost nothing of value, but had rather gained additional importance in her estimation, from having been long withheld from her. It was this growing and seductive passion, so early implanted in her nature, aided by that love of liberty so natural to the human mind, that occasioned an invincible aversion to a conventual life, and which taught her to submit her duty to her inclination, by accepting the protection of a husband, without the knowledge or acquiescence of her only surviving parent; which conduct nothing but his unjustifiable severity could have excused.

  The day passed without any material occurrence; the attentions of the Marchese rather augmented than decreased, and he attempted, but not always with success, to detach Laurette from her friend, that he might more effectually insinuate himself into her favour and confidence. But the melancholy he thus strove to dissipate, was by these measures increased. She received his assiduities with coldness, and sometimes with terror, which it was impossible to conceal or subdue; and the animated emotion of displeasure with which she repressed the familiarity of his advances, when respectful attention yielded to the ardour of ungovernable passion, wounded and offended his pride.

  But he was too well initiated in the arts of intrigue to suffer himself to give words to his resentment; and, as he attributed this uniform reserve to the cause of offended delicacy, since it appeared not to be merely the effect of solitude and inexperience, he resolved, if no possibility existed of contaminating the angelic purity of her mind, since she was not only the most beautiful, but the most interesting object he had ever beheld, finally to offer her his hand. The rank to which she would be elevated by so splendid an alliance, he imagined, could not fail to attract and dazzle so young and charming a creature; who, if in the slightest degree conscious of the perfections she possessed, would doubtless be anxious to place them in a situation where they would meet with deserved admiration, and not continue, if an opportunity offered of placing herself eligibly in the world, to shroud herself in silence and obscurity.

  On the death of the Marchesa he had indeed hastily, and too rashly determined not to submit to what he termed the shackles of matrimony; but other reasons, besides the extreme beauty and innocence of Laurette, now influenced his conduct—reasons which he reluctantly avowed even to himself; they were however sufficient to unfix his wavering resolution; and the more he reflected upon this newly-concerted plan, the more fascinating it appeared.

  He still ventured to believe, that a considerable portion of flattery, judiciously administered, might prove efficacious, as few minds, if feminine, could resist its power. And as sophistry was not likely to be detected by so young and inexperienced a girl, unremitting attention to her desires, assisted by the most lavish praises he was empowered to bestow, would eventually triumph over that retiring diffidence of deportment, that guarded delicacy of conduct, which was so strikingly featured in her character.

  But, however sanguine his expectation, the artful means he employed for the accomplishment of his purpose, not only retarded, but prevented the success of the enterprise. What had been darkly and mysteriously hinted, recurred frequently to her thoughts; and the image of Enrico, noble, respectful, and tender, being presented with all its interesting accompaniments to her mind, rendered the solicitude of the Marchese still more unpleasant and disgusting.

  She remembered, with satisfaction, the promise she had given him previous to his leaving the castle; and was determined, if her new lover deviated in the smallest degree from the nice rule of propriety, to accept of his protection. Nothing, indeed, could prevail upon her to alter her resolution respecting a marriage with Enrico, before he was enabled to provide for her without involving him in new difficulties; for though she could have been satisfied with a very slender provision, if shared with the object of her affections, yet her apprehensions of entering into life with embarrassments, which might finally lead to sorrow and repentance, when the romantic enthusiasm, peculiar to youth and inexperience, subsided, repressed every yielding principle of her nature; and she thought only of consigning herself, with his assistance, since she had so little to expect from the exertions of the Marchese in his favour, to a convent, or some other temporary place of security, till she could fix upon some more eligible abode, or till the bars which prevented their union were removed.

  The letter, which had been conveyed to Enrico, did not remain long unanswered, and she was agreeably surprised on receiving one much sooner than she imagined it possible. This was delivered to her by the Signora when she was alone in her apartment, and with mingled joy and curiosity she perused the contents.

  He informed her, in the first place, of his own situation, and want of success in his undertaking; and then of the necessity of his quitting Germany, at least for a short time, at the desire of the Marchese de Martilini, his Colonel, who was prevented by indisposition from remaining with his regiment, and was then resident at his seat near Mantua. He had reason to fear, he added, from some recent accounts, that his disorder was of a severe and dangerous nature; and, from its frequent attacks, had so injured and debilitated his constitution, that but little was to be expected from medicinal applications.

  An epistle, penned by an unknown hand, had acquainted him with some circumstances which made his attendance necessary, particularly that of the strong desire which his Colonel had expressed to see him, and his many anxious enquiries respecting his future destination.

  He likewise informed her, that since his departure from the Castle of Lunenburg, a cessation of hostilities had actually commenced; and that, in consequence of this measure, a speedy termination of the war was universally expected, which would probably precipitate his return, and prevent the indispensability of his future absences.

  He then reverted to the subject of her last epistle, expressing his astonishment at the intelligence conveyed, which was that the Marchese de Montferrat, contrary to his original intention, meant to reside during the winter in Germany.

  But this was a topic too productive of uneasiness to be dwelt upon; and that part of the paper which contained it was written over with so disorderly a hand, that the characters which attempted to convey those indescribable sensations of tenderness that pained and agitated his breast, were scarcely legible.

  Then desiring that, should any thing happen to render her present situation unpleasant, she would recollect her former promise of accepting his protection, whatever distance might divide them, he gently withdrew her from the immediate cause of their mutual uneasiness, by reverting with tender concern to those blissful moments o
f juvenile felicity, which once made existence happiness.

  "How often, Laurette," he continued, "is your image presented to me in the visions of my fancy! How often, since I have been wandering in unsuccessful pursuits, have I dismissed Anselmo, that I might indulge my melancholy in secret, and fastening my horse to the sapless branches of an oak, have rambled about in the still and silent hour of evening, endeavouring to recall the exact expression of your countenance, to recollect the tones of your voice, and every word you have uttered, in those charming moments of unrestrained and mutual confidence which we have enjoyed together. Sometimes I seat myself under the spreading branches of a larch or a sycamore, and gaze upon the mild splendour of the setting sun, sinking gradually from my view beneath the faded and half-foliated woods, in the sweet hope that the same object is engaging your attention, and that I meet you in idea.

  "In the course of my enquiries," continued Enrico, "I was imperceptibly led into the neighbourhood of your former residence, I may also add of my own, in the days of childhood. Finding I was within a league of the castle, an irresistible inclination directed me to the place; and dismissing my servant on some trifling pretence, I indulged the pensiveness of my feelings, by wandering through those now desolated shades, where we have once held unrestrained communication.

  "To gain admittance into the interior of the edifice was denied me; but with a melancholy pleasure I was enabled, through the high gothic casements of the lower apartments, to discover dimly in the gloom the scenes of our earliest happiness.—The furniture, every thing remained the same, and methought I saw you indistinctly through my tears, seated in one of the recesses in the saloon, where we have so often sat, marking the fine tints of the sky, when the last ray of the retiring orb had empurpled the sublime summits of the mountains, and the blue mist of the twilight was overspreading the plains. Do you not remember how often, in that mild and placid hour, we have rambled over the dewy hills, marking the winding course of the river stealing slowly along in the most romantic directions, or listening to the sighing of the wind amongst the trees? Do you not remember, but is it possible you can forget, how frequently we have lingered under your favourite tree, till only the tinkling of a sheep-bell, or the mellow tones of a flute were heard faintly from the margin of the river or the plaintive orisons of the nightingale were warbled sadly from the woods?

  "Oh Laurette! the melting recollection of those moments overwhelms me;—I sought out this spot, so tenderly endeared tome by the grateful memorials of the past, and throwing myself on the rudely carved bench, which was formerly so familiar to me, sat lost in pensive reverie. Your image again presented itself to my fancy; I saw you in that white robe which you usually wore, without any other ornament than a knot of wild flowers, gathered from the interstices of the mountains; a lute was in your hand, you bent over it, with one of those smiles which are at once so seductive and fascinating, and as the rising breeze wafted aside your locks, a blush ripened on your cheek. How strong, how chimerical is the imagination of a lover! methought you touched a chord of the instrument, which was answered faintly by an echo. The sound communicated to my soul—I started from my seat—but the angelic vision was no more; it came only for a moment to console me, and then vanished from my sight.

  "I know you will condemn these wild and romantic effusions of a disordered mind; but you do not know what tender and interesting reflections your idea imparts to it; I would not part with it to be occasionally less wretched, because I should then lose all that can make life desirable."

  In another part of his letter he adds, "I am resolved to see you before I visit Italy, whatever danger it may expose me to; I will encounter the coldness, perhaps the displeasure of the Marchese, for I find it impossible to quit Germany without one consoling glance. In a few days after the receipt of this I may probably be with you; do not mention my intention to any one; I wish it was possible to see only yourself, for the necessity of my speedy arrival in Italy will prevent my being stationary. I would desire to see you alone, and without the knowledge of the Marchese, if I was not in danger of hazarding your displeasure. You will not, I fear, adopt this mode of conduct, however requisite, because it discovers a want of openness.

  "But why, Laurette, will you forget that I am your brother? Why would you deprive me of the sacred power of protecting you, the primary wish of my soul; of defending you from future injuries, or of redressing them if committed?"

  Towards the conclusion of the letter he gave her an account of the convents he had visited, and of the unsatisfactory intelligence he had received; and then finished with a request, that she would indulge him, if possible, with a private interview, since, contrary to his original design, he was resolved to see her immediately.

  Laurette perused the former part of this epistle with a painful interest, and a ray of consolation was communicated to her bosom when she arrived at that part of it which treated of his intended visit. But the interview, for which he pleaded so forcibly, she feared could not be easily obtained; as the Marchese seldom left her even for a moment, and consequently that retirement, which had been long familiar and dear to her, could only be enjoyed in the solitude of her own apartment.

  Laurette was roused from these reflections by the ringing of the dinner-bell, and before she had descended the stairs, the Marchese, who thought every moment of her absence an age while she had been engaged in the perusal of the letter, came forwards to conduct her into the room which was appropriated for that purpose.

  The empassioned glances which he cast upon her, as he advanced forwards to lead her into the room, covered her with confusion; and as he took her hand, on their way through the hall, it trembled so excessively, that the animated expression of his countenance suddenly changed, and surprise, mingled with displeasure, succeeded.

  He would have demanded the cause of this alarm, but to avoid interrogatories she hurried into the apartment, and seating herself by the side of the Signora, endeavoured to conceal her chagrin by an ill-assumed appearance of composure.

  During the dinner hour, the Marchese, contrary to his custom, remained totally silent, and seemed unusually thoughtful. As soon as the cloth was withdrawn, without offering any thing of an apology, he arose from the table, and traversed the room with a gloomy and disordered air, regardless of the Signora and even of Laurette, though the conversation of both was more than once directed to himself.

  The repulsive coldness which was so evident in the deportment of the beautiful orphan, in spite of all his insinuating efforts to secure her affections, at once wounded his feelings, and exasperated his pride.—What he formerly imagined proceeded merely from native timidity, and that chilling reserve, which usually accompanies rigid delicacy of sentiment on the first advances of freedom, he now attributed to a different cause.

  Paoli having been informed of Enrico's visit at the castle, did not fail to communicate this intelligence to his Lord, who received it with no sensation of pleasure. From what had been related to the steward, he appeared to have been a favoured lover; and his person and manners being spoken of in the most flattering terms, assisted in justifying the surmise.

  As Paoli did not conceal the smallest circumstance from the Marchese relative to Enrico, he soon succeeded in his intention of inspiring him with jealousy and aversion towards the amiable young Chevalier, which now added keenness to the various and conflicting passions that agitated his breast.

  Had his rival been any other than his own son, he would probably have meditated some dreadful revenge; but the ties of blood, however feebly cemented by the bonds of affection, prevented him from exercising any actual cruelty, though it tended not to mitigate his resentment, but rather added warmth to the violence of his unrestrained passions. He had before determined to disown and abandon him, notwithstanding his former promises were delivered with a degree of solemnity which would have awed a mind less strong and energetic than his own.

  At an earlier period of existence, could he have allowed himself time for reflectio
n, he might possibly have shrunk from this act of undeserved barbarity with the abhorrence it merited; but he was now grown too familiar with vice to be shocked at, or even to detect its natural deformity; and his love of virtue, of which it was evident he possessed no larger a portion than what is inseparable from, and inherent in, our natures, was so weakened by a long course of debauchery and immorality, so secretly practised as to deceive superficial observers; who, allured by his apparent generosity and public benevolence of conduct, easily gave him credit for the reality of every perfection which he found it necessary to assume; and being thus satisfied with the outward semblance of goodness, he wanted not only resolution, but inclination, to become virtuous.

  Though the Marchese did not relax from his resolve respecting Laurette, he discovered that it was requisite to adopt some new plan for the accomplishment of his design; he easily perceived that she regarded him with the most stoical indifference, which she now did not attempt to disguise;—he was also conscious, that the spark of gratitude which had once faintly beamed from her countenance was extinguished; and, instead of appearing flattered by his attentions, she carefully avoided giving him any opportunity of bestowing them.

  CHAPTER VIII

  Some strange commotion

  Is in his brain, he bites his lip, and starts;

  Stops on a sudden, looks upon the ground.

  Then lays his finger on his temple; straight

  Springs out into fast gait, then stops again.

  Strikes his breast hard, and anon he casts

  His eye against the moon: in most strange postures

  We've seen him set himself.

  -SHAKESPEARE