Fearing Laurette should awake, and endure an agony of surprise, which, during her present state of indisposition, might overpower her faculties, and plunge her again into insensibility, he receded towards the door, and calling Anselmo gently forwards, who had remained in the passage whilst his master explored the apartment, he informed him who the prisoner was, and instructed him in what manner to proceed.
The delighted servant could scarcely suppress the acknowledgment of his joy, and taking the lamp, with a heart bounding with rapture, promised strictly to observe the rules which had been prescribed; and entering the chamber, placed himself as far as possible from the mattress, but in such a situation, that he might easily observe her motion. Enrico, in the meantime, waited impatiently in the gallery, whilst love, tenderness, and astonishment took possession of his mind. How she had been conveyed thither, by whom, and for what purpose, was as marvellous as inexplicable; and the more he reflected upon the subject, the more intricate and wonderful it appeared.
"The wretch," cried he, "who occupies the mansion, is undoubtedly an assassin! The dagger, rusted with blood, is an undeniable proof of it: was it then intended that her innocent life should be sacrificed? If so, who could instigate the wretch to so horrid a deed—a deed so disgraceful to humanity, that none but fiends could reflect upon it without shuddering!"
Unable to solve this mystery, the mind of Enrico suffered a tumult of distracting surmises, till the soft voice of Laurette, that dear, that well-known voice, wrapped him in attention. She was uttering something in a tone of supplication, but the words were undistinguishable, for they were low and inarticulate; yet it was easy to ascertain that Anselmo was offering something of condolence, which she did not clearly understand. Still he listened in hopes of distinguishing her words, till he heard a faint scream, not expressive of terror, but of mingled surprise and rapture, which was instantly succeeded by the name of Enrico, pronounced in those sweet, those melting accents, which had ever possessed such powers of enchantment over him. Unable to endure longer suspense, he did not wait to be recalled; but rushing precipitately from his concealment, darted into the room, whilst joy of the most ecstatic kind pained and agitated his breast.
Laurette had just risen from the mattress when he entered, and being weak, almost to fainting, was obliged to lean against the wall for support. As soon as she beheld him, from whom she believed herself separated for ever, her soft bosom throbbed with new emotion, and the powers of utterance forsook her; but as Enrico, with all the enthusiasm of affection, called wildly upon her name, her beautiful eyes were turned towards him with a look so full of affection and tenderness, that his feelings arose almost to agony.
"And is it possible," cried Enrico, pressing her gently to his heart, whilst his words were almost stifled with transport, "that I have at last found her whom I so hopelessly sought? Oh Laurette! from this moment one destiny shall unite us; we will separate no more."
The fair captive attempted to reply, but tears of joy prevented her utterance; and as Enrico surveyed her pallid cheek, her thin emaciated form, and every symptom of alarming indisposition, solicitude succeeded to rapture, and anxious as he was to be made acquainted with every particular relative to this mysterious event, he forbore making any immediate inquiry concerning it. As soon as the first tumults of joy were subsided, Laurette, who was unable to move without assistance, and whose delicate frame was still more weakened by this sudden, though joyful, surprise, sat down upon the mattress, whilst Enrico, after having dispatched Anselmo to convey the remaining part of the wine, and some of the barley cake, which had been left in the room where Maschero was confined, seated himself by her side, supporting her with his arm, which encircled her waist, whilst tears of tenderness and compassion fell copiously from his eyes, as he marked the ravages grief had already made upon her angelic countenance.
As soon as Laurette had taken a small quantity of the wine and cake, which Anselmo had fortunately removed without awakening his host, and had received fresh assurances from Enrico that she was safe from the power of the assassin, and that no danger was likely to befall him or his servant on her account, she felt considerably revived, and joined with her enraptured lover in returning thanks to Heaven for having thus sent her a deliverer. Anselmo could not forbear weeping for joy; his master's happiness was inseparable from his own, and he could not, nor did he attempt to conceal his transports.
Laurette, having convinced Enrico that her indisposition entirely proceeded from want of rest and necessary food, besought him to leave her alone, and in the meantime to endeavour to procure some sleep in one of the adjoining apartments, as she was assured from his appearance he was in want of repose, promising on his return she would gratify his curiosity respecting her present confinement. As it yet wanted some hours of day, he assented, observing it was more for her sake than his own that he was prevailed upon to leave her. Laurette rewarded his acquiescence with a smile, and pressing her hand to his lips as he bade her adieu, he quitted the chamber.
Anselmo recollecting that, in one of the unoccupied apartments, he had seen a large old piece of tapestry lying at one corner of it, which appeared formerly to have been used as a floor-cloth, assured his master that this would make a most excellent bed, and that he would engage, with the assistance of an old blanket that lay by the side of it, to make him a more comfortable one than he had enjoyed for some time. Enrico remarking that the assertion was by no means improbable, since his couch, in whatever situation, had of late been a thorny one, desired him to prepare it; adding, with a smile, that the knight, who came to relieve distressed damsels, must not be afraid of a few temporary inconveniences.
The tapestry being spread in several folds upon the broken floor of a remote chamber, which was selected by Anselmo from the rest, because the walls were more entire, Enrico lay down to rest; but as joy is as great an enemy to repose as grief, he did not feel the least inclination to sleep. His servant, at his desire, partook of the bed he had so judiciously formed, as well as of the tattered blanket, which served them both as a covering.
In this situation they remained till the morning dawned faintly through the narrow shattered lattice of their room, which was so fringed with weeds, that the sun was scarcely ever admitted.
CHAPTER V
Can such things be?
And overcome us like a summer's cloud.
Without our special wonder!
Blood will have blood;
Stones have been made to move, and trees to speak:
Augurs and understood relations have.
By magpies, and by choughs and rooks, brought forth
The secret man of blood.
-SHAKESPEARE
Anselmo's mind not being harassed with such a variety of strange surmises as his master's, he sunk into a quiet slumber, from which he did not awake till it was light; when, having forgotten the reality of his situation in the visions of his fancy, he could not forbear uttering an exclamation of astonishment; but soon recollecting the past, he turned round to inquire of Enrico in what manner Maschero was to be disposed of, who would probably soon become sensible to his confinement, when he beheld with amazement that his master had quitted his side. Starting instantly from the bed, he hastened into the gallery, where he soon discovered him taking a general survey of the building; endeavouring by these means to beguile the tedious moments that must elapse before Laurette would again admit him into the interior of her prison.
As they passed along one of the apartments, whose barred casements looked into the court, they perceived a board to shake under their feet, which, on examination, was found to be loose and unfixed.
"This is surely a trap-door," cried Anselmo, with evident astonishment, "which leads into some strange, and still more dreary, place. Let us explore it, Signor; who knows but we may find some hidden treasure."
Enrico made no reply; but desirous of being convinced whether it was really a door, and if so, to what part of the ruin it led, attempted to unclose it. He was
not long unsuccessful, and on heaving up the board, discovered that it opened upon a flight of steps, which being steep, broken, and decayed, perfectly corresponded with the rest. These they immediately descended, and soon found themselves in a dismal old chamber, which contained, amongst a considerable quantity of lumber, a large oak chest.
This, on opening, they perceived to be empty; but the lid was no sooner closed, than it occurred to Enrico, that, from its external appearance, it probably contained a false bottom. Having communicated his thoughts to Anselmo, the chest was again examined, and the suspicion ascertained not to have been groundless. The artfully-contrived board was speedily removed, and our travellers beheld, to their mutual astonishment, the plumed helmet of a warrior, a military habit, with several other articles of dress, stained with blood; an unsheathed sword rusted by time, and a cross of the order of St Julias. Enrico started with an emotion of horror as he surveyed them, whilst Anselmo observed, with a shuddering sensation, accompanied by an expressive shake of the head, that there had been some foul play there.
"Gracious Heaven!" exclaimed Enrico, recovering from the stupor of amazement into which he had been plunged, "What do these garments mean, and with whose blood are they stained?"
Anselmo, who had been examining them severally as his master spoke, took up a piece of linen, which seemed to be connected with the rest of the apparel; this was literally dyed in gore, and as he extended his arm to display it to Enrico, it dropped into pieces with age.
"The unfortunate being who owned these things" cried Anselmo, piteously, "has long since been at rest. Can you conjecture, Signor, whose they could have been?"
"Your question is a strange one," returned Enrico, "since I cannot possibly ascertain to whom the ruin belongs, much less can I form any idea of its present possessor; and even could that be discovered, I should still be as far from the point as to the murder committed in it."
"But one may form some kind of a notion about it, Signor?"
"Indeed! then you have more penetration than I have, who am unable to form any judgment upon the subject."
"I do not mean to insinuate that I have more penetration than you, Signor. Do not mistake me; but it is reduced to a certainty that blood has been spilled-ah! and in this very place; the garments are here to attest the truth of the assertion."
"There is sufficient testimony of that," returned Enrico; "but I thought you was endeavouring to discover the authors of this assassination, and was applying to me for assistance."
"That was not the case, Signor; you never will understand me without I speak directly to the purpose. The whole of the affair then is this: If you think as I do, you will from these evidences believe, that this old building belongs to some great man, who keeps it as a kind of slaughter-house, that when any one offends him, or stands in the way of his advancement, he may send him to an eternal sleep without making any one the wiser."
Enrico appeared thoughtful, but made no reply; and Anselmo, having replaced the bloody garments in the chest, disposing them in the same manner as before, followed him up the steps. Scarcely had they reached the trap-door leading into the chamber, before a loud knocking at the outer gate filled them with new astonishment.
"Mercy upon us!" cried Anselmo, "the ghost is surely coming to revenge himself upon us for disturbing his old clothes; for what human being would think of coming to such a place as this? If it is man, I can soon do for him; for I have a weapon here," resumed he, taking the rusty dagger from his girdle, "that will do his business quickly—ah! and one too that, by the appearance of the blade, seems to have been well employed; but, if it should be a spirit, Oh Sancta Maria! Signor! what can we do with that?"
Enrico, without waiting till Anselmo had concluded his harangue, walked towards the window which opened into the court, and beheld, to his unspeakable surprise, four armed men taking a survey of the edifice. At first he imagined them to have been banditti, who infested the woods in the night, and were accustomed to inhabit a part of the building during the day; but the appearance of him who seemed to direct the motions of the rest, indicated nothing of the kind.
The alarm was now repeated, which being aided by the yells of Maschero, who had just discovered his confinement, had altogether a dreadful effect. Afraid that Laurette, from being ignorant of the cause, might be disturbed and affrighted, Enrico ran hastily to her room. She was just awake, and seemed better. The knocking still continuing, she inquired the cause; and on his assuring her that nothing was the matter, and that he would speedily return to her, she consented to be left.
Not knowing whether the intentions of the strangers were hostile or otherwise, Anselmo took the dagger from beneath his cloak, whilst Enrico, clapping his hand upon the hilt of his sword, in an attitude of defence, proceeded towards the door.
The person, who appeared to be the leader, advanced first with a stately and dignified air. He seemed to have passed the autumn of life, for locks of grey shaded his forehead, and his face was marked with the lines of age. Struck with the benignity of his aspect, Enrico raised his hand involuntarily from his sword, and courteously bowing, offered him admittance. The stranger, after surveying him a moment in silence, turned to the men, and said, "There must be some mistake; this is not the person we were taught to expect."
"May I be allowed to understand the motive of this visit?" cried Enrico, addressing himself to him who was evidently the superior, "possibly I may be enabled to solve this difficulty."
The stranger gave an assenting nod; and then desiring the men, who had accompanied him, to await his orders in the wood, followed his conductor into the hall; not without frequently turning an inquiring eye towards the place from whence the cries of Maschero proceeded.
"I will unravel this mysterious affair immediately," resumed Enrico, finding his new acquaintance was much interested in these expressions of distress, "when we have reached a place convenient for the purpose." His guest again bowed, and continued to follow him.
The only seats they were able to find, were two large stones which had fallen from the ceiling at the farther end of the hall, but by these they were tolerably well accommodated; and the stranger having again fixed his eyes upon the intelligent countenance of our hero with new astonishment, requested to be made acquainted with his name; and since it was impossible that neglected solitude could be his residence, by what strange combination of circumstances he had been directed thither.
Enrico did not keep him in suspense. He related his name, at least the only one he had ever known, that of Chamont, and informed him briefly of the most interesting events of his past life, as far as was connected with the subject upon which they had touched; including the mysterious manner in which his mother had disappeared, Laurette's residence with the Marchese, her precipitate retreat from the castle, though in what manner had not been investigated, and how strangely, how miraculously she had been discovered in the prison of the ruin; which little narrative he concluded, by declaring the means that had been employed to intoxicate the assassin, who, he had every reason to believe, meditated her death, though he had at present taken no desperate method to accomplish it.
The stranger could scarcely wait for the conclusion; but throwing his arms round the neck of Enrico, he exclaimed, in an agony of joy, "Are you then the son of Madame Chamont, the noblest, the most amiable of women? And shall I, by presenting you to her after this long, this hopeless absence, be enabled to discharge some part of that vast debt of gratitude which I owe her. Behold in me the Conte della Croisse, the once wretched La Roque, who, but for her interference, must have perished in a dungeon."
Enrico's amazement increased; he had never heard the name of Della Croisse uttered by any one except Father Benedicta; and the little he had been able to gain from what that Monk had inadvertently dropped, was so wrapped in obscurity, that no opinion could be formed upon the subject. But as the Conte's exclamation indicated that he was not only formerly known to his mother, but was actually acquainted with her present place of
residence, his raptures could not be repressed; and falling at the feet of his venerable guest, he besought him with tears to inform him immediately where his revered parent was removed, and whether he could not instantly be with her. Della Croisse's heart melted within him when he beheld these effusions of affection; and so much was the sensibility of his nature excited, that it was some time before he could command his feelings sufficiently to comply with the request. But finding his auditor could no longer endure a state of suspense and anxiety, he informed him that Madame Chamont was in a place of security not many leagues distant from the wood; and that he might soon have an opportunity of being introduced to her, and of bestowing upon this excellent parent that unexpected and exalted happiness which his presence would inevitably confer.
"Having been recently apprised," continued the Conte, "of the alarming situation of the lovely young captive, with whose fate I find you are already acquainted, I brought a carriage to convey her from this place to the convent in which Madame Chamont has found a secure asylum."
"My mother is then safe in a convent," repeated Enrico, rapturously.
"She is," returned the Conte; "and not having remained resident there long enough to have commenced Nun, according to the established rules of the Institution, will have no objection to remove from it.
"I have many circumstances to unfold," continued Della Croisse, "in which you are materially interested, and must therefore request you will allow me a patient hearing."
Enrico bowed assent; but fearing lest Laurette should be uneasy at his absence, excused himself for a moment before the Conte began his recital, and hastened to her apartment. She had been expecting him for some time with a degree of painful anxiety; but his presence soon relieved her from uneasy apprehension, and after having taken, at his desire, a small portion more of the wine and cake, which had been left on the preceding night, he again quitted the room, with an assurance that he would return to her as soon as suitable arrangements were made relative to their intended departure.
The Complete Northanger Horrid Novel Collection (9 Books of Gothic Romance and Horror) Page 366
