The Silver Bottle; or, The Adventures of Little Marlboro in Search of His Father

by J. H. Ingraham

  I was in some degree encouraged by his words, and leaning back in the carriage I tried to calm myself and prepare my mind for the events that were to follow. I was at length aroused from my reverie by the stopping of the PostChaise. I looked out of the window and a cry of surprise involnntarily escaped me. Before us was a stately gate-way, above which was an escutcheon, and over it hovered an eagle in stone trampling upon a serpent. It was the very gateway I had seen in my dream. While I was looking at it utterly overcome by this singular circumstance, a man dressed in black came forth from the lodge by the gate for the purpose of throwing it open, when seeing me he started, gazed earnestly upon my features, and then with great respect bowed and opened the gate. This very man in black I had also seen in my dream, to which I request my readers to turn back. We passed through the gate before I could recover myself from my surprise. Mr. Beufort seeing my great emotion, inquired the cause, and I related to him my dream!—He was confounded with wonder.

  `All,' I said, as I looked out of the window, `is just as I then beheld it. The same noble avenue of trees, the same lake around which the road wound!'

  This identity so faithful filled me all at once with the most painful alarm; the most distressing fears! for if I had seen the first part of my dream so faithfully realized, should I not also find the tragical termination the same as I had then seen it? I turned pale and trembled with feelings of unutterable anguish. We approached a group of oaks upon a mound. As I beheld it, I said—

  `Sir, I am fated to find my mother here, and to find her dead! That group of oaks I distinctly call to mind; and to prove to you how vividly all I beheld is impressed upon my mind, we shall, after winding round it, come in sight of a small lake with a fountain in the midst, and after passing round the lake and crossing a lawn bordered by chesnuts we shall come in sight of the Castle!

  It proved precisely as I had said. Mr. Beufort, as we came in front of the palace, gazed upon me with looks of astonishment.

  `A Providence seems to be in this, young man,' he said impressively. `Fear not the result.'

  I could not, however, but fear! The idea that I should prove to be a descendant of this noble House was lost in the reflection that my mother's spirit would depart before I should behold her! This feeling was so strong upon me and had such an effect upon my mind, that when the carriage drew up before the terrace I did not wait to have the door opened by the footman, but throwing it open myself I sprang from the coach and flew up the marble steps of the Portico, up which I had been ushered in my dream! Heedless of the surprised stare of the attendants I rushed into the hall, and lifting my eyes, anticipating what I should see, I beheld at the extremity what I looked for—a bas relief in green marble of an eagle with his claw upon the head of a serpent! The double door beneath it was partly open, and without hesitation I advanced rapidly towards it in hopes that I should at least obtain a parting look—a glance—a word! from my mother's lips before she expired! For so vividly was my dream impressed upon my senses, that I had no doubt that I was hastening to her dying couch. Passing through the doors I entered a circular chamber of great height and splendor. It was hung with tapestry worked in gold thread. I recognised this aparrment at a glance. Even the figures upon the tapestry were familiar to me!

  How then could I be otherwise than impressed with the idea that I was about to see realized the subsequent portions of my dream? I sought with faltering eyes for the couch upon which I expected to see the dying form of her who I had been told was my mother. The place where the couch stood was occupied by a marble-slab supported by pillars. Upon the slab lay reclined at full length upon her side, as if asleep, the figure of a female exquisitely carved in the purest marble. I stood before it petrified with amazement. The features were those of her I had seen in my dream.

  `She is dead then! She is entombed!' I cried in unspeakable anguish and sorrow. `I am too, too late.' At this moment a gentleman entered from a door behind this cenotaph, and without observing me knelt by the side of the marble figure and gazed upon the features with sad tenderness. It was the face and form of the same noble looking gentleman I had seen in my dream! How strange that the dream so frithful in all else should have changed in the substitution of the marble figure for the lonely corpse of the dead; a cenotaph for a couch! When I beheld him enter and saw him kneel, the idea that I had at length found only the tomb of my mother, overwhelmed me with such grief—such a crowd of emotions rushed upon me, that I tell forward and fainted at the base of the cenotaph!

  When I came to myself I found I was in this chamber from which I write and lying upon a bed. By me sat bending over me with solicitude, the kind, friendly Mr. Beufort. Seeing that I was perfectly restored he allowed me to rise and to put to him a series of rapid questions.

  `It is now three hours since we arrived here,' he said, `and since you rushed so wildly into the castle!'

  `I owe, sir,' I said mortified, `a thousand apologies to you—but I recognised every thing around me! the portico—the saloon, the chamber containing the cenotaph were all as if I had visited them yesterday' How could I do otherwise than believe I should find my dying mother?'

  `How extraordinary!' he exclaimed.

  `In place of the couch of which I spoke to you was the cenotaph! In place of the body of my mother, the marble effigy!—All else was the same, even the gentleman who came in and knelt by it! Oh, sir, was it not all a dream a second time! Did I really see such a gentleman? Tell me all!'

  `Your entrance into the hall astonished every one who saw you! You were supposed to be insane! I at once divined your object, knowing what I did of your singular dream! I followed you as tast as I could, but we both being unknown to the servants, and our singular mode of entering the castle rousing their suspicions, I was detained by the steward who seized my arm, while others were despatched in pursuit of you!'

  `How singular my conduct must have appeared!' I said, quite ashamed.

  `It is all over now and will turn out right. I sent them for the Duke giving my name, and was detained till an usher came and informed me that the Duke was then out, but would return in the morning. I then was about to say I must be permitted to find you, when I heard a cry of alarm, and a call for aid from the circular hall in which you had disappeared. I, at once, with the others, rushed forward, believing some fearful event had occurred touching you. As I entered, I saw a tall man of singular dignity of person clad in mourning bending over you. You were lying perfectly inanimate. I hastened towards you, and as I came to your side I saw the gentleman was regarding you with the most fixed and intense interest. `Is he hurt?' was my first exclamation.

  `He has fainted, sir,' he answered, without looking up, still regarding your features with extraordinary earnestness; and once I saw him glance from your face to that of the effigy, as if mentally tracing out lines of resemblance!'

  `It is astonishing, sir,' I said, deeply moved, as Mr. Beufort related this incident. `I am overwhelmed with what I hear each moment! Is it possible I shall at last prove to be related to this family? perhaps to be the son of this noble-looking gentleman! I am lost in amazement!'

  `He made no effort to resuscitate you,' continued Mr. Beufort, smiling with hope and confidence upon me, `and alarmed for you I took upon me to order the servants to bring water and restoratives. In the meanwhile, I addressed the gentleman in the hearing of all, saying that you were a young friend of mine, who with me had come to see the Duke on business of importance, but that circumstances connected with the visit had rendered you highly nervous, and that you had left the carriage and flown into the castle under a temporary state of nervous impulse which was beyond your control!

  `This was the best explanation I could offer; and it proved satisfactory to the Steward, who immediately ordered a chamber to be prepared for you, and you to be conducted thither. The gentleman had seemed to pay no regard to what I said, but only continued comparing your faco with that of the sculptured female. And on regarding it myself I was struck with the resemblance which
had evidently struck him.'

  `Is it possible,' I exclaimed. `How singular is my destiny being wrought out!'

  `Wonderfully,' said Mr. Beufort. `I have no question whatever that you are closely related to the Duke or some member of his family' The Steward ordered you to be raised from the marble floor, I saw without asking the gentleman, who silently rising to his feet walked away and disappeared through a door in the rear of the cenotaph!'

  `The same by which I saw him appear,' I said.

  `I followed you to this chamber where you were soon revived, and then fell into a deep slumber!'

  `How long have I slept?' I asked.

  `Three hours!'

  `It has refreshed and fully restored me. How strange are all these events! Who is this noble gentleman?' I asked earnestly.

  `I have not inquired,' answered Mr. Beufort. `I have not left the room since you were conveyed hither. The Duke will be at home early in the morning, and before twenty-four hours we shall know all that regards your fate!'

  Such were the words of my benevolent friend; and being now quite recovered I urged upon him to go and walk in the Park, while I sat down to write to good Dame Darwell what had occurred; a duty I have done as faithfully as that I have enjoined upon myself in writing these letters. To-morrow, therefore, on the return of the Duke all will be known! I tremble as the cries of my fate approaches. Twenty-four hours may confirm all my hopes, or dash them to the earth forever.

  Yours truly, `LITTLE MARLBORO'.'

  [2] See Chapter VIII.

  CHAPTER V.

  Arlborough Castle, - August 4, 1844.

  It is with emotions of the deepest gratitude and happiness that I prepare to address this letter to those who have taken sufficient interest in my affairs to follow me through all the vicisitudes which have attended them. I address this letter to such with feelings in which I am persuaded they will deeply sympathise, sharing with me heartily my joys—joys tempered with sadness and tender regrets.

  In my last letter I said that a few hours would decide whether the web of my destiny would prove to be interwoven with that of the noble family under whose roof I was then a guest. I will proceed with the events subsequent to that letter as they occurred.

  After I had finished it and sealed it in the same package with one to good Dame Darwell, I sat indulging the train of reflections to which the circumstances of which I found myself the centre naturally gave rise. I sat before the gothic window which looked forth upon the town and park. The evening was just closing upon the lovely woodland landscape; and the light of the room was rich and mellow with the glow of the crimson sky. I thought of the wonderful train of events by which I had been brought beneath the roof where I then found myself! I recalled the wondrous dream and its almost exact realization. Then came sad thoughts which clouded the bright and ambitious hopes that I might yet prove allied to this noble house, sad thoughts if I were proved to be so I should find no mother's smile to welcome back her long lost child!— This feeling modified the natural pride which would have filled my bosom at the prospect of so noble a lineage. I felt if I could see my mother and be once more embraced by her maternal arms, I would rather find her in a humble cottage, than share the honors of a ducal palace without her!' From these thoughts I dwelt upon the appearance of the noble looking gentleman, and recollected that in my dream he had called himself my father! Could he be so? Would the dream then be realized? If so, who was my father? Why is he in mourning? Why is the cenotaph before which he kneels erected in the very centre of the castle halls? Why did he bend over me with such tenderness? and what connection is there between me and that lovely effigy that he should so earnestly have been engaged in comparing with its lineaments my own? Why did he suddenly resign me with such apathy? Had he been deceived in the resemblance he fancied it excited, and which evidently had first struck him on beholding me lying upon the pavement? Was he a person of importance in the house? Why then did the Steward disregard him in removing me from before him without addressing to him a word or look?'

  Such were the questions I put to myself! Such were the thoughts which filled my mind. Then I let my imagination go forward and revel in power, and rank, and praise of men! In these visions appeared Emma but I could never disassociate her with the hateful form of Russel Carryl! Ever to my imagination he siood smiling triumphantly by her side! Wherefore was she now in England? Suddenly an appalling thought flashed across my mind! I felt the blood leave my heart and fill my brain! My head swam, and the window—the landscape—the room whirled round! Horrible, maddening thought! It was that she was on her bridal tour! that she was Russel Carryl's wife!'

  I sprung from my chair! I walked the room till I was in a fever! A knock at the door recalled me to myself. Mr. Beufort entered. He was surprised to see my agitation. I frankly told him the cause; for I kept nothing from him. I poured out all my feelings into his bosom as into the heart of a father or elder brother beloved! His arguments to disprove this notion allayed in a measure my suspicions and greatly modified my fears. I again hoped! To-morrow I felt would decide my fate in respect to my birth, and on the issue depended life and happiness; for it I failed what other lineage could I claim! If I failed how should I dare, branded as I was, appear in her presence as a suitor! I should even shrink before the eye of Carryl.

  But I will not detain my friends with my feelings. At an early hour I took leave of Mr. Beufort, who sought his room; and being fatigued in body and mind I threw myself immediately upon my bed without undressing. I know not how long I slept, but it was dark and still when I suddenly awoke! A man stood above my couch bending over me with a lamp in his hand, the light of which he cast full upon my face! It was the stranger I had seen in my dream! It was the gentleman whom I had beheld kneel before the marble figure upon the cenotaph! His face was pale and haggard! The dark eyes were unnaturally distended and brilliant. Yet over the whole countenance was a sad, touching, tender expression as if deep grief lay upon his soul. He was steadfastly gazing upon me when I opened my eyes I did not start! I did not feel alarm. I lay passive and regarded him with an interest that left me no room for fear. Sad and sorrowful though it was, a more noble, dignified human countenance I never beheld, and his stature was as commanding as befitted such an aspect! He did not seem to notice that I had opened my eyes. He was speaking as if to himself:

  `Such, such would he have been! But Heaven has robbed me of my reason that my memory of all the past may perish and I never behold him again! It is her brow! and such was the expression of her mouth! In infancy my boy had it thus, and in manhood thus would he have looked! But I am mad! I am accursed! She sleeps in death and I live as if there were no more death! He opens his eyes and looks upon me, and such eyes were hers! Thus Isidore looked when alive!'

  I was deeply moved by his words and tone of his voice. They thrilled to my soul. They awakened chords which had never been stirred to the sound of a human voice before. Tears came into my eyes I knew not wherefore. But I could not restrain them! A sudden impulse seized me! I felt that I could not resist crying out `my father!' and rising and casting myself at his feet! But I could not stir! I lay powerless, while he steadily regarded me a moment longer, and then slowly turned away and crossing the chamber disappeared by a door near the table at which I had been writing, but before unnoticed by me as it was hid by the tapestry. I was left alone and in darkness! I could not sleep! This incident filled my thoughts and gave them food for hours! That this gentleman was my father I arrived at a suspicion that amounted almost to a certainty! Had I discovered my parents to find one in the tomb, the other mad? The thought filled me with anguish and horror!

  At dawn I fell asleep, and three hours afterwards was awaked by the entrance of Mr. Beufort. I told him what had passed during the night, and repeated to him what had been said by the mysterious visitant! Mr. Beufort was for a few moments thoughtful. He then looked up and divining my thought, said,

  `I see what conclusion you have come to! It is irresistible in my own mind!
There is no doubt that you have discovered your father! But who he is, remains yet to be ascertained; but he is, without doubt, of the Arlborough lineage! We shall soon learn all. His Grace is looked for every moment. I have foreborne to make any inquiries, or seek any information till I see him. Breakfast is served in the anti-room to my chamber. Come and take it with me. By the time we get through, the Duke will doubtless be here.'

  I followed him with heavy and foreboding feelings. The idea that my father might prove a lunatic, my mother no more, filled me with sadness; and qualified materially the pleasure I should otherwise have felt at the prospect of discovering my parentage, and finding myself in alliance with one of the noblest houses in England.

  I had just completed a hasty meal, when the sound of carriage wheels caught my quick ear. I rose from the table and sprung to the window which over-looked the approach to the Castle. In the avenue was a travelling chariot and two horses with out riders, dashing at speed up to the terrace. Upon the panels of the chariot I saw emblazoned the ducal coronet, and above it the crest, an eagle trampling upon a serpent! My heart throbbed at the near approach of the crisis of my fate! The carriage stopped; the door was opened, and, attended by two footmen, a stout, martial, noble-looking person of sixty-eight or seventy, with locks as white as snow, and plainly dressed in an olive surtout and white hat with a broad brim, got out without assistance. He aided to alight a beautiful girl of twenty and a stately elderly female of sixty still handsome, whom Mr. Beufort, who was now at the window with me, said was the Duchess, whom he had seen often in his ware-rooms in London when he was in business. The younger female from her resemblance, he concluded was a daughter; `Though,' added he, `I am not acquainted with any of the Duke's children, nor do I know what family he and the Duchess has! But we shall know soon. An important era of your life is at hand now, sir,' he said benevolently, seeing that I was becoming a little restless and nervous, `but do not have any fears. I have all confidence in the issue! After the Duke has breakfasted, I will ring for a servant and send him my card, with a request to be allowed the honor of an interview with him!'