What the old earl had been his son now was — a person of most commanding appearance, lofty in stature, well-built, and with features not merely handsome, but proclaiming his high birth. His carriage was erect, and his deportment ordinarily extremely haughty, though on this occasion I am bound to say that his manner was remarkably affable. In point of age, Lord Leyland was between fifty and sixty, but though he had led a very active political life, and had filled very important offices both at home and abroad, there was still some of the fire of youth in his glance, and no lack of vigour in his frame. In fact, he might have passed for a younger man by ten years than he was in reality. There was a strong family likeness between Lady Amicia and her relatives, and a remarkable expression of pride, which time had not effaced in the lineaments of the venerable earl, could be distinctly traced in the features of his son and daughter.
Lady Amicia was dressed in deep mourning, and her attire became her exceedingly. Never before had I seen her appear to such great advantage. She was seated between her father and brother, while Doctor Foam occupied a place near the old earl. On seeing us, Lord Leyland immediately arose, and advancing to meet us, shook hands with great cordiality with my father.
“You must make me known to your son, Colonel Clitheroe,” he said, with a very encouraging look at me. “I ought to know him, since he is to have my niece. Upon my word, colonel, you have no reason to be ashamed of him — nor have we.”
“None of us, I trust, will have reason to blush for him, my dear lord,” my father answered, proudly. —
“Come with me, young sir,” Lord Leyland cried, taking my arm with great good-humour; “I will introduce you to my father myself.”
And he led me towards the old earl, who got up at my approach, and offered me his hand. I never beheld anything finer than his manner. A monarch could not have exhibited greater dignity. I almost felt abashed as I took the hand proffered me.
“Here is your grandson — that is to be — my lord,” Lord Leyland cried, “and I think you will approve of him as much as I do.”
“I am very glad to see him, and I do like his looks,” the earl said, glancing kindly at me. “Emulate your father, young man,” he added to me, “and we shall all be proud of you.” Having made as suitable a reply as I could, I next addressed myself to Lady Amicia, who received me with a kindness of manner as unexpected as gratifying.
“I will frankly own that I have done you great injustice, Mervyn,” she said. “I have suffered myself to be prejudiced against you, and have believed assertions which I ought to have treated as calumnies. But I will make every reparation in my power. I know what you would ask of me, and will anticipate the request. My daughter’s hand shall be yours — her heart has been yours long ago. I will say more — I feel certain that she could not find a worthier husband.”
My feelings so completely overpowered me that I was unable to make an adequate reply. I attempted to speak; but my emotion was too great, and checked my utterance.
“I will thank you for Mervyn, dear mother,” John said, stepping forward. “And let me add, that you have doubled the favour by the manner of conferring it. Never have I loved and honoured you more than at this moment.”
“Well, then, this important matter is settled,” Lord Leyland cried, coming to my rescue. “We are all agreed that the marriage is to take place, and the only thing remaining to be done is to fix the day.”
“The sooner the better,” I cried.
“Suppose we say this day month?” Lord Leyland said. “will that do, Apphia?”
“Nay, don’t appeal to me, uncle,” she replied. “ However, I shall raise no objection.”
“I am sure Mervyn will not,” my father interposed. “With Lady Amicia’s permission, the wedding shall take place on this day month.”
Her ladyship graciously signified her assent, and my happiness was complete.
“Can we not manage to find John a wife at the same time,” Lord Leyland cried. “I think I have heard of a certain young lady — possessed of great personal attractions — amiable as beautiful — and an heiress, if I am not misinformed — who might, perhaps, be prevailed upon to give her hand, if properly solicited.”
“The experiment may be made at once,” I said, “for here she comes.”
While Lord Leyland had been speaking, I had descried Comberbach advancing with a party consisting of Old Hazy and his sister, Ora and Cuthbert Spring.
The new-comers, it appeared, had been invited to meet my father and myself, and experienced a most friendly reception from Lady Amicia — so friendly, that Old Hazy was quite overwhelmed by it. Could this affable lady be the domineering, disagreeable personage he had heard of? Impossible! Miss Hazilrigge was equally surprised, but greatly pleased, as was Ora, to whom Lady Amicia paid the most marked attention.
Apphia, of course, was delighted to see her friends, and the party from the Grange at once found themselves at home. Indeed, with the exception of Lady Amicia’s two noble relatives, they were among old friends, for Doctor Foam was well known to Mr. Hazilrigge, and had often experienced his hospitality at Owlarton Grange.
But even from the “great folks,” as Miss Hazilrigge termed them in private to me, they met the same friendly welcome. The old Earl of Rossendale quite unbent, and, as is always the case when a proud man does unbend, was infinitely more agreeable than a person of habitually easy manners. He seemed quite to appreciate Old Hazy, who, with all his peculiarities, was a perfect gentleman of the old school, and this Lord Rossendale did not fail to discover. So the venerable and courtly peer and the worthy old commoner got on remarkably well together. Old Hazy and the ladies were invited to the earl’s seat, Buckrose, in Yorkshire; and in his turn Lord Rossendale promised to pay his new friend a visit at Owlarton Grange. These invitations were not matters of form, but were heartily given on both sides, and what is more, both visits were paid.
Courteous and pleasant to all, Lord Leyland devoted himself chiefly to the ladies. I saw in a moment that he was greatly struck by Ora, as indeed he could not fail to be, for she was looking her very best, was exquisitely attired, and in high spirits. I also quickly perceived that he was determined to set matters right between his nephew and the young heiress.
“Why, the girl is a perfect angel,” I heard him exclaim to John; “I never beheld a more charming creature — magnificent eyes — and the figure and step of an Andalusian! What could any man wish for more? You mustn’t let such a prize slip through your fingers.”
“I am afraid he will, unless your lordship comes to his assistance,” I observed, sotto voce.
The hint was not lost upon Lord Leyland. He at once set to work, and very soon contrived to settle the little lovers’ quarrel. By gently fanning the rising flame, he soon caused it to burn as strongly as ever. When this reconciliation was effected, and John was safely caught in the toils of his fair enslaver, Lord Leyland announced that he had obtained a promise that the dormant title would be restored, and his nephew might therefore be considered, to all intents and purposes, Lord Wilburton.
A fair opportunity was here afforded Lady Amicia for a display of generosity, and I am happy to say she did not allow it to pass. She at once declared that her son should have half her property — even more, if he needed it — to support his title.
And what answer did John make? Did he coldly and philosophically put aside his good fortune? Could he disoblige his noble relatives, and disappoint his mother? Could he resist all our friendly importunities? Above all, could he withstand the bewitching glances of her he loved? He yielded and with a good grace. In fact, his noble kinsmen, and the language they held, had awakened a proper pride in his bosom, and he began to perceive that he might do more good in the exalted position that awaited him than in the lowly station which he had previously chosen. Heretofore his mother had made him shrink with alarm from the chance of contact with the great world. But recent experiences led him to believe that he should benefit by mixing with it. And he was right. As Lord Wi
lburton — for he soon afterwards, obtained the title — his character was strengthened and refined, his delightful social qualities were brought into play, and his power of doing good increased twenty-fold.
While general conversation was going on, Cuthbert Spring drew me aside.
“A word with you, my young friend,” he said. “I suppose you understand it all now?”
“I understand that I am completely happy,” I replied; “but how these extraordinary changes have been brought about passes my comprehension. My father has kept me quite in the “Your father is fond of surprises, as you must have seen,” Cuthbert rejoined. “He won’t unmask his batteries till all is ready for action. During the whole of the month that you were enjoined to keep quiet — for he was afraid of your meddling with his plans—”
“Not having any great opinion of my capacity, I suppose—”
“He and I were hard at work for you,” Cuthbert proceeded. “It was rather a difficult job,” he added, lowering his voice, “to accommodate matters with Lady Amicia, but with Doctor Foam’s help, who has been of immense use to us, we accomplished it at last. You never suspected that your father was a daily visitor here — eh?”
“Never,” I replied. “I didn’t dream of such a thing. Apphia never mentioned him in her letters to her brother.”
“Not in those he showed you, I dare say. But John has been let into the plot for the last three weeks. But I haven’t told you all. As soon as matters were adjusted in this quarter, and her ladyship’s consent to the marriage was all but obtained, we all three — that is your father, Doctor Foam, and myself — went over to Buckrose, where we were extremely well received by the old earl and his son. Full explanations were given by the colonel of his intentions in regard to you, which are very handsome I need scarcely say, and the treaty of alliance was speedily concluded so far as Lord Rossendale was concerned. His lordship was pleased to say, that as he took it for granted you must resemble your father, he should unhesitatingly give his sanction to your union with his grand-daughter. Before this, I ought to tell you, a complete reconciliation had taken place between Lady Amicia and her noble relatives, but they had not met. This matrimonial arrangement induced Lord Rossendale to expedite the visit he intended to pay his daughter, and Lord Ley land accompanied him, as you see. Your crowning piece of good luck, however, was the recovery of the will, which came in the very nick of time, and at once turned the scale in your favour with Lady Amicia. We gave ourselves no trouble about Simon Pownall, for we felt certain he would go back to the Grange and get entrapped there. Now you know all. Ah! colonel!” he added, as my father and Doctor Foam came towards us, “I have been telling Mervyn of your plot.”
“I have plotted for his happiness,” my father replied, “and I hope have succeeded. Mervyn, you are greatly indebted to these two kind friends, but especially to Doctor Foam, without whose assistance you would not be here at this moment. He smoothed the way for us.”
“Tut! tut! say no more about it, colonel,” the worthy physician cried. “All’s well that ends well! Things went very cross with Mervyn for a long time, but they have got straight at last. I think he will now admit that I did well in counselling Apphia to remain with her mother.”
I took both his hands, shook them, and thanked him from the bottom of my heart.
After passing some time pleasantly under the trees, we were summoned to a collation by Mr. Comberbach, and adjourned to the house. It was an excellent repast, and greatly enjoyed, but I shall not pause to describe it, contenting myself with mentioning three toasts given on the occasion. The first of these proceeded from the Earl of Rossendale, and had reference to the marriage which had that day been fixed between myself and his grand-daughter. This toast was remarkably well received. Lord Leyland then called upon us to drink health and happiness to another couple whom he was delighted to say were to be shortly united — his nephew, whom he would venture to style Lord Wilburton, and Miss Ora Doveton. The cheers which followed this toast had scarcely subsided, when Doctor Foam proposed a third couple — his old and esteemed friend Cuthbert Spring and Miss Hazilrigge. The last toast was drunk amidst great cheering and laughter.
On that day month the three marriages were solemnized at the Collegiate Church.
A word ere bidding the friendly reader farewell.
I am now living at the Anchorite’s, which Lady Amicia has resigned to us. My father, I am happy to say, is our constant guest. It is almost needless to say that Mr and Mrs. Comberbach retain their situations. But with me Mrs. Comberbach will always be Molly Bailey. —
Lord and Lady Wilburton reside in Yorkshire, at no great distance from the Earl of Rossendale’s seat, Buckrose. Lady Amicia has taken up her abode in the same county, but passes the greater part of her time with her father, with whom she has become an extraordinary favourite. —
Old Hazy, with Cuthbert Spring and his wife, are joint occupants of Owlarton Grange, and the hospitality of the house is by no means diminished. My wife and myself are ever welcome visitors, and have always the haunted room assigned to us. When business brings Cuthbert Spring to Cottonborough, as is not unfrequently the case, he takes up his abode at the Anchorite’s.
I am often at Nethercrofts to look after my property, and derive great assistance in its management from trusty Ned Culcheth, whom I have appointed my bailiff. I have given Ned a comfortable farmhouse, where he is as happy as a prince — a great deal happier, indeed than many princes — for when he returns home at eventide, after a day’s work, he has not only a fond wife to welcome him, but three blooming children to climb round his knees “the envied kiss to share.”
THE END
AURIOL
THE ELIXIR OF LIFE
First published in 1844 in serial form under the title Revelations of London, Auriol is a fantasy and gothic romance, being Ainsworth’s take on the Faust legend. There is also a distinct connection with The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, featuring a theme of kidnapping of girls, with a conclusion in a lunatic’s confinement. The novel opens with a Prologue, establishing the setting in 1599 and introducing the character Auriol Darcy, who is surprised when attempting to remove the heads of two traitors from the Southwark Gateway of Old London Bridge. He is injured by the warder, Baldred, and carried to the house of Dr. Lamb, an alchemist and Auriol Darcy’s grandfather, who is assisted by his faithful dwarf Flapdragon. Lamb, on the point of discovering the elixir of life, has a seizure and dies, as his ungrateful grandson consumes the draught.
The first Book is set in 1830 and begins with two varmints, Tinker and Sandman, waylaying a gentleman in a ruined house on the Vauxhall Bridge Road in London, but they are surprised and he is carried unconscious to the house of Mr. Thorneycroft, a scrap-iron dealer. While he convalesces and falls in love with Ebba, the iron-dealer’s daughter, Tinker and Sandman and their associate Ginger (a ‘dog-fancier’ that steals dogs and resells them) discover in the gentleman’s pocket-book the private diary of a man who has lived for over two hundred years and committed nameless crimes. He is in fact Auriol and seeks to dissuade Ebba from her love, for he bears an awful doom.
The mysterious interview in Hyde Park
CONTENTS
BOOK THE FIRST: EBBA
CHAPTER I
CHAPTER II
CHAPTER III
CHAPTER IV
CHAPTER V
CHAPTER VI
CHAPTER VII
CHAPTER VIII
CHAPTER IX
CHAPTER X
CHAPTER XI
CHAPTER XII
CHAPTER I
CHAPTER II
CHAPTER III
CHAPTER IV
CHAPTER V
BOOK THE SECOND: CYPRIAN ROUGEMONT
CHAPTER I
CHAPTER II
CHAPTER III
CHAPTER IV
CHAPTER V
CHAPTER VI
THE OLD LONDON MERCHANT
CHAPTER I
CHAPTER II
PROLOGUE:1599
DR. LAMB
The Sixteenth Century drew to a close. It was the last day of the last year, and two hours only were wanting to the birth of another year and of another century.
The night was solemn and beautiful. Myriads of stars paved the deep vault of heaven; the crescent moon hung like a silver lamp in the midst of them; a stream of rosy and quivering light, issuing from the north, traversed the sky, like the tail of some stupendous comet; while from its point of effluence broke forth, ever and anon, coruscations rivalling in splendour and variety of hue the most brilliant discharge of fireworks.
A sharp frost prevailed; but the atmosphere was clear and dry, and neither wind nor snow aggravated the wholesome rigour of the season. The water lay in thick congealed masses around the conduits and wells, and the buckets were frozen on their stands. The thoroughfares were sheeted with ice, and dangerous to horsemen and vehicles; but the footways were firm and pleasant to the tread.
Here and there, a fire was lighted in the streets, round which ragged urchins and mendicants were collected, roasting fragments of meat stuck upon iron prongs, or quaffing deep draughts of metheglin and ale out of leathern cups. Crowds were collected in the open places, watching the wonders in the heavens, and drawing auguries from them, chiefly sinister, for most of the beholders thought the signs portended the speedy death of the queen, and the advent of a new monarch from the north — a safe and easy interpretation, considering the advanced age and declining health of the illustrious Elizabeth, together with the known appointment of her successor, James of Scotland.
Notwithstanding the early habits of the times, few persons had retired to rest, an universal wish prevailing among the citizens to see the new year in, and welcome the century accompanying it. Lights glimmered in most windows, revealing the holly-sprigs and laurel-leaves stuck thickly in their diamond panes; while, whenever a door was opened, a ruddy gleam burst across the street, and a glance inside the dwelling showed its inmates either gathered round the glowing hearth, occupied in mirthful sports — fox-i’-th’-hole, blind-man’s buff, or shoe-the-mare — or seated at the ample board groaning with Christmas cheer.
The Works of William Harrison Ainsworth Page 494
