OUR Hamilton employed the winter in Parliamentary attendance, literary
criticism, and the commencement of the great work which he had
undertaken.
The hours that he could possibly spare from the imperious calls of
engagement and duty, were chiefly enjoyed in the company of his beloved
Maria. Captain Mortimer having business that required his frequent
attendance at the admiralty, found it necessary for several months to
reside in London, and his brother being obliged to return to Yorkshire,
earnestly requested and obtained permission for Miss Mortimer to remain
with him in town. Besides his fondness of the company of his niece,
the captain had another reason which, without mentioning to her, he
communicated to his brother. Sir Edward Hamden, though by his wound
unable to follow Miss Mortimer to London, had declared to her father
and uncle, that the first use he should make of his recovery, would
be to throw himself at her feet. Sir Edward’s wound, though never
dangerous, had been more serious than was first apprehended, and the
cure was tedious, procrastinated perhaps by the irritation of his
impatience, and January arrived before he was able to reach London.
Hamilton earnestly entreated Maria to consent to his undeceiving the
captain, her father, and Sir Edward, and to become immediately his.
But she so strongly represented the effect which such a disappointment
might have on Hamden, in his unconfirmed state of health, that he,
however reluctantly, suspended his application. John Mortimer, after
a long attention and repeated avowals of affection for Miss Hamilton,
at last obtained an acknowledgment of a return: but, aware of the eager
desire of his father and uncle that he should avail himself of the
appointments which he had procured, she, however contrary to her own
inclinations, urged him to depart; and to add force to her instances,
gave him a conditional promise, that if he complied with the wishes
of his friends in going, she should comply with his on his return.
His destination was Paris, a scene which before his acquaintance with
Charlotte, he had long wished to behold; and which a totally new set
of actors had, within a few months, rendered a different spectacle
from what it exhibited at any former period. It was the beginning of
February, however, before he supposed all the proper dispositions made
for his mission, which was principally commercial with an eventual
opening to some political trusts.
Hamilton found the wound inflicted by the assassins upon Hamden,
tolerably healed, but the wound from the bright eyes of Maria, more
deep than ever. He renewed his addresses, but though Maria received
him with the respect due to his rank and virtues, and the compassion
excited by his sufferings, yet she continued firmly to assure him,
that his suit could never be successful. Being repeatedly urged, she,
with much reluctance, and downcast looks, confessed that her heart
was irretrievably engaged by another, who possessed it long before
she had the honour of being known to him. She did not doubt but he
would immediately discover who the other was, but she was mistaken.
Of Hamilton he had no conception, and it may seem surprising, that
to a man of his penetration this was the case; but it was so. The
truth was, Captain Mortimer, from the warmth of his friendship, eager
for the marriage of Hamilton with Miss Primrose, had passed from wish
to hope, and from hope to conviction, and publicly talked of it as
a matter certain. The report was current through Brighton. It had
been, by officious curiosity and gossiping impertinence, repeatedly
introduced before the young lady herself, and it was easily discerned
that she listened with confusion, but not with displeasure. Her mother,
loving the daughter for her child’s own sake, and not regarding her
as a mere instrument of her own vanity and ambition, was resolved in
the most momentous action of her life to consult her happiness, and
not the increase of wealth, which she did not want, or the acquisition
of title, which might not augment her solid comfort and enjoyment;
and not to oppose her union with any gentleman of sense, honour,
and character, who might win her daughter’s affections. She had soon
discovered Louisa’s partiality for Hamilton, and having made particular
enquiries, learned that though of small fortune, he was a man of
amiable and estimable character, with talents and acquirements which
must throw a lustre on any connection that he might form, and adorn any
situation he might be called to fill. She was therefore not averse to
the wishes of her daughter, and when an opportunity offered, expressed
her very high opinion of the gentleman in question. She had seen
Hamilton and her daughter twice or thrice in company together, when our
hero, much interested by the engaging simplicity of Louisa, and totally
unconscious of her sentiments respecting himself, paid her every
attention which benignant disposition and moral approbation can prompt
in a discerning and polite man towards a young, beautiful, and lovely
woman, without any mixture of love. The mother in a great degree, and
the daughter much more, had misconstrued these attentions, and neither
of them doubted that the increased intercourse that would probably
take place during the winter, would produce a declaration. Various
engagements with which the daughter would have gladly dispensed, but
which the mother thought it necessary to fulfil, detained them till
February between Brighton, Bath, and the country; and no explanation
having taken place, it was believed by Sir Edward Hamden, and by
others, except those in Hamilton’s secrets, that Miss Primrose was to
bestow her hand and fortune on Mr. Hamilton.
The Countess of Cockatrice, who still kept up her acquaintance
with our hero, was not without some knowledge of the truth, but was
desirous, for various reasons, that a matrimonial connexion might be
formed between our hero, and the great heiress Miss Mortimer. She had
studiously sought an opportunity of knowing Maria, and though that
young lady had declined her advances, and avoided intimacy, yet they
had repeatedly met at public places. Cockatrice, herself discerning,
discovered ability and penetration in Maria, and heard the same
accounts from others, whom she instructed to enquire and examine,
much more than opportunity had enabled her to discover herself. To
seduce the affections of married men, had nothing in it repugnant to
the countess’s moral creed, either speculative or practical. It was
indeed not to be expected, that she who so little regarded her duty to
her husband, would care for the duty of another man to his wife. If
Hamilton married Maria, the wife might be a formidable and overpowering
rival, but if he should wed the fortune of Miss Primrose, it would, she
apprehended, be no difficult matter to retain a superior interest in
his heart. Besides, the countess, though a votary of love, coupled it
as often as possible with ambition and interest, including pecuniary
convenience. Like Lady Townly, she much oftener wanted money than her
husband gave it, or indeed could give it. Drafts were returned from
bankers, not honoured; also those visitations known by the name of
executions, were familiar to Cockatrice’s house; and though too common
to be much regarded on their own account, yet they were aukward and
troublesome. The agents, of John Doe and Richard Roe, though officers,
were not deemed pleasing companions even by ladies. No visitants
could be more likely to excite among many of the guests, disagreeable
recollections, or still more disagreeable forebodings, and so to break
the harmony of the company. But what was worse than executions for
the past, was the refusal of credit for the future. The insolence of
tradesmen often demurred at sending in goods where there was no chance
of being paid; and thus the brilliancy of galas, the splendour of dress
and equipage, must fall infinitely short of right honourable taste and
conceptions. For all these, and many other good reasons, money was a
very useful commodity, and if it could be acquired along with love,
all the better. Now Hamilton by marrying Miss Primrose, would command
a great sum of ready money, and as the countess proposed to have the
sway over Hamilton, her dominion would also extend to the cash, which
he would receive from the fond affection of the heiress, and she might
have the lucrative situation of co-partnery with the husband in the
property of the wife, as a set off against her co-partnery with the
wife, in the affections of the husband, proposing in the last case
that the nominal chief of the firm should not be the acting partner.
One objection the lady foresaw to the accomplishment of this scheme:
without certainly knowing, she strongly suspected that Hamilton was
very deeply attached to Maria, but measuring his sentiments by her
own, she made little doubt that the very fine person of Maria was the
sole object of his love. She well knew that Hamden was rapturously
enamoured of Miss Mortimer, and readily guessed the reason of the young
lady’s coldness. Entertaining apprehensions that Hamilton was so fond
of Maria, that to gratify his inclinations he might marry her, she
considered whether, without disappointing the lover, it might not be
possible to supersede the necessity of the ceremony. It appeared to the
ready invention of this notable contriver, a very feasible project,
that though Hamilton and Maria were not, she thought, rich enough
to marry one another with prudence, they might love as much as they
pleased; and then might respectively marry the heiress and the baronet
for convenience, and might even manifest their affection after such
nuptials had taken place. The countess, as we have seen, never wanted
agents well fitted for carrying a project into execution. There was a
widow lady of a moderate income, who having for several years lived
respectably in a circle of acquaintances fitted to her rank, had at a
watering place made some great acquaintances, and became unfortunately
smitten with the charms of fashion and high life. By complaisance
and subserviency she endeavoured to obtain that place in fashionable
circles, which her fortune little enabled her to fill. When John or
Richard were out of the way or otherwise employed, Mrs. Dicky used to
call at the milliner’s, explain and enforce my lady’s orders, or any
other little odd jobs that might be wanted. For these good services and
attentions, she was to have free egress and regress to the breakfast
table, and in due time was admitted to dinner when there was nobody but
themselves, or perhaps grand mama and the young men with their governor
come home from Eton, with the sweet and charming Lady Selina, and the
angelic Aurora, who though not twelve years old, had such wonderful
wit and accomplishments, and could perform so divinely on the piano
forte; knew God Save the King from Rule Britannia, and even could
make out part of a lesson. To praise so extraordinary endowments, was
one part of Mrs. Dicky’s province, and if no company was expected for
the evening, she was to make one in the drawing-room to whistle to
the bird, to play with Pompey, and celebrate his beauty; or while my
lord, my lady, and their eldest son and daughter played a rubber at
whist, to take a round game with the younger honourables, the governor
and governante. Advancing in promotion, Mrs. Dicky became a member of
larger parties, when my lord’s sister, Lady Betty, and her husband Sir
Ralph, came to pay a visit, and two or three cousins of the family
made up an evening party. Now Mrs. Dicky, instead of belonging to a
light infantry detachment at a round table, was stationed as a corps of
reserve to bring up the rear at Cassino or Whist was sometimes asked,
to cut in if nobody else was to be had, and even has had the honour
of holding my lady’s own cards. Nor did her honours rest here; while
my lady and her party went to the opera with their elder hopes, Mrs.
Dicky became chaperon to the governante and the younger ladies, when
with the governor and the younger lords they went to the theatre to
contemplate the ingenuity of Harlequin, and admire the wisdom of mother
Shipton triumphant. Ascending higher in the ladder of fashion, Mrs.
Dicky rose at last to a seat in my lady’s own carriage, in which, like
a lion retreating she faced those that pursued; and would accompany
her lady to Hyde Park, nay, even to the opera itself. For such a
consummation of glory, gratitude required very great efforts. Mrs.
Dicky would abase herself to any humiliation, that she might thereby
be exalted. She would do homage to Mrs. Pinup, my lady’s maid, or to
Mr. Secondhand, my lord’s gentleman, that she might thereby have a
favourable report with my lady and my lord. She was the willing and
humble agent of this my lady and my lord, and that my lady and my
lord; adapting her expressions, sentiments, and conduct to her right
honourable patrons, whatsoever they might be. With the duchess of
Whiglove, abusing secret influence; and the countess of Placehunt,
exclaiming against the coalition. Without ill-nature, retailing scandal
to the countess of Backbite, and without benevolence, informing Lady
Generous of a distressed widow and fatherless children. Among other
acquaintances that Mrs. Dicky had made in the fashionable world,
was the countess of Cockatrice, for whom she had made assignations,
managed appointments, spread stories, deposited jewels, arranged the
substitution of Dovey’s paste, and rendered various other services;
in short, shewed herself willing, by any means in her power, to earn
the favour of the countess. Cockatrice having arranged her plans,
instructed Mrs. Dicky to make an acquaintance with Captain Mortimer,
and gave her a clue by which she might be favourably received by the
honest and unsuspicious seaman. Having learned that an officer of
whom Mrs. Dicky had some slight knowledge, had been lately one of
the captain’s lieutenants, she instructed her to call on the captain
and make particular enquiries, speak highly in praise of the youth,
who she had learned was a great favourite with the captain, and find
some means of becoming acquainted with Maria. Mrs. Dicky executed the
commission with such dexterity the very next evening, that Mortimer,
pleased with the interest she took in his young friend Bowsprit,
introduced her to Maria, and engaged her to dine the following day.
Hamilton, who was one of the party, thought Mrs. Dicky a good passable
common-place woman, of whom if he had never again heard, he would have
never again thought. In a few days the countess of Cockatrice was to
give a masquerade, to which she sent tickets for our hero and three
more, desiring he would bring his friend Captain Mortimer and his
niece, and also Miss Hamilton. Our hero was not desirous that either
of the ladies should be present on such an occasion, but the captain
over-ruled his objections. Charlotte, however, resolving to partake of
no such amusement in the absence of her beloved Mortimer, resolutely
refused to go. On the day of the masquerade they were engaged to dine
at Mrs. Dicky’s, who was in the evening to see masks before they went
to Cockatrice’s house. The dinner was appointed at so unfashionable an
early hour as four o’clock, and by the countess’s assistance, without
great shew, consisted of every delicacy that the season afforded, with
various ingredients adapted to the occasion. Besides the hostess,
Hamilton, the uncle and niece, there was one gentleman, who, both
by precept and example, strongly recommended the wines, and during
dinner, the captain and he were very free with the madeira. Mrs. Dicky
persuaded Miss Mortimer to join her and the rest of the party in two
glasses of champaign, and afterwards to taste a highly-flavoured
liqueur. In the course of the afternoon, she prevailed on her to take
a glass or two of wine more, so that she had somewhat exceeded her
usual quantity, and a good deal more, as she afterwards found, in the
quality. The fruits were of the finest flavour, and Maria remarked
that in the grapes there was something delicious and peculiar. The
gentleman who acted as landlord possessed a great degree of colloquial
pleasantry; and he, together with the wine, set the brilliant genius
and wit of our hero agoing. Maria was also very much animated, and
several bright sallies escaped from her lips, while the penetrating
sparkling of her eyes even outwent the lively and forcible sayings of
her tongue. The ladies did not retire till coffee was announced. In
this beverage the young lady found also a flavour at once exquisite
and peculiar; and after it was finished, the hostess, with an urgency
so polite, that she could not resist it without an appearance of
rudeness, prevailed on her to drink another glass of liqueur. From this
apartment they ascended to the drawing-rooms which, by the removal
of a folding-door, made one, and though not large, being splendidly
illuminated, it added to the animation and spirits of the now volatile
Maria. Mrs. Dicky now thought that the company of Hamilton and Maria
might be mutually agreeable, and ascended to the second floor, where a
temporary drawing-room had been made for the purpose; she accordingly
sent for Hamilton, wishing, she said, to explain to him the mode and
arrangement of a reception of masqueraders, which would begin in the
course of an hour. Having learned their intended dresses, she had
ordered them to be brought at eleven, by which time the masks would
be gone; meanwhile the dominos would suffice. After some immaterial
conversation, a servant having asked to speak to Mrs. Dicky, she
requested them to excuse her for a few minutes, and departed. Hamilton
had drank so much wine, as to animate sentiment and impulse, while
it suspended reflection; Maria was also much more enlivened than he
had ever seen her; her eyes darted fire, and when turned to Hamilton,
glistened with undissembled love. He swore he had never seen her so
exquisitely charming. She answered, “my dearest William, I can return
the compliment: I never saw you so lovely and so graceful.” The reply
to this answer was obvious; the fondest caresses and endearments
succeeded; but though prudence was asleep, honour, though somewhat
inclined to slumber, was not altogether overwhelmed, and fear, perhaps,
proved as effectual a sentinel. Apprehensions of the arrival of their
hostess were unfounded, as she had no intention of interrupting their
conversation; but this forbearance our hero did not know. Soon after,
the masks began to make their appearance, and several characters
were well supported. One of the best was a Scotchman, carrying two
snuff-mills, respectively replenished with snuff of very different
qualities and operations, which he described; “the one (he said)
is constitutional, and the other innovation snuff. The first has a
pleasant wholesome scent, and diffuses an agreeable animation over the
active faculties; the second is very highly flavoured, but so pungent
and strong, as to tear and overpower the olfactory nerves; it is a
composition of hartshorn and sal volatile, with the strongest rue.”
Hamilton tried a pinch of each; the first was mild and relishing.
“Ye had better be sparing of the other, or it will set your nose a
bluding; it has already had that effect over the water; an’ if I dinna
mistaak, it will gar their noses blude a great deal mair, if they go
on with it; and may bee it’s strength may strain it’s votaries, till
they burst blude veshels.” “Are there any so foolish, as to indulge in
a scent so very pernicious?” “Oh yes, there are fules eneugh in the
warld: it is not, however, that the quality is altogether so noxious,
as the quantity or the unskilful application; there are cases in which
it will du vara well; for instance, in habits that are vara relaxed;
it may gee a better tone to the feebres; in a palsy, it is the only
specific; but on the contrary, if there is any thing faverish, it
rapidly increases inflammation.” “What are its effects upon a person
in vigorous health?” “When ane is weel, he is a damned fule to be
dabbling in medicines.” So saying, he was departing, when returning
back, “let me gee you ae bit o’ advice before I gang; if you be
naturally a little paper-sculled and scatter-brained, have nothing to
do with the innovation snuff, or it will make you as mad as a March
hare, and you will do sic a devilish deal of mischief, that it will be
necessary to blude you and drench you, and chain you to the bed-post;
and sometimes to divert the wildness of your phrenzy, your keeper may
let you amuse yourself with a rattle; even if you come back to your
senses, he will keep you confined for twa razons; first, because it
is his interest; and secondly, because if you got loose again, your
indignation would certainly gar you dash the fallow’s brains out.”
“But if it have so maddening effects,” said Hamilton, “how am I to
submit to a keeper?” “Oh, he’ll first flatter and cajole you, till he
get you to take the strait waistcoat; by degrees he’ll bind you to a
post, and afterwards chain you to the ground.” Having thus described
innovation snuff, it’s progressive operations and ultimate result, he
set off to other hearers. Our hero next met a groupe, consisting of
a representative and constituents, a lawyer and his client, and many
others, breathing kindness, with a Harlequin Touchstone bringing their
professions to the test of truth. The representative was accosting his
electors immediately after the return; “Gentlemen,” said he, with his
hand on his breast, “language is inadequate to the task of expressing
the grateful feelings of my heart, at this auspicious moment, that
this ancient and honorable borough of Braywell has conferred on
me the inexpressible happiness of supporting it’s interests; I
shall not lavish words in a multiplicity of professions, but shall
briefly, yet I hope clearly, describe the line of conduct which I am
determined unalterably to pursue; I shall (here Harlequin applied to
his touchstone) bawl against the minister until he gives me a place,
and then bawl for him through thick and thin; as to you, you stupid
blockheads--you gentlemen, forsooth, with blue aprons, I consider you
merely as steps for me to rise upon, and when I am once up, you and
your borough may go to the Devil.” “I think,” said our hero, “the
representative has expressed himself briefly and clearly.” An attorney
was expatiating to his client, on his extraordinary disinterestedness,
and eager anxiety for the service of any one who should commit a cause
to his management; “for it is ever a rule with me (Harlequin touched
the stone) to split attendance into as many subdivisions as possible,
so as to multiply the six-and-eight-pences, by calling, and inspecting,
and attending, and advising, and engrossing, and instructing, and every
other item to long billing, and the client may”--(here the speech was
not concluded). Next came, in the most engaging and humble smiles, a
courtier, _booing_ to the great man for a place; “I consider myself
as peculiarly fortunate in having the honor to be patronized by the
virtues and talents of a statesman, who (Harlequin was not idle) is
one of the damnedest noodles that ever a poor applicant was obliged
to flatter; a mere despicable nay and yea retainer of ministry; an
impartial adherent to whatever side is uppermost.” Next two came
forward, one with the most ardent expressions of affection; “My dearest
friend, intimate companion of my infancy and youth, with what delight
I received an obligation from my oldest and most beloved of comrades;
your superior talents formed and arranged our plans, and enforced our
pretensions, with a vigour of reasoning, and an energy of eloquence,
which would have been certainly successful, if they had been carried
into execution; but the failure was our fault, not yours. Oh! that I
had an opportunity of testifying my grateful affection.” The other
replied, “an opportunity now occurs; I have a particular occasion for
two hundred pounds, with which, I need not say, I know you, who have
two thousand a year, can, and I have as little doubt, will, supply me.”
This application seemed to supersede the necessity of the touchstone.
“Two hundred pounds!” said he, faultering; “really I am extremely sorry
I could not spare so large a sum; I have been at very great expence,
and have many calls, imperious and indispensible, for (Harlequin moved)
I have thoughts of making alterations in my dog-kennel; I am about to
purchase a couple of brace of hounds, I intend to give a grand gala,
and” (here Harlequin made the other speak) “where frivolous amusement
or silly vanity interferes, the friendship of an insipid heart,
governed by a weak head, is at an end.” A lover now came forward,
expressing the most passionate fondness and adoration for his mistress,
declaring that his happiness depended solely upon the return she made
to the most ardent and honorable passion that ever inflamed a human
breast; “it is the most earnest desire of my soul, (Harlequin touched
the stone) to pursue my own gratification, by bringing you to misery
and ruin.” A methodist preacher was sufficiently characteristical;
he whined and canted, made love to the women, procured contributions
for charitable purposes, and kept the greater part to himself. The
lady of the house now coming up, brought with her a domino, who, she
said, knew most of the people in the room, and was very well qualified
for giving an account of them. “Observe,” said the domino, “that
mask so gorgeous in apparel, and resplendent with jewels.” “The very
large woman with the red hair, you mean?” “The same; that is a great
nabobess, just returned from the banks of the Ganges; her husband, a
journeyman druggist in Spitalfields, fell in love with her as she used
to carry beer from her father’s, at the sign of the Pewter Pot, and
they married; an uncle of Mr. Pestle having become a great merchant at
Calcutta, sent for his nephew, who accepted the invitation; went out;
was taken into the business; in a short time the uncle died, Pestle
got his fortune, became a great man, sent for his wife, who obeyed
the summons, and became as great a woman; but in the midst of her
splendour, retained all her vulgarity, which her airs and pomposity
rendered more glaringly conspicuous: as a considerable portion of the
society in Calcutta is genteel, she was a laughing-stock among the
parties, and as she was extremely arrogant, not a few attempts were
made to mortify her to a sense of her intrinsic insignificance; she
was very desirous of sinking her origin, but the Pewter Pot being
known, that was quite impracticable; they were now returned with a
large fortune, tried to get into fashionable society, and did not find
it altogether impracticable, as there are gentry and nobility, who,
without relishing the company of Mrs. Pestle, had no objection to the
company of her husband’s money, which by flattering my lady’s vanity,
some of them find means to borrow; but whoever would gain or keep her
favour, must carefully abstain from mentioning the Pewter Pot.” The
company now began to leave the house of Mrs. Dicky, and before twelve
they were all departed, except our hero and heroine; they had both
to make some change in their dress, before they joined the masks at
Cockatrice-house. Captain Mortimer had returned home, and gone to bed,
the only scene for which he now, with three bottles of wine under his
belt, was fit; Mrs. Dicky was departed, and not a soul there was in
all the house, but one single servant, at midnight, except Hamilton
and Maria. William having descended to make some inquiry about his
carriage, found that the only person, except Miss Mortimer and himself,
in the house, was an elderly domestic, whom he had interrupted in a
comfortable sleep by the kitchen fire, and who appeared disposed to
return again to the arms of Morpheus. He now rejoined Maria, who
was dressed with simple, but most attractive loveliness, as a Nun,
while William had from some whim taken it into his head to act the
part of Ovid. The master of the art of love, at midnight, alone, even
with a Nun herself, was dangerous company, tending to demonstrate the
fragility of vows. Maria’s flutter had been increased rather than
diminished, by the scenes of the masquerade; Mrs. Dicky had prevailed
on her to take some lemonade, which most unaccountably had the same
peculiarity of flavour that she had experienced in the fruit, liqueurs,
wine, and coffee. Hamilton having taken her hands, the same kind of
conversation insensibly revived, which the coming of masks had, above
two hours before, interrupted; Maria was extremely agitated, and when
our hero clasping her in his arms, pressed her to his bosom, and
declared his ardent wishes that she were his wife;--“nay, my dearest
Maria, you are my wife, and as a husband,”--here followed impassioned
kisses, which poor Maria, with a quick sigh, returned. One sentiment
only seemed to predominate, and the project of Cockatrice was on
the eve of success, when a noise in an adjoining apartment startled
Hamilton, and approaching the door, he heard a man’s voice, saying,
“take care of your footing, hold the ladder firm at the bottom.”
Immediately comprehending the case, he whispered to Maria to keep
still, put out the light, and having seen the key on his side, very
softly locked the door. There was still the remains of a fire, in which
a poker happened to be left; this weapon he snatched, and taking it
for granted that some little time would elapse before the ruffians
could enter, he softly conducted Maria to the stair; just as they
had got down a few steps, they observed the other door open, and a
fellow come out with a dark lanthern; they were now in the turn of the
winding, so that the fellow did not perceive them, but he returned
again into the room. Our couple stole down by the light of the lamp to
the street-door, where a coach was waiting for them; the watchman was
passing, and at the desire of our hero, sprung his rattle. The sound
of this instrument alarmed the villains, and one of them being before
the rest, was running out at the street-door, when our hero’s poker
saluting him in the face, arrested his steps. Several watchmen now
entered the house, and searched, but could find no one, till reaching
the upper room, they found a window open, and saw a ladder moving, and
the fellows in the back yard. It would have been easy, by descending
immediately, to have secured them; but as these nocturnal guards had
the usual deliberation and caution, before they had got down, the
ruffians were gone. Maria meanwhile, partly from fear, and partly
from reviewing the other events of the night, was in such agitation
and tremor, that in attempting to reach the coach, she fainted in
her lover’s arms. An hotel being luckily within a few doors, she was
carried there, and being, by the care and assiduity of the hostess,
recovered, the coach was ordered to Captain Mortimer’s instead of the
masquerade; to the surprize of his mother and sister, Hamilton returned
about two, though they did not expect him till several hours after.
Maria having, in the morning, leisure and opportunity to reflect on
every thing that had passed, with most grateful delight, dwelt on the
approach of the robbers, which had saved her from a much greater evil
than any their mere depredations could have effected; she compared the
various circumstances; the conduct of Mrs. Dicky, in repeatedly leaving
her and Hamilton alone, and revolved in her mind, the particulars which
she could not avoid imputing to design; at the same time, she could
conjecture at no feasible motive; she, however, ascribed no blame to
Hamilton; the raptures which he had expressed, she with shame and
confusion acknowledged to herself, were, in a great degree, transcripts
of her own. Her chief apprehension was, that she had lessened herself
in his opinion, by not repelling, instead of permitting such advances:
even Hamilton himself, when he coolly considered the last night’s
adventure, had too much real love for Miss Mortimer, not to rejoice
at the event. He repaired early to the house of the Captain, and
found Maria at breakfast, alone. She received him with downcast
looks, and her ingenuous nature could not forbear shewing, that she
considered herself as having deviated from propriety, and was fearful
of having, in some measure, impaired his esteem; he said nothing of
the occurrences at Mrs. Dicky’s, but his very avoidance of the subject
affected Maria, as her anxiety construed it into an impression, that
the reflection must give her pain;--an impression that would imply that
she had so acted, as naturally to excite displeasure with herself.
Hamilton having at length discerned her actual feelings, soon dispelled
every fear of a diminution of his esteem; and after a very long and
tender conversation, she consented that he should apply to her father
and uncle; but first, it was agreed that he should immediately open
the case to Hamden, to prevent that amiable and worthy gentleman from
suspecting any deception or duplicity; and accordingly he, without loss
of time, set out in quest of the Baronet.