Then there were sighs, the deeper for suppression,
And stolen glances, sweeter for the theft,
And burning blushes, though for no transgression.
Tremblings when met, and restlessness when left.
All these are little preludes to possession,
Of which young passion cannot be bereft,
And merely tend to show how greatly love is
Embarrassed, at first starting, with a novice.
BYRON.
It was in no very happy frame of mind that Newton quitted the colonel's
house to execute his mission to the Miss Revels. That the two eldest,
provided they were admitted, would not much take to heart, either the
conduct of their father, or the coolness of their relation, he was
pretty well assured; but he was too well acquainted with Isabel's
character, not to know that she would deeply feel the humiliating
situation in which she was placed, and that it would prey upon her
generous and sensitive mind. As, however, there was no remedy, he
almost congratulated himself that, as the colonel's message was to be
delivered, the commission had been placed in his trust.
Captain Drawlock, tired of waiting, had escorted the young ladies on
shore to the hotel, anxiously expecting the arrival of Newton, who was
conducted there by a messenger despatched to intercept him.
"Well, Mr Forster, is it all right?" said Captain Drawlock, on his
appearance.
"The colonel's carriage will be here for the ladies in less than half an
hour," replied Newton, evasively.
"Then, Miss Revels, as I am extremely busy, I shall wish you good
morning, and will have the pleasure of paying my respects before I sail.
Allow me to offer you my best thanks for your company during our
voyage, and to assure you how much your presence has contributed to
enliven it. Forster, you will of course remain with the Miss Revels,
and see them safe in the carriage;" and Captain Drawlock, who appeared
to consider his responsibility over with the voyage, shook hands with
them and quitted the hotel.
"Mr Forster," said Isabel, as soon as Captain Drawlock was out of
hearing, "I am sure by your countenance that there has been something
unpleasant. Is it not so?"
"I am sorry to answer in the affirmative, and more sorry to be forced to
impart the cause." Newton then entered into a detail of what had passed
at the colonel's house. Isabel listened to it with attention, her
sisters with impatience. Miss Charlotte, with an air of consternation,
inquired whether the colonel had refused to receive them: on being
informed to the contrary, she appeared to be satisfied. Laura simpered,
and observed, "How very odd of papa!" and then seemed to think no more
about it. Isabel made no observation; she remained on her chair,
apparently in deep and painful thought.
A few minutes after the communication the colonel's carriage made its
appearance, and Newton proposed that they should quit the hotel.
Charlotte and Laura were all ready and impatient, but Isabel remained
seated by the table.
"Come, Isabel," cried Charlotte.
"I cannot go, my dear Charlotte," replied Isabel; "but do not let me
prevent you or Laura from deciding for yourselves."
"Not go!" cried the two sisters at once. Isabel was firm; and Newton,
who did not think himself authorised to interfere, was a silent witness
to the continued persuasions and expostulations of the two elder, and
the refusal of the younger sister. Nearly half an hour thus passed away
when Charlotte and Laura decided that they would go, and send back the
carriage for Isabel, who by that time would have come to her senses.
The heartless, unthinking girls tripped gaily down to the carriage, and
drove off. Newton, who had escorted them, retraced his steps, with a
beating heart, to the room where he had left Isabel.
She was in tears.
"Do I intrude, Miss Revel?" said Newton, who could not repress his
emotion at the sight.
"Oh, no! I expected and wished that you would return, Mr Forster. Do
you think that you could find Captain Drawlock? I should feel much
obliged if you would take that trouble for me."
"I will immediately go in search of him, if you wish it. Believe me,
Miss Revel, I feel most sincerely for your situation; and, if it were
not considered an impertinent question, I should ask you what may be
your present intentions?"
"Acquainted as you are with all the circumstances, Mr Forster, the
question is not impertinent, but kind. God knows that I require an
adviser. I would, if possible, conceal the facts from Captain Drawlock.
It is not for a daughter to publish a father's errors; but you know
all, and I can therefore have no scruple in consulting with you: I do
not see why I should. My resolution is, at best a hasty one; but it is,
never to enter the house of my relation, under such humiliating
circumstances--that is decided: but how to act, or what to do, is where
I require advice. I am in a cruel situation. What a helpless creature
is a woman! Were I a man, I could have worked my passage home; or have
honestly obtained my bread in this place; but a woman--a young and
unprotected woman--in a distant clime, and without a friend--"
"Do not say that you are without a friend; one who has at least the
will, if not the power to serve you," replied Newton.
"No--not without a friend; but what avails a friend whose assistance I
could not accept? It is to Captain Drawlock, therefore, that I must
apply, and, painful as it may be, throw myself upon his generosity; for
that reason I wished to see him. He may advise some means by which I
may obtain a passage home. I will return in any capacity, as a nurse to
children, as an attendant--any thing that is creditable. I would watch
over the couch of fever, pestilence, and plague, for months, rather than
appear to be a party to my father's duplicity. Oh! Mr Forster, what
must you think of the daughters, after what you have heard of the
parent's conduct?"--and Isabel burst into tears.
Newton could contain himself no longer. "My dear Miss Revel, let me
persuade you to compose yourself," said he, taking her hand, which was
not withdrawn; "if you feel on this occasion, so do I most deeply;--most
deeply, because I can only lament, and dare not offer to assist you.
The means of returning to your own country, I can easily procure from
Captain Drawlock; but would you accept it from me? I know--I cannot
expect that you would; and that, under such circumstances, it would be
insulting in me to offer it. Think, then, what pain I must feel to
witness your distress, and yet dare not offer to assist one for whom--
oh! my God--" ended Newton, checking his feelings.
"I feel the kindness and the delicacy of your conduct, Mr Forster; and
I will candidly acknowledge, that, could I accept it, there is no one to
whom I would more cheerfully be under an obligation; but the world will
not permit it."
"What shall I do, Miss Revel?--shall I go for Captain Drawlock?"
"Stay a little while, I wish to reflect. What would you advise? as a
friend, tell me candidly, Mr Forster."
"I am indeed proud that you allow me that title. It is all that I ever
dare hope for;--but Isabel--I beg your pardon, Miss Revel, I should have
said--"
"Nay, nay, I am not displeased. Why not Isabel? We have known one
another long enough, and deserted as I feel a kind word now."--Isabel
covered her face with her hand. Newton, who was standing by her, was
overcome by the intensity of his feelings; gradually they approached
nearer, until by, I suppose, the same principle which holds the universe
together, the attraction of cohesion, Newton's arm encircled the waist
of Isabel, and she sobbed upon his shoulder. It was with difficulty
that Newton refrained from pouring out his soul, and expressing the
ardent love which he had so long felt for her; but it was taking
advantage of her situation. He had nothing to offer but himself and
beggary. He did refrain. The words were not spoken; yet Isabel divined
his thoughts, appreciated his forbearance, and loved him more for his
resolution.
"Isabel," said Newton, at length, with a sigh, "I never valued or wished
for wealth till now. Till this hour I never felt the misery of being
poor."
"I believe you, Mr Forster; and I am grateful, as I know that it is for
my sake that you feel it; but," continued she, recovering herself,
"crying will do no good. I asked you for your advice, and you have only
given me your arm."
"I am afraid it is all I shall ever have to offer," replied Newton.
"But, Isabel, allow me to ask you one question:--are you resolved never
to enter your relation's house?"
"Not on the humiliating terms which he has proposed. Let the colonel
come here for me and take me home with him, and then I will remain there
until I can return to England; if not, I will submit to any privation,
to any honest humiliation, rather than enter under his roof. But
indeed, Mr Forster, it is necessary that Captain Drawlock should be
summoned. We are here alone: it is not correct: you must feel that it
is not."
"I do feel that it is not; but, Isabel, I was this morning of some
trifling service to the colonel, and may have some little weight with
him. Will you allow me to return to him and try what I can do? It will
not be dark for these two hours, and I will soon be back."
Isabel assented. Newton hastened to the colonel, who had already been
much surprised when he had been informed by his domestics (for he had
not seen them) that only two ladies had arrived. The old gentleman was
now cool. The explanation and strong persuasions of Newton, coupled
with the spirited, behaviour of Isabel, whose determination was made
known to him, and which was so different from the general estimate he
had formed of the sex, at last prevailed. The colonel ordered his
carriage, and, in company with Newton, drove to the hotel, made a sort
of apology--a wonderful effort on his part, and requested his
grand-niece to accept of his hospitality. In a few minutes Isabel and
the colonel were out of sight, and Newton was left to his own
reflections.
A few days afterwards Newton accepted the colonel's invitation to dine,
when he found that affairs were going on better than he expected. The
old gentleman had been severely quizzed by those who were intimate with
him, at the addition to his establishment, and had winced not a little
under the lash; but, on the whole, he appeared more reconciled than
would have been expected. Newton, however, observed that, when speaking
of the three sisters, he invariably designated them as "my grand-niece,
and the two other young women."