"It was now almost dusk and she pressed a little necessary refreshment on
me in the inn parlour. I was swallowing it hastily, when a post-chaise
drew up at the door and a man alighted, supporting in his arms an almost
senseless female, a large veil concealing her bonnet and face. He called
for a private room and refreshment in a haughty impatient tone, and was
turning to the stair with his burden, when, struggling from his arms, she
tottered toward Mrs. Wickham exclaiming, 'O Aunt Lydia, save me--save me!'
and dropped at her feet."
A sob broke from Mrs Darcy's pale lips, but still she spoke not.
"Mrs Wickham removed her veil, and there was Miss Darcy, in a truly
pitiable condition. The baffled villain, little thinking how he had run
into a trap of his own making, stood one second a mask of terror. I made
for him instantly, sword in hand, but he ran with the speed of lightning
through the ostler's yard and was lost in the beech woods behind. I gave
directions for search to be made and returned to the ladies."
Mrs Darcy lifted his hand in both hers and pressed it to her lips. "The
hand that saved my Charlotte!" was all she could murmur; and indeed we
were all in tears of thankfulness and joy. Mr Wickham's own manly tones
trembled as he resumed:--
"Between the agitations that ensued, the dear girl told us how he had
forced her into the post-chaise and driven off at full speed, determined
so to compromise her that a marriage would be insisted on, or even
besought by her parents. He had sent a decoy chaise on the Merton road,
and driven furiously to Sundale, counting on the coast being clear. I
waited not, however, to hear more, but left her in Mrs Wickham's arms, and
rode on hither."
"Brother, you are weary--famished!" cried Mrs Darcy, ever considerate.
"Are we to have no thought for you, who have had so much for us? I knew--I
knew my Charlotte could not so fearfully be lost to all sense of
propriety, and knowing this, can now recover. Oh, could my Darcy but know
his girl is safe!"
O Sophia, what a scene was here--all pressing refreshments on our
deliverer--all joyful excitement. The only element lacking, dear Mr
Darcy's presence! And two hours later,--for none could go to rest,--that
also was supplied; for finding his pursuit of the Merton chaise mistaken,
he returned home, drooping and almost despairing, in the faint hope of
tidings.
Words sink beneath the effort to describe his manly gratitude to Wickham,
and the relief of hearing he had not been deceived in his belief in Miss
Darcy's principles. Never have I seen his majesty of demeanour so
softened. He also addressed Mr Wickham as "Brother," and the latter was
profoundly touched. If I mistake not, this will be an epoch in his career
and that of his unhappy wife. Mr Darcy's is a spirit that will never leave
an obligation unacknowledged. They rode together next day to escort Mrs
Wickham and the interesting victim to Rosings--Miss Darcy in a pitiable
condition, but yet fully sensible of her safety.
"On such occasions," observed Mr Collins to the Admiral, "it cannot be
denied that a special Providence appears to attend the great. Had Miss
Darcy been a humbler female, had she not been possessed of relatives
willing and able to defend her, what might not have been dreaded! This
leads us to devout admiration of the discriminating bounties of heaven, so
well bestowed where most needed and deserved. For what, Sir Charles, is
the downfall of a female of low birth, however worthy, compared with that
of a young lady who has adorned elevated circles and is the cynosure of
all eyes and hearts!"
The dear Admiral owned to me later that this exordium so bewildered him
that he knew not "at which end to take hold of it," to use his own
expression. I feel the difficulty myself.
The public prints will have informed my Sophia that the miscreant escaped,
and that it is now known the pair were brothers, a dark stain for the
complexion having converted the younger into the attendant, for the visit
to Hunsdon. Reassuming his own appearance, he acted as the driver and was
of course wholly in his brother's interest in securing a wealthy prize in
Miss Darcy. What machinations, and what a deliverance!
Mrs Darcy, who is all candour, said later to me that she had suspected the
beginning of an attachment in my Henry's mind, and that, if it were so--
Here she hesitated in the most interesting manner.
I took her hand in mine. "Hesitate not to open the subject, my dear
Ma'am," said I, "for I can confirm your view. Henry is deeply, deeply
interested in your sweet girl--poor lovely innocent! And if there is any
hope--"