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THE
MYSTERIOUS WANDERER.
A NOVEL:
IN THREE VOLUMES.
Dedicated, by Permission,
_TO THE RIGHT HON. LADY ELIZABETH SPENCER._
BY SOPHIA REEVE.
VOL. I.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, BY C. SPILSBURY, ANGEL-COURT,
SNOW-HILL;
AND SOLD BY RICHARDSON AND SON, ROYAL-EXCHANGE;
J. HIGHLEY, FLEET-STREET; AND DIDIER AND TEBBETT,
ST. JAMES'S-STREET.
1807.
ADVERTISEMENT.
In committing the following sheets to the press, I have acted in
compliance with the partial wishes of a few friends. I am aware that my
story has many imperfections; but it being a first essay, and having
been written solely for my own amusement, during a winter season, I
trust, will plead with a liberal public, to soften the severity of
criticism: and if, whilst I furnish a few hours entertainment to my
readers, I may hope to have implanted a generous sentiment--or to have
checked the tendency to a vicious one--I shall esteem myself happy, and
feel my labours amply rewarded.
THE AUTHOR.
_Feb. 1, 1807._
TO
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
LADY ELIZABETH SPENCER.
MADAM,
The protection your Ladyship has so generously granted to this little
offspring of my leisure hours, whilst it has impressed my mind with
the most grateful sentiments, has fully evinced the benevolence and
condescension which so eminently distinguish your character. Truly a
pupil of nature, I little expected that the productions of my fancy
would please--or indeed be read by--any, but my intimate friends, till
your Ladyship's flattering approbation of the following tale, encouraged
me to offer it to the world.
Should THE MYSTERIOUS WANDERER be favourably received by the public, it
will be my highest pride to acknowledge my obligation to your Ladyship;
should it be consigned to oblivion--I shall ever, with gratitude,
remember the honour and favour you have conferred on,
Madam,
Your Ladyship's much obliged,
and
Most obedient humble servant,
SOPHIA REEVE.
THE MYSTERIOUS WANDERER.
CHAPTER I.
"Of all the passions inherent in man, I think pride the most despicable,
and for which he has the least excuse! If he have sense and abilities,
they ought rather to guard his bosom from so contemptible an inmate,
than implant it there. It is a passion insulting to reason, beneath the
generosity of human nature, and in the highest degree degrading to the
character of a British sailor."
Such were the sentiments of Frederick Howard, addressed to a fellow
officer, (remarkable for his pride and haughtiness) as they walked
toward the pier-head at Yarmouth, on their return to the Argo man of
war, then stationed in the roads. Already were they in the boat which
was to convey them on board, when a youth about seventeen ran up to
them, and, with wildness and distress in his aspect, entreated they
would take him with them.
"Take you with us!" said Lieutenant Harland, sternly, "who are you?"
"For God's sake, ask no questions, but take me with you," said the
youth, and immediately jumped into the boat.
"Get back, fellow! knock him over!" cried the exasperated Lieutenant.
"Not in my presence, George;" said Frederick;--"he entreats
protection--if he deserve it, it ought to be granted: if he do not, we
have no right to maltreat him." He pushed the boat off, and they were
conveyed on board.
Captain Howard, the uncle of Frederick, was justly esteemed for the
generosity of his disposition; his heart, indeed, was the seat of
philanthropy, and never did the indigent or unhappy sue in vain. On
being informed by his nephew of his conduct to the stranger, he
expressed his approbation, at the same time desiring to see him. The
youth was accordingly summoned. He entered the cabin with a modest bow,
and, to the Captain's interrogation of who he was? answered--One brought
up in expectation of a better fate; till an adverse stroke of fortune
had bereaved him of all his early prospects of happiness.
"Do you belong to Yarmouth, young man?" asked the Captain.
"No, sir, I come from Caermarthen."
"Ha--what--Caermarthen! Tell me, who is your father?--what is your
name?"
"I have not a father," sighed the youth, "My name is--(he faltered as he
spoke it)--Henry St. Ledger."
The animated hope expressed in the countenance of the Captain, suffered
a momentary depression on hearing the name of the youth; but returned
with redoubled glow as he repeated--"You have not a father!--Oh
God!--How did you lose him?--When did he die?"
"About two years since," replied St. Ledger, dashing a tear from his
cheek.
The Captain's agitation increased. "Are you certain he was your father?
Did no obscurity,--no secrecy, attend your birth?" "Neither, sir; my
birth was honourable; welcomed with joy: though I, alas! was decreed by
heaven to experience the bitterest misery."
Disappointment took possession of the Captain's features, on this
information: he sighed deeply, and, leaning back in his chair, covered
his face with his hand.
He was recalled from his reverie, by his nephew expressing his surprise
at the emotions St. Ledger had occasioned him.
"Ah! Frederick," replied the Captain; "there is something in his
appearance----"
"Certainly not very prepossessing;" interrupted Lieutenant Harland: "to
judge by that, I should take him for a pauper--or something worse."
Till that moment the habiliments of St. Ledger had been disregarded by
Captain Howard and his nephew; it was St. Ledger himself, who engaged
their attentions: he was pale and emaciated, but with features more than
commonly handsome and expressive: at the insinuation of Harland, a
momentary spark of passion suffused his cheek; but, looking at his
dress, he suppressed a sigh, and with an air of injured dignity turned
to the window. The captain regarded George with a sternness which never
failed to check him, and, again addressing St. Ledger, asked if he
wished to engage in the sea-faring life?
St. Ledger bowed--
"If such be your wish or intention, young man," continued the Captain,
"you are welcome to remain here; and depend on my friendship--as you
deserve!"
"As he deserves!" repeated George, with contemptuous haughtiness. "Were
he to have his deserts, sir, I believe your friendship would not be put
to the test."
"Forbear! Lieutenant," returned the Captain, "know your distance, young
man, or take my word, my friendship to your father shall not shield you
from your deserts!"
He waved his hand for St. Ledger to follow him, and left the cabin.
Frederick likewise retired, leaving the Lieutenant highly incensed at
the reproof he had received, and the favourable reception given to the
indigent St. Ledger.
Descended from an ancient and wealthy family--an only child--Harland had
early been taught to regard merit only in proportion to the birth of the
individual; and whilst the actions of his ancestors were recited to
raise an emulation in his bosom, they implanted a pride, the partial
fondness of his parents but too much tended to increase. Thus regarding
himself as superior to the generality of mankind, he expected an
observance and obedience few were willing to pay. The Captain's
profession of friendship to St. Ledger, after he had so openly avowed
his disapprobation of that youth, he looked on as an insult offered to
himself, and as such determined to show his resentment by treating him
with every mark of contempt in his power. This behaviour, however,
failed in the desired effect; and, instead of degrading St. Ledger, was
the means of gaining him the notice and protection of the other
officers. By the austerity of his manners, Harland had long since
rendered himself the object of their dislike; the injustice of his
behaviour was therefore exaggerated in their opinion, and, independently
of the Captain's avowed partiality, or the interesting manners of the
young adventurer, inclined them to regard him with sentiments of
commiseration and friendship.
Already had St. Ledger been six weeks on board, during which time the
Captain had repeatedly, but vainly, urged him to declare who he was;
neither could he be induced to appear when any strangers visited that
gentleman; when one day, being importuned by Frederick to accompany them
to the house of a friend, he hesitatingly acknowledged it was not safe
for him to be seen.
"Not safe, St. Ledger?" repeated the Captain. "Of what action can you
have been guilty, that like a midnight assassin, you should thus dread
the observation of civilized society?"
"None, Captain," answered St. Ledger firmly. "But the criminal is not
the only one who has cause for fear. He who meets the hand of the
assassin is in equal danger as he who gives the blow."
"Well, St. Ledger," returned the Captain, "I yield to your reasons,
whatever they may be. I entertain too good an opinion of you to think
you guilty of any crime which could render you undeserving of the
protection I have afforded. When you have known me longer, you may
perhaps find me more worthy of your confidence."
St. Ledger felt relieved by their departure, though hurt at the reproach
he thought the Captain's last words implied.
For that gentleman, he sunk into a reverie as soon as he was seated in
the barge; which Frederick, whose imagination was equally employed in
conjectures respecting St. Ledger, never thought of interrupting; and on
being landed they silently pursued their way till they arrived at the
quay, when Frederick suddenly exclaimed--"I cannot form an idea who, or
what St. Ledger is. Above the generality of mankind I must think him."
"I have indeed," said the Captain, "rarely seen his equal, and would
freely give a hundred guineas to know who he is, or his reason for
wishing to be concealed. If he would intrust me with the secret, it
might perhaps be in my power to prove a greater friend to him than I am
at present."
The concluding sentence brought them to the place of their destination.
On being announced, a gentleman, who was seated with their invitor,
hastily rose, and, eagerly surveying the Captain, exclaimed--
"Does my memory deceive me; or is it my friend Crawton I have again the
pleasure of beholding?"
"I was once known by that name," answered the Captain, with emotion;
"but at present bear that of Howard."
"Tell me," said the other, with quickness, "were you ever acquainted
with one Talton, of Brighthelmstone?"
"Brighthelmstone!--Talton!" repeated the Captain, taking his
hand--"Surely it is.--It is my old friend Talton himself! Yet scarcely
can I credit the existence of one I thought long since numbered with the
dead."
"I wonder not at your entertaining the idea," said Mr. Talton. "The
years that have intervened since last we beheld each other, and a
variety of circumstances, might justly give rise to such a
supposition."
The pleasure experienced by the Captain at thus meeting a man whose
friendship had once constituted a considerable portion of his happiness,
diffused itself to the bosoms of all, and some time elapsed ere he
thought of asking an explanation of the occurrences by which he had been
induced to believe the death of his friend.
On Frederick and their entertainer likewise expressing a wish to hear
his relation, Mr. Talton readily consented to gratify their curiosity.
"Though I would not, my friends," he continued, "have you expect to hear
any thing extraordinary in my history, as there is not any circumstance
in the whole, but what daily and hourly happens to hundreds of my
fellow-beings, or that can render it interesting to any but the ear of
friendship.
"I believe, Howard, I need not recapitulate the circumstances which
eighteen years since induced me to leave England; as I doubt not you
well remember the death of my guardian, and the villany of my steward
in Barbadoes, who, on that event, endeavoured to defraud me of the
property I inherited from my mother.
"Our voyage was tempestuous and tedious; and on landing at Barbadoes, I
found Johnson regarded as the legal possessor of my lands. I carried
sufficient proofs of my identity and the validity of my claim; but,
irritated to the highest degree, declined an application to law as too
tedious in its redress, and determined personally to assert and enforce
my right.
"I accordingly went, accompanied by some friends, who had in vain
endeavoured to dissuade me from such a procedure, and was admitted into
the presence of Johnson, whom I accused with all the vehemence of
ungoverned rage, and declared my intention of maintaining possession
from that period. He heard me with an affectation of surprise; and
then, with the greatest effrontery, said--'You the son of the late
honourable Alric Talton, and the owner of these plantations! This
impudence exceeds all I ever witnessed! No, sir, the son of my late
master is too well known to me to admit of this imposition. From him I
purchased these possessions, and from him, from you, and all the world,
I will now withhold them.'
"Driven nearly to madness by this impudent assertion, I still insisted
on the justness of my claim, and menaced him with the utmost severity of
the law; whilst he in return pretended to treat me as an impostor, and
threatened to have me punished accordingly.
"My friends finding the inutility of the attempt, proposed my returning
to Bridgetown, and seeking redress from the Governor. This I told them
they were welcome to do, but I should remain where I was; and, finding
me obstinate to my purpose, they at last set out for town without me.
"As soon as they were gone, Johnson summoned two European servants, and
commanded them to search my pockets; and, whilst my arms were confined
by his order, I had the mortification to see those papers concerning his
stewardship, and which as of most consequence in my cause I carried
about my person, torn to pieces and consumed! Then regarding me with a
sarcastic grin--'As you are determined to remain here, young man, it is
as little as I can do to accommodate you with an apartment; though,
perhaps, it may not prove altogether agreeable to your wishes.'
"He then ordered me to be conducted to a room he named, and which I
afterwards found was used as a place of confinement to those slaves who
failed in their attempts for liberty. My arms were there unbound, and I
was left to the solitary comfort of a bed of reeds. The first violence
of passion subsiding, I perceived the folly of my late behaviour; and,
as I doubted not my friends would effect my liberation, I determined, if
possible, to rectify the errors my rage had occasioned; and I had still
sufficient proofs remaining, I doubted not, to bring Johnson to justice.
"According to my expectations, my friends, the next day, came to
Johnson's, and on being refused any satisfactory intelligence respecting
me, applied to the Governor, who issued an order, in consequence of
which my villanous steward was obliged to release me, or stand indicted
for my murder. A formal process of law was then commenced against him;
the cause finally brought to trial; and, as my witnesses and proofs were
indisputable, the verdict pronounced in my favour. But the crafty
villain effectually screened himself from punishment by the evidence of
his two servants, who positively swore their master had, previously to
my arrival, purchased the plantations of a man who assumed my name; and
that they were witnesses to the deeds, which were accordingly produced.
"The behaviour of Johnson in destroying the papers relative to the
stewardship, and the question--where could he honestly have amassed
money sufficient for the purchase--effectually proved the falsity of
this account: but as I had recovered my right, and could bring no
witnesses of his conduct, I desisted from farther prosecution.
"Johnson, thus cleared from intentional fraud, unquestioned master of
the money he had amassed during his illegal tenure of the plantations,
purchased one adjoining mine, and proved such a troublesome neighbour,
that for five years I had occasion for all my forbearance and
circumspection, to avoid a continual course of law-suits. During that
time my affairs in England had been very little attended to; and as my
overseer was a man on whose integrity I could rely, I determined to pay
a visit to my native country. I accordingly came to England, passed some
months at Bath, and went to Brighthelmstone, for the purpose of visiting
you, to whom I had repeatedly written: but on my arrival there, was
informed no person of the name of Crawton resided in the place; nor
could I gain the least intelligence respecting you.
"Having settled my affairs to my satisfaction, I again returned to
Barbadoes, where I passed ten years more without any thing material
occurring; except that Johnson had the impudence to propose an alliance
between me and his daughter, a girl of sixteen; but the offer was
rejected with the disdain it merited. He soon after died, and I once
more visited England, where some events which have happened, will most
probably induce me to fix my future residence. I went to the continent
about six weeks since, to settle accompts with my correspondents, whence
I yesterday returned; and happy indeed do I deem myself in the discovery
of this afternoon."
A more minute recapitulation of incidents beguiled the time till the
period of the Captain's return on board, when he parted from his friend,
who promised to pass the ensuing day with him.