Julian was worthy of Edith. His parentage was honorable and pure, his
connections irreproachable, and his own character noble and unblemished.
Reason could oppose no obstacle, and the young artist was received into
the family as the betrothed of the lovely lame girl.
The romantic idea which had suggested itself to my mind, that he might
be the son of Therésa and my own half-brother, had vanished before the
testimonies of his birth. Another daydream too. I had always looked
forward to the hour when Richard would transfer his affections to Edith,
and be rewarded by her love for his youthful disappointment. But she was
destined to reign in undivided sovereignty over a heart that had never
been devoted to another; to be loved with all the fervor of passion and
all the enthusiasm of genius.
It was the day of social gathering at Dr. Harlowe's; but I remained at
home. I felt as if I could not be missed from the circle in which Madge,
in bridal charms, sparkled a ruby gem, and the fairer Edith shone, a
living pearl. Though scarcely one year a wife, the discipline of my
wedded experience had so chastened and subdued me, I seemed to myself
quite a matron, beside those on whom the morning glow of love and hope
were beaming. Madge and Edith were both older than myself, and yet I had
begun to live far earlier.
In the later part of the day, Mrs. Linwood, who had also remained at
home, asked me to accompany her in a ride. She wished to visit several
who were sick and afflicted, and I always felt it a privilege to be her
companion.
"Will you object to calling here?" she asked, when we approached the old
gray cottage, once my mother's home and my own. "There is a sick woman
here, whom I wish to see. You can walk about the green skirting the
woods, if you prefer. This enchanting breeze will give new life to your
body and new brightness to your spirits."
I thanked her for the permission, knowing well the kind regard to my
feelings which induced her to give it. She knew sad memories must hang
around the apartments where my mother and the faithful Peggy had
suffered and died; and that it would be a trial to me to see strangers
occupying the places so hallowed by association.
Time had been at work on that old cottage, with its noiseless but
effacing fingers. And its embroidering fingers too, for the roof from
which many a shingle had fallen, was green with garlands of moss,
wrought into the damp and mouldering wood with exquisite grace and
skill. I turned away with a sigh, and beheld infancy by the side of the
humble ruin, the oriental palace which was my bridal home, and wondered
at the marvellous changes of life.
I wandered to the welling spring by whose gushing waters I had so often
sat, indulging the wild poetry of my childish imagination. I gazed
around, scarcely recognizing the once enchanting spot. A stone had
literally rolled against the mouth of the fountain, and the crystal
diamonds no longer sparkled in the basin below. An awkward pump, put up
near the cabin, explained this appearance of neglect and wildness. The
soft grassy slope where I used to recline and watch the fountain's
silvery play, was overgrown with tall, rank, rustling weeds, among which
I could distinguish the deadly bloom and sickening odor of the
nightshade. There was a rock covered with the brightest, richest
covering of dark green moss, on which I seated myself, and gave myself
up to the memories of the past. Perhaps this was the same rock on which
Richard Clyde and I had often sat side by side, and watched the shadows
of twilight purple the valley.
I untied my bonnet and laid it on the long grass, for I was shaded from
the western sun, and the breeze blew fresh and pure from the hills he
was about to crown with a right royal diadem. While I thus sat, I heard
footsteps quick and eager echoing behind, and Richard Clyde bounded down
the slope and threw himself on the ground at my side.
"Thank heaven," he exclaimed, "I have found you, Gabriella, and found
you alone!"
His manner was hurried and agitated, his eyes had a wild expression, and
tossing aside his hat, he wiped thick-coming drops of perspiration from
his forehead.
His words, and the unusual excitement of his manner, alarmed me.
"What has happened, Richard? Where have you sought me? What tidings have
you to communicate? Speak, and tell me, for I tremble with fear."
"I am so agitated," he cried, sitting down on the rock at my side, and
taking one of my hands in his. I started, for his was so icy cold and
tremulous, and his face was as pale as Ernest's. He looked like one who
had escaped some terrible danger, and in whose bosom horror and
gratitude were struggling for mastery.
"Is it of Ernest you have come to tell me?" I asked, with blanched lips.
"No, no, no! I know nothing of him. It is of myself,--of you, I would
speak. I have just made the most astonishing discovery! Never till now
have I heard your real name and early history. O! Gabriella you whom I
have loved so long with such fervor, such passion, such idolatry,--you
(O righteous God forgive me!) are the daughter of my father,--for
Therésa La Fontaine was my own mother. Gabriella,--sister,--beloved!"
He clasped me to his bosom; he kissed me again and again, weeping and
sobbing like a child. In broken words he deplored his sinful passion,
entreating me to forgive him, to love him as a brother, to cling to him
as a friend, and feel that there was one who would live to protect, or
die to defend me. Bewildered and enraptured by this most unthought of
and astounding discovery, my heart acknowledged its truth and glowed
with gratitude and joy. Richard, the noble-hearted, gallant Richard, was
my brother! My soul's desire was satisfied. How I had yearned for a
brother! and to find him,--and such a brother! Oh I joy unspeakable. Oh!
how strange,--how passing strange,--how almost passing credulity!
At any moment this discovery would have been welcomed with rapture. But
now, when the voluntary estrangement of Ernest had thrown my warm
affections back for the time into my own bosom, to pine for want of
cherishing, it came like a burst of sunshine after a long and dreary
darkness,--like the music of gushing waters to the feverish and thirsty
pilgrim.
My heart was too full for questions, and his for explanations. They
would come in due time. He was _my brother_,--that was enough. Ernest
could not be jealous of a brother's love. He would own with pride the
fraternal bond, and forget the father's crimes in the son's virtues.
It seemed but a moment since Richard had called me sister. Neither of us
had spoken, for tears choked our words; but our arms were still
entwined, and my head rested on his bosom, in all the abandonment of
nature's holiest feelings. All at once I heard a rustling in the grass,
soft and stealthy like a gliding snake. I raised my head, looked back,
looked up.
Merciful Father of heaven and earth! did I not then pass the agonies of
death?
I saw a face,--my God! how dark, how deadly, how terrible it was! I knew
that face, and my heart was rifted as if by a thunderbolt.
The loud report of a pistol, and a shriek such as never before
issued from mortal lips, bursting from mine, were simultaneous
sounds. Richard fell back with a deep groan. Then there seemed a
rushing sound as the breaking up of the great deep, a heaving and
tossing like the throes of an earthquake; then a sinking, sinking,
lower and lower, and then a cloud black as night and heavy as iron
came lowering and crushing me,--me, and the bleeding Richard. All was
darkness,--silence,--oblivion.