After a substantial meal had been despatched, our travellers repaired to
the livery-stable, to inspect in person the condition of their horses.
The establishment was lighted with a single lamp, swung in the centre of
the building. The approach of the two young gentlemen was not therefore
immediately noticed by old Cato and another groom (who proved to be the
coachman of the equipage they had left on the road), as they were busily
engaged in rubbing down their horses, the dialogue between them was not
brought to a close at once.
"Who did you say the gentleman was?" said old Cato.
"His name is Brumley," replied coachee.
"And the young lady is his daughter, I suppose?" continued Cato.
"Oh! as to that, I cannot say," continued coachee, "but I believe she is
only his step-daughter; they calls her Miss Fanny St. Clair, and
sometimes of late the old gentleman calls her Mrs. Frances; but between
you and me and the horse-stall, there is some strange things about this
family; I rather guess that Sukey, the maid up yonder, could tell us
something that would make us open our eyes, if she was not so confounded
close; all that I know about it is, that the harsh old gentleman
sometimes gives her a talk in the carriage that throws her a'most into a
faintin' spell. But I could never see into it, not I; I don't somehow
believe in all these little hurrahs the women kicks up just for
pastime."
Our travellers did not think proper to listen further to the gossip of
the grooms, and having executed their business at the livery, they
retraced their steps to the splendid establishment at which they had put
up. Notwithstanding the doubtful source from which Chevillere had gained
his latest information concerning the singularly interesting young lady
whom they had seen at the inn, it made its impression. Corrupt indeed
must be that channel of information relative to a beautiful and
attractive female, apparently in distress, which will not find an
auditor in the person of a sensitive young man just emancipated from
college. On such occasions, and with such persons, the credibility of
all witnesses is the same, and the most improbable tale is taken at
once, and made the foundation of a whole train of reveries, dreams, and
plans.
It is not to be denied that Victor Chevillere had worked his imagination
up to a very romantic height, and had allowed his curiosity concerning
the youthful lady to reach such a pitch that little else gave occupation
to his fancies.
He was in this state of mind, leisurely marking time with lazy steps,
and in an abstracted mood, as he ascended the grand staircase of the
establishment, when his attention was again riveted by the sound of the
lady's voice in earnest entreaty with the old gentleman.
"Consider, my dear Frances," said the latter, "that your health is now
nearly re-established, and that these are subjects that you must dwell
upon; why not, therefore, become accustomed to it at once?"
"For heaven's sake! for my dear mother's! never, sir, mention that
fearful marriage, and more fearful death to me again! Why should I
recall hideous and frightful dreams!"
Chevillere was compelled to move on, but it must be confessed that
his steps were slower than before; and it may be readily imagined,
that his fancy and his curiosity were not much allayed by the shreds
of conversation which he had involuntarily overheard. When he had
ascended to his own apartment, and could indulge freely in that
bachelor recreation of pacing to and fro, the two words still
involuntarily quickened his movements whenever they flashed through his
mind---"marriage" and "death" were words of opposite import certainly,
viewed in the abstract, and we doubt whether he had ever connected them
together before;---"Fearful marriage! and more fearful death!" what
could it mean? to whom could they refer? Only one of them could refer to
her, that was certain; who then was married and died so fearfully? Ah!
thought he, I have it! her mother has married this old man, and died
suddenly; and he has got the fortune of both in his hands! Suspicious
circumstance! If fortune puts it in my power, I will watch him narrowly!
I disliked his countenance from the first!--must be cool, however, and
deliberate--must watch--and wait! pshaw, what am I at! Thus ended Victor
Chevillere's solution of the enigma, when Lamar stepped into the room
and disturbed his revery.
"What! still musing, Chevillere. By my troth, she must be a witch; but
it will be glorious news to write to our friend Beverly Randolph, of old
Virginia. What say you? Shall I sit down and indite an epistle? Let me
see--how do such narratives generally begin? Cupid, and darts, and
arrows--blind of an eye--shot right through the vitals of a poor
innocent youth that never did him any harm--never was struck
before--covered with a panoply, and shield, and armour, and all that;
and then worship prostrate before the shrine; and vows, and tears, and
tokens; and then the dart is taken out--and the wound heals up--and
then--'Richard's himself again!' What say you to that, or rather what
would Randolph say to that, think you?"
"He would say that Augustus Lamar was still the same mirth-loving
fellow, without regard to time or place."
"Then it is a serious affair, and too true to make a joke of! Well, then
I have done! She's a beautiful young creature, it is true; but then from
what I had seen of your cold philosophy, I did not think you were the
man to be slain at first sight, and surrender at discretion before a
single charge."
"I will acknowledge to you, Lamar, that my curiosity is most painfully
excited with regard to that unhappy young lady, but nothing more, I
assure you. Some facts have, without my seeking, come to my knowledge,
with which you are entirely unacquainted, and which have tended greatly
to increase that curiosity. I cannot at this time explain; as soon as my
own mind is satisfied on the subject, my confidence shall not be
withheld from you."
"Lovers are truly a singular set of mortals---here is a young lady (and
a Yankee too, perhaps) of some dozen hours' acquaintance, and with whom
you have never exchanged a dozen words; and yet you are already
entrusted with profound secrets, which excite you in the most painful
manner!"
"Come, come, Lamar, I see you are determined to misunderstand me. Let us
drop the subject. What do you think of the Kentuckian?"
"I think he is an admirable fellow; and I intend to patronise him; and
induct him into fashionable life; but do you think his singularities are
the natural products of the life, manners, and climate of Kentucky?"
"I cannot decide whether there is much in him that is peculiar to
Kentucky. Some of the most elegant and accomplished gentleman I have
seen were natives of that state."
"He takes a laugh at his expense admirably."
"He does, but you must be careful not to exceed the limits he has laid
down for himself and us, in that respect. For my own part, I entertain a
serious respect for Damon and his unsophisticated honesty, degenerating,
as it sometimes does, into prejudices and ludicrous fancies."
"Good night, and pleasant dreams to you. I will call early to interpret
them for you."
As Lamar closed the door, Chevillere drew from his pocket a little
basket segar-case, from which he extracted a genuine Havana, and
lighting a taper at the candle, and throwing himself into one of those
easy attitudes familiar to smokers, with his head back, and his eyes
closed, gave himself up to those absorbing reveries, generally
delightful in proportion to the goodness of the segar, which a southern
knows so well how to enjoy. To be fully relished, segars should be
resorted to only in the evening, and then in moderation. The sensibility
is blunted by excess, and in that case, tobacco, like the intoxicating
drinks, will sometimes conjure up frightful images upon the wall of a
dimly-lighted chamber, or among the embers of a dying fire. Victor,
however, had not converted his capacity for enjoyment into fruitful
sources of mental and physical suffering---he sat for a long time gently
throwing the fragrant results of his efforts into various columns,
wreaths, and pyramids. Not that his mind dwelt upon these things for a
moment; he was far distant in spirit; his imagination was calling up
delightful dreams of love and friendship, with thoughts of a beloved
cousin, of his friend and room-mate Beverley Randolph--his mother, his
home, and the scenes of his childhood, and finally, of the lady of the
black mantle. He beheld airy castles,--romantic adventures,--bridal
scenes--and flowers,--assemblies,--parties,--and the high hills of the
Santee.
Aladdin's lamp never wrought more rich and highly-coloured scenes of
enchantment than did this same Havana; but the most pleasant dream must
come to an end, as well as the richest flavoured segar--and so did
Chevillere's. Tossing the little hot remnant from him with a passionate
jerk, as if in anger at the insensible cause of his interruption, he
bounced into the centre of the floor and began to pace to and fro, in
his accustomed mood, clenching his fists now and then, and by his whole
appearance showing a perfect contrast to the calm and delightful revery
attendant upon the first stage of tobacco intoxication.
In this mood we shall leave him to seek his rest, while we recount in
the next chapter what farther befel our late collegians on the following
morning.