VIII.

Month after month passed away, and Mark had not dared to repeat his

visit at the Cliff. Gladly would he have done so, however, could he have

found any plausible pretext. One important point, however, was gained.

He had learned that Edna Heath was not the inaccessible princess he had

imagined; and moreover, enjoyed the extreme gratification of knowing, or

rather feeling, that she was aware of his existence--that she actually

remembered, and even noticed him, when he met her at the church-porch on

Sundays. These opportunities were almost the only ones he had of seeing

her, but the smile and bow with which she recognized him were enough to

fill his heart with pleasure during the intervening week. Occasionally

when at work he would hear the well-known din of the Heath equipage

dashing up Main Street in all the pomp of its domestics in drab

liveries, and Dalmatian dogs, and his pulse would quicken, if through

his window he caught a momentary glimpse of Edna among the occupants of

the vehicle. He failed not to take his evening strolls towards the

Cliff; to pass and repass the huge iron gates that seemed to bar him

from his dearest hopes; and to linger about, indulging in all those

absurd, preposterous fancies that addle the pates of all true lovers.

Summer came, and Edna went off with the Mumbies on a long tour through

the White Mountains and Canada. During her absence, how desolate and

dreary the world seemed to Mark! Belton became unbearable, and he

wandered about its streets in a frame of mind compared to which Marius'

feelings amid the ruins of Carthage were bliss. It was in one of these

melancholy fits that he composed his elegiac stanzas, entitled _Love's

Coronach_, and commencing with these lugubrious lines:

Shadows from the plumed pall,

Enwrap my soul in woe,

My life, my hope, my all

Is gone! And every poignant throe

etc., etc., etc.

But when she returned, the world seemed to recover its glory, life its

spice, and he was happy in being near her, even if he did not see her.

When autumn came, and the grove near the Falls and the maples along the

river road were gorgeous with brilliant hues, Mark took long walks along

the Passaic-side, chiefly to meet Miss Heath, who rode often on

horseback, and went dashing along at a pace that the groom in attendance

had difficulty in keeping up with. She always found time, however, to

acknowledge Mark's salute, as he stood staring in respectful admiration

at the lithe, graceful figure, so smart in dark riding habit, small

white collar and blue silk cravat. He was selfish enough to wish at

those times that her horse would bolt over the bank into the river, or

do something that would give him a chance to rescue her life at the

peril of his own, and so prove his devotion. Fortunately, perhaps, for

the young lady, no such opportunity occurred, and our hero was obliged

to content himself with less demonstrative worship and vent his passion

in scribbling poetic numbers.

The shortened days and inclement weather of winter curtailed Mark's

rambles, and his evenings were spent with his piano and books at home,

or with his briar-wood pipe and chess at Dr. Wattletop's.

One evening as he sat down to tea in the little basement dining-room,

his sister-in-law, with a significant smile, laid an elegant envelope by

the side of his plate. "There, Mark," said she, "there is something that

will please you, I've no doubt."

He opened the envelope with a little trepidation, and found it to

contain, as he had half-suspected, an engraved request from Miss Heath,

for the pleasure of his company at "The Cliff," on a certain evening.

"When it came this afternoon," said Mrs. Gildersleeve, "I was in such a

flutter. Bridget was out to see her sick sister, and I was washing the

dinner things when the bell rang. I just took time to dry my hands and

ran to the door, for I expected as much as could be that it was one of

the men from the Works that your brother said he would send to fix the

grate, and I was so confused when I saw it was a stranger--the young man

with a cockade on his hat that follows Miss Heath when she goes out

horseback riding--I don't know whether you have ever noticed him or

not?"

Mark said he thought he had; and his brother remarked that it was

another of those English liveried flunkeys that that old aristocrat,

Rufe Heath, had imported to demoralize our democratic institutions.

"George," said Mrs. Gildersleeve, reproachfully, "you shouldn't talk in

that way, my dear. Mr. Heath does a great deal of good--a great deal;

and as for the young man, I'm sure he was very respectful and

well-behaved, indeed. I don't know, though, what he must have thought,

for I must have looked very untidy, and I was so confused and flushed

that I never once thought of asking him whether he would walk in and sit

down, which wasn't a bit polite or hospitable on my part. I hope, Mark,

you will accept this invitation, for you should certainly go out in

society more than you do. I do wish you had been with us the other

evening at Mrs. Sniffen's tea-party. I don't know when I have had such a

delightful time. Bishop White was there, and the new minister who has

been stationed lately at the Furnaces--the Rev. Mr. Rousemup. His wife

has a beautiful voice, and she sang 'Plunged in a Gulf of Dark Despair'

so sweetly, that I'm sure there couldn't have been a dry eye present. I

know you would have enjoyed it. But lately you have taken to staying in

your room too much; you seem to have given up the Debating Society

altogether and never go anywhere, except it is to Dr. Wattletop's, and I

must confess that I don't half like it. The doctor, to be sure, is one

of the kindest and best souls in the world, but he has such very queer

notions. They even go so far as to say that he is a freethinker. Now I

would be very sorry to believe that of any one; but he says such very

strange things, if the reports are true, and Brother Close told me that

Mrs. Slocum told him, that her nephew, James Cudlipp, said that when he

lived at old Mrs. Bradbury's, and her brother died, he heard the doctor

with his own ears say at the funeral, that when people became more

civilized, they would burn the remains of the dead and preserve their

ashes in marble urns, instead of burying them in the earth. Now, I do

think such an idea as that is shocking and perfectly dreadful."

"Well, Maggie," put in her husband, as he buttered a fresh biscuit,

"every man to his trade. Dr. Wattletop ain't no dominie, and don't

pretend to be, but his head's level on physic, and he's no slouch of a

sawbones, either. When he cut off Sammy Tooker's leg I timed him, and he

had it all done clean in ten minutes and fourteen seconds by my

stop-watch, and Sammy's brother said it was the best job of the kind he

ever saw done; and he ought to know, being a butcher himself. Why,

Pokemore, that you think is the greatest doctor in the world, I'll bet

would have taken hours to do it, and made a botch of it after all. The

only fault I have to find with Wattletop is, that he's such a pig-headed

John Bull."

Mark ventured a few words in defence of his friend the doctor, and

endeavored to allay the rising apprehensions of Mrs. Gildersleeve in

regard to his imbibing any unwholesome opinions from the eccentric

physician.

"Now, Mark," continued Mrs. Gildersleeve, "I do hope you will spruce up,

and make yourself as agreeable as possible at Miss Heath's party. I'll

say this for her, that there isn't a nicer, sweeter, or more charitable

girl in all Belton than she is. Mrs. Sniffen says that she never calls

upon her for any contribution for any object whatever, but what she

gets all and more than she asks for; and I do believe she supplies every

sick person and funeral in the town with hot-house grapes and flowers.

Then she's so very lady-like too. Dear me, if I were a young man--well,

I should think you'd feel very much pleased at this invitation,

especially as you never took any pains to make yourself agreeable to the

family. But then, to be sure, Edna Heath is kind to every one, and I do

believe that every man, woman, and child in Belton loves her."

Mark felt as if he could not see the necessity for that, and, if it were

so, as if the population of the town had audaciously conspired to

infringe on his province.

His brother, as he rose from table, also proffered advice on the

subject, "If you can hang up your hat in that house, Mark, you're made

for life. She'll have more dollars than you can shake a stick at, or

know what to do with. Never mind the old man; there's a good deal of

nonsense in Rufe Heath's airs, and he's mild as milk if he finds you

aint anyway awed. Keep a stiff upper lip--don't be cowed, and you're

bound to win. Whatever you do, though, be independent--independent as a

hog on ice, and they'll like you all the better for it. That's my

advice. Time I was off to the Lodge."

Mrs. Gildersleeve did not entirely approve of her husband's way of

putting it, and observed, "As to what your brother says, Mark, about

Miss Heath's fortune, or her father's fortune, I know you never would be

actuated by any motives in regard to that. Miss Heath, I'm sure, will be

a treasure and prize to any man even if she never has a penny in the

world."

"Very likely," said Mark, affecting indifference. "Miss Heath is

certainly a very pleasant and refined young lady."

"Indeed, she is," said Mrs. Gildersleeve, emphatically, "and more than

that, a very good young lady."

* * * * *

Mark's gratification at receiving the invitation was instantly dampened,

when he reflected that he could not avail of it without exposing himself

to unfavorable comparison in the eyes of one whom he was most desirous

of pleasing. The old feeling of false shame, the morbid sensitiveness

in regard to his lameness, revived; and he dreaded to challenge

criticism in an assemblage where he longed to shine. Hence it was with a

sharp pang of mortified vanity and disappointment that he set about

writing a "regret," alleging as an excuse for not being able to accept

Miss Heath's invitation, the conventional fib, a prior engagement. Twice

he wrote such a missive, and each time tore it up when in the struggle

between sense and self-love the former gained the ascendancy; but in the

end that exaggerated self-importance which leads us to believe the rest

of the world vastly interested in our haps and mishaps, our appearance

and position--this infatuation triumphed, and the "regret" was

despatched.

* * * * *

"Well, Mark," said Mrs. Gildersleeve on the appointed evening, "Miss

Heath's party comes off to-night, don't it? From all I hear it's going

to be a grand affair. They say there have been I don't know how many

hundred invitations sent out, and some are coming even from New York."

"So much the better, then, for I don't think I shall be missed," said

Mark with a forced smile.

Mrs. Gildersleeve dropped her work and looked at him in surprise.

"Missed! You don't mean to say that you are not going?"

Mark looked rather confused. "I do mean to say so. I--I don't feel like

it."

"Dear me, you're not sick, I hope?" inquired Mrs. Gildersleeve with a

look of concern.

"No, sister, no--but I'm not in the humor to go."

"Why, really, I'm so surprised and sorry. I thought you would certainly

take advantage of such an invitation, for I know you would enjoy it very

much if you went. There is nothing ails you, is there, Mark?" said Mrs.

Gildersleeve, repeating her inquiry.

"No, sister Margaret, no," replied Mark with a little impatience, and to

escape his sister-in-law's inquisitive solicitude, he withdrew to his

room. He took up his guitar and tried to thrum the _Jota Aragonesa_, but

there was no melody there to soothe his troubled breast. He skimmed over

a page or two of Burton's "Anatomy of Melancholy," that Dr. Wattletop

had recommended him to read, but his feelings were too much in

consonance with the subject treated of to be diverted by it, and he

threw the book aside, filled his briar-wood pipe, and sought

consolation in Killikinnick. Even that resource failed him, and the fire

in the bowl died away unheeded. Then to shake off the tristful thoughts

he paced his room, but the old wound inflicted by Edna's cruel

commiseration seemed to bleed afresh, and the remembrance of that bitter

pity unceasingly returned, until chagrin gave place to anger vented in

fierce execrations on his halting foot, alternated with lamentations on

his unfortunate condition. He believed he could have borne almost any

other bodily infirmity better, and would gladly have given his right arm

to walk as other men. What an effort it had cost him to deny himself the

inestimable pleasure of beholding the object of his adoration in all the

pride of her beauty! And yet, why had he done so? Although imperfect in

a trivial degree, would he, after all, suffer much in comparison with

others? Byron, the splendid Byron, was lame, and so was Walter Scott,

and were they not the idols of society? Would her glance fall that

evening on a handsomer face? He stopped before a mirror, that reflected

eyes full of superb fire, and a brow as fine as any that ever adorned

child of Hellas, and he smiled with gratified vanity, like a brainless

coquette. But instantly ashamed of his weakness, he turned away, drew on

his overcoat, and sought the streets to distract him from unwholesome

reveries. Unwittingly his feet followed the accustomed path, and he was

half way to the Cliff before he discovered his absence of mind. He would

have retraced his steps and gone in another direction, but an

irresistible impulse urged him on.

It was a fine frosty night in February. There was no moon, but the

myriad of stars that studded the dark sky glinted like gems, and the

atmosphere was bracing and exhilarating. Mr. Heath's residence presented

a brilliant scene. The lamps on the gate-posts, those hanging in the

porch, and the many illuminated windows shed rays that tinted to

brilliance the snow covering the lawn and flecking the dark evergreens;

while here and there a pendant icicle or the rime-covered bough of a

tree coruscated like a crystal prism. Mark stood for some time in

contemplation. He heard the sound of rippling music, the muffled patter

of hoofs and creaking of wheels over the crisp snow as carriage after

carriage deposited its burden at the porch. At length, as if drawn by

some invisible magnet, he went stealthily up the avenue, slinking behind

the evergreens, and endeavored to gain a position whence to look

unobserved through the drawing-room windows. He felt like a spy, and

started at every sound with fear of being discovered, but the temptation

to see Edna was too powerful, and curiosity overcame his scruples.

Climbing on the ledge of a conservatory, he could, by placing his feet

on the chamfered stone-work of the building, reach the level of a large

bay-window at one end of the drawing-room. An inside sash was partly

open, so that he could both see and hear through the blinds and remain

unperceived. He now witnessed a sight that soon banished his melancholy,

for joy in its fellows has a contagious influence over youth difficult

to resist, and he regretted the foolish resolve he had made to abstain

from joining the party. They were nearly all young people; among them,

however, many strangers to Belton. Mrs. Applegate, who matronized them,

rustled about in a voluminous dress of moire-antique, and young Mrs.

Heath sat in an easy-chair in one corner, resplendent with diamonds and

languidly rattling a Spanish fan, while her lord stood leaning in a

doorway looking sulky, bored, and uncomfortable as he fumbled away at a

pair of tight gloves. The Rev. Spencer Abbott, in the neatest of

clerical attire, was sauntering leisurely from group to group, with his

hands behind his back and an air of mild benignity on his pallid

countenance. Present, too, were Will Hull and his sister Constance, the

Judge's grandchildren, and the Mumbies; Ada, Bob, and the younger

brother, Decatur, a sprig from the Naval Academy, evidently under the

effects of his gilt buttons and embroidered foul-anchors. Mark was not

long in discovering Edna. Her fair face was heightened in color, and

beaming with joy. His eyes followed her eagerly amid the couples that

whirled swiftly by, and he caught glimpses of her satin-shod feet,

arched like an Arab maid's. The music ceased, and the confused chatter

of many voices arose. Close by him came a group of girls prattling

together, and discussing their partners with the frankness of guileless

maidenhood. Scraps of their conversation reached him. One of the girls

was Constance Hull. Said she, "I do so like to dance with Alfred, he

keeps such excellent time."

"But then he parts his hair in the middle, Constance, and I think that

is so horrid. Did you notice his malachite sleeve-buttons and topaz

studs? Wretched taste, isn't it? They say he is engaged too--dear me! I

don't see how any one could marry a person with so little idea of what

is becoming. Do tell me who that gentleman is that was dancing with

Edna? I do think he is too handsome for anything."

"Why, don't you know? Why, it's Sarah Carver's cousin, Fred

Spooner--isn't he splendid? He came all the way from Boston. He's quite

smitten with Edna, and I know she admires him."

Mark's eavesdropping was sufficiently punished by this intelligence, but

he was destined to suffer still further when he saw Edna dancing again

with this admirer, who was a tall blooming fellow, all ease and grace.

He felt a pang of jealousy when he saw them after the dance promenading

together; Spooner chatting with animation and proud of his partner,

while she looked at him evidently pleased and amused at his remarks.

They came directly towards the window and took seats in the recess.

Miss Hull and her companions had left the spot, and the young fellow

probably desired to enjoy a _tete-a-tete_. He was pleading for a flower

from Edna's nosegay. "I beg and beseech you to bestow upon me a bud from

your beautiful bouquet."

"Dear me," said Edna, "what a quantity of B's!"

"Yes, quite a swarm, attracted by your excessive sweetness, of course,"

smirked Spooner, pleased at his effort at wit; while Mark, who had

caught every word, thought it very silly, not to say impertinent.

Edna selected a rosebud, which she gave to her companion, who placed it

in his button-hole. "I shall keep it forever, Miss Heath."

"Indeed, how long is your forever?"

"As long as memory holds a seat in this distracted brain, and longer.

I'll take it home, and when it wilts I'll press it in my prayer-book."

"Where you are sure never to see it again," remarked Edna.

"Merciless Miss Heath!--Excessively warm, though, here, isn't it? Hadn't

I better throw open the top blind?" and with that he pushed it open,

causing Mark to shrink aside to avoid discovery, "Warm as a dog-day,

isn't it? Talking of dogs, are you fond of 'em, Miss Heath? I've got

just the smallest black-and-tan--well, he don't weigh over twenty-three

ounces, and if you would only accept him, I'd be so delighted. I think

the world of him, and to know that he was constantly near you, would

make me the happiest feller in existence. To be sure his ears aren't

cropped yet. Do you like cropped black-and-tans? Or if you'd prefer a

Spitz? I've got a real nice Spitz, but he's snappish. Spitzes are apt to

be snappish, haven't you noticed? But then he's just as good a ratter as

any black-and-tan you ever saw. When you come to Boston, if you and

Sarah Carver will only come to Roxbury--"

By this time, the Rev. Spencer Abbott, who was on his third round of

inspection, came up with a graceful droop to the couple: "Reposing after

the fatigue of the dance, I presume, Miss Edna? What a beautiful

bouquet! Really, Miss Edna, I think you have the most beautiful bouquet

of any young lady present. Miss Mumbie has an elegant one, but the

blending of hues is hardly so artistic in hers. Yours, ah--presents to

the eye of the observer such a--such an exquisite juxtaposition of

colors. How fragrant, too! Roses--heliotrope--Dame Nature's jewels. What

a singularly beautiful conceit and myth that was of the ancients, that

roses sprang from the blood of Venus. Dear me, there's quite a draught

here. Ah! I see--a window down--aren't you afraid of catching cold?

Lovely as a Lapland night--a majestic one, truly! How forcibly is one

reminded of Milton's noble lines:

"'How glows the firmament with living sapphires

Hesperus that led--'"

Fortunately for Miss Heath, who feared the parson was about to favor her

with a book or two of "Paradise Lost," Bob Mumbie came up to claim her

for a redowa, and the Rev. Spencer Abbott sauntered off and betook

himself to a critical examination, accompanied with poetical comments,

of Mercedita Heath's fan. Mark noticed that Edna had left her

handkerchief on the tripod near the window, and as Fred Spooner had

darted away with Miss Mumbie and the coast was clear, a sudden and

uncontrollable desire seized him to possess this handkerchief. Yielding

to the impulse, and without further reflection, he raised the lower sash

of the window, crouched under the tripod, snatched the coveted article,

and frightened at his temerity, instantly withdrew. He hastened

homeward, pressing the bit of cambric to his lips, and rhapsodizing as

he went along like a demented Strephon. When he arrived home, he found

his sister-in-law sitting up for him. She noticed that he looked

somewhat flushed and disturbed, but as he seemed to avoid her

scrutinizing eyes, she did not question him.

What a night of fever and torment he passed! The conflicting emotions

that agitated him banished sleep. The delicate web he had filched lay

under his burning cheek and throbbing temples; its subtle perfume

intoxicated him, evoking ecstatic glamour and vivid visions of Edna's

face radiant with joy and beauty. Then jealousy swept the chords of his

sensitive nature, as he recalled the smiles bestowed on his presumed

rival, and bitter curses on his defective foot followed, until, in the

struggle between tumultuous passion and reason, his better sense

triumphed, and tears bedewed his eyes--tears of vexation that he should

be so childish, so vain, and envious. As he lay thus, his door was

softly opened, and he heard the voice of his sister-in-law inquiring if

he were indisposed?

"No, no, Sister Margaret, thank you. Please don't disturb yourself."

"I heard a noise, and feared you might be taken ill."

"No, thank you. Please leave me." His heart was stilled at this fresh

evidence of tender solicitude on the part of one, who had been to him

all that a mother could be. He contrasted her calm, cheerful ways and

unselfishness with his egotism and discontent. Repentant, he prayed to

be forgiven, and soon after fell asleep.