Disguise, I see thou art a wickedness,
Wherein the pregnant enemy does much.
SHAKSPEARE.
There was no sleep for Randolph that night. One moment had dissipated
all the dreams of his youth. One word had dissolved the airy castle.
Henceforth he was Trevethlan. So sudden a change, brought about in
such a manner, could not but cause great agitation, yet in the midst
of all his tumultuous reflections Randolph felt a secret satisfaction.
He exulted in the resumption of his name; he felt an energy developing
itself within him, very opposite in character to the irresolution
which for some time had paralyzed his will. Yet he was saddened by the
thought of the sister who had cheered his way, and encouraged his
progress. Happy, say we with the good chaplain of Trevethlan Castle,
happy is the man who, in the days of his apprenticeship to the world,
after he has quitted the home of his youth, and before he has founded
a home of his own, has a sister to share his dwelling, and save him
from the miserable existence of a young bachelor. Happy is he who has
a smile ever ready to welcome him to his fireside, to cheer his
evening, and protect him from himself. What talents had not been
squandered, what evil had been averted, what ruin prevented, by such
companionship! No one cause, perhaps, has wrecked so many fair hopes
and promises as the want of a home.
Helen saw a marked change in her brother's countenance when they met
for breakfast. The anxiety she had long noticed with regret had
vanished, and was succeeded by an air of grave determination. She
asked him a few questions concerning the party, but finding him absent
and taciturn, soon desisted. Pleasure gleamed in her eyes, however,
when, in answer to Mr. Peach, who put his head in at the door to
inquire if Randolph would accompany him to town, the latter thanked
him, and declined.
"And quite right, my good sir," said Cornelius, advancing into the
room. "What saith Marsilius Ficinus, one of old Burton's quaint
physicians? 'Other men look to their tools; a painter will wash his
pencils, a smith take heed to his forge, and a husband-man to his
plough; a falconer and a huntsman care for their hawks and hounds;
only scholars neglect that instrument--their brain and spirits, I
mean--which they daily use, and by which they range over all the
world, but which by much study is consumed.' But I protest--I beg
pardon--and hark! there's the stage. Good-morning, Miss
Morton--good-morning."
And with several bows he bustled out of the little parlour.
"A kind-hearted creature," observed Randolph, "as ever breathed. I
should like to bring him and our Polydore together. They would quite
love one another."
Helen had smiled at her brother's idea, before she noticed the gravity
with which he spoke. She then looked somewhat disturbed. In spite of
all Randolph's care, she had partly suspected the cause of his
solicitude, and had consulted Mr. Riches on the subject, suggesting
also that it might be well if they could visit Trevethlan in the
spring. The chaplain's answer had only arrived the preceding day.
There was a certain quaintness about it characteristic of the writer.
"My dear Helen," Polydore said--"your letter has warmed the heart of
your old master. I am proud that you should seek my advice, and
prouder that you so little need it. The disguise wrong? Surely I
think not. By what shall our actions be judged but by our motives?
Always provided that we do not evil that good may come. Of the
worthiness of your motive there can be no question. Is there
anything unworthy in the means? Surely, I say, I think not. When the
daw dresses himself in the peacock's plumage, we laugh and despise
him, if it is from vanity; we frown and strip him, if it is for
deceit. So the wolf cannot assume the sheep's clothing without
treachery, nor can the ass wear the lion's skin without contempt.
So, again, I prefer Alfred neglecting the neatherd's cakes, to
Alfred harping in the camp of the Danes. A king may work with honour
in a shipwright's yard, but a king should not condescend to become a
spy.
"Yet is disguise always an awkward thing. Concealment is repugnant
to a candid mind. I like it not myself, and I appreciate the
scruples you attribute to Randolph. I had rather you were
Trevethlans to the world, as to me. But he thinks himself precluded.
We will not dwell upon that. He must be idle, or he must labour
under a veil. What abstract harm is there in the metamorphosis? Whom
does it wrong? Ah, my dear Helen, I fear I am becoming entangled in
sophisms: the path which appeared so direct when I began to write,
already seems devious and difficult. To your own conscience, and to
Him who directs it, I must leave you, confident that under His
guidance you can never go astray.
"But I am warranted in cautioning you against a rash judgment. You
have delighted me, and not only me, but also our friend Griffith,
and his good helpmate, with the proposal, if it be feasible, of a
vernal visit. Thereanent have we held a council; and we decide that
it can be done, and saving respect, shall be done. Oh! how I long
for the day! But that is not what I was about to say. Oh! yes.
Postpone until then our deliberations. Let Randolph become versed in
the mysteries of his craft. And when you are here, we will plead the
cause in form, to rejoinder and sur-rejoinder, rebutter and
sur-rebutter. Above all, we will have dilatory pleas in favour of
remaining at Trevethlan. You see I have been taking lessons--ahem!
"Little news at Trevethlan: not good that little. The miners still
disturbed: troops located here and there: rumours very frequent. Our
Jeffrey has strengthened the defences of the castle, and sleeps, or
wakes, with a loaded blunderbuss. He has consulted me as to whether
the cannon on the battlements are safe to fire. And worse, Edward
Owen, of our own village, is said to be much with the disaffected.
The gossips report, he frets for Mercy Page. And the pretty Mercy
frets too, for she has lost her sweetheart. I wish she would not
discompose Owen. In the castle we are all quite well, and every one
commends himself or herself to you.
"May Heaven bless you, and so farewell!
"POLYDORE RICHES."
There was an indecision in this letter, which made Helen unwilling to
show it to her brother immediately. She was very far from imagining
how completely all its intentions were already superseded. She now
anxiously awaited an explanation of the grave expression of Randolph's
countenance.
"Sister," he said, "my own sister, it is all over. The bubble has
burst. We return immediately to Trevethlan."
"Home!" Helen exclaimed, displaying, both in voice and mien, the most
lively astonishment, "What change is this, Randolph?"
"You remember the lady we saw at the opera," the brother said rapidly.
"The miniature--the wife of Philip Pendarrel. I encountered her last
night, heard her desire her husband to learn who I was, saved him the
trouble, confronting her, and announcing my name--Randolph
Trevethlan."
There was a short silence. Then the speaker resumed.
"Thank Heaven! I am free. Free from that double-faced servitude. I can
look men in the face without fear or shame. I am firm on my feet, let
the tempest howl round me as it will. Dearest," he continued folding
his sister to his bosom, "pardon me for thus sudden rupture of all our
hopes. We will forget them, or think of them as a chapter of romance."
"Is it inevitable?" Helen asked in a low tone.
"Ay," Randolph answered. "The disguise has led me to the brink of an
abyss. Even now I know not whether I have recoiled in time. Forgive
me, I am scarcely calm. One day I may tell you more. But let us for
ever shake off this degrading masquerade. We will go home to
Trevethlan. Will you not like to see the sea beating at our feet? It
is vain to regret. Ah, me! It is hopeless to forget."
Peremptoriness and fondness mingled both in his word and manner. He
kissed his sister's cheek.
"Write, dearest, to Polydore," he continued. "The news will make him
sad. You will soften it better than I. Say, we will be at home
immediately after the letter. For myself, I have much to do."
Helen obeyed, with many a thought of the surprise which her letter
would occasion, coming so close upon that communication of the
chaplain's, which the reader has just perused. And Randolph drew up a
memorial to the benchers of his Inn, in which he very briefly stated
the case, and petitioned for the removal of his name from their books,
a matter of course. With this he proceeded to town, and delivered it
at the proper office. He then called upon Rereworth. His friend had
not yet heard of the scene at Mrs. Winston's.
"Rereworth," he said, "I have a tale to tell you, and an apology to
make. Let it be done in the fresh air. Come with me into the gardens."
So they went down into those pleasant grounds, rife with historical
recollections, and not long previously the field of exercise for that
regiment of legal volunteers, which ambiguous wit designated "the
devil's own." May we never see a year like eighteen hundred and
eleven!
"You little thought," said Randolph, as they paced the terrace by the
Thames, "that in presenting me to Mrs. Winston last night, you
introduced a relation."
Rereworth turned and looked at the speaker with unfeigned surprise.
"Under the name of Winston," the latter continued, "I did not
recognize a Pendarrel. I am Randolph Trevethlan. Yes, you may well
show astonishment. But bear with me a moment. No mean purpose lurked
under my masquerade.
"You know that the last owner of Trevethlan Castle had long lost the
means of maintaining his house. I inherited a ruin and a name. To
restore the one, without degrading the other, was the hope of my life.
Doubtless the supposed retreat to the continent, of my sister and
myself, was attributed to motives of economy. But we had a very
different object in view. Reared in that lonely castle by the sea,
ignorant of society, enthusiasts perhaps by nature, we taught
ourselves to look forward to a renovation of our old splendour, and to
my success in a profession as the means. We read of such things in our
library. But there was one obstacle. My poor father--a man of much
sorrow, Rereworth--had the feelings which--which men often have. With
his dying breath he forbade me to risk the fame of his race in such an
enterprise. It was then I mentioned the plan I had devised with my
sister. The world might suppose us to be sojourning in a strange land,
while in fact we stayed here, and I toiled under a feigned name in an
honourable profession. With a struggle my father consented to the
scheme. Our steward introduced me as Morton to Mr. Winter, and that
gentleman procured me admission to the Temple. But the dream has
vanished away."
So far Randolph spoke firmly and quickly. But his voice trembled, and
his words came more slowly as he proceeded.
"You may know the terms--but it matters not. Mrs. Pendarrel was once
acquainted with my father. I suppose she detected a likeness in me. I
heard her inquire about me last night. To be Morton in her presence!
It was what I could not bear. I avowed my name.--You will yourself
excuse the imposition. You will excuse it for me to Mrs. Winston as
best you may."
Rereworth's wonder had increased with every word he heard. It was so
strange an encroachment on the ordinary monotony of life. He was aware
of the quarrel between the late Mr. Trevethlan and Mrs. Pendarrel. He
understood the feelings which had prompted Randolph. He regretted the
termination of his career. It was the last sentiment that he expressed
in his answer.
"Trevethlan," he said, "no apology will be necessary. Forgive me, if I
grieve that your intentions should be defeated. For you may know that
this makes your admission here void. But believe me, my regard was not
for your name, and will be unaltered."
"I care for nothing else," said Randolph. "Already I have petitioned
the bench. My sister and I return to Cornwall directly. Since you are
so kind, perhaps you will spend the evening with us."
Rereworth consented, and his friend left him musing in the gardens.
This then was the romance which surrounded the brother and sister, and
the solution of the peculiarities upon which he had often meditated.
The form of Helen Trevethlan stole gently into his reverie, not
unwelcome. He was sorry to think she was going away, but at the same
time glad that he was to see her again before she left. He pondered on
the family feud, which was nothing to him--his relationship being with
the Winstons--and gratified himself with the idea that he might
possibly have prepared the way to a reconciliation. So ignorant was he
of the true state of the case. But his thoughts continually reverted
to the dark eyes of Randolph's sister. He was himself on the point of
being called to the bar, having completed his course of preparation,
and he asked himself whether a house and a wife would not be agreeable
possessions.
Meantime his friend went and discovered himself to Mr. Winter. The
lawyer was much annoyed, and looked very grave.
"I will not conceal from you, Mr. Trevethlan, since so I must call
you," he said, after some reflection, "that your story gives me great
dissatisfaction. It is only a blunder, but I wish my old friend
Griffith had consulted me before sanctioning this scheme, and
implicating me in it."
Randolph protested that the blame was imputable solely to himself.
"I know," said the lawyer, "I know all you would say. I am not
attributing any fault to anybody. But I am vexed. I thought Griffith
was more a man of the world. As for the worthy chaplain, parsons are
seldom men of business. But I wish my old friend had confided in me."
"It was my fault he did not," said Randolph.
"In truth," Winter observed, "now I know all this, I am surprised I
did not suspect it before, for you have the family countenance
perfectly, Mr. Trevethlan. I know it well. And so has your sister. It
is wonderful I did not think of it."
The conversation diverged to family affairs, and gloomy enough seemed
the fortunes of the house of Trevethlan. At length Randolph took his
leave, having informed the lawyer of his immediate departure for
Cornwall.
The activity and vigour with which he fulfilled his resolution
diverted his thoughts from the flame which burned hotly within him and
indeed inspired his energy. But, in fact, although he did not know it,
he was nearly desperate. He might have felt his own impatience while
Winter was speaking to him. And as he walked alone through the fields,
on his way back to Hampstead, the consciousness of his passion
revived.
"She is mine," he almost muttered aloud--"mine by every right. Family
ties, family feuds, parent's commands, social conventionalities, they
are cobwebs under my hand. She has robbed me of my life; she must give
me herself in exchange. I would die for her; she must live for me. I
go to my home to feel myself a Trevethlan. I shall breathe the air of
my native halls; I shall catch the inspiration of my race; I shall
come forth to trample on form and rule, and to bear off my bride in
defiance of the world. Look to your house, Esther Pendarrel. The bars
are unbroken, the locks are unforced. Where is your child? In the
castle by the sea. Weep, proud woman--weep and rend your hair for her
who shall never return! Was it not enough to destroy the father, but
the son also must be crushed? But I am made of sterner stuff. The heel
will be bruised that tramples me. I will not play the game of my foe.
Look to your house. Did the watchman slumber? Who shall watch love?
The wind of midnight bore her the message, and she fled. The bird sang
on the house-top, and she heard the song. The stars of heaven, ay,
that star we looked upon last night, summoned her away. Fasten your
windows, muster your guards, note her downsitting and her uprising.
What! is her place empty? Search highest and lowest. Gone? Yes, she is
mine! she is mine!"
There was a softening influence in the conviction, wildly as it was
expressed. Randolph's exaltation subsided as he became intimately
persuaded that his passion must have a happy issue, in spite of the
difficulties which seemed to threaten its course, and he was calm and
collected when he arrived at his dwelling and joined his sister. But
he was anxious for action, motion--anything but repose--and it was
agreed that they should depart the very next day.
Rereworth came to them, according to his engagement, some time before
sun-set, and, as it was a fine genial evening, they strolled to the
fields above West End, and looked on the pleasant landscape, so
agreeably described by the author of the 'Sketch Book,' "with its soft
bosom of green pasturage lying open to the south, and dotted with
cattle; the steeple of Hampstead rising among rich groves on the brow
of the hill; and the learned height of Harrow in the distance." Even
at this dull season, though the trees were leafless and the hedges
bare, the prospect was not without its beauties; and Rereworth
discoursed of them to Helen in a manner which, to him at least, was
particularly interesting.
For some time they had the conversation--rather serious it was--to
themselves; Randolph taking no part. But when it diverged to the
opera, and from thence to the preternatural drama, and from thence to
what Madame de Stael termed the _cote nocturne de la nature_, he
suddenly exclaimed:
"There is a strange fascination in these things. Presentiments seem to
be so often fulfilled."
"Because," Rereworth said, "they are generally felt where the result
is probable. What was more likely than that Henri Quatre should die by
the dagger of an assassin? These pretended second-sights, of all
kinds, must, in fact, be revelations. And to admit their truth, is to
depreciate the value of Revelation. I explain the whole thing with
four lines from Wordsworth:
'What strange and wayward thoughts will slide
Into a lover's head!
Ah, mercy! to myself I cried,
If Lucy should be dead!'"
"And suppose Lucy's wraith flitted by at the moment," said Helen,
smiling.
"All in white, uncommonly like a shred of mist," added Rereworth.
"Yet," Randolph urged, "there is something very picturesque in these
superstitions, if such they must be called."
"Certainly," said his friend. "I enjoy them, but I do not believe
them. I enjoy them more than those who believe and tremble. I love a
good legend, or even a well-invented modern tale of gramarye."
"We shall all be mystified by the author of 'Waverley,'" Helen said.
"Already we have had Fergus's strange monitor, and the fortune told
for Henry Bertram, and the Ravenswood prophecy, every one of them
verified in the event."
"The constant return to such machinery," remarked Randolph, "shows how
readily it finds belief."
"It is continually supported by coincidences," Rereworth answered.
"Under striking circumstances, a man dreams of his absent friend. On
the same night the latter dies. Granted in all the fulness of mystery.
Now how many people were in the same relative position at the same
time? How many dreamt or fancied the same thing? Hundreds? Thousands?
Ay,--tens of thousands. Out of myriads of dreams one is verified. It
proves the baselessness of the fabric."
"One never hears of the dreams which do not come true," observed
Helen.
"No, Miss Trevethlan," Seymour said. "These visions and the sayings
of fortune-tellers are tentative; like those famous miracles, the
stoppage of which occasioned the well-known epigram--
'De par le roi, defense a Dieu,
De faire miracle en ce lieu.'"
"There is an old dame, not far from us in the country," said Helen,
"who I have heard, has threatened a violent death to half Penwith."
"Dismal individual!" exclaimed Rereworth.
"Our host complains," Helen continued, "of the decay of these old
wonders. There's not a child in Hampstead, he says, but will cross the
churchyard by night."
"Ay," said Randolph, "the age is incredulous. For my part, I should
like to be a visionary."
Helen perceived that her brother spoke rather moodily.
"The sun is setting," she said. "If we stay much longer, we shall have
it dark enough to encounter some spectre ourselves. Let us go home."
So they went. Rereworth lingered with them as long as he could,
thinking of the distance which would soon divide him from Helen.
Should they ever meet again? He felt that it only rested with himself
to strengthen the favourable impression he had already made. But would
not absence efface it? It was a question which must be left to time.
He was not certain of his own feelings. He had arranged a
correspondence with Randolph. He should therefore at least hear of
Helen. He fancied there was an unusual gloominess in his chambers that
night. The fire was out; and when he lighted his lamp, the dark
wainscotting of the walls, which he used to admire, wore a sombre
appearance. He retired to rest and dreamt of Trevethlan Castle.
The orphans thought it unnecessary to reveal themselves to their good
host and hostess. They merely said that circumstances called them
suddenly home. They had but few adieus to make, trifling matters to
settle, little baggage to pack. Cornelius and his sister had become
attached to their lodgers, and parted with them with more than
ordinary regret. Mr. Peach expressed his grief that they had come to
Hampstead late in the fall and quitted it before the Spring. They knew
not the beauties of his favourite suburb. His even cheerfulness was
shaded for a moment; he was reminded that he had a side to the wall.
He insisted on accompanying his young friends to the ancient inn from
which they were to start. And strange humours thronged upon his fancy,
while he stood in the court of the old-fashioned hostelry, when the
rattling mail had departed, looked up at the fantastic open galleries,
and peopled them with the guests of by-gone days. He went up to
Hampstead in a mood more serious than his wont; smoked his pipe
tranquilly a long time, while Clotilda sat knitting him a comforter,
and finished the evening with a desultory discourse on the beauties
and merits of his never-forgotten Mabel.