"For true repentance never comes too late;
As soon as born she makes herself a shroud,
The weeping mantle of a fleecy cloud,
And swift as thought her airy journey takes,
Her hand Heaven's azure gate with trembling strikes.
The stars do with amazement on her look:
She tells her story in so sad a tone,
That angels start from bliss, and give a groan."--LEE.
NARRATIVE OF LADY DUNREATH.
Adoring the Power who has given me means of making restitution for my
injustice, I take up my pen to disclose to your view, oh! lovely orphan
of the injured Malvina, the frailties of a heart which has long been
tortured with the retrospect of past and the pressure of present evil.
Convinced, as I have already said, that if your mind, as well as form,
resembles your mother's, you will, while you condemn the sinner,
commiserate the penitent, and, touched by that penitence, offer up a
prayer to Heaven (and the prayers of innocence are ever availing) for
its forgiveness unto me. Many years are now elapsed since the
commencement of my confinement, years which diminished my hope of being
able to make reparation for the injustice and cruelty I had done Lady
Malvina Fitzalan, but left unabated my desire of doing so.
Ah! sweet Malvina! from thy soft voice I was doomed never to hear my
pardon pronounced; but from thy child I may, perhaps, have it accorded;
if so, from that blissful abode where thou now enjoyest felicity, if the
departed souls of the happy are allowed to view the transactions of this
world, thine, I am convinced, will behold, with benignancy and
compassion, the wretch who covers herself with shame to atone for her
injuries to thee. But I must restrain these effusions of my heart, lest
I encroach too much upon the limited time allotted to make what I may
call my confession, and inform you of particulars necessary to be known.
My cruelty and insolence to Lady Malvina you no doubt already know. In
my conduct to her I forgot the obligations her mother had conferred upon
me, whose patronage and kind protection laid the foundation of my
prosperity. I rejoiced at her marriage with Captain Fitzalan, as a step
that would deprive her of her father's favor, and place her in that
state of poverty which would conceal charms I detested for being
superior to my daughter's. The earl's resentment was violent at first;
but with equal surprise and concern I soon perceived it gradually
subsiding. The irrevocableness of the deed, the knowledge that he wanted
no acquisition of fortune, above all, Fitzalan's noble descent, and the
graces and virtues he possessed, worthy of the highest station, dwelt
upon the earl's imagination, and pleaded strongly in extenuation of his
daughter. Alarmed lest my schemes against her should be rendered
abortive, like an evil spirit, I contrived to rekindle, by means of my
agents, the earl's resentment. They represented the flagrant, the daring
contempt Lady Malvina had shown to paternal authority, and that too easy
a forgiveness of it might influence her sister to similar conduct with a
person perhaps less worthy, and more needy, if possible, than Fitzalan.
This last suggestion had the desired effect, and Lady Malvina he
declared in future should be considered as an alien to his family.
I now hoped my ambitious views, relative to my daughter, would be
accomplished. I had long wished her united to the Marquis of Roslin; but
he had for years been Lady Malvina's admirer, and was so much attached
to her, that on her marriage he went abroad. My arts were then tried to
prevail on the earl to make a will in Lady Augusta's favor; but this was
a point I could not accomplish, and I lived in continual apprehension
lest his dying intestate should give Lady Malvina the fortune I wanted
to deprive her of. Anxious, however, to procure a splendid establishment
for my daughter, I everywhere said there was no doubt but she would be
sole heiress to the earl. At the expiration of three years the marquis
returned to his native country. His unfortunate passion was subdued; he
heard and believed the reports I circulated, and stimulated by avarice,
his leading propensity, offered his hand to my daughter and was
accepted. The earl gave her a large portion in ready money; but
notwithstanding all my endeavors, would not make a settlement of any of
his estates upon her. I, however, still hoped, and the marquis, from
what I said, believed that she would possess all his fortune. My
daughter's nuptials added to my natural haughtiness. They also increased
my love of pleasure, by affording me more amply the means of gratifying
it at the sumptuous entertainments at the marquis's castle. Engaged
continually in them, the earl, whose infirmities confined him to the
Abbey, was left to solitude and the care of his domestics. My neglect,
you will say, was impolitic whilst I had any point to carry with him;
but Providence has so wisely ordained it that vice should still defeat
itself. Had I always acted in uniformity with the tenderness I once
showed the earl, I have little doubt but what at last I should have
prevailed on him to act as I pleased; but, infatuated by pleasure, my
prudence, no--it deserves not such an appellation--forsook me. Though
the earl's body was a prey to the infirmities of age, his mind knew none
of its imbecilities, and he sensibly felt and secretly resented my
neglect. The more he reflected on it, the more he contrasted it with the
attention he was accustomed to receive from his banished Malvina, and
the resentment I had hitherto kept alive in his mind against her
gradually subsided, so that he was well prepared to give a favorable
reception to the little innocent advocate she sent to plead her cause.
My terror, my dismay, when I surprised the little Oscar at the knee of
his grandfather, are not to be described. The tears which the agitated
parent shed upon the infant's lovely cheek seemed to express affection
for its mother, and regret for his rigor to her. Yet amidst those tears
I thought I perceived an exulting joy as he gazed upon the child, which
seemed to say, "Thou wilt yet be the pride, the prop, the ornament, of
my ancient house." After circumstances proved I was right in my
interpretation of his looks. I drove the little Oscar from the room with
frantic rage. The earl was extremely affected. He knew the violence of
my temper, and felt too weak to enter into any altercation with me. He
therefore reserved his little remaining strength and spirits to arrange
his affairs, and by passiveness seemed yielding to my sway; but I soon
found, though silent, he was resolute.
My preventing your brother from again gaining access to his grandfather,
and my repulsing your mother when she requested an interview with the
earl, I suppose you already know. Gracious Heaven! my heart sickens,
even at this remote period, when I reflect on the night I turned her
from her paternal home--from that mansion under whose roof her
benevolent mother had sheltered my tender years from the rude storms of
adverse life. Oh, black and base ingratitude! dire return for the
benefits I had received; yet, almost at the very instant I committed so
cruel an action she was avenged. No language can describe my horrors, as
conscience represented to me the barbarity of my conduct. I trembled
with involuntary fears. Sounds had power to terrify. Every blast which
shook the Abbey (and dreadful was the tempest of that night), made me
shrink as if about to meet with an instantaneous punishment.
"I trembled at my undivulged crimes
Unwhipped of justice----"
I knew the earl expected either to see or hear from your mother. He was
ignorant of the reception she had met from me, and I was determined, if
possible, he should continue so. As soon as certified of Lady Malvina's
departure from the neighborhood of the Abbey, I contrived a letter in
Captain Fitzalan's name to the earl, filled with the most cutting and
insolent reproaches to him for his conduct to his daughter, and imputing
her precipitate departure from Scotland to it. These unjust reproaches,
I trusted, would irritate the earl, and work another revolution in his
mind; but I was disappointed. He either believed the letter a forgery,
or else resolved the children should not suffer for the fault of the
parent. He accordingly sent for his agent, an eminent lawyer in one of
the neighboring towns. This man was lately deceased, but his son, bred
to his profession, obeyed the summons to the Abbey. I dreaded his
coming; but scarcely had I seen him, ere this dread was lost in
emotions, till then unknown. A soft, a tender, an ardent passion took
possession of my heart, on beholding a man, in the very prime of life,
adorned with every natural and acquired grace that could please the eye
and ear. Married at an early period, possessed of all the advantages of
art, said and believing myself to be handsome, I flattered myself I
might on his heart make an impression equal to that he had done on mine.
If so, I thought how easily could the earl's intentions in favor of his
daughter be defeated, for that love will readily make sacrifices I had
often heard. A will was made, but my new ideas and schemes divested me
of uneasiness about it. Melross continued at the Abbey much longer than
he need have done, and when he left it, his absence was of short
continuance. The earl's business was his pretext his long and frequent
visits. But the real motive of them he soon discovered to me,
encouraged, no doubt, by the partiality I betrayed.
I shall not dwell upon this part of my story; but I completed my crime
by violating my conjugal fidelity, and we entered into an engagement to
be united whenever I was at liberty, which, from the infirm state of the
earl, I now believed would shortly be the case. In consequence of this,
Melross agreed to put into my hands the earl's will, which had been
intrusted to his care, and, he acknowledged, drawn up entirely in favor
of Lady Malvina Fitzalan and her offspring. It was witnessed by friends
of his, whom he had no doubt of bribing to silence. You may wonder that
the will was not destroyed as soon as I had it in my possession. But to
do so never was my intention. By keeping it in my hands, I trusted I
should have a power over my daughter, which duty and affection had never
yet given me. Violent and imperious in her disposition, I doubted not
but she and the marquis, who nearly resembled her in these particulars,
would endeavor to prevent, from pride and selfishness, my union with
Melross. But to know they were in my power would crush all opposition, I
supposed, and obtain their most flattering notice for him--a notice,
from my pride, I found essential to my tranquillity. The earl requested
Melross to inquire about Lady Malvina, which he promised to do, but, it
is almost unnecessary to say, never fulfilled such a promise.
In about a year after the commencement of my attachment for Melross the
earl expired, and the marchioness inherited his possessions by means of
a forged will executed by Melross. Ignorant, indeed, at the time, that
it was by iniquity she obtained them, though her conduct since that
period has proved she would not have suffered any compunction from such
a knowledge, I removed from the Abbey to an estate about fifteen miles
from it, which the earl had left me, and here, much sooner than decency
would have warranted, avowed my intention of marrying Melross, to the
marquis and marchioness of Roslin. The consequences of this avowal were
pretty much what I expected. The marquis, more by looks than words
expressed his contempt; but the marchioness openly declared her
indignation. To think of uniting myself to a being so low in life and
fortune, she said, as Melross, was an insult to the memory of her
father, and a degradation to his illustrious house; it would also be a
confirmation of the scandalous reports which had already been circulated
to the prejudice of my character about him. Her words roused all the
violence of my soul. I upbraided her with ingratitude to a parent, who
had stepped beyond the bounds of rigid propriety to give her an increase
of fortune. My words alarmed her and the marquis. They hastily demanded
an explanation of them. I did not hesitate in giving one, protesting at
the same time that I would no longer hurt my feelings on their account,
as I found no complaisance to my wishes, but immediately avow Lady
Malvina Fitzalan the lawful heiress of the Earl of Dunreath. The marquis
and marchioness changed color; I saw they trembled lest I should put my
threats into execution, though with consummate art they pretended to
disbelieve that such a will as I mentioned existed.
"Beware," cried I, rising from my chair to quit the room, "lest I give
you too convincing a proof of its reality; except I meet with the
attention and complaisance I have a right to expect, I shall no longer
act contrary to the dictates of my conscience by concealing it.
Unlimited mistress of my own actions, what but affection for my daughter
could make me consult her upon any of them? Her disapprobation proceeds
alone from selfishness, since an alliance with Melross, from his
profession, accomplishments, and birth, would not disgrace a house even
more illustrious than the one she is descended from or connected to."
I retired to my chamber, secretly exulting at the idea of having
conquered all opposition, for I plainly perceived by the marquis and
marchioness's manner, they were convinced it was in my power to deprive
them of their newly-acquired possessions, which, to secure, I doubled
not their sacrificing their pride to my wishes. I exulted in the idea of
having my nuptials with Melross celebrated with that splendor I always
delighted in, and the prospect of having love and vanity gratified,
filled me with a kind of intoxicating happiness.
In a few hours after I had retired to my room, the marchioness sent to
request an interview with me, which I readily granted. She entered the
apartment with a respectful air, very unusual to her, and immediately
made an apology for her late conduct. She acknowledged I had reason to
be offended, but a little reflection had convinced her of her error, and
both she and the marquis thanked me for consulting them about the change
I was about making in my situation, and would pay every attention in
their power to the man I had honored with my choice. That I did not
think the marchioness sincere in her professions you may believe, but
complaisance was all I required. I accompanied her to the marquis; a
general reconciliation ensued, and Melross was presented to them. In
about two days after this the marchioness came into my dressing-room
one morning, and told me she had a proposal to make, which she hoped
would be agreeable to me to comply with. It was the marquis's intention
and hers to go immediately to the continent, and they had been thinking,
if Melross and I would favor them with our company, that we had better
defer our nuptials till we reached Paris, which was the first place they
intended visiting, as their solemnization in Scotland so soon after the
earl's decease might displease his friends, by whom we were surrounded,
and, on their return, which would be soon, they would introduce Melross
to their connections as a man every way worthy of their notice. After a
little hesitation I agreed to this plan, for where it interfered not
with my own inclinations I wished to preserve an appearance of propriety
to the world, and I could not avoid thinking my marrying so soon after
the earl's death would draw censure upon me, which I should avoid by the
projected tour, as the certain time of my nuptials could not then be
ascertained. Melross submitted cheerfully to our new arrangements, and
it was settled farther, to preserve appearances, that he should go
before us to Paris. I supplied him with everything requisite for making
an elegant appearance and he departed in high spirits at the prospect of
his splendid establishment for life.
I counted the moments with impatience for rejoining him, and as had been
settled, we commenced our journey a month after his departure. It was
now the middle of winter, and ere we stopped for the night, darkness,
almost impenetrable, had veiled the earth. Fatigued, and almost
exhausted by the cold, I followed the marquis through a long passage,
lighted by a glimmering lamp, to a parlor which was well lighted and had
a comfortable fire. I started with amazement on entering it at finding
myself in a place I thought familiar to me; my surprise however, was but
for an instant, yet I could not help expressing it to the marquis. "Your
eyes, madam," cried he, with a cruel solemnity, "have not deceived you,
for you are now in Dunreath Abbey!" "Dunreath Abbey!" I repeated:
"Gracious Heaven! what can be the meaning of this?" "To hide your folly,
your imprudence, your deceit from the world," he exclaimed; "to prevent
your executing the wild projects of a depraved and distempered mind, by
entering into a union at once contemptible and preposterous, and to save
those, from whom alone you derive your consequence by your connection
with them, farther mortification on your account."
To describe fully the effect of this speech upon a heart like mine is
impossible; the fury which pervaded my soul would, I believe, have
hurried me into a deed of dire revenge, had I had the power of executing
it; my quivering lips could not express my strong indignation.
"And do you then, in a country like this," I cried, "dare to think you
can deprive me of my liberty?" "Yes," replied he, with insulting
coolness, "when it is known you are incapable of making a proper use of
that liberty. You should thank me," he continued, "for palliating your
late conduct, by imputing it rather to an intellectual derangement than
to total depravity. From what other source than the former could you
have asserted that there was a will in Lady Malvina Fitzalan's favor?"
These words at once developed the cause of his unjustifiable conduct,
and proved that there is no real faith between the guilty. From my
disposition the marquis was convinced that I would assume a haughty sway
over him, in consequence of the secret of the will. He also dreaded that
passion or caprice might one day induce me to betray that secret, and
wrest from him his unlawful possessions. Thus pride and avarice tempted
and determined him, by confining me, to rid himself of these fears. "Oh!
would to Heaven," cried I, replying to the last part of his speech, "I
had proved my assertion; had I done justice to others, I should not have
been entangled in the snare of treachery." "Prove the assertion now,"
said he, "by showing me the will, and you may, perhaps," he continued,
in a hesitating accent, "find your doing so attended with pleasing
consequences."
Rage and scorn flashed from my eyes at these words. "No," cried I, "had
you the power of torturing, you should not tear it from me. I will keep
it to atone for my sins, and expose yours to view by restoring it to the
right owner." I demanded my liberty, I threatened, supplicated, but all
in vain. The marquis told me I might as well compose myself, for my fate
was decided. "You know," cried he, with a malicious look, "you have no
friends to inquire or interfere about you, and, even if you had, when I
told them what I believe to be the case, that your senses were
disordered, they would never desire to have you released from this
confinement." I called for my daughter. "You will see her no more;" he
replied, "the passions she has so long blushed to behold she will no
more witness." "Rather say," I exclaimed, "that she dare not behold her
injured parent; but let not the wretch who has severed the ties of
nature hope to escape unpunished. No, my sufferings will draw a dreadful
weight upon her head, and may, when least expected, torture her heart
with anguish."
Convinced that I was entirely in the marquis's power; convinced that I
had nothing to hope from him or my daughter, rage, horror, and agony, at
their unjust and audacious treatment, kindled in my breast a sudden
frenzy, which strong convulsions only terminated. When I recovered from
them I found myself on a bed in a room which, at the first glance, I
knew to be the one the late Lady Dunreath had occupied, to whose honors
I so unworthily succeeded. Mrs. Bruce, who had been housekeeper at the
Abbey before my marriage, sat beside me; I hesitated a few minutes
whether I should address her as a suppliant or a superior; the latter,
however, being most agreeable to my inclinations, I bid her, with a
haughty air, which I hoped would awe her into obedience, assist me in
rising, and procure some conveyance from the Abbey without delay. The
marquis entered the chamber as I spoke. "Compose yourself, madam," said
he, "your destiny, I repeat, is irrevocable; this Abbey is your future
residence, and bless those who have afforded your follies such an
asylum. It behooves both the marchioness and me indeed to seclude a
woman who might cast imputations on our characters, which those
unacquainted with them might believe." I started from the bed, in the
loose dress in which they had placed me on it, and stamping round the
room, demanded my liberty. The marquis heard my demand with contemptuous
silence, and quitted the room. I attempted to rush after him, but he
pushed me back with violence, and closed the door. My feelings again
brought on convulsions, which terminated in a delirium and fever. In
this situation the marquis and marchioness abandoned me, hoping, no
doubt, that my disorder would soon lay me in a prison even more secure
than the one they had devoted me to. Many weeks elapsed ere I showed any
symptom of recovery. On regaining my senses, I seemed as if awaking from
a tedious sleep, in which I had been tortured with frightful visions.
The first object my eyes beheld, now blessed with the powers of clear
perception, was Mrs. Bruce bending over my pillow, with a look of
anxiety and grief, which implied a wish, yet a doubt, of my recovery.
"Tell me," said I faintly, "am I really in Dunreath Abbey--am I really
confined within its walls by order of my child?"
Mrs. Bruce sighed. "Do not disturb yourself with questions now," said
she; "the reason Heaven has so mercifully restored would be ill employed
in vain murmurs." "Vain murmurs!" I repeated, and a deep, desponding
sigh burst from my heart. I lay silent a long time after this. The gloom
which encompassed me at length grew too dreary to be borne, and I
desired Mrs. Bruce to draw back the curtains of the bed and windows. She
obeyed, and the bright beams of the sun, darting into the room,
displayed to my view an object I could not behold without
shuddering--this was the portrait of Lady Dunreath, exactly opposite the
bed. My mind was softened by illness, and I felt in that moment as if
her sainted spirit stood before me to awaken my conscience to remorse
and my heart to repentance. The benevolence which had irradiated the
countenance of the original with a celestial expression was powerfully
expressed upon the canvas, and recalled, oh! how affectingly to my
memory, the period in which this most amiable of women gave me a refuge
in her house, in her arms, from the storms of life; and yet her child, I
groaned, her child, I was accessory in destroying. Oh! how excruciating
were my feelings at this period of awakened conscience! I no longer
inveighed against my sufferings; I considered them in the light of
retribution, and felt an awful resignation take possession of my soul.
Yes, groaned I to myself, it is fit that in the very spot in which I
triumphed in deceit and cruelty I should meet the punishment due to my
misdeeds.
The change in my disposition produced a similar one in my temper, so
that Mrs. Bruce found the task of attending me easier than she had
imagined it would be; yet I did not submit to confinement without many
efforts to liberate myself through her means; but her fidelity to her
unnatural employers was not to be shaken. Blushing, however, at my past
enormities, I should rather have shrunk from than solicited admission
again into the world, had not my ardent desire of making reparation to
the descendants of Lady Dunreath, influenced me to desire my freedom.
Oh! never did that desire cease--never did a morning dawn, an evening
close, without entreating Heaven to allow me means of restoring to the
injured their inheritance. Mrs. Bruce, though steady, was not cruel, and
nursed me with the tenderest attention till my health was
re-established. She then ceased to see me, except at night, but took
care I should always be amply stocked with necessaries. She supplied me
with religious and moral books; also, materials for writing, if I chose
to amuse myself with making comments on them. To those books am I
indebted for being able to endure, with some degree of calmness, my long
and dreadful captivity. They enlarged my heart, they enlightened its
ideas concerning the Supreme Being, they impressed it with awful
submission to His will, they convinced me more forcibly of my
transgressions, yet without exciting despair; for, while they showed
the horrors of vice, they proved the efficacy of repentance. Debarred of
the common enjoyments of life, air, exercise, and society, in vain my
heart assured me my punishment was inadequate to my crimes; nature
repined, and a total languor seized me. Mrs. Bruce at last told me I
should be allowed the range of that part of the building in which I was
confined (for I had hitherto been limited to one room), and consequently
air from the windows, if I promised to make no attempt for recovering my
freedom,--an attempt, she assured me, which would prove abortive, as
none but people attached to the marquis lived in or about the Abbey, who
would immediately betray me to him; and if he ever detected such a step,
it was his determination to hurry me to France.
Certain that he would be capable of such baseness, touched by the
smallest indulgence, and eager to procure any recreation, I gave her the
most solemn assurances of never attempting to make known my situation.
She accordingly unlocked the several doors that had hitherto impeded my
progress from one apartment to another, and removed the iron bolts which
secured the shutters of the windows. Oh! with what mingled pain and
pleasure did I contemplate the rich prospect stretched before them, now
that I was debarred from enjoying it. At liberty, I wondered how I could
ever have contemplated it with a careless eye; and my spirits, which the
air had revived, suddenly sunk into despondence, when I reflected I
enjoyed this common blessing but by stealth; yet who (cried I, with
agony) can I blame but myself? The choicest gifts of Heaven were mine,
and I lost them by my own means. Wretch as I was, the first temptation
that assailed warped me from integrity, and my error is marked by the
deprivation of every good. With eager, with enthusiastic delight, I
gazed on scenes which I had so often before regarded with a careless
eye; it seemed as if I had only now perception to distinguish their
beauties: the season's difference made a material change to me, as all
the windows were shut up in winter, except those of the apartment I
occupied, which only looked into a gloomy court. Ah! how welcome to me,
then, was the return of spring, which again restored to me the
indulgence of visiting the windows. How delightful to my eyes the green
of the valley, and the glowing bloom of the mountain shrubs just
bursting into verdure! Ah! how soothing to my ear the lulling sound of
waterfalls, and the lively carol of the birds; how refreshing the
sweetness of the air, the fragrance of the plants, which friendly
zephyrs, as if pitying my confinement, wafted through the windows. The
twilight hour was also hailed by me with delight; it was then I turned
my eyes from earth to heaven, and, regarding its blue and spangled vault
but as a thin covering between me and myriads of angels, felt a sweet
sensation of mingled piety and pleasure, which for the time had power to
steep my sorrows in forgetfulness! But, in relating my feelings, I
wander from the real purpose of my narrative, and forget that I am
describing those feelings to a person who, from my injurious actions,
can take but little interest in them.
The will I shall deliver to you to-night. I advise you, if your brother
cannot immediately be found, to put it into the hands of some man on
whose abilities and integrity you can rely; but till you meet with such
a person, beware of discovering you have it in your possession, lest the
marquis, who, I am sorry to say, I believe capable of almost any
baseness, should remove from your knowledge the penitent, whose
testimony to the validity of the deed will be so cheerfully given, and
is so materially essential. Be secret, then, I again conjure you, till
everything is properly arranged for the avowal of your rights; and, oh!
may the restoration of all those rights you shall claim, be to you and
to your brother productive of every felicity. From your hands may the
wealth it puts into them bestow relief and comfort on the children of
adversity; thus yielding to your hearts a pure and permanent
satisfaction, which the mere possession of riches, or the expenditure on
idle vanities, never can bestow. As much as possible I wish to have my
daughter saved from public disgrace. From me you will say she merits not
this lenient wish; but, alas! I hold myself accountable for her
misconduct. Intrusted to my care by Providence, I neglected the sacred
charge, nor ever curbed a passion or laid the foundation of a virtue.
Ah! may her wretched parent's prayers be yet availing; may penitence,
ere too late, visit her heart, and teach her to regret and expiate her
errors! Had she been united to a better man, I think she never would
have swerved so widely from nature and from duty; but the selfish soul
of the marquis taught her to regard self as the first consideration in
life.
Mrs. Bruce informed me that the marquis had written to Melross,
informing him that I had changed my mind, and would think no more about
him, and she supposed he had procured some pleasant establishment in
France, as no one had ever heard of his returning from it. She made
several attempts to prevail on me to give up the will to her, but I
resisted all her arts, and was rejoiced to think I had concealed it in a
place which would never be suspected. My narrative now concluded, I
wait with even trembling impatience for your expected visit--for that
moment in which I shall make some reparation for my injuries to your
mother. I am also anxious for the moment in which I shall receive the
promised narrative of your life. From your tears, your words, your
manner, I may expect a tale of sorrow; ah! may it be only that gentle
sorrow which yields to the influence of time, and the sweets of
friendship and conscious innocence.
I cannot forbear describing what I felt on first hearing your voice--a
voice so like in its harmonious tones to one I knew had long been
silent. Impressed with an awful dread, I stood upon the stairs, which I
was descending to visit the chapel, as was my constant custom at the
close of day. Shivering and appalled, I had not for a few minutes power
to move--but when I at last ventured nearer to the door, and saw you
kneeling before the dust-covered shade of her I had injured, when I
heard you call yourself her wretched orphan, ah! what were my emotions?
An awful voice seemed sounding in my ear--"Behold the hour of
retribution is arrived! Behold a being, whom the hand of Providence has
conducted hither to receive reparation for the injustice you did her
parents! Adore that mighty hand which thus affords you means of making
atonement for your offences!" I did adore it. I raised my streaming
eyes, my trembling hands to Heaven, and blessed the gracious Power which
had granted my prayer. The way by which I saw you quit my retirement,
proved to me your entrance into it was unknown. With an impatience
bordering on agony, I waited for the next evening--it came without
bringing you, and no language can express my disappointment. Dejected, I
returned to my chamber, which you entered soon after, and where you
received so great a fright, yet, be assured, not a greater one than I
experienced, for the gleam of moonlight which displayed me to you gave
you full to my view, and I beheld the very form and face of Lady
Malvina. In form and face may you alone resemble her; different, far
different, be your destiny from hers. Soon may your brother be restored
to your arms. Should he then shudder at my name, oh! teach him, with a
mercy like your own, to accord me forgiveness.
Ye sweet and precious descendants of this illustrious house!--ye
rightful heirs of Dunreath Abbey!--may your future joys amply recompense
your past sorrows! May those sorrows be forgotten, or only remembered to
temper prosperity, and teach it pity for the woes of others! May your
virtues add to the renown of your ancestors, and entail eternal peace
upon your souls! May their line by you be continued, and continued as a
blessing to all around! May your names be consecrated to posterity by
the voice of gratitude, and excite in others an emulation to pursue your
courses!
Alas! my unhappy child! why do I not express such a wish for you? I have
expressed it--I have prayed for its accomplishment--I have wept in
bitterness at the idea of its being unavailing; lost to the noble
propensities of nature, it is not from virtue, but from pomp and vanity
you seek to derive pleasure.
Oh! lovely orphans of Malvina, did you but know, or could you but
conceive, the bitter anguish I endure on my daughter's account, you
would think yourselves amply avenged for all your injuries.
Oh, God! ere my trembling soul leaves its frail tenement of clay, let it
be cheered by the knowledge of my child's repentance.
Oh! you young and tender pair, who are about entering into the dangerous
possession of riches, learn from me that their misapplication, the
perversion of our talents, and the neglect of our duties, will, even in
this world, meet their punishment.
Resolute in doing justice to the utmost of my power, I am ready,
whenever I am called upon, to bear evidence to the validity of the will
I shall deliver into your possession. Soon may all it entitles you to be
restored, is the sincere prayer of her who subscribes herself, the truly
penitent
ANNABELLA DUNREATH.