mention Sibella. Heaven avert the omen, if it be one! Yet surely, for
Miss Ashburn advised and I commanded, surely she will be silent.
Murden, 'twas one of the blind mistakes of fortune that Sibella and I
should love each other, directly in the teeth of Mr. Valmont's designs,
and both so absolutely within his power. Heigh-ho! I have been just
taking a view of her picture.--What a divine face! Some day I will make
another copy of this miniature. The hair, beautiful as it is, falls too
forward, and hides the exquisite turn of her neck. How can I endure to
conceal the greater beauty, and display the less! Ah! Should those lips,
lips promising eternal sweets, ever move to the destruction of my hopes,
should they betray me to Mr. Valmont, then Arthur, must they never again
give joy to mine; for, however Sibella's wild energy might inspire me,
while reclined at the foot of a tree, to vow this and to promise that of
fortitude and forbearance, here, in the centre of delights, I feel that
Sibella is as much a dreamer as her uncle. A thousand wants occur, that
I knew not in her arms--wants which possibly her refinements might call
artificial; yet, to me, is their gratification so endeared, as to become
necessary to my existence. Sooner would I quit life, than live unknown
and unknowing. Misled by the power of beauty, methought Sibella spoke
oracles while she talked to me of contentment and independence. Whither
might not the thraldom of her enslaving charms have led me! 'twas
wonderful I escaped ruin! Wonderful that I had strength to persevere in
opposing her intent of declaring to her uncle the secret of that
contract which crowned me with happiness, while it laid the foundation
of a world of fears. Could you see her, and could you taste the
enticements of her caresses, you would wonder too. Heavens! how will my
happy years roll on, should I become securely the inheritor of the
Valmont estates, for then will I reward my fairest, then will I make her
my wife! Oh, that I could find some magic spell to charm her to silence,
to deaden in her the memory of the past, so that I might peaceably enjoy
the present without torturing apprehensions to assail me of Mr.
Valmont's discoveries, of Mr. Valmont's resentments!
But enough of the name of Valmont. Faith, Murden, my thoughts are never
so near the castle as when I write to you; and the reason is plain--I
fly to my pen only when a cessation from pleasure threatens me with
lassitude; and to such a cause, I am frank enough to tell you, you owe
this my letter.
It is now one hour past noon, and I went to bed at nine this morning. My
limbs acknowledged a most unusual portion of weariness; but the gay
shadows of the night's diversions flitted before me in tumultuous
rotation. I had moments of insensibility on my pillow, but not of rest;
and, after making a vain attempt of two hours to find sleep, I rose and
ordered my breakfast. A thought of writing to you succeeded, for
tempestuous weather will not let me ride, and haggard looks forbid me to
visit.
Mrs. Ashburn's fortune must be immense; and, on my soul, I adore her
spirit. She does not suffer time to steal by her unnoticed; nor wealth
to sleep in her possession. I believe her very dreams are occupied in
forming variety of pleasures. Their succession is endless and perpetual.
Yesterday and last night, I made one of a brilliant crowd of visitors
who thronged to Mrs. Ashburn's. Her new house was purposely prepared for
this occasion; and no ornament that taste could devise and wealth
approve was wanting to render it complete in elegant splendour.--A suite
of rich apartments were yesterday morning thrown open for the reception
of near 300 persons. It was a breakfast worthy to be recorded among the
enchantments of a Persian tale; and every mouth was filled with
applause; and still would the breakfast and concert have been the
universal theme, had not the more novel and splendid entertainment of
the evening deservedly claimed the superior praise.
Mrs. Ashburn's cards had also invited the company of the morning to a
masqued ball for the night. The masques began to assemble about eleven.
Mrs. Ashburn had laid her commands on me not to appear till I judged the
company would be assembled. No small tribute this her command to the
vanity of your friend, Arthur. She had chosen my habit. She had added to
it some brilliant ornaments. I will be honest enough to confess that to
the utmost it displayed my advantages of person, and Mrs. Ashburn
believed the effect of the whole would be striking. I represented a
winged Mercury. My habit of pale blue sattin was fastened close around
me with loops, buttons, and tassels of orient pearls, these, amounting
to a value I dare hardly guess at, Mrs. Ashburn absolutely forced upon
me for the occasion.
Thus resplendent I joined the throng. Buzzing whispers of--_the Mercury!
the Mercury! Splendid! charming!_ &c. &c. ran round the walls; but, if
the Mercury excited their astonishment, his own surprise and delight was
doubly triply excited by the enchantments which seemed to take his
senses prisoner. Methought in the morning I had quitted a palace. What
name then could I devise to express the fanciful grandeur of the present
scene? Every thing was new. Such dispositions had been made that the
form of the apartments appeared changed. How the pillars, lights, music,
refreshments were disposed, you may amuse yourself, if taste will so
far aid you, in imagining. As for me, I have no power of description; my
brain whirls from one dazzling object to another, and leaves me but an
indistinct crowded recollection of the various beauties.
Mrs. Ashburn was unmasked. Janetta Laundy had shone a bright star of the
morning, but what cloud had now dimmed her rays I could not with the
best of my endeavours discover. I detected the Dutchess de D----; and
essayed to gain some tidings of the recreant star, but she laughed me
off without a tittle of information.
Suddenly the bands of music make an abrupt pause. Every one looks round,
silent, and surprised. A pair of folding doors fly open. Streams of
light burst upon the eye. The rich perfumes of the east pour forth their
fragrance to the sense. The altar of taste appears, raised like a throne
at the upper end of the temple. Rows of silvered cupids present
offerings, and point to the goddess, who presides at her own altar.
I knew her form well: 'twas worthy of the goddess. Her robe fell
gracefully behind, loose from her shape, which a white vest sprinkled
with golden stars admirably fitted. Her plumes waved high over a
coronet, of budding myrtle and the half blown rose. Her cestus glittered
of the diamond. Diamond clasps confined the fulness of her robe sleeves
a little above the elbow, and her fine arm borrowed no ornament beyond
its own inestimable fairness. In short, Arthur, who could look on
unmoved. 'Twas Mrs. Ashburn's triumph of wealth, but Janetta Laundy's
uncontrollable triumph of beauty. I have many times wondered by what
charm Janetta could arrive at such unbounded influence over her
benefactress, for certainly Mrs. Ashburn has a plentiful share of
vanity, and is ever aiming to excite admiration. How then can she
forgive the youth and charms of her companion?
In vain Janetta last night assumed a double portion of that cold
haughtiness of demeanour with which she now receives my advances to
familiarity. She personated the goddess of taste; and men would pay
their loud and daring homage to the divinity. Mrs. Ashburn became
piqued. She spoke pettishly to Janetta, and endeavoured to disperse her
admirers. At length she beckoned me from a distant seat, to which I had
retired somewhat fatigued and dispirited, and delivered the goddess to
my protection.
We danced together. We did not separate during the rest of the
entertainment. 'This is as it used to be,' whispered the Dutchess de
N---- coming up to the sopha on which we sat. 'But you, Chevalier, are
so faithless,' added she.
'Oh,' said I, fixing my eyes on Janetta, 'your Grace misplaces that
accusation! I am constancy itself. You ladies, indeed, who know the
power of your charms, are not to be satisfied with the homage of a
single lover.'
'Your insinuation, sir,' replied Janetta, 'is easily understood; and if
I am happy enough to escape interruption from the company, I shall take
the present opportunity of freeing myself from your charges. The Dutchess
will condescend to aid me. I believe Mr. Montgomery will scarcely doubt
of the testimony of the Dutchess de N----.'
'Ah,' replied the Dutchess, 'defend me from lovers' quarrels! For
heaven's sake, my dear, do you suppose that you engross all the charms
of to-night, and that poor I have no better employment than to shake my
head, look grave, and bear a solemn burden to your serious speeches.
Tell the story yourself, child; and, if the Chevalier can look on your
face and mistrust you, make him a gay curtsy and follow me, my dear,
into yonder circle.'
When the Dutchess was gone, Janetta relapsed into her reserve; and, had I
not become extremely urgent, would have deferred the explanation.
Yes, indeed, Arthur, I have wronged her most shamefully in my
suspicions, but the story is too long for me to relate in my present
record. I drag through one heavy sentence after another, intending that
each shall be the last. Now, having by this effort brought on an
increase of weariness, I'll e'en try what repose a couch will afford me;
and then away to Mrs. Ashburn and Janetta.
CLEMENT MONTGOMERY
LETTER XVII
FROM LORD FILMAR
TO
SIR WALTER BOYER
Say, dear Sir Walter, to which of the gods shall my hecatomb blaze
a burnt offering? Behold, entering within those gates, I see the
Valmont coach!----I fly to greet the welcome visitants--more
welcome to me than gold to the miser, than conquest to the
warrior.----Lie still, thou throbbing mischief, down, down, ye
struggling expectations! And let the for once spiritless
countenance of Filmar conceal his hopes.
Tis true, Boyer, as--as--as any thing that's most true. Here, in this
very Monkton Hall, is Mr. Valmont, ay, and Mrs. Valmont too; and here I
mean to keep them:--only to-morrow though.----To-morrow! Walter!----Hail
the dawn of to morrow!--Whips cracking, horses flying, and thy friend
driving as fast as four can carry him into 6000l. a-year!
If you want cash, call on me any day next week. You, being a
_particular_ friend, I'll oblige. But to any one else--Somerville now
for instance or Nugent--'It will be curst unfortunate, but I shall have
had a hard run of late--or, I shall be building, and want to borrow
myself--or, there will be great arrears on my estates not yet paid
up.'--But see, here comes a bowing cringing tradesman, who in my days of
worse fortune has buffeted me with his purse-proud looks many a time and
often. 'Really Mr.----a--a--the amount of your bill seems a little
enormous, but I can't fatigue myself with looking into these
matters----the steward pays you,--Ay, ay, be not troublesome, and
(throwing myself along the sopha) I may probably still deal with
you.--Sibella, my dear, raise these cushions under my head--Psha, child,
you are devilishly awkward--there--. Pooh!--throw that gauze shade of
your's over me.----Sit down, and watch, lest Ponto or Rosetta should
leap upon or disturb me.'
By the bye, Walter, as I am determined to reform when I'm married, and
become an obedient hopeful son and nephew, if uncle Valmont should think
(and pray heaven he may) my wife's----
Oh, lord, what a shudder!----There! 'tis a radical cure, I assure
you.--I seized a square piece of paper; and, writing thereon in large
characters 6000l. _per annum_, placed it exactly opposite me, and the
qualm vanished.--Walter, you shall see wife written on my page--_my
wife!_--Oh, I declare this scrap of paper is a charm of infinite
value!--
If uncle Valmont, I say, should deem my wife's education incomplete, and
desires to have her longer under his tuition, I will yield her up for
one year, or two, or twenty, if he pleases.--There's forbearance,
there's magnanimity! Dub me a hero, sir knight! and place me among the
foremost!--Talk of conquering a world, indeed! Why philosophers of all
ages have agreed that the truest heroism is to conquer self.--Dub me a
hero, I say!
I grant you, this is all rattle (that is the manner not the matter, upon
my honor), and poor forced rattle too; but I must be mad, for I cannot
be merry, nor yet serious. My gadding spirits are whirling this
enterprise round and round without ceasing. Sometimes tossing the dark
side toward me; and then, ere I can make one retracting reflection,
smilingly presenting to me its advantages.--At that still time of night
(if my plan fail not) when graves yield up the semblance of their dead,
my courtship is to begin.--Once begun, it must go on; and the second
setting sun beholds me a bridegroom.--Close your door, Boyer; stir up
your fire; and I'll tell you.----Not now though, for--enter Griffiths.
'The gentlemen have walked out to the grounds, my lord. Mrs. Valmont and
Lady Monkton are alone.'
'Right Griffiths, I understand your hint.'
'My Lord, it will certainly take,' returning shrugging his shoulders and
laughing. 'The butler hates squire Valmont, and enjoys the thought of
playing him such a trick. The lads will have to strip and turn out
to-morrow, I doubt not, for this day's frolic.'
'Then, I must provide for them! 'Tis our frolic, and not theirs,
Griffiths. 'Should our plain fail----'
'It cannot fail, my lord,'
'Well, well--go--mind you give me more water than wine at dinner.'
And now, I steal from a back door, make a circuit round the house, and
crossing the lawn join the dear good kind _informing_ souls in the
drawing room.----You shall hear from me again presently, Walter.
* * * * *
I am gone, in reputation I mean, to seek the earl, the baronet, and the
simple squire, but, in propria persona, returned to my chamber to tell
you a story--a story of stories. The ladies were in the very heart of it
when I entered. Luckily, I had waited a sentence or two outside the
door, or I should have had no clue to bespeak a continuance of the
subject. Mrs. Valmont was suspicious of me, but having persuaded her
than I am a sober sort of youth, not at all given to hard-heartedness
and infidelity, she proceeded, and I had the good fortune to listen with
wondering eyes and gaping mouth to the particular account of how, where,
and when, Miss Valmont (my wife that is to be) saw a--ghost.--Stay, let
me recollect--a ghost, is I believe a terrific animal, dressed in
chains, howling, shrieking, and always withdrawing in a flash of fire;
yes, that's a ghost. This was something more gentle and complacent. Mrs.
Valmont makes nice distinctions. I remember she called it an apparition,
of a spirit--first appearing in the shape of an old hermit--then in that
of a young handsome beau--first walking, manlike, into a wood--next
bouncing up, fiend-like, on a sudden in an armoury.--Ay, it was a spirit
Sibella saw.--She, poor little barbarian, is no better acquainted with
the qualities of an apparition than of a man; for, simply enough, she
complained to Mrs. Valmont of the disturbance given by this said
shifting phantom to her meditations.
'To be sure, Lady Monkton,' said Mrs. Valmont, 'one must laugh at most
of these stories; but we all know from good authority such things have
been seen. Indeed, I did not altogether credit the very extraordinary
accounts I had heard of the disturbance, the Valmont family had many
years ago received from some thing that they say inhabits the Ruin on
the Rock; and even when my niece, who, in such affairs is ignorance
itself, told me her story, I would not be convinced till I had sent
three men servants to search the wood and the Ruin. If any thing human
had been there, it must have been discovered. The affair of the armoury
I only mentioned to my own woman, for I well knew it was impossible that
any substance of flesh and blood out of our own household could get into
the armoury. What can be said Lady Monkton, but that it is to answer
some wise purpose or other?
'Does, Mr. Valmont know?' said I.
'Surely, Lord Filmar, you must judge poorly of my discretion, to suppose
that I would tell Mr. Valmont such an affair; for, besides that there
is a shocking degree of impiety in people's disbelief when the thing is
indisputably true, he would torment the servants incessantly, by sending
them at night into those places, and perhaps he might abridge the poor
child of her rambles around the park.'
'Isn't Miss Valmont afraid of being alone?' asked Lady Monkton.
'Afraid!--Ha! ha! ha!--why, she has not one idea, Lady Monkton,
belonging to a rational being I assure you: She is not afraid of any
thing. Well, really her want of understanding is not at all marvellous.
Shut up in that horrid abode.--I preserve a part of mine, only by
reflecting on former days.'
'The young lady's conversation, then, is not much relief to you, Madam?'
said I.
'No, indeed, 'tis her absence is the relief, my lord. Mr. Valmont was
much more kind than he intended, when he ordered his niece not to
frequent my apartments.--It is a thousand pities; for the child has a
fine person, and is--that is, had she any thing like manners, and were
not such an absolute idiot, I do think she would be very handsome, &c.
&c. &c.'
Some frolic of master Clement Montgomery's, I presume this apparition to
be, Walter. Yet, surely she is not idiot enough to tell of herself in
such a case!----Ha!--woman! woman still! whether in solitude or
society!--I well remember the fellow I saw tripping near Valmont's
moat.--Yes, yes. He--Montgomery contrives to find secret admittance into
that well defended place; and she contrives a rare finely imagined tale
to turn the people's wits the seamy-side without, and throw a veil
impervious as darkness around themselves and their pleasures.----Yet,
hang it!--no!--Montgomery, said Mrs. Valmont, was abroad on his travels
when this affair happened. Beside, there is a degree of invention in the
story which must have been beyond the capacity of so ignorant a
girl.--Heyday!--Why I am anticipating eight and forty hours, and already
beginning to feel myself accountable for my wife's adventures!
Peace be, then, to the apparition's ashes!--After the knot is tied, and
I and my bride are travelling homewards to receive forgiveness and
_golden_ blessings, I shall probably want something to keep me awake,
and the child must tell me the story in her own way.
Hark!--the dinner bell.--My part in the plot will soon commence.--Be
content, Walter, to trace it in its several progressive steps toward the
catastrophe. I have not patience to detail what is to be, and then sit
down to relate what is.----Adieu, for a few hours. So far, so
good.--Nay, better than good, the very elements have conspired to my
success.--Such a storm of hail, rain, and thunder, I never beheld at
this season of the year. The darkness was tremendous, and Mrs. Valmont's
shattered nerves felt its effects most powerfully, notwithstanding the
pompous harangue delivered by her caro sposo against such terrors.--In
the midst of this scene entered Mr. Valmont's gentleman; who, bowing
reverently, in a low tone of voice begged to know if his lordly master
would vouchsafe to be drawn home by one pair of horses, (he came, Walter
with six) for that unfortunately the postilion was very drunk.
'Drunk!' exclaimed Mr. Valmont. 'Did you say, drunk?'
The man bowed and looked sorry; then ventured slowly to insinuate that
he did not deem the coachman perfectly sober, though not absolutely
drunk. He might be able to drive a pair of horses perhaps.
'I shall have my neck broken,' cried Mrs. Valmont, 'then all my sorrows
will be at an end together; and you, sir, may be for once satisfied.'
'Madam! What mean you?' said the frowning _dignitary_.
The remedy was obvious. To remain at Monkton Hall for the night was
proposed to Mr. Valmont with great earnestness by Sir Gilbert and my
lady; and, at length, acceded to by him with due reluctant
solemnity.----Mrs. Valmont smiled through her terrors.
To you, Walter, I give a sober straight forward history; but, in the
opinions of my friends below stairs, I am fast approaching towards the
honours which the squire's postilion and coachman have already
purchased. I affected to grow very frolicksome, early after dinner; and
am, at length, become, with the help of claret and burgundy, as properly
intoxicated to all appearance as I find necessary to the carrying on of
my plan. However, I am not yet retired for the night:--presently, I mean
to descend, and give them such another specimen of my ability as shall
make my departure so essential to their repose, that they will not
attempt to recal or disturb me.
A messenger, Boyer, is gone to the castle, to give notice of its
master's absence for the night. He carries other tidings there
also:--tidings to me of great joy.
The servants of Valmont castle are held in such constraint by their
proud master, that to enjoy the pleasures which are permitted in other
households they are ever scheming. The squire's absence is a festive
holiday; and Griffiths was invited by the butler, with whom he has
purposely scraped an intimacy, to partake of the joy of to day. Why the
invitation was neglected you may divine. By the messenger now sent to
the castle, Griffiths informs the butler that, as Mr. Valmont is safe at
the hall, and Lord Filmar is safe in bed, the night is their own. He
begs they will prepare for mirth and gaiety, bids the housekeeper and
her damsels put on their dancing shoes, and promises to join them early,
accompanied by his brother, who plays an excellent fiddle, and is the
merriest fellow alive.
Such is the substance of Griffiths' message to the domestics. Doubt them
not, Walter; they will jump at the opportunity, and swallow my bait with
all the greediness I can desire.
It is now past nine. My pulse begins to beat riotously, as if I were
drunk in earnest.--Poor undiscerning souls!--I have looked in the glass,
Boyer.--All the uncertainty of my success trembles in my eye--all the
tumult of hopes and fears sits on my countenance:--yet these animals
cannot perceive it.----Would it were over!
* * * * *
The scene is almost prepared to shift. I am dismissed from the parlour;
and, as Griffiths tells them, am at rest. Now, I wait but his summons.
He is gone to hint among the servants here the advantage he is about to
take of his master's infirmity, and hypocritically to request some one
will make an excuse for him should _I by chance awake and ring my bell
before he returns_.--The coast securely clear, I quit the house; join
Griffiths at the lodge; and, at the corner of a little town, only a
quarter of a mile from Sir Gilbert's, we are to find Griffiths' brother
waiting in a chaise. This brother, who would not have been here if we
hadn't sent for him, was only a common footman a week ago, but the two
days he has passed at the inn in our neighbourhood has transformed him
into a man of property; and he does not choose to go four miles in the
rain without a covered carriage. Had it not rained, he would probably
have received a sprain in his ancle, or his knee. The grand business
over, for which his assistance is required, he puts on the Filmar
livery, and becomes my footman. I was going to say my wife's, but
there's hazard in that. Gratitude may beget love; and violently grateful
will she be, no doubt, to the man that has helped to make--her
fortune.----Walter, I am no coward: yet, I say again, would it were
over!
I will put this paper in my pocket.----Should I get undetected into the
castle, I shall have many hours of waiting; and to write my thoughts
will certainly relieve me during the tedious interval.
I hear Griffiths' signal.----I come.----Adieu.----Safe in the
castle!----'Tis just eleven o'clock.--Two will be the earliest I dare
attempt to seize my prize.----Three hours! three ages, I may say, to
undergo all the misery of expecting, in every blast of wind, the
destruction of my project!----Wind enough!----how it rolls!--Floods of
rain too!--A horrid and tempestuous night, this!----We must procure some
covering, to shield her from the storm till we reach the chaise. I will
mention it to Griffiths, that he may be quite in readiness. I should be
sorry were she to suffer by the storm's inclemency. Does she go
unwillingly, she suffers enough in going; goes she willingly, still she
deserves not to suffer.----Why, thou cold whining Filmar, where is thy
manhood?--Only the last stroke wanting, and that the easiest to
accomplish, and thy scheme--thy darling scheme is--perfect.--Thy very
valet claps the wings of exultation, and sings the song of triumph!
Shame! shame! Rouse thyself! cast a look forward, Filmar!----
Yes, Walter, I am here happily supplied with a lighted taper by the
dexterity and contrivance of Griffiths.--Securely stationed in one of
the best apartments where even the mirth of the servants cannot reach me
in a buzzing murmur, there is no hazard that any one of them should quit
his diversions to wander among the mazy recesses of this mansion; and I
do rejoice abundantly in my security.--Yet, Walter, I may rejoice, and
feel the benumbing effects of this cold gloomy dwellings, too.--These
old buildings are admirably contrived to fix odd impressions on the
mind.--I do not at all wonder that every ancient castle is haunted in
report.--Another such night, in another such place, and I could swear I
perceived shapeless forms gliding around me.----I listen one minute to
the variety of sound produced by the gathering winds; and, the next,
find it hushed to so dead a calm, that the sound of my breathings alone
interrupts the silence. Such--think of it, think of it, Walter--such are
my employments!
I wonder whereabouts this armoury lays. Griffiths could tell.--The
castle is amazing large, yet Griffiths is perfectly skilled in its
geography.--He described to me, as we came hither, the situation of Miss
Valmont's apartments.--They are nearer to where I am now stationed than
to any other habitable part of the building.