Early in the morning, the Captain rose, and having dispatched his
servant to Monmouth for a licence, left the house for the purpose of
enjoying a ramble, till the appearance of his Ellenor; but had not
proceeded many paces, when he perceived his son, Sir Henry, and
Frederick. He immediately joined them, and, under the guidance of
Edward, traced the tangled wilds, which had afforded an asylum to his
Ellenor.
"It is now more than eighteen months," said young Howard, "since the
appearance of Mr. Talton drove us from the house of Lieutenant Booyers,
whither we had retired on the report of Sir Henry's death. Not knowing
which way to direct our steps, and uncertain whether, in flying from one
evil, we were not hurrying into a greater, we pursued an indirect road
to Monmouth; where, leaving my mother and Mrs. Blond, I set out with our
faithful Thomas, in search of an obscure village, or cot, that might
afford us the shelter we required.
"Fortune conducted me to this spot, which was then in the wildest state
of ruin. The beauties which surrounded it, and its retired situation,
immediately pointed it out as a place designed by Heaven to afford the
asylum we wanted. The owner, for a trifling consideration, agreed to my
becoming his tenant, and here we removed the whole of our property, not
amounting to a hundred pounds.--Industry, however, found out many means
of procuring a livelihood: needle-work, embroidery, painting, every
accomplishment was turned to account, and, with superintending our
household affairs, employed the time of my mother and her friends.
"Thomas, before he entered the service of Sir Horace Corbet, had been
engaged in the farming business; and under his direction, your Edward,
my dear Sir, set his hand to the plough and spade; nor was our friendly
Booyers idle; though deprived of an arm, he assisted in sowing, pruning,
&c. and under his care, the garden soon assumed a pleasing and
flourishing appearance.--On our first coming, we engaged an useful
active man, who lived in the only cottage near our residence; and who,
from his knowledge of the land, directed, as well as executed, our first
plans of husbandry: his wife likewise superintends our dairy, who, with
Susan, comprise the female attendants of our family. This man, we sent,
as being unknown, to dispose of the furniture left in the residence we
had so abruptly deserted: and he executed his commission with the
greatest exactness; leaving the village, as we had directed, by a
different route from the one he was really to pursue; by which means, we
hoped to avoid being traced. Our house was soon repaired: and our
harvest, though late, richly repaid our labour. Plenty, indeed, has here
deigned to dwell; and, could we have forgotten the past, we might have
been happy; but remembrance still recalled the friends we had lost, and,
by a retrospect of the injuries we had suffered, cast a shade on the
passing moment."
"But what, my son," said the Captain, "are the injuries to which you
allude?"
The appearance of Mr. Talton and Lieutenant Booyers, prevented Edward
from replying; and, on being joined by those gentlemen, the conversation
was renewed on general subjects, till they arrived at the spot where the
Captain had the preceding evening met with his son; when Mr. Talton
said,--"I yesterday, Howard, should have treated the idea with the
greatest ridicule, that the accidents we met with, could be the means of
conducting us to Mrs. Crawton, or that by losing our way, you should
meet with a son, you have so many years vainly sought.--But under your
present embarrassments," he continued, addressing Edward, "do you think,
young gentleman, you acted prudently in inviting two strangers to your
house? Had Talton been the man you suspected, it might have been
attended with unpleasant circumstances. But it was benevolence which
impelled you, and it has been rewarded!"
"Or rather, Sir," said Edward smiling, "it was nature; which, the moment
my father spoke, attached me to him, and destroyed the caution, which
the situation of our affairs certainly required."
"Providence," said Frederick, "equally guided us all. By deviating from
our road yesterday, we saved the life of a man and his son; who, in
crossing a foot-bridge, by the heedlessness of the boy, fell into the
current beneath. We likewise had the satisfaction of relieving a
family, reduced to the lowest state of poverty and distress. These
circumstances detained us a considerable time; and afforded such ample
scope for conversation, that all remembrance of you and Mr. Talton was
lost; and it was not till the close of day, you recurred to our
recollection. Willing then to rectify the error we had committed, we
took the nearest direction toward Brecon; but had not proceeded far,
before Sir Henry's horse sunk into a morass; and in endeavouring to
assist him, my own met with the same fate. This completed our distress;
and by the time we had succeeded in extricating the unlucky animals,
darkness had nearly enveloped the heavens. We would then have retraced
our path, but could not discover it; and fearful of wandering from the
spot where we were, we hallooed for assistance, but without effect; and
I began to have very disagreeable ideas, when we were relieved by Argus,
who sprung to Sir Henry, with the familiarity of an old acquaintance,
enticing us to follow him; nor did we deliberate long, but, tying a
handkerchief to his collar, submitted ourselves to his guidance. He soon
conducted us to a firm road, and we were directing our steps toward the
light, which beamed from the windows of our friends, when you, my dear
uncle, so happily joined us."
They were here interrupted by the arrival of a servant, with a summons
to breakfast, and, on entering the parlour, they had the satisfaction
of seeing Mrs. Blond, assembled with the rest of the family. Sir Henry
instantly flew to her, and affectionately welcomed her return to their
society.
"The happiness of my friend Ellenor, and the discovery of your
existence," said Mrs. Blond, faintly smiling, "have been my
restoratives; to see the child of my beloved Corbet; to know that the
means of obtaining him justice, are in our possession--O, Harry, I
cannot speak my joy!"
They proceeded to breakfast, and the Captain, at Ellenor's request,
related the occurrences of his life, since their separation, and the
little train of accidents which had conducted him to her. "And now, my
Ellenor," he continued, "will you gratify my impatience, and explain a
mystery, which for years has perplexed and rendered me unhappy?"
"As I live, there are Harland and Louise!" interrupted Sir Henry, as a
carriage drove to the gate; and, hastening out of the room, he
immediately introduced his sister and the Lieutenant. An exclamation of
surprise escaped Mr. Talton, as Sir Henry presented her to him, but
passed unheeded, as the Captain asked Harland, by what accident he had
discovered where they were?
"By unexpectedly meeting your servant, Captain," answered Harland.--"We
have for some weeks been engaged in a ramble through the adjacent parts,
and were this morning going to Brecon, when we met James. He instantly
informed us where you were, and of some farther particulars, which
induced us to use the privilege of relationship, and join Sir Henry.
"Welcome, indeed," said Ellenor, "shall the relations of my Henry ever
be. The countenance of Louise is a passport to the heart; nor is there
one here, who could refuse her a claim to their friendship."
Louise looked wistfully at Ellenor; the strong resemblance between her
and Sir Henry, the cordiality of her salutation, gave rise to the idea,
that it might perhaps be the mother she so ardently wished to know, who
embraced her. The name of mother faintly escaped her lips, as her
inquiring eye glanced to Sir Henry, for a confirmation of her suspicion.
"No, my sweet girl," replied Sir Henry, "this Lady is not your mother;
would to Heaven thine were equally amiable! This morning, Louise, is
dedicated to the explanation of my life and conduct; and fortunately are
you arrived to learn the particulars of your birth without necessitating
me to repeat a tale, which will distress you equally to hear, as me to
relate."
"I was early taught resignation to the will of Heaven, my brother,"
replied Louise; "nor will I shrink from the recital; though happy should
I have deemed myself, if I had here found a mother!"
"In affection you shall, sweet girl," said Ellenor; "Louise is not
answerable for the vices of her parents!"
The Captain here introduced his Ellenor and son, more particularly to
Harland and Louise; who congratulated them on their restoration to each
other; and after they had partaken of refreshments, the Captain reminded
Sir Henry of the expected relation.
"Yet, before I commence my narrative," said Sir Henry, "let me explain
the meaning of a sentence, you say has occasioned you so much
anxiety--the secret to which your Ellenor in her letter alluded.
"In Ellenor Worton, then, give me leave to introduce the daughter of Sir
Horace Corbet--the sister of my father! Worton was the name she received
from her god-mother, and which she wholly assumed, when the harshness of
Sir Horace drove her from her paternal roof; and when she discovered,
that her Howard had been previously married, she regarded it as a
punishment for her breach of filial obedience. Suspend your surprise a
moment.--In Mrs. Blond, behold the youngest daughter of Sir James
Elvyn:--another victim of my grandfather's cruelty and injustice!"
"Good God!" cried Mr. Talton: "And does your mother, Sir Henry, know of
these circumstances?"
"She does, Mr. Talton," answered Sir Henry, with a sigh. The Captain's
looks likewise testified his surprise.--"But wherefore, my Ellenor," he
said, "the necessity of concealing your name from my knowledge?"
"With the character of my father, Howard," answered Ellenor, "you have
already been made acquainted. Proud, vindictive, and avaricious, every
consideration yielded to the gratification of those passions. On account
of her fortune, he married my mother, to whom he proved literally a
tyrant: nor did his children experience greater affection or indulgence.
When I was seventeen, old Lord Aberford, who had accidentally seen me,
declared himself my admirer; and as his offers were highly gratifying to
my father, he little regarded sacrificing my happiness. In vain were my
tears, my mother's intreaties, or the supplications of my brother: fury
took possession of his bosom, at our daring to dispute his will; and in
the first paroxysm of rage, he sent my mother to a ruinous seat he
possessed in Cornwall, ordered my brother back to college, and confined
me to my chamber; which he vowed I should never leave, till he resigned
me to the arms of Lord Aberford. The being separated from my mother, was
the severest punishment he could inflict, as her tenderness ever
compensated for the harshness of his behaviour.
"His increasing severity, every time he visited my apartment, had nearly
reduced me to compliance, when Thomas returned from Cornwall, and
secretly delivered me a letter from my mother. She advised me, if my
father still persisted in forcing me into an union with Lord Aberford,
to leave the Hall, and seek an asylum at Mrs. Radnor's, the bosom friend
of her early days. The means of escape were easily effected by Thomas,
who at night placed a ladder at my window, and conducted me in safety
to the park-gate, whence Owen, the gamekeeper, who was waiting with
horses, escorted me to Radnor Moor.--Mrs. Radnor received me with open
arms, and, fully aware of the violent temper of my father, advised my
taking the name of Worton; and, to screen me more effectually from his
knowledge, a few days after left the Moor for Brighthelmstone.
"I there, Howard, became acquainted with you. The sentiments we
entertained for each other, were reciprocal; and freely should I have
communicated the secret of my family, but Mrs. Radnor strenuously
opposed it. Her detestation of my father, daily increased, and as he
had declared that he no longer regarded me as his daughter, I should
not, she said, with her approbation, ever acknowledge him as a father.
The favourable opinion she entertained of you, encouraged the passion I
had imbibed, and, regarding her councils as those of a parent, I early
avowed my affection and consented to plight my faith to you for ever.
"At this time, my brother privately visited us. My father, he said,
continued inveterate against me, and having discovered that my mother
had been the instigator of my elopement, he still confined her at his
estate in Cornwall, though he occasionally allowed my brother the
liberty of seeing her. Henry brought me a letter, the last I ever
received from my beloved mother. It was dictated by maternal tenderness.
The happiness of her children, she said, constituted hers: Henry's, she
thought, would be established in his expected union with Miss Elvyn; and
mine, she hoped, would be equally secured, in the choice I had made. She
added a blessing on our nuptials; and the morning after Henry left us,
to join his friend Booyers, previously to his intended marriage, I gave
my hand to you at the altar.
"Happy, indeed, were the days which succeeded our union, till the
illness of Mrs. Radnor; which was occasioned by the sudden disclosure of
my mother's death: her own followed in a few days, and I had to mourn
the loss of both, and the knowledge I then first received of a brother's
unhappiness.
"Gladly would I have flown to the bosom of my Edward, for consolation;
but Mrs. Radnor had extorted a promise from me, not to undeceive
you.--'If Crawton, my child,' she said, 'should find that you have acted
disingenuously by him, it may implant suspicion in his mind, and destroy
the tenderness you at present experience. Rest satisfied, then, my love,
with the happiness you enjoy, nor hazard its destruction by that which
cannot possibly increase it. If I advise wrong, may Heaven forgive me;
but I speak from the best of motives.'
"Ah! she knew not the heart of Howard, or the precaution had been
needless. What passed from that time, Edward, till the discovery of your
prior marriage, I need not repeat: and what I experienced at that
moment, is beyond my power to describe! An idea of self-destruction took
possession of my mind, till the remembrance of my infant checked my
despair; when, finding Susan willing to follow my fortune, I determined
on flight. Your absence favoured my design; and leaving a few lines for
you, with Mary, I proceeded to London.
"I was there delivered of my Edward, and as soon as I was enabled to
bear the fatigue of travelling, proceeded to Caermarthen; where I sent
a peasant to the Hall, and a few hours after had the satisfaction of
beholding my brother.
"But ah, what an alteration had two years made in the once blooming, and
ever interesting Corbet! All indeed was changed, but the heart of Henry!
"He wept over the sorrows of his Ellenor, promised to prove a father to
my babe, and a protector to me: but, starting from his seat, he
exclaimed, 'O God! vain is the promise!--Your father, Ellenor, has
deprived me of the power. To revenge your refusal of Lord Aberford, he
has cut you off from every part of his fortune; and prohibited my
affording you the least pecuniary assistance, under forfeiture of every
part of my property, but that entailed from my ancestors. Yet, think
not, Ellenor, I can desert you: no, though I cannot publicly support you
as my sister, I still will prove myself a brother!'
"Till that moment I knew not the death of my father: tears relieved my
oppressed heart, and Henry, again embracing me, continued--'Grieve not,
my sister; your father, in his last moments, wished he had been less
severe; blessed his Ellenor, and prayed she might find a better friend
than he had proved. He would have altered his will, but death prevented
him: and your brother must ever be subjected to the control of--.'
"He paused--Alas! my brother, I knew not then the full extent of your
misery!
"He that evening conducted me to the house of Mr. Blond, where for
seventeen years I lived secluded from the world. The occurrences which
then drove me from Caermarthen, will be fully recounted in the narrative
of our Henry."
"Thanks, my dear Ellenor," said the Captain, "for your part of these
explanations. It indeed shows me, by what trifles the happiness or
misery of life may be occasioned. For a farther and final explanation,
Sir Henry, we must now refer to you."
"The task," said Sir Henry, "is indeed a painful one: as it must
discover the vices of a parent--nature still forces me to love!" He
paused a moment, when, perceiving all were attentive, he began his
relation, in the following words.
END OF VOLUME II.
End of Project Gutenberg's The Mysterious Wanderer; Vol. II, by Sophia Reeve