Within little more than an hour after the family had withdrawn, all the servants retired to rest, they were joined by the sanguine and spirited Edwin, accompanied by the ancient veteran, who, though loaded with the heavy burthen of fourscore years, was still active and hearty, his senses unimpaired, and his st.u.r.dy limbs still able to carry with firmness their accustomed load. His grey locks hung with silvered dignity upon his aged shoulders, and his eye retained some of their former expression. He made a profound obeisance to the ladies on his entrance, and was received with that condescending affability which his years and long-tried faithfulness demanded.
Edwin"s manner of introducing him, flattered the old man"s remaining stock of vanity, and revived, in full force, the remembrance of his former exploits, which, though they had not procured him preferment, secured him attention and respect.
"This is my friend Bertrand, (said Edwin, addressing Madeline particularly on his entrance;) though you had some fears with only such a stripling as myself for a leader, you can have none with so experienced and brave a guide."
The old man listened with delighted attention to this eulogium from the lips of his dear young master, whom he had so often dandled on his knee, whom he had been so fortunate as to s.n.a.t.c.h from a watery grave, and for whom he retained a stronger affection than for any other being on earth. Sir Philip had long maintained him in ease and comfort, and excused him from every employment, but such as tended to the preservation of his health. Both ladies held out their hands, which he respectfully kissed, and preyed that heaven might bless and reward them for their kindness to their old but grateful servant.
"Now the ceremony of introducing you into the bed-chamber of these fair ladies is over, "tis time for us to think of proceeding, my old friend, (said Edwin.) If you will a.s.sist me in unfastening the trap-door, we will procure lights, and, putting ourselves under your direction, follow wherever you are disposed to lead us.
CHAP. V.
It was the intention of Bertrand to open the door of the subterranean pa.s.sage, which communicated with Mettingham-castle; but, before they proceeded par, something rushed past them several times: it was rapid, and their candle threw so feeble a light on the walls which surrounded them, that they could not discover what it was.
They hurried on till they came to the square leading to the dungeons, when their attention was arrested, and their fears increased by the barking of a dog. They hesitated, looked with astonishment at each other, and stopped, as if irresolute whether to return or proceed.
In the mean while, the little animal made its appearance, jumped and capered about, as it it rejoiced at seeing them in its dreary habitation, attached itself particularly to Roseline, and seemed to recognize an old and beloved friend.
Roseline took it up in her arms, kissed and caressed it; but how to account for meeting with so beautiful, fond, and gentle a creature was not only matter of surprise but wonder.
"Are you sure, sister, (said Edwin, slily glancing a look at the pale face and trembling lips of the terrified Madeline,)--are you sure it is a real dog?--May it not be one of the ghosts, who, in such various shapes, are said to haunt these gloomy regions, and disturb the peaceful slumbers of young maidens, born perhaps two hundred years after they had left the world?"
This gentle reproof restored the roses to the fair cheek from which fear had driven them, while Roseline declared it was really and truly the prettiest dog she had ever seen. Bertrand had looked thoughtful, agitated, and confused, from the moment it appeared.
"This dog must have a master, (said Edwin,) and that master must be somewhere near these cells."
"Perhaps (said Bertrand) some daring villain may have found entrance here, either with the hopes of plunder, or to accomplish designs against the castle; let us therefore, for the present, give up attempting to explore the pa.s.sage; it might be dangerous to unfasten a door which is now our security."
"Had we not better call for help?" said the again-terrified Madeline.
"Not for the world! (interrupted Edwin;)--how should we be able to account to my mother for being in this place, without burthening her mind with ten thousand suspicions? while, telling her our reasons would most a.s.suredly expose our venerable companion to the certain displeasure of my father.--Do you (said he, addressing Bertrand) know if there is any one a prisoner at this time?"
The old man hesitated.--"I know but little--I apprehend it may be so,--but I--I hope you will excuse my talking on a subject that--that--"
"It must a.s.suredly be so, (said Roseline softly to her brother,) and from that cause proceeded the noises which so repeatedly alarmed us."
Again every one stood for a moment irresolute. Edwin, however, fearful of bringing his father"s anger on Bertrand, and scorning to tempt the old man to betray and trust reposed in him, or any secret belonging to another, instantly formed his resolution to act with the utmost caution. He proposed to his sister and Madeline to return to their apartment as soon as Bertrand had pointed out the pa.s.sage which led to the nunnery.--On being shewn the door which might one day enable him to meet his Madeline, and open to give him a gleam of happiness, Roseline s.n.a.t.c.hed up the little dog, pressed him to her bosom, and vowed to release him from captivity.
As soon as they had reached their own apartment, Bertrand, after promising eternal secrecy, took a respectful leave. Edwin accompanied him to his room, then returned to his sister"s and proposed instantly renewing their search.
"This is doing nothing, (said he;) all is still left to conjecture and uncertainty."
"If you mean to go again, (said Madeline,) why did you suffer Bertrand to leave us?"
"From respect to my father and regard to the old man, (he replied;) for should we, my dear Madeline, make any discovery of consequence, with us the secret will rest secure, and, should we be found out, on ourselves alone will fall the displeasure of Sir Philip; but, by this procedure, we empower no one either to betray his secrets or our own. We will, however, carry back with us this little stranger, (continued he, pointing to the dog, who was sleeping on a cushion which Roseline had placed for him before the fire,) and, when we set him down, we will follow wherever he may choose to lead us: If he be attached to any miserable being confined in one of the cells or dungeons, we may depend upon his returning to his usual habitation."
Once more the trap-door was lifted up; once more the party descended into regions like those of the grave, while the mouldering walls, glittering with the dews of night, and rendered humid with the unwholsome damps of the situation, hung loose and disjointed over their heads, as if to threaten instant destruction.
Turning into a pa.s.sage which led to a contrary direction to that they had before entered, and which was somewhat wider and less dismal than the other, Roseline sat down the dog, who ran nimbly away, as if well acquainted with the path. They followed with the utmost caution, observing a profound silence. The dog went before them the whole length of the pa.s.sage, then turned suddenly down a few steps, at the bottom of which a door stood half-open: he rushed in, and appeared to them to stop at some distance. Instantly they heard him growl and bark, and this determined them to proceed.
They pa.s.sed through two small apartments decently furnished, and, just as they reached an inner door, at which the dog had demanded admittance, they saw it slowly open, and a faint voice appeared to chide the guiltless wanderer for his long, long absence, and then to caress him with fondness.
Edwin, knowing, if he hesitated to proceed, the fears of his companions would increase by the delay, gently tapped at the door.
For a minute all was silent; he then gave some louder raps. The same person very soon opened the door, of whom they had caught a transient glimpse when he had granted admittance to the dog. He was evidently alarmed, and in tremulous and terrified accents inquired who was there,--what was the matter,--and what errand brought them? at the same time brandishing a sword, which he had hastily s.n.a.t.c.hed from a chair which stood near him.
"Whoever you are (continued he) that have found a way to this den of misery, you may safely enter, unless you come to add farther oppressions, and inflict additional woes on the head of an injured and guiltless sufferer. If you come with such diabolical intentions, be a.s.sured of this,--I will no longer be a pa.s.sive or silent spectator of such unheard of barbarity, but give up a life in his defence which cruelty has rendered a worthless sacrifice. Forego then your designs, and know he will not long be either a burthen or reproach to his unnatural parent and sordid oppressors."
"We come with no design to injure or oppress, (said Edwin.) We inhabit this castle, and were led by the curiosity incidental to youth into these horrid regions.--Chance conducted us into these apartments, without knowing they were inhabited.--We wish not to alarm or interrupt any one, but of this be a.s.sured, if you will inform us how we can serve you, or render your situation more comfortable, we will gladly contribute all in our power to do so. Your countenance does not appear stamped with guilt, and your determination to protect the injured speaks a n.o.ble mind."
The sword was instantly laid down,--the door flew open,--and they were requested to enter by one, who told them his life and courage were only valuable so long as they would enable him to watch and protect the best and most beloved of masters.
Reader, guess, if it be possible, the surprise and astonishment of our trembling and compa.s.sionate adventurers, when they beheld and elegant young man, whose countenance was as prepossessing as his situation was interesting, wrapped in a striped-satin morning-gown, which reached to his feet, with his hair hanging in graceful ringlets, and nearly concealing a face pale as death, lying on a kind of couch, and to all appearance in the last stage of a consumption.
On the entrance of Edwin, he took but little notice, but, on seeing Roseline and her friend advance, he looked up, and attempted to rise, but was not equal to the effort, and instantly sunk down in a state of apparent insensibility. Roseline, more agitated and terrified by the whole of this unaccountable and affecting scene than she would have been at the sight of the ghost she had almost expected to meet, flew to support him. She was a.s.sisted by Edwin and Madeline, and their united endeavours soon restored the poor sufferer to life and an imperfect sense of his situation.
Having now no longer any fears, he fixed his large blue eyes on the strangers,--wondered from whence they came,--how all this could happen,--and to what blessed chance it was owing the he saw himself attended and consoled by two celestial beings, for as such he actually considered them; while the pure drops of genuine and the gentlest pity fell softly on his emaciated hand, he raised the precious gems of compa.s.sion to his lips, sighed deeply, then, looking earnestly in the face of Roseline, with a smile of doubt and anguish once more sunk down in a state of insensibility, unable to bear the weight of his own agitated and contending feelings.
The attendant, who had strictly observed the whole of this extraordinary scene, now approached to a.s.sist in recovering his master. Edwin hastened to his sister"s apartment to procure proper restoratives; they were applied with their usual success, and the change they produced gave new life and spirits to all around, particularly Roseline, who concluded they arrived merely to witness his dying moments, and hear him breathe his last sigh.
She was still supporting his languid head on her knee; his hand rested on her arm, his eyes were fixed upon her face, his lips moved, and the words "kind, consoling angel: were all they could understand.
"What can this mean? (said Edwin;) who is your master?--who brought him here? and of what crime has he been guilty that he is sentenced to such a place as this?"--
"I am bound (replied the servant) by the most solemn oath to silence and secresy. By complying with these conditions I obtained leave to attend him. Were I at liberty to speak, I could a tale unfold would tempt you to curse the world, and even detest those claims which bind man to man. You would be ready to forego the ties of nature, and shun society.--Time will, it must develop the whole of this mystery."
"But my father!" said Edwin.
"Your father, sir, like my dear unhappy master, is blameless and innocent: he has been deceived like many others."
"But why (cried Roseline) are you thus shut out from the world, and banished society?--why, if innocent, is not this poor sufferer placed in a situation more likely to restore him to health?--why thus cruelly deprived not only of liberty, light, and air, but of every other necessary comfort?"
"A higher power has willed it should be so," said the stranger, whose unreserved manner, superior language, honest and open countenance, found an instant pa.s.sport to their hearts, confirmed their belief, and banished every suspicious doubt of his sincerity.
"Are you involved in the crimes of which this gentleman is suspected?"
inquired Madeline.
"No, madam; my only crime is my attachment to him. I am here by my own voluntary choice, and were they to convey him a thousand fathoms deeper in the earth, I would not, unless I were compelled, ever leave him till his n.o.ble and guiltless soul was summoned to appear before a more just and merciful tribunal than he has found on earth."
"A thousand blessings on you! (cried Roseline, a tear trembling in each expressive eye,) for shewing this care and G.o.d-like compa.s.sion to one so helpless and oppressed.--Brother, surely we may, without deserving reproach, unite our endeavours with those of this friendly stranger, to soften the pangs of misery and death, be they inflicted by whom they may."
"You ought to do so, (cried the lovely Madeline, whose gentle spirit was awakened into action by the scene before her.)--As fellow-creatures, and the children of the same Almighty Parent, it is our duty to a.s.sist each other; but we should do more, not remain coldly indifferent to sufferings which, if we cannot entirely remove, we may in some measure alleviate."
"And we will do so! (cried the generous and animated Edwin.)--You too, my honest fellow, (turning to the servant,) shall share in our kind offices. You deserve the thanks of every good Christian, and to be immortalized for your faithful attachment to one so helpless and unable to reward you.--But how is this?" observing the invalid had sunk into a gentle and quiet sleep; like the peaceful slumber of an infant.
"This has been the case for some weeks. His spirits depressed by the corroding anguish which preys upon his mind, his body has become a victim to the conflict, and the soul of my master will soon, by quitting this earthly tenement, escape the farther persecution of his enemies. Much, much as I love him, I should rejoice at his release."
The words trembled on his tongue, and the tear of manly compa.s.sion rolled down his cheek.