"Alas! I know," said he, "that Peschiera has discovered your retreat, and surely she would be far less safe here than where she is now!"
"But, diavolo! you say the man has seen her where she is now, in spite of all Lady Lansmere"s promises and Harley"s precautions."
"True. Of this Peschiera boasted to me. He effected it not, of course, openly, but in some disguise. I am sufficiently, however, in his confidence--any man may be that with so audacious a braggart--to deter him from renewing his attempt for some days. Meanwhile, I or yourself will leave discovered some surer home than this, to which you can remove, and then will be the proper time to take back your daughter.
And for the present, if you will send by me a letter to enjoin her to receive me as her future bridegroom, it will necessarily divert all thought at once from the count; I shall be able to detect by the manner in which she receives me, how far the count has overstated the effect he pretends to have produced. You can give me also a letter to Lady Lansmere, to prevent your daughter coming hither. Oh, sir, do not reason with me. Have indulgence for my lover"s fears. Believe that I advise for the best. Have I not the keenest interest to do so?"
Like many a man who is wise enough with pen and paper before him, and plenty of time wherewith to get up his wisdom, Riccabocca was flurried, nervous, and confused when that wisdom was called upon for any ready exertion. From the tree of knowledge he had taken grafts enough to serve for a forest; but the whole forest could not spare him a handy walking-stick. The great folio of the dead Machiavelli lay useless before him,--the living Machiavelli of daily life stood all puissant by his side. The Sage was as supple to the Schemer as the Clairvoyant is to the Mesmerist; and the lean slight fingers of Randal actually dictated almost the very words that Riccabocca wrote to his child and her hostess.
The philosopher would have liked to consult his wife; but he was ashamed to confess that weakness. Suddenly he remembered Harley, and said, as Randal took up the letters which Riccabocca had indited,
"There, that will give us time; and I will send to Lord L"Estrange and talk to him."
"My n.o.ble friend," replied Randal, mournfully, "may I entreat you not to see Lord L"Estrange until at least I have pleaded my cause to your daughter,--until, indeed, she is no longer under his father"s roof?"
"And why?"
"Because I presume that you are sincere when you deign to receive me as a son-in-law, and because I am sure that Lord L"Estrange would hear with distaste of your disposition in my favour. Am I not right?"
Riccabocca was silent.
"And though his arguments would fail with a man of your honour and discernment, they might have more effect on the young mind of your child. Think, I beseech you, the more she is set against me, the more accessible she may be to the arts of Peschiera. Speak not, therefore, I implore you, to Lord L"Estrange till Violante has accepted my hand, or at least until she is again under your charge; otherwise take back your letter,--it would be of no avail."
"Perhaps you are right. Certainly Lord L"Estrange is prejudiced against you; or rather, he thinks too much of what I have been, too little of what I am."
"Who can see you, and not do so? I pardon him." After kissing the hand which the exile modestly sought to withdraw from that act of homage, Randal pocketed the letters; and, as if struggling with emotion, rushed from the house.
Now, O curious reader, if thou wilt heedfully observe to what uses Randal Leslie put those letters,--what speedy and direct results he drew forth from devices which would seem to an honest simple understanding the most roundabout, wire-drawn wastes of invention,--I almost fear that in thine admiration for his cleverness, thou mayest half forget thy contempt for his knavery.
But when the head is very full, it does not do to have the heart very empty; there is such a thing as being top-heavy!
CHAPTER IV.
Helen and Violante had been conversing together, and Helen had obeyed her guardian"s injunction, and spoken, though briefly, of her positive engagement to Harley. However much Violante had been prepared for the confidence, however clearly she had divined that engagement, however before persuaded that the dream of her childhood was fled forever, still the positive truth, coming from Helen"s own lips, was attended with that anguish which proves how impossible it is to prepare the human heart for the final verdict which slays its future. She did not, however, betray her emotion to Helen"s artless eyes; sorrow, deep-seated, is seldom self-betrayed. But, after a little while, she crept away; and, forgetful of Peschiera, of all things that could threaten danger (what danger could harm her more!) she glided from the house, and went her desolate way under the leafless wintry trees. Ever and anon she paused, ever and anon she murmured the same words: "If she loved him, I could be consoled; but she does not! or how could she have spoken to me so calmly! how could her very looks have been so sad! Heartless!
heartless!"
Then there came on her a vehement resentment against poor Helen, that almost took the character of scorn or hate,--its excess startled herself. "Am I grown so mean?" she said; and tears that humbled her rushed to her eyes. "Can so short a time alter one thus? Impossible!"
Randal Leslie rang at the front gate, inquired for Violante, and, catching sight of her form as he walked towards the house, advanced boldly and openly. His voice startled her as she leaned against one of the dreary trees, still muttering to herself,--forlorn. "I have a letter to you from your father, Signorina," said Randal; "but before I give it to your hands, some explanation is necessary. Condescend, then, to hear me." Violante shook her head impatiently, and stretched forth her hand for the letter. Randal observed her countenance with his keen, cold, searching eye; but he still withheld the letter, and continued, after a pause,
"I know that you were born to princely fortunes; and the excuse for my addressing you now is, that your birthright is lost to you, at least unless you can consent to a union with the man who has despoiled you of your heritage,--a union which your father would deem dishonour to yourself and him. Signorina, I might have presumed to love you, but I should not have named that love, had your father not encouraged me by his a.s.sent to my suit."
Violante turned to the speaker, her face eloquent with haughty surprise.
Randal met the gaze unmoved. He continued, without warmth, and in the tone of one who reasons calmly, rather than of one who feels acutely,
"The man of whom I spoke is in pursuit of you. I have cause to believe that this person has already intruded himself upon you. Ah, your countenance owns it; you have seen Peschiera? This house is, then, less safe than your father deemed it. No house is safe for you but a husband"s. I offer to you my name,--it is a gentleman"s; my fortune, which is small; the partic.i.p.ation in my hopes of the future, which are large. I place now your father"s letter in your hand, and await your answer." Randal bowed slightly, gave the letter to Violante, and retired a few paces.
It was not his object to conciliate Violante"s affection, but rather to excite her repugnance, or at least her terror,--we must wait to discover why; so he stood apart, seemingly in a kind of self-confident indifference, while the girl read the following letter:
"My child, receive with favour Mr. Leslie. He has my consent to address you as a suitor. Circ.u.mstances of which it is needless now to inform you render it essential to my very peace and happiness that your marriage should be immediate. In a word, I have given my promise to Mr. Leslie, and I confidently leave it to the daughter of my House to redeem the pledge of her anxious and tender father."
The letter dropped from Violante"s hand. Randal approached, and restored it to her. Their eyes met. Violante recoiled.
"I cannot marry you," said she, pa.s.sionately.
"Indeed?" answered Randal, dryly. "Is it because you cannot love me?"
"Yes."
"I did not expect that you would as yet, and I still persist in my suit.
I have promised to your father that I would not recede before your first unconsidered refusal."
"I will go to my father at once."
"Does he request you to do so in his letter? Look again. Pardon me, but he foresaw your impetuosity; and I have another note for Lady Lansmere, in which he begs her ladyship not to sanction your return to him (should you so wish) until he come or send for you himself. He will do so whenever your word has redeemed his own."
"And do you dare to talk to me thus, and yet pretend to love me?"
Randal smiled ironically.
"I pretend but to wed you. Love is a subject on which I might have spoken formerly, or may speak hereafter. I give you some little time to consider. When I next call, let me hope that we may fix the day for our wedding."
"Never!"
"You will be, then, the first daughter of your House who disobeyed a father; and you will have this additional crime; that you disobeyed him in his sorrow, his exile, and his fall."
Violante wrung her hands.
"Is there no choice, no escape?"
"I see none for either. Listen to me. I love you, it is true; but it is not for my happiness to marry one who dislikes me, nor for my ambition to connect myself with one whose poverty is greater than my own. I marry but to keep my plighted faith with your father, and to save you from a villain you would hate more than myself, and from whom no walls are a barrier, no laws a defence. One person, indeed, might perhaps have preserved you from the misery you seem to antic.i.p.ate with me; that person might defeat the plans of your father"s foe,--effect, it might be, terms which could revoke his banishment and restore his honours; that person is--"
"Lord L"Estrange?"
"Lord L"Estrange!" repeated Randal, sharply, and watching her pale parted lips and her changing colour; "Lord L"Estrange! What could he do?
Why did you name him?"
Violante turned aside. "He saved my father once," said she, feelingly.
"And has interfered, and trifled, and promised, Heaven knows what, ever since: yet to what end? Pooh! The person I speak of your father would not consent to see, would not believe if he saw her; yet she is generous, n.o.ble, could sympathize with you both. She is the sister of your father"s enemy, the Marchesa di Negra. I am convinced that she has great influence with her brother,--that she has known enough of his secrets to awe him into renouncing all designs on yourself; but it is idle now to speak of her."
"No, no," exclaimed Violante. "Tell me where she lives--I will see her."
"Pardon me, I cannot obey you; and, indeed, her own pride is now aroused by your father"s unfortunate prejudices against her. It is too late to count upon her aid. You turn from me,--my presence is unwelcome. I rid you of it now. But welcome or unwelcome, later you must endure it--and for life."
Randal again bowed with formal ceremony, walked towards the house, and asked for Lady Lansmere. The countess was at home. Randal delivered Riccabocca"s note, which was very short, implying that he feared Peschiera had discovered his retreat, and requesting Lady Lansmere to retain Violante, whatever her own desire, till her ladyship heard from him again.