"Even so!" exclaimed the voice; and as Ranulph raised his eyes in the direction of the sound, he thought he saw a dark figure, m.u.f.fled in a cloak, disappear behind one of the pillars. He bestowed, however, at the moment, little thought upon this incident. His heart melted within him; and leaning his face upon his hand, he wept aloud.
"Command yourself, I entreat of you, my dear Sir Ranulph," said Dr.
Small, as soon as the service was finished, "and suffer this melancholy ceremonial to be completed." Saying which, he gently withdrew Ranulph from his support, and the coffin was lowered into the vault.
Ranulph remained for some time in the extremity of sorrow. When he in part recovered, the crowd had dispersed, and few persons were remaining within the church; yet near him stood three apparent loiterers. They advanced towards him. An exclamation of surprise and joy burst from his lips.
"Eleanor!"
"Ranulph!"
"Is it possible? Do I indeed behold you, Eleanor?"
No other word was spoken. They rushed into each other"s arms. Oh!
sad--sad is the lover"s parting--no pang so keen; but if life hath a zest more exquisite than others--if felicity hath one drop more racy than the rest in her honeyed cup, it is the happiness enjoyed in such a union as the present. To say that he was as one raised from the depths of misery by some angel comforter, were a feeble comparison of the transport of Ranulph. To paint the thrilling delight of Eleanor--the trembling tenderness--the fond abandonment which vanquished all her maiden scruples, would be impossible. Reluctantly yielding--fearing, yet complying, her lips were sealed in one long, loving kiss, the sanctifying pledge of their tried affection.
"Eleanor, dear Eleanor," exclaimed Ranulph, "though I hold you within my arms--though each nerve within my frame a.s.sures me of your presence--though I look into those eyes, which seem fraught with greater endearment than ever I have known them wear--though I see and feel and know all this, so sudden, so unlooked for is the happiness, that I could almost doubt its reality. Say to what blessed circ.u.mstance I am indebted for this unlooked-for happiness."
"We are staying not far hence, with friends, dear Ranulph; and my mother, hearing of Sir Piers Rookwood"s death, and wishing to bury all animosity with him, resolved to be present at the sad ceremony. We were told you could not be here."
"And would my presence have prevented your attendance, Eleanor?"
"Not that, dear Ranulph; but----"
"But what?"
At this moment the advance of Mrs. Mowbray offered an interruption to their further discourse.
"My son and I appear to be secondary in your regards, Sir Ranulph," said she, gravely.
"_Sir_ Ranulph!" mentally echoed the young man. "What will _she_ think when she knows that that t.i.tle is not mine? I dread to tell her." He then added aloud, with a melancholy smile, "I crave your pardon, madam; the delight of a meeting so unexpected with your daughter must plead my apology."
"None is wanting, Sir Ranulph," said Major Mowbray. "I who have known what separation from my sister is, can readily excuse your feelings. But you look ill."
"I have, indeed, experienced much mental anxiety," said Ranulph, looking at Eleanor; "it is now past, and I would fain hope that a brighter day is dawning." His heart answered, "twas but a hope.
"You were unlooked for here to-night, Sir Ranulph," said Mrs. Mowbray; "by us, at least: we were told you were abroad."
"You were rightly informed, madam," replied Ranulph. "I only arrived this evening from Bordeaux."
"I am glad you are returned. We are at present on a visit with your neighbors, the Davenhams, at Braybrook, and trust we shall see you there."
"I will ride over to-morrow," replied Ranulph; "there is much on which I would consult you all. I would have ventured to request the favor of your company at Rookwood, had the occasion been other than the present."
"And I would willingly have accepted your invitation," returned Mrs.
Mowbray; "I should like to see the old house once more. During your father"s lifetime I could not approach it. You are lord of broad lands, Sir Ranulph--a goodly inheritance."
"Madam!"
"And a proud t.i.tle, which you will grace well, I doubt not. The first, the n.o.blest of our house, was he from whom you derive your name. You are the third Sir Ranulph; the first founded the house of Rookwood; the next advanced it; "tis for you to raise its glory to its height."
"Alas! madam, I have no such thought."
"Wherefore not? you are young, wealthy, powerful. With such domains as those of Rookwood--with such a t.i.tle as its lord can claim, naught should be too high for your aspirations."
"I aspire to nothing, madam, but your daughter"s hand; and even that I will not venture to solicit until you are acquainted with----" And he hesitated.
"With what?" asked Mrs. Mowbray, in surprise.
"A singular, and to me most perplexing event has occurred to-night,"
replied Ranulph, "which may materially affect my future fortunes."
"Indeed!" exclaimed Mrs. Mowbray. "Does it relate to your mother?"
"Excuse my answering the question now, madam," replied Ranulph; "you shall know all to-morrow."
"Ay, to-morrow, dear Ranulph," said Eleanor; "and whatever that morrow may bring forth, it will bring happiness to me, if you are bearer of the tidings."
"I shall expect your coming with impatience," said Mrs. Mowbray.
"And I," added Major Mowbray, who had listened thus far in silence, "would offer you my services in any way you think they would be useful.
Command me as you think fitting."
"I thank you heartily," returned Ranulph. "To-morrow you shall learn all. Meanwhile, it shall be my business to investigate the truth or falsehood of the statement I have heard, ere I report it to you. Till then, farewell."
As they issued from the church it was gray dawn. Mrs. Mowbray"s carriage stood at the door. The party entered it; and accompanied by Dr. Small, whom he found within in the vestry, Ranulph walked towards the hall, where a fresh surprise awaited him.
_CHAPTER V_
_THE CAPTIVE_
_Black Will._ Which is the place where we"re to be concealed?
_Green._ This inner room.
_Black Will._ "Tis well. The word is, "Now I take you."
_Arden of Feversham._
Guarded by the two young farmers who had displayed so much address in seizing him, Luke, meanwhile, had been conveyed in safety to the small chamber in the eastern wing, destined by Mr. Coates to be his place of confinement for the night. The room, or rather closet, opening from another room, was extremely well adapted for the purpose, having no perceptible outlet; being defended, on either side, by thick part.i.tion walls of the hardest oak, and at the extremity by the solid masonry of the mansion. It was, in fact, a remnant of the building anterior to the first Sir Ranulph"s day; and the narrow limits of Luke"s cell had been erected long before the date of his earliest progenitor. Having seen their prisoner safely bestowed, the room was carefully examined, every board sounded, every crevice and corner peered into by the curious eye of the little lawyer; and nothing being found insecure, the light was removed, the door locked, the rustic constables dismissed, and a brace of pistols having been loaded and laid on the table, Mr. Coates p.r.o.nounced himself thoroughly satisfied and quite comfortable.
Comfortable! t.i.tus heaved a sigh as he echoed the word. He felt anything but comfortable. His heart was with the body all the while. He thought of the splendor of the funeral, the torches, the illumined church, his own dignified march down the aisle, and the effect he expected to produce amongst the bewildered rustics. He thought of all these things, and cursed Luke by all the saints in the calendar. The sight of the musty old apartment, hung round with faded arras, which, as he said, "smelt of nothing but rats and ghosts, and suchlike varmint," did not serve to inspirit him; and the proper equilibrium of his temper was not completely restored until the appearance of the butler, with all the requisites for the manufacture of punch, afforded him some prospective solace.
"And what are they about now, Tim?" asked t.i.tus.