Between two and three we all agreed to go home. The dear creature was fatigued with the notice everybody took of her. Everybody admired her.
I waited on her to her chair, and saw her in it, before I attended Lady Betty and my wife to theirs.
I saw that neither the chair, nor the chairmen were those who brought her. I asked the meaning and was told that the chairmen we had engaged had been inveigled away to drink somewhere. She hurried into it because of her dress, and being warm; no less than four gentlemen followed her to the very chair.
I ordered Wilson, my, cousin"s servant, to bid the chairmen stop, when they had got out of the crowd till Lady Betty"s chair and mine, and my wife"s joined them.
I saw her chair move, and Wilson, with his lighted flambeaux, before it, and the four masks who followed her to the chair return into the house.
When our servants could not find that her chair had stopped, we supposed that, in the hurry, the fellow heard not my orders; and directed our chairmen to proceed, not doubting but that we should find her got home before us.
But what was our consternation at finding her not arrived, and that Lady Betty (to whose house we thought she might have been carried) had not either seen or heard of her!
I had half a suspicion of Sir Hargrave, as well from the character given us of him by a friend, as because of his impolite behaviour to the dear creature on her rejecting him; and sent to his house in Cavendish Square to know if he were at home: and if he were, at what time he returned from the ball.
Answer was brought that he was in bed, and they supposed would not be stirring till dinner-time; and that he returned from the ball between four and five this morning.
O, my dear Mr. Selby! We _have_ tidings! The dear creature is living and in honourable hands. Read the enclosed letter, directed to me.
"Sir,--Miss Byron is in safe hands. She has been cruelly treated, and was many hours speechless. But don"t frighten yourselves; her fits, though not less frequent, are weaker and weaker. The bearer will acquaint you who my brother is; to whom you owe the preservation and safety of the loveliest woman in England, and he will direct you to a house where you will be welcome, with your lady (for Miss Byron cannot be removed) to convince yourself that all possible care is taken of her by _your humble servant_,
"CHARLOTTE GRANDISON."
What we learnt from the honest man who brought the letter is, briefly, as follows:
His master is Sir Charles Grandison; a gentleman who has not been long in England.
Sir Charles was going to town in his chariot and six when he met our distressed cousin.
Sir Hargrave is the villain.
Sir Charles had earnest business in town, and he proceeded thither, after he had rescued the dear creature and committed her to the care of his sister. G.o.d forever bless him!
_VII.--Mr. Reeves to George Selby, Esq.: In Continuation_
_February_ 18. I am just returned from visiting my beloved cousin, who is still weak, but is more composed than she has. .h.i.therto been, the amiable lady, Miss Grandison tells me.
Sir Charles Grandison is, indeed, a fine figure. He is the bloom of youth. I don"t know that I have ever seen a handsomer or genteeler man.
Well might his sister say that if he married he would break a score of hearts.
I will relate all he said in the first person, as nearly in his own words as possible.
"About two miles on this side Hounslow," said he, "I saw a chariot and six driving at a great rate.
"The coachman seemed inclined to dispute the way with mine. This occasioned a few moments" stop to both. I ordered my coachman to break the way. I don"t love to stand on trifles. My horses were fresh and I had not come far.
"The curtain of the chariot we met was pulled down. I knew by the arms it was Sir Hargrave Pollexfen"s.
"There was in it a gentleman who immediately pulled up the canvas.
"I saw, however, before he drew it up another person wrapped up in a man"s scarlet cloak.
""For G.o.d"s sake, help--help!" cried out the person. "For G.o.d"s sake, help!"
"I ordered my coachman to stop.
""Drive on!" said the gentleman, cursing his coachman. "Drive on when I bid you I"
""Help!" again cried she, but with a voice as if her mouth was half stopped.
"I called to my servants on horseback to stop the postilion of the other chariot; and I bid Sir Hargrave"s coachman proceed at his peril. Then I alighted, and went round to the other side of the chariot.
"Again the lady endeavoured to cry out. I saw Sir Hargrave struggle to pull over her mouth a handkerchief, which was tied around her head. He swore outrageously.
"The moment she beheld me, she spread out both her hands--"For G.o.d"s sake!"
""Sir Hargrave Pollexfen," said I, "by the arms. You are engaged, I doubt, in a very bad affair."
""I _am_ Sir Hargrave Pollexfen, and am carrying a fugitive wife."
""Your _own_ wife, Sir Hargrave?"
""Yes, by heaven!" said he. "And she was going to elope from me at a d.a.m.ned masquerade!"
""Oh, no, no, no!" said the lady.
""Let me ask the lady a question, Sir Hargrave. Are you, madam, Lady Pollexfen?" said I.
""Oh, no, no, no!" was all she could say.
"Two of my servants came about me; a third held the head of the horse on which the postilion sat. Three of Sir Hargrave"s approached on their horses, but seemed as if afraid to come too near, and parleyed together.
""Have an eye to those fellows," said I. "Some base work is on foot.
Sirrah!"--to the coachman--"proceed at your peril!"
"Sir Hargrave then, with violent curses and threatenings, ordered him to drive over everyone that opposed him.
""Oh, sir--sir," cried the lady, "help me, for I am in a villain"s hands! Trick"d--vilely trick"d!"
""Do you," said I to my servants, "cut the traces if you cannot otherwise stop this chariot! Leave Sir Hargrave to me!"
"The lady continued screaming, and crying out for help. Sir Hargrave drew his sword, and then called upon his servants to fire at all that opposed his progress.
""My servants, Sir Hargrave, have firearms as well as yours. They will not dispute my orders. Don"t provoke me to give the word." Then, addressing the lady: "Will you, madam, put yourself into my protection?"