Tales of My Time, Vol. 1 (of 3)

most oft there where most

ed theme, and there are few pleasures belonging to m

ion makes the

e of remembered time, when in an hour of such desolation as a heart like hers, alive to the strongest impressions, could alone experience; the current of her grief was distu

ght would now give him back to the eyes and heart of her whose agitated spirits b

abandoned. Mrs. Hartland felt her son's absence severely, but it was some consolation to believe that he was extending his connections advantageously amongst people whose rank and

he fond assurance, that their darling was the principal ornament of the Court of France. He had quarrelled with the Marquess of Turnstock, but concealed his separation from him, and the true motive of his present design to re-visit home at th

rt for its jealous doubts. The intervals between Algernon's letters were much increased since he commenced his foreign travel, but Zorilda could account for this. "He knows that I have no money, and would spare me his mother's reproaches for the cost of freque

cheat, fai

fire, "pardoning the treas

ge of Louis Quinze, had discovered the refrigeration of a lover's affection, in his voluntary choice of a short road when he used to conduct her home to her convent, after passing the day with her friends in Paris. Two sides of the triangle which for

ve stood proof against the first sound of the carriage wheels which announced Algernon's arrival within the gates of Henbury. The most subtile arguments are but feeble weapons when opposed to true love, when the latter is re-inforced by presence of the beloved object. One look is sufficient to put to flight a world of reasoning, and Zorilda did not wait to see her tr

ound and setters, which I left with him; and tell him that I expect their education to be finished by the time I see them again. I long also to re-visit my haw

mother" and "most affectionate son," addressed to herself, and pres

alone to try whether "fire haste" might not extract somethi

en to be pleased or displeased themselves. This was Mrs. Hartland's habit, and Zorilda's patience was often put to severe trial; but the mother's spirits were now elated, and all aroun

to celebrate. Childish things must henceforth be put away, and my son must now assume the manly character in which he is called from this time to act a new part upon t

ntrance of a servant, who came to say that a messenger had just arrived on horseback at full speed, bringing a letter which he had orders not to confide to any other hands than those of Mr. or Mrs. Hartland, offered an opportunity which Zorilda instanta

de?" and what so childish as love for the nameless, friendless, orphan-gipsey? I understand it all too well, yet why too well? Ungrateful that I am! Shall I repine that I am enabled to perceive the dangers which beset my path? and do I call myself unfriended while the spirit of her who so lately blessed me with almost a mother's tenderness, still hovers here? Yes, in this

wn where she had knelt before, exclaimed with fervour, "Remember Drumcairn!" "Those were her parting words as she folded me to her bosom. Yes, I will remember, and with thankfulness, that there is yet an earthly asylum for Zorilda." A slight rustling amongst the br

, and for me!" She seized the paper with trembling haste, and casting a timid glance around, hurried breathlessly back to the sh

ril

ich rend your heart, yet without intrusion on your sorrows. The friend who now addresses you, has not taken advantage of his situation to possess himself of your secrets, if you have any which you desire should be unrevealed, and his motive in thus alarming, is to warn you against dangers which threaten your peace. Walk n

l did not predominate over every calmer feeling. From whence came the warning which she had just received? It was not the hand-writing of Mr. Playfair, and if it were, why should he be thus mysterious? He would have point

guard in attendance on my steps. Mrs. Hartland would call me a heroine of romance, and I should be derided, ridiculed, insulted. What a time is this to ha

quickly, over which she had been musing, and had scarcely time to conceal it, when Rach

me too; not expected till dinner, which is ordered an hour later than usual, and we have been put into a great fluttermen

ion which had been made to her. Bewildered by the variety of alarms which thronged upon her mind, she advanced with breathless agitation, and having reached the house, heard Mrs. Hartland's voice loudly em

ng, and felt sinking with apprehension and exhaustion, when she was met by a countena

d a paralytic stroke, and is speechless. Mr. Humphries, the head steward, who has long been in our interests, has sent off an express to give secret intelligence of the event; and here, by the most unlucky chance imaginable, my son is far away, and I know not how to direct to him. Mr. Hart

er sympathies of Zorilda's heart, which were ever ready at the call of affect

he neglected the business which engages him this morning; and as to me, I am not aware of disobeying your commands in taking

phries, thank him in my name for the zeal which he has shewn in our affairs, desire him t

er as you propose to the steward. If, as I have heard you say, Mr. Hartland is heir to the estates, as well as to the title of Marchdale, you will owe nothing to the officiousness of this Humphries; but should Lord Marchdale have had power over his fortune, and exercised it to your disadvantage, how will this precipitancy advance your claims, or redress the evil? Again, a pa

; "make haste, give a guinea to the messenger, see that he

hen, having performed her commission, she had time to reflect on her own situation, rendered doubly precarious and painful,

characters. Mr. Hartland shewed no impatience, but, assuming a sort of sullen pomp, seemed to feel himself already in possession of the distinction which he anticipated; while Mrs. Hartland, in an agony of "hope deferred," endured a perpetual fever

artland was of this description. The mob principle, that every one must be wrong who does not glide with full sails before the wind, influenced all her decisions of every kind; and though in the present case it was obvious, that while Lord Marchdale lived she could not receive the joyful information of his death, she could not impute the silence of Mr. Humphries to any other source than offence at the frigid style of Zorilda's reply to his letter. "I saw

rtland's unceasing complaints; which were now received with less submission by her husband, as he began to feel himse

e, my dear. Would you have Mr. Humphries administer a dose of poison to h

t for the sake of posterity, I wish that your relation may recover, and keep you out of an earldom which you are not fit for

d, I tell you that a paralytic stroke is not always a stroke unto death; and you may be punished yet for committing murder in your heart, if no

nxieties as much as possible, tried every effort in her power to soften these asperities and mediate between the belligerent p

ed from the irksome society of those with whom it was her lot to drag the heavy hours. "Who would desire

hasing this gratification was more than she could command, so entire was her dependence; and even if it had been permitted her to cor

communion left; and, oh may I use the gift to profit! examine my heart, probe its most secret recesses

wer to shed happiness in every smile. Spite of every effort to repress the fond dreams of imagination, they would sometimes, too, indulge in weaving a golden future for herself. If Algernon had ceased to love, why did his letters still breathe the honied accents of a sentiment which he might pretend

A secret feeling would even picture the pleased surprise with which Algernon would hear her voice, already flexible and melodious, now improved by scienc

touching the sounds which flowed from those ruby lips

he swee

s upon a ban

and givin

ful love; and on the same day, the evening of which was to be blessed by Algernon's

without effecting any improvement of temper. On the contrary, the spirit of bickering against her hu

is due on that score; but if the property is left away, it would be much better that the title had gone along with it. You have always neglected my advice, Mr. Hartland, or we s

d any mortal, but yourself, ever hear of prying into a will before the body is lai

y find, bye and bye, that my 'rapacity,' or prudence, or whateve

ther, they were irresistibly excited by the intelligence just received. Men are said to be but "children of a larger gr

nd forwards to catch the first glimpse of their master, and see whether he looked differently from his former self, since he had become a great lord; but the dread of discovering how much he was pleased with his new dignity, as also a certain fear of upstart claims which might at least be vexatio

r with the delightful sounds of "my Lady," and "your ladyship," she condescended to expatiate on the lofty acquirements which had descended on her house. One old

d and unwished-for sounds. Then the object of her soul's dearest attachment was to be snatched from her eyes, almost in the moment of meeting them: and though the recollection of her own danger was the last consideration to present itself, yet when remembrance of the letter which she had in her possession forced upon her mind a consciousness of the defenceless condi

h the affection of dear old times; and why do I admit these mean doubts

t finish to her little preparations, by dressing every part of the

y Lilies

eda's

ervants, hastened to the hall. Zorilda, with beating heart, blanched cheek, and trembling knees, lingered on the stairs, unable to move, but the first accent

his joyful instant, as repaid an age of keenest anguish, while Algernon's astonished gaze, seemed to declare that no such love

return. Zorilda loved, and was beloved; but, she knew not why, she had not the same pleasure which she formerly felt in Algernon's company. There was a fire in his manner of looking at her, and a bold familiarity in his mode of address, which discomposed her, and made her desire to shrink into herself, without being able to explain to her own breast the reason why she did so. Wh

gs of the days of youth and early love.' Dreamer! thy doom is sealed! What has Zorilda in common with the world's attractions

tters of importance to her care during his absence. Dinner succeeded, and the evening was chiefly occupied in preparations of one kind or other for the ensuing journey; but no

will have you put in the right way. I know a charming person, La Baronne de Torsi, who will be happy to do me a kindness. She will have pleasure in forming you to the standard of good taste. The materials, my Zoé, are perfect, but you want the air, the fashion, the indispensable tone of society, which you could not attain in this wretched place. What a pair are these poor old souls, my father and mother!

kiss, but she turned, and hastily disengaging her hand from his, flew to the sanctuary of

ge of true love? I know it not by these signs. There is no prison, however dreary, no wilderness however wild, into which Zorilda would not accompany the being whom she loved, to

so early, that she was spared the humiliation of shewing how much power Algernon possessed over her affections. As he went down stairs

against receiving any communication, either by letter or vis

ough I know not of what nature? But no: the letter which I received is not in his hand-writing, and the sentiments which it expresses, so full of delicate consideration for the unhappy Zor

e state of her mind to leave a doubt of what she endured. A few constrained questions and

away, desired her young companion to wait her return; and quitting

ting the door, and laying these upon a table, she ordered Zorilda, in a stern voice, to sit d

t that you were ever designed to be his wife? Do you think that a pretty face is sufficient qualification for the future Countess of Marchdale, or that Lord Hautonville's parents would ever look upon him again, were the wiles of an artful girl to betray his honourable mind into a remembrance of the boyish vows which children make to each other before they comprehend the nature of a promise? There is only one act by which you can ease my mind, and restore yourself to that place in my regards from which, I confess with regret, that you have fallen. Here are paper, pen, and ink; I have never found you untrue, and shall depend with confidence upon your written assurance, regularly signed, for my full satisfaction, that from this moment, you not only renounce all pretension to an alliance with my family; but should a romantic spirit of ch

ad prepared for want of kindness, she did not anticipate the coarseness by which she had just been assailed. Notwithstanding every effort, or ra

restored her faculties once more. She had been removed to her apartment, and was laid on her bed, from which she now rose in haste, and, dismissing her faithful attendant with thanks, she su

I thank you for your care of my infant years. I am grateful also for the asylum which I have since found under your roof. These acknowledgments

your dependence for every morsel of bread, every article of clothing, protection, tenderness, education, companionship, only, I say, to show how greatly I shall estimate the act by which you, who are aware of the extent of your obligations, are enabled at one stroke of your pen to cancel them all. Here, my love, I have drawn up the promissory note, as I may call it, which wipes off all scores between us. Here, my dear, though you have no sirname, nor for the matter of that, perhaps, C

ratefully the obligations which I owe. If you really confide in my truth, prove it by relying on what I say; and as to my future fate, discharge your mind, I pray you, of all anxiety upon that account. Grant me but a short time to make some trifling arrangements for my departure, and you shall be satisf

"am I to understand, that you refuse to

g no demand, I will not assume the merit of renouncing that to which I do not assert a title. Were I bound by an engagement such as terrifies you to anticipate, I sho

Quit me, I say, this moment, and do not presume to leave your apartment. I give you one week to consider of your conduct; if at the end of that time you repent of your behaviour to me, and declare yourself ready to submit, all shall be f

eatment which she had just experienced-it was not confinement-that she deplored; on the contrary, solitude and repose were as soothing as they were become necessary to her harassed spirits; but the gentle, the affectionate Zorilda, had never till now rebelled against the authority of her whom she still reflected on as her benefactress; and she reproached herself with hav

exclaimed the meek sufferer; "but the time is come. How little did I imagine it so close at hand when the

to hazard the possibility of Mrs. Gordon's recommending her to postpone so adventurous an undertaking. Besides, if her elopement were to excite a desire in those she left behind to trace her retreat, inquiry would naturally be directed, in the first instance, to the only quarter from which it might be

cy; yet as misfortune had begun to teach her the happy art which can draw good from apparent evil, as the bee extracts honey from the vilest weeds, she felt glad that the prohibition which forbade her usual exercise preserved her from the pain of dwelling in detail on every leaf and flower associated with fondest memory.

ng further remained to impede its commencement. The approaching alterations in the establishment at Henbury afforded Rachel an opportunity of disengaging herself from further services as a domestic without exciting suspicion respecting her future intentions; and having given notice to Mrs. Hartlan

y; but it is not the letter which y

ht well interest a girl of eighteen. Perhaps, if truth were told, there are few of either sex or any age exempt from such a measure of curiosity as would tempt to break the seal in such a case; but in Zorilda's circumstances every trifle was raised into importance; even the parcel which she held in her hand might elucidate her history and influence her fate. Yet Algernon had bid her beware of receiving any thing of th

t there is some mistake. It may be a parcel of Mrs. Hartland's; it cannot be

ir? I'm sure if I did not, it was the joy I felt in bringing it to you, that made me neglect to name him. I thought you woul

sistance in the hour of need. Here at least is

tter, directed to "My dear Pupil," in the well known hand of

er first. Now, dear Rachel, leave me, and if I have any good news to communicate you may be sure of hearing it. You a

ilda unfolded the letter, and to

f any kind, seemed to furnish excuse for the tardiness of your submission; but, inasmuch as you have felt inclined to doubt the care of an Almighty ruler, as relating to yourself, in such proportion will you now assuredly pour out the incense of gratitude and wonder, when you hear the tale which I have to unfold, and ponder on those remarkable coincidences which render me t

lived at no great distance, was desirous to speak with me, and requested my immediate attention to his request. At a loss to account for such an invitation, yet fearful of giving pain to a fellow-creature in extremity, if I waited to make further inquiry, I followed a servant who led the way, and in a few minutes was introduced to the be

x, for my arrival-but Heaven has ordered otherwise. I reached Abbeville a few days ago, attended only by my groom, whom I have not known long enough to depend upon. This packet contains some property of value, and a narrative which I drew up years ago. These are of the deepest interest to a young and lovely Spaniard who resides somewhere in England, with a family of the name of Hartland. The only name I know for her is Zorilda, but I do not mean to

n its motive, I have good reason to believe deprived death of its sting. I took charge of his will, and other papers of value, for his family. He expired without a struggle, and having stayed to attend his mortal remains to the tomb, I travelled back to perform my vow. Having seen Lady Carleton, I have discharged my mission as far as regards her; but send your parcel, of which I made no mention to her ladyship, by a sure conveyance to your own hands. On my return to England (for I am once more setting out for the Conti

e sum of his own gratification. You were ever generous, affectionate, and disinterested. Such disparity I was well aware could never produce a happy union; but I had no means of averting the perils which I foresaw. Events have confirmed my presages, and Algernon's career since he left home has been marked by an utter dereliction of every principle with which I vainly sought to imbue his mind. It is with grief I inform you that his extravagance and dissipation have arrived at a fearful height, and the last account which

t is your part, my child, to wean your affections from a man who is unwort

be sustained through every trial of lif

e possession of her mind. The packet accompanying the letter was still unopened. What mysterious interference of Providence in her behalf could it contain, a

E NARR

er aside, she r