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

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his ancient city, and strolling into one of its magnificent churches, from which the congregation had just issued, I wandered

a nun, and whose features were studiously concealed by a long veil, glided swiftly from behind one of the enormous pillars which sup

if you possess these qualities, meet me to-night precisely at twelve o'cl

which was irresistible. I resolved on going armed, and taking a friend along with me to guard against a surprise. Exactly at the appointed hour I reached the western inlet to that once splendid residence, now superb vestige of former days, which had been named as the place of rendezvous. At

me, if you are prepared to undertake a commission which

you but a few minutes. The only trial to which your courage will be exposed is surmounted in the moment of your entrance here. You suspect my

tly forward, encouraging me to follow. We made many turnings, and passed several doors on the right and left, which seemed to lead to other passages; but all was still and silent as the grave, except when the large heavy drops, that lined the vaulted

the child, which, after pressing affectionately to her bosom, she delivered into my arms. Then arranging the garments of the deceased, which resembled her own costume, with pious care, next placing an ebony cross, or prie Dieu, on the breast, and winding a string of beads round the alabaster arms, which she folded across the bosom, the friendly Nun threw back her veil, and with a heavenly expression of devotional tenderness, knelt down at the side of the corpse, and with uplifted hands and eyes, briefly, but fervently, implored a blessing on the departed spirit, committing that which had but just left its earthly tabernacle to the Eternal Guardian of souls. Then printing a fond kiss on the cold lips which were unconscious of the tender farewell, she seized a packet whic

the convent in which I dwell to join her husband; but a fictitious marriage, which she believed to have been performed according to the most sacred rites of your Church, left him who had basely practised on her confidence free to desert his victim, who died of grief after giving birth to this dear babe. She resumed

dom in quest of my friend, who suffered the greatest anxiety, fearing that I had fallen a prey to my imprudence and foolish thirst for romance. Apprehensive of my fate, he continued wandering round and round the Moorish palace, seeking me i

e and encounter peril, which, to spare my young ward, I settled her and her nurse in a delightful and wholesome situation in the province of Castille, resolving not to disturb them till I could convey the child to an English school. During my absence the nurse died. I was not informed of the event. Zorilda fell into the h

the condition of Zorilda. I was neither enabled to clear up the mystery of her birth, nor offer any clue to the discovery of her father. Interference on my part might lessen the interest conceived towards her by those benefactors who imagined their rights to be undisputed, while her noble parent, whoever he might be, coming to the knowledge of circumstances which were not intended to be divulged, and pe

s British, for which amount, a check upon my banker in London will be found sealed up

e the pleasure of recalling to her remembrance the welcome with which she used to receive me at her nurse Rueda's house, when I went la

th the rest, was stolen from me. I commit all that remains to the care of Mr. Playfair, th

d added them by way of supplement to the narrative. A certificate was appended to it, sealed and signed with the name of Charles Russell, who confirmed the statement which it set forth;

had been Zorilda! But, like a lamp suddenly introduced into the depths of a dungeon, the light which had just fallen on her history only seemed to mark more clearly the desolation of her lot. She read Mr. Playfair's let

r parcel, and opening a box of transparent agate, drew forth a splendid Maltese cross of the richest brilliants, then a miniature, an

vely acknowledges of tender and protective, struck at this moment on Zorilda's heart with a

ck, and shield that heavenly bosom from every grief, but she is dead! cold and dead! This beaming eye is sealed, the soft glow o

gony of grief, on the portrait of her whose presence, could it be restored to her fond embrac

o repose after a storm of elemental strife, while resignation sits above, and watches the moment to whisper peace. Zoril

dred spirits of the just made perfect, clothed in white robes, and crowned with imperishable glory, amongst the highly favoured, who have drank at the bitter waters of affliction, and risen purified by tribulation, my blessed mother stands before the th

own on a tray before Zorilda. The latter started from her seat, and threw her arms round the neck of this affectionate creature; then, pointing to t

he and Mr. Algernon (Lord Hautonville, I should say,) are to be here the latter end of next week, and there is a terrible falling off by what I can learn, in the property part of the story. It seems that my Lord Marchdale had power to will away all the estates except one, which must go with the title; and sure enough he did not leave Master a rap that he could keep from him. All the bulk of h

greater part of Rachel's harangue; but, sudd

On your skill and management I rest for so ordering matters, that the strictest secrecy shall attend upon our movements. I have the means of re-paying any mon

most wonderful changes in its own good time. I had so many dreams about you, and my sleep of late was so uneasy, that it was fore

she, "and think how we shall get away in such a manner that we may avoid the possibility of being traced. My mind is so agitated and confused, that you must give me time to recover. Moments are precious. Go, dear

ing myself, and therefore no questions will be asked about my trunks, in which there is room for your clothes as well as mine. My broth

made was one that left her in all her original ignorance. "But," added she, as she still mused on this strange event, "it no longer avails, that I have neither name, nor house, nor pretensions. More knowledge than I possess, what would it do for me? Would it not only lead to hatred of a father who could act

to improve. It was arranged, that as soon as possible Rachel was to ask for her dismissal, which Mrs. Hartla

emned. The servants will all be glad to think that you are taking the air. Mistress will ask no questions, for she cares little about you, and her mind is taken up with her own affairs. I have already borrowed a covered cart of my brother's, who will meet us at a little distance from his house. You shall throw a large cloak of min

Mrs. Gordon in Aberdeenshire, and I ask no more. I will consult the map, and tell you the ro

from Henbury," answered Rachel. "I am now going to send off my trunks, with a line, to my brother, to let him know that I must go directly after one who owes me some money. He is aware that I am frightened about this debt, and will have his ca

tears; "and this packet-this precious packet, shall never be se

er gazing upon, and kissing fondly each memorial of early affection, which brought distant circumstances and tender recollections to her mind, she sealed up a parcel, containing all the little gifts whic

a deed of charity by one of gratitude. That time, alas! is past, and with it all Zorilda's earthly happiness. Circumstances have occurred which render decision necessary, and these few lines are

and busy memory would not be still. Weary of her uneasy couch, she rose before day, and looked from her w

Algernon is dead to me, and my heart shall prove a faithful widow to its first, its only love. Thes

rtment, and with light step passed down stairs, through hall and passages unseen, and gained the pleasure-grounds without any obstacle to their progress. Zorilda made a sudden stop as she reached the arbour, which she had wreathed with fragrant climbers to meet Algernon's return. The sweet bre

not make yourself melancholy by lingering here. If we are to go, we should not stand shilly shally

as presently in the open fields, not daring to

in, she beckoned our trembling heroine, and having contrived to place her in the vehicle, stepped in herself, and ordered the lad to proceed in the direction which she described to him. Zorilda observed a mournful silence, which her companion, though not given t

ress, she had the address to desire her charioteer to alight, and make inquiry in a cottage by the way-side, whether Mrs. Nixon, an imaginary friend of hers was to be found in the neighbourhood.

, that no such person as Mr. Nixon was known, Rachel sat in solitary possessio

he road side, under a spreading tree, till this new vehicle was in motion, while Rachel bustled about, appeared busy in recognising her acquaintances at the inn, and wa

ss a departure, Rachel set off, and a sudden turn in the road, bore the c

own thoughts, that she would have suffered the machine to pass unnoticed, if Rachel had not vocifer

room," and so there was, for though like a snow-ball, they were destined to gather as they rolled, there were but two other persons already occupying seats, and these were a brace of sturdy farmers, who were so intent on compar

ed, and where, likewise, they will be foiled. After this stage, we may take our ease, and travel in a pro

r and her attendant to their repose in a qu

nly remarking that it was very extraordinary that her orders should be disobeyed, and desiring that on Zorilda's return to her chamber, she should be informed of the circumstance. The servants had no more suspicion than

light gave her inexpressible delight. All care and responsibility were now at an end. She had taken her affairs into her own hands, and Lady Marchdale not only felt relieved from all anxiety how to dispose of her, but might expatiate on the various surmises which she chose to indulge, so unfavourable to female modesty, youthful timidity, natural affection, gratitu

I could bear any thing but to hear Miss Zoé suspected of evil doings. She is an angel on earth, where

ed Lady Marchdale; "I d

almost persuaded the rest at length, that the fairies who she knew to a certainty were often busy in conveying cows secretly from their pastures, had some hand in the elopement of Miss Zoé. "A

ew off to Zorilda's apartment. The door was open. He went in, and called. From thence he ran down stairs, and out into the shrubberies, not waiting to ask a quest

nned him by the intelligence that Zori

ing this moment. Order fresh horses directly. I will largely reward whoever brings me intelligence of their route, an

who seemed so completely bereft of his senses as scarcely to possess the facult

n the matter. Miss Zoé did receive a packet,

sent the letter. How did it come; by post or messeng

ht it some message from Marchdale-court. When she returned to the house we inquired what she had seen or heard; but she put us off with saying that it was only a friend of Mr. Playfair's who desired him to call as he passed,

n man, whose heart's blood shall answer for this. Call Rachel; let me see her instantly. But stay-not so fa

time that she came from her room, she used to be in tears herself, and said that it would melt a heart of stone to see how Miss Zoé would walk all day backwards and forwards, with her hands clasped, and her eyes streaming. It was a pitiful sight. Well,

onville. "Never mind the dogs. Was it a

daisy's head, across the fields, to tell us which way she went; and, as the ignorant people say, it was as much like Fairies' work as any thing that ever came to pass. The only one thing that with all our spelling and putting together, we could remark was, that latterly she grew timoursome about taking long walks, as s

n Tyrrell. Where is my mother? I wi

very day that Miss Zoé left the house, and went to farmer Wilson'

r son with his want of affection. "I have," said she, "been calling you

ed Lord Hautonville, with a savage counte

ady Marchdale; "she has taken herself out of my pr

ne? She is mine, and I will follow her. Nothing shall prevail upon me to give her up; and you will not accomplish any end by keeping me in the dark. Tel

suit, and bind herself by a written promise never to ally herself with the family of Hartland; Zorilda's refusal-her subsequent imprisonment-farewell note, and mysterious departure, were all detailed

earance at Henbury, had afterwards adopted the artifice of assuming the name of Mr. Playfair, to practise on her credulity, and decoy her from her friends. Rushing like a lunatic from the house, Lord Hautonville's first essay was at farmer Wilson's. There he summoned the boy who had driven Rachel to the carrier's inn, but could learn no more than that he had performed his mission; that the good woman travelled alone, and was safely lo

on legal business. It was in vain that Lady Marchdale alternately stormed and beseeched. Arguments, threats, and caresses were alike ineffectual. Post horses were ordered; and

OF V

nd Son, 25, Par

riber'

without note. Irregularities and inconsistenc

t in the original text and has been

ted by the transcriber and is he