The Mysterious Wanderer, Vol. I

least given a clue to my ideas on another subject, and may perhaps be the means of gaining you intelligence concerning the son o

and earnestly entreated to see him.

rprise in Mr. Talton's countenanc

-starting from his seat, "Good G

alton, whose name he faintly articulated, and, staggering a few paces,

dictating to unwary youth. Beside rendering the declining days of your mother unhappy, you do not recollect the idea you are implanting in the minds of the world! In the enjoyment of every blessing affluence could obtain-every wish gratified-what could be the reason of your clandestine procedure? This is not the age of romance, Sir Henry! Your conduct, then, can claim only the excuse of lunacy!-a charge which,

une, I received him; as such, Sir Henry, you should ever have been welcome to my purse, my interest, and protect

y painful sensation. He precipitately rose, and seizing his hand-"Give not your judgment too hastily, Sir; nor deprive me of your protec

you in the same style. Your friendship for my mother, I am well assured, will induce you to acquaint her with this rencounter: I do not wish it to be concealed. Of my regard-my love, she is well convinced; and the name of mother will never let the force of thos

Your conduct has been mysterious, but you nee

ed by a childish romance. I again repeat-there is a cause! If the sacrifice of my life could secure my mother's

k it more eligible for you to be under the immedia

name was St. Ledger. Can you forgive the falsehood? When informed who you were, a false shame withheld me from retracting the assertion, especially as you had given that protection, as Sir Henry Corbet I should ha

nt of commiseration, and in an instant decided the cause of the supplicating Sir Henry

s recited respecting you, by Mr. Talton, must prevent my proving the friend you wish, I certainly cannot ob

the cabin, but, turning at the door, regarded the Captain with a look expressive of anguish and disappointment: the tear trem

,-burst into tears-and rushed

a moment bereft the Captain of utter

, Frederick, and bring him back. Oh God

alton. "Sir Henry, take my wo

e her?" asked the Ca

as I am with every concern of the late and present Sir Henry, the oc

h a letter for his uncle, which Sir Hen

ing hand, but in vain, to open it. "Take it-read it, Frederick,"

yed, and read

im whose idea has ever lived in her heart; nor fears the world should tax her with indelicacy

e hour of keen adversity. He has equally been our preserver! To him I am indebted for the blessings I enjoy-to him, your son (Oh Edward, can you forgive my hitherto concealing him from your knowledge?

Edward, for he is worthy of your richest regard. You must hereafter clear the myster

ame to him for it! Yet it is not too late: seek Sir Henry immediately:

e of suspense, when he received intelligence, that the corpse of a youth, answering the description of Sir Henry, had been washed on shore about two miles from Lowestoff. Alarmed by this account, he went to the cottage where it had been conveyed, acc

one for the unhappy fate of his favourite St. Ledger: nor did the severity of Mr. Talton refuse the tribute of a sigh: the faults of

s, but the events of the last week had struck the shaft still deeper in his heart; nor could the

nt of pity; whilst the generous Frederick, who had regarded him with fraternal friendship, paid that tribute to his memory his merits demanded; and w

t out for London, to acquaint Lady Corbet with the death of her son: as, however disagreeable the task, he rather chose

akness of his heart, even to his friend. The ensuing morning, therefore, he went on shore, and, unattended, pursued his way

ere the real possessors of thy breast!-In thee my Ellenor has lost the friend she too, perhaps, fondly hoped, would one day h

nk on his knee by the grave-

ou hast inflicted: yet still let mercy blend with thy power, nor crush the head thou hast deigned to rear from the dust! Mine was the guilt; on me let thy vengeance fall: but spare my El

tion; till a sigh, responsive to that which burst from his own bosom, aroused hi

eparately brought us to this spot, that of taking a last farewell of the as

aptain, "though remembrance at the mome

ar you have shed!-Peace to his spirit!-Nor need we doubt it: the God to whom he is gone, will conde

estoring peace to my bosom," said the Capt

nessed my weakness, let me retire

, giving a last look at the grave, dejected

rs to sail for Weymouth, previously to his conv

ared, for ever. Remembrance, with keener powers, recalled her perfections; the sweetness of her manners, her chaste affection; each look, each tender endea

n mine; her arms my haven, her smiles the reward of my toils and anxieties! But now-no welcome ever greets my arrival to my native shore, no offsp

intelligence of his being at Weymouth, than she hastened there, well knowing her presence was a far greater punishment to him than any the law could have inflicted; and as such, it proved more gratifying to her revenge than any it could afford! T

t from Mr. Talton, who, on beholding Mrs. Howard, no longe

o display the worst of her capricious humours. My God! what a contrast to the gentle Ellenor! I can now

urn from an hymeneal expedition with a young lady, whom they, from a family pique, had objected to his marrying; their joy, however, at his return, obliterated every un

r of her son's death, as the cause of it. She instantly retired to Wales, whither I likewise followed, but could not obtain the favour of an interview. She secluded herself from company, nor admitted the presence of any one

he darling of my widowed heart! It is his mother's bosom only he has wrung with anguish; he never injured thee! Why then say he is dead, why tear him from my s

tory, and, if he could possibly discover those who were said to have seen Sir Henry, to bring them to the Hall. He soon returned with an old man, who affirmed he had seen Sir Henry, or his spectre, pass down the church hill the pr

her again declared she had seen her son! The repetition recalled her frenzy, and for some time baffled my endeavours to calm her perturbati

s my presence appears to recall the fate of Sir Henry more forcibly to her mind, I have determined to absent myself till time shall have mitigated her sorrow. I cannot, however, experience e

Captain readily acceded to the proposal, and a few days af

ter three weeks spent in fruitless inquiries, they