J of California :n Regional y Facility I , ^«'S BOOK card! 4.\\E-[iB/?Al?V:^^ Un rrv This book is DUH on the last date stamped beh)w \ OCT 1 ms «^- '^ ^^ ImAR 1 2 1947 I ^^,^,9 •, \m. |«At. SO '9^^- Jil r<^^^ ^' ^^m' CCT 3 8 :i^ '/UL 2 9 1949 OCT ; ^ •,:. OCT J 7 195C A/tf/.. SFi ^v>:j«. '■l^-' i -i u-,, OCT 2 81959 Funii I. !l -11 CANTERBURY TALES, VOLUME THE FIRST. BY HARRIET LEE, A woman's ftory at a winter's fire, Authoris'd by her grandame. Shakespeare, THE SECOND EDITION. LONDON: -RIMED rOR G. G. AND J. ROBINSON, RATERNOSTER-ROVV. MDCCXCIX. IXTRODUCTION. •"v X. HERE arc people In the world who think their lives well employed in collecting iliells ; there are others not lefs fatisfied to fpend theirs in claffing butterllies. For my own part, I always preferred animate to inanimate nature; and would rather pofl: to the antipodes to mark a new charadler, or develop a fingular incident, than become a fellow of the Royal Society, by enriching mufeums with non-defcripts. By this ac- ^ count, you, my gentle Reader, may, with- out any extraordinary penetration, have difcovered, that I am among the eccentric part of mankind, by the courtefy of each other, and themfelves, ycleped poets : — a a 2 title. iv INTRODUCTION. title, which, however mean or contemptible it may found to thofe not honoured with it, never yet was rejededby a fingle mortal on whom thefuffrage of mankind conferred it ; — no, though the laurel wreath of Apollo, barren in its nature, was twined by the frozen fingers of poverty, and flied on the brow it crowned her chilling influence. But when did it fo? — Too often deftined to deprive its graced owner of every real good, by an enchantment we know not how to define, it comprehends in itfelf fuch a va- riety of pleafures and polTeflions, that well may one of us cry — "■' Thy lavifli charter, tafte, appropriates all we fee!'* Happily, too, we are not like "cirtnofi \\\ general, encumbered with the treafures ga- thered in our peregrinations. Compad in their nature, they lie all in the fmall cavities of our brain : which arc indeed often fo fmall as to render it doubtful whether we have INTRODUCTION. v have any at all. The few difccverles 1 have made in that rlcheft of mines, the human foul, I have not been churl enough to keep to myfelf ; nor, to fay truth, unlefs I can fmd out fome other means of fupporting my corporeal exiftence than animal food, do 1 think I fhall ever be able to afford that fuUen affedation of fuperiority. Travelling, I have already faid, is my tafle ; and, to make my journeys pay for themfelves, my objed:. Much againft my good liking, fome troublefome fellows, a few months ago, took the liberty of making ^ little home of mine their own; nor, till I had coined a fmall portion of my brain in the mint of my worthy friend George Robinson, could I perfuade them to depart. I gave a proof of my politenefs, however, in leaving my houfe to tliem ; arid reared to the coaif of Kent, where I fell to work verybufily. Gay wuh the Iiope ofiliutting a ; IV." vi INTRODUCTION. my door on thefe unwelcome vifitants, I walked in a feverc frofl: from Deal to Dover, to fecure a feat in the ftage-coach to London. One only was vacant ; and, having engaged it, " maugre the freezing of the bitter fky," I wandered forth to note the memorabilia of Dover, and was foon loft in one of mv fits of exquifite abitradion. 1' With reverence I looked up to the clifF our immortal bard has, with more fancy than truth, defcribed. With toil mounted, by an almoft endlefs flaircafe, to the top of a cafllc, which added nothing to my poor flock of ideas but the length of our virgin Queen's pocket-piflol — that truly Dutch prcfcnt : — ccld, and weary, I v;as pacing towards the inn, when a fharn-vifaged barber popped his head over his fnop-door, to re- connoitre the inquifitive flranger. A brifk fire, I fuddcnly caft my eye on, invited my frozen h..:inds and iLCt to its prccinds. . A civil INTRODUCTION. vii civil quedion to the honeft man produced on his part a civil invitation ; and, having placed mc in a fnug i'eat, he rcr.dily gave me the benefit of all his oral tradition, " Sir," he faid, " it is mighty lucky vou came acrofs 7uc. The vulgar people of this town liave no genius, Sir — no taile — they never (how the greateft curiofity in the place Sir, v.^e have here the tcmb of a poet !" ** The tomb of a poet !" cried I, witli a fpring that electrified m.y informant no Icfs than myfclf — ** V/hat poet lies here ? and ^Yhcre is he buried ?" *' Aye, tint is the curioGty," rc'Lurned he cxuUingly. — I fmilcd : iiis diilincllon was 1^) like a biibcr. While he had been f[^cak- ing, I recollected he mupL allude to tl.c irravc of Clhorci.il! : \\\i-X vigorous ^'-cni' -i -^ whj viii INTRODUCTION. who, well calculated to ftand forth the champion of freedom, has recorded himfelf the flavc of party, and the vidim of fpleen! So, however, thought not the barber ; who confidered him as the firft of human beings. '* This great man, Sir,'* continued he, " who lived and died in the caufe of liberty, is interred in a very remarkable fpot. Sir, If you was not fo cold and fo tired, Sir, I could (hovi it you in a moment." Curio- fity is an excellent great-coat : 1 forgot I had no other, and ftrode after the barber, to a fpot furrounded by ruined walls, in the midft of which flood the white marble tablet, marked v;ith Churchill's name — to appearance its only diflindlion. *' Call your eyes on the walls," faid the important barber > — *' they once incloied a church, as you may fee '" On INTRODUCTION. ix On Infpeding the crumbling ruins more narrowly, I did, indeed, difcern the traces of gothic architecture. *' Yes, Sir," cried my friend tlic barber, with the confcious pride of an Englifh- man, throwing out a gaunt leg and arm — ** Churchill, the champion of libertj-, is in- terred Lcrc ! — Here, Sir, in the very ground where King John did homage for the crown he difg raced V The idea was grand. In the eye of fancy, the {lender pillars arain lificd higli the vaulted roof — il\:i rang witli folemn chauntin2;s. I ia-'; th.c inuusnt Le;jate feated in fcarlct pride. I fav/ tl'C fneers of many a mitred abbot. I ia-.v, ba!'c--!icaded, the mean, tlie prodratc king. 1 fa>v, in fnort, every thing Lu: tl^e Imber, whom, in my flight, and fvvcll of ("011^, 1 fi ad out- walked and lolt. Some :: ore cjrious tra- X INTRODUCTION. Yeller may again pick him up, perliapSj and learn more minutely the fa6t. Waking from my reverie^ I found myfelf on the pier. The pale beams of a powerlefs fun gilt the fluftuating waves, and the diftant fpires of Calais, which I now clearly furveyed. What a new train of images here fprung up in my mind ! borne away by fucceeding impreflions with no lefs ra- pidity. From the Monk of Sterne, I tra- velled up, in five minutes^ to the inflexible Edward III. fentencing the noble burghers ; and, having {t^n thcrn faved by the elo- quence of Philippa, I wanted no better feafoning for my mutton-chop ; and pitied the empty-headed peer, v/ho was llaraping over my little parlour, in fury at the cook, for having ovcr-roafled his piicafant. The coachman now fliowed his ruby face at the door, and I jumped into the ilage, where INTRODUCTION. xi where were already feated two pafiengers of ir;y own fex, and one of — ■ — would I could fliy, the fairer ! But, though truth may not be fpokcn at all times upon paper, one, now and then, may do her juiiice. Half a glance difcovered that the good lady oppofite to me had never been hand- fome, and now added the injuries of time to the feverity of nature. Civil, but cold, compliments having paflcd, I clofed m^y eyes to expand my foul ; and, having fa- bricated a brief poetical hiftory of Eng- land, to help fhort m.emorics, was fome- tliing aftonifhed to tind myfclf tugged violently by the ilecvc ; and not lefs fo to fee tlie coach empty, and }:car an oblana^c waiter in fi ft upon it we were at C'antcrbur\% and the fuppcr ready to be put on the tchlc. It had fhowed, I found, for ioir.e liine> in confidcration of \\'])ich mine ho'\ bad prudently furfered tl'.c f re ncaily to go cut. A dim caiidle v/as ou ilie table, w;r}j.}i!.t fiuij xli INTRODUCTION. fnuffers, and a bell-ftring hanging over it, at which we pulled, but it had long ceafed to operate on that noify convenience. Alas, poor Shenftone ! how often, during thefe excurfions, do I think of thee ! Cold, in- deed, mufl have been thy acceptation in fociety, if thou couldfl ferioufly fay — *• Whoe'er has Iravell'd Ufc's dull round, Where'er his various courfe has been, Mufl: figh to think how oft he found His warmefl; welcome at an inn." Had the gentle bard told us, that, in this fad fubftitute for homo, dcfpite of all our impatience to be gone, wc mufl flay, not only till wind and vvxatlier, but landlords, poftillions, and oftlers, choofc to pcrirat, I fhould have thouglit he knew more of travelling : and, flirring the fire, fnufLng the candles, reconnoitring the companv, and modifying my own humour, fhould at once have tried to make the bcfl: of my fituation. INTRODUCTION. xiii fituatlon. After all, he is a wife man who does at firft what he mull: do at lafl ; and I was jurt breaking the Ice, after having nurfed the fire to the general fati^fadion, when the coach from London added three to our party ; and comm.on civility obliged thofe who came firft to make w\^y for the yet more frozen travellers. We fuj'ped to- gether, and I was fomething furprifed to find our two coachmen allowed us fuch am- ple time to enjoy our little bowl of punch ; when, lo ! with dolorous countenances, they came to give us notice that the fnow was fo heavy, and already fo deen, as to make our proceeding either road dangerous, if not utterly Impradicable. ** If that Is really the cafe,'' cried I, men- tally, " let us fee what wc may liope from the conrtrucllon of the icvcn heads that conflitute our company,'." Obicrvc, gentle reader, tliat I do not mean the outvv'ard and vifible xlv INTRODUCTION. viFible form of thofe heads ; for I am not amongfl the new race of phyfiognomilis, who exhauft invention only to ally their own fpecies to the animal creation, and would rather prove the fcuU of a man re fembled an afs, than, looking within, fmd in the brain the glorious fimilitude of the Deity. — An elegant author more juftly con- veys my idea of phyfiognomy in faying, ** Senfibilities ripen with years, and enrich the human countenance, as colours mount into a tulip."' — It was my interefl to be as happy as 1 could ; and that can only be v.'hcn we look around with a w'lfh to be plerifed : nor could I ever find a way of unlocking the human heart, but by frankly inviting others to peep into my own. — And now for my furvey In the chimney-corner fat my old gen- tlewoman, a little alarmed at a cofFm that had popped from the fire, inflead of a purfe : ergo, INTRODUCTION. xv ergOj fiiperftltion was her weak fide. In fad conformity to declining years, flie had put on her fpCvflacles, taken out her knit- ting, and thu, liumbly retired from atten- tion flie had long, perhaps, been hopelefs of attracting. Clofe by her was placid a young lady from London, in thel^loomof nineteen: a crofs on her bofom fliowed her to be a catholic, and a peculiar accent an Iriflivvoman : her face, efpecially her eyes, might be termed handfome ; of thofe archnefs wxmld have been the expreflion, had not the abfence of lier air proved that their {q.\\{q. was turned inward, to contemplate in her heart fome cholen cheriQicd image. Love and romance reigned in every linea- ment. A French abbe had, as is ufual witli gen- tlemen of that country, edged himfelf into tiie fv-Mt by the belle ; to whom he contl- nuallv a;llre'red himfelf with all forts of pet its xvi INTRODUCTION. fctits foinSf though fatigue was obvious in bis air, and the iraprefTion of fome dan- ger efcaped gave a wild fhar pnefs to every feature. ** Thou haft comprifed," thought I, " the knowledge of a whole Hfe in per- haps the laft month : and then, perhaps, didft thou firfl: fludy the art of thinking, or learn the mifery of feeling !" Neither of thefe feemed, however, to have troubled his neighbour, a portly Englifhman, who, though v/ith a fort of furly good nature he had given up his place at the fire, yet contrived to engrofs both candles, by holding before them a newfpaper, where he dwelt upon the article of flocks, till a bloody duel in Ireland induced communication, and ena- bled me to difcover that, in fpite of the im- portance of his air, credulity might be reckoned amongft his characfterlflics. The oppofitc corner of the fire hac' been^ by general confont, given up to one of the London INTROi:UCTION. xvil London travellers, whofe age and infirmi- ties challenged regard, while his afpccl awakened the mod melting benevolence. Suppofe an anchorite, fublimed by devo- tion and temperance from all human frail ty, and you will fee this interefling aged clergyman : — fo pale, fo pure was his com- plexion, fo flight his figure, though tall, that it fecmcd as if his foul was gradually divefl- ing itfclf of the covering of mortality, that when the liour of feparating it from the body came, hardly fnould the greedy grave claim aught of a being fo ethereal ! — " Oh, what Icifons of patience and fan(rtlty couldfl thou give," thought I, '* were it my for- tune to fmd the key of thy heart !" An officer in the middle of life occupied the next feat. Martial and athletic in his perfon ; of a countenance open and ienfil^Ie ; tanned as it feemed by feverc Icrvicc, his forehead only retained its whitcncil;; yet Vol. I. b that, xvlli INTRODUCTION. that, with affimilating graceful mannerSjf rendered him very prepoffeffing. That feven fenfible people, for I include myfelf in that defcription, (hould tumble out of two flaa:e coaches, and be thrown together fo oddly, w'as, in my opinion, an incident : and wdiy not make it really one ? 1 hailily advanced ; and, turning my back to the fire, fixed the eyes of the whole com- pany — not on my pe^fon — for that was no- way fmgular — not, I would fain hope> upon my coat, which I had forgotten till that moment was threadbare : I had rather, of the three, Imagine my aflurance the ob- jC(5l of general attention. However, no one ipoke, and I was obliged to iecond my own motion. ** Sir," cried I to the Englifhman, who by the time he kept the paper certainly Ipcit its contents, *' do you find any thing entertaining in that new^fpaper ?" '' No, INTRODUCTION. xLx: ** No, Sir !" returned he, moil: laconi- cally. *' Then you might perhaps find fome- thing entertaining out of it ?" added I. ** Perhaps I might/' retorted he, in a provoking accent, and llirveving me from top to toe. The Frenchman laughed — (o did I — it is the only way, when one has beea more witty than wife. I returned prefently, however, to the attack. " How charmingly might we fill a long evening/' refumed I, with, as I thought, a moll: ingratiating fmilc, *' if each of die com- pany would relate the moll remarkable Aory he, or (lie, ever knew, or heard of!'' * Truly we might /V/VZ/e,; a long c veiling that way," again retorted mv torn^sp.t the Englilliman. " However, if you pleaf:, b 2 wc XX INTRODUCTION. we will wave your plan, Sir, till to-morrow; and then we lliall have the additional reforf o^ o\ix dreams^ if our memories fail us." He now, Vvi:h a negligent yawn, rang, and or-» dered the chambermaid. The two females rofe of courPj, and in one moment an over- bearing- clown cut fliort '* the feaft of rea- ton, and the iiovv- of foul.'* I forgot itfnowed, and went to bed in a fever of rage. A cliarming tale ready for the prefs in my travelling dcfiC — the harvefl I might make could I prevail on each of the company to tell me another — Reader, if you ever had an empty purfe, and an unread performance of yon.r own binning in your pocket, and your heart, I n'iQ<^ not afic you to pity me. Tor tune, however, more kindly than i-'fual, took my cafe into conlideration ; for the morning fliowTd me a fnow fo deep, that liad Thomas ;\ l]ecket condefcended ta attend at his own fiirine to greet thofe who inquired INTRODUCTION. xxl inquired for it, not a foul could have got at the cathedral to pay their devoirs to the complaifant archbifhop. On entering the breakfaft-room, I found Eiine hoft had, at the defire of fome one or other of the company, already produced his very fmall ftock of books, confifting of the Army Lill:, the Whole Art of Farriery, and a volume of imperfedl Magazines : a fmall fupply of mental food for feven hun- gry people. Vanity never dcferts itfelf : 1 thought I was greeted with more than com- mon civility ; and having fatlsficd my grolTer appetite with tea and toafl, refumed the idea of the night before — aflliring the young lady, " I v/as certain, from her fine eyes, flie could melt us v^-ith a tender ilory ; and that the fobcr matron cuuld Improve us by a wiicone ;" a circular bo\'.' fhowed fnni- lar hopes from tl;C gentlemen. The plan was adopted, and the cxuli'^'ion oi con- Vixn INTRODUCTION fclous fuperiority fiuflied my cheek. 1 de- clined being the firft narrator, only becaufe I defirsd it too much ; and to conceal from obfervatlon the rage for pre-eminence burn- ing in my heart, I made a philofophlcal and elegant exordium upon the levelli?t^prm^ cipk y ending with a propofal, that each perfon's ftory fliould be related as num- bered lots might determine. On purpofe to torment me, my old competitor, the Englifli- man, drew number one j the fecond lot^ however, fortunately was mine ; the third the Irifliman's, the fourth the Old Woman's, the fifth the Young Lady's, the fixtli the Officer's, and the venerable Parfon had the feventh. I b.ad now only one hope, which it mull be owned was, tliat tlie hril f]H\ikcr niiglit provi' as dull as he looked. When, ah:r a modcit paiifc, lie totally difcomlltcd mc by faying, " tliai, as lie liad been a grca tiLr^dlev INTRODUCTION. xmIIL traveller, and in his various pcrcgiiiations had fcen and heard many iinguiar tilings, the one niofl prefent to his memory fliould ^erve for the occafion." And now, courteous reader, with fame palpitations of the heart, I give up myfelf and my companions to your mercy. lor- get mc not when my turn comes, though it is that cf the Traveller firft to addrefs you ! S.L. THK traveller's tale, MO NT FORD. That ftrain again I — It had a d\iiig fall; Oil, it came o'er my ear lilte the fweet fouth That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour. Skakespearje. irluNRY DE MoNTFoRD was eighteen; of an illuftrioiis birth, an ample fortune, and endowed with all the graces of na- ture. Born to fuch advantages, what more could he have to feek ? Reafon fays, ** No- VoL, I. B thing/''" 2 CANTERBURY TALES. thing." But Montford was an Englifhman ; and the Englifh talk too much of reafon to a6t by it. It is an idol to whom they burn incenfe without intending to make it a houfehold god. Montford then was an Englirhman in the trueft fenfe of the word; frank, brave ; but reftlefs and impatient. Novelty was his paflion, and the firfl wifli of his foul was to travel. His father vainly attempted to combat this inclination in an oniy foil with whom he had no defire to part. Romance-writers may exhauft their eloquence upon the flinty hearts of parents; but real life tells us that they are much more aot to be governed by their children, than to govern : and fo it proved in the family of Montford. *' Henry," faid the venerable old man, as he embraced his fon on the eve of his de- parture for the continent, *' 1 will not en- join you to remember the race from which you THE traveller's TALE. -;; vou rpring, or the name you bear. Tlicy are pledges of honour wliidi I iruil you will not forget. But L^t prudence accompany your virtues, or they will be ufelefs to other?, aiid dangerous to yourfelf. You will pafs through France ; you will vifit Italy. You will behold the theatre of arts and arms; but Superflition has twined lier ivy amidft their laurels, and they daily wither beneath its pernicious iniluence. Yet offend not the prejudices of any country ; nor make that faiih which is to be the foundation of vour happinefs in another world, the fjurce of hatred or difcord in this. Let the facred re- mains of the pafl fpeak to your heart; and v/hile they fo often derive their value from mem.ory alone, let them feelinc^ly convin.:e you that the real dignity of man is within himfelf. Adieu, my child ! Receive my be- nediction : more I need not add : the wilhcs of a parent are prayers." B 2 Mont- 4 CANTERBURY TALES. Montford embraced his father in filencc^ and a few days conveyed him to Paris. But Paris, however gay, did not detain him long ; and as Venice was at that feafon the theatre of pleafure, he foon after fet off, with a knot of his countrymen, to be prefent at the CarnivaL The Carnival, itfhould feem, liad variety enough to gratify the moft im- petuous mind. But even that did not fatisfy our Traveller : he rambled round Italy, tra- verfed the fouth of France, and determined to vifit Spain: *' Spain, the region of ro- mance ! where Love has transferred his veil to the fair eyes of his votaries ; where re- ftraint doubles enjoyment, and danger en- hances the merit of paffion !" Full of finilar ideas Montford crofTed the Pyrenees. *' ^'^y^-, this,*' faid he, as he Turvcvcd the hano-inii; woods and ruftic her- ipitagco of Montfcrrat, ^' this is indeed to gratify THE traveller's T LL. 5 ^-ratify at once the eye and the imagination : this is to trace Nature through all her forms; from the wikl brow of the precipice where die alone prefides, up to the laft and moil complicated of her works, Man.'' He was interrupted in his meditations by a glimpfe of the hovel in which he was to pafs the iiight. It was in one fenfe a perfcdl para- C}i\\Q ; for biKl, beaft, and man feemed all free comm.oncrs there. *' It mull be ov.'ncd," faid Montford, as he llrctched himfelf upon the ftraw in one corner — ** it mull be owned that they fecm to want nothing in this coun- try but common fenfe." And had thine, dear Montford I not been abforbed in ro- mance, thou wouldft have known that little want muit enfure every other. The fun rofe gallv, and our Traveller with it ; roufed indeed by the friendly neigh- ing of his horfe, which approached rather iicarer the couch of his mailer than he had B 3 bccii 6 CANTERBURY TALES. been acciidomed to do. The fuddennefs of his excurfion had caufed Montfoid tobebut ill provided with letters of recommendation: but amidfl thern he found one addreffed to Don Anthoiiio di Vega, at Lerida ; and as romance docs but ill fupply the place of every other comfort, he was not forry to fee the gates of that city. The family of Don Anthonio, however, bore as little refemblance to the warm co- lourings of fancy as thofe of his poorer countrymen. Anthonio himfelf was turned of fifty ; filent partly through pride, and partly from a certain ftagnation of ideas not peculiar to Spain. His wife, v/ho was but little more loquacious than himfelf, had the air of a withered duenna; and hoth were bigots to the religion they profeiTed. In. fucli a maafion Ivlontford vainly looked round for the rvhifes and the Graces: of the forn;iCi no trace remained but an old guitar THE traveller's TALE. 7 guitar with tiuee firings, wliich hung againft the wall, and the latter feemed to- tally to have forAvorn the threfhold. He fou: d, however, a civil reception, and, fee- ing hinifjlf unier the ncceiTit)'- of paffing at leaft a Ihort ti'ne with his new friends, aQ-rc'd to accoinpanv them next day to a vilia fjine miles from the city. Of the cliarmj of this retirement much was faid. But, alas ! the irarden of Eden would have had no temptations for Montford v/lth fuch s,ri Adam and l-.ve ; and lie withdrew to his chamber without one graiii ot romance to Drelcrvc him troiii being lieartily Tick of his hoft, himlcli, and his travch. The fuccecding day was fultry: Mont- ford found this famous retirement infapnort- able. Anthonij flcpt half the day, and Arummed on his guitar in order to pafs away the red; while his wife paid her de- votions to everv faint in tlie Calendar, and li 4 by 8 CANTERBURY TALES. by filent fhrugs marked her horror of a he- retic. In one inftance only was our Tra- veller gratified : his hofts readily admitted his apologies for fo fhort a ftay, and, willing to be rid of a troublefome guell:, furnifhed him wuh letters that he might depart early the next morning. *' And thus are the vivid colourings of fancy daily effaced by the tame certainties of life,'* fighed Montford, as he wiftfully furveyed the apartment in which he was to fleep. He fighed again, and again looked round. There was fomewhat not wholly uncongenial in the fccne. Through lattices which were thrown open, a garden prefented itfelf, which, though neither artfully difpofed in walks nor parterres, was rich in the wild graces of nature. The orange caught a paler yellow from the beams of the moon, and blended its fvveets with thofc of a thoufand odoriferous flirubs. The eyes of Montford were THE TRAVELL:-* S TALF. 9 were yet riveted upon the icene, when the fofi note of a flute ftole over his ear. It was a fingle flrain ; but fo wild ! io iweet ! fo didant ! and yet fo full ! — He ftarted, lift- ened for fome moments, and infcnfibly funk again into one of thofe luxurious re- veries where fenfibility fcems to have dif- poflcfled reflection, and we rather feel than think. The note, however, \Nas not re- peated ; and, rouflng from his torpor, he determined to taftc the charms of the even- ing at large. T he window was only a few paces from the ground ; and MontFord was hi a moment in the garden. Aficr a r ,m])le of confidcrable lencrth, he was flopped oy a broken wall, which appeared to have been li.c remains of a rnin, and now fervcd as part c-i" the boimdary of i ^on An- thonio's cftate. The glimpfc he caught over ir prcfentcd : im a view of F^iiry-land. On one fide a tjr.: grove oi iiincs 1. rcs^'cd the g;ound v.ith. blofloms, and give an al- moft lO CAi\TERBURY TALES, moft overwhelming fragrance to the gate that fliook them : on the otlier, the ftream of a dlflant caTcade ftolc through the turf, betrayed by its own brightnefs, till it was colleded in a marble bafm, and encircled by orange and citron trees. Nature breathed tranquillity ; and Montford faw no crime in enjoying her gifts. He leaped the wall ; but flumbled over fomething on theoppofite fide, which a foffc, half filled with rubbiih and high grafs, had concealed. The blood of Montford congealed round his heart when he perceived it was the body of a man, yet warm, and newly bleeding. *' Great God !" exclaimed he, cafting his eyes upon a flute that lay by, *' it was from thofe lips then " He flopped ; fmote his breaftj and, looking towards heaven, fecmed to un- dergo a momentary paufe in exillcnce : it was recalled, however, by a nearer fear: the moon, W'hich flicd her rays obliquely through a cloud, difcovercd two forms that ap- proached THE traveller's tale. II proaciied the fpvOt on which he flood ; and it was w ith fomc dllTiculty he gained the grove of hmes ere they drew near enough to have ohferved him. Th:it grove, whicli bjt a few moments before had anneared the abode of fecurity and love, was now to his agitated nerves pcojded w-itli murderers ; and hardly would its thickeft Oncle conceal him from the cfFicious beams of tiie moon. Of the tvv'o men who approached, the foremoft bore in his arms fomcvvhat wrapt in white, which lie laid at a dlflance j and, by the morion of a pick-ax and fpade, Mont- ford conjectured that hev/as finking agrave, of which he had already dug part. In. the labour both joined ; but it was eafy to dif- cern that tliey were not equally accuifomcd to it. In tf.c one, a in on s:; arm feemcd nerved by an unfeeling heart, while the random flroke of tiie other, his long paufes, and paffionatc gcdure, betrayed the deepefl agitation. 12 CANTERBURY TALKS. agitation. Tiieir toil was a,t length (q- Ipendcd ; and the former drew near the iDot where hiy the murdered cavalier. The foal ol' Montibrd burned within him : he ftarted forward, and k3oked around, as if he fuppofed fome fii per natural being would arm his hand with a weapon.; but luckily his flep was unheard ; and ere he could ap- proach, he faw the villain bear ofF the corfe, and, affifled by his companion, lay it in the earth. ** L'nfortunate pair!" groaned Mont- ford, as they interred the body wrapt in white, which he now clearly difcerned to be that of a woman — *' Unfortunate pair! Love was perliaps your only crime : may it in a better world prove your rew^ard I" That facred dufl which firfl covers the frail forms it is fo foon to blend v/ith, already concealed the vidims, wh.en the agitation of one of the men fcenu-d to arifc almoft to agony. He llrctchcd himlclf upon the rrave ; 'III!: TRAVELLERS TAI.E. I^ .'i^ravc ; he \veijt violentiv : and, rciifma: his hands towards heaven, appeared ai once to ioHc't pardon for liis own foul, and mercy for that of tlie dcceafcd His compani'^n at length ahr.oft forcibly raifcd him ; and co- vering the fpot with turf and leaves, they botli withdrew through a hnaU garden-doer, which they carcfidly locked after them. But what became of Montford? — Silent ! fohtarv ! appalled ! he fcarce knew whe- tl\er the fcene he had been witncfs to was a reality, or a viilon. " A fad, fid reality !" :Vc lci)e;tii f gh.ed lie, as he riiflied out of the thlckeL. xAgain he paufed upon the fpot where the unfortunate cavalier fj lately lay ; and Vs'a? about to climb the v,'all, when he perceived fomewhat glitter amid the grafs. It was the picture of a woman, which, by the broken ribbon attached to it, had doubtlefr. been worn round the neck, lie took it up ; placed it as a relic in his bvfom ; 14 CANTERBURY TALES. bofom ; and in a few moments reached his chamber his chamber, now a dungeon ; for reft had fled ; and his foul longed to make its appeal to all Spain againft treachery and murder. He deliberated whether he fliould not immediately awaken his hoft and family : but cooler rePicdlon fuggefted a different condu6l. A ftranger, a heretic, a fingle witnefs of the tranfadion he would punifli ! ignorant of the fpot he had quitted, as well as of the perfons he had feen there ! The face of the moft hardened. he had in- deed difccrncd ; he even believed ho, iliould know it aj?ain r but could he be certain of not wronging the innocent r Againft whom therefore could he level his accufatiori ? and what friends fliould he- find to fupport him in it ? How, if they iliould rcrort the charger Truth would ohlige him to confefs that he had quitted his chamber by fteallh, and in the night : — his fliocs were bloody; and he had imprudently poflcffed himfelfuf api'clure fet I'HE TRAVELLERS TALK. I5 fet round wilh valuable diamonds. IN'IiL^ht not thcfe arguments be fpccioufiy v/refied agalnpL him — and above all in Spain, where the liand of Juftice, ever flow, is often ar- refled by fuperftition and interell ? Rcafon- had decided the quefdon ; but the heart of Montford remained yet undetermined, wlien he was alarmed by his fervant, wdio brought him a packet of letters, that had followed him exprefs, wdth the information that his father lay at the point of death. This news was declfive; and Montford, though too late to fee his parent, was in England. To an impetuous and ardent youth novv- fucceeded the calmnefs of maturity : time ripened his underiianding ; reaion cooled his pafTions ; and habit brought both down to the level of other men. He married, and became a father. Romance fubiided. He was happy in the focietyof an amiable v*djc: he l6 CANTERBURY TALES. lie rode hobby-liorfes with his fon ; took pleafure in cukivating his cftate ; and only, while paiifing over his hay-fields, or ram- bling through his park, fometimes gave a figh to the memory of one fad fpot in Catalonia. But the happinefs of a parent approaches fo near to his Cares, that they meet even at the point which fliould feparate them ! The young De Montford was every thing his friends could demand : one erroneous wi{h alone obtruded upon hz heart; and who could blame that wifh r for, v^'iis it not the foible of hia father: In fhort, it was his paf- fion to fee the v.'orld. To have made the grand tour was then firfl in fafliion : like all other faihionablc things, it was therefore thought indifpcnfable in a gentleman ; and the young Hcniy faw no reafon vv'hy he Ihould be cPamatcd lower than his compa- nions. THE traveller's TALE. IJ nions. His father fighed : lie iiglicd — !)ut lie remembered his own father, and compHcd. *^ You would fmile," fliid Henry in his f.rH: letter, dated Paris, '^ to fee how grave I am in this gay city. I am rallied perpetu- ally on my fo:)ricty. The vv'omcn tliink me a mere phlegmatic Engliihman, v.hom it is vain to hope to conquer : the nien f'.vear you are fLiil at my lldc. And (o vou arc : the precepts, the image of my fallicr are ever prefent to n y n:!e:r.r>ry^ and dear to my heart ; a licait tha: it vviii jiot dcfjrve to beat when they are otlicrvviie." Another letter quickly followed tldr. — ■ '' I will not tell you," faid iienry, '' tlia: I am quite (o fobcr as Vvhcn I wrote lall : however, I do all Lire you I am yet a very dii// fcWow m the eyes of my companions; which is as much as to fiy tluit I am a very rational one. In a week the court goes to Vol. I. C i>..r _■■';, 1$ CANTERBURY TALES. Barege^ that the queen may drink the waters ; and perhaps, when fo near, I may be tempted to take a trip acrofs the Pyre- nees/' — u4crcfs the Pyrenees! There was a dreadful recollecflion conveyed In thofe words that unhinged the foul of Montford. The letter was received on the anniver- fary of his wedding-day : a large party had been invited to a rural fete on the occafion, and it was neccflary to command himfelf. Vv'^ine and good company are powerful an- tidotes againft: gloom : Montford found them fo. riis guefts were departing after much feflivity, and he ftood at the door to make his laft bows to the ^panifli ambafhidor, wiien chance direded his eyes to the face of one of the fervants in waiting. If chance direcled, heaven feemed to root them there, when they refied upon the hardened features of the Catalonian murderer. A cold;, a death- like chill ran throui^h the frame of Montford^ and THE traveller's TALE. I9 and feemed to extend even to his very foul. The fatal garden, the yet uncovered fod, the defpair of one ruffian, and the ferocious in- fenfibihty of the other — all—all — revived. Time feemed annihilated ; and the whole dreadful fcene prefented itfelf at once to his imagination. Ke retired to bed : he even flept ; but reft was denied liim. A ftill more lively pisfture of the pall: prefented itfelf to his memory j and while he was at- tentively viewing the interment, he thought he felt an unfecn hand plunge a dagger in his heart. Its painful tlirobs when he waked convinced him his dream arofe from indif- pofition ; and having replied to his wife, whom his agitation had diilurbed, he once more tried to ileep ; but it v/as onlv to wakeagain vrith thcfimehorribleimprefKon. A third effort was equally unfiicccfsfLil ; and the importunate inquiries of Mrs. Mont- ford at length drew from him thecaufe of his diforder, though recounted only as a dream. C 2 It 20 CANTERBURY TA^.ES. It was a dream, however, that had friook his nerves ; and, bj unhhiging his frame, brouglit on a How fever, of which he vainly endeavoured to conceal the origin. A fa- vourite woman of Mrs. Montford's foon fpread it in his own family: nor was it long ere it reached the ears of Perez ; the very villain from whom, of all others, it was moll neceliary it flioiild be concealed ^ and Perez inilantiy difappeared. If the ilrangc conformity of a dream had It ruck the rufiian with difmay, what did not Montford feci on hearin;^ that ruffian had abruptly vanlilied ! The dagger feemed already to have pierced his heart through that of his fon ; and after vainly llruggling with his Vvcakncfs, he wrote to t};e latter, to dcilre his immediate return to England. But a llrange and myllerious lilence feemed now to have fcized upon Henry. Mis father, find- ing two dilpatchcs unanivvcred, gave way to his THE PR A\ i.LI.Ei- S T.\L'^. 2i his prefLMitim^nts ; and, fctflip.i^ liis afiairj, im mediately fet ofr for Paris. The court was ahc.iily at '^are^-, aiid almofl; every Engh[hman had foli.nved it. To Bart':^c he fled inllantly ; but Kenry had aheady croircd the mountains. Over tliofe memorahle mountains the impatient father now purfucd his fon ; unconfcioiis t^at he was himdeif fecretly purfucd hv tliat viHaiii whom his hidden journey to the continenc had united with liis dream to alarm ; and %vho, imputing it to otlicr views than the filent ones of paternal regard, oidy waited a favourable opportunity to coira)lcte the bloody fcene that dica.n had pointed out. ?v;ontford tracked liis fuii with ii^^lcfati- gable aiiiduity, aiid once more r^^aehed tiic gates of . erida. It v^'a^ late c^e lie arrive:! ; but his ears were e blciied wiih the inteii eiM^ence that Henry, thou'^h n-.-t at liciv.e, v/as wcU ; C^ ^ and 22 CA!\TEIIBURY TALES, and after paying a late vifit of inquiry to Don Anthonio, in whofe cobweb, domains time feemed to have ftood ftill, lie v.'as re- turning to his hotel, when, paffing through a ruinous porchway on the ourfl^irts of the city, he was attacked by two ruffians. The prefentiments of Montford returned; but neither his prudence nor his courage had de- ferted him, for he was armed; and a young cavalier, whofuddcnly came in to his affifi- ance, feconded him Vv^ith i'o much fpirit, that one of the villains was prefently ftretched upon the fpot, while the other faved him- felf only by flight. " Generous ftranger," faid Montford, ** how can I repay — " '" Merciful Heaven !" interrupted the youth, darting back : '* Am I in a dream, or J5 it r:.j father fpeaks ?'' - Dca ar THE TRAVELLER S TALE. 23 '* Dear, dear Tenry, it is thy father," returned .-.^ont ford, J alii guponhsnecl; as he recogfiifed the welcome voice, *' thy fond, thy anxious father! Nay, flir^nk not, my fon, from the heart that pants to meet thine. It is neither refeiitment, nor diilruft^ it is neither caution, nor feveriry, that has made me purfue thy footfteps : it is the fond, the overtlovving anxiety of a fjul that feels itfelf mofl a parent in its weaknefs." Again Montford embraced his fon ; firft confcious of the extent of his fears by the afFeding fadncfs of his joy. Plenry, though grateful and dc\'oted to Iiis father, was vet agitated Iry too mairf various fcehngs not to betray fome degree of embarrafimcnt at a mectine: tor vhich he was wholly unprepared: nor was he forry that the features of the aflliihn who lay dead before them for a time fufpended further C JL attcn- 24 CANTERBURY TALES. attention to hlmfelf. rvlciitford funk into a deep reverie on perceiving it Vv-as Perez ^ and, wliile employed by his own relieQions, became inattentive to the profound lilence of his fon ; nor was it liil they had nearly reached the niiddle of the city that either was fenfible of the tumult that rtigned there. *' I am afraid there is a fire," faid Montford in a tone of inquiry, as he railed his eyes upon the anxious frices b rfore him. *' -^ye, a piicous one in the great flreet yonder, Sir," returned a porter that Hood near. " Some yonrg fsKuk has been fere- nading his miRrefs, and they have contrived to leave a lirv.t buniinn: that has fr-rcad rhrougbi tbie houfc. y\s to Don Velaiqucz he is iaic cnourh, for [ law him in llic crowd— bul the poor young wo. nan and the Di^ ucnn: *' \'c]:nriTycz !" cried Henry, llarting for- A'ard witii frantic cagcrnefs, and forgetful cf TKE TRAVELLER S TALE. 2^ of every tie but that of love, be prelTed to where the cr,nfla,G-ratIon now raged. Through the v/indows of a large houfe the ilarnes v/ere pouring out with a violence that precluded the pofTibility of help ; and the roof fu'.idenly giving v/ay, tlie whole fcene from a clear and vivid blaze lunk into a confufcd heap of ruins, covered wltli Im- penetrable fnoke, and only now and then emitting fmouldering flames. The works of man, even in their wildeH: vvaflc, man may And language to dcfcribe ; but when the havock attacks humanity, crufhes its faculties, and ipreads internal de- vaRation, his hihorv, like himfeir, becomes a blank. Such was for a fortnight tbat of the young Henry de Montford. Relieved from a raging fever, he flowly recovered his reaion and his llrcncrth.— *' Thei'e are preciou;-, tears, my fatlier," laid he, feebly raiiing the hand that received them ; 26 CANTERBURY TALES. them ; *' they fall upon the heart of your fon, and prepare It once more for the impreffions of duty, of humanity, of nature ! Take then Its little hlftory before it Is for ever buried there I— — Diana de Zaviere " *' Let us not fpeak of her, my fon," fald Montford : *' I know the reft too well." *' That flie perulied you indeed know too well," Interrupted Henry, in the low and firm tone of fettled anguiih ; '* but you are yet to learn it was the hand of a lover that lighted that pile which was to an- nihilate his happinefs ; that it was from the bofom of fond and imprudent pafTion the unfortunate Diana funk to a premature grave. You tremble — youftart! Oh, my father, you have wept for the miferles of your fon ; well may you fhudder at his guilt!" Montford fhuddered indeed : hardly had he breath to inquire further; but the weight THE TRAVELLER S TALE. 27 weight on his heart was removed, when he found, from the fuhfequent difcourfc of Henry, that the fatal meeting between him- felf and Diana, though tender, had I een in- nocent ; that they had been guiky of no other crime than meditating; a flieht from the reLation on whom fhe depended, and had left the light burning merely from appre- henfion on being fuddenly furprifed ; that, in fine, neither of them could with juftice be charged fmgly with an imprudence in which they had equally fl:iared, though the inflated imagination of a lover might naturally ap- propriate the dreadful confcquence. Another fortnight had nearly re-efta- bliihed the health of Henry, when they pre- pared for their return to England. The weather was warm ; and, after journeying fiowlv, thev reached on the evening of the fecond day a very indifferent pofada; where, to the great diiappointment of Montford, the bcfl; accommodations were already fe- cured ■28 CANTERBURY TALES. cured by a partj of travellers, then retiring to red'. One fmall bed was found for Henry, whofe anxiety Montford filenced by pre- tending to have obtained another below ; where, in fad:, an exhauiled mind foon fup- plicd upon fl:raw that repofe which down had fometlmes denied him. It was far othervvdfe with Henry. To long and refl- lefs thcu'rhts fuccecdcd feverilh dreams : in oncof whichhcarore;dreiTed himfelf, quitted his room, and, unconfclous of what he did, traverfcd a gallery. His dep w^is foft, fo- lemn, and How. Fancy prefe-ned to him the tomb cf Diana; and he fuppofed him- SciL lean'ng over it in tlic lad depth of de- fpondency, whilft, in reality, his lifelefs eye was fixed on the form of a beautiful young woman, who, v/liile her maid flept by her fide, was rcadinG; a letter from her lover io isitcntly, that the emotion excited by it alone made her raife her eyes t<> the phantom at her feet. A fliriek truly feminine,- how- ever, announced lier perception ; a (hriek that THE TRAVELLKR S TALT.. 29 tliat not only awakened tlie Icnfes of Ilcnry, but iii'Jeed of every individual in the houfe ; and foon iritroduced to her chamber a group of figures not unworthy the pen of Cer- vantes. The fair, the terrihcd Diana, for it wasflie herfelf, prefentcd a far different por- trait. " The flowing c:oM of her loofe trefies" Iiung over a neck but Iialf veiled by her night-drefs ; and nature, which for a moment had extended the alaballer hue to her lip and cheek, fccmed to take pleafure in reftoring a brighter crimfon to both. '' Ah ! dear Montford !" faid Hie, witli- drawing herfelf from him. " Lamented, adored Diana !"" cried hiC, clafpiug her oiicc mere to Id-, bofun, " let thv \\arm, tl;v livins; beauty convince me I do not dream, — llcavcus, c:\\\ it !;e poffi- blc ! — Loll alike to the j ovs of love and realbn, au; I iudLeJ rcj!.^ re: to both : — o: 30 CANTERBURY TALES. does a happy delirium fiipply the place of one at leaft ?" ** I am afraid we muft not talk of reafon," exclaimed Diana in a timid tone. *' Perhaps, Henry," added fhe, dropping her voice, and ralfing her fwimming eyes to the motley group around her, though fixing them only on one, ** perhaps not either of love !" "And who fhall forbid it ?" faid the elder Montford advancing, while, prefling her hand to his lips, he joined it to that of his fon. *' Who, fweet Diana, fhall forbid a union heaven Teems thus to authorife? Not the father of thv Henrv : not Don Velaf- quez, if I judge by his looks." " They are deceitful, Granger," inter- rupted Velai'qiicz, fixing a ftern eye upon Montford, with which a fad and mellow voice but ill accorded. *' The looks of \^e- iafquez fpcak a fcnfation to which his heart is THE traveller's TALE. 3I is a Granger : they perhaps tell thee that he has joy in the joys of others ; but lonce more repeat, they are deceitful. I will not, how- ever, oppofe my voice to that of heaven. If love, therefore, Diana, can make thy happi- nefs — be happy." He faid more : but he had exhauRed his eloquence in thofe few words; and however excellent the remainder of his rpeech, it is probable not a fyllable of it was heard by the lovers. The gentlemen retired, and a general ex- planation foon informed Montford that the filence of his fan had originated in his con- fcioufnefs of a paiTion too ferious to admit of concealment, and too fudden to hope for approbation ; that iis fair objedl was in- tended by Velafqucz for a convent; and that, finally, ox\ that dreadful night when the im- prudence of tl.c lovers reduced the houfe to allies, Diana liad been privately refcued and conveyed to a country-feat, whence fhe was then 32 CANTERBURY TALtS. then going- to refide in a nunnery at fome diftance. From the phlegmatic Velafquez, however, nothing of this tranfpirecl. Satis- fled with having promifed Diana a dowry, and made fome profefTions of civihty to the party, who agreed to return with him to the villa he had quitted, he neither entered into their pleafures nor their hopes ; a gloomy companion, and an ungracious hoit. *' This relation of yours, my fweet Diana," faid Montford, as they were walk- ing, a happy trio, in the garden of Don Ve- lafquez, *^is a relation merely in blood. I am not furprifed that he finds the vivacity of Henry Infupportahle ; and it fuited well with \\\Q,jGn:hre of his mind to think of im- muring thee in a convent. I am millaken, however," added he with a fmile, " if the chearful fpirit of Diana Vv'-ould not have found anotliCr Henry in the world, rather than have yielded to the gloomy feclufion." " Of THE TRAVELLER S TALE. 33 " Of that world I know fo little/' fliid Diana, with a gentle and timid air, *' that Iiardlv can I vindicate rnviclf from the fun- J J i. pofition. I am cheerful I acknowdcdge ; but who, fo furrounded, could be otherwdfe? Cafl thine eyes, dear Henry, on the beauti- ful fcene before us, and tell me if it does not lend new^ pulfes to thy heart !" — Montford railed his as fhe fpoke, and beheld indeed a kind of fairy-land. On one fide a thick grove of limes llrcwed the ground w'ith blolToms, and cave an al- moll overwhelming fragrance to the gale that fliook them : on the other the fLream of a diflant cafcade ftole through the turf, betrayed by its own brightnefs, till it was collected in a marble balon, and encircled by orange and citron trees. P.cader,ducc thy heart recognife the fpot? That of Montford communicated a con- VoL. 1. D viiHion 34 CANTERBURY TALES. viilfion to his frame, that ahiioft iliook the feat of reafon. ** And //I'i," faid Diana, penfiveb/ refllng her arm upon an urn of white marble, ** this is railed by Don Vi:h.[q_:20z to the memory of if s iiftcr !" Moj'itfbrd looked 'vi;d]\ round. '* Spirits c;f ihe Iniurcci iicd !j}.iorti.'nate/' cried he. claiming his l^sands togeti)cr with energy, " I fwcar to avengo youf TliC afLOD!!hcd lovers mzed at him for a i"no.nc;iit in iJcnce. " Yuu are not well, my father,"' f.id Henry, as he Iraced the ilufhes i!pon his elieek. '' Let lis quii the Tpot, my Henry !" fiid ilie tender par': lU^ x'ainly ilruggHng with un- CGntrv;L;Ld)]e emction ; " it recalls a griei^ a re;:'.d:eaiori — nineteen years ago—" THE TRAVELLERS T .\ L K . '^ ^ " AUis !" (did D;:i:^a, " \v-^ .'/• ■' vcv'u^d ihcii mnrlica by l;,rrov; r t;i:it perl;::! '.■. hicli ilr.L brouc-iit i^to bcinc: the hionv (L:;i;i':!;tcr of your hc'in ; born, I liopc, to f.:-uh y.y.T p:^!! griefs, and to lHiiI, oh n:y Fachti: : ia fliicldinp: YO'A from fulurc ones." Mon'iord, {lopping to f.x a !c: uiiiiiziii^ glance on tlic tcatures of Diana, and com- paring tlicrn with a portrait whicii lie to jk from Ills pocket- bo;;k ; then, as if opprcffeJ by a torrent of i;leas, he bioke abruptly fro.n the lovers, and fouci-iit Velaftjujz. It Vv'as t'lc li^v.r of meditation, and Vc- laltpiez \va3 ind'.;:^'::;'; it iii a remc^te To'jr •; tlic pK^om ot \^l;:eh wj;:, deepen, d :,'. die increaiiu'-' fiiade oi eveninv . Idisi^e'' ■,,.:- ir- repuu'r ; and ui^ e^'o, no\'' i^::*. c! "n \ :: ■ :-;cv, tinize h'. heart, !bcmcd ts h-d ad a.md nov.- liaif cloial, as il' ti::-;\.vl i:^\v:ir'! : D J ' ■, »• - , . , 1 idi 36 CANTERBURY TALES. through tlie llrength of imaginary percep- tion. Montford advanced. *' I come," (aid he from the grave of your fifter:" adding in a lovvcr, but more impreiTive tone, *-' ilie fends me to her mur- derer." Velafquez groaned, {huddered,and fell at his feet. The long and dreadful paufe in exigence that fucceeded precluded all hope or thought of prefent explanation ; nor vv^as it till fome hours after that the news of returning flrength led Montford to his chamber. He was flopped at the door of it by a friar, who refolutcly oppofed his entrance, '' Father," iaid Montn;rJ, wllh a nrm and angry tone, '* you knop/ not the evil you do. The God we both adore is con- fcious of tiie puiity lif n:y intenlions, and lent mc liithcr for the Vv-ifcit and ViK:i\ mer- ciful of purpofcs." " 'i'hc THE TRAVELI r.R's T.^L];. 37 '*' The claims of our holy church, xonV laid the friar. — " I am not ignorant of thofe clainis," interrupted the impatient Ivlont- ford, " and Hiall reipect th.cm Avhcn not ex- tended too far I" *' Rcfpeft tlieni now then !" returned the prieil, in a (1111 more determined tone. '' i he mind and body of Don Wiai^.paez arc unfitted for conv'erfe, and he means to re- lieve Ijoth bv the holv duties of confeiTion." Montfofd paufed ; then, grafping tiie hand of thj fatlier, eiriphatically conjured hirn '' to fettle tl:ie long account between his ]/enitcut and lieaven !" Struck with his manner, the pried: iixcd on him a penetrating ghiivce, where pride llruggled with curioiity, and c.d'ji V wiilidrew. ^vhMitf )rd now Hrove to colicvri IniUtelf, and li:iriencd to c.ilm the pertur;K\:io;i i-t the lovers, who, bewildered at figlu of .i I.) '\ C';u[u:,OU 3S , CANTERBURY TALES. confuiion for which it was not poffiblc they ilioukl account, fcemed for a time to have lofl * that fv/cct peace which goouneis bo- fonis ever' in vague apprehenl'ons of fjme unknoVvTi and honible evil. He was fummoned from them to :\ con- ference with the holy ilitlier, w'lole ah;cred countenance, and {Indied biandifhments of manner, befpolcc him confcious of the fatal fecret. ''■ IJovv is your penitent, father?" cried M'. nlfoi d, abruptly, on entering. " Eaficr in body than in foul !" returned the prielh " He is tormenred vvirh Ibange and viT'Onary fears, to which you havegiveia birth. He willies to know W'hat crime you dare fufpecl: him of; or by wh.at proofs — " *' Father," interrupted Tvlontiord, p.erceiv- iing the priefl; m.eaiit artfully to extort troin him liov,' much he knew^," let us not triiie on a dread" TfiC TKAVLLLTK'. TACT. 39 a dreadful iubjcil ! Sacred be iliC iccrcci ol conte i'iOn ; 1 d'jmand tlicin noi ii-ora you : it is with Vehi^jucz i would ii\k. Niucteca years ago it was luy fate to v.-i'.ne(s in I'xQ grove oi limes " «' Speak ibf>:y !" Cdd tlic artful pncfl, lowerinsj his voice. " Yclafquez is bc) ond your rcacli. Already einbv)forucd ia cur ho!y i'ociety, he means to atone for his oficnces by ma;:in.; one of it. Wlierefore tliCQ blacken liim with a guilt he will lb loon have expiated ?" " So /o}/i .'" interrupted the impatient Montford. *' Yet, to prove tlic fmeeritv of his peni- tence, " continuc.l t:ie fatlier, '• hepcrmi:>:ac to tJd y HI, tliat ninetcc!! )ears a.!;o, ii\ a fit of iihdirccfed jealoufy, he ilab'i.'cd the hui- band of his iider, v'-jin he had l^^nj; i\\- D I. f,=c.b;d 40 CANTERBURY TALES. fperi he everv Triierc ex- torted, had adviiDtages few intjn could hoaO;, His ijc:iire was crraccful ; and, what ii; ottcn thcufrlit ilill belter, h was fliihionable : his eyes, naturally na; ,e a:'L or i.rviaz the prettiefl Uih\^;i. la rk;; world to every pretty woman : hks aAaiiners were h^graliat- ing : he fung vvci', danced wtlh and drefied welh Coidd any tkiiiig turtlicr kc adc'ed to his cki ar atle r ? Yet, with all theik advan- tages — ilrani^edoes it ieeni to Uiy — Arandei was at heart a dheontcnted man. Highly as the work! tk.ou'jlit of him, theie was an individual in it wliok; opmion ro(k much beyond theiro ; it was iiimfeik: and he ie- cietly repined, lliat i'.> mneli inerll, laloms, and THE 'POET S TALF. 4: nnd grnc?, Iin ^ never yet raifcd him to a rauic nbovc tliat he was bora to. ?vlr. Arundel was Indeed of good familv; though, to his uneeaT^iig regret, h,e had early in life dcbafed hiinie.f by marrying a lady whofe coni:eclions did not add luflre to it. She \vas tlic d'.UL liter of aii olTieer of more loyalty tlian rank, who liad ierved his coun- try in the cnufe of Charles the Fir;!, and liad followed the fortunes of his fon. Cromwell was then protestor : dancing and drelliu;^ were not in talhion ; and Mr. Arundel coniec^uenily relidcd with liis lady on lii^^ pAtrinoidal e.l.ite in Cornwall. Some \cars paifed belore ihey had any children, when he was iurpriied with an heir, and ralhcr niore (iirpriled on hndhig himlelt [eri(.i' elegance of Ills perfjii fixe 1 her attention; and, when liC wa:. ia- troduced, a ihaer renthnent funk into her lieart. He was dill enough the fiifliloa to rna' e iiis name a theme of convcriaticn, as {iie dropped it amongil heraccpjalntance ; nor wac it lon^r before hediieovered that fne had ilo'AC f^) (^ftea. I liS di;:::.cn:cii/ it is not dilh hcult to guefs : lie prefentlv found that he might \^in the \:.\\-, and lhercf;:)re inllantly rcfolved that lie v.ouhd ; bnt the bhnd god- defs, 'vvho fo ofie.i enihiirers her owti r;ihs, was nov/ prep::.ri;^:i o^^c for him, wliic/i, ot all others, h^ lea. I ihfpevn:cd he i'louhl ever c!eem a mislortunc, iince it appeared in the iliape (h :i patent of nohili^-v. 'Yo the nohi- hty in hiS o\vn p.:rf:>n, indeeJ, he bore n:^ the I^h;ht';-;c oi'O ilion ; bnt the clanle by \vh;.!i it '.vas jin- o.onL';n' lo his re v.\ bienie, who • Ccr \o whom h \ ^.^ \y\ : ^^i^s nohiehilv to in edion a poov \\\'.\z boy in t b.e;ininn:: to won- bel^nged, wliLoever he f >ni;d AQ CANTERBURY TALKS. found time to do fo from the more important employments of fludyirig bad Latin, and playing fchool-prar.ks with his companions: yet this poor little boy had moH certainly been brought honourably into the world fome years before. Arundel well knew the houfe of Lindfey to be too proud to Roop to an alliance where fvich an obftacle inter- vened : he therefore very prudently deter- mined they never fnould know it. The marriacre articles were f G:ned without any lucli impediment being announced j ana Mils Lindiey became a wife and a mother, in the full conviclion that l)0tli families were indebted to lier for an lieir. And Vv'hat became of litt-c 1 ienry r — \Vln% Utile Henry vvas now fiiot up l)cvond his years; not flrivlily h.nndioine, yet win- ning ; not formed, ycr iiyyatlalipg ; light traces of foufdjility and iuilp-mcnt Vv'andcrcd over the glare of youth, like cloud? np:>;i fuifliine. THE poet's tale. 49 funfhine, and gave his charader a graceful {hade. The impoflibility of detaining him where he was, and the fear of detedtion when he arrived at maturity, had obhged his father to change his mode of education ; and he had configned him to a tutor, who, though apprifed of the fecret, was bound by many ties to conceal it. Mr. Mortimer — for fuch was the name which the above-mentioned gentleman chofe on this occalion to affume — had once been the companion of Mr. Arundel, before he was dignified with the title of Lord Lindfey ; and had paffed in his fociety fome of thofe hours, the recolledion of which fhould feem to unite man to man, if the experience of every Not at all, however : he rifes in a moment — he iiies to the po(l-houfe — he is no longer a confumptive and enfeebled young man, who has neither eyes nor ears fjr ?.ny thing that paiTes : on the contrary, hj appeiirs to think that he has borrowed the fenfcs of all around him, by the ardour and fre- quency with which he reiterates his orders. In fine, they are once more at Lyons ; and, forgetful of Lindfcy, or his////Vr', whom tliiy had left there — forgetlul of iMortimtr, Vvdio was fatigued — or of INlarlini, v\-ho was a (Iranger — he Hies to the gr:ite where he h^d lo often belield Louiia, and, \\\ih all the eagcrncls oi pafilon, acquaints l.er that propoials were on the point of bcir.i^ made to her faihcr. Wf.at was ilie cxcefs of his diiappointmcnt, when, alter liiien- H .; icrr I04 CANTERBURY TALES. ing to him in filence, Louifa threw her- felf back in the chair and burft into a flood of tears ! The countenance of Arundel, vivid but a moment before with hope and pleafure, changed inftantly to deadly palenefs. ** Louifa! deareft Louifa!" cried he, throwing himfelf on his knees before her, ** to what am I to impute this emotion ? You alarm, you fhock me ! Can it be pof- fible that I am unfortunate enough to have loft my intereft in your heart?" ** I V. ill net deceive you, Mr. Arundel," faid Louifa, fobbing, and covered with blufhes ; *' voii delerve my candour — and ' — I v.ill frankly acknowledge " She hefitated ; but the imperfedl fentencc was convidion — Arundel ftarted from his knees, iliocked at the abruptncfs, and over- whelmed with the difappointmcnt, of fuch an event. *' I thank THE poet's TaLE. 105 ** I thank you, Madam," fiucl be, after a paiife, and in a voice hardly articulate ; " I think I ha'-oe deierved your candour ; though to bear it ." Again he flopped — turned from her, to her ; and gazing for a moment on the lovelinefs of a countenance even tears did not disl^gure, reproachfully added, " Ch Louifa !" " Do not believe," faid flie, ilretching out her hand to meet Lis, as it grafped the grate, againll which he leant — ^'* do not be- lieve that an unworthy objecl has fupplant- ed you in my regard — I am fure, when I have explained all, you will excufe, w'ill pity me !" Arundel looked earneftly at her — She had not then loft the pafhon, but changed the objeift — a new fcntiment glanced fLiint- ly acrofs his mind — it felt, for a moment, like contempt ; but love arrcfted the in- truder, IC6 CANTERBURY TALES. truder, and changed its nature into jea- loufy. *' If to have adored you with a paffion too powerful both for my happinefs and heahh," replied he with a heavy figh, " could have fecured me your regard, I fliould not now have the grief to knov/ I have loft it. May he on whom it is beftov/ed have more fuccefsful claims ! — But you are pale!- — This happy, this envied being, poiTcilts not the powT-r of making happy ! or is the felicity you would have enjoyed embittered by regret for that you wcro about to deprive me of r" *' Yes, doubtlefs," faid Louifa, with an air of m.clanclioly and confufion, " we have both felt for you." *' Both!"* repeated Arundel, trembling with a new and vague apprehcnfion, " How how am I to underliand you?" " Alas! I dare not explain myfelf?" " Louiia, THE poet's tale. lOJ "^ Louna, I adjure you by every thing facred, to tell me the name oi hiiri for whom I am thus cruelly renounced?" Loulfa bluHicd, -.vep^r.nd wasfilent. " Is it/' co.ulnwcd he, hefitating, and {haking with unccntroulable cmotiori — " Is it not — [jin.'jcyV' The countenance of Louiia made reply unnccelTary, while that cf Arundel, true to Ills heart, fparkled with indiirnation. 1 l.e (^i-cr.erous diiTidcnce of his nature, however, prcfently prevailed. She avowedlv loved another: — tenderly — iondly loved him ; and that otiicr was, hi the eyes even of his rival, tlic moll: winrdng of human beings — endued with beauty, youth, wit, and aceomplirimients enough, unintentionally to win the coldcft heart; and I^ouifa !— all ! could lie wonder that Hie was irreiillible ! By ihort and Impcrfccfc explanations he luu-.t IcS CANTERBURY TALES, icarnt that Mr. Lindky liad, from the mo- ment he was iecn by her, left an imprefTion en. her memory abfence did not efface : during that of i\i'undcl, he had vifited her once or twice through mere complaifance : that an Intersil hifenfibly fprung up be- tween them : that Ids attendance became more frequent : that love in fine lent his language to their eyes, and placed his inter- preter in their hearts. " It is enough!" faid Arundel, ftarting from a train of thought this avowal occa- fioned. " I cannot Se your happinefs, dear- eft Louifa — but I will at leaft endeavour to cftablilh it." With thefe words he flew to her father, who had juft received a letter from Mortimer, explained to him his fitua- tion,and as hailily v/ent in fearch of Lindfey. A generous and delicate miilruil of himfelf made him precipitate mealuies from which he feared he might recede : for Arundel wab THE POET S TALK. IC9 was yet to learn all the value and noblenefs of his own heart. Llndfey received liiin with open arms ; and his friend even thought he perceived the tranfports of faccefsful paiTion embellilli his complexion, and lend animation to 1/is eyes. What then was his arroniiLmeat to ice this envied lover plunged by his narration into a deep and cold reverie ! " It is certain," faid he, at lengtli break- ing filence, " that I love Louiia : il.ie has there fimply ilated a truth, which for your fake I V70uld vv'iliingly have fupprefi'ed : but as to marrying her, /-S.;/ is wholly out of the queilion at prcfent ; nor am 1 indeed fure I iliall ever fiiid it a qucftion at all." A tor- rent of new and indignant emotions again fwelled the heart of Arundel j nor was it till his friend had given him the mod iin.cquiv'o- cal proofs under her liand that Louifa's paf- fion IlO CANTERBURY TALES. fionbad kept pace with, if not preceded the acknowledgment of his own, that harmony was reflored between thern. Obliged flowly to refign the illufivd image of perfection lie fo long had che- riihed, Arundel Hill thoii.iht fomev.'hat due both to that and hin,felf. By arguments, therefore, and remonfirances, he wrung from his friend a folemn promife to fee Louifa no more, till abfencc, by trying the caufe between his tendernefs and his pride, might render his intentions lefs dubious. *' Louifa/' fald Arundel, *' is indifcreet ; but flie is virtuous : the pain of feeing her othcrwife would be more than I could patiently endure. Self- intercfl, there - lore, bids me ficp forth the guardian of her innocence. If yrAi love her enough to make a facrifice, 1 ^^ ill prove to you that 1 love her cnouuh to rcjcice in it. But THE POET S TALE. I I I But beware tliat you do not demand any from her." Llndfey laiiglied at his refinements; and, after much expoihdatlon, agreed to prove his iinccrity by taking a temporary leave of Lyons on the fame day ; a compHance in which he had, indeed, no great merit; as he had already more than half promlfed a party of his countrynicn to join them in a ram- bling excurfion to Nifmes. Sad, fjlitarv, hopeleft;, Arundel now bent his fteps towards home, 'i he bulinefs of the day was accomphihed. Of the day ! — ah! rather that of his life; for what re- mained of it fcemed nothing but vacuiLy and gloom : and }:c 1 .o::cd round in vain for fome further faerlfice on which to fpcnd the feveri:h cntluiiiaini of: an overheated mi [id. I\ I or timer wiih conLcrn ncr.-cived it ^Aow upon his clRck, atid eavorui ai:ii-ni« 112 CANTERBURY TALES. ing exprelTioa to his eyes. Lindfey, gay, infc'entj and happy — Lindfey, triumphant alike in fortune and in love over his more deferving brother, became an objecl of ab- folute detellation to the guardian of A run- deb The fecret fo long concealed now trembled on his lips : his young friend even perceived it did, and urged, with tender vehemence, to know \Yhat further hope in life remained for him. The eternal argu- ment, that he fliould alvYays find time enough to do the jufiice he defired, again filenced Pvlortimer. That fecret and in- viffble power, which fo often hovers over iriOitality, and with icy breath annihi- lates its projeil:-, unfelt, untliought of, nevertlielcfsj even then approached him ! The important truth, the deUberating mo- ment, Vt'erc yet vv^ithin his reacli ; but the truth vras once more fuppreded, and the moment paffcd away no time was ever to reilorc ] '' I will THE POET S TALE. II3 *' I Will confider more of this, my dear boy," faid he, as he mounted his horfe to take an airing ; " endeavour to repoie yourfelf for an hour, during my abfence, and my return Ihall produce a fuitable ex- planation." Mr. Mortimer was brought liomc, three hours after, cold, ft iffy and bloody. A pillol bullet paffing through his temple had per^ forated his brain ; and in this condition he was found, by fome peafants, not a hundred yards from the high rocid. His horfc was J2;razing by his fide. His purle, \Yliich con- tained only a trifling fum, remained ; but his pocket-book, where notes of value were probably inclofed, was not to be found. The fhock was too mighty ; and Arun- del's conftitutionj already attacked, for the time funk under it. Marlini, the young Italian, attended him withexemplary kmd- VoL. I. I ncfs 114 CANTERBURY TALES. nefsand humanity, through aburningfever; but ere he recovered to reafon, thewifhes, the lr:tentions, and the errors of Mortimer had long f] nee been buried with him in the grave. Hardly efcaped from thence himfelf, Arundel impatiently haftencd to weep over that of his benefador, and, if poflible, to difcover the perpetrators of his murder. Of them,; however, no traces could be found. He was an eafy mark for robbery, as it was his cuilom to take gentle rides in the environs of the city at that hour wdien the retiring fun made the exercife moO-'plea* fant ; and, when unaccompanied by Aran- del, thole rides were well known to be fo- litary. Exhaufied by vain and painful fur- mifes on thi'j cruel event, the latter at length began to examine the papers and property his protedor had left behind him. But one inexplicable myitery feemed now to overfliadow the fate of Arundel. A few perfonals of value, fonxe Eiigliih bank-notes, and THE POET S TALE. 1 1 5' and letters of credit upon a houfe at Genoa, were all that remained to trace his paft life, or to guide his future. Perplexed, be- wildered, he paufed in filence over the gloomy prorpe61: ; when fome flips of paper, that were wedged v\ithin the hinge of a cafket, from whence the refl: appeared to have been haftily torn, attra£led his atten- tion. Cautioufly difengaging one of them, he found three lines, which ran thus : '* To acknowledge, therefore, another fon, nay even an heir, would be a ftep too injurious to my intered and honour to be thought ofj I am determined ?icver to do it ; and Arun- del muft be content " " Oh heaven and earth !" exclaimed the injured and unfortunate fon of Lord Lindfey, as he perufed thefe cruel words, from a hand which he could not doubt to be his father's; " Muji be content! Content without a tie, without a hope ! i 2 witliout Il6 CANTERBURY TALES. without one trace of thofe to whom he owes his exiflence, but in the unnatural fcntence which cuts him off from them for ever !" It was fomc moments before he could recover compofure enough to examine the remaining paper. Nay, he was almofl tempted, by an emotion of indignant fen- fibility, to commit to the flames, unread, what, in the perufal, was perhaps deftined to inflid a fecond and more infupportable pang. The hand was evidently a female one } and the purport of the writing awakened a feeling more lively, if pofTible, than that excited before. *' Yet why fhould I blufli to acknow- ledge what I do not blufh to feel ? In Mr. Arundel are united every grace that wins affedion, and every virtue that juilifics it. Horn, I fmccrely hope, for a more brilliant lot THE POETS TALK. liy lot than that " The tormenting paper here fmlftied ; but fo did not his periifal of it. Three times was it read ; minuiclv was it fcrtuinircd. Even that by wliich he had been a few moments before fo cruelly chagrined, feemed to vanilli from his me- mory : whilfl: a foft confcious flufh of vanity and gratitude ftole imperceptibly over a chctk, lately pallid withficknefs and forrow. The world again refumed its charms ; it contained at lead o?ie being interefted in his fate ; one who *' did not blufh to feel" — who would not blufh ** to acknowledge his virtues." Nor was it till m.cmory had dwelt with dcliodit on manv indivi- duals of a gay and beautiful circle, with which his rcfidcnce at Lyons had accuf- tomed him to raingle, that he recolledcd the myftcry in which that being wou^ probably remain ever enveloped. To the tranficnt gleam of plcafure, which I 3 for 116 CANTERBURY TALES. for a moment had brightened his horizons now fucceeded long and cheerlefs months » Fruitlefs journeys to every place where Mr. Mortimer had ever appeared to cherifh intimacy or demand credit, though by variety of fcenes, and fucceflion of hopes, they re-eftabliihed his health, yet contri- buted to diminilh his little fortune, without fixing his views. Of Louifa he had taken a tender farewell previous to his leaving Lyons ; and to Lindfty he knew not how to addrefs himfelf, during an excurfion, the plan of which was not fettled even by thofe who undertook it. Bufied in tracing the channels through which Mr. Mortimer had tranfadtcd his pecuniary concerns, he had jufl learnt, by a journey to Paris, the name of the Englifli banker with whom his credit originated, v/hen he was one day agreeably furprifed by THE POETS TALE. II9 by a letter from Marlini. It was d t^^d only teii' d'^ys from that on which he 1 id himfelf left Lyons, had followed him in i.is wanderings, and reached him at laH: by mere accident. The good-natured Italian, who took a fincere intereH: in the hap- pinefs of Arundel, had engaged to write him any occurrence by which that might be affedled. ** I fulfil my promife," laid he, ** by informing you that your friend Lindfey left' Lyons laft week. He was here only a few days, and was fuddenly called to Lngland, bv the intelligence tliat his father would moft probably be dead ere he could reach it — an event for which, by the- bye, he fomewliat reproaches his own extravagance and inattention. Will it grieve youto learn, that the fairLouila is his com- panion, and that their union has at length completed a felicity which I am lure )'ou finccrely willi them both ? I 4 " The I20 CANTERBURY TALES. ** The generous patronage he has fo, warmly affured me of in England I am preparing to accept : therefore, when you hear of me again, it will probably be at the Hotel de Lmdfcy. Come, dear Mr. Arun- del, and fliare in the pleafures of this mu- nificent and kind friend, who, I am fure, by his conduct to myfelf, defires nothing fo much as to ferve you, and who particularly enjoined me to fay, that he is only prevented addreffing you by the halle with which he is obliged to depart.'* Arundel clofed the letter with a figh, lie had long ceafed to efteem Louifa : even the impreffion fhe had made upon his fenfcs was confiderably diminifhed by the efforts of veafon and abfcnce ; yet he heard not %yitli indifference that fhe was the wife of another; nor did the temptation of living in the Hotel de Lindjey^ and under *' the mimificGnt patronage of its lord," accord cuitc THE poet's tale. 121 quite fo well with his feelings, as with tliofc of the complalfant Italian. Yet, to England, circumfianccs obliged him to go; and hi England, though his native foil, he was a wanderer and an outcafl. The charader of Lindfev, *' in that rare femblance ihat he loved it firfl -^ their focial and congenial habits — their early and unlludied confidence ■ — in a word, a thoufand tender recollections rofe to mind, and impelled a heait, na- turally fufceptible, to cheriih the only tie it ever vet had formed. ** I will try him, at IcaO.," laid Arundel, as he laid his hand upon ihe knocker of a magnificent houfe in it. James's. '* We underhand each other, and a moment will decide between us." A moment did de- cide : lie was welcomed by Lindlcy, not indeed without embarraiTment ; but it was the embarraffment of a Uian who doubts his ov/n reception, not that which he is to bellow J 122 CANTERBURY TALES, bellow ; welcomed with lavifli kindnefs, with generous cordiality, with every teftimony of friendfhip that fenfibility could offer, and graceful manners could embellifh. Arundel would have avoided feeing Lady Lindfey, and for that reafon excufed him- felf from refiding under the fame roof with her. But this was not to be thought of. The young lord, too happy, both in love and fortune, not to be a little vain, faw, iii the fociety of Arundel, nothing but a new, and as he deemed it, admifiible gratification to his felf-love ; and refolutely, therefore, infilled on not parting with him. " Women, my dear friend," faid he, *' are among the baubles of life; we may each wifh to appropriate, but Vv'e will never wrangle about them. Come, come, you are a philofopher, and Louifi is at lad only a beautiful coquette. Nothing will fo furcly difunite you as knowing more of THE POETS TAL". I 23 each Other." So faying, he dragged his unfuccefsful rival to her drefling-room. From the toilette Arundel attended her to dinner, where he was led in triumph through a circle of parafites and fops. •' You fee that creature with his fine languiftiing black eyes !" faid Louifa to a young nobleman who fiit on her right hand. ** And his rufly black coat !" replied his lordfliip, cafting a glance of nonchalance upon Arundel. *' Kay, that is downright flanJer/' faid Louiia lau^hinir. *' Not rud:v v / : thou"-h it may, perhap^i, fee veteran iervice. He is an old adorer of mine — io pray be civil to him !" *' With all my heart; prcv'ded \;qu are not 11) ; but you had better make fare of rny 124 CANTERBURY TALES. iny complaifance — "^ fortunate lover is never qiiarrelfome, you know !" Loiilfa laughed again. If my reader happens to have white teeth, and one of the preliiell mouths in the v/orld, fl\e will find out the jell; : if not, it vvill probably defy her penetration^ ^nd may as well remain unfouglu, Lindfey had judged truly: in lefs than a week, Arundel was completely cured of his partiality fo,r Louifa — a Louifa far dif- ferent from her he had firft feen a,t the convent. When he beheld her, cold ot heart, and light of condud, living only to diffipation and flattery ; fcarcely mingling with any of her own fex, and admitting to her fan,;iliar fociety the mod; diffolute part of his, often did he call to mind the caution Mortimer had once given him, of weighing, before he formed his attach- ments, whether the qualities by which they v;cre excited arc incidental or na- tural,. THE poet's TAEE. 125 tural. Nor, though more flowly developed, did the chara— it was a thing impoflible ! Advancirg K 4. cioicr, 136 CANTERBURY TALES. clofer, and leaning againft the wainfcot, he amufed himfelf, till the conclufion of the fonata, with examining the features of his friend^ till, fatisfied of their identity, he ap- proached the orcheilra, and addrefled hina by name. *' Ah, Mr. Arundel !" faid Marlini— " how glad am I to fee you, and how glad to find that you have not forgotten me !" Arun- del mofl cordially returned the falutation, and exprelTed his furprife both at the place and the employment in which he found his friend engaged. ■' I have f equently," faid he, " inquired of Lord 1 indfey where I might find you : he affured me that you were difguifed v/ith hngland, and had, he believed, returned to Italy; that you had almoil: renounced botany ; and, I now re- colleil, he even told me fomewhat of your having fhewn an extraordinary genius for mufic." « c, 00 THE poet's tale. I37 *' So he was kind enough to tell mc" replied Marllni, fmiling with fome fcorn ; ** and you fee to what extraordinary prefer^ mcnt my genius has led me. As to Eng- land I have certainly no difguft to it, though I have fouie caule to wi(h it did not fend its foo]s abroad to bring foreign fools home. Another time, Mr. Arundel, J will tell you more." Arundel, who really felt intereRed In the tale, and acrofs whofe mind it glanced that another t'vnc to hiin might never come, prcilcd him to continue the converfation. ** Nay, I have not much to tell nei- ther," faid Marlinl, laying down his fiddle, '* You know the repeated invitations which induced me to come to London ; where I found // cavalicre Lindfey converted in- to la fua ecccilenza, and furrounded by a crowd of fools, all gaping like myfelf for patronage. I3S CANTERBURY TALES. patronage. To do him jufHce, however, he received me very civilly, and recom- mended me to the care of his Swifs valet, through whofe intereft I got a lodging in the Seven Dials — not without a general invitation to dine at the hotel de Lindfev whenever it was agreeable to me. Alas ! I did not then know that the latter claiife was in fad a perfect exclufion. 1 made my way, however, to his lordfhip's table, though not Vv'ithout bribing his porter with tvv'ice the money for which I might have dined at the ordinary, and had the honour of taking my place at the bottom of it, be- tween an old German and a young Eng- lifli divine. The company was numerous, and fome of them talked as if they were men of fcience: I was therefore not with^ out hopes that his lordinip would take an opportunity of recommending myfelf and my (ludies to t'iicir notice. But in this I was difappointe 1 : they fat long, drank hard. THE poet's tale. 1 39 hard, and at len ^th unwillingly broke up, to adjourn to the drawing-room, where Lady Lindfev had prepared a concert. I flattered myfelf, that in general conver{;ition I might at leafl be able to forward my own plans, and was greatly pleafed by the civi- lities of an old gentleman, w^hoie confe- quence was denoted by a ilar, and whj talk- ed to me in very good ] tali an. He had al- ready invited me to his palace; and I had difcovered him to be the Duke of B . I was beginning to congratulate myfclf on my good fortune — But, alas ! how cruelly was 1 difappointcd, when, in the midil of aa interellino; convcrfation u:on botany, he reminded me witli great t;'gernois that the concert was going to begin, .ind icc(Mn- mended me to take up my vi(jlin. I .ifuired'- him 1 was no performer, and c\cn tot.dly UP.l.i>Lillcd in n^Liiic : he heard mc at iiril with incredulity, till, perceivin.g that, far from being the phajnomcnon he doubtlcfs had 140 CANTERBURY TALES. had imagined, I actually took no part in v/hat was going forward, he abruptly ftiifted his place, and became ever after fo near-fighted that it was impoITible for me to attrad his notice. — — Why fhould I tire you, Mr. Arundel, with repetitions of the fame thing? Day after day did I attend the levee of Lord Lindfey, and vainly did I folicit the patronage he had promifed. Perhaps he meant not to impoverilla or betray me ; but, woe to the man in whom vanity and felf-love do the oflices of the blackcfl treachery ! impoveri(hed I certainly be- came. The ftory of the Duke, which in our firft familiarity I had related, appeared to him then an exceeding good jefl ; but "what was my furprife, when, after being worn out in that form, it fuddenly took another, and he very fcrioufly propofed to me to turn mufician ! Vainly did I re- prefent the years I had fpent in my favou- rite fludy, the expenfive colle(flion of plants I had THE POET S TALC. I4I I bad brought over with me, ia tbe hope of being prefented to fome of thofe focieties in London whofe applaufe enfures celebrity and wealth. My remonftrances were not liftened to. I was poor, and could not en- force them. It was fettled, in his circle, that a fiddler I was^ and a fiddler I at length became — lucky in getting half-a-guinea a night by fcraping in a manner which the tafte natural to my country renders of- fcnfive to my own ears, and contented to be any thing rather than the table-com- panion and the attendant upon a Lord!'' Arund:;!, to whom parts of this narrative had communicated flings of which he wha related it was wholly unconfcious, was pre- paring to reply, when INIarlini, being called upon to take his part in a full piece, had only time to give his addrefs; and the other, nO' unwillingly, rcfigiicd his place to fjme ladies who prefled near him. Cn-j, 142 CANTERBURY TALES. One, two, three o'clock came, and Lord Lindfey returned not. Arundel, who had fpent the night in walking his chamber, at length f;iw day appear j and with a mixture of irrefolution, felf-difdain, and defpair, rufhed, with the friend who was to accom- pany him, to the place of appointment* Villiers, with his fecond, was there almoft at ihe fame moment. The calmnefs and ictrepidiry of his countenance; the (liame, too, of ieeming to flirink from the occafion, fealed up thofe lips on which native can- dour and fcn:;bility had half prepared an apology. '1 hey drew; both w^'ere admira- ble fwordfmen ; but Arundel, who emi- nently excelled in Qvtry manly exercife, foon gained a manife'l advantage; and, being preifed on too boldly by his anta- gonifi:, moil unwiilin<;ly ilicathed his fword in his breaft. Villiers dropped his — daggered — and fell. Had THE POET STALE. I43 Had the univerfe, and all it contained, been vaniilung from before his eye-, hardly could Arundel have felt a greater fliock. Pride, pafTion, prcjudiv:e— all that fuilained, all that had milled hiui, lied inftantaneoully; and Villiers, wliofe languid loo:;s were direo.ed to thofe who fupported him, faw, not without fenfibility, the change of tl:at clicek which the apj^roach of perfonal dan- ger had not for a moment blanched. " You have ufcd a brave as well as fkil- tul fvvord, Mr. Arundel," fa'.d lie, *' in a bad cau(c ; and have, 1 fear, completed manv family calamities. i parJon yen, iDWcver. — The challenge wab' ir.ine, gen- tlemen, added he, turning to the fcconds, '•' and I now have only to intreat— — '* The words, wliich had fauhercd on his lips, faded Imocrcejniljly, and lie laitUed. Xcither the fenfe of danger, n^- the re- monilrances 144 CANTERBURY TALfiS. inonftrances of their mutual friends, could for a moment incline Arundel to refign the care of a man whofe murderer he now began to deem himfelf ; and he refolutely followed them into the carriage which was to convey Mr. Villiers to an hotel not far diftant. The danger was there declared by the furgeons to be lefs imminent than it appeared. The fword had fortunately miffed the vitals; and, though by penetrating deep- ly it had caufed a vail efFufion of blood, the wound bore no prefent appearance of being mortal. Arundel became more compofed at intelligence fo unexpeded, and was at length prevailed upon to retire. The events of the morning were now to be recounted to Lindfey ; and to Lindfey, fpite of his faults, the agitated fpirits of his friend flill turned with habitual confidence. Bur he was yet to learn, that the man who relies on the gratitude of the diffo^ lute THE POET S TALE. 145 lute mud have claims more impofing than defer t. LIndfey, who was juft returned from a gaming-table, feverifh with accumulated lofles, and ftupefied for want of reft, liftened with coldaefs to the narration — and, fmiling at the end of it, farcaftically thanked him for his knight-errantry. *' Louifa, too,'* added he, *' will, I doubt not, be duly grate- ful for her fhare of the obligation ; and a gratitude fo well-founded I certainly can have no right to interfere in." Arundel, to whom this fpeech was wholly incompre- henfible, replied not. ** Or, perhaps," added Lindfey, " fhe has been fo already ! — But pr'ythec, dear Arundel, let me counfel you as a friend not to make a pradice of drawing your fword in that caufe I" There was a half jealous Vol. L L and 14.6 CANTERBURY TALES. and half difdainful fneer in his manner, at once calculated to alarm and to irritate. ** I fhall moft affuredly never draw it again in your lordfhip's caufe,'* faid Arun- del, indignantly ; *' but for Lady Lind- fey " »* Lady Lindfey ! Mr. Arundel. You certainly do not fuppofe that fhe is really my wife ?" A thunderbolt at the feet of Arundel would have aftonifhed him lefs than this fpeech. It was then for two beings equal- ly licentious and ungrateful that he had hazarded all dear to nature or to prin- ciple 1 l^ouijQi — hindfcy — defpicable names ! Yet '* For ih(m the gracious Duncnn had he murdered ' Put rancour J hi the vcird of his peace — ■ Only for thcin \ " <* The THE POET*S TALE. I47 " The generous blood of Villicrs is on my fword!" exclaimed he, rufhing from a roof which he knew not to be his paternal one: " 1 will not wrong him fj far as to blend it with the unworthy tide that flows through the heart of Lord Lind.ey !" His feet fpontaneoufly moved to the hotel to which Captain Villier? had been carried ; but the recolh :don that repofe and perfe6t quiet had been deemed eiTential to his fafety forbade him to enter it. Loll in a tide of heart-wringing recollections, he wandered, he knew not whither, through half the ftreets of the metropolis, till liie bufy crowds wi'li wh'^h they w^rc filled retired at the a^^proac'. of evening. Stra.;- glers among tliC dilTolute or the idle ft:ll faced the nipping autumnal wind, wVji:h began to rife ; and a fmall crowd of thefe, collected round a ballad-fingc-. 'nipeded, in narrow ftreet, the paflage of Arundel. L 2 The 140 CANTERBURY TALES. The momentary embarraffment awakened his fenfes, and a found that ftruck from thence upon his memory induced him to ftart for- ward. It was to be a day of painful retrofpec- tion. The female who fung had the appear- ance of a Savoyard : a little common organ hung at her fide — her complexion was tan- ned — her figure was emaciated — her eyes were hollow — draggling locks of auburn hair added rather a mifery than a charm to her appearance ; — yet the foreign accent, the beautiful brow, — above all, the well- remembered air fhe fang, at once carried convidion to the heart of Arundel. It was — it cGuld be no other than Annette ! Annette betrayed ! — Annette, the vidim of Lindfey! expofed in the firft inftance to difgrace, and in the laft to poverty ! frail, yet not licentious ! miferable, yet not vin- didive ! drew from the charity of flrangers that humble pittance which induftry and nnocence had rendered once fo honourable ! Let THE POET S TALE. 1 49 ■Let us draw a veil over the pldure, and follow Arundel. In folitude, filence, and adverlity, he now indeed had learnt to think — to eflimate the difference between real and imaginary bleff- ings — and to perceive that negled:, indif- cretion, and felf-love, fcatter, even from the bofom of luxury, the fruitful feedd of vice and devaffation. After various painful felf-denlals, he thought he might at length venture to requefl admiflion to Villiers, of whofc wound he received the moft favourable re- ports ; nor was it among the lead of his late mortifications to learn, that, on the noon of that day, Villiers had, by his own orders, been conveyed into a chair; and, after pay- ing every expenfe, quitted the hotel without leaving behind him the finallefl indication of the place of his retreat. L 3 Arundel 150 CANTERBURY TALES, Arundel was now overwhelmed with chagrin and dlfappointment. On the idea of oncring an honourable and ample con- ceffion his heart had refted with romantic enthufiafm. Perhaps he had fecretly flat- tered himfelf he might find a friend in that generous r.ntagonift with whom his feelings had at lirft fight claimed ac- quaintance. FruO^rated in his pafl views, and hopelefs of the future, his fpirits would have been whoU)' depieiled but for a fingular event. A note fr n the banker with whom IV'Ir Mciiimer had tranfaded bufinefs in- formed him, that two hundred pounds had been recently lodged in the houfe, pay- able either to that gentleman's order or Mr. Arundel's. Soft hope again ftole over the heart of the THE POETS TALE. 1^1 the latter. He was not then forgotten ! — Some being was flill Interefted in his fate ! Some protecting fpirit, Hke that of Mor- timer, fiill hovered over him ! — x\h ! could it be a female one ? Relieved from pecuniary embarraffments, it was his firfl: employment to difcover the habitation of Captain Villiers, The poor rarely have a fecret that is well kept ; and in a very few days it was traced to be the fecond floor of a houfe in a fmall flreet near Piccadilly. Bounded as Arundel's means were, yet to ihare them with the man he had injured, and whofe circumftanccs, it was plain, could ill fupport extraordinary expenfe, became now the firft objedl of his life. To have fhared them, indeed, with thofe he had himfc!f' injured might have been only juftice ; but, to fay truth, the improvident Arundel was 'hardly lefs L 4 difpofcd 152 CANTERBURY TALES* difpofed to fhow his liberality to Marlini and Annette. Captain Villiers was now in a (late to quit his chamber ; and Arundel, who well knew how to calculate the wifhes of pride, eafily concluded that he had no other mode of enfuring their meeting but a furprife. Forbearing, therefore, his ufual anonymous inquiry, he one evening repaired to the houfe ', where, being told by a fervant that Mr. Villiers was in his apartment, he ab- ruptly walked up flairs, and, without fur- ther ceremony than a gentle rap, opened the door. Candles in the room there were none ; but the twilight, aided by the bright blaze of a fire, enabled him clearly to difcern Villiers, who repofed on a fopha on one fide of it, while on the other fat a tall and fair young lady in mourning, who appeared to have been reading to him. Generous THE poet's tale. I53 Generous minds are not long in under- ilanding each other. Vilhers was prepared, by fome frank and noble traits that he had difcovcred in the charader of his vifitor, to give him credit for qualities the other was now well difpofed to (how. To remove preprjfleffion was to enfure regard : Arundel was born to be beloved ; and Captain Villiers, though lefs fafcinating, had a can- dour and martial enthufiafm of mind which circumftances only had concealed. The converfation foon became unfettered and intcrefting, " On the father of the prefent Lord Lindfey," faid Villiers, *' mine had claims of friendHilp his lorddiip was not infenfi- ble to : they induced him to beftow on me, very early in life, a commiflion, which,' though it brought with it many years of painful fervice, in a climate injurious to my health, ought to be remembered with kind- nefs, 154 CANTERBURY TALES. nefs. Attentive to me even during his laft illnefs, by a letter addreflcd to the fon whofe ingratitude and neghgence avowed'y fhort- ened his days, he repeated his earneft de- fire that I might be promoted in my profef- fion, and relieved from various pecuniary embarraffments, in which the indifcretions of my father had involved his family. By the young Lord LIndfey I was at firft treated with kindnefs and diftindion. Re- iterated promifes taught me to hope every thing : but 1 hoped only to be difappolnted. I knew enough of the world, however, to have fuftained that like a man ; — but when to negled: he dared to add injury — when he prefumed to violate — in fliort — why fliould I 4ifrcmble ? — when he would have trafficked upon the fifter's honour for the brother's promotion, it was then I felt like a foldier." Arundel, whofe cheek glowed with indig- nation and felf- reproach, flarted haflily from his THE poet's tale. I55 his feat ; which Villiers, with a fmile of kindnefs, motioned to him to refurae. — " By an intercepted letter 1 became ap- prized of a fecret which my fifter's fears for my fafety had induced her to conceal. With what determination I afterwards faw Lord Lindfey I hardly know myfelf ; but I well recoUecl, that refpe^for the memory of his father, and his own inability to fight, alone prevented niV purfuing thofe violent mea- fures I was but too well prepared for, when the ill fortune of both induced you to re- queft an interview with me. I hw you with prejudiced eyes: had I Teen you with any other our fwords had never been drawn* Yet let me do you the juflice of acknow- led^^ing, that, even In the fhort converfatlon which preceded our appointment, 1 perceived I had an adverfary to encounter of v^hofe dignity of ciuiracfler 1 was little aware; and though unable to reduce either my refent- ment or my pride to a tardy explanation, I met 156 CANTERBURY TALES. I met you with a reludance that, perhaps, contributed, with your own fkill, to give you the advantage you obtained.** Arundel, at once grieved and flattered, cemented the growing friendfhip by a con- fidence not indeed minutely detailed, for the health of Villiers allowed not of long converfation, but unb:>unded as far as re- lated to Lord L.indfey, and departed with an invitation to repeat his vifit next day. The vifit was repeated again — and again < — and again. Mifs Villiers was almoft conflantly with her brother, and as con- jflantly purfued the method, Ihe had firft adopted, of retiring at the entrance of his friend. Arundel could not avoid feeling fome pique at the beautiful ftatue he had fo little power of animating : not that he al- lowed beauty to be any advantage — oh no ! " Louifa had cured him ! Louifa had ren- dered THE Poet's tale. 157 dered him for ever indifferent to fo illufivc an attrafVion;" and he repeated this fo often that he really beheved it. It was the mind - the vlfible expreffion of it in the countenance of Henrietta with which he was now charmed. It was the fweet fe- rioufnefs of her eyes — fo hke her brother's, only heightened by the fmefl; long lailies in the world, that made an irrefiftlble im- prefTion on his memory. Yet never to fj-eak, never to permit him ihe common claims of an acquaintance — eternally to currfey and withdraw — it was {o flrange, fo cruel, fo fingular aninflance of coquetry, that really all the philofophy he was mailer of could not fland it. Chance, however, did for him what it was plain Mifs \' illiers would not do. After fpeiiciing the morning with her brother as uiual, /e:e-a-tc'te, he had taken his leave, when, on walking the length of the flreet, fomewhat 158 CANTERBURY TALES. fomewhat occurred that he had negleded tcJ mention ; and, haftily returning, he threw open the door of the apartment, where Henrietta was then fitting alone. A con- fcious — a half reproachful fmile brightened the features of Arundel, as he refpedfully advanced and addrefled her. Mifs Villiers, on the contrary, turned pale, blullied, and dropping her eyes, faintly replied to his queftions i but the voice was not to be mif- taken — a voice fo touching, fo inimitably foft Heaven and earth ! what was his aRonifliiiient when it was immediately re- cognifed to be that of Therefa ! Therefa, — the tender friend fo long and fo ungrate- fully forgotten. If Arundel was tranfported, far different were the feelings of Mifs V^illiers. — Con- fcious, abaflied, devoid of all power of feigning — hardly recollcding what fhe ovg^it to know, or what (lie ought to tell j it THE poet's tale. t ^^ it was amidft blufhes, hefitation, and tremour, that he learnt ihe was the daugh- ter of Mortimer ! The daughter of Mortimer ! Ah ! he learnt not that only : there was a fufpicion, there was a truth remained behind, at which, though his heart beat with exultation and hope, he ventured not even remotely to glance. Yet who elfe fhould write to Mortimer t^at flie did not blufli to acknowledge an in- terefl for him ? — Who elfe fhould tell his gvardian and his friend " that he had every grace that wins affedion, and every virtue that juRifies it r" Who but Henrietta had opportunity, whilfl: he was in purfuit of another object, to dwell unobferved upon his charader — to trace all its energies — to feel all its difappointments — and unconfci- oiifly to cherilh a treacherous feutiment under tlie name of a generous one ? Captain Villlers, who was only in the udjoining apartment, entered at this moment, and l6o CANTERBURY TALES. and faw with furprife Arundel holding the hand of his fifter, and fpeaking with an ea- gernefs that marked the tenderefl intereft ia what he uttered. *' Dear Villiers !" faid the latter, recover- ing himlelf to fpare her embarrafTment;, " would you believe that I have found in your fifter an old and tenderly beloved friend ?" " So it appears,*' faid Villiers, fmiling ; *' but how came you to take advantage of my abfence to make this difcovery ?" ** Mr. Arundel," faid Henrietta, ftrlving to command herfelf, ** had forgotten his friend, and I was not willing to obtrude her upon his memory." Every truth but one was now avowed on all fides; and Villiers was not fo dull of comprehenfion as to overlook that. *' The THE poet's tale. i6i ** The veil — the cruel veil !" cri^d Arun- del reproachfully, as they recounted their interviews in the convent — " — Was onco, at lead, \vithdrav»^n," added Henrietta blufhing; — " but the featnies it fliaded were not worthy of retaining your eye." Arundel, who too well recollecfted the circumflances of their fn-n: meeting, could only anfwer by a look — a look that at once conveyed his own felf- reproach. Yet time, that had matured his underllanding, had alfo matured the beauty of Henrietta; whofe features, though ever regular, were far from poileffing, while in the convent, that lovely finifh her whole pcrfon had lince attained. The elder Mr. Villicrs, obliged by his neceffities to renounce his name, had, under Vol. L M tliat l62 CANTERBURY TALES. that of Mortimer, afforded the parental protedion t o Arundel which nature had defigned for his own children. Of thefe children one had heen committed to the care of Lord Lindfey, who, by embarking him early in a military line, deprived him of the opportunity to make troublefome inquiries. For his daughter, unproteded and dower lef', Mr. Villiers's religion en- abled him to allot a life of feciufion in the convent where fne had been educated ; nor was it till Lord Lindfey himfelf darted the propofal of marrying Arundel abroad, that he thought of a fcheme by which all their vicvvs might be conciliated. V/kh. this f:liemc, however, Henrietta alone had ever been made acquainted ; and though Arundel and her brother could not fail, in tliC courfe of the explanation, to furmife it, Hic carncillv guarded the idea from ob- trudjjjg. To TliL PCET's TAI.r. 16:5 To Captain Villicrs, indeed, all 'di's was new : his father's caution liad kept from liis knowlcdQ-c tlic cfianc;c of bi ■ name — the companion of his travels — in a word, every thing but vrhat related to the cml;arrair!ncnt of their affairs, or the welfare of his filer. Unconfcicus, tliereforc, that fuch a being as Arundel cxiiled, till he met liiin in tlic li vjf^ of the \-cuncr Lord Lindfey, it Vv'as on the event of tlie duel tiint his name fn-n: tran- fpired 10 Henrietta. \'/hy lier previous acquaintance with it had been fo cauri -'ally o:n'ttcd in all convcrfitions witii her '-r /iher, relative to her f.ither'5 v'f: -cx :.^'onS; nei- ther geutlca'Cn prLhr.ncd to af.:, pro!:r.bly fjr the bell of all rcalons — tiiat botli of thcni could o-'icfs. The motncnt of ilnal d '\C. ov n'^v/ fecnied dawning upon xlrundin — but it was ouly a gleam. Of hi.Iiirth C'pt aiiVilliers knew notlfn^.g ; and Henrietta, to wo.om M 2 her 164 CANTERBURY TALESi her father never confided more of his plans than was necefTarj for their accomplifli- ment, only faintly recoUeded to have heard him once fay that he was the fon of a Mr. Arundel of CornwalL " It is firange that my father (houlcl leave no papers by which to guefs at this my fiery," faid Villiers. The anxious eyes of his fiRcr half fought thofe of Arundel, and her check was flullied wdth apprehen^ fion for his anfwer. •'Very llrange !" replied the latter, with a duplicity love firft had taught him — " It was, I know, his ciiflom to burn all his letters after reading them : th-j few lines that alone fell into my hands we will take an early opportunity of examining together." Re-afTurcd by the carcIefTnefs of his an- fwer, li'.nrietta recovered herfelf. Ilcr fecrct THE Poet's tale. 165 i'ecret fafe — her lover and her hrothcr thus perfccllv united — could tlie world prefeiit a livelier pleafure than that which glowed round her heart ? The hrc-fidc of Villlers was now ernbellifhed with tlie fmiles of hap[)in?rb, and a long, a lengthened even- mz fucceeded, durin"; which Arundel drank deep draughts of a pafhon he a' tempted not to renft j and which beauty, merit, cul- tivated underftandin^, and pollllied man- ners, united to juftify. Strolling throtigh the city the next morn- ing with \'illicrs, a man, who fcciricd guard- ing the door of a narrow and dirty entry, attempted to put a printed paper in liis hand. It would have hecn rcjccled, hatl not the uncxp..Clcd cnf')icc;p.c; t of '' You had better tal.c it, Mr. Ar'/iudcl, ' iiiduced him to ftop. lie \c,o cd earnc. ly at tl;e figure by whom it \\ as preicmid, and, unde: an immcnie buih of w ig, a threatlbare Loat, i^/I 3 and l66 CAKTERBURV TALLS. and a fcarlct wai/tcoat laced with gold, dif- covered his quondam acquaintance the Ger- man philofupher. *^ You can't oblige an old friend with Icfs than a iliiUing, rv'lr. Arundel," faid the German, ** i'o pray have the goodnefs to \va:k in." Arundel complied ; but he muft have been a philjfopher iiirafelf to forbear friiling wlicn lie perceived his friend's col- leclion oi" mineral; and foffils converted into Vv'liaL r.c called a '•' very pretty rnree -JJj:ii'i* by which, with \jic aihibnce of a fev^com- rncMi philclhphical experiments, medical ad-viec (.iTcrcd g:al:is, and a hnall pretence at jiidici:;] a.lrolo^y, the German aflured him he <'ained a tolerable l.velihocd. *' Not," r.iid he, *' but I had better have fi-^i-.d a fyRem of the world than that of the ciii'.Ii : and 'hen i fliould have been aware of ibme of il3 revolutions, which all my THE POET S TALF. 167 ■-nov;lcc1ge of the fiars even did ivot iii- -. u:c of. Arundel, who kncv,- liis acquaintance's Iicad to be filled with as mnch real learn- ing as might have fupplicd half a nnivcrlity, could not but fniilc :.i tlic ii!:!gular fLoicifra dif )laycd in Ids condurt ; :.ni\ tl](3ugh he felt not tl'.at tender Intereft with wli'xh the quick Icnfibiiity and embittered fpirit of the Italian had infpircd 1dm, yet was his fmile infenfibl)' chaRencd by a figh, wlien lie con- trailed tlie cba/-jjl.'r of the Ucrn^an and his '^ The romantic days of chivalrv, and tlie dcfpotic ones of fciidal authoritv, arc both vanillicd," Lud he, as he comr.K'.-ited wiili his friend en the events thev liad lately v^ it- neded. '' ALiU, at tliat period, ^^■as contented to barter independency for [v/utecfion, and found in the cheriddr.g pov/er of rank M J-. fonic- l68 CANTERBURY TALES. fomewhat that confoled him for its fupe- rlority. I'he groilcr ligaments that then bound the great to the httle have infenfibly refined into the nicer ones of benevolence, diilindion, or patronage. How careful ought the great to be that they fnap not thefe by fcihihnefs, pride, or caprice ! — - How, inftead of weakening, ought they to flrengthen, ties, by which the human fpecies is uiu:'Cu to that fubordlnation to which no mortal effort can ever;, perhaps, awQ them !" ^' Youtliink deeply," returned hisfriend. " No, dear Villicrs, I only feel (Vcply — ; feci for the virtues I have {t^n L-etrayed — ih'C talents I h.ivc iecni blighted — tiie fenfi- bilities-" he:idded, half fmothering a figh, " 1 have known rejcded ; and by a man to whom it would have coil io little to have cultivated all." The THE poet's tale. 1^9 The fight of Mifs VIULts at or.ce ciffi- patcd i"["lc'-:\ <» u. pli:io!b^in'. A thoiiland more intcrcfting topics oc-.-iirrccl ; a::d the iu!)jecc of his hirth cn^^yucd th.e attentioa both of Arundel an J his friends. T lie |apcr he behevcd to have hccn wr'rrcn by his father was vainly exainined by cacii. *' The ciLie my fiTter hns n^'ivcn us," faid Captain Vilhers, " feems, after all, the only pofhble one to lead to a dirc>)vcry. You muff go into Cornwall, and the f Micr tiic better ; for we are none of u-^, r-icij c;iough to fpcnd cither money or time ' :inr. .-cHary delays. Suppof: you fet oil to morrow?" *' To-morrow is furciy too fo^nl" an- fvvered Arimdcl, intuiuvcly fixing his eves on Mifb \'l licrs. *' I think not,'' faid her brotlier, fmlling; *' rather remember, dear Arundel, *' To-mfTiov. It I )(i late : '' Ah J I70 CANTEREaRY TALES. *'Ah!" cried Arundel, v;cirmlv ^ '■'' it was indeed only yciicrday that i began to live 1 However I wl'l go to-morrow, if you iliiiik it advifable. A fciinily of con(cqi:e::cc enough to mention an heir cannot be iin- known in t!)C country ; and I nn:v at Ic^it lind <^T0und tor con^edurc, whetl.cr I am iib!c to make the wiihed-for diibovcry or not." '' I have eood ^-rcfjndmen^s," jQdd Vil- V-tXt:^ as lie ciuitted the room to attend a troublefbrnc viiltor \\\ i\\t cxt — '^ though, certainly, that notltin'^ ihoidd even accident- ahy remain but thcib lines is very cxtraor- dmary T' Ilcniictta and lier lover were icfc tctc-a t.':c ^ fhe felt cn^barraded 3 and with the ill fjrtune that gci^erally icHows the attempt at difi'cUing an awkward v\z-?.z'^, liailily rc^-^eated her brother's words, that it ^o./o \ery THE POET o TALK. IJ I very extraordinary ! Arundel, unable to re- fill the temptation, advanced to'.vardii iier. *' Will Mils Vidicrs;" ilild lie, ^' do mc the honour of bccomin:- mv confidante :'* *' Mofc undoubtedly," faultcrcd (lie, turn- irg pale. *' And nir.y I — dare I venture to tell her that there was yet another paper — ?" *' I3 it not better — would it not be riglit, I mean — why not ratb.er tell v y brother?" agnin incoherently cried Henrietta, bluihing more deeply tlian before. *' Pecaufe," interrupted Arundel, " if niy farnfiies are true the writiiur is too ia^jred to be profaned by any eve but my own ; bcc.iuie on their decifion probably denen.Is the happincl's or raifcry of my life; and becauie," 172 CANTERBURY TALES. becaufe," added he, taking it from his bo- fom, '"with Mils Villiers alone it remains to tell me which." She cair a timid eye upon the paper, and, too coarcious of the hand, as v/eli as the probable piirport of it, would have fank from her chair, had not ^.lic iupDcrtin^: arms of Arundel prevented her. He \v:;s at her feet when Caprain Villiers returned ; nor could the latter forbear aflving, with a fmiie, whether thefe tender demonflrations cf re- gard were meant for the old friend or thq new one ? Arundel, who had not been able to re- folve on the journey of the morrow without pfCYiGiis CApianaticjn to both^ now hefitated not to difclofe his wliolc heart. Villiers heard him uith undifguifcd pleafure ; and thougli not apprized, by any part of the con- Ycrlation, of his filler's paitiahiy, thought he THE POET S TALE. I73 he ran no rifk of violently ofrendlng her by fandioning the hopes of her lover, ricafurc, however, is a fleeting good I So thought Arundel as he looked the next day through the dingy panes of glafs in an inn window about thirty miles from London. His gaiety v:as not greatly incrcafed by the probability of having nothing better to do than to look through them for two hours longer. Luxury had not }'ct provided for travellers as in more modern times ; and the only poft-liOr.c the ftablcs afiorded, Arundel, from a principle ot humanity and good- nature, had refigncd to a gentleman wlio:n tlie landlird hiid delcribed to be in a frate of agitation that bcipoke his journey a matter oi' the u.tm.ofl impona-icj. He was ib me what tcm^)t'_d, hovvevcr, to repent of his rocd-natm-c, v>. hen, nadiiic; tl;roiieh the entry, he call jjis eyes on ihls j., i:cfimn^ aiul dikovcrcd him to be tlic valet of Lord T '■••A^c^r • 174 CANTERBURY TylLSS, Lindfey • a mr.n who liad long reigned over his mafier vAih mod unboiir'dcd in- fluence, and whofc inlblent manners ren- dered him the dcteilation of all wiihin liis circle. '* Ah, Mr. Arundel !" l^ld Vernev, ilart- irg at the fjglit of him^ *' is it yon, then, to whoni I am fo p-reathr- oblii^cd ? You were always good and gcncrouS; and Iain almoil tempted " *' To profit by the c^ran^ple, I l^.ofc," fiid Arundel, coldly 'n:i!ii;g, and pafling on. Tlic man (ccmed flruc'v wiiii the fpccch. "Mr. Arundel, f^- the love :^? h'^avcn, fop !"cxc]ahnrdl'c>C:::gi:iyxi7.ing his band: " f^ivoui" me with a mi;i:^c::t's conversation. It may be of irO'C irr!ooii,;.:.ce to you th.an you arc aware cu.'' Arundel hjhLat'jd; yet, lomewhat ii^pi ^fed with hi^: manner;, wc ;;t wiib THE POET S 1 ALE. IJ^ Vx"lth liim iiUo an adjoining apavtment. Vcrncy ilrut the door. *' You have been, Sir, for a lone; time now, the companion and intimate of my Lord : YOU hr.ve been the confidant of many of l-is Iccrcts ; yet, I bcheve — nay, I am very fare, tliat you did not know him to be vou; brother." "^ ?-. Iv broliier !" faid Arundel, flarclnfx baci: witli amazement — ''Lord Lindicy my " f.: .f;.rjh', ^'.r, as th.at iic was ilie fe'.Iiicer of ~^'";.; L.' ui::;, uud the murderer of Mr., ^^cr.-:ier!-' *'Ih;.,; '.. c,^re, ''ernc' , i:'i v,d^.it you i. V :" .:;'.'.;d fiiun.' j', a^hah w iili liorior. *' . can f ;n.i ^o i'. ;u^on rath, S.:, v.-i!:n Ciid v-:...:-c vc^u [^h.;'e; but uy/ t!;ue i-? Xy6 CANTERBURY TALES. precious, and I mini: tell my (lory in few \vo:c]s. It Wcis juft after vou fct out for Sv^ iHerland, Mr. xArundel, that 1 came into coi/fidcncc with my Lord ; I ufed often to carry meiTages and notes between him and Ma'amfelle Louife ; who, to fay the truth, 1 believe courted him as much as he did her. However that was, he fell into a very great pafTion when he found that fhe had told yon of their correfp Midence, and fwore he would never fee lier more. Nay, he adlually made you the fame promiic, or fometliing like it, as you may remember, and left • y(rns accordingly. Plis l:eart, however, failed him before he had gone many miles ; for they were to have met that night — a^ I (lio'jld have told you they often did — when i'>jif> Louuc could make a pretence for getting out of the convent to vifit her acquaintance. Nothii.ig then \\ould ferve my Lord but returning ; and a me- lancholy return it wab for poor Wiv. iMor- timer. THE PO-T S TALL. j ~1 timer, whom wc overtook as v;c paficcl through the ff.ort cut -tiiat leads to the lii^h read. Tvly :.ord at firLi: would haveavoiJcdh.ini; but perceiving lie vras already knowii; determined to ride bildly on. Tlicy Lcn can.ie up v;ith one another, and interchanged lalutdlion? ; not very civil. Some converfalion enfued ; and, though I was at a didance, I could underilaud tliat Mr. ?vIortimer upbraided my Lord \\'x\\ treachery and falfehood. I'liliehood vras tiie word. You may gueis hov: this VN-a.-; taken ; both of them fell into fuch a paluon that 1 verily believe tlicy knew not wliat they faid or did : and as curiofity drcv/ m.c nearer, I uidinclly heard Mr. Mortimer t^ll my Lord tliat l:e had no o.xafion to value himfelf upon ])is birth ; that i:e was only a younger bro- tlicr ; and that vou were bt:'.h i';n nnd licir lo Lord Lindicv, a., he could liiliicieuily pro^■c bv letters then in liis nj^/et-bouk. All mv Lord's p;d:h n bcL-:!- v/a. iiothin.; a^ Vol . L :: all lyS CANTERBURY TALES. all to this. As ill-luck would have it, we had pillol in the holders, for it was then dufk:, and we were to go out of the city again that night. — To be fhort, I held their horfes while they both fired, and I faw Mr. Mortiiner drop. By my Lord's command 1 myfelf took the pocket-book from himj for he, poor man ! was quite gone ; and away wc rode as if the devil was behind us, and fo to be fure he vras. My Lord was very mocuy, and, as I thought, v-^ry peniie'it; and cfter. faid he did noc intend the old gentleraan'b death ; but that if v^as 2.n even chance, and thereiorc done in an hoiiGurable Vv^ay. Llovv'cvcr, as honourable as it was, he made no fcruplc of keeping the rockct-l)'\ok, in v>hicli, furc ciiough, there were ibme chofcn letrers from the old Lord, that fufTicicntl;- cor; firmed I lie truth of Mr. Mor'dm.r's flory. Not ikat I got fight of them at iixfii (o far i'roni it, that lie would have rtrfuaded rac they contained nothing of confc- THE poet's talt. 179 con^'^'niicnce. However, I knew my oppor- tun'-i:'s, and, v.'hen I had once (ecn them, wc u'cd to trdk them over vcr}' often; andheeven trdd rnc that he fhould never have fallen into fi.ic'i a rag-e at f.rll hearing of them, but tliat his father, when angry with him once, let fall an od.i laving, that dwelt upon his niind. All this, Mr. Arundel, 1 v^-ill fay, and fvvear too ! — As to the reft, to be furc it grieved me to fee vou forced by ill treat- ment to qu t your own fatlier's houfe, and throw yourfclf upon the v/idc vs'oi'd ; while, on the other hand, my Lord " ilerc Vcrney began to (lainmer ; and Arundel, to whofe overburdened and agitated mind a paufe feemed necelhiry, threw open the lafh, and, leaning againll the window- frame, cndeavoiu-ed to recover a compofurc of which the dreadful train of fads he had liftened to kerned wliolly to have deprived him. >: 2 '' Well J So CANTERBURY TALES. '* V/ell, Mr. Arundel, I muft go," faid V^erney, abruptly ftarting up, as if himfclf awakened to fonie new recollections. *' Whither?" returned the other, " That I can't immediately tell — Not to iTiy Lord, you may be fure. Ihis con- founded gambling has (o ruined his temper^ that a man had bettor live in Eedlam than with him. However, if you will tell mc where a liriC may find you, depend upon receiving one. ere long; and, if I can do yon juftice, jufiice }'ou (hail have." I'o part in lo lUrlit a manner, with a tcfli- mony of inch inr;>.>r:r;n:e, and of v.'hich he might be 1(3 eal.ly Grd wifiies to fpeak to Mr. i\run- C/A," faid the fervant, returning ; *' but Cap- tahi Villicrs he begs will excufe him." 1 he verbal meffagc, the oftcntatious ap- proach 3 THE POET S TALE, 16^ proach, the ceremonious introducllon, had already, in the boibm of Arundel, repelled tlic generous tide of nature. Oh God I how diti the impetuous current return upcu his heart, when, ilretched on a couch at one end of a magnificent dreflnig-room, hecait his eyes on tlic fpcare of that gav and beautiful Lindley, whom he had parted with but fix weeks before, blooming in health, and vigorous in youth ! — A figli — almofl a groan of exquifite anguiili burR from the heart of Arundel, as, fcizing the hand ot his 1)! Oilier, he bent h;s face over it in wo- n^.anifh emotion. The iLort ?.rA ludcieii cough — the acTonizimr pain t^:at reCiJiCd to feize upon Lord Lindley as inilan'ly re- called his realbn. '^ Mv brother' — mv friend" c\icd liC, incoherently, " recover — comp3re yourieif. — I ccnne not to upbraid. — C'h, why, ''added he more vehemently, '* did I midruft ycyur m::lTan:e ^ l86 CANTERBURY TALES. meilage ? Why did [ tlius fiii^dpnly force myfelf upon you ?" Lord Lincfey, choaked by agitation, could not Ipeak ; and Arundel, unable to witnefs fufFerlng^ he ciul- not aOuage, flew into the anti-chamber, while the attendants adminiftcred relief, from one of them lie learnt what had in part cfreded tliis devaftation. Lord Lindfey, a month before^ had attended a rural fiic given by the dochefs of ^ortfmouth, where, after a night of dancing and violent excels, lie had fallen afleep, undifcovered for many hours, upon the wet grafs. The fervant had no time for further infox'rnation. Recalled by the found of liis brother's voice, Arundel eagerly returned lo the apartment. The former tenderly prelTed his hand, and, by ilow and painful efforts, was now able to ff:'eak. But the long-lavifned hoars of pro- fperity and health, that make atonement A'irtiic, were lofc to Lindfey ; and though in (peaking he failed not to render Arundel a nobie THE Poet's tale. 1S7 a noble jiiflice, yet from it his own bofom extraded not that balm which might ia happier days have proved fo healing. It was not, however, without an exqulfite ic',\{e of fuffering, that his generous brother dlfcovered \'erney to be a principal inftru- mcnt in the cataftrophe which the appear- ance of Lindfey announced to be To near ; a luffering confiderably augmented, when he found that it was to a latent fpark of ten- dernefs and remorfe in the latter he had owed the two hundred pounds lodged for liis ufe at the banker's. Hardly had Lord Lindfey got rid of feme of taofc alarming fymptoms which were produced by tlie violent and dangerous cold he had taic^n, when Verney, who was drclfuig hini, one morjiini; cucroached fo tar upon his ufual infolciice as to exafpcratc 2 temper aUeady fcvcriHi and frclful. In a tr-mfport lS8 CANTERBURY TALSS, tranfport of rage Lord Lindfey flruck hira. The brutal precedent was not loft : Verney returned the blow. A -vif^lrnt ftrupgle en- fued betv^een them^ and before Lindfey had either ti.ne or recolle.'lion to ring his bell, he was thrown a^^ainft a cabinet that Hood near with a force that left hini breath - lefs : while Verney, early feduced to \'il- lany, now profited by the leffon, and ef- caped with fnch valuables and papers as he deemed moft likely tofecure hina either im- punity or revenge. Lindfey revived : but fevere irritation and internal injury had done the work of time; and he revived only to know that he was dying. Yet within the fwcet circle of love and virtue there is an atmofpliere that renders death Icfs painful ! Arundel, VillierSj his filler, all united their cares in allc viLLtlng his fun Clings •, THE poet's tale. 1S9 fufferings ; and the acutenefs of difeafc fub- Tided into Infcnfible decay. *' I give you, Mifs Villiers," faid Lindfey, on the day that united her with his bro- ther, '' an invaluable heart. I fliall fooii leave vou, "added he faintly, fmiling, "thofe worldly advantages to which that alone gives true nobility." Ah, Vvdiac coidd UGhllUj add to the hap- pinels of Arundel and Henrietta ! I-ove, friendihip, coraiKLcnccl '• iMov.'crs of pa- radlil', a:; yet u.ntaded,'' are in ilie'r,ielvos, to tender a.id v\.ll--regi:ialcd niindb, '' ail they can cruels of hcivcn/' THE t '9' ] THE FREXCHMAN's TALE. cc:\:,T.ixcE. On tliC biilou i of tli!^ u-crld, ibmcthncs v.c rlis 'So cLingeroully High, ^'> r :'.!. to liC.i\"ii too nigh : \\h':n, :'.]. in r.igc, VtI'ov I: li'.:fy witli one :nii;utc"s [V^r^ Tiic vcvv iV^t-iuinc tickle v.:\\v, 'i "W !ii( !i :a' inci':i;ii iug p''olp(.i t. g.u c, v .~"'V."_,ird to :x i\ionn::\[n — Oiika itiio a "■■."•ve. \ yyEJA^, Monficur DoMsAix, I have bror.glityou vour g.Tu-(iaii2:1~>tcr ; and a maia fine laia flier's grown iincc lail 1 faw licr. Heaven hcip us ! We a' bad a deal o' cry- ing on the read — but fair weather's come at lall, you ice i" Suchi were the words of Antoine, igZ CANTERBURY TAILS. Aiitoine, as he llopned his little garden-cart at the door of a fniall cotta2;e on the confines cf the Marquis dc Valaiont's eflate in Lan- giiedoc. -' ' And how dees our old dame hold it ?" conduued he, with the fame good- humoured loquacity. *' And your neigh-. hour Jufane ; is (he as round, and as merry, as ever? 1 here's fuch racketing work at the caPde, that a body can never find time to come among you — 1 remem- ber when we ufed to foot it every evening under yon ehns." Dorfaiu fliook his p-rcv locks- — *' That's as much as to fiy cur dancing days arc pad!" added Antoinc, obfcrvingit. "Alore's the pity ! — ijAVvvcvcr, v. e mull leave it to the young ones to rupplv our place. Come, uoui crv, nwlitile n;aid ! i lad buried thy L^U:cr a lid m oilier io ijj lure ; but Ciod Aim- All V "s a Alher to all '— Dc a good piil ' THE frenchman's TAi^E. 19^ pray to him every morning and night, and I warrant he'll not forget thee." Honefh Antoine accompanied this ruftic fummary of religion and morality with a hearty falute ; fhook Dorfain by the hand j and, once more mounting his vehicle, took the path that led him to the great road of the caftle. Let us now turn to his fellow-traveller, whom we have feen configned v.ith (o little ceremony to the care of Dorfain. It was a female of about fix years of age, lovely enough to have pafTed for one of thofe cherubs whom the wifnes of mortals have figured as m.ediating fpirits l.'etvrcen tbein- felves and heaven. Its little rofy and pout- ing lip fcemed defigned by nature to call forth a thoufmd dimples ; it-, briglit eyes, bloomincr cheeks, and forehe:,d o^ a daz- Vol. I. O 2]ing 194 CANTERBURY TALES. zling whitenefs, realifed the fancied modei of the poet or the painter j while the fofc expreffion of fufpend.d forrow, and infan- tine curiofity, which had taken poiTefllon of its features, gave them the peculiar charm of intereft. Dorfain, who had thus undertaken a charge vvhich his age and misfortunes might well have rendered burdenfome, was no common charader. Singular occurrences m hfe had elevated, and occurrences fiill more fmgular depreded it ; but they had not deprived him of a juifl:, though uncul- tivated, underftanding, a clear and decided judgment, and that fort of dignity which, as it is the refult of merit and virtue, may be found in the humbleft lituation. The fmall cottage he inhabited with his wife, an infirm, though refpcdable, old woman, made, as we have already faid, a part of the extenfive THE FRENCflMAN S TALE. 1 95 extenfive domains or the Marauh de Val- L mont. The Marquis was a man, whom it is by H') means proper to defcribe in the fame pAra^rraph with Monlieur Dorlain : with the deference due, therefore, to his cha- rader, we be?iii another. The Marquis de Vahnont, it has been faid, was a man ; let us refpect his feelings, and fay he was a nobleman ; one, who, having fomewhat unexpectedly fucceedcd to the family title, had profited by the pri- vileges it beflowed, to plunge unrcihained into folly and vice. A conllant refidence at Paris, deep play, expenfive miftrelTes, and an equipage almofh princely, had in a very few years confidcrably impaired a noble fortune. It was neceiTary to re- trench : but little minds do not correct faults — they only change their complexion ; and the iMarquis grew proud and onpreflive, in proportion as he ccafcd to be profufe. O 2 At 196 CANTERBURY TALES. At the time that Conftantia, for (o out little orphan was called, firft inhabited the cottage of Dorfliin, Monfieur de Valmont was not forty ; unprincipled rather than diffolute; flill admired in the metropolis j little known on an eliate wliich he was juft then quitting, after hiving vilitcd it for the only time within the courfe of fome years j and bleiled in his doineltic fociety with the amiable additions of a conceited wife and a fpoilcd fon, ** This place is deteftable," faid Madame de Valmont one day to her hufband — " My fon has no tutors here, you have no friends, and I have no health ; for Heaven's fake let us return to Paris !" And to Paris they went. What did the Marquis and his fon find thci'C ? Why, aiiy thing but tutors or friends : the Marchionefs was the only one of the three THE frenchman's TALF. I97 three that was fuccefsful ; not that flie found hciikh, for, to T.iy the triilh, ihe did not at that time want it ; but fhe certainly lound a cure for all complaints, both real and imaginary, by being depofited, within Icfs than five years, under a very magni- ficent monumcrit in th.e cliurch of St. Ge- nevieve. The Marquis put on his fables in the mofl becoming talle — for he v/as fi:i!l handfome. The young clievalier alfo made his arrangements : for he had pro- fited enough by his mother's inftrudlons, and the fjciety in which he lived, to thinlc of commencing petit-maltrc at lealt. Four years more tlirevv fome new traits in hi-; cha- radler, and fini (lied his education : at the expiration of v.'hich both lat!^,er and loii, from political rcalons, prevailed on t'lcni- fclves, with half a dozen tricudi, to revi.'i: the !ona'-fore;otten cailleot \ almont. '^ And what is become ot Conllancc ? — O 3 iNii]-' 198 CANTERBURY TALES. Nine years are paft — nine long years In about as many lines. This is going full fpeed indeed! Patience, courteous reader! The enfuing years will, perhaps, creep a fnail's pace. Nature had not forgotten Con- ftance, nor have we. Tall beyond her age, pure and lovely as the flowers it was her bufinefs to tend — light of heart, and grace- ful of form, Conftance faw her fifteenth year without having once ceafed to be the playful unconfcious chara'Ith the hofpitable glafs iJiat had juft been prcfTcd upon him, foon grew moft eloquent in her praife. '' Yonr THE FRENCHMAN S TALE. 211 '^ Your pretty god-daUj.';lucr, neighbour Dorfain," fald he, '' grows too tall and wo- manly to flay here. Nor but you have had enough of marquiires and great folks, I trow, to keep her out of t/wir wav; and, between you and I, our gentry don't care mucli 1 bj- lieve to come in yours : but, heaven help us ! the very fervants now- a days are enough to turn one's head — There's your \mQ Monfieur \'ahive now, aping his Lord, and Ifrutting about as though he were a. lord himfelf." Conaantia, who had hitherto been init- tentive to the dlfcourfe, at the name (;f Valrive bluihed deeper than the rofes Ihe held, and became all car. *' They fay," added Aiitoine, " tb.ar lie iias made a campaign with the chcv .bcr ; 'twas t'lcre 1 hjpnole be cot that Icar t!^Jt wins ail the girl's hearts. Iviorc fool tI^:C\ ! r 2 'Tis 212 CANTERBURY TALES. 'Tis not always the bcft head -pieces that get themfelves in, or out of a fcrape. — Why, 'twas but yefterday he'd have perfuaded me not to clip my trees, becaufe your Englifh gardens are all the faHiion at Paris — A fine fellow indeed to teach me I — He has feea more rogueries than battles, I believe, or he would never have Hood fo well both witU my old and young lord." Conftance had heard but too much : Valrive, before only handfome, had now acquired the charm of intereft. He was brave— he had been wounded — he was even fcarred. To all that concerned either the wound or the fear his young acquaintance could have liflencd for ages: but Antoine had already exhauRed that little all in his monien- lary fit of fplcen, and of an hour's long dif- ccr-irTc bcfides C/onftantia heard nothing. *' If h.c flioulJ chance to viht the garden THE fre::chman's tat.e. 21 2 ogain !" faid fhc, as with an uncertain TlCP fhe advanced towards it two morning- af- ter; and, whils faying it, flie fixed her eyes full upon him. Vponbr/Ji^ /vh nol iipoii a form ten thoufand times m.ore winninc; than that which at firit had accidentally en- gaged them — a form over whicli prcpoflef- fion had already fcattcred charms unknown to fober reality. Both the manners and countenance of Valrive, indeed, far from being improved, betrayed an embarraffment that took fomewd:iat from his natural f:;racc. — In feeing Conflancc cnce more appear, he h:.d inllantaneouflv conceived ivieas and hopes, wdiicli the fweet ingenuoufnefs of her language immicdiately difpelled. She was too artlcfs not to betray tb.at fl^e met him wdth plcafure, and too innocent not to prove that flic did it wi'iiout miilruil:. Afraid to infpire that jciibiiui Icidc of de- corum C)f" wliich (liC leenied (') wholly uncon-' fcious, yet, hitherto, unv';r!cd i:; the language P -^ of 214 CANTERBURY TALES. of delicate love, he viewed her v^ith a mix- ture of tender admiration and furprife, that inienfibly tindured his mind w^ith a paf- fioii to which it had yet been a flranger. But an innocent heart, firft awakened to fenfibllity, needs no better inflrudor in de- corum : and it was from her own, not his, that Confiantia began to fufpedt fhe ought to meet him no more. This idea, efiential as it might be to her future good, was produdivc at the moment of nothing but evil. It infenfibly led her to prolong her ftay much beyond her ufual hou; -the burning fun gave her notice of the overfight; and fhe was returning home- wards wiiii fevcrifh perturbation and hafle, v«hcn, at the moment of eroding an open lane that interpoicd between a thicket of wi'd limes and ]v)rlc-chefnnts, fhe heard 'Jm: ;;>und of loud voi':cs, and as fuddenly perceived THE frenchman's TALE. 215 perceived a party of horfemen, %v]io were advancing almoft full fpeed from the brow of a gentle declivity. It was too late to retreat; but in the eagernefs of advancing flie flruck her ancle againfi: the root of a tree, and, overcome at once with trepida- tion and acute pain, funk to the ground. The forcmoft of the party, who was now very near, fprr.ng from his horfc; and, on perceiving flie was young and handfome, raifed her in his arms with an exclama- tion of mingled furprife and curiofity. 1 he whole group inftantly colleded around lier : tlieir eager Incpairies — their free and licer.tious cxprcflions of admiration — the confufcd found of their voices, and the iiafTionate looks of tlic ycung num who held her, iniLireJ Conflaniia bi)'h wirli clil- truft and ahrni. Jn vain did (he proieif that fhc tch v.o iiiccuv^nienjc io.ni her ac- cident — thai ilie was able 10 walk bcric v/ithout airidiriCe. No credit was given t."- 2l6 CANTr.RBURY TALK?. the affertion, as indeed it deferved none ^ and they eagerlv difputed with each other which of them fliould have the pleafure of carrying, or, at leaft, of affifting her to the cottage. " And where, my dear, is your home ?" laid one of the party, who had furveyed her* fomc time in fdence. Com'lantia juft raifed her eyes to the fpeaker : — his years, the gracefiilnefs of his perlbn, and the tempered hauehfmefs of his manners, at once im- prefTed her with a conviction that he was the Marquis. I'he young man who iliii held her was dcubtlels his ion; and ihe faw herielf in one luckicfs mcmcn. phingcd into that circle Coruiinhad U3 riaxionnv c,uardcdhcr asainf!:. Sov \va3 this all : — that venc:rable and gentle old man, who IiaC, hi^l'erto treated her with fb n:>uch indulgence, received licr from the hands of the gay group -w-ith ailoniihment ; and Icemcd to icc in her notlhng hut a cnmma! TIIF frenchman's TALF.. 217 cr-mlnal, whom he knew not whether to upbraid or to weep over. *^ You iiavc been guikv of a moil: dan- gerous imprudence !" fold he, as he left her to repofe ia a folitary chamber over that in which they generally il'.t — '• Pvecover your fpirlts, however — remove tlie paui by proper applications, and all may be well ?jgain !" Alas I Condantia thoujrht otlierwirc.— » There v/as a pain in her hc:.rt Vsdiich flie valnlv llrovc to lubdi;e ; arid while the events of the lafl hour, perverfe as they had been, faded inlcnlibiy from h.er memory, the j)reccding ones were deeply engraven there. That nlidit, and the ne:;t mornincr, pafTed in r<.(llc(lhcrs and fiuTering? ; when, after /laving been diliurbjd by various voices that fuccceded 2l8 CANTERBURY TALES. fucceeded each other, (he favv Madame Dor- fain enter her chamber. *' My hufband was right," faid fhe, dropping tears as flie fpoke : " this is no longer any place for you, Conilantia. We have had gentry of all defcriptions to in- quire after you. Neither the Marquis nor the Chevalier, indeed, have been here — but that Valrive, who is the confidant of one or both, I fuppofe, has done liothing but afl^ impertinent and troublefome queilions. Dry lip your eyes, however, my dearefl Con- fiaatia!'' added flie with teiidcrncf^', on per- ceiving the tears tliat flowed from thcm^ '* Vv'e have yet fome friemls in Dauphine^ to whom, in a few days, wc will find means of conveying tlice. M. Tluiriit is a good man, and an lionefl apothecary; he will receive thee kindly for our fake, and for the 'a'.e of tiiofe who are gone! — Be comforted, my The frenchman s tale. 219 my child, there is a providence that will protecl thee !" Like manv other honcft people, Madame Dorlain did not perceive that fiie was com- forting herielf inflead of the perfon fhe talked to; who, indeed, fo far from being confoled, felt the blttercn: mortification at not having {ccn Valrive, ad at having miiXed in his fvmnathv the onlv noifible pleafure chagrin and indifporiiion v;oald have allow-ed her to tafie. " He v>;iil, doubtlefs, comi' ag^'in/' bid fhe, as (he tried to flee.) f jr the nijjlit ; '' a;yi to-morro.v, fick or ^vt:il> I will be below." Anxiety zrad pain, liowever, kept her v/aLing till {Im-rlle; and fioia ibat time, till it IilkI been many hours abo\'e the horizo-), a iu!c and babny lluml;er fealed up her cycd. T'b.c deep tones ot a t nan's voice, as thcv pcne- trai.d 220 CANTERBURY TAI.r.S. trated the thin ceiUng under her, firil open- ed them. *' Ah, It is Valrlve !" laid llie, flartlng up, and haftily beginning to drefs herfelf. Not at all. It was Antolne, on the contrary, who, In a tone of much more fignihance and gravity than he was accuilomed to, was detailing a long ftory to Dorfain. She llflened attentively, but could dillingulfli nothing except the names of the Chevalier, the Marquis, and Va^rive, till, the convcrfi- tion growing apparently lufs intercRing, the naturally noify and loquacL^us Anioine in- fenfibly raifed his voice to a |;itch that per- mitted her to hear the u-iclc arrangciiicut of her journey to La'-iphinJ. This cruel bloiv cornnlcl'jJ a'l lliat had pafled. To L^anphinc ft.c muri: go, how- ever unwillingVy, if dcnrcd j aiul in Dau- THE FnEXClIMANS TALE. 221 phiiic flie had no probability of ever meet- ing Valrivc again. Yet to meet him agaia \\'as lb avjch the firft wilh of her heart, that it might well be deemed her only one ; and, after many flruggles, fhe at length de- termined to riik the feeing him once more on the very fpol where they had parted. A thoiifand doubts, however, the cruel ofF- iprlng of palhon, no\Y haraifed her mind. He might not be there. If there, he might think liglitly of /jl-/- for fceking an interview, or oblige her to think lightly of him by a mode of condu*5l flie could not approve. Ci thefc doubts one only was verified. \'ah-ivc, alTurcdly, was not there; for, in truth, llie met him penfively ^valking in the patli between their for.ner rendezvous and the cottac-e of Dorlain. o "■ All! arc you lierc ?"' faid i!:c faintly, ijliihiiur. " Where 222 CANTERBURY TALES. " Where iliOLld I be, deareft Conflantia!" cried he, caojcrly fl.ing to meet her, " but en that only fpot where I could hope to iee you? How much did I iLiiTer on the know-* ledge of your accident !" *' And how Indifcreetly," returned Con- flantia. " did you addrefs your inquiries ! Do you know that your vifit will be the caufe of fending me out of the province ?" It was now Valrive's turn to blufh. ■ *' 1 hat vifjt," laid he, Vicntaiing an ] looking down, " was not the eftc :i of choice, but of firuaiion — Blaine not rnc, therefoe, deareft Conflantia ! who have fiiHered far more than vourft'lf in tlie recoiled ion that vou h.ivc been ffcn Yes," cr-ntinucd lie, after a b'-cak, " you iiave been icen witli that adinir lion \iu] miiit ever inf)ire. Your fit'jjlirn ftorn llic very moment became ciiiic;.] — nav, d:mL'c;ou'=: , a.'d mine, un- foitu'iatelw THE FRENCHMAN S TALE. 223 fortunately, is fuch that I cannot protect you." *' Kow can I be In any danger," faid fliC, innocently, " from thofe for vrhom I feel no regard ?" *' Dear, adorable girl 1" faid Valrlve, ten- derly kilTing her hands, '' how does my heart venerate that pure one which dreams not of allurement but from its own affec- tions ! But there are grofs and corrupted minds, :v.y Conflantia, capable of laying other fnares than for your fenfibility." *' I lliould dread the one fnare mncli lef, than the other," faid Condantia, \,\'a\ the iamc unaffeclcd candour. Va:i"ivc looked conicicnce-ftruci:. " Idle ih-ft would i\;rclv mod offend," laid lie. '^ But 224- CANTERBURY TALES. *' But I flioLild be mod grieved by the laft," ap-ain returned ConpLance. '* Woe to the man wlio fliail either of- fend or grieve a mind fo pure !" exclaimed Vahive, with enthuriafm. *' There is a guardian innocence about thee, deareft Con- ftantia ! that demands no other prote6lor againft thofe who afpire to thy aftedions.-— But you are yet feeble ; nor dare I detain you longer — Promife, however, to meet me here, at leaft once again." Conflantia interrupted him, to recount the plan of her intended journey. " I can- not," faid flie, " venture abroad again to- morrow morning, left I lliould incur fu- fpicion, and be hurried off abruptly. On the morning after " *' How unfortunate !" cried Valrive. ** The vnorning after is a national feflival. The Marquis rilE FRENCHMAN S TALE. 225 Marqnio entertains his tenants, and my fitiiLi:ion o^.-iiges rrie to prefKlc. The:r zcai, ii is moi'' than pro!)ab!:', /ill Uivi tnein to the chriccaii at an e.:...'ly h:3ur, nnr care I venture to aMcnt iiiy('--lf. "i ct I liave one plar.," ci-'^.clecl h: w'v^^ the cagcrnrfs of fad- den rccoiieclion, '' that .^ronfles us iccu^ rity 'Ihc f hevalicr. 'nhis riaeb, has :cen th.i'S cotLa''-^ yoii lo ui'ich ;. linuc, and hicli they liad converfed, when a ruilKng among tlie trees engaged her at- iention. She turned her head, and a man who Teemed pafTing through them by ac- cident, (lightly fldutcd her. He was talJ, and of a daring call of countenance ; but as lie purfued not the f iinc path with her- (elf, ilic paid him little aUentiv:n; and, en- groded by her own rcilcclions, eagerly preCed forvvard. i'hat day; and the next, paffed In myde- rious Tin: trexliima:; s talk. izf r;ou3 conferences bc'twccu Doifaiu and l-.is v.'iic, \iC)\\\ wl'.icii flic \v;it cxcIkIcJ. Yet did c.icli Jlrcft to her by uirns th: aaI and teiidcr gaze that a^2;e fo c^'l'czw hxe.^ i^-\ nnc'Xi- fclous yoiitli, ^\dKn the tearinil iniaee^ Oi~t!ie pad crowd ihrAxn-d, and ilrerch ihcir gi:in: i'hadov/s over fiituiity. 0\ the present ; :..v, hov/v-ver, feenied to reil the exidcncc of L'ondance, as o'l the evenin:;- v i i;er a.nxdn:- ineiit (he lurvcvcd the fvveei: eat iho \va^ a])9ut to enter. Tlie dews ahvady bcj.Aui to exhale a more cxouihte oJour fioni evciy fl^r.vcr; and the f )l!a^^c, ahnoh. trind^vircnt whit the felting {w?,, ihckered a thoufimd birdc, wliofe checnn'nl ivjies bade him a ^;ratcfnl adieu. Lively and a;nu,ated natn-e leeniud to breatlie without, and conLr. oLd the pi-wihund lliih^efj that rei':»-ned within. Thron;^h the lower apartment?, where lialf-brj'- en fliutters adniitted only an in- diitin:! light, fiie palled to th,:/e above. 228 CANTtRIiURY TALES, They appeared to have been once the feat of elegance and ha^ piiiefs, fuch as the re- pofing mind finds deligiit in imaging. Cu- ricfity infcnfibly fwellcd into intereft, and the httle lieart of Conftance paufed on the fcenc before her with the fame fentiment that rivets the eye upon a new-made grave. The chairs, and curtains^ were of green talTeta, elegantly fringed, though faded by time. A mnfical inftrinnent;, crayons, and rough drawings, all, liketlie handpoffibly tliat once guided them, mouldering into dull, by turns arrefled her attention. She touched ihe inftrument; and its dikordant tone, as it ranr through, the honf^', hrft reminded her iliC was aloiic. uhc liilencd — paufed — looked throLin,h the window iV^r Vairivc, ai':d, percei\^ng no traces of liiin, paficd to Tae adjoining room, whicli, commanding an taucrn aipeci, was alrcadv /:7/7/v (' with \\\q ;n'ey tirj2;c of cvciung. The reccis in which the THE frenchman's TALE. 229 the bed flood was lialf fliaded by a fefioon curtain, the cords of which were broken, and hiin^ down with an air of diforder, th;:t indeed pervaded every thing around. Stands for fl.uvers v,'cre fixed on each lide the drefling tab'e ; and amidll: its orna- ments, carefully foided in paper, flie dif- covered a qiiantiiy of rich auburn hair, the long IocIks of wluch had doultU-fs beea treafured as a fad !nc;nen:o to foine heart that had now ccafed lo throb over it. Is it the infignia of death that is moll toueiiingr — Ah no.' — It is the mehuicholy memorial of fife ;— the painful vacuum — the atTe lin.g dcfolation of a fcene that pre- fents every dear a'ld familiar object, except that which once vivified aud embelliihcd all ! IJepreiTcd by a fenfibiutv that was not un:nixed with awe, and alarmed by the in- c.'cafing obfciirity, Conftancc began to give 0.3 "P 230 CANTERBURY TALES. Up all hope of feeing \'alrive, and (honrht orjy of retiring unobfervcJ, and of failening tiiC ccltage dojr. With an iuiprelTion of ter- ror .har Ihe had never bef3re Iclt, ilie fjuud tLe door already fail, and the key no longer there. That it was left In the lock on her es trance ilie [^erleclly rccoUeded, as well as til:. .:j had no olherwife clofed the door tha. t-y a ruftie latch fne had thought it prud'^ni to drop. Locked it; now undoubt- edly \,:iS; and whctf.er by a hand within or \,xdiOiL toe home ihe dared hardly ven- tiu'e »o cxoia;ne. ihe name ot Vah^ive, faintly ailiculated, ex}v;elfed a timid hope that ii nii;ot l)e iiirn; but no voice, no ftep, w;!e> heard in anfvvcr — the kamepcnove ihil- nef. L ntinucd to rei'^n around -and even o \..j \oices oi' the birds, retiring wit;^. the rctirio.; Ian, .eenicd to ckoe up every thing ill oi^Oice ana edconi. 1 ar as her c=.'e c-ni'd ;-ice, tin! Coo-noicc ;;'xploi e tiirongh thv e(i!L;oeot whKh co:::iuau.lcu the garden. From THE FRENCHMAN S TALI. 23I From the chamber ^YUKlow notlung could be fecQ but the thick and hiterwoven trees of an adjuiiiing ccpfe, tb.at fpread their long fhade over a recuy pool, from both ot which the cottage vras divided by a road. Terror, wliicli at firfi: bad arrefted her footlleps, now preil\:d the idea of the future {d forcibly, that fnc wandered in breathlefs CApeaation over tlie houfe, to find Ibme outlet by which five might quit it. A fiid- dcn and indiftincl nol:e engaged her atten- tion. Her heart toM Iver it was A'ahive, and Cnc flew to tlic frorit: biit froin t!;encc the ioiind can e not; and flie Vv'as uow]\' re- turp>ing, vhen a door, tliat led from the other fide of tlic houfe, Ihook witli the evcnin.g h\di\. nron its liingcs, aiul fcen'icd to rc(|v.ire ordy a \ctv iCe'/ie c'.fcrt to open it, £vcn tba-, liowevcr, ',■;::■ niiLCJcilary; lur it ''.as opened at ih^; ..:..:C n;oni( nt ity two men, wlio, ruming 1. na the n:nTcv; Q 1. rjad, 232 CANTERBURY TALES. road, attempted to fiop her moath. But terror rendered that neecilefs ; for Hie funk infenfible in their arms. The rapid mot. on of a carriage refiored her to recoliedion, and the name of Vahive, faintly, and in- vohmiarily, iil'ued from her hps. " He is not here at prefent, Ma'm'felle," faid the ill-looking man who fat by >e, — for the other had taken upon him the oliice of poftillion — *' but have patience, you will fee him very foon, I don t doubt." " See him !" repeated Conftance, in afto- nilhment, *' fee him I — Ah, it is not poiiibie he fiiould be a -principal in a fchcme like this ! — and an inflrument — Oh heaven !— ^'' To vague and painftii furmh^es, that relied on her lover, only becaufe there was no other beiuL: on whom they could redt, tl.e furly ruffian who v.'atched her returned ro ani\vcr. THE FRr.NCHMAN S TALE. 233 anf'.vcr. The carriage continued to move witli i'omc velocity ; nor was it till night was adv;;ncing that they iioppcd at d rCTiote cortage, whence '(Tued an od v\'onian of no very prepolTefhng appearance, wliom Oiie of her condu'^ors fainted as his motlier. With a mixture of more than common ap- prehenuon, from the mifcrable chandler affigned her, Condance beheld a bhize of uiilanr fires, aiid was didurbed by lliouts th •(: h]' turns rofe and died upon t.he wind. From the only ilundocr fhe had known fhe itarted fuvidenly at the gi-pv dawn of m.rnlng, ronied by a chorus that feeiucd to bur'r from beneath, in wdnch the fcrcams of v;omen, the ihrdl tones of chihUioDd, and the huarfe rough voices"; of men, wcr^ difcordantly blended tumultuous ty iss iruits. A\di I ilie vMfe and good were iar fioui forcr^eirif^' that; while cor- rui"a'>.a THE rRENL'IIMAN S T.\T,E. 235 ruplloii was fap-'ing the icuiKlatioii of mo^ rality, a mud rabblj -Wc-o to i)C\.t d nvn die fLiperrtruruaC, and tlidt notliin:; was to re- main viublc but a hldeou3 mafs of ruiii. It was not till the evcnin;^ of the fecond da} s joii-nry that Conilance dhcovered it was to tenviinalc at a c}:.:ic.:u^ too proudly inagnificent, even in decay, to leave her a doubt of its owner. It ivvrj- then to the Marquis that flic was a vidim, and it was by A ahivc llie had been delivered up. Th.at fcr\de licentiouriicfs, wiih wdiich fhe had hea; d him ta?.L'd, v as now proved. The pco[)le around her did p.ot even diffenable; and his name, eteniall/ united witli that of his lord in ev:ry dir^XLion eon'jerni.ng Iicr, infpircd houriy a rtgret that became almoll inrupportab'c, vlicn ^i\q. rccuUeded ail that lier vencrabie proteelur;; would Ihil'cr in h. r abicnce. 'lo uiio regret, fc^r lbn:c days, (]^.e wholly abandoiied b.crlcir: childifn im- patience^ 236 CANTERBURY TALES. patience, and iinnYailing tears, were her onlj returns for the domeftic attentions of an old woman, in whofe charge flie ap- pcaretl to be placed, and whofe manners, if coarfe, were not ofFenfive ; though her blunted faculties, and habitual torpidity^ left nothing to be expeded from her feel- ings. Of the golden hopes that might have enlivened them, ConOance had none to ofTer. bhe v\a3 lieilclf indigent and ob- feu re — had no iriciids to prote^fl her, no wealih to bellow. For tie grief (he felt on being thus torn from her relatives, (ht could awaken a very imall portion of fympathy in one acculiomcd to vegetative cxiiiencc j and for tlic evils Chc dreaded, Ihe vainiv firovc to CMcite any. But tlie Uiind, thus coinpi'cfcd vvitKip. a i. arrow ci.cle, only proves its elalliLity ; th:U" fun, Viliofe parting beams fl:e commanded from hei- chamber, and whole lingering light ihe delighted to trace, oitcn left Ucr in a flate of abflraclion, v;h\ch THE frenchman's TALE. 237 which inrenfibly matured her iiitelle(5i;ual faculties. Adjoining to her apartment was another filled with books. Curiofity led her to examine them — they were covered with dud, but it was indeed the facred dull of learning and genius, whole treafures of whicli were buried beneath it: vet did (he open upon them with indifference; for flie was yet ignorant of the charm of reading ; —that enclianting pieafare, that innocent voUiptuournefs — that atmolphere in which the half-tlcdged fLiCuUies delight to try their liiile v-'ings, and f^ar into a regiju that grcfxcr fi)iriis know not ! This Audy [()on t^ok poflclTion of her heart, and iniciil^bly meii'jralcd feelings it C(;uld nc'' lub'l'.ie. '1 lirec monliis eLipfed, to her afciMiiiiiir.ent, \.Il':(Hit b: i'l .,l:vg ci- ther t':e M. I. chilis or \'alr!vc — I'livC months of iiiiiicr:':; f/IiiLidj a:,u ev)iiiiiieii;ont, iur which fhc ki:c'.v not how to account; wlicii 23b CANTERBURY TALES. when the caAle bell, whicli rang long and loud one evening, gave the unulual lignal of a guefl. The lieart of Conftance funk at the found, which, reverberating through the halls, and increafed by the general. ftill- nefs, fprcad far around, till it fullcnly died away upon the cold blafts of autumn. Her hours of negative tranquillity now vaniilicd at once. Monlieur de Valmont— — for it was he himfelf who arrived — afluming, haughty, and obferving, infpired terrors which, while they were remote, flie barely guefled at. Hardlv deigning to iiflen to her, with eyes that vvildly ran over her perfon, he lifted from it eager gi:inccs of curiof y and aitoniiliment, wdieii roufed by fjiv.c. energy of cxprefTicn wiiicis his ideas of her ruir;: cducatioa had Ich him un- prepared tor. Tiiolj licenticus willies, whicli mk;hi nal;.-rally i)c deemed to mo- tives fci ills cairyiiighcr off, only betrayed themfelvcs THE FRENCHMAN'S TALE. 2^^g I themfclvcs as the habit of his character, not as impelling him to any particular purfait : and every day, as it called forth the latent powers of /jcr mind, awakened i:\ his a ncr- turbation other painful events alone fupcr- feded. Infenfib'y he learnt to fpeak, as well as to liden. The letters he daily received, the dillracting variety of emotions they occafioncd, and tlic infunportablc refiraint lie labon.red under v/itli cverv one befidc, induced him, by ilarts, to betray all that the pride of ariftocracy, and the dread of hu- miliation, made him iCcrctly groan under. Immured in the bof )m of a remote chateau, on ilic ihores of the Mediterranean, Con- ftance became informed of the t:rrible fccncs that v^'cie paifing in th.e mctr' })"'li'. The Marquis de \'almoMt, Iccrctly tiem- bling at Ids own vallals, jelf-im[>riiriried on an ob'kure cRate, \vhi!e the more viilucusi, or more wile, among liis dc["i(;nd':iUs, v> ere endeavouring to five his lands fioin pillage, and 240 CANTERBURY TALES. and his perfon from infult, formed but a vcrv fmall and inconfiderable ' art of ^lic vaft picture now prefented to her vi vv. She iliuddcred over the wounds of huma- nity; fne turned fro.a them to her own in- dividual fufferings with that ftiF more \ aia- ful aau acute iatcreit fdf always inspires. Immcrfcd as the mind of Monneur de Val- mont appeared in political conllderations, yet there were moments when his famili- arity fhocked, and hi3 infoience alarmed her. To eicape became the conitaut object of all her thoughts. Once beyond the walls of the chateau, fl^.c doubted not of protec- tion — nay Vv'ithin them, could it have been poffible to gain accclo to the train o^^ fer- vants that now filled it, fhe hoped to uif- covcr iume rcncreus heart, th„t would hid povv'cr to ilicltcr her. Valrive i-'-.e knew to be at Paris. Through luui tho'e ci^mniuni :a- tions reached the ]\'iarqui>, tl^al (h>lc t'lc colour from his check, '.v:A flict cold tl.rdis throusih THE frenchman's TALE. 24! through his frame. The young Chevalier was there too ; and flie had no difficulty iii perceiving, that, in addition to the florm of public calamity which feemed ready to tear up the lineal honours of his houfe, \^al- mont groaned under the preflure of family difTenfion. The democratic principles of his fon had infpired him with a horror little fnort of averfion : and It was rather to Valrive, than to that fon, he committed the care of his fafety, and the protedion of his rights. That Valrive had been an inftrument in betraying her, Conflance had long ceafcd to think. The tone of bitter pcrjijlagc^ \\\i\\ which the Marquis liadqueilioned her con- cerning him, the inqulfitivc and carncil: gaze he had fixed upon her while he Ipoke, and tl:c circumllancc of his l:ccr)ing liim at Paris, all confpircd to convince licr that fiie might expect every protection from a Vol.. L R lover 24.2 CANTERBURY TALES. lover whofe fidelity to his lord gave £0 honourable a teltimony to his charader. The fortunate moment for accelerating her cfcape Teemed at length to arrive. — In taking out fome books, (he accidentally brnfhed down a key ; It had two wards, which, though rafted by time, appeared curious ; and on applying it to the locks of the various clofets, with which her old- fafliioDcd apartment abounded, fhe difco- vered it to be a mafter-key. This was indeed a diicovery ! Nor was it the only one : a ftreani of light, that iffued through a crevice whence flie had removed the books, foon led her to perceive a door be- hind them, to which her new found trea- furc belonged. lireathlefs with jov, and trepidation, fhe only ventured to try the lock, n.nd, perceiving it opened outwards, carefully concealed the key till fome more fecure ui)portunily of ubng it. Such an oppor- TIIR frenchman's TALE. 243 opportimitv was not indeed ecifily found. - — The hour of reft wr.s tlie only one on which flie could depend ; and as iiie judged her apartment to be at no great diilance from the h;dl of entrance, (lie was willing to try that part of the chateau of which flic had fome recoHet^lion, rather tlian open a door that appeared to have been long clofed. TliC flow and heavv clock of tlie caflle ftruck eleven before the footfleps of the fer- vants ceafcd to iar through the fralleries. To meet with o;:c fliie indeed dcfired ; but the riflv of difcovcry (he feared might increafe were the number extended : for, where each was fufpicious of the other, each mic:-'!!;: be willin"- hrft to r)rovc ins duty to liis lord bv betraying Iier. Tl:e lilence that prevailed at length gave her courage ^ arid caulioufiy introducing lier key into tlie luck of her apartment, ilic had the fatis- faction to liear that whicli had been \'Jii in Iv 2. it 244 CANTERBURY TALES. it on the oppofite fide fall to the ground. The door opened at her touch ; and the light-hearted Conftance half hreathed out in joyful and imperfedl accents — " I am free !"— What, however, was her freedom ? In truth, fhe looked before her, and hardly knew. The taper fhe held caft a faint and uiiceitain light upon a fpacious flaircafe, the fides of which, once magnificently piiinted with groups of fabulous divinities, retained only impcrfeifl and pale outlines of ligurcs as large, or even larger, than the life. T]:ioup-h foinewhat f^artled, Ihe had the courage to proceed ; and, flicltcrlng the liglit v.ilh her hand, ilie defcended the firfl Hi^rht of faiirs. To the rreat hall of en- trance fne wa,^ indeed much nearer than fae even fiifpccled 3 for, from the baluilrade • .f a f iiiare G:allcrv, into vliicli flie now cn- (crcd. f .e lo.^ked immediately upon il ; a xi'sju', ho-.- ever, that by no means encou- r.-cd ;::.y i:;;arer advance; fincc, had it been peopled THE FRENCHMA\-'s TALE. 245 peopled by tlie Marquis and his fervants, Ihe would hardly liavc felt a Icis p'.eafant fenfation than prcfented itfelf at the cold groups of marble with which the tafte of diiTercut owners had enriched it. Maimed and gigantic figures, fomcpf them exquifue productions of fculpture, others lefs remark- able for beauty than antiquity, ieemed flart- ing with wild and diftorted attitudes — not into life, for that idea their colour pre- eluded, but into preternatural animation. Involuntarily flie drew back at tlie view ; and firiking at the fame moment aga-n'i- fomcvvhat that flood near, tlic clank of liccl ranc lov/ and dilmallv upon her car. Ilcr blood dulled ; and calling her eves round, flic perceived that the gallery in whijli f]\e llood was hung with vail coats of mail, the work of diflercnt centuries ; various in form, and preienling, in the long prcj- trudcd lance, the fhort fharp Ipear, and the weighty battle-axe, all tliefavagc flrata- K 3 gems 246 CANTERBURY TALES. gems of military powefs. — A fear, how- eve, more immediate and more certain, pre- fented itfelf at the lame moment, when a bell founded belo'vV, and the door opened of a diilant apartment, it v. as too plain fhe had erred in fiippoling the family retired. Valmont in a night gown, a candle in his hand, and paffing, as it flioidd fcem, to his chamber, advanced diredly towards the gallery. Hardly had Ihe time to extinguilli liei light, ere he was near enough to have feen it. The trophy flie flood near partly fnaded her, yet her drefs caught the eye of the Marquis. It was white : her hair hung loofe over her fhouklers, nor was the marble flie had been viewing more deathlike than terror had rendered her cheek. She lifted her hand in the attitude of hipplication. It was unneceflary. He dillinguirned not the features ; but the form — tiic outline — fome horrible recoller.ion tb.at night and fancy^ aided, at once ftruck upon the foul of V-dU 't' HE I^ R r X C 11 M A :: ' S T A I . T . 2 47 iTiont, and l^e funk lifc'cfs to tlic e-.rth. Hardly alive heru-if, 'Joivlancch^d jti 1 time and couracre to iii"i';ch the ta^-'Cr '^c had dropped, neaily cxtingui.Iicd in its f ;ll, ai:d, leavinp; it biirninLr, to hallcn hv it^ uncertain. light to her chiiniber ; w.icrc. loc'-'ing the door, (he concealed tiic invaluable key in her bolbm, and tlircw herfclf into !:ed. Imperteit but ming cd voices quic .Iv ai- fured her that the valet of the MnrquiS: fum- moned previoully hy his bell, had alarmed the hoLilehold. Silence at leng-h fucceeded. — Condance counted ilie l^ng- hours or dark- iiefs — nor was it tii! encouraged by the return f morn that ilic cloied her eyes to ileep. To difcovcr v.-hat liad paded Vs'as now the great a'Ti o( licr ciri )liry. i^\or was that diihcnlt. '■ I'l^u >h)'.LM;?;nt:nr liad lecn tlie ghr;!l: ; t:i.-.t h.e b.,id !i.;,l :; fit in c^ilc- qucncc, and v;as Till inri-'y/ hd," Vs-;is in- telligence of fiich. i:r\;::n:tnde, as even toun- R .1 bind 248 CANTERBURY TALES. bind the frozen faculties of her old attendant. That Valmont believed, indeed, from fome infirmity of conftitution, that he had feen a ghoft, Ihe hardly doubted; but who was the ghoft with whom his houfehold feemed fo well acquainted? — Shemade the inquiry, and was fomewhat furprifed to hear it was that of a woman, a former Marchionefs de Val- mont, who, clothed in white, had long wan- dered over all parts of the chateau, but more efpecially inhabited one -y — which, indeed, complaifance to fo unwelcome a vifitant had induced all the reft of the family to abandon. Valmont, however, w^as ill— really ill ; and while he confined himfelf to his cham- ber, ihe had opportunity to explore fome lefs public path to efcapc by, than that of paffing through the hall and the court. The futility of the Marquis's feai s ihe well knev/: and tlioLigh they fo far affected her own i\\v:A as to determine her againft a nodurnal expedition. THE frexciiman's talt:. 249 expedii'on, flie had no bcfuaticn in at- templing any other. The hour, therefore, on which (lie now fixcd to execute her projc£t was when the fervants were at dinner : a ceremony,^ which as it immcdiatciv lucceedcd to that 01 tiieir lord, fecured her, during his indifpofition, from the vifits of cither. With an anxious heart did ine await the beh by wliich tliis hour was announced ; and no fooner did its noify difccrd ceafe, than fhe opened the fecret door, of wlncii fne had beiore only tried the lock. It prelcnted to her view a long and Lloon:iy corridor, where high cir- cular windows admitted only a dim lighc ; nor did the feaion of the year atlord a very brilliant one at the belh .^ome [Hjr- traits remai'ied on the w.ilhs, either torn (^r dcf;ccd, and the ciiic>)!oiircd wainlco^mg bctv, ccn tliem ihcwcd tiiat otiiers had been removed. *^ 1 wonder 250 CANTERliURY TALF*^. "^ I wonder if any body ever adnnred thofe frightful figures," thought Confiance, as (he haPtily cafl her eye over them, and then, with a piercing ghince, direded it for- w^ard. It is probable that the flory of the lady in white occurred to her : but flie had known too little of danger to be much ac- cuftomed to fear; nor has the human mind capacity to retain two fentiments equally forcible. Love and liberty floated before her imagination j and the terrors that fu- perllition miglit have kindled infcniibly faded. With alight ftep did Ihc trip acrofs the gallery. Two doors preiented themfclves at the extremity — Ihe hefiiated — and at length turned towards the left. **' What a charming place is a cottage !" again filently thought our \\i\.\Q pny}in/it\ as the key with difficulty turned in the maify lock, 'ihe door creaked on its hinges. Slie half ilarted — it was but half. — che Inv/icd at her own fears — \Qi fear Oie did : and wiafullv call her THE FRENCHMAN S TALE. 2CI her eves on n narrow ci'.ul \\iiiding fuiir-caie, of wnicii, witi) Tome trcin'U", (he readied the top. What was ]jcr ciiiappointment, to iuid herieh" in the giller\ 'ifa cbapcl, the dreary and del )iate appear. niee cf which denoted it to liave h)!;p- Icen no oti.er conere^i-ation than that of rac,^, wlioie devaftations were indeed knlicientiv O:)vious in the rotten beams antl worm-eaten chairs ! From the window at one end, ohlcuie as it was with dull, and covered with ivy, (lie commanded no very narrow vievv' ; but it w^as of a flat and pathlefs grcenTward, in- terrupted only by chnnris of hrs, and ter- mmailiig-, as it apnroach,(cl the e )afl, in a barren land. I he oppohte window h;oked into the ccnirt of the cafile; a court which fo leidom opened its lioljJitahle ga'es that the untrocklen grafs grew high and rank amid the hones, i'rom hence, had (he been difcerneri by any of the dcnicics, ihiC could form no hope of rchcf ; or indeed any h^pc but 252 CANTERBURY TAL.i;S. but that of beinf^: miilaken for the fiinerna- tural appearance fhe had heard defcrlbcd. Anger and diiappointincnt baniilied every other recolledion. She impatiently defcend- ed the ftah's, and as impatiently opened the door (he had before neglected. From a long and narrow paiTage, which ilie was to enter down a flight of ileps, the clofe-pent up air flruck upon her a damp and chilling blaft. Its influence communicated to her heart. A namelefs dread fcemed at once to fall upon her. Cold dews ftarted on her brow, and a univcrfal tremor took pofi^ellion of her frame. Yet impelled by fhame, by hope, per- haps even by the fear of returning, flie had crept more than half way through the paflTage, when a found, real or imaginary — a low and melanclioly moan, fcemed to creep along the walls. C^n the ground fank the tcrrifled Coiiuance, hiJiu!? her face with her hands, and pouriiig out a vehement ejaculation to the i ';;:ig wiio ah^ne could proted her. A THE FRENCHMAN S TAEE. 253 long and profound filcnce fuccecdcd. Cou- flance continued to pray : and can the prr.ycrs of the innocent and the pious be breathed in vain? Speak, yc who have ever known what it wa^to mincrle vour fjuls with vour Creator through the fwect channels of con- fidence and adoration ! Conflance arofe, and looked round her. Ilcr mind had loft half its wenkncfi, and the place confequenily ludf its g]ooni. Slie be- lieved herfclf fare of having padld the d.:fo- late angle cf tl:c callle, and bjgan to ;..opCj that if file iiad indeed heard any nvAic, it w..i the dilbnt echo of fjme iorvant's tcot that reloundcd throii'>h the offices. Tiie anart- mcnt that preientcd iifelf v/as not id cal- culated to conhrra. thij idea : it liad indcc^l no apncarancc of havin'r h:cn inhabiicd for icme time pail; but it wa^ f tt^d up w'th Ihelvc-, that gave it t;:c air of a lie re -room, and communicated Vv-;tb. forr,c Oliver by a door 254 CANTERBURY TALES. door that was fafiened acrofs with a flight bar of iron. Conftance eafiiy removed it; and, agitated between hope and lear, cau- tloully lifted up the tapeftry on the other fide. The liope, however, vanifhed at once — and terror, iindefcribable, unrefifted terror, feized upon her, wdien flie found her- fclf in a fmall room, or rather dungeon, at the further end of which ifood a (tone cof- fin ; and near it, as well as fear, and the fhadowy light, permitted her to difcern, a meagre and ghaftly figure that refembled a man. An agony, to wdiich fainting would have been a relief, ftruck upon every fenfe. Pale, fpecchlefs, convulfed, flie leaned againfi: the door-w^ay. The phantom approached — it touches her hand — it fpeaks — it is no vifion — it is a liuman beinf^: ! or rather, alas ! it is the wreck of a human being, long fince, as itfliould fcem, excluded from every right of humanity. Why THE FRENCHMAN S TALE. 255 Why fhould curiofity be kept In fufpenfc ? Reaflured by flow degrees, Conftancc at length learns, that tills creature, whofeform is emaciated by fuOcrlng — whofe voice Is become monotonous, and hardly audible through defpair^ is no other than the right- ful lord of the caftie of \'almont — the pre- decefibr of the prefent one, and his viclim. A gleam of benevolence and gratitude, that iliot acrols her foul at beiu;^ made an in- firument i.n the hands of lieaven to af- fuage, perliaps to end, misfortunes fo in- tolerable, did more towards recovering the i.irtitude of Confl:ancc tlian had been ef- fecled by all the ciTorts of reafon. Sweet and grateful humaiiitie,-., that ihus by fiDrts fliow man his trucli rc]atit)n to the deity ! liow docs your pov/eriui iniluencc brace the fccbled nerves, dihiie ihc narroweft un- derflanding, and ftrike that eledric fire Ironi the heart, which at onc^ invigorates the frame ! " I have 256 CANTERBURY TALES. " I have told you," faid Monfieur dc Valmont, *' what I was: — Have you pa- tience, and courage, to hear the means by which I became what I am ?" Conflance was now all — and, hideed, more than herfelf. With a voice, therefore, of fympathy and fortitude, {lie requeued him to proceed. *' Born," faid he, " an only fan, and heir to an extenfive domain, it was mv misfor- tune to inherit from my mother a delicate and fickly conftitution, that often afforded little profpccl of my rer.ching maturity. The next heir, who was ir.y coufn:!, and nearlv of my own ao-e, had fallen under the guardianliiip of my father, and was educated with m.e. Wc fpcnt our child- hood together. I was Uiiccrcly attached to him, and believed my aircclion requited: it v,'as with rc^^rct, tlierefoie, ti^at I fdw him depart THE FRENCHMAN S TALE. 257 depart at a very early period, to enter into a military line, from which my ill health excluded me. His profeflioa brought with it expenies, which his imprudence greatly increafed. My father often refufed him fupplies ; but, as we held a conflant cor- refpondence, he had the addrcfs to gain from me what he could not from my pa- rents. Thoie parents at length defcended to the grave ! Happy, mofl happy would it have been for the fon they fo anxioufly feared, had he fiiarcd it with them ! I was at Paris with my coufin when my father died ; and, though abfjrbcd in grief, i: even then cafually occurred to me, that my newly-acquired honours were not rccog- nifed by him with the pleafurc I had a right to expect. I allured him, however, of my continued regard ; fupplied him with a la ge fum of money ; and fct out for my chateau in the hope ot recovering my health, which the air of Paris ill a:^recd v^ith. Vol. I. S *« On 258 CANTERBURY TALES. *' On the fweet moments of my life which fiicceeded," added he — paufmg, and figh- ing deeply, " I could dwell long, did I not fear toexhauftyour patience. Suffice ittofay that it was my fate to meet with a woman, humble indeed In birth, but who, to a de- gree of beauty beyond all her fex ever boafted, added every charm of virtue and prudence. The obfcurity of her origin was no obflacle, in my eyes, to a union which I thought aiTured me felicity. In a word, I determined to marry her. My relations were alarmed. Letters, expoflulations, me- naces, reached me. Even my coufin prc- fumcd to interfere, in terms which at once excited my chagrin and my refentment. I was, however, the head of my family, and poirefied a power of regulating my own aflions, which I exerted. I wTOte to him to announce my marriage, and to exprefs at the fame tiine the fentlmcnts with which liis conduct infpired me. It was fome time THE frenchman's tale. 259 lime before I received an anfwer. One at length was brought me : It was conciliatory and kind. He apologifed for the lan- guage, which pride, and the perfuafions of others, had induced him to hcM ; and finally aflured me, that he rejoiced in my felicity. Ah ! how pure, how unalloyed, did my felicity at that moment feem ! My wife and I lived together the life of angels ! (he gave me hopes of an heir. Her parents, as well as all my tenants, fliared in our plea- fures. I was too happy to be fufpicious, or even prudent. In an evil hoiir I invited my coufin down, and in a flill more evil one he arrived, ** Let me (horten my tale," continued the Marquis, laying his hand on his fore- head, and fpeaking in a low and fuffocated voice. *' By indirect methods did this fer- pent contrive to aOemble, in my houfc and neighbourhood, various hirelings devoted S 2 to 200 CANTERBURY TALES. to him. — One of them was an apothecary^ —A premature labour — a flill-born child-— blafted my hopes, and even taught me to tremble for the object deareft to my heart. Partly by force, and partly by entreaty, did they prevail on me to leave her apart- ment — to leave her to repofe ; it was indeed an everlailing one 1 A long time did not elapfe before my coufm entered mine. For the firft time did I look at him with horror and diftruft. Methought I faw a concealed joy fparkle in his eyes, while, with a harfli and unfeeling tone, he pro- nounced thefe words : ** Prepare yourfelf for the word! — your wife is dead !" I heard no more. He would have detained me : but though inferior to him in ftrength at all other times, I was then irrefiftible. Fu- rious throu[;h defpair, I broke from him, and ruflied to her apartment. Oh, wife moil beloved !" continued Valmont, paf- fionatcly turning towards the coffin, ** in what THE frenchman's TALE. 261 what a fituatioii did I find thee! Speedilefs, — ftrugghng in the arms of Death — that fair countenance disfigured with livid fpots ! Merciful heaven ! do I recoiled it, and exill ?" He paufed, as if defirous to collect hlm- felf. *' For fome hours I ceafcd to do io. I recovered, however, to every torment of mind and of body ! to a burning fever ! — to temporary madnefs ! — to horrors infplred by fufFering, and increafed by opprcffion and barbarity. Some months clapfed — 1 became but too fenfible — and was therefore, as they fjid, conveyed to Paris to be cuT\'d! — Oh God ! what a cure ! — Shut up from air, from day, from confolation ! from every claim of nature, or of birthright ; a cruel vifitation, converted into a conftitu- tional malady." Again he made a paufe — a long and fearful paufe — while the blood S ^ of •I'Sz CANTERBURY TALES. of Conflance, fhe hardly knew why, receded to her heart. He looked at her fixedly, but with kindnefs, and then added, in a flovv'er and more guarded tone, " Let me draw a veil over events at which my imagination recoils, and which time has nearly effaced from my m.emory. It is now near a century that I have been confined in this miferable dungeon." — Conftance ftarted, and faw at once the aff^eding truth — " My coufin," continued he, not noticing her emotion, *' is doubtlcf^ long fince dead — the family honours and eftates have paffed, probably^ into the hands of flrangers, to whom my perfon as well as my misfor- tunes are unknown. It has indeed pleafed the Almighty to extend my life in a mira- culous manner : but I have no longer any relatives for whom I could wifh to live. My reafon, cleared and purified from its former wanderings, teaches me to defire nothing beyond thefe melancholy walls. They THE frenchman's TALF. 263 They at leaft prefent me (^ne confolation — one hvect, though painful confolation, which I perhaps fhouM not enjoy clicwhere — It Is the Jijur rf '■jijitat'.on ! — Swear to nie an eternal fecrecy," continued he, lowering his voice, " and you fhall be a witnefs of it." Alas! the terrified Conflance, before whofe imagination fearful images of horror began to float, was in no condition to fwear, had he waited the performance of his re- queft : but it vaniflied from his irind the moment it was made. His countenance grew fuddenly animated — his eyes fparkled — he breathed quick; and, bending forward in the attitude of a perfon who lillens, he advanced towards the coffin, and threw himlclf on his knees by the f de of it ; where, clafping his hands together, he ieem- ed to lofe all recollcflion in one vilionary idea. — Conllance, whofe terrors were fu- fpended in pity, fixed her ftreaming eyes S 4 upon 264. CANTERBURY TALES, upon him. All the charms of youth and health were vanilla ed from a countenancG wliich, when pofleffed of them, mufl: have been eminently handiome. Monfieur de Valmont could not be above forty, yet had forrow and lufFering fcattered ** untimely grey" amid the quantity of brov/n hair that hung negltded on his fhculders. His large hazel eyes had contradled a languor which every moment of emotion befpoke foreign to their original expreffion ; and his llature, noble, graceful, and interefting, de- manded that fentiment which rank fo often vainly flatters itfelf with infpiring. He continued kneeling, — ** New is the moment of efcape," thought Conftance. She again looked earneftly at him. His lips moved, but no articulate founds idued from them. Trembling Ihe advanced towards the door by which flie had entered, and once more turned her eyes to the Marquis* Large ■IHE FRENCH^^A^''S TALE. 26^ Large and agonifing drops fccmcd forcing their way to his ; yet To unconfcloully did they fall, that a Imile — a cold and languid fmile — played round his lip. lie bent his head ftill lower, as if liilening to fomc ima^ ginary voice ; and fo perfedly was every fenfc abforbed, that Conftince no longer hefitated. Her hand is on the door — (he opens it — makes but one flep into the outer room, and the barrier is once more dropped between her and the unfortunate Valmont, Slovvlv, and burled in thought, (he re- turned through the corridor. All vifionary terrors had faded from her mind. The image of real mlfery v/as before her eyes, and the acutenefd of ;>'.;/ fulTerlng VvTung her heart. A painful doubt, too, had obtruded there. Had flic a right to clofe again the door heaven had fo fingularly deftined her tQ open ? Was p:c to become an accomplice in Z66 CANTERBURY TALES. in injuRIce ? to deny the common bleflings of air and day-light to one who languidied in a living grave ? A feniation like remorfe, a painful and oppreflive feeling, feized upon her heart ; and hardly were the various motives of prudence and propriety, which prefented themfelves, ftrong enough to pre- vent her returning once more to raife the cruel bar fhe had fo rafhly dared to drop. From a haraffed and half fleeplefs night, where the pale fliade of Valmont flill haunted her dreams, fhe opened her eyes upon more new and extraordinary realities. After viewing the fufferings of the op- preffed, fhe was now to witnefs the heavy retribution that fell on the oppreilor. By a ftrange concurrence of events, di- ftindlion, power, and afHuence, had infenfi- bly vanifhed from the grafp of him, who, to thefe accumulated loffes, fecrctly added that THE frenchman's TALE. 267 that of an unUiilicd coiilciencc. And the poirclTor of the inheritance of V^ahiiont was hardly lefs an objet^ of commileraiion than the man he had deprived of it. The communicatioa between the Mar- quis, hisron,and V'alrive,iiad been finally cut off. The blood thit deluged Paris had even fwept away all traces of their exiRence — His titles were annihilated— his eRates were plundered — himfelf on the point of being denounced — and nothing remained for his perfonal fecurity but flight. " You are free," faid he to the aftonifhed Conflance, as pale and haggard he tra-^ verfed lier apartmciU, and impertecLl-/ de- tailed his fituation — " iree to wander over an accurfed country, which I renounce. Return to that wretched old man whom it was my fate to crufh to the humble lot in which he now finds a fecurity I want. Go!- 26§ CANTERBURY TALES- Go !" faid he, giving her a handful of ^• JignatSy with a wildnefs and impatience that left him not time to confider the embarraiT- mentof her fituation — ** Go! Let me carry with me the confolation of thinking I have done one a£l of juilice." A thoufand tumultuous ideas paffed acrofs the mind of Conf!:ance. To go — ftrange and mad as the propofal feemed of plunging her thus abruptly into a world ihe knew not, would not have cod her a moment's hefi- tation. But it was no longer her own fate only on v^^hich fhe was to decide. The fkeleton of Valmont, neglected, forgotten, periihing with famine, or in the flames to which fhe underflood the peafants had de- voted the callle, prefented itfelf inftanta- fieoufly to her imagination. ** Is there,'' faid fhe, while impelled ir- refiftibly by this idea — " is there no other prifoner THE frenchman's TALE. 269 prifoner to whom your juftice {hould ex- tend?" — The Marquis ftar ted — " no unhap- py relative," fhe added, trembhng exceflively as fhe perceived his countenance change, ** to whom your mercy — whofe claims — whofe misfortunes I mean " The look of the Marquis transfixed her — (he already faw '• Graves In his fmiles — death in hisbloodlers haiids •" for a fmile of bitter rage and indignation quivered on his lip. *' You have feen him, then ?'* faid he, commanding his voice — " You have doubt- lefs reported the tales of Dorfain, and you have yourfelf credited the dreams of infanity and dotage ! You mean to propagate them, too ! E'cv.'are that you do not prepare a worfe fate for him you would liberate!" Ihe paufe that preceded the laft fentence was 270 CANTERBURV TALES. was loft Upon Conflaiice. Half the fpeedh was inexplicable : the whole fcene appeared a viiion ; and fhe found herfelf alone, fhe hardly knew how : terror-ftruck, bewil- dered, and fenfible too late that (he had ex- pofed the imprifoned Valmont to dangers more iin mediate than thofe fhe would have guarded him againft. To releafe him from his confinement, and throw him and her- felf on the protection of the domeftics, appeared now indifpenfable to the fafety of both. The diffaffedion of thofe do- meftics the Marquis had already betrayed to her, and flie faw her own fccurity in his fears : yet was it not without perturbation flic prepared again to vifit a fpot flie had quitted with impreflions fo gloomy. Fear, however, was fuperfluous : for Valmont was buried in a profound flccp which her light and timid ftep difturbed not. She paufed, and looked round her in filence. The apartment, though not humid, was cold enough THE frenchman's TALE. 27I enough to communicate a fhlver to beings who know what it is to enjoy the firefide comforts ; the cheerful hearth, fo juftly al- lotted to the houfehold gods, and within whofe magic circle a thoufand graceful affec- tions and namelefs courtefies feem to dwell! The farcophagus, which was evidently antique, though placed there probably to cherifli a melancholy remembrance, ferved the unfortunate Valmont as a refting -place. More than half his face was buried in his arm — cold dews ftood on his brow, and a llrong 1 c?iic fluilied his cheek, while figlis, or darts, diifurbed his refpiralion. In one of them he awoke " '^\':)n are come again, then I" faid he, fixing his eyes on her — " How did you vaniin ? I began to doubt wnetlicr you were a human being cr fome confoling angel. Why," added he, fuddenly changing his tone 272 CANTERBURY TALES. tone to extreme afperity — ** why did jcM ftay away fo long, or wherefore are you now returned ? Did you fear that mifery was contagious ?" There was fomething fo touchlng,^ and fo frightful, in the embittered infenfibility of his manner, that it overwhelmed the already half-fubdued fpirits of Conftance, and fhe burft into tears. Valmont, born a compound of every gentle and generous affedion, felt, though he could not reafon upon fuch a reply. " You are very young — you are very timid," faid he, fjftening his tone. ** I perhaps frighten you ! — Perhaps the recital of my fufferings " He paufed with a look of felf-diftruft his countenance often affumed, and, prefTinghis hand on his fore- head, added, *' Yet, if you knew how much it THE frenchman's tale. 273 It relieved me ! — how I longed to fpeak to you agala ! — ' Condantia wept mere abundantly than before. Perhaps there is no fenfation of the human heart more complicated or af- fecting than that of knowing it has, by one tender ftroke of fympathy, affuaged a grief it feels itfelf impotent to cure. The intereil; expreffed by her tears tran- quilifed Valmont ; and as foon as fhe could trufl her voice, (lie endeavoured to explain to him that ilie was no lefs a pri- foner than himfelf, " Tiie world," faid he, after liilening to her with the mori: profound attention, ** is then what I long ago fappofed itj a fcene of opprefhon, from the efPedls of which no innocence can Ihelter us. Refolve, like me, never to enter it again." Vol. I. T " And 274 CANTERBURY TALES. '* And live — or rather, I fear, die — a vidim !" faid Conflance. *' You are then rich !" "Alas, no!" fiie replied, with a tone between peevifhnefs and depreffion. Val- mont, whofe imagiftalkvfi, long fixed to one point, had feen nothing in her con- fniement but a plan to deprive her of fome envied advantage of rank or fortune, now gazed, as her blufhes and tremor heightened her beauty, with a confcioufnefs of it he had not before felt ; and no fooner did his mind catch a ray of truth, than it became perfcclly enlightened. All tlic warm blood conc"calcd round his heirt fio^vcd obedient to the voice of Irumanity ; and in the wild hope of (ilfyrdhig protecLion, he ieemed to have forgotten hov.-^ much he wanted it. Steady to honour and to feeling, there was THE frenchman's TALE. 275 was yet one point on which his reafon ob-» flinately wandered — It was the period dur- ing which he had been fccluded. That diiinal and foHtary period had made an impreffion no arguments could correcl — in vaiiji did fhc ofl'er every rational one. " Do not," faid he, *' attempt to deceive me ! I have had nothing to do but to meafure and calculate thofe hours which have pafled lightly over the heads of the gay and the happy! Their duration affures me the pre- fent Marquis de Valmont cannot be my coufin. Yet will I once more, for your fake, emerge into a world where I fliall doubtlei's be a ftranfrer. If what vou tell me approaches to truth, the fame monarch fits upon the throne. I will appeal to his tribunal — 1 will relcue my inlicritance from, the liands of fpoilers." *' Alas!" laid ConHance, '' let us rather appeal to the tribunal of llhn before vrhom T 2 t]:e 2y6 CANTERBURY TALES. the monarch you fpeak of has been awfully fummoned to appear !" ** Louis Seize is then dead !" faid Val- mont, ftarting — but his Queen — his fon — " ** Perifhed — crufhed-^annihilated — va- niflied from the face of the earth" — would have been the anfwer of Conftance, could fhe but have looked a little, a very little, into that fearful future which fancy itfelf yet hardly ventured to fully fo deep with blood. " They exift," faid ihe, mournfully ; " but they are no longer royal. France is a republic !- — " ** France a republic T re-echoed Valmont, with aflonifhment. *' What is it you tell me? Ah, I have indeed been buried cen- turies if this be truth !" Conflaacc THE FRENCHMAN S TALE. 277 Conftance briefly recited the ftory of her country. Valmont liftened — doubted — liftened — and doubted flill. That, green in youth, {he fhould have (ccn the gaudiefl: and gayefl: flowers of crea- tion thus blighted ; the vaft confoHdated mafs of prejudice and principle whole ages had accumulated crumbled at once to duft ; fyfl:ems annihilated that feemed incorporate with thought itfelf ; — a whole nation chang- ing, with one convulfive crifis, its character, its manners, and its laws — rcafon more fleady than Valmont's would have grown dizzy with the profped: ; and humanity fliuddered at her own errors, whetlier Ihe calculated the enormous pile of evil flic had deflroyed;, or that flic was, perhaps, ulFifling to raile. T 3 Con fu fed 27§ CANTERBURY TALES. Confufed voices, which decidedly, though imperfedtly, rung through the hollow arches of the chateau, fufpended the attention of Conftance and Valniont, even from the af- fed:ing detail by Vvliich tliey were engrofled. The founds increafed every moment : by degrees they grew mingled with fhrieks, with jarriiig footfteps, with loud and near- approaching accenrs. A difcharge of muf- kets was heard ; — a paufe — a fiiout — a fear- ful inter v^al of tumult enfued, and Conitance had hardly time to tell herielf they were at the mercy of a populace, when a door on the farther fide was forcibly M'Durfl open, and a confufed mafs of people, of all ages and defcriptions, ruihed in. Of the fero- cious kindnefs of which he was the objedl Valmont comprehended nothing: dragged forth, he hardly knew how, or why, to rhc overpowering giaie ot day, he indeed " Kaifu! Iiii lic^ivv c\,f.-:, unci fouijit t'r.c Iv'iit; THE FP.ENCHM.IX S TALE. r.79 and while the crIeG of Liber! ^ and la Nct'oii rent the very an-, tlie poor and folitary blefling of exlftence feemed mounting to- wards heaven with them. The affrighted Conftance had only {qi\{q. enough left to perceive that the hands of her deliverers were dyed in blood, and that providence had made the worft pafhons of man awful miniflers to correct his worif abufes. Amid the nolfy exultation of the mo- ment, fome attempted to pour wine, of which they had dragged large quantities from the AJarqui:)'3 cellars, down the throat of him they had liberated. But nature refufed : the puUe of life flood Hill : tlic group around gazed on the liunian ruin : of its wrongs or its refentments notliing feemed to remain but dull ; yet they con- tinued to wrong and to rcicnt. 1' ^. IW 28o CANTERBURY TALES. By degrees they grew weary of the trouble of humanity, — *' La jeune fille, et fon pere" for fo the rabble termed them, ■were infenfibly deferted for the more al- luring objeds of plunder and revenge ; and *vhen the feeble flutter of exigence began once more to be vifible in Valmont, Con- ftance found herfelf ftill kneeling by him on the greenfward, with no other com- panion than a child of about ten years of age, who, though it had joined the crowd, had not courage to plunge with it into the long galleries, and unknown apartments, of the caftle. This fuccour, feeble as it ap- peared, was not, however, ufelefs. It was the means of obtaining water; which, plen- tifully throvv^n over Valmont, effeded what the wine could not, and he once more opened his eyes. The'r wild and iatereiiing languor ler. libly touched the heart of C\")n- fiancc ; and without attempting explana- tions which neither appeared to Lave ftrengih THE FREN'CH.MAN'^S TALF. 2^1 flrength to bear, fhe took advantage of his extreme gcntlenefs anj doclllry to lead him to a cottage, which the child affiircd her xvas inhabited bv his moiher, at leis than half a league's didaiice. This miferable Ihclter they with great difficulty reached ; aud, with Rill inure dif- hcuhy, obtained admittance. The woman, who alone remained at home, regarded them with a fallen and miilrurcful air» muttering fomc phrafes to herfelf, in which the term arijtocrate was alone to be diiiinguifiied. Her countenance, however, cleared on be- ing told by the boy they were priibners, liberated p,ir fes couipiitnoU-s ; and, moved by the fnpplications of Conflance, flic Ihow- ed them one poor apartment, where a nock- bed afforded the now quite bewildered and exh.iuRcd Valmont a temporary lt';TX.''aav)n rather than repofe. ..ad 282 CANTERBURY TALES, Sad and comfortlefs meantime were the refledions of Conftance. The houfe was lonely, and on the verge of a wood. She placed a chair by the cafement ; and, as the moon rofe from behind the dark edges of tlie trees, prepared herfelf thus to pafs a long, cold, and dreary night in winter, without any profped that the morning would better her htuatlon. She could nei- ther hear of carriage, horfes, or conveyance of any kind, by which flie might hope once more to reach the hofpitable roof of Dorfain, though the afTignats providen- tially given her by the Marquis enabled her to offer an ample recompenfe. That unfortunate Marquis himfelf continually haunted her imagination — flie faw him purfued by his own vaiTals — agonifcd, mangled, ferving perhaps as a bloody tro- phy. It was no dream of fancy and cre- dulity — it was a horrible picture, ot which the letters of the young Chevalier and Valrive THE FRKNCH man's TAI. I:. 2.8 ^ Valrlvc had dcfcribcd too many ori^liialsj and (lie even lliuddercd with doubt whe- ther the eniiiinc; day miglit not rcaiifo it, and poflibly render bot!i herfelf and her companion thchclplefs objedls of fome lavage fePaval. Refie6lions like thefe at lengtli eKnaufted the energy of her mind, v.'liilc fad neceflity tranqniliied it. Three hours of watcliing, and profound fdencc, began to llupefy her fenf^>, and drowfmefs was finking into fiumber, wb.en a fudden conlciouhiefs made her ilart, and liilen to what was paflhig be- low. Idie voices of men, and the trampling of horfes, w'itli a faint idea of having heard a carriage, at once affailed her. Oh ! it was. not that onlv ! a name dear and fami- liar to her heart llruck at once upon her car. " Valrivc, V^drivc, Valrivc," repeated often, and familiarly, in tones that fpoke him prcfcnt, commur.icaled to every pulfc a throb 284 CANTERBURY TALES. a throb To tumultuous, that hardly had ihe power to totter down the dark and narrow ftaircafe that fcparated her from the room below. — A group of common-looking men flood round the kitchen fire, over whom her eyes fearfully wandered, as (he per- ceived flie had attraded theirs^ without being able to trace one likenefs to him {he fought. " Monfieur Valrive n'eft pas IcI," faid fhcj flirlnking back — " Si, fi. Ma'mTelle!" faid one of the group, fixing on her a flare of furprife. ** Valrive! oii eil-tu done?" added he, raif- ing his voice. *' Ma foi, c'eil un garyon a bonnes fortunes ce Valrive I" faid another, taking up a candle, and looking confidently in her face. Condance drew back, and uttered inarticulately fhe knew not what. '' Valrive ! THE frenchman's TALE. 2S5 ** Valrive! viens, mon ami !" again fiiout- ed the firft. " On te dcmande avec in- ftance;" and with a fneer he puflied for- ward a perfon who entered. Ho\y did Con- ftance recoil, ^vhen, ahnoll: on the point of Tinking into hii arms for fhelter, flie beheld — not a lover — not a protestor — not, in lliort, Valrive — -but a countenance wholly new to her, or of which {he could only have the fainteft recolledion, as it once glanced acrofs her on returning from her favourite cottage ; a countenance whofe fingular hardnefs even then had offended her, and which now, lighted up v.'ith info- lent familiarity, froze her very blood ! " Ah, I have been mldaken!" faid ihc, turning pale, and Ihrinking from the em- brace he feemed preparing to take. An incredulous fliout followed the fentence; and the flranger, who feemed piqued bv it into additional efrro'i]^er\-, attemp'ed to feize 286 CANTERBURY TALES. feize her hand. With a vehement excla- mation of terror and difguil:, again fhe re- pulfed him. " What voice was that r" faid a young man, who rufhed at the fame moment into the kitchen. Breathlcfs and pale, Con- Itance v/oakl have fiillen but for his fup- port ; while a tiliouiand joyful emotions overcame lier ilill more than her fears had done. She had ticid indeed ft:)und her lover — but it was no longer Valrive— no longer a venal dependant, unwillhig or un- able to protect her — He w^as brave — noble—- he was, in fine, no other than the cheva- lier de Valmont !— -or rather, he had been all thefe; and Conftance remembered not that he was now nothing. Valmont himrelf, however, wdio had had much and forrowful experience, did not wholly forget this, ilecovcred from the emotion THE frenchman's TALE. 23/ emotion of the moment, he fpoke with much gentlcncis and complacency to the men who had retreated fome diftance, and from whofe altered demeanour, though not wholly wliat it would once have been, (lie had difcovered he was their lord. Then taking a light from the one that flood neareil him, he conducted her in filence up flairs. Conllancc, who, in the tranfoort of this unexpected meeting, had forgotten every thing elfc, now flruck with liis manner, fixed her eves ur^on him in fearful exDcclatlon. Unlike the '^innine to renounce. Kard indeed mud have been the heart that could have refilled him ! The weaknefs attending fo painful an exertion as that of walking had brought up a temporary inanity rather than {lumber, from which, as he ilowly recovered, it was nevcrthcleis viiiblc he had derived re- frefliment. He began now to dvv'ell upon events, wlfich, while the torrent ruihed by him, he had been unable to comprehend. There was fonicthing (o affeOing in his imperfect attempts at recolledion, in liis disioiatcd THE frenchman's TALE. 297 disjointed efforts to fix Ideas, which, like fliadows upon a wall, wavered and played before the vet unfteady lamp of reafon, that Conftance infenfibly direded her efforts to the fame point. Nor were ihey unfuccefsfuL All the objecls of creation, as they began again to be vifiblc to his eyes, refumed their natural influence over his heart. The long- forgotten image of his home, his native do- main, to which Conilance had in general terms affaredhim their journey was directed, kindled once more that fecret and inexpli- cable flame, which ever burns throuG;h the veins when we touch the circle with which our affedlions incorporate us. But a danger new and unexpcdcd now occurred. At the pofl-houfc, where the avant-courler, difpatched by the Chevalier as their guard, had already prepared horfes, Conllance liad the indifcretion to pull out a roniiderable number of ailignats. The face of £98 CAN TE-R BURY TALES. of the poft-mafter informed her the horfes were already paid for ; but his tongue was not equally li nee re. To the niorilncation of feeing herfelfduped by paying for them again was added the terror of knowing that fhe was in the power of men rapacious enough, under the name of protectors, to abet the extortion ; and in v/hofe inqulfitive coun- tenances, as the lights gleamed upon them, fiie difcovered an cxprellion that, conveyed 3 terrible pulfation to her heart. She faw too late that the prudence of the Chevalier, in providing for the expenfcs of her journey, had yet not been fufHciently watcliful to thinkof cam ioning her onthefubjecl: but the iTsomeiits ibeiU in irrcfblatlon decided them- fclvcs, and they once more entered on a dreary road. 1 he men who ftill followed them, whether impelled by fear of danger, or fomc worfe motive, (lie perceived rode iie3rer the carriage than before ; fometimes talkhiir loudly tcpcilier : al others ioinlnix ill THE FREXCH^fAN's TALE. 299 in the ca ira. or thundering: cut the Mar- feillois hymn. At length *' Wiflrd morning came ! and no-.v upon w':e hius, And (.iiftant plains, tlie flicpherds fed their Hoc':?:" But never was rural proipech hrJf fb de- lightful to the eye of an enthufiafl:, as that of the towers and buildings of a large city to the now exhaufted Conftancc. They were not lon-^^ la reachlno; it. Her p-uldes conducted her to an hotel, and her fate at length fcemed at a paufe. The Chevalier, In wlioni the diflracled Hate of his country h;i(l already matured a fplrlt of precaution little c-mgenial to liis natural character, had given the men, to V. lioin lie cntru.icd Conllancc, every charge that might enfurc her fafctv. They were inllruclcd to take the necefTary llcps with the police; and as foon a; their dcpofit'ons iiad fcc:;rcd a proper pailport, by eftablifliing the. 30O CANTERBURY TALES. the certainty that both fiie, and her compa- nion, were prifoncrs Hbcrated in a popular commotion, one of them was to re! urn with ihe information to the Chevnlier, lie obeyed ; but previous to his departure pre- iented himfelf to Coniiance with the air of a man, vv^ho, confcious of having conferred an important fervice, comes rather to de- mand, than to fchcit, a reward. Though given with liberality, it fatisiied him not ; but his comrade, fleoping forward, remon- firated with [i'TiHQ w^arnith on the injufticc of expedling a further recompenfe, whih^ affured of an ample one on the part of the Chevalier, and reniiridcd him at the fame time tliat the latter awaited his return with the greateft impatience. ** Qu'il attend," replied the other in a brutal tone, as lie went av\^ay : *' Chacun a fon tour." Confiance felt a pang at her heart. Tliis wretch was to return as one of THE FR-P-N CUM All's 'f ALT., 30I of the protcdcrs of t;ic Chevalier. The re- lief ihe Iieiielf cvc:i mi: !:t have cxnerici^cccl in beir.;-;- freed froni hini v.' as fooii lofl in apprehenficii, vvlieii fhc { erceived that hi-', diiinhhoa tcnk from his companion the only chcc!: he fjarcd, bccaufe, probably, the onlv nearer in thc;^^lundcr be meditateJ. r.qif:vcc:'l, or infolcnt a:nV,ers, as to the probable ler;[,';h of tb.cir journey, plunged her in alarm : that j ;)Lir ncy itfelf became vifibly flower and fo^vcr. His rapacitv, increaiinp^ ''viih iier apparent terrors, fooii left her ilttlc t'^ ':ivc; and 'hit little {lie was often obligc'l to iiiare \v'!:!i the hns p:UrioteSy whom he ( iijonr.:^;ed to loi'cr cr;)i:!id their;. With th.::'c pcov-!c> V. iio ',' ere indeed every tiling but v;:iat tb.cv e.:ih:d tl:enifclvcs, a look mii'b.t be a ciimc, and a vvordi dcfLrnc- tion. Eve:'- poA, every vill I'^rc, bc'anac a nc'v fecnc cF dan-rer a^v:l delav. Yet tb.e pon.s were infenlibb/ paflcd^ the villages were left behind; and after accnmuLned fatigue, lufleidno-. 302 CANTERBURY TALES* fuffering, and apprehenfions, Conftance found, with unfpeakable tranfport, that fhe was within a fhort diftance of the chateau de Valmont ! The tranfport, however, was momen- tary. Her guide, whofe reverence for the name of Vahnont had been daily diminifli- ing, found nothing as he approached the domain that fhould ftrengthen it ; and fall- ing in with fome of his acquaintance, whofe bufmefs w^as plunder, he fcrupled not to de- clare to Conftance, that both flie and her fellow-traveller muft find their way on as well as they could ; and that, to fecure their own fafety, it would be advifable firfl: to part with all the little wealth that remained to her. llemonflrance was vain j and in filent terror ihe complied. No other alternative now prefcnted itfelf but that of exploring a road, which, for- tunately, THE FRENCHMAN S TALT. 303 tunately, was not wholly unknown lo her. It was already the clofc of evening, and froil lav hard uoon the c^round. She llfied her eyes to the ftars v\'hich were bright above her head, and addreiTcd lierfelf filcntly through them to the Deity that bade them ihiae. In- vigorated by hope, and within tlic circle of home, yZv found nodilTiculty in proceeding: but it was otherwife with Valmont. A league became to him a diflance which his footfleps were as ill able to trace, as his reafon to calculate. Already both began to fail. Honelefs — helplefs, thev iit down to- gether, *' under tlie fliade of melancholy boughs," when Conftance excbimcJ Vs'ilh a dart of joy, "Surely I fee ThJbaut !" I'b.i- baut was a young carpenter of ti:c \iiiage. With tumnltnous pleariire Cn'Z r^cr,-'.:'..ed a face that was familiar to her. The hJ, wliofe p;ood- nature was vet i:ncorru':tcJ bv th:^ world, greeted her widi cjrdi.ditv, and^ though rcturrni^ig from hio d i\ 'o lal^our, oiTered 304- CANTERBURY TALES. offered to be of any fervice to her flie might require. His arm was more fteady than that of Conflance, and Valmont again crept on ; but nature was fainting within him, and to reach the habitation of Dorfain appeared wholly impradicable. It was at that mo- ment the recollection of her once fav^ourlte cottage glancedacrofs the mind of Conftance. The diflance to it was much lefs ; the ihel- ter, if it ftill ftood, was certain. Even were the door faft, the flirength of Thibaut, a ftout lad of eighteen, could eafily force it. To the cottage, therefore, flie direded their fteps I and to the cottage, after many a weary flep, they came. Yet fhe faw it not without a ftrong palpitation. Her eyes reded there Intently, as all the remembrances attached to it paffcd acrofs her heart. It afforded indeed fhelter, but neither light nor food J and vehemently recommending the Marquis THE frenchman's TALE. 305 Marquis to the care of Thibaut, who en- gaged to watch with him during her ab- fence, ihe preffcd forward to the habitation of Dorfain. The moon w^as now rificg, and every fpot as it opened before her became more and more interefting. It was here flie had parted with the Chevahcrj at the foot of that decUvity (he had the ill-fortune to be feen by his father. TlerCy embofomed in trees, was the roof of Dorfain — and //'tvv, rifingfuU in fight, the chateau de Vahnont. Part of it had been laid in ruins by the peafants ; fmoke liad disfigured the refl ; and the marks of plunder and devaflation were every Vv^herc vifible. '' Ab-, if fucli is the fate of grandeur '^ tliougiUConll.ince, as ihe dlrccfted her eyes cagci K^ forwards — • lier fears were ill-founded I 'i '^0 cott:i2"e of Dorfain, fecure in its p^vo^lv, -'I ill remained: iiill did Its hund^iC cilJirc V: omit a clyj'jrful Vol.. I. X an J 306 CANTERBURY TALES. and far-ftreaming ray, while all was dark and filent round the fuperb chateau. With a trembling hand Conftance tapped foftly at the door, and at the fame moment lifted the latch. Two men were fitting by the fire, one of whom inftantly ad- vanced with a taper in his hand : the light fhone full upon his features, and they were thole of Dorfain. The joy of both blended in a gudi of tears, and for fome moments they wept in filence. Antoine, who had alfo ilarted from the chimney-corner, firft fiifpended the tide by his bufy inquiries ; and Conftance, whofe heart, defpite of all that engaged it there, flew back to the fuffering Valmont, recited, in as few words as lliC could, the extraorflinary hiilory of her abferice. Doriain and Antoine liftened to lier vvitli [greedy attention. Their eyes, their ear.-, tlvj'r very fouls feemed abforbed in the nam rive. " Que THE frenchman's TALE. 307 ** Que le bon Dleu foit loue !" exclaimed the latter, ere (lie had well finifhed ; while the quivering lips and pale countenance of Dorfain fhewed him incapable of articulating a fyllable. " Et le pauvre Thuriot ! comme il s'en rejouira! Ah, favez-vous, Ma'm'felle, qu'il eft votre pere dont il s'agit*?" ** Yes, Conftance, it /; thy father," added Dorfain, in broken but joyful accents; *' it was my daughter the generous Valmont raifed from obfcurity ! Oh, if ever there was an angel upon earth, it was lie ! That cottage thy little heart intuitively attached itfelf to was the fccne of his love and his benefits. We were too happy, my child ! I am afraid we forgot God xMmighty, for he fent a fcourge to punifh us. Thy mo- ther was the vi6lim ; aud but for the i^ood *" Thanks hr to God !-Toor TlM:rl.)t 1 liO'.v he w'li rejoice! Do \i>\\ know, JMa'in'll-IIi'. '. .. : i: ii vo.t 1 ;thcr vou are talking;; of'" X 2 Tburiut, 3oS CANTERBURY TALES* Thuriot, then only a journeyman apothe- cary, thy little fpark of being would never have been recalled. Ah, in that 'very cot- tage wert thou born; and there ftands thy poor mother's death-bed 1" The fhock was too mighty for Conftance. She tottered, turned pale, and funk to the ground. The dreadful, deadly apprehenfion that had feized upon her heart was communicated in a look; no words could be added to it; with trembling flcps they flew towards the cot- tage. Already they approached it ; already the reedy pool behind it became vifible by a ftreani of moonlight that pierced through the now leaflefs brandies. A man, who flood flooping over the brink, attradled their eye. It was Thibaut, who, with a pitcher \\\ iiis hand, was breaking tlie furface of ice to draw water. lie iidvauccd to them in hade. THE FRENCHMAN S TALE. 3C9 halle, but with a countenance that bade their hearts beat lefs anxioufly. ** He Is well ?" cried Conftance, while yet afar off. *' Ah, Dieu mercl ! very well now, Ma'mTclle," laid Thibaut ; " but he has been feai'fullv bad. To be ilire, the mad fit came en hhn when the moon flione out ; and, would you believe it ? he that had not before a foot to fet to the ground, ran all over the lioufe like a lapwing. And then he talked, and then he wasconvulfed. But I gave him water, and he is gone tojleep !" As Thibaut Ipoke they were already in the chamber, wliich the moon now fully illumined. Valmont lay half reclined upon the bed, his face towards the pillow; the long hair of his wife, wiiica he had found,, was trcafiired in his brcaf:. He had in- A 3 cje'.i JIO CANTERBURY TALES. deed flept — the fleep of death. No longer fufFering, no longer convulfed, no longer a maniac, his foul had rejoined its Creator ; there to claim, and to receive, the glorious recompenfe due to thofe who have fuffered without guilt. *' How the world falls to pieces all aroxnul, And leaves us but the ruin of our joys! What fays this tranfportation of our friends? It bids us love the place where now ti;ey dwell, And fcorn the wretched fpot they leave fo poor." A rude coffin conftruded by Thibaut, a grave dug within the limits of the garden, the prayers of the devout, and the tears of the innocent, were all the funeral rites of the Marquis dc Valmont. The Cure of the village, driven from his acme, and left none to fupply his place; and fuch was the fpirit of the times, that a religious duty, even to duft, was likely to have been deemed a crime. 'That duft had once been noble, rich — ' THE FRENCHiMAN's TALE. 311 rich — Alas ! that it was human too, would, probably, amid the convulfions of huma- nity, have been forgotten ! Yet does the weaknefs of nature blend with its moft foiemn duties! The grave of the Marquis was a chofen fpot. It lay open to the weftern fun ; and the hillock that marked it received his lad reflccicd ray, as it glanced from the windows of the beloved cottage. ** Let us beware, my child," faid Dorfain, as he dragged from it the weeping Con- fiance, *' let us beware how we deem that fpot unhallowed which receives the afhes of the good! It is no longer the breath of a mortal — it is the divinity hmifclf who fanc- tifies it !" They were now in the very heart of winter. Nature and man feemed in unifon X 4. to 312 CANTERBURY TALES. to defolate the earth. France dally poured forth miferable thoui'ands, to endure all the feveritics of the feafon m foreign countries, while thofe that remained at home groaned under the accumulated evils of anarchy and bloodfhed. That ihe had witnefTed them feemed now a frightful vifion to Conftance, as, fhut up in a lonely cottage, the fole confolation and fupport of an aged parent, who, during her abfence, had loft his wife, half ftunncd, (liie liflened to the diftant fiorm of nature and fociety. With her, the ftream of life now fccmed to ftagnate. How wild and irregular is its current! Im- pelled, at fome periods of it, by llrange and irrcfiilible events, we rufli forward into ac- tion; and, hurried from thought to thought, imagination knows no fcope, and memory no point. At others, the foul is driven back upon hericlf ^ the fcnfcs fiibiide into torpor, ** Add nothing Js but what :s ;iot.*' Scdi THE frenchman's TALE. 3I3 Such was now the fate of Conllance ! — Week after week rolled heavily away, and the Chevalier appeared not. Already flie divined his fate. His lafl words recurred to her with all the force of a predidion. She repeated them to herfelf every night ere fhe clofed her eyes ; and, even in fleep, ofiicious memory flill told her of her ivi" doii'cd heart. Yet for the pure fpirits, accuflomed to look out of themfelves, and dire(3: their view hy turns to God and man, a balm will be found even in the hour of fuffering! It was through the medium of her own forrows that Conftance became truly alive to the duty of alTuaging thofe of others. The conviclion funk deep in her heart. All its turbulent feelings harmonifed by de- grees into a foft and ufeful fenfibility. The extraordinary convulfions of civil fociety daily calkd upon her to exercife it, and ihe learned 314 CANTERBURY TALES. learned to value, whilftadinlmllering them, the bl-efiings of benevolence, and the con- folations of piety. Though fhrinkuig before the piercing winds of fpring, flic negle(fced not to offer up her firll prayers every morning over the grave of her father. Already the ground, no longer hard with intenfe froft, began to open itfelf to her tears j and to put forth the crocus, the fnowdrop, and the few early flowers with which flie had marked it round. It was yet but the grey dawn of morning, when, raifmg her eyes from the fpot they had been fixed on, full of me- lancholy recolledions, flie directed them towards the cottage. Suddenly fhe per- ceived a fir earn of light iffue through its broken fliutters. Siie llarted, and continued to gaze more intently. It was no iliufion. A light, like the gentle fanning of a flame, perceptibly il\one, and died away. Trcm- blins: THE frenchman's TALE. 315 bllng with curlofity, (lie drew nearer. It was not difficult, through the cleft of the fhutter, to diftingullli all that was paffing within. A young peafant, poorly clad, was (landing on the hearth, by a fmall pile of cliips, to which he had fet fire. He feemed pierced with cold; for he frequently ftooped, chafed his hands, and carefully kept up the little blaze with every remnant of fuel he could collect. Conftance had lately fcen but too many of her country- men plunged in the direfl extremes of fuf- ferinc: not to feci her compafficn awakened: But, oh ! how piercing was t^c pang that feized upon her heart, when the young man, by a fuddcn turn, received the light full on his countenance, and difcovcrcd to her the features or tlic Chevalier ! A cry of anguiili announced to iiim tliat he was obferved ; aivJ Confl.ince, C'uallance, who but a fcv; uiomcnis before had wept for the imaginary -716 CANTERBURY TALES. o imaginary death of her lover, fuddenly found herfelf in his arms ! For the joy, the forrow, the tender agony of that moment, there were no words 5 and Valmont himfelf ihed tears as he held her to his bofom. " It is here, then, that I find you," faid he ; " here, on the fpot where, by a myftery to me then inconceivable, you feemed to vaniih from me ! Nor did fortune, beloved Conftance ! flop there : every good {he had ever beflowed feemed vanifhing with you !" " It was in the midfi: of extravagant con- jedures — of fruitlefs refearchcs — of burning anxiety for j/onr fate, the unlooked-for in- telligence reached me, that both my own and my father's were on the point of being decided. In vain had we retreated from the THF. frenchman's TALE. 317 the metropolis ; its horrors, its fufpicions, purfaed ns : and our very cxiftcnce was then weighing in that pohtlcal balance, of which the bloody fcale had long bcca known to preponderate. " Infurmountablc nccclTity called me hence ; yet, dupe that I was, even at the moment of departing, it was to the man whofe arti- fices had detained me beyond my appoint- ment — whofe villainy had made lilni the ready tool of villainy in others — to the pro- fligate inflrument of my own fjllie^, as I believed, but in realltv to the fov of my father, that I committed the dearcl fccrct of my bofom. To ^"alrivc I loft tliC charge of tracing yen. Ob, ConPtarice, Condance ! bitter is the pang, Vv'hcn X.hS'c evils that fall upon us through the conui^ti j;i of others come with the iiccumulated v>,'c"r^ht of our example to jull^iy chcm ''"' V.;ltnont, 3l8 CANTERBURY TALES. Valmont, to whofe heart the flory of his country was prefent, made a long paufe, while his eyes fwani in tears, and his cheek burned with the fhame of retrofpedion. " Views I myfelf hardly analyied," he continued, ** uniting with the well-founded prejudice you fo artlefsly betrayed at our firft meeting, induced me to affume the name of an inferior, in order to lull your caution to fleep ; in this, however, I was near being the vidim of my own duplicity; for Valrive himfelf, by his impertinent in- trufion foon after into your cottage, occa- fioned you an alarm, and me an indigna- tion, the caufe of which it was impoffiblc I fhould explain to you, that he was pro- bably the agent of feme of that circle by whom you had been feen I eafily con- cluded : but I knew my protedion to be of more value to him than theirs j and, though 1 did not minutely explain mv rcafons, I gave THE FRENCHMAN S TALE. 319 gave him clearly to underftand that he was never to appear before you but by mycom mand. His name, therefore, I fafely conti- nued to retain ; and when, on mv own de- parture, I left to him the care of fceking you, I felt a fecret perfuaiion that a name fo familiar to your ears would of itfelf, fhould it reach them, forward a difcovery of the place of your concealment. " With a diftraded heart I flew to Paris. How many diilracled ones did I fmd there ! ^Ay opinions, which, in the early ilruggles, had decidedly inclined to the popular party, i\\\\ left me friends amidll the fi-Ttion moft adverfc to my father. I had even the good-fortune to be perfoiially beloved by many with whom I did not wholly accord in politics. Young, fcarlefs, and rt,'adv, as ihcy belicvcil, to Jtrtnd forth a daring par- tilan of airy leader to v;i.oin I ihould a*"- tach myf;lt. I luddenlv became, by a ihange iiucluaiijii 320 CANTERBURY TALES, fluduatlon in my fate, the objed of enthu- fiafm and applaufe. ** I had now entered that vortex from which I found it iinpoffible to retreat. Thoufands were daily ingulphed by it be- fore my eyes. Of thofe that yet floated on the furface many touched the fearful point that was to fmk them. I v/as myfelf faft approaching to It, for the opinions that had been mine were no longer thofe of the mul- titude. My father, In the interim, in whofe heart my flattering reception had planted an imaginary dagger, reprobated the con- dud by which alone his liberty, or life, was fecured. The perfidious Valrive, whom, with a confidence as mlfplaced as my own, he had fcnt after me to Paris, foon learned to think of ralfing his fortunes upon the wreck of ours. Though I was in fa<5l the only bulwark between my father and de- llrudlon, yet by a train of inlidious artifices were THE frenchman's TALE. 32I were the feuds between us hourly increafcd ; and while to him I became fufpec^tcd of little lefs than parricide, every engine was ict in motion by a party to render nje real- ly fiich. Daily receiving from him letters full of bitter reproach ; death before my eyes, and indignation in my heart; what days, wliat nights were mine ! — Shall I dare to fay that love itfeif was fupcrfeded ? I began to reconcile myfclf to your lofs. There were moments when I even deemed It providen- tial. Yes, lovely Conftance ! when I recol- lected the time, the place, the clrcuni [lances of our intended meeting — all that was wrong in my own chara-flcr, and all that v/as charming in vours, I learned too juPily t'j doubt myfelf. Oh, let mc not lofe your regard by tlie very candour which ihows YOU how much I dcfcrvc it ! " Tlic hour of mortal trial at Icngtiicame on. After my duties had (Iruggled againlt \''oi.. I. Y temptation 322 CANTERBURY TALES. temptation in almofi: every fhape, it was from Valrive I received the extraordinary news of your imprifonment ; received it at the dreadful crifis when my father was about to follow you. Too well aware of the li- centioufnefsof his character, how diftrading were my apprehenfions I — Prudence, policy, —all that had hitherto guided me, vanilhed into air. I flew to obtain a paflport — it was denied me. I would, at any rifk, have quitted Paris without one. The barriers were clofed. In the defperation gf my heart I wrote a letter. How it reached my father I know not : his anfwer was iirange, was enigmatical. He fpoke of you, as of one whom he feared ; whom he abhorred -, and while in the moil folemn terms he reaffured my heart on the point it was moil jcaloufly alive to, he left me impreffcd with a vague horror as to your future fate. Of this Valrive either could not, or would not, in- form me ; and it was during theie moments of THE frenchman's TALE. 323 of perturbation and rage that he myfterioufly infinuated to me the execrable projedl of denouncing mv father. My blood flowed back with a chill like that of death ; but I had lived amongft favages who called them- felves politicians, and believed I had learnt to dirfe'iible. I therefore rejeifled his pro- poial, but accepted from him a paffpori. ob- tained under a feigned name from a popular leader. It was only one hour previous to that on which I fliould have availed myfelf of it, that I received through a friend of the fame party an intimation that it would prove the fignal of my fate ; that a mandate had been privately ifliied to arrefl the bearer ; and that Valrlvc, to whom my countenance had doubtlcfs been more finccrc than my words, had, while thus fccuring ;;:.■ in tlie fnare, been himfclf the indircdl means of denouncing his lord. '* Why fliould I recount to you all the Y 2 horribl« 324. CANTERBURY TALES. horrible perplexities that enfued ? Suffice it to fay, that finding it impolTible to fave my father, I made a fecretoath to die with him. By a ftrenuoiis exertion of the credit I had left, I at length obtained a paffport, with permiffion, as I was not criminated, to fe- cure for myfelf all I could of my family eflates. The barriers were now open ; and, with a few faithful, though humble, well-williers, wlio had ferved ia m.y regi- ment^ I fet out on the memorable journey w^hlch was to decide the fate of my family. Witliin a few leagues of the chateau, i un- expeQedly encountered Valrlve, doubtlefs eagerly hallening to join the plunderers. The meetincr was a thunderbolt to both of us. He, like myLif, had conipaiiioiis, but they were lefs niimerous, and probably w^orfc armed, for bic accolU J me with pro- fiife teilimonics of re'pcct. Each was yet to learn what was j[)afiiiig at tiic chateau. Alas, / learnt it too focii from you ! I had firmncftii THE frenchman's TALE. 32 ^^ firmnefb enough to diiTemble. I parted with you — Oh God! let me not rccollcJ'l the bitternefs of that moment, or the r.or- rible ones that iuccceded it ! Doomed to fee my own ellates a fcene of bloodlhed and rapine ; an aiTafTm in every vaflal, and a fpy in every human face ; for three weeks I ilrugghd vainly againfl: evils no cou- rage could guard me from, no prudence could avert. With the fame affiduity that I fought my father, he fought to conceal himfelf : it w^as my fate at laft to find him in an obfcur^ hovel, fick, languifhing, dif- ablcd ; with no other companion than a poor ecclefiaflic, nearly under the fame clr- cumilances with himfelf, and no other guard than the charitable liofpitallty of an individual, wlio, though low born, and low^-brccl, flill cherilhcd a fpark of the Divinity. ** During that period which preceded the Y 3 day 326 CANTERBURY TALES. day when I followed a parent to the grave, I had long and melancholy lelfure for ex- planation ; I heard with horror the avowal of crimes of which I would now willingly bury the recolledion. My father, notwith- Handing all the precautions that attended your birth, had long learnt to doubt whe- ther thofe crimes had attained their fruition: a doubt, the fight of you inftantaneoufly confirmed. Fear foon magnified every danger : our lecret correfpondence became known to him ; and I learned, with aftonifh- ment, that he tore you from your home, chiefly becaufe he furpe(51ed Dorfain, and yourftlf, of influence enough to make his fon an acceflliry in his punifhment. ** Heaven was gracious ! for it permitted him to live long enough to fee that fon ac- quitted, by his misfortunes, of the imputed guilt ; to fee him a voluntary fliarer in his parent's fufFerings ! — profcribed, impove- liflied !— THE frenchman's TALE. 327 riilied ! — I at length received his lalt figh ! — It was not a painful one, for the bitter- nefs had been exhauftcd in thofe that pre- ceded it. To him reafon had long been but the inurument of remorfe, and life only defirable as a barrier againft the dark chahn of eternity ! Deeply did I meditate over the obfcure grave his fate had allotted him. — Oh, Con- fiance ! there are moments, when the illu- fions of this world flide into nothing, and that only is real which is to come I" *' Yes ! there are dear and facred reali- ties, even in this world," cried Conftancc, as fhe caii her eyes on Dorfain, whom ten- der anxiety hr.d brought in feaich of her. " When the virtues of a parent fpread a ve- nerable and protecting ihade over youtli ; when youth is cinplo\ed, like Valmont's, in afluaging the furrows, or fmoothing the Y .1 death- 328 CANTERBURY TALES. death bed, of a parent j thefe are the reali- ties that give at once a glory, and a grace, to life!" Dorfain, who, in the wan countenance of Valmont, at firft hardly recognifed the blooming young man he had formerly fcen, received him generoufiy to his heart ; and Conftance now, with tender em.otion, no- ticed the change in his perfon. *' From the day I lofl my father," faid he, *' I had no obje^^ in life, but to purfue my way hither. My nanie v/as now added to the Hit of the [a-ofcribcd, and I had nei- ther paOport rior protcdlion. My journey was ncccliariiy on foot, and the hazards I encountered made it both circuitous and fati^-.uing. Conlcious that my perfon would here be univerfally known, I thought not of venturing near this fpot till dark: but I had already overtated my ovv^n flrength, for THE FRENCHMAN S TALE. 329 fc)r it was midiHght ere I arrived ; a,i hour when I feared to alarm you. Immoderate fatigue compelled me lo take arepoTewhich lafted fomewhat longer tlian I iiitended -, and v.dien I awoke, i found my limbs llitT at ofice with wearincls and cold. 1 had, nevcrtlielers, a double incitement to feck you — ^j'.iiice and love ! Aly fivtlicr, well aware or the dangers to which his princi- ples wouLi cxpofe liim in a national contcll", had long ago veiled large lums of money in foreign banks. 1 o me, in the article of death, lie entrullcd the iccurities — you may well Juc'gc, that i coniidcr them only as a trull. — 1 bring with me," continued he, fmlling, " memorandum?, th.at will enable my Conllance to make a poor man rich, if her heart remembers tb.c air'ance wliich, in liis more profpcrous da}-s, lie icalcd upon her hand!" Ah! the licait of vCoi^lancc remembered it 330 CANTERBURY TALES. it 1^'ell ! Her hand again joyfully confirmed it. Moderately rich in the gifts of fortune, with fpirits fubdued, not embittered, by fuffering ; ennobled by their virtues, and happy in the exercife of them, Conftance, Dorfain, and Valmont, looked on man with benevolence, and to heaven with ve- neration : and though driven like our firil parents from their native home, yet did innocence and love ftill find, amid the wil- dernefs of life, a fpot on which to create their own Eden 1 THE [ 331 ] THE OLD woman's tale. LOTHAIRE: A LEGEND. The laurels wither on your brow; Then boafl: no more your mighty deeds j For on death's purple altar now, Loj where the victor, viciim bleeds ! All heads muft: come To the cold tomb : Only the actions of the jull Smell fweet, and bloUbni in the dufl. Shirley. *** It drew towards evening ere the Prior and his gucft returned from vifiting the ruin ; mafles of which, irregularly fallen, and overgrown with mofs and v^eeds, had rendered 332 CANT£liSURY TALES. rendered their progrefs tedious, and uncer- tain. " To fhorten our way, we will, if you pleafe, pals through that part of the abbey which Hill Hands/' faid the Prior, as,- draw- ing a bunch of keys from his pocket, he opened the gotliic and heavy door. Bare- headed, and with a filent fenfe of devotion, the Baron entered : he was A ruck with the venerable grandeur of the fcene ; and while his footileps rang through the mafTy pillars, and decaying arches, he looked upon the CV-j/r-'" — the little hiilory of man, profufcly fcattcrcd around, with a fentiment that par- took at once of fadncfs and fublimity. *' rhe building, even as it now ftunds,*' faid the Prior, " does not ill accord vv'ith the ideas you may have formed of it during our walk. The ipot which fronts us was once the high altar : obfei vc how magni- - Here lies. ficcntly THE OLD \VOM.\N S TALE. 3;; ficently it has been decorated. Traditi^-m tells us of numberlefs miracles pcrfor:ned here I The faints have, indeed, fallen from their niches ; and, like their worlhippcrs, are poffibly mingled with the dufl: : but the rich gothic fretwork is every VN";ierc vifible. Examine the fteps too ! for, thoinh worn, as yo'.i perceive, w^ith acls of devotion, the curious in marble flill fpeak of them with rapture. What complicated ideas here obtrude themfclvcs upon tl:e mind ! It is but a few moments fmce our feet, mv dear Baron, have pafled over tiic graves of the noble, the valiant, and the beautiful. Kow many human fighs have they brcatl:ed on the very fpot where vyc now f:and 1 how many human tears have they dropped ! Cf all they f)l;cited in tliis world we have fcen the end 1 — Pardon an eld man's free- dom, when he bid? you lilt }"our ihouglu^ to abetter:" The 334 CANTERBURY TAL£8. The Baron looked in filence on his ve- nerable friend. He had faith 5 but the habits of his mind were not thofe of devo- tion ; and the fentiment that imprelTed overawed him. '* A foldier," continued the Prior/' fliould not, methinks, quit the abbey without vifit- ing the tomb of a foldier. It is not yet fo dark but we may take a curfory view of it. Come a httle to the left ; and be not afraid of pailing through the low arch, which, I obferve, however, wears a more dangerous appearance than when I faw it laft. This recefs was formerly a chapel dedicated to the blefled Virgin, and once contained a tomb of black marble, of which we have a very fingular tradition lodged in the records of the convent. The chapel, though frequently rebuilt, is now again in ruins. Of the tomb all vefl.Iges have long fmce vaniflied ; but, as the fite is afcer- tained, THE OLD WOMAN S TALE. 335 tained, it doubtlefs flood oppofite that you now look at." <* And to whom was that infcrlbed ?'* faid the Baron. ** It is rather the memorial of a family, than an individual," replied the Prior. " The illuftrious houfe, that, from the i 3th to the 1 6th century, bore the titles and honours of St. Aubert, owed much of its diflindion to a young man, whofe valour and fidelity are here commemorated.'* As he fpokc, the Baron, who at the firfl glance had feen nothing to attra;,d Prior I 'is convcrlation, ■^v^iieli, v^'hilc it brcatlicd f nceic picL , parti/Oi; of the chcc iuhieh that l-- ge^ierjl'v its co "p:ui:on, would J,ouhihf:> liave cn'..rtaiueil the Ihiron, liad nor tlv.: mi id of the latter been o'her- wile eng -(-icd. Jus fricud, at length pcr- c ■ived he was unufuallv hlent, and; began to r '.h . liim on the iubject. \" w T '/ it T^lotTI,^ 33^ CANTERBURY TALES. " Blame yoarfelf, Monfieur Ic Prieur,'' faid the Baron, fmiling. " In the world we meet with fo little that is not in the beaten track, that our very ideas feem me- chanical. In getting out of it, with folks like you, we hlunder upon a new one now and then ; and nothing makes a man worfe companv" than being in love with his own thoughts." '* And whither may yours now be wan- denng r " A long pilgrin^.age, I aiTure you ! Be- yond the limits of Chriftendom ! — In plain terms, 1 have had nothing before my eyes but knights and bloody banners fmce we left the abbey. Tell me fomewhat more of the family of St. Aubert." "' I'hat itllouriflied till the fixteenth cen- tury, I have already told you," faid the Pri( r: *' its THE OLD woman's TALE. 339 ^'^ Its laft repreicntative, on whofe tomb you faw coinmcinoratcd the atiions of his pre- decelTors, was, like them, a loldier ; and, doLibtlefs, a brave one ! — He perlihed young, at the battle of Pavia ; and it was in con- fequence of \\\, donation, for he was child- lefs, that the abbey was founded. It was railed on the very fpot on which tlie family chateau had lo.ng flood. Time had ren- dered the chateau itielf little betrcr than a ruin ; but the gratitude of the church took that mctliod of corirccrating its memory. I'iie cViap'Cl of tlie . irgin adjoined to the home : it then becaiiie a part o\ tlie abbey, and was lv)ng an o!)je:l: of p'.xuliir vcr.era* lion, as well f;.r the legend a.inexcd to it, as fur coiitaini'is^ t'^e mo]v_:ricni; oi the foui:der. I'he l-./ ,end. iiielf 1 c;.n (h.w Vou," laid lie, or>e:iing his fr.:.]!, hut neat, library : " it is curiouf-, it^.r its an'iquity ; tliouj^h 1 will not pledge my faith f )r it in any other light." The Baron, who faw Z 2 leveral 340 CANTERBURY TALES. feveral fmall rolls of vellum, or parchment, covered with black charaders, that appeared to him wholly unintelligible, looked at it with an air of furprife and difappointmentj that made the other fmile. " You, mv cood friend, (hould have lived in tlie ag"e<)f the Tro'ibadonrs and 'Jongleurs^* faid tlie Prior, *' by the curiofity you feem to feel for our prcux chevaliers. However, if it was not fo near the hour of reft, 1 could eafily gratify it. What I am now difplaying Is as unintelligible to me as to you ; andi though it has been carefully prefjrved, is worm-eLiten,and imperfed ; as you will perceive in tlie very firfl pages. The language has been modernifed, how- ever, in every fucceeding century, down to the piefciit. One of our order has con- llantly undertaken the ofiice, which I am myfelf now performing. You have here/' continued he, opening another drawer^ " both THE OLD WOMA^; S TALE. 34 1 '•^ both my copy, and that of mv prcde- cefibr. Mine is yet imperfect ; but to- morrow vou may read cither at your lei fare, and compare them, if you wdl, Vvkli the origmal. " I had rather read one of them to-night,"' interrupted tlic ISaron. " It will be time ill fpenti" " It will be curiofity gratified." The good Trior \vas not without a cer- tain Ihare of faperdition. He looked at the old-taihioned dial that fuood over the diim- ney, and perceived the hand already pointed towards midnight. " You may repent !" f^iid he, myfteriouflyj and after a paufe. *' At my peril," returned the other, pof- fciTing himfclf of the papers and drawing Z 3 Ids 342 CANTERBURY TALES. his chair nearer tiic fire. The Prior again remonft rated — the Baron was obflinate ; and, like moil obftinate people, gained his point. On finding himlelf alone, he threw fieih wood on the fire, fnuffed his candles, and having made his little eilablifhmcnt, prepared, amidft the profound ftillnefs of the convent, to examine the manufcripts. Kere, however, imagination was foon be- wildered, and memory confufed. The fcroll that fell under his hand had not yet been modern ifed by his friend ; and, if not v.'hully lininteliigible, yet quickly den. d bJs patience in a regular perufal. In the fccond he was not more luckv : but, thoui.^h the Baron, was no fcholar, he wa> a mnn both of valour and birth. The arms of France, curioufly blazoned according to the fafhion of the times aiiracled his eyes in tiie firff icroll ; and, from examining thofc, with other lich and fncular deviccb that adoriicd it", he in- feufibly learned that it Vv^as a teftimonial of knight* THE OLD WO^T.\X S T\T.E. -343 knighthood, hcAowcJi oy t'lc K"'\c;, while prifon'^r with in the umIIs of Cairo, iipoa one of his followers. The fecond was more interefiing : it con- tained a minute pafL ; .t-'- as all dcHrc to fcrp had vaniil-cd v''' i i:e ii X O - •- 5 THE OLD WOMAN S TALE. 353 nrofe, and advanced towards the mouth of the cave, where the returnung fun now fliot a bright and flanting ray. On ap- proaching it, he perceived his garments to be fpotted in many places v^'ith a dufky red; which, as it eafily fliook oft, he concluded to be the foil of the country, that had been attracted only by the damp : a nearer ex- amination, however, dlfcovered to him that it was tufts of human hair, adhering toge- ther with a fubftance, which, though it pul- verifed at his touch, he had no difficulty to afTure himfelf had been blood. Impelled by curiofity, he drew his po- niard, and re-entered the cave ; fearching every corner of it, to difcover \\hether, by an ou'Jct yet unobfervcd, fome being had not obtruded upon his repofe. ills Icarch however was fruitlefs. In returning, he mufcd for a moment over the bank of earth — it did not appear to have been lately \'oL. I. A a tlirov/n 354 CANTERBURY TALES, thrown up ; but itllruck him to be jufl the length of a human figure : and he won- dered he had not before obferved that he mud have flept upon a grave. A v/aklng dream of horrors, not unhke that which had diflurbed his fleep, feemed to fhiver his fenfes ; and, in turning from the fpot, fomething like reality aflailed them, as he flruck his foot againfl the fame hard fub- ftance that he had before thrown from him, and, on picking it up, perceived it was the handle of a battle-axe, from which time or violence had loofened the fleel. — Abruptly he quitted the cavern, and its gloomy en- virons ; diredling his courfe, as night drew on, by the ftars j and liftening in every gale for the found offome diflant bell, thatmiglu guide him to a monailcry, his only hope of relief amidfl the folitiide with which he \Yas furrounded. As the eaft reddened be* fore him, he perceived it flained with rif ng fmokc. Eagerly he dircclcd his lieps to- v/ards THE OLD WOMAN S TALE. 355 wards the fpot ; but, though he exerted all the fpced fatigue would allow, it was yet fome time ere he reached it. He found traces of a fire that had been kindled on the turf, probably to prepare a ruftic repaft ; but the perfons who had partaken of it were gone ; and the heart of Lothaire funk beneath the profpecl of an evil, fro in which, he had rcafon to fear, no exertion of cou- rage or fortitude could refcue him. Pen- lively he continued to gaze, when his eve fuddenly refled on a fmall bag, left on the ground throuj^h negligence or haRe, and which had the appearance of containing the proviiions of a hunter. He opened it, and was not deceived : the fcantv llorc it held afiorded indeed no gratillcation to luxury ; but a pious and abflemious fpirit taught him to difcern in the gift tlie hand of a fupremc give:-, who thus indeed prore^'Led tlic abfent monarch in the pcrfon of his knight. A a 2. With 1^^() CANTERBURY TALES. With invigorated fpirits he now con- tinued his journey. The road, as he ad- vanced, grew more wild, and fomctimes almoit impervious; fo that it was difficult to know what direction he purfued. Forc- ing his way, however, through every ob- fiacle, he flattered himfelf that he had pro- ''ceeded many leagues to the north; when on the funfet of the fecond day he fud- denly emerged from a glen into the bofoni of a rocky valley; and, looking round, per- ceived with aftoniihraent that he had only taken a wearifomc circuit, which had brought him once more within fight of the ileteilable cavern. He flopped with an emotion of anger and regret, when his eyes vv'cre ilruck for the firil: time with the ap- pearance of a human being in this vaft i'»iuude. On a low ftonc, not many yards diftant from the mouth of the cavc^ fat a Monk. His hood THE OLD WOMAN S TALT. 357 hood fell over his head, which inclined penfively downwards ; his arms reftcd on his knees, and his clafpcd hands denoted either forrow or devotion. A bold point of rock projecled above him ; and the wild and tangled branches, that hung- from it, call a fombre lliade over tlic fpot. Lothaire advanced. At the found of liis footfteps the Monk gently raifed his head, and civiliy, though folcrnnly, returned his greeting. His accent denoted him French ; and from the little that cicaoed him, l.othaire learned that he was, like himfclf, a wanderer, travelling homev/ards, in order to lay his bones in their native carih. Tl^cy contiiiucd to journey on togctlicr. The reiia;ieu:: lecmcd pcrfccllv acouainted witii the country, and often, by leading; his A a 3 companion 2S^ CANTERBURY TALES. companion through narrow and obfcure pafTes, fpared him the fatigue he muft other- wife have encountered. The fufpicions his appearance, and the refer ve of his man- ners, firlf excited in Lothaire, infenfibly died away, as he perceived neither treachery nor aiiibufh. To open violence, as man to man, he could not but be indifferent, as he was himfelf armed with a powerful and mafly poniard, as well as with a fhort dagger which he wore concealed in his bofom. The Monk, on the contrary, appeared to have no weapon; yet his clofe-drawn garments gave a myllerious air to his perfon and de- portment. But thougli diftruft fubfided, yet were there fome ilrange peculiarities obfervable in the conduct of the latter, that involuntarily tindured the mind of his com- panion with fufpictous and black ideas. No excefs of fafiing, no extremity of fa- tigue, ever induced him to partake of the food , however fimpie, bellowed by the charily THE OLD WOMAN S TALF. 359 charity of the good ChriRians they encoun- tered ; but, plunging daily into ihmQ thicket, he found his whole fuftenance in water and berries ; the rudeft crag, always two or three hundred paces diftant, ferved him to repofe upon : and Lothalre often dwelt with fecret and inexplicable horror en the extent of crimes that could demand a pe- nance (o fevere. It was at thofe moments that the recoUedion of the cavern in Cala- bria obtruded iifelf upon him ; till, by much thinking, the Ideas became intimately con- nected, and lie rarely fixed his eyes on his fellow traveller without feeling a fucccllion of gloomy and indefinable Images float be- fore his fancy. They now once more beheld the broad boiom ot the ocean ; and approaching a finiill port, lliil witl.in the NeanoHtan territories, Vv'licrc lay a ic .v trading vcdcU, oiie of which bore the French ilag, Lothalre, with a por- A a 4 tioa 360 CANTERBURY TALES. tion of the gold he had treafured in his gar- ments, eafily obtained a paflage for himfelf and his companion. The gay and pleafant fhores of Provence, as they faluted his eyes, conveyed an enli- vening fenfation to his heart. Already in imagination he beheld the magnanimous and ftill beautiful Blanche of Cajlilky grafp- ing u'ith fteady hand the reigns of empire during the abfence of her fon. He revolved carefully in his mind all the inPirudions of the King, and the names of tliofe knights, or barons, whom he had a difcretional power to challenge as dilloyal. He recolleded, with exultation, the honour fo lately con- ferred upon him, at an age yet immature ; and when he confidered himfelf as the champion of the crofs, and the avenger of his prince, his young heart beat proudly with valour and with hope. Th2 THE OLD V/OMAn's TALE. 361 The turrets of a magnificentcaPJe, vifible at the difiance of iomc leagues, now attracted his eyes ; and the gallant name of St. Au- bert allured him of hofpitality within its walls. The fun was yet blazing in the meridian; but Lothaire, forgetful of his fcocching influence, continued for fome hours to prefs forward. *' We will reft here," faid the Monk, as they fkirted the fide of a thick wood. " For thee, who art vefted with the miffion of thy God and King, repofe will be neceftary. Well thus far, brave Lothaire, haft thou performed thy tafk. Be ccvjlant, and he Lothaire, whofe mind was pre occupied, and whofe fpirits vsere already enlivened, without aitcnding minutely to the know- ledge of him, conveyed by the words of his companion, readily affented to his pro- pofal ; 362 CANTERBURY TALES. pofal J and, throwing himfelf on the turf, indulged a pleafing reverie ; which, lulling his fenfes, at length fealeduphis eyes. His (lumbers were long and balmy; and, when he awoke, he was furprifed to find that day was wholly clofed. He ftarted up, and looked around. The moon in full fplendor filvered the wood on one fide, while, on the other, the towers of the caftle, gaily and fuperbly illuminated, blazed their friendly invitation to the forlorn and houfe- lefs ftranger. Lothaire cafl: his eyes about in fearch of his fellow traveller, who, in yet unbroken llumbers, lay ftretched at the foot of a large oak. In the moment of advancing to wake him, he was fuddenly urged, by a fecret and irrefiPiible curiofity, to lift the mantle and the cowl, in order to view the feature, and perfon of one, whom, curing their loner THE OLD woman's TALE. 363 long intercourfe, he had never yet diillndly feen — nor ever diftiadlly was to fee — — • the garments covered only a human fkele- ton. He flarted back — fufpended for fome inftants between incredulity and horror ; then with curious eye furveyed the dry and mouldering frame, till he vs^as fully con- vinced all vital moiflure had long fmce been exhaled ; and while deeply confidering the intents of Providence in this miraculous in- tervention, it fuddenly occurred to him that the Monk, at their firfl meeting, had an- nounced an intention to lay his bones in the bofom of his native land, \Vith grateful and pious awe, Lothairc proceeded to fulfil this ceremony ; in which the ftrong poniard he was provided with aifided him. In the dCt of interment lie had occafion particuKirlv to notice the fcull, which he dilcernccl to have been cleft i\\ many places by fome vicjlent weapon ; and where 364 CANTERBURY TALES. where it had entered deepeft, it had carried with it tufts of hair, refembling in colour that whicli had formerly adhered to his garments in the cave. The gay fpirits of Lothaire had now re- ceived a fudden revulfion; and, as he pen- fivel}^ advanced towards the caflle, he con- tinued to meditate upon the ftrange con- currence of events by which he had been hitherto purfucd. The gates readily opened to receive him. To Lothaire the lord of St. Aubert was perfonally unknown ; but he found him a man yet unbroken by years, of a gay and graceful demeanor, and who, to the valour by which he had early diftinguiihed him- felf amidft the crufaders, added the courtefy of a true and loyal knight. A flender re- paft was immediately ferved ; after which they converfed familiarly together j and the THE OLD woman's TALE. 365 the mind of Lothairc, which at firft had been thoughtful and abftraded, infenfibly opened itfelf to the pleafures of fociety. It was already late when a fprightly flrain ofmufic refounded through the caftle. St. Aubert, fiarting up, motioned to his gueil to follow it ; and the attendants at the fame moment threw open the doors of a magnificent faloon, of which the fpark- ling and brilliant appearance fixed the eyes of the young knight, while the fuperb banquet he faw prepared in the apartment beyond it filled him with an aflonifliment he attempted not to conceal. *' You arc deceived," fiia ?t. Aubert, with a fmilc, ** if vou fuppofe our evening was to conclude with the fober cheer of which you have alreaV partaken ! It is not thus I am accu domed to treat my guefis : neither. 366 CANTERBURY TALES. neither, to fay truth, am I incUned fo poorly to treat myfelf." Lothaire quickly perceived his hofl to be fincere ; and that, whatever pleafure he might find in exercifing the rites of hofpitahty, the enjoyments of the table in his own pcr- fon were no inconfiderable addition to it. But though art and expenfe had been lavifhed to produce gaiety, they feemed un- happily to fail of their efFe6l. As the hours wore on, the fpirits of St. Aubert vifibly flagged ; the mofi: animating ftrains of iriufic were loil upon his ear, and the richeft viands upon his tade. His con- verfation, though broken into fnatches of artificial merriment, vvas }et cold and dif- jointed : and Lothaire, who began to con- clude that he entertained a fecret wearinefs, which complalfance did not permit him to Ihow, at length propofed retiring. Two THE OLD woman's TALE. 367 Two attendants concluded him through 2^fuit of luperh apartments -, but he ftarteJ on perceiving the magnificence of that in- tended for his repofe. ** Thy lord," faid he, turning to one of the domedics, "has miftaken the rank of the guell: whom he thus honours. Accom- modation fo fplendid I know not that I fliouid defire were I a prince as a fol- dier I muft be permitted to decline it." *' The apartment you fee before you," faid the man, refpe<5lfully, *' is indeed the bed in the caflle : — it is invariably allotted by my lord to every guefi: : he is himfelf contented witli a more humble one." Loihalre, wliofe pure and temperate habits made liim look on luxury with dif- gult, again, remomlratcd ; but, as the ilo- medic feemed carnefl in his anfwcrs, he V. aved 368 CANTERBURY TALES. waved further debate ; and taking from him a fmall lamp, which he placed upon a mar- ble table, he clofed the door. Night was far advanced, and the fatigued traveller had no difficulty to believe that h^ fhould fleep. Haftily he threv/ himfelf into bed, and had already flept fome hours, .when he fuddenly ftarted with the fame horrible impreffion that had vifited him m the cavern of Calabria. A phantom, of which he could afcertain no form, no line, no dif- tin(5t idea, feemed again to ftiiver his fenfes, and unnerve his frame : vainly he ftrove to recolleift it ; — -vainly he call his eyes around the v/ide and loiitary chamber, feebly illuminated by tlic lamp : they prefented liim notliing but vacuity and gloom, and with difdain lie perceived an unufual pulia- tion continue to beat through his veins. With the firfl beams of the fun he arofe, and defccnded. His hofl, with a fmiling countenance, THE OLD woman's TALE. 369 countenance, already attended his coming : and as they walked together on the ram- parts of the cartle, the dreams of weaknefs and fuperftitlon fled before the gallant themes that engrofled them ; while the foft breath of morning, the bright fparkling of the dew, and the fong of the birds, com- bined to call forth every energy of mind and conflitution. The character of the lord of St. Aubert, fprightly, bold, and ardent, embellifhcd by the acquirements of fociety, and enlivened by its enjoyments, contralled with the un- airnming and fimplc dignity of Lothaire, produced an effect that was altogether nevr, and gratifying to both. Familiar u'ith courts, as well as camps, St. Aubert fpoke with energy and information upon either. Lo- thaire liRcncd with intcreri: ; iior was it till the moments of confidence and entliuliafni Vol. I, B b vrere 37^ CANTERBURY TALES* were paft, that he perceived he had inad- vertently entruded to his hofl fome of thofe fecrets the prudence of his prince had re- commended to the fanduary of his own bo- fom. Aware of indifcretion, though fear- lefs of any ill efteds from it, fave that of behig urged to further communication, he now prepared for his departure : but St. Aubert, who feemcd to have found in his ycupg gueft that charm which original and fimple manners ever difFufe, fo ftrenuoufly urged his fiay^ that he found him.felf, for the firfl time, entangled by ccurtefies he was yet too young in life boldly to rejedt; and, if to rejed; them had been in his will, yet w^as it not in his pow_r to deny the argu- ments by whicii they were enforced. But though it was true tliat hardiliips and fa- tigue had made fome alteration in Ids per- fju, he fck a (ecret confufiOn on recolled- ing, that ti-c role of health had faded Jefs from THE OLD woman's TALE. 37 I from the acf^ual fufferlngs he had encoun- tered, than from the prcfliire of a iilent and fuperftitioiis weight whhin. " The repofe to which you invite mc," faid he, thoughtfully, and after a paufe, " I might, perhaps, be tempted to indulge in — could I find it." The Baron flopped, and looked carneRly at him. *' Your furprife is juil," continued Lo- thaire, with the fime unaffeifted candour. '^ You will perhaps mingle with it fome- what of that contempt which arifes in m.y own bofom, when I add, that thic foldicr of his king, though fcaileia in llic field, is yet a coward in his dreams." I !^c th^cn related the extraordinary imprcffir.n h.is fuKV had received fr(3m the viGcn of the ]Mccc(linr night, and his fruitlcTs efTo: :? to allcrtain iis nature, B 1) . ;:t. Au- 372 CANTERBURY TALES. St. Aubert, whofe curiofity had been awakened by the opening of his difcourfe, iiftened to its conclufion with a fmiHng and incredulous air. " An accidental malady of conflitution ! " faid he, as it finifhed. — "Fancies hke thefe, brave Lothaire, engendered by much think- ing and fatigue, good cheer and eafe alone can remedy." ** On the efFeds of fatigue," faid LothairCj *' I will not pronounce: but, trufl me, this fupernatural vifitation (for fuch I cannot but term it) has no connexion with pre- vV;u3 thought; and I will frankly own the internal convidion of my foul denies it to be chance. Once, and once only, in a ca- vern of Cala])ria " He flopped; for St. Aubert, who, while earneilly liftening, had v.'alkcd too near the edge of the rampart, Vv-as feized witli dizzinefs; and, but for the timeh' THE OLD woman's TALE. 373 timely afTiflance of his comp:iriion, would fuddenly have plunged over the low pa- rapet, perhaps into eternity. Lothaire ab- ruptly feized him by the arm, and per- ceiving, by the palenefs of his countenance, that he was extremely ill, finned to a fen- tinel, who inllantly quitted his po^ to give afTiftance to his lord. The temporary m.a- lady was foon fubdued. The pleafjre- of the table once m.ore invited ; and Lothaire was not proof againfl folicitation, enforced by raillery, that piqued at once his coura2;e and his pride. The recital he was about to make remained unnniilied, and tlie rell: of the day was paiil-d in a fellivity that was yet only preparatory to that of the evening, when the gaily illumi:;at°d rooms, the fupcrb banquet, and the Iprigiitly band, were again called in as auxiliaries to pleafure. Lothaire, ho^vevcr, no longer beheld them as fuch. Li the countenance of St. Aubcrt he thought he difccrned B b 3 fome- 374 CANTERBURY TALES. ibmethlng watchful and finifter. While repofing in the bofom of luxury he treated the minifters of his amufeir^ent with the fiercenefs and petulance of a man who is ill at peace with himfelf. The domellics, on their part, had an air of fervility and con- ftraint. The cjes of one of them, like thofe of a pidure, were conPiantly upon Lothaircj and the latter became convinced, from all he obferved, that it is pofTible to bafk in the full blaze of profperity, without receiving warmth from the ray. While plunged, he hardly knew why, in a train oi jombrc and uupleafant recollections, flic hours wore Jtaft avv'ay, and he retired, as before, to his fpacious and princely chamber; where, bandhing every idea that iliouid impede his reft, he threw himfelf into bed again to liart from it with hor- ror and averfion. Iiillindively, as before in the cavern, he grafped his poniard wiih a re- THE OLD WOMAN S TALE. 37^ a recoUcfilon of rorne confuiccl found, that jarred upon his ear, and Iccmcd to die away with his awakening facukies. 1 he night had heen rough and ftori^iy ; and, as the Limp fwayed with the blair, its waver- ing and iu;iccrtain blaze gave temporary light and animation to the figures wrought on the tapeftry. He fixed h.is eyes earncilly upon them, and finiled on fmding lie could almoit perfuade himfclf they moved. Winle continuing to paufe and meditate, he heard the tinkling of a bell, as it was borne I'irongly to him upon the wind; and, riiing, perceived that, though the morning was gloomy and overcad, it was al ready the grey dawn. The bell he difccrncd to be that of the chapel belonging to the caflle, which rang for the iirfl mats ; and in the bolom of tliat Redeemer wliofc caufc he fcrved, Lo- thairc refolved to ieck the lirmneis no mor- tal effort feemed able to be.low. B b 4 Pairing, ^tj^ CANTERBURY TALES. Rifing, he explored his way to a chapel dedicated to the Virgin. It was yet ob- fcurely Hghted by the growing beams of the morning, while the few old domellics de- votion had colleded were fhivering in its raw and autumnal air. Lorhaire threw himfelf at the foot of the altar, and filently invoked the Deity, either to illuminate his mind with fome great and ufeful truth, or to banifh from it the vifions by which it was diflempered. He arofe refrefhed, invigorated, purified. Such is the facred force of prayer! — The light was now clearer; and curiofity di- reded his eyes round the chapel, which was magnificently decorated. They refted, with fingular exultation, upon the fpoils torn from the infidels by the valour of the houfe of St. Aubert; and, while the image of his kii;g, and fuffering fellow- foldiers, prelfed upon his memory, he did not immediately notice THE OLD V/OMAN S TALF. yij notice the monument thofe banner > fccmed to confecrate. It was of black miarbie. The art of the fculptor had cifplaved It- felf in emblematical and warlike orna;nents. The helm, the corflet, and the fpear, cnrioufly carved and intermdngled, appeared gronpcd behind the half-rccumbent ibLiclLi, of which Lothairc drew near to examine the device: ** Vai:ci::t a.:d cj/i^-a :t !" He flarted as thouirh one had fooken to him from the grave; and inv^lnntarily cau- ing his eyes towards heaven, the beams of the morning, at the fame moment, broke fall upon ihem through a rich v/indow of flaincci rlafs above the t..mb, Vv-];crc he- raldry, ycl in its infancv, v, as blended < ith the figures of faints and martyrs, — " V'ab^ant and conflant !*" exclain-jed iie aloud, as the oft-repeated words appeared infcnbcd aniidil the armorial bearings in varioui, iiues, and in various directions. *' It 37'^ CANTERBURY TALES. *' It was tlie chofen device of my late lord/' faid a filver-headcd domeflic, who flood near. " He perifhed in the field?" cried Lo- thaire, with a tone of eager inquiry. *' Alas, no ! he was not fo fortunate. He died of a fever." '' Within the caflle walls V *' Beyond fea — in Italy. But, blefled be God ! he wanted not fuccour. His kinf- man, our prefent lord, and Bertram, both were with him." Lothaire grew pale i but the garrulous old man perceived it not. lie continued to recount various m.arvellous tales with which his mcmorv was flored, conccrninji: the wars in Palcftine, till the lucklcfs hour when the two noble kinfincn, the lord of St, Au- THE OLD WOMAN S TALE. 379 St. Aubert, and Sir Hugh de Mercic, thrown by lliipwreck on a barbarous coaft, had traverfcd the greateft part of Italy, concer.lliiT thc:r arms ivuier the habits of re-- li^ieux. " There," added the old man, *' hangs the trophy of our preicnt lord : he offered it to our patron Taint immediateh'' on his return." ** The armour Is perfect," faid Loihairc, confideriiig it — '' fave that I fee no weapon." *' My lord had none," faid a voice on the c'chir lidc. ^' No, furely, Bertram," added the firft fpcaker, " or, doubtlcts, he vrould have of- fered it v.'ith the red." *' Thv lord u'ould, methinks, have found little iecLirity in his armour," continued Loih;ilre, lull muhng, " without loQie in- Drunient of defence," '* He 3^0 CANTERBURY TALES. ** Ke had a battle-axe," faid the fame voice ; " but it was loft as we journeyed through Calabria." Lothaire now ftarted in defpite of cau- tion, and fixed his attention to the fpeaker. His eye told him it was the fame man whofe gaze before oppreffed him. His other fenfes carried conviction to his heart that it was Bertram, and a murderer. In throwing himfelf before the altar of the Supreme Being, he had at length, then, touched the point of truth ; fmce hardly could the immediate voice of heaven have announced m.ore forcibly the guilt of St. Aubert. Recolleclion, too, now told him, that the man, to whom, under the fecurity of that favoured and gallant r.ame, he had entrusted the fccrets of his fovereign, by the appellation of Sir Hugh de Mercic, ftood foremoil: in the lift of fufpeclcd treaibn and diftoyalty. SIowlv., TKi: OLD woman's TALE. 30I Slowly, and wrapped in thought, he re- turned to the caltle. As he paffcd, the noifc of workmen bulled in repairs r rule J his attention. His eve filentlv refied on the fcene — the height of the walls, tlie well- provided ftatc of the ramparts, and the labour he faw cvideirdv beilowed to render both perfccl-, wherever time or accident had introduced decay, diicovercd at once, to his now enlightened judgment, a pov\'erful vaf- fal, more ready to diipute, than to ob^n-, the mandate of his fovcrcign. To dilTemble was a iciencc new to Lo- thaire : he flrove, however, to fn^oo'-h his brow, and calmly announced to Iiis hoi'l the nccefTity of his immediate departure. The courteiy of St. Av.be::, not yet cx- iiauiled however, fur!:;f:icd liim v.ith various and plaufible rcafou; by wrdcli to urge a funhcr fiav. 1 he cou:;:rv around, often p]'-ed 38* - CANTERBURY TALES. pillaged by freebooters, who, during tlie ab- fence of their monarch, acknowledged no law but violence, was now, he allured his gueft, particularly dangerous. " Let us, then, devote this night," added he ** to mirth. Fear no ill dreams ! I will promife you a fweet and found repofe, and a guard, ere the morrow, that fhall fafely guide you to your journey's end." Lothaire became now fenfible that he \vas taken in the toils ; and that, to depart againfl the confent of his hoft, was as diiH- cult as to obtain it. Too late did he regret the having fo indircrcclly confided the im- portant trull he was invclled with; and too evidently perceive he rifl'.cd both tliat, and life, if he betrayed the fmalicft fufpicir;!!. Secretly rcfolving to quit the caftic at tlie hour of morning prayer, as one in which hi: THE OLD WOMAX S TALE. his fleps were unohlerved, he confcr-ted to pafs a tlnrd night witiiia its hatcnil walls. Nl";ht came ; but broiii^^ht with it no in- dination to flcep. Diipoied to hnd food for obfervatioa in every tiling ih:it pre- fented itlclf, his eyes wandered, as he uafTcd the gallery that led to liis apartment, over the various portraits v/ith Vv'hich it v.x^ en- riched. He flopped oppofite a full length of the lord of St. Aubertj but it was that next it which cliicfly engaged his attention. lie fufpevTlcd it to be his kinfman, and found, on inqniry, th.at lie v.as jiot miCakeji. After long paufing 'on th.c featuies, he i-.;- tircd to his c!ia:iibcr, where, coiiudcrin'*; the bed, he found ni hiuucif an inviiicible repugnance to encounter :;gai;\ thole f. vcri^h cliimeras that had dilluibcd hhn. 'rh(;ngh — fully lie c, ntinuccl tc; v.iill: a':.w'Ut l"..e rnom, th'.Migh it was ahccUiv late, tih the n'-'.l p:o- fo-ind hience reigne.l th:ou^h^;.:t the calcic. Tl-.e 384 CANTERBURY TALES. The very winds, which the night before had i een fo ftormy, were funk to flillnefs. All nature appeared to repofe in the lap of midnight. Lulled by her influence, he had thrown himfelf into a chair, and the firfb dews of a beginning fluniber were ilealing ever hi: fenfes. " luOthaireV faid a piercing voice, not far diilant. Sleep fled before the found. He raifed his eyes ; and, exactly oppoflte to him, not many yards removed, once more beheld the figure of the buried monk. " Speak once again !" faid the intrepid Lothaire, fcarting forward. The phantom fpokc not, however; but feemed ilowly to retreat tov/a."ds the ex- tr- raity of the chamber, while, by a gentle motion of its head, th,: cowl fell back- wards, and Lothaire perceived a counte- nance hmiiar to that he had fecn in the pidure. T ! i L OLD V>' C' y I .• V N S ' 1 ' . \ ] . -I - ^ -' ^ picture, fave that It was icy paL\ .\n\ ^' its bright hair dabbled hi blood '■• :" a groan at the fame moment burfi: from thii cornerof the apartment ; and Bertram, rufli- ing from behind the tapeftry, white with horror, and his e^'es Rarting from their foc'viets ''■vas at the feet of Lothaire. *' What broup-ht thee hither ; and of what art thou afraid ?" faid the latter, graf[)" ing him firmdy with one liand, while his dagger was fufpended over hi.n with the other, and his looks earneflly, though in- credulouily, direfled to the ipot where the pliantom had vanillied, *' Do notj';:?^ fee him, then ?" faid IJer- Iram, without venturing to look up. '* Sec whom !" repeated Lothairc. " St. Aubert — my lord — my murdered Vol. I. * Si,aker;n'arc. lord!" 386 CANTERBURY TALES. lord!" again incoherently cried Bertram, " Thefe were his apartments ! — Oh God ! I fhall never forget him ! — It was at the veiy moment when I was ftepping forth to point my dagger at your throat — Doubtlefs you faw him before—^/or youjlarted in the fame manner laji night I" '* Tho]Li wert prefent, then, in the cave of Calabria?" iiiid Lothaire, recolleding himfelf. ** Too furely I was," returned Bertram; ** and fo were God and his angels, or yoii •would never have known it. All the re- paration, however, I can make, I will. Your life is not fafe here an hour, nor can you quit the caflle without my aid. My lord knows that you bear about you papers of importance, which T was to have rifled from your bofom. lie is aware that you will impeach him. He even fufpcds you of THE OLD woman's TALE. 3S7 oi knowing all — though lon' he is at a lofi to guefs. You have here," he added, of- fering a fmall, hut exqulfitely tempered poniard, '* my only weapon. Bleffed be heaven, it is not in your heart ! But as you would fliun deflruclion, fly ere it is day- light !" Lothaire felt that the moment was critical. Taking, therefore, from his bofom a cruci- fix of peculiar fauxftity he had brought with him out of Egypt, he extorted from Ber- tram a hafty oath of fidelity ; after which, trufting to heaven, and his own native va- lour, he prepared to follow him. His guide proved faithful ; and, after winding through many oblciu'e and fubter- rancons paOages, they at length emerged to ilar-light and the open country. R.ctracing, with rapid ifep, the path he C c 2 had 3^^ CANTERBURY TALES. had trodden when advancing to the caRle, lit was foon fcvcral miles from it. Already he beheld the wood where he had repofed with his fupernatural conductor; and the eaft, already flaming with the approach of the fun, looked red through the broad branches of the oak, at the foot of v«'hicli he had interred the fkclcton. Rivctinn- his eyes upon it, and immerfcd in thought, Lothaire became infenfible to every other recoil e<£lion, when Bertram, who, as day advanced, had continued to look with in- creafing anxiety behind, fuddenly exc'aiined *'■ that they were purfucd." Lothaire paufed to liflcn. Footlleps and voices flruck at once upon his ear ; and ere he had leifure fo confder vv'hence tliey ni-glit proceed, he found that he was deferted ; for Ifis com- panion, treacherous or cowardlv, j^langed inio the Vv'ockI, and was in a momeuL io-il- widun its il.adcs. 13ul THE OLD woman's TALE. 389 But Lothaire was not alone. Faith, in- nocence, and valour, at once aflerted all their energies within him ; and, grafping his poniard, he ftood firm to abide the event. The domelllcs of St. Aubert, who were now in fiijl fight, paufed as they beheld the countenance and attitude of the young man. But their zeal was prefently enlivened, ^^•hen their lord himfclf, advancing, reproached their tardy obedience, and commanded them to lay hands upon Lothaire. " Ere you obey the mandate of a dcfpot," laid the latter, motioning them from liim, ** beware, mv fricnJ.^, of the event ! You perceive I wear a dnggcr that miv prove dangerous ; but I have vet a fircr and more inviolable guard ;han tliat. Which of yon," he added, firipping away hi^ upper garmri'it, aiid difp]a\ii:g the badge vJj. 390 CANTERBURY T ALZS^ of knighthood upon his fliouHer, *' whici* of you will dare to injure the champron of the crofs* ?" '* Rather fay, the traitor who violates thg rites of hofpitality," fald St. Aubert, fiercely ; ** he who, confcious of guilt, meanly flies from the roof that has fheltered him." '' That I fled from t/iy roof to avoid afTaffination is moit true," faid Lothaire,. calmly. " Happy would it have been if all on whom thou haft fmiled with deceitful' regard had been equally cautious. My fliglity however, I prefume thou wilt not term a crime — and of what other am I accuiedr" *'■ It is fuflicient that I know thy guilt," replied St. Aubert, '' and my vafTals know " }t WTiS tluis worn by the knights crufaders, my THE GLD WOMAn'o TALE. 39 1 ni) plcLiuirc. If," added he, turning t) the Tcr, ^vliofe countenances he perceived did ..ot }ijld a ready alTent to this dccilion — *' ii, on cxaniining, ye find not that he bears concealed in his garments papers with whicli my confidence too readily cn- truded him, and that touch the honour and fortunes of my houfe, I c<:^n(eiit that he ihall depart unmoleiled." Lothaire at once perceived the fnarc into vchich his own indifcretion had betrayed him : and that St. Aubert, who well knew how to calculate the ignorance of his vaffals, would, by a mafier-ftrokc, poilefs hlmfclf of the mofl confidential mandates of the King, while the mere fight of them, con- firming his alTertion, would enable him to impofe on the credulous vulgar any fidion by which he might be empowered to i'a- crifice the bearer. The perplexity that flru.ck upon his mincj became inflantly vi- fiblc 392 CANTERBURY TALES. fible in his countenance. The momentary change was miftaken for that of guilt; and thofe, who before had favoured him, now prepared to ftrike the weapon from his hand. *' Let him be fecured," faid St. Aubert, who exultingly watched the moment of fuccefs ; " and take from him papers whofe import ought only to be known to myfelf." Lothairc, with the moft determined pre- fence of mind, again ftepped back. *'• That which it moft import3 thee to know," faid he, myfteriouily, ** I have buried at the foot of yonder oak — Sec you not, my friends," he added, pointing towards it, " that the earth has been newly turned ? — Dig boldly, and I will abide by the event.'* They waited no fecond mandate ^ but, impreffed THE OLD woman's TALE. 393 imprefTed with the idea of feme important difcovery, each ftrove who Ihould be fore- mofl: to ihow his alacrity. St. Aubert, mean time, who, though he expccled not any fruit from their labour, had no often- fible motive for forbidding it, gazed en the fpot with a fuiien expreflion of difdain and incredulity ; when fuddenly the whole group fell back, and the criminal himfelf, thunderftruck with what he beheld, funk pale, and fpeechlcfs, into tb.e arms of thofe nearefl. '* Lord of St. Aubert," faid I.othairc, in a voice of thunder, '' beneath thatfacred gar- ment thou Iceil: the bones of thy kiriman and thy friend ! Lay thine hand upon them, if thou darefl, and fwear, l^y every hope of falvation, that thou wcrt not his murderer !" St. Aubert fhrunk back — and as he fear- fully raifed his eyes to fcan the imprelTun VoL.L Dd of 394 CANTERBURY TALES. of the fcene on the by-jftanders, they en- countered thofe of Bertram, whom his own fervants had met with, and fecured, — The haggard, pale, and downcaft look of the latter at once aflured him all was avowed. In the tumult of his foul he advanced a few (leps towards the ikeleton ; but when he would have touched it, nature prevailed^ and he (hrunk back. ** By what other teft, than the hideous one thou haft propofed," faid he, ihuddering, ** fhall lafTert my innocence?" Lothaire was young in arms, and burnt to flgnalife himfelf. *' Swear to me," faid he, after a paufe, ** upon the faith of a foldicr and a knight, to abide my charge before our queen, in fmgle combat. Let thy valTals be witnefs to IHE OLD woman's TALE. 395 to the oath ; and be they free to renounce or do thee wrong by night or day, in caftle or n field, if thou negledt or violate thy plighted faith." " J pivear /" fald St. Aubert, relud:antly, and not v>'khout indignation. ** Enough !" fald Lothalre ; *' to God and my own right arm I truft the relt !" The Baron, who liad with difFicultj kept awake fj long over the extravagant flory he had been reading, and wlio vvas already ap- prifed of tlie event of a combat, which tranf- ferred to Lothaire the titles and honours of the vanquifhed St. Aubert, now found his curicfity yield to the latencfo of the hor.r-— He paufed — leaned back in his cafy chair, took a pinch of fnu-T, and determined to indulge himfelf vvitl) ruminating for a fev/ moments = 396 CANTERBURY TALES. moments. They were very few : for his eyes infenfibly clofed ; he relaxed his hold — the manufcript dropped from his hand — and he fell into a profound fleep, from which he was roufed — not by a ghoft —but by a plump friar of the convent. £ND OF THE FIRST V^OLUME. it'^) University of California SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1388 Return this material to the library from which it was borrowed. UC ^uL'H'M', HiGK/.A^ ^iHHAi?> AA 000 079 142 6 UNIV. u;. . 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