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SUBTIURAHJBOTUS jEASSAGE „ 
 
 PuU ifiie cl £ 01 ? IRoe, 2 J July 1803 
 
aitXsf a ^ : Vv-/ 
 
 TIIE 
 
 Subterraneous Passage ; 
 
 OR, 
 
 GOTHIC CELL. 
 
 A ROMANCE. 
 
 BY 
 
 SARAH WILKINSON. 
 
 Murder will cor no to light ; and the avenging Power is sure to strike 
 the guilty Assassin, 
 
 Ilontson : 
 
 Printed by T. Maiden , Sherbourne-Lane , 
 
 FOR ANN LEMOINE, WHITE-ROSE-COURT, COLEMAN -STREET j 
 AND J. ROE, No. 90, HOUNDSDITCH, 
 
 { Price Six-pence .J 
 
< l < 
 
*13 
 
 THE 
 
 SUBTERRANEOUS PASSAGE; 
 
 Ob,; 
 
 GOTHIC CELL 
 
 ADY Emily de Cleve was the only daughter of a rich old 
 
 Marquis in the South of France. Her mother had been 
 dead fome years. Madam Rambouiilet, a young widow of Email 
 fortune, refided with them, and was poffefled of the unbounded 
 confidence of the Marquis. Emily was now in her feventeenth 
 year, admired by all that knew her, for her beauty and accomplifh- 
 ments. Many youthful Knights fighed for the fair one ; but 
 her father admitted no vifitors befides an old Admiral, and the 
 Due le Maine ; his conftant companions for a number of years. 
 She never went out unattended by the Marquis or Madam Ram. 
 bouillet ; and no anfwer being obtained to any propofals that were 
 fent in writing for the honour of Emily’s hand, her lovers foon 
 gave up the purfuit. 
 
 Sir Edward Mortimer, a graceful young man, of an ancient 
 and honourable family, now arrived at the Marquis’s manfion, in 
 his way to Italy, to deliver fome papers of confequence, with 
 which lie had been entrulled by a relation of the late Marchio- 
 nefs, who was an Englifh lady. The Marquis had long ex- 
 pended thefe papers, and the attainment of them had caufed him 
 various and vexatious difappomtments. 
 
 Sir Edward’s arrival was unexpended ; and the welcome occa- 
 fion fo delighted the old gentleman, that he invited him to remain 
 at the manfion till the next day. Mortimer accepted the invita- 
 tion with p l£a hire. He was introduced at the dinner hour to the 
 charming Emily and her governante. Sir Edward had departed 
 from England with a llrid determination, that no foreign beauty 
 (hould enfiavehis heart, but reterve it for a prize to one of his fair 
 countrywomen; but the entrance of Emily took him by furprife ; 
 his refoiutions vanifned into air ; in a moment he became her cap- 
 tive. Her vivacity of fpirits was confiderably heightened by the 
 prefence of fo unufual a companion as Mortimer. It is not to be 
 wondered tlut a young girl, brought up, in fo confined a. manner, 
 
 A 2 
 
4 THE SUBTERRANEOUS PASSAGB; 
 
 fhould indantly feel a prepoffeffion on her fide for the handfome 
 Sir Edward, . < 
 
 The ill^udged maxims of fome guardians, in depriving the 
 youth entrufkd to their, care, t of 'innocent recreations and amufe- 
 ments, proper for their age, offer* brings oh the very evil they wifli 
 to avoH, and makes them ^Uached. in a mod romantic manner, to 
 the firfl amiable ob^eft (bar falls in their way. Thefe ideas of a 
 hrft attachment, too tenderly indulged by the fair fex, paves the 
 way for a life of mifery to the unfortunate viftim of fenfibility ; 
 when, by mixing in proper and feleft parties, their hearts might be 
 guarded from fuch ftrong prepoffeffions, that never end but with 
 exigence. 
 
 Edward and Emily no fooner faw each other, than they loved; 
 but the effects were different. His was of that kind that time, and 
 the prefence of the objebl that infpired it, might mature, or abfence 
 might obliterate, Emily’s love was enthufiaflic to a degree : 
 never was the heroine of a romance more attached to the knight 
 who delivers her from a giantV caftle, or fiery dragons, than this 
 fair maid to Mortimer ; though (he concealed her partiality in a 
 manner that did credit to her delicacy and underftanding. 
 
 To enliven the evening, they had recourfe to mufic. Emily, by 
 the defire of the Marquis, fang the following verfes to Madaine’s 
 performance on the piano forte. 
 
 MUTUAL LOVE. 
 
 Come, lovely flowers, that grace the vale ; 
 
 Pinks, hyacinths, and rofes ; 
 
 Come, and grace my humble cot, 
 
 Where peace and love repofes. 
 
 Oft Henry urg’d a lover’s fuit, 
 
 In vain he told his tender tale ; 
 
 But neither fervent fighs or tears 
 
 Could with my ffubborn heart prevail. 
 
 Sad and defponding then he lay ; 
 
 I could not bear to fee him mourn ; 
 
 1 blufhed, and confefs’d my love, 
 
 And bade the glow of health return. 
 
 The pried foon ty’d the Gordian knot, 
 
 And, happy in each other’s arms, 
 
 Tho’ old and feeble we are grown, 
 
 Yet mutual love difpenfes charms# 
 
OR, GOTHIC CELL. 5 
 
 Edward and Madam Rainboui!let fang fevcral favourite airs.. 
 The evening was patted in a moll agreeable and rational manner. 
 
 The next morning Sir Edward departed. The Marquis, with 
 a complailknce unufual to him, invited him to come and rettde fome 
 days with him on his return from Italy, a. requett to which the 
 youth acquiefced with pleafure. Mortimer had not rode far, when 
 he was attacked with a ludden indifpofition, the violence of which 
 fcemed to threaten dangerous confequences. The valet who was in 
 the chaife with him, ordered the poftillion to drive up to an adja- 
 cent cottage, in hopes to procure abidance. The door was opened 
 by a venerable old man. His hair was filvered over with length of 
 time, that had marked his courfe : the traces of forrow, mixed with 
 refignation, appeared on his brow. He cheerfully admitted; the 
 unfortunate flranger, deploring that he could not better accommo- 
 date him and his attendants. Sir Edward was conveyed to s 
 homely but neat bed. A doctor was fent for from the next vil- 
 lage, who did not hefitate to pronounce his patient in imminent dan- 
 ger.. He had a violent fever, attended with inch unfavourable 
 fymptoms, that feemed to juflify this attertion. 
 
 The Marquis de Cleve was lent for. He would fain have had 
 the youth conveyed to the villa ; but it was judged improper ta 
 attempt to remove him, and he was obliged to remain at the cottage., 
 Lady Emily was not acquainted with this attliding circumftance* 
 Her father, either through accident, or premeditated dettgn, did 
 not mention it. Emily was a benefaftrefs to the old man, and 
 often called at the cottage in her morning rides ; for it was not. 
 above five miles from the Marquis’s villa. 
 
 Madam Rambouillet was going to make fome purchafes at the 
 next town, and was accompanied by Lady Emily. On their re- 
 turn, they beheld the old mar. fitting with a book in his hand under 
 the fhade of a venerable oak. They flopped the carriage, and 
 alighted. He walked to meet them. He thought they were come- 
 to vi'fitt Sir Edward. u I am forry to acquaint you, Ladies,'-’ 
 faid the cottager, “ that the gentleman is worfe. I do not think 
 he will furvive this day. It is a great pity. He is a noble youth/* 
 Whom do you mean ?” alked Madame. “ I beg pardon.. 1 
 thought Ladies, the Marquis had informed you^ that Sir Edward 
 Mortimer Lays at the point, of death under my humble roof/*' 
 
 Emily uttered a faint exclamation, and fell infenfible to the 
 grounds The Marquis unfortunately, arrived on horfeback at 
 this moment; and being. made acquainted with the caufe of his. 
 daughter's illnefs,. commanded the fervants, in a tone of difpleafure* 
 convey her to- the carriage, and proceed home immediately.: 
 
 A 3 
 
6 THE SUBTERRANEOUS PASSAGE; 
 
 The Marquis did not return till a late hour. Emily did not dare to 
 venture one queflion ; but retired to her chamber in great anxiety 
 about Mortimer. She went to bed, but not to reft. Her mind 
 was too ha rra fled to repofe. Weary for want of fleep, ftie arofe 
 with the dawn, and went to walk in the extenfive grounds, in hopes 
 the air and exercife would recruit her fpirits. She had juft arrived 
 at the end of a long gravel walk, and was opening the green gate 
 that led to a beautiful verger, when fhe was ftartled by the report of 
 a gun near to the fpot on which Ihe ftood. The next moment a 
 beautiful faifandeau fell at her feet. She picked up the flut- 
 tering bird ; it expired in her hand. Emily could not refrain 
 fhedding tears in pity for its fate. 
 
 “ Would I were that bird,” exclaimed a foft, mild voice. She 
 {farted, and looked round quite terrified. A tall young man ftood 
 clofe to her elbow. Regardlefs of her furprife, he thus continued : 
 u What an honor fhould I think thofe pearly tears, did they flow 
 for me ! Could the Metamorphofes of Ovid be realifed, I would 
 petition Venus to transform me to a dove, that I might hover 
 round you.” Willing to interrupt his extravagant rhapfody, fhe 
 afkecl how he came to venture in fuch a private enclofure. 66 In 
 purfuit of my game,” he anfwered, with a non chalance that fur- 
 prifed her. At leaft fhe thought the intrufion merited an apology. 
 
 Emily was preparing to return to the houfe, when the ftianger 
 caught her hand. “ Leave me not,” I befeech you,” faid he, 
 u fo abruptly. Tell me when I am to fee you again.” u Your 
 boldnefs, Sir, aftonifhes me : nothing can authorife fuch behaviour.” 
 #< Love (anfwered the youth) mull plead my pardon. Nay, do 
 not frown. You (hall not leave me thus.” Emily, by a fudden 
 effort, difengaged her hand, and ran up the walk with incredible 
 fwiftnefs. Fear winged her fteps ; and, though clofely puriued, 
 (he gained the houfe. She immediately went to the apartment of 
 Madam Rambouillet, and acquainted her with the circumftance, 
 who treated it in an ironical manner, that was no ways pleafing to 
 Emily. Indeed, the myfterious ways of Madame had long been in- 
 explicable to the fair Lady. Her governante had lately behaved 
 with an haughty authority, by no means juft or pleafing. To her 
 great furprife, at breakfaft, the Lady acquainted the Marquis with 
 the adventure his daughter had met with in the verger. He was 
 highly difpleafed, and commanded Emily not to walk unattended ; 
 nor any where without the confent of Madam Rambouillet. Emily- 
 bowed affent. As fuon as the dejeune was finifhed, Ihe retired to 
 her chamber, and gave vent to her forrows in a flood of tears. 
 Maitha, the young girl that attended on Emily, came into the 
 
OR, GOTHIC CELL. 7 
 
 room, and finding her miftrefs, to whom fhe was tenderly attached, 
 in aftliftion, kindly endeavoured to alleviate her grief in the moll 
 delicate manner. “ My good girl, (faid Emily,) may I depend on 
 your fidelity in executing a commifiion for me, without betraying 
 me to any one?” Martha gave her the moft perfeft affurance of 
 her honour, and Emily infiantly difpatched her with a note to the 
 old cottager to enquire after the health of Mortimer. Martha 
 foon returned with the welcome news of Sir Edward’s convales- 
 cence, and a requeft that Emily would fpeak to the old man for a 
 few moments the next evening at the garden gate, as he had fome 
 intelligence of great confcquence to communicate, that much con- 
 cerned her future happinefs. Emily hefitated between duty and 
 inclination for a long time ; but at lafi agreed to the interview ; and 
 a meflage was returned accordingly. Emily waited with impa- 
 tience for the evening, and at the appointed hour defeended to the 
 garden gate, where (lie found Anfelmo waiting her approach* He 
 then informed her that his gueft was going to depart the next day \ 
 and that he was coming in the morning to take leave of the Mar- 
 quis previous to his refuming his tour. She then afked if that was 
 the confcquence of his vifit. Anfelmo was about to reply, when 
 they heard the Marquis’s voice at a ffiort difiance, and they had 
 juft time to efcape before he arrived at the fpot. Emily, afraid to 
 continue the path that led to the houfe, left fire ihould be di {'covered, 
 turned down a long gloomy avenue that led to the road. Willing 
 to clilcover w hat the old cottager had to relate, {he haftened her 
 fieps, in hopes to overtake him, as the lane he w^ent down terminated 
 at no {'mail difiance from the end of the avenue ; but w ith no fuc- 
 cefs. She could not meet with Anfelmo. She had proceeded* 
 faither than fhe had firft intended. The wind was boifterous, and 
 the rain began to defeend in torrents ; and the thunder awfully 
 rolled over her head. The; terrified girl had a good way to run 
 before {he could reach the avenue. She was crofting tire road, when 
 the appearance of a gentleman on horfeback ftartled her, and {he 
 fell to the ground. The ftranger infiantly di {'mounted, and railed 
 her in his arms. Her forehead had received a flight contufion in 
 her fall, and the blood flowed copioufty down the white veil which 
 was {aliened round her face. He fupported her for a long while 
 but as file ftill continued unable to fpeak, he carried her to a large 
 lamp that was fixed a good way up the avenue* 
 
 The perfon who had thus alfifted her was Sir Edward Mortimer ^ 
 and, to his great furprife. he beheld the fair one was Emily de 
 Cleve. He with difficulty conveyed her to the houfe. Bleed- 
 ing, and covered with mud, her cloaths wet with the heavy rain. 
 
8 THE SUBTERRANEOUS PASSAGE; 
 
 and apparently lifelefs, the Marquis was giving feme orders to the 
 domeltics in the hall, when Mortimer entered with his lovely bur- 
 then, whom he placed in a chair, haftily demanding affiftance. The 
 proper remedies being applied, Emily foon recovered, and, to her 
 great aftonifhment, beheld Sir Edward, who was much indifpofed. 
 This was the firft day he had been out, by the advice of the dofior, 
 for the benefit of the air. He had met with fome Englifh gentle- 
 men, who imprudently detained him to fpend the day with them* 
 On his return, he had proved fuch an objefif of terror to the fair 
 Emily. He related this circumftance to the incredulous Mar- 
 quis. But how the Lady came there was a myftery to all parties,, 
 and the objeft of their curiofuy was too ill to explain. She was- 
 conveyed to bed; and Sir Edward, attended by fome domefiics, 
 departed for the cottage. Emily pafted an indifferent night : her 
 mind was perplexed, what anfwer to make to the interrogations 
 fhe was fure to receive in the morning. To confefs the truth 
 would be the means of involving the old man in a difagreeable 
 fituation with her father : this fhe could not think on* The hour 
 was late ; the weather difagreeable. She had been ordered not to 
 go out at any time. All thefe circumflances were fo many obfta- 
 cles in her way, that fhe knew not how to avoid, or how to ex- 
 cufe. She was too ill to arife at the ufual hour ; and it was late in 
 the day when Madam Rambouille^entered the chamber, who, with 
 an unfeeling irony, afked her whether (he had been walking with 
 the gallant whom fhe had met in the verger. Ennly anfwered in 
 the negative with fome warmth. 44 Where then? to meet Sir 
 Edward Mortimer?" 44 No, replied Emily, willing to end 
 the converfation. 44 I fhall inform my father what occafioned 
 my imprudent abfence : do not be too hafty in your conjectures." 
 The governance was highly difpleafed, and left the room. This- 
 amiable girl had an utter averfion to all concealments, and re- 
 pented fincerely having fent Martha to the cottage, as k had in- 
 volved her in fuch a perplexing dilemma. She fent a note to the 
 Marquis, apologifing for her difobedrence, which fhe attributed to- 
 a defire merely of walking about the grounds; and that fhe had 
 ventured too far from home, when the florin began. Her fat he a 
 returned a verbal anfwer, that he was fat is.fi ed ; and to defire fhe 
 would prepare in readiness for travelling again ft the next day, and 
 her dinner was fent to the chamber* As file fat reading at the 
 window, fhe obferved Sir Edward’s carriage, with the fervants in. 
 their travelling liveries, drive up- to the gates* The Marquis- 
 came out to receive his- vifitor, and led him into the manfiott* As. 
 he was- come to take* leave* fhe anxioufly hoped to have been; fent 
 
OR, GOTHIC CELL* 9 
 
 for to the drawing-room ; but in this fhe was difappointed. After 
 a flay of two hours, (lie had the mortification to fee him depart, 
 She followed the vehicle with her eyes as far as it was vifible to 
 her view ; but they drove with fuch rapidity, that they were foon 
 out of fight. She could not fupprefs her tears, when the idea 
 rufhed on her mind, that it was polfible fire fliould behold the ac- 
 complifhed Mortimer no more. His delicate attention to her fuf- 
 ferings the preceding evening, had left a favourable impreffion on 
 her mind, not to be erafed ; and moll ardently did fhe wifh that 
 {he had been allowed an opportunity to exp refs her grateful fenfe 
 of the fervices he had rendered her. She now bufily employed 
 herfelf in packing up fome few articles of wearing apparel, weary- 
 ing herfelf with conjeflures to what place fhe was going to remove, 
 and lamenting the unmerited cruelty with which the Marquis had 
 lately treated her. His behaviour had always been that of an af- 
 fectionate parent till within a few months, when he became tyranni- 
 cal and auflere. In the evening, though flhehad received no mef- 
 fage to that purpofe, (lie determined to go to the fatoon, and fpeak 
 to her father, in hopes of obtaining the defired information. She was 
 fo weak and bruifed from the fall, that it was with great difficulty 
 file could reach the aparment in which the Marquis was feated, 
 drinking coffee with Madam Rambouillet, and an old Lady, an 
 entire ftranger to Emily, who was introduced under the name of 
 Chabot, the mother of the governante, who was to take care of 
 the manfion in the abfence of the fuperiors of the family. 
 
 Emily was highly delighted to think her father would accom- 
 pany her on the journey. They retired to bed at a very early 
 hour ; and before feven the next morning they departed from the 
 villa, from which abode Emily had never ffept one night during 
 her exiftence. The Marquis and Madam Rambouillet converfed 
 all the way in Italian ; a language with which Emily was totally 
 unacquainted, being converfant in none but her native tongue. 
 From fome orders given to^he domeffics, fhe foon underftood they 
 were going to Paris for fome months, to fettle fome affairs relative 
 to the papers Sir Edward Mortimer had brought from England, 
 They fiept the firft night at an inn on the road ; but the weather 
 being remarkably fine for the feafon of the year, they refolved to 
 continue their journey the whole of the next night, without alight- 
 ing. Soon after dufk they entered a difmal foreff : they proceeded 
 without interruption for fome time, when the carriage was fud- 
 denly attacked by an armed banditti. They readily offered their 
 money and watches ; but thefe were not accepted ; and forcing the 
 fcreaming Emily from her guardians, one of them placed her on 
 
to THE SUBTERK ANEOUS PASSAGE ; 
 
 his horfe, and mounting behind her, rode off acroF the forert. They 
 waited fome time under the ihade of a great tree, till a chaife ar- 
 rived, into which Emily was forced. Their journey continued 
 till the day was juft beginning to break, when the vehicle ftopt at 
 an ancient caftle, moated round, having a ponderous drawbridge, 
 which, on a fignal given by the man attending on horfeback, was 
 let down, and the carriage parted over into a fpacious court-yard ; 
 the edifices furrounding ftrongly marked by the ravages time had 
 made. It (topped at the door of the great hall. Emily had no 
 refource, but to alight. She was conducted into a fpacious apart- 
 ment : the furniturewas elegant and modern, and it did not in the 
 lead accord with the others that Emily had parted through. There 
 was a final 1 fofa bed in one corner. Fatigued with her journey, 
 fhe laid down to repofe, and enjoyed an uninterrupted deep till fhe 
 was awoke at noon by a decent elderly woman, who brought her 
 fome chocolate. She then afked to whom the caftle belonged. 
 6i ToMonfieur Dubois,” anfwered the dame. (t At whofe in (li- 
 gation was I brought here ?” “ I do not know, Madam. The 
 
 orders I received was to treat you with attention, in a letter from 
 my mafter. He has not been here thefe three weeks : I expefi 
 him foon.” 
 
 A few days parted without any interruption. Emily walking 
 through one of the galleries, perceived a pifture the refemblance of 
 the young man fhe had met in the verger, who had caufed her fo 
 much alarm. This gave her very uneafy fenfations. From his 
 rudenefs that morning, (he could not expecf much civility now fhe 
 was in his power. At the end of the gallery was an extenfive li- 
 brary : the books were covered with durt, and the whole apartment 
 appeared in a ftate of defolation. On examining the (helves, a 
 volume of natural hirtory caught her attention : (lie raifed her hand 
 to remove it ; but it was wedged fo tight between the other books, 
 that it required her whole force toertefl her purpofe. With a hid- 
 den violence (lie pulled the volume fronjthe (helf, and feveral of the 
 books fell at her feet. In the vacancy appeared a light glimmering 
 through afmall crevice. Emily drew near, and peeping through 
 the aperture, perceived a large apartment, with feveral windows of 
 Gothic ftruffure. Anxious to furvey this place, (lie left the library, 
 and traverfed the gloomy partages, in hopes to find an entrance, 
 but in vain. As the day was far advanced, (he retired to her own 
 apartment, but the next morning refumed her fearch. She mi- 
 nutely examined the library, and to her great furpnfe, perceived at 
 laft, the book from which fhe had removed the volume concealed a 
 door. With incredible labour (he removed ail them that obftiudlcd 
 
OR, GOTHIC CELL. IS 
 
 her paflage, and entered the apartment. The floor was Mofaic, 
 of a mod curious and beautiful confhu&ion : the windows painted 
 gtafc, on which were portrayed feveral mod driking fcenes from 
 the fiege of Troy : the ceiling richly carved and gilt ; the walls 
 hung with curious tapedry. Some of the furniture was yet re- 
 maining, whofe magnificence accorded with the general grandeur 
 of the apartment. On the left fide was a fmall dooi, from which 
 defcended a flight of Aeps. Lady Emily, after fome hefnation, 
 ventured down : they led to a chapel, in which Divine fervice had 
 evidently been performed. The pulpit feats and altar was dill 
 remaining, with the confedional feats. The undaunted girl dill 
 proceeded further in her refearch ; in the middle aide die per- 
 ceived a large iron ring, which, upon examination, die found to 
 raife a trap door, which covered a narrow well daircafe, of the 
 mod gloomy darknefs She returned to her own room, in order 
 to fetch a lighted taper, when a troop of horfemen advancing to- 
 wards the cadle, their arms glittered in the fun, and they made a 
 mod formidable appearance. She foon obferved Dubois was their 
 leader, which made her thrill with terror. He founded his bugle- 
 horn : the drawbridge was let down ; and they entered the court* 
 yard, and difmounted from their horfes, whom the grooms con- 
 veyed to an adjacent dable. Dubois converted with his followers 
 for fome time, when they retired from the cadle, and he entered the 
 hall. This circumdance put an end to the refearches of our fair 
 heroine for the prefent. 
 
 But a few moments elapfed before Dubois entered the room in a 
 more fubmidive manner than his captive expefted. On his 
 bended knee he implored her to forgive his bafe condufl, and to 
 allow him to hope that in time he might poflefs her undivided 
 heart. Emily only anfwered by her tears and earned intreaties 
 to be reftored to her father, whom die w as fure was inconfolable 
 for her lofs. 
 
 u Alas ! Madamoifelle,” returned Dubois, c< you err in your 
 judgment : the Marquis has frelh ties to employ his thoughts. His 
 new bride feems to employ all his atttention, while the lovely 
 Emily is forgot.” 
 
 “ Good Heavens ! Monfieur, explain yourfelf. You agon ife 
 me. Do not tiide with my feelings ; they are too acute.’* Du- 
 bois drew from his pocket a Parifian journal of intelligence, and 
 prefented it to Emily ; where, in the article rcfpefling the recent 
 marriages, (he read that of herdather to Madam Rambouillet. 
 
 The mifery of her fituation now appeared to her view ; and # 
 from the late behaviour of her mother-in-law, fhe did not doubt but 
 
 2 
 
12 THE SUBTERRANEOUS PASSAGE; 
 
 flic was concerned in her prefent captivity, and would not fail, by 
 wrong infinuations, to prejudice the mind of the Marquis againft 
 her. He was far advanced in years when he married Mifs St. 
 Helens, the mother of Emily: he had now numbered fix ty -four 
 years, when he gave fuch a fatal example of weaknefs, and want of 
 parental fondnei's, i.n taking fuch a ftep to the prejudice of his 
 lovely daughter. Dubois, by every kind attention, tried to footh 
 her grief ; and obtaining her promife to dine with him, he left her, 
 that fhe might compofe her fpirits ; but in vain ; for when fhe de- 
 fended to the faloon, her tears ftill continued to flow, and her bo- 
 fom to heave with heart-felt anguilh. 
 
 To her great furprife, on her entrance, (he found Dubois play- 
 ing with a lovely girl, about three years old, whom he prefented 
 to her under the name of Benedi&a. Emily tenderly embraced 
 her, and enquired if (he was an inhabitant of the caftle. “ She 
 has never been out of the walls fince (he was born,” faid Dubois, 
 
 Her mother, the widowed wife of my brother, who was flain 
 by fome affaffins in a wood, died in giving her birth, through 
 grief for her lofs, which happened when Ihe was about five months 
 advanced in her pregnancy, from which time fhe daily drooped 
 towards the grave.” 
 
 Emily heaved a figh at the melancholy recital, and then in- 
 treated to have Benedifla conftantly with her while fhe fhould re- 
 main at the caftle. Dubois cheerfully acquiefced ; and our heroine 
 was delighted with this pleafing acquifition. 
 
 Early in the evening, the houfekeeper, whom we fliall call 
 Margaret, entered with looks of the utmoft perturbation ; and 
 whifpering a few words to Dubois, they both left the room in 
 hafte. 
 
 It was fome time before he returned, when he appeared agita- 
 ted : his ufual fpirits had forfaken him, and he fat biting his lips 
 with apparent vexation. Near an hour elapfed before he uttered 
 a Angle word, when he afked Emily if {he had been in the weft 
 wing of the caftle. She replied in the affirmative, and briefly re- 
 lated the difcoveries fhe had made of the aperture fn the library. 
 He made no anfwer to what (he related, but turned the difcourfe 
 to another channel. It was late before they retired to their re- 
 fpetlive chambers. Emily undreffed her little charge, and put 
 her to bed ; and having fecured the door, {he fat down to ruminate 
 on the d ftrefles of her unprote&ed ftate, and the abfence of her 
 heloved Mortimer. No hopes of deliverance prefented itfelf to 
 her view, and (he gave way to the moll excruciating train of 
 thoughts. The turret clock now ftruck two, and roufed her from 
 this melancholy date. 
 
OR, GOTHIC CKLL. 13 
 
 She had not been long in bed, before a moll direful Horn* 
 arofe, which fhook the cadle to its foundation : feveral of the 
 mouldering ftones on the battlements fell with a mofl tremendous 
 crafli : the trees were torn up by the roots, and all the elements ap- 
 peared in dreadful commotion, 
 
 Emily rang her bell for a long time ; but no one anfwering its 
 fummons, (lie dipt on her long white robe de chambre, and has- 
 tened to the apartment of Margaret. She opened the door with 
 a fudden violence, actuated by terror. The old woman, who was 
 kneeling before a large crucifix, turned round, gazed with a wild 
 Hare for a few moments at Emily, and then fainted. At length 
 ihe opened her eyes, and exclaimed, in a mod terrific tone, 
 
 Away ! haunt me not. The deed is done ; it cannot be recalled. 
 Would it could ; then my bieaft might find peace, which now is 
 racked by demons of defpair 
 
 Emily attributed thefe horrid fayings to her fright ; but, terri- 
 fied by her violence, fhe hadened to her own room, and recom- 
 mending heifelf to Elcaven, die refolved to hazard no further terri- 
 fying feenes that night. Fortunately the dorm foon abated, and 
 lhe obtained needful repofe. 
 
 In the morning fhe was informed by one of the domedics, that 
 the houfekeeper was very ill, and pet fitted die had feen a fpirit in 
 her chamber the preceding night. Emily frniled, and was juft 
 going to explain, when Dubois entered, and, with great feverity, 
 bid the girl retire. After the ufual compliments of the morning 
 liad patted, Lady Emily again intreated for liberty, and to be re- 
 ftoied to her home. “ The Marquis will not, nay, cannot, deny 
 me that,” added the weeping fair. 44 Why was I brought to this 
 di final abode ?’* 
 
 44 This is not a time to elucidate that mydery,” he anfwered, 
 with great quicknefs. 44 The cadle, indeed, is dreary : but the 
 charms of Lady Emily makes it appear a terredrial paradife to 
 me,” 
 
 44 I want no flattery, Sir. Anfwer me the queftion, I intreat 
 you. Will you condufh me hence ?” 44 Whenever you ho- 
 
 nour me with your hand, I will, my charming girl. Till then, 
 excufe me,” 44 You will not furely, Sir, conflrain me againft 
 my inclinations. My afledions never can be yours.’ 1 44 I will 
 not trifle, or be trifled with,’ 1 Laid Dubois. 46 I have gone too far 
 to recede from my purpofe ; nor will I lofe fo favourable an 
 opportunity of accomplifliing my widies. To morrow makes you 
 mine. The more free your compliance, the more I fhall efteem 
 you. So chufe my love or hate.’ 1 With thefe words he left 
 
*4 THE subterraneous passage; 
 
 (tie apartment. Tears ( came to the relief of the afflicted Lady, or 
 file muff have fainted through excefs of grief. 
 
 She then retired to her own room, that fhe might the more 
 freely indulge her forrows, and think on Mortimer, whom the- re- 
 garded as ever loft to her. The little Benedicta feeing her weep, 
 flung her arms round her neck, and tried every little ait to foothc 
 her mind. Lmily kindly p re {fed her to her bofom, and preferred 
 a prayer to Heaven, that the little innocent might never feel the 
 agonies that now filled her bofom. 
 
 She dined with Benedtefa in her own room* To her great-hap- 
 pinefs, fhe never faw Dubois the whole of the day. A fuaden 
 thought paffid over her mind, that the concealed flairs in the cha- 
 pel might lead to fome fubterraneous path, which might afford her 
 the means of eicape. To flay was certain ruin : and the fatigue and 
 difficulties fhe might encounter, were light in competition of the 
 advantage it would afford her. She waited with impatience till 
 fhe was certain all the family had retired to reff. She tied on her 
 hat, and, with a beating heart, fhe kiffed the fleeping child, and 
 then defended the flaircafe : but, on attempting to open the door 
 of the library, fne found it was faffened : and railing the light, faw 
 it had been nailed up. The words of Margaret the preceding 
 night, and the queftions Dubois had put to her. concerning her for- 
 mer vifit to the library, now ru filed on her mind, and fhe conjec- 
 tured fomething dreadful and myflerious was connected with that 
 part of fhe edifice. She placed the lamp on the floor, and foftly 
 traverfed the gallery, in hopes to find fome opening to the weft 
 wing; but in vain. The bell now tolled two, with a deep and 
 awful found. A fudden light gleamed along the wall ; a dii- 
 tincf groan ffruck her ear. She liftened attentively ; it was 
 again repeated. The light difappeared ; and a noife, like 
 the failing of armour, refounded through the cafile. Breathlefs 
 with terror, (lie regained her chamber, and flinging herfelf acrofs 
 the bed, awaited the dawn in a frame of mind that cannot be de- 
 feribed. At an early hour Dubois fent to defire her prefence. 
 She had no choice left ; and, with tottering fiep-, fhe reached the 
 faloon. The difappointment and terror fne had gone through the 
 pail night, had made fuch an alteration in her countenance, that 
 Dubois feemed ffruck at her entrance with alionifnment. He 
 took her hand, and preffmg it to his bread, told her his uneafintis 
 at the change in her features, and pallid looks; expr effing his 
 hopes, that the profpeft of a union with him had not occasioned her 
 illnefs. As nothing could alter his refolution of an inffant mar- 
 riage. fuch prooL of her hatred muff needs give him great cjifplea- 
 fure, aud hinder him from treating her with that refpeft he. would 
 
OR, GOTHIC CELL. 
 
 wifh, Heranfwer by no means being of a tendency to give him 
 fatisfatlion. he gave way to paflion, and behaved in a mod ty- 
 rannical manner to the friendlefs Emily, 
 
 He indantly fumrnoned the pried, and three of his favourite do- 
 medics, and bid him perform the nuptial ceremony. In vain ihe 
 fhrieked, and implored for mercy : no friendly hand was near to 
 give her aid ; and the fervile pried performed the office in fpite of 
 her red Ranee, and pronounced them man and wife. Dubois then 
 prefen ted him with a purfe of gold, and he retired. Emily had 
 fallen fen felef. to the floor, and was with difficulty recovered, an ci 
 then only to experience the mifery of a burning fever, to which her 
 agitation had made her the vitdiin. In this ’date die continued 
 three weeks. At times her life was defpaired of. Mod of the 
 tune Dubois was abfent. At the intervals that he refidecf at the 
 caftle, he had generally a large party of riotous young men with 
 him. who rode out on horfeback frequently, and, on their return, 
 filled the abode with revelry and licentious noife. 
 
 On the recovery of Emily. Dubok prefented her to his liber- 
 tine companions, whom die foon recognifed to be the horfemen 
 who accompanied her hufband to the cadle the hrd time he came 
 after her abode there. Their mirth and converfation was highly 
 difgufling to the delicacy of her manners; but die fuhmittcd in 
 file nee. Complaints die knew would not avail ; and die wiflied to 
 pafs her time as much as pofhhle without givingoffence to Dubois, 
 whom (he could neither edeem nor love. Yet her hard fate had 
 dedined her his wife, and die refolvcd to perform the duty of that 
 character as far as her feelings would admit. The thought of Sir 
 Edward Mortimer would fometimes involuntarily obtrude ; but 
 {he banidied'ine idea as foon as podible, and earnefily wifhed die 
 had never beheld him, as it only ferved to make her prefent fitua- 
 tion more wretched. Dubois dill retarded her vifit to the Mar- 
 quis, her father, with excufes fo infuflicient, that it caufed her great 
 uneafinefs ; and Ihe no longer doubted that Dubois was too fenfible 
 of his bafenefs to appear before him. About three months after 
 her marriage, Margaret, the old houfekeeper, was confined to her 
 bed with a violent illnefs. The phyfician who attended, gave no 
 hopes of her recovery ; and Ihe heard his decifion with the utmoll 
 abjeQion of mind, and feared death with more than common terror 
 of that -awful mefTenger. She frequently fent to fpeak with Lady 
 Emily, who would have gone with great willingnefs, but Dubois 
 would not permit her. The day preceding her death, Duboh 
 happened to be abfent with his companions, and Emily refolved to 
 take advantage of that circumfiance. and vifit the old. woman, 
 
 B 2 
 
*6 THE SUBTERRANEOUS PASSAGE J 
 
 flic thought it hard her requeft fhould be denied. When flic en* 
 tered the chamber, the dying Margaret exprelfed her gratitude at 
 the kindnefs of her miflrefs ; but informed her {he was now too 
 weak to enter on the difclofure fhe intended. She implored her 
 pardon for the affiflance fhe had rendered her mailer in betraying 
 her ; but added, fhe was too much in his power to hazard difobc- 
 dience to his commands. She prefented Lady Emily with a key, 
 which fhe told her opened the fmall door next to the painted win- 
 dow in the long gallery ; that it led to the great room next to the 
 ruinated library ; that fhe had this key made from one in her maf- 
 ter’s pofielTion, with which fhe was fometimes traded unknown to 
 him. Emily afked her for what purpofe fhe was guilty of this 
 breach of trull. " Alas ! Madam,” replied Margaret, with a 
 Xigh, “ Would to Heaven I had no greater burden on my con- 
 fidence than this error, that was with a good intent ; but my other 
 deeds cry aloud for vengeance.” Here fire was fo overpowered 
 with talking, that fire fainted. Emily left the room, intending to 
 vifit her again ; but was informed by the domeflics that Are was 
 fpcechlefs. The next morning fhe expired in agonies to meet her 
 awful Judge. Dubois feemed greatly agitated at her death, more 
 than the occafion appeared to befpeak. 
 
 Emily was informed by Dubois, that he was going on feme bu- 
 fmefs. and fhould not return that night. This afforded her a good 
 opportunity to fearch the well part of the building, which fhe had 
 long defiled. When fhe came to the gallery, fire made ufe of 
 Margaret's key, and prefentiy gained admittance to the large cham- 
 ber with the painted windows. She hallened to the chapel, and 
 having a lighted taper with her, fhe lifted up the trap door, and 
 descended the flaircafe with extreme pertuibation of fpirits. I hey 
 f n led in a narrow palfage, which, though it was the middle of the» 
 day, exhibited the glooru of night. Not the lead ray of light il- 
 lumined its glcom. Her courage rather failed: but curiofity 
 prompted her to proceed, and fhe hallened forward fome paces, 
 when fhe Humbled, and fell over fomething bulky, that ob- 
 ftrufted her palfage. Happily the taper was not extinguifhed. 
 She railed herfelf from the ground, and, furvey ing the caufe of her 
 accident, found a female extended along the palfage. Emily, at 
 firll, thought it was a corpfe ; but, on raffing her head, fhe opened 
 her eyes, and uttered a faint -exclamation. Emily, in the mofl en- 
 gaging terms, begged to know in what flic could render her affill- 
 ance. The Lady gave her to underhand fhe was expiring for 
 want of food. Emily hallened back to the inhabited part of the 
 caftie, and procured fome refrefliments, which fhe conveyed to the 
 
OR 5 GOTHIC CELL. I J * 
 
 unfortunate (ufiferer, of which (heTcagtrly, pa rtook ; and her drengtb < 
 and fpirits being recruited, (he led tHe’&'uy to Ttmafc Godiic cham- 
 ber at the extremity of the prjfTage. In this wretched apartment a 
 table, a chair, and a mattrafedcoutprifed'’ tho whole of its furniture* 
 111 fuited to the amiable iVhd'biiant/’.who wilh captivating 
 fweetnefs in the midb of her forlorn 
 
 “ I do not doubt, ” faid the I%}y7 ^..®bi,2i* tK^t,'I owe my pre- 
 fervation to the kindnefs of Monfieur Dubbrs’s wife! But how 
 that tyrant fliould truft you with the fecreuof my abode is abo- 
 nibiing. Here have I lived immured thefe three long years, and 
 feme months, and have only feen him and his bafe confidant Mar- 
 garet. 99 
 
 44 Alas !” faid Emily, u he knows not of mv coming to thh 
 drear abode. It is true I am his wife, if force and fraud can give 
 him title to my perfon. 55 Here (be related the part occurrences of 
 her life, without concealing one, cireumftance ; not even her love 
 for Mortimer. 
 
 At the mention of little Benedicla, the Lady (bricked with fur- 
 prife. 44 Good Heavens!’’ faid (lie, 44 is it poflible my child 
 hill lives! For two years I wearied my perfecutors with intrea- 
 ties to fee her ; about which period they informed me (he died of 
 the (mall-pox ; doubtlefs, to get rid of my interce[fions. ,r 
 
 The aftonifhed Emily replied, that (he was given to imderftapd, 
 that the mother of Benedi&a was dead. 44 But, to elucidate 
 thefe points, will you. have the goodnefs to relate the outlines of 
 your difmalbory ? ;? 
 
 The Lady bowed, and began as follows. 44 I (hall furprife 
 you, when I give you to underhand I am the fiber of Sir Edward 
 Mortimer.’ 5 (Emily blufhedat the thought leffnefs with which 
 fhe had expofed her love.) 44 I was nearly eighteen when I fkli 
 beheld Bertrand Dubois, who joined to beauty of perfon, and ele- 
 gance of manners, . fuch engaging fweetnefs, that he captivated 
 every beholder. Fie was at that time in England, on a vifit to my 
 mother’s father, the Earl Bclville, who at that period entertained a 
 great party, among which was myfelf and parents. , It is needlefs 
 to relate every trifling occurrence of our courtfhip : we were mu- 
 tually enamoured ; and my father, preferring my happinefs to the 
 fplendid offers of alliance he received on my behalf from fuitors I 
 did not approve, gave his confent to our union ; and the ceremony 
 was performed at Belville Hall, about three months after our firll 
 meeting, with great fplendour and magnificence. After fome flay 
 with my dear parents, we came to this cable, which was fitted up 
 m a colily llyle* For though his ebate was not ib lanje as mob of 
 
 B 3 
 
l8 TIIR SUBTERRANEOUS PASSAGE *, 
 
 the adjoiningones, it was liberal, and more than competent to our 
 expences. e Fcvd inar;d,*fiis ‘yoitngeir brother, who poflcfled as many” 
 vices as his bi'ocher did virtues, refided with ns. I Toon faw the 
 dark tiaits of his charafifer v.but lifc behaved with great politenefs 
 to me, aid out-of crtnficieratpm of the -a {Unity he bore to my dear 
 hufbar.d,.! (bJguifcd my fenujpents,, and treated him with civility. 
 Soon after 1 >yas ^delive red >{on$. who lived hut a few months. 
 This fad Rmke - was; foHewcd *by tire hidden death of both my pa- 
 rents I went into a nervous fever through thefe misfortunes ; but 
 the kindnefs of Bertrand foon reRored me to my wonted Rrength 
 of mind and health. Near a twelvemonth paffed in happinefs, 
 only interrupted by the excellive and palhonate exprellions of Fer- 
 dinand. Regardlefsof all refpeft to his brother, whom he feemed 
 to hate, his addieffes to me was hateful : but I feared to acquaint 
 Bertrand, as I dreaded bloodfhed between brothers : therefore, in 
 my htdbawi’s abfence, I kept ftrifUy to my own chamber to avoid 
 his perfecutions. 
 
 44 My hatred, and the low lief* of his finances, for he had loR all 
 his parents had left him with gambling, and was now dependant on 
 his brother, who in vain urged him to accept of a valuable commif- 
 ium he bad obtained for him, infpired him with the dreadful idea 
 of murdering his brother. Ruffians were foon found too ready for 
 gold to undertake the horrid tafk. My beloved Bertrand was 
 murdered as he was returning to the caftle through an adjacent 
 wood. I had then no proofs of the villainy of Ferdinand ; yet, 
 from his late behaviour, I had my fufpicions of his bafenefs : but 
 this I was obliged to conceal in my own bread:. I could not ac- 
 cGfe him of what I was uncertain. I was far advanced in my fe- 
 coud pregnancy ; an event which feemed to give him great uneafi- 
 nefs, for tear I fhould have a fon, which would defpoil him of his 
 poffeRions. The ill Rate of my health was ufed as a pretext to 
 admit no vifitors. 1 be neighboring Nobility regarded this as 
 plaufible, and were content with fending mefiages. AH my letters 
 were intercepted, and I was entirely a prifoner at the mercy of 
 Dubois and Margaret, who had been his nurfe, and had been re- 
 tained by his mother as houfekeeper, in which Ration (lie was con- 
 tinued by my dear Bertrand. She had always treated me with re- 
 fpeft as her miRrefs ; but now the feene was changed, and her info- 
 fence unbearable. 
 
 44 My favourite maid, that immediately waited on my perfon, 
 was difc barged, notwithRanding my intreaties to the contrary. All 
 this time I was teized with the importunities of Dubois to become 
 h;s wife, i heard his propofaU with horror, and per filled Readily 
 
OR, GOTHIC CELL* l.jj 
 
 in my refufal. An incident now happened, that relieved me from 
 the addrefles of this monfler, though the remembrance makes me 
 fh udder. 
 
 Dubois, and Oliver his valet, had fome words in my prefence. 
 He bade me retire ; but the man uttering fomething about my de- 
 ceafed Bertrand, arrefted my attention. u Peace, perfidious vil- 
 lain, ” faidhis mailer, “ leit I puniflt thy temerity with the lofs of 
 life.” 
 
 u It would be a favour 1 ’ replied Oliver. a The flings of con- 
 fcience make life hateful. I have never known a moment’s peace, 
 Cnee, at your infligation, I killed my late mailer. ” “ You his 
 
 murderer!” faid I. “ No, Madam, I did not dye my hands in his 
 blood; but I fought for, and hired, them that did. And now my 
 mailer wants to plunge me farther in villainy : but I’ll die firil.” 
 
 “ I heard no more, but fell back fenfelefs on the fofa. When 
 I recovered, Oliver lay bleeding, and murdered on the floor. Du- 
 bois was gone. The fright flung me into labour, and 1 was deli- 
 vered of a fweet girl, whom they Cnee informed me was named 
 BenediBa. About a week after her birth, flic was torn from me, 
 and I was conveyed by Dubois and Margaret to this wretched 
 pnfon. The wing of this building had, in the time of Dubois’s 
 father, been very magnificent ; but had fince been fuffered to fall 
 into decay. In the time of fome popular commotions, the library 
 was fo contrived, as to conceal the door leading to the chapel and 
 painted chamber, that it might afford a place of fecurity and fhel- 
 ter. This led to my pnfon, where they told me I fliould be im- 
 mured for life, unlels I confented to bury the pail t ran factions in 
 oblivion, and efpouie Dubois. You maybe Jure I did not hefi- 
 tate a moment in making my choice. Here I have dwelt ever 
 Cnee; my provifton being brought by Margaret, or her mailer. 
 In vain 1 intreated to fee iny child, but never could procure that 
 favour. 
 
 “ I had a violent fit of illnefs. Dubois had the cruelty to 
 deny me any extraordinary fupport, and made my allowance more 
 fcanty than ever. I muff have perifhed; but the old woman, be- 
 ing foftened by my giving her what money and trinkets J had 
 about me, contrived to fupply me with what was neceffary. As 
 Dubois, when he was at the caflle, always kept the key, (lie con- 
 trived to get one made by it, that fhe might have free accefs to me : 
 for fometimes Dubois would not fend me enough to fupport na- 
 ture. 
 
 u It is now fdur days Cnee any one vifited me ; and I was dy- 
 ing with thiril and hunger when you fo providentially relieved me. 
 
90 THE SUBTERRANEOUS PASSAGE; 
 
 1 hope God will forgive the old woman, nor punilh her according 
 to her deferts. She has lince confeffed to me her knowledge of 
 the alTaflination of my hufband, and had promifed Dubois to make 
 away with my infant, in cafe it fhould be a boy : but, thanks be to 
 God, (he feemed at laft penitent for her crimes. She told me of 
 your entering her chamber the night of the ttorm, when the thought 
 occurred to her that you was the fpirit of a fitter of my late huf- 
 band’s, who was come to reproach her with her crimes, and {he 
 was fome time before (he could recall her fenfes,and reccllefl you,” 
 
 Emily now took leave, promi'Gng to befriend her unfortunate 
 fitter all that was in her power, and to vifit her every opportunity. 
 She went back to the faloon, wondering at the cruelty of Dubois, 
 who undoubtedly meant the unfortunate Bertha to die with hun- 
 ger. She trembled at the thoughts of his return. She had al- 
 ways defpifed him ; but now, as a murderer, Che loathed his name. 
 
 He did not come back till late the next evening, when he was 
 accompanied by his ufual companions. There appeared fome 
 fpots of blood on his cloaths, and he was greatly agitated. Emily 
 retired at an early hour ; but Dubois and his companions fpent 
 the moft of the night in drinking and caroufing. 
 
 The next morning he informed Emily, that having lott mod of 
 his money by ill luck at play, he had formed a banditti, who had 
 plundered the neighbouring Barons ; that the preceding day they 
 had been engaged in a fkirmifh, in which fome lives were loll, and 
 that they were fearful of being purfued. He meant to withdraw 
 himfelf from the cattle for fome time, till he fhould be fatished of 
 the event. Ele wifhed Emily to write to her father, who, he 
 heard, had returned to his own manfion, to acquaint him with their 
 marriage, and to endeavour to procure fome money ; and he would 
 contrive to fee or fend to her in a fhort fpace of time.. Emily, 
 though (hocked at his meannefs, promifed compliance, and fa w him 
 depart with pleafure. 
 
 She then went to the cell of Madame Dubois, whom file found 
 Ferdinand had never been near. So his evil intentions were veiy 
 plain, as he mutt fuppofe her ftarved to death, or dying by this 
 time. She conduced her to a comfortable room, where fhe attended 
 her, and kept her concealed from the domettics. She did not dare 
 venture to condu&Benediffa to her, for fear the child, at fome fu- 
 ture time, by her little prattle, might innocently betray them. 
 However, (he walked with her under the windows ; and the mo- 
 ther had the fatisfa&ion of beholding her lovely girl ; whom fhe 
 ^nged to fold in her arms. 
 
21 
 
 9Kj GOTHIC CEL I.# 
 
 Many days had not elapfed, before the caftle was ftirrounded 
 with armed men. They founded a trumpet, and ordered the gates 
 to be opened ; a command that Emily immediately ordered the 
 dome dies to comply with; and the plumed warriois entered the 
 gates. The youthful Lady went, and prefented herfelf at the door 
 of the great hall, and demanded the reafon of their coming. One 
 of them advanced, and told her, he was the Chevalier St. Prieux ; 
 that he was come with an order to feize, and bring to juflice, Fer- 
 dinand Dubois, as a leader of banditti, and a murderer. Emily, 
 told them of his abfence : but, not fatisfied, they proceeded to 
 fearch the caftle. Not finding Dubois, they Rationed centinels 
 round the gates, and left it. Emily wrote repeated letters to her 
 father, but received no anfwer. She now advifed Bertha to take 
 her child, and make the heft of her way to England, and to keep 
 herfelf concealed till a future opportuaity ; as fhe would not wifh, 
 as Dubois was her hufband, to be the means of fhortening his exift- 
 ence: that when he returned, fhe would invent feme excufe for 
 the abfence of BenediBa. Madam Dubois promifed to aft accord- 
 ing to her directions ; and Emily fupplying her with what money 
 {he had, haftened her departure. 
 
 Some time elapfed, and Emily hearing nothing of Dubois, and 
 being in want of money for her domeftics, and fubftftence, fhe re- 
 folved to fet off for the abode of her father, and to intereft him in 
 her favour, flie doubted not but he had been told great falfe- 
 hoods to prejudice him againft her. Befide c , fhe was near lying 
 in, and deftitute of friends : her filtration was wretched m the ex- 
 treme. At the expiration of three days (he arrived at home ; for 
 her health did not permit her to travel quicker. Juft as fhe came 
 to the end of the avenue that led to the houfe, fhe perceived a 
 fumptuous funeral departing from the door. She fin ddered, and 
 was ready to faint : flie did not doubt but it was that of the Mar*- 
 qui , whole body was conveying to the grave. She ordered her 
 chaife to flop, and the funeral paffed by. She bade her fervant to 
 afk one of the attendants whofe rites they were performing. They 
 anfwered, the Marchionefs de Cleve, who had died fuddenly. 
 Emily was comforted concerning her father, but amazed at the 
 departure of fo young a woman* When flie alighted, fhe gave 
 the attendants, who welcomed her return with great joy, a letter to 
 carry to the Marquis, in which {he pathetically defenbed her fitua- 
 tion. 
 
 The fervant returned, and conduced her to her mafler’s bed- 
 room, where he was confined by illnefs. He received her very 
 kindly ; and faid he hoped former reports about her conduft, which 
 
22 THE SUBTE R RANEOUS PASSAGE * } 
 
 come to his ear^, were falfe : but he was more inclined to give 
 cre >du to them, (he had never wrote to him. 
 
 1 oe ftirprifcd and innocent Emily explained to him how many' 
 times (he had wrote, and her grief at having no anfwer ; and con- 
 cluded by faying, (he had no doubt but the Marchionefs had inter- 
 cepted the letters. The Marquis was highly offended at thefe in- 
 finuations again ft lus late wife, who had gained an entire afcendancy 
 over him. and had always exp re fled her grief at Emily’s abfence, 
 which file had the art to make him believe wr- a voluntary con- 
 trivance between her and fome favoured lover. 
 
 The fudden death of the Marchafmefs had prevented her from 
 arranging fome .papers with which the Marquis had erurufted her 
 to put to r- r. ’its for him. A s foon as decency for her memory 
 would permit, he went to her room, attended by Emily, to college 
 the material ones, and deft roy her ufelefs papers. He was fome 
 time before be could find thofe lie wanted-, but on opening one of 
 the drawers, to his great furprife, he found a number of letter-. 
 The very firft he looked at was directed to himfelf, and proved to 
 be one of Emily’s letter. This produced a ftritt fearch : all the 
 intercepted ones were found ; and feveral fhe h 9 .d received from 
 Dubois, no way redounding to the Lady’s honour or virtue. Alfa 
 heranfwers were preferved in copies, and laid open a mod diaboli- 
 cal plan. The fortune that Emily was entitled to on coming of 
 age, was independent of the Marquis, and held out a fufficient bait 
 to attraff the notice of thefe bafe confederates. Dubois wanted 
 money : and Madam Rambouillet wanted the daughter out of the 
 way, that it might not binder her defigns on the father. Out of 
 every fum Dubois fliould receive with Emily, he was to give his 
 partner in vice fome fixed {hare; and if ever an opportunity offered, 
 by them both being freed from their partners, he had given a pro- 
 mile to marry her immediately. Not any letters appearing to have 
 been fent fmee he left the caftle, they had no clue to trace where 
 he could be concealed. The enraged Marquis vowed vengeance 
 on his head. The amiable, unfortunate wife tried every means to 
 calm his anger. She reprefen ted him as the father of her unborn 
 
 babe. She could nqt but pity him, though £he detefted his crimes. 
 Since their marriage, he had always behaved to her with as great 
 refpeft as his nature would allow, and with more tendernefs than, 
 from what {he had juft difeovered, (he had reafon to expeft. She 
 prevailed on her father to remain neuter in the buftnels, and leave 
 to Divine Providence the fate of the deftroyer of her peace. She 
 concealed the horrid tranfa£Hons he had been guilty of in his own 
 family, as they were not of a nature to confide to another’s keeping. 
 
OR, GOTHIC CELL. 23 
 
 After Emily had been at home feme time, (he ventured to afk 
 rafter Sir Edward Mortimer. Her father informed her, he had 
 received a letter from him a few weeks back, in which he mentioned 
 his intention of returning to his native country, and fliould take 
 the Marquis’s in his way. 44 He is an amiable young man,” faid 
 De Cdeve: 44 I wifh he had been your hufband, my girl; you 
 would not have known this forrow.” Emily blufhed. 44 Ah!" 
 rejoined the Marquis, 44 it is all my own fault. I ihould not have 
 trifled with the good offers I received for you ; hut I never meant 
 you to marry while I lived, and thus I am pumfhed.” 
 
 Hie entrance of the Due le Maine put an end to the conven- 
 tion, which was ddlrcfling to Emily. He came to pay his 
 compliments to the Marquis on his recent lofs, and remained with 
 them the whole of the evening. Ele was ignorant of the arrival of 
 the daughter of his friend, and was agreeably furpnfed to find her. 
 He afked fome q eft ions concerning her abfence : but the Marquis, 
 willing to wa\e the fubjetf, told him, the hill opportunity that pre- 
 fented ufelf, he would inform him of every particular. It was juft 
 before his riling to depart, when the Marquis afkmg him if there 
 was any particular news abroad, he replied in the affirmative. 
 “ The attention of the public,” faid the Duke, 44 has been en- 
 groffed for fome days, with a circumftance of unparalleled atrocity. 
 A young, gentleman, of an ancient and honourable French family, 
 having reduced his fortune through vicious purluits, joined him- 
 felf with fome more of the fame caft as himfelf, and headed a ban- 
 ditti. For fome time they have been the terror of the neighbour- 
 hood, and remained undifcoveied till fome time back, they attacked 
 the Baron Homfpach, with the Count le Crofs, two German 
 noblemen, with their retinue. They made a gallant refiftance ; 
 and, in the engagement, two of their gentlemen were killed, and 
 the Count wounded. Two of the banditti being hurt, were de- 
 tained by the Baron, when the reft fled. To obtain information, 
 and bring the reft to julbce, the leader, being aware of this, tried 
 to elude their purfuit, by leaving the kingdom ; hut was taken at 
 Oftend, juft as he was going to embark, and brought to the Con- 
 cigcrie. i he men, on condition of pardon, undertook to become 
 evidence again 11 him. They confefted being employed by him near 
 four years hack to murder his own brother : that he was fuppoled 
 to have made away with his fifter-in-law ; and that he had forcibly 
 carried away a young lady of great family, and married heragainft 
 her will. 1 he names of the parties are not yet made public ; but 
 large rewards are offering for witneffes who know any thing of 
 inch tranlactions, according to the dcfenption given. Emily 
 arofe to retire to her chamber, hut faulted before Ike reached the 
 5 
 
24 THE subterraneous passage; 
 
 door of the drawing room, and was with difficulty conveyed t® 
 bed. Her troubles haftened her labour, and {he was delivered 
 of a lovely girl before the morning. The Duke fat up with the 
 aflli&ed Marquis the whole of the. night, when he was in- 
 formed of the lad cataffrophe of Emily’s marriage with Dubois, 
 and they concerted on the necefTary Heps to be taken in this fad 
 affair. 
 
 Emily was hardly recovered, when Sir Edward arrived at the 
 villa. He informed them of his haffe to get to Paris, as a trial 
 of a criminal was coming on, in which he found himfelf greatly 
 interefted. The Marquis interrogated him as to the perfon. 
 
 Dubois,” anfwered Mortimer ; 66 I fear, the murderer of my 
 fiffer.” He related the particulars ; and the Marquis acquainted 
 him with the occurrences that had happened in his own family 
 fince the departure of the knight. 
 
 Mortimer, greatly agitated, deft red to have an interview with 
 Lady Emijy, which was inftantly granted. If before he thought 
 her lovely, lhe now appeared more than mortal : fo intereffing 
 were her forrows while {he performed the tender duties of a mo- 
 ther, and wept over her haplefs offspring, who was named Eliza, 
 that Mortimer felt fenfations of the mod tender kind in her favour. 
 
 He informed her of his intended tour to Paris, and hoped fhe 
 would forgive him avenging an injured fifter’s wrongs ; though it 
 hurt his feelings to purfue his purpofe, when he confidered that, in 
 fo doing, he might injure her peace. u Perhaps,” faid he, hefita- 
 ting, “ you may have imbibed an affeftion for him in fpite of his 
 bafenefs ” 
 
 She fighed, and told him it was a delicate point to talk on. She 
 had been made the viftim of treachery to one fhe defpifed at the 
 time; and his bafe villainies, that were fince unfolded, made her 
 (hudder with horror. Though {he never wiffied to behold him 
 any more, die thought it her duty to try to fave his life as much 
 as lay in her power. She then informed Sir Edward of all her 
 adventures at the castle, and the providential manner in which {lie 
 faved the life of' his fiffer. 
 
 Sir Edward could not fupprefs his tears at the recital ; and when 
 it was finifhed, he knelt to return her thanks in an extacy of joy. 
 He told her, that though he lamented the untimely death of the elder 
 Dubois, who poflefled every manly virtue, yet, as his beloved fifter 
 was fafe, he ffiould defift from appearing againlt Dubois, as, when 
 he firft faw the advertifement that was iffued by government, he 
 intended to do; but he did not doubt that there would be diffi- 
 dent proof againff him without that ; and he ufed every foothing. 
 
 I 
 
OR, GOTHIC CELL. 25 
 
 argument to prepare her to meet his fentence with fortitude. He 
 talked of fetting out for England immediately ; hut, at the particu- 
 lar requeft of Lady Emily, he agreed to vi'i-t Dubois, with a let- 
 ter from his wife, in which (he unfolded to him the protection (he 
 had given to Madam Dubois and BenediCta. d his amiable wo- 
 man thought that the knowledge he had one murder lefs to anfwer 
 for, would take a great weight off his mind. She then mentioned 
 the birth of her own child, and her forgivenefs of him for all paft 
 injuries; the death of the Marchionefs, and the difcovei ies that had 
 enfued. She enclofcd him a handfome fum of money, and con- 
 cluded with her prayers for his happineff. Sir Edward depart- 
 ed to execute his miff on unknown to the Marquis, who would 
 not permit Emily, though fhe frequently intreated him, to let her 
 fend to Dubois. After this ati of generofity, her mind was more 
 at eale than it had been fome time : fuch happinefs does deeds of 
 mercy confer. 
 
 Sir Edward did not write for a week after his departure. 
 With a trembling hand, Emily opened the packet. It contained 
 a Letter, enclcfed from the wretched Dubois, of a very different ten- 
 dency, from what fhe expefted. It was not wrote with the lead; 
 figns of penitence, hut had more the air of disappointment than con- 
 trition : though in one part he told her that, for all he had been iti- 
 ftigated by Madam Rambouillet, and the profpect of her great for- 
 tune, to force her to a marriage with him, yet, from the hr ft inter- 
 view he had with her, he had loved her with the moil romantic 
 fondnefs. He concluded wffth bleffmg her and the child, and thanks 
 for the kindnefs of her behaviour. 
 
 Sir Edward’s letter informed her, that he could by no means 
 prevail on Dubois to fee him, nor accept of any abidance from 
 his hands, though he had wearied him with intreaties ; that he had 
 remained in an outer chamber while he wrote the enclofed letter ; 
 and that his trial would come on in a few days. He fhonld flay to 
 hear the refult, and once more would return to the villa, before his 
 departure for England. The intervening time was a wretched 
 period to our fair {offerer, and fhe felt horrors indeft libable. She 
 was fo nervous, that every found alarmed her, and every voice fhe 
 heard agitated her whole frame. 
 
 In the midft of her di ft refs, the Marquis,. who had been long 
 confined to his chamber, was now pronounced to he in great dan- 
 ger by the phyfician. The gout had reached his ftomach, and his 
 diffolunon was hourly expected. She was fitting nurfing her in- 
 fant at the bed-fide, when Sir Edward v/as announced. The pale- 
 r>e£s of his features made her tremble. He took her hand, and 
 
 C 
 
2 6 THE SUBTERRANEOUS PASSAGE*, 
 
 exhorted her to compofe herfelf ; adding, that her happinefs was 
 dearer to him than his own. She juft uttered the name of Du- 
 bois : her tongue refufed its office, and {he Tank down in her chair. 
 
 u My dear Lady,” Laid Mortimer, “ that unfortunate man is 
 no more. He was capitally conviXed of murder by the evidence 
 of the Baron Homfpach, and the Count le Crafs, and fentenced to 
 the rack. The prifoners were juft going to be led back to the 
 Concigerie* when Dubois fell into violent convulfions, and pre- 
 fently expired. The furgeon reported that he had fwailowed 
 ftrong poifon ; but by what means he had procured it, though 
 the keepers, were ftriXly queftioned, they were unable to learn. 
 Emily was greatly {hocked. She gave the little one to her nurfe, 
 and retired to compofe her mind. It was fortunate (he did fo ; 
 for fhe had not left the room many minutes, before the Marquis 
 breathed his laft. Sir Edward was glad that he was at the villa to 
 ronfole his Emily, whofe afflictions flood in need of every comfort, 
 and the kind attentions of a fympathifing friend. 
 
 After the funeral, Sir Edward requefted permiffion of the Due 
 le Maine, and the Admiral, who were left the guardians of Emily, 
 and the truftees of her immenfe property, to let her vifit Madam 
 Dubois, who was now fettled in an elegant houfe in one of the 
 principal fquares in London ; as he thought a change of feene 
 would be of benefit tD her health, and reftore her wonted fpirits. 
 This propofal was readily afiented to; and the good old Admiral, 
 who had not been in England for a number of years, acquainted 
 them that he would accompany them. 'This was a pleafing acqui- 
 fition : and, after they had taken an affeXionate leave of the Due, 
 they fat off on their intended journey. 
 
 By the negligence of theirs guide, they loft their way, and pur- 
 fuing a crofs road, they drove direXly paft the -gates of Dubois’s 
 caftle, a place of all others they wifhed to avoid. The men were 
 buliiy employed in pulling down the edifice to the ground, accord- 
 ing to the order of the judges, is is ufually praXifed abroad in 
 moft cafes of atrocious murder. This fight caufed a figh from 
 their bofoms, ^nd gave bitter reflexions to their minds. Sir Ed- 
 ward defired the poftillion to drive on quick, and regain the high 
 road. 7 he man haftened to obey his orders ; he turned too lud- 
 den round the rugged track, and overfet the carriage. It was late 
 in the evening, and the vehicle was much damaged. Lady Emily 
 got into the carriage belonging to fhe attendants, and they pro- 
 ceeded to an inn which was fome miles diftant ; while the Ad- 
 miral and Sir Edward agreed to take up their abode for that night 
 in that part of the caftle which was left, to the great uneafinefs of 
 
OR, GOTHIC CELL. £7 
 
 the party that was obliged to leave them behind. Mod of the 
 furniture had been removed, except fome of the word, that was 
 left for the accommodation of the workmen. Here they were 
 content to flay, and lay down on a wretched pallet : though, had it 
 been a bed of down, they could not have flept in that hated place. 
 Early the next morn they arofe ; and the workmen having em- 
 ployed mod of the night in mending the carriage, they proceeded 
 to join Lady Emily, after they had liberally rewarded the men for 
 their trouble. 
 
 After a fliort day at Paris, they proceeded with great hade till 
 they embarked for England, to which favoured kingdom they 
 had a pleafant voyage. They were received with great joy by 
 Madam Dubois and her beauteous daughter, with whom Sir Ed- 
 ward was enraptured, and traced the features of his friend Bertrand 
 while he prefled her to his bofom. 
 
 Sir Edward took one of the adjoining houfes, where the Admi- 
 ral and his attendants went to refide with hirp during their day, and 
 the two Ladies remained together. But the lovely Emily was 
 yet to feel keen anguifh : her little babe fickened, and died, to the 
 inexpreflible grief of its amiable mother, whofe feelings, on this me- 
 lancholy occafion, cannot be defcribed. 
 
 To divert her mind, the party agreed to accept of an invitation 
 they had received from the young and amiable Lord Mel worth 
 to fpend fome weeks at Bolton Park, in Leicederfhire, to which 
 place, after proper intimation of their defign to that Nobleman, they 
 fat out for his magnificent manfion. The houfe was full of fplen- 
 did company, who were invited to fpend a jovial Chridmas with 
 old Englifh hofpitality. 
 
 It was not long before the attentions of Lord Mel worth was fa 
 marked to Lady Emily, as to give great uneafinefs to Mortimer, 
 whofe regard to the delicacy of the woman of his heart, had hin- 
 dered him from offering her his hand till a future period, when 
 file fliould have buried in oblivion her pad forrows. Emily had 
 long perceived his motives, and felt obliged by it to give him her 
 pured affection for fo honourable a conduQ ; and it was with pain 
 die perceived the preference Lord Melworth gave her to the 
 red of his fair vifitors, as die knew his prepoffedion in her favour 
 might dedroy his peace, but never meet with the return his merits 
 deferved ; and die carefully avoided being alone with him, that 
 they might not come to any elairciflmenL He faw this with pain, 
 and determined to intered Sir Edward in his favour. The unre- 
 mitting adiduities of Mortimer to the fair widow, blinded by his 
 own love, that fain would have it fo, he took for friend ff ip, and 
 C 2 
 
fi8 THE SUBTERRANEOUS PASSAGE; 
 
 the intermarriages of the family ; while the reft of the party, who 
 were impartial fpe&ators, plainly difcerned their mutual attach- 
 ment. 
 
 Lord Mel worth took the opportunity fome days after he came 
 to that refutation, of feeking to meet Mortimer difengaged from 
 company, which was rather a difficult tafk. The weather was 
 very clear for the feafon, and my Lord defired the favour of his 
 rival to walk with him round fome part of the grounds, in which 
 he intended to make fome elegant: improvements, and wifhed for 
 Ins remarks to aid him, in the deftgn. Sir Edward bowed, took 
 his hat, arid accompanied ;him. 
 
 Lord Md worth continued to walk to a great diftance, and kept 
 a profound filence, while his looks betrayed the u'moft agitation. 
 Sir Edward furveyed him with furprife ; but as lovers are not 
 flow at penetration, he prefently guefled the caufe of his friend’s 
 embarraflment, and felt himfeif mod aukwardly fttuated. He 
 curfed his own folly, in fo delaying a declaration of his attachment 
 to the objeft of his wifties, which would have prevented his prefent 
 uneafineL. 
 
 How long they would have kept on in this way is uncertain, 
 had they not been interrupted by a loud laugh. They turned 
 round, and perceived the friendly Admiral clofe behind^ them. 
 Mortimer afked him the caufe of his mirth. 44 Yourfelves my 
 boys/’ anfwercd the old man. 44 I beg your pardon and he 
 laughed again. 44 But I really thought you had been walking 
 for a wager, and to fee which could prefer ve filence the longeft, as 
 the children do. Well, there may he fome diverfion in the amufe- 
 ment : it’s novel to be fure : but, badinage afide,” fays he, 44 fe- 
 rioufly, I hope you have had no quarrel.” “ No,” anfwered 
 Lord Melworth. l do not know how it was; I am a little ab- 
 
 fent fome times,” 44 Ah,” laid the Admiral, 4: Love makes 
 
 ftrange havock in youthful minds.” 44 You fuppofe then,” fa id 
 Melworth, 44 that I am one that is under its tyranny. Indeed 
 you guefs right; that is truly the caufe of my prefent emharraff- 
 ment ; and I was going to alk my Inend Edward to intercede 
 with the fair one for me.” 44 What, his filler, I fuppofe. 
 Well, I admire your choice.” 44 No. Sir, * replied, my Lord, 
 fummonfmg dirs courage : 44 I mean Lady Emily.” 44 Lady 
 Emily!” laid Mortimer, biting his lips, 44 is the Wft judge of 
 what fo nearly concerns herfelf : to her 1 refer you.” 4 * Come,” 
 faid the Admiral, winking at Mortimer to retire, and taking Mcl- 
 wortlVs arm, 44 I fhall make a much better interceffor. I ought 
 to be very angry jwiih you. Am I riot the Lady’s guardian? 
 
OK, GOTH r <2 CELL, 29 
 
 Therefore I ought to be confulted.” He hurried Lord Melworth 
 on : and Mortimer went back to the houf6, and joined a rnufical 
 party. 
 
 The Admiral, who had not been an indifferent fpeftator of the 
 views of both the young gentlemen concerning his ward, had kept 
 a ft rift eye on them, for fear of any ill confequences rfefulting from 
 their rivallhip, when a mutual difclofure fhould take place. He 
 had obferved their motions from his window ; and he had refolved 
 to join them as if by accident. By his friendly interpofition, he 
 was of great fervice ; for their tempers being warm, and arduous, 
 a duel might have been the refult of mutual irritation. He rea- 
 foned with Lord Melworth. till he obtained his promife, that if he 
 met with a refufal from Lady Emily Dubois, that no interruption 
 fnould take place in their friendfhip, as he was well allured of Mor- 
 timer’s love, and had reafon to think it was returned. 
 
 On their return to the houfe, the Admiral fulfilled his promife 
 of acquainting his ward with the attachment of Melworth, and re- 
 ceived, as he expelled, an anfwer, that admitted of no further feli- 
 citation. Lord Melworth was much chagrined; but, according 
 1 0 / his promife, was obliged to let the affair drop ; and Sir Edward’s 
 party foon returned to their refpe&ive homes. 
 
 Emily’s mourning being expired, her conftant lover preffed her 
 to be his. and fhe bluflungly confented. She wanted a year of 
 being of age, and would fain have put off her marriage to that 
 period ; but the repeated folicitations of Sir Edward, joined to 
 the intreaties of the Admiral, who wiftied the ceremony to take > 
 place before he quitted England, an early day was fixed, and their 
 nuptials were celebrated with great fplendor and magnificence* 
 The Admiral foon after returned to France, where he, and the 
 Due le Maine, always remained ffeady to the interefts of Lady 
 Mortimer, and difeharged their truft with the moft facred fidelity. 
 
 Madam Dubois recovered her charming fpints, which had been 
 impaired by calamities and lmprifonment, and attended, herfelf to 
 the education of the lovely Benedi61a, who repaid her with filial 
 affe&ion, and tender affiduity. Madam Dubois was often foil, 
 cued to enter a fecond time into connubial ties ; but the remem- 
 brance of her dear Bertrand was facred to her ; fhe declined the 
 moft fplendid offers, and lived an object of univeiTal rcfpefd and 
 efteem. 
 
 Sir Edward and his Lady were patterns worthy of -imitation 
 for every virtue that adds a luftre to domeftic bids and fociety. 
 They were bleffed with a lovely and numerous offspring, and the 
 days of Emily were rewarded to the end of her life, with haopb 
 neb that made amends for the forrows of her youth. 
 
L 3° ] 
 
 THE PILGRIM. 
 
 The faint dawn call her grey mantle over the dreary profpeft, 
 when tha Marchionefs de Vallone and her two daughters com- 
 menced their fecond day’s journey. By noon they reached the 
 foot of a llupendous mountain, over which they were obliged to 
 pais : the weary mules began to mount the toilfome ai'cent, every 
 moment endangering the lives of the travellers, by falling on the 
 lugged pathway. By painful and repeated exertions, they arrived 
 at a Imall hovel, about halfway up the mountain, where an old 
 fhepherd prefentcd them dried fruits, and wine of the poereft qua- 
 lity. They readily partook of his coarfe fare, and, after gratefully 
 requiting him, proceeded. 
 
 After furmounting innumerable impediments, they reached the 
 fummit, and flopping their mules to reft, they obferved a venerable 
 man, 64 clad in a pilgrim’s weeds.” His flaff fupported his weary 
 limbs, and his fcrip feemed fcantily fupplied with bread and water. 
 His countenance was the picture of meek fufferance ; his white 
 hair hung like threads of filver. upon his ftoopmg {boulders, except 
 when the rude blaft compelled it to fhade his wrinkled cheek. His 
 hat was wqrn and tattered ; the fcallop {hell placed in the fiont as 
 the badge of penitential humility. He refembled the withered oak, 
 roajeflic even in ruin ! He railed his eyes, which meditation had 
 bent towards the ground ; he bowed refpeftfully, then crolfmg his 
 aching breaft, purlued his weary way in penfive forrow ! 
 
 He was (hortly overtaken, by the travellers ; they ordered their 
 domeflics to Hop the mules, and,- m the language the feeling heart 
 never fails to dilate to the tongue, when it add relics the unhappy, 
 they politely requefted io be informed, whether they could be of 
 fervice to him, or render the progrefs of his journey lefs irkfome 
 by fociety. 44 Myfervant,” laid the Marchionefs, 44 can feat 
 himfelf behind the carriage during the remainder of this poll; 
 perhaps his mule will he of ufe to you.” 44 Madam,” replied 
 the venerable man, 44 i am bound to blefs you for your generous 
 attention ; but, alas! 1 cannot profit by your kindnefs : the humi- 
 liation of penitential mifery does not afpire to tafte the halm of 
 comfort. I am grown familiar with affliction, and Ihould fcarcely 
 be able to endure a ceffation of my furrows. 1 have no friend to 
 lament my ahfence, no kindred to mourn for my difgrace ; the 
 warm paffions of earlier days are fettled in the frolt of age ; penury 
 
THE pilgrim; gi 
 
 has long fmce denied the comforts of life, and eternal penitence 
 alone can expiate its errors. ” Here he turned afide to wipe away 
 the involuntary tear, wrung from hi burning heart by the hard 
 grafp of unrelenting confcience ; then requeftmg their pardon for 
 having detained them fo long, poured out his foul in fervent bene- 
 dictions, and reded on his {faff. The Marchionefs, whofe mind 
 wanted little preparation for the exercife of gentlenefs and pity, 
 informed the pilgrim, that if his route lay towards the Foiell of 
 Vancenza, he would confer a pleafure on them by fojourning a 
 few days at the cable. He thanked them, and promifed to accept 
 their hofpitahle invitation ; though his flay, he faid, mull be cir- 
 cumfcribed to a few hours only. 
 
 When they arrived at the cable, a variety of refrefhments were 
 placed before him, but he declined the proffered luxuries. The 
 fcanty nourifhment his icrip afforded, being nearly exhaufted, he 
 replenifhed it with thanks, and drawing a wicker chair to the cor- 
 ner of the fpacious hearth, bleffed Heaven — and fmiled con- 
 tented ! “ Are you going much farther ?” laid Carline. “ Yes, 
 
 fair Lady,” replied the pilgrim, “ I am going to pay my devotions 
 at the Chapel of the Loretto.” 
 
 66 If my melancholy dory,” refumed he, “ could either indruCf 
 of am ufe you, I would gladly recite it; but, alas! uninterrupted 
 woe will only , awaken your pity, without repaying your loll 
 time.” Elvira affuied him, that to alleviate his grief would be to 
 them t*he piouded gratification ; and that if fympathy could adrni- 
 nider comfort to the wounds of misfortune, he might depend upon 
 receiving fome degree of confolation in communicating his cala- 
 mities. 
 
 “ Sweet Ladies,” faid the venerable man, 66 I {hall but tire 
 your patience : but if it is your wifh to hear a tale of foirovy, I 
 feel, that gratitude and refpeCt demand it of me.” The Marchion- 
 eis would readily have excufed him. but her inclinations were over- 
 ruled by Carline and Elvira,, who feating themfelves on each fide 
 of the pilgrim, with anxious cunodty awaited the recital. 
 
 “ My eyes hrd opened to the viciifit-udes of life in the citv of 
 Avignon. My father was a general in the French fervice ; and 
 my mother the only offspring of her noble, hut indigent, parents* 
 1 hey were united by difintereHed abedion ; and as their happinefs 
 centered in each other, they were above the envy, or the malice 
 of mankind. My father’s fortune, though not competent to pro- 
 cure the luxuries of the world, was, by my mother’s (Economy, and 
 exemplary prudence, fufficient for the enjoyment of every comfort. 
 
32 THE PILGRIM. 
 
 “ I was the only fruit of their unfullied attachment. My 
 amiable mother only furvived a few minutes after {he gave me 
 being. She embraced me, and clafping me to her bofom, refigned 
 her gentle foul to endlefs happinefs. 
 
 “ My father, whofe profelfion called him from Avignon when 
 I was fcarcely three years old, committed the care of my educa- 
 tion to the Abbe de Verfac, adidant relation of my mother. He 
 was a man celebrated for his profound erudition and brilliant ta- 
 lents : he inftrnded my young mind in all the elegant acquire- 
 ments of a icholar and a gentleman. The labours of his anxious 
 hours were repaid by my clofe application to the precepts he 
 wilhed to inculcate. 
 
 “ At the age of feventeen I had acquired a competent know- 
 ledge of the clalfics, and had already compofed many fuccefsful 
 pieces in imitation of the Greek and Latin poets. The rocks of 
 Vauclufe, confecrated by the infpiration of the Mufes, had often 
 echoed with my matin fong ; and the celedial form of the im- 
 mortal Laura, frequently bleffed, in vifionary dreams, the {lumbers 
 of the evening ! 
 
 “ In the vicinity of Avignon, beneath the (hades of an em- 
 bowering wood, devotion had long performed her facred orifons at 
 the monadery of Saint Terefe ; the lofty walls were inaccellible, 
 except on the fifteenth of June, when, at the celebration of the 
 fete de Dieu, the grates were thrown open, and every one was 
 permitted to view the folemn ceremony of the high niafs. Cu- 
 riofity, more than zeal, led me to be a fpe&ator : the holy fillers, 
 arranged in the chapel of the convent, fung their choral anthems,, 
 replete with feraphic harmony ; the vaulted arches repeated the 
 thrilling founds, while the fumes of heavenly incenfe curled around 
 a thou fan d quivering tapers. Among the vedals, my every fenfe 
 was fafcinated b^ one, whofe beauty far furpaflVd all I had yet 
 conceived of mortal woman ! A fweet melancholy gave inex- 
 prelhble foftnefs to features exquifitely regular, and the meek 
 blufh of unaffe&ed modelly heightened a complexion beauteous 
 and glowing as the rays of the morning. Her age pronounced 
 her hut newly initiated in holy duties ; and her every look de- 
 * dared (he was formed for that world from which (he was feciuded. 
 in the deep and cheerlefs gloom of monadic apathy. 1 gazed 
 upon her with a devotion more warm, more chafle, than even 
 piety itfelf could have fugged ed. Her eye encountered mine — I 
 fancied a tboufand childilh things. My earned attention leemed 
 fo perplex her ; the crucifix fell from her trembling hand ; (he rofc* 
 and left the chapel. 
 
THE PILGRIM. 
 
 33 
 
 iL I returned to Avignon. The image of this pcerlefs angel 
 never forfook me; I beheld her in my midnight {lumbers; her 
 voice' vibrated on my enraptured ear, and awoke me to all the 
 agonies of dire defpair. Often did I wander, when the fun funk 
 beneath the horizon, to catch its la ft beam, that illumined the vanes 
 of her lonely habitation. Often did I liften whole hours beneath 
 the hated walls that enclofed the treafure of my ioul, to catch the 
 diftant and imperfeB found of the holy evening fong. I fancied I 
 could dahnguifh her voice from every other, and my heait panted 
 fadly re-fponfive to every {'welling note. 
 
 64 1 remained feveral months in this ftate of perfeB wretched- 
 nofs, when an accident opened to my diftraBed mind a gleam of 
 tranfttory comfort. The Abbe de Veifac, having embraced the 
 moll rigid ftate of holy bondage, was frequently employed in the 
 pious office of corffieffor to the nuns of Saint Terefe. A iudden 
 indifpofnion preventing his ufual attendance, I availed myfelf of 
 the opportunity that prefented Self, and, in the habit of a monk, 
 bore to the abbefs of the convent a fpecious recommendation of 
 myfelf, deputing me a; worthy of the (acred confidence. I was 
 readily admitted into the cell of ghoftly admonition, and fortune 
 direBed the heavenly Louifa to the footfiool of contrition ! The 
 purity of her life fcarcely left her a fingle error to acknowledge ; 
 my penance w r as gentle, as her foul was lpotlefs : I requefted her 
 to perufe a leffon I had written, and to abide by the injunctions it 
 contained. She thanked me ; then, with the voice of meeknefs 
 and humility, implored my benediction, and departed. 
 
 44 My fafety required that 1 ftiould inftantly withdraw from 
 the facred walls, left the impohtion fhouid be deteBed, and at once 
 deftioy my reputation and my hopes. The tranfattion w f as foon 
 made public, and I frequently heard eternal vengeance denounced 
 jagainft the perpetrator of fo vile a fraud. The abbefs offered an 
 immenfe reward for apprehending the facrilegious hypocrite, and 
 every tongue united to condemn me. My letter informed her of 
 my name, quality, and fortune ; which, by my father’s death, w^as 
 not inconfiderable. I implored her compaftion for my fuffierings, 
 and earneftly requefted a deciftve anfwer. I told her, in the lan* 
 guage of defpair, that no, hing fhouid induce me to furvive her re- 
 (entment ; and concluded rny frantic prayer by informing her, that 
 I ftiould watch for ten fucceffiive nights beneath the walls that im- 
 mured her, to receive the hat of my irrevocable deftinv. 
 
 44 At the twilight hour of the feventh day, when every breeze 
 was hufhed, and nature feemed to paufe in melancholy filence, 
 mufmg beneath the trees that encircled the prifon of my idol, my 
 
34 the pilgrim. 
 
 ear was fuddenly enchanted by the melody of a female voice. I 
 drew near the fpot from whence the found proceeded, and dif- 
 tinftly heard the words of her complaint : they pierced my very 
 heart — attuning every chord to fympathetic pity. 
 
 16 From that moment I determined to releafe the beauteous 
 Louifa, or perifh beneath the flinty conhnes of her prifon. The 
 difficulties attending fuch an undertaking, and the dreadful puniffi- 
 ments that would be infli&ed on the perpetrators of fuch a crime, 
 rendered every precaution neceffary to enfure fuccefs. 
 
 u Chance, however, completed what years of indefatigable in- 
 duftry might not have accomplifhed. The abbefs of Saint Te- 
 refe was fuddenly feized with an alarming indifpofition ; her life 
 was fuppofed to be in extreme danger ; and as the Lady Louifa was 
 of the highed rank among the holy fiderhood, fhe was entruded 
 with entire government of the convent, and unlimited poffeffion of 
 the rights of a fuperior. It was not difficult, under thefe circum- 
 ftances, to accomplilh her wifh ; my letters were delivered without 
 creating the fmalled fufpicion, and the rapturous hour was appoint- 
 ed for her efcape from mifery. 
 
 “ Her heart was fufceptible of the fined pa (lions ; fhe relied on 
 my honour, and I never deceived her. She had long confidered 
 herfelf as a viflim doomed to eternal folitude ; the extraordinary 
 change my propofuions prefen ted, the profpeft of happinefs that 
 opened to her foul, gave energy to hope, and drength to refolution ! 
 I provided horfes, and a convenient difguife. Heaven fmiled 
 upon the deed, and gave to my fond arms the beautiful Louifa. 
 
 66 We traverfed the wood for fbme miles, and taking the route 
 towards Marfeilles, in three days reached that port in fafety. 
 There we were united in Holy bands. The midrefs of my affec- 
 tions became the wife of my bofom ; and I — became the proud 
 pofftffor of a treafure worlds could not have purchafed ! 
 
 “ Having procured a veffei, we fet fail for Florence : the 
 winds were propitious ; we arrived unmolelled at Leghorn, and 
 from thence proceeded to the mod beautiful city in the univerfe ! 
 
 tC My adored Louifa, whofe early days had been devoted to 
 religious duties, evinced not the fmalled defire to relinquidi the 
 delights of retirement: her mind, accullomed to an uninterrupted 
 fcene of tranquillity, dreaded to engage in the tumultuous budle of 
 the bufy world. We hired a beautiful little villa in the vicinity of 
 Florence, and, bled in the full poffeffion of all that mutual affetfion 
 and mental gratification could afford, looked down with pity on 
 the prouded didinffions in the power of any earthly monarch to 
 bedow ! 
 
THE PILGRIM. 
 
 35 
 
 “ 1 hrec delicious years of perfeft happinefs cemented the bonds 
 
 of undeviating attachment, when a regatta, in celebration of the 
 
 Pope’s acceflion, awoke the attention, and excited the curiofity, of 
 
 all ranks of people. My Louifa was tempted to partake ot the 
 
 amufemcnt ; and, in the midft of delightful feftivity, when every 
 
 heart bounded with rapture — mine alone received the dreadful fiat 
 
 of eternal adgmifli J 
 o 
 
 “ My Louifa was charmed with this new and fafcinating fpec- 
 tacle. Our barchetta, which was decorated with felloons of myr- 
 tle, was gently rowed by youths, drefled in the habits of Arcadian 
 Ihepherds. The mind, charmed to repofe by the enchanting fcene 
 funk into that fweet indolence, which, like the Humber of wearied 
 and exhaulled nature, replenilhes its faculties, and awakens its per- 
 feaions to renovated luflre! My Louifa reclined her gentle form 
 upon a matt refs of yellow taffata ; the warmth of the evening 
 heightened the glow upon her lovely cheek, and threw a delicious 
 languor on her eyes, that rendered her the objeft of univerfal ad- 
 miration ! 
 
 We arrefled our oars, to gratify the foul with the exquifite 
 harmony proceeding from a magnificent barge moored near the 
 margin of the river; when, on a fodden, a toting man of athletic 
 form, and noble mien, darted fonvard, and feizing my beloved 
 Louifa, was bearing her in his arms to a boat along-fide of us 
 Every nerve that quivered round my heart throbbed at this unex* 
 pefted outrage. The flranger committed his prize to the care of 
 his companions; then advancing towards me, drew a ftiletto 
 from his (leeve, and aimed a flroke at my unguarded bread. I 
 
 warded off the blow, and turned his daflard weapon on himfelf 
 
 The point entered his heart— he funk breathlefsat my feet. 
 
 “ Loutfa opened her beauteous eyes to all the horrors of defpair 
 and death. She had only time to exclaim, <! My brother !" 
 when the life-blood milling from her convulsive lin L.'J 
 
 nuiii me uieieis victims ot impatience. 
 
 and thrown into the dungeon of horror and fPnpnhnrp 
 
 amilies, to a fhamefui and perpetual imprifonment. 
 
3^ *" THK PILGRIM. 
 
 u The unfortunate de Clairville wa« returning from his travels ; 
 defined to a military life, he had lately received a comini (lion, and 
 was battening to join his regiment, then at Lyons. He had long 
 given up the fruitlefs fearch after his adored filter— Fate brought 
 her to his view — then clofed his eyes for ever. 
 
 “ The Count having given the hr ft aflault, my punifhment 
 was mitigated ; my doom ten years imprifonment ; and afterwards, 
 perpetual banifhment from a country, whofe laws I had violated, 
 and whofe annals I had ftained with blood. The former part of 
 my fentence expired in days of weeping, and in nights of anguifh — 
 till the excefs of grief produced a fallen Ilupor, that rendered me 
 infenfible to every calamity. 
 
 “ Time gave again to my fad eyes the chearful light of Hea- 
 ven, and with it, all the pangs of fatal recolieflion ! Driven from 
 fociety, an alien to my native country — anoutcaft from every hope 
 of future happinef — alone, unfriended, loll, forgotten — I knew 
 not whither to direfl my courfe. One half of my little fortune 
 was forfeited to the hate, and meagre Poverty {Fetched forth her 
 icy fang^ to feal my defhny. By perfeverance through a long 
 and painful journey, I arrived in Spain, a wanderer, and un- 
 known, labouring under all the agonies of confcious mifery. I 
 have from that hour refided among the mountains in the vicinity 
 of Madrid. My hovel was too obfcure to excite curiofity, and its 
 fohtary tenant too poor to dread interruption. Poverty and for- 
 row are the ftrongefl fee unties againlt the intrufions of mankind : 
 let Adverfity guard your threfhold, and you may enjoy an uninter- 
 rupted life of mournful feclufion. 
 
 “ Yet; I do not prefume to repine *, for, alas! every hour con- 
 vinces n\e that prayers and tears are not fufficient to expiate my 
 crimes The penance I have impofed upon myfelf. is a pilgrimage 
 to Loretto ; and the fir ft inftance I experience of divine benignity, 
 is the. benevolent hofpitality 1 now enjoy in the foreit of Van- 
 cenza.” 
 
 The Pilgrim, rifing from his wicker chair, bowed refpe&fully 
 to his lovely auditors. ILlvira gave- his forrows a tributary tear — 
 it. fell upon his hand that refted on his ftaff as Ihe flood near him — 
 He prefted it to his lips — it revived his mournful heart — for it was 
 the holy tear of commifersting virtue! 
 
 Before the fun rofe from its eaflern canopy, the Pilgrim refumed 
 his toilfome journey of penitence and forrow. 
 
 Ftjiiv.ed by T. Maiden, Sherbour tie- Lane, Lombard-Street. 
 
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBAN* 
 
 3 0112 072868166