The Mysterious Wanderer Volume I Part 9

For two days his life was despaired of: youth and medicine, however, prevailed; and the first object which presented itself to his returning senses, was Sir Henry performing the little offices of friendship. He shrunk from the view; but Sir Henry took his hand, and in the most cordial manner expressed his satisfaction at his amendment.

Pride, shame, remorse, and grat.i.tude, contended a moment, for pre-eminence in his bosom; but his mind, softened by illness, yielded to the latter, and, pressing the hand of Sir Henry, he faintly said--"Why must I regard you as an enemy?"

Sir Henry, who beneath the haughty exterior of Harland's manners, had discovered the virtues which were in reality the possessors of his bosom, though warped by the prejudices of education, answered--"Put me to the test, and let me prove myself a friend! Not my actions, but the pa.s.sions of Harland, have induced him to entertain the idea: would he yield to the philanthropy nature implanted in his heart, and regard mankind as worthy his esteem, Corbet would indeed hail him as a friend and brother!"

The word Brother occasioned a tumult in the breast of Harland, which the surgeon observing, insisted on their ceasing farther conversation; and Sir Henry soon after left him to his repose.

From this time Harland rapidly recovered, and a few days after ventured to mention Louise. Sir Henry a.s.sured him of his ready concurrence in his addresses to his sister; and, observing a latent spark of pride rekindling at the idea of her birth, said--"The circ.u.mstance of Louise's birth cannot, I admit, be justified: but reason, if not love, will acquit her of the fault and shame which must reflect on her parents. Her intrinsic virtues have gained her the admiration and friendship of her own s.e.x; can ours then hesitate a moment in acknowledging them? And remember, if it were not originally for their virtues, we should none have cause to boast of our ancestors." Harland acknowledged the justness of his observation; and Sir Henry, at his request, undertook to plead his cause to the Marchioness and Louise.

The Marchioness no longer objected to his addresses; more especially as the anxiety Louise had experienced during his illness, convinced her he was not indifferent to her. Harland, therefore, had permission to visit as an accepted lover; the Governor, unapprehensive of any further danger respecting his nephew, readily consenting to free him from his interdiction.

With an exultation he neither strove to repress, nor wished to conceal, Harland received the intelligence of his enfranchis.e.m.e.nt, with the Marchioness's invitation; nor would the Captain, by unnecessary delays, add to his impatience to behold Louise. Sir Henry was with his sister; the Captain and Frederick therefore accompanied him to the Marchioness's.

Louise, now authorised by her patroness' as well as Sir Henry's approbation, received Harland as the lover of her choice: and his entreaty that she would unite her fate to his before they quitted St.

Helena, was no longer refused. Louise was too ingenuous to conceal the sentiments of her heart; and as she presented her hand, the chastened delight which sparkled in her eyes, and the blush that suffused her cheek, told a tale to Harland, which amply compensated for all the anxiety he had suffered on her account.

At his ardent request, the Marchioness appointed an early day for their nuptials; and Harland, more enamoured than ever, in the evening bade adieu to Louise, and returned with the Captain and his youthful companions on board; his heart replete with every pleasurable sensation that love and the gayest illusions of hope could inspire. But short was his promised happiness--the succeeding morning, on going to the Marchioness's, he found that worthy lady and her daughters in tears, and the family in the wildest confusion: Louise was not to be found; nor could the least trace be discovered to direct them to the place where she had fled, or been forced!

"I have dispatched a servant for Captain Howard and Sir Henry," said the Marchioness, still weeping; "and have likewise sent for the Governor; as I strongly suspect it to be Ferrand who has torn the sweet girl from my protection."

The name of Ferrand recalled the suspended faculties of Harland: his brow contracted, fire flashed in his eyes, and in dissonant terms of the maddest pa.s.sion, he vowed the destruction of his rival!

At this moment the Captain and Sir Henry arrived: the pallid countenance of the latter spoke more forcibly than language his concern at this accident, as, with trembling lips, he entreated the Marchioness to explain the particulars of the account they had received from the messenger.

Little intelligence could be given.--Louise had, the preceding night, retired to her usual apartment; but in the morning the Marchioness, surprised at her non-attendance at her toilet, (a duty Louise had never neglected) sent one of her daughters to inquire if she were indisposed, who immediately returned with the account, that she was not in her room, nor, from the appearance of the bed, had it that night been slept in; one of the windows was likewise open; and, from the disorder of the furniture, and a handkerchief Louise had worn the preceding day lying on the floor, torn, they had every reason to suppose she had been forced away.

The relation of these circ.u.mstances increased the frenzy of Harland, who would that instant have gone in pursuit of Ferrand. Sir Henry started up to accompany him.

"This madness must not be," said the Captain, detaining them. "Though suspicion points at Ferrand, you are not certain he is the aggressor; and if he be, it is to the friendship of his uncle you must look for redress: do not then, by an avowed act of violence, induce him to espouse the cause you want him to condemn. But here comes the Governor; and I beg, Harland, you will at least restrain your pa.s.sion, and hear his opinion, before you determine on your procedure."

Harland's feelings were at that moment too tremblingly alive to the insults Louise might experience, to admit the reasonableness of the Captain's request. Louise was the prize on which he had fixed his happiness; nor could he, with even an appearance of indifference, see a man so nearly related to him, who had torn her from his arms. He could not, however, reply, as the Governor was that instant announced.

On being informed of their distress, that gentleman expressed such a generous concern for the occasion of it, as nearly disarmed Harland of his resentment. He a.s.sured the Marchioness, if it were his nephew who had committed the outrage, Louise should be restored; as, independently of her prior engagement to the Lieutenant, and amiable as he acknowledged her to be, he did not wish Ferrand to form an alliance with her. That no unnecessary time might be lost, he ordered two of his attendants to proceed immediately to his countryseat, with orders, if Louise had been carried there, to re-conduct her to the Marchioness.

The impatience of Harland could be no longer restrained; he entreated the Governor would permit him to accompany the messengers. No one, he pleaded, was so interested in the issue of the search as himself; no one, then, so proper to undertake it.

"I cannot grant your request, Lieutenant," answered the Governor, "however I may wish to oblige you; as the life of my nephew might be endangered by my compliance. I know his disposition--I have had proofs of yours: nor dare I trust you in the presence of each other. If it will be any satisfaction to you, Sir Henry may go; and if he be unsuccessful in his mission, you shall have full liberty to search any, or every part of the isle, except the spot where Ferrand is."

Harland thought the restriction unjust; but the expressive eye of Sir Henry checked the impetuous sally of his impatience.

"The anxiety I feel for the recovery of our Louise," said Sir Henry, addressing him, "can be exceeded, Harland, by none but your own: and for the permission offered me of accompanying the messengers, I accept it with thankfulness. You, Harland, will remain with the Marchioness till my return; when if I be unsuccessful, we will proceed on a further search."

The brow of Harland was still contracted: a darkened pa.s.sion rolled over his soul: his eye glanced to the Governor, who was conferring with the Marchioness and the Captain. Sir Henry read the tumult of his mind, and, drawing him aside, endeavoured to reconcile him to the Governor's commands.

"And what," answered Harland vehemently, "must Louise think? To be rescued from the hand of villany--perhaps of dishonour, by the hand of a brother, or menials, whilst he who nearly claims the name of Husband stands by like a dastard, in the moment of danger! By Heavens, Sir Henry, it must not--shall not be!"

"It must, Harland," said Sir Henry. "In this respect the Governor's will is law: and Louise is too just--too generous, to impute to you as a slight, that which proceeds from necessity. Then cheer up, man; in a few hours, I trust, all will be well."

A servant now entered, to inform Sir Henry the attendants were waiting.

He shook Harland by the hand, and, taking a hasty leave, set out for the Governor's seat.

END OF VOLUME I.