Chapter XIX: Act I (1)

“An hour after the scene which I have tried to describe, I was at home; and, seated in this apartment, then very different in appearance, reflected deeply upon this romantic encounter with the beautiful girl.

“It was midnight before I retired. I fell asleep thinking of her, and the exquisite face still followed me in my dreams.

“These few words tell you much, do they not, Surry? You no doubt begin to understand, now, when I have scarcely begun the real narrative, what is going to be the character of the drama. Were I a romance writer, I should call your attention to the fact that I have introduced my characters, described their appearance, and given you an inkling of the series of events which are about to be unrolled before you. A young man of twenty is commended to your attention; a youth living in a great mansion; lord of himself, but tired of exercising that authority; of violent passions, but without an object; and at that very moment, presto! appeared a lovely girl, with dark eyes, rosy lips; whom the youth encounters and rescues under most romantic circumstances!

“Well, the ‘lord of himself’ acted in real life as he would have done in a novel. In other words, my dear Surry, I proceeded straightway to fall violently in love with _Miss Mortimer_; and it is needless to say that on the next day my horse might have been seen standing at the rack of the parsonage. I had gone, you see, as politeness required, to ask how the young lady felt after her accident.

“She was leaning back in an arm-chair, reading a ‘good book,’ and looked charming. The accident seemed to have greatly shocked the delicate frame of the young creature, but when I entered, she held out her hand, greeting me with a fascinating smile. Mademoiselle was imitated by Monsieur. I mean Mr. Mortimer. I did not fancy the countenance of that gentleman much. It was dark and forbidden, but his manners were those of a person acquainted with good society; he thanked me ‘with effusion,’ as the French say, for my timely assistance on the night before; and then he strolled forth with the good parson to look at the garden, leaving me _tete-à-tete_ with his sister.

“Why lengthen out my story by comment, reflections, a description of every scene, and the progressive steps through which the ‘affair’ passed? I was in love with Miss Mortimer. She saw it. Her eyes said, ‘Love me as much as you choose, and don’t be afraid I will not love you soon, in return.’ At the end of this interview, which the worthy Mr. Mortimer did not interrupt for at least two hours, I rode home thinking with a throb of the heart ‘If she will only love me?’ Then the throb was succeeded by a sudden sinking of the same organ. ‘But there will be no opportunity!’ I groaned, ‘doubtless in two or three days she will leave this part of the country!’ A week afterward that apprehension had been completely removed. Miss Mortimer was still faint and weak, ‘from her accident.’ All her movements were slow and languid. She had not left the good parson’s house, Surry--and what is more she was not going to leave it! She had learned what she desired to know about me; heard that I was a young man of great wealth; and had devised a scheme so singular that--but let me not anticipate! She proceeded rapidly. In our second interview she ‘made eyes at me.’ In the third, she blushed and murmured, avoiding my glances, when I looked at her. In the fourth, she blushed more deeply when I took her hand--but did not withdraw it. In the fifth, the fair head in some manner had come to rest on my shoulder--no doubt from weakness. And in a few days afterward the shy, embarrassed, loving, palpitating creature, blushing deeply, ‘sunk upon my bosom,’ as the poets say, and murmured, ‘How can I resist you?’

“In other words, my dear friend, _Miss Mortimer_ had promised to become _my wife_, and I need not say, I was the happiest of men. I thought with rapture of the bliss I was about to enjoy in having by my side, throughout life, this charming creature. I trembled at the very thought that the accident in the wood might not have happened, and I might never have known her! I was at the parsonage morning, noon, and night. When not beside _her_ I was riding through the forest at full speed, with bared brow, laughing lips, and shouts of joy--in a word, my dear friend, I was as much intoxicated as ever youth was yet, and fed on froth and moonshine to an extent that was really astonishing!

“There was absolutely nothing to oppose our marriage. My old guardian, it is true, shook his head, and suggested inquiries into the family, position, character, etc., of the Mortimers; I was young, wealthy, heir of one of the oldest families, he said, and sharpers might deceive me. But all I heard was the word ‘sharpers’--and I left my guardian, whose functions had ceased now, in high displeasure at his unworthy imputations. That angel a sharper! That pure, devoted creature, guilty of deception! I fell into a rage; swore never to visit my guardian again; and returning to the parsonage urged a speedy consummation of our marriage.

“The fair one was not loth. She indicated that fact by violently opposing me at first, but soon yielded. When I rode home that night I had made every arrangement for our union in one month from that time.

“So much for Act I., Surry!”

XVII.

THE WILL.

Mohun had commenced his narrative in a mild voice, and with an expression of great sadness upon his features. As he proceeded, however, this all disappeared; gradually the voice became harsh and metallic, so to describe it, and his face resumed that expression of cynical bitterness which I had observed in him on our first meeting. As he returned thus, to the past, all its bitterness seemed to revive; memory lashed him with its stinging whip; and Mohun had gone back to his “first phase,”--that of the man, stern, implacable, and misanthropic.

After uttering the words, “So much for Act I., Surry!” he paused. A moment afterward, however, he resumed his narrative.

“What I am now going to tell you is not agreeable to remember, my dear Surry, and I shall accordingly relate every thing as briefly as possible. I aim only to give you a clear conception of the tragedy. You will form your own opinion.

“I was impolite enough in introducing _Miss Mortimer_ to you, at the parsonage, to describe that young lady as a ‘devil.’ No doubt the term shocked you, and yet it conveyed something very like the exact truth. I declare to you that this woman was, and is still, a marvel to me, a most curious study. How could she be such as she was? She had the lips of an infant, and the eyes of an angel. Was it not strange that, under all that, she should hide the heart of a born devil? But to continue my narrative.

“The month or two which elapsed between my engagement and my marriage was not an uninterrupted dream of bliss. The atmosphere was strangely disturbed on more than one occasion. Mademoiselle was frequently absent from the parsonage when I arrived, taking long walks with Monsieur, her brother; and when she returned from these excursions, I could see a very strange expression on her countenance as she looked at me. Occasionally her glance was like those lurid flashes of lightning which you may have seen issue from the depths of a black cloud. Her black eyes were the cloud--admire the simile!--and I assure you their expression at such moments was far from agreeable. What to make of it, I knew not. I am not constitutionally irritable, but on more than one occasion I felt a strange angry throb of the heart when I encountered those glances.

“Mademoiselle saw my displeasure, and hastened at once to soothe and dissipate it. The dark flash was always succeeded by the most brilliant sunshine; but, even in moments of her greatest apparent abandon, I would still meet suddenly, when she did not think I was looking at her, the sombre glance which appalled me.

“In spite of this strange phenomenon, however, the young girl possessed unbounded influence over me. I could not resist her fascinations, and was as wax in her hands. She took a charming interest in all that concerned me; painted the blissful future before us, in all the colors of the rainbow; and declared that the devotion of her whole life would not be sufficient to display ‘her gratitude for my magnanimity in wedding a poor girl who had nothing but her warm love to offer me.’

“‘That is more than enough,’ I said, charmed by her caressing voice. ‘I have few relations, and friends--you are all to me.’

“‘And you to me!’ she said. Then she added, with a sort of shudder, ‘but suppose you were to die!’

“I laughed, and replied:--

“‘You would be well provided for, and find yourself a gay young widow with hundreds of beaux?’

“She looked at me reproachfully.

“‘Do you think I would ever marry again?’ she said. ‘No! I would take our marriage ring, and some little souvenir connected with you, leave your fine house, and go with my brother to some poor home in a foreign country, where the memory of our past happiness would be my solace!’

“I shook my head.

“‘You will not do that,’ I said, ‘you will be the mistress of all my fortune, after my death!’

“‘Oh, no!’ she exclaimed.

“‘Oh, yes!’ I responded, laughing; ‘and, to make every thing certain, I am going to draw up my will this very day, leaving you every thing which I possess in the world.’

“Her face suddenly flushed.

“‘How can you think of such a thing!’ she said. ‘I did not know how much you loved me!’

“You will understand, my dear Surry, that those words did not change my resolution. When I left her I went home, and wrote the will in due form, and on my next visit she asked, laughing, if I had carried out my absurd resolution.

“‘Yes,’ I said, ‘and now let us talk of a more interesting affair--our marriage!’

“She blushed, then turned pale, and again I saw the strange lurid glance. It disappeared, however, in an instant, and she was all smiles and fascinations throughout the remainder of the day. Never had I been so happy.”

XVIII.

THE MARRIAGE.

“As the day of our marriage approached,” continued Mohun, “I saw more than once the same singular expression in the lady’s eyes, and I confess it chilled me.

“She seemed to be the prey to singular moods, and fits of silence. She took more frequent and longer walks with Mortimer than before. When they returned from these walks and found me awaiting them at the parsonage, both would look at me in the strangest way, only to quickly withdraw their eyes when they caught my own fixed upon them.

“I longed to speak of this curious phenomenon to some one, but had no friend. My best friend, Nighthawk, was alienated from me, and Mademoiselle had been the cause. From the first moment of our acquaintance, Nighthawk had seemed to suspect something. He did not attempt to conceal his dislike of Mortimer and the young lady. Why was that? I could not tell. Your dog growls when the secret foe approaches you, smiling, and, perhaps, Nighthawk, my faithful retainer, had something of the watch dog in him.

“Certain it is that he had witnessed my growing intimacy with Miss Mortimer, with ill-concealed distaste. As I became more and more attentive, he became almost sour toward me. When I asked him the meaning of his singular deportment, he shook his head--and then, with flushed cheeks and eyes, exclaimed: ‘do not marry this young person, sir! something bad will come of it!’ When he said that, I looked at him with haughty surprise--and this sentiment changed in a few moments to cold anger. ‘Leave this house,’ I said, ‘and do not return until you have learned how to treat me with decent respect!’ He looked at me for a moment, clasped his hands, opened his lips--seemed about to burst forth into passionate entreaty--but all at once, shaking his head, went out in silence. I looked after him with a strange shrinking of the heart. What could he mean? He was senseless!--and I mounted my horse, galloped to the parsonage, was received with radiant smiles, and forgot the whole scene. On the next day Nighthawk did not return--nor on the next. I did not see him again until the evening of the day on which I was married.

“To that ‘auspicious moment’ I have now conducted you, my dear Surry. The morning for my marriage came. I say ‘the morning’--for my ‘enchantress,’ as the amatory poets say, had declared that she detested the idea of being married at night; she also objected to company;--would I not consent to have the ceremony performed quietly at the parsonage, with no one present but her brother and the excellent parson, Hope, and his old housekeeper? Then she would belong to me--I could do as I pleased with her--take her to Fonthill, or where I chose--she only begged that I would allow her to embark on the ocean of matrimony, with no one to witness her blushes but myself, her brother, the old housekeeper, and the good minister!

“I consented at once. The speech charmed me, I need not say--and I was not myself unwilling to dispense with inquisitive eyes and laughing witnesses. Infatuated as I was, I could not conceal from myself that my marriage was a hasty and extremely ‘romantic’ affair. I doubted whether the old friends of my father in the neighborhood would approve of it; and now, when Mademoiselle gave me a good excuse to dispense with their presence, I gladly assented, invited no one, and went to my wedding alone, in the great family chariot, unaccompanied by a single friend or relative.

“Mademoiselle met me with a radiant smile, and her wedding dress of white silk, made her look perfectly charming. Her lips were caressing, her eyes melting, but all at once, as she looked at me, I saw the color all fade out of the rosy lips of the lady; and from the great dark eyes darted the lurid flash. A chill, like that of death smote me, I know not why, but I suppressed my emotion. In ten minutes, I was standing before the excellent clergyman, the young lady’s cold hand in mine--and we were duly declared man and wife.

“All my forebodings and strange shrinkings were completely dissipated at this instant. I was overwhelmed with happiness, and would not have envied a king upon his throne. With the hand of the lovely creature in my own, and her eyes fixed upon me with an expression of the deepest love, I experienced but one emotion--that of full, complete, unalloyed happiness.

“Let me hasten on. The storm is coming, my dear Surry. I linger on the threshold of the tragedy, and recoil even now, with a sort of shudder from the terrible scenes which succeeded my marriage. _Tragedy_ is a mild word, as you will perceive, for the drama. It was going to surpass Aeschylus--and preserve the Greek ‘unities’ with frightful precision!

“Half an hour after the ceremony, I led madam to my chariot; followed her into the vehicle, and making a last sign of greeting to the good parson, directed the driver to proceed to Fonthill. Madam’s excellent brother did not accompany us. He declared his intention to remain on that night at the parsonage. He would call at Fonthill on the next day--on the day after, he proposed to continue his way to Georgia. His eyes were not a pleasant spectacle as he uttered these words, and I observed a singular pallor came to madam’s countenance. But I was in no mood to nourish suspicion. At the height of happiness, I looked serenely down upon all the world, and with the hand of _my wife_ in my own, was driven rapidly to Fonthill.

“We arrived in the afternoon, and dined in state, all alone. Madam did the honors of _her table_ with exquisite grace, but more than once I saw her hand shake in a very singular way, as she carried food or a glass to her lips.

“After dinner she bade me a smiling courtesy, leaving me to find company in my cigar, she said; and tripped off to her chamber.

“Well, I lit my cigar, retired to the library, and seating myself in an arm-chair before the fire, began to reflect. It was nearly the middle of December, and through the opening in the curtains I could see the moonlight on the chill expanse of the lawn.

“I had just taken my seat, when I heard a step in the passage, the door of the library opened, and Nighthawk, as pale as a ghost, and with a strange expression in his eyes, entered the apartment.”

XIX.

WEDDING ARRANGEMENTS.

“I had recognized his step,” continued Mohun, “but I did not move or turn my head, for I had not recovered from my feeling of ill humor toward the faithful retainer. I allowed him to approach me, and then said coldly, without looking at him--

“‘Who is that?’

“‘I, sir,’ said Nighthawk, in a trembling voice.

“‘What do you want?’

“‘I wish to speak to you, sir.’

“‘I am not at leisure.’

“‘I _must_ speak to you, sir.’

“I wheeled round in my chair, and looked at him. His pallor was frightful.

“‘What does all this mean?’ I said, coldly, ‘this is a singular intrusion.’

“‘I would not intrude upon you, if it was not necessary sir,’ he said, in an agitated voice, ‘but I must speak to you to-night!’

“There was something in his accent which frightened me, I knew not why.

“‘Well speak!’ I said, austerely, ‘but be brief!’

“‘As brief as I can, sir; but I must tell you all. If you strike me dead at your feet, I must tell you all, sir!’

“In spite of myself I shuddered.

“‘Speak!’ I said, ‘what does this mean, Nighthawk?’ Why do you look like a ghost at me?’

“He came up close to me.

“‘What I have to tell you concerns your honor and your life, sir!’ he said, in a low tone.

“I gazed at him in speechless astonishment. Was I the prey of some nightmare? I protest to you, Surry, I thought for a moment that I was dreaming all this. A tremor ran through my frame; I placed my hand upon my heart, which felt icy cold--then suddenly my self-possession and coolness seemed to return to me as by magic.

“‘Explain your words,’ I said, coldly, ‘there is some mystery in them which I do not understand. Speak, and speak plainly.’

“‘I will do so, sir,’ he replied, in the same trembling voice.

“And going to the door of the apartment, he bent down and placed his ear at the key-hole. He remained in this attitude for a moment without moving. Then rising, he went to the window, and drawing aside the curtains, looked out on the chill moonlit expanse. This second examination seemed to satisfy him. At the same instant a light step--the step of madam--was heard crossing the floor of the apartment, above our heads; and this evidently banished Nighthawk’s last fears.

“He returned quickly to the seat where I was sitting; looked at me for some minutes with eyes full of fear, affection, sympathy, fright, and said in a voice so low, that it scarce rose above a whisper:--

“‘We are alone, sir, and I can speak without being overheard by these devils who have betrayed and are about to murder you! Do not interrupt me sir!--the time is short!--you must know every thing at once, in an hour it would be too late! The man calling himself Mortimer is probably within a hundred yards of us at this moment. The woman you have married is----his wife. Stop, sir!--do not strike me!--listen! I know the truth of every thing now. She talked with him for an hour under the big cedar, near the parsonage last night. He will see her again to-night, and in this house--hear me to the end, sir! You will not harm him; you will care nothing for all this; you will not know it, for you will be dead, sir!’

“At these words I must have turned deadly pale, for Nighthawk hastened to my side, and placed his arm around me to support me. But I did not need his assistance. In an instant I was as calm as I am at this moment. I quietly removed the arm of Nighthawk, and said in a low tone:--

“‘How do you know this?’

“‘I overheard their talk,’ he replied, in a husky voice, and looked at me with infinite tenderness as he spoke. ‘I was coming to see you at the parsonage, where I thought you had gone, sir. I could not bear to keep away from my old master’s son any longer; and let him get married without making up, and having him feel kindly again to me. Well, sir, I had just reached the big cedar, when I saw _the lady_ come out of the house, hasten toward the cedar, and hide herself in the shadow, within a few feet of me. No sooner had she done so, than I saw a man come from the rear of the house, straight to the cedar, and as he drew nearer I recognized Mortimer. Madam coughed slightly, as though to give him the signal; he soon reached her; and then they began to talk. I was hidden by the trunk of the tree, and the shadow of the heavy boughs, reaching nearly to the ground; so I heard every word they said, without being discovered.’

“‘What was it they said?’

“‘I can not repeat their words, sir, but I can tell you what I learned from their talk.’

“‘Tell me,’ I said.

“‘First, I discovered that madam had been married to that man more than a year before you saw her.’

“‘Yes.’

“‘Before which she had been tried, convicted, and confined for six months in a prison in New York, as a thief. You turn pale, sir; shall I stop?’

“‘No, go on,’ I said.

“‘These facts,’ continued Nighthawk, ‘came out in a sort of quarrel which madam had with the man. He reproached her with intending to desert him--with loving you--and said he had not rescued her from misery to be thus treated. She laughed, and replied that she was only following a suggestion of his own. They were poor, they must live; he had himself said that they must procure money either honestly or dishonestly; and he had fully approved of the plan she had now undertaken. _You_, sir--she added--were an “empty-headed fool,”--the idea of her “loving” you was absurd!--but you were wealthy; immensely wealthy; had made a will leaving her your entire property;--_if you died suddenly on your wedding night_, she and himself would possess Fonthill, and live in affluence.’

“‘Go on,’ I said.

“‘At these words,’ continued Nighthawk, ‘I could see the man turn pale. He had not intended _that_, he said. His scheme had been, that madam should induce you to bestow upon her a splendid trousseau in the shape of jewels and money, with which they would elope. The marriage was only a farce, he added--he did not wish to turn it into a tragedy. But she interrupted him impatiently, and said she hated and would have no mercy on you. She would have all or nothing. Your will made her the mistress. What was a crime, more or less, to people like themselves! At these words he uttered a growl. In a word, she added, you were _an obstacle_, and she was going to _suppress you_--with or without his consent. She then proceeded to tell him her resolution; and it is a frightful, a horrible one, sir! All is arranged--you are about to be _murdered_!’

“‘How, and when?’ I said.

“‘This very night, by poison!’

“‘Ah!’ I said, ‘explain that.’

“‘Madam has provided herself with strychnine, which she will place in the tea you drink to-night. Tea will be served in half an hour. _He_ will be waiting--for she forced him to agree--and your cries will announce all to him. You will be poisoned between eight and nine o’clock in the evening, sir,--at ten you will already be dying,--and at midnight you will be dead. Then madam will banish every one from her chamber, in inconsolable grief--lock the door--tap on the window-pane--_he_ will hear the signal, and come up the back staircase--when madam will open the private door for him to come in and take a look at your body! Do you understand now, sir?’

“‘Yes,’ I said. ‘Remain here, Nighthawk. There is the step of the servant coming to tell me tea is ready!’”

XX.

THE CUP OF TEA.

“The door opened as I uttered the words, and my old major-domo--gray haired, and an heir-loom, so to say, of the family--bowed low, and announced that tea was served and madam waiting.

“I rose and looked into the mirror above the fireplace. I was pale, but not sufficiently so to excite suspicion; and with a smile which frightened Nighthawk, took my way toward the supper-room.

“Madam was awaiting me, as I suspected, and I had never seen her look more radiant. A single glance told me that she had made an elaborate toilet in honor of--my funeral! Her dark hair was in shining braids; her eyes sparkled with joy; her parted lips showed her white teeth;--the only evidence I saw of concealed emotion was in the bloodless cheeks. They were as white as the lace falling over her superb silk dress.

“‘You see you keep me waiting!’ she said, with playful _naiveté_, ‘and your tea is growing cold, sir--which is worse for me than for you, as you do not care, but I care for you!’

“And as I passed her, she drew me playfully toward her, dragged me down, and held up her lips. I touched them with my own; they were as cold as ice, or the cheek my own face just touched in passing. I went to the table; took my seat; and madam poured out the tea, with a covert glance toward me. I was not looking at her, but I saw it.

“A moment afterward, the old waiter presented me the small gilt cup, smoking, fragrant, and inviting.

“I took it, looking, as before, out of the corner of my eye at madam. She was leaning forward, watching me with a face as pale as death. I could hear her teeth chatter.

“I placed the cup to my lips;--her hand, holding a spoon, trembled so that the spoon beat a tattoo on her saucer. She was watching me in breathless suspense; and all at once I turned full toward her.

“‘The taste of this tea is singular,’ I said, ‘I should call it very bad.’

“‘Oh, it is--excellent!’ she muttered, between her chattering teeth.

“‘The cup you send me is certainly wretched. Do me the _pleasure to taste it, madam_.’

“And depositing it upon the waiter of the old servant, I said:--

“‘Take this to your mistress.’

“He did so; she just touched it with her lips, her hand trembling, then replaced it upon the waiter.

“‘I perceive nothing disagreeable,’ she murmured.

“‘Swallow a mouthful,’ I said, with a bitter smile.

“She looked at me with sudden intentness. Her eyes, full of wild inquiry, seemed attempting to read into my very soul.

“‘Perhaps you object to drinking after me, as the children say,’ I added--this time with a species of sneer, and a flash of the eye, I think.

“‘Oh, no!’ she exclaimed, with an attempt to laugh; ‘and to show you--’

“With a quick movement she attempted--as though by accident--to strike the waiter with her elbow, in order to overturn the cup.

“But the old servant was too well trained. The lady’s elbow struck the waiter, but the skilful attendant withdrew it quickly. Not a drop of the tea was spilled.

“A moment afterward I was beside madam.

“‘I pray you to drink,’ I said.

“‘I can not--I feel unwell,’ she murmured, cowering beneath the fire in my eye.

“‘I beg you to drink from this cup.’

“‘I have told you--I will not.’

“‘I beseech you to humor me, madam. Else I shall regard you as a murderess!’

“She rose suddenly.

“‘Your meaning, sir!’ she exclaimed, as pale as death.

“I took the cup and poured the tea into a saucer. At the bottom was a modicum of white powder, undissolved. I poured the tea into the cup again--then a second time into the saucer. This time nothing remained--and I proceeded to pour cream into the saucer, until it was filled. Madam watched me with distended eyes, and trembling from head to foot. Then suddenly she uttered a cry--a movement of mine had caused the cry.

“I had gone to the fire where a cat was reposing upon the rug, and placed the saucer before her. In two minutes its contents had disappeared down the throat of the cat. Five minutes afterward the animal was seized with violent convulsions--uttered unearthly cries--tore the carpet with its claws--glared around in a sort of despair--rolled on its back, beat the air with its paws--and expired.

“I turned to madam, who was gazing at me with distended eyes, and pointing to the cat, said:--

“‘See this unfortunate animal, madam! Her death is curious. She has died in convulsions, in consequence of drinking a cup of tea!’”

XXI.

THE FOILS.

“Up to this moment,” continued Mohun, “madam had exhibited every indication of nervous excitement, and a sort of terror. Had that arisen from a feeling of suspense, and the unexpected discovery of her intent by the proposed victim? I know not; but now, when all was discovered, her manner suddenly changed.

“She glared at me like a wild animal driven to bay. Her pearly teeth closed upon her under lip until the blood started. Pallid, but defiant, she uttered a low hoarse sound which resembled the growl of a tigress from whom her prey has been snatched, and with a firm and haughty step left the apartment, glaring over her shoulder at me to the last.

“Then her step was heard upon the great staircase; she slowly ascended to her chamber; the door opened, then closed--and I sat down, overcome for an instant by the terrible scene, within three paces of the dead animal, destroyed by the poison intended for myself.

“This paralysis of mind lasted only for a moment, however. I rose coolly; directed the old servant, who alone had witnessed the scene, to retire, and carefully abstain from uttering a word of what had passed before him--then I leaned upon the mantel-piece, reflected for five minutes--and in that time I had formed my resolution.

“Mortimer was first to be thought of. I intended to put him to death first and foremost. It would have been easy to have imitated the old seigneurs of the feudal age, and ordered my retainers to assassinate him; but that was repugnant to my whole character. It should never be said that a Mohun had shrunk before his foe; that one of my family had delegated to another the punishment of his enemy. I would fight Mortimer--meet him in fair and open combat--if he killed me well and good. If not, I would kill him. And it should not be with the pistol. I thirsted to meet him breast to breast; to feel my weapon traverse his heart. To accomplish this was not difficult. I had often heard Mortimer, when at the parsonage, boast of his skill with the foils. I had a pair at hand. By breaking off the buttons, and sharpening the points, I would secure two rude but excellent rapiers, with which Mortimer and myself could settle our little differences, after the fashion of gentlemen in former ages! As to the place of combat,--anywhere--in the house, or a part of the grounds around the mansion--it was unimportant I said, so that one of us was killed. But a moment’s reflection induced me to change my views. Under any circumstances _I_ was going to die--that was true. My character, however, must be thought of. It would not do to have a stain rest on the last of the house of Mohun! Were I to kill Mortimer in the house, or grounds, it would be said that I had murdered him, with the aid of my servants--that I had drawn him thither to strike him--had acted the traitor and the coward. ‘No,’ I said, ‘even in death I must guard the family honor. This man must fall elsewhere--in some spot far distant from this house--fall without witnesses--in silence--in fair fight with me, no one even seeing us.’

“I had formed this resolution in five minutes after the departure of madam from the supper-room. I went straight to the library; calmly stated my resolution to Nighthawk; and in spite of his most obstinate remonstrances, and repeated refusals, broke down his opposition by sheer force of will. It took me half an hour, but at the end of that time I had succeeded. Nighthawk listened, with bent head, and pale face covered with drops of cold perspiration, to my orders. These orders were to have the horses put to the carriage, which was to be ready at my call; then to proceed with a trusty servant, or more if necessary, to a private spot on the river, which I described to him; dig a grave of full length and depth; and when his work was finished, return and report the fact to me, cautioning the servant or servants to say nothing.

“This work, I calculated, would be completed about midnight--and at midnight I promised myself an interview with my friend Mortimer.

“Nighthawk groaned as he listened to my cold and resolute voice, giving minute instructions for the work of darkness--looked at my face, to discover if there were any signs of yielding there--doubtless saw none whatever--and disappeared, uttering a groan, to carry out the orders which he had received from me.

“Then I took the two foils from the top of the bookcase where they were kept; broke off the buttons by placing my heel upon them; procured a file, and sharpened the points until they would have penetrated through an ordinary plank. That was sufficient, I said to myself--they would pierce a man’s breast--and placing them on the buffet, I went to a drawer and took out a loaded revolver, which I thrust into my breast.

“Two minutes afterward I had ascended to madam’s chamber, opened the door, and entered.”

XXII.

WHILE WAITING FOR MIDNIGHT.

“I did not arrive a moment too soon--in fact I came in the nick of time.

“Madam had hastily collected watches, chains, breastpins, necklaces, and all the money she could find; had thrust the whole into a jewel casket; thrown her rich furs around her shoulders; and was hurrying toward the door, in rear of the apartment which opened on the private staircase.

“She had not locked the main door of the apartment, doubtless fearing to excite suspicion, or knowing I could easily break the hasp with a single blow of my foot. She had plainly counted on my stupor of astonishment and horror at her crime, and was now trying to escape.

“That did not suit my view, however. In two steps, I reached the private door, turned the key, drew it from the lock, and placed it in my pocket.

“‘Sit down, madam,’ I said, ‘and do not be in such a hurry to desert your dear husband. Let us talk for a few moments, at least, before you depart.’

“She glared at me and sat down. She looked regal in her costly furs, holding the casket, heaped with rich jewels.

“‘What is your programme, madam, if I may ask?’ I said, taking a chair which stood opposite to her.

“‘To leave this house!’ she said, hoarsely.

“‘Ah! you are tired of me, then?’

“‘I am sick of you!--have long been sick of you!’

“‘Indeed!’ I said. ‘That is curious! I thought our marriage was a love affair, madam; at least you induced me to suppose so. What, then, has suddenly changed your sentiments in my direction? Am I a monster? Have I been cruel to you? Am I unworthy of you?’

“‘I hate and despise you!’

“It was the hoarse growl of a wild animal rather than the voice of a woman. She was imperial at that moment--and I acknowledge, Surry, that she was ‘game to the last!’

“‘Ah! you hate me, you despise me!’ I said. ‘I have had the misfortune to incur madam’s displeasure! No more connubial happiness--no more endearments and sweet confidences--no more loving words, and glances--no more bliss!’

“She continued to glare at me.

“‘I am unworthy of madam; I see that clearly,’ I went on. ‘I am only a poor little, plain little, insignificant little country clodhopper! I am nothing--a mere nobody,--while madam is--shall I tell you, madam? While you are a convict--a bigamist,--and a poisoner! Are you not?’

“Her face became livid, but her defiant eyes never sank before my glance. I really admired her, Surry. No woman was ever braver than that one. I had supposed that these words would overwhelm her; that the discovery of my acquaintance with her past life, and full knowledge of her attempted crime, would crush her to the earth. Perhaps I had some remnant of pity for this woman. If she had been submissive, repentant! but, instead of submission and confusion, she exhibited greater defiance than before. In the pale face her eyes burned like coals of fire--and it was rage which inflamed them.

“‘So you have set your spies on me!’ she exclaimed, in accents of inexpressible fury. ‘You are a chivalric gentleman, truly! You are worthy of your boasted family! You pretend to love and confide in me--you look at me with smiles and eyes of affection--and all the time you are laying a trap for me--endeavoring to catch me and betray me! Well, yes, sir! yes! What you have discovered through your spies is true. I _was_ tried and sentenced as a thief--I _was_ married when I first saw you--and it is this miserable creature, this offscouring of the kennels, this thief, that has become _the wife_ of the proud Mr. Mohun--in the eyes of the world at least! I am so still--my character is untainted--dare to expose me and have me punished, and it is _your_ proud name that will be tarnished! _your_ grand escutcheon that will be blotted! Come! arrest me, expose me, drag me to justice! I will stand up in open court, and point my finger at you where you stand cowering, in the midst of jeers and laughter, and say: “There is Mr. Mohun, of the ancient family of the Mohuns,--he is the husband and the dupe of a thief!”’

“She was splendid as she uttered these words, Surry. They thrilled me, and made my blood flame. I half rose, nearly beside myself--then I resumed my seat and my coolness. A moment afterward I was as calm as I am at this moment, and said, laughing:--

“‘So you have prepared that pretty little tableau, have you, madam? I compliment you on your skill;--and even more on your nerve. But have you not omitted one thing--a very trifling portion, it is true, of the indictment to be framed against you? I refer to the little scene of this evening, madam.’

“Her teeth closed with a snap. Otherwise she exhibited no emotion. Her flashing eyes continued to survey me with the former defiance.

“‘Is there not an additional clause in the said indictment, madam?’ I calmly continued, ‘which the commonwealth’s attorney will perhaps rely on more fully than upon all else in the document, to secure your conviction and punishment? You are not only a bigamist and an ex-convict,--you are also a poisoner, my dear madam, and may be hanged for that. Or, if not hanged--there is that handsome white house at Richmond, the state penitentiary. The least term which a jury can affix to your crime, will be eighteen years, if you are not sent there for life! For life!--think of that, madam. How very disagreeable it will be! Nothing around you but blank walls; no associates but thieves and murderers--hard labor with these pretty hands--a hard bed for this handsome body--coarse and wretched food for these dainty red lips--the dress, the food, the work, and the treatment of a convict! Disagreeable, is it not, madam? But that is the least that a felon, convicted of an attempt to poison, can expect! There is only one point which I have omitted, and which may count for you. This life in prison will not be so hard to you--since your ladyship has already served your apprenticeship among felons.’

“The point at last was reached. Madam had listened with changing color, and my words seemed to paint the frightful scene in all its horror. Suddenly fury mastered her. She rose and seemed clutching at some weapon to strike me.

“‘You are _a gentleman_! you insult a woman.’

“‘You are a poisoner, madam--you make tea for the gentleman!’

“‘You are a coward! do you hear? a coward!’

“‘I can not return, madam, the same reproach!’ I replied, rising and bowing; ‘it required some courage to attempt to poison me upon the very night of my wedding!’

“My words drove her to frenzy.

“‘Beware!’ she exclaimed, taking a step toward me, and putting her hand into her bosom.

“‘Beware!’ I said, with a laugh, ‘beware of what, my dear Madam Laffarge?’

“‘Of this!’

“And with a movement as rapid as lightning she drew from her breast a small silver-mounted pistol, which she aimed straight at my breast.

“I was not in a mood to care much for pistols, Surry. When a man is engaged in a little affair like that, bullets lose their influence on the nerves.

“‘That is a pretty toy!’ I said. ‘Where did you procure it madam, the poisoner?’

“With a face resembling rather a hideous mask than a human countenance, she rushed upon me; placed the muzzle of the pistol on my very breast; and drew the trigger.

“The weapon snapped.

“A moment afterward I had taken it from her hand and thrown it into a corner.

“‘Very well done!’ I said. ‘What a pity that you use such indifferent caps! Your pistol is as harmless as your tea!’

“She uttered a hoarse cry, but did not recoil in the least, Surry! This woman was a curiosity. Instead of retreating from me, she clenched her small white hand, raised it above her head, and exclaimed:--

“‘If _he_ only were here!’

“‘_He_, madam?’ I said. ‘You refer to your respected _brother_--to Mr. Mortimer?’

“‘Yes! _he_ would make you repent your cowardly outrages and insults.’

“I looked at my watch, it was just eleven.

“‘The hour is earlier than I thought, madam,’ I said, ‘but perhaps he has already arrived.’

“And advancing to the side of the lady, I took her arm, drew her toward the window, and said:--

“‘Why not give your friend the signal you have agreed on, madam?’

“At a bound she reached the window, and struck a rapid series of blows with her fingers upon the pane.

“Five minutes afterward a heavy step was heard ascending the private staircase. I went to the door and unlocked it; the step approached--stopped at the door--the door opened, and Mortimer appeared.

“‘Come in, my dear brother-in-law,’ I said, ‘we are waiting for you.’”

XXIII.

THE RESULT OF THE SIGNAL.

“Mortimer recoiled as if a blow had been suddenly struck at him. His astonishment was so comic that I began to laugh.

“‘Good! you start!’ I said. ‘You thought I was dead by this time?’

“‘Yes,’ he coolly replied.

“As he spoke, his hand stole under the cloak in which he was wrapped, and I heard the click of a pistol as he cocked it. I drew my own weapon, cocked it in turn, and placing the muzzle upon Mortimer’s breast, said:--

“‘Draw your pistol and you are dead!’

“He looked at me with perfect coolness, mingled with a sort of curiosity. I saw that he was a man of unfaltering courage, and that the instincts of a gentleman had not entirely left him, soiled as he was with every crime. His eye was calm and unshrinking. He did not move an inch when I placed my pistol muzzle upon his breast. At the words which I uttered he withdrew his hand from his cloak--he had returned the weapon to its place--and with a penetrating glance, said:--

“‘What do you wish, sir; as you declare you await me?’

“‘Ask madam,’ I said, ‘or rather exert your own ingenuity.’

“‘My ingenuity?’

“‘In guessing.’

“‘Why not tell me?’

“‘So be it. The matter is perfectly simple, sir. I wish to kill you, or give you an opportunity to kill me--is that plain?’

“‘Quite so,’ replied Mortimer, without moving a muscle.

“‘I can understand, without further words, that all explanations and discussions are wholly useless.’

“‘Wholly.’

“‘You wish to fight me,’ he said.

“‘Yes.’

“‘To put an end to me, if possible?’

“‘Yes.’

“‘Well, I will give you that opportunity, sir, and, even return you my thanks for not killing me on the spot.’

“He paused a moment, and looked keenly at me.

“‘This whole affair is infamous,’ he said. ‘I knew that when I undertook it. I was once a gentleman, and have not forgotten every thing I then learned, whatever my practice may be. You have been tricked and deceived. You have been made the victim of a disgraceful plot, and I was the author of the whole affair; though this lady would, herself, have been equal to that, or even more. You see I talk to you plainly, sir; I know a gentleman when I see him, and you are one. I was formerly something of the same sort, but having outlawed myself, went on in the career that brought me to this. I was poor--am poor now. I originated the idea of this pseudo-marriage, with a view to profit by it, but with no further--’

“He suddenly paused and looked at the woman. Their glances in that moment crossed like lightning.

“‘Speak out!’ she cried, ‘say plainly--’

“‘Hush! I did not mean to--I am no coward, madam!’

“‘Say plainly that it was _I_ who formed the design to get rid of this person!’

“And she pointed furiously at me.

“‘Let no scruples restrain you--take nothing upon yourself--it was I, I!--I who planned his death!’

“Mortimer remained for an instant silent. Then he resumed, in the same measured voice as before:--

“‘You hear,’ he said. ‘I tried to shield her, to take the blame--meant to give you no inkling of this--but she spoils all. To end this. I have offered you a mortal insult--soiled an ancient and honorable name--the last representative of the Mohuns has formed through me a degrading connection. I acknowledge all that. I am going to try to kill you, to bury every thing in the grave. I would have shrunk from assassinating you, though I wish your death. You offer me honorable combat, and you do me an honor, which I appreciate. Let us finish. The place, time, and weapons?’

“There was, then, something not altogether base in this man. I listened with joy. I had expected to encounter a wretch without a single attribute of the gentleman.

“‘You accept this honorable combat, then?’ I said.

“‘With thanks,’ he replied.

“‘You wish to fight as gentlemen fight?’

“‘Yes.’

“‘You fence well?’

“‘Yes--but you?’

“‘Sufficiently well.’

“‘Are you certain? I warn you I am excellent at the foils.’

“‘They suit me--that is agreed on, then?’

“He bowed, and said:--

“‘Yes. And now, as to the place, the time, and every detail. All that I leave to you.’

“I bowed in turn.

“‘Then nothing will delay our affair. I have ordered a grave to be dug, in a private spot, on the river. The foils are ready, with the buttons broken, the points sharpened. The carriage has been ordered. A ride of fifteen minutes will bring us to the grave, which is done by this time, and we can settle our differences there, by moonlight, without witnesses or interruption.’

“Mortimer looked at me with a sinister smile.

“‘You are provident!’ he said, briefly. ‘I understand. The one who falls will give no trouble. The grave will await him, and he can enter at once upon his property!’

“‘Yes.’

“‘And this lady?’

“‘That will come afterward,’ I said.

“‘If I kill you--?’

“‘She is your property.’

“‘And if you kill me--?’

“‘She is mine,’ I said.

“The sinister smile again came to the dark features of Mortimer.

“‘So be it,’ he said, ‘and I am ready to accompany you, sir.’

“I drew my pistol and threw it upon the bed, looking at Mortimer as I did so. He imitated me, and opening his coat, showed me that he was wholly unarmed. I did the same, and having locked the private door leading to the back staircase, led the way out, followed by Mortimer. He turned and looked at madam as he passed through the door. She was erect, furious, defiant, full of anticipated triumph. Was it a glance of gloomy compassion and deep tenderness which Mortimer threw toward her? I thought I heard him sigh.

“I locked the door, and we descended to the library.”

XXIV.

WHAT TOOK PLACE IN FIFTY MINUTES.

“As we entered the apartment, the clock on the mantel-piece struck midnight.

“My body servant was within call, and I ordered my carriage, which Nighthawk had been directed to have ready at a moment’s warning.

“In five minutes it was at the door, and I had just taken the two foils under my arm, when I heard a step in the passage. A moment afterward, Nighthawk entered.

“He was so pale that I scarcely recognized him. When his eyes encountered Mortimer, they flashed lightnings of menace.

“‘Well?’ I said, in brief tones.

“‘It is ready, sir,’ Nighthawk replied, in a voice scarcely audible. I looked at him imperiously.

“‘And the servants are warned to keep silent?’

“‘Yes, sir.’

“‘Very well. Remain here until I return,’ I said.

“And I pointed to a seat, with a glance at Nighthawk, which said plainly to him, ‘Do not presume to attempt to turn me from my present purpose--it will be useless, and offensive to me.’

“He groaned, and sat down in the seat I indicated. His frame was bent and shrunken like that of an old man, in one evening. Since that moment, I have loved Nighthawk, my dear Surry; and he deserves it.

“Without delay I led the way to the carriage, which was driven by my father’s old gray-haired coachman, and entered it with Mortimer, directing the driver to follow the high-road down the river. He did so; we rolled on in the moonlight, or the shadow, as it came forth or disappeared behind the drifting clouds. The air was intensely cold. From beyond the woods came the hollow roar of the Nottoway, which was swollen by a freshet.

“Mortimer drew his cloak around him, but said nothing. In ten minutes I called to the old coachman to stop. He checked his spirited horses--I had some good ones then--and I descended from the carriage, with the foils under my arm, followed by Mortimer.

“The old coachman looked on in astonishment. The spot at which I had stopped the carriage was wild and dreary beyond expression.

“‘Shall I wait, sir?’ he said, respectfully.

“‘No; return home at once, and put away the carriage.’

“He looked at me with a sort of stupor.

“‘Go home, sir?’ he said.

“‘Yes.’

“‘And leave you?’

“‘Obey me!’

“My voice must have shown that remonstrance would be useless. My old servitor uttered a sigh like the groan which had escaped from the lips of Nighthawk, and, mounting the box, turned the heads of his horses toward home.

“I watched the carriage until it turned a bend in the road, and then, making a sign to Mortimer to follow me, led the way into the woods. Pursuing a path which the moonlight just enabled me to perceive, I penetrated the forest; went on for about ten minutes; and finally emerged upon a plateau, in the swampy undergrowth near which stood the ruins of an old chimney.

“This chimney had served to indicate the spot to Nighthawk; and, before us, in the moonlight, was the evidence that he had found it. In the centre of the plateau was a newly dug grave--and in front of it I paused.

“‘We have arrived,’ I said.

“Mortimer gazed at the grave with a grim smile.

“‘That is a dreary and desolate object,’ he said.

“‘It will soon be inhabited,’ I returned; ‘and the issue of this combat is indifferent to me, since in either event I shall be dead.’

“‘Ah!’ he exclaimed, ‘explain that.’